Elastic behaviour of North Sea chalk: A well-log study

We present two different elastic models for, respectively, cemented and uncemented North Sea chalk well‐log data. We find that low Biot coefficients correlate with anomalously low cementation factors from resistivity measurements at low porosity and we interpret this as an indication of cementation. In contrast, higher Biot coefficients and correspondingly higher cementation factors characterize uncemented chalk for the same (low) porosity. Accordingly, the Poisson's ratio–porosity relationship for cemented chalk is different from that of uncemented chalk. We have tested the application of the self‐consistent approximation, which here represents the unrelaxed scenario where the pore spaces of the rock are assumed to be isolated, and the Gassmann theory, which assumes that pore spaces are connected, as tools for predicting the effect of hydrocarbons from the elastic properties of brine‐saturated North Sea reservoir chalk. In the acoustic impedance–Poisson's ratio plane, we forecast variations in porosity and hydrocarbon saturation from their influence on the elastic behaviour of the chalk. The Gassmann model and the self‐consistent approximation give roughly similar predictions of the effect of fluid on acoustic impedance and Poisson's ratio, but we find that the high‐frequency self‐consistent approach gives a somewhat smaller predicted fluid‐saturation effect on Poisson's ratio than the low‐frequency Gassmann model. The Gassmann prediction for the near and potentially invaded zone corresponds more closely to logging data than the Gassmann prediction for the far, virgin zone. We thus conclude that the Gassmann approach predicts hydrocarbons accurately in chalk in the sonic‐frequency domain, but the fluid effects as recorded by the acoustic tool are significantly affected by invasion of mud filtrate. The amplitude‐versus‐angle (AVA) response for the general North Sea sequence of shale overlying chalk is predicted as a function of porosity and pore‐fill. The AVA response of both cemented and uncemented chalk generally shows a declining reflectivity coefficient versus offset and a decreasing normal‐incidence reflectivity with increasing porosity. However, for the uncemented model, a phase reversal will appear at a relatively lower porosity compared to the cemented model.     

Silver in the subarctic northeast Pacific Ocean: Explaining the basin scale distribution of silver

Five vertical profiles of silver (Ag) in the subarctic northeast Pacific are presented. Dissolved (< 0.2 μm) Ag concentrations within the surface mixed layer range from 6–25 pM, with the highest observed values at the most coastal site. Elevated Ag concentrations at this station are most likely attributable to the estuarine circulation in the Juan de Fuca Strait. One open-ocean station (P20) exhibited a strong surface Ag maximum. The station was located at the edge of a Haida eddy which raises the possibility that such eddies transport Ag seaward from the coastal zone. Ag concentrations in the deep waters ranged from 60–80 pM. These measurements are consistent with other recent Ag data collected in the Pacific. Ag profiles throughout the Pacific Ocean yield a strong positive correlation between Ag concentration and dissolved silicic acid concentration. However, Ag is depleted relative to silicic acid at intermediate depths where dissolved O₂ concentrations are low, implying a possible removal of Ag from oxygen-depleted waters by scavenging and/or precipitation.     

ROBUST: The ROle of BUffering capacities in STabilising coastal lagoon ecosystems

“Buffer capacities” has been defined in ecology as a holistic concept (e.g., Integration of Ecosystem Theories: A Pattern, second ed. Kluwer, Dordrecht, 1997, 388pp), but we show that it can also be worked out in mechanistic studies. Our mechanistic approach highlights that “buffering capacities” can be depleted progressively, and, therefore, we make a distinction between current and potential “buffering capacities”. We have applied this concept to understand the limited “local stability” in seagrass ecosystems and their vulnerability towards structural changes into macro-algal dominated communities. We explored the following processes and studied how they confer buffering capacities to the seagrass ecosystem: (i) net autotrophy is persistent in Zostera noltii meadows where plant assimilation acts as a sink for nutrients, this contrasted with the Ulva system that shifted back and forth between net autotrophy and net heterotrophy; (ii) the Z. noltii ecosystem possesses a certain albeit rather limited capacity to modify the balance between nitrogen fixation and denitrification, i.e., it was found that in situ nitrogen fixation always exceeded denitrification; (iii) the nitrogen demand of organoheterotrophic bacteria in the sediment results in nitrogen retention of N in the sediment and hence a buffer against release of nitrogen compounds from sediments, (iv) habitat diversification in seagrass meadows provides shelter for meiofauna and hence buffering against adverse conditions, (v) sedimentary iron provides a buffer against noxious sulfide (note: bacterial sulfide production is enhanced in anoxic sediment niches by increased organic matter loading). On the other hand, in the coastal system we studied, sedimentary iron appears less important as a redox-coupled buffer system against phosphate loading. This is because most inorganic phosphate is bound to calcium rather than to iron. In addition, our studies have highlighted the importance of plant–microbe interactions in the seagrass meadows.     

Petrology of mugearite-hawaiite: Early extrusives in the 1973 Heimaey eruption,Iceland

Rocks which erupted during the first few weeks are described and chemical analyses of rocks and microprobe analyses of minerals are presented. An outline of the eruption history and of the geology of the area is given. A gradational change in chemistry from mugearitic to hawaiitic composition is recorded. Xenoliths of hypersthene gabbro not cognate with magma were discovered in the mugearite. One xenolith has reacted with the mugearite magma at depth to form pargasitic hornblende and kaersutite. It is argued that the magma reacted with the xenoliths at a total pressure well below 8–9 kbar and at a gas pressure higher 1 kbar.     

The application of computer-assisted photogrammetric methods in the structural analysis of part of the North Greenland Fold Belt

The development of computer support in photogrammetric measurements has facilitated quick calculations of structural geological elements such as strike and dip, fold axes and axial planes. Computer-assisted photogrammetric methods have been applied in a structural analysis of 3000 km² in central Peary Land, North Greenland. Detailed studies have been carried out in an area covered by a single stereo model representing part of the southernmost margin of the North Greenland Fold Belt. On the basis of the aerial photos, a map with both lithological boundaries and structural measurements may be drawn. In little known areas with complex structural relationships field work is necessary to control the interpretation. In the present study refolded thrust fault structures were investigated. Preparatory photogrammetric studies allow the limited time available for field work to be effectively utilised, and accurate geological maps to be produced relatively quickly.     

Titan-aegirine from early Tertiary ash layers in northern Denmark

Microprobe analyses on a xenocrystic suite of salites, aegirine-augites, aegirines, titan-aegirines and acmites from a lower Tertiary ash layer in northern Denmark are presented. The sodic pyroxenes show an unusual titan-enrichment and up to 42 mol.% of the component $\text{NaTi}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{4+}}\text{M}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{Si}{}_3\text{O}{}_6\text{(}\text{M = Fe}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{,}\text{Mn or Mg}\text{)}$, is estimated. Optical absorption measurements show no evidence for Ti³⁺. The titan-aegirines were formed during late to post-magmatic crystallization in a system with a high Ti⁴⁺/Fe²⁺ ratio and were followed by acmite showing enrichment in jadeite. Comparison with experimentally investigated titan-aegirine indicates crystallization far below the Mn₂O₃Mn₃O₄f₀₂ buffer.     

A shale buchite xenolith with Al-armalcolite and native iron in a lava from Asuk,Disko, central West Greenland

A native iron bearing buchite xenolith enclosed in basalt in a native iron bearing lava from Disko is similar in chemistry, apart from volatile components, to unheated Mesozoic to early Tertiary carbonaceous shale sediments from West Greenland, believed to have been the major contaminant and reducing agent causing the formation of the native iron in the volcanic rocks on Disko. The shale buchite has preserved original sedimentary lamination and experienced only a comparatively short-lived heating which allowed only short-range equilibration. The xenolith contains native iron and graphite, while the immediately enclosing basalt does not, and demonstrates the indigenous reducing properties of the shales when heated to high (1,150–1,200 ° C) temperatures at low pressures. Sedimentary clastic iron titanium oxide grains have reacted with the immediately surrounding matrix and completely recrystallized to aggregates of rutile and Al-armalcolite with up to 24 mol% Al₂TiO₅. The Al-armalcolites contain 5 to 11 mol% of the anosovite (Ti₃O₅) component. They show a considerable variation in iron-magnesium ratio due to small-scale variations in bulk chemistry to varying f _O2 and to the effects of progressive melting of the sediment. Glassy veins in the buchite, formed along original fractures in the sediment, contain an assemblage of cordierite, low Ca-pyroxene, plagioclase, ilmenite, ferropseudobrookite-rich armalcolite, iron metal, troilite and acid glass, and crystallized under higher oxygen fugacities than the buchite interior, probably due to influx from the less reduced enclosing basalt magma.     

The Lyngen Gabbro: the lower crust of an Ordovician Incipient Arc

We present evidence for the origin of the Lyngen Gabbro of the Ordovician Lyngen Magmatic Complex in Troms, Northern Norway. The two magmatic suites of the Lyngen Gabbro strike parallel NNE-SSW, and have distinct magmatic signatures. We define these signatures by using major and trace-element analyses together with selected major- and trace-element mineral analyses and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd-isotope whole-rock analyses of gabbroic to tonalitic plutonic rocks from seven detailed cross-sections from this large gabbro-complex. The Western suite of the Lyngen Gabbro precipitated from magma that may have been derived from the same system as the associated volcanic rocks. The gabbros have high An-content (An_>90) of their plagioclases relative to co-existing mafic minerals. Together with somewhat high _Nd(t) values (+6), this implies that the parental magmas were hydrous tholeiites similar to those found in back arc basins today. The Eastern suite, on the other hand, consist of cumulates that were precipitated from melts resembling those of ultra-depleted high-Ca boninitic magmas found in fore-arcs. Extremely high-An plagioclases (An_>95) co-exist with evolved mafic minerals and oxides, and the _Nd(t) values are lower (+4) than in the Western suite. The Eastern suite has no volcanic counterpart, but dikes intersecting the suites have compositions that possibly represent its parental magma. The oceanic Rypdalen Shear Zone generally separates the two suites in the north, but several non-tectonic transitions from boninitic to tholeiitic signatures southwards advocate that the magmatism happened concurrently. The magmatic proximity between the suites, the hydrous magmatism and the absence of a silicic or calc-alkaline mature arc section, suggests that the Lyngen Gabbro formed in the Iapetus Ocean under conditions presently found in incipient arcs later emplaced as outer arc highs.