Lipids and nitrogen isotopes of deep-water corals

The lipid and organic nitrogen isotopic (delta15N) compositions of two common deep-water corals (Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata) collected from selected locations of the NE Atlantic are compared to the composition of suspended particulate organic matter, in order to determine their principle food source. Initial results suggest that they may feed primarily on zooplankton. This is based on the increased abundances of mono-unsaturated fatty acids and alcohols and the different ratios of the polyunsaturated fatty acids, 22:6/20:5 of the corals when compared to those of the suspended particulate organic matter. There is enrichment in L. pertusa of mono-unsaturated fatty acids and of delta15N relative to M. oculata. It is unclear whether this reflects different feeding strategies or assimilation/storage efficiencies of zooplankton tissue or different metabolism in the two coral species.

Major and minor elements in hydrothermal and pelagic sediments at DSDP Leg 70 Holes

Interaction between young basaltic crust and seawater near the oceanic speading centers is one of the important processes affecting the chemical composition of the oceanic layer. The formation of metalliferous hydrothermal sediments results from this interaction. The importance of the interaction between seawater and basalt in determining the chemical composition of pore waters from sediments is well known. The influence of mineral solutions derived from this interaction on ocean water composition and the significant flux of some elements (e.g., Mn) are reported by Lyle (1976), Bogdanov et al. (1979), and others. Metal-rich sediments found in active zones of the ocean basins illustrate the influence of seawater-basalt interaction and its effect on the sedimentary cover in such areas. The role of hydrothermal activity and seawater circulation in basalts with regard to global geochemistry cycles has recently been demonstrated by Edmond, Measures, McDuff, McDuff et al. (1979), and Edmond, Measures, Mangum (1979). In the area of the Galapagos Spreading Center the interaction of sediments and solutions derived from interaction of seawater and basalt has resulted in the formation of hydrothermal mounds. The mounds are composed of manganese crusts and green clay interbedded and mixed with pelagic nannofossil ooze. These mounds are observed only in areas characterized by high heat flow (Honnorez, et al., 1981) and high hydrothermal activity.

Especies del género Frankliniella (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) registradas en la Argentina, una actualización

Este trabajo proporciona una clave ilustrada para 21 especies de Frankliniella registradas para la Argentina, incluyendo tres citas nuevas: Frankliniella graminis Cavalleri & Mound, colectado sobre Sorghum halepense; Frankliniella otites Berzosa & Maroto, sobre flores de Senecio spp. y Verbena seriphioides; y Frankliniella williamsi Hood sobre hojas de Zea maiz “maíz". También son proporcionados nuevos hospedadores para Frankliniella gracilis. Se incluyen notas sobre cada especie. Frankliniella cognata Hood es excluida de la fauna de tisanópteros de la Argentina.

Strontium isotopic ages from IODP Exp307

Sr isotope stratigraphy provides a new age model for the first complete section drilled through a deep-water coral mound. The 155-m-long section from Challenger Mound in the Porcupine Sea-bight, southwest of Ireland, is on Miocene siliciclastics and consists entirely of sediments bearing well-preserved cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa. The 87Sr/86Sr values of 28 coral specimens from the mound show an upward-increasing trend, correspond to ages from 2.6 to 0.5 Ma, and identify a significant hiatus from ca. 1.7 to 1.0 Ma at 23.6 m below seafloor. The age of the basal mound sediments coincides with the intensification of Northern Hemisphere glaciations that set up the modern stratification of the northeast Atlantic and enabled coral growth. Mound growth persisted throughout glacial-interglacial fluctuations, reached a maximum rate (24 cm/k.y.) ca. 2.0 Ma, and ceased at 1.7 Ma. Unlike other buried mounds in Porcupine Seabight, Challenger Mound was only partly covered during its growth interruption, and growth restarted ca. 1.0 Ma.

Geochemistry at DSDP Leg 70 Holes

A total of 32 holes at five sites near 1°N, 86°W drilled on Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Leg 70 (November- December 1979) provide unique data on the origin of the hydrothermal mounds on the southern flank of the Galapagos Spreading Center. Hydrothermal sediments, primarily Mn-oxide and nontronite, are restricted to the immediate vicinity of the mounds (< 100 m) and are probably formed by the interaction of upward-percolating hydrothermal solutions with seawater and pelagic sediments above locally permeable zones of ocean crust. Mounds as high as 25 meters form in less than a few hundred thousand years, and geothermal and geochemical gradients indicate that they are actively forming today. The lack of alteration of upper basement rocks directly below the mounds and throughout the Galapagos region indicates that the source of the hydrothermal solutions is deeper in the crust.

Fauna associated with Bathymodiolus azoricus mussel beds within hydrothermal fields of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Structure of assemblages associated with mussel aggregations of Bathymodiolus azoricus was investigated. Mussel beds were found on hydrothermal vent fields on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (Menez Gwen, Lucky Strike, and Rainbow) at depths 850-2400 m. The community structure of the mussel bed assemblages varied between studied areas. Large number of species was unique to mussel beds of the Menez Gwen field; the most observed taxa were not specialized hydrothermal species. All other nonunique species were found within the Lucky Strike region. The lowest mussel assemblage structure evenness was observed in the shallowest Menez Gwen area (850 m depth). We assume that two types of mussel assemblages (nematode-dominated and copepod-dominated) exist within the Lucky Strike field. The assemblages of B. azoricus differ significantly from assemblages of B. thermophilus inhabiting Pacific hydrothermal vents.

Composition of hydrothermal manganese oxide deposits from Galapagos mounds, DSDP Leg 70, Hole 509B

During DSDP Leg 70, a 1.60 m thick manganese oxide layer was sampled in hole 509B. This deposit is formed of alternating layers of hard plates of pure todorokite, about 2 mm thick, and of a more powdery material deeply impregnated with manganese oxide, about 3 mm thick. A SEM study of the plates and the associated powder shows that the powdery material is a transformation of a pre-existing sediment, while the plates are a direct precipitation from a hydrothermal solution. The uranium series disequilibrium method was used to determine the ages of the plates. They are found to be in good chronological sequence and in accordance with the sedimentation rate of the area (4.9 cm/10^3 years) which implies that they have been formed at the sediment-seawater interface during a pulsed injection of hydrothermal solution. The powder presents systematically an "older age" which is explained by a slowing down of the injection while the normal sediment settles; the older age is due to the 230Th excess of the sediment.

Radiochemistry at DSDP Leg 54 and 70 Holes

Use of the hydraulic piston corer during DSDP Leg 70 in the Galapagos mounds area allowed recovery of an undisturbed sedimentary sequence down to the basement. It thus became possible to establish the chronology of different events. Several holes on and off the mounds were studied, using uranium series disequilibrium methods of age determination and oxygen isotope stratigraphy. The following sequence was thereby established: 1) From 600,000 to 300,000 years ago there was normal pelagic sedimentation, with an injection of uranium-rich solution, probably of hydrothermal origin, between 400,000 and 300,000 years ago. 2) From 300,000 to 90,000 years ago, nontronitic clay formed, replacing a pre-existing sediment. 3) From 60,000 to 20,000 years ago, manganese oxide deposits formed, probably also replacing pre-existing sediments. 4) About 19,000 years ago there occurred a uranium injection from seawater, attributed to the end of the hydrothermal circulation. In some holes, especially Hole 424, Leg 54, younger manganese oxides have been found, indicating that some mounds may be presently active.