ALBERT

Description: Geometric 3D models are a very efficient tool to visualize geological units and structural features that have been presented before just in two dimensions on maps or cross-sections. Most of the information of 3D models is presented as 3D views, virtual wells or horizontal or vertical cross-sections. However, are there further options to transfer as much as possible of the complex information of a 3D model in an adequate way to the user? Is it useful and promising to analyse 3D objects like surfaces or volumes in GIS software? In our investigation we performed a GIS based analysis of an existing geotechnical-geological 3D model of periglacial sediments. The two steps were multiple raster calculations to create geotechnical maps and a digital analysis of surface parameters based on geomorphological techniques and statistics. The investigation area is located in southern Lower Saxony and covers the city of Goettingen and surrounding regions within the valley of the river Leine. The valley is filled by unconsolidated, periglacial sediments of Quaternary age with a variable thickness ranging from 1 to 70 m. The analysed 3D model was constructed with GoCAD in a former project (Nix et al. 2009). The model is based on a heterogenous dataset comprising well data, thematic maps, and outcrop descriptions. Finally, the surfaces and volumes of the following units were modelled, with a special focus on their different geotechnical properties: (1) anthropogenic material, (2) floodplain and slope deposits, (3) freshwater limestone, peat and organic clay, (4) loess, displaced loess, and loess loam, (5) fluvial gravel, (6) outwash fan material, (7) solifluction material, (8) mixed, hetereougenous fillings of subrosion sinks and (9) the surface of the underlying hardrocks. Each top and bottom surface of the Gocad volumes was exported as raster file with additional information stored in an associated attribute table. In ArcGIS various geoprocessing tools were used to calculate and analyse these rasters and to develope thematic geotechnical and geological maps. The geomorphological analysis was subdivided in several steps. Firstly, the surfaces were described visually, concerning their outline, shape and distribution, as well as superficial structures like distinct edges, holes, channels. Secondarily, descriptive statistic parameters of thickness, area and elevation of each surface were calculated. Thirdly, geoprocessing tools of the Spatial Analyst were performed on each surface. Finally, several surfaces were combined to analyse them together, calculating ratios and overlay combinations. Seven thematical geoengineering and geological maps were created, each of them presenting one portion of the three-dimensional dataset: Map of the stratigraphy and depth of the Quaternary base, Map of the thickness of the Quaternary sediments, Distribution map of model units 1 m below ground level, Distribution map of model units 2 m below ground level, Maps of types of different foundation soils, Distribution map of sediments with low loading capacity and Map of distribution and quality of the wells. While the map creation focused on the geotechnical aspects of the model, the applied geomorphological analysis revealed various parameters and values that are related to the geological formation of the model units. Despite the complex dataset represented by the analysed 3D model, thematical information could be transfered into 2D as thematic maps. Some geological characteristics and parameters of the model units were extracted by the descriptive and GIS-based analysis. References Nix, T., Wagner, B., Lange, T. , Fritz, J., Sauter, M. (2009): 3D-Baugrundmodell der quartären Sedimente des Leinetals bei Göttingen. – 17. Tagung für Ingenieurgeologie, S. 223-227, Zittau

Description: poster

Description: The mineralogy, chemical composition, and physical properties of cratonic mantle eclogites with oceanic crustal protoliths can be modified by secondary processes involving interaction with fluids and melts, generated in various slab lithologies upon subduction (auto‐metasomatism) or mantle metasomatism after emplacement into the cratonic lithosphere. Here we combine new and published data to isolate these signatures and evaluate their effects on the chemical and physical properties of eclogite. Mantle metasomatism involving kimberlite‐like, ultramafic carbonated melts (UM carbonated melts) is ubiquitous though not pervasive, and affected between ~20% and 40% of the eclogite population at the various localities investigated here, predominantly at ~60–150 km depth, overlapping cratonic midlithospheric seismic discontinuities. Its hallmarks include lower jadeite component in clinopyroxene and grossular component in garnet, an increase in bulk‐rock MgO ± SiO2, and decrease in FeO and Al2O3 contents, and LREE‐enrichment accompanied by higher Sr, Pb, Th, U, and in part Zr and Nb, as well as lower Li, Cu ± Zn. This is mediated by addition of a high‐temperature pyroxene from a UM carbonated melt, followed by redistribution of this component into garnet and clinopyroxene. As clinopyroxene‐garnet trace‐element distribution coefficients increase with decreasing garnet grossular component, clinopyroxene is the main carrier of the metasomatic signatures. UM carbonated melt‐metasomatism at 〉130–150 km has destroyed the diamond inventory at some localities. These mineralogical and chemical changes contribute to low densities, with implications for eclogite gravitational stability, but negligible changes in shear‐wave velocities, and, if accompanied by H2O‐enrichment, will enhance electrical conductivities compared to unenriched eclogites.

Description: Plain Language Summary: Oceanic crust formed at spreading ridges is recycled in subduction zones and undergoes metamorphism to eclogite. Some of this material is captured in the overlying lithospheric mantle, where it is exhumed by passing magmas. Having formed in spreading ridges, these eclogites have proven invaluable archives for the onset of plate tectonics, for the construction of cratons during subduction/collision, as probes of the convecting mantle from which their precursors formed, and as generators of heterogeneity upon recycling into Earth's convecting mantle. During subduction and until exhumation, interaction with fluids and melts (called metasomatism) can change the mineralogy, chemical composition, and physical properties of mantle eclogites, complicating their interpretation, but a comprehensive study of these effects is lacking so far. We investigated mantle eclogites from ancient continents (cratons) around the globe in order to define hallmarks of metasomatism by subduction‐related fluids and small‐volume ultramafic carbonated mantle melts. We find that the latter is pervasive and occurs predominantly at midlithospheric depths where seismic discontinuities are detected, typically causing diamond destruction and a reduction in density. This has consequences for their gravitational stability and for the interpretation of shearwave velocities in cratons.

Description: Key Points: Exploration of metasomatic effects during subduction of ancient oceanic crust and after its emplacement into cratonic lithospheric mantle. Metasomatism by kimberlite‐like ultramafic melt affected between 20% and 40% of mantle eclogite suites worldwide, mostly at 2–5 GPa. Metasomatism lowers FeO, hence density in eclogite; no significant effect on shearwave velocities.

Description: German Research Foundation http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001659

Description: National Research Foundation (NRF) http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001321

Description: Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Foundation http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100011618

Description: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, INST

Description: research

Description: Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is an important cofactor of calcium‐ and lanthanide‐dependent alcohol dehydrogenases, and has been known for over 30 years. Crystal structures of Ca–MDH enzymes (MDH is methanol dehydrogenase) have been known for some time; however, crystal structures of PQQ with biorelevant metal ions have been lacking in the literature for decades. We report here the first crystal structure analysis of a Ca–PQQ complex outside the protein environment, namely, poly[[undecaaquabis(μ‐4,5‐dioxo‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐f]quinoline‐2,7,9‐tricarboxylato)tricalcium(II)] dihydrate], {[Ca3(C14H3N2O8)2(H2O)11]·2H2O}n. The complex crystallized as Ca3PQQ2·13H2O with Ca2+ in three different positions and PQQ3−, including an extensive hydrogen‐bond network. Similarities and differences to the recently reported structure with biorelevant europium (Eu2PQQ2) are discussed.

Description: Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is an important cofactor of calcium‐ and lanthanide‐dependent alcohol dehydrogenases. The crystal structure of a Ca–PQQ complex (Ca3PQQ2·13H2O) is reported for the first time outside a protein environment. image

Description: research

Description: In Structural Geology, many projects start with intensive field-based data acquisition campaigns, which might be performed in quite different types of natural or artificial outcrops. For some years, this field work has been substantially influenced and transformed by various close-range sensing techniques that allow the field geologist to create a digital outcrop model (DOM) and to take along plenty of geometrical and spectral information about the outcropping rocks. In general, DOMs can be utilized for outcrop visualization, documentation, manual outcrop analysis (“point-picking”), extraction of spectral data and/or semi-automatic extraction of geometric data. Within a structural investigation DOMs might be deployed for fold analysis, fault analysis, extraction of fracture networks, fracture roughness estimation, detection of neotectonic activities or digitization of geological features for 3D-models of various scales resulting in a large number of analyzing techniques. Latter might be carried out on point clouds or meshes (with or without spectral information) and may differ in pre-processing and processing steps as well as in software solution. Therefore, the analyzing structural geologist faces various tools, data formats, file types, operations and outcomes. Our investigation focus on the compilation of useful, transparent, sustainable and comparable workflows or “pipelines”, which can be executed by open-source/open-access solutions.

Description: poster

Description: Oxygen vacancies (OVs), that charge-balance the replacement of octahedrally coordinated Si4+ by Al3+ in the mineral bridgmanite, will influence transport properties in the lower mantle but little is known about their stability and local structure. Using 27Al nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy we have characterized OVs within six aluminous bridgmanite samples. In the resulting NMR spectra sixfold, fivefold, and fourfold coordinated Al species are resolved, in addition to near eightfold coordinated Al substituting for Mg. Fivefold coordinated Al is formed by single OV sites but fourfold coordination must result from short range ordering of OVs, producing OV clusters that may form through migration into twin domain walls. Characterizing the occurrence of such OV structures is an important prerequisite for understanding how transport properties change with depth and composition in the lower mantle.

Description: The variability of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) and its governing processes during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) is investigated in the Kiel Climate Model. Under LGM conditions, multidecadal AMOC variability is mainly forced by the surface heat flux variability linked to the East Atlantic pattern (EAP). In contrast, the multidecadal AMOC variability under preindustrial conditions is mainly driven by the surface heat flux variability associated with the North Atlantic Oscillation. Stand-alone atmosphere model experiments show that relative to preindustrial conditions, the change in AMOC forcing under LGM conditions is tightly linked to the differences in topography.

Description: The observations made by the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN spacecraft in the topside (≥200 km) ionosphere of Mars show that this region is very responsive to the variations of the external (solar extreme ultraviolet flux, solar wind, and interplanetary magnetic field [IMF]) and internal (the crustal magnetic field) drivers. With the growth of the solar irradiance the ionosphere broadens while with increase of the solar wind dynamic pressure it shrinks. As a result, the upper ionospheric boundary at solar zenith angles of 60–70° can move from ∼400 to ∼1,200 km. Similar trends are observed at the nightside ionosphere. At Pdyn ≥ 1–2 nPa the nightside ionosphere becomes very fragmented and depleted. On the other hand, the ion density in the nightside ionosphere significantly (up to a factor of 10) increases with the rise of the solar extreme ultraviolet flux. Large-amplitude motions of the topside ionosphere also occur with variations of the value of the cross-flow component of the IMF. The upper dayside ionosphere at altitudes of more than 300–400 km is sensitive also to the direction of the cross-flow component of the IMF or, correspondingly, to the direction of the motional electric field in the solar wind. The ionosphere becomes very asymmetrical with respect to the Vsw×BIMF direction and the asymmetry strongly enhances at the nightside. The topside ionosphere above the areas with strong crustal magnetic field in the dayside southern hemisphere is significantly denser and expands to higher altitudes as compared to the ionosphere above the northern nonmagnetized lowlands. The crustal magnetic field also protects the nightside ionosphere from being filled by plasma transported from the dayside. The draping IMF penetrates deeply into the ionosphere and actively influences its structure. Weak fields and, correspondingly, weak magnetic field forces only slightly affect the ionosphere. With increase of the induced magnetic field strength the transport motions driven by the magnetic field pressure and field tensions seem to be intensified and we observe that the local ion densities at the dayside considerably decrease. A different trend is observed at the nightside. The ion density in the nightside ionosphere above the northern lowlands is higher than in the southern hemisphere indicating that plasma transport from the dayside is the main source of the nightside ionosphere. Nonstop variations in the solar wind, the IMF and the solar irradiance together with planetary rotation of the crustal magnetic field sources lead to a continuous expansion/shrinking and reconfiguration of the topside ionosphere of Mars.

Description: Solar wind observations show that geomagnetic storms are mainly driven by interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) and corotating or stream interaction regions (C/SIRs). We present a binary classifier that assigns one of these drivers to 7,546 storms between 1930 and 2015 using ground-based geomagnetic field observations only. The input data consists of the long-term stable Hourly Magnetospheric Currents index alongside the corresponding midlatitude geomagnetic observatory time series. This data set provides comprehensive information on the global storm time magnetic disturbance field, particularly its spatial variability, over eight solar cycles. For the first time, we use this information statistically with regard to an automated storm driver identification. Our supervised classification model significantly outperforms unskilled baseline models (78% accuracy with 26[19]% misidentified interplanetary coronal mass ejections [corotating or stream interaction regions]) and delivers plausible driver occurrences with regard to storm intensity and solar cycle phase. Our results can readily be used to advance related studies fundamental to space weather research, for example, studies connecting galactic cosmic ray modulation and geomagnetic disturbances. They are fully reproducible by means of the underlying open-source software (Pick, 2019, http://doi.org/10.5880/GFZ.2.3.2019.003)

Description: The Tissint meteorite fell on July 18, 2011 in Morocco and was quickly recovered, allowing the investigation of a new unaltered sample from Mars. We report new high-field strength and highly siderophile element (HSE) data, Sr-Nd-Hf-W-Os isotope analyses, and data for cosmogenic nuclides in order to examine the history of the Tissint meteorite, from its source composition and crystallization to its irradiation history. We present high-field strength element compositions that are typical for depleted Martian basalts (0.174 ppm Nb, 17.4 ppm Zr, 0.7352 ppm Hf, and 0.0444 ppm W), and, together with an extended literature data set for shergottites, help to reevaluate Mars’ tectonic evolution in comparison to that of the early Earth. HSE contents (0.07 ppb Re, 0.92 ppb Os, 2.55 ppb Ir, and 7.87 ppb Pt) vary significantly in comparison to literature data, reflecting significant sample inhomogeneity. Isotope data for Os and W (187Os/188Os = 0.1289 ± 15 and an ε182W = +1.41 ± 0.46) are both indistinguishable from literature data. An internal Lu-Hf isochron for Tissint defines a crystallization age of 665 ± 74 Ma. Considering only Sm-Nd and Lu-Hf chronometry, we obtain, using our and literature values, a best estimate for the age of Tissint of 582 ± 18 Ma (MSWD = 3.2). Cosmogenic radionuclides analyzed in the Tissint meteorite are typical for a recent fall. Tissint's pre-atmospheric radius was estimated to be 22 ± 2 cm, resulting in an estimated total mass of 130 ± 40 kg. Our cosmic-ray exposure age of 0.9 ± 0.2 Ma is consistent with earlier estimations and exposure ages for other shergottites in general.

Description: A large, igneous-textured, and 2 cm-sized spherical object from the L5/6 chondrite NWA 8192 was investigated for its chemical composition, petrography, O isotopic composition, and Hf-W chronology. The petrography and chemical data indicate that this object closely resembles commonly found chondrules in ordinary chondrites and is therefore classified as a “macrochondrule.* As a result of metal loss during its formation, the macrochondrule exhibits elevated Hf/W, which makes it possible to date this object using the short-lived 182Hf-182W system. The Hf-W data provide a two-stage model age for metal–silicate fractionation of 1.4 ± 0.6 Ma after Ca-Al-rich inclusion (CAI) formation, indicating that the macrochondrule formed coevally to normal-sized chondrules from ordinary chondrites. By contrast, Hf-W data for metal from the host chondrite yield a younger model age of ~11 Ma after CAIs. This younger age agrees with Hf-W ages of other type 5–6 ordinary chondrites, and corresponds to the time of cooling below the Hf-W closure temperature during thermal metamorphism on the parent body. The Hf-W model age difference between the macrochondrule and the host metal demonstrates that the Hf-W systematics of the bulk macrochondrule were not disturbed during thermal metamorphism, and therefore, that the formation age of such objects can still be determined even in strongly metamorphosed samples. Collectively, this study illustrates that chondrule formation was not limited to mm-size objects, implying that the rarity of macrochondrules reflects either that this process was very inefficient, that subsequent nebular size-sorting decimated large chondrules, or that large precursors were rare.