Magnetic properties of tidal flat sediments of the Yangtze Estuary and its relationship with particle size

Since the 1970s, environmental magnetism has found extensive applications in diverse research areas of geoscience[1]. In China, a lot of environmental magnetic studies have been carried out on loess, lake and marine sediments for the purpose of paleoclima…     

The grain-size characteristics of Quaternary deposits at Xingshan near Siping in Jilin province, China

This research paper analyses the grain-size characteristics of the Quaternary deposits at Xingshan near Siping, Jilin province in China by employing graphic measures to study the grain size distribution and its mode of transport and deposition. The Quaternary deposits at Xingshan lie unconformable on Cretaceous rocks made of siltstone, mudstone and sandstone. The average grain size is between 8.06 to 8.55Ф （0. 002 6 0. 003 7 mm）. The Quaternary deposits at Xingshan mainly compose of very fine silt to clay. The compositions of the grade are clay 63 % and silt 37 %. The clay size components are weathered debris transported and deposited by flowing water from the SE highlands or hills to the low lying NW Xingshan plains whereas the silty components accumulated by aoelian process. The Quaternary deposits at Xingshan accumulated in the middle and late Pleistocene interglacial periods from （459.12 - 39.03 ） ka to （88.92 - 7.56 ） ka. The standard deviation ranged from 0.96 to 1.36%, indicating that the sediments are moderately to poorly sorted, Coefficient of skewness ranged from 0.16 - 0.31 with an average skewness of 0. 218, （Positively skewed towards fine）. Kurtosis values （0.84- 1.05） from the grain size distribution and visual inspection of the frequency curves indicate platykurtic to mesokurtic curves and unimodal to bimodal grain-size distribution. The type of deposit formation is sand dune and the source is at a distal from its provenance.     

Pliocene–Quaternary fluvial and aeolian records in the Souss Basin, southwest Morocco: A geomorphological model

The Souss Basin in SW Morocco is filled by Pliocene–Quaternary fluvial, fluvio-lacustrine and aeolian sediments, representing an excellent archive of palaeohydrology, palaeoclimate and the effects of crustal deformation. In general these sediments indicate stream-dominated alluvial systems, influenced by fluctuations in climate (humidity/aridity). Lakes developed within the basin around the Pliocene–Pleistocene transition and persisted into the Early Pleistocene. During this early period, relatively humid conditions are indicated by the dominance of coarse-grained sedimentation in the upper reaches of fluvial systems, the existence of large lakes and the considerable sediment thicknesses in the centre of the basin. Uplift of the surrounding mountain ranges contributed to piedmont formation by providing large amounts of coarse-grained material that accumulated at the lowland margin. Climatic deterioration in the Middle Pleistocene was accompanied by progressively more irregular and disrupted fluvial regimes. These trends were evident in the Late Pleistocene and became clearer after the mid-Holocene, with aeolian activity becoming the dominant sedimentary agent. Differences between upstream and downstream depositional regimes became marked: while coarse-grained sedimentation has characterized the upper reaches of wadi catchments, fine-grained sedimentation has prevailed downstream. Hiatuses in sedimentation throughout the Pliocene and Quaternary are marked by palaeosol horizons interbedded within the sedimentary sequences, indicating alternate vegetated (stable) and unvegetated (unstable/active) phases (biostasy and ‘rhexistasy’).     

The Pleistocene evolution of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet in the Prydz bay region: stable isotopic evidence from ODP Site 1167

Ocean Drilling Program Leg 188, Prydz Bay, East Antarctica is part of a larger initiative to explore the Cenozoic history of the Antarctic Ice Sheet through direct drilling and sampling of the continental margins. In this paper, we present stable isotopic results from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 1167 located on the Prydz Channel Trough Mouth Fan (TMF), the first Antarctic TMF to be drilled. The foraminifer-based δ¹⁸O record is interpreted along with sedimentary and downhole logging evidence to reconstruct the Quaternary glacial history of Prydz Bay and the adjacent Lambert Glacier Amery Ice Shelf System (LGAISS). We report an electron spin resonance age date of 36.9±3.3 ka at 0.45 m below sea floor and correlate suspected glacial–interglacial cycles with the global isotopic stratigraphy to improve the chronology for Site 1167. The δ¹⁸O record based on planktonic (Neogloboquadrina pachyderma (s.)) and limited benthic results (Globocassidulina crassa), indicates a trend of ice sheet expansion that was interrupted by a period of reduced ice volume and possibly warmer conditions during the early–mid-Pleistocene (0.9–1.38 Ma). An increase in δ¹⁸O values after 900 ka appears to coincide with the mid-Pleistocene climate transition and the expansion of the northern hemisphere ice sheet. The δ¹⁸O record in the upper 50 m of the stratigraphic section indicates as few as three glacial–interglacial cycles, tentatively assigned as marine isotopic stages (MIS) 16–21, are preserved since the Brunhes/Matuyama paleomagnetic reversal (780 ka). This suggests that there is a large unconformity near the top of the section and/or that there may have been few extreme advances of the ice sheet since the mid-Pleistocene climate transition resulting in lowered sedimentation rates on the Prydz Channel TMF. The stable isotopic record from Site 1167 is one of the few available from the area south of the Antarctic Polar Front that has been linked with the global isotopic stratigraphy. Our results suggest the potential for the recovery of useful stable isotopic records in other TMFs.     

Environmental changes on Yugorski Peninsula, Kara Sea, Russia, during the last 12,800 radiocarbon years

New pollen and radiocarbon data from an 8.6-m coastal section, Cape Shpindler (69°43′N; 62°48′E), Yugorski Peninsula, document the latest Pleistocene and Holocene environmental history of this low Arctic region. Twelve AMS ¹⁴C dates indicate that the deposits accumulated since about 13,000 until 2000 radiocarbon years BP. A thermokarst lake formed ca. 13,000–12,800 years BP, when scarce arctic tundra vegetation dominated the area. By 12,500 years BP, a shallow lake existed at the site, and Arctic tundra with Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Salix, Saxifraga, and Artemisia dominated nearby vegetation. Climate was colder than today. Betula nana became dominant during the Early Preboreal period about 9500 years BP, responding to a warm event, which was one of the warmest during the Holocene. Decline in B. nana and Salix after 9500 years BP reflects a brief event of Preboreal cooling. A subsequent increase in Betula and Alnus fruticosa pollen percentages reflects amelioration of environmental conditions at the end of Preboreal period (ca. 9300 years BP). A decline in arboreal taxa later, with a dramatic increase in herb taxa, reflects a short cold event at about 9200 years BP. The pollen data reflect a northward movement of tree birch, peaking at the middle Boreal period, around 8500 years BP. Open Betula forest existed on the Kara Sea coast of the Yugorski Peninsula during the Atlantic period (8000–4500 years BP), indicating that climate was significantly warmer than today. Deteriorating climate around the Atlantic–Subboreal boundary (ca. 4500 years BP) is recorded by a decline in Betula percentages. Sedimentation slowed at the site, and processes of denudation and/or soil formation started at the beginning of the Subatlantic period, when vegetation cover on Yugorski Peninsula shifted to near-modern assemblages.     

Late Quaternary landscapes in Central Australia: sedimentary history and palaeoecology of Puritjarra rock shelter

Puritjarra rock shelter provides a long record of late Quaternary vegetation in the Australian arid zone. Analysis of the sedimentary history of this rock shelter is combined with reanalysis of charcoal and phytolith records to provide a first‐order picture of changing landscapes in western Central Australia. These show a landscape responding to increasing aridity from 45 ka with deflation of clay‐rich red palaeosols (<45 ka) and sharp declines in grassland and other vegetation at 40–36 ka, and at the beginning of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) (24 ka). Vegetation in the catchment of the rock shelter recovered after 15 ka with expansion of both acacia woodland and spinifex grasslands, registering stronger summer rainfall in the interior of the continent. By 8.3 ka re‐vegetation of local palaeosols and dunes had choked off sediment supply to the rock shelter and the character of the sediments changed abruptly. Poaceae values peaked at 5.8 ka, suggesting the early–mid Holocene climatic optimum in Central Australia is bracketed between 8.3 and 5.8 ka. Local vegetation was disrupted in the late Holocene with a sharp decline in Poaceae at 3.8 ka, coinciding with an abrupt intensification of ENSO. Local grasslands recovered over the next two millennia and by 1.5 ka the modern vegetation appears to have become established. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CONSIDERATION OF HYDRODYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS,SEDIMENTS & ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS OF MUDDY COAST IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF LIANYUNGANG HARBOUR

After nearly 20 years of construction,we have successfully solved a series of hydrologic sedimentaryand environment problems encountered during the construction of the big deep water harbour inLianyungang which can now accommodate ships of 50000 tonnage.With the economic development,the channel of 50000 tonnage will be built soon, and of 100000 tonnage is under planning. Theconstruction of the international container shipping hub at the harbour is being accelerated in anticipationof the opening of the second Eurasian land bridge.The future development of the harbour will givegreat impetus to the local economy of Lianyungang City and make it an international city.     

湖相深水细粒物质的混合沉积作用探讨*

沉积物的混合是自然界的普遍现象,湖盆中广泛发育的深水细粒沉积岩本身就是一类混积岩。以东营凹陷古近系沙河街组三段下亚段—沙河街组四段上亚段细粒沉积岩为研究对象,通过厘米级岩心观察描述、小型沉积构造解剖、岩石薄片观察、X射线衍射全岩矿物分析及微量元素测试等方法,研究细粒物质的产出状态和混合方式;分析湖盆流体、气候及水体性质对细粒物质迁移、混合、沉积的控制作用,尝试探讨细粒物质的混合沉积机制。结果表明,湖相深水细粒沉积岩既有物质成分上的混合,也有结构的混合,且在宏观与微观的不同尺度均存在混合;混合沉积作用有均匀混合、纹层叠置混合、不均匀团块状混合等类型。纹层叠置混合沉积是最主要的混合沉积方式,依据纹层接触关系、所占比例及矿物产出状态可分为泥砂—灰纹层叠置混合型、泥—灰纹层叠置混合型、泥砂粒序—灰纹层叠置混合型、灰—泥—云纹层叠置混合型等。湖相深水细粒物质的混合沉积作用类型多且往往受多个因素同时控制,气候及水动力条件是控制细粒混合沉积岩发育的最主要因素,不同流体(浊流和底流)作用下的细粒沉积物混合作用存在差异。气候引起湖水性质变化及水体分层,从而控制不同类型细粒物质的絮凝沉降及化学沉积。不同构造部位、不同水体深度的混合作用不同;相同构造部位在垂向上也存在混合沉积方式的差异。     

南海北部陆坡神狐海域晚中新世以来沉积物中生物组分变化及意义

对南海北部陆坡神狐海域4口钻孔(BY1、BY2、BY3、BY4)岩心沉积物中微体古生物的研究表明晚中新世以来该区沉积物中硅质和钙质生物组分丰度具有较大时间和空间变化。从时间上看,硅质生物在晚中新世-上新世几乎缺失,中更新世以来约40万年(0~24 m)才较多出现,18万年以后繁盛,大于0.15 mm粗粒级有孔虫在晚中新世期间丰度很低,而在更新世-上新世丰度很高;空间上的差异表现在不同的钻井岩心中生物丰度变化范围较大。根据硅质生物丰度变化可推测晚中新世-上新世-早更新世时海水表层古生产力极低,而中更新世以来古生产力相对较高。南海北部钙质生物丰度的变化主要受控于陆源物质的输入量,在钻探区可识别2个可能具有不同物质来源的小区块,如BY1、BY2孔晚中新世-上新世陆源物质的输入量高于更新世,BY3和BY4孔更新世陆源物质的输入量高于上新世。2007年本区钻探结果揭示的一个令人惊奇和十分独特的现象,水合物以高达20%~49%饱和度状态分散在细粒沉积物(黏土粉砂)孔隙中,本研究发现这些矿层富含钙质生物组分(钙质超微化石和有孔虫),而硅质组分贫乏。由此初步推测,大量钙质生物组分的存在可能增加了黏土粉砂沉积物的孔隙空间,从而为大量水合物的赋存提供了有利的沉积孔隙空间。     

黄河三角洲沉积物超固结特征及其成因

以室内固结试验为基础,从含水量、孔隙比、粒度成分、前期固结压力等方面对黄河三角洲沉积物的固结状态进行了研究,发现黄河三角洲地区沉积物垂向上呈现超固结-正常固结-欠固结的趋势,6 m以上沉积物处于超固结状态,这是土体粒度成分和沉积环境的影响等因素共同作用形成的。土体胶结方式的不同和波浪等动力因素的影响深度的不同决定了超固结特征沿深度非均匀化。