REE and (э)Nd of clay fractions in sediments from the eastern Pacific Ocean: Evidence for clay sources

Clay fractions in the non-calcareous surface sediments from the eastern Pacific were analyzed for clay minerals, REE and 143Nd/144Nd. Montmorillonite/illite ratio (M/I ratio), total REE contents ((REE), LREE/HREE ratio and cerium anomaly (бCe) may effectively indicate the genesis of clay minerals. Clay fractions with M/I ratio >1, бCe (0.85, (REE (400 μg/g, LREE/HREE ratio (4, and REE patterns similar to those of pelagic sediments are terrigenous and autogenetic mixed clay fractions and contain more autogenetic montmorillonite. Clay fractions with M/I ratio <1, бCe=0.86 to 1.5, ΣREE=200 to 350 μg/g, LREE/HREE ratio (6 and REE distribution patterns similar to that of China loess are identified as terrigenous clay fraction. The 143Nd/144Nd ratios or (э)Nd values of clay fractions inherit the features of terrigenous sources of clay minerals. Clay fractions are divided into 4 types according to (э)Nd values. Terrigenous clay minerals of type I with the (э)Nd values of -8 to -6 originate mainly from North American fluvial deposits. Those of type II with the (э)Nd values of -9 to -7 are mainly from the East Asia and North American fluvial deposits. Those of type III with (э)Nd values of -6 to -3 could come from the central and eastern Pacific volcanic islands. Those of type IV with (э)Nd values of -13 to -12 may be from East Asia eolian. The terrigenous and autogenetic mixed clay fractions show patchy distributions, indicating that there are volcanic or hot-spot activities in the eastern Pacific plate, while the terrigenous clay fractions cover a large part of the study area, proving that the terrigenous clay minerals are dominant in the eastern Pacific.     

内蒙古索伦山地区哈尔博格托尔TTG岩锆石年代学、岩石地球化学及大地构造意义

内蒙古索伦山地区是中亚造山带构造演化的关键区域,其中关于古亚洲洋的闭合时限以及西伯利亚板块和华北板块的拼贴时空关系一直存在争议。出露于内蒙古索伦山地区哈尔博格托尔的中酸性侵入岩,其深入研究对探讨古亚洲洋演化具有重要意义。文中对内蒙古索伦山地区哈尔博格托尔TTG岩进行了系统的岩石学、年代学及地球化学研究。获得哈尔博格托尔TTG岩的LA ICP MS锆石U Pb年龄为(266.7±3.7) Ma,表明该侵入岩形成于中二叠世。地球化学主量元素分析表明,索伦山地区哈尔博格托尔TTG岩的岩石系列主要为含钠较高的钙碱性准铝质系列。其稀土元素总量较低,呈现轻稀土元素(LREEs)相对于重稀土元素(HREEs)弱富集的特征,Eu异常不明显;微量元素呈现Rb、Ba、Th、U等大离子亲石元素富集,Nb、Ta、Ti等高场强元素强烈亏损的特征,与典型的岛弧岩浆岩类似。结合索伦山TTG岩体地质特征和区域地质背景,综合年代学和地球化学特征分析,笔者认为索伦山地区哈尔博格托尔TTG岩体形成于岛弧环境,即中二叠世期间古亚洲洋壳向华北板块还存在俯冲作用,因而古亚洲洋至少应在中二叠世以后才闭合。内蒙古索伦山地区哈尔博格托尔TTG岩是洋壳俯冲的岩石学记录,为索伦山缝合带及古亚洲洋构造域演化提供了新的基础地质资料。     

全球变化中的北极碳汇：现状与未来

由于海冰覆盖，北极碳汇（Arctic Carbon Sink）在全球碳通量预算中经常被忽略或简单处理。但随着全球变化加剧，北极发生快速变化，北极碳循环及其对全球变化的响应与反馈日趋重要。综合对北极碳汇的研究结果，分析了北极碳汇的来源、变化以及主要调控因子，评估了北极碳汇现状。探讨了在全球变化中，影响北极碳汇变化的因素及其对未来北极碳汇变化趋势的影响。      

频率-波数域递推计算海底多分量地震记录中的反射系数

在频率-波数域中采用解析法,解出多层条件下海底实测的多分量地震数据分解成上行和下行P波和S波的算法,导出海底各层地震反射系数随入射角变化(简称RVA)的递推计算公式,为海底多波多分量AVO弹性参数的反演及流体因子预测提供基础数据.合成数据的计算结果表明,本文给出的算法能较可靠地从海底多波多分量记录中提取RVA信息.     

Down to Earth: Contextualizing the Anthropocene

The ‘Anthropocene’ is now being used as a conceptual frame by different communities and in a variety of contexts to understand the evolving human–environment relationship. However, as we argue in this paper, the notion of an Anthropos, or ‘humanity’, as global, unified ‘geological force’ threatens to mask the diversity and differences in the actual conditions and impacts of humankind, and does not do justice to the diversity of local and regional contexts. For this reason, we interpret in this article the notion of an Anthropocene in a more context-dependent, localized and social understanding. We do this through illustrating examples from four issue domains, selected for their variation in terms of spatial and temporal scale, systems of governance and functional interdependencies: nitrogen cycle distortion (in particular as it relates to food security); ocean acidification; urbanization; and wildfires. Based on this analysis, we systematically address the consequences of the lens of the Anthropocene for the governance of social-ecological systems, focusing on the multi-level, functional and sectoral organization of governance, and possible redefinitions of governance systems and policy domains. We conclude that the notion of the Anthropocene, once seen in light of social inequalities and regional differences, allows for novel analysis of issue-based problems in the context of a global understanding, in both academic and political terms. This makes it a useful concept to help leverage and (re-)focus our efforts in a more innovative and effective way to transition towards sustainability.     

Genetic diversity and population structure of the franciscana dolphin,Pontoporia blainvillei,in Southern Buenos Aires,Argentina

The franciscana dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei, is endemic to the coastal waters of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean and the most endangered dolphin in the area. Four Franciscana Management Areas (FMAs) are currently recognised; however, results of genetic studies suggest the requirement for additional FMAs and highlight the need for more detailed studies in the southern extreme of the species distribution. With this aim, we studied the genetic diversity and population structure of the species analysing an mtDNA control region fragment (434?bp) in 44 individuals collected in four sampling sites located in Southern Buenos Aires. Haplotype diversity (H?=?0.75?±?0.05) was mostly higher than the observed in endangered or near threatened odontocetes. Population structure analyses suggest that three different genetic populations should be recognised within FMA IV: Northern, Eastern and Southern Buenos Aires. Altogether, these results should be taken into account in future conservation plans for the species.     

Missing the boat: Critical threats to coral reefs are neglected at global scale

Coral reefs have experienced a global decline due to overfishing, pollution, and warming oceans that are becoming increasingly acidic. To help halt and reverse this decline, interventions should be aimed at those threats reef experts and managers identify as most severe. The survey included responses from 170 managers, representing organizations from 50 countries and territories, and found that respondents generally agreed on the two major threats: overfishing and coastal development. However, resource allocation did not match this consensus on major threats. In particular, while overfishing receives much attention, coastal development and its attendant pollution are largely neglected and underfunded. These results call for a re-examination of how resources are allocated in coral reef conservation, with more attention given to aligning how money is spent with what are perceived to be the primary threats.