Investigations into an unknown organism on the martian meteorite Allan Hills 84001

Abstract— Examination of fracture surfaces near the fusion crust of the martian meteorite Allan Hills (ALH) 84001 have been conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) and has revealed structures strongly resembling mycelium. These structures were compared with similar structures found in Antarctic cryptoendolithic communities. On morphology alone, we conclude that these features are not only terrestrial in origin but probably belong to a member of the Actinomycetales, which we consider was introduced during the Antarctic residency of this meteorite. If true, this is the first documented account of terrestrial microbial activity within a meteorite from the Antarctic blue ice fields. These structures, however, do not bear any resemblance to those postulated to be martian biota, although they are a probable source of the organic contaminants previously reported in this meteorite.     

Origin of a late Eocene to pre‐Miocene buried crater and breccia lens at Fohn‐1, North Bonaparte Basin,Timor Sea: A probable extraterrestrial connection

Abstract— Seismic reflection data and an at least 350 m thick, PGE‐rich carbonate breccia lens intersected by the Fohn‐1 exploration well in the Timor Sea off northern Australia, are interpreted in terms of a buried 4.8 km‐diameter impact crater of late Eocene to pre‐Miocene age. The crater displays the classic elements of impact structures, including a central uplift, ring syncline, and upraised rims. The presence in the breccia of redeposited Campanian and Maastrichtian microfossils suggests rebound of strata from levels deeper than 1250 m below the pre‐Miocene unconformity. Morphometric modelling suggests an original crater at least 1400 m deep, which is consistent with the excavation of Cretaceous strata. Stratigraphic and palaeontological evidence suggests that the impact occurred between 36 and 24.6 Ma. The breccia contains a pseudotachylite component enriched in the inert Pt group elements (PGE) (Ir, Ru) by factors of 5–12 above the values of common sediments. The more mobile PGE (Os, Pt, Pd) show a wide scatter and terrestrial‐type values. Opposite geochemical/stratigraphic trends pertain to different PGE species—the relatively inert Ir‐Ru group shows an overall concentration at the base of the section, whereas the more mobile Os shows peaks at median levels of the section—suggesting upward diagenetic leaching. The near‐chondritic PGE patterns at the base of the breccia pile are accompanied by near‐chondritic Ni/Cr, Co/Cr, Ni/Ir, Ni/Pt, and Cu/Pd ratios. Departure from these values related to alteration at higher levels in the breccia pile is accompanied with high S levels (～1%).     

Microstructurally controlled trace element (Zr,U–Pb) concentrations in metamorphic rutile: An example from the amphibolites of the Bergen Arcs

As a common constituent of metamorphic assemblages, rutile provides constraints on the timing and conditions of rock transformation at high resolution. However, very little is known about the links between trace element mobility and rutile microstructures that result from synmetamorphic deformation. To address this issue, here we combine in situ LA-ICP-MS and sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe trace element data with electron back-scatter diffraction microstructural analyses to investigate the links between rutile lattice distortions and Zr and U–Pb systematics. Furthermore, we apply this integrated approach to constrain further the temperature and timing of amphibolite facies metamorphism and deformation in the Bergen Arcs of southwestern Norway. In outcrop, the formation of porphyroblastic rutile in dynamically hydrated leucocratic domains of otherwise rutile-poor statically hydrated amphibolite provides key contextual information on both the ambient conditions of hydration and deformation and the composition of the reactive fluid. Rutile in amphibolite recorded ambient metamorphic temperatures of ~590–730°C during static hydration of the granulitic precursor. By contrast, rutile from leucocratic domains in the directly adjacent shear zone indicates that deformation was accompanied by a localized increase in temperature. These higher temperatures are recorded in strain-free rutile (~600–860°C) and by Zr concentration measurements on low-angle boundaries and shear bands (620–820°C). In addition, we also observe slight depletions of Zr and U along rutile low-angle boundaries relative to strain-free areas in deformed grains from the shear zone. This indicates that crystal–plastic deformation facilitated the compositional re-equilibration of rutile upon cooling to slightly below the peak temperature of deformation. Cessation of deformation at mid-crustal conditions near ~600°C is recorded by late stage growth of small (<150 µm) rutile in the high-strain zones. U–Pb age data obtained from the strain-free and distorted rutile grains cluster in distinct populations of 437.4 ± 2.7 Ma and c. 405–410 Ma, respectively. These different ages are interpreted to reflect the difference in closure for thermally induced Pb diffusion between undeformed and deformed rutile during post-deformation exhumation and cooling. Thus, our results provide a reconstruction of the thermochronological history of the amphibolite facies rocks of the Lindås Nappe and highlight the importance of integration of microstructural data during application of thermometers and geochronometers.     

Seasonal variation in albedo and radiation exchange between a burned and unburned forested peatland: implications for peatland evaporation

Forested boreal peatlands represent a precipitation‐dependent ecosystem that is prone to wildfire disturbance. Solar radiation exchange in forested peatlands is modified by the growth of a heterogeneous, open‐crown tree canopy, as well as by likely disturbance from wildfire. Radiation exchange at the peat surface is important in peatlands, as evaporation from the peat surface is the dominant pathway of water loss in peatlands of continental western North America. We examined shortwave and longwave radiation exchange in two forested ombrotrophic peatlands of central Alberta, Canada: one with (>75 years since wildfire; unburned) and another without a living spruce canopy (1–4 years since wildfire; burned) between the autumn of 2007 and 2010. Above‐canopy winter albedo was nearly two times greater in the recently burned peatland than the unburned peatland. Incoming shortwave radiation at the peat surface was much higher at the burned peatland, which increases the amount of energy available for evaporation. This is especially true for hollow microforms that are generally shaded by the tree canopy in unburned peatlands. Snow‐free albedo was similar between peatlands, although an increase in longwave losses at the burned site resulted in slightly greater net radiation at the unburned site. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of increasing gravel cover on forest roads for reduced sediment delivery to stream crossings

Direct sediment inputs from forest roads at stream crossings are a major concern for water quality and aquatic habitat. Legacy road–stream crossing approaches, or the section of road leading to the stream, may have poor water and grade control upon reopening, thus increasing the potential for negative impacts to water quality. Rainfall simulation experiments were conducted on the entire running surface area associated with six reopened stream crossing approaches in the south‐western Virginia Piedmont physiographic region, USA. Event‐based surface run‐off and associated total suspended solid (TSS) concentrations were compared among a succession of gravel surfacing treatments that represented increasing intensities of best management practice (BMP) implementation. The three treatments were no gravel (10–19% cover), low gravel (34–60% cover), and high gravel (50–99% cover). Increased field hydraulic conductivity was associated with maximized surface cover and ranged from 7.2 to 41.6, 11.9 to 46.3, and 16.0 to 58.6 mm h⁻¹ respectively for the no gravel, low gravel, and high gravel treatments. Median TSS concentration of surface run‐off for the no gravel treatment (2.84 g l⁻¹) was greater than low gravel (1.10 g l⁻¹) and high gravel (0.82 g l⁻¹) by factors of 2.6 and 3.5 respectively. Stream crossing approaches with 90–99% surface cover had TSS concentrations below 1 g l⁻¹. Reducing the length of road segments that drain directly to the stream can reduce the costs associated with gravel surfacing. This research demonstrates that judicious and low‐cost BMPs can ameliorate poor water control and soil erosion associated with reopening legacy roads. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.