老挝平然地区水系沉积物测量地球化学特征及找矿意义

1∶5万水系沉积物测量显示,平然地区矿化异常是一个以Cu、Ni、Co异常为主,伴随有Cr、V、Ti等的多元素组合异常,体现了基性—超基性岩石的成矿专属性。对元素分布特征、单元素异常特征、异常元素组合特征进行了研究,得出该区异常主要受区域性NW向断裂构造和基性—超基性岩石控制。对平然地区水系沉积物测量数据聚类分析表明,15种元素可以分为三类:Ni、Cr、Cu、V、Co、Zn、Ti为一类,反映了与基性—超基性岩有关的元素分布、富集特征和相关矿化信息;As、Sb、Pb为一类,反映了与中低温热液作用有关的矿化信息;剩余元素的相关性差,归为一类。平然地区F1主因子可能代表了与基性—超基性有关的Cu、Ni、Co矿化。对平然地区3806个样品分别计算F1因子得分,得分大于2的607个样品分布特征与Cu、Ni、Co异常分布特征大致吻合。因此,Cu、Ni、Co异常区域及F1因子得分大于2的样品所在区域的重叠处应该是以Cu、Ni、Co为主的重点找矿区域。     

青海省尕河地区水系沉积物测量异常特征及优选找矿靶区

通过对尕河地区1∶2.5万水系沉积物资料处理,圈定了Cu、Pb、Zn、Ag、Au、As、Sb、Cr、Ni、Co等异常,揭示了区内异常的分布特征,评价异常的找矿意义,划分了元素组合,结合地质成矿背景,依据化探综合异常及中低温热液型元素组合特征,确定Pb、Ni、Ti的4个找矿远景区,其中优选出3号铅找矿靶区,4号钛、镍重点找矿靶区。     

柴北缘绿梁山—双口山荒漠景观区风成沙对水系沉积物中成矿元素的干扰分析

青海绿梁山—双口山地区地处柴北缘成矿带,矿产资源丰富,找矿潜力巨大。该区具有典型的荒漠戈壁景观,广泛覆盖风成沙,而风成沙会掩盖水系沉积物中成矿元素的信息,严重影响野外找矿工作。通过划分构造景观区,开展风成沙粒级实验、水系沉积物粒级实验。研究发现,风成沙对绿梁山、双口山2个景观区内水系沉积物中成矿元素的影响程度不同:对前者中元素的影响系数接近1,对Cu、Cr、Ni、Co、Zn等元素的影响微弱,对Au、Ag元素的影响中等;而对后者中元素的影响系数2,对Ag、Pb、Zn、Cr、Co、Ni等元素的影响较弱,对Au元素的影响极强。在绿梁山景观分区内,优选与Au、Cu等矿种有关的异常,选用0.3~4.0 mm的采样粒级基本合理;优选与Cr、Ni、Co等矿种有关的异常,选用0.3~2.0 mm的采样粒级是可靠的。在双口山景观分区内,圈定与Pb、Zn、Ag等矿种有关的异常,选用0.3~4.0 mm的采样粒级基本合理;圈定与Au矿种有关的异常,选用0.335 mm的采样粒级可能是合理的。     

西昆仑库地铬铁矿地球化学特征及找矿模式

库地蛇绿岩中纯橄岩相为铬铁矿主要含矿岩相,基性-超基性岩与区内Cr,Ni,Co元素组合异常对应好,铬铁矿化纯橄岩和铬铁矿体出露部位Cr,Ni,Co元素值较高。F,B元素与Cr,Ni,Co元素异常值在铬铁矿体中呈明显正相关关系,因此认为Cr,Ni,Co元素组合异常为铬铁矿化直接指示标志,F,B元素异常为铬铁矿找矿间接标志。对库地铬铁矿地球化学特征和地球化学找矿模式进行总结,以期为该区通过地球化学方法寻找同类型矿床提供参考依据。     

青海沟里园以地区地球化学测量信息提取与远景区划分

青海沟里园以地区位于东昆仑造山带的东段,根据水系沉积物地球化学测量信息提取发现多个矿床（点）,具有较好的找矿潜力。文章以沟里园以地区1：5万水系沉积物地球化学测量数据为研究对象,对数据剔值处理来确定元素异常下限并圈定单元素异常与组合异常,结合区内地质找矿特征对圈定的元素异常进行解释与推断。通过对元素地球化学特征、元素组合特征及单元素异常特征综合研究表明,Au、Ag、Pb、Zn、Cu、Co等元素与成矿关系密切;提取出2个元素组合,确定套合性和相关性好的Ag-Bi-Pb-Zn与Cu-Co组合异常为预测对象;结合区内成矿地质条件,进一步圈定3个找矿远景区。     

岩屑测量在甘肃北山水系沉积物测量弱异常区的找矿效果:以盐池黑山南金矿的发现为例

研究区地球化学景观属于甘肃北山干旱荒漠戈壁残山区,通过1∶2.5万水系沉积物测量在北山盐池黑山一带圈定多处金弱异常。为突出成矿及指示元素的地球化学异常特征,提高找矿效果,优选水系沉积物测量金弱异常,开展1∶1万岩屑测量,利用相关性及R型聚类分析对元素组合特征进行分析、归纳,并圈定单元素异常和综合异常。对成矿前景较好的2处综合异常,采用踏勘追索、大比例尺地质填图及探槽等手段进行查证,发现了盐池黑山南金矿,实现了在水系沉积物弱异常区的找矿突破,研究成果充分证实岩屑测量在甘肃北山干旱荒漠戈壁残山区进行地质找矿的有效性,为北山水系沉积物测量弱异常区找矿提供了新的途径。     

新旧水系沉积物测量规范应用对比——以长兴林场工作区为例

为了更好地取得找矿效果,对和龙长兴林场工作区采取了-2 mm(10目)、+0.25 mm(60目)～-2 mm(10目)两个粒级的水系沉积物.测试结果表明,-2 mm与+0.25 mm～-2 mm水系沉积物相比,Sb、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、Mo元素明显偏高,Ag元素明显偏低,Au、Cr、Pb元素基本不变;聚类分析,若以相关系数r=0.6划分,-2 mm水系沉积物测试结果可分为Au、Ag+ Sb+ Co +Ni +Cu +Mo+ Cr +Pb、Zn三群,+0.25 ～-2 mm水系沉积物测试结果可分为Au+ Co+ Sb+ Mo、Ag+ Cu、Ni +Cr +Pb +Zn三群.结合区内成矿地质条件分析认为,+0.25～-2mm水系沉积物测试结果更符合工作区矿化蚀变情况,对找矿指导意义较大.     

甘肃两河口地区水系沉积物异常评价

对两河口地区1:5万水系沉积物资料处理,圈定了大量元素异常。应用R型因子分析结果,划分元素组合。从元素组合特征方面分析,评价异常找矿意义,确定了7个找矿远景区,其中1号异常为最佳找矿靶区。     

湘东南水口地区水系沉积物地球化学特征及找矿预测

利用1∶5万水口幅水系沉积物测量成果,分析研究湘东南水口地区水系沉积物地球化学特征。利用DGSInfo软件对元素分布、单元素异常、元素相关性、异常元素组合等特征进行分析研究,认为W、Sn、Bi、Cu、Ag为区内的主要成矿元素,共圈出15处地球化学综合异常。结合综合异常所处的成矿地质条件进行综合分析,划分为下湾毒砂金锑找矿远景区、联坑—渣村钨钼铜铅锌多金属找矿远景区、曾子坳—鹰咀岩—田心钨锡铜多金属找矿远景区。通过对远景区内的综合异常查证,在下湾AS1综合异常区、联坑AS3综合异常区、曾子坳AS6综合异常区均找到了与异常相关的矿化信息。结果表明,水系沉积物地球化学测量在该区具有较好的找矿效果,为研究区下一步的找矿工作指明了方向。     

黑龙江省呼中—塔河地区地球化学特征及找矿成果

在呼中—塔河地区1 450 km2区域开展1∶50 000水系沉积物测量,共采取水系沉积物样品9 576件,对样品的分析结果进行统计,结合该地区地质背景,对13种元素地球化学参数特征、元素含量概率分布特征、元素的相关性进行总结发现:Sb、Pb、Ag、As、Zn、Cu、W、Mo、Bi、Cr、Ni不同程度的发生了富集,可能形成矿床;Mo、Pb组合异常可作为寻找Mo的地球化学标志。以水系沉积物工作圈定的组合异常为基础,进行1∶10 000土壤地球化学测量和地表工程揭露,在Mo异常浓集中心发现宽度为1.4 m,品味为0.014%的钼矿化体,说明该方法在呼中—塔河森林覆盖区具有良好的找矿应用价值。     

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.     

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.     

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).     

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.     

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

, . . . . , . , .. . , , . , , , . , - , , , : , , . .. , , , , , . . , : , — , . , . , , , . .

---

---

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.