Late Proterozoic glacial carbonates in northeast Spitsbergen: new insights into the carbonate–tillite association

1989 ◽  
Vol 126 (5) ◽  
pp. 469-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. J. Fairchild ◽  
M. J. Hambrey ◽  
B. Spiro ◽  
T. H. Jefferson

AbstractCarbonate-rich glacial deposits from two discrete Vendian glacial periods are described. The older is represented by the 24–40 m thick Petrovbreen Member (E2) of the Elbobreen Formation which contains abundant detrital dolomite. Clasts in E2 and their possible source rocks have positive δ13C and negative δ18OPDBvalues. In contrast the carbonate mud-fraction of E2 sediments has different cathodoluminescence characteristics from clasts, slightly negative δ13C values, and higher Fe and Mn concentrations than clasts. Oxygen isotopes vary from −2.5 to +4.5‰PDB, thought to be related to various seawater–meltwater mixtures in the depositional environment. Preservation of information about glacial sedimentary environments is attributed to early diagenetic recrystallization forced by excess surface free energy (Ostwald's ripening) and coinciding with sulphate reduction.The younger glaciation is represented by the Wilsonbreen Formation (170 m) which has a distinctive glaciolacustrine Middle Carbonate Member (W2). W2 contains precipitated periglacial carbonates (with high Mn/Fe ratio): both limestone (rhythmitic and stromatolitic) and dolostone (rhythmites, stromatolites and dolomite-rich sandstones) which are compared with carbonates in modern Antarctic lakes. Evaporitic environments for dolomitic sandstones and stromatolitic dolostones are indicated by heavy oxygen isotope values (up to + 10.5‰PDB), high Na concentration and evidence for dissolved evaporites. High Mn concentration in detrital dolostones in W2 is suggestive of syn-sedimentary dolomite recrystallization in freshwater diamictites and haematitic siltstones.The carbonate–tillite association ultimately arises from the erosion of underlying carbonates which originated (in this case) under radically different climatic conditions. Glacial depositional waters then became carbonate-saturated as a result of dissolution of detrital carbonate. Massive recrystallization of glacially transported carbonate is proposed as a geologically significant process with considerable potential for palaeoenvironmental analysis. In glacial lakes carbonate precipitated in response to evaporation or photosynthesis. Carbonate precipitation as the result of seawater freezing, or in warm interglacial conditions, is not yet established. Oxygen isotope value are inconsistent (too heavy) with the presence of high-latitude meltwaters, implying that glaciation extended to low latitudes as proposed by Harland.

1998 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 240-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian E. Andrews ◽  
Ashok K. Singhvi ◽  
Ansu J. Kailath ◽  
Ralph Kuhn ◽  
Paul F. Dennis ◽  
...  

Late Pleistocene terrestrial climate records in India may be preserved in oxygen and carbon stable isotopes in pedogenic calcrete. Petrography shows that calcrete nodules in Quaternary sediments of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan are pedogenic, with little evidence for postpedogenic alteration. The calcrete occurs in four laterally persistent and one nonpersistent eolian units, separated by colluvial gravel. Thermoluminescence and infrared- and green-light-stimulated luminescence of host quartz and feldspar grains gave age brackets for persistent eolian units I–IV of ca. 70,000–60,000, ca. 60,000–55,000, ca. 55,000–43,000, and ca. 43,000–∼25,000 yr, respectively. The youngest eolian unit (V) is <10,000 yr old and contains no calcrete. Stable oxygen isotope compositions of calcretes in most of eolian unit I, in the upper part of eolian unit IV, and in the nonpersistent eolian unit, range between −4.6 and −2.1‰ PDB. These values, up to 4.4‰ greater than values from eolian units II and III, are interpreted as representing nonmonsoonal18O-enriched “normal continental” waters during climatic phases when the monsoon weakened or failed. Conversely, 25,000–60,000-yr-old calcretes (eolian units II and III) probably formed under monsoonal conditions. The two periods of weakened monsoon are consistent with other paleoclimatic data from India and may represent widespread aridity on the Indian subcontinent during isotope stages 2 and 4. The total variation in δ13C is 1.7‰ (0.0–1.7‰), and δ13C covaries positively and linearly with δ18O. δ13C values are highest when δ18O values indicate the most arid climatic conditions. This is best explained by expansion of C4grasses at the expense of C3plants at low latitudes during glacial periods when atmospheric pCO2was lowered. C4dominance was overridingly influenced by global change in atmospheric pCO2despite the lowered summer rainfall.


Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 659
Author(s):  
Mingyang Wei ◽  
Zhidong Bao ◽  
Axel Munnecke ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
G. William M. Harrison ◽  
...  

Just as in deep-water sedimentary environments, productive source rocks can be developed in an evaporitic platform, where claystones are interbedded with evaporites and carbonates. However, the impact of the paleoenvironment on the organic matter enrichment of shallow water source rocks in an evaporite series has not been well explored. In this study, two wells in the central uplift of the Tarim Basin were systematically sampled and analyzed for a basic geochemical study, including major elements, trace elements, and total organic carbon (TOC), to understand the relationship between TOC and the paleoenvironmental parameters, such as paleosalinity, redox, paleoclimate, paleo-seawater depth, and paleoproductivity. The results show that the Lower–Middle Cambrian mainly developed in a fluctuating salinity, weak anoxic to anoxic, continuous dry and hot, and proper shallow water environment. The interfingering section of evaporites, carbonates, and claystones of the Awatag Fm. have higher paleoproductivity and higher enrichment of organic matter. Paleosalinity, redox, paleoclimate, paleo-seawater depth, and paleoproductivity jointly control the organic matter enrichment of shallow water source rocks in the evaporite series. The degree of enrichment of organic matter in shallow water source rocks first increases and then decreases with the increase in paleosalinity. All the samples with high content of organic matter come from the shallower environment of the Awatag Fm.


2021 ◽  
pp. M57-2020-20
Author(s):  
E. Henriksen ◽  
D. Ktenas ◽  
J. K. Nielsen

AbstractThe Finnmark Platform Composite Tectono-Sedimentary Element (CTSE), located in the southern Barents Sea, is a northward-dipping monoclinal structural unit. It covers most of the southern Norwegian Barents Sea where it borders the Norwegian Mainland. Except for the different age of basement, the CTSE extends eastwards into the Kola Monocline on the Russian part of the Barents Sea.The general water depth varies between 200-350 m, and the sea bottom is influenced by Plio-Pleistocene glaciations. A high frequency of scour marks and deposition of moraine materials exists on the platform areas. Successively older strata sub-crop below the Upper Regional Unconformity (URU, which was) formed by several glacial periods.Basement rocks of Neoproterozoic age are heavily affected by the Caledonian Orogeny, and previously by the Timanide tectonic compression in the easternmost part of the Finnmark Platform CTSE.Depth to crystalline basement varies considerably and is estimated to be from 4-5 to 10 km. Following the Caledonian orogenesis, the Finnmark Platform was affected by Lower to Middle Carboniferous rifting, sediment input from the Uralian Orogen in the east, the Upper Jurassic / Lower Cretaceous rift phase and the Late Plio-Pleistocene isostatic uplift.A total of 8 exploration wells drilled different targets on the platform. Two minor discoveries have been made proving presence of both oil and gas and potential sandstone reservoirs of good quality identified in the Visean, Induan, Anisian and Carnian intervals. In addition, thick sequences of Perm-Carboniferous carbonates and spiculitic chert are proven in the eastern Platform area. The deep reservoirs are believed to be charged from Paleozoic sources. A western extension of the Domanik source rocks well documented in the Timan-Pechora Basin may exist towards the eastern part of the Finnmark Platform. In the westernmost part, charge from juxtaposed down-faulted basins may be possible.


2001 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Pierre Ledru ◽  
Renato Campello Cordeiro ◽  
José Maria Landim Dominguez ◽  
Louis Martin ◽  
Philippe Mourguiart ◽  
...  

AbstractNew pollen data from a core at Lagoa do Caçó, Maranhão state, Brazil (2°58′S 43°25′W; 120 m elevation), show higher frequencies of Podocarpus at the end of the Pleistocene than today. The increase in Podocarpus, which follows the successive increase of various pioneer species such as Didymopanax, Melastomataceae/Combretaceae, and Cecropia, implies a progressive late-glacial increase of moist and cool climatic conditions. A comparable increase in Podocarpus is found in other lowland records in Amazonia. A review of published pollen data from Amazonia suggests that the moisture source was from the southeast. By contrast, present-day moisture comes from the tropical Atlantic and from the Amazon basin, with its convective precipitation. The likely cause for the southeastern moisture source between ca. 15,000 and 14,500 cal yr B.P. was enhanced polar (Antarctic) advection that reached low latitudes and maintained year-round the meteorological equator in its austral-winter position at northern latitudes or reduced drastically its southward summer displacement. This hypothesis is consistent with marine and ice core records.


1960 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karlheinz Kaiser

Abstract. Certain periglacial phenomena (ice-wedges, cryoturbations, patterned ground, pingos) are critically investigated with respect to their outer appearance as well as to the causes of their formation, but especially how far they might be used as indicators of an old permafrost. The results for Central and Western Europe have been mapped according to our actual status of knowledge. The attempts hitherto made to reconstruct the climate of the Quaternary glacial periods, have been thoroughly checked. A new calculation of the maximum diminution of Pleistocene temperature gives a value of 15—16° C (bottom temperature) in Central and Western Europe. For the Younger Dryas we still have to expect a temperature depression of 11—12° C. Both values have been found by comparing mean annual temperatures in the border-zone of permafrost at the high-glacial time and during the Younger Dryas with the actual temperatures. This is true on the premise that the active permafrost area can be limited by the — 2° C annual isotherme, both under actual as well as under glacial climatic conditions.


2015 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 251-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dragica Stankovic ◽  
Vladan Ivetic ◽  
Mirjana Ocokoljic ◽  
Dusan Jokanovic ◽  
Rodoljub Oljaca ◽  
...  

This study was focused on determining the manganese (Mn) concentration in vegetative organs of 10 plant species (8 woody and 2 herbaceous), from four sites in the protected natural resource Kosmaj. The concentration of Mn was analyzed at the beginning of the vegetation period, during a two-year period (2012-2013). The results indicate a wide range of Mn concentrations, depending on site and plant species.


2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (12) ◽  
pp. 1127-1136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Berg ◽  
Björn Erhagen ◽  
Maj-Britt Johansson ◽  
Lars Vesterdal ◽  
Mikaeel Faituri ◽  
...  

The aim of the present synthesis paper was to determine whether concentration changes and net release of manganese (Mn), as related to accumulated litter mass loss, are related to initial Mn concentration, mean annual temperature (MAT), mean annual precipitation (MAP), and tree genus or species. We also examined whether limit values for decomposition are related to initial litter Mn concentration, MAT, and MAP. We compiled 84 foliar litter decomposition studies, conducted mainly in boreal and temperate forest ecosystems, for which Mn dynamics had been well documented. Manganese concentration and amount were related to accumulated litter mass loss at each sampling time for each single study, as well as for (i) all studies combined (n = 748) and (ii) for species groups viz. Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) (n = 284), pine (Pinus) species (n = 330), and deciduous species (n = 214). The changes in Mn concentration with accumulated mass loss followed quadratic functions showing significantly higher Mn concentrations for Norway spruce vs. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) (p < 0.0001) and vs. deciduous species (p < 0.01), as well as significantly higher for deciduous species vs. Scots pine (p < 0.0001). Manganese release rates were different among the three species groups (p < 0.001). Still, rates were related to initial Mn concentrations (p < 0.001) for all litter types combined and for the three species groups. Norway spruce released Mn more slowly than pine and deciduous species. Rates were related to climatic factors for litter of Norway spruce and deciduous species. Limit values for all litter and for pine species separately were related to Mn (p < 0.001) and MAT (p < 0.001). For Norway spruce, limit values were related to MAT (p < 0.001) and MAP (p < 0.01). It appears that Norway spruce litter retains Mn more strongly in the litter structure, producing humus richer in Mn than does litter of pine and deciduous species.


2015 ◽  
Vol 154 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
HOSSAM A. TAWFIK ◽  
IBRAHIM M. GHANDOUR ◽  
WATARU MAEJIMA ◽  
JOHN S. ARMSTRONG-ALTRIN ◽  
ABDEL-MONEM T. ABDEL-HAMEED

AbstractCombined petrographic and geochemical methods are utilized to investigate the provenance, tectonic setting, palaeo-weathering and climatic conditions of the Cambrian Araba clastic sediments of NE Egypt. The ~ 60 m thick Araba Formation consists predominantly of sandstone and mudstone interbedded with conglomerate. Petrographically the Araba sandstones are mostly sub-mature and classified as subarkoses with an average framework composition of Q80F14L6. The framework components are dominated by monocrystalline quartz with subordinate K-feldspar, together with volcanic and granitic rock fragments. XRD analysis demonstrated that clay minerals comprise mixed-layer illite/smectite (I/S), illite and smectite, with minor kaolinite. Diagenetic features of the sandstone include mechanical infiltration of clay, mechanical and chemical compaction, cementation, dissolution and replacement of feldspars by carbonate cements and clays. The modal composition and geochemical parameters (e.g. Cr/V, Y/Ni, Th/Co and Cr/Th ratios) of the sandstones and mudstones indicate that they were derived from felsic source rocks, probably from the crystalline basement of the northern fringe of the Arabian–Nubian Shield. The study reveals a collisional tectonic setting for the sediments of the Araba Formation. Palaeo-weathering indices such as the chemical index of alteration (CIA), chemical index of weathering (CIW) and plagioclase index of alteration (PIA) of the clastic sediments suggest that the source area was moderately chemically weathered. On the northern margin of Gondwana, early Palaeozoic weathering occurred under fluctuating climatic conditions.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qin Zhang ◽  
Enchun Pan ◽  
Linfei Liu ◽  
Wei Hu ◽  
Yuan He ◽  
...  

Background. Cancer is a significant disease burden in the world. Many studies showed that heavy metals or their compounds had connection with cancer. But the data conflicting about the relationship of manganese (Mn) to cancer are not enough. In this paper, the relationship was discussed between Mn concentrations in drinking water for rural residents and incidence and mortality caused by malignant tumors in Huai’an city.Methods. A total of 158 water samples from 28 villages of 14 towns were, respectively, collected during periods of high flow and low flow in 3 counties of Huai’an city, along Chinese Huai’he River. The samples of deep groundwater, shallow groundwater, and surface water were simultaneously collected in all selected villages. Mn concentrations in all water samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS 7500a). The correlation analysis was used to study the relationship between the Mn concentration and cancer incidence and mortality.Results. Mn concentrations detectable rate was 100% in all water samples. The mean concentration was 452.32 μg/L ± 507.76 μg/L. There was significant difference between the high flow period and low flow period (t=-5.23,P<0.05) and also among deep groundwater, shallow groundwater, and surface water (F=5.02,P<0.05). The ratio of superscale of Mn was 75.32%. There was significant difference of Mn level between samples in the high flow period and low flow period (χ2=45.62, P<0.05) and also among deep groundwater, shallow groundwater, and surface water (χ2=10.66,P<0.05). And also we found that, during the low flow period, Mn concentration has positive correlation with cancer incidence and mortality; for a 1 μg/L increase in Mn concentration, there was a corresponding increase of 0.45/100000 new cancer cases and 0.35/100000 cancer deaths (P<0.05).Conclusions. In Huai’an city, the mean concentration of Mn in drinking water was very high. Mn concentration correlated with cancer incidence and mortality.


Nature ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 296 (5852) ◽  
pp. 56-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Van Campo ◽  
J. C. Duplessy ◽  
M. Rossignol-Strick

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document