The clustered nucleation and growth processes of garnet in regional metamorphic rocks from north-west Connecticut,USA

Serial sectioning and imaging with a flatbed scanner yielded the three-dimensional size and spatial distribution of garnet porphyroblasts in two garnet schists and one staurolite-bearing schist from the Everett Formation, north-west Connecticut. The dominant garnet-producing reaction in all samples was chlorite+quartz=garnet+H₂O. The appearance of staurolite, and additional garnet growth in the staurolite-bearing sample, was due to the reaction chloritoid=garnet+staurolite+chlorite. Statistical measures of garnet spatial distributions, using the pair correlation function (PCF), indicate that garnet crystals are weakly to strongly clustered at length scales between 2 and 10 mm. Such clustered nucleation may reflect minor bulk compositional variations. Covariance measures between garnet size and nearest-neighbour distance, using the mark covariance function (MCF), suggest a very weak correlation between crystal size and nearest-neighbour distance for length scales of 2 mm or less. These statistical data suggest that if diffusional gradients were present around growing garnet crystals, they did not influence nucleation and growth patterns at length scales greater than c. 2 mm. Compositional maps, through the garnet centres, show that the smaller crystals have lower Mn core compositions relative to larger crystals, consistent with progressive nucleation during pro-grade metamorphism. Radius-rate plots calculated from compositional X-ray maps show similar growth rates for garnet crystals of different size, consistent with an interface-controlled growth model for garnet. The presence of minor diffusional gradients around growing garnet cannot be entirely dismissed, but the lack of observable reaction rims, the clustered spatial distribution and the radius-rate data are most consistent with an interface-controlled garnet growth model.     

Crystallization pathways in the Great Artesian Basin (Australia) spring mound carbonates: Implications for life signatures on Earth and beyond

Recent studies of continental carbonates revealed that carbonates with similar fabrics can be formed either by biotic, biologically-induced, biologically-influenced or purely abiotic processes, or a combination of all. The aim of this research is to advance knowledge on the formation of carbonates precipitated (or diagenetically altered) in extreme, continental environments by studying biotic versus abiotic mechanisms of crystallization, and to contribute to the astrobiology debate around terrestrial analogues of Martian extreme environments. Both fossil (upper Pleistocene to Holocene) and active carbonate spring mounds from the Great Artesian Basin (South Australia) have been investigated. These carbonates consist of low-Mg to high-Mg calcite tufa. Four facies have been described: (i) carbonate mudstone/wackestone; (ii) phytohermal framestone/boundstone; (iii) micrite boundstone; and (iv) coarsely crystalline boundstone. The presence of filaments encrusted by micrite, rich in organic compounds, including ultraviolet-protectants, in phytohermal framestone/boundstone and micrite boundstone is clear evidence of the existence of microbial mats at the time of deposition. In contrast, peloidal micrite, despite commonly being considered a microbial precipitate, is not directly associated with filaments in the Great Artesian Basin mounds. It has probably formed from nanocrystal aggregation on colloid particulate. Thus, where biofilms have been documented, it is likely that bacteria catalyzed the development of fabrics. It is less certain that microbes induced calcium carbonate precipitation elsewhere. Trace elements, including rare earth element distribution from laminated facies, highlight strongly evaporative settings (for example, high Li contents). Carbon dioxide degassing and evaporation are two of the main drivers for an increase in fluid alkalinity, resulting in precipitation of carbonates. Hence, although the growth of certain fabrics is fostered by the presence of microbial mats, the formation of carbonate crystals might be independent from it and mainly driven by extrinsic factors. More generally, biological processes may be responsible for fabric and facies development in micritic boundstone whilst micrite nucleation and growth are driven by abiotic factors. Non-classical crystallization pathways (aggregation and fusion of nanoparticles from nucleation clusters) may be more common than previously thought in spring carbonate and this should be carefully considered to avoid misinterpretation of certain fabrics as by-products of life. It is proposed here that the term ‘organic-compound catalyzed mineralization’ should be used for crystal growth in the presence of organic compounds when dealing with astrobiological problems. This term would account for the possibility of multiple crystallization pathways (including non-classical crystallization) that occurred directly from an aqueous solution without the direct influence of microbial mats.     

Early formed regional antiforms and synforms that fold younger matrix schistosities: their effect on sites of mineral growth

In the metamorphic cores of many orogenic belts, large macroscopic folds in compositional layering also appear to fold one or more pervasive matrix foliations. The latter geometry suggests the folds formed relatively late in the tectonic history, after foliation development. However, microstructural analysis of four examples of such folds suggests this is not the case. The folds formed relatively early in the orogenic history and are the end product of multiple, near orthogonal, overprinting bulk shortening events. Once large macroscopic folds initiate, they may tighten further during successive periods of sub-parallel shortening, folding or reactivation of foliations that develop during intervening periods of near orthogonal shortening. Reactivation of the compositional layering defining the fold limbs causes foliation to be rotated into parallelism with the limbs.Multiple periods of porphyroblast growth accompanied the multiple phases of deformation that postdated the initial development of these folds. Some of these phases of deformation were attended by the development of large numbers of same asymmetry spiral-shaped inclusion trails in porphyroblasts on one limb of the fold and not the other, or larger numbers of opposite asymmetry spirals on the other limb, or similar numbers of the same asymmetry spirals on both limbs. Significantly, the largest disparity in numbers from limb to limb occurred for the first of these cases. For all four regional folds examined, the structural relationships that accompanied these large disparities were identical. In each case the shear sense operating on steeply dipping foliations was opposite to that required to originally develop the fold. Reactivation of the folded compositional layering was not possible for this shear sense. This favoured the development of sites of approximately coaxial shortening early during the deformation history, enhancing microfracture and promoting the growth of porphyroblasts on this limb in comparision to the other. These distributions of inclusion trail geometries from limb to limb cannot be explained by porphyroblast rotation, or folding of pre-existing rotated porphyroblasts within a shear zone, but can be explained by development of the inclusion trails synchronous with successive sub-vertical and sub-horizontal foliations.     

典型构造微破裂集结的实验研究

通过大理岩破裂实验,考察了典型构造中微裂纹的演化、集结的过程和特征．根据损伤理论,分析了构造对微破裂演化的控制作用．根据微破裂集结临界条件的相似原理,认为这些特征可以类推到公里尺度,它们有助于解释地震中短期阶段的前震或广义前震分布,作为地震前兆的一次效应．其它物理效应为二次或三次效应．微破裂集结时局部密度突然加大,有助于解释部分前兆记录突跳现象．非集结部分出现部分微裂纹愈合,密度反向变化,有助于解释一些前兆记录在短临阶段记录中出现反向的现象．考察了不同构造的不同部位微破裂萌生和演化的范围差异,这些差异有助于解释不同地质构造孕震区域的孕震过程,从而可解释板缘和板内地震前兆记录的差异．这种差异可能被不同观点学者分别引用,以论证地震是否有前兆记录的问题．然而,在考察不同地区的前兆记录时,必须注意不同地区的地质背景．      

一种纳米纯AgI气溶胶的制备方法 及其成冰核活性的检测

将100mg纯AgI粉末置于一个气氛炉的汽化管内加热到1600℃使之汽化,再利用高压空气将气态AgI爆冲到一个容积为2m~3的金属容器里,骤冷后形成AgI气溶胶。用碳支持膜对形成的AgI气溶胶粒子自然沉降取样,然后用X射线衍射仪和电镜检测其成分和粒子尺度。检测表明:粉末状纯AgI经汽化—冷凝产生的气溶胶其成分仍为纯AgI,粒子尺度在0.84～34.6nm,峰值直径约为2.17nm。为了验证产生的纳米纯AgI气溶胶在冰核化中是否具有成冰核活性,用15L混合云室分别在云室中有冷雾和无冷雾两种条件下定量注入纳米纯AgI气溶胶,检测了它们在不同温度下的成冰核效率,检测结果是:在云室中有-10℃冷雾时,成核率为1.1×10~(11)个·g~(-1),在云室中-10℃无冷雾时,成核率约为3.4×10~(10)个·g~(-1)。     

Heterogeneously nucleated calcite precipitation in Lake Constance. A short time resolution study

Calcite precipitation in spring 1988 in Lake Constance was studied by measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters in daily intervals. Algae triggering calcite precipitation in spring after an induction period of 1 day wereStephanodiscus hantzschii andChlorella spp. whereas no time lag concerning maximum saturation index was observed. Number and size distribution of crystals were determined by microscopical methods. Simple equations were given for estimation of the precipitated mass of calcite by approximating the volume of calcite crystals by simple geometric bodies and multiplying by crystal numbers. Particulate calcium was analysed after dissolving suspended matter and amounted to 90% of inorganic dry weight. Crystals were observed for the first time after dissolved phosphorus was no more detectable.     

How does shear zone nucleate? An example from the Suretta nappe (Swiss Eastern Alps)

In order to address the question of the processes involved during shear zone nucleation, we present a petro-structural analysis of millimetre-scale shear zones within the Roffna rhyolite (Suretta nappe, Eastern central Alps). Field and microscopic evidences show that ductile deformation is localized along discrete fractures that represent the initial stage of shear zone nucleation. During incipient brittle deformation, a syn-kinematic metamorphic assemblage of white mica + biotite + epidote + quartz precipitated at ca. 8.5 ± 1 kbar and 480 ± 50 °C that represent the metamorphic peak conditions of the nappe stacking in the continental accretionary wedge during Tertiary Alpine subduction. The brittle to ductile transition is characterized by the formation of two types of small quartz grains. The Qtz-IIa type is produced by sub-grain rotation. The Qtz-IIb type has a distinct CPO such that the orientation of c-axis is perpendicular to the shear fracture and basal and rhombhoedric slip systems are activated. These Qtz-IIb grains can either be formed by recrystallization of Qtz-IIa or by precipitation from a fluid phase. The shear zone widening stage is characterized by a switch to diffusion creep and grain boundary sliding deformation mechanisms. During the progressive evolution from brittle nucleation to ductile widening of the shear zone, fluid–rock interactions play a critical role, through chemical mass-transfer, metasomatic reactions and switch in deformation mechanisms.     

塔北埃迪卡拉系奇格布拉克组多类型共生鲕粒特征及其成因探讨*

碳酸盐岩中的鲕粒是古沉积环境重建的重要载体之一。塔里木盆地北部露头剖面、星火1井区埃迪卡拉系奇格布拉克组潟湖相及浅滩相沉积中发现了多种类型鲕粒及其共生现象。文中通过剖面详勘、岩心观察以及薄铸片、阴极发光、环境扫描电镜等研究方法,阐明了不同类型鲕粒的基本特征及分布,探讨了鲕粒成核、生长的特殊沉积环境和成岩改造等过程。按显微结构、特殊形态、组合以及成岩改造,依次将研究区奇格布拉克组鲕粒划分出12种类型,其中大气淡水、快速拟晶白云岩化、重结晶、交代白云岩化等成岩作用主要发现于中等水动力条件形成的同心(圈)鲕、同心—放射状鲕等。近源风暴引起的底流和涡流产生的撕裂、磨损及搬运作用为泥晶(大)鲕、薄皮鲕、放射状泥晶(正常或大)鲕、脑状鲕以及部分球(或细菌)鲕、复鲕的成核和微生物作用提供了基本条件,而文石—白云石海中低能环境下的黏性软底质中广泛发育的文石—高镁方解石胶结促进鲕粒的形成; 前者发育于潮道或浅滩环境,后者发育于潮坪—潟湖环境,短暂风暴潮或底流是两者共生的可能原因。 微生物参与泥晶成核、一定水动力条件下台阶状生长、差异性成岩改造是前寒武纪多种类型鲕粒发育的主控因素。鲕模孔、粒间(内)溶孔、晶间孔、有机微孔等孔隙具有一定储集意义。对奇格布拉克组鲕粒的研究,有助于深化对前寒武纪古海洋和大气组分、黏性软底质中成核与生长中的水动力及微生物作用、早期成岩改造及孔隙形成与保存机理等的认识。     

生物冰核Snomax成核性能分析测试

为了研究生物冰核Snomax的成核性能,在静态等温云室中对Snomax的成核性能进行测试分析,得出其成核率、核化速率、成核阈温等性能参数,结果表明在-4～-18℃,Snomax成核率在108/g～1011/g范围内变化,不同温度、过冷水含量、冰核浓度对Snomax催化产生的冰晶形态有重要影响。此外,对比分析测试了AgI焰剂与Snomax的成核性能,试验结果表明AgI焰剂成核率比Snomax高出3～4个数量级,但亲水性Snomax冰核蛋白具有更快的核化速率和环境友好性。通过对比两种冰核的成核特性,分析了生物冰核在人工影响天气作业中可能的应用。     

Effects of seed particle size and composition on heterogeneous nucleation of n-nonane

Heterogeneous nucleation of supersaturated n-nonane vapour on seed particles of different size and composition has been investigated using a fast expansion chamber. Monodisperse seed particle sizes were ranging from about 4 nm up to about 24 nm in diameter. By using different types of particle generators WO_x, Ag and (NH₄)₂SO₄ particles were generated. For direct comparison between different particle compositions overlapping sizes have been generated for WO_x and Ag at about 7 nm particle diameter as well as for Ag and (NH₄)₂SO₄ at about 15 nm. Nucleation temperature was kept constant at about 278 K. Experimental data were compared to Kelvin equation and Fletcher theory including the effect of line tension. It was found that heterogeneous nucleation of n-nonane seems to be independent of seed particle composition and starts well below the Kelvin curve. Good agreement was achieved with Fletcher theory including the effect of line tension.