Thermal and rheological structures of the Xisha Trough, South China Sea

The Xisha Trough, located in the northwest of the South China Sea (SCS) mainly rifted 30 Ma ago, has been a failed rift since the cessation of the seafloor spreading of the NW subbasin. Based on the velocity–depth model along Profile OBH-4 across the Xisha Trough, a seven-layer density–depth model is used to estimate density structure for the profile. The relationship between seismic velocity and radiogenic heat production is used to estimate the vertical distribution of heat sources in the lower crust. The 2-D temperature field is calculated by applying a 2-D numerical solution of the heat conduction equation and the thermal lithosphere thickness is obtained from the basalt dry solidus (BDS). The rheology of the profile is estimated on the basis of frictional failure in the brittle regime and power-law steady-state creep in the ductile regime. Rheological model is constructed for a three-layer model involving a granitic upper crust, a quartz diorite lower crust and an olivine upper mantle. Gravity modeling supports basically the velocity–depth model. The Moho along Profile OBH-4 is of relatively high heat flow ranging from 46 to 60 mW/m² and the Moho heat flow is higher in the trough than on the flanks. The depth of the “thermal” lithospheric lower boundary is about 54 km in the center, deepens toward two sides, and is about 75 km at the northern slope area and about 70 km at the southern Xisha–Zhongsha Block. Rheological calculation indicates that the two thinnest ductile layers in the crust and the thickest brittle layer in the uppermost mantle lie in the central region, showing that the Xisha Trough has been rheologically strengthened, which are mainly due to later thermal relaxation. In addition, the strengthening in rheology during rifting was not the main factor in hampering the breakup of the Xisha Trough.     

Heavy metal concentrations in soils and plants in the vicinity of Arufu lead-zinc mine,Middle Benue Trough,Nigeria

This study focused on the influence of base metal mining on heavy metal levels in soils and plants in the vicinity of Arufu lead-zinc mine, Nigeria. Soil samples (0-15 cm depth) and plant samples were collected from cul-tivated farmlands in and around the mine, the unmineralized site and a nearby forest (the control site). The samples were analyzed for heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Pb, Cr and Cd) by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The physical properties of soils (pH and LOI) were also measured. Results showed that soils from cultivated farm-lands have neutral pH values (6.5-7.5), and low organic matter contents (10%). Levels of Zn, Pb and Cd in culti-vated soils were higher than the concentrations obtained from the control site. These heavy metals are most probably sourced from mining and agricultural activities in the study area. Heavy metal concentrations measured in plant parts decreased in the order of rice leavescassava tuberspeelings. In the same plant species, metal levels decreased in the order of ZnFeMnCuPbCrCd. Most heavy metals were found in plant parts at average concentrations normally observed in plants grown in uncontaminated soil, however, elevated concentrations of Pb and Cd were found in a few cassava samples close to the mine dump. A stepwise linear regression analysis identified soil metal contents, pH and LOI as some of the factors influencing soil-plant metal uptake.     

2008年前汛期广东长连续暴雨过程的500 hPa环流场特征

2008年5月下旬末～6月18日,广东遭受1951年以来最严重的“龙舟水”袭击。通过分析这次长连续暴雨过程开始、持续和结束期的500hPa侯平均环流特征和稳定维持的大尺度环流场特征,发现欧亚中高纬维持两槽两脊或两槽一脊稳定的大环流形势,为暴雨的持续提供了弱冷空气;孟湾低槽为华南地区提供了充足的水汽条件;西太平洋副热带高压的加强西伸,使华南沿海地区暖湿气流加强而产生强降水。     

南海北部西沙海槽沉积物管状黄铁矿特征及其形成机理*

南海北部西沙海槽S1站位的岩心柱沉积物中广泛发育自生矿物黄铁矿,其形态以管状为主,且具有内部中空的圈层结构。使用扫描电镜、电子探针、LA-ICP-MS、SIMS等测试方法研究了管状黄铁矿的形态及圈层结构,结果显示: (1)管状黄铁矿发育内部中空的圈层结构,其中内圈层(I_py)由莓球状黄铁矿呈五角十二面体紧密堆积组成,外圈层(O_py)由晶形较好晶粒较大的八面体黄铁矿组成,并混有沉积碎屑及钙质生物壳体;(2)内圈层和外圈层分别呈现出贫S富Fe和富S贫Fe的特征,其成因是甲烷渗漏造成的局部还原环境使得As进入黄铁矿中导致晶格空缺或被扭曲,从而促进Ni、Co、Cu、Zn、Pb等微量元素的掺入;(3)内圈层、外圈层发生了明显的硫同位素分馏现象,内圈层中 δ³⁴S 平均为-37.8‰,外圈层中 δ³⁴S 平均为-29.3‰。研究认为,管状黄铁矿作为曾经甲烷渗漏的通道,其生长机制可分为3个阶段: (1)气水通道形成阶段: 向上运移的甲烷流体在沉积物孔隙中逐渐形成气水通道;(2)外圈层形成阶段: 当向上运移的甲烷与硫酸盐发生甲烷厌氧氧化时,逐渐形成晶体较大、晶形较好的八面体黄铁矿外圈层;(3)内圈层形成阶段: 随着甲烷浓度逐渐降低,在气水通道中的微生物作用下,剩余甲烷与向下运移的硫酸盐继续反应形成莓球状黄铁矿内圈层。因此,南海北部的泥岩中大量发育的管状黄铁矿常常与地层中甲烷水合物的存在有关。     

末次冰消期（1.9万年）以来冲绳海槽中部黏土矿物来源及其环境响应

基于采自冲绳海槽中部的CS2站柱状沉积物黏土矿物和AMS¹⁴C年代分析,探讨了末次冰消期以来冲绳海槽中部黏土矿物的物质来源及其环境指示意义。结果显示,CS2站黏土矿物以伊利石为主,其次为绿泥石,高岭石和蒙脱石含量较少。根据黏土矿物分布趋势变化,CS2站柱状沉积物可划分为3个阶段：阶段（I 19~12 ka BP）和阶段Ⅱ （12~8 ka BP）期间沉积物主要来源于长江,台湾和黄河物质也有一定影响,其物质来源主要受海平面升降的控制;阶段Ⅲ（8~0 ka BP）主要来源于长江和台湾,黄河贡献有限,主要受黑潮演化的影响。CS2站（蒙脱石+高岭石） （/伊利石+绿泥石）比值可以作为东亚季风演化的矿物学指标,指标变化显示出东亚冬季风强度相对夏季风的强度在16.4~14.8 ka BP和12.8~11.6 ka BP期间有两次显著的加强,指示当时气候相对寒冷干燥,结果可以与格陵兰冰心δ¹⁸O和三宝洞δ¹⁸O记录等很好对比。     

包头地区二次大雪过程的成因分析

文章应用常规资料,从天气环流形势演变、物理量等方面,对2000年1月10—11日包头地区普降大雪过程作了客观的分析,揭示了大雪过程的发生、发展机制,对今后分析大雪过程具有一定指导意义。     

The upper Cenomanian–lower Turonian carbonate platform of the Preafrican Trough,Morocco: Biostratigraphic,paleoecological and paleobiogeographical distribution of ostracods

The upper Cenomanian–lower Turonian paleoenvironments of the Preafrican Trough carbonate platform is characterized by analyzing the structure of the ostracod assemblages and the information provided by other groups, and also by linking together the paleontological and geochemical data (detrital influx-redox-paleoproductivity proxies, δ¹³C curve). Two different domains (eastern and western) can be recognized on the platform during the late Cenomanian, before the onset of the OAE2. The western domain corresponds to a low-energy environment developed on a mid and/or outer ramp with hypoxic waters, low detrital influx and low paleoproductivity. The paleoecological assemblages show limited specific diversity but variable density. The ostracods are opportunistic and unspecialized (r strategists), being associated with Buliminidae, surface and intermediate-water planktonic foraminifera, and fishes. The eastern domain corresponds to an inner ramp and/or peritidal environment with oxic waters, low detrital influx and low paleoproductivity, developed in a higher energy environment with paleoecological assemblages showing high diversity but variable density. The ostracods are more specialized (K strategists), being represented by diverse and constant assemblages associated with diversified benthic foraminifera, calcareous sponges and echinoderms, as well as intermediate- and deep-water planktonic foraminifera. The onset of the OAE2 has no influence on the western ostracod assemblages, but leads to the decline of the ostracod fauna and the disappearance of the deep-water planktonic foraminifera in the eastern domain. During the early Turonian, after the OAE2, the platform becomes an outer ramp with increased paleoproductivity, but is associated with a decrease of taxonomic diversity in hypoxic waters. The ostracods are very sparse and unspecialized, associated with siliceous sponges, Buliminidae, surface-living planktonic foraminifera, fishes and pelagic crinoids. Marine paleobiogeographic communication is relatively easy across the carbonate platforms between the Preafrican Trough and other Moroccan regions, as well as between Morocco and different parts of the South Tethyan and East Atlantic margins belonging to the Cenomanian–Turonian South Tethyan Ostracod Province (STOP). Thirteen new species are described: Cytherella tazzouguertensis n. sp., Bairdiacypris chaabetensis n. sp., Bythocypris amelkisensis n. sp., Pontocypris tadighoustensis n. sp., Procytherura? elongatissima n. sp., Loxoconcha akrabouensis n. sp., Hemiparacytheridea sagittaemucronata n. sp., Rehacythereis errachidiaensis n. sp., Rehacythereis zizensis n. sp., Veenia (Nigeria) tardaensis n. sp., Veenia (Nigeria) mediacostarobusta n. sp., Xestoleberis? preafricanensis n. sp., and Xestoleberis circinatus n. sp.     

冲绳海槽岩浆物理化学性质及其地质意义

借助冲绳海槽火山岩地球化学分析结果,讨论了海槽不同区段岩浆的温度、压力、密度和黏度等物理化学参数,以确定海槽岩浆的物理性质及其对海槽不同区段岩浆演化过程的影响.海槽北段的岩浆相对于中段表现出高压力、低温度的特征.由于海槽岩浆挥发分含量较高,北段岩浆的密度和黏度要高于中段的.但总的来说,海槽岩浆具有低密度、低黏度的特点,因此岩浆更容易穿透岩石圈,而且有利于岩浆结晶分异作用的进行.对海槽岩浆相对运移速度的研究显示,在外部条件及含水量相同的前提下,在海槽中段岩浆上升速度要大于北段的,这从岩浆物理化学性质的角度解释了为何海槽中段火山活动要强于北段的.     

Historical tsunamis and storms recorded in a coastal lowland,Shizuoka Prefecture,along the Pacific Coast of Japan

Four sand units deposited by tsunamis and one sand unit deposited by storm surge(s) were identified in a muddy marsh succession in a narrow coastal lowland along the Pacific coast of central Japan. Tsunamis in ad 1498, 1605, 1707 and 1854 that were related to large subduction‐zone earthquakes along the Nankai Trough, and storm surges in 1680 and/or 1699 were responsible for the deposition of these sand units. These sand units are distinguished by lithofacies, sedimentary structures, grain‐size and mineral composition, and radiocarbon ages; their ages are supported by events in local historical records. The tsunami deposits in the study area are massive or parallel‐laminated sands, with associated intraclasts, gravels, draping mud layers and, rarely, a return‐flow subunit. The storm surge deposits are devoid of these characteristics, and are composed of groups of thin, current ripple‐laminated sand layers. The differences in sedimentary structures between the tsunami and storm surge deposits are attributed to the different characteristics of tsunami and storm waves.