High precision U/Pb zircon dating of the Chalten Plutonic Complex (Cerro Fitz Roy, Patagonia) and its relationship to arc migration in the southernmost Andes

We report new high-precision U/Pb ages and geochemical data from the Chalten Plutonic Complex to better understand the link between magmatism and tectonics in Southern Patagonia. This small intrusion located in the back-arc region east of the Patagonian Batholith provides important insights on the role of arc migration and subduction erosion. The Chalten Plutonic Complex consists of a suite of calc-alkaline gabbroic to granitic rocks, which were emplaced over 530 kyr between 16.90 +/- 0.05 Ma and 16.37 +/- 0.02 Ma. A synthesis of age and geochemical data from other intrusions in Patagonia reveals (a) striking similarities between the Chalten Plutonic Complex and the Neogene intrusions of the batholith and differences to other back-arc intrusions such as Torres del Paine (b) a distinct E-W trend of calc-alkaline magmatic activity between 20 and 17 Ma. We propose that this trend reflects the eastward migration of the magmatic arc, and the consistent age pattern between the subduction segments north and south of the Chile triple junction suggests a causal relation with a period of fast subduction of the Farallon-Nazca plate during the Early Miocene. Previously proposed flat slab models are not consistent with the present location and morphology of the Southern Patagonian Batholith. We advocate, alternatively, that migration of the magmatic arc is caused by subduction erosion due to the increasing subduction velocities during the Early Miocene.

Tectonomagmatic evolution of Western Amazonia: Geochemical characterization and zircon U-Pb geochronologic constraints from the Peruvian Eastern Cordilleran granitoids

The results of a coupled, in situ laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb study on zircon and geochemical characterization of the Eastern Cordilleran intrusives of Peru reveal 1.15 Ga of intermittent magmatism along central Western Amazonia, the Earth's oldest active open continental margin. The eastern Peruvian batholiths are volumetrically dominated by plutonism related to the assembly and breakup of Pangea during the Paleozoic-Mesozoic transition. A Carboniferous-Permian (340-285 Ma) continental arc is identified along the regional orogenic strike from the Ecuadorian border (6 degrees S) to the inferred inboard extension of the Arequipa-Antofalla terrane in southern Peru (14 degrees S). Widespread crustal extension and thinning, which affected western Gondwana throughout the Permian and Triassic resulted in the intrusion of the late- to post-tectonic La Merced-San Ramon-type anatectites dated between 275 and 220 Ma, while the emplacement of the southern Cordillera de Carabaya peraluminous granitoids in the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic (220-190 Ma) represents, temporally and regionally, a separate tectonomagmatic event likely related to resuturing of the Arequipa-Antofalla block. Volcano-plutonic complexes and stocks associated with the onset of the present Andean cycle define a compositionally bimodal alkaline suite and cluster between 180 and 170 Ma. A volumetrically minor intrusive pulse of Oligocene age (ca. 30 Ma) is detected near the southwestern Cordilleran border with the Altiplano. Both post-Gondwanide (30-170 Ma), and Precambrian plutonism (691-1123 Ma) are restricted to isolated occurrences spatially comprising less than 15% of the Eastern Cordillera intrusives. Only one remnant of a Late Ordovician intrusive belt is recognized in the Cuzco batholith (446.5 +/- 9.7 Ma) indicating that the Famatinian arc system previously identified in Peru along the north-central Eastern Cordillera and the coastal Arequipa-Antofalla terrane also existed inboard of this parautochthonous crustal fragment. Hitherto unknown occurrences of late Mesoproterozoic and middle Neoproterozoic granitoids from the south-central cordilleran segment define magmatic events at 691 +/- 13 Ma, 751 +/- 8 Ma, 985 +/- 14 Ma, and 1071-1123 +/- 23 Ma that are broadly coeval with the Braziliano and Grenville-Sunsas orogenies, respectively. Our data suggest the existence of a continuous orogenic belt in excess of 3500 km along Western Amazonia during the formation of Rodinia, its ``early'' fragmentation prior to 690 Ma, and support a model of reaccretion of the Paracas-Arequipa-Antofalla terrane to western Gondwana in the Early Ordovician with subsequent detachment of the Paracas segment in form of the Mexican Oaxaquia microcontinent in Middle Ordovician. A tectonomagmatic model involving slab detachment, followed by underplating of cratonic margin by asthenospheric mantle is proposed for the genesis of the volumetrically dominant Late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic Peruvian Cordilleran batholiths.

Apparent stable-isotope heterogeneities in gangue carbonates of the Mississippi Valley-type Zn-Pb deposits of San-Vicente, Central Peru

The aim of the present communication is to emphasize that some variations of the measured delta(13)C and delta(18)O values are apparent, and due to analytical interferences caused by the presence of sulfur and organosulfur compounds in the analyzed carbonates. This is particularly relevant for isotopic studies on carbonate-hosted mineral deposits, where the nearly ubiquitous association of the host carbonates with organic matter and sulfides can certainly affect the metallogenetic interpretations. In this work two methods were used to overcome the disturbing effects of sulfides and organic matter: (1) sample pretreatment following the method proposed by Charef and Sheppard (1984), combining the oxidation of organic matter with sodium hypochlorite and trapping of the sulfur species with silver phosphate; and (2) laser-based microprobe extraction. Apparent isotopic variations in sparry dolomite from a single hand sample of zebra ore from the MVT Zn-Pb deposit, San Vicente, central Peru, are as large as 6 parts per thousand delta(13)C and 4 parts per thousand delta(18)O. These variations are reduced to several tenths of a per mil when the samples are pretreated. A careful examination of the effects of treatment with NaOCl and/or Ag3PO4 in relation to the concentration of sulfide inclusions indicates that the main disturbing effects for delta(13)C values are the presence of sulfur species and organic matter, whereas the delta(18)O values are mainly affected by the presence of sulfides. Fine- and medium-grained replacement carbonates from MVT and other sediment-hosted base metal deposits are potentially the most affected during isotope analysis, due to the common presence of organic matter and sulfides. Using in situ laser microprobe techniques, it is possible to determine isotopic variations at a sub-millimeter scale. Our results show that laser extraction analysis allows a more precise sampling of the carbonate minerals, and minimizes contamination of the sample with sulfides and to some extent with intergrown organic matter. However, there is an isotopic shift associated with the laser extraction technique, of the order of 0.5-1 parts per thousand for delta(13)C and delta(18)O values.

Trace element chemistry and U-Pb dating of zircons from oceanic gabbros and their relationship with whole rock composition (Lanzo, Italian Alps)

The U-Pb ages and the trace element content of zircon U-Pb along with major and trace element whole rock data on gabbroic dikes from the Lanzo lherzolitic massif, N-Italy, have been determined to constrain crustal accretion in ocean-continent transition zones. Three Fe-Ti gabbros were dated from the central and the southern part of the massif providing middle Jurassic ages of 161 +/- 2, 158 +/- 2 and 163 +/- 1 Ma, which argue for magmatic activity over few millions of years. Zircon crystals are characterized by high but variable Th/U ratios, rare earth element patterns enriched in heavy rare earths, pronounced positive Ce and negative Eu-anomalies consistent with crystallization after substantial plagioclase fractionation. The zircon trace element composition coupled with whole rock chemistry was used to reconstruct the crystallization history of the gabbros. A number of gabbros crystallized in situ, and zircon precipitated from trapped, intercumulus liquid, while other gabbros represent residual liquids that were extracted from a cumulus pile and crystallized along syn-magmatic shear zones. We propose a model in which the emplacement mechanism of gabbroic rocks in ocean-continent transition zones evolves from in situ crystallization to stratified crystallization with efficient extraction of residual liquid along syn-magmatic shear zones. Such an evolution of the crystallization history is probably related to the thermal evolution of the underlying mantle lithosphere.

Análise de trilha da contaminação por aflatoxinas em grãos de milho armazenados

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a magnitude dos efeitos diretos e indiretos de parâmetros físico-químicos e microbiológicos sobre a ocorrência de aflatoxinas em grãos de milho armazenados, por meio da análise de trilha. Os dados foram coletados em dois experimentos: um cultivo de inverno (colheita do milho em julho de 2012) e um cultivo de verão (colheita em fevereiro de 2013). Os grãos foram armazenados por 12 meses, em dois tipos de acondicionamentos: em sacarias convencionais de polipropileno e a granel em silo metálico. Avaliaram-se 14 características dos grãos. Calculou-se a matriz de correlações de Pearson entre todos os parâmetros, realizou-se o diagnóstico de multicolinearidade e, posteriormente, aplicou-se a análise de trilha com regressão em crista. Observou-se forte influência das condições ambientais entre as safras de inverno e de verão, e entre época e tipo de armazenagem, nos coeficientes de análise de trilha. As variáveis teor de umidade, conteúdo de cinzas, proteínas, lipídios, grãos sem defeitos, massa volumétrica, incidência de Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp. e Fusarium sp. devem ser consideradas conjuntamente na definição da possibilidade de ocorrência de aflatoxinas na massa de grãos armazenados.

Ore genesis of Pb-Zn deposits in the Nappe zone of Northern Tunisia: Constraints from Pb-S-C-O isotopic systems

The Jalta and Jebel Ghozlane ore deposits are located in the extreme North of Tunisia, within the Nappe zone. The mineralization of Jalta, hosted in Triassic dolostones and the overlying Mio-Pliocene conglomerates, consists of abundant galena, barite, and cerussite with accessory sphalerite, pyrite, and jordanite. At Jebel Ghozlane, large Pb-Zn concentrations occur in the Triassic dolostones and Eocene limestones. The mineral association consists of galena, sphalerite, barite, and celestite and their oxidation products (cerussite, smithsonite, and anglesite). Lead isotope ratios in galena from both districts are relatively homogeneous ((206)Pb/(204)Pb = 18.702-18.823, (207)Pb/(204)Pb = 15.665-15.677, (208)Pb/(204)Pb = 38.725-38.875). The delta(34)S values for sulfates from both areas (+12.2 to +16.2 parts per thousand at Jalta and + 14.3 to + 19.4 parts per thousand at Jebel Ghozlane) are compatible with a derivation of sulfur from marine sulfates, possibly sourced from the Triassic evaporites. The delta(34)S values of the sulfides have a range between -10 and +12.5 parts per thousand at Jalta, and between -9.1 and +22.1 parts per thousand at Jebel Ghozlane. The large range of values suggests reduction of the sulfate by bacterial and/or thermochemical reduction of sulfate to sulfur. The high delta(34)S values of sulfides require closed-system reduction processes. The isotopically light carbon in late calcites (-6.3 to -2.5 parts per thousand) and authigenic dolomite (-17.6 parts per thousand) suggests an organic source of at least some of the carbon in these samples, whereas the similarity of the delta(18)O values between calcite (+24.8 parts per thousand) and the authigenic dolomite (+24.7 parts per thousand) of Jalta and their respective host rocks reflects oxygen isotope buffering of the mineralizing fluids by the host rock carbonates. The secondary calcite isotope compositions of Jalta are compatible with a hydrothermal fluid circulation at approximately 100 to 200 degrees C, but temperatures as low as 50 degrees C may be indicated by the late calcite of Jebel Ghozlane (delta(18)O of +35.9 parts per thousand). Given the geological events related to the Alpine orogeny in the Nappe zone (nappe emplacement, bimodal volcanism, and reactivation of major faults, such as Ghardimaou-Cap Serrat) and the Neogene age of the host rocks in several localities, a Late-Miocene age is proposed for the Pb-Zn ore deposits considered in this study. Remobilization of deep-seated primary deposits in the Paleozoic sequence is the most probable source for metals in both localities considered in this study and probably in the Nappe zone as a whole. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Avaliação sensorial de uvas de mesa produzidas no Vale do São Francisco e comercializadas em João Pessoa - PB

Tomando-se como base o nível crescente de exigência do consumidor por frutas de mesa, as características de qualidade das uvas 'Itália', 'Festival' ('Superior Seedless'), 'Benitaka' e 'Isabel', expostas à venda em três redes de supermercados, na cidade de João Pessoa - Paraíba - Brasil, foram avaliadas em dezembro de 2007. Inicialmente, foram selecionados e treinados julgadores que estabeleceram e definiram os seguintes atributos sensoriais de importância: tonalidade e uniformidade de cor, aroma, firmeza, presença de sementes, suculência, doçura, acidez, sabor e qualidade global. Os diâmetros, comprimentos e pesos das bagas estavam condizentes com os parâmetros comerciais ou varietais. Os conteúdos de sólidos solúveis (SS), com exceção da uva 'Benitaka', apresentaram-se em conformidade com os padrões comerciais. Apenas a cultivar Festival, com a menor acidez titulável (AT), apresentou relação SS/AT aceitável. Foram realizadas três sessões de análises descritivas quantitativas (ADQ), nas quais a uva 'Itália' foi a de melhor sabor e, em conjunto com a apirênica 'Festival', apresentou maiores doçuras e qualidade global. A cultivar Isabel apresentou a cor mais forte , enquanto a Festival foi a melhor no atributo semente. Aplicou-se o Teste de Preferência por Ordenação, no qual as uvas 'Itália' e 'Festival' foram as preferidas.

Podridão peduncular e qualidade de mangas 'Tommy atkins' procedentes do mercado atacadista de Campina Grande-PB

O Brasil destaca-se no cenário mundial como um dos maiores produtores de manga (Mangifera indica L.). No entanto, perdas significativas são observadas em todas as etapas da cadeia produtiva, sobretudo na comercialização varejista, sendo estas correlacionadas em quase sua totalidade à incidência de doenças fúngicas. Neste sentido, objetivou-se com este trabalho determinar a incidência natural de Lasiodiplodia theobromae, agente causal da podridão peduncular, e aspectos da qualidade pós-colheita de mangas 'Tommy Atkins', comercializadas no mercado atacadista da Empresa Paraibana de Abastecimento e Serviços Agrícolas (EMPASA) de Campina Grande-PB. Para a determinação da incidência natural da doença, coletaram-se 40 frutos no estádio de maturação 'de vez', de quatro diferentes estabelecimentos de comercialização, que foram encaminhados ao Laboratório de Fitopatologia (CCA/UFPB). Após sanificação, os frutos foram mantidos sob condições ambientes (28 ± 2 ºC e UR 75 ± 6%) por oito dias, determinando-se o aparecimento dos primeiros sintomas e sinais do patógeno. As características de qualidade foram determinadas através da coleta de 10 frutos de cada estabelecimento de comercialização da EMPASA. Os frutos foram transportados ao Laboratório de Biologia e Tecnologia Pós-Colheita (CCA/UFPB), onde foram avaliados quanto aos teores de Sólidos Solúveis (SS), Acidez Titulável (AT), Relação SS/AT e pH. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, e as médias, comparadas pelo teste de Tukey, a 5% de probabilidade. A manga comercializada no mercado atacadista da EMPASA de Campina Grande apresentou baixo conteúdo de SS e elevada AT, caracterizando fruto no início da maturação. Os frutos apresentaram 88,9% de incidência natural de podridão peduncular no oitavo dia de armazenamento, o que compromete a qualidade do produto no varejo, constituindo-se em uma causa das elevadas perdas pós-colheita.

Mineralización estratiforme de Pb-Zn-Cu en el Paleozoico de Bassegoda (Pirineo Oriental)

Al Sur del pico de Bassegoda existe una mineralización estratiforme de galena, esfalerita y pirita con calcopirita y arsenopirita, en forma de diseminaciones y lentejones masivos, situadas dentro de un tramo de 10 metros de micaesquistos y dolomias negras. Estos niveles mineralizados se hallan en el contacto entre micaesquistos y dolomias masivas que contienen piroclastos cidos. Tanto el tipo de depósito como la litologia encajante, permiten correlacionar esta mineralización con un conjunto de concentraciones metalicas estratiformes y estratoligadas del Cambro-Ordovicico del NE de Cataluña.

Contaminação por mercúrio no Brasil: fontes industriais vs garimpo de ouro

This paper reviews the history of Hg contamination in Brazil by characterizing and quantifying two major sources of Hg emissions to the environment: industrial sources and gold mining. Industry was responsible for nearly 100% of total Hg emissions from the late 1940's to the early 1970's, when efficient control policies were enforced, leading to a decrease in emissions. Gold mining, on the other hand was nearly insignificant as a Hg source up to the late 1970's, but presently is responsible for over 80% of total emissions. Presently, over 115 tons of Hg are released into the atmosphere in Brazil annually. Nearly 78 tons come from gold mining operations, 12 tons come from chlor-alkali industry and 25 tons come from all other industrial uses. Inputs to soils and waters however, are still unknown, due to lack of detailed data base. However, emissions from diffuse sources rather than well studied classical industrial sources are probably responsible for the major inputs of mercury to these compartments.

O problema da contaminação na determinação de traços de alumínio

The most common difficulties which occur in trace analysis are those which involve contamination, mainly when the measurement is at very low concentration of ubiquitous elements as aluminium. The worst situation is when a separation step is necessary, because it requires extra-manipulations of the sample. This article describes the degree of contamination and its control for the aluminium trace analysis in dialysis solutions, when aluminium content of about 15 µg/l must be determinated.

A presença de mercúrio em casa constitui um risco de contaminação humana e / ou ambiental? Relato de um caso

Mercury kept in a garage of a residencial building in Rio de Janeiro was accidentally released and caused local (environmental and human) contamination. The concentration of mercury in indoor air of the most critical site reached 15.5 mg/m³. Outdoor air samples showed concentrations ranging from 0.37 to 6.6 mg/m³ . Seventy five per cent of the urine samples collected from 22 residents in the contaminated building showed levels of mercury higher than those observed in non exposed individuals (>6.9 mg/L); in 30% of these samples, the concentration was higher than 20 mg/L. These values show a high level of human contamination and the final consequences were not so serious owing to the quick action taken by one of the residents.

A contaminação dos oceanos por radionuclídeos antropogênicos

Several hundreds of artificial radionuclides are produced as the result of human activities, such as the applications of nuclear reactors and particle accelerators, testing of nuclear weapons and nuclear accidents. Many of these radionuclides are short-lived and decay quickly after their production, but some of them are longer-lived and are released into the environment. From the radiological point of view the most important radionuclides are cesium-137, strontium-90 and plutonium-239, due to their chemical and nuclear characteristics. The two first radioisotopes present long half life (30 and 28 years), high fission yields and chemical behaviour similar to potassium and calcium, respectively. No stable element exists for plutonium-239, that presents high radiotoxicity, long half-life (24000 years) and some marine organisms accumulate plutonium at high levels. The radionuclides introduced into marine environment undergo various physical, chemical and biological processes taking place in the sea. These processes may be due to physical dispersion or complicated chemical and biological interactions of the radionuclides with inorganic and organic suspend matter, variety of living organisms, bottom sediments, etc. The behaviour of radionuclides in the sea depends primarily on their chemical properties, but it may also be influenced by properties of interacting matrices and other environmental factors. The major route of radiation exposure of man to artificial radionuclides occuring in the marine environment is through ingestion of radiologically contamined marine organisms. This paper summarizes the main sources of contamination in the marine environment and presents an overview covering the oceanic distribution of anthropogenic radionuclides in the FAO regions. A great number of measurements of artificial radionuclides have been carried out on various marine environmental samples in different oceans over the world, being cesium-137 the most widely measured radionuclide. Radionuclide concentrations vary from region to region, according to the specific sources of contamination. In some regions, such as the Irish Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea, the concentrations depend on the inputs due to discharges from reprocessing facilities and from Chernobyl accident. In Brazil, the artificial radioactivity is low and corresponds to typical deposition values due to fallout for the Southern Hemisphere.