Estimates of present-day erosion based on sediment transport in rivers: a case study in Taiwan

We discuss the present-day sediment transport by rivers, and hence the erosion rate in upstream basins, based on the example of Taiwan Rivers where large datasets are available. After data correction, the values of the suspended sediment load in the lower Kaoping River are nearly three times smaller than those from the literature. On the other hand, we add the bed load evaluated from numerical modelling, despite limitations from data and models. Whereas the contribution of the chemical denudation rate in Taiwan is minor, the bed load is significant and must be evaluated. We point out that biases in data collection may favour high values of suspended load data, and that large series of datasets are needed to reduce uncertainties and smooth the time variability effect. To cite this article: F.-C. Li et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).     

Forward Modeling with Forced Neural Networks for Gravity Anomaly Prof?le

In this paper, we introduce a new method called Forced Neural Network (FNN) to find the parameters of the object in geophysical section respect to gravity anomaly assuming the prismatic model. The aim of the geological modeling is to find the shape and location of underground structure, which cause the anomalies, in 2D cross section. At the first stage, we use one neuron to model the system and apply back propagation algorithm to find out the density difference. At the second level, quantization is applied to the density differences and mean square error of the system is computed. This process goes on until the mean square error of the system is small enough. First, we use FNN to two synthetic data, and then the Sivas–Gürün basin map in Turkey is chosen as a real data application. Anomaly values of the cross section, which is taken from the gravity anomaly map of Sivas–Gürün basin, are very close to those obtained from the proposed method.     

The Upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) fluvial–aeolian systems of the southern Neuquén Basin, Argentina

The Kimmeridgian Quebrada del Sapo Formation in the southernmost Neuquén Basin in Argentina represents a succession up to 40 m thick of coarse- to fine-grained fluvial deposits overlain by aeolian deposits. These fluvial–aeolian deposits reflect a significant palaeogeographic change in the basin and are related to a major, tectonically enhanced, relative sea-level fall. The fluvial section is dominated by braided-channel, fine-grained ephemeral, and sheetflood deposits. Aeolian facies are dominated by dune deposits, with minor sandsheet and interdune units. Changes in the nature of both fluvial and aeolian sedimentation within the studied area suggest a regional variability of accommodation/sediment supply conditions. The regional changes of the aeolian succession likely reflect different relative positions within a major erg. In the upwind margin of the erg, a shallow water table promoted water-lain sedimentation in interdune areas, whereas in the central parts of the erg, dry sediment accumulation took place above the regional water-table level. The vertical transition observed in the Quebrada del Sapo Formation, from fluvial to aeolian deposits, may be the result of a local climatic change to drier conditions due to the development of a climatic barrier imposed by growth of a magmatic arc to the west. Alternatively, the vertical transition could be related to a lowering of the water table associated with the compartmentalization of the basin during a period of low sea level.     

The structural evolution of sheath folds: A case study from Cap de Creus

It has long been recognised that within zones of intense non-coaxial deformation, fold hinges may rotate progressively towards the transport direction ultimately resulting in highly curvilinear sheath folds. However, there is a surprising lack of detailed and systematic field analysis of such “evolving” sheath folds. This case study therefore focuses on the sequential development of cm-scale curvilinear folds in the greenschist-facies El Llimac shear zone, Cap de Creus, Spain. This simple shear-dominated dextral shear zone displays superb three dimensional exposures of sheath folds defined by mylonitic quartz bands within phyllonite. Increasing amounts of fold hinge curvature (δ) are marked by hinge segments rotating into sub-parallelism with the mineral lineation (Lm), whilst the acute angle between the axial-planar hinge girdle and foliation (ω) also displays a sequential reduction. Although Lm bisects the noses of sheath folds, it is also clearly folded and wrapped-around the sheath hinges. Lm typically preserves a larger angle (θ) with the fold hinge on the lower limb (L) compared to the upper (U) limb (θL > θU), suggesting that Lm failed to achieve a steady orientation on the lower limb. Adjacent sheath fold hinges forming fold pairs may display the same sense of hinge arcing to define synthetic curvature, or alternatively opposing directions of antithetic curvature. Such patterns reflect original buckle fold geometries coupled with the direction of shearing. The ratio of long/short fold limbs decreases with increasing hinge curvilinearity, indicating sheath folds developed via stretching of the short limb, rather than migrating or rolling hinge models. This study unequivocally demonstrates that both hinges of fold pairs become curvilinear with sheaths closing in the transport direction recording greater hinge-line curvilinearity compared to adjacent return hinges. This may provide a useful guide to bulk shear sense.     

用非线性最优化方法研究El Niño可预报性的进展与前瞻

综述用非线性优化方法研究厄尔尼诺(El Ni(n)o)-南方涛动(ENSO)事件可预报性的进展.针对ENSO可预报性研究中的热点问题--"前期征兆"、"春季可预报性障碍",以及如何量化研究ENSO可预报性和ENSO的不对称性问题,作者在近年来的工作中先后用理论模式和中等复杂程度ENSO模式研究了ENSO可预报性的动力学,揭示了ENSO的若干重要非线性特征.主要结果如下:(1)条件非线性最优扰动(CNOP)(局部CNOP)比线性奇异向量更易发展成ENSO事件,扮演了ENSO的最优前期征兆.这些ENSO事件关于气候平均态是不对称的.理论分析表明,非线性温度平流过程是造成这种不对称性的重要原因.1980～2002年的海洋再分析资料验证了上述理论结果.(2)ENSO事件CNOP型初始误差的发展有明显的季节依赖性,该误差导致了ENSO事件最显著的春季可预报性障碍(SPB)现象.ENSO事件SPB的发生不仅依赖于气候平均态,而且依赖于ENSO事件本身及其初始误差模态,是三者综合作用的结果.(3)建立了关于ENSO可预报性的最大可预报时间下界、最大预报误差上界和最大允许初始误差下界的三类可预报性问题,分别从三个方面揭示了ENSO事件的春季可预报性障碍现象,比较有效地量化了其可预报性.(4)通过CNOP方法,揭示了非线性温度平流在年代际尺度ENSO不对称性研究中的重要作用,解释了ENSO不对称性的年代际变化,基于所用ENSO模式给出了ENSO不对称性年代际变化的机制.最后,展望了非线性优化方法在ENSO可预报性中应用的前景,并期望该方法能拓展到ENSO第二类可预报性问题的研究中.     

First lead isotopic data for cinnabar in the Almadén district (Spain): implications for the genesis of the mercury deposits

The Almadén district constitutes the largest and probably the most intriguing mercury concentration in the world. Two types of mineralization are recognized: 1) stratabound, of Lower Silurian age, well represented by the large Almadén deposit; and 2) fully discordant mercury deposits of minor importance in terms of size, and exemplified by the deposit of Las Cuevas. The latter ones can be found at different positions along the Almadén stratigraphic column. Both types of deposits are always associated with the so-called frailesca rocks (diatremes of alkali basaltic composition). This paper reports the first lead isotope compositions of cinnabar in the district. Whole samples and stepwise leaching cinnabar aliquots display relatively homogeneous isotopic compositions (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.112–18.460; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.635–15.705; ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.531–38.826). Taken together with Jébrak et al.s (2002) pyrite lead isotope results, the new cinnabar isotopic data define a steep array trend on the ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb– ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb diagram, indicating a mixed contribution of lead and probably mercury from different sedimentary sources in the Almadén basin. The Almadén Hg deposits are related to a contemporaneous mafic magmatism that might have provided part of the mercury. Hydrothermal leaching of organic matter from sedimentary rocks and formation of Hg organic complexes enhanced metal solubility, promoting transport from and within the volcanic units.Editorial handling: M. Chiaradia     

Palaeolimnological evidence for recent climatic change in lakes from the northern Urals, arctic Russia

The recent sediments from two deep arctic lakes, Mitrofanovskoe and Vanuk-ty, situated in the permafrost belt within the Bolshezemelskaya Tundra in the northern Ural region, were studied for diatoms, chironomids, spheroidal carbonaceous particles and stable lead isotopes. The magnitudes and rates-of-change in diatom and chironomid assemblages were numerically estimated. Instrumental climate records were used to assess statistically the amount of variance in diatom and chironomid data explained by temperature. August and September air temperatures have a statistically significant effect on diatom composition at both lakes. At Mitrofanovskoe Lake, major compositional changes in diatom and chironomid assemblages occurred at the turn of the 20th century and might be related to the regional increase in temperature. Chironomid-inferred air temperature also increased by approximately 1 °C since the early 1900s. At both lakes diatom compositional changes, coincident with the increase in June and September temperatures, also occurred in the late 1960s. These compositional changes are correlated with the increase in diatom production, sediment organic content and diatom species richness, and are likely to be a diatom response to the lengthening of the growing season. These changes are also correlated with the circum-Arctic temperature increase from the 1960s. A chironomid response to the late 1960s temperature increase was less pronounced at both lakes. Pollution levels are relatively low and pollution history is unrelated to ecological changes. Both lead isotopes and spheroidal carbonaceous particles show a clear atmospheric pollution signal, peaking in the 1980s.     

Le domaine Tariquide (arc de Gibraltar,Espagne et Maroc) : succession et hiatus de la sédimentation du Jurassique supérieur au Paléocène

The originality of the Malm–Cretaceous series of the Tariquides (Gibraltar arc), as compared to those of the Rifian–Betic ‘Dorsale’ (Alboran domain), and especially with the Penibetic (Iberia) domain, is emphasized. In the Los Pastores Group, near Algeciras, Upper Tithonian nodular limestones directly lie on the Dogger and are followed by Aptychus-bearing limestones (Late Berriasian to Barremian). In the Musa Group, Rif, radiolarites are followed by siliceous limestones (Kimmeridgian–Tithonian), then by karst and massflow breccias connected to a Berriasian tectonics, by Aptychus-bearing marly limestones, then by karst filled by Turonian limestones, and finally by Maastrichtian–Palaeocene polychrome pelites, whose micropalaeontological and mineral compositions (clay minerals, FeMn nodules) refer to a deep-sea, probably infra-CCD, sedimentation. To cite this article: M. Durand-Delga et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).