Detection of tannins in modern and fossil barks and in plant residues by high-resolution solid-state C nuclear magnetic resonance

Bark samples isolated from brown coal deposits in Victoria, Australia, and buried wood from Rhizophora mangle have been studies by high-resolution solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. Dipolar dephasing ¹³C NMR appears to be a useful method of detecting the presence of tannins in geochemical samples including barks, buried woods, peats and leaf litter. It is shown that tannins are selectively preserved in bark during coalification to the brown coal stage.     

Emplacement,crystallization and alteration of spinifex-textured komatiitic basalt flows in the Archaean Nondweni greenstone belt,southern Kaapvaal Craton,South Africa

A well exposed succession of spinifex-textured komatiite flows is reported from the Archaean Nondweni greenstone belt located near the southern margin of the Kaapvaal Craton. The flows are relatively thin (1–5 m) compared to similar occurrences in other greenstone belts. They are characterised by well developed cone structures of highly elongate amphibole crystals (after augite) which fan downwards from the tops of the flows. Extreme development of coned spinifex has not been reported from other greenstone belts and points to specific thermal conditions prevailing in the Nondweni environment. The zones of bladed spinifex are contained between layers of random spinifex and overlie a lower cumulus layer originally of augite, orthopyroxene and minor olivine. The observed major and trace element distributions through a 1.7 m thick spinifex-textured flow are consistent with a model involving concentration of phenocryst phases resulting in significant fractionation upwards in the flow. Approximately 40% of the spinifex-textured phenocrysts grew in situ after the lithological units were established. Collapse and displacement of the coned crystal networks, originally attached to the top of the flow, are shown to have influenced the distribution of liquid within the flow and accentuated the fractionation. Associated with the spinifex-textured units are massive aphyric and brecciated flows which show distinct chemical cycles through the succession. The brecciated zones have compositions with <18% MgO and are characterised by ovoid bodies that are not pillows and may represent magmatic reworking and movement of a partly congealed flow. Post-solidus alteration is considered to have caused early hydration of the original mineralogy and also introduced SiO₂ and Na₂O into the upper part of the flow by way of microfractures. The observed alteration is different to that of Mid-Ocean Ridge basalts, and a subaerial/shallow water environment is suggested.     

The magnitude of the paleomagnetic field during a polarity transition: A new technique and its application

Both the magnitude and direction of the paleomagnetic field have been determined during a polarity transition. The results indicate that the geomagnetic field was both strong and stable when the magnetic pole was close to the equator.     

Plinian eruptions of Nevado de Toluca volcano,Mexico

Zusammenfassung Die Unteren und die Oberen Bimssteine des Toluca sind dacitische air fall-Ablagerungen, die vor etwa 24 500 bzw. 11 600 Jahren gefördert wurden. Der Lower Toluca Pumice bedeckt ungefähr 400 km2 und hat ein Volumen von rund 0,33 km³ (porenfrei gerechnet von 0,16 km³). Nach der 10-cm-Mächtigkeitskurve zeigt er einen nordostgerichteten Verbreitungsfächer. Der Upper Toluca Pumice bedeckt mehr als 2000 km²; sein Volumen beträgt rund 2,3 km³, wenn man die 40-cm-Mächtigkeitskurve zugrundelegt. Das Gesamtvolumen dürfte bei 3,5 km³ (porenfrei gerechnet bei 1,54 km³) liegen. Sein symmetrischer Verbreitungsfächer hat die Richtung N 65° E.Die INMAN-Parameter, Median (Md) und Sortierung (), zusammen mit dem Zerkleinerungs-Index von granulometrischen Analysen aus 23 Bimssteinprofilen zeigen, daß beide Ausbrüche dem plinianischen Typ zuzuordnen sind. Die Korngrößen-Verteilung, verglichen mit einem einfachen mathematischen Modell, gibt einen annähernden Hinweis auf den Ausbruchsverlauf während der Ablagerung der gröbsten Anteile des unteren Teils der Upper Toluca Pumice-Serie. Nach Berechnungen ergibt sich eine Anfangsgeschwindigkeit der Eruption von 500 m/sek aus einem annähernd runden Schlot mit einem Durchmesser von 260 m, sowie eine horizontale Durchschnittswindgeschwindigkeit von 16,2 m/sek und eine Höhe der Eruptionswolke von 40 km. Die freigewordene kinetische Energie betrug rund 6 X 10¹⁹ erg/sek. Die jüngere Eruption dagegen hatte zehnmal mehr kinetische Energie als die ältere.

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The Lower and Upper Toluca Pumice Formations are dacitic airfall deposits that were erupted about 24,500 yr BP and 11,600 yr BP respectively. The Lower Toluca Pumice covers about 400 km², with a volume of 0.33 km³ (dense rock equivalent 0.16 km³) within the 10 cm isopach, and has a northeast-trending dispersal fan. The Upper Toluca Pumice covers more than 2,000 km², has a volume of 2.3 km³ within the 40 cm isopach, and an estimated total volume of 3.5 km³ (dense rock equivalent 1.54 km³). Its symmetrical dispersal fan trends N 65° E. The Inman parameters, median diameter (Md) and deviation (), together with the fragmentation indices, derived from granulometric studies of samples from 23 pumice sections, show that both eruptions were of Pliniantype. The particle-size distribution, compared with a simple mathematical model of a Plinian eruption, provides an approximate indication of the eruptive conditions during the deposition of the coarsest part of the Lower Member of the Upper Toluca Pumice. Computations give a muzzle velocity of 500 m/sec from a circular vent 260 m in diameter, a mean horizontal windspeed of 16.2 m/sec and an eruptive cloud 40 km high, with a maximum rate of release of kinetic energy of 6 × 10¹⁹ erg/sec. The younger eruption released about ten times more kinetic energy than the older.

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Resumen Las formaciones »Lower y Upper Toluca Pumice« son depósitos de caida libre, originados hace approximadamente 24,500 y 11,600 años A.P., respectivamente. El depósito »Lower Toluca Pumice« cubre un area de aproximadamente 400 km², y tiene un volumen de 0.33 km³ (0.16 km³ de roca masiva) dentro de la isopaca de 10 cm, y su area de dispersión se prolonga en dirección N.E. El depósito »Upper Toluca Pumice« cubre más de 2,000 km², tiene un volumen de 2.3 km³ dentro de la isopaca de 40 cm, y un volumen total estimado en 3.5 km³ (1.54 km³ de roca masiva); su dirección principal de dispersion es N 65° E. Considerando los parámetres de Inman; es decir, diámetro medio (Md) y desviación estandard (), además de los índices de fragmentatión, derivados todos de estudios granulométricos de muestras tomadas en 23 secciones en el campo, ambos depósitos se deben a erupciones del tipo Pliniano. La distribución de tamaños, comparada con un modelo matemático simple de una erupción tipo Pliniano, muestra los parámetres aproximados de la erupción al momenta de depositarse la fracción más gruesa del miembro inferior del depósito »Upper Toluca Pumice«. Los cálculos dan una velocidad de escape de 500 m/seg de un cráter circular 260 m de diámetro, una velocidad media del viento de 16.2 m/seg y una columna eruptiva de 40 km de altura, con un gasto máximo de energía cinética de 6 × 10¹⁹ ergios/seg. La energía cinética liberada por la última erupción fue diez veces mayor que la primera.

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Résumé Les formations inférieures et supérieures de Ponce de Toluca sont des dépôts dacitiques d'origine aérienne, qui ont été émis il y a environ 24,500 ans AP et 11,600 ans AP respectivement. Le »Lower Toluca Pumice«, qui couvre environ 400 km², avec un volume de 0.33 km³ (équivalent à 0.16 km³ de roche compacte) dans I'isopaque de Pumice«, couvre plus de 2000 km², a un volume de 2.3 km³ dans l'isopaque de 40 cm, et un volume global estimé à 3.5 km³ (équivalent à 1.54 km³ de roche compacte). Son éventail symétrique de dispersion est dirigé vers N 65° E. Les paramètres Inman, le diamètre médian (Md) et la déviation (), comme aussi les indices de fragmentation tirés des études granulométriques d'échantillons de 23 profils de ponce, montrent que ces deux éruptions étaient du type plinien. La distribution granulométrique des particules comparée à un modèle mathématique simple d'une éruption plinienne, fournit une indication approximative des conditions d'éruption pendant le dépôt de la fraction la plus grossière du membre inférieur du »Upper Toluca Pumice«. Des calculs donnent une vitesse initiale de 500 m/sec à partir d'un évent circulaire de 260 m de diamètre, une vitesse horizontale de vent de 16.2 m/sec et une nuée éruptive de 40 km de hauteur, avec une degré maximum de libération d'énergie cinétique de 6 × 10¹⁹ erg/sec. L'éruption plus récente a libéré environ dix fois plus d'énergie cinétique que l'éruption plus ancienne.

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, 24500 11600 . «Lower Toluca Pumice» 400 ² 0,33 ³, , — 0,16 ³. 10 , - . «Upper Toluca Pumice» , 2000 ²; 2,3 ³, 40 . 3,5 ³, 1,54 ³. 65°. INMAN, (Md Ø) 23 , . «Upper Toluca Pumica». 500 /, 260 , 16,2 /. 40 . 6&#x0445;10¹⁹ /. 10 , .

     

Petrologic consequences of rift propagation on oceanic spreading ridges

The production of anomalously differentiated lava compositions at several mid-ocean spreading centers can be attributed to magmatic processes associated with propagating rifts. The degree of differentiation attained by magmas beneath oceanic spreading ridges depends mainly on the balance between cooling rate and the supply rate of new magma to shallow chambers. Low supply rates and moderate cooling rates allow advanced degrees of closed-system fractionation to occur. High supply rates result in open systems in which magma compositions are buffered by frequent replenishment with new hot magma. Propagating rift tips are a special class of ridge-transform intersection in which the balance between cooling and supply rates is conducive to the development of advanced degrees of differentiation over an expanded length of ridge. This balance is affected by the spreading rate, the propagation rate of the rift, the length of the bounding transform and proximity to hotspots. Maximum compositional variability and maximum degree of differentiation occur within 50 km of propagating rift tips and subsequently diminish with increasing distance. Rifts that propagate through plates in directions approximating their absolute motion relative to the lower mantle are characterized by the presence of anomalously differentiated lavas over longer ridge segments than are rifts that propagate against their absolute motion. Geochemical anomalies may persist, though changing in degree and extent, for several million years on ridge segments that stop propagating. The concept of “magnetic telechemistry” is generally supported by our study, but in the vicinity of hotspots, magnetic anomaly amplitude may be controlled more by bathymetric and/or thickened magnetic layer effects than by geochemistry.     

Chemical changes during natural oxidation of a high volatile bituminous coal

Core drilling of near surface seams near Wakefield NSW has provided high volatile bituminous coal samples that have been subject to varying degrees of natural in situ oxidation. Five levels of oxidation have been defined, mainly on visual evidence, ranging from unoxidised coal to highly oxidised material. Samples of each oxidation level have been investigated by chemical analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and solid state carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) with cross-polarization and magic angle spinning.The results show that mineral matter, moisture and oxygen content increase with oxidation, whereas carbon, hydrogen and specific energy decrease. Moisture determination is suggested as a quick, facile method for indicating the oxidation level for a coal sample from this seam. FTIR showed a marked loss of aliphatic C-H groups with increasing oxidation, and an increase in carbonyl and carboxylate groups. Aromatic C-H groups were much less affected by oxidation. Solid state carbon-13 NMR showed increasing carbon aromaticity with oxidation, but showed substantial carbonyl carbon only at the highest oxidation level. No evidence was found for an increase in aromatic substituents during oxidation; if anything, there is a small decrease in substituents.     

Numerical simulation of particle trajectories in inhomogeneous turbulence,I: Systems with constant turbulent velocity scale

A means of numerical simulation of particle trajectories in inhomogeneous turbulence is described. The method employs a simple coordinate transformation which allows a trajectory in inhomogeneous turbulence to be converted to a corresponding trajectory in homogeneous turbulence. Concentration distributions predicted by the trajectory-simulation method agree precisely with analytical solutions in the special cases of homogeneous turbulence, turbulence with power-law wind and eddy diffusivity profiles, and the neutral atmospheric surface layer.