Some aspects of numerical analysis of creep in layered granular medium

The analysis of viscoelastic multilayered granular medium by application of two types of numerical methods is presented. Viscoelastic problem is first formulated by means of potentials and then by differential operators. Former approach implied the application of recurrent integral formulation, while the latter - the finite difference method. Both methods are used with respect to time variables. In particular, axisymmetric case of practical meaning is analyzed. With respect to spatial variables - the finite element method is applied. Specific features of both numerical methods including stability criteria of the solution are analyzed. The advantages and drawbacks are shown on the basis of numerical results.     

Some geochemical aspects of tin mineralization in the Tasman Geosyncline

Differentiation analysis using Köhler-Raaz indices has been applied to 284 granitic rocks from various parts of the Tasman Geosyncline in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. It was found that the majority (about 80%) of rocks known to be associated with tin mineralization (mostly leucocratic granites and adamellites) have a well defined range of Köhler-Raaz indices (qz=60–70%, F=20–25%, fm=5–15%) in agreement with findings in other parts of the world. Rocks associated with cassiterite deposits usually have a higher tin content than those not carrying cassiterite — but this information has to be used with caution because the form of tin in the rock (i. e. as an economic mineral e. g. cassiterite or in a host mineral, e. g. in biotite) is determined by several factors. All these factors (geochemical, physicochemical and geological) must be considered in an integrated approach to exploration for new tin deposits.     

Some geochemical characteristics of basalts in the South China Sea

Petrochemistry, geochronology, and trace element and REE geochemistry have been studied of some basalts from the South China Sea. The results show that the South China Sea basalts may be divided into two types: alkali basalts and tholeiites. The former is similar to commor. alkali basalts in petrochemistry, REE distribution pattern and trace element geochemistry, and the latter, to Hawaiian tholeiites, belonging to the transition type between alkali basalts and MORB (mid-ocean ridge basalts).     

铜陵地区地球化学找矿的几点认识

在总结已知矿床元素分带特征的基础上 ,来评价异常、估量矿化剥蚀程度、推测矿体的延伸情况 ,提出本区今后工作的建议     

Factor analysis in geochemical exploration

Soil samples collected in the vicinity of a small sulfide mineralization were analyzed for Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ag, Mn, Ni, Co, Cr, and Mo. Factor analysis was used to study the interrelationships among these variables. Selective removal of some samples prior to factor analysis proved to be an important tool in exposing “hidden” relationships between samples, variables, and factors. It has been demonstrated that factor analysis is a suitable technique for data reduction in geochemical exploration since factor scores can be used, instead of raw variables, for interpretation of field observations and location of anomalies.     

Plio-Pleistocene microtephra in DSDP site 231, Gulf of Aden

We reconstruct a Plio-Pleistocene microscopic tephrostratigraphy for DSDP Site 231 in the Gulf of Aden. Systematic microtephrostratigraphy increases the potential for identifying tephra horizons for regional stratigraphic correlation and age control, as well as providing information about eruptive histories. Microtephra reveal three main pulses of volcanism c. 4.0–3.2 Ma, 2.4 Ma and 1.7–1.3 Ma, corresponding to peaks in volcanic activity recorded in the East African Rift System. Previous studies of DSDP Site 231 have reported six visible tephra horizons (up to 25 cm thick) with geochemical compositions matching East African tuffs. We find 68 additional microtephra horizons through microscopic examination of 1050 samples (each integrating c. 3 ka) in over 200 m of marine sediments. We report the major and minor element geochemical compositions of individual glass shards in six of these microtephra horizons and establish a robust correlation at 168.73 m to the Lokochot Tuff (3.58 Ma), which together with previously identified tephra, provides a tightly constrained chronostratigraphy for the mid Pliocene.     

Some geochemical and environmental aspects of the Chernobyl nuclear accident

The Chernobyl nuclear accident took place on 1986-04-26, and resulted in radionuclide pollution of vast regions of Byelorussia. This has raised several geochemical problems: (1) investigation of the distribution and behaviour of radionuclides in the natural and technogenic landscapes (which were examined as a result of a 5-a study); (2) modes of occurence of radioactive elements in the environment; and (3) preliminary estimation of radionuclide migration in the future. As background information, geochemical studies carried out within Byelorussia, as well as landscape investigations in the period 1953–1987 made under the guidance of K.I. Lukashev were very important for solving the above questions. According to the results of these investigations, the lithogeochemical and hydrogeochemical zoning of Byelorussia is understood and the radioactive background of the republic was studied in the 1960s, as well as the distribution and peculiarities of clay minerals, carbonates, FeMn oxides, organic matter, pH-Eh, and the contents of many elements in the surficial deposits of Byelorussia. All these factors are of great importance for understanding the behaviour of radionuclides.Radionuclide fallout on Byelorussia in the first days after the accident was mainly dependent on the mass movement of air and rain. In cities, fallout was confined to regions with intensive industrial dust emissions, as well as to river valleys, where degassing of deep-seated zones through faults occurred side by side with evaporation. Radionuclide washout from upland territories can be related to secondary processes.After 5 a, the radioactive emission near the surface of the Earth decreased due to the decay of short-lived isotopes and penetration of radionuclides deeper into the soil, although the major part still occurs at a depth of 1–5 cm. Bogs, peat-bog soils, aquifers with fluctuating groundwater levels, variable pH-Eh conditions and a igh biological activity are all factors contributing to radionuclide migration in the Byelorussian landscape. A part of the radionuclides is gradually removed from eluvial landscape and accumulated in subareal landscape (e.g. lakes, oxbow-lakes, water-storage basins).The Chernobyl debris are represented by the following substances: “hot” particles, pseudocolloids, aerosols and gaseous compounds. Study of the modes of occurrence of radionuclides by different methods (e.g. extracts, sorbents) made it possible to estimate the migration capacity of some radionuclides (Cs, Sr, Ce, Ru), and to distinguish two zones around the reactor—the nearest and remote ones—differing in the ratio of “hot” particles and condensate fallout, which causes a different migration capcity of radionuclides.A very important part is assigned to biological processes and organic matter, which cause the destruction of “hot” paricles, the formation of organomethallic complexes, and water migration of nuclides.In the future (within 300 and more years), the redistribution of radionuclides in the landscape involves processes of weathering, erosion and sedimentation which will strongly depend on climatic conditions, Side by side with a gradual decay of Cs and Sr, an appreciable accumulation of²⁴¹Am, which is very mobile in landscape, should be expected due to decaying²⁴¹Pu.A considerable development of scientific and applied exploration should also be expected in the future and this will help in solving problems of radioactive pollution of landscapes.     

Fuzzy cluster analysis in geochemical exploration

As a classification method, cluster analysis has been widely used in geology and geochemical exploration, but sometimes the results of clustering were difficult to interpret, or missclassification of geochemically similar members into entirely different clusters might occur. The reason for this is suggested and discussed. A new technique, fuzzy clustering is introduced. Comparision of the results of fuzzy clustering with conventional clustering using a set of hypothetical data is made. An example of a practical application indicating the apparent merits of fuzzy clustering is given. This technique might show great promise when applicated to geochemical exploration problems.     

Some geochemical characteristics of a RE-bearing granitic pegmatite in the eastern Qinling Range

Taking a certain rare element-bearing granite-pegmatite in the eastern Qinling Range for example, the author has generaiized in this paper the distribution patterns, characteristic ratios, variations and correlations of major elements (Si, Al, K, Na), characteristic elements (H, F, P, B), minor elements (Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn) and rare elements (Li, Be, Rb, Cs, Nb, Ta) in genetic connection with granite-pegmatites.     

区域地球化学异常信息提取方法研讨

在一些以成矿区带或省区为单位的区域性地球化学异常信息提取工作中,所圈定的异常经常会出现"有矿没异常或有异常没矿"的信息错位现象,给地球化学评价工作造成一定的困难。本文借助实际资料,分析了造成这种现象的主要原因,并通过对几种解决这些问题的方法技术介绍对比,提出滑动平均标准化数值法,详细介绍了滑动平均标准化数值法的方法基础、优点、具体做法以及应用效果。     

Some guidelines for economic evaluation of geochemical engineering projects

Most geochemical engineering projects aim at commercial application. The proper economical analysis during the initial stages of the engineering process are of the utmost importance for the successful realisation of such projects. Many of the costs are committed at this stage. Important issues are: the scale of the project, the product quality and the choice of raw materials. For chemical plants, the Zevnik/Buchanan method is often used to make a rough estimation of the economic viability in an early stage. After the preliminary design of a geochemical process or other application has been completed, a more accurate estimation can be made by means of an economic balance. Guidelines for various costs are given in this article. Generally two criteria are used by companies to make a decision about further commercial realisation. One is the return on investment (R.O.I.), the annual profit divided by the total investment. The other is the pay-out time, the inverse of the R.O.I., the time needed to earn back the invested sum. This article provides geochemical engineers with some basic tools, that can be used to make an estimation of the economic potential of new geochemical engineering methods.     

The statistical analysis of geochemical compositions

The analysis and interpretation of compositional data, such as major oxide compositions of rocks, has been traditionally plagued by the so-called constant-sum or closure problem. Particular difficulties have been the lack of a satisfactory, interpretable covariance structure and of rich, tractable, parametric classes of distributions on the simplex sample space. Consideration of logistic and logratio transformations between the simplex and Euclidan space has allowed the introduction of new concepts of covariance structure and of classes of logistic-normal distributions which have now opened up a substantial and meaningful array of statistical methodology for compositional data. From the motivation of a wide variety of practical geological problems we examine the range of possibilities with this new approach to the constant-sum problem.     

Some considerations on the recent tectonic stress field of China

Based on the improved hydrofracturing method, the in-situ principal stresses are determined in the north, northeast, south and the northwest of China, and the results of many fault-plane solutions, crustal deformations, geological and geophysical observations are used to discuss the distribution of subcrustal stress in space, the difference between seismically active regions and stable regions, and the variations of the stress field near the source region before and after the Tangshan earthquake. Finally, the characteristics of intraplate tectonic stress fields in China are explained in relation with the combined actions of the movement of the major Indian Ocean, Pacific and Philippine Sea plates.     

Some considerations in management of computer-processable files of geological data

Many sets of data in the natural sciences have a hierarchical structure that is either inherent in the data or that is imposed on them during collection. These data structures can be defined using mathematical set-theory notation. If data from two or more computer-processable files are accessed simultaneously, the application of operations of set union and intersection leads to emergence of certain criteria which must be adhered to when managing data files using a generalized, database management system. One of the situations in which these principles come into play is illustrated by the merging of two computer-processable files of geotechnical data, the data for both files having been derived from the same source but structured differently.     

Superficial geochemical dispersion around sulphide deposits: Some examples in France

Examination of geochemical exploration data accumulated in France over a period of almost 20 years has led to detailed consideration of the relationship between anomalies and mineral deposits.Geochemical anomalies associated with sulphide mineralizations seem to follow several general rules i.e. Ag and Pb are almost systematically present, As is very frequent, while Cu and Sb may also be present. The behaviour of Zn seems to be controlled by the lithological character of the host rock with anomalies in carbonate media even for occurrences without economic interest and an absence of anomalies in non-carbonate media, even for Zn deposits of considerable size. Moreover, the contents of this element are greatly amplified by contamination from old workings. The abundance (or scarcity) of supergene minerals in the occurrences directly influences the nature of the anomalies. Lead anomalies frequently correspond to the presence of Pb oxides such as pyromorphite while Zn anomalies derive from Zn oxides which are much more common in carbonate media (smithsonite-hydrozincite) than in schistose host rock. High Cu and As contents are most frequently linked to the presence of “ferruginous fragments” (gossans) derived from sulphides. As a general rule, the various geochemical peculiarities or associations encountered in soils are very much similar to those of the oxidized part of the deposits.We are therefore led to assume that, contrary to the usual conceptions, superficial dispersion is basically mechanical and that the anomalies detected near mineralizations are due to the presence in the soils of supergene minerals, gossan microfragments and more or less mineralised rock debris, etc. Mechanical migration of this kind can be explained by the existence in France during the Pleistocene of cold climates of the tundra type with associated permafrost. The thawing in summer of the superficial part of the frozen overburden resulted in massive downslope solifluction favoring mechanical migration over distances in the order of 100 m and contributing to the surface dispersal of the mineralizations. These phenomena are extremely important for geochemical exploration because they allow and justify the use of large grids (200 m × 200 m or even 400 m × 400 m) during soil surveys at least at the initial stage of prospecting on areas of several square kilometers.These conclusions are valid not only for France but for all regions with the same paleoclimate. These form a belt bounded to the north by glacial formations linked to ancient inland ice and to the south by the maximum extension of Pleistocene permafrost, including, in particular, the north of the United States and Central Europe. This paleo-climate belt characterized by traces of solifluction constitutes a well-defined unit in which geochemical prospecting has proved itself extremely effective.     

Some aspects of the problem of geochemical methods of prospecting for concealed mineralization

This paper describes a number of different geochemical approaches to the search for concealed ore deposits.The first approach discussed is a broad one that relates mineralization to the types of rock that may occur in a region. Attention is focussed on hydrothermal deposits and their association with specific types of igneous rocks and their differentiation trends.A second considers the control of the structure and physico-chemical properties of the host rocks on the localization of ore bodies. A number of factors, such as effective and total porosity and the brittleness of rocks also plays an important role in determining the nature and extent of dispersion haloes of the elements around ore deposits.In some instances it is possible to predict the presence of ore bodies at depth from the type of composition of metasomatized rocks that occur at the surface.The use of mercury and fluorine in the search for concealed deposits has been given detailed consideration. Methods based on fluorine may be effective in the discovery of skarn, greisen, hydrothermal and rare metal deposits. When using the fluorine content of waters from a taiga-permafrost terrain, it is important to consider the effect of the organic content of the water.In searching for Cu-Ni deposits of the Noril'sk type it is suggested that intrusive complexes characterized by high degrees of differentiation and containing picritic and taxitic facies enriched in Mg, Ni and Co and depleted in alkalis are the most prospective. Ore deposits of this type may have dispersion haloes of Ag, Bi, Zn and Pb which are associated with ore-controlling faults. Magnesian and calcareous skarns, feldspathic and serpentine-chlorite-prehnite rocks may form broad contact haloes with ore-bearing intrusions.The use of gases in prospecting for Cu-Mo deposits in Central Kazakhstan have been investigated with positive results. Gas surveys carried out in conjunction with geophysical methods makes it possible to distinguish zones of Cu-Mo mineralization from zones containing pyrite and carbonaceous material, all of which give similar geophysical responses.The occurrences of uranium in aquifers on the flanks of artesian basins within arid regions is used as an example of the use of geochemical zonation in prospecting. The same approach may be used in prospecting for copper-bearing sandstones.