Calcium isotope (δCa) fractionation along hydrothermal pathways, Logatchev field (Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 14°45′N)

We investigate the Logatchev Hydrothermal Field at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 14°45′N to constrain the calcium isotope hydrothermal flux into the ocean. During the transformation of seawater to a hydrothermal solution, the Ca concentration of pristine seawater ([Ca]_SW) increases from about 10 mM to about 32 mM in the hydrothermal fluid endmember ([Ca]_HydEnd) and thereby adopts a δ^44/40Ca_HydEnd of −0.95 ± 0.07‰ relative to seawater (SW) and a ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope ratio of 0.7034(4). We demonstrate that δ^44/40Ca_HydEnd is higher than that of the bedrock at the Logatchev field. From mass balance calculations, we deduce a δ^44/40Ca of −1.17 ± 0.04‰ (SW) for the host-rocks in the reaction zone and −1.45 ± 0.05‰ (SW) for the isotopic composition of the entire hydrothermal cell of the Logatchev field. The values are isotopically lighter than the currently assumed δ^44/40Ca for Bulk Earth of −0.92 ± 0.18‰ (SW) [Skulan J., DePaolo D. J. and Owens T. L. (1997) Biological control of calcium isotopic abundances in the global calcium cycle. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta61,(12) 2505-2510] and challenge previous assumptions of no Ca isotope fractionation between hydrothermal fluid and the oceanic crust [Zhu P. and Macdougall J. D. (1998) Calcium isotopes in the marine environment and the oceanic calcium cycle. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta62,(10) 1691-1698; Schmitt A. -D., Chabeaux F. and Stille P. (2003) The calcium riverine and hydrothermal isotopic fluxes and the oceanic calcium mass balance. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 6731, 1-16]. Here we propose that Ca isotope fractionation along the fluid flow pathway of the Logatchev field occurs during the precipitation of anhydrite. Two anhydrite samples from the Logatchev Hydrothermal Field show an average fractionation of about Δ^44/40Ca = −0.5‰ relative to their assumed parental solutions. Ca isotope ratios in aragonites from carbonate veins from ODP drill cores indicate aragonite precipitation directly from seawater at low temperatures with an average δ^44/40Ca of −1.54 ± 0.08‰ (SW). The relatively large fractionation between the aragonite precipitates and seawater in combination with their frequent abundance in weathered mafic and ultramafic rocks suggest a reconsideration of the marine Ca isotope budget, in particular with regard to ocean crust alteration.     

Conflicting imaginations: Archaeology, anthropology and geomorphology on Leskernick Hill, Bodmin Moor, southwest Britain

In this paper we view the different practices of archaeology, anthropology, environmental reconstruction and geomorphology through the lens of fieldwork on the clitter fields and Bronze Age settlement patterns on Leskernick Hill, Bodmin Moor, southwest Britain. The moor forms one of the best preserved fossil prehistoric landscapes of Europe and has undergone repeated periglacial episodes during the Quaternary. We show that the characterisation of patterned ground by archaeologists and anthropologists can be very different from that generated by geomorphology, particularly with respect to the spatial scales at which culture/nature questions are posed. We argue that the research project at Leskernick is a good example of how multi-disciplinary work is often more fruitful than mono-disciplinary and provides an example of how conversations across the divides of disciplinary practice can be held.     

Voracious planktonic hydroids: unexpected predatory impact on a coastal marine ecosystem

Hydroids are typically attached, benthic cnidarians that feed on a variety of small prey. During sampling on Georges Bank in spring 1994, we found huge numbers of hydroids suspended in the plankton. They fed on young stages of copepods that are an important prey for fish, as well as on young fish themselves. Two independent methods were used to estimate feeding rates of the hydroids; both indicate that the hydroids are capable of consuming from 50% to over 100% of the daily production of young copepods. These results suggest that hydroids can have a profound effect on the population dynamics of zooplankton and young fish on Georges Bank.     

Primodial retention of carbon by the terrestrial planets

Chemical equilibrium calculations on the stability of pure and dissolved graphite and cohenite (Fe₃C), several other carbides, and several carbonates have been carried out for a system with solar elemental abundances over a very wide range of temperature and pressure. The calculated abundances of condensed carbon compounds are similar to the observed inventories on Earth and Venus, but fully 10 times smaller than the minimum carbon abundance found in ordinary chondrites. The total carbon content of most iron meteorites is compatible with their origin as a cooling FeNiCSP solution which was saturated with dissolved carbon at the solidus, such as would be produced by melting an ordinary chondrite, not by direct condensation from or equilibrium with the primitive solar nebula. It is argued that the carbon content of Mars need not be appreciably greater than that of the Earth. Material with even lower formation temperatures than Mars, such as the primitive material in the asteroid belt, may retain substantially more carbon as disequilibrium polymeric organic matter, possibly by the Fischer-Tropsch mechanism favored by Anders. Carbonates are not found as equilibrium products in a solar-composition system, and are probably secondary alteration products. CaCO₃ might, however, persist in a solar-composition gas at temperatures below 460°K and pressures below 10^?6.6 bar. The most stable condensed carbon compounds are found to be graphite, Fe₃C, and possibly TiC, all in solid solution in the metal phase.     

Crustal structure of the Rhenish Massif: results of deep seismic reflection lines Dekorp 2-North and 2-North-Q

The reflection seismic line DEKORP 2-N reveals an almost complete cross section through the Rhenohercynian Zone, the most external part of the Variscan orogen in Europe.The northern part of DEKORP 2-N and a NE-directed branch (2-N-Q) reveal the Cretaceous of the Münsterland basin and the underlying folded Palaeozoic rocks. The northward decreasing intensity of folding is depicted in great detail by the highly reflective Late Carboniferous coal-measures and deeper reflections down to the level of the Givetian/Frasnian shallow-water carbonates.In the Devonian and older rocks of the Rhenish Massif, bedding is only represented by relatively weak, short and irregular reflections. These are truncated by stronger, southward dipping reflections, which exhibit the listric curvature and flat/ramp geometry characteristic of faults. In the northern part of the section, the thrusts appear to be blind. From the Ebbe Anticline southwards, prominent reflections can be correlated with important thrust faults known from the surface, such as the Ebbe-, Siegen-, Müsen- and Sackpfeife- Thrusts, as well as further important thrust faults in the Lahn- and Dill Synclines. The basal thrust of the extremely thin-skinned Giessen Nappe is only recognizable for a very short distance.At depth, the thrusts flatten out in a relatively transparent zone between 3–5 s TWT, with strongly reflective bands at its bottom and top. The transparent zone might correlate with a high-conductivity layer detected in a magnetotelluric survey; it represents either graphitic metapelites or a zone with an interconnected, brine-filled pore space. The seismic record relates either to lithological differences, or to rheological boundaries.The lower crust in the north is characterized by a relatively transparent zone, which wedges out towards south under the northern margin of the Siegen Anticline. Comparisons with a similar feature in the ECORS profile »Nord de la France« suggest that the transparent zones in both sections correspond to a pre-Palaeozoic basement, such as it underlies the Brabant Massif. Further south, the lower crust is increasingly reflective.The curvilinear, thrust-related reflections are cut by a conjugate set of much weaker, N- and S-dipping reflectors indicating a later deformation with pure shear. Displacement of some marker reflections suggests late- or post-Variscan compression.In an alternative interpretation, these straight and weak reflections represent the only thrust faults, while the curvilinear elements might relate to bedding.A southward rise of the Moho from approx. 11 to 8.5 s TWT is probably due to Tertiary rifting.

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Zusammenfassung Das reflexionsseismische Profil DEKORP 2-N stellt einen fast vollständigen Querschnitt durch das Rhenohercynikum dar.Der nördliche Teil des Profiles 2-N sowie ein SW/NE-verlaufender Abzweig (2-N-Q) zeigen die Transgression der Münsterländer Kreide und das unterlagernde gefaltete Paläozoikum. Schichtgebundene Reflektoren (flözführendes Karbon, devonischer Massenkalk) bilden das Ausklingen der variscischen Faltung nach NW detailliert ab.In den devonischen und vordevonischen Sedimenten des rechtsrheinischen Schiefergebirges erzeugt die Schichtung nur relativ schwache, kurze und unregelmäßige Reflexionen. Diese werden von stärkeren, südfallenden Reflektoren abgeschnitten, die aufgrund ihrer listrischen Krümmung und flat/ramp-Geometrie wahrscheinlich als Überschiebungen zu interpretieren sind. Im Nordteil des Schiefergebirges sind diese Überschiebungen offenbar blind, werden also nahe der Oberfläche durch Faltung kompensiert. Im Ebbe-Sattel und weiter südlich lassen sich die meisten der starken, südfallenden Reflektoren zweifelsfrei mit bekannten Großüberschiebungen korrelieren (Ebbe-, Siegen-, Müsen-, Sackpfeife-Ü, sowie weitere Überschiebungen in der Lahn- u. Dill-Mulde). Die Basisüberschiebung der Giessen-Decke wird nur teilweise abgebildet.Zur Tiefe hin zeigen die Überschiebungen ein zunehmend flacheres Einfallen, und verschwinden in einer relativ transparenten Zone zwischen 3 und 5 s TWT, die im Hangenden und Liegenden durch dünne, stark reflektive Zonen begrenzt ist. Diese transparente Zone entspricht möglicherweise einer Zone hoher integrierter Leitfähigkeit, die in einem begleitenden magnetotellurischen Experiment nachgewiesen worden ist; es handelt sich entweder um einen Graphit-führenden Phyllit-Horizont oder eine mächtigere permeable Zone mit Elektrolyt-gefülltem Porenraum. Die hochreflektiven Bänder über und unter der transparenten Zone entsprechen entweder lithologischen Kontrasten oder rheologischen Grenzen, die vermutlich von einer scherenden Verformung überprägt worden sind.Die Unterkruste im N-Teil des Profiles enthält einen relativ transparenten Bereich, der nach Süden hin unter dem Nordteil des Siegener Sattels keilförmig ausläuft. Ein ähnliches Bild zeigt der Nordteil des ECORS-Profiles »Nord de la France«. Die transparenten Bereiche beider Profile entsprechen wahrscheinlich einem prä-paläozoischen kristallinen Basement, das das Brabanter Massif unterlagert und sich rechtsrheinisch fortsetzt. Südlich des transparenten Keiles wird die Unterkruste zunehmend reflexionsreicher. Die listrisch gekrümmten, an Überschiebungen gebundenen Reflektoren werden von einem konjugierten System schwächerer, N- u. S-fallender Reflektoren abgeschnitten, die auf eine jüngere, bruchhafte Verformung durch reine Scherung hindeuten. Der Versatz einiger älterer Reflektoren deutet auf spät- oder postvariscische Kompression hin.In einer alternativen Interpretation werden nur diese jüngeren Reflektoren als Überschiebungen gedeutet; die älteren, gekrümmten Elemente müßten dann primären lithologischen Grenzen entsprechen.Die Moho steigt von ca. 11 s TWT im N auf 8.5 s TWT unter dem Taunus an. Die Krustenverdünnung im Süden geht wahrscheinlich auf Dehnung im Tertiär zurück.

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Résumé Le profil sismique par réflexion DEKORP-2-N représente une transversale quasiment complète à travers la zone rhénohercynienne. La partie septentrionale du DEKORP-2-N ainsi qu'une branche de direction SW-NE (2-N-Q) mettent en évidence la transgression du Crétacé du Münsterland sur le Paléozoïque sous-jacent plissé. Des réflecteurs liés à la stratification (à savoir: le Houiller et les calcaires de plate-forme dévoniens) illustrent de façon détaillée la diminution vers le nord de l'intensité du plissement varisque.Dans les sédiments dévoniens et pré-dévoniens du Massif Rhénan à l'est du Rhin, la stratification ne fournit que que des réflexions relativement faibles, courtes et irrégulières. Elles sont tronquées par des réflecteurs plus intenses, à pendage sud qui, en raison de leur courbure listrique et de leur géométrie en «flat/ramp», doivent être interprétés comme des chevauchements. Dans la partie septentrionale du Massif, ces chevauchements sont apparemment aveugles, c'est-à-dire qu'ils sont compensés, près de la surface, par le plissement. Dans l'anticlinal d'Ebbe, ainsi que plus au sud, la plupart des réflecteurs intenses à plongement sud peuvent être corrélés avec des chevauchements majeurs connus, tels ceux de Ebbe, Siegen, Müsen, Sackpfeife et d'autres encore dans les synclinaux de la Lahn et de la Dill. Le chevauchement basai de la nappe de Giessen n'est que partiellement représenté.Les chevauchements deviennent de plus en plus plats en profondeur pour disparaître dans une zone relativement transparente qui se situe entre 3–5 sec TWT. Celle-ci est prise en sandwich par des zones minces à forte réflectivité. La zone transparente correspond probablement à une zone de conductivité intégrée élevée dont l'existence a par ailleurs été démontrée dans un essai magnétotellurique mené parallèlement. Il s'agit soit d'un horizon phyllitique graphiteux, soit d'une zone perméable plus épaisse dont les pores sont remplis d'électrolyte. Les bandes à haute réflectivité au-dessus et en-dessous de la zone transparente correspondent soit à des contrastes lithologiques, soit à des limites rhéologiques probablement accentuées par la déformation cisaillante.La croûte inférieure dans la partie septentrionale du profil comporte un domaine relativement transparent qui s'amincit vers le S et se termine, en dessous de la partie nord de l'anticlinal de Siegen, en forme de coin. La partie nord du profil ECORS «Nord de la France» montre une image semblable.Les domaines transparents des deux profils correspondent vraisemblablement à un soubassement cristallin pré-paléozoïque qui est sousjacent au Paléozoïque du Massif du Brabant et se prolonge vers l'est au-delà du Rhin. Au sud du coin transparent, la réflectivité de la croûte inférieure va en augmentant. Les réflecteurs listriques liés à des chevauchements sont recoupés par un système conjugué de réflecteurs plus faibles à plongement nord et sud qui indiquent des failles plus récentes. Le déplacement de quelques réflecteurs plus anciens suggère l'effet d'une compression tardiou post-varisque.Dans une interprétation alternative, seuls ces réflecteurs plus récents sont considérés comme correspondant à des chevauchements. Dans ce cas, les éléments courbes plus anciens devraient représenter des limites lithologiques primaires.Le Moho s'élève à partir de 11 sec TWT environ au nord jusqu'à 8.5 sec TWT en-dessous du Taunus. L'amincissement crustal au sud résulterait du régime de distension survenu au Tertiaire.

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DEKORP 2 Nord. x-t- ray-tracing'a. 6,0 6,6 /, — 7,0 8,2 /. 6,25 /. 28 30 . , .

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Abbreviations MORB Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalt - TWT two-way travel time, seconds (s) - CMP common mid-point - VP vibration point - SNR signal to noise ratio     

Monazite U-Pb dating of staurolite grade metamorphism in pelitic schists

A study of the occurrence of and relations between rare-earth element (REE) minerals in pelitic schists indicates that monazite forms at or near the P and T of the staurolite isograd. Samples at staurolite grade from the Silurian Perry Mountain Formation in the Rumford quadrangle of Maine yield monazite in sufficient quantities to permit accurate dating of the metamorphic events forming the monazites. The bulk chemistry of the metapelites, as seen in the major element abundances and REE patterns, does not vary significantly across the study area. Thus the appearance and disappearance of REE phases is assumed to reflect changes in metamorphic grade. In a sample from the biotite zone, scanning electron microscope and microprobe studies show allanite and monazite intimately associated on a 10 m scale. The texture suggest that metastable detrital monazite breaks down, distributing its REE components to allanite. From samples below staurolite grade in which monazite is not present, our observations suggest that REEs are partitioned into allanite. At or near the staurolite isograd monazite forms as a metamorphic mineral, initiating its role as a geochronometer. Garnet-biotite geothermometry on samples at this grade from this and other studies places constraints on the minimum temperature necessary to form monazite: 525° C±25°C at 3.1±0.25 kbar. A total of 15 separates from nine schist samples ranging up to sillimanite grade have been dated. Each date is remarkably concordant, even though petrologic and textural studies by previous workers have shown that the rocks in the area have been affected by at least three metamorphic episodes. Calculations indicate insignificant Th disequilibrium in these monazites. The conditions associated with the metamorphic events suggest that monazite remains closed to lead loss provided that subsequent metamorphisms are at or below sillimanite grade. Two distinct metamorphic events are resolved, one at around 400 Ma and one at about 370 Ma. The latter was due to thermal effects of a nearby pluton that yields concordant monazite ages of 363 Ma. This work suggests that in addition to dating plutonism and high-grade metamorphism, monazite should be viewed as a reliable geochronometer for moderate metamorphism of pelitic schists.     

Gas maturity and alteration systematics across the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin from four mud gas isotope depth profiles

Carbon isotope and molecular compositions of Mississippian to Upper Cretaceous mud gases have been examined from four depth profiles across the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB). The profiles range from the shallow oil sands in the east (R₀ = 0.25) to the very mature sediments in the overthrust zone to the west (R₀ = 2.5). In the undisturbed WCSB, δ¹³C₁–δ¹³C₂ and δ¹³C₂–δ¹³C₃ cross-plots show three maturity and alteration trends: (1) pre-Cretaceous gas sourced from type II kerogen; (2) Cretaceous Colorado Group gas; and (3) Lower Cretaceous Mannville Group biodegraded gas. A fourth set of distinctly different maturity trends is recognized for Lower Cretaceous gas sourced from type III kerogen in the disturbed belt of the WCSB. Displacement of these latter maturity trends to high δ¹³C₂ values suggests that the sampled gas was trapped after earlier formed gas escaped, probably as a result of overthrusting. Unusually ¹³C-enriched gas (δ¹³C₁ = −34‰, δ¹³C₂ = −13‰, and δ¹³C₃ = 0‰), from the Gething Formation in the disturbed belt, is the result of late stage gas cracking in a closed system. In general, gas maturity is consistent with the maturity of the host sediments in the WCSB, suggesting that migration and mixing of gases was not pervasive on a broad regional and stratigraphic scale. The ‘Deep Basin’ portion of the WCSB is an exception. Here extensive cross-formational homogenization of gases has occurred, in addition to updip migration along the most permeable stratigraphic units.     

Origin of the northern Indus Fan and Murray Ridge, Northern Arabian Sea: interpretation from seismic and magnetic imaging

The nature and origin of the sediments and crust of the Murray Ridge System and northern Indus Fan are discussed. The uppermost unit consists of Middle Miocene to recent channel–levee complexes typical of submarine fans. This unit is underlain by a second unit composed of hemipelagic to pelagic sediments deposited during the drift phase after the break-up of India–Seychelles–Africa. A predrift sequence of assumed Mesozoic age occurring only as observed above basement ridges is composed of highly consolidated rocks. Different types of the acoustic basement were detected, which reflection seismic pattern, magnetic anomalies and gravity field modeling indicate to be of continental character. The continental crust is extremely thinned in the northern Indus Fan, lacking a typical block-faulted structure. The Indian continent–ocean transition is marked on single MCS profiles by sequences of seaward-dipping reflectors (SDR). In the northwestern Arabian Sea, the Indian plate margin is characterized by several phases of volcanism and deformation revealed from interpretation of multichannel seismic profiles and magnetic anomalies. From this study, thinned continental crust spreads between the northern Murray Ridge System and India underneath the northern Indus Fan.     

Late-Glacial and Early Holocene Environmental and Climatic Change at Lake Tambichozero, Southeastern Russian Karelia

High-resolution lithostratigraphy, mineral magnetic, carbon, pollen, and macrofossil analyses, and accelerator mass spectrometry ¹⁴C measurements were performed in the study of a sediment sequence from Lake Tambichozero, southeastern Russian Karelia, to reconstruct late-glacial and early Holocene aquatic and terrestrial environmental changes. The lake formed ca. 14,000 cal yr B.P. and the area around the lake was subsequently colonized by arctic plants, forming patches of pioneer communities surrounded by areas of exposed soil. A minor rise in lake productivity and the immigration of Betula pubescens occurred ca. 11,500 cal yr B.P. The rise in summer temperatures probably led to increased melting of remnant ice and enhanced erosion. The distinct increase in lake productivity and the development of open Betula-Populus forests, which are reconstructed based on plant macrofossil remains, indicate stable soils from 10,600 cal yr B.P. onward. Pinus and Picea probably became established ca. 9900 cal yr B.P.