A stratigraphic network across the Subtropical Front in the central South Atlantic: Multi-parameter correlation of magnetic susceptibility, density, X-ray fluorescence and δO records

Computer aided multi-parameter signal correlation is used to develop a common high-precision age model for eight gravity cores from the subtropical and subantarctic South Atlantic. Since correlations between all pairs of multi-parameter sequences are used, and correlation errors between core pairs (A, B) and (B, C) are controlled by comparison with (A, C), the resulting age model is called a stratigraphic network. Precise inter-core correlation is achieved using high-resolution records of magnetic susceptibility κ, wet bulk density ρ and X-ray fluorescence scans of elemental composition. Additional δ¹⁸O records are available for two cores. The data indicate nearly undisturbed sediment series and the absence of significant hiatuses or turbidites. After establishing a high-precision common depth scale by synchronously correlating four densely measured parameters (Fe, Ca, κ, ρ), the final age model is obtained by simultaneously fitting the aligned δ¹⁸O and κ records of the stratigraphic network to orbitally tuned oxygen isotope [J. Imbrie, J. D. Hays, D. G. Martinson, A. McIntyre, A. C. Mix, J. J. Morley, N. G. Pisias, W. L. Prell, N. J. Shackleton, The orbital theory of Pleistocene climate: support from a revised chronology of the marine δ¹⁸O record, in: A. Berger, J. Imbrie, J. Hays, G. Kukla, B. Saltzman (Eds.), Milankovitch and Climate: Understanding the Response to Orbital Forcing, Reidel Publishing, Dordrecht, 1984, pp. 269-305; D. Martinson, N. Pisias, J. Hays, J. Imbrie, T. C. Moore Jr., N. Shackleton, Age dating and the orbital theory of the Ice Ages: development of a high-resolution 0 to 300.000-Year chronostratigraphy, Quat. Res. 27 (1987) 1-29.] or susceptibility stacks [T. von Dobeneck, F.Schmieder, Using rock magnetic proxy records for orbital tuning and extended time series analyses into the super-and sub-Milankovitch Bands, in: G. Fischer, G. Wefer (Eds.), Use of proxies in paleoceanography: Examples from the South Atlantic, Springer-Verlag, Berlin (1999), pp. 601-633.]. Besides the detection and elimination of errors in single records, the stratigraphic network approach allows to check the intrinsic consistency of the final result by comparing it to the outcome of more restricted alignment procedures. The final South Atlantic stratigraphic network covers the last 400 kyr south and the last 1200 kyr north of the Subtropical Front (STF) and provides a highly precise age model across the STF representing extremely different sedimentary regimes. This allows to detect temporal shifts of the STF by mapping δMn / Fe. It turns out that the apparent STF movements by about 200 km are not directly related to marine oxygen isotope stages.     

Low‐frequency passive seismic experiments in Abu Dhabi,United Arab Emirates: implications for hydrocarbon detection

Low‐frequency passive seismic experiments utilizing arrays of 3‐component broadband seismometers were conducted over two sites in the emirate of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The experiments were conducted in the vicinity of a producing oilfield and around a dry exploration well to better understand the characteristics and origins of microtremor signals (1–6 Hz), which had been reported as occurring exclusively above several hydrocarbon reservoirs in the region. The results of the experiments revealed that a strong correlation exists between the recorded ambient noise and observed meteorological and anthropogenic noises. In the frequency range of 0.15–0.4 Hz, the dominant feature is a double‐frequency microseism peak generated by the non‐linear interactions of storm induced surface waves in the Arabian Sea. We observed that the double‐frequency microseism displays a high variability in spectral amplitude, with the strongest amplitude occurring when Cyclone Gonu was battering the eastern coast of Oman; this noise was present at both sites and so is not a hydrocarbon indicator. Moreover, this study found that very strong microtremor signals in the frequency range of 2–3 Hz were present in all of the locations surveyed, both within and outside of the reservoir boundary and surrounding the dry exploration well. This microtremor signal has no clear correlation with the microseism signals but significant variations in the characteristics of the signals were observed between daytime and nighttime recording periods that clearly correlate with human activity. High‐resolution frequency‐wavenumber (f‐k) spectral analyses were performed on the recorded data to determine apparent velocities and azimuths of the wavefronts for the microseism and microtremor events. The f‐k analyses confirmed that the double‐frequency microseism originates from wave activity in the Arabian Sea, while the microtremor events have an azimuth pointing towards the nearest motorways, indicating that they are probably being excited by traffic noise. Results drawn from particle motion studies confirm these observations. The vertical‐to‐horizontal spectral ratios of the data acquired in both experiments show peaks around 2.5–3 Hz with no dependence on the presence or absence of subsurface hydrocarbons. Therefore, this method should not be used as a direct hydrocarbon indicator in these environments. Furthermore, the analyses provide no direct evidence to indicate that earthquakes are capable of stimulating the hydrocarbon reservoir in a way that could modify the spectral amplitude of the microtremor signal.     

Seltene Mineralparagenesen in den Kalksteineinsehlüssen der Lava des Ettringer Bellerberges bei Mayen (Eifel)

Zusammenfassung Sechs metamorph veränderte Kalksteineinschlüsse aus verschiedenen Teilen der Lavaströme des Ettringer Bellerberges bei Mayen (Eifel) wurden optisch, chemisch und röntgenographisch untersucht. Sie setzen sich aus seltenen, z. T. erstmals in der Natur gefundenen Mineralen zusammen. Der Mineralbestand der Einschlüsse wird beschrieben. Er weicht von Probe zu Probe z. T. erheblich ab. Je nachdem in welchen Mineralen Fe und Al enthalten sind, lassen sich die Einschlüsse in 2 Gruppen einteilen: eine mit Brownmillerit, Mayenit, Larnit und eine 2. mit Wollastonit, Gehlenit, Magnetkies, Spinell.Am Aufbau aller Gesteine sind stets kristallwasserhaltige Minerale (Ettringet, Portlandit, Hydrocalumit) in z. T. ziemlich großen Mengen beteiligt. Diese Minerale kommen gelegentlich auch in Hohlräumen frei gewachsen vor.Eine völlig andere Zusammensetzung hat nur ein Teil aus dem Inneren eines Einschlusses. Er besteht nur aus Diopsid und Grossular.Soweit es die vorliegenden (noch nicht vollständigen) Untersuchungsergebnisse zulassen, werden mögliche Reaktionen, die zur Bildung dieser ungewöhnlichen Paragenese geführt haben könnten, diskutiert. Als Vergleich dienten nicht nur andere natürliche Kalkkontakte, sondern es wurden auch Erfahrungen der Zementforschung herangezogen.Die wasserfreien Minerale sind wahrscheinlich bei hohen Temperaturen und ziemlich niedrigen Drucken entstanden. Erst später; nachdem die Lava schon weitgehend abgekühlt war, können sich die kristallwasserhaltigen Minerale gebildet haben.Der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft danken wir für das Bereitstellen von Geräten.

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Six metamorphic altered limestone inclusions from different parts of the lava flows of the Ettringer Bellerberg near Mayen (Eifel, Germany) have been investigated by optical, chemical, and X-ray methods. They are composed of rare minerals, two of them have been found the first time naturally. The mineral composition of the inclusions is not uniform. They may be divided into two groups, one with brownmillerite, mayenite, larnite, and another one with wollastonite, gehlenite, pyrrhotite, spinel. A small (inner) part of one inclusion consists only of diopside and grossularite.In all rocks there are minerals containing crystallized water (ettringite, portlandite, and hydrocalumite), sometimes in large amounts. These minerals are found occasionally well developed in cavities.Possible modes of formation of this unusual paragenesis are discussed as far as it is permitted by the results of this investigation.

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Herrn Prof. Dr.Carl W. Correns zum 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

QUATERNARY GROWTH FOLDS IN THE JIUXI BASIN AT THE NORTHEASTERN MARGIN OF THE QINGHAI—XIZANG PLATEAU

QUATERNARY GROWTH FOLDS IN THE JIUXI BASIN AT THE NORTHEASTERN MARGIN OF THE QINGHAI—XIZANG PLATEAUgrants 49732 0 90and 496 0 2 0 36fromtheNSFofChina     

On the quantitative importance of heterotrophic microplankton in the northern German Wadden Sea

To assess the importance of heterotrophic microplankton in the Wadden Sea, seasonal distribution and biomass of the main subgroups, that is, heterotrophic dinoflagellates, (separated into thecate and athecate forms), tintinnids, and aloricate ciliates, were studied in 1989 and 1990 in a total of six surveys covering the whole area of the northern German Wadden Sea. Heterotrophic microplankton biomass exhibited high spatial and temporal variation, ranging from 0 μg Cl^?1 to 66 μg Cl^?1, with maximum concentrations in spring., Mean stocks were lowest in winter (1.6 μg Cl^?1) and highest in spring (11.7 μg Cl^?1); intermediate concentrations were found in summer (8.5 μg Cl^?1). In winter, the heterotrophic microplankton was dominated by tintinnids. In spring and summer, aloricate ciliates and dinoflagellates made up the largest part of the biomass. A pronounced feature was a shift within the dinoprotist group from athecate to thecate forms in summer. In spring, maxima of athecate dinoflagellate carbon were associated with blooms ofPhaeocystis globosa, indicating a close trophic relationship. From rough estimates of the daily grazing potential, based on microheterotrophic biomass and conversion factors from the literature, it may be concluded that heterotrophic microplankton temporarily share a main role in the transfer of food and energy to higher trophic levels within the pelagic system of the Wadden Sea.     

Fe and Al oxides distribution in some ultisols and inceptisols of southeastern Nigeria in relation to soil total phosphorus

Ten highly weathered soils in southeastern Nigeria were sampled from their typical A and B horizons for analyses. The objectives were to determine the different forms of Fe and Al oxides in the soils and relating their occurrence to phosphate availability and retention in the soils. The soils are deep and often physically degraded but are well drained and coarse in the particle size distribution. They are mostly dominated by kaolinite in their mineralogy with very high values of SiO₂. The soils are acidic with low soil organic carbon (SOC) contents. The elements in the exchange complex are also low thus reflecting in the low CEC of the soil. Available phosphorus (P) in the soils are generally low while total P ranged from 157 to 982 mg kg⁻¹ with an overall average of 422 mg kg⁻¹. Total Fe in the soil is highest and their order represented as follows: Fe_t > Fe_d > Fe_ox ≥ Fe_p. The pyrophosphate extractable Fe was always higher in the top soil than in the subsoil and was attributed to the fact that these forms of Fe are associated with organic matter which is more abundant in topsoil than in subsoil. Like in Fe forms, the order of Al occurrence could generally be presented as; Al_t > Al_d > Al_ox > Al_p. More Fe and Al oxides in the soils are strongly crystalline while a small quantity is poorly crystalline Fe forms. The amorphous forms of both Fe and Al are very low in the soils when compared with the crystalline forms. The oxides that show very strong affinity to total P are Fe_d–Fe_ox, Fe_d, Al_d, Fe_t, Fe_ox and Al_ox/Al_d. To overcome this problem of P retention in the soil, we recommend constant liming of these soils to neutralize them, application of organic matter and of high dosage of phosphate fertilizer to the soils.     

Origin of high Zn contents in Jurassic limestone of the Jura mountain range and the Burgundy: evidence from Zn speciation and distribution

In order to better understand the origin and enrichment mechanisms leading to elevated Zn concentrations in Jurassic limestone of the Jura mountain range (JMR) and the Burgundy (B), we investigated four locations of Bajocian age (JMR: Lausen–Schleifenberg, Gurnigel; B: Vergisson–Davayé, Lucy-le-Bois) and two locations of Oxfordian age (JMR: Dornach, Pichoux) for their Zn distribution and speciation. Measurements of the acid-extractable and bulk Zn contents showed that Zn is stratigraphically and spatially heterogeneously distributed, in association with permeable carbonate levels. Up to 3,580 and 207 mg/kg Zn was detected in Bajocian and Oxfordian limestone, respectively, with numerous limestone samples having Zn contents above 50 mg/kg. Using X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy and micro-X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, the speciation and micro-scale distribution of Zn was investigated for selected limestone samples. In Bajocian limestone sphalerite and/or Zn-substituted goethite and a minor fraction of Zn-bearing carbonates were identified. In contrast, Zn-bearing carbonates (Zn-substituted calcite and hydrozincite) were accounting for most of the total Zn in Oxfordian limestone. The micro-scale distribution of Zn for Bajocian and Oxfordian limestone was however similar with localized Zn-rich zones in the limestone cement and at the rim of oolites. The stratigraphic sporadicity and microscale heterogeneity of the Zn distribution together with the Zn speciation results point to a hydrothermal origin of Zn. Occurence of Zn-goethite is probably linked to the oxidative transformation of framboidal pyrite and hydrothermal sphalerite in contact with meteoritic waters. Difference in speciation between Bajocian limestone and Oxfordian limestone may be related to differences in rock permeability and/or to various hydrothermal events. Isotopic dating of the different mineralizations will be needed to decipher differences in Zn speciation and the precise chronology of hydrothermal episodes.     

Aquifer chemistry of four high-temperature geothermal systems in Iceland

The deep water feeding wet-steam wells in four high-temperature geothermal areas in Iceland have highly variable salinity as reflected in the chlorine concentrations which vary from 20 to 19000 ppm. Using available values for equilibrium constants, the activities of 26 chemical species involving the major components of the reservoir water have been calculated and quantitative evaluations of solute/ solute, mineral/solute chemical equilibria in these geothermal systems have been made.The unflashed reservoir water is just saturated with calcite. The saline geothermal waters, which represent heated sea-water, are just saturated with anhydrite, but the dilute waters, which are of meteoric origin, are somewhat undersaturated with this mineral. The fluoride mobility is thought to be limited by an ionic exchange reaction where F^? replaces some of the OH^? in the layered silicates. The pH of the unflashed reservoir water is governed by ionic exchange equilibrium in which all the major cations participitate. At a given temperature it seems likely that the activity of one cation fixes the activities of all the other major cations and hydrogen ion. If this is so and we take all the other chemical equilibria which have been demonstrated to exist for granted, it turns out that the major element composition of the unflashed high-temperature geothermal waters is controlled by two independent variables only. These variables are the temperature and the supply to the water of the incompatible element chlorine, incompatible indicating that this element is not incorporated in the geothermal minerals.     

Dysaerobic conditions during Heinrich events 4 and 5: Evidence from phosphorus distribution in a North Atlantic deep-sea core

Reactive phosphorus undergoes diagenetic transformation once transferred into marine sediments. The degree of regeneration and redistribution of phosphorus depends on early diagenetic and environmental conditions, which may be linked to larger scale phenomena, such as bottom water circulation, water column ventilation, and organic carbon flux. Phosphorus phases of the <50-μm-sized fraction of deep-sea sediments from core SU 90-09 (North Atlantic, 43°31′N, 30°24′W, 3375 m below sea level) have been analyzed using a sequential extraction technique (SEDEX method) to reconstruct phosphorus geochemistry during Heinrich events 4 and 5. Comparison with Holocene samples from the same site indicates that postdeposition diagenetic transformation has not affected phosphorus distribution in the deep part of the sediments. Total and reactive phosphorus average 0.40 ± 0.04 mg/g and 0.30 ± 0.05 mg/g, respectively, and are comparable to values found in analog deep-sea environments in the North Atlantic. Detrital phosphorus, the phase linked to igneous- and metamorphic-derived material, sharply increases during Heinrich events and covaries with the ice-rafted debris record, whereas authigenic and Fe-bound phosphorus phases, both influenced by redox conditions, decrease or even disappear. These findings suggest that during the deposition of Heinrich layers (HLs), environmental parameters hampered the precipitation of these phases. Large freshwater discharges in relation to iceberg surges may have provoked a temporary stratification of the water column. Accordingly, dysaerobic conditions in the sediments may have fostered the loss of dissolved phosphorus from the sediments to the water column, in a direct and rapid response to the changed conditions. Decreasing trends in organic matter elemental ratios (total organic carbon/organic phosphorus) and Rock-Eval oxygen index values, along with the presence of partly authigenic dolomite and ankerite within HLs, also support this assumption.     

Structural controls on groundwater flow in a fractured bedrock aquifer underlying an agricultural region of northwestern New Brunswick,Canada

A hydrogeological study was conducted in northwestern New Brunswick, Canada, to improve the predictability of fracture-dominated groundwater flow within folded bedrock composed of fine-grained turbidites. Borehole televiewer logging and outcrop mapping, integrated with hydraulic packer tests revealed enhanced hydraulic conductivity associated with northeasterly striking bedding-plane fractures formed during folding and flexural slip. These fractures impart azimuthal anisotropy to the aquifer because of moderately dipping fold limbs. High-angle fractures form a well-developed non-stratabound network, comprising two open fracture sets striking NNE parallel to the current direction of principal stress, and WNW parallel to the direction of principal stress that dominated during the Acadian orogeny. The subset of fractures showing significant oxidation, deemed most important to the groundwater flow system, is dominated by bedding-plane and high-angle fractures striking near-parallel to the maximum principal stress direction, resulting in extensional opening and enhanced hydraulic conductivities. An equivalent porous media model, incorporating anisotropy and varying hydraulic conductivity with depth, indicates that horizontal flow dominates the aquifer with relatively minor exchange between different model layers. These findings have implications for understanding flow directions in the Black Brook Watershed and elsewhere in the Matapédia Basin where fractures formed under similar stress conditions.