Biogeochemical evaluation of Nannorrhops ritchiana： A Mg-flora from Khuzdar, Balochistan, Pakistan

Nannorrhops ritchiana （ Mazari Palm） is a distinctive flora growing in the Saharo-Sindian region. It is well distributed on the ultramafic soil, derived from the Bela Ophiolite in the Khuzdar District, Balochistan, Pakistan. Quantitative estimation of Ca, Mg, Fe and Ni in soil and plant ash has been carried out. The constituents of plant ash have been discussed in relation to soil chemistry, pH, climate, mobility, average abundance in plant ash and exclusion mechanism of the flora. Relationship among Ca, Mg, Fe and Ni has been established using scattergrams to evaluate the biogeochemistry of the plant. High contents of Mg and high coefficient of biological absorption allow it to be classed as Mg-flora. Both Ca and Fe appeared to be antagonistic to Mg. The metal assemblage of N. ritchiana nicely reflected the nature of the bed rock as being serpentinized ultramafic, and its corresponding soils. Good exclusion mechanism of N. ritchiana did not allow it to absorb high Ni from the soil. Relatively high concentrations of Ni in N. ritchiana from the Baran Lak area can be used to localize Ni-mineralization in the study area. Statistical analyses, such as minimum, maximum, mean, mode, median, standard deviations, and coefficient of correlation, were also made to improve raw geochemical data and interpretations.     

Soil baseline geochemistry and plant response in areas of complex geology. Application to NW Euboea,Greece

A soil and vegetation survey was undertaken in NW Euboea Island, Greece. The objectives of the study were to establish the geochemical baseline of soil and identify the impact of local geology on threshold values of potentially harmful elements. The studied area is characterized by complex geology comprising metamorphic and ultramafic rocks as well as active hot springs. A total of 117 soil samples were collected from 89 sites at depths of 0–25 cm and 25–50 cm. Eighteen vegetation samples were also collected representing prevalent indigenous perennial species in the region. Soil samples from the present study were enriched in As, Ca, Cu, Mg, Ni with concentrations reaching 233 mg/kg, 38%, 336 mg/kg, 10.8%, 1560 mg/kg respectively. Factor analysis revealed three main factors controlling the chemical composition of soil reflecting the influence of ultramafic rocks (Cr, Ca, Mg, Ni), hot spring deposits (Ca, S, Sr, As) and paedogenesis processes (Fe, Co, V, Mn, Al). The first two of these factors showed significant spatial correlation with the geological features within the study area. Subsequently, baseline concentrations based on statistical and spatial data were estimated within sub-areas reflecting the influence of local geology in soil composition. Concentrations of potentially harmful elements in the plant tissues of indigenous perennial vegetation species showed a wide range of variation from below the detection limit up to 1700 mg/kg for Ni in the hyperaccumulator Alyssum chalcidicum demonstrating that plant species have adapted to the stressful conditions caused by high elemental concentrations in soil. The results of this study can be utilized in future studies at areas of similar geology by providing an objective basis for setting realistic threshold values for pollution assessment and remediation.     

Growing up green on serpentine soils: Biogeochemistry of serpentine vegetation in the Central Coast Range of California

Serpentine soils derived from the weathering of ultramafic rocks and their metamorphic derivatives (serpentinites) are chemically prohibitive for vegetative growth. Evaluating how serpentine vegetation is able to persist under these chemical conditions is difficult to ascertain due to the numerous factors (climate, relief, time, water availability, etc.) controlling and affecting plant growth. Here, the uptake, incorporation, and distribution of a wide variety of elements into the biomass of serpentine vegetation has been investigated relative to vegetation growing on an adjacent chert-derived soil. Soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic C, total N, soil extractable elements, total soil elemental compositions and plant digestions in conjunction with spider diagrams are utilized to determine the chemical relationships of these soil and plant systems. Plant available Mg and Ca in serpentine soils exceed values assessed in chert soils. Magnesium is nearly 3 times more abundant than Ca in the serpentine soils; however, the serpentine soils are not Ca deficient with Ca concentrations as high as 2235 mg kg⁻¹. Calcium to Mg ratios (Ca:Mg) in both serpentine and chert vegetation are greater than one in both below and above ground tissues. Soil and plant chemistry analyses support that Ca is not a limiting factor for plant growth and that serpentine vegetation is actively moderating Mg uptake as well as tolerating elevated concentrations of bioavailable Mg. Additionally, results demonstrate that serpentine vegetation suppresses the uptake of Fe, Cr, Ni, Mn and Co into its biomass. The suppressed uptake of these metals mainly occurs in the plants’ roots as evident by the comparatively lower metal concentrations present in above ground tissues (twigs, leaves and shoots). This research supports earlier studies that have suggested that ion uptake discrimination and ion suppression in the roots are major mechanisms for serpentine vegetation to tolerate the chemistry of serpentine soils.     

石灰岩山地淡竹林“岩石-土壤-植物”的元素分布与迁移积聚特征

本研究以石灰岩山地淡竹林为研究对象,测定了岩石、土壤和4种淡竹群落植物[优势种淡竹(Phyllostachys glauca),伴生种枸骨(Ilex cornuta)、油茶(Camellia oleifera)和胡颓子(Elaeagnus pungens）]的N、P、K、Ca、Mg、Fe、Al、Mn和Na等9种元素含量,对元素迁移积聚特征进行了分析,结果表明:（1）淡竹林石灰岩Ca含量高（363.09 g· kg-1）;土壤Ca含量下降至2.68 g·kg-1,Fe、Al含量升高（48.12 g·kg-1、84.00 g·kg-1）;与土壤相比,植物N、P和Ca含量上升,其他元素含量则降低;（2）从岩石到土壤,Ca为纯迁移,迁移积累系数仅为0.01;Fe和Al明显富集,迁移积累系数分别高达9.98和14.10;从土壤到植物,N、Ca、P为富集,Fe、Al生物吸收系数很低,仅为1.41和2.08;（3）除K外,群落优势种淡竹的元素含量和生物吸收系数均小于伴生种。研究发现,强淋溶作用下淡竹林石灰岩发育为酸性红石灰土,其生长的植物均非喜钙植物;“岩石—土壤—植物”元素迁聚特征因土壤发育过程和植物种间特征而异,红石灰土Ca积累少;淡竹对土壤元素需求少可能是其在石灰岩生境占据竞争优势的生理基础。      

Geobotanical and biogeochemical reconnaissance of the ultramafics of Central Iran

In Iran, ultramafic rocks cover substantial areas at many locations in the country. These rocks consist predominantly of peridotite which has been serpentinized to some degree. Anarak and Nain are two ultramafic areas in Central Iran comprising about 180 and 270 km², respectively, located in a coloured melange zone. There is little information available regarding the geobotany and biogeochemistry of these areas. They have a dry climate, with low rainfall and high temperatures in summer which encourages mostly annual and perennial herbaceous types of plants. In this paper, we report a reconnaissance study of these two ultramafic areas of Iran. Soil analysis of total elements indicates that typical concentrations of Ni, Cr, Co, Mn, Fe, Mg and Ca are about 1500, 300, 75, 800, 45.000 150.000 and 2000 μg g^− 1, respectively. During this study 176 plant species were collected, belonging to 29 families. The species diversity at Anarak is more than at Nain, possibly due to microclimatic differences and a greater precipitation. The number of plants endemic to ultramafic soils of these two areas is very low. The herb Cleome heratensis (Capparaceae) appears to be an indicator of ultramafics in Central Iran. Populations of this plant cover quite extensive areas during summer and autumn when there is no rainfall. Analysis of the dry matter of the leaves of all plants collected did not reveal any hyperaccumulator of nickel or any other ‘serpentine’ metals. The ultramafic endemic plant C. heratensis contained low concentrations of all metals and thus it possesses exclusion mechanisms to restrict excessive metal uptake. The Mg/Ca ratio for some plants collected is high—up to 4.9. This initial survey suggests that a more complete investigation of the ultramafic areas of Iran would be valuable.     

Factor analysis of the elemental composition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pteridium aquilinum</Emphasis> from serpentine and granite soils as a tool in the classification of relations between this composition and the type of parent rock in the Ślęża Massif in Lower Silesia,Poland

Concentrations of the elements N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Co, Mo, Cd and Pb were measured in serpentine and granite soils and in the fern Pteridium aquilinum sampled from the Ślęża Massif in Lower Silesia, Poland. The serpentine soils were typical for serpentine soils in general with deficiency of K and Ca and excess of Mg, Ni and Cr. The principal component analysis (PCA) ordination based on the matrix of concentrations of elements in plants growing on serpentine and granite soils enabled the identification of the parent material from which ferns in this study were collected. This method indicated that the ferns from granite soils were distinguished by higher concentrations of Mo and Pb, while those from serpentine soils were distinguished by higher concentrations of Mg, Ni, Cr and Co. These differences in bioaccumulation reflect the higher concentrations of total and plant-available forms of Mg, Ni, Cr, Co in serpentinite and the higher concentrations of total Mo and total and plant-available Pb in granites as reported in literature. The different parent material types in the Ślęża Massif on which the investigated soils were developed influence the concentration and type of elements accumulated in P. aquilinum.     

Major and trace elements in plants and soils in Horton Plains National Park,Sri Lanka: an approach to explain forest die back

Forest die back has been observed from 1980s in the montane moist forest of Horton Plains in the Central Sri Lanka for which the aetiology appears to be uncertain. The concentration levels of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Zn and Pb in canopy leaves, bark and roots, which were collected from dying and healthy plants of three different endemic species, Calophyllum walkeri, Syzygium rotundifolium and Cinnamomum ovalifolium, from three different die back sites were studied. Soils underlying the plants were also analyzed for their extractable trace metals and total contents of major oxides. Analysis of dead and healthy plants does not show any remarkable differences in the concentrations of studied trace elements. The results show that there is a low status of pollution based on the concentrations of chemical elements of environmental concern. Extractable and total trace element analysis indicates a low content of Ca in soils due to high soil acidity that probably leads to Mg and Al toxicity to certain plants. Relatively high Al levels in the soil would affect the root system and hamper the uptake and transport of essential cations to the plant. It therefore seems that the forest declining appears to be a natural phenomenon, which occurs due to the imbalance of macro and micronutrients in the natural forest due to excessive weathering and the continuous leaching of essential elements.     

Biogeochemical Study of Tamarix Aphylla from Lasbela Area and Its Application in Prospecting of Ore Deposits

Biogeochemical investigation of Tamarix aphylla,a plant species, of the Las-bela area has been made.This area mainly consists of ophiolites associated with sed-imentary rocks of Jurassic and Cretaceous age .Quantitative estimations of important biogenic trace elements such as Fe,Mn,Pb,Zn,Cu,Cr,Ni, and Co have been carried out .Anomalous concentrations of these elements in plant species of certain regions can be used to locate possible occurrences of ore deposits in the area.The comparative strdy also reveals appreciable variations in the composition of trace elements in plants.The possible causes of variation in the constitrents of Tamarix aphylla from different localities have been discussed in the light of bed rock nature, mo-bility of element and average abundance in the plant.     

菲律宾保和岛达瑙镍矿地质特征及成因探讨

菲律宾保和岛达瑙镍矿床位于西比克尔-东莱特岛(Western Bicol-Eastern Leyte)蛇绿岩带附近,矿体分布在超基性岩体顶部的褐铁矿层、腐泥土层中,与地表红棕色土壤的分布范围基本一致.层中硅镁镍矿较为发育,主要含镍矿物为镍绿泥石、暗镍蛇纹石.化学分析结果显示成矿物质来源于超基性岩;对矿区超基性岩、气候、地理位置、岩石破碎程度等特征进一步分析研究,认为该矿床的成因类型为风化壳淋积矿床.地壳抬升超基性岩接受风化,释放出Ni2+.Ni2+随地表水下渗至褐铁矿层下部的腐泥土层(风化岩石)中被蛇纹石矿物捕获,富集成矿.类质同象中的Mg2+释放出来,由于本区地层渗透性好,Mg2+至基岩处富集.一般而言,红土层下面的风化岩石含Ni最富.     

Chemical composition and leaching characteristics of granules made of wood ash and dolomite

 In 1995, the central heating plant Draken in Kalmar, Sweden, started manufacturing a granular ash product for nutrient recycling to forest soil, instead of dumping the ash in landfills. Chemical composition, leaching and dissolution characteristics were determined for the Draken wood ash, the dolomite used in granule manufacturing and the final granule product. The heavy metal concentrations in fly ash were within the limit values recommended by the Swedish National Board of Forestry for ash recycling, except for Cd and As levels which occasionally exceeded the limit values. The Ca, Mn and P levels were too low for nutrient recycling at the time. Adding dolomite insures that the levels of the important nutrients Ca and Mg are sufficient in the granules. After 7 months in the field, about 60 % of Na and K was leached out from granules. Between 20 and 60% of trace elements Mo, Sc, V, Y and Zr were leached out after 7 months. The release of Ca and Mg was low, 1–5% during 7 months. Received: 12 July 1999 · Accepted: 31 August 1999     

Chemical composition and origin of the earth's primitive mantle

An attempt has been made to estimate the chemical composition of the earth's primitive mantle by a critical evaluation of data derived from ultramafic mantle samples and partial melting model calculations for mafic and ultramafic magmas of various ages.Compatible (Al, Ca, Si, Mg, Fe) and moderately incompatible (Ti, Zr, heavy and middle rare earth) elements in basaltic magma sources have not changed significantly since the early Archaean (~3.5 Byr). Estimated abundances for refractory lithophile elements (such as Al, Ca, Ti, Zr, Y, Se, REE etc.) in the primitive mantle are about 2.0 times ordinary chondrites (~ 1.1 times Cl chondrites relative to Mg). Highly incompatible volatile elements (K, Rb, Cs, Tl, Pb etc.) are depleted in the mantle throughout geological time. Abundances of Fe, Ni and Co are obtained on the basis of values for ultramafic nodules and model calculations using komatiites of various ages. The results show little (? 20%?) dispersion and there is no obvious secular variation since 3.5 Byr. Noble metals show similar effects. These data permit constraints to be placed on the timing of core formation.The estimated elemental abundances for the primitive mantle are normalized to Cl chondrites relative to Mg and plotted against the solar condensation temperature at 10^?4 atm. Above 700 K there are two parallel trends which are defined by lithophile elements (Al, Ca, REE, Ti, Mg, Si, Cr, Mn, Na, K, Rb, F, Zn etc.) and siderophile elements (W, Ni, Co, P, As, Ag, Sb and Ge) respectively. The depletion factor for the siderophile trend relative to the lithophile trend is about 0.085. Within each trend there is a continuous depletion towards lower temperature. A third trend is defined by noble metals (Ir, Os, Re, Pd, Pt and Au) with a depletion factor of about 0.003 relative to Cl chondrites. These trends are interpreted in terms of core-mantle differentiation and volatility-controlled processes operating before and during earth accretion.     

Assessment of soil and water contamination around an ash-disposal site: a case study from the Seyitömer coal-fired power plant in western Turkey

Seyitömer power plant comprises 4.8% of Turkey's total energy production. The fly ash produced has been deposited in the area, since the 1960s, by a dry disposal technique. In 1997, wet disposal was improperly exercised in the area causing ash flow over agricultural fields. This study is concerned with the chemical analysis of ash, soil and water samples collected in the area following ash-removal studies after the ash flow in 1997. The results reveal that Na, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Al, Fe, Co, and Cr contents of soil and water are governed by basement lithology in the area, whereas Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu contents are determined by fly ash from disposal sites. Although lithogenic Cr and Co contents are exceedingly high, comparison with the regulatory standards for drinking water, irrigation water and agricultural soils reveals no pollution pertinent to solid waste production in waters, whereas there is moderate pollution by Pb and Cu in soils.     

Dunite--Harzburgite--Chromitite Complexes as Refractory Residue in the Sangun--Yamaguchi Zone, Western Japan

Dunite, harzburgite and chromitite of alpine-type ultramaficcomplexes emplaced in the Paleozoic sediments in the Sangun—Yamaguchizone, western Japan, are massive and almost lacking in layeredstructure. Constituent minerals are more or less deformed andequilibrated at a relatively low temperature, about 700 °Cor lower. Chromian spinels in ultramafic rocks from dunite—harzburgite—chromititecomplexes in the Sangun—Yamaguchi zone are characterizedby the uniformity of the Cr/Cr + Al ratio, around 0.5, regardlessof locality and rock type, which is in contrast to the widevariation of the ratio of chromian spinel from the ordinaryalpine-type dunite—harzburgite complex. Mg/Mg + Fe" ratioof chromian spinel, on the other hand, is variable in parallelto the volume per cent of chromian spinel in ultramafic rocks.Olivine in ultramafic rocks is uniform in chemical composition,from Fo₈₈ to Fo₉₂, except for that in chromitite, of which itis Fo₉₅ to Fo₉₇. Primary chemical compositions (especially the Mg/Mg + Fe" ratio)of the constituent minerals have been modified to some extentby element redistribution at low temperature (700 °C orlower), the degree of modification depending on the volume ratioof the minerals. For example, the Mg/Mg + Fe" ratio of chromianspinel in peridotitic rocks has been lowered substantially,and inversely, that of olivine in chromitite has been raised.Primary Mg/Mg + Fe" ratios of olivine and chromian spinel canbe estimated, assuming a certain value of high temperature,e.g. 1200 °C, and the partition coefficient between olivineand chromian spinel at that temperature. As a result, the Mg/Mg+ Fe" ratio of olivine (0.88 to 0.92), and that of chromianspinel (0.78 to 0.80) were uniform, irrespective of rock typeand locality, at the high-temperature stage. Dunite—harzburgite—chromitite complexes in the Sangun—Yamaguchizone were accumulated as refractory residue after the relativelylarge-scaled partial fusion of some primordial peridotites,which resulted in the chemical uniformity of the residual minerals.They may have initially constituted the lowest part of an ophioliticsuite as ultramafic tectonite and been emplaced as dismemberedportions after the disruption of the parent body.     

The Chemistry of Serpentine Soils Developed Over A Podiform Chromite Deposit, Western Sierra Nevada, USA

The Chinese Camp mining district in the western Sierra Nevada of California,USA,contains a serpentinized,ultramafic dunite intrusion with podiform chromite deposits.Serpentine soils have developed over this intrusion,creating a unique ecosystem of endemic vegetation and soils characterized by low Ca/Mg ratios and high Ni and Cr contents.The vegetation and red coloration make it easy to visually distinguish between soils developed over intruded,serpentinized bedrock and unmineralized,adjacent andesite bedrock(Fig.1).The purpose of our study was to compare soil chemistry and vegetative parameters among 3 study-design levels:1)undisturbed serpentine soil,2)undisturbed background soil(non-serpentine,developed over andesite),and 3)serpentine soil disturbed by mining activities.Within each of these l e v*e ls,3 random locations were chosen where weestablished 3,30-m transects(spaced 120-degrees apart).One soil sample was collected at a random location along each transect(0-15 cm depth after removing litter/O horizon).This scheme resulted in the collection of 9replicate soil samples per study-design level.Samples were analyzed for total metal content by ICP-AES/MS(inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy/mass spectroscopy),p H,electrical conductivity,and total C/N/S.The vegetative parameter of%canopy cover was measured with a line-point intercept survey along each transect,using 0.6m intervals.Above-ground net primary productivity(ANPP)was estimated by harvesting all aboveground living plant material within a 0.5 m quadrant at 3 random locations along each transect,drying,and weighting the material.Significant differences among design levels were observed for ANPP,canopy cover,total P,total N,and Ca/Mg,where the median values for these parameters decreased in the order undisturbed backgroundundisturbed serpentinemining-disturbed serpentine.The highest concentrations of Cr and Ni were found in undisturbed serpentine(medians of 1960 ppm and 2529ppm,respectively)followed by mining-disturbed serpentine(medians of 420 and 2120,respectively)then undisturbed non-serpentine(medians 47.0 and 32.2 ppm,respectively).Soil p H varied significantly among the design levels with a median 5.74 in undisturbed background,median 6.25 in undisturbed serpentine,and median of 7.17 in mining-disturbed serpentine.These data document the distinct differences in soil chemistry and vegetation parameters between undisturbed serpentine soil and adjacent,undisturbed background soil.Efforts toward mining reclamation must recognize these differences and include the correct baseline conditions in the reclamation plan.     

Origin of ultra-nickeliferous olivine in the Kevitsa Ni–Cu–PGE-mineralized intrusion, northern Finland

The 2,058 ± 4 Ma mafic–ultramafic Kevitsa intrusion is located in the Central Lapland greenstone belt, northern Finland. It is hosted by a Paleoproterozoic volcano–sedimentary sequence that contains komatiitic volcanic rocks and sulfide- and graphite-rich black schists. Economic Ni–Cu–(PGE) sulfide mineralization occurs in the middle part of the ultramafic lower unit of the intrusion. Two main types of ore are distinguished, “normal” and “Ni–PGE” ores. The normal ore is characterized by ~2 to 6 vol% disseminated sulfides and average Ni and Cu grades of 0.3 and 0.42 wt %, respectively (Ni/Cu < 1). The Ni–PGE ore has broadly similar sulfide contents, but a higher Ni grade and lower Cu grade. As a result, the Ni/Cu ratio reaches 15, much higher than in the normal ore. The Ni–PGE ores occur as irregular, discontinuous, lense-like bodies in the ultramafic rocks. Notably, the olivines in the Ni–PGE ore contain extremely high Ni contents of up to 14,000 ppm, which is significantly higher than the Ni content of olivine in other mafic–ultramafic igneous rocks globally (up to ~5,000 ppm) and in harmony with the associated Ni-rich sulfide assemblage containing pentlandite, millerite and pyrite. Microprobe mapping of olivine from the Ni–PGE ore suggests relatively low and homogeneous S contents and homogeneous distribution of Ni, Mg, Fe, which is inconsistent with the presence of sulfide inclusions in the olivine grains, or diffusion of Ni from interstitial sulfides into the olivine grains. We therefore conclude that Ni substitutes for Mg in the olivine lattice. The clinopyroxenes from the Ni–PGE ore also have unusually high Ni concentrations reaching 1,500 ppm and show a positive correlation with the nickel content of the associated olivine. The Ni_cpx/Ni_olivine is ~0.1 to 0.2 corresponding to high T partitioning of Ni between clinopyroxene and olivine. K _D of 20 can account for the partitioning of nickel between olivine and the sulfide phase, consistent with magmatic equilibration. These data suggest that the olivine, clinopyroxene, and sulfides all crystallized from a basaltic magma with an unexceptionally high Ni content ranging from 300 to 1,100 ppm. The Ni–PGE ores are spatially associated with ultramafic xenoliths. Olivine in these ultramafic xenoliths have relatively high Fo contents (up to 90 mol %) and high Ni contents (up to 5,200 ppm) suggesting that the xenoliths formed from a komatiitic parental magma. It is proposed that assimilation by the Kevitsa magma of massive or semi-massive sulfides associated with komatiitic rocks elevated the Ni content of the magma and resulted in the formation of Ni–PGE ores and related extremely Ni-rich olivines.     

Factors affecting the distribution of potentially toxic elements in surface soils around an industrialized area of northwestern Greece

In order to investigate the factors influencing the distribution of 32 potentially toxic elements in the Ptolemais–Kozani basin, northwestern Greece, 38 soil samples were collected and analyzed. Concentrations of Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Ti, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, La, Li, Ni, Pb, Sc, Sr, V, Y, and Zn were determined by ICP-AES and concentrations of As, Bi, Cd, Cs, Mo, Rb, Sb, Th, Tl, and U by ICP-MS. Bivariate analysis, principal component analysis, and geostatistical analysis were employed to investigate the factors influencing the distribution of the elements determined in the study area. The results indicate that the distribution of the majority of elements determined, especially for Cr, Ni, and associated elements, is greatly influenced by the geology and geomorphology of the study area. Principal component analysis has yielded four factors that explain over 77% of the total variance in the data. These factors are as follows: lithophilic elements that are associated with Al silicates minerals of K (factor I: 29.4%), ultramafic rocks (factor II: 20.5%), elements that are coprecipitated with Fe and Mn oxides (factor III: 18.0%), and anthropogenic activities (factor IV: 9.3%). The anthropogenic activities that influence the distribution of several potentially toxic elements (i.e., Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) are agricultural practices and the deposition of fly ash in the vicinity of the local power stations.     

Geochemical implications of minerals and environmentally sensitive elements of Giral lignite,Barmer Basin,Rajasthan (India)

The Barmer Basin of Rajasthan is significant for its Paleogene lignite sequences. The lignite seam occurs in Akli Formation of Barmer Basin at the depth of 06–241 m. A total of 57 lignite samples were collected from the working faces of lignite mine and were subjected to proximate analysis (moisture, ash yield, volatile matter, and fixed carbon), ultimate analysis (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur), elemental analysis (Fe, Ca, Mg, Cd, Mn, K, Na, Cu, Co, Ni, Cr, Zn, and Pb) and rock-eval pyrolysis for mineral carbon (MINC). Some elements like Cu, Cd, Co, Ni, Zn, Pb, Na, and K occur in high concentration, while Mg and Ca have their concentrations lower than World Clarke average. In addition, various minerals and functional groups present in the lignite samples were analyzed through X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The mineral (weight and atomic) percentage has also been analyzed through scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS).     

The geochemistry of major and selected trace elements in a forested peat bog, Kalimantan, SE Asia, and its implications for past atmospheric dust deposition

Biogeochemical processes in a forested tropical peat deposit and its record of past atmospheric dust deposition were assessed using the vertical distribution of lithophilic and plant essential elements in a dated core profile from Borneo, SE Asia. Peat formation started ∼22,120 ¹⁴C yr before present (BP), and Ca/Mg mass ratios of the solid peat and very low ash contents indicate a strongly ombrotrophic character throughout the deposit, implying that most of the inorganic fraction has been supplied exclusively by atmospheric inputs. Concentration profiles of Mn, Sr, and Ca suggest a very minor influence of chemical diagenesis in the underlying sediments. Silicon, Ca, Mg, P, S, and K show a strong and extended zone of enrichment in the top 200 cm of the profile, indicating that biological accumulation mechanisms are much more extensive than in temperate peat bogs.In the lower core sections, where the element distribution is dominated solely by past atmospheric deposition, average Al/Ti ratios are similar to the upper continental crust (UCC), whereas Fe is slightly enriched and Si is strongly depleted: this condition favors highly weathered tropical soil dust as the main inorganic mineral source. Significant correlation of Al, Fe, Si, S, Ca, and Ti with the lithophilic elements Y and Zr suggests that the distribution of these elements is controlled by sources of atmospheric mineral dust. The Ca/Mg, Ca/K, and Mg/K ratios of the collected rainwater samples are similar to the global average of continental rainwater and suggest a continental character for the site. This is supported by the similarity of the average concentration of Br, Mg, Ca, and S to that in temperate continental and maritime bogs in Switzerland and Scotland.The concentration profiles of Si, Fe, Al, and Ti show distinct peaks within the profile, implying enhanced dust deposition, reduced rates of peat accumulation, or possibly both owing to climatic changes during the Holocene. Enhanced dust deposition between ∼10,830 and 9060 ¹⁴C yr BP is tentatively interpreted as a Younger Dryas-like event with dust fluxes of ∼10.8 mg/m²/yr. The variations in Al/Ti and Fe/Ti profiles suggest that mineral dust sources have been changing constantly during the Holocene, with local sources being dominant between ∼7820 and 9500 ¹⁴C yr BP and long-range transport (derived most likely from China) being important during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene and from ∼7820 ¹⁴C yr BP to the present.     

The origin of shoshonites: new insights from the Tertiary high-potassium intrusions of eastern Tibet

The shoshonitic intrusions of eastern Tibet, which range in age from 33 to 41 Ma and in composition from ultramafic (SiO₂ = 42 %) to felsic (SiO₂ = 74 %), were produced during the collision of India with Eurasia. The mafic and ultramafic members of the suite are characterized by phenocrysts of phlogopite, olivine and clinopyroxene, low SiO₂, high MgO and Mg/Fe ratios, and olivine forsterite contents of Fo₈₇ to Fo₉₃, indicative of equilibrium with mantle olivine and orthopyroxene. Direct melting of the mantle, on the other hand, could not have produced the felsic members. They have a phenocryst assemblage of plagioclase, amphibole and quartz, high SiO₂ and low MgO, with Mg/Fe ratios well below the values expected for a melt in equilibrium with the mantle. Furthermore, the lack of decrease in Cr with increasing SiO₂ and decreasing MgO from ultramafic to felsic rocks precludes the possibility that the felsic members were derived by fractional crystallization from the mafic members. Similarly, magma mixing, crustal contamination and crystal accumulation can be excluded as important processes. Yet all members of the suite share similar incompatible element and radiogenic isotope ratios, which suggests a common origin and source. We propose that melting for all members of the shoshonite suite was initiated in continental crust that was thrust into the upper mantle at various points along the transpressional Red River-Ailao Shan-Batang-Lijiang fault system. The melt formed by high-degree, fluid-absent melting reactions at high-T and high-P and at the expense of biotite and phengite. The melts acquired their high concentrations of incompatible elements as a consequence of the complete dissolution of pre-existing accessory minerals. The melts produced were quartz-saturated and reacted with the overlying mantle to produce garnet and pyroxene during their ascent. The felsic magmas reacted little with the adjacent mantle and preserved the essential features of their original chemistry, including their high SiO₂, low Ni, Cr and MgO contents, and low Mg/Fe ratio, whereas the mafic and ultramafic magmas are the result of extensive reaction with the mantle. Although the mafic magmas preserved the incompatible element and radiogenic isotope ratios of their crustal source, buffering by olivine and orthopyroxene extensively modified their MgO, Ni, Cr, SiO₂ contents and Mg/Fe ratio to values dictated by equilibrium with the mantle.     

Application of statistical methods to study seasonal variation in the mine contaminants in soil and groundwater of Goa, India

 Soil and groundwater samples were collected during two seasons, premonsoon (April 1990) and postmonsoon (December 1990), and analyzed for major elements (Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, K, Ca, Ti, Mn and Fe), trace elements (Ni, Pb, Co, Cr and Zn) and water parameters (pH, conductivity, acidity, alkalinity, hardness, Cl and SO₄). All the data were subjected to linear discriminant analysis and partial correlation analysis in order to understand the seasonal variation in the data. It was observed from the Mahalanobis generalized distance that in both soil and groundwater samples there was a large difference in the concentration level of premonsoon and postmonsoon data. Linear discriminant functions were calculated to distinguish between premonsoon and postmonsoon samples. From the partial correlation coefficient analysis of soil samples, dominance of chemical weathering and precipitation of atmospheric fallout during monsoon were inferred. In the case of the water samples, high conductivity and high hardness in the postmonsoon samples as well as atmospheric fallout of Pb and Ni during the premonsoon period was suggested from partial correlation of water samples. Received: 19 September 1995 · Accepted: 12 December 1995