Internal tidal bore warm fronts and settlement of invertebrates in central Chile

We studied the occurrence of large high frequency temperature fluctuations and their potential association with settlement of intertidal invertebrates during the spring/summer period 1999/2000 at Las Cruces, on the coast of central Chile. Our results showed the existence of internal tidal bores, characterized by sharp drops in water temperature at the surface and near the bottom, and subsequent temperature increases, which occurred with a semidiurnal periodicity. Measured currents support the hypothesis of alternating onshore and offshore movement of warm-water fronts. The frequency of the events varied through the summer and their amplitude seems to be modulated by onshore winds. The strongest events were observed when strong onshore winds occurred in late afternoon hours and the entire water column showed a semidiurnal temperature signal. Highest values of chlorophyll concentration in the intertidal zone and daily settlement of bivalves, gastropods and crustaceans were observed at times when conditions were favorable for occurrence of internal tidal bores. Results suggest that internal tidal bore warm fronts could play an important role in the transport of neustonic larval invertebrates and the delivery of phytoplankton to at least some intertidal sites along the coast of Chile.     

Significance of gabbronorite occurrence in the crustal section of the Semail ophiolite

The eastern end of the Haylayn massif exposes a complex paleoridge structure interpreted as the tip of a northwestward propagating segment (Nicolas et al., this issue). The area, revisited from a petrostructural and geochemical viewpoint, offers the most documented exposures of the association of olivine gabbros and gabbronorites in Oman (Juteau et al., 1988). Gabbronorites were injected while the main gabbro unit was deforming in the magmatic state. Both units do not differ chemically, except for the SiO₂ enrichment of the orthopyroxene-rich gabbros relative to olivine-gabbro. In addition, they display the same trace element signature, which implies the same parent magma for both units. The extension of the stability field of orthopyroxene is assigned to increase of oxygen fugacity due to hydration. The source of hydration is the ridge axis hydrothermal circulation, suggesting hydrothermal/magma interaction at temperatures above the gabbro solidus. The distribution of gabbronorites at the scale of the entire ophiolite suggests a relation with ridge tectonics where high-T conditions of hydrothermal-magmatic interaction are met. Such conditions are met when propagating segments rotate the structures of the dying magma chamber.     

Abrupt axial variations along the slow to ultra-slow spreading centers of the northern North Fiji Basin (SW Pacific): Evidence for short wave heterogeneities in a back-arc mantle

This study presents results of surveys conducted along the slow to ultra-slow spreading axis of the Northern North Fiji Basin (NNFB), including the Hazel Holmes, Tripartite and South Pandora Ridges, and the newly discovered Futuna and North Cikobia spreading centers. Spreading segments along these axes display highly contrasted axial morphologies, ranging from a rift valley to a prominent axial high. In some places, abrupt inversions of topography are observed between neighboring segments. Detailed analyses of bathymetry and backscatter maps reveal that axial highs are spotted with numerous coalescent volcanoes forming features ranging from irregular terrains to well-organized ridges. The volcanic edifices are distributed over a wide neovolcanic zone, which corresponds to the axial relief, suggesting on important contribution of volcanism to the relief construction. Comparisons between various ridge-shaped segments reveal that axial volcano-tectonic patterns are directly related to the local magma production and delivery, in a context of tectonic extension related to plate divergence, and suggest that coalescent volcanoes are fed from multiples short-lived and unconnected magma lenses. In the competition between horizontal and vertical accretion of oceanic crust, the spreading centers of the NNFB represent a special case where lava production is locally high enough and spreading rate is low enough to allow prominent axial highs to develop. The along axis morphologic variability is related to intermittent volcanic activity that may result from rapid temporal and spatial variations in the distribution of upper mantle convection cells below accretion centers, superimposed on the regional thermal anomaly located under the whole basin.     

Experimental Study of Factors Controlling Sorption of Heavy Metals on Ariake Clay and Implication for Practice

A series of batch tests have been presented to investigate the effects of solid-solution contact time, solid:solution ratio, and pH of solution on sorption of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ on Ariake clay from Kyushu region of Japan. The results show that, among the three investigated factors, solid:solution ratio (SD/SN) seems to be the crucial controlling factor. The Freundlich sorption parameters determined from the batch tests were applied to a typical field landfill in which the Ariake clay was used as soil barrier. The impacts of the landfill were assessed by numerical analysis. Based on the analysis result, the significance of selecting proper solid:solution ratio for determining sorption parameters from batch test has been discussed.     

Spatial variation of nutrients and primary productivity in the Rufiji Delta mangroves,Tanzania

Determinations of spatial and temporal variations in organic matter and nutrient dynamics in water and sediments are crucial for understanding changes in aquatic bodies. In this study, we (i) determine the spatial dynamics of dissolved inorganic nutrients, during the transition from the dry to the rainy season, and (ii) provide future productivity predictions for the Rufiji Delta mangroves, Tanzania, based on the input of various nutrients. Water samples were collected from six locations, three times per year between April 2012 and January 2014, and analysed for dissolved nutrients, total organic and inorganic carbon, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total carotenoids. The prediction of future net primary productivity in the Rufiji mangroves was undertaken using the software STELLA. The mean nutrient concentrations were of the order: nitrate > phosphate > ammonium > silica > dissolved organic carbon. The study revealed that high nutrient concentrations occurred in the northern part of the Rufiji Delta as a result of anthropogenic influence in the watershed. Modelling of nutrient inputs into the delta indicated enhanced primary productivity, which is expected to increase the vulnerability of water quality in the near future due to eutrophication.     

Unusual features of the distribution of Radon-222 in the bottom waters of the continental slope of the Mid-Atlantic Bight: Hydrodynamic implications

²²²Rn was measured in the near-bottom waters of the continental slope of the Mid-Atlantic Bight. Separate measurements of the ²²²Rn supported by dissolved ²²⁶Ra allowed the excess ²²²Rn that is derived from the underlying sediments to be distinguished. Measurements of production of ²²²Rn by the sediments were used to calculate fluxes of ²²²Rn from sediments that would be expected as a result of molecular diffusion. On the upper slope and on the lower slope excess ²²²Rn standing crops were, respectively, greater than and consistent with fluxes of radon from sediments by molecular diffusion as are typical of most ocean environments. On the middle slope, however, observed excess ²²²Rn concentrations and standing crops were significantly lower than what would be expected from the calculated fluxes from the underlying sediments. This unusual feature of low radon concentrations on the middle slope is referred to as the low-radon zone (LRZ). This LRZ was always present over several years and seasons, but was variable in intensity (excess-radon concentration and standing crop) and in location on the slope. Low concentrations of suspended particulate matter and low current velocities observed by others in the same region are consistent with low mixing as a possible cause of the LRZ. Radon profile shapes and recent work by others on near bottom mixing due to interactions between topography and internal waves, however, suggest that high mixing due to internal waves is a more likely cause of the LRZ.     

A discussion on typhoon occurred in the Haikou Bay and impact mechanism on seawater quality

INTRODUIONThe Haikou Bay is an imPOrtant hay in Hainan Pmeince. Investigatnin of water qualitywas carried out three times every y6ar to understand the vatying trend of water quality fOr tak-ing pmpr countereres. betimes we may ee comParison conclustons of poIluting degreein Water Quality Monitoring Bulletin Of HaikOu Bay. But the comParison conclusbo is notreareable because the ocean is a complicated system with the interaction of wind, current,wave, tide, biolOgy, chemistry and so …     

中国内蒙古白云鄂博Fe-Nb-REE矿床地质特征与陨石撞击成因

中国内蒙古白云鄂博Ｆｅ－Ｎｂ－ＲＥＥ矿床由于其独特的矿床地质与矿物地球化学特征而明显有别于世界上其它绝大多数的Ｆｅ、Ｎｂ、ＲＥＥ矿床。本文提出该矿床是约１５００Ｍａ前一块富含ＲＥＥ、Ｎｂ的铁陨石撞击在华北地台北缘碳酸盐沉积陆架上形成的。现在矿床矿体中心的块状铁矿石更多地代表了陨石的成分,矿体外侧富含ＲＥＥ、Ｎｂ的环状白云岩是陨石撞击浅海碳酸盐沉积陆架释放的巨大能量使海水（含Ｍｇ）迅速受热溶解陨石中的ＲＥＥ、Ｎｂ等形成的含金属热液蚀变沉积成因方解石质碳酸盐沉积物的结果。块状铁矿石和环状白云岩之间矿物成分异常复杂、结晶颗粒十分细小的条带状、侵染状Ｆｅ－Ｎｂ－ＲＥＥ矿石组成的矿体则是撞击瞬间导致的由陨石（Ｆｅ、Ｎｂ、ＲＥＥ）、海水（Ｍｇ、Ｎａ、Ｋ等）和碳酸盐（含少量硅质夹层）（Ｃａ、Ｓｉ、Ａｌ等）组成的超高温、多组分、富水体系在快速冷却条件下反应生成的产物。撞击释放的巨大热能,在撞击体（陨石）下部相对不易释放,导致部分碳酸盐沉积物在富含ＲＥＥ、Ｎｂ、Ｍｇ等的热液参与下融熔,然后侵入到周围岩石裂隙形成矿区内众多的富含ＲＥＥ、Ｎｂ的白云岩脉。撞击的瞬间导致大量岩石、矿物碎屑、海水、蒸汽弥漫天空,同时引发巨大的海啸,然