A new ophiolite occurrence in NW Sudan – constraints on Late Proterozoic tectonism

Mafic–ultramafic sequences in the Jebel Rahib fold-and-thrust belt of NW Sudan comprise the metamorphosed equivalents of obducted oceanic lithosphere. Primary features like pillow-structures, quenchtextures, igneous layering and primary minerals like chromian spinels and pyroxenes are partly preserved. Geochemical investigations confirm the field evidence and reveal the occurrence of harzburgites, ophiolitic chromites, gabbros, gabbroic cumulates and basalts of primitive tholeiitic compositions resembling transitional MORBs. The age of low-grade overprint of the basaltic rocks can be limited to 860–740 Myr (K–Ar). The existence of an ophiolite, as well as its close interfingering with highly deformed basin sediments, provides unambiguous evidence for a cycle of extensional and compressional tectonics in NW Sudan during Pan-African times. Consequently, the concept of an older, stable Proterozoic, or even Archaean, ‘African Craton’onto which the juvenile Pan-African Nubian Shield assemblages were accreted, needs revision.     

High-pressure phengite decomposition in the Weissenstein eclogite,Münchberger Gneiss Massif,Germany

The petrography, mineral chemistry and petrogenesis of a sample from the Weissenstein eclogite, Bavaria, Germany, has been investigated. The total mineral assemblage comprises garnet, clinopyroxene_I+II, quartz, amphibole_I+II, rutile, phengite, epidote/allanite, plagioclase, biotite, apatite, pumpellyite, titanite (sphene), zircon, alkali feldspar and calcite. Textural observations combined with geothermobarometry (Fe/Mg distribution between clinopyroxene/garnet and phengite/garnet; jadeite-content of omphacite, Si-content of phengite, and An-content of plagioclase) provide indications of two different stages in the metamorphic evolution of the rock. The main phengitequartz-eclogite mineral equilibration occurred at minimum P=13–17kbar, minimum T=620±50° C; the retrograde symplectite stage (clinopyroxene_II, amphibole_II, biotite, plagioclase) occurred at P _total between 12 and 8.5 kbar. Reactions of the symplectite stage are:

1. phengite (core) + Na₂O_aq + CaO_aq=phengite (rim) + biotite + plagioclase + K₂O_aq + H₂O
2. phengite (core) + clinopyroxene_I + Na₂O_aq=phengite (rim + biotite + plagioclase + amphibole_II + SiO₂ + K₂O_aq + CaO_aq + H₂O
3. clinopyroxene_I + SiO₂ + K₂O_aq + H₂O=clinopyroxene_II + plagioclase+amphibole_II + Na₂O_aq + CaO_aq

The phengite decomposition produces H₂O, whereas the clinopyroxene decomposition consumes H₂O. The estimated P-T-conditions for the Weissenstein eclogite are in the same order of magnitude as those for other eclogite bodies from the Alps and Caledonides believed to be related to subduction processes.     

P-T evolution of metasediments from the Eclogite Zone, south-central Tauern Window, Austria

Petrologic data on the paragenesis of (I) kyanite-zoisite marbles and (II) garnet-chloritoid quartz-mica schists are presented with the goal of providing constraints on the pressure-temperature evolution of the Eclogite Zone, Tauern Window, Austria. The peak metamorphic assemblages in the two rock types are: (I) kyanite + zoisite + dolomite + quartz; zoisite + muscovite + dolomite + calcite + quartz; and (II) garnet + chloritoid + kyanite + muscovite + quartz + epidote ± dolomite ± Zn-staurolite. The estimated peak metamorphic conditions are 19 ± 2 kbar, 590 ± 20°C.

Secondary alteration of the kyanite-zoisite marbles was accomplished in two stages. The early stage resulted in the production of margarite, paragonite, secondary muscovite and chlorite and the later stage resulted in the formation of sudoite (a di/trioctahedral Mg---Al layer silicate) and kaolinite. The early alteration is bracketed at conditions between 3 and 10 kbar, 450–550°C and the later alteration between 200 and 350°C, P 3 kbar.

The P-T path is characterized by maximum burial to approximately 19 kbar (60–70 km) (at≈590°C), followed by nearly isothermal decompression to approximately 10 kbar (30 km), and then more gradual decompression with cooling to approximately 3 kbar (10 km). Alteration was apparently accomplished by the influx of H₂O-rich fluids, with the composition of the fluid locally buffered by the mineral assemblage.     

Gewinnung biokinetischer Daten von Abwässern mit dem Respirationsfermentor. Teil 2: Einfluß des Sauerstoffpartialdruckes auf die spezifische Wachstumsrate beim aeroben biologischen Abbau von Prozeßwasser der Braunkohlenvergasung im mesophilen und im thermophilen Temperaturbereich

An improved laboratory respiration fermentor construction for batchwise operations by which permeations of gases through connecting rubber tubings could be avoided is described. From the registration of curves for oxygen consumption during batchwise treatment of waste water from coal gasification at 37°C a decrease of the COD reduction rate is observed when the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to below 0,7 mg/l. At dissolved oxygen concentrations above 0,7 mg/l, biokinetic data were determined which on account of the improved respiratory fermenter construction diverge strongly from the values formerly given \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$({\rm \mu = 0,24 h}^{{\rm - 1}};Y_{\frac{x}{{{\rm O}_2 }}} = 0,57{\rm g\; OBTSZ/g O}_{\rm 2};Y_{\frac{x}{s}} = 0,32{\rm g\; OBTSZ/g\; COD}) $\end{document}. Investigations performed in the thermophilic range (55°C) led at dissolved oxygen concentration of 1,5 mg/l to significant slower COD-reduction rates whereas at dissolved oxygen concentration of 1,5 mg/l the efficiency of COD-reduction was significantly higher than in the mesophilic range. The results obtained at different dissolved oxygen concentrations and different treating temperatures are discussed.     

Divergenz,vertikaler Vorticitytransport und Twisting-Term als Folge orographischer Effekte im Bereich der Alpen

Zusammenfassung An Hand einer Reihe von konkreten Wetterlagen wird die Größenordnung der durch eine ausgeglichene Topographie der Alpen erzeugten Vertikalbewegung, der Divergenz, des vertikalen Vorticitytransportes und des Twisting-Termes (Vertikalschwenkungseffektes) im 500- und 700 mb-Niveau abgeschätzt. Es zeigt sich hiebei, daß Divergenz und Vertikaltransport von gleicher Größenordnung sind, während der Twisting-Term um eine Größenordnung kleiner ausfällt. Unter gewissen Voraussetzungen wird im Hinblick auf die graphische Integration der Vorticitygleichung im orographischen Störbereich die Bedeutung des Vertikaltransportes quantitativ ermittelt. Hieraus ergeben sich gewisse Rückschlüsse auf die Enwirkung der Struktur des Temperaturfeldes auf mögliche orographische, zyklogenetische und antizyklogenetische Effekte in den entsprechenden Geopotentialflächen.

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Summary Using a number of actual weather situations an estimate is made of vertical movement, divergence, vertical vorticity transport, and twisting term, in the 500 mb and 700 mb levels, caused by the (idealized) topography of the Alps. It turns out that divergence and vertical transport are of the same magnitude, whereas the twisting term is one order of magnitude smaller. Under certain assumptions, the importance of vertical transport for the graphical integration of the vorticity equation in regions of topographic disturbances is quantitatively evaluated. Some conclusions can be drawn about the influence of the temperature field on orographic, cyclogenetic, and anticyclogenetic effects in the corresponding geopotential levels.

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Résumé Se basant sur une série de situations météorologiques concrètes, l'auteur estime, aux niveaux de 500 et 700 mb, l'ordre de grandeur du mouvement vertical, de la divergence, de la modification verticale de la «Vorticity» ainsi que du «twisting-term» (effet de changement vertical de direction) provoqué par une topographie égalisée des Alpes. Il en conclut que la divergence et le mouvement vertical sont du même ordre de grandeur tandis que le «twisting-term» est d'une puissance de 10 inférieur. Il calcule, dans certaines conditions, l'importance de l'effet vertical en vue de l'intégration graphique de l'équation de «vorticity» dans les zones perturbées par le relief. Il en découle certaines répercussions sur l'influence que peut avoir la structure du champ des températures sur des effets orographiques, cyclogénétiques et anticyclogénétiques possibles aux niveaux géopotentiels considérés.

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Thin intergranular melt films and melt pockets in spinel peridotite xenoliths from the Rhön area (Germany): early stage of melt generation by grain boundary melting

Optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) on a porphyroclastic high temperature spinel peridotite from the Rhön area reveal fine, irregular glass layers and pockets along mineral interfaces, cracks in olivine, inside olivine crystals and in spongy rims of clinopyroxene. The chemical composition of the glass deviates significantly from the composition of the host basanite. Electron diffraction technique confirms the amorphous nature of the glass, thus classifying it as a former melt. Every grain or phase boundary shows amorphous intergranular glass layers of variable thickness and characteristic chemical composition with distinct chemical inhomogeneities. Olivine grain boundaries, as the most common type of interfaces, exhibit two different types of melt glasses: (1) Type I melt at olivine grain boundaries, which is characterized by low contents of SiO₂ (～37?wt%) and Al₂O₃ (～5?wt%) and elevated contents of MgO (～31?wt%) and FeO (～22?wt%), is supposed to have formed prior to or during the thermal overprint and the dynamic recrystallisation of the xenolith in the mantle. Melt inclusions inside olivine grains with an average composition of type I melt are suggested to be earlier melt droplets at olivine interfaces, overgrown by migrating olivine grain boundaries during recrystallization in the mantle prior to the uplift of the xenolith. (2) Type II melt, the most common type of melt in the xenolith, shows higher contents of SiO₂ (～48?wt%) and Al₂O₃ (～17?wt%) but lower contents of MgO (～20?wt%) and FeO (～11?wt%). The observation of different types of glass within a single xenolith indicates the development of different chemical melt equilibria at interfaces or triple junctions in the xenolith. The absence of geochemical trends in bivariate plots excludes a unifying process for the genesis of these glasses. Melt inclusions in the spongy rims of clinopyroxene are interpreted to be the product of a potassium-rich metasomatism. The formation of most amorphous intergranular melt layers and pockets at the mineral interfaces including type II melt at olivine grain boundaries is suggested to result from decompression melting during the uplift with the basalt magma. We suggest that these glasses were produced by grain boundary melting due to lattice mismatch and impurity segregation. The observed intergranular amorphous layers or melts represent the very beginning of mineral melting by grain boundary melting.     

Chemistry of glass inclusions in olivines of the CR chondrites Renazzo, Acfer 182, and El Djouf 001

Glass inclusions in olivines of the Renazzo, El Djouf 001, and Acfer 182 CR-type chondrites are chemically divers and can be classified into Al-rich, Al-poor, and Na-rich types. The chemical properties of the glasses are independent of the occurrence of the olivine (isolated or part of an aggregate or chondrule) and its composition. The glasses are silica-saturated (Al-rich) or oversaturated (Al-poor, 24% normative quartz). All glasses have chondritic CaO/Al₂O₃ ratios, unfractionated CI-normalized abundances of refractory trace elements and are depleted in moderately volatile and volatile elements. Thus the glasses are likely to be of a primitive condensate origin whose chemical composition has been established before chondrule formation and accretion, rather then the product of either crystal fractionation from chondrule melts or part melting of chondrules. Rare Na-rich glasses give evidence for elemental exchange between the glass and a vapor phase. Because they have Al₂O₃ contents and trace element abundances very similar to those of the Al-rich glasses, they likely were derived from the latter by Ca exchange (for Na) with the nebula. Elemental exchange reactions also have affected practically all olivines (e.g., exchange of Mg of olivine for Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Cr³⁺). Glasses formed contemporaneously with the host olivine. As the most likely process for growing nonskeletal olivines from a vapor we consider the VLS (vapor-liquid-solid) growth process, or liquid-phase epitaxy. Glasses are the possible remnants of the liquid interface between growing crystal and the vapor. Such liquids can form stably or metastably in regions with enhanced oxygen fugacity as compared to that of a nebula of solar composition.     

A modified profile method for determining the vertical fluxes of NO,NO2, ozone,and HNO3 in the atmospheric surface layer

A modified profile method for determining the vertical deposition (or/and exhalation) fluxes of NO, NO₂, ozone, and HNO₃ in the atmospheric surface layer is presented. This method is based on the generally accepted micrometeorological ideas of the transfer of momentum, sensible heat and matter near the Earth's surface and the chemical reactions among these trace gases. The analysis (aerodynamic profile method) includes a detailed determination of the micrometeorological quantities (such as the friction velocity, the fluxes of sensible and latent heat, the roughness length and the zero plane displacement), and of the height-invariant fluxes of the composed chemically conservative trace gases with group concentrations c ₁=[NO]+[NO₂]+[HNO₃], c ₂=[NO₂]+[O₃]+3/2·[HNO₃], and c ₃=[NO]–[O₃]–1/2·[HNO₃]. The fluxes of the individual species are finally determined by the numerical solution of a system of coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations for the concentrations of ozone and HNO₃ (decoding method). The parameterization of the fluxes is based on the flux-gradient relationships in the turbulent region of the atmospheric surface layer. The model requires only the vertical profile data of wind velocity, temperature and humidity and concentrations of NO, NO₂, ozone, and HNO₃.The method has been applied to vertical profile data obtained at Jülich (September 1984) and collected in the BIATEX joint field experiment LOVENOX (Halvergate, U.K., September 1989).     

Distribution and Migrations of two Cerithid Snails on a Sand Flat in Bermuda

Abstract. Two species of cerithid prosobranchs live on a sand flat in Bermuda. At low tide during day light Batillaria minima is found on the surface whereas Cerithium lutosum remains buried in the sediment. This correlates with much higher lethal and coma temperatures, as well as much greater resistance to desiccation, of the former species. However, at other diurnal or tidal stages the two species co-occur in the same layer of sand. Despite greater resistance to physical factors the population of B. minima seems to be declining since in 1980 juveniles of this species were rare on Tuckers Town Flat whereas the population of C. lutosum was thriving.     

Ammothea hilgendorfi (Böhm, 1879), an Adventitious Pycnogonid new for the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract. The authors demonstrate the probable immigration and stable settling of the pycnogonid Ammothea hilgendorfi (B öhm , 1879) at one station in the lagoon of Venice. The species is widely distributed naturally on both sides of the Pacific Ocean and has probably immigrated on ship hulls through the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean. Two more cases (the pycnogonid Anoplodactylus portus and the amphipod Elasmopus pectenicrus ) of adventitious species in this sea are compared.