Implications of trace element composition of syntaxial quartz cements for the geochemical conditions during quartz precipitation in sandstones

A petrographic investigation revealed polyphase quartz cementation in the Finefrau Sandstone (Upper Carboniferous, Western Germany) and the Solling Sandstone (Lower Triassic, Central Germany). Three different cements could be distinguished in each sandstone based on their cathodoluminescence and trace element composition. The first quartz generation is suggested to have been formed during eogenesis due to dissolution and replacement of feldspar. The mesogenetic paragenesis comprises two generations of quartz and illite, which are accompanied by albite in the Solling Sandstone. Sharp luminescence zoning in quartz overgrowths points to distinct episodes of cementation in both sandstones. Significant amounts of Al, Li and H and traces of Ge and B have been detected in the quartz overgrowths. The Al‐content of the quartz cements in the Finefrau Sandstones exceeds that in the quartz cements in the Solling Sandstone by a factor of five. It is suggested that this compositional variation reflects the conditions in the pore‐water, such as temperature and pH. The Al‐concentration is generally correlated to the Li‐content with the exception of the latest quartz generation in the Finefrau Sandstones which is also most enriched in trace elements. The ratio of Li/Al varies between 0·11 and 0·25 in the two sandstones. The Li/H‐ratio, which ranges from 0·12 to 0·3, is controlled by the activity ratio of Li and H in the pore fluid. Clay minerals are the most important source for Li and high salinities favour the mobilization of Li during diagenesis. Thus, a relatively low salinity and low pH are responsible for the low Li/H‐ratio in the Finefrau Sandstone, while high salinity and neutral to alkaline pH results in a high Li/H‐ratio for the Solling Sandstone. The Ge‐contents are generally near the average of detrital quartz and indicate that pressure dissolution is a major source for quartz cementation. Different chemical compositions of distinct quartz generations indicate changes in the physico‐chemical conditions and point to mobilization of silica from different sources (for example, pressure solution and clay mineral transformations).     

Diskordante Tektonik

Zusammenfassung Die Verfolgung tektonischer Strukturen in die Tiefe ist nur bei kontinuierlicher Verformung einfach. Physikalische oder strukturelle Änderungen innerhalb der sich verformenden Körper, sowie Änderungen in der Richtung der verformenden KrÄfte, bedingungen diskontinuierliche Änderungen in den erzeugten Strukturen, z. B. Scheitelverschiebung, Rückverformung, DurchprÄgung überwÄltigter Strukturen.

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To pursue tectonical structures beyond observations is simple only if deformations are continuous. Changes of physical or structural properties of rocks, as well as changes in the direction of transforming forces, create discontinuous alterations within thus generated structures, e. g. displacement of apex, retrograde transformation, penetration of subdued lower structures.

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Résumé Le prolongement des structures tectoniques en profondeur n'est simple que dans le cas de déformations continues. Des changements de propriétés physiques ou structurales durant les déformations à l'intérieur des corps tectoniques, ainsi que des modifications dans la direction des forces actives, produisent des transformations discontinues dans les structures engendrées, p. ex. déplacements des sommets des anticlinaux, déformations en retour, rejeu de structures anciennes et leur pénétration dans les structures superposées; etc.

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Zur Stratigraphie der grobklastischen Fazies im Oxfordium des Wiehengebirges

Zusammenfassung Der Fund vonPeltoceratoides instabiliformis n. sp. in Steinbrüchen am Gehn nordwestlich von Osnabrück (Abb. 3) liefert weitere Kriterien, daß der Wiehengebirgssandstein, dessen stratigraphische Stellung wegen Mangel charakteristischer Fossilien unsicher ist, ins höhere Oxfordium zu stellen ist. Diese grobklastische Fazies vertritt im Wiehengebirge im wesentlichen die für das Wesergebirge typische kalkige Fazies des Korallenooliths. Anschließend wird zu einer neueren paläogeographischen Mitteilung über den Korallenoolith Nordwestdeutschlands kurz Stellung genommen.

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In quarries at the Gehn NW of Osnabrück, several specimens ofPeltoceratoides instabiliformis n. sp. have been found. This gives further indications to the stratigraphic position of the Wiehengebirgs sandstone — which is uncertain, due to the lack of characteristic fossils — to be of Upper Oxfordian age. In the Wiehengebirge though, this coarse clastic facies substitutes to a large extent the calcareous facies of the Korallenoolith typical for the Wesergebirge.A recent paleogeographic report on the Korallenoolith of NW-Germany is then briefly discussed.

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Résumé LesPeltoceratoides instabiliformis n. sp. découverts dans des carrières du Gehn au nord-ouest d'Osnabrück fournissent d'autres indices affirmant que le grès du Wiehengebirge dont la position stratigraphique est incertaine faute de fossiles caractéristiques doit être attribué à l'Oxfordien supérieur. Dans le Wiehengebirge, ce faciès clastique à grain grossier remplace dans l'essentiel le faciès calcaire du Korallenoolith typique pour le Wesergebirge.Il suit une brève critique d'une communication paléogéographique récemment parue sur le Korallenoolith du Nord-Ouest de l'Allemagne.

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. Peltoceratoides instabiliformis n. sp. . . , . - .

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Herrn Professor Dr.Roland Brinkmann zum 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Improving mass-wasting inventories by incorporating debris flow topographic signatures

Debris flows are a prevalent and destructive mass-wasting type in many mountainous regions throughout the world, yet the recent identification of a debris flow topographic signature has not been incorporated into landslide inventories. We have detected this signature in a digital elevation model of the mountainous Oconaluftee River basin of the southern Appalachians, USA, where we have conducted mass-wasting inventories. We evaluate the applicability of this topographic signature in debris flow mapping efforts using inventories created by semiautomated classification of topographic derivative and vegetation index maps. Debris flow detection was increased by 12 % when the inventory was limited to the portion of the landscape that exhibits the debris flow topographic signature. The extent of drainages with this topographic signature, which have areas of 6 to 35 km², is corroborated by analyses of channel form, knickpoint and bedrock distributions, and hypsometry. This mass-wasting inventory technique provides a more focused approach to statistically characterize the land surface, which resulted in increased inventory proficiency across a landscape with an extensive and relatively well-documented debris flow history.     

Site occupation and electric field gradient in acentric neptunite-measurements and evaluations concerning powder- and single crystal – Mössbauer spectroscopy and x-ray diffractometry

Mössbauer measurements on neptunite (KNa₂Li(Fe,Mn,Mg)₂Ti₂Si₈O₂₄) at 400?K reveal the distribution of Fe-ions on the crystallographic sites in agreement with neutron diffraction results published elsewhere. Even the previously postulated small amount of Fe-ions on the Ti(2) site has been detected, combined with a charge transfer which is in agreement with optical absorption investigations by other authors. A qualitative site occupation model is able to explain the different features of our observations. Single crystal Mössbauer measurements with the k-vector of incident γ-rays parallel to the crystallographic b-axis (space group Cc) of neptunite at different temperatures yield the angle β between the main component of the electric field gradient (EFG), V _zz and b. This angle is in close accordance with a calculated value of β for the Fe(1) position from electron density maps. The latter also reveal an absolute value of V _zz which is in satisfactory agreement with V _zz derived from Mössbauer spectroscopy.     

Human response to environmental change in the perspective of future, global climate

Human response to severe environmental stress is conceived and implemented by individuals, but must be approved by the group. These decisions are made with respect to perceived circumstances. Societies are enmeshed within adaptive systems that provide a matrix of opportunities and constraints for a wide range of potential behavioral variability. Such systems repeatedly readjust to short-term crises, e.g., droughts, but persistent and severe environmental stress may require substantial revision of adaptive strategies. The Sahel drought of 1968–1973 is an example of a brief but severe crisis, recurring along the Saharan margins perhaps once every 30 years. Closer inspection shows links between intensified intertribal warfare and ecological stress in the lower Omo Valley. The decline of the Egyptian New Kingdom during the 12th century B.C., in response to economic stagnation, sociopolitical instability, dynastic weakness, foreign pressures, and poor Nile floods over 50–70 years, represents a more complex and fundamental modification, with systemic simplification lasting 450 years. Such insights can be applied to future, global climatic change due to increasing atmospheric CO₂. Simulation and paleoclimatic experience suggest a drier climate for the North American and Soviet breadbaskets, to threaten world food supplies at a time of maximum demographic pressures and declining resources. Public perception and remedial planning should receive the attention of Quaternary scientists, in order to preempt an involuntary, global, systemic simplification.     

New aromatic biomarkers and possible maturity indicators found in New Albany Shale extracts

Aromatic hydrocarbons from benzene extracts of New Albany Shale were characterized. A biomarker that has a molecular weight of 546 and a structural configuration consistent with that of an alkyl-aromatic hydrocarbon (C₄₀H₆₆) was tentatively identified. It was found that the relative concentrations of the biomarker are indicative of differing levels of thermal maturity of the shale organic matter. A 40-carbon bicyclic carotenoid (C₄₀H₄₈) is proposed as the geochemical precursor of this biomarker. Thermal maturity of the shale organic matter can also be differentiated by observing differences in “fingerprints” as obtained by field-ionization mass spectrometry on the aromatic hydrocarbon fraction. Using this technique, we found that the more mature shale samples from southeastern Illinois contain more low molecular weight extractable aromatic hydrocarbons and the less mature shale samples from northwestern Illinois contain more high molecular weight extractable aromatic hydrocarbons. It was demonstrated that field-ionization and tandem mass spectrometric techniques through fingerprint and individual compound identification, are useful for shale aromatic hydrocarbon fraction characterization and for thermal maturation interpretation.     

Determination of Mislocation Vectors to Evaluate bias at GSETT-3 primary stations

Using the database provided by the Reviewed Event Bulletins (REBs) for the first 2.5 years of the Group of Scientific Experts Technical Test-3 (GSETT-3) experiment, we compiled mislocation vectors for both arrays and selected three-component stations of the primary network from the published slowness and azimuth information gained through f-k- and polarization analysis. Imposing constraints such as a minimum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and number of defining phases, we aim at eliminating location bias as the hypocentral parameters are taken from the REBs. Results from 14 arrays with apertures from about 1 km to more than 20 km are presented as well as from 18 three-component stations, which indicate that the mislocation vectors in many cases can improve location accuracy considerably. If these mislocation vectors are compiled to provide coverage of a sufficient portion of the slowness domain these empirical corrections can easily be applied prior to location processing. In the context of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), these mislocation patterns could be essential for providing accurate event location of suspicious low-magnitude events, as these location parameters will be used to pinpoint the area where to conduct an on-site inspection.