现代金矿成矿理论的若干进展

近十余年来，现代金矿成矿理论研究取得了长足进展，总结这些进展有助于开阔金矿研究和勘查思路。深入地研究了地球动力学背景对金矿成矿的控制，建立了区域成矿学的基本理论，提出了造山带型金矿的概念。岩浆热液和变质热液成矿理论获得了新的证据，在金矿成矿作用过程中岩浆流体较普遍存在，变质去挥发分作用所产生的大量热液是金矿成矿所需的低盐度流体。全球超大型金矿以中温热液型、浅成火山热液型金矿及砂金矿最为多见。从成矿系列理论发展到成矿系统理论，强调了金与其他矿产资源之间的相互联系，提出了铁氧化物型铜一金矿床和钨一锡成矿省内与侵入体有关的2种新类型金矿床。提出金的宇宙来源及撞击成矿理论。     

甘肃阳山超大型金矿地质地球化学特征及矿床成因

秦岭造山带是中生代华北和扬子大陆碰撞形成的造山带,甘肃阳山超大型金矿是秦岭造山带内储量最大、代表性最强的金矿床,也是中国最大的金矿床之一。本文对阳山金矿地质和地球化学特征的系统总结表明,阳山金矿矿体形成受断裂构造控制;主要赋存在泥盆系三河口群泥质、粉砂质千枚岩内,部分矿体赋存在花岗斑岩内或两侧;主要的金属矿物为黄铁矿和毒砂;流体包裹体和C、H、O、S、Sr、Pb同位素研究显示,成矿流体主要源自变质热液或地层改造热液;成矿物质主要来自泥盆系三河口群和碧口群。阳山金矿矿化作用时间为190Ma左右,滞后花岗斑岩岩浆侵位时间约30Ma,排除了金成矿与晚三叠世的花岗岩浆作用有关的可能。阳山金矿矿床地质特征类似于卡林型金矿,成矿流体则具造山型矿床特征,总体上属造山型向卡林型金矿过渡性质的类卡林型金矿床。由于阳山金矿的矿化时间与西秦岭陆陆碰撞和大规模流体成矿事件相一致,因此阳山金矿是陆陆碰撞体制下流体演化和成矿作用形成的卡林-类卡林型金矿的代表。     

西南天山萨瓦亚尔顿金矿床构造-流体控矿作用研究

[研究目的]构造-流体与成矿的耦合关系属于目前矿床学研究的前沿问题,造山型金矿作为典型受构造变形控制的热液矿床,是窥探构造-流体与成矿作用内在联系的理想研究对象.[研究方法]萨瓦亚尔顿金矿床是西南天山地区规模最大的造山型金矿,通过野外构造解析,流体包裹体和C-H-O-S同位素地球化学数据,研究矿区的构造变形特征,分析成...     

内蒙古霍各乞Cu-Pb-Zn矿床~(39)Ar/~(40)Ar年代学研究:元古代预富集叠加印支期变质热液矿化实例

霍各乞大型Cu-Pb-Zn矿床地处华北陆块北缘的狼山-渣尔泰山成矿带。该矿赋存于元古代带裂谷沉积岩系,矿区内围岩发生角闪岩相变质作用,并遭受剪切变形。赋矿围岩主要包括石英岩、云母片岩、碳质千枚岩、大理岩。此外,在赋矿围岩中存在铁建造层位,主要由磁铁矿及富铁角闪石构成。该矿的Cu-Pb-Zn矿化受剪切带控制,且发生于围岩剪切变形的晚期,退变质抬升阶段。成矿流体为变质流体。尽管霍各乞矿床Cu-Pb-Zn均显示后生热液矿化特征,矿床中硫化物却普遍具有元古代两阶段铅模式年龄(约1000Ma),表明成矿元素最初起源于元古代海底喷流沉积过程。此外,硫化物普遍富集重硫同位素,亦表明其最初来源于海水中硫酸盐的还原。为揭示Cu-Pb-Zn矿化及围岩变质时代,我们对围岩铁建造中的变质角闪石及成矿期的热液黑云母进行39Ar/40Ar年代学测试。围岩铁建造中的变质角闪石坪年龄为271.4±29.5Ma,代表峰期变质年龄。成矿期热液黑云母坪年龄为239.8±3.4Ma,代表Cu-Pb-Zn热液矿化时代。霍各乞热液矿化年龄略晚于围岩峰期变质年龄,这与该矿退变质期成矿的现象非常吻合。由于岩石在其退变质阶段无法产生变质流体,霍各乞Cu-Pb-Zn矿化的成矿流体来自深部岩石的进变质脱水。据此提出霍各乞矿床两阶段矿化模式:元古代期间,伴随海底热液活动发生同生沉积期Cu-PbZn预富集,形成富含成矿元素的裂谷火山-沉积岩。在印支期(二叠纪末-三叠纪初)的变质过程中,这些经历预富集的裂谷岩系变质脱水,其中的Cu、Pb、Zn再活化,含矿流体向浅部迁移,形成受剪切带控制的变质热液Cu-Pb-Zn矿床。从更宏观的角度考察,霍各乞印支期Cu-Pb-Zn矿化事件并不是孤立发生的,而是中国印支期大规模矿化事件的一部分。霍各乞变质热液CuPb-Zn矿化实例反映了此次印支期事件的成矿类型多样性,进一步确证了在挤压构造体制下除岩浆热液矿床及造山型金矿外,在某些特定地质背景下还可以形成变质热液型贱金属矿床。除霍各乞Cu-Pb-Zn矿床外,在狼山-渣尔泰山及临区发育若干印支期大型-超大型造山型金矿床。这些造山型金矿具有与霍各乞Cu-Pb-Zn矿床相似的地质特征,且形成于相似的大地构造背景。相比于形成造山型金矿,形成霍各乞等变质热液Cu-Pb-Zn矿床需要更为苛刻的地质条件。除形成造山型金矿所需的地质条件外(如变质作用、剪切带活动),形成Cu-Pb-Zn矿床的变质流体源区需要经历Cu、Pb、Zn预富集;此外,搬运大量的Cu需要富含CH4的还原性变质流体,这就要求成矿体系中存在富含有机质的岩性层。因此,在发育造山型金矿的地区,叠加上述有利地质条件之处具有形成大型变质热液Cu-Pb-Zn矿床的潜力。     

云南大坪超大型金多金属矿床地质地球化学特征

大坪金矿床是哀牢山金矿带上的超大型金多金属共生矿床.矿体为赋存于闪长岩体内部近平行的多金属硫化物-石英薄脉.矿床地质、流体包襄体地球化学和同位素地球化学研究表明:成矿作用与中、新生代的区域构造-岩浆活动密切相关,至少可分为燕山期石英-黄铁矿和喜山早期石英-方铅矿两期;早期形成金矿化,晚期形成铅和银矿化并伴生金矿化;二者叠加于同一容矿空间,形成多期叠加的复式铅、锌、银、金共生矿床.成矿物质与成矿流体的来源一致,各成矿期流体均是以深源流体为主的壳-幔混合流体,但具有不同的地球化学特征,是相对独立的成矿流体体系.矿床成因属中-高温热液硫化物-石英脉型.     

造山型金矿床成矿过程研究进展

造山型金矿床形成在汇聚板块边缘挤压或压扭的构造环境中,其形成时间和空间与造山作用过程存在成因上的联系。造山型金矿床是全球重要的金矿类型,为世界提供了1/3的黄金储量。该类型金矿床能和造山带演化及超大陆拼合紧密联系在一起,是现代矿床学研究的热点之一。文章回顾了近十余年造山型金矿床成矿过程研究的成果,以矿床学三大基本问题源、运、储为框架,归纳总结了前人对造山型金矿床的认识,深入分析了造山型金矿床的成矿流体特征、金和硫的来源及含矿流体迁移过程和金的沉淀机制,对比分析了地壳连续成矿模式和变质脱流体成矿模式,探讨了造山型金矿床时空分布与陆壳生长的联系,最后梳理了造山型金矿床成矿过程研究中存在的科学问题和新认识。目前对造山型金矿床的主要认识有:1成矿流体以变质流体为主,金元素和矿化剂硫最有可能来自沉积地层内;2金发生高效沉淀的关键因素是流体压力骤降,而不是流体温度降低;3在高级变质作用峰期条件下能否同时发生金矿化作用是地壳连续成矿模式和变质脱硫体成矿模式的最大分歧点;4造山型金矿床的时空分布规律与超大陆拼合过程有关。     

苏丹北部拜尤达地区金矿地质特征及找矿远景

苏丹拜尤达地区位于苏丹北部尼罗河州,区内已圈定1处中型金矿床,7处金矿找矿靶区.根据拜尤达地区金矿成矿地质条件及哈佳吉中型金矿床的地质特征、矿石和围岩的微量元素地球化学特征,将金矿床成矿过程分为热液期、表生氧化期和风化沉积期.认为该地区金矿为受区域韧性剪切带控制的中温浅成变质热液矿床,属造山型金矿.成矿物质主要来源于前寒武系变质岩,造山作用引起构造—岩浆活动,区域变质作用造成流体的活化,并萃取围岩中的成矿物质,最终在构造有利部位富集形成金矿床.     

河南西峡石板沟金矿成矿流体地球化学及矿床成因讨论

石板沟金矿是近年在豫西南发现的一个剪切带容矿的脉状金矿。根据流体包裹体地球化学研究,分析了矿床成矿流体地球化学特征,讨论了金的沉淀机制和矿床成因。构造蚀变岩型金矿的形成主要与热液蚀变作用有关,石英脉型金矿的形成,则可能主要与岩浆热液与变质热液的混合作用有关。矿质主要源自晋宁期岩浆岩,成矿流体和热能主要来自海西期花岗岩。矿床为剪切带容矿的中低温热液金矿床。     

陕西省马鞍桥金矿床地质特征、同位素地球化学与矿床成因

马鞍桥金矿床产于西秦岭造山带商丹断裂带南缘的E-W向脆-韧性剪切带中,矿体定位受剪切带控制并集中于变形强烈的部位,赋矿围岩为泥盆系浅变质沉积建造。出露于矿区的香沟花岗斑岩脉发生蚀变和金矿化,但未达工业品位。矿化岩石和矿石的铅同位素比值与地层接近,而与香沟花岗岩相异,暗示矿石铅不可能来自花岗岩。碳-氧同位素组成特征显示,成矿流体来源于碳酸盐地层或相似岩石建造的变质或改造脱水作用;从成矿早阶段经主阶段到晚阶段,成矿流体的δ¹⁸O及δD值逐渐降低,指示成矿流体从早阶段的变质热液或地层改造热液向晚阶段的大气降水热液演化。马鞍桥金矿分布于大陆内部造山带中,成矿作用与始于印支晚期的陆内造山作用有关,后者以陆内俯冲、推覆叠置和陆壳变质变形等为特点。马鞍桥金矿床地质特征和同位素地球化学组成与阳山超大型金矿床相似,应为类卡林型金矿床或属介于造山型和卡林型之间的过渡类型金矿床。     

大兴安岭北部小伊诺盖沟金矿床流体包裹体特征及地质意义

小伊诺盖沟金矿床位于大兴安岭北部额尔古纳地块,其地质、地球化学特征与产于大兴安岭中生代火山岩地区的浅成低温热液型金矿床具有明显区别。本文通过矿床流体包裹体岩相学、显微测温学和包裹体激光拉曼光谱分析研究成矿流体性质,探讨矿床成因类型。研究结果表明,流体包裹体有气液两相、含CO2三相和纯CO2包裹体3种类型。气相成分以CO2为主,其次是H2O,总体属NaCl-H2O-CO2体系;流体包裹体的盐度低,介于2.1%~8.5% NaCl eqv之间;包裹体均一温度介于169~493℃之间,平均为295℃,属中温热液矿床。其成矿压力为38~172MPa,平均93MPa,对应的成矿深度为4~11km,平均8km。小伊诺盖沟金矿床的地质-地球化学特征与世界造山型金矿类似,应属造山型金矿,其形成于蒙古-中朝板块与西伯利亚板块之间的陆-陆碰撞造山环境。     

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.     

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.     

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).     

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.     

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.     

Pools,riffles, and channelization

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

Entropy,materials, and posterity

Materials and energy are the interdependent feedstocks of economic systems, and thermodynamics is their moderator. It costs energy to transform the dispersed minerals of Earth's crust into ordered materials and structures. And it costs materials to collect and focus the energy to perform work — be it from solar, fossil fuel, nuclear, or other sources. The greater the dispersal of minerals sought, the more energy is required to collect them into ordered states.But available energy can be used once only. And the ordered materials of industrial economies become disordered with time. They may be partially reordered and recycled, but only at further costs in energy. Available energy everywhere degrades to bound states and order to disorder — for though entropy may be juggled it always increases. Yet industry is utterly dependent on low entropy states of matter and energy, while decreasing grades of ore require ever higher inputs of energy to convert them to metals, with ever increasing growth both of entropy and environmental hazard.Except as we may prize a thing for its intrinsic qualities — beauty, leisure, love, or gold — low-entropy is the only thing of real value. It is worth whatever the market will bear, and it becomes more valuable as entropy increases. It would be foolish of suppliers to sell it more cheaply or in larger amounts than their own enjoyment of life requires, whatever form it may take. For this reason, and because of physical constraints on the availability of all low-entropy states, the recent energy crises is only the first of a sequence of crises to be expected in energy and materials as long as current trends continue.The apportioning of low-entropy states in a modern industrial society is achieved more or less according to the theory of competitive markets. But the rational powers of this theory suffer as the world grows increasingly polarized into rich, over-industrialized nations with diminishing resource bases and poor, supplier nations with little industry. The theory also discounts posterity, the more so as population density and percapita rates of consumption continue to grow. A new social, economic, and ecologic norm that leads to population control, conservation, and an apportionment of low-entropy states across the generations is needed to assure to posterity the options that properly belong to it as an important but voiceless constituency of the collectivity we call mankind.

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Zusammenfassung Rohstoffe und Energie sind die Grundlagen unseres ökonomischen Systems, das von den Gesetzen der Thermodynamik bestimmt wird. Es kostet Energie, um die auf der Erde verteilten Rohstoffe diesem System zuzuführen. Andererseits braucht man Rohstoffe, um die Energie nutzbar zu machen.Die verfügbare Energie kann nur einmal genutzt werden und das Material verbraucht sich. Verbrauchtes Material kann teilweise zur weiteren Nutzung zurückgeführt werden, das kostet wiederum Energie. Die verfügbare Energie nimmt überall ab, und einmal geschaffene Ordnung gerät wieder in Unordnung — das heißt, die Entropie des Systems nimmt ständig zu. Die Industrie ist jedoch abhängig von einem niedrigen Entropiezustand sowohl der Materie als auch der Energie.Je ärmer die Erze sind, um so höher wird die Energie sein, um sie in Metalle umzuwandeln, wobei die Entropie und die Belastung der Umwelt ständig zunimmt.Außer den Dingen, die wir wegen höherer ideeller Werte schätzen, ist eine niedrige Entropie der einzige realistische Wertmaßstab, und der wirkliche Wertzuwachs ist nur an einer höheren Entropie zu messen. Es ist unverantwortlich, Dinge, die eine höhere Entropie bedingen, billiger zu verkaufen oder in größerer Menge zu erzeugen, als unbedingt notwendig ist. Da wir dies heute in unserem Handeln nicht berücksichtigen, ist die derzeitige Energiekrise nur der Anfang einer Folge von Krisen, die Energie und Rohstoffe betreffen, solange wir nicht umdenken.Die Verteilung von niedriger Entropie in einer modernen Industriegesellschaft wird mehr oder weniger nach dem Prinzip der konkurrierenden Märkte erreicht. Das selbstregulierende System gerät jedoch mit zunehmender Polarisierung in reiche Industrienationen mit abnehmenden Ressourcen und armen Nationen mit geringer Industrialisierung in Unordnung. Dieses Prinzip berücksichtigt auch nicht die Nachwelt, vor allem wenn die Bevölkerungsdichte stetig zunimmt und die Konsumbedürfnisse anwachsen. Es sind neue soziale, ökonomische und ökologische Normen notwendig, die zur Populationskontrolle, zur Erhaltung der Umwelt und zu einem Zustand niedriger Entropie für zukünftige Generationen führen. Die nach uns kommenden Menschen haben ein Anrecht darauf.

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Résumé Matériaux et énergie sont les sources des systèmes économiques et sont régis par les lois de la thermodynamique. Il faut de l'énergie pour transformer les ressources minérales dispersées dans la croûte terrestre en matériaux et structures ordonnancées. Et il faut des matériaux pour receuillir et concentrer l'énergie, qu'elle soit solaire ou atomique, ou provienne de combustibles fossiles ou d'autres sources. Plus les minéraux recherchés sont dispersés et plus est côuteuse l'énergie pour leur donner une ordonnance.Or l'énergie disponsible ne peut être utilisée qu'une seule fois. Et les matériaux ordonnancés des économies industrielles se dégradent avec le temps. Ils peuvent être remis partiellement en état et recyclés, mais pour cela il faut de nouveau de l'énergie. Partout l'énergie disponible se dégrade et l'ordre devient désordre; -malgré toutes les jongleries possibles l'entropie augmente toujours.L'industrie dépend clairement d'états de basse entropie tant en ce qui concerne les matériaux que l'énergie, tandis que plus pauvres sont les minerais, plus; élevée est l'énergie à mettre en jeu pour en extraire les métaux, avec toujours augmentation à la fois de l'entropie et de la degradation des milieux.A l'exception de ce que nous apprécions pour leur valeur intrinsèque — la beauté, le loisir, l'amour ou l'or — la basse entropie est la seule chose de réelle valeur. Son prix est réglé par le marché, et sa valeur augmente au fur et à mesure que l'entropie s'accroît. Ceux qui en disposent seraient insensés de la vendre à bas prix ou en quantité supérieure à ce qu'exige leur propre niveau de vie. Pour cette raison, et à cause des contraintes physiques liées à la disponibilité en états de basse entropie, la récente crise d'énergie n'est, en ce qui concerne les matières premières et l'énergie, que la première d'une série de crises auxquelles il faut s'attendre aussi longtemps que se poursoit la marche actuelle des étènements.Dans les sociétés industrielles modernes, les approvisionnement en basse entropie s'effectuent plus ou moins conformément à la théorie de la concurrence des marchés. Cependant la rationalité de cette théorie se ressent de l'accentuation croissante de la polarisation, à l'échelle du monde, en nations riches, surindustrialisées, à ressources de base décroissantes, et en nations pauvres, sous-industrialisées, mais fournisseurs de resources-naturelles. De plus cette théorie ne tient pas compte de notre postérité, et ce, en face d'une densité de population et d'un taux de la consommation par tête d'habitant en augmentation continue.Nous avons donc besoin de nouvelles normes sociales, économiques et écologiques qui conduisent au contrôle de la population, à la conservation et à la répartition des états de basse entropie à travers les générations pour assurer à notre postérité les options qui leur riviennent de droit comme une constituante importante, mais encore muette, de la collectivité que nous appelons l'Humanité.

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Dedicated with appreciation to Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen, distinguished economist, realist among cornucopians