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Author Lim, S.; Chase, B.M.; Chevalier, M.; Reimer, P.J.
Title 50,000years of vegetation and climate change in the southern Namib Desert, Pella, South Africa Type Journal Article
Year 2016 Publication Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 451 Issue Pages (up) 197-209
Keywords Climate reconstruction, Late Quaternary, Namib Desert, Pollen, Rock hyrax middens, South Africa
Abstract This paper presents the first continuous pollen record from the southern Namib Desert spanning the last 50,000years. Obtained from rock hyrax middens found near the town of Pella, South Africa, these data are used to reconstruct vegetation change and quantitative estimates of temperature and aridity. Results indicate that the last glacial period was characterised by increased water availability at the site relative to the Holocene. Changes in temperature and potential evapotranspiration appear to have played a significant role in determining the hydrologic balance. The record can be considered in two sections: 1) the last glacial period, when low temperatures favoured the development of more mesic Nama-Karoo vegetation at the site, with periods of increased humidity concurrent with increased coastal upwelling, both responding to lower global/regional temperatures; and 2) the Holocene, during which time high temperatures and potential evapotranspiration resulted in increased aridity and an expansion of the Desert Biome. During this latter period, increases in upwelling intensity created drier conditions at the site. Considered in the context of discussions of forcing mechanisms of regional climate change and environmental dynamics, the results from Pella stand in clear contrast with many inferences of terrestrial environmental change derived from regional marine records. Observations of a strong precessional signal and interpretations of increased humidity during phases of high local summer insolation in the marine records are not consistent with the data from Pella. Similarly, while high percentages of Restionaceae pollen has been observed in marine sediments during the last glacial period, they do not exceed 1% of the assemblage from Pella, indicating that no significant expansion of the Fynbos Biome has occurred during the last 50,000years. These findings pose interesting questions regarding the nature of environmental change in southwestern Africa, and the significance of the diverse records that have been obtained from the region.
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ISSN 0031-0182 ISBN Medium
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Notes Approved no
Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ lim_50000years_2016 Serial 107
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Author Min, M.; Xu, H.; Chen, J.; Fayek, M.
Title Evidence of uranium biomineralization in sandstone-hosted roll-front uranium deposits, northwestern China Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication Ore Geology Reviews Abbreviated Journal
Volume 26 Issue 3 Pages (up) 198-206
Keywords Biomineralization, China, Roll-front uranium deposit, Sandstone
Abstract We show evidence that the primary uranium minerals, uraninite and coffinite, from high-grade ore samples (U3O8\textgreater0.3%) in the Wuyiyi, Wuyier, and Wuyisan sandstone-hosted roll-front uranium deposits, Xinjiang, northwestern China were biogenically precipitated and psuedomorphically replace fungi and bacteria. Uranium (VI), which was the sole electron acceptor, was likely to have been enzymically reduced. Post-mortem accumulation of uranium may have also occurred through physio-chemical interaction between uranium and negatively-charged cellular sites, and inorganic adsorption or precipitation reactions. These results suggest that microorganisms may have played a key role in formation of the sandstone- or roll-type uranium deposits, which are among the most economically significant uranium deposits in the world.
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ISSN 0169-1368 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ min_evidence_2005 Serial 186
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Author Lach, P.; Cathelineau, M.; Brouand, M.; Fiet, N.
Title In-situ Isotopic and Chemical Study of Pyrite from Chu-Sarysu (Kazakhstan) Roll-front Uranium Deposit Type Journal Article
Year 2015 Publication Procedia Earth and Planetary Science Abbreviated Journal
Volume 13 Issue Pages (up) 207-210
Keywords LA-ICP-MS, pyrite, roll-front, SIMS, sulfur isotopy, traces elements, uranium
Abstract Pyrite is common in roll-front type uranium deposit in Chu-sarysu basin, Kazakhstan. Combined in-situ microstructural, isotopic and chemical analysis of pyrite indicates variation in precipitation conditions and in fluid composition. Broad-scale δ34S heterogeneity indicates a complex multi-facet evolution. First generation authigenic framboïdal aggregates are biogenic as demonstrated by the lowest δ34S values of -48‰ to -28‰. The latest generation pyrites are probably hydrothermal with greater δ34S variation (-30‰ to +12‰). This hydrothermal pyrite commonly displays variable enrichment of several trace elements especially As, Co and Ni. Strong variation in δ34S values and variable trace element enrichment is interpreted in terms of continuous variations in fluid composition.
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Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1878-5220 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ lach_-situ_2015 Serial 182
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Author Rossetto, R.; Filippis, G.D.; Borsi, I.; Foglia, L.; Cannata, M.; Criollo, R.; Vázquez-Suñé, E.
Title Integrating free and open source tools and distributed modelling codes in GIS environment for data-based groundwater management Type Journal Article
Year 2018 Publication Environmental Modelling & Software Abbreviated Journal
Volume 107 Issue Pages (up) 210-230
Keywords Free and Open Source Software, FREEWAT, Groundwater management, ICT, MODFLOW, QGIS
Abstract Integrating advanced simulation techniques and data analysis tools in a freeware Geographic Information System (GIS) provides a valuable contribution to the management of conjunctive use of groundwater (the world’s largest freshwater resource) and surface-water. To this aim, we describe here the FREEWAT (FREE and open source software tools for WATer resource management) platform. FREEWAT is a free and open source, QGIS-integrated interface for planning and management of water resources, with specific attention to groundwater. The FREEWAT platform couples the power of GIS geo-processing and post-processing tools in spatial data analysis with that of process-based simulation models. The FREEWAT environment allows storage of large spatial datasets, data management and visualization, and running of several distributed modelling codes (mainly belonging to the MODFLOW family). It simulates hydrologic and transport processes, and provides a database framework and visualization capabilities for hydrochemical analysis. Examples of real case study applications are provided.
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ISSN 1364-8152 ISBN Medium
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Notes Approved no
Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ rossetto_integrating_2018 Serial 92
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Author Holmes, M.; Campbell, E.E.; Wit, M. de; Taylor, J.C.
Title Can diatoms be used as a biomonitoring tool for surface and groundwater?: Towards a baseline for Karoo water Type Journal Article
Year 2023 Publication South African Journal of Botany Abbreviated Journal
Volume 161 Issue Pages (up) 211-221
Keywords Bioindicator, Diatom, Hydraulic fracturing, Karoo, Water quality
Abstract The environmental risks from shale gas extraction through the unconventional method of ‘fracking’ are considerable and impact on water supplies below and above ground. Since 2010 the recovery of natural shale gas through fracking has been proposed in parts of the fragile semi-arid ecosystems that make up the Karoo biome in South Africa. These unique ecosystems are heavily reliant on underground water, intermittent and ephemeral springs, which are at great risk of contamination by fracking processes. Diatoms are present in all water bodies and reflect aspects of the environment in which they are located. As the possibility of fracking has not been removed, the aim of the project was to determine if diatoms could be used for rapid biomonitoring of underground and surface waters in the Karoo. Over a period of 24 months, water samples and diatom species were collected simultaneously from 65 sites. A total of 388 diatom taxa were identified from 290 samples with seasonal and substrate variation affecting species composition but not the environmental information. Species diversity information, on the other hand, often varied significantly between substrates within a single sample. Analysis using CCA established that the diatom composition was affected by lithium, oxidized nitrogen, electrical conductivity, and sulphate levels in the sampled water. We conclude that changes in diatom community composition in the Karoo do reflect the water chemistry and could be useful as bioindicators.
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ISSN 0254-6299 ISBN Medium
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Notes Approved no
Call Number THL @ christoph.kuells @ holmes_can_2023 Serial 163
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