Calcium carbonate, organic carbon, sediment description and hydrogen and oxygen index at DSDP Sites 93-603, 93-605, 93-604 and 95-603

The organic matter contents of sediments and rocks sampled during DSDP Leg 93 have been characterized by CHN and Rock-Eval analyses. Most samples from Sites 604 and 605 on the New Jersey continental slope and from Site 603 on the Hatteras outer continental rise contained less than 0.5% organic carbon. Some Neogene samples from the slope contained 1 to 2% organic carbon, and Cretaceous samples from the outer rise were as rich as 13.6% organic carbon by weight. Thin layers of black claystones of Santonian, Cenomanian, and Albian age were found interbedded in organiccarbon- lean, bioturbated, turbiditic claystones. Similar layers of turbiditic black marlstones were interspersed among Neocomian limestones and sandstones. Although the organic matter in many of the samples appeared to be detrital continental material, according to Rock-Eval and C/N values, Cenomanian black shales, in particular, contained substantial proportions of marine-derived organic matter.

(Table 1) AMS 14C dates from sediment cores RC12-10 and GYRE97-6PV-20

Proxy records from two piston cores in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) provide a detailed (50-100 year resolution) record of climate variability over the last 14,000 years. Long-term (millennial-scale) trends and changes are related to the transition from glacial to interglacial conditions and movement of the average position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) related to orbital forcing. The d18O of the surface-dwelling planktic foraminifer Globigerinoides ruber show negative excursions between 14 and 10.2 ka (radiocarbon years) that reflect influx of meltwater into the western GOM during melting of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. The relative abundance of the planktic foraminifer Globigerinoides sacculifer is related to transport of Caribbean water into the GOM. Maximum transport of Caribbean surface waters and moisture into the GOM associated with a northward migration of the average position of the ITCZ occurs between about 6.5 and 4.5 ka. In addition, abundance variations of G. sacculifer show century-scale variability throughout most of the Holocene. The GOM record is consistent with records from other areas, suggesting that century-scale variability is a pervasive feature of Holocene climate. The frequency of several cycles in the climate records is similar to cycles identified in proxy records of solar variability, indicating that at least some of the century-scale climate variability during the Holocene is due to external (solar) forcing.

(Table 1) Gas molecules, isotopic composition and delta Deuterium in DSDP Holes 95-603D and 95-613

Methane is the major hydrocarbon gas measured in Vacutainer samples from Holes 603D and 613 ( C1/sumCn > 0.999). In Hole 613 the concentration of this dry hydrocarbon gas is highest (7.4 x 10 **5 ppm max.) in the upper 60 to 120 m, then decreases erratically to low trace levels by 261 m sub-bottom (lower Pliocene). No gas accumulations were observed in older sediments. Methane from both holes is strongly depleted in both 13C (d13C, - 75 to -85 per mil) and deuterium (D/H, - 175 to -262 per mil), indicating the biogenic origin of the methane. The C and H isotopic compositions support methanogenesis via the CO2-reduction pathway; this is also corroborated by the dissolved-sulfate and alkalinity minima at these depths. The relationship between D/H of the methane and coexisting interstitial water from Site 613 further show the methanogenesis to be primarily by CO2 reduction.

Stable oxygen isotope record of coral core RUS-95 from the Red Sea

A 245-year coral oxygen isotope record from the northern Red Sea (Ras Umm Sidd/Egypt, ~28°N) in bimonthly resolution is presented. The mean annual coral delta18O signal apparently reflects varying proportions of both sea surface temperature and delta18Oseawater variability. In conjunction with instrumental observations of climate the coral record suggests for interannual and longer timescales that colder periods are accompanied by more arid conditions in the northern Red Sea but increased rainfall in the southeastern Mediterranean, whereas warmer periods are accompanied by decreased rainfall in the latter and less arid conditions in the northern Red Sea. A ~70-year oscillation of probably North Atlantic origin dominates the coral time series. Interannual to interdecadal variability is correlated with instrumental indices of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and North Pacific climate variability. The results suggest that these modes contributed consistently to Middle East climate variability since at least 1750, preferentially at a period of ~5.7 years.

(Table, page 95) Chemistry of bog manganese concretions and wad from the Columbia County, New York

Bog manganese was long ago reported from various places in Columbia county (1:54) and it seemed well to reexamine these occurrences. According to W. W. Mather in his report of the First District Survey, 1836-42, " in the counties of Columbia and Dutchess 50,000 tons of manganese could be procured without any great expense, if carefully prepared." He also stated that some of the bog manganese showed on analysis as high as 68.5 per cent manganese oxide and less than 5 per cent silica. At the direction of the State Geologist the writer has devoted most of the summer of 191 7 to this work. The results of this investigation, though not in any way confirming the quantitative results of Mr Mather, are herewith published as a matter of record and as an account of the manner of the occurrence and the genesis of postglacial bog manganese.