徐宿弧安徽北段杨桥孜金铜矿床岩浆岩成因：年代学、地球化学和Hf同位素证据

徐宿弧安徽北段地区是华北克拉通南缘重要的金属资源产区,其中三铺复式岩体北部接触带中段杨桥孜金铜矿床是安徽北部已探明的最大金矿床。本次工作针对杨桥孜矿区含矿的石英二长闪长岩与不含矿的石英二长闪长玢岩展开工作,两者的LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb加权平均年龄分别为128±1.1 Ma、119.9±4.3 Ma,两者都形成于早白垩世早期华北克拉通构造活动与岩浆活动峰期。岩石地球化学分析表明,杨桥孜矿区两种岩石都具有高硅、富碱、富集LREE、富Sr、贫Th和Yb的特征,属高钾钙碱性准铝质I型花岗岩;高Sr/Y、低HREE和Y、无明显Eu异常表明其具有埃达克岩的特征。石英二长闪长岩的锆石ε_Hf(t)为-16.3～-5.3,二阶段模式年龄(t_DM2)为2202～1515 Ma,与石英二长闪长岩和石英二长闪长玢岩锆石核部得到的年龄范围一致,表明华北克拉通下地壳是岩浆源区的重要端元,较大的ε_Hf(t)变化范围指示源区混合了幔源岩浆。中生代古太平洋斜向俯冲,导致华北克拉通下地壳拆沉并发生部分熔融,俯冲的洋壳板片扰动软流圈导致岩石圈地幔部分...     

北大别早白垩纪花岗岩类的Sm-Nd和锆石Hf同位素及其构造意义

大别造山带产出两期早白垩纪造山后花岗岩类:早期(≈132Ma)变形的角闪石英二长岩和斑状二长花岗岩具高钾的类埃达克岩的地球化学特征,形成于增厚地壳(>50km)的下地壳部分熔融;晚期(≈128Ma)未变形的花岗岩包括细粒二长花岗岩和钾长花岗(斑)岩,属于正常安山岩-英安岩-流纹岩系列岩石,它们形成于相对薄的地壳(<35km)的下地壳部分熔融。早期变形的花岗岩类中,角闪石英二长岩的(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)_i=0.7066～0.7076,ε_(Nd)(t)=-20.3～-27.8,类似于扬子下地壳基性麻粒岩的Sr-Nd同位素特征,其中白垩纪岩浆锆石(≈132Ma)Hf同位素初始比值(ε_(Hf)(t))和两阶段Hf模式年龄(t_(DM2))分别为-29.30.5和303065Ma;我们认为角闪石英二长岩源于锆石Hf模式年龄约3.0Ga的基性下地壳部分熔融。早期斑状二长花岗岩的(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)_i=0.7078～0.7083,ε_(Nd)(t)=-15.8～-20.0,类似于北大别英云闪长质-花岗质片麻岩的Sr-Nd同位素特征,其白垩纪岩浆锆石(≈132Ma)的ε_(Hf)(t)和t_(DM2)分别为-24.80.5和274434Ma。我们认为宽状二长花岗岩源于约2.7Ga的中酸性下地壳部分熔融。晚期未变形的花岗岩的(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)_i=0.7069～0.7105,ε_(Nd)(t)=-16.4～-22.1,类似于北大别英云闪长质-花岗质片麻岩的Sr-Nd同位素特征;其白垩纪岩浆锆石(≈128Ma)的ε_(Hf)(t)具有较大的变化范围(-25.2～7.4),主要峰值为-22.5±0.5,次要峰值为-16.3±0.7,并有少量正的ε_(Hf)(t)值5.8～7.4,与ε_(Hf)(t)值对应的t_(DM2)分别为2600±40Ma、2211±68Ma和743±130Ma。我们认为晚期未变形的花岗岩源于锆石Hf模式年龄约2.6～2.2Ga的中酸性下地壳部分熔融,源区夹杂新元古代新生的陆壳。在大别造山带垮塌之前(>132Ma),增厚地壳(>50km)的下地壳存在双层结构:锆石Hf模式年龄约为3.0Ga的基性下地壳基底和约2.7Ga的中酸性(英云闪长质-花岗质)上部下地壳.在大别造山带伸展垮塌的晚期阶段(≈128Ma),减薄的下地壳(<35km)主要为锆石Hf模式年龄约2.6～2.2Ga的中酸性(英云闪长质-花岗质)岩石,并夹杂少量新元古代Rodinia超大陆裂解时形成的新生陆壳。     

祁漫塔格阿确墩地区花岗岩岩石成因:来自锆石U-Pb年代学、地球化学及Hf同位素的制约

祁漫塔格阿确墩地区花岗岩的形成背景对东昆仑加里东期碰撞-伸展过程具有重要制约意义.阿确墩地区泥盆纪侵入岩主要由花岗闪长岩和英云闪长岩组成,锆石U-Pb定年结果显示,花岗闪长岩和英云闪长岩形成年龄分别为385±5 Ma和393±5 Ma,为中泥盆世岩浆活动的产物.花岗闪长岩的SiO₂含量为63.56%~66.57%,Mg#为0.31~0.35,K₂O/Na₂O比值为0.49~0.66,铝饱和指数A/CNK值为0.95~1.02,富集Rb、Ba和LREE,亏损Nb-Ta、Sr、P和Ti等元素,具有明显Eu负异常（δEu=0.38~0.98）.相对于花岗闪长岩,英云闪长岩具有较高的SiO₂含量（67.93%~70.76%）,K₂O/Na₂O值近于1（0.70~1.04）,Mg#为0.22~0.33,铝饱和指数A/CNK值介于0.99~1.02,在稀土和微量元素标准化图解上,富集LREE和LILEs（Rb、Ba）,亏损HFSEs（Nb-Ta、P和Ti）元素,但表现出更为明显的LREE/HREE分异、弱的铕负异常或无异常（δEu=0.80~1.06）,并具有较为宽泛的锆石Hf同位素组成（ε_Hf（t）=+1.91~+15.63,T_DM2（Hf）=0.53~1.28 Ga）.区域地质研究表明,祁漫塔格地区在中泥盆世期间处于后碰撞伸展环境,阿确墩地区花岗质岩石为俯冲板片折返机制下,诱发的幔源基性岩浆同化混染古老地壳物质部分熔融形成,花岗闪长岩和英云闪长岩熔融压力条件随时间变化表明,中泥盆世期间区域仍然处于地壳厚度持续减薄的过程.      

华南桂东南地区加里东期Ⅰ型花岗岩类的岩石成因及构造意义

龙新岩体和夏郢岩体位于扬子地块与华夏地块拼合带的西南端,岩体中的Ⅰ型花岗岩成因研究对揭示桂东南地区早古生代的地球动力学背景及其构造演化具有重要的地质意义.对龙新岩体的寄主岩和其暗色微粒包体,以及夏郢岩体岩石进行了LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年、Lu-Hf同位素和全岩地球化学研究.锆石U-Pb定年结果显示,龙新岩体的寄主岩(花岗闪长岩)的年龄为440±2 Ma;龙新岩体的暗色包体(闪长岩)的年龄为441±1 Ma,寄主岩与暗色包体为同期岩浆作用的产物.夏郢岩体花岗闪长岩和二长花岗岩年龄分别为447±3 Ma和436±3 Ma,说明夏郢岩体至少发生了2期岩浆侵入事件.Hf同位素研究表明,龙新岩体寄主岩和暗色微粒包体的锆石ε_Hf(t)值分别为-3.32～-5.83和-17.89～-1.82,二阶段模式年龄(T_DM2)分别为1.62～1.76 Ga和1.57～2.54 Ga;夏郢岩体早期花岗岩闪长岩和晚期二长花岗岩的锆石ε_Hf(t)值分别为-15.43～3.03和-4.79～6.82,T_DM2分别为1....     

阿拉善雅布赖山二叠纪中酸性岩浆岩年代学、地球化学、锆石Hf同位素特征及构造意义

雅布赖山位于内蒙古自治区阿拉善盟西部,该地区广泛出露中酸性岩浆岩。锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb测年显示,雅布赖山花岗质岩石形成于早中二叠世,其中花岗闪长岩年龄为280±1 Ma,正长花岗岩年龄为286±1 Ma,英安岩年龄为275±2 Ma,英云闪长岩年龄为272±1 Ma。正长花岗岩个别锆石的εHf(t)值为正值,大多数低于0[εHf(t)=-5.8~+1.8],暗示其可能起源于新生地壳物质或形成过程中有亏损地幔物质的加入,而花岗闪长岩[εHf(t)=-13.0~-8.1]、英云闪长岩[εHf(t)=-10.1~-3.3]和英安岩[εHf(t)=-15.2~-4.9]中锆石的εHf(t)值均低于0,表明这些岩浆岩的源区主要为古老的地壳物质,这与典型的古老陆块上发育的酸性岩浆岩一致。地球化学分析结果表明,该地区花岗闪长岩和正长花岗岩具有相似的微量和稀土元素组成,都显示出轻稀土元素相对富集和重稀土元素相对亏损的特征,并具有微弱-中等的Eu负异常;而英云闪长岩则具有一定程度的Eu正异常,且相比前两者具有较高的Sr/Y值(300)。排除岩浆在侵位过程中围岩同化混染作用的影响,中上地壳酸性侵入岩的结晶分异作用难以形成如此高的Sr/Y值,因而英云闪长岩高Sr/Y值特征可能是源区特征的反映。因斜长石、角闪石和黑云母均不能显著影响Sr/Y值,所以造成英云闪长岩与花岗闪长岩和正长花岗岩地球化学差异的原因可能是其源区较深而存在石榴子石残留。结合前人研究,雅布赖山地区及其以东的诺尔公-狼山一带以及华北克拉通北缘广泛分布的晚古生代岩浆岩形成了一条近东西向展布的岩浆岩带。其中,雅布赖山二叠纪岩浆岩可能形成于宗乃山-沙拉扎山构造带和雅布赖-诺尔公-红古尔玉林构造带拼合的碰撞或碰撞后环境。     

柴北缘都兰UHP地体中两期不同性质的岩浆活动:对碰撞造山作用的启示

本文报道了对柴北缘都兰地区英云闪长岩、花岗岩的地球化学、锆石U-Pb定年和Hf同位素的研究结果.锆石U-Pb定年结果表明,英云闪长岩侵住时代为432～434Ma,并显示出类似于埃达克质岩石的地球化学特征:(1)高SiO2、富Na2O、贫KO、过铝质;(2)高Sr、低Y和相应的高Sr/Y值;(3)高La/Yb和低Yb;(4)轻重稀土分馏程度高,亏损重稀土;(5)富集Ba、Sr等大离子亲石元素,而亏损Nb、Ta等高场强元素.结合英云闪长岩高的εHí(t)值(3.3～10.7)和年轻的地壳模式年龄(732～1207Ma),可以认为本区英云闪长岩源自于增厚下地壳的部分熔融作用.锆石U-Pb定年结果表明,晚期花岗岩的结晶时代为382～391Ma,并显示出类似于S型花岗岩的地球化学特征:(1)高SiO2,低MgO和高K2O的特征,K2O/Na2O＞1;(2)A/CNK几乎全部大于1,显示过铝质的特征;(3)轻、重稀土分馏程度低,(La/Yb)N =2.22～9.62,但具明显的负Eu异常(δEu =0.27～0.81);(4)强烈亏损Nb、Ta、sr和Ti等元素,轻微亏损Ba元素.在综合对比花岗岩形成年龄与区域高压-超高压变质时代的基础上,结合地球化学特征,推断都兰地区花岗岩体可能形成于后碰撞造山伸展作用阶段,并可能是由其围岩富铝质片麻岩部分熔融形成,并可能有少量地幔物质的添加.     

甘肃北山南带沙枣园复式岩体年代学、地球化学特征及其构造意义

北山南带沙枣园复式岩体由中细粒黑云母花岗闪长岩、细粒黑云母石英闪长岩、中粒黑云母二长花岗岩和中粗粒黑云母正长花岗岩4个岩相单元组成。LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年结果表明,中细粒黑云母花岗闪长岩、细粒黑云母石英闪长岩和中粒黑云母二长花岗岩侵位于晚二叠世(252.1±1.9Ma、252.2±2.1Ma和248.8±3.5Ma),为海西晚期的产物;而中粗粒黑云母正长花岗岩侵位于早三叠世(246.4±2.0Ma),为印支早期的产物。该花岗质岩石均具有稀土元素的球粒陨石标准化配分曲线呈右倾型,轻重稀土分馏大,轻稀土富集且分异明显,而重稀土亏损且分异不显著特征。中细粒黑云母花岗闪长岩和细粒黑云母石英闪长岩具有较高的SiO₂、Al₂O₃和Na₂O含量,以及较低的MgO含量,强烈富集Sr而亏损Yb和Y,具轻微的铕异常(δEu=0.75～1.16),表现出典型的埃达克岩特征;中粒黑云母二长花岗岩和中粗粒黑云母正长花岗岩总体富硅(SiO₂)、富钾(K₂O)、富碱(K     

延边小西南岔金铜矿区早白垩世英云闪长岩的岩石成因

锆石U-Pb测年结果表明小西南岔富金铜矿床矿区内的英云闪长岩形成于(112±1)Ma。该英云闪长岩富Na2O和Al2O3,高Sr、LREE(轻稀土元素),低Y、Yb和HREE(重稀土元素)(如Sr=369~774μg/g,(La/Yb)CN=7.5~17.5),具有类似于埃达克质岩石的元素地球化学特征。在同位素组成上具中等放射成因Sr((87Sr/86Sr)i=0.7044~0.7048)、Nd(εNd(t)=+0.5~+1.7)和Hf(εHf(t)=+5.4~+8.6,ΔεHf=2.3~4.2)同位素,高放射成因Pb((206Pb/204Pb)i=18.40~18.60;(207Pb/204Pb)i=15.56~18.60;(208Pb/204Pb)i=38.22~38.36)同位素的特点。结合区域构造背景以及古太平洋板块俯冲历史,笔者倾向认为该岩体可能是玄武质岩浆底侵下地壳部分熔融形成的,而非板片熔融形成的埃达克质岩浆,岩浆源区为石榴子石角闪岩相向角闪岩相过渡的岩石。该岩体侵位的晚古生代((257±3)Ma)镁铁质围岩的角闪石Ar-Ar坪年龄为(110.1±1.5)Ma,与英云闪长岩的侵位时间一致,暗示晚古生代镁铁质侵入岩经历的热液事件与英云闪长岩的侵位作用存在成因联系,区域金铜矿化可能为早白垩世岩浆热液作用下成矿物质富集而形成。     

内蒙古北山地区哈日阿玛岛弧花岗岩地球化学、年代学特征及其地质意义

哈日阿玛岛弧花岗岩出露于北山造山带公婆泉岛弧带内,与奥陶纪—志留纪公婆泉组弧火山岩伴生,包含闪长岩、石英闪长岩、斜长花岗岩、英云闪长岩等.LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年表明闪长岩、英云闪长岩分别就位于430.9±4.7 Ma和452.5±3.2 Ma,为晚奥陶世—早志留世.岩石地球化学分析结果显示,这些花岗岩属钙碱...     

新疆卡拉麦里蛇绿混杂岩带北侧英云闪长岩年代学、地球化学特征及地质意义

以出露于卡拉麦里蛇绿混杂岩带北侧元湖一带英云闪长岩为研究对象,在野外地质调查基础上,结合锆石LA-LCP-MS U-Pb年龄测试、岩石地球化学分析,对该岩体侵入时代及成因进行讨论。英云闪长岩锆石LA-ICPMS U-Pb年龄为(342.3±2.8) Ma(MSDW=0.49)。岩石SiO₂含量73.21%～77.15%,Al₂O₃含量10.66%～13.00%,属偏铝质,A/CNK为0.89～0.98、富钠,Na₂O/K₂O值为6.99～22.31,低钾(拉斑)系列。稀土元素总量较低,∑REE=40.95～55.01,轻重稀土分馏较弱,(La/Yb)N=0.47～0.72,Eu负异常明显,δEu=0.15～0.25。Sr/Y比值为3.07～4.36,Nb/Ta比值为3.61～9.86。岩石具较低的Sr初始值,(⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)i=0.704 485和正的Nd初始值,εNd(t)=9.45～10.295。认为卡拉麦里蛇绿混杂岩带北侧...     

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.     

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.     

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

, . . . . , . , .. . , , . , , , . , - , , , : , , . .. , , , , , . . , : , — , . , . , , , . .

---

---

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.