Data Analysis of Chang’E-1 Gamma-Ray Spectrometer and Global Distribution of U, K, and Th Elemental Abundances

Gamma-ray spectrometer (GRS) is one of the main payloads on the Chang’E-1 (CE-1) lunar probe, mainly aimed to detect the elemental abundances and distributions on the lunar surface. At 03:58 on 28 November 2007, it performed the first observation of the lunar gamma rays. As of 24 October 2008, 2105?h of effective gamma rays spectra had been acquired by CE-1 GRS, which covers the whole surface of the moon. This paper mainly describes the data processing procedures and methods of deriving the elemental abundances by using the CE-1 GRS time series corrected spectra: first, to bin data into pixels for mapping; then, to perform a background deduction of the cumulative spectra and obtain a peak area of the elements; and finally, to use the elemental abundances inversion model to produce the elemental abundances. Based on these processing methods, the global abundance maps of U, K, and Th at a 5°×5° equal-area pixel are acquired by CE-1 GRS data. The paper gives a preliminary analysis of the uncertainties of the elemental abundances     

Research on the inversion of elemental abundances from Chang’E-2 X-ray spectrometry data

The elemental abundances of lunar surface are the important clues to study the formation and evolution history of the Moon. In 2010, China＇s Chang＇E-2 （CE-2） lunar orbiter carried a set of X-ray spectrometer （XRS） to investigate the elemental abundances of the lunar surface. During CE-2＇s life span around the Moon, the XRS ex- perienced several events of solar flare. The X-ray solar monitor onboard recorded the spectra of solar X-rays at the same time. In this paper, we introduced the XRS instrument and data product. We analyzed the characteristics of the XRS data. Using the data obtained during an M solar flare event which had occurred on Feb. 16, 201 l, we derived the elemental abundances ofMg, A1, Si, Ca and Fe of the lunar surface in the Oceanus Procellarum. Finally, we dis- cussed the factors that influence the accuracy of the inversion.     

The origin and geological significance of lunar ridges

Lunar ridges are a kind of familiar linear structures developed on the lunar surface. The distribution pattern, formation mechanism and research significance of lunar ridges are discussed in this paper. Single lunar ridges are usually distributed in the form of broken lineation, and, as whole, lunar ridges are trapezoidal or annular in shape around the maria. As to the formation mechanism, only volcanism or tectonism was emphasized in the past, but the two processes are seldom taken into combined consideration. On the basis of detailed analyses, the authors thought that tectonism is a prerequisite for the formation of lunar ridges, while volcanism is the key factor controlling their particular shapes. Finally, the authors pointed out that it is very significant in the study of lunar ridges to link the course of lunar structure evolution with the stress state in the lunar crust.     

Geochemical Characteristics of the Sandstone—type Uranium Deposits in Northern Sichuan Province

Described in detail in this paper are the geochemical characteristics of the sandstone-type uranium deposits in northern Sichuan Province .Favorable and unfavor-able conditions for the enrichment of uranium are explored on the basis of the elemental abundances and ratios of U,Th and K determined by gamma-ray spectroscopy. Gamma-ray spectroscopic(U, Th and K) and XRF analyses(As, Ba) are helpful to distinguish U-bearing light-colored sandstones from U-barren light-colored ones and red sandstones (red claystone) from light-colored sandstones. Therefore, the favorable target area for prospecting the sandstone-type uranium deposits can be difined in northern Sichuan Province.     

Space weathering simulation and spectrum decoding

Visible and near-infrared spectra are routinely used to achieve mineral abundances and mineral chemistry of the global surfaces of the Moon and asteroids.However,these spectra can be significantly modified by space weathering,including micrometeorite impacting,solar wind implanting and cosmic ray irradiation.In this paper we report results of laser-bombarding experiments on the Jilin ordinary chondrite,simulating micrometeorite impacting on the surface of asteroids.After laser bombardment,the spectra became significantly redder and moderately darker. With the Modified Gaussian Model(MGM)method,the absorption band positions of olivine can be decoded from the modified spectra,which are correlated with their fayalite contents.In addition,a continuum of the modified spectra can be decoded,and its slope may be used to depict the degree of space weathering.However,relative strengths of the absorption sub-bands of olivine and pyroxenes show significant variant after the bombardment, hence they cannot be used to estimate the relative abundances of high-Ca to low-Ca pyroxenes of the lunar surface and other matured surfaces of asteroids.     

Correlation analysis and partial least square modeling to quantify typical minerals with Chang＇E-3 visible and near-infrared imaging spectrometer＇s ground validation data

In 2013, Chang＇E-3 program will develop lunar mineral resources in-situ detection. A Visible and Near-infrared Imaging Spectrometer （VNIS） has been selected as one payload of CE-3 lunar rover to achieve this goal. It is critical and urgent to evaluate VNIS＇ spectrum data quality and validate quantification methods for mineral composition before its launch. Ground validation experiment of VNIS was carried out to complete the two goals, by simulating CE-3 lunar rover＇s detection environment on lunar surface in the laboratory. Based on the hyperspectral reflectance data derived, Correlation Analysis and Partial Least Square （CA-PLS） algorithm is applied to predict abundance of four lunar typical minerals （pyroxene, plagioclase, ilmenite and olivine） in their mixture. We firstly selected a set of VNIS＇ spectral parameters which highly correlated with minerals＇ abundance by correlation analysis （CA）, and then stepwise regression method was used to find out spectral parameters which make the largest contri- butions to the mineral contents. At last, functions were derived to link minerals＇ abundance and spectral parameters by partial least square （PLS） algorithm. Not considering the effect of maturity, agglutinate and Fe~, we found that there are wonderful correlations between these four minerals and VNIS＇ spectral parameters, e.g. the abundance of pyroxene correlates positively with the mixture＇s absorption depth, the value of absorption depth added as the in- creasing of pyroxene＇s abundance. But the abundance of plagioclase correlates negatively with the spectral parame- ters of band ratio, the value of band ratio would decrease when the abundance of plagioclase increased. Similar to plagioclase, the abundance of ilmenite and olivine has a negative correlation with the mixture＇s reflectance data, if the abundance of ilmenite or olivine increase, the reflectance values of the mixture will decrease. Through model validation, better estimates of pyroxene, plagioclase and ilmenite＇s abundances are given. It is concluded that VNIS has the capability to be applied on lunar minerals＇ identification, and CA-PLS algorithm has the potential to be used on lunar surface＇s in-situ detection for minerals＇ abundance prediction.     

Inversion of the Main Mineral Compositions and Subdivision of Tectonic Units on Lunar LQ-4 based on Chang’e Data

Spectra are sensitive in detecting main minerals on the lunar surface from visible light to infrared light. Since spectral characteristics of minerals are closely related to their compositions and the maturity level of soil on the Moon, studying the compositions and distribution of elements and minerals on the lunar surface can help to understand the evolution of the Moon through remote sensing technology. The correlation between the spectral characteristics of Chang’e-1 interference imaging spectrometry (IIM) reflectance images and the mineral contents of LSCC (Lunar Soil Characterization Consortium) lunar surface mineral samples was discussed and the spatial distributions of FeO and Al2O3 contained in both pyroxene and plagioclase on LQ-4 were studied using the improved angle parameter method, MNF, and band ratio statistics. A comparison of the mapping results of the optical models by Lucey, Shkuractov and other researchers on Clementine and the gamma ray spectrometry data shows that the content error is within 0.6% for lunar mare areas and close to 1% for the highland areas. The tectonic framework on the lunar surface was also investigated. And based on integrated analysis of previous findings on topography of the lunar surface, Chang’e LAM, CCD and LOLA images and the gravity anomalies data (Clementine GLGM-2), the tectonic unit subdivision was established for LQ-4, the idea of subdividing the lunar tectonic units was proposed, and this will provide a good foundation for studying the lunar tectonic evolution.     

蓟县等地震旦地层沉积地球化学（Ⅰ）

Sinian strata (isotopic ages ranging from 1900-850 m.y.) in Oihsien, county and its vicinity have been studied in more detail from the standpoint of sedimentary geochemistry. Average chemical composition of various sedimentary rocks in the Sinian sequence (sandstone, siltstone, shale, dolomite and limestone) have been calculated.The periodicity and general trend as exhibited in the course of evolution of element association have been demonstrated by mathematical statistics based on numerious chemical analyses and semiquantitative spectroscopic data with the aid of electronic computer. In accordance with the above results the classification of elements are proposed on a more reasonable ground. Considerable attention has been paid to the periodicity and evolutionary eharacterictics of rocks, minerals and elements. The mode of occurrence of elements is examined in the light of trace-element concentrations and the relative coefficients between them in different components (clastic debris, clay, and ete.) from a variety of rocks and carbonates. Finally, the relationship between background abundances of elements and mineralization, and the effect of submarine eruption on sedimentation and the enrichment of some elements, for example, K, St, Mn, B, P, Pb and Zn, have also been dealt with.     

Radiogenesis of Low Maturity Natural Gas in the Turpan-Hami Basin, NW China

The origin of the Jurassic low maturity natural gas in the Turpan-Hami Basin has attracted scientists’ attention for some time, and it is known that radiogenesis may have played a role. However, little has been done on the uranium-rich background of the whole basin. Based on plentiful logging and geological data for the Jurassic strata in the Turpan-Hami Basin, this research examined the features and factors controlling the distribution of rocks with high gamma reading. The results show that 70%-100% of the rocks with high gamma readings correspond to mudstones in the prodelta subfacies rather than those in semideep-deep lacustrine subfacies rich in mudstones. Therefore, we propose that the distribution of rocks with high gamma readings is mainly controlled by sedimentary facies rather than by lithology. Further analysis of the gamma spectrometry logging data shows that high gamma values are more strongly correlated with U content than with Th or K content. By comparing the U and Th contents of felsic rocks in peripheral provenances, we find that the Jueluotage Mountain and Harlik Mountain were the dominant uranium sources for the Jurassic Turpan-Hami Basin. Radiolysis due to high-level uranium in the prodelta subfacies can make the low maturity source rocks generate H2 and CH4, thus contributing to the production of low maturity natural gas in the Turpan-Hami Basin.     

Distribution Prediction of Middle-deep Lacustrine Source Rocks in Eocene Wenchang Formation in the Kaiping Sag,Pearl Mouth Basin

Oil and gas shows are rich in drilling wells in Kaiping sag,however,large oilfield was still not found in this area.For a long time,it is thought that source rocks were developed in the middle-deep lacustrine facies in the Eocene Wenchang Formation,while there is no source rocks that in middle-deep lacustrine facies have been found in well.Thickness of Wenchang Formation is big and reservoirs with good properties could be found in this formation.Distribution and scale of source rock are significant for further direction of petroleum exploration.Distribution characterization of middle-deep lacustrine facies is the base for source rock research.Based on the sedimentary background,fault activity rate,seismic response features,and seismic attributes were analyzed.No limited classification method and multi-attributes neural network deep learning method were used for predicting of source rock distribution in Wenchang Formation.It is found that during the deposition of lower Wenchang Formation,activity rate of main fault controlling the sub sag sedimentation was bigger than 100 m/Ma,which formed development background for middle-deep lacustrine facies.Compared with the seismic response of middle-deep lacustrine source rocks developed in Zhu I depression,those in Kaiping sag are characterized in low frequency and good continuity.Through RGB frequency decomposition,areas with low frequency are main distribution parts for middle-deep lacustrine facies.Dominant frequency,instantaneous frequency,and coherency attributes of seismic could be used in no limited classification method for further identification of middle-deep lacustrine facies.Based on the limitation of geology knowledge,multi-attributes of seismic were analyzed through neural network deep learning method.Distribution of middle-deep lacustrine facies in the fourth member of Wenchang Formation is oriented from west to east and is the largest.Square of the middle-deep lacustrine facies in that member is 154 km²and the volume is 50 km³.Achievements could be bases for hydrocarbon accumulation study and for exploration target optimization in Kaiping sag.     

Characteristics of Bacillus cereus Spore Counts in Soils with Underlying Gold Mineralization in Northwestern Sichuan, China. Results from a Pilot Study

A pilot survey on a microbial mineral exploration method based on soil Bacillus cereus spore counts was carried out across three different gold mining regions, which vary in soil type, climate condition and geological setting in northwestern Sichuan, China. B-horizon soils from these sites were analyzed for B. cereus spores, Au, Ag, Cu, Pb and Zn. The results show that the nmnbers of B. cereus spores generally increased in soils overlying gold mineralization. Specifically, elevated spore counts were found in samples slightly offset from the outcrops of orebodies, whereas soils directly above the outcrops of orebodies usually contained low spore counts. However, the background counts of B. cereus spores varied from place to place and were complicated by environmental and pedological factors, but the rela-tive ratios of spore counts still were indicative of the underlying gold mineralization.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987113000832

The Sinus Iridum region, the first choice for China＇s＂Lunar Exploration Project＂is located at the center of the lunar LQ-4 area and is the site of Chang＇e-3 （CE-3）＇s soft landing. To make the scientific exploration of Chang＇e-3 more targeted and scientific, and to obtain a better macro-level understanding of the geotectonic environment of the Sinus Iridum region, the tectonic elements in LQ-4 region have been studied and the typical structures were analyzed statistically using data from CE-1, Clementine, LRO and Lunar Prospector missions. Also, the mineral components and periods of mare basalt activities in the study area have been ascertained. The present study divides the tectonic units and establishes the major tectonic events and sequence of evolution in the study area based on morphology, mineral constituents, and tectonic element distribution.     

月岩（70017—291）的X光电子能谱（XPS）初步研究

Using X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), the Preliminary results on the lunar basalt sample (70017-291)are shown in the paper. Major elements (O, Si,Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, Ti, etc.) of the lunar sample are similar to that of the Jilin meteorite and the Allende meteorite. The valence of iron in the sample has also been studied in detail. The authors suggest that Fe^ may be differentiated from Fe^ in the XPS spectra in terms of the satellite lines of Fe(2p3/2).     

Formation Mechanism and Stability Assessment of the Colluvial Deposit Slope in Zuoyituo

The basic features of the colluvial deposit slope in Zuoyituo such as geological conditions, dimensions, slip surfaces and groundwater conditions are described concisely in this paper. The formation mechanism of the slope is discussed. It is considered that the formation of the colluvial deposit slope in Zuoyituo has undergone accumulation, slip, load, deformation and failure. The effects of rainfall on slope stability are categorized systematically based on existing methodology, and ways to determine the effects quantitatively are presented. The remained slip force method is improved by the addition of quantitative relations to the existing formulae and programs. The parameters of the colluvial deposit slope are determined through experimentation and the method of back-analysis. The safety factors of the slope are calculated with the improved remained slip force method and the Sarma method. The results show that rainfall and water level in the Yangtze River have a significant effect on the stability of the colluvial deposit slope in Zuoyituo. The hazards caused by the instability of the slope are assessed, and prevention methods are put forward.     

A New Geochemical Reaction Model for Groundwater Systems

Through a survey of the literature on geology, hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry, this paper presents a hydrogeochemical model for the groundwater system in a dross-dumping area of the Shandong Aluminium Plant. It is considered that the groundwater-bearing medium is a mineral aggregate and that the interactions between groundwater and the groundwater-bearing medium can be described as a series of geochemical reactions. On that basis, the principle of minimum energy and the equations of mass balance, electron balance and electric neutrality are applied to construct a linear programming mathematical model for the calculation of mass transfer between water and rock with the simplex method.     

KREEP Rocks

KREEP rocks with high contents of K, REE and P were first recognized in Apollo-12 samples, and it was confirmed later that there were KREEP rock fragments in all of the Apollo samples, particularly in Apollo-12 and -14 samples. The KREEP rocks distributed on the lunar surface are the very important objects of study on the evolution of the moon, as well as to evaluate the utilization prospect of REE in KREEP rocks. Based on previous studies and lunar exploration data, the authors analyzed the chemical and mineral characteristics of KREEP rocks, the abundance of Th on the lunar surface materials, the correlation between Th and REE of KREEP rocks in abundance, studied the distribution regions of KREEP rocks on the lunar surface, and further evaluated the utilization prospect of REE in KREEP rocks.     

A Study on the Classification and Well-Logging Identification of Eclogite in the Main Hole of Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project

Eclogite, one of the important lithologies in the main hole of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling (CCSD) Project, exists above the depth of 3 245 m and has distinctive responses of gamma-ray, compensating density and neutron well-logging, and so on. In this study, according to the diversities of minerals and chemical components and well-logging responses, eclogites are classified from three aspects of origin, content of oxygen, and sub-mineral. We studied the logging identification method for eclogite sub-classes based on multi-element statistics and reconstructed 11 kinds of eclogite. As a result, eclogites can be divided into 6 types using well logs. In the light of this recognition, the eclogite in the main hole is divided into 20 sections, and the distribution characters of all sub-classes of eclogite are analyzed, which will provide important data for geological research of CCSD.     

REE Abundaces in Megacrysts and Host Basalts：REE Behavior of Magma at High Pressures

Based on REE abundances in megacrysts and host basalts and their equilibrium conditions,it has proved that megacrysts may have been produced from the magma derived from the host rocks or of more basic composition.The REE ratios of megacrysts to host rocks may be taken as partition coefficients when both are equilibrium with each other.The crystal fractionation of megacrysts has caused the evolution of REE in the magma.It is obvious that some host basalts are the product of magma evolution after crystal fractionation.According to REE abundances in the host rocks and the partition coefficients between crystal and liquid,the history of crystal fractionation of magma can be traced.     

Geochemical reasons for high vulnerability of northern taiga ecosystems on hard gypsum outcrops

Northern taiga ecosystems on hard gypsum outcrops were studied at the area of Plnega State Reserve in the Arkhangelsk region of Russia. Landscapes on gypsum outcrops are very specific and characterized by a dissected karst topography and predominance of soils formed on hard gypsum. Phytocenoses confined to soils on hard gypsum are oligotrophic and significantly differ from generally known boreal forests. In the northern taiga, these are open woodlands characterized by the prevalence of suppressed pines and larches and the presence of rare arcto-alpine species （e.g. Gypsophylla uralensis subsp, pinegensis） in the lower tiers. It was found that ecosystems on gypsum outcrops are very vulnerable for fires with slow processes of vegetation recovery. Chemical methods of rocks, soils and plants samples investigation include pH （potentiometrically）, humus （T＇urin＇s method）, nitrogen （K＇eldal＇s method） and total content of other 20 macro- and microelements （X-ray fluorescence analysis）. The analysis of hard gypsum and the local geochemical background of the Pinega region （glacial loamy deposits） showed that gypsum rock is enriched only in S, Ca, and Sr： it consists of 99% CaSO4＊2H2O and is non-calcareous according to pH levels and negative result of qualitative reaction with HCl. The contents of Br, Pb and N are close to those of moraine. But most of nutrients have concentrations insufficient for normal plant growth, e.g. K and Mn are found in quantities of 1/400 and less than 1/1000 of their contents in silicate loamy soils of the study area. Distribution of all chemical elements in the profiles of soils formed on gypsum shows that there is no accumulation of any eluvium during soil formation because of total dissolution of disintegrated gypsum material. In this specific soil litter is the main horizon of most of nutrient concentration and, therefore, its role for plants nutrition became more important than in soils on glacial loams. The fires destroying soil litter, which is extremely precious for the whole ecosystem on geochemically pure gypsum, also causes an intensive denudation of organic horizons on slopes of karst landforms.     

α谱法测定低微量铀、钍含量的研究

Alpha-spectrometric technique is described as an independent method of determining micro-content of U^233 and Th^233. This method is based on the comparison of U^234 and Th^233 alpha spectral activity in geological samples with U^232 and Th^233 spectral activity contributed by the spike of known concentration. The experiment procedure consists in dissolving fine powdered sample with acid and adding a given amount of U^232-Th^223 spike. The uranium and thorium are then separated by ion exchange. After purification each fraction is mounted on a separate stainless steel disk for measurement by alpha spectrometer which consist essentially of a surface barrier deterctor and a low noise amplification system connected to a multichannel analyser. After correcting for background, tail and other factors, the desired U^232 and Th^232 concentrations can be calculated. The data obtained by the alpha-spectrometric method using U^232-Th^223 spike are compared with colorimetric determination. Excellent agreement is obtained between the two sets of results. The coefficient of correlation is about 0.98 for U^234 and 0.97 for Th^232. The accuracy of uranium and thorium analyses by this method depends primarily upon the counting statistics of U^233, U^232, Th^233 and Th^223 and, to a lesser extent, upon the calibration of U^233-Th^238 spike. Errors of uranium and thorium concentration by this method are generally 2 to 5 per cent.