Age and source material of the Kingash ultramafic-mafic massif,East Sayan

The REE distribution patterns and Nd whole-rock and mineral isotope ratios of the Kingash ultramafic-mafic massif enabled us to propose a multistage history for its evolution at 1410 and 875 Ma. These stages reflect the magmatic evolution of the Siberian paleocontinent margin during the Late Precambrian. The age of metamorphism of the massif during collision and accretion in the Early Paleozoic (∼500 Ma) was obtained based on a Sm-Nd mineral isochron from rheomorphic veined albitite. The Nd and Sr isotopic compositions of rocks from the Kingash massif suggest mantle sources for picritic and basic magmas, which are thought to have originated by mixing of different proportions of depleted (PREMA or DM) and enriched (EM) melts. The initial isotope ratios of the parental melts transformed during interaction with Sr-rich material from the host metasedimentary complexes.     

Silica-undersaturated sapphirine, spinel and kornerupine granulite facies rocks, NE Strangways Range, Central Australia

Small pods of silica-undersaturated Al-rich and Mg-rich granulite facies rocks containing sapphirine, pleonastic spinel, kornerupine, cordierite, orthopyroxene, corundum, sillimanite and gedrite are scattered throughout the NE Strangways Range, Central Australia. These are divided into four distinct rock types, namely orthopyroxene-rich aluminous granofels and metapelitic gneisses containing sapphirine, spinel or kornerupine. Two granulite facies metamorphic events are recognized, of which only the first (M1) is considered in this paper. Peak metamorphic mineral parageneses indicate that the M1 thermal maximum occurred at approximately 900–950 °C and 8–9 kbar. All samples are characterized by profuse and diverse coronitic and symplectic reaction textures. These are interpreted as evidence for the sequential crossing of the following reactions in the system FMAS: cordierite + spinel + corundum = sapphirine + sillimanite, cordierite + spinel = orthopyroxene + sapphirine + sillimanite, sapphirine + spinel + sillimanite = orthopyroxene + corundum, sapphirine + sillimanite = cordierite + orthopyroxene + corundum. Phase stability relationships in FMAS and MASH indicate an anticlockwise P–T path terminated by isobaric cooling. Such a path is exemplified by early low-P mineral parageneses containing spinel, corundum and gedrite and the occurrence of both prograde and retrograde corundum. Reaction textures preserve evidence for an increase in aH₂O and aB₂O₃ with progressive isobaric cooling. This hydrous retrogression resulted from crystallization of intimately associated M1 partial melt segregations. There is no evidence for voluminous magmatic accretion giving rise to the high M1 thermal gradient. The M1 P–T path may be the result of either lithospheric thinning after both crustal thickening and burial of the supracrustal terrane, or concomitant crustal thickening and mantle lithosphere thinning.     

Influence of magnetic fabric anisotropy on seismic wave velocity in paramagnetic granites from NW Himalaya: Results from preliminary investigations

Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) and seismic wave velocity studies of some paramagnetic Himalayan granitoids show good correlation between magnetic fabric anisotropy and P wave velocity (Vp). Vp shows strong positive correlation with magnetic lineation (L) and degree of magnetic anisotropy (P′) having correlation coefficient (r) values of 0.93 and 0.89 respectively. Both Vp and Vs show positive correlation with the SiO₂ content of Proterozoic and Paleozoic granitoids. Velocity of S wave (Vs) shows negative correlation with mean magnetic susceptibility (K_m) having ‘r’ value of 0.86. The correlation between Vs-K_m, V_p-P′, V_p-L also shows >95% probability in Spearman’s rank correlation. Based on the results from the present sample size it is suggested that, in paramagnetic granites, V_p is proportional to intensity of deformation and preferred orientation of minerals as well as the mineralogy. On the other hand, Vs is more dependent on the mineralogy alone.     

Using impacts of deep-level mining to research karst hydrology—a Darcy-based approach to predict the future of dried-up dolomitic springs in the Far West Rand goldfield (South Africa). Part 2: predicting inter-compartmental flow and final groundwater tables

Some of the world’s deepest goldmines operate below dolomitic karst aquifers in the Far West Rand (FWR) goldfield, South Africa. Associated impacts include the continuous dewatering of karst aquifers for over six decades and irreversible changes of the hydrogeological setting. Affecting an area of approximately 400 km² by drawing down the water table up to 700 m, these impacts, and the large amounts of data generated in the process, are used as unique research opportunities to better understand the complex karst hydrology. The focus of this study is on predicting final water table elevations in rewatered aquifers after mining ceases taking the fact that mines hydraulically linked previously disconnected aquifers into account. While part 1 of this series develops the conceptual model, this second part utilises large sets of pertinent data to calculate actual flow rates for predicting the fate of dried up springs after mine closure. Following a Darcy-based approach first applied by Swart et al. (Environ Geol 44:751–770, 2003a) it is not only predicted that the springs will flow again but also shown that linear relationships exist between flow rates through a combined system of karst-fractured aquifers overlying the mine void and the associated hydraulic head driving them. This suggests that—at this scale—porous media-based equations can be meaningfully used to predict flow in non-porous media.     

The impact of anoxia on pelagic macrofauna during the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (Early Jurassic)

Extreme environmental change during the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event had widespread impacts on marine biota. This study provides new evidence, from the Yorkshire coast sections, UK, that the event was associated with periods of elevated fish and ammonite mortality. Using a synthesis of pelagic macrofaunal changes, benthic macrofaunal data and geochemical proxies we show that there are stratigraphical correlations between: (1) pelagic macrofaunal ranges and abundance, (2) benthic macrofaunal abundance, and (3) geochemical proxies that indicate deoxygenation. We identify eight stratigraphical intervals of differing character. Results suggest two major phases of relatively persistent deoxygenation with photic zone euxinia. The cyclostratigraphic timescale indicates that each phase lasted at least tens of thousands of years. Belemnite migration during the event probably resulted from increased seawater temperatures and low food supply similar to that observed for many marine taxa, including squid, within the present-day oceans.     

Analysis and application of a non-conventional underwater geoelectrical method in Lake Geneva,Switzerland

The electrical method presented is used for determining the resistivity of lake-bottom sediments and is based on the d.c. electrical sounding principles. The electrode array, called the fishing rod (FR), is of pole-pole type and is orientated vertically on a line perpendicular to the surface of the water. The technique is used for mapping resistivity anomalies located deep underwater. This paper presents an analysis of the resolution capabilities of the FR method and the results of a case study carried out in Lake Geneva, where measurements were interpreted using a one-dimensional (1D) multilayer earth model. The analysis of the uncertainty in the model parameters of a 1D multilayer earth model is carried out using the covariance matrix of the linearized inversion problem. The results of the analyses show that when the thickness and resistivity of the water layer is known, the resistivity of the sediment layer is well determined under most circumstances. The thickness of the sediment layer is well determined when resistivity contrasts are not too low. In Lake Geneva the FR method has been used to study an old depression with a resistive channel. This application shows the efficiency of the method compared with conventional electrical methods, where water depth becomes a limiting factor. The use of an automated iterative inversion scheme in this particular case is advantageous, as a joint interpretation of the three different data sets measured with the FR method can be carried out. Finally, the result of the inversion is compared with the trial-and-error interpretations of a previous study.     

Ice-sheet growth and high-latitudes sea-surface temperature

The response of the LLN 2-D climate model to the insolation and CO₂ forcings during the Eemian interglacial is compared to reconstructions obtained from deep-sea cores drilled in the Norwegian Sea and in the North Atlantic. Both reconstructions and modeling results show a decrease of sea-surface temperature (SST) in the higher latitudes (70–75 °N zonal belt for the model and the Norwegian Sea for the proxy records), associated with a more moderate cooling at lower latitudes (50–55 °N and North Atlantic), at the middle of isotopic substage 5e, several millenia before the beginning of continental ice-sheet growth. Such a comparison between the simulated SST and ice volume of the Northern Hemisphere has been extended to the whole last glacial-interglacial cycle. The influence of the insolation forcing on SST and the shortcomings of the model due to its zonal character are discussed. Received: 6 July 1995/Accepted: 19 December 1995     

Remote sensing for landscape parameters and scale effect

Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing - Development activities must be compatible for possibilities and limitation of natural environment and resources. Predevelopmental analysis must...