Paläomagnetische Untersuchungen im Schilfsandstein (Trias,Km2) Westeuropas

Zusammenfassung Von insgesamt 46 beprobten Profilen aus dem Schilfsandstein (Trias, Km2) Westeuropas wurden bislang 41 Profile mit 343 Einheiten und 870 Handstücken mit 1897 Einzelkernen auf ihren paläomagnetischen Inhalt untersucht.Thermische Entmagnetisierungsversuche an 277 Proben zeigen, daß die natürliche remanente Magnetisierung (NRM) von mehreren, an verschiedene Magnetisierungsträger gebundenen Komponenten getragen wird.Als charakteristische remanente Magnetisierung (CARM), von der angenommen wird, daß sie das zur Ablagerungszeit herrschende Paläofeld abbildet, kristallisiert sich für die Sedimentationsräume Weserbergland und Franken eine Deklination (DR=Deklination rotiert) von 60° und eine Inklination (IR=Inklination rotiert) von 30° (DR/IR 60/30) und für Schwaben und die Nordschweiz DR/IR 240/–30 heraus.Neben der stabilen Paläofeldrichtung werden auch sedimentäre und tektonische Gefüge als weitere stabile Magnetisierungsrichtungen abgebildet. Diese Richtungen liegen der Achse maximaler Suszeptibilität (K1 max) parallel.Unter Annahme einer normalen Polarität des Erdmagnetfeldes zur Zeit der Schilfsandsteinablagerung im Weserbergland und Franken und einer reversen Polarität zur Zeit der Ablagerung in Schwaben und der Nordschweiz errechnet sich ein Paläonordpol bei 111 E 28 N; er fällt damit in die Nähe des Triaspoles der Europäischen Polwanderungskurve (McElhinny, 1973).Für den Ablagerungszeitraum des Raibler Sandsteins in den Südalpen wird ein Paläonordpol bei 128 W 48 N errechnet.Die magnetostratigraphische Zeitskala der Trias (Burek, 1970) kann um die Einstufung des Schilfsandsteins in das höhere obere Karn mit beginnender normaler Polarität und dann reverser Polarität ergänzt werden.

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In the Schilfsandstein (Triassic, Km2) of Western Europe 41 sections with 343 units and 1897 cores were sampled for palaeomagnetic investigations. By thermal demagnetization experiments different magnetic minerals were determined as carriers of the natural rémanent magnetization (NRM).The characteristic remanent magnetization (CARM) reflecting the palaeofield direction is described in the Weserbergland and Franken by DR/IR 60/30 (DR = declination after tectonic correction/IR=inclination after tectonic correction) and in Schwaben and Northern Switzerland by DR/IR 240/–30.In addition stable directions are reported which are related to sedimentary and tectonic fabric. These directions are parallel to the axis of maximum susceptibility (Klmax).Assuming normal polarity for the magnetic field during deposition of the Schilfsandstein in the Weserbergland and Franken and assuming reversed polarity in Schwaben and Northern Switzerland a palaeonorthpole is estimated at 111 E 28 N. This poleposition fits near the Triassic poleposition of the European polar wandering curve (McElhinny, 1973).The poleposition of the Bergamasker Alps (Raibler Sandstein, Southern Alps) is figured out at 128 W 48 N.The triassic magnetostratigraphic time scale ofBurek (1970) can be completed as far as the Schilfsandstein is to arrange into the highest Upper Carnian starting with normal polarity going on with reversed polarity.

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Résumé Dans le Grès à roseaux (Trias, Km 2) de l'Europe occidentale, 343 prélèvements provenant de 41 profils et 1897 carrottes extraites de 870 échantillons ont fait l'objet de recherches paléomagnétiques. — Des essais de démagnétisation thermique sur 277 échantillons ont révélé différents minéraux magnétiques comme étant les porteurs de l'aimantation rémanente naturelle (NRM). — L'aimentation rémanente caractéristique (CARM) reflétant la direction du paléochamp magnétique au moment de la sédimentation donne des valeurs de 60/30 pour DR/IR (DR=déclinaison après correction tectonique, — IR=inclinaison après correction tectonique) dans le Weserbergland et en Franconie et 240/– 30 pour DR/IR en Souabe et dans la Suisse septentrionale. — En plus de la direction stable du paléo champ, on a trouvé d'autres directions d'aimentation stables reliées aux structures sédimentaires et tectoniques. Ces directions sont parallèles à l'axe de la susceptibilité magnétique maximale (K1 max). — En supposant une polarité normale du champ magnétique terrestre au moment de la sédimentation du Grès à roseaux dans le Weserbergland et la Franconie, et une polarité inversée pendant sa formation en Souabe et en Suisse septentrionale, il en résulte une position géographique de 111 E et 28° N pour le paléopôle Nord, ce qui coïncide à peu près avec la position du pôle triasique sur la courbe polaire de l'Europe (McElhinny, 1973). Pendant la sédimentation du Grès de Raibler dans les Alpes bergamasques, le paléopôle Nord se trouvait à 128° O 48° N. — L'echelle magnétostratigraphique pour le Trias (Burek, 1970) peut maintenant être complétée en datant le Grès à roseaux dans la partie supérieure du Carnien supérieur, débutant par une aimantation normale et continuant par une aimantation inversée.

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343 41 ( ) 1897 870 . 277 , — NRM — . — CARM —, , , , , (DR = Deklination rotiert) 60°, (IR = Inklination rotiert) 30° (DR/IR 60/30), DR/IR 240/-30. , . /_1makc. , 111 E 28 N, . ., . 128 W 48 N. (Burek, 1970) . . , .

     

Controlled-source marine electromagnetic 2-D modeling gas hydrate studies

Research on gas hydrate has increased recently as an alternative to fossil fuel. This study of marine controlled source electromagnetics (CSEM) is motivated by this increase, particularly in deep waters, and examines representative models. We present 2D models and test their efficacy in detection and characterization of gas hydrates. Earlier modeling studies used a horizontal transmitter to study the CSEM response??two electrical and one magnetic component??for resistive subsurface layers. Here we use six components??three electrical and three magnetic??and show that the proposed method reduces ambiguity in interpretation. Additionally, we show results utilizing the transmitter dipole in a borehole and receivers at the sea bottom. We found that CSEM response from a vertical transmitter helps us characterize resistive layers more confidently than from a transmitter moving horizontally at sea bottom. We conclude that in a complex environment, combining horizontal and vertical movements of the transmitter with sea-bottom receivers helps us delineate the subsurface structure more clearly and may help reduce drilling costs. Our models closely match the gas hydrate region in the Gulf of Mexico??Walker Ridge Block-313. Although this study examines gas hydrate, the methodology is applicable to other areas??for example, in monitoring gas diffusion at subsurface depths, which may help in CO₂ sequestration.     

An Analysis of the Coastal Fish Assemblage of the Ustica Island Marine Reserve (Mediterranean Sea)

A study of the coastal fish assemblages in the marine park of Ustica Island (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Mediterranean) was conducted from June 1994 to September 1995 and from June 1996 to September 1997. The principal aims of the research were to: (1) define the faunistic features of local fish communities; (2) assess the effectiveness of the protection regime of the marine park on the fish assemblages ('reserve effect'); (3) provide information on the distribution of some Epinephelus and Diplodus species in the shallowest depth zone of the island. During seasonal surveys, underwater visual censuses were carried out at several sites located in three zones of the island, each with a different level of protection. Observations were made along 250 m² transects at 3–5, 10–15 and 25–30 m depth ranges. Additional surveys were made by SCUBA diving and snorkelling. A statistically significant effect of depth on the fish community parameters was observed, whereas differences linked to protection level, zones, sites and seasons were not significant. The abundance and frequency of occurrence of some species, particularly dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus , were positively correlated with the degree of protection of the different zones of the marine park. Certain sites of the island are important as nursery areas for three species of the genus Diplodus ( i.e., D. puntazzo, D. sargus and D. vulgaris ).     

Nonlinear sediment thickness increase on the western East Pacific Rise flank, 45°S

Sediment thickness was evaluated on the western flank of the East Pacific Rise (EPR) at 45°S, based on high-resolution seismic data gathered during cruise 213/2 of R/V Sonne in 2011. Two zones with distinctly different sediment thickness were identified, separated by a transitional zone bordering a pseudo-fault. Sediment in the more distal zone 2 is almost twice as thick (~120 m) as in zone 1 close to the EPR. This is in contrast to the expected progressive sedimentary column thickening with seafloor age and distance from the spreading axis. The younger of two seismic units detected within the sedimentary column (EPR-2) occurs mainly in the distal zone on crust older than 9 Ma, whereas on younger crust it is present only in small isolated bodies. Both sedimentary units drape the basement. The drape is interpreted to represent particle settling from suspension and a generally low regional primary productivity. The spatial variation in sediment thickness cannot be explained by existing models, and other processes considered in the present case are (1) higher productivity in the western sector of the survey area, where thicker sediments were observed (zone 2), (2) the formation of sediment drifts near basement highs (‘seamount effect’), due to flow of Lower Circumpolar Deep Water affecting sediment deposition, and (3) erosion and/or non-deposition of the younger EPR-2 unit, due to elevated bed shear stresses associated with eddies transferring kinetic energy to the seafloor     

Microbial photosynthesis in coral reef sediments (Heron Reef, Australia)

We investigated microphytobenthic photosynthesis at four stations in the coral reef sediments at Heron Reef, Australia. The microphytobenthos was dominated by diatoms, dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria, as indicated by biomarker pigment analysis. Conspicuous algae firmly attached to the sand grains (ca. 100 μm in diameter, surrounded by a hard transparent wall) were rich in peridinin, a marker pigment for dinoflagellates, but also showed a high diversity based on cyanobacterial 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. Specimens of these algae that were buried below the photic zone exhibited an unexpected stimulation of respiration by light, resulting in an increase of local oxygen concentrations upon darkening. Net photosynthesis of the sediments varied between 1.9 and 8.5 mmol O₂ m⁻² h⁻¹ and was strongly correlated with Chl a content, which lay between 31 and 84 mg m⁻². An estimate based on our spatially limited dataset indicates that the microphytobenthic production for the entire reef is in the order of magnitude of the production estimated for corals. Photosynthesis stimulated calcification at all investigated sites (0.2–1.0 mmol Ca²⁺ m⁻² h⁻¹). The sediments of at least three stations were net calcifying. Sedimentary N₂-fixation rates (measured by acetylene reduction assays at two sites) ranged between 0.9 to 3.9 mmol N₂ m⁻² h⁻¹ and were highest in the light, indicating the importance of heterocystous cyanobacteria. In coral fingers no N₂-fixation was measurable, which stresses the importance of the sediment compartment for reef nitrogen cycling.     

On the geologic structure of the Explora Escarpment (Weddell Sea,Antarctica) revealed by satellite and Shipboard data evaluation

Bathymetric, gravity, and magnetic data from Antarctic expeditions with RV POLARSTERN and satellite altimeter data from the Geosat Geodetic Mission are analysed using methods from geostatistics and geophysical inverse theory.The Explora Escarpment represents the edge between the Antarctic Continental Shelf and the Weddell Abyssal Plain. It is an important link in the reconstruction of Gondwana breakup, but a feature as large as the 2000 m deep Wegener Canyon was only discovered in 1984, when extensive bathymetric, gravimetric, and magnetic surveys with RV POLARSTERN began.Geostatistics, the theory of regionalized variables, is applied to integrate dense surveys of Wegener Canyon and sparse observations in adjacent areas into maps with full coverage of the 230 km by 330 km area at 10°–20° W/70°–72° S. The resultant highresolution bathymetric and gravity maps reveal detailed structures of the Explora Escarpment. Using geophysical inversion, the gravity terrain effect is calculated. Satellite data are used for their better coverage, but have much lower resolution. Nevertheless, the structures of Wegener Canyon and other more prominent features appear with surprisingly good correlation also in the Geosat altimeter data. While it was initially supposed that Wegener Canyon is purely an erosional structure, the magnetic map now provides evidence of the canyon's tectonic origin.     

A seismic reconnaissance survey of the northern Congo Fan

To study the time-varying influence of the Congo River and the Benguela Current on the deposition at the Angola Continental Margin, a high-resolution reflection seismic survey was carried out on the northern Congo Fan. Four seismostratigraphic units have been defined for the upper 800 m (1000 ms TWT) of the data. The units record different depositional environments, ranging from pre-establishment of the Congo River drainage system to the influence of the Benguela Current. An indication of a general change in the turbidite system is provided by a shift in channel distribution and a relocation of the depocentre of coarse material. The ascent of salt is recorded up to the Pliocene. Gas that has migrated out of Lower Cretaceous shales and that was produced from large quantities of organic matter in the younger sediments can be found on the flanks and on top of the salt domes. In a few places, this gas even ascends to the ocean floor along structural pathways through the topmost unit.     

Naming of undersea features

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), and the joint IOC/IHO Guiding Committee for the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) have expressed considerable concern about the indiscriminate and unregulated naming of undersea features which often go into print without any close scrutiny. An author may not realize that the feature has a name already, maybe in another language, or that his terminology conflicts with established definitions.Geo-Marine Letters wants to follow the IOC/IHO/GEBCO recommendations and requests that its authors follow the set forth guidelines. Examples of terms and definitions are given and addresses of national authorities provided.     

Biomarkers of Exposure and Effects for Assessing Toxicological Risk of Endocrine Disrupters in Top Predators of the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract. Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) have the potential to alter hormone pathways that regulate reproductive processes in wildlife and fisheries. In this research the unexplored hypothesis that Mediterranean top predator species (such as large pelagic fish and marine mammals) are potentially at risk due to EDCs is investigated. In the Mediterranean environment, top predators accumulate high concentrations of polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PHAHs) and toxic metals, incurring high toxicological risk. Here we illustrate the need to develop sensitive biomarkers for evaluation of toxicological risk in top marine predators (Xiphias gladius, Thunnus thynnus thynnus) and non-lethal techniques, such as non-destructive biomarkers, for the hazard assessment of threatened species exposed to EDCs, such as marine mammals ( Stenella coeruleoalba, Tursiops truncatus, Delphinus delphis and Balaenoptera physalus ).