The Puesto Piris Formation: Evidence of basin-development in the North Patagonian Massif during crustal extension associated with Gondwana breakup

The Marifil Volcanic Complex, exposed in the eastern North Patagonian Massif, Argentina, includes up to 550 m of red conglomerates, sandstones, black siltstones, limestones, and reworked tuff of the Puesto Piris Formation. The basal part of this unit, which was deposited in high-gradient topographic relief, is composed of conglomerates and sandstones with thin layers of reworked tuffs. The lithofacies associations of the basal part indicate that the depositional mechanisms were mantled and gravitational flows.The middle part of the unit consists of fine sandstones, limestones, and black siltstones that were deposited in low-energy fluvial and lacustrine environments. The outcrops are located along the NEe SW direction and the major thickest units represented by limestones and siltstones, occur near the southeastern border of this NEeS W depocenter. Since the rhyolitic and trachytic lava flows and tuffs of the Marifil Volcanic Complex are interbedded with the sedimentary sequences of the Puesto Piris Formation,both units are coeval. Zircon Ue Pb age was obtained for a trachytic lava flow(193.4 ±3.1 Ma) suggesting that sedimentation and volcanism are Sinemurian. This extensional episode was recorded in the eastern,western, and southwestern sectors of the North Patagonian Massif, and is possibly associated with the Gondwana supercontinent breakup.

Pennsylvanian glacimarine sedimentation in the Cushamen Formation,western North Patagonian Massif

The metasedimentary sequence of the Cushamen Formation in the western North Patagonian Massif is540 m thick and comprises six sedimentary lithofacies associations related to a glacimarine environment.Four of these lithofacies represent distal glacimarine environments, whereas another one was deposited in proximal glacimarine environments, and the last includes subglacial environments. The organization and configuration of these lithofacies associations represent the advance and retreat of the glacier masses. The maximum glacial advance is correlatable with the G2 glacial interval of the Pennsylvanian Pampa de Tepuel, Las Salinas and Valley Chico, formations of the Extraandean Chubut, and the southern part of Neuquen Cordillera. Contemporaneously, in southern Chile there are marine and glacimarine sediments. The chronostratigraphic relationships between the Silurian to Permian units allow five paleogeographic stages to be distinguished. The middle Silurian-late Devonian igneous rocks represent the first magmatic stage. The second stage, which is transitional to the first, is represented by a marine basin that includes the late Devonian-early Carboniferous Esquel and Rio Pescado formations and the Llanquihue Complex. The third stage(early-late Carboniferous) includes granitoids of the second magmatic event that partially overlapped the first magmatic igneous belt. The fourth stage belongs to the late Carboniferous sedimentation of the Cushamen and equivalent formations. The extended early Permian magmatism was the last Paleozoic event in the studied area.

Cenozoic basin evolution of the Central Patagonian Andes:Evidence from geochronology, stratigraphy, and geochemistry

The Central Patagonian Andes is a particular segment of the Andean Cordillera that has been subjected to the subduction of two spreading ridges during Eocene and Neogene times. In order to understand the Cenozoic geologic evolution of the Central Patagonian Andes, we carried out geochronologic(U-Pb and^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar), provenance, stratigraphic, sedimentologic, and geochemical studies on the sedimentary and volcanic Cenozoic deposits that crop out in the Meseta Guadal and Chile Chico areas(～47°S). Our data indicate the presence of a nearly complete Cenozoic record, which refutes previous interpretations of a hiatus during the middle Eocene-late Oligocene in the Central Patagonian Andes. Our study suggests that the fluvial strata of the Ligorio Marquez Formation and the flood basalts of the Basaltos Inferiores de la Meseta Chile Chico Formation were deposited in an extensional setting related to the subduction of the Aluk-Farallon spreading ridge during the late Paleocene-Eocene. Geochemical data on volcanic rocks interbedded with fluvial strata of the San Jose Formation suggest that this unit was deposited in an extensional setting during the middle Eocene to late Oligocene. Progressive crustal thinning allowed the transgression of marine waters of Atlantic origin and deposition of the upper Oligocene-lower Miocene Guadal Formation. The fluvial synorogenic strata of the Santa Cruz Formation were deposited as a consequence of an important phase of compressive deformation and Andean uplift during the early-middle Miocene. Finally, alkali flood basalts of the late middle to late Miocene Basaltos Superiores de la Meseta Chile Chico Formation were extruded in the area in response to the suduction of the Chile Ridge under an extensional regime. Our studies indicate that the tectonic evolution of the Central Patagonian Andes is similar to that of the North Patagonian Andes and appears to differ from that of the Southern Patagonian Andes, which is thought to have been the subject of continuous compressive deformation since the late Early Cretaceous.

Upper trophic structure in the Atlantic Patagonian shelf break as inferred from stable isotope analysis

The Patagonian Shelf is a very productive region with dif ferent ecosystem structures. A long history of fishing in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean combined with a complex hydrographic structure, with a permanent front over the shelf-break and dif ferent coastal frontal regions, and a wide non-frontal area in between have made the food web in this area more complex and have resulted in changes to the spatialtemporal scale. Stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen were used to determine the trophic structure of the Patagonian shelf break which was previously poorly understood. The results indicated that the average δ^(15)N value of pelagic guild(I llex argentinus) was remarkable lower than those of the other guilds. The δ^(13)C values of almost all species ranged from-17‰ to-18‰, but S tromateus brasiliensis had a significant lower δ^(13)C value. Compared with the southern Patagonian shelf, short food chain length also occurred. The impact of complex oceanographic structures has resulted in food web structure change to the temporal-spatial scale on the Patagonian shelf. The Patagonian shelf break can be considered as a separated ecosystem structure with lower δ^(15)N values.

Influence of dissolved organic matter character on mercury incorporation by planktonic organisms: An experimental study using oligotrophic water from Patagonian lakes

Ligands present in dissolved organic matter(DOM) form complexes with inorganic divalent mercury(Hg2+) afecting its bioavailability in pelagic food webs. This investigation addresses the influence of a natural gradient of DOM present in Patagonian lakes on the bioaccumulation of Hg2+(the prevailing mercury species in the water column of these lakes) by the algae Cryptomonas erosa and the zooplankters Brachionus calyciflorus and Boeckella antiqua. Hg2+accumulation was studied through laboratory experiments using natural water of four oligotrophic Patagonian lakes amended with197Hg2+. The bioavailability of Hg2+was afected by the concentration and character of DOM. The entrance of Hg2+into pelagic food webs occurs mostly through passive and active accumulation. The incorporation of Hg2+by Cryptomonas, up to 27% of the Hg2+amended, was found to be rapid and dominated by passive adsorption,and was greatest when low molecular weight compounds with protein-like or small phenolic signatures prevailed in the DOM.Conversely, high molecular weight compounds with a humic or fulvic signature kept Hg2+in the dissolved phase, resulting in the lowest Hg2+accumulation in this algae. In Brachionus and Boeckella the direct incorporation of Hg from the aqueous phase was up to3% of the Hg2+amended. The dietary incorporation of Hg2+by Boeckella exceeded the direct absorption of this metal in natural water,and was remarkably similar to the Hg2+adsorbed in their prey. Overall, DOM concentration and character afected the adsorption of Hg2+by algae through competitive binding, while the incorporation of Hg2+into the zooplankton was dominated by trophic or dietary transfer.

阿根廷巴塔哥尼亚陆架拉氏南美南极鱼(Patagonotothen ramsayi)不同组织中脂肪酸分布及食物来源指示

作为南美南极鱼科中数量最为丰富的一个种,拉氏南美南极鱼(Patagonotothen ramsayi)在巴塔哥尼亚海域食物网能量流动中起着重要的传递作用。目前针对该鱼种的营养及摄食生态学研究主要集中于反映短期摄食的传统胃含物分析上。为此,本研究分析了拉氏南美南极鱼3种组织(肌肉、肝脏和性腺)中脂肪酸含量及分布情况,并就3种组织中的脂肪酸是否能表征其食性及食性转换进行了探究。结果表明,拉氏南美南极鱼体内共检测出27种脂肪酸;由于涉及生长、繁殖等因素影响,肝脏、性腺组织对于脂肪酸的储存及使用情况并不适用于指征食性,而肌肉组织更新时间相对较长,故能够较好地反映其对食物中脂肪酸的吸收。对不同体长组拉氏南美南极鱼肌肉组织中脂肪酸分析可知,未成熟拉氏南美南极鱼(100~240 mm)主要摄食浮游性生物;随着体长增加对底栖生物的摄食也随之增加,由浮游性摄食方式转变为浮游-底栖性摄食。另外,因拉氏南美南极鱼摄食一定量的渔业丢弃物,导致腐生食物链和捕食食物链的贡献率特征弱化。研究结果进一步显示,针对大洋性鱼类,与肝脏和性腺相比,肌肉组织脂肪酸更适用于表征食物来源。

Combined U-Pb SHRIMP and Hf isotope study of the Late Paleozoic Yaminue Complex,Rio Negro Province,Argentina:Implications for the origin and evolution of the Patagonia composite terrane

We have carried out zircon U-Pb SHRIMP dating and Hf isotope determinations on a biotite paraschist and on a tonalitic orthogneiss of the Yaminue Complex,and re-evaluate this complex in the broader context of the tectonic evolution of the Patagonia composite terrane.In the metasedimentary unit (msuYC),the youngest detrital zircon dated at 318±5 Ma(Mississippian/Pennsylvanian boundary) indicates a Pennsylvanian(or younger) depositional age.The three main age populations peak at 474,454 and 374 Ma.Preliminary Hf isotope data for two detrital zircons(447 and 655 Ma) yieldedε(Hf) values of -0.32 and 0.48,indicating that their primary sources contained small amounts of recycled crustal components(of Calymmian age;T_(DM) 1.56 Ga).Zircons from the orthogneiss(miuYC;intrusive into msuYC) show a crystallization age of 261.3±2.7 Ma(Capitanian;late middle Permian) which is broadly coeval with deformation,and Neoarchean-Paleoproterozoic inheritance.Meaningful core-rim relationship between Neoarchean zircon cores and late Permian rims is well defined,indicating the occurrence of Archean crust in this sector of Patagonia.Hf T_(DM) of Permian zircons is mainly Meso-Paleoarchean(2.97-3.35 Ga),with highly negativeε(Hf) values(ca.-33).Hf T_(DM) of inherited Neoarchean zircon cores is also Meso-Paleoarchean(3.14-3.45 Ga) but more juvenile(ε(Hf) = -0.3).Hf isotopes reinforce the presence of unexposed ancient crust in this area. Combining geological and isotope data,as well as geophysical models,we identify the Yaminue Complex within the La Esperanza-Yaminue crustal block flanked by two other,distinct crustal blocks:the Eastern block which forms part of the Patagonia terrane sensu stricto,located in the eastern Patagonian region,and the Western block forming part of the Southern Patagonia terrane.Their origins and timing of amalgamation to form the Patagonia composite terrane are also discussed.

南大洋小鳞犬牙南极鱼渔业时间变化及其对气候变化的响应

基于南极海洋生物资源养护委员会（CCAMLR）统计公报（第23卷）提供的渔业数据，结合表征气候变化的指数数据，利用广义可加模型（GAM）对1988年10月～2010年9月CCAMLR管辖水域内小鳞犬牙南极鱼渔业的时间变化及其对全球气候变化的响应进行了研究。结果表明，2000年为小鳞犬牙南极鱼渔业的一个分界线，且各年间平均单位捕捞努力量渔获量（CPUE）值存在着极显著的差异。8月份之前，月均CPUE值保持着相对稳定的状态；8月和9月份，月均CPUE值处于相对高位的水平，而11月和12月，月均CPUE又回到之前的水平。最终模型对CPUE总偏差解释率为79．37％，其中贡献最大的为年份，且时间因子对模型的贡献明显高于气候变化指数所带来的效应。

Mind the gap among patches in arid plant communities:rapid root proliferation in response to N addition

Aims In arid communities,it has been proposed that individual plants can extend their roots beyond their canopy exploring neighbour-ing bare ground areas.This becomes relevant in systems where the vegetation is distributed in patches surrounded by bare soil.However,whether roots of different species may be overlapping under bare ground areas is still controversial.The factors control-ling root responses when no plants appear to be directly influ-encing the gap among patches are still unclear.The aim of our study was to detect perennial grasses responses to an N enrich-ment pulse.Methods In a semi-arid steppe(Patagonia,Argentina),we buried root traps filled with sieved soil with and without N addition,under bare soil patches.Traps were harvested after 4 and 6 months.Trap neighbour-hoods(30 cm in diameter)included at least three of the dominant tussock species.After harvests,we identified species in the traps by root traits and quantified diversity,biomass and specific relative growth rates.Important Findings Bare ground areas show simultaneous root growth of different spe-cies.Diversity of perennial grass roots was higher with N addition than without it in the first harvest(4 months),but this difference disappeared in the second harvest(6 months).Root biomass was maximal after 6 months in N addition traps.Species preferred by herbivores(Bromus pictus and Poa ligularis)showed rapid growth and responses to N addition.Differences between harvests may be an indicative that N pulses interact with rising temperatures and soil water content as growing season progress.