Correlation of Barremian-Aptian (mid-Cretaceous) dinoflagellate cyst assemblages between the Tethyan and Austral realms

Quantified organic-walled dinoflagellate cyst (dinocyst) assemblages are presented for two sedimentary successions deposited in neritic environments of the Tethys Ocean during the Barremian and Aptian in an attempt to reconcile established dinocyst biostratigraphic schemes for Tethyan and Austral regions. One section is at Angles, southeast France (the Barremian stratotype section); the other is at Deep Sea Drilling Project Site 263, off northwest Australia. We also construct a carbon isotope record for Site 263 using bulk organic carbon.Both sections contain abundant, well-preserved dinocyst assemblages. These are diverse, with 89 taxa identified at Angles and 103 taxa identified at Site 263. Of these, more than 93% are cosmopolitan. When combined with other work at Angles and Site 263, we found that nine dinocysts have their first occurrence (FO) or last occurrence (LO) at both locations. These dinocyst events are, in alphabetical order: LO of Cassiculosphaeridia magna, FO of Criboperidinium? tenuiceras, LO of Kleithriasphaeridium fasciatum, LO of Muderongia staurota, FO of Odontochitina operculata, LO of Phoberocysta neocomica, FO of Prolixosphaeridium parvispinum, FO of Pseudoceratium retusum var. securigerum, and FO of Tehamadinium sousense. Although these events support a Barremian–Aptian age for both sections, their stratigraphic order is not the same in the sections. The δ¹³C_org record at Site 263 displays a characteristic series of changes that have also been recorded in other carbon isotope curves spanning the Late Barremian–Early Aptian. Such independent dating (along with ammonite zones at Angles) suggests that three of the nine dinocyst events are approximately isochronous at Angles and Site 263: the LO of K. fasciatum in the mid Barremian, the FO of P. retusum var. securigerum and the FO of C.? tenuiceras in the earliest Aptian; the other six dinocyst events are diachronous. Dinocyst assemblages at Site 263 can be loosely placed within existing Australian zonation schemes, providing much-needed calibration. Our data suggest that the Muderongia testudinaria Zone ends in sediments of mid Barremian age, the succeeding Muderongia australis Zone extends into the Early Aptian, and the younger Odontochitina operculata Zone begins in Early Aptian deposits. The boundary between the M. australis and O. operculata zones, and the Ovoidinium cinctum (as Ascodinium) Subzone, positioned at the top of the M. australis Zone when present, could not be recognized incontrovertibly. Interestingly, however, this horizon broadly correlates with the onset and extent of the Selli Event, a time of major biogeochemical change.     

罗源湾口柱状沉积物中的甲藻孢囊

通过时福建罗源湾口海域KMZK5柱状沉积物中甲藻孢囊的分析，共鉴定出15属30种甲藻孢囊，对比发现这30种甲藻孢囊是该湾以前未被记录的种类．其中12种是附近海域也未曾发现的种类，6种为有毒种类：缘亚历山大藻、小型亚历山大藻、塔玛亚历山大藻、具剌膝沟藻、链状裸甲藻、锥状斯氏藻，同时对甲藻孢囊的主要属种和有毒种类的丰度、分布在垂直方向上的变化特征进行了初步研究。     

崎岖列岛附近海域浮游植物与水环境状况研究

于2001年冬(2月)、春(4月)、夏(7月)、秋(10月)首次对崎岖列岛附近海域的浮游植物和赤潮生物与枯水期(2月)、丰水期(7月)的水质进行了调查研究.采用浮游植物细胞丰度法和环境质量单项评价标准指数法,对该海域环境质量状况进行评估.结果表明:崎岖列岛附近海域共有浮游植物6门45属90种,其中赤潮生物有33种,浮游植物平均细胞丰度从大到小的顺序为,夏季(4.25×104个/dm3),秋季(3.85×104个/dm3),春季(2.66×104个/dm3),冬季(5.20×103个/dm3).底泥中发现的藻类有80种,其中赤潮生物有31种,并发现一些甲藻孢囊及休眠孢子.底泥藻类丰度为12~612个/g,平均值为68个/g.主要有害赤潮生物为具齿原甲藻Prorocentrum dentatum(东海区的东海原甲藻P.donghaiense),链状亚历山大藻Alexandrium catenella,塔玛亚历山大藻Alexandrium tamarense,项圈亚历山大藻Alexandrium monilatum,尖刺伪菱形藻Pseudo-nitzschia pungens,具尾鳍藻Dinophysis caudata,夜光藻Noctiluca scintillans,裸藻Eutreptiella gymnastica等.主要赤潮生物优势种为中肋骨条藻Skeletonema costatum.该海域化学需氧量、活性磷酸盐和无机氮则超标严重,水质已处于严重富营养化状态.     

中国四个河口潮间带甲藻孢囊多样性研究

2014—2016年, 为调查研究中国大辽河、涧河、闽江与九龙江河口潮间带表层沉积物中甲藻孢囊多样性, 开展了4个季度表层沉积物样品采集, 通过多钨酸钠法提取甲藻孢囊后进行鉴定, 共鉴定出43种(隶属16属)和5种未定种, 包括自养型17种和异养型26种。其中孟迪原多甲藻(Protoperidinium mendiolae), 脆弱海胆藻(Echinidinium delicatum)和透明海胆藻(E. transparantum)为我国沿海未报道的新记录种类。调查中发现了一种产麻痹性贝毒的塔玛亚历山大藻复合体(Alexandrium tamarense complex), 以及3种产虾夷扇贝毒素的甲藻孢囊, 分别为网纹原角藻(Protoceratium reticulatum), 多边舌甲藻(Lingulodinium polyedrum)和具刺膝沟藻(Gonyaulax spinifera)。甲藻孢囊丰度在4个河口的分布具有明显差异。大辽河口孢囊丰度最高, 变化范围为47~94 cysts/g DW(干质量); 其次为涧河口, 孢囊丰度变化范围为24~75 cysts/g DW; 闽江口与九龙江口孢囊丰度相对较低, 变化范围分别为14~50 cysts/g DW与5~50 cysts/g DW。与沉积物环境因素的相关性分析表明, 自养型孢囊丰度和孢囊总丰度均与河口盐度、间隙水总溶解态氮营养盐浓度、溶解无机氮浓度、氨氮浓度呈显著正相关关系; 多样性指数与盐度、沉积物粒度(<63 μm)呈显著正相关关系。该研究对于了解我国河口潮间带甲藻孢囊多样性以及形成机制具有重要参考价值。     

腰骶管内囊肿的CT、MR诊断分析

目的 探讨腰骶管内囊肿的临床表现、CT和MRI诊断及鉴别诊断,以提高对本病的认识。 方法 回顾性分析19例经手术病理证实的腰骶管内囊肿的影像学特征,并评价CT、MRI对该病的诊断价值,MRI检查19例,CT检查11例。 结果 在19例腰骶管内囊肿中,肠源性囊肿2例,脊膜囊肿17例;2例多发,其余均为单发;有11例行CT检查,检出囊肿7例;19例全行MRI检查,均查出囊肿。 结论 MRI是椎管内囊肿的最佳检查方法,MRI可对其作出正确诊断,并指导手术治疗。CT对该病具有一定的诊断价值。     

A preliminary investigation into calcareous dinoflagellate cysts and problematic microfossils from an expanded Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary section at Kulstirenden, Stevns Klint, Denmark

Located to the north of the Stevns Klint Peninsula (Denmark), Kulstirenden shows the transition from Cretaceous chalks to Danian carbonates across the Cretaceous - Paleogene (K/Pg) boundary. The K/Pg boundary at Kulstirenden is represented by the Fiskeler Member (Fish Clay), a streaked marl interval with a smectite rich, red oxidised layer at its base marking the boundary. The Fiskeler Member is important as it includes the iridium concentration linked to the bolide impact which may have caused the end-Cretaceous mass extinction and is at its maximum thickness at Kulstirenden (c.45 cm). Calcareous dinoflagellate cysts (Calciodinelloideae) have been investigated from within the fine fraction (45-125 μm) at Kulstirenden in order to understand the ecological implications of these enigmatic microfossils. Several species were found within the Fiskeler Member, including Orthopithonella collarisWendler et al. (2001, Rev. Palaeobot. Palynol. 115, 69-77). This species is of particular interest as it demonstrates reduced paratabulation and may indicate a transgressive period immediately after the K/Pg boundary event. O. collaris has been described as a morphotype formed under post-K/Pg environmental conditions and is, therefore, described as a “disaster” taxon that marks the K/Pg boundary at Stevns Klint. The distribution of this taxon is more extensive than previously documented, disappearing as carbonate sedimentation returned in the Cerithium Limestone Member of the Danian. Several calcareous microfossil specimens that were found cannot be associated with the dinoflagellates and display Bolboforma-like features. While the origins of Bolboforma are enigmatic, the current finding expands their stratigraphic range and suggests an appearance of this group of organisms found at Stevns Klint may give an insight into the inception of this group into the earliest Danian.     

福建东山湾表层沉积物中甲藻孢囊分布研究

本研究于2016年11月在福建东山湾海域采集了表层沉积物, 对沉积物中甲藻孢囊的分布规律进行了研究, 重点揭示了有毒有害甲藻孢囊的分布; 同时测定了沉积物中生源要素含量, 以揭示孢囊分布与生源要素的关系。共鉴定甲藻孢囊22种, 包括自养型14种和异养型8种, 优势种为原多甲藻孢囊。孢囊的种类多样性指数(H')偏低, 为1.70~2.38之间; 均匀度指数(J)为0.64~0.84。孢囊密度介于70.6~136.4个·g^-1, 平均为107.2个·g^-1, 在漳江口和八尺门海域较低。东山湾表层沉积物中较高的异养型甲藻孢囊百分含量(平均75.5%)在一定程度上说明了水体中较高的初级生产力及富营养化水平。值得注意的是, 本研究分析鉴定出7种有毒有害甲藻的孢囊, 包括麻痹性贝类毒素(paralytic shellfish toxin, PSP)原因种奥氏亚历山大藻(Alexandrium ostenfeldii)和链状/塔玛亚历山大藻(Alexandrium catenella/tamarense)孢囊复合体、虾夷扇贝毒素(yessotoxin, YTX)原因种具刺膝沟藻(Gonyaulax spinifera)、环胺藻毒素(azaspiracid, AZP)潜在原因种环胺藻(Azadinium sp)、产生鱼毒素的哈曼褐多沟藻(Polykrikos hartmannii)以及赤潮藻类Barrufeta bravensis和锥状斯氏藻(Scrippsiella acuminate)。整体来说, 这些有毒有害藻类的孢囊密度较低, 但具刺膝沟藻在某些站位的高密度出现需引起关注。     

A late eocene-early Oligocene transgressive event in the Golfo San Jorge basin: Palynological results and stratigraphic implications

A new Cenozoic dataset in the subsurface of the South Flank of the Golfo San Jorge Basin (Santa Cruz province) allowed to identify a non-previously recognized transgressive event of late Eocene to early Oligocene age. Below of a marine succession containing a dinoflagellate cyst assemblage that characterizes the C/G palynological zone of the Chenque Formation (early Miocene), a 80–110 m thick marine succession contains a palynological assemblage integrated by Gelatia inflata, Diphyes colligerum and Reticulatosphaera actinocoronata supporting the occurrence of a marine incursion in the basin during the Eocene–Oligocene transition (EOT). The new lithostratigraphic unit - here defined as El Huemul Formation – covers in sharp contact to the Sarmiento Formation, and become thinner from East to West; the unit has been identified in about 1800 well logs covering up to 3500 km², and its subsurface distribution exceed the boundaries of the study area. The El Huemul Formation consists of a thin lag of glauconitic sandstones with fining-upward log motif, followed by a mudstone-dominated succession that coarsening-upward to sandstones, evidencing a full T-R cycle. Preservation of the El Huemul Formation in the subsurface of the South Flank has been favored by the reactivation of WNW-ESE late Cretaceous normal faults, and by the generation of N–S striking normal faults of Paleocene-Eocene age. Flexural loading associated to igneous intrusions of Paleocene?- middle Eocene age also promoted the increase of subsidence in the South Flank of the basin prior to the transgression.     

Comparison of toxicity between populations of Gonyaulax tamarensis of eastern North American waters

Isolates of the dinoflagellate Gonyaulax tamarensis were established from benthic cysts or motile cells collected along the north-western Atlantic coast from the Bay of Fundy to Long Island. All clones were grown under the same conditions and assayed in a blind test for toxin content and composition. Differences in toxin content (μmouse unit per cell) spanning two orders of magnitude were found, with decreasing toxicity from north to south. Some isolates had undetectable toxin levels. The low toxicity of southern strains of G. tamarensis may explain the historical absence of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in areas where cysts and motile cells have been reported. The cause of the observed geographic pattern is unknown, but is does suggest that there may be an environmentally-determined southern limit to the regional PSP problem.Qualitative data on the toxin composition of some clones indicate that saxitoxin, neosaxitoxin and gonyautoxins -II, -III and -IV are generally present. A more quantitative approach (i.e. one which examines each isolate for all of the 12 Gonyaulax toxins) is needed to fully utilize the potential of toxin composition in discriminating between strains.     

Sediment Fluxes and Varve Formation in Sihailongwan,a Maar Lake from Northeastern China

Data derived from monthly sediment traps in Sihailongwan, a maar lake in northeastern China, yielded a detailed record of seasonal sediment fluxes. Sediment fluxes correspond to seasonal climatic variations. The diatom flux shows two distinct peaks in September and November, whereas the flux of chrysophyte stomatocysts shows a maximum in May. The blooms of diatoms may be related to the subsequent deepening of the thermocline in September and lake overturn in spring and November, and influx of nutrient-rich groundwater sometime after the onset of the summer monsoon. The fluxes of organic matter and siliciclastics show a distinct seasonal pattern. They are varying between 0.03 and 0.56 g m⁻² d⁻¹ and reach a maximum in May. Quartz in the trap samples indicates that the siliciclastic matter may originate from distant aeolian sources. Sediment trap data and thin section investigations confirm the seasonality of Lake Sihailongwan sediments. Dark-colored layer, which mainly consists of valves of Cyclotella comta, might be deposited during autumn, and then is followed by a light-colored mixed layer starting with siliciclastics deposited after ice-out. The varved sediments in the U-shaped Lake Sihailongwan represent a sensitive siliciclastic and geochemical archive of paleoenvironmental variability in this data-sparse area. Detailed investigations of varved sediments should provide decadal to annual records of seasonal sediment flux and its relation to climatic parameters. Especially the diatomaceous layer is regarded to indicate summer climatic fluctuations, while the thick siliciclastic layer could be an indictor of dust events.