Rb-sr dating of epithermal vein mineralization stages in the eastern Harz Mountains (Germany) by paleomixing lines

A method is evaluated that enables the dating of binary isotopic paleomixing in hydrothermal alteration assemblages by iterative reconstruction and regression of corresponding two-component mixing lines from conventional Rb-Sr data. The model has been applied to illite-bearing granulometric fractions of hydrothermally altered sedimentary rocks associated with epithermal vein mineralization in the eastern Harz Mountains, Germany. These veins are characterized by a principal quartz-sulfide stage containing quartz, base metal sulfides, and siderite and a subsequent dominant calcite-fluorite-quartz stage. Rb-Sr analyses were performed on untreated granulometric fractions, HCl-treated residues, corresponding HCl leachates, and cogenetic vein minerals obtained from two silicified rock samples related to the quartz-sulfide and the calcite-fluorite-quartz mineralization, respectively.Neither the untreated nor the HCl-leached fractions of these rock samples yield statistically robust and geochronologically meaningful isochrons. When applying the binary mixing model, however, two well-defined paleomixing lines can be reconstructed for the HCl-treated fractions of the rock samples and associated vein minerals at model ages of 226 ± 1 Ma (quartz-sulfide alteration) and 209 ± 2 Ma (calcite-fluorite-quartz alteration). We examine the significance and reliability of these model ages and the corresponding paleomixing lines by means of statistical and geological criteria and discuss the effects of leaching experiments performed on the granulometric fractions using 1 N HCl as well as the nature and origin of the components dissolved in the acid leachates.Our results suggest that the mixing model provides a successful dating concept for isotopic disequilibrium processes during low-temperature hydrothermal events that produce binary mixtures among newly formed alteration phases.     

Lead isotope systematics of vein-type antimony mineralization,Rheinisches Schiefergebirge,Germany: a case history of complex reaction and remobilization processes

Mesothermal vein-type Sb mineralization in the Rheinisches Schiefergebirge, Germany, is characterized by two different mineralization styles, which are (1) extensional quartz-stibnite vein systems, and (2) (Cu)-Pb-Sb sulphosalt assemblages in overprinted pre-existing Pb-Zn veins. A detailed Pb isotope study of 52 representative samples from both mineralization types indicates distinct compositional patterns. (Cu)-Pb-Sb sulphosalts (meneghinite, boulangerite, bournonite) formed by reaction/remobilization are characterized by Pb isotope compositions (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=18.179-18.223), which are identical to the precursor galena (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=18.168-18.223). The Pb isotope composition of sulphosalt minerals in these vein systems was controlled by lead inherited from pre-existing galena. Stibnite and Pb-sulphosalts (zinkenite, semseyite, plagionite) formed in quartz-stibnite vein systems display Pb isotope ratios (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=18.250-18.354), which are more radiogenic than galenas from Variscan Pb-Zn ore veins (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=18.162-18.303). Detailed small-scale investigation of thrust zones hosting Pb-Zn ores and crosscutting quartz-ankerite fissure veins (Ramsbeck deposit) indicates that the Pb isotope compositions of recrystallized (galena) and remobilized phases (boulangerite, semseyite, bournonite) are arranged along a linear trend. This is interpreted as mixing between primary galena with ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb᜞.206 and overprinting hydrothermal fluids with a more radiogenic composition (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb⁾.354), expressed by intermediate compositions (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=18.256-18.334) of newly-formed sulphosalts. The Pb isotope systematics of the vein-type Sb mineralization is in accordance with a model of Pb extraction from similar crustal sources (Palaeozoic sedimentary sequences) at different times.     

Seismotectonics of south-west Dominican Republic using recent data

The Dominican Republic has a high level of seismic activity, and a new seismic network has been installed to improve the detection of earthquakes. The network has been operated by Instituto Politécnico Loyola since 2012. It uses six new stations of its own, as well as 17 other stations publically available. In this study, we investigate in particular the south-west of the country where no seismic stations have been operating before. We find an area, SE of the Enriquillo Plantain Garden fault (responsible for the 2010 Haiti M7.0 earthquake), with a high seismic activity (M?=?2–4) compared to the surrounding area. This shallow seismicity (except two events around 40 km depth) is not seen in any global catalogs, and it does not seem to be associated with any known faults. However, the region has been under rapid recent uplift since margins between hills and valleys are filled with massive alluvial fans. We made 24 new fault plane solutions using P-polarities and S/P amplitude ratios. The solutions show mainly reverse mechanisms and the P-axis directions are mainly NNE oriented, which is in agreement with a published strain direction from GPS measurements. We conclude that the main cause of the seismicity in our study area is the push of the Beata Ridge against Enriquillo basin and the rest of the Gonave microplate, reflected in the mainly reverse focal mechanisms.     

Making the transition from discrete shot records to continuous seismic records and source wavefields,and its potential impact on survey efficiency and environmental footprint

A marine seismic method based on continuous source and receiver wavefields has been developed. The method requires continuous recording of the seismic data. The source that may consist of multiple source elements can emit signals continuously while moving. The ideal source wavefield to be used with this method should be as white as possible both in a temporal and a spatial sense to avoid deep notches in the spectrum enabling a stable multi-dimensional deconvolution. White noise has such properties. However, equipment that can generate white noise does not exist. In order to generate a continuous source wavefield that is approaching the properties of white noise using existing equipment onboard marine seismic vessels, individual air-guns can be triggered with short randomized time intervals in a near-continuous fashion. The main potential benefits with the method are to reduce the environmental impact of marine seismic surveys and to improve acquisition efficiency. The peak sound pressure levels are significantly reduced by triggering one air-gun at a time compared to conventional marine seismic sources. Sound exposure levels are also reduced in most directions. Since the method is based on continuous recording of seismic data and the air-guns are triggered based on time and not based on position, there are less vessel speed limitations compared to conventional marine seismic data acquisition. Also, because the source wavefield is spread out in time, the wavefields emitted from source elements in different cross-line positions can be designed such that the emitted wavefield is spatially white in this direction. This means that source elements in multiple cross-line positions can be operated simultaneously, potentially improving the cross-line sampling and/or the acquisition efficiency.     

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Nonaqueous Phase Liquid Distribution in Unconsolidated Soils Using Discriminatory Freezing

Organic contaminants present as nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) in the subsurface often pose a long-term risk to human health and the environment. Investigating the distribution of NAPLs in porous media remains a major challenge in risk assessment and management of contaminated sites. Conventional soil coring and monitoring wells have been widely used over past decades as the primary means of subsurface investigation to determine NAPL extent. Known limitations of conventional approaches have led us to explore an alternative or a complementary technique to provide high-quality information of NAPL source zone architecture. This work advances an imaging tool for a variety of organic NAPL contaminants in unconsolidated soils through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of frozen cores. Using trichloroethylene (TCE) and o-xylene as model species, we illustrate that discriminatory freezing of water, while keeping the NAPL in a liquid state, enables high-resolution qualitative delineation of NAPL distribution within porous media. This novel approach may help improve site conceptual models and consequentially lead to highly tailored, more efficient remedial measures.     

Grazing impact on forage quality and macronutrient content of rangelands in Qilian Mountains,NW China

An important indicator of the rangeland health, associated with land degradation, is the ability of semi-natural rangelands to provide forage of sufficient quality for livestock production. In Qilian Mountains(Gansu Province, NW China) biomass production and forage quality are dependent on the seasonality of precipitation and temperature; most of the precipitation falls during summer season, when sheep, goats and yaks graze mountain rangelands. To sustain the rangelands and to improve the management strategies, the assessment of the forage quality should be implemented. The purpose of this research was to study the response of biomass, forage quality and macronutrient content different levels of grazing intensity in Qilian rangelands. We sampled aboveground biomass in the growing seasons in 2012 and 2013 within spring/autumn or summer grazing regimes in two altitudinal zones below and above 3000 m a.s.l.(montane-subalpine and subalpine-alpine respectively). In order to estimate forage quality, biomass was sampled in 1 m × 1 m plots, assigned to the center of 10 ×10 m sites, fromwhich we collected different indicator parameters of rangeland health. Mineral and fiber content of forage biomass was estimated under different levels of grazing intensity with regard to the growing period. It was found that an increase in grazing intensity led to a decrease in dry matter weight. No linearity was observed in the relationship between nutritive value and grazing intensity. The highest fiber content(59.20 %) was found in plots mostly disturbed by grazing. The highest protein(16.30 %) and the lowest fiber(51.30 %) contents were associated with slightly grazing intensity. Concentrations of the mineral elements, such as Zn, P, K and S varied significantly and showed maximum values under low grazing intensity.     

The reaction of carbonates in contact with laser-generated,superheated silicate melts: Constraining impact metamorphism of carbonate-bearing target rocks

We simulated entrainment of carbonates (calcite, dolomite) in silicate impact melts by 1-bar laser melting of silicate–carbonate composite targets, using sandstone, basalt, calcite marble, limestone, dolomite marble, and iron meteorite as starting materials. We demonstrate that carbonate assimilation by silicate melts of variable composition is extremely fast (seconds to minutes), resulting in contamination of silicate melts with carbonate-derived CaO and MgO and release of CO₂ at the silicate melt–carbonate interface. We identify several processes, i.e., (1) decomposition of carbonates releases CO₂ and produces residual oxides (CaO, MgO); (2) incorporation of residual oxides from proximally dissociating carbonates into silicate melts; (3) rapid back-reactions between residual CaO and CO₂ produce idiomorphic calcite crystallites and porous carbonate quench products; (4) high-temperature reactions between Ca-contaminated silicate melts and carbonates yield typical skarn minerals and residual oxide melts; (5) mixing and mingling between Ca- or Ca,Mg-contaminated and Ca- or Ca,Mg-normal silicate melts; (6) precipitation of Ca- or Ca,Mg-rich silicates from contaminated silicate melts upon quenching. Our experiments reproduce many textural and compositional features of typical impact melts originating from silicate–carbonate targets. They reinforce hypotheses that thermal decomposition of carbonates, rapid back-reactions between decomposition products, and incorporation of residual oxides into silicate impact melts are prevailing processes during impact melting of mixed silicate–carbonate targets. However, by comparing our results with previous studies and thermodynamic considerations on the phase diagrams of calcite and quartz, we envisage that carbonate impact melts are readily produced during adiabatic decompression from high shock pressure, but subsequently decompose due to heat influx from coexisting silicate impact melts or hot breccia components. Under certain circumstances, postshock conditions may favor production and conservation of carbonate impact melts. We conclude that the response of mixed carbonate–silicate targets to impact might involve melting and decomposition of carbonates, the dominant response being governed by a complex variety of factors.     

Geophysical signature of Målingen,the minor crater of the Lockne–Målingen doublet impact structure

Målingen is the 0.7 km wide minor crater associated to the 10 times larger Lockne crater in the unique Lockne–Målingen doublet. The craters formed at 458 Ma by the impact of a binary asteroid related to the well-known 470 Ma Main Belt breakup event responsible for a large number of Ordovician craters and fossil meteorites. The binary asteroid struck a target sequence including ~500 m of sea water, ~80 m of limestone, ~30 m of dark mud, and a peneplainized Precambrian crystalline basement. Although the Lockne crater has been extensively studied by core drillings and geophysics, little is known about the subsurface morphology of Målingen. We performed magnetic susceptibility and remanence, as well as density, measurements combined with gravity, and magnetic field surveys over the crater and its close vicinity as a base for forward magnetic and gravity modeling. The interior of the crater shows a general magnetic low of 90–100 nT broken by a clustered set of high-amplitude, short wavelength anomalies caused by bodies of mafic rock in the target below the crater and as allogenic blocks in the crater infill. The gravity shows a general −1.4 mgal anomaly over the crater caused by low-density breccia infill and fractured crystalline rocks below the crater floor. The modeling also revealed a slightly asymmetrical shape of the crater that together with the irregular ejecta distribution supports an oblique impact from the east, which is consistent with the direction of impact suggested for the Lockne crater.     

The Chelyabinsk meteorite: Thermal history and variable shock effects recorded by the 40Ar-39Ar system

We studied three lithologies (light and dark chondritic and impact melt rock) differing in shock stage from the LL5 chondrite Chelyabinsk. Using the ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar dating technique, we identified low- and high-temperature reservoirs within all samples, ascribed to K-bearing oligoclase feldspar and shock-induced jadeite–feldspar glass assemblages in melt veins, respectively. Trapped argon components had variable ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratios even within low- and high-temperature reservoirs of individual samples. Correcting for trapped argon revealed a lithology-specific response of the K-Ar system to shock metamorphism, thereby defining two distinct impact events affecting the Chelyabinsk parent asteroid (1) an intense impact event ~1.7 ± 0.1 Ga ago formed the light–dark-structured and impact-veined Chelyabinsk breccia. Such a one-stage breccia formation is consistent with petrological observations and was recorded by the strongly shocked lithologies (dark and impact melt) where a significant fraction of oligoclase feldspar was transformed into jadeite and feldspathic glass; and (2) a young reset event ~30 Ma ago particularly affected the light lithology due to its low argon retentivity, while the more retentive shock-induced phases were more resistant against thermal reset. Trapped argon with ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratios up to 1900 was likely incorporated during impact-induced events on the parent body, and mixed with terrestrial atmospheric argon contamination. Had it not been identified via isochrons based on high-resolution argon extraction, several geochronologically meaningless ages would have been deduced.