PALEOENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS OF INVERTEBRATE FECAL PELLETS (EDAPHICHNIUM ISP.) AT AN ICHNOFOSSIL-RICH DINOSAUR NESTING LOCALITY, UPPER CRETACEOUS TWO MEDICINE FORMATION, MONTANA, USA

Palaios ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (9) ◽  
pp. 283-300
Author(s):  
WILLIAM J. FREIMUTH ◽  
DAVID J. VARRICCHIO ◽  
KAREN CHIN
Keyword(s):  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
Organic Content ◽  
Fecal Pellets ◽  
Host Matrix ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Fossil Insect ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Substrate Feeding ◽  
Geochemical Analyses ◽  
Stratigraphic Succession

ABSTRACT The terrestrial feeding trace Edaphichnium lumbricatum is known from the Triassic to the Pleistocene and is characterized by tubular burrows with ellipsoidal fecal pellets, indicating substrate feeding by earthworms or other invertebrates. We describe 11 specimens attributable to Edaphichnium isp. from Egg Mountain, a terrestrial locality with a diverse fossil assemblage from the Upper Cretaceous Two Medicine Formation in Montana, USA, and assess their paleoenvironmental and paleoecological implications. These ichnofossils were recovered from a 1.5 meter stratigraphic succession comprised of calcareous siltstones and limestones with abundant fossil insect pupal cases, representing well-drained paleosols. Although burrows are not always present, three recurring arrangements of Edaphichnium isp. fecal pellets are identified: linearly arranged pellets, horizon-confined pellets, and pellets in clusters dispersed vertically and horizontally throughout the matrix. Two color patterns (light and dark pellets) are also distinguished. Pellets are fine-grained and have a consistently ellipsoidal shape (length:diameter of 1.57), with maximum lengths ranging from 1.9–6.7 mm (mean 4.1 mm) and maximum diameters ranging from 1.0–4.1 mm (mean 2.6 mm). Geochemical analyses indicate pellets are comprised of varying proportions of calcite, plagioclase, and quartz, and are enriched in phosphorus relative to the sedimentary host matrix. Possible trace makers include chafer or other coleopteran larvae, millipedes, and earthworms, suggesting a range of capable trace makers of Edaphichnium-like fecal pellets. Edaphichnium isp. at specific stratigraphic horizons suggests increased organic content in the subsurface, potentially connected to depositional hiatuses. Edaphichnium isp. adds a secondary component to the Celliforma ichnofacies known from Egg Mountain and surrounding strata, and to the array of nesting, feeding, and dwelling traces of wasps, beetles, other invertebrates, mammals, and dinosaurs from the locality.

scholarly journals Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Provenance of Coastal Sands from Greece: New Insights on the REE Content of Black Coastal Sands from Aggelochori Area, N.-Greece

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 693
Author(s):  
Argyrios Papadopoulos ◽  
Stylianos Lazaridis ◽  
Afroditi Kipourou-Panagiotou ◽  
Nikolaos Kantiranis ◽  
Antonios Koroneos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major And Trace Elements ◽  
Heavy Minerals ◽  
Sea Waves ◽  
Complex Flow ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Microscopy Analysis ◽  
Beach Sands ◽  
Geochemical Analyses ◽  
The One ◽  
Black Color

Beach sands from Aggelochori coast line are investigated for their geochemistry and REE content, mineralogy and their provenance. These fluvial sands bear heavy minerals enriched horizons (containing minerals such as magnetite, zircon, ilmenite, hematite, rutile and titanite) that can be distinguished due to their black color and are formed usually due to the action of sea waves that deposit the heavy minerals and remove the lighter ones. After a suitable processing (washing, sieving, drying and magnetic separation) of the samples, the mineral constituents and their presence (wt.%) were estimated by XRD. Among the samples, the one being simultaneously the more fine grained and the more zircon-enriched (as suggested by XRPD data and optical microscopy analysis) has been selected for further geochemical analyses. The major and trace elements contents were compared to previously studied REE enriched beach sands from Kavala and Sithonia. Beach sands from Aggelochori area appear to have relatively low REE contents. Considering the provenance of these sediments, we suggest that these sands, are a product of the erosion of multi-sources, including the near-by Monopigado granite, as well as metamorphic rocks, as indicated by the presence of rutile and both ilmenite and magnetite in some samples. Therefore, there are indications of a complex flow pattern that existed at the paleo-catchment area of the deposition.

scholarly journals High-frequency sea-level changes recorded in deep-water carbonates of the Upper Cretaceous Dol Formation (island of Brač, Croatia)

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-38
Author(s):  
Damir Bucković ◽  
Maja Martinuš ◽  
Duje Kukoč ◽  
Blanka Tešović ◽  
Ivan Gušić
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
Distal Part ◽  
Preferential Orientation ◽  
Sea Level Changes ◽  
Carbonate Production ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Platform Margin

High-frequency sea-level changes recorded in deep-water carbonates of the Upper Cretaceous Dol Formation (island of Brač, Croatia)The upper part of the Middle Coniacian/Santonian-Middle Campanian deep-water Dol Formation of the island of Brač is composed of countless fine-grained allodapic intercalations deposited in an intraplatform trough. Within the studied section 13 beds can be distinguished, each defined by its lower part built up of dark grey limestone with abundance of branched, horizontally to subhorizontally oriented burrows, and the upper part, in which the light grey to white limestone contains larger burrows, rarely branched, showing no preferential orientation. The lower, dark grey, intensively bioturbated levels are interpreted as intervals formed during high-frequency sea-level highstands, while the upper, light grey-to-white levels are interpreted as intervals formed during the high-frequency sea-level lowstands. Cyclic alternation of these two intervals within the fine-grained allodapic beds is interpreted as the interaction between the amount of carbonate production on the platform margin and the periodicity and intensity of shedding and deposition in the distal part of toe-of-slope environment, which is governed by Milankovitch-band high frequency sea-level changes.

Microstructure of Friction Stir Processed Mg-Y-Zn Alloy

2007 ◽  
Vol 558-559 ◽  
pp. 777-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taiki Morishige ◽  
Masato Tsujikawa ◽  
Sung Wook Chung ◽  
Sachio Oki ◽  
Kenji Higashi
Keyword(s):  
Equal Channel Angular Extrusion ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Ingot Metallurgy ◽  
Friction Stir ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Probe Diameter ◽  
Fine Grain ◽  
Second Phase Particles ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Zn Alloy

Friction stir processing (FSP) is the effective method of the grain refinement for light metals. The aim of this study is to acquire the fine grained bulk Mg-Y-Zn alloy by ingot metallurgy route much lower in cost. Such bulk alloy can be formed by the superplastic forging. The microstructure of as-cast Mg-Y-Zn alloy was dendrite. The dendrite arm spacing was 72.5 [(m], and there are the lamellar structures in it. FSP was conducted on allover the plate of Mg-Y-Zn alloy for both surfaces by the rotational tool with FSW machine. The stirring passes were shifted half of the probe diameter every execution. The dendrite structures disappeared after FSP, but the lamellar structure could be observed by TEM. The matrix became recrystallized fine grain, and interdendritic second phase particles were dispersed in the grain boundaries. By using FSP, cast Mg-Y-Zn alloy could have fine-grained. This result compared to this material produced by equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) or rapid-solidified powder metallurgy (RS P/M). As the result, as-FSPed material has the higher hardness than materials produced by the other processes at the similar grain size.

scholarly journals Exsolution Lamellae in Orthopyroxene of Lherzolite from the Pauza Ultramafic Rocks, Ne Iraq: Evidence of Deep Mantle Signature in the Zagros Suture Zone

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (9) ◽  
pp. 102-115
Author(s):  
Yousif Osman Mohammad ◽  
Nabaz Rashid Hama Aziz
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
Suture Zone ◽  
Ultramafic Rocks ◽  
Chromian Spinel ◽  
Spinel Peridotite ◽  
Incongruent Melting ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Ultra High Pressure ◽  
Deep Mantle

The Pauza ultramafic body is part of Upper Cretaceous Ophiolitic massifs of the Zagros Suture Zone, NE Iraq. The present study reveals evidence of Ultra-high pressure (UHP), and deep mantle signature of these peridotites in the Zagros Suture Zone throughout the observation of backscattered images and micro analyses which have been performed on orthopyroxen crystals in lherzolite of Pauza ultramafic rocks.Theorthopyroxen shows abundant exsolution lamellae of coarse unevenly distributed clinopyroxene coupled with the submicron uniformly distributed needles of Cr-spinel. The observed clusters of Opx–Cpx–Spl represent the decompression products of pyrope-rich garnet produced as a result of the transition from ultra-high pressure garnet peridotite to low-pressure spinel peridotite (LP). Neoblastic olivine (Fo92 – 93) with abundant multi-form Cr- spinel inclusions occurs as a fine-grained aggregate around orthopyroxene, whereas coarse olivine (Fo90-91) free from chromian-spinel is found in matrix. The similarity of the Cr-spinel lamellae orientations in both olivine and orthopyroxene, moreover, the enrichments of both Cr and Fe3+ in the Cr-spinel inclusions in neoblastic olivine relative to Cr-spinel lamellae in orthopyroxene, suggest that spinel inclusions in olivine have been derived from former Cr-spinel lamellae in orthopyroxene. Neoblastic olivine is formed by reaction of silica-poor ascending melt and orthopyroxene. It is inferred that the olivines with multi-form spinel inclusions has been formed by incongruent melting of pre-existing spinel lamellae-rich orthopyroxene.

scholarly journals The Middle Cenomanian basal series of Planinica, Western Serbia

2002 ◽  
pp. 13-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dragoman Rabrenovic ◽  
Nebojsa Vasic ◽  
Jovanka Mitrovic-Petrovic ◽  
Vladan Radulovic ◽  
Barbara Radulovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Taxa ◽  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
Sedimentary Rocks ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Upper Miocene ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
The Village ◽  
Marly Limestone

Sedimentary rocks of the Upper Cretaceous basal series found at the village of Planinica, Western Serbia, are composed of thick coarse clastics and beds and intercalations of medium- to fine-grained clastics. The series lies transgressively over Jurassic serpentinite and peridotite, and under Upper Miocene marlstone and marly limestone. Sedimentary, petrographic, paleontological, and biostratigraphic characteristics of the basal series are described and its lithological members and their structural features are identified. From medium-grained sandy matrix in thick coarse clastics, two ammonite taxa, four brachiopod taxa (including the new taxa Orbirhynchia oweni and "Terebratula" n. gen. et sp.), and eleven echinoid taxa are described. The brachiopod species Kingena concinna Owen is used in dating the basal series as Middle Cenomanian, whereas limestone fragments in coarse clastics correspond to the Late Albian and Early Cenomanian.

Dinosaur trackways from the Upper Cretaceous Oldman and Dinosaur Park formations (Belly River Group) of southern Alberta, Canada, reveal novel ichnofossil preservation style

2015 ◽  
Vol 52 (8) ◽  
pp. 630-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Therrien ◽  
Darla K. Zelenitsky ◽  
Annie Quinney ◽  
Kohei Tanaka
Keyword(s):  
Natural Area ◽  
Geochemical Composition ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Depositional Settings ◽  
Internal Structures ◽  
Southern Alberta ◽  
Dinosaur Tracks ◽  
Geochemical Analyses ◽  
Water Saturated ◽  
Mineralogical Compositions

Dinosaur tracksites recently discovered in exposures of the Belly River Group in the Milk River Natural Area (MRNA) and Dinosaur Provincial Park (DPP) of southern Alberta represent a novel type of ichnofossils. The tracks, all referable to hadrosaurs, occur as sideritic or calcareous concretions protruding above fine-grained deposits and are here termed concretionary tracks. Detailed sedimentological, petrographic, and geochemical analyses reveal that, although the MRNA and DPP tracks are of different mineralogical compositions (calcium carbonate versus siderite, respectively), they display similar internal structures (microscopic convoluted laminations) and occur in depositional settings indicative of wet paleoenvironments, where the ground was soft and water saturated. These characteristics suggest that concretionary tracks are footprint casts that formed as groundwater rich in dissolved carbonates flooded depressions left in the soft substrate. As the ponded water evaporated, minerals began to precipitate and mix with clastic material transported into the depressions, settling as finely laminated mud within the tracks and filling them either completely or partially. The geochemical composition of the precipitate would depend on the prevalent groundwater conditions (e.g., pH, dissolved carbonate and sulphate concrentrations). Cementation of the tracks occurred relatively soon after burial (<100 years), possibly in response to microbial activity and saturation by mineral-rich groundwater, and modern erosion exposed the concretionary tracks by removing the softer host unit. Recognition of this novel type of ichnofossils suggests dinosaur tracks may be more common than previously thought. Unfortunately, concretionary tracks tend to break apart rapidly when the encasing and underlying substrate erodes away, altering their diagnostic shape and rendering them indistinguishable from nonichnogenic concretions. As such, concretionary tracks may be transient ichnofossils in the badlands, explaining why they are rarely recognized.

Age and Geochemical Studies of the Snyder Breccia, Coastal Labrador

1975 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackson M. Barton Jr. ◽  
Erika S. Barton
Keyword(s):  
Trace Element ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Layered Intrusion ◽  
Basement Complex ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
The North ◽  
Isotopic Analyses ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
The North Atlantic ◽  
Geochemical Studies

The Snyder breccia is composed of angular to subrounded xenoliths of migmatites and amphibolites in a very fine grained matrix. It is apparently intrusive into the metasediments of the Snyder Group exposed at Snyder Bay, Labrador. The Snyder Group unconformably overlies a migmatitic and amphibolitic basement complex and is intruded by the Kiglapait layered intrusion. K–Ar ages indicate that the basement complex is Archean in age (> 2600 m.y. old) and that the Kiglapait layered intrusion was emplaced prior to 1280 m.y. ago. Major and trace element analyses of the matrix of the Snyder breccia indicate that while it was originally of tonalitic composition, later it locally underwent alteration characterized by loss of sodium and strontium and gain of potassium, rubidium and barium. Rb–Sr isotopic analyses show that this alteration occurred about 1842 m.y. ago, most probably contemporaneously with emplacement of the breccia. The Snyder Group thus was deposited sometime between 2600 and 1842 m.y. ago and may be correlative with other Aphebian successions preserved on the North Atlantic Archean craton.

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