Comparative geochemical study of the cherty rocks of the Taukha terrane(Sikhote-Alin)and its paleogeodynamic significance

The article presents the results of a comparative geochemical study of cherts and siliceous-clayey rocks composing the tectono-sedimentary complexes of various structural levels of the Taukha terrain of the Sikhote-Alin Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous accretionary prism.The data obtained show that the same-aged parts of the crosssections of the cherty-terrigenous sequences of the terrane lower and middle structural levels are characterized by significantly different contents and distribution patterns of major petrogenic oxides,trace,and rare-earth elements due to their accumulation in various facies of oceanic zones.The set of geochemical data indicates that the formation of both tectono-sedimentary complexes was carried out differently,gradually replacing each others’facies oceanic zones,and started in the near-spreading ridge area,then in the pelagial,and completed in the continental-margin deposition environment.Based on the time interval of the facies conditions changing for each complex(i.e.,time of transition from one facies zone to another),the speeds of a paleo-oceanic plate motion(and,correspondingly,the speeds of spreading)for individual intervals of the Jurassic were calculated.Differences in the spreading speeds at various sites of a paleorift zone caused the turning of a paleocontinent margin contour and spreading ridge axis at the perpendicular position,which in turn caused change of the geodynamic mode on the eastern margin of the PaleoAsian continent at the Jurassic-Cretaceous transition.

Paleocene–early Eocene post-subduction magmatism in Sikhote-Alin (Far East Russia): New constraints for the tectonic history of the Izanagi-Pacific ridge and the East Asian continental margin

New isotopic,geochemical and geochronological data justify the widespread occurrence of middle Paleocene to early Eocene(60–53 Ma)post-subduction felsic magmatism across the entire Sikhote-Alin territory(southeastern Russia),conform with previous observations in Northeast China,the southern Korean Peninsula,and the Inner Zone of Japan.This igneous activity in East Asia coincided with the reactivation(after tectonic quiescence between~93–60Ma)of left-lateral strike-slip displacements along the Tan-Lu and Central Sikhote-Alin faults and with the post-60 Ma cessation of subduction/accretion recorded in the Shimanto belt of SW Japan.The Sikhote-Alin post-subduction igneous A-type rocks present diverse mineralogical and geochemical features that suggest interactions of the subducting plate with anhydrous mantle upwelling through slab tears in the continental margin.The middle Paleocene–early Eocene magmatismis not related to subduction but is synchronous with strikeslip tectonics and the termination of accretionary prism development,suggesting a shift in tectonic regime from oceanic plate subduction at a convergent margin to parallel sliding and initiation of a transformcontinental margin.These new observations are inconsistent with the current tectonic model of 60–50 Ma Izanagi-Pacific ridge subduction beneath East Asian continental margin.

Depositional Environment of Cherts of the Sikhote-Alin Region(Russia Far East): Evidence from Major, Trace and Rare Earth Elements Geochemistry

The first data of geochemical study of the Benevka Section cherty rocks belonging to the Taukha terrane of the Sikhote-Alin Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous accretionary prism, Russia Far East are presented. These data demonstrate essential distinctions of major, trace and rare earth element concentrations in different parts of the measured stratigraphic section. The lower chert horizons exhibit high Fe2O3 and MnO contents, low concentrations of Al2O3 and TiO2, relatively high V/Y ratio, and extremely low value of negative Ce anomaly. In contrast the upper horizons composed of clayey cherts and siliceous mudstones are characterized by high Al2O3, TiO2 and K2O contents, low Fe2O3 and MnO values, low V/Y ratio, and slightly negative Ce anomaly. In the middle part of the Benevka Section, in which cherts gradually changed to clayey cherts, intermediate geochemical characteristics are present. Based on these data obtained the depositional environments correspond to proximal to the spreding ridge, open-ocean and near continental margin regimes were successfully reconstructed from bottom to top of the Benevka Section, that indicate that significant horizontal movement took place of the sea-floor, on which the cherts were deposited.

Identifying ecological corridors for Amur tigers(Panthera tigris altaica)and Amur leopards(Panthera pardus orientalis)

The rapid explosion of human populations and the associated development of human-dominated landscapes have drastically reduced and fragmented habitat for tigers(Panthera tigris)and leopards(Panthera pardus)across Asia,resulting in multiple small populations.However,Amur tiger(Panthera tigris altaica)habitat in Russia has remained largely interconnected,except for a break between tigers in southwest Primorye and the southern Sikhote-Alin Mountains.This habitat patch in southwest Primorye also retains the last population of Amur leopards(Panthera pardus orientalis).Genetic differentiation of tigers in southwest Primorye and the Sikhote-Alin Mountains along with survey data suggest that habitat fragmentation is limiting movement of tigers and leopards across the Razdolnaya River basin.We looked at historical and recent survey data on tigers and leopards and mapped existing cover types to examine land-use patterns of both large felids and humans in the development strip along the Razdolnaya River.We then used least-cost distance analyses to identify the most effective potential corridor to retain connectivity for large felids between Land of the Leopard National Park and Ussuriskii Zapovednik(Reserve).We identified a single potential corridor that still exists with a total distance of 62.5 km from Land of the Leopard National Park to Ussuriskii Zapovednik,mostly(93%)through forested habitat.We recommend formal recognition of a Razdolnaya ecological corridor and provide specific recommendations for each of 3 proposed management sections.