Depths to density discontinuities beneath the Adamawa Plateau region, Central Africa, from spectral analyses of new and existing gravity data

New gravity data from the Adamawa Uplift region of Cameroon have been integrated with existing gravity data from central and western Africa to examine variations in crustal structure throughout the region. The new data reveal steep northeast-trending gradients in the Bouguer gravity anomalies that coincide with the Sanaga Fault Zone and the Foumban Shear Zone, both part of the Central African Shear Zone lying between the Adamawa Plateau and the Congo Craton. Four major density discontinuities in the lithosphere have been determined within the lithosphere beneath the Adamawa Uplift in central Cameroon using spectral analysis of gravity data: (1) 7–13 km; (2) 19–25 km; (3) 30–37 km; and (4) 75–149 km. The deepest density discontinuities determined at 75–149 km depth range agree with the presence of an anomalous low velocity upper mantle structure at these depths deduced from earlier teleseismic delay time studies and gravity forward modelling. The 30–37 km depths agree with the Moho depth of 33 km obtained from a seismic refraction experiment in the region. The intermediate depth of 20 km obtained within region D may correspond to shallower Moho depth beneath parts of the Benue and Yola Rifts where seismic refraction data indicate a crustal thickness of 23 km. The 19–20 km depths and 8–12 km depths estimated in boxes encompassing the Adamawa Plateau and Cameroon Volcanic Line may may correspond to mid-crustal density contrasts associated with volcanic intrusions, as these depths are less than depths of 25 and 13 km, respectively, in the stable Congo Craton to the south.     

Decade-scale coastal bluff retreat from LiDAR data: Lake Erie coast of NW Pennsylvania, USA

Bluff retreat is an ongoing problem on the southern Great Lakes coast of the United States where Pleistocene unconsolidated sediments overlie Devonian bedrock. This retreat results in loss of sediment from the coastal zone and a decrease in coastal water quality, and is of concern because evaluating landslide hazards and developing regulations on coastal construction setbacks must account for spatial variability in coastal retreat. The goal of this pilot study is to explain and quantify short to medium term spatial variability in bluff-retreat patterns, magnitudes, and rates along a 6 km littoral cell on the Pennsylvania coast of Lake Erie. High-resolution LiDAR data covering a one-decade time frame (1998–2007) permit mapping of the bluff-crest position on two comparable, high-quality data sets. The rates of bluff retreat range from unresolvable (~20% of coast) to 2.2 m/year, averaging 0.22 ± 0.1 m/year. Average-annual change rates and 9-year net movement values show an along-coast periodicity, with a spatial wavelength of ~1 km and an amplitude of 0.2 m/year. Observed variability is inferred to occur because variations in surface watershed size and groundwater recharge area, topographic shielding of the bluff from overland flow, and groundwater-table topography, cause groundwater discharge and overland flow to the bluff face to vary along the coast. In addition, short ravines (<300 m in length) fed by groundwater seepage distort groundwater equipotential lines and cause locally enhanced bluff retreat. While other factors likely influence bluff retreat spatially along this coast, their roles are relatively minor at the scale of this study.     

Petrology of the tin-bearing granite-leucogranites of the Piaoak Massif, Northern Vietnam

The Piaoak tin-bearing granite-leucogranites located in the Caobang Province of Northern Vietnam compose a stock-like hypabyssal body. Host rocks are represented by Early Devonian carbonate sequences and Early Triassic ??black?? shales. The geochronological age of the Piaoak granite-leucogranites corresponds to the Late Cretaceous: T = 83.5 ± 6.2 Ma, ⁸⁷Rb/⁸⁶Sr method; T = 89.7 ± 1.0 Ma, ³⁹Ar/⁴⁰Ar method. The massif has a simple basic to acid order: two-mica and muscovite granite-leucogranite ?? raremetal aplites, pegmatites ?? tin-bearing greisens and hydrothermal veins. The petrographic and microstructural studies revealed a sharp change in crystallization conditions of the granite-leucogranite magma at the late magmatic stage and formation of muscovite via incongruent melting of protolithionite. The study of melt and coexisting fluid inclusions showed that solidus crystallization occurred under fluid-saturated conditions at 635?C600°C. In composition, the granite-leucogranites of the Piaoak Massif correspond to the raremetal-plumasite geochemical type (according to L.V. Tauson), and reach Li-F facies in terms of their rare-element composition. The composition of aplites and pegmatites demonstrates that granite-leucogranite magma did not accumulate lithophile and volatile components in the residual melt during differentiation, but was initially enriched in rare-metals. It is most probable that the melt was generated from Proterozoic lithotectonic complexes and overlaying Lower Triassic ??black?? shales.     

Magnitude of lateral displacement on the Crevillente Fault Zone (Betic Cordillera,SE Spain): stratigraphical and sedimentological considerations

The Crevillente Fault Zone (CFZ) comprises a system of northeast to southwest oriented dextral faults that extend for some 600 km in the External Zones of the Betic Cordillera (SE Spain). The magnitude of lateral displacement related to this fault zone is not well constrained, and it is considered to be between 20 and 400 km. The stratigraphical and sedimentological criteria used in this work have proven effective in quantifying the magnitude of the displacement along this structure. We have analysed an oolitic turbidite facies in the Middle Jurassic of the Sierra de Ricote (Median Subbetic of Murcia Province). A detailed revision of ooidal limestone outcrops has revealed that the source area of these deposits was to the Internal Subbetic zone, north of Vélez Rubio (Almería Province). These two tectonic units, the Median and Internal Subbetic, are currently 75 km from each other and separated by the CFZ. The conclusions arising from our stratigraphical, petrological and sedimentological studies favour interpretation of a 75–100 km lateral displacement. After restoring the Late Jurassic–Cretaceous anticlockwise rotation of Iberia, the CFZ appears to belong to the E–W palaeofault system that is related to the extension of the South Iberian Continental Margin (SICM). Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Phreatomagmatic boulder conglomerates at the tip of the ca 2772 Ma Black Range dolerite dyke,Pilbara Craton,Western Australia

Unusual volcanic conglomerates with a mixture of well-rounded granitic boulders (to 1.2 m diameter) derived from adjacent basement rocks, and smaller (1 – 10 cm) subspherical basaltic droplets with chilled margins occupy a linear zone along strike of the northern end of the Late Archaean Black Range dolerite dyke in the Pilbara Craton, Western Australia. The matrix of the volcanic conglomerates becomes more angular with decreasing grainsize and grades to rock flour, a trend opposite to that in sedimentary conglomerates. In other places, the matrix consists of chlorite that cuts through, and resorbs, granitic clasts, indicating an origin as volcanic melt. The volcanic conglomerates have peperitic contacts with immediately adjacent flows of the Mt Roe Basalt of the Fortescue Group. A welded volcanic tuff at the peperitic contact is dated at 2767 ± 3 Ma, within error of the 2772 ± 2 Ma Black Range dolerite dyke and the Mt Roe Basalt (2775 ± 10 Ma), confirming the contemporaneity of formation of these geological elements. Subsequent normal faulting has juxtaposed the higher level conglomerates down into their present exposure level along strike of the Black Range dolerite dyke. The linear zone of volcanic conglomerates is interpreted to represent a phreatomagmatic pebble dyke that formed immediately above, and as a result of intrusion of, the Black Range dolerite dyke. Interaction of magma with groundwater caused phreatomagmatic brecciation of the country rock, in situ milling of granitic boulders, incorporation of basaltic melt droplets, and the formation of a mixed matrix of devitrified volcanic glass and granitic material. This process was accompanied by along-strike epithermal Cu – Hg – Au mineralisation.     

Metallophilic fungi research: an alternative for its use in the bioremediation of hexavalent chromium

Contamination by hexavalent chromium has had a large impact on modern society and human health. This problem is a consequence of its great industrial applicability to several products and processes. Short-term exposure to hexavalent chromium can cause irritation, ulceration in skin and stomach and in addition to cancer, dermatitis, and damage to liver, renal circulation and nervous tissues, with even death being observed in response to long-term exposures. Many techniques have been used for the remediation of this pollutant, including physical and chemical approaches and, in more recent years, biological methods. Filamentous fungi isolated from contaminated sites exhibit a significant tolerance to heavy metal; hence, they are an important source of microbiota capable of eliminating hexavalent chromium from the environment. However, these microorganisms can do so in different ways, including biosorption, bioreduction, and bioaccumulation, among others. In this review, we explore several of the most documented mechanisms that have been described for fungi/hexavalent chromium interactions and their potential use in bioremediation.     

Hydraulic and compaction characteristics of leachate-contaminated lateritic soil

Large quantities of leachate-contaminated lateritic soil results from dump yards in the southwest coast of India. These dump yards receive large quantities of municipal solid waste which includes chemical, industrial and biomedical wastes. Large areas of land are currently being used for this purpose. An extensive laboratory testing program was carried out to determine the compaction characteristics and hydraulic conductivity of clean and contaminated lateritic soil. Batch tests were used to study the immediate effect of leachate contamination on the properties of lateritic soil. Contaminated specimens were prepared by mixing the lateritic soil with leachate in the amount of 5%, 10% and 20% by weight to vary the degree of contamination. The results indicated a small reduction in maximum dry density and an increase in hydraulic conductivity due to leachate-contamination. The change induced by chemical reaction in the microstructure of the soil was studied by scanning electron microscope before and after contamination of soil with leachate. The structure of the leachate contaminated soil sample appeared to be aggregated in scanning electron microscope analysis. The aggregated structure increases the effective pore space and thus increases the hydraulic conductivity. Fifty percent increase in hydraulic conductivity was observed for specimens prepared at standard Proctor density and mixed with 20% leachate. Compaction characteristics did not change much with the presence of leachate up to 10%. With 20% leachate the maximum dry density decreased slightly indicating excess leachate in the soil. However the changes are not significant.     

Petrographyof some fraser river delta peat deposits: Coal maceral and microlithotype precursors in temperate-climate peats

Peat deposits on the recent lobe of the Fraser River delta, British Columbia, have accumulated in a variety of depositional settings. The study of the decomposition of the plant components associated with each depositional area has enabled prediction of the occurrence and distribution of the precursors of the loal macerals and microlithotypes.On inactive portions of the distal lower delta plain, thin sedge-grass peats ave developed. These peats were influenced by marine conditions near the base and freshwater conditions higher in the section. A high ratio of cellulose to lignin in marsh plants and limited exposure of these tissues to desiccation and oxidation prodcue primarily desmocollinite. Smaller amounts of cernite, cutinite, and alganite origginate from algal and sedge lipids. In the transition to freshwater peats, oxyfusinite, pyrofusinite and micrinite partially replace former exinite and vitrinite-group maceral precursors. Subsequent transgression by marine waters has further promoted decomposition of the peat. Laterally extensive but thin and discontinouus coal seams which would develop from such peat will contain vitrite bands near the base and grade upsection into interlamlaminated durite and vitrinertite.Peats deposited between the upper and lowerdelta plain originate from brackish water. As such, earliest peat horizons contain similar maceral compositions to thoce encountered in distal delta plain deposits. Crevasse and fire splays disrupt gradational changes in fabric upsection and along channel margins. Flooding by oxygenated, neutral pH waters, followed by extended periods of desicaation, result in increases of inertodetrinite, macrinite, sclerotinite, and oxyfusinite. Interlaminated durites and vitrinertites will form common microlithotypes. Interbedded bands of telinite, cutinite and cerinite are produced by later freshwater sedge-grass peat accumulations. In this biofacies, clarite replaces durite. After colonization by Sphagnum, lignin-rich tissues from ericaceous shrubs and Pinus contorta provide precurssors for subernnite, telocollinite, and telinite. Stumps of massive telinite interrupt these banded macerals. Coal seams originating from such peats would be thick, laterally extensive and characterized by vitrite with laminae of liptite and lenses of clarite in the upper part     

著名科学家莱昂·诺波夫(Leon Knopoff)逝世

莱昂·诺波夫(1925~2011),是一位对物理学、地震学和音乐领域做出贡献的国际著名科学家,于2011年1月20日在妻子和3个孩子的陪伴下于家中辞世。莱昂·诺波夫1949年在加州理工学院获得物理学和数学博士学位,翌年开始在洛杉矶加州大学任教。1960年洛杉矶加州