CO₂/³He ratios reveal the presence of mantle gas in the CO₂-rich groundwaters of the Ardenne massif (Spa, Belgium)

Natural CO2-rich groundwaters of eastern Belgium have been known for centuries although the exact origin of the gas they contained was still unclear. This paper presents the results of a sampling campaign in the area (Spa, Stoumont, Malmedy) where 30 samples of both carbogazeous and non-carbogazeous groundwaters have been analyzed for major elements, CO2 content and carbon isotopic composition. Among them, 13 samples were analyzed for 3He / 4He and 4He / 20Ne ratios. The combination of δ13C and 3He / CO2 ratios have shown with a high level of confidence that the CO2 in groundwater from springs and boreholes has a mantellic origin, and can very likely be attributed to the degassing of the neighboring and still buoyant Eifel mantle plume, located at a distance of 100 km eastwards. The identity and nature of the deep-rooted fractures that act as CO2 transport pathway to the surface are still to be clarified, but several major thrust faults exist in the Rhenish Massif and could connect the Eifel volcanic field with the studied area.

Revision of two Devonian cupressocrinitids from the Schultze collection (Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University) and description of a new Halocrinites (Crinoidea, Eucladida)

Two cupressocrinitids (Crinoidea, Eucladida) from the famous crinoid collection of Dr. Ludwig J.T. Schultze deposited in the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ) are revised in the present study: Cupressocrinites hybridus n. comb. and Halocrinites minor n. comb. The rare C. hybridus has a stratigraphically and regionally restricted occurrence at the Eifelian–Givetian boundary of the Hillesheim Syncline (Eifel, Rhenish Massif, Germany), but the more common H. minor occurs supraregionally from the Eifelian to the Frasnian (Middle to Upper Devonian). Both cupressocrinitids are redescribed on the basis of the type material stored in the MCZ. In addition, the rare Halocrinites heinorum n. sp. from the Eifelian–Givetian boundary beds and lower Givetian of the Eifel (Rhenish Massif, Germany) is described, and Encrinus townsendi (König, 1825) is questionably reassigned to Robustocrinites: R.(?) townsendi n. comb. Pre- and postmortem ossicular modifications of the studied cupressocrinitid skeletons are also discussed. UUID: http://zoobank.org/4598e1fa-8ca5-4160-8fee-6e8c6d444115

Composition and Niche-Specific Characteristics of Microbial Consortia Colonizing Marsberg Copper Mine in the Rhenish Massif

The Kilianstollen Marsberg (Rhenish Massif, Germany) has been extensively mined for copper ores, dating from Early Medieval Period till 1945. The exposed organic-rich alum shale rocks influenced by the diverse mine drainages at an ambient temperature of 10 °C could naturally enrich biogeochemically distinct heavy metal resistant microbiota. This metagenomic study evaluates the microbially colonized subterranean rocks of the abandoned copper mine Kilianstollen to characterize the colonization patterns and biogeochemical pathways of individual microbial groups. Under the selective pressure of the heavy metal contaminated environment at illuminated sites, Chloroflexi (Ktedonobacteria) and Cyanobacteria (Oxyphotobacteria) build up whitish-greenish biofilms. In contrast, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria dominate rocks around the uncontaminated spring water streams. The metagenomic analysis revealed that the heavy metal resistant microbiome was evidently involved in redox cycling of transition metals (Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, Mn, Fe, Cd, Hg). No deposition of metals or minerals, though, was observed by transmission electron microscopy in Ktedonobacteria biofilms which may be indicative for the presence of different detoxification pathways. The underlying heavy metal resistance mechanisms, as revealed by analysis of metagenome-assembled genomes, were mainly attributed to transition metal efflux pumps, redox enzymes, volatilization of Hg0, methylated intermediates of As(III) and reactive oxygen species detoxification pathways.

Upper Frasnian Tornoceratidae (Ammonoidea) from the Sand Formation (Bergisch Gladbach-Paffrath Syncline, Rhenish Massif)

Excavations in the Sand district of Bergisch Gladbach (Rhenish Massif, Germany) yielded a rich ammonoid fauna of the upper Frasnian “Archoceras” varicosum Zone (Upper Devonian I-K, interval between the two Kellwasser levels). The previously unknown assemblages include six tornoceratid genera with 20 species, including seven new species (Aulatornoceras steinhauseni sp. nov., Aul. frenklerae sp. nov., Aul. ventrosulcatum sp. nov., Crassotornoceras nudum sp. nov., Cr. hetzeneggeri sp. nov., Retrotornoceras juxi sp. nov., Tornoceras aequilobum sp. nov.) and taxa described in open nomenclature. There are five associated gephuroceratid genera with nine species. The unexpectedly high genus- and species-level diversity at Sand, supported by statistical indices, is unprecedented compared to other contemporaneous ammonoid faunas. It highlights the currently fragmentary knowledge of top-Frasnian ammonoid faunas on a global scale. Phoenixites frechi, the dominant tornoceratid of hypoxic and organic-rich Kellwasser facies of Europe and North Africa, is completely missing at Sand. The local assemblage structure is analyzed statistically and interpreted in terms of palaeoecology. The occurrence of a new type of “Housean Pits”, probably caused by parasitism, is found in nine species of five genera, mostly in tornoceratids. The Sand fauna indicates that the species origination rate in tornoceratids remained high after the Lower Kellwasser Event.

Intraplate deformations, topographic evolution and sediment production of Western Europe from 40 to 5 Myrs

<p>Western Europe experienced a major rift system initiated during Bartonian times (41 Ma). This evolution is coeval with long wavelength deformations (several hundreds of kilometers) that control the topography and the sediment production beyond the rift. The climate during this time interval was first increasingly arid and then wetter.</p><p>This study is based on both landform and sediment analysis of southern England, France, Belgium and western Germany. The landforms are mainly large pediments, dated by the intersection with sediments deposited in low to high subsiding areas and volcanism. A set of paleogeographic maps with paleotopographic reconstructions, is used to constrain the uplifting and subsiding areas, their wavelength and the critical periods of intraplate deformations.</p><p>The main periods of deformations and sedimentary systems changes area as follow.</p><p><strong>41</strong>Myrs (base Bartonian) was the beginning of a major tilting of Western Europe with subsidence of France and uplift of the Brabant/Ardennes/Rhenish Massif. Even a dense network of basement faults was reactivated, biochemical sedimentation prevailed.</p><p><strong>35-31</strong>Myrs (Late Priabonian-Early Rupelian) initiated a period of general subsidence even along the Ardennes/Rhenish Massif and the French Massif Central. Two major marine floodings are recorded, with a differential preservation according to the balance between deformation and eustasy.</p><p><strong>27-25</strong>Myrs (Chattian) was a period of uplift of Western Europe except the Aquitaine Basin, followed by a relaxation favoring eustatic floodings in (very) low subsiding domains. Chattian siliciclastic deposits are preserved as lowstand wedges in the surrounded basins (North Sea, Atlantic Margin).</p><p><strong>14-11</strong>Myrs (Serravallian-Early Tortonian) initiated the overall uplift of Western Europe, still operating today. This is the beginning of a period of major denudation in southern England, Western Germany (SW Germany flat - “Stufenland”) and along the southern limb of the Franch Massif Central.</p><p>The causes and the consequences in term of sediment production are discussed.</p>

16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing of Microbial Biofilms from Marsberg Copper Mine, Germany

ABSTRACT The 16S rRNA amplicons from biofilms inhabiting rocks near various water bodies of Marsberg Copper Mine (Rhenish Massif, Germany) reveal the diversity of their microbial communities. The abundance of Chloroflexi and Cyanobacteria taxa in the biofilms near leachate streams indicated the selective enrichment of Ktedonobacteria and Oxyphotobacteria members.

Class Trilobita in the Wocklum Limestone of the northern Rhenish Massif east of the Rhine (late Famennian, Late Devonian) – Part 1. Phillipsiidae and Proetidae

In 1926, Rudolf & Emma Richter published the first and so far only monograph of the Late Devonian trilobites. Most of these are in need of revision for technical reasons. In recent years there has been some interesting progress in connection with research on the Devonian- Carboniferous boundary and the Hangenberg Event. The trilobites of the latest Famennian Wocklum Limestone, which belong to the Proetoidea and Phacopinae, are locally the last before the event. They are ex- tensively investigated only by sites at Apricke. The combination of corresponding data with new and updated old information from all other important sites provides for the first time a modern overview of the trilobite fauna. This is important for understanding aspects of the event. The Proetoidea is first in- vestigated in detail. On the basis of previously unpublished finds, the type species of Pseudo waribole and Waribole are documented relatively extensively for the first time. The exact knowledge of their morphology is important for phylogenetic examinations. Eowinterbergia effenbergensis sp. nov. is the first proof for this genus for the German Late Devonian. The demarcation of the Wocklum Limestone against the underlying Dasberg Limestone is only possible faunistically. Species of Helio proetus seem suitable for this, as an example shows. Balvibole kaufmanni gen. et sp. nov. from the Dasberg Limestone is another eyeless cyrtosymboline in the late Famennian.

Anastomopora (Fenestrata, Bryozoa) from the Middle Devonian of the Rhenish Massif, Germany

Three species of the fenestrate genus Anastomopora are described from the Middle Devonian of the Rhenish Massif, Germany. Two species are new: Anastomopora blankenheimensis sp. nov. and Anastomopora minor sp. nov. The morphology and relations of the genus Anastomopora are dis- cussed. The described bryozoans are endemic to the Middle Devonian of the Rhenish Massif.