Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Baiwen Huang, Shaonan Zhang, Ziye Lu, Ning Ye, Bei Zhu, Xiaoqi Ding, Yingtao Li
Summary: Through a combination of various tools, the study successfully identified the types and origins of dolomites in the Yingshan Formation of the Gucheng area in the Tarim Basin, including three primary matrix dolomites and three special cements. These dolomites were formed in different burial environments, with some influenced by hydrothermal fluid mixtures.
MARINE AND PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Bo Chen, Jitao Chen, Wenkun Qie, Pu Huang, Tianchen He, Michael M. Joachimski, Marcel Regelous, Philip A. E. Pogge von Strandmann, Jiangsi Liu, Xiangdong Wang, Isabel P. Montanez, Thomas J. Algeo
Summary: The expansion of land plants is believed to have played a key role in triggering the Late Paleozoic Ice Age (LPIA), with limited evidence linking climatic events to terrestrial floral changes. Analyses from the lowermost Carboniferous of South China and Vietnam show that climatic cooling coincided with perturbations to the global carbon cycle, continental weathering regimes, and a major diversification episode among seed plants. These findings suggest that terrestrial floral changes triggered intensified weathering of basalts, enhanced marine productivity, and reduced atmospheric pCO2, leading to global cooling in the Early Carboniferous.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Sam Leggett, Alice Rose, Estelle Praet, Petrus Le Roux
Summary: Human isotopic ecology aims to study humans as part of ecosystems, utilizing large datasets of biomolecular data to address the complexities of human ecology and past socioenvironmental dynamics. This multidisciplinary approach provides insights into diet, agriculture, climate change, human-animal interactions, mobility/migration, and more, enabling a greater understanding of human-environment interactions throughout history.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joshua H. Miller, Daniel C. Fisher, Brooke E. Crowley, Ross Secord, Bledar A. Konomi
Summary: Under harsh Pleistocene climates, migration and seasonally patterned landscape use were critical for reproductive success of mastodons and other megafauna. Using isotopic analysis of a mastodon tusk, researchers found that the geographic ranges and mobility of the mastodon changed as it matured, with an increase in movement and the development of seasonal landscape use. The mastodon's death in northeast Indiana suggests that this area may have been important for mating and had regional significance for late Pleistocene mastodons.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Geology
Jun Mu, Shugao Zhao, Matthew Brzozowski, Hongbin Li, Changzhi Wu, Weiqiang Li
Summary: This article mainly introduces the discovery of the world's largest wollastonite deposit in the Mengshan district of China, and its formation mechanism. It is found that the wollastonite was formed during contact metamorphism, and the crustal deformation and magmatic activity in the Early Mesozoic played an important role in its formation.
ORE GEOLOGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Qian Wang, Shifeng Dai, David French, Baruch Spiro, Ian Graham, Jingjing Liu
Summary: The thermal effects of a quartz intrusion during the Yanshanian Orogeny on coal mines in the Daqingshan Coalfield in Inner Mongolia have caused changes in coal quality and chemical characteristics. As the distance from the intrusion decreases, there is an increase in vitrinite reflectance values and a decrease in volatile matter content in the coal mines. The organic carbon isotopes in the coals also vary with the distance from the intrusion.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COAL GEOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bethan Linscott, Alistair W. G. Pike, Diego E. Angelucci, Matthew J. Cooper, James S. Milton, Henrique Matias, Joao Zilhao
Summary: Using an optimized method, highly spatially resolved strontium isotope analysis was conducted on the teeth of two Middle Paleolithic Neanderthals and one Late Magdalenian human from the Almonda karst system in Torres Novas, Portugal. The results show that the Middle Paleolithic individuals had a subsistence territory of approximately 600 km2, while the Late Magdalenian individual had a smaller territory of approximately 300 km2. The difference in territory size is believed to be due to an increase in population density during the Late Upper Paleolithic.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yongmei Zhang, Shaonan Zhang, Baiwen Huang, Ziye Lu, Ning Ye, Bei Zhu, Xianhai Hou, Fei Xie, Xiaoliang Bai, Xinyan Zhang
Summary: Improving the recognition of paleo-fluid circulation history is crucial in reconstructing pore evolution during carbonate diagenesis. Through studying the paleo-fluid origin and karstification event in Yingshan nonexposed limestone, it was found that the karstification event may have occurred in the Early Hercynian period during the late Devonian. The geochemical evidence recorded by cave-filling calcite indicates that meteoric water percolating downward may have been responsible for the karstification event.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Rick J. Schulting, Christophe Snoeck, John Pouncett, Fiona Brock, Christopher Bronk Ramsey, Thomas Higham, Thibaut Deviese, Kelly Delancy, Michael Pateman, William Keegan, Joanna Ostapkowicz
Summary: Research shows that early inhabitants relied on near-shore marine resources, which were quickly over-exploited, leading to a shift towards horticulture based on root crops. The Medieval Warm Period likely facilitated the initial settlement of the islands, while the impact of the Little Ice Age is less clear. Despite the relatively short history of pre-Columbian occupation, Lucayan adaptations to the Bahamian archipelago were dynamic and demonstrated resilience in the face of both human resource depletion and climate change.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Geology
Hamzeh Mehrabi, Amin Navidtalab, Amirhossein Enayati, Borhan Bagherpour
Summary: This study examines the timing implications of chemical stratigraphy and chronostratigraphic correlation in unconformity-related shallow water carbonate rock units. The analysis of geochemical traits in Cenomanian-Santonian sequences from the Zagros region of SW Iran reveals remarkable variations in elemental and isotopic compositions below exposed erosional surfaces. The study also calculates the duration of stratigraphic hiatuses and establishes a more reliable chronostratigraphic framework for regional correlation and interpretation of the geological evolution in the Zagros region, particularly in western Iran.
SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yinggang Zhang, Tao Yang, Robert J. Newton, Wenqing Pan, Yongquan Chen, Huiyang Yu
Summary: The Cambrian period was a critical time in Earth's history, with the rapid diversification of early animals and significant changes in oceanic conditions. In this study, carbonate sediments from the Xingdi section in the eastern Tarim Basin were used to investigate the carbon and strontium isotope stratigraphy during the Cambrian. The carbon isotope record showed similarities to global seawater carbon isotope variations, providing a viable stratigraphic framework for the Cambrian strata in this region.
JOURNAL OF ASIAN EARTH SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tina L. Greenfield, Augusta M. McMahon, Tamsin C. O'Connell, Hazel Reade, Chris Holmden, Alexandra C. Fletcher, Richard L. Zettler, Cameron A. Petrie
Summary: The study of animal tooth enamel from Early Dynastic Ur in Mesopotamia reveals a divergence between the state-promoted agro-pastoral models and the actual animal management practices. The results indicate a variety of herd management strategies and habitats, as well as different plant and water sources utilized by the animals.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Christophe Thomazo, Pierre Sansjofre, Olivier Musset, Theophile Cocquerez, Stefan Lalonde
Summary: The study introduces a new protocol for carbonates analysis using a laser calcination system, which reduces preparation steps and analysis time significantly while offering spatially resolved analysis at the mm scale. The new method based on a fiber-coupled laser diode device shows accurate and reproducible results for C and O isotopic characterization of natural carbonates. The study also demonstrates that physical effects during calcination do not introduce isotopic fractionation for C and a constant isotopic offset for O within a range of isotopic compositions and mineral matrices.
Article
Geology
Fan Kang, Biao Liu, Huan Li, Thomas J. Algeo, Victor Ikechukwu Vincent, Qianhong Wu
Summary: The Nanling Metallogenic Belt in South China is a significant W-Sn province with various ore deposits formed by complex magmatic emplacement and mineralization. The Xitian ore field in Hunan Province is an example of a late magmatic-metallogenic system. Through U-Pb dating, it is determined that the W-Sn mineralization in the area occurred in three stages during the Late Triassic, Late Jurassic, and Early Cretaceous. The study also demonstrates the usefulness of in-situ LA-ICP(MC)-MS U-Pb dating and isotopic analysis in understanding the nature and evolution of multistage W-Sn metallogenic systems. Rating: 8/10
ORE GEOLOGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
D. Artiaga, J. Garcia-Veigas, D. Cendon, C. Atalar, L. Gibert
Summary: A large amount of evaporites were deposited during the Messinian Salinity Crisis across the Mediterranean, forming a three-stage model. Researchers in the Mesaoria Basin in North Cyprus discovered MSC gypsum deposits, which can be tentatively assigned to different stages based on the lithostratigraphic gypsum succession. This study highlights the local variations in sedimentary records and raises questions about the systematic application of the traditional ‘three-stage’ lithostratigraphic model in North Cyprus and other MSC Mediterranean evaporite successions.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Christine Lehn, Andreas Rossmann, Matthias Graw, Gareth R. Davies
Summary: The skeletal remains of a female corpse found in Burgenland, Austria in 1993 were identified 23 years later using biogeochemical isotope methods, which predicted her origin in the northern Caribbean. This case showcases the effectiveness of isotope biogeochemistry investigations in providing crucial information for identifying unknown individuals.
FORENSIC SCIENCES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Archaeology
Edgar S. Steenstra, Jasper Berndt, Stephan Klemme, Wim van Westrenen, Arlen Heginbotham, Gareth R. Davies
Summary: Excimer nano-second laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ns-LA-ICP-MS) is an important tool for chemical characterization of Cu alloys, but variable matrix-induced elemental fractionation poses challenges. This study systematically investigates these issues by analyzing the Cultural Heritage Alloy Reference Material Set (CHARM) of Cu alloy targets, determining the extent to which silicate glass reference materials can be used and the optimal internal standard for a wide range of compositions. By using external standards and internal element standardization, accuracy improvements can be achieved in analyzing brass and bronze artifacts.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
S. W. Merkel, P. D'Imporzano, K. van Zuilen, J. Kershaw, G. R. Davies
Summary: The main factor restricting lead isotope analysis of metals from museum collections is the requirement for physical material. Portable laser ablation (pLA) has emerged as a minimally invasive method with key benefits for accurate and precise analysis.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY
(2022)
Article
Archaeology
Alice C. S. Knaf, Catarina Guzzo Falci, Habiba, Casper J. Toftgaard, Janne M. Koornneef, Annelou van Gijn, Ulrik Brandes, Corinne L. Hofman, Gareth R. Davies
Summary: This study analyzes the provenance and microwear of pre-colonial Caribbean jade objects from the Hatt Collection in the National Museum of Denmark. The findings suggest that the exchange of jade materials and finished objects in the pan-Caribbean region during the Ceramic Age was more complex than previously thought, involving sources in Guatemala, eastern Cuba, and the northern Dominican Republic. Additionally, the study reveals stronger ties between the ornaments from St. Croix and Indigenous communities on Puerto Rico compared to other Lesser Antillean Islands.
JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE-REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Optics
Bram J. A. Mooij, Ivo H. M. van Stokkum, G. R. Davies, Freek Ariese
Summary: Mars is a prime candidate for the search of extraterrestrial life, and endolithic life is often hidden below the surface. In the search for endolithic life on Mars, time-resolved Raman spectroscopy (TRRS) is a promising non-invasive detection method that can separate mineral Raman, bacterial Raman, and bacterial fluorescence signals.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrea Giuliani, Russell N. Drysdale, Jon D. Woodhead, Noah J. Planavsky, David Phillips, Janet Hergt, William L. Griffin, Senan Oesch, Hayden Dalton, Gareth R. Davies
Summary: The carbon cycle of Earth is influenced by the subduction of sedimentary material into the mantle. Changes in the composition of sedimentary subduction flux over Earth's history have had an unclear impact on the mantle carbon cycle. This study shows that the carbon isotopes of kimberlite magmas reflect a fundamental change in their deep-mantle source compositions during the Phanerozoic Eon. The findings suggest that biogeochemical processes on Earth's surface have a significant influence on the deep mantle, establishing a connection between the deep and shallow carbon cycles.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Natascia Luciani, Jeroen H. L. van der Lubbe, Suzanne J. A. Verdegaal-Warmerdam, Onno Postma, Igor K. Nikogosian, Gareth R. Davies, Janne M. Koornneef
Summary: Analysis of carbon and oxygen isotopes in CO2-rich inclusions is essential for understanding the cycling of volatiles between Earth's deep and surficial reservoirs. A crushing method is presented for analyzing stable isotope compositions of small amounts of CO2 in quartz, allowing discrimination between different sources within the crust and mantle.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Qiwei Zhang, Melanie L. A. Morel, Jingao Liu, Helene Legros, Ambre Luguet, K. S. Viljoen, Gareth R. Davies, D. Graham Pearson
Summary: Constraining the processes that drive the disruption and re-healing of cratonic mantle roots is essential in understanding how cratons evolve. This study focuses on the deep mantle root beneath the Bushveld-Molopo Farms Complex (BMFC) in the Kaapvaal Craton. The findings suggest that the disrupted mantle root was re-healed and a cool geotherm was re-established after the Paleoproterozoic disruption. The study of peridotites from the Premier kimberlite provides insights into the evolution of the Kaapvaal mantle lithosphere and supports a model involving plume - subduction interaction.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Lisette M. Kootker, Saskia T. M. Ammer, Daniel J. Wescott, Gareth R. Davies, Hayley L. Mickleburgh
Summary: This study examines the alterations in isotope signatures of various human tissues throughout decomposition, finding significant shifts in the isotopic compositions of hair and bones, while dental samples record the most consistent data, making them better targets for forensic investigations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LEGAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Anthropology
Joanna Ostapkowicz, Rick J. Schulting, Gareth R. Davies
Summary: This paper presents the first systematic study of pre-Columbian imported stone celts recovered from the limestone islands of the Lucayan archipelago. The study found that the Lucayan archipelago had a sufficient supply of stone celts and there was no clear evidence of size diminution with distance from sources. The majority of stone celts were jade, supplemented with other materials.
JOURNAL OF ANTHROPOLOGICAL ARCHAEOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Igor K. Nikogosian, Antoine J. J. Bracco Gartner, Paul R. D. Mason, Douwe J. J. van Hinsbergen, Klaudia F. Kuiper, Uwe Kirscher, Sergei Matveev, Araik Grigoryan, Edmond Grigoryan, Arsen Israyelyan, Manfred J. van Bergen, Janne M. Koornneef, Jan R. Wijbrans, Gareth R. Davies, Khachatur Meliksetian
Summary: This study presents new geochronological, palaeomagnetic, and geochemical constraints to understand the geodynamic evolution of the South Armenian Block (SAB) and its Gondwanan origin. It reveals the timing of rifting and provides insights into the geological history of the SAB since the Permian.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Suzette Timmerman, Thomas Stachel, Janne M. Koornneef, Karen V. Smit, Rikke Harlou, Geoff M. Nowell, Andrew R. Thomson, Simon C. Kohn, Joshua H. F. L. Davies, Gareth R. Davies, Mandy Y. Krebs, Qiwei Zhang, Sarah E. M. Milne, Jeffrey W. Harris, Felix Kaminsky, Dmitry Zedgenizov, Galina Bulanova, Chris B. Smith, Izaac Cabral Neto, Francisco V. Silveira, Antony D. Burnham, Fabrizio Nestola, Steven B. Shirey, Michael J. Walter, Andrew Steele, D. Graham Pearson
Summary: The sublithospheric diamonds from Brazil and Guinea, with ages ranging from 450 to 650 million years ago, were formed in a subduction system near Gondwana. These diamonds were preserved beneath Gondwana for over 300 million years and might have enhanced supercontinent stability by attaching to the lithospheric keel.
Editorial Material
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Fulvio Franchi, Barbara Cavalazzi, Gareth Davies, Fernando Gomez
FRONTIERS IN ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Natascia Luciani, Igor K. Nikogosian, Cees-Jan De Hoog, Gareth R. Davies, Janne M. Koornneef
Summary: This study quantifies crustal recycling in a complex subduction setting through examining Italian magmatism. The study reveals lower boron isotope values in Italian magmatism compared to previous studies on arc and post-collisional setting magmas. Phengite plays an important role in the source of Italian magmas.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yaakov Weiss, Steffen Jockusch, Janne M. Koornneef, Oded Elazar, Gareth R. Davies
Summary: This study applied a new laser ablation technique combined with mass spectrometry measurements to analyze trace elements and radiogenic isotopes in high-density fluid microinclusion-bearing diamonds. The results showed that the new technique produced enough material for quantitative analysis of rare-earth elements and revealed that HDF microinclusions within individual diamonds are rather homogeneous in their isotopic composition.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY
(2022)
