Carbonation and decarbonation of eclogites: the role of garnet

Carbonates are potentially significant hosts for primordial and subducted carbon in the Earth's mantle. In addition, the coexistence of carbonate with silicates and reduced carbon (diamond or graphite), allows constraints to be placed on the oxidation state of the mantle. Carbonate-silicate-vapor reactions control how carbonate + silicate assemblages may form from carbon-bearing vapor + silicate assemblages with increasing pressure. In olivine-bearing rocks such as peridotite, considered the dominant rock type in the upper mantle, the lowest-pressure carbonate-forming reactions involve olivine (±clinopyroxene) reacting with CO₂ (e.g., Wyllie et al. 1983). In eclogitic rocks, the essential mineral assemblage is omphacitic clinopyroxene + garnet, without olivine. Therefore, alternative carbonate-forming reactions must be sought. The carbonation of clinopyroxene via the reaction dolomite + 2 coesite = diopside + 2 CO₂ was studied experimentally by Luth (1995). The alternative possibility that garnet reacts with CO₂ is explored here by determining the location of the reaction 3 magnesite + kyanite + 2 coesite = pyrope + 3 CO₂ between 5 and 11 GPa in multi-anvil apparatus. At the temperatures ≥1200 °C, carbonation of eclogitic rocks with increasing pressure will proceed initially by reaction with clinopyroxene, because the pyrope-carbonation reaction lies at higher pressures for a given temperature than does the diopside-carbonation reaction. Diluting the pyrope component of garnet and the diopside component of clinopyroxene to levels appropriate for mantle eclogites does not change this conclusion. At lower temperatures, appropriate for “cold” slabs, it is possible that the converse situation will hold, with initial carbonation proceeding via reaction with garnet, but this possibility awaits experimental confirmation. Decarbonation of an eclogite under “normal mantle” geothermal conditions by a decrease in pressure, as in an ascending limb of a mantle convection cell, would be governed by the formation of clinopyroxene + CO₂. At higher pressure than this reaction, any CO₂ produced by the breakdown of magnesite reacting with kyanite and coesite would react with clinopyroxene to produce dolomite + coesite. Release of CO₂ from eclogite into mantle peridotite would form carbonate at sub-solidus conditions and produce a dolomitic carbonate melt if temperatures are above the peridotite-CO₂ solidus. Received: 4 May 1998 / Accepted: 23 December 1998     

Compression of α-MnS (alabandite) and a new high-pressure phase

The compressibility of -Mns (alabandite) was determined by x-ray analysis using a Mao-Bell type diamond anvil cell. The zero pressure bulk modulus (K₀) is 74±2 GPa with the pressure derivative of the bulk modulus (K_o) fixed at four. Allowing (K_o) to vary yielded a statistically better fit with K₀ = 88±6 GPa and k₀ = 2.2±0.6. Our data combined with the data of McCammon (1991) gave K_o = 73±1 GPa with k_o fixed at four. A fit with k_o allowed to vary yielded k_o = 75±2 GPa and k_o = 3.7±0.4. Alabandite transformed from the B1 structure (NaCl-type) to an unknown high-pressure phase at 26 GPa. The high-pressure phase has lower than hexagonal symmetry and it is stable to at least 46±4 GPa.Also affiliated with the James Franck Institute, University of Chicago     

Measuring the Spatial Focus of Migration Patterns

The changing territorial concentration of migration flows is of interest to many geographers, yet we still do not have a widely accepted index of spatial focus. The much used index of migration efficiency has been shown to be an inadequate index of such spatial concentration, and two candidates have been suggested to replace it: the Gini index and the coefficient of variation. Both are examined in this paper, and a comparative assessment is offered. Data from the 1970, 1980, and 1990 censuses are used to illustrate the two measures. An examination of the findings reveals that the coefficient of variation measure indicates higher levels of spatial focus than does the Gini index for states with highly concentrated flows.     

Natural abundances of 15N as a source indicator for near-shore marine sedimentary and dissolved nitrogen

Because organic matter originating in the euphotic zone of the ocean may have a distinctive nitrogen isotope composition (¹⁵N/¹⁴N), as compared to organic matter originating in terrestrial soils, it may be used to evaluate the relative nitrogen contribution to marine and estuarine sediment. The nitrogen isotope ratios of 42 sediment samples of total nitrogen and 38 dissolved pore-water ammonium samples from Santa Barbara Basin sediment cores were measured. The range of δ¹⁵N values for total nitrogen was $\text{+2.89 – +9.4‰}$ with a mean of $\text{+6.8‰}$ and for pore water ammonium, $\text{+8.2 – +12.4‰}$ with a mean of 10.2‰.The results suggest that the dissolved ammonium in the pore water is produced from bacterial degradation of marine organic matter. The range of δ¹⁵N values for total nitrogen in the sediment is interpreted as resulting from an admixture of nitrogen derived from marine ($\text{+10‰}$) and terrestrial (+2‰ marines. The marine component of this mixture, composed principally of calcium carbonate with smaller amounts of opal and organic matter, contains ～ 1.0% nitrogen. The terrestrial component, which comprises over 80% of the sediment, contains ～ 0.1% organically bound nitrogen and accounts for > 25% of the total nitrogen in Santa Barbara Basin sediment.     

Acoustic Ray-Trace Equations for Seafloor Geodesy

One goal of seafloor geodesy is to measure horizontal deformation of the seafloor with millimeter resolution. A common technique precisely times an acoustic signal propagating between two points to estimate distance and then repeats the measurement over time. The accuracy of the distance estimate depends upon the travel time resolution, sound speed uncertainty, and the degree to which the path computed from propagation equations replicates the actual path traveled by the signal. In this paper, we address the error from ray propagation equations by comparing three approximations to Snell's Law with ellipsoidal geometry.     

Temperature as a Tool to Evaluate Aerobic Biodegradation in Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soil

This study evaluates the theory, and some practical aspects of using temperature measurements to assess aerobic biodegradation in hydrocarbon contaminated soil. The method provides an easily applicable alternative for quantifying the rate of biodegradation and/or evaluating the performance of in situ remediation systems. The method involves two nonintrusive procedures for measuring vertical temperature profiles down existing monitoring wells; one using a thermistor on a cable for one‐time measurements and the other using compact temperature data loggers deployed for 3‐month to 1‐year period. These vertical temperature profile measurements are used to identify the depth and lateral extent of biodegradation as well as to monitor seasonal temperature changes throughout the year. The basic theory for using temperature measurements to estimate the minimum rate of biodegradation will be developed, and used to evaluate field measurements from sites in California where biodegradation of spilled petroleum hydrocarbons is due to natural processes. Following, temperature data will be used to evaluate the relative rates of biodegradation due to natural processes and soil vapor extraction (SVE) at a former refinery site in the North‐Central United States. The results from this study show that the temperature method can be a simple, cost effective tool for assessing biodegradation in the soil, and optimizing remediation systems at a wide variety of hydrocarbon spill sites.     

The mantle origins of Karoo picrites

Karoo picrites are divided into a volumetrically dominant high Ti-Zr (HTZ) group and a less abundant low Ti-Zr (LTZ) group. Distinguished in this way, it is then possible to use the comparison of major element compositions with those of experimentally determined partial melts of mantle peridotites to constrain the depth of segregation for each magma type. This approach also identifies the nature of source and residual mantle materials from which such magma segregation may have occurred. The LTZ group show uniformly shallow pressures (ca. 13–15 kb) of magma segregation and the HTZ group show a range of pressures (10 kb to > 30 kb) of segregation. In the HTZ group a range of K₂O, TiO₂ and Zr contents is observed, with greater concentrations in picrites which have segregated at higher pressures (high-NaK# HTZ picrites) relative to a low-NaK# HTZ picrite group (NaK#=[Na/₂O+K₂O][Na₂O+K₂O+CaO]). If we measure the refractory character of a mantle source peridotite by its CaO and Al₂O₃ content then it is shown that the LTZ picrites have segregated from sources which are more refractory than MORB or OIB sources and which lack the strong K, Ti and Zr enrichments of HTZ sources. Mixing of at least two mantle components is required to fully explain the major element and isotopic data in the HTZ group and is combined with variations in composition produced by different depths of magma segregation. Consideration of the major element phase relations coupled with trace element abundances and isotope data leads us to suggest that one component is the Kaapvaal lithospheric mantle (incompatible element enriched but relatively refractory with respect to basaltic components) and the other is asthenospheric mantle. This lithospheric mantle component is most evident in the high-NaK# HTZ picrite end-member which has segregated at a greater depth (ca. 18–32 kb). The asthenospheric component is most closely represented by the low-NaK# HTZ picrites which have segregated at pressures of 10–22 kb. The LTZ source, more refractory mantle than MORB, is inferred to be the shallow sub-continental lithospheric mantle which may also be the source of the low-MgO tholeiites related to these picrites, and therefore the source for the main phase of Karoo basaltic eruptions.     

Topographic and climatic influences on accelerated loess accumulation since the last glacial maximum in the Palouse, Pacific Northwest, USA

Topographic and climatic influences have controlled thick loess accumulation at the southern margin of the Palouse loess in northern Oregon. Juniper and Cold Springs Canyons, located on the upwind flank of the Horse Heaven Hills, are oriented perpendicular to prevailing southwesterly winds. These canyons are topographic traps that separate eolian sand on the upwind side from thick accumulations (nearly 8 m) of latest Pleistocene to Holocene L1 loess on the downwind side. Silt- and sand-rich glacial outburst flood sediment in the Umatilla Basin is the source of eolian sand and loess for the region. Sediment from this basin also contributes to loess accumulations across much of the Columbia Plateau to the northeast. Downwind of Cold Springs Canyon, Mt. St. Helens set S and Glacier Peak tephras bracket 4 m of loess, demonstrating that approximately 2500 g m⁻² yr⁻¹ of loess accumulated between about 15,400–13,100 cal yr B.P. Mass accumulation rates decreased to approximately 250 g m⁻² yr⁻¹ from 13,100 cal yr B.P. to the present. Tephrochronology suggests that the bulk of near-source Palouse loess accumulated in one punctuated interval in the latest Pleistocene characterized by a dry and windy climate.     

Occurrence and geotechnical properties of loess in Canada

Sweeney, S.J. and Smalley, I.J., 1988. Occurrence and geotechnical properties of loess in Canada. Eng. Geol., 25: 123–134.

There are modest amounts of loess in Canada. As in most of North America it is probably produced by a combination of glacial grinding and cold weathering. Atterberg limits of Canadian loess are comparable with reference samples from the U.S.A. A deposit at Kamloops in British Columbia suffers a 15% linear collapse when loaded and wetted. Earlier estimates that the deposit was more than 100 m thick are probably in error; only the top part of the sedimentary deposit is loess.     

Some constraints on the formation of the Zambian Copperbelt deposits

The origin of the ores of the Zambian Copperbelt are examined by referring to the timing and physicochemical conditions of the formation of the orebodies and by reviewing the possible sources of Cu and Co available. The constraints imposed by these two conditions leads to the conclusion that the ores were formed during early diagenesis, primarily by bacterial action on metal rich solutions derived from the pre-Katangan basement rocks.