长江中下游成矿带庐枞矿集区首例钨矿床成岩成矿时代及其意义

庐枞矿集区是长江中下游成矿带中重要的铁铜多金属成矿区之一。2014年在矿集区北部首次勘探发现了东顾山钨多金属矿床,其成矿与隐伏黑云母花岗岩体关系密切。东顾山矿床的矿床地质特征和成矿岩浆岩明显不同于该矿集区内已知的斑岩型铜金矿床和玢岩型铁矿床有关的岩浆岩。本次工作在详细野外地质工作的基础上,开展了东顾山钨多金属矿床地质特征、成矿岩体的岩石学和成岩成矿时代研究。研究表明,东顾山矿床为矽卡岩型钨多金属矿床,其锆石LA ICP-MS U-Pb定年结果为99.7±1.5Ma~99.9±1.7Ma,与钨矿化形成于同一期岩浆热液活动的辉钼矿的Re-Os定年结果为97.22±0.77Ma,成岩成矿时代相近,表明东顾山钨多金属矿床的成矿作用与东顾山岩体几乎同时形成,二者具有密切的成因联系。通过与区域成岩成矿时代的对比,本文首次提出庐枞矿集区内存在100Ma左右的成岩成矿事件,在成矿时代和矿床类型上明显区别于成矿带先存的140Ma的斑岩-矽卡岩型铜矿床和130Ma的玢岩型铁矿床,是长江中下游成矿带新的一期成矿作用产物,据此将成矿带的燕山期成矿时代范围重新确定在145~97Ma之间,说明长江中下游成矿带存在与华南中生代第三次大规模成矿作用对应的伸展地球动力背景下的成矿事件。东顾山钨多金属矿床为下一步在庐枞矿集区及区域上开展100Ma左右的钨多金属矿床找矿勘探提供了重要的线索,也为区域成岩成矿作用的动力学背景进一步深入研究提出了新的课题。     

滇东北会泽超大型铅锌矿Re-Os同位素特征及喜山期成矿作用动力学背景探讨

会泽超大型铅锌矿是滇东北铅锌多金属成矿域中典型的密西西比河谷型(MVT)或会泽型(HZT)矿床,因其独特的成矿系统以及矿床中富锗而被地质学者熟知,由于该类型矿床成矿温度较低且缺少合适的定年矿物,其成矿时代一直存在较大的争议。本文在会泽铅锌矿麒麟厂矿区1584中段0-11号穿脉坑道块状铅锌硫化物矿石中挑选了9件硫化物样品(黄铁矿、方铅矿和闪锌矿),采用负离子热表面电离质谱法进行Re-Os同位素分析,获得Re-Os等时线年龄为40.7±2.6 Ma(n=9),与模式年龄加权平均值40.0±2.6Ma(n=8)在误差内完全一致,闪锌矿和方铅矿模式年龄分别为38.24±0.41 Ma和36.57±0.40 Ma。上述同位素年龄揭示了会泽超大型铅锌矿的成矿时代可能为始新世。结合滇东北铅锌矿集区NE向逆冲断层和冲断褶皱控矿构造区域构造解析以及断裂、矿体构造-岩相蚀变特征,提出会泽超大型铅锌矿经历了燕山期、喜山期两阶段构造-流体贯入的成矿作用模型。     

江南隆起带北缘新生代构造演化的石英ESR年代学研究

运用α石英热活化ESR定年法对江南隆起带北缘35件样品进行了研究。结果显示,江南隆起带北缘的石英脉ESR年龄范围在195.8~3.4 Ma之间,主要集中在喜山期(75~3.4 Ma)。结合其他地质证据,江南隆起带北缘新生代构造演化可以划分为伸展断陷期(75~61.5 Ma)和挤压隆升期(43.2~3.4 Ma)两个阶段。前者以发育正断层和断陷盆地为特征,后者以重力滑脱构造为特征。喜山期的构造作用对先存构造进行了强烈的改造,包括南华北、中下扬子和江南隆起带北缘的整个中国东部地区在喜山期都经历了显著的构造活动。ESR测年结果与江南隆起带已有地质事实相吻合,检验了ESR测年的可靠性。     

西藏冈底斯成矿带中铅锌矿床的成矿特征

西藏冈底斯成矿带是位于雅鲁藏布江结合带与班公湖—怒江结合带之间的世界级巨型铜多金属成矿带。冈底斯成矿带中铅锌矿床主要有夕卡岩型(接触交代夕卡岩型和层控夕卡岩型)和充填热液脉型2类,矿床的形成与岩浆活动关系密切,成矿时代分为中生代燕山晚期((157.41±1.20)Ma)、新生代喜山早期(65～40Ma)和喜山晚期(25～10Ma)等3期。其中,喜山早期为夕卡岩型铅锌矿床最重要的成矿期,喜山晚期为充填热液脉型铅锌矿床的主成矿期。赋矿地层主要为晚古生代石炭-二叠系,其次为中生代侏罗系—白垩系。矿床具有呈EW向带状、SN向串状分布的特征,在局部构造单元内矿床呈丛聚性分布规律。重要的地质事件控制着矿床的形成,是2期或多期地质事件联合作用的结果。层控夕卡岩型铅锌矿是冈底斯成矿带的重要矿化类型之一,往往由热水沉积作用、多期构造改造及岩浆热液活动相互叠加富集而成。     

黑龙江省完达山地区金铜成矿作用时代、构造背景及物质源区

完达山地区位于中国东北部陆缘,区内已发现多个金、金铜矿床(点),集中形成于早白垩世。为确定区内早白垩世金铜成矿作用的类型、时代、构造背景及物质源区,选取258高地、358高地和跃进山等代表性矿床,在矿床学研究基础上,开展了主要成矿岩体的地质特征、地球化学特征和同位素年代学研究。结果表明,完达山地区发育矽卡岩型铜金矿(跃进山)、斑岩型铜矿(跃进山花岗斑岩体)、浅成低温热液型金矿(258高地)和中温热液脉型金矿(358高地)等四种类型金铜矿床;258高地闪长玢岩、358高地闪长玢岩和跃进山花岗斑岩的锆石U-Pb年龄分别为1107±10Ma、1084±09 Ma和1019±11Ma;258高地闪长玢岩与358高地闪长玢岩锆石ε_(Hf)(t)值(分别为+04～+103和+22～+71)、Hf二阶模式年龄(分别为051～115Ga和072～102Ga)及岩石地球化学特征显示其属于埃达克(质)岩石,形成于洋壳俯冲的构造背景;跃进山矿床花岗斑岩的锆石ε_(Hf)(t)介于22～683,二阶段模式年龄t_(DM2)介于725～1021Ma,具有典型Ⅰ型花岗岩地球化学特征,形成于古太平洋俯冲的构造背景下;岩石Sr-Nd-Pb同位素组成表明,随258高地闪长玢岩、358高地闪长玢岩和跃进山花岗斑岩的年龄变新,岩浆源区可能具有幔源向壳源过渡的趋势。结合区域构造背景演化认为,完达山地区早白垩世金铜成矿作用与古太平洋板块俯冲作用的演化过程具有明显的耦合关系。     

宁蒗地区喜山期斑岩带成矿系列地质特征

云南宁蒗地区喜山期斑岩带各斑岩体（群）地质特征、岩石地球化学等方面的研究表明,斑岩属含矿斑岩。斑岩体侵位的围岩各地层亦具一定的含矿性。随着斑岩带围岩含矿层位和斑岩岩浆含矿性的变化,斑岩型铜矿和斑岩体外接触带矿床也随之发生变化,形成由一系列多矿种、多类型矿床构成的矿床系列。宁蒗地区喜山期斑岩带及其成矿系列严格受ＳＮ向的包都—波罗弧形断裂带控制,该斑岩带实为构造、斑岩、成矿三位一体的喜山期构造—斑岩成矿带。     

长江中下游成矿带陆内斑岩型矿床的成岩成矿作用

陆内环境斑岩型矿床的发现对斑岩成矿理论的完善具有重要意义。长江中下游成矿带作为中国东部重要的陆内成矿带之一,成矿带内发育多个重要的斑岩型矿床,如铜山口Cu-Mo矿床、鸡冠嘴Cu-Au矿床、白云山Cu矿、城门山Cu-Mo矿床、武山Cu-Mo矿床、丰山洞Cu-Au矿床、丁家山Cu矿、洋鸡山Au矿、沙溪Cu-Au矿床、冬瓜山Cu-Au矿床、舒家店Cu矿床和安基山Cu矿床等。本文选取成矿带内典型的、具有代表性的斑岩型矿床,对其地质特征(地层、构造、含矿斑岩、脉体特征和围岩蚀变)、成岩成矿年代、成矿岩体的岩石化学和成岩成矿地球化学等方面的研究资料和成果进行了系统总结,讨论和试图阐明长江中下游成矿带陆内斑岩型矿床的成岩成矿作用与成矿模式。研究显示,长江中下游成矿带形成于燕山期陆内造山过程,成矿斑岩岩浆活动和成矿作用主要发生于149~105Ma之间,进一步可以分为早、中、晚三阶段:149~135Ma、133~125Ma和123~105Ma,三阶段岩浆活动和成矿作用主要发生于成矿带中的断隆区,早阶段(149~135Ma)和晚阶段(123~105Ma)多为斑岩-矽卡岩型矿化,中阶段(133~125Ma)矿化为典型的斑岩型矿化。长江中下游成矿带内斑岩型矿床的含矿斑岩为高钾钙碱性-钙碱性系列岩石,大部分具有埃达克岩的地球化学特征,可能为源自富集地幔的岩浆和加厚下地壳部分熔融的岩浆混合的产物,源自富集地幔的基性岩浆对成矿具有至关重要的作用,它的混入使得混合岩浆富水、硫和金属(Cu、Au)等。进一步通过与岩浆弧环境的斑岩型矿床对比研究发现,长江中下游成矿带斑岩型矿床一般不发育高级泥化岩帽(advanced argillic liithocaps)以及浅部的高-中硫矿化蚀变系统,含矿岩浆源区性质和成矿物质来源等与岩浆弧环境的斑岩型矿床明显不同。     

西南天山中新生代盆地成矿流体运移规律

乌拉根铅锌矿床和萨热克铜矿床是西南天山中新生代盆地最有代表性的两个层控砂砾岩型矿床,乌拉根铅锌矿床产于下白垩统克孜勒苏群第五岩性段(K₁kz5)的粗砂质细砾岩中,后期经历了弱的构造改造作用;萨热克铜矿床产于上侏罗统库孜贡苏组上段(J₃k2)杂砾岩中,其北矿段后期经历了强烈的构造改造作用,南矿段可见岩浆热液蚀变作用后的褪色化及叠加成矿作用。为了研究成矿流体和岩浆热液在岩石中的运移规律,分别对上述两个矿区以沉积作用、构造改造作用和岩浆作用为主的代表性岩石测定了孔隙度和渗透率。测试结果表明乌拉根矿区岩(矿)石的孔隙度和渗透率总体比萨热克矿区岩石的孔隙度和渗透率要小;乌拉根铅锌矿区和萨热克铜矿区北矿段矿石的孔隙度和渗透率均小于下盘围岩的孔隙度和渗透率;萨热克铜矿区南矿段经历了岩浆热液蚀变,岩石的孔隙度和渗透率明显小于未受岩浆作用的岩石孔隙度和渗透率,且辉绿岩脉下盘岩石的孔隙度和渗透率明显小于上盘。同时通过岩(矿)石组构分析,上述岩(矿)石在成岩和成矿后孔隙度和渗透率的变化均与成矿流体或岩浆热液的作用密切相关。在西南天山中新生代层控型矿床中,当成矿流体沿切层断裂上升后会优先选择孔隙度和渗透率高的岩层进行渗滤、扩散、充填和交代作用。岩石中的砾石砾径越大,砾石间隙越大;岩石的硬度越大,其在后期构造变形中越容易形成构造裂隙,对成矿越有利,这也是造成萨热克铜矿北矿带中的金属硫化物颗粒明显大于乌拉根铅锌矿中金属硫化物的重要原因。上述结果表明沉积盆地中成矿流体或岩浆热液的成矿作用越强,岩石受其影响在成岩成矿后的孔隙度和渗透率越会变小,从岩石的孔隙度和渗透率可间接反映成矿过程中成矿作用的强弱,为寻找富矿体提供理论依据。      

黑龙江东部那丹哈达地体燕山期金铜成矿系统——中生代岩浆作用与成矿背景

黑龙江东部那丹哈达地体位于锡霍特—阿林造山带中部西缘,中生代以来发生了剧烈的构造—岩浆—成矿作用,发育有热泉型、火山热液型、浅成低温热液型以及矽卡岩型等铜金矿床。笔者等在详细的野外地质调查基础上,对四平山、先锋北山、258高地和跃进山4个典型矿床的成矿岩体进行主量元素、稀土、微量元素地球化学特征分析以及锆石U-Pb年代学研究,旨在探讨研究区燕山期铜金成矿构造背景与成矿模式。研究结果表明,四平山金矿床、先锋北山金矿床、258高地金矿床和跃进山铜金矿床成矿岩体的LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄分别为122.5±1.1 Ma、117.0±0.4 Ma、116.9±0.8 Ma和115.7±1.1 Ma,矿床成矿时代属于早白垩世晚期。4个矿床的成矿岩体具有相似的岩石地球化学特征,属于中分异I型花岗岩,岩浆来源于地壳物质部分熔融源区,形成于碰撞后构造背景。结合矿床地质背景、锆石U-Pb年代学特征、地球化学特征以及区域构造演化,笔者等认为四平山金矿床、先锋北山金矿床、258高地金矿床和跃进山铜金矿床的成矿时代基本一致,成因均与燕山期中酸性岩浆相关,属于同一成矿系列,铜金成矿作用与古太平洋板块俯冲...     

滇西北羊拉铜矿床研究中的几个问题

羊拉大型铜矿床位于滇西北德钦县,为金沙江构造带内的代表性矿床,其矿床成因和成矿模式尚未取得统一认识。本文从地层划分、岩浆岩及其构造背景、成矿物质和成矿流体来源、成矿时代与矿床成因等方面分析了研究进展,提出了"热水沉积-岩浆热液成矿-构造热液改造"成矿模式。海西期热水沉积作用提供部分成矿物质,但未形成规模铜矿体;晚印支期岩浆热液成矿作用为最主要成矿期,形成羊拉铜矿的接触交代型主矿体,其残余岩浆浅成就位形成石英斑岩脉及斑岩型矿体;燕山-喜山期构造热液改造成矿作用使不同矿体进一步富集或贫化,并错段矿体形成不同的矿段。     

Wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometric determination of Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in komatiites

Komatiites are mantle-derived ultramafic volcanic rocks. Komatiites have been discovered in several States of India, notably in Karnataka. Studies on the distribution of trace-elements in the komatiites of India are very few. This paper proposes a simple, accurate, precise, rapid, and non-destructive wavelength-dispersive x-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometric technique for determining Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in komatiites, and discusses the accuracy, precision, limits of detection, x-ray spectral-line interferences, inter-element effects, speed, advantages, and limitations of the technique. The accuracy of the technique is excellent (within 3%) for Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th and very good (within 4%) for Y. The precision is also excellent (within 3%) for Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th. The limits of detection are: 1 ppm for Sc and V; 2 ppm for Cr, Co, and Ni; 3 ppm for Cu, Zn, Rb, and Sr; 4 ppm for Y and Zr; 6 ppm for Nb; 10 ppm for Ba; 13 ppm for Pb; and 14 ppm for Th. The time taken for determining Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in a batch of 24 samples of komatiites, for a replication of four analyses per sample, by one operator, using a manual WDXRF spectrometer, is only 60 hours.     

高压微波消解法测定醋酸纤维过滤器采集的微尘粒子中的砷镉钴铬铜铁锰镍铅钒锌

最新的流行病学研究表明,空气中较高浓度的悬浮细颗粒可能对人类的健康有不利的影响。根据该项研究显示,由于心脏病、慢性呼吸问题和肺功能指标恶化而导致死亡率的升高与细尘粒子有关。这些研究结果已经促使欧盟于1999年4月出台了限制空气中二氧化硫、二氧化氮、氧化氮、铅和颗粒物含量的法案(1999/30/EC),对各项指标包括对可吸入PM10颗粒的浓度提出了新的限制性指标。PM10颗粒是指可以通过预分级器分离采集的气体动力学直径小于10μm的细颗粒。目前研究的兴趣重点逐步偏向PM2.5这些更细微颗粒物,PM2.5这种颗粒物对健康有明显的不利影响。在欧盟指令2008/50/EC中,对PM10和PM2.5都提     

Isotopic systematics of He,Ar, S,Cu, Ni,Re, Os,Pb, U,Sm, Nd,Rb, Sr,Lu, and Hf in the rocks and ores of the Norilsk deposits

This paper reports the first results of a study of 11 isotope systems (³He/⁴He, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar, ³⁴S/³²S, ⁶⁵Cu/⁶³Cu, ⁶²Ni/⁶⁰Ni, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd, ^206–208Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, Hf–Nd, U–Pb, and Re–Os) in the rocks and ores of the Cu–Ni–PGE deposits of the Norilsk ore district. Almost all the results were obtained at the Center of Isotopic Research of the Karpinskii All-Russia Research Institute of Geology. The use of a number of independent genetic isotopic signatures and comprehensive isotopic knowledge provided a methodic basis for the interpretation of approximately 5000 isotopic analyses of various elements. The presence of materials from two sources, crust and mantle, was detected in the composition of the rocks and ores. The contribution of the crustal source is especially significant in the paleofluids (gas–liquid microinclusions) of the ore-forming medium. Crustal solutions were probably a transport medium during ore formation. Air argon is dominant in the ores, which indicates a connection between the paleofluids and the atmosphere. This suggests intense groundwater circulation during the crystallization of ore minerals. The age of the rocks and ores of the Norilsk deposits was determined. The stage of orebody formation is restricted to a narrow age interval of 250 ± 10 Ma. An isotopic criterion was proposed for the ore-bearing potential of mafic intrusions in the Norilsk–Taimyr region. It includes several interrelated isotopic ratios of various elements: He, Ar, S, and others.     

硅酸盐中铁、锰、钛、钙、钾、磷、硅、铝、镁、钠、锶、铷、钡的X-射线荧光光谱定量测定

本文介绍样品经四硼酸锂熔融制成玻璃小饼。采用Lachance模式和理论a系数来校正元素间的效应,由3080E型X-射线荧光谱仪和DF-350B数据处理系统完成硅酸盐中十三个项目的测定。     

硅酸盐类样品中硅、铁、铝、钛、锰、钙、镁、钾、钠和磷的x射线荧光光谱测定

本文拟定了一种以熔融法制备样片,用X射线荧光光谱测定硅酸盐类样品中Si、Fe、Al、Tj、Mn、Ca、Mg、K、Na、P等元素的分析方法。在对不同靶材X光管和分光晶体实验对比的基础上,选择了最佳的测量条件。该法具有快速、准确,测量范围广,检测限低,价格便宜等优点。经过近百个各种类型标样或管理样品的分析对比表明,本法不仅适用于硅酸盐类岩石样品的分析,还适用于铁矿、铝土矿、碳酸盐类岩矿样品以及水泥、耐火材料等样品的分析。     

Viscous, cohesive, non-Newtonian, depositing, radial slurry flow

Mining induced subsidence can significantly affect mining costs where major surface facilities and natural environment need to be protected. Overburden grout injection is a technology used to control coal mine subsidence by injecting the mine waste material extracted from the coal back into the inter-burden rock during longwall mining. The flowing slurry is here categorised as a nonlinear viscous cohesive (Bingham plastic) fluid. During longwall mining the grout slurry is pumped into the separated beds of the rock mass through a central vertical borehole, which is drilled deep into the inter-burden rock strata above the coal seam. However, a blockage can occur in the injection system when the slurry velocity falls below a certain critical threshold velocity, indicating a material phase change from cohesive-viscous to cohesive-frictional. In situ field injection tests through boreholes have been simulated at a smaller scale at the CSIRO laboratory in Brisbane by pumping the slurry through a radial disk (gap = 4 mm) from its centre. Laboratory experiments indicate a general, nonlinear, cohesive, viscous, frictional model for shear behaviour of the slurry, in which the material shear parameters are functions of the disk radial distance. Complete dimensional and dimensionless analytical solutions have been developed based on an approach related to Bingham–Herschel–Bulkley fluid mechanics. The derived formulae include relations for minimum pump pressure, local pressure and pressure gradient, wall shear stress, volume rate, velocity and velocity gradient. The theoretical results match the experimental measurements. The experiments covered slurries with maximum particle sizes of 0.5 to 2 mm with about 50% being larger than 100 µm. The viscosities at the various solids concentrations were measured with a standard torsion viscometer. This study differs from the previous research in several distinct aspects, namely, consideration of the variable shear parameters rather than fixed values, inclusion of total nonlinear behaviour, and implementation of a friction function to mimic behaviour of the deposited and consolidating stiff slurry, which can cause a significant pressure rise as a result of the increased shear resistance.     

Mountains,nations, parks,and conservation

Between 1985 and 1991, two new mountain protected areas (MTNPA) covering more than 35,000 km² and based on participatory management models — the Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area, Nepal, and Qomolangma Nature Preserve, Tibet Autonomous Region — were successfully established through the collaborative efforts of Woodlands Mountain Institute and conservationists in China and Nepal. Characteristics common to both projects include the importance of establishing (1) effective rationales, (2) local support constituencies, (3) a senior advisory group, (4) a task force, (5) linkages between conservation and development, and (6) fund raising mechanisms. The lessons derived from the experiences of Woodlands Mountain Institute are of significant value to others in preserving MTNPA. Increased collaboration and communication between all interested in conservation, however, will remain a critical component for expanding mountain protected area coverage to throughout the world.     

岩石密度和超高压岩石折返速率

在常温常压条件下对中国大陆科学钻CCSD主孔100-3000米岩心样品进行了密度测量,建立了密度连续剖面,并界定了不同超高压岩石的密度值。通过对比高温高压物性实验资料,岩石密度随着退变程度增强而降低,榴辉岩密度变化序列为3.52g/cm3→3.49g/cm3→3.07g/cm3→2.93g/cm3。超高压长英质岩石密度变化序列为3.00g/cm→2.80g/cm3→2.65g/cm3。上述实验资料是讨论不同折返阶段岩石所受浮力的基础,为研究折返速率大小提供了基本参数。本文通过折返板块运动平衡时,上浮力与粘滞力平衡这一关系式,定量研究了大陆俯冲板块的折返速率,认为密度差产生上浮力从而引起折返,温度对板块折返速率的影响最为显著;密度差大小、折返角度、折返板块大小对折返速率也有直接的影响。定量模拟分析表明,在温度高于850℃时,板块的折返速率可以超过100mm/a;当温度降至700℃时,折返速率则低于1.5mm/a。作者认为在折返早期,温度较高,板块快速折返至60-70km榴辉岩相深度;随着传导散热,温度降低,板块以较慢的速率折返至中下地壳。折返速率的估算表明,浮力是板块折返第一阶段(从>100km深部折返至<40km的中下地壳)的主要驱动力。     

Regional distribution of Al,B, Ba,Ca, K,La, Mg,Mn, Na,P, Rb,Si, Sr,Th, U and Y in terrestrial moss within a 188,000 km2 area of the central Barents region: influence of geology,seaspray and human activity

Five hundred and ninety-eight samples of terrestrial moss (Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi) collected from a 188,000 km² area of the central Barents region (NE Norway, N Finland, NW Russia) were analysed by ICP-AES and ICP-MS. Analytical results for Al, B, Ba, Ca, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Rb, Si, Sr, Th, U and Y concentrations are reported here. Graphical methods of data analysis, such as geochemical maps, cumulative frequency diagrams, boxplots and scatterplots, are used to interpret the origin of the patterns for these elements. None of the elements reported here are emitted in significant amounts from the smelting industry on the Kola Peninsula. Despite the conventional view that moss chemistry reflects atmospheric element input, the nature of the underlying mineral substrate (regolith or bedrock) is found to have a considerable influence on moss composition for several elements. This influence of the chemistry of the mineral substrate can take place in a variety of ways. (1) It can be completely natural, reflecting the ability of higher plants to take up elements from deep soil horizons and shed them with litterfall onto the surface. (2) It can result from naturally increased soil dust input where vegetation is scarce due to harsh climatic conditions for instance. Alternatively, substrate influence can be enhanced by human activity, such as open-cast mining, creation of ‘technogenic deserts’, or handling, transport and storage of ore and ore products, all of which magnify the natural elemental flux from bedrock to ground vegetation. Seaspray is another natural process affecting moss composition in the area (Mg, Na), and this is most visible in the Norwegian part of the study area. Presence or absence of some plant species, e.g., lichens, seems to influence moss chemistry. This is shown by the low concentrations of B or K in moss on the Finnish and Norwegian side of the (fenced) border with Russia, contrasting with high concentrations on the other side (intensive reindeer husbandry west of the border has selectively depleted the lichen population).