A late paleo-Indian/Early archaic water well in Mexico—Possible oldest water-Management feature in the new world

A filled prehistoric water well discovered at the village of San Marcos Necoxtla, Puebla, Mexico, may be the oldest directly dated water-management feature in the Americas. The ∼10 m stratigraphic section exposed at this remarkable site records 18,000+ yr of deposition, erosion, water-table and hydrochemical fluctuations, and ≥10,000 yr of continual occupation. Temporal control is afforded by a multicomponent cultural chronology and radiocarbon assays by conventional and experimental techniques. The ∼10 m wide, ∼5 m deep well was excavated, utilized, maintained, and filled with cultural material between <9863 and ≫5950 yr B.P., a span of ≪3913 yr. Ages of other reported Late Pleistocene(?) to Middle Holocene wells in the New World are based on indirect or questionable dating, or are ≤6600 yr. Because of its age and continuity of occupation, the San Marcos Necoxtla well site may help define the nature of the peopling of the Americas and the advent of New World agriculture. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Hydrochemistry and environmental isotopes of spring water and their relation to structure and lithology identified with remote sensing methods in Wadi Araba,Egypt

Springs located at the historical sites of Wadi Araba (Eastern Desert of Egypt) and emerging from the escarpments of the Northern and Southern Galala Plateaus were investigated. A combination of methods, including hydrochemistry, stable and radioisotope composition, and structural analyses based on satellite data, provided information about the structure of the subsurface and the derived groundwater flow paths. Satellite images reveal karst features within the northern plateau, e.g. conical landforms. Karstic caves were documented along both escarpments. Chemical analysis of floodwater from Wadi Araba indicates higher concentrations of terrestrial salts compared to floodwaters from central and southern parts of the desert. δ¹⁸O and δ²H signatures in spring waters resemble those of floodwater and fall on the global meteoric water line, confirming their fast infiltration with minor influence of evaporation. The aquifer feeding the springs of the Northern Galala Plateau has low retention and the springs dry out quickly, even after heavy rainfall. Contrastingly, ³H activities in springs emerging from the Southern Galala Plateau refer to much slower subsurface passage. With respect to ³H content (3.8 TU) in recent flood waters, the spring water at Southern Galala Plateau contains about 40% recently recharged groundwater. However, its largest spring—the St. Antony spring—discharges water with a radiocarbon age of about 15,000 years. In combination with this spring’s constant and high discharge over a period of several months, that age estimate suggests a large reservoir with moderate to high retention.

     

Back to the Future? Privatisation and the domestication of water in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia, 1900-2000

In Zambia’s Copperbelt as in most of the developing world, the water sector is undergoing reforms targeted at promoting an active participation of the private sector. Conventional wisdom suggests that the private sector will be better able to achieve universal access as opposed to the public sector which hitherto has failed to deliver. Using archival materials from the Copperbelt Province, this paper however argues that in countries like Zambia where economic enterprise was driven by private capital, access to water has always been tied to an active involvement of the private sector. The full story of failure to provide universal access to potable water cannot be told without examining this historical role of the private sector and its relationship with the public sector. At the same time, contemporary policy debates can benefit from the resonance of historical debates around economic efficiency, demand management, health and access in the production and consumption of water.     

The Potassium‐Argon Laser Experiment (KArLE): In Situ Geochronology for Planetary Robotic Missions

Geochronology is a fundamental measurement for planetary samples, providing global and solar system context for the conditions prevailing on the planet at the time of major geological events. The potassium (K)‐Argon (Ar) laser experiment (KArLE) will make in situ noble gas geochronology measurements aboard planetary robotic missions such as rovers and landers. Laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is used to measure the K abundance in a sample and to release its noble gases; the evolved Ar is measured by mass spectrometry, and relative K content is related to absolute Ar abundance by sample mass, determined by optical measurement of the ablated volume. This approach allows K and Ar to be measured on identical volumes multiple times to create an isochron, which improves the age determination and reveals irregularities in the rock if they exist. The KArLE technique measures a whole‐rock K‐Ar age with 10% uncertainty or better for rocks 2 Ga or older, sufficient to resolve the absolute age of many planetary samples. The LIBS–mass spectrometry approach is attractive because the analytical components have been flight‐proven, do not require further technical development and provide essential measurements (complete elemental abundance, evolved volatile analysis, micro‐imaging) as well as in situ geochronology.     

Bulk rock composition and geochemistry of olivine-hosted melt inclusions in the Grey Porri Tuff and selected lavas of the Monte dei Porri volcano, Salina, Aeolian Islands, southern Italy

The Aeolian Islands are an arcuate chain of submarine seamounts and volcanic islands, lying just north of Sicily in southern Italy. The second largest of the islands, Salina, exhibits a wide range of compositional variation in its erupted products, from basaltic lavas to rhyolitic pumice. The Monte dei Porri eruptions occurred between 60 ka and 30 ka, following a period of approximately 60,000 years of repose. The bulk rock composition of the Monte dei Porri products range from basaltic-andesite scoria to andesitic pumice in the Grey Porri Tuff (GPT), with the Monte dei Porri lavas having basaltic-andesite compositions. The typical mineral assemblage of the GPT is calcic plagioclase, clinopyroxene (augite), olivine (Fo_72?84) and orthopyroxene (enstatite) ± amphibole and Ti-Fe oxides. The lava units show a similar mineral assemblage, but contain lower Fo olivines (Fo_57?78). The lava units also contain numerous glomerocrysts, including an unusual variety that contains quartz, K-feldspar and mica. Melt inclusions (MI) are ubiquitous in all mineral phases from all units of the Monte dei Porri eruptions; however, only data from olivine-hosted MI in the GPT are reported here. Compositions of MI in the GPT are typically basaltic (average SiO₂ of 49.8 wt %) in the pumices and basaltic-andesite (average SiO₂ of 55.6 wt %) in the scoriae and show a bimodal distribution in most compositional discrimination plots. The compositions of most of the MI in the scoriae overlap with bulk rock compositions of the lavas. Petrological and geochemical evidence suggest that mixing of one or more magmas and/or crustal assimilation played a role in the evolution of the Monte dei Porri magmatic system, especially the GPT. Analyses of the more evolved mineral phases are required to better constrain the evolution of the magma.     

Identification and characterization of secondary minerals formed in tungsten mine tailings using transmission electron microscopy

Secondary minerals formed in tailings derived from a W-rich deposit were investigated in detail using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The study focused on secondary minerals that formed in the vicinity of oxidized sphalerite [ZnS] and tennantite [Cu₁₀(Fe,Zn)₂As₄S₁₃] grains. Samples for TEM analysis were prepared directly from petrographic thin sections using a focused ion beam instrument. This method insured that spatial relationships among primary grains, secondary minerals and the pore spaces were maintained. The results from this study indicate that the secondary coatings associated with sphalerite and tennantite are composed of several discrete phases. The phases identified in this study include an Fe–Zn–As–O phase, secondary sulfides, native Cu, an Fe–Si–O phase, an In–O phase, and wulfenite [PbMoO₄]. The Fe–Zn–As–O phase precipitates directly from the pore water and the nearby primary mineral grains act as a source for some of the elements (e.g., Zn from sphalerite, As from tennantite). Secondary Cu sulfides were found at the outer margins of sphalerite and roquesite [CuInS₂] grains. It is likely that these Cu sulfides form as a result of interactions between the primary grain and aqueous Cu(II) present in the pore water, similar to what occurs in supergene environments. A secondary sulfide that was composed of variable amounts of Cu, Zn, As, Fe and S was also identified along the outer margins of tennantite. Native Cu was found in association with chalcopyrite [CuFeS₂] inclusions that were present in one of the sphalerite grains and probably represents a low-temperature secondary phase. The oxidation of chalcopyrite in the presence of aqueous Si leads to the formation of a nanocrystalline or amorphous Fe–Si–O phase. Roquesite oxidation leads to the formation of a crystalline In–O phase, which is likely dzhalindite [In(OH)₃]. Wulfenite was found in the interstitial voids present in the Fe–Zn–As–O phase suggesting that it forms by direct precipitation from the local pore water. The results from this study indicate that secondary coatings consist of complex secondary phases that may only be distinguished at the nanoscale. The TEM investigations reveal details regarding mineralogical sinks and sources for aqueous components that may otherwise be overlooked.     

Prediction of the long-term performance of abandoned lead zinc mine tailings in a Welsh catchment

In this study we investigated the sulphidic mine tailings from Frongoch and Grogwynion, two abandoned lead zinc mines in mid-Wales, UK. Despite falling within the same ore field the mine waste characterisation has identified differences in the tailings from the two sites. Bulk concentrations range from 10 to 52 g kg^− 1 for Pb, 1.1 to 2.9 g kg^− 1 for Zn in Grogwynion and from 1.0 to 130 g kg^− 1 for Pb, 11 to 110 g kg^− 1 for Zn in Frongoch. An experimental (European standard leaching tests TS 14429 and TS 14405) and geochemical modelling approach was used to study the leaching composition as a function of pH and liquid/solid ratio. There was little correlation between the tailings bulk metal concentrations and the leachate composition, but variations in Pb and Zn concentrations were found to be consistent with control of dissolved Pb and Zn by secondary minerals and the mechanisms of dissolution/precipitation/sorption involving them. Specifically, the Grogwynion mine tailings with near-neutral pH have predominantly lead and zinc carbonates controlling Pb and Zn solubility in the leachates, whereas the Pb and Zn concentrations in Frongoch leachates are best modelled with a surface complexation model for metal sorption to oxyhydroxides. The different speciation results in a greater sensitivity of Grogwynion tailings to acidification with a potential release of Pb in solution up to 10 times higher than in Frongoch, despite similar bulk Pb concentrations. At acid pH, Zn is similarly dissolved to a greater extent in Grogwynion than in Frongoch tailings. There was no evidence of sulphide oxidation during the batch and column leaching tests and the suitability of using these European leaching standards for the characterisation of sulphidic mine waste materials for waste management purposes has been considered.     

Reflection of the orographic patterns in the micro- and mesoclimatic conditions

In the Polish Carpathian Mountains two altitudinal profiles were chosen. Ranging from 200 to 1,000 m asl along 20°00 and 21°30E their spatial patterns of the topographical types in the mountains and uplands, geometric configuration of concave topographies and direction of their course are different.The effects of topography on the mesoclimatic conditions in the area investigated were analyzed by the diurnal air temperature records at the 28 meteorological stations in the years 1951 – 1970. Along the two profiles, taking the points situated at the same height asl and similar altitude, the mean extreme temperatures in the particular months, as well as the values of the first and ninth deciles of the maximum and minimum temperatures were analyzed. Special consideration was given to the spatial distribution of the minimum temperature and characteristics derived, because it reflects the influence of topography in a higher degree than the maximum temperature. Since low air temperatures are the main factor for the plant growth in the Polish Carpathians, spatial differentiation of the minimum temperature regulates the rate of development of the wild and cultivated plants during the growing season.     

Sediment dynamics in an upland temperate catchment: changing sediment sources,rates and deposition

We examine sediment dynamics in an upland, temperate lake system, Lake Bassenthwaite (NW England), in the context of changing climate and land use, using magnetic and physical core properties. Dating and analysis of the sedimentary records of nine recovered cores identify spatially variable sedimentation rates across the deep lake basin. Mineral magnetic techniques, supported by independent geochemical analyses, identify significant variations both in sediment source and flux over the last ∼2100 years. Between ∼100 years BC and ∼1700 AD, sediment fluxes to the lake were low and dominated by material sourced from within the River Derwent sub-catchment (providing 80% of the hydraulic load at the present day). Post-1700 AD, the lake sediments became dominantly sourced from Newlands Beck (presently providing ∼10% of the lake’s hydraulic load). Three successive, major pulses of erosion and increased sediment flux appear linked to specific activities within the catchment, specifically: mining activities and associated deforestation in the mid-late nineteenth century; agricultural intensification in the mid-twentieth century and, within the last decade, the additional possible impact of climate change. These results are important for all upland areas as modifications in climate become progressively superimposed upon the effects of previous and/or ongoing anthropogenic catchment disturbance.