Effect of sea-level lowering on ELA depression during the LGM

Decreases in equilibrium-line altitudes (ELAs) varied geographically during the last glacial maximum (LGM), with a mid-range value of ~ 900 m commonly deduced from altitude ratio and accumulation–area ratio calculations. Sea level, however, was 120 m lower during the LGM, so the ELA lowering relative to sea level would only be 780 m for a 900-m absolute lowering. With a lapse rate of 0.006°C m⁻¹, this implies a 4.7°C lowering of global temperature. It has been argued that this correction for sea-level change is unnecessary, but the logic on which this is based requires adiabatic compression to apply over much longer time scales than is typically invoked. We find that the correction is necessary. In addition, geometric changes in the atmosphere during the LGM, pointed out by Osmaston (2006), could lead to 0.4°C decrease in the average temperature of the troposphere. Additionally, orographic effects could significantly change the snow distribution on mountain masses near sea level.     

DOUBLE FOURIER SERIES ANALYSIS OF COCKPIT AND DOLINE KARST NEAR BROWNS TOWN,JAMAICA

Double Fourier series models of two doline and two cockpit landscapes in northern Jamaica, each 2 × 2 km in area, explained 92% and 90%, and 73% and 58% of the variance in the topographic data. The ten most significant waves accounted for 74% and 76%, and 61% and 58% of the variance in each model. The greater importance of frequency pairs of longer wavelength in the doline karst models suggests that there are fewer horizontally and vertically persistent bedrock fractures controlling topographic development in the doline areas than in the cockpit terrains—a fact confirmed by fracture-trace mapping. Frequency pair orientations and powers indicate that north-west- and northeast-trending fractures exert a major influence on topographic development in the cockpit terrains and that east-trending fractures are relatively more important in the doline areas. Further studies are needed to determine if Fourier models of the doline, cockpit, and tower karst styles differ in a consistent fashion and to find out to what extent these differences are related to the bedding, fracture, and relief characteristics of the karst bedrock. [Key words: Jamaica, karst, morphometry, double Fourier series, dolines, cockpits.]     

Response of hepatic trace element concentrations in fish exposed to elemental and organic contaminants

Multivariate analysis of contaminant data from a multi-year monitoring program demonstrates alterations in the hepatic chemistry of metals in fish exposed to organic contaminants. Metals (Ag, As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn, Zn) and organic chemicals (PCBs, DDTs, chlordanes, dieldrins, PAHs) were measured in liver and associated sediments for winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) from 23 sites along the northeast Atlantic coast and for Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) from 30 sites along the southeast Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of the United States. Concentrations of habitat contaminants varied from nil to levels signifying important anthropogenic inputs and thus provided a range in chronic exposures and related contaminant stress levels with which to investigate the response of hepatic chemistry in fish representative of viable populations. The data, analyzed by principal component, principal component regression, and biplot procedures, demonstrated an opposing relationship between micronutrient elements, principally Zn, and exposure to organic contaminants in winter flounder. This relationship was not present in Atlantic croaker that were resident in less contaminated habitats. Based on median concentrations in sediment, exposure of winter flounder to important organic contaminants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, DDTs) exceeded that for Atlantic croaker by 7 to 50 times. Coincident with depletion of hepatic Zn and Cd in winter flounder was accumulation of Hg and Ag. My results, in agreement with those of others, implicate the negative effects of hepatic detoxification of organic contaminants on metal binding in liver, which can cause depletion of essential elements while contaminant and potentially toxic elements accumulate.     

Sources and paleoclimatic significance of Holocene Bignell Loess, central Great Plains, USA

This paper reexamines the stratigraphy, sources, and paleoclimatic significance of Holocene Bignell Loess in the central Great Plains. A broadly similar sequence of loess depositional units and paleosols was observed in thick Bignell Loess sections up to 300 km apart, suggesting that these sections record major regional changes in the balance between dust deposition and pedogenesis. New optical ages, together with previously reported radiocarbon ages, indicate Bignell Loess deposition began 9000–11,000 yr ago and continued into the late Holocene; some Bignell Loess is <1000 yr old. There is little evidence that Holocene Loess was derived from flood plain sources, as previously proposed. Instead, thick Bignell Loess occurs mainly near the downwind margins of inactive dune fields, particularly atop escarpments facing the dunes. Thus, the immediate loess source was dust produced when the dunes were active. Previous work indicates that widespread episodes of dune activity are likely to have resulted from drier-than-present climatic conditions. The regionally coherent stratigraphy of Bignell Loess can be interpreted as a near-continuous record of climatically driven variation in dune field activity throughout the Holocene.     

Erodibility of cohesive streambeds in the loess area of the midwestern USA

Excess stress parameters, critical shear stress (τ_c) and erodibility coefficient (k_d), for degrading channels in the loess areas of the midwestern USA are presented based on in situ jet‐testing measurements. Critical shear stress and k_d are used to define the erosion resistance of the streambed. The jet‐testing apparatus applies hydraulic stresses to the bed and the resulting scour due to the impinging jet is related to the excess stress parameters. Streams tested were primarily silt‐bedded in texture with low densities, which is typical of loess soils. Results indicate that there is a wide variation in the erosion resistance of streambeds, spanning six orders of magnitude for τ_c and four orders of magnitude for k_d. Erosion resistance was observed to vary within a streambed, from streambed to streambed, and from region to region. An example of the diversity of materials within a river system is the Yalobusha River Basin in Mississippi. The median value of τ_c for the two primary bed materials, Naheola and Porters Creek Clay Formations, was 1·31 and 256 Pa, respectively. Streambeds composed of the Naheola Formation are readily eroded over the entire range of shear stresses, whereas only the deepest flows generate boundary stresses great enough to erode streambeds composed of the Porters Creek Clay Formation. Therefore, assessing material resistance and location is essential in classifying and modelling streambed erosion processes of these streams.     

U-Pb calcite age of the Late Permian Castile Formation, Delaware Basin: a constraint on the age of the Permian-Triassic boundary (?)

Organic-rich calcite laminated with gypsum in the evaporitic, non-fossiliferous Castile Formation of the Delaware Basin, southwest USA, yields a Total Pb/U isochron age of 251.5±2.8 Ma (MSWD=1.3). The Castile Formation is almost certainly Late Permian based on its ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr value of 0.706923, identical to the distinct minimum in the late Permian Sr curve. In this paper we explore the potential for using U-Pb calcite ages to date traditionally undatable sections and show how this southern-midcontinent USA (far west Texas and southeast New Mexico) deposit can be correlated to the type section in China. We accept that diagenetic alteration can bias U-Pb results, but the data set we present shows no evidence for such alteration. Clearly with alteration the age we present would represent a minimum age for the Castile Formation. If the age actually dates the Castile Formation then it requires the Permian-Triassic boundary to be younger than 251.5±2.8 Ma.     

Growth and characterization of synthetic iron-bearing olivine

Single crystals of olivine were grown at 0.1 MPa total pressure in a floating-zone image furnace. Composition of crystals grown ranged from 67 mol% forsterite to 90 mol% forsterite. Improvements in the crystal growth technique allowed growth of large crystals (0.005 m diameter, 0.070 m length) with very low dislocation density, no visible bubbles, and no cracks. The most significant improvement was the addition of a platinum-wound resistance heater internal to the image furnace. This heater provided the dual improvements of better control over oxygen fugacity from a CO/CO₂ gas mix and alteration of the crystal growth interface resulting in a significant reduction in crystal defects. No subgrain boundaries have been observed in crystals growth here and dislocation densities on the order of 10⁸-10⁹ m^-2 have been achieved. Iron concentration is nearly uniform across the diameter (0.005 m) of crystals and varies approximately 5 mol% along the crystal length (0.040 to 0.050 m).     

The Cortlandt complex: evidence for large-scale liquid immiscibility involving granodiorite and diorite magmas

Granodiorite and diorite plutons of the Rosetown complex, N.Y., which are associated with the nearby Cortlandt complex, have chemical and textural characteristics indicating that large-scale liquid immiscibility played a major role in their petrogenesis. Rare earth element, zirconium, niobium and phosphorus abundances are much greater in the diorite precluding the possibility that the Rosetown diorite and granodiorite are related by fractional crystallization. The trace element data also eliminate the possibility that the granodiorite represents: (1) a partial melt of crustal rocks including basalt; (2) a granitic cumulate; or (3) a residue from an aqueous fluid derived either from a silicate melt or crustal rocks. Liquid immiscibility appears to be viable model for the origin of the Rosetown granodiorite and iron-rich diorite. This model is supported by the following: (1) the major element compositions occur in a two-liquid field on a Greig diagram; (2) both bodies have similar Sr isotope compositions; (3) common phases in the two rock types have overlapping compositions; (4) the major and trace element data of the diorite and granodiorite are similar to the experimentally determined partition data of immiscible liquid pairs; and (5) possible ocelli of iron-rich diorite are found in the granodiorite.     

南秦岭横丹浊积岩系—晚古生代发育于扬子板块被动陆缘上的弧前盆地充填物

南秦岭横丹浊积岩系是一套巨厚的浊流沉积，以向南或南东倾的单斜构造产出。由下而上，该沉积层序包括深水盆地、深水浊积扇和斜坡水道3个相序。相应地，沉积物粒度变粗，厚度变大，火山质组分含量增加，凝灰层大量发育，表明横丹浊积岩系为活动型浊积岩；其古水流方向为NNW－NNE向，物源区为南侧的碧口火山岩系。另外，横丹浊积岩系内还见石英岩、重结晶大理岩成分的砾石，说明其物源还包括被动陆缘环境的沉积物。相序、组构、沉积特征和物源区综合分析表明，横丹浊积岩系为弧前盆地充填物。构筑这一弧前盆地的动力学机制是洋壳板块向南俯冲于扬子板块被动陆缘之下，时代可能晚于中晚泥盆世。