西藏多龙矿集区波龙、多不杂斑岩铜金矿床岩体锆石Ce4+/Ce3+比值及氧逸度特征

波龙、多不杂斑岩铜金矿床是青藏高原中部发现的两个大型斑岩铜金矿床。对波龙、多不杂斑岩铜金矿床含矿花岗闪长斑岩和不含矿花岗闪长斑岩的锆石Ce~(4+)/Ce~(3+)比值以及氧逸度等特征进行研究,并且通过计算得到了3个含矿花岗闪长斑岩的锆石Ce~(4+)/Ce~(3+)比值分别为536.03,492.18,454.02;1个不含矿的花岗闪长斑岩的锆石Ce~(4+)/Ce~(3+)比值为0.67。说明波龙、多不杂斑岩矿床中与成矿相关的岩体具有相对更高的氧化状态。对比西藏冈底斯成矿带中的斑岩矿床、云南中甸岛弧成矿带中的烂泥塘斑岩铜矿床、金沙江-红河成矿带中的马厂箐、铜厂铜钼矿以及玉龙成矿带铜钼矿床岩体的锆石Ce~(4+)/Ce~(3+)比值,发现含矿岩体锆石Ce~(4+)/Ce~(3+)比值一般250。结合波龙、多不杂矿床的锆石Ce~(4+)/Ce~(3+)的计算结果发现Ce~(4+)/Ce~(3+)基本300,因此将锆石Ce~(4+)/Ce~(3+)300作为波龙、多不杂矿床斑岩成矿的一个地球化学标志。此外,通过(Ce/Ce~*)_D锆石氧逸度计和(X_(Ce~(4+))~(melt)/X_(Ce~(3+))~(melt))锆石氧逸度计计算得到的波龙、多不杂矿床含矿花岗闪长斑岩体的氧逸度(log(f_(O_2)))分别位于MH(磁铁矿-赤铁矿)缓冲带和FMQ(铁橄榄石-磁铁矿-石英)缓冲带之上,平均值为ΔMH+3.24和ΔFMQ+1.78,前人研究发现多不杂含矿石英斑岩的氧化状态较高,平均ΔNNO+2.4,含矿斑岩体的形成具有较高的氧逸度条件,说明高氧逸度更有利于多龙矿集区斑岩型铜矿成矿。     

内蒙古白乃庙铜矿床的成矿时代—来自SHRIMP锆石U-Pb和辉钼矿Re-Os年龄的新证据

摘要：内蒙古白乃庙铜矿床位于兴蒙造山系满都拉-霍林郭勒弧盆系白乃庙早古生代岛弧内,该矿床包括南、北两个矿带,南矿带矿体产于白乃庙组绿片岩中,北矿带矿体产于花岗闪长斑岩内,对于该矿床及白乃庙组的形成时代争议较大。本文采用锆石SHRIMP U-Pb同位素定年获得了白乃庙组第三岩性段绿泥斜长片岩的形成年龄为439.8±6.7Ma,花岗闪长斑岩的形成年龄为433.9±2.2Ma、451.8±3.0Ma,采用辉钼矿Re-Os同位素分析获得辉钼矿的形成年龄为433.9±3.1Ma。结合前人成果,提出白乃庙组地层和花岗闪长斑岩的成岩时代与白乃庙铜矿的成矿时代均为晚奥陶-早志留世,它们同属加里东期构造-岩浆作用的产物。 关键词：绿泥斜长片岩;花岗闪长斑岩;锆石SHRIMP U-Pb年龄;辉钼矿Re-Os同位素年龄;白乃庙铜矿     

内蒙古白乃庙铜矿床辉钼矿铼锇同位素定年及其地质意义

内蒙古白乃庙铜矿床位于兴蒙造山带温都尔庙加里东增生带铜多金属成矿带。矿床包括南北两个矿带,南矿带矿体产于白乃庙组绿片岩中;北矿带矿体主要产于花岗闪长斑岩体内,其成矿作用复杂,矿床成因争议较大。采用铼锇同位素定年法对矿区的7件辉钼矿单矿物样品进行分析,所获铼锇同位素模式年龄变化范围为(439.6±6.4)~(450.0±6.6) Ma,加权平均值为(446.5±3.5) Ma,获得等时线年龄为(451.2±3.5) Ma,MSWD值为1.3。结合矿床地质特征分析,认为白乃庙铜矿床是在原始喷流沉积作用形成矿源层基础上,经加里东期岛弧花岗闪长斑岩成矿作用形成,矿床成因应属多期叠加成矿。     

内蒙古白乃庙铜(钼)矿床辉钼矿Re-Os同位素年龄及其地质意义

内蒙古白乃庙铜(钼)矿床是华北板块北缘中段最重要的一个铜(钼)矿床, 矿床由南、北两矿带构成。南矿带矿体主要产于寒武系白乃庙组绿片岩中, 矿体产状与围岩基本一致;北矿带矿体大部分产于花岗闪长岩体中, 部分延进围岩。利用Re-Os同位素定年方法对南、北矿带主要矿段的5件辉钼矿样品进行了成矿时代研究, 结果表明, 辉钼矿样品的Re-Os同位素模式年龄为(435.8±6.0)~(443.0±6.1) Ma, Re-Os同位素等时线年龄为(440.5±4.4) Ma(2σ, MSWD=1.4), 属于早志留世, 与花岗闪长斑岩成岩时代(440.0 Ma)一致。结合区域地质背景和矿床特征, 认为白乃庙铜(钼)矿主成矿期为早志留世, 与早志留世花岗闪长斑岩(440.0 Ma)岩浆侵入关系密切, 又与早古生代古亚洲洋向华北板块强烈俯冲期(446.0~453.0 Ma)相吻合, 但晚于围岩白乃庙组。综合分析认为该成矿事件是早古生代华北板块北缘"沟、弧、盆"体系演化和陆缘增生的产物。     

湖南宝山-大坊矿区成矿花岗闪长斑岩的锆石U-Pb年龄、Hf同位素及微量元素组成对区域成矿作用的指示

钦-杭成矿带是华南地区新近识别出的一条重要的中生代斑岩-矽卡岩型铜多金属成矿带。宝山矿床处于铜山岭-宝山-水口山矿区的中部,是湘南地区最大的铜多金属矿床,而大坊金矿床与宝山Cu-Mo-Pb-Zn矿相邻,在空间上亦与花岗闪长斑岩密切相关。矿区内岩浆活动复杂,矿化类型齐全,成矿元素多样。我们对宝山成矿花岗闪长斑岩、花岗闪长质隐爆角砾岩和大坊成矿花岗闪长斑岩进行了LA-MC-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年,结果表明宝山花岗闪长斑岩、花岗闪长质隐爆角砾岩和大坊花岗闪长斑岩的侵位年龄分别为156. 3±0. 9Ma、157. 1±1. 8Ma和154. 5±1. 0Ma,三者在误差范围内一致,均为晚侏罗世岩浆活动的产物;锆石Hf同位素研究表明,宝山和大坊矿床的成矿岩体均主要为古元古代地壳物质部分熔融的产物,并有幔源组分的加入;锆石微量元素分析结果显示,上述三类岩石的锆石具有相似的稀土元素配分模式,显示它们可能是同一期岩浆作用的产物。宝山矿区花岗闪长斑岩中锆石的Ce~(4+)/Ce~(3+)比值平均为355,与全球典型的含铜斑岩的Ce~(4+)/Ce~(3+)比值( 300)相似。而大坊矿区花岗闪长斑岩中锆石的δEu平均为0. 48,与宝山岩体δEu平均值(0. 42)相近,指示二者具有相对较高的氧逸度,均为与铜金多金属矿化有关的斑岩体。锆石U-Pb年龄、Hf同位素及微量元素特征表明,大坊金矿和宝山铜多金属矿床均与矿区花岗闪长斑岩具有时空及成因联系,共同构成钦杭成矿带中段一套与花岗闪长斑岩有关的Cu(Mo)-Pb-Zn-Au-Ag成矿系统。     

阿尔泰小土尔根铜矿区岩体LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年及地质意义

小土尔根是近年来阿尔泰诺尔特盆地发现的首例斑岩铜矿床,其成岩成矿年代学的研究可以对矿床模型构建、区域成矿规律的总结提供制约。矿区侵入岩发育,矿化受花岗闪长斑岩控制,少部分赋存在地层中。文章利用LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年法对矿区岩体进行了成岩年代学研究。含矿花岗闪长斑岩、黑云二长花岗岩和花岗斑岩中锆石的206Pb/238U年龄的加权平均值分别为(401.0±2.9)Ma、(398.1±2.2)Ma和(400.5±2.0)Ma,为早泥盆世同一岩浆侵入活动形成的不同侵入岩。侵入岩年龄结合凝灰岩年龄,将矿区地层划归早泥盆世诺尔特组。含矿花岗闪长斑岩锆石U-Pb年龄限定小土尔根斑岩铜矿床成矿时代略晚于401 Ma,即矿床形成于早泥盆世。     

内蒙古白乃庙铜矿床成矿时代的研究

内蒙古白乃庙铜矿床是华北地区知名的大型铜矿床之一,位于兴蒙造山系满都拉-霍林郭勒弧盆系白乃庙早古生代岛弧内。该矿床包括南、北两个矿带,南矿带矿体产于白乃庙组绿片岩中,北矿带矿体产于花岗闪长斑岩内。白乃庙组共划分为五个岩性段,第一、三、五岩段岩性主要为绿泥斜长片岩、阳起绿泥斜长片岩,是白乃庙铜矿的主要赋矿层位;第二、四岩段为长英片岩和变质流纹英安岩组合。白乃庙组地层的原岩为一套中基性-中酸性海相火山-沉积岩组合。对于该矿床及白乃庙组地层的形成时代争议较大,前人多认为二者均形成于中元古代。本文采用锆石SHRIMP U-Pb同位素定年获得了白乃庙组第三岩性段绿泥斜长片岩的形成年龄为439.8±6.7Ma,花岗闪长斑岩的形成年龄为433.9±2.2Ma、451.8±3.0Ma,采用辉钼矿Re-Os同位素分析获得辉钼矿的形成年龄为433.9±3.1Ma。结合前人成果,提出白乃庙组地层及花岗闪长斑岩的成岩时代和白乃庙铜矿的成矿时代均为晚奥陶-早志留世,它们同属早古生代白乃庙岛弧岩浆作用的产物。     

内蒙古白乃庙铜多金属矿床成因问题讨论

文章综合分析了白乃庙铜多金属矿床的成矿地质背景、矿床地质特征,以及前人有关该矿床的年代学、成矿流体来源等多方面研究成果,并在此基础上讨论了该矿床的成因问题。白乃庙铜多金属矿床南北成矿带具有不同的成因机制,其中南矿带为幔源流体二次交代热液矿床,北矿带为斑岩型矿床。南矿化带具有2个矿化期,即矿化发生在中元古代(1 144~1 354Ma之间)和早古生代(420~450 Ma之间),而北矿化带的矿化发生在早古生代的加里东运动过程中。成矿物质来源方面,南矿带为幔源,而北矿带以壳源重融为主。矿化过程方面,南矿带初次矿化于中元古代的海相火山地层中,在加里东期的构造运动中发生绿片岩相变质作用并被拼贴到华北板块北缘,并在该期使原矿化元素受到第二次活化富集;北矿带发育在加里东期弧构造体制下形成的斑岩体内,由岩体内热液循环而成斑岩型矿床。     

福建紫金山矿田罗卜岭铜钼矿化斑岩锆石LA-ICP- MS U-Pb年龄及成矿岩浆高氧化特征研究

罗卜岭斑岩铜钼矿床是紫金山Cu-Au-Mo浅成低温-斑岩矿田内新近发现的大型斑岩铜钼矿床,本文在岩芯及光薄片系统观察的基础上,分析了矿化斑岩锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年龄及锆石Ce4/Ce3+比值.罗卜岭赋矿斑岩体可分为两期,早期为角闪黑云母花岗闪长斑岩及黑云母花岗闪长斑岩,晚期为黑云母花岗闪长斑岩.早期角闪黑云母花岗闪长斑岩和黑云母花岗闪长斑岩锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年龄分别为103.7±1.2Ma,MSWD=0.33和103.0±0.9Ma,MSWD=1.00;晚期黑云母花岗闪长斑岩锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年龄为97.6±2.1Ma,MSWD=6.00.罗卜岭成矿斑岩基质普遍发育硬石膏,两期成矿斑岩锆石都具较高的Ce4 +/Ce3平均值,在630 ～770之间,高于区内非成矿花岗岩锆石的Ce4+/Ce3+平均值(182 ～577),显示罗卜岭斑岩矿床成矿岩浆具有高氧逸度的特征.据罗卜岭斑岩矿床的形成时代、高氧逸度岩浆特征,结合华南地区中生代构造背景,我们初步认为罗卜岭斑岩矿床的形成可能和中生代古太平洋向北西西方向俯冲有关.     

玉龙斑岩铜矿带南段含矿斑岩体锆石U-Pb年龄、地球化学特征及南北段成矿规模差异分析

藏东缘玉龙斑岩铜矿带是中国重要的产于碰撞造山环境下的斑岩铜矿带,其全长约300千米,主要由1个超大型、2个大型、2个中型斑岩铜矿床及一系列斑岩型矿床(点)组成。玉龙斑岩铜矿带大规模矿化主要位于矿带北段,南段矿化规模相对较小,目前发现的多为小型矿床(点)。为了深入了解玉龙斑岩铜矿带时空演化及南北段矿化规模差异的控制因素,本文分析了玉龙斑岩铜矿带南段色礼、马牧普和总郭这3个矿化点矿化斑岩体锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年龄、地球化学组成及色礼矿化斑岩体锆石Hf同位素。色礼、马牧普和总郭含矿斑岩分别为二长花岗斑岩、正长斑岩及石英二长斑岩,三者锆石LAICP-MS U-Pb年龄分别为39.4±0.2Ma(MSWD=1.10)、38.5±0.3Ma(MSWD=1.79)和39.4±0.2Ma(MSWD=1.05)。矿化斑岩体为偏铝质,具有富碱、高钾(K_2O/Na_2O=1.2~2.4)、富集大离子亲石元素和轻稀土元素,亏损高场强元素,弱Eu负异常特征。3个矿化斑岩具有较高的Sr/Y比值,且都发育角闪石斑晶,呈现富水岩浆特征。色礼二长花岗斑岩的锆石εHf(t)为-2.7~2.8,平均值为-0.4,显示壳幔混合源区特征,并且其明显小于玉龙斑岩铜矿带北段玉龙超大型斑岩铜矿床含矿斑岩体锆石εHf(t)值(4.2)。玉龙斑岩铜矿带南北段含矿斑岩体形成时代相近,都形成于碰撞造山走滑构造背景。玉龙超大型矿床矿化斑岩锆石εHf(t)值明显大于色礼矿化点斑岩体锆石εHf(t)的值,表明矿床规模和岩浆源区物质含幔源物质多少有关,更多亏损地幔物质或新生地壳物质的加入更有利于形成大型斑岩矿床。玉龙斑岩铜矿带南北段成矿规模差异可能为北段斑岩体含更多地幔或新生地壳物质所致。     

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.     

Roles of xenomelts,xenoliths, xenocrysts,xenovolatiles, residues,and skarns in the genesis,transport, and localization of magmatic Fe-Ni-Cu-PGE sulfides and chromite

Most sulfide-rich magmatic Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits form in dynamic magmatic systems by partial melting S-bearing wall rocks with variable degrees of assimilation of miscible silicate and volatile components, and generation of barren to weakly-mineralized immiscible Fe sulfide xenomelts into which Ni-Cu-Co-PGE partition from the magma. Some exceptionally-thick magmatic Cr deposits may form by partial melting oxide-bearing wall rocks with variable degrees of assimilation of the miscible silicate and volatile components, and generation of barren Fe ± Ti oxide xenocrysts into which Cr-Mg-V ± Ti partition from the magma. The products of these processes are variably preserved as skarns, residues, xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and xenovolatiles, which play important to critical roles in ore genesis, transport, localization, and/or modification. Incorporation of barren xenoliths/autoliths may induce small amounts of sulfide/chromite to segregate, but incorporation of sulfide xenomelts or oxide xenocrysts with dynamic upgrading of metal tenors (PGE > Cu > Ni > Co and Cr > V > Ti, respectively) is required to make significant ore deposits. Silicate xenomelts are only rarely preserved, but will be variably depleted in chalcophile and ferrous metals. Less dense felsic xenoliths may aid upward sulfide transport by increasing the effective viscosity and decreasing the bulk density of the magma. Denser mafic or metamorphosed xenoliths may also increase the effective viscosity of the magma, but may aid downward sulfide transport by increasing the bulk density of the magma. Sulfide wets olivine, so olivine xenocrysts may act as filter beds to collect advected finely dispersed sulfide droplets, but other silicates and xenoliths may not be wetted by sulfides. Xenovolatiles may retard settling of – or in some cases float – dense sulfide droplets. Reactions of sulfide melts with felsic country rocks may generate Fe-rich skarns that may allow sulfide melts to fractionate to more extreme Cu-Ni-rich compositions. Xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and xenovolatiles are more likely to be preserved in cooler basaltic magmas than in hotter komatiitic magmas, and are more likely to be preserved in less dynamic (less turbulent) systems/domain/phases than in more dynamic (more turbulent) systems/domains/phases. Massive to semi-massive Ni-Cu-PGE and Cr mineralization and xenoliths are often localized within footwall embayments, dilations/jogs in dikes, throats of magma conduits, and the horizontal segments of dike-chonolith and dike-sill complexes, which represent fluid dynamic traps for both ascending and descending sulfides/oxides. If skarns, residues, xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and/or xenovolatiles are present, they provide important constraints on ore genesis and they are valuable exploration indicators, but they must be included in elemental and isotopic mass balance calculations.     

Comparative study of As,Cd, Cu,Cr, Mg,Mn, Ni,Pb and Zn concentrations between sediment and water from estuary and port

The contents of As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn have been determined in sediment and water samples from Valle de las Garzas estuary and Port Manzanillo (Colima, Mexico) using ICP-AES. The concentrations of these elements were used for a comparative study to determine the distribution of heavy metals and to evaluate which elements reflect natural or anthropogenic backgrounds. For this purpose, seven sampling points were selected: Four of them correspond to the lagoon, and three were situated in the port. Statistical analysis of the mineral content was assessed. Initially, data comparison was assessed by statistical tests for each variable. Principal component analysis was then applied considering the influence of all variables at the same time by obtaining the distribution of samples according to their scores in the principal component space. In this way, four studies were carried out: (1) study of sediments collected during the dry season; (2) study of sediments collected during the rainy season; (3) comparative study between sediments from rainy and dry season; and (4) study of water composition collected during rainy season. From the results of the performed analyses, it can be concluded that metals distribution pattern reflected natural and anthropogenic backgrounds (e.g., sediments from the lagoon, situated at the beginning of the rain channel, presented high contents of Zn and Cu, perhaps related to anthropogenic activities or the influence of igneous sediments).     

Parents,permission, and possibility: Young women,college, and imagined futures in Gujarat,India

This article advances critical geographies of youth through examining the spatiality implicit in the imagined futures of young women in rural India. Geographers and other scholars of youth have begun to pay more attention to the interplay between young people’s past, present, and imagined futures. Within this emerging body of scholarship the role of the family and peer group in influencing young people’s orientations toward the future remain underexamined. Drawing on eleven months of ethnographic fieldwork, my research focuses on a first generation of college-going young women from socioeconomically marginalized backgrounds in India’s westernmost state of Gujarat. I draw on the “possible selves” theoretical construct in order to deploy a flexible conceptual framework that links imagined post-educational trajectories with motivation to act in the present. In tracing the physical movement of these young women as they navigate and complete college, my analysis highlights the ways in which particular kinds of spaces and spatial arrangements facilitate and limit intra- and inter-generational contact, and the extent to which this affects young women’s conceptions of the future. I conclude by considering the wider implications of my research for ongoing debates surrounding youth transitions, relational geographies of age, and education in the Global South.     

Partition coefficients of Hf,Zr, and REE between zircon,apatite, and liquid

Concentration ratios of Hf, Zr, and REE between zircon, apatite, and liquid were determined for three igneous compositions: two andesites and a diorite. The concentration ratios of these elements between zircon and corresponding liquid can approximate the partition coefficient. Although the concentration ratios between apatite and andesite groundmass can be considered as partition coefficients, those for the apatite in the diorite may deviate from the partition coefficients. The HREE partition coefficients between zircon and liquid are very large (100 for Er to 500 for Lu), and the Hf partition coefficient is even larger. The REE partition coefficients between apatite and liquid are convex upward, and large (D=10–100), whereas the Hf and Zr partition coefficients are less than 1. The large differences between partition coefficients of Lu and Hf for zircon-liquid and for apatite-liquid are confirmed. These partition coefficients are useful for petrogenetic models involving zircon and apatite.     

Coprecipitation of Ti,Mo, Sn and Sb with fluorides and application to determination of B,Ti, Zr,Nb, Mo,Sn, Sb,Hf and Ta by ICP-MS

We examined the coprecipitation behavior of Ti, Mo, Sn and Sb in Ca–Al–Mg fluorides under two different fluoride forming conditions: at < 70 °C in an ultrasonic bath (denoted as the ultrasonic method) and at 245 °C using a Teflon bomb (denoted as the bomb method). In the ultrasonic method, small amounts of Ti, Mo and Sn coprecipitation were observed with 100% Ca and 100% Mg fluorides. No coprecipitation of Ti, Mo, Sn and Sb in Ca–Al–Mg fluorides occurred when the sample was decomposed by the bomb method except for 100% Ca fluoride. Based on our coprecipitation observations, we have developed a simultaneous determination method for B, Ti, Zr, Nb, Mo, Sn, Sb, Hf and Ta by Q-pole type ICP-MS (ICP-QMS) and sector field type ICP-MS (ICP-SFMS). 9–50 mg of samples with Zr–Mo–Sn–Sb–Hf spikes were decomposed by HF using the bomb method and the ultrasonic method with B spike. The sample was then evaporated and re-dissolved into 0.5 mol l^− 1 HF, followed by the removal of fluorides by centrifuging. B, Zr, Mo, Sn, Sb and Hf were measured by ID method. Nb and Ta were measured by the ID-internal standardization method, based on Nb/Mo and Ta/Mo ratios using ICP-QMS, for which pseudo-FI was developed and applied. When 100% recovery yields of Zr and Hf are expected, Nb/Zr and Ta/Hf ratios may also be used. Ti was determined by the ID-internal standardization method, based on the Ti/Nb ratio from ICP-SFMS. Only 0.053 ml sample solution was required for measurement of all 9 elements. Dilution factors of ≤ 340 were aspirated without matrix effects. To demonstrate the applicability of our method, 4 carbonaceous chondrites (Ivuna, Orgueil, Cold Bokkeveld and Allende) as well as GSJ and USGS silicate reference materials of basalts, andesites and peridotites were analyzed. Our analytical results are consistent with previous studies, and the mean reproducibility of each element is 1.0–4.6% for basalts and andesites, and 6.7–11% for peridotites except for TiO₂.     

Entropy,materials, and posterity

Materials and energy are the interdependent feedstocks of economic systems, and thermodynamics is their moderator. It costs energy to transform the dispersed minerals of Earth's crust into ordered materials and structures. And it costs materials to collect and focus the energy to perform work — be it from solar, fossil fuel, nuclear, or other sources. The greater the dispersal of minerals sought, the more energy is required to collect them into ordered states.But available energy can be used once only. And the ordered materials of industrial economies become disordered with time. They may be partially reordered and recycled, but only at further costs in energy. Available energy everywhere degrades to bound states and order to disorder — for though entropy may be juggled it always increases. Yet industry is utterly dependent on low entropy states of matter and energy, while decreasing grades of ore require ever higher inputs of energy to convert them to metals, with ever increasing growth both of entropy and environmental hazard.Except as we may prize a thing for its intrinsic qualities — beauty, leisure, love, or gold — low-entropy is the only thing of real value. It is worth whatever the market will bear, and it becomes more valuable as entropy increases. It would be foolish of suppliers to sell it more cheaply or in larger amounts than their own enjoyment of life requires, whatever form it may take. For this reason, and because of physical constraints on the availability of all low-entropy states, the recent energy crises is only the first of a sequence of crises to be expected in energy and materials as long as current trends continue.The apportioning of low-entropy states in a modern industrial society is achieved more or less according to the theory of competitive markets. But the rational powers of this theory suffer as the world grows increasingly polarized into rich, over-industrialized nations with diminishing resource bases and poor, supplier nations with little industry. The theory also discounts posterity, the more so as population density and percapita rates of consumption continue to grow. A new social, economic, and ecologic norm that leads to population control, conservation, and an apportionment of low-entropy states across the generations is needed to assure to posterity the options that properly belong to it as an important but voiceless constituency of the collectivity we call mankind.

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Zusammenfassung Rohstoffe und Energie sind die Grundlagen unseres ökonomischen Systems, das von den Gesetzen der Thermodynamik bestimmt wird. Es kostet Energie, um die auf der Erde verteilten Rohstoffe diesem System zuzuführen. Andererseits braucht man Rohstoffe, um die Energie nutzbar zu machen.Die verfügbare Energie kann nur einmal genutzt werden und das Material verbraucht sich. Verbrauchtes Material kann teilweise zur weiteren Nutzung zurückgeführt werden, das kostet wiederum Energie. Die verfügbare Energie nimmt überall ab, und einmal geschaffene Ordnung gerät wieder in Unordnung — das heißt, die Entropie des Systems nimmt ständig zu. Die Industrie ist jedoch abhängig von einem niedrigen Entropiezustand sowohl der Materie als auch der Energie.Je ärmer die Erze sind, um so höher wird die Energie sein, um sie in Metalle umzuwandeln, wobei die Entropie und die Belastung der Umwelt ständig zunimmt.Außer den Dingen, die wir wegen höherer ideeller Werte schätzen, ist eine niedrige Entropie der einzige realistische Wertmaßstab, und der wirkliche Wertzuwachs ist nur an einer höheren Entropie zu messen. Es ist unverantwortlich, Dinge, die eine höhere Entropie bedingen, billiger zu verkaufen oder in größerer Menge zu erzeugen, als unbedingt notwendig ist. Da wir dies heute in unserem Handeln nicht berücksichtigen, ist die derzeitige Energiekrise nur der Anfang einer Folge von Krisen, die Energie und Rohstoffe betreffen, solange wir nicht umdenken.Die Verteilung von niedriger Entropie in einer modernen Industriegesellschaft wird mehr oder weniger nach dem Prinzip der konkurrierenden Märkte erreicht. Das selbstregulierende System gerät jedoch mit zunehmender Polarisierung in reiche Industrienationen mit abnehmenden Ressourcen und armen Nationen mit geringer Industrialisierung in Unordnung. Dieses Prinzip berücksichtigt auch nicht die Nachwelt, vor allem wenn die Bevölkerungsdichte stetig zunimmt und die Konsumbedürfnisse anwachsen. Es sind neue soziale, ökonomische und ökologische Normen notwendig, die zur Populationskontrolle, zur Erhaltung der Umwelt und zu einem Zustand niedriger Entropie für zukünftige Generationen führen. Die nach uns kommenden Menschen haben ein Anrecht darauf.

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Résumé Matériaux et énergie sont les sources des systèmes économiques et sont régis par les lois de la thermodynamique. Il faut de l'énergie pour transformer les ressources minérales dispersées dans la croûte terrestre en matériaux et structures ordonnancées. Et il faut des matériaux pour receuillir et concentrer l'énergie, qu'elle soit solaire ou atomique, ou provienne de combustibles fossiles ou d'autres sources. Plus les minéraux recherchés sont dispersés et plus est côuteuse l'énergie pour leur donner une ordonnance.Or l'énergie disponsible ne peut être utilisée qu'une seule fois. Et les matériaux ordonnancés des économies industrielles se dégradent avec le temps. Ils peuvent être remis partiellement en état et recyclés, mais pour cela il faut de nouveau de l'énergie. Partout l'énergie disponible se dégrade et l'ordre devient désordre; -malgré toutes les jongleries possibles l'entropie augmente toujours.L'industrie dépend clairement d'états de basse entropie tant en ce qui concerne les matériaux que l'énergie, tandis que plus pauvres sont les minerais, plus; élevée est l'énergie à mettre en jeu pour en extraire les métaux, avec toujours augmentation à la fois de l'entropie et de la degradation des milieux.A l'exception de ce que nous apprécions pour leur valeur intrinsèque — la beauté, le loisir, l'amour ou l'or — la basse entropie est la seule chose de réelle valeur. Son prix est réglé par le marché, et sa valeur augmente au fur et à mesure que l'entropie s'accroît. Ceux qui en disposent seraient insensés de la vendre à bas prix ou en quantité supérieure à ce qu'exige leur propre niveau de vie. Pour cette raison, et à cause des contraintes physiques liées à la disponibilité en états de basse entropie, la récente crise d'énergie n'est, en ce qui concerne les matières premières et l'énergie, que la première d'une série de crises auxquelles il faut s'attendre aussi longtemps que se poursoit la marche actuelle des étènements.Dans les sociétés industrielles modernes, les approvisionnement en basse entropie s'effectuent plus ou moins conformément à la théorie de la concurrence des marchés. Cependant la rationalité de cette théorie se ressent de l'accentuation croissante de la polarisation, à l'échelle du monde, en nations riches, surindustrialisées, à ressources de base décroissantes, et en nations pauvres, sous-industrialisées, mais fournisseurs de resources-naturelles. De plus cette théorie ne tient pas compte de notre postérité, et ce, en face d'une densité de population et d'un taux de la consommation par tête d'habitant en augmentation continue.Nous avons donc besoin de nouvelles normes sociales, économiques et écologiques qui conduisent au contrôle de la population, à la conservation et à la répartition des états de basse entropie à travers les générations pour assurer à notre postérité les options qui leur riviennent de droit comme une constituante importante, mais encore muette, de la collectivité que nous appelons l'Humanité.

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Dedicated with appreciation to Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen, distinguished economist, realist among cornucopians     

Models,validation, and applied geochemistry: Issues in science,communication, and philosophy

Models have become so fashionable that many scientists and engineers cannot imagine working without them. The predominant use of computer codes to execute model calculations has blurred the distinction between code and model. The recent controversy regarding model validation has brought into question what we mean by a ‘model’ and by ‘validation.’ It has become apparent that the usual meaning of validation may be common in engineering practice and seems useful in legal practice but it is contrary to scientific practice and brings into question our understanding of science and how it can best be applied to such problems as hazardous waste characterization, remediation, and aqueous geochemistry in general. This review summarizes arguments against using the phrase model validation and examines efforts to validate models for high-level radioactive waste management and for permitting and monitoring open-pit mines. Part of the controversy comes from a misunderstanding of ‘prediction’ and the need to distinguish logical from temporal prediction. Another problem stems from the difference in the engineering approach contrasted with the scientific approach. The reductionist influence on the way we approach environmental investigations also limits our ability to model the interconnected nature of reality. Guidelines are proposed to improve our perceptions and proper utilization of models. Use of the word ‘validation’ is strongly discouraged when discussing model reliability.     

Pebbles,Shapes, and Equilibria

The shape of sedimentary particles may carry important information on their history. Current approaches to shape classification (e.g. the Zingg or the Sneed and Folk system) rely on shape indices derived from the measurement of the three principal axes of the approximating tri-axial ellipsoid. While these systems have undoubtedly proved to be useful tools, their application inevitably requires tedious and ambiguous measurements, also classification involves the introduction of arbitrarily chosen constants. Here we propose an alternative classification system based on the (integer) number of static equilibria. The latter are points of the surface where the pebble is at rest on a horizontal, frictionless support. As opposed to the Zingg system, our method relies on counting rather than measuring. We show that equilibria typically exist on two well-separated (micro and macro) scales. Equilibria can be readily counted by simple hand experiments, i.e. the new classification scheme is practically applicable. Based on statistical results from two different locations we demonstrate that pebbles are well mixed with respect to the new classes, i.e. the new classification is reliable and stable in that sense. We also show that the Zingg statistics can be extracted from the new statistics; however, substantial additional information is also available. From the practical point of view, E-classification is substantially faster than the Zingg method.