The S-type Ladybird leucogranite suite of southeastern British Columbia: Geochemical and isotopic evidence for a genetic link with migmatite formation in the North American basement gneisses of the Monashee complex

The 62–52 Ma Ladybird granite (LBG) suite is a peraluminous, leucocratic, S-type, quartz monzonitic to granitic suite which occurs as batholiths, stocks, dikes, sills, and pegmatite veins predominantly in the high-grade rocks of the Shuswap complex, in southeastern British Columbia. The emplacement of the LBG was synchronous with the production of abundant migmatites within Thor–Odin dome of the Monashee complex, an exposure of North American basement, exhumed from depths of ca. 26–33 km by Eocene extensional faults. The LBG and the leucosome in migmatites from Thor–Odin dome have similar major and trace element patterns, and are both characterized by zircons which have inherited Precambrian cores. Whole rock Nd isotope compositions show a range of values for the LBG with εNd_{(55 Ma)} values from − 5.0 to − 17.2. The εNd_{(55 Ma)} for the leucosome samples range from − 9.5 to − 23.6, overlapping with those of the granitic suite. These data support the interpretation of a genetic link between formation of the LBG suite and melting of North American basement rocks, such as those exposed in the core of Thor–Odin dome. The leucosome samples have lower high field strength element (HFSE) concentrations and positive Eu anomalies, whereas the LBG samples have higher HFSE concentrations and negative Eu anomalies. The similar trace element characteristics suggest that the leucosome from the migmatites and the LBG are related, whereby most of the leucosome samples are cumulates and the LBG samples represent evolved or residual melts. The initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope values for both the LBG and leucosome samples have a large range. However, the initial Sr isotopic ratios for the LBG suite are lower than those of the leucosome samples, with ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_{(55 Ma)} ranging from 0.70603 to 0.73688 and 0.74256 to 0.76593, respectively. This isotopic discrepancy suggests either: a) isotopic disequilibrium during partial melting in the mid- to lower crust where the leucosome formed, b) the distribution of Sr during partial melting was controlled by different melt-producing reactions, and/or c) isotopic heterogeneity in the source rocks. At least part of the LBG suite likely formed via melting of North American basement rocks that were dominantly of sedimentary origin. Melting of the Proterozoic supracrustal metasedimentary rocks overlying North American basement may also have contributed to the formation of the different phases of the suite found at the regional scale. However, the abundant leucosomes in the basement rocks of Thor–Odin dome may mark the paths along which anatectic melt migrated in the structurally overlying Ladybird granites of the South Fosthall pluton.     

A tale of two roads: Land tenure, poverty, and politics on the Guatemalan frontier

Agricultural frontiers are hot spots for the most dramatic land cover change in the history of humankind: forest conversion to agriculture. They are also areas of unusually rapid population growth and acute poverty, with scant access to public services and infrastructure. Although a large body of literature explores the determinants of land cover change on the frontier, one issue that has been largely unstudied is that of frontier political and socio-economic development. This paper reports on data from 28 communities along an agricultural frontier in a core conservation zone of the Maya Biosphere Reserve (MBR), where the predominant land tenure systems at the community level appear to be related not only to land use, but also to political organization and human development indicators.     

Climatic and sea level controls on Late Quaternary eolian activity on the Agulhas Plain, South Africa

Located at the interface between the temperate westerly and sub-tropical climate systems, South Africa's winter rainfall zone (WRZ) is a key location in understanding Late Quaternary atmospheric circulation dynamics. Inactive eolian deposits in the WRZ, comprising pan-fringing lunette and coastal dunes, were investigated to establish their depositional ages and utility as paleoenvironmental indicators. The resulting optical luminescence chronology reveals episodic lunette accretion at 60,000-45,000 yr, 12,000-13,000 yr, 2800-2600 yr, 1200 yr, and <1000 yr, with coastal dune ages clustering at 4100-4700 yr.Episodes of lunette and coastal dune accretion on the Agulhas Plain are temporally distinct, reflecting differing fundamental controls on their activity. Comparisons to previously published data also reveal that the lunettes differ in age from more ancient coastal eolianites. Lunette deposition is asynchronous between locations, reflecting the topographic and hydrological setting of the individual pans. In near-coastal settings, with limited surface recharge, lunette accretion appears to be at least partially controlled by sea level induced changes in groundwater levels. Those pans with more significant surface recharge (particularly from fluvial systems) may produce less ambiguous paleoenvironmental records, with pan status more strongly reflecting regional hydrological conditions. Lunette orientation is indicative of strong westerly winds during both the Pleistocene and Holocene. Lunette accretion would have been promoted by reduced on-shore moisture transport during the summer months, enhancing rainfall seasonality. Such conditions would have been promoted by increased continentality as the Agulhas Bank was exposed during low sea level stands.     

AXIOM: advanced X-ray imaging of the magnetosphere

Planetary plasma and magnetic field environments can be studied in two complementary ways—by in situ measurements, or by remote sensing. While the former provide precise information about plasma behaviour, instabilities and dynamics on local scales, the latter offers the global view necessary to understand the overall interaction of the magnetospheric plasma with the solar wind. Some parts of the Earth’s magnetosphere have been remotely sensed, but the majority remains unexplored by this type of measurements. Here we propose a novel and more elegant approach employing remote X-ray imaging techniques, which are now possible thanks to the relatively recent discovery of solar wind charge exchange X-ray emissions in the vicinity of the Earth’s magnetosphere. In this article we describe how an appropriately designed and located X-ray telescope, supported by simultaneous in situ measurements of the solar wind, can be used to image the dayside magnetosphere, magnetosheath and bow shock, with a temporal and spatial resolution sufficient to address several key outstanding questions concerning how the solar wind interacts with the Earth’s magnetosphere on a global level. Global images of the dayside magnetospheric boundaries require vantage points well outside the magnetosphere. Our studies have led us to propose ‘AXIOM: Advanced X-ray Imaging of the Magnetosphere’, a concept mission using a Vega launcher with a LISA Pathfinder-type Propulsion Module to place the spacecraft in a Lissajous orbit around the Earth–Moon L1 point. The model payload consists of an X-ray Wide Field Imager, capable of both imaging and spectroscopy, and an in situ plasma and magnetic field measurement package. This package comprises a Proton-Alpha Sensor, designed to measure the bulk properties of the solar wind, an Ion Composition Analyser, to characterise the minor ion populations in the solar wind that cause charge exchange emission, and a Magnetometer, designed to measure the strength and direction of the solar wind magnetic field. We also show simulations that demonstrate how the proposed X-ray telescope design is capable of imaging the predicted emission from the dayside magnetosphere with the sensitivity and cadence required to achieve the science goals of the mission.     

Monitoring acidic water in a polluted river with hyperspectral remote sensing (HyMap)

Abstract

Sulphide mine waste extensively contaminates the Odiel River (southwest Spain), releasing sulphuric acid into the water body. Acidic water in this river precipitates and dissolves variably hydrated iron sulphate in a complex geological pattern controlled by climate. Local abrupt changes in the water pH in the vicinity of highly contaminated tributaries can be mapped by means of imaging spectroscopy using hyperspectral remote sensing (HyMap) data. Also, increased pH through mixing of acidic river water with marine water can be detected when the river reaches the area influenced by sea tides. Mapping the quality of water with hyperspectral data is confounded by vegetation, either dry or wet, rooted or floating. The spectral features of acidic water measured with a field spectrometer revealed the spectral influence of green vegetation, similar to the influence of the depth and transparency of water. Careful mapping of such parameters with HyMap data must therefore precede any spectral evaluation of water related to acidity in a river course. The spectral features detectable by HyMap data and associated with pH changes caused by contamination in river water by iron sulphide mine waste, and their controls, are described and references established for routine monitoring through hyperspectral image processing.     

Holocene landscape evolution and geoarcheology of low-order streams in the Rio Grande basin,San Juan Mountains,Colorado, USA

This geoarcheological study investigates soil stratigraphy and geochronology of alluvial deposits to determine Holocene landscape evolution within the Hot Creek, La Jara Creek, and Alamosa River drainage basins in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Geomorphic mapping and radiocarbon dating indicate synchronicity in patterns of erosion, deposition, and stability between drainage basins. In all three basins, the maximum age of mapped alluvial terraces and fans is ~ 3300 cal yr BP. A depositional period seen at both Hot Creek and the Alamosa River begins ~ 3300 to 3200 cal yr BP. Based on soil development, short periods of stability followed by alluvial fan aggradation occur in the Alamosa River basin ~ 2200 cal yr BP. A period of landscape stability at Hot Creek before ~ 1100 cal yr BP is followed by a period of rapid aggradation within all three drainages between ~ 1100 and 850 cal yr BP. A final aggradation event occurred between ~ 630 and 520 cal yr BP at La Jara Creek. These patterns of landscape evolution over the past ~ 3300 yr provide the framework for an archeological model that predicts the potential for buried and surficial cultural materials in the research area.