新疆贝勒库都克A型花岗岩锆石U-Pb年龄、地球化学及锡成矿

新疆东准噶尔卡拉麦里地区是一个重要的锡成矿带,分布有多种类型花岗岩。贝勒库都克岩体位于锡成矿带中部,由黑云母正长花岗岩和黑云母二长花岗岩组成。本文通过精确的LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年获得贝勒库都克含锡黑云母正长花岗岩年龄为283±2Ma,MSWD=0.14(95%置信度),时代属于早二叠世,这与东准噶尔后碰撞深成岩浆活动的范围(330~265Ma)相吻合。岩石地球化学研究表明,贝勒库都克岩体富硅(SiO2=75.25%~76.67%),低铝(Al2O3=11.91%~12.86%),贫镁(MgO=0.02%~0.18%)和钙(CaO=0.39%~0.89%),富碱(Na2O+K2O=8.08%~8.97%),K2O>Na2O,NK/A=0.86~0.95(平均0.92),A/NCK=0.97~1.02,富集Rb、K等大离子亲石元素及Zr、Hf等高场强元素,Ba,Nb,Sr强烈亏损,δEu=0.01~0.11,其FeOt/MgO(12.71~84.51,平均34.55)和10000Ga/A1(2.97~4.20)值大,HFSE元素(Zr+Nb+Ce+Y=191.8×10-6~353.3×10-6)含量高,明显不同于典型的I型和S型花岗岩,基本属于典型的铝质A型花岗岩。年代学和地球化学综合研究表明,贝勒库都克铝质A型花岗岩是壳幔混合成因,是准噶尔地区后碰撞幔源岩浆底侵作用导致大陆地壳垂向生长过程的记录者。贝勒库都克铝质A型花岗岩Sn的含量高(6.0×10-6~19.5×10-6,个别为80.0×10-6),铝质A型花岗岩是成矿热液的直接母体,而富Sn的流体相最终形成了贝勒库都克锡矿床,锡矿与铝质A型花岗岩是同期地质事件的产物。     

东准噶尔贝勒库都克铝质A型花岗岩的厘定及意义

初步研究表明,长期以来被认为S型花岗岩的贝勒库都克黑云母花岗岩应为铝质A型花岗岩.该岩体以富硅(SiO2=75.25%～76.67%)和碱(Na2O+K2O=8.08%～8.97%),贫镁(MgO=0.02%～0.18%)和钙(CaO =0.39%～0.89%),氧化指数变化较大(W=0.02～0.15)以及高FeOT/MgO比值(12.71～84.51,平均34.55)为特征.其K2O＞Na2O,NK/A=0.86～0.95(平均0.92),A/CNK=0.97～1.02(＞0.95),属偏铝-过铝质钙碱-弱碱性岩石.在微量元素和稀土元素组成上,岩石富Ga、Zr和Hf等高场强元素,亏损Ba、Nb、Sr等元素.10 000 Ga/Al比值(2.97～4.20)均大于A型花岗岩的下限值(2.6),明显高于I型和S型花岗岩的平均值(分别为2.10和2.28).在Zr、Ce、Nb对10 000 Ga/Al以及FeOT/MgO对(Zr+Nb+Ce+Y)、SiO2等A型花岗岩多种判别图上,投影点均落在A型花岗岩区,而与高分异的I、S型花岗岩明显不同.这些特征表明,贝勒库都克黑云母花岗岩与国内外铝质A型花岗岩(如福建沿海、东西准噶尔和澳大利亚Lachlan褶皱带铝质A型花岗岩)十分相似.在Nb-Y-Ce、R1-Ga/Al和R1-R2构造环境判别图上,显示出造山后花岗岩的特征.贝勒库都克铝质A型花岗岩的厘定,不仅对探讨卡拉麦里地区地壳物质组成及构造演化有着重要的地质意义,还为我国新疆北部寻找与铝质A型花岗岩有关的锡矿资源开辟了方向.     

西准阿克巴斯陶铝质A型花岗岩厘定及意义

岩石学和元素地球化学研究表明,阿克巴斯陶岩体属铝质A型花岗岩.该岩体以富硅(SiO2=74.51%～78.39%)、富碱(Na2O+K2O=7.87%～8.53%)和铝(Al2O3=11.8%～13.33%)、贫镁(MgO=0.15%～0.46%)、贫钙(CaO=0.45%～1.02%)和磷(P2O5=0.01%～0.06%),氧化指数变化较大(W=0.22～0.57),高FeOt/MgO比值(2.76～9.24,平均5.83)为特征.其K2ONa2O,NK/A=0.60～0.68,A/NCK=1.00～1.06,均大于1,属弱过铝质岩石.微量和稀土元素组成上,岩石富高场强元素(Zr和Hf等),亏损Ba,Nb,Ta,Y等元素.Zr+Nb+Ce+Y元素组合平均值(368.3×10-6)大于A型花岗岩下限值(350×10-6).在FeOt/MgO-Zr+Nb+Ce+Y和Rb/Ba-Zr+Ce+Y两类地球化学判别图解上均落入A型花岗岩区.δEu为0.038～0.130,铕强烈亏损,稀土分布曲线为"V"字型.上述特征表明,阿克巴斯陶岩体与国内外铝质A型花岗岩十分相似.在Nb-Y-Ce、AR-R1和R1-R2构造环境判别图上,显示出后造山花岗岩特征.阿克巴斯陶铝质A型花岗岩的厘定,对探讨西准噶尔地区构造演化问题具有重要意义.     

东准噶尔贝勒库都克铝质A 型花岗岩 地球化学特征及锡矿化

本文通过对新疆东准噶尔卡拉麦里地区贝勒库都克岩体的地球化学研究,初步探讨贝勒库都克A型花岗岩与锡矿的关系。研究表明贝勒库都克黑云母花岗岩具有高硅、低铝、贫钙镁、富碱的特征,FeOt/MgO值高,富集Rb、K、Th等大离子亲石元素及Zr、Hf等高场强元素,亏损Ba、Sr、Nb、Eu等元素,Eu的负异常极强,稀土元素配分模式呈平坦的V字型,属于典型的铝质A型花岗岩。该岩体含Sn普遍都比较高,已圈出8条含锡构造蚀变带,为锡的成矿物质来源和锡矿矿床学的深入探索提供了有利的证据。     

东准卡拉麦里地区贝勒库都克岩体锆石LA-ICPMS U-Pb测年及地质意义

新疆东准噶尔卡拉麦里地区是一个重要的锡成矿带,分布有多种类型的花岗岩。贝勒库都克岩体位于卡拉麦里锡成矿带中部,由含锡正长花岗岩和黑云母二长花岗岩组成。本文对贝勒库都克岩体岩相学和含锡黑云母正长花岗岩的锆石LA-ICPMSU-Pb定年研究,结果表明所有锆石颗粒浅黄色-无色透明,呈正方双锥状、钮柱状及半截锥状自形晶体,且发育规则的韵律环带,具有较高的Th/U比值(范围在0.32～0.47),属于典型岩浆成因锆石。获得贝勒库都克岩体侵位结晶年龄为283±2Ma(n=8,MSWD=0.14),时代属于早二叠世,这与东准噶尔后碰撞深成岩浆活动的范围(330～265Ma)相吻合。为建立准噶尔地区构造格架和恢复岩浆演化事件提供了最有力的证据,同时具有一定的找矿意义。     

哈密头苏泉哈尔欣巴A型花岗岩厘定

初步研究表明新疆哈密头苏泉地区哈尔欣巴花岗岩为A型花岗岩.该岩体富硅(SiO2=71.87%~76.80%)和碱(K2O+N2O=7.39%~8.94%),贫铁、锰、镁(FeOt 0.67%~2.04%;MnO 0.03%~0.06%;MgO 0.10%~0.61%),具较高FeOt/MgO比值,A/NKC=0.78~1.02,属准铝质花岗岩石.在微量元素和稀土元素组成上,岩石富Zr,Rb,Ce等不相容元素,亏损Ni,Co,Cr等元素.10000×Ga/Al为3.12~4.1,大于A型花岗岩下限值(2.6).在Zr,Ce,Nb,Y与10000×Ga/Al,及(Nb+Zr+Ce+Y)/(FeOt/MgO)、SiO2/( FeOt/MgO)图解中大多数点都落在A型花岗岩区域.在A1-A2构造环境判别图上显示后造山花岗岩特征.对头苏泉地区哈尔欣巴A型花岗岩的厘定,为研究该区地壳物质组成及构造演化具重要意义.     

琼北翁田铝质A型花岗岩的锆石U-Pb年代学、地球化学特征及其地质意义

琼北地区花岗岩出露较少,多零星分布在翁田镇至大致坡镇一带。本次研究选取该区域的翁田岩体为研究对象,通过LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年,限定该岩体形成时代为245.1±2.4Ma,属于中三叠世。翁田岩体主要岩性为中粒斑状黑云母正长花岗岩,属于高钾钙碱性系列,具有高SiO2(74.57~76.15wt%)、高碱(Na2O+K2O=7.15~8.48wt%)、低MgO(0.19~0.31wt%)的特征,属于准铝质-过铝质花岗岩。岩石轻稀土富集,重稀土亏损,具强的负Eu异常,富集大离子亲石元素如Rb、Th、U、K等,明显亏损Nb、Ta,强烈亏损Ba、Ti、Sr、P,具高10^4Ga/Al、FeOt/MgO、K2O/Na2O比值和高(Zr+Nb+Ce+Y)含量,具有铝质A型花岗岩特征。结合区域资料,翁田铝质A型花岗岩的出现,表明海南岛在中三叠世处于伸展环境。     

西准噶尔克孜勒巴斯套A型花岗岩地球化学特征、岩石成因及其地质意义

新疆西准噶尔构造带分布着大量的中酸性侵入体,其岩石成因和侵位期次对于认识该构造带的岩浆演化具有十分重要的意义。本次研究在详细的野外地质调查基础上,针对西准噶尔南部克孜勒巴斯套岩体8个样品进行地球化学特征分析。结果表明,克孜勒巴斯套岩体出露面积约7km~2,岩性主要为碱长花岗岩。其形成时代为306.4 Ma±3.7Ma,属晚石炭世晚期。岩石主量元素具有高硅(w(SiO_2)=74.30%～77.18%)、富碱且相对富钠(w(Na_2O+K_2O)=7.38%～8.73%,Na_2O/K_2O=0.97～1.39)、贫钙镁(w(CaO)=0.22%～0.48%;w(MgO)=0.19%～0.44%)、相对富铝(w(Al_2O_3)=11.93%～13.42%)的特征,明显富集Rb,K等大离子亲石元素及Zr,Hf等高场强元素,亏损Ba,Sr,P,Eu,Ti等元素,具有较高的TFeO/MgO(5.88～9.07),Zr+Nb+Ce+Y(372.4×10~(-6)～482.7×10~(-6))值及锆石饱和温度(860℃～890℃),属于碱性准铝质-弱过铝质A型花岗岩,为低压高温氧化条件年轻下地壳物质部分熔融的产物。结合区域构造背景和前人研究成果,认为西准噶尔南部地区在晚石炭世晚期仍处于俯冲体制,可能与晚石炭世洋脊俯冲作用有关。     

湖南金鸡岭铝质A型花岗岩的厘定及构造环境分析

湘南九嶷山中生代金鸡岭复式花岗岩体出露面积约 390 km2,由螃蟹木和金鸡岭岩体组成.该岩体以富 Si(SiO2 75.00%～ 76.86% )、富碱 (ALK 6.60%～ 8.88% )、贫 Mg (MgO 0.01%～ 0.19% )和 Ca (CaO 0.30%～ 0.93% )以及高 FeO /MgO比值 (7～ 86,平均 39)为特征.其 K2O/Na2O > 1、 NK/A=0.70～ 0.92(平均 0.86),A/CNK=1.00～ 1.20,属偏铝-过铝质钙碱-弱碱性岩石. 在微量元素和同位素组成上,岩石富 Ga、 Th、 Y、 Zr、 U和 Nb等高场强元素及亏损 Ni、 Cr、 Eu、 Ti、 V、 P和 Sr等元素. 10 000× Ga/Al比值 (2.9～ 4.9,平均 3.3)较高, Isr值 (0.713 01～ 2.957 41)变化大.在 Zr、 Nb、 Ce和 Y对 Ga/Al以及 FeO /MgO 和 (Na2O K2O)/CaO对 (Zr Nb Ce Y)等 A型花岗岩多种判别图上,投影点主要落在 A型花岗岩区,而与高分异的 I、 S型花岗岩明显不同.上述特征表明,金鸡岭复式花岗岩与国内外铝质 A型花岗岩 (如广东南昆山、江苏苏州和澳大利亚 Lachlan褶皱带铝质 A型花岗岩 )十分相似.与一般 A型花岗岩相比,金鸡岭复式花岗岩的ε Nd(t)(- 6.7～- 7.5)较低, Nd模式年龄 (1 486～ 1 556 Ma)小于区域上变质基底和中国东南部中生代花岗岩类的平均 Nd模式年龄,表明其主要来源于地壳物质的熔融,但可能有少量新生地幔物质加入.区域岩石地球化学和岩石组合特点显示 ,研究区铝质 A型花岗岩形成于大陆边缘裂谷环境.     

南秦岭随州地区正长花岗岩锆石SHRIMP U-Pb年代学与地球化学特征

随州北部正长花岗岩体呈岩脉出露,年代学研究表明,正长花岗岩中岩浆锆石SHRIMP U-Pb加权平均年龄为648.8±1.9Ma(MSWD=0.86),属新元古代。岩石地球化学成分显示其属于高钾钙碱性、准铝质系列花岗岩。岩体高硅(SiO_2=70.67%～75.75%)、富碱(K_2O+Na_2O=7.28%～8.53%)、铁镁比(FeO~T/MgO=26.37～35.50)较高、钙镁含量较低(CaO=0.60%～1.53%,MgO=0.07%～0.12%);稀土元素配分曲线呈右倾斜型,显示Eu负异常(δEu=0.33～0.56);1000Ga/Al值介于2.60～3.41,Zr+Nb+Ce+Y=552.48×10~(-6)～648.87×10~(-6);微量元素原始地幔标准化蛛网图显示,Rb、K和Th等大离子亲石元素明显富集,相对富集Zr、Hf、Nb、Ta等高场强元素,相对亏损Sr、P和Ti,以上特征表明随州北部正长花岗岩为A1型花岗岩。结合区域构造演化,认为随州北部正长花岗岩形成于板内伸展的构造环境,新元古代晚期,秦岭-桐柏-大别地区构造体制经历了重要的转变,在南秦岭东段由古秦岭洋的俯冲导致的挤压作用转换为弧后拉伸减薄作用。在伸展体制下,岩浆上涌形成本区A1型正长花岗岩。     

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

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

高压微波消解法测定醋酸纤维过滤器采集的微尘粒子中的砷镉钴铬铜铁锰镍铅钒锌

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

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

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

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

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

硅酸盐类样品中硅、铁、铝、钛、锰、钙、镁、钾、钠和磷的x射线荧光光谱测定

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

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

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

Mountains,nations, parks,and conservation

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

岩石密度和超高压岩石折返速率

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

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

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