Theories related to the precipitation mechanism of the metallic elements in marine manganese nodules have remained controversial between two schools of thoughts (1) chemical oxidation (abiotic origin) and (2) deposition of the metals through microbial enzymatic processes (biogenic origin). One of the most important evidence in support of the biogenic origin is the occurrence of fossilized microbes. However, well-documented literature in this regard is either lacking or very scanty in case of Indian Ocean nodules. Using high resolution FEG-SEM we have recorded various biogenic signatures and ultra microfossils in the ferromanganese nodule samples from Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) that are presented in this paper. The microfossils are mostly protozoans belonging to varieties of bacteria, diatoms and foraminifera. Some of the features recorded in this study have perhaps never been reported before from any manganese nodules. The chemical compositions of these ultra microfossils indicate a high-level of manganese precipitation in and around them in comparison to the distant surrounding areas. While clumpy microbes are enriched with nickel, the rod shaped bacteria are rich in copper. Up to 4.70 wt.% nickel and 5.31 wt.% Cu have been recorded in the fossilized microbe bodies. The high abundance of biogenic features as well as microfossils in the ferromanganese nodules and their chemical compositions support arguments in favor of a dominant role of the microorganisms in the construction of the nodules of the CIOB. 相似文献
Nuclear reaction analyses on boron in flux-grown Me3+- and Na+-doped diopside crystals utilising the 11B(p,2α)4He reaction in conjunction with EMP analyses for major elements and optical absorption spectroscopy for determination of Me-valence
state distributions show that appreciable amounts of B may enter the diopside lattice in crystals produced in Na2B4O7 fluxes. The results indicate that the substitution [6]Me3+[4]B3+[6]Mg2+−1[4]Si4+−1 operates in the present diopside samples in addition to the coupled substitution [6]Me3+[8]Na+[6]Mg2+−1[8]Ca2+−1. The specific NRA technique applied allows for quantitative, high resolution (ca. 5 μm) B analyses at ppm level as well as
high-resolution and high-contrast imaging of B-concentration patterns in minerals. The estimated detection limit and relative
error of the B analyses are 10 ppm and 5–10%, respectively.
Received: 20 September 1999 / Accepted: 6 June 2000 相似文献
Desert varnish of pristine sandstone and petroglyph surfaces from Takabart Kabort (Naturalistic Bubaline Art School) and Alamas (Tanzina Art School) can be well classified by their (SiO2+Al2O3):MnO2, Al2O3:SiO2, and P2O5:CaO ratios. Specific ratios are due to the occurrence of clay minerals like illite, kaolinite, smectite, and feldspar, quartz, carbonates like calcite and dolomite, manganese oxyhydroxides, and apatite. Their occurrence corresponds to the local origin and composition of the primary aeolian material.
In general, the analyzed desert varnish shows lamination patterns characterized by alternating MnO2-rich and -poor layers (25 wt% MnO2) at rather constant iron oxyhydroxide content (6 wt% Fe2O3). Varnish on non-engraved surfaces exhibits three MnO2-rich layers, whereas varnish-coated petroglyphs reveal minor lamination patterns corresponding to the dating of petroglyphs by rock art. The older Naturalistic Bubaline Art School petroglyphs (about 6–4 ka BP) and the younger Tazina Art School petroglyphs (about 3.8–3 ka BP) contain only two and one MnO2-rich layer, respectively. It is assumed that the occurrence of such microlaminations is caused by climate changes in North Africa. Three humid periods are discerned from the Terminal Pleistocene to Holocene in the literature. Such periods are suitable to induce manganese accumulation by biotic and abiotic processes. Accordingly, the distinct lamination patterns gained from this study verify the dating of petroglyphs by rock art. From another point of view, classification of the above petroglyphs may be provided by analyses of microlaminations independently on cultural historical aspects. 相似文献
