Definition of geochemical patterns on the soil of Paul de Arzila using correspondence analysis

The aim of this study is to define geochemical and geological patterns, not only inside of Paul de Arzila natural reserve but in the surrounding area. The Correspondence Analysis was used as a discriminate technique to separate previously identified groups, in this case three types of soils (cambisols + luvisols + fluvisols). The purpose was to identify the main chemical association representative for the local types of soils. The results allow us to separate the chemical elements that are related to natural sources from the anthropogenic sources.     

Lower Aptian Subbetic organic-rich facies, radiolarites, and associated deposits: the local expression of Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a (Carbonero Formation, southern Spain)

The Carbonero Formation represents a scarce, well documented example of Aptian anoxic facies in the Betic Cordillera. Generally, the Aptian record in the pelagic Subbetic basin is both very discontinuous and affected by frequent hiatuses, but in some subsident areas controlled by extensional faults (as in the Carbonero trough) an interesting record is preserved. The Carbonero Formation is characterised by a thick pelagic succession composed of marls with intercalations of calcareous turbidites and a thick interval of anoxic facies. This interval, dated as early Aptian, most likely represents the local expression of Ocean Anoxic Event 1a in the Subbetic basin. A multidisciplinary study including lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, and sedimentology has been carried out in the Carbonero Formation, with special attention to the anoxic interval. A collection of facies and sedimentary features has been characterised and interpreted, including barite concretions, calcareous concretions, black shales, siliceous marls and radiolarites, and calcareous turbidites. All these facies seem to have been deposited under oxygen-depleted conditions on a fault-bounded depression with a high subsidence rate. The accumulation and burial of sediments and the preservation of organic matter were controlled by both local and regional factors, such as the physiography of the basin and tectonic setting, as well as by global factors, such as palaeoceanographic and climatic changes.     

A combined single range and single image device for low-cost measurement of building façade features

The dimensions of building façades and window apertures are usually determined by making direct measurements using tapes and plummets. This approach, however, has a number of drawbacks including the physical risk to which the persons making the measurements are exposed. This paper proposes an indirect approach based on close range photogrammetry that is inexpensive, simple, fast and safe, and which does not require specialist staff or direct ground control measurements. The method is based on taking a picture using a digital camera and measuring the distance to the object using a handheld laser distance meter. Both items of equipment are mounted on a specially designed support that allows the laser distance meter to move independently of the camera.     

Environmental and diagenetic variations in carbonate associated sulfate: An investigation of CAS in the Lower Triassic of the western USA

An integrated stable isotope, elemental and petrographic analysis of Early Triassic (Spathian) carbonates and evaporites along a proximal to deep environmental transect reveals significant variations in δ³⁴S composition of carbonate associated sulfate (CAS). The variations in the δ³⁴S of CAS are strongly correlated with the Ca/Mg composition of carbonates, suggesting that the variations are driven by the degree of dolomitization. The δ³⁴S of dolostones and evaporites are similar to one another and exhibit lower δ³⁴S values than limestones from all localities.Three hypotheses may explain the differences in δ³⁴S between proximal dolostones/evaporites and inner/middle shelf limestones: (1) limestones experienced anaerobic sulfate reduction and subsequent incorporation of ³⁴S-enriched sulfate into CAS during diagenesis, while dolostones did not—this is unlikely because of the lack of correlation between δ³⁴S_CAS and TOC, as well as other indicators of diagenesis, (2) dolomitization controlled the δ³⁴S_CAS in proximal paleoenvironments, where the source of the ³⁴S depleted fluids was either continentally-derived or the result of Rayleigh distillation during evaporite formation, and (3) a δ³⁴S depth gradient existed during the Early Triassic such that limestones formed in distal waters are more enriched in ³⁴S versus evaporites and dolostones formed in proximal settings—we do not favor this hypothesis because the strong correlation between Ca/Mg and δ³⁴S_CAS implies that dolomitization controls the δ³⁴S_CAS in these samples. Results from subtidal, well-preserved (non-dolomitized) limestones suggest that the δ³⁴S of Spathian seawater sulfate may have been heavier than previously suggested from analyses of evaporite deposits alone.