Adenine oxidation by pyrite-generated hydroxyl radicals

Cellular exposure to particulate matter with concomitant formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidization of biomolecules may lead to negative health outcomes. Evaluating the particle-induced formation of ROS and the oxidation products from reaction of ROS with biomolecules is useful for gaining a mechanistic understanding of particle-induced oxidative stress. Aqueous suspensions of pyrite particles have been shown to form hydroxyl radicals and degrade nucleic acids. Reactions between pyrite-induced hydroxyl radicals and nucleic acid bases, however, remain to be determined. Here, we compared the oxidation of adenine by Fenton-generated (i.e., ferrous iron and hydrogen peroxide) hydroxyl radicals to adenine oxidation by hydroxyl radicals generated in pyrite aqueous suspensions. Results show that adenine oxidizes in the presence of pyrite (without the addition of hydrogen peroxide) and that the rate of oxidation is dependent on the pyrite loading. Adenine oxidation was prevented by addition of either catalase or ethanol to the pyrite/adenine suspensions, which implies that hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals are causing the adenine oxidation. The adenine oxidation products, 8-oxoadenine and 2-hydroxyadenine, were the same whether hydroxyl radicals were generated by Fenton or pyrite-initiated reactions. Although nucleic acid bases are unlikely to be directly exposed to pyrite particles, the formation of ROS in the vicinity of cells may lead to oxidative stress.     

Proterozoic low-sulfidation epithermal Au-Ag mineralization in the Mallery Lake area, Nunavut, Canada

The Mallery Lake area contains pristine examples of ancient precious metal-bearing low-sulfidation epithermal deposits. The deposits are hosted by rhyolitic flows of the Early Proterozoic Pitz Formation, but are themselves apparently of Middle Proterozoic age. Gold mineralization occurs in stockwork quartz veins that cut the rhyolites, and highest gold grades (up to 24 g/t over 30 cm) occur in the Chalcedonic Stockwork Zone. Quartz veining occurs in two main types: barren A veins, characterized by fine- to coarse-grained comb quartz, with fluorite, calcite, and/or adularia; and mineralized B veins, characterized by banded chalcedonic silica and fine-grained quartz, locally intergrown with fine-grained gold or electrum. A third type of quartz vein (C), which crosscuts B veins at one locality, is characterized by microcrystalline quartz intergrown with fine-grained hematite and rare electrum. Fluid inclusions in the veins occur in two distinct assemblages. Assemblage 1 inclusions represent a moderate temperature (Th=150 to 220 °C), low salinity (~1 eq. wt% NaCl, with trace CO₂), locally boiling fluid; this fluid type is found in both A and B veins and is thought to have been responsible for Au-Ag transport and deposition. Assemblage 2 inclusions represent a lower temperature (Th=90 to 150 °C), high salinity calcic brine (23 to 31 wt% CaCl₂-NaCl), which occurs as primary inclusions only in the barren A veins. Assemblage 1 and 2 inclusions occur in alternating quartz growth bands in the A-type veins, where they appear to represent alternating fluxes of dilute fluid and local saline groundwater. No workable primary fluid inclusions were observed in the C veins. The A-vein quartz yields '¹⁸O values from 8.3 to 14.5‰ (average=10.9ǃ.7‰ [1C], n=30), whereas '¹⁸O values for B-vein quartz range from 11.2 to 14.0‰ (average=13.0ǂ.9‰, n=12). Calculated '¹⁸O_H2O values for the dilute mineralizing fluid from B veins range from -2.6 to 0.2‰ (average=-0.8ǂ.9‰, n=12) and are consistent with a dominantly meteoric origin. No values could be calculated for the brine, however, because all A-vein quartz samples contain mixed fluid inclusion populations. However, the fact that A-vein quartz samples extend to lower '¹⁸O values than the B veins suggests that the brine had a lighter isotopic signature relative to the dilute fluid. Hydrogen isotopic ratios of fluid inclusion waters extracted from eleven quartz samples of both vein types range from 'D_FI=-56 to -134‰, but show no particular correlation with vein type. In most respects, the mineralogical and fluid characteristics of the Mallery Lake system are comparable to those of Phanerozoic low-sulfidation deposits, and although the presence of high salinity brines is unusual in such deposits, it is not unknown (e.g., Creede, Colorado). In addition, one of the few other examples of well-preserved, Precambrian, low-sulfidation epithermal deposits, from the Central Pilbara tectonic zone, Australia, contains a similarly bimodal fluid assemblage. The significance of these saline brines is not clear, but from this study we infer that they were not directly involved with Au-Ag transport or deposition.     

The CQU Regional Seismic Network and applications to underground mining in Central Queensland,Australia

Digital seismograms continuously recorded from 1988 to 1992 by two stations of the RESNOM seismic network in northern Baja California, Mexico, were used to search for probable shear-wave anisotropic characteristics in the region of the Cerro Prieto fault. Shear-wave splitting was identified in many of the three-component records analyzed. We measured the polarization direction of the leadingS wave inside theS-wave window as well as the delay times between fast and slow phases on those records displaying shear-wave splitting. For station CPX, which is nearest the Imperial Valley region to the north, the preferred polarization direction found in this study (azimuth 180°±10°) coincides with the direction of the regional maximum compressive stress determined for the region. This polarization direction can be interpreted in terms of the “Extensive Dilatancy Anisotropy” model as the effect of vertical parallel aligned cracks. The preferred polarization direction measured at LMX, however, gives an azimuth of 45°±5°. Thus, it appears that faults and fractures aligned oblique to the main tectonic trend have a greater influence on the anisotropic characteristics of the crust south of Cerro Prieto volcano than that of the regional stress field. Time delays between slow and fastS waves observed at CPX appear constant from 1988 to 1992 while delays measured at LMX for the same interval indicate a small increase with time which cannot be attributed to azimuthal variations of paths.     

Uranium-series disequilibrium in Australian soils and its effect on aerial gamma-ray surveys

Measurements of U and ²²⁶Ra in 445 soil samples collected from areas throughout Australia show that these soils have a mean U content of 2.0 mg kg⁻¹ and activity ratio (U/²²⁶Ra) of 1.09. There is a wide spread in individual values but, overall, more soils are U-rich than ²²⁶Ra-rich. Some indications of regional disequilibrium were found, with ²²⁶Ra-rich soils being noted in the Southern Cross-Kambalda area (WA), in south-eastern Eyre Peninsula (SA) and in an area north of Cobar (NSW). Uranium-rich soils were found in two Carboniferous volcanic terrains in north-eastern Queensland. The spread in activity ratio values indicates that disequilibrium will contribute to the noise in U channel data obtained by aerial gamma-ray surveying. The combination of statistical noise from low count rates (reflecting the low U concentrations in soils) and U-²²⁶Ra disequilibrium combine to give variances of 40–60% in typical U channel data. Data appearance can be improved to some extent by appropriate filtering.     

Effects of salinity on the condition and survival of zebra mussels (Dereissena polymorpha)

The objectives of this study were to determine the tolerance of various life stages of zebra mussels to salinity; determine the extent to which acclimation events in estuarine systems, affect tolerance of zebra mussels; and determine the effects of salinity on health or condition of adult zebra mussels. At high temperatures (18–20°C), the condition of zebra mussels is reduced at salinities above 1%.. However, at lower temperatures (3–12°C), the optimum salinity for zebra mussels is 2–4%.. The incipient lethal salinity of post-veligers is near 2%., of larger adults (5–15 mm) between 2%. and 4%., and of veliger larvae near 4.5%.. Zebra mussels are able to acclimate to slowly changing salinities (i.e., 1%. d^?1) such that the time to 50% mortality of a population should be greater than 1 yr at temperatures near 20°C and salinites up to 8%.     

On being a ‘real’ geomorphologist

In a recent editorial Richards (1990) advocated a realist perspective for geomorphology. Scientific realism, defined broadly, is the doctrine that science attempts to generate true knowledge of the observable and unobservable (i.e. non-empirical) aspects of an objective world. Various brands of realism exist; the particular version cited by Richards (1990) has not strongly influenced mainstream philosophy of science. Also, critical rationalism, which Richards (1990) contrasts with realism, fully adopts a realist perspective. In its broadest sense, realism encompasses the entire spectrum of geomorpho-logic research, thus providing a unifying philosophical framework for geomorphology.     

XRF AND INAA DETERMINATIONS OF MAJOR AND TRACE ELEMENTS IN GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF JAPAN IGNEOUS AND SEDIMENTARY ROCK STANDARDS

Major and trace element analyses have been obtained by wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence for the Geological Survey of Japan Igneous rock series and selected samples from the Sedimentary rock series reference samples. Additional trace element data for the Igneous rock series were obtained by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Samples were analyzed multiple times for 10 major elements (with loss-on-ignition) and the following trace elements; As, Ba, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Eu, Ga, Hf, La, Lu, Nb, Nd, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Sr, Ta, Tb, Th, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn and Zr.     

The natural resources development debate in Canada

The current debate concerning natural resources developed in Canadais examined against the background of population distribution, electoral distribution, variations in regional economies, foreign investment, federal versus provincial jurisdiction over resources, and the demands for constitutional reform. These have resulted in an essential division between the resource producing regions of the west and, to a lesser extent the extreme east, and the resource consuming region in the centre. After establishing the context for resource development, the paper goes on to assess the debate as it has evolved with respect to offshore fishery resources on the Atlantic Coast, potash in Saskatchewan and petroleum and natural gas in the western provinces.