阿拉善北大山乌布日布特地区晚古生代侵入岩的地球化学、年龄、Hf同位素特征及意义

内蒙古阿拉善西部的北大山北部出露一些古生代侵入岩,这些侵入岩的时空分布和源区物质组成特征对于确定北大山北部的构造属性以及探讨阿拉善西部的构造划分和构造演化具有重要意义。本文对北大山北部乌布日布特地区腰泉和沙枣泉两个花岗质岩体开展了详细的年代学、地球化学和锆石Hf同位素研究。锆石LA?ICP?MS U?Pb测年结果显示,腰泉黑云母正长花岗岩年龄为261.8±1.2 Ma,沙枣泉黑云母花岗岩年龄为303.1±1.6 Ma,均形成于晚古生代。腰泉黑云母正长花岗岩与沙枣泉黑云母花岗岩的稀土元素组成相似,均表现出轻稀土元素相对富集,重稀土元素相对亏损的特征,并显示有微弱—中等的Eu负异常。腰泉黑云母正长花岗岩与沙枣泉黑云母花岗岩均具有正的ε_Hf(t)值,腰泉黑云母正长花岗岩的ε_Hf(t)值为+1.93~+7.40,沙枣泉黑云母花岗岩的εHf(t)值为+0.52~+10.00,这与北大山北部其它古生代酸性侵入岩的锆石Hf同位素相似,表明北大山北部酸性岩浆的深部源区以新生地壳物质为主。北大山北部深部地壳物质组成特征与阿拉善中东部宗乃山—沙拉扎山地区相似,而与北大山南部和阿拉善中东部雅布赖—诺尔公—红古尔玉林地区具有明显差别。结合区域研究资料,推测北大山北部可能不属于阿拉善地块,而与阿拉善中东部的宗乃山—沙拉扎山地区具有相同的构造属性,是中亚造山带的组成部分。     

青海省那陵郭勒河中游晚三叠世侵入岩地球化学特征及地质意义

那陵郭勒河中游位于东昆仑西段祁漫塔格地区,分布着大量的花岗岩。对该地区晚三叠世侵入岩的研究有助于认识东昆仑造山带印支期构造-岩浆演化历史。对研究区内花岗岩进行了岩石学、年代学及岩石地球化学分析。分析结果表明,研究区花岗闪长岩和二长花岗斑岩锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年龄分别为(225.7±1)Ma、(213.74±1)Ma,为晚三叠世岩浆活动产物。岩石地球化学分析结果显示,该地区晚三叠世侵入岩属高钾钙碱性系列,饱和铝指数显示为偏铝质到过铝质,富集Rb、Th、K等大离子亲石元素和轻稀土元素,明显亏损Nb、P、Ti等高场强元素。花岗岩具有I型花岗岩特征,具有板块俯冲阶段的特征。通过分析认为岩浆岩形成于板块碰撞前的火山弧环境中。     

东昆仑沟里地区花岗岩年代学、岩石地球化学及其地球动力学意义

东昆仑沟里地区位于青藏高原北缘东昆仑造山带东段,区内发育花岗闪长岩、黑云母二长花岗岩、似斑状二长花岗岩、钾长花岗岩、花岗岩。花岗闪长岩样品中锆石呈半自形-自形柱状,震荡环带较发育,为岩浆成因锆石,样品的U-Pb加权平均年龄为(225±1.7)Ma,代表其岩浆侵位时代为晚三叠世。岩石地球化学特征显示该地区花岗岩具有高硅、富碱和低钛特征,为准铝质-过铝质岩石,富集轻稀土元素(LREE)及Rb、Ba、U、K等大离子亲石元素,具有弱的Eu负异常,属于高钾钙碱性I型花岗岩。岩石地球化学、年代学研究以及区域构造演化表明,东昆仑沟里地区花岗岩形成在晚三叠世碰撞到后碰撞造山阶段,且该岩体的形成与布青山-阿尼玛卿洋俯冲作用有很大的关系。     

内蒙古阿拉善地区沙拉扎山花岗岩体TIMS锆石U-Pb年龄

内蒙古阿拉善地区的沙拉扎山处于华北板块、塔里木板块和天山-兴蒙造山带接触部位,恩格尔乌苏蛇绿岩带与查干础鲁蛇绿岩带之间。沙拉扎山内出露一套巨大花岗质岩基,为了认识其岩浆活动期次,对沙拉扎山岩体不同部位花岗质岩石样品进行了TIMS锆石U-Pb测年。结果表明,沙拉套尔汗花岗闪长岩年龄为233.1±5.8Ma,乌力吉花岗岩2个样品年龄分别为228.1±0.4Ma和207.7±0.8Ma。对比分析前人对该区岩体年龄的研究成果,认为沙拉扎山出露的花岗岩由早二叠世晚期(273~274Ma)、早三叠世(248~252Ma)、晚三叠世早期(228~236Ma)和晚三叠世末期(207Ma)4期岩浆活动叠加而成,同时发育在沙拉扎山的4期岩浆活动在巴音—诺尔公地区也有相应的岩浆记录。     

东昆仑祁漫塔格走廊域晚古生代—早中生代侵入岩岩石组合及时空格架

基于东昆仑造山带祁漫塔格构造走廊域晚古生代—早中生代侵入岩类的野外地质学、岩石学、时空分布和同位素定年资料,可以识别出5个构造岩浆阶段和5个构造岩浆带。研究区的岩浆活动主要集中于早中二叠世阶段、晚二叠世晚期—中三叠世早期、中三叠世、晚三叠世和晚三叠世—早侏罗世。早中二叠世阶段的岩浆活动产物为花岗闪长岩+(斑状)二长花岗组合、石英闪长岩+斑状石英闪长岩组合及闪长岩+石英闪长岩组合,晚二叠世晚期—中三叠世早期(254.1～240.6Ma)为(斑状)二长花岗岩+正长花岗岩组合;中三叠世(安尼期晚期—拉丁初期)为闪长岩+石英闪长岩+花岗闪长岩+英云闪长岩组合;晚三叠世(212～225Ma)为石英二长闪长岩+花岗闪长岩+(斑状)二长花岗岩+正长花岗岩组合;晚三叠世—早侏罗世(瑞替—郝塘期)代表性的岩石组合为石英二长岩+(斑状)正长花岗岩+碱长花岗岩。这些火成岩组合有规律地分布在构造走廊域内,是揭示东昆仑造山带构造演化的关键所在。     

四川新龙地区中酸性侵入岩年代学、地球化学及对甘孜-理塘洋演化过程的制约

基于详细的野外调查,对四川新龙地区不同类型侵入岩进行了岩石学、地球化学和锆石U-Pb同位素测年,探讨其岩石成因及构造背景。研究表明,古隆巴花岗闪长岩和日果闪长岩同属准铝质系列,具有低硅碱、高铁镁特征,中等的稀土元素总量及明显的Nb、Ta负异常,属于I型花岗岩,为俯冲期岩浆活动产物,获得日果闪长岩锆石U-Pb年龄为217.1±0.8 Ma,形成时代为晚三叠世。日里隆巴花岗闪长岩和花岗岩属于过铝质系列,具有高硅碱、低铁镁及弱的Nb、Ta负异常,均属于S型花岗岩,但后者经历了更高程度的分异,分别为碰撞期和后碰撞期岩浆活动的产物,获得日里隆巴花岗闪长岩锆石U-Pb年龄为203.6±0.5Ma,形成时代为晚三叠世末。结合区域资料认为,晚三叠世甘孜-理塘洋盆大规模向西俯冲,少量的弧岩浆岩就位于被动大陆边缘雅江残余盆地;晚三叠世末期,由于洋板块的消亡发生弧-陆碰撞,地壳发生部分熔融,形成强过铝质花岗岩。     

甘肃马庄山地区花岗岩类的元素地球化学、U-Pb年代学及Nd-Hf同位素特征

北山造山带位于中亚造山带南缘,连接了东天山和索伦缝合带,对认识中亚造山带的构造演化具有十分重要的意义。本文选择北山造山带西段马庄山地区的花岗闪长岩、钾长花岗岩和闪长岩进行岩石学、地球化学、Nd-Hf同位素及LAICP-MS锆石U-Pb年代学的研究。结果表明,英云闪长岩、花岗闪长岩、钾长花岗岩具有高硅(64.54%～78.48%)、高钾(1.53%～4.95%)、低磷(0.01%～0.21%)的特征,显示出高钾钙碱性-钙碱性岩石的特点。岩石整体相对富集Rb、K、Th和U大离子亲石元素,亏损P、Ta、Nb和Ta高场强元素,与弧火成岩的微量元素特征一致。花岗闪长岩和英云闪长岩的SiO_2与P_2O_5呈负相关关系,Rb与Y、Th均呈现正相关关系,说明其属于Ⅰ型花岗岩。钾长花岗岩和花岗闪长岩的LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄分别为317.7±1.0Ma和320.2±0.8Ma,表明岩浆侵位时代为晚石炭世。它们的初始ε_(Nd)(t)值介于-5.31～-4.24之间,锆石ε_(Hf)(2)介于-3.6～-0.2之间,Hf的t_(DM2)为1318～1537Ma,暗示岩石来自于下地壳物质的部分熔融,原始岩浆在上侵过程中有部分地幔物质的加入。综合地质、地球化学和年代学特征,认为北山西段,在晚石炭世,马庄山地区处于与俯冲相关的弧环境。     

黑龙江嘉荫连珠山金矿床成岩成矿年代学及其地质意义

连珠山矿床位于小兴安岭北麓,是一个产于花岗岩内部断裂体系的蚀变岩型金矿床。为了限定其成矿时代与成矿地质背景,本文对其赋矿围岩黑云母二长花岗岩和石英闪长岩进行了岩石地球化学、锆石U-Pb和绢云母40Ar/39Ar年代学的系统研究。定年结果表明黑云母二长花岗岩形成时代为中三叠世(243.7±1.3Ma,MSWD=0.77,n=12),岩浆上侵过程中受到早古生代(474~438Ma)和中二叠世(267~261Ma)的岩浆混染,而石英闪长岩形成于晚三叠世(215.3±1.3Ma,MSWD=0.35,n=17);黄铁绢英岩化矿石中的绢云母40Ar/39Ar坪年龄为194.2±2.0Ma,指示为早侏罗世成矿;元素地球化学特征显示连珠山侵入岩为准铝质-弱过铝质、高钾钙碱性岩石系列,具有I型花岗岩的地球化学属性;轻稀土元素富集,相对亏损重稀土元素,且具有弱的负Eu异常;富集大离子亲石元素(LILE),亏损高场强元素(HFSE)。结合小兴安岭-张广才岭地区已有年代学资料和区域构造演化特征,认为其成矿地质背景为兴蒙造山晚期与古太平洋板块俯冲转换期,或成矿发生在兴蒙造山期后的伸展阶段。     

内蒙古中部达茂旗地区三叠纪花岗岩和钾玄岩的地球化学、年代学和Hf同位素特征

内蒙古索伦山缝合带南侧达尔罕茂明安联合旗北部分布有车根达来花岗闪长岩-闪长岩和西别河火山岩。车根达来花岗闪长岩为高钾或中钾钙碱性系列岩石,化学成分相当于埃达克岩。闪长岩为中钾钙碱性系列岩石,呈大小不等的包体产于花岗闪长岩中,化学成分相当于正常岛弧深成岩。但是,花岗闪长岩[εHf(t)=-4.56～-1.56]和闪长岩[εHf(t)=-5.01～-1.88]锆石Hf同位素组成指示其源区为古老的(镁铁质)陆壳或富集地幔。锆石SHRIMPU-Pb定年给出车根达来花岗闪长岩的年龄为245Ma±1Ma,闪长岩包体的形成年龄为239Ma±2Ma。西别河火山岩为钾玄岩,喷发年龄为224Ma±2Ma。火山岩以大量的、年龄分散的捕虏晶(260～1556Ma)为特征,指示了大陆背景。这些三叠纪侵入岩和火山岩形成于古亚洲洋闭合(中晚二叠世)之后,没有明显的构造变形,应为中亚造山带的造山后演化的岩浆岩记录。     

阿拉善地块南缘古生代花岗岩类研究进展

阿拉善地块处于华北克拉通,塔里木克拉通和祁连造山带的交汇处,其南缘古生代花岗岩广泛分布。结合近年来阿拉善南缘古生代花岗岩研究成果,从锆石U-Pb年代学和地球化学等方面进行分析总结,认为阿拉善南缘早古生代花岗岩主要受控于祁连造山带的构造演化,其岩浆活动可分为两期,中奥陶世—早志留世和中志留世—早泥盆世,前者处于俯冲环境,后者为后碰撞伸展环境;晚古生代花岗岩仅零星出露于龙首山地区,岩石地球化学特征与宗乃山—沙拉扎山构造带花岗岩相似,与中亚造山带的构造演化相关。并对目前研究中存在的问题和未来研究的方向提出了建议。     

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.     

Pools,riffles, and channelization

The addition of regularly spaced deeps (pools) and shallows (riffles) that provide a variety of flow conditions, areal sorting of stream-bed material, cover for wildlife, and a positive aesthetic experience, may be desirable in many channel projects. Such designs will reduce adverse environmental impacts of stream channel modifications. Analysis of variance for pool-to-pool spacing data suggests that there is no significant difference with respect to channel width between pools that form in natural streams and those in streams affected by a variety of human uses. Short of channelization, which changes the channel width, pools and riffles, within limits, are not particularly sensitive to environmental stress. Experiments in Gum Branch near Charlotte, North Carolina, support the hypothesis that channel form and process evolve in harmony and that manipulation of cross-channel morphology can influence the development of desired channel processes. Planned manipulation of its channel form induced Gum Branch to develop as desired. Morphologic stability consisting of incipient point bars, pools, and riffles was maintained over a period of high magnitude flood events, only to be degraded later by a wave of sediment derived from upstream construction and stream-bank failures. Thus, environmentally desirable channel morphology in urban streams cannot remain stable if changes in the sediment load or storm-water runoff exceed the limits of the stream's ability to make internal adjustments while maintaining morphologic stability.     

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