Indebted to Fair Trade? Coffee and crisis in Nicaragua

This paper explores the following general question: Why are Fair Trade coffee farmers in Nicaragua burdened by debt? Nearly five years from “the end” of the coffee crisis, peasant farming households committed to Fair Trade standards continue to struggle with a legacy of indebtedness caused by years of low farm-gate prices and declining productivity between 2000 and 2004. Through ethnographic observation and interviews with peasant farmers in Nicaragua, I explore how farmers experience a simple reproduction squeeze that hinders them from “bootstrapping” their own economic development. I argue that the effort to raise the Fair Trade minimum price and premium for coffee through Fair Trade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) in 2008 demonstrated a good first step toward improving farm-gate prices, however, these gains must be understood in the context of long-term indebtedness as well as rising production costs and household consumption costs.     

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…     

Lead in K－Feldspar and Its Relations to Rb Metallogenesis

In intermediate-acid magmatic rocks,alkaline magmatic rocks,gneisses and migmatitic rocks K-feldspar is a rock-forming rock in which the contents of Pb are highest,just 2-10 times those of the whole rock,3-16 times those of mica minerals and 6-32 times those of quartz.The lowest contents of K-feldspar are recognized in Early Proterozoic and Achaean rocks,with Pb in the K-feldspar accounting for less than 10% of that in the whole rock;in post Middle Proterozoic alkaine magmatic rocks,K-feldspar-rich granites and metamorphic rocks the contents of K-feldspar tend to increase,with the proportion granites and metamorphic rocks the contents of K-feldspar tend to increase,with the proportion of Pb over that in the whole rock being obviously increased.In the alkaline rocks in which K-feldspar accounts for 50%-70% of the total in the whole rock,the contents of Pb in K-feldspar account approximately for 70%-95% of the total lead in the whole rock.Being accessible to hydrothermal alteration in the late periods,K-feldspar was conversed to sericite,calcite,quartz,etc.In the process of such conversion the lead would be leached out and then find its way into fluid phase.This kind of trans-formation can provide sufficient ore-forming material for later Pb metallogenesis.     

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.     

Changes to cadmium associations in canal sediments on drying and oxidation

The mainly 19th Century canal system in the UK, largely managed by British Waterways, has been increasingly brought back into operation over the last few decades, and is now widely used for both leisure, and, increasingly, transport. Both initial and routine dredging of the canal sediment is carried out and these sediments are generally disposed of to land. Because many of the canals were connected with primary industries, their sediments can locally be significantly contaminated with heavy metals, and the behaviour of these metals under differing redox conditions, when introduced into a new environment （i.e., on land） is of importance for environmental risk-assessment purposes. Canal sediments are often rich in sulfidic mineral phases, and we have attempted to quantify the influence of these sulfidic phases on the release and retention of metals in dredged canal sediments, using a combination of traditional chemical techniques （e.g. sequential extraction） and X-ray absorption spectroscopy （XAS）. Sediment samples have been collected from urban fresh-water canals, one in the British Midlands and one in Northern France. It appears from XAS that Cd is largely associated with oxygen in air-dried sediment, and with sulphur in vacuum-dried sediment.     

Tunnelling in soils – ground movements, and damage to buildings in Workington, UK

Tunnelling through soils results in ground loss, causing surface settlements and transverse movements. Where the tunnel drive passes below an existing structure, it is important to estimate the effects upon the structure. However, the free ground deformations should not simply be imposed upon a structure, because the structure contributes to stiffening of the ground. A computational soil-structure interaction analysis is required, to otain detailed stress–deformation response. First, linear finite element and Lagrangian finite difference methods are used to estimate ground movements due to a tunnel in free ground, and the results are compared with values based on empirical equations. The two linear methods and an additional hybrid FE method are then used to assess with soil-structure interaction; two cases of a typical short wall and a long wall lying across the route of tunnels of different depths. The results support the validity of the hybrid method which is used to estimate interactive ground settlements for comparison with a reported case of tunnelling below a building in central London. A more detailed case study is then undertaken to assess building damage caused by gross settlements during tunnelling in mixed soils, at a site in Workington, west Cumbria. A survey allowed estimation of free ground movements. Analysis by the hybrid method on the soils plus uncracked structures indicated intolerable horizontal stresses. Re-analysis with major cracks introduced into the structures resulted in close agreement between measured and computed settlements.     

The Formation and Evolution of the Lujiang-Zongyang Volcano-Structural Depression in Anhui and Its Relation to Mineralization

The Lujiang-Zongyang volcano-structural depression resulted from the combined action of tectonism and volcanism. Its evolution progressed through five stages from 190 to 105 Ma B.P., during which nine types of metal and pyrite deposits were formed. These deposits show obvious regularities in the temporal-spatial distribution and have certain genetic relation, forming a minerogenetic series related to shoshonite within or around the volcano-structural depression on the basement that sank for a long period of time. This paper suggests a four-dimensional model of the formation and evolution of a typical volcano-structural depression and its related mineralizalion in a transition belt from the active margins to the inner part of a plate under alternating shear-compressive and shear-extensional stress conditions, but predominantly shear-extensional stress conditions.     

Access to basic amenities and services to urban households in West Bengal: Does its location and size of settlements matter?

GeoJournal - Basic urban services refer to the important civic services required for the citizens of urban areas and for the functioning of cities viz., water supply, sanitation, waste management,...     

A multi-methodological approach to determine CO_2 and CH_4 fluxes and concentrations in solid waste disposal

The municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills are the significant sources of atmospheric contamination, due to biogas production by anaerobic decomposition of organic matter via bacterial activity. Biogas released from landfills is commonly composed of a mixt…     

Secondary Silicates as a Barrier to Carbon Capture and Storage in Deccan Basalt

Investigating the immobilization of CO2, previous basalt-water-CO2 interaction studies revealed the formation of carbonates over a short period, but with the extensive formation of secondary silicates (SS). The mechanisms involved in these processes remain unresolved, so the present study was undertaken to understand secondary mineral formation mechanisms. XRPD and Rietveld refinement data for neo-formed minerals show a drastic decrease in the Ca-O bond length, with the calcite structure degenerating after 80 h (hours). However, SEM images and EDS data revealed that a longer interaction time resulted in the formation of chlorite and smectite, adjacent to basalt grains which prevent basalt-water-CO2 interaction to form carbonates, thus restricting carbonate formation. As a result of this, the CO2 mineralization rate is initially high (till 80 h), but it later reduces drastically. It is evident that, for such temperature-controlled transformations, low temperature is conducive to minimizing SS surface coating at the time of mineral carbonation.     

Oxygen Isotope Fractionation in TiO2 Polymorphs and Application to Geothermometry of Eclogites

Oxygen isotope fractionation in TiO2 polymorphs has been calculated by the modi-fied increment method .The results that rutile is enriched in ^18O relative to brookite but depleted in ^18O relative to anatase.Due to the same crystal structure ,oxygen isotope partitioning in the TiO2 polymorphs is determined by the cation-oxygen inter-atomic distances.The theoretical calibrations involving rutile are in fair agreement with known experimental measurements and empirical estimates.Application of the theoretic-cal quartz-rutile calibration to geothermometry of natural eclogite assemblages indicates the preservation of isotopic equilibrium at high temperatures.The isotopic temperatures calculated are only slightly lower than the non-isotopic temperatures,indicating the slow rates of exchange for oxygen diffusion in rutile.The kinetics of exchange for oxygen diffu-sion in rutile is accordingly estimated by reconciling the differences between the isotopic and the non-isotopic temperatures.The rates of exchange for oxygen diffusion in rutile should be smaller than those for hornblende,but may be equal to or greater than those for diopside.     

A multi-methodological approach to determine CO2 and CH4 fluxes and concentrations in solid waste disposal

The municipal solid waste （MSW） landfills are the significant sources of atmospheric contamination, due to biogas production by anaerobic decomposition of organic matter via bacterial activity. Biogas released from landfills is commonly composed of a mixture of methane （55%-60%） and carbon dioxide （40%-45%）, with minor contents of N2, H2, CO and traces of toxic and bad smelling inorganic and organic compounds. Particular attention has to be paid to CH4 and CO2 because of their liability for the greenhouse effect. Presently, the U.S. methane emission from landfills is considered to be about 25% of the total methane released to the atmosphere. Accordingly, field measurements should be planned in order to verify and, eventually, optimize the amount of gases released from waste disposals to the atmosphere. Simultaneous measurements of methane and carbon dioxide fluxes are an effective tool to better evaluate： （1） the amount of biogas released, （2） the real efficiency of the impervious cover, and （3） the presence of anomalous degassing zones or of newly formed fractures. Static closed-chamber methods for CH4 and CO2 flux measurements have been developed and used in both natural and artificial systems. Furthermore, portable gas-chromatographers equipped with flame ionization detector （FID） and accumulation chamber connected to infrared detectors （IR） .have been utilized for measuring CH4 and CO2 fluxes, respectively. This paper deals with a detailed investigation that combines （1） CH4 and CO2 flux measurements from solid waste disposal and surrounding areas （determined by an accumulation chamber equipped with two IR detectors, respectively）, （2） chemical composition of soil and piezometer gases （collected in pre-evacuated glass tubes and analyzed by gas-chromatography）, and （3） CO2 linear concentration measurements on optical air paths with IR laser devices. This multi-methodological approach was successfully applied to an active MSW in Tuscany （Central Italy）. The analytical results have shown that the CO2/CH4 ratios of the piezometer gases have large variations, likely related to the different stage of decomposition processes affecting the heterogeneous solid material of the waste landfill. Significant contents of light hydrocarbons and BTX were also detected.     

Different response of vegetation to permafrost change in semi-arid and semi-humid regions in Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau

The effects of the depth of the active layer of permafrost on aboveground vegetation in semi-arid and semi-humid regions of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau were studied. The depth of active permafrost was measured and aboveground vegetation recorded. Differences in correspondence between permafrost depth and aboveground vegetation in semi-arid and semi-humid regions were analyzed. Vegetation cover and biomass were well correlated with permafrost depth in both semi-arid and semi-humid regions, but the correlation coefficient in the semi-arid region was larger than in the semi-humid region. With the increase in permafrost depth, vegetation cover and biomass decreased in both regions. Species richness and diversity decreased with increasing depth of permafrost in the semi-arid region. In the semi-humid region, these at first increased and then decreased as permafrost depth increased. It seems likely that vegetation on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau will degenerate to different degrees due to permafrost depth increasing as a result of climatic warming. The influence would be especially remarkable in the semi-arid region.     

Multiwave Amplitude Compensation and Its Sensitivity Analysis to AVO Inversion in Viscoelastic Media

We derive formulae of correction for multi-wave geometric spreading and absorption in lay-ered viscoelastic media,this provides the theoretical foundation for true amplitude compensation of field data and for our sensitivity analysis.The imaging matrix at a plane reflector between viscoelastic media can be determined in the frequency domain using linearized reflection coefficients through Born approxi-mation.We quantiqatively analyze the sensitivity by studying eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the imaging matrix.The results show that two linear combinations of petrophysical parameters can be determined from the multi-wave AVO inversion in the case of amplitude compensation.Multi-wave AVO contains the information of attenuation in the media.However,the sensitivity of multi-wave AVO inversion to at-tenuation is small.     

Formation Waters and Their Relations to Natural Gas Reservoirs in Central Ordos Basin

1IntroductionFormationwaterisanimportantmediumforhydrocarbongenerationandmigration .Thelong termcontactofformationwaterswithoilandgasmustleavesomeorganiccomponentsintheforma tionwaters.Ofcourse,thechemicalcompositionofformationwater (i.e.,oilfieldwater)iscloselyrelatedtotheformationofoilandgasreservoirs (Collins,1 975) .Since 1 970smanyscholarsbothathomeandabroadhavecenteredonthestudyofthecharacteristicsofformationwatersthemselves(Collins,1 975;LiuChongxi,1 988;HuangFutangetal.,1 993 ;GaoX…     

EPR Parameter of Order Degree in Natural Kaolinite and Its Relation to Weathering

Conclusions In studying the degree of order (or disorder) in kaolinite, X-ray diffraction and DTA are commonly used, but spectroscopic method (as EPR, IR)has become a useful and additional tool now. The total iron content and the intensity of Fe³⁺(I) line are not always correlated negatively with order degree in natural kaolinite. But in the present case, they show direct correlations. So it appears that they cannot be used as an ideal parameter for measuring the order degree in kaolinite. The ratio of Fe³⁺(E)line and Fe³⁺(I)line intensities obtained directly from EPR spectrum of Fe³⁺at g_eff=4 appears to be a better EPR parameter for measuring the magnitude of order degree in kaolinite and for determining the intensity of some geological processes (such as weathering, hydrothermal alteration and so on) with aid of kaolinite. However, EPR data can only be used to qualitatively estimate the degree of order in kaolinite and related geological process for the present. There is still much work to be done in order to make EPR a method of quantitative estimation in the field.     

Genetic Type and Metallogenic Mechanism of Bankuan Gold Deposit in Special Reference to the Studies of Fluid Inclusions and Isotopes in Minerals

Auriferous quartz veins in the Bankuan gold deposit occur in the interlayer broken zone of the basal conglomerate of the Tietonggou Formation or at the unconformity between the Tietonggou Formation and the crystalline basement.The composition of fluid inclusions in the minerals indicates that the nature and composition of ore-forming hydrothermal solutions show a drastical change soon after the solutions reached the Tietonggou Formation from the crystalline basement,resulting in gold precipitation.So the Bankuan gold deposit can be assigned to the conglomerate stata-bound-type deposits.137 thermometric data are concentrated in the three ranges 400-340℃,330-220℃ and 180-160℃,representing three episodes of metalogenesis,Oxygen isotope studies demonstrate the evolution of ore-forming hydrothermal solutions from early metamorphic to late meteoric,Diversity of ore-forming materials dominated by deep-source material is supported by sulphur and lead isotope data.From the above discussions it may be concluded that the deposit formed by metamorphism induced as a result of Mesozoic northward intracontinental subduction along the Machaoying fault.     

From regime protection to urban resilience? Assessing continuity and change in transnational security governance rationales in Guatemala

This article analyzes changing forms of transnational security governance and security expertise in Guatemala. It is argued that the dynamics of transnational security governance in Guatemala are directly related to the local appropriation of knowledge promoted by external security experts. As an expertise-based form of “intervention by invitation,” local political and economic elites engage in securitization strategies in order to invite external experts to intervene. In turn, through their intervention these experts provide resources that are “captured” and exploited by local actors to pursue their own interests. As a consequence, transnational security governance fails as it deviates from the original plans and programs experts try to implement. The analysis of these processes sheds light on how and why failure in the context of transnational security governance is productive. Failure, we argue, triggers a self-reinforcing interventionary feedback loop that aims at “fixing” the shortcomings of previous interventions by mobilizing new forms of external security expertise. In tracing the dynamics of this interventionary feedback loop over time, this article contributes to understanding of the role of experts and policy failure in the (re)making of transnational security governance.     

Process-facies Types and Sequences of Devonian Volcanic Sedimentary Successions in Northern Xinjiang and Their Relation to Plate Tectonics

The process-facies types of the Devonian volcanic sedimentary successions in northern Xinjiang include explosive facies, effusive facies, pyroclastic-calcareous-terrigenous tempestite facies, and coarse~-, medium~- and fine-grained pyroclastic turbidite facies, volcanic eruption tsunamite facies, syndepositional and soft-deformed seismite facies, sandy and silt-muddy contourite facies. This paper presents their characteristics and diagnostic indicators, and discusses the temporal and spatial structures of both the process-facies and the environment-facies of the Zhifang section, east Junggar, and the Mount Sarburti section, west Junggar, and their relation to plate tectonism. The author holds that the facies analysis dominated by process-facies is the facies analysis' nucleus in an orogenic belt and active continental margin.