Variable Phanerozoic thermal history in the Southern Canadian Shield: Evidence from an apatite fission track profile at the Underground Research Laboratory (URL), Manitoba     

Shimon Feinstein  Barry Kohn  Richard Everitt 《Tectonophysics》2009,475(1):190-199

Analysis of a 1.15 km deep apatite fission track (AFT) thermochronology profile at the Underground Research Laboratory (URL), in the southwestern Canadian Shield suggests two Phanerozoic heating and cooling episodes indicating significant, previously unsuspected, Phanerozoic heat flow variations. Phanerozoic temperature and heat flow variations are temporally associated with burial and erosion of the Precambrian crystalline shield and its overlying Phanerozoic successions, which are now eroded completely. Maximum Phanerozoic temperatures occurred in the late Paleozoic when the geothermal gradient is estimated to have been ~ 40-50 °C/km (compared to a present day gradient of ~ 14 ± 2 °C/km) and the sedimentary cover was ~ 800-1100 m thick. Our thermal history models, confirm regional stratigraphic relationships that suggest that the Paleozoic succession was completely eroded prior to beginning of Mesozoic sedimentation. A second heating phase occurred during Late Cretaceous-Paleogene burial when the geothermal gradient is estimated to have been ~ 20-25 °C/km and the Mesozoic and Cenozoic succession was ~ 1200 to 1400 m thick. The Phanerozoic thermal history at the URL site shows a pattern similar to that inferred previously for the epicratonic Williston Basin, the centre of which lies several 100 km to the west. This implies a common regional thermal history for cratonic rocks underlying both the basin and the currently exposed shield. It is suggested that the morphotectonic differences between the Williston Basin and the exposed shield at the URL are due to a dissimilar thermomechanical response to a common, but more complicated than previously inferred, Phanerozoic geodynamic history. The two Phanerozoic periods of variations in geothermal gradient (heat flow) were coeval with epeirogenic movements related to the deposition and erosion of sediments. These paleogeodynamic variations are tentatively attributed to far-field effects of orogenic processes occurring at the plate margin (i.e. the Antler and the Cordilleran orogenies) and the associated accumulation of cratonic seaway sedimentary sequences (Kaskaskia and Zuni sequences).  相似文献   

Nature of the mantle roots beneath the North American craton: mantle xenolith evidence from Somerset Island kimberlites     

S. S. Schmidberger  D. Francis 《Lithos》1999,48(1-4):195-216

The recently discovered Nikos kimberlite on Somerset Island, in the Canadian Arctic, hosts an unusually well preserved suite of mantle xenoliths dominated by garnet–peridotite (lherzolite, harzburgite, dunite) showing coarse and porphyroclastic textures, with minor garnet–pyroxenite. The whole rock and mineral data for 54 Nikos xenoliths indicate a highly refractory underlying mantle with high olivine forsterite contents (ave. Fo=92.3) and moderate to high olivine abundances (ave. 80 wt.%). These characteristics are similar to those reported for peridotites from the Archean Kaapvaal and Siberian cratons (ave. olivine Fo=92.5), but are clearly distinct from the trend defined by oceanic peridotites and mantle xenoliths in alkaline basalts and kimberlites from post-Archean continental terranes (ave. olivine Fo=91.0). The Nikos xenoliths yield pressures and temperatures of last equilibration between 20 and 55 kb and 650 and 1300°C, and a number of the peridotite nodules appear to have equilibrated in the diamond stability field. The pressure and temperature data define a conductive paleogeotherm corresponding to a surface heat flow of 44 mW/m². Paleogeotherms based on xenolith data from the central Slave province of the Canadian craton require a lower surface heat flow (40 mW/m²) indicating a cooler geothermal regime than that beneath the Canadian Arctic. A large number of kimberlite-hosted peridotites from the Kaapvaal craton in South Africa and parts of the Siberian craton are characterized by high orthopyroxene contents (ave. Kaapvaal 32 wt.%, Siberia 20 wt.%). The calculated modal mineral assemblages for the Nikos peridotites show moderate to low contents of orthopyroxene (ave. 12 wt.%), indicating that the orthopyroxene-rich mineralogy characteristic of the Kaapvaal and Siberian cratons is not a feature of the cratonic upper mantle beneath Somerset Island.  相似文献   

The thermal structure and thickness of continental roots   总被引：19，自引：0，他引：19  

C. Jaupart  J. C. Mareschal 《Lithos》1999,48(1-4):93-114

We compare heat flow data from the Precambrian shields in North America and in South Africa. We also review data available in other less well-sampled Shield regions. Variations in crustal heat production account for most of the variability of the heat flow. Because of this variability, it is difficult to define a single average crustal model representative of a whole tectonic province. The average heat flow values of different Archean provinces in Canada, South Africa, Australia and India differ by significant amounts. This is also true for Proterozoic provinces. For example, the heat flow is significantly higher in the Proterozoic Namaqua–Natal Belt of South Africa than in the Grenville Province of the Canadian Shield (61 vs. 41 mW m⁻² on average). These observations indicate that it is not possible to define single value of the average heat flow for all provinces of the same crustal age. Large amplitude short wavelength variations of the heat flow suggest that most of the difference between Proterozoic and Archean heat flow is of crustal origin. In eastern Canada, there is no good correlation between the local values of heat flow and heat production. In the Archean, Proterozoic and Paleozoic provinces of eastern Canada, heat flow values through rocks with the same heat production are not significantly different. There is therefore no evidence for variations of the mantle heat flow beneath these different provinces. After removing the local crustal heat production from the surface heat flow, the mantle (Moho) heat flow was estimated to be between 10–15 mW m⁻² in the Archean, Proterozoic and Paleozoic provinces of eastern Canada. Estimates of the mantle heat flow in the Kaapvaal craton of South Africa may be slightly higher (≈17 mW m⁻²). Large-scale variations of bulk crustal heat production are well-documented in Canada and imply significant differences of deep lithospheric thermal structure. In thick lithosphere, surficial heat flow measurements record a time average of heat production in the lithospheric mantle and are not in equilibrium with the instantaneous heat production. The low mantle heat flow and current estimates of heat production in the lithospheric mantle do not support a mechanical (conductive) lithosphere thinner than 200 km and thicker than 330 km. Temperature anomalies with surrounding oceanic mantle extend to the convective boundary layer below the conductive layer, and hence to depths greater than these estimates. Mechanical and thermal stability of the lithosphere require the mantle part of the lithosphere to be chemically buoyant and depleted in radiogenic elements. Both characteristics are achieved simultaneously by partial melting and melt extraction.  相似文献   

The nearshore western Beaufort Sea ecosystem: Circulation and importance of terrestrial carbon in arctic coastal food webs   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  

Kenneth H. Dunton  Thomas Weingartner  Eddy C. Carmack   《Progress in Oceanography》2006,71(2-4):362

The nearshore shelf of the Beaufort Sea is defined by extreme physical and biological gradients that have a distinctive influence on its productivity and trophic structure. Massive freshwater discharge from the Mackenzie River, along with numerous smaller rivers and streams elsewhere along the coast, produce an environment that is decidedly estuarine in character, especially in late spring and summer. Consequently, the Beaufort coast provides a critical habitat for several species of amphidromous fishes, some of which are essential to the subsistence lifestyle of arctic native populations. Because of its low in situ productivity, allochthonous inputs of organic carbon, identifiable on the basis of isotopic composition, are important to the functioning of this arctic estuarine system. Coastal erosion and river discharge are largely responsible for introducing high concentrations of suspended sediment from upland regions into the nearshore zone. The depletion in the ¹³C content of invertebrate and vertebrate consumers, which drops about 4–5‰ eastward along the eastern Alaskan Beaufort Sea coast, may reflect the assimilation of this terrestrial organic matter into local food webs. In addition, the large range in ¹³C values of fauna collected in the eastern Beaufort (nearly 8‰) compared to the same species in the northeastern Chukchi (3‰), indicate a lower efficiency of carbon transfer between trophic levels in the eastern Beaufort. The wider spread in stable isotope values in the eastern Beaufort may also reflect a decoupling between benthic and pelagic components. Isotopic tracer studies of amphidromous fishes in the Simpson Island barrier island lagoon revealed that terrestrial (peat) carbon may contribute as much as 30–50% of their total dietary requirements. On the eastern Alaska Beaufort Sea coast, the δ¹³C values of arctic cod collected in semi-enclosed lagoons were more depleted, by 3–4‰, compared to fish collected in the coastal Beaufort Sea. Calculations from isotopic mixing equations indicate cod from lagoons may derive 70% of their carbon from terrestrial sources. The δ¹⁵N values of lagoon fish were also 4‰ lower than coastal specimens, reflective of the lower δ¹⁵N values of terrestrially derived nitrogen (0–1.5‰ compared to 5–7‰ for phytoplankton). The role of terrestrial carbon in arctic estuarine food webs is especially important in view of the current warming trend in the arctic environment and the role of advective processes that transport carbon along the nearshore shelf. Biogeochemical studies of the arctic coastal estuarine environment may provide more insights into the function of these biologically complex ecosystems.  相似文献   

Cordilleran Intermontane thermotectonic history and implications for neotectonic structure and petroleum systems,British Columbia,Canada     

Jacek Majorowicz  Kirk Osadetz 《International Journal of Earth Sciences》2008,97(2):269-287

Heat flow increases northward along Intermontane Belt in the western Canadian Cordillera, as shown by geothermal differences between Bowser and Nechako sedimentary basins, where geothermal gradients and heat flows are ∼30 mK/m and ∼90 mW/m² compared to ∼32 mK/m and 70 –80 mW/m², respectively. Sparse temperature profile data from these two sedimenatary basins are consistent with an isostatic model of elevation and crustal parameters, which indicate that Bowser basin heat flow should be ∼20 mW/m² greater than Nechako basin heat flow. Paleothermometric indicators record a significant northward increasing Eocene or older erosional denudation, up to ∼7 km. None of the heat generation, tectonic reorganization at the plate margin, or erosional denudation produce thermal effects of the type or magnitude that explain the north–south heat flow differences between Nechako and Bowser basins. The more southerly Nechako basin, where heat flow is lower, has lower mean elevation, is less deeply eroded, and lies opposite the active plate margin. In contrast, Bowser basin, where heat flow is higher, has higher mean elevation, is more deeply eroded, and sits opposite a transform margin that succeeded the active margin ∼40 Ma. Differences between Bowser and Nechako basins contrast with the tectonic history and erosion impacts on thermal state. Tectonic history and eroded sedimentary thickness suggest that Bowser basin lithosphere is cooling and contracting relative to Nechako basin lithosphere. This effect has reduced Bowser basin heat flow by ∼10–20 mW/m² since ∼40 Ma. Neither can heat generation differences explain the northerly increasing Intermontane Belt heat flow. A lack of extensional structures in the Bowser basin precludes basin and range-like extension. Therefore, another, yet an unspecified mechanism perhaps associated with the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province, contributes additional heat. Bowser basin’s paleogeothermal gradients were higher, ∼36 mK/m, before the Eocene and this might affect petroleum and metallogenic systems.  相似文献   

Holocene palaeoceanographic changes in Barrow Strait,Canadian Arctic: foraminiferal evidence     

Thomas R. Gregory  Christopher W. Smart  Malcolm B. Hart  Guillaume Massé  Lindsay L. Vare  Simon T. Belt 《第四纪科学杂志》2010,25(6):903-910

Holocene changes in the benthic and planktic foraminiferal fauna (>63 µm) from a marine sediment core (ARC‐3 Canadian Arctic Archipelago, 74° 16.050′ N, 91° 06.380′ W, water depth 347 m) show that significant environmental and palaeoceanographic variations occurred during the last 10 ka. Foraminiferal assemblages are restricted to the ca. 4.5–10 ka interval as younger samples are mostly barren of foraminifera due to intense carbonate dissolution after ca. 4.5 ka. Foraminiferal assemblages in the ca. 4.5–10 ka interval are dominated by the benthic species Islandiella helenae and Cassidulina reniforme (57% of total), with Elphidium clavatum, Cibicides lobatulus and Buccella frigida also being common in this interval. The dominance of these species indicates a seasonal sea ice regime which is consistent with the occurrence of the sea ice diatom‐derived organic geochemical biomarker IP₂₅ throughout the core. The abundances of C. reniforme and E. clavatum decline upcore; consistent with more frequent mixing of the Barrow Strait water column during the early Holocene. It is likely that the influence of CO₂‐rich Arctic surface water masses have caused an increase in bottom water corrosivity after ca. 8.5 ka, and dissolution has been further enhanced by sea ice‐related processes after ca. 6 ka, concomitant with increased IP₂₅ fluxes. Dissolution is strongest when IP₂₅ fluxes are highest, suggesting a link between the sea ice and benthic systems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.  相似文献   

The isotope hydrology of the Muskoka River Watershed,Ontario, Canada     

April L. James  Emily Dusome  Tim Field  Huaxia Yao  Chris McConnell  Andy Beaton  Arghavan Tafvizi 《水文研究》2020,34(4):914-926

Stable isotope tracers of δ¹⁸O and δ²H are increasingly being applied in the study of water cycling in regional-scale watersheds in which human activities, like river regulation, are important influences. In 2015, δ¹⁸O and δ²H were integrated into a water quality survey in the Muskoka River Watershed with the aim to provide new regional-scale characterization of isotope hydrology in the 5,100-km² watershed located on the Canadian Shield in central Ontario, Canada. The forest dominated region includes ~78,000 ha of lakes, 42 water control structures, and 11 generating stations, categorized as “run of river.” Within the watershed, stable isotope tracers have long been integrated into hydrologic process studies of both headwater catchments and lakes. Here, monthly surveys of δ¹⁸O and δ²H in river flow were conducted in the watershed between April 2015 and November 2016 (173 surface water samples from 10 river stations). Temporal patterns of stable isotopes in river water reflect seasonal influences of snowmelt and summer-time evaporative fractionation. Spatial patterns, including differences observed during extreme flood levels experienced in the spring of 2016, reflect variation in source contributions to river flow (e.g., snowmelt or groundwater versus evaporatively enriched lake storage), suggesting more local influences (e.g., glacial outwash deposits). Evidence of combined influences of source mixing and evaporative fractionation could, in future, support application of tracer-enabled hydrological modelling, estimation of mean transit times and, as such, contribute to studies of water quality and water resources in the region.  相似文献   

Diatom response to recent climatic change in a high arctic lake (Char Lake, Cornwallis Island, Nunavut)     

Neal Michelutti  Marianne S. V. Douglas  John P. Smol   《Global and Planetary Change》2003,38(3-4):257-271

From 1968 to 1972, Char Lake (Resolute Bay, Cornwallis Island, Canadian High Arctic) was the site of a large-scale limnological study conducted under the auspices of the International Biological Programme. However, since that time, very little research has been done on the lake. We sampled Char Lake from 1992 to 2000 for a suite of physical, chemical, and biological variables. In general, there were no major differences between our water quality data and those collected 30 years earlier, showing that Char Lake is still oligotrophic, slightly alkaline, and dilute. However, a diatom-based paleolimnological analysis revealed that a subtle, yet distinct species assemblage shift has occurred beginning around 1987. The timing of this species shift does not correspond to the deposition of atmospherically transported persistent organic pollutants into the lake (beginning in the early 1950s) or to minor disturbances within its catchment (early 1970s). Instead, these subtle diatom changes are consistent with recent climatic changes during 1988–1997 (as documented by local meteorological measurements), and are likely related to reduced summer ice cover and a longer growing season.  相似文献   

Controls on runoff components on a forested slope and implications for N transport     

J. M. Buttle  S. W. Lister  A. R. Hill 《水文研究》2001,15(6):1065-1070

Transfer of atmospheric N deposition on shallow‐soil forested basins on the Canadian Shield to receiving water bodies may be enhanced by rapid preferential flow along the soil–bedrock interface (BR runoff) on basin slopes. Controls on BR runoff, partitioning of event and pre‐event water contributions to this flow, and implications of this partitioning for N fluxes in BR runoff were studied under natural and artificial inputs to an instrumented slope. BR runoff as a fraction of water inputs to the slope increased with antecedent soil wetness and input depth. Event water contributions to BR runoff initially increased with antecedent soil wetness, but then declined at large antecedent soil wetness. Export of applied NH₄⁺ from the slope was maximized when event water contributions containing large NH₄⁺ concentrations dominated BR runoff; however, there was no relationship between the fraction of NO₃^? application transported in BR runoff and either application input or the event water fraction of that runoff. The applicability of our results to other shallow‐soil areas of the Canadian Shield is limited by artificial N inputs to the slope in excess of natural loads and by low rates of N mineralization and negligible nitrification in the slope's soils. Nevertheless, the study reinforces the need to consider how the hydrologic, geometric and pedologic properties of forest slopes interact with biotic and abiotic soil processes to control N transport and transformation. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.  相似文献   

Sea-Ice Concentration Multivariate Assimilation for the Canadian East Coast in a Coupled Sea Ice–Ocean Model     

Anna Katavouta  Paul G. Myers 《大气与海洋》2014,52(5):418-433

The present study focuses on the impact of ocean state (i.e., salinity and temperature) updates on the sea-ice analysis and short-term forecast in an assimilative sea ice–ocean coupled system. A relatively simple sea-ice assimilation scheme was applied to the sea ice–ocean coupled North Atlantic Nucleus for European Modelling of the Ocean (NEMO) system with a focus on the Canadian East Coast. In this assimilation scheme the ocean state was updated directly based on the correlations between the model's sea-ice concentration and the upper ocean salinity and temperature. These correlations were based on a limited time ensemble generated by applying random perturbations to the atmospheric forcing fields. High deviations in the sea-ice conditions were found along the ice edge, implying that the sea-ice edge position is sensitive to small atmospheric forcing variations. Assimilation runs with and without ocean state updates (i.e., sea-ice concentration nudging) were conducted and compared for the winter of 2002. Both continuous and intermittent assimilation schemes were examined. In a continuous sea-ice assimilation experiment, the ocean direct update is unnecessary. When the sea-ice updates are introduced intermittently the ocean state has to be altered to accommodate them, or they will be rapidly diminished by the model's dynamics. The correlations between sea-ice concentration and ocean salinity and temperature based on the first 15 days of January were used for corrections during the entire winter season when, in addition to thermodynamic processes, dynamic processes are responsible for, and even dominate, sea-ice evolution on the Labrador and Newfoundland shelves. This was an adequate choice as was demonstrated by the results of the study which showed that the experiments with ocean state adjustments generated more accurate short-term sea-ice forecasts.  相似文献