西藏打加错晚三叠世安山质岩浆作用的锆石U-Pb年代学和Hf同位素

青藏高原南部拉萨地体晚三叠世-早侏罗世时期岩浆活动的地球动力学背景仍是尚待解决的一个重要科学问题。本文报道了南部拉萨地体西部打加错地区新发现的安山玢岩的锆石U-Pb年代学、Hf同位素和全岩地球化学数据。打加错安山玢岩主要由蚀变细粒斜长石、辉石和角闪石组成。2件样品的LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年结果分别为204±4Ma和203±2Ma,表明打加错地区在晚三叠世发生了安山质岩浆活动。结合近期报道的打加错地区辉石角闪二长闪长岩的年龄(207.3±3.6Ma)记录,表明南部拉萨地体西部打加错地区发生了晚三叠世岩浆活动。2件安山玢岩的锆石εHf(t)值多为正值(分别为-2.2~+8.8和-2.0~+10.7),可比于南部拉萨地体中东部其它地区同期岩浆记录的Hf同位素成分(如:工布江达南部203Ma正长花岗岩的锆石εHf(t)为-4.9~+2.7;日喀则东部约205Ma二长花岗岩的锆石εHf(t)为+11.9~+15.8),这表明南部拉萨地体晚三叠世岩浆活动从东工布江达向西延伸到打加错一带,东西延伸约800km。打加错地区2件安山玢岩样品(SiO2=56.1%~59.0%)以较低Mg#(45.8~48.7)和Al2O3含量(16.4%~17.0%)为特征,属于偏铝质钾玄质-高钾钙碱性火山岩。本文获得的新数据,结合最近报道的早侏罗世桑日群岩浆活动记录以及打加错地区上三叠统地层研究新进展,本文更赞成打加错地区和南部拉萨地体其它地区的晚三叠世岩浆活动形成于与班公湖-怒江洋壳南向俯冲有关的弧后环境。     

大兴安岭北段免渡河地区晚石炭世二长花岗岩成因:锆石U?Pb年代学、Hf同位素和地球化学证据

为了确定大兴安岭北段晚石炭世二长花岗岩的成因及其构造背景,对免渡河地区二长花岗岩样品进行了锆石U?Pb年代学、Hf同位素及地球化学分析测试.锆石U?Pb测年结果显示,二长花岗岩形成于307~308 Ma,为晚石炭世岩浆活动的产物.主量元素特征表明,二长花岗岩具有富碱（全碱=7.28%~9.08%）、高钾（K₂O=3.45%~5.54%）和弱过铝质（A/CNK=1.02~1.19）特征,属高钾钙碱性I型花岗岩.微量元素特征表明,二长花岗岩具有中等的负铕异常（δEu=0.29~0.77）,明显富集大离子亲石元素（Rb、K、Th、U）和轻稀土元素,显著亏损高场强元素（Nb、Ta、Ti）和P元素.此外Hf同位素特征显示,ε_Hf（t）值为介于+7.7~+12.5,t_DM2年龄介于501~764 Ma,表明岩浆来源于新元古代晚期下地壳新增生的角闪岩相物质部分熔融形成,并经历了显著的结晶分离过程.结合年代学、地球化学与区域地质特征,认为免渡河地区二长花岗岩是额尔古纳-兴安地块与松嫩地块碰撞拼贴后的后碰撞阶段的产物.      

东昆仑大岔沟地区晚三叠世侵入岩年代学、岩石地球化学特征及Hf同位素研究

东昆仑祁漫塔格大岔沟地区晚三叠世侵入岩岩性主要为中细粒二长花岗岩和花岗闪长岩,锆石LA-MC-ICP-MS U-Pb定年表明,二长花岗岩的形成年龄为(233±2)Ma,属晚三叠世岩浆活动产物。岩石地球化学特征上,里特曼指数σ为0.85~2.59,为钙碱性-高钾钙碱性系列;相对富集大离子亲石元素Rb和K,亏损Ba、Ta、Nb、Sr、P和Ti等元素;轻稀土元素明显富集,轻重稀土元素分馏较强,具有较强的Eu负异常;花岗岩含角闪石且SiO_2与P_2O_5具明显负相关性,指示其属I型花岗岩。二长花岗岩锆石ε_(Hf)(t)值为–10.36~+1.6,二阶段Hf模式年龄变化范围为1164~1922 Ma,可能主要由中元古代地壳物质部分熔融形成,并有少量古元古代地壳物质和幔源物质加入,岩浆在演化过程中存在分离结晶作用。综合分析认为大岔沟地区晚三叠世可能处于碰撞-后碰撞转换阶段,加厚地壳的拆沉作用导致幔源岩浆底侵下地壳,使其部分熔融形成区内侵入岩。     

滇西北贡山地块始新世花岗岩的成因及其构造意义

滇西三江地区发育古近纪花岗岩,记录了印度－欧亚大陆碰撞的岩浆活动信息。对贡山地块福贡花岗岩开展岩石地球化学及锆石U Pb Hf系统研究,结果表明,该花岗岩为钙碱性、过铝质特征的I S型花岗岩。锆石U Pb同位素分析表明,福贡马吉花岗岩侵位于55 Ma,并含有252~77 Ma的继承锆石。锆石Hf同位素分析表明,该区岩浆锆石具有与青藏高原及东其南缘同时代长英质侵入体相似的Hf同位素组成,暗示其相似的岩浆起源。微量元素和同位素组成模拟计算结果表明,马吉花岗岩的原生岩浆是由53%的新生地壳组分和47%古老地壳基底物质混合而成的原岩经 5%~15%(F=005~015)的部分熔融而成。贡山地块福贡马吉花岗岩与冈底斯地块和腾冲地块早始新世岩浆岩(约55 Ma)具相似的年龄及地球化学特征,暗示它们之间可能存在类似的成因机制,均为新特提斯洋俯冲板片断离引起的壳内减压熔融的产物。     

小秦岭地区古元古代晚期花岗岩的LA- ICP- MS U- Pb年龄、地球化学特征及其构造意义

古元古代晚期的花岗岩类在华北克拉通南缘广泛分布,记录了区域岩石圈演化的重要信息。通过对小秦岭地区南部沿小河断裂出露的花岗岩类的锆石LA- ICP- MS U- Pb年代学、岩石地球化学和Nd—Hf同位素地球化学研究,为小秦岭地区古元古代晚期的地壳演化提供了依据。自西向东,小河中粗粒二长花岗岩、小河细粒二长花岗岩和贵家峪花岗闪长岩的结晶年龄分别为1831±32 Ma、1860±13 Ma和1811±10 Ma。3个花岗岩体均以富硅（67. 4%~76. 0%）和高碱（7. 47%~9. 33%）为特征,属于高碱钙碱性到钾玄岩类。地球化学特征表明两个小河花岗岩体属I型花岗岩,具有碰撞型花岗岩特征,其中形成年龄为1831 Ma花岗岩具有高的Sr/Y（26. 56~49. 52）和(La/Yb)N（31. 35~236. 71）值、Eu负异常（0. 42~0. 68）,表明源区残留有石榴子石和少量的斜长石;贵家峪花岗闪长岩具有较高的FeOT/MgO比值（17. 7~29. 2）和10000Ga/Al比值（2. 95~3. 17）,表现出造山后A2型花岗岩特征,与1831Ma的地壳相比,地壳厚度明显减薄。三个岩体的岩浆锆石εHf(t)=-10. 5~-4. 5,两阶段模式年龄TDM2=2781~3122 Ma,全岩的εHf(t)=-7. 5~-4. 5,DM2=2667~2888 Ma,均指示了其物质来源于中到新太古代古老基底的部分熔融。这期岩浆事件可能是小秦岭区域对1. 85 Ga吕梁运动的响应,反映了碰撞造山作用地壳增厚向碰撞后地壳伸展减薄这一演化过程。     

小秦岭地区古元古代晚期花岗岩的LA- ICP- MS U- Pb年龄、地球化学特征及其构造意义

古元古代晚期的花岗岩类在华北克拉通南缘广泛分布,记录了区域岩石圈演化的重要信息。通过对小秦岭地区南部沿小河断裂出露的花岗岩类的锆石LA- ICP- MS U- Pb年代学、岩石地球化学和Nd—Hf同位素地球化学研究,为小秦岭地区古元古代晚期的地壳演化提供了依据。自西向东,小河中粗粒二长花岗岩、小河细粒二长花岗岩和贵家峪花岗闪长岩的结晶年龄分别为1831±32 Ma、1860±13 Ma和1811±10 Ma。3个花岗岩体均以富硅（67. 4%~76. 0%）和高碱（7. 47%~9. 33%）为特征,属于高碱钙碱性到钾玄岩类。地球化学特征表明两个小河花岗岩体属I型花岗岩,具有碰撞型花岗岩特征,其中形成年龄为1831 Ma花岗岩具有高的Sr/Y（26. 56~49. 52）和(La/Yb)N（31. 35~236. 71）值、Eu负异常（0. 42~0. 68）,表明源区残留有石榴子石和少量的斜长石;贵家峪花岗闪长岩具有较高的FeOT/MgO值（17. 7~29. 2）和10000Ga/Al值（2. 95~3. 17）,表现出造山后A2型花岗岩特征,与1831 Ma的地壳相比,地壳厚度明显减薄。3个岩体的岩浆锆石εHf(t)=-10. 5~-4. 5,两阶段模式年龄TDM2=2781~3122 Ma,全岩的εHf(t)=-7. 5~-4. 5,TDM2=2667~2888 Ma,均指示了其物质来源于中到新太古代古老基底的部分熔融。这期岩浆事件可能是小秦岭区域对1. 85 Ga吕梁运动的响应,反映了碰撞造山作用地壳增厚向碰撞后地壳伸展减薄这一演化过程。     

内蒙古化德地区二叠纪—三叠纪侵入岩年代学及地球化学特征：对古亚洲洋东段构造演化的制约

本文对华北克拉通北缘中段内蒙古化德地区二叠纪—三叠纪5个花岗质侵入体进行了岩相学、地球化学、锆石U Pb年代学以及Sr Nd Hf同位素研究。结果表明本次所研究的岩体主要起源于华北克拉通古老下地壳的部分熔融,八音察汗岩体形成于早二叠世（276±1 Ma）,在岩浆上升过程中发生了岩浆混合作用;白音特拉岩体形成于中二叠世（270±1 Ma）,为地壳加厚作用下变质杂砂岩部分熔融形成的S型花岗岩;毛忽庆岩体形成于晚二叠世（254±1 Ma）,为I型花岗岩;张万良岩体与康家地岩体分别形成于早三叠世（248±1 Ma）和晚三叠世（229±1 Ma）,两者均为A型花岗岩。综合前人研究,本文认为研究区在早二叠世—晚三叠世经历了古亚洲洋向华北板块俯冲、俯冲 同碰撞、持续碰撞以及造山后的伸展4个阶段,古亚洲洋东段在研究区的闭合时间应为中二叠世晚期。     

东昆仑鄂拉山岩浆带晚三叠世后碰撞伸展:来自索拉沟高分异I型花岗岩的证据

鄂拉山岩浆带位于东昆仑造山带最东端,为研究该地区晚三叠世的构造背景,选取索拉沟地区钾长花岗岩开展研究。LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年结果显示,索拉沟钾长花岗岩加权平均年龄为(233±1)Ma,形成于晚三叠世早期。该岩石有很高的w(SiO_2)(75.91%～77.23%)、富K_2O和Na_2O,贫CaO、MgO、TiO_2和P_2O_5,A/CNK介于1.01～1.05,属高钾钙碱性系列,锆石饱和温度733～768℃,具有强烈的Eu负异常(Eu/Eu~*=0.09～0.25),明显富集大离子亲石元素(LILE Rb、Th、U、K等)和轻稀土元素(LREE),亏损Ba、Sr及Nb、P、Zr、Ti等高场强元素(HFSE),显示高分异I型花岗岩的特征。锆石Hf同位素初始值(~(176)Hf/~(177)Hf)范围为0.282 487～0.282 611,ε_(Hf)(t)介于-3.54～-0.56;对应的两阶段模式年龄T_(2DM)(Hf)为1.16～1.33 Ga。索拉沟钾长花岗岩是新生下地壳部分熔融后经过分离结晶作用形成,新生下地壳是幔源岩浆在特提斯洋俯冲阶段(242～238 Ma)底侵古老地壳形成。结合晚古生代至中生代东昆仑地区的构造演化特征,认为索拉沟钾长花岗岩形成于张性构造背景,与古特提斯洋俯冲结束后巴颜喀拉地体与东昆仑地体后碰撞造山伸展作用有关。     

滇西梁河三叠纪花岗岩的锆石微量元素、U-Pb和Hf同位素组成

在详细的区域地质调查基础上,分析了滇西梁河三叠纪花岗岩中锆石微区微量元素、U-Pb年龄和Hf同位素。花岗岩中大部分锆石具有振荡环带,为典型岩浆锆石,并发现独特的双核结构锆石,具有核幔边结构,双核锆石继承核与本文岩浆锆石有类似的微量元素特征,而双核锆石增生边(低轻稀土、轻微负Ce异常、高重稀土、低Th、高U、Ti、P)与它们不同。注意到双核锆石外围有一圈灰白色热液蚀变边,认为双核锆石增生边的微量元素特征可能是自身结晶生长过程和后期蚀变影响的综合结果,继承核和增生边同为岩浆成因。双核锆石继承核的206Pb/238U年龄分别为302.5±2.9Ma和289.9±2.5Ma,双核锆石增生边和其他岩浆锆石的206Pb/238U加全平均年龄为213.1±1.7Ma(MSWD=7.7),晚三叠世花岗岩的锆石具有负的εHf(213Ma)值(-9.6～-6.7),并且其tDM2Hf值(1.6～1.8Ga)远大于其结晶年龄,结合大地构造演化,认为花岗岩的形成可能与后碰撞伸展背景下古老地壳熔融相关。     

内蒙古正蓝旗钱家营子黑云母二长花岗岩锆石U-Pb年代学、Hf同位素特征及其地质意义

钱家营子岩体位于赤峰—围场—白云鄂博断裂以北白乃庙岛弧带上,为兴蒙造山带南缘构造-岩浆岩带的重要组成部分,其时代及成因对理解中亚造山带构造格局及地质演化过程具有重要意义.本文在1:25万区域地质调查基础上,对钱家营子黑云母二长花岗岩体进行岩相学、锆石SHRIMP U-Pb年代学、Hf同位素组成特征开展综合研究.结果表明,岩体的锆石206Pb/238U加权平均年龄为(247.2±4.7)Ma,指示其形成于早三叠世末期.176Hf/177Hf值为0.282298～0.282371,对应的 εHf(t)值为–8.7～–11.4,其两阶段模式年龄变化在1.60 Ga到1.74 Ga之间,表明钱家营子黑云母二长花岗岩母岩浆可能来源于古元古代华北板块加厚下地壳的部分熔融.综合岩体地球化学特征及区域相关研究,认为内蒙古正蓝旗钱家营子地区在早三叠世处于兴蒙造山带和华北板块后造山(碰撞)的伸展环境.     

Police, politics, and the right to the city

Space and spatiality have recently been at the core of debates concerning the political possibilities of the city. The arguments advanced in this paper might be seen as an attempt to contribute to these debates through a reflection on the spatiality of (in) justice, politics, and the right to the city. The case of French urban policy, with its focus on distressed urban areas, and the `suburban problem' in France are used as examples to make arguments more concrete.     

Isotopic systematics of He,Ar, S,Cu, Ni,Re, Os,Pb, U,Sm, Nd,Rb, Sr,Lu, and Hf in the rocks and ores of the Norilsk deposits

This paper reports the first results of a study of 11 isotope systems (³He/⁴He, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar, ³⁴S/³²S, ⁶⁵Cu/⁶³Cu, ⁶²Ni/⁶⁰Ni, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd, ^206–208Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, Hf–Nd, U–Pb, and Re–Os) in the rocks and ores of the Cu–Ni–PGE deposits of the Norilsk ore district. Almost all the results were obtained at the Center of Isotopic Research of the Karpinskii All-Russia Research Institute of Geology. The use of a number of independent genetic isotopic signatures and comprehensive isotopic knowledge provided a methodic basis for the interpretation of approximately 5000 isotopic analyses of various elements. The presence of materials from two sources, crust and mantle, was detected in the composition of the rocks and ores. The contribution of the crustal source is especially significant in the paleofluids (gas–liquid microinclusions) of the ore-forming medium. Crustal solutions were probably a transport medium during ore formation. Air argon is dominant in the ores, which indicates a connection between the paleofluids and the atmosphere. This suggests intense groundwater circulation during the crystallization of ore minerals. The age of the rocks and ores of the Norilsk deposits was determined. The stage of orebody formation is restricted to a narrow age interval of 250 ± 10 Ma. An isotopic criterion was proposed for the ore-bearing potential of mafic intrusions in the Norilsk–Taimyr region. It includes several interrelated isotopic ratios of various elements: He, Ar, S, and others.     

Influences of the unsaturated,saturated, and riparian zones on the transport of nitrate near the Merced River,California, USA

Transport and transformation of nitrate was evaluated along a 1-km groundwater transect from an almond orchard to the Merced River, California, USA, within an irrigated agricultural setting. As indicated by measurements of pore-water nitrate and modeling using the root zone water quality model, about 63% of the applied nitrogen was transported through a 6.5-m unsaturated zone. Transport times from recharge locations to the edge of a riparian zone ranged from approximately 6 months to greater than 100 years. This allowed for partial denitrification in horizons having mildly reducing conditions, and essentially no denitrification in horizons with oxidizing conditions. Transport times across a 50–100-m-wide riparian zone of less than a year to over 6 years and more strongly reducing conditions resulted in greater rates of denitrification. Isotopic measurements and concentrations of excess N₂ in water were indicative of denitrification with the highest rates below the Merced River. Discharge of water and nitrate into the river was dependent on gradients driven by irrigation or river stage. The results suggest that the assimilative capacity for nitrate of the groundwater system, and particularly the riverbed, is limiting the nitrate load to the Merced River in the study area.     

Rb-Sr, K-Ar, H-and O-Isotope systematics of the Middle Riphean shales from the Debengda Formation, the Olenek Uplift, North Sibera

Clay subfractions (SFs) of <0.1, 0.1–0.2, 0.2–0.3, 0.3–0.6, 0.6–2 and 2–5 μm separated from Middle Riphean shales of the Debengda Formation are studied using the TEM, XRD, K-Ar and Rb-Sr isotopic methods. The oxygen and hydrogen isotope compositions in the SFs are studied as well. The low-temperature illite-smectite is dominant mineral in all the SFs except for the coarsest ones. The XRD, chemical and isotopic data imply that two generations of authigenic illite-smectite different in age are mixed in the SFs. The illite crystallinity index decreases in parallel with size diminishing of clay particles. As compared to coarser SFs, illite of fine-grained subfractions is enriched in Al relative to Fe and Mg, contains more K, and reveals higher K/Rb and Rb/Sr ratios. The Rb-Sr age calculated by means of the leachochron (“inner isochron”) method declines gradually from 1254-1272 Ma in the coarsest SFs to 1038-1044 Ma in finest ones, while the K-Ar age decreases simultaneously from 1225–1240 to 1080 Ma. The established positive correlation of δ¹⁸O and δD values with dimensions of clay particles in the SFs seems to be also consistent with the mixing systematics. The isotopic systematics along with data on mineral composition and morphology lead to the conclusion that mixedlayer illite-smectite was formed in the Debengda shales during two periods 1211–1272 and 1038–1080 Ma ago. The first period is likely close to the deposition time of sediments and corresponds to events of burial catagenesis, whereas the second one is correlative with the regional uplift and changes in hydrological regime during the pre-Khaipakh break in sedimentation.     

扬子北缘马元铅锌矿床闪锌矿微量元素及S-Pb-He-Ar-C同位素地球化学研究

马元铅锌矿床是近年扬子陆块北缘铅锌找矿的新突破。矿体呈层状、似层状产于碑坝隆起翼部震旦系灯影组角砾状白云岩层间构造带中,围岩蚀变很弱。矿石中硫化物以闪锌矿、方铅矿为主,中粗粒晶质结构,充填于白云岩角砾间。闪锌矿富集Cd、Ge、Ag,贫In、Tl、Se,Ga/In为6~132,Ge/In多1000,成矿温度以中-低温为主。金属硫化物ε~(34)S值相对集中,为12.9‰~19.4‰,平均为17.4‰,来自于海相硫酸盐的还原。铅同位素组成稳定,~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb为17.858~17.918:~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb为15.603~15.694;~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb为37.756~38.046,具有造山带和上地壳铅的特征,震旦系可能提供了金属成矿物质。闪锌矿中流体包裹体的~3He/~4He为0.03Ra~1.05Ra,~(40)Ar/~(36)Ar为326.1~765.1,~(38)Ar/~(36)Ar为0.183~0.204,表明成矿流体主要为地壳流体和饱和大气水(大气降水或海水)的混合。闪锌矿内流体包裹体挥发分δ~(13)C_(CH_4)值为-36.01‰~-28.80‰,δ~(13)C_(C_2H_6)值为-27.72‰~-22.44‰,δ~(13)C_(CO_2)值为-23.24‰~-9.68‰,表明有机流体参与了成矿作用。石英、方解石的H-O同位素结果表明具有海水和有机水混合的特征。可见,成矿流体具有两种流体混合的特征,一为蒸发海水与围岩反应所形成的盆地卤水,二为有机流体。推测矿区可能存在一个古油气藏,由于TSR生成一高硫气藏,为区内还原性有机流体的主要来源。当富含Pb、Zn等成矿物质的成矿流体运移至富含CH_4和H_2S的还原性流体的矿区角砾岩带时,两种流体混合,Pb、Zn等遇到H_2S发生反应而沉淀成矿,并伴生热液白云石等,形成了马元铅锌矿床。综上所述,我们认为马元矿床属MVT型铅锌矿床。     

贵州岑巩羊桥罗家塘杷榔动物群的发现及其后生动物早期演化的意义

岑巩县羊桥乡罗家塘杷榔组仅出露中-上部地层,岩性单一,均为青灰、灰绿色粉砂质泥、页岩.在其上部层位发现了俞氏贵州始海百合(Guizhoueocrinus yui Zhao,Parsley et Peng,2007),计有棘皮动物始海百合、腕足动物、软体动物-软舌螺、节肢动物-三叶虫等8属9种,包括了2个未定名的新种和1...     

Breakthroughs in the biodiversity, biogeography, biostratigraphy, and basin analysis of the Beaufort group

Over the past decade researchers working on the rocks of the Beaufort Group in the main Karoo Basin of South Africa have vastly increased our understanding of this important Permo-Triassic sequence. Many new fossil forms have been discovered, allowing for breakthroughs into the biodiversity, biogeography and biostratigraphy of the group. Taxonomic and phylogenetic advances are many and varied, and cover most of the vertebrate taxa, but with emphasis placed on the temnospondyl amphibians, archosauriforms and non-mammalian synapsids, in particular the anomodontia. Biostratigraphic breakthroughs have centered on the Middle Permian Eodicynodon and Tapinocephalus assemblage zones, the Late Permian Dicynodon Assemblage Zone, and the Triassic Lystrosaurus and Cynognathus assemblage zones. Correlation of these biozones with better dated sequences in Europe, Russia and China has allowed for many chronostratigraphic refinements, which are in turn vital for sequence stratigraphical analysis of the basin fill. Based on fossil data, both the lower (Ecca–Beaufort) and upper (Beaufort–Molteno) contacts of the group have been proved to be highly diachronous. The refined chronostratigraphic framework has also allowed for a better analysis of the basin evolution through time, particularly in terms of the correlation of external stimuli that affect basin sedimentation patterns.     

海南长塘岭矿区大坡岩体岩石学、地球化学特征及其含矿性初探

海南大坡岩体位于五指山褶皱带内,主要受昌江—琼海构造带、琼西构造带与潭爷断陷构造带控制.岩石地球化学及岩石学研究表明,大坡岩体形成于海西-印支晚期,岩性单一,主要为中细粒似斑状黑云母二长花岗岩.岩体显示为Ⅰ型花岗岩与S型花岗岩的混合,主体以地壳物质部分熔融为主,形成过程有少量地幔物质加入.元素对的比值及稀土元素配分特征说明岩体钨锡等多金属含矿性可能较差.     

Delivery of Trace Metals (Al,Fe, Mn,V, Co,Ni, Cu,Cd, Ag,Pb) from the Trinity River Watershed Towards the Ocean

The Trinity River (Texas, USA) contains in its watershed 23 different reservoir lakes, the largest one being Lake Livingston situated in the lower Trinity River watershed and two potentially polluting metroplexes, Dallas and Houston. In order to determine fluxes of nutrients and trace metals to Galveston Bay, a survey that included 24 discreet samples collected over a year and at various stages of discharge was carried out during 2000–2001. Geochemical (i.e., sorption by Fe oxyhydroxides), biological (i.e., seasonal uptake by sinking algae in Lake Livingston), and hydrological (i.e., dilution effects by increasing flow rates) controls were found to be mainly responsible for variations in dissolved trace metal concentrations rather than pollution sources. The Trinity River loads of suspended sediments and pollutant trace metals entering Galveston Bay at Anahuac were <20% of those reaching Lake Livingston, and only a few percent of the total upstream trace metal load is entering the Gulf of Mexico. Thus, during the transit through the 23 man-made lakes and an estuary, >96% of the pollutant trace metal load is lost to sediments.