Isotopic compositions of S, N and C in soils and vegetation of three forest types in Québec, Canada

The concentrations and the isotopic compositions of S, N and C were studied in soils and in the dominant plant species of three forested watersheds (Québec, Canada) located along a latitudinal and atmospheric deposition gradient. Large increases in S, N and C isotope ratios (up to 3.9‰, 10‰, 2.6‰, respectively) were observed with increasing soil depth at the three watersheds. These increases were accompanied by a strong decrease in elemental concentrations resulting in a strong negative relationship between these two variables. Both S and N concentrations throughout the soil profile and δ³⁴S and δ¹⁵N in the mineral soil appeared to increase with increasing S and N deposition rates and decreasing latitude. A strong positive linear relationship was found between δ³⁴S and δ¹⁵N (R² = 0.72) values and between organic S and N concentrations (R² = 0.96) in soils. The slope of the linear relationship between δ³⁴S and δ¹⁵N (δ³⁴S = f(δ¹⁵N)) indicated that isotopic fractionation was almost 4 times higher for S than for N during transformations that occurred in soil. However, this difference might reflect a higher degree of openness of the S cycle compared to the N cycle rather than an isotope effect per se. Overall, the results suggest that N and S inputs significantly impact the isotope ratios and the concentrations of N and S in the soils, and that S and N were closely associated and subject to similar processes with the same isotopic effects throughout the soil profile. Contrary to most studies, δ³⁴S-SO₄ in stream water of the most northerly site with the lowest S deposition rate was significantly higher than δ³⁴S-SO₄ in atmospheric depositions but similar to the δ³⁴S of the bulk mineral soil. It suggests that the mineral soil actually contributes a large portion of the stream S-SO₄ for this site.     

White mica trace element and boron isotope evidence for distinctive infiltration events during exhumation of deeply subducted continental crust

ABSTRACT

Previous study of subducted continental crust within the Luliang Shan terrane in Northwest China has documented metasomatic formation of thick, hydrated phengite + garnet-rich selvages at the interface between mafic eclogite blocks and quartzofeldspathic host gneiss. Whole rock concentrations of Cs and Ba within the selvage are enriched by two orders of magnitude relative to the eclogite blocks and host gneiss. We performed in situ ion microprobe analyses of Li, Be, B, Rb, Sr, Cs and Ba and δ¹¹B of phengite within the Luliang Shane terrane to better constrain the source(s) of the infiltrating fluid. The phengite within the selvage are enriched in Li, Cs and Ba and yield δ¹¹B values between ?30‰ and ?9‰, values that are lower than mantle values. High Ba/Rb, Cs/Rb coupled with low B/Be, B/Li and highly negative δ¹¹B values indicate that the high-pressure fluid that formed the selvage was derived from highly devolatilized rocks within the subduction channel. In contrast, muscovite, which crystallized in the adjacent host gneiss during a subsequent lower pressure phase of fluid infiltration at approximately 0.9 GPa depths, has much lower Li, Cs and Ba relative to the high-pressure phengite. These retrograde muscovite have very high concentrations of B (up to 5500 ppm) and Be (up to 50 ppm) and high (?2 to +8‰) δ¹¹B values that are consistent with crystallization from a fluid derived from shallower and less devolatilized regions of the subduction zone. Additional host gneiss samples, regionally distributed and kilometres away from the studied area lack the B-rich signature and indicate that the late stage fluids were likely localized to the region near the studied traverse.     

Melt/harzburgite reaction in the petrogenesis of tholeiitic magma from Kilauea volcano, Hawaii

We use the results of elevated pressure melting experiments to constrain the role of melt/mantle reaction in the formation of tholeiitic magma from Kilauea volcano, Hawaii. Trace element abundance data is commonly interpreted as evidence that Kilauea tholeiite is produced by partial melting of garnet lherzolite. We experimentally determine the liquidus relations of a tightly constrained estimate of primary tholeiite composition, and find that it is not in equilibrium on its liquidus with a garnet lherzolite assemblage at any pressure. The composition is, however, cosaturated on its liquidus with olivine and orthopyroxene at 1.4 GPa and 1425 °C, from which we infer that primary tholeiite is in equilibrium with harzburgite at lithospheric depths beneath Kilauea. These results are consistent with our observation that tholeiite primary magmas have higher normative silica contents than experimentally produced melts of garnet lherzolite. A model is presented whereby primary tholeiite forms via a two-stage process. In the first stage, magmas are generated by melting of garnet lherzolite in a mantle plume. In the second stage, the ascent and decompression of magmas causes them to react with harzburgite in the mantle by assimilating orthopyroxene and crystallizing olivine. This reaction can produce typical tholeiite primary magmas from significantly less siliceous garnet lherzolite melts, and is consistent with the shift in liquidus boundaries that accompanies decompression of an ascending magma. We determine the proportion of reactants by major element mass balance. The ratio of mass assimilated to mass crystallized (M_a/M_c) varies from 2.7 to 1.4, depending on the primary magma composition. We use an AFC calculation to model the effect of melt/harzburgite reaction on melt rare earth and high field strength element abundances, and find that reaction dilutes, but does not significantly fractionate, the abundances of these elements. Assuming olivine and orthopyroxene have similar heats of fusion, the M_a/M_c ratio indicates that reaction is endothermic. The additional thermal energy is supplied by the melt, which becomes superheated during adiabatic ascent and can provide more thermal energy than required. Melt/harzburgite reaction likely occurs over a range of depths, and we infer a mean depth of 42 km from our experimental results. This depth is well within the lithosphere beneath Kilauea. Since geochemical evidence indicates that melt/harzburgite reaction likely occurs in the top of the Hawaiian plume, the plume must be able to thin a significant portion of the lithosphere. Received: 4 February 1997 / Accepted: 27 August 1997     

Laser Ablation (193 nm), Purification and Determination of Very Low Concentrations of Solar Wind Nitrogen Implanted in Targets from the GENESIS Spacecraft

The GENESIS space mission recovered ions emitted by the Sun during a 27 month period. In order to extract, purify and determine the very low quantities of solar nitrogen implanted in the GENESIS targets, a new installation was developed and constructed at the CRPG (Nancy, France). It permitted the simultaneous determination of nitrogen and noble gases extracted from the target by laser ablation. The extraction procedure used a 193 nm excimer laser that allowed for surface contamination in the outer 5 nm to be removed, followed by a step that removed 50 nm of the target material, extracting the solar nitrogen and noble gases implanted in the target. Following purification using Ti and Zr getters for noble gases and a Cu-CuO oxidation cycle for N₂, the extracted gases were analysed by static mode (pumps closed) mass spectrometry using electron multiplier and Faraday cup detectors. The nitrogen blanks from the purification section and the static line (30 minutes) were only 0.46 picomole and 0.47 picomole, respectively.     

Assessment of climate change impact on Eastern Washington agriculture

An assessment of the potential impact of climate change and the concurrent increase of atmospheric CO₂ concentration on eastern Washington State agriculture was conducted. Climate projections from four selected general circulation models (GCM) were chosen, and the assessment included the crops with larger economic value for the state (apples, potatoes, and wheat). To evaluate crop performance, a cropping system simulation model (CropSyst) was utilized using historical and future climate sequences. Crops were assumed to receive adequate water (irrigated crops), nutrients, and control of weeds, pests and diseases. Results project that the impact of climate change on eastern Washington agriculture will be generally mild in the short term (i.e., next two decades), but increasingly detrimental with time (potential yield losses reaching 25% for some crops by the end of the century). However, CO₂ elevation is expected to provide significant mitigation, and in fact result in yield gains for some crops. The combination of increased CO₂ and adaptive management may result in yield benefits for all crops. One limitation of the study is that water supply was assumed sufficient for irrigated crops, but other studies suggest that it may decrease in many locations due to climate change.     

Geochemical changes at the Bagni di Triponzo thermal spring during the Umbria-Marche 1997–1998 seismic sequence

After the earthquakes of September 26, 1997, that hit the Umbria-Marcheboundary (Apennine, Central Italy), with a maximum 6.0 M_w, aprogram of geochemical surveying together with a collection ofhydrogeological changes episodes was extended throughout theepicentre-area, taking the yearly period of the seismic sequence as a whole.After a first areal screening, the Bagni di Triponzo thermal spring wasselected for a discrete temporal monitoring (weekly and monthly basis),being the unique thermal spring throughout the epicentre area. This sitedeserves peculiar interest in deepening the knowledge about deep fluidscirculation changing during seismicity.Laboratory and on-field analyses included major, minor and trace elementsas well as dissolved gases (He, Ar, CH₄, CO₂, H₂S,²²²Rn, NH₄, As, Li, Fe, B, etc...) and selected isotopic ratios(C, H, O, He, Sr, Cl), meaningful from tectonic point of view.The chemistry and isotopic chemistry of the spring were fully outlined anddiscussed, pointing out the main process involving the thermal aquifer: thewater-rock interaction inside the Evaporite Triassic Basement (ETB),possibly involving also the Paleozoic Crystalline Basement. On theother hand, sudden and apparent geochemical and hydrogeologicalvariations during the seismic sequence ruled out an evolution in thewater-rock interaction processes. They occurred both at depth, i.e.,induced by fluid remobilization within the crust explained by the Coseismic Strain Model and by the Fault Valve Activity Model, and in the shallow part of the reservoir (i.e., meteoric watercontamination). A statistical multivariable analysis (Factor Analysis) wasaccomplished to better constrain the correlation between the paroxysmalphases of the seismic sequence and the observed trends and spike-likeanomalies. The groundwater variations was inferred to occur mainly insidethe ETB, from depth (1–2 km) up to surface, particularly in associationof the Sellano earthquake (14/10/1997) and of the seismic re-activationof the sequence at the end of March 1998 (Gualdo Tadino-Rigali andVerchiano areas). The lack of deeper input from below the ETB (slightsignature of PCB), as the lack of He mantle signature, during the seismicperiod as a whole, accounted for seismogenic fault segments rooted onlyin the crust. The results also provide useful information about theearthquake-related response mechanisms occurring at this site, thatrepresent the basic task for planning and managing the impendinghydro-geochemical network aimed at defining the relationships betweenseismic cycle, fluids and reliable earthquake forerunners.     

Experiments on melt–rock reaction in the shallow mantle wedge

This experimental study simulates the interaction of hotter, deeper hydrous mantle melts with shallower, cooler depleted mantle, a process that is expected to occur in the upper part of the mantle wedge. Hydrous reaction experiments (~6 wt% H₂O in the melt) were conducted on three different ratios of a 1.6 GPa mantle melt and an overlying 1.2 GPa harzburgite from 1060 to 1260 °C. Reaction coefficients were calculated for each experiment to determine the effect of temperature and starting bulk composition on final melt compositions and crystallizing assemblages. The experiments used to construct the melt–wall rock model closely approached equilibrium and experienced <5% Fe loss or gain. Experiments that experienced higher extents of Fe loss were used to critically evaluate the practice of “correcting” for Fe loss by adding iron. At low ratios of melt/mantle (20:80 and 5:95), the crystallizing assemblages are dunites, harzburgites, and lherzolites (as a function of temperature). When the ratio of deeper melt to overlying mantle is 70:30, the crystallizing assemblage is a wehrlite. This shows that wehrlites, which are observed in ophiolites and mantle xenoliths, can be formed by large amounts of deeper melt fluxing though the mantle wedge during ascent. In all cases, orthopyroxene dissolves in the melt, and olivine crystallizes along with pyroxenes and spinel. The amount of reaction between deeper melts and overlying mantle, simulated here by the three starting compositions, imposes a strong influence on final melt compositions, particularly in terms of depletion. At the lowest melt/mantle ratios, the resulting melt is an extremely depleted Al-poor, high-Si andesite. As the fraction of melt to mantle increases, final melts resemble primitive basaltic andesites found in arcs globally. An important element ratio in mantle lherzolite composition, the Ca/Al ratio, can be significantly elevated through shallow mantle melt–wall rock reaction. Wall rock temperature is a key variable; over a span of <80 °C, reaction with deeper melt creates the entire range of mantle lithologies from a depleted dunite to a harzburgite to a refertilized lherzolite. Together, the experimental phase equilibria, melt compositions, and reaction coefficients provide a framework for understanding how melt–wall rock reaction occurs in the natural system during melt ascent in the mantle wedge.     

Retention of winter flounder larvae within a Rhode Island salt pond

Two winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, spawning sites in a 630 hectare Rhode Island lagoon were located by collecting eggs with a modified epibenthic sled towed by boat. A two-dimensional vertically-averaged hydrodynamic model predicted that larvae hatched at these spawning sites would be minimally displaced by tidal movement. Ichthyoplankton samples taken hourly during the day at six locations on March 27 and April 27, 1981 reflected the larval distribution predicted by the model. Larval retention within this lagoon appeared to be strongly influenced by the hydrodynamics of this system. It is suggested that the hydrodynamic features of lagoons are exploited in the reproductive strategies of estuarine species and that the relationship between hydrodynamics and the quality of nursery habitat must be considered before making hydraulic modifications to these systems.     

The 2000 April multiwavelength campaign of GRS 1915+105

We report results from multiwavelength observations of the microquasarGRS 1915+105 performed during the 2000 April campaign. This is one ofthe biggest campaigns ever made for this source covering the broadband from radio to γ-rays. Multiwavelength light curves compiledfrom all the data reduced up to date and broad band spectra obtainedwith ASCA and RXTE are presented.     

Oxygen isotopes in single micrometer-sized quartz grains: tracing the source of Saharan dust over long-distance atmospheric transport

Oxygen isotope compositions were measured by ion microprobe in individual micrometer-sized quartz grains extracted from one aerosol sample collected on the Cape Verde Islands and from four surface samples (three soils and one sediment) representing potential source regions of aerosols in Western and Central Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Niger, and Chad). A large range of δ¹⁸O values, from +6.2‰ to +39.3‰ is present within the aerosol quartz grains. The different size fractions of the quartz grains from the surface samples overlap nearly entirely this range but show significant differences in their δ¹⁸O distributions for the different size fractions of the grains (i.e., different modes, different proportions of grains with low or high δ¹⁸O, ...). These differences in δ¹⁸O distributions can be related to different geological formations (i.e., mantle-derived magmatic rocks, crustal magmatic rocks, or sedimentary rocks) outcropping in each region, thus giving a fingerprint of the source region. Quartz grains with unusually high δ¹⁸O values between +30‰ and +40‰ were attributed to lacustrine cherts formed in evaporitic environments (Chad basin).The existence of distinct δ¹⁸O distributions for the surface samples, which reflect regional geology but indicate some transport of the grains, enables the characterization of mixing processes during dust emission in the atmosphere. Particles are mixed at a regional scale in the dust reservoir, but injection of fine particles into the high troposphere occurs as a discrete and localized event with no mixing during the subsequent long-range transport by the easterlies. The comparison of the δ¹⁸O distribution of the quartz from the aerosol sample with the equivalent size fractions in surface samples shows that the Niger area is the more probable source region for the aerosol although the Moroccan source cannot be excluded. This method gives a valuable tool to trace the source region of dust into the atmosphere or into sediment samples, allowing the reconstruction of air mass circulations.