Fine-grained Pleistocene deepwater turbidite channel system on the slope of Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea

Recently, as oil exploitation has become focused on deepwater slope areas. more multi-channel high resolution 2D and 3D seismic data were acquired in the deepwater part of the Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea. Based on 3D seismic data and coherence time slice, RMS and 3D visualization, a series of deepwater channels were recognized on the slope that probably developed in the late Quaternary period. These channels trend SW-NE to W-E and show bifurcations, levees, meander loops and avulsions. High Amplitude Reflections (HARs), typical for channel-levee complexes, are of only minor importance and were observed in one of the channel systems. Most of the detected channels are characterized by low-amplitude reflections, and so are different from the typical coarse-grained turbidite channels that had been discovered worldwide. The absence of well data in the study area made it difficult to determine the age and lithology of these channels. Using a neighboring drill hole and published data about such depositional systems worldwide, the lithology of these channels is likely to be dominated by mudstones with interbedded thin sandstones. These channels are formed by turbidity currents originated from the little scale mountain river of mid-Vietnam in SW direction and were probably accompanied by a relative sea level drop in the last glacial age. These channels discovered on the northern South China Sea slope are likely to be fine-grained, mud-dominant and low N:G deposits in a deepwater paleogeographic setting. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The paleoclimatic events and cause in the Okinawa Trough during 50 kaBP

Planktonic foraminiferal delta O-18 record for core DGKS9603 from the Okinawa Trough shows a series of climatic fluctuations and sudden cooling events in short time scale during 50 kaBP, which appear to correlate closely to the Younger Dryas and Heinrich events H1-5 recorded in Chinese loess, the South China Sea, the North Atlantic cores and the Greenland ice cores. Three polarity reversal events, correlating to Gothenburg, Mungo and Laschamp events, approximately correspond to Heinrich events H1, H3 and H5 respectively, which could be a cause of global climate changes. The delta O-18 curve of the Okinawa Trough is well associated with the grain size record of the Lijiayuan loess profile in northwestern China and is somewhat different from the climate fluctuations documented in the Greenland ice cores. These correlation results indicate that regional factors play an important role in controlling the climate changes in the East Asia, and the East Asian Monsoon could be the prominent regional controlling factor.

热带西太平洋边缘晚第四纪以来的古环境研究

利用取自热带太平洋边缘的5个柱状岩芯Ph05-5、WP3、MD2908、Z14-6和WP7，通过对其微体古生物和生物地球化学成分的分析，结合浮游有孔虫氧、碳同位素数据、AMS14C测年结果和已有的研究资料，分别研究了热带西太平洋边缘晚第四纪以来的钙质超微化石群落特征、碳酸盐旋回、超微化石氧碳同位素特征、古生产力和上层海水结构演化以及高分辨率东亚夏季风指标，并探讨了碳酸盐旋回、古生产力和上层海水结构演化、全新世东亚夏季风强弱变化的控制机制，以及钙质超微化石下透光带属种Florisphaera profunda的相对百分含量变化在热带太平洋边缘的古环境指示意义及不同环境条件下的控制机制。 西菲律宾海Ph05-5岩芯和台湾东南部WP3岩芯中CaCO3和钙质超微化石碳酸盐溶解指数、初级生产力指标的变化显示约190 kyr BP以来CaCO3含量整体上都表现为冰期高、间冰期低的“太平洋型”旋回特征，但菲律宾以东海区在末次冰期（MIS 4~2期）内部又显示出间冰段含量高、冰段含量低的“大西洋型”旋回特征。碳酸盐旋回的主要控制因素在菲律宾以东海区是碳酸盐溶解作用，而台湾东南海区则是初级生产力变化引起的钙质生物输入量的波动。 西菲律宾海Ph05-5岩芯中190 kyr BP以来的钙质超微化石δ18O值在末次间冰期（MIS 5e）和全新世明显低于末次冰期（MIS 5d~2）和倒数第二次冰期（MIS 6）。超微化石δ18O值与浮游和底栖有孔虫δ18O值都呈明显的正相关关系，但是超微化石的δ18O平均值重于表层浮游有孔虫Globigeriniodes rubber，轻于中层Neogloboquadrina dutertrei。超微化石δ13C值变化与其绝对丰度变化表明西菲律宾海区大约在MIS 6和MIS 5e期，表层海水初级生产力相当稳定且显著低于其它各时期；约从MIS 5d期开始表层初级生产力显著上升，并一直持续到末次冰期；在MIS1、2期，表层初级生产力有所下降，但仍高于MIS 6和MIS 5e期。 Ph05-5岩芯中钙质超微化石下透光带属种F. profunda相对百分含量和浮游有孔虫转换函数的温跃层深度变化表明西太平洋暖池北缘约190 kyr BP 以来，营养跃层和温跃层冰期（MIS 6期和5d~2期）浅，间冰期（MIS5e）和全新世深，MIS5e期是最近两个冰期旋回中营养跃层和温跃层深度最深的时期。F. profunda百分含量初级生产力转换方程计算结果和与钙质超微化石绝对丰度的变化显示冰期初级生产力高，间冰期和全新世初级生产力低， MIS5e期初级生产力最低。此外，Δδ13C C. wullerstorf-coccolith和Δδ13C C. wullerstorf-N. dutertrei差值的变化也说明190 kyr BP以来冰期表层输出生产力高于间冰期，其中最为突出的特征也是MIS5e期为生产力输出的最低值期。上层海水结构和生产力的上述变化特征与现代La Niňa事件爆发时的海洋环境相当类似，该海区MIS5e期可能是La Niňa事件频繁爆发的一段时期，可以与现代La Niňa现象类比。同时，根据Wyrtki提出的信风张弛理论推测MIS5e期，由于La Niňa事件的频繁爆发黑潮主流应该是增强的。 热带西太平洋暖池核心区WP7岩芯中250 kyr BP以来的初级生产力在间冰期明显低于冰期，间冰期生产力相对稳定，冰期(MIS6，4和2)生产力升降幅度较大；冰期向间冰期过渡的冰消期内生产力的降低是相对缓慢的，而间冰期向冰期过渡时生产力的增加是迅速的。初级生产力指标的交叉频谱分析显示出偏心率、斜率、岁差（半岁差）、30kyr和50kyr周期。说明暖池区晚第四纪以来古生产力变动除了受全球冰量变动控制以外，低纬区的岁差驱动也是主要控制因子。约250 kyr BP以来古生产力的变化与Vostok冰心的CO2记录在30kyr周期上高度相关，低CO2值与高生产力相对应，印证了大洋初级生产力在全球碳循环中扮演了重要的“吸收者”的角色，30kyr周期是赤道太平洋地区生物生产力ENSO式变化特征的体现，这也证明了低纬地区生物泵在控制大气CO2浓度方面的重要作用。另外，在岁差周期段，底栖有孔虫U+B含量和N. dutertrei δ13C代表的生产力变动领先于有孔虫δ18O代表的冰体积变化约2.6~7kyr（0.5kyr,2.6 kyr,4.2 kyr, 7kyr），表明在千年时间尺度上日射是该区生产力变化的直接驱动力，两极冰体积变化（δ18O）没有明显的影响低纬气候波动。 对热带西太平洋边缘海区WP7、Ph05-5、WP3和Z14-6四个岩芯中晚第四纪以来超微化石下透光带属种F. profunda相对百分含量变化进行横向对比研究表明，F. profunda百分含量分布并非简单受水深控制，而是由海水上层复杂的生态因素所决定；F. profunda相对百分含量变化曲线与浮游有孔虫N. dutertrei氧同位素曲线呈不同程度的相关性，N. dutertrei 氧同位素越轻，对应的F. profunda相对百分含量越高；冲绳海槽中部的Z14-6岩芯中F. profunda相对含量变化的主控因子是黑潮流的强弱变化；WP7和Ph05-5两个岩芯中F. profunda相对含量变化与低纬地区暖池变化特征密切相关。 6800 yr BP以来台湾东北部MD2908岩芯中F. profunda相对百分含量变化与太阳黑子数量呈明显的反相关关系，而且3700 yrBP以来更为明显。由于F. profunda相对百分含量变化与该地区东亚夏季风引起的降雨量密切相关，所以推测6800 yr BP以来东亚夏季风受太阳活动影响，其中的纽带是IZCT的纬向位置变动。

North European last glacial-interglacial transition (LGIT; 15-9 ka) tephrochronology: extended limits and new events

High-precision correlation of palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental records is crucial for testing hypotheses of synchronous change. Although radiocarbon is the traditional method for dating late Quaternary sedimentary sequences, particularly during the last glacial–interglacial transition (LGIT; 15–9?ka), there are inherent problems with the method, particularly during periods of climate change which are often accompanied by major perturbations in atmospheric radiocarbon content. An alternative method is the use of tephras that act as time-parallel marker horizons. Within Europe, numerous volcanic centres are known to have erupted during the LGIT, providing considerable potential for high-precision correlation independent of past radiocarbon fluctuations. Here we report the first identification of the Vedde Ash and Askja Tephra in Ireland, significantly extending the known provenance of these events. We have also identified two new horizons (the Roddans Port Tephras A and B) and tentatively recognise an additional horizon from Vallensgård Mose (Denmark) that provide crucial additional chronological control for the LGIT. Two phases of the Laacher See Tephra (LST) are reported, the lower Laacher See Tephra (LLST) and probably the C2 phase of the Middle Laacher See Tephra (MLST-C2) indicating a more northeasterly distribution of this fan than reported previously.

Rock hyrax middens: A palaeoenvironmental archive for southern African drylands

Like many of the world's subtropical regions, southern Africa is highly sensitive to changes in the earth's climate system, but a dearth of reliable palaeoenvironmental records means that relatively little is known about how regional environments have been affected over centennial to multi-millennial timescales. To a large extent this sensitivity is a function of the position of these regions at the interface between temperate and tropical circulation systems. The resulting seasonality and irregularity of rainfall have limited the development of suitable archives, such as lakes and wetlands, for the preservation of palaeoenvironmental proxies.

This paper reviews and evaluates the value of rock hyrax middens as novel palaeoenvironmental archives in southern Africa. Considered are (1) the contemporary taxonomy, distribution and ecology of hyraxes, (2) the mechanisms of hyrax midden development, their physical and chemical structure, rates of accumulation and age; and (3) the palaeoenvironmental proxies preserved within hyrax middens, including fossil pollen, stable isotopes and biomarkers. The interpretive constraints and opportunities offered by these various midden characteristics are assessed with a view to demonstrating the potential of these deposits, widespread as they are through arid and semi-arid southern Africa, in providing a more detailed and chronologically resolved view of late Quaternary palaeoenvironments across the subcontinent. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Palaeoglacial and palaeoclimatic conditions in the NW Pacific, as revealed by a morphometric analysis of cirques upon the Kamchatka Peninsula

The distribution of glacial cirques upon the Kamchatka peninsula, Far Eastern Russia, is systematically mapped from satellite images and digital elevation model data. A total of 3,758 cirques are identified, 238 of which are occupied by active glaciers. The morphometry of the remaining 3,520 cirques is analysed. These cirques are found to show a very strong N bias in their azimuth (orientation), likely resulting from aspect-related variations in insolation. The strength of this N bias is considered to indicate that former glaciation upon the peninsula was often ‘marginal’, and mainly of cirque-type, with peaks extending little above regional equilibrium-line altitudes. This is supported by the fact that S and SE-facing cirques are the highest in the dataset, suggesting that glacier-cover was rarely sufficient to allow S and SE-facing glaciers to develop at low altitudes. The strength of these azimuth-related variations in cirque altitude is thought to reflect comparatively cloud-free conditions during former periods of glaciation. It is suggested that these characteristics, of marginal glaciation and comparatively cloud-free conditions, reflect the region’s former aridity, which was likely intensified at the global Last Glacial Maximum, and during earlier periods of ice advance, as a result of the development of negative pressure anomalies over the North Pacific (driven by the growth of the Laurentide Ice Sheet), combined with other factors, including an increase in the extent and duration of sea ice, a reduction in global sea levels, cooler sea surface temperatures, and the localised growth of mountain glaciers. There is published evidence to suggest extensive glaciation of the Kamchatka Peninsula at times during the Late Quaternary, yet the data presented here appears to suggest that such phases were comparatively short-lived, and that smaller cirque-type glaciers were generally more characteristic of the period.

A high resolution 15,600-year pollen and microcharcoal record from the Cederberg Mountains, South Africa

The Cederberg Mountains (Western Cape Province, South Africa) are located within the Fynbos Biome, which exhibits some of the highest levels of species richness and endemism in the world. The region's post-glacial vegetation history, however, remains largely unknown. Presented here are high resolution pollen and microcharcoal records spanning the last 15,600 years obtained from the De Rif rock hyrax midden from the Driehoek Valley of the central Cederberg. In this region, previous pollen studies have shown muted variability in vegetation community composition during periods of globally marked climatic variability (e.g. the last glacial-interglacial transition). In our record, however, significant changes in vegetation composition are apparent. Most notably, they indicate a shift from ericaceous/restioid fynbos (present from 15,600 to 13,300 cal yr BP) to a brief, but prominent, development of proteoid fynbos at the beginning of the Holocene around 11,200 cal yr BP. This vegetation shift is associated with increased moisture at the site, and coincides with reduced fire frequency as indicated by the microcharcoal record. At 10,400 cal yr BP, there is a marked reduction in Protea-type pollen, which is replaced by thicket, characterised by Dodonaea, which became the dominant arboreal pollen type. This shift was likely the result of a long relatively fire-free period coupled with warmer and wetter climates spanning much of the early Holocene. A brief but marked decrease in water availability around 8500-8000 cal yr BP resulted in the strong decrease of Dodonaea pollen. The vegetation of the mid- to late Holocene is characterised by the increased occurrence of Asteraceae and succulent taxa, suggesting substantially drier conditions. These data give unprecedented insight into the vegetation dynamics across a period of substantial, rapid climate change, and while they confirm the presence of fynbos elements throughout the last 15,600 years, the results highlight significant fluctuations in the vegetation that were triggered by changes in both climate and fire regimes. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of tropical easterlies in southern Africa's winter rainfall zone during the Holocene

South Africa's southwestern Cape occupies a critical transition zone between Southern Hemisphere temperate (winter) and tropical (summer) moisture-bearing systems. In the recent geological past, it has been proposed that the relative influence of these systems may have changed substantially, but little reliable evidence regarding regional hydroclimates and rainfall seasonality exists to refine or substantiate the understanding of long-term dynamics. In this paper we present a mid-to late Holocene multi-proxy record of environmental change from a rock hyrax midden from Katbakkies Pass, located along the modern boundary between the winter and summer rainfall zones. Derived from stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes, fossil pollen and microcharcoal, these data provide a high resolution record of changes in humidity, and insight into changes in rainfall seasonality. Whereas previous work concluded that the site had generally experienced only subtle environmental change during the Holocene, our records indicate that significant, abrupt changes have occurred in the region over the last 7000 years. Contrary to expectations based on the site's location, these data indicate that the primary determinant of changes in humidity is summer rather than winter rainfall variability, and its influence on drought season intensity and/or length. These findings are consistent with independent records of upwelling along the southern and western coasts, which indicate that periods of increased humidity are related to increased tropical easterly flow. This substantially refines our understanding of the nature of temperate and tropical circulation system dynamics in SW Africa, and how changes in their relative dominance have impacted regional environments during the Holocene. 

Refinements to the IntCal09 and Marine09 radiocarbon calibration curves

Radiocarbon dating forms the basis for many Late Quaternary chronologies but, due to the fluctuations in atmospheric levels of 14C, radiocarbon dates require calibration before they can be compared and/or combined with date estimates derived from other dating techniques. New and recently published 14C measurements on independently dated material, such as speleothems, foraminifera, coral and tree-rings, allow the IntCal Working Group to make new estimates of the radiocarbon calibration curves and provide the opportunity to evaluate the offsets observed between records. In addition floating tree-ring 14C chronologies, which are not absolutely dendro-dated, provide evidence for the magnitude of atmospheric 14C variations in different time periods which can be used to refine the calibration curves.

Contribuição dos métodos geofísicos para o modelo evolutivo da região de Santo André desde o último máximo glaciário

Tese de doutoramento, Geologia (Geologia Económica e do Ambiente), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2014

Abrasion control on dune colour: Muleshoe Dunes, SW USA

The Muleshoe Dunes, an east-west trending dunefield on the border separating Texas and New Mexico, consist of two distinct components: a white (carbonate rich) component and an overlying pink (quartz rich) component. The pink component exhibits significant spatial variation in redness. The reddest sands, in the western part of the dunefield, decrease in redness towards the east. This gradient is thought to result from abrasion of all iron-rich, red clay coating as the sediments were transported eastward by Late Quaternary aeolian processes. The effects of aeolian abrasion on the spectral signature and surface texture of the sediments were examined using laboratory abrasion experiments. Changes in spectral reflectance of abrasion samples from the laboratory were compared to field samples that were abraded naturally because of sediment transport. The changes resulting from increased time of abrasion are similar to those observed with increased distance downwind in the dunefield. These results suggest that downwind abrasion can explain the pattern of dune colour in the Muleshoe Dunes, although this does not preclude other possible causes. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abrasion control on dune colour: Muleshoe Dunes, SW USA

The Muleshoe Dunes, an east-west trending dunefield on the border separating Texas and New Mexico, consist of two distinct components: a white (carbonate rich) component and an overlying pink (quartz rich) component. The pink component exhibits significant spatial variation in redness. The reddest sands, in the western part of the dunefield, decrease in redness towards the east. This gradient is thought to result from abrasion of all iron-rich, red clay coating as the sediments were transported eastward by Late Quaternary aeolian processes. The effects of aeolian abrasion on the spectral signature and surface texture of the sediments were examined using laboratory abrasion experiments. Changes in spectral reflectance of abrasion samples from the laboratory were compared to field samples that were abraded naturally because of sediment transport. The changes resulting from increased time of abrasion are similar to those observed with increased distance downwind in the dunefield. These results suggest that downwind abrasion can explain the pattern of dune colour in the Muleshoe Dunes, although this does not preclude other possible causes. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ultra-distal tephra deposits from super-eruptions: examples from Toba, Indonesia and Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand

Voluminous rhyolitic eruptions from Toba, Indonesia, and Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ), New Zealand, have dispersed volcanic ash over vast areas in the late Quaternary. The ~74 ka Youngest Toba Tuff (YTT) eruption deposited ash over the Bay of Bengal and the Indian subcontinent to the west. The ~340 ka Whakamaru eruption (TVZ) deposited the widespread Rangitawa Tephra, dominantly to the southeast (in addition to occurrences northwest of vent), extending across the landmass of New Zealand, and the South Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea, with distal terrestrial exposures on the Chatham Islands. These super-eruptions involved ~2500 km^3 and ~1500 km3 of magma (dense-rock equivalent; DRE), respectively. Ultra-distal terrestrial exposures of YTT at two localities in India, Middle Son Valley, Madhya Pradesh, and Jurreru River Valley, Andhra Pradesh, at distances of >2000 km from the source caldera, show a basal ‘primary’ ashfall unit ~4 cm thick, although deposits containing reworked ash are up to ~3 m in total thickness. Exposures of Rangitawa Tephra on the Chatham Islands, >900 km from the source caldera, are ~15-30 cm thick. At more proximal localities (~200 km from source), Rangitawa Tephra is ~55-70 cm thick and characterized by a crystal-rich basal layer and normal grading. Both distal tephra deposits are characterized by very-fine ash (with high PM10 fractions) and are crystal-poor. Glass chemistry, stratigraphy and grain-size data for these distal tephra deposits are presented with comparisons of their correlation, dispersal and preservation. Using field observations, ash transport and deposition were modeled for both eruptions using a semi-analytical model (HAZMAP), with assumptions concerning average wind direction and strength during eruption, column shape and vent size. Model outputs provide new insights into eruption dynamics and better estimates of eruption volumes associ- ated with tephra fallout. Modeling based on observed YTT distal tephra thicknesses indicate a relatively low (<40 km high), very turbulent eruption column, consistent with deposition from a co-ignimbrite cloud extending over a broad region. Similarly, the Whakamaru eruption was modeled as producing a predominantly Plinian column (~45 km high), with dispersal to the southeast by strong prevailing winds. Significant ash fallout of the main dispersal direction, to the northwest of source, cannot be replicated in this modeling. The widespread dispersal of large volumes of fine ash from both eruptions may have had global environmental consequences, acutely affecting areas up to thousands of kilometers from vent.