Redefining the trophic importance of seagrasses for fauna in tropical Indo-Pacific meadows

Fauna species living in seagrass meadows depend on different food sources, with seagrasses often being marginally important for higher trophic levels. To determine the food web of a mixed-species tropical seagrass meadow in Sulawesi, Indonesia, we analyzed the stable isotope (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) signatures of primary producers, particulate organic matter (POM) and fauna species. In addition invertebrates, both infauna and macrobenthic, and fish densities were examined to identify the important species in the meadow. The aims of this study were to identify the main food sources of fauna species by comparing isotopic signatures of different primary producers and fauna, and to estimate qualitatively the importance of seagrass material in the food web. Phytoplankton and water column POM were the most depleted primary food sources for δ¹³C (range −23.1 to −19.6‰), but no fauna species depended only on these sources for carbon. Epiphytes and Sargassum sp. had intermediate δ¹³C values (−14.2 to −11.9‰). Sea urchins, gastropods and certain fish species were the main species assimilating this material. Seagrasses and sedimentary POM had the least depleted values (−11.5 to −5.7‰). Between the five seagrass species significant differences in δ¹³C were measured. The small species Halophila ovalis and Halodule uninervis were most depleted, the largest species Enhalus acoroides was least depleted, while Thalassia hemprichii and Cymodocea rotundata had intermediate values. Fourteen fauna species, accounting for 10% of the total fauna density, were shown to assimilate predominantly (>50%) seagrass material, either directly or indirectly by feeding on seagrass consumers. These species ranged from amphipods up to the benthic top predator Taeniura lymma. Besides these species, about half of the 55 fauna species analyzed had δ¹³C values higher than the least depleted non-seagrass source, indicating they depended at least partly for their food on seagrass material. This study shows that seagrass material is consumed by a large number of fauna species and is important for a large portion of the food web in tropical seagrass meadows.     

Evolution paragénétique de la minéralisation uranifère de Chaméane (Puy-de-Dôme), France: chaméanite,geffroyite et giraudite,trois séléniures nouveaux de Cu,Fe, Ag et As

Résumé Trois séléniures nouveaux ont été découverts dans la minéralisation unranifère à séléniures et sulfures de Chaméane, France. Geffroyite, (Cu, Fe, Ag)₉(Se, S)₈, cubique,Fm3m,a=10.889 ,Z=4; structure type pentlandite. Densité calculée 5.39 g/cm³. Les raies les plus intenses du diagramme de poudre sont: 9 3.282 (311); 9 3.145 (222); 6 2.094 (511;333); 10 1.925 (440); 5 1.660 (533); 6 1.112 (844). Microdureté Vickers 70 kg/mm². Brun crème en lumière réfléchie, réflectances: 19.0 (420), 27.5 (500), 30.1 (540), 33.6 (600), 35.8 (660), 36.9 (700 nm). Chaméanite. Les analyses à la microsonde correspondent à (Cu_3.46Fe_0.52)_3.98 (As_0.94 Sb_0.02)_0.96(Se_3.72S_0.34)_4.06, formule idéale (Cu, Fe)₄As(Se, S)₄. Le rapport Cu/Fe varie de 6 à 13. Cubique,I---,a=11.039 ,Z=8, densité calculée 6.17 g/cm³. Raies les plus intenses du diagramme de poudre: 10 3.187 (222); 9 1.951 (440); 8 1.665 (622); 4 1.381 (800); 6 1.266 (662); 7 1.127 (844); 5 1.062 (10.2.2; 666). Microdureté Vickers 265 kg/mm². Gris foncé en section polie, plages à zonage complexe dû à des variations de Cu/Fe. Réflectances maximales: 27.1 (420), 26.6 (500), 27.1 (540), 27.7 (600), 28.2 (660); 28.7 (700 nm). Giraudite, (Cu, Zn, Ag)₁₂(As, Sb)₄(Se, S)₁₃. Cubique ,a=10.578 ,Z=2; structure type tétraédrite. Analogue arsénié de la hakite. Densité calculée 5.75 g/cm³. Raies les plus intenses du diagramme de poudre: 10 3.050 (222); 5 2.497 (411; 330); 6 1.932 (521); 9 1.868 (440); 7 1.593 (622). Microdureté Vickers 293 kg/mm². Gris clair, réflectances: 32.2 (420), 31.6 (500), 31.7 (540), 31.7 (600), 31.5 (660), 30.8 (700 nm).Trois épisodes minéralisants, séparés par des mouvements tectoniques, forment la paragenèse de Chaméane, comportant: barytine, pechblende, hématite, löllingite, mispickel, pyrite, chalcopyrite, clausthalite, tétraédrite, tennantite, bukovite, athabascaïte, umangite, berzelianite, klockmannite, eucaïrite, geffroyite, chaméanite, giraudite, eskebornite.

---

Paragenetic evolution of the uranium mineralization rich in selenides at chaméane (Puy-de Dôme), France: Chaméanite, geffroyite and giraudite, three new selenides of Cu, Fe, Ag and As

Summary Three new selenides occur in the uranium mineralization rich in selenides and sulphides at Chaméane, France. Geffroyite, (Cu, Fe, Ag)₉(Se, S)₈, cubic,Fm3m,a=10.889 ,Z=4; pentlandite-like structure. Calculated density 5.39 g/cm³. The strongest lines in the X-ray powder pattern are: 9 3.282 (311); 9 3.145 (222); 6 2.094 (511; 333); 10 1.925 (440); 5 1.660 (533); 6 1.112 (844). Vickers microhardness 70 kg/mm². In reflected light, it has a brown colour with a cream tint. Reflectances: 19.0 (420), 27.5 (500), 30.1 (540), 33.6 (600), 35.8 (660), 36.9 (700 nm). Chaméanite. Microprobe analyses gave (Cu_3.46Fe_0.52)_3.98(As_0.94Sb_0.02)_0.96(Se_3.72S_0.34)_4.06; ideal formula is (Cu, Fe)₄As(Se, S)₄. The Cu/Fe ratio varies from 6 to 13. CubicI---,a=11.039 ,Z=8, calculated density 6.17 g/cm³. Strongest lines in the powder pattern: 10 3.187 (222); 9 1.951 (440); 8 1.665 (622); 4 1.381 (800); 6 1.266 (622); 7 1.127 (844); 5 1.062 (10.2.2; 666). Vickers microhardness 265 kg/mm². Dark grey in reflected light. Some grains exhibit irregular zoning due to variations of Cu/Fe ratio. Maximum reflectances: 27.1 (420), 26.6 (500), 27.1 (540); 27.7 (600), 28.2 (660), 28.7 (700 nm). Giraudite, (Cu, Zn, Ag)₁₂(As, Sb)₄(Se, S)₁₃. Cubic, ,a=10.578 ,Z=2; member of tetrahedrite series. Arsenian analogue of hakite. Calculated density 5.75 g/cm³. Strongest lines in the powder pattern: 10 3.050 (222); 5 2.497 (411; 330); 6 1.932 (521); 9 1.868 (440); 7 1.593 (622). Vickers microhardness 293 kg/mm². Light grey in reflected light, reflectances: 32.2 (420), 31.6 (500), 31.7 (540), 31.7 (600), 31.5 (660), 30.8 (700 nm). The mineralization of the Chaméane deposit consists of three cycles separated by tectonic movements. The minerals found are: barite, pitchblende, hematite, löllingite, arsenopyrite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, clausthalite, tetrahedrite, tennanite, bukovite, athabascaite, umangite, berzelianite, klockmannite, eucairite, geffroyite, chaméanite, giraudite and eskebornite.

---

---

Avec 5 Figures     

Mobility and Transport of Nd Isotopes in the Vadose Zone During Weathering of Granitic Till in a Boreal Forest

There is a broad correlation between the ε_Nd values for rivers (including both the water and the particulate material it carries) and the age of the source terrain. This paper presents Nd isotope distribution data for soil, soil water, groundwater, and stream water samples gathered in a small catchment in northern Sweden. The results show that the release of Nd and Sm from boreal forests into streams and, eventually, into the oceans is more complicated than previously realized. The weathering of till causes changes in both the Nd isotopic composition and Sm/Nd ratios. Both the Sm/Nd ratio and ε_Nd were higher in strongly weathered soils horizons than in less weathered till, since minerals with high Sm/Nd ratios were, on average, more resistant to weathering than those with low Sm/Nd ratios. In contrast to the situation for the main minerals and the major elements, the weathering of rare earth elements (REE) was not restricted to the E-horizon: the measured REE concentrations continued to increase with depth in the C-horizon. In addition, REE released by weathering in the upper parts of the soil profile were partly secondarily retained at deeper levels. Therefore, the dissolved Nd released by weathering in the upper soil horizons was trapped and did not enter the groundwater directly. Rather, the Nd in the groundwater largely originated from weathering within the groundwater zone. However, this was not the only source of Nd in the stream water. The Nd isotope composition and Sm/Nd ratio were determined by the mixing between of Nd and Sm in the groundwater and REE-carrying organic material washed out of the soil profile. The groundwater close to the stream reaches the upper soil horizons during high discharge events such as snowmelts, and organic matter carrying Nd and Sm is washed out of the soils and thus released into the stream. Therefore, the Nd exported from catchment is derived from both the weathering within the groundwater zone, and the organic matter washed out from the soil. If longer timescales with more advanced weathering stages in the groundwater zone are considered, it cannot be ruled out that there will be a shift towards more radiogenic values in the exported Nd. Recorded shifts in the Nd isotopic composition in the ocean may thus not only reflect changed source regions, but also the weathering history of the same source region.     

Stepwise palaeoclimate change across the Eocene–Oligocene transition recorded in continental NW Europe by mineralogical assemblages and δ15Norg (Rennes Basin,France)

The Eocene–Oligocene transition (EOT, ~34 Ma) is the largest global cooling of the Cenozoic Era and led the Earth's climatic system to change from a greenhouse to an icehouse mode. Although it is well documented in marine settings, the few studies focusing on continental environments have demonstrated regional heterogeneities. The study core CDB1, located in the Rennes Basin (Western France), is a unique terrestrial (lacustrine–palustrine) record comprising well‐preserved and terrestrial‐derived organic‐rich sediments encompassing the EOT. Clay minerals and the first organic nitrogen isotope record (δ¹⁵N_org) of terrestrial origin for this period are used to reconstruct palaeoclimate changes across this key interval. As suggested in worldwide marine and a few continental records, a stepwise transition from warm/humid conditions in the Late Eocene to cooler/drier conditions in the Early Oligocene is confirmed in the area. In addition, an episode of drier conditions in the Late Eocene and humid/dry cycles in the Early Oligocene are suggested.     

Redox cycling of iron and manganese in sediments of the Kalix River estuary, Northern Sweden

Iron and manganese redox cycling in the sediment — water interface region in the Kalix River estuary was investigated by using sediment trap data, pore-water and solid-phase sediment data. Nondetrital phases (presumably reactive Fe and Mn oxides) form substantial fractions of the total settling flux of Fe and Mn (51% of Fe_total and 84% of Mn_total). A steady-state box model reveals that nondetrital Fe and Mn differ considerably in reactivity during post-depositional redox cycling in the sediment. The production rate of dissolved Mn (1.6 mmol m^–2 d^–1) exceeded the depositional flux of nondetrital Mn (0.27 mmol m^–2 d^–1) by a factor of about 6. In contrast, the production rate of upwardly diffusing pore-water Fe (0.77 mmol m^–2 d^–1) amounted to only 22% of the depositional flux of nondetrital Fe (3.5 mmol m^–2 d^–1). Upwardly diffusing pore-water Fe and Mn are effectively oxidized and trapped in the oxic surface layer of the sediment, resulting in negligible benthic effluxes of Fe and Mn. Consequently, the concentrations of nondetrital Fe and Mn in permanently deposited, anoxic sediment are similar to those in the settling material. Reactive Fe oxides appear to form a substantial fraction of this buried, non-detrital Fe. The in-situ oxidation rates of Fe and Mn are tentatively estimated to be 0.51 and 0.16–1.7 mol cm^–3 d^–1, respectively.     

Structure of the martian north polar cap and vernal hood system at L s 61‡–66‡ of the 1995 apparition

The boundary and internal structure of the north polar deposits and polar hood vernal remnant on Mars have been mapped at L _s 61–66 on the hemisphere centered on longitude = 0, using images obtained in Feb–Mar 1995 with the Swedish Vacuum Solar Telescope on La Palma. On red light images, several internal rifts, including the historically well documented Rima Tenuis and Rima Hyperborea, as well as an internal, long absent, annular rift were mapped. The ground cap was asymmetric with a mean boundary at 72 N for = 270, increasing to 77 N at = 90. Images in green light showed the locations of high opacity hood clouds, including an extensive outflow to 67 N at 100. The state of the cap and hood is compared with the findings of previous studies and the historical significance of the annular rift structure is discussed. It is concluded, based on the structure of the deposited laminae, that the north polar climate was nearly, or possibly slightly milder than, normal at the northern hemisphere spring season studied.     

The metallogenic relationship between Birimian and Tarkwaian gold deposits in Ghana

The traditional concept of the Early Proterozoic gold deposits in Ghana — i.e. gold-bearing shear zones overlain by Tarkwaian paleoplacers containing reworked gold derived from the shear-zones — needs to be reconsidered in the light of recent research in Ghana, the Ivory Coast and French Guiana. This research has revealed a consistent pattern of geostructural and metallogenic evolution in which both the Birimian and the Tarkwaian rocks were deformed by a major Eburnean compression (D2). It has shown that the NE-SW faults controlling the Gold Coast Range shear-zone mineralization (Ashanti-Prestea) were formed during the Eburnean D2 episode of thrusting that was followed by hydrothermal activity with the emplacement of auriferous arsenopyrite and then by the development of quartz veinlets and native gold; thus the shear-zone mineralization could only have appeared during the D2 late-orogenic stage. It has also shown evidence of post-depositional D2 deformation in the gold sites examined in the Tarkwa gold-bearing conglomerate, although the effects are limited and primary lithological controls have been preserved that reveal these deposits to be modified paleo-placers. Thus, the Tarkwaian gold could not be derived from the gold-bearing shear-zones.     

Tungsten-bearing baotite from Pierrefitte,Pyrenees, France

Summary Baotite occurs in the Garaoulére orebody, at Pierreftte, France, as an accessory mineral, included in alstonite and celsian, and associated with sphalerite, galena, pyrite, siderite and calcite in hydrothermal veins crosscutting calcareous, rutile-bearing, siltstones. Microprobe analyses revealed high W0₃ concentrations (up to 6 wt.%) in baotite. The empirical formula of W-rich baotite is Ba_3.959Ti₄(Ti_3.169W_0.393Fe_0.116Al_0.073 Cr_0.048Nb_0.024)_3.823 Si_4.05O₂₈Cl_1.166. The excess of charges due to the presence of W⁶⁺ and Nb⁵⁺ is compensated by the introduction of M³⁺ (Fe, Al, Cr) into Ti-octahedra, by the appearance of Al in Si-tetrahedra (for W-poor baotite) and by the appearance of vacancies in Ti-octahedra (3Ti⁴ -> 2W⁶⁺ + and in Ba-sites (Ti⁴⁺ Ba²⁺ W⁶⁺, ). The unit-cell parameters of W-rich baotite are: a = 19.92(2), c = 5.930(8) Å. Niobium-rich baotites (Baiyun-Obo,Semenov et al., 1961; Karlstein,Nmec, 1987) are characterized by substitutions: Ti⁴⁺(VI), Si⁴⁺(IV)Nb⁵⁺(VI), Al³⁺(IV) and 2Ti⁴⁺, Ba²⁺ 2Nb⁵⁺, .

---

Wolfram führender Baotit von Pierrefitte, Pyrenäen, Frankreich

Zusammenfassung Baotit kommt in dem Garaoulére Erzkórper in Pierrefitte, Frankreich als ein akzessorisches Mineral in Einschlÿussen in Alstonit und Celsian vor. Er ist mit Zinkblende, Bleiglanz, Pyrit, Siderit und Calcit assoziiert. Diese Paragenese ist an hydrothermale Gänge gebunden, die kalkige rutil-führende Siltsteine durchsetzen. Mikrosondenanalysen zeigen hohe W0₃ Gehalte (bis zu 6 Gew.%) in Baotit. Die empirische Formel von wolfram-reichem Baotit ist: Ba_3.959Ti₄(Ti_3.169W_0.393Fe_0.116Al_0.073Cr_0.048Nb_0.024)_3.823 Si_4.05O₂₈Cl_1.66. Der durch die Anwesenheit von W⁶⁺ und Nb⁵⁺ erforderliche Ladungsausgleich ergibt sich durch das Eintreten von M³⁺ (Fe, Al; Cr) in Ti-Oktaeder, und von Al in Si-Tetraeder (für W-armen Baotit) und schließlich durch das Erscheinen von Leerstellen in Ti-Oktaedern (3Ti⁴⁺ 2W6+ + und in Ba-Stellen (Ti⁴⁺, Ba` W⁶⁺, Die Zellparameter von ldW-reichem Baotit sind: a = 19.92(2), c = 5.930(8) Å. Niob-reiche Baotite (Baiyun-Obo, Semenov et al., 1961; Karlstein, Nmec, 1987) sind durch Substitutionen charakterisiert: Ti⁴⁺(VI), Si⁴⁺(IV)Nb⁵⁺(VI), Al³⁺(IV) und 2Ti⁴⁺, Ba²⁺ 2Nb⁵⁺, .

     

Filling the Bushveld Complex magma chamber: lateral expansion, roof and floor interaction, magmatic unconformities, and the formation of giant chromitite, PGE and Ti-V-magnetitite deposits

“His mind was like a soup dish—wide and shallow; ...” - Irving Stone on William Jennings Bryan

A compilation of the Sr-isotopic stratigraphy of the Bushveld Complex, shows that the evolution of the magma chamber occurred in two major stages. During the lower open-system Integration Stage (Lower, Critical and Lower Main Zone), there were numerous influxes of magma of contrasting isotopic composition with concomitant mixing, crystallisation and deposition of cumulates. Larger influxes correspond to the boundaries of the zones and sub-zones and are marked by sustained isotopic shifts, major changes in mineral assemblages and development of unconformities. During the upper, closed system Differentiation Stage (Upper Main Zone and Upper Zone), there were no major magma additions (other than that which initiated the Upper Zone), and the thick magma layers evolved by fractional crystallisation. The Lower and Lower Critical Zones are restricted to a belt that runs from Steelpoort and Burgersfort in the northeast, to Rustenburg and Northam in the west and an outlier of the Lower and Lower Critical Zone, up to the LG4 chromitite layer, in the far western extension north of Zeerust. It is only in these areas that thick harzburgite and pyroxenite layers are developed and where chromitites of the Lower Critical Zone occur. These chromitites include the economically important c. 1 m thick LG6 and MG1 layers exposed around both the Eastern and Western lobes of the Bushveld Complex. The Upper Critical Zone has a greater lateral extent than the Lower Critical Zone and overlies but also onlaps the floor-rocks to the south of the Steelpoort area . The source of the magmas also appears to have been towards the south as the MG chromitite layers degrade and thin northward whereas the LG layers are very well represented in the North and degrade southward. Sr and Os isotope data indicate that the major chromitite layers including the LG6, MG1 and UG2 originated in a similar way. Extremely abrupt and stratigraphically restricted increases in the Sr isotope ratio imply that there was massive contamination of intruding melt which “hit the roof” of the chamber and incorporated floating granophyric liquid which forced the precipitation of chromite (Kruger 1999; Kinnaird et al. 2002). Therefore, each chromitite layer represents the point at which the magma chamber expanded and eroded and deformed its floor. Nevertheless, this was achieved by in situ contamination by roof-rock melt of the intruding Critical Zone liquids that had an orthopyroxenitic to noritic lineage. The Main Zone is present in the Eastern and Western lobes of the Bushveld Complex where it overlies the Critical Zone, and onlaps the floor-rocks to the south, and the north where it is also the basal zone in the Northern lobe. The new magma first intruded the Northern lobe north of the Thabazimbi–Murchison Lineament, interacted with the floor-rocks, incorporated sulphur and precipitated the “Platreef” along the floor-rock contact before flowing south into the main chamber. This exceptionally large influx of new magma then eroded an unconformity on the Critical Zone cumulate pile, and initiated the Main Zone in the main chamber by precipitating the Merensky Reef on the unconformity. The Upper Zone magma flowed into the chamber from the southern “Bethal” lobe as well as the TML. This gigantic influx eroded the Main Zone rocks and caused very large-scale unconformable relationships, clearly evident as the “Gap” areas in the Western Bushveld Complex. The base of this influx, which is also coincident with the Pyroxenite Marker and a troctolitic layer in the Northern lobe, is the petrological and stratigraphic base of the Upper Zone. Sr-isotope data show that all the PGE rich ores (including chromitites) are related to influxes of magma, and are thus related to the expansion and filling of the magma chamber dominantly by lateral expansion; with associated transgressive disconformities onto the floor-rocks coincident with major zone changes. These positions in the stratigraphy are marked by abrupt changes in lithology and erosional features over which succeeding lithologies are draped. The outcrop patterns and the concordance of geochemical, isotopic and mineralogical stratigraphy, indicate that during crystallisation, the Bushveld Complex was a wide and shallow, lobate, sill-like sheet, and the rock-strata and mineral deposits are quasi-continuous over the whole intrusion.

Sorption of yttrium and rare earth elements by amorphous ferric hydroxide: Influence of pH and ionic strength

The sorption of yttrium and the rare earth elements (YREEs) by amorphous ferric hydroxide at low ionic strength (0.01 M ≤ I ≤ 0.09 M) was investigated over a wide range of pH (3.9 ≤ pH ≤ 7.1). YREE distribution coefficients, defined as _iK_Fe = [MS_i]_T / (M_T[Fe³⁺]_S), where [MS_i]_T is the concentration of YREE sorbed by the precipitate, M_T is the total YREE concentration in solution, and [Fe³⁺]_S is the concentration of precipitated iron, are weakly dependent on ionic strength but strongly dependent on pH. For each YREE, the pH dependence of log _iK_Fe is highly linear over the investigated pH range. The slopes of log _iK_Fe versus pH regressions range between 1.43 ± 0.04 for La and 1.55 ± 0.03 for Lu. Distribution coefficients are well described by an equation of the form _iK_Fe = (_Sβ₁[H⁺]^− 1 + _Sβ₂[H⁺]^− 2) / (_SK₁[H⁺] + 1), where _Sβ_n are stability constants for YREE sorption by surface hydroxyl groups and _SK₁ is a ferric hydroxide surface protonation constant. Best-fit estimates of _Sβ_n for each YREE were obtained with log _SK₁ = 4.76. Distribution coefficient predictions, using this two-site surface complexation model, accurately describe the log _iK_Fe patterns obtained in the present study, as well as distribution coefficient patterns obtained in previous studies at near-neutral pH. Modeled log _iK_Fe results were used to predict YREE sorption patterns appropriate to the open ocean by accounting for YREE solution complexation with the major inorganic YREE ligands in seawater. The predicted log _iK_Fe′ pattern for seawater, while distinctly different from log _iK_Fe observations in synthetic solutions at low ionic strength, is in good agreement with results for natural seawater obtained by others.