Constraints on the flux of meteoritic and cometary water on the Moon from volatile element (N–Ar) analyses of single lunar soil grains,Luna 24 core

We report new nitrogen and argon isotope and abundance results for single breccia clasts and agglutinates from four different sections of the Luna 24 drill core in order to re-evaluate the provenance of N trapped in lunar regolith, and to place limits on the flux of planetary material to the Moon’s surface. Single Luna 24 grains with ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratios <1 show δ¹⁵N values between ?54.5‰ and +123.3‰ relative to terrestrial atmosphere. Thus, low-antiquity lunar soils record both positive and negative δ¹⁵N signatures, and the secular increase of the δ¹⁵N value previously postulated by Kerridge (Kerridge, J.F. [1975]. Science 188(4184), 162–164. doi:10.1126/science.188.4184.162) is no longer apparent when the Luna and Apollo data are combined. Instead, the N isotope signatures, corrected for cosmogenic ¹⁵N, are consistent with binary mixing between isotopically light solar wind (SW) N and a planetary N component with a δ¹⁵N value of +100‰ to +160‰. The lower δ¹⁵N values of Luna 24 grains compared to Apollo samples reflect a higher relative proportion of solar N, resulting from the higher SW fluence in the region of Mare Crisium compared to the central near side of the Moon. Carbonaceous chondrite-like micro-impactors match well the required isotope characteristics of the non-solar N component trapped in low-antiquity lunar regolith. In contrast, a possible cometary contribution to the non-solar N flux is constrained to be ?3–13%. Based on the mixing ratio of SW to planetary N obtained for recently exposed lunar soils, we estimate the flux of micro-impactors to be (2.2–5.7) × 10³ tons yr^?1 at the surface of the Moon. Our estimate for Luna 24 agrees well with that for young Apollo regolith, indicating that the supply of planetary material does not depend on lunar location. Thus, the continuous influx of water-bearing cosmic dust may have represented an important source of water for the lunar surface over the past ～1 Ga, provided that water removal rates (i.e., by meteorite impacts, photodissociation, and sputtering) do not exceed accumulation rates.     

基于重复地震研究川滇地区主要断裂带的深部变形

发生在同一断层部位上0.5～4.0 级的重复地震(也称重复微震)是研究断裂带深部变形的天然(有力)工具.本文系统汇集了川滇地区主要断裂带识别出的 76 组重复地震研究结果,构建了川滇地区重复地震的时空分布图像和断裂带深部变形时空演化特征,结果表明:丽江—宁蒗断裂带在脆韧转换带约23 km深处的滑动速率为4.3～5.4 mm·a－1 ,小江断裂带3.0～12.3 km深处的滑动速率为 1.6～10.1 mm·a－1 ,红河断裂带北段在 6.0～13.4 km深处的滑动速率为2.3～10.0 mm·a－1 ,鲜水河断裂带南段 3.0～18.7 km深处的滑动速率为 3.0～10.2 mm·a－1 ,龙门山断裂带在4.0～17.3 km的汶川 8.0级地震孕育深处的滑动速率为 3.5～9.6 mm·a－1 ,龙门山断裂带南端3.6～18.7 km处滑动速率为 5.8～10.2 mm·a－1 .综合分析认为:川滇地区主要边界断裂带的深部滑动速率较为一致,揭示了川滇地块和巴颜喀拉地块整体协同变形的特征.由重复微震与深部滑动速率变化构建了孕震深处的变形模式,即重复微震与断裂带局部闭锁段在空间位置上存在密切的关联性,强震前孕震闭锁区存在明显的深浅部构造形变差异,震前存在的深部加速变形过程可能是断层亚失稳阶段的具体表征.     

Snow cover monitoring in the Northern Patagonia Icefield using MODIS satellite images (2000–2006)

The snow cover of the Northern Patagonia Icefield (NPI) was monitored after applying the Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI) and the Red/NIR band ratio to 134 Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images captured between 2000 and 2006. The final results show that the snow cover extent of the NPI fluctuates a lot in winter, in addition to its seasonal behaviour. The minimum snow cover extent of the period (3600 km²) was observed in March 2000 and the maximum (11,623 km²) in August 2001. We found that temperature accounts for approximately 76% of the variation of the snow cover extent over the entire icefield. We also show two different regimes of winter snow cover fluctuations corresponding to the eastern and the western sides of the icefield. The seasonality of the snow cover on the western side was determined by temperature rather than precipitation, while on the east side the seasonality of the snow cover was influenced by the seasonal behaviour of both temperature and precipitation. This difference can be explained by the two distinct climates: coastal and continental. The fluctuations in the winter snow cover extent were more pronounced and less controlled by temperature on the western side than on the eastern side of the icefield. Snow cover extent was correlated with temperature R² = 0.75 and R² = 0.74 for the western and eastern sides, respectively. Since limited meteorological data are available in this region, our investigation confirmed that the change in snow cover is an interesting climatic indicator over the NPI providing important insights in mass balance comprehension. Since snow and ice were distinguished snow cover fluctuations can be associated to fluctuations in the snow accumulation area of the NPI. In addition, days with minimum snow covers of summer season can be associated to the period in which Equilibrium Line Altitude (ELA) is the highest.     

Molecular study of insoluble organic matter in Kainsaz CO3 carbonaceous chondrite: Comparison with CI and CM IOM

Abstract— Kainsaz CO3 insoluble organic matter (IOM) was studied using Curie point pyrolysis, electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) to determine the effect of thermal metamorphism on molecular chondritic fingerprints. Pyrolysis released a very low amount of products that consist of one‐ and two‐ring aromatic units with methyl, dimethyl, and ethyl substituents. Moreover, Kainsaz IOM contains two orders of magnitude fewer radicals than Orgueil, Murchison, and Tagish Lake IOM. In addition, no diradicaloids were found in Kainsaz, although they are thought to constitute a specific signature for weakly organized extraterrestrial organic compounds in contrast to terrestrial ones. HRTEM reveals a very heterogeneous structure, with microporous disordered carbon, mesoporous graphitic carbons and graphite. Graphitization likely occurs and explains the differences between Kainsaz and CI or CM IOM. Heating stress experienced by Kainsaz IOM, on the parent body and/or prior its accretion, is likely responsible for the differences in molecular and structural organizations compared with those of CI and CM IOM.     

S2O, polysulfuroxide and sulfur polymer on Io's surface?

To settle the question of disulfur monoxide and sulfur monoxide deposition and occurrence on Io's surface, we performed series of laboratory experiments reproducing the condensation of S₂O at low temperature. Its polymerization has been monitored by recording infrared spectra under conditions of temperature, pressure, mixing with SO₂ and UV-visible radiation simulating that of Io's surface. Our experiments show that S₂O condensates are not chemically stable under ionian conditions. We also demonstrate that SO and S₂O outgassed by Io's volcanoes and condensing on Io's surface should lead to yellow polysulfuroxide deposits or to white deposits of S₂O diluted in sulfur dioxide frost (i.e., S₂O/SO₂ < 0.1%). Thus S₂O condensation cannot be responsible for the red volcanic deposits on Io. Comparison of the laboratory infrared spectra of S₂O and polysulfuroxide with NIMS/Galileo infrared spectra of Io's surface leads us to discuss the possible identification of polysulfuroxide. We also recorded the visible transmission spectra of sulfur samples resulting from polysulfuroxide decomposition. These samples consist in a mixture of sulfur polymer and orthorhombic sulfur. Using the optical constants extracted from these measurements, we show that a linear combination of the reflectance spectra of our samples, the reflectance spectrum of orthorhombic S₈ sulfur and SO₂ reflectance spectrum, leads to a very good matching of Io's visible spectrum between 330 and 520 nm. We conclude then that Io's surface is probably mainly composed of sulfur dioxide and a mixture of sulfur S₈ and sulfur polymer. Some polysulfuroxide could also co-exist with these dominant components, but is probably restricted to some volcanic areas.     

东营凹陷下第三系层序地层研究与隐蔽油气藏预测

应用层序地层学理论,利用地震、测井、岩心和分析化验资料,建立了东营凹陷下第三系层序界面识别标志,把东营凹陷下第三系划分为 1个超层序组,4个超层序,10个层序,进行体系域划分,建立了东营凹陷下第三系层序地层格架。构造坡折带是指由同沉积构造长期活动引起的沉积斜坡明显突变的地带,对盆地充填的可容纳空间和沉积作用可产生重要影响。通过层序地层格架与构造坡折带的研究,建立东营凹陷层序发育模式。受构造坡折带控制的层序低位域砂体和湖侵体系域砂体,成藏条件良好,最有利于形成隐蔽油气藏。     

苏北淮安盐盆杨槐区块浦二段盐韵律特征及其古气候意义

盐湖沉积因具有成盐多期性和连续完整性的特点,是恢复成盐期古环境的重要研究对象,形成的不同级次盐韵律记录了不同尺度周期下古气候的干湿变化。上白垩统浦口组是淮安盐盆的主要含盐层系,对含盐层段盐韵律的研究有助于恢复该地区成盐期的古气候特征。在对资料井A1井取心段岩心精细观察和岩样矿物成分分析的基础上,分析资料井岩性的垂向变化,对浦口组盐韵律特征进行识别并划分。根据盐韵律对古气候的指示作用研究成盐期区块短尺度气候周期下的古气候变化。将淮安盐盆杨槐区块浦口组划分出Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ级韵律,识别出完整的盐韵律组合,即泥岩—钙芒硝质盐岩—盐岩—钙芒硝质盐岩。含盐段中广泛发育暖温相矿物钙芒硝,指示气候特征为炎热的暖旱型。在Ⅳ级韵律尺度下建立了气候干湿性变化曲线,表明区块气候干湿性波动频繁,但仍以干旱为主,韵律厚度大致反映了气候波动频率大小。     

Deep‐water dunes on drowned isolated carbonate terraces (Mozambique Channel,south‐west Indian Ocean)

Subaqueous sand dunes are common bedforms on continental shelves dominated by tidal and geostrophic currents. However, much less is known about sand dunes in deep‐marine settings that are affected by strong bottom currents. In this study, dune fields were identified on drowned isolated carbonate platforms in the Mozambique Channel (south‐west Indian Ocean). The acquired data include multibeam bathymetry, multi‐channel high‐resolution seismic reflection data, sea floor imagery, a sediment sample and current measurements from a moored current meter and hull‐mounted acoustic Doppler current profiler. The dunes are located at water depths ranging from 200 to 600 m on the slope terraces of a modern atoll (Bassas da India Atoll) and within small depressions formed during tectonic deformation of drowned carbonate platforms (Sakalaves Seamount and Jaguar Bank). Dunes are composed of bioclastic medium size sand, and are large to very large, with wavelengths of 40 to 350 m and heights of 0·9 to 9·0 m. Dune migration seems to be unidirectional in each dune field, suggesting a continuous import and export of bioclastic sand, with little sand being recycled. Oceanic currents are very intense in the Mozambique Channel and may be able to erode submerged carbonates, generating carbonate sand at great depths. A mooring located at 463 m water depth on the Hall Bank (30 km west of the Jaguar Bank) showed vigorous bottom currents, with mean speeds of 14 cm sec^?1 and maximum speeds of 57 cm sec^?1, compatible with sand dune formation. The intensity of currents is highly variable and is related to tidal processes (high‐frequency variability) and to anticyclonic eddies near the seamounts (low‐frequency variability). This study contributes to a better understanding of the formation of dunes in deep‐marine settings and provides valuable information about carbonate preservation after drowning, and the impact of bottom currents on sediment distribution and sea floor morphology.     

山东半岛石笋记录的倒数第二次冰消期δ18O变化特征及其气候环境意义

文章基于山东半岛岩溶洞穴(上小峰洞)一根长约41 cm的石笋SD1的铀系测年和稳定同位素组成分析,获得138. 0~125. 8 ka B. P.平均分辨率为30年的石笋δ18O 和δ13C时间序列,并据此讨论了倒数第二次冰消期区域气候和环境变化的特征及与全球变化的联系.在倒数第二次冰消期,上小峰洞石笋( SD1)δ18O的变化与中国南方石笋δ18O的变化具有类似的阶段变化特征,进一步确认了冰消期北大西洋气候对亚洲季风的重要影响.通过对山东石笋高分辨δ18O记录进行时间序列分析,发现该记录存在显著的约60年、 75年和1620年周期,表明太阳活动和北大西洋涛动与该地区气候变化有紧密的联系.同时,通过对比东亚季风区高分辨率石笋记录,认为在倒数第二次冰消期为"两步冰消"的变化特征.除此之外,上小峰洞石笋碳酸盐δ18O冰期和间冰期平均值的差异仅为0. 7‰,远小于内陆洞穴石笋碳酸盐δ18O冰期和间冰期平均值的差异(羊口洞约为1. 4‰,董哥洞约为2. 2‰,三宝洞约为2. 4‰).这一显著差异可能主要源于海岸线迁移造成的海陆格局的变化对区域季风降水及降水氧同位素组成的重要影响;并且冰期-间冰期海平面变化对近海环境记录、大陆架下垫面、海洋沉积物气候指标等都可能产生影响.     

Oxygen and Carbon Isotopes of Cold-water Corals—Reconstructing Paleotemperature Changes and Calcification Mechanism

Cold-water corals represent an intriguing paleoceanographic archive with a great potential to reconstruct high-resolution paleoenvironmental changes. Compared to those of shallow-water corals, proxies derived from cold-water corals have been complicated by biologically mediated vital effects. The oxygen and carbon stable isotope compositions of cold-water coral skeletons are more depleted than the expected carbonate-seawater equilibrium values by 4‰~6‰ and about 10‰, respectively. Therefore, it is necessary to correct for the vital effects before using δ¹⁸O as a temperature proxy. The principles and methods of reconstructing paleotemperature variations of intermediate and deep oceans using oxygen and carbon isotopes of cold-water corals are reviewed, as well as three existing cold-water coral calcification models and their advantages and disadvantages. It is suggested that further micro-scales analysis and targeted experiments are required to clarify the calcification processes of cold-water corals.