Geology and Mineral Chemistry of Uranium- and Thorium-bearing Minerals in Rare-Metal (NYF) Pegmatites of Um Solimate,South Eastern Desert,Egypt

The garnet muscovite granitic pegmatite of Um Solimate, in southern Egypt, represents a promising asset for strategic and economic metals, especially Bi–Ni–Ag–Nb–Ta as well as U and Th. The ore bodies occur as large masses, pockets and/or veins of very coarse-grained pegmatites, which consist mainly of K-feldspar, quartz and albite with subordinate muscovite, garnet, and biotite. Radiometric data revealed that eU- and eTh-contents of the pegmatites reach up to 39 ppm and 82 ppm, respectively. The studied pegmatites are enriched in primary U and Th minerals (uraninite, coffinite, thorianite and uranothorite) as well as Hf-rich zircon and monazite, which give rise to anomalous radioactive zones. Niobium-tantalium-bearing minerals (i.e. ferrocolumbite, microlite and uranopyrochlore), xenotime, barite, galena, fluorite, and apatite are ubiquitous, and, consequently, the studied pegmatites belong tothe Niobium–Yttrium–Fluorine-type (NYF) family. The noble metal mineralization includes argentite (Ag2S), native Ni and Bi as well as bismite and bismoclite. In addition, beryl and tourmaline are observed in pegmatites near the contact with metasediments and ultramafic bodies. The observed compositional variations of Ta/(Ta+Nb) and Mn/(Mn+Fe) ratios in columbite (0.08–0.45 and 0.11–0.57, respectively) and Hf contents in zircon (3.54–6.46 wt%) may reflectan extreme degree of magmatic fractionation leading to formation of the pegmatite orebody.     

古尔班通古特沙漠大气边界层参数化方案的模拟评估[1]

为准确描述我国最大的固定/半固定沙漠-古尔班通古特沙漠区域的大气边界层结构，本文利用该沙漠腹地2017年的梯度铁塔和通量观测数据，基于中尺度气象模式WRF (Weather Research and Forecast v3.7.1)，分析了5种边界层参数化方案在古尔班通古特沙漠的适用性。结果表明：1）采用WRF模拟沙漠腹地近地层内的边界层特征时，2m气温的模拟存在冷偏差，5种边界层参数化方案均能较好地模拟出四个季节2m气温的日变化特征，其中非局地方案ACM2(Asymmetric Convective Model version 2)对2m气温效果最好，局地方案BL方案的模拟偏差最大；2）5种边界层参数化方案均能够模拟出10m风速的日变化特征，其中局地方案BL(Bougeault-Lacarrere)对10m风速效果最佳；3）采用WRF模拟沙漠近地层内的地表通量特征时，感热通量存在高估现象，潜热通量存在低估现象，5种边界层参数化方案均能较好地模拟出四个季节模拟时间段内地表净辐射通量的日变化特征，其中局地方案MYJ(Mellor-Yamada-Janjie)的模拟精度最高。     

Differentiation of environments of dolomite formation, Lower Cretaceous of Central Tunisia

Combined field, sedimentological, mineralogical, isotopic and geochemical study of the Lower Cretaceous dolomites of Central Tunisia has demonstrated considerable diversity in origin. Environments of dolomite formation include deep phreatic, karst, lacustrine and evaporitic sabkha. All four groups of dolomite are composed of non-stoichiometric and/or disordered crystals which are more or less rich in calcium and in iron. Petrographic fabrics are of three types: replacement, recrystallization and cementation. These three fabrics are proposed among the various criteria for the different environments of dolomitization. Average isotope (δ¹⁸ O and δ¹³ C) contents for these four dolomite groups range from ?10·5 to +0·4%_o (PDB) and ?3·9 to + 3·7%_o respectively. The distribution of strontium is related both to the degree of recrystallization and to the palaeosalinity. Ferrous iron, also very common, is regarded as an indicator of relatively deep reducing conditions, mainly in meteoric groundwaters. Sodium distribution is related to inclusions within the dolomite, its distribution being relatively constant in all four groups; it cannot be regarded as a reliable criterion for palaeosalinity of dolomitizing fluids. This study confirms that dolomitization may occur under widely different palaeoenvironments, either at the surface or during burial. With the exception of the sabkha environment, dolomitizing fluids seem to have been essentially meteoric.     

Analysis of mass concentration of atmospheric particulate matter in a sandstorm course and its affecting factors in the Taklimakan Desert

During the course of a major sandstorm from April 17 to April 23, 2008 in the Taklimakan Desert, data pertaining to the mass concentrations of different-sized atmospheric particulate matter were observed continuously with Grimm 1.108, Thermo RP 1400a, TSP, and CAWS-600 instruments. The results showed that: (1) during the entire sandstorm process there were some differences between the daily mean particle concentration peaks and the hourly mean particle concentration peaks because the actual sandstorm lasted for only about 4 hr, whereas more particles were accumulated in the floating dust days before and after the actual sandstorm; (2) the intensity of the sandstorm was enhanced with the increase of wind speed, and this was related to the peak mass concentrations of atmospheric particulate matter; the wind speed directly affected the concentration of atmospheric particulate matter: the higher the wind speed, the higher the mass concentration (>0.23 μm was 39,496.5 μg/m³, and >20.0 μm was 5,390.7 μg/m³); (3) the concentration changes of PM₁₀ and TSP were also related to the course and intensity of the sandstorm; and (4) the mass concentration of atmospheric particulate matter had the following sequence during the dust weather: clear day < floating dust < floating and blowing dust < sandstorm. Temperature, relative humidity, and barometric pressure are important factors affecting the strength of storms, which could also indirectly affect the concentration change of atmospheric particulate matter.     

A study on the effects of soil moisture,air humidity,and air temperature on wind speed threshold for dust emissions in the Taklimakan Desert

Natural Hazards - Soil and the atmospheric conditions are important factors that affect wind speed threshold of surface dust emissions. Based on the observed data of surface dust emissions in the...     

Integrated Biostratigraphy, Depositional Setting and Geochemical Analyses for Petroleum Potential Evaluation of the Lower Cretaceous (Barremian – Albian) Strata of the Koppeh-Dagh Basin, Northeastern Iran

The lower Cretaceous rock units of the Koppeh-Dagh Basin of northeastern Iran were investigated here in terms of biostratigraphy, depositional setting and geochemical analyses to find out if they, alike other parts of the world, are rich in petroleum. For this purpose, a stratigraphic framework is established using calcareous nannofossil and palynological elements. A nannoplankton zonation based on which subzones of the zones CC7 – CC8 of Sissingh(1977) and their equivalent NC6 – NC8 of Roth(1978) was established indicating a Late Barremian–Albian age. Palynological assemblages led us to establish the local palynozone of Odontochitina operculata. A dominantly marginal basin to a transitional zone between shelf and basin under a dysoxic–anoxic condition with low to moderate sedimentation rates coincided with a gradual sea level rise was introduced as the environment of deposition for the strata via interpretation of the palynological parameters and quantitative palynology. The obtained data from Rock-Eval pyrolysis in compilation with palynofacies analysis reveals that the studied succession contains mainly gas-prone type III kerogen. The Spore Coloration Index(SCI) alongside with the Rock-Eval pyrolysis results(low values of HI and TOC) proves that these rock units locally produced natural gas during the time under consideration.     

CoLM模式对塔克拉玛干沙漠北缘陆面过程模拟评估及修正

采用2011年3月22日至7月26日肖塘陆气相互作用观测资料测试了不同陆面参数对公共陆面模式（CoLM）模拟效果的影响。地表参数包括地表反照率（α）、地表比辐射率（ε）、空气动力学和热力学粗糙度（z_0m、z_0h）、零置位移（d）、热传输附加阻尼（kB^-1）。结果表明：感热通量H和地表温度T_g对地表反照率、动力学粗糙度和地表比辐射率比较敏感,对零置位移不敏感。通过观测资料获得的这些参数及kB^-1参数化方案均被用来替换原CoLM模式中相应值及参数化方案。CoLM模式基本上能较好地模拟净辐射R_n、感热通量H、地表土壤热通量G₀和地表温度T_g日变化特征,只是在日峰值及其峰值出现时间的模拟上不理想;而CoLM模式对该地区土壤湿度M的模拟效果非常不好。误差统计值Bias、SEE、NSEE表明优化参数后的CoLM模式使得R_n的模拟误差被降低4.21%（SEE）,H的模拟误差被降低25.19%（Bias）,T_g的模拟误差被降低33.33%（Bias）、10.45%（SEE）和25%（NSEE）。     

Observed particle sizes and fluxes of Aeolian sediment in the near surface layer during sand-dust storms in the Taklamakan Desert

Monitoring, modeling and predicting the formation and movement of dust storms across the global deserts has drawn great attention in recent decades. Nevertheless, the scarcity of real-time observations of the wind-driven emission, transport and deposition of dusts has severely impeded progress in this area. In this study, we report an observational analysis of sand-dust storm samples collected at seven vertical levels from an 80-m-high flux tower located in the hinterland of the great Taklamakan Desert for ten sand-dust storm events that occurred during 2008–2010. We analyzed the vertical distribution of sandstorm particle grain sizes and horizontal sand-dust sediment fluxes from the near surface up to 80 m high in this extremely harsh but highly representative environment. The results showed that the average sandstorm grain size was in the range of 70 to 85 μm. With the natural presence of sand dunes and valleys, the horizontal dust flux appeared to increase with height within the lower surface layer, but was almost invariant above 32 m. The average flux values varied within the range of 8 to 14 kg m^?2 and the vertical distribution was dominated by the wind speed in the boundary layer. The dominant dust particle size was PM₁₀₀ and below, which on average accounted for 60–80 % of the samples collected, with 0.9–2.5 % for PM_0–2.5, 3.5–7.0 % for PM_0–10, 5.0–14.0 % for PM_0–20 and 20.0–40.0 % for PM_0–50. The observations suggested that on average the sand-dust vertical flux potential is about 0.29 kg m^?2 from the top of the 80 m tower to the upper planetary boundary layer and free atmosphere through the transport of particles smaller than PM₂₀. Some of our results differed from previous measurements from other desert surfaces and laboratory wind-dust experiments, and therefore provide valuable observations to support further improvement of modeling of sandstorms across different natural environmental conditions.     

乌鲁木齐市边界层日变化特征

利用乌鲁木齐市晴天CFL-03型风廓线雷达观测资料,分析了边界层日变化特征。得出结论如下:边界层结构季节变化明显。冬、春季300~600m以下风速较小,小于3m/s,且愈近地面风速愈小;以上风速大、风向恒定,基本为东南大风。夏季和秋季风速比冬季和春季小,流场特征较复杂,水平风速和风向变化较活跃,存在明显的风切变。折射率结构常数春、秋和冬季比夏季分别小1个、3个和1~3个量级;夏季最大,集中在10~(-16)~10~(-13) m~(-2/3)之间。春、夏和秋季晴天湍流动能耗散率量级分别在10~(-6)~10~(-2) m~2·s~(-3)、10~(-4)~10~(-3) m~2·s~(-3)、10~(-6)~10~(-3) m~2·s~(-3)之间;白天比夜间约大1个量级。晴天折射率结构常数和湍流动能耗散率日变化特征与风场日变化特征有较好地对应关系,即湍流发展旺盛的区域与风速较大的区域相一致。风廓线雷达资料反演的湍流动能耗散率对春季和夏季边界层结构日变化演变特征的监测较好。夏季夜间稳定边界层约400~500m,残余层可达到约1800m,对流边界层可发展到约2500m,混合层约2200m,夹卷层约300~400m。