An accurate record of volcanic ash fall deposition as characterized by dispersed organic matter in a Lower Permian tonstein bed (Faxinal Coalfield, Paraná Basin, Brazil)

For the first time, the dispersed organic matter in the tonstein layer interbedded with a coal seam in the Faxinal Coalfield (Sakmarian, Southern Paraná Basin, Brazil) is characterized. The deposition of clusters of pollen grains was highly influenced by the intense ash fall process that probably occurred during seasonal dehiscence of reproductive structures. The well-preserved phytoclasts with their upper and lower leaf cuticles stuck together indicate that the rapid fall of ash on this material hindered organic biodegradation. The preservation of seemingly autochthonous Botryococcus colonies at the top of the tonstein layer is evidence of the subaqueous deposition of this layer. The darkening in cuticles and xylem phytoclasts can be attributed to different causes: the thermal influence of ash fall during deposition, chemical effects of the ash, prolonged oxidation of organic matter in low water level conditions or the burning of plant organs by wildfires. Analyses of dispersed organic matter along the tonstein layer showed that the organic matter succession reflects the composition of different plant strata (herbaceous pteridophytes and arboreal glossopterids-cordaitaleans) around the deposition site

An accurate record of volcanic ash fall deposition as characterized by dispersed organic matter in a lower Permian tonstein layer (Faxinal Coalfield, Paraná Basin, Brazil)

For the first time, the dispersed organic matter in the tonstein layer interbedded with a coal seam in the Faxinal Coalfield (Sakmarian, Southern Paraná Basin, Brazil) is characterized. The deposition of clusters of pollen grains was highly influenced by the intense ash fall process that probably occurred during seasonal dehiscence of reproductive structures. The well-preserved phytoclasts with their upper and lower leaf cuticles stuck together indicate that the rapid fall of ash on this material hindered organic biodegradation. The preservation of seemingly autochthonous Botryococcus colonies at the top of the tonstein layer is evidence of the subaqueous deposition of this layer. The darkening in cuticles and xylem phytoclasts can be attributed to different causes: the thermal influence of ash fall during deposition, chemical effects of the ash, prolonged oxidation of organic matter in low water level conditions or the burning of plant organs by wildfires. Analyses of dispersed organic matter along the tonstein layer showed that the organic matter succession reflects the composition of different plant strata (herbaceous pteridophytes and arboreal glossopterids-cordaitaleans) around the deposition site

Temporal evaluation of Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn potential mobilities in stream sediments of a copper mining area in South Brazil

Sequential extractions were applied to the silt-clay fraction of stream sediments to evaluate temporal modifications on Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn potential mobilities, during different stages of copper mining activities, in September, 1993 and September, 1996. Cu and Pb partitioning, obtained flow a five-step extraction scheme showed the oxidizable `phase' as the most important for Cu and Pb, while the so-called carbonatic and the exchangeable `phases' were significant in the Zn and Mn partitionings. Cu presented the greatest variability between both, sites and sampling periods. The results suggest that metal partitioning, especially that of Cu, can be reflecting sulfide oxidation processes, probably enhanced by tailings exposure

An accurate record of volcanic ash fall deposition as characterized by dispersed organic matter in a Lower Permian tonstein bed (Faxinal Coalfield, Paraná Basin, Brazil)

For the first time, the dispersed organic matter in the tonstein layer interbedded with a coal seam in the Faxinal Coalfield (Sakmarian, Southern Paraná Basin, Brazil) is characterized. The deposition of clusters of pollen grains was highly influenced by the intense ash fall process that probably occurred during seasonal dehiscence of reproductive structures. The well-preserved phytoclasts with their upper and lower leaf cuticles stuck together indicate that the rapid fall of ash on this material hindered organic biodegradation. The preservation of seemingly autochthonous Botryococcus colonies at the top of the tonstein layer is evidence of the subaqueous deposition of this layer. The darkening in cuticles and xylem phytoclasts can be attributed to different causes: the thermal influence of ash fall during deposition, chemical effects of the ash, prolonged oxidation of organic matter in low water level conditions or the burning of plant organs by wildfires. Analyses of dispersed organic matter along the tonstein layer showed that the organic matter succession reflects the composition of different plant strata (herbaceous pteridophytes and arboreal glossopterids-cordaitaleans) around the deposition site

Mineralogia e mobilidade de cations de uma alteração intempérica de diabásio Mineralogy and cation mobility of a weathering alteration of diabase

Em uma seqüência de alteração intempérica de diabásio, situada no município de Capivari, SP, foram estudadas a mobilidade de cátions liberados no processo e a evolução mineralógica ocorrida. A seqüência situa-se em condições de clima sub-tropical semi-úmido e de boa drenagem. A mineralogia do diabásio, constituída essencialmente de plagioclásios e piroxênios, evoluiu para uma mineralogia simples, onde na fração argila do solo ocorre apenas a caulinita, associada a óxidos de ferro, que não foram determinados. Vermiculita ocorre nas fases intermediárias, como o único argilomineral 2:1. A lixiviação de cátions solúveis ocorre já nos primeiros estágios do processo, seguidos da sílica, também com remoção rápida, mas que, em face de seu elevado teor na rocha de origem, permanece maior tempo no sistema, permitindo a gênese da caulinita e també, de quartzo em pequena quantidade. Alumínio e ferro são imobilizados no sistema, o alumínio como constituinte de caulinita e o ferro como óxido.<br>The mobility of the main cátions and the mineralógical evolution are studied for a weathering sequence of a diabase, from unaltered rock to the rock-derived soil. The diabase is located in conditions of subhumid and subtropical weather, having good drainage, located in Capivari (SP), Brazil. The mineralogy of diabase, essentialy constitued of plagioclases and pyroxenes, developed to a simple mineralogy, in which the clay fraction of the soil consists only of kaolinite, associated to non determined iron oxides. Vermiculite occurs in the intermediary stages, as the only 2:1 clay mineral. The leaching of soluble cátions occurs rapidly in the first stages of the process, followed by silica, also with rapid removal, however due to its high concentration in the original rock, it remains longer time in the system, in the structure of kaolinite and also as quartz in small quantity. Aluminium and iron are immobilized in the system, aluminium in the structure of kaolinite and iron as oxide

Reflectância espectral e mineralogia de materiais formados sobre diabásio Spectral reflectance and mineralogy of soil materials developed from diabase

O presente estudo teve por objetivo caracterizar diferentes fases de intemperismo de um solo e relacioná-las com seu comportamento espectral. Um perfil pedológico desenvolvido sobre diabásio da região de Capivari-SP, foi descrito morfologicamente, identificando-se seis fases de alteração. Os atributos analisados foram granulometria, composição química e mineralógica. A reflectância espectral do solo foi avaliada em laboratório através de espectrorradiômetro na faixa de 300 a 2500 nm. O perfil apresentou grau de intemperismo moderado, o que foi evidenciado pela alta relação silte/argila observada abaixo do horizonte Bi. Os horizontes subsuperficiais também apresentaram alto teor de nutrientes, especialmente P, Ca e Mg, que estavam relacionados com a presença em subsuperfície de saprolito com razoável reserva de minerais intemperizáveis. A evolução dos minerais primários iniciou pela formação de óxidos de ferro e de argilas 2:1, como vermiculita ou vermiculita-esmectita, que foram transformadas em caulinita e gibbsita em direção ao topo do perfil. Na medida em que ocorreram alterações na composição mineralógica no perfil, foram verificadas variações nos dados espectrais. Basicamente a reflectância foi influenciada diferenciadamente pela ocorrência de óxidos de ferro, diferentes tipos de argilas e minerais primários como piroxênios e magnetita.<br>The aim of this study was to characterize soil materials with different degrees of weathering and then associate their composition with their spectral behavior. One pedological profile developed from diabase was studied in Capivari-SP, Brazil. The morphological description allowed to separate six phases of rock-soil alteration. Afterwards, granulometry, chemical and mineralogical analysis were carried out. The soil spectral reflectance was evaluated with a laboratory spectroradiometer using the wavelength range of 300 to 2500 nm. The profile was moderately weathered as evidenced by a high silt/clay ratio, found below the Bi horizon. Subsurface horizons also presented high nutrient status, especially for P, Ca and Mg, which was related to the occurence of saprolite with an abundance of easily weathered minerals. The mineral evolution began with the precipitation of iron oxides and 2:1 clay minerals, like vermiculite and vermiculite-smectite, and this led to the formation of kaolinite and gibbsite in the upper part of the soil profile. Spectral behavior generally was in conformity with their mineralogical composition, pointing out to the presence of iron oxides, various groups of clays and primary minerals, such as pyroxenes and magnetite