The Skaergaard Layered Series. Part VI. Excluded Trace Elements

In contrast to the smooth trends of major elements and mineralcompositions, the excluded trace elements in the SkaergaardLayered Series have an irregular distribution that does notconform to the normal trends of Rayleigh-type fractionation.Their concentrations are about constant or even decline throughthe Lower and Middle Zones before increasing sharply to reachmaximum concentrations 100–200 m above the Sandwich Horizon.As in the case of included elements, the relative concentrationsof excluded elements in coexisting phases deviate widely fromthose predicted by experimentally determined partition coefficientsunder presumed magmatic conditions. This is seen most clearlyin the immiscible melanogranophyres and conjugate ferrogabbros.Although the major elements conform to the experimentally determinedrelations for immiscible liquids, the trace elements do not;they follow a totally independent trend. The abrupt increasein the concentrations of excluded elements in the upper partof the intrusion could plausibly be attributed to an additionof new magma or to a density inversion that resulted in upwardmigration of a late liquid or fluid, but these possibilitiesare inconsistent with the compositional and spatial relationsof the upper parts of the intrusion. Although a late residualliquid certainly migrated upward, the most likely explanationfor the observed distribution of excluded elements is that thepartition coefficients were altered by volatile components,which gradually increased during the early stages of crystallizationthen began to exsolve near the top of the Middle Zone. KEY WORDS: igneous differentiation; Skaergaard intrusion     

Chicxulub impactites: Geochemical clues to the precursor rocks

Abstract— The 65 Ma Chicxulub impact structure, Mexico, with a diameter of ～180 km is the focus of geoscientific research because of its link to the mass extinction event at the Cretaceous‐Tertiary (K/T) boundary. Chicxulub, now buried beneath thick post‐impact sediments, is probably one of the best‐preserved terrestrial impact structures known. Because of its inaccessibility, only limited samples on the impact lithologies from a few drill cores are available. We report major element and Sr‐, Nd‐, O‐, and C‐isotopic data for Chicxulub impact‐melt lithologies and basement clasts in impact breccias of drill cores C‐1 and Y‐6, and for melt particles in the Chicxulub ejecta horizon at the K/T boundary in Beloc, Haiti. The melt lithologies with SiO₂ ranging from 58 to ～63 wt% show significant variations in the content of Al, Ca, and the alkalies. In the melt matrix samples, δ¹³C of the calcite is about ?3%o. The δ¹⁸O values for the siliceous melt matrices of Y‐6 samples range from 9.9 to 12.4%o. Melt lithologies and the black Haitian glass have rather uniform ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7079 to 0.7094); only one lithic fragment displays ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of 0.7141. The Sr model ages T^SrUR for most lithologies range from 830 to 1833 Ma; unrealistic negative model ages point to an open Rb‐Sr system with loss of Rb in a hydrothermal process. The ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios for all samples, except one basement clast with ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd of 0.5121, cluster at 0.5123 to 0.5124. In an ?_Nd‐?_Sr diagram, impactites plot in a field delimited by ?_Nd of ?2 to ?6, and ?_Sr of 55 to 69. This field is not defined by the basement lithologies described to occur as lithic clasts in impact breccias and Cretaceous sediments. At least one additional intermediate to mafic precursor component is required to explain the data.     

Indigenous amino acids in primitive CR meteorites

Abstract— –CR chondrites are among the most primitive meteorites. In this paper, we report the first measurements of amino acids in Antarctic CR meteorites. Three CRs, Elephant Moraine (EET) 92042, Graves Nunataks (GRA) 95229, and Grosvenor Mountains (GRO) 95577, were analyzed for their amino acid content using high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV fluorescence detection (HPLC‐FD) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Our data show that EET 92042 and GRA 95229 are the most amino acid–rich chondrites ever analyzed, with total amino acid concentrations ranging from 180 ppm to 249 ppm. The most abundant amino acids present in the EET 92042 and GRA 95229 meteorites are the α‐amino acids glycine, isovaline, α‐aminoisobutyric acid (α‐AIB), and alanine, with δ¹³C values ranging from +31.6‰ to +50.5‰. The carbon isotope results together with racemic enantiomeric ratios determined for most amino acids strongly indicate an extraterrestrial origin for these compounds. Compared to Elephant Moraine (EET) 92042 and GRA 95229, the more aqueously altered GRO 95577 is depleted in amino acids. In both CRs and CMs, the absolute amino acid abundances appear to be related to the degree of aqueous alteration in their parent bodies. In addition, the relative abundances of α‐AIB and β‐alanine in the Antarctic CRs also appear to depend on the degree of aqueous alteration.     

Shock experiments on anhydrite and new constraints on the impact‐induced SOx release at the K‐Pg boundary

Abstract– We have performed six shock experiments at nominal peak‐shock pressures of 12.5, 20, 33, 46.5, 64, and 85 GPa using polycrystalline anhydrite discs embedded in ARMCO‐Fe sample containers and the shock reverberation technique. The recovered samples were analyzed using X‐ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The X‐ray diffraction patterns recorded on all samples are compatible with the anhydrite structure; extra‐peaks have not been observed. Peak intensities decrease and peak broadening increases progressively in the pressure range from 0 to 46.5 GPa. At higher pressures, peak broadening diminishes and the X‐ray diffraction pattern of the 85 GPa sample resembles essentially that of unshocked, well‐crystallized anhydrite. Related structural changes at the nanoscale include in the pressure regime up to 20 GPa “cold” deformation phenomena such as cracks and deformation twins. Dislocation density increases up to 33 GPa and the strain increases up to 46.5 GPa. In the pressure range from 46.5 to 85 GPa, high postshock temperatures caused annealing of the deformation features. Increasing density and size of voids in the anhydrite samples shocked at 64 and 85 GPa indicate partial decomposition of anhydrite. Recalculation of the peak‐shock pressure in the experiments to a more realistic natural loading path indicates the onset of degassing of anhydrite in the pressure range of 30–41 GPa.     

Biodiversity Assessment of Mammal and Bird Species from Camera Trap Data in Yanchiwan National Nature Reserve,Gansu Province,China

Camera traps serve as an important tool for monitoring species diversity. We used data from camera traps set for capturing snow leopards (Panthera uncia) in the Yanchiwan National Nature Reserve, Gansu Province, China, to assess species richness with respect to mammal and birds species. We also assessed survey efficiency for species detection, and conducted an initial analysis of species interactions. The survey effort of 10, 171 camera workdays yielded 2, 868 suitable animal image events involving 17 mammal and 20 bird species. Among these, the dhole (Cuon alpinus) is considered to be Endangered, the snow leopard and white-lipped deer (Cervus albirostris) Vulnerable, and the Pallas’s cat (Feli smanul), mountain weasel (Mustela altaica), Himalayan griffon (Gyps himalayensis) and cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus) Near Threatened under the IUCN red list. Fourteen species were also listed as key protected wild animals according to China national standards. Both the rarefaction curves and richness estimators suggested our sampling for mammal and pheasant species is sufficient, while more survey efforts are still needed to detect other bird species. With a focus on the dominant species Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), occupancy models were used to estimate site use and detection probability for selected species, and to investigate predator-prey relationships between lynx on the one hand and woolly hare (Lepus oiostolus), pika (Ochotona spp.) and Tibetan partridge (Perdix hodgsoniae) on the other. We give recommendations on how to increase efficiency in camera-based species inventory and biodiversity monitoring.     

Notes on the ecology and physiology of the Antarctic oribatid mite Maudheimia wilsoni

The oribatid mite Maudheimia wilsoni Dalenius was found to be numerous on the underside of stones at Jutulsessen (72°S, 3'E) in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica. Daily temperature fluctuations of the microhabitat from as high as 19°C and to as low as – 17°C were observed during the austral summer. Optimal activity of the mites occurred at 10°C. Even in January the mean supercooling point of adult mites was as low as -30.8±4.7°C. Haemolymph osmolality ranged from 500 to 800mOsmol and thermal hystersis freezing points from −4.7 to −6.1°C. Adult mites had a mean water content of 43.6% and a water loss rate of 0.12 μgh⁻¹ at 15°C and 10% relative humidity.     

Conflict on the Range: Evaluating Driving Factors of Attitudes Toward Prey Species in Qilianshan

Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is a global conservation issue of increasing concern, and understanding the factors driving conflict is crucial for preventing or mitigating it. In many parts of China, large human populations and increasing development has led to an escalation in HWC with both carnivore and prey species. In this paper we assess herder attitudes toward blue sheep (Pseudaois nayaur, Hodgson, 1833), white lipped deer (Carvus albirostris, Przewalski, 1883), red deer (Cervus elaphus, Linnaeus, 1758), and marmot (Marmota himalayana Hodgson, 1841) through interview-based surveys conducted in 46 households across 8 villages in Qilianshan National Nature Reserve, Gansu, China. We also examine the perceived impact of three ecological-restoration policies (anti-grazing, sustainable grazing, and grass-planting policies) on livelihoods, and how this affects attitudes toward wildlife. Herders reported neutral attitudes toward wildlife species in general, but reported negative attitudes towards blue sheep. Mixed-effects modeling revealed that herder attitudes toward the target species varied significantly across villages, but other socioeconomic variables had limited explanatory power for attitudes. Furthermore, we found that while policy implementation was negatively perceived by herders, anti-grazing policy implementation and total policy implementation were positively correlated with positive attitudes toward wildlife, highlighting a potential gap between perceived threats and actual threats. Finally, we show that the leading cause of reported livestock death is preventable disease, alleviation of which may help improve attitudes toward wildlife.     

Environmental Politics in New Zealand/ Aotearoa: Clashes and Commonality Between Māoridom and Environmentalists

It has long been assumed that Māori¹, like many other indigenous peoples, have utilised ecologically sustainable practices. However, over recent years a chasm has developed between many conservationists and various Māori groupings as environmental objectives and philosophies have come into conflict. This article seeks to examine this chasm, and then move towards an understanding about what may really be the basis of the claim for sustainable practices in this area.