Concentration mechanisms of iron oxides and alumina in deep weathering crusts (Goshikidai, Kagawa, Western Japan)

Concentration of Fe-oxides and alumina in weathering processes are main geological reactions for lateritization and bauxitization, respectively. In western Japan, red-coloured soil formed by weathering processes developed in many places. This soil is composed of hydrous Fe-oxide minerals, hydrous alumina minerals and other minerals. It was formed in the upper part of deep weathering crust by weathering processes under some kind of sub-tropical climate, probably in the Pliocene. One of these occurrences is observed in the upper part of Goshikidai and Konodai, west part of Takamatsu city, northeast Shikoku Island, west Japan. A deep weathering crust is distributed on wide hilly plains ranging from 250 to 400 m a.m.s.l. in the northwestern region of Takamatsu city. Original rock of the weathering crust is bronzite andesite and glassy bronzite andesite, so-called ‘sanukite’. The andesites had been weathered under some special climate, and the geological age of the weathering is the same as above. The mineral assemblage and formation mechanism are similar to those of laterite and bauxite. The weathering crust developing in this region are subdivided into the three following zones: (1) A zone, composed of hydrous Fe-oxides and metahalloysite with small amounts of gibbsite and it is associated with white veins of metahalloysite; (2) B zone, composed of hydrous Fe-oxides and metahalloysite (some material is associated with -cristobalite); and C zone, composed of metahalloysite or halloysite and -cristobalite with relict crystals of feldspar and quartz, and some material is associated with montmorillonite. Chemical analyses of the materials of the three zones show the formation mechanisms of the weathering crust.     

敦煌莫高窟玉门组砂砾岩风化特征研究

风化是引起莫高窟围岩（砂砾岩）破坏的一种重要病害,严重影响莫高窟的长期保存。为研究莫高窟玉门组砂砾岩的风化特征,选取莫高窟南侧一处崖体为试验点,采用逐层剥离的方法,分别在距崖体侧表面0cm、3cm、5cm、8cm及10cm深度处进行现场声波测试、回弹测试并取样进行X-射线衍射试验和易溶盐试验。试验结果表明:莫高窟围岩在风化作用下强度降低,现场声波测试和回弹测试结果均随着开挖深度的增加而不断升高;砂砾岩胶结物的主要矿物为石英、方解石、长石、白云石、石膏等,主要黏土矿物是绿泥石;其可溶盐主要包括Na₂SO₄、NaCl、CaSO₄等。同时结合气象数据及试验结果,分析了影响岩体风化的主要因素,初步讨论了岩体的风化机理,包括:（1）温度应力引起岩体结构破坏和裂隙发育;（2）胶结物中的主要矿物方解石易于发生水化作用,转化成易溶的Ca（HCO₃）₂,发生迁移,破坏岩体的胶结结构;（3）盐风化也是岩体风化的一个重要方式,Na₂SO₄、CaSO₄等可溶盐在水汽作用下发生溶解、结晶及水合作用,体积膨胀,对孔隙壁产生较大压力,致使岩体颗粒之间联结减弱,结构破坏,裂隙发育。     

广西某地花岗岩风化壳中稀土元素特征与iREE矿床成矿机制

为了解风化壳中离子交换相稀土元素的特征,对广西某地花岗岩风化壳剖面样品进行了X射线衍射及主量、稀土元素地球化学特征的研究.剖面自上而下可划分为腐殖土层(A₁)、亚粘土层(A₂)、网纹状风化层(B₁)和全风化层(B₂);自A₁至B₂,粘土矿物的含量和化学风化蚀变指数快速降低;与母岩相比A₁、A₂、B₁中全相Ce、Nd和HREE相对富集,B₂中全相稀土与母岩特征相似,所有样品的离子交换相HREE亏损,Y相对富集;离子交换相轻、重稀土一起富集在B₂中.据此推测,花岗岩中褐帘石、榍石等易风化的稀土矿物为离子交换相稀土提供了主要的物源,锆石、磷钇矿等难风化的稀土矿物的残留及表生稀土矿物的形成使全相HREE相对富集;离子交换相轻、重稀土元素的分馏程度随风化程度的增加而变化.      

Geochemical mass balance and weathering rates of ultramafic schists in Amazonia

The hydrochemical balance of the Yaou catchment in French Guiana was determined over a period of 1 year, combined with a detailed characterization of the primary minerals and their weathering products, in order to estimate ultramafic rock weathering rates in a rainforest environment. The time required to develop the main horizons of the laterite profile was obtained from estimations of the weathering rates and dissolution kinetics of some major parent minerals (chlorite, serpentine, biotite, calcite).

The specific transport of solute matter in the catchment is 205 kg/ha/a. The Cl and NO₃ net outputs shows that the system is in dynamic equilibrium, notably with respect to the biomass reservoir. The output flux of Mg in solution is mainly supplied from the weathering of primary minerals, whereas that of Ca comes both from atmospheric contributions and from the dissolution of carbonates. The fluxes of K and, more particularly, Na derive essentially from the atmosphere. Knowing the weathering rate of primary minerals, the total CO₂ consumption rate by silicate weathering is estimated at 1430 mol/ha/a.

The weathering rates of chlorite, serpentine and biotite range from 18 to 65 mol/ha/a, and those of talc and calcite are, respectively 51 and 153 mol/ha/a. Weathering rates normalized to mineral modal proportions give a decreasing order of stability resistance to weathering (calcitebiotitechlorite>serpentine>talc) that agrees with their vertical distribution in the weathering profile. The dissolution kinetics of chlorite, biotite and serpentine, expressed in relation to the Si release rate, were calculated using estimations of the mineral exchange surface by (a) optical microscope image processing of crystal outlines, and (b) BET specific surface measurements. The release rate of Si, computed for biotite, chlorite and serpentine, ranges around 10⁻¹³ and 10⁻¹⁴ mol/m²/s using microscope images on particle sizes. The estimated dissolution kinetics is two orders of magnitude lower when using the BET measured exchange surface, which is 100 times larger.

The saprolitization rate, calculated from the weathering rates of calcite, chlorite and biotite, is on average 7.5 m/Ma. The rate of latosol development, calculated from the weathering rate of serpentine at the saprolite–latosol interface, is estimated at 4.5 m/Ma. That means that the profile is chemically thickening at a rate of 3 m/Ma.     

Compositional diversity among Late Devonian peraluminous granitoid intrusions in the Meguma Zone of Nova Scotia, Canada

Late Devonian (385−370 Ma) granitoid intrusions in the Meguma Zone of southwestern Nova Scotia represent two geographically separate magmatic suites that show subtly different lithological, geochemical and isotopic characteristics. “Central intrusions” crop out with satellite mafic-intermediate intrusions, range in composition from granodiorite to leucogranite, contain two micas, have exclusively peraluminous compositions (molar A/CNK 1.1-1.3), variably high values for FeO_T (0.4–6.0 wt.%), Ba (5–980 ppm), Y (6–50 ppm), Pb (2–50 ppm), Ga (11–53 ppm), ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i (0.7081-0.7130), δ¹⁸O (9.8–13.0) and δ³⁴S (4.5–11.9), in conjunction with low values for εNd (−1 to −6.5). In contrast, “peripheral plutons” crop out with synplutonic mafic-intermediate intrusions, range in composition from tonalite to leucogranite, may contain minor hornblende, have dominantly peraluminous compositions (molar A/CNK 0.9-1.3), variably high concentrations of TiO₂ (0.1-1.1 wt.%), Al₂O₃ (12.0–19.7 wt.%), CaO (0.2–4.9 wt.%), Sr (7–720 ppm), Cr (3–111 ppm) and V (1–136 ppm), higher εNd values (−2.0 to 3.2), and lower values for ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i (0.7040-0.7079), δ¹⁸⁸O (7.6–10.5) and δ³⁴S (0–4.6). Such regional diversity is explained by inferring that upper crustal contamination dominated the central granitoid compositions and mixing with mantle-derived mafic-intermediate magmas dominated peripheral granitoid compositions. However, additional contributions from heterogeneous lower crust cannot be excluded.     

含钾岩石微生物转化的分子机制及其碳汇效应

岩石矿物的微生物风化是地球表层系统最为活跃和普遍发生的地质营力之一。微生物对含钾岩石(以硅酸盐矿物为主)的风化能够释放其中的钾、硅和钙等元素,并在合适的环境条件下促进矿物元素的碳酸化沉淀,这是地表元素地球化学循环的重要环节之一。微生物对岩石的生物转化作用既涉及微生物的生长繁殖和代谢调控,也与元素的迁移转化和次生矿物的演化序列有关,具有重要研究价值。采用矿物学、微生物学和分子生物学等相结合的研究方法,有助于系统地研究微生物促进含钾硅酸盐矿物的风化并耦联碳酸化过程及其分子调控机制。研究证实,在纯培养条件下,微生物风化含钾矿物主要采用酸解、螯合、氧化还原等多种方式的协同作用,并可通过调控相关功能基因的表达来响应缺钾的环境以实现其对含钾矿物的有效风化,显然这有赖于微生物通过长期进化而形成的精细的分子调控机制。在土壤生态环境中,微生物对矿物风化的显著特征是该生态环境中微生物群落协同互作的群体作用效应。微生物碳酸酐酶参与的硅酸盐矿物风化伴随碳酸盐矿物的形成过程可能是个长期被忽视的地表碳增汇过程,对该问题的深入探索有助于进一步理解地质演化历史中微生物对碳素迁移转化的驱动机制。加入含钾硅酸盐矿粉的有机肥已经显示出其在土壤改良、作物生长和增加土壤碳汇等方面的正面应用效果,这为利用硅酸盐矿物的生物风化作用来延缓大气CO₂浓度的持续升高提供了新的思路。介绍了有关微生物对含钾岩石生物转化释放钾素的分子机理及其碳汇效应方面的研究进展,以期抛砖引玉,推动该领域研究的快速发展。     

Fractal models for the fragmentation of rocks and soils: a review

Fragmentation, the process of breaking apart into fragments, is caused by the propagation of multiple fractures at different length scales. Such fractures can be induced by dynamic crack growth during compressive/tensile loading or by stress waves during impact loading. Fragmentation of rocks occurs in resoonse to tectonic activity, percussive drilling, grinding and blasting. Soil fragmentation is the result of tillage and planting operations. Fractal theory, which deals with the scaling of hierarchical and irregur systems, offers new opportunities for modeling the fragmentation process. This paper reviews the literature on fractal models for the fragmentation of heterogeneous brittle earth materials. Fractal models are available for the fragmentation of: (1) classical aggregate; (2) aggregates with fractal pore space; and (3) aggregates with fractal surfaces. In each case, the aggregates are composed of building blocks of finite size. Structural failure is hierarchical in nature and takes place by multiple fracturing of the aggregated building blocks. The resulting number-size distribution of fragments depends on the probability of failure, P(1/bⁱ) at each level in the hierarchy. Models for both scale-invariant and scale-dependent are reviewed. In the case of scale-invariant P(1/bⁱ)< 1, theory predict: D_f = 3 + log [P(1/bⁱ)]/log[b] for classical aggregates; D_f=D_m+log[P(1/bⁱ)]/log[b] for aggregates with fractal pore space; and D_f=D_s for aggregates with fractal surfaces. where b is a scaling factor and D_f, D_m and D_s are the fragmentation, mass and surface fractal dimensions, respectively. The physical significance of these parameters is discussed, methods of estimating them are reviewed, and topics needing further research are identified.     

A Review of Magnesium Isotope System in Rivers

In recent years, a series of important progresses have been made in the aspect of magnesium isotopes behavior in weathering processes. These progresses are not only favorable to understand the change of the magnesium isotopic compositions in rivers, but also establish the foundation to further reveal the magnesium isotope geochemical cycle. The magnesium in rivers is both magnesium sink for weathering and magnesium source for the ocean. The Mg isotopic compositions in rivers are dominated by the magnesium sources and Mg isotope fractionations processes. The sources of magnesium in rivers originate mainly from draining rocks, as well as less contribution from the eolian deposition, groundwater, plant debris, and precipitation. The Mg isotope fractionations in rivers are mainly related to precipitation and dissolution of carbonate minerals, silicate mineral hydrolysis, adsorption on mineral or colloidal matter surface, and plant uptake. Generally, the contribution of carbonate minerals dissolution or precipitation is equal to add or reduce magnesium from carbonate endmember, which has a remarkably negative δ²⁶Mg value. Based on the fact that most clay minerals are rich in ²⁶Mg during nature silicate mineral hydrolysis, then it is possible to infer that residual weathering products enrich in ²⁶Mg. However, there is no significant Mg isotope fractionation causing by the adsorption on mineral or colloidal matter surface during river water migration. For the plant uptake, the root prefers to have ²⁶Mg, leading the plant itself rich in heavier Mg isotopic composition. In addition, formation of secondary minerals in rivers could also reflect the changes of chemical parameters in rivers (such as major elements, CO₂ solubility, pH, etc.). Hence, Mg isotopic composition in rivers and associated isotope fractionations are not only the basis for the application of magnesium isotope to trace surface material cycle, but also have important significance for the further understanding the geochemical cycle of magnesium isotopes.     

硼同位素分馏的实验理论认识和矿床地球化学研究进展

硼是一种中等挥发性元素,具有¹¹B和¹⁰B两个稳定同位素。两个同位素间高达10%的相对质量差使其在地质过程中引起高达-70‰至+75‰的硼同位素变化。硼在自然界主要与氧键合形成三配位(BO₃)和四配位(BO₄)结构,因而¹¹B和¹⁰B间同位素分馏主要受控于三配体(BO₃)和四面体(BO₄)间配分。本文综述了低温和高温地质过程的硼同位素分馏的理论和实验研究进展。在溶液中B(OH)₃和${B(OH)^{-}_{4}}$间硼同位素分馏受pH和热力学p-T条件控制,实验和理论表征获得常温常压条件下的B(OH)₃和$B(OH)^{-}_{4}$间同位素分馏系数(α_3-4)变化范围为1.019 4至1.033 3。低温条件下矿物(如碳酸盐、黏土矿物(蒙脱石和伊利石)、针铁矿、水锰矿、硼酸盐)与溶液间硼同位素分馏行为除了受p-T-pH影响外,矿物表面吸附引起的分馏效应十分显著。在中高温过程(蒙脱石伊利石化、富硼电气石和白云母矿物与热液流体,以及硅酸盐熔体与流体)中硼同位素分馏行为受到硼配位构型、化学成分以及物理化学条件的控制。随着硼同位素分馏机理研究的深入以及越来越完善的地质储库硼同位素端员特征表征,硼同位素地球化学指标可以灵敏示踪成矿物质来源、探究成矿作用与成因模式和重建成矿过程物理化学条件。目前矿床硼同位素地球化学研究的难点在于实现不同赋存相(如流体、矿物和熔体)中硼配位键合结构和硼同位素组成的精细化表征。     

长石风化作用及影响因素分析

长石类矿物是地壳中最常见的硅酸盐矿物,其风化作用对地球表面环境有显著影响,因而是风化作用研究的重点矿物之一。文中以长石为例,对硅酸盐矿物的风化作用研究现状从矿物的自然风化、模拟矿物化学风化和矿物的生物风化3个方面进行阐述;对影响矿物风化的各种因素及其在风化过程中所起的作用,以及长石微生物风化作用的机理和过程进行分析;指出目前硅酸盐矿物风化研究中存在的问题,并对未来的发展方向提出建议,指出对微生物-矿物复合体微环境物理化学性质的深入研究可能成为揭示微生物-矿物相互作用机理的一个突破口。     

广汉市平原区浅层地下水化学演化及其控制因素

为在广汉市城乡规划过程中提供地下水资源开发利用的基础信息,采用矿物风化系统分析、相关性分析、主成分分析和PhreeQC反向水文地球化学模拟等方法对广汉市平原区的浅层地下水的地下水水化学组分进行分析,确定了浅层地下水的水化学演化及控制因素,完成了地下水资源的质量及时空分布特征分析。分析表明：Gibbs图显示岩石风化主导该区地下水水化学特征,风化过程产生离子和次生矿物又经历水解作用,在矿物风化系统稳定场图中显示水样中铝硅酸盐矿物逐渐趋于溶解,碳酸盐矿物处于饱和状态;PhreeQC反向水文地球化学模拟结果显示在水流模拟路径上主要发生了钙蒙脱石、钾长石溶解和高岭石、石英、钠长石的沉淀,以及Ca-Na₂之间的阳离子交换吸附作用;离子相关性和主成分分析进一步的验证了溶滤作用、蒸发浓缩作用和阳离子交换吸附作用是引起浅层地下水水化学过程和矿物组成改变的主要原因。研究区地下水水质总体不会对人体健康造成不良影响。     

地壳风化速率研究综述

地壳风化速率研究的理论基础是质量守恒原理和溶液与矿物反应动力学法则。元素在风化过程中的行为受多种因素控制，主要包括基岩风化量、大气沉降量、径流量、生物的输出数量和人为输入量（如施肥）。硅酸盐矿物化学风化过程中，矿物与溶液之间总的化学反应速率是单个反应速率之和，其中涉及到 3个关键参数，即：酸中和能力（ANC）、基本阳离子/无机铝（BC/Al无机）比值和临界负荷（CL）。风化速率的研究主要采用四种方法，即PROFILE模型、基本阳离子损耗、元素输入-输出指数和Sr同位素比值等。PROFILE模型是一个稳定态的综合土壤化学模型，矿物的分解速率、矿物的暴露表面积、土壤水饱和度和土壤层厚度决定着该矿物的风化速率，总的风化速率为各种矿物的风化速率之和。元素损耗，主要是基本阳离子（Ca、Na、K和Mg）的损耗，假设Ti、 Zr和Nb在成土过程中含量稳定并不参与风化反应，那么对于给定的土壤层，化学风化损耗的基本阳离子可以通过比较土层与成土母质之间元素组成的差异来计算。输入-输出指数的假设前提是研究的流域处于稳定状态，一般认为输入指数是大气沉降，输出指数是河流搬运溶解部分、悬浮的非岩屑成因部分和生物营养净吸收部分。Sr同位素在生物和化学作用过程中并不分馏，不同生态系统阳离子场中Sr同位素组成是大气和矿物风化来源的Sr的混合物。     

Magnitude-frequency distribution in the European-Mediterranean earthquake regions

The European-Mediterranean earthquake catalogue from 1901 to 1985, which comprises uniformly determined magnitudes M_S and m_B(h ≥ 60 km) of 13300 events, was used in the study of cumulative magnitude-frequency relationships N_c(M) compiled for 75 earthquake regions and 25 larger provinces. In the whole magnitude range observed, the Gutenberg-Richter formula log N_c(M) = a − bM very rarely fits the cumulative (log N_c, M) distributions. The b-values of log-linear segments of N_c(M) vary regionally from b = 0.7 to b = 1.3; averaging of all values leads to (shallow events, M_S and ).

Most distributions pertain to the Mediterranean area (b = 0.86 from the graph for shallow events) and many of them indicate the existence of characteristic earthquakes in accordance with the theoretical single-fault model. Other observed shapes of N_c(M) can be explained by the superposition of populations of different M_max values or by the presence of swarm-type activity. The observed N_c(M) distributions depend very much on the delineation of earthquake regions i.e. on the number and dimension of seismoactive faults in the investigated region.

A premonitory enhancement of medium earthquake activity (M = 4.5–5.5) can be observed only very rarely.     

Mantle heterogeneity and crustal recycling in Archean granite-greenstone belts: Evidence from Nd isotopes and trace elements in the Rainy Lake area, Superior Province, Ontario, Canada

The 2685–2752 Ma old granite-greenstone crust in the Rainy Lake area, Ontario, consists of metaigneous and metasedimentary rocks that range in composition from tholeiite to monzogranite and include anorthosite, trachyandesite, monzodiorite and high-silica rhyodacite. Major element, rare earth and other trace element data are the basis for modelling the formation of the crust by melting of large-ionlithophile element enriched and unenriched mantle, by melting of basalt at mantle to crustal levels and by melting of monzodiorite and tonalite at crustal levels.

All metaigneous rocks lie on a ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd vs. ¹⁴⁷Sm/¹⁴⁴Nd isochron with an age of 2737 ±42 Ma and an initial ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd of 0.509178 ±33 (ε_Nd = +1.9). This age is consistent with U-Pb zircon ages, which suggests the Nd isotopic system has been unaffected since the crust-forming events. The positive initial ε_Nd's are further evidence for time-averaged depletion in Sm/Nd relative to CHUR for the Archean mantle. The similarity of the initial Nd isotopic composition for both mantle-derived and crustally-derived rocks suggests rapid recycling of crustal components, which were previously derived from depleted mantle sources.

Initial ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios on individual rocks range from ε_Nd = +3.3 to ε_Nd = −0.4. Younger granitoids have lower ε_Nd values (+1.5 to −0.1) relative to tholeiites and monzodiorites crystallized from mantle-derived melts (+3.3 to +1.0). Thus, incorporation of slightly older crust (ca. 100–200 Ma) in some of the granitoid source areas is possible. Mantle-derived rocks form an isochron of 2764 ±58 Ma that represents a minimum age for enrichment processes in the mantle sources for the Rainy Lake area. Consideration of data from the Abitibi belt suggests such enrichment processes in the mantle may have preceded crust-forming events in a wide area of the Superior Province, perhaps by as much as 50–70 Ma.     

江西龙南花岗岩稀土风化壳中粘土矿物的研究

本区燕山早期花岗岩发育的风化壳中的粘土矿物以高岭石和埃洛石(7Å)为主;蒙脱石、三水铝石及其它为新查明矿物。据粘土矿物组合特征,自风化剖面深部到地表分为三个带:含蒙脱石带,高岭石和埃洛石(7Å)带,含三水铝石带。本文探讨了矿物在风化过程中的生成演化顺序,并进行了热力学的解释。据各带粘土物质的阳离子交换量与稀土含量变化的不一致关系认为,稀土在C带中的富集是化学风化的结果,与粘土矿物组合无关。     

论我国铝土矿床类型及其红土化风化壳形成机制问题

中国铝土矿床98%以上为古风化壳型,少量属红土型.前者分六个亚型,即铝硅酸盐岩古风化壳原地残积（Ⅰ_a）;碳酸盐岩古风化壳准原地堆积（Ⅰ_b）、异地堆积（Ⅰ_c）以及异地沉积（湖水）（Ⅰ_d）;I_ca古风化壳异地沉积（海相）;Ⅰ_f碳酸盐岩古风化壳准原地堆积（或沉积）-现代喀斯特堆积等六个亚型.ⅠⅠ_b、Ⅰ_c三亚型矿床在大气条件下就位,就位以后继续红土化,为此矿层很少层理;矿石中常有渗流管、渗流凝胶.Ⅰ_d、Ⅰ_e亚型在水体中沉积,有层理,无渗流管、渗流凝胶.所有铝土矿床的矿物组成及矿石结构、构造都是含铝岩石红土化风化作用易溶物淋失,难溶的钛、铝、铁质残留的风化壳铝土物质;无水体中结构、构造特征;δ18O‰及δD‰值证为风化物;除Ⅰ_c外均无动物化石及其碎屑.     

火星陨石和火星表面泥岩中蚀变过程对比研究

火星次生含水蚀变矿物是火星地质历史时期水环境和气候演变历史的真实记录,一直以来都是火星探测、火星陨石研究的重点,是认识火星环境特征和气候演化的重要研究对象。文中对比研究了表土角砾岩NWA7034、火成堆晶岩MIL03346等两块最富蚀变矿物火星陨石,以及Gale撞击坑出露的Sheepbed泥岩3种岩石类型的蚀变程度及其蚀变矿物类型和组合,分析了层状硅酸盐、铁氧化物/氢氧化物、钙硫酸盐等蚀变矿物的成因及环境指示意义。发现这3类岩石的蚀变作用各不相同。火星陨石NWA7034的蚀变作用以氧化和加热作用为主,无蒸发盐类矿物。火星陨石MIL03346的蚀变程度最低,为后期水溶液进入缝隙而引发的,蚀变作用以橄榄石的伊利石化、裂隙和缝隙中填充次生矿物细脉为主。而火星Sheepbed泥岩经历了后期的等化学风化过程(isochemical weathering),次生过程包括成岩蚀变和成岩后蚀变两个阶段。其中,成岩过程中的蚀变以橄榄石蚀变为铁氧化物和蒙皂石矿物为主,成岩后以形成蒸发盐类矿物硫酸钙为主。以上3种岩石蚀变矿物组成差异反映了火星上不同地质背景中、不同气候条件下蚀变过程的复杂性。文中对火星含水矿物及部分典型矿物的形成条件和过程进行系统总结,这对于理解未来火星探测任务、识别含水矿物的形成、揭示火星水环境和地质历史具有重要指导意义。     

风化矿物黄钾铁矾40Ar/39Ar 测年的基本方法——从样品采集到年龄测试

由于40Ar/39Ar定年方法在技术上极具复杂性,目前,国内在开展干旱区研究中很少使用风化矿物定年研究手段。重点介绍黄钾铁矾矿物40Ar/39Ar定年法的基本流程,并针对该方法的技术问题初步探讨了解决办法。研究表明,科学的野外采集样品、仔细的挑选矿物并综合采用多种测试手段（X衍射、扫描电镜、电子探针）进行监测可以获得纯净的风化矿物,并结合精细的40Ar/39Ar阶段加热技术,能够获得比较可靠的风化矿物40Ar/39Ar年龄。     

From microscopic minerals to global climate change?

The study of minerals is often focused on their crystallographic properties, chemistry and economic importance, and so their breakdown, or 'weathering'. by physical, chemical and biological processes is less well understood. However, mineral weathering is of considerable environmental significance. The interaction of minerals with water and microbes, such as algae and bacteria, controls soil fertility, the transportation of pollutants through the ground, and ultimately the removal of CO₂ from the atmosphere over geological timescales. Therefore, minerals are a key factor in moderating global climate change. This article introduces conventional and new techniques that are being used by geologists to investigate these processes.     

Strontium as a tracer of weathering processes in a silicate catchment polluted by acid atmospheric inputs, Strengbach, France

This paper determines the weathering and atmospheric contributions of Ca in surface water from a small spruce forested silicate catchment (N–E France) receiving acid atmospheric inputs. The bedrock is a granite with K-feldspar and albite as dominant phases. The calcium content in plagioclase is low and the Ca/Na ratio in surface water is high, reflecting other sources of calcium from those expected from the weathering of major mineral phases. The biotite content is low. Only traces of apatite were detected while no calcite was found in spite of a major hydrothermal event having affected the granite. The strontium isotopic ratio ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and Sr content was used as a tracer of weathering and was determined in minerals and bulk bedrock, open field precipitation, throughfall, soil solution, spring and stream water. The Sr isotopic ratio of the reacting weathering end-member was predicted by simulating the alteration of the granite minerals by incorporating strontium into the water–rock interaction kinetic code KINDIS. In the early stages of water–rock interaction, K-feldspar and biotite strongly influence the isotopic composition of the weathering solution whereas, the Na-rich plagioclase appears to be the main long-term reactive weathering end-member. Approximately 50% of dissolved Sr in streamwater are atmospherically derived. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of exchangeable Sr in the fine fraction at 1-m depth from a soil profile indicate that the amount of exchangeable Sr seems essentially controlled by atmospheric inputs. The exception is the deep saprolite where weathering processes could supply the Sr (and Ca). Na-Plagioclase weathering obviously control the chemistry and the isotopic composition of surface waters. The weathering of trace mineral plays a secondary role, the exception is for apatite when plagioclase is absent. Our hydrochemical, mineralogical and isotopic investigations show that a major part of the strong Ca losses detected in catchment hydrochemical budgets that result from the neutralization of acid precipitation has an atmospheric origin. Consequently, in the long term, in such areas, the availability of such an exchangeable base cation might be strongly limited and surface waters consequently acidified.