粤西晚侏罗世花岗质岩体及其暗色微粒包体的成因及意义:年代学、矿物学和地球化学约束

粤西阳江市八二花岗质岩体中广泛发育似斑状细粒闪长质暗色微粒包体,这些暗色微粒包体形态多样,与寄主岩具相似的矿物组合,对研究花岗岩成因和壳-幔相互作用具有十分重要的意义.为了探讨它们的岩石成因及构造属性,对寄主岩和暗色微粒包体开展了系统的岩相学、年代学和地球化学研究.LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年结果表明,寄主岩年龄为160.0±1.0 Ma,暗色微粒包体年龄为159.3±1.1 Ma,均为晚侏罗世的产物.全岩地球化学特征显示,寄主岩属于富钾的准铝质I型花岗岩,寄主岩和暗色微粒包体均富集轻稀土元素和大离子亲石元素,亏损重稀土元素和Nb、Ta、Ti等高场强元素.此外,两者具相似的Sr-Nd同位素组成,寄主岩的ε_Nd（t）值为-5.73~-5.67,（87Sr/86Sr）_i值为0.707 63~0.707 67;而暗色微粒包体的ε_Nd（t）值为-5.81~-4.35,（87Sr/86Sr）_i值为0.707 04~0.707 74.锆石饱和温度计和角闪石全铝压力计表明八二花岗质岩体结晶于730~754℃和19.8~20.6 km.综合寄主岩及其暗色微粒包体的岩石学、地球化学、同位素特征,晚侏罗世八二花岗质岩体可能形成于陆内伸展背景,由于软流圈物质上涌底侵,导致中下地壳变基性岩为主的源岩部分熔融,并且源区有少量幔源物质的加入,局部可能存在岩浆混合作用;暗色微粒包体是由镁铁质岩浆与长英质岩浆混合形成的.      

义敦岛弧措交玛岩体岩浆混合成因:镁铁质微粒包体的证据

义敦岛弧北部的措交玛岩基岩体主要由黑云母二长花岗岩和边部的花岗闪长岩组成。在黑云母二长花岗岩中存在有少量镁铁质微粒包体,其成分为闪长质,与寄主岩石接触关系从渐变到截然。在包体周围的寄主岩石中存在黑云母、角闪石自身的包含结构,角闪石包含黑云母,斜长石发育明显的溶蚀结构,核部斜长石被溶蚀成筛状,边部环带状斜长石溶蚀不明显,是基性岩浆注入到酸性岩浆中导致岩浆混合的结果。黑云母二长花岗岩具有更高的轻重稀土分异系数,闪长质包体轻重稀土分异系数较低,黑云母二长花岗岩和暗色闪长质微粒包体具有明显相似性的微量元素特征。寄主岩黑云母二长花岗岩锆石U-Pb年龄为236±1.9Ma,闪长质包体为235±3.9Ma,二者形成年代在误差范围内基本一致,可能为甘孜-理塘洋向西俯冲过程中,俯冲洋壳部分熔融形成的玄武质岩浆上涌底侵于壳-幔边界导致地壳的部分熔融形成酸性的黑云母二长花岗岩岩基。     

新疆尾亚地区岩浆混合作用的年代学证据

新疆东部尾亚矿区的钾长花岗岩及其包体岩相学、矿物化学和岩石地球化学特征及野外地质特征显示其为岩浆混合作用的结果。本文获得钾长花岗岩及其中暗色微粒包体闪长岩锆石U-Pb年龄为(247.5±5.3)Ma和(244.8±1.8)Ma,与该区石英二长闪长岩体的锆石U-Pb年龄(244.7±3.3)Ma在误差范围内一致,这一结果从年代学角度为钾长花岗岩及其中暗色微粒包体的岩浆混合作用成因提供证据。     

胶东郭家岭岩体固结冷却轨迹与隆升剥蚀

胶东郭家岭岩体位于华北克拉通东南缘,其详细的冷却固结条件缺乏系统研究,而对岩体形成与金矿之间的关系也存在争议。本文利用岩浆锆饱和温度计、角闪石全铝压力计、角闪石-斜长石温度计、角闪石-黑云母温压计、二长石温度计,结合已有的锆石U-Pb年龄和角闪石、黑云母40Ar-39Ar同位素年龄,探讨郭家岭岩体的冷却固结史及其隆升机制。花岗岩QAb-Or标准矿物共结压力图解、角闪石全铝压力计及角闪石-黑云母压力计均得到岩体就位压力约4~5kbar。锆饱和温度计、角闪石-斜长石温度计、角闪石-黑云母温度计、二长石温度计所获得温度分别为726~800℃、657~717℃、650~700℃、570~580℃,结合角闪石、黑云母的40Ar-39Ar封闭温度确定了郭家岭岩体最有可能的冷却轨迹。郭家岭岩体(130~126Ma)侵位深度约13±1.6km,侵入郭家岭岩体的艾山岩体(116±2Ma)侵位压力在1kbar左右,对应深度约2.7km,表明郭家岭岩体在约10Myr内,隆升剥蚀量达10km左右。这种快速剥蚀的机制可能与华北东部中生代岩石圈减薄导致的地壳浅部隆升有关。     

内蒙古敖仑花斑岩钼铜矿含矿斑岩的岩浆混合特征及其地质意义

敖仑花斑岩钼铜矿床的含矿斑岩中发现大量的暗色包体,包体成分主要为闪长质,具有细粒岩浆结构,形态以椭圆状为主。显微镜下包体中针状磷灰石和具有暗色镶边的眼球状石英十分发育,包体捕获了寄主岩石斑晶,如石英、斜长石、黑云母等,并具有熔蚀和再结晶的现象,反映出暗色包体具有显著的岩浆混合作用特征。元素地球化学方面,包体比寄主岩石明显偏基性,两者的主量元素具有很好的线性关系,稀土配分曲线及微量元素蛛网图比较相似,结合Sr、Nd同位素的特征显示,寄主岩石和包体之间应发生过物质交换。锆石U-Pb年龄结果表明,寄主岩石和包体年龄在误差范围内是一致的,分别为(134.1±1.4)Ma和(133.6±1.0)Ma,也进一步证实了暗色包体的岩浆混合成因。Sr、Nd同位素结果显示,敖仑花岩体的源区具有新生地壳物质的性质;暗色包体原始岩浆应该比现在更偏基性,可能起源于亏损地幔的玄武质岩浆。具有岩浆混合特征的暗色包体的发现可能是该区域幔源岩浆底侵作用的直接证据。     

湖南五峰仙岩体岩石地球化学、SHRIMP U-Pb年龄及Hf同位素特征

对湖南中生代的五峰仙岩体进行了锆石SHRIMP U-Pb定年和岩石学、岩石地球化学分析。该岩体主要由印支期的中粒斑状黑云母二长花岗岩、细粒二云母二长花岗岩组成。本次获得黑云母二长花岗岩的锆石U-Pb年龄(233.5±2.5)Ma,表明形成于晚三叠世;结合已发表的岩体年龄资料,五峰仙岩体侵位于236~233.5 Ma和221.6 Ma,具有多阶段岩浆活动特点。五峰仙花岗岩具有高的w(SiO2)、w(P2O5),含过铝质的白云母,表现为弱铝质、强铝质岩石;微量元素方面,大离子元素Rb、Th、U富集,Nb、Ba、Sr、Ti亏损明显,稀土元素配分模式右倾,轻稀土元素富集,Eu亏损相对明显以及高的Rb/Sr比值,为高成熟度陆壳物质重熔的S型花岗岩。黑云母花岗岩中发育暗色微粒包体,具淬冷结构、含长石捕获晶及呈塑形变等特征的包体为岩浆混合成因,该类花岗岩中锆石Hf同位素εHf(t)值较高,为-4.4~0.7,Hf同位素的两阶段模式年龄TDM2值为1 534~1 216Ma,变化范围较大,可能是受幔源岩浆作用所致。五峰仙岩体是在印支板块向华南板块俯冲碰撞期后(变质基底年龄258~243Ma)及华南板块与华北板块的碰撞期间(超高压变质峰期在238~218Ma)华南内陆由挤压向伸展转换的背景下形成的。     

西昆仑三十里岩体黑云母二长花岗岩和暗色包体锆石U-Pb年代学、地球化学特征、Sr-Nd同位素组成及其地质意义

三十里岩体位于西昆仑造山带东段甜水海地体北缘,本文对三十里岩体黑云母二长花岗岩及其暗色包体进行了锆石U-Pb年代学和全岩地球化学、同位素地球化学研究。结果表明:黑云母二长花岗岩SiO₂含量为67.84%～68.95%, Al₂O₃含量为14.77%～15.28%,铝饱和指数A/CNK为1.02～1.06,属于弱过铝质岩石;强烈富集LREE,具有轻微Eu负异常;富集Rb、Th、K、La、Ce等大离子亲石元素,亏损Nb、Ta、Ti和P等高场强元素。锆石U-Pb测年结果显示,黑云母二长花岗岩及其暗色包体均形成于约216Ma,二者有相似的Sr-Nd同位素特征及二阶段模式年龄。暗色包体为岩浆混合作用的产物。Sr-Nd同位素数据表明,黑云母二长花岗岩可能由前寒武纪变质火成岩和变质沉积岩的混合物部分熔融形成。结合区域地质和本次研究成果,三十里岩体应属于碰撞后阶段的产物。     

川西稻城岩体岩浆混合作用：矿物学特征的证据

义敦岛弧形成于晚三叠世大规模俯冲造山作用过程中,位于松潘甘孜地体和羌塘地体之间。稻城边部岩体是义敦岛弧带内规模巨大的复式花岗质岩体,由花岗岩、花岗闪长岩和钾长花岗岩组成。大量暗色镁铁质微粒包体发育于花岗闪长岩和钾长花岗岩中,且其与寄主岩石的接触界线明显。暗色镁铁质微粒包体具有细粒结构,发育石英眼构造、针状磷灰石和具环带结构的斜长石斑晶。文中以稻城岩体寄主岩石和暗色微粒包体中斜长石、黑云母和角闪石为研究对象,开展岩相学和电子探针原位化学成分分析,厘定了矿物形成的物理化学条件,探讨了岩浆混合作用过程及其形成的构造环境。研究表明：花岗闪长岩和暗色微粒包体中的斜长石主要为中长石,其核部呈浑圆状;前者核部的An值(21~50)显著高于幔部(21~34);后者则发育典型的突变环带,An值(29~44)呈波状变化且相对集中。暗色微粒包体与寄主花岗闪长岩中斜长石的An值部分重叠表明二者形成过程中存在含量的岩浆混合作用。斜长石环带中的An值随Al2O3、FeO、MgO和CaO含量的升高而升高,但随SiO2、Na2O和K2O含量的升高而降低。寄主岩石和暗色微粒包体中角闪石富镁铁,阳离子特征为：CaB=1.56~1.75,Ti=0.08~0.13,属于钙质角闪石,具壳源特征,其结晶温度分别为697~725 ℃和680~705 ℃。花岗闪长岩中黑云母的Mg/(Mg+Fe2+)为0.37~0.45,显示出富Fe贫Ca、Mg,属于典型的岩浆成因黑云母。黑云母TiO2含量变化范围为3.54%~4.62%,Al2O3含量变化范围为13.89%~15.15%;黑云母的氧化系数为0.08~0.11,Mg#为0.39~0.46,MF值为0.36~0.44,单位分子中阳离子数AlⅥ为0.03~0.11,以单位分子中Ti和Al阳离子数计算的黑云母结晶温度为584~624 ℃,表明其结晶温度较高,具壳幔混源特征。稻城岩体是以壳源为主的壳幔混源成因的I型花岗岩,暗色微粒包体是由镁铁质岩浆与长英质岩浆不同程度的混合作用形成的。     

湘南骑田岭岩体菜岭超单元花岗岩侵位年龄和物质来源研究

湘南骑田岭岩体菜岭超单元花岗岩以角闪石黑云母二长花岗岩为主,其全岩Rb-Sr等时线年龄为159±1.2Ma,单颗粒锆石熔融法U-Pb年龄为161±2Ma,Sr同位素初始比值偏低(0.70854),Nd同位素初始比值偏高(-5.4～-5.8),Nd模式年龄偏低(0.94～1.49Ga)。在岩石化学和微量元素方面,属钙碱系列,准铝,富含K、Rb等大离子亲石元素和Th、REE、Nb等高场强元素。常见较多具有岩浆混合特征的微花岗岩类暗色包体。这些同位素、岩石学和微量元素特征,总体上反映了菜岭超单元花岗岩的成岩组成中有明显的地幔物质的参与。该花岗岩可能是在燕山早期华南地壳开始拉张减薄的构造背景下定位的,壳幔相互作用对本区大陆地壳物质的重熔和花岗岩浆的形成和演化起了重要的作用。     

湖南锡田岩体的岩浆混合成因:岩相学､岩石地球化学和U-Pb 年龄证据

南岭中段的锡田岩体燕山期岩石以斑状黑云母二长花岗岩为主,岩体中广泛发育暗色微粒包体?暗色微粒包体为岩浆结构,大多数具有塑性外形,发育淬冷边?反向脉,存在多种不平衡结构和矿物组合,如钾长石环斑?石英眼斑?针状磷灰石等,显示岩浆混合特征?岩石地球化学方面,暗色微粒包体具有比寄主岩贫硅?贫碱,富K?Fe?Mg?Ca?Ti 特征;暗色微粒包体及寄主岩富集轻稀土元素(LREE/HREE=2.6~8.8),具有中-强的铕负异常(δEu=0.09~0.74)以及具有相似的稀土元素配分曲线和微量元素蛛网图;在主要氧化物含量Harker 图解中投点多呈直线变异趋势,反映了两者具有密切的亲缘关系,利用共分母和不共分母图解进行判别,暗色微粒包体与寄主岩具岩浆混合特征,在MgO-TFeO判别图解中也指示包体为岩浆混合成因?上述岩相学和元素地球化学特征表明暗色微粒包体是基性岩浆侵入到酸性岩浆中淬冷形成的,指示锡田岩体存在两种岩浆的混合作用?通过LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb 定年,得到寄主岩形成年龄(150.04±0.52)Ma,暗色包体形成年龄(145.09±0.63)Ma,二者年龄在测试误差范围内一致,显示岩浆混合作用发生的时间大致为晚侏罗世?     

Roles of xenomelts,xenoliths, xenocrysts,xenovolatiles, residues,and skarns in the genesis,transport, and localization of magmatic Fe-Ni-Cu-PGE sulfides and chromite

Most sulfide-rich magmatic Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits form in dynamic magmatic systems by partial melting S-bearing wall rocks with variable degrees of assimilation of miscible silicate and volatile components, and generation of barren to weakly-mineralized immiscible Fe sulfide xenomelts into which Ni-Cu-Co-PGE partition from the magma. Some exceptionally-thick magmatic Cr deposits may form by partial melting oxide-bearing wall rocks with variable degrees of assimilation of the miscible silicate and volatile components, and generation of barren Fe ± Ti oxide xenocrysts into which Cr-Mg-V ± Ti partition from the magma. The products of these processes are variably preserved as skarns, residues, xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and xenovolatiles, which play important to critical roles in ore genesis, transport, localization, and/or modification. Incorporation of barren xenoliths/autoliths may induce small amounts of sulfide/chromite to segregate, but incorporation of sulfide xenomelts or oxide xenocrysts with dynamic upgrading of metal tenors (PGE > Cu > Ni > Co and Cr > V > Ti, respectively) is required to make significant ore deposits. Silicate xenomelts are only rarely preserved, but will be variably depleted in chalcophile and ferrous metals. Less dense felsic xenoliths may aid upward sulfide transport by increasing the effective viscosity and decreasing the bulk density of the magma. Denser mafic or metamorphosed xenoliths may also increase the effective viscosity of the magma, but may aid downward sulfide transport by increasing the bulk density of the magma. Sulfide wets olivine, so olivine xenocrysts may act as filter beds to collect advected finely dispersed sulfide droplets, but other silicates and xenoliths may not be wetted by sulfides. Xenovolatiles may retard settling of – or in some cases float – dense sulfide droplets. Reactions of sulfide melts with felsic country rocks may generate Fe-rich skarns that may allow sulfide melts to fractionate to more extreme Cu-Ni-rich compositions. Xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and xenovolatiles are more likely to be preserved in cooler basaltic magmas than in hotter komatiitic magmas, and are more likely to be preserved in less dynamic (less turbulent) systems/domain/phases than in more dynamic (more turbulent) systems/domains/phases. Massive to semi-massive Ni-Cu-PGE and Cr mineralization and xenoliths are often localized within footwall embayments, dilations/jogs in dikes, throats of magma conduits, and the horizontal segments of dike-chonolith and dike-sill complexes, which represent fluid dynamic traps for both ascending and descending sulfides/oxides. If skarns, residues, xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and/or xenovolatiles are present, they provide important constraints on ore genesis and they are valuable exploration indicators, but they must be included in elemental and isotopic mass balance calculations.     

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.     

Parents,permission, and possibility: Young women,college, and imagined futures in Gujarat,India

This article advances critical geographies of youth through examining the spatiality implicit in the imagined futures of young women in rural India. Geographers and other scholars of youth have begun to pay more attention to the interplay between young people’s past, present, and imagined futures. Within this emerging body of scholarship the role of the family and peer group in influencing young people’s orientations toward the future remain underexamined. Drawing on eleven months of ethnographic fieldwork, my research focuses on a first generation of college-going young women from socioeconomically marginalized backgrounds in India’s westernmost state of Gujarat. I draw on the “possible selves” theoretical construct in order to deploy a flexible conceptual framework that links imagined post-educational trajectories with motivation to act in the present. In tracing the physical movement of these young women as they navigate and complete college, my analysis highlights the ways in which particular kinds of spaces and spatial arrangements facilitate and limit intra- and inter-generational contact, and the extent to which this affects young women’s conceptions of the future. I conclude by considering the wider implications of my research for ongoing debates surrounding youth transitions, relational geographies of age, and education in the Global South.     

Comparative study of As,Cd, Cu,Cr, Mg,Mn, Ni,Pb and Zn concentrations between sediment and water from estuary and port

The contents of As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn have been determined in sediment and water samples from Valle de las Garzas estuary and Port Manzanillo (Colima, Mexico) using ICP-AES. The concentrations of these elements were used for a comparative study to determine the distribution of heavy metals and to evaluate which elements reflect natural or anthropogenic backgrounds. For this purpose, seven sampling points were selected: Four of them correspond to the lagoon, and three were situated in the port. Statistical analysis of the mineral content was assessed. Initially, data comparison was assessed by statistical tests for each variable. Principal component analysis was then applied considering the influence of all variables at the same time by obtaining the distribution of samples according to their scores in the principal component space. In this way, four studies were carried out: (1) study of sediments collected during the dry season; (2) study of sediments collected during the rainy season; (3) comparative study between sediments from rainy and dry season; and (4) study of water composition collected during rainy season. From the results of the performed analyses, it can be concluded that metals distribution pattern reflected natural and anthropogenic backgrounds (e.g., sediments from the lagoon, situated at the beginning of the rain channel, presented high contents of Zn and Cu, perhaps related to anthropogenic activities or the influence of igneous sediments).     

Partition coefficients of Hf,Zr, and REE between zircon,apatite, and liquid

Concentration ratios of Hf, Zr, and REE between zircon, apatite, and liquid were determined for three igneous compositions: two andesites and a diorite. The concentration ratios of these elements between zircon and corresponding liquid can approximate the partition coefficient. Although the concentration ratios between apatite and andesite groundmass can be considered as partition coefficients, those for the apatite in the diorite may deviate from the partition coefficients. The HREE partition coefficients between zircon and liquid are very large (100 for Er to 500 for Lu), and the Hf partition coefficient is even larger. The REE partition coefficients between apatite and liquid are convex upward, and large (D=10–100), whereas the Hf and Zr partition coefficients are less than 1. The large differences between partition coefficients of Lu and Hf for zircon-liquid and for apatite-liquid are confirmed. These partition coefficients are useful for petrogenetic models involving zircon and apatite.     

Coprecipitation of Ti,Mo, Sn and Sb with fluorides and application to determination of B,Ti, Zr,Nb, Mo,Sn, Sb,Hf and Ta by ICP-MS

We examined the coprecipitation behavior of Ti, Mo, Sn and Sb in Ca–Al–Mg fluorides under two different fluoride forming conditions: at < 70 °C in an ultrasonic bath (denoted as the ultrasonic method) and at 245 °C using a Teflon bomb (denoted as the bomb method). In the ultrasonic method, small amounts of Ti, Mo and Sn coprecipitation were observed with 100% Ca and 100% Mg fluorides. No coprecipitation of Ti, Mo, Sn and Sb in Ca–Al–Mg fluorides occurred when the sample was decomposed by the bomb method except for 100% Ca fluoride. Based on our coprecipitation observations, we have developed a simultaneous determination method for B, Ti, Zr, Nb, Mo, Sn, Sb, Hf and Ta by Q-pole type ICP-MS (ICP-QMS) and sector field type ICP-MS (ICP-SFMS). 9–50 mg of samples with Zr–Mo–Sn–Sb–Hf spikes were decomposed by HF using the bomb method and the ultrasonic method with B spike. The sample was then evaporated and re-dissolved into 0.5 mol l^− 1 HF, followed by the removal of fluorides by centrifuging. B, Zr, Mo, Sn, Sb and Hf were measured by ID method. Nb and Ta were measured by the ID-internal standardization method, based on Nb/Mo and Ta/Mo ratios using ICP-QMS, for which pseudo-FI was developed and applied. When 100% recovery yields of Zr and Hf are expected, Nb/Zr and Ta/Hf ratios may also be used. Ti was determined by the ID-internal standardization method, based on the Ti/Nb ratio from ICP-SFMS. Only 0.053 ml sample solution was required for measurement of all 9 elements. Dilution factors of ≤ 340 were aspirated without matrix effects. To demonstrate the applicability of our method, 4 carbonaceous chondrites (Ivuna, Orgueil, Cold Bokkeveld and Allende) as well as GSJ and USGS silicate reference materials of basalts, andesites and peridotites were analyzed. Our analytical results are consistent with previous studies, and the mean reproducibility of each element is 1.0–4.6% for basalts and andesites, and 6.7–11% for peridotites except for TiO₂.     

Models,validation, and applied geochemistry: Issues in science,communication, and philosophy

Models have become so fashionable that many scientists and engineers cannot imagine working without them. The predominant use of computer codes to execute model calculations has blurred the distinction between code and model. The recent controversy regarding model validation has brought into question what we mean by a ‘model’ and by ‘validation.’ It has become apparent that the usual meaning of validation may be common in engineering practice and seems useful in legal practice but it is contrary to scientific practice and brings into question our understanding of science and how it can best be applied to such problems as hazardous waste characterization, remediation, and aqueous geochemistry in general. This review summarizes arguments against using the phrase model validation and examines efforts to validate models for high-level radioactive waste management and for permitting and monitoring open-pit mines. Part of the controversy comes from a misunderstanding of ‘prediction’ and the need to distinguish logical from temporal prediction. Another problem stems from the difference in the engineering approach contrasted with the scientific approach. The reductionist influence on the way we approach environmental investigations also limits our ability to model the interconnected nature of reality. Guidelines are proposed to improve our perceptions and proper utilization of models. Use of the word ‘validation’ is strongly discouraged when discussing model reliability.     

Entropy,materials, and posterity

Materials and energy are the interdependent feedstocks of economic systems, and thermodynamics is their moderator. It costs energy to transform the dispersed minerals of Earth's crust into ordered materials and structures. And it costs materials to collect and focus the energy to perform work — be it from solar, fossil fuel, nuclear, or other sources. The greater the dispersal of minerals sought, the more energy is required to collect them into ordered states.But available energy can be used once only. And the ordered materials of industrial economies become disordered with time. They may be partially reordered and recycled, but only at further costs in energy. Available energy everywhere degrades to bound states and order to disorder — for though entropy may be juggled it always increases. Yet industry is utterly dependent on low entropy states of matter and energy, while decreasing grades of ore require ever higher inputs of energy to convert them to metals, with ever increasing growth both of entropy and environmental hazard.Except as we may prize a thing for its intrinsic qualities — beauty, leisure, love, or gold — low-entropy is the only thing of real value. It is worth whatever the market will bear, and it becomes more valuable as entropy increases. It would be foolish of suppliers to sell it more cheaply or in larger amounts than their own enjoyment of life requires, whatever form it may take. For this reason, and because of physical constraints on the availability of all low-entropy states, the recent energy crises is only the first of a sequence of crises to be expected in energy and materials as long as current trends continue.The apportioning of low-entropy states in a modern industrial society is achieved more or less according to the theory of competitive markets. But the rational powers of this theory suffer as the world grows increasingly polarized into rich, over-industrialized nations with diminishing resource bases and poor, supplier nations with little industry. The theory also discounts posterity, the more so as population density and percapita rates of consumption continue to grow. A new social, economic, and ecologic norm that leads to population control, conservation, and an apportionment of low-entropy states across the generations is needed to assure to posterity the options that properly belong to it as an important but voiceless constituency of the collectivity we call mankind.

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Zusammenfassung Rohstoffe und Energie sind die Grundlagen unseres ökonomischen Systems, das von den Gesetzen der Thermodynamik bestimmt wird. Es kostet Energie, um die auf der Erde verteilten Rohstoffe diesem System zuzuführen. Andererseits braucht man Rohstoffe, um die Energie nutzbar zu machen.Die verfügbare Energie kann nur einmal genutzt werden und das Material verbraucht sich. Verbrauchtes Material kann teilweise zur weiteren Nutzung zurückgeführt werden, das kostet wiederum Energie. Die verfügbare Energie nimmt überall ab, und einmal geschaffene Ordnung gerät wieder in Unordnung — das heißt, die Entropie des Systems nimmt ständig zu. Die Industrie ist jedoch abhängig von einem niedrigen Entropiezustand sowohl der Materie als auch der Energie.Je ärmer die Erze sind, um so höher wird die Energie sein, um sie in Metalle umzuwandeln, wobei die Entropie und die Belastung der Umwelt ständig zunimmt.Außer den Dingen, die wir wegen höherer ideeller Werte schätzen, ist eine niedrige Entropie der einzige realistische Wertmaßstab, und der wirkliche Wertzuwachs ist nur an einer höheren Entropie zu messen. Es ist unverantwortlich, Dinge, die eine höhere Entropie bedingen, billiger zu verkaufen oder in größerer Menge zu erzeugen, als unbedingt notwendig ist. Da wir dies heute in unserem Handeln nicht berücksichtigen, ist die derzeitige Energiekrise nur der Anfang einer Folge von Krisen, die Energie und Rohstoffe betreffen, solange wir nicht umdenken.Die Verteilung von niedriger Entropie in einer modernen Industriegesellschaft wird mehr oder weniger nach dem Prinzip der konkurrierenden Märkte erreicht. Das selbstregulierende System gerät jedoch mit zunehmender Polarisierung in reiche Industrienationen mit abnehmenden Ressourcen und armen Nationen mit geringer Industrialisierung in Unordnung. Dieses Prinzip berücksichtigt auch nicht die Nachwelt, vor allem wenn die Bevölkerungsdichte stetig zunimmt und die Konsumbedürfnisse anwachsen. Es sind neue soziale, ökonomische und ökologische Normen notwendig, die zur Populationskontrolle, zur Erhaltung der Umwelt und zu einem Zustand niedriger Entropie für zukünftige Generationen führen. Die nach uns kommenden Menschen haben ein Anrecht darauf.

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Résumé Matériaux et énergie sont les sources des systèmes économiques et sont régis par les lois de la thermodynamique. Il faut de l'énergie pour transformer les ressources minérales dispersées dans la croûte terrestre en matériaux et structures ordonnancées. Et il faut des matériaux pour receuillir et concentrer l'énergie, qu'elle soit solaire ou atomique, ou provienne de combustibles fossiles ou d'autres sources. Plus les minéraux recherchés sont dispersés et plus est côuteuse l'énergie pour leur donner une ordonnance.Or l'énergie disponsible ne peut être utilisée qu'une seule fois. Et les matériaux ordonnancés des économies industrielles se dégradent avec le temps. Ils peuvent être remis partiellement en état et recyclés, mais pour cela il faut de nouveau de l'énergie. Partout l'énergie disponible se dégrade et l'ordre devient désordre; -malgré toutes les jongleries possibles l'entropie augmente toujours.L'industrie dépend clairement d'états de basse entropie tant en ce qui concerne les matériaux que l'énergie, tandis que plus pauvres sont les minerais, plus; élevée est l'énergie à mettre en jeu pour en extraire les métaux, avec toujours augmentation à la fois de l'entropie et de la degradation des milieux.A l'exception de ce que nous apprécions pour leur valeur intrinsèque — la beauté, le loisir, l'amour ou l'or — la basse entropie est la seule chose de réelle valeur. Son prix est réglé par le marché, et sa valeur augmente au fur et à mesure que l'entropie s'accroît. Ceux qui en disposent seraient insensés de la vendre à bas prix ou en quantité supérieure à ce qu'exige leur propre niveau de vie. Pour cette raison, et à cause des contraintes physiques liées à la disponibilité en états de basse entropie, la récente crise d'énergie n'est, en ce qui concerne les matières premières et l'énergie, que la première d'une série de crises auxquelles il faut s'attendre aussi longtemps que se poursoit la marche actuelle des étènements.Dans les sociétés industrielles modernes, les approvisionnement en basse entropie s'effectuent plus ou moins conformément à la théorie de la concurrence des marchés. Cependant la rationalité de cette théorie se ressent de l'accentuation croissante de la polarisation, à l'échelle du monde, en nations riches, surindustrialisées, à ressources de base décroissantes, et en nations pauvres, sous-industrialisées, mais fournisseurs de resources-naturelles. De plus cette théorie ne tient pas compte de notre postérité, et ce, en face d'une densité de population et d'un taux de la consommation par tête d'habitant en augmentation continue.Nous avons donc besoin de nouvelles normes sociales, économiques et écologiques qui conduisent au contrôle de la population, à la conservation et à la répartition des états de basse entropie à travers les générations pour assurer à notre postérité les options qui leur riviennent de droit comme une constituante importante, mais encore muette, de la collectivité que nous appelons l'Humanité.

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Dedicated with appreciation to Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen, distinguished economist, realist among cornucopians     

Pebbles,Shapes, and Equilibria

The shape of sedimentary particles may carry important information on their history. Current approaches to shape classification (e.g. the Zingg or the Sneed and Folk system) rely on shape indices derived from the measurement of the three principal axes of the approximating tri-axial ellipsoid. While these systems have undoubtedly proved to be useful tools, their application inevitably requires tedious and ambiguous measurements, also classification involves the introduction of arbitrarily chosen constants. Here we propose an alternative classification system based on the (integer) number of static equilibria. The latter are points of the surface where the pebble is at rest on a horizontal, frictionless support. As opposed to the Zingg system, our method relies on counting rather than measuring. We show that equilibria typically exist on two well-separated (micro and macro) scales. Equilibria can be readily counted by simple hand experiments, i.e. the new classification scheme is practically applicable. Based on statistical results from two different locations we demonstrate that pebbles are well mixed with respect to the new classes, i.e. the new classification is reliable and stable in that sense. We also show that the Zingg statistics can be extracted from the new statistics; however, substantial additional information is also available. From the practical point of view, E-classification is substantially faster than the Zingg method.