Marine Basin Research Articles

Mineralogical and Geochemical Characteristics of Triassic Lithium-Rich K-Bentonite Deposits in Xiejiacao Section, South China

Widespread alteration in the Early–Middle Triassic volcanic ash of the Xiejiacao section, south China, has resulted in significant occurrences of lithium-rich K-bentonite deposits with economic potential. Detailed mineralogical and geochemical investigations of Li-rich K-bentonite deposits from the Xiejiacao section of Guangan city, South China, are presented here. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) data and major element chemistry indicates that the Li-rich K-bentonite deposits contain quartz, clay minerals, feldspar, calcite and dolomite, and the clay minerals are dominated by illite and ordered (R3) illite/smectite (I/S). The concentrations of major and trace elements in Li-rich K-bentonite deposits altered from volcanic ashes are most likely derived from felsic magmas, associated with intense volcanic arc activity. The composition of the clay components suggests that the Li-rich K-bentonite deposits are probably altered from the smectite during diagenesis, whereas smectite is mainly formed by submarine alterations of volcanic materials and subsequently the I/S derived from the volcanogenic smectite illitization. Moreover, accurate determination of the structure in I/S reveals that the temperatures reached by the sedimentary series are around 180 °C with a burial depth of ~6000 m. The widely distributed lithium-rich clay deposits strongly indicate widespread eruptions of volcanic ashes in the Early–Middle Triassic, which released huge amounts of volcanic ash. Lithium fixed in the illite and I/S is considered to have leached from the volcanogenic products by a mixed fluid source (i.e., meteoric, porewater and hydrothermal fluids). These Li-rich clay minerals in the marine basin contain economically extractable levels of metal and are a promising new target for lithium exploration.

Zonation of Lithuanian Silurian graptolites and other faunal groups

The Baltic Silurian Basin, Lithuanian Depression and other structures are shown in the map, with marked by isopachs (contour lines of equal thickness) of the Silurian beds with graptolites and fauna of other groups. The Silurian facies vary greatly in the Depression – from clayey open-sea deep shelf to carbonaceous ones of shallow shelf, and low-energy lagoon facies. The history of investigations on East Baltic area graptolites begins from 1953–1958, when 15 graptolite zones were singled out, and proceeds to 35 zones defined now. Peculiarities in the graptolite scale from C. cyphus to N. lochkovensis inclusive are discussed. Transgressions and regressions of the Silurian marine basin, as well as shorter transgressions with wedges and graptolites of clayey facies shifted towards basin shores and regressions with partial extinction of graptolites are elucidated. During these investigations the graptolite scale has been detailed and added with new zones. Graptolite evolution in the zones has been analysed. Stages of graptolite evolution are analysed in relation to the following bioevents: Stačiūnai, Likėnai, Valgu, Ireviken, Mulde, Linde, Lau, Klev and Šilalė. Finally, two tables present graptolite zone correlation with conodont, vertebrate and ostracod zones revealing a highly detailed stratigraphy of the Lithuanian Silurian.

The homalonotid trilobiteBurmeisteriaSalter, 1865 in the Lower Devonian of Argentina: new data in the context of southwestern Gondwana

AbstractThe homalonotid trilobiteBurmeisteriaSalter, 1865 is revised from material from the Lower Devonian of central western Argentina (the Talacasto Formation in the Precordillera Basin). In contrast to other closely related Devonian marine basins from South America (mainly Bolivia, Brazil and Uruguay), the only species recognized in Argentina includeBurmeisteria herschelii(Murchison, 1839) andB.notica(Clarke, 1913). New observations on the structure of the carapace indicate that structures sometimes interpreted as granules with taxonomic meaning are, in fact, taphonomic characters that represent the fillings of pore canals exposed by decortication. The antero-ventral process of the rostral plate may be a locking device during enrollment, which allowed long-term defensive behavior with a minimum of muscular energy.Burmeisteriais an upper Silurian to Middle Devonian endemic representative of southwestern Gondwanan (Malvinokaffric) basins. In the Argentine Precordillera Basin, this genus is virtually restricted to a sandy, Pragian, stratigraphic interval capped by a marker bed first reported by Keidel in 1921.

Subduction Polarity in Ancient Arcs: A Call to Integrate Geology and Geophysics to Decipher the Mesozoic Tectonic History of the Northern Cordillera of North America: REPLY

Subduction Polarity in Ancient Arcs: A Call to Integrate Geology and Geophysics to Decipher the Mesozoic Tectonic History of the Northern Cordillera of North America: REPLY

The Model of Formation of the Western Pacific Marginal Seas: Vortex Geodynamics, Seismicity, and Mantle Upwelling

An extended and improved model of the origin and evolution of marginal seas in the strike-slip megazone due to the lateral interaction of the Eurasian and Pacific lithospheric plates is proposed. In the megazone, fragmentation of continental and oceanic plates, mantle upwelling, and ascending and descending lithospheric seismic vortexes occur. As a proof of the validity of the proposed model, the paper presents data from factor analysis, results of gravity and termophysical modeling, an analysis of distributions of earthquake magnitudes in 3D space, and geochemical features of volcanism in the Sea of Japan and Sea of Okhotsk. Study of the variability of earthquake magnitudes for the Sea of Okhotsk region revealed traces of vortex processes in the circular orientation in the variability vectors of magnitudes in the subcrustal viscous layer and in the asthenosphere. The head of the mantle plume has a typical mushroom shape, and its central trunk extends into the mantle below a depth of 200 km. Studies of the isotopic age and geochemical features of volcanic rocks in the Sea of Okhotsk and Sea of Japan have allowed researchers to identify the magma sources—lithospheric, asthenospheric, and subasthenospheric (plume); to trace the geochronological sequence in the ascent of mantle substrate; and to determine the underlying formation mechanisms for the marine basins. The origin of marginal seas is discussed and compared to other geodynamic models with different geotectonic paradigms. The origin of marginal seas is discussed and compared with other geodynamic models of different geotectonic paradigms.

Oxygen–carbon isotope composition of Middle Jurassic–Cretaceous molluscs from the Saratov–Samara Volga region and main climate trends in the Russian Platform–Caucasus

Abstract Oxygen and carbon isotope data from well-preserved mollusc shells and belemnite rostra are presented from the Jurassic (Bathonian, Callovian and Tithonian) and Cretaceous (Aptian, Turonian, Campanian and Maastrichtian) of the Saratov–Samara Volga region, Russia. New data provide information on the resulting trends in palaeoclimate and in palaeoceanography and palaeoecology in the late Mesozoic. Palaeotemperatures calculated from Jurassic–Cretaceous benthic (bivalves and gastropods) and semi-pelagic (ammonites) molluscs are markedly higher than those calculated from pelagic belemnites using oxygen isotopes. This is probably due to various mollusc groups of the Saratov–Samara area inhabiting different depths in the marine basins (e.g. epipelagic v. mesopelagic). Our isotope records, combined with a review of previously published data from shallow-water fossils from the Saratov–Samara area and adjacent regions permits us to infer temperature trends for the epipelagic zone from the Middle Jurassic to Cretaceous in the Russian Platform–Caucasus area. The Jurassic–Cretaceous belemnites from the Russian Platform and the Caucasus have a lower δ 13 C signature than the contemporaneous brachiopods, bivalves and ammonites.

Deep glacial troughs and stabilizing ridges unveiled beneath the margins of the Antarctic ice sheet

The Antarctic ice sheet has been losing mass over past decades through the accelerated flow of its glaciers, conditioned by ocean temperature and bed topography. Glaciers retreating along retrograde slopes (that is, the bed elevation drops in the inland direction) are potentially unstable, while subglacial ridges slow down the glacial retreat. Despite major advances in the mapping of subglacial bed topography, significant sectors of Antarctica remain poorly resolved and critical spatial details are missing. Here we present a novel, high-resolution and physically based description of Antarctic bed topography using mass conservation. Our results reveal previously unknown basal features with major implications for glacier response to climate change. For example, glaciers flowing across the Transantarctic Mountains are protected by broad, stabilizing ridges. Conversely, in the marine basin of Wilkes Land, East Antarctica, we find retrograde slopes along Ninnis and Denman glaciers, with stabilizing slopes beneath Moscow University, Totten and Lambert glacier system, despite corrections in bed elevation of up to 1 km for the latter. This transformative description of bed topography redefines the high- and lower-risk sectors for rapid sea level rise from Antarctica; it will also significantly impact model projections of sea level rise from Antarctica in the coming centuries.

Characteristics of a Campanian delta deposit controlled by alternating river floods and tides: the Loyd Sandstone, Rangely Anticline, Colorado, U.S.A.

ABSTRACTThe Campanian Loyd Sandstone Member of the Mancos Shale (Loyd) along the Rangely Anticline, Piceance Basin, Colorado, contains a series of multi-meter-thick, heterolithic, coarsening-upward successions (CUSs) with internal clinoforms comprising low-angle-dipping (< 5°), parallel-laminated sandstone beds interbedded with bioturbated flaser-wavy-lenticular bedded sandstone and siltstone. Loyd clinoforms are delta foresets composed of prodelta and delta-front deposits, including mouthbars. Many CUSs exhibit scours filled with bioturbated sandstone, or interbedded bioturbated sandstone and siltstone or mudstone representing aggradational fill of subaqueous terminal distributary channels or the migration of mouthbars into channel scours. Mud drapes on sedimentary structures and mud rip-up clasts are extremely common. A high-abundance, high-diversity, trace-fossil assemblage includes vertical, 1–4-m-deep Ophiomorpha that may penetrate multiple bedsets of parallel-laminated sandstones and highly bioturbated finer-grained interbeds. Bioturbation increases sandstone content in finer-grained interbeds, and provides sandy conduits that increase connectivity between beds.Although parallel-laminated sandstones volumetrically dominate Loyd delta clinoforms, they likely represent relatively short-term freshwater and sediment input during river flooding that produced delta-front turbidity currents. Interbedded finer-grained beds, mud-draped sedimentary structures, and the high-abundance, high-diversity trace-fossil assemblages record longer amounts of time during reduced fluvial discharge, tidal reworking of sediments, and intense bioturbation under marine salinities. Controls on the internal characteristics of the Loyd delta deposits include: 1) a high sediment influx into a relatively shallow marine basin protected from wave action during normal regression; 2) relatively short-duration, episodic freshwater and sediment discharge from distributaries that reduced salinities, deposited sand as turbidity currents, and promoted delta-front channelization; and 3) longer-duration periods of reduced discharge with deposition of finer-grained sediment, tidal reworking, and bioturbation of sediments under higher salinities. These controls combined to produce the heterolithic, highly bioturbated, river-flood delivered, and tidally modified clinoforms of the Loyd that differ from deposits typically considered to be classic examples of fluvial-flood-dominated or extensively tidally modified deltas.

Middle Triassic sharks from the Catalan Coastal ranges (NE Spain) and faunal colonization patterns during the westward transgression of Tethys

Palaeogeographic changes that occurred during the Middle Triassic in the westernmost Tethyan domain were governed by a westward marine transgression of the Tethys Ocean. The transgression flooded wide areas of the eastern part of Iberia, forming new epicontinental shallow-marine environments, which were subsequently colonized by diverse faunas, including chondrichthyans. The transgression is recorded by two successive transgressive–regressive cycles: (1) middle–late Anisian and (2) late Anisian–early Carnian. Here, we describe the chondrichthyan fauna recovered from several Middle Triassic stratigraphic sections (Pelsonian-Longobardian) located at the Catalan Coastal Basin (western-most Tethys). The assemblage consists of isolated teeth of the species Hybodus plicatilis, Omanoselache bucheri, O. contrarius and Pseudodalatias henarejensis. Our data complement a series of recent studies on chondrichthyan faunas from Middle-Late Triassic marine basins of the Iberian Peninsula, allowing us to evaluate patterns of faunal colonization. Sharks that reached East Iberia during the first transgressive pulse (Anisian) show strong affinities with the Sephardic bioprovince (related with the Neotethys Ocean) whereas a later increase in chondrichthyan diversity (during the Ladinian transgressive pulse) is due to the arrival of taxa with affinities to European faunas (Palaeotethys). This contrasts with recently evaluated colonization patterns of invertebrates and conodonts, where Middle–Upper Anisian assemblages are composed of taxa with affinities to the Alpine/Germanic bioprovince whereas faunas from the Sephardic bioprovince only reached the shallow waters of the Iberian peninsula during the second (Ladinian) transgressive pulse. The differences between chondrichthyans vs. invertebrate and conodonts colonization patterns are explained here on the basis of differing dispersal strategies. Our finding suggests the existence, during the Anisian, of connections between Palaeo- and NeoTethys through the western Cimmerian microcontinent, which served as pathways for the entrance of chondrichthyans from the Sephardic bioprovince.

ТЯЖЕЛЫЕ МЕТАЛЛЫ В ЗООПЛАНКТОННЫХ ОРГАНИЗМАХ БАРЕНЦЕВА МОРЯ

Zooplankton plays a Central role in the transfer of matter and energy from primary producers to high trophic organisms, and zooplankton serves as an essential component of sedimentary material that supplies organic matter to the bottom of marine basins. The paper presents new data on the distribution of a number of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb) and As in the Calanus zooplankton collected in July–August 2017 in the North-Eastern, Eastern and Central parts of the Barents Sea. It is shown that the spatial distribution of metals in zooplankton organisms is influenced by both biotic ecosystem factors associated with bioproductivity and hydrological and geochemical parameters of the habitat (North Polar Front). In the zooplankton of the Arctic water mass to the South-East of Franz Josef Land, there was an increased content of essential heavy metals Cu, Zn and Cr in comparison with the coastal and Atlantic water masses. Zooplankton from the Central part of the sea (Atlantic water mass), where phytoplankton production is reduced, is characterized by the lowest concentrations of most elements (Ni, Cu, Zn, As and Pb). The highest concentrations were found for both essential heavy metals (Zn and Cu) and toxic metalloid As, which may indicate non-selective bioaccumulation of trace elements by copepods.

Seasonal Use of a Nonnatal Marine Basin by Juvenile Hatchery Chinook Salmon

AbstractInformation on the movement patterns of fishes is essential for managers that are making critical resource decisions. We examined the frequency of a keystone species, Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha that migrated from different marine basins to the Nisqually River estuary, which lies within the southernmost marine basin (hereafter, “South basin”) in Puget Sound (Washington, USA). Hatchery‐reared juvenile fish were sampled by using beach seine, lampara seine, and fyke nets to determine seasonal trends in frequency, habitat use, and the influence of different capture methods. The captured fish originated from three marine basins, nine Puget Sound rivers, and fourteen hatcheries. The data revealed a consistent pattern showing that most of the tagged fish (72%) were from the nearby Nisqually River (in the South basin), but fish from more northerly marine basins (hereafter, “Outbasin”) were also common. Although the majority of the tagged fish (99%) that were captured during April and May were originally released into rivers adjacent to the South basin, 90% of the fish that were captured in August and September had originated from rivers adjacent to Outbasin locations (up to 130 km distant). A comparison of sampling methods showed that the beach seine produced 27% Outbasin fish compared with 53% that were obtained with the lampara seine. The analysis of habitat use suggested that during June and July, more Outbasin fish (>40%) were captured in delta flats and nearshore habitats than in estuarine emergent marsh habitat (26%). Release location (river basin), but not distance, appeared to be an important factor that influenced the percentage of Outbasin fish that were captured in the South basin. However, it appeared that the fish that were released at light weights and early dates were more likely to be captured. Information on the movement of juvenile salmon to a nonnatal marine basin may help to increase our understanding of features of life history and survival, and it has application elsewhere, as many marine species are artificially propagated, released in large numbers, and have the potential to use nonnatal habitats.

Regularities in the Migration of Famennian Radiolarians in the Marine Basins of the Russian Platform

The distinctive features of taxonomic composition and spatiotemporal distribution of radiolarian eco-zones in the Famennian of the Russian Platform are investigated. Migrant and aboriginal species are identified, and regularities in the migration of species of the classes Sphaerellaria, Spumellaria, and Aculearia are analyzed.

To reconstruction of the river’s categories which formed sedimentary basins of Riphean basins in the region of the Eastern European platform and modern south Urals juncture

Information on the distribution of trace and rare-earth elements in the bottom sediments of estuarine zones of various river categories (large rivers, rivers draining water collections, composed of sedimentary or magmatic and metamorphic rocks, etc.) of silt and pelitic dimensions can be considered as the data, reflecting characteristic features of the suspention, transported to marine basins from various catchment provinces. In certain situations, the composition of the surface bottom sediments of the marine basin is determined by the suspension composition of any large river flowing into it (the Caspian Sea and the Volga River, the Laptev Sea and the Lena River, etc.). The similarity and difference in the rare-earth elements (REE) systematics of bottom sediments of estuarine zones and suspended particulate matter of rivers of various categories is quite well expressed in the pair diagrams (La/ Yb)N–(Eu/Sm)N, (La/Yb)N–Th, etc. A comparison of the features of the distribution of REE and Th in the Riphean clay rocks of the Southern Urals and in bottom sediments of the estuaries of various categories of recent rivers has been performed. It has been concluded that clay rocks forming a typical Riphean section are formed due to the erosion of mainly or predominantly sedimentary and/or metasedimentary complexes that existed during the PreRiphean or the Riphean in the east part of the East European platform and have not survived to date.

Paleomagnetic constraints on the early Miocene closure of the southern Neo-Tethys (Van region; East Anatolia): Inferences for the timing of Eurasia-Arabia collision

Oligocene-Miocene convergence of the Eurasian and Arabian plates resulted in (i) the gradual closure of the Neo-Tethys Ocean that formed an open marine connection between the Indian Ocean and the proto-Mediterranean until the early Miocene and (ii) Eurasia-Arabia continental collision. Remnants of the Neo-Tethys basin are found scattered over eastern Anatolia. The Van region of SE Anatolia contains a unique stratigraphic succession (Van Formation) of this ancient marine corridor, showing a gradual transition from deep-marine marls to continental clastics and shallow marine deposits. This formation is considered a key unit for the late stage evolution of the Neo-Tethys Ocean as it contains one of the youngest marine deposits of the southern Neo-Tethys branch in SE Anatolia. Here, we present new magnetostratigraphic and Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) data to better constrain the timing of the marine-continental transition and the style of deformation in the Van region. The Van Formation was sampled in ~2-m stratigraphic resolution, with ~350 paleomagnetic cores drilled in stratigraphic order. These cores were analyzed with thermal and alternating field demagnetization, resulting in a magnetic polarity pattern that could straightforwardly be correlated to the standard Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale (GPTS). The base of the section has an age of ~19.5 Ma, the marine-continental transition is dated at 18.8 Ma, and the top of the succession has an age of ~16.8 Ma. The AMS data show a conspicuous change from extensional to contractional patterns, coinciding with the end of open marine environments, at an age of ~19 Ma. We hypothesize that the closure of the marine basin and the concomitant change in stress regime in the Van region are related to the onset of Eurasia-Arabia collision and the terminal subduction of the Neo-Tethys oceanic lithosphere.

Stitch in the ditch: Nutzotin Mountains (Alaska) fluvial strata and a dike record ca. 117–114 Ma accretion of Wrangellia with western North America and initiation of the Totschunda fault

AbstractThe Nutzotin basin of eastern Alaska consists of Upper Jurassic through Lower Cretaceous siliciclastic sedimentary and volcanic rocks that depositionally overlie the inboard margin of Wrangellia, an accreted oceanic plateau. We present igneous geochronologic data from volcanic rocks and detrital geochronologic and paleontological data from nonmarine sedimentary strata that provide constraints on the timing of deposition and sediment provenance. We also report geochronologic data from a dike injected into the Totschunda fault zone, which provides constraints on the timing of intra–suture zone basinal deformation. The Beaver Lake formation is an important sedimentary succession in the northwestern Cordillera because it provides an exceptionally rare stratigraphic record of the transition from marine to nonmarine depositional conditions along the inboard margin of the Insular terranes during mid-Cretaceous time. Conglomerate, volcanic-lithic sandstone, and carbonaceous mudstone/shale accumulated in fluvial channel-bar complexes and vegetated overbank areas, as evidenced by lithofacies data, the terrestrial nature of recovered kerogen and palynomorph assemblages, and terrestrial macrofossil remains of ferns and conifers. Sediment was eroded mainly from proximal sources of upper Jurassic to lower Cretaceous igneous rocks, given the dominance of detrital zircon and amphibole grains of that age, plus conglomerate with chiefly volcanic and plutonic clasts. Deposition was occurring by ca. 117 Ma and ceased by ca. 98 Ma, judging from palynomorphs, the youngest detrital ages, and ages of crosscutting intrusions and underlying lavas of the Chisana Formation. Following deposition, the basin fill was deformed, partly eroded, and displaced laterally by dextral displacement along the Totschunda fault, which bisects the Nutzotin basin. The Totschunda fault initiated by ca. 114 Ma, as constrained by the injection of an alkali feldspar syenite dike into the Totschunda fault zone.These results support previous interpretations that upper Jurassic to lower Cretaceous strata in the Nutzotin basin accumulated along the inboard margin of Wrangellia in a marine basin that was deformed during mid-Cretaceous time. The shift to terrestrial sedimentation overlapped with crustal-scale intrabasinal deformation of Wrangellia, based on previous studies along the Lost Creek fault and our new data from the Totschunda fault. Together, the geologic evidence for shortening and terrestrial deposition is interpreted to reflect accretion/suturing of the Insular terranes against inboard terranes. Our results also constrain the age of previously reported dinosaur footprints to ca. 117 Ma to ca. 98 Ma, which represent the only dinosaur fossils reported from eastern Alaska.

Early Jurassic palaeoenvironments in the Surat Basin, Australia – marine incursion into eastern Gondwana

AbstractInterpretations of palaeodepositional environments are important for reconstructing Earth history. Only a few maps showing the Jurassic depositional environments in eastern Australia currently exist. Consequently, a detailed understanding of the setting of Australia in Gondwana is lacking. Core, wireline logs, two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional seismic from the Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation in the Surat Basin have been used to construct maps showing the evolution of depositional environments through the Early Jurassic. The results indicate the succession consists of three third‐order sequences (Sequence 1 to Sequence 3) that were controlled by eustatic sea level. The lowstand systems tract in Sequence 1 comprises braidplain deposits, confined to a fairway that parallels the basin centre. The strata were initially deposited in two sub‐basins, with rivers flowing in different orientations in each sub‐basin. The transgressive systems tract of Sequence 1 to lowstand systems tract of Sequence 3 is dominated by fluvio–deltaic systems infilling a single merged basin centre. Finally, the transgressive and highstand systems tracts of Sequence 3 show nearshore environments depositing sediment into a shallow marine basin. In the youngest part of this interval, ironstone shoals are the most conspicuous facies, the thickness and number of which increase towards the north and east. This study interprets a corridor to the open ocean through the Clarence–Moreton Basin, or the Carpentaria and Papuan basins, evidence of which has been eroded. These results challenge a commonly held view that eastern Australia was not influenced by eustasy, and propose a more dynamic palaeogeographic setting comprising a mixture of fluvial, deltaic and shallow marine sedimentary environments. This work can be used to unravel the stratigraphic relationships between Mesozoic eastern Australian basins, or in other basins globally as an analogue for understanding the complex interplay of paralic depositional systems in data poor areas.

Totten Glacier subglacial hydrology determined from geophysics and modeling

Aurora Subglacial Basin (ASB), which feeds Totten Glacier, is a marine basin lying below sea level and contains up to 3.5m of global sea level equivalent. Rates of future sea level rise from this area are primarily dependent on the stability of Totten Ice Shelf and the controls on ice flow dynamics upstream of the grounding line, both of which may be influenced by subglacial hydrology. We apply the GlaDS subglacial hydrology model to ASB to examine whether the spatial patterns of distributed and efficient drainage systems impact the dynamics of Totten Glacier. We determine the most appropriate model configuration from our series of sensitivity tests by comparing the modeled basal water pressure and water depth results with specularity content data. Those data are derived from ICECAP radar surveys over the same region and represent regions of basal water accumulation. The best match between simulated basal hydrology properties and specularity content shows a strong correspondence in regions of distributed water in the ASB troughs for both water depth and water pressure, but weak correspondence between water depth and specularity content near the grounding line. This may be due to the presence of several large channels draining over the grounding line into the head of Totten Ice Shelf, which are likely not as well represented in the specularity content data as distributed systems. These channels may have a significant impact on melt, and therefore the stability, of Totten Ice Shelf. Within ASB, regions of high water pressure and greater water accumulation correspond well with regions of faster ice flow, suggesting some control of basal hydrology on ice dynamics in this region.

ГЛИНЫ ТАВДИНСКОЙ СВИТЫ ЭОЦЕНА: ЛИТОГЕОХИМИЧЕСКИЕ И СЕДИМЕНТОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ АСПЕКТЫ (КЫШТЫРЛИНСКОЕ МЕСТОРОЖДЕНИЕ, ЗАПАДНАЯ СИБИРЬ)

Актуальность. Минеральный состав глин тавдинской свиты изучался неоднократно. Полученные результаты, содержащиеся в геологических отчетах и немногочисленных опубликованных работах, зачастую слабо коррелируются друг с другом. Подобное противоречие вызвано отбором проб для технологических испытаний с различных участков, которые относятся к двум подсвитам, имеющим ряд отличий. Возраст, стратиграфическое положение и химико-минералогические особенности пород, слагающих тавдинскую свиту, остаются дискуссионными и актуальными вопросами, что требует дополнительных исследований. Детальное изучение литологии глин тавдинской свиты принимает важное значение в связи с планами по расширению сырьевой базы и потребностью перепрофилизации части производственных мощностей на выпуск новой товарной продукции. Цель работы: изучение вещественного состава глин тавдинской свиты эоцена Западной Сибири для выявления их генезиса и практического использования Методы: полевые исследования, рентгеноструктурный анализ, рентгенофлуоресцентный анализ, определение огнеупорности, масс-спектрометрия с индуктивно-связанной плазмой, сканирующая электронная микроскопия, литолого-петрографический анализ в шлифах. Результаты. Представлены результаты исследований химического и минерального составов, особенностей литологии и микростроения глинистых пород из Кыштырлинского участка (Тюменская область). Глинистые породы обладают определенной вариативностью минерального состава, но неизменным остается глинистый слюдистый смешаннослойно-смектитовый матрикс. В нижней подсвите глинистая масса пород сложена преимущественно иллитом и смешанослойными образованиями иллит-смектитового состава. Глины верхней подсвиты больше соответствуют каолинит-иллит-монтмориллонитовому типу с примесями пирита, минералов кремнезёма, сульфатов, карбонатов и органического вещества. Формирование таких смешаннослойных масс, вероятно, обусловлено трансформацией обломочных минералов и первичного глинистого субстрата. Установленное распределение редкоземельных элементов индицирует существенные изменения в восстановительно-окислительных условиях морского бассейна на различных этапах его существования. Изученные глины рассматриваются как полиминеральные.

The structure and evolution of the east Greenland continental margin before spreading started on the Kolbeinsey ridge

An analysis of the deep structure of the East Greenland margin (Blosseville Kyst to Liverpool Land) and of the Jan Mayen microcontinent resulted in the development of a crustal model that was valid for both before their disruption. A joint model clearly demonstrates the net result of rifting phases during Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic time. Starting from the Devonian, a graben-shaped depression about 180 km wide existed between Liverpool Land and the Jan Mayen Ridge; the depression was formed by subsiding of the crystalline basement that was not compensated by sedimentation. The marine basin was approximately 2 km deep during late Devonian time. The west-east joint deep crustal section clearly defines three depths in the upper mantle that fit dome-like surfaces superposed on each other. We interpret these surfaces as temperature fronts of mantle plumes that differ by their time of origin: Paleozoic, Mesozoic to Cenozoic, and late Cenozoic. The rim of the present-day Blosseville Kyst and Liverpool Land shelf is found to be underlain by a basement high that is associated with the axis of a positive free-air gravity anomaly. East of the high along the anomaly axis, we identified a continent-ocean boundary. The present-day phase in the geological evolution of the Greenland-Norwegian region north of Iceland is characterized by an increased thermal state of the lithosphere and manifestations of intraplate tectonics.

Formation of salinity and density vertical stratification of the Black sea

A simple model of the haline and density stratification evolution in the cylindrical rotating basin under the influence of buoyancy fluxes through the side border is proposed in the work based on the dimension analysis. The model is based on the assumption that the sharp pycnocline and two different circulation cells in the vertical plane above and below pycnocline. The model shows that the typical time of vertical circulation cell modification is determined by the inertia of the main body of waters in the basin. Also under fixed ambient conditions, one should expect pycnocline sharpening and increased intensity of vertical circulation cells over time. The model application to describe the climatic changes of the Black Sea haline stratification is discussed. It is asserted that the response of a marine basin to changes in the external conditions depends significantly on the inertia of a main water body. It is noted that this result is of importance not only for the Black Sea, but also for the World Ocean. This effect explains the slow change in the meridional heat transport even in case of considerable variations of deep convection at high latitudes.