Tree-Ring Based Reconstructions of Precipitation for the Southern Canadian Cordillera     

Emma Watson  Brian H. Luckman 《Climatic change》2004,65(1-2):209-241

This paper reconstructs precipitation variability in the southern Canadian Cordillera over the past 3–400 years using dendroclimatologicaltechniques. Fifty-three total ring-width (RW) chronologies, 28 earlywood (EW) and 28 latewood (LW) chronologies were developed from open-grown, low-elevation stands of Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas-fir) and Pinusponderosa (ponderosa pine) across the southern Canadian Cordillera. RW, EW and LW chronologies from both species were used to develop 13 annual (prior July to current June) precipitation reconstructions across the region. The reconstructions range in length from 165 to 688 years, pass verification tests and capture 39–64% of the variancein the instrumental record. Coincident, prolonged intervals of dry conditions are estimated for the years: 1717–1732, 1839–1859, 1917–1941 and1968–1979. Shorter dry intervals are identified between 1581–1586, 1626–1630,1641–1653 1701–1708, 1756–1761, 1768–1772, 1793–1800,1868–1875, 1889–1897 and 1985–1989. The historic drought of the 1920–1930s was the longest but not the most intense across this area in the last 300 years. Wet conditions occur in the majority of reconstructions for the years: 1689–1700, 1750–55,1778–1789, 1800–1830, 1880–1890, 1898–1916 and 1942–1960. Thesedata, in conjunction with data from adjacent areas, are used to provide the first maps of decadal precipitation anomalies for the region between 1700 and 1990.  相似文献   

Mineral dissolution in the Cape Cod aquifer, Massachusetts, USA: I . Reaction stoichiometry and impact of accessory feldspar and glauconite on strontium isotopes, solute concentrations, and REY distribution     

Michael Bau  Brian Alexander  John T Chesley  Susan L Brantley 《Geochimica et cosmochimica acta》2004,68(6):1199-1216

To compare relative reaction rates of mineral dissolution in a mineralogically simple groundwater aquifer, we studied the controls on solute concentrations, Sr isotopes, and rare earth element and yttrium (REY) systematics in the Cape Cod aquifer. This aquifer comprises mostly carbonate-free Pleistocene sediments that are about 90% quartz with minor K-feldspar, plagioclase, glauconite, and Fe-oxides. Silica concentrations and pH in the groundwater increase systematically with increasing depth, while Sr isotopic ratios decrease. No clear relationship between ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and Sr concentration is observed. At all depths, the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of the groundwater is considerably lower than the Sr isotopic ratio of the bulk sediment or its K-feldspar component, but similar to that of a plagioclase-rich accessory separate obtained from the sediment. The Si-⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr-depth relationships are consistent with dissolution of accessory plagioclase. In addition, solutes such as Sr, Ca, and particularly K show concentration spikes superimposed on their respective general trends. The K-Sr-⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr systematics suggests that accessory glauconite is another major solute source to Cape Cod groundwater. Although the authigenic glauconite in the Cape Cod sediment is rich in Rb, it is low in in-grown radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr because of its young Pleistocene age. The low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios are consistent with equilibration of glauconite with seawater. The impact of glauconite is inferred to vary due to its variable abundance in the sediments. In the Cape Cod groundwater, the variation of REY concentrations with sampling depth resembles that of K and Rb, but differs from that of Ca and Sr. Shale-normalized REY patterns are light REY depleted, show negative Ce anomalies and super-chondritic Y/Ho ratios, but no Eu anomalies. REY input from feldspar, therefore, is insignificant compared to input from a K-Rb-bearing phase, inferred to be glauconite. These results emphasize that interpretation of groundwater chemistry, even in relatively simple aquifers, may be complicated by solute contributions from “exotic” accessory minerals such as glauconite. To detect such peculiarities, groundwater studies should combine the study of elemental concentration and isotopic composition of several solutes that show different geochemical behavior.  相似文献   

Iron isotope fractionation by Fe(II)-oxidizing photoautotrophic bacteria     

Laura R. Croal  Brian L. Beard 《Geochimica et cosmochimica acta》2004,68(6):1227-1242

Photoautotrophic bacteria that oxidize ferrous iron (Fe[II]) under anaerobic conditions are thought to be ancient in origin, and the ferric (hydr)oxide mineral products of their metabolism are likely to be preserved in ancient rocks. Here, two enrichment cultures of Fe(II)-oxidizing photoautotrophs and a culture of the genus Thiodictyon were studied with respect to their ability to fractionate Fe isotopes. Fe isotope fractionations produced by both the enrichment cultures and the Thiodictyon culture were relatively constant at early stages of the reaction progress, where the ⁵⁶Fe/⁵⁴Fe ratios of poorly crystalline hydrous ferric oxide (HFO) metabolic products were enriched in the heavier isotope relative to aqueous ferrous iron (Fe[II]_aq) by ∼1.5 ± 0.2‰. This fractionation appears to be independent of the rate of photoautotrophic Fe(II)-oxidation, and is comparable to that observed for Fe isotope fractionation by dissimilatory Fe(III)-reducing bacteria. Although there remain a number of uncertainties regarding how the overall measured isotopic fractionation is produced, the most likely mechanisms include (1) an equilibrium effect produced by biological ligands, or (2) a kinetic effect produced by precipitation of HFO overlaid upon equilibrium exchange between Fe(II) and Fe(III) species. The fractionation we observe is similar in direction to that measured for abiotic oxidation of Fe(II)_aq by molecular oxygen. This suggests that the use of Fe isotopes to identify phototrophic Fe(II)-oxidation in the rock record may only be possible during time periods in Earth’s history when independent evidence exists for low ambient oxygen contents.  相似文献   

Genetic significance of fluid inclusions in the CSA Cu–Pb–Zn deposit, Cobar, Australia     

Alan D. Giles  Brian Marshall   《Ore Geology Reviews》2004,24(3-4):241

CSA mine exploits a ‘Cobar-type’ Cu–Pb–Zn±Au±Ag deposit within a cleaved and metamorphosed portion of the Cobar Supergroup, central New South Wales. The deposit comprises systems of ‘lenses’ that encompass veins, disseminations and semi-massive to massive Cu–Pb–Zn ores. The systems and contained lenses truncate bedding, are approximately coplanar with regional cleavage and similarly oriented shear zones and plunge parallel to the elongation lineation. Systems have extreme vertical continuity (>1000 m), short strike length (400 m) and narrow width (100 m), exhibit vertical and lateral ore-type variation and have alteration haloes. Models of ore formation include classical hydrothermalism, structurally controlled remobilisation and polymodal concepts; syntectonic emplacement now holds sway.Fluid inclusions were examined from quartz±sulphide veins adjacent to now-extracted ore, from coexisting quartz–sulphide within ore, and from vughs in barren quartz veins. Lack of early primary inclusions precluded direct determination of fluids associated with D₂–D₃ ore and vein emplacement. Similarly, decrepitation (by near-isobaric heating) of the two oldest secondary populations precluded direct determination of fluid phases immediately following D₂–D₃ ore and vein emplacement. Post-decrepitation outflow (late D₃ to early post-D₃) is recorded by monophase CH₄ inclusions. Entrained outflow of deeply circulated meteoric fluid modified the CH₄ system; modification is recorded by H₂O+CH₄ and H₂O+(trace CH₄) secondary populations and by an H₂O+(trace CH₄) primary population. The contractional tectonics (D₂–D₃) of ore emplacement was superseded by relaxational tectonics (D_4P) that facilitated meteoric water penetration and return flow.Under D₂ prograde metamorphism, entrapment temperatures (Tt) and pressures (Pt) for pre-decrepitation secondary inclusions are estimated as Tt300–330 °C and Pt1.5–2 kbar≈Plith (the lithostatic pressure). Decrepitation accompanied peak metamorphism (T350–380 °C) in mid- to late-D₃, while in late-D₃ to early post-D₃, essentially monophase CH₄ secondary inclusions were entrapped at Tt350 °C and Pt=1.5–2 kbar≈Plith. Subsequently, abundant CH₄ and entrained meteoric water were entrapped as H₂O+CH₄ secondaries under slowly decreasing temperature (Tt330–350 °C) and constant pressure (Pt1.5–2 kbar). Finally, with increasingly dominant meteoric outflow, H₂O+(trace CH₄) populations record decreasing temperatures (Tt>300 to <350 down to 275–300 °C) at pressures of Phydrostatic<Pt (1 kbar) <Plith (1.5 kbar).The populations of inclusions provide insight into fluid types, flow regimes and P–T conditions during parts of the deposit's evolution. They indirectly support the role of basin-derived CH₄ fluids in ore formation, but provide no insight into a basement-sourced ore-forming fluid. They fully support post-ore involvement of meteoric water. The poorly constrained entrapment history is believed to span 10 Ma from 395 to 385 Ma.  相似文献   

Barite deposition resulting from phototrophic sulfide-oxidizing bacterial activity     

John M. Senko  Brian S. Campbell  James R. Henriksen  Mostafa S. Elshahed  Lee R. Krumholz 《Geochimica et cosmochimica acta》2004,68(4):773-780

Barite (BaSO₄) deposits generally arise from mixing of soluble barium-containing fluids with sulfate-rich fluids. While the role of biological processes in modulating barium solubility has been shown, no studies have shown that the biological oxidation of sulfide to sulfate leads to barite deposition. Here we present an example of microbially mediated barite deposition in a continental setting. A spring in the Anadarko Basin of southwestern Oklahoma produces water containing abundant barium and sulfide. As emergent water travels down a stream to a nearby creek, sulfate concentration increases from 0.06 mM to 2.2 mM while Ba²⁺ concentration drops from 0.4 mM to less than 7 μM. Stable isotope analysis, microbial activity studies, and in situ experiments provide evidence that as sulfide-rich water flows down the stream, anaerobic, anoxygenic, phototrophic bacteria play a dominant role in oxidizing sulfide to sulfate. Sulfate then precipitates with Ba²⁺ producing barite as travertine, cements, crusts, and accumulations on microbial mats. Our studies suggest that phototrophic sulfide oxidation and concomitant sulfur cycling could prove to be important processes regulating the cycling of barium in continental sulfur-containing systems.  相似文献   

Marine and limnic radiocarbon reservoir corrections for studies of late- and postglacial environments in Georgia Basin and Puget Lowland, British Columbia, Canada and Washington, USA     

Ian Hutchinson  Thomas S. James  Brian D. Bornhold 《Quaternary Research》2004,61(2):193-203

Models of late-glacial environmental change in coastal areas are commonly based on radiocarbon ages on marine shell and basal lake sediments, both of which may be compromised by reservoir effects. The magnitude of the oceanic reservoir age in the inland waters of the Georgia Basin and Puget Lowland of northwestern North America is inferred from radiocarbon ages on shell-wood pairs in Saanich Inlet and previously published estimates. The weighted mean oceanic reservoir correction in the early and mid Holocene is −720±90 yr, slightly smaller than, but not significantly different from, the modern value. The correction in late-glacial time is −950±50 yr. Valley-head sites yield higher reservoir values (−1200±130 yr) immediately after deglaciation. The magnitude of the gyttja reservoir effect is inferred from pairs of bulk gyttja and plant macrofossil ages from four lakes in the region. Incorporation of old carbon into basal gyttja yields ages from bulk samples that are initially about 600 yr too old. The reservoir age declines to less than 100 yr after the first millennium of lake development. When these corrections are accounted for, dates of deglaciation and late-glacial sea-level change in the study area are pushed forward in time by more than 500 yr.  相似文献   

Testing a statistical curve‐fitting procedure for quantifying sediment populations within multi‐modal particle‐size distributions     

John Leys  Grant McTainsh  Terry Koen  Brian Mooney  Craig Strong 《地球表面变化过程与地形》2005,30(5):579-590

This paper describes a series of tests designed to evaluate the capacity of a personal computer (PC) based statistical curve‐fitting program called MIX to quantify composite populations within multi‐modal particle‐size distributions. Three natural soil samples were analysed by a Coulter Multisizer, and their particle‐size distributions analysed using MIX software to identify the modes, standard deviations and proportions of their composite populations. The particle‐size distributions of the three natural soil samples were then numerically combined in equal proportions using a spreadsheet program to create synthetic particle‐size distributions of known populations. MIX was then tested on the synthetic particle‐size distributions to see if the modes and proportions it identified were similar to those modes and proportions known to characterize the synthetic particle‐size distributions. The main outcome is that MIX can very accurately describe the modal particle size and proportions of the major composite populations within a particle‐size distribution. However MIX has difficulty in identifying small populations (those contributing <10 per cent of a total particle‐size distribution), particularly when they are located in the central sections of particle‐size distributions, overlain by larger populations, or when positioned in the fine tails of distributions. Despite these minor shortcomings, MIX is a valuable tool for the examination and interpretation of particle‐size data. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.  相似文献   

A large landslide on the urban fringe of metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona   总被引：2，自引：1，他引：2  

John Douglass  Ronald I. Dorn  Brian Gootee 《Geomorphology》2005,65(3-4):321-336

A granitic rock avalanche, one of the largest Quaternary landslides in Arizona outside the Grand Canyon with a volume of approximately 5.25 M m³ and a width a little under 0.5 km, ran 1 km from the eastern McDowell Mountains. With lateral levees and pressure ridges, the rock avalanche deposit displays many features found on classic sturzstroms. Failure occurred along a major joint plane paralleling the slope with a dip of 44°, when a major base level lowering event in the Salt River system would have undermined the base of the failed slope, and probably during a period of more moisture than normally available in the present-day arid climate. Failure at the subsurface weathering front highlights the importance of the dramatic permeability change between grussified regolith and relatively fresh bedrock. Rock varnish microlaminations (VMLs) dating, in concert with other geomorphic evidence, suggests that the rock avalanche deposit is slightly older than 500 ka. The rock vanish results also have important implications for sampling strategies designed to use cosmogenic nuclide to date Quaternary landslide deposits. Discovery of a large landslide in close proximity to the extending urban fringe of metropolitan Phoenix argues for a more careful analysis of landslide hazards in the region, especially where rapid development excavates bedrock at the base of steep mountain slopes and where the subsurface weathering front is near the surface.  相似文献   

Rivers turned to rock: Late Quaternary alluvial induration influencing the behaviour and morphology of an anabranching river in the Australian monsoon tropics     

Gerald C. Nanson  Brian G. Jones  David M. Price  Timothy J. Pietsch 《Geomorphology》2005,70(3-4):398

Late Quaternary alluvial induration has greatly influenced contemporary channel morphology on the anabranching Gilbert River in the monsoon tropics of the Gulf of Carpentaria. The Gilbert, one of a number of rivers in this region, has contributed to an extensive system of coalescing low-gradient and partly indurated riverine plains. Extensive channel sands were deposited by enhanced flow conditions during marine oxygen isotope (OI) Stage 5. Subsequent flow declined, probably associated with increased aridity, however, enhanced runoff recurred again in OI Stages 4–3 (65–50 ka). Aridity then capped these plains with 4–7 m of mud. A widespread network of sandy distributary channels was incised into this muddy surface from sometime after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) to the mid Holocene during a fluvial episode more active than the present but less so than those of OI Stages 5 and 3. This network is still partly active but with channel avulsion and abandonment now occurring largely proximal to the main Gilbert flow path.A tropical climate and reactive catchment lithology have enhanced chemical weathering and lithification of alluvium along the river resulting in the formation of small rapids, waterfalls and inset gorges, features characteristic more of bedrock than alluvial systems. Thermoluminescence (TL) and comparative optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages of the sediments are presented along with U/Th ages of pedogenic calcrete and Fe/Mn oxyhydroxide/ oxide accumulations. They show that calcrete precipitated during the Late Quaternary at times similar to those that favoured ferricrete formation, possibly because of an alternating wet–dry climate. Intense chemical alteration of the alluvium leading to induration appears to have prevailed for much of the Late Quaternary but, probably due to exceptional dryness, not during the LGM. The result has been restricted channel migration and a reduced capacity for the channel to adjust and accommodate sudden changes in bedload. Consequent avulsions have caused local stream powers to increase by an order of magnitude, inducing knickpoint erosion, local incision and the sudden influx of additional bedload that has triggered further avulsions. The Gilbert River, while less energetic than its Pleistocene ancestors, is clearly an avulsive system, and emphasizes the importance in some tropical rivers of alluvial induration for reinforcing the banks, generating nickpoints, reworking sediment and thereby developing and maintaining an indurated and anabranching river style.  相似文献   

Re-examination of the magnetic lineations of the Gascoyne and Cuvier Abyssal Plains, off NW Australia     

Masako S. Robb  Brian Taylor  Andrew M. Goodliffe 《Geophysical Journal International》2005,163(1):42-55

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