Hydrothermal activity on the southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge: Tectonically- and volcanically-controlled venting at 4–5°S

We report results from an investigation of the geologic processes controlling hydrothermal activity along the previously-unstudied southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge (3–7°S). Our study employed the NOC (UK) deep-tow sidescan sonar instrument, TOBI, in concert with the WHOI (USA) autonomous underwater vehicle, ABE, to collect information concerning hydrothermal plume distributions in the water column co-registered with geologic investigations of the underlying seafloor. Two areas of high-temperature hydrothermal venting were identified. The first was situated in a non-transform discontinuity (NTD) between two adjacent second-order ridge-segments near 4°02′S, distant from any neovolcanic activity. This geologic setting is very similar to that of the ultramafic-hosted and tectonically-controlled Rainbow vent-site on the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The second site was located at 4°48′S at the axial-summit centre of a second-order ridge-segment. There, high-temperature venting is hosted in an  18 km² area of young lava flows which in some cases are observed to have flowed over and engulfed pre-existing chemosynthetic vent-fauna. In both appearance and extent, these lava flows are directly reminiscent of those emplaced in Winter 2005−06 at the East Pacific Rise, 9°50′N and reference to global seismic catalogues reveals that a swarm of large (M 4.6−5.6) seismic events was centred on the 5°S segment over a  24 h period in late June 2002, perhaps indicating the precise timing of this volcanic eruptive episode. Temperature measurements at one of the vents found directly adjacent to the fresh lava flows at 5°S MAR (Turtle Pits) have subsequently revealed vent-fluids that are actively phase separating under conditions very close to the Critical Point for seawater, at  3000 m depth and 407 °C: the hottest vent-fluids yet reported from anywhere along the global ridge crest.     

Variation of the geomagnetic field in Costa Rica during the total solar eclipse of July 11, 1991

Ground measurements of the geomagnetic field, during the total solar eclipse of July 11, 1991, were carried out at three sites in Costa Rica located within the eclipse's path of totality. Near totality, there was a significant change in the total intensity,F. Its normal decrease in the afternoon hours was interrupted during a period of about 45 min, in whichF varied very little. This was due mainly to a small variation in horizontal intensity,H, during such a period. The departure ofF from normal lasted about 100 min; its maximum departure was near 10 nT and occurred about 38 min after totality, The declination,D, also experienced a small change (about 2.3 min) during the total period of the eclipse. The vertical intensity,Z, and the inclination,I, did not show significant changes.     

Newania carbonatites, Western India: example of mantle derived magnesium carbonatites

The key mineralogical features of the Newania carbonatites, that illustrate their derivation from primary mantle melts (Gruau et al. Terra Nova, Abstract Suppl 1:336, 1995; Viladkar Petrology 6(3):272–283, 1998; Basu and Murty Abstracts of Goldschmidt Conference A40, 2006), are the presence of magnesite, graphite and Cr-rich magnetite. Magnesite is an early crystallizing phase. Cr-rich magnetite and graphite coexist with carbonatite minerals and precipitated from carbonate magma. Graphite, as well as gaseous CO₂ and carbonate minerals such as dolomite and magnesite, can be stable in peridotite mantle. Coexistence of these minerals is controlled by fO ₂ and PT-conditions. Mineral geothermometers for the Newania carbonatite give temperatures from 463 to 950°C. The parental source for Newania carbonatites was characterized by a relatively high log (fHF/fH₂O) level which increased during the crystallization history of Newania. The estimated oxygen fugacity (for ilmenite–magnetite pairs) varies from ?1.5 to +3.5 (log-bar unit deviation from FMQ buffer), which is supported by the presence of Fe-columbite, and the composition of phlogopite, amphibole and pyroxene that have an elevated concentration of Fe³⁺. However, the oxygen fugacity range represented by co-existing early-crystallized graphite and magnesite is below that of the FMQ buffer and lies on the CCO buffer.     

Heavy metal accumulation in river sediments: A response to environmental pollutionSchwermetall-anreicherung in fluviatilen sedimenten als ausdruck der verschmutzung unserer umwelt

As evidenced by catastrophic cadmium and mercury poisonings in japan, heavy metals belong to the most toxic environmental pollutants. Through the investigation of sediments, the extent, distribution and provenance of heavy metal contamination in rivers and lakes can be determined and traced. Eight heavy metals from the clay fraction of sediments from major rivers within the Federal Republic of Germany were determined by means of atomic adsorption spectrometry. Heavy metals especially known for their high toxicity are enriched most: mercury, lead and zinc by a factor of 10; cadmium by a factor of 50, as compared with the natural background of these elements. A mobilisation of heavy metals from the suspended load and from the sediments, as to be observed in rivers approaching the marine enviromment, could endanger marine organisms, thus negatively influencing the acquatic food chain. With a further increase of heavy metal pollution, a threat to the drinking water supplied by rivers and lakes cannot be excluded.     

Monohydrocalcite,hydromagnesite, nesquehonite,dolomite, aragonite,and calcite in speleothems of the Fränkische Schweiz,Western Germany

The formation of calcite, aragonite, dolomite, hydromagnesite, and nesquehonite in speleothems of a small cave within dolostone may be compared with the formation of these carbonate minerals in much larger environments in which evaporation exceeds precipitation (salt lakes, tropical lagoons, sebkhas etc...). In all cases the formation and diagenetic alteration is mainly governed by the Mg/Ca-ratio of the solutions, from which precipitation (or transformation) takes place.The certain occurrence of monohydrocalcite in the speleothems and in technical incrustations lead to the conclusion, that this very rare mineral precipitates from solutions which are transported as aerosols.     

Die rezenten Sedimente im Golf von Neapel 1. Die sedimente des Golfes von Pozzuoli

Zusammenfassung Im Golf von Pozzuoli wurden 30 Sedimentproben entnommen und mechanisch, chemisch und mineralogisch untersucht.Die Sedimentation zeigt eine regelmäßige Abfolge: Am Strand werden grobkörnige, relativ gut sortierte Sedimente abgelagert, nach der größeren Wassertiefe hin wird die Korngröße stetig kleiner, der Sortierungsgrad schlechter. Die Zerlegung in verschiedene Korngrößen bedingt gleichzeitig eine Differenzierung in mineralogischer Hinsicht. Über 90% des Sedimentmaterials entstammt den einsprenglingsreichen Tuffen der den Golf von Pozzuoli umrandenden Phlegräischen Felder, daneben ist die leuzittephritische Vulkanprovinz des Vesuvs besonders in den feinkörnigen Sedimenten deutlich vertreten.     

Sedimenttransport im Mündungsgebiet des Alpenrheins

Zusammenfassung In regelmäßigen Abständen wurden dem Alpenrhein am Pegel Lustenau, wenige Kilometer vor seiner Einmündung in den Bodensee, etwa 500 Wasser- und Schwebstoffproben bei verschiedenen Pegelständen entnommen.Die Leitfähigkeit und Härte der Wasserproben nimmt mit steigendem Durchfluß (100–1000 m³/sec) entsprechend der Verdünnung ab, der pH-Wert (8,0 bis 8,8) steigt schwach an. Die Redoxpotientale sind stets positiv.Mit ansteigendem Wasserdurchfluß nimmt die Schwebstoffkonzentration stark zu (50–5000 mg/l).Zur Zeit des Frühsommer-Hochwassers sind bei gleicher Wasserführung die Schwebstoffgehalte bei ansteigendem Hochwasser höher als bei absteigendem Hochwasser. Als Ursache wird die Ausräumung des im Flußbett während des Winters und Frühjahrs bei Niedrigwasser akkumulierten Lockermaterials angesehen.Setzt man die Schwebstoffgehalte in Beziehung zur Fließgeschwindigkeit (1–3 m³/sec), so ergibt sich für den Meßpunkt Lustenau eine Zunahme des Schwebguts (C_s in mg/l) mit der sechsten Potenz der Fließgeschwindigkeit (V): C_s (Alpenrhein Lustenau)=5·V⁶ In einer allgemeinen Beziehung C_s=x·Vy, die für verschiedene Flüsse nach Literaturdaten abgeleitet wurde, scheint der Exponent y ein Maß für die Strömungserosion (abhängig von Form und Neigung des Flußbettes), der Faktor x für die äußeren Einflüsse wie Klima, Vegetation, Stabilität der Flußgeometrie darzustellen. Eine ähnliche Abhängigkeit besteht zwischen der Schwebstoff- und Wasserführung.Die Korngrößenverteilung und Karbonatgehalte sind von den Durchfluß-mengen bzw. Fließgeschwindigkeiten nahezu unabhängig, stehen jedoch in deutlicher Beziehung zu bestimmten Liefergebieten. Eine Häufigkeitsstatistik der mittleren Korngrößen von Flußsanden (Hahn, 1967) und Schwebstoffen (diese Arbeit) zeigt ein auffallendes Minimum bei etwa 0,04 mm. Dieser Wert kann zur Abgrenzung der Schwebstoff- und Flußbettfracht am Meßpunkt Lustenau benutzt werden. Werte für die Sortierung, Schiefe und Kurtosis erweitern die grundlegenden Untersuchungen vonFolk &Ward (1957) nach feineren Korngrößen hin.Im Mittel setzen sich die Schwebstoffe aus 10% Ton, 70% Silt und 20% Sand zusammen. Der Karbonatgehalt beträgt durchschnittlich 37% (26% Calcit, 11% Dolomit). Die Tonfraktion besteht überwiegend aus Illit und Chlorit.

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500 samples of water and suspended load were taken at different water levels from the Alpenrhein at Lustenau, a few kilometers' distance from its Lake Constance-delta.Conductibility and hardness of the water decrease with increasing water discharge (100–1000 m³/sec) corresponding to the dilution, the pH-values (8.0 to 8.8) weakly increase. The redox-potentials are always positive. With increasing water discharge, the suspended load concentration increases strongly (50 to 5000 mg/l).At the same water levels, the suspended load concentration during early-summer high-water is greater during rising than during falling water level. This may be caused by the loose material (accumulated during winter and spring low waters) being washed out of the river channel.On a double logarithmic scale the relation between flow velocity (V=1–3 m³/sec) and suspended load concentration (C_s in mg/l) can be expressed by a straight line. Its equation is C_s (Alpenrhein at Lustenau)=5· V⁶ In a general equation C_s=x· Vy, for various rivers (data taken from literature), the exponent y seems to be a measure of the erosional forces (depending on cross-section and slope of the river channel); the factor x seems to express outer influences as climate, vegetation, rock erodibility, stability of the channel geometry. A similar relationship exists between the suspended load concentration and the water discharge.Grain-size distribution and carbonate content are almost independent of water discharge and flow velocity respectively. They are, however, clearly related to distinct supply areas. A pronounced frequency minimum exists at about 0.04 mm between the mean sizes of river sands (Hahn, 1967) and that of suspended load (this paper). This value may be used to distinguish suspended load from bedload at Lustenau sampling station. The values for sorting, skewness and kurtosis amplify the results ofFolk &Ward (1957) concerning finer grain sizes.On an average, the suspended load consists of 10% clay (<0.002 mm), 70% silt (0.002–0.063 mm) and 20% sand (>0.063 mm). The mean carbonate content is 37% (26% calcite, 11% dolomite). The clay minerals are mainly illite and chlorite.

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Résumé A des intervalles de temps réguliers, à peu près 500 échantillons d'eau et de matière en suspension ont été prélevés de l'Alpenrhein, à la station de jaugeage de Lustenau, située à quelques kilomètres en amont de son embouchure dans le Lac de Constance.La conductivité et le degré hydrométrique dans les échantillons d'eau décroissent en fonction d'une dilution relative, due à une augmentation du débit (100 à l000m³/sec). Il y a une légère croissance de la valeur du pH (8.0 à 8.8) lorsque le débit augmente. Les potentiels redox sont toujours positifs.La concentration de la matière en suspension augmente rapidement 50 à 5000 mg/l) en fonction de l'augmentation du débit.En temps de crues, au début de l'été, la concentration de la matière en suspension est plus élevée pendant la montée des crues qu'à la descente—le débit étant du même ordre. Ce phénomène est expliqué par un processus de balayage de la matière non consolidée, accumulée au fond du lit de la rivière pendant les périodes d'étiage au cours de l'hiver et au printemps.En établissant une relation entre la concentration de la matière en suspension et la vitesse d'écoulement (1 à 3 m³/sec), on trouve pour la station de jaugeage de Lustenau une augmentation de teneur de la matière en suspension (C_s en mg/l) avec la puissance 6 de la vitesse d'écoulement (V): C_s (Alpenrhein, Lustenau)=5 · V⁶ d'où l'équation générale C_s=x · Vy, qui ressort aussi des études de diverses rivières citées dans la littérature. L'exponent y semble donc pouvoir servir comme règle pour la détermination de l'érosion d'écoulement (qui dépend de la géométrie et de la pente du lit du fleuve), le facteur x reflétant des influences externes comme le climat, la végétation et la stabilité de la géométrie du fleuve. Une relation analogue existe entre la concentration en matière en suspension et le débit.Il n'y a pratiquement pas de relation directe entre la distribution granulométrique, ou les teneurs en carbonates d'une part, et le volume du débit ou la vitesse de l'écoulement d'autre part; or il apparaît une relation intime avec certaines régions d'alimentation. On note un minimum marqué autour de 0.04 mm dans la distribution statistique des grains à diamètre moyen dans les sables des fleuves (Hahn, 1967) et de la matière en suspension (cette étude). A l'aide de cette valeur il est possible de différencier, à la station de jaugeage de Lustenau, la matière transportée au fond du lit de l'Alpenrhein et celle transportée en suspension. Des valeurs pour le classement, l'assymétrie et «l'augulosité» (kurtosis) complètent les recherches de base deFolk &Ward (1957), en ce qui concerne la distribution granulométrique dans la classe des grains les plus fins.Comme constitution moyenne on trouve dans la matière en suspension 10% d'argile, 70% de silt et 20% de sable. La teneur moyenne en carbonates est de 37% (26% de calcite, 10% de dolomie). Dans la fraction des argiles on trouve essentiellement de l'illite et de la chlorite.

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. 500 . (100–1000 ³/); - (8,0–8,8) ; - . . 6. .

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Dem Österreichischen Rheinbauleiter, Herrn Hofrat Dipl.-Ing.Ferdinand Waibel, Bregenz, in Dankbarkeit gewidmet.

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Herrn Dr.Quakernaat sei herzlich für seine freundliche Mithilfe gedankt.     

Particle geochemistry in the Rainbow hydrothermal plume, Mid-Atlantic Ridge

We report the analysis of 18 large volume (500-1500 L) in situ filtered samples of particulate material from the largest hydrothermal plume on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, overlying the ultramafic-hosted Rainbow hydrothermal field at 36° 14′N. Measured particulate iron concentrations reach 614 nM. High concentrations of particulate Fe oxyhydroxides result from the extremely high Fe concentration (∼24 mM) and Fe/H₂S ratio (∼24) of the vent fluids, and persist to at least 10 km away from the vent site due to the advection of plume material with the ambient along-axis flow. Two of the nine pairs of pump deployments appear to have intercepted the buoyant or otherwise very young portion of the hydrothermal plume. These samples are characterized by anomalously (compared to neutrally buoyant plume samples) high concentrations of Mg, U, and chalcophile elements, and low concentrations of Mn, Ca, V, Y, and the rare earth elements (REE). Within the neutrally buoyant plume, elemental distributions are largely consistent with previously observed behaviors: preferential removal of chalcophile elements, conservative behavior of oxyanions (P, V, and U), and continuous scavenging of Y and the REE. This consistency is particularly significant in light of the underlying differences in fluid chemistry between Rainbow and other studied sites. Chalcophile elements are preferentially removed from the plume in the order Cd>Zn>Co>Cu. Phosphorus/iron and vanadium/iron ratios for the neutrally buoyant plume are consistent with global trends with respect to the concentration of dissolved phosphate in ambient seawater. Comparison of buoyant and neutrally buoyant plume ratios with data from hydrothermal sediments underlying the Rainbow plume (Cave et al., 2002) indicates, however, that while P/Fe ratios are indeed constant V/Fe ratios increase progressively from early stage plume particles to sediments. REE distributions in the buoyant and neutrally buoyant plume appear most consistent with a continuous scavenging process during dispersion through the water column.     

Accumulation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in the Sheksninskii Pool of the Rybinsk Reservoir

Specific features of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) distributions in bottom sediments, benthos, and fish of the Sheksninskii Pool of the Rybinsk Reservoir are discussed. It is shown that 95% of the total PCB is accumulated in bottom sediments. Mapping of PCB-polluted bottom sediments with allowance for the sediment type and bed relief is proposed. The obtained data along with coefficients of accumulation in the bottom sediments–benthos–fish chain were used to evaluate the maximum concentration of PCB in bottom sediments at which the environmental risk of fish metabolism disturbance will be minimum. It is shown that once the PCB discharge into the water body is completely eliminated, their presence in the system will still be an ecological hazard for 25–30 years.