Carbon isotope anatomy of a single graphite crystal in a metapelitic migmatite revealed by high-spatial resolution SIMS analysis

High-spatial resolution carbon isotope analyses of natural graphite using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), together with conventional mass spectrometry techniques, demonstrate isotopic heterogeneity within single graphite crystals precipitated from a partially melted metamorphic rock. SIMS ¹³C/¹²C measurements were calibrated using an internal graphite standard previously analyzed by conventional isotope ratio mass spectrometry, which gave a reproducibility of 0.3‰ (1σ) at a spatial resolution of 2–3 μm. This resolution helped to identify an unusual carbon isotope distribution in a single graphite crystal from a metapelitic leucosome, showing remarkable core to rim variations with sharp δ¹³C steps up to 10‰. The results suggest that the graphite crystal grew from one edge to other forming layers perpendicular to the c-axis. The sharp isotopic steps indicate the presence of disequilibrium carbon isotope zoning in graphite and points to the possible existence of carbon isotope sector zoning. Intra-crystalline carbon isotope disequilibrium in graphite is believed to have resulted from the difference in diffusivity between ¹²C and ¹³C in the growth medium to the interface of graphite precipitation in different growth sectors.     

Spatio-temporal deposition profile of an experimentally produced turbidity current with a continuous suspension supply

A turbidity current is a turbulent, particle-laden gravity current that is driven by density differences resulting from the presence of suspended sediment particles. The current travels downslope, bearing a large amount of sediment over a great distance, and forms fluvial and submarine bedforms. Knowledge of the spatio-temporal deposition profile of turbidity-deposited sediment is important for a better understanding of sediment transport by turbidity currents. In the current study, the depositi...     

The transition between the two major Permian tectono-stratigraphic cycles in the central Southern Alps: results from facies analysis and U/Pb geochronology

The Val Daone Conglomerate (VDC) is a continental clastic unit that crops out eastwards of the central Southern Alps, from the NE sector of the Collio Basin to the W as far as the Tione Basin to the E. This significant but as yet relatively unknown formation lies just above the regional unconformity that marks the boundary between the two Permian major tectono-sedimentary cycles (TSU1 and TSU2) and grades upwards paraconformably (?) to the fluvial red beds of Verrucano Lombardo/Val Gardena Sandstone, generally associated with Late Permian times. Recent palynological investigations on the VDC suggested a Guadalupian age (late Roadian–early Wordian), owing to the remarkable presence of diversified pollen associations; therefore, this sedimentary unit is to date the first one ascribed, on a palaeontological basis, to the Middle Permian in the entire Southern Alps domain. A detailed facies analysis of VDC shows deposition in amalgamated alluvial fan-braided and fluvial environments with wide channels and longitudinal bars. In its type area and Val Rendena, the VDC rests unconformably above the last volcanic episode of the TSU1. LA ICP-MS U–Pb dating on zircon from two samples of such topmost Lower Permian volcanic rocks, known as Ponte Murandin dacitic lava and Malga Plan rhyodacitic Ignimbrites (Tione Basin), provided Concordia ages of 278 ± 2 Ma (MSWD = 0.01) and 279 ± 2 Ma (MSWD = 0.16), respectively. As well as allowing us to better define the duration of the time gap between the two Permian megacycles in the central Southern Alps in almost 10 Ma, these radiometric age determinations are also significant because they enable us to regionally link the coeval volcanic bodies which crop out in the Collio Basin to the SW and in the “Athesian Volcanic Group” to the NE, respectively.     

Evolving interstellar extinction

High brightness temperatures ( T _b) implied by quasar intraday variability may be explained by coherent emission, or else by physically implausible bulk relativistic Lorentz factors Γ ≥ 100. Previous theory asserts that various absorption mechanisms will block escape of such coherent, high-brightness sources. Yet this same theory fails to account for laboratory experiments detecting collective emission. Probably this is because present theory is inadequate, and should not be used to rule out collective radiation processes.     

Governing urban vacancy in post-crash dublin: contested property and alternative social projects

The scale and severity of property crashes following the global financial crisis has made vacancy a more visible and politically significant feature of cities. Although research has focused on urban experiments in vacant spaces, there has been less emphasis on how the contested property relations around vacancy remake urban governance. In this paper, we argue that debates about vacancy have been a central concern in post-crisis urban governance. In the first part of the paper we draw two conceptual approaches into a dialogue and apply them to an analysis of vacant space: that of Nicholas Blomley on property and Elizabeth Povinelli on “alternative social projects”. In the second part of the paper, we critically analyse how three groups discursively construct the need to “activate” and “re-use” vacant spaces in Dublin: grassroots groups, urban policy-makers, and financial actors. We argue that governing vacancy will be a key feature of post-crisis urbanisation.     

Graphite precipitation in C—O—H fluid inclusions: closed system compositional and density changes,and thermobarometric implications

 Equilibrium C–O–H fluid speciation calculations predict that graphite will precipitate from initially graphite saturated fluid inclusions during cooling and exhumation of metamorphic rocks. In the case that no mass is gained or lost by the inclusions, the original X _O ratio [O/(O+H)] of the fluid phase must be maintained. Given this closed system constraint, the down-temperature progress of graphite precipitation can easily be monitored as a function of the varible X _O, and produces some effects that are of significance to fluid inclusion studies: 1. Variation of the H₂O : CO₂ : CH₄ relationship in the graphite-saturated COH fluid, namely increase of X _H2 ^O and decrease of the carbonic fraction; 2. Decrease of fluid density due to precipitation of graphite, which is denser than the residual fluid; 3. Alteration of the CO₂ : CH₄ ratio of the fluid, depending on the initial O : H ratio of the fluid: for X _O>1/3, fluids increase their CO₂ : CH₄ ratio with decreasing temperature, and vice-versa. This implies that the CO₂ : CH₄ ratio measured at room T will not represent the trapping value, which is in any case closer to unity. As a consequence of density reduction, isochores extrapolated from densities observed at room temperature do not pass through the pressure-temperature conditions at which the inclusion was trapped, with pressure underestimates of up to 2 kbar. Actual P-T trapping conditions are located along the equilibrium “bulk isochore” (curve of constant-X _O, constant-volume) of the fluid. Alteration of the CO₂ : CH₄ ratio is a mechanism by which a CO₂-rich or CH₄-rich carbonic phase can be formed from aqueous fluids that are slightly off the neutral X _O=1/3 value. Subsequent segregation of this phase from the aqueous counterpart may account for the formation of pure CO₂ and CH₄ fluids in the upper crust. Received: 15 March 1995 / Accepted: 1 June 1995     

The late Wisconsin flood into the Gulf of Mexico

¹⁸O/¹⁶O and¹⁴C analysis of deep-sea cores from the Gulf of Mexico revealed a 2.4% isotopic anomaly between 12,000 and 11,000 years ago. This value, together with estimates of the oxygen isotopic composition of ice meltwater and rates of mixing within the Gulf of Mexico indicates that the average yearly discharge of the Mississippi River was between 100,000 and 230,000 m³/s (as compared to 57,000 m³/s for the peak flood of February 17, 1937), with probable yearly peak floods twice as large. Corresponding sea-level rise was between 1 and 2 m per century.     

Tsunami trapping near circular islands

Trapping of long water waves that are induced by submarine earthquakes and that attack circular islands is studied by applying a theoretical model (Tinti andVannini, 1994) that is based on the linear shallow water approximation. The solution is computed as the superposition of the eigenmodes of the water basin. The tsunami trapping is seen in terms of the capability of the source to excite the trapped eigenmodes of the basin. The bottom depth dependence around the island is shown to be quite important in determining the trapping capability of the island: a depth profile that is downwardly concave as the distance from the island coasts increases is substantially more efficient in amplifying the incoming waves and in trapping their energy than a profile exhibiting an upward concavity.