Die Unterkruste vom Standpunkt des Petrographen

Zusammenfassung Aus dem nachweisbaren Aufstieg der sialischen Bauklötze der Erde wird die Konsequenz gezogen, da\ die stoffliche Entmischung der äu\eren Sphären der Erde während der ganzen geologischen Geschichte weiterverlaufen sind.Am Beispiel der Kimberlite und der eruptiven Karbonatite wird darauf hingewiesen, da\ auch Austauschvorgänge auf tieferen Zonen zur Erdoberfläche statthaben und da\ der Stoffbestand der sog. Peridotitschale wesentlich komplexer sein mu\ als es meist angenommen wird.     

Performance evaluation of operational atmospheric correction algorithms over the East China Seas

To acquire high-quality operational data products for Chinese in-orbit and scheduled ocean color sensors, the performances of two operational atmospheric correction(AC) algorithms(ESA MEGS 7.4.1 and NASA Sea DAS 6.1) were evaluated over the East China Seas(ECS) using MERIS data. The spectral remote sensing reflectance R_(rs)(λ), aerosol optical thickness(AOT), and ?ngstr?m exponent(α) retrieved using the two algorithms were validated using in situ measurements obtained between May 2002 and October 2009. Match-ups of R_(rs), AOT, and α between the in situ and MERIS data were obtained through strict exclusion criteria. Statistical analysis of R_(rs)(λ) showed a mean percentage difference(MPD) of 9%–13% in the 490–560 nm spectral range, and significant overestimation was observed at 413 nm(MPD72%). The AOTs were overestimated(MPD32%), and although the ESA algorithm outperformed the NASA algorithm in the blue-green bands, the situation was reversed in the red-near-infrared bands. The value of α was obviously underestimated by the ESA algorithm(MPD=41%) but not by the NASA algorithm(MPD=35%). To clarify why the NASA algorithm performed better in the retrieval of α, scatter plots of the α single scattering albedo(SSA) density were prepared. These α-SSA density scatter plots showed that the applicability of the aerosol models used by the NASA algorithm over the ECS is better than that used by the ESA algorithm, although neither aerosol model is suitable for the ECS region. The results of this study provide a reference to both data users and data agencies regarding the use of operational data products and the investigation into the improvement of current AC schemes over the ECS.     

A review of the Si cycle in the modern ocean: recent progress and missing gaps in the application of biogenic opal as a paleoproductivity proxy

Due to the major role played by diatoms in the biological pump of CO₂, and to the presence of silica-rich sediments in areas that play a major role in air–sea CO₂ exchange (e.g. the Southern Ocean and the Equatorial Pacific), opal has a strong potential as a proxy for paleoproductivity reconstructions. However, because of spatial variations in the biogenic silica preservation, and in the degree of coupling between the marine Si and C biogeochemical cycles, paleoreconstructions are not straitghtforward. A better calibration of this proxy in the modern ocean is required, which needs a good understanding of the mechanisms that control the Si cycle, in close relation to the carbon cycle.This review of the Si cycle in the modern ocean starts with the mechanisms that control the uptake of silicic acid (Si(OH)₄) by diatoms and the subsequent silicification processes, the regulatory mechanisms of which are uncoupled. This has strong implications for the direct measurement in the field of the kinetics of Si(OH)₄ uptake and diatom growth. It also strongly influences the Si:C ratio within diatoms, clearly linked to environmental conditions. Diatoms tend to dominate new production at marine ergoclines. At depth, they also succeed to form mats, which sedimentation is at the origin of laminated sediments and marine sapropels. The concentration of Si(OH)₄ with respect to other macronutrients exerts a major influence on diatom dominance and on the rain ratio between siliceous and calcareous material, which severely impacts surface waters pCO₂. A compilation of biogenic fluxes collected at about 40 sites by means of sediment traps also shows a remarkable pattern of increasing BSi:C_org ratio along the path of the “conveyor belt”, accompanying the relative enrichment of waters in Si compared to N and P. This observation suggests an extension of the Si pump model described by Dugdale and Wilkerson (Dugdale, R.C., Wilkerson, F.P., 1998. Understanding the eastern equatorial Pacific as a continuous new production system regulating on silicate. Nature 391, 270–273.), giving to Si(OH)₄ a major role in the control of the rain ratio, which is of major importance in the global carbon cycle.The fate of the BSi produced in surface waters is then described, in relation to C_org, in terms of both dissolution and preservation mechanisms. Difficulties in quantifying the dissolution of biogenic silica in the water column as well as the sinking rates and forms of BSi to the deep, provide evidence for a major gap in our understanding of the mechanisms controlling the competition between retention in and export from surface waters. The relative influences of environmental conditions, seasonality, food web structure or aggregation are however explored. Quantitatively, assuming steady state, the measurements of the opal rain rate by means of sediment traps matches reasonably well those obtained by adding the recycling and burial fluxes in the underlying abyssal sediments, for most of the sites where such a comparison is possible. The major exception is the Southern Ocean where sediment focusing precludes the closing of mass balances. Focusing in fact is also an important aspect of the downward revision of the importance of Southern Ocean sediments in the global biogenic silica accumulation. Qualitatively, little is known about the duration of the transfer through the deep and the quality of the material that reaches the seabed, which is suggested to represent a major gap in our understanding of the processes governing the early diagenesis of BSi in sediments. The sediment composition (special emphasis on Al availability), the sedimentation rate or bioturbation are shown to exert an important control on the competition between dissolution and preservation of BSi in sediments. It is suggested that a primary control on the kinetic and thermodynamic properties of BSi dissolution, both in coastal and abyssal sediments, is exerted by water column processes, either occuring in surface waters during the formation of the frustules, or linked to the transfer of the particles through the water column, which duration may influence the quality of the biogenic rain. This highlights the importance of studying the factors controlling the degree of coupling between pelagic and benthic processes in various regions of the world ocean, and its consequences, not only in terms of benthic biology but also for the constitution of the sediment archive.The last section, first calls for the end of the “NPZD” models, and for the introduction of processes linked to the Si cycle, into models describing the phytoplankton cycles in surface waters and the early diagenesis of BSi in sediments. It also calls for the creation of an integrated 1-D diagnostic model of the Si:C coupling, for a better understanding of the interactions between surface waters, deep waters and the upper sedimentary column. The importance of Si(OH)₄ in the control of the rain ratio and the improved parametrization of the Si cycle in the 1-D diagnostic models should lead to a reasonable incorporation of the Si cycle into 3-D regional circulation models and OGCMs, with important implications for climate change studies and paleoreconstructions at regional and global scale.     

Evolution,transfer and release of magmas and volcanic gases: An introduction

In this introduction, recent progress in the study of the evolution, transfer and release of magmas and volcanic gases is briefly reviewed, based on discussions at the MAG2007 international conference held in Taipei, Taiwan, in April 2007. The meeting pooled the diverse expertise of igneous and volcanic gas geochemists. This special issue, which presents six case studies covering a range of topics from variations in mantle source compositions to the nature of volcanic degassing, reflects that diversity.     

Wavelet transform-based seismic facies classification and modelling: application to a geothermal target horizon in the NE German Basin

At the geothermal test site near Groß Schönebeck (NE German Basin), a new 3D seismic reflection survey was conducted to study geothermal target layers at around 4 km depth and 150°C. We present a workflow for seismic facies classification and modelling which is applied to a prospective sandstone horizon within the Rotliegend formation. Signal attributes are calculated along the horizon using the continuous Morlet wavelet transform. We use a short mother wavelet to allow for the temporal resolution of the relatively short reflection signals to be analysed. Time-frequency domain data patterns form the input of a neural network clustering using self-organizing maps. Neural model patterns are adopted during iterative learning to simulate the information inherent in the input data. After training we determine a gradient function across the self-organizing maps and apply an image processing technique called watershed segmentation. The result is a pattern clustering based on similarities in wavelet transform characteristics. Three different types of wavelet transform patterns were found for the sandstone horizon. We apply seismic waveform modelling to improve the understanding of the classification results. The modelling tests indicate that thickness variations have a much stronger influence on the wavelet transform response of the sandstone horizon compared with reasonable variations of seismic attenuation. In our interpretation, the assumed thickness variations could be a result of variable paleo-topography during deposition of predominantly fluvial sediments. A distinct seismic facies distribution is interpreted as a system of thicker paleo-channels deposited within a deepened landscape. The results provide constraints for the ongoing development of the geothermal test site.     

Ferromagnetic resonance and magnetic characteristics of intact magnetosome chains in Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense

The magnetic characteristics of intact magnetosome chains in Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense bacteria were investigated by means of static and dynamic magnetic analyses and ferromagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The nano-sized magnetosomes are generally in a stable single-domain state, but magnetosomes smaller than 30 nm characteristic of superparamagnetic magnetite particles were also found. Alternating current (AC) susceptibility indicates that all magnetosomes are blocked below 150 K. At room temperature the anisotropy of M. gryphiswaldense is dominated by the shape of the magnetosome chains. Low-temperature ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectroscopy indicates that this dominant shape anisotropy can affect the detection of the Verwey transition at 100 K. The static and dynamic magnetic analyses show that the Verwey transition is smeared and that our magnetotactic bacteria fail the Moskowitz test. This failure is explained by the biomineralization of non-stoichiometric magnetosomes. This interpretation is based on the increase in high-field susceptibility and the distinct peak in the out-of-phase component of the AC susceptibility below 50 K. These results are attributed to freezing of spins associated with defect structures in the core and at the surface of nano-sized magnetosomes. The results obtained from M. gryphiswaldense demonstrate that intrinsic properties of nano-sized magnetosomes are significantly influenced by non-stoichiometry and by the anisotropy excited from their arrangement in the bacteria.     

Post 2000-swarm microearthquake activity in the principal focal zone of West Bohemia/Vogtland: Space-time distribution and waveform similarity analysis

We present the pattern of seismic activity in the period between 2001 and 2007 for the Novy Kostel focal zone, which is recently the most active zone of the West-Bohemia/Vogtland earthquake swarm region. While the year 2001 was characterized by dying out of the 2000-swarm activity in the form of a few microswarms, almost no seismicity occurred in the period between 2002 and 2003. Since 2004 an elevated seismic activity occurs in the form of repeating microearthquake swarms. We used a relative location method to relate the hypocenter positions of the post-swarm activity to the geometry of the 2000-swarm cluster. We found that the activity has concentrated in several clusters, which have been repeatedly activated. Some clusters coincide with the position of the previous activity; the others have activated so far inactive deep segments at the southern edge of the Novy Kostel fault. Besides the shift of the hypocenters to the edges of the previously active area we observe a southward migration of the activity and an increase of maximum depths of earthquakes from 10 to 13 km. The waveform similarity analysis disclosed that some fault patches consist of only a single, repeatedly activated fault plane, while the others consist of multiple, differently oriented fault planes activated almost simultaneously. Most of the focal mechanisms are consistent with the geometry of hypocenters showing NNW-SSE trending steep fault planes with left-lateral strike-slip mechanisms and varying dip-slip component.     

In search of the Earth‐forming reservoir: Mineralogical,chemical, and isotopic characterizations of the ungrouped achondrite NWA 5363/NWA 5400 and selected chondrites

High‐precision isotope data of meteorites show that the long‐standing notion of a “chondritic uniform reservoir” is not always applicable for describing the isotopic composition of the bulk Earth and other planetary bodies. To mitigate the effects of this “isotopic crisis” and to better understand the genetic relations of meteorites and the Earth‐forming reservoir, we performed a comprehensive petrographic, elemental, and multi‐isotopic (O, Ca, Ti, Cr, Ni, Mo, Ru, and W) study of the ungrouped achondrites NWA 5363 and NWA 5400, for both of which terrestrial O isotope signatures were previously reported. Also, we obtained isotope data for the chondrites Pillistfer (EL6), Allegan (H6), and Allende (CV3), and compiled available anomaly data for undifferentiated and differentiated meteorites. The chemical compositions of NWA 5363 and NWA 5400 are strikingly similar, except for fluid mobile elements tracing desert weathering. We show that NWA 5363 and NWA 5400 are paired samples from a primitive achondrite parent‐body and interpret these rocks as restite assemblages after silicate melt extraction and siderophile element addition. Hafnium‐tungsten chronology yields a model age of 2.2 ± 0.8 Myr after CAI, which probably dates both of these events within uncertainty. We confirm the terrestrial O isotope signature of NWA 5363/NWA 5400; however, the discovery of nucleosynthetic anomalies in Ca, Ti, Cr, Mo, and Ru reveals that the NWA5363/NWA 5400 parent‐body is not the “missing link” that could explain the composition of the Earth by the mixing of known meteorites. Until this “missing link” or a direct sample of the terrestrial reservoir is identified, guidelines are provided of how to use chondrites for estimating the isotopic composition of the bulk Earth.     

Numerical investigations of the turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate in the Rhine region of freshwater influence

The turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate, ε, in tidal seas is maximum at the bottom during full flood and during full ebb, i.e. when tidal currents are strongest. In coastal regions with tides similar to a Kelvin wave, this coincides with high water and low water. If there is a freshwater source at the coast, stratification in such a region will be most stable at high water and least at low water. Measurements of ε in the Rhine region of freshwater influence performed by previous studies have revealed bottom maxima at both high and low water. In addition, a maximum in the upper half of the water column was found around high water, which cannot be explained by tidal shear at the bottom, convective instabilities or wind mixing. This study investigates the dissipation rate and relevant physical properties in the Rhine region of freshwater influence by means of three-dimensional numerical simulations using the General Estuarine Transport Model and idealised conditions. The measurements are well reproduced; two distinct peaks of ε are evident in the upper layer shortly before and after high water. These maxima turn out to be due to strong peaks in the alongshore shear occurring when the fore- and the back-front of the plume transit the water column.     

The 2008 West Bohemia earthquake swarm in the light of the WEBNET network

A swarm of earthquakes of magnitudes up to M _L = 3.8 stroke the region of West Bohemia/Vogtland (border area between Czechia and Germany) in October 2008. It occurred in the Novy Kostel focal zone, where also all recent earthquake swarms (1985/1986, 1997, and 2000) took place, and was striking by a fast sequence of macroseismically observed earthquakes. We present the basic characteristics of this swarm based on the observations of a local network WEBNET (West Bohemia seismic network), which has been operated in the epicentral area, on the Czech territory. The swarm was recorded by 13 to 23 permanent and mobile WEBNET stations surrounding the swarm epicenters. In addition, a part of the swarm was also recorded by strong-motion accelerometers, which represent the first true accelerograms of the swarm earthquakes in the region. The peak ground acceleration reached 0.65 m/s². A comparison with previous earthquake swarms indicates that the total seismic moments released during the 1985/1986 and 2008 swarms are similar, of about 4E16 Nm, and that they represent the two largest swarms that occurred in the West Bohemia/ Vogtland region since the M _L = 5.0 swarm of 1908. Characteristic features of the 2008 swarm are its short duration (4 weeks) and rapidity and, consequently, the fastest seismic moment release compared to previous swarms. Up to 25,000 events in the magnitude range of 0.5 < M _L < 3.8 were detected using an automatic picker. A total of nine swarm phases can be distinguished in the swarm, five of them exceeding the magnitude level of 2.5. The magnitude–frequency distribution of the complete 2008 swarm activity shows a b value close to 1. The swarm hypocenters fall precisely on the same fault portion of the Novy Kostel focal zone that was activated by the 2000 swarm (M _L ≤ 3.2) in a depth interval from 6 to 11 km and also by the 1985/1986 swarm (M _L ≤ 4.6). The steeply dipping fault planes of the 2000 and 2008 swarms seem to be identical considering the location error of about 100 m. Furthermore, focal mechanisms of the 2008 swarm are identical with those of the 2000 swarm, both matching an average strike of 170° and dip of 80° of the activated fault segment. An overall upward migration of activity is observed with first events at the bottom and last events at the top of the of the activated fault patch. Similarities in the activated fault area and in the seismic moments released during the three largest recent swarms enable to estimate the seismic potential of the focal zone. If the whole segment of the fault plane was activated simultaneously, it would represent an earthquake of M _L ~5. This is in good agreement with the estimates of the maximum magnitudes of earthquakes that occurred in the West Bohemia/Vogtland region in the past.