Chemical composition of zeolites in sandstones at DSDP Sites 445 and 446

Andesitic volcaniclastic sandstones of Middle Eocene age recovered from DSDP Sites 445 and 446, a back-arc basin, contain clinoptilolite, heulandite and analcite as a pore-filling cement. Clinoptilolite and heulandite at Sites 445 and 446 contain different chemical composition from other deep-sea clinoptilolites and heulandites. The dominant cation of both clinoptilolite and heulandite is Na+ ion activity in pore water was greater at the time of their formation. Volcanic glass has acted as a precursor for both clinoptilolite and heulandite at Sites 445 and 446. Biogenic silica is also suggested as a precursor. High Na+ ion activity in pore water also helped to transform clinoptilolite and heulandite to analcite downhole. The necessary Na+ ions for this clinoptilolite, heulandite and analcite at Sites 445 and 446 might have been provided by hydrothermal circulation of seawater through more permeable sandstones deposited during early stages of back-arc basin rifting.

Structure and chemistry of TECHNO encrustations

Using as a starting point the results giving 'traditional' growth rates as determined by the decrease of radioelements (part I) and the hypothesis of rapid formation, the different mineralogical, structure and chemical characteristics of the sample have been studied to try to understand the possible mode of formation of this encrustation. A rapid formation would account for (1) the very peculiar structure of the sample composed of oriented botryoids and the bundle-like structure of the outermost oxide layer; (2) the fact that this sample represents a substitution of a preexisting hyaloclastite; (3) the different chemical gradients, mainly iron, thorium and uranium; (4) the fact that this sample which cannot have been maintained at the sediment-water interface by bioturbation is not covered by a great thickness of sediments. On the other hand, an unsolved problem remains: Why different radionuclides used for dating give growth rates of the same order of magnitude and different 'exposition ages'.

Literature review of elasmobranch bycatch and retention rate

To address growing concern over the effects of fisheries non-target catch on elasmobranchs worldwide, the accurate reporting of elasmobranch catch is essential. This requires data on a combination of measures, including reported landings, retained and discarded non-target catch, and post-discard survival. Identification of the factors influencing discard vs. retention is needed to improve catch estimates and to determine wasteful fishing practices. To do this we compared retention rates of elasmobranch non-target catch in a broad subset of fisheries throughout the world by taxon, fishing country, and gear. A regression tree and random forest analysis indicated that taxon was the most important determinant of retention in this dataset, but all three factors together explained 59% of the variance. Estimates of total elasmobranch removals were calculated by dividing the FAO global elasmobranch landings by average retention rates and suggest that total elasmobranch removals may exceed FAO reported landings by as much as 400%. This analysis is the first effort to directly characterize global drivers of discards for elasmobranch non-target catch. Our results highlight the importance of accurate quantification of retention and discard rates to improve assessments of the potential impacts of fisheries on these species.