扬子板块周缘MVT型铅锌矿床闪锌矿微量元素组成特征与指示意义:LA-ICPMS研究

扬子板块周缘铅锌多金属成矿带内分布着数以百计的沉积岩容矿型铅锌矿床,它们不仅是我国主要的铅锌矿产地,同时也是重要的稀散元素(Ge、Ga等)生产基地。本次研究采用LA-ICPMS技术分别测定了扬子板块西南缘的会泽铅锌矿床、金沙厂铅锌矿床、大梁子铅锌矿床,扬子板块北缘的马元铅锌矿床以及扬子板块东南缘的凤凰茶田锌(铅)汞矿床中闪锌矿的微量元素组成,以揭示闪锌矿中微量元素(稀散元素)的富集规律和赋存状态,并为矿床成因类型的厘定及稀散元素矿产资源综合利用提供更多依据。LA-ICPMS微量元素测定结果显示闪锌矿中不同微量元素(稀散元素)分布不均匀,但这些矿床中闪锌矿总体以富集稀散元素Ge、Ga、Cd,贫In、Se、Tl、Te为特征,其Fe、Mn含量要明显低于与岩浆热液有关的高温闪锌矿,指示了扬子板块周缘铅锌矿床可能形成于中-低温成矿流体,而与岩浆热液无直接的成因联系,此外这些矿床中闪锌矿富Ge贫In的特征与其他的密西西比河谷型铅锌矿床(MVT)一致。同时,本次研究综合分析了闪锌矿中不同微量元素(稀散元素)之间的相关关系,并与闪锌矿微量元素LA-ICPMS时间分辨率特征相结合,研究表明:这些铅锌矿床中稀散元素Ge可能主要通过3Zn2+?Ge4++2(Cu+,Ag+)和2Zn2+?Ge4++□(晶体空位)的替代方式进入闪锌矿,Ga在闪锌矿中富集机理主要为2Zn2+?(Cu,Ag)++(Ga,As,Sb)3+。此外,为进一步揭示不同成因类型铅锌矿床中稀散元素的富集规律,本文还系统对比了全球范围内不同类型铅锌矿床闪锌矿的稀散元素(均为LA-ICPMS数据)组成特征,并初步探讨了造成不同成因闪锌矿中稀散元素(Ge、Ga和In)差异性富集的主要控制因素,研究表明:(1) Ge在中低温盆地卤水成矿系统(MVT和SEDEX矿床)和岩浆-火山热液成矿系统(浅成脉状铅锌矿床和VMS矿床)形成的闪锌矿中均可能富集成矿,但中低温浅成脉状矿床中Ge的富集程度要明显高于高温脉状矿床,指示了成矿温度是控制闪锌矿中Ge富集的一个重要因素。(2)铅锌矿床闪锌矿中In主要为岩浆来源,In倾向于在成矿温度较高的岩浆及火山热液成因铅锌矿床中富集成矿,而壳源的MVT和SEDEX型铅锌矿床中闪锌矿均贫In。可见除形成温度外,成矿物质来源是决定闪锌矿是否富In的关键因素。(3)除矽卡岩型铅锌矿床外,其他不同成因类型、不同形成温度的铅锌矿床中闪锌矿均可能富Ga。矽卡岩型铅锌矿床闪锌矿具有明显的贫Ga、Ge的特征,这可能是由于矽卡岩化过程中稀散元素Ga、Ge大量进入早期矽卡岩矿物,进而导致了成矿流体以及随后形成的闪锌矿中Ga、Ge的贫化。综上所述,闪锌矿中稀散元素富集与否和富集程度受成矿物质来源、成矿流体性质以及流体演化过程等多因素的综合控制。(4)扬子板块周缘铅锌矿床闪锌矿的微量元素(稀散元素)组成特征指示了它们形成于中低温成矿环境,稀散元素的富集规律与其它MVT型铅锌矿床类似。     

铅锌矿伴生的稀散元素研究进展

稀散元素是高新技术领域不可替代的原材料,被发达国家和经济体列为关键性矿产资源之一.它们很少形成独立矿床,通常作为伴生组分赋存于金属硫化物矿床、铝土矿以及含煤地层之中.铅锌矿床或富锡铅锌矿床中的闪锌矿是稀散元素Ga、Ge、Cd和In的主要载体.这些元素主要以类质同象形式置换闪锌矿晶格中的Fe,且多数情况下,它们在闪锌矿颗粒中的分布极不均匀.已有研究表明,Ga、Ge和Cd在不同类型铅锌矿中的含量差异明显,在相同类型矿床中的含量也有明显差异,甚至在同一矿床的不同部位亦有差异.Cd、Ga、Ge倾向于富集在低温热液成因的铅锌矿床中,而In通常富集于岩浆热液型或VMS型富锡铅锌矿床中.为了深入理解稀散元素的富集成矿作用,以下科学问题亟待进一步关注:1)Ga、Ge、Cd的富集与铅锌矿类型之间的关系,包括在不同类型和相同类型铅锌矿床之间的差异富集;2)控制Ga、Ge、Cd、In在闪锌矿颗粒尺度及矿体尺度中富集和亏损的机制;3)Sn在In的迁移和富集沉淀过程中的作用;4)闪锌矿的"铟窗"效应是否具有普适性;5)Ga、Ge、Cd、In在不同地质热液体系中的迁移形式.     

贵州天桥铅锌矿床闪锌矿微量元素组成初探

天桥铅锌矿床位于川-滇-黔铅锌成矿带中东部,为黔西北地区铅锌矿床的典型代表之一。长期以来,对该矿床的成因认识存在较多争议,前人的研究主要集中在分散元素的富集规律、稀土元素及同位素对成矿流体来源的指示意义等方面,对天桥矿床中闪锌矿的微量元素特征缺乏系统的研究。本文应用ICP-MS对天桥矿床中闪锌矿的微量元素进行测试分析,研究结果表明,该矿床中闪锌矿的微量元素具有富Ge、Ga贫Mn、In、Sn、Cd的特征,其微量元素富集规律明显与夕卡岩型、喷流沉积型及岩浆热液型铅锌矿床不同,而与典型MVT型矿床(如勐兴、牛角塘等矿床)非常类似,仅其中Cd含量较低(均值为1282×10-6),该特征与川滇黔地区MVT型铅锌矿床(会泽和杉树林)中闪锌矿微量元素组成一致。总体上,本矿床闪锌矿富集Ge和Ga等低温成矿元素,其In/Ga比值中等,Zn/Cd比值较高,暗示其形成于中温环境。综合前人研究成果及矿床产出地质特征,我们认为天桥铅锌矿床属于MVT型铅锌矿床。     

四川乌斯河大型锗铅锌矿床锗超常富集特征及其地质意义

锗(Ge)是我国的一种优势战略性关键矿产,闪锌矿是其主要载体和重要工业来源之一。尽管前人对闪锌矿富锗有了较为深刻的认识,但是对其中锗的替代方式和超常富集机制仍缺乏深入理解。位于扬子地块西南缘的川滇黔铅锌矿集区是我国最重要的锗和铅锌资源基地之一,区内的乌斯河大型铅锌矿床(5.4Mt@8.6%Zn,2.0%Pb)显著超常富锗(铅锌矿石中Ge平均品位为72.3×10~(-6),闪锌矿中Ge含量高达1934×10~(-6))。何种因素制约该矿床中锗的超常富集亟待解密。乌斯河矿床发育两期闪锌矿,早期闪锌矿(Sp1)单偏光下呈白色-棕黑色,发育半自形细粒结构,浸染状构造;晚期闪锌矿(Sp2)单偏光下呈白色-红色或灰色-棕黑色,发育自形-半自形细-粗粒结构,块状或脉状构造。激光剥蚀耦合等离子体质谱(LA-ICPMS)闪锌矿原位微量元素含量分析结果显示,闪锌矿中Ge含量为3.17×10~(-6)～1934×10~(-6),平均563×10~(-6),相对Ge的地壳丰度(1.5×10~(-6))具有显著超常富集特征(高达1000倍)。闪锌矿中Ge与Fe、Cu、Ag、Pb具有正相关关系,而与Cd呈负相关性。元素面扫描(Mapping)结果显示,闪锌矿中Ge主要以类质同象形式存在,且Ge与Fe、Cu、Ag、Pb、Cd等元素相关关系与含量分析结果一致。结构相似度计算结果进一步显示,Sp1中Ge与Ag相关程度最高,而Sp2中Ge与Cu相关系数最大,暗示结构相似度计算在比较元素相关关系中有较大的应用潜力。然而,乌斯河矿床闪锌矿中Cu、Ag含量常低于Ge含量,且(Ge/Cu) mol和(Ge/Ag) mol比值变化范围大,所以单一的元素相关程度分析并不能完全解决Ge替代方式问题。综合研究认为,该矿床闪锌矿中Ge替代方式与Cu、Ag等元素关系不大,而是直接替代Zn(Ge(4+)■2Zn~(2+)或Ge~(2+)■Zn~(2+))。另外,乌斯河矿床同一闪锌矿颗粒不同部位(如扇形分区和振荡环带) Ge含量变化显著,暗示Ge的超常富集很可能受闪锌矿的沉淀速率和结晶过程控制,而Sp1与Sp2中Ge含量的明显差异,则很可能与成矿流体演化过程流体成分和成矿物理化学条件改变有关。因此,乌斯河大型锗铅锌矿床锗的超常富集是流体成分、物化条件、沉淀速率和结晶过程等多要素耦合作用特殊地球化学过程的结果,并受到矿物和矿床等不同尺度苛刻成矿条件的影响。     

贵州半边街锗锌矿床锗的富集特征及其地质意义

锗(Ge)属于战略性关键矿产资源,是众多高新技术领域的重要原材料。Ge主要以共/伴生形式产出于Zn、Pb和Cu等热液贱金属矿床和煤矿床中,目前全球Ge资源主要来源于铅锌矿的副产品。近期取得较大找矿突破的半边街锌矿床(7.70Mt矿石,Zn平均品位5.1%)伴生有超大型规模的金属Ge(>900t@110×10^-6),然而Ge超常富集的机制不清。本次研究利用LA-ICPMS对闪锌矿进行了微区原位微量元素组成和Mapping分析,以揭示Ge等元素的富集特征、赋存状态和替代方式,探讨Ge的富集机制。分析结果表明,半边街矿床闪锌矿中高含量(平均值>100×10^-6)微量元素有Fe、Pb、Ge和Cd等,较高含量(平均值100×10^-6～10×10^-6)的有Mn、Ga、Sn和Tl,以及较低含量(平均值<10×10^-6)的有Ag、Cu、In和Sb。相比于各类型铅锌矿床,半边街闪锌矿Ge超常富集(274×10^-6～1938×10^-6,...     

Enrichment characteristics and its geological significance of dispersed elements within sulfide minerals from the VI ore belt in the Maoping Pb-Zn deposit,Yunnan Province,ChinaSCIEI北大核心CSCD

作为华南大面积低温成矿域的重要组成部分,川滇黔铅锌矿集区是我国重要的铅锌银等资源基地之一,同时该矿集区也是Ge、Cd、Ga和In等稀散元素的超常富集区域。毛坪矿床是该矿集区内第二大铅锌矿床,累计探明铅锌金属储量超过3Mt(Pb+Zn平均品位≥18%),锗(Ge)保有储量182t。本文以新发现的Ⅵ矿带(铅锌金属已探明储量≥60万t,Pb+Zn平均品位≥20%)为研究对象,利用LA-ICPMS对主要矿石矿物闪锌矿和黄铁矿进行了微区原位微量元素组成和Mapping分析。研究结果显示Ⅵ矿带闪锌矿普遍富集Ge(最高580×10^(-6),均值81.1×10^(-6))、Cd(最高3486×10^(-6),均值1613×10^(-6))和Ga(最高190×10^(-6),均值44.4×10^(-6));黄铁矿普遍富集Mn、As、Pb、Cu、Ag和Sb。与Ⅰ和Ⅱ号矿带闪锌矿相比,Ⅵ号矿带闪锌矿更富集Ge和Ga。闪锌矿中Fe和Pb以类质同象为主,偶见黄铁矿和方铅矿显微包体;Cu、Ge、Ag和As赋存形式主要为类质同象,替代方式为Ge^(4+)+2(Cu+,Ag+,As+)↔3Zn^(2+);Cd以类质同象方式赋存为主,替代机制为Cd^(2+)↔Zn^(2+);Ga和In可能主要以类质同象方式存在。黄铁矿中Pb和Mn主要以方铅矿和碳酸盐矿物显微包体为主;Cu、As和Sb以类质同象形式存在于黄铁矿中;Ag和Zn可能以独立矿物形式赋存;Co和Ni以类质同象方式替代Fe进入黄铁矿晶格中,替代方式为Ni^(2+)+Co^(2+)↔2Fe^(2+)。毛坪矿床新发现Ⅵ矿带硫化物相比典型MVT矿床硫化物具有不同的In和Ge含量以及Cd/Fe比值,结合矿床地质特征和其他证据,表明毛坪矿床成因类型特殊,有别于经典MVT铅锌矿床,属于川滇黔型铅锌矿床。     

小红石砬子铅锌(银)矿床成因：来自S-Pb同位素和元素特征的证据

小红石砬子铅锌(银)矿床是吉中-延边铜镍多金属成矿带中具有代表性的中型矿床,前人关于该矿床类型划分的观点有火山成因块状硫化物型(Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide, VMS)、中-低温热液脉型、喷流沉积-热液叠加改造型,这三种观点的争论严重制约了对该矿区及区域成矿和找矿的认识。本文选取该矿床中金属硫化物开展原位微量和S-Pb同位素分析,赋矿围岩开展全岩S同位素分析。闪锌矿Fe-Zn含量(4.48%～10.33%、53.67%～62.12%)与中温热液矿床一致(3.00%～10.00%、50.00%～60.00%,成矿温度约200℃),Zn/Cd比值(53.68～76.75)同样指示中低温成矿作用(高温：Zn/Cd>500;低温：Zn/Cd<250),Ga/Ge比值在lg(Ga/Ge)-T图解中,对应温度约为100～180℃,上述温度范围与前人测定的流体包裹体均一温度基本吻合(90～250℃)。闪锌矿Zn/Cd的比值(53.68～76.75)与Cd含量(7577×10^-6～11266×10^-6)特征与密西西比河...     

扬子板块北缘马元铅锌矿床闪锌矿LA-ICP-MS微量元素特征与指示意义

马元铅锌矿床是我国近年来在扬子板块北缘探获的大型铅锌矿床,对马元铅锌矿床闪锌矿微量元素进行了高精度的LA-ICP-MS测试研究,结果表明矿床闪锌矿微量元素含量具有低Fe、Mn,高分散元素Cd、Ge、Ga,低分散元素In的特征;闪锌矿Fe、Mn含量和Ga/Ge比值特征指示了矿床成矿流体温度不高,可能为与中低温盆地流体有关的铅锌矿床;闪锌矿中分散元素In、Ge特征能有效的区分铅锌矿床的成因类型:与岩浆或火山活动有关的铅锌矿床闪锌矿具有高In或低In,低Ge的特征,而与盆地卤水有关的中低温矿床中闪锌矿则普遍富Ge贫In。依据马元铅锌矿床微量元素特征,结合矿床地质与地球化学特征,认为马元铅锌矿应属于密西西比河谷型铅锌矿床(MVT铅锌矿床)。     

西南地区稀散元素伴生成矿的主要类型及伴生富集规律

西南地区稀散元素资源丰富,主要以伴生元素矿床产出,寄主矿床类型主要为沉积岩容矿型铅锌矿(伴生Cd、Ge、Ga、Tl)、锡石硫化物矿床(伴生In、Cd)和沉积型铝土矿(伴生Ga)及含锗煤等。这些矿床往往集中产出,主要分布在三江铅锌铜银多金属矿成矿域、川滇黔铅锌多金属成矿域、滇东南锡多金属矿成矿域、黔西北铝土矿含矿带及滇西第三系含煤盆地。本文以滇东南锡石硫化物矿床(个旧、都龙、白牛场)及沉积岩容矿型铅锌矿(包括兰坪金顶铅锌矿和川滇黔铅锌银多金属成矿域中的会泽、大梁子、天宝山和富乐铅锌矿等)等为主要对象,开展了不同金属硫化物中稀散元素含量及电子探针面扫描分析,查定了稀散元素伴生富集的赋存状态,并在矿床地球化学研究基础上,综合分析了这些稀散元素的伴生富集规律。研究结果进一步表明,稀散元素(In、Cd、Ge、Ga、Tl)伴生富集都具有明确的载体矿物专属性:热液矿床中In、Cd、Ge、Ga主要富集在闪锌矿中,Tl主要富集在黄铁矿中;沉积铝土矿中Ga的载体矿物主要是一水铝石,含锗煤中Ge主要以有机质结合态赋存在腐殖体中。在伴生富集规律上,In主要伴生富集在锡石硫化物矿床中,滇东南三大锡石硫化物矿床(个旧、都龙、白牛场)具有相似的地质地球化学特征,成因上与燕山晚期花岗岩侵入密切相关。沉积岩容矿型铅锌矿普遍含有Cd、Ge、Ga、Tl,但不同矿床在不同稀散金属富集程度上存在明显差异,其中,金顶矿床中的闪锌矿高度富Cd,平均含量达1.23%,其成因可能与生物有机作用有关。临沧盆地西缘含锗煤产出在以花岗岩为基底的帮卖陆相含煤碎屑岩盆地中,具有工业意义的Ge只集中在第一含煤段的煤层中,其含煤段有硅质岩和薄层含碳硅质灰岩,在上部缺乏硅质岩的两个含煤段的煤中无Ge矿化。Ga在铝土矿中的伴生富集具有全球性特点,不同成矿时代和不同工业类型铝土矿中都具有镓的伴生富集,含量一般在50×10~(-6)～200×10~(-6),贵州铝土矿床主要形成于石炭纪,其矿石以硬水铝石及少量黏土等为主,Ga含量在70×10~(-6)～143×10~(-6),略高于中国和世界铝土矿中镓的平均值。     

贵州晴隆丁头山铅锌矿床发现硒超常富集

1 研究目的(Objective) 硒(Se)是一种典型稀散元素,其地壳丰度为0.05×10-6,主要富集在黑色岩系中.可以形成硒独立矿床,如渔塘坝硒矿床、拉尔玛硒-金矿床、遵义镍-钼-硒矿床等,还可与铅锌矿床、砂岩型铀矿伴生.统计结果表明,铅锌矿床硫化物Se含量通常<50×10-6,且主要富集在方铅矿中,而闪锌矿Se...     

Wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometric determination of Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in komatiites

Komatiites are mantle-derived ultramafic volcanic rocks. Komatiites have been discovered in several States of India, notably in Karnataka. Studies on the distribution of trace-elements in the komatiites of India are very few. This paper proposes a simple, accurate, precise, rapid, and non-destructive wavelength-dispersive x-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometric technique for determining Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in komatiites, and discusses the accuracy, precision, limits of detection, x-ray spectral-line interferences, inter-element effects, speed, advantages, and limitations of the technique. The accuracy of the technique is excellent (within 3%) for Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th and very good (within 4%) for Y. The precision is also excellent (within 3%) for Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th. The limits of detection are: 1 ppm for Sc and V; 2 ppm for Cr, Co, and Ni; 3 ppm for Cu, Zn, Rb, and Sr; 4 ppm for Y and Zr; 6 ppm for Nb; 10 ppm for Ba; 13 ppm for Pb; and 14 ppm for Th. The time taken for determining Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in a batch of 24 samples of komatiites, for a replication of four analyses per sample, by one operator, using a manual WDXRF spectrometer, is only 60 hours.     

高压微波消解法测定醋酸纤维过滤器采集的微尘粒子中的砷镉钴铬铜铁锰镍铅钒锌

最新的流行病学研究表明,空气中较高浓度的悬浮细颗粒可能对人类的健康有不利的影响。根据该项研究显示,由于心脏病、慢性呼吸问题和肺功能指标恶化而导致死亡率的升高与细尘粒子有关。这些研究结果已经促使欧盟于1999年4月出台了限制空气中二氧化硫、二氧化氮、氧化氮、铅和颗粒物含量的法案(1999/30/EC),对各项指标包括对可吸入PM10颗粒的浓度提出了新的限制性指标。PM10颗粒是指可以通过预分级器分离采集的气体动力学直径小于10μm的细颗粒。目前研究的兴趣重点逐步偏向PM2.5这些更细微颗粒物,PM2.5这种颗粒物对健康有明显的不利影响。在欧盟指令2008/50/EC中,对PM10和PM2.5都提     

Isotopic systematics of He,Ar, S,Cu, Ni,Re, Os,Pb, U,Sm, Nd,Rb, Sr,Lu, and Hf in the rocks and ores of the Norilsk deposits

This paper reports the first results of a study of 11 isotope systems (³He/⁴He, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar, ³⁴S/³²S, ⁶⁵Cu/⁶³Cu, ⁶²Ni/⁶⁰Ni, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd, ^206–208Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, Hf–Nd, U–Pb, and Re–Os) in the rocks and ores of the Cu–Ni–PGE deposits of the Norilsk ore district. Almost all the results were obtained at the Center of Isotopic Research of the Karpinskii All-Russia Research Institute of Geology. The use of a number of independent genetic isotopic signatures and comprehensive isotopic knowledge provided a methodic basis for the interpretation of approximately 5000 isotopic analyses of various elements. The presence of materials from two sources, crust and mantle, was detected in the composition of the rocks and ores. The contribution of the crustal source is especially significant in the paleofluids (gas–liquid microinclusions) of the ore-forming medium. Crustal solutions were probably a transport medium during ore formation. Air argon is dominant in the ores, which indicates a connection between the paleofluids and the atmosphere. This suggests intense groundwater circulation during the crystallization of ore minerals. The age of the rocks and ores of the Norilsk deposits was determined. The stage of orebody formation is restricted to a narrow age interval of 250 ± 10 Ma. An isotopic criterion was proposed for the ore-bearing potential of mafic intrusions in the Norilsk–Taimyr region. It includes several interrelated isotopic ratios of various elements: He, Ar, S, and others.     

硅酸盐中铁、锰、钛、钙、钾、磷、硅、铝、镁、钠、锶、铷、钡的X-射线荧光光谱定量测定

本文介绍样品经四硼酸锂熔融制成玻璃小饼。采用Lachance模式和理论a系数来校正元素间的效应,由3080E型X-射线荧光谱仪和DF-350B数据处理系统完成硅酸盐中十三个项目的测定。     

硅酸盐类样品中硅、铁、铝、钛、锰、钙、镁、钾、钠和磷的x射线荧光光谱测定

本文拟定了一种以熔融法制备样片,用X射线荧光光谱测定硅酸盐类样品中Si、Fe、Al、Tj、Mn、Ca、Mg、K、Na、P等元素的分析方法。在对不同靶材X光管和分光晶体实验对比的基础上,选择了最佳的测量条件。该法具有快速、准确,测量范围广,检测限低,价格便宜等优点。经过近百个各种类型标样或管理样品的分析对比表明,本法不仅适用于硅酸盐类岩石样品的分析,还适用于铁矿、铝土矿、碳酸盐类岩矿样品以及水泥、耐火材料等样品的分析。     

Viscous, cohesive, non-Newtonian, depositing, radial slurry flow

Mining induced subsidence can significantly affect mining costs where major surface facilities and natural environment need to be protected. Overburden grout injection is a technology used to control coal mine subsidence by injecting the mine waste material extracted from the coal back into the inter-burden rock during longwall mining. The flowing slurry is here categorised as a nonlinear viscous cohesive (Bingham plastic) fluid. During longwall mining the grout slurry is pumped into the separated beds of the rock mass through a central vertical borehole, which is drilled deep into the inter-burden rock strata above the coal seam. However, a blockage can occur in the injection system when the slurry velocity falls below a certain critical threshold velocity, indicating a material phase change from cohesive-viscous to cohesive-frictional. In situ field injection tests through boreholes have been simulated at a smaller scale at the CSIRO laboratory in Brisbane by pumping the slurry through a radial disk (gap = 4 mm) from its centre. Laboratory experiments indicate a general, nonlinear, cohesive, viscous, frictional model for shear behaviour of the slurry, in which the material shear parameters are functions of the disk radial distance. Complete dimensional and dimensionless analytical solutions have been developed based on an approach related to Bingham–Herschel–Bulkley fluid mechanics. The derived formulae include relations for minimum pump pressure, local pressure and pressure gradient, wall shear stress, volume rate, velocity and velocity gradient. The theoretical results match the experimental measurements. The experiments covered slurries with maximum particle sizes of 0.5 to 2 mm with about 50% being larger than 100 µm. The viscosities at the various solids concentrations were measured with a standard torsion viscometer. This study differs from the previous research in several distinct aspects, namely, consideration of the variable shear parameters rather than fixed values, inclusion of total nonlinear behaviour, and implementation of a friction function to mimic behaviour of the deposited and consolidating stiff slurry, which can cause a significant pressure rise as a result of the increased shear resistance.     

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.     

Regional distribution of Al,B, Ba,Ca, K,La, Mg,Mn, Na,P, Rb,Si, Sr,Th, U and Y in terrestrial moss within a 188,000 km2 area of the central Barents region: influence of geology,seaspray and human activity

Five hundred and ninety-eight samples of terrestrial moss (Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi) collected from a 188,000 km² area of the central Barents region (NE Norway, N Finland, NW Russia) were analysed by ICP-AES and ICP-MS. Analytical results for Al, B, Ba, Ca, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Rb, Si, Sr, Th, U and Y concentrations are reported here. Graphical methods of data analysis, such as geochemical maps, cumulative frequency diagrams, boxplots and scatterplots, are used to interpret the origin of the patterns for these elements. None of the elements reported here are emitted in significant amounts from the smelting industry on the Kola Peninsula. Despite the conventional view that moss chemistry reflects atmospheric element input, the nature of the underlying mineral substrate (regolith or bedrock) is found to have a considerable influence on moss composition for several elements. This influence of the chemistry of the mineral substrate can take place in a variety of ways. (1) It can be completely natural, reflecting the ability of higher plants to take up elements from deep soil horizons and shed them with litterfall onto the surface. (2) It can result from naturally increased soil dust input where vegetation is scarce due to harsh climatic conditions for instance. Alternatively, substrate influence can be enhanced by human activity, such as open-cast mining, creation of ‘technogenic deserts’, or handling, transport and storage of ore and ore products, all of which magnify the natural elemental flux from bedrock to ground vegetation. Seaspray is another natural process affecting moss composition in the area (Mg, Na), and this is most visible in the Norwegian part of the study area. Presence or absence of some plant species, e.g., lichens, seems to influence moss chemistry. This is shown by the low concentrations of B or K in moss on the Finnish and Norwegian side of the (fenced) border with Russia, contrasting with high concentrations on the other side (intensive reindeer husbandry west of the border has selectively depleted the lichen population).     

NEW SET OF LOW CONCENTRATION STANDARDS FOR LA, CE, SM, YB, LU, Y, SC, V, NB AND TA IN SILICATES

We have developed a set of four synthetic standards for the rare earth and high field strength elements designed for use in the determination of those elements in silicates. The base material is a glass nominally at the eutectic of the MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ ternary system. The nominal doping level was 2 wt% of the elements as oxides. To avoid problems associated with peak interference, the elements were doped in four separate glasses.