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Heldal HE, Helvik L, Haanes H, Volynkin A, Jensen H, Lepland A. Distribution of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in sediments from the Vefsnfjord, Norway. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 172:112822. [PMID: 34403925 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Areas in central Norway were heavily contaminated with fallout from the Chernobyl accident in 1986. In this study, we assess 137Cs in surface sediments and sediment cores collected in the Vefsnfjord in Nordland county. Concentrations of 137Cs in surface sediments ranged from 159 to 191 Bq kg-1 dry weight (d.w.). Sub-surface peaks of 137Cs were observed in all cores, with a maximum concentration of 432 Bq kg-1 d.w. Given that little is known about the distribution of naturally occurring radionuclides in Norwegian fjords and coastal areas, a better understanding of the total burden of radioactivity is important for the Norwegian fishing and aquaculture industries. Therefore, analyses of the natural radionuclides 40K, 226Ra, 228Ra and 210Pb were included in the study. Analyses of total sulphur (TS), total carbon (TC), total organic carbon (TOC) and grain size distribution have been performed to provide a sedimentologic context for interpreting the radionuclide results.
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Affiliation(s)
- H E Heldal
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817 Bergen, Norway.
| | - L Helvik
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817 Bergen, Norway
| | - H Haanes
- Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, P.O. Box 329, Skøyen, NO-0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - A Volynkin
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817 Bergen, Norway
| | - H Jensen
- Geological Survey of Norway, P.O. Box 6315, Torgarden, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - A Lepland
- Geological Survey of Norway, P.O. Box 6315, Torgarden, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
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Heldal HE, Helvik L, Appleby P, Haanes H, Volynkin A, Jensen H, Lepland A. Geochronology of sediment cores from the Vefsnfjord, Norway. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 170:112683. [PMID: 34225196 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The sedimentary environment is a repository and carrier for a variety of pollutants, and sediment transport from land to coastal areas is an important environmental process. In the present study, we use 210Pb/226Ra and 137Cs in sediment cores to assess sediment supply rates at four sites within the Vefsnfjord in Nordland county, Norway. This area was highly affected by fallout from the Chernobyl accident in 1986 and inventories of 137Cs in the fjord are much higher than in many other Norwegian fjords. Sedimentation rates between 0.042 and 0.25 g cm-2 y-1 (0.060 and 0.38 cm y-1) were determined using a combination of the Constant Rate of Supply (CRS) and Constant Flux:Constant Sedimentation rate (CF:CS) models. Well-defined 137Cs concentration peaks were used as a supplementary tool to the 210Pb dating methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- H E Heldal
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway.
| | - L Helvik
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - P Appleby
- University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, United Kingdom
| | - H Haanes
- Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, P.O. Box 329, Skøyen, NO-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - A Volynkin
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, NO-5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - H Jensen
- Geological Survey of Norway, P.O. Box 6315, Torgarden, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - A Lepland
- Geological Survey of Norway, P.O. Box 6315, Torgarden, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway
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Blättler CL, Claire MW, Prave AR, Kirsimäe K, Higgins JA, Medvedev PV, Romashkin AE, Rychanchik DV, Zerkle AL, Paiste K, Kreitsmann T, Millar IL, Hayles JA, Bao H, Turchyn AV, Warke MR, Lepland A. Two-billion-year-old evaporites capture Earth's great oxidation. Science 2018; 360:320-323. [PMID: 29567810 DOI: 10.1126/science.aar2687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Major changes in atmospheric and ocean chemistry occurred in the Paleoproterozoic era (2.5 to 1.6 billion years ago). Increasing oxidation dramatically changed Earth's surface, but few quantitative constraints exist on this important transition. This study describes the sedimentology, mineralogy, and geochemistry of a 2-billion-year-old, ~800-meter-thick evaporite succession from the Onega Basin in Russian Karelia. The deposit consists of a basal unit dominated by halite (~100 meters) followed by units dominated by anhydrite-magnesite (~500 meters) and dolomite-magnesite (~200 meters). The evaporite minerals robustly constrain marine sulfate concentrations to at least 10 millimoles per kilogram of water, representing an oxidant reservoir equivalent to more than 20% of the modern ocean-atmosphere oxidizing capacity. These results show that substantial amounts of surface oxidant accumulated during this critical transition in Earth's oxygenation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Blättler
- Department of Geosciences, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
| | - M W Claire
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9AL, Scotland, UK.,Centre for Exoplanet Science, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9AL, Scotland, UK.,Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, 1001 4th Avenue, Suite 3201, Seattle, WA 98154, USA
| | - A R Prave
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9AL, Scotland, UK
| | - K Kirsimäe
- Department of Geology, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - J A Higgins
- Department of Geosciences, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - P V Medvedev
- Institute of Geology, Karelian Research Centre, Pushkinskaya 11, 185610 Petrozavodsk, Russia
| | - A E Romashkin
- Institute of Geology, Karelian Research Centre, Pushkinskaya 11, 185610 Petrozavodsk, Russia
| | - D V Rychanchik
- Institute of Geology, Karelian Research Centre, Pushkinskaya 11, 185610 Petrozavodsk, Russia
| | - A L Zerkle
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9AL, Scotland, UK.,Centre for Exoplanet Science, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9AL, Scotland, UK
| | - K Paiste
- Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate, Department of Geosciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - T Kreitsmann
- Department of Geology, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - I L Millar
- NERC (Natural Environment Research Council) Isotope Geosciences Laboratory, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, England, UK
| | - J A Hayles
- Department of Earth Science, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - H Bao
- Department of Geology and Geophysics, E235 Howe-Russell Geoscience Complex, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - A V Turchyn
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EQ, England, UK
| | - M R Warke
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9AL, Scotland, UK
| | - A Lepland
- Geological Survey of Norway, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.,Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate, Department of Geosciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway.,Department of Geology, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.,Institute of Geology, Tallinn University of Technology, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
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Barlow E, Van Kranendonk MJ, Yamaguchi KE, Ikehara M, Lepland A. Lithostratigraphic analysis of a new stromatolite-thrombolite reef from across the rise of atmospheric oxygen in the Paleoproterozoic Turee Creek Group, Western Australia. Geobiology 2016; 14:317-343. [PMID: 26928741 DOI: 10.1111/gbi.12175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/26/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This study describes a previously undocumented dolomitic stromatolite-thrombolite reef complex deposited within the upper part (Kazput Formation) of the c. 2.4-2.3 Ga Turee Creek Group, Western Australia, across the rise of atmospheric oxygen. Confused by some as representing a faulted slice of the younger c. 1.8 Ga Duck Creek Dolomite, this study describes the setting and lithostratigraphy of the 350-m-thick complex and shows how it differs from its near neighbour. The Kazput reef complex is preserved along 15 km of continuous exposure on the east limb of a faulted, north-west-plunging syncline and consists of 5 recognisable facies associations (A-E), which form two part regressions and one transgression. The oldest facies association (A) is characterised by thinly bedded dololutite-dolarenite, with local domical stromatolites. Association B consists of interbedded columnar and stratiform stromatolites deposited under relatively shallow-water conditions. Association C comprises tightly packed columnar and club-shaped stromatolites deposited under continuously deepening conditions. Clotted (thrombolite-like) microbialite, in units up to 40 m thick, dominates Association D, whereas Association E contains bedded dololutite and dolarenite, and some thinly bedded ironstone, shale and black chert units. Carbon and oxygen isotope stratigraphy reveals a narrow range in both δ(13) Ccarb values, from -0.22 to 0.97‰ (VPDB: average = 0.68‰), and δ(18) O values, from -14.8 to -10.3‰ (VPDB), within the range of elevated fluid temperatures, likely reflecting some isotopic exchange. The Kazput Formation stromatolite-thrombolite reef complex contains features of younger Paleoproterozoic carbonate reefs, yet is 300-500 Ma older than previously described Proterozoic examples worldwide. Significantly, the microbial fabrics are clearly distinct from Archean stromatolitic marine carbonate reefs by way of containing the first appearance of clotted microbialite and large columnar stromatolites with complex branching arrangements. Such structures denote a more complex morphological expression of growth than previously recorded in the geological record and may link to the rise of atmospheric oxygen.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Barlow
- Australian Centre for Astrobiology, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Core to Crust Fluid Systems, Perth, Australia
| | - M J Van Kranendonk
- Australian Centre for Astrobiology, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Core to Crust Fluid Systems, Perth, Australia
| | - K E Yamaguchi
- Department of Chemistry, Toho University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - M Ikehara
- Centre for Advanced Marine Core Research, Kochi University, Nankoku, Japan
| | - A Lepland
- Geological Survey of Norway, Trondheim, Norway
- Institute of Geology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
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Qu Y, Crne AE, Lepland A, van Zuilen MA. Methanotrophy in a Paleoproterozoic oil field ecosystem, Zaonega Formation, Karelia, Russia. Geobiology 2012; 10:467-478. [PMID: 23009699 DOI: 10.1111/gbi.12007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2012] [Accepted: 08/21/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Organic carbon rich rocks in the c. 2.0 Ga Zaonega Formation (ZF), Karelia, Russia, preserve isotopic characteristics of a Paleoproterozoic ecosystem and record some of the oldest known oil generation and migration. Isotopic data derived from drill core material from the ZF show a shift in δ(13) C(org) from c. -25‰ in the lower part of the succession to c. -40‰ in the upper part. This stratigraphic shift is a primary feature and cannot be explained by oil migration, maturation effects, or metamorphic overprints. The shift toward (13) C-depleted organic matter (δ(13) C(org) < -25‰) broadly coincides with lithological evidence for the generation of oil and gas in the underlying sediments and seepage onto the sea floor. We propose that the availability of thermogenic CH(4) triggered the activity of methanotrophic organisms, resulting in the production of anomalously (13) C-depleted biomass. The stratigraphic shift in δ(13) C(org) records the change from CO(2) -fixing autotrophic biomass to biomass containing a significant contribution from methanotrophy. It has been suggested recently that this shift in δ(13) C(org) reflects global forcing and progressive oxidation of the Earth. However, the lithologic indication for local thermogenic CH(4) , sourced within the oil field, is consistent with basinal methanotrophy. This indicates that regional/basinal processes can also explain the δ(13) C(org) negative isotopic shift observed in the ZF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Qu
- Centre for Geobiology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Lepland A, van Zuilen MA, Philippot P. Fluid-deposited graphite and its geobiological implications in early Archean gneiss from Akilia, Greenland. Geobiology 2011; 9:2-9. [PMID: 21070588 DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-4669.2010.00261.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Graphite, interpreted as altered bioorganic matter in an early Archean, ca. 3.83-Ga-old quartz-amphibole-pyroxene gneiss on Akilia Island, Greenland, has previously been claimed to be the earliest trace of life on Earth. Our petrographic and Raman spectroscopy data from this gneiss reveal the occurrence of graphitic material with the structure of nano-crystalline to crystalline graphite in trails and clusters of CO₂, CH₄ and H₂O bearing fluid inclusions. Irregular particles of graphitic material without a fluid phase, representing decrepitated fluid inclusions are common in such trails too, but occur also as dispersed individual or clustered particles. The occurrence of graphitic material associated with carbonic fluid inclusions is consistent with an abiologic, fluid deposited origin during a poly-metamorphic history. The evidence for fluid-deposited graphitic material greatly complicates any claim about remnants of early life in the Akilia rock.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Lepland
- Geological Survey of Norway, Trondheim, Norway
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Abstract
The discrepancy between the impact records on the Earth and Moon in the time period, 4.0-3.5 Ga calls for a re-evaluation of the cause and localization of the late lunar bombardment. As one possible explanation, we propose that the time coverage in the ancient rock record is sufficiently fragmentary, so that the effects of giant, sterilizing impacts throughout the inner solar system, caused by marauding asteroids, could have escaped detection in terrestrial and Martian records. Alternatively, the lunar impact record may reflect collisions of the receding Moon with a series of small, original satellites of the Earth and their debris in the time period about 4.0-3.5 Ga. The effects on Earth of such encounters could have been comparatively small. The location of these tellurian moonlets has been estimated to have been in the region around 40 Earth radii. Calculations presented here, indicate that this is the region that the Moon would traverse at 4.0-3.5 Ga, when the heavy and declining lunar bombardment took place. The ultimate time limit for the emergence of life on Earth is determined by the effects of planetary accretion--existing models offer a variety of scenarios, ranging from low average surface temperature at slow accretion of the mantle, to complete melting of the planet followed by protracted cooling. The choice of accretion model affects the habitability of the planet by dictating the early evolution of the atmosphere and hydrosphere. Further exploration of the sedimentary record on Earth and Mars, and of the chemical composition of impact-generated ejecta on the Moon, may determine the choice between the different interpretations of the late lunar bombardment and cast additional light on the time and conditions for the emergence of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Arrhenius
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego 92093-0220, USA.
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