西藏拉萨地块革吉石英闪长岩及镁铁质微粒包体成因及其对班——怒特提斯洋晚侏罗世构造演化的启示

在班公湖—怒江结合带南缘,新识别出一条中-晚侏罗世岩浆岩带,其形成时代并非前人所认为的早白垩世,这一发现为重新认识班公湖—怒江特提斯洋俯冲极性与过程提供了新的资料。笔者以西藏阿里地区革吉岩体为研究对象,开展岩体地质及岩相学、锆石U--Pb年代学、地球化学及全岩Sr--Nd同位素研究。研究表明,革吉岩体岩性主要为石英闪长岩,岩体中普遍发育暗色的镁铁质微粒包体。革吉石英闪长岩及镁铁质微粒包体的锆石U--Pb年龄分别为153±2 Ma和150±2 Ma,两者在误差范围内一致,代表了同期岩浆事件的产物。地球化学特征显示革吉石英闪长岩属于钙碱性准铝质岩石系列,镁铁质微粒包体属于拉斑系列的准铝质岩石。镁铁质微粒包体与寄主石英闪长岩具有相似的稀土、微量元素配分曲线,但总体上微粒包体Nb、Ta、Zr和Hf等元素含量更低,而稀土总量更高。石英闪长岩样品(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)_i值介于0. 714 2～0. 715 2之间,ε_(Nd)(t)值为-12. 0～-14. 0;镁铁质微粒包体样品(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)_i值为0. 712 9～0. 714 4,ε_(Nd)(t)值介于-11. 4～-13. 8之间。综合岩相学、地球化学的特征,革吉岩体中的寄主石英闪长岩及其镁铁质微粒包体很可能是富集地幔来源的镁铁质岩浆与古老地壳物质熔融形成的长英质岩浆发生不同比例混合作用的结果。结合区域构造演化的研究,革吉岩体可能形成于班公湖—怒江特提斯洋南向俯冲的体制下,狮泉河多岛弧盆系统与古拉萨地块发生弧-陆软碰撞的构造背景。     

岩浆混合作用与火成岩多样性的耦合关系:以东昆仑造山带白日其利长英质岩体为例

壳-幔岩浆相互作用如何影响长英质火成岩的岩石学多样性是当前岩石学研究的焦点问题之一.以岩石类型丰富的东昆仑白日其利长英质岩体和暗色微粒包体为研究对象,开展系统的锆石U-Pb年代学、矿物学、全岩元素地球化学和Sr-Nd-Hf同位素研究,探讨和解析这一重要科学问题.LA-ICPMS锆石U-Pb年代学研究表明,暗色微粒包体（247.8±2.0 Ma）与二长花岗岩（247.5±1.4 Ma）、花岗闪长岩（248.8±2.1 Ma）和石英闪长岩（248.8±1.5 Ma）均侵位结晶于早三叠世.岩相学和矿物学研究表明,白日其利长英质岩石与包体的成因机制与壳-幔岩浆的机械或化学混合作用密切相关.元素地球化学和Sr-Nd-Hf同位素组成研究揭示,幔源镁铁质岩浆端元起源于受俯冲板片流体交代的富集地幔熔融,而壳源长英质岩浆端元则起源于东昆仑古老的变质杂砂岩基底.岩石成因分析揭示,幔源镁铁质岩浆侵入长英质晶粥岩浆房,促使长英质晶粥发生活化,随后壳-幔岩浆端元以不同比例和不同方式发生机械和化学混合等相互作用,从而形成镁铁质岩墙、包体、石英闪长岩和花岗闪长岩等多种岩石类型.晶粥状态下壳-幔岩浆相互作用是控制东昆仑长英质火成岩多样性和大陆地壳生长演化的重要方式.      

新疆尾亚地区岩浆混合作用的年代学证据

新疆东部尾亚矿区的钾长花岗岩及其包体岩相学、矿物化学和岩石地球化学特征及野外地质特征显示其为岩浆混合作用的结果。本文获得钾长花岗岩及其中暗色微粒包体闪长岩锆石U-Pb年龄为(247.5±5.3)Ma和(244.8±1.8)Ma,与该区石英二长闪长岩体的锆石U-Pb年龄(244.7±3.3)Ma在误差范围内一致,这一结果从年代学角度为钾长花岗岩及其中暗色微粒包体的岩浆混合作用成因提供证据。     

班公湖-怒江缝合带西段阿翁错复式岩体的岩浆混合成因:地球化学、年代学和暗色微粒包体证据

阿翁错复式岩体位于班公湖-怒江缝合带西段,是班公湖-怒江特提斯洋俯冲消减,造山过程中岩浆响应的重要组成部分,以广泛发育暗色微粒包体和岩浆混合、不协调现象为特征。本文以阿翁错复式岩体为研究对象,对寄主岩和暗色微粒包体开展了系统的地质学、地球化学和锆石U-Pb年代学研究,探讨了阿翁错复式岩体的岩浆混合成因。暗色微粒包体塑性变形特征明显,与寄主岩呈截然或渐变接触,偶见反向脉发育,包体具细-中粗粒结构,含斜长石、钾长石、角闪石、暗色镶边石英等斑晶,偶见角闪石斑晶横跨包体和寄主岩,在包体及包体周围寄主岩中见长柱状斜长石、角闪石和针状磷灰石等结构特征,表明暗色微粒包体为岩浆混合作用的产物。寄主岩与包体均为准铝质、钙碱性-高钾钙碱性系列岩石,主要氧化物含量在Harker图解上具有良好的线性关系,稀土元素配分曲线图和微量元素蛛网图具有高度一致性,表明二者具有强烈的地球化学亲源关系,且经历了相似的岩浆演化过程。寄主岩和暗色微粒包体的成岩年龄分别为109. 1±1. 0Ma和107. 4±0. 7Ma,岩浆混合作用发生在早白垩世晚期,处于班公湖-怒江特提斯洋由弧-陆碰撞向陆陆碰撞的转换阶段即软碰撞阶段。研究表明,在班公湖-怒江特提斯洋向北向羌塘地块之下俯冲的背景下,洋壳脱水,引起上覆地幔楔发生部分熔融,形成镁铁质岩浆,镁铁质岩浆向上运移,并底侵于壳-幔边界,引发下地壳物质发生部分熔融,形成长英质岩浆,当镁铁质岩浆从底部注入长英质岩浆房时,镁铁质岩浆快速冷凝,形成部分色率高、粒度细,具冷凝边的包体,与寄主岩呈截然型接触,随着端元岩浆之间的温差逐渐降低,包体色率降低,粒度变大,与寄主岩呈渐变过渡。     

铜陵中酸性侵入岩成因及锆石SHRIMP定年

铜陵地区高钾钙碱性系列侵入岩包括辉长闪长岩+石英二长闪长岩+花岗闪长岩,橄榄安粗岩系列侵入岩包括辉石二长闪长岩+二长岩+石英二长岩。高钾钙碱性系列侵入岩中含有富云母包体和微粒闪长质包体以及镁铁质石英二长闪长质包体,与区内的铜(金)矿化关系密切;橄榄安粗岩系列岩体中含多种深源堆积岩包体,与金(铜)、银、铅、锌等矿化关系密切。锆石SHRIMP定年结果表明,石英二长闪长岩为140Ma左右,花岗闪长岩为142～146Ma,辉长闪长岩为143Ma,辉石二长闪长岩为138～142Ma,二长岩为143Ma,可见两个系列侵入岩的年龄既有一定的差别,也有一些重叠。岩石地球化学及包体岩石学研究表明,橄榄安粗岩系列岩石可能为幔源碱性玄武质岩浆分异后形成,高钾钙性系列岩石可能为分异的幔源岩浆与壳源岩浆混合后形成。     

浙东白垩纪北漳和梁弄花岗岩体及其暗色岩石包体研究

浙东地区晚中生代花岗岩类在岩性上分为三类：花岗岩-二长花岗岩、钾长花岗岩和A型花岗岩。对后两类花岗岩已有较多研究,但对前一类,尤其是二长花岗岩的研究还较薄弱。选择浙东具代表性的北漳和梁弄二长花岗岩体及其所含暗色岩石包体,以及共生的石英闪长岩类,通过系统的岩石学与地球化学对比研究,提出浙东二长花岗岩属准铝质、高钾钙碱性Ⅰ型花岗岩类演化系列,暗色岩石包体是由花岗质岩浆在深部析离出的镁铁质微粒包体(MME),成分特征类似于石英闪长岩,说明三者具内在成因联系,均与俯冲作用关系密切。     

西秦岭金厂石英闪长岩的岩浆混合成因：岩相学和锆石U-Pb年代学证据及其构造意义

位于西秦岭南部的金厂石英闪长岩岩体内含有大量镁铁质暗色微粒包体,包体大多呈浑圆状和水滴状,部分呈不规则拉长状,与寄主岩的接触界线截然或呈渐变过渡关系。石英闪长岩中的磷灰石呈短柱状,而包体中的磷灰石则呈细长针状,反映基性岩浆的快速冷凝结晶。石英闪长岩中的斜长石发育振荡环带,核部的斜长石An低,而边部斜长石An先急剧上升,复又下降;核部与边部之间存在明显的间断,同时斜长石边部包裹有暗色矿物,指示其形成时可能有更基性的岩浆注入。寄主岩中的角闪石大多为普通角闪石和镁普通角闪石,属SiO2饱和型,而包体中角闪石一部分为镁普通角闪石,属SiO2饱和型,一部分为韭闪石、韭闪石质普通角闪石,属SiO2不饱和类型。包体中的角闪石自核部到边部,Al2O3与TiO2含量急剧下降,说明核部和幔部相对于边部形成于更高温的环境。寄主岩中黑云母部分为铁质黑云母,部分为镁质黑云母,而包体中黑云母均为镁质黑云母,在∑FeO/(∑FeO+MgO)对MgO图解上寄主岩与包体中黑云母均落入壳-幔混源区。寄主岩和包体中的锆石均为典型的岩浆锆石,LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年表明它们的形成年龄分别为212±2Ma及215±1Ma(2σ),在误差范围内基本一致,证明二者同时形成。综合以上岩相学和年代学证据认为,金厂石英闪长岩和镁铁质暗色微粒包体是幔源基性岩浆和壳源酸性岩浆混合作用的产物,形成于秦岭造山带中三叠世造山后伸展环境。结合区域上的研究结果认为,中—晚三叠世时期的幔源岩浆底侵和下地壳部分熔融在西秦岭广泛存在。     

Magma Mixing Genesis of the Jinchang Quartz Diorite in West Qinling Orogen,Western China: Petrographical and Geochronological Constraints and Their Tectonic Implications

位于西秦岭南部的金厂石英闪长岩岩体内含有大量镁铁质暗色微粒包体,包体大多呈浑圆状和水滴状,部分呈不规则拉长状,与寄主岩的接触界线截然或呈渐变过渡关系.石英闪长岩中的磷灰石呈短柱状,而包体中的磷灰石则呈细长针状,反映基性岩浆的快速冷凝结晶.石英闪长岩中的斜长石发育振荡环带,核部的斜长石An低,而边部斜长石An先急剧上升,复又下降;核部与边部之间存在明显的间断,同时斜长石边部包裹有暗色矿物,指示其形成时可能有更基性的岩浆注入.寄主岩中的角闪石大多为普通角闪石和镁普通角闪石,属SiO2饱和型,而包体中角闪石一部分为镁普通角闪石,属SiO2饱和型,一部分为韭闪石、韭闪石质普通角闪石,属SiO2不饱和类型.包体中的角闪石自核部到边部,Al2O3与TiO2含量急剧下降,说明核部和幔部相对于边部形成于更高温的环境.寄主岩中黑云母部分为铁质黑云母,部分为镁质黑云母,而包体中黑云母均为镁质黑云母,在∑FeO/(∑FeO+MgO)对MgO图解上寄主岩与包体中黑云母均落入壳-幔混源区.寄主岩和包体中的锆石均为典型的岩浆锆石,LA-ICP- MS锆石U- Pb定年表明它们的形成年龄分别为212±2 Ma及215±1Ma(2σ),在误差范围内基本一致,证明二者同时形成.综合以上岩相学和年代学证据认为,金厂石英闪长岩和镁铁质暗色微粒包体是幔源基性岩浆和壳源酸性岩浆混合作用的产物,形成于秦岭造山带中三叠世造山后伸展环境.结合区域上的研究结果认为,中—晚三叠世时期的幔源岩浆底侵和下地壳部分熔融在西秦岭广泛存在.     

东天山哈密地区早二叠世花岗岩体及镁铁质包体的年代学, 岩石地球化学特征及其构造意义

花岗岩中包体是区域构造与深部过程研究结合的良好窗口,对研究花岗岩的成因和壳-幔相互作用有非常重要的意义。东天山南山口黑云母二长花岗岩中广泛发育镁铁质包体。主量元素组成上,寄主花岗岩岩具有中酸性、准铝质、富碱、富钾等特征;镁铁质包体则偏基性、贫钾。微量和稀土元素组成上,富集Rb、K、Th、U,贫Sr、P、Nb、Ta、Ti,且Zr、Hf含量相对较高,具中-强的铕负异常(0.46~0.57)。镁铁质包体与寄主岩具有相似的微量元素特征,但相对富集Sr、P,贫Zr、Hf,铕负异常中等或不明显(0.80~0.93)。闪长质包体属于同源包体,为寄主花岗岩同源母岩浆经结晶分异形成的早期产物。运用LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年技术,该南山口岩体暗色镁铁质微粒包体与寄主黑云母二长花岗岩的锆石U-Pb年龄分别为298.2±2.0Ma和294.0±2.7Ma,包体与寄主岩样品具有相似的Hf同位素组成,暗示其母岩浆来自新元古代晚期和早古生代亏损地幔中分离的新生地壳。该高钾钙碱性的花岗岩及其包体可能形成于东天山后碰撞背景下的板片断离后引起软流圈上涌,底侵体带来的热能使得新元古代晚期和早古生代的新生地壳发生部分熔融。     

义敦岛弧措交玛岩体岩浆混合成因:镁铁质微粒包体的证据

义敦岛弧北部的措交玛岩基岩体主要由黑云母二长花岗岩和边部的花岗闪长岩组成。在黑云母二长花岗岩中存在有少量镁铁质微粒包体,其成分为闪长质,与寄主岩石接触关系从渐变到截然。在包体周围的寄主岩石中存在黑云母、角闪石自身的包含结构,角闪石包含黑云母,斜长石发育明显的溶蚀结构,核部斜长石被溶蚀成筛状,边部环带状斜长石溶蚀不明显,是基性岩浆注入到酸性岩浆中导致岩浆混合的结果。黑云母二长花岗岩具有更高的轻重稀土分异系数,闪长质包体轻重稀土分异系数较低,黑云母二长花岗岩和暗色闪长质微粒包体具有明显相似性的微量元素特征。寄主岩黑云母二长花岗岩锆石U-Pb年龄为236±1.9Ma,闪长质包体为235±3.9Ma,二者形成年代在误差范围内基本一致,可能为甘孜-理塘洋向西俯冲过程中,俯冲洋壳部分熔融形成的玄武质岩浆上涌底侵于壳-幔边界导致地壳的部分熔融形成酸性的黑云母二长花岗岩岩基。     

岩溶地区现代土壤与洞穴石笋中单甲基支链烷烃与烷基环己烷对比研究

利用GC-MS（气相色谱—质谱仪）,对采自湖北清江流域和尚洞洞顶的土壤样品与洞内石笋样品进行分析,发现土壤中存在的七个系列单甲基支链烷烃在所有的石笋样品中均可以找到,呈现相似的分布模式,石笋中七个系列支链烷烃有可能来自洞穴滴水携带的土壤中的支链烷烃,但是也不能排除石笋原地生长的微生物的贡献。烷基环己烷的分布在土壤与石笋中呈现了相似的分布模式,但是主峰碳数有所变化,高碳数部分与低碳数部分的相对含量也发生了变化。主要原因可能是微生物选择性降解的结果,也有可能是土壤与石笋中微生物种类分布差异所造成的。本次研究初步显示了相对封闭稳定的洞穴沉积物与上覆土壤层中生物标志化合物的异同。      

Hydrogen and carbon in solid solution in oxides and silicates

The dissolution of H₂O and CO₂ in structurally dense, nominally anhydrous and non-carbonate oxide matrices such as MgO and CaO is reviewed. H₂O and CO₂ are treated as gaseous oxide components which enter into solid solution with the refractory oxide hosts. They form anion complexes associated with cation vacancy sites. Evidence is presented that OH^? pairs which derive from the dissolution of H₂O are subject to a charge transfer (CT) conversion into peroxy moieties and molecular hydrogen, O ₂ ^2? ... H₂. Because the O ₂ ^2? moiety is small (O^?-O^? distance ≈ 1.5 Å) high pressure probably favors the CT conversion. Mass spectroscopic studies show that molecular H₂ may be lost from the solid which retains excess oxygen in the form of O ₂ ^2? , leading to the release of atomic O. The dissociation of O ₂ ^2? moieties into a vacancy-bound O^? state and an unbound O^? state can be followed by measuring the internal redox reactions involving transition metal impurities, the transient paramagnetism of the O^? and their effect on the d.c. conductivity. Evidence is presented that CO₂ molecules dissolve dissociatively in the structurally dense oxide matrix, as if they were first to dissociate into CO+O and then to form separate solute moieties CO ₂ ^2? and O ₂ ^2? , both associated with cation vacancy sites. In the CO ₂ ^2? moiety (C-O^? distance 1.2–1.3 Å, OCO angle ≈ 130°) the C atom probably sits off center. The transition of the C atom into interstitial sites is accompanied by dissociation of the CO ₂ ^2? moiety into CO^? and O^?. This transition can be followed by infrared spectroscopy, using OH^? as local probes. Further support derives from magnetic susceptibility, thermal expansion, low frequency dielectric loss and low temperature deformation measurements. The recently observed emission of O and Mg atoms besides a variety of molecules such as CO, CO₂, CH₄, HCN and other hydrocarbons during impact fracture of MgO single crystals is presented and discussed in the light of the other experimental data.     

Geogenic and anthropogenic zinc in epiphytic and terricolous lichens in Finland

At 31 sites in Finland the Zn content was determined of the epiphytic lichen Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. growing on pine and birch, the terricolous lichen Cladina spp. in pine bark, and the inner part of birch bark. The anomalous contents of Zn in H. physodes on pine and Cladina spp. in soil appeared to be strongly related to sulphide ore deposits. Anthropogenic Zn correlated closely with S and Fe in H. physodes on pine and with Fe in Cladina spp. The binding of geogenic Zn was related to iron hydroxides, and was attributed to the different uptake mechanism of S in these lichens. Elevated values of Zn in H. physodes on birch were due to both geogenic and anthropogenic sources. Zinc in pine bark increased with the Zn content in H. physodes and reached a limiting value.     

Comparative urbanization in Ghana and Kenya in time and space

There are few inter-African country urban analyses because of the continent’s enormous size and socioeconomic diversity, language barriers, and wide variations in national and regional urban research capacity. Nevertheless, comparative urban studies are critical in understanding contemporary African urbanization. In this comparative spatial and temporal analysis of Ghana and Kenya’s urbanization, we find that both countries are urbanizing rapidly and are faced with many common urban problems. Moreover, Ghana is more urbanized than Kenya and has a larger indigenous urban imprint and a more widely dispersed urban pattern. Besides their physiographic and population conditions, we trace these countries’ convergent and divergent urban trends to their shared but unique experiences of colonialism, nationalism and globalization.     

Temporal and spatial variations in water discharge and sediment load in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi Rivers in Himalaya, India

The Alaknanda and Bhagirathi Rivers originate in the mountainous regions of the Himalayas (Garhwal) and result in high sediment yields causing flood hazards downstream of the Ganga River and high sediment flux to the Bay of Bengal. The rivers are perennial, since runoff in these rivers is controlled by both precipitation and glacial melt. In the present study, three locations in the upper reaches of the Ganga River were monitored for 1 yr (daily observations of, more than >1000 samples) for suspended sediment concentrations. In addition, more than one hundred samples were collected from various locations of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi Rivers at different periods to observe spatial and temporal variations in river suspensions. Further, multi-annual data (up to 40 yrs) of water flow and sediment concentrations were used for inferring the variations in water flow and sediment loads on longer time scales. In most previous studies of Himalayan Rivers, there has been a general lack of long term water flow and sediment load data. In the present study, we carried out high frequency sampling, considered long term discharge data and based on these information, discussed the temporal and spatial variations in water discharge and sediment loads in the rivers in the Himalayan region. The results show that, >75% of annual sediment loads are transported during the monsoon season (June through September). The annual physical weathering rates in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi River basins at Devprayag are estimated to be 863 tons km⁻² yr⁻¹ (3.25 mm yr⁻¹) and 907 tons km⁻² yr⁻¹ (3.42 mm yr⁻¹) respectively, which are far in excess of the global average of 156 tons km⁻² yr⁻¹ (0.58 mm yr⁻¹).     

Discovery of Cinnabar in Soils in Hg Anomalous Zones in City and Town Areas and Their Surroundings and Its Significance

As a result of systematic study on heavy minerals in soils at city and town areas and their surroundings,cinnabar was discovered for the first time in areas of Hg anomalies in China, and it was found that the distribution of cinnabar was basically coincident in scope with that of Hg anomalies, showing that Hg anomalies were‘closely related to cinnabar. This finding provides a theoretical basis for a verification of Hg anomalies in soils in city and town areas and their surroundings, as well as evaluation of its ecological effects, and is significant to revealing the occurrence modes and origin of Hg in soils.     

煤中气孔和镶嵌结构及其在煤变质研究中的意义

河南省禹县、新密和荥巩煤田山西组Ⅱ₁煤的贫煤和无烟煤中,气孔发育。气孔形态有椭圆状（图版1）、圆状及不规则状（图版2）,有的几个气孔连在一起呈大的朵状气孔(图版3)。此外,在荥巩煤田西部无烟煤中还发育有镀嵌结构(图版4)。      

Re-Os and Pd-Ag systematics in Group IIIAB irons and in pallasites

Using improved analytical techniques, which reduce the Re blanks by factors of 8 to 10, we report new Re-Os data on low Re and low PGE pallasites (PAL-anom) and IIIAB irons. The new pallasite samples nearly double the observed range in Re/Os for pallasites and allow the determination of an isochron of slope 0.0775 ± 0.0008 (T = 4.50 ± 0.04 Ga, using the adjusted λ¹⁸⁷Re = 1.66 × 10⁻¹¹ a⁻¹) and initial (¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os)₀ = 0.09599 ± 0.00046. If the data on different groups of pallasites (including the “anomalous” pallasites) are considered to define a whole-rock isochron, their formation would appear to be distinctly younger than for the iron meteorites by ∼60 Ma. Five IIIAB irons (Acuna, Bella Roca, Chupaderos, Grant, and Bear Creek), with Re contents ranging from 0.9 to 2.8 ppb, show limited Re/Os fractionation and plot within errors on the IIAB iron meteorite isochron of slope 0.07848 ± 0.00018 (T = 4.56 ± 0.01 Ga) and initial (¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os)₀ = 0.09563 ± 0.00011. Many of the meteorites were analyzed also for Pd-Ag and show ¹⁰⁷Ag enrichments correlated with Pd/Ag, requiring early formation and fractionation of the FeNi metal, in a narrow time interval, after injection of live ¹⁰⁷Pd (t_1/2 = 6.5 Ma) into the solar nebula. Based on Pd-Ag, the typical range in relative ages of these meteorites is ≤10 Ma. The Pd-Ag results suggest early formation and preservation of the ¹⁰⁷Pd-¹⁰⁷Ag systematics, both for IIIAB irons and for pallasites, while the younger Re-Os apparent age for pallasites suggests that the Re-Os system in pallasites was subject to re-equilibration. The low Re and low PGE pallasites show significant Re/Os fractionation (higher Re/Os) as the Re and PGE contents decrease. By contrast, the IIIAB irons show a restricted range in Re/Os, even for samples with extremely low Re and PGE contents. There is a good correlation of Re and Ir contents. The correlation of Re and Os contents for IIIAB irons shows a similar complex pattern as observed for IIAB irons (Morgan et al., 1995), and neither can be ascribed to a continuous fractional crystallization process with uniform solid-metal/liquid-metal distribution coefficients.     

Trends in Analytical Developments and Earth Science Applications in LA-ICP-MS and LA-MC-ICP-MS for 2004 and 2005

This review of laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry includes research that employed quadrupole instruments, and single-collector and multicollector magnetic sector field instruments. The most important trend in 2004–2005 was the growing appreciation that small matrix effects in LA-(MC)-ICP-MS need to be addressed in order to produce highly precise and accurate data by the method. The issue is most acute for isotope ratio measurements that require standard-sample-standard bracketing but can also be important for certain elemental analysis. Matrix-dependent elemental and isotopic fractionations were studied from the standpoint of laser-sample interactions and the behaviour of laser-generated particles in the ablation cell, transfer tubing and ICP torch. Innovations in LA-(MC)-ICP-MS involved signal smoothing, in torch laser ablation, on-line isotope dilution and molecular oxide monitoring. Other important research was carried out on the calibration and homogeneity of various reference materials; and the exploration of mature ( in situ U-Pb geochronology) and emerging (apatite fission-track chronometry, U-Th/He thermochronology, boron/strontium/uranium-series isotopic microanalysis) applications in the Earth sciences.     

Regional gravity survey and application in oil and gas exploration in China

Ground gravity survey for regional structure unit delineation and oil and gas exploration in China is addressed in this paper with examples. Gravity survey scales, coverage, technical regulations and achievements at the national level are introduced, including data processing and anomaly interpretation techniques. Bouguer anomalies of terrestrial territories of China and classification of anomalous feature zones are also described; they are well correlated with lithotectonical boundaries, fault zones, and unexposed igneous plutons. Recent study results of petroliferous sedimentary basins are presented as well, including concealed boundaries and major structures of large basins. It is concluded that gravity survey is the most effective and economic method in unveiling unexposed and deep-seated structures, targeting and delineating oil and gas-bearing sedimentary basins, and locating main trap structures within prolific basins in early stage of exploration in China. Suggestions for improving exploration of both conventional and unconventional oil and gas reservoirs in China are also given in the paper.