Is the meander growth in the Brazil Current system off Southeast Brazil due to baroclinic instability?

Temporally-growing frontal meandering and occasional eddy-shedding is observed in the Brazil Current (BC) as it flows adjacent to the Brazilian Coast. No study of the dynamics of this phenomenon has been conducted to date in the region between 22° S and 25°S. Within this latitude range, the flow over the intermediate continental slope is marked by a current inversion at a depth that is associated with the Intermediate Western Boundary Current (IWBC). A time series analysis of 10-current-meter mooring data was used to describe a mean vertical profile for the BC-IWBC jet and a typical meander vertical structure. The latter was obtained by an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis that showed a single mode explaining 82% of the total variance. This mode structure decayed sharply with depth, revealing that the meandering is much more vigorous within the BC domain than it is in the IWBC region. As the spectral analysis of the mode amplitude time series revealed no significant periods, we searched for dominant wavelengths. This search was done via a spatial EOF analysis on 51 thermal front patterns derived from digitized AVHRR images. Four modes were statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. Modes 3 and 4, which together explained 18% of the total variance, are associated with 266 and 338-km vorticity waves, respectively. With this new information derived from the data, the [Johns, W.E., 1988. One-dimensional baroclinically unstable waves on the Gulf Stream potential vorticity gradient near Cape Hatteras. Dyn. Atmos. Oceans 11, 323–350] one-dimensional quasi-geostrophic model was applied to the interpolated mean BC-IWBC jet. The results indicated that the BC system is indeed baroclinically unstable and that the wavelengths depicted in the thermal front analysis are associated with the most unstable waves produced by the model. Growth rates were about 0.06 (0.05) days⁻¹for the 266-km (338-km) wave. Moreover, phase speeds for these waves were low compared to the surface BC velocity and may account for remarks in the literature about growing standing or stationary meanders off southeast Brazil. The theoretical vertical structure modes associated with these waves resembled very closely to the one obtained for the current-meter mooring EOF analysis. We interpret this agreement as a confirmation that baroclinic instability is an important mechanism in meander growth in the BC system.     

The impacts of global warming on farmers in Brazil and India

How big a threat is global warming to climate-sensitive and economically important sectors such as agriculture in developing countries? How well will farmers be able to adapt to the threats of global warming? This paper attempts to shed light on these two important questions. A cross-sectional analysis is employed to estimate the climate sensitivity of agriculture in Brazil and India. Using panel data from both countries, the study measures how net farm income or property values vary with climate, and consequently, how farmers in India and Brazil react and adapt to climate. The estimated relationships are then used to predict the consequence of alternative climate scenarios. Global warming by the end of the next century could cause annual damages in Brazil between 1% and 39% and between 4% and 26% in India, although some of this effect may be potentially offset by carbon fertilization. These estimates do not factor into account climate-induced extreme weather events.     

夏季黔东南州局地暴雨与西太副高环流的关系

通过对黔东南州1996-2005年夏季发生局地暴雨的主要影响系统、各种物理量场的特征、地形等的综合分析,得出9次局地暴雨都与西太平洋副热带高压位置变化密切相关,西太平洋副热带高压外围的SW气流均增强为急流,并输送大量水汽和不稳定能量,而且特别有利的地形的强化作用,造成黔东南暴雨的落区不同.根据暴雨的不同落区,将其归纳为四种类型,即西部型暴雨、南部型暴雨、中部型暴雨、东部型暴雨.但中、南部型暴雨还有中低层低涡切变线配合产生.     

Multiple newt threats – occurrence of Paramesotriton deloustali and P. guangxiensis in differently disturbed habitats in Vietnam including new data on the parasite-host relationships with water mites

In this study we present the results from field work in northern Vietnam regarding the occurrence of the warty newt species Paramesotriton deloustali and P. guangxiensis in disturbed and undisturbed habitats and the presence of parasitic water mites of the genus Hygrobates (sg. Lurchibates) (Acari, Hydrachnidia). We report the first evidence of mite parasitism in P. guangxiensis and analyze differences in the infestation rates between both Paramesotriton species and habitat qualities. Furthermore we present the first indication of the detrimental effects of these parasite-host interactions.Our preliminary assessment seems to support the sensitivity of P. guangxiensis to habitat disturbances, as the average number of captured newts per stream was twice as high in undisturbed habitats as in disturbed ones.Until now a very specific parasite-host association was supposed between water mite and newt species. However, our results show the first evidence of a water mite species of the subgenus Lurchibates (Hygrobates forcipifer) parasitizing more than one host species, in this case not only P. deloustali (already known) but also P. guangxiensis (new record). The overall infestation rate was 27 % for P. deloustali and 71 % for P. guangxiensis, from which 100 % and 77 % of the mite-incidence occurred in undisturbed habitats, respectively. Furthermore the parasite load of the newts was clearly higher in prime quality streams: the parasite load in undisturbed habitats was very similar between P. deloustali (19.64 mites per newt) and P. guangxiensis (20.13 mites per newt), however it was significantly lower for P. guangxiensis in disturbed habitats (8.86 mites per newt). Future research should bring more detail on these parasite host associations, especially on the effect of parasitism on the newts. Warty newts are already threatened due to their shrinking natural habitat and overharvesting. We report the first concerns that mite parasitism might be a critical additional stress factor in undisturbed habitats.     

滇东南建水地区高镁火山岩包体的成因和构造背景

在滇东南建水地区发现产于峨眉山玄武岩中的高镁火山岩包体,这对于地幔柱的形成演化具有重要研究意义.对这些包体进行了锆石U-Pb年代学、地球化学和岩矿分析.高镁火山岩包体具斑状结构,致密块状构造,斑晶主要为贵橄榄石和透辉石.13颗锆石U-Pb LA-ICP-MS加权平均年龄为259±2Ma(MSWD=1.9),显示与寄主岩石同期形成.包体岩石具有高镁(Mg~#=68～75)、低硅(SiO_2=45.11%～45.93%)特征,轻稀土元素(LREE)、高场强元素(HFSE)富集而重稀土元素(HREE)亏损,属于亚碱性、拉斑玄武岩系列,具有板内玄武岩(IPB)特征.火山岩包体的原始岩浆起源于石榴子石二辉橄榄岩低程度部分熔融的产物,岩浆演化过程中发生了橄榄石和单斜辉石的分离结晶作用,在侵位上升过程中未受明显的地壳混染作用.该高镁火山岩的存在,显示地幔柱除了垂直上升运动外,在地球深部不同的边界还有多次侧向扩展移动,表明滇东南晚二叠世存在峨眉山地幔柱的一个分支-地幔枝活动.     

江西冷水坑矿床含矿花岗斑岩的Sr-Nd及锆石Hf-O同位素研究

江西冷水坑铅锌矿床是武夷成矿带北段的典型矿床,矿区内含矿花岗斑岩锆石U-Pb年龄为（162.0±2.0）Ma,岩浆分异程度较高,具有高SiO₂（69.46%~75.52%）、高K₂O（K₂O/Na₂O>3.22）、强过铝质（ASI=1.20~1.96）的特征。岩体发育较明显的Eu负异常,富集强不相容元素Rb、Th、U,而亏损高场强元素Ba、Sr、Nb、Ta、P、Ti。全岩同位素测试结果显示,冷水坑含矿花岗斑岩具有极高的⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr初始比值（0.74005~0.76518）与低的ε_Nd值（-11.48~-10.78）,锆石Hf-O同位素测定值变化范围较小,¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf介于0.282317~0.282460,具有负的ε_Hf（t）值（-12.39~-7.62）和相对较高的δ¹⁸O值（7.23‰~8.81‰）,指示岩浆主要来自于成熟地壳,可能起源于北武夷地区变质基底,源岩为基底变质岩,这可能与古太平洋板块俯冲形成的挤压背景下的地壳熔融有关。     

贵州黔东南坑头蚀变岩型金矿的发现及意义

坑头金矿位于贵州黔东南金矿带,前人对该金矿带石英脉型金矿进行了广泛研究,认为深部可能有蚀变岩型金矿存在,但都未证实。近期经综合研究,在坑头金矿施工钻孔发现坑头金矿的深部存在蚀变岩型矿体,含金量最高达6. 65 g/t。蚀变岩型金矿矿石中金的赋存状态以裂隙金为主,主要载金矿物为毒砂。硅化蚀变及断层与金矿化关系密切,金矿体位于硅化蚀变发育的构造破碎带中。目前,黔东南金矿的开采目标多为300 m以浅的石英脉型金矿体,因此该发现对黔东南地区金矿深部勘查工作具有重要意义。     

Age and metal source of orogenic gold deposits in Southeast Guizhou Province,China: Constraints from Re-Os and He-Ar isotopic evidence

The orogenic gold deposits in Southeast Guizhou are an important component of the Xuefeng polymetallic ore belt and have significant exploration potential, but geochronology research on these gold deposits is scarce. Therefore, the ore genetic models are poorly constrained and remain unclear. In the present study, two important deposits(Pingqiu and Jinjing) are investigated, including combined Re-Os dating and the He-Ar isotope study of auriferous arsenopyrites. It is found that the arsenopyrites from the Pingqiu gold deposit yielded an isochron age of 400 ± 24 Ma,with an initial ~(187)Os/~(188)Os ratio of 1.24 ± 0.57(MSWD = 0.96). An identical isochron age of 400 ± 11 Ma with an initial ~(187)Os/~(188)Os ratio of 1.55 ± 0.14(MSWD = 0.34) was obtained from the Jinjing deposit. These ages correspond to the regional Caledonian orogeny and are interpreted to represent the age of the main stage ore. Both initial ~(187)Os ratios suggest that the Os was derived from crustal rocks. Combined with previous rare earth element(REE), trace elements, Nd-Sr-S-Pb isotope studies on scheelite, inclusion fluids with other residues of gangue quartz, and sulfides from other gold deposits in the region, it is suggested that the ore metals from Pingqiu and Jinjing were sourced from the Xiajiang Group. The He and Ar isotopes of arsenopyrites are characterized by ~3 He/~4 He ratios ranging from 5.3 × 10~(-4) Ra to 2.5 × 10~(-2) Ra(Ra = 1.4 × 10~(-6), the ~3 He/~4 He ratio of air), 40 Ar=/~4 He ratios from 0.64 × 10~(-2) to 15.39×10~(-2), and ~(40)Ar/~(36)Ar ratios from 633.2 to 6582.0. Those noble gas isotopic compositions of fluid inclusions also support a crustal source origin,evidenced by the Os isotope. Meanwhile, recent noble gas studies suggest that the amount of in situ radiogenic ~4 He generated should not be ignored, even when Th and U are present at levels of only a few ppm in host minerals.     

Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous volcanism of Hong Kong: Insights from the Ping Chau Formation

The vast expanse of Mesozoic igneous rocks in Hong Kong contain important geological records of late Mesozoic magmatic events and tectonic processes from the coastal region of Southeast China. Of these,the Ping Chau Formation in the northwestern New Territories is the youngest known stratum. We perform a detailed study of the volcanic rocks of the Ping Chau Formation utilizing zircon U-Pb dating,with major and trace elements geochemistry. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb data reveal Early Cretaceous age from two volcanic rock samples, with zircon crystallization from magmas at 140.3 ± 0.8 Ma and 139.3 ± 0.9 Ma,respectively. These rocks have high contents of total alkalis(Na_2O + K_2O = 5.58-9.45 wt.%), high-field-strength elements and light rare earth elements, conspicuous negative Eu anomalies, and depletions in Nb, Ta, Ti, Sr, Ba and P. Using this data, in combination with previous studies on the late Mesozoic volcanic belt in Southeast China, we propose that the volcanic rocks of the Ping Chau Formation probably originated from deep melting of the crust in a back-arc extensional setting induced by the subduction of the paleo-Pacific Plate. This formation represents the final stages of Early Cretaceous volcanic activity in Hong Kong, as associated with large-scale lithospheric extension, thinning and magmatism. Our results provide new information that can be used in evaluating the significance of Early Cretaceous volcanism and tectonics in Southeast China.     

Tectonic inversion assessed by integration of geological and geophysical data: The intracontinental Rio do Peixe Basin,NE Brazil

Common basin models assume that the post‐rift tectonic evolution of most basins is usually associated with tectonic quiescence. However, tectonic inversion during the post‐rift phase has been proposed for several sedimentary basins worldwide, but how and why it happens is still a matter of debate, especially in intracontinental settings where the lithosphere is old and thick. Here, we use geological and geophysical data from the Rio do Peixe Basin in NE Brazil to show evidence that intracontinental sedimentary basins can be tectonically inverted by far‐field compressive stresses acting on pre‐existing weakness zones of lithospheric‐scale where stresses can concentrate and inversion can occur. Geomorphological and field data combined with seismic reflection, gravimetric and borehole data show that: (a) inversion occurred along two main Precambrian lithospheric‐scale shear zones, the Patos (E‐W trending) and Portalegre (NE‐SW trending), which had already been reactivated as basin‐bounding faults during the earlier rift stage; (b) post‐rift reactivation affected (mostly) the original master normal faults with the largest rift displacements, and locally produced new reverse faults; (c) during contraction, deformation was partitioned between fault reactivation and buckling of the incompetent sediment pushed against the hard basement; (d) all these signs of inversion have been observed in the field and can be demonstrated on seismic reflection profiles; and (e) combined gravimetric and seismic data show that the main structures of the basin were followed by an inversion. These data are consistent with the operation of WSW‐ENE horizontal maximum compressive stress as a result of combined pushes of the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge (towards the W) and the Andes (towards the E), responsible for the post‐rift oblique inversion of normal faults inherited from the rift phase and formed with vertical maximum compressive stress.