Magnesium isotope systematics of the lithologically varied Moselle river basin, France

Magnesium and strontium isotope signatures were determined during different seasons for the main rivers of the Moselle basin, northeastern France. This small basin is remarkable for its well-constrained and varied lithology on a small distance scale, and this is reflected in river water Sr isotope compositions. Upstream, where the Moselle River drains silicate rocks of the Vosges mountains, waters are characterized by relatively high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7128-0.7174). In contrast, downstream of the city of Epinal where the Moselle River flows through carbonates and evaporites of the Lorraine plateau, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios are lower, down to 0.70824.Magnesium in river waters draining silicates is systematically depleted in heavy isotopes (δ²⁶Mg values range from −1.2 to −0.7‰) relative to the value presently estimated for the continental crust and a local diorite (−0.5‰). In comparison, δ²⁶Mg values measured in soil samples are higher (∼0.0‰). This suggests that Mg isotope fractionation occurs during mineral leaching and/or formation of secondary clay minerals. On the Lorraine plateau, tributaries draining marls, carbonates and evaporites are characterized by low Ca/Mg (1.5-3.2) and low Ca/Sr (80-400) when compared to local carbonate rocks (Ca/Mg = 29-59; Ca/Sr = 370-2200), similar to other rivers draining carbonates. The most likely cause of the Mg and Sr excesses in these rivers is early thermodynamic saturation of groundwater with calcite relative to magnesite and strontianite as groundwater chemistry progressively evolves in the aquifer. δ²⁶Mg of the dissolved phases of tributaries draining mainly carbonates and evaporites are relatively low and constant throughout the year (from −1.4‰ to −1.6‰ and from −1.2‰ to −1.4‰, respectively), within the range defined for the underlying rocks. Downstream of Epinal, the compositions of the Moselle River samples in a δ²⁶Mg vs. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr diagram can be explained by mixing curves between silicate, carbonate and evaporite waters, with a significant contribution from the Vosgian silicate lithologies (>70%). Temporal co-variation between δ²⁶Mg and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr for the Moselle River throughout year is also observed, and is consistent with a higher contribution from the Vosges mountains in winter, in terms of runoff and dissolved element flux. Overall, this study shows that Mg isotopes measured in waters, rocks and soils, coupled with other tracers such as Sr isotopes, could be used to better constrain riverine Mg sources, particularly if analytical uncertainties in Mg isotope measurements can be improved in order to perform more precise quantifications.     

The Omolon pallasite: Chemical composition,mineralogy, and genetic implications

The chemical composition of mineral components of the Omolon pallasite was determined by neutron-activation. Six types of olivines were distinguished. Four types differ in the abundance of Co relative to Ni of CI chondrites. The fifth and sixth types were distinguished on the basis of REE distribution in them. Both last types are variably enriched in LREE relative to CI chondrites. In terms of Ca content relative to CI chondrite, these six types are subdivided into two groups: low-calcium and high-calcium. The difference in Ca contents can be caused by different cooling rate of the precursor of these olivines. The distribution pattern of siderophile elements in the pallasite metal indicates that a metallic phase experienced chemical transformations since the time of its formation. The analysis of chemical composition of accessory minerals showed that: (1) HREE are accumulated in tridymite; (2) troilite and daubreelite were formed under different temperature conditions; (3) magnetite is the mineral of the outer zone of melting crust. Four fragments with anomalous contents of lithophile elements were found in the pallasites and studied. The unusual chemical composition of phases and high degree of HREE fractionation in the fragments suggest their formation at high temperatures at the early stage of the Solar system evolution. It is assumed that the Omolon pallasite was formed as impact-brecciated mixture of the asteroid core (with composition close to IIIAB group of iron meteorites) and mantle olivine from incompletely differentiated parent body of chondrite composition.     

Lunar materials: Their mineralogy,petrology and chemistry

The manned Apollo 11, 12, 14 and 15 and the automated Luna 16 lunar missions have provided us with lunar rock and regolith (soil) samples from a number of geologically distinct sites. The mare regions were sampled by Apollo 11, 12 and Luna 16, whereas Apollo 14 landed on a terrain with more relief, the Fra Mauro Formation which represents an ejecta blanket from the Imbrian Basin, and Apollo 15 touched down near the lunar highlands. The samples collected consist of a mixture, mainly of basalt, breccia and regolith (soil-particulate matter, generally < 1 cm in size). The basalts show considerable variation in texture, mineralogy and chemistry and probably represent fragments from various parts of relatively thin and extensive lava flows in the maria. The breccias represent regolith material which was indurated to varying degrees by impact events. The regolith is a product of the breakdown, again by impact, of coherent rock masses of basalt and breccia.     

The mineralogy of copper-bearing skarn to the east of the Sungun-Chay river, East-Azarbaidjan, Iran

A calcic copper-bearing skarn zone in East-Azarbaidjan, NW of Iran is located to the east of the Sungun-Chay river. Skarn-type metasomatic alteration and mineralization occurs along the contact between Upper Cretaceous impure carbonates and an Oligo-Miocene Cu-bearing granitoid stock. Both endoskarn and exoskarn are developed along the contact. Exoskarn is the principal skarn zone enclosed by a marmorized and skarnoid–hornfelsic zone. The skarnification process occurred two stages: (1) prograde and (2) retrograde. The prograde stage is temporally and spatially divided into two sub-stages: (a) metamorphic–bimetasomatic (sub-stage I) and (b) prograde metasomatic (sub-stage II). Sub-stage I began immediately after the intrusion of the pluton into the enclosing impure carbonates. Sub-stage II commenced with segregation and evolution of a fluid phase in the pluton and its invasion into fractures and micro-fractures of the marmorized and skarnoid–hornfelsic rocks developed during sub-stage I. The introduction of considerable amounts of Fe, Si and Mg led to the development of substantial amounts of medium- to coarse-grained anhydrous calc-silicates. From texture and mineralogy the retrograde metasomatic stage can be divided into two discrete sub-stages: (a) early (sub-stage III) and (b) late (sub-stage IV). During sub-stage III, the previously formed skarn zones were affected by intense multiple hydro-fracturing phases in the Cu-bearing stock. In addition to Fe, Si and Mg, substantial amounts of Cu, Pb, Zn, along with volatile components such as H₂S and CO₂ were added to the skarn system. Consequently considerable amounts of hydrous calc-silicates (epidote, tremolite–actinolite), sulfides (pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, bornite), oxides (magnetite, hematite) and carbonates (calcite, ankerite) replaced the anhydrous calc-silicates. Sub-stage IV was concurrent with the incursion of relatively low temperature, more highly oxidizing fluids into skarn system, bringing about partial alteration of the early-formed calc-silicates and developing a series of very fine-grained aggregates of chlorite, clay, hematite and calcite.     

The mineralogy of the glaucophane schists and associated rocks from Île de Groix,Brittany, France

Ninety-seven mineral phases consisting of ten chloritoids, fifteen epidotes, sixteen garnets, four sphenes, seven rutiles, seven pyroxenes, thirteen blue amphiboles, two green amphiboles, eleven phengites, two paragonites, a mariposite, seven chlorites, and two specimens of albite were obtained from the metamorphic rocks of Île de Groix, and their chemical, physical, optical and X-ray properties determined. The chloritoids are all optically positive, monoclinic polymorphs with large 2V, moderate refractive indices and characterized by high densities. Their fluorine contents have been used to propose a new upper limit for OHF substitution in the chloritoid structure, suggesting that partial pressure of fluorine might modify the stability of chloritoids from that determined in pure H₂O. The epidotes belong to the Al-Fe epidote series and are epidote sensu stricto. The almandine-rich garnets and the chloromelanites are metastable relics in the glaucophane schists. The grossular contents of the calcareous schist garnets are believed to have become depressed under high CO₂ pressure and the low Tschermak's contents of the pyroxenes are to be explained by equilibria involving epidote at high and low temperature when the Tschermak's components will break down to epidote group minerals. The sphenes contain appreciable amounts of combined water, fluorine substituting for oxygen and aluminium substituting for silicon and titanium. The presence of H₃O⁺ is suspected in a specimen of blue amphibole. The barroisite has a composition between glaucophane and hornblende. On account of its high Fe³⁺ content it is believed to have formed under higher P _{O 2} than the blue amphiboles. The paragonites which occur in the ohloritoid veins are unstable in the potassium-rich aluminous schists. The phengites show a tendency towards sericitic composition due to post-glaucophanisation readjustments under the lower pressure conditions of the greenschist facies. Some of the Fe³⁺ contents of the chlorites are interpreted as due to oxidation of ferrous iron, e.g. 2 [Fe(OH)₂]2FeOOH + H₂. The minerals show strong chemical control of the host rock and their Mn contents are directly related to those of the minerals from which they have evolved through retrogression.Chloritoids and epidotes that are not associated with garnets contain higher amounts of manganese; similarly, the two blue amphiboles with the highest FeMg ratios were obtained from rocks in which garnet has not appeared. It is therefore believed that ottrelite and piemontite would be stable only at the lowest subfacies of the greenschist facies. Also, the ironrich amphiboles must have evolved from low-grade iron-aluminium chlorites, since on the appearance of garnet in a schist iron-aluminium chlorites react with quartz to give almandine and Mg-rich chlorites. The Fe²⁺Mg ratios of the blue amphiboles therefore reflect the grade of the original schist in which the minerals formed.     

The mineralogy and chemical composition of the Woodlawn massive sulphide orebody

The main Woodlawn ore lens is a polymetallic, massive sulphide deposit’ with pyrite the major constituent, variable sphalerite, galena and chalcopyrite, and minor arsenopyrite, tetrahedrite‐tennantite, pyrrhotite and electrum. The silicate gangue minerals are chlorite, quartz, talc and sericitic mica. Other mineralization in the vicinity consists of footwall copper ore in chlorite schist and several smaller massive sulphide lenses. The predominant country rocks are felsic volcanics and shales, with abundant quartz, chlorite and mica, and talc in mineralized zones.

An important textural feature of the massive ore is the fine compositional banding. Bands, which vary in thickness from a few tens of micrometres to several millimetres, are produced by variations in the sulphide content. Post‐depositional metomorphism and minor fracturing have only slightly modified this banding.

Apart from the major element constituents—Pb, Zn, Fe, Cu and S—the ore is characterized by significant (100–1000 ppm) values for Ag, As, Cd, Mn, Sb and Sn, and lower (1–100 ppm) values of Au, Bi, Co, Ga, Hg, Mo, Ni, Tl. In and Ge. Variations in the base‐metal sulphide content, the gangue mineralogy, and trace elements, are used to separate the orebody into hanging‐wall and footwall zones. The hanging‐wall zone shows a more variable trace element content, with higher Tl, Sn, Ni, Mn, Ge and Sb, but lower Ag, Cd, and Mo, than the footwall zone.

In general style of mineralization, mineralogy, and chemistry, the Woodlawn deposit resembles other volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits in eastern Australia, in New Brunswick in Canada, and the Kuroko deposits of Japan.     

The salt composition of rivers in Wrangel Island

Pioneer information about the chemical composition of river water in Wrangel Island has been obtained. It is shown that the water composition reflects the lithogeochemical specifics of primary rocks and ore mineralization. In contrast to many areas of the Russian Far North, river waters of the island are characterized by an elevated background value of total mineralization (i.e., total dissolved solids, TDS) (0.3–2 g/l) and specific chemical type (SO₄-Ca-Mg). This is related to abundance of Late Carboniferous gypsiferous and dolomitic sequences in the mountainous area of the island. It has also been established that the salt composition of some streams is appreciably governed by supergene alterations of the sulfide mineralization associated with the quartz-carbonate vein systems. They make up natural centers of surface water contamination. Waters in such streams are characterized by low pH values (2.4–5.5), high TDS (up to 6–23 g/l) and the SO₄-Mg composition. These waters are also marked by anomalously high concentrations of heavy and nonferrous metals, as well as REE, U, and Th.     

Preliminary investigation of mineralogy,petrology and chemical composition of Qingzhen enstatite chondrite

On September 13, 1976, the Qingzhen enstatite chondrite fell near Qingzhen County, Guizhou Province (26°32′N, 106°28′E). The total mass recovered was 2.6 kg. Phenomena of the meteorite fall were recorded as well. In the present paper some of the significant observations are described. X-ray diffraction analyses and petrologic studies revealed that it is mainly composed of enstatite/clinoenstatite, plagioclase, troilite, kamacite, taenite, quartz and oldhamite. X-ray electron microprobe analyses were performed on orthoenstatite and clinoenstatite. Chemical analysis gave: SiO₂-36.48; Al₂O₃-1.64; TiO₂-0.08; Cr₂O₃-0.28; FeO-0.30; MnO-0.25; MgO-18.19; CaO-1.14; Na₂O-1.06; K₂O-0.11; H₂O⁺-0.47; H₂O^?-0.10; P₂O₅-0.39; FeS-13.35; FeO-22.94; Ni-1.81; Co-0.093; C-0.37; Cu-0.022; Zn-0.027; CaS-0.60; total-99.70 (wt.%). This meteorite has been extremely reduced; all iron is present as FeS and metallic Fe-Ni. The Qingzhen enstatite chondrite is characterized by high ratio, Si/Mg as compared with ordinary chondrites, scarcity of olivine, and enrichment in sulfur and iron. In thin sections, it is observed that round chondrules approximately account for 10–15 per cent, being porphyritic, radial, excentroradial, or excentric fan-shaped. Devitrified chondrules composed of pyroxene were also identified. It is postulated from its mineralogy, chemistry and textural characteristics that the Qingzhen meteorite should be assigned toE ₄ orEH chondrites.     

Chemical weathering in Luzon, Philippines from clay mineralogy and major-element geochemistry of river sediments

Clay mineralogy and major-element geochemistry of 35 surface sediment samples collected in 21 major to moderate rivers of Luzon, Philippines are used to evaluate the present chemical weathering process. The clay mineral assemblage consists mainly of smectite (average 86%) with minor kaolinite (9%) and chlorite (5%) and very scarce illite (1%), and does not show strong island-wide differences. The major element results of both bulk and clay-fraction sediments indicate that the formation of clay minerals is accompanied by leaching of Ca and Na first and of Fe and Mn thereafter during the chemical weathering process. A low-moderate chemical weathering degree of bulk sediments and a moderate-intensive degree of clay-fraction sediments are obtained in Luzon rivers based on proxies of chemical index of alteration (CIA) and smectite crystallinity. It is suggested that the majority of andesitic–basaltic volcanic and sedimentary rocks along with the tectonically active geological setting and sub-tropical East Asian monsoon climate are responsible for the predominance of smectite in the clay mineral assemblage.     

Composition and mineralogy of suspended sediment in the fluvio-estuarine zone of the Loire River, France

The fluvio-tidal transition of suspended sediment in terms of mineralogy and composition in the Loire River drainage basin, the largest French river basin, was investigated in the fluvial zone at Montjean and in the tidal zone at Mauves-Thouaré, for a complete seasonal cycle. At Montjean, where the river experiences unidirectional flow, the composition and mineralogy (especially clays and clay minerals) of river suspended material (RSM) are governed by the river discharge, upstream contributions, climatic conditions and microbiological activities. However, due to reversing tidal and river currents at Thouaré, in the zone of tidal dynamics, these relations are changed. In the downstream direction sand and clay content in the RSM decrease while the silt content increases. Among clay minerals, between these two observation stations, montmorillonite remains constant, kaolinite diminishes, and the other minerals increase downstream. Combustible material (organic) and nitrate (NO₃) contents in the RSM increase whereas the phosphate (PO₄^3-) and CaCO₃ contents decline considerably during transport. At the head of the tidal zone, where the river flow encounters the tidal influence, there is a relatively stationary water mass (tidal slack) where sands, clays, phosphate, carbonate and silica are deposited by physical and chemical processes. Physical sedimentation takes place by simple gravitational deposition (sands), and by sorting and complicated differential settling (clays); chemical sedimentation takes place by precipitation (calcite-CaCO₃; apatite-Ca₅ (PO₄)³ (OH,F,Cl); coagulation of dissolved silica-SiO₂) in connection with seasonal algal bloom and eutrophic events.     

The mineralogy,sulfur-isotope composition and origin of some copper deposits in the Belt Supergroup,Southwest Alberta,Canada

Stratabound Cu mineralization in the Precambrian, red-bed sequences of the Belt-Purcell Supergroup of SW Alberta, Canada is described. Local enrichment of mineralization has been effected by younger Precambrian dioritic intrusions and by hydrothermal activity adjacent to normal faults. Data from mineralogic and sulfur isotope studies suggest that the base metal deposits were originally syngenetic or diagenetic and that they have suffered redistribution and concentration during contact metamorphism and perhaps low grade regional metamorphism. The primary metal-bearing fluids may have been derived by exhalative activity associated with a Precambrian aulacogenic structure which possibly underlies the region.     

The impact of farming on river banks on water quality of the rivers

A study was carried out in a strip of a river in the dry and rainy seasons to assess the effect of farming along river banks on the quality of water in rivers. The results showed that there was an increase in the concentration of nitrate in the water downstream in both the rainy and dry seasons. In both rainy and dry seasons, the total nitrogen in the soil was highest (p<0.01) in the middle section. Significant seasonal differences (p<0.01) were observed for phosphate in water, being higher in the dry season. In the soil, the concentration of phosphate showed significant sectional differences (p<0.01) in the rainy season with the highest concentration observed in the lower section (1.74±0.01mg/l) and the least in the upper section (1.02±0.01g/l). However, in the dry season, the highest concentration was obtained in the middle section (1.69±0.01mg/l) and the least in the upper section (1.15±0.02 mg/l). The results suggest that the farms along the riverbanks have an impact on the water quality of the water in the river. It is therefore recommended that there should be close monitoring of the activities of the farms on riverbanks to minimise their impacts on the natural ecosystems that they interact with. Frequent monitoring of the water quality in the rivers relative to the farming estates should be done.     

The isotopic composition of particulate organic carbon in mountain rivers of Taiwan

Small rivers draining mountain islands are important in the transfer of terrestrial particulate organic carbon (POC) to the oceans. This input has implications for the geochemical stratigraphic record. We have investigated the stable isotopic composition of POC (δ¹³C_org) in rivers draining the mountains of Taiwan. In 15 rivers, the suspended load has a mean δ¹³C_org that ranges from −28.1±0.8‰ to −22.0±0.2‰ (on average 37 samples per river) over the interval of our study. To investigate this variability we have supplemented suspended load data with measurements of POC in bedrock and river bed materials, and constraints on the composition of the terrestrial biomass. Fossil POC in bedrock has a range in δ¹³C_org from −25.4±1.5‰ to −19.7±2.3‰ between the major geological formations. Using coupled δ¹³C_org and N/C we have found evidence in the suspended load for mixing of fossil POC with non-fossil POC from the biosphere. In two rivers outside the Taiwan Central Range anthropogenic land use appears to influence δ¹³C_org, resulting in more variable and lower values than elsewhere. In all other catchments, we have found that 5‰ variability in δ¹³C_org is not controlled by the variable composition of the biomass, but instead by heterogeneous fossil POC.In order to quantify the fraction of suspended load POC derived from non-fossil sources (F_nf) as well as the isotopic composition of fossil POC (δ¹³C_fossil) carried by rivers, we adapt an end-member mixing model. River suspended sediments and bed sediments indicate that mixing of fossil POC results in a negative trend between N/C and δ¹³C_org that is distinct from the addition of non-fossil POC, collapsing multiple fossil POC end-members onto a single mixing trend. As an independent test of the model, F_nf reproduces the fraction modern (F_mod) in our samples, determined from ¹⁴C measurements, to within 0.09 at the 95% confidence level. Over the sampling period, the mean F_nf of suspended load POC was low (0.29 ± 0.02, n = 459), in agreement with observations from other mountain rivers where physical erosion rates are high and fossil POC enters river channels. The mean δ¹³C_fossil in suspended POC varied between −25.2±0.5‰ and −20.2±0.6‰ from catchment to catchment. This variability is primarily controlled by the distribution of the major geological formations. It also covers entirely the range of δ¹³C_org found in marine sediments which is commonly thought to derive from mixing between marine and terrigenous POC. If land-sourced POC is preserved in marine sediments, then changes in the bulk δ¹³C_org observed offshore Taiwan could instead be explained by changes in the onshore provenance of sediment. The range in δ¹³C_org of fossil organic matter in sedimentary rocks exposed at the surface is large and given the importance of these rocks as a source of clastic sediment to the oceans, care should be taken in accounting for fossil POC in marine deposits supplied by active mountain belts.     

A bond-topological approach to theoretical mineralogy: crystal structure, chemical composition and chemical reactions

Here, I describe a theoretical approach to the structure and chemical composition of minerals based on their bond topology. This approach allows consideration of many aspects of minerals and mineral behaviour that cannot be addressed by current theoretical methods. It consists of combining the bond topology of the structure with aspects of graph theory and bond-valence theory (both long range and short range), and using the moments approach to the electronic energy density-of-states to interpret topological aspects of crystal structures. The structure hierarchy hypothesis states that higher bond-valence polyhedra polymerize to form the (usually anionic) structural unit, the excess charge of which is balanced by the interstitial complex (usually consisting of large low-valence cations and (H₂O) groups). This hypothesis may be justified within the framework of bond topology and bond-valence theory, and may be used to hierarchically classify oxysalt minerals. It is the weak interaction between the structural unit and the interstitial complex that controls the stability of the structural arrangement. The principle of correspondence of Lewis acidity–basicity states that stable structures will form when the Lewis-acid strength of the interstitial complex closely matches the Lewis-base strength of the structural unit, and allows us to examine the factors that control the chemical composition and aspects of the structural arrangements of minerals. It also provides a connection between a structure, the speciation of its constituents in aqueous solution and its mechanism of crystallization. The moments approach to the electronic energy density-of-states provides a link between the bond topology of a structure and its thermodynamic properties, as indicated by correlations between average anion coordination number and reduced enthalpy of formation from the oxides for ^[6]Mg _m ^[4] Si _n O_(m+2n) and MgSO₄(H₂O) _n .     

Description and interpretation of the composition of fluid and alteration mineralogy in the geothermal system,at Svartsengi,Iceland

The bulk composition and mineralogy of hydrothermally altered tholeiite, along with the composition and speciation of fluid, have been determined for a well-defined alteration zone at 240°C and 110 bars at Svartsengi, Iceland. Mass balances between the geothermal fluid and altered tholeiite, relative to a seawater/fresh water mixture and unaltered tholeiite, indicate the overall reaction per 1000 cm³ is: 1325 gm plagioclase + 1228 gm pyroxene + 215 gm oxide-minerals break down to form 685 gm chlorite + 636 gm albite + 441 gm quartz + 249 gm epidote + 266 gm calcite + 201 gm oxide-minerals + 15 gm pyrite, requiring an influx of 123 gm CO₂, 10 gm H₂S and 4 gm Na₂O and a release of 57 gm SiO₂, 35 gm FeO, 21 gm CaO, 8 gm MgO and 4 gm K₂O.Principal reactions, deduced from textural evidence, include Na-Ca exchange in plagioclase, precipitation of quartz, calcite and anhydrite, and formation of chlorite and epidote by reactions between groundmass minerals and fluid.Thermodynamic analyses of authigenic minerals and downhole fluid indicate that the fluid maintains a state close to equilibrium with the secondary mineral phases chlorite, epidote, albite, quartz, calcite, prehnite, anhydrite, pyrite and magnetite, whereas remnant primary labradorite and augite are out of equilibrium with the fluid.Water/rock ratios for the system are determined under a variety of assumptions. However, the open nature of the system makes comparisons with experimental and theoretical closed system studies ambiguous.     

Frequency distribution of river bed materials

The size distribution of river bed material plays an important role in the study of fluvial hydraulic processes. It is not always easy to sample the river bed material for the determination of its size distribution, but knowledge of the frequency distribution and of bed material sizes can be used to predict its size distribution. Therefore, data on bed material size distributions of 63 streams from 10 different countries have been analysed to determine the frequency distribution which can be best fitted to them. The log normal distribution cannot be fitted to the bed material mixtures when the entire range of sizes is considered. The method of power transformation is found to normalize these mixtures. Relationships have been proposed between the parameters of the normalization and the stream slope. These relations can be used to predict the size distribution of the river bed material.     

Texture and mineralogy of sediments from the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system in the Bengal Basin, Bangladesh and their environmental implications

 The Bengal basin, Bangladesh, represents one of the most densely populated recent floodplains of the world. The sediment flux through the basin is one of the highest on a global scale. A significant portion of this sediment load find its sink in the basin itself because of its lower elevation and frequent flooding. The textural, mineralogical and chemical nature of the sediments thus have an important bearing on the environmental quality of the basin as well as for the Bay of Bengal. The sediment load of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) river system consists exclusively of fine sand, silt and clay at their lower reaches within the Bengal basin, Bangladesh, and is deposited under uniformly fluctuating, unidirectional energy conditions. The sediments have a close simitarity in grain size with the sediments of the surrounding floodplain. The mineral assemblage is dominated by quartz and feldspars. Illite and kaolinite are the major clay minerals, and occur in almost equal proportion in bed sediments. The heavy mineral assemblage is dominated by unstable minerals which are mostly derived from high-rank metamorphic rocks. The characteristic smaller grain-size, i.e. having large surface-to-mass ratios, and the mineralogy of sediments suggests that they are susceptible to large chemical adsorptive reactions and thus could serve as a potential trap for contaminants. However, the sediments of the GBM river system in the Bengal basin, Bangladesh, shows lower concentration of Pb, Hg and As, and a marginally higher value for Cd as compared to that of standard shale. Considering population density and extensive agricultural practice in the basin, the sediments can in the long run become contaminated. Received: 9 November 1994 · Accepted: 18 June 1996     

The chemical composition of the surface system of Peneos river, Thessaly/Central Greece

 Peneos is the mainstream for the drainage of Thessaly's basin. It contributes significantly in recharging the aquifers, as well as to the direct irrigation water, since there is intense agricultural activity in the basin of Thessaly. The investigation of the hydrochemical conditions of the surface water system of Peneos showed that the chemical composition is related to the lithology of the aquifers of the basin, the anthropogenic influence and the biological activity. The chemical composition of this system changes in time and space. The salinity decreases during the winter period, in contrast to the summer period when it increases drastically. The lower values of TDS appear in the upstream part of the river (95–124 mg/l) whereas downstream, the values of TDS increase significantly (400–632 mg/l). The hydrochemical type Ca-Mg-HCO₃ dominates the largest part of the river while it changes to NA-Cl in the estuary. The concentrations of the dissolved species in the main Peneos river are higher than in the spring waters. Peneos is the most polluted river in Greece. The concentration of the pollutants is higher at the downstream part of the river, but is lower than the accepted upper limits. The use of the surface water of the system of Peneos river for irrigation purposes based on the SAR factor is acceptable because the absorption ratio for Na and salinity are low and medium respectively. Received: 27 October 1997 · Accepted: 21 September 1998     

The geology and mineralogy of the Anuri kimberlite, Nunavut, Canada

The 613±6 Ma Anuri kimberlite is a pipelike body comprising two lobes with a combined surface area of approximately 4–5 ha. The pipe is infilled with two contrasting rock types: volcaniclastic kimberlite (VK) and, less common, hypabyssal kimberlite (HK).

The HK is an archetypal kimberlite composed of macrocrysts of olivine, spinel, mica, rare eclogitic garnet and clinopyroxene with microphenocrysts of olivine and groundmass spinel, phlogopite, apatite and perovskite in a serpentine–calcite–phlogopite matrix. The Ba enrichment of phlogopite, the compositional trends of both primary spinel and phlogopite, as well as the composition of the mantle-derived xenocrysts, are also characteristic of kimberlite. The present-day country rocks are granitoids; however, the incorporation of sedimentary xenoliths in the HK shows that the Archean granitoid basement terrain, at least locally, was capped by younger Proterozoic sediments at the time of emplacement. The sediments have since been removed by erosion. HK is confined to the deeper eastern parts of the Anuri pipe. It is suggested that the HK was emplaced prior to the dominant VK as a separate phase of kimberlite. The HK must have ascended to high stratigraphic levels to allow incorporation of Proterozoic sediments as xenoliths.

Most of the Anuri kimberlite is infilled with VK which is composed of variable proportions of juvenile lapilli, discrete olivine macrocrysts, country rock xenoliths and mantle-derived xenocrysts. It is proposed that the explosive breakthrough of a second batch of kimberlite magma formed the western lobe resulting in the excavation of the main pipe. Much of the resulting fragmented country rock material was deposited in extra crater deposits. Pyroclastic eruption(s) of kimberlite must have occurred to form the common juvenile lapilli present in the VKs. The VK is variable in nature and can be subdivided into four types: volcaniclastic kimberlite breccia, magmaclast-rich volcaniclastic kimberlite breccia, finer grained volcaniclastic kimberlite breccia and lithic-rich volcaniclastic kimberlite breccia. The variations between these subtypes reflect different depositional processes. These processes are difficult to determine but could include primary pyroclastic deposition and/or resedimentation.

There is some similarity between Anuri and the Lac de Gras kimberlites, with variable types of VK forming the dominant infill of small, steep-sided pipes excavated into crystalline Archean basement and sedimentary cover.