A Thermodynamic Model of the Water–Rock Interaction under Hydrothermal Exposure of the Bazhenov Formation

Thermodynamic modeling of the hydrothermal exposure of the rocks of the Bazhenov Formation resulted in revealing the equilibrium mineral associations at 50–350°C and the pressure of saturated water vapor. The calculation results show that mineral parageneses varied slightly with the increase of temperature. Thus, zeolites were characterized by the stilbite–laumontite–wairakite series; kaolinite, pyrite, dolomite, and brannerite were replaced by montmorillonite and/or albite, pyrrhotite, calcite, and uraninite, respectively. The modeling results were confirmed in experiments.     

Variations of trace gases over the Bay of Bengal during the summer monsoon

In situ measurements of near-surface ozone (\(\hbox {O}_{3})\), carbon monoxide (CO), and methane (\(\hbox {CH}_{4})\) were carried out over the Bay of Bengal (BoB) as a part of the Continental Tropical Convergence Zone (CTCZ) campaign during the summer monsoon season of 2009. \(\hbox {O}_{3}\), CO and \(\hbox {CH}_{4}\) mixing ratios varied in the ranges of 8–54 ppbv, 50–200 ppbv and 1.57–2.15 ppmv, respectively during 16 July–17 August 2009. The spatial distribution of mean tropospheric \(\hbox {O}_{3}\) from satellite retrievals is found to be similar to that in surface \(\hbox {O}_{3}\) observations, with higher levels over coastal and northern BoB as compared to central BoB. The comparison of in situ measurements with the Monitoring Atmospheric Composition & Climate (MACC) global reanalysis shows that MACC simulations reproduce the observations with small mean biases of 1.6 ppbv, –2.6 ppbv and 0.07 ppmv for \(\hbox {O}_{3}\), CO and \(\hbox {CH}_{4}\), respectively. The analysis of diurnal variation of \(\hbox {O}_{3}\) based on observations and the simulations from Weather Research and Forecasting coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) at a stationary point over the BoB did not show a net photochemical build up during daytime. Satellite retrievals show limitations in capturing \(\hbox {CH}_{4}\) variations as measured by in situ sample analysis highlighting the need of more shipborne in situ measurements of trace gases over this region during monsoon.     

Empirical assessment of the role of geospatial technology in delivering governance and strengthening democracy in Nigeria

The paper examined the concept of development in line with the role of geospatial technology applications in governance and geospatial management in Nigeria. It also evaluates the previous efforts made by successive governments in managing governance process through geospatial technology initiatives using Lagos State as a proof-of-concept. It empirically demonstrates the role of monitoring spatial development initiatives using Landsat multi-dates satellite images 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 5005, 2010 and 2016 and Geographic Information System technique. The paper then identified, mapped and examined the settlement growth of Lagos using Ikorodu Division as an empirical proof-of-concept. The study reveals a geometric increase in uncoordinated human activities resulting from sporadic spatial development (builtup area) from 27.67 sq km (7.7%) in 1985–313.02 sq km (87.3%) spatial coverage in 2016. Based on the regression line, the study reveals a strong correlation between increasing settlement development and time. Low level of community involvement and lack of sense of ownership of development project initiatives in developing a local “vision” and strategy are identified as a problem. The paper re-emphasized that sustaining democratic processes as well as the fight against poverty will be won or lost mostly in the rural and less in the urban areas. The rural area is home to about 70% of the world’s poor due to lack or inadequate government services and basic amenities. The study suggest that making the future better for the yet unborn requires appreciable fundamental dataset, technologies, human resources and reliable government structures.     

Benthic and Plankton Foraminifers in Hydrothermally Active Zones of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR)

Comparison of benthic foraminiferal assemblages from the core obtained within the Peterburgskoe ore field (Mid-Atlantic Ridge) and from the core taken five kilometers away from the ore field revealed evident differences in their composition, in the appearance of their shells, and also in the benthic–plankton species ratio. It was noted that the foraminiferal assemblage from the ore-bearing sediments of the Petersburg field was characterized by a higher relative content of benthic species and a large number of chemically altered and broken shells. The first occurrence of the species Osangularia umbonifera, which is able to exist in lowoxygen and CaCO₃-undersaturated bottom waters at the boundary of biogenic sediments surrounding the ore field and in the ore-bearing sediments, was established. In the core section sampled beyond the ore field, the composition of foraminiferal assemblages differs insignificantly from typical oceanic ones.     

Strontium Isotope Stratigraphy: Principles and State of the Art

The methodical basis, development, and current state of a new method of chronostratigraphic studies, i.e., strontium isotope stratigraphy (SIS), are considered. This method makes it possible to date and correlate geographically distant sedimentary sequences without involving the biostratigraphic and isotope geochronological data. SIS is based on secular variations in ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr in the paleocean, resulting from the redistribution of the roles of two global strontium flows formed in the mantle and continental reservoirs of the Earth. Isotopic homogeneity of Sr in the paleoceans and in the linked seas leads to the fact that the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio in the sea basins is individual for each geological time point and is inherited in marine chemogenic sediments under deposition of dissolved Sr as an isomorphic impurity. Low-Mg calcite and also fragments of fossilized paleontological remains buried in situ are the best minerals that are capable of retaining the Sr isotopic signature of the sedimentation environment. SIS is carried out with geochemical diagnostics of secondary alteration of the studied material and selective dissolution of the samples to produce a carbonate material that adequately reflects isotopic signature of the sedimentary basin. Interregional correlations of the Proterozoic and Cenozoic sea sediments and their relation to the SIS-based stratigraphic scale are given as an example.     

Magmatic Evolution of Changbaishan Tianchi Volcano,China–North Korea: Evidence from Mineral-Hosted Melt and Fluid Inclusions

Data on mineral-hosted melt, fluid, and crystalline inclusions were used to study the composition and evolution of melts that produced rocks of Changbaishan Tianchi volcano, China–North Korea, and estimate their crystallization parameters. The melts crystallized within broad ranges of temperature (1220–700°C) and pressure (3100–1000 bar), at a drastic change in the redox potential: Δ log \(f_{O_2}\) from NNO + 0.92 to +1.42 for the basalt melts, NNO –1.61 to –2.09 for the trachybasaltic andesite melts, NNO –2.63 to –1.89 for the comendite melts, and NNO –1.55 to –3.15 for the pantellerite melts. The paper reports estimates of the compositions of melts that produced the continuous rock series from trachybasalt to comendite and pantellerite. In terms of trace-element concentrations, all of the mafic melts are comparable with OIB magmas. The silicic melts are strongly enriched in trace elements and REE. The most strongly enriched melts contain concentrations of certain elements almost as high as in ores of these elements. The paper reports data on H2O concentrations in melts of different composition. It is demonstrated that the variations in the H₂O concentrations were controlled by magma degassing. Data are reported on the Sr and Nd composition of the rocks. The deviations in the Sr isotopic composition are proportional to the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio and could be produced in a melt with a high enough ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio during a geologically fairly brief time period. The evolution of melts that produced rocks of the volcano was controlled by crystallization differentiation of the parental basalt magmas at insignificant involvement of melt mixing and liquid immiscibility of silicate and sulfide melts. The alkaline salic rocks were generated in shallow-sitting (13–3.5 km) magmatic chambers in which the melts underwent profound differentiation that gave rise to pantellerites and comendites strongly enriched in trace elements (Th, Nb, Ta, Zr, and REE). Data on the composition of the magmas and parameters of their derivation are used to develop a generalized petrologic–geodynamic model for the origin of Changbaishan Tianchi volcano.     

Ultramafic–Mafic Assemblage of Plutonic Rocks and Hornblende Schists of Shirshov Rise,Bering Sea,and Stalemate Ridge,Northwest Pacific: Geodynamic Interpretations of Geochemical Data

The paper presents data on plutonic and metamorphic rocks dredged during Cruise 249 of the German R/V Sonne to the Stalemate Ridge, Northwest Pacific Ocean and the Shirshov Rise, western Bering Sea. Dredges in the northwestern sector of the Stalemate Ridge and central portion of the Shirshov Rise show that the plutonic and metamorphic rocks obtained here are amazingly similar. Our petrologic and geochemical data led us to view the rocks as members of a mafic–ultramafic assemblage typical of cumulate portions of ophiolite complexes and backarc spreading centers. The plutonic complexes of the Shirshov Rise and Stalemate Ridge show similarities not only in the petrography and mineralogy of their protoliths but also in the character of their metamorphic transformations. Plutonic rocks from both areas display mineralogical evidence of metamorphism within a broad temperature range: from the high-temperature amphibolite facies to the greenschist facies. Relations between the index mineral assemblages indicate that the metamorphic history of plutonic complexes in the Stalemate Ridge and Shirshov Rise proceeded along a retrograde path. Hornblende schists accompanying the plutonic rocks of the Stalemate Ridge and Shirshov Rise are petrographically close to foliated amphibolites in subophiolitic metamorphic aureoles. Within the framework of geodynamic interpretations of our results, it is realistic to suggest that the examined plutonic complexes were exhumed from subduction zones of various age.     

Biostratigraphy and Sedimentary Settings of the Middle Devonian Succession of the Yuryung-Tumus Peninsula,Khatanga Gulf of the Laptev Sea

The age of the Paleozoic sedimentary successions of the Yuryung-Tumus Peninsula in the Khatanga Gulf is determined as Middle Devonian, late Eifelian, and the beginning of the early Givetian on the basis of the study of brachiopods, ammonoids, nautiloids, bactritoids, gastropods, and conodonts, and in the terminology of the standard conodont succession, these deposits are not older than the late Eifelian Tortodus kockelianus Zone, but include the terminal Eifelian Polygnathus ensensis Zone and the first Givetian Polygnathus hemiansatus Zone and are no younger than the beginning of the early Givetian Polygnathus varcus Zone. The Middle Devonian sedimentary successions of the Yuryung-Tumus Peninsula show the level of the global sedimentary Ka?ak Event. The areas of distribution of the Devonian sedimentary deposits in the Yuryung-Tumus Peninsula in the Khatanga Gulf should be considered as one of the fragments of the regional geological structures of a remote (isolated?) region of the Taymyr Fold System rather than a component of the structures of the northern Siberian Platform.     

Age and Provenance Areas of Terrigenous Rocks of the Dzhida Terrane: Results of U—Th—Pb (LA-ICP-MS) Geochronological Study of Detrital Zircons

The results of U—Th—Pb (LA-ICP-MS) geochronological studies of detrital zircons from terrigenous rocks of the Dzhida terrane of the Central Asian Fold Belt (CAFB) are presented. The data obtained allow us to distinguish the following age maxima (Ma): 578 and 634 (Vendian); 720, 823, and 919 (Late Riphean); 1922, 2090, 2225, and 2321 (Early Proterozoic). A number of zircons have Late Archean age in the interval of 2670–2980 Ma. Taking into account Late Cambrian age (504–506 Ma) of intrusive rocks that intruded the Dzhida terrane, a possible sedimentation period of sequences of this terrane is estimated to be in the interval of 580–510 Ma (from Vendian to Late Cambrian). The possible provenance areas of terrigenous sediments are proposed and the previously proposed models of geodynamic evolution of the Dzhida terrane are correlated with new geochronological data.     

Ziminaite,Fe3+VO4, a new howardevansite-group mineral from the Bezymyannyi volcano,Kamchatka, Russia

Mineralogy and Petrology - The new mineral ziminaite, ideally Fe3+VO4, was found in fumarole sublimates at the Bezymyannyi volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. Ziminaite occurs as lamellar, tabular or...