ALBERT

Description: Radiocarbon (14C) ages cannot provide absolutely dated chronologies for archaeological or paleoenvironmental studies directly but must be converted to calendar age equivalents using a calibration curve compensating for fluctuations in atmospheric 14C concentration. Although calibration curves are constructed from independently dated archives, they invariably require revision as new data become available and our understanding of the Earth system improves. In this volume the international 14C calibration curves for both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, as well as for the ocean surface layer, have been updated to include a wealth of new data and extended to 55,000 cal BP. Based on tree rings, IntCal20 now extends as a fully atmospheric record to ca. 13,900 cal BP. For the older part of the timescale, IntCal20 comprises statistically integrated evidence from floating tree-ring chronologies, lacustrine and marine sediments, speleothems, and corals. We utilized improved evaluation of the timescales and location variable 14C offsets from the atmosphere (reservoir age, dead carbon fraction) for each dataset. New statistical methods have refined the structure of the calibration curves while maintaining a robust treatment of uncertainties in the 14C ages, the calendar ages and other corrections. The inclusion of modeled marine reservoir ages derived from a three-dimensional ocean circulation model has allowed us to apply more appropriate reservoir corrections to the marine 14C data rather than the previous use of constant regional offsets from the atmosphere. Here we provide an overview of the new and revised datasets and the associated methods used for the construction of the IntCal20 curve and explore potential regional offsets for tree-ring data. We discuss the main differences with respect to the previous calibration curve, IntCal13, and some of the implications for archaeology and geosciences ranging from the recent past to the time of the extinction of the Neanderthals.

Description: The concentration of radiocarbon (14C) differs between ocean and atmosphere. Radiocarbon determinations from samples which obtained their 14C in the marine environment therefore need a marine-specific calibration curve and cannot be calibrated directly against the atmospheric-based IntCal20 curve. This paper presents Marine20, an update to the internationally agreed marine radiocarbon age calibration curve that provides a non-polar global-average marine record of radiocarbon from 0–55 cal kBP and serves as a baseline for regional oceanic variation. Marine20 is intended for calibration of marine radiocarbon samples from non-polar regions; it is not suitable for calibration in polar regions where variability in sea ice extent, ocean upwelling and air-sea gas exchange may have caused larger changes to concentrations of marine radiocarbon. The Marine20 curve is based upon 500 simulations with an ocean/atmosphere/biosphere box-model of the global carbon cycle that has been forced by posterior realizations of our Northern Hemispheric atmospheric IntCal20 14C curve and reconstructed changes in CO2 obtained from ice core data. These forcings enable us to incorporate carbon cycle dynamics and temporal changes in the atmospheric 14C level. The box-model simulations of the global-average marine radiocarbon reservoir age are similar to those of a more complex three-dimensional ocean general circulation model. However, simplicity and speed of the box model allow us to use a Monte Carlo approach to rigorously propagate the uncertainty in both the historic concentration of atmospheric 14C and other key parameters of the carbon cycle through to our final Marine20 calibration curve. This robust propagation of uncertainty is fundamental to providing reliable precision for the radiocarbon age calibration of marine based samples. We make a first step towards deconvolving the contributions of different processes to the total uncertainty; discuss the main differences of Marine20 from the previous age calibration curve Marine13; and identify the limitations of our approach together with key areas for further work. The updated values for ΔR, the regional marine radiocarbon reservoir age corrections required to calibrate against Marine20, can be found at the data base http://calib.org/marine/.

Description: Five hormone-treated female Japanese silver eels Anguilla japonica were tagged with ultrasonic transmitters and released by submersible in the West Pacific at seamounts of the West Mariana Ridge, their supposed spawning grounds. Four eels were tracked for 60 to 423 min in the vicinity of the seamounts. They did not settle at the seamounts but swam at a mean speed of 0.37 m s-1 into open water above deep ground. Their mean swimming depth ranged from 81 to 172 m. Experiments suggest that pre-matured A. japonica migrate to their spawning grounds in temperate warm water and at shallow depths.

Description: Phosphatase (P-ase) activity was determined together with other extracellular enzyme activities, bacterial abundance and production rates during the 2 SW Monsoon process studies of the German JGOFS Arabian Sea Program. Water samples were collected along the cruise tracks from the equator to the upwelling region at the shelf edge off Oman. Depth profiles of P-ase activity were strikingly different from those of the other enzymes. While values of aminopeptidase and β-glucosidase generally decreased below the euphotic zone, P-ase increased by factors of 1 to 7. The relation between peptidase- and P-ase activity was from 4 to 21 at the surface and from 3 to 5 at 800 m depth. Because P-ase production (dissolved and cell-bound) in deep waters is mainly dependent on bacteria, P-ase activities per bacterial cell were calculated: these were, on average, 37 times higher at 800 m than at the surface. We also observed a positive correlation of P-ase activity with phosphate concentrations in the depth profiles below the euphotic zone, while this relationship was much more variable in the mixed surface layer. These observations suggest that C-limited bacteria in the deep strata did not primarily focus on the phosphate generated by their P-ase activity but on the organic C compounds which were simultaneously produced and which could probably not be taken up prior to the hydrolytic detachment of phosphate. It is hypothesised that a considerable part of the measured P-ase activity was dissolved (though it might have originated from bacteria). These enzymes may be important for the slow, but steady regeneration of phosphate and organic C in mesopelagic waters.

Description: Stomach contents of 17 sperm whales Physeter macrocephalus stranded in Scotland and Denmark during 1990-96 were analysed. All were sub-adult or adult males and stranded between November and March. They had presumably entered the North Sea during their southward migration from feeding grounds in Arctic waters. Other studies indicate that the majority of the whales were apparently healthy. The diet of these whales was found to consist almost entirely of cephalopods, principally squid of the genus Gonatus (hereafter 'Gonatus', but probably G. fabricii, an oceanic species characteristic of Arctic waters). The other prey species identified were also mostly oceanic cephalopods: the squids Histioteuthis bonnellii, Teuthowenia megalops and Todarodes sagittatus and the octopus Haliphron atlanticus. Although these results are consistent with other recent studies in the area based on single stranded whales, they differ from results of work on whales caught during commercial whaling operations in Icelandic waters (1960s to 1980s) in that little evidence of predation on fish was found in the present study. Remains of single individuals of the veined squid Loligo forbesi, the northern octopus Eledone cirrhosa and the saithe Pollachius virens provided the only possible evidence of feeding in the North Sea. We infer that sperm whales do not enter the North Sea to feed. The timing, and large and uniform sizes of the Gonatus species eaten (most had mantle lengths in the range 195 to 245 mm), as estimated from measurements of the lower beaks, and the seasonality of the strandings is consistent with the whales having fed on mature squid, possibly spawning concentrations--as has recently been reported for bottlenose whales. Assuming that the diet recorded in this study was representative of sperm whales during the feeding season, as much as 500000 t of Gonatus could be removed by sperm whales in Norwegian waters each year and up to 3 times that figure from the eastern North Atlantic as a whole. Evidence from other studies indicates that Gonatus is an important food resource for a wide range of marine predators in Arctic waters.

Description: Interpretation of diving profiles of aquatic animals would be considerably enhanced by additional behavioural information. A new sensor is presented here which records animal movements. This sensor was tested on a captive loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta which showed similar activity patterns to free-living green turtles Chelonia mydas. A computer program with user-selectable options was developed to analyse the data consistently and rapidly. Using our sensor we calculated the total resting time, which differed by less than 5% from the real resting time when the sampling interval was 2 s. The method was additionally tested for different sampling intervals to find out its applicability for field studies.

Description: Nematodes of the family Stilbonematinae are known for their highly specific association with ectosymbiotic bacteria. These worms are members of the meiofauna in marine, sulfide-rich sediments, where they migrate around the redox boundary layer. In this study, bacterial ectosymbionts of 2 species of marine nematodes, Stilbonema sp. and Laxus oneistus, were shown to be capable of the respiratory reduction of nitrate and nitrite (denitrification). The use of these alternative electron acceptors to oxygen by the bacteria allows the animals to migrate into the deeper, anoxic sediments, where they can exploit the sulfide-rich patches of the deeper sediment layers. The accumulation of thiols (sulfide, thiosulfate, sulfate and glutathione) in body tissues of the worms was determined following incubation in the presence of various electron donors (sulfide, thiosulfate) and acceptors (nitrate). In their chemoautotrophic metabolic potential, the ectosymbionts of the 2 nematode species were found to resemble the phylogenetically related, intracellular symbionts of macrofaunal hosts of deep-sea hydrothermal vents and other sulfide-rich habitats.

Description: The role of tetrathionate in the sulfur cycle of Baltic Sea sediments was investigated in different habitats and under a variety of environmental conditions. Sediment profiles were recorded with regard to numbers of thiosulfate oxidizing bacteria, concentrations of sulfur compounds, and potential rates of thiosulfate oxidation. Products of thiosulfate oxidation were quantified in incubated sediment samples and in pure cultures. Evidence was found that tetrathionate is formed within these sediments, that sulfur oxidizing bacteria are present in considerable numbers, that these bacteria are of major importance in the oxidation of reduced sulfur compounds in their habitat, and that tetrathionate is an important oxidation product of these bacteria. Thiosulfate is oxidized by bacteria isolated from these sediments to varying proportions of tetrathionate, sulfate, and also elemental sulfur. In highly sulfidic sediments and in the presence of large amounts of organic matter, tetrathionate was present in sediment horizons in which thiosulfate and elemental sulfur also accumulated. A tetrathionate cycle is proposed to be active in natural marine and brackish water sediments in which, due to combined bacterial action and chemical reactions, a net oxidation of sulfide to elemental sulfur occurs in the presence of catalytic amounts of thiosulfate and tetrathionate.

Description: Seabirds, like all marine endotherms, have to compensate for the extensive cooling effect of water when diving. Alone among them, cormorants (Phalacrocoracidae) have a wettable plumage and are predicted to require disproportionately large amounts of food to balance heat losses. These piscivorous birds are thus thought to have a detrimental impact on fish stocks. However, we show here that even in great cormorants from Greenland, which dive in water at 3 to 7°C, daily food intake is lower than for well-insulated European seabirds. Despite their wettable plumage, cormorants thus appear to manage their energy budgets in a remarkably efficient way. Nevertheless, the specific foraging strategies which enable this performance make cormorants dependent on high prey density areas, a feature that should be taken into account by future management plans.

Description: In Eckernförde Bay (western Baltic Sea) pockmark structures are induced by groundwater seeping out of the sediment. On 3 occasions in winter and spring 1993-94 we investigated the influence of groundwater on the reduction of salinity, on porewater chemistry, and on bacterial activities (methane oxidation and sulphate reduction). In 2 out of 3 sampling campaigns groundwater discharge could be detected. The concentration gradients of Cl- and SO4= are moved towards the sediment surface by the vertical advection of groundwater during seep times. Without groundwater discharge the porewater chemistry resembled the control site. Compared to the control site, the methane oxidation and sulphate reduction rates were elevated at the pockmark site, reaching maximum values of 49 and 269 µmol l-1 d-1 respectively. The groundwater venting from the pockmark had an end member composition of 80 mM Na+, 1.0 mM Ca++ and was depleted in Mg++. Due to mixing of these major cations along the groundwater/seawater interface, no CaCO3 precipitation was found around the pockmark site.

Description: Sinking velocities of more than 300 Nitzschia closterium aggregates were determined during roller table incubation using digital image analysis. To examine the influence of transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) on aggregate settling speed, 3 experiments with different ratios of TEP to cell volume concentration were conducted. The results showed that, for N. closterium aggregates without TEP, sinking velocity (U) was significantly related to the equivalent spherical diameter (ESD) of the aggregates, yielding U (cm s-1) = 1.89 (ESD, cm)0.55. The higher was the specific TEP content of an aggregate, the lower was the sinking velocity and the less pronounced was the size versus velocity relationship. Excess densities (Δρ) of aggregates were derived from velocity measurements and 3-dimensional fractal dimensions (D3) of aggregates were calculated from scaling properties of Δρ. Values for D3 never exceeded 2 and fit well to values of the 2-dimensional fractal dimension (D2) attained from image analysis.

Description: Stable carbon isotope fractionation (ε p) of 7 marine phytoplankton species grown in different irradiance cycles was measured under nutrient-replete conditions at a high light intensity in batch cultures. Compared to experiments under continuous light, all species exhibited a significantly higher instantaneous growth rate (μi), defined as the rate of carbon fixation during the photoperiod, when cultivated at 12:12 h, 16:8 h, or 18:6 h light:dark (L/D) cycles. Isotopic fractionation by the diatoms Skeletonema costatum, Asterionella glacialis, Thalassiosira punctigera, and Coscinodiscus wailesii (Group I) was 4 to 6o/oo lower in a 16:8 h L/D cycle than under continuous light, which we attribute to differences in μi. In contrast, ε p in Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Thalassiosira weissflogii, and in the dinoflagellate Scrippsiella trochoidea (Group II) was largely insensitive to daylength-related differences in instantaneous growth rate. Since other studies have reported growth-rate dependent fractionation under N-limited conditions in P. tricornutum, μi-related effects on fractionation apparently depend on the factor controlling growth rate. We suggest that a general relationship between εi and μi/[CO2,aq] may not exist. For 1 species of each group we tested the effect of variable CO2 concentration, [CO2,aq], on isotopic fractionation. A decrease in [CO2,aq] from ca 26 to 3 µmol kg-1 caused a decrease in ε p by less than 3o/oo. This indicates that variation in μi in response to changes in daylength has a similar or even greater effect on isotopic fractionation than [CO2,aq] in some of the species tested. In both groups ε p tended to be higher in smaller species at comparable growth rates. In 24 and 48 h time series the algal cells became progressively enriched in 13C during the day and the first hours of the dark period, followed by 13C depletion in the 2 h before beginning of the following light period. The daily amplitude of the algal isotopic composition (δ13C), however, was 〈=1.5o/oo, which demonstrates that diurnal variation in δ13C is relatively small.

Description: Diverse coastal seaweed communities dominated by perennial fucoids become replaced by species-poor turfs of annual algae throughout the Baltic Sea. A large-scale field survey and factorial field experiments indicated that grazers maintain the fucoid community through selective consumption of annual algae. Interactive effects between grazers and dormant propagules of annual algae, stored in a 'marine seed bank', determine the response of this system to anthropogenic nutrient loading. Nutrients override grazer control and accelerate the loss of algal diversity in the presence but not in the absence of a propagule bank. This implies a novel role of propagule banks for community regulation and ecosystem response to marine eutrophication.

Description: An experimental laboratory set-up was used to study the influence of different grain size compositions and temperatures on the growth of benthic cyanobacteria and diatoms, and on the competition between these 2 groups. Monospecific cultures of 3 species of cyanobacteria (Merismopedia punctata, Microcoleus chthonoplastes, Oscillatoria limosa), and of 2 species of benthic diatoms (Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Nitzschia sp.) were used. The organisms were cultured in 100 ml flasks filled with medium and 3 different kinds of sediment: (1) Sand (fine sand, 63 to 200 µm), (2) Mud-I (mixed fine sand and mud 〈63 µm in the ratio 80:20 wt %), (3) Mud-II (mixed fine sand and mud in the ratio 50:50 wt %). Experimental temperatures were 10, 15 and 25°C. At 10°C and 15°C, both diatom species achieved the highest biomass on the sediments of the finest grain size (50 wt % 〈 63 µm) while cyanobacteria achieved low biomass levels. Coarsening of sediments at the same temperature levels revealed a gradually lower biomass of the diatoms. Particularly on sand, the diatoms never reached the same concentrations of chlorophyll a as on mud. The cyanobacteria, on the other hand, had the highest biomass on sand at 15°C. In the competition experiments the benthic diatom species Nitzschia sp. dominated all types of sediments at 10°C and 15°C. The experiments at 25°C were dominated by the filamentous cyanobacterium M. chthonoplastes. This indicates the importance of abiotic conditions for the distribution and abundance of benthic phototrophic micro-organisms.

Description: The multivariate patterns resulting from analyses of macrobenthic abundance data at different taxonomic levels are compared to the pattern derived from various measurements obtained through sediment profiling imagery (SPI). A time-series data set from 1 station in Kiel Bay (Western Baltic) at 22 m depth including macrobenthic and SPI replicates covering 8 yr (1989 to 1996) was analyzed by means of multidimensional scaling (MDS) ordination. The macrobenthos data showed similar patterns, and there was little information loss, with decreasing taxonomic resolution from species to phylum level. The multivariate pattern in the SPI data was not significantly correlated to any of the macrofaunal patterns. However, macrofaunal and SPI patterns seemed to be complementary since they emphasized different aspects of the long-term succession in the Southern Baltic Sea. While macrofaunal patterns were sensitive to anoxia events, changes of SPI-recorded seabed characteristics were primarily related to physical disturbances possibly due to variations in fishing intensity.

Description: Diving seabirds should evolve a variety of foraging characteristics which enable them to minimize energy expenditure and to maximize net energy gain while searching for prey underwater. In order to assess the related ecological adaptations in a marine predator, we studied the at-sea distribution and the diving behaviour of 23 cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo (Linnaeus) breeding at the Chausey Islands (France) using VHF-telemetry and data loggers recording hydrostatic pressure. Birds foraged within an area of approximately 1131 km2 situated north-east of the breeding colony. This zone represents only 25% of the maximal potentially available area that the birds may utilize considering their maximum foraging range of 35 km. Individual birds remained within restricted individual foraging areas (on average 18 and 10% of the total utilized area in 1994 and 1995, respectively) throughout the study period. Moreover, the cormorants studied conducted an average of 42 dives per foraging trip, lasting for an average of 40 s (maximum 152 s), and reached an average maximum dive depth of 6.1 m (maximum 32 m) with median descent and ascent angles calculated to be 18.7° and 20.3°, respectively. Overall, 64% of all dives were U-shaped dives and 36% V-shaped dives. We use these results to demonstrate how both specialization and opportunism may support the remarkably high foraging efficiency of this marine predator.

Description: Stomach contents of Todarodes sagittatus caught by trawlers working from 100 to 800 m depth in the Balearic Sea (western Mediterranean) were studied. From the 348 stomachs examined (153 males and 195 females) 33.62% were empty (39.21% in males and 29.74% in females). The diet of the squid was composed of 58 different prey items belonging to four major groups: Osteichthya, Crustacea, Cephalopoda and Chondrichthya. Osteichthyes, crustaceans and cephalopods were the most common prey, with a frequency of occurrence value of 84.85, 48.92 and 29.87% respectively. A change in the diet as the squid grows was observed, since juveniles feed basically on fishes while adults prey more actively on crustaceans. Analysis of the diet by size-classes reflected an ontogenetic migration to deeper waters since, parallel to the increase of size, a raise in the percentage of prey species inhabiting deeper waters was detected. Cannibalism was quite frequent, since T. sagittatus was the second most common cephalopod prey. Females had higher fullness-weight index and lower emptiness index than males, which reflects their major energetic demand for egg production.

Description: The population structure of the European flying squid Todarodes sagittatus was studied using data of about 5000 squid caught in waters off the western Sahara between 1969 and 1997. The bulk of the population consisted of winter-spawned squid, which occurred as juveniles of 80–120 mm mantle length (ML) over the slope in spring, and as immature squid of 160–180 mm ML both on the shelf and slope in summer. In autumn, the squid attained 220–280 mm ML, matured, and shifted to the slope, where the spawning was supposed to occur in winter. Age and growth of T. sagittatus was studied using statolith ageing techniques. Assuming daily production of putative growth increments within statoliths, as well as sizes and proportions of immature and maturing females, the lifespan of the west Saharan populations of T. sagittatus lasts ∼1 y. Todarodes sagittatus is a fast growing squid at juvenile and immature ontogenetic phases. Early maturation (at ages 220–230 d in males and 250–260 d in females, respectively) and subsequent decrease of somatic growth rates caused rather small modal sizes of mature squid (250–300 mm ML) compared with those of their northern counterparts (350–420 mm ML). Both hatching dates and seasonality in occurrence of mature females shows that in waters off the western Sahara T. sagittatus spawns throughout the year with a well-pronounced winter peak.

Description: Cephalopods play an important role in the trophic web of the Southern Ocean, but little information is available on their biology. The 2 largest sub-Antarctic seabirds, the king penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus and the wandering albatross Diomedea exulans, feed primarily on squids during the austral winter at the Crozet Islands. We examined a large number of accumulated cephalopod beaks in the stomach of these birds together with some undigested items; first, to understand how these 2 predators share the squid resource during winter, a period of supposed low food availability, and, second, to use a diving and a flying seabird as biological samplers of Southern Ocean cephalopods. Individuals of the family Onychoteuthidae formed the bulk of the squid diet, accounting for 72.6 and 57.0% of the number of lower beaks in samples from king penguins and wandering albatrosses, respectively. Seven different species were identified, the 3 main squids being Kondakovia longimana (38.8 and 28.0% by number for penguins and albatrosses, respectively), Moroteuthis ingens (13.5 and 26.2%) and M. knipovitchi (20.1 and 2.3%). Both seabirds preyed upon the same cephalopod species, but penguins primarily took small- to medium-sized juveniles (99.0% of the onychoteuthids) and albatrosses preyed on larger adult specimens (96.0%). Fresh remains indicated that adult K. longimana and M. ingens were mature individuals which, as shown by satellite tracking of albatrosses, were taken over the slope and nearby oceanic waters surrounding the archipelago. The present study indicates that mating/spawning of K. longimana and M. ingens occurs in Crozet waters during the winter months. It also extends the biogeography of K. longimana to north of the Antarctic Polar Front, in the Polar Frontal Zone, where it has not previously been recorded.

Description: The marine habitat exploited by black-browed Diomedea melanophrys and grey-headed albatrosses D. chrysostoma breeding at Campbell Island, New Zealand, was studied using satellite telemetry. Data were analysed in relation to the bathymetry and sea-surface temperature of the foraging zones. Black-browed albatrosses spent 55% of their time on the Campbell Plateau but also carried out long foraging trips to the Polar Front and Antarctic Zone at a distance of over 2000 km. They relied heavily on juvenile Micromesistius australis, a schooling fish, during foraging trips to the shelf but over oceanic waters the squid Martialia hyadesi was the main prey taken. Grey-headed albatrosses spent 71% of their time foraging over the deep waters of the Polar Frontal Zone where M. hyadesi comprised over 90% of the mass of prey taken. No satellite-tracked birds fed over the shelf, but data from the duration of foraging trips and dietary analysis suggests that shelf-feeding is important for this species. Significant inter-species differences in the time spent in neritic and oceanic zones show that black-browed albatrosses are reliant primarily on shelf resources while grey-headed albatrosses are primarily oceanic feeders. In addition, the 2 species overlapped little in the zones used over oceanic waters, with black-browed albatrosses feeding in more southerly waters than grey-headed albatrosses. However, both species feed on M. hyadesi when foraging in association with the Polar Front.

Description: The fishery for Illex argentinus in the Southwest Atlantic is subject to large inter-annual variability in recruitment strength. In this paper we attempt to build a predictive model using sea surface temperature (SST) to examine links between recruitment to the Falkland Islands fishery and environmental variability during the juvenile and adult life history stages. SST data from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) were found to be comparable with near-surface data derived from in situ expendable bathy-thermograph (XBT) profiles in the southern Patagonian shelf. Variation in SST during the early life stages appears to be important in determining recruitment of I. argentinus. SST in the hatching grounds of the northern Patagonian shelf during the period of hatching (particularly June and July) was negatively correlated with catches in the fishery in the following season. SST anomaly data from positions in the Pacific and Southwest Atlantic were used to examine teleconnections between these areas. Links were seen at a lag of 2 yr between the Pacific and southern Patagonian shelf, and at about 5 yr between the Pacific and northern Patagonian shelf. This is consistent with SST anomalies associated with El Niño in the Pacific propagating around the globe via the Antarctic Circumpolar Wave (ACW). Predicting cold events via teleconnections between SST anomalies in the Pacific and Atlantic would appear to have the potential to predict the recruitment strength of I. argentinus in the Southwest Atlantic.

Description: Size of ripe eggs and potential fecundity are described in the squid of the subfamilies Todaropsinae and Todarodinae (Oegopsida: Ommastrephidae)— Todaropsis eblanae from West Africa, Todarodes angolensis from Namibia, Todarodes sagittatus from north-west Africa and the Mediterranean Sea, Todarodes sp. from the south-east Pacific, Nototodarus hawaiiensis from the south-east Pacific and West Indian Ocean and Martialia hyadesi from the south-west Atlantic. Females of both subfamilies are characterized by a wide range of ripe egg size (0.7–2.4 mm) and low and medium values of potential fecundity (20,000–2,500,000).

Description: Levels of genetic diversity and population differentiation were examined in temporally (1990 to 1997) and geographically separated samples of the argentine short-finned squid Illex argentinus using 7 microsatellite loci. Number of alleles (mean number of alleles per locus over all samples = 24.1) and heterozygosity (mean observed heterozygosity per sample = 0.84) were high for all samples, indicating that these loci have a greater potential utility for investigating population genetic structure than allozyme markers used in previous studies. Genetic diversity did not differ significantly between samples taken 5 yr after commencement of the fishery (1990) and those collected during a period of progressively intense fishing pressure (1994 and 1997). Several small but significant differences in between-sample genetic variation (FST) were observed, but these could not confirm the previous suggestion of cryptic species or several well-defined stocks within the fished population.

Description: Epibiosis is a spatially close association between 2 or more organisms belonging to the same or different species. Through direct and indirect interactions, this association has major effects on the species involved and on community dynamics. When the effects are predominantly beneficial for epibiont and basibiont, coevolution can be expected to lead to associational specificity. Circumstantial evidence, however, suggests that many epibionts are non-specific substratum-generalists. In this arti-cle, we investigate the commonness of specificity in epibiotic associations. In a first approach, we inves-tigated the in situ recruitment preferences of potential epibionts when choosing between artificial and living substrata. After exposure for 3 wk in early summer, an early successional community had estab-lished, comprising cyanobacteria, diatoms, sesslle colonial ciliates and red algae. All species recruited on almost all substrata available. However, artificial substrata were usually preferred over living sur-faces. Consequently, the species studied are class~fied as facultative epibionts. An analysis of a list of over 2000 epibiotic associations corroborated these results, the majority of described 'epibionts' are not basibiont-specific and generally occur on non-living substrata as well. Also, basibiont species usually bear more than 1 epibiont species. Relative to each other, epibionts and basibionts are characterised by a typical set of life history traits. We conclude that specific and obligate epibionts are rare. Their scarcity is discussed in view of multilevel antifouling defences and presumptive evolutionary transi-tions from epibiosis towards endoparasitism or endosymbiosis.

Description: Diving reptiles, unlike most diving birds and mammals, return infrequently to the surface to breathe. Spending the bulk of their lives underwater, they are likely to have developed a large variety of specific behavioural patterns different from those of their warm-blooded counterparts. However, for technical reasons, underwater behaviour of these aquatic reptiles remains poorly understood. In this study green turtles Chelonia mydas nesting on Cyprus (Eastern Mediterranean) were equipped with multi-channel data loggers monitoring diving behaviour and activity (via a logger-integrated 3-D compass which served as an activity sensor) during the inter-nesting interval. Data from 2 turtles for 2 consecutive inter-nesting intervals were available for detailed dive analysis. Both turtles showed highly variable dive patterns ranging from travelling subsurface dives to specific dive types such as U- (mainly resting and foraging dives), S- (a form of energy saving swimming) and V-dives. The green turtles stayed near the coast throughout the study, dived no deeper than ca 25 m, but remained underwater for up to ca 40 min. The recordings of the activity sensor revealed high activity levels (less than 20% resting d-1) during the whole inter-nesting period which was attributed to extensive foraging. The combination of both the activity data and the dive data showed that the turtles were engaged in travelling movements for 46% of the inter-nesting time spent underwater, foraged for 34% and rested for 12% of the time. We discuss the physiological, ecological and conservation implications of these results.

Description: Serial dilution experiments were conducted on JGOFS-North Atlantic cruise of RV 'Meteor' M36/2 at a 20° W transect in June and July 1996 to assess the role of microzooplankton grazing and nitrogen supply in controlling phytoplankton stocks in the subtropical and temperate northeast Atlantic. Rates of microzooplankton grazing ranged from 0.08 d-1 at 54° N to 0.53 d-1 at 40° N and mean growth rates of phytoplankton ranged from 0.19 d-1 at 54° N to 0.75 d-1 at 40° N. Both rates were positively related to seawater temperature, whereas the apparent growth yield of phytoplankton declined with increasing temperature from 0.19 µg chl a dm-3 d-1 at 54° N to 0.01 µg chl a dm-3 d-1 at 33° N. Complete nitrogen saturation of phytoplankton growth indicated light or non-nitrogenous limitation at the nitracline at 47° N and in the deep chlorophyll maximum at 33° N, whereas in the mixed layer at 47° N and 54° N the ambient nitrogen supply was sub-saturated and yielded 63 and 39% of nitrogen- saturated growth. Nitrogen supply of phytoplankton growth was dominated by external and cellular sources in nitrate-rich waters of the mixed layer at 54° N and at the nitracline at 47° N, whereas nitrogen regeneration dominated at the nitrate-depleted surface waters at 47° N. However, in the deep chlorophyll maxima at 33° N and 40° N phytoplankton growth was primarily maintained by nitrogen regeneration, although external nitrogen was sufficiently available. The recycling efficiency of the microbial community was defined as the ratio of regenerated growth yield to herbivorous grazing loss. Efficiencies of ~100% under post-bloom situations indicated tight coupling of predation, nitrogen supply and phytoplankton growth. We suggest that microzooplankton grazing has a high potential for nitrogen supply and biomass control of phytoplankton communities during summer in the temperate and subtropical northeast Atlantic.

Description: Inhaltsübersicht : Helmut Keupp & Daria Ivanova: Calcareous dinoflagellate cysts from the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous of the Western Forebalkan, Bulgaria … 3-31 ; Helmut Keupp & Rolf Kohring: Kalkige Dinoflagellatenzysten aus dem Obermiozän (NN 11 ) W von Rethimnon (Kreta) … 33-53 ; Dimitris Frydas, Helmut Keupp & Spyridon M. Bellas: Biostratigraphical research in Late Neogene marine deposits of the Chania Province, western Crete, Greece … 55-67 ; Glenn Fechner: "Microforaminiferal" lining taphonomy: A cautionary note … 69-81 ; Uwe Gloy & Rolf Kohring: Py-GC-Analysen an einem fossilen Harz aus dem Oberen Jura (Grube Guimarota/Portugal) … 83-88 ; Joachim Gründel: Truncatelloidea (Littorinimorpha, Gastropoda) aus dem Lias und Dogger Deutschlands und Nordpolens … 89-119 ; Helmut Keupp, Martin Röper & Adolf Seilacher: Paläobiologische Aspekte von syn vivo-besiedelten Ammonoideen im Plattenkalk des Ober-Kimmeridgiums von Brunn in Ostbayern … 121-145 ; Nikolaus Malchus: Identification of larval bivalve shells by means of simple statistics … 147-160 ; Carsten Helm, John W.M. Jagt & Manfred Kutscher: Early Campanian ophiuroids from the Hannover area (Lower Saxony, Northern Germany) … 161-173 ; Christian Neumann: New spatangoid echinoids (Echinodermata) from the Upper Cretaceous of Jordan: taxonomy and phylogenetic importance … 175-189 ; Oldrich Fejfar und Daniela C. Kalthoff: Aberrant cricetids (Platacanthomyines, Rodentia, Mammalia) from the Miocene of Eurasia … 191-206 ; Thekla Pfeiffer: Sexualdimorphismus, Ontogenie und innerartliche Variabilität der pleistozänen Cervidenpopulationen von Dama dama geiselana Pfeiffer 1998 und Cervus elaphus L. (Cervidae, Mammalia) aus Neumark-Nord (Sachsen-Anhalt, Deutschland) … 207-313 ; Beiträge zur Baikal-Rift-Forschung : MJ. Kuzmin et al.: Climatic events in Siberia during upper Brunhes according to the Lake Baikal sedimentary record … 315-323 ; S. K. Krivonogov et al.: The prospects of GIS use in investigation of the Baikal area … 325-328 ; Y. Masuda et al.: Perspective Studies of Freshwater Sponges in Lake Baikal … 329-332 ; Oleg A. Timoshkin: Biology of Lake Baikal: „White Spots“ and Progress in Research … 333-348 ; Bibliographie : Uwe Gloy: Bibliographie 1997, Institut für Paläontologie, FU Berlin … 349-352 ;

Description: thesis

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: Die vorliegende Arbeit behandelt die Kalkdinoflagellaten-Floren aus dem Alb der Forschungsbohrung Kirchrode II (Niedersächsisches Becken). Im Vordergrund stand die Frage nach der bisher wenig bekannten Ökologie dieser Phytoplankton-Gruppe zur Zeit ihrer maximalen Blüte. Dazu wurden die Zysten-Vergesellschaftungen qualitativ und halb-quantitativ untersucht und Diversitätsanalysen durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse wurden mit lithologischen und paläontologischen Daten der an der Untersuchung des Bohrkerns beteiligten Arbeitsgruppen verglichen. Es konnten 37 Morphospezies kalkiger Dinoflagellaten-Zysten nachgewiesen werden. Gemeinsam mit den Morphospezies des Profils Kirchrode I erhöht sich damit die Gesamtzahl der im Alb des Niedersächsischen Beckens nachgewiesenen Taxa auf 45. Das weltweit früheste Auftreten der Unterordnung Pithonelloideae konnte für das frühe Mittel-Alb (Hoplites dentatus-Zone) belegt werden. Außerdem konnte erstmals die Verbreitung der Fuettererelloideae für die Unterkreide sicher dokumentiert werden. Aufgrund unterschiedlicher ökologischer Umweltansprüche konnten 4 typische Kalkdinoflagellaten-Gesellschaften unterschieden werden. Die Zusammensetzung der Zystenvergesellschaftungen wird in erster Linie von Nährstoffreichtum, Salinität und Temperatur des Oberflächenwassers kontrolliert. Gemeinsam mit den neu interpretierten Kalkdinoflagellaten-Vergesellschaftungen des Profils Kirchrode I (KEUPP 1995) reflektieren die Vergesellschaftungen für das Unter- und Mittel-Alb einen Meeresspiegelanstieg bei gleichzeitiger Nährstoffverarmung und Erwärmung. Für das Ober-Alb kann ein Meeresspiegelhöchststand (maximale Pelagizität) und anschließende rasche Regression postuliert werden. Daten anderer Fossilgruppen (Coccolithophoriden, Foraminiferen, Radiolarien) untermauern diese Interpretation. Die Palökologie der Unterkretazischen Orthopithonelloideae wird neu interpretiert. In der späten Unterkreide sind sie nicht, wie bisher angenommen, pelagisch, sondern im Gegenteil an trophische, neritische und vermutlich auch kühlere Oberflächenwasser-Bedingungen gebunden. Innerhalb der grobkristallinen Vertreter der Pirumella loeblichi-Gruppe nimmt P. loeblichi aufgrund abweichender ökologischer Ansprüche (Präferenz für stagnierende und nährstoffreichere Beckenbedingungen) eine Sonderstellung ein. Es konnten 6 Migrationsereignisse tethyaler Zysten nachgewiesen werden, die vermutlich transgressive Impulse widerspiegeln. Die auf diese Fossilgruppe erstmals angewendeten Methoden der Diversitäts- und Häufigkeitsanalysen haben sich als geeignet erwiesen, Wechselwirkungen zwischen fossilen Kalkdinoflagellatenzysten und ihrer Umwelt aufzuzeigen.

Description: Subject of this study are the calcareous dinoflagellates cysts of the drilling core Kirchrode II (Albian, central Lower Saxony Basin, Northwest Germany). The purpose of this investigation is to give answers to the question of the poorly understood palaeoecology of this important phytopankton group at the time of its maximum radiation. Cyst assemblages were examined qualitatively and semi-quantitatively. Diversity analyses of the cyst assemblages were carried out as well. The results were compared with other lithological and palaeontological data of the drilling core. 37 morphotaxa were identified. Together with the morphospecies recorded from the uppermost Upper Albian of the drilling core Kirchrode I (KEUPP 1995), the number of documented taxa in the Albian of the Lower Saxonian Basin increases to 45 taxa. The first appearance date of the suborder Pithonelloidae is recognised in the lower Middle-Albian (Hoplites dentatus-zone). Moreover, the distribution of the Fuettererelloideae in the Lower Cretaceous is documented for the first time. The taxonomic compositions of the cyst assemblages change through time. Due to their different ecological preferences, 4 typical cysts-assemblages were recognised. The composition of the assemblages was controlled chiefly by nutrient availability, salinity and temperature of the surface water-masses. Together with the re-examined cyst-assemblages of the drilling-core Kirchrode I, the assemblages reflect a sea level rise during the Early and Middle Albian, together with simultaneous warming and nutrient decrease. A postulated sea level highstand (maximum pelagicity) in the Late Albian is followed by a rapid regression in the upper dispar-zone. Data from other plankton groups (coccolithophorids, foraminiferes and radiolarians) support this interpretation. The palaeoecology of the Early Cretaceous Orthopithonelloideae is newly interpreted. They were not, as supposed until now, components of the pelagic realm. On the contrary, their distribution reflects neritic, nutrient-rich and probably cool surface-water masses. Within the Obliquipithonelloids with coarse-crystalline body walls, Pirumella loeblichi holds an exceptional position with respect to its deviating ecology (preference for stagnant and nutrient-rich basin conditions). 6 distinct migration-events of cysts with tethyal origin were recognised. These events are probably related to transgressive pulses. The methods of community and diversity analyses, used for the first time for this little known phytoplankton group, are a powerful tool for the analyses of paleoecological distribution patterns of the group and can be used for paleooceanic basin interpretation.

Description: thesis

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: Den eigentlichen Anwendungen geophysikalischer Modelliertechniken und Bearbeitungsmethoden geht im Verlauf dieser Arbeit eine umfassende Evaluierung und Kompilierung einer Flächendeckenden Datenbasis zwischen 20° und 26°S sowie 62° und 74°W aus gravimetrischen Daten voran. Untersuchungen des Magnetfeldes beschränken sich auf den Bereich der Nazca-Platte. Dabei werden alle verfügbaren Datensätze einbezogen, wozu neben Satelliten-altimetrisch gewonnenen Schweredaten auch Datensätze südamerikanischer Partner-Institutionen gehören. Ziel dieser Vorarbeiten ist die Erstellung eines homogenen nach Qualitätsmerkmalen unterschiedenen Schweredatensatzes, welcher den ozeanischen und den kontinentalen Bereich des Meßgebietes zwischen 20° und 26°S des Arbeitsgebietes beinhaltet. Im folgenden dient die gravimetrische und magnetische Datenbasis als Vergleichsdatensatz für die Modellierung von Dichteinhomogenitäten und Magnetisierungskontrasten. Randbedingungen aus anderen geowissenschaftlichen Teilbereichen wie der Seismik (grenzt die Geometrie- und Dichtevariationen ein), der Petrologie (Phasenübergänge, Gesteinsmetamorphosen) und Geologie (Strukturelle Grenzen) dienen der maximalen Einschränkung von Dichtedomänen und magnetisierten Bereichen. Das lokale 3D-Modell des Kontinentalrandes mit angrenzender Nazca-Platte erklärt die im Magnet-und Schwerefeld beobachteten Anomalien und zeigt die besondere Bedeutung der subduzierten Lithosphäre der Nazca-Platte auf. Neben dieser statischen Modellierung werden im Schwerefeld enthaltene Informationen über die Rigidität der aneinander grenzenden ozeanischen und kontinentalen Lithosphärenplatten extrahiert. Mit einem 3D-Kohärenzverfahren, welches erstmalig in den Zentralen Anden angewendet wird, werden Bereiche mit unterschiedlicher Festigkeit abgegrenzt. Durch die Einbeziehung von ’’Surface- und Subsurface Load” wird die hochauflösende Kohärenz-Analyse verbessert, gegenüber 2D- Verfahren ohne Berücksichtigung von ’’Subsurface Loads”. Eine Vergleichsstudie der Rigiditätsverteilung mit ähnlich regionalen Charakteristika der Lithosphärenplatten, wie etwa dem geothermischen Gradienten führt zu vergleichbaren Aussagen und bestätigt den großen Einfluß der subduzierten Nazca-Platte auf das gesamte aktive System in Bezug auf das Schwerefeld, das Thermische- und das Spannungsregime. Bereiche mit hohem Oberflächen-Wärmefluß korrelieren mit geringer Rigidität. Demzufolge finden sich die höchsten Rigiditätswerte im Forearc und östlichen Backarc und die niedrigsten in der Westkordillere. Schließlich wird auf der Basis der Analyse isostatischer Restfelder mit und ohne Berücksichtigung des Schweresignals der Nazca-Platte, der isostatische Zustand der kontinentalen Lithosphäre untersucht. Dabei werden zusätzlich, neben Modellgeometrien, Dichten und Rigiditäten auch geotektonische Regionen unterschieden. Isostatische Unterkompensation wird demnach in der Küstenkordillere und der Ostkordillere beobachtet. Der Bereich des Hochplateaus der Zentralen Anden befindet sich in isostatischem Gleichgewicht.

Description: The actual application of geophysical modelling and processing techniques in this thesis is preceded by a comprehensive evaluation and compilation of a Database covering the area from 20° and 26°S to 62° and 74°W with gravimetric and magnetic data. Research of the magnetic field is constrained to the Nazca-Plate oceanic area. In addition to altimétrie satellite gravity data all other available gravity data has been included in the database, e.g. datasets provided by our south american partner institutions. The aim of these preparatory works is the preparation of a uniform dataset which distinguishes data according to quality features. In further progress, this gravimetric and magnetic database is utilized to compare the Signals caused by density inhomogeneities and magnetization contrasts to measured data. Boundary conditions from other geophysical disciplines like seismics (restricting geometry and density variations), petrology (Phasetransitions, Metamorphic reactions) and geology (structural boundaries) lead to a maximum limitation of density and magnetic domains. The local 3D-model of the continent-ocean transition zone with the boundaring Nazca-plate explains the observed anomalies and highlights the particular meaning of the subducting Nazca-plate. Beside this static modelling information about the rigidity of the contacting oceanic and continental lithospheres which is contained in the gravity field is extracted. The utilization of a new 3D-coherence method, which is applied for the first time in the central Andes, enables to divide regions of different rigidity. The incorporation of surface and subsurface loads implies a higher spacial resolution in opposition to 2D-methods not regarding subsurface loads. A comparative study of the distribution of rigidity and similar more regional parameters controlling the rigidity of the lithosphere leads to compareable results and confirms the importance of the subducting Nazca-plate on the active system, in terms of the gravity field, the geothermal- and stress regime. Regions characterized by high surface heatflow correspond to low rigidity. The highest values for flexural rigidity are to be found in the forarc and eastern backarc, the lowest in the active volcanic front, the western cordillera. Finally an analysis of isostatic residual fields, again taking into account the gravity signal of the subducting Nazca-plate reveals different isostatic conditions for different parts of the surveyed continental lithosphere. Apart from model geometries, densities and rigidities geotectonic regions are distinguished. Isostatic undercompensation is observed in the coastal and eastern cordillera; whereas the andean plateaus in the central Andes can be considered as isostatically compensated.

Description: thesis

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: Eine für die Zentralanden erstellte geowissenschaftliche Datenbank erfaßt die umfangreichen Forschungsergebnisse des SFB 267 wie auch externe Datensätze in Form eines zentral verwalteten Dateisystems. Ein Datenkatalog, welcher seit Mitte 1996 auch im World Wide Web (WWW, URL: http://userpage.fu-berlin.de/~data) verfügbar ist, bietet einen Überblick über die aktuelle Datenbasis und erleichtert den allgemeinen Zugriff auf die einzelnen Datensätze. Vorgestellt werden ferner verschiedene Methoden zur Analyse raumbezogener Daten aus Bereichen der Statistik (streifen-gemittelte Topographieprofile, Standardabweichung, Korrelationen, Fraktale) , Bildverarbeitung (direktionale Richtungsfilter) , Geomorphometrie (Neigung und Vertikalwölbung) und Numerik (Horizontalgradienten, FFT). Die Anwendung dieser Verfahren bezüglich einer regionalen Strukturierung wird am Beispiel der für die Zentralanden flächendeckend vorliegenden Topographie und Schwerefelder getestet und mit den aus langjährigen Untersuchungen in den Anden zur Verfügung stehenden Forschungsergebnissen verglichen. Endogene und exogene Prozesse spiegeln sich in den topographischen Erscheinungsformen wider. Insbesondere mit Hilfe der geomorphometrischen Analyse und der FFT-Filterung lassen sich für die morphostrukturellen Einheiten typische Merkmale sehr gut herausarbeiten. Auch mit einer einfachen Statistik (streifen-gemittelte Topographieprofile, Berechnung von Minimum, Mittelwert, Maximum und Standardabweichung einzelner Untersuchungsgebiete) können für die ausgewählten Gebiete charakteristische Unterschiede ermittelt werden. Im Hinblick auf die Topographie unterscheidet sich bei allen Untersuchungsmethoden am Westrand der Zentralanden der hyperaride Norden im Bereich der Atacama Wüste deutlich vom weniger trockenen Süden. Studien zur fraktalen Geometrie der Geländeoberfläche zeigen, daß sich die andine Topographie skaleninvariant verhält und tektonische wie klimatische Einflüsse sich in der geometrischen Variation der Geländeoberfläche widerspiegeln. Morphologisch zergliederte Zonen, wie das durch starke Verkürzungen gekennzeichnete Subandin oder der Südwestrand der Zentralanden, weisen im Vergleich zur fraktalen Dimension des Gesamtgebietes eine höhere fraktale Dimension auf, während das hyperaride Gebiet im Bereich der Atacama Wüste durch einen vergleichsweise niedrigen Wert gekennzeichnet ist. Mit der direktionalen Lineamentverstärkung, z.T. aber auch mit anderen Methoden wie etwa der Darstellung der Neigungsrichtung, werden die wichtigsten Störungszonen (z.B. das Atacama- oder das Präkordilleren-Störungssystem) weitestgehend erfaßt. Auf dem Pazifik bilden sich - sowohl bei der geomorphometrischen Untersuchung wie auch bei der Lineamenterkennung - entlang der Peru-Chile-Tiefseerinne die im CINCA Experiment beobachteten morphologisch-tektonischen Charakteristika (Reichert et al., 1997), wie z.B. die Blocktektonik innerhalb einer ca. 50 km breiten, westlich der Tiefseerinne verlaufenden Zone, ab. Gravimetrische Lineamente, die aus den maximalen Horizontalgradienten im Schwerefeld abgeleitet werden, weisen auf abrupte, laterale Dichteänderungen hin, sind jedoch in den Zentralanden nur in Einzelfällen mit den an der Oberfläche anstehenden lithologischen Einheiten oder Störungszonen korrelierbar. Die zweidimensionale Korrelation im moving window Verfahren hat sich als nützliches Instrument zur Analyse von sich gegenseitig beeinflussenden, raumverteilten Datensätzen erwiesen. Die Wahl der Fenstergröße erlaubt, zwischen einer regionalen und einer eher lokalen Analyse zu differenzieren; mit Hilfe einer geeigneten Visualisierung lassen sich die Beziehungen zwischen den Variablen schnell erfassen. Die räumlich differenzierte, quantitative Analyse der Korrelation zwischen Schwerefeld und Topographie in den Zentralanden zeigt, daß nicht nur die Bouguer-Anomalie sondern auch das isostatische Restfeld stark negativ mit der Geländehöhe korreliert.

Description: A geoscientific database was established for the area of the Central Andes, which includes information about past and current research conducted within the frame of the ’SFB 267 - Deformation Processes in the Andes’ (Berlin, Potsdam) as well as data from external sources. The catalogue, which since 1996 is also available on the Web (WWW, URL: http://userpage.fu-berlin.de/~data/ provides a general view of the database architecture and contents, and facilitates common and easy access to singular sets of data. In addition, various methods for the analysis of spatial data from disciplines such as statistics (swath-averaged topographic profiles, standard deviation, correlation, fractals), digital image processing (directional filtering), geomorphometry (inclination and vertical doming) and numerical methods (horizontal gradient, Fast Fourier Transformation [FFT]) are presented in this thesis. Application of these techniques for structural analysis on a regional scale was tested for the Central Andes, for which topographic coverage is complete, as well as for associated gravity fields, and compared with information generated during long term investigations in the Andes. Endogenous and exogenous processes are mirrored in topographic forms and landscapes. Characteristic features of morphostructural units are particularly well characterized when employing geomorphometric analyses and FFT filter techniques. Even simple statistical methods (swath-averaged topographic profiles, calculation of minimum, mean, maximum and standard deviation) for selected areas allow recognition of specific features and characteristic variations. As far as topography is concerned, distinct differences between the hyperarid northern portion of the western Central Andes (Atacama Desert) and lesser arid southern sectors are evident for all methods employed. Studies of the surface fractal geometry show an invariance of scale of the Andean topography. Structural and climatic influences are mirrored in geometric variations of the landscape. Morphologically intensely structured portions, like the Subandean ranges, characterized by pronounced crustal shortening, or the southwestern margin of the Central Andes are marked by a higher fractal dimension, when compared to the entire area studied, whereas the hyperarid portion of the Atacama Desert is characterized by a lower fractal dimension. Directional lineament enhancement, but other methods such as areal inclination detection as well, allow to accentuate major zones of structural weakness, such as the Atacama and Precordilleran fault systems. Both, geomorphometric investigations and lineament recognition, enhance morpho-structural features such as block-faulting of oceanic lithosphere along the Peru-Chile deep sea trench in a 50 km wide sector to the west of the subduction zone, and verify results gathered during the CINCA experiment (Reichert et al., 1997). Gravimetric lineaments, derived from maximum horizontal gradients in gravity fields of the Central Andes, point to abrupt lateral density variations, but can only occasionally be correlated with outcropping lithologic units or fault zones. The two dimensional correlation using the moving average technique has proven to be useful for analysis of mutually influencing and spatially arranged data sets. Selection of a proper window size allows to differentiate between analyses on regional resp. local scales. Employing proper visualization, relations between variables are easily detectable. A spatially differentiated and quantitative analysis of the relationship between gravity field and topography in the Central Andes shows a strong negative correlation of altitude with Bouguer anomaly and isostatic residual field.

Description: http://www.cms.fu-berlin.de/sfb/sfb267/results/data_catalogue/index.html

Description: thesis

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: Schweremessungen im Hochgebirge erfordern eine genaue Bestimmung der topographischen Reduktion für die Berechnung der Bouguer-Anomalie. Von besonderer Wichtigkeit ist hierbei die optimale Approximation der Erdoberfläche durch geometrisch einfache Geländemodelle und die Kenntnis der Gesteinsdichteverteilung im Untersuchungsgebiet. Mit modernen Reduktionsverfahren ist es möglich, topographische Effekte zu verringern oder zu eliminieren und somit die Genauigkeit der Bouguer-Anomalie zu erhöhen. Anhand der verfügbaren Literatur wird eine Übersicht über bislang entwickelte Verfahren zur Berechnung der topographischen Reduktion gegeben. Hierbei handelt es sich um Verfahren, bei denen die Gestalt des Geländes zumeist durch unterschiedliche Modellvorstellungen (Quader, Kreisringsegmente) approximiert wird. Ein weiteres Problem ist die korrekte Berücksichtigung der Reduktionsdichte innerhalb des Untersuchungsgebietes. Darauf aufbauend wird ein Reduktionsverfahren entwickelt, das eine optimale Anpassung der Topographie durch die Triangulation aller Höheninformationen erlaubt bei gleichzeitiger Berücksichtigung von lateral variierenden Gesteinsdichteverteilungen, sog. Dichteprovinzen im Vergleich zum Standarddichteansatz. Die Höheninformationen bestehen aus einer Kombination von exakten Punkthöhen der Gravimeterstationen, den Höhenwerten aus hochauflösenden digitalen Höhenmodellen (DHM) und sonstigen Höhendaten. Durch eine Dreiecksvermaschung aller Höhenpunkte entsteht eine triangulierte irreguläre Netzwerk-Struktur (TIN). Die Geländereduktion für eine Station erhält man durch Summierung der Schwerewirkung aller Polyeder, deren Grundfläche aus ebenen Dreiecken im Stationsniveau und deren Deckflächen aus geneigten Flächen der Geländeapproximation bestehen. Die Berechnung der Schwerewirkung erfolgt durch eine analytische Lösung des auftretenden Volumenintegrals des Polyeders. Bei dieser Polyeder-Methode entfällt außerdem die klassische Einteilung des Geländes in unterschiedliche Entfernungszonen. Aufgrund des Rechenalgorithmus gehört das Polyeder- Verfahren zu den stationsunabhängigen Reduktions verfahren. Die Anwendung des Verfahrens erfolgt an Schweremessungen aus den Zentralen Anden in Südamerika zwischen 19°-29° S und 60°-71° W. Als Datengrundlage dienen ca. 15 000 Schwerestationen und das hochauflösende 30”x30” Höhenmodell ’GTOPO30’ des USGS. Mit einem modifizierten Nettleton-Verfahren werden erstmalig mittlere Reduktionsdichtewerte aus Bouguer-Schwerewerten für den zentralen Andenbereich bestimmt. Die Verwendung von diesen Dichtemodellen stellt den Versuch dar, die Schweredaten mit einer lateral variierenden DichteVerteilung neu zu interpretieren. Es ist deshalb nur als ein erster Ansatz zu verstehen, weil die derzeit verfügbare Dichtedatenbasis im Untersuchungsgebiet noch nicht ausreichend gut ist. Mit dem Polyeder- Verfahren steht ein moderner und flexibler Rechenalgorithmus zur Verfügung, der in idealer Weise alle notwendigen Höhen- und Gesteinsdichteinformationen zur optimalen Berechnung der topographischen Reduktion in der Gravimetrie verwendet.

Description: Gravimetric measurements in high mountains need an exact determination of the topographic reduction for the calculation of the Bouguer-Anomaly. The optimum representation of the shape of the earth’s relief by simple geometric ground models and the knowledge of the rock density distribution in the examined area is very important. It is possible to reduce or eliminate topographic effects by modern reduction procedures and to increase the exactness of the Bouguer- Anomaly. The available literature so far about this topic gives a survey about the developed procedure of calculating the topographic reduction. These procedures deal with the approximation of the ground condition by different model proceedings. Another problem is the correct consideration of the reduction density in the explored area. Based on this a new method for calculating the topographic reduction at each gravity station with a simultaneous consideration of variable rock density distribution, which are called density provinces, is developed. This method bases on the approximation of the terrain by polyhedrons. The source of the terrain model consists of digital elevation models (DEM), the heights of the gravity station themselves and perhaps other heights. Next step is the triangulation of the data and the result of it is a network of triangulation facets (TIN). The triangulated topography and the reference surface of the gravity surface built a polyhedron by which gravity attraction can be calcuated immediately and exactly and in an analytical form to each gravity station in the area. This procedure is called polyhedron-method and it belongs to the station-independent reduction procedures. The approximation of the topography in the triangulation facets avoids a classical division of the surroundings into different distance zones. The application of this procedure is carried out in gravity measurements of the Central Andes in South America between 19°-29°S and 60°-71°W. The data source includes 15 000 gravity stations and a 30-arc second digital elevation model ’GTOPO30’ of South America from the USGS. The first medium reduction density values taken from the Bouguer gravity values are fixed for the Central Andes by a modified Nettleton-procedure. That is only to understand as the first attempt. The momentary available density data basis in the explored area is still not satisfying. A new modern and flexible polyhedron method which ideally uses all necessary elevation information about the topography to provide higher accuracy for the terrain reduction process than it was possible before is now available.

Description: thesis

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: Subduktionszonen gehören zu den geologisch aktivsten Regionen der Erde. Viele der Prozesse in diesen Zonen laufen unter der Beteiligung von Fluiden ab und führen zu Aufschmelzung und Vulkanismus. Der Parameter der Absorption seismischer Wellen in der Erde (Kruste, Mantel) wird entscheidend von Größen wie der Temperatur, der Porosität, dem Umgebungsdruck oder der Sättigung mit wässrigen Fluiden oder (partiellen) Schmelzen gesteuert. Er eignet sich demnach hervorragend zur Untersuchung des Zustandes von Kruste und Erdmantel und den Prozessen in einer Subduktionszone. Für die Absorptionsuntersuchungen in der Subduktionszone in den westlichen Zentralen Anden standen die Daten der beiden seismologischen Experimente PISCO ’94 und ANCORP ’96 zur Verfügung. Diese Projekte wurden vom Sonderforschungsbereich 267 ’’Deformationsprozesse in den Anden”, der Freien Universität Berlin und dem GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam finanziert und gemeinsam mit südamerikanischen Partnern durchgeführt. So wurden in den Jahren 1994 und 1996/97 für jeweils rund 3 Monate seismologische Stationsnetze in Nord-Chile und Süd-Bolivien betrieben, die weite Bereiche des forearc und des magmatischen Bogens sowie Teile des Altiplano zwischen 21° und 24° S umfaßten. Sie registrierten eine große Anzahl überwiegend lokaler Ereignisse aus der Wadati-Benioff-Zone. Für die Absorptionsuntersuchungen konnten insgesamt 904 Ereignisse mit 11.738 P-Phasen des PISCO ’94-Experiments bzw. 686 Ereignisse mit 10.544 P-Phasen des ANCORP ’96- Experiments verwendet werden. Die Berechnung der Absorption der einzelnen Strahlen erfolgte (automatisch) aus den Amplitudenspektren der P-Wellen Einsätze. Es wurde ein Frequenzband von 3 bis maximal 30 Hz analysiert, in dem ein frequenzunabhängiger Qualitätsfaktor Q angenommen wurde. Dabei kamen zwei unterschiedliche Methoden, Spektralverhältnisse und Spektralinversion, zur Anwendung, um der prinzipiellen Schwierigkeit der Trennung von Quell- und Weg-Effekten zu begegnen und Annahmen beispielsweise über die Quellfunktion zu überprüfen. Eine Spektralinversion nach individuellen t*-Operatoren und Plateauwerten und einer für ein Beben gemeinsamen Eckfrequenz konnte erfolgreich angewendet werden. Die so bestimmten Absorptionswerte (t*-Operatoren) wurden für eine damped least squares-Inversion zur Berechnung der dreidimensionalen Absorptionsstruktur im Untergrund verwendet. Das raytracing wurde dabei in den dreidimensionalen Geschwindigkeitsmodellen durchgeführt, um den genauen Strahlverlauf zu berücksichtigen. Die errechneten Modelle erlauben einen detaillierten Einblick in die Subduktionszone der Zentralen Anden. Der Bereich unterhalb des arcs zwischen 21,5° und 24° S ist geprägt von einer prominenten Anomalie geringer Q-Werte, die von der Kruste bis in den oberen Mantel reicht. Große Stationskorrekturen der Stationen im arc und dem Altiplano deuten auf eine Erstreckung bis an die Oberfläche hin. Die krustale Absorption verläuft deckungsgleich mit der Verbreitung des rezenten Vulkanismus. Südlich von 22° S verläuft die Absorptionsanomalie bis in eine Tiefe von 250 km genau oberhalb der abtauchenden Nazca-Platte. Nördlich von 22° S scheint die starke Absorption auf den Bereich oberhalb von ca. 100 km begrenzt. In diesem nördlichen Bereich, in dem generell eine geringere Absorption verzeichnet wird, korrespondiert diese Zone mit dem dort angesiedelten Beben-cluster in ca. 100 km Tiefe; nördlich von 21° S verliert sie sich. Der forearc zeigt sich als relativ homogene, gering absorbierende Struktur mit Q-Werten um 1000; die abtauchende Platte weist ebenfalls hohe Q-Werte auf. Bedingt durch die Lage der Absorptionsanomalien relativ zu den seismologischen Netzen und die damit verbundene geringere Durchstrahlung war eine detaillierte Untersuchung der Auflösung der Modelle notwendig. Dazu wurden die aus der Modellresolutionsmatrix abgeleiteten Größen wie die spread-function berücksichtigt, aber auch synthetische Tests an Modellen mit oszillierenden Strukturen (Schachbrettmustern) und ’’realistischen” Untergrundmodellen vorgenommen. Sie zeigen, daß große Bereiche des forearcs und arcs in den Modellen sehr gut aufgelöst werden. Die gefundenen Anomalien lassen sich unter verschiedenen Gesichtspunkten diskutieren. Die ausgeprägte krustale Absorption unter großen Teilen der Westkordillere läßt sich mit der schon früher abgeleiteten Präsenz partieller Schmelzen erklären. Sie korreliert sehr gut mit der Verteilung des rezenten Vulkanismus, erniedrigten Durchschnittsgeschwindigkeiten, einem erhöhten vp/vs-Verhältnis, z.T. extrem erhöhten elektrischen Leitfähigkeiten und Bereichen, für die anomale Geschwindigkeits-Dichte Relationen angenommen werden müssen. Variationen innerhalb dieser krustalen Anomalien weisen auf eine unterschiedlich ausgeprägte Durchdringung mit partiellen Schmelzen hin. Die Anomalien im oberen Mantel deuten auf ein unterschiedliches Vordringen der heißen Asthenosphäre unter den magmatischen Bogen hin. Darüber hinaus können sie als Bereiche partieller Schmelzen und Fluide interpretiert werden, die Dehydratisierungs- und Hydratisierungsprozesse in dieser Subduktionszone widerspiegeln.

Description: Subduction zones are among the geologically most active regions of the world. Many processes in these zones take place under the influence of fluids and lead to the generation of melts and volcanism. Attenuation of seismic waves in crust and mantle depends strongly on parameters like temperature, porosity, confining pressure or saturation with hydrous fluids or partial melts. Therefore, this parameter is perfectly suited to examine the state of the crust and mantle in subduction zones. For the attenuation studies in the subduction zone of the western Central Andes datasets of two seismological experiments, PISCO ’94 and ANCORP ’96, were used. These projects were financed by the Collaborative Research Center 267 ’’Deformation Processes in the Andes”, the GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam and the Department of Geophysics of the Free University of Berlin and were executed in cooperation with partners from South America. In 1994 and 1996/97 two temporary seismological networks were installed in northern Chile and southern Bolivia covering large areas of the forearc, the magmatic arc and the Altiplano between 21° and 24° S. They monitored a large number of earthquakes predominantly situated in the Wadati-Benioff zone. From the PISCO ’94 and ANCORP ’96 datasets 904 events with 11.738 attenuation values respectively 686 events with 10.544 values could be used for the tomography. Whole-path attenuation was (automatically) determined from the amplitude spectra of the F- waves. In a frequency-band between 3 and 30 Hz a frequency-independent Quality-factor Qp was assumed. In order to separate source- and path-effects two different methods were applied, spectral inversion, and spectral ratios relative to a constant reference station. The spectral inversion for individual C-operators and plateau-values and a single source corner frequency for all observations of an event was applied successfully. In a damped least squares approach the t*-operators were inverted for the three-dimensional attenuation structure. To account for the spatial distribution of both velocity and attenuation raytracing was performed in the three-dimensional velocity structure previously derived by simultaneous inversions of travel-time data. The obtained models allow a detailed insight into the subduction zone of the Central Andes. Crust and mantle of the forearc and subducting slab are generally characterized by low attenuation (Qp 〉 1000). Beneath the Western Cordillera, the recent magmatic arc, a prominent attenuation anomaly is found (Qp 〈 100). This anomaly reaches from the uppermost crust down to the upper mantle at a depth of 250 km. North-South variations can be seen: The western flank of the crustal attenuation anomaly is congruent to the curved course of the volcanic front. North of 21° S the attenuation is less developed and dies out north of 20° S. A deeper zone of high attenuation is resolved between 22° and 24° S directly above the subducting slab. In the northern part of the study area the low-Qp-zone penetrates westwards in the forearc-mantle. Due to the irregular ray-coverage of the model a detailed analysis of the resolution was necessary. Both, formal analysis of the model resolution matrix (e.g. via spread-function) and tests with synthetic models including checkerboard and ’’realistic” attenuation models were executed. They show that large areas of the models beneath forearc and arc are well resolved. The anomalies found in the tomographic models can be interpreted in several ways. The prominent crustal attenuation beneath the Western Cordillera can be explained by partial melts previously proposed by others. The anomaly correlates well with the distribution of recent volcanism, reduced seismic velocities, reduced electrical resistivity and regions for which anomalous velocity-density relations must be assumed. Variations within the anomaly point towards the irregular distribution of partial melting beneath the volcanic arc. The anomalies within the upper mantle may map the distribution of hot asthenosphere material. Furthermore, they may be interpreted in terms of subduction-related dehydration- and hydration processes.

Description: thesis

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird - basierend auf externmorphologischen Kriterien von Brachiopodengehäusen aus dem spongiolithischen süddeutschen Oberjura - eine ökologische Interpretation von Brachiopodenassoziationen vorgestellt und diese mit nicht verschwammten Vorkommen unter Verwendung verschiedener methodischer Ansätze verglichen. Aus insgesamt elf brachiopodenführenden Lokalitäten unterschiedlicher stratigraphischer und fazieller Niveaus wurden die generell bevorzugt auftretenden Wuchsformen ermittelt, zu Standardmorphotypen zusammengefaßt und mit digitalisierten Abbildungen aus vorhergehenden Bearbeitungen ökologisch verglichen. [ …] [ … Tabelle 1. Stratigraphie, Fazies und dominierende Externmorphologie der Brachiopodengehäuse (Standardmorphotyp) in den untersuchten Lokalitäten.] Die Analysen ergaben, daß mit Hilfe des Verlaufs der dorsalen Umrißlinie, dem Verlauf der Frontalkommissur und untergeordnet der Foramengröße eine hinreichende Interpretation des Environments hinsichtlich Substratbeschaffenheit, Hydrodynamik und Bathymetrie erfolgen kann. Die wichtigsten Ergebnisse sind: a) Die Brachiopoden der süddeutschen Spongiolithfazies zeigen im Vergleich mit je einer Fauna aus einer schwach verschwammten Schichtfazies, einer Korallenfazies und einer oolithischen Mergelkalkfazies grundlegende Unterschiede in der äußeren Morphologie ihrer Gehäuse, b) In mergeldominierten Lokalitäten sind die Sphärizitätsindizes der Gehäuse deutlich höher als in der Korallenfazies, c) Reduzierte Werte des Dicken / Breiten - Verhältnisses scheinen ein Indiz für weichere Substrate zu sein, d) Im zeitlichen Verlauf (Oxfordium bis Unter-Tithonium) nehmen die Werte der Sphärizitätsindizes der Brachiopodengehäuse ab. e) Die Amplituden der Frontalkommissuren von Brachiopoden aus dem Moundbereich sind höher als diejenigen aus der Korallenfazies, f) Das Mengenverhältnis von terebratuliden zu rhynchonelliden Brachiopoden läßt Rückschlüsse auf das dominierende Substrat in den Moundbereichen zu. Ein quantitatives Übergewicht rhynchonellider Brachiopoden geht mit einem mergelreichen, stillen Tieferwasserenvironment einher, während die kalkdominierten Flachwasserbereiche mit erhöhter Hydrodynamik bevorzugt von Terebratuliden besiedelt werden, g) Untergeordnet wird ein Substratwechsel durch die Foramengröße und -position angezeigt. Große mesothyridide Foramina kennzeichnen meist Festsubstrate. Kleine hypothyridide Foramina sind eher für allomikritische Bereiche charakteristisch, h) Brachiopoden der koralligenen Fauna zeichnen sich durch Asymmetrien der Frontalkommissur (Rhynchonellida) und Asymmetrien in der dorsalen Umrißlinie aus (Terebratulida). Die artikulaten Brachiopoden aus den untersuchten „Riff-Ablagerungen scheinen hinsichtlich ihrer Morphologie und faunistischen Komposition von den kontrollierenden Bildungsfaktoren (besonders Sedimentationsrate, Substratbeschaffenheit und Hydrodynamik) der Schwamm- und Korallenassoziationen, beeinflußt worden zu sein. Die in den jeweiligen Aufschlüssen dominierenden Brachiopoden-Morphotypen reflektieren wenigstens statistisch die Bildungsbedingungen.

Description: Data on brachiopods in spongolites from the Upper Jurassic of southern Germany were collected in order to establish associations based on paleoenvironmental parameters and compare these results to similar fauna across a range of depositional paleoenvironments. Fossils were sampled and their dominant growth morphotypes identified from 11 localities representing different ages and facies of the Upper Jurassic in the Franconian and Swabian Alb. These growth morphotypes were compared to standard morphotypes and to biometric data of modern brachiopods gleaned from the literature. Through statistical analysis, it was found that the mode of commissure line and in part the diameter of the foraminae correlate well with substrate types and hydrodynamic to bathymetric paleoconditions. General results include: a) the external morphology of brachiopods from spongolites is significantly different from that of brachiopods from well-bedded limestone containing few to no sponges but corals and oolites, b) within a mostly marl substrate, the sphericity index of brachiopod shells is much larger than for shells in coral-bearing rocks, c) width to length ratios of shells are less for softer substrates indicating possible use as an index for substrate consistency, d) from the Lower Oxfordian to the Tithonian, the sphericity index of shells in general decreases, e) amplitudes of the frontal commissure line of brachiopods found within spongolite build-ups are much larger than those from coral-bearing rocks, f) Terebratulidae to Rhynchonellida biometric relations may be used as an index for judging the “quality” of the paleoenvironment; rhynchonellid brachiopods were dominantly found in marly, deeper paleoenvironments, whereas carbonate sediments deposited under shallow, high energy, water paleoconditions were colonized by terebratulid brachiopods, g) the size and position of foraminae are linked to the substrate type; brachiopods with larger mesothyrid foraminae are found associated with hard substrates while smaller hypothyrid foraminae in soft carbonate sediment areas, h) brachiopods from coral rocks are characterized by their asymmetric growth in form (Terebratulida) and of their frontal commissure (Rhychonellida). In general, brachiopods from reefal deposits appeared to have been directly influenced morphologically by paleoecologic factors, such as sedimentation rate, substrate type, and water energy levels. The dominant standard morphotype of brachiopods appears to correlate in a statistically significant way with the interpreted depositional circumstances at each locality. Due to here presented morphological data of brachiopodes from the Upper Jurassic of Southern Germany, associations of brachiopodes in spongiolites are interpreted palecologically and compared to similar faunae from other depositional environments. From 11 localities of different stratigraphical age and facies in the Franconian and Swabian Alb the dominant growth morphotypes are presented and abstracted to so-called „standard morphotypes“. The latter are compared to biometrical data of modern brachiopodes, mainly extracted from literature data. Interpreting the mathematical analyses it can be concluded that the dorsal outline, the mode of commissur line and partially the diameter of the foraminae can be used as indicator of substrates, hydrodynamical and paleobathymetrical conditions. The main results are: a) External morphology of brachiopodes from spongiolites exhibits strong differences in contrast to brachiopodes from well-bedded limestones with few or no sponges, to coral-bearing strata and to oolithic limestones, b) In localities, where marls have been predominantly deposited, the sphericity index is much larger than in the coral-bearing rocks, c) Reduced relations of width and length can be tentatively used as index for soft substrates, d) From the Lower Oxfordian to the Tithonian the sphericity index becomes smaller, e) Amplitudes of the frontal commissur line from brachiopodes of spongiolitic buildups are much higher than from brachiopodes in coral-bearing rocks, f) Quantitative relations from Terebratulidae to Rhynchonellida can be used as index for quality of substrates. Rhynchonellid brachiopodes are dominating marly, deeper environments, whereas carbona-tic sediments deposited under shallow water conditions with higher water energy are dominated by terebratulid brachiopodes. g) Changes of substrates are indicated by the size and position of foraminae. Larger mesothyrid foraminae characterize hard substrates, smaller hypothyrid foraminae are typically developed in allomicritic areas, h) Brachiopodes from coralligene rocks are characterized by their asymmetrical growth of form (Terebratulida) and of their frontal commissure (Rhynchonellida). Generally, brachiopodes from reefal deposits have been influenced morphologically by ecologically controlling factors such as the sedimentation rate, the substrate, and the water energy levels. The dominating standard morphotypes of brachiopodes in each locality reflect at least statistically the former depositional environments. (Translation: Dr. Elizabeth H. Gierlowski-Kordesch, Department of Geological Sciences, Ohio University)

Description: thesis

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: The only known population of coelacanths, in the Comores, western Indian Ocean, is endangered by human predation. Historical catch data from Grande Comore reveal that annual catch rates increased steadily from 1954 until the 1970s. This trend was temporarily interrupted due to an international policy introducing motorized boats and promoting offshore fishing techniques. Coelacanths are only caught from traditional unmotorized outrigger canoes as an incidental by-catch of deep water line fishing. A complete survey of all motorized and unmotorized vessels in 1995 at Grande Comore in comparison to earlier years indicated that a recent decreased use of motors and increase of unmotorized canoe fishing has led to an increase in coelacanth catches. Conservation measures and strategies for reducing the fishing pressure exerted on coelacanths are discussed. The southwest coast of Grande Comore should be designated as a nature reserve and protected area where immediate protection measures should be taken, an opinion which is supported by Comorian authorities.

Description: VHF telemetry was used in November and December 1995 on 8 Humboldt penguins Spheniscus humboldti breeding at Pan de Azúcar Island (26°S, 70°W), Northern Chile, to determine at-sea behaviour of the birds. We obtained 2710 locations, 90% of which were within a radius of 20 km around the island. Mean travelling speed of the birds was 0.92 m s-1 and speed distribution showed peaks at 1.6 and 3 m s-1. Penguins travelling between foraging areas remained submerged for an average of 8.4 s between surfacings, whereas foraging dives lasted on average 61 s. The analysis of 79 complete foraging trips showed that tracks deviated from a straight course, and range (maximum distance from island) was only 0.37 times total horizontal distance swum. Birds did not forage synchronously or in the same foraging areas. However, foraging ranges were correlated between birds, indicating similar search strategies during periods of low food availability. The results obtained here via VHF telemetry agreed well with those of previous studies employing satellite transmitters and data loggers.

Description: The stable carbon isotope composition (δ13C) of particulate organic carbon (POC) was measured in 3 size fractions (POCtotal, POC〉20 µm, POC〈20 µm) during a phytoplankton spring bloom dominated by the diatom Skeletonema costatum in Lindåspollene, a land-locked fjord in southern Norway. In addition to standard parameters for characterizing the phytoplankton bloom (chlorophyll, nutrient, and POC concentrations, and species composition), simultaneous measurements of δ13C of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), total alkalinity and DIC concentration were obtained to determine temporal trends in dissolved carbon dioxide concentration and in carbon isotope fractionation (ε p) of the POC size fractions. The carbon isotope composition of the 〉20 µm size fraction, which was dominated by diatoms, was ca 2o/oo heavier than that of the 〈20 µm fraction, which was mainly composed of flagellates. δ13C of both size fractions increased by about 3o/oo over the course of the bloom. A 5o/oo increase in δ13C-PO Ctotal during the bloom resulted partly from a shift in the phytoplankton community from a flagellate- to a diatom-dominated one. Carbon isotope fractionation of all fractions decreased with declining CO2(aq) concentration (14 to 〉6 µmol l-1). A positive correlation between ε p and [CO2(aq)] in the diatom size fraction was obtained for the period of exponential growth. Deviation from this correlation occurred after the peak in cell density and chlorphyll a (chl a) concentration, when POC still continued to increase, and may be related to changing phytoplankton growth rates or to possible effects of nutrient (nitrate) limitation on ε p. Comparison of these results with those of previous field studies shows that, while an inverse relationship is consistently observed between ε p and the ratio of instantaneous growth rate and CO2 concentration {µi/[CO2(aq)]}, considerable scatter exists in this relationship. While this scatter may have partly resulted from inconsistencies between the different studies in estimating phytoplankton growth rate, it could also reflect that factors other than growth rate and CO2 concentration significantly contribute to determining isotope fractionation by marine phytoplankton in the natural environment

Description: A total of 354 adult European smelts Osmerus eperlanus (L.) were tested for their ability to survive the screen system of the cooling water inflow of a power plant. With increasing number of musculature parasitic third-stage larvae of Pseudoterranova decipiens, the survival rate of O. eperlanus decreased while the total number of externally visible injuries as well as the number of seriously injured specimens increased. The results indicate that even a single specimen of P. decipiens influences resistance and stamina and affects overall mortality of 7 to 20 cm long smelts. The initial effect of the parasites is to reduce swimming speed of infested fish, which leads to more frequent contact of these fish with the fine meshed screen of the cooling water inlet before they are removed by the automatic cleaning system. If the separated fishes are returned to the main stream, it becomes apparent that the cooling water inflow selectively reduces the number of living parasitised smelt in the area. Thus, the number of parasitic third-stage P. decipiens larvae in the local smelt population which are able to complete their life-cycle is also reduced. P. decipiens makes infested smelt more susceptible to negative anthropogenic influences such as cooling water intake or trawl fisheries.

Description: A total of 57 comparative hauls using a rectangular midwater trawl with a fishing mouth area of 50 m2 (RMT 50) were carried out along the sides of an imaginary triangle south of Madeira in 1986. A total of 1258 cephalopods were caught, giving a mean of 22 per haul with a range from 0 to 67. The nets were used with a diver's light on the top bar which was either switched off or was operated with a 20, 70 or 150 W bulb, powered by a car battery. A significantly greater number of individuals per haul was caught with lights on than without lights, increasing from a mean of 13·5–25·1, a factor of 1·8. Similarly, the number of species caught was increased from a mean of 7 to 10·4, a factor of 1·5 and the volume of cephalopods was increased from a mean of 41·1–162·3ml, a factor of 3·9. Similar comparisons made for catches during day or night separately and on the three courses separately also showed marked increases with the lights. Samples show that increase in power of the lights increased the total number of cephalopod individuals caught. In the 12 species with more than ten individuals, in 33 of the 36 comparisons (of number of individuals, species and volumes) there is an increase with the light. The most influenced species was Taonius pavo which increased in numbers by a mean factor of 3·9 times with 20W, 4·0 times with 70W and 6·1 times with 150W when compared with the numbers caught with no light.

Description: During a transition period from oxic to anoxic conditions in the bottom water, rates of sulfate reduction and methane production, methane fluxes, as well as concentration profiles of sulfate, sulfide and methane were measured in sediments at a central site of the Gotland Deep (Stn AL 93, 241 m depth), which is regarded as representative for the deepest part of this basin. During this period from 1993 to 1996 oxic conditions in the bottom water prevailed from spring 1994 until summer 1995 with oxygen concentrations decreasing progressively with time. In the sediments methane production occurred primarily in layers below 1 m depth and flux rates of methane to the sediment surface were characterized by a steep concentration gradient from approx. 5 mM at 4 m depth to values close to 30 μM at the surface, determined by diffusion processes and anaerobic oxidation of methane. Both processes were independent of changes at the sediment surface. Differences in the flux rates of methane between the deeper part with a mean value of 259 μmol m-2 d-1 and the upper layers with a mean of 47.7 μmol m-2 d-1 indicate that a considerable proportion of the methane is oxidized within the anoxic horizon of the sediment (71 to 86% in the layer from 40 to 70 cm). Low rates of methane production found within the top 20 cm of the sediment during periods of oxic bottom water increased after depletion of oxygen and resulted in a clear maximum of the methane concentration in the top 2 cm. Sulfate concentrations declined exponentially from values of 11.5 mM in June 1994 and 8.5 mM in October 1995 at the sediment surface to values of 2.5 mM at 20 cm depth and of less than 0.5 mM at 50 to 60 cm depth. High sulfate reduction rates (150 to 250 nmol cm-3 d-1) in the upper part of the sediment (8 to 13 cm) coincided with maxima of sulfide concentrations. During the time period of this investigation an increase of maximum sulfide concentrations in the sediment from 1 to 10 mM was measured together with decreasing oxygen concentrations in the deep water. At the same time sulfate reduction established a small but distinct maximum at the top layer of the sediment (0 to 2 cm). The relative importance of sulfate reduction and methanogenesis in the carbon budget of the Gotland Deep sediments is calculated on the basis of the actual measurements.

Description: Octopuses ( Eledone cirrhosa (Octopoda: Cephalopoda)) held in an aquarium were subjected to varying conditions of feeding and starvation to evaluate putative indices of feeding and growth. Specific growth rate (%d −1 ) was linearly related to feeding rate (% of the body mass d −1 ) in animals with a mean body mass of 250 g at 15°C. Maximum growth rates varied between 〉 2% d −1 (body weights 〈 300 g) to 〈 1% d −1 (body weights ≤ 900 g) but specific growth rates were not related to body weight. Growth rates became negative (weight loss) after one week without food. The digestive gland index (DGI) was significantly correlated with short and long-term feeding and specific growth rates, and with body weight. Muscle RNA concentration was linearly correlated with growth rate during the previous 1–3 weeks but not with feeding rate. RNA:protein ratios were not different between mid-arm and mantle sample sites but arm tip values were significantly higher. RNA:protein ratio was related to body weight only in feeding animals. It is concluded that DGI is an index of feeding rate and that RNA:protein ratio can be used as an index of recent (~ 4 weeks) growth rate.

Description: Growth in Loliolus noctiluca (Myopsida: Loliginidae) in Western Port, Victoria, Australia was studied from statolith growth increments. Tetracycline staining experiments verified previous work on tropical forms of this species that showed growth increments to be deposited daily. A logistic growth function described the relationship between length and increment number. There appear to be major differences in the form of growth, longevity and life history pattern between tropical and temperate forms of this species. These are probably attributable to differences in environmental conditions.

Description: Two large (dorsal mantle length 42.5 and 47.5 cm), mated spent females of circum‐Antarctic bathypelagic cranchiid squid Galiteuthis glacialis were caught early in March 1992 at the surface of the ice hole in the western Weddell Sea over depths 1915‐1920 m by the team of the U.S.A.‐Russian Ice Station Weddell‐I. The structure of the reproductive system of adult females is described for the first time in detail. Both were gelatinous, devoid of tentacles, with empty or almost empty stomachs. The empty spermatangia (sperm reservoirs of spermatophores) 30‐35 mm in length were distributed in the mantle tissues parallel to the mantle surface and to each other in the dorso‐anterior part of the mantle: 13 in one female, parallel to the body axis, and 20 in the other, parallel (13) or perpendicular (7) to the body axis. In the latter case, they represented probably two mating events. The spermatangia lay nearer to the inner than the outer mantle side and opened by a round window on the inner side; the skin with chromatophores above them remained intact. The spermatozoa had one flagellum and rod‐like heads, length 5.0‐5.3 μm, width 1.2‐1.5 μm. The most characteristic features are: a very simple type of blood vessel branching making each micro‐gonad currant‐like, not grape‐like; a very compact disposition of oviducal, nidamental glands and gill, forming a united complex located on both sides of the mantle cavity; and an ovary connected by mesentery along all its length with the continuation of the stomach from the caecum to the end of the gastrogenital ligament. Only immature degenerating trophoplasmatic oocytes, length 0.9‐1.4, av. 1.0‐1.2 mm, were contained in ovaries; only one mature egg (length 3.3 mm, width 2.4‐2.5 mm) was found in each female. The absence of oocytes 〈0.9 mm and 1.5‐3.2 mm indicates that the maturation of oocytes proceeds rather synchronously, one large portion of eggs (some tens of thousands) matures in a short time while others degenerate. The residual fecundity is assessed to be approximately 20,000 eggs. It is hypothesized that mating occurs shortly before spawning and that mature males do not undergo gelatinous degeneration and do not lose tentacles. Spermatophores are placed on the inner side of the female's mantle with the aid of the male's tentacles and/or arms (less probably by the penis), but the exact mode of implantation is unclear. Spawning probably occurs at depths of adult habitat (approx. 500–2500m), may be multiportional but short; the exhausted female loses neutral buoyancy, rises to the surface and dies. Rising to the surface after spawning is a common feature of females of many meso‐ and bathypelagic squids undergoing gelatinous degeneration during maturation (Onychoteuthidae, Gonatidae, Histio‐teuthidae, Cranchiidae, etc.) and may explain the common occurrence of large deep‐water squids in the stomachs of seabirds, including those incapable of diving, and marine mammals.

Description: A total of 57 comparative hauls using a rectangular midwater trawl with a fishing mouth area of 50 m 2 (RMT 50) were carried out along the sides of an imaginary triangle south of Madeira in 1986. A total of 1258 cephalopods were caught, giving a mean of 22 per haul with a range from 0 to 67. The nets were used with a diver's light on the top bar which was either switched off or was operated with a 20, 70 or 150 W bulb, powered by a car battery. A significantly greater number of individuals per haul was caught with lights on than without lights, increasing from a mean of 13·5–25·1, a factor of 1·8. Similarly, the number of species caught was increased from a mean of 7 to 10·4, a factor of 1·5 and the volume of cephalopods was increased from a mean of 41·1–162·3ml, a factor of 3·9. Similar comparisons made for catches during day or night separately and on the three courses separately also showed marked increases with the lights. Samples show that increase in power of the lights increased the total number of cephalopod individuals caught. In the 12 species with more than ten individuals, in 33 of the 36 comparisons (of number of individuals, species and volumes) there is an increase with the light. The most influenced species was Taonius pavo which increased in numbers by a mean factor of 3·9 times with 20W, 4·0 times with 70W and 6·1 times with 150W when compared with the numbers caught with no light.

Description: A specimen of Chaunoteuthis mollis (Cephalopoda: Onychoteuthidae), a mature mated female, from the Straits of Messina was examined. Measurements and indices were compared with those of Onychoteuthis banksii reported by previous authors. The differences found were attributed to the degeneration of the C. mollis specimen, due to sexual maturation. Two subocular (one under each eye) and two visceral photophores, similar to those of O. banksii , were present in the C. mollis specimen. The size of the posterior visceral photophore of C. mollis fit the regression line correlating posterior photophore diameter to mantle length in O. banksii. These results corroborate the hypothesis, put forward by other authors, that C. mollis represents the mature female of O. banksii.

Description: Three specimens of the giant squid Architeuthis were by-caught in demersal trawls to the west of Ireland, between April and June 1995. All three specimens were mature males, of mantle length 975–1084 mm. Although some intraspecific variation in fin, beak and gill were noticed, all three specimens were tentatively assigned to the species A. dux. The three specimens had food remains in their stomachs and food items identified included Micromesistius poutassou, Trachurus trachurus, Nephrops norvegicus and Eledone cirrhosa . Age estimates were made by counting putative daily growth increments in ground statoliths, and ranged from 294–122 d, giving percentage daily growth rates of 2·96–4·25% indicating a short life cycle and extremely rapid growth.

Description: Deep-water trawling for fish species on the shelf slope off Scotland results in a by-catch of rare cephalopod species. The cirrate octopus Opisthoteuthis grimaldii is normally present below 800 m; at least one other species of cirrate and five species of incirrate octopus are found; significant extensions of range and depth are recorded. An incidental catch of the ommastrephid squid, Todarodes sagittatus , included a fully mature specimen and is indicative of its probable breeding locations. The results highlight the many taxonomic and systematic uncertainties surrounding the rarer cephalopod forms, and emphasize the utility of the fishing by-catch.

Description: Cephalopod prey of several cetacean species from Hawaiian waters were identified and quantified from the beaks in stomachs of stranded individuals. The different species of cetaceans all appear to target different species and sizes of cephalopods. Beaks from two sperm whales ( Physeter catodon ) included a total of 312 upper and 292 lower beaks (mandibles) of cephalopods. All of the cephalopods represented by lower beaks were oceanic squid belonging to 20 or more species in 14 families. The major constituents of the whale diet were Histioteuthis hoylei (45% by number and 10·9% by dry weight), Ommastrephes bartrami (7·6% by number, 30·6% by weight) and Architeuthis sp. (only 0·7% by number, but 26·5% by weight). In a Risso's dolphin ( Grampus griseus ) stomach, 1051 upper beaks and 1349 lower beaks were present. Eighteen or more genera of cephalopods in 15 families were present. The major constituents of the Grampus diet were Enoploteuthis spp. (36·1% by number and 30·1% by dry weight) and Abraliopsis spp. (23·6% by number, but only 4·9% by weight) and O. bartrami (1·3% and 32·1% respectively). The melon-headed whale ( Peponocephala electra ) eats fish as well as cephalopods which are represented by only six lower beaks belonging to five genera, Enoploteuthis, Teuthowenia, Abraliopsis, Abralia sp. and Bathyteuthis abyssicola . The beaked whale (unidentified) contained two lower beaks which were O. bartrami. Stenella attenuata also eats fish and the sample contained lower beaks, one of Enoploteuthis sp. and seven of an Abraliopsis sp.

Description: Observations on samples from Spanish trawlers between September and November of 1995 revealed the presence of mated females of Loligo gahi (Cephalopoda: Loliginidae) from 164–285 m depth, in the Western area of the Falkland Islands Conservation Zone. 93.8% of the mature females, and 31.0% of the maturing ones, were mated. Deposition of spermatophores always took place in the oral membrane between the connectives of arms IV. The relationships between sexual maturation and copulation have been analysed, and the hypothesis of mating acting as a ‘trigger’ of the final sexual maturation in Loligo gahi females is proposed and discussed.

Description: This paper gives morphometric variations and dorsal mantle length–total weight (DML-TW) relationships for Illex coindetii in the eastern Central Atlantic area. Positive allometry was observed in males and negative in females of the species. The most variable body measurements between males and females were width and perimeter of the head. In the study area, divergence of morphometric measurement starts at 95 mm. The point of divergence, however, varies with latitude; fluctuating from 104 mm in the north (Morocco and Sahara) to 76 mm in the central area (Mauritania and north of Senegal) and 73 mm in the south (Gulf of Guinea). The relationships between DML and TW showed that sexual dimorphism due to differential growth between males and females starts to occur at 56 mm ML. The starting point of sexual dimorphism (56 mm) varies according to the zone; the higher the latitude, the later it occurs. Thus, sexual dimorphism occurs at 49 mm in the south (Gulf of Guinea), at 54 mm in the central area (Mauritania and north of Senegal) and at 74 mm in the north (Morocco and Sahara). Females grow larger than males, but males were heavier at any given length. As latitude decreased, a slow down in the increase in weight-at-length was observed in both sexes.

Description: Die Ordnungen Cerithiimorpha und Littorinimorpha stellen umfangreiche systematische Gruppen innerhalb der basalen Caenogastropoda mit einfachen konisch-orthostrophen Protoconchen dar. Diese Großgruppen lassen sich seit der späten Trias differenzieren und lassen seit der Kreidezeit eine zunehmende Diversität erkennen. Im folgenden werden ausgewählte Vertreter aus fünf Überfamilien und 20 Familien unter besonderer Berücksichtigung ihrer frühontogenetischen Schalen beschrieben und ihre Entwicklungsgeschichte wird seit der Kreide belegt. Die Überfamilie Cerithioidea stellt die Kerngruppe der Cerithiimorpha und war mit der Familie Procerithiidae seit dem Jura weltweit im Flachmarin verbreitet. Form und Skulptur der Larvalschale ermöglichte es, die Gattung Schroederium n.g. von den Gattungen Procerithium und Cryptaulax zu trennen. In der Oberkreide lassen sich die nahe verwandten Familien Cassiopidae, Potamididae, Melanopsidae und Scaliolidae über ihre Protoconchmorphologie sicher von den Procerithiidae differenzieren. Die Familien Batillariidae und Modulidae sind durch ihre charakteristische Embryonalschalenskulptur als Schwestergruppen ausgewiesen. Ihre nahe Verwandtschaft wird auch durch anatomische Daten gestützt. Innerhalb der seit dem Eozän in Protoconcherhaltung dokumentierten Familie Cerithiidae, Unterfamilie Cerithiinae, treten abhängig vom besiedelten Habitat zwei Protoconchtypen auf, die mit zu unterscheidenden Radulatypen korrelieren. Die Unterfamilie Bittiinae konnte über Details der Larvalschalenskulptur seit dem Eozän belegt und von den Cerithiinae differenziert werden. Die Adelphotaxa Planaxidae und Thiaridae mit dem gemeinsamen Merkmal einer Bruttasche im Kopffußbereich sind ebenfalls seit dem Eozän bekannt. Larvalschalen fossiler und rezenter Planaxinae werden vergleichend dargestellt. Larvalschalen der hinsichtlich der Morphologie des Teleoconches abweichenden Unterfamilie Fossarinae belegen die Nähe zur Nominatunterfamilie und ermöglichten eine sichere Abgrenzung von gehäusekonvergenten Vertretern der Littorinimorpha. Über die Formation der frühontogenetischen Schale, die eine charakteristische Embryogenese widerspiegelt, war es möglich, die Brackwasser und limnische Biotope besiedelnden Thiaridae bis in das mittlere Eozän zu belegen, was auch Anlaß zu neuen paläobiogeographischen Interpretationen gab. Pseudamauridae konnten über ihre Protoconche von der Oberkreide bis in das Eozän belegt und von gehäusekonvergenten Naticoidea (Neomesogastropoda) und Amphibolidae innerhalb der Archaeopulmonata (Heterostropha) abgegrenzt werden. Die Phylogenese der Überfamilien Vermetoidea und Turritelloidea wurde von der Unterkreide bis rezent dokumentiert, wobei konvergente Gruppen über ihre Protoconche differenziert wurden. Innerhalb der Littorinimorpha konnten charakteristische Merkmale der Embryonal- und Larvalschalen herausgearbeitet und zur Untergliederung der Littorinoidea und Rissooidea herangezogen werden. Pickworthiidae mit alloisostroph abgewinkelten Protoconchen konnten bis in das Danium belegt werden. Der direkte Vergleich mit Protoconchen der triassischen Protstyliferidae mit detaillierten Übereinstimmungen dokumentiert die unabhängige Evolution dieser Linie. Die konvergenten Vanikoridae ließen sich über ihre Protoconchmorphologie trennen, wobei auch signifikante Unterschiede zu den übrigen Littorinimorpha dargestellt werden. Micromphalina peyrerensis und Megalomphalus (M.) antwerpensis werden neu beschrieben und den Vanikoridae eingegliedert.

Description: The orders Cerithiimorpha and Littorinimorpha represent large systematic units within the stem of Caenogastropoda with simple conical-orthostrophic protoconchs. These groups are separated since the Upper Triassic showing increasing diversity since the Upper Cretaceous. Representatives of five superfamilies and 20 families are described with special reference to their early ontogenetic shells. The family Procerithiidae within the superfamily Cerithioidea has been distributed worldwide since Jurassic times as a faunal element in shallow marine environments. Regarding the shape and sculpture of its larval shell the procerithiid Schroederium n.g. could be differentiated from the genera Procerithium and Cryptaulax. Since the Upper Cretaceous brackish-water Cassiopidae, Potamididae and Melanopsidae can be differentiated from Procerithiidae by their protoconch-morphology. The families Batillariidae and Modulidae represent Adelphotaxa. This relation is proven by the uniting character of embryonic tuberculated sculpture and data concerning their anatomy. The Cerithiidae, subfamily Cerithiinae, are documented since the Eocene with preserved protoconchs. Two types of larval sculpture are present depending on the settled habitat, correlated with two different types of radulae. The subfamily Bittiinae is also documented and distinguished from the Cerithiinae by their protoconch-morphology since the Eocene. The Adelphotaxa Planaxidae and Thiaridae with the uniting character of a brood pouch within the head-foot are present since the Eocene. Larval shells of fossil and Recent Planaxinae are compared. Protoconchs of representatives of the subfamily Fossarinae with different teleoconch-morphology proved the close relation to the Planaxinae and also made a differentiation from convergent littorinimorphs feasible. The analysis of early ontogenetic shells of brackish water and limnic Thiaridae enabled to trace them back to the Middle Eocene and made new interpretations concerning their palaeobiogeography possible. Pseudamauridae could be documented from the Upper Cretaceous to the Middle Eocene with the aid of preserved protoconchs and could be discriminated from convergent Naticoidea and Archaeopulmonata. The phylogenetic history of Vermetoidea and Turritelloidea could be reconstructed since the Early Cretaceous and convergent groups could be differentiated. Within the Littorinimorpha characters regarding the early shell could be worked out to subdivide Littorinoidea and Rissooidea. Pickworthiidae with alloisostrophic protoconchs are documented since the Danian. Comparison with protoconchs of Triassic Prostyliferidae yielded detailed accordance and documents the independent history of this lineage. The convergent Vanikoridae could be discriminated by their protoconch-morphology and significant differences to the other Littorinimorpha are presented. Micromphalina peyrerensis and Megalomphalus (M.) antwerpensis are described as new species and are included within the Vanikoridae.

Description: thesis

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: Es wurden verschiedene nichtlineare Optimierungsverfahren auf die Geometrieparameter von Dichtemodellen angewendet. Dabei waren diese mit Randbedingungen versehen. Ein Vergleich zeigte die Vor- und Nachteile der einzelnen Algorithmen. Anhand von zwei synthetischen Testfunktionen wurde das Verfahren Downhill-Simplex mit der (1,10)-CMA-ES verglichen. Das Simplexverfahren zeigte bei weniger als zehn Parametern ein besseres Konvergenz verhalten als die Evolutionsstrategie. Bei höheren Dimensionen konvergierte die Evolutionsstrategie deutlich besser, während Simplex bei mehr als 40 Parametern nicht mehr konvergierte. Die Evolutionsstrategie zeigt unabhängig von der Anzahl der Parameter logarithmische Konvergenzgeschwindigkeit. Die Evolutionsstrategie, genetische Algorithmen. Simulated-Annealing. Threshold-Accepting und der Deluge- Algorithm wurden danach anhand eines zweidimensionalen Salzstockmodells untersucht. Dabei wurden die Geometrieparameter optimiert und die Dichten des Modells konstant gehalten. Die 52 zu optimierenden Parameter wurden mit Randbedingungen versehen. Die (1,10)-CMA-ES benötigte im Durchschnitt die wenigsten Funktionsaufrufe und erreichte die besten Qualitäten. Ausgehend von verschiedenen Startmodellen konnten ähnliche Lösungen, welche alle sehr gute Qualitätswerte hatten, gefunden werden. Rekombination verbesserte die Konvergenzeigenschaften immer. Evolutionsstrategie war stabil gegenüber numerischen Variationen. Genetische Algorithmen konvergierten zu Beginn des Optimierungsprozesses schneller als alle anderen Verfahren, erreichten aber nie die von der Evolutionsstrategie gefundenen besten durchschnittlichen Qualitätswerte. Downhill-Simplex. Simulated-Annealing. Threshold-Accepting und der Deluge-Algorithm zeigten insgesamt schlechteres Konvergenzverhalten als die Evolutionsstrategie und die genetischen Algorithmen. Eine Anwendung der Evolutionsstrategie auf ein Salzstockmodell zeigte die Probleme der Optimierung in drei Dimensionen. Dennoch konnte das Modell in Hinblick auf die gravimetrische Anpassung deutlich verbessert werden.

Description: Various non-linear optimization techniques were applied to constrained geometry parameters of density models. A comparison showed advantages and disadvantages of each method. By means of synthetical test-functions the downhill-simplex-method has been compared to the (1,10)-CMA-ES. For numbers of parameters smaller ten. better convergence behaviour was achieved with the simplex-method. However, at higher dimensions evolution-strategy converges better than the simplex- met hod. Simplex does not converge for dimensions greater than 40. Independent of the number of parameters, the evolution-strategy showed a logarithmic convergence speed. The evolution-strategy, genetic algorithms, simulated annealing, threshold accepting and the deluge algorithm were investigated using a two-dimensional salt dome model. Here only the geometry of the model was optimized, the densities were held constant. The 52 parameters were constrained. In average the (1,10)-CMA-ES required the less function evaluations and gained the best qualities. Independent of the start configuration evolution-strategy found similar solutions, whose qualities were fairly good. Recombination always improved the results in terms of convergence behaviour. The evolution-strategy was stable against numerical variations. At the beginning of the optimization process genetic algorithms converge faster than all other methods, but they never reach the average quality values which were gained by evolution-strategy. In summary the simplex-method, genetic algorithms, simulated annealing, threshold accepting and the deluge algorithm showed worse convergence behaviour than evolution-strategy and genetic algorithms. An application of evolution-strategy to a three dimensional salt dome model showed the problems encountered in three dimensions. Despite this, in terms of gravity fit. the model could be improved noticeable.

Description: thesis

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: Mit dem Ziel, aktuelle Arbeitshypothesen zum geologischen Aufbau der Südural-Lithosphäre zu überprüfen, wird das Schwerefeld im Bereich des Südurals mit folgenden gravimetrischen Methoden untersucht: • Numerische Analyse des Schwerefeldes mit Hilfe von Tiefenabschätzungen, Wellenlängenfilterungen und des Parker- Algorithmus sowie • zwei- und dreidimensionale Dichtemodellierungen. Im Vergleich mit dem hauptsächlich eingesetzten Verfahren zur Dichtemodellierung kann festgestellt werden, daß direkte gravimetrische Auswerteverfahren, wie z.B. die Wellenlängenfilterung, für komplizierte geologische Strukturen dem indirekten Auswerteverfahren mittels Dichtemodellierung weit unterlegen sind. So ist es z.B. mit der Wellenlängenfilterung nicht möglich, langwellige negative Schwerewirkungen der paläozoischen Sedimente von den bivergenten Unterkrustenstrukturen zu trennen. Auch mit variablen Dichtekontrasten bezüglich des Krusten-Mantel-Übergangs bei der Anwendung des Parker-Algorithmus ist es nicht möglich, die Schwerewirkung dieser Grenzfläche im gesamten Untersuchungsgebiet abzuschätzen. Die Verbindung und Interpretation aller verfügbaren Randbedingungen aus der Reflexions- und Refraktionsseismik sowie den zur Verfügung stehenden Datensätzen zur Sedimentbedeckung und Moho-Tiefe führt zu komplexen dreidimensionalen Dichtemodellen der Südural-Lithosphäre. Diese führen mit den derzeit verfügbaren Ergebnissen über die strukturellen und physikalischen Eigenschaften der Südural-Lithosphäre im Bereich von 52° - 65° O und 50° - 55,5° N auf zwei gleichberechtigt nebeneinanderstehende Dichtemodelle: 1. Das Dichtemodell 1 beruht auf einer bis in 90 km Tiefe subduzierten osteuropäischen Unterkruste, die massiv eklogitisiert wurde (Dichte 3,55 g /cm3 ). Die Ursache für diese Dichteinterpretation sind geringe Dichten im Bereich der bivergenten geologischen Strukturen der Unterkruste in 24 bis 42 km Tiefe. Diese bivergenten Strukturen sind ebenso die Folgen einer fossilen Subduktion. 2. Im Dichtemodell 2 bildet eine unter dem Orogen liegende osteuropäische Unterkruste eine Krustenverdickung, in deren Folge die Krustenmächtigkeit bis zu 60 km erreicht. Während der Delamination der Unterkruste muß ebenfalls eine Eklogitisierung stattgefunden haben. Das Dichtemodell 2 basiert auf höheren Dichten der bivergenten geologischen Strukturen innerhalb der Unterkruste als im Dichtemodell 1. Eine Gebirgswurzel mit einem deutlichen Kontrast zwischen Kruste und Mantel existiert nicht im Südural. Es wird eine Übergangszone mit Dichtegradienten modelliert. Dieser Dichtegradient kann auf Eklogitisierung des Unterkrustenmaterials beruhen und könnte somit auch die Ursache für das Ausbleiben von seismischen Reflektoren sein. Mit beiden Dichtemodellen werden auch Geoidundulation und Magnetfeld berechnet und deren Wirkung mit der Geoidundulation und dem aeromagnetischen Residualfeld verglichen. Der Vergleich ergibt für die Geoidundulation und das aeromagnetische Residualfeld im langwelligen Anomalienbereich em befriedigendes Ergebnis. Die auf der Interpretation der Bouguer-Schwere beruhenden Dichtemodelle 1 und 2 lassen folgende Schlußfolgerungen zum Aufbau der Lithosphäre im Südural zu: • Die bivergenten Strukturen vor allem im unteren Krustenbereich der Südural-Lithosphäre verursachen langwellige negative Schwereanteile. Zu diesen Strukturen gehören: - die nach Osten einfällende osteuropäische Kruste, - der Falten- und Überschiebungsgürtel im Westural, - die nach Westen einfällenden Strukturen des Ost- und Transurals sowie des kasachischen Terrans. • Eine durch Obduktion in der Oberkruste eingelagerte ozeanische Kruste erzeugt in der Magnitogorsk Zone eine positive kurzwellige Schwereanomalie, die die negativen Schwerewirkungen der darunter befindlichen Strukturen überlagert. • Die negative! Schwerewirkung im Bereich der Voruralsenke ist auf die Schwerewirkung der paläozoischen Sedimentbedeckungen zurückzuführen. Die Untersuchungen zum isostatischen Verhalten der Südural-Lithosphäre zeigen, daß keine klassischen isostatischen Modelle den isostatischen Zustand des Gebirges erklären können, da eine gering ausgeprägte Topographie im Bereich des West- und Zentralurals um 50 bis 100 km nach Westen versetzt ist gegenüber der Krustenverdickung im Bereich der Magnitogorsk und Osturalzone. Mit einem modifizierten Verfahren werden Airy-, Pratt- und Vening-Memesz-Modell miteinander kombiniert. Zunächst wird der lokale isostatische Ausgleich mit Hilfe der Auflastverteilung und -kompensation aus den komplexen Dichtemodellen der Südural-Lithosphäre abgeleitet (Airy- und Pratt-Modell). Um die von den Dichtemodellen nicht mehr kompensierten Masseninhomogenitäten im Zusammenhang mit der Rigidität der Lithosphäre betrachten zu können, werden sie in eine ’’topographische” Auflast zurückgerechnet. Anschließend wird in einem Vening-Meinesz-Modell der regionale isostatische Ausgleich für diese zurückgerechnete ’’topographische” Auflast berechnet. Nur unter Berücksichtigung einer hohen Rigidität der Lithosphäre (3,8 • 1024 Nm) befinden sich beide vorgestellten Dichtemodelle im isostatischen Gleichgewicht. Dies ist offensichtlich auch ein wesentlicher Grund dafür, daß sich die geologischen Strukturen in ihrer vertikalen Position seit der Unteren Trias nicht mehr geändert haben.

Description: I investigate the gravity field in the southern Urals in order to test current hypotheses on the lithospheric structure in this area. My approach to this problem includes the following gravimetric methods: • numerical analyses of the gravity field by means of depth estimations, wavelength filtering and application of the Parker algorithm • two- and three-dimensional density modelling. In contrast to the mainly used density modelling, inverse gravity methods (e.g. wavelength filtering) are not successful at resolving the complex geological structures in this area. For example, I am not able to separate the long-wavelength components of the gravity field from Paleozoic sediments and bi-vergent structures in the lower crust. Estimating the gravity effect of the crust-mantle boundary in the study area, using the Parker-algorithm, is not possible due to its variable density contrast. Data from seismic reflection and refraction surveys and other information relating to the sedimentary cover and Moho depth have been used in the construction of complex three-dimensional density models for the southern Urals’ lithosphere. Incorporating the available details on the structural and physical properties of the southern Urals’ lithosphere in the region between 52° - 65° E and 50° - 55, 5° N, two alternative density models are derived: 1. The density model 1 is based on an East European lower crust which could have been subducted to 90 km depth and eclogitized to a density value of 3.55 g/cm3 . The low density values in the bi-vergent geological structures of the lower crust (from 24 till 42 km depth) overlie a high density body in the upper mantle. These bi-vergent geological structures may be remnants of a fossil subduction setting. 2. In the density model 2, crustal thickening is caused by the East European crust underlying the orogen. The crustal thickness is 60 km. During delamination, the East European lower crust may have been eclogitized. The density model 2 is based on higher density values for the bi-vergent geological structures within the lower crust than in the density model 1. A crustal root, having a significant density contrast between crust and mantle, does not exist in the southern Urals. Using a density gradient, a transition zone is modelled. This density gradient is inferred to be due to eclogitized material in the lower crust. The increasing density could be the cause for the lack of seismic reflectors. The geoid undulation and the magnetic field are calculated for both density models. The results compare satisfactorily with the long- wavelength components of the observed geoid undulation and aeromagnetic residual field. Based on the interpretation of the Bouguer gravity, density models 1 and 2 reveal implications concerning the lithospheric fabric of the southern Urals: • The bi-vergent structures, particularly in the lower crust of the southern Urals’ lithosphere, cause long-wavelength gravity lows. There are following structures: ─ the East European crust dipping to the east, ─ the foreland fold and thrust belt located in the western Urals, ─ the westward-dipping structures of the eastern and Trans-Urals as well as the Kazakhstan terrain. • The obducted oceanic crust in the upper crust of the Magnitogorsk zone causes positive short-wavelength gravity anomalies which are superimposed on the long-wavelength negative gravity effects of the structures located beneath. • Negative gravity anomalies in the area of the Pre-Uralian Foredeep are associated with the gravity effects of the paleozoic sedimentary cover. The investigations into the isostatic behaviour of the southern Urals’ lithosphere show that no classic isostatic model is able to explain the isostatic state of the orogen. The moderate topography in the area of the West and Central Urals is shifted by 50 to 100 km to the west, relative to the largest crustal thickness beneath the Magnitogorsk and East Uralian Zone. A modified method combines the Airy-, the Pratt- and the Vening-Meinsz models. Firstly the local isostatic balance is inferred from the load distribution and the load compensation using the complex density models of the southern Urals’ lithosphere (Airy- and Pratt-model). In order to consider the non-compensated mass inhomogeneities of the density models according to the flexural rigidity of the lithosphere, the non-compensated mass inhomogeneities are recalculated to a ’’topographic” load. Next, the regional isostatic balance as a Vening-Meinesz-model is calculated for the recalculated ’’topographic” load. When allowance is made for the high flexural rigidity of the lithosphere (3.8 • 1024 Nm), both density models presented here are in isostatic balance. Obviously this is the main reason why the geological structures have not changed their vertical position since the Lower Triassic time.

Description: Целью данной работы является проверка существующих моделей строения литосферы Южного Урала по гравиметрическим данным. Для этого исрользуются методы численного анализа гравитационного поля, основанные на: • эмпирической оценке глубин источников аномалий, частотной фильтрации, методе Паркера и • прямом гравитационном моделировании литосферы (двух- и трехмерном). В отличие от обычно используемой технологии гравитационного моделирования, такие методы, как, например, частотная фильтрация не могут быть использованы в данном случае. Невозможно разделить влияние длинноволновых компонент гравитационного поля, обусловленных влиянием палеозойских осадочных отложений и наклоненных слоев нижней коры ц обеих сторон Урала. Также неправомерно использовать алгоритм Паркера для оценки влияния границы между корой мантией вследствие переменного перепада плотности на ней. Включение в анализ доступных опорных данных, основанных на результатах сейсмических методов с использованием отраженных и преломленных волн, данных об осадочном чехле и положении границы Мохо приводит к созданию комплексной плотностной модели литосферы Южного Урала. Использование всех существующих данных о структуре и физических свойствах литосферы Южного Урала в пределах 52° - 65° Е и 50° - 55,5° N позволило построить две эквивалентные плотностные модели: 1. Первая плотностная модель основана на представлении о том, что нижняя кора Восточно-Европейской платформы погружается на глубину 90 кт, при этом происходит эклогитизация её вещества с увеличением плотности до 3,55 g/cm3. Таким образом, наклоненные с обеих сторон блоки нижней коры ответственны за существование высокоплотного тела в верхней мантии. На глубинах 24 - 42 km они характеризуются сравнительно низкими значениями плотностей. Существование этих блоков может быть объяснено также как результат обычной субдукции. 2. Согласно второй модели, утолщение коры объясняется поддвигом под ороген коры Восточно-Европейской платформы. Толщина коры достигает 60 кт. Вследствие деламинации, часть её также должна быть эклогитизирована. Во второй модели значения плотностей наклоненных блоков нижней коры существенно больше, чем в пербой. Копень коры с существенным перепадом плотности под Южным Уралом отсутствует. Вместо этого мы используем при моделировании переходную зону с некоторым градиентом плотности. Этот градиент может быть оценен в предположении об эклогитизации нижней коры. Непрерывное увеличение плотности может быть связано с отсутствием отражающих горизонтов на этих глубинах. Ундуляции геоида и вариации магнитного поля были рассчитаны для обоих моделей и сопоставлены с наблюденными значениями геоида и аэромагнитными измерениями. Оказалось, что удовлетворительное соответствие наблюдается только для длинноволновых аномалий. Таким образом, основанные на интерпретации аномалий Буге плотностые модели 1 и 2 позволяют сформулировать следующие выводы о строении литосферы Южного Урала: • наклоненные в сторону Урала структуры коры, в особенности нижней, ответственны за существование длинноволнового гравитационного минимума. К ним можно отнести: ─ погружающуюся на Восток Восточно-Европейскую платформу, ─ предгорный складчатый пояс Южного Урала, ─ заглубленные в западном напрвлении структуры Восточный зоны, Трансуральской зоны и Казахстанского террэйна. • Фрагмент океанической коры, находящийся вблизи от поверхности в Магнитогорской зоне, вызывает сравнительно коротковолновую положительную аномалию гравитационного поля, которая наложена на длинноволновую отрицательную аномалию, обусловленную структурами, располагающимися ниже. • Отрицательная аномалия в районе Предуральского прогиба может быть объяснена за счёт гравитационного эффекта палеозойского осадочного чехла. Исследование изостатического состояния литосферы Южного Урала показывает, что классические изостатические модели не позволяют объяснить изостазию этого горного массива. Современная топография Западного и Центрального Урала смещена на 50 - 100 кт к западу по отношению к самому глубокому корню коры. Модифицированный метод соединяет изостатические модели Эри, Пратта и Вейнинг-Мейнеса. Первоначально, локальный изостатический баланс оценивается на основании данных о нагрузке и её компенсации в соответствие с построенной комплексной моделью литосферы Южного Урала (модели Эри и Пратта). Для того, чтобы оценить сумму нескомпенсированных плотностных неоднородностей, поддерживаемых за счёт жесткости литосферы, эти неоднородности пересчитываются в ” топографическую” нагрузку. Затем, для этой нагрузки рассчитывается региональная изостатическая компенсация в соответствие со схемой Вейнинг-Мейнеса. Обе рассмотренные плотностные модели могут считаться изостатически сбалансированы только в предположении о высокой эффективной жесткости литосферы (3,8 • 1024 Nm). Очевидно, это является также основной причиной того, что эти геологические структуры не претерпели существенных вертикальных движений со времени позднего Триаса.

Description: thesis

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: In dieser Arbeit wird die elektrische Leitfähigkeit von Krustengesteinen während des partiellen Schmelzens mit der Verteilung der Schmelze im Gestein und dem Schmelzanteil als Funktion der Temperatur verglichen. Es wurden impedanzspektroskopische Messungen der elektrischen Leitfähigkeit bei Temperaturen zwischen 600 und 1200°C durchgeführt. Die Messungen erfolgten bei Normaldruck und verschiedenen Sauerstoffugazitäten. Diese Messungen wurden mit den Ergebnissen von Schmelzexperimenten verglichen. Aus den Schmelzexperimenten wurden Informationen zur Verteilung der Schmelze im Gestein und zum Schmelzanteil in Abhängigkeit von der Temperatur gewonnen. Alle Untersuchungen wurden am gleichen Gestein unter den selben experimentellen Bedingungen durchgeführt. Während des partiellen Schmelzens gibt es einen sprunghaften Anstieg der elektrischen Leitfähigkeit um ein bis zwei Größenordnungen. Dieser sprunghafte Anstieg kann mit der Bildung eines vollständigen Netzwerkes an Schmelze erklärt werden, wobei die Schmelzfilme als Leitungspfade wirken. Es konnte festgestellt werden, daß zur Ausbildung der Gleichgewichtsmorphologie während des partiellen Schmelzens sehr lange Zeiten erforderlich sind. Wird die elektrische Leitfähigkeit am Beginn des Schmelzens bei konstanter Temperatur als Funktion der Zeit gemessen, so treten erst nach mehr als 200 h keine Änderungen der Leitfähigkeit mehr auf. Mit Hilfe eines modifizierten Brick-Layer-Modells (MBLM) kann die elektrische Leitfähigkeit als Funktion des Schmelzanteils berechnet werden. Dieses Modell gilt für den Fall, daß die Schmelze ein vollständiges Netzwerk entlang von Komgrenzen bildet. Mit dem Modell und den Ergebnissen aus den Schmelzexperimenten konnten theoretische Kurven der elektrischen Leitfähigkeit berechnet werden, die mit den gemessenen Kurven der elektrischen Leitfähigkeit verglichen werden können. Obwohl bereits bei Beginn des Schmelzens die Komgrenzen von Schmelze benetzt werden, wird eine vollständige Vernetzung der Schmelze erst bei höheren Temperaturen und größeren Schmelzanteilen erreicht. Dies kann durch Abweichungen vom morphologischen Gleichgewicht in den partiell geschmolzenen Proben gedeutet werden. Die Ergebnisse stützen die Annahme, daß eine Zone hoher Leitfähigkeit unter den zentralen Anden durch große Mengen an Magma verursacht wird. Mit dem MBLM konnte abgeschätzt werden, daß ca. 20% Schmelze notwendig sind, um die im Gelände mit der Magnetotellurik gemessenen Leitfähigkeiten zu erklären.

Description: The purpose of the present work is to achieve a better understanding of rocks during partial melting. Therefore the electrical conductivity of crustal rocks during partial melting was compared to the distribution of melt in the rock sample and to the melt fraction as a function of temperature. Impedance spectroscopic investigations of the electrical conductivity were conducted at temperatures between 600 and 1200°C, normal pressure and at different oxygen fugacities. These measurements were compared with the results of melting experiments. The melting experiments were performed under the same experimental conditions and the same rock sample was used. The rock samples were equilibrated at the desired temperatures, quenched and investigated using thin sections. These melting experiments provide information about the distribution of melt in the rock sample and yield the melt fraction as a function of temperature. A strong increase in electrical conductivity of about two orders of magnitude is observed during partial melting. This increase could be explained by assuming the formation of an interconnected network of melt. The charge transport follows the network forming melt films at the grain boundaries. It could be established that the formation of steady state of a partially molten rock requires a long time. The conductivity was measured as a function of time at temperatures little above the solidus. Under these conditions constant conductivity values are found after 200 h.

Description: thesis

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden weitwinkelseismische Daten aus dem Land-See-kombinierten Projekt CINCA 95 ausgewertet. Die Daten wurden auf drei EW-streichenden Profilen bei 21°S, 22°S und 23.25°S registriert. Die Linien umfassen das Gebiet zwischen Peru-Chile- Trench und Westkordillere, also den Forearc-Bereich der nord-chilenischen erosiven Subduktionszone. Der Hauptteil der Daten besteht aus einer Anregerlinie auf See und einer Empfängerlinie auf Land. Ergänzend wurden Sprengungen am westlichen und östlichen Ende der Empfängerlinie durchgeführt. Aus dem Datensatz wurden in der ersten Bearbeitungsstufe mit den Methoden der Refraktionsseismik drei vp-Geschwindigkeitsmodelle erstellt, die ihre Aussage im äußeren Forearc, also dem Gebiet zwischen Rinne und Küste haben. Dabei kann folgendes festgehalten werden: • Sie zeigen die Nazca-Platte mit einem sich versteilenden Subduktionswinkel von 10° direkt nach der Subduktion auf 23-25° vor der Küste Nord-Chiles. Die subduzierte Platte zeigt, was ihren Abtauchwinkel anbelangt, keine NS-Variation. • In der Geschwindigkeitszunahme an der Oberkante der subduzierten Platte zeigt sich durchaus eine Differenz in NS-Richtung: im Norden nimmt die Geschwindigkeit von 4.5 km/s direkt nach dem Untertauchen unter die südamerikanische Platte auf 6.5 km/s auf einer Distanz von 70 km zu, während sie im Süden dazu nur noch 30 km benötigt. Diese Struktur wird als Lage erodierten und subduzierten Gesteinsmaterials zwischen den Platten interpretiert. • Bereits im westlichsten Krustenblock, also dem Teil, der heute an der Rinne zur Erosion ansteht, zeigt sich eine hohe vp-Geschwindigkeit von 5.8 km/s. Sie nimmt zur Küste hin noch auf 6.0 km/s direkt an der Oberfläche zu. Die Kruste ist im Norden deutlich differenziert. Auch dies nimmt nach Süden hin ab und so sind auf dem südlichsten Profil keine Krustenstrukturen mehr in Tiefen unterhalb von 11 km modelliert worden. • Auf den Profilen bei 21°S und 22°S wurde eine platten-parallele Diskontinuität, die die Oberkante zu einer Zone erhöhter Geschwindigkeit bildet (7.1 km/s), modelliert. Sie hat eine Neigung von 15°. Diese Diskontinuität wird im Zusammenhang mit bereits existierenden Modellen für den landseitigen Forearc als Paläo-Moho interpretiert. Das darunterliegende Gestein mit einer Geschwindigkeit von 7.0 km/s wird entsprechend als serpentinisierter oberster Mantel verstanden. • Unterhalb schließt sich eine Zone stark erniedrigter Geschwindigkeit an, die zwischen der abtauchenden Platte und der Oberplatte einen Keil bildet. Sie hat eine Geschwindigkeit von 6.4 km/s und wird als Anlagerungsort des erodierten und subduzierten Gesteins interpretiert. • Die östlich der Küste in den vp -Schnitten als Moho modellierte Diskontinuität wurde durch die vorherigen Arbeiten bestätigt und als die heutige, geophysikalische Moho interpretiert. Zur Erosion am Kontinentalrand kann folgendes festgestellt werden: • Eine Varianz im Ablauf der Erosion wird nahegelegt, kann aber nicht bewiesen werden. • Nach der hier vorgelegten Interpretation findet die Erosion in der Hauptsache frontal statt. In einem zweiten Bearbeitungsschritt wurde die seeseitige Spurdichte von 160 m zu einer CMP-Stapelung der Weitwinkeldaten ausgenutzt. Bei der Bearbeitung der Daten wurden ausschließlich Tools der Standard-Reflexionsseismik verwendet. Dabei sollte ein Strukturabbild ähnlich dem aus der Standard-Reflexionsseismik bekannten entstehen. Diese Art des Prozessierens von Daten wurde bisher auf einen Datensatz mit so großer Apertur noch nicht angewandt. Es konnte gezeigt werden, daß mit einem unkonventionellen Ansatz durchaus Zusatzinformationen aus den Daten gewonnen werden können: die Oberkante der Niedergeschwindigkeitszone sowie die ozeanische Moho konnten auf dem nördlichsten Profil bestätigt werden, die platten-parallel liegende Struktur sowie die ozeanische Moho konnten auf dem mittleren Profil bestätigt werden und auf dem südlichsten zeigte sich, dass die Unterkante der ozeanischen Kruste weiter nach Osten hin detektiert werden konnte, als durch die refraktionsseismische Bearbeitung möglich war.

Description: In this thesis wide-angle seismic data from the on-shore/off-shore CINCA 95project were analysed. The data set was recorded on three E-W profiles at 21°S, 22°S und 23.25°S. These profiles cover the region between the Peru-Chile trench and the Western Cordillera, i.e. the forearc of the north-Chile subduction zone. The north-Chile margin is an example of a non-accreting, eroding continental margin. The data set mainly consists of three off-shore lines of airgun shots and on-shore receiver lines. Additional chemical shots were performed at the ends of the receiver lines. A vp-velocity model was derived for each profile using seismic refraction interpretation methods. The models are well constrained in the outer forearc, i.e. the region between the trench and the coast line. Major results are summarized as follows. • The models show the Nazca plate subducting at an angle of 10°near the trench, increasing to 23-25° near the coast. There is no N-S variation in the behaviour of the subduction angle. • However, a N-S variation in the lateral velocity increase at the top of the subducted plate can be derived. On the northernmost profile the velocity increases from 4.5 km/s at the trench to 6.5 km/s, 70 km E of the trench, whereas on the southernmost profile, this velocity increase occurs over a distance of only 30 km. This structure is interpreted as a layer of eroded and subducted material. • In the westernmost portion of the continental crust, where erosion occurs, a high vp-velocity of 5.8 km/s is found. It increases to 6.0 km/s towards the coast. In the north the crust is more differentiated. This differentiation weakens southwards and on the southernmost profile no additional crustal structure in the upper plate was modelled beneath 11 km depth. • On the profiles at 21°S and 22°S a discontinuity parallel to the subducting plate was modelled, representing the top of a high velocity (7.1 km/s) zone. The discontinuity dips at an angle of 15°. On the basis of an existing model for the on-shore part of the forearc this discontinuity is interpreted as a paleo-Moho. The high velocity zone is thus interpreted to be serpentinized uppermost mantle. • The high velocity zone is followed by a low velocity zone, which forms a wedge between the subducting plate and the overriding plate. It has a velocity of 6.4 km/s and is interpreted as a depot for the eroded and subducted material. • The Moho east of the coast is confirmed by former studies in the area and interpreted as the recent geophysical Moho of the South American continent. Concerning erosion at a continental margin the following can be noted. • An episodical character of erosion is implied by the models but cannot be proven. • The interpretation presented in this thesis implies frontal erosion along the Peru-Chile trench in this region. For further interpretation the dense shot line off-shore (160 m shot interval) was utilized for a CMP-stack of the wide-angle data. This was achieved with standards tools used in the processing of near- vertical incidence reflection data. The goal was to achieve a structural image similar to that which can be obtained from standard near-vertical incidence data. So far, this kind of processing has not been used for data with such a large aperture. Using this non-conventional approach some further information could be drawn from the data set. On the profile at 21°S the upper boundary of the low velocity wedge between the plates could be confirmed as well as the oceanic Moho. On the profile at 22°S the plate parallel structure as well as the oceanic Moho could be confirmed. On the profile at 23.25°S, with the help of the CMP processing, the subducting oceanic Moho could be traced further east than in the velocity model which was derived using standard seismic refraction interpretation methods.

Description: thesis

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden die Ergebnisse des refraktionsseismischen Experimentes PISCO'94 [Proyecto de Investigaciones Sismológicas de la Cordillera Occidental 1994] präsentiert, das 1994 vom Sonderforschungsbereich 267 "Deformationsprozesse in den Anden" im Andensegment 21-24°SZ 67-70°W durchgeführt wurde. Das Experiment knüpfte an ein in den 80er-Jahren vermessenes Netz refraktionsseismischer Profile an. Das Ziel der neuen Messungen war die Bestimmung der Lithosphärenstruktur im Bereich des magmatischen Bogens und seiner Nachbargebiete. Zu diesem Zweck wurde ein 300 km langes N-S streichendes Profil mit 4 Schußpunkten am westlichen Rand des magmatischen Bogens, der Westkordillere, vermessen. Weiterhin wurde ein neues W-E streichendes Profil, welches bei 23°30'S von der Krustenkordillere bis zur Westkordillere reicht, beobachtet. Bereits früher vermessene Profile in der Präkordillere wurden durch Gegenbeobachtungen bzw. weitere Schußpunkte ergänzt. Aus den abgeleiteten ein- und zweidimensionalen Modellierungen wurde ein dreidimensionales Übersichtsmodell für das Untersuchungsgebiet erstellt. Im Forearc-Bereich bestätigt es im wesentlichen die Ergebnisse früherer refraktionsseismischer Untersuchugen: Die Durchschnittsgeschwindigkeit der Kruste nimmt von 6.6 km/s unter der Küstenkordillere auf 6.2 km/s unter der Präkordillere ab. Die Moho der subduzierten ozeanischen Platte wird in ca. 40 km Tiefe unter der Küstenkordillere beobachtet. Die ursprüngliche kontinentale Moho wurde stark überarbeitet und ist seismisch nicht eindeutig zu bestimmen. Eine Diskontinuität in 10-12 km Tiefe unter der Küstenkordillere, die unter der Präkordillere bei ca. 20 km Tiefe liegt, wird als Grenze zwischen Ober- und Unterkruste angesehen. In 20 km Tiefe unter der Küstenkordillere befindet sich ein Bereich hoher Geschwindigkeit, der als Basis der kontinentalen Kruste interpretiert wird. Dieser Bereich läßt sich in die Präkordillere hinein verfolgen, wo er bei ca. 35-40 km Tiefe liegt. Der Bereich darunter weist bis in ca. 60 km Tiefe Krustengeschwindigkeiten (vp 〈 7.5 km/s) auf. Dies könnte durch hydratisiertes Material des peridotitischen Mantelkeils erklärt werden. Die Natur einer markanten, in 60-70 km Tiefe liegenden Diskontinuität, an der die Geschwindigkeit regional auf über 7.9 km/s zunimmt und die als "Moho" bezeichnet wird, ist unklar. Vermutlich handelt es sich um die Oberkante einer Übergangszone zwischen Asthenosphäre und Lithosphäre. Die für die magmatischen Bogen aus seismologischen und gravimetrischen Untersuchungen abgeleitete Krustendicke von ca. 70 km wird durch die neuen refraktionsseismischen Daten nicht bestätigt Bis in eine Tiefe von 60 km wurden keine Mohoreflexionen beobachtet. Jedoch können die seismischen Diskontinuitäten der Präkordillere, insbesondere die Grenze zwischen Ober- und Unterkruste in ca. 20 km Tiefe, in die Westkordillere hinein verfolgt werden. Bis in 45-60 km Tiefe überschreitet die Geschwindigkeit der beobachteten seismischen Diskontinuitäten 7.5 km/s nicht Die Durchschnittsgeschwindigkeit ist mit 5.9-6.0 km/s gering. Im Streichen des magmatischen Bogens ändern sich Krustenstruktur und Geschwindigkeitsverteilung im Übergangsbereich von steiler zu flacher Subduktion. Im Norden des Untersuchungsgebietes wird eine stark strukturierte Kruste mit z.T. extremen Niedriggeschwindigkeitszonen und starker Dämpfung seismischer Wellen beobachtet. Eine plausible Erklärung dafür ist die Existenz partieller Schmelzen in der Kruste. Als Quelle des extremen Schwerehochs, das von Calama südöstlich streicht, wurde Material mit Geschwindigkeiten von 〉 6.4 km/s in 2-10 sowie 15-20 km Tiefe bestimmt. Im südlichen Teil des Untersuchungsgebietes dagegen ist die Kruste des magmatischen Bogens relativ unstrukturiert und weist keine erhöhte Dämpfung mehr auf. Als Ursache für diese Differenzen sowie das Zurückversetzen des magmatischen Bogens südlich von 23°S wird eine (prä-neogene) dünne und harte Kruste im südlichen Teil des Untersuchungsgebietes angesehen.

Description: The object of this paper is the presentation of the results of the seismic refraction experiment PISCO'94 [Proyecto de Investigaciones Sismológicas de la Cordillera Occidental 1994], carried out in 1994 by the Collaborative Research Center 267 "Deformation Processes in the Andes" in the Andean segment 21-24°S/ 67-70°N. The experiment continued a net of seismic refraction profiles measured in the 80s. The aim of the new measurements was to investigate the crustal structure of the magmatic arc region and its vicinity. A N-S-running profile, 300 km long with 4 shotpoints, was measured along the western margin of the magmatic arc, the Western Cordillera. Furthermore a new W-E profile at 23°30'S was observed, which reaches from the Coastal Cordillera to the Western Cordillera. Complementary shotpoints and reversed observations to earlier profiles in the Precordillera were realized. From the derived 1- and 2- dimensional models a generalized three dimensional model was produced. In the forearc region it confirms essentially the results of earlier seismic refraction studies. The average P-wave velocity of the crust decreases from 6.6 km/s beneath the Coastal Cordillera to 6.2 km/s beneath the Precordillera. The Moho of the downgoing oceanic plate is observed at about 40 km depth beneath the Coastal Cordillera. The original continental Moho was strongly modified and cannot be clearly determined by seismic data. The discontinuity in 10-12 km depth beneath the Coastal Cordillera, downgoing to about 20 km depth beneath the Precordillera, is interpreted as boundary between upper and lower crust. A high velocity zone at about 20 km depth beneath the Coastal Cordillera is interpreted as base of the continental crust This zone can be continued to a depth of 35-40 km beneath the Precordillera. The region below is characterized down to about 60 km depth by crustal velocities (vp 〈7.5 km/s). One explanation could be hydrated material of the peridotitic mantle wedge. In 60-70 km depth the velocity increases regionally to values above 7.9 km/s. The nature of this prominent discontinuity, called "Moho", is unclear. It indicates probably the top of a lithosphere/asthenosphere transition zone. A crustal thickness of 70 km for the magmatic arc, derived from seismological and gravimetric investigations, is not confirmed by the new seismic refraction datas. There are no Moho observations down to 60 km, but the seismic discontinuities of the Precordillera can be traced into the Western Cordillera. A discontinuitiy at about 20 km depth is interpreted as top of the lower crust, which reaches to about 40 km depth. Down to 45-60 km the velocities of the observed seismic discontinuities do not exceed 7.5 km/s. The average velocity is low (5.9-6.0 km/s). Along the strike of the magmatic arc crustal structure and velocity are changing in the transition zone from steep to flat subduction. In the north of the area under investigation a strongly structured crust with zones of extremely low velocities and strong attenuation of seismic waves is observed. This could be explained by partial melts in the crust. As source of the gravity high SE of Calama material with velocities 〉 6.4 km/s in 2-10 and 15-20 km depth was determined. In contrary, the crust of the southern part of the area is relatively uniform without high attenuation. These differences as well as the rebound of the magmatic arc south of 23°S could be caused by a pre-neogene thin and hard crust in the southern part of the area under investigation.

Description: thesis

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: The effect of variable CO2 concentrations on the elemental composition (C:N:P) of marine diatoms was investigated in 2 strains of Skeletonema costatum (Grev.) Cleve. Five or 6 concentrations of dissolved molecular carbon dioxide [CO2 (aq)], ranging from 0.5 to 39 µmol l-1, were applied in dilute batch cultures. In both strains, elemental ratios were clearly dependent on [CO2 (aq)]. With decreasing CO2 concentrations, a decline in C:P and N:P and an increase in C:N was observed. The close correlation between C:P or N:P and [CO2 (aq)] corresponded to a ca 45 to 65% decrease in elemental ratios from highest (〉=30 µmol l-1) to lowest (ca 1 µmol l-1) CO2 concentrations. C:N at low [CO2 (aq)] was up to 24% higher than at high [CO2 (aq)]. To date, the elemental composition of marine phytoplankton has been considered to be independent of CO2 availability. If dependency of the C:N:P ratio on [CO2 (aq)] proves to be a general phenomenon in marine phytoplankton, changes in the elemental composition may be expected in response to the currently observed increase in partial pressure of atmospheric CO2.

Description: In this study, the impact of oceanic data assimilation on ENSO simulations and predictions is investigated. The authors’ main objective is to compare the impact of the assimilation of sea level observations and three-dimensional temperature measurements relative to each other. Three experiments were performed. In a control run the ocean model was forced with observed winds only, and in two assimilation runs three-dimensional temperatures and sea levels were assimilated one by one. The root-mean-square differences between the model solution and observations were computed and heat content anomalies of the upper 275 m compared to each other. Three ensembles of ENSO forecasts were performed additionally to investigate the impact of data assimilation on ENSO predictions. In a control ensemble a hybrid coupled ocean–atmosphere model was initialized with observed winds only, while either three-dimensional temperatures or sea level data were assimilated during the initialization phase in two additional forecast ensembles. The predicted sea surface temperature anomalies were averaged over the eastern equatorial Pacific and compared to observations. Two different objective skill measures were computed to evaluate the impact of data assimilation on ENSO forecasts. The authors’ experiments indicate that sea level observations contain useful information and that this information can be inserted successfully into an oceanic general circulation model. It is inferred from the forecast ensembles that the benefit of sea level and temperature assimilation is comparable. However, the positive impact of sea level assimilation could be shown more clearly when the forecasted temperature differences rather than the temperature anomalies themselves were compared with observations.

Description: The response of epilithic microphytobenthos to in situ nutrient enrichments was studied in the Kiel Fjord, Western Baltic Sea. For this purpose an experimental setup with continuous nutrient supply was designed and installed. Experiments followed the colonization of artificial substrates and the responses of benthic algae to different concentrations and combinations of nitrogen and phosphate. They revealed nitrogen limitation of epilithic microflora from late spring to autumn, such that there was higher biovolume with increasing nitrogen concentrations. Diatoms became dominant in all experiments except one in which the rhodophyte Ceramium strictum prevailed. Species composition was altered by nutrient treatments; one to several species were highly favoured by nutrient enrichment. Consequently, diversity was negatively correlated with final yield. These findings support the hypothesis that competition is an important factor structuring microphytobenthic communities.

Description: Snails Littorina littorea with and without artificial epibionts were exposed in situ for nearly 1 mo. Measurement of individual shell length increase over this period revealed that clean snails grew 3 times faster than fouled snails. These results compare well with previously conducted flume experiments (Wahl 1996). This epibiosis effect is thought to be due to increased drag-the only feature distinguishing the 2 treatment groups-caused by the presence of epibionts on the shell. Increased drag probably entails higher energy expenditure for pedal activities (attachment and locomotion) and a reduced allocation of resources towards growth and, possibly, reproduction

Description: Stomach contents from 30 long-finned pilot whales Globicephala melas captured incidentally in the Distant Water Fleet (DWF) mackerel fishery off the northeastern United States were examined. Several methods of assessing prey importance were used in order to construct a true representation of the pilot whale diet. Separate analyses of trace (free, durable body parts from well-digested prey) and non-trace (relatively intact prey) food materials were conducted to address biases caused by differential rates of digestion and passage. Squids dominated the diet and long-finned squid Loligo pealei was the most important prey, but we noted large yearly fluctuations in prey importance. Metric multidimensional scaling analyses of trace and non-trace stomach contents of individual whales suggest that many animals were cuaght while feeding opportunistically near fishing operations, resulting in a bias of non-trace (intact) stomach contents. The diversity of prey in this study was greater than previous reports of the food habits of western North Atlantic non-finned pilot whales.

Description: Changes in the molecular structure of a highly ordered kaolinite, intercalated with urea and potassium acetate, have been studied using Raman microscopy. A new Raman band, attributed to the inner surface hydroxyl groups strongly hydrogen bound to the acetate, is observed at 3605 cm (super -1) for the potassium acetate intercalate with the consequential loss of intensity in the bands at 3652, 3670, 3684 and 3693 cm (super -1) . Remarkable changes in intensity of the Raman spectral bands of the low-frequency region of the kaolinite occurred upon intercalation. In particular, the 144 and 935 cm (super -1) bands increased by an order of magnitude and were found to be polarized. These spectroscopic changes provide evidence for the inner surface hydroxyl group-acetate bond being at an angle approaching 90 degrees to the 001 face. Decreases in intensity of the bands at 243, 271 and 336 cm (super -1) were observed. The urea intercalate shows additional Raman bands at 3387, 3408 and 3500 cm-1 which are attributed to N-H vibrations after formation of the urea-kaolinite complex. Changes in the spectra of the inserting molecules were also observed.

Description: Recent attention to members of the sepiolid squid genus Euprymna and symbiotic associations with luminescent bacteria ( Vibrio fischeri strains) has prompted a review of this poorly-resolved group of squids. Twelve nominal species have been placed in this genus of which the majority are ill-defined, known only from their original descriptions and separated on the basis of inadequate characters. As a first step in resolving this group, a temperate Australian species, the Southern dumpling squid, Euprymna tasmanica , is here redescribed in detail. As the genus Euprymna currently stands, most members are only distinguished on the number and position of enlarged suckers in mature males. No diagnostic characters are available to identify females. All nominal species placed in this genus are reviewed and a key to proposed valid species is presented. Six species are considered here to be valid: Euprymna berryi, E. hoylei, E. morsei, E. scolopes, E. tasmanica and an undescribed species treated here as Euprymna sp. 1. Euprymna similis is a synonym of E. morsei of Japan. Due to inadequate original descriptions, and lost or poor type material, two species are considered here to be nomen dubia ( E. schneehageni and E. pusilla ), while the taxonomic status of four additional species remain unresolved ( E. albatrossae, E. bursa, E. phenax and E. stenodactyla ).

Description: Records of unusual cephalopods, taken as by-catch in Irish and Scottish waters in the years 1985–1995, are presented. Of most interest are three specimens of giant squid (Architeuthis) that were caught in bottom trawls off the west of Ireland between April and June 1995, all were mature males of mantle length ∼1000 mm. Other records include a large mature female Histioteuthis bonnellii from the west of Ireland and three specimens of the gelatinous incirrate octopus, Haliphron atlanticus.

Description: We investigated the foraging location, diving behaviour, dietary composition, feeding rates and foraging trip durations of emperor penguins Aptenodytes forsteri raising chicks at the Auster and Taylor Glacier colonies on the Mawson Coast of Antarctica in the winter, spring and early summer of 1993, to examine seasonal changes in the penguins' foraging ecology. As day-length increased after winter, the penguins' daily swimming time increased from 7.83 ± 1.50 h in August to 12.23 ± 1.25 h in September and 12.95 ± 1.24 h in October. Accordingly, the penguins' dive rate increased from 92.7 ± 28.5 to 149.4 ± 23.4 and 161.6 ± 19.3 dives d-1 in the respective months. The birds targeted prey in the vicinity of the continental slope mainly at depths 〈100 m, although some individuals frequently hunted at depths 〉200 m, and the maximum depth achieved was 438 m. Antarctic krill Euphausia superba were the most common prey taken overall, 41% of the diet by mass, and dominated the diets between August and October. The contribution of Antarctic krill to the diet reduced over time from 68% in August to 1% in early December. In November, the glacier squid Psychroteuthis glacialis dominated the diet (47 to 63%), and in early December the diet comprised various species of fish, Trematomus species (27%), Pagothenia borchgrevinki (24%), and Pleuragramma antarcticum (8%), and squid, P. glacialis (13%) and Alluroteuthis antarcticus (9%). The birds' prey consumption rates more than doubled between late winter and early summer, from 4.0 ± 1.0 to 8.7 ± 1.7 kg d-1 spent foraging; these values are equivalent to metabolisable energy intakes of 628 ± 134 and 1422 ± 308 kJ kg-1 d-1, respectively. During brooding (late winter to early spring), females spent less time at sea than males (8.7 ± 2.7 vs 17.7 ± 3.8 d); thereafter trip durations of both sexes were similar and declined from 15-19 d in spring to 〈10 d in early summer. Between hatching and about 1 wk prior to fledging each parent fed its chick 7 or 8 times. To raise a chick, females and males consumed approximately 410 and 470 kg of prey respectively, or 880 kg for each breeding pair. Seasonal variations in the penguins' foraging were probably influenced by fluctuating sea-ice conditions, differences in the prey types available, changes in day-length toward summer, and increasing demands of the growing chicks.

Description: The statolith microstructure was studied in 142 females (mantle length, ML, ranging from 77–402 mm) and 119 males (72–328 mm ML) of Martialia hyadesi caught on the Patagonian and Falkland shelves and at the Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone between 1989–94. The statolith microstructure dark zone in this species, contains narrower and more numerous growth increments than the dark zones of other ommastrephid squids. Assuming daily production of putative growth increments within statoliths males live up to 12 months, and females live up to 13 months. It is likely that the life cycle lasts c. 1 yr, but immature squids with ages 〉330–340 d suggest that a part of M. hyadesi populations could have life span 〉1 yr. Growth in length was best described by the Gompertz function, whereas growth in weight was best described by the logistic function. M. hyadesi is characterized by slow juvenile growth (〈100 mm ML), fast growth of immature squids and a sharp decrease in growth rates during maturation. M. hyadesi mature later (at ages 〉270 d) than other temperate ommastrephids, but maturation is rather rapid (2–3 months). In the south-west Atlantic, M. hyadesi hatch throughout the year.

Description: In this paper the performance of the global coupled general circulation model (CGCM) ECHO-2, which was integrated for 10 years without the application of flux correction, is described. Although the integration is rather short, strong and weak points of this CGCM can be clearly identified, especially in view of the model's performance of the annual cycle in the tropical Pacific. The latter is simulated with more success relative to the earlier version, ECHO-I. A better representation of the low-level stratus clouds in the atmosphere model associated with a reduction in the shortwave radiative flux at the air-sea interface improved the coupled model's performance in the southeastern tropical oceans, with a strongly reduced warm bias in these regions. Modifications in the atmospheric convection scheme also eliminated the AGCM's tendency to simulate a double ITCZ, and this behavior is maintained in the CGCM simulation. Finally, a new numerical scheme for active tracer advection in the ocean model strongly reduced the numerical mixing, which seems to enhance considerably the level of interannual variability in the equatorial Pacific. One weak point is an overall cold bias in the Tropics and midlatitudes, which typically amounts to 1°C in open ocean regions. Another weak point is the still too strong equatorial cold tongue, which penetrates too far into the western equatorial Pacific. Although this model deficiency is not as pronounced as in ECHO-1, the too strong cold tongue reduces the level of interannual rainfall variability in the western and central equatorial Pacific. Finally, the interannual fluctuations in equatorial Pacific sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are too equatorially trapped, a problem that is also found in ocean-only simulations. Overall, however, the authors believe that the ECHO-2 CGCM has been considerably improved relative to ECHO-1.

Description: Contents ; List of Contributors ; Introduction ; I. General Problems of Sponge Biology. S. M. Efremova: Once more on the position among Metazoa - Gastrulation and germinal layers of sponges ; N. N. Marfenin: Sponges viewed in the light of up-to-date conception on coloniality ; A. V. Ereskovsky & G. P. Korotkova: The reasons of sponge sexual morphogenesis peculiarities II. Developmental Biology of Sponges. O. M. Ivanova-Kazas: Analysis of the sponges ontogeny at sexual reproduction ; R. P. Anakina: The cleavage specifity in embryos of the Barents Sea sponge Leucosolenia complicata Montagu (Calcispongiae, Calcaronea) ; L. V. Ivanova: New data about morphology and metamorphosis of the spongillid larvae (Porifera, Spongillidae). 1. Morphology of the free-swimming larvae ; L. V. Ivanova: New data about morphology and metamorphosis of the spongillid larvae (Porifera, Spongillidae). 2. The metamorphosis of the spongillid larvae ; L. V. Ivanova & V. V. Semenov: Feeding habits of the larvae of sponges ; N. A. Sizova & A. V. Ereskovsky: Ultrastructural peculiarities of the early embryogenesis in a White Sea sponge Halisarca dujardini (Demospongiae, Dendroceratida) ; III. Ecology of Sponges. R. P. Anakina & E. I. Slepian: Spiculas' malformations of freshwater sponges as indicators of water environment in St. Petersburg City ; A. S. Plotkin & A. V. Ereskovsky: Ecological aspects of asexual reproduction of the White Sea sponge Polymastia mammillaris (Demospongiae, Tetractinomorpha) in Kandalaksha Bay ; I. S. Smirnov & V. M. Koltun: Symbiosis of the antarctic sponge genus lophon (Porifera) and ophiuroid genus Ophiurolepis (Ophiuroidea, Echinodermata) ; IV. Palaeontology and Systematics. L. V. Bolshakova: Stromatoporoids - the fossil sponges ; E. V. Veinberg, 0. M. Khlystov, S. S. Vorobyova, E. G. Kornakova, 0. V. Levina, S. M. Efremova, & M. A. Grachev: Distribution of sponge spicules in sediments of the underwater Akademichesky ridge of Lake Baikal ; K. R. Tabachnik & C. Levi: Amphidiscophoran Hexasterophora (Part I & II) ;

Description: conference

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: Von den bisher weitgehend unbearbeiteten, Oberkretazischen Gesteinsfolgen im Raum Santander (Provinz Kantabrien, Spanien) wurde der Zeitabschnitt Turon bis Unter-Coniac lithologisch, sedimentologisch sowie stratigraphisch (Bio-, Event-, Sequenzstratigraphie) detailliert bearbeitet. Die Sedimente eines gemischten, siliziklastisch/karbonatischen Systemes wurden in einem, durch starke synsedimentäre Tektonik geprägten, E-W-streichenden Meeresraum abgelagert, der nach Westen graduell in die flachmarine Asturianische Kreide überging und im Süden durch den, aus paläozoischem Basement bestehendenden Cabuemiga Rücken begrenzt war. Im Norden markierte das Liencres Hoch die Grenze. Dieser Sedimentationsraum repräsentierte einen eigenständigen Beckenbereich, für den die Bezeichnung Nordkantabrisches Becken (NKB) eingeführt wird. Das NKB entstand in der Unterkreide (Valangin/Hauterive) durch Blockrotation an E-W-streichenden Lineamenten. Strukturell trennt die N-S-streichende Rio Miera-Flexur im Osten das NKB vom Basko-Kantabrischen Becken. Proximale Sedimente sind durch das Auftreten von (glaukonitischen) Knollenkalken charakterisiert. Die eher distalen Ablagerungsräume zeichnen sich durch zyklische Kalk/Mergel-Wechselfolgen aus. Während regressiver Phasen treten Allochthonite auf (Calciturbidite). Im bearbeiteten Zeitraum Turon und Unter-Coniac führen möglicherweise fünf Phasen verstärkter differentieller Subsidenz (tektonische Aktivitätsphasen ?) zu Reliefakzentuierung und, damit einhergehend, zur Umgestaltung des Sedimentationsraumes. Besonders ein Ereignis im Unter-Coniac (deformis-Zone) kann offensichtlich in weiten Teilen Europas erkannt werden. Die biostratigraphische Gliederung wird mit Ammoniten und im höheren Ober-Turon und Unter-Coniac mit Inoceramen durchgeführt. Das basale Unter-Turon fehlt. Die Sedimentation setzt vermutlich erst in der höchsten devonense-Zvne des unteren Unter-Turon ein. Das obere Unter-Turon ist durch die Zone des Mammites nodosoides gekennzeichnet. Das Mittel-Turon kann in die Zonen des Kamerunoceras turoniense, Romaniceras kallesi, Romaniceras ornatissimum und Romaniceras deverianum untergliedert werden. Im Ober-Turon werden Faunenzonen ausgehalten (Assemblage Zones). Es können (in aufsteigender Reihenfolge) die AZ des Subprionocyclus neptuni/ Romaniceras deverianum, die AZ des Mytiloides incertus/Subprionocyclus neptuni und die AZ des Mytiloides scupini/Prionocyclus germari erkannt werden. Das Unter-Coniac wird in eine untere Zone des Cremnoceramus rotundatus und eine obere Zone des Cremnoceramus deformis unterteilt. Zehn Bio-Events und Akmen werden erkannt und auf ihr Potential für die regionale wie überregionale Korrelation geprüft. Dies sind das Mytiloides-Akme [Unter-Turon (?)]; das K. turoniense/Mytiloides-Event (turoniense-Zone), das R. kallesi-Event (kallesi-Zone), das R. ornatissimum-Event (ornatissimum-Zone), das R. Deverianum-Event (neptuni/deverianum- AZ), das Mytiloides incertus/Mieraster leskei (klein)-Event (incertus/neptuni-AZ), das M. Leskei (groß)-Event (scupini/germari-AZ), das Sternotaxis plana-Event (scupini/ germari- AZ), das Didymotis I-Event (scupini/ germari-AZ) und das Didymotis II-Event (Turon/Coniac-Grenze). Für eine Korrelation nach Deutschland oder England eignen sich besonders das turoniense/ Mytiloides-Event, das deverianum-Event sowie das incertus/leskei (klein)- und leskei (groß)-Event. Das plana-Event kann vermutlich nach Norddeutschland korreliert werden. Sechs sedimentäre Sequenzgrenzen (SB) werden im Zeitraum Turon bis Unter-Coniac erkannt und datiert. SB Tu 1 liegt vermutlich im Unter-Turon und kann wegen eines ausgeprägten Hiatus im Cenoman/Turon-Grenzbereich datiert werden. Die stratigraphischen Positionen der folgenden Sequenzgrenzen können wie folgt datiert werden: SB Tu 2: obere turoniense-Zone (Mittel-Turon), SB Tu 3: deverianum-Zont (höchstes Mittel-Turon), SB Tu 4: Top neptuni/deverianum- AZ (Ober-Turon), SB Tu 5: untere scupini/ germari-AZ (Ober-Turon), SB Co 1: höhere deformis-Zone des Unter-Coniac. Die Sedimentationszyklen werden als "3rd order cycles" sensu Haq et al. (1988) interpretiert. Die stratigraphische Position der Sequenzen werden unter kurzer Diskussion der jeweiligen regionalen Biostratigraphie mit sequentiellen Gliederungen für Tunesien, Spanien, Frankreich, Südengland und Deutschland (Westfalen, Niedersachsen, Sachsen) mit nur mäßigem Erfolg verglichen. Die "global cycle chart" erweist sich als Standard für untauglich. Schlüsselwörter: Nordkantabrien, Spanien, Nordkantabrisches Becken, Turon, Unter-Coniac, tektono-sedimentäre Entwicklung, Biostratigraphie, Eventstratigraphie, Sequenzstratigraphie, überregionaler Vergleich.

Description: The Lower Turonian to Lower Coniacian succession of the Upper Cretaceous series from the Santander area (Cantabria, Spain) was investigated in detail by means of lithology, bio-, event and sequence stratigraphy. The sediments of a mixed, siliciclastic/calcareous system were deposited in an E-W trending basin that was bordered to the South by the palaeozoic Cabuemiga High. The northern boundary formed the Liencres High, a palaeo-structure that had its position in the Bay of Biscay not far away from the present day shoreline. Towards the West, a connection to the shallower, Asturian Cretaceous basins existed. For this individual basin the term "North Cantabrian Basin" is suggested herein. It developed during the Early Cretaceous (Valanginian/Hauterivian) as a result of block rotation along E-W trending major faults. The NCB is structurally separated from the Basco-Cantabrian Basin by the N-S trending Rio Miera Flexure in the East. Proximal sediments are characterized by (glauconitic) nodular to massively bedded limestones. In distal environments, marl/limestone alternations accumulated. During phases of regression, allochthonites with only limited geographic extent were shed into the basin. Within the Turonian to Early Coniacian, five phases of accelerated, differential subsidence (tectonic phases ?) were recognized. Especially the Early Coniacian movement (deformis Zone) can be observed in wide parts of Europe. Biostratigraphic subdivision is mainly based on ammonites, and, in the Late Turonian and Early Coniacian, on inoceramids. Lower Lower Turonian strata are missing and sedimentation started presumably in the upper part of the Watinoceras devonense Zone of the early Early Turonian. The late Early Turonian is represented by the Mammites nodosoides Zone. The Middle Turonian can be subdivided into the zones of (in ascending order) Kamerunoceras turoniense, Romaniceras kallesi, Romaniceras ornatissimum, and Romaniceras deverianum. The Late Turonian is subdivided into assemblage zones (AZ). These are (in ascending order) the AZ of Subprionocyclus neptuni/Romaniceras deverianum, the AZ of Mytiloides incertus/Subprionocyclus neptuni and the AZ of Mytiloides scupini/Prionocyclus germari. The latter correlates with the scupini Zone of Germany. The Early Coniacian is characterized by a zone of Cremnoceramus rotundatus and a higher zone of Cremnoceramus deformis. Ten events are recognized and dated. These are the Mytiloides-acme [Lower Turonian (?)], the Kamerunoceras turoniense/Mytiloides event (turoniense Zone), the Romaniceras kallesi event (kallesi Zone), the Romaniceras ornatissimum event (ornatissimum Zone), the Romaniceras deverianum event (neptuni/deverianum AZ), the Mytiloides incertus/Micraster leskei (small) event (incertus/neptuni the Micraster leskei (large) event (scupini/germari AZ), the Sternotaxis plana event (scupini/germari AZ), the Didymotis I event (scupini/germari KL) and the Didymotis II event (Turonian/Coniacian boundary). These events can, to some extent, be used for interbasinal correlation. Especially the turoniense/Mytiloides, the deverianum, the plana and the Didymotis events can be correlated to northern Germany. The incertus/leskei (small) and the leskei (large) events can be traced to England. Six sedimentary sequence boundaries (SB) were recognized and dated. These are: SB Tu I : Lower Turonan, SB Tu 2: late turoniense Zone, SB Tu 3: deverianum Zone, SB Tu 4: top neptuni/deverianum KL, SB Tu 5: early scupini/germari AZ, SB Co 1: late deformis Zone. The sedimentary sequencec, delimited by the SBs, are interpreted to represent 3rd order cycles sensu Haq et al. (1988). The position of the sequences is (based on a brief discussion of the reginal biostratigraphic subdivisions) compared with cycle charts from Tunisia, Spain, France, southern England, and Germany (Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Saxony) with only limited results. The "global" cycle chart appears to be not helpful for detailed sequence correlation and should be abandoned as a standard.

Description: thesis

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: At the beginning of Late Jurassic both the Lochen (LA) and the Cracow areas (CA) were palaeotopographic highs in an epicontinental basin located at the stable northern margin of the Tethyan Ocean. The topographically high position of the LA was probably caused by intensive carbonate production which proceeded on a small sea-floor bulge located close to the boundary between middle and lower parts of the low-angle carbonate ramp. Lack of deep structural control of this rise caused prograding facial unification during the Oxfordian and Kimmeridgian and led to gradual disappearance of the LA individuality in relation to the neighbouring areas. The topographical high of the CA resulted from anomalously low subsidence rate in comparison to the adjacent areas which has lasted at least for the whole Oxfordian. Low subsidence directly gave rise to the development of a barrier (so-called Cracovian Platform) which separated the interior basin in the north from the deeper parts of the basin in the south. Topography of the Polish part of epicontinental basin along the Czestochowa-Cracow line corresponds to the low-gradient rimmed carbonate shelf which graded laterally (to the northeast and east) into the low-angle carbonate ramp. Stratigraphic subdivision of Upper Jurassic strata is very precise in the LA and rather poor in the CA due to scarcity of ammonites in the massive facies which predominates in the latter area. However, ammonite fauna from both areas belongs to the same German-Polish Submediterranean Subprovince which allows to attempt the correlation of lithologies and determination of factors which controlled deposition. Both the studied areas show distinct differences in the development of carbonate buildups. In the LA the main components of carbonate buildups during whole Oxfordian and the Early Kimmeridgian were siliceous sponges and microbolites whilst in the CA the flourishing growth of microbolites and gradual decline of siliceous sponges domination took place during the Late Oxfordian. The sediment was initially diversified into the two varieties: that formed by siliceous sponges and the microbolites incipient rigid framework, and the soft mud. In such carbonate buildups stromatactis cavities might have developed even in early diagenesis due to internal erosion of the soft mud. The principal reason of the internal erosion was turbulent water flow through the sediment. However, in generally low-energy sedimentary environments such flow could be triggered by submarine gravity flows or strong bottom currents. Pseudonodular textures encountered in carbonate buildups in both the areas resulted from shallow-burial diagenesis. During the burial diagenesis some parts of the sediment has been disintegrated under the pressure of overlying strata owing to the existing open spaces and different susceptibility to compaction showed by the incipient rigid framework and the soft sediment. Deposition in the LA was controlled mainly by sea-level pulses and ecological factors. In the CA principal control was provided by subsidence rate supported by synsedimentary tectonics, sea-level changes and ecological factors. All these controlling factors were variable in time which provoked changes in carbonate production rates from intensive, aggradational growth of the buildups to drowning of the carbonate ramp and rimmed shelf. The drowning of carbonate ramp on which the LA was located took place at the Oxfordian/Kimmeridgian break. It is documented by spectacular development of redeposited pelagites of skeletal-calciturbidites type with abundant fragments of Saccocoma sp. which have appeared for the first time in mass quantities in the Upper Jurassic. By analogy, it can be inferred that in the CA similar Saccocoma-calciturbidites prove the drowning of rimmed shelf related to the same trangressive event at the Oxfordian/Kimmeridgian break.

Description: Zu Beginn des Ober-Jura waren das Lochengebiet (Schwäbische Alb) und der Raum Krakau (Südpolen) übereinstimmend Hochgebiete eines epikontinentalen Beckens auf dem passiven nördlichen Schelf der Tethys. Die topographische Hochposition des Lochengebietes war vermutlich durch eine hohe Karbonat-Produktion bedingt, welche auf einer schmalen submarinen Schwelle nahe dem Übergangsbereich zwischen unterem und mittlerem Abschnitt einer flach geneigten Karbonatrampe erfolgte. Während des Oxfordiums und Kimmeridgiums war die Lochenschwelle tektonisch inaktiv und ermöglichte einen zunehmenden Faziesausgleich mit den benachbarten Gebieten und führte dadurch zu einer successiven Aufgabe ihrer individuellen Entwicklung. Die Hochposition der Krakau-Region resultierte aus ihrer im Vergleich zur Umgebung ungewöhnlich geringen Subsidenzrate, welche mindestens während des gesamten Oxfordiums anhielt. Die geringe Subsidenz war unmittelbare Ursache für die Entwicklung einer Barriere (die sogenannte Krakau-Plattform), welche das seichtere Innenschelf-Becken im Norden von den tieferen Beckenanteilen im Süden trennte. Die Topographie des polnischen Anteils dieses epikontinentalen Beckens entsprach entlang der Czestochowa-Krakau-Linie einem „low-gradient rimmed carbonate shelf, der nach Nordosten und Osten lateral in eine flache Karbonatrampe überging. Die stratigraphische Gliederungsmöglichkeit der Ober-Jura-Schichfolge ist im Lochengebiet gut und feinauflösend, in der Krakau-Region dagegen, in der die Massenfazies vorherrscht, aufgrund der selteneren Ammonitenfunde zum Teil problematisch. Ungeachtet dessen, gehören die Ammoniten-Vergesellschaftungen beider Regionen derselben deutsch-polnischen, submediterranen Faunensubprovinz an und ermutigen zu einer Korrelation beider lithologischer Abfolgen und einer vergleichenden Abstraktion der Steuermechanismen für die Sedimentation. Beide Gebiete zeigen deutliche Unterschiede in der Entwicklung von karbonatischen Buildups. Im Lochen-Gebiet stellen während des Oxfordiums und Unter-Kimmeridgiums Kieselschwämme und Mikrobolithe die Hauptkomponenten der Riffstrukturen, während in der Krakau-Region die Bedeutung der Mikrobolithe und Kieselschwämme während des Ober-Oxfordiums successive abnimmt. Ursprünglich erfolgte eine Differenzierung der Riffstrukturen in einen autochthonen Hartsubstrat-Anteil, in dem Kieselschwämme und Mikrobolithe eine rigides Gerüst stellten, und in schlammiges Weichsubstrat. Innerhalb der Riffkörper konnten sich wohl frühdiagenetisch durch die interne Erosion der Schlamm-Anteile Stromatactis-Gefüge bilden. Grundsätzlich kann eine solche interne Erosion auf turbulente Porenwasserströme zurückgeführt werden. In den vorliegenden sedimentären Stillwasser-Milieus könnte ein solcher Porenwasserstrom durch submarine Schuttströme oder starke Bodenströmungen ausgelöst worden sein. Pseudonodulare Strukturen, wie sie in den Buildups beider Untersuchungsgebiete angetroffen wurden, werden durch eine flache Versenkungsdiagenese erklärt. Während dieser Vorgänge wurden unter dem Druck der Sedimentauflast aufgrund des vorhandenen, offenen Porenraumes und der unterschiedlichen Kompaktion von primär zementierten Riffkalken und des mergeligen Weichsubstrates Karbonatanteile gelöst. Das Sedimentationsgeschehen wurde in der Lochen-Region vor allem durch Meeresspiegel-Schwankungen und ökologische Parameter beeinflußt. In der Krakau-Region konnte als hauptsächlicher Kontrollfaktor die Subsidenzrate erkannt werden, in deren Gefolge synsedimentäre Tektonik, Änderungen von Meeresspiegel und der ökologischen Faktoren einhergingen. Veränderungen dieser Steuerfaktoren in der Zeit beeinflußten jeweils die Rate der Karbonatproduktion von intensiv (Aggradation der Buildups) bis zum Ertrinken der Karbonatrampe bzw. des Schelfrandes. Das Abtauchen der Karbonatrampe setzte in der Lochen-Region an der Oxfordium-Kimmeridgium-Wende ein. Es wird durch eine auffällige sedimentäre Entwicklung dokumentiert: Resedimentation pelagischer Kalke (skeletal calciturbidites), die häufig Saccocoma-Reste enthalten. Erste Massenvorkommen von Saccocoma treten in der Erdgeschichte im Oberjura auf. Ähnliche Saccoco/na-Kalkturbidite an der Oxfordium-Kimmeridgium-Grenze markieren in der Krakau-Region das Abtauchen des „rimmed shelf. Sie können auf dasselbe transgressive Ereignis zurückgeführt werden.

Description: thesis

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: The present study considered calcareous nannofossils from material represented by outcrops of Flysch successions of the External Hellenides belt in the area of the Ionian Zone (I.Z.), northwestern Greece. The studied outcrops are located in Epirus mainland and the Ionian island Korfu. Three subdivisions have been traditionally in literature distinguished in the I.Z., the Internal, Middle and External (moving from east to the west), each of which was subsequently recognized in the Flysch deposits as well. Aim of the study was, a refinement of the current biostratigraphic resolution of the area through detailed taxonomic descriptions and consequently, a reliably better correlation of the investigated sedimentary deposits with the help of calcareous nannofossils. The biostratigraphic data were also processed semiquentitatively (frequency variations and distributions), in order to accurately determine important biohorizons. For this purpose, the nannofossils were studied under the LM and the SEM, from ten closely sampled sections representing clastic sequences of all the three subdivisions of the I.Z. The investigated sections are situated at about 39° northern mid latitudes, a fact which resulted to mixed nannoflora assemblages of low and high latitudes character. The sections are namely: Elatos, Korfovouni (Internal I.Z. subdivision), Kato Despotiko, Strouga Goumenou and Ekklisia (Middle I.Z. subdivision), lower and upper Argyrotopos, National Road, Monos and Anacharavi (External I.Z. subdivision). They were found to range in age from the latest Eocene to the Early Miocene. Based on the systematic palaeontology, 107 species of calcareous nannofossils were observed and documented in the studied material. Among them, a new species Rhabdosphaera epirotica sp. nov. was described, and four recombinations were proposed. Moreover, two calcareous dinoflagellate cysts, Cervisiella saxea and Obliquipithonella sp. were reported for the first time from the I.Z. in Greece. Despite the mid latitude palaeogeographic position of the sections, all the conventional calcareous nannofossil zonal markers for the Oligocene and Early Miocene were recorded, although some in fewer abundances than in low latitudes. Improving the biostratigraphic reliability, a new zonational scheme was here developed and proposed for the Oligocene to Early Miocene interval. It was mainly established on use of redefined biohorizons and composed of five zones and five subzones following below: 1. Latest Eocene: Ericsonia formosa Partial-range Zone, 2. Oligocene: llselithina fusa / Ericsonia formosa Concurrent-range Zone, Ericsonia formosa-Reticulofenestra umbilicus/R. hillae Interval Zone, Cyclicargolithus abisectus Partial-range Zone, including the subzones: Rhabdosphaera spp. Interval Subzone, and Sphenolithus predistentus Interval Subzone, Reticulofenestra scissura Interval Zone, including the Sphenolithus delphix Abundance Subzone, and 3. Earliest Miocene: Triquetrorhabdulus spp. Partial-range Subzone Sphenolithus conicus Interval Subzone. Based on a new biohorizon of the absolute First Occurrence (FO) of llselithina fusa, the Eocene/Oligocene (E/O) boundary was identified in the lower part of the Argyrotopos section. On the absence of disc-shaped discoasters, the I. fusa biohorizon represented a better approximation of the boundary, which was clearly correlated with the other studied sections of the three subdivisions of the I.Z. The Oligocene/Miocene (O/M) boundary was identified in the Monos section located in the Plataria syncline (External I.Z.), but Early Miocene strata were recorded in the Middle I.Z. as well. This boundary was placed at the Last Common Occurrence (LCO) biohorizon of the Reticulofenestra scissura. Moreover, six associate bioevents were reported near the O/M boundary, among them the highest occurrence of I. fusa, located above the boundary, in the Anacharavi section of Korfu island (western part of the External I.Z.). For the first time were evaluated reworked together with „autochton“ taxa of calcareous nannofossils in Greece. Maximum diversity values along each of the studied sections, have shown increased reworking and erosional processes in the Internal subdivision of the I.Z. than in the Middle and the External ones. This is interpreted to be connected with the higher tectonic instability along the Pindos thrust to the east, in relation to the central and western parts of the Ionian basin mainly during the Oligocene.

Description: Die der vorliegenden Arbeit zugrundeliegenden kalkigen Nannofossilien stammen von Flyschabfolgen der Externen Helleniden (Ionische Zone) Nordwest-Griechenlands.So wurden in die Untersuchung Aufschlüsse des Festlandes in Epirus und der Ionischen Insel Korfu aus dem stratigraphischen Intervall vom obersten Eozän bis zum untersten Miozän einbezogen. Die Ionische Zone (I.Z.) wird traditionell von Osten nach Westen in die Interne, Mittlere und Externe Subzone unterteilt. Diese Einteilung läßt sich auch auf die Flyschablagerungen übertragen. Ziel der Arbeit ist eine Verfeinerung der bestehenden Biostratigraphie durch detaillierte taxonomische Beschreibungen, um damit eine bessere Korrelation der untersuchten Ablagerungen mit Hilfe der kalkigen Nannofossilien zu erreichen. Mit einer halbquantitativen Erfassung der biostratigraphischen Daten (Häufigkeitsvariation und -Verteilung) gelingt es darüberhinaus, einzelne Biohorizonte genauer zu definieren. Zu diesem Zwecke wurde das kalkige Nannoplankton von zehn eng-beprobten Profilen aus klastischen Abfolgen aller drei Subzonen der I. Z. unter dem Licht- und Elektronenmikroskop (REM) untersucht. Die Profile im einzelnen sind: Elatos und Korfovouni (Interne Subzone), Kato Despotiko, Strouga Goumenou und Ekklisia (Mittlere Subzone), Unter bzw. Ober Argyrotopos, National Road, Monos und Anacharavi (Externe Subzone). Zur Ablagerungszeit befanden sich die untersuchten Profile in einer nördlichen Paläobreite um 39°, was zu einer gemischten Nannoflora aus charakteristischen Vertretern niedriger und höherer Breiten führte. In dem untersuchten Material konnten insgesamt 107 Spezies von kalkigem Nannoplankton gefunden und dokumentiert werden. Die Art Rhabdosphaera epirotica nov. sp.wird neu beschrieben und vier Rekombinationen werden vorgeschlagen. Darüberhinaus konnten zwei kalkige Dinoflagellatenzysten Cervisiella saxea und Obliquipithonella sp. zum ersten Mal in der I.Z. nachgewiesen werden. Trotz der paläogeographischen Position der Profile in mittleren Paläobreitenbereich konnten alle konventionellen Zonenleitformen des kalkigen Nannoplanktons für das Oligozän und das Untermiozän gefunden werden, einige davon jedoch in geringerer Häufigkeit als in den niedrigeren Breiten. Durch die Verbesserung der biostratigraphischen Genauigkeit wird hier ein neues mediterranes Zonenschema für das Oligozän und das Untermiozän entwickelt, das im wesentlichen auf neu definierten Biohorizonten basiert. Es enthält fünf Zonen und fünf Subzonen: 1. Jüngstes Eozän: Ericsonia formosa Partial-range Zone, 2. Oligozän: llselithina fusa/Ericsonia formosa Concurrent-range Zone, Ericsonia formosa-Reticulofenestra umbilicus/R. hillae Interval Zone, Cyclicargolithus abisectus Partial-range Zone, gegliedert in den Subzonen: Rhabdosphaera spp. Interval Subzone, und Sphenolithus predistentus Interval Subzone, Reticulofenestra scissura Interval Zone, die eine Subzone enthält: Sphenolithus delphix Abundance Subzone, und 3. Ältestes Miozän: Triquetrorhabdulus spp. Partial-range Subzone Sphenolithus conicus Interval Subzone. Mit dem ersten Auftreten (FO) von llselithina fusa wird ein neuer Biohorizont definiert, mit dem die Grenze Eozän/Oligozän (E/O) in dem unteren Teil des Argyrotopos-Profils nachgewiesen wird. Trotz der Abwesenheit von scheibenförmigen Discoasteriden läßt sich nun diese Grenze mit dem I. fusa-Biohorizont besser fassen und kann eindeutig mit den Profilen in den beiden anderen Subzonen der I.Z. korreliert werden. Die Oligozän/Miozän-Grenze (O/M) konnte im Monos-Profil der Plataria-Synklinale (Externe I.Z.) charakterisiert werden. Untermiozän ließ sich aber auch in der Mittleren Subzone nachweisen. Die Grenze O/M ist durch das letzte Vorkommen (LCO) von Reticulofenestra scissura bestimmt. Sechs assoziierte Bioevents fallen in diesen Grenzbereich, darunter im Anacharavi-Profil der Insel Korfu (Westteil der Externen Subzone) das jüngste Vorkommen von I. fusa, unmittelbar über der Grenze O/M. Zum erstem Mal für Griechenland konnten aufgearbeitete Taxa von kalkigen Nannofossilien zusammen mit den autochthonen Taxa nachgewiesen werden. Ein Vergleich der maximalen Diversitätswerte in den untersuchten Profilen zeigt eine signifikant höhere Aufarbeitungsrate in der Internen Subzone gegenüber der Mittleren und Externen Subzonen. Dieser Umstand dürfte mit der höheren tektonischen Instabilität entlang der Pindos-Decken-Front im Osten des Arbeitsgebietes Zusammenhängen.

Description: thesis

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: Im nördlichen Bereich der Provinz Kantabrien (Nordspanien) wurden Sedimente der "Mittelkreide" (Oberalb und Cenoman) unter stratigraphischen, faziellen und sedimentologi sehen Gesichtspunkten bearbeitet. Strukturell gehört die Region zum Nordkantabrischen Becken (NCB), dessen Einsenkung mit tektonischen Bewegungen im mittleren Valangin beginnt. Das NCB ist eines der zahlreichen Sedimentbecken, die sich infolge des mesozoischen Riftings und Spreadings in der Biscaya auf dem iberischen Nordschelf bilden. Strukturgeologisch zeigt das NCB eine E/W-Ausrichtung zwischen zwei Hochgebieten im S und N (Cabuemiga-Rücken und Liencres-Hoch), die als "Santillana-Achse" bezeichnet wird. Im W grenzt das NCB an das Paläozoikum des Asturischen Massivs. Östlich Santander wird es strukturell und faziell durch die N/S-streichende Rio-Miera-Flexur vom hochsubs identen Basko-Kantabrischen Becken abgetrennt. Die Sedimentation im NCB wird stark von tektonischen Ereignissen im sich bildenden Biscaya-Ozeans beeinflußt, durch welche die Strukturierung der Schichtenfolge in sedimentäre Megasequenzen erfolgt. Im Alb und Cenoman können folgende Megasequenz-Grenzen erkannt werden, durch welche die Megasequenzen des Alb und Cenoman definiert werden: • Santander-Tectoevent (Cenoman/Turon-Grenzbereich) • Vraconian Tectoevent (hohes Oberalb) • "Mittelalb-Ereignis" ("break-up unconformity", [?hohes] Unteralb). Das Mittelalb-Ereignis fuhrt im Arbeitsgebiet zum Zerbrechen der faziell wenig differenzierten Urgon-Karbonatplattformen des Clansay (Oberapt/Unteralb) in ostvergente Kippschollen. In den entstehenden N/S-orientierten Halbgräben werden im Mittelaib fluvio-deltaische Klastika abgelagert, während auf den Hochschollen eine Verkarstung erfolgt. Im tiefen Oberalb initiiert ein transgressiver Puls die weit verbreitete Ablagerung mariner Sedimente im NCB. Dieses transgressive Ereignis ist in ganz Iberien nachzuweisen. Im Laufe des Oberalb kommt es zu einem Onlap mariner Sedimente auch auf den ehemals emergenten Hochschollen und zu einem Ausgleich des durch das Mittelalb-Ereignis erzeugten Paläoreliefs. Durch weit verbreitete Emersion des NCB's infolge tektonischer Bewegungen im oberen Oberalb (Vraconian Tectoevent) wird die sedimentäre Megasequenz des Alb beendet. Die sedimentäre Megasequenz des Cenoman beginnt im Alb/Cenoman-Grenzbereich mit der Progradation deltaischer Klastika. Die im NCB der Santillana-Achse folgend von W nach E kanalisiert werden. Dieses "Santillana-Delta" mündet im Bereich Galizano/Langre östlich Santander in das Basko-Kantabrische Becken und verzahnt sich dort mit den Prodelta-Sedimenten des Valmaseda-Deltas ("Schwarzer Flysch" der Bilbao-Region). Die differentielle Subsidenz im NCB in Folge des Vraconian Tectoevents wird von den Delta-Sedimenten ausgeglichen. Im tiefen Untercenoman (untere Mantelliceras mantelli-Zone) gestaltet eine bedeutende transgressive Faziesentwicklung das gesamte NCB in einen vollmarinen, karbonatisch dominierten Ablagerungsraum um. Dieser transgressive Puls dürfte mit der "Untercenoman-Transgression" sensu lato korrelieren. Im Cenoman können folgende Ammoniten-Biozonen erkannt werden: • Obercenoman: Eucalycoceras pentagonum-Zone, und Metoicoceras geslinianum-Zone [pars] • Mittel cenoman: [Cunningtoniceras inerme-Zone], Acanthoceras rhotomagense-Zone und A. jukesbrownei-Zone • Untercenoman: Mantelliceras mantelli-Zone und M. dixoni-Zone. Das höchste Obercenoman (oberer Teil der geslinianum-Zone und die Neocardioceras juddii-Zone) fehlt im NCB. In der oberen mantelli-Zonc des NCB etabliert sich in weiten Bereichen die flachmarine Karbonat-Fazies der Altamira-Plattform, die sich östlich der Rio-Miera-Flexur mit mächtigen Beckensedimenten (Mergel, Knollenkalke, Kalk/Mergel-Rhythmite) verzahnt. Im Mittel- bis unteren Obercenoman wird die Altamira-Plattform in drei Schritten von E nach W "ertränkt". Die prominenten Drowning-Unconformities (mineralisierte Hartgründe mit Ammoniten) werden dabei stufenweise nach W jünger. Im Obercenoman (pentagonum-Zono) ist die gesamte Altamira-Plattform ertränkt und weite Teile des NCB werden in die Beckensedimentation einbezogen. Die Ablagerungsgeschichte des Cenoman wird durch das Santander-Tectoevent in der oberen geslinianum-Zonc beendet, infolgedessen weite Teile des NCB trockenfallen. Selbst in hochsubsidenten Beckenprofilen ist der Cenoman/Turon-Grenzbereich durch eine Schicht lücke gekennzeichnet. Die fazielle Entwicklung der cenomanen Megasequenz ist durch die schubweise voranschreitende ("pulsierende") Cenoman-Transgression geprägt. Insgesamt können im Cenoman sechs Sequenzgrenzen (SB's) erkannt werden, durch die die Ablagerungssequenzen DS Ce I bis VI definiert werden. Ihre stratigraphischen Positionen sind: • SB Ce VI = obere geslinianum-Zonc • SB Ce V = Wende Mittel/Obercenoman • SB Ce IV = basale jukesbrownei-Zone • SB Ce III = hohe dixoni-Zone • SB Ce II = obere mantelli-Zone • SB Ce I = untere mantelli-Zone. Im regionalen Vergleich zeigt sich für das Cenoman eine gute Übereinstimmung mit sequentiellen Gliederungen aus dem Basko-Kantabrischen Raum. Überregionale Vergleiche dokumentieren, daß viele der Meeresspiegel-Bewegungen im Cenoman (z.B. SB Ce III, mfz in der rhotomagense-Zone, SB Ce IV, HST in der pentagonum-Zone) über weite Entfernungen korreliert werden können und wahrscheinlich eustatische Signale darstellen. Die Korrelation mit der "globalen Meeresspiegel-Kurve" (Exxon Chart) ist schlecht. Betrachtet man die im Cenoman im NCB abgelagerten Sedimente als "2nd-order cycle", so zeigt sich ein übergeordneter transgressiver Trend mit einem maximalen Onlap im Obercenoman innerhalb der mfz von DS Ce VI (pentagonum-Zone). Das NCB zeigt im Oberalb und Cenoman im biogeographischen Vergleich starke tethyale Einflüsse. Das Turrilites scheuchzerianus/Neohibolites ultimus-Evert. im tiefen Mittelcenoman des NCB korreliert in bio-, sequenz- und Isotopen-stratigraphischer Hinsicht mit dem Actinocamax primus-Event NW-Europas, womit eine eventstratigraphische Anbindung an das "temperierte" Cenoman erreicht werden kann.

Description: Mid-Cretaceous (Upper Albian and Cenomanian) sediments in the northern part of the province of Cantabria (northern Spain) were investigated with the emphasis on stratigraphical and sedimentological aspects. Structurally, the area belongs to the North Cantabrian Basin (NCB), the depositional history of which started with distensional tectonic movements in the Mid-Valanginian. The NCB is one of the numerous sedimentary basins which developed on the north Iberian continental margin in consequence of the rifting and spreading in the Bay of Biscay during Mesozoic times. It is a gulf-like basin with an E/W-elongation ("Santillana axis"). In the south and in the north the NCB is bordered by the Cabuemiga Ridge and the Liencres High, respectively. To the west, the NCB is bordered by the Palaeozoic Asturian Massif; in the east, the N/S-trending Rio Miera Flexure forms a structural boundary to the strongly subsiding Basco-Cantabrian Basin. The depositional history of the NCB was strongly influenced by tectonic events which can be related to the evolving Biscay Ocean. These tectoevents give rise to a gross subdivison of the succession into sedimentary megasequences. Three tectonically induced megasequence boundaries can be recognized in the Albian and Cenomanian, defining the Albian and Cenomanian megasequences: • Santander-Tectoevent (Cenomanian/Turonian boundary interval) • Vraconian Tectoevent (late Late Albian) • "Middle Albian event" (break-up unconformity, [?late] Early Albian). The "Middle Albian event" caused a disintegration of the widespread Urgonian Clansay platforms (Late Aptian/Early Albian) into a palaeo-relief of eastward-dipping tilted blocks. In the N/S trending halfgrabens, fluvio-deltaic clastics were deposited during the Middle Albian, whereas the exposed tilted block crests were karstified. A strong transgressive pulse flooded the NCB in the early part of the Late Albian, giving rise to the widespread deposition of marine Upper Albian sediments. This transgressive event can also be recognised in southern Iberia and Portugal. During the later part of the Late Albian, the emergent crestal areas of the tilted blocks were onlapped by marine sediments, resulting in the filling-up of the Middle Albian palaeo-relief. Tectonic movements in the latest Albian (Vraconian tectoevent), causing emergence in wide parts of the NCB, terminated the Albian Megasequence. The Cenomanian megasequence started in the Albian/Cenomanian boundary interval with progradation of deltaic clastics, which were channelized (following the Santi liana-axis) into an eastward direction. This "Santillana Delta" flowed into the Basco-Cantabrian Basin east of Santander, where an interfingering with the prodeltaic sediments of the Valmaseda Delta ("Black Flysch" of the Bilbao area) took place. The differential subsidence in the NCB due to the Vraconian tectoevent was compensated by the deltaic sedimentation. In the lower part of the Mantelliceras mantelli Zone, a transgressive pulse flooded the NCB and led to the deposition of marine, predominantly calcareous sediments. This transgressive event is thought to correlate with the "Early Cenomanian transgression" sensu lato. In the Cenomanian succession of the NCB, the following ammonite zones can be recognized: • Late Cenomanian: Eucalycoceras pentagonum Zone and Metoicoceras geslinianum Zone [pars] • Middle Cenomanian: [Cunningtoniceras inerme Zone], Acanthoceras rhotomagense Zone and A. jukesbrownei Zone • Early Cenomanian: Mantelliceras mantelli Zone and M. dixoni-Zone. The upper part of the Upper Cenomanian (upper part of the geslinianum Zone and the Neocardioceras juddii Zone) is missing in the NCB. In the upper part of the mantelli Zone, deposition of the shallow marine carbonate sediments of the Altamira Platform became established over large areas of the NCB. In the strongly subsiding area east of the Rio Miera Flexure, thick successions of basinal sediments (marls, nodular limestones, marl/limestone rhythmites) were deposited contemporaneously. During the Middle to early Late Cenomanian, the Altamira Platform was drowned in three successive steps from east to west. The developing drowning unconformities (condensed, mineralized hardgrounds with ammonites) young towards the west, resulting in a backstepping of the Altamira Platform. In the Late Cenomanian (pentagonum Zone), all former sites of shallow marine carbonate deposition were drowned. The depositional history of the Cenomanian was terminated in the higher part of the geslinianum Zone when tectonic movements of the Santander tectoevent caused widespread emersion of the NCB. The resulting Cenomanian/Turonian boundary hiatus can be recognized both in the condensation horizons on top of the submerged platform as well as in the basinal successions. The facies development of the Cenomanian Megasequence is dominated by the pulsatory nature of the "Cenomanian transgression". Within the Cenomanian succession of northern Cantabria, six sequence boundaries can be recognized, which define six depositional (3rd-order) sequences (DS Ce I - VI). The stratigraphic positions of the sequence boundaries (SB) are as follows: • SB Ce VI = upper geslinianum Zone • SB Ce V = Middle/Late Cenomanian boundary interval • SB Ce IV = basal jukesbrownei Zone • SB Ce III = upper dixoni Zone • SB Ce II = upper mantelli Zone • SB Ce I = lower mantelli Zone. Comparison of this sequential subdivision with regional cycle charts from the Basco-Cantabrian area reveals good agreement, whereas correlation with the "global sea-level curve" (Exxon Chart) is poor. The extent to which many of the sea-level events in the Cenomanian (e.g. SB Ce III, mfz within the rhotomagense Zone, SB Ce IV, HST in the pentagonum Zone) can be correlated between basins elsewhere in Europe and Tunisia suggests that they were probably of eustatic nature. Considering the Cenomanian Megasequence as a "2nd-order cycle", an overall transgressive trend occurs throughout the Cenomanian; maximum coastal onlap was reached during the maximum flooding of DS Ce VI (pentagonum Zone). Palaeobiogeographically, the NCB shows strong tethyan affinities in the Late Albian and Cenomanian. The Turrilites scheuchzerianus/Neohibolites ultimus event in the early Middle Cenomanian permits a correlation with the Actinocamax primus event of the temperate Cenomanian of northern Europe by means of bio-, sequence and isotope stratigraphy.

Description: Los sedimentos del Cretácico medio (Albiense superior/Cenomaniense) en la parte septentrional de la Provincia de Cantabria han sido estudiados, centrándose en aspectos estratigráficos y sedimentolögicos. El área de estudio pertenece estructural mente a la Cuenca Norcantábrica (NCB), cuya historia depositional comenzó con movimientos tectónicos distensivos en el Valanginiense medio. La NCB es una de las numerosas cuencas sedimentarias que se desarrollaron en el margen continental norteibérico como consecuencia del "rifting" y apertura del golfo de Vizcaya durante el Mesozoico. Es una cuenca con forma de golfo con una elongatión E/W ("Eje de Santillana"). Los límites septentrional y meridional de la NCB son el "Liencres High" y el Escudo de Cabuemiga respectivamente. Hacia el Oeste, la NCB queda confinada por el Macizo Paleozoico Asturiano; en el Este, el límite estructural conocido como Flexión del Río Miera de dirección N/S, la separa de la Cuenca Vasco-cantábrica mucho más subsidente. La historia deposicional de la NCB estuvo fuertemente influenciada por eventos tectónicos que pueden ser relacionados con la evolution del oceano de Vizcaya. Estos tectoeventos dieron lugar a una gruesa subdivision de la sucesión en megasecuencias sedimentarias. Tres límites de megasecuencias, que están inducidos por la tectónica, pueden ser reconocidos en el Albiense y Cenomaniense, definiendo respectivamente las megasecuencias albienses y cenomanienses: • Tectoevento de Santander (intervalo límite del Cenomaniense/Turoniense) • Tectoevento Vraconiense (Albiense superior tardío) • "Evento del Albiense medio" (discordancia de ruptura, Albiense inferior [?tardio]). El "Evento del Albiense medio" causo una desintegración de las plataformas urgonianas clansayenses (Aptiense superior/Albiense inferior), que estaban muy extendidas en paleorelieves de bloques basculados hacia el Este. Se produjo durante el Albiense medio una sedimentatión clástica fluvio-deltaica en los semi-grabenes, de dirección N/S, mientras que las cimas expuestas de los bloques basculados sufrieron procesos de karstificatión. Un fuerte pulso transgresivo inundó la NCB al comienzo del Albiense superior, dando lugar al depósito de sedimentos marinos en el Albiense superior due alcanzaron una muy amplia extensión. Durante la parte superior del Albiense superior las crestas de los bloques basculados fueron recubiertas por sedimentos marinos, indicando el equilibrio del paleorelieve en el Albiense medio. Los procesos tectónicos al final del Albiense superior (Tectoevento Vraconiense), que causaron la emersión de amplias zonas de la NCB, terminan la megasecuencia albiense. La megasecuencia cenomaniense comenzó en el limite Albiense/Cenomaniense con la progradatión de material clástico deltaico que fue canalizado (siguiendo el Eje de Santillana) hacia el Este. Dicho delta ("Delta de Santillana") discurria al Este de Santander hacia la Cuenca Vasco-cantabrica, interfiriendo con los sedimentos de prodelta del Delta de Valmaseda ("Flysch Negro"). En la parte inferior de la zona de Mantelliceras mantelli, un pulso transgresivo inundó la NCB y permitió el depósito de sedimentos marinos, predominantemente calcáreos. Este evento transgresivo puede ser correlacionado con la "transgresión del Cenomaniense initial" sensu lato. En la sucesion Cenomaniense de la NCB pueden ser reconocidas las siguientes zonas: • Cenomaniense superior: Zona de Eucalycoceras pentagonum y la Zona de Metoicoceras geslinianum [pars] • Cenomaniense medio: [Zona de Cunningtoniceras inerme], Zona de Acanthoceras rhotomagense y Zona de A. jukesbrownei • Cenomaniense inferior: Zona de Mantelliceras mantelli y Zona de M. dixoni. La parte superior del Cenomaniense superior (parte superior de la zona de M. geslinianum y la Zona de Neocardioceras judii) está ausente en la NCB. Los sedimentos marino-someros de naturaleza carbonatada de la "Plataforma de Altamira" comenzaron a depositarse en amplias zonas de la NCB en la parte superior de la zona de mantelli. Al Este de la Flexión de Río Miera, en un área fuertemente subsidente, fueron depositadas contemporáneamente potentes sucesiones de sedimentos de cuenca (margas, calizas nodulares y ritmitas de marga/caliza). Durante el Cenomaniense medio hasta la base del Cenomaniense superior, la Plataforma de Altamira fue inundada desde el Este al Oeste en tres intervalos sucesivos. El desarrollo de discordancias de inundatión ("drowning unconformities" = series condensadas, "hardgrounds" mineralizados con ammonites) resultan más recientes hacia el Oeste, concluyendo en un basculamiento hacia atrás de la Plataforma de Altamira. En el Cenomaniense superior (Zona de pentagonum) todos los anteriores lugares caracterizados por el depósito de carbonates marino-someros fueron anegados. La historia deposicional del Cenomaniense acabó en la parte alta de la zona de geslinianum, cuando movimientos tectonicos del Tectoevento de Santander causaron la emersión generalizada de la NCB. El hiato resultante puede ser reconocido en los horizontes condensados a techo de las plataformas sumergidas e igualmente en las sucesiones de cuenca. El desarrollo de facies del Cenomaniense está dominado por el carácter de pulsos que tuvo la "transgresión cenomaniense". Seis límites de secuencia pueden reconocerse dentro de la sucesión cenomaniense del norte de Cantabria, los cuales definen seis secuencias deposicional es de tercer orden (DS Ce I-VI). La positión estratigráfica de los límites de secuencia (SB) son los siguientes: • SB Ce VI = parte superior de la Zona de geslinianum • SB Ce V = intervalo límite del Cenomaniense medio/superior • SB Ce IV = base de la Zona de jukesbrawnei • SB Ce III = parte superior de la Zona de dixoni • SB Ce II = parte superior de la Zona de mantelli • SB Ce I = parte inferior de la Zona de mantelli. Una comparación de esta subdivisión secuencial con las tablas de ciclos regionales del reino vasco-cantábrico revela una buena correlatión, mientras que la correlatión con la "tabla global" ("Exxon chart") es pobre. La correlatión entre varias cuencas sugiere una causa eustática para los numerosos eventos de cambios del nivel del mar en el Cenomaniense (por ejemplo SB Ce III, mfz dentro de la Zona de rhotomagense, SB Ce IV, HST en la Zona de pentagonum). Considerando la megasecuencia del Cenomaniense como un "ciclo de segundo orden", una tendencia transgresiva general ocurrió a lo largo del Cenomaniense, el máxirno "onlap" costero fue alcanzado durante la máxima inundatión de la DS Ce VI (Zona de pentagonum). Desde el punto de vista paleobiogeográfico, la NCB muestra fuertes afinidades tethyales en el Albiense superior y el Cenomaniense. El "Evento de Turrilites scheuchzerianus/Neohibolites ultimus" al comienzo del Cenomaniense medio permite una correlation con el "Evento de Actinocamax primus" del Cenomaniense de la Provincia templada norteuropea.

Description: thesis

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: Die Stammesgeschichte der Ordnung Ptenoglossa (Gastropoda, Caenogastropoda) wird anhand von 179 rezenten und fossilen Arten bis ins Paläozoikum zurückverfolgt. Ihre rezenten Überfamilien, die Cerithiopsoidea, Triphoroidea und Janthinoidea ernähren sich karnivor. Eine kollabral berippte Larvalschale stellt in den rezenten Überfamilien den ursprünglichen Zustand dar und ist die aussagekräftigste schalenmorphologische Symplesiomorphie. Dies erweist sich durch Radulauntersuchungen und den Fossilbericht. Cerithiopsoidea und Triphoroidea fressen Schwämme und bilden gemeinsam mit den mesozoischen Protorculidae ein Monophylum. Die Janthinoidea fressen Coelenteraten. Sie sind nahe mit den mesozoischen Zygopleuridae verwandt. Die Stammlinien der Schwamm- und Coelenteratenfresser waren schon in der Trias getrennt. Die Zygopleuroidea (Zygopleuridae, Pseudozygopleuridae und Protorculidae) sind folglich ein Parataxon. In allen drei Familien der Zygopleuroidea kommt die kollabral berippte Larvalschale vor und repräsentiert den ursprünglichen Zustand. Die paläozoischen Pseudozygopleuridae stellen wahrscheinlich die Schwestergruppe der rezenten und mesozoischen Ptenoglossa dar. Arten der Pseudozygopleuridae mit planktotropher und nicht planktotropher Frühontogenese können biometrisch getrennt werden. Die Abgrenzung nicht planktotropher Pseudozygopleuridae von den devonischen bis karbonischen Palaeozygopleuridae ist schwierig, weil letztere anhand eines nicht planktotrophen Protoconchs definiert wurden. Mit Hilfe von Protoconchvermessungen ist es jedoch meist möglich, beide Gruppen zu trennen. Die Außengruppe der Ptenoglossa sind die Cerithimorpha, die im Paläozoikum durch die Acanthonematidae und die Murchisoniidae repräsentiert werden. Die paläozoischen Acanthonematidae werden neu gefaßt und enthalten nun unter anderem die Gattungen Orthonema, Palaeostylus, Cerithioides und Knightella. Sie zeichnen sich durch einen heliciformen Protoconch aus, der sich grundsätzlich von dem der Pseudozygopleuridae (Ptenoglossa) unterscheidet. Mithin ist der Protoconch der Pseudozygopleuridae die wesentliche schalenmorphologische Apomorphie der Ptenoglossa. 30 Arten werden neu beschrieben (siehe Anhang A), davon 2 rezente, 8 aus dem Tertiär, 1 aus der Kreide, 13 aus der Trias, 1 aus dem Perm und 5 aus dem Karbon. Turritella hybrida MONSTER non DESHAYES erhält den neuen Namen Zygopleura hybridissima nom. nov. 5 neue Gattungen werden errichtet: Antiphora n. Gen. (Triphoroidea, Tertiär), Eorex n. gen. (Triphoroidea, Tertiär), Atorcula n. gen. (Protorculidae, Trias), Azyga n. gen. (Zygopleuridae, Trias) und Stiazyga n. gen. (Zygopleuridae, Trias). Ampezzopleurinae n. subfam. wird als Unterfamilie der Zygopleuridae WENZ errichtet. Nystiellinae CLENCH & TURNER erhält Familienstatus (Nystiellidae). Die Untergattung Cerithiopsis (Vatopsis) GRÜNDEL wird zur Gattung erhoben und von den Cerithiopsidae zu den Eumetulidae transferiert. Tembrockia GRÜNDEL wird von den Cerithiopsidae zu den Eumetulidae transferiert. Variseila DOCKERY wird von den Triforidae JOUSSEAUME zu den Eumetulidae GOLIKOV & STAROBOGATOV transferiert. Ampezzopleura BANDEL wird von den Protorculidae BANDEL zu den Zygopleuridae WENZ transferiert. Zygopleura tenuis (MÜNSTER) sensu Zardini wird als neue nominelle Art Ampezzopleura tenuis BANDEL betrachtet, für die ein Lectotyp hinterlegt wird. Teutonica SCHRÖDER wird von den Cerithiopsidae zu den Zygopleuridae transferiert. Orthonema MEEK & WORTHEN wird von den Turritellidae LOVÉN zu den Acanthonematidae WENZ zurücktransferiert. Palaeostylus MANSUY wird von den Procerithiidae COSSMANN zu den Acanthonematidae transferiert. Knightella LONGSTAFF wird von den Pseudozygopleuridae KNIGHT zu den Acanthonematidae transferiert. Cerithioides HAUGHTON wird von den Murchisoniidae zu den Acanthonematidae WENZ transferiert. Die systematische Stellung einiger weiterer Taxa wird kritisch hinterfragt. Etliche Arten werden anderen Gattungen zugeordnet (siehe Anhang A "comb. nov.").

Description: The phylogeny of the order Ptenoglossa (Gastropoda, Caenogastropoda) is traced back into the Paleozoic by studying 179 Recent and fossil species. The Recent superfamilies Cerithiopsoidea, Triphoroidea und Janthinoidea are carnivorous. A larval shell with collabral ribs represents the plesiomorphic state in the Recent superfamilies and it is the most informative symplesiomorphy that concerns to the shell morphology. Evidence for that is given by the radula morphology and the fossil record. Cerithiopsoidea and Triphoroidea feed on sponges and form a clade with the Mesozoic family Protorculidae. The Janthinoidea feed on coelenterates. They are closely related to the Mesozoic family Zygopleuridae. The stem lines of sponge eaters and coelenterate eaters have been separated from each other at least since the Triassic. Thus, the superfamily Zygopleuroidea (Zygopleuridae, Pseudozygopleuridae and Protorculidae) is a parataxon. In all three families of the Zygopleuroidea a larval shell with collabral ribs occurs and represents the plesiomorphic state. The Paleozoic Pseudozygopleuridae are presumably the sister-group of the Recent and the Mesozoic Ptenoglossa. Species of the Pseudozygopleuridae with planktotrophic and non-planktotrophic larval development can be separated from each other by measuring their protoconchs. The separation of non-planktotrophic Pseudozygopleuridae from Devonian and Carboniferous species of the Palaeozygopleuridae is difficult because Palaeozygopleuridae were defined by a non-planktotrophic protoconch, whereas Pseudozygopleuridae were defined by a larval shell of the planktotrophic type. But in most cases it is possible to identify the species by protoconch measurements. The outgroup of the Ptenoglossa are the Cerithimorpha which are represented in the Paleozoic by the families Acanthonematidae and Murchisoniidae. The Paleozoic Acanthonematidae are newly defined and contain genera like Orthonema, Palaeostylus, Cerithioides and Knightella. They have a heliciform protoconch which is fundamentally different from the protoconch of the pseudozygopleurids (Ptenoglossa). The protoconch of the Pseudozygopleuridae is the essential apomorphy concerning the shell of the Ptenoglossa. 30 species are described as new (see Anhang A), 2 of which are Recent, 8 are from the Tertiary, 1 from the Cretacous, 13 from the Triassic, 1 from the Permian and 5 from the Carboniferous. Turritella hybrida MÜNSTER non DESHAYES gets the new name Zygopleura hybridissima nom. nov. 5 new genera are erected: Antiphora n. gen. (Triphoroidea, Tertiary), Eorex n. gen. (Triphoroidea, Tertiary), Atorcula n. gen. (Protorculidae, Triassic), Azyga n. gen. (Zygopleuridae, Triassic) and Striazyga n. gen. (Zygopleuridae, Triassic). Ampezzopleurinae n. subfam. is erected as subfamily of the Zygopleuridae. Nystiellinae CLENCH & TURNER is raised on family level (Nystiellidae). The subgenus Cerithiopsis (Vatopsis) GRÜNDEL is raised on genus level and is transferred from Cerithiopsidae H. & A. ADAMS to Eumetulidae GOLIKOV & STAROBOGATOV. Tembrockia GRÜNDEL is transferred from Cerithiopsidae to Eumetulidae. Variseila DOCKERY is transferred from Triforidae JOUSSEAUME to Eumetulidae. Ampezzopleura BANDEL is transferred from Protorculidae BANDEL to Zygopleuridae WENZ. Zygopleura tenuis (MÜNSTER) sensu Zardini is deemed to be the new nominal species Ampezzopleura tenuis BANDEL (type species of Ampezzopleura) for which a lectotype is designated. Teutonica SCHRÖDER is transferred from Cerithiopsidae to Zygopleuridae. Orthonema MEEK & WORTHEN is retransferred from Turritellidae LOVÉN to Acanthonematidae WENZ. Palaeostylus MANSUY is transferred from Procerithiidae COSSMANN to Acanthonematidae. Knightella LONGSTAFF is transferred from Pseudozygopleuridae KNIGHT to Acanthonematidae. Cerithioides HAUGHTON is transferred from Murchisoniidae KOKEN to Acanthonematidae WENZ. The systematic position of several other taxa has been critically revised. The generic position of several species is changed (see Anhang A "comb. nov.").

Description: thesis

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: Klaus Bandel & Thorsten Kowalke: Systematic value of the larval shell of fossil and modern Vanikoridae, Pickworthiidae and the genus Fossarus (Caenogastropoda, Mollusca) … 3 ; R. Thomas Becker: Eine neue und älteste Glatziella (Clymeniida) aus dem höheren Oberdevon des Nordsauerlandes (Rheinisches Schiefergebirge) … 31 ; Glenn G. Rechner: Eine Dinoflagellaten-Zysten-Vergesellschaftung des tieferen Rupelium (Unter-Oligozän) aus transgressiven Ablagerungen nördlich von Altenhausen in Sachsen-Anhalt (Blatt 3733, Erxleben) … 43 ; Joachim Gründel: Zur Kenntis einiger Gastropoden-Gattungen aus dem französischen Jura und allgemeine Bemerkungen zur Gastropodenfauna aus dem Dogger Mittel- und Westeuropas … 69 ; Joachim Gründel: Heterostropha (Gastropoda) aus dem Dogger Norddeutschlands und Nordpolens. I. Mathildoidea (Mathildidae) … 131 ; Joachim Gründel: Heterostropha (Gastropoda) aus dem Dogger Norddeutschlands und Nordpolens. III. Opisthobranchia … 177 ; C. M. Hampton & J. E. Rae: Genesis of the fossiliferous Pleistocene Hima Limestone, western Uganda, as indicated by its isotopic composition … 225 ; Helmut Keupp: Anomal kiellose Hildoceratidae (= „Subfamilie Monestierinae SAPUNOV 1965“): Ursache taxonomischer Konfusionen (Ammonoidea, Toarcium) … 233 ; Helmut Keupp: Paläopathologische Analyse einer „Population“ von Dactylioceras athleticum (SIMPSON) aus dem Unter-Toarcium von Schlaifhausen/Oberfranken … 243 ; Rolf Kohring: Eischalen neognather Vögel aus dem mitteleozänen Geiseltal (Deutschland) … 269 ; Rolf Kohring: Eggshell Structure as Evidence in Avian Systematics - Preliminary Results … 281 ; Jürgen Kriwet: Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Fischfauna des Oberjura (unteres Kimmeridgium) der Kohlengrube Guimarota bei Leiria, Mittel-Portugal: 2. Neoselachii (Pisces, Elasmobranchii) ... 293 ; Thomas Schlüter: Validity of the Paratrichoptera - an extinct Insect Order related to the Mecoptera, Diptera, Trichoptera or Lepidoptera? Suggestions based on discoveries in the Upper Triassic Molteno Formation of South Africa … 303 ; Rolf Kohring: Bibliographie 1996, Institut für Paläontologie, Freie Universität Berlin … 313 ;

Description: thesis

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: Mit einer dreidimensionalen Vorwärtsmodellierung von Dichtestrukturen der Kruste und des oberen Mantels im Gebiet von 12°-35°S und 57°-79°W wird der regionale Trend des Schwerefelds und gleichzeitig das Geoid am aktiven Kontinentalrand Südamerikas zwischen 20° S und 29°S erklärt. Das Dichtemodell umfaßt die abtauchende Nazca-Platte, Teile des südamerikanischen Kratons, den Asthenosphärenkeil zwischen Unter- und Oberplatte und die Kruste der Zentralanden. Eine Vielzahl externer geowissenschaftlicher Randbedingungen schränkt die Dichteverteilung ein. Die Strukturierung der zentralandinen Kruste im Modell orientiert sich hauptsächlich an den Ergebnissen der Refraktionsseismik. Zur Ermittlung der Krustendichten wird eine druck- und temperaturabhängige Geschwindigkeits-Dichte-Beziehung (S. Sobolev) zur Anwendung gebracht. Neben der bekannten Berechnung der Schwerewirkung dreidimensionaler Dichteverteilungen erlaubt eine neuentwickelte Berechnung des Schwerepotentials nun auch die Modellierung des Geoids. Das Einbeziehen eines Referenzdichtemodells ermöglicht die Anpassung der berechneten Felder an die beobachteten Felder bei gleichzeitiger Verwendung von Absolutdichten. Verschiedene Dichtekontraste der abtauchenden Nazca-Platte gegenüber dem umgebenden Mantel sowie mögliche Dichtekontraste innerhalb des Slab, die sich aus Phasenumwandlungen der gesteinsbildenden Minerale ergeben, werden behandelt und ihre einzelnen Beiträge zum Schwerefeld und Geoid der zentralen Anden berechnet. Mit dem fertigen Gesamtmodell wird die Zusammensetzung des Schwerefeldes und des Geoids am aktiven Kontinentalrand Südamerikas analysiert und ihre Hauptbeiträge dargestellt. Die im Modell enthaltenen Strukturen erklären das regionale Schwerefeld und das Geoid vollständig. Daraus folgt, daß aus tieferliegenden Dichteinhomogenitäten, beispielsweise an der Grenze vom oberen zum unteren Mantel oder im unteren Mantel aufgrund einer möglichen isostatischen “in situ”-Kompensation keine weiteren Beiträge zu erwarten sind. Das Schwereminimum wird hauptsächlich durch eine bis auf 65km verdickte Kruste erklärt. Die Schweremaxima in der Küstenkordillere werden durch den Beitrag des Slab und eine Zone erhöhter Dichte in mittlerer Krustentiefe verursacht. Eine anomale VΡ-ρ-Beziehung unter dem rezenten Arc läßt dort partielle Aufschmelzung vermuten. Eine Untersuchung des Schwimmgleichgewichts des Modells ergibt isostatische Unterkompensation (= Massenüberschuß) im Bereich der Küstenkordillere und der Ostkordillere sowie isostatischen Ausgleich bis leichte Überkompensation im Bereich der Westkordillere und des Altiplano bzw. der Puna.

Description: A three-dimensional foreward modelling of the density structures of the crust and the upper mantle in the region between 12°-35°S and 57°-79°W explains both the regional trend of the gravity field and the geoid at the active continental margin of South America from 20°S to 29°S. The density model comprises the downgoing Nazca plate, parts of the South American craton, the asthenospheric wedge between lower and upper plate, and the crust of the Central Andes. A large number of external geoscientific boundary conditions constrains the density distribution. The Central Andean crust of the model is structured according to the results of refraction seismic studies. A pressure and temperature dependent velocity- density relation (S. Sobolev) is applied to determine densities within the crust. Apart from the well known calculation of the gravity effect of three-dimensional density distributions, a recently developped calculation of the gravity potential now allows the modelling of the geoid. Using absolute densities, the fitting of the calculated fields to the observed fields is realized by the application of a reference density model. Several density contrasts of the subducting Nazca plate against the surrounding mantle and possible density contrasts inside the slab resulting from mineral phase transitions are discussed and their particular contributions to the Central Andean gravity field and the geoid are calculated. Using the complete model, the composition of the gravity field and the geoid at the active continental margin of South America is analyzed and the main contributions are visualized. The model structures explain both regional gravity field and geoid completely. This implies that density inhomogeneities at greater depth than presented in the model, e. g. at the interface between the upper and the lower mantle or in the lower mantle are not expected to have effects at the surface due to possible isostatic “in situ” compensation. The gravity minimum is generally explained by a crust thickened to 65 km maximum. The gravity highs in the Coastal Cordillera are caused by the contribution of the slab and a zone of increased density in mid crustal layers. An anomalous VΡ-ρ- relation beneath the recent arc implies partial melt. The investigation of the isostatic state of the density model results in isostatic undercompensation (= mass surplus) in the region of the Coastal Cordillera und the Eastern Cordillera, and isostatic equilibrium to slight overcompensation in the Altiplano/Puna region.

Description: thesis

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: The natural feeding of the two most abundant ommastrephid squid (Cephalopoda: Ommastrephidae) in Galician waters was studied and compared. A sample of 334 stomach contents of Todaropsis eblanae (34–222 mm ML) and 267 stomach contents of Illex coindetii (50–379 mm ML) caught by commercial trawlers was examined. A total of 21 (T. eblanae) and 23 (I. coindetii) different prey items, belonging to three zoological groups (Teleostei, Crustacea and Cephalopoda), were taken by these cephalopods. However, 43% of the T. eblanae diet comprised only one fish species, Micromesistius poutassou. The diet of these squid species was significantly influenced by the geographical area (both species), size (T. eblanae) and maturation (I. coindetii). Feeding rate of both species decreased with size, but the percentage of stomachs with food remains increased in maturing and mature females. Weight of prey captured was dependent on available prey sizes and, in small individuals, maximum prey weight was very close to the squid weight. Both squid species are mainly neritic nekto-benthic predators, but I. coindetii seems to have a broader and more pelagic diet.

Description: A predictive model of carbon isotope fractionation (sigma p) and abundance (delta13C phyto) is presented under circumstances where photosynthesis is strictly based on CO2(aq) that passively diffuses into marine phytoplankton cells. Similar to other recent models, the one presented here is based on a formulation where the expression of intracellular enzymatic isotope fractionation relative to that imposed by CO2(aq) transport is scaled by the ratio of intracellular to external [CO2(aq)], ci/ce. Unlike previous models, an explicit calculation of ci is made that is dependent on ce as well as cell radius, cell growth rate, cell membrane permeability to CO2(aq), temperature, and, to a limited extent, pH and salinity. This allows direct scaling of ci/ce to each of these factors, and thus a direct prediction of sigma p and delta13C phyto responses to changes in each of these variables. These responses are described, and, where possible, compared to recent experimental and previous modeling results.

Description: A mineralogical and 4OAr/39Ar study of 13 amphibole samples in the Kamila Amphibolite Belt and Kamila Shear Zone in northern Pakistan has found a correlation between the degree of greenschist facies alteration and quantity of excess 40Ar. Additionally, there is a north–south divide with amphibole samples from the northern region showing larger degrees of gree schist facies alteration, brittle deformation, and excess 40Ar incorporation compared to the predominantly plastically deformed, less altered, amphibole samples from the Kamila Shear Zone in the south. Acid leaching of two amphiboles from the Kamila Amphibolite Belt indicates that a large proportion of the excess 40Ar is correlated with later greenschist facies alteration hases, and can be easily removed by acid etching, thus revealing acceptable regional 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages.

Description: The size distribution of benthic nematodes was investigated along different gradients of food availability in various regions of the north-eastern Atlantic: I, across the continental margin and II, with increasing distance from the continental rise. An overall trend for miniaturization with increasing distance from the food source was found. Moreover, our results indicate that seasonally varying food supply or a periodically pulsed input of organic matter to the sea floor affects nematode size spectra. The hypothesis is proposed that the life cycle of deep-sea nematode species and hence the size structure of their populations are related to seasonal energy availability. This dependence might result in one year life spans of deep-sea nematodes and probably other meiofauna.

Description: Nutrient competition experiments were performed with periphytic microalgae from the Kiel Fjord, western Baltic Sea. Diatoms were dominant competitors at high Si:N ratios (under N-limited conditions) and high Si:P ratios (under P-limited conditions). Under low silicate supply, cyanobacteria became dominant at low N:P ratios and chlorophytes at high ones. Changes in light intensity influenced the outcome of competition at the species level but not at the level of higher taxa. The nitrogen source (ammonium or nitrate) had no impact on the outcome of competition.

Description: Cod larvae from laboratory rearing experiments aged from 1 to 12 d after hatching, both fed and deprived of food, were analysed. The number of increments on the otolith and the width of these increments were determined together with the RNA/DNA ratios on the same individual larva. Alizarin marking of the otoliths was performed to confirm the formation of daily increments. Cod larvae reared at 6*C formed the first ring right after hatching and deposited increments on a daily basis. A comparison of the measurements between the right and the left lapillus showed that these can differ, if the radius is taken. The lapillae core showed especially high individual variability, whereas the sum of the increments did not differ between both lapilli. Until Day 10 after hatching, while the larvae were still feeding on their yolk, the external food situation did not affect the increment width of the lapilli or the RNA/DNA ratios. In larvae older than 10 d the width of the daily increments was dependent on the nutritional situation and RNA/DNA ratios decreased in starving larvae in comparison to feeding larvae. RNA/DNA ratios and increment widths were correlated.

Description: Mixed cultures of 4 polar diatoms regularly found in Antarctic pack ice were grown over 20 d in closed bottles at high light (200 to 250 umol photons m-2 s-1) and at 0*C in order to investigate growth physiology and biomass production under conditions simulating the sea ice habitat during summer. Species tested were: Chaetoceros cf. neogracile, Fragilariopsiscylindrus, Thalassiosiraantarctica and Porosira pseudodenticulata. Initially, all species grew exponentially, but exponential growth ceased for P. pseudodenticulata and T.antarctica after 6 d, for F.cylindrus after 8 d, and for C. cf. neogracile after 10 d. Slight increases in cell number were observed for all species 2 d later. Peak biomass amounted to 140 ug chl a (850 umol particulate organic carbon, POC) l-1. At the same time, concentrations of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) were reduced by 1000 uM, oxygen concentrations increased to 1400 uM, and pH increased to 10.5. At this stage, a substantial decline in plasma-containing cells was recorded for F.cylindrus. C. cf. neogracile accounted for 80%, and C. cf. neogracile and F.cylindrus accounted for 〉95% of total carbon biomass. The carbon isotope composition of POC (expressed as delta13C) increased from -24 to -9 during the experiment. Model calculations showed that diffusive uptake of dissolved CO2 satisfied cellular carbon demand for all species except P. pseudodenticulata at CO2(aq) concentrations 〉0.5 uM, whereas direct HCO3- utilization was observed for C. cf. neogracile below this concentration. Our data confirm that intense photosynthetic carbon assimilation may lead to profound chemical changes in isolated interstitial brine solutions, with significant consequences for sea ice biota. We propose that the capacity to efficiently utilize ambient DIC, possibly mediated by virtue of favorable surface to volume ratios as well as active pathways of inorganic carbon acquisition, favors growth of small diatoms, and may be an important factor driving ice algal species succession during summer blooms. Since only 2 species continued to grow in fresh medium following experimental incubation (C. cf. neogracile and P. pseudodenticulata), differential tolerance to chemical variations may influence the seeding potential of ice algae following release into the open water.

Description: Epibiosis is one of the closest interspecies associations. The presence of epibionts potentially causes a multitude of beneficial or detrimental effects for the basibiont. It has been shown previously that large epibionts may increase the risk of dislodgement of bivalves. In this study, sublethal effects of epibiont-induced drag increase are investigated. I assessed (1) the effects of common epibiont species (Balanus improvisus, Enteromorpha intestinalis, Ectocarpus sp.) on drag properties of the host (the periwinkle Littorina littorea), and (2) the long-term consequences of drag increase on growth rates of snails living in steady flow. All epibiont species increase drag on the host snail. They do so to unequal extents. This may be due to morphological and hydrodynamic differences among the epibionts. Thus, per unit volume of epibiont, the filamentous alga Ectocarpus sp, has a substantially stronger effect than the barnacles. Synergistic effects on drag increase can be observed in a mixed aufwuchs community. As compared to clean conspecifics, snails bearing artificial epibionts grow 35% more slowly when exposed to moderate, steady flow (8 cm s(-1)) for 5 mo. This difference in growth rates is enhanced when food is limited. I hypothesize that fouled snails coping with higher drag invest more energy into foot activities (muscles and mucus). As a consequence, when food is limited, growth rates decrease in fouled snails.

Description: The dynamics of methane production and oxidation in the sediments of Kiel Harbour (Baltic Sea) were studied over a period of 2 yr. Experimentally determined rates of methanogenesis varied between 13 and 82 mu mol CH4 m(-2) h(-1) integrated over the top 30 cm of sediment. The zone of maximum production was between 20 and 30 cm depth. High potential rates could be induced in sulfate-containing surface layers by the addition of molybdate, acetate or methanol, indicating competition with sulfate-reducing bacteria. The methane content in the sediment pore water increased from the surface to a seasonally varying depth of between 5 and 20 cm, where sulfate concentrations approached zero and methane concentrations of 3 to 4 mM were recorded. Aerobic methane oxidation rates in the surface sediment layer were in most cases higher than the methane flux expected to reach the sediment surface. Oxygen-depleted or anoxic conditions in the deep water, which frequently occurred during stratification periods in summer, resulted in methane gradients with increasing concentrations from the chemocline to the sediment. After recirculation of the water column in autumn in both years, unexpectedly high methane concentrations were also measured in the oxic water column of Kiel Harbour. This coincided with very reduced conditions in the surface sediment that allowed measurable methane production in the 0 to 10 cm layer.

Description: Density-dependent effects of Anguillicola crassus larval infections in the copepod intermediate host were examined experimentally. Three species of copepods (Cyclops vicinus, C. viridis and C. fuscus) were subjected to a range of doses of larval A. crassus within infection arenas. Prevalence, intensity and parasite dispersion (variance: mean abundance) values increase and then approach an asymptote as infection dose increases. Infection parameters differ between species of copepod. Increasing temperature has a negative effect on the establishment of the parasite population within the intermediate host. Parasite-induced host mortality increases with dose. These mechanisms have the potential to regulate populations of A. crassus larvae within the copepod population and hence the whole suprapopulation.

Description: It has often been suggested that, given their large food requirements, sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus distributions should reflect the distribution of productive ocean environments, and it seems therefore that chlorophyll concentration might be a good indicator of sperm whale distribution. To examine the existence of such a relationship, and to determine over which sclaes it occurs, sperm whale density was correlated with phytoplankton pigment concentration over a range of spatial and temporal scales. Sperm whale distribution was detrmined using records of kills from 19th century Yankee whaling, and the distribution of pigment concentration from satellite colour observations averaged over 8yr interval. These measures were compared over scales of 220km square to 1780km square. The distribution of sperm whales in the temperature and tropical Pacific Ocean was associated with distributions of phytoplankton pigment over every spatial scale considered, and the coefficient of correlation increased with increasing spatial scale. However, a few exceptions to this scheme were found, implying that other factors would be of importance in some regions. This study confirmed the existence of space lag and a time lag between a peak in chlorophyll concentration and a peak in sperm whale density. It also demonstrated that over large spatial scales, and when the data are averaged over large temporal scales, chlorophyll concentration is a good indicator of sperm whale distribution and that over these scales ocean colour recorded from space could help predict areas of high or low sperm whale density.

Description: The size of fish and squid prey of Loligo forbesi was investigated using otoliths, beaks and statoliths collected from stomach contents analysis of samples obtained from Scottish and Irish waters between 1990 and 1993. Loligo forbesi was found to consume a large range of prey sizes, but prey size was always less than the predator size. Season was shown to significantly influence the predator size-prey size relationship for sprat and sandeel prey, but this itself could be influenced by seasonal changes in the size of prey. Fish prey size increased with increased predator size up to a mantle length (ML) of 200 mm. Loligo forbesi of mantle length 〉200 mm consumed a range of prey sizes, with no clear increase in the size of prey. For most prey taxa the relationship between prey size and squid size was similar, the exceptions being dragonets and silvery pout. Cannibalism by L. forbesi was mostly limited to larger L. forbesi (〉150 mm ML) feeding on smaller (20–50 mm ML) conspecifics.

Description: Statolith microstructure was studied in 162 specimens of Illex coindetii (mantle length ranging from 48 to 300 mm) captured on the shelves of Sierra Leone and Western Sahara between May and November 1987. Growth increments were revealed in all statoliths studied, but they were not well-resolved as in other congeneric species Illex illecebrosus and Illex argentinus . Age and growth rates were estimated assuming that growth increments within statoliths were produced. In both regions, differences in growth rates between sexes (females become larger than males) occurred first in length and then in weight. Geographical differences in sex-specific growth (Western Sahara squid grow faster and attain larger sizes than Sierra Leone squid) was apparent after 150 d in females and 120 d in males. Illex coindetii in Sierra Leone started maturing at smaller sizes but at approximately the same age as the Western Sahara squid. Small sized early maturing groups of I. coindetii with a life span of ~0.5 y occurred in both regions. However, large sized late maturing squid with a life span of ~1 y were encountered only in the Western Sahara. In waters of the west African shelf, I. coindetii spawn throughout the year.

Description: Metazoan meiofauna were studied in replicated multiple-corer samples obtained at a bathyal site (1320–1360 m depth) in the Porcupine Seabight (51°36′N 13°00′W) before (April) and after (July) the delivery to the seafloor of a phytodetrital pulse originating from the 1982 spring bloom. In all samples the metazoan meiofauna was dominated by nematodes; harpacticoid copepods and their nauplii were the second most abundant taxon. Population densities and biomass were very similar in both sample sets, the only significant differences being in the numbers of ostracods (higher in April) and nauplii (higher in July). Furthermore, vertical distribution patterns in the top 5 cm of sediment indicate that the meiofauna did not migrate towards the sediment surface following the phytodetrital pulse. The lack of a metazoan meiofaunal response contrasts with published evidence, based on the same samples, for a substantial increase in the foraminiferal abundance following the sedimentation event. Thus our results suggest that metazoans (as a whole) fail to exploit and utilize phytodetritus as rapidly as foraminifera. This probably reflects the energetic expense of egg production coupled with frequently slower rates of somatic growth among metazoans. In addition, foraminifera may outcompete metazoans for detrital food because they possess extremely efficient food-gathering organelles (granuloreticulate pseudopodia) and are able to raise their levels of metabolic activity very rapidly. However, metazoan responses at the species level, or over longer time periods (〉3 months), would not have been detected and so remain a possibility.