双旗山金矿床的地质特征及找矿方向

双旗山金矿床的矿化主岩是中元古界变质岩,可分为两类金矿化:片岩+石英脉型金矿化和蚀变岩型金矿化。片岩+石英脉型金矿化主要受NW320°～340°断裂构造控制。蚀变岩型金矿化主要受近SN或NNE向断裂构造控制,双旗山金矿床的矿石属少硫化物金矿石,其硫化物含量少于2%,主要是黄铁矿,偶见方铅矿、闪锌矿和黄铜矿。与金矿化关系密切的近矿热液蚀变作用是硅化、绢云母化、黄铁绢英岩化。受近SN或NNE向断裂构造控制的蚀变岩型金矿化是双旗山金矿床找矿的主要目标。     

东坪式金矿床地质特征及矿床成因

<正> 东坪金矿是我国首次发现的赋存于碱性杂岩体中的新类型金矿床。金矿化与肉红色钾微斜长石化和硅化有关。矿体受断裂带钾长石化、硅化及二长岩、石英二长岩共同控制。 矿石矿物组合是以自然金-多金属硫化物-金碲化物-氧化物为主的组合类型,并伴生表生自然金、金碲化物。矿床是属于与水泉沟碱性杂岩体形成演化有成因联系的重熔、交代中高温热液钾长石化蚀变岩型金矿床。     

甘肃黑虎山矽卡岩型金—铜矿床地质特征及找矿意义

该矿床分布于双井子—黑虎山向斜核部大理岩(下石炭统白山组)中,成矿与东西向断裂有关,矿体严格受大理岩和花岗闪长斑岩体接触带的控制,金-铜矿化与移卡岩化密切相关,矽卡岩化愈强烈矿化也愈强烈。矿石类型有3种:黄铜矿-闪锌矿矿石、含闪锌矿黄铜矿矿石及黄铜矿矿石。矿石有益组分有Au、Ag、Cu和Zn等。该矿床成矿过程可划分为3个成矿期和4个成矿阶段,即矽卡岩期,包括无矿阶段和氧化物阶段;石英—硫化物期,包括黄铁矿黄铜矿-闪锌矿阶段和石英-黄铜矿阶段;表生氧化期。从以上认为,该矿床属矽卡岩型金-铜矿床。本文还指出,现已发现的矿体多与激电异常值对应,因此在岩体超覆大理岩部位若发现激电异常高值时,应注意寻找隐伏的金-铜盲矿体。     

陕西商洛杨斜金矿床地质特征与控矿因素探讨

陕西杨斜金矿床为东秦岭杨斜-丰北河金钨成矿带东段的一中型金矿床。金矿体主要为热液石英脉型,赋存于商丹断裂带内北东—北北东与北西—北北西向次级断裂中,赋矿围岩为新元古代杨斜片麻岩套。矿石金属矿物为黄铁矿-自然金-黄铜矿-黝铜矿-闪锌矿-方铅矿等中低温组合;热液成矿过程可划分钾长石-石英、石英-粗粒黄铁矿-自然金、石英-细粒黄铁矿-自然金-多金属硫化物和碳酸盐4个阶段;近矿围岩蚀变以钾化、硅化及黄铁矿化为特征,远矿蚀变主要为绿泥石化和碳酸盐化。金矿床主要受断裂、围岩及岩体(脉)控制,成矿时代不早于晚三叠世。     

中冈底斯布东拉金矿床地质特征、控矿因素和找矿标志

布东拉金矿床是近年来在中冈底斯岩浆岩带新发现的少有的中型岩金矿床。矿床位于措勤弧后盆地的北西向和北东向断裂的交汇部位,矿体严格受断裂构造的控制,产于北西向次级断裂带中,呈脉状、透镜体状产出;矿体由石英脉和构造蚀变岩组成,主要矿石矿物为黄铁矿、黄铜矿、方铅矿、闪锌矿,以及自然金等;矿床围岩蚀变强烈,以黄铁绢英岩化为主;岩浆岩和构造是该矿床的主要控制因素;北西向构造、围岩蚀变、含硫化物石英脉、地球化学异常等可作为找矿标志。该矿床的发现丰富了冈底斯金矿床的矿床类型,对金成矿规律的总结具有重要意义。     

东昆仑巴隆河西金矿地质特征与找矿标志

巴隆河西金矿床是东昆仑金成矿带近年来新发现的金矿床,其形成时代、地质特征与矿床类型尚不明确。本次在详细野外地质调查的基础上,通过构造-蚀变填图、锆石U-Pb定年和综合对比等方法,研究巴隆河西矿床的成矿特征和岩体侵位时代,以确定该矿床的成因类型与成矿时代。构造-蚀变填图发现巴隆河西矿床的金矿化赋存于花岗质岩体的9条构造蚀变带,明确了5个金矿体呈带状分布于北西西向断裂中,揭示金矿化与高岭土化、褐铁矿化、硅化和黄铁矿化等蚀变密切相关。赋含金矿化的花岗闪长岩和花岗斑岩的锆石U-Pb定年结果表明,其侵位时代分别为202.5±1.8 Ma和222.1±1.1Ma,属于印支晚期,约束了巴隆河西金矿的形成时代。结合区域岩浆活动时限、巴隆金矿地质特征、矿体产状与中低温矿物组合特征,提出巴隆河西矿床为造山带型金矿,推断逆断层及其伴随的热液活动是巴隆河西矿床金元素活化、迁移和富集的关键因素,指出北西西向构造蚀变带是该区带金矿成矿的有利部位。     

东坪金矿主要地质特征及控矿条件

东坪金矿产于水泉沟偏碱性杂岩体与太古宇桑干群变质岩之内接触带,矿石工业类型为石英脉和蚀变岩型,以前者为主。矿脉带走向为ＮＮＥ,主要载金矿物为石英、黄铁矿、镜铁矿、黄铜矿和碲金矿,金成色９３７￣９９０,矿化蚀变主要是钾长石和硅化;肉红色钾长石化是东坪金矿乃至赋存于水泉沟杂岩体中所有金矿的典型特征。矿化共分５个阶段,其中第２、３两个阶段,即镜铁矿－自然金－石英阶段和多金属硫化物－自然金－石英阶段为主要     

新疆萨尔朔克铜金多金属矿床成矿围岩锆石年龄、Hf同位素及其成矿背景

新疆萨尔朔克金铜多金属矿床产于中泥盆统阿舍勒组上亚组的中酸性火山岩-次火山岩中,地表以金(铜)矿化为主,矿体形态及空间分布严格受NNW向断裂破碎带控制,矿体呈脉状、透镜状。金(铜)矿石以蚀变岩型为主,其次为石英脉型,赋矿围岩为黄铁绢英岩化流纹斑岩。金主要赋存在微细粒黄铁矿等硫化物和脉石英中,黄铜矿常呈不规则细脉状出现。在地表100m以下,出现铅锌矿化,且向深部铅锌品位较高,一般3%~5%,最高达12%以上。流纹斑岩与金铜多金属矿关系密切。通过锆石U-Pb同位素测年和Hf同位素测试分析,获得流纹斑岩的成岩年龄为386.2±1.5Ma,εHf(t)在7~13之间,主要集中在8.5~12.5之间。上述结果表明,流纹斑岩可能形成于早泥盆世晚期活动大陆边缘环境,是俯冲增生的产物。铅锌矿化是386Ma流纹斑岩期后岩浆作用的产物,而金铜矿化则是在含矿流纹斑岩的基础上,经其后火山热液叠加作用发生的。     

东坪金矿主要地质特征及控矿条件

东坪金矿产于水泉沟偏碱性杂岩体与太古宇桑干群变质岩之内接触带,矿石工业类型为石英脉和蚀变岩型,以前者为主.矿脉带走向为NNE,主要载金矿物为石英、黄铁矿、镜铁矿、黄铜矿和碲金矿,金成色937~990,矿化蚀变主要是钾长石化和硅化;肉红色钾长石化是东坪金矿乃至赋存于水泉沟杂岩体中所有金矿的典型特征.矿化共分5个阶段,其中第2、3两个阶段,即镜铁矿-自然金-石英阶段和多金属硫化物-自然金-石英阶段为主要成矿阶段.水泉沟杂岩体在东坪金矿成矿过程中,不仅提供了热动力,而且提供了成矿物质和矿化剂;太古宙桑干群涧沟河组提供了部分成矿物质,近E-W向尚义-崇礼-赤诚深大断裂控制了水泉沟金矿田的产出,而NNE和NW向两组裂隙则控制了东坪金矿矿体的产出.     

徽县银洞子金矿床地质特征与控矿因素分析

银洞子金矿床位于甘肃徽县东南部,属多因素沉积再造型矿床。矿床受EW向F1断裂及次级构造控制,金矿化与下石炭统下岩组凝灰岩、凝灰质灰岩、不纯的薄层灰岩及其构造角砾岩有关,在金矿化区常见中基性—中酸性小岩体（枝）分布。金矿化赋存在通过此岩组断裂中。与金矿化关系密切的围岩蚀变主要是硅化、黄铁矿化、褐铁矿化、碳酸盐化等。     

Mountains,nations, parks,and conservation

Between 1985 and 1991, two new mountain protected areas (MTNPA) covering more than 35,000 km² and based on participatory management models — the Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area, Nepal, and Qomolangma Nature Preserve, Tibet Autonomous Region — were successfully established through the collaborative efforts of Woodlands Mountain Institute and conservationists in China and Nepal. Characteristics common to both projects include the importance of establishing (1) effective rationales, (2) local support constituencies, (3) a senior advisory group, (4) a task force, (5) linkages between conservation and development, and (6) fund raising mechanisms. The lessons derived from the experiences of Woodlands Mountain Institute are of significant value to others in preserving MTNPA. Increased collaboration and communication between all interested in conservation, however, will remain a critical component for expanding mountain protected area coverage to throughout the world.     

Roles of xenomelts,xenoliths, xenocrysts,xenovolatiles, residues,and skarns in the genesis,transport, and localization of magmatic Fe-Ni-Cu-PGE sulfides and chromite

Most sulfide-rich magmatic Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits form in dynamic magmatic systems by partial melting S-bearing wall rocks with variable degrees of assimilation of miscible silicate and volatile components, and generation of barren to weakly-mineralized immiscible Fe sulfide xenomelts into which Ni-Cu-Co-PGE partition from the magma. Some exceptionally-thick magmatic Cr deposits may form by partial melting oxide-bearing wall rocks with variable degrees of assimilation of the miscible silicate and volatile components, and generation of barren Fe ± Ti oxide xenocrysts into which Cr-Mg-V ± Ti partition from the magma. The products of these processes are variably preserved as skarns, residues, xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and xenovolatiles, which play important to critical roles in ore genesis, transport, localization, and/or modification. Incorporation of barren xenoliths/autoliths may induce small amounts of sulfide/chromite to segregate, but incorporation of sulfide xenomelts or oxide xenocrysts with dynamic upgrading of metal tenors (PGE > Cu > Ni > Co and Cr > V > Ti, respectively) is required to make significant ore deposits. Silicate xenomelts are only rarely preserved, but will be variably depleted in chalcophile and ferrous metals. Less dense felsic xenoliths may aid upward sulfide transport by increasing the effective viscosity and decreasing the bulk density of the magma. Denser mafic or metamorphosed xenoliths may also increase the effective viscosity of the magma, but may aid downward sulfide transport by increasing the bulk density of the magma. Sulfide wets olivine, so olivine xenocrysts may act as filter beds to collect advected finely dispersed sulfide droplets, but other silicates and xenoliths may not be wetted by sulfides. Xenovolatiles may retard settling of – or in some cases float – dense sulfide droplets. Reactions of sulfide melts with felsic country rocks may generate Fe-rich skarns that may allow sulfide melts to fractionate to more extreme Cu-Ni-rich compositions. Xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and xenovolatiles are more likely to be preserved in cooler basaltic magmas than in hotter komatiitic magmas, and are more likely to be preserved in less dynamic (less turbulent) systems/domain/phases than in more dynamic (more turbulent) systems/domains/phases. Massive to semi-massive Ni-Cu-PGE and Cr mineralization and xenoliths are often localized within footwall embayments, dilations/jogs in dikes, throats of magma conduits, and the horizontal segments of dike-chonolith and dike-sill complexes, which represent fluid dynamic traps for both ascending and descending sulfides/oxides. If skarns, residues, xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and/or xenovolatiles are present, they provide important constraints on ore genesis and they are valuable exploration indicators, but they must be included in elemental and isotopic mass balance calculations.     

Parents,permission, and possibility: Young women,college, and imagined futures in Gujarat,India

This article advances critical geographies of youth through examining the spatiality implicit in the imagined futures of young women in rural India. Geographers and other scholars of youth have begun to pay more attention to the interplay between young people’s past, present, and imagined futures. Within this emerging body of scholarship the role of the family and peer group in influencing young people’s orientations toward the future remain underexamined. Drawing on eleven months of ethnographic fieldwork, my research focuses on a first generation of college-going young women from socioeconomically marginalized backgrounds in India’s westernmost state of Gujarat. I draw on the “possible selves” theoretical construct in order to deploy a flexible conceptual framework that links imagined post-educational trajectories with motivation to act in the present. In tracing the physical movement of these young women as they navigate and complete college, my analysis highlights the ways in which particular kinds of spaces and spatial arrangements facilitate and limit intra- and inter-generational contact, and the extent to which this affects young women’s conceptions of the future. I conclude by considering the wider implications of my research for ongoing debates surrounding youth transitions, relational geographies of age, and education in the Global South.     

Comparative study of As,Cd, Cu,Cr, Mg,Mn, Ni,Pb and Zn concentrations between sediment and water from estuary and port

The contents of As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn have been determined in sediment and water samples from Valle de las Garzas estuary and Port Manzanillo (Colima, Mexico) using ICP-AES. The concentrations of these elements were used for a comparative study to determine the distribution of heavy metals and to evaluate which elements reflect natural or anthropogenic backgrounds. For this purpose, seven sampling points were selected: Four of them correspond to the lagoon, and three were situated in the port. Statistical analysis of the mineral content was assessed. Initially, data comparison was assessed by statistical tests for each variable. Principal component analysis was then applied considering the influence of all variables at the same time by obtaining the distribution of samples according to their scores in the principal component space. In this way, four studies were carried out: (1) study of sediments collected during the dry season; (2) study of sediments collected during the rainy season; (3) comparative study between sediments from rainy and dry season; and (4) study of water composition collected during rainy season. From the results of the performed analyses, it can be concluded that metals distribution pattern reflected natural and anthropogenic backgrounds (e.g., sediments from the lagoon, situated at the beginning of the rain channel, presented high contents of Zn and Cu, perhaps related to anthropogenic activities or the influence of igneous sediments).     

Partition coefficients of Hf,Zr, and REE between zircon,apatite, and liquid

Concentration ratios of Hf, Zr, and REE between zircon, apatite, and liquid were determined for three igneous compositions: two andesites and a diorite. The concentration ratios of these elements between zircon and corresponding liquid can approximate the partition coefficient. Although the concentration ratios between apatite and andesite groundmass can be considered as partition coefficients, those for the apatite in the diorite may deviate from the partition coefficients. The HREE partition coefficients between zircon and liquid are very large (100 for Er to 500 for Lu), and the Hf partition coefficient is even larger. The REE partition coefficients between apatite and liquid are convex upward, and large (D=10–100), whereas the Hf and Zr partition coefficients are less than 1. The large differences between partition coefficients of Lu and Hf for zircon-liquid and for apatite-liquid are confirmed. These partition coefficients are useful for petrogenetic models involving zircon and apatite.     

Coprecipitation of Ti,Mo, Sn and Sb with fluorides and application to determination of B,Ti, Zr,Nb, Mo,Sn, Sb,Hf and Ta by ICP-MS

We examined the coprecipitation behavior of Ti, Mo, Sn and Sb in Ca–Al–Mg fluorides under two different fluoride forming conditions: at < 70 °C in an ultrasonic bath (denoted as the ultrasonic method) and at 245 °C using a Teflon bomb (denoted as the bomb method). In the ultrasonic method, small amounts of Ti, Mo and Sn coprecipitation were observed with 100% Ca and 100% Mg fluorides. No coprecipitation of Ti, Mo, Sn and Sb in Ca–Al–Mg fluorides occurred when the sample was decomposed by the bomb method except for 100% Ca fluoride. Based on our coprecipitation observations, we have developed a simultaneous determination method for B, Ti, Zr, Nb, Mo, Sn, Sb, Hf and Ta by Q-pole type ICP-MS (ICP-QMS) and sector field type ICP-MS (ICP-SFMS). 9–50 mg of samples with Zr–Mo–Sn–Sb–Hf spikes were decomposed by HF using the bomb method and the ultrasonic method with B spike. The sample was then evaporated and re-dissolved into 0.5 mol l^− 1 HF, followed by the removal of fluorides by centrifuging. B, Zr, Mo, Sn, Sb and Hf were measured by ID method. Nb and Ta were measured by the ID-internal standardization method, based on Nb/Mo and Ta/Mo ratios using ICP-QMS, for which pseudo-FI was developed and applied. When 100% recovery yields of Zr and Hf are expected, Nb/Zr and Ta/Hf ratios may also be used. Ti was determined by the ID-internal standardization method, based on the Ti/Nb ratio from ICP-SFMS. Only 0.053 ml sample solution was required for measurement of all 9 elements. Dilution factors of ≤ 340 were aspirated without matrix effects. To demonstrate the applicability of our method, 4 carbonaceous chondrites (Ivuna, Orgueil, Cold Bokkeveld and Allende) as well as GSJ and USGS silicate reference materials of basalts, andesites and peridotites were analyzed. Our analytical results are consistent with previous studies, and the mean reproducibility of each element is 1.0–4.6% for basalts and andesites, and 6.7–11% for peridotites except for TiO₂.     

Entropy,materials, and posterity

Materials and energy are the interdependent feedstocks of economic systems, and thermodynamics is their moderator. It costs energy to transform the dispersed minerals of Earth's crust into ordered materials and structures. And it costs materials to collect and focus the energy to perform work — be it from solar, fossil fuel, nuclear, or other sources. The greater the dispersal of minerals sought, the more energy is required to collect them into ordered states.But available energy can be used once only. And the ordered materials of industrial economies become disordered with time. They may be partially reordered and recycled, but only at further costs in energy. Available energy everywhere degrades to bound states and order to disorder — for though entropy may be juggled it always increases. Yet industry is utterly dependent on low entropy states of matter and energy, while decreasing grades of ore require ever higher inputs of energy to convert them to metals, with ever increasing growth both of entropy and environmental hazard.Except as we may prize a thing for its intrinsic qualities — beauty, leisure, love, or gold — low-entropy is the only thing of real value. It is worth whatever the market will bear, and it becomes more valuable as entropy increases. It would be foolish of suppliers to sell it more cheaply or in larger amounts than their own enjoyment of life requires, whatever form it may take. For this reason, and because of physical constraints on the availability of all low-entropy states, the recent energy crises is only the first of a sequence of crises to be expected in energy and materials as long as current trends continue.The apportioning of low-entropy states in a modern industrial society is achieved more or less according to the theory of competitive markets. But the rational powers of this theory suffer as the world grows increasingly polarized into rich, over-industrialized nations with diminishing resource bases and poor, supplier nations with little industry. The theory also discounts posterity, the more so as population density and percapita rates of consumption continue to grow. A new social, economic, and ecologic norm that leads to population control, conservation, and an apportionment of low-entropy states across the generations is needed to assure to posterity the options that properly belong to it as an important but voiceless constituency of the collectivity we call mankind.

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Zusammenfassung Rohstoffe und Energie sind die Grundlagen unseres ökonomischen Systems, das von den Gesetzen der Thermodynamik bestimmt wird. Es kostet Energie, um die auf der Erde verteilten Rohstoffe diesem System zuzuführen. Andererseits braucht man Rohstoffe, um die Energie nutzbar zu machen.Die verfügbare Energie kann nur einmal genutzt werden und das Material verbraucht sich. Verbrauchtes Material kann teilweise zur weiteren Nutzung zurückgeführt werden, das kostet wiederum Energie. Die verfügbare Energie nimmt überall ab, und einmal geschaffene Ordnung gerät wieder in Unordnung — das heißt, die Entropie des Systems nimmt ständig zu. Die Industrie ist jedoch abhängig von einem niedrigen Entropiezustand sowohl der Materie als auch der Energie.Je ärmer die Erze sind, um so höher wird die Energie sein, um sie in Metalle umzuwandeln, wobei die Entropie und die Belastung der Umwelt ständig zunimmt.Außer den Dingen, die wir wegen höherer ideeller Werte schätzen, ist eine niedrige Entropie der einzige realistische Wertmaßstab, und der wirkliche Wertzuwachs ist nur an einer höheren Entropie zu messen. Es ist unverantwortlich, Dinge, die eine höhere Entropie bedingen, billiger zu verkaufen oder in größerer Menge zu erzeugen, als unbedingt notwendig ist. Da wir dies heute in unserem Handeln nicht berücksichtigen, ist die derzeitige Energiekrise nur der Anfang einer Folge von Krisen, die Energie und Rohstoffe betreffen, solange wir nicht umdenken.Die Verteilung von niedriger Entropie in einer modernen Industriegesellschaft wird mehr oder weniger nach dem Prinzip der konkurrierenden Märkte erreicht. Das selbstregulierende System gerät jedoch mit zunehmender Polarisierung in reiche Industrienationen mit abnehmenden Ressourcen und armen Nationen mit geringer Industrialisierung in Unordnung. Dieses Prinzip berücksichtigt auch nicht die Nachwelt, vor allem wenn die Bevölkerungsdichte stetig zunimmt und die Konsumbedürfnisse anwachsen. Es sind neue soziale, ökonomische und ökologische Normen notwendig, die zur Populationskontrolle, zur Erhaltung der Umwelt und zu einem Zustand niedriger Entropie für zukünftige Generationen führen. Die nach uns kommenden Menschen haben ein Anrecht darauf.

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Résumé Matériaux et énergie sont les sources des systèmes économiques et sont régis par les lois de la thermodynamique. Il faut de l'énergie pour transformer les ressources minérales dispersées dans la croûte terrestre en matériaux et structures ordonnancées. Et il faut des matériaux pour receuillir et concentrer l'énergie, qu'elle soit solaire ou atomique, ou provienne de combustibles fossiles ou d'autres sources. Plus les minéraux recherchés sont dispersés et plus est côuteuse l'énergie pour leur donner une ordonnance.Or l'énergie disponsible ne peut être utilisée qu'une seule fois. Et les matériaux ordonnancés des économies industrielles se dégradent avec le temps. Ils peuvent être remis partiellement en état et recyclés, mais pour cela il faut de nouveau de l'énergie. Partout l'énergie disponible se dégrade et l'ordre devient désordre; -malgré toutes les jongleries possibles l'entropie augmente toujours.L'industrie dépend clairement d'états de basse entropie tant en ce qui concerne les matériaux que l'énergie, tandis que plus pauvres sont les minerais, plus; élevée est l'énergie à mettre en jeu pour en extraire les métaux, avec toujours augmentation à la fois de l'entropie et de la degradation des milieux.A l'exception de ce que nous apprécions pour leur valeur intrinsèque — la beauté, le loisir, l'amour ou l'or — la basse entropie est la seule chose de réelle valeur. Son prix est réglé par le marché, et sa valeur augmente au fur et à mesure que l'entropie s'accroît. Ceux qui en disposent seraient insensés de la vendre à bas prix ou en quantité supérieure à ce qu'exige leur propre niveau de vie. Pour cette raison, et à cause des contraintes physiques liées à la disponibilité en états de basse entropie, la récente crise d'énergie n'est, en ce qui concerne les matières premières et l'énergie, que la première d'une série de crises auxquelles il faut s'attendre aussi longtemps que se poursoit la marche actuelle des étènements.Dans les sociétés industrielles modernes, les approvisionnement en basse entropie s'effectuent plus ou moins conformément à la théorie de la concurrence des marchés. Cependant la rationalité de cette théorie se ressent de l'accentuation croissante de la polarisation, à l'échelle du monde, en nations riches, surindustrialisées, à ressources de base décroissantes, et en nations pauvres, sous-industrialisées, mais fournisseurs de resources-naturelles. De plus cette théorie ne tient pas compte de notre postérité, et ce, en face d'une densité de population et d'un taux de la consommation par tête d'habitant en augmentation continue.Nous avons donc besoin de nouvelles normes sociales, économiques et écologiques qui conduisent au contrôle de la population, à la conservation et à la répartition des états de basse entropie à travers les générations pour assurer à notre postérité les options qui leur riviennent de droit comme une constituante importante, mais encore muette, de la collectivité que nous appelons l'Humanité.

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Dedicated with appreciation to Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen, distinguished economist, realist among cornucopians     

Models,validation, and applied geochemistry: Issues in science,communication, and philosophy

Models have become so fashionable that many scientists and engineers cannot imagine working without them. The predominant use of computer codes to execute model calculations has blurred the distinction between code and model. The recent controversy regarding model validation has brought into question what we mean by a ‘model’ and by ‘validation.’ It has become apparent that the usual meaning of validation may be common in engineering practice and seems useful in legal practice but it is contrary to scientific practice and brings into question our understanding of science and how it can best be applied to such problems as hazardous waste characterization, remediation, and aqueous geochemistry in general. This review summarizes arguments against using the phrase model validation and examines efforts to validate models for high-level radioactive waste management and for permitting and monitoring open-pit mines. Part of the controversy comes from a misunderstanding of ‘prediction’ and the need to distinguish logical from temporal prediction. Another problem stems from the difference in the engineering approach contrasted with the scientific approach. The reductionist influence on the way we approach environmental investigations also limits our ability to model the interconnected nature of reality. Guidelines are proposed to improve our perceptions and proper utilization of models. Use of the word ‘validation’ is strongly discouraged when discussing model reliability.     

Pools,riffles, and channelization

The addition of regularly spaced deeps (pools) and shallows (riffles) that provide a variety of flow conditions, areal sorting of stream-bed material, cover for wildlife, and a positive aesthetic experience, may be desirable in many channel projects. Such designs will reduce adverse environmental impacts of stream channel modifications. Analysis of variance for pool-to-pool spacing data suggests that there is no significant difference with respect to channel width between pools that form in natural streams and those in streams affected by a variety of human uses. Short of channelization, which changes the channel width, pools and riffles, within limits, are not particularly sensitive to environmental stress. Experiments in Gum Branch near Charlotte, North Carolina, support the hypothesis that channel form and process evolve in harmony and that manipulation of cross-channel morphology can influence the development of desired channel processes. Planned manipulation of its channel form induced Gum Branch to develop as desired. Morphologic stability consisting of incipient point bars, pools, and riffles was maintained over a period of high magnitude flood events, only to be degraded later by a wave of sediment derived from upstream construction and stream-bank failures. Thus, environmentally desirable channel morphology in urban streams cannot remain stable if changes in the sediment load or storm-water runoff exceed the limits of the stream's ability to make internal adjustments while maintaining morphologic stability.