New data (U–Pb, K–Ar) on the geochronology of the alkaline-carbonatitic association of Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain

Zircons from a nepheline-syenite of the Fuerteventura Basal Complex were dated by Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The age obtained from a total of 21 U–Th–Pb analyses is 25.4 ± 0.3 Ma (2σ) indicating a late Oligocene–early Miocene crystallization. This age is consistent with new K–Ar ages on nepheline-syenites and pyroxenites, and contradicts previously published ³⁹Ar–⁴⁰Ar (feldspar) ages that were interpreted to represent a late Cretaceous–early Paleocene, pyroxenitic–syenitic magmatic episode. These new geochronological data are consistent with both field observations and most of the previously published ages on alkaline silicate rocks and associated carbonatites of Fuerteventura. Therefore, they strongly support the existence of a single, late Oligocene–early Miocene event of alkaline–carbonatitic magmatism in the Basal Complex of Fuerteventura, taking place at approximately 25 Ma and comprising: alkaline-pyroxenites, melteigites-ijolites, nepheline-syenites and carbonatites, as well as their volcanic equivalents and associated dykes.

These new data provide an estimate for the length of time that it took the island to grow, thus eliminating one of the major problems in explaining its development by a hot-spot model.     

Geostatistical seismic Amplitude‐versus‐angle inversion

Seismic inversion plays an important role in reservoir modelling and characterisation due to its potential for assessing the spatial distribution of the sub‐surface petro‐elastic properties. Seismic amplitude‐versus‐angle inversion methodologies allow to retrieve P‐wave and S‐wave velocities and density individually allowing a better characterisation of existing litho‐fluid facies. We present an iterative geostatistical seismic amplitude‐versus‐angle inversion algorithm that inverts pre‐stack seismic data, sorted by angle gather, directly for: density; P‐wave; and S‐wave velocity models. The proposed iterative geostatistical inverse procedure is based on the use of stochastic sequential simulation and co‐simulation algorithms as the perturbation technique of the model parametre space; and the use of a genetic algorithm as a global optimiser to make the simulated elastic models converge from iteration to iteration. All the elastic models simulated during the iterative procedure honour the marginal prior distributions of P‐wave velocity, S‐wave velocity and density estimated from the available well‐log data, and the corresponding joint distributions between density versus P‐wave velocity and P‐wave versus S‐wave velocity. We successfully tested and implemented the proposed inversion procedure on a pre‐stack synthetic dataset, built from a real reservoir, and on a real pre‐stack seismic dataset acquired over a deep‐water gas reservoir. In both cases the results show a good convergence between real and synthetic seismic and reliable high‐resolution elastic sub‐surface Earth models.     

The effect of salinity on Fucus ceranoides (Ochrophyta,Phaeophyceae) in the Mondego River (Portugal)

Algae(and their extracts) are increasingly important for pharmaceutical applications due to the diversity of useful compounds they contain. The genus Fucus contains one of the most studied species,Fucus vesiculosus. The species F. ceranoides differs from the others of the genus by presenting longitudinal air-vesicles and a capacity to survive at low salinities. It is an alga that inhabits the Mondego River estuary(Portugal), at the southern limit of its distribution, and can serve as a role model to understand the effect of a salt gradient on the production of bioactive compounds. We assessed the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of different F. ceranoides extracts(e.g. methanolic, aqueous and polysaccharide) prepared from samples harvested from two different zones to evaluate if the adaptation of F. ceranoides to different salinity levels influenced its chemical composition. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined using 1,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) and 2.2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)(ABTS)radicals. These assays demonstrated that the methanolic extract of lyophilized F. ceranoides that grew at low salinities was the most bioactive, i.e. DPPH(IC_(50)=50.39 μg/mL) and ABTS(TEAC=2.42). The total phenolic content(Folin-Ciocalteu method) and the methanolic extract of the lyophilized F. ceranoides collected from a low salinity habitat exhibited the highest phenolic content(PGE=49.48 μg/mg of lyophilized extract)amongst those sampled. Thin layer chromatography(TLC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) were used for the identification of compounds in the extracts. This characterization allowed confirmation that the various extracts contained almost the same compounds but with notable quantitative differences. Based on these results, we conclude that there were differences in the quantity of the compounds due to the effect of salinity. The drying methods used were also found to have influenced the quality of the extracted compounds.     

Geomorphic assessment of active tectonics in the Acambay graben,Mexican Volcanic Belt

Spatial variations of Quaternary deformation and tectonic activity of faults along the Acambay graben are assessed using geomorphic and morphometric approaches. The Acambay graben is an east–west trending structure of apparent Quaternary age, located in the central part of the Mexican Volcanic Belt, which gives rise to pronounced scarps over a distance of about 80 km. Continuing tectonic activity in the Acambay graben is confirmed by recent well documented seismic episodes. The intensity of active tectonics has been interpreted through a detailed geomorphic study of the fault-generated mountain fronts and fluvial systems. The combined geomorphic and morphometric data provide evidence for relative variations in tectonic activity among the Acambay graben faults. Geomorphic indices suggest a relatively high degree of tectonic activity along the Venta de Bravo and the Acambay–Tixmadeje faults, followed, in order of decreasing activity, by the Pastores, Temascalcingo and Tepuxtepec faults. Spatial variations within faults have also been identified, suggesting a higher level of tectonic activity at the tips of the faults. This pattern of variation in the relative degree of tectonic activity is consistent with field evidence and seismic data for the Acambay graben. Geomorphic evaluation of the Acambay graben faults suggests that the Acambay–Tixmadeje and Venta de Bravo faults, and specifically the tips of these faults and a central segment near the town of Venta de Bravo, should be considered as areas of potentially high earthquake risk. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of water quality on infiltration,runoff and interrill erosion processes during simulated rainfall

This paper discusses the effects of water quality on the hydrological and erosion response of non‐saline, non‐sodic soils during simulated rain experiments. It is well known that rain water quality affects the behaviour of saline soils. In particular, rain simulation experiments cannot be run using tap water if realistic values of infiltration rates and soil erosion are to be found. This paper reports on similar effects for non‐saline, non‐sodic soils. Two soils – a well‐aggregated clay‐rich soil developed on marine silty clay deposits and a soil developed on silt loam – were selected and subjected to a series of simulated rainstorms using demineralized water and tap water. The experiments were conducted in two different laboratories in order to obtain results independent of the tap water quality or the rainfall simulator characteristics. The results indicate that time‐to‐ponding is largely delayed by solute‐rich water (tap water). When tap water is used, infiltration rates are significantly overestimated, i.e. by more than 100 per cent. Interrill erosion rates increase by a factor of 2·5–3 when demineralized water is used. The silty clay soil was more affected by the water quality than the silt loam soil, with respect to infiltration and runoff production. Regarding interrill erosion rates, the two tested soils were similarly affected by the water quality. Therefore, it can be concluded that rainfall simulation experiments with non‐dispersive soils (e.g. non‐saline, non‐sodic) must also be conducted using water with very low electrical conductivity (i.e. less than 30–50 µS cm⁻¹), close to that of distilled water. The use of tap water certainly hampers comparisons and the relative ranking of the hydrological and erosion response of different soils, while parameter values, such as final infiltration rate or time‐to‐ponding, cannot be extrapolated and extended to natural situations. Therefore, the majority of hydrological and erosion models and parameter values measured during rainfall simulations in the past should be used with caution for all types of soils. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spectral properties of volcanic materials from hyperspectral field and satellite data compared with LiDAR data at Mt. Etna

Spectral properties of volcanic materials in the optical region (350–2500 nm) of the electromagnetic spectrum are analyzed. The goal is to characterize air-fall deposits, recent lava flows, and old lava flows based on their spectral reflectance properties and on the textural characteristics (grain size) of pyroclastic deposits at an active basaltic volcano. Data were acquired during a spectroradiometric field survey at Mt. Etna (Italy) in summer 2003 and combined with hyperspectral satellite (Hyperion) and airborne LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data. In addition, air-fall deposits produced by the highly explosive 2002–2003 eruption have been sampled and spectrally characterized at different distances from the new vents. The spectral analysis shows that air-fall deposits are characterized by low reflectance values besides variations in grain size. This distinguishes them from other surface materials. Old lava flows show highest reflectance values due to weathering and vegetation cover. The spectral data set derived from the field survey has been compared to corrected satellite hyperspectral data in order to investigate the Hyperion capabilities to differentiate the surface cover using the reflectance properties. This has allowed us to identify the 2002–2003 air-fall deposits in a thematic image just few months after their emplacement. Moreover, the observed differences in the field spectra of volcanic surfaces have been compared with differences in the signal intensity detected by airborne LiDAR survey showing the possibility to include information on the texture of volcanic surfaces at Mt. Etna. The approach presented here may be particularly useful for remote and inaccessible volcanic areas and also represents a potentially powerful tool for the exploration of extraterrestrial volcanic surfaces.     

Study of the influence of different organic pollutants on Cu accumulation by Halimione portulacoides

The influence of each of four organic pollutants selected from among those commonly found in coastal areas, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (DDE), monobutyltin (MBT), Triton X-100 and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), on Cu accumulation by Halimione portulacoides was investigated. Experiments were carried out in a laboratory setting, either in hydroponics (sediment elutriate) or in a salt marsh sediment (Cávado River, NW Portugal) soaked in elutriate. Groups of H. portulacoides were exposed to media for 6 days spiked with 10 mg/L Cu(II) and with one of the selected pollutants, at an environmentally realistic concentration. DDE and MBT did not cause any major change on Cu accumulation by H. portulacoides, whereas PAHs slightly increased accumulation only in hydroponics i.e. in the absence of sediment. On the other hand, the non-ionic surfactant Triton X-100 markedly favoured Cu accumulation on plant roots both in the presence and absence of sediment. The addition of DDE, MBT and Triton X-100 also favoured Cu solubility from sediments. Therefore, the simultaneous presence of pollutants from different nature (inorganic and organic) in the estuarine environment may result in a composition of water column, pore water, sediment or biota different of that expected considering the effect of each individual pollutant.