Trophic ecology of sharks in the mid-east Pacific ocean inferred from stable isotopes

As apex predators, sharks are of ecological and conservation importance in marine ecosystems. In this study, trophic positions of sharks were estimated using stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen for five representative species caught by the Chinese longline fleet in the mid-east Pacific, i.e., the blue shark(Prionace glauca), the bigeye thresher shark(Alopias superciliosus), the silky shark(Carcharhinus falciformis), the scalloped hammerhead(Sphyrna lewini), and the oceanic whitetip shark(Carcharhinus longimanus). Of these species, oceanic whitetip shark has the lowest trophic level and mean δ15N value(3.9 and 14.93‰± 0.84‰), whereas bigeye thresher shark has the highest level/values(4.5 and 17.02‰± 1.21‰, respectively). The bigeye thresher shark has significantly higher δ15N value than other shark species, indicating its higher trophic position. The blue shark and oceanic whitetip shark has significantly higher δ13C values than bigeye thresher shark, silky shark and scalloped hammerhead, possibly due to different diets and/or living habitats. The stable isotope data and stomach content data are highly consistent, suggesting that stable isotope analysis supplements traditional feeding ecology study of sharks, and thus contributes to understanding their trophic linkage.     

The evidence from inclusions in pumices for the direct degassing of volatiles from the magma to the hydrothermal fluids in the Okinawa Trough

This article presents the evidence in support of the direct magma degassing as the principal mechanism of volatiles releasing into the hydrothermal fluids in the Okinawa Trough, as contrasted to the argument for the hydrothermal stripping of volatiles from the volcanic rocks. Laser Raman microprobe and stepped-heating techniques are employed to determine the compositions and contents of the volatiles in pumices in the middle Okinawa Trough. The results show that the volatiles are similar to the gases in the hydrothermal fluids and hydrothermal minerals in composition, the mean percent content of each component and variation trend. This indicates the direct influence of magma degassing on the hydrothermal fluid. In addition, the contents of volatiles in pumices are rather low and do not support the hydrothermal stripping as the main mechanism to enrich the fluids with gases. The results are consistent with the idea that the direct magma degassing is more important than hydrothermal stripping in supplying gases to the hydrothermal fluids in the Okinawa Trough.     

The contribution of trace elements from seawater to chimneys： a case study of the native sulfur chimneys in the sea area off Kueishantao, northeast of Taiwan Island

Hydrothermal fluid containing abundant matter erupts from seafloor, meets ambient cold seawater and forms chimneys. So the main matter origins of chimneys are seawater and matter which are taken by hydrothermal fluid from deep reservoir. However, because of seawater’s little contribution to the forming of chimneys, it is usually covered by the abundant matter which is taken by hydrothermal fluid. Therefore, chimneys formed in ordinary deep seawater hydrothermal activity, containing complex elements, cannot ...     

Geochemical characteristics of hydrothermal sediments from Iheya North Knoll in the Okinawa Trough

Thirty sediment subsamples were recovered from the Iheya North hydrothermal field(with an average of 38 m away from the hydrothermal vent) in the middle Okinawa Trough.Samples were obtained by the ROV(Remote Operated Vehicle) Faxian during the virgin cruise of the R/V Kexue in 2014 with the application of push cores.The chemical compositions of the sediments show that the hydrothermal sediments near the hydrothermal vent are mainly composed of SO_3,ZnO and Fe_2O_3.Moreover,the hydrothermal sediments are also highly enriched in Pb,As,Sb,Hg,Se,Ag,Ba,Mo and Cd comparing with previous analysis results.On the other hand,the concentrations of Sr,Hg and Ag in studied sediments are strongly and positively correlated,these elements can be used as an hydrothermal indicator.In addition,a factor analysis of the sediments suggested that the sediments were mainly influenced by hydrothermal origin,and terrestrial and biogenic input are limited in studied area.It is also suggested that different stages of crystallization were involved in the formation of hydrothermal chimney from factor analysis.     

Seasonal changes in food uptake by the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus in a farm pond: Evidence from C and N stable isotopes

This study investigated the seasonal changes in carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stable isotope values of several typical food sources of Apostichopus japonicus in a farm pond, including particulate organic matter (POM), macroalgae, benthic microalgae and animals such as nematode and copepod. The stable isotope technique was used to quantify relative contributions of various sources to the food uptake by A. japonicus. The results showed that significant changes occurred in the C and N stable isotope values of sea cucumber food sources due to the seasonality of micro-or macroalgae prosperity and the fluctuation of environmental conditions. The sea cucumber A. japonicus exhibited corresponding alterations in feeding strategy in response to the changes in food conditions. Calculation with a stable isotope mixing model showed that macroalgae was the principal food source for A. japonicus throughout the 1-yr investigation, with the relative contribution averaging 28.1% - 63.2%. The relative contributions of other food sources such as copepod and nematode, POM, benthic microalgae to the total food uptake by sea cucumber averaged 22.6% - 39.1%, 6.3% - 22.2%, 2.8% - 6.5%, and 2.8% - 4.2%, respectively. Together these results indicated that the seasonal changes in food sources led to the obvious temporal differences in the relative contribution of various food sources utilized by A. japonicus. Such findings provide the basic scientific information for improving the aquaculture techniques of A. japonicus, particularly for optimizing the food environment of A. japonicus culture in farm ponds.     

Food sources of the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum in intertidal areas: evidence from stable isotope analysis

Based on stable isotope analysis, we characterized the dietary regime of the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum inhabiting intertidal areas along the Liaodong Peninsula, Northern China. Samples, including particulate organic matter (POM; n =30), benthic microalgae (BMI; n =30) and R. philippinarum (n =60), were collected from six sampling sites displaying the same ecological conditions. Of the two primary food sources, POM was more depleted in δ ¹³C (?20.61‰ to ?22.89‰) than BMI was (?13.90‰ to ?16.66‰). With respect to ¹⁵N, BMI was more enriched (2.90‰ to 4.07‰) than POM was (4.13‰ to 5.12‰). The δ ¹³C values of R. philippinarum ranged from ?18.78‰ to ?19.35‰ and the δ ¹⁵N values from 7.96‰ to 8.63‰, which were intermediate between the POM and BMI values. In a two-source isotope mixing model, we estimated the relative contributions of POM and BMI to the diet of R. philippinarum to be 74.2% and 25.8%, respectively. We conclude that R. philippinarum feeds mainly on POM, and BMI is also an important supplemental food source in intertidal areas.     

Stable isotopes distribution in core Ck6 and variations of paleoclimate over Qarhan Lake region in Qaidam Basin, China

Depositing ages of sediment in Core Ck6 of Qarhan Lake were dertermined by¹⁴C,²³⁰Th and geomagnetic polarity methods. Results of analyses of stable isotopes composition in carbonate and organic matter were used to set up a model of fluctuating paleoclimate (since 750 ka B. P.) consisting of 11 warm and humid stages and 10 dry and cold stages.     

Strontium Isotope Compositions of Hydrothermal Barite from the Yonaguni IV: Insight into Fluid/Sediment Interaction and Barite Crystallization Condition

Hydrothermal barite is a typical low-temperature mineral formed during the mixing of hydrothermal fluid and seawater.Because of its extremely low solubility,barite behaves as a close system after crystallization and preserves the geochemical fingerprint of hydrothermal fluid.In this study,the elemental contents and Sr isotope compositions of hydrothermal barites from the Yonaguni IV were determined using electron microprobe and LA-MC-ICP-MS respectively.On these bases,the fluid/sediment interaction during the hydrothermal circulation and physicochemical condition of barite crystallization were discussed.Results show that the 87 Sr/86 Sr values of hydrothermal barites from the Yonaguni IV are apparently higher than those of the seawater and associated volcanic rocks,indicating the sufficient interaction between the hydrothermal fluid and overlying sediment.Monomineral Sr abundance shows large variations,reflecting the changes in barite growth rate during the fluid mixing.The mineralization condition in the Yonaguni IV was unstable.During the crystallization of barite,hydrothermal fluid and seawater mixed in varying degrees,with the pro-portions of hydrothermal fluid varied from 36%to 72%.The calculated crystallization temperatures range from 109 to 220℃.Sediment plays a critical role during the mineralization process in the Yonaguni IV and incorporation of sediment component into hydrothermal system was prior to barite crystallization and sulfide mineralization.     

陕西凤县二里河喷流沉积型铅锌矿床的地质地球化学证据

通过实地地质调查和取样测试,对二里河铅锌矿床进行标型矿物微量元素、围岩稀土元素地球化学特征、流体包裹体特征分析。结果表明:二里河铅锌矿床具有海底热水喷流沉积矿床一般地质特征,多期(华力西期+印支期)构造运动和幅度较大的裂陷发育史为大量矿质的喷流和聚集提供了十分有利的导矿和容矿构造条件。标型矿物微量元素地球化学特征显示:闪锌矿明显富集Cd((6 493.74～7 225.68)×10-6),贫Sb、As,黄铁矿w(S)与w(Se)比值为23 443.48～250 284.36,w(Co)与w(Ni)比值为3.47～104.10,指示矿床具热水沉积特征,而黄铁矿w(Fe)/(w(S)+w(As))为0.87～1.52,表明该矿为浅部成因矿床;流体包裹体特征、围岩和闪锌矿稀土元素显著亏损Eu、Ce,指示二里河铅锌矿床可能具有喷流沉积型矿床远源矿化特征;log(δCe)为-0.04～0.04,表明二里河铅锌矿床围岩在还原环境下成岩;石英流体包裹体均一温度及闪锌矿成分指示的温度范围(215℃～333℃)特征表明该矿床为中温矿床。综上所述,二里河铅锌矿床可能为相对远离喷流口的喷流沉积型浅层中温层状矿床。     

内蒙古金厂沟梁金矿床成矿流体特征及稳定同位素研究

对金厂沟梁金矿床含金石英脉中流体包裹体进行了岩相学、显微测温、单个包裹体的激光拉曼测试以及O和S同位素组成等方面研究。结果表明,成矿流体气相成分主要为H2 O,属H2 O-NaCl体系,包裹体均一温度为148.7℃～352℃,盐度[ w （ NaCl ）/％]为1.05％～5.99％。δ18 O值为-1.1‰～3.0‰,说明成矿流体继承了变质流体的特征,仍以岩浆水和后期大气降水为主;δ34 SV-CDT组成为0.6‰～4.3‰,平均值0.817‰,极差为3.1‰,表明成矿流体中的硫主要来自于幔源,其次为围岩。综合分析认为,金厂沟梁金矿床是在燕山晚期太平洋板块俯冲导致岩石圈的快速减薄、拆沉的拉张环境下形成的浅成造山型金矿。     

Characteristics of nitrogen forms in the surface sediments of southwestern Nansha Trough,South China Sea

The area of the southwestern Nansha Trough is one of the most productive areas of the southern South China Sea.It is a typical semi-deep sea area of transition from shoal to abyssal zone.To understand distributions and roles of nitrogen forms involved in biogeochemical cycling in this area,contents of nitrogen in four extractable forms:nitrogen in ion exchangeable form(IEF-N),nitrogen in weak acid extractable form(WAEF-N),nitrogen in strong alkali extractable form(SAEF-N) and nitrogen in strong oxidation extractable form(SOEF-N),as well as in total nitrogen content(TN) in surface sediments were determined from samples collected from the cruise in April-May 1999.The study area was divided into three regions(A,B and C) in terms of clay sediment(<4 μm) content at <40%,40%-60% and >60%,respectively.Generally,region C was the richest in the nitrogen of all forms and region A the poorest,indicating that the finer the grain size is,the richer the contents of various nitrogen are.The burial efficiency of total nitrogen in surface sediments was 28.79%,indicating that more than 70% of nitrogen had been released and participated in biogeochemical recycling through sediment-water interface.     

Geochemistry,U-Pb,Hf isotopic characteristics and geological significance of Zhalaxiageyong trachydacite in Tuotuohe area,Qinghai

The Zhalaxiageyong lead-zinc-copper polymetallic deposit is a typical porphyry deposit of the Tuotuohe area. Whole-rock geochemical analyses,Zircon U-Pb dating and Hf isotope analysis are undertaken for the ore host trachydacite with the aim of constraining its petrogenesis,magma source and regional tectonic setting.LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating indicates that the trachydacite was formed in 32. 68 ± 0. 50 Ma( MSWD =1. 6),i. e.,Oligocene. The trachydacite is rich in potassium and poor in Mg#( 5. 10-9. 70),belonging to the peraluminous shoshonite series. The rocks are enriched in LILE( large ion lithophile elements) Rb,Ba,K and LREE,depleted in HFSE( high field strength elements) Nb,Ta,P,Ti,with high Sr and low Y and Yb,having the characteristics of the C type adakite. It is calculated that the initial εHf( t) of the zircons range from-0. 92 to 2. 07 and their two-stage Hf model ages T_(DM2) range from 978 Ma to 1 169 Ma. The magma source should be mainly the partially melt mafic rocks of the thickened Middle Neoproterozoic lower crust of the Northern Qiangtang massif with the addition of ancient aluminosilica material in the melting process. The rocks formed in the tectonic setting of delamination of lithosphere and extension of the thickened crust. During the period of 40-32 Ma,large-scale potassium rich alkaline magmatism occurred in this area. The porphyry metallogenesis is related to the magmatic activities in this period.     

新疆西准噶尔哈图岩体地球化学特征及其地质意义

哈图岩体侵位于西准噶尔南部早-中泥盆世海相火山-沉积地层中,主要岩性为二长花岗岩、正长花岗岩及少量碱长花岗岩,是研究西准噶尔晚石炭世构造环境的理想对象。哈图岩体花岗岩中SiO2含量(质量分数,下同)为72.06%~76.53%,全碱(Na2O+K2O)为7.80%~8.57%,CaO为0.20%~1.58%,MgO为0.07%~0.42%,明显具有高Si、富碱、贫Ca、低Mg的特征;这些花岗岩的Al2O3含量为12.55%~14.06%,A/CNK值为1.06~1.15,A/NK值为1.15~1.36,显示其为弱过铝质-强过铝质花岗岩。此外,哈图岩体具有较低的稀土元素总含量((88.14~139.53)×10-6)和高的轻、重稀土元素比值((La/Yb)N值为3.04~6.50),在球粒陨石标准化稀土元素配分模式中显示为典型的右倾"V"字形且具有强烈的负Eu异常,表明源区可能有斜长石残留或出现斜长石的分离结晶作用;在原始地幔标准化微量元素蛛网图中,这些花岗岩明显富集Rb、Th、U、K、Pb等大离子亲石元素,相对富集Zr、Hf,强烈亏损Sr、Ti、P,相对亏损Ba、Nb。以上特征及主量、微量元素特征和图解表明,哈图岩体为典型的弱过铝质-强过铝质A2型花岗岩,其形成于造山后伸展阶段,是由洋壳和岛弧组成的新生地壳受上涌的幔源物质加热,在浅部低压条件下发生部分熔融,再经分离结晶作用的产物。     

Crustal Structure of the Jurassic Quiet Zone in the West Pacific Ocean: Insights from 2D Multichannel Seismic Reflection Profiles

The Jurassic oceanic crust is the oldest existing oceanic crust on earth, and although distributed sparsely, carries essential information about the earth’s evolution. The area around the Pigafetta Basin in the west Pacific Ocean(also known as the Jurassic Quiet Zone, JQZ) is one of a few areas where the Jurassic oceanic crust is present. This study takes full advantage of high-resolution multichannel seismic reflection profiles in combination with bathymetry, magnetic, and gravity data from the...     

The composition and origination of particles from surface water in the Chukchi Sea,Arctic Ocean

Suspended particle samples were collected at 11 stations on the shelf and slope regions of the Chukchi Sea and the central Arctic Ocean during the fifth Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition （summer 2012）. The particle concentration, total organic carbon （TOC）, total nitrogen （TN） and the isotopic composition of the samples were analyzed. The suspended particle concentration varied between 0.56 and 4.01 mg.Ll; the samples collected from the sea ice margin have higher concentrations. The organic matter content is higher in the shelf area （TOC： 9.78%-20.24%; TN： 0.91‰-2.31%）, and exhibits heavier isotopic compositions （δ13C： -23.29‰ to -26.33‰ PDB; δ15N： 6.14‰-7.78‰）, indicating that the organic matter is mostly marine in origin with some terrigenous input. In the slope and the central Arctic Ocean, the organic matter content is lower （TOC： 8.06%- 8.96%; TN： 0.46%-0.72%）, except for one sample （SR15）, and has lighter isotopic compositions （δ13C： -26.93‰ to -27.78‰ PDB; δ15N： 4.13‰-4.84‰）. This indicates that the organic matter is mostly terrestrially-derived in these regions. The extremely high amount of terrigenous organic matter （TOC： 27.94%; TN： 1.16%; δ13C： -27.43‰ PDB; δ15N： 3.81‰） implies that it was carried by transpolar currents from the East Siberian Sea. Material, including sea ice algae, carried by sea ice are the primary source for particles in the sea ice margins. Sea ice melting released a substantial amount of biomass into the shelf, but a large amount of detrital and clay minerals in the slope and the central Arctic Ocean.     

Geochemical characteristics and sedimentary environment significance of carbonate rocks in Nanfen Formation of Qingbaikou System in Tonghua,Jilin Province

In order to reveal the sedimentary environment of carbonate rocks in Nanfen Formation of Qingbaikou System in Tonghua, Jilin Province, the mineral composition and petrochemistry of carbonate rocks in Nanfen Formation were analyzed. The mineral compositions of five carbonate rock samples in Nanfen Formation mainly consist of calcite, with minor clay minerals and quartz, and the rock type is siliceous marlite. The Mn/Sr va-lues range from 1.52 to 4.08, with an average of 2.64, indicating that the carbonate rocks experienced weak diagenesis; the Sr/Ba values range from 1.26 to 2.51, with an average of 1.93, indicating marine environment; the ratio of Mg/Al ranges from 35.33 to 86.34, with an average of 62.95, indicating the seawater environment, which is consistent with the result from Sr/Ba; the MgO/CaO values range from 0.01 to 0.04, with an average of 0.02, indicating humid environment; the values of V/(V+Ni) range from 0.63 to 0.73, with an average of 0.70, indicating anoxic environment. In summary, geochemical analyses show that the Nanfen Formation carbonate rocks are marine deposits, in a warm, humid, anoxic environment with poor flow of seawater, and subsequently underwent weak diagenetic alteration.     

山东胶东地区盘子涧金矿成矿流体He-Ar同位素地球化学特征

盘子涧金矿地处山东胶东地区蓬莱—栖霞金成矿带南部,是典型的石英脉型金矿,Au品位高,目前对该矿床成矿流体来源的研究尚不深入。在详细的矿相学观察及黄铁矿显微结构研究基础上,对盘子涧金矿主成矿阶段(石英-黄铁矿(绢云母)阶段和金-石英-多金属硫化物阶段)的载金黄铁矿进行了流体包裹体He-Ar同位素组成分析。结果表明:盘子涧金矿载金黄铁矿中流体包裹体的3He丰度为(3.49~8.50)×10^-14 cm^3 STP·g^-1,4He丰度为(2.46~5.06)×10^-8 cm^3 STP·g^-1,3He/4He值为0.8 Ra^1.2 Ra(Ra为大气3He/4He值,Ra=1.39×10^-6),成矿流体表现出以富集地幔为主导的壳幔混合特征;40Ar丰度为(1.02~2.65)×10^-7 cm^3 STP·g^-1,40Ar/36Ar值为896.3~1724.1,是大气饱和水40Ar/36Ar值的2~3倍,与中国东北部幔源岩样品40Ar/36Ar值相近,推测成矿流体主要来源于富集地幔,成矿流体中存在着一定量的地壳放射性成因40Ar,表明地壳流体参与了成矿作用。综上所述,推断山东胶东地区盘子涧金矿成矿流体为以富集地幔流体为主导的壳幔混合流体。     

Geochemical characteristics and geological implication of ferromanganese crust from CM6 Seamount of the Caroline Ridge in the Western Pacific

Ferromanganese crusts(Fe-Mn crusts) grow very slow and can be treated as condensed stratigraphic sections recording paleo-oceanographic environmental information and local key geological events during the mineralization process.Geochronology,textures,mineralogy,and geochemistry of a Fe-Mn crust sample from the CM6 Seamount of the Caroline Ridge in the Western Pacific Ocean were analyzed by means of electron probe microanalysis and X-ray diffraction.The Fe-Mn crust shows three layers in textural characteristics from bottom to top.The lower,middle,and upper layers presence mottled,botryoidal,and columnar textures,respectively.Ferruginous vernadite,Fe hydroxide,amorphous silicate minerals,calcite,quartz,and feldspar are the main minerals of the Fe-Mn crust.Using cobalt chronometry method,the cumulative growth time of the Fe-Mn crust was determined to be 11 Ma or 25 Ma,of which25 Ma is inconsistent with other lines of age constraint brought by dating of the substrate.The co-existence of abundant silicate minerals and bioclasts in the middle and lower layers of the Fe-Mn crust diluted the ferromanganese oxide deposits,thus affected the texture,minerals,and geochemical characteristics of the Fe-Mn crust.Variations in Mn Co,Ni,and other elements content and the burial of opal-A recorded the expansion of oxygen minimum zone(OMZ) in the upper layer of the Fe-Mn crust.In addition,the highreflectivity Fe-rich laminae might indicate the surrounding volcanic activity.The Fe-Mn crust sample was determined to be hydrogenic by electron probe micro-analyzer(EPM A).The findings help us understand the geochemical characteristics of the Fe-Mn crust in the Caroline Ridge Seamount in the Western Pacific and the variations of paleo-oceanographic environment clues borne by the Fe-Mn crusts.     

Influence of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation on regional sea level rise in the Pacific Ocean from 1993 to 2012

The rate of regional sea level rise(SLR) provides important information about the impact of human activities on climate change.However,accurate estimation of regional SLR can be severely affected by sea surface height(SSH) change caused by the Pacific Decadal Oscillation(PDO-SSH).Here,the PDOSSH signal is extracted from satellite altimeter data by multi-variable linear regression,and regional SLR in the altimeter era is calculated,before and after removing that signal.The results show that PDO-SSH trends are rising in the western Pacific and falling in the eastern Pacific,with the strongest signal confined to the tropical and North Pacific.Over the past 20 years,the PDO-SSH accounts for about 30%-40%of altimeter-observed SLR in the regions 8°-15°N,130°-160°E and 30°-40°N,170°-220°E.Along the coast of North America,the PDO-SSH signal dramatically offsets the coastal SLR,as the sea level trends change sign from falling to rising.     

西秦岭多哇地区萨日加岩体LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄、地球化学特征及其地质意义

西秦岭造山带发育大量的印支期高钾钙碱性花岗岩,它们的成岩时代和岩石成因对认识西秦岭岩浆活动和构造演化具有重要意义。对西秦岭多哇地区萨日加岩体进行了详细的野外地质调查、岩相学观察、LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年和全岩地球化学研究,旨在查明该岩体的年龄、成因类型以及成岩地球动力学背景。结果表明:萨日加岩体由英安斑岩、花岗斑岩及少量石英闪长岩组成;花岗斑岩LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄为(238.2±2.6)Ma(平均标准权重偏差(MSWD)为1.7);萨日加岩体属于过铝质高钾钙碱性岩石系列,富集大离子亲石元素Th、Rb、K和轻稀土元素,亏损高场强元素Nb、Ta、Ti等,指示其岩浆源区具有壳幔混合的特征;岩石的主量、微量元素特征显示,英安斑岩属于I型花岗岩,形成于洋-陆俯冲岛弧环境;花岗斑岩倾向于S型花岗岩,形成于大陆碰撞构造环境。由此认为,萨日加岩体形成于晚三叠世西秦岭由洋-陆俯冲岛弧向陆-陆碰撞转变的构造环境。