Koritnigit,Zn[H2O|HOAsO3], ein neues Mineral aus Tsumeb,Südwestafrika

Zusammenfassung Das neue Mineral Koritnigit ist ein wasserhaltiges Zinkhydrogenarsenat der Formel Zn[H₂O|HOAsO₃]. Die chemische Analyse (Elektronenmikrosonde und T.G.A.) ergab: As₂O₅ 51,75%, ZnO 35,97% und H₂O 12,3%, Summe 100,0%. Die HOAsO₃-Ionen wurden IR-spektroskopisch nachgewiesen. Koritnigit ist löslich in kalter, verdünnter HCl und HNO₃.Die Gitterkonstanten sind:a ₀=7,948(2),b ₀=15,829(5),c ₀=6,668(2) Å, =90,86(2), =96,56(2), =90,05(2)^o,V=833,2(4)ų,V=8. Die Raumgruppe ist . Die stärksten Linien des Pulverdiagramms sind: 7,90(10) (020,100), 3,83(7) ( ), 3,16(9) ( ) 2,926(4) (150), 2,679(4) ( ), 2,461(6) ( ), 2,186(5) ( ), 1,969(4) (400), 1,649(3) (004).Koritnigit ist wasserklar bis durchscheinend weiß. Idiomorphe Kristalle sind nicht bekannt. Die Spaltbarkeit nach {010} ist ausgezeichnet und auf {010} sind Spaltspuren nach [001] und nach [100] erkennbar. Härte 2.G=3,54 g·cm^–3,D _x =3,56 g·cm^–3. Koritnigit ist optisch zweiachsig positiv, 2V70(5)^o. Die Werte der Lichtbrechung sind:n =1,632(5),n =1,652(3) undn =1,693(3).Koritnigit wurde auf der 31. Sohle der Tsumeb-Mine, Südwestafrika gefunden. Er kommt als Sekundärmineral in Paragenese mit Cu-Adamin, Stranskiit und drei weiteren, vorerst nicht identifizierten mineralen in Zersetzungshohlräumen von Tennantit vor.

---

Koritnigite, Zn[H₂O|HOAsO₃], a new mineral from Tsumeb, South West Africa

Summary The new mineral koritnigite is a hydrated zinc hydrogen arsenate with the formula Zn[H₂O|HOAsO₃]. Chemical analysis (electron microprobe and t.g.a.) gave: As₂O₅ 51.75%, ZnO 35.97%, and H₂O 12.3%, total 100.0%. The HOAsO₃ ions were determined by IR spectroscopy. Koritnigite is soluble in cold diluted HCl and HNO₃. The unit cell dimensions are:a ₀=7.948(2),b ₀=15.829(5),c ₀=6.668(2)Å, =90.86(2), =96.56(2), =90.05(2)^o,V=833.2(4) ų,Z=8. The space group is . The strongest lines of the powder pattern are: 7.90(10) (020, 100), 3.83(7) ( ), 3.16(9) ( ), 2.926(4) (150), 2.679(4) ( ), 2.461(6) ( ), 2.186(5) ( ), 1.969(4)(400), 1.649(3) (004).

---

---

Mit 2 Abbildungen

---

Herrn Univ. Prof. Dr.H. Meixner zum 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

DC resistivity methods for determining resistivity in the earth's crust

The use of Schlumberger and dipole arrays for crustal-scale resistivity soundings is considered. Advantages and disadvantages of the two methods are described. The depth to which resistivity may be determined from field measurements is discussed as well as the determination from the sounding curves of various parameters associated with layered structure. The interpretation of experimental data using reference curves as well as two approaches used in computer assisted interpretation are discussed.     

Fe-rich and K-rich mafic spherules from slumped and channelized Chicxulub ejecta deposits in the northern La Sierrita area,NE Mexico

Spherule deposits, commonly interpreted as ejecta from the Chicxulub impact at Yucatán, Mexico, are present in many K-T (Cretaceous-Tertiary) sections. Geological mapping of the northern La Sierrita area, NE Mexico, revealed the presence of (1) multiple spherule deposits embedded in late Maastrichtian marls, which are folded or disaggregated (breccia-like). They are up to 6 m thick, locally present in two outcrop areas, and show limited lateral continuity. These deposits consist of mm-cm sized spherical to drop-shaped vesiculated spherules, angular to filamentous (ejecta-) fragments and abundant carbonate. They are interpreted as primary ejecta fallout deposits that have been affected by subsequent local slumps-slides, liquefaction, and debris flows; welded components suggest an initial ground surge-like ejecta-dispersion mode. (2) A spherule deposit, 10-60 cm thick that constitutes the base of a channelized sand-siltstone deposit at, or close to, the K-T boundary and is characterized by wide lateral continuity. It is of similar petrologic composition to deposit (1), though slightly enriched in terrigeneous detritus, thus reflecting influx from proximal shelf areas. It is interpreted to result from debris flows and turbidite currents, though no size sorting and abrasion of ejecta has been observed. Petrological, mineralogical, and geochemical criteria suggest that ejecta components from both types of spherule deposits are similar and originated from the Chicxulub impact, with multiple deposits produced by subsequent remolding, reworking, and redeposition. Spherules and fragments have an Fe- (25-30 wt%), Al-, Mg-rich and Si-poor (<25 wt% SiO₂) composition, and are altered to chlorite and iron-oxides, though rare K-rich mafic glass (~50 wt% SiO₂; 5-8 wt% K) is also present. They contain Ti-, Fe-, K-rich schlieren, Fe-, Mg-rich globules, and rare µm-sized metallic and sulfidic Ni-, Co-rich inclusions. Carbonate as clasts and within spherules and fragments shows textures indicative of quenching and/or liquid immiscibility. Although potential ejecta fractionation and alteration make accurate evaluation difficult, this composition suggests an ejecta origin mainly from mafic lithologies and carbonaceous sediments, in addition to a contribution from intermediate felsic rocks and the possibility of meteoritic contamination.     

Interbasin underflow between closed Altiplano basins in Chile

Interbasin ground water movement of 200 to 240 L/sec occurs as underflow beneath a mountainous surface water divide separating the topographically higher Salar de Michincha from the topographically lower Salar de Coposa internally drained basins in the Altiplano of northern Chile. Salt-encrusted flats (salars) and saline lakes occur on the lowest parts of the basin floors and comprise the principal evaporative discharge areas for the basins. Because a surface water divide separates the basins, surface water drainage boundaries do not coincide with ground water drainage boundaries. In the region, interbasin ground water movement is usually not recognized, but occurs for selected basins, and at places is an important component of ground water budgets. With increasing development of water for mining industry and potential exportation of ground water from the Altiplano for use at coastal cities, demonstration and quantification of interbasin movement is important for assessment of sustainable ground water development in a region of extreme aridity. Recognition and quantification of interbasin ground water underflow will assist in management of ground water resources in the arid Chilean Altiplano environment.     

Special Contribution: ALP 2002 Seismic Experiment

Studia Geophysica et Geodaetica -     

Special Contribution: CELEBRATION 2000 Seismic Experiment

Studia Geophysica et Geodaetica -     

The nature of molecular cloud material in interplanetary dust

Eight interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) exhibiting a wide range of H and N isotopic anomalies have been studied by transmission electron microscopy, x-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. These anomalies are believed to have originated during chemical reactions in a cold molecular cloud that was the precursor to the Solar System. The chemical and mineralogical studies reported here thus constitute direct studies of preserved molecular cloud materials. The H and N isotopic anomalies are hosted by different hydrocarbons that reside in the abundant carbonaceous matrix of the IDPs. Infrared measurements constrain the major deuterium (D) host in the D-enriched IDPs to thermally labile aliphatic hydrocarbon groups attached to macromolecular material. Much of the large variation observed in D/H in this suite of IDPs reflects the variable loss of this labile component during atmospheric entry heating. IDPs with elevated ¹⁵N/¹⁴N ratios contain N in the form of amine (-NH₂) functional groups that are likely attached to other molecules such as aromatic hydrocarbons. The host of the N isotopic anomalies is not as readily lost during entry heating as the D-rich material. Infrared analysis shows that while the organic matter in primitive anhydrous IDPs is similar to that observed in acid residues of primitive chondritic meteorites, the measured aromatic:aliphatic ratio is markedly lower in the IDPs.     

Biotic effects of late Maastrichtian mantle plume volcanism: implications for impacts and mass extinctions

During the late Maastrichtian, DSDP Site 216 on Ninetyeast Ridge, Indian Ocean, passed over a mantle plume leading to volcanic eruptions, islands built to sea level, and catastrophic environmental conditions for planktic and benthic foraminifera. The biotic effects were severe, including dwarfing of all benthic and planktic species, a 90% reduction in species diversity, exclusion of all ecological specialists, near-absence of ecological generalists, and dominance of the disaster opportunist Guembelitria alternating with low O₂-tolerant species. These faunal characteristics are identical to those of the K–T boundary mass extinction, except that the fauna recovered after Site 216 passed beyond the influence of mantle plume volcanism about 500 kyr before the K–T boundary. Similar biotic effects have been observed in Madagascar, Israel, and Egypt. The direct correlation between mantle plume volcanism and biotic effects on Ninetyeast Ridge and the similarity to the K–T mass extinction, which is generally attributed to a large impact, reveal that impacts and volcanism can cause similar environmental catastrophes. This raises the inevitable question: Are mass extinctions caused by impacts or mantle plume volcanism? The unequivocal correlation between intense volcanism and high-stress assemblages necessitates a review of current impact and mass extinction theories.     

Seasonal Variability of Adsorption and Exchange Equilibria in Soil Waters

Chemical analyses for major ions have been conducted on waters,collected on an approximately weekly basis over the period April, 1993 toNovember, 1996, that drain three small experimental ecosystems(sandboxes) at Hubbard Brook, New Hampshire. One sandbox is planted withpine trees, another with grass, and the third is left bare (actually itis covered sporadically by bryophytes and lichens). Results show linearcorrelations, independent of discharge, between the concentrations ofdissolved Na⁺ and K⁺ on the one hand andCa⁺⁺ and Mg⁺⁺ on the other for all threesandboxes. No correlations between singly charged and doubly chargedcations were found. These correlations are interpreted to represent cationexchange equilibria between soil waters and clay minerals plus soil organicmatter. The correlation slope, representing the exchange constant, for Na vsK is different for the pine-covered sandbox than for the other two whereasfor Ca vs Mg the correlation is independent of the presence or absence oftrees. We interpret this as representing a shift of cation exchangeequilibria in the pine sandbox by the activities of growing trees.Concentrations of Na, K, Ca, Mg, and H₄SiO₄from the barren and grass-lined sandboxes were found to vary seasonally witha marked sinusoidal pattern which was independent of the discharge from eachsandbox. (The discernment of a similar pattern in the tree lined sandbox wasdifficult due to a lack of discharge over much of the year.) Concentrationmaxima occurred in August and minima in February, and there is a closeparallelism with soil temperature. We interpret this as representingtemperature induced variations in cation exchange equilibria and silicaadsorption. Independence from highly varying water discharge, e.g.,. thataccompanying severe rainstorms, indicates rapidly re-attained equilibrium.Variations in the concentrations of cations are likely due to exchange withunmeasured cations, probably H⁺ or dissolved Al species, as aresult of possible seasonal changes in internal acid production and externalinput of acid rain to the sandboxes. Internal production may represent aresponse to seasonal changes in respiration rate as it responds toseasonally varying temperature. Added to this is the effect of temperatureon exchange equilibrium. Seasonal variations in dissolved silica are mostlikely due to the dependence of adsorption/desorption equilibria ontemperature. The temperature dependence of a number of silica-consumingreactions are consistent with the measured values.     

Snow pack in the Swiss Alps under changing climatic conditions: an empirical approach for climate impacts studies

Summary ?In many instances, snow cover and duration are a major controlling factor on a range of environmental systems in mountain regions. When assessing the impacts of climatic change on mountain ecosystems and river basins whose origin lie in the Alps, one of the key controls on such systems will reside in changes in snow amount and duration. At present, regional climate models or statistical downscaling techniques, which are the principal methods applied to the derivation of climatic variables in a future, changing climate, do not provide adequate information at the scales required for investigations in which snow is playing a major role. A study has thus been undertaken on the behavior of snow in the Swiss Alps, in particular the duration of the seasonal snow-pack, on the basis of observational data from a number of Swiss climatological stations. It is seen that there is a distinct link between snow-cover duration and height (i.e., temperature), and that this link has a specific “signature” according to the type of winter. Milder winters are associated with higher precipitation levels than colder winters, but with more solid precipitation at elevations exceeding 1,700–2,000 m above sea-level, and more liquid precipitation below. These results can be combined within a single diagram, linking winter minimum temperature, winter precipitation, and snow-cover duration. The resulting contour surfaces can then be used to assess the manner in which the length of the snow-season may change according to specified shifts in temperature and precipitation. While the technique is clearly empirical, it can be combined with regional climate model information to provide a useful estimate of the length of the snow season with snow cover, for various climate-impacts studies. Received May 14, 2002; revised August 12, 2002; accepted August 17, 2002