Environmental distribution of calcareous algae in Upper Devonian reef complexes

Calcareous algae are important constituents in reef complexes of Frasnian and Famennian ages in the Canning Basin of Western Australia and in reef and bank developments of Frasnian age in western Canada. At least 17 genera of skeletal calcareous algae occur in Upper Devonian carbonate facies in these two regions. Many algae are quantitatively significant constituents in various facies and some forms functioned as framebuilders in reef facies.Algae in back-reef facies includeGirvanella nodules and crusts, dasycladacean (Vermiporella) segments, radiosphaerid calcispheres, and solenoporacean red algae (Parachaetetes andSolenopora). Reef facies are characterized by encrusting forms, such asRenalcis (a problematic alga),Sphaerocodium (=Rothpletzella) (a green or blue-green alga), andKeega (an ancestral coralline red alga).Renalcis andSphaerocodium are principal framebuilders in Western Australia reef complexes, but are subordinate to stromatoporoids in most western Canada occurrences. Fore-reef facies contain deeperwater species ofSphaerocodium andParachaetetes.A similar distribution of Upper Devonian skeletal calcareous algae has been reported from the USSR; this same pattern probably occurs in carbonate complexes of this age in other regions of the world where diagenetic processes have not destroyed the fossil evidence.

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Zusammenfassung Kalkalgen sind wichtige Bestandteile in Riffkomplexen der Frasnestufe und Famennestufe im Canning Bassin in West-Australien, und auch in Riffentwicklungen und Bankentwicklungen der Frasnestufe in West-Kanada. Mindestens 17 Gattungen von Kalkalgenskeletten treten in den oberdevonischen Karbonatfazies dieser beiden Regionen auf. Viele Algen sind quantitativ bedeutsame Bestandteile in verschiedenen Fazies, und einige Formen waren Gerüstbildner in Riffen.Die Algen in Riff-Fazies-Rückseiten umfassenGirvanella-Knötchen und -Krusten, Dasycladaceen-(Vermiporella-)Segmente, radiosphaeritische Calcisphaeren und Rotalgen (Parachaetetes undSolenopora). Riff-Fazies sind durch inkrustierende Formen, wieRenalcis (eine problematische Alge),Sphaerocodium (=Rothpletzella) (eine grüne oder blaugrüne Alge) undKeega (eine altertümliche coralline Rotalge) charakterisiert.Renalcis undSphaerocodium sind wichtige Gerüstbildner in Riffkomplexen in West-Australien, aber in den meisten Riffkomplexen West-Kanadas den Stromatoporen untergeordnet. Vorriff-Fazies enthalten Spezies vonSphaerocodium undParachaetetes aus größerer Wassertiefe.Eine ähnliche Verteilung der oberdevonischen Kalkalgenskelette ist aus der Sowjetunion berichtet worden. Wahrscheinlich ist die gleiche Verteilung in Karbonatkomplexen dieses Alters in anderen Regionen der Welt, wo diagenetische Prozesse die Fossilreste nicht zerstört haben, zu finden.

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Résumé Les algues calcaires sont des éléments importants pour les complexes de récifs datant des époques Frasnienne et Famennienne dans le Bassin Canning de l'Australie Occidentale, et pour les développements de récifs et de batteries de l'époque Frasnienne dans le Canada de l'ouest. Il y a dans ces deux régions au moins 17 espèces d'algues calcaires squelettiques dans des faciès carbonates de l'époque du haut Dévonien. Dans divers faciès, beaucoup d'algues sont des constituants d'une importance quantitative et certaines formes ont servi de cadre à des faciès de récif.Dans des faciès de récif posterieurs nous trouvons parmi les algues des nodules et des croûtesGirvanella, des cerces dasycladacéan (Vermiporella), des calcisphères radiosphaerids, et des algues rouges solénoporacéans (Parachaetetes etSolenopora). Les faciès de récif sont caracterisés par des formes encroûtées, tels queRenalcis (une algue problemmatique),Sphaerocodium (=Rothpletzella) (une algue verte ou bleu-vert), etKeega (une algue rouge « coralligène ancestrale »).Renalcis etSphaerocodium sont des cadres principaux des complexes de récif de l'Australie Occidentale, mais sont subordonnés aux stromatoporoids dans la plupart des endroits du Canada de l'ouest ou se produit le même phénomène. Les faciès de récif frontaux contiennent des espèces deSphaerocodium et deParachaetetes dans des eaux plus profondes.Un rapport de l'URSS indique qu'il y a une distribution semblable des algues calcaires squelettiques de l'époque du haut Dévonien; cette même structure se retrouve probablement dans des complexes carbonates de cette époque pour d'autres régions du monde où des procédés diagénétiques n'ont pas détruit des fossiles.

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Frasne Famenne Canning, , Frasne . , no- , 17 - . , . - Girvanella, Dasycladaceae (Vermiporella), Calcisphaere, Rhodophyta (Parachaetetes Solenopora). Renalcis — , Sphaerocodium, Rothpletzella, , , Keega, rllin. Renalcis Sphaerocodium , a. - Sphaerocodium Parachaetetes, . - . , .

     

The effects of stock size and environmental variability on Cape hake recruitment in Namibia: an unsolved puzzle (a comment on Kainge et al. 2013)

Measuring and forecasting recruitment are central to the understanding and management of fish stocks. Kainge et al. (2013) studied the effect of spawning stock size and environmental fluctuations on the recruitment levels of the Cape hake Merluccius capensis in Namibia. However, their study contains some flaws that undermine the conclusion that Cape hake recruitment is under the influence of upwelling in summer. Until those flaws are properly addressed, this conclusion, in our view, should be treated with caution.     

Identification of the Ca-sulfate bassanite in Mawrth Vallis, Mars

The region surrounding the Mawrth Vallis outflow channel on Mars hosts thick layered deposits containing diverse phyllosilicate minerals. Here we report detection of the Ca-sulfate bassanite on the outflow channel floor, requiring a more complex aqueous chemistry than previously inferred for this region. The sulfate-bearing materials underlie phyllosilicate-bearing strata, and provide an opportunity for testing proposed models of martian geochemical evolution with a future landed mission.     

Using an unbaited stationary video system to investigate the behaviour and interactions of bull sharks Carcharhinus leucas under an aquaculture farm

Bull sharks Carcharhinus leucas are common along the coast of Reunion Island (South-West Indian Ocean) and were suspected to aggregate in the vicinity of an aquaculture farm in Saint-Paul Bay on the west coast. In order to understand the behaviour and interaction of bull sharks near aquaculture cages at Saint-Paul Bay, we deployed an experimental unbaited stationary video camera. From 175 hours of recording during daylight hours from March to April 2012, eight individual female bull sharks (seven adults and one immature) were identified based on their natural markings. These sharks were resighted between 3 and 45 times. Residency analysis revealed site attachment under the aquaculture cages for at least three individuals over the course of the study. Recorded behaviours included intraspecific social interactions such as synchronised swimming. Social interactions and relatively strong paired associations for two pairs of females suggest some level of sociality among bull sharks around Reunion Island. Overall, our results demonstrate the utility of unbaited video systems to monitor the behaviour of adult coastal sharks.     

Opal and chalcedony speleothems on quartz sandstones in the Sydney region,southeastern Australia

Speleothems of silica are far rarer than those of calcite but occur in a range of types including stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones. This study has found a wider range and far greater number of silica speleothems on the quartz sandstones of the Sydney region than the small number of previous accounts had suggested. Speleothems on the Sydney region sandstones are composed of multiple layers of amorphous opal‐A and cryptocrystalline chalcedony. Silica slowly dissolved from detrital and diagenetic quartz and kaolinite clays of the host arenites is redeposited as opal‐A at the sandstone surface when groundwater evaporates. This amorphous silica converts over time by Ostwald‐type paragenesis to the cryptocrystalline form, but the expected intermediate opal‐CT phase has not been detected. The crystallisation of chalcedony at earth‐surface temperatures is generally believed to take an extremely long time and its presence makes these speleothems very significant, especially as it is reported in only a small number of silica speleothems elsewhere. Furthermore, a similar paragenetic silica‐‘ripening’ mechanism may also be involved in the low‐temperature earth‐surface formation of other crystalline silica deposits such as silcrete duricrusts and pedogenic quartz. Additional closely coupled laboratory and field investigations into the processes that control silica paragenesis under earth‐surface conditions are sorely needed.     

Aeolian bedforms, yardangs, and indurated surfaces in the Tharsis Montes as seen by the HiRISE Camera: Evidence for dust aggregates

HiRISE images of Mars with ground sampling down to 25 cm/pixel show that the dust-rich mantle covering the surfaces of the Tharsis Montes is organized into ridges whose form and distribution are consistent with formation by aeolian saltation. Other dusty areas near the volcanoes and elsewhere on the planet exhibit a similar morphology. The material composing these “reticulate” bedforms is constrained by their remote sensing properties and the threshold curve combined with the saltation/suspension boundary, both of which vary as a function of elevation (atmospheric pressure), particle size, and particle composition. Considering all of these factors, dust aggregates are the most likely material composing these bedforms. We propose that airfall dust on and near the volcanoes aggregates in situ over time, maybe due to electrostatic charging followed by cementation by salts. The aggregates eventually reach a particle size at which saltation is possible. Aggregates on the flanks are transported downslope by katabatic winds and form linear and “accordion” morphologies. Materials within the calderas and other depressions remain trapped and are subjected to multidirectional winds, forming an interlinked “honeycomb” texture. In many places on and near the volcanoes, light-toned, low thermal inertia yardangs and indurated surfaces are present. These may represent “duststone” formed when aggregates reach a particle size below the threshold curve, such that they become stabilized and subsequently undergo cementation.     

Geology of possible Martian methane source regions

Recent observations of methane on Mars suggest that spatially localized source regions are present. Here we discuss the surface morphology and mineralogy of these regions, focusing on features that may provide insights into mechanisms of methane production and/or release. Preliminary trends among methane source regions include old age, deep fractures, past or present subsurface water, and the presence of hydrated minerals, sometimes including serpentine. As the spatial and temporal coverage of Martian methane is expanded, geological observations of proposed source regions will be a powerful tool for understanding the methane cycle on modern Mars.     

The uppermost Middle and Upper Albian succession at the Col de Palluel, Hautes-Alpes, France: An integrated study (ammonites, inoceramid bivalves, planktonic foraminifera, nannofossils, geochemistry, stable oxygen and carbon isotopes, cyclostratigraphy)

An integrated study of the ammonites, inoceramid bivalves, planktonic foraminifera, calcareous nannofossils, geochemistry, stable carbon isotopes, and cyclostratigraphy is provided for the upper Middle to upper Upper Albian sucession exposed in the Col de Palluel section east of Rosans in Hautes-Alpes, France. The Albian-Cenomanian boundary interval described by Gale et al. at Mont Risou is re-examined, a total thickness of 370 m of the Marnes Bleues Formation. Zonal schemes based on ammonites, inoceramid bivalves, planktonic foraminifera, and calcareous nannofossils are integrated with the stable carbon isotope curve and key lithostratigraphic markers to provide a sequence of more than 70 events in the uppermost Middle Albian to basal Cenomanian interval. Time series analysis of the Al₂O₃ content of the 500 m Albian sequence present in the Col de Palluel and Risou sections reveals the presence of the 20 kyr precession, 40 kyr tilt, 100 kyr short eccentricity, and 406 kyr long eccentricity cycles. Correlation using planktonic foraminiferan and nannofossil data provide a link between the Col de Palluel and Risou sections and the Italian sequence at Gubbio, and in the Piobbico core. This provides a basis for the extension of the orbital time scale of Grippo et al. to the sequence. It reveals a major break in the Col de Palluel succession at the top of the distinctive marker bed known as the Petite Vérole that may represent as much as 2 Ma. It also provides a basis for the estimation of the length of the Albian Stage at 4.12 Ma, 0.8 Ma for the early Albian, 2.84 Ma for the Middle Albian, and 3.68 Ma for the late Albian substages.