桂东北冷源伟晶岩型铷矿成矿地质特征及邻区找矿潜力研究

冷源铷矿是桂东北地区目前发现的规模最大的伟晶岩型铷矿床,产于越城岭岩体西侧加里东期花岗岩体内部的韧性剪切带内。赋矿伟晶岩脉从中心到边缘出现明显岩相分带,依次对称发育浅肉红色硅化钾长石伟晶岩→紫色萤石化钾长石伟晶岩→绿色绢云母化钾长石伟晶岩→白色钾长石伟晶岩。伟晶岩的主要造岩矿物为钾长石、石英和绢云母,在地球化学特征上以高硅[w(SiO2)63.36%]、高铝[w(Al2O314.36%)和富碱[w (K2O+Na2O)11.50%]为特征,归属于碱性过铝质花岗岩类。伟晶岩中的稀有金属成矿元素主要为Rb,典型样品含量介于1883×10-6～2355×10-6,平均含量(2117×10-6)达到铷矿工业品位2倍。伟晶岩中Rb元素含量与K元素含量正相关(r=0.9),指示Rb主要赋存于富钾矿物中(钾长石和绢云母)。在与冷源邻近的同禾、瓜里等伟晶岩脉密集区,伟晶岩中Rb元素含量大多都超过了圈定铷矿的边界品位,甚至部分伟晶岩脉中Rb含量达到了铷矿的工业品位,指示在桂东北越城岭西侧一带均有继续寻找伟晶岩型铷矿的良好找矿潜力。     

华南不同成因花岗质岩石中钾长石的结构态

自然界长石的Al/Si有序程度是岩石形成条件的客观反映,它引起岩石学者的广泛兴趣。用X射线粉晶衍射法研究花岗质岩石中钾长石的Al/Si有序程度是一种简便而又迅速的方法。本文采用Al在钾长石的四种四面体位置中的占位率,即t_1o、t_1m、t_2o和t_2m,指示钾长石的Al/Si有序度。这些数值比通常采用的三斜度△_(131)或δ指数更直接反映长石中Al、Si的     

斜长石中Al、Si有序的测量图解

三个干燥加热斜长石的分析晶格参数表明,它们具有像合成斜长石那样“高”的有序度。它们的晶体结构分析证明,在过渡成分的高温斜长石中,具有一种意想不到的 Al、Si 有序度(Kroll 1978)。特别是 An27.8(于1160℃加热22天),在 T_1O 四面体位置有 t_1o—0.4Al,其它三个位置各自具有 t_1o—0.3Al[即〈t_1m〉=1/3(t_1m t_2O t_2m)—0.3Al。An52(于1255℃加热29天),具有 t_1o—0.48.Al,〈t_1m〉—0.35Al。An68.7(于1365℃加热42天),具有 t_1o—0.52Al,〈t_1m〉—0.39Al。这些数据需要用测量斜长石中 Al,Si 分配的图解,根据人们熟知的△131=20(131)—20(1 )参数以及晶格角γ进行估算。用△131和γ作为钙长石分子百分比的函数作图,并绘制 t_1o—〈t_1m〉图。用γ绘制的图可得到比较精确的结果,如果斜长石中正长石含量尚不知道的话,应使用这种图,但是晶格参数必须慎重地精选.△131值的测定是要容易得多,利用它确定结构状态的精确度却稍许差一些,但是要求正长石的含量必须是已知的.此外,如果不同样品的 t_1o—〈t_1m〉值对比较是富有意义的,还要求必须修正钙长石含量对△131的影响.     

应用X射线荧光光谱-电感耦合等离子体质谱法研究湖南传梓源地区稀有金属矿床伟晶岩地球化学特征

本文利用X射线荧光光谱和电感耦合等离子体质谱分析技术对传梓源地区锂辉石伟晶岩、钠长石伟晶岩和钾长石伟晶岩开展研究,获得三种类型伟晶岩地球化学特征。锂辉石伟晶岩具高Al2O3(16.23%~16.4%)、高K2O(3.05%~5.22%)和高分异指数(DI=91.13~94.9),微量元素富集Rb、K而亏损Ba、Sr、Ti,稀土元素含量低(ΣREEs=2.9×10-6~3.5×10-6);钠长石伟晶岩富Na2O(5.58%~7.41%)而贫K2O(0.98%~2.62%),微量元素Rb/Sr值相对于锂辉石伟晶岩呈降低变化而稀土元素为升高变化;钾长石伟晶岩富K2O(9.13%)而贫Na2O(1.69%),微量元素Zr/Hf和K/Rb值相对于锂辉石伟晶岩和钠长石伟晶岩呈升高变化的特征。表明岩浆在演化过程中发生了不混溶作用、钠长石交代作用和钾长石交代作用,分别形成了Li、Rb矿化锂辉石伟晶岩,Nb、Ta、Be矿化钠长石伟晶岩和无矿化钾长石伟晶岩,这些地球化学特征是稀有金属矿床找矿地球化学标志。     

新疆可可托海矿区小虎斯特91号脉中云母类矿物学特征与地质意义

以小虎斯特91号伟晶岩脉中的不同结构带及蚀变围岩、交代岩、锂云母细脉中云母矿物为研究对象,通过电子探针(EMPA)和激光剥蚀等离子体质谱(LA-ICP-MS)对各结构带不同产状的云母进行主微量成分分析.研究表明,91号脉从围岩蚀变带、伟晶岩边缘带、外侧带、中间带到核部带,依次发育黑云母、白云母、富锂白云母和锂云母,伟晶岩中云母类矿物显示由白云母向锂云母演化趋势.Li在白云母和富锂云母(锂白云母和锂云母)中的置换机制不同,分别可能为2SiⅣ+ LiⅥ(←→)3A1Tot和Si+Li(←→)AlTot+Fe (Zn,Mn,Mg)(白云母)和3LiⅥ(←→)AlⅥ+ 2□Ⅵ(富锂云母,□代表空位).小虎斯特91号伟晶岩脉经历了岩浆-热液的演化过程,随着演化进行,云母中K/Rb、Mg/Li比值显著降低,Li、Rb、Cs、F含量显著增大,指示分离结晶作用是晚期熔体相Li、Rb、Cs、F富集的主要机制.但云母类矿物的主、微量元素特征显示小虎斯特91号脉岩浆-热液过渡阶段特征不明显,伟晶岩演化很快由正岩浆阶段转化为热液阶段.     

铜绿山Fe-Cu(Au)矽卡岩矿床花岗伟晶岩及其文象结构的成因:来自钾长石40Ar/39Ar年龄、微量元素和石英中流体包裹体的证据

铜绿山Fe-Cu(Au)矿床是长江中下游铁铜成矿带最重要的矽卡岩型矿床之一,矿床的形成与铜绿山石英闪长岩岩株有关.矿区东南部发育有花岗伟晶岩,其形成时间介于石英闪长岩和矽卡岩之间.花岗伟晶岩主要由钾长石、斜长石和石英组成;由石英和钾长石组成的文象结构非常发育.激光阶段加热40Ar/39Ar定年表明,花岗伟晶岩的侵位时间为136.5±0.7 Ma(2σ),与石英闪长岩的侵位时代和铜绿山矿床的成矿时代完全一致. 铜绿山石英闪长岩与花岗伟晶岩的钾长石具有非常相似的主量元素,平均组成分别为Or₈₁Ab₁₈和Or₇₈Ab₂₁.根据岩相学观察和地球化学分析认为,花岗伟晶岩中的文象结构是在快速冷却体系条件下、钾长石晶体生长边界层的SiO₂和Al₂O₃浓度因生长不平衡发生周期性变化而导致石英和钾长石交替生长形成的.铜绿山石英闪长岩和花岗伟晶岩中钾长石的大离子亲石元素(LILE)含量均较高,但与前者相比,花岗伟晶岩中钾长石的Rb、Pb含量明显增加,Ba、Sr含量显著降低,Li、Cs含量略微降低.大离子亲石元素图解(Rb-Ba、La-Ba、K/Ba-Ba、Rb/Sr-Ba)指示花岗伟晶岩是铜绿山石英闪长岩岩浆晚期高度结晶分异演化的结果.但花岗伟晶岩钾长石中Pb、Li、Ga等元素的变化却与岩浆结晶分异演化趋势相悖,表明流体作用在花岗伟晶岩的形成过程中扮演了重要角色.花岗伟晶岩中的石英发育大量熔融包裹体和高盐度流体包裹体,后者的均一温度为260~435 ℃,进一步证实花岗伟晶岩是从流体-熔体共存体系中结晶的.      

阿尔泰可可托海3号脉伟晶岩型稀有金属矿床云母和长石的矿物学研究及意义

可可托海3号脉伟晶岩型稀有金属矿床是阿尔泰造山带产出的规模最大的伟晶岩脉,其完美的同心环状结构分带举世闻名。云母和长石作为3号脉9个结构带的贯通性矿物,由外向内表现不同的结构和成分特征。其中,云母由白云母系列向锂云母系列演化,白云母呈黄-绿色中细粒→白色或绿色中粗粒-巨晶→白色或绿色书状集合体→白色或绿色中粗粒-巨晶,锂云母呈玫瑰紫中细粒鳞片状或楔状集合体,BSE图像下云母表现出成分分带及不平衡和交代结构;长石主要为钾长石和钠长石,及少量斜长石,钾长石主要呈块体产出,钠长石呈细粒→叶片状→薄片状产出。本次研究通过电子探针(EMPA)和激光剥蚀等离子质谱(LA-ICP-MS)获得3号脉各结构带云母和长石的主微量成分。3号脉云母具有高Li(249×10^-6~35932×10^-6)、Rb(1240×10^-6~22825×10^-6)、Cs(35.9×10^-6~13980×10^-6)、Ta(13.3×10^-6~447×10^-6)含量、低K/Rb值(4.23~59.4)和K/Cs值(6.53~2368),钾长石具有低K/Rb值(35.4~1865),且由外向内,随K/Rb值降低,云母的Li、Rb、Cs、F、Ta含量升高,表明3号脉是一个由外向内结晶的分异演化程度较高的伟晶岩脉。另外,连续相邻结构带中云母和长石的主微量成分呈振荡变化,该现象主要受熔体不混溶过程的控制,也受矿物结晶不平衡影响,而熔体不混溶过程也是控制3号脉结构分带的机制之一。外部带(I-IV带)和内部带(V-VIII带)的云母和碱性长石在成分(FeO、Li、Rb、Cs、F、Ta含量和K/Rb值及K/Cs值)和结构(不平衡和交代结构)上具有明显差异,内部带演化程度明显加大,流体组分比例升高,表明体系由以熔体为主的阶段(外部带)进入以熔流体为主相对不稳定的阶段(外部带)。结合野外观察的证据,促使体系在IV带和V带间发生突然转变而进入熔流体阶段的是一个泄压事件。     

LCT型伟晶岩及其锂矿床成因概述

花岗伟晶岩具有与低共熔花岗岩相似的矿物和化学组成,通常与高分异花岗岩具有成因联系。花岗伟晶岩划分为富Li-Cs-Ta (LCT)、富Nb-Y-F (NYF)和混合的LCT+NYF型,其中LCT型伟晶岩以过铝质,富集助熔组分(H₂O、F、P、B)、稀有元素(Li、Rb、Cs、Nb、Ta、Be、Sn),极其低的Nb/Ta比值(<5)为特征。通常LCT型伟晶岩显示内部分带,主要包括边界带、壁带、中间带和核部带;此外,可能还发育交代体、层状细晶岩和晶洞。大多数LCT型伟晶岩形成与(同造山)-晚造山的过铝质S型、I型或混合的S+I型花岗岩具有成因联系。对于壳源沉积岩小比例部分熔融直接形成的伟晶岩,通常形成于伸展背景下的晚造山和造山后阶段,侵入于典型的低压角闪岩-高绿片岩相的变沉积岩中。伟晶岩外带(包括边缘带、壁带、细晶岩)中的细粒和细晶岩结构、UST (单向固结结构)是液相线过冷所致,而伟晶岩内带(中间带、核部带)中粗大矿物形成、矿物分带以及稀有金属矿物的饱和结晶是助熔组分(H₂O、B、P、F)、稀有金属(Li、Rb、Cs、Be、Nb、Ta)通过...     

湖南仁里稀有金属矿田206号锂辉石伟晶岩脉地球化学特征及成矿时代

湖南仁里稀有金属矿田是中国近年来新发现的一处重要的花岗伟晶岩型铌、钽、锂等稀有金属矿产地,文章针对矿田含锂伟晶岩地球化学特征、成矿时代及其与花岗岩的关系,选取传梓源锂铌钽矿床内规模最大的206号锂辉石伟晶岩脉开展地球化学和白云母Ar-Ar定年工作,并与区内其他伟晶岩、花岗岩的地球化学特征、成岩时代对比分析.传梓源206号锂辉石伟晶岩属高分异稀有金属伟晶岩,形成时代为(135.4±1.4)Ma,岩石地球化学表现为高硅、高铝、低钙、相对富碱、钙碱性及过铝质特征;稀土元素总量很低,以轻稀土元素为主;微量元素富集Cs、Rb、U、Ta、Nb、Zr、Hf,相对亏损Ba、Ti,Zr/Hf、Nb/Ta比值低且集中.幕阜山地区稀有金属成矿可分为2期:第1期稀有金属成矿时代约145 Ma,与燕山早期岩浆活动有关;第2期稀有金属成矿时代135～125 Ma,为主成矿期,该期稀有金属伟晶岩与燕山晚期的二云母二长花岗岩存在成因联系,两者为同源岩浆连续结晶分异过程中不同阶段的产物.稀有金属富集成矿经历了岩浆-热液两阶段作用,Be、Nb、Ta、Li、Rb、Cs等稀有元素的富集多发生于岩浆结晶分异晚期,热液作用使Ta、Li、Rb、Cs再次富集.     

福建南平花岗伟晶岩及其围岩中云母的矿物学研究

白云母作为造岩矿物之一，广泛分布于南平各类伟晶岩中。随着伟晶岩类型的变化，白云母的产状、物理性质、结构、化学成分等均发生有规律的变化．特别是在Ⅳ类型伟晶岩中，白云母Rb、Cs含量的明显增高，指示了该类伟晶岩具有良好的稀有金属矿化。另外，Ⅳ类型伟晶岩夹层中发育的铝黑鳞云母，它是由变质岩系中的黑云母蚀变而来，其Rb、Cs含量更高，也是寻找稀有金属伟晶岩特征的标型矿物．     

Wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometric determination of Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in komatiites

Komatiites are mantle-derived ultramafic volcanic rocks. Komatiites have been discovered in several States of India, notably in Karnataka. Studies on the distribution of trace-elements in the komatiites of India are very few. This paper proposes a simple, accurate, precise, rapid, and non-destructive wavelength-dispersive x-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometric technique for determining Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in komatiites, and discusses the accuracy, precision, limits of detection, x-ray spectral-line interferences, inter-element effects, speed, advantages, and limitations of the technique. The accuracy of the technique is excellent (within 3%) for Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th and very good (within 4%) for Y. The precision is also excellent (within 3%) for Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th. The limits of detection are: 1 ppm for Sc and V; 2 ppm for Cr, Co, and Ni; 3 ppm for Cu, Zn, Rb, and Sr; 4 ppm for Y and Zr; 6 ppm for Nb; 10 ppm for Ba; 13 ppm for Pb; and 14 ppm for Th. The time taken for determining Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in a batch of 24 samples of komatiites, for a replication of four analyses per sample, by one operator, using a manual WDXRF spectrometer, is only 60 hours.     

硅酸盐类样品中硅、铁、铝、钛、锰、钙、镁、钾、钠和磷的x射线荧光光谱测定

本文拟定了一种以熔融法制备样片,用X射线荧光光谱测定硅酸盐类样品中Si、Fe、Al、Tj、Mn、Ca、Mg、K、Na、P等元素的分析方法。在对不同靶材X光管和分光晶体实验对比的基础上,选择了最佳的测量条件。该法具有快速、准确,测量范围广,检测限低,价格便宜等优点。经过近百个各种类型标样或管理样品的分析对比表明,本法不仅适用于硅酸盐类岩石样品的分析,还适用于铁矿、铝土矿、碳酸盐类岩矿样品以及水泥、耐火材料等样品的分析。     

高压微波消解法测定醋酸纤维过滤器采集的微尘粒子中的砷镉钴铬铜铁锰镍铅钒锌

最新的流行病学研究表明,空气中较高浓度的悬浮细颗粒可能对人类的健康有不利的影响。根据该项研究显示,由于心脏病、慢性呼吸问题和肺功能指标恶化而导致死亡率的升高与细尘粒子有关。这些研究结果已经促使欧盟于1999年4月出台了限制空气中二氧化硫、二氧化氮、氧化氮、铅和颗粒物含量的法案(1999/30/EC),对各项指标包括对可吸入PM10颗粒的浓度提出了新的限制性指标。PM10颗粒是指可以通过预分级器分离采集的气体动力学直径小于10μm的细颗粒。目前研究的兴趣重点逐步偏向PM2.5这些更细微颗粒物,PM2.5这种颗粒物对健康有明显的不利影响。在欧盟指令2008/50/EC中,对PM10和PM2.5都提     

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.     

Viscous, cohesive, non-Newtonian, depositing, radial slurry flow

Mining induced subsidence can significantly affect mining costs where major surface facilities and natural environment need to be protected. Overburden grout injection is a technology used to control coal mine subsidence by injecting the mine waste material extracted from the coal back into the inter-burden rock during longwall mining. The flowing slurry is here categorised as a nonlinear viscous cohesive (Bingham plastic) fluid. During longwall mining the grout slurry is pumped into the separated beds of the rock mass through a central vertical borehole, which is drilled deep into the inter-burden rock strata above the coal seam. However, a blockage can occur in the injection system when the slurry velocity falls below a certain critical threshold velocity, indicating a material phase change from cohesive-viscous to cohesive-frictional. In situ field injection tests through boreholes have been simulated at a smaller scale at the CSIRO laboratory in Brisbane by pumping the slurry through a radial disk (gap = 4 mm) from its centre. Laboratory experiments indicate a general, nonlinear, cohesive, viscous, frictional model for shear behaviour of the slurry, in which the material shear parameters are functions of the disk radial distance. Complete dimensional and dimensionless analytical solutions have been developed based on an approach related to Bingham–Herschel–Bulkley fluid mechanics. The derived formulae include relations for minimum pump pressure, local pressure and pressure gradient, wall shear stress, volume rate, velocity and velocity gradient. The theoretical results match the experimental measurements. The experiments covered slurries with maximum particle sizes of 0.5 to 2 mm with about 50% being larger than 100 µm. The viscosities at the various solids concentrations were measured with a standard torsion viscometer. This study differs from the previous research in several distinct aspects, namely, consideration of the variable shear parameters rather than fixed values, inclusion of total nonlinear behaviour, and implementation of a friction function to mimic behaviour of the deposited and consolidating stiff slurry, which can cause a significant pressure rise as a result of the increased shear resistance.     

硅酸盐中铁、锰、钛、钙、钾、磷、硅、铝、镁、钠、锶、铷、钡的X-射线荧光光谱定量测定

本文介绍样品经四硼酸锂熔融制成玻璃小饼。采用Lachance模式和理论a系数来校正元素间的效应,由3080E型X-射线荧光谱仪和DF-350B数据处理系统完成硅酸盐中十三个项目的测定。     

岩石密度和超高压岩石折返速率

在常温常压条件下对中国大陆科学钻CCSD主孔100-3000米岩心样品进行了密度测量,建立了密度连续剖面,并界定了不同超高压岩石的密度值。通过对比高温高压物性实验资料,岩石密度随着退变程度增强而降低,榴辉岩密度变化序列为3.52g/cm3→3.49g/cm3→3.07g/cm3→2.93g/cm3。超高压长英质岩石密度变化序列为3.00g/cm→2.80g/cm3→2.65g/cm3。上述实验资料是讨论不同折返阶段岩石所受浮力的基础,为研究折返速率大小提供了基本参数。本文通过折返板块运动平衡时,上浮力与粘滞力平衡这一关系式,定量研究了大陆俯冲板块的折返速率,认为密度差产生上浮力从而引起折返,温度对板块折返速率的影响最为显著;密度差大小、折返角度、折返板块大小对折返速率也有直接的影响。定量模拟分析表明,在温度高于850℃时,板块的折返速率可以超过100mm/a;当温度降至700℃时,折返速率则低于1.5mm/a。作者认为在折返早期,温度较高,板块快速折返至60-70km榴辉岩相深度;随着传导散热,温度降低,板块以较慢的速率折返至中下地壳。折返速率的估算表明,浮力是板块折返第一阶段(从>100km深部折返至<40km的中下地壳)的主要驱动力。     

Mercury,arsenic, antimony,and selenium contents of sediment from the Kuskokwim River,Bethel, Alaska,USA

The Kuskokwim River at Bethel, Alaska, drains a major mercury-antimony metallogenic province in its upper reaches and tributaries. Bethel (population 4000) is situated on the Kuskokwim floodplain and also draws its water supply from wells located in river-deposited sediment. A boring through overbank and floodplain sediment has provided material to establish a baseline datum for sediment-hosted heavy metals. Mercury (total), arsenic, antimony, and selenium contents were determined; aluminum was also determined and used as normalizing factor. The contents of the heavy metals were relatively constant with depth and do not reflect any potential enrichment from upstream contaminant sources.     

滇东南花岗岩与锡、银、铜、铅、锌多金属矿床的成因关系

滇东南锡、银、铅、锌多金属矿床主要分布在个旧、白牛厂、都龙3个矿区,而滇东南较大的3个花岗岩体又分别出露在3个矿区或附近.花岗岩体均形成于燕山晚期,岩石化学、矿物成分相似,富含锡、银、铅、锌、钨、铜等成矿元素.矿床主金属元素组合与岩体之间的距离由远而近出现由锡、钨、(铍、铌、钽)→锡、钨、(铁)、铜、铟→锡、铅、锌、银、铟、(锑)有规律的变化.花岗岩浆是成矿物质来源和成矿热源.岩浆侵入初期使上覆地层隆起产生背斜(凹陷部位成向斜);同时使地层产生一系列裂隙、压性断层或层间断裂;岩浆侵入晚期,这些断层再次活动,表现为张性,岩浆产生的含矿热液沿由其活动所造成的断裂迁移、充填、交代、沉淀而形成矿床.     

Bellechester,Minnesota, USA,lagoon collapses

Bellechester, Minnesota, is a small community of approximately 155 residents located on the county line between Goodhue and Wabasha counties in southeast Minnesota's karst region. Bellechester is served by a 21-year-old wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) consisting of three waste-stabilization ponds. On 28 April 1992 six sinkholes were discovered to have drained cell 2 of the WWTF resulting in the loss of approximately 8.7×10⁶ 1 of partially treated effluent and about 600 m³ of soil into previously undetected subsurface voids of unknown dimensions. In the week following the collapse, approximately 200 water wells located within a 5-km radius of the WWTF were sampled in an after-the-fact, emergency sampling program. Twelve samples with elevated fecal coliform levels, 18 samples with nitrate-nitrogen greater than the 10 mg/1 standard, and no samples with elevated chlorides were found. However, the elevated levels could not be unambiguously attributed to the WWTF collapse. This is the third WWTF to fail by sinkhole collapse in southeast Minnesota since 1974. All three collapsed lagoons have been located in similar geomorphic and stratigraphic settings. However, at least two lagoons have collapsed in the adjacent area in northeast Iowa, and these lagoons are located at different stratigraphic positions. Twenty-two WWTFs constructed in southeast Minnesota's karst region in the last 25 years have been identified as subject to potential sinkhole collapse. An unknown but significant number of manure storage lagoons, flood control structures, etc., have also been constructed in the karst region and are at risk. Public agencies are beginning to develop plans to deal with the risk associated with existing and future waste lagoons in this environment. The critical hydrogeologic parameters that can be used to prioritize the risk of collapse at existing facilities include: (1) the lithology of the first bedrock beneath each lagoon, (2) the thickness of surficial materials between the lagoon and the bedrock surface, (3) the presence and construction of liners (seepage rate), and (4) the proximity to existing sinkholes.