Late orogenic, large-scale rotations in the Tien Shan and adjacent mobile belts in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan

Most of Kazakhstan belongs to the central part of the Eurasian Paleozoic mobile belts for which previously proposed tectonic scenarios have been rather disparate. Of particular interest is the origin of strongly curved Middle and Late Paleozoic volcanic belts of island-arc and Andean-arc affinities that dominate the structure of Kazakhstan. We undertook a paleomagnetic study of Carboniferous to Upper Permian volcanics and sediments from several localities in the Ili River basin between the Tien Shan and the Junggar–Alatau ranges in southeast Kazakhstan. Our main goal was to investigate the Permian kinematic evolution of these belts, particularly in terms of rotations about vertical axes, in the hope of deciphering the dynamics that played a role during the latest Paleozoic deformation in this area. This deformation, in turn, can then be related to the amalgamation of this area with Baltica, Siberia, and Tarim in the expanding Eurasian supercontinent. Thermal demagnetization revealed that most Permian rocks retained a pretilting and likely primary component, which is of reversed polarity at three localities and normal at the fourth. In contrast, most Carboniferous rocks are dominated by postfolding reversed overprints of probably “mid-Permian” age, whereas presumably primary components are isolated from a few sites at two localities. Mean inclinations of primary components generally agree with coeval reference values extrapolated from Baltica, whereas declinations from primary as well as secondary components are deflected counterclockwise (ccw) by up to  90°. Such ccw rotated directions have previously also been observed in other Tien Shan sampling areas and in the adjacent Tarim Block to the south. However, two other areas in Kazakhstan show clockwise (cw) rotations of Permian magnetization directions. One area is located in the Kendyktas block about 300 km to the west of the Ili River valley, and the other is found in the Chingiz Range, to the north of Lake Balkhash and about 400 km to the north of the Ili River valley. The timing of the ccw as well as cw rotations is clearly later than the disappearance of any marine basins from northern Tarim, the Tien Shan and eastern Kazakhstan, so that the rotations cannot be attributed to island-arc or Andean-margin plate settings — instead we attribute the rotations to large-scale, east–west (present-day coordinates), sinistral wrenching in an intracontinental setting, related to convergence between Siberia and Baltica, as recently proposed by Natal'in and Şengör [Natal'in, B.A., and Şengör, A.M.C., 2005. Late Palaeozoic to Triassic evolution of the Turan and Scythian platforms: the pre-history of the palaeo-Tethyan closure, Tectonophysics, 404, 175–202.]. Our previous work in the Chingiz and North Tien Shan areas on Ordovician and Silurian rocks suggested relative rotations of  180°, whereas the Permian declination differences are of the order of 90° between the two areas. Thus, we assume that about 50% of the total post-Ordovician rotations are of pre-Late Permian age, with the other half of Late Permian–earliest Mesozoic age. The pre-Late Permian rotations are likely related to oroclinal bending during plate boundary evolution in a supra-subduction setting, given the calc-alkaline character of nearly all of the pre-Late Permian volcanics in the strongly curved belts.     

Specific profiles of polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fish and tucuxi dolphins from the estuary of Paraíba do Sul River, Southeastern Brazil

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous pollutants in the environment and subject of several studies due to their adverse effects as endocrine disruptors. Despite the concern over widespread distribution of PBDEs even in sparsely populated regions of the world, few studies have reported their occurrence in Brazil. In this study, PBDEs and PCBs levels were measured in selected fish species and dolphins from Paraiba do Sul River, Brazil. BDE 47 and 85 were the predominant congeners. Low chlorinated congeners showed the highest concentrations in fish; however dolphins presented the highest proportion of PCBs 153, followed by 138 and 180. The daily intake of PBDEs and PCBs was estimated for the population of this region. PCB daily intake through consumption of croaker was above the limits set by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, raising great concern over the existence of a source of PCB contamination in Brazil.     

Assessment of the Accuracy of SRTM C- and X-Band High Mountain Elevation Data: a Case Study of the Polish Tatra Mountains

Global digital elevation models (DEMs) are an invaluable source of information in large area studies. Of particular interest are shuttle radar topography mission (SRTM) data that are freely available for the scientific community worldwide. Prior to any application, global datasets should be evaluated using reference data of higher accuracy. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of the SRTM C-band (version 4) DEM and SRTM X-band DEM of mountainous areas located in Poland and to examine the quality of data in relation to topographic parameters, radar beam geometry, initial voids in data and the presence of forest cover. A DEM from the Central National Geodetic and Cartographic Inventory, Poland, served as a reference. The study consisted of three steps: (i) the computation of vertical errors of the SRTM C- and X-band DEMs, (ii) the examination of any systematic bias in the data, and (iii) the analysis of the relationships between the elevation errors and terrain slope, aspect, local incidence angle, occurrence of voids and land cover. We found that the SRTM C- and X-band DEMs have mean errors equal to 4.31 ± 14.09 and 9.03 ± 37.40 m and root mean square errors equal to 14.74 and 38.47 m, respectively. Only 82 % of the C-band DEM and 74 % of the X-band DEM vertical errors had absolute values below 16 m. We found that the most important factors determining the occurrence of high errors were the distribution of initial voids and high slope angles for the C-band DEM, and local incidence angle, slope, aspect and radar beam geometry for the X-band DEM. In both cases, the presence of forest cover increased the mean error by approximately 10 m.     

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.     

Environmental observations in the Gulf of Gdansk and Pomeranian Bay following the summer flood of 1997

Summary In July and at the beginning of August 1997 a study was undertaken in the Gulf of Gdańsk and Pomeranian Bay to follow the immediate effects of the flood which occurred within the Polish rivers — Wisla and Odra — drainage areas. The study included measurements and observations of meteorological and hydrodynamic parameters, basic physico-chemical variables, certain persistent organic pollutants as well as heavy metals and the level of sanitary pollution. The paper presents an overview of environmental conditions in the bays, based on hydrochemical data, subsequent to the inflow of the flood crests. Results of biological investigations, carried out solely in the Pomeranian Bay, on phytoplankton abundance, biomass, species composition and Zooplankton diversity are also presented in the paper. The results of measurements were evaluated in comparison with long-term (1979–1996) monitoring data and control measurements carried out in the last decade of August. It was found out that the impact of flood water was restricted to internal areas of both bays and the negative environmental effects appeared only locally.

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Umweltuntersuchungen in der Danziger und der Pommerschen Bucht nach der Sommerflut 1997

Zusammenfassung Im Juli und Anfang August 1997 fand in der Danziger und in der Pommerschen Bucht eine Untersuchung mit dem Ziel statt, die unmittelbaren Auswirkungen der Flut, die sich in den Einzugsgebieten der polnischen Flüsse Weichsel und Oder ereignet hatte, festzustellen. Die Untersuchung umfa?te Messungen und Beobachtungen meteorologischer, hydrodynamischer und physisch-chemischer Parameter, bestimmter best?ndiger organischer Schadstoffe sowie Messungen von Schwermetallen und Messungen zum Grad der Verunreinigungen durch Colibakterien. Die Arbeit gibt einen überblick über Umweltbeeintr?chtigungen in den betroffenen Gebieten im Anschlu? an den Einstrom des Hochwassers basierend auf hydrochemischen Daten. Ergebnisse biologischer Untersuchungen in der Pommerschen Bucht, speziell auf den Gehalt an Phytoplankton, Biomasse und deren Zusammensetzung sowie auf Zooplanktonvielfalt, werden gezeigt. Die Ergebnisse der Messungen wurden im Vergleich mit Daten aus Langzeitreihen (1979–1996) und Kontrollmessungen in der letzten Dekade des August bewertet. Es wurde festgestellt, da? der Einflu? des Hochwassers sich auf die inneren Gebiete beider Buchten beschr?nkte und negative Umweltver?nderungen nur lokal auftraten.

     

Geochemistry of Thermal Waters of Continental Margin of Far East of Russia

Studied waters belong to warm(T=30-50℃),alkaline(pH=8.9-9.3),low mineralized(TDS235 mg/1)Na-HCO_3 or Na-SO_4-HCO_3 thermal waters with high content of SiO_2(up to 81 mg/l)and F(up to 3.9 mg/1),occur on modern volcano-tectonic rejuvenated areas of Eastern Sikhote-Alin orogenic belt.Low~3He concentration as well as N_2/O_2 and N_2/Ar ratios exclude influence of deep mantle fluid.New rare earth element data constrain our understandmg of water-rock interaction occurring in the water source region.Meteoric origin of waters is proved by stable isotope values varying from-71‰to-136.1‰and from-10.8‰to-18.8‰forδ~2U andδ~(18)O respectively.REE patterns reflect high pH,resultfing from water-rock interaction and oxidative conditions.Calculations of deep aquifer temperature using Na-K and quartz geothermometers show 116.8-131.1°C and 82.2-125.8℃respectively.Presence of deep faults both with abnormal thermal gradient(~45-50 K/km)define unique geochemical shape of thermal waters of Sikhote-Alin,area,where no present volcanic activity is registered.     

Vertical Distribution of Bacteria in Doroninskoe Lake(Zabaikalie,Russia):Paradigm of Dominance

正1 Introduction Prokaryotes are key organisms in aquatic ecosystems as they play animportant role in the biogeochemical cycling of elements.Investigations on the relationships betweenthe diversity of microbial community and environmentalfactors offer useful information that bothleads to understanding of the process of element