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Cavenderichthys talbragarensis (Woodward, 1895) is a common signature freshwater stem teleost in the Upper Jurassic of Australia. Our discovery of numerous otoliths in the Talbragar Fish Bed establishes Cavenderichthys as only the second known Jurassic teleost and the third known stem teleost with otoliths in situ and provides an important calibration point for the interpretation of isolated Mesozoic otoliths. It corroborates the low degree of morphological diversification of stem teleost otoliths. The abundance of otoliths (isolated, in coprolites and in situ) allows the mapping of ontogenetic effects and of intraspecific variability for the first time in attributable stem teleost otoliths. Here, we describe 284 otoliths, mostly from Cavenderichthys. Otoliths in situ in Cavenderichthys document the presence of sagitta, lapillus, and asteriscus. Three other, much rarer otolith types were also found that have a teleost otolith pattern more primitive than that of Leptolepidiformes; the origin of these is unknown, but it is likely that they stem from pholidophoriform fishes of the family Archaeomenidae. If confirmed, this otolith pattern would provide a further highly diagnostic and synapomorphic character to define teleosts at the level of the Leptolepidiformes and above. Different mineral replacement processes in fossils from the Talbragar Fish Bed aided us in finding many otoliths, particularly otoliths in situ. Given their abundance and distinct preservation, it is surprising that otoliths in the Talbragar Fish Bed have not been recognized before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to clarify the roles that secondary minerals may have in determining the extent of dispersion of Sb in the supergene environment, syntheses and stability studies of the Sb(V) oxides byströmite, MgSb2O6, ordoñezite, ZnSb2O6 and rosiaite, PbSb2O6, have been undertaken. Solubilities in aqueous HNO3 were determined at 298.2 K and the data obtained used to calculate values of DGfθ at the same temperature. The derived DGfθ (s, 298.2 K) values for MgSb2O6 (-1554.1 ±3.6 kJ mol-1), ZnSb2O6 (-1257.0 ±2.6 kJ mol-1) and PbSb2O6 (-1154.2 ±2.6 kJ mol-1) have been used in subsequent calculations to determine their relative stabilities and relationships with other secondary Sb minerals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extent to which secondary Sb minerals control Sb dispersion in the supergene environment is yet to be fully understood. Stability studies of klebelsbergite have been undertaken to better understand its role in controlling Sb mobility and relationships with other secondary Sb minerals. Solubility in aqueous 0.1084 M HNO3 was determined at 298.15 K and the data obtained used to derive ΔGfθ (klebelsbergite, s, 298.15 K) = -2056.4 ± 5.0 kJ/mol. Solubility data have been used to deduce the conditions under which the mineral can form as a thermodynamically stable phase. The single-crystal X-ray structure of synthetic klebelsbergite has been determined 293 K and is essentially the same as that reported earlier for atoms with Z ≥ 8. Crystal data: orthorhombic, space group Pca21, α = 5.7563(4), b= 11.2538(7), c= 14.8627(9) Å, V= 962.81(11)ų, Z = 4. Refinement converged to R1 = 0.0154 for 2206 unique reflections with I > 2σ(7). The present study has located the hydroxyl H atoms on both O5 and O9. The H-bond arrangements are somewhat different to those proposed earlier with the quasi-linear O9-H⋯O3 interaction having <(DHA) = 171(6)°. The O5 hydroxyl H atom lies in a different position to that proposed earlier and is involved in a bifurcated H-bond arrangement with O2 and with itself in a symmetry-related position, with <(DHA) = 133(5) and 125(5)°, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deciphering the tectono‐metamorphic evolution of Precambrian terranes can be difficult due to reworking by later superimposed events. Whole‐rock elemental and isotopic geochemistry and zircon U–Pb geochronology are often employed in those studies, but these approaches are often not sensitive to the presence of multiple events and medium‐grade metamorphic episodes. The Rio Apa Terrane (RAT), an allochthonous fragment of the Amazonian Craton, is a crustal block with a well‐characterized crustal evolution but with no detailed thermal constraints for its tectono‐metamorphic evolution. In contrast to previous studies, we show the existence of four tectono‐metamorphic events at c. 1,780, c. 1,625, c. 1,420–1,340, and c. 1,300–1,200 Ma on the basis of apatite, titanite, and rutile U–Pb, in situ white‐mica Rb–Sr, and in situ garnet Lu–Hf geochronology combined with mineral chemistry and phase‐equilibria modelling. The c. 1,780 Ma event is recorded in the basement of the Western domain, representing an extensional event coeval with the development of its Eastern domain in response to the retreat stage of the accretionary system. This is followed by juxtaposition of the Western and Eastern domains along a major crustal boundary at c. 1,625 Ma, which is defined by the magnetic profiles and zircon U–Pb–Hf data across the boundary. The third and fourth events correspond to progressive high‐pressure/medium‐temperature (HP/MT) metamorphism, characterized by an anticlockwise P–T path, suggesting a convergent‐to‐collisional tectonic setting. The RAT was accreted to the adjoining Paraguá Terrane at c. 1,420–1,340 Ma under an isobaric P–T evolution spanning ~530°C to 600°C and ~10.0 kbar. Subsequently, the combined Rio Apa and Paraguá terranes collided with the SW Amazonian Craton at c. 1,300–1,200 Ma, reaching P–T conditions of ~560–580°C and ~10.9–11.7 kbar during crustal thickening. This study reveals for the first time the existence of a HP/MT metamorphic evolution related to the growth of the SW Amazonian Craton as part of an accretionary orogenic system during Rodinia assembly in the Palaeoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of moissanite (SiC), as xenocrysts in mantle-derived basaltic and kimberlitic rocks sheds light on the interplay between carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in the lithospheric and sublithospheric mantle. SiC is stable only at ƒ O 2 < ΔIW−6, while the lithospheric mantle and related melts commonly are considered to be much more oxidized. SiC grains from both basaltic volcanoclastic rocks and kimberlites contain metallic inclusions whose shapes suggest they were entrapped as melts. The inclusions consist of Si0 + Fe 3 Si 7 ± FeSi 2 Ti ± CaSi 2 Al 2 ± FeSi 2 Al 3 ± CaSi 2 , and some of the phases show euhedral shapes toward Si0. Crystallographically-oriented cavities are common in SiC, suggesting the former presence of volatile phase(s), and the volatiles extracted from crushed SiC grains contain H 2 + CH 4 ± CO 2 ± CO. Our observations suggest that SiC crystalized from metallic melts (Si-Fe-Ti-C ± Al ± Ca), with dissolved H 2 + CH 4 ± CO 2 ± CO derived from the sublithospheric mantle and concentrated around interfaces such as the lithosphere-asthenosphere and crust-mantle boundaries. When mafic/ultramafic magmas are continuously fluxed with H 2 + CH 4 they can be progressively reduced, to a point where silicide melts become immiscible, and crystallize phases such as SiC. The occurrence of SiC in explosive volcanic rocks from different tectonic settings indicates that the delivery of H 2 + CH 4 from depth may commonly accompany explosive volcanism and modify the redox condition of some lithospheric mantle volumes. The heterogeneity of redox states further influences geochemical reactions such as melting and geophysical properties such as seismic velocity and the viscosity of mantle rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The syntheses and structure investigations of four new 3d transition metal complexes (1-4) with a flexible N4O2-donor hexadentate Schiff-base ligand are described; three complexes (1, 2, and 4) of FeIII, CoIII, and CuII metal ions have been investigated by UV-vis, FT-IR, high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS), and scanning electron microscopy-electron dispersive spectroscopy, as well as single crystal X-ray diffraction. The X-ray structure of NiII complex 3 is also reported. The molecular structures of the complexes (1-3) demonstrate distorted octahedral coordination geometry, each exhibiting 1 : 1 (M: L) ratios and the CuII complex 4 shows a trinuclear structure with a CuII : L ratio of 3 : 2 in the solid state, which has been proven by X-ray diffraction. On the other hand, a mononuclear species of the CuII complex is formed in solution, which has been identified by electrospray ionization HR-MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Traditional band-pairs used in aging were not discernable in this study for sawsharks. • The common sawshark was unable to be aged using eight different techniques in this study. • Further age validation and novel techniques are required to accurately age sawsharks. Populations of sharks are declining globally, largely due to fishing pressure. There is a lack of fisheries-independent data on the demographics of many species, particularly those inhabiting deeper waters. The common sawshark (Pristiophorus cirratus) is a benthic-associated shark endemic to southeastern Australia that has been fished for over 90 years. Despite regular landings, little is known about their lifespan. To assess the age of P. cirratus , we first assessed their vertebral morphology to determine the best method for band pair elucidation. Based on morphology, vertebrae located in the post-branchial region were identified as the largest and least variable for band pair analysis. A total of eight different age-determination methods were then applied to shark vertebrae from this region to test the viability of traditional and nontraditional techniques in elucidating band pairs. Band pairs were indeterminable across all treatments. This research calls for further work into age validation and development of novel techniques to accurately age sawsharks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]