Contribution of stable isotopes to the understanding of the unsaturated zone of a carbonate aquifer (Nerja Cave, southern Spain)

We analysed the stable isotopes (¹⁸O and ²H) of rainwater and drip water within a cave (Nerja Cave) located in the unsaturated zone of a carbonate aquifer. Rainfall is more abundant and presents lower isotopic content in winter, while the volume of drip water is greater and its isotopic content is lower in summer. The flow analysis of ¹⁸O through the unsaturated zone confirms the seasonal lag between rainfall and the appearance of drip water in the cave and reveals that the unsaturated zone of the aquifer, in the sector of the cave, behaves like an inertial system with a strong capability to modulate the input signal. To cite this article: F. Carrasco et al., C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

Compressive palaeostress in the Mesozoic cover of the Tunisian atlas in relation with Africa–Europe moving together

The current structure of the central Tunisian Atlas fossilizes the different tectonic events that have succeeded and that have structured this region. The Lower Cretaceous of this sector reflects, through variations of thickness and facies, the importance of the tectonic activity during this period. The tectonic study detailed in this sector has revealed the existence of structures from the kilometric scale down to the metric one related to a compressive regime that has dominated the studied zone at least from the Upper Hauterivian until the Lower Aptian.     

Geophysical Field Pattern in The West Bohemian Geodynamic Active Area

Regional geophysical data from detailed gravity survey, airborne magnetometry and gamma-ray spectrometry were analysed in order to determine the subsurface extent of contrasting geological bodies and to highlight subtle anomalies which can be related to the occurrence of earthquake swarms. Potential field data were compiled into contour and colour-shaded relief maps suitable for detecting structural tectonic elements. A shaded relief map of the horizontal gradient of gravity was used to detect considerable structural and tectonic features. The results of airborne gamma-ray spectrometry, showing the regional total gamma-ray activity, abundance of uranium, thorium and potassium, were included in this study. Only the two most instructive maps – the total gamma-ray activity and the abundance of potassium are shown. The main line of epicentres Nový Kostel – Po9.gif" alt="ccaron" align="BASELINE" BORDER="0">átky coincides well with the N-S configuration of abundances of these natural radioactive elements. The epicentres of micro-earthquakes detected by the local seismological network KRASLICE for the 1991 to 1998 period were plotted in the geophysical maps. The hypocentres of earthquakes in the main epicentral zone at Nový Kostel were projected onto the crustal density model based on the interpretation of seismic reflection profile 9HR and gravity data. The average distance between the Nový Kostel epicentral zone and the seismic profile was 4-5 km. Based on the interpretation of gravity data the hypocentres of the main epicentral zone seem to be associated with the western margin of the Eibenstock - Nejdek (Karlovy Vary) Pluton and, beside that, they follow the depth level where the allochthonnous part of the Saxothuringian Zone is thrust over the European parautochton. A drawing of the geodynamic model of the area is also shown.     

1～9标度测度法在旅游资源定量评价中的应用--以福建漳浦前湖海底古森林遗迹等地文景观评价为例

在福建漳浦前湖地文景观景区旅游资源分析的基础上．基于层次分析法及专家咨询技术,应用1～9标度测度法等对景区的海底古森林遗迹、第四系完整剖面、奇特火山构造等资源单体的价值、开发潜力．及景区整体的综合开发潜力作出定量评价。认为该小区是集观赏、游憩和文化、科学价值于一体,以海底古森林遗迹、福建第四系完整剖面等景观为特色的优良级地文景观旅游资源小区,具优越的开发旅游、休闲度假等资源条件。     

400℃Cu—Bi—Te三元系及相平衡关系

利用干法真空石英玻璃管合成实验方法成功地构筑了Cu-Bi-Te三元系400℃时的相平衡图。在此实验温度条件下，该相图中除了存在着8个已知的矿物相、1个合成的Bi-Te二元相和2个液相共熔区外，同时还存在着一个新的Cu-Te二元相Cu9Te5以及两个Cu-Bi-Te三元相CuBiTe和Cu3BiTe3。     

Application of 1013 Ω Amplifiers in Low‐Signal Plasma‐Source Isotope Ratio Measurements by MC‐ICP‐MS: A Case Study with Pt Isotopes

Recent developments in amplifier hardware enable low‐noise measurements of exceedingly small ion beams in isotope ratio analysis, yielding higher precision from smaller samples than ever before. To date, these amplifiers have largely been employed in thermal ionisation instruments, with few applications using plasma‐source (i.e., MC‐ICP‐MS) instruments. Here, we demonstrate the utility of these new generation 10¹³ Ω amplifiers in MC‐ICP‐MS, employing Pt isotopes as a case study, a system that could greatly benefit from the promised advances. The data demonstrate that for samples with low Pt abundance, for a modest increase in uncertainties, the amount of sample required can be reduced by a factor of 50–100. This technique thereby opens up new possibilities for analysis of samples that have low Pt mass fractions or were otherwise impossible to obtain in sufficient quantities.     

Geophysical Study of the Valle Fértil Lineament Between 28°45′S and 31°30′S: Boundary Between the Cuyania and Pampia Terranes

A gravimetric and magnetometric study was carried out in the north-eastern portion of the Cuyania terrane and adjacent Pampia terrane. Gravimetric models permitted to interpret the occurrence of dense materials at the suture zone between the latter terranes. Magnetometric models led to propose the existence of different susceptibilities on either side of the suture. The Curie temperature point depth, representing the lower boundary of the magnetised crust, was found to be located at 25 km, consistent with the lower limit of the brittle crust delineated by seismic data; this unusually thick portion of the crust is thought to release stress producing significant seismicity.

Moho depths determined from seismic studies near western Sierras Pampeanas are significantly greater than those obtained from gravimetric crustal models.

Considering mass and gravity changes originated by the flat-slab Nazca plate along Cuyania and western Pampia terranes, it is possible to reconcile Moho thickness obtained either by seismic or by gravity data. Thus, topography and crustal thickness are controlled not only by erosion and shortening but by upper mantle heterogeneities produced by: (a) the oceanic subducted Nazca plate with “normal slope” also including asthenospheric materials between both continental and oceanic lithospheres; (b) flat-slab subducted Nazca plate (as shown in this work) without significant asthenospheric materials between both lithospheres. These changes influence the relationship between topographic altitudes and crustal thickness in different ways, differing from the simple Airy system relationship and modifying the crustal scale shortening calculation. These changes are significantly enlarged in the study area. Future changes in Nazca Plate slope will produce changes in the isostatic balance.     

SHRIMP dating of the Permo-Carboniferous Jinshajiang ophiolite, southwestern China: Geochronological constraints for the evolution of Paleo-Tethys

SHRIMP U–Pb zircon dating of gabbro, anorthosite, trondhjemite and granodiorite from the Jinshajiang ophiolitic m9;lange of southwestern China provides geochronological constraints on the evolution of Paleo-Tethys. The ophiolitic m9;lange is exposed for about 130 km along the Jinshajiang River where numerous blocks of serpentinite, ultramafic cumulate, gabbro, sheeted dikes, pillow lavas and radiolarian chert are set in a greenschist matrix. A cumulate gabbro-anorthosite association and an amphibole gabbro have ages of 338 ± 6 Ma, 329 ± 7 Ma and 320 ± 10 Ma, respectively, which constrain the time of formation of oceanic crust. An ophiolitic isotropic gabbro dated at 282–285 Ma has the same age as a trondhjemite vein (285 ± 6 Ma) cutting the gabbro. These ages probably reflect a late phase of sea-floor spreading above an intra-oceanic subduction zone. At the southern end of the Jinshajiang belt, a granitoid batholith (268 ± 6 Ma), a gabbro massif (264 ± 4 Ma), and a granodiorite (adakite) intrusion (263 ± 6 Ma) in the ophiolitic m9;lange constitute a Permian intra-oceanic plutonic arc complex. A trondhjemite dike intruded serpentinite in the m9;lange at 238 ± 10 Ma and postdates the arc evolution of the Jinshajiang segment of Paleo-Tethys.     

Rare Earth and High Field‐Strength Elements in the Multani Mitti Clay: A Study Using INAA

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to determine nine rare earth elements (REE), Sc and five high field‐strength elements (HFSE) in the Multani Mitti (MM) clay. Chondrite‐normalised rare earth element patterns for the MM clay compared with those for the Post‐Archaean Australian Shale (PAAS), Upper Continental Crust (UCC) and North American Shale Composite (NASC) showed enrichment of light REEs and depletion of heavy REEs with a slight negative Eu anomaly. The Multani Mitti clay showed close resemblance to PAAS and NASC in its average REE and HFSE contents. Positive correlations between La/Ce, La/Sm, La/Yb, Zr/Hf, Th/U and Th/Ta ratios predict enrichment of LREEs, Zr and Th and depletion of HREEs. A parent source of felsic origin for the MM clay is also endorsed through the high La/Th and low Th/Sc ratios observed.