Rare earth elements determined in Antarctic ice by inductively coupled plasma

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a suitable tool for multi-element analysis at low concentration levels. Rare earth element (REE) determinations in standard reference materials and small volumes of molten ice core samples from Antarctica have been performed with an ICP-time of flight-MS (ICP-TOF-MS) system. Recovery rates for REE in e.g. SPS-SW1 amounted to not, vert, similar ~103%, and the relative standard deviations were 3.4% for replicate analysis at REE concentrations in the lower ng/l range. Analyses of REE concentrations in Antarctic ice core samples showed that the ICP-TOF-MS technique meets the demands of restricted sample mass. The data obtained are in good agreement with ICP-Quadrupole-MS (ICP-Q-MS) and ICP-Sector Field-MS (ICP-SF-MS) results. The ICP-TOF-MS system determines accurately and precisely REE concentrations exceeding 5 ng/l while between 0.5 and 5 ng/l accuracy and precision are element dependent.

Age models, accumulation rates, sand and carbonates at DSDP Leg 74 holes

Accumulation rates for the five sites drilled during Leg 74 of the Glomar Challenger are presented on a common timescale based on calibration of datum levels to paleomagnetic records in Leg 74 sediments for the Paleogene, and a new compilation by Berggren et al. (1985), for the Neogene, and using the seafloor-spreading magnetic anomaly timescale of Kent (1985). We present data on accumulation of total sediment, of foraminifers, of the noncarbonate portion, and of fish teeth that give a history of productivity, winnowing, carbonate dissolution, and nonbiogenic input to what was then a part of the South Atlantic at about 30 deg S.

(Table 1) Results of geothermal measurements in the Black Sea 2000 and 2001 expeditions

According to the World Ocean Program in the northeastern part of the continental slope of the Black Sea geothermal, seismologic and seismic studies were carried out. An analysis of heat flow distribution allowed to distinguish a negative geothermal anomaly near the Dzhubga area, where the Russia-Turkey pipeline was being constructed. During seismological observations (August-September 1999, September 2001) more than 1200 seismic events were recorded. They proved high tectonic activity of the region under study, which stimulates gravitational sediment transport on the continental slope. The seismo-acoustic survey carried out in the area of the geothermal anomaly revealed no reflecting horizons within the sedimentary cover. This may be related to turbidite-landsliding processes. Results of modeling of the heat flow anomaly showed that it had originated approximately 1000 years ago due to a powerful landslide. This also suggests a possibility of an avalanche displacement of sedimentary masses in the area of the pipeline at present.