Solar convective zone and acoustic oscillations

The influence of the superadiabatic convection region and the hydrogen-helium ionization region on the spectrum of acoustic oscillations are considered. The spectrum peculiarities are studied by means of the phase-shift function which describes the reflection of the acoustic waves by the outermost layers of the Sun. This function permits us to investigate the influence of the envelope structure upon the oscillations without all the model data. It is shown that in spite of the strong influence of the superadiabatic convection upon acoustic oscillations, its structural changes cannot explain the discrepancy between observations and theory. It is emphasized that the explanation of the discrepancy between observations and standard model calculations requires taking into account the non-ideal nature of the plasma.     

Comparison of elemental composition of recent and ancient carbonaceous sediments

The concentrations of 13 macroelements and 36 microelements are determined in calcareous deposits from recent basins, namely, the Black Sea (coccolith and sapropel oozes), the Namibian shelf (diatomaceous oozes), and the Peruvian shelf (diatomaceous-terrigenous oozes). The essential similarity of the composition of the microelements is established for all three types of sediments, including calcareous, terrigenous, and siliceous sediments. The comparison of these data with the average composition of the world shales reveals similar trends of microelement distribution, which supports the former hypothesis about the comparable environment of formation of both ancient and some modern basins.     

Biomorphic formations in recent phosphorites

Ultramicroscopic particles of biogenic appearance found in recent phosphorite nodules in diatomaceous oozes from the Namibian shelf are described. The particles are mostly represented by three varieties, namely, colloform, rounded, and elongated bacillary particles, which are disseminated over the rock or, more often, form aggregations of various shapes. The aggregations consist of particles of similar types though different in sizes (from fractions of a micrometer to a few micrometers). Mutual intergrowths are also encountered, as well as twins, rosettes, and ball-shaped aggregations of elongated particles resembling vugs of other crystals. These morphological features together with the results of microbiological studies of diatomaceous oozes, in which phosphorite nodules are formed, suggest a nonmicrobial origin of most of the biomorphic particles.     

Geochemical anomalies in South Caspian sediments

Study of the element composition of ten samples of modern terrigenous and carbonate sediments from the northern part of the Caspian Sea by the ICP-MS method showed that these sediments were enriched in sulfur, nonferrous metals, and some related minor elements including Se, Te, Re, and others in comparison with the average composition of sedimentary rocks. It is assumed that local hydrothermal seeps similar to those known on the Cheleken Peninsula and which may be formed in other areas of this tectonically active zone are the sources of these elements. In addition, such a composition of sediments may indicate the sporadic contamination of bottom water with hydrogen sulfide, which has been observed in areas of the South and Middle Caspian by many researchers.     

Phosphatized calcareous conglomerate from the Kara Sea floor

Trawling of the bottom in the northeastern Kara Sea during cruise 125 of the R/V Professor Shtokman in 2013 recovered a block of cavernous, partly phosphatized carbonate rock consisting of biogenic carbonate material and partly crystallized diagenetic calcite. The fauna remains are mainly Oligocene–Pliocene planktonic and benthic foraminifers, with less common Oligocene–Miocene coccoliths and single wormlike organisms. Part of the phosphatized material in caverns is impregnated by manganese and iron oxides and enriched in heavy and trace metals. According to the oxygen isotopic composition, this rock formed under moderate temperature conditions. In terms of morphology, mineralogy, and the abundance of organic remains, the block is comparable to methanogenic carbonates found in other parts of the ocean, but shows no isotopically light carbon signatures typical of methane activity. This indicates the diversity of the carbon isotope composition of the Arctic carbonates.     

Composition of technological sample of ferromanganese crusts from seamounts and products of its processing

Elemental and mineral compositions of cakes (residues left after the acid processing of a technological sample of ferromanganese crusts from the Magellan Seamounts) are investigated. It has been established that hydrosulfuric acid processing of the ferromanganese crust results in the extraction of Mn and associated metals, but a significant part of rare earth and other elements is left in cakes. Electron microscopic investigations of samples after their hydrosulfuric acid processing showed the retention and formation of some rare minerals (monazite, xenotime, coffinite, uranium oxide, molybdite, thallium oxide, and magnetite containing T, Cr, Cu, Pt, and Au). Valuable components can be extracted completely from cakes by the method of combined leaching.     

Phosphorites of the Sea of Japan

The lithology and geochemistry of the Miocene concretional phosphorites recovered from four submarine rises in the Sea of Japan (the North and South Yamato, the East Korean, and the Krishtofovich) were examined by means of analytical electron microscopy and ICP-MS chemical and microchemical elemental analysis. The microstructural studies and the data on the distributions of the 57 major and trace elements in these phosphorites revealed their close similarities to the Late Quaternary nodular phosphorites from the Namibian shelf, as well as phosphorites from other parts of the world, thus suggesting a common genetic affinity. Unlike the Namibian phosphorites, our samples collected from the Sea of Japan display a number of geochemical signatures indicative of volcanic and hydrothermal activity. This is supported by the presence of positive Ce and Eu anomalies in some samples and the Ga enrichment in a sample from the Chentsov Volcano.     

Rare earth elements in phosphate-ferromanganese crusts on Pacific seamounts

Based on publications devoted to the composition of P-rich ferromanganese crusts on Pacific seamounts, relationships between the REE distribution in the crusts and the contents of phosphates and Fe-Mn hydroxides therein are considered. It is shown that REEs in the crusts are related to all three mineral phases and their contents are variable. In general, the REEs show weak correlations with P, Mn, and Fe in different varieties of ore crust. Average REE contents are comparable in samples with the maximal and minimal phosphorus contents, suggesting irregularity of REE distribution in the phosphates and ferromanganese phases. This fact is consistent with data on the presence of natural REE minerals in the phosphates.