On rationality: Contemporary geography and the search for the foolproof method

Recent works on geographic explanation rest on an almost unanimous belief in the existence of a universal, discoverable form of rationality. At the same time, works in other disciplines — notably anthropology and the philosophy and history of science — are more circumspect; they suggest that there may be several or even many types of rationality. Because the question of the nature of rationality has decided implications insofar as other issues — of relativism, for example — are concerned, it is worth considering in more detail. Analysis suggests that those who believe in a universal form of rationality more fundamentally are expressing a desire for the creation of a foolproof method in geography, one based in part on a deep-seated but unquestioned belief in progress.     

Trilobite tracks and other trace fossils from the Upper Cambrian of North Wales

Trace fossils are recorded from eight localities within Upper Cambrian (Ffestiniog Stage) strata in North Wales. Trilobite furrows (Cruziana), resting impressions (Rusophycus), walking and striding tracks (Diplichnites), sideways grazing tracks (Dimorphichnus) and swimming grazing marks (Monomorphichnus, gen. nov.) are described, largely on the basis of over 500 collected specimens, and are figured together with examples of other trace fossil genera including Rouaultia, Phycodes and Monocraterion. The trilobite traces are used to investigate the varied methods of locomotion of the animais. They also indicate the morphology of some of the trilobite hard and soft parts from which it is inferred that most of these traces were probably made by a population consisting of a small number of closely allied species of trilobites belonging to the Olenid family.     

重庆綦江白垩系夹关组恐龙足迹群沉积环境

重庆綦江莲花保寨保存有大量以莲花卡利尔足迹为主的恐龙足迹,研究其沉积环境对恢复当时恐龙动物群的生活环境有着十分重要的意义。运用岩石学、沉积学和古生物学方法,通过岩石学特征、沉积构造特征、粒度分布特征等分析重庆綦江莲花保寨恐龙足迹群的沉积环境,认为当时的沉积环境为曲流河沉积,恐龙足迹的赋存层位为曲流河边滩和河漫滩环境。     

Preliminary results from a search for regional tectonomagnetic effects in California and western Nevada

Physical theory and laboratory experiments both indicate that tectonomagnetic effects in seismically active areas should be detected with highly sensitive drift-free differential magnetometers. By using a pair of synchronized 0.25 7 absolute magnetometers to measure precisely field differences between 70 adjacent sites with a 10–15 km separation, more than 1,000 km of faults in California and western Nevada have been monitored for anomalous changes in the local magnetic field. Over a nine-month period, four sets of mea surements have been completed along 350 km of the San Andreas and two sets along the Excelsior Mountains, Mono Lake, and Owens Valley. Preliminary results show that significant changes have occurred between each subsequent data set and that these changes appear to be related to tectonic structure and seismicity. This method looks promising as a simple inexpensive scheme for indicating some hazardous sections of active faults, particularly in countries where extensive geophysics programs are not feasible.     

山西省首次发现侏罗纪恐龙足迹

<正>1研究目的(Objective)恐龙足迹是恐龙生活时留下的印记,它能够提供恐龙运动特征、社会行为、生活习性等多方面大量信息。中国恐龙足迹化石分布广泛,将近百余年来,中国大多数省市自治区等都曾发现过恐龙足迹化石。然而,目前已发现的恐龙足迹时代多集中在早—中侏罗世以及白垩纪,晚侏罗世恐龙足迹则鲜有报道。尽管近些年山西地质博物馆     

On heavy metal concentrations and biogenic enrichment in microbial mat environments

Heavy metal concentrations of a recent salina on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea near Port Said (Egypt) were investigated. Samples for the heavy metal study were taken in different ponds of the salina. It was found that microbial mat dominated brine sediments concentrated and enriched heavy metal 2–3 times more than sediments lacking microbial mat developments, suggesting that cyanobacteria play a major role in this enrichment. Heavy metal enrichment by cyanobacteria was therefore also studied in the laboratory environment. This study is compared with a recent study of Solar Lake and Sabkha Gavish sediments (Sinai, Egypt). Our conclusion is that recent hypersaline environments with ambient microbial mat (potential stromatolite) developments are ideal examples of present-day environments of metal accumulations.     

太湖沉积物中重金属的地球化学形态及特征分析

用连续提取法分析了太湖沉积物5种重金属的地球化学形态,对地球化学形态的组成和地理特征进行了分析研究.重金属地球化学形态配分的共同特点是可交换态最低,残渣态最高.两种形态中Cd的可交换态最高,Cr的残渣态最高,可交换态最低.Cd的碳酸盐态较高,Cr的最低;Pb、Cd的Fe-Mn氧化态较高,Cu的偏低;Cu的有机态最高,Cd的最低;Zn的地球化学形态比例大都处于中间.地域上变化较大的元素是Cd和Cu,变化不明显的元素有Pb和Zn.化学成分中Fe2O3、MnO与重金属地球化学形态的相关性最好,TOC与Cu的形态相关系数最高.综合对比分析表明,太湖沉积物重金属的生物有效性以Cd为最高,其次为Pb.     

Preferential solution of234U from recoil tracks and234U/238U radioactive disequilibrium in natural waters

A mathematical model to calculate the²³⁴U/²³⁸U activity ratio (AR) in an aqueous phase in contact with rock/soil is presented. The model relies on the supply of²³⁸U by dissolution and that of²³⁴U by dissolution and preferential release from radiation damaged regions (recoil tracks). The model predicts that values of²³⁴U/²³⁸U AR>1 in the aqueous phase can be obtained only from weathering “virgin” surfaces. Thus, to account for the observed steady-state supply of²³⁴U excess to the oceans by the preferential leaching model, ‘virgin’ rock/soil surfaces would have to be continually exposed and weathered. The²³⁸U concentration and²³⁴U/²³⁸U AR in continental waters allow us to estimate the exposure rates of “virgin” rock/soil surfaces.     

On the use of discriminant analysis techniques for classifying chemical data from panned heavy—mineral concentrates—Central East Greenland

Multi-element analyses of more than 600 panned heavy-mineral concentrate samples from the Jameson Land area of central East Greenland were investigated by discriminant analysis which, combined with an a priori knowledge of the geology, was used to assist interpretation and classification the data. The importance of sample density, and the method and degree of sample grouping were investigated. Also the effect of using either the within-covariance or the pooled covariance matrices in the discriminant functions was studied.Discriminant analysis assumes the element concentrations to be normally distributed and that equality of within-covariances exists. These assumptions were not always met, and this was probably the main reason why one-third of the samples could not be classified. However, the study shows that interpretation of the data, although it is historical and forms only part of a regional reconnaissance survey, benefits from the application of discriminant analysis.     

Decompression and unmixing of crystals included in diamonds from the mantle transition zone

A suite of exceptional mineral inclusions in diamonds from the São Luiz river, Juina province, Brazil, shows a wide range of garnet/majorite mineral compositions co-existing with clinopyroxene; the overall bulk compositions are eclogitic. The inclusions have a wide variety of textural arrangements, but crystallographic data obtained by EBSD shows that each inclusion consists of a single garnet with constant crystallographic orientation whilst clinopyroxene grains have preferred orientation with relation to garnet {110} and <111>. This suggests that the inclusions were originally single phase majoritic garnets, and that they preserve various states of progressive unmixing (exsolution) into lower pressure garnet and clinopyroxene compositions during transport of the host diamonds towards the Earth’s surface. On the basis of high pressure–temperature experimental data some of the original majoritic garnets must have come from depths of 450 km or more, and therefore resided in the transition zone and asthenospheric upper mantle. Particularly extensive re-equilibration of many inclusions took place at depths of ca 180–200 km (probably close to the base of the continental lithosphere). The partially unmixed state of the inclusions provides a unique opportunity for using mineral diffusion data to roughly estimate the rate of transport through the asthenospheric upper mantle, and within error this rate is found to be broadly compatible with expected transport rates by upper mantle convection or plume flow.     

从裂变径迹分析探讨房山岩体地质热历史

测定了房山岩体内部相的花岗闪长岩中磷灰石和榍石的裂变径迹年龄和磷灰石自发和诱发裂变封闭径迹长度。根据磷灰石自发裂变封闭径迹平均长度和年龄对岩体热历史进行了模拟和探讨，长度分布模拟特征和参数与实测结果基本一致。并依据磷灰石和榍石裂变径迹年龄和封闭温度探讨了岩体的冷却和上升速度。     

Possibilities of seismoelectric methods in search for quartz veins

An analysis of the resistivity and seismic data for a quartz vein intruded into metamorphosed sediments reveals that the vein cannot be located uniquely on the basis of either resistivity or elastic wave propagation data. The piezoelectric field generated by pressure waves which are propagated through the quartz, however, gives a sharp voltage maximum which permits a unique location of the vein.—M. E. Burgunker.     

A geochemical and statistical approach for assessing heavy metal pollution in sediments from the southern Caspian coast

The nearshore marine environment of the Caspian sea is a major repository for toxic metals originating from various sources. Since the persistent toxic metals pose serious health risks this research concentrated on investigating the concentrations and spatial distribution of metals in the nearshore sediments along the Iranian coast of the Caspian sea. Fourteen sampling sites were selected along the coast and approximately 400 g of surficial sediments were obtained. Samples were sieved and three grain size fractions from each sample plus fourteen bulk samples were selected for the analysis of metals. Laboratory analysis of the samples utilized the Cold Acetic protocol, followed by Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. The statistical techniques were used to analyze all obtained data. Linear regression analysis demonstrated that grain size of the sediments was not a major factor controlling the concentrations and spatial distributions of heavy metals. Box and Whisker plots emphasized that metal concentrations were not homogeneously distributed. Discriminant analysis was also proved to be useful in identifying geographic areas where heavy metal concentrations occur along the coast.     

Origin and mobility of heavy metals in contaminated sediments from retention and infiltration ponds

The metal content of sediments from 4 ponds representative of contrasting environments and design was determined through speciation studies using both sequential chemical extraction and mineralogical observation. Surprisingly, the speciation for a given pond appears to be very homogenous, with the homogeneity being independent of total metal content, particle size or location within the pond. In contrast to what is commonly expected, no increase in metal content was found with decrease in size class. The proportion of metals in the different phases is distinct from one pond to another, reflecting distinct catchment areas. Contributions of alloys and atmospheric particles from industrial processes can be ascertained by SEM. Cadmium showed the highest availability in all 4 ponds with 40–60% extracted during the first step of the Community Bureau of Reference extraction scheme. Zinc, Pb and Cu, mostly sorbed on organic matter or oxides, may also become more mobile depending on physico-chemical changes. In France, an estimated volume of 5 million tons of sediment is extracted annually, and it is obvious that the risk, both environmental and human, associated with its heavy metal content and speciation cannot be totally ignored for the future use of this sediment.     

辽河油田稠油中贵金属分布和赋存状态研究

以辽河油田稠油为研究对象,通过原子吸收光谱、实沸点蒸馏等手段,研究了辽河油田稠油中Au、Ag、Pt和Pb等贵金属在不同馏分中的分布特征.结果表明,经过实沸点蒸馏后,贵金属不同沸程温度的原油馏分中含量和分布存在很大差异,Au、Ag、Pt、Pd主要集中在渣油馏分中,在沸点》508℃的渣油馏分中Au、Ag、Pt、Pd的比例分别是93.4%、76.9%、73.4%和68.0%;采用选择性萃取的方法对金在稠油中的存在形态的初步研究发现,金在稠油中主要以有机配合物和少量无机配合物形式存在.     

Mobility and H2O loss from fluid inclusions in natural quartz crystals

Petrographic observations on quartz crystals from the Mole Granite (Australia) and other localities shed new light on the mechanisms of post-entrapment modification of fluid inclusions. These modifications include migration away from pseudosecondary trails, changes in fluid salinity and density, shape distortion and the formation of “sweat-haloes” around strongly deformed inclusions. Increases in fluid salinity, which usually are associated with inclusion migration, indicate water-losses of up to 50%. However, LA-ICP-MS-analysis of unmobilized and mobilized inclusions of the same trail reveals basically unchanged ratios of major – and trace element cations, with the exception of Li, which seems to be incorporated into the crystal lattice during migration. Despite the fact that all these modifications are closely related to deformation processes, they occur not only in mechanically deformed quartz, but also in free-standing crystals. In the latter samples, stress has been generated internally as a result of brazil-twinned growth and compositional zonation. These observations and their interpretation leads to a list of practical criteria that should help in differentiating between reliable and suspect fluid inclusions in other samples. Received: 17 November 1998 / Accepted: 16 April 1999     

A search for an industrial cluster in Japanese manufacturing sector: evidence from a location survey

This paper explores the result of a questionnaire survey on the location decision of new manufacturing plants from 1997 to 2004 and discovers an industrial cluster in Japan. More specifically, performing an exploratory factor analysis across 22 manufacturing industries, this study firstly summarizes agglomeration advantages as a latent location factor, secondly specifies the regional share of industries that emphasize the agglomeration factor, and thirdly identifies the location of industrial cluster based on the regional share. The major finding is that there exists such agglomeration factor, by which most Marshallian location advantages are represented, and the main industrial cluster consists of high-tech industries and spread over the suburb area between Tokyo and Aichi prefectures, where are most manufacturing capacity is concentrated.     

Characterization of biochars produced from oil palm and rice husks and their adsorption capacities for heavy metals

The objectives of this study were to determine the selected physicochemical properties of two biochars, one commercially produced from rice husks and the other from oil palm empty fruit bunches, and to evaluate their adsorption capacities for Zn, Cu, and Pb using a batch equilibrium method. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the carbon content of biochars formed from empty fruit bunches (EFBB) and rice husks (RHB). However, the EFBB did present higher quantities of O, H, S, N, and K, compared to the RHB. Although the EFBB had a much lower surface area than the RHB, the former adsorbed much more Zn, Cu, and Pb than the RHB. The higher adsorption capacity of the EFBB over the RHB was a result of the EFBB having higher amounts of oxygen-containing functional groups, a higher molar ratio of O/C, and a higher polarity index [(O + N)/C]. This suggests that the biochar’s chemical properties were more important than its surface area in the adsorption of Zn, Cu, and Pb.     

中国西南攀西地区下侏罗统益门组蜥脚类足迹:分类学与潜在的造迹者

恐龙足迹和骨骼的记录往往出现在不同的地区。然而,一些地层显示了关系紧密的骨骼和足迹,它们都指向同一个来源。报道了来自四川省攀西地区会理县通安镇通保村下侏罗统益门组中上部的蜥脚类足迹(雷龙足迹Brontopodus),其地理和地层归属均与真蜥脚类的何氏通安龙极为接近。通保足迹与造迹者的关联是可能的,但目前还需要更多的证据。通保的雷龙足迹是攀西地区首次发现侏罗纪的蜥脚类足迹,这也表明,在早侏罗世,原始蜥脚类和基干蜥脚型类共存于中国西南地区。