Partial melting and the formation of granulite facies assemblages in Namaqualand, South Africa

Abstract Dehydration-melting reactions, in which water from a hydrous phase enters the melt, leaving an anhydrous solid assemblage, are the dominant mechanism of partial melting of high-grade rocks in the absence of externally derived vapour. Equilibria involving melt and solid phases are effective buffers of aH₂,o. The element-partitioning observed in natural rocks suggests that dehydration melting occurs over a temperature interval during which, for most cases, aH₂o is driven to lower values. The mass balance of dehydration melting in typical biotite gneiss and metapelite shows that the proportion of melt in the product assemblage at T± 850°C is relatively small (10–20%), and probably insufficient to mobilize a partially melted rock body. Granulite facies metapelite, biotite gneiss and metabasic gneiss in Namaqualand contain coarse-grained, discordant, unfoliated, anhydrous segregations, surrounded by a finer grained, foliated matrix that commonly includes hydrous minerals. The segregations have modes consistent with the hypothesis that they are the solid and liquid products of the dehydration-melting reactions: Bt + Sil + Qtz + PI = Grt ° Crd + Kfs + L (metapelite), Bt + Qtz + Pl = Opx + Kfs + L (biotite gneiss), and Hbl + Qtz = Opx + Cpx + Pl + L (metabasic gneiss). The size, shape, distribution and modes of segregations suggest only limited migration and extraction of melt. Growth of anhydrous poikiloblasts in matrix regions, development of anhydrous haloes around segregations and formation of dehydrated margins on metabasic layers enclosed in migmatitic metapelites all imply local gradients in water activity. Also, they suggest that individual segregations and bodies of partially melted rock acted as sinks for soluble volatiles. The preservation of anhydrous assemblages and the restricted distribution of late hydrous minerals suggest that retrograde reaction between hydrous melt and solids did not occur and that H₂O in the melt was released as vapour on crystallization. This model, combined with the natural observations, suggests that it is possible to form granulite facies assemblages without participation of external fluid and without major extraction of silicate melt.     

The copper-bearing basic rocks of Namaqualand,South Africa

Copper mineralisation is associated with rocks of basic/intermediate composition which occur as a widespread swarm of relatively small irregularly-shaped bodies within the gneissic terrain of the Okiep District. These basic rocks comprise the so-called Koperberg noritoid suite of Namaqualand and constitute one of the three major copper producers in South Africa. While a metasomatic origin was briefly favoured for the noritoids, most researchers have emphasized the cross-cutting nature of the noritoids relative to their host rocks and prefer an origin involving magmatic injection. High noritoid ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr initial ratio values indicated to some workers that mobilisation of suitable crustal materials was more attractive than intrusion of mantle-derived melts to account for the origin of the noritoid suite. The present study has shown that the structure, texture and mineralogy of the noritoids do not lend themselves to interpretation of the noritoids as pristine intrusive rocks, and indicate that the noritoids have undergone high-grade metamorphism after emplacement. The geochemistry of the noritoid suite reveals a pronounced alkaline affinity and mineralogical control of the chemistry characterises the rocks as cumulates. The dimensions of the noritoids appear unfavourable for development of cumulate rocks and it is considered possible that the present configuration of the noritoids results from dismemberment of larger intrusive bodies as a result of shear deformation during high-grade metamorphism. It has not been possible to identify a magma parent to the noritoid suite, but we believe the parent to have been an alkaline mantle-derived magma which suffered contamination by granitic anatects in the lower crust. Recognition of the metamorphic history of the Namaqualand noritoids renders a comparison between them and the Caraiba noritoids of interest.     

Groundwater flow and radioactivity in Namaqualand, South Africa

The Namaqualand area is located in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa which is characterised by arid climate where groundwater is the only source of water supply for local communities. Extensive groundwater sampling was carried out in the area and the physico-chemical parameters, inorganic constituents, stable isotopes and trace metals were measured. The hydrochemistry of the area indicates dissimilar groundwater composition due to complex geochemical processes where groundwater flow takes place from catchment F30A to the catchment D82B, and the chemistry is controlled primarily by Redox reaction, dissolution and mixing processes. The Br^?/Cl^? ratio revealed that the salinity in the area is derived from seawater mixing, halite dissolution and atmospheric deposition/sea aerosol spray. Under excessive evaporative condition due to climatic aridity, groundwater salinity shows increasing trend. Isotope results show the presence of shallow-weathered zone and deep-fracture controlled circulating groundwater in the crystalline basement aquifer of the area. In comparison to the South African water quality standard, the results obtained for gross alpha activity which could be derived from uranium isotopes show that 41 % of the reported data in the area fall above the drinking water limit.     

Low-P / high-T metamorphism in the Okiep Copper District, western Namaqualand, South Africa

The Okiep Copper District, part of the 1.2–1.0 Ga high-grade terrane in western Namaqualand, is composed of a mid-Proterozoic supracrustal sequence and several pre- to post-orogenic intrusive suites affected by two high-grade events (M2a/M2b, M3) of Kibaran and one low-grade event (M4) of Pan-African age. Peak assemblages in quartz-bearing pelites are characterized either by garnet+cordierite coexisting with sillimanite/biotite, or by biotite+sillimanite±garnet; a difference controlled by bulk composition and variation in water activities (0.1–0.7) during dehydration melting. Maximum P–T conditions were reached during M2a coevally with the major deformational event (D2a) and are estimated at 750–820  °C and 5–6  kbar. A counterclockwise P–T  path is indicated by regionally occurring pseudomorphs of sillimanite after andalusite and by prograde reaction textures preserved as relics in M2a porphyroblasts. Two stages of retrograde metamorphism are distinguished: M2a garnet+cordierite-bearing assemblages were retrogressed to biotite+sillimanite+quartz (M2b) along discontinuous foliation planes and shear zones (D2b). Retrograde M3 corona assemblages formed at similar P–T  conditions (580–660  °C and 5.8±0.5  kbar) to the M2b assemblages but M3 crystallization postdates penetrative D2 deformation, intrusion of 1.06 Ga granitoids and formation of associated W–Mo deposits. It is concluded that: (a) Kibaran high-grade metamorphism in the Okiep Copper District is thermally punctuated and (b) reaction textures documenting apparent isobaric cooling of this low- P high- T  terrane must be interpreted with caution.     

Metal enrichment in the groundwater of the arid environment in South Africa

This paper presents the enrichment tendency and spatial distribution of metals in the groundwater which is pumped out from the granitic aquifers in South Africa. Groundwater is the sole source of water supply for the local community in the study area (Namaqualand), and hence, it was necessary to understand the controlling geochemical processes and interrelationship of metals in the groundwater. The geochemical association of metals has been assessed based on the geostatistical methods. The results show that geochemical processes such as oxidation, leaching, and evaporation besides water–rock interaction are very important in controlling metal enrichment in the groundwater from highly mineralized rocks. The metal enrichment index for selected toxic metals in groundwater increases in the order of Cd > U > Cr > Pb. The observed enrichment trend could be considered as a result of mineralization of basement rocks which is facilitated by active geochemical process in the arid environment. The lack of aquifer flushing due to negligible recharge helps the metals to concentrate at shallow groundwater zones supported by severe evaporation process.     

Geochronological and Petrogenetic Studies of High-Grade Metamorphic Rocks and Intrusives in Namaqualand, South Africa

The metamorphic sequence in the Nababeep district of Namaqualandis considered in terms of major recumbent folding accompaniedby hornblende granulite subfacies metamorphism. Rb-Sr isotopicdata are presented for thirty-one whole-rock samples of metamorphicrocks and associated intrusives, together with U-Pb isotopicdata for nineteen fractions of the constituent zircon and apatite.The metamorphic suite has yielded a Rb-Sr whole-rock isochronage of 1213?22 m.y., with an initial Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁸ ratio (R_o) of0?7191?0?0021 suggesting reworking of pre-existing crustal rocks;data from certain distinctive rock-types indicate that Sr-isotopichomogenization was incomplete during this event. Cross-cuttinggranites and related rocks give a Rb-Sr isochron age of 1166?26m.y. (R_o, 0?708?0?001). These events were post-dated by theintrusion of largely dioritic bodies of the cupriferous NoritoidSuite; zircon recrystallization 1070 m.y. ago is interpretedas the age of emplacement of these bodies. On Sr-isotopic andchemical grounds, a source-bed model is tentatively suggestedfor the Noritoid Suite, involving derivation from gneisses andgranulites of intermediate-basic composition within the metamorphicsuccession. Isotopic events at 1000 and 900 m.y. ago, recordedby zircon and apatite, are believed to reflect the imprint ofregional pegmatite emplacement.     

Metamorphic History of Sapphirine-bearing and Related Magnesian Gneisses from Namaqualand, South Africa

Sapphirine occurs with cordierite, phlogopite, spinel, sillimanite,corundum, orthopyroxene, and gedrite in granulite facies Mg-and Al-rich paragneisses within the low P, high T NamaqualandMetamorphic Complex. The gneisses reveal a three-stage texturalhistory. Sapphirine appeared during a second stage of progrademineral growth which produced nodular structures and intergrowthsinvolving spinel, corundum, and sillimanite, pseudomorphingan earlier generation of coarse, amphibolite facies minerals.A third generation of coarse, cross-cutting, mainly hydrousminerals (gedrite, kornerupine, phlogopite) is sporadicallydeveloped. The wide variety of cofacial mineral assemblages allows thedelineation of the stable mineral associations of sapphirinein the system K₂O-MgO-FeO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-H₂O under P-T conditionsindependently estimated at about 5 kb, 750–800 °C.The natural assemblages provide constraints which, taken togetherwith existing thermodynamic and experimental data, allow theestimation of P-T slopes of sapphirine equilibria. The mineraltextures thus indicate sapphirine growth under increasing T,decreasing a(H₂O), and constant or slightly increasing P. The preservation of prograde reaction textures during fine-grainedmineral growth probably results from the reduced importanceand/or more CO₂-rich composition of the metamorphic fluid undergranulite facies conditions in these refractory rocks. Aqueousfluids were locally reintroduced after the metamorphic peak.     

The chemistry and origin of zincian spinel associated with the Aggeneys Cu-Pb-Zn-Ag deposits,Namaqualand, South Africa

Zincian spinel or gahnite [(Zn,Fe,Mg)Al₂O₄] occurs in metamorphosed sulphide-rich rocks, garnet quartzites, quartz-magnetite rocks, aluminous metasediments, barite-magnetite rocks, quartz veins, and pegmatites associated with the Aggeneys base metal deposits, Namaqualand, South Africa. Zincian spinel in, sulphide-bearing rocks, is considered to have formed predominantly by desulphurization reactions involving a member of the system Fe-S-O and sphalerite with sillimanite or garnet. Gahnite in sulphide-free garnet quartzites, quartz-magnetite rocks and barite-magnetite rocks probably formed from Zn and Al that were hydrothermally derived whereas gahnite in aluminous metasediments was derived from the metamorphism of metalliferous shales, in which Zn may originally have been linked to organic material. Gahnite is Zn-rich in sulphide-bearing rock, but is Fe-rich in sulphide-free garnet quartzites and quartz-magnetite rocks. Although Zn-rich spinels represent guides to ore in the Aggeneys area and elsewhere in the Namaqualand Metamorphic Complex, Fe-rich spinels should not be discounted because Zn-rich and Fe-rich spinels occur within metres of sulphides at Aggeneys.     

The dissolution kinetics of atacamite in the acid range and the stability of atacamite containing soils from Namaqualand,South Africa

The Cu hydroxy mineral, atacamite, is commonly associated with saline environments and is generally thought to dissolve rapidly in the presence of fresh water. A Cu contaminated soil from the arid Namaqualand region, South Africa, shows atacamite as the dominant Cu containing mineral. The stability of the Cu phase in this soil was determined through equilibrium and leaching studies using both deionised water (DI) and a concentrated (0.5 M) NaCl solution. Initially a high concentration of exchangeable Cu was released from the soils leached with NaCl. Continued leaching with NaCl resulted in a substantial decrease in Cu release as atacamite equilibria started to control dissolved Cu. This suggests that an initial spike of Cu laden water will leach from the soils at the onset of a large rainfall event. Further additions of water will result in a lower but sustained release of Cu from the soil. The Cu contaminated soils are exposed to acidic sulphate leachate thus the dissolution kinetics of synthetic atacamite in the acidic range (pH 5.5–4.0) was determined in both NaCl and DI solutions. The kinetic data showed that atacamite dissolution rates are significantly higher in DI than in NaCl but the rates converge at pH 4. In comparison to common acid soluble minerals, atacamite displays a moderate dissolution rate (10^−9.55–10^−7.14 mol m⁻² s⁻¹) within the acid range (pH 5.5–4.0). The atacamite dissolution reaction order with respect to pH is 1.3 and 1.6 in DI and NaCl solutions, respectively, suggesting that dissolution rates of atacamite are highly pH dependent in the acid range. The type of acid used to lower the pH had no effect on the reaction kinetics, with HNO₃ and H₂SO₄ resulting in comparable dissolution rates of atacamite at pH 4.5.     

Mineral-chemical and isotopic studies of Namaqualand granulites,South Africa: A grenville analogue

The northwestern part of South Africa and southern South-West Africa/Namibia is amongst the most extensive granulite terranes in Africa. This work reports the results of electron microprobe studies of minerals from two-pyroxene, cordieriteorthopyroxene (-gedrite) (-sapphirine) and garnet and/or cordierite parageneses from Namaqualand, in the N.W. Cape Province of South Africa. Determined PT conditions of prograde metamorphism based on thermodynamic calculations are 800°–900° C and ca. 6–7 Kb; and it is argued that rocks of unusual composition, notably cordierite-orthopyroxene rocks, are restites after the extraction of granitic liquid from former argillites. This interpretation is consistent with previously published data on similar rocks, and with McCarthy's (1976) suggestion of extensive partial melting in the quartzofeldspathic rocks in the area. U-Pb isotopic studies of some 50 zircon fractions have been carried out and confirm an age of 1,200 m.y. for the high-grade regional metamorphism; but certain zircon populations record inherited ages greater than 1,700 m.y. Garnet-sillimanite rocks that contain retrograde kyanite reflect PT conditions of 550°–650° C and ca. 7–8 Kb; and constituent biotite has yielded a K-Ar age of ca. 950 m.y. These data, the regional stratigraphy and structure, and the mineralisation are compared with data from the Grenville Province of Canada. Notable similarities are the possible basement-cover relationships, and the calendar of tectonothermal events, while differences include the important stratiform base-metal mineralisation in the supracrustal sequence in Namaqualand, and the Cu-mineralisation in hypersthenebearing intrusives, emplaced some 1,100 m.y. ago, that are areally, and believed to be genetically, related to the granulite facies metamorphic regime.     

Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd Mineral Isochron Ages of the Metamorphic Rocks in the Namaqualand Metamorphic Complex, South Africa

Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isotopic studies were carried out for metamorphic rocks in the Namaqualand Metamorphic Complex, South Africa. The metamorphic rocks give the Rb-Sr mineral isochron ages (whole-rock - biotite - felsic fractions) of 844±85 Ma and 811.6±6.6 Ma for the lower granulite zone and of 776.5±5.4 Ma for the upper granulite zone. The rocks yield the Sm-Nd mineral isochron ages of 1071±18 Ma (whole-rock - garnet - felsic fractions) and 1067±158 Ma (whole-rock - hornblende - biotite rich fraction - felsic fractions) for the lower granulite zone and of 1052.0±3.6 Ma and 1002.5±1.4 Ma (whole-rock - garnet - felsic fractions) for the upper granulite zone. These age data suggest that the granulite facies metamorphism took place at 1060-1000 Ma, and that the rocks cooled down at 850-780 Ma. The Sr and Nd isotopic compositions of metamorphic rocks are different between the lower and upper granulite zones.     

Petrogenesis of the Concordia Granite Gneiss and its relation to WMo mineralization in western Namaqualand, South Africa

The 1.1 Ga Concordia Granite Gneiss (CGG) is part of the late to postorogenic Spektakel Suite in the western Namaqualand Metamorphic Complex, South Africa. It intruded synkinematically, with respect to the main (D2) deformation event, into lower to middle crustal rocks and granite emplacement was more or less coeval with the peak of granulite-facies metamorphism ( > 800°C, 5 kbar). Several genetically related rock types, megacrystic garnet-bearing granite, minor aplitic leucogranites and pegmatites are distinguished. All varieties are SiO₂-rich (69–79 wt.%) peraluminous granites and show subalkaline-monzonitic magma characteristics. Geochemical differences in whole-rock chemistry between megacrystic granite and aplitic leucogranites (e.g., lower Al₂O₃, MgO, CaO, Ba, Zr; higher K₂O, Rb, Nb, W, Rb/Sr, Ga/Al) and the decrease of e.g., CaO, MgO, Fe₂O₃, Ba, Zr, Th/U with increasing SiO₂ in the megacrystic granites as well as the variation in Fe/Mn of magmatic garnets are best explained with crystal fractionation processes. Fractional crystallization of plagioclase produced potassium- and silica-rich residual melts characterised by very high Rb/Sr, Rb/Ba, U/Th, Mn/Fe ratios and higher concentration of W, Cu and Zn. Crystal fractionation processes also resulted in a relative LREE depletion and HREE enrichment (megacrystic granite: La/Lu)_cn = 8.87−31.67; aplitic leucogranite and pegmatites: La/Lu)_cn = 0.71−1.44) and evolution of pronounced negative Eu-anomalies. The crystallization sequence (near-solidus crystallization of biotite prior to alkali feldspar) suggests that the CGG magmas were H₂O-undersaturated over a long period of their evolution. Water saturation during late-stage crystallization is, however, indicated by coarse late-stage eutectic mineral textures, pegmatites and WMo-bearing siliceous rocks. Furthermore the economic potential of the CGG is supported by its geochemical signature (e.g., high U, Th contents) which is similar to evolved high heat production (HHP) granites. The granitic magmas are attributed to partial melting of peraluminous crustal source rocks and are tentatively interpreted as fractionated S-type granites. The WMo deposits represent vein-type and pegmatitic deposits genetically related to a deep-seated granitic system.     

Phlogopite in the generation of olivine-melilitites from Namaqualand, South Africa and implications for element fractionation processes in the upper mantle

Major and trace element and Sr, Nd and Pb isotope analyses are presented for thirteen olivine-melilitites from Namaqualand, South Africa. Major element variations are consistent with derivation from carbonated garnet-peridotite at depths of at least 100 km and trace element abundances indicate melt fractions of 4%. Ubiquitous negative K anomalies and low, buffered K₂O concentrations are interpreted to reflect the effect of residual phlogopite during melting. It is suggested that phlogopite stability and low melt potassium saturation concentrations are enhanced by high CO₂/(CO₂ + H₂O) conditions. Residual phlogopite can also account for low measured Rb/Sr, Ba/Sr and Th/U ratios in the melilitites. REE abundances are controlled by residual garnet and hence Sm/Nd ratios are low (0.13–0.18). U/Pb ratios vary from 0.05 to 5 and are a function of Pb concentration which is in turn controlled by residual Pb-rich phase (probably sulphide). Nd and Sr isotopes are comparable with OIB from St. Helena, although two samples extend to higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios. Present day Pb isotopes are much more variable and partly reflect radiogenic growth since emplacement as a result of the highly variable U/Pb ratios.

Many of the trace element characteristics of the melilitites are distinct from those of within-plate potassic magmas despite both being derived from phlogopite-bearing, enriched mantle source regions. This can be attributed to the depth at which source enrichment occurred and the subsequent control exerted by phlogopite and carbonate during melting. In contrast to melilitites, potassic magmas are derived from shallower depths under low CO₂/(CO₂ + H₂O) conditions and at higher temperatures at which phlogopite melts more readily.

The incompatible element ratios of the melilitites are also similar to those both observed in HIMU ocean island basalts (OIB) and inferred for HIMU OIB source regions from isotope variations (viz, low Sm/Nd, Rb/Sr, K/Nb, Th/U and high U/Pb and Ce/Pb). It is suggested that HIMU OIB's may be derived from sources that have been subject to enrichment by a melt generated in the presence of residual phlogopite.     

Mineral chemical study of U-bearing minerals from the Dominion Reefs,South Africa

The Neo-Archean Dominion Reefs (~3.06 Ga) are thin meta-conglomerate layers with concentrations of U- and Th-bearing heavy minerals higher than in the overlying Witwatersrand Reefs. Ore samples from Uranium One Africa’s Rietkuil and Dominion exploration areas near Klerksdorp, South Africa, were investigated for their mineral paragenesis, texture and mineral chemical composition. The ore and heavy mineral assemblages consist of uraninite, other uraniferous minerals, Fe sulphides, Ni–Co sulfarsenides, garnet, pyrite, pyrrhotite, monazite, zircon, chromite, magnetite and minor gold. Sub-rounded uraninite grains occur associated with the primary detrital heavy mineral paragenesis. U–Ti, U–Th minerals, pitchblende (colloform uraninite) and coffinite are of secondary, re-mobilised origin as evidenced by crystal shape and texture. Most of the uranium mineralisation is represented by detrital uraninite with up to 70.2 wt.% UO₂ and up to 9.3 wt.% ThO₂. Re-crystallised phases such as secondary pitchblende (without Th), coffinite, U–Ti and U–Th phases are related to hydrothermal overprint during low-grade metamorphism and are of minor abundance.     

鄂尔多斯盆地延长组次生矿物与裂缝形成时限分析

鄂尔多斯盆地延长组发育大量构造裂缝,对于裂缝的形成机理、成因动力学以及与油气成藏关系都已得到了比较系统的研究,但对于裂缝中充填的次生矿物,以及次生矿物与裂缝形成时限之间的关系,尚鲜有研究。本文在次生矿物的矿化作用和成岩作用分析基础之上,应用碳氧同位素和流体包裹体分析方法,结合区域构造热事件以及盆地热演化史,对次生矿物与裂缝形成时限的约束关系进行研究。首先,通过次生矿物的镜下观察分析,获知充填次生矿物的裂缝为张性裂缝,且可判断裂缝扩展方向;根据成岩作用分析,裂缝在形成时间上早于或同期于次生矿物形成时间。其次,根据延长组储层砂岩和裂缝中碳酸盐胶结物的碳氧同位素分析,得知露头中大量被碳酸盐胶结物充填的E-W 和N-S 向裂缝,在形成时间上早于或与碳酸盐脉体同期形成。最后,结合流体包裹体和盆地埋藏热演化史分析,得知盆内地下大量的热液活动主要发生在140～100 Ma 之间（即早白垩世）,也是盆地大规模成岩作用时期。基于上述分析,充填碳酸盐胶结物的E-W 向和N-S 向裂缝组,在形成时间上,应早于或同期于充填次生矿物的形成时间,即在早白垩世或者早白垩世之前形成。     

南非重要金属矿产开发现状及投资前景分析

南非矿产资源非常丰富,储量巨大,是全球不包括能源在内的矿产资源范围价值最富有的国家。经研究,世界上最大的锰矿区、铬矿区,最大的黄金矿脉均位于南非,与我国形成了很强的经济互补性,因此对南非重要金属矿产进行开发投资具有重要的意义。结合本文整理的南非重要金属矿产锰、铂族、铬、金四大矿种资源禀赋、分布、产量、矿业公司及投资环境等,对南非进一步的投资方向和投资目标提出建议：对重点研究的锰、铂族、铬、金四大矿种提出了相关开发投资区域建议,而对于南非社会目前的不稳定性,建议中资企业可以参股形式参与当地的矿业投资,避免投资风险。     

Isotope systematics of secondary minerals from the Prospect Intrusion,New South Wales

The differentiated Mesozoic alkali dolerite Prospect Intrusion contains a wide range of secondary minerals, including carbonates (primarily calcite), laumontite, prehnite and heulandite, whose stability relationships imply a formation temperature of <200°C. The δ¹⁸O data for carbonates define a higher temperature (160 – 195°C) suite, and a lower temperature (51 – 73°C) suite. The δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope systematics for these carbonates suggest derivation of the higher temperature group from magmatic fluids, whereas the other group had a major meteoric component that probably originated from porewater in the country rock. Source fluids for prehnite were meteoric rather than magmatic in origin based on their δD and δ¹⁸O ratios. Early in the intrusion's emplacement, CO₂-rich hydrothermal fluids formed a carbonate rind sealing the upper part of the hydrothermal system and produced the higher temperature carbonates (calcite) and laumontite. Later, cooler fluids with a meteoric component infiltrated vesicles and fractures, depositing the lower temperature carbonates (calcite, aragonite), heulandite and prehnite.     

宁夏中部干旱带露水形成机制及其对表层土壤水分的影响

露水的形成及其对土壤水分的影响是进一步量化水循环和生态水文过程的重要依据。为探明露水发生规律,在宁夏中部干旱带连续3 a观测了每30 min气象资料和表层土壤水分,用叶片湿度传感器测算了露水量。结果表明：该区年露水量可达56.41 mm, 75%发生在6—10月,最大月露水量和日露水量分别为13.40 mm和0.80 mm,主要发生在03:00—08:00;露水发生的气温、相对湿度和风速范围分别为0～24.4℃、50%～100%和0.16～1.74 m/s,风向为30°～60°(东北风)和270°～330°(西南偏西风);气温和露点差与相对湿度之间呈极显著线性逆相关,气温和露点差小于3℃且相对湿度大于80%时极易产生露水;日露水量为0.6 mm、0.7 mm和0.8 mm时表层5 cm土壤贮水量可分别提高0.10 mm、0.20 mm和0.25 mm。该地区年均降露量是降雨量的13.5%,露水年均发生频率为126 d(35%),是当地水循环和生态系统不可忽略的水源。     

Sm-Nd dating of Fig Tree clay minerals of the Barberton greenstone belt, South Africa

Sm-Nd isotopic data from carbonate-derived clay minerals of the 3.22-3.25 Ga Fig Tree Group, Barberton greenstone belt, South Africa, form a linear array corresponding to an age of 3102 +/- 64 Ma, making these minerals the oldest dated clays on Earth. The obtained age is 120-160 m.y. younger than the depositional age determined by zircon geochronology. Nd model ages for the clays range from approximately 3.39 to 3.44 Ga and almost cover the age variation of the Barberton greenstone belt rocks, consistent with independent evidence that the clay minerals are derived from material of the belt. The combined isotopic and mineralogical data provide evidence for a cryptic thermal overprint in the sediments of the belt. However, the highest temperature reached by the samples since the time of clay-mineral formation was <300 degrees C, lower than virtually any known early Archean supracrustal sequence.