<Superscript>87</Superscript>Sr/<Superscript>86</Superscript>Sr anomalies in Late Cretaceous-Early Tertiary strata of the Cauvery basin,south India: Constraints on nature and rate of environmental changes across K-T boundary

The Ariyalur-Pondicherry sub-basin of the Cauvery basin comprises a near complete stratigraphic record of Upper Cretaceous-Lower Tertiary periods. Earlier studies have documented variations of clay mineral assemblages, change in microtexture of siliciclasts and many geochemical and stable isotopic anomalies far below the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary (KTB) in these strata. This paper documents the occurrences of two positive ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr anomalies preceding K-T boundary in this basin and discusses plausible causes. Analysis of trace elemental and stable isotopic profiles, sedimentation history, petrography and mineralogy of the rocks reveal that while both the anomalies may be due to increased detrital influx caused by sea level and climatic changes, the second anomaly might have been influenced by Deccan volcanism which in turn predated KTB. Record of such anomalies preceding K-T boundary supports the view of multi-causal step-wise extinction of biota across KTB.     

Determination of Selenium Concentrations in NIST SRM 610, 612, 614 and Geological Glass Reference Materials Using the Electron Probe, LA-ICP-MS and SHRIMP II

A combination of EMPA, sensitive high resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP II) and/or LA-ICP-MS techniques was used to measure the concentration of selenium (Se) in NIST SRM 610, 612, 614 and a range of reference materials. Our new compiled value for the concentration of Se in NIST SRM 610 is 112 ± 2 μg g⁻¹. The concentration of Se in NIST SRM 612, using NIST SRM 610 for calibration, determined using LA-ICP-MS (confirmed using SHRIMP II) was 15.2 ± 0.2 μg g⁻¹. The concentration of Se in NIST SRM 614, using LA-ICP-MS was 0.394 ± 0.012 μg g⁻¹. LA-ICP-MS determination of Se in synthetic geological glasses BCR-2G, BIR-1G, TB-1G and the MPI-DING glasses showed a range in concentrations from 0.062 to 0.168 μg g⁻¹. Selenium in the natural glass, VG2, was 0.204 ± 0.028 μg g⁻¹.     

The Mechanism of Groundwater Salinization and Its Control in the Yaoba Oasis, Inner Mongolia

The arid area is one of the most concerned areas among the water resources researchers and economists. Northwest China will be an important developing region of China in the 21st century. Yaoba is a well-irrigation oasis within this arid area, which is located in the Alxa area west of the Helan Mountains and next to the Tengger desert in the east. It has contributed greatly to the local stock raising and agriculture since its development in 1970. However, the groundwater which the oasis depends on to survive has been getting salinized gradually and more serious in recent years.A comprehensive study was carried out using the methods of groundwater environment isotope analysis, lithofaci-es and palaeogeography, calculations of water-rock interaction and the existing form of chemical components in groundwater etc. It has been found that the salinization of groundwater is mainly caused by reinfiltration water solving the salt in soil which is deposited simultaneously with the sediments and accumulated in th     

Geochemical and mineralogical investigations of the Lower Jurassic flint-clay bearing Mishhor and Ardon Formations,Makhtesh Ramon,Israel

The Lower Jurassic section at Makhtesh Ramon, in the northeastern Negev of Israel, comprises a sequence of fluviatile sediments of laterite composition. Post-depositional chemical weathering has resulted in marked facies changes whereby the clastic sequence passes laterally into high-alumina flint clays and bauxites (Goldbery, 1979). A geochemical and mineralogical investigation was initiated on 216 samples from several key sections of the facies change to obtain a more refined definition of the diagenetic overprint, to reconstruct the history of chemical weathering and finally to recognize the parent material of the unaltered laterite sediments.Results are presented herein on major and trace-element composition, normative mineralogical composition, kaolinite crystallinity and porosity and density measurements. Kaolinite crystallinity values proved to be a good indicator of intensity of leaching, showing a marked decline in ordering with increase of diagenetic reorganization. On the basis of mineralogical parameters it was possible to subdivide the section of flint clays and bauxites, generated under karstic conditions, into four units. Bivariate plots of Al₂O₃ vs. several elements within the section, plotted into four distinctive fields coinciding with the subdivision. Enrichment/depletion ratios, calculated from the element concentrations within these flint clays against element concentrations of the clastic parent material of the karstic infill, led to the reconstruction of a multi-cyclic leaching event, whose “signature” is left in each of the four units. At least 3 individual episodes of leaching, related to a rising water table and punctuated by “still-stands” could be recognized.Zr/TiO₂: Nb/Y plots of stable elements, using the diagram of Floyd and Winchester (1978) for determination of source rocks, indicated a rhyolite or alkaline rhyolite provenance for the clastic laterite detritus.     

Experimental quantification of plagioclase crystal size distribution during cooling of a basaltic liquid

An experimental study has been conducted to constrain how thermal history controls crystal size distribution (CSD) of plagioclase in cooling basalts. Data from all experiments are dominated by a log-linear segment of decreasing number density with increasing crystal size, consistent with observations in many natural rocks. The slope of the CSD is found to be a function of cooling rate, faster cooling leading to greater slopes. At constant cooling rate the CSDs flatten as temperature decreases, and are sometimes kinked, characteristics consistent with independent textural observations that crystal agglomeration contributes significantly to crystal “growth”. A downturn is observed toward small size, which suggests Ostwald ripening. Furthermore, we find that thermal history above the liquidus has a major influence on CSDs and on the temperatures of phase appearance. We conclude that near the liquidus heterogeneous nucleation typically dominates. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.