Free hydrogen-hydrocarbon gases from the Lovozero loparite deposit (Kola Peninsula,NW Russia)

The Lovozero nepheline-syenite massif in the north-eastern Fennoscandian Shield, well-known to mineralogists and petrologists, is also interesting with its high contents of hydrogen-hydrocarbon gases in different forms of presence, which is untypical of magmatic rocks. The article systematizes and generalizes little known and unpublished data on the composition, location, character and scale (intensity) of the free gases (FG) emission within a major loparite deposit confined to the massif. СН₄ and Н₂ are dominant in the FG composition. The molecular weight distribution of hydrocarbon gas components corresponds to the classic Anderson–Schulz–Flory distribution with a steep gradient. Carbon and hydrogen of the gases are characterized by rather heavy isotope compositions, becoming lighter from the transition of methane to ethane. The FG volume has been estimated as 0.2–1.6 m³ of gas per 1 m³ of undisturbed rock. The gas recovery of walls in underground workings has been up to 0.2 ml/min/m² for СН₄ and 0.5 ml/min/m² for Н₂ in several years after their heading. The discharge of some shot holes that characterizes the gas emission intensity (1.8–2 m deep and 40 mm in diameter) is up to 300 ml/min, but its 1–2 orders lesser values dominate. The discharge time in some sections varies from several days to 20 years. The overpressure of gases towards the air mainly does not increase 100 hPa, sometimes reaching 120 kPa. It has been defined, that FG distribute irregularly (at the distance of centimeters to hundreds of meters) and their composition and particularly emission intensity perform different temporal fluctuations. The abiogenic origin of FG has been proposed, with FG appearing as a mixture of gases in various proportions: (a) gases remaining in microfissures at the massif's consolidation after the capture by fluid inclusions and those lost during degassing and (b) gases occurred in mechanic-chemical reactions, partial emission and concentration of occluded and diffusely scattered gases under the unstable stress-strain mode of the rock mass. Combustible and explosive hydrogen-hydrocarbon FG can accumulate in the air of underground workings and cause accidents, disrupting the workflow. The background for using characteristics of spatial-temporal variations of the FG emission as precursors of dangerous geodynamic phenomena has been indicated.     

Metasomatic origin of garnet xenocrysts from the V. Grib kimberlite pipe,Arkhangelsk region,NW Russia

This paper presents new major and trace element data from 150 garnet xenocrysts from the V. Grib kimberlite pipe located in the central part of the Arkhangelsk diamondiferous province (ADP). Based on the concentrations of Cr₂O₃, CaO, TiO₂ and rare earth elements (REE) the garnets were divided into seven groups: (1) lherzolitic “depleted” garnets (“Lz 1”), (2) lherzolitic garnets with normal REE patterns (“Lz 2”), (3) lherzolitic garnets with weakly sinusoidal REE patterns (“Lz 3”), (4) lherzolitic garnets with strongly sinusoidal REE patterns (“Lz 4”), (5) harzburgitic garnets with sinusoidal REE patterns (“Hz”), (6) wehrlitic garnets with weakly sinusoidal REE patterns (“W”), (7) garnets of megacryst paragenesis with normal REE patterns (“Meg”). Detailed mineralogical and geochemical garnet studies and modeling results suggest several stages of mantle metasomatism influenced by carbonatite and silicate melts. Carbonatitic metasomatism at the first stage resulted in refertilization of the lithospheric mantle, which is evidenced by a nearly vertical CaO-Cr₂O₃ trend from harzburgitic (“Hz”) to lherzolitic (“Lz 4”) garnet composition. Harzburgitic garnets (“Hz”) have probably been formed by interactions between carbonatite melts and exsolved garnets in high-degree melt extraction residues. At the second stage of metasomatism, garnets with weakly sinusoidal REE patterns (“Lz 3”, “W”) were affected by a silicate melt possessing a REE composition similar to that of ADP alkaline mica-poor picrites. At the last stage, the garnets interacted with basaltic melts, which resulted in the decrease CaO-Cr₂O₃ trend of “Lz 2” garnet composition. Cr-poor garnets of megacryst paragenesis (“Meg”) could crystallize directly from the silicate melt which has a REE composition close to that of ADP alkaline mica-poor picrites. P-T estimates of the garnet xenocrysts indicate that the interval of ～60–110 km of the lithospheric mantle beneath the V. Grib pipe was predominantly affected by the silicate melts, whereas the lithospheric mantle deeper than 150 km was influenced by the carbonatite melts.     

Geochemical Baselines of Nickel and Chromium in Various Surficial Materials in the Barents Region, NW Russia and Finland

The geochemical baselines of nickel and chromium were studied from the data produced by the Barents Ecogeochemistry project, a large international regional geochemical mapping exercise. The project surveyed major and trace element distributions in stream water, organic and mineralogically-modified soil horizons, and terrestrial moss in the northwestern part of Russia and in Finland. Other materials were collected during the pilot phase and later from thirty special sites. The results on respective materials by XRF, ICP-MS and ICP-AES showed that both geological and anthropogenic factors have an influence on the geochemical baseline concentrations of Ni and Cr in organic soil and stream water. The main explanation of the observed distribution patterns in terrestrial moss is human activity, but geological factors can also affect the baselines. The variation of geochemical baselines in the mineral-rich soil horizon depends only on variations in bedrock. The mineralogy of samples mainly controls the leachability properties of soil samples.     

Acidity status and mobility of Al in podzols near SO2 emission sources on the Kola Peninsula,NW Russia

Soil acidity status and Al mobility in podzols was examined on a broad scale near the large emission sources of SO₂ and heavy metals on the Kola Peninsula (the Severonikel and Pechenganikel smelter complexes) in NW Russia and in neighbouring parts of Norway and Finland. Acidification of the upper podzol horizons and depletion of mobile base cations were only evident at sites where ecosystems are severely destroyed, in the immediate vicinity of the Severonikel smelter complex. The high content of base cations in the parent material (till) near the emission sources may mask the acidification effect of pollution. Both strong anthropogenic (SO₂) emissions and natural acidification (in situ weathering of black schist) accelerate weathering and mobilize Al. However, drainage conditions seem to be the most important factor determining the content of mobile Al in the podzols.     

Nepheline-bearing alkali feldspar syenite (pulaskite) in the Khibina pluton,Kola Peninsula,NW Russia: petrological investigation

The geological position and probable origin of nepheline-bearing alkaline syenite (pulaskite) found within foyaite of the Khibina pluton, Kola Peninsula, Russia, are discussed. A large body of pulaskite (4.5 km²) was identified under the Quaternary deposits in the eastern part of the pluton as a result of gravimetric surveying and drilling. Genetic relations between pulaskite and the host foyaite were examined by whole-rock chemistry, including major and trace elements, the composition of the rock-forming clinopyroxenes and the diagram of phase equilibria in the system NaAlSiO₄–KAlSiO₄–SiO₂–H₂O. The results regarding mafic silicates show that pulaskite may constitute the less evolved member of a pulaskite-foyaite series, which suggests that it was formed by feldspar fractionation from an almost eutectic phonolitic melt, the parental one for both foyaite and pulaskite. The geochemical data, however, also enable us to assume the probability of additional petrogenetic mechanisms. The trace element abundance patterns may provide preliminary evidence for a process of crustal contamination of a mantle-derived phonolite magma. This process may have contributed to the genesis of the pulaskite.     

PT conditions and trace element variations of picroilmenites and pyropes from placers and kimberlites in the Arkhangelsk region,NW Russia

Compositions of picroilmenite and pyrope concentrates from Carboniferous sandstones in the Arkhangelsk kimberlite province were analyzed by EPMA and LAM ICP MS in Analytic Center of V.S. Sobolev’s Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, SD RAS, Novosibirsk. The results from single grain thermobarometry (Ashchepkov et al., 2010, Ashchepkov et al., 2011, Ashchepkov et al., 2012) for garnet, spinel, ilmenite and clinopyroxene suggest heating of the base of the lithospheric mantle to 1400 °C (45 mw/m²) at 7.0–7.5 GPa and to 900 °C (35 mw/m²) at 3.5–5.5 GPa in an interval corresponding to a lens enriched in chromite and clinopyroxene. The pipes from the eastern fields reveal smoother mantle geotherms and lower temperature PT paths. Mantle columns beneath the kimberlites from northern (Verkhotinskoe field) and western pipes (Kepinskoe field) show heating from the lithosphere base to 5.0 GPa and stepped PT paths shown by chromites probably due to interaction with magmas which caused local Ti-enrichment near 3.0 and 5.5 GPa. The PT paths in the mantle columns beneath the alnöite pipes reveal higher temperature and relatively shallow PT conditions with two major clusters around 3.0 and 5.0 GPa. Trace element patterns for garnets vary from S-type typical of harzburgites to those with a hump in MREE (middle REE) typical for pyroxenites. Lherzolitic garnets with sinusoidal decrease of LREE show distinctive HFSE enrichment. Trace element ratios (Sm/Er)_n and (La/Yb)_n of garnets correlate positively with pressures estimates by single grain thermobarometry (Ashchepkov et al., 2010, Ashchepkov et al., 2011, Ashchepkov et al., 2012) but only poorly with Cr₂O₃ content. Enrichment in HFSE of all garnets is related to metasomatism that accompanied the picroilmenite-forming event.Ilmenites reveal two compositional trends. One corresponds to fractionation within conduits at the lower mantle (6.0–7.0 GPa) without contamination. A second trend at <6.0 GPa, formed due to assimilation fractional crystallization (AFC), is characterized by Fe and Cr increase with decreasing pressure. Similar trace element patterns of the various in HREE in ilmenites, possibly partly due to garnet assimilation from wall rock peridotites. The PT conditions and geochemistry for the minerals from the Carboniferous sediments are similar to those from the Lomonosovskoe deposit and Arkhangelskaya pipe (Lehtonen et al., 2009).     

Mineralogy and mineral chemistry of snow filter residues in the vicinity of the nickel-copper processing industry, Kola Peninsula, NW Russia

Summary Fifteen snow samples were collected at the end of the 1995/96 winter in the vicinity (1.5–8 km) of the copper-nickel processing plants at Zapoljarnij, Nikel and Monchegorsk on the Kola Peninsula, NW Russia. Polished sections were made from the snow filter residues for microscopic and qualitative and quantitative electron microprobe investigations. Particles in snow are derived from either geogenic¹, or technogenic sources². Ore particles from two different Ni-Cu deposits can be identified in the snow: i) local Pechenga ore and ii) imported ore from Norilsk-Talnakh. Technogenic particles consist of a wide spectrum of sulphides (Ni-Cu-Fe-Co), oxides (Fe-Ni-Cu), metallic phases and alloys (Ni-Cu-Fe-Co), as well as slag particles and coke. Differences in the processing technologies used in the three plants (e.g. roasting, smelting to Cu-Ni matte, converting, refining) can be deduced from the mineralogy of the particulate emissions. The mineralogy of particulate matter in snow is characteristic for each emitter and can thus be used to fingerprint different sources. PGE-bearing sulphides (pentlandite with 0.2–0.3 wt% Pd) have been observed in the particulate emissions from Zapoljarnij and discrete PGE-phases at Monchegorsk.

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Mineralogie und Mineralchemie von Schnee-Filtraten aus dem Bereich der NickelKupfer Kombinate der Kola-Halbinsel, NW Rußland

Zusammenfassung Fünfzehn Schneeproben wurden in der Nähe (1.5–8 km) von Kupfer-Nickel-Minen und Mitten in Zapoljarnij, Nikel und Monchegorsk auf der Halbinsel Kola, NW Rußland, am Ende des Winters 1995/96 genommen. Anschliffe von Schneefilterrückständen wurden für die mikroskopischen Untersuchungen Bowie für qualitative und quantitative Mikrosondenanalytik angefertigt. Die in den Anschliffen beobachteten Phasen sind teils geogener¹, teils technogener² Herkunft. Die geogenen Partikel sind Teil der lokalen Staubemissionen (Pechenga Ni-Cu-Tagebaue, Transport und Aufbereitung von Erzen). Die technogenen Partikel repräsentieren ein breites Spektrum unterschiedlich zusammengesetzter Sulphide (Ni-Cu-Fe-Co), Oxyde (Fe-Ni-Cu), metallischer Phasen und Legierungen (Ni-Cu-Fe-Co), sowie Schlacke-Partikel und Koks. Variationen der Zusammensetzung und im Auftreten dieser Phasen ermöglichen Rückschlüsse auf die im Prozess eingesetzten Erze und auf verschiedene Stadien der Prozesstechnik (z.B. Rösten, Schmelzen auf Cu-Ni Stein, Konvertieren auf Cu-Ni Feinstein, Raffinieren) in den lokalen Haupternittenten. Ausserdem konnten PGE-führende Sulphide (Pentlandit mit 0.2–0.3 Gew% Pd) und separate PGE-Phasen in den partikulären Emissionen von Zapoljarnij and Monchegorsk identifiziert werden.

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With 8 Figures     

Quaternary palaeoenvironments and multi-storey valley fill architecture along the Mezen and Severnaya Dvina river valleys,Arkhangelsk region,NW Russia

The modern Severnaya Dvina and Mezen river systems in the Arkhangelsk region, NW Russia, are located within extensive palaeovalley systems. The palaeovalleys form depressions in bedrock and have controlled the drainage systems in the area at least since the Last Interglacial. Vertically stacked marine to fluvial sediments reflect deposition during fluctuating climate and sea levels.A compilation of lithostratigraphical data collected during the last decade has been coupled with bedrock topography and geomorphology from satellite images in order to describe the valley fill architecture for the two valley systems. Each system has been divided into a number of depositional units (storeys) separated by incision/non-deposition and used to investigate the timing of aggradational versus incisional phases. Time constraints for each phase are provided by optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages, and aggradation and incision are linked to independent records of climate and sea level change.The pattern of aggradation and erosion is regional and primarily driven by episodes of increasing and decreasing sediment supply. Aggradation is correlated to times of deglaciation with high sediment supply from the ice margin, release of sediment from ice-dammed lakes and low vegetation and degradation of permafrost on the flood plain. Incision is related to cold intervals with low sediment supply, delayed incision due to isostatic uplift and drainage of ice-dammed lakes. Relative sea level change controls the distribution of marine deposits, which show significant regional variations due to variable isostatic response across the region. Sea level change plays a limited role for fluvial aggradation/incision in the study area.     

Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions of the Kovdor phoscorite–carbonatite complex, Kola Peninsula, NW Russia

The Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic compositions for the Kovdor phoscorite–carbonatite complex (PCC), Kola Peninsula, NW Russia, have been determined to characterize the mantle sources involved and to evaluate the relative contributions of a plume and subcontinental lithospheric mantle in the formation of the complex. The Kovdor PCC is a part of the Kovdor ultramafic–alkaline–carbonatite massif, and consists of six intrusions. The initial isotopic ratios of the analyzed samples, calculated at 380 Ma, display limited variations: ε_Nd, + 2.0 to + 4.7; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, 0.70319 to 0.70361 (ε_Sr, − 12.2 to − 6.2); ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 18.38 to 18.74; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 15.45 to 15.50; ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 37.98 to 39.28. The Nd and Sr isotope data of the Kovdor PCC generally fit the patterns of the other phoscorites and carbonatites from the Kola Alkaline Province (KAP), but some data are slightly shifted from the mixing line defined as the Kola Carbonatite Line, having more radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios. However, the less radiogenic Nd isotopic compositions and negative Δ7/4 values of Pb isotopes of the analyzed samples exclude crustal contamination, but imply the involvement of a metasomatized lithospheric mantle source. Isotopic variations indicate mixing of at least three distinct mantle components: FOZO-like primitive plume component, EMI-like enriched component and DMM-like depleted component. The isotopic nature of the EMI- and DMM-like mantle component observed in the Kovdor samples is considered to be inherited from metasomatized subcontinental lithospheric mantle. This supports the previous models invoking plume–lithosphere interaction to explain the origin of the Devonian alkaline carbonatite magmatism in the KAP.     

Iron colloids/organic matter associated transport of major and trace elements in small boreal rivers and their estuaries (NW Russia)

The chemical status of major and trace elements (TE) in various boreal small rivers and watershed has been investigated along a 1500-km transect of NW Russia. Samples were filtered in the field through a progressively decreasing pore size (5, 0.8 and 0.22 μm; 100, 10, and 1 kD) using a frontal filtration technique. All major and trace elements and organic carbon (OC) were measured in filtrates and ultrafiltrates. Most rivers exhibit high concentration of dissolved iron (0.2–4 mg/l), OC (10–30 mg/l) and significant amounts of trace elements usually considered as immobile in weathering processes (Ti, Zr, Th, Al, Ga, Y, REE, V, Pb). In (ultra)filtrates, Fe and OC are poorly correlated: iron concentration gradually decreases upon filtration from 5 μm to 1 kD whereas the major part of OC is concentrated in the <1–10 kD fraction. This reveals the presence of two pools of colloids composed of organic-rich and Fe-rich particles. According to their behavior during filtration and association with these two types of colloids, three groups of elements can be distinguished: (i) species that are not affected by ultrafiltration and are present in the form of true dissolved inorganic species (Ca, Mg, Li, Na, K, Sr, Ba, Rb, Cs, Si, B, As, Sb, Mo) or weak organic complexes (Ca, Mg, Sr, Ba), (ii) elements present in the fraction smaller than 1–10 kD prone to form inorganic or organic complexes (Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cd, and, for some rivers, Pb, Cr, Y, HREE, U), and (iii) elements strongly associated with colloidal iron in all ultrafiltrates (P, Al, Ga, REE, Pb, V, Cr, W, Ti, Ge, Zr, Th, U). Based on size fractionation results and taking into account the nominal pore size for membranes, an estimation of the effective surface area of Fe colloids was performed. Although the total amount of available surface sites on iron colloids (i.e., 1–10 μM) is enough to accommodate the nanomolar concentrations of dissolved trace elements, very poor correlation between TE and surface sites concentrations was observed in filtrates and ultrafiltrates. This strongly suggests a preferential transport of TE as coprecipitates with iron oxy(hydr)oxides. These colloids can be formed on redox boundaries by precipitation of Fe(III) from inflowing Fe(II)/TE-rich anoxic ground waters when they meet well-oxygenated surface waters. Dissolved organic matter stabilizes these colloids and prevents their aggregation and coagulation. Estuarine behavior of several trace elements was studied for two small iron- and organic-rich rivers. While Si, Sr, Ba, Rb, and Cs show a clear conservative behavior during mixing of freshwaters with the White sea, Al, Pb and REE are scavenged with iron during coagulation of Fe hydroxide colloids.     

A review of the occurrence, form and origin of C-bearing species in the Khibiny Alkaline Igneous Complex, Kola Peninsula, NW Russia

The Khibiny Complex hosts a wide variety of carbon-bearing species that include both oxidized and reduced varieties. Oxidised varieties include carbonate minerals, especially in the carbonatite complex at the eastern end of the pluton, and Na-carbonate phases. Reduced varieties include abiogenic hydrocarbon gases, particularly methane and ethane, dispersed bitumens, solid organic substances and graphite. The majority of the carbon in the Khibiny Complex is hosted in either the carbonatite complex or within the so-called “Central Arch”. The Central Arch is a ring-shaped structure which separates khibinites (coarse-grained eudialite-bearing nepheline-syenites) in the outer part of the complex from lyavochorrites (medium-grained nepheline-syenites) and foyaites in the inner part. The Central Arch is petrologically diverse and hosts the major REE-enriched apatite–nepheline deposits for which the complex is best known. It also hosts zones with elevated hydrocarbon (dominantly methane) gas content and zones of hydrothermally deposited Na-carbonate mineralisation. The hydrocarbon gases are most likely the product of a series of post-magmatic abiogenic reactions. It is likely that the concentration of apatite-nepheline deposits, hydrocarbon gases and Na-carbonate mineralisation, is a function of long lived fluid percolation through the Central Arch. Fluid migration was facilitated by stress release during cooling and uplift of the Khibiny Complex. As a result, carbon with a mantle signature was concentrated into a narrow ring-shaped zone.     

AMS 14C measurements and macrofossil analyses of a varved sequence near Pudozh, eastern Karelia, NW Russia

The laminated sediments at Pudozh in eastern Karelia are generally assumed to have been deposited between 13 000 and 16 000 ¹⁴C yr BP and have been used to date the recession of the active ice margin. However, 17 AMS ¹⁴C measurements performed on terrestrial plant macrofossils contained in these sediments show that deposition began during the late Allerφd, when the ice margin had already receded to the northern part of Lake Onega. Based on an age model, we assume that the 1933-year-long varved sequence covers the time period between c. 12 900 and 11 000 calendar years BP. During this period, which comprises the later part of the Late Weichselian and the early Holocene, the local vegetation consisted of open, tree-less dwarf shrub heaths. Increased soil erosion may have occurred before 12 550 calendar years BP.     

塔里木盆地西北缘皮羌辉长岩体的时代讨论

皮羌辉长岩体位于塔里木盆地柯坪断隆西部,皮羌村北约15 km处。该岩体的围岩包括志留系、泥盆系和石炭系—二叠系,新近系不整合覆盖其上。采集该辉长岩样品进行单矿物分离,取分离出的斜长石进行Ar-Ar定年。700～1400℃的8个加热阶段析出的~(39)Ar为总量的95.89%,在坪谱图上得到一个较稳定的坪,坪年龄为265.5±1.2 Ma;与之相对应的等时线年龄为267.29±5.62 Ma。结合区域地质分析,皮羌辉长岩体的侵入时代为中二叠世早期;是塔里木二叠纪岩浆活动的一部分。其侵入后基本未受后期构造热事件影响。     

塔里木盆地西北缘皮羌辉长岩体的时代讨论

皮羌辉长岩体位于塔里木盆地柯坪断隆西部,皮羌村北约15 km处。该岩体的围岩包括志留系、泥盆系和石炭系—二叠系,新近系不整合覆盖其上。采集该辉长岩样品进行单矿物分离,取分离出的斜长石进行Ar-Ar定年。700～1 400 ℃的8个加热阶段析出的39Ar为总量的95.89％,在坪谱图上得到一个较稳定的坪,坪年龄为265.5±1.2 Ma; 与之相对应的等时线年龄为267.29±5.62 Ma。结合区域地质分析,皮羌辉长岩体的侵入时代为中二叠世早期; 是塔里木二叠纪岩浆活动的一部分。其侵入后基本未受后期构造热事件影响。     

Britholite-group minerals as sensitive indicators of changing fluid composition during pegmatite formation: evidence from the Keivy alkaline province,Kola peninsula,NW Russia

Mineralogy and Petrology - The Keivy alkaline province, Kola Peninsula, NW Russia, consists of vast alkali granite massifs and several dike-like nepheline syenite bodies. It contains numerous...     

塔里木盆地西北缘沙井子构造带断裂构造分析

沙井子构造带位于塔里木盆地西北缘,是分隔阿瓦提凹陷和温宿凸起的边界断裂。它是塔里木盆地研究最薄弱的大型断裂构造带之一。根据系统、精细的地震资料解释,沙井子构造带存在3套断裂体系:深部楔状冲断构造、狭义沙井子断裂和浅部的伸张构造。深部楔状冲断构造形成于志留纪—泥盆纪,由北西倾向的主冲断层和南东倾向的反冲断层形成构造楔; 构造楔主要由前寒武纪变质岩组成,冲断前锋楔入于寒武系中部,造成上覆地层向温宿凸起方向的急剧抬升。狭义的沙井子断裂,即通常所说的沙井子断裂,为一条高角度基底卷入型挤压走滑断裂,形成于二叠纪末—三叠纪初,错断了早期的深部冲断楔。浅部的伸展构造形成于第四纪早-中期,为一系列较小规模的正断层,沿狭义沙井子断裂呈右步雁列状排列,构成左行剪切张扭性断裂带。深部的楔状冲断构造和浅部的伸展构造是本次研究的新发现。     

Stream water geochemistry from selected catchments on the Kola Peninsula (NW Russia) and in neighbouring areas of Finland and Norway: 2. Time-series

Stream water composition, measured weekly for 8–9 months in 1994 in three arctic catchments on and around the Kola Peninsula (Russia, Finland and Norway), is presented in the form of time-series. In all three catchments, snowmelt causes a major dilution of the stream water, as reflected by marked dips in electrical conductance. In the most polluted catchment (C2), the snowmelt flood (the major hydrological event at these latitudes) is reflected in the stream water by a pH dip and a pulse in technogenic heavy metals (Cu, Ni, etc.), Al and S. This results from melting of the snow laden with heavy metals and sulphate, and from leaching of the topsoil layer. In the most pristine catchment (C8), snowmelt causes no heavy metal pulse (remote location) but yields an increase in stream water Al (acidic lithology/overburden). In the intermediate catchment (C5), very subdued heavy metal and S increases are noticeable in the stream water, whilst its pH increases steadily until summer (basic lithology). Some elements (Cl, S) may be mobilised out of the snowpack before its complete thawing and reach the stream 1–2 weeks ahead of the heavy metals. The substrate (soil, overburden and bedrock) of a catchment controls to a large extent its ability to buffer acid inputs.     

Origin of V. Grib pipe eclogites (Arkhangelsk region,NW Russia): geochemistry,Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr isotopes and relation to regional Precambrian tectonics

Mineralogy and Petrology - In this paper, new main and trace elements and isotopic data are presented for 14 coarse-grained eclogite xenoliths from the V. Grib kimberlite pipe in the central part...     

Petrographic code of Russia

The Petrographic Code of Russia is a body of major rules and recommendations that establish a unified and standardized petrographic terminology and nomenclature for endogenic and impact rocks and the taxonomy of petrographic units. The single system of terms and concepts underlying the petrographic code shall be obligatory for all departments and organizations in conducting geological operations in the territory of Russia. This system shall be applied when state geological maps of various scales and series legends for them are prepared and when maps are created under international projects. The structure of the second and third editions of the Code was modified compared with that of the first edition, and this edition includes new appendices. With regard for new standards and requirement of geological practice, additional sections concerning sedimentary-volcanic, migmatite, and some other rocks were introduced into the Code. The sections devoted to metamorphic and metasomatic rocks were revised and amended, and arguments were proposed justifying the recognition (as an individual genetic type) of fluid-explosion rocks, which can be accompanied by ore mineralization of various types. Most definitions are revised, many entries are reworked and or abridged, and new entries are added. The revised wording of the Code involves recommendations from the International Commission on Systematics in Petrology of the International Unit of Geological Sciences.     

Laser ablation ICP-MS analyses of tree-ring profiles in pine and birch from N Norway and NW Russia – a reliable record of the pollution history of the area?

 Laser ablation ICP-MS analysis of tree rings provides a rapid and sensitive method for investigating element concentrations and fluctuations in trees along time profiles. Time profiles obtained from pine and birch trees from a strongly polluted area in northwest Russia and a slightly polluted area at the Norwegian-Russian border show that single trees behave rather individualistically in terms of heavy metal contents as observed in the yearly growth rings. The obtained profiles can not be linked to the pollution history of the area. No correlation between pollution levels of the soils and observed metal content in tree rings can be established. Received: 6 September 1996 / Accepted: 18 November 1996