Need for Alloparental Care and Attitudes Toward Homosexuals in 58 Countries: Implications for the Kin Selection Hypothesis

Homosexuality is an evolutionary puzzle. Many theories attempt to explain how a trait undermining individual reproduction can be maintained, but experimental testing of their predictions remains scarce. The kin selection hypothesis (KSH) is an important theoretical framework to account for the evolution of human homosexuality, postulating that its direct cost to reproduction can be offset by inclusive fitness gains through alloparental assistance to kin. Consistent evidence in support of the KSH has only been garnered from research on Samoan fa’afafine (i.e. feminine, same-sex attracted males), whereas research in numerous industrialized societies has repeatedly failed to secure empirical support for the theory. Here, we propose an alternative test of the KSH by investigating how need for alloparental care influences women’s attitudes toward homosexuality (AtH). AtH would influence the likelihood of women receiving alloparental care from homosexual kin. We applied logistic regression analysis to a large dataset (17,295 women in 58 countries) derived from the World Values Survey. As predicted by the KSH, women who are potentially most in need of alloparental support exhibit significantly more positive attitudes toward homosexuals. For single mothers who expressed parental care concerns, each additional child mothered was associated with an increase of 1.24 in their odds of exhibiting positive attitudes toward homosexuals. Our study is the first to provide circumstantial evidence in support of the KSH on a global scale

Using multiple geochemical proxies to trace origin of gypsum (Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia, -70ka).

This paper discusses the geochemical signature of the Carpentaria evaporitic levels using minor-trace and rare-earth elements (REE) and Sr, O, C and S isotopes. The chemistry of these evaporites reveals important criteria for distinguishing between ancient marine and non-marine evaporites. © 2007, Sociedad Geologica de Espan

Diagenetic processes in a partially dolomitized carbonate reservoir: Casablanca oil field, Mediterranean Sea, offshore Spain

Mesozoic and Neogene carbonates located in the Valencia Trough (offshore Spain, western Mediterranean Sea) are oil reservoirs. This paper investigates the diagenetic evolution of the Upper Jurassic limestones, currently dolomitized, that constitute the main reservoir of the Casablanca oil field. Core samples from Casablanca-1A well have been studied to determine the diagenetic products and their relation with porosity evolution, and to reconstruct the fluid flow history prior to and during oil emplacement. On the basis of petrological observations and geochemical analyses (major, minor and trace element composition and oxygen, carbon and strontium isotope composition), a major dolomitization event is recognized postdating subaerial exposure, erosion and karstification. The dolomitization event originated two replacive dolomites (RD1 and RD2) and two dolomite cements (saddle dolomite cement, SDC, and milky-white dolomite cement, MDC) which are partially cogenetic. RD1, RD2 and SDC precipitated at increasing temperatures (over 60ºC and below 110ºC), probably from meteoric water mixed with marine water. The last dolomite type (milky-white dolomite cement) precipitated with increasing burial conditions and by arrival of hydrothermal fluids during the Miocene. The post-dolomitization sequence comprises precipitation of calcite cement and partial calcitization of all previous dolomites. The oxygen, carbon and strontium isotope compositions suggest that this calcite cementation occurred from meteoric waters mixed with Burdigalian - Langhian marine waters trapped in the sediments and expelled by compaction in the moderate to deep burial realm. Normal faults were the conduits for upward migration of these fluids as well as for later oil expulsion from the Burdigalian - Langhian source rocks. Late corrosion associated with organic acid-enriched fluids took place prior or simultaneously to oil migration during the Pliocene, enhancing porosity and increasing reservoir quality

High School Research Work and Geology dissemination: FORCES Project (UB)

X Congreso Geológico de España, 5-7 Julio 2021, Vitoria - GasteizEl Trabajo de Investigación de Bachillerato es una de las herramientas de divulgación y enseñanza de las Ciencias de la Tierra para alumnos preuniversitarios interesados en esta ciencia. La potenciación desde la Universidad hacia los centros educativos de Enseñanza Secundaria de la transferencia del conocimiento científico en el ámbito de la Geología, así como de otras ciencias, es el eje principal que se presenta en el Proyecto FORCES (Foment de la Recerca en els Centres de Secundària; http:// www.ub.edu/cere/forces/). Desde el Instituto de Desarrollo Profesional de la Universitat de Barcelona (UB) se han creado puentes entre facultades de la UB y dichos centros educativos, presentándose el caso de la Facultat de Ciències de la Terra. En FORCES se facilitan las herramientas para vincular el Trabajo de Investigación obligatorio de Bachillerato; el estudiante cuenta con el apoyo de su tutor y con el seguimiento de uno o varios profesores-investigadores del ámbito universitario. Ello amplia el marco de trabajo del alumno y le ofrece focos de interés no disponibles en los centros de Educación Secundaria, abriendo la posibilidad de colaboraciones científicas con el grupo investigador y disponer de sus herramientas, conocimientos e instrumental. Unir a la docencia universitaria la experiencia del contacto con futuros estudiantes enriquece la visión del profesorado, al situarlo en el punto de vista del estudiante de bachillerato, facilitando la comunicación de conocimientos e incorporando nuevas metodologías didácticas. Los temas geológicos tratados son amplios, teniendo como eje común la visión geológica de procesos cotidianos o próximos al alumno de Bachillerato.The High School Research Work is one of the tools of dissemination and teaching of Earth Sciences to pre-university students. The strengthening from the University to Secondary School of the transfer of scientific knowledge in the field of Geology, as well as other sciences, is the aim of the FORCES Project (Promotion of Research in High Schools; http://www.ub.edu/cere/ forces/). The Professional Development Institute (IDP-ICE) of the University of Barcelona (UB) has forged close ties between these educational centers and the different faculties of the UB, including the Faculty of Earth Sciences. FORCES provides the necessary tools to link the compulsory Research Work of the Baccalaureate students, so that the student not only has the support of his advisor, but also the follow-up of one or several professors and/or researchers. This broadens the student’s work frame and helps her/him focusing on possible areas not achievable in the context of Secondary School centers, such as establishing scientific collaborations with university research groups and thus using their tools, knowledge and analytical instruments. On the other hand, meeting prospective students enriches the professors’ vision by placing it in the mind of the High School student, improving the communication of knowledge in a more meaningful way and incorporating new teaching methodologies. Geological topics addressed are broad, having as a common thread the geological vision of everyday processes or scientific issues close to the Baccalaureate student’s daily life

Overprinting of deformation in sedimentary facies in a Hettangian Evaporite-Carbonate sequence (Camarasa, South Pyrenees, Spain)

30th IAS Meeting of Sedimentology ,2-5 Sep 2013, Manchester, United Kingdom.The Lecera Formation (Hettangian) is an evaporite-carbonate unit largely recognized in the Eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula. This formation has been drilled by a number of wells, but it only crops out in the Lecera area in the Iberian Range and in Camarasa area in the South Pyrenees. In the Camarasa area this formation has been characterized by means of 6 stratigraphic logs, petrographical study and fracturing analysis in order to: a) define the sedimentological and diagenetical evolution of the unit; and, b) to determine variations of fracture patterns across different lithologies-facies of the unit. The studied Hettangian succession is mainly composed by layers of secondary gypsum (including scattered anhydrite relicts) with minor carbonate beds with a restricted lateral extension. Four lithofacies have been recognized: a) Laminated gypsum, composed by microcrystalline secondary gypsum (alabastrine) alternating with carbonate-rich (dolomicrite) laminae, b) Massive to banded gypsum, constituted by white alabastrine gypsum with scattered porphiroblast-richs levels and locally carbonate clasts c) Wellbedded (locally laminated) dolostones (dolomicrite) displaying porosity (secondary?), d) Carbonate breccias (fracture-related), composed by fragments of previously described well-bedded lithofacies, and cemented by calcite. These evaporites have been previously interpreted as a playa to sabkha deposit including very shallow carbonates probably formed in more or less extensive but ephemeral ponds. Nevertheless, more local, refined and recent interpretation (Alacón borehole, Iberian Ranges) points to a shallowing upwards sequence starting with subaqueous deposits (saline) evolving to interstitial sabkha deposits. Evaporites of the studied outcrop in the Camarasa area do not show evidences of selenite or clear nodular facies but mainly display laminated facies (which might suggest a subaqueous deeper sedimentary environment). The studied unit is located in the hanging wall of the Mont-Roig thrust. Despite the lack of stylolites or boudinage structures, several fractures sets and minor and local fold-rich levels evidence deformation. Three main fracture sets affecting both lithologies (gypsum and dolostones) have been recognized. Set 1 and 2 are constituted by N-S trending stratabound joints steeply dipping towards E and W respectively. Set 3 is composed by NW-SE trend fractures gently dipping to the SW. All fracture sets are well preserved in well-bedded carbonates displaying cm-scale spaced and continuous and planar shape. In laminated gypsum, S1 and S2 are cm-scale spaced but with low continuity whereas in massive gypsum these fractures show a scatter distribution (m scale spaced) and display an irregular and discontinuous shape. In both evaporite lithofacies, S3 is scarcely recognized. Thus, a lithological and textural control might be defined in the occurrence (spacing) and continuity of the fractures. The current observed lithofacies result from the interaction between original sedimentary and overprinted tectonic features, together with the later anhydrite rehydration to secondary gypsum. The variation of fracturing patterns among the different described lithofacies, the discontinuity of fractures developed in massive-tobanded gypsum as well as the absence of evaporite cements in carbonate levels highlight the seal-role of evaporite beds in these mixed sulphate-carbonate sequences

Prospection of evaporite formations with electric imaging

The electric imaging permits to obtain a model of the subsurface materials on the basis of the vertical and horizontal resistivity changes along the tomographic profile. The final result, after the processing of the initialy measured apparent resistivity, is a 2D profile that shows the real resistivity of the subsurface; it can be interpreted in geological terms, given that resistivity changes are mainly due to the lithological and water contents variations. Electric imaging has been used in the study of evaporitic formations (gypsum and anhydrite). Differences of resisivity between gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) and anhydrite (CaSO4) are due to the presence of hydration water in gypsum rocks; the levels of water molecules in the mineral structure operate as conductive levels. Thus, anhydrite is expected to be more resistive than gypsum. The tomographic profiles fit the interval of gypsum resistivities between 80 and 1000 W m, whereas the anhydrite display higher values, from 1000 to 11500m. The ranges of resistivities will depend on the degree of transformation of the anhydrite rock to gypsum. The use of the electric imaging in prospection of evaporite (calcium sulphate) formations with possible economical interest is proposed. This technique is non destructive and comparatively less expensive than classical methods (drilling

Sedimentary and Diagenetic Processes in the Las Minas De Hellín Gypsum Unit (Upper Miocene, Se Spain).

28th IAS meeting of Sedimentology, 5-8/7 2011 ,Zaragoza, SpainThe Las Minas de Hellín Gypsum unit (Upper Miocene) in the Las Minas – Camarillas basin (Albacete and Murcia provinces, SE Spain) is studied from the petrological, sedimentological and geochemical points of view in order to interpret the sedimentary and diagenetic processes that affected it. This unit comprises primary evaporites accompanied by a wide variety of diagenetic products, including native sulphur. The primary evaporite lithofacies (i.e., laminated gypsilutites, banded gypsarenites and selenitic gypsum) are associated with host bacterially induced dolomite (!13CVPDB from -7.45 to +1.95 ‰ and !18OVPDB from +1.54 to +9.20 ‰) and organic matter. The petrological and geochemical characteristics of the primary gypsum facies are in agreement with deposition in a perennial shallow saline lake. The sulphate isotope compositions (!34SVCDT from +13.2 to +18.8 ‰ and !18OVSMOW from +20.7 to 26.1‰) suggest a dominant contribution of recycled Triassic sulphate in the brines. However, redox processes associated with sulfate-reducing bacterial activity and marine contributions to the basin have also to be considered. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of some samples (+0.708086 and +0.708979) may be consistent either with marine incursions or with hydrothermal contribution associated with Late Miocene volcanic episode in the basin. Bacterial activity was a key process in the sedimentation and diagenetic evolution of the unit and resulted in the formation of native sulphur (!34SVCDT from -10.7 to -27.6‰). Besides sulphur, two types of diagenetic gypsum were identified: 1) Megacrystalline secondary gypsum derived from hydration of precursor anhydrite, which occurs only locally; 2) Diagenetic gypsum originated from native sulphur oxidation, as suggested by its sulphate isotope composition (mean values !34SVCDT -16.2‰ and !18OVSMOW 16.95‰) and by its textural characteristics (coarse- crystalline anhedral texture with high porosity). A significant silicification, related to the magmatic activity that affected the basin, occurred in the upper part of the unit and resulted in the formation of nodules, crusts and thin layers (mainly chalcedony). Moreover, diagenetic carbonates (sparry calcite) with meteoric isotope signature (!18OVPDB from -1.72‰ to - 7.89‰), locally replaced the primary gypsum crystals.This research was funded by Project CGL2009-11096

Diagenetic processes in a partially dolomitized carbonate reservoir: Casablanca oil field, Mediterranean Sea, offshore Spain

Mesozoic and Neogene carbonates located in the Valencia Trough (offshore Spain, western Mediterranean Sea) are oil reservoirs. This paper investigates the diagenetic evolution of the Upper Jurassic limestones, currently dolomitized, that constitute the main reservoir of the Casablanca oil field. Core samples from Casablanca-1A well have been studied to determine the diagenetic products and their relation with porosity evolution, and to reconstruct the fluid flow history prior to and during oil emplacement. On the basis of petrological observations and geochemical analyses (major, minor and trace element composition and oxygen, carbon and strontium isotope composition), a major dolomitization event is recognized postdating subaerial exposure, erosion and karstification. The dolomitization event originated two replacive dolomites (RD1 and RD2) and two dolomite cements (saddle dolomite cement, SDC, and milky-white dolomite cement, MDC) which are partially cogenetic. RD1, RD2 and SDC precipitated at increasing temperatures (over 60ºC and below 110ºC), probably from meteoric water mixed with marine water. The last dolomite type (milky-white dolomite cement) precipitated with increasing burial conditions and by arrival of hydrothermal fluids during the Miocene. The post-dolomitization sequence comprises precipitation of calcite cement and partial calcitization of all previous dolomites. The oxygen, carbon and strontium isotope compositions suggest that this calcite cementation occurred from meteoric waters mixed with Burdigalian - Langhian marine waters trapped in the sediments and expelled by compaction in the moderate to deep burial realm. Normal faults were the conduits for upward migration of these fluids as well as for later oil expulsion from the Burdigalian - Langhian source rocks. Late corrosion associated with organic acid-enriched fluids took place prior or simultaneously to oil migration during the Pliocene, enhancing porosity and increasing reservoir quality

Non-marine evaporites with both inherited marine and continental signatures: the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia, at similar ~ 70 ka.

Changes in sea-level and associated climatic fluctuations resulted in extreme and cyclic changes in depositional environments in the Gulf of Carpentaria region (N. Australia). Disconnection from the sea led to the establishment of a "Lake Carpentaria", perched above sea-level. In this environment, evaporitic conditions at about 70 ka produced a repetitive alternation of Pm to mm-thick evaporitic and micritic laminae with a varve-like appearance. These precipitates are interpreted as primary features, deposited in a shallow lake that retained limited water in its centre (core MD-32). Elemental and isotope geochemistry of gypsum and micrite laminae show a complex evaporitic environment where initially marine waters evaporated with the input of continental waters compensating for evaporative losses. Reduced continental input could not support a lake of the initial dimensions and the lake contracted to the deepest part of the basin along the north-eastern side of the basin. In a lake with smaller water volume, continental solutes became apparent. While Sr contents and sulfur isotopes indicate marine contributions, strontium isotopes and oxygen isotopes in sulfates reveal continental inputs and other processes such as recycling of previously precipitated evaporites, sulfate reduction and potential reservoir effects. Carbonate- delta C-13 and delta O-18 values in micritic levels also reveal a continental influence and perhaps variations in organic matter signatures associated with climatic variations and vegetation changes. The REE-normalized patterns in gypsum samples are like those found in northern Cape York rivers, restricting the potential continental inputs into the evaporatic basin to a limited geographical area. The small depletion in LREE-normalized patterns between gypsum and river samples is interpreted as a marine influence while depletions in HREE are considered to be the result of fractionation of HREE during gypsum crystallization. © 2007, Elsevier Ltd

Magneloslratigraphy of llie evaporites from the Neogene Fortuna Basin (Murcia)

The magnetostratigraphic study of the Río Chicamo section (240 m) in the Neogene Fortuna Basin (Murcia, Eastern Betics) has enabled the record of five magnetozones. The possible correlations with the standard geomagnetic polarity time scale (CPTS) imply that the evaporitic succession of the Fortuna Basin was not coeval with the Messinian evaporites of the Sorbas (Almeria, Spain) and Caltanissetta (central Sicily) basins, which were assigned to the reverse chron C3r (Gautier et alv 1994). The marine evaporites of the Fortuna Basin are older (Tortonian-Messinian boundary or early Messinian) than the evaporites of those basins and, therefore, cannot be assigned to the main upper Messinian evaporite event of the Mediterranean regio