Sedimentary compared to tectonically-deformed serpentinites and tectonic serpentinite mélanges at outcrop to petrographic scales: Unambiguous and disputed examples from California

This paper compares features of unambiguous tectonic serpentinite mélanges (TSM) or serpentinite shear zones in the Coast Range ophiolite, Franciscan subduction complex, of coastal California and Sierra City Mélange of the northern Sierra Nevada of northeastern California with undisputed sedimentary serpentinite mélange (SSM) of the Great Valley Group (GVG) forearc basin deposits of coastal California, and with Franciscan serpentinite mélanges of disputed (sedimentary versus tectonic) origin. The GVG sedimentary serpentinite mélanges and disputed Franciscan serpentinite mélanges share strongly similar matrix textures and block-matrix relationships at scales from tens of meters or more to petrographic scale but differ significantly from serpentinite shear zones and TSM. This comparison suggests shared (non-diagnostic) and distinguishing features of TSM versus SSM. Internal bedding or foliation in blocks is oriented subparallel to mélange boundaries and matrix foliation for both TSM and SSM both may have strongly foliated matrix and both may feature localized shearing in matrix around block borders, especially if an SSM underwent significant post-depositional deformation. The same holds true for deformation and dismemberment of blocks, which is the block-forming and mixing mechanism in TSM but variably exhibited in SSM. In contrast only SSM have blocks or clasts whose internal foliation or bedding terminates abruptly along clast/block boundaries with a mismatch in mineralogy and/or lithology across such boundaries. Matrix foliation cuts blocks/clasts in TSM but not in SSM. SSM may show block/grain size grading but not TSM. SSM have exotic blocks and blocks may span a range of metamorphic grade, whereas TSM lack exotic blocks and blocks are isofacial.     

Reconstruction of Early-Middle Jurassic Large Ordos Basin and Tectonic Setting

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Quantitative Prediction of Concentrated Regions of Large and Superlarge Deposits in China

Identification and quantitative prediction of large and superlarge mineral deposits of solid mineral resources using the mineral resource prediction theory and method with comprehensive information is carried out nationwide in China at a scale of 1:5000000. Using deposit concentrated regions as the model units and concentrated mineralization anomaly regions as prediction units, the prediction is performed on GIS platform. The technical route and research method of locating large and superlarge mineral deposits and principle of compiling attribute table of independent variables and functional variables are proposed. Upon methodology study, the qualitative locating and quantitative predicting mineral deposits are carried out with quantitative theory Ⅲ and characteristic analysis, respectively, and the advatntage and disavantage of two methods are discussed. This research is significant for mineral resource prediction in ten provinces of western China.     

Expert System for Statistical Prediction of Mineral Deposits on Middle and Large Scales

The expert system for statistical prediction of mineral deposits on middle and large scales takes the system of scientific exploration theories, criteria and methods proposed by Professor Zhao Pengda as the field expert knowledge. At present the developed system focuses on two aspects: synthetic exploration and quantitative exploration. Among the three basic theories for the prediction of deposits, it highlights the applications of seeking anomaly theory. This system is characteristic in the determination of geological background, the study of geological anomalies and the delineation of geological background, the study of geological anomalies and the delineation of mineralization anomalies. The system combines closely the knowledge base, method base and database ,integrates the input and output information of multi-sources and multi-variables, data , graphs and imagine processing system and inquiring system as a whole . So the system can meet in general all kinds of demands in statistical prediction of m     

Updated Digital Map of Mafic Dyke Swarms and Large Igneous Provinces in Western Australia

正Since 1894,the Geological Survey of Western Australia(GSWA)has released 14 versions of the‘Geological Map of Western Australia’.The latest in this series,published in December 2015,is the first bedrock geology map     

CO2 Input Dynamics and Air–Sea Exchange in a Large New England Estuary

Repeated surveys of the Kennebec estuary, a macrotidal river estuary in Maine, USA, between 2004 and 2008 found spatial and temporal variability both in sources of carbon dioxide (CO₂) to the estuary and the air–sea flux of estuary CO₂. On an annual basis, the surveyed area of the Kennebec estuary had an area-weighted average partial pressure of CO₂ (pCO₂) of 559 μatm. The area-weighted average CO₂ flux to the atmosphere was 3.54 mol C m^?2 year^?1. Overall, the Kennebec estuary was an annual source of 7.2?×?10⁷ mol CO₂ to the atmosphere. Distinct seasonality in estuarine pCO₂ was observed, with shifts in the seasonal pattern evident between lower and higher salinities. Fluxes of CO₂ from the estuary were elevated following two summertime storms, and inputs of riverine CO₂ outweighed internal estuarine CO₂ inputs in nearly all months. River and estuarine inputs of CO₂ represented 68 and 32 % of the total CO₂ contributions to the estuary, respectively. This study examines the variability of CO₂ in a large New England estuary, and highlights the comparatively high contribution of CO₂ from riverine sources.     

Partitioning and Hydrolysis of Nb and Ta and Their Implications with Regard to Mineralization

K₂NbOF₅ · H₂O and K₂TaF₇ were prepared through melting Nb₂O₅ and Ta₂O₅ respectively with KHF₂ · 2H₂O, followed by recrystallizing. The hydrolysis properties of K₂NbOF₅ and K₂TaF₇ were determined again by using a rapidly quench vessel. As temperature (from 250 to 550 °C) and pressure (from 500 to 1500 bars) increase, the degree of hydrolysis of both K₂NbOF₅ and K₂TaF₇ will increase. Nb- and Ta-fluorine complex compounds are instable in supercritical aqueous fluids. The degree of hydrolysis of both K₂NbOF₅ and K₂TaF₇ decreases with increasing concentration of HF, independent of the concentration of NaF. The partition coefficients of Nb and Ta between granitic melt and fluid phase are less than 0.15, i.e., most of Nb and Ta are left in granitic melt. The partition coefficient of Ta is more dependent on the concentration of HF than that of Nb. The significance of hydrolysis in Nb- and Ta- mineralization is also discussed in the present paper.     

Mg, Al and F transfer features from granite to soil and to tea in the Three-Gorges Dam region from 2003 to 2006

Taipingxi, Yichang, Hubei province, China, is situated on the left of the Three-Gorges Dam of the Yangtze River. The bedrock is granite. Yhe Three-Gorges Project began to sluice in June, 2004. The contents of magnesium, aluminum and fluoride in rock and s…     

Generalized Sequential Gaussian Simulation on Group Size ν and Screen-Effect Approximations for Large Field Simulations

The modelling of spatial uncertainty in attributes of geological phenomena is frequently based on the stochastic simulation of Gaussian random fields. This paper presents a generalization of the sequential Gaussian simulation method founded upon the group decomposition of the posterior probability density function of a stationary and ergodic Gaussian random field into posterior probability densities of a set of groups of nodes of size . The method, which is termed generalized sequential Gaussian simulation on group size , relies computationally on sharing the neighborhood of adjacent nodes and simulates groups of nodes at a time, instead of the traditional node-by-node simulation. The new method is computationally efficient and suitable for simulation on large grids of nodes. Results suggest that, in terms of computing cost (time), an optimal size of a group is about 80% of the optimal neighborhood used for sequential Gaussian simulation and that computation can be up to 50 times faster than the regular sequential Gaussian method, with little loss in accuracy. The effectiveness of the method is assessed by using a general measure of accuracy, screen-effect approximation loss (SEA loss), defined herein as the mean-square difference between the simulated value posterior to the information in the neighborhood and the simulated value posterior to all information, and shown to be determined by the corresponding posterior variances. The results presented show that both the exponential and the spherical models perform well and can meet the less-than 5% relative SEA loss requirement for any grid setup using a relatively small neighborhood. The Gaussian covariance model was found to have a relatively high relative SEA loss in most cases.     

Large and small numbers: options for quantifying the costs of extremes on transport now and in 40 years

The past 15 years has been characterized by a high density of record-breaking weather extremes in Europe. These include the extratropical cyclones Lothar, Kyrill and Xynthia across western and mid Europe; the major floods in the UK, Germany and eastern Europe; the heat waves in 2003 and 2007 and, after a long period of mild winters, the heavy winter seasons in 2009/2010 and 2010/2011. Inspired by the rising trends in weather-related damages worldwide and the studies on the topic carried out in overseas, the EC funded the sister projects such as Weather Extremes-Assessing the Impacts on Transport and Hazards for European Regions (WEATHER), EWENT and ECCONET to determine the magnitude of current and future risks to the European transport sector and to assess suitable adaptation strategies. This paper presents the assessment framework of the WEATHER project and the results of weather-inflicted damage costs now and in 2040–2050. Total annual damages are found to be around €2.5 billion, which largely attribute to road traffic. However, broken down to passenger and ton kilometers the highest risk is borne by rail traffic due to its expensive infrastructures and its comparably complex operating structure. This indication even amplifies when looking four decades ahead: while average road transport costs will only raise by 7 % due to milder winters, rail traffic costs may increase by up to 80 % due to more floods and less predictable winter periods. A comparison with the results of the EWENT study uncovers a high range of uncertainty concerning methodological approaches and data treatment. Thus, the final figures might even be much higher.     

A Large Transpression Zone at the South Margin of the East Kunlun Mountains and Oblique Subduction

1. Introduction The East Kunlun terrane lying in northern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is a Caledonian-Indosinian composite orogenic belt. South of the terrance is the Baryan Hara-Songgan (Songpan-Garze) terrane, which is an Indosinian orogenic belt. Between the two terrances is the boundary of Indosinian 搒outh margin of the East Kunlun?(western Datan-eastern Datan-A抧yemaqen) convergent belt extended about 1200 km. On the north side of the convergent belt, the southern East Kunlun terra…     

Construction Technology of Floor Slab for Deep and Large Top–Down Excavation in Soft Clay

The construction quality and elevation of floor slab obtained using the top–down construction method in soft clay may be affected by soil uplift due to excavation unloading and recompression settlement due to the weight of concrete. Based on the Shanghai EXPO axis and underground complex project (Shanghai EXPO axis excavation), soil uplift is studied by conducting centrifugal model test and numerical simulation. The soil uplift process for soft clay in Shanghai EXPO Axis excavation is mainly concentrated during the 14 days after excavation, attaining approximate 84 % of the final values. The configuration of soil uplift is serrated. The maximum soil uplifts for excavation depths of ?1.08, ?9.10, ?12.80, and ?17.30 m (WSEY) are 85, 127, 143, and 153 mm respectively. On-site monitoring reveals that the floor slabs and beams are settling during concrete casting. The settlement values are related to concrete weight, bearing capacity of soils under the excavation surface, and stiffness of scaffold. Based on these findings, exposure time duration between soil excavation and concrete casting and reasonable pre-camber values of scaffold are proposed. The results of this paper demonstrate that the application of these values is effective in controlling construction quality and elevation of floor slab and beam.     

A thermodynamic model for the solubility of barite and celestite in electrolyte solutions and seawater to 200°C and to 1 kbar

This paper describes a model for barite and celestite solubilities in the Na–K–Ca–Mg–Ba–Sr–Cl–SO₄–H₂O system to 200°C and to 1 kbar. It is based on Pitzer's ion interaction model for the thermodynamic properties of the aqueous phase and on values of the solubility products of the solids revised in this work. It is shown how barite and celestite solubilities in electrolyte solutions can be accurately predicted as a function of temperature and pressure from previously determined Pitzer's parameters. The equilibrium constant for the BaSO₄(aq) ion pair dissociation reaction is calculated from recently reported barite solubility in Na₂SO₄ solutions from 0 to 80°C. Pressure corrections are evaluated through partial molal volume calculations and are partially validated by comparing model predictions to measured barite and celestite solubilities in pure water to 1 kbar and in NaCl solutions to 500 bars. The model is then used to investigate the tendency of ion pairing of Ca, Sr and Ba with sulfate in seawater. Finally, the activity coefficient of aqueous barium sulfate in seawater is calculated for temperature, pressure and salinity values found in the ocean and compared to published values.     

Ordovician-Silurian Boundary Extinction and Its Relationship to Iridium and carbon Isotope Anomalies

The abundance distributions of more than 40 elements in the No. 502 Ordovician-Silurian (O/S) bounda-ry section at Fenxiang, Yichang have been studied by RNAA and INAA. The results show that in the bounda-ry bed, there is a distinctive Ir anomaly because the Ir concentration abruptly increases to 0.64 ppb.Furthermore, the Ir is positively correlated in abundance variation with some siderophile and sulphophile ele-ments. In the same bed of the O/S boundary section at Huanghuachang, Yichang, there is also a δ~(13)C excur-sion. These geochemical signs support the hypothesis that the terminal Ordovician mass extinction was proba-bly related to extraterrestrial event, and provide new evidence for defining the O/S boundary between theHirnantia-Kinnella and G. persculptus Zones.     

Prediction of Large Deformation Behavior in Tunnels Based on AHP–FUZZY Method and Numerical Simulation Method

In this paper, two different research methods are applied to predict large deformation behavior in tunnels and take Tianjiashan tunnel as the case study which is located in Xindianping town, Zhejiang city, Hunan province. The paper introduces the basic principle of the analytic hierarchy process and the fuzzy mathematics method, and classifies the influence factors of the large deformation in tunnels into eight kinds (C1–C8). Basing on the AHP–FUZZY method, this paper applies the results into the large deformation prediction analysis of Tianjiashan tunnel. In order to verify the accuracy of the evaluation results of AHP–FUZZY method, a numerical simulation model of DK394 + 625–DK394 + 650 section of Tianjiashan tunnel is established. The results show that the tunnel deformation is very large, and the tunnel excavation is sure to cause large deformation. The numerical simulation result is in accordance with the AHP–FUZZY method. Finally, we track record of occurrence of large deformation during the actual construction in tunnel, and the actual results are coincide with AHP–FUZZY method and numerical simulation results, which reflects the effectiveness of AHP–FUZZY method and numerical simulation method in predicting the large deformation behavior in tunnels.     

Measurements of ^222Rn and ^220Rn with a Large Size Collector of Radon Progeny

Radon concentrations in high background radiation areas in the south are higher than those of others in China, especially ^220Rn concentration is significantly high. Therefore, measurements of ^222Rn and ^220Rn concentrations should be carried out there. This paper introduces a large size collector of radon progeny and its applications. The collector is a sheet of polyvinyl chloride fiber with electrostatics of (-500 V)-(-700 V). Its size (60 mm in diameter) is larger than those of others (26 mm in diameter) that work with the same principle. The collector is more effective to adsorb radon progeny than most of others. The equipment of ZnS(Ag) Scintillation Counting System is available for large size collectors to detect radon progeny. Therefore, its sensitivity of measurement is higher than that of others. According to the different half lives of radon progeny, and based on both theory and experiments, a formula for discrimination and calculation of ^222Rn and ^220Rn concentrations is deduced. The ^222Rn and ^220Rn concentrations were surveyed with electrostatic collectors of radon progeny on the campus of commercial school and some other areas in Hainan, southern China. Neither ^222Rn nor ^220Rn concentration was found significantly high. However, several faults underground were delineated. The collector is also used to study radon transportation. Results indicate that radon changes regularly with date when it has transported for a certain distance. Velocities of radon migration in the four media are quite different. Radon migrates more quickly in vertical tube than in the horizontal tube.     

Geochemistry Characteristics of Nibao Super Large Gold Deposits from Guizhou Province, China and its Geologic Significance

Please refer to the attachment(s) for more details     

Remediation and restoration of metal-contaminated sites： Concepts and appfications to mining areas

Metals, including heavy metals and metalloids, are a common group of environmental contaminants. Their sources in the environment are geogenic or anthropogenic. The growing trend in global industrialization ensures that more metals could be dispersed even in pristine ecosystems. To fuel industrialization, more metal ore mines have to be discovered and explored. These explorations often result in landscape disturbance, soil degradation and environmental contamination by unwanted mining constituents. Mine tailings brought up to the ground surface often serve as the main source of contaminants when these pyrite-rich materials oxidize. The oxidation of mine tailings results in proton generation, coupled with the dissolution of metals and other cations Unwanted anionic constituents are also produced. The so-called ＂acid mine drainage＂ may affect the productivity of farmlands and stability of receiving streams and other bodies of water-acidifying the waters and enriching the ecosystem with metals, i.e., high total dissolved solids. The acidified overburden materials become inhospitable to plant and microbial life as they are typically low in organic matter content and infertile. This exposes the landscape to runoff and erosion.     

Remediation and restoration of metal-contaminated sites: Concepts and applications to mining areas

Metals, including heavy metals and metalloids, are a common group of environmental contaminants. Their sources in the environment are geogenic or anthropogenic. The growing trend in global industrialization ensures that more metals could be dispersed even…