The isotopic composition of strontium and sulfur in seawater of Late Permian (Zechstein) age

The Paleozoic minima of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios and δ³⁴S values in seawater are observed in anhydrite layers of the Stassfurt (A-2) and Aller (A-4) cycles of evaporation of Late Permian age in Germany. These minima were probably caused by extremely low rates of continental runoff and bacterial sulfate reduction. Thereafter conditions changed suddenly, with a steeply increasing supply of radiogenic Sr and of nutrients into seawater. The latter induced a large growth in the production of organic material, in bacterial activity in sediments, and in the flow of isotopically heavy sulfur back into the oceans. This large change in the cycles of S and Sr (as well as of C and O) within the relatively short Zechstein period (2–5 Ma) reflects a considerable modification of the plate tectonic and environmental conditions shortly before the beginning of the Mesozoic era. The Ochoan deposition in the USA is probably of the same age as the Stassfurt-Leine evaporation in W Europe.     

Die Genese der stratiformen Sulfidlagerstätte Kalwang (Steiermark), der Grünsteinserie und einer assoziierten silikatreichen Eisenformation

Zusammenfassung Die bearbeitete Lagerstätte ist dem Typ submarin exhalativer Bildung zuzuordnen. Grünschiefermetamorphe Nebengesteine (ehemalige vulkanosedimentäre Abfolge) unterlagenin situ einer hydrothermalen Alteration. Metallösungen (hot brines), welche zur Bildung der Sulfidlager führten, eruptierten im Bereich submariner Fumarolen. Sie entstammten Interaktionen meteorischer Wässer mit vulkanogenen In- und Extrusivprodukten. Die Lösungen bildeten schichtgebundene Erzlager, die zoniert als hoch-bis niedrigtemperierte Bildung vorliegen. Eine assoziierte silikatreiche Eisenformation schließt die Vererzung sowie die vulkanische Tätigkeit ab. Die Grüngesteine werden als Metabasite kontinentaler bis ozeanbodentholeiitischer Edukte gedeutet. Hinsichtlich der geotektonischen Situation verweisen alle Merkmale auf das Milieu einer MORB-Typ assoziierten, alterationsbedingten sulfidischen Vererzung als Folgeprodukt zunehmender Ozeanisierung eines kontinentalen Riftbereiches.

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Genesis of the Kalwang stratiform sulphide deposit, Styria, Austria, and of associated metavolcanics and siliceous banded iron formation

Summary The Kaiwang copper deposit (Styria, Austria) occurs within a Lower Paleozoic volcanosedimentary sequence which forms part of the extensive Nördliche Grauwackenzone of the Eastern Alps. Stratiform bodies of pyrite (0.02–0.05% Ni; 0.05–0.08%Co)-chalcopyrite and (Ni,Co-free) pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite ores are associated with mafic metavolcanic rocks; metapelites and marbles are also present in the ore environment. Comprehensive analyses of major and trace elements suggest that the metavolcanites have been derived from tholeiites of intraplate-to ocean floor affinity linked to the development of an intracontinental rift. Regional metamorphism of lower greenschist grade was preceded by spilitization of the volcanic rocks. Mineralization at Kalwang is submarine-exhalative; some copper sulphides have been deposited in supply channels prior to reaching the sea floor. Towards the hanging-wall, the ore-bearing sequence is terminated by a two metres thick manganiferous iron formation; manganese is concentrated almost exclusively in spessartine garnet. The BIF has been derived from a manganiferous, chamositic precursor sediment. Stratabound base metal deposits further west in the Northern Greywacke Zone show similar evolutionary trends; this points towards a coherent metallogenetic pattern for this important tectonic unit.

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Mit 12 Abbildungen     

Geochemical demobilization of metallic pollutants in solid waste—implications for arsenic in waterworks sludges

During stabilization or demobilization of contaminants in solid waste materials, different approaches can be taken, which also can be combined: (1) sufficient long-term buffer capacity can be provided, according to the environmental conditions; (2) permeability for dissolved contaminants can be reduced by secondary mineral precipitations or by soft gels injected into the pore space of the waste body; and (3) new formations of ‘reservoir minerals' can incorporate potential pollutants in their internal structure. Emphasizing the geochemical engineering approach, two examples are presented from the field of water management, both focussing on the demobilization of arsenic species. The first example (after Driehaus, W., 1994. Arsenentfernung mit Mangandioxid und Eisenhydroxid in der Trinkwasseraufbereitung. Vol. 133, Ser. 15, VDI-Reports, Düsseldorf, 117 pp.) relates to the problems during purification of arsenic-rich raw water, suggesting the potential application of iron and manganese oxide minerals as oxidizing agents and mineral lattice structures for the elimination of arsenic. In the second example, contaminated sludges from water treatment plants were investigated for their leaching characteristics and long-term stability. A pH-stat test procedure was used to assess the leaching characteristics of metals at typical pH values. Due to the presence of iron and manganese oxides pentavalent arsenic is protected against conversion into the mobile trivalent form at neutral to low pH. Experimental data suggest that co-disposal with reducing organic matter and alkaline stabilization material or wastes could negatively influence the binding properties and, therefore, should be avoided.     

Gravity anomalies and subsurface geology in the Westerwald volcanic area, Germany

The area of the present study constitutes an alkaline volcanic province in the eastern sector of the Rhenish massif. A series of gravity measurements were carried out on the volcanic fields of the Westerwald. Three-dimensional modelling and wavelength filtering processing techniques were used to analyze the gravity data. The filtered Bouguer anomaly maps show two major regional gravity features: (a) Increasing Bouguer values towards the northeastern part of the study area could be caused by lateral lithological variations within the upper crust. (2) Local negative Bouguer values in the southwest correlate with magmatic materials of intermediate type. The modelling results indicate that the volcanics of the Westerwald are underlain by two different magmatic complexes at a depth in the range 3.3–10 km with density values of 2680 and 2750 kg/m³. The densities assigned to the local igneous intrusions are in the range of 2314–2948 kg/m³ and at depths between 0.4 and 1.3 km. In the NE a diabase bed was modelled to a maximum depth of approximately 1.6 km using the assigned density of 2800 kg/m³.     

四川黄龙钙华的形成

作者通过现场测试、实验及室内分析,从薄膜(扩散边界层)效应及水化学的变化对黄龙钙华进行了研究,得出黄龙钙华的沉积速率为0.43～4.7mm/a,其中速率较大者出现在流速较快(边界层较薄)的部位,如边石坝上;而速率较小者则出现在流速较慢(边界层较厚)的部位,如钙华池内。      

Litho-structural conditioning in the exploration of fractured aquifers: a case study in the Crystalline Basement Aquifer System of Brazil

Hydrogeology Journal - Productive regions in the Crystalline Basement Aquifer System (CBAS) in Paraná state, Brazil, were identified qualitatively and quantitatively through spatial...     

On the scavenging of gaseous nitrogen compounds by large and small rain drops: II. Wind tunnel and theoretical studies of the simultaneous uptake of NH3, SO2 and CO2 by water drops

An experimental investigation of the simultaneous absorption of NH₃ and SO₂ from the ambient atmosphere by freely falling water drops has been carried out in the Mainz vertical wind tunnel. The experimental results were found to be in good agreement with the results derived from computations with the Kronig-Brink convective diffusion model and also with a model which assumes a drop to be well mixed at all times. Encouraged by this agreement, these computation schemes for the uptake of gas by single drops where incorporated in a pollution washout model with realistic SO₂, NH₃ and CO₂ gas profiles. This model allows an entire raindrop size distribution to fall through a gas layer. The results of this plume-model show that the SO₂ uptake is strongly dependent on the NH₃ concentration in the atmosphere and on the rainrate. We also find that the small drops contribute more towards the washout of these gases. In the case of simultaneous presence of NH₃ and SO₂, desorption of these gases is negligible.     

Rift to post-rift evolution of a ��passive�� continental margin: the Ponta Grossa Arch, SE Brazil

Low-temperature thermochronology was applied at the Brazilian passive continental margin in order to understand and reconstruct the post-rift evolution since the break-up of southwestern Gondwana. Thermochronological data obtained from apatite fission-track analysis of Neoproterozoic metamorphic and Paleozoic to Mesozoic siliciclastic rocks as well as Mesozoic dikes and alkaline intrusions from the Ponta Grossa Arch provided ages between 66.2 (1.3) and 5.9 (0.8) Ma. These data clearly indicate a post-rift reactivation during Late Cretaceous and Paleogene times. Integrating the results of older thermochronological studies, the reactivation of the southeastern Brazilian margin could be described in three main phases related to the rift to post-rift evolution of SE Brazil. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of age data indicates the presence of two age groups: a NE age-group (NE of Curitiba), with ages around 20?Ma and a SW age-group (Curitiba and NW) with ages of around 50?Ma. The change of ages follows the NW?CSE trending S?o Jer?nimo-Curi??va fault zone that can be traced offshore into the southern end of the Santos basin. Within the Santos basin, this lineament ends up to the salt occurrence in the south and seams to play a major role in the structural evolution of the Santos basin and the Rio Grande Rise. Sedimentological studies in the Santos basin evidenced that the transport direction changed in Miocene from WNW to WNW/NNW. During the Oligocene and earlier, the sediments were transported mainly from southeastwards to the direction of the ??Curitiba area?? into the Santos basin. Within the Miocene, an additional transport direction from an area north of Curitiba developed.     

Can Trees Buy Time? An Assessment of the Role of Vegetation Sinks as Part of the Global Carbon Cycle

Atmospheric CO₂ concentrations can be reduced by storing carbon in vegetation. However, this lowers the concentration gradient between the atmosphere and other potential carbon reservoirs, such as the oceans, and thereby reduces the subsequent inherent rate of removal of CO₂ from the atmosphere. Hence, storage of carbon in temporary reservoirs can reduce atmospheric CO₂ concentrations in the short term, but if the carbon is released again, it will increase concentrations in the long term. It must, therefore, be considered when, or, indeed whether, to store carbon in vegetation sinks.To determine an optimal strategy, the exact nature of climate-change impacts needs to be considered first. Impacts can be mediated by:1. the direct and instantaneous effect of CO₂ and its associated temperature;2. the rate of change in CO₂ and its associated temperature;3. the cumulative effect of CO₂ and its associated temperature.Carbon stored in permanently maintained vegetation sinks can lower atmospheric CO₂ concentrations, but this can be done most effectively if sequestration occurs close to the time when atmospheric concentrations are to be lowered. Similarly, maximal rates of change can be most effectively reduced by carbon sequestration close to the time of anticipated maximal rates of change. For reducing impacts via cumulative forcing, however, early sink activity would be more effective than delayed activity.Temporary carbon stores would only be beneficial for climate change impacts related to the cumulative impact of CO₂, but it could even worsen impacts mediated via the instantaneous effect of temperature or those related to the rate of change. Hence, the planting of trees is only beneficial in reducing climate-change impacts if the most serious impacts are those related to the cumulative effect of increased temperature. If other impacts are more serious, then the planting of trees would bring greater benefits if it is delayed until closer to the time when the most severe impacts are to be expected. However, if serious land degradation would result from deforestation, or from a failure to plant trees in the near future, then trees should still be planted in order to maximise the amount of carbon stored on land.     

Quaternary coral-reef terraces from Kish and Qeshm Islands, Persian Gulf: new radiometric ages and tectonic implications

A survey of raised coral reef terraces in locations along the southern coast of Iran was carried out with the aim of assessing regional Late Quaternary tectonic uplift rates influenced by salt doming. Two islands were studied: Kish, where no previous data were available, and Qeshm, where a previous survey had already attributed the lowest step in two sequences of raised marine terraces to the Last Interglacial.Twenty-five ESR and seven Th/U ages were obtained from Kish Island. The results show that this flat, about 32 m high, gently domed island was totally submerged during the last two interglacial periods. Corals ascribed to MIS 5 and MIS 7 have been dated at the same elevations, near the present sea level, and in the uppermost, inner part of the island, giving evidence of a polycyclic origin for the island surface deposits. Following a discussion on the possible position of eustatic peaks during MIS 7, a maximal average uplift rate of 0.20±0.02 mm/yr has been deduced from the above data.Furthermore, the survey obtained some new results from Qeshm, where seven ESR ages confirmed the MIS 5 age of the lowest raised marine terrace (that also corresponds to an uplift rate of about 0.2 mm/yr), failing, however, to date older steps, due to significant coral-sample re-crystallisation. In the western part of Qeshm, five new radiocarbon ages of elevated beach material demonstrated the variability of uplift rates even along short distances around an active salt dome.