Growth Bands Research Articles

Heavy metal content in annually-banded coral Porites lutea at windward and leeward of Tunda Island, Banten bay, West Java Indonesia

Longterm fluctuation content of heavy metal concentrations (Sr, Cr, Fe, Zn, and Pb) was traced through the analysis of coral skeletal growth bands of massive coral core Porites lutea. Annual growth band was examined using X radiography. Heavy metal samples were extracted from each yearly layer of the core section. Seven samples of the coral skeleton were analyzed using neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectrometry to detect metal concentrations. The oldest layer of coring corals obtained from the windward side started from 1940, while in leeward of the island starting from 1969. All five metals from both sides were still detected until 2014. There was significant increase over time of the four metals (Cr, Fe, Zn. and Pb), while the concentrations of strontium remained relatively stable.

Can crustacean cuticle preserve a record of chronological age? Investigating the utility of decapod crustacean eyestalks for age determination of two European spider crab species

Until recently it was not thought possible to directly and accurately age crustacean species as any calcified structure that could preserve a record of chronological age is lost at moulting. Recent research has suggested that it may be possible to directly infer age from the number of endocuticular bands present within the eyestalks of snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) and Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba). Using captive-reared Mediterranean spider crabs (Maja squinado), and wild-caught north-east Atlantic spider crabs (Maja brachydactyla), the present study aimed to determine if endocuticular bands of potentially annual periodicity are present within the eyestalks of these brachyurans. Although clear and readable bands were present within the endocuticle of their eyestalks, no bands of potentially annual periodicity were identified. The number of endocuticular bands did not correlate with the known-age of the M. squinado individuals; but did correlate positively with carapace length for both M. squinado and M. brachydactyla, suggesting they form as a result of growth and the size of individuals. It is hypothesised that these endocuticular bands, and potentially those identified by other studies purporting them to be annual growth bands, are in fact lamellae that appear due to the layers of calcite crystal aggregates interspersed with chitin and protein fibres that form the mineral of the cuticle in decapod crustaceans. Further research is needed to determine the processes that control and result in the deposition of crustacean cuticle, particularly during the post-moult period.

Protocols for in situ measurement of oxygen isotopes in goethite by ion microprobe

We present protocols for high-spatial resolution measurement of oxygen isotope ratios of goethite (α-FeOOH) with the Sensitive High Mass Resolution Ion Microprobe – Stable Isotopes (SHRIMP-SI) and propose a natural sample as a potential goethite reference material (RM) for ion microprobe analysis. We assess the effects of goethite chemical composition, crystallographic orientation, and texture on the accuracy and repeatability of SHRIMP-SI δ18O (δ18OSIMS) results. Synthetic goethites evaluated as potential δ18OSIMS RM are powdery, porous, and finely crystalline; they do not yield repeatable results. A dense colloform goethite from the Capão topaz mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil, fulfills major prerequisites: it is stoichiometrically relatively pure, yields repeatable oxygen isotope results, and occurs in abundance to produce a RM for long-term use. We use an average laser fluorination δ18OLF-VSMOW value of −17.3 ± 0.3‰ (1SD) obtained for five aliquots of this RM to normalize all δ18OSIMS measurements. Multiple δ18OSIMS analyses of a large fragment of the Capão L4 (CL4) RM analyzed in three different runs yield an overall repeatability of −17.3 ± 0.5‰ (2SD, n = 294) for all three runs combined. Natural variability and crystal orientation effects are the main reasons for the excess spread of the δ18OSIMS results compared to the spot internal precision (ca. 0.2‰). All δ18OSIMS analyses (n = 1027) in various aliquots of CL4, randomly oriented and analyzed in 26 sessions during eight distinct runs, yield an overall repeatability of −17.3 ± 0.7‰ (2SD), confirming that CL4 is a suitable SIMS RM. After ascertaining its suitability as a RM, we used CL4 to standardize analyses of other natural goethite samples with the SHRIMP-SI and compared δ18OSIMS and laser fluorination results to test the relationship between natural properties (e.g., porosity, minor elements substituting for Fe), preparation procedures (e.g., polish and relief), instrument conditions, and the overall precision and accuracy of the SIMS analyses. Samples containing minor elements substituting for Fe (e.g., Al, Mn, Cu, Zn, etc.) or as contaminants (e.g., Si, P) require significant matrix corrections. Because we could not find homogenous natural goethite samples showing a large range in metal concentrations, we extrapolate our calibration curves beyond the composition of our calibration goethite samples. δ18OSIMS results corrected for instrument mass fractionation (using CL4) and compositionally dependent matrix effects (using several calibration goethites of known elemental composition) are less precise but statistically indistinguishable from their laser fluorination results. However, porous samples are unsuitable for SHRIMP-SI δ18O analysis. Dense colloform samples yield repeatable results for individual growth bands, showing that the high spatial resolution, moderate precision, and speed of analysis of the SHRIMP-SI can resolve variations in oxygen isotope composition acquired during sample growth. (UTh)/He geochronology of equivalent aliquots from the same goethite samples reveal that the combination of the two methods permits the extraction of temporal variation in the isotopic compositions of meteoric solutions in the geological past.

Physical Modeling of Catalyst Degradation in Low Temperature Fuel Cells: Platinum Oxidation, Dissolution, Particle Growth and Platinum Band Formation

The loss of electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) at the cathode is one of the main causes of performance degradation in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs). In order to investigate the catalyst degradation and the influence of the operating conditions we develop a multiscale degradation model which includes the formation and reduction of platinum oxides, platinum dissolution, particle growth due to Ostwald ripening, platinum ion transport through the ionomer and platinum band formation in the membrane. This degradation model is coupled with a 2D PEMFC performance model and predictions regarding ion concentration, ECSA evolution and particle growth are validated with dedicated experiments and literature data. Degradation under several AST protocols and under steady state operation are compared and discussed. The importance of a spatially resolved catalyst degradation model is conveyed by the occurrence of a depletion zone in the catalyst layer close to the membrane due to the platinum migration into the membrane. By comparing the correlation between platinum mass loss in the catalyst layer and the ECSA loss we conclude that catalyst degradation under AST conditions with nitrogen is not representative for the degradation under normal operation.

Trace elements and textures of hydrothermal sphalerite and pyrite in Upper Permian (Zechstein) carbonates of the North German Basin

Deeply buried Upper Permian (Zechstein) carbonates in the southwestern North German Basin host widespread Zn-Fe-Pb sulfide mineralization. The spatial extent of the sediment-hosted mineralization, the geochemical formation conditions, and the number of mineralizing events that are manifested in the Permian sedimentary rocks are an ongoing matter of debate and interest for mineral exploration efforts in the North German Basin. We present detailed petrographic and geochemical data of ore minerals from drill core samples from the Lower Saxony Basin that forms the southwestern part of the North German Basin. Based on these data, we propose and discuss a genetic model for the ore-forming processes. Of particular interest are the sources of metals and sulfur and the timing and temperature at which the sulfides formed. The main sulfide minerals are sphalerite, pyrite, and galena, which commonly occupy mm- to m-scale open space fillings and fractures. Petrographic observations further suggest hydrothermal replacement of the Zechstein Ca2 carbonates, by sulfides, secondary calcite, and anhydrite. Early diagenetic pyrite occurs disseminated in the Zechstein Ca2 carbonates. Scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe, laser ablation ICP-MS, and sulfur isotope analyses were used to collect petrographic and compositional data on the sphalerite and pyrite. Hydrothermal sphalerite displays cyclical growth patterns and sectoral zoning characterized by colors varying from colorless to black and corresponding indicative variations in their minor and trace element concentrations, e.g., Fe concentrations ranging between below the limit of detection (7.7 ppm) to a maximum of 2.8 wt%. A detailed LA-ICP-MS multielement map illustrates the observed growth patterns and reveals that Mn, Co, Fe, Cu, Ge, Ag, Cd, Hg, Tl, and Pb are the elements that control the distinct color variations. Sectoral zoning is reflected in comparatively high Cu, Ag, and Pb contents, whereas the cyclical growth banding can be retraced by variations in Fe, Co, Cd, Hg, and Tl contents. Calculated temperatures from the trace element signatures using the GGIMFis geothermometer indicate a formation temperature of 148 ± 55 °C for sphalerite. Although the investigated mineralization bears many trademarks of a Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) deposit, the elevated temperatures, a burial depth of around 3.2 km, low concentrations of common strategic elements such as Ga, Ge, and In (< median of 1.3 ppm in sphalerite), as well as the abundance of pyrite represent the unique nature of the Ca2-hosted mineralization. The observed epigenetic ore zones are therefore best described as carbonate replacement mineralization and present an intriguing case study of geochemical exploration in a deeply covered terrane.

Blast performance of a bio-mimetic panel based on the structure of nacre – A numerical study

Nacre, the tough protective layer of a mollusk seashell, has a fracture toughness that is several orders of magnitude higher than brittle aragonite, a ceramic that accounts for 95% of its composition. As such, it possesses characteristics that may be highly beneficial for protective structural applications. In this research, several structural characteristics from nacre’s brick and mortar-like microstructure are mimicked with the goal of enhancing the stiffness and fracture toughness of a monolithic ceramic panel under blast loading. These features include the mineral bridges connecting the adjacent brick-like tablets for enhancing the stiffness of the panel, the multi-layered structure for enhancing its toughness via crack bridging mechanisms and the growth bands between the nacreous tablet layers for deflecting cracks. The results from the numerical simulations showed that the nacre-like panel possesses superior energy dissipation over the monolithic ceramic panel, which thereby reduces the reaction forces transmitted to the supports and mitigates catastrophic failure. This has positive implications in terms of the capability of fine-tuning the structural characteristics of an armor system for defeating impulsive loads, by employing the principles adopted in the microstructure of a natural armor system.

Regionally Correlated Oxygen and Carbon Isotope Zonation in Diagenetic Carbonates of the Bakken Formation

ABSTRACT Diagenetic minerals preserve records of burial processes that overprint records of seawater chemistry and impact reservoir porosity. The Mississippian-Devonian aged Bakken Formation in the Williston Basin is a reservoir rock of economic importance whose productivity is affected by diagenetic carbonates, particularly dolomite-ankerite-series carbonates. To investigate how diagenetic carbonate alteration manifests in the Bakken and how that might change across the basin, a combined δ18O and δ13C isotope dataset for diagenetic carbonates was collected by in situ SIMS analysis of 10-μm spots from nine drill holes covering a ∼250 km transect of the middle Bakken member. Observed core-to-rim isotopic variability in these small Fe-zoned dolomites and calcites frequently exceeds 10‰ in both δ18O and δ13C, indicating significant changes in thermal and chemical conditions during cementation. Individual ankeritic growth bands can be correlated across the basin by systematic similarities in minor-element compositions and isotope ratios. In the central part of the basin, δ18O and δ13C trends at sub-mm-scale decline consistently towards the rims of ankerite-series carbonates, which is interpreted to reflect mineral growth coincident with rising temperatures and an increasing organic contribution to inorganic carbon during burial. The most abrupt shifts in δ18O and δ13C (changes as large as 12‰ for δ18O and 6.5‰ for δ13C within distances

Establishing temperate crustose early Holocene coralline algae as archives for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions of the shallow water habitats of the Mediterranean Sea

AbstractOver the past decades, coralline algae have increasingly been used as archives of palaeoclimate information due to their seasonal growth bands and their vast distribution from high latitudes to the tropics. Traditionally, these reconstructions have been performed mainly on high latitude species, limiting the geographical area of their potential use. Here we assess the use of temperate crustose fossil coralline algae from shallow water habitats for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction to generate records of past climate change. We determine the potential of three different species of coralline algae, Lithothamnion minervae, Lithophyllum stictaeforme and Mesophyllum philippii, with different growth patterns, as archives for pH (δ11B) and temperature (Mg/Ca) reconstruction in the Mediterranean Sea. Mg concentration is driven by temperature but modulated by growth rate, which is controlled by species‐specific and intraspecific growth patterns. L. minervae is a good temperature recorder, showing a moderate warming trend in specimens from 11.37 cal ka BP (from 14.2 ± 0.4°C to 14.9 ± 0.15°C) to today. In contrast to Mg, all genera showed consistent values of boron isotopes (δ11B) suggesting a common control on boron incorporation. The recorded δ11B in modern and fossil coralline specimens is in agreement with literature data about early Holocene pH, opening new perspectives of coralline‐based, high‐resolution pH reconstructions in deep time.

On the biogenicity of Fe-oxyhydroxide filaments in silicified low-temperature hydrothermal deposits: Implications for the identification of Fe-oxidizing bacteria in the rock record.

Microaerophilic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria produce biomineralized twisted and branched stalks, which are promising biosignatures of microbial Fe oxidation in ancient jaspers and iron formations. Extracellular Fe stalks retain their morphological characteristics under experimentally elevated temperatures, but the extent to which natural post-depositional processes affect fossil integrity remains to be resolved. We examined siliceous Fe deposits from laminated mounds and chimney structures from an extinct part of the Jan Mayen Vent Fields on the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge. Our aims were to determine how early seafloor diagenesis affects morphological and chemical signatures of Fe-oxyhydroxide biomineralization and how extracellular stalks differ from abiogenic features. Optical and scanning electron microscopy in combination with focused ion beam-transmission electron microscopy (FIB-TEM) was used to study the filamentous textures and cross sections of individual stalks. Our results revealed directional, dendritic, and radial arrangements of biogenic twisted stalks and randomly organized networks of hollow tubes. Stalks were encrusted by concentric Fe-oxyhydroxide laminae and silica casings. Element maps produced by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) in TEM showed variations in the content of Si, P, and S within filaments, demonstrating that successive hydrothermal fluid pulses mediate early diagenetic alteration and modify the chemical composition and surface features of stalks through Fe-oxyhydroxide mineralization. The carbon content of the stalks was generally indistinguishable from background levels, suggesting that organic compounds were either scarce initially or lost due to percolating hydrothermal fluids. Dendrites and thicker abiotic filaments from a nearby chimney were composed of nanometer-sized microcrystalline iron particles and silica and showed Fe growth bands indicative of inorganic precipitation. Our study suggests that the identification of fossil stalks and sheaths of Fe-oxidizing bacteria in hydrothermal paleoenvironments may not rely on the detection of organic carbon and demonstrates that abiogenic filaments differ from stalks and sheaths of Fe-oxidizing bacteria with respect to width distribution, ultrastructure, and textural context.

Growth behavior, work function, and band gap tuning of nanocrystalline LiMn2O4 thin films

We report on the effect of growth (TS) and annealing (Ta) temperatures on structural, morphological, work function mapping, and bandgap properties of nanocrystalline LiMn2O4 thin films grown by the radio frequency sputtering technique. Phase formation in the target material and thin films is confirmed from the presence of all the allowed Raman active modes (A1g + Eg + 3F2g) corresponding to the spinel LiMn2O4 structure. With increasing TS and Ta, the grain size of LiMn2O4 thin films increases exponentially and the activation energy associated with the thermally activated grain growth is observed to be 0.22 eV. The average work function of the LiMn2O4 nanocrystalline thin film grown on stainless steel at 573 K is found to be 5.63 eV. Upon increasing TS and Ta from RT to 973 K, the bandgap increases linearly from 0.58 eV to 1.05 eV and then decreases to 0.89 eV when Ta is 1073 K. The bandgap of LiMn2O4 thin films can be tuned by changing the grain size and the amount of defects present in the films.

Periodicity of the growth-band formation in vertebrae of juvenile scalloped hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini from the Mexican Pacific Ocean.

The age of 296 juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks Sphyrna lewini caught by several fisheries in the Mexican Pacific Ocean from March 2007 to September 2017 were estimated from growth band counts in thin-sectioned vertebrae. Marginal-increment analysis (MIA) and centrum-edge analysis (CEA) were used to verify the periodicity of formation of the growth bands, whereas elemental profiles obtained from LA-ICP-MS transect scans in vertebrae of 15 juveniles were used as an alternative approach to verify the age of the species for the first time. Age estimates ranged from 0 to 10+ years (42-158.7 cm total length; LT ). The index of average percentage error (IAPE 3.6%), CV (5.2%), bias plots and Bowker's tests of symmetry showed precise and low-biased age estimation. Both MIA and CEA indicated that in the vertebrae of juveniles of S. lewini a single translucent growth band was formed during winter (November-March) and an opaque band during summer (July-September), a period of faster growth, apparently correlated with a higher sea surface temperature. Peaks in vertebral P and Mn content spatially corresponded with the annual banding pattern in most of the samples, displaying 1.19 and 0.88 peaks per opaque band, respectively, which closely matched the annual deposition rate observed in this study. Although the periodicity of growth band formation needs to be verified for all sizes and ages representing the population of the species in the region, this demonstration of the annual formation of the growth bands in the vertebrae of juveniles should lead to a re-estimation of the growth parameters and productivity of the population to ensure that it is harvested at sustainable levels.

Geochronology of Cadmium (Cd), Cuprum (Cu), and Arsenics (As) in Annual Band of Coral Porites lutea at Pantai Kondang Merak, Malang

Coral reef is a massive natural building block that mainly composed of hard coral. In ecological view coral reef is the center of biological activity for shelter, foraging and feeding place. Porites lutea is a common coral in reef flat area such as in Pantai Kondang Merak. This coral can form a massive with hillocky colony surface and has a slow linear extension rate, that made this coral has long longevity. The annual growth band of coral skeleton provide information of pollutants in the coastal extending back over several years ago due to ability of coral aragonite traped trace metal from environment. The aim of this research was to determine the concentration of trace metals of Cd, Cu and As along with the coral annual banding. The heavy metals detection was performed using ICP-OES (iCAP 7400 Series). The concentration of Cd, Cu and As in sample 1 (KM1) were 2.236 mg/kg, 9.726 mg/kg, and 2.474 mg/kg, while sample 2 (KM2) were 1.989 mg/kg, 19.157 mg/kg, and 2,064 mg/kg respectively. Two ways mechanism of trace metals to be trapped in the coral skeleton are by direct mechanism when trace metals in a form dissolved ion that were uptaken by coral then stored into coral skeleton and by indirect mechanism when particulate metals ingested by plankton then eaten by coral through coral tissue. The tracing of heavy metal in coral is provided important information of environment condition of the sea from 2009 - 2015 that may be used for authority decision regarding pollutant ambient in the sea environment.

Palaeoecology and palaeoclimatic context of Romanian Carpathian MIS 3 cave bears using stable isotopes (δ13C and δ18O)

Millimeter-scale growth rings in canine dentine of MIS 3 cave bears have been interpreted as annual growth bands produced, in part, by seasonal variation in growth rate. We present new intra-tooth stable carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotope profiles in dentine hydroxylapatite of early forming permanent teeth, from three famous Late Pleistocene cave bear sites from Romanian Carpathians. We measured δ13C and δ18O of the CO3 fraction of dentine hydroxylapatite from samples covering a profile across the root, representing a general line from juvenile period to adulthood. Carbon isotopes measured in dentine samples – from the first to the last to be deposited – of the same individual, record an increase in δ13C values throughout immature life of bears as has been shown previously, with lower precision, using age categories. For the first time, based on δ13C data analysis, the weaning process in cave bears was identified. The δ18O values show substantial variations related, most probably, to seasonal growth of the dentine. Finally, the CO3 of dentine apatite extracted from cave bear canines proves to be reliable for geochemical analyses, reflecting physiology, behavior and palaeoclimatic conditions.

Growth-band counts from elephantfish Callorhinchus milii fin spines do not correspond with independently estimated ages.

Fin spines from elephantfish Callorhinchus milii were sectioned and viewed with transmitted white light under a compound microscope. The sections displayed growth bands but their interpretation and significance were unclear. Three different methods were used for counting growth bands. The results were compared with reference growth curves based on length-at-age estimates for six juvenile year classes derived from length-frequency distributions, and tagging data that showed longevity is at least 20 years. None of the three ageing methods showed good correspondence with the reference curves and all methods departed markedly from the reference curves at ages above 2 years old. Therefore, growth bands present in C. milii spines are not useful for ageing, at least with the three methods tested here. Spine bands may not represent age marks, but instead may be layers of material deposited irregularly to strengthen the spine.

Age determination in echinoderms: first evidence of annual growth rings in holothuroids.

While age is fundamental in animal biology, forming the basis of critical concepts such as life-history strategies, longevity and population structures, measuring this variable in some taxa remains problematic. Such is the case of holothuroid echinoderms, which play key roles in marine benthic communities from the shore to the abyss, and which are extensively fished in many regions across the globe. Here, we present and validate a promising ageing technique using the cold-water species Psolus fabricii. The method involves the extraction of the oldest dermal plates (largest dorsal ossicles) to preserve their original pigments and structure. While plates initially appear to have a uniform texture, polishing and dying them reveals layered ring patterns. A study of laboratory-reared juveniles, from settlement to 40 months of age, confirmed that one layer is added annually, making plates both larger and thicker, and generating successive light and dark rings, the latter representing the transition (overlap) between two layers. Therefore, each pair of rings represents an annual growth band. Size-at-age data obtained using this method revealed that growth of P. fabricii is slow and that wild individuals collected at diving depths had reached an age of several decades.

Insights into sea surface temperatures from the Cayman Islands from corals over the last ~540 years

Seven large corals (Orbicella annularis and Montastrea cavernosa) from Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, which grew between ~1474 to 1512 CE and ~1815 to 2014 CE, are characterized by growth banding that reflects bi-annual growth periods. Some of these growth bands, however, include micro-scale bands that reflect sub-annual growth phases. Paleotemperatures derived from the oxygen isotope composition of these corals indicate that Sea Surface Temperature (SST) between ~1474 to 1512 CE and ~1815 to 2014 CE ranged from 18 to 34 °C and included four main periods of temperature change with smaller-scale warm or cool intervals superimposed on these periods. Cool Period 1 (~1474 to 1512 CE) coincided with decreased temperatures that existed in the northern hemisphere during the Little Ice Age (LIA. ca 1450–1850 CE). Cool Period 2 (~1815 to 1924 CE) coincided with a Caribbean wide reduction in temperatures that was probably related to the final phase of the LIA. Warm Period 1 (~1924 to 2006 CE), is characterized by an overall increase in SST consistent with the pronounced global warming since the 1970's. Modern Period 1 (~2006–2014 CE), is characterized by temperatures that fluctuate around 28.5 °C, the current average water temperature for Grand Cayman. The overall ~3 °C ± 0.96 °C increase in SST since ~1815 CE, derived from the Cayman corals, is consistent with the Caribbean and global temperature increases since the 1850's. Smaller scale deviations in the Cayman temperature profiles from the general Caribbean/global temperature trends probably reflect local factors such as increased storm and/or cold-air front frequencies, a reduction in the size and/or intensity of the Atlantic Warm Pool, shifts in the phase of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, and/or weakening of the Cayman Basin current.

Elemental systematics of the calcitic skeleton of Corallium rubrum and implications for the Mg/Ca temperature proxy

The high-Mg calcite skeleton of Corallium rubrum was analyzed from living colonies collected from a wide range of depths (15 m to 607 m) and environmental settings in the Mediterranean Sea. An overarching goal was to better understand the calcification process and incorporation of elements into the slow-growing skeleton of both shallow and deep-water specimens, and more specifically, to clarify the veracity of geochemical proxies for reconstructing seawater temperatures. The coral internal structure including growth bands were determined by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and petrographic techniques. Trace elements (Li, B, Mg, Sr and Ba) compositions of the coral skeleton were obtained by solution and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results show that the skeleton of the deep-water specimens has an internal microstructure similar to shallow-water colonies, with the medullar and the annular zones clearly distinguishable in both shallow and deep-water specimens. In general, the bands of the deep-water samples are very thin and equidistant compared to the irregular banding of the shallow-water specimens. Banding differences relate to the contrasting environmental dynamics, with the shallow-water specimens being exposed to large seasonal fluctuations compared to the relative stable conditions of those inhabiting bathyal depths. The inner medullar and outer annular portions differ in their trace element concentrations: Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca and Li/Ca ratios are higher in the medullar zone and seem to be influenced by growth kinetics, whereas B/Ca and Ba/Ca are similar in both zones and hence unaffected by growth rate. The variability of elemental ratios is lower in the deep-water specimens. Growth bands are highly correlated to Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca and Li/Ca, suggesting common mechanism(s) controlling the incorporation of these elements into the coral skeleton. Mg/Ca ratios were especially depleted in the dark bands. Although the mean Mg/Ca of each specimen is positively correlated to ambient seawater temperature, the intra-annual variations and amplitudes differ and do not correlate to the band widths. These findings suggest that intra- and inter-annual variations of Mg/Ca cannot be used to reconstruct a continuous time-series of long-term seasonal temperature records. However, the mean Mg/Ca composition can serve as a valuable proxy to estimate mean palaeoseawater temperature at a given site within the Mediterranean.

Sectioned or whole otoliths? A global review of hard structure preparation techniques used in ageing sparid fishes

While otoliths are considered the most reliable structure to accurately age fish, a variety of otolith preparation techniques are available, which have consequences on the otolith’s optical properties and therefore interpretation of growth bands. Recently, numerous studies from a variety of authors have criticised the use of whole otoliths in ageing sparids with sectioned otoliths subsequently acknowledged as the most reliable preparation technique. Despite this criticism; ageing data is still being generated from whole otoliths and other unreliable structures such as scales. In an attempt to understand the severity of this issue we conducted a global literature review of otolith preparation protocols used for sparids. We identified global spatial inconsistencies in otolith preparation techniques with some regions predominately using methods other than sectioned otoliths to age sparids. The review highlights the need for a standardisation of otolith preparation methods and a move towards the use of sectioned otoliths, or at least valid support where alternative structures or preparation techniques are used. Given that large numbers of studies have been conducted on whole otoliths in certain regions, it may be necessary to revaluate the existing growth parameters to ensure that accurate information is incorporated into management structures.

Formation and evolution of snowball quartz phenocrysts in the Dongping porphyritic granite, Hebei Province, China: Insights from fluid inclusions, cathodoluminescence, trace elements, and crystal size distribution study

Quartz phenocrysts are common in many granites, volcanic rocks, metamorphic rocks and hydrothermal deposits. The Dongping porphyritic granite contains large amounts of rounded to sub-rounded quartz phenocrysts. Minerals in this porphyritic granite show weak but distinct orientation. Dense clusters of fluid inclusions and albite crystals exist in the quartz, showing snowball texture. Two types of snowball quartz are recognized: (1) large snowball quartz phenocrysts containing large albite grains distributed in the core and small albite grains distributed in the mantle, and (2) small snowball quartz crystals containing small albite grains. The granite is characterized by high SiO2 (7.15–73.44 wt%), K2O (4.70–5.10 wt%) and Na2O (4.93–5.21 wt%) contents, low CaO (0.41–0.71 wt%), MgO (0.03–0.05 wt%), Fe2O3 (0.87–0.94 wt%), TiO2 (0.02–0.03 wt%) and ΣREE (7.10–9.80 ppm) contents. The granite has similar mineral and chemical composition with the aplite in the area, and they were derived from the residual melt of the Shuiquangou magma that suffered assimilation fractional crystallization process. Fluid inclusions in the quartz phenocrysts have homogenization temperatures of 260–380 °C and salinities of 1.4–12.4 wt% NaCl equiv. for liquid + vapor type inclusions and 34.1–44.3 wt% NaCl equiv. for brine ones. The quartz phenocrysts exhibit homogeneous cathodoluminescence without growth bands or zoning. The trace element contents in the quartz phenocrysts are extremely low (Ti 3.4–5.1 ppm, Al 13–118 ppm, Li < 0.1 ppm, Ge < 0.5 ppm) compared to published data of igneous quartz, which may result from the crystallizing conditions of quartz and chemical compositions of the magma. Crystal size distributions (CSD) of albite in quartz show that the snowball quartz formed in two stages, whereby an increase in nucleation and growth rates resulted in the core-mantle texture of quartz phenocrysts. The co-existence of low-, high-salinity and melt inclusions indicates that the quartz phenocrysts crystallized rapidly in a fluid-enriched magma. Magmatic flow led to mineral rotation and resulted in the rounded and sub-rounded shapes of the quartz phenocrysts. Fluid exsolved from the magma raised nucleation and growth rates and resulted in the two types of snowball quartz.

Glacial melting pulses in the Antarctica: Evidence for different responses to regional effects of global warming recorded in Antarctic bivalve shell (Laternula elliptica)

Abstract Meltwater history of the Antarctic bivalve Laternula elliptica in Maxwell Bay, King George Island near the Antarctic Peninsula was reconstructed during the shell growth. High resolution trace elemental and stable isotopic compositions along the aragonite outer part of the shell together with growth bands shows that the shell lived for 9 years with distinct annual cycles. Also oxygen and carbon isotope values reveal the local meltwater history in Antarctic Peninsula region. More negative oxygen isotope values than the predicted equilibrium values clearly show that oxygen isotope depletion is due to lower salinity of seawater by glacial melting. This is also confirmed by the similar trend of low carbon isotope values as well as monitored sea surface salinity values. Comparing δ18O values of previous results using the same bivalve species, more negative values from the Antarctic Peninsula (Maxwell Bay) during the austral winter than from East Antarctica (Syowa Coast and Ross Sea) suggests that perennial glacial melting influenced seawater δ18O composition near the peninsula. Also, more negative and variable bivalve δ18O values during austral summer indicate that meltwater pulses fluctuated greatly in the study area. Distinctively different trends in bivalve δ18O profiles between the Antarctic Peninsula and East Antarctica may reflect differential responses to regional warming with regard to the recent global warming over the past few decades.