中祁连西段晚寒武世埃达克岩的发现及地质意义

乌尔格拉特岩体位于中祁连西段,由花岗闪长岩和二长花岗岩组成。花岗闪长岩锆石LA-ICPMS U-Pb年龄为490.5±1.4 Ma(MSWD=0.85),侵位时代为晚寒武世。岩石中Si O2含量为65.10%~71.21%,Al2O3含量为14.94%~16.82%,Mg O含量为0.23%~1.24%,A/NKC为0.9~1.0,Na2O/K2O为1.01~2.33,属准铝质花岗岩类;富集轻稀土元素和大离子亲石元素(Ba、U和Sr),亏损高场强元素(Nb、Ta、Ti和P)和重稀土元素,其中Sr含量为345×10-6~541×10-6(平均402×10-6),Yb为0.72×10-6~1.19×10-6(平均0.97×10-6),Y为6.09×10-6~11.3×10-6(平均8.67×10-6),无铕异常(δEu=0.91~1.27),高Sr/Y值(32.6~74.3),具埃达克岩地球化学特征。结合区域地质背景,认为乌尔格拉特岩体形成于俯冲环境,为晚寒武世北祁连洋向中祁连地块俯冲的产物。     

安徽金寨岩体地质和地球化学特征及LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄

安徽金寨岩体为一钾长花岗岩体,位于大别造山带北淮阳构造带,LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年获得岩体侵位年龄为129.7±1.5Ma,属早白垩世岩浆活动产物。岩体周边发现有数个铅锌多金属矿点,与区域岩浆作用及其矿化一致。岩体富硅(SiO_2=72.47%~77.80%)、富碱(K_2O+Na_2O=7.48%~8.16%)、贫钙(CaO=0.15%~1.47%);稀土配分曲线呈现"海鸥式"分布特征,显示强烈的Eu负异常(δEu=0.18~0.40);微量元素特征显示具有较高的Ga(21.68×10~(-6)~24.12×10~(-6))、Zr(127.68×10~(-6)~196.75×10~(-6))、Nb(33.31×10~(-6)~60.53×10~(-6))和Y(14.57×10~(-6)~27.51×10~(-6))含量,较低的Sr(8.15×10~(-6)~138.52×10~(-6))、Ba(23.04×10~(-6)~332.63×10~(-6))含量,在微量元素原始地幔标准化蛛网图上显示明显的Ba、Sr、P、和Ti的负异常。以上特征表明金寨钾长花岗岩为A型花岗岩,可能是下地壳源岩部分熔融的产物。金寨钾长花岗岩是形成于造山后伸展环境下的板内A1型花岗岩,不是形成于非造山大地构造背景下的碱性花岗岩。     

内蒙古中部红格尔图地区花岗岩的成因及构造背景——LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄、地球化学的制约

内蒙古察右后旗红格尔图花岗岩岩体位于索伦缝合带以南,主要为正长花岗岩和二长花岗岩,富硅(70.44%~78.80%),富碱(7.46%~10.74%),贫镁、铁、钛等,A/CNK值在0.95~1.41之间,碱铝指数AKI值在0.68~0.97之间,碱度率AR值在3.30~6.68之间,为弱过铝质-过铝质类碱性系列花岗岩;稀土元素总量变化范围大,轻稀土元素富集,重稀土元素亏损,Eu呈负异常(δEu=0.03~0.89);富集高场强元素Th、U、Hf、Ta、Y等,亏损大离子亲石元素Sr、Ba、Eu等;高场强元素和值((Zr+Nb+Ce+Y)350×10~(-6))明显偏低,该岩体属于高分异I型花岗岩,形成于后造山(后碰撞)伸展构造环境。LA-ICP-MS锆石同位素测年,获得锆石~(206)Pb/~(238)U年龄加权平均值分别为267.2±1.4Ma、269.2±1.6Ma和272.1±1.2Ma,表明该岩体形成于中二叠世,因此研究区内两大板块碰撞缝合的时间应该至少早于该岩体的形成时代,即应该至少早于267.2~272.1Ma。     

青川县鹰咀山花岗岩体地球化学特征及构造环境

对四川青川县鹰咀山花岗岩岩体进行了系统的地球化学研究,重点讨论了岩体的岩石学、微量元素、稀土元素地球化学特征及其构造环境。该岩体SiO2含量变化范围67.50%~70.21%,A/CNK值在0.77~1.05。为硅饱和类型,部分铝过饱和类型,属准铝质至过铝质花岗岩。稀土元素总量为206.44~412.63×10-6,轻重稀土分异程度差别较大(La/Yb=36.59~53.48),稀土元素配分曲线呈右倾型,弱负Eu异常(δEu=0.67~0.84),富集大离子亲石元素Rb、Sr、Ba、K,亏损高场强元素Ta、Nb、P、Ti,与正常壳源钙碱性花岗岩相比,显示出更高的Mg#(多数45)和Sr/Y比值(30.25~64.85),表明鹰咀山岩体为较高分异的I型花岗岩,形成于火山弧构造环境,可能是底侵的幔源岩浆与下地壳熔融产物混合的结果。     

内蒙古西部阿拉善地区哈里努登花岗岩LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄和地球化学特征

哈里努登岩体位于阿拉善地块北缘,主要由花岗闪长岩、黑云母二长花岗岩组成。锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb测年显示其形成时代为284.0Ma±1.8Ma,并非以往认为的志留纪。岩石SiO2含量为67%~72%,CaO为2.2%~4.4%,Na2O为3.7%~4.3%,K2O为2.1%~2.9%,具有较高的全碱含量,属钙碱性—高钾钙碱性系列,Al2O3含量为14.5%~17.2%,为准铝—弱过铝质(A/CNK=0.90~1.07),总体显示出I型花岗岩的特征。稀土元素总量较低(35.2×10-6~130.6×10-6),轻稀土元素相对富集,Eu呈正异常(δEu=1.04~1.90)。在原始地幔标准化图解中,大离子亲石元素(K、Rb、Ba、Sr)富集,亏损高场强元素(Ta、Nb、P、Yb、Y等),显示出弧花岗岩的特征。结合区域背景分析,阿拉善北缘在早二叠世时可能还存在与弧物质有关的岩浆活动。     

柴达木盆地北缘西端埃达克质花岗岩的发现及地质意义

盐场北山英云闪长岩位于柴达木盆地北缘西端青海冷湖地区。岩体Si2O56%(62.86%~64.83%),A12O315%,MgO3%(含量为1.73%~1.96%),Mg#=33.4~37.0,小于50。Sr400×10-6(平均为409×10-6),Y18×10-6(Y=3.09×10-6~6.6×10-6),Yb1.9×10-6(Yb=0.4×10-6~0.58×10-6),具有埃达克岩地球化学特征;Na2O/K2O=2.39~2.73,富Na贫K,Eu、Sr正异常(δEu=1.22~1.44),属O型埃达克岩。岩体富集大离子亲石元素(K、Rb、Sr、Ba),亏损高场强元素(Nb、Ta、P),具火山弧型花岗岩特征。LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年结果表明,岩体形成于263±2 Ma。结合区域地质背景和岩石地球化学特征,认为柴达木盆地北缘西端埃达克质花岗岩可能产于与俯冲有关的活动大陆边缘火山弧环境,是俯冲板片直接熔融的产物。进而揭示中二叠世末柴达木盆地北缘地区处于洋陆俯冲的构造演化阶段。     

中祁连西段野马山岩基年代学、地球化学特征及地质意义

野马山岩基位于中祁连地块西段,由早期岩体(花岗闪长岩、斑状二长花岗岩)和晚期岩体(二长花岗岩)组成,二者呈侵入接触。LA-ICPMS锆石U-Pb定年表明,早期岩体侵位时代为中奥陶世((469.0±1.3)Ma),晚期岩体侵位时代为晚奥陶世((450.0±1.0)Ma)。早期岩体Si O2=59.8%~64.2%,K2O/Na2O1,且A/NKC=0.8~1.0,为准铝质岩石;微量元素相对富集Rb、U、Th和亏损Ba、Nb、Ta、Sr、P、Ti;稀土总量为97.7×10-6~185×10-6,且(La/Yb)N=5.57~12.47,LREE/HREE=7.7~11.3,具轻重稀土分馏明显,轻稀土富集,弱Eu负异常(δEu=0.66~0.89)特征。晚期岩体Si O2=69.8%~76.5%、K2O/Na2O=1.2~1.7、A/NKC=1.0~1.1,属弱过铝质花岗岩;稀土总量为78.97×10-6~244.92×10-6,轻重稀土分馏不明显((La/Yb)N=1.90~5.72),强Eu负异常(δEu=0.11~0.24)。岩石地球化学特征表明,野马山岩基早期岩体为I型花岗岩,形成于俯冲环境,晚期岩体为高分异的I型花岗岩,形成于后碰撞环境。结合岩体产出的区域构造位置及区域地质演化,认为早古生代北祁连洋发生了双向俯冲,野马山岩基为其向南俯冲碰撞的产物。     

医巫闾山变质核杂岩核部晚中生代花岗岩成因及地质意义

位于华北克拉通北缘的医巫闾山变质核杂岩是中生代东北亚大陆大规模伸展变形的一个代表。本文在系统收集该区已有数据的基础上,对医巫闾山变质核杂岩核部晚中生代花岗岩的主量元素、微量元素以及Sr-Nd同位素进行了测试分析和特征总结,进而讨论其成因及地质意义。研究结果显示,医巫闾山花岗岩主要为一套由黑云母二长花岗岩和花岗闪长岩等组成的杂岩体,总体上富硅(SiO_2=61.17%～75.21%)、富碱(K_2O+Na_2O=7.34%～9.03%),呈准铝质-过铝质(A/CNK=0.96～1.08),属于高钾钙碱性,与I型花岗岩特征相一致;大部分花岗岩具有弱的负Eu异常(δEu=0.71～1.63),富集大离子亲石元素(Rb、Ba、Sr)和轻稀土元素,亏损高场强元素(Nb、Ta、Ti)和重稀土元素,高Sr(308×10~(-6)～1 414×10~(-6),平均709×10~(-6)),低Y(3.17×10~(-6)～13.30×10~(-6),平均7.86×10~(-6))和Yb (0.45×10~(-6)～1.32×10~(-6),平均0.78×10~(-6)),具有埃达克质岩的特征;同位素分析结果显示,早期同侵位花岗岩具有变化较大的(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)i值(0.695 966～0.707 869)和较低的εNd(t)值(-21.72～-18.32),表明其物源为古老地壳,应是加厚下地壳在区域伸展减压背景下部分熔融的产物,晚期变形后侵位花岗岩的(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)i值为0.705 909～0.706 774,_εNd(t)值为-20.60～-16.99,与晚中生代华北克拉通伸展减薄相关。     

秦祁结合部位宝鸡地区早泥盆世香泉A型正长花岗岩年龄、地球化学特征及其构造意义

对秦祁结合部位宝鸡地区香泉正长花岗岩进行了LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄和岩石地球化学研究。结果显示,锆石~(206)Pb/~(238)Pb年龄加权平均值为410±5Ma(MSWD=0.20,n=18),限定该岩体的形成时代为早泥盆世。香泉正长花岗岩具有高硅(SiO_2=69.63%~73.94%)、富钾(K_2O=4.24%~4.88%,K_2O/Na_2O=1.23~1.44)、富铁(TFe_2O_3=2.10%~3.70%,TFe_2O_3/MgO=3.88~6.84)、低镁(MgO=0.31%~0.94%)、低磷(P_2O_5=0.08%~0.21%)的特征,属准铝质、高钾钙碱性系列。香泉正长花岗岩稀土元素含量较高(318×10~(-6)~499×10~(-6)),表现出明显的负Eu异常(δ Eu=0.37~0.46),富集Rb、Th、Zr、Sm、Ga(10000×Ga/Al=2.59~2.93)等微量元素,贫Ba、Nb、Ta、Sr,整体表现出A型花岗岩特征。结合区域资料认为,香泉正长花岗岩形成于造山后环境,为低压环境下长英质地壳物质部分熔融成因。     

西藏北冈底斯扎独顶A型花岗岩锆石U-Pb年代学、地球化学及其地质意义

西藏北冈底斯早白垩世花岗岩分布广泛;扎独顶岩体作为其中的一个典型代表,其分布广泛,呈岩基型式产出,在岩性上属二长花岗岩。在岩石化学上扎独顶岩体具有富Si O2(70.05%~74.97%)和K2O(4.09%~5.35%),贫Ca O(0.93%~2.19%)、Ti O2(0.22%~0.52%)和Al2O3(12.81%~14.24%)的特征;属于准铝质-弱过铝质(A/CNK=0.99~1.0)高钾钙碱性系列。岩体稀土元素总量偏高(∑REE=199.36×10-6~247.91×10-6),相对富集轻稀土元素(LREE/HREE=5.82~6.88),Eu负异常明显(δEu=0.30~0.45),球粒陨石标准化分布模式呈向右缓倾的V型。微量元素显示其富集Rb、Th、K、Zr和Hf,亏损Nb、Ta、Sr、Ba、P和Ti,(Zr+Nb+Ce+Y)平均值为427.63。全岩锆石饱和温度(828~838°C)表明岩浆形成温度高。上述岩石地球化学特征表明扎独顶岩体为A型花岗岩。扎独顶岩体LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄为(103.8±1.0)Ma,表明其形成于早白垩世晚期;在构造判别图解上位于碰撞后的A2型花岗岩区,是在碰撞后岩石圈伸展背景下,由于软流圈物质上涌导致岩石圈地幔与壳源熔体部分熔融并经历过一定程度的混合作用而形成的。     

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.