An investigation of subglacial processes at the microscale from Briksdalsbreen, Norway

The subglacial processes at Briksdalsbreen, Norway, are examined by a combination of sedimentology, thin section and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis of till samples from an exposed subglacial surface and from beneath the glacier. Studies of a fluted surface indicate that subglacial deformation is occurring on a field scale with flutes forming behind most clasts 0·6 m high. At the thin section scale (0·014–2·0 mm) it is seen that deformation is by rotation and attenuation and is dependent on till texture. At the SEM scale (0·1–0·4 mm) it is seen that erosion is controlled by abrasion and percussion which produces distinct grain ‘styles’ as part of an erosional continuum. Overall it is shown that rotation and attenuation is a dominant process at all scales and that the clast interactions associated with different scale perturbations within the shear zone control erosion and deposition, as well as landform and fabric production.     

小秦岭金矿含金石英脉中石英晶体微形貌研究

利用微分干涉显微镜等手段对小秦岭金矿含金石英脉中不同成矿阶段的石英晶体微形貌进行了研究。石英晶体{101^-1}、{011^-1}、{101^-0}单形晶面上不同特征的微形貌对了解石英晶体的生长机理、生长速率、生长环境的变化及成矿溶液的过饱和度具有重要意义，同时也可提供成矿阶段划分及晶体生长时热力学条件的信息。     

Observing artificially induced strain: implications for subglacial deformation

By analysing a series of four successive thin‐sections from a ceramic clay that was subjected to uniaxial compression, we were able to monitor the development of microstructures in a fine‐grained sediment. The artificially induced microstructures, such as unidirectional clay reorientations and linear and circular grain arrangements, are identical to features that have been observed in thin‐sections of subglacially deformed tills, and therefore may be used as representative analogues. We argue that the structures, reflecting slip, planar shear displacements as well as rotational movements, can be explained by assuming a Coulomb‐plastic response to imposed shear. We conclude that sediments subjected to subglacial deformation behave as Coulomb materials, at least during the final stages of the deformation. The present study bridges the gap between field studies, experimental studies and theoretical modelling. The microscopic observations assist in visualising inferred subglacial processes and facilitate up‐ and downscaling between diverse methodological approaches. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

小秦岭金矿含金石英脉中黄铁矿晶体的表面微形貌研究

利用微分干涉显微镜、扫描电镜、透射电镜等对小秦岭金矿含金石英脉中黄铁矿晶体的表面微形貌进行了研究。黄铁矿晶体的{210}面上发育自由生长层，表明{210}面是F面，其生长机理受二维成核层生长所制约。除简单的五角十二面体外，其他形态黄铁矿晶体的{210}面上也发育有自由生长层。{210}面上的正条纹有些是由{100}面上生长层的边缘台阶在{210}面上叠堆形成，另一些正条纹则是{210}面上生长层边缘台阶堆叠的产物。透射电镜和电子衍射花样研究表明，负条纹黄铁矿晶体是由30～50nm大小的核团经自动定向附生作用形成，每个核团不是单晶体，而是由许多早先在溶液中形成的小微晶聚合而成。这些特征表明负条纹黄铁矿晶体是在溶液过饱和度极高和温度梯度小的理想环境中形成，它的形成与杂质无关。PBC理论和唐纳-哈克定律能较好地解释自然界中黄铁矿晶体{100}面上普遍发育自由生长层、而{210}面上自由生长层极为罕见的原因。除日本释迦内矿区黑矿之上的浮岩凝灰岩中产生出负条纹黄铁矿晶体外，在石英脉型金矿床中也有负条纹黄铁矿晶体产出。     

Micromorphological features of Paleo-Stagnic-Anthrosols at archaeological site of Sanxingdui,China

The archaeological site of the Sanxingdui may date back as far as 5,000 years ago. The typical profiles of Palaeo-Stagnic-Anthrosols near the ancient site were selected, which aimed to identify diagnostic horizons employing methodology of soil taxonomic classification and to reveal the micromorphological properties of the paleosols. Under long-term anthropogenic mellowing, the discernible differentiation between anthrostagnic epipedon and its subhorizons as well as hydragric horizon and its subhorizons occurred in Paleo-Stagnie-Anthrosols at the archaeological site of the Sanxingdui. The mieromorphological properties diversified among each specific diagnostic subhorizon, e.g., the developed microstructure in cultivated subhorizon within anthrostagnic epipedon, closely arranged particles and considerable micropores beneficial to both of water conservation and filtration in plow subhorizon within anthrostagnic epipedon, and automorphic optical-orientation clays and calcareous corrosion in hydragric horizons. The findings above of micromorphological features related with diagnostic horizons are significant for soil taxonomic classification.     

Pedosedimentary development and palaeoenvironmental significance of the S1 palaeosol on the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibetan) Plateau

The S1 pedocomplex, correlated to Oxygen Isotope Stage 5 of the ocean cores, has been traced west of the Loess Plateau on to the extreme northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibetan) Plateau in China. Detailed micromorphological analysis of closely spaced thinsections from the pedocomplex at this site provides the basis for reconstruction of the sequence of pedosedimentary processes and associated palaeoenvironmental changes occurring during this time interval. The six pedosedimentary stages identified are interpreted in terms of temporal variations in depositional rates, size of particles transported and availability of moisture for pedogenic alteration, as determined by changing balances in dominance of winter and summer monsoonal forces. Two main ‘soil-forming intervals’ are identified: the more extensive of the two in terms of resultant pedological features reflects pedogenic alteration at a relatively ‘stable’ land surface under a semi-arid climate during the later part of pedosedimentary stage 2. The other main period corresponds to pedosedimentary stages 4 and 5, when leaching and bioturbation processes were active at aggrading surfaces, leading to development of an accretionary unit without clear differentiation of horizons. Pedosedimentary stages 1, 3 and 6 were characterised mainly by rapid rates of coarse loess accumulation, with synsedimentary modification restricted to surface slaking and crust formation, and minor localised redistribution of calcite.     

Historical development in soil micromorphological imaging

The book ＂micropedolog＂ by Kubieana and a large number of publications has induced many people to practice soil micromorphology. Quantification of the soil fabric and its components was a major challenge. The use of the image analyses in soil science was a breakthrough. Attempts to make soil thin sections go back to the beginning of the 2oth century. Microscopic techniques and recently high resolution electron microscope and use of computer assisted imaging techniques enabled the in vitro study of soils in three dimensional levels. It is now possible to store and process massive amounts of data. Micro- morphological concepts and techniques are applied in paleopedological, ecological, and archaeological studies. The aim of this work was to examine soil micromorphological imaging in historical perspective.     

Micromorphology and quality attributes of the loess derived soils affected by land use change: A case study in Ghapan watershed, Northern Iran

In order to study the effects of different land vegetative covers on soil quality attributes, a loess hill slope was selected in eastern Golestan Province, Ghapan watershed, Iran. Four profiles in four land uses, including Quercus natural forest; Pinus artificial forest; Cupressus artificial forest and a cultivated land, were studied. Results showed that MWD was significantly different in the studied land uses, and it varied between 1.6 mm in Quercus natural forest and o.31 mm in cultivated land use. The lowest CEC, microbial respiration rate and organic carbon were 28.4 cmol·kg^1, 177 μgCO2·g^-1·day^-1 and 1.32 % found in cultivated land use, respectively. The organic matter was considerably higher content in the forest areas than that of cultivated land use. The studies on soil profile development revealed that the natural forest soils were highly developed. The soils of the Quercus natural forest were classified as Calcic Haploxeralfs with a well developed argillie horizon unlike the cultivated soils which showed the minimum development and classified as Typic Xerorthents. The soils of the artificial forests had both mollic epipedons and were classified as Typic Calcixerolls with moderate profile development. Micromorphological studies revealed that argillic horizons had speckled and partly crystallitic b-fabric in the natural forest indicating the high landscape stability. In contrast, the crystallitic b-fabric of other land uses shows the absence of enough leaching of carbonate and the subsequent migration of clay particles indicating the unstable conditions and high soil erosion. Intense erosion of the surface horizons of cultivated land use has resulted in the outcropping of the subsurface carbonate rich horizons preventing soil development.     

风尘堆积常见的同沉积和沉积后改造特征及其环境意义

黄土堆积作为气下沉积,任何一个深度都曾经暴露于地表,因而必然受到相关地表过程的作用.由于这些过程均发生于特定的环境条件下,形成的特征多数具有明确的环境意义;而黄土在沉积后也可能受到各种地质过程的改造,从而对研究中常用的气候代用指标有一定影响.文章基于野外、微形态等分析,结合前人成果,对我国北方新近纪风尘堆积中常见的同沉积和沉积后改造特征、形成过程及环境意义进行研究.由于一些特征在黄土堆积中具有普遍性,可作为识别风成堆积的标志和环境事件研究的指标,并有助于全面理解常用的替代指标的环境意义.     

Limestone weathering in Eastern Australia. Part 2: Surface micromorphology study

Results from long term microerosion meter (MEM) studies indicate that microenvironments are characterized by different erosion rates. A complementary study, carried out on the same sites, examines the microscale morphology in each environment. Optical and scanning electron microscopy were used to identify a range of features thought to reflect different processes. Under subaerial conditions micromorphology is dominated by biological weathering features owing to the presence of microflora. Sites permanently covered by soil or stream water have only dissolution etch features, though stream sites may exhibit microfractures. Sites with periodic exposure exhibit both dissolution and biological etch features. The natural environment is more accurately reflected by allowing some microflora colonization of MEM sites rather than preventing colonization by artificial means.