Table 1. Concentration of rare earth elements in ferromanganese nodule (crust), sediment and rock of the South China Sea

Based on the X-ray fluorescence spectrum analysis of 15 rare earth elements in 6 ferromanganese nodu1es and 5 ferro mangane se crusts from the South China Sea, their abundances, distribution patterns, sources and relationships with associated elements are discussed in detail in this paper. The results show that: 1) The average abundance of rare earth elements in ferromanganese nodu1es and crusts is 1. 625 g/kg and 2. 167 g/kg respectively, which is 1-2 tim es , 5-6 times and 15-20 times higher than that in the Pacific, in the sediments of the North Pacific and the South China Sea, respectively; 2) The distribution patterns of rare earth elements standardized by the globular aerolite in ferro mangane se nodules and crusts are basically similar, that is, Ce is positively abnormal and Eu is in deficit slightly; 3) The relationships between rare earth elements and associated elements, sediments and rocks show that the source of rare earth elements in ferromanganese nodules and crusts have mainly come from slow deposition caused by weathering and leaching of medium acidic rock of the South China Sea.

Palynology, source vegetation, environment and age of ODP Site 188-1166 sediments

Twenty-three core catcher samples from Site 1166 (Hole 1166A) in Prydz Bay were analyzed for their palynomorph content, with the aims of determining the ages of the sequence penetrated, providing information on the vegetation of the Antarctic continent at this time, and determining the environments under which deposition occurred. Dinocysts, pollen and spores, and foraminiferal test linings were recovered from most samples in the interval from 142.5 to 362.03 meters below seafloor (mbsf). The interval from 142.5 to 258.72 mbsf yielded palynomorphs indicative of a middle-late Eocene age, equivalent to the lower-middle Nothofagidites asperus Zone of the Gippsland Basin of southeastern Australia. The Prydz Bay sequence represents the first well-dated section of this age from East Antarctica. Dinocysts belonging to the widespread "Transantarctic Flora" give a more confident late Eocene age for the interval 142.5-220.5 mbsf. The uppermost two cores within this interval, namely, those from 142.5 and 148.36 mbsf, show significantly higher frequencies of dinocysts than the cores below and suggest that an open marine environment prevailed at the time of deposition. The spore and pollen component may reflect a vegetation akin to the modern rainforest scrubs of Tasmania and New Zealand. Below 267 mbsf, sparse microfloras, mainly of spores and pollen, are equated with the Phyllocladidites mawsonii Zone of southeastern Australia, which is of Turonian to possibly Santonian age. Fluvial to marginal marine environments of deposition are suggested. The parent vegetation from this interval is here described as "Austral Conifer Woodland." The same Late Cretaceous microflora occurs in two of the cores above the postulated unconformity at 267 mbsf. In the core at 249.42 mbsf, the Late Cretaceous spores and pollen are uncontaminated by any Tertiary forms, suggesting that a clast of this older material has been sampled; such a clast may reflect transport by ice during the Eocene. At 258.72 mbsf, Late Cretaceous spores and pollen appear to have been recycled into the Eocene sediments.

Model of interactive visualization of diffusion processes from different strains, and source routes and spatial diffusion of capuchin monkeys over the past 6 million years

Source routes and Spatial Diffusion of capuchin monkeys over the past 6 million years, rebuilt in the SPREAD 1.0.6 from the MCC tree. The map shows the 10 different regions to which distinctive samples were associated. The different transmission routes have been calculated from the average rate over time. Only rates with Bayes factor> 3 were considered as significantly different from zero. Significant diffusion pathways are highlighted with color varying from dark brown to red, being the dark brown less significant rates and deep red the most significant rates.

Annotated record and chemical composition of Mn deposits from R/V Mahi Cruise Abyssal Hills 69 stations

A University of Hawaii oceanographic cruise, Abyssal Hills 69, with the R/V Mahi, was carried out to study the association of manganese nodules with an abyssal hill. Manganese nodules from three dredge hauls on an abyssal hill located at 36°W and 157°W exhibited differences in morphology and composition between stations only three miles apart. The morphology of the nodules suggests that nodules from a single site have similar morphologies because they began growth at the same time, probably because of a volcanic event. Differences in morphology between stations indicate a local supply of elements. Atomic absorption analysis for manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, and copper revealed that nodules nearest to a probable fault line and source of volcanism have a, lower manganese to iron ratio than nodules farther removed. This finding supports the theory that volcanism contributes to the formation of some nodules. Additional evidence showing association with volcanism consists of volcanic nuclei in nodules, crusts formed on layers of volcanic ash, and basalt encrusted to various degrees. The variation in cobalt, nickel, and copper contents Gt the nodules from a single dredge is two-to threefold, but iron content is more uniiorm. Four of the six cores from the area increased in manganese concentration with depth, suggesting that diffusion is concentrating manganese in the upper zone of the sediments or in nodules. The author concludes that volcanism is contributing to the formation of nodules by supplying nuclei and transition elements, but is not necessary for the formation of manganese nodules.