Structurally controlled hydrothermal dolomites in Albian carbonates of the Asón valley,Basque Cantabrian Basin,Northern Spain

Shallow marine carbonate sedimentation dominated during the Albian in the western part of the Basque Cantabrian Basin in Northern Spain, forming the large Ramales Platform. This platform originated on a less subsiding tectonic block facing deeper and more subsiding areas to the south and east, which were created by tectonic activity in the Basin. Fracture-related hydrothermal dolomites hosted in these Albian carbonates are well exposed in the Asón valley area. Mapping in the studied area revealed several dolomite bodies related to main faults that cut the stratification almost at right angles. The bodies show a vertical development along fault-strike up to 900 m thick from which kilometre-scale branches expand following the stratification. Dolomitization is pervasive and independent of the limestone facies. Main dolomite facies are fine replacive, sucrosic and saddle. Petrography, C, O and Sr isotopes and fluid-inclusion analysis support a polyphase hydrothermal dolomitization at fluid temperatures between 75 °C and 240 °C and highly variable salinity of up to 22 wt.% NaCl. Fine dolomite replaced limestone first and then, sucrosic and saddle dolomites replaced part of the first dolomite and cemented newly created fracture porosity together with different calcite cements. Zebra dolomites and hydroclastic breccias are products of this later stage. Burial analysis of the host rock supports maximum burial temperatures of 80 °C and intense tectonic activity from the Albian to Turonian with a latest Albian peak subsidence. Albian stretching of the crust and subsequent ascent of the isotherms in the area is suggested to have produced sufficient heat to the dolomitizing fluids. The structural analysis indicates a strong transtensional tectonic activity in the studied area during Albian to Turonian time with the creation of an overstep between W–E trending and N–S trending faults. Fluids moved from subsiding areas to fractured uplifted parts of the Ramales Platform, enhanced by diapiric activity.     

Cadmium release caused by the die-back of the saltmarsh cord grass Spartina anglica in Poole Harbour (UK)

As in many other areas, the perennial cord grass Spartina anglica C.E. Hubbard has been extremely successful at colonising the English and Irish south coasts, but it is dying back for reasons that are not completely understood. The present study considers the relationship between die-back and metal concentrations in estuarine sediment. No obvious impact of the metal contamination on the S. anglica growth/die-back could be detected in the study zone, Poole Harbour, although the die-back did seem to have substantially influenced the metal concentrations in the sediments of the estuary. Based on core profiles, the remaining patches of S. anglica still retain elevated concentrations and the overall cadmium concentrations in the sediments have risen since 1925. However, considerable quantities of the cadmium stored in the sediment by S. anglica appear to have been washed out rapidly in the die-back zones. Should serious erosion of the saltmarsh occur, triggered for example by sea-level rise, then sudden and high levels of cadmium release may cause harmful effects to marine biota.     

鲁北新生代隐伏火山岩及其石油地质意义

鲁北新生代隐伏火山岩可划分为3个喷发期6个亚期,9种火山岩岩石类型和同期侵入的辉绿岩。它们形成在近大陆边缘的板内裂谷型盆地,对于富有机质生油岩的沉积、各种储集体的形成、多种含油圈闭类型的形成以及有机质成熟向烃类转化都是非常有利的。作为储集岩主要有玄武安山岩、辉绿岩和湖底玄武质凝灰岩。储油空间主要为次生孔隙和裂缝。火山岩及其有关岩石在本区不仅形成了特殊的油气藏,而且还可作为盖层、封堵层、披复构造的基岩,因此对石油地质勘探有重要意义。     

Sedimentary Features of Shallow Ancient River Channels on the Northern Shelf of the South China Sea1

Abstract Quaternary buried ancient river channels are widespread in the shallow-level sediments of the northern shelf of the South China Sea. The sedimentary sequence mainly of fluvial deposits comprise an important component part of the low-stand system tract and transgressive system tract in the study region. The plannar variation and spatial association of the sedimentary features such as incised valley fillings, deltaic foreset wedges and block slides of shelf-marginal fans reflect the palaeogeographic environment during the fall of the regional sea level in the northern part of the South China Sea. Based on the high-resolution seismic reflection data and gelogical data from boreholes, the present paper makes an integrated interpretation of the Quaternary ancient river channels in the shallow sediments of the study area, studies the sedimentary features of the ancient channels such as their spatial distribution, seismic facies reflection indicators, sedimentary facies and sand-body types, and discusses their formational setting and evolutionary model, with the main purpose to render a service to the hydrocarbon resources exploration and development and marine engineering in the northern shelf of the South China Sea.     

Changes in post world war ii distribution and status of monsoon rainforests in the Darwin area

Monsoon rainforests in the Darwin area occur as isolated patches ranging in size from 2 to 112 ha. Aerial photographic records over a 45 year period indicate a 60 per cent reduction in the cover of pre‐1945 rainforest. Urban development, cyclone damage, weed invasion and wildfire were identified as the major causes of this contraction. Urban development contributed 40 per cent of the total rainforest loss during this period. Rainforests occurring on dry substrates have been most affected by urban development. Cyclonic storm damage and indirect human affects such as weed invasion and anthropogenic fires continue to disturb the remaining rainforest patches. Although the largest expanses of rainforest presently occur within parks and reserves, providing adequate protection from further urban encroachment, smaller remnants occurring on vacant crown land are vulnerable to changes in land use. As well as the introduction of appropriate legislation, the control of fire and weeds should be given the highest priority by land managers to ensure the stability and long‐term maintenance of this remnant vegetation.     

Interpretation of210Pb profiles and verification of the CRS dating model in PIRLA project lake sediment cores

This paper reports results and analysis of²¹⁰Pb-activity measurements in 51 lake-sediment cores from 32 lakes in the four PIRLA (Paleoecological Investigations of Recent Lake Acidification) project regions (Adirondack Mountains [New York], Northern New England, Northern Florida, and the Northern Great Lakes States). General application of the Constant Rate of Supply (Constant Flux) model for²¹⁰Pb dating is valid for lakes in the PIRLA study, although application of the model is equivocal in a few lakes.²¹⁰Pb inventories and profiles are replicable among closely spaced cores within a lake. Specific²¹⁰Pb activity in surface sediments is negatively correlated with bulk sediment accumulation rate in seepage lakes, but not in drainage lakes. Drainage lakes with lower pH have lower unsupported²¹⁰Pb inventories in sediments, but the relationship does not occur in seepage lakes.²¹⁰Pb profiles in only seven of the cores, all from either the Adirondacks or the northern Great Lakes states, exhibit exponential decay curves. Deviations from an exponential profile include a flattening of the profile in the top few cm or excursions of one or a few measurements away from an exponential curve.²¹⁰Pb dates typically agree with other chronostratigraphic markers, most of which are subject to greater uncertainty. Several hypotheses, including sediment mixing, hydrologic regime, sediment focusing, and acidification, are proposed to explain variation of²¹⁰Pb distribution among lakes and regions. Hydrologic factors exert control on unsupported²¹⁰Pb inventories in PIRLA lakes, and there is a strong focusing effect in drainage lakes but a weak focusing effect in seepage lakes.This is the third of a series of papers to be published by this journal following the 20^th anniversary of the first application of²¹⁰Pb dating of lake sediments. Dr P. G. Appleby is guest editing this series.     

北疆阿巴宫-库尔提断裂带显微组构的运动学和动力学分析

研究了阿尔泰地区NW走向高角度冲断构造中主干的阿巴宫—库尔提断裂带。详细研究了断裂构造岩的变形构造和组构及其所显示的运动学和动力学特征。结果表明:存在早、晚更替且性质不同的变形显微构造。早期以糜棱岩中的韧性变形构造为主,发育有递进变形的不对称构造(压力影、旋转变斑晶、S—C构造等),是断裂中剪切变形运动指向的主要判据。晚期为脆性破裂构造,与早期变形组构具继承、叠加关系。研究了石英光轴的组构形式,证实存在:早期共轴纯剪变形的小圆环带组构和非共轴简单剪切变形中,呈递变关系的点极密—大圆环带—交叉大圆环带组构型式。对变形构造和组构所作的运动学和动力学分析结果表明:阿—库断裂带的形成和变形历史为:①地壳早期NE挤压收缩环境,形成劈理化带;②在持续NE向挤压作用下,大规模剪切、逆冲叠置,和地壳加厚,产生重熔岩浆和流体再分配效应,促使糜棱岩带形成和发展;③晚期地壳NE向挤压下,以垂直差异抬升和大量碎裂岩化高角度逆冲断裂的继承、叠加为特征。在区域大地构造的关系上:①、②对应于地槽褶皱、封闭的地槽体制(海西期),③对应于地洼体制(后海西期)。     

长江中下游地震同青藏高原北部地震的相关性

本文对比了1910—1987年发生的长江中下游地震和青藏高原北部地震,发现两者有比较好的对应关系。一般是,青藏高原北部先发生M≥6级地震,而后长江中下游地区发生M≥19/4级地震。对1910年以来的21次地震进行了统计分析,得到复相关系数R=0.74,能够在很高的显著性水平上通过F检验。地震活动在时间、空间、强度上的相关,现代构造运动及应力场等事实表明,长江中下游地震活动可能主要受青藏高原向东的横向推移运动的影响。     

Variscan very low-grade metamorphism in southwest England: a diastathermal and thrust-related origin

Abstract Regional metamorphism in the external Variscides of southwest England varied from diagenetic level to greenschist facies. There is a fundamental difference in the metamorphic character between the northern and southern regions of the area. In the north, M1 metamorphism is of a sedimentary burial character associated with high heat flow, whilst to the south it is related to tectonic burial during thrust thickening processes, with lower geothermal gradients. This pattern appears to be related to the character of basin development and its subsequent tectonic evolution. The northern region has features that accord with a diastathermal (extensional) origin for the very low-grade metamorphism whilst in the southern region the very low-grade metamorphism is linked to thrusting as a consequence of Variscan compression. The Tintagel High-Strain Zone presents an anomaly in this regional pattern where an M2 metamorphic phase is attributed to localized D2 thrust stacking along the southern margin of the Culm Basin.
There is no extensive overprint of the regional metamorphic pattern by the contact aureoles surrounding the granite plutons of the region. However, there is a noticeable coincidence between the areas of regional epizone grade and the extent of the geophysically defined subsurface limit of the granite batholith (excluding the North Devon area). This link is attributed largely to the late-stage structural up-doming of the higher grade areas over the roof of the batholith.