中亚地区现代表土磁学特征及其古环境意义*

在中国西北地区主要沙漠、绿洲和戈壁及蒙古国南部戈壁等亚洲中部粉尘源区采集了表土(包括沙漠和土壤)样品,系统分析了样品的磁学性质(包括磁化率、无磁滞磁化率、等温剩磁、磁滞回线和热磁曲线)。结果表明,中亚地区表土样品中主要磁性矿物是铁磁矿,含有赤铁矿和磁赤铁矿,并伴有少量顺磁性矿物;磁性矿物粒度主要是准单畴(PSD)和多畴(MD),超顺磁性颗粒含量较低,接近于中国西部黄土地层含量。中亚地区表土磁性矿物含量总体都较低,磁性矿物含量在空间上与降雨量成正比。研究结果指示西部地区(准噶尔盆地和南部塔里木盆地)表土样品较北部地区(鄂尔多斯高原、阿拉善高原以及蒙古高原)表土样品,其粗颗粒磁性矿物含量高,而细颗粒磁性矿物含量低。本研究结果为黄土地层古土壤磁性增强源自成土过程提供了最直接的证据。     

Magnetic characteristics of topsoil from Xinjiang, Northwestern China, and their implications

In this study, a set of environmental magnetic parameters (_{χlf, χfd}%, _χARM , SIRM, HIRM, SOFT and SIRM/_{χlf, χARM} /SIRM and _χARM /_χlf) of 331 top-soil samples from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China were systematically measured and the magnetic characteristics and its environmental significance were discussed. Our results indicate that the main magnetic minerals of these top-soils are single-domain magnetite. The content of magnetic minerals in top-soils from north Xinjiang is higher than that from south Xinjiang; however, the content of hard magnetic minerals is higher in the topsoils from south Xinjiang. The top-soils from Yili region contain similar magnetic minerals as that from south Xinjiang, but with much stronger magnetic SP content due to higher pedogenic processes. The differences in magnetic characteristics among top-soils from different regions of Xinjiang might reflect the differences of regional climatic factors, especially the precipitation.     

黔中喀斯特丘原区小河水库沉积物的 矿物磁性特征及其土壤侵蚀意义 *

对贵州中部小河水库的沉积物柱芯XS-1进行矿物磁性分析(χ_lf,ARM,IRM_20mT,SIRM 和IRM_-300mT)并计算了HIRM,χ_ARM 和χ_ARM/SIRM。主要根据沉积物的矿物磁性特征, 将这一岩芯的主要部分划分为11个小段。 通过解译这些矿物磁性参数,结合完成的¹³⁷ Cs、粒度、TOC和C/N比值分析结果,定性地推测了过去45年(1960~2005年)小河水库所在汇水流域内的土壤侵蚀变化。在此基础上,通过对各阶段平均磁性参数的主成分分析,得到各阶段土壤侵蚀的相对强度变化的定量信息,并结合人类活动和降水资料初步探讨了影响土壤侵蚀的相对强度变化的主要因素。结果表明,1960~1968年、1973~1974 年和1998~2000 年是小河流域内土壤侵蚀最为严重的3个阶段。1960~1968年人类砍伐树木是造成该阶段土壤侵蚀强烈的主要原因,而1973~1974年和1998~2000年流域内土壤侵蚀强烈则是由于降水的偏多造成的。1968年以来,夏季降水是影响土壤侵蚀变化的主要因素。     

Environmental magnetic and geochemical characteristics of Chennai coastal sediments,Bay of Bengal,India

In this study, environmental magnetic, heavy metal and statistical analyses were conducted on 21 surface sediments collected from Chennai coast, India, to examine the feasibility of heavy metal pollution using magnetic susceptibility. The Chennai coastal sediment samples are dominated by ferrimagnetic minerals corresponding to magnetite-like minerals. The percentage of frequency dependent magnetic susceptibility reflects the presence of super-paramagnetic/single domain magnetic minerals in Chennai harbour, Cooum and Adayar rivers sediments. High pollution load index in sample E1, E2, CH7, C11, C12 and A16 is mainly due to anthropogenic activities such as, harbour activities, Cooum and Adayar rivers input and industrial effluent. Factor analysis shows that the magnetic concentration dependent parameters (χ, χ _ARM and SIRM) covary with the heavy metal concentrations, suggesting that the input of magnetic minerals and heavy metals in Chennai coastal sediments are derived from the same anthropogenic sources. Strong correlation obtained between pollution load index (PLI) and concentration dependent parameters (χ, χ _ARM and SIRM) for the polluted samples with magnetic susceptibility excess of 50×10^− 8 m³kg^− 1. Significant correlations between heavy metals and magnetic susceptibility point out the potential of magnetic screening/monitoring for simple and rapid proxy indicator of heavy metal pollution in marine sediments.     

Heavy metal pollution in urban topsoils: mineralogical analyses and magnetic characterization

Urban soil samples collected from the city of Xuzhou were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for Pb and Zn. The samples were also investigated for mineralogy using X-ray diffraction, thermal analyses and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The identified minerals are mainly composed of quartz and calcite as major minerals. Soil samples contained elevated Zn (2,049 ± 5,439 mg/kg) and Pb (115 ± 58 mg/kg). According to the index of geoaccumulation, the soils of the study area are considered to be moderately to strongly contaminated with respect to Zn, moderately contaminated with respect to Pb. The magnetic measurements indicate that the dominant magnetic components are multidomain grains of ferrimagnetic minerals and that superparamagnetic and stable single-domain ferrimagnetic grains and non-ferrimagnetic minerals are present in small magnetic concentrations in this area. The measured metals correlated positively with the determined magnetic parameters (χ, χ _ARM, SIRM and SOFT). This result suggests that simple, rapid, and non-destructive magnetic measurements could provide useful information about Pb and Zn pollution in Xuzhou urban surface soils.     

Geochemical and mineral magnetic characterisation of urban sediment particulates,Manchester, UK

Urban sediments are part of a complex system in which particulates accumulate potentially toxic pollutants, ultimately posing a threat to urban water-bodies and public health. It is therefore important to recognise sources, signatures and pathways of urban particulates. Urban sediment samples were analysed from both inner and outer city road surfaces of Manchester, UK. High metal concentrations, coupled with the largely ferrimagnetic multi-domain (MD) mineral magnetic composition of the particulates, indicate inputs of anthropogenic origin, primarily particulates derived from automobiles, as being the dominant source to the urban sediment system. Iron and Pb concentrations show a clear spatial trend, whereby concentrations are enhanced in the inner city samples. Lead concentrations for inner and outer city samples average 354 and 185 μg g⁻¹, respectively. Iron concentrations for inner and outer city samples average 11302 and 6486 μg g⁻¹, respectively. Sequential extraction analysis shows the metals Mn, Fe, Zn and Pb are largely associated with the reducible fraction, whereas Cu is largely associated with the oxidisable fraction. Zinc is the only metal showing significant association with the exchangeable fraction (up to 33%), suggesting that it may be the most susceptible metal to mobilisation during runoff. Metal fractions identified as showing larger associations with the reducible and oxidisable fractions will continue to be vulnerable to mobilisation as a result of changes in ambient pH and/or redox conditions. Mineral magnetic concentration parameters, such as the saturation isothermal remanent magnetisation (SIRM), together with hysteresis parameters such as the coercive force and interparametric ratios (such as (B_o)_cr/H_c and IRM_-100mT/SIRM) show that ferrimagnetic MD minerals dominate the Manchester urban sediments. Average results for frequency-dependent susceptibility as a percentage (2%) suggest that the composition of these Manchester sediments is not dominated by soil-derived material, and therefore magnetically coarser, anthropogenically-derived material is dominant. Unlike Pb and Fe concentrations, mineral magnetic characteristics of the Manchester urban sediment samples exhibit no significant spatial variation.     

Use of environmental magnetic measurements to validate the vertical extent of ice masses at the Last Glacial Maximum

Analysis of soil samples from above and below trimlines representing the upper limit of glacial erosion at the Last Glacial Maximum demonstrates that soils with prolonged weathering histories above such trimlines yield significantly different mineral magnetic signatures from soils below trimlines. The nature of the contrast is conditioned by lithology. Basalt soils above the trimline yield significantly higher values of concentration‐dependent magnetic parameters (χ, χ_arm, IRM_3T, soft IRM and hard IRM) than those below the trimline, due probably to transformation of non‐magnetic iron‐bearing minerals into magnetic forms. Conversely, for sandstone soils most magnetic parameters yield significantly lower values for above‐trimline samples, probably reflecting loss of ferrimagnetic minerals by dissolution and oxidation to aniferrimagnetic forms. These significant contrasts represent a new approach to validating high‐level weathering limits as periglacial trimlines cut at the Last Glacial Maximum. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A magnetic investigation of a loess/paleosol sequences record in Ili area

The pedogenic ferrimagnetic minerals have been considered to be the cause of magnetic susceptibility enhancement in loess deposits distributing in the Chinese Loess Plateau and Central Europe, while “wind intensity” mechanism is proposed to be responsible for the magnetic susceptibility enhancement of loess in Alaska and Siberia. However, the magnetic enhancement mechanism is still open for loess in Ili valley, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. To understand this, we conducted a rock magnetic investigation on Axike section that is located in Ili valley. Results show that transitional stage from magnetic (χ_lf) trough to magnetic (χ_lf) peak corresponds to soil units. The PSD and MD-grained magnetite dominate the magnetic properties of AXK sequences, and the main factor affecting magnetic properties is the concentration of ferrimagnetic fraction. For the “pedogenesis enhancement” and “wind intensity” model, it seems hard to explain the magnetic susceptibility enhancement in this area. For the concentration of fine-grained magnetite in magnetic mineral shows positive relationship with the intensity of pedogenesis, the magnetic parameters of loess deposit in Ili valley can be used to recover paleoclimatic variations.     

Early Cretaceous Climate Changes Recorded in Magnetic Susceptibility and Color Index Variations of the Lower Liupanshan Group, Central China

This study carried out comprehensive analysis on sedimentology, magnetic susceptibility(χlf) and color data of the continental sediments of the Liupanshan Group in Central China so as to obtain climatic change information during the 129.14–122.98 Ma interval. Based on the results of the ?lf and of the redness(a*), the section can be divided into two segments:(1) 129.14–126.3 Ma, with the lowest ?lf values and strongly variable relatively high values of redness and(2) 126.3–122.98 Ma, with high ?lf values and relatively low redness. Analysis of the lithology and facies as well as the magnetic minerals and their contents points to a detrital origin of the magnetic minerals and this allow us to interpret the relationship between magnetic susceptibility variations and climate changes. Our study shows that the climate was significantly dry and hot during the whole studied interval although the interval between 126.3 Ma and 122.98 was a little bit cooler with increased humidity.     

Rock magnetic response to climatic changes in west Philippine Sea for the last 780 ka: Discussion based on relative paleointensity assisted chronology

We conducted rock magnetic and paleomagnetic research on two deep-sea sediment cores from the west Philippine Sea, located to the east of Benham Rise with the length of 4 m and water depth of over 5000 m. At the bottom of core 146 occurs a reversal of inclination and deflection of relative declination, which is recognized as Brunhes-Matuyama Polarity Boundary (MBPB). No reversal occurs in core 89, which implies a younger bottom age than that of core 146. Rock magnetic results reveal magnetic uniformities in mineralogy, concentration and grain size along the two cores, thus relative paleointensity variations are acquired. The three normalizers-anhysteresis remanent magnetization (ARM), magnetic susceptibility (k) and saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) are used for normalization to obtain relative paleointensities. The three normalization results are averaged to indicate the paleoitensity of the cores and are further stacked together to get a synthetic curve for west Philippine Sea (named asWPS800 in this paper). Based on the magnetic correlation between cores and paleointensity to Sint800, we transfer the changes of rock magnetic parameters from depth to time. Furthermore, the astronomically tuned oxygen isotope from ODP site 1143 in the south China Sea is used for the glacial and interglacial indicator. Three concentration proxies (ARM, k and SIRM) and grain size indicators (k _ARM/SIRM, k _ARM/k) are examined according to the paleointensity-assisted chronology. The grain size changes in the two cores display a consistent pattern with the climatic changes embodied by oxygen isotope. The magnetic sizes are usually coarser in glacial periods and finer in interglacial times, which may reflect the influence of chemical erosion rather than fining from sea level rising on the source sediment. Furthermore, the sub-peaks and sub-troughs in interglaciations almost correspond with that of oxygen isotope records, which means sedimentation can reflect the subtle changes in interglaciations. This kind of revelation of climatic fluctuation by magnetic size is also found in the South China Sea, which shows a common pattern of magnetic signals to climate at least within East Asia. The concentration of ARM (representing more about fine grain) also shows similar response to glacial and interglacial cycles, that is, high in interglacial cycle and low in glacial cycle; but k and SIRM (reflecting more about coarse grain) lack the response to the climatic cycles. At the same time, S-ratio lacks the correlation with aeolian dust record and rhythmic changes, indicating the dominant source of main magnetic carrier (low coercivity magnetite) is the suspended matter instead of dust. The decreasing trend of sedimentation rate from west to east also reveals that the sediments are mainly from west Luzon and adjacent land. Grain sizes first became coarse and then stable around 400 ka B.P., and at the same time all the magnetic contents lowered and amplitude of magnetic mineral changes increased. The magnetic transition around 400 ka B.P. is simultaneous with the decreases of carbonate content, reflecting a global carbonate dissolution event, i.e. mid Brunhes event. The synchronization of magnetic content and grain size with climatic cycles of glacials and interglacials imply the validity of paleointesnityassisted chronology. Also, the response of rock magnetic signals to stable oxygen isotope changes and carbonate variation reveals that rock magnetismmethod can be an effective tool for paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic research. __________ Translated from Quaternary Sciences, 2007, 27(6): 1040–1052 [译自 : 第四纪研究]     

Ferrimagnetic minerals in red paleosols of Pleistocene Epoch, eastern China

The type,grain size and origin of ferimagnetic minerals separated from red paleosols of pleistocene Epoch(Q2)in eastern China ,were studied by using mineral magnetic measurement,X-ray powder diffraction and electron microscopy.Results showed that the iron oxider in red paleosols were composed of hematite(α-Fe2O3),maghemite(γ-Fe2O3) and goethite(α-FeOOH),Mineral magnetic parameters and X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that maghemite was the dominant remanence carrier in red paleosols,which is characterized by superparamagnetic(SP) and stable single domain(SSD) grains,The variations of magnetic susceptibility(χ） ,anhysteretic magnetic susceptibility(χRAM）and saturation isothermal remanent magnetization(SIRM) for red paleosols following heating to various temperatures showed two peak values at 700℃ and 900℃.The spherulitic magnetic particles measuring 250-1000μm in diameter in red paleosols were separated by the magnetic separation method,indicating that these magnetic particles were an assemblage of superparamagnetic and stable single domain ferrimagnetic grains,It is suggested that the ferrimagnetic minerals of red paleosols be a pedogenic ferrimagnetic component under high temperature and high humid conditions in the Pleistocene Fpoch(Q2).It is concluded that the magnetism characteristics of red paleosols can be used to evaluate the environmental changes of Quaternary in eastern China.     

Heavy metal geochemistry and mineral magnetic characterization of urban soil in Xuzhou,China

In the present study, the enrichment, availability, speciation of heavy metals including Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni and Sb and magnetic properties of urban soils of Xuzhou (China) were investigated. All analyzed metals showed elevated concentrations compared to local background concentrations. Cadmium and Sb are the metals most enriched in the analyzed area, presenting enrichment factor, on average, of 16.5 and 8.3, respectively. By self-organizing map in combination with diagnostic ratios, the source of Sb, Cd, Cu and Pb in soils might be mainly from traffic emissions. Sequential extractions indicate that metals were primarily associated with the reducible fraction with the exception of Ni. The order of extraction efficiency of various metals was SBET (simplified physiologically based extraction test) > DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) > CaCl₂. The magnetic results show that soil samples were dominated by a strong ferrimagnetic mineral component with multi- and single-domain magnetic grains. Only CaCl₂ extractable Sb was found to show significant correlations with χlf and SIRM. For both DTPA and SBET extractions, all metals investigated showed significant associations with both χlf and SIRM (saturation isothermal remanent magnetization).     

A palaeomagnetic and mineral magnetic study of the loess sequence at Liujiapo,Xian, China

Employing an average vertical sampling interval of 20 cm, oriented samples were collected from 26 m of the loess section at Liujiapo, near Xian, China in order to refine the existing magnetostratigraphic record. Palaeomagnetic results reveal two short reversed-polarity subzones within a profile of predominantly normally magnetised sediments, an interpretation that is at variance with previous results from this section and from other studies of Chinese loess. Investigation of sediment mineral-magnetic properties indicates a close correspondence between down-section variations in intensity of magnetisation, susceptibility and saturation isothermal Journal of Quaternary Science remanence (SIRM), and lithology. The ratios IRM_-100mT/SIRM and SIRM/ susceptibility appear to be particularly sensitive indicators of the degree of soil development and hence of palaeoclimate.     

Climatic periodicities recorded in lake sediment magnetic susceptibility data: Further evidence for solar forcing on Indian summer monsoon

The Indian summer monsoon exhibits considerable spatio-temporal variability.It is therefore important to understand its dynamics and the inherent periodicities.In this study,we have performed spectral and wavelet analyses of magnetic susceptibility data for sediments from Thimmannanayakanakere(TK)-a small lake in southern India.The main objective of this investigation is to identify and explain the possible origin of the prominent periodicities present in the magnetic susceptibility data.Significant periodicities in the TK χ_(lf)data are centered at 906,232,147,128,96,61,54 and 44 years,which might have a solar origin.The wavelet power spectrum of the raw and detrended χ_(lf)data confirms the findings of spectral analysis and also provides temporal variations of the significant cyclicities during the past3700 cal.years B.P.Positive correlation is documented between sunspot activity and TK xif data;crossspectral analysis of the reconstructed sunspot data and TK xif data suggest that there is a strong coherence between the two datasets as significant periodicities are documented in both.There is a good match between the TK xif and the reconstructed total solar irradiance data for the past 1200 years.However,an out-of-phase relationship is documented at certain time-intervals,which may be attributed to uncertainties in the age-depth model.The results obtained from this study show that solar variations are the main controlling factor of the southwest monsoon and,like other archives from different regions in India,the TK lake sediments have also recorded these solar signatures.     

Characterization of diamictons on the basis of their mineral magnetic properties in Murchisonfjorden,Nordaustlandet, Svalbard

Different grain-size fractions of 12 lithologically defined and 2 non-defined Weichselian glacial stage diamicton units from Nordaustlandet, Svalbard were studied for their mineral magnetic properties. The applied measurements included magnetic susceptibility (χ), anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM), saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM), ‘backfield’ isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) and several of their parametric ratios. The results indicated a poor correlation between the magnetic fingerprint of dry-sieved and wet-sieved diamicton samples. The dry-sieved samples had higher χ, ARM and SIRM values, suggesting a higher concentration of ferrimagnetic grains. This was probably because washing of the samples resulted in the loss of the most fine-grained ferrimagnetic material. Both sieving methods seem to be capable of discriminating different diamictons, but they cannot be used contemporaneously. The results only partially support previous findings of the chronostratigraphic correlation of diamictons. They indicate that in suitable conditions and within a limited area it is possible to discriminate (and group) glacigenic sequences based on the magnetic signature of their fine-grained fractions in the sample. For example and based on the mineral magnetic fingerprint, a diamicton unit that was described from the marine core (MUR 09/sor1/125–150) obtained from Isvika region most probably represents diamicton material that were derived from provenance areas related to the Middle Weichselian glacial stage. It was also noted that certain mineral magnetic parameters, such as SIRM/χ and SIRM/ARM ratio, had greater potential in discriminating diamicton units than others.     

Magnetic properties of airborne particulate matter in Shanghai during dust storm events and the implications for heavy metal contaminant sources

Airborne particulate samples (including dust storm period samples) were collected from the Putuo, Qingpu and Minhang districts of Shanghai city from October, 2009 to October, 2010, and also tracked the dust transporting pathways from NW (Northwest) to SE (Southeast) including the cities of Xi’an, Beijing, Zhengzhou and Nantong, as a means of sampling the dust storm particulate matter in the spring of 2010. After measuring the magnetic parameters and the concentrations of particles and heavy metals, their magnetic properties were analyzed to track the source locations of heavy metal pollution during dust storm events, and then combined for backward trajectory analysis. It was found that the slightly polluted dust particles carried many contaminants during dust storm periods when the dust palls were transported by winter monsoon winds from the NW desert region towards the SE. The contaminants were further increased by contributions of fine SP&SD grains derived from local automobile exhausts in Shanghai as well as being enriched also in Northern cities during non-dust storm periods. A significantly positive linear relation was found between the χ_lf and SIRM of loess and the storm dust, indicating a similar material source for these two kinds of samples. A higher χ_lf and SIRM in storm dust content compared to loess suggests that storm dust contains not only materials from natural sources, but also those from partly anthropogenic sources. Backward trajectory analysis indicates intuitively the source region of the Shanghai storm dust. These conclusions have important scientific significance for research on long-distance transportation of contaminants (such as heavy metals) adsorbed onto airborne particulate matter during dust storm events.     

Influence of the aging of Fe oxides on the decline of magnetic susceptibility of the Tertiary red clay in the Chinese Loess Plateau

Magnetic properties, free and active Fe oxides, grain size distribution and mineral assemblage of a Quaternary loess–Tertiary red clay (TRC) section in Lingtai County in the Chinese Loess Plateau were studied. The results suggest that the TRC of the Lingtai section shares similar aeolian characteristics with the overlying Quaternary loess-paleosol sequence (QLPS), but the former is generally more intensively weathered than the latter, as indicated by its higher citrate–bicarbonate–dithionite (CBD) extractable Fe (Fe_d), finer grain size and lower content of easily weathered primary minerals. However, magnetic susceptibility (χ_lf) and magnetic remanence (χ_arm, SIRM and SOFT etc.) of the main part of the TRC are significantly lower, implying the decline of ferrimagnetic minerals (FM). In contrast, hematite and goethite in the TRC is significantly enhanced, as indicated by its higher HIRM. The acid ammonium oxalate (AAO) extractable Fe (Fe_o) of the whole section sharply decreases with increasing age. Fe_o and Fe_o/Fe_d values of the section are significantly correlated with χ_lf. Especially in the TRC, the low values of Fe_o and Fe_o/Fe_d correspond to weak χ_lf. This suggests a significant influence of the age-related transformation of Fe oxides on the decline of FM in the TRC. Lower FM and higher hematite and/or goethite in the TRC further suggest the transformation of FM into hematite with the aging of Fe oxides during post-depositional processes, though more evidence is needed to understand the processes involved. χ_lf of the TRC in the Chinese Loess Plateau mostly cannot be regarded as a promising paleoclimatic proxy because its weak magnetism does not correlate to its strong pedogenesis.     

罗布泊自生胶黄铁矿对磁性参数χARM/SIRM指示意义的影响

沉积物中磁性矿物的颗粒大小具有重要环境指示意义,是环境磁学研究的重要内容。磁性参数非磁滞剩磁磁化率/饱和等温剩磁（χ_ARM/SIRM）常被用于指示磁性颗粒大小,当沉积物磁性特征为较粗的多畴（MD）颗粒主导时表现为低值,而为较细的单畴（SD）颗粒主导时表现为高值。本研究对罗布泊盐湖LB剖面的沉积物进行了系统环境磁学测试,结果发现剖面中含有5个χ_ARM/SIRM值低于上覆层和下伏层的层位,指示其磁性颗粒较粗。但磁滞参数和扫描电镜结果显示这5个层位磁性颗粒明显细于上覆层和下伏层沉积物,显示χ_ARM/SIRM在这5个层位的指示意义失真。矿物鉴定结果显示这5个层位的主导磁性矿物为早期成岩成因的SD胶黄铁矿,赋存形态主要为颗粒团聚体、单颗粒或颗粒团聚体附着于硅酸盐矿物表面以及分布于薄片状硅酸盐内,这种赋存形态导致其具有较强的磁相互作用,并限制了χ_ARM的增加,最终造成χ_ARM/SIRM下降,指示意义失真。本研究显示当沉积物中存在胶黄铁矿等自生矿物时,利用比值参数χ_ARM/SIRM判断磁性矿物颗粒特征需谨慎。     

Magnetic susceptibility of volcanic rocks in geothermal areas: application potential in geothermal exploration studies for identification of rocks and zones of hydrothermal alteration

Magnetic susceptibility and petrographic studies of drilled rock cuttings from two geothermal wells (Az-26 and Az-49) of the important electricity-generating geothermal system, Los Azufres, Mexico, were carried out to determine the relation between the magnetic susceptibility of rocks, the concentration of magnetic minerals and hydrothermal alteration. For this purpose, low-frequency magnetic susceptibility (χ _lf) was measured and compared its distribution trends with those of magnetic and Fe–Mg silicate minerals, and with the extent of hydrothermal alteration in rocks of the two geothermal wells. The study indicates a decrease in χ _lf values with depth in the two geothermal wells corresponding with: (1) an increase in the reservoir temperature and hydrothermal alteration; and (2) a decrease in the concentrations of Fe–Mg silicates and opaque minerals. The data suggest that ferromagnesian minerals and opaque minerals like ilmenite are the main contributors to the χ _lf of rocks. The decrease in χ _lf, ilmenite, and Fe–Mg mineral contents with an increase in the hydrothermal alteration degree, pyrite and haematite contents suggests the hydrothermal alteration of ilmenite and Fe–Mg minerals (characteristic of high χ _lf values) to pyrite, haematite and other opaque minerals (with low χ _lf values). The interaction of hydrothermal fluids with rocks results in the hydrothermal alteration of primary minerals. In a geothermal area, an anomaly of low magnetic susceptibility values of rocks in a homogenous litho unit characterized by high magnetic susceptibility may suggest hydrothermal alteration. Magnetic susceptibility can be a useful parameter, during the initial stages of geothermal exploration, in identifying hydrothermally altered rocks and zones of hydrothermal alteration both at the surface and from drilled wells in geothermal systems.     

长江口潮滩植物对沉积物铁的地球化学循环及磁性特征的影响

通过长江河口高潮滩芦苇带沉积物柱状样CYLWA 1活性铁、有机质、粒度分析及磁性测量,探讨潮滩植物对沉积物铁的地球化学循环及磁性特征变化的影响。结果显示,沉积物柱状样总体上以Fe2 + 占优势,且含量随深度逐渐增加。但在亚表层 (10～ 2 0cm),由于根系的释氧作用,存在着以Fe3 + 占优势的氧化层。在 10～ 2 0cm这一氧化层,指示细颗粒磁性矿物的参数 (χ_fd、χ_ARM)明显减小,而反映磁性矿物类型的参数 (B_CR、SIRM/ χ)显著增大,指示了亚铁磁性矿物颗粒变粗,不完整反铁磁性矿物明显富集,这一现象反映了氧化层不完整反铁磁性矿物的相对富集