西秦岭古代地层记录中内波、内潮汐沉积及其成因解释

内波、内潮汐沉积是近十年来在古代深海环境中新发现的一种具牵引流性质的沉积相类型。西秦岭海西-印支造山带深海沉积中发现了多种样式的内波、内潮汐沉积,据沉积构造特征归纳为 7种微相类型 :1)具双向交错层细-中砂岩;2 )羽状交错纹理粉砂岩;3)束状透镜体叠加的交错纹理粉砂岩;4)复杂交织的双向交错纹理粉砂岩;5 )双向交错纹理粉砂岩;6 )波状、脉状和透镜状复合层理砂泥岩互层;7)波浪波痕细砂岩。研究表明,它们分别形成于 3种不同环境的深海浊流沉积体系内。内波、内潮汐沉积在深海环境中的分布特点 :一是具有普遍性;二是数量不够丰富;三是在层位上具有明显的选择性。通过研究说明,这些分布特点是与其形成和保存条件密切相关。     

川西雅江-道孚地区三叠系西康群若干地质问题研究进展与分歧

对川西雅江-道孚地区三叠系西康群含义及层序重新作了厘定;对杂谷脑组解体,重新定义认识的分歧,如年各组碳酸盐岩块砾混积层在西康群地层柱中的位置,进行了探讨命名地罗空松多组和新都桥组层位关系的新认识,双壳类(Pergamidia)在西康群中的分布及意义等若干地质问题进行了探讨,并作了总结与评述.     

川西马尔康—金川地区晚三叠世松潘甘孜残留洋盆复理石建造沉积特征与沉积模式

西康群是松潘-甘孜复理石沉积盆地的主体,分布范围广、岩性单调,强烈的构造变形和褶皱叠加导致地层原始的沉积序列、沉积构造破坏殆尽,基于野外露头的沉积学研究较少,巨量复理石的沉积模式也没有合理的解释。详细研究了川西马尔康-金川县一带西康群典型剖面的沉积构造、砂板比、古流向、砂岩粒度及矿物组成,讨论了西康群的沉积环境及沉积模式。认为该区复理石沉积环境属于海底扇扇中-扇端,局部存在砂质碎屑流或等深流的参与和叠加改造;存在两期次的海底扇,其触发机制均为海平面下降,导致三角洲向陆架边缘进积形成海底扇,而随着冲积平原及三角洲复合体的逐渐消耗,沉积物供应量逐渐减小,海底扇的规模及影响范围逐渐缩减,形成两期向岸退积的海底扇沉积。松潘-甘孜盆地复理石建造属于受周缘造山带提供多源或线源,多期次叠加的,以细粒浊积体为主的海底扇,海岸冲积平原及三角洲复合体经过二次搬运使得砾级粗粒沉积物进一步破碎,形成中-细粒砂岩及泥岩为主的扇体沉积。     

俄罗斯北极地区前寒武纪岩相古地理特征

本文基于大量文献资料,系统研究俄罗斯北极地区前寒武纪的岩相古地理。俄罗斯北极地区前寒武纪共识别出半深海-深海区、浅海区、滨海区、冲积区和隆起剥蚀区5种古地理单元,其中,隆起剥蚀区沉积记录缺失;冲积区以砾岩+砂岩+泥岩和变质碎屑岩+碳酸盐岩为主;滨浅海区沉积则以变质碎屑岩+碳酸盐岩、蒸发岩+碳酸盐岩、砂岩+泥岩+碳酸盐岩3种岩性组合为主,局部有蒸发岩、砾岩+砂岩+泥岩发育;而半深海-深海区为大洋。俄罗斯北极地区前寒武纪古地理以滨浅海区为主,主要分布在东西伯利亚台地、西西伯利亚盆地、鄂霍茨克地块、楚科奇板块和巴伦支海北部地区;半深海-深海区的分布仅次于滨浅海区,此时西西伯利亚盆地尚未完全形成,其东侧为半深海-深海区;隆起剥蚀区分布范围小于半深海-深海区,主要分布在波罗的地盾及其周缘地区,以及东西伯利亚台地的阿纳巴尔地块和阿尔丹地盾地区;冲积区分布范围最为局限,仅在蒂曼-柏朝拉盆地中部发育。研究表明,俄罗斯北极地区广泛发育前寒武纪地层,岩性以碳酸盐岩和变质碎屑岩为主,部分构造单元中的前寒武纪地层已成为陆壳基底,前寒武纪岩相古地理特征研究可为前寒武纪地质研究提供依据,为其余地质时期的岩相古地理研究奠定基础。     

若尔盖下包座地区三叠系沉积特征

若尔盖东部下包座地区广泛发育的三叠系西康群,大量沉积构造表现为一套近源相滨浅海→斜坡浊积扇→半深海盆地复理石→浅海陆棚相沉积。岩石地层格架属Ⅰ型层序     

志留纪昆仑山地区构造古地理环境及其成矿意义

青藏高原北部基础地质调查与研究工作中,在昆仑山地区测得志留纪(S),奥陶纪—志留纪(O-S)剖面39条,剖面厚度从169m到8260m不等,地层的上下接触关系多为断层和角度不整合。从沉积环境、物质组成等方面,反映出昆仑地区从西向东古地理环境为滨浅海-深海-滨浅海-深海的分布特征。西昆仑温泉沟群(S1W)在英吉莎县西,以砂岩、板岩为主,沉积环境为浅海陆棚;在麻扎一带,主要为砂岩、粉砂岩、板岩及硅质岩等,麻扎附近的石英片岩、砂板岩及灰岩中,含拉斑玄武岩,为活动大陆边缘环境下,深海相(俯冲带海沟沉积环境,麻扎一带),斜坡相浊积岩沉积(麻扎东、西一带),在麻扎一带叠复厚度8260m,向北西、南东方向变薄;东昆仑在木孜塔格峰北,该群为一套深海-半深海复理石沉积,由灰色、浅灰色浅变质各种岩屑砂岩、粉砂岩、泥岩组成。中晚志留世达坂沟群(S2-3D)在西昆仑为半深海到滨浅海沉积环境,在东昆仑沉积一套碳酸盐岩夹碎屑岩地层,以浅海环境为主。在若羌南的白干湖组(S1b)发育深海浮游生物——笔石,为深海相浊积岩,从下到上浊积扇向海推进,水体逐渐变深,属拉张环境下的深海弧后盆地沉积环境。在格尔木西南志留系赛什腾组(Ss)自下而上由大陆斜坡至陆隆和深海沉积到浅海的沉积环境演化,具有非扇大陆斜坡沉积类型,以远源浊积岩、半远洋沉积为特征,代表古海盆收缩到残留海盆阶段的沉积。布咯达坂峰东,加里东晚期(S3)同碰撞型二长花岗岩体锆石的LA-ICP-MSU-Pb年龄(421±3)Ma、(423±16)Ma。在格尔木东南的纳赤台群(OSN)超镁铁岩-辉绿岩墙-玄武岩-深水硅质岩构成早古生代的洋壳组合,具有蛇绿岩套特征。基性变玄武岩显示为洋中脊或洋岛环境。硅质岩的地球化学指标也显示为洋中脊或大洋盆地的远洋深水环境,超镁铁岩是古洋壳残片的地幔岩部分,变碎屑岩属大陆斜坡相沉积,碳酸盐岩具近岸沉积特点。格尔木东南纳赤台群大洋中脊拉斑玄武岩(MORB)型,锆石SHRIMP206Pb/238U年龄的加权平均值为(419±5)Ma,为S4。总体上,志留纪昆仑地区应是加里东运动之后在逐渐消失的残留洋,表现出复杂的多岛洋盆体系。这一构造古地理环境的确定,为该地区已经发现的矿床形成机制的研究和下一步的找矿工作提供了重要的依据。     

江南造山带西段四堡群的沉积地质特征和构造属性探讨

华南四堡群是江南造山带的重要组成部分,是认识江南造山带弧沟体系的重要"窗口"。四堡群沉积地质学研究表明:1四堡群在黔东南地区总体构成一向上变浅的沉积序列:尧等组为深海-半深海相沉积;河村组浅海—滨岸相沉积。四堡群在桂北地区总体上也为一向上变浅的沉积序列:文通组为深海-半深海相沉积;鱼西组为浊积岩相沉积;2桂北地区四堡群碎屑岩系的29组沙纹层理(鲍马序列c段)的玫瑰花图解表明,古流向总体指向南,证明物源在其北侧;3四堡群砂岩骨架颗粒统计结果表明,其物源构造属性为岩浆弧;4基于以上研究,推测四堡群沉积于弧前盆地。     

松潘—甘孜印支地槽西康群复理石建造沉积特征及其大地构造背景

川西松潘-甘孜印支地槽形成于三迭纪最早期,结束于三叠纪末。地层单位可分下三迭统和中、上三叠统二部分。主要沉积为一套巨厚陆源碎屑岩系。其下部称菠茨沟组,上部称西康群。在西康群的碎屑岩系中,广泛分布复理石沉积,如小金、道孚雅江和理县等地。本文主要对上述地区复理石沉积进行岩石和构造分析。     

新疆塔里木板块西北缘早二叠世深水遗迹化石的发现及意义

在新疆塔里木板块西北缘下二叠统比尤勒提群中部首次发现了大量深水遗迹化石,主要包括Glockeria Ksiazkiewicz1968,Helminthoida sp.,Megagrapton sp.,Paleodictyon sp.,Paleodictyon(Glenodictyum)Croaticum Ulchman1995,Planolites sp.,Protopaleodictyon sp.,Scalaritubamissouriensis Weller1899,Spirophycus sp.等,代表典型深海环境的Nereites遗迹相。根据对温古尔剖面的研究,比尤勒提群下部为浅海陆棚相砂泥质灰岩、粉砂质泥岩、粉砂岩、泥晶灰岩等;而含丰富遗迹化石的比尤勒提群中部为一套深海海底扇沉积的浊积岩系夹少量硅质岩,并且在浊积扇的不同位置所产遗迹组合类型也明显不同,扇根以觅食迹为主,含大量穿相分子,扇中开始出现牧食迹,扇梢则出现特征的耕作迹;比尤勒提群上部为浅海陆棚-滨海相沉积的硅质灰岩、泥晶灰岩和砂质灰岩及粉砂质泥岩、钙质砂岩等。该套遗迹化石组合与深海浊积事件密切相关,同时表明塔里木板块西北缘早二叠世时期存在一个陆棚浅海-深海盆地沉积环境,晚二叠世时期海水向西退去形成陆相沉积。     

深海相中的砂质碎屑流沉积--以西藏特提斯喜马拉雅侏罗-白垩系为例

阐述了砂质碎屑流沉积特征、研究现状及其与其他深海碎屑沉积的区别 ,认为西藏特提斯喜马拉雅上侏罗统 -下白垩统深海沉积背景下的块状砂岩具有砂质碎屑流沉积性质 ,指出深海相中的块状砂岩可以预测。     

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.     

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).     

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.     

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.     

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     

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.     

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.