Phase Relations on the Actinolite-Pargasite Join

Phase relations along the join Ca₂Mg₄Fe²⁺Si₈O₂₂ (OH)₂ (Actinolite)-NaCa₂Mg_3?2Fe_0?8²⁺AlSi₆Al₂O₂₂(OH)₂ (Pargasite) have been studied at P_H2O = 1 kb andthe oxygen fugacities defined by the iron-wustite(IW) buffer. Actinolite and bornblende are separated by a solvus and thefield of actinolite+hornblende+vapor is present in the regionbetween Ac₈₅Pa₁₅ and Ac₅₅ Pa₄₅ at 680 ?C. Complete miscibilityis achieved at 720 ?C. At temperatures higher than the solvusthere is a continuous solid solution series between the twoend members. The stability field of amphibole solid solutiongradually increases with increasing pargasite content in actinolite.The phase assemblages at temperatures higher than those of asolid solution series between the two end members change withincreasing pargasite content in the bulk composition as follows;Act+Cpx+Qz+V, ActHbl+Cpx+Opx+Qz+V, Hbl+Cpx+Opx+Pl+V and Hbl+Cpx+Pl+Ol+V. In comparison with the Fe-free system, the extent of the miscibilitygap between actinolite and hornblende is reduced by an increasein the Fe²⁺ content. The present study should provide an adequatebasis for the interpretation of actinolite-hornblende pairsin metamorphic rocks.     

Experimental study on the tremolite-pargasite join at variable temperatures under 10 kbar

The join tremolite (Tr)-pargasite (Pa) was studied at temperatures between 800 and 1150°C under water vapour pressure of 10 kbar. The results show a continuous solid solution of amphibole between the composition Tr₈₀Pa₂₀ and Pa₁₀₀ at 800°C and 10kb. Pargasite melts incongruently and breaks down at high temperature to clinopyroxene+forsterite+spinel+L+V. A single phase amphibole with composition lying between Tr₈₀Pa₂₀ and nearly pure Pa, breaks down to amphibole of different composition plus other phases. The stability fields of amphibole spread toward higher temperature side with increasing pargasite content, and pargasite itself has the widest stability field. At subliquidus, the composition of amphibole coexisting with other phases becomes more pargasitic with increasing temperature. The compositions of liquid, which are formed by partial melting of amphibole of Tr₄₀Pa₆₀ composition (Fo-normative) under water vapour pressure of 10 kbar, are alumina-rich and Qz-normative.     

Elemental and isotope behavior of macromolecular organic matter from CM chondrites during hydrous pyrolysis

Abstract— A new insight into carbon and hydrogen isotope variations of insoluble organic matter (IOM) is provided from seven CM chondrites, including Murchison and six Antarctic meteorites (Y‐791198, Y‐793321, A‐881280, A‐881334, A‐881458 and B‐7904) as well as Murchison IOM residues after hydrous pyrolysis at 270–330 °C for 72 h. Isotopic compositions of bulk carbon (δ¹³C_bulk) and hydrogen (δD) of the seven IOMs vary widely, ranging from ?15.1 to ?7.6%₀ and +133 to +986%₀, respectively. Intramolecular carboxyl carbon (δ13C_COOH) is more enriched in ¹³C by 7.5. 11%₀ than bulk carbon. After hydrous pyrolysis of Murchison IOM at 330 °C, H/C ratio, δ13C_bulk, δ13C_COOH, and δD values decrease by up to 0.31, 3.5%₀, 5.5%₀, and 961%₀, respectively. The O/C ratio increases from 0.22 to 0.46 at 270 °C and to 0.25 at 300 °C, and decreases to 0.10 at 330 °C. δ13C_bulk‐δD cross plot of Murchison IOM and its pyrolysis residues shows an isotopic sequence. Of the six Antarctic IOMs, A‐881280, A‐881458, Y‐791198 and B‐7904 lie on or near the isotopic sequence depending on the degree of hydrous and/or thermal alteration, while A‐881334 and Y‐793321 consist of another distinct isotope group. A δ13C_bulk‐δ13C_COOH cross‐plot of IOMs, including Murchison pyrolysis residues, has a positive correlation between them, implying that the oxidation process to produce carboxyls is similar among all IOMs. These isotope distributions reflect various degree of alteration on the meteorite parent bodies and/or difference in original isotopic compositions before the parent body processes.     

High-resolution records of thermocline in the Okinawa Trough since about 10000 aBP

The present paper uses planktonic foraminifera and their stable isotopes to study the changes in the depth of thermocline (DOT) in the Okinawa Trough since the last 10000 a based on the analysis of Core B-3GC in the northern Okinawa Trough, together with that of the core in the southern Okinawa Trough. As results show, the thermocline was shallow before 6400 aBP, and deepened afterward, then became shallow again from 4000 to 2000 aBP. The DOT fluctuations display a positive correlation with those of sea surface temperature (SST). In addition, the changes in the northern Okinawa Trough are similar to those in the southern trough, implying a possible connection with the variation of the Kuroshio Current. The changes of SST and DOT suggest that the Kuroshio Current changed its intensity or main axis from 4000 to 2000 aBP and around about 6400 aBP respectively. Moreover, the changes of DOT from 8200 to 6400 aBP may indicate a gradual intensification of the Kuroshio Current.