Controls on ostracod valve geochemistry, Part 1: Variations of environmental parameters in ostracod (micro-)habitats

The variations of environmental conditions (T°, pH, δ¹³C_DIC, [DIC], δ¹⁸O, Mg/Ca, and Sr/Ca) of ostracod habitats were examined to determine the controls of environmental parameters on the chemical and isotopic composition of ostracod valves. Results of a one-year monitoring of environmental parameters at five sites, with depths of between 2 and 70 m, in Lake Geneva indicate that in littoral to sub-littoral zones (2, 5, and 13 m), the chemical composition of bottom water varies seasonally in concert with changes in temperature and photosynthetic activity. An increase of temperature and photosynthetic activity leads to an increase in δ¹³C values of DIC and to precipitation of authigenic calcite, which results in a concomitant increase of Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios of water. In deeper sites (33 and 70 m), the composition of bottom water remains constant throughout the year and isotopic values and trace element contents are similar to those of deep water within the lake. The chemical composition of interstitial pore water also does not reflect seasonal variations but is controlled by calcite dissolution, aerobic respiration, anaerobic respiration with reduction of sulphate and/or nitrate, and methanogenesis that may occur in the sediment pores. Relative influence of each of these factors on the pore water geochemistry depends on sediment thickness and texture, oxygen content in bottom as well as pore water. Variations of chemical compositions of the ostracod valves of this study vary according to the specific ecology of the ostracod species analysed, that is its life-cycle and its (micro-)habitat. Littoral species have compositions that are related to the seasonal variations of temperature, δ¹³C values of DIC, and of Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios of water. In contrast, the compositions of profundal species are largely controlled by variations of pore fluids along sediment depth profiles according to the specific depth preference of the species. The control on the geochemistry of sub-littoral species is a combination of controls for the littoral and profundal species as well as the specific ecology of the species.     

Diagnosing the Dynamic and Thermodynamic Effects for the Exceptional 2020 Summer Rainy Season in the Yangtze River Valley

An exceptional rainy season occurred in the Yangtze River valley of eastern China in June–July 2020. The relative importance of the dynamic and thermodynamic ef...     

The Multiscale TROPIcal CatchmentS critical zone observatory M-TROPICS dataset III: Hydro-geochemical monitoring of the Mule Hole catchment,south India

Despite the importance of tropical ecosystems for climate regulation, biodiversity, water and nutrient cycles, only a few Critical Zone Observatories (CZOs) are located in the tropics. Among these, most are in humid climates, while very few data exist for semi-arid and sub-humid climates, due to the difficulty of estimating hydro-geochemical balances in catchments with ephemeral streams. We contribute to fill this gap by presenting a meteorological and hydro-geochemical dataset acquired at the Mule Hole catchment (4.1 km²), a pristine dry deciduous forest located in a biosphere reserve in south India. The dataset consists of time series of variables related to (i) meteorology, including rainfall, air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, and global radiation, (ii) hydrology, including water level and discharge at the catchment outlet, (iii) hydrogeology, including manual (monthly) and/or automated (from 15 min to hourly) groundwater levels in nine piezometers and (iv) geochemistry, including suspended sediment content in the stream and chemical composition of rainfall (event based), groundwater (monthly sampling) and stream water (storm events, 15 min to hourly frequency with an automatic sampler). The time series extend from 2003 to 2019. Measurement errors are minimized by frequent calibration of sensors and quality checks, both in the field and in the laboratory. Despite these precautions, several data gaps exist, due to occasional access restriction to the site and instrument destruction by wildlife. Results show that large seasonal and interannual variations of climatic conditions were reflected in the large variations of stream flow and groundwater recharge, as well as in water chemical composition. Notably, they reveal a long-term evolution of groundwater storage, suggesting hydrogeological cycles on a decadal scale. This dataset, alone or in combination with other data, has already allowed to better understand water and element cycling in tropical dry forests, and the role of forest diversity on biogeochemical cycles. As tropical ecosystems are underrepresented by Critical Zone Observatories, we expect this data note to be valuable for the global scientific community.     

Anatexis and fluid regime of the deep continental crust: New clues from melt and fluid inclusions in metapelitic migmatites from Ivrea Zone (NW Italy)

We investigate the inclusions hosted in peritectic garnet from metapelitic migmatites of the Kinzigite Formation (Ivrea Zone, NW Italy) to evaluate the starting composition of the anatectic melt and fluid regime during anatexis throughout the upper amphibolite facies, transition, and granulite facies zones. Inclusions have negative crystal shapes, sizes from 2 to 10 μm and are regularly distributed in the core of the garnet. Microstructural and micro‐Raman investigations indicate the presence of two types of inclusions: crystallized silicate melt inclusions (i.e., nanogranitoids, NI), and fluid inclusions (FI). Microstructural evidence suggests that FI and NI coexist in the same cluster and are primary (i.e., were trapped simultaneously during garnet growth). FI have similar compositions in the three zones and comprise variable proportions of CO₂, CH₄, and N₂, commonly with siderite, pyrophyllite, and kaolinite, suggesting a COHN composition of the trapped fluid. The mineral assemblage in the NI contains K‐feldspar, plagioclase, quartz, biotite, muscovite, chlorite, graphite and, rarely, calcite. Polymorphs such as kumdykolite, cristobalite, tridymite, and less commonly kokchetavite, were also found. Rehomogenized NI from the different zones show that all the melts are leucogranitic but have slightly different compositions. In samples from the upper amphibolite facies, melts are less mafic (FeO + MgO = 2.0–3.4 wt%), contain 860–1700 ppm CO₂ and reach the highest H₂O contents (6.5–10 wt%). In the transition zone melts have intermediate H₂O (4.8–8.5 wt%), CO₂ (457–1534 ppm) and maficity (FeO + MgO = 2.3–3.9 wt%). In contrast, melts at granulite facies reach highest CaO, FeO + MgO (3.2–4.7 wt%), and CO₂ (up to 2,400 ppm), with H₂O contents comparable (5.4–8.3 wt%) to the other two zones. Our results represent the first clear evidence for carbonic fluid‐present melting in the Ivrea Zone. Anatexis of metapelites occurred through muscovite and biotite breakdown melting in the presence of a COH fluid, in a situation of fluid–melt immiscibility. The fluid is assumed to have been internally derived, produced initially by devolatilization of hydrous silicates in the graphitic protolith, then as a result of oxidation of carbon by consumption of Fe³⁺‐bearing biotite during melting. Variations in the compositions of the melts are interpreted to result from higher T of melting. The H₂O contents of the melts throughout the three zones are higher than usually assumed for initial H₂O contents of anatectic melts. The CO₂ contents are highest at granulite facies, and show that carbon‐contents of crustal magmas are not negligible at high T. The activity of H₂O of the fluid dissolved in granitic melts decreases with increasing metamorphic grade. Carbonic fluid‐present melting of the deep continental crust represents, together with hydrate‐breakdown melting reactions, an important process in the origin of crustal anatectic granitoids.     

Dependence of radar quantitative precipitation estimation error on the rain intensity in the Cévennes region,France

Abstract

Radar quantitative precipitation estimates (QPEs) were assessed using reference values established by means of a geostatistical approach. The reference values were estimated from raingauge data using the block kriging technique, and the reference meshes were selected on the basis of the kriging estimation variance. Agreement between radar QPEs and reference rain amounts was shown to increase slightly with the space–time scales. The statistical distributions of the errors were modelled conditionally with respect to several factors using the GAMLSS approach. The conditional bias of the errors presents a complex structure that depends on the space–time scales and the considered geographical sub-domains, while the standard deviation of the errors has a more homogeneous behaviour. The estimation standard deviation of the reference rainfall and the standard deviation of the errors between radar and reference rainfall were found to have the same magnitude, indicating the limitations of the available network in terms of providing accurate reference values for the spatial scales considered (5–100 km²).

Editor D. Koutsoyiannis; Guest editor R.J. Moore

Citation Delrieu, G., Bonnifait, L., Kirstetter, P.-E., and Boudevillain, B., 2013. Dependence of radar quantitative precipitation estimation error on the rain intensity in the Cévennes region, France. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 59 (7), 1300–1311. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2013.827337     

Geometry and kinematics of extension in Alpine Corsica

The geometry of the most recent deformation in Alpine Corsica is discussed in terms of reactivation of thrusts as normal faults and crustal extension, following crustal thickening in late Cretaceous and Eocene time. A cross section interpreted in terms of obduction in previous works is shown here to be a result of ductile and brittle extension in late Oligocene and Early Miocene time. This new interpretation is based on field observations of the brittle and ductile structures and their relations to the metamorphic history in the Tenda-col de Teghime and Centuri regions, as well as additional observations in other parts of Alpine Corsica. The following geological features are observed: (1) The recent deformation was partly achieved during a top-to-the-east ductile shear close to the brittle-ductile transition and was later superimposed by brittle shear indicating a transition in time from ductile to brittle regime. (2) Extensional brittle structures in the Early Miocene Saint Florent limestone and sense of tilt are compatible with the eastward sense of shear observed in the ductile rocks. (3) The movement along major “thrust” contacts is associated with retrograde metamorphism which overprinted the early high-P-low-T paragenesis at less severe P-T conditions. They also bring tectonic units with contrasted metamorphic evolutions into close contacts. (4) There is a regional correlation between retromorphosis and recent deformation since the high-P-low-T paragenesis are better preserved in southern of Alpine Corsica where the recent deformation is less pervasive. (5) Highly non-coaxial deformation is localized along east-dipping shear zones close to brittle normal faults which bounds tilted Miocene basins; in between the geometry is more symmetric and the finite strain therefore more coaxial. (6) Late extensional brittle structures are observed at many sites in the metamorphic rocks. In the present paper we discussed these first-order observations and describe the geometry of crustal extension in Alpine Corsica. We analyze the progressive formation of a crustal-scale tilted block in Cap Corse and propose that the normal faults are localized by asymmetric boudinage of the crust. The asymmetry of this crustal-scale boudinage is controlled by the position of early thrust planes.     

Study of inorganic ligand-chromium(III)-surface ternary complexes by ESR spectroscopy

Cr(III) sorbed at the solid/water interface of latex and hectorite was studied by ESR spectroscopy in the presence of different inorganic ligands. The ESR spectra of the surface obtained in the presence of selenite, phosphate and fluoride can be explained in terms of ternary surface complex formation. This is contrasted by the behaviour of sulfate and selenate ions which were found to have no effect on the ligand field of Cr(III), either in the adsorbed state or in solution.     

Does Manila clam cultivation affect habitats of the engineer species Lanice conchilega (Pallas, 1766)?

The major French site of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum (Adams and Reeves, 1850) cultivation is located in the Chausey Archipelago where the associated practices are highly mechanized: every steps of production are made with tractor-driven machinery. The Manila clam concessions are concentrated on Lanice conchilega (Pallas, 1766) bioherms, which are known to increase alpha-diversity and to locally modify sediment dynamics. This study focus on the impacts of Manila clam cultivation on (i) the natural populations of L. conchilega and on (ii) the structure of the associated benthic assemblages during the different steps of the farming production cycle. We found that the L. conchilega populations are significantly affected within the concessions where their total abundances drastically decrease, their spatial patterns are modified and the associated benthic assemblages are significantly altered. Our results are discussed in a context of a sustainable management of the Manila clam cultivation in coastal areas.     

Un nouveau type de gisement d'europium: la monazite grise à europium en nodules dans les schistes paléozoïques de Bretagne

Résumé La monazite grise de Bretagne, déterminée en 1963, forme des petits nodules millimétriques dans des schistes ordoviciens, dinantiens et peut-être aussi précambriens, situés dans la fosse centrale armoricaine. Dans l'Ordovicien, les niveaux minéralisées se localisent surtout dans le Llanvirnien. Les nodules, de couleur grise et de densité 4,65, ont la forme d'ellipsoïdes aplatis. La structure est le plus souvent soit polycristalline engrenée, soit en mosaïque radiée, soit encore en couronne (monocristal central entouré de petits cristaux). Les inclusions comprennent phyllites, quartz, rutile, graphite, oxydes de fer, représentant en moyenne environ 10% du nodule. La composition chimique se caractérise par la richesse en Eu₂O₃ (0,5%) et la pauvreté en thorium. Les schistes à monazite, faiblement métamorphiques, renferment du chloritoïde et un peu de graphite. Les nodules de monazite s'y trouvent dispersés (teneurs de 50 à 200 g/t), disposés en travers de la schistosité, et «abritant des zones phylliteuses non schistifiées. Dans la stratigraphie ordovicienne, les schistes à monazite llanvirniens viennent au-dessus du minerai de fer et des grès à rutile-zircon-monazite détritiques, gisements dans lesquels on observe des phénomènes de diagenèse. Une remarquable différenciation sédimentaire caractérise les dépôts épicontinentaux de la mer ordovicienne envahissants des reliefs briovériens altérés et pénéplanés. La diagenèse précoce des dépôts est primordiale dans le schéma génétique proposé pour la monazite: 1) gel de phosphate de terres rares dans les vases marines; 2) transformation du gel en globule fibro-radié de rhabdophanite; 3) évolution de la rhabdophanite en monazite; 4) apparition du métamorphisme syntectonique, rotation partielle des nodules. D'autres indices de monazite grise sont connus en Sibérie, en Afrique (Maroc, Gabon, Congo) et à Madagascar. Pour l'instant, seuls les placers présentent un intérêt économique, comme c'est le cas en Bretagne.

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The grey monazite of Britanny, determined in 1963, makes up small millimetric nodules in ordovician, dinantian and perhaps also precambrian shales, located in the central armorican trough. In the Ordovician, the mineralized layers are mainly localized in the Llanvirnian. These grey-coloured nodules, with a 4.65 specific weight, are in the shape of flat ellipsoids. Their structure is most often either grained polycrystalline, or as radiated mosaics, or as a crown (central monocrystal surrounded by small crystals). Inclusions involve phyllites, quartz, rutile, graphite, iron oxides, averaging to about 10% of the nodule. The chemical composition is characterized by its high grade in Eu₂O₃ (0.5%) and in thorium. The monazite shales, poorly metamorphic, include some chloritoid and a little graphite. The monazite nodules are scattered (content ranging from 50 to 200 g/t), arranged across the schistosity and surrounded by pressure shadows with phyllitous infilling. Within the ordovician stratigraphy, the llanvirnian monazite shales overlie iron ore and sandstons rich in detrital rutile-zicon-monazite, deposits in which diagenesis phenomena occur. A noteworthy sedimentary differentiation characterizes the epicontinental deposits of the ordovician sea invading the weathered and flattened brioverian relieves. The early diagenesis of the deposits is of prime importance in the genetic pattern proposed for monazite: 1) gel of rare earth phosphate in marine silts; 2) transformation of this gel into fibro-radiated globules of rhabdophanite; 3) evolution of the rhabdophanite into monazite; 4) occurrence of the syntectonic metamorphism, partial rotation of the nodules. Further occurrences of grey monazite are known from Siberia, Africa (Morocco, Gaboon, Congo) and Madagascar. At present, the placers only display some economical interest, as it is the case in Brittany.

     

Sur des minéralisations de type skarn au Laurium (Grèce)

Résumé Des travaux miniers récents dans les gisements du Laurium (Attique-Grèce) ont mis en évidence une minéralisation composée essentiellement de magnétite et localisée dans un ensemble volcano sédimentaire à proximité d'un massif de granodiorite. L'étude minéralogique et pétrographique détaillée des minéralisations et de leur enveloppe a permis de retracer l'évolution génétique de ces minéralisations et de distinguer les rôles métallogéniques respectifs du volcanisme et du métamorphisme de contact.

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Recent mining work in the ore deposits of Laurium (Attic-Greece) reveal a mineralisation mainly composed of magnetite, located in a volcano-sedimentary formation, close to a stock of granodiorite. The detailed mineralogical and petrographical studies of the mineralisation and its environment permit to relate the genetic evolution of the ore, and to distinguish the different metallogenic acts played by the volcanism and the contact metamorphism.