New production and mixed-layer physics

We treat the ocean carbon cycle as a coupled physical-biogeochemical process. The interactions between mixed-layer dynamics and growth of phytoplankton in the layer are discussed, and the formal relationship between phytoplankton accumulation and new production is examined. A coupled biological-physical model is presented for studying the classical spring bloom in the N. Atlantic, and possible differences in the mechanisms that drive the seasonal phytoplankton blooms in the N. Atlantic and the Arabian Sea are discussed. Finally, recommendations are made for observational programs to improve our understanding of the biologically-mediated carbon cycle in the Arabian Sea.     

A synthesis of post-glacial diatom records from Lake Baikal

The biostratigraphy of fossil diatoms contributes important chronologic, paleolimnologic, and paleoclimatic information from Lake Baikal in southeastern Siberia. Diatoms are the dominant and best preserved microfossils in the sediments, and distinctive assemblages and species provide inter-core correlations throughout the basin at millennial to centennial scales, in both high and low sedimentation-rate environments. Distributions of unique species, once dated by radiocarbon, allow diatoms to be used as dating tools for the Holocene history of the lake. Diatom, pollen, and organic geochemical records from site 305, at the foot of the Selenga Delta, provide a history of paleolimnologic and paleoclimatic changes from the late glacial (15 ka) through the Holocene. Before 14 ka diatoms were very rare, probably because excessive turbidity from glacial meltwater entering the lake impeded productivity. Between 14 and 12 ka, lake productivity increased, perhaps as strong winds promoted deep mixing and nutrient regeneration. Pollen evidence suggests a cold shrub — steppe landscape dominated the central Baikal depression at this time. As summer insolation increased, conifers replaced steppe taxa, but diatom productivity declined between 11 and 9 ka perhaps as a result of increased summer turbidity resulting from violent storm runoff entering the lake via short, steep drainages. After 8 ka, drier, but more continental climates prevailed, and the modern diatom flora of Lake Baikal came to prominence. On Academician Ridge, a site of slow sedimentation rates, Holocene diatom assemblages at the top of 10-m cores reappear at deeper levels suggesting that such cores record at least two previous interglacial (or interstadial?) periods. Nevertheless, distinctive species that developed prior to the last glacial period indicate that the dynamics of nutrient cycling in Baikal and the responsible regional climatic environments were not entirely analogous to Holocene conditions. During glacial periods, the deep basin sediments of Lake Baikal are dominated by rapidly deposited clastics entering from large rivers with possibly glaciated headwaters. On the sublacustrine Academician Ridge (depth = 300 m), however, detailed analysis of the diatom biostratigraphy indicates that diastems (hiatuses of minor duration) and (or) highly variable rates of accumulation complicate paleolimnologic and paleoclimatic reconstructions from these records.     

Paleoecological studies at Lake Patzcuaro on the west-central Mexican Plateau and at Chalco in the basin of Mexico

A 1520-cm sediment core from Lake Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Mexico, is 44,000 yr old at the base. All parts of the core have abundant pollen of Pinus (pine), Alnus (alder), and Quercus (oak) with frequent Abies (fir). The interval dated from 44,000 to 11,000 yr ago has a homogeneous flora characterized by abundant Juniperus (juniper) pollen and frequent Artemisia (sagebrush). It is believed to represent an appreciably drier and colder climate than at present. The Holocene at Lake Patzcuaro is characterized by a moderate increase in Pinus pollen and the loss of Juniperus pollen, as the modern type of climate succeeded. Alnus was abundant until about 5000 yr ago; its abrupt decrease with the first appearance of herbaceous weed pollen may reflect the cutting of lake-shore and stream-course alder communities for agricultural purposes, or it may simply reflect a drying tendency in the climate. Pollen of Zea (corn) appears at Lake Patzcuaro along with low peaks of chenopod and grass pollen at 3500 yr B.P. apparently recording a human population large enough to modify the natural environment, as well as the beginning of agriculture. A rich aquatic flora in this phase suggests eutrophication of the lake by slope erosion. In the most recent period corn is absent from the sediments, perhaps reflecting a change in agricultural practices. The environment changes at Lake Patzcuaro are similar to and correlate with those in the Cuenca de Mexico, where diatom stratigraphy from the Chalco basin indicates fluctuations in lake levels and lake chemistry in response to variations in available moisture. Before 10,000 yr ago climates there were cool and dry, and the Chalco basin was occupied by a shallow freshwater marsh that drained north to Lake Texcoco, where saline water accumulated by evaporation. Increases in effective moisture and possible melting of glaciers during the Holocene caused lake levels to rise throughout the Cuenca de Mexico, and Lake Texcoco flooded the Chalco basin with brackish water. After 5000 yr ago such flooding decreased, and shallow freshwater ponds and marshes were restored in the Chalco basin. This environmental change coincides with the appearance of Zea pollen and suggests cultural control of lake levels and salinity.     

Paleolimnology and Paleoclimate Studies in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon

The subsiding Upper Klamath Lake Basin contains sediments that were continuously deposited in a shallow, freshwater lake for more than 40 000 years. Well dated by radiometric methods and containing volcanic ashes of known age, these sediments constitute a valuable paleoclimate record. Sediment constituents and properties that reflect past climatic conditions in the area include pollen, diatoms, sediment geochemistry, and sediment magnetic properties. Many of these proxy measurements are also useful for comparing natural conditions in the lake to conditions following human settlement. Because of its location, the paleoclimate record from Upper Klamath Lake is valuable for comparisons to offshore marine records and as part of latitudinal transects of paleoclimate records along the west coast of the Americas.     

A zone of mylonite and related ductile deformation beneath the alpujarride nappe complex,betic cordilleras,S. Spain

A zone of mylonite is commonly developed beneath the Alpujarride nappe complex. The contact with the underlying Nevado-Filabride Complex is marked by a zone of calc mylonite, dolomitic breccia, iron-rich carbonate rocks, and marble. These lie on a thin zone of ultramylonite derived from Nevado-Filabride schist. Related ductile deformation decreases downwards, but may extend up to 400 m beneath the contact. This deformation produces a characteristic platy foliation, a strong elongation lineation, and a proto-mylonitic microstructure. Kinematic analysis of these rocks may help determine the direction of nappe transport.Mylonitic or protomylonitic microstructures are not developed in the Alpujarride rocks, although these are strongly deformed adjacent to the contact. Microstructural evidence suggests that deformation occurred by pressure-solution in these rocks, and not by the crystal-plastic processes that operated in the Nevado-Filabride protomylonitic schists.

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Zusammenfassung Im Liegenden des Deckengebäudes der Alpujarriden findet sich an vielen Stellen eine Mylonitzone. Der Kontakt mit den unterlagernden nevado-filabriden Gesteinen ist durch Kalkmylonite, Dolomitbrekzien, eisenreiche Karbonate und Marmore markiert. Diese liegen auf einer dünnen Zone von Ultramylonit, der sich aus nevado-filabriden Glimmerschiefern entwickelt hat. Diese plastische Verformung nimmt zum Liegenden hin ab, kann aber bis zu 400 m unterhalb des Deckenkontaktes reichen. Sie erzeugt eine charakteristische, plattige Schieferung, eine stark ausgeprägte Streckungslineation und eine protomylonitische Mikrostruktur. Mit einer kinematischen Analyse dieser Gesteine kann die Transportrichtung der Deckeneinheiten bestimmt werden.Die Glimmerschiefer und Phyllite alpujarrider Zuordnung besitzen keine mylonitische Mikrostruktur, obwohl sie stark deformiert sind. Dies deutet darauf hin, daß, im Gegensatz zum intrakristallinen Gleiten in den nevado-filabriden Protomyloniten, vor allem Drucklösung als Deformationsmechanismus anzusehen ist.

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Resumen Bajo el complejo de mantos de los Alpujárrides se observa comunmente el desarrollo de una zona milonitica. El contacto de dicho complejo con el de Nevado-Filabride está señalado por una zona de calcomilonitas, brechas dolomiticas, rocas carbonatadas ricas en hierro y mármoles. Estos se situan en una zona estrecha de ultramilonitas que se derivan de los esquistos del Nevado-Filabride, La deformación dúctil asociada decrece en sentido descendente, pero puedo extenderse hasta 400 m por debajo del contacto. Esta deformation produce una foliación planar characterística, una lineación de extensión muy pronunciada y una microestructura protomilonítica. Los análisis cinemáticos de éstas rocas pueden ayudar a determinar la dirección de transporte de los mantos.Las microestructuras miloníticas y protomyloníticas no se desarrollan en las rocas Alpujárrides, aunque dichas rocas están fuertemente deformadas junto al contacto. Las observaciones microestructurales sugieren que la deformación tuvo lugar por «pressure-solution» y no por procesos de plasticidad cristalina como los operantes en los esquistos protomiloníticos del Nevado-Filabride.

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Verification of the Contribution of Vehicular Traffic to the Total NMVOC Emissions in Germany and the Importance of the NO3 Chemistry in the City Air

In 1997 and 1998 several field campaigns for monitoring non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x) were carried out in a road traffic tunnel and in the city center of Wuppertal, Germany. C₂–C₁₀ aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons were monitored using a compact GC instrument. DOAS White and long path systems were used to measure aromatic hydrocarbons and oxygenated aromatic compounds. A formaldehyde monitor was used to measure formaldehyde. Chemiluminescence NO analysers with NO₂ converter were used for measuring NO and NO₂. The high mixing ratios of the NMVOCs observed in the road traffic tunnel, especially 2.9 ppbv phenol, 1.5ppbv para-cresol and 4.4 ppbv benzaldehyde, in comparison with themeasured background concentration clearly indicate that these compounds were directly emitted from road traffic. Para-Cresol was for the first timeselectively detected as primary pollutant from traffic. From the measured data a NMVOC profile of the tunnel air and the city air, normalised to benzene (ppbC/ppbC), was derived. For most compounds the observed city air NMVOC profile is almost identical with that obtained in the traffic tunnel. Since benzene originates mainly from road traffic emission, the comparison of the normalised emission ratios indicate that the road traffic emissions in Wuppertal have still the largest impact on the city air composition, which is in contrast to the German emission inventory. In both NMVOC profiles, aromatic compounds have remarkably large contributions of more than 40 ppbC%. In addtion, total NMVOC/NO_x ratios from 0.6 up to 3.0ppbC/ppb in the traffic tunnel air and 3.4± 0.5 in the city air of Wuppertal were obtained. From the observed para-cresol/toluene and ortho-cresol/toluene ratios in the city air, evidence was found thatalso during daytime NO₃ radical reactions play an important role in urban air.     

Exhumation of high-pressure rocks: a review of concepts and processes

The exhumation of high-pressure metamorphic rocks requires either the removal of the overburden that caused the high pressures, or the transport of the metamorphic rocks through the overburden. Exhumation cannot be achieved simply by thrusting or strike-slip faulting. It may be caused by erosion of shortened and thickened crust, but this is unlikely to be the only mechanism for exhuming rocks from depths greater than about 20 km. One or more of the following additional mechanisms may be involved. 1 Corner flow of low-viscosity material trapped between the upper and lower plates in a subduction zone can cause upward flow of deeply buried rock, and may explain some occurrences of high-pressure tectonic blocks in mélange. This process does not, however, appear to be adequate to explain the exhumation of regional high-pressure terrains. 2 Buoyancy forces acting directly on metamorphic rock bodies may cause them to rise relative to more dense surroundings. This is likely to be the most important mechanism of exhumation of crustal rocks subducted into the mantle, but cannot explain the emplacement of coherent tracts of high-density metamorphic rock into shallow crustal levels. Some high-pressure blocks emplaced at shallow levels in accretionary terrains may have been entrained in diapiric intrusions of low-density mud or serpentinite. 3 Extension driven by the forces associated with contrasts in surface elevation may explain the exhumation and structural setting of many high-pressure terrains. Extension may occur in the upper part of an accretionary wedge thickened by underplating; or it may affect the whole lithosphere in a region of intracontinental convergence, if surface elevation has been increased by the removal of a lithospheric root. In the second case extension may be accompanied by magmatism and an evolution towards higher temperature during decompression of the metamorphic terrain.     

Archaean tectonics in the Agnew supracrustal belt,Western Australia

The Agnew supracrustal belt consists of a greenstone sequence (interlayered metabasalt, differentiated gabbroic sills, ultramafic bodies, and black volcanogenic sediment) unconformably overlain by granitoid-clast conglomerate and meta-arkose. The base of the preserved sequence is intruded by grey tonalite with a crudely concordant upper contact, and by small discordant bodies of leucogranite.An early deformation (D1) produced isoclinal folds and a regional penetrative foliation. These structures were probably gently dipping when formed. D2 produced large-scale NNW-trending upright folds, a regional foliation, and a vertical N-trending ductile fault on the west side of the belt. D2 structures indicate a combination of ENE-WSW shortening, and right-lateral shear along the ductile fault. Both D1 and D2 were accompanied by metamorphism under upper greenschist to lower amphibolite facies conditions.The interpreted sequence of tectonic events is (1) deposition of the greenstone sequence on an unknown basement; (2) intrusion of large volumes of tonalite, separating the supracrustal rocks from their basement; (3) erosion of mafic rocks and tonalite to produce the clastic sedimentary sequence; (4) the first deformation; (5) intrusion of small volumes of leucogranite; (6) the second deformation.The bulk of the granitoid rocks were emplaced before the first recognisable deformation. Thus the granitoid magma cannot have been produced by partial melting of previously downbuckled ‘greenstone belt’ rocks, nor can the large-scale upright folds (D2) be a result of forceful emplacement of the magma — two common postulates for Archaean terrains. The D2 folds are closely related to the ductile fault bounding the zone: these structures, which give the present N-trending tectonic belt its form, are the youngest features in the terrain.