New palaeomagnetic result from Vendian red sediments in Cisbaikalia and the problem of the relationship of Siberia and Laurentia in the Vendian

A palaeomagnetic study of Vendian red sediments from the Lena River section on the western margin of Lake Baikal in the region of Cisbaikalia (54°N, 108°E) has isolated a stable remanence with direction D = 296.3°, I = −27.7° (high-temperature component) and a corresponding pole of 2.7°S, 168.2°E. The primary nature of this remanence is confirmed from a positive fold test, dual polarities and the presence of detrital haematite. This result, together with all late Precambrian–Early Cambrian palaeomagnetic data from Siberia, indicates that Siberia occupied low latitudes during that time. It has been proposed on the basis of palaeomagnetic data that Laurentia occupied high latitudes during the Vendian, so it would appear that there cannot have been any Laurentia–Siberia connection at that time. A review of Vendian to Cambrian Laurentian palaeomagnetic data shows that such an interpretation is ambiguous. An alternative interpretation places Laurentia in low latitudes and confirms the Laurentia–Siberia fit of Hoffman (1991 ) and Pelechaty (1996 ). However, the lack of Late Vendian palaeomagnetic data for Siberia still allows the possibility that it could have occupied high latitudes during that time.     

The development of Fe-nodules surrounding biological material mediated by microorganisms

Takashikozo is a phenomenon of Quaternary sediments in Japan. They are cylindrical Fe-oxyhydroxide nodules that form as plaques round plant roots, where Fe is preferentially concentrated to develop a solid wall. Structural features suggest that after the roots have decayed, the central space where the roots were situated acts as a flow path for oxidized water. Analysis of microbial 16S rDNA extracted from the nodules identified iron-oxidizing bacteria encrusted round the roots where they are the likely initiators of nodule formation. Direct microscopic observation revealed an accumulation of Fe-oxyhydroxides that fill the pore spaces and is also likely to be linked with the encrusting microbial colonies. Geological history and nanofossil evidence suggest that these Fe-nodules may have been buried at a depth of up to several tens of meters for at least 10⁵ years in reducing Quaternary sediments. Thus Fe-oxyhydroxide nodules that have formed in a geological environment at the interfaces between water and rock by microbial mediation can persist under reducing conditions. If this is the case, the phenomenon is significant as an analogue of post-closure conditions in radioactive waste repositories, since it could influence nuclide migration.     

Late-glacial and early Holocene lake sediments,ground-water formation and climate in the Atacama Altiplano 22–24°S

Precipitation rates in the Atacama Altiplano 22–24°S were 400–500 mm yr^–1 during late glacial and early Holocene times as opposed to 200 mm yr^–1 today. This humid phase (Tauca phase) was likely due to strengthened tropical (monsoonal) circulation, which brought continental moisture to the Atacama Altiplano. The lake level of Laguna Lejía (23°30S, 4350 m) at that time was up to 25 m higher than it is today. Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca data from lake sediments show that, what today is a highly saline lake was a freshwater lake at that time. Seasonally-laminated calcareous sediments were deposited between 13 500 and <10 400 yr B.P. indicating the maximum of the humid phase. Climatic changes in the past are important for current groundwater resources.¹⁴C and³H data from lake-, ground- and well water suggest that modern groundwater formation (i.e. water <40 years) in the Altiplano is very limited under current arid conditions. We conclude that significant amounts of the water resources in this area originated during the time of the late-glacial and early Holocene humid climate. Tritium data from snow samples show that the moisture in the Altiplano at 22–24°S is mainly of continental origin, whereas precipitation from the westerlies hardly contributes to the water supply in this area. This precipitation pattern matches the paleodata, and we suggest that current precipitation formation may provide an analogue framework for late-glacial circulation in this area.This is the 3rd in a series of papers published in this special AMQUA issue. These papers were presented at the 1994 meeting of the American Quaternary Association held 19–22 June, 1994, at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Dr Linda C. K. Shane served as guest editor for these papers.     

贵州岩溶沉积物稀土元素地球化学研究

本文对贵州岩溶沉积物稀土元素地球化学研究结果表明：稀土总量变化范围很大，RE2O3（1～434.39）×10－6。RE2O3随Al2O3含量增高而增高，随CaCO3含量增高而减少，相关系数分别为＋0．99，－0．98。低微含量的岩溶沉积物与碳酸盐母岩的稀土分布模式基本相似，高含量的岩溶沉积物稀土分布趋向于页岩模式。稀土解析实验和吸附实验表明，在岩溶化学沉积物和母岩中稀土主要以离子吸附态存在，岩溶碎屑沉积物中稀土主要以类质同象进入粘土矿物和副矿物格架中。稀土富集系数Kk值计算表明，在碳酸盐岩及其岩溶化学沉积物的成岩过程中不存在稀土富集，岩溶碎屑粘土沉积物中则存在稀土富集。对岩溶化学沉积物──碳酸盐结核的中心区、过渡带、边缘带及外围壳状粘土中稀土元素解析研究表明，随着结核的生长，活动性稀土组成发生变化，向轻、中稀土占优势的方向移动。     

北京城郊的地面沉降成因浅析

北京城区及近郊区的地面沉降，已成为一重要的地质灾害问题。它的成因与区域构造活动性、沉积物结构构造特点和地下水超量开采有关。     

北京平原第四系的三维结构

北京平原地处山区与华北平原的结合部位,是山前第四纪冲洪积扇发育区.由于山前冲洪积扇内部结构复杂,相变迅速.海相、湖相的工作方法不能满足要求.本文通过对北京平原第四纪沉积特征的分析,提出北京平原由第四纪冲洪积扇群和沉积凹陷几个地质单元组合而成.在此基础上总结了近几年在山前冲洪积扇区的工作经验,提出了以冲洪积扇和沉积凹陷为地质单元,以建立基准孔网,结合钻孔和物探资料,并通过绘制剖面组进而构建第四系三维结构的方法.利用该方法建立了北京平原第四系的三维结构模型.了解北京平原第四系的三维结构对研究水文地质、工程地质和环境地质都有重要意义,可以为城市规划、城市建设提供重要的资料.     

A diatom model for inferring sea level change in the coastal waters of Hong Kong

Diatoms were identified and enumerated from surface sediments of 25 sites in Double Haven, Hong Kong. The relationship between diatom species distribution and 14 environmental variables was examined using Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). Water depth was identified as the most important environmental variable influencing the distribution of diatoms in Double Haven. Subsequently a Weighted Average (WA) calibration model was developed to infer water depth. The reliability of the model was evaluated by the error of prediction (RMSE_boot= 3.479) and the correlation (r ²= 0.7342) between observed and diatom-inferred values. This predictive calibration model has the potential to infer past sea level change in Hong Kong and the adjacent coastal areas.     

关于海底沉积物声特性实验室直接测量方法的探讨

海底沉积物声学特性实验室测量是除原位(in situ)测量之外最直接的沉积物声学特性测量方法。作为一项基础性研究,利用声波参数仪准确测量海底沉积物的声速和声衰减对建立海洋地声学模型具有重要意义。文章针对RS- ST01C型数字超声测试仪在测量过程中所存在的一些问题进行了探讨,对规范海底沉积物声学特性实验室测量方法具有实际意义。