Basaltic and Solution Reference Materials for Iron,Copper and Zinc Isotope Measurements

Iron, Cu and Zn stable isotope systems are applied in constraining a variety of geochemical and environmental processes. Secondary reference materials have been developed by the Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (CAGS), in collaboration with other participating laboratories, comprising three solutions (CAGS‐Fe, CAGS‐Cu and CAGS‐Zn) and one basalt (CAGS‐Basalt). These materials exhibit sufficient homogeneity and stability for application in Fe, Cu and Zn isotopic ratio determinations. Reference values were determined by inter‐laboratory analytical comparisons involving up to eight participating laboratories employing MC‐ICP‐MS techniques, based on the unweighted means of submitted results. Isotopic compositions are reported in per mil notation, based on reference materials IRMM‐014 for Fe, NIST SRM 976 for Cu and IRMM‐3702 for Zn. Respective reference values of CAGS‐Fe, CAGS‐Cu and CAGS‐Zn solutions are as follows: δ⁵⁶Fe = 0.83 ± 0.07 and δ⁵⁷Fe = 1.20 ± 0.13, δ⁶⁵Cu = 0.57 ± 0.06, and δ⁶⁶Zn = ?0.79 ± 0.12 and δ⁶⁸Zn = ?1.65 ± 0.24, respectively. Those of CAGS‐Basalt are δ⁵⁶Fe = 0.15 ± 0.07, δ⁵⁷Fe = 0.22 ± 0.10, δ⁶⁵Cu = 0.12 ± 0.08, δ⁶⁶Zn = 0.17 ± 0.13, and δ⁶⁸Zn = 0.34 ± 0.26 (2s).     

Hydrostatic compression of γ-Mg2SiO4 to mantle pressures and 700 K: Thermal equation of state and related thermoelastic properties

P-V-T equations of state for the γ phase of Mg₂SiO₄ have been fitted to unit cell volumes measured under simultaneous high pressure (up 30 GPa) and high temperature (up to 700 K) conditions. The measurements were conducted in an externally heated diamond anvil cell using synchrotron x-ray diffraction. Neon was used as a pressure medium to provide a more hydrostatic pressure environment. The P-V-T data include 300 K-isothermal compression to 30 GPa, 700 K-compression to 25 GPa and some additional data in P-T space in the region 15 to 30 GPa and 300 to 700 K. The isothermal bulk modulus and its pressure derivative, determined from the isothermal compression data, are 182(3) GPa and 4.2(0.3) at T=300 K, and 171(4) GPa and 4.4(0.5) at T=700 K. Fitting all the P-V-T data to a high-temperature Murnaghan equation of state yields: K _TO=182(3.0) GPa, K _TO=4.0(0.3), ?K _T /?T)₀=?2.7(0.5)×10^?2 GPa/K and (?² K _T /?P?T)₀=5.5(5.2)×10^?4/K at the ambient condition.     

Abnormal composition of carbon isotopes in underground alkaline waters of Kuzbass

The first data on abnormally high δ¹³С values in hydrocarbonates (НСО ₃^-) dissolved in underground waters of coal deposits of Kuzbass (up to +30.9‰) are reported. It is shown that such an unusual isotope composition of waters results from the long, strictly directed interaction in the water–rock–gas–organic material system occurring under the conditions of hindered water exchange. Extensive fractionation of C isotopes is the result of the evolution of the water–rock–gas–coal system after penetration of infiltration waters into the coal deposits and their long interaction with all these components, rather than metamorphism of organic material upon its transformation into coal. With respect to such an approach, the isotope composition of dissolved C may indicate the duration of the evolution in the water–rock–gas–organic material system.     

Graphite content and isotopic fractionation between calcite-graphite pairs in metasediments from the Mgama Hills,Southern Kenya

Amphibolite-grade metasediments from the Mgama Hills region, Kenya, contain conspicuous quantities of graphite, most probably derived from organic progenitor materials. The highest graphite contents (5.1–20.4%) are found in schists whereas calcite marbles intercalated in the sequence contain relatively low amounts (0.1–2.0%). The graphitic constituents are consistently enriched in ¹³C relative to common sedimentary organic material, with the highest isotopic ratios in graphite from the marbles (δ¹³C = ?7.3 ± 5.0%.; n = 10). Carbon isotope fractionations between calcite and graphite mostly vary between 3.3 and 7.1‰, which comes close to both empirically recorded and thermodynamically calculated fractionations in the temperature range of the upper amphibolite faciès (550–650°C). However, larger values occasionally encountered in the marbles suggest that complete isotopic equilibrium is not always attained in amphibolite-facies metamorphism.     

Potency of constructed wetlands for deportation of pathogens index from rural,urban and industrial wastewater

Pathogen removal is essential for wastewater treatment and its potential reuse in agriculture. Three field-scale wastewater treatment systems consisting of free surface flow were operated around 1.5 years receiving water from urban domestic, rural domestic and industrial sources. The study was conducted to evaluate seasonal performance of constructed wetland systems in removing Escherichia coli, Enterococci and total coliforms under continuous hydraulic flow. Results displayed that all three wetlands gain recognition in removing pathogen load with high removal efficacy till water reaches output ports. Removal efficiencies were even higher, 66–93, 78–92 and 80–94% for E. coli, Enterococci and total coliforms, respectively, within constructed wetlands. Remarkably at shorter temporal scales in CW-A, greater homogeneity of pathogen concentrations was assessed at wetland outlet sites. In outlet ports, results displayed a highly effective removal of E. coli concentration 80–90% (June 2015), 86–92% (October 2015) and 79–92% (February 2016), Enterococci 80–94% (June 2015), 83–94% (October 2015) and 80–94% (February 2016) and total coliforms 85–93% (June 2015), 87–95% (October 2015) and 88–96% (February 2016). Positive correlation was observed between bacterial indicators (E. coli–Enterococci, r = 0.038; p < 0.01 and E. coli–total coliforms, r = 0.142; p < 0.01). Removal of bacterial indicators in constructed wetland was also displayed by PCA in which three-component analysis of variance was 98.39% and showed a clear decrease in measured parameter gradients toward samples from outlet ports. Constructed wetlands provide cost-effective treatment systems for reducing the pathogen load in wastewater in variable agro-climatic conditions and thus improve water quality.     

A New Appraisal of Sri Lankan BB Zircon as a Reference Material for LA‐ICP‐MS U‐Pb Geochronology and Lu‐Hf Isotope Tracing

A potential zircon reference material (BB zircon) for laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) U‐Pb geochronology and Hf isotope geochemistry is described. A batch of twenty zircon megacrysts (0.5–1.5 cm³) from Sri Lanka was studied. Within‐grain rare earth element (REE) compositions are largely homogeneous, albeit with some variation seen between fractured and homogeneous domains. Excluding fractured cathodoluminescence bright domains, the variation in U content for all analysed crystals ranged from 227 to 368 μg g^?1 and the average Th/U ratios were between 0.20 and 0.47. The Hf isotope composition (0.56–0.84 g/100 g Hf) is homogeneous within and between the grains – mean ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf of 0.281674 ± 0.000018 (2s). The calculated alpha dose of 0.59 × 10¹⁸ g^?1 for a number of BB grains falls within the trend of previously studied, untreated zircon samples from Sri Lanka. Aliquots of the same crystal (analysed by ID‐TIMS in four different laboratories) gave consistent U‐Pb ages with excellent measurement reproducibility (0.1–0.4% RSD). Interlaboratory assessment (by LA‐ICP‐MS) from individual crystals returned results that are within uncertainty equivalent to the TIMS ages. Finally, we report on within‐ and between‐grain homogeneity of the oxygen isotope systematic of four BB crystals (13.16‰ VSMOW).     

Breaking Up: Comminution Mechanisms in Sheared Simulated Fault Gouge

The microstructural state and evolution of fault gouge has important implications for the mechanical behaviour, and hence the seismic slip potential of faults. We use 3D discrete element (DEM) simulations to investigate the fragmentation processes operating in fault gouge during shear. Our granular fault gouge models consist of aggregate grains, each composed of several thousand spherical particles stuck together with breakable elastic bonds. The aggregate grains are confined between two blocks of solid material and sheared under a given normal stress. During shear, the grains can fragment in a somewhat realistic way leading to an evolution of grain size, grain shape and overall texture. The ‘breaking up’ of the fault gouge is driven by two distinct comminution mechanisms: grain abrasion and grain splitting. The relative importance of the two mechanisms depends on applied normal stress, boundary wall roughness and accumulated shear strain. If normal stress is sufficiently high, grain splitting contributes significantly to comminution, particularly in the initial stages of the simulations. In contrast, grain abrasion is the dominant mechanism operating in simulations carried out at lower normal stress and is also the main fragmentation mechanism during the later stages of all simulations. Rough boundaries promote relatively more grain splitting whereas smooth boundaries favor grain abrasion. Grain splitting (plus accompanying abrasion) appears to be an efficient mechanism for reducing the mean grain size of the gouge debris and leads rapidly to a power law size distribution with an exponent that increases with strain. Grain abrasion (acting alone) is an effective way to generate excess fine grains and leads to a bimodal distribution of grain sizes. We suggest that these two distinct mechanisms would operate at different stages of a fault’s history. The resulting distributions in grain size and grain shape may significantly affect frictional strength and stability. Our results therefore have implications for the earthquake potential of seismically active faults with accumulations of gouge. They may also be relevant to the susceptibility of rockslides since non-cohesive basal shear zones will evolve in a similar way and potentially control the dynamics of the slide.     

Magnetostratigraphic correlation of the Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian boundary

A magnetic polarity pattern for Boreal and Sub-Boreal ammonite zones of the Upper Oxfordian to Lower Kimmeridgian was established and confirmed in four British sections, including the proposed Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) on the Isle of Skye (Scotland) to define the base of the international Kimmeridgian Stage. A coeval pattern for Sub-Mediterranean ammonite zones was compiled from seven sections in Poland, one German section and multi-section composites from France and Spain. The mean paleopole for the European Craton (excluding Spain) at the Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian boundary is 74.2°N, 181.3°E (Α₉₅ = 3.8°). The common magnetic polarity scale enables inter-correlation of ammonite subzones among these three faunal provinces and to the marine magnetic-anomaly M-Sequence. The proposed GSSP at the base of the Pictonia baylei Zone is near the base of an extended interval dominated by reversed polarity, which is interpreted to be Chron M26r. This GSSP level projects to the lower to middle part of the Epipeltoceras bimammatum Subzone, which is the middle subzone of this E. bimammatum Zone in the Sub-Mediterranean standard zonation. In contrast, the traditional placement of the Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian boundary in that Sub-Mediterranean standard zonation (base of Sutneria platynota Zone) is at the base of Chron M25r, or nearly 1 million years younger.     

The relation between the concentration of atmospheric condensation nuclei and other meteorological elements at valentia observatory

Summary Measurements of the concentration of condensation nuclei made twice daily (0h and 12h GMT) with aNolan-Pollak photo-electric counter at Valentia Observatory, in the extreme Southwest of Ireland, over the 4 years 1951–1954, are analysed to show relation with other meteorological elements. It is found that concentration at 12h is generally higher than at (h and that precipitation at the time of observation or in the preceding hour reduces concentration by between 40% and 50%. From measurements made when there was no precipitation at the time or in the previous hour it is found that concentration decreases with increasing wind speed but does not vary appreciably with wind direction apart from a sector from which pollution could be expected. High concentrations are found with visibility below 7 miles, with inversion of temperature, when free from the effects of pollution, follows fairly closely that of duration of bright sunshine.

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Zusammenfassung Es werden Messungen der Konzentration von Kondensationskernen, welche zweimal täglich (um 0 ^h und 12 ^h G.M.T.) mit einem photo-elektrischen Kernzähler nachNolan undPollak am Observatorium in Valentia (im äussersten Südwesten von Irland) in den Jahren 1951 bis 1954 durchgeführt wurden, auf Beziehungen zu anderen meteorologischen Elementen hin untersucht. Die Resultate zeigen, dass die Konzentration um 12 Uhr im allgemeinen grösser ist als um 0 Uhr und, dass die Niederschlag zur Zeit der Beobachtung oder in der der Beobachtung vorausgehenden Stunde die Konzentration um 40 bis 50% herabsetzt. Wenn kein Niederschlag zur Zeit der Messung oder in der vorangehenden Stunde verzeichnet wurde, nimmt die Konzentration mit zunehmender Windgeschwindigkeit ab; sie ändert sich jedoch nicht nennenswert mit der Windrichtung, abgesehen von einem Sektor, aus welchem Verunreinigung zu erwarten war. Hohe Konzentration wurde bei Sichtweiten unterhalb 7 Meilen gefunden, ferner bei Temperaturinversion, und, um 12 Uhr, bei geringer Bewölkung. Der jährliche Gang der Konzentration der Kerne folgt ziemlich genau jenem der Sonnenscheindauer, wenn die Fälle, wo Verunreinigung der Luft stattfindet, ausgeschlossen werden.