Deep‐water foreland basin deposits of the Cerro Toro Formation,Magallanes basin,Chile: architectural elements of a sinuous basin axial channel belt

Coarse‐grained deep‐water strata of the Cerro Toro Formation in the Cordillera Manuel Señoret, southern Chile, represent the deposits of a major channel belt (4 to 8 km wide by >100 km long) that occupied the foredeep of the Magallanes basin during the Late Cretaceous. Channel belt deposits comprise a ca 400 m thick conglomeratic interval (informally named the ‘Lago Sofia Member’) encased in bathyal fine‐grained units. Facies of the Lago Sofia Member include sandy matrix conglomerate (that show evidence of traction‐dominated deposition and sedimentation from turbulent gravity flows), muddy matrix conglomerate (graded units interpreted as coarse‐grained slurry‐flow deposits) and massive sandstone beds (high‐density turbidity current deposits). Interbedded sandstone and mudstone intervals are present locally, interpreted as inner levée deposits. The channel belt was characterized by a low sinuousity planform architecture, as inferred from outcrop mapping and extensive palaeocurrent measurements. Laterally adjacent to the Lago Sofia Member are interbedded mudstone and sandstone facies derived from gravity flows that spilled over the channel belt margin. A levée interpretation for these fine‐grained units is based on several observations, which include: (i) palaeocurrent measurements that indicate flows diverged (50° to 100°) once they spilled over the confining channel margin; (ii) sandstone beds progressively thin, away from the channel belt margin; (iii) evidence that the eroded channel base was not very well indurated, including a stepped margin and injection of coarse‐grained channel material into surrounding fine‐grained units; and (iv) the presence of sedimentary features common to levées, including slumped units inferring depositional slopes dipping away from the channel margin, lenticular sandstone beds thinning distally from the channel margin, soft sediment deformation and climbing ripples. The tectonic setting and foredeep architecture influenced deposition in the axial channel belt. A significant downstream constriction of the channel belt is reflected by a transition from more tabular units to an internal architecture dominated by lenticular beds associated with a substantially increased degree of scour. Differential propagation of the fold‐thrust belt from the west is speculated to have had a major control on basin, and subsequently channel, width. The confining influence of the basin slopes that paralleled the channel belt, as well as the likelihood that numerous conduits fed into the basin along the length of the active fold‐thrust belt to the west, suggest that proximal–distal relationships observed from large channels in passive margin settings are not necessarily applicable to axial channels in elongate basins.     

Metalliferous paragenesis of the San José mine, Oruro, Bolivia

The San José silver–tin deposit, Oruro, is located in the Cordillera Oriental, which contains most of the metalliferous mineralizations of Bolivia and is related to a quartz-latite dome of Miocene age. The mineral paragenesis encountered in this study is composed of cassiterite, stannite, miargyrite, pyrargyrite, andorite and Bi-rich andorite, jamesonite, pavonite/benjaminite, boulangerite, owyheeite, ramdohrite and Bi-rich ramdohrite, bismuthinite, besides pyrite, chalcopyrite, Ag-rich tetrahedrite, galena and sphalerite, all of which are analyzed by electron microprobe analysis. With semi-quantitative SEM/EDS and XRD analyses, rhodostannite and kësterite/ferrokësterite were found in association with andorite, and chalcostibite was determined by XRD, in association with zinkenite, tetrahedrite and pyrite.     

The paleoclimate of the eastern desert of Jordan during marine isotope stage 9

Two Cardium horizons from the topmost Azraq Formation in the eastern desert of Jordan were investigated and dated by U/Th at 330 ka; MIS 9. Fossil diversity and abundance, especially for Charophytes and gastropods with the absence of palygorskite, dolomite and evaporites, suggest the presence of a fresh water lake changing to a brackish environment at certain time intervals. A lake or possibly several smaller and shallower lakes occupied an area of about 50 km wide within the Azraq Basin. The present-day arid climate cannot support the presence of lakes in the eastern desert of Jordan, and thus MIS 9 in Jordan must have been much wetter. The source of humidity was most probably more intense Mediterranean cyclones associated with warmer than present MIS 9. However, the possibility of summer monsoon rain from the south cannot be fully excluded.     

Effect of light on germination of seven species of cacti from the Zapotitlán Valley in Puebla, México

Seed germination of seven species of cacti from Zapotitlán Valley, Puebla, Mexico, were compared at four different light treatments (red light, far-red light, white light and darkness) at a constant temperature of 25°C, and at two light treatments (white light and darkness) at two fluctuating temperatures (15–30°C and 20–30°C). Results allowed us to divide the studied species into two groups: positive photoblastic and indifferent to light. Positive photoblastics were barrel cacti and indifferent to light species were columnar cacti. Although barrel cacti had a light requirement for germination, they germinated in far-red light. Probable relationships among life-form, species distribution and light requirements for germination are discussed.     

广东省大宝山铜矿成矿预测空间数据库建设及成矿信息提取

大宝山矿床是我国著名多金属矿床之一,其中铁、铜硫、钨钼等元素均达到大型规模。据记载,唐宋时期古人即在此开采。随着社会经济的不断发展,矿产开采量的不断加剧,数百年的开采使得矿区内已探明的铁、铜硫、钨钼等多金属矿产资源储量日益枯竭。因此,矿山外围、深部找矿勘探增储工作显得非常迫切。然而,数百年的勘查与开采使得矿区积累了大量的地、物、化、遥数据,从而迫切的需要建立地学空间数据库,对多源空间数据进行科学有效地管理;为成矿信息的提取研究提供可能性。鉴于传统数据库不适应于高效的管理多源数据库,且GIS技术以其高效的数据管理及强大的空间数据处理能力,为多源数据集成找矿提供了一个科学的平台,在成矿信息提取及成矿预测评价中的应用越来越受到国内外学者的高度重视。本文运用ArcSDE Geodatabase和Oracle空间数据库技术,从概念设计、逻辑结构设计、物理设计3大方面系统介绍了大宝山地学空间数据库的设计过程;从图形库的建立、属性库的建立、图形库与属性库的关联3个方面介绍了空间数据库的建立过程,进而完成了大宝山铜矿成矿信息的空间数据库建库工作;完成对成矿数据进行科学有效地存储、查询、处理、运算及更新等操作,从而实现了基于GIS与SDM相结合的技术从数据库中对遥感热液蚀变、地质、物探、化探等有用成矿信息的提取;最终利用SKUA-GOCAD三维平台将多源数据进行三维可视化显示。研究成果可为生产矿山开展的外围、深部找矿勘探工作提供依据。     

Recognition criteria,characteristics and implications of the fluvial to marine transition zone in ancient deltaic deposits (Lajas Formation,Argentina)

The seaward end of modern rivers is characterized by the interactions of marine and fluvial processes, a tract known as the fluvial to marine transition zone, which varies between systems due to the relative strength of these processes. To understand how fluvial and tidal process interactions and the fluvial to marine transition zone are preserved in the rock record, large‐scale outcrops of deltaic deposits of the Middle Jurassic Lajas Formation (Neuquén Basin, Argentina) have been investigated. Fluvial–tidal indicators consist of cyclically distributed carbonaceous drapes in unidirectional, seaward‐oriented cross‐stratifications, which are interpreted as the result of tidal modulation of the fluvial current in the inner part of the fluvial to marine transition zone. Heterolithic deposits with decimetre‐scale interbedding of coarser‐grained and finer‐grained facies with mixed fluvial and tidal affinities are interpreted to indicate fluvial discharge fluctuations (seasonality) and subordinate tidal influence. Many other potential tidal indicators are argued to be the result of fluvial–tidal interactions with overall fluvial dominance or of purely fluvial processes. No purely tidal or tide‐dominated facies were recognized in the studied deposits. Moreover, fluvial–tidal features are found mainly in deposits interpreted as interflood (forming during low river stage) in distal (delta front) or off‐axis (interdistributary) parts of the system. Along major channel axes, the interpreted fluvial to marine transition zone is mainly represented by the fluvial‐dominated section, whereas little or no tide‐dominated section is identified. The system is interpreted to have been hyposynchronous with a poorly developed turbidity maximum. These conditions and the architectural elements described, including major and minor distributary channels, terminal distributary channels, mouth bars and crevasse mouth bars, are consistent with an interpretation of a fluvial‐dominated, tide‐influenced delta system and with an estimated short backwater length and inferred microtidal conditions. The improved identification of process interactions, and their preservation in ancient fluvial to marine transition zones, is fundamental to refining interpretations of ancient deltaic successions.     

Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Bias on Isotope Ratios in Dolomite–Ankerite,Part II: δ13C Matrix Effects

This study is Part II of a series that documents the development of a suite of calibration reference materials for in situ SIMS analysis of stable isotope ratios in Ca‐Mg‐Fe carbonates. Part I explored the effects of Fe²⁺ substitution on SIMS δ¹⁸O bias measured from the dolomite–ankerite solid solution series [CaMg(CO₃)₂–CaFe(CO₃)₂], whereas this complementary work explores the compositional dependence of SIMS δ¹³C bias (calibrated range: Fe# = 0.004–0.789, where Fe# = molar Fe/(Mg+Fe)). Under routine operating conditions for carbonate δ¹³C analysis at WiscSIMS (CAMECA IMS 1280), the magnitude of instrumental bias increased exponentially by 2.5–5.5‰ (session‐specific) with increasing Fe‐content in the dolomite structure, but appeared insensitive to minor Mn substitution [< 2.6 mole % Mn/(Ca+Mg+Fe+Mn)]. The compositional dependence of bias (i.e., the matrix effect) was expressed using the Hill equation, yielding calibration residual values ≤ 0.3‰ relative to CRM NBS‐19 for eleven carbonate reference materials (6‐μm‐diameter spot size measurements). Based on the spot‐to‐spot repeatability of a drift monitor material that ‘bracketed’ each set of ten sample‐spot analyses, the analytical precision was ± 0.6–1.2‰ (2s, standard deviations). The analytical uncertainty for individual sample analyses was approximated by combining the precision and calibration residual values (propagated in quadrature), suggesting an uncertainty of ± 1.0–1.5‰ (2s).     

Calcium Isotopic Fractionation during Ion‐Exchange Column Chemistry and Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (TIMS) Determination

Significant isotopic fractionation can occur during column chemistry and determination by mass spectrometry. Improper correction may produce uncertainties in the isotopic composition of geological samples. We investigated calcium isotopic fractionation during these two processes and set up a model to check data quality. The δ^44/40Ca_915a value of IAPSO seawater in different Ca cuts (e.g., 0–20, 20–40, 40–60, 60–80 and 80–100%) on column chemistry ranged from ~ 4‰ to 0‰. The more Ca was eluted, the lower the δ^44/40Ca_915a value of the elution was found. The isotopic fractionation of calcium on the column appeared to follow the exponential law. However, TIMS instrumental fractionation during Ca runs did not always follow the exponential law due to mixing effects from sample reservoirs on the filament. Our results show that errors could be caused if the instrumental fractionation deviates from the exponential law, especially when the fractionation degree is large. To improve the measurement uncertainty, a model is proposed to check the behaviour and degree of instrumental fractionation, which will provide a quick and reasonable verdict on the data quality of TIMS runs.     

Precise and Accurate Doping of Nanoporous Silica Gel for the Synthesis of Trace Element Microanalytical Reference Materials

This study presents an experimental procedure to fabricate high‐purity silica glass containing a selected element at a specified mass fraction. The procedure was used to prepare glasses doped with trace‐level mass fractions of Ti with the goal of improving analytical confidence when measuring trace elements in quartz. Systematic tests were performed to determine the ideal conditions and procedures for doping nanoporous silica gel with the highest efficiency of dopant recovery. Silica gel was cleaned in concentrated HCl, immersed in a non‐polar doping medium at a controlled pH and doped with precise quantities of ICP‐MS standard solution. Using liquids composed of longer chain molecules as the doping medium diminishes recovery, suggesting that large molecules could obstruct nanopores to inhibit capillary uptake of the dopant. A control experiment using crystalline quartz reinforced the effectiveness of nanoporous silica gel for doping with trace‐level precision. Layered aggregates of silica gel doped with different Ti mass fractions were hot‐pressed to create multi‐layered reference materials that were analysed with multiple techniques at a variety of spatial scales. Analyses at the intra‐grain scale (cathodoluminescence scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis), at the single grain scale (SIMS), at the sample layer scale (EPMA, laser ablation‐ICP‐MS) and at the bulk scale (ICP‐OES) demonstrated acceptable homogeneity at sample volumes characteristic of most microanalysis techniques and show that nanoporous silica gel holds promise as a highly retentive doping substrate for preparing reference materials for laser‐, electron‐ and ion‐beam microanalysis.     

Appropriate Sampling for Optimised Measurement (ASOM), rather than the Theory of Sampling (TOS) Approach,to Ensure Suitable Measurement Quality: A Refutation of Esbensen and Wagner (2014)

The ‘Appropriate Sampling for Optimised Measurement’ (ASOM) approach considers measurement to be the focus of the sampling process, and sampling to be only the first part of the measurement process. To achieve ASOM, the uncertainty of measurements, including its contribution from sampling, needs to be estimated and optimised in order to achieve fitness‐for‐purpose. Such samples are then ‘sufficiently’ representative. The ‘Theory of Sampling’ (TOS) focuses on the processes of primary sampling and sample preparation and assumes that samples are ‘representative’ if they are correctly prepared by nominally ‘correct’ protocols. It defines around ten sampling ‘errors’, which are either modelled or minimised to improve sampling quality. It is argued that the ASOM approach is more effective in achieving appropriate measurement quality than in applying TOS to just the first part of the measurement process. The comparison is made less effective by the different objectives, scopes, terminology and assumptions of the two approaches. ASOM can be applied to in situ materials that are too variable to be modelled accurately, or where sources of uncertainty are unsuspected. The proposed integration of ASOM with TOS (Esbensen and Wagner 2014, Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 57, 93–106) is therefore effectively impossible. However, some TOS procedures can be useful within the ASOM approach.