Organic Matter Of Marine Origin Research Articles

Sources of organic matter elucidated through Pyr-CG-MS, and relation to basin scale events in the Pimienta Formation (Central Mexico)

The study of organic matter is essential for understanding the sedimentary and diagenetic processes that have occurred in a certain area. Sediments rich in organic matter with a vocation for producing hydrocarbons are of particular importance. Studies of organic matter in these environments help not only to determine their potential as hydrocarbon generators, but also contribute to the understanding of the processes that have occurred in the basin over time. In this study, the use of pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Pyr-GC-MS) is proposed to analyse the diversity of organic molecules contained in the sediments of the Pimienta Formation. This technique is versatile and, although destructive, allows rapid analysis of organic matter, in addition to the minimal quantities required for the study. Pyr-GC-MS allows functional groups to be determined; in this study 34 different moieties were identified. The use of this technique is perfectly complemented by Rock-Eval-pyrolysis and fluid inclusion studies, which allows greater detail of the origin of the molecules. The results of the Rock Eval Pyrolysis suggested that there were two types of kerogen: continental (Type III) and marine (Type II)]. Some samples contained organic matter of continental origin , while others contained organic matter of marine origin. Analysis of fluid inclusions suggested sedimentary-diagenetic and meteoric sources for fluids, as well as different types of interaction between them and the surrounding rocks.

Holocene organic matter composition in relation to relative sea level stands and associated morphometric changes of a lagoonal system

Garzón Lagoon is a temperate shallow coastal lagoon influenced by sea level variation. A study on the isotopic composition of Holocene sedimentary organic matter was performed. Although the system was subject to significant changes in sea level, leading to important changes in the lagoon morphometry during the Holocene, the composition of the organic matter was rather surprisingly constant, being dominated by particulate organic matter of marine origin, and to a lesser extent of terrestrial origin. By ∼5000 yr BP, the sea level was +5 m amsl, and the lagoon displayed the largest morphometric dimensions. Once the sea level decreased towards 3000 yr BP and present times, the lagoon area progressively decreased. Even though we inferred significant changes in morphometry, the composition of the organic matter remained relatively constant, as the lagoon was always connected to the ocean, a condition that remains today, at least intermittently during storms or heavy rains. Only after the 1960s, a slight change in the organic matter composition was detected, consisting of a decrease in particulate organic matter of terrestrial origin.

Origin of the vanadium-uranium geochemical anomalies in the limestones of the Puyango Formation, La Sota (Ecuador): preliminary results

Vanadium (V) and uranium (U) are critical elements for the energy and technology industry. They are characterized by low abundance in the earth crust´s rocks, but can be concentrated and give rise to sedimentary mineral deposits as a result of redox processes during sedimentation and diagenesis. The anomalies of V-U in La Sota, Ecuador, are found in black limestones and black calcareous shales of Cretaceous age. Here we present the results of a geochemical study and a multivariate geostatistical analysis, which enables us to infer four different associations: 1) disseminated organic matter in the limestones that hold V and Zn, probably in the form of organometallic complexes; 2) phosphatic minerals and concentrations of U, HREE and Ni, which may be incorporated as trace elements in the phosphates, compatible with sedimentation in an anoxic environment; 3) Ca in carbonates from a marine environment; and, 4) litophile elements associated with detritic minerals, such as quartz, plagioclase, feldspar, micas, clays and oxyhydroxides of Fe-Mn-Ti, produced by weathering and erosion. Our findings suggest that V is associated mainly with the organic matter of marine origin in the bituminous limestones, while U is associated with P, thereby indicating the formation of uraniferous phosphates during sedimentation.

Assessment of macrozoobenthos quality in the Bolshaya River (Western Kamchatka) in connection with escapements of Pacific salmon spawners

The paper shows mechanisms of influence of organic matter of marine origin entering the Bolshaya River basin with spawning escapement of Pacific salmon on the quality of freshwater macrozoobenthos. It has been found out that larvae of amphibiotic insects can receive marine nutrients through direct consumption of benthos in summer-autumn period and indirectly through trophic chains for a long time (till spring of the next year). The effect of Pacific salmon spawning escapements on such invertebrate characteristics as body weight, content of lipids and fatty acid-markers of food sources (phytoplankton, bacterioplankton or detritus) has been established. It is concluded that the trophic conditions of macrozoobenthos organisms, the food items of juvenile fish, have improved due to the intake of more marine nutrients.

Organic matter variations in the deep marginal basin of the Western Tethys and links to various environments in isotopic Albian–Cenomanian Boundary Interval

In the latest Albian–lowermost Cenomanian, the palaeoenvironments along the northern margin in the Carpathian domain of the Western Tethys were characterized by deep basins with floors below the calcium compensation depth, which were filled with flysch and hemipelagic sediments. On the other hand, the terrestrial areas surrounding the Western Tethys to the north were covered by a diverse flora of gymnosperms and experienced an increase in the diversity of angiosperms; the latter was characterized by a rapid spread in most terrestrial environments. The flysch/hemipelagic succession of the Silesian Basin (the Polish part of the Outer Carpathians) contains a sedimentological record of organic-rich accumulation that is related to the carbon isotope excursion, known as the Albian–Cenomanian Boundary Interval (ACBI); its older part corresponds to Oceanic Anoxic Event 1d (OAE1d). Organic matter (OM) records from these noncalcareous sediments are characterized by the occurrence of both terrigenous and marine organic compounds, and an increase in their accumulation intensity occurred during OAE1d, similar to other Western Tethyan areas and their northern surroundings. Quantitative analyses of the OM compounds using petrographic and chemical methods indicate that the majority were redeposited from land and estuarine environments; however, the OAE1d strata (Alternans Level) and the lower part of the post-OAE1d black shale succession are also enriched in OM of marine origin. This enrichment is interpreted as the result of enhanced surface water productivity, most likely related to redistribution of nutrients from coastal areas during the sea level rise of the KAl8 eustatic cycle. OAE1d was also the period in which the degradation of OM took place under reducing conditions in the bottom waters (although they were not anoxic), which was possibly caused by poor ventilation. A high proportion of terrigenous/estuarine OM compounds redeposited in the Silesian Basin is characteristic, especially for the post-ACBI black and dark grey shales. A large amount of this OM type has undergone relatively rapid degradation as it has settled from the shallows through a well‑oxygenated water column in the epi-, meso- and bathypelagic zones. Some terrigenous OM came from forest fires that occurred in the catchment area and supplied material to the Silesian Basin.

Biological Soil Crusts as Modern Analogs for the Archean Continental Biosphere: Insights from Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopes.

Stable isotope signatures of elements related to life such as carbon and nitrogen can be powerful biomarkers that provide key information on the biological origin of organic remains and their paleoenvironments. Marked advances have been achieved in the last decade in our understanding of the coupled evolution of biological carbon and nitrogen cycling and the chemical evolution of the early Earth thanks, in part, to isotopic signatures preserved in fossilized microbial mats and organic matter of marine origin. However, the geologic record of the early continental biosphere, as well as its evolution and biosignatures, is still poorly constrained. Following a recent report of direct fossil evidence of life on land at 3.22 Ga, we compare here the carbon and nitrogen isotopic signals of this continental Archean biosphere with biosignatures of cyanobacteria biological soil crusts (cyanoBSCs) colonizing modern arid environments. We report the first extended δ13C and δ15N data set from modern cyanoBSCs and show that these modern communities harbor specific isotopic biosignatures that compare well with continental Archean organic remains. We therefore suggest that cyanoBSCs are likely relevant analogs for the earliest continental ecosystems. As such, they can provide key information on the timing, extent, and possibly mechanism of colonization of the early Earth's emergent landmasses.

Sedimentary Organic Matter Characterization on a Tropical Continental Shelf in Northeastern Brazil

In continental shelf areas works where the focus is Geochemistry are widely relevant, due to the vast complexity and uses of these relief features (social, environmental and economic). On the Brazilian Northeast tropical shelves, with emphasis on the Pernambuco Continental Shelf (PCS), the published studies are limited and have aimed at portions closer to the coastline. The objective of the present work is the description of the characteristics and origin of sedimentary organic matter (SOM) in the inner and middle Pernambuco shelf, defining and classifying the local geochemical sedimentary facies. The sampling stations (136) were collected in the study area, and the grain-size, contents of total organic matter (TOM), calcium carbonate (CaCO3) were analyzed. The samples were processed in an elemental analyzer coupled with a mass spectrometer after the elimination of calcium carbonate. The obtained data were the grain-size, TOM, CaCO3, elemental (C, N) and the stable isotopic ratios of δ13C e δ15N of SOM. Based on the measured values of carbon and nitrogen, the C/N ratio, associated to δ13C e δ15N, is observed that in the PCS predominates an organic matter of marine origin along its entire length: C δ13C > -21 PDB e δ15N > 8Ar. The PCS presents patches of continental origin SOM, associated to the coastal zones adjacent to estuarine systems mouths and covering the paleochannels, which may indicate that this material was carried from the coastal rivers to the offshore areas, possibly by the paleo-valleys that also act as traps of fine sediments and SOM. The statistical analysis indicates the existence of 6 different sedimentary facies and a prevalence of one of them, characterized by poorly-sorted bioclastic sandy-gravel, with low to medium organic contents of marine origin. This indicates that the coastal sedimentary material contributions are low and the local cover is autochthonous of biogenic origin, and deposited according to the surficial topography, morphosedimentary processes and meteoceanographycal conditionings of the study area, typical of moderate hydrodynamic energy environments.

Storm-induced concentration of sulfurized, marine-origin, organic matter as a possible mechanism in the formation of petroleum source-rock

Abstract Black shales, though laminated, are not systematically synonymous with quiet conditions of deposition. A number of papers report about black shales yielding sedimentary structures echoing relatively high hydrodynamic conditions. Here we examine two sedimentary sequences pertaining to the Late Jurassic Argiles de Châtillon Formation of the Boulonnais area (Northernmost France), each of them including a meter-thick black-shale horizon. The two laminated black shales contain sulfurized (i.e., organic S-rich) organic matter, reaching a maximum of 9%. However, some differences set the two black shales apart. The lower one was deposited under calm, suboxic to anoxic, bottom-water conditions (the « classic » way); the upper black shale was deposited under oxic, agitated bottom-water conditions, not compatible with stable sulfidic conditions required for organic-matter sulfurization. The upper black shale experienced hydrodynamically-induced concentration of sulfurized, recalcitrant organic matter of marine origin. The sulfurized organic matter could be preserved and quantitatively accumulated owing to its non-putrescible nature, leading to the formation of a potential hydrocarbon source rock. The association of pyrite inclusions with sulfurized organic matter probably modified the hydrodynamic behavior of organic particles. The storm-induced remobilization and concentration of sulfurized organic matter implies that the “sulfurization factory” operated in proximal, shallow environments such as estuaries, mud flats or mangrove environments. Such a model is in agreement with findings from modern coastal/shelf environments (notably mangroves) and fully transposable to many other sedimentary situations of any geological time period.

Drivers of Oxygen Consumption in the Northern Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic Waters—A Stable Carbon Isotope Perspective

AbstractWe examined the stable carbon isotopic composition of remineralized organic carbon (δ13COCx) in the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGoM) using incubations (sediment and water) and a three‐end‐member mixing model. δ13COCx in incubating sediments was −18.1‰ ± 1.3‰, and δ13COCx in incubating near‐surface and near‐bottom waters varied with salinity, ranging from −30.4‰ to −16.2‰ from brackish water to full‐strength Gulf water. The average δ13COCx was −18.6‰ ± 1.8‰ at salinity >23. A three‐end‐member mixing model based on a multiyear data set collected in previous summer hypoxia cruises (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2016) suggested that δ13COCx in near‐bottom waters across the nGoM (5–50 m) was −18.1‰ ± 0.6‰. The close agreement of δ13COCx obtained from the three independent approaches, that is, incubations of water column, surface sediments, and mixing model, suggests that 13C‐enriched organic matter of marine origin played the dominant role in near‐bottom water and benthic oxygen consumption in the nGoM shelf in summer.

Oil Shale Prospects of Imo Formation Niger Delta Basin, Southeastern Nigeria: Palynofacies, Organic Thermal Maturation and Source Rock Perspective

The search for oil and gas in the Nigerian inland basins and efficacy of the unconventional oil shale in hydrocarbon generation have necessitated the palynofacies characterization, thermal maturation and source rock evaluation of the Imo Formation, updip Niger Delta basin to determine its palynofacies constituents and oil shale potential. The standard acid maceration technique, palynofacies description as well as palynomorph colour index chart systematically compared to thermal alteration index and vitrinite reflectance index values were utilized for the study. The palynofacies components of the Imo Formation is dominant of yellow and brown amorphous organic matter, marine taxa, opaque particles, with few dark brown structured phytoclasts and terrestrial microflora. The source rock content is interpreted as Kerogen Type II - oil prone with abundant marine palynomorphs, amorphous organic matter and few terrestrial microfossils. The spore/pollen colour of the strata is light brown signifying mature and oil generation zone. This correlates to thermal alteration index (TAI) 2+ to 3 and vitrinite reflectance index (%Ro) values of 0.5% to 1.0%. The abundance of the amorphous organic matter of marine origin suggests good source rock which indicates good oil shale prospects. The oil shale prospects of the Imo Formation in the study area are hindered by the low abundance of the palynofacies associations. Field evidence indicate that the grey to slightly light grey shales in hand specimen, as against black carbonaceous shales rich in organic matter suggests that the environmental conditions affected the quality of the organic kerogen. The oil yields may be compensated by the great volume of marine shale deposited in the formation and the abundance of amorphous organic matter of marine origin which is known to be an excellent indicator of oil. The palynofacies model enhances the understanding of palynofacies events and oil shale quality which can be tied to the development of unconventional oil shale, oil fields and subsequent exploration drive in the area.

The oceanic anoxic event 2 at Es Souabaa (Tebessa, NE Algeria): bio-events and stable isotope study

At the southern margin of the Tethys, the Es Souabaa area recorded traces of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2) around the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary (C/Tb). The dark, laminated, filament- and pyrite-bearing limestones represent the typical facies of this event. In terms of sedimentary environment, these features reflect a transgressive drowning that had induced hypoxia in these sedimentary environments. Such conditions favored the deposition and preservation of organic matter of marine origin, the distribution of which was controlled by paleogeography and halokinetic tectonics at that period. The OAE2 reached a climax between the last upper Cenomanian occurrence of Rotalipora cushmani and the lower Turonian occurrence of Whiteinella praehelvetica. Positive shift of the δ13C excursion along with relatively high total organic carbon (TOC) contents during OAE2 both indicate palaeo-environmental modifications enhanced by a significant change in primary marine productivity. Meanwhile, negative δ18O peaks in carbonates reflect increasing temperatures. Comparison of the data from this study with those from the neighboring Kalaat Senan section (Tunisia) suggests close similarities of events, although OAE2 is much more enhanced in Algeria.

Sedimentary, Geochemical and Micropaleontological Responses to Sea Level Variations in the Vitoria Estuary, Espírito Santo

AbstractMarine insertion indicators in the Vitoria estuary (ES) revealed relative variations in sea level during the Holocene in three sediment cores. Sedimentological, geochemical (C/N ratio), and paleontological (shells and palynomorphs) analysis and14C dating associated five sedimentary facies to different estuarine deposits. A C/N ratio <10 at the core base indicated organic matter of marine origin. Moving up the cores to 110–150 cm, an abrupt increase in C/N to 26–63 in every core suggests the sudden entry of higher plants into the estuary, potentially the moment sea level retreated. High continental (10,743 palynomorphs/g) and low marine palynomorph concentrations (323 palynomorphs/g) suggest a primarily continental source even during transgression and at high sea level. Around 8973 cal BP, an open bay already existed in the region of Vitoria. Sea level potentially exceeded the current level around 7110 cal BP. The transgressive maximum was at 5567 cal BP. Marine insertion indicators, such as marine shells, low C/N ratios and foraminiferal linings, did not always respond directly to sea level oscillations. These discrepancies probably result from lateral variations in sedimentary deposits from transport patterns and from variations in organic matter and palynomorph preservation due to differences in river and obstacle proximity.

Hydrocarbon potential, palynology and palynofacies of four sedimentary basins in the Benue Trough, northern Cameroon

Organic geochemical, palynological and palynofacies analyses were carried out on 79 selected samples from four sedimentary basins (Mayo-Rey, Mayo-Oulo-Lere, Hamakoussou and Benue) in northern Cameroon. Rock-Eval pyrolysis and Total Organic Carbon results indicate that most of the samples of the studied basins are thermally immature to mature. The organic matter consists of terrestrial components (peat, lignite, bituminous coal, and anthracite) associated with organic matter of marine origin. Based on the appraisal of multiple parameters: Total Organic Carbon (TOC), maximum Temperature (T-max), Hydrogen Index (HI), Oxygen Index (OI) and Production Index (PI), some samples are organically rich both in oil and/or gas-prone kerogen Type-II, II/III and III. The source rock quality ranges from poor to very good. The source material is composed of both algae and higher plants. Samples from these basins yielded palynological residue composed of translucent and opaque phytoclasts, Amorphous Organic Matter (AOM), fungal remains, algal cysts pollen and pteridophyte spores. Abundance and diversity of the palynomorphs overall low and include Monoporopollenites annulatus (= Monoporites annulatus), indeterminate periporate pollen, indeterminate tetracolporate pollen, indeterminate tricolporate pollen, indeterminate triporate pollen, indeterminate trilete spores, Polypodiaceoisporites spp., Biporipsilonites sp., Rhizophagites sp., Striadiporites sp., Botryococcus sp. (colonial, freshwater green algae), and Chomotriletes minor (cyst of zygnematalean freshwater green algae). Age assigned confidently for all these basins the palynological data except for one sample of Hamakoussou that can be dated as Early to Mid-Cretaceous in age. Callialasporites dampieri, Classopollis spp., Eucommiidites spp. and Araucariacites australis indicate, an Aptian to Cenomanian age. The other pollen and spores recovered may indicate a Tertiary or younger age (especially Monoporopollenites annulatus), or have arisen from modern contamination. Geochemical data show that sediments are wackes, arkose, iron-sandstone and iron-shale. The Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA-K) is low moderate to high, suggesting a shorter exposure time and fast erosion and transport. The studied sequences cover various depositional settings ranging from wetlands to dry environment inside island arc, passive margin or active continental margin. This study reveals new data and the economic potential of this part of Cameroon.

Genesis, mineralogy and ecological significance of ornithogenic soils from a semi-desert polar landscape at Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula

Large amounts of organic matter of marine origin are seasonally deposited on ice-free soils by birds and mammals, especially penguins, in some restricted Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems. The incorporation of this material into the mineral soil matrix becomes the main pathway for the widespread formation of phosphate minerals and ornithogenic soils, enhancing local biodiversity and complexity. These soils have been well-studied in Maritime Antarctica, and comparatively neglected in the cold, dry polar Antarctica. Hence, we studied the influence of penguins on soil and landscape formation at Hope Bay, a transition climatic zone in Antarctic Peninsula, where no previous pedological study has been undertaken with regards to soil phosphatization. Ten pedons, nine of which are ornithogenic, were described, sampled, and analyzed for physical, chemical and mineralogical properties. Results indicate that the slow mineralization of bird guano, coupled with high levels of organic matter and reduced leaching, notably Ca, contribute to reduced soil acidification and low exchangeable Al3+ content, unlike ornithogenic soils from Maritime Antarctica. Phosphate minerals typical of the phosphatization process, such as taranakite, minyulite, leucophosphite, struvite, and fluorapatite, were detected. In Hope Bay, they are subjected to very slow rates of dissolution, neoformation of secondary phosphatic minerals, and mineralogical transformation and leaching processes. Ornithogenesis is viewed as a mechanism of sea-land nutrient transfer, enriching the latter, since the parent rocks are chemically poor sedimentary materials. On the other hand, the presence of kaolinite indicates wetter climate conditions in the past, with periods with greater moisture and weathering, compared with the current semi-polar desert environment. We conclude that the phosphatization process overprints previously weathered sedimentary materials.

The Carbon Isotope Organic Geochemistry of Early Ordovician Rocks from the Annascaul Formation, County Kerry

Ireland is well known to geologists as containing some of the thickest successions of Early Ordovician (485! 470 Ma; Walker et al. 2012) sedimentary rocks in the world. The carbon stable isotope compositions (d 13 C value) of similarly aged rocks have been reported for only very few places in the world (i.e., Argentina, southern China, and southern France), and no such analyses have been performed on the Early Ordovician, organic-rich rocks of Ireland. Here we report the d 13 C values of bulk organic material and organic isolates recovered from the Annascaul Formation of Southwestern Ireland. Members of the Annascaul Formation spanning the Early Ordovician were sampled at multiple sites within five localities on the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry. Mean bulk organic d 13 C values for the organic matter within rocks of the Farranacarriga, Tinal, Illaunglass, Bealacoon, and Killelton Members ranged from 28.7! (Farranacarriga) to 22.1! (Illaunglass); the average d 13 C values of organics isolated from the Farranacarriga and Bealacoon Members were 29.0 and 28.4! , respectively. No statistical difference was observed between the d 13 C value of isolates and the d 13 C value of bulk sediment from which organics had been isolated (P# 0.85, Farranacarriga, n# 6; P# 0.81, Bealacoon, n# 5; paired t-test). The d 13 C values we present here agree well with the previously published d 13 C values for Early Ordovician organic carbon (average # 28.4, 25.4, 25.5! ) from Argentina, southern China, and southern France (respectively). Our new data from the Annascaul Formation are ! 3.3! higher than the average value reported for d 13 C values of organic matter of marine origin for the same period, raising the possibility that terrestrial bryophytes (or other terrestrial photosynthesizers) contributed to these Early Ordovician sediments. Further equivocal evidence is provided by the abundant organic macerals found within the Farranacarriga Member with possible vitrinite origin. The d 13 C values of palynomorphsized organic isolates from the Annascaul Formation reflect a marine origin for these organisms, consistent with their previous identification as acritarchs. Given the recognition of the earliest thalloid macrofossils and land-plant cryptospores in the Middle Ordovician sediments of the Appalachian basin (USA) and Argentina, respectively, our results highlight the Early! Middle Ordovician boundary as a potentially crucial time of terrestrial ecosystem expansion and development.

THE CARBON ISOTOPE ORGANIC GEOCHEMISTRY OF EARLY ORDOVICIAN ROCKS FROM THE ANNASCAUL FORMATION, COUNTY KERRY

Ireland is well known to geologists as containing some of the thickest successions of Early Ordovician (485—470 Ma; Walker et al 2012) sedimentary rocks in the world. The carbon stable isotope compositions (δ¹³C value) of similarly aged rocks have been reported for only very few places in the world (i.e., Argentina, southern China, and southern France), and no such analyses have been performed on the Early Ordovician, organic-rich rocks of Ireland. Here we report the δ¹³C values of bulk organic material and organic isolates recovered from the Annascaul Formation of Southwestern Ireland. Members of the Annascaul Formation spanning the Early Ordovician were sampled at multiple sites within five localities on the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry. Mean bulk organic δ¹³C values for the organic matter within rocks of the Farranacarriga, Tinal, Illaunglass, Bealacoon, and Killelton Members ranged from — 28.7‰, (Farranacarriga) to — 22.1‰ (Illaunglass); the average δ¹³C values of organics isolated from the Farranacarriga and Bealacoon Members were — 29.0 and — 28.4‰, respectively. No statistical difference was observed between the δ¹³C value of isolates and the δ¹³C value of bulk sediment from which organics had been isolated (P= 0.85, Farranacarriga, N = 6; p = 0.81, Bealacoon, n = 5; paired Mest). The δ¹³C values we present here agree well with the previously published 5 l3 C values for Early Ordovician organic carbon (average = –28.4, –25.4, –25.5‰) from Argentina, southern China, and southern France (respectively). Our new data from the Annascaul Formation are ~3.3‰ higher than the average value reported for δ¹³C values of organic matter of marine origin for the same period, raising the possibility that terrestrial bryophytes (or other terrestrial photosynthesizers) contributed to these Early Ordovician sediments. Further equivocal evidence is provided by the abundant organic macerais found within the Farranacarriga Member with possible vitrinite origin. The δ¹³C values of palynomorphsized organic isolates from the Annascaul Formation reflect a marine origin for these organisms, consistent with their previous identification as acritarchs. Given the recognition of the earliest thalloid macrofossils and land-plant cryptospores in the Middle Ordovician sediments of the Appalachian basin (USA) and Argentina, respectively, our results highlight the Early-Middle Ordovician boundary as a potentially crucial time of terrestrial ecosystem expansion and development.

Sedimentary geochemistry and foraminiferal assemblages in coral reef assessment of Abrolhos, Southwest Atlantic

The health of the coral ecosystem at Abrolhos was evaluated using foraminifers and geochemistry. A total of 54 bottom sediment samples was collected for foraminifers, and 18 samples were collected for geochemistry by scuba divers at nine stations from different depth domains (A: 1 m < depth ≤ 10 m; B: 10 m < depth ≤ 15 m, and C: 15 < depth ≤ 25 m) in January and July 2005. Transparency, water temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen were measured in situ near the sea bed. The sediment was analyzed for total organic carbon and nitrogen, carbonate content, phosphorus, mineralogy, and grain size. Foraminifers were identified to 136 genera and sorted into functional groups for FORAM index (FI). Calcite and aragonite predominated, and organic matter of marine origin was found in the sediment. Hydrodynamic processes, organic matter, and temperature seemed to control the foraminifer distribution in austral summer, whereas salinity coupled with CaCO3 content and grain size was most important in austral winter. At most stations, the FI indicated that the environment was suitable for coral reef growth, but it needs to be applied with caution in Brazilian waters. The use of foraminifer taxocenosis, the FI, Amphistegina spp. taphonomy, and geochemistry showed good resolution for measuring environmental quality and could be used in coral reef monitoring programs of the Southwestern Atlantic.

A comparative study of cellulase and hemicellulase activities of brackish water clam Corbicula japonica with those of other marine Veneroida bivalves

Corbicula japonica is a typical brackish water bivalve species belonging to the order Veneroida, and it is the most important inland fishery resource in Japan. Corbicula japonica has been suggested to assimilate organic matter from terrestrial plants, unlike Ruditapes philippinarum and Mactra veneriformis, which selectively assimilate organic matter of marine origin. This led us to hypothesize that C. japonica, despite being a suspension feeder, could assimilate cellulosic materials derived from terrestrial plants. In the present study, we measured cellulase and hemicellulase activities in the crystalline styles of C. japonica and other commercially important Veneroida bivalve species in Japan: Ruditapes philippinarum, Meretrix lamarckii and Meretrix lusoria. Corbicula japonica demonstrated notably higher cellulase, xylanase and beta-mannanase activities than the other marine bivalves, suggesting that this species possesses a far greater biochemical capacity to break down the structural polysaccharides of plant cell walls than the other species. In contrast, the beta-1,3-glucanase and pectinase activities of C. japonica were similar to or even lower than those of the others. This is possibly due to the presence of these polysaccharides in the cell walls of diatoms, a principal food of most marine bivalves. Although direct evidence is lacking, the high cellulase, xylanase and beta-mannanase activities of C. japonica may result from adaptation to an upstream estuarine environment where phytoplankton and diatoms are scarce, but plant-derived substances are abundant.

Enhanced trapping of molybdenum by sulfurized marine organic matter of marine origin in Mesozoic limestones and shales

There have been many studies devoted to trace metals and their value in assessing the paleoredox conditions of ancient marine deposition. Among them, molybdenum (Mo) is frequently cited as an effective proxy for sediments and sedimentary rocks. Recently, Helz et al. (Helz, G.R., Miller, C.V., Charnock, J.M., Mosselmans, J.L.W., Pattrick, R.A.D., Garner, C.D., Vaughan, D.J., 1996. Mechanisms of molybdenum removal from the sea and its concentration in black shales: EXAFS evidences. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 60, 3631–3642) and Adelson et al. (Adelson, J. M., Helz, G. R., Miller, C. V., 2001. Reconstructing the rise of recent coastal anoxia; molybdenum in Chesapeake Bay sediments. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 65, 237–252.) suggested that Mo does not behave conservatively in the water column when H 2S reaches a threshold concentration. Above this concentration, a “switch” operates, and Mo is scavenged by forming bonds with metal-rich (notably iron) particles, sulfur-rich organic molecules and pyrite. In this paper, Mo-trapping by sulfur-rich organic matter (OM) in ancient marine deposits is emphasized. The following Mesozoic geological formations were selected for study because of their relatively high concentration of sulfurized OM: the Akkuyu Formation (Turkey), the Calcaires d'Orbagnoux (France) and Kimmeridge Clay (UK) and its timeequivalent in Boulonnais (France), the Kashpir oil shales (Russia), and the La Luna Formation (Venezuela). The sulfur-rich OM is identified by either measured organic-S abundance or kerogen microscope observation. Our results show that Mo is systematically more enriched relative to the other redox-sensitive/sulfide-forming elements studied (U, V, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cr), and Mo enrichment is positively correlated with the amount of sulfurized OM but not with pyrite abundance. These results illuminate the role played by sulfurized OM in geologic-scale Mo capture and retention, but they also underline the role played by reactive iron. Significant OM sulfurization is only possible when reactive iron is limited. Nevertheless, pyrite formation, though limited, could act as an initial Mo trap, prior to Mo uptake by OM that is sulfurized after the pyritization step. In future paleoenvironmental reconstructions, attention must be paid to this enhanced Mo enrichment in the presence of sulfurized organic matter. In such cases, the use of Mo could lead to overestimation of the reducing conditions of the depositional environment.

D13C Signatures of Flora, Macrofauna and Sediment of a Mangrove Forest Partly Affected by Sewage Wastes.

Stable carbon isotope ratios (d13C) of sediments, suspended particulate matter, and crab gut content from Maruhubi mangrove forest, Zanzibar, were determined. Stable carbon isotope ratios were used to determine sources of organic matter in the forest. Mangrove organic carbon (d13C±SD = - 27.97±0.25) was found to be an important component of the sediment organic matter except at the marine fringe zone (d13C±SD = - 17.26±0.83). The areal distribution of d13C values show that the marine fringe zone was rich in organic carbon of marine origin. The terrestrial fringe zone was dominated by a mixed source of sediment organic carbon (d13C±SD =-24.89± 0.72). Vertical variations in d13C were not so obvious, showing a diminishing importance of mangrove organic matter below 60 cm in the sediments of the terrestrial fringe zone. Stable carbon isotope ratios of the major primary producers in the mangrove forest were reflected to a reasonable extent in the terrestrial fringe surficial sediment organic carbon. Stable carbon isotope ratios for plant and sediment organic carbon gave values in the range of - 27.67 to - 28.31 o/oo for mangroves and - 17.57 to - 24.89 o/oo for surface sediment (0 - 5 cm). Marine fringe sediments receive organic matter of marine origin to a large extent, in comparison to terrestrial fringe sediments, which contain mainly organic matter of mangrove origin. Tanzania Journal of Science Volume 26 (2000), pp. 15-28