Biostratigraphic and isotopic record of the Cenomanian–Turonian deposits in the Ohaba-Ponor section (SW Haţeg, Romania)

The middle Cenomanian–lower Turonian deposits of Ohaba-Ponor section (Southern Carpathians) were studied from biostratigraphic and isotopic points of view. Both the qualitative and semiquantitative nannofloral analyses, as well as the stable isotope (δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O) data support significant palaeoenvironmental changes in the investigated interval. Two δ¹³C positive excursions were recognized: (1) an excursion up to 1.8‰ (PDB) within the middle/late Cenomanian boundary; (2) an excursion up to 2.2‰ (PDB) in the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary interval. The oldest δ¹³C positive excursion recorded (placed within the Acanthoceras jukes-brownei/Eucalycoceras pentagonum Ammonite Zone boundary interval, and in the NC11 Calcareous Nannofossil Zone respectively) could be assigned to the middle Cenomanian Event II (MCEII). During the above-mentioned event, significant increase in abundance of Watznaueria barnesae, followed by successive blooms of Biscutum constans and Eprolithus floralis, were observed. The youngest δ¹³C positive excursion was identified in the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary interval (in the NC12 and lower part of the NC13 Calcareous Nannofossil Zones). Even the amplitude of this δ¹³C positive excursion is lower in the Ohaba-Ponor section, as generally reported, this may represent the regional record of the OAE2. The successive peaks of the nannofossils Biscutum constans, Zeugrhabdotus erectus and Eprolithus floralis indicate episodes of cooler surface water and high fertility, which preceded and lasted the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary event. Additionally, fluctuations of δ¹⁸O values between −2 and −6‰ suggest also cooler conditions within the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary interval.     

Calcareous nannoplankton, planktonic foraminiferal, and carbonate carbon isotope stratigraphy of the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary section in the Ultrahelvetic Zone (Eastern Alps, Upper Austria)

Ultrahelvetic units of the Eastern Alps were deposited on the distal European continental margin of the (Alpine) Tethys. The Rehkogelgraben section (“Buntmergelserie”, Ultrahelvetic unit, Upper Austria) comprises a 5 m thick succession of upper Cenomanian marl-limestone cycles overlain by a black shale interval composed of three black shale layers and carbonate-free claystones, followed by lower Turonian white to light grey marly limestones with thin marl layers. The main biostratigraphic events in the section are the last occurrence of Rotalipora and the first occurrences of Helvetoglobotruncana helvetica and Quadrum gartneri. The thickest black shale horizon has a TOC content of about 5%, with predominantly marine organic matter of kerogen type II. Vitrinite reflectance and Rock-Eval parameter T_max (<424 °C) indicate low maturity. HI values range from 261 to 362 mg HC/g TOC. δ¹³C values of bulk rock carbonates display the well documented positive shift around the black shale interval, allowing correlation of the Rehkogelgraben section with other sections such as the Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) succession at Pueblo, USA, and reference sections at Eastbourne, UK, and Gubbio, Italy. Sediment accumulation rates at Rehkogelgraben (average 2.5 mm/ka) are significantly lower than those at Pueblo and Eastbourne.     

GPS for real-time earthquake source determination and tsunami warning systems

We identify the key design aspects of a GPS-based system (and in the future, GNSS-based systems) that could contribute to real-time earthquake source determination and tsunami warning systems. Our approach is based on models of both transient and permanent displacement of GPS stations caused by large earthquakes, while considering the effect of GPS errors on inverted earthquake source parameters. Our main conclusions are that (1) the spatial pattern, magnitude, and timing of permanent displacement of GPS stations can be inverted for the earthquake source and so predict the 3D displacement field of the ocean bottom, thus providing the initial conditions for tsunami models, and (2) there are no inherently limiting factors arising from real-time orbit and positioning errors, provided sufficient near-field GPS stations are deployed. This signal could be readily exploited by GPS networks currently in place, and will be facilitated by the IGS Real-Time Project as it comes to fruition.     

Die Stellung der nordnorwegischen Eisenerzlagerstätte Andörja in der kaledonischen Geosynklinale

Zusammenfassung Die Magnetiterzlager der Insel Andörja/Nordnorwegen liegen in einer Serie mesozonal metamorphisierter Sedimente des Kambro-Silurs der Kaledoniden: Granatglimmerschiefer Hangender Kalkmarmor (max. 5 Horizonte, die bis 9 m mächtig sind) Amphibolitschiefer (83–175 m mächtig, mit marin-sedimentären Magnetiterzen) Liegender Kalkmarmor (0–4 m mächtig) Granatglimmerschiefer, z. T. Quarzit.Diese Gesteinsfolge hat typisch miogeosynklinalen Charakter. Da sie westlich des Verbreitungsgebiets der eugeosynklinalen kaledonischen Sedimente und nahe dem Westrand des Verbreitungsgebiets kambro-silurischer Gesteine überhaupt auftritt, könnte es sich hier um den Westrand der Kaledoniden handeln. Westlich davon auftretende präkaledonische Gesteine könnten dann zur irischen Plattform gehören.

---

The magnetite layers on the island of Andörja lie in a series of metamorphosed cambro-silurian sediments with the following sequence: garnet mica schist upper marble (max. 5 layers with up to 5 m thickness) amphibolite schist (83–175 m thickness, with marine sedimentary magnetite ore) lower marble (0–4 m thickness) garnet mica schist, partly quartzite.This rock sequence is of typically miogeosynclinal character. As it is situated to the west of the extension of the eugeosynclinal Caledonian rocks and near the western border of the cambro-silurian rocks on the whole, we might have here the western boundary of the caledonian geosyncline. Precaledonian rocks to the west of Andörja might then belong to the Irish platform.

---

Résumé Les couches de magnétite du gisement d'Andörja se trouvent dans une série de sediments cambro-siluriens métamorphiques avec la séquence suivante: marbre supérieur (max. 5 horizons qui ont une épaisseur jusqu'à 9 m) amphibolite (83–175 m d'épaisseur, avec gisements de magnétite) marbre inférieur (0–4 m d'épaisseur) schistes de grenat et mica, en partie quartzites.La séquence est d'un caractère typiquement miogeosynclinal. Parce qu'elle apparaît à l'ouest de l'extension des roches eugéosynclinales calédoniennes et à la bordure des roches cambro-siluriennes en général, on y a probablement la frontière occidentale de la géosynclinale calédonienne. Les roches précalédoniennes plus à l'ouest pourraient alors appartenir à la plateforme d'Irlande.

---

Andörja ( ), - : (9 ), (83–175 , ), (0–4 ), - , . . , .

     

Chemical Mechanism Development: Laboratory Studies and Model Applications

Within the German Tropospheric Research Programme (TFS) numerous kinetic and mechanistic studies on the tropospheric reaction/degradation of the following reactants were carried out: oxygenated VOC, aromatic VOC, biogenic VOC, short-lived intermediates, such as alkoxy and alkylperoxy radicals.At the conception of the projects these selected groups were classes of VOC or intermediates for which the atmospheric oxidation mechanisms were either poorly characterised or totally unknown. The motivation for these studies was the attainment of significant improvements in our understanding of the atmospheric chemical oxidation processes of these compounds, particularly with respect to their involvement in photooxidant formation in the troposphere. In the present paper the types of experimental investigations performed and the results obtained within the various projects are briefly summarised. The major achievements are highlighted and discussed in terms of their contribution to improving our understanding of the chemical processes controlling photosmog formation in the troposphere.     

Das Verhältnis TiO2 : Fe in westnorwegischen Magn etit-Ilmeniterzen

Zusammenfassung In Westnorwegen auftretende Magnetit-Ilmeniterze sind teilweise an intrusive, gabbroide Gesteine und teilweise an wahrscheinlich extrusive Amphibolite gebunden. Das TiO₂Fe-Verhältnis der Amphiboliterze beträgt 0,14–0,15 und ist innerhalb der einzelnen Vorkommen konstant. In den Gabbroerzen liegt das Verhältnis zwischen 0,21 und 0,35 und schwankt auch innerhalb der Einzelvorkommen stark.

---

Magnetite-ilmenite ore in western Norway occurs partly in intrusive, gabbroic rocks, partly in amphibolites which seem to be extrusive. The relation TiO₂: Fe in the amphibolite ores is 0.14–0.15 and is constant within every deposit. In the gabbro ores the relation TiO₂Fe lies between 0.21 and 0.35 and varies also within every single deposit.

---

Résumé Dans l'Ouest de la Norvège des gisements de magnétite-ilménite se trouvent en partie dans des roches gabbroïques et intrusives, en partie dans des amphibolites qui sont probablement extrusives. Le rapport TiO₂Fe dans les minerais amphibolitiques est de 0,14–0,15 et se montre très constant d'un gisement à l'autre. Dans les minerais gabbroïques, le rapport TiO₂Fe varie entre 0,21 et 0,35 et diffère selon le gisement.

---

. TiO₂: Fe .

     

Effects of pollen leaching and microbial degradation on organic carbon and nutrient availability in lake water

Nutrient fluxes across terrestrial-aquatic boundaries and their subsequent integration into lake nutrient cycles are currently a major topic of aquatic research. Although pollen represents a good substrate for microorganisms, it has been neglected as a terrestrial source of organic matter in lakes. In laboratory experiments, we incubated pollen grains of Pinus sylvestris in water of lakes with different trophy and pH to estimate effects of pollen input and its subsequent microbial degradation on nutrient dynamics. In this ex situ experiment, we measured concentrations of organic carbon, phosphorus and nitrogen in the surrounding water as well as microbial dynamics (bacteria and fungal sporangia) at well-controlled conditions. Besides leaching, chemical and microbial decomposition of pollen was strongest within the first week of incubation. This led to a marked increase of soluble reactive phosphorus and total dissolved nitrogen (up to 0.04 and 1.5 mg L⁻¹, respectively, after 5 days of incubation) in the ambient water. In parallel, pollen grains were rapidly colonized by heterotrophic bacteria and aquatic fungi. Leaching and microbial degradation of pollen accounted for ≥80, ≥40, ≥50% for organic C, N and P, respectively, and did not significantly differ among water samples from the studied lakes. Thus, pollen introduces high amounts of bio-available terrestrial organic matter and nutrients into surface waters within a short time. A rough calculation on P input into oligotrophic Lake Stechlin indicates that pollen plays an important ecological role in nutrient cycling of temperate lakes. This requires further attention in aquatic ecology.     

Phanerozoic tectonothermal history of the Arabian–Nubian shield in the Eastern Desert of Egypt: evidence from fission track and paleostress data

To constrain the post-Pan-African evolution of the Arabian–Nubian Shield, macro-scale tectonic studies, paleostress and fission track data were performed in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. The results provide insights into the processes driving late stage vertical motion and the timing of exhumation of a large shield area. Results of apatite, zircon and sphene fission track analyses from the Neoproterozoic basement indicate two major episodes of exhumation. Sphene and zircon fission track data range from 339 to 410 Ma and from 315 to 366 Ma, respectively. The data are interpreted to represent an intraplate thermotectonic episode during the Late Devonian–Early Carboniferous. At that time, the intraplate stresses responsible for deformation, uplift and erosion, were induced by the collision of Gondwana with Laurussia which started in Late Devonian times. Apatite fission track data indicate that the second cooling phase started in Oligocene and was related to extension, flank uplift and erosion along the actual margin of the Red Sea. Structural data collected from Neoproterozoic basement, Late Cretaceous and Tertiary sedimentary cover suggest two stages of rift formation. (1) Cretaceous strike-slip tectonics with sub-horizontal σ1 (ENE/WSW) and σ3 (NNW/SSE), and sub-vertical σ2 resulted in formation of small pull-apart basins. Basin axes are parallel to the trend of Pan-African structural elements which acted as stress guides. (2) During Oligocene to Miocene the stress field changed towards horizontal NE–SW extension (σ3), and sub-vertical σ1. Relations between structures, depositional ages of sediments and apatite fission track data indicate that the initiation of rift flank uplift, erosion and plate deformation occurred nearly simultaneously.     

Timing and mechanisms of Central Himalayan exhumation: discriminating between tectonic and erosion processes

The ability to deduce exhumation mechanisms from thermochronological data is hampered by the fact that assumptions on the thermal state of the lithosphere have to be made. Additional argumentation is generally required to discriminate between erosion-controlled and tectonically induced exhumation. This problem can be overcome by studying the spatial distribution of zircon and apatite (U-Th)/He and fission track data. In this work the variation of four different low temperature isotopic systems generating age trends along a sampling line is used to infer mechanisms of Quaternary exhumation in the Central High Himalayan Metamorphic Belt. Observed zircon age trends with southwards increasing cooling ages (from 0.5 to 1.7 Ma) are attributed to tectonically induced exhumation. The uniform apatite cooling ages clustered c. 0.5 Ma are attributed to erosion.