14C age anomalies in modern land snails shell carbonate from Southern Italy

Radiocarbon dating based on geomorphological, archaeological and biological data is widely used in geomorphological studies to reconstruct sequences of climatic variations and coastal evolution during the Holocene. The coastal area of Southern Italy is characterized by aeolian dune belts shaped during the Holocene that crop out along the present shoreline. Archaeological data and previous radiocarbon results suggest three aeolian morphogenetic phases. The first phase corresponds to the end of the rapid post-glacial transgression (7.0–6.0 ka BP); the second to the aeolian sand deposition during the “Greek–Roman” period (2.5–1.9 ka BP); and the most recent phase occurred in the period from the Middle Ages to the present time. The reconstruction of the sequence of the morphogenetic phases was mainly based on radiocarbon analyses carried out on both terrestrial gastropods and marine bivalves. The reliability of the radiocarbon analyses on terrestrial gastropod shells has been questioned by several Authors and a closer understanding of the carbon uptake mechanism in this kind of organisms is needed.A systematic study was carried out by performing Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) ¹⁴C dating on the shells of terrestrial gastropods sampled alive in different geomorphological settings along the Adriatic and Ionian coasts of Southern Italy. The results show significant anomalies in the radiocarbon content and in the carbon stable isotopic ratio. This can be due to the ingestion of ¹⁴C-depleted calcium carbonate in the diet of these organisms. We also calculated the carbon fraction from air X_a (between 16% and 48%), plants X_v (between 36% and 73%) and limestone X_c (between 3% and 23%) giving insight to the origin of the age anomalies.     

Balancing the global oceanic neodymium budget: Evaluating the role of groundwater

The distinctly different, ε_Nd(0) values of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans requires that the residence time of Nd in the ocean (i.e., τ_Nd) be on the order of, or less than, the ocean mixing time of ∼ 500–1500 yr. However, estimates of τ_Nd, based on river influxes, range from 4000 to 15,000 yr, thus exceeding the ocean mixing time. In order to reconcile the oceanic Nd budget and lower the residence time by roughly a factor of 10, an additional, as yet unidentified, and hence “missing Nd flux” to the ocean is necessary. Dissolution of materials deposited on continental margins has previously been proposed as a source of the missing flux. In this contribution, submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is examined as a possible source of the missing Nd flux. Neodymium concentrations (n = 730) and ε_Nd(0) values (n = 58) for groundwaters were obtained from the literature in order to establish representative groundwater values. Mean groundwater Nd concentrations and ε_Nd(0) values were used along with recent estimates of the terrestrial (freshwater) component of SGD (6% of river discharge on a global basis) to test whether groundwater discharge to the coastal oceans could account for the missing flux. Employing mean Nd concentrations of the compiled data base (i.e., 31.8 nmol/kg for all 730 analyses and 11.3 nmol/kg for 141 groundwater samples from a coastal aquifer), the global, terrestrial-derived SGD flux of Nd is estimated to range between 2.9 × 10⁷ and 8.1 × 10⁷ mol/yr. These estimates are of the same order of magnitude, and within a factor of 2, of the missing Nd flux (i.e., 5.4 × 10⁷ mol/yr). Applying the SGD Nd flux estimates, the global average ε_Nd(0) of SGD is predicted to be − 9.1, which is similar to our estimate for the missing Nd flux (− 9.2), and in agreement with the mean (± S.D.) ε_Nd(0) measured in groundwaters (i.e., ε_Nd(0) = −8.9 ± 4.2). The similarities in the estimated SGD Nd flux and corresponding ε_Nd(0) values to the magnitude and isotope composition of the missing Nd flux are compelling, and suggest that discharge of groundwater to the oceans could account for the missing Nd flux. Future investigations should focus on quantifying the Nd concentrations and isotope compositions of groundwater from coastal aquifers from a variety of coastal settings, as well as the important geochemical reactions that effect Nd concentrations in subterranean estuaries in order to better constrain contributions of SGD to the oceanic Nd budget.     

The coherence between the IMF and high-latitude ionospheric flows: The dayside magnetosphere–ionosphere low-pass filter

This study seeks to establish a new system characteristic describing dayside convective flows in the coupled magnetosphere–ionosphere: the low-pass filter function through which interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) fluctuations are processed as they are communicated from the magnetopause to the high-latitude ionosphere near local noon. In doing so, this study confirms that variations in the ionospheric flows at high-latitudes near local noon are well correlated with variations in the IMF orientation and magnitude on short timescales. We construct the filter function by comparing time series of the ionospheric equivalent flows at a fixed location at magnetic local noon and 80° latitude with time series of the IMF. The coherence spectra of these two parameters—averaged over 330 h of comparison—indicate that there is a low-pass cutoff in the ionospheric response to IMF driving at a periods shorter than 20 min (frequencies higher than 0.8 mHz). When there is sufficient power in the IMF fluctuations, this cutoff is relatively sharp—the coherence drops by roughly a factor of three between the periods 32 and 21 min (0.5 and 0.8 mHz). The results also show that on average the coherence between the east–west component of the equivalent flows and IMF B_y tends to be less than the coherence between the north–south component of the equivalent flows and IMF B_z.     

Quantification of the surface brackish water layer and frontal zones in southern Chilean fjords between Boca del Guafo (43°30′S) and Estero Elefantes (46°30′S)

The southern Chilean region between the Boca del Guafo passage and Estero Elefantes contains one of the estuarine zones with the greatest freshwater influence on the planet. At the surface, plumes of freshwater from the fjord heads to their mouths, emptying into the Moraleda–Costa–Elefantes channel system and then the coastal ocean. The influence of this freshwater on the region’s estuarine dynamics, coastal ecology, and biogeochemical processes has only recently begun to be elucidated.Using hydrographic data from the CIMAR-Fiordos cruises (1998–2001), this study quantifies the equivalent height of freshwater, emphasizing the role it plays in the potential energy anomaly and front locations, as well as its relationship with river discharges. Using a criterion of equivalent height of freshwater >15% (density <1021 kg/m³ and salinity <28), the brackish layer was found to be 1–15 m thick (except in Estero Elefantes), with horizontal extensions on the order of 100 km. The limits of this layer tended to coincide with frontal zones having potential energy anomaly gradients >0.005 J/m⁴. The frontal zones were located in the extreme southeast of Jacaf Channel, at the head of Ventisquero Sound, in the central part of the Puyuguapi and Moraleda channels, and at the head and mouth of Aysén Fjord. The equivalent height of freshwater and potential energy anomaly showed a good correlation with the accumulated (5-day) river discharges (r²=0.87), which were greatest toward the fjord heads in spring. The brackish surface water had short residence times (3.5 days) in Aysen Fjord, unlike the deep layer, which other authors report to have a longer residence time (near 1 year).     

An evaluation of methods for determining during-storm precipitation phase and the rain/snow transition elevation at the surface in a mountain basin

Determining surface precipitation phase is required to properly correct precipitation gage data for wind effects, to determine the hydrologic response to a precipitation event, and for hydrologic modeling when rain will be treated differently from snow. In this paper we present a comparison of several methods for determining precipitation phase using 12 years of hourly precipitation, weather and snow data from a long-term measurement site at Reynolds Mountain East (RME), a headwater catchment within the Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed (RCEW), in the Owyhee Mountains of Idaho, USA. Methods are based on thresholds of (1) air temperature (T_a) at 0 °C, (2) dual T_a threshold, −1 to 3 °C, (3) dewpoint temperature (T_d) at 0 °C, and (4) wet bulb temperature (T_w) at 0 °C. The comparison shows that at the RME Grove site, the dual threshold approach predicts too much snow, while T_a, T_d and T_w are generally similar predicting equivalent snow volumes over the 12 year-period indicating that during storms the cloud level is at or close to the surface at this location. To scale up the evaluation of these methods we evaluate them across a 380 m elevation range in RCEW during a large mixed-phase storm event. The event began as snow at all elevations and over the course of 4 h transitioned to rain at the lowest through highest elevations. Using 15-minute measurements of precipitation, changes in snow depth (z_s), T_a, T_d and T_w, at seven sites through this elevation range, we found precipitation phase linked to the during-storm surface humidity. By measuring humidity along an elevation gradient during the storm we are able to track changes in T_d to reliably estimate precipitation phase and effectively track the elevation of the rain/snow transition during the event.     

The use of MRS in the determination of hydraulic transmissivity: The case of alluvial aquifers

Magnetic Resonance Sounding (MRS) is nowadays accepted as a new geophysical method that can be used for a reliable determination of the ground water content distribution in the top 150 m. A great effort has also been made in MRS development to deduce the hydraulic transmissivity, based on empiric relationships of the permeability with a factor F which is calculated with NMR parameters measured at laboratory scale. To use this relationship under field conditions a calibration coefficient C_T = T_pt / F has to be previously established, which demands the knowledge of the transmissivity T_pt evaluated in the pumping test. The transmissivity can then be calculated at any other site of the same aquifer using the relation T_mrs = C_TF. The C_T values reported suggest a certain relationship with the lithology, but with a great dispersion and contradictory results. MRS surveys carried out in alluvial aquifers in Spain have shown that the value of C_T evaluated at one site may not be valid at another place of the same aquifer, because of the great heterogeneity of this kind of geological environment. The demand of a pumping test at each site where a MRS is measured invalidates the method actually used for MRS transmissivity evaluation. More than 50 MRS have been used to propose a new methodology. The aquifers visited cover a great range of transmissivities (from 2 × 10^− 6 to 9 × 10^− 3 m²/s). The MRS signal amplitude varies between 20 and 1400 nV, the signal/noise ratio is in the range from 0.6 to 42, and the value of the decay time constant varies from 200 to 800 ms. It has been demonstrated that when the transmissivity increases, the value of F decreases, and C_T increases, except for certain groups of MRS taken at the same aquifer or part of one aquifer, for which F increases with T_pt, keeping C_T constant. A function C_T(F) of the type C_T = mF^− n has been obtained that allows the transmissivity evaluation without the need of T_pt. Considering that both values of transmissivity, T_pt and T_mrs, are subjected to deviations due to the experimental errors as well as due to evaluation errors, the prediction achieved by the proposed equation is rather good. To perform a better evaluation of the values of the coefficients m and n it is necessary to have a greater number of MR soundings of good quality and with a trustworthy inversion at locations where a really comparable and good performed pumping test is available, covering a sufficient range of transmissivities. Though the data we have used do not always fulfil these conditions, the result is promising. Once a trustable function is available, the forecast of the transmissivity using MRS will not need the existence of any pumping test in the area. The general extension of this methodology demands the availability of MRS taken at all kinds of geological and hydrogeological environments, which is impossible without the existence of a universal MRS data base.     

The influence of great earthquakes on volcanic eruption rate along the Chilean subduction zone

Seismic activity has been postulated as a trigger of volcanic eruption on a range of timescales, but demonstrating the occurrence of triggered eruptions on timescales beyond a few days has proven difficult using global datasets. Here, we use the historic earthquake and eruption records of Chile and the Andean southern volcanic zone to investigate eruption rates following large earthquakes. We show a significant increase in eruption rate following earthquakes of M_W > 8, notably in 1906 and 1960, with similar occurrences further back in the record. Eruption rates are enhanced above background levels for ~ 12 months following the 1906 and 1960 earthquakes, with the onset of 3–4 eruptions estimated to have been seismically influenced in each instance. Eruption locations suggest that these effects occur from the near-field to distances of ~ 500 km or more beyond the limits of the earthquake rupture zone. This suggests that both dynamic and static stresses associated with large earthquakes are important in eruption-triggering processes and have the potential to initiate volcanic eruption in arc settings over timescales of several months.     

Spectral attenuation of solar radiation in Patagonian fjord and coastal waters and implications for algal photobiology

The spectral attenuation of solar irradiation was measured during summer in two types of coastal waters in southern Chile, a north Patagonian fjord (Seno Reloncaví) and open coast (Valdivia). In order to relate the light availability with the light requirements of upper subtidal seaweeds, the saturating irradiance for photosynthesis (E_k) from P–I curves was measured. In addition the UV risk was assessed. Based on the z_1% of PAR, the lower limit of the euphotic zone in the studied systems averaged 21 m (K_d 0.24 m^?1) in Seno Reloncaví and 18 m (K_d 0.27 m^?1) in the coast of Valdivia. Photosynthesis of the studied seaweeds was saturated at markedly lower irradiances than found in their natural depths at the time of the study. Solar radiation penetrating into these depths at both locations largely supports the light requirements for the photosynthesis of subtidal species: 50–160 μmol m^?2 s^?1 for seaweeds from Seno Reloncaví (7 m tidal range) and 20–115 μmol m^?2 s^?1 for Valdivia assemblages (2 m tidal range). Optimal light conditions to saturate photosynthesis (E_k) were present at 10–16 m water depth. The attenuation of solar irradiation did not vary significantly between the fjord and coastal sites of this study. However, the underwater light climates to which seaweeds are exposed in these sites vary significantly because of the stronger influence of tidal range affecting the fjord system as compared with the open coastal site. The patterns of UV-B penetration in these water bodies suggest that seaweeds living in upper littoral zones such as the intertidal and shallow subtidal (<3 m) may be at risk.     

On the effective hydraulic conductivity in mean vertical unsaturated steady flows

Water flow in partially saturated heterogeneous porous formations is modelled by regarding the hydraulic parameters as stationary random space functions (RSFs). As a consequence, the flow variables are also RSFs, and we aim to develop a procedure to derive the effective hydraulic conductivity (EHC). The methodology relies on a perturbation approach which regards the variances of the hydraulic parameters as small quantities. By using the Gardner’s [Gardner WR. Some steady state solutions of unsaturated moisture flow equations with application to evaporation from a water table. Soil Sci 1958;85:228–32] two-parameters (K_s, α) model for the local unsaturated conductivity, we obtain the EHC for any dimensionality d of the flow domain, and arbitrary correlation functions of the input RSFs. Unlike previous studies [e.g. Yeh T-CJ, Gelhar J, Gutjahr A. Stochastic analysis of unsaturated flow in heterogenous soils. 1. Statistically isotropic media. Water Resour Res 1985;21;447–56, Yeh T-CJ, Gelhar J, Gutjahr A. Stochastic analysis of unsaturated flow in heterogenous soils. 2. Statistically anisotropic media with variable α. Water Resour Res 1985:21:457–64], the EHC is represented here as product between the local scale conductivity valid for a domain of mean parameters, and a correction function κ¹ which depends on the medium heterogeneity structure and the mean pressure head.Generally, the correction function κ¹ is expressed by d-fold quadrature. These quadratures are further reduced after adopting specific (i.e. exponential and Gaussian) structure for the (cross) correlation functions involved in the computation of κ¹. We have also focused on some particular formation structures which are relevant for the applications, and permit simplification of the computational aspect, as well.We investigate effects of the heterogeneity formation properties as well as the mean head on the structure of κ¹. Overall, results suggest that, given the formation statistics, the impact of the heterogeneity upon κ¹ is enhanced as the medium becomes drier. This is particularly so when the variability of the fluctuation of Y = ln K_s is small compared with that of ζ = ln α. Conversely, when the heterogeneity of Y is prevalent upon that of ζ, κ¹ is influenced solely by the anisotropic structure of the formation unless the horizontal correlation scales are much greater than the vertical ones.     

Elastic thickness structure of South America estimated using wavelets and satellite-derived gravity data

We used a wavelet formulation of the classical spectral isostatic analysis to invert satellite-derived gravity and topography/bathymetry for elastic thickness (T_e) over South America and its surrounding plates. To provide a homogeneous representation of the gravity field for this vast region, we corrected free-air anomalies derived from a combination of terrestrial/marine gravity data with data from the GRACE and CHAMP satellite missions (model EIGEN-CG03C) by a simple Bouguer slab using a smoothed representation of surface relief (wavelengths > 125 km). The resulting Bouguer anomaly compares well with terrestrial data acquired in the Central Andes and allows T_e to be confidently estimated for values greater than 10 km. The T_e map resolves regional-scale features that are well-correlated with known surface structures and shows maximum values of 100 ± 15 km over the Archean–Neoproterozoic core of the continent, decreasing to less than 30 km around continental margins. Several regions of the oceanic plates and continental margins have an elastic thickness less than 10 km. We performed a quantitative analysis by comparing the elastic thickness with the thermal structure predicted from the age of oceanic crust and igneous–metamorphic rocks. This demonstrates that oceanic plates have been weakened by thermal interaction with hotspots and locally by fracturing and hydration near the trench. We observe that only the nucleus of the continent has resisted the thermomechanical weakening induced by the rifting of Africa and South America along the passive margin and the Andean orogeny along the active margin. This latter region shows along-strike variations in T_e that correlate with the geotectonic segmentation of the margin and with the pattern of crustal seismicity. Our results reveal that the rigidity structure follows the segmentation of the seismogenic zone along the subduction fault, suggesting a causal relationship that should be investigated in order to improve the understanding and predictability of great earthquakes and tsunamis.     

Direct measurement of dissolved N2 and denitrification along a subtropical river-estuary gradient,China

The spatial pattern and seasonal variation of denitrification were investigated during 2010–2011 in the Jiulong River Estuary (JRE) in southeast China. Dissolved N₂ was directly measured by changes in the N₂:Ar ratio. The results showed that excess dissolved N₂ ranged from ?9.9 to 76.4 μmol L^?1. Tidal mixing leads to a seaward decline of dissolved gaseous concentrations and water–air fluxes along the river-estuary gradient. Denitrification at freshwater sites varied between seasons, associated with changes in N input and water temperature. The denitrification process was controlled by the nitrate level at freshwater sites, and the excess dissolved N₂ observed at the tidal zone largely originated from upstream water transport. Compared to other estuaries, JRE has a relative low gaseous removal efficiency (E_d = 12% of [DIN]; annual N removal = 24% of DIN load), a fact ascribed to strong tidal mixing, coarse-textured sediment with shallow depth before bedrock and high riverine DIN input.     

Thermal equation of state of magnesiowüstite (Mg0.6Fe0.4)O

Volume measurements for magnesiowüstite (Mg_0.6Fe_0.4)O, were carried out up to pressures of 10.1 GPa in the temperature range 300–1273 K, using energy-dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction. These data allow reliable determination of the temperature dependence of the bulk modulus and good constraint on the thermal expansitivity at ambient pressure which was previously not known for magnesiowüstite. From these data, thermal and elastic parameters were derived from various approaches based on the Birch–Murnaghan equation of state (EOS) and on the relevant thermodynamic relations. The results from three different equations of state are remarkably consistent. With (∂K_T/∂P)_T fixed at 4, we obtained K₀=158(2) GPa, (∂K_T/∂T)_P=−0.029(3) GPa K⁻¹, (∂K_T/∂T)_V=−3.9(±2.3)×10⁻³ GPa K⁻¹, and α_T=3.45(18)×10⁻⁵+1.14(28)×10⁻⁸T. The K₀, (∂K_T/∂T)_P, and (∂K_T/∂T)_V values are in agreement with those of Fei et al. (1992) and are similar to previously determined values for MgO. The zero pressure thermal expansitivity of (Mg_0.6Fe_0.4)O is found to be similar to that for MgO (Suzuki, 1975). These results indicate that, for the compositional range x=0–0.4 in (Mg_1−xFe_x)O, the thermal and elastic properties of magnesiowüstite exhibit a dependence on the iron content that is negligibly small, within uncertainties of the experiments. They are consequently insensitive to the Fe–Mg partitioning between (Mg, Fe)SiO₃ perovskite and magnesiowüstite when applied to compositional models of the lower mantle. With the assumption that (Mg_0.6Fe_0.4)O is a Debye-like solid, a modified equation of heat capacity at constant pressure is proposed and thermodynamic properties of geophysically importance are calculated and tabulated at high temperatures.     

Toxicities of antifouling biocide Irgarol 1051 and its major degraded product to marine primary producers

Irgarol 1051 (2-methythiol-4-tert-butylamino-6-cyclopropylamino-s-triazine) is an algaecide commonly used in antifouling paints. It undergoes photodegradation which yields M1 (2-methylthio-4-tert-butylamino-6-amino-s-triazine) as its major and most stable degradant. Elevated levels of both Irgarol and M1 have been detected in coastal waters worldwide; however, ecotoxicity effects of M1 to various marine autotrophs such as cyanobacteria are still largely unknown. This study firstly examined and compared the 96 h toxicities of Irgarol and M1 to the cyanobacterium Chroococcus minor and two marine diatom species, Skeletonema costatum and Thalassiosira pseudonana. Our results suggested that Irgarol was consistently more toxic to all of the three species than M1 (96 h EC50 values: C. minor, 7.71 μg L⁻¹ Irgarol vs. >200 μg L⁻¹ M1; S. costatum, 0.29 μg L⁻¹ Irgarol vs. 11.32 μg L⁻¹ M1; and T. pseudonana, 0.41 μg L⁻¹ Irgarol vs. 16.50 μg L⁻¹ M1). Secondly, we conducted a meta-analysis of currently available data on toxicities of Irgarol and M1 to both freshwater and marine primary producers based on species sensitivity distributions (SSDs). Interestingly, freshwater autotrophs are more sensitive to Irgarol than their marine counterparts. For marine autotrophs, microalgae are generally more sensitive to Irgarol than macroalgae and cyanobacteria. With very limited available data on M1 (i.e. five species), M1 might be less toxic than Irgarol; nonetheless this finding warrants further confirmation with additional data on other autotrophic species.     

Variations of daytime and nighttime electron temperature and heat flux in the upper ionosphere,topside ionosphere and lower plasmasphere for low and high solar activity

A database of the electron temperature (T_e) comprising of most of the available LEO satellite measurements is used for studying the solar activity variations of T_e. The T_e data are grouped for two levels of solar activity (low LSA and high HSA), five altitude ranges between 350 and 2000 km, and day and night. By fitting a theoretical expression to the T_e values we obtain variation of T_e along magnetic field lines and heat flux for LSA and HSA. We have found that T_e increases with increase in solar activity at low and mid-latitudes during nighttime at all altitudes studied. During daytime the T_e response to solar activity depends on latitude, altitude, and season. This analysis shows existence of anti-correlation between T_e and solar activity at mid-latitudes below 700 km during the equinox and winter day hours. Heat fluxes show small latitudinal dependence for daytime but substantial for nighttime.     

The use of Bayesian methods for fitting rating curves,with case studies

Using data from two very large watersheds and five smaller, this paper explores the use of Bayesian methods for fitting rating curves. Posterior distribution of rating-curve parameters were calculated using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, and 95% credible intervals were calculated for predicted discharges, given stage. Expected discharge was related to stage using a link function. For the five smaller watersheds, the assumptions were (a) that the distribution of discharge Q, given stage h, is Normal, with variance proportional to h; (b) that a log link function relates μ_Q, the mean of Q∣h, to a function of stage, of the form μ_Q = β(h + α)^λ. For the two large watersheds, however, a better fit was obtained by taking the distribution of Q to be log-Normal, and the link function as ln μ_Q = β₀ + β₁h. For the two large watersheds, priors for all three parameters were taken as uninformative; for the five smaller, the prior for parameter λ was taken as Normally distributed, N(2, 0.5). Acceptable ratings were obtained for all seven sites. It is argued that distributions of derived variables (such as annual maximum discharge) can be derived directly from (a) the posterior distribution of rating-curve parameters, and (b) the stage record, without recourse to additional assumptions. Estimates thus obtained for the T-year event will incorporate rating-curve uncertainty. It is argued that Bayesian methods are appropriate for rating-curve calculation because their inherent flexibility (a) allows the incorporation of prior information about the nature of a rating curve; (b) yields credible intervals for predicted discharges and quantities derived from them; (c) can be extended to allow for uncertainty in stage measurements.     

Evapotranspiration in the Pampean Region using field measurements and satellite data

Evapotranspiration (LE) is an important factor for monitoring crops, water requirements, and water consumption at local and regional scale. In this paper, we applied the semi-empirical model to estimate the daily latent heat flux (LE_d = Rn_d + A − B(Ts − Ta)). LE_d has been estimated using satellite images (Thematic Mapper sensor) and a local dataset (incoming and outgoing short- and long-wave radiation) measured during three years. We first estimated the daily net Radiation (Rn_d) from a linear equation derived from the instantaneous net Radiation (Rn_d = CRn_i + D). Subsequently, coefficients A and B have been estimated for two different cover vegetations (pasture and soybean). For each vegetation cover, an error analysis combining Rn_d, A, B, and surface and air temperatures has been calculated. Results showed that Rn_d had good performance (nonbias and low RMSE). LE_d errors for pasture and soybean were ±28 W m⁻² and ±40 W m⁻² respectively.     

Temperature dependence of the elastic moduli of ringwoodite

The elastic moduli of polycrystalline ringwoodite, (Mg_0.91Fe_0.09)₂SiO₄, were measured up to 470 K by means of the resonant sphere technique. The adiabatic bulk (K_S) and shear (μ) moduli were found to be 185.1(2) and 118.22(6) GPa at room temperature, and the average slopes of dK_S/dT and dμ/dT in the temperature range of the study were determined to be −0.0193(9) and −0.0148(3) GPa/K, respectively. Using these results, we estimate seismic wave velocity jumps for a pure olivine mantle model at 520 km depth. We find that the jump for the S-wave velocity is about 1.5 times larger than that for the P-wave velocity at this depth. This suggests that velocity jumps at the 520 km discontinuity are easier to detect using S-waves than P-waves.     

Tracking the lithium isotopic evolution of the mantle using carbonatites

Carbonatites are mantle-derived, intraplate magmas that provide a means of documenting isotopic variations of the Earth's mantle through time. To investigate the secular Li isotopic evolution of the mantle and to test whether Li isotopes document systematic recycling of material processed at or near the Earth's surface into the mantle, we analyzed the Li isotopic compositions of carbonatites and spatially associated mafic silicate rocks. The Li isotopic compositions of Archean (2.7 Ga) to Recent carbonatites (δ⁷Li = 4.1 ± 1.3 (n = 23, 1σ)) overlap the range typical for modern mantle-derived rocks, and do not change with time, despite ongoing crustal recycling. Thus, the average Li isotopic composition of recycled crustal components has not deviated greatly from the mantle value (~ + 4) and/or Li diffusion is sufficiently fast to attenuate significant heterogeneities over timescales of 10⁸ years. Modeling of Li diffusion at mantle temperatures suggests that limited δ⁷Li variation in the mantle through time reflects the more effective homogenization of Li in the mantle compared to radiogenic isotope systems. The real (but limited) variations in δ⁷Li that exist in modern mantle-derived magmas as well as carbonatites studied here may reflect isotopic fractionation associated with shallow-level processes, such as crustal assimilation and diffusive isotopic fractionation in magmatic systems, with some of the scatter possibly related to low-temperature alteration.     

A long-term rock uplift rate for eastern Crete and geodynamic implications for the Hellenic subduction zone

The island of Crete in the forearc of the Hellenic subduction zone has a rugged topography with local relief exceeding 2 km. Based on the elevation of marine shorelines, rates of rock uplift during the Late Holocene were previously estimated to range between 1 and 4 mm/a in different parts of the island. These rates may, however, not be representative for longer timescales, because subduction earthquakes with up to 9 m of vertical coseismic displacement have affected Crete in the Late Holocene. Here we use a well preserved sequence of marine terraces near Kato Zakros in eastern Crete to determine the rate of rock uplift over the last ∼600 ka. Field investigations and topographic profiles document a flight of more than 13 marine bedrock terraces that were carved into limestones of the Tripolitza unit. Preliminary age constraints for the terraces were obtained by ¹⁰Be exposure dating of rare quartz-bearing sandstone clasts, which are present on some terraces. The ¹⁰Be ages of these samples, which have been corrected for an inherited nuclide component, yielded exposure ages between ∼100 ka and zero. Combined with geomorphologic evidence the two oldest ¹⁰Be ages suggest that the terraces T₄ and T₅, with shoreline angles at an elevation of ∼68 and ∼76 m above sea level, respectively, formed during the marine isotope stage 5e about 120 ka ago. The correlation of the higher terraces (T₆ to T₁₃) with regional sea-level highstands indicates sustained rock uplift at a rate of ∼0.5 m/ka since at least ∼600 ka. As normal faulting has dominated the tectonics of Crete during the last several million years, upper crustal shortening can be ruled out as a cause for rock uplift. We argue that the sustained uplift of the island results from the continuous underplating of sediments, which are transferred from the subducting African plate to the base of the crust beneath Crete.     

Magnesium isotopes constraints on the origin of Mg-rich olivines from the Allende chondrite: Nebular versus planetary?

High precision Mg isotope measurements by multi-collector ion microprobe show that refractory olivines from the Allende chondrite, either olivines isolated in the matrix (2 samples studied) or olivines in type I chondrules (6 samples studied), have variable δ²⁶Mg* enrichments and deficits (calculated in permil as the ²⁶Mg deviation from the instrumental mass fractionation line) relative to the Earth. Most average δ²⁶Mg* (noted δ²⁶Mg*_av) values (between 10 and 20 analyses per chondrule) are negative but the total range is from ?0.029 (± 0.010) ‰ (2 sigma errors) to + 0.011 (± 0.011) ‰ with an exception of one olivine at + 0.043 (± 0.023) ‰. These variations in δ²⁶Mg*_av reflect the formation of the olivines from reservoirs enriched in various amounts of ²⁶Mg by the decay of short-lived ²⁶Al (T_1/2 = 0.73 Ma). Similarly, 30 analyses of olivines from the Eagle Station pallasite show a δ²⁶Mg*_av value of ?0.033 ± 0.008‰, as negative as some olivines from Allende chondrules and the Solar system initial δ²⁶Mg* value of ?0.038 ± 0.004‰ (defined at the time of formation of type B Ca–Al-rich inclusions – CAIs – when ²⁶Al/²⁷Al = 5.23 × 10^?5, Jacobsen et al., 2008).Because olivines are Al-poor and because their Mg isotopic compositions are not reset during the chondrule forming events, their δ²⁶Mg*_av can be used to calculate model crystallization ages relative to various theoretical Mg isotope growth curves. The two end-member scenarios considered are (i) a “nebular” growth in which the Al/Mg ratio remains chondritic and (ii) a “planetary” growth in which a significant increase of the Al/Mg ratio can be due to, for instance, olivine magmatic fractionation. The low δ²⁶Mg*_av value of olivines from the Eagle Station pallasite demonstrate that metal-silicate differentiation occurred as early as ~ 0. 15_- 0. 23^+ 0. 29 Ma after CAIs in either of the growth scenarios. Similarly the variable δ²⁶Mg*_av values of refractory olivines can be understood if they were formed in planetesimals which started to differentiate as early as the Eagle Station parent body. Accretion of these planetesimals must have been coeval to the formation of CAIs and their disruption could explain why their fragments (Mg-rich olivines) were distributed in the chondrule forming regions of the disk.