内蒙古正蓝旗羊蹄子山-磨石山钛矿区两种不同成因类型的锐钛矿富矿体

内蒙古正蓝旗羊蹄子山-磨石山钛矿床有两种不同类型的锐钛矿富矿体,即产于北部磨石山矿带的沉积变质型锐钛矿富矿体和产于南部羊蹄子山矿段的热液改造型锐钛矿富矿体。两类富矿体在矿体规模、形态、矿石结构构造特征、矿石矿物共生组合、矿石化学成分、锐钛矿粒度和成矿时代及成矿机理等方面,都存在较明显的差异。沉积变质型锐钛矿富矿体呈层状、似层状产出,矿石具有明显的细条纹状构造;由以石英为主的条纹和以锐钛矿、金红石、钛铁矿、直闪石(±黑云母、石榴子石)为主的条纹互层组成;矿石品位(TiO2)为5.0%～15.46%,平均值为8.64%,Fe2O3 FeO含量中等(6.99%～15.61%),锐钛矿颗粒细小(0.01～0.1mm);形成于元古宙〔(1751±8)Ma〕二道凹群变质岩系中。热液改造型锐钛矿富矿体呈透镜状,规模相对较小;矿石具有块状、网脉状、细脉浸染状构造;共生矿物除锐钛矿、金红石、钛铁矿、石英外,常有较多的叶片状赤铁矿,局部有直闪石、黑云母和石榴子石;锐钛矿粒度较大(0.05～0.2mm,少数可达0.5mm),且分布不均匀;是在元古宙沉积变质富锐钛矿变质石英砂岩的基础上,经燕山晚期〔(118±3)Ma〕花岗岩侵入,遭受热液改造而成。     

黑龙江金厂金矿田岩浆和成矿作用的LA-ICPMS锆石定年

黑龙江金厂金矿床为中亚造山带东段大型的浆控热液成矿系统,但成矿及其相关岩浆活动的时间研究薄弱.为厘定金厂金矿的形成时间和构造背景,本文利用单颗粒锆石激光探针LA-ICP-MS定年技术获得了赋矿花岗岩围岩和成矿闪长岩的锆石U-Pb年龄.结果表明,锆石韵律性环带结构发育,Th/U比值集中于0.5～1.5之间,具有岩浆锆石特征.两组锆石~(205)Pb/~(238)U谐和年龄分别为202.1±3.0Ma和111.5±1.2Ma,代表了两期岩浆.流体活动的时间;一组谐和性较差的蚀变花岗岩锆石~(206)Pb/~(208)U加权平均年龄为198.0±3.9Ma,指示赋矿花岗岩受到后期热液作用的影响而年龄偏小.据此认为,不同期次的岩浆-流体成矿事件在同一空间叠加复合是金厂大型金矿系统形成的重要原因;202Ma左右的岩浆一流体成矿事件缘于古亚洲洋闭合后大陆碰撞体制的岩浆作用,而111Ma左右的岩浆一流体成矿事件则缘于太平洋板块俯冲诱发的岩浆弧或弧后大陆伸展体制的岩浆活动.     

柴北缘双口山金- 银- 铅矿床赋矿围岩及含金石英脉热液锆石U- Pb定年对成矿时代的限定及其成因启示

双口山金- 银- 铅矿床地处柴北缘西段,赋存在滩间山变基性- 超基性变火山岩中。矿体由金矿体和银铅矿体组成,成矿作用与热液活动密切相关。本文通过对双口山含金矿体赋矿围岩及含金石英脉进行LA- ICP- MS锆石U- Pb年代学分析和研究。结果表明,赋矿围岩形成时代为443±2. 9Ma,与区域滩间山群火山岩形成年代一致(440~490Ma)。含金石英脉热液锆石U- Pb年代为402. 8±4. 2Ma,与区域金矿床成矿年龄以及韧性剪切带年龄相接近(~400Ma),代表了金矿体热液作用及成矿时代。结合地质特征及前人研究,表明双口山金银铅矿床是柴北缘造山带在不同造山带演化阶段,由不同成矿作用,在不同时期,相互叠加形成的复合型多金属矿床。金矿体具有典型造山型金矿床特征的变质热液型金矿,其成因主要与造山运动过程中的变质和变形作用有关, 成矿物质和流体来源于绿片岩相的滩间山群变基性- 超基性变火山岩。银铅矿体为岩浆热液型,成矿与后碰撞造山作用伸展- 构造转换有关的岩浆作用有关,成矿物质和流体来源于晚泥盆世深部含矿岩浆作用。     

内蒙古北山望旭山钨矿床地质特征与成矿时代约束

望旭山钨矿是北山成矿带东段近年来新发现的一处钨矿床。通过矿床地质特征研究,认为该矿床成因类型为岩浆热液型。为确定矿床的形成时代,重点对含矿花岗岩体开展了LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年代学研究。结果表明,含矿似斑状黑云母二长花岗岩和黑云母二长花岗岩锆石U-Pb测年结果表明其岩浆结晶年龄分别为403.2±2.6Ma和406.8±3.1Ma,时代为早泥盆世。基于岩浆高温热液型钨矿床特征,对近年来我国东部及北山地区这类矿床成矿岩体与成矿时代的统计分析结果表明,该类矿床的成岩年龄与成矿时代相近或高度耦合,结合矿床地质特征将望旭山钨矿的成矿时代也厘定为早泥盆世。结合区域构造演化认为盘陀山-望旭山-鹰嘴红山岩浆岩带的形成与早古生代红柳河-洗肠井洋盆闭合导致明水-旱山地块与敦煌地块碰撞致使陆壳增厚重熔作用有关,为与该期岩浆活动关系密切的钨钼(铜)矿床提供了物质条件。     

河南省内乡县银洞沟银金多金属矿成矿年龄: 热液锆石LA-MC-ICP-MS U-Pb测年

北秦岭构造带广泛发育与古生代洋壳俯冲和碰撞造山有关的岩浆活动以及与造山过程有关的变质作用,但古生代热液脉型矿床在北秦岭构造带少见报道。银洞沟银金多金属矿为北秦岭构造带东部的一处中型热液脉型矿床,本文通过对该矿床赋矿围岩和含矿石英脉中锆石开展LA- MC- ICP- MS U- Pb测年和锆石成因研究,确定了矿床的形成时代,并探讨了矿床的成矿动力学背景。结果表明赋矿围岩黑云母二长花岗岩的形成时代为431. 4±2. 1 Ma,含矿石英脉中锆石结晶年龄为419. 4±5. 9 Ma,石英脉中锆石的岩相学、锆石中矿物和流体包裹体及锆石微量元素研究表明419. 4 Ma代表矿床的形成时代。结合前人的研究结果,确定银洞沟银金多金属矿为形成于晚志留世的造山型矿床,成矿作用与碰撞期后～420 Ma的变质作用密切相关,成矿流体来源于地层的变质脱水,成矿物质主要来源于秦岭岩群和二郎坪群。     

吉林南部通化地区集安群的年代学

对辽吉裂谷带吉林段集安群火山岩和碎屑沉积岩以及裂谷带内的花岗岩进行了LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb的年代学研究.测年结果显示, 集安群火山岩形成于2156~2189Ma, 并于1870~1 881Ma接受区域变质作用改造.伴随集安群的火山-沉积和变质作用, 有2期花岗岩侵入: 一期形成于裂陷期的2156~2189Ma; 另一期形成于造山期的1870~1881Ma.同时, 碎屑锆石和捕获锆石获得了2471~2494Ma和2633~2653Ma的岩浆成因锆石年龄, 代表结晶基底的2次岩浆事件.集安群的物质来源于太古宙基底和裂陷期的岩浆事件产物.      

中亚-蒙古造山带东段的锡林郭勒杂岩：早华力西期造山作用的产物而非古老陆块？ —— 锆石SHRIMP U-Pb年代学证据

锡林郭勒杂岩是华北板块北缘古生代褶皱带内出露面积最大的变质岩系,以前多被当着前寒武纪的古老地块.本文通过对该杂岩中副片麻岩和正片麻岩的锆石SHRIMP U-Pb年代学研究发现,副片麻岩中的锆石多为岩浆锆石,其206Pb/238U加权平均年龄为406±7Ma,指示它们的原岩主要是由近同期(略早些)的岩浆岩风化后就近沉积的产物,该年龄应代表源区(岛弧型?)花岗岩的形成时间,同时也是副片麻岩原岩沉积的下限年龄.正片麻岩中岩浆锆石的206Pb/238U加权平均年龄为382±2Ma,代表花岗片麻岩原岩的侵位年龄.岩石中锆石的变质增生边的形成年龄为337±6Ma,代表锡林郭勒杂岩发生变质和变形的时间,该变质事件可能与贺根山缝合带内所发生的一次主要的碰撞造山作用有关.这些年龄资料充分说明,锡林郭勒杂岩并非古老地块,而是华力西早期岩浆作用、沉积作用和变质作用事件的产物.整个事件是在较短的时间范围内(～70Ma)完成的,推测该杂岩发育在碰撞造山带的弧前环境.中亚-蒙古造山带东南部(内蒙古的中、东部)碰撞前的构造格局可能不是典型的多岛洋体制,由于缺少古老的陆块,造山过程更多的表现为大洋的大陆化过程,即洋内俯冲形成岛弧,岛弧在被动大陆边缘拼贴聚合转化为新的大陆.     

闽西南地区紫金山岩体锆石SHRIMP定年及其地质意义

笔者通过锆石SHRIMP定年,精确厘定了紫金山岩体的成岩成矿时代.紫金山黑云母化岗岩中锆石CL图像显示锆石分为3种形态,定年结果显示这3种锆石有不同的年龄,具有不同的地质意义.第一种锆石晶形发育、具有核一边双层结构.核部的锆石呈磨网状,这类锆石为继承性锆石,年龄为1000 Ma左右;第二种锆石晶形发育良好,但是呈不完整形态,有不清晰的生长环带或者无生长环带,呈现岩浆锆石的特征,年龄为168±4 Ma(n=13,MSWD=0.97),这一年龄应代表了岩石的结晶年龄,属于中侏罗世;第三种锆石晶形发育良好,有清晰的生长环带,这种锆石受后期改造作用,年龄为(119±15)Ma,属于早白垩世.(168±4)Ma时本区并未发生大规模的成矿事件,因此紫金山岩体主体并非含矿岩体,仅有轻微的锡矿化.紫金山花岗岩锆石SHRIMP定年的第三组年龄为(119±15)Ma是大规模成矿作用的记录,可能正是这一期的热液作用开始了本区大规模的长时期的多期次的岩浆热液作用的序幕,从而为本区铜金成矿作用奠定了基础.     

江南造山带是否格林威尔期造山带?——关于华南前寒武纪地质的几个问题

本世纪初这几年利用SHRIMP和La-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb法及其他新的定年方法已获得的定年结果表明,扬子与华夏板块的拼合发生在870～820Ma之间,形成格林威尔造山带的"陆-陆碰撞"发生在1190～980Ma期间,江南造山带的碰撞事件要滞后320～160Ma。江南造山带形成过程中普遍发生绿片岩相的区域变质作用,未找到格林威尔造山带中广泛存在的麻粒岩相的高级变质记录。根据这两点,目前无法确认江南造山带是格林威尔期造山带。江南造山带可能是Rodinia向Gondwana超级大陆过渡过程中两相邻陆块拼合的产物。在江南造山带西段,作为基底出露的四堡群、梵净山群、冷家溪群等曾被认为是中元古代地层,这些地层中砂岩的碎屑锆石定年表明,这些基底地层的最大沉积年龄为870～860Ma,属于新元古代。沿着江南造山带分布的S-型花岗岩可作为板块间碰撞、造山事件的岩石学记录,并非地幔柱岩浆作用的产物。江南造山带西段～760Ma的部分基性火山-侵入岩、扬子地块周边及华夏地块某些新元古代"双峰式火山岩"(803～818Ma)中的基性火山岩具OIB的地球化学特征,它们的规模很小,是造山后伸展阶段、软流圈局部上侵形成的,不能作为Rodinia裂解的岩石学证据。     

西南天山科桑溶洞新元古代-早奥陶世花岗岩锆石U-Pb年代学研究

在新疆西南天山科桑溶洞地区,新厘定出一套斜长角闪岩-花岗岩地质单元:侵入斜长角闪岩中的新元古代白云母花岗岩(片麻状构造)、以及侵入上述古老岩石单元的早奥陶世花岗岩(块状构造)。片麻状白云母花岗岩中锆石具有热液锆石边、岩浆锆石幔和碎屑锆石核(边-幔-核结构),剔除被热液锆石和碎屑锆石混染的SHRIMP测点,获得岩浆锆石幔的加权平均年龄752.3±5.1Ma(MSWD=0.95),代表岩浆的结晶年龄。块状花岗岩的锆石具有边-核结构,热液锆石边的U-Pb年龄(419.5±5.7Ma)明显偏低。剔除热液锆石和碎屑锆石,获得岩浆锆石的平均U-Pb年龄481.1±4.4Ma(MSWD=0.88),代表花岗岩的结晶年龄。早奥陶世早期,岩浆侵入新元古代片麻状白云母花岗岩中。在晚志留世或者更晚时期,两类花岗岩共同经受了变质热液改造,变质流体交代岩浆锆石,导致锆石溶蚀再生长。     

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.     

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.