Macrozoobentos de dos Áreas de la plataforma continental del Norte Peruano en el verano de 1987

Se estudiaron muestras de Macrozoobentos (> 1 mm) tomadas a diferentes profundidades en enero de 1987 por el BIC Humboldt de la plataforma continental de dos áreas del norte del litoral peruano, una frente a zorritos (3º35.5`- 3º51.3`) y otra entre Isla Lobos de Tierra y Pimentel (6º32.0`- 6º55.5`), de distinto tipo de sedimento en el fondo. Las muestras estudiadas, así como los datos de Temperatura, Oxigeno disuelto y Salinidad en el fondo, fueron proporcionadas por el Programa Cooperativo Peruano-Alemán de Investigación Pesquera (PROCOPA) y el Instituto del Mar del Perú (IMARPE). El trabajo consiste en identificar, cuantificar y comparar las taxa presentes en las muestras de ambas áreas, determinar la Biomasa, Densidad, Diversidad, Equidad y Riqueza, y analizar el tipo y característica del sedimento de las estaciones. Para el estudio del aspecto comunitario se emplearon el análisis de agrupamiento por racimos (“cluster análisis”; Legendre y Legendre, 1983) y la técnica de los Índices Biológicos (Guille, 1970). En el análisis estadístico se usaron preferentemente la prueba no paramétrica de dos grupos de Kolmogorov-Smirnov y correlaciones lineales entre los factores abiòticos, características del sedimento y parámetros biológicos hallados.

Sedimentos superficiales y morfología de la plataforma y talud continental superior entre 3°30’S y 15°30’S, Perú

Basados en la compilación de resultados de análisis sedimentológicos (granulometría, contenido orgánico) de 1191 estaciones realizadas por IMARPE, de 1975 a 2001, la compilación de información sobre el tema entre los 3°30’S y los 15°30’S y con el conocimiento de la morfología del fondo marino de esta región, se definen tres grandes áreas: al norte de los 6°15’S, de 6°15’S a 9°30’S y entre 9°30’ y 15°30’S. Entre los 3°30’ y los 6°15’S los contenidos de materia orgánica son mayores a 5% y menores a 10%, el carbono orgánico predomina con valores <1% a 2%. Los sedimentos corresponden a facies de fango y arenas, de origen terrígeno. El ancho de la plataforma es variable aproximadamente de 3 a 30 mn (14 mn promedio), la pendiente del talud superior es bastante pronunciada, presenta caídas bruscas. El relieve es disparejo, con fuertes desmembramientos en el borde exterior de la plataforma y el talud superior debido a que se encuentra surcado por cañones submarinos. En el extremo noroccidental de esta zona, se halla el Banco de Máncora cuyo fondo es rocoso e irregular. Entre los 6°30’S y los 9°30’S los contenidos de materia orgánica se incrementan de 5% a 15%, los contenidos de carbono orgánico son >2% y llegan a 5%, en algunos casos localmente superan este valor casi en tres puntos más. En los sedimentos del sector norte de esta zona predominan facies texturales de arenas y fango de origen terrígeno y también biógenos (foraminíferos), hacia el sur de esta zona predominan sedimentos de origen biogénico y autigénico (principalmente fosforita). El ancho de la plataforma se incrementa hasta alcanzar su máxima magnitud, esta es variable, aproximadamente de 22 a 70 mn. El talud superior tiene un declive moderado. El relieve del fondo marino en el borde exterior de la plataforma y talud superior se hallan surcados por cañones submarinos (7° - 9°S). Frente a Punta Chao aproximadamente a 65 mn se encuentra el Banco de Chimbote cuyo fondo es rocoso e irregular. La granulometría de los sedimentos y sus estadígrafos muestran un cambio definido desde los 10°30’S. Desde los 9°30’ a los 15°45’S los valores de materia orgánica por lo general sobrepasan el 15% y pueden alcanzar hasta 32,12%, los contenidos de carbono orgánico varían de 5% a 11,14%. En esta zona se encuentra presente, principalmente fango limoso y fango arcilloso terrígeno y biógeno (diatoméico). El ancho de la plataforma varía de modo general entre 10 y 50 mn (24 mn promedio aproximadamente). La pendiente del talud superior es suave en casi toda su extensión, el relieve del fondo marino es bastante uniforme, surcado por algunos pequeños cañones submarinos que no afectan la regularidad del relieve. De la interpretación de la data, análisis de parámetros estadísticos generados y condiciones de los sedimentos, se encontró coincidencia en la zona de la plataforma y talud superior de más de uno de los factores medio ambiente deposicional que permiten la preservación del contenido de materia orgánica tales como: Tipo y condiciones geoquímicas del sedimento y fondo marino, morfología del fondo marino, hidrodinámica, fuente de suministro, tasa de sedimentación, bioturbación.

Genetic differentiation of continental and island populations of Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Europe.

Ten microsatellite loci and a partial sequence of the COII mitochondrial gene were used to investigate genetic differentiation in B. terrestris, a bumble bee of interest for its high-value crop pollination. The analysis included eight populations from the European continent, five from Mediterranean islands (six subspecies altogether) and one from Tenerife (initially described as a colour form of B. terrestris but recently considered as a separate species, B. canariensis). Eight of the 10 microsatellite loci displayed high levels of polymorphism in most populations. In B. terrestris populations, the total number of alleles detected per polymorphic locus ranged from 3 to 16, with observed allelic diversity from 3.8 +/- 0.5 to 6.5 +/- 1.4 and average calculated heterozygosities from 0.41 +/- 0.09 to 0.65 +/- 0.07. B. canariensis showed a significantly lower average calculated heterozygosity (0.12 +/- 0.08) and observed allelic diversity (1.5 +/- 0.04) as compared to both continental and island populations of B. terrestris. No significant differentiation was found among populations of B. terrestris from the European continent. In contrast, island populations were all significantly and most of them strongly differentiated from continental populations. B. terrestris mitochondrial DNA is characterized by a low nucleotide diversity: 0.18% +/- 0.07%, 0.20% +/- 0.04% and 0.27% +/- 0.04% for the continental populations, the island populations and all populations together, respectively. The only haplotype found in the Tenerife population differs by a single nucleotide substitution from the most common continental haplotype of B. terrestris. This situation, identical to that of Tyrrhenian islands populations and quite different from that of B. lucorum (15 substitutions between terrestris and lucorum mtDNA) casts doubts on the species status of B. canariensis. The large genetic distance between the Tenerife and B. terrestris populations estimated from microsatellite data result, most probably, from a severe bottleneck in the Canary island population. Microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA data call for the protection of the island populations of B. terrestris against importation of bumble bees of foreign origin which are used as crop pollinators.

Evolução do processo erosivo na margem direita do rio São Francisco (Perímetro Irrigado Cotinguiba/Pindoba - SE)

A erosão das margens de um rio causa a destruição das áreas ribeirinhas, contribui para a degradação de grandes áreas e produz efeitos catastróficos para o ambiente, ocorrendo a ruptura do equilíbrio ambiental. Este trabalho teve como objetivo quantificar as taxas de recuo da margem direita do rio São Francisco em três seções localizadas no Perímetro Irrigado Cotinguiba/Pindoba - Baixo São Francisco Sergipano - no período de fevereiro de 1999 a julho de 2000 e estudar as possíveis causas do processo. Para quantificar as taxas erosivas, foram utilizados os métodos dos pinos e das estacas e para descrever o processo erosivo foi utilizado o método das perfilagens sucessivas. As taxas anuais de erosão (recuo da margem), obtidas nas três seções da margem estudada, foram de 8,30m na seção A; 47,30m na seçãoB e 4,45m na seçãoC. A variação das taxas de erosão foi influenciada, principalmente, pela composição granulométrica das camadas que compõem a face da margem e altura do barranco, como também pela associação dos dados climáticos e hidrológicos - velocidade do vento, amplitude mensal da cota, cota máxima mensal e velocidade do fluxo próxima à margem.

Late Jurassic continental flood basalt doleritic dykes in northwestern Cuba: remnants of the Gulf of Mexico opening

Accreted terranes, comprising a wide variety of Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous igneous and sedimentary rocks are an important feature of Cuban geology. Their characterization is helpful for understanding Caribbean paleogeography. The Guaniguanico terrane (western Cuba) is formed by upper Jurassic platform sediments intruded by microgranular dolerite dykes. The geochemical characteristics of the dolerite whole rock samples and their minerals (augitic clinopyroxene, labradorite and andesine) are consistent with a tholeiitic affinity. Major and trace element concentrations as well as Nd, Sr and Pb isotopes show that these rocks also have a continental affinity. Sample chemistry indicates that these lavas are similar to a low Ti-P2O5 (LTi) variety of continental flood basalts (CFB) similar to the dolerites of Ferrar (Tasmania). They derived from mixing of a lithospheric mantle Source and an asthenopheric component similar to E-MORB with minor markers of crustal contamination and sediment assimilation. However, the small quantity of Cuban magmatic rocks, similarly to Tasmania, Antarctica and Siberia differs from other volumetrically important CFB occurrences Such as Parana and Deccan. These dolerites are dated as 165-150 Ma and were emplaced during the separation of the Yucatan block from South America. They could in fact be part of the Yucatan-South America margin through which the intrusive system was emplaced and which was later accreted to the Cretaceous arc of central Cuba and to the Palaeogene arc of eastern Cuba. These samples could therefore reflect the pre-rift stage between North and South America and the opening of the gulf of Mexico.

Magnetostratigraphy of the Miocene continental deposits of the Montes de Castejón (central Ebro basin, Spain): geochronological and paleoenvironmental implications

A detailed magnetostratigraphic study has been carried out in the early to middle Miocene distal alluvial and lacustrine sediments of the Montes de Castejón (central Ebro Basin). The study was based on the analysis of 196 magnetostratigraphic sites sampled along a stratigraphic interval of about 240 meters. Local magnetostratigraphy yielded a sequence of 12 magnetozones (6 normal and 6 reverse) which could be correlated with the Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale (GPTS) interval C5Cr to C5AD (between 17 and 14.3 Ma.). The sampled sedimentary sequences include the boundary between two tectosedimentary units (TSU, T5 and T6) already defined in the Ebro Basin. The magnetostratigraphy of the Montes de Castejón allows to date the T5/T6 TSU boundary at 16.14 Ma, within chron C5Cn.1n. This magnetostratigraphy also allows us to analyse in detail as well as to discuss the variations in sedimentation rates through space and time between different lacustrine environments: Outer carbonate lacustrine fringes and distal alluvial plains (Montes de Castejón sections) show higher sedimentation rates than offshore lacustrine areas (San Caprasio section, 50 km east of Montes de Castejón).

Flux and composition of settling particles across the continental margin of the Gulf of Lion: the role of dense shelf water cascading

Settling particles were collected using sediment traps deployed along three transects in the Lacaze-Duthiers and Cap de Creus canyons and the adjacent southern open slope from October 2005 to October 2006. The settling material was analyzed to obtain total mass fluxes and main constituent contents (organic matter, opal, calcium carbonate, and siliciclastics). Cascades of dense shelf water from the continental shelf edge to the lower continental slope occurred from January to March 2006. They were traced through strong negative near-bottom temperature anomalies and increased current speeds, and generated two intense pulses of mass fluxes in January and March 2006. This oceanographic phenomenon appeared as the major physical forcing of settling particles at almost all stations, and caused both high seasonal variability in mass fluxes and important qualitative changes in settling material. Fluxes during the dense shelf water cascading (DSWC) event ranged from 90.1 g m(-2) d(-1) at the middle Cap de Creus canyon (1000 m) to 3.2 g m(-2) d(-1) at the canyon mouth (1900 m). Fractions of organic matter, opal and calcium carbonate components increased seaward, thus diminishing the siliciclastic fraction. Temporal variability of the major components was larger in the canyon mouth and open slope sites, due to the mixed impact of dense shelf water cascading processes and the pelagic biological production. Results indicate that the cascading event remobilized and homogenized large amounts of material down canyon and southwardly along the continental slope contributing to a better understanding of the off-shelf particle transport and the internal dynamics of DSWC events.

El margen continental sur-balear: un modelo deposicional reciente sobre un margen de tipo pasivo.

El estudio sedimentológico de testigos continuos de pistón, complementado con el análisis de perfiles de sísmica de reflexión del talud y ascenso continental sur-balear, ha permitido caracterizar tres grupos de sedimentos genéticamente relacionados. Los sedimentos gravitativos, volumétricamente los más abundantes, son los únicos presentes en la mayoría del talud continental. Entre éstos se incluyen las arenas de desbordamiento, las arenas limosas gravitativas, los lodos gravitativos y los lodos de talud. Estos sedimentos muestran una clara afinidad con las diferentes provincias deposicionales del margen y una gradación entre ellos hacia aguas profundas. Las turbiditas y las hemipelagitas están preferentemente en los sectores más distales del margen y asimismo gradan con los otros sedimentos gravitativos.

Nuevos datos sobre la biozonación del Burdigaliense continental de la cuenca del Vallès-Penedès

En esta nota preliminar se dan a conocer dos nuevos yacimientos de microvertebrados situados en la cuenca del Valles-Penedes. La asociación de Roedores sita ambas localidades (Can Mar Vell y Can Julia) en la MN-4, equivalente al Burdigaliense superior. Dicha asociación y las caracteristicas litológicas y sedimentológicas de la unidad litoestratigráfica que la contiene, indican la existencia de reas lacustres y palustres en torno a las que lacobertera vegetal alcanzaba un notable desarrollo. Estas zonas lacustres podan pasar lateralmente a reas distales y proximales de abanicos aluviales, en las que se desarrollaba una intensa sedimentación detrítica y predominaban las condiciones subaéreas.

Los sedimentos de la plataforma continental balear

El análisis sedimentológico de distintos sectores de la plataforma continental balear (Bahia de Campos, Sur de Menorca y Canal de Menorca) ha puesto de manifiesto la existencia de siete grupos de facies: A) algales, B) de bivalvos, C) de gasterpodos, D) bioclsticas, E) mixtas, F) de fragmentos liticos y G) cementadas (costras algales y calcarenitas). La distribución de estas facies sedimentarias guarda una estrecha relación con la profundidad, excepto en el Sur de Menorca, y con las comunidades bentónicas que se desarrollan en la plataforma continental. Las facies que recubren actualmente la plataforma balear se depositaron durante la fase del ascenso del nivel del mar de la transgresión Versiliense.

Emplacement of ultramafic rocks into the continental crust monitored by light and other trace elements: An example from the Geisspfad body (Swiss-Italian Alps)

In order to evaluate the influence of continental crustal rocks on trace element budgets of serpentinized peridotites incorporated into the continental crust, we have analyzed the chemical composition of whole rock samples and minerals of the Geisspfad ultramafic complex (Swiss-Italian Alps). This complex represents a relict oceanic succession composed of serpentinites, ophicarbonates and metabasic rocks, emplaced into crustal gneisses during Alpine collision. Following peak metamorphic amphibolite facies conditions, fluid flow modified some of the trace element contents of ophicarbonates and deformed serpentinites close to the contact with country rocks. The fluid originated from the surrounding continental crustal rocks as documented by the increase of Pb in the serpentinites, and by the strongly negative all) values (-112 parts per thousand) of some ultramafic rocks close to the contact with surrounding gneisses. Little or no modification of the fluid mobile elements Li, B or U was observed in the serpentinite. In-situ analysis of light elements of serpentinite minerals indicate redistribution of light elements coupled to changes of mineral modes towards the outer 100-150 m of the massif. In the centre of the massif, Li is preferentially concentrated in olivine, while Be and B are hosted by tremolite. In contrast, at the outer rim of the massif, Li and Be are preferentially incorporated into diopside, and B into antigorite. This redistribution of light elements among the different minerals is visible in the serpentinite, at a maximum distance of -100-150 m from the ophicarbonate-metabasite contact. Our results show that interaction of ultramafic rocks and crust-derived fluids can be easily detected by studies of Pb and partial derivative D in whole rocks. We argue that small ultramafic bodies potentially record an emplacement-related trace element signature, and that crustal light element values in ultramafic rocks are not necessarily derived from a subducting slab. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The roles of flux- and decompression melting and their respective fractionation lines for continental crust formation: Evidence from the Kohistan arc

Delamination and foundering of the lower continental crust (LCC) into the mantle is part of the crust-forming mechanism. However, knowledge of the composition and mineralogy of the preserved or delaminated LCC over geological timescales remains scarce. We provide a synopsis of recent research within the Kohistan arc (Pakistan) and demonstrate that hydrous and less hydrous liquid lines of descent related to flux assisted and decompression mantle melting, respectively, produce compositionally different lower crustal rocks. The argument refers to two lower crustal sections exposed in Kohistan, the older Southern Plutonic Complex (SPC) and the younger Chilas Complex. The SPC typifies a hydrous, high-pressure fractionation sequence of olivine-pyroxenes-garnet-Fe/Ti-oxide-amphibole-plagioclase. The Chilas Complex illustrates a less hydrous fractionation sequence of olivine-clinopyroxene-orthopyroxene-plagioclase-amphibole. Despite the similarity of the Chilas Complex rocks to proposed lower crust compositions, the less hydrous fractionation results in unrealistically small volumes of silica-rich rocks, precluding the Chilas Complex gabbros to represent the magmatic complement to the upper crust. The composition of the SPC lower crust differs markedly from bulk lower crust estimates, but is complementary to silica-rich rocks exposed along this section and in the Kohistan batholith. These observations inspire a composite model for the formation of continental crust (CC) where the negatively buoyant delaminated and the buoyant preserved lower continental crusts (LCC) differ in genesis, mineralogy, and composition. We propose that the upper, non-sedimentary subsequent removal of the complementary, negatively buoyant garnet-pyroxene-amphibole-plagioclase-rich cumulates. In contrast, the LCC, which is buoyant and preserved over geological timescales, is formed by less hydrous parental mantle melts. We suggest that the bulk continental crust composition is related to mixing of these petrologically not directly related end members. Published by Elsevier B.V.