Paleoweathering features in the Sergi Formation (Jurassic-Cretaceous), northeastern Brazil,and implications for hydrocarbon exploration

Paleoweathering in the Sergi Formation has been classified and analyzed to ascertain its origin and relationship with stratigraphic evolution. The Sergi Formation belongs to the pre-rift sequence of the Recôncavo Basin (northeastern Brazil) and comprises a complex association of eolian and fluvial sandstones and lacustrine mudstones. This formation can be subdivided into three depositional sequences bounded by regional unconformities. Four paleoweathering types, each one related to a distinct origin, have been described in the Sergi Formation: (1) textural mottling, which is distinguished by alternating rock colors as a result of the iron oxide mobilization within mineral phases that evolved under alternating oxidation (yellowish, brownish and reddish shades) and reduction (grayish or greenish hues) conditions; (2) non-textural mottling, which displays a discoloration pattern that is independent of the original rock texture; (3) carbonate concentrations, usually related to carbonate nodule formation, which display a massive internal structure that reveals their origin through continuous growth or crystallization; and (4) banded carbonates (silicified), associated with the beginning of regular surface formation due to the chemical precipitation of carbonates within lacustrine environments. Both mottling color motifs and carbonate accumulation usually represent groundwater oscillation rather than pedogenesis. Only carbonate intraclasts and banded carbonate (silicified) have their origin ascribed to pedogenesis sensu stricto, although the carbonate intraclasts do not represent soil deposits in situ, but calcretes eroded from areas close to channels, and the banded carbonates (silicified) have strong diagenetic modifications. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that fluvial and meteoric water have controlled paleoweathering evolution as well as deposition, yet both aspects are ruled by the same mechanisms (relief, sedimentation rate and, above all, climate).     

An overview of the Gulf of Batabanó (Cuba): Environmental features as revealed by surface sediment characterisation

The main environmental features of the Gulf of Batabanó, Cuba, Caribbean, were investigated through the analyses of surface sediments collected at 23 sites. In order to highlight the potential threats affecting the sedimentary compartment of this area, samples were analysed for: granulometry, mineralogy, heavy metals concentration (As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn), organic carbon, total nitrogen and radionuclides. Findings were compared with published data and “grey” literature.Results showed: granulometric homogeneity and a widespread carbonatic condition all over the gulf, probably due to stable bathymetry and lack of terrigenous input (except for the La Coloma basin); a rather pristine environment for what concerns heavy metals pollution, except for La Coloma where a large arsenic input was recorded; very low levels of natural and artificial radioactivity; a relevant quantity of sedimentary organic matter, providing biota with useful substrate for feeding and enhancing the food-web development while indirectly supplying lobster fisheries. Combined data highlighted the impact of the Dique Sur in reducing terrigenous input in the coastal area.Future studies should focus on dating of sediment cores for identifying and quantifying the changes acting in the gulf and on investigating the origins of the large arsenic input to La Coloma.     

Trends,drivers and impacts of changes in swidden cultivation in tropical forest-agriculture frontiers: A global assessment

This meta-analysis of land-cover transformations of the past 10–15 years in tropical forest-agriculture frontiers world-wide shows that swidden agriculture decreases in landscapes with access to local, national and international markets that encourage cattle production and cash cropping, including biofuels. Conservation policies and practices also accelerate changes in swidden by restricting forest clearing and encouraging commercial agriculture. However, swidden remains important in many frontier areas where farmers have unequal or insecure access to investment and market opportunities, or where multi-functionality of land uses has been preserved as a strategy to adapt to current ecological, economic and political circumstances. In some areas swidden remains important simply because intensification is not a viable choice, for example when population densities and/or food market demands are low. The transformation of swidden landscapes into more intensive land uses has generally increased household incomes, but has also led to negative effects on the social and human capital of local communities to varying degrees. From an environmental perspective, the transition from swidden to other land uses often contributes to permanent deforestation, loss of biodiversity, increased weed pressure, declines in soil fertility, and accelerated soil erosion. Our prognosis is that, despite the global trend towards land use intensification, in many areas swidden will remain part of rural landscapes as the safety component of diversified systems, particularly in response to risks and uncertainties associated with more intensive land use systems.     

The rank evaluation of South Brazilian Gondwana coals on the basis of different chemical and physical parameters

Rank evaluation of South Brazilian Gondwana coals according to the American (American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM) and German (Deutsche Industrie Normen, DIN) standard specifications or on the basis of Alpern's Universal Classification has too often led to conflicting results.When any attempt is made to determine the rank of Brazilian coals by using methods established for the Northern Hemisphere coals, two sorts of difficulties arise: namely, (1) the reflectence measurements do not indicate the real degree of coalification of the organic matter because of the liptinitic impregnations of the vitrinites, and (2) random reflectance values (R_ran, moisture, volatile-matter and carbon contents as well as the calorific value do not correlate when plotted on the ASTM and DIN classification schemes.In addition, when rank determinations are carried out by using fluorescence measurements and geochemical analyses the results are at variance in relation to those determined by the conventional chemical and physical parameters.It is suggested that the rank evaluation of South Brazilian coals is far more meaningful if carried out by reflectance measurements on vitrinites along with fluorescence measurements on sporinites, alginites and coal extracts.     

Analysis of Physical and Chemical Parameters for Discrimination of Water Origin in a Hydroelectric Reservoir

Seventeen physical and chemical parameters were obtained from a hydroelectric reservoir located in a tropical region in the south of Brazil. Multivariate Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Group Analysis (HGA) were used to identify the parameters discriminating the origin of water from the Tibagi and the Primeiro de Maio River, after it has passed the mixing region. The study was conducted during the dry and rainy seasons in July 2002 and February 2003 at three depths and three sampling sites located 0, 5, and 10 km away from the mixing region. The statistical methods showed to be appropriate for identifying the contribution of each tributary in the water mixing site of a complex water system. The most important discriminating parameter was the absorbance relation A(253 nm)/A(203 nm), followed by the concentrations of Fe(III), Mn(III), and Ni(II). An anthropogenic interference was found in the reservoir due to high Ni(II) and orthophosphate concentrations caused by a nearby town sewage discharge. The interference was more important during the dry periods due to the lower dispersion of the pollutants. Urgent initiatives should be taken from the state government to build treatment stations for the wastewater of the small cities around the Capivara hydroelectric reservoir to prevent the drinking water quality from deteriorating.     

偏高岭石水热转化法合成NaA分子筛反应机理研究

在偏高岭石水热转化法合成NaA型沸石分子筛体系中，通过对反应不同时间内的固相产物的XRD－FT－IR图谱分析，以及对SEM形貌变化的观察，认为晶化过程包括异相成核和均相成核两个过程，其中异相成核先于均相成核，但是它们之间没有明显界限，只是取决于偏高岭石的表面溶解程度，偏高岭石不仅提供了反应所需的化学组分，而且也为晶核形成提供了必要的界面条件。     

甚低频电磁法在某萤石矿勘查中的应用

内蒙古海力敏萤石矿属热液脉型,萤石—石英矿受花岗岩体内NW向断裂破碎带控制。矿区开展了甚低频电磁法找矿勘查研究,在已知矿体上测得明显的甚低频电磁异常,证实了该方法对寻找此类萤石矿床的有效性。在不易识别开采的掩盖区,所测甚低频电磁异常显示控矿断裂带仍存在,极可能赋存萤石矿体。     

相位激电法(偶极-偶极)单频电磁耦合校正方法

主要介绍一种相位激电法(偶极—偶极,以下简称偶极)电磁耦合校正方法,其原理是将视电阻率近似视为均匀大地电阻率,利用均匀大地条件下偶极装置电磁感应响应的正演计算方法,算出电磁感应响应,再将其从观测的总响应中去除,从而达到电磁耦合校正的目的。     

对山西应县木塔采用纳米复合纤维加固的建议

山西应县木塔是古人留给我们的稀世珍宝，如何妥善地保护好这一珍贵的遗产，使之在加固时尽量保持原有的风貌，是一项复杂而艰巨的任务。根据长期的研究成果和实际工作的经验，提出了用纳米复合纤维加固应县木塔的建议，介绍了纳米复合纤维材料的特点，分析讨论了加固时的一些具体技术问题。     

三角洲感潮河段洪潮水位频率分析方法的初步研究

根据珠江三角洲感潮河段年最高洪潮水位存在长期上升趋势的事实，提出了河口区感潮河段洪潮水位频率分析一种新的计算方法，新方法的分析结果表明，未来不同年代同频率的设计洪潮水位各不相同，也存在相应的长期变化趋势。以灯笼山站为例，新方法计算的2030年和2050年的百年一遇设计洪潮水位分别为3.12m和3.28m，比传统频率分析方法计算的结果分别高出0.24m和0.40m。建立有关部门在制定河口区的防洪标准时，根据洪潮水位的长期变化趋势作相应的动态调整，以适应河口区洪潮水位变化的实际情况。