The structure and dynamics of M17SW

The M17SW molecular cloud core has been mapped at high resolution in the C¹⁷OJ = 3 2 transition and in 450, 600, 800, 1100 and 1300µm continuum emission, using the JCMT. The clumpy nature of the cloud core is clearly revealed and the northern condensation has been resolved into 3 main clumps, each of which lies close to an H₂O maser, suggesting that they may contain young embedded stellar objects.     

Abundant Fe–Ti oxide inclusions in olivine from the Panzhihua and Hongge layered intrusions, SW China: evidence for early saturation of Fe–Ti oxides in ferrobasaltic magma

Abundant Fe–Ti oxide inclusions in cumulus olivine (Fo_77–81) from the Panzhihua and Hongge intrusions, Emeishan large igneous province, SW China, document the first evidence for early crystallization of Fe–Ti oxides in ferrobasaltic systems in nature. The intrusions also contain significant stratiform Fe–Ti–V oxide ores. The oxide inclusions are sub-rounded or irregular, range from ∼5 to 50 μm in diameter, and are dominated by either titanomagnetite or ilmenite. The fact that the inclusions are either titanomagnetite- or ilmenite-dominant suggests that they are trapped crystals, instead of immiscible oxide melt, formed during growth of the host olivine. The absence of other silicate phases in the inclusion-bearing olivine is difficult to reconcile with a possible xenocrystic origin of the oxide inclusions. These oxide inclusions are thus interpreted to be cumulus minerals crystallized together and trapped in olivine from the same parental magma. In addition to Fe–Ti oxides, some inclusions contain amphibole + biotite ± fluorapatite that might have formed by reaction of trapped hydrous liquid with the host olivine. Numerical modeling of high-Ti Emeishan basalts using the MELTS program successfully simulates early crystallization of olivine (∼Fo₈₁) and Fe–Ti spinel in the presence of a moderate amount of H₂O (∼1.5 wt%) under pressure and fO₂ conditions generally pertinent to the Panzhihua and Hongge intrusions. The modal mineralogy of the oxide inclusions is in good agreement with the bulk compositions of the ore, as inferred from whole-rock data, in a given intrusion. This is consistent with the interpretation that the stratiform oxide ores in the intrusions formed by accumulation of Fe–Ti oxide crystals that appeared on the liquidus with olivine and clinopyroxene.     

Assessment of CHADFDM satellite-based input dataset for the groundwater recharge estimation in arid and data scarce regions

Aquifer natural recharge estimations are a prerequisite for understanding hydrologic systems and sustainable water resources management. As meteorological data series collection is difficult in arid and semiarid areas, satellite products have recently become an alternative for water resources studies. A daily groundwater recharge estimation in the NW part of the Lake Chad Basin, using a soil–plant-atmosphere model (VisualBALAN), from ground- and satellite-based meteorological input dataset for non-irrigated and irrigated land and for the 2005–2014 period is presented. Average annual values were 284 mm and 30°C for precipitation and temperature in ground-based gauge stations. For the satellite-model-based Lake Chad Basin Flood and Drought Monitor System platform (CHADFDM), average annual precipitation and temperature were 417 mm and 29°C, respectively. Uncertainties derived from satellite data measurement could account for the rainfall difference. The estimated mean annual aquifer recharge was always higher from satellite- than ground-based data, with differences up to 46% for dryland and 23% in irrigated areas. Recharge response to rainfall events was very variable and results were very sensitive to: wilting point, field capacity and curve number for runoff estimation. Obtained results provide plausible recharge values beyond the uncertainty related to data input and modelling approach. This work prevents on the important deviations in recharge estimation from weighted-ensemble satellite-based data, informing in decision making to both stakeholders and policy makers.     

Mixing of geothermal and non-geothermal fluids in shallow aquifers in the Germencik-Nazilli area,Büyük Menderes Basin (SW Turkey)

This study observes groundwater hydrochemical characteristics during mixing between geothermal and non-geothermal fluids in Germencik–Nazilli area in the Büyük Menderes Basin (SW Turkey). Hydrogeochemical features of 32 non-geothermal, geothermal and surface samples were studied. The mean temperatures of the geothermal reservoirs are calculated to be 150–240 °C in Germencik field, based on Na-K-Mg geothermometry. Hydrochemical characteristics of Germencik geothermal fluid differ from non-geothermal fluids, mainly Na-Cl-HCO₃-type geothermal fluid, while non-geothermal fluid is mostly Ca-Mg-HCO₃-SO₄ type. High contents of some minor elements in geothermal fluids are most likely sourced from prolonged water-rock interaction, reflecting the signals of flow paths and residence times. A mass-balance approach was used to calculate mixing ratios between geothermal and non-geothermal fluids based on B, Cl and Na concentrations. Germencik field is considerably characterised by rising geothermal fluids and overlying non-geothermal fluids. The amount of water stored in the Quaternary aquifer evolved from a deep thermal source is low in Germencik (.5–40% geothermal fluid in non-geothermal wells). Mixing between geothermal and non-geothermal fluids has been caused by groundwater utilisation practices and is increased close to active faults. Irrigation of the shallow groundwater composition is considered as influx of low-temperature geothermal fluid.     

Groundwater modelling with limited data sets: the Chari–Logone area (Lake Chad Basin,Chad)

One of the most important issues for water resource management is developing strategies for groundwater modelling that are adaptable to data scarcity. These strategies are particularly important in arid and semi‐arid areas where access to data is poor and data collection is difficult, such as the Lake Chad Basin in Africa. In the present study, we establish a numerical groundwater flow model and evaluate the effects of dry and wet periods on groundwater recharge in the Chari–Logone area (96 000 km²) of the Lake Chad Basin. Boundary conditions, flow direction, sources, and sinks for the Chari–Logone local model were obtained by revising and remodelling the Lake Chad Basin regional hydrogeological model (508 400 km²) developed by the BRGM (Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières) in the 1990s. The simulated aquifer water level showed good agreement with observed levels. Aquifer recharge is primarily determined by river–aquifer interactions and mostly occurs in the southern section of the study area. In wet years, groundwater recharge also occurs in the N'Djamena area. The approach we adopted provided relevant results and was useful as an initial step in more detailed modelling of the area. It also proved to be a useful method for groundwater modelling in large semi‐arid and arid regions where available data are scarce. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparing quality of estuarine and nearshore intertidal habitats for Carcinus maenas

Estuarine and nearshore marine areas are vital habitats for several fish and benthic invertebrates. The shore crab Carcinus maenas (Crustacea: Brachyura: Portunidae) inhabits a variety of coastal, estuarine and lagoon habitats. At low tide, habitat structural complexity may be most important for crabs in the intertidal, providing refuge from predation and desiccation. The quality of different vegetated and nonvegetated estuarine and rocky shore habitats in SW Portugal and SW England was evaluated for intertidal C. maenas populations. We estimated population density, size–structure, and potential growth (RNA/DNA ratios) to investigate habitat quality. Vegetated estuarine habitats supported higher crab densities, than nonvegetated estuarine and rocky shore habitats. Investigation of population size–structure revealed that all habitats seem important recruitment and nursery areas although estuarine habitats in SW Portugal appeared to support higher densities of new recruits than equivalent habitats in SW England. Significant variation was found in RNA/DNA ratios among habitats. Ratios were highest in the rocky shore suggesting a high quality habitat where growth potential is high. We speculate that competition from other top-predators (Pachygrapsus spp.) rather than low habitat quality may limit the occurrence of C. maenas in intertidal rocky shore habitats in SW Portugal. In estuarine environments RNA/DNA ratios were significantly higher in the vegetated than in the nonvegetated estuarine habitats in SW Portugal but not in SW England, suggesting geographic differences in the extent to which highly structure habitats represent high quality. Our results challenge the current paradigm that structured habitats are necessarily those of higher quality for C. maenas.     

Opx–Cpx exsolution textures in lherzolites of the Cretaceous Purang Ophiolite (S. Tibet,China), and the deep mantle origin of Neotethyan abyssal peridotites

ABSTRACT

We investigated lherzolitic peridotites in the Cretaceous Purang ophiolite along the Yarlung Zhangbo suture zone (YZSZ) in SW Tibet to constrain their mantle–melt evolution history. Coarse-grained Purang lherzolites contain orthopyroxene (Opx) and olivine (Ol) porphyroclasts with embayments filled by small olivine (Ol) neoblasts. Both clinopyroxene (Cpx) and Opx display exsolution textures represented by lamellae structures. Opx exsolution (Opx1) in clinopyroxene (Cpx1) is made of enstatite, whose compositions (Al₂O₃ = 3.85–4.90 wt%, CaO = <3.77 wt%, Cr₂O₃ = 0.85–3.82 wt%) are characteristic of abyssal peridotites. Host clinopyroxenes (Cpx1) have higher Mg#s and Na₂O, with lower TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ contents than Cpx2 exsolution lamellae in Opx, and show variable LREE patterns. Pyroxene compositions of the lherzolites indicate 10–15% partial melting of a fertile mantle protolith. P–T estimates (1.3–2.3 GPa, 745–1067°C) and the trace element chemistry of pyroxenes with exsolution textures suggest crystallization depths of ~75 km in the upper mantle, where the original pyroxenes became decomposed, forming exsolved structures. Further upwelling of lherzolites into shallow depths in the mantle resulted in crystal–plastic deformation of the exsolved pyroxenes. Combined with the occurrence of microdiamond and ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) mineral inclusions in chromites of the Purang peridotites, the pyroxene exsolution textures reported here confirm a multi-stage partial melting history of the Purang lherzolites and at least three discrete stages of P-T conditions in the course of their upwelling through the mantle during their intra-oceanic evolution.     

Using trace elements of magnetite to constrain the origin of the Pingchuan hydrothermal low-Ti magnetite deposit in the Panxi area,SW China

The Pingchuan iron deposit, located in the Yanyuan region of Sichuan Province, SW China, has an ore reserve of 40 Mt with ~60 wt% Fe. Its genesis is still poorly understood. The Pingchuan iron deposit has a paragenetic sequence of an early Fe-oxide–Pyrite stage(Ⅰ) and a late Fe-oxide–pyrrhotite stage(Ⅱ). Stage Ⅰ magnetite grains are generally fragmented, euhedral–subhedral, largesized crystals accompanying with slightly postdated pyrite.Stage Ⅱ magnetite grains are mostly unfragmented, anhedral, relatively small-sized grains that co-exist with pyrrhotite. Combined with micro-textural features and previously-obtained geochronological data, we consider that these two stages of iron mineralization in the Pingchuan deposit correspond to the Permian ELIP magmatism and Cenozoic fault activity event. Both the Stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ magnetites are characterized with overall lower contents of trace elements(including Cr, Ti, V, and Ni) than the ELIP magmatic magnetite, which suggests a hydrothermal origin for them. ‘‘Skarn-like' enrichment in Sn, Mn, and Zn in the Stage Ⅰ magnetite grains indicate significant material contributions from carbonate wall-rocks due to water–rock interaction in ore-forming processes. Stage Ⅱ magnetite grains contain higher Mn concentrations than Stage Ⅰ magnetite grains, which possibly implies more contribution from carbonate rocks. In multiple-element diagrams, the Stage Ⅰ magnetite shows systematic similarities to Kiruna-type magnetite rather than those from other types of deposits. Combined with geological features and previous studies on oxygen isotopes, we conclude that hydrothermal fluids have played a key role in the generation of the Pingchuan low-Ti iron deposit.     

Remarks on the period variation of HS Herculis and SW Cygni

In order to get a satisfactory understanding of the periodic variation of the orbital period in the binary system HS Herculis, the study of this problem is resumed. Using recently observed primary and secondary minima, it is evident that after 1955 (E > -2000) the corresponding O – C diagram reflects the effect of apsidal motion. Any assumption on the presence of a third body is rejected, at least as long as the current aspect of the O–C diagram is concerned. For the interpretation of the sinusoidal period variation of the semi-detached system SW Cygni, 130 primary minima were compiled form the literature. Though it is considered as very likely that this variation of the period is primarily caused by apsidal motion, the hypothesis of a third body is analysed too. Further precise photometric and spectroscopic observations are recommended.