No description available.

The Shap Granite outcrops in eastern Cumbria, N.W. England and is a post—orogenic granite intruded during the Lower Devonian (ie 394 Ma) into rocks of Ordovician to Siturian age. It is of adamellite composition and is notable in having megacrysts of orthoclase which crystallised late (relative to the matrix) by an essentially metasomatic process. Late in its cooling history, hydrothermal fluids resulted in alteration ano mineralisation in and about the joint structures. Comparison of whole — rock element and stable isotope data between the hydrothermally — altered and non —altered granites shows that this late — stage process- was isochemical and only involved localised redistribution of the available elements, the hydrothermal fluid being derived from the granite itself and acting in a closed system. The associated suite of granitic dykes extends the chemical range of Shap granitic rocks from the restricted compositions of the granite itsetf (around 68%)to 62 to 77% Si02. Mineralogical and chemical evidence suggests that the Shap magma compositions were controlled mainly by biotite and plagioclase fractionation over much of this silica range. The granite is intruded about much of its outcrop into rocks of the mid—Ordovician, calk—alkaline Borrowdatt Volcanic Group. The aureate is lkm wide and 'generally displays limited contact metamorphic reactions apart from in the Blue Quarry, where higher sub—surface heat flow during the granite's intrusion resulted in localised more extreme metamorphic and some metasomatic conditions resulting in the development of garnet veins. Analysis of 61 samples from the aureole region show only very limited modifications to their original calk—alkaline chemistry. Stable isotope and the whole rock geochemistry indicates that the contact metamorphism was essentialty, isochemical and that chemical interaction with the granite did not occur. Aureole metamorphic reactions took place at moderate temperatures (250 — 400°C) apart from in a narrow (<1000 zone about the granite contact where temperatures may have reached close to those of the granite-solidus (around 600°C). Xenoliths from the 'granite Pink quarries at Shap contain the same mineralogy as their host granite, including the megacryst orthoclase. The xenolith chemistry compares well with that of the more basic dykes, with the xenoliths - forming a coherent group over the compositional range 56 to 674 Sia. Comparison with the country—rock chemistry shows that the xenoliths were not externally derived but probably represent quenched, more basic, comaqmatic melts related to the generation of the main Shap Granite magma. Limited Sr and Nd isotope data for the xenoliths show that these isotopes were in equilibrium with the granite and lends strong support for the cogeneric origins and chemical relationships for the granites, aykes and xenoliths together. The narrow aureole width is typical of those formed by conductive ratner convective cooling with interaction with the adjacent granite limited to thermal effects and not involving the cycling of fluids through the granite or aureole as in convective pluton cooling.

No description available.

From Introduction: The object of the investigation was to examine the variations in the granite and the relation between the granite and the surrounding metamorphosed sedimentary rocks of the Shamvaian System (Primitive). Although this object may not have been fully achieved, it has been possible to show that a wide variety of rocks is present in the area, and a few suggestions as to their origin have been made.

The building blocks of a sedimentary system are essential inputs into studies of reservoir character and comparisons with other sedimentary systems. Yet, our current knowledge of the building blocks of deep water slope channel deposits is still largely speculative. A quantitative approach has been utilised in order to analyse a host of lithological data and objectively identify these sedimentary components. The laterally-extensive and gently-dipping continental slope deposits of the San Fernando Channel System, Baja California, provide the required control on sub-seismic-scale temporal and lateral variations of lithofacies and 3D architecture. High resolution photo-panoramas (with better than 2mm accuracy) of the prominent conglomeratic component of the succession were collected from various key parts of the outcrop. Image analysis of segments extracted from the photo-panoramas generates key parameters for comparison of texture and fabric of conglomerates, such as clast to matrix ratio, major axis length and relative orientation. Statistical analysis of these data enabled the erection of an objective lithofacies scheme for the gravel fraction, the grouping of lithofacies into objectively-defined assemblages, and the establishment of models for the lateral and stratigraphic distributions of these assemblages. 12 lithofacies were objectively identified through hierarchical cluster analysis of 4 quantitative lithological parameters. Statistical analyses indicate significant differences in diversity in the lithofacies assemblages between the early and later parts (termed Stage 1 and Stage 2) of a channel complex set (sensu Sprague, et al., 2002), and to a lesser extent between marginal and axial parts of the system. These can be related to spatial differences and temporal changes in the nature of the turbidity currents flowing through the channel system. Gravelly units become more organised and less diverse with time in one CCS, and each successive CCS more organised at earlier stratigraphic levels than the next, except for the last CCS which is interpreted as influenced by a tectonic paroxysm. These seemingly autocyclic changes in organisation are interpreted as process-responses to changes in equilibrium profile as the nature of confinement changes with the infilling of an initial erosional confinement, to confinement by a master levee and gradual infilling through the evolution of each CCS.

No description available.

<p>Closely related populations or species often occupy ecologically disparate habitats. Adaptation to new habitats can maintain genetic variation within a species or eventually lead to speciation. Local adaptation to different environments has been repeatedly demonstrated in plants and animals, however the traits and genes that underlie this adaptation are poorly understood. This is because many traits differ between divergent populations and species. One way to solve this problem is to separate a trait from its genetic background through genetic manipulation and look for differences in fitness between genetically manipulated individuals. </p><p>My dissertation focuses on investigating the traits and genes that allow two species of Monkey flower, Mimulus laciniatus and Mimulus filicifolius, to survive in a unique habitat. Most closely related Mimulus species, such as M. guttatus, occur in streams and seeps, but M. laciniatus and M. filicifolius have each colonized a harsh granite outcrop environment. Another unique characteristic that both these species share is a lobed leaf shape. Because of the physiological properties of lobed leaves they should be adaptive in a dry, exposed granite outcrop. M. laciniatus also flowers earlier than nearby M. guttatus and is a small flowered self-fertilizing species while M. guttatus has large flowers and is highly outcrossing. Early flowering allows plants to escape the onset of seasonal drought while a self-fertilizing mating system and small flower size is often correlated with the occupation of harsh habitats. </p><p>In chapter one I describe a new granite outcrop endemic species of Mimulus, M. filicifolius based on morphological divergence from M. laciniatus. M. filicifolius was previously categorized as M. laciniatus but it is geographically disjunct and its leaves are more finely dissected (Sexton, Ferris, and Schoenig 2013). In the second chapter I explore whether M. filicifolius is genetically divergent and reproductively isolated from M. laciniatus using genetic sequence, microsattelite, and hybrid fertility data from four members of the M. guttatus species complex with highly overlapping geographic ranges: M. guttatus, M. nasutus, M. lacinaitus, and M. filicifolius. In the third chapter I investigate the genetic basis of leaf shape differences in three members of the M. guttatus species complex, M. laciniatus, M. nudatus, and M. guttatus using bulk segregant analysis to map quantitative trait loci. In the fourth and final chapter I examine the genetic basis of flowering time, floral size, and leaf shape divergence between sympatric M. guttatus and M. laciniatus populations in a common garden using quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, phenotypic selection on flowering time, flower size, and leaf shape in M. laciniatus x M. guttatus hybrids in a reciprocal transplant experiment in the field, and whether QTL's from my common garden experiment overlap fitness QTL's in the field by genotyping hybrid individuals that survived to flower in the field.</p> / Dissertation

<p>There are many dolomitic outcrops at Rondean sector (into the biogeographical Betic Province). Most of them, involve floral richness and vegetal endemic species due to its calcareous origin. These diverse organisms build peculiar plant communities. They can survive in extreme conditions as drought and high levels of Mg2+ cation. Many studies pronounce that these communities are unique, so they have to be conserved, and some of these plant communities are in the Habitats Directive 92/43 EC. </p><p>38% of the dolomitic outcrops can be affected by mining processes. Those particularly affected are dolomitic outcrops located in the mountains range of “Sierra Blanca” and “Sierra de Mijas”. Nowadays, there are 21 quarries in these mountains and they occupy more than 409 Ha. We have studied 11 dolomite quarries and surroundings on “Sierra de Mijas”. There is one vegetation serie on these areas (Rhamno oleoidis-Querco rotundifoliae sigmetum. Dolomitic section), knowing the plant communities we could draw with a Geographical Information System (GIS) the polygons where they are. And using the modified Botanic Value Index equation (Nieto et al., 1999) we could calculate the botanical value of these polygons. After that, we could establish a classification of the study area from the point of view of conservation interest, and we could set up new restoration criteria on these lands. </p><p>We have found that approximately the 53 % of the studied area has a high botanic value. There are many endemic taxa in the studied area and 4 species exclusive of the “Sierra de Mijas” mountain range. 90 % of the present communities are included in the Habitats Directive 92/43 CE, and three of the communities are exclusive of the studied area. This is the reason why these quarries have to be restored with a sustainable criteria.</p><p>Current restoration plans try to reforest with the climax vegetation (Quercus rotundifolia) or different species of pines (used in several previous reforestations). However, to restore a quarry these plans should include, in addition, other factors such as soil depth, structure of vegetal communities, botanic value, etc. And the Reforest Models of Valle (2004) propose sustainable restoration that could be usefull in the dolomite quarries of “Sierra de Mijas” mountain range.</p>

There are many dolomitic outcrops at Rondean sector (into the biogeographical Betic Province). Most of them, involve floral richness and vegetal endemic species due to its calcareous origin. These diverse organisms build peculiar plant communities. They can survive in extreme conditions as drought and high levels of Mg2+ cation. Many studies pronounce that these communities are unique, so they have to be conserved, and some of these plant communities are in the Habitats Directive 92/43 EC. 38% of the dolomitic outcrops can be affected by mining processes. Those particularly affected are dolomitic outcrops located in the mountains range of “Sierra Blanca” and “Sierra de Mijas”. Nowadays, there are 21 quarries in these mountains and they occupy more than 409 Ha. We have studied 11 dolomite quarries and surroundings on “Sierra de Mijas”. There is one vegetation serie on these areas (Rhamno oleoidis-Querco rotundifoliae sigmetum. Dolomitic section), knowing the plant communities we could draw with a Geographical Information System (GIS) the polygons where they are. And using the modified Botanic Value Index equation (Nieto et al., 1999) we could calculate the botanical value of these polygons. After that, we could establish a classification of the study area from the point of view of conservation interest, and we could set up new restoration criteria on these lands. We have found that approximately the 53 % of the studied area has a high botanic value. There are many endemic taxa in the studied area and 4 species exclusive of the “Sierra de Mijas” mountain range. 90 % of the present communities are included in the Habitats Directive 92/43 CE, and three of the communities are exclusive of the studied area. This is the reason why these quarries have to be restored with a sustainable criteria. Current restoration plans try to reforest with the climax vegetation (Quercus rotundifolia) or different species of pines (used in several previous reforestations). However, to restore a quarry these plans should include, in addition, other factors such as soil depth, structure of vegetal communities, botanic value, etc. And the Reforest Models of Valle (2004) propose sustainable restoration that could be usefull in the dolomite quarries of “Sierra de Mijas” mountain range.

Slope channel systems represent significant but highly variable deep-water stratigraphic features and reservoir targets. Variations in architecture and component facies can take place along strike, depositional dip and stratigraphically. A better understanding of these variations permits improved sedimentological and architectural models. By integrating two outcrops (San Clemente, California and Baja California, Mexico) and one subsurface example (offshore Nile Delta), this study provides an opportunity to investigate cross-channel asymmetry, stratigraphic evolution and variability, vertical facies trends, and controls of slope channel systems. This study demonstrates that cross-channel asymmetry in facies and architecture is a lithology- and scale-independent feature, and preferentially occurs at channel bends and in the upper part of slope channel systems. Facies and architectural asymmetry are generally expressed as amalgamated, coarser-grained deposits displaced to the steeper channel edge (outer bend), and finer-grained deposits dominate towards the gentler channel edge (inner bend). A comparison of the systems exposed in Mexico and buried in the subsurface reveals a similar evolutionary trend, from initial sediment erosion/bypass, through early-stage laterally amalgamated channels, late-stage sinuous channels with levees/terraces, and final abandonment. However, pronounced variations exist in the late stage (e.g., presence or absence of lobes), and abandonment stage (e.g., presence or absence of MTDs plugging and channel avulsion). Additionally, for the first time, this study quantitatively demonstrates that early-stage and late-stage architectural elements are characterized by distinct patterns in preferred vertical facies transitions, based on Markov chain analysis of vertical successions. This study also suggests that both extrabasinal factors (e.g., relative sea-level) induced flow energy cycles and intrabasinal factors (e.g., folding and faulting, MTDs, channel bends) can exert a significant control on the architecture and/or evolution of slope channel systems.