Metallogenic provinces in South America

This paper discusses the broadscale distribution of some ore deposit types in South America, trying to discern possible relations with major geotectonic features. It does not cover all ore deposits but rather a selection based on available information, genetic types, geographic distribution, and a representation of deposit types which are either abundant or very rare in South America. Included are porphyry copper, zoned copper-zinc-lead-silver, contact-metasomatic, red-bed copper-uranium-vanadium, lead-zinc (including Mississippi Valley type), mercury, tin, pegmatite, carbonatite and alkalic complex, diamond, nickelcobalt-chromite-asbestos-talc, iron, bauxite, tungsten, titanium, uranium, gold, potash and phosphate deposits. Comparisons are made with the distribution of these deposit types in other continents, especially in North America and Africa. This leads to some speculations bearing on theories of ore genesis. The evidence suggests that upper crustal processes predominate in the formation of the majority of ore deposits considered (excepting carbonatites, alkalic complexes and diamond pipes). Also, the relative level of an orogenic belt exposed by erosion seems to be an important factor bearing on the presently known distribution of many ore deposit types. Furthermore, the fact that ore deposits of given types tend to be aligned along the Cordillera in more or less defined belts with changing chemical composition accross the Andes, which partake in all its inflections, and in patterns which are similar in North and South America, indicates that they are either dependent on the distribution of eugeosynclinal vs miogeosynclinal sediments in the original geosynclinal prism, or that their character is related to distance from the major batholitic masses or to shallow stocks and volcanic activity. The indicated correlation with sediment character and evaporites speaks in favor of modem concepts viewing hydrothermal fluids as mainly meteoric but heated and circulated largely by igneous activity. This study raises more questions than it can answer and calls attention to a number of problems requiring further research. From a practical point of view, this investigation reveals several possibilities for future exploration, as well as opportunities for further development of mineral resources in South America. Several countries could probably improve or diversify their mineral production significantly, thus raising the standard of living of their increasing population. Whereas in North America both Canada and the U.S.A. span from east to west the whole range of geological environments, from cratonic to geosynclinal and orogenic, in South America the distribución of countries is essentially either along the Cordillera or over shield areas, a fact of obvious geopolitical implications with regard to mineral resources.     

Anmerkungen zu „Geochemische Untersuchungen an Sedimenten des Persischen Golfs“

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Chloritoid stability in manganese rich low-grade metamorphic rocks,Venn-Stavelot Massif,Ardennes

The Southern Venn-Stavelot Massif is characterized by Ordovician and Devonian rocks very rich in manganese and aluminum, which are attacked by a low grade regional metamorphism. The assemblages 1 (phengite, paragonite, chlorite, chloritoid, garnet, quartz, hematite, rutile) and 2 (phengite, paragonite, chlorite, kaolinite (andalusite, pyrophyllite), garnet, quartz, hematite, rutile) are of basic interest for the formation of chloritoid. As the two rock types are isofaciell and quasi-identical in chemistry except for the iron oxides, there is clear evidence for the influence of on the chloritoid formation at its lower p-T stability limit. This can be shown by a discussion of the phase relations of chloritoid, garnet, kaolinite, chlorite and phengite in respect to the oxidation ratio mol 2 Fe₂O₃x 100/2 Fe₂O₃+ FeO of the host rocks. Especially chloritoid and chlorite change their chemistry in a characteristic way with rising oxidation ratio in getting richer and richer in manganese and magnesium (chloritoid) and magnesium (chlorite). A simultaneous increase in trivalent iron in these phases is supposed. At an oxidation ratio of 85–90 the stability limit of chloritoid is reached. The increasing substitution of manganese and magnesium up to this limit should have a stabilizing effect. In a rough estimate the oxygen partial pressure is supposed to be in the order of 10⁻¹⁰ atm at the stability limit of chloritoid assuming a temperature of metamorphism between 360–400° C. Rocks with oxidation ratios between 90 and 100 are characterized by the presence of kaolinite. If the oxidation ratio is still higher (all iron as Fe³⁺, parts of the manganese in the trivalent state), the rocks belong to assemblage 3 (phengite, paragonite, chlorite, viridine, (kaolinite), (garnet), quartz, hematite, braunite, rutile). Dedicated to Prof. Dr. K. Jasmund at his 60. birthday.     

Petrographische Untersuchungen des Suevit aus den Bohrungen Deiningen und Wörnitzostheim im Ries von Nördlingen

Zusammenfassung In den Bohrungen Deiningen (D.) und Wörnitzostheim (W.) im Nördlinger Ries wurde unter tertiären Seesedimenten eine 40 m bzw. 70 m mächtige Suevitabfolge aufgeschlossen. Diese Breccie, bestehend aus zertrümmertem kristallinem Grundgebirge mit verschiedenen Anzeichen einer Stoßwellenmetamorphose und aus Glasbomben, wurde mineralogisch und petrographisch untersucht.Korngrößenanalysen zeigen in beiden Profilen eine allmähliche Zunahme des Mediandurchmessers von oben nach unten (D.: 0,1···0,4 mm; W.: 1···6 mm). Die Kornverteilungskurve von W. ist bimodal; das Hauptmaximum wird überwiegend aus grobkörnigen Gesteinsgläsern gebildet, ein kleineres Maximum liegt bei 0,2–0,6 mm und enthält bevorzugt Grundgebirgseinschlüsse.Das Verhältnis von Gesteinsgläsern: Kristallinkomponenten beträgt in D. etwa 30 70, in W. 60 40. Der Suevit von W. enthält durchschnittlich 28% Porenraum und 1–2% Neubildungen; seine Glassubstanz ist überwiegend frisch. Im Suevit von D. sind die Gläser sekundär zersetzt und bedingen höhere Porenvolumina (34–36%) und eine stärkere Verwitterungsneubildung (6–10%; Montmorillonit, Montmorillonit-Illit-Wechsellagerung, Karbonate und Analcim).Einzelminerale in der Kornfraktion 0,063–0,125 mm verteilen sich bei den Leicht-mineralen (d<2,96 g/cm³; Neubildungen nicht berücksichtigt) auf Feldspäte (D.: 56%; W.: 44%), Quarz (D.: 32%; W.: 28%), Biotit (D.: 5%; W.: <1%), Hornblende (D.: 2%; W.: -) und Gläser (D.: 3%; W.: 27%); der Anteil der Schwerminerale beträgt in D. 3–4% (Biotit, Opakes — Hornblende, Granat, Turmalin), in W. 0,5–0,8% (Opakes, Zirkon — Biotit, Rutil).Die chemische Zusammensetzung der Suevit- und Glasproben von W. ist dem granodioritischen Magmentyp ähnlich; die Suevitproben von D. weisen höhere Alkaligehalte auf.

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Underlying miocene lake sediments, suevite was found in the drill holes of Deiningen (D.) and Wörnitzostheim (W.), 40 meters and 70 meters thick, respectively. This breccia, containing glass and shattered crystalline rocks, in different stages of shock metamorphism, was examined by mineralogical and petrographical methods.In the two suevite profiles medians of grain size distributions gradually increase from top to bottom (D.: 0,1···0,4 mm; W.: 1···6 mm). The grain size distributions of W. are bimodal; the first maximum is mainly formed by coarse grained glass, the second (smaller) maximum (0,2···0,6 mm) contains crystalline components. The ratio of melted rocks: crystalline components is 3070 at D. and 6040 at W. Suevite from the latter locality has a total porosity of 28% (average) and contains 1–2% autigenic minerals; the glasses are mostly fresh. In the D. suevite decomposition of the glass has produced higher porosities (34–36%) and more autigenic minerals (6–10%: montmorillonite, mixed-layer minerals montmorillonite-illite, carbonates, analcime).Mineral composition was determined for the grain sizes from 0,063 to 0,125 mm. The light minerals (d<2,96 g/cm³, without autigenic minerals) comprise: feldspars (D.: 56%; W.: 44%), quartz (D.: 32%; W.: 28%), biotite (D.: 5%; W.: < 1%), hornblende (D.: 2%; W.: -) and glass (D.: 3%; W.: 27%); heavy-mineral content is 3–4% at D. (biotite, opaque minerals — hornblende, garnet, tourmaline) and 0,5–0,8% at W. (opaque minerals, zircon — biotite, rutile).The chemical composition of suevite and glass samples from W. is similar to granodiorite type rock. The suevite of D. contains more potassium and sodium.

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Meinem verehrten Lehrer, Herrn Prof. Dr. W. v. Engelhardt, danke ich für die Überlassung des Themas und alle Förderung meiner Arbeit. Für fördernden Rat danke ich ferner den Herren Dr. F. Lippmann und Dr. D. Stöffler.

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Der Deutschen Erdöl AG, insbesondere Herrn Prof. Dr. F. Hecht, danke ich für die Überlassung der Bohrkerne von Deiningen.

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Der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft danke ich für die finanzielle Unterstützung dieser Arbeit.     

Spectroscopic investigation of the chromosphere

The line profile of H as emanating from the interior of supergranular cells was measured at sin = 0, 0.6, 0.8 and 0.9. The measurements are described and the results presented.Mitteilung aus dem Fraunhofer Institut Nr. 117.     

THE WILLOWBAR METEORITE*

The Willowbar, Oklahoma meteorite was found by Kendall Rhoton in December, 1971, lat 36° 44′ N.; long 102° 12′ W. It is a shocked brecciated L6 chondrite (Fa-24.3) with large black veins cutting areas of normal chondritic texture. It weighed 2.07 kg.     

Energy flow and elemental concentrations in the Steina River ecosystem (Black Forest, Germany)

Considering food web energetics and elemental cycling together allows the testing of hypotheses about the coevolution of biological systems and their physical environment. We investigated the energy flow and the distribution of 25 elements in the Steina River.¶We constructed an annual energy flow network and estimated the emergy ("embodied energy" that includes all the energy involved in a process) contributions of resources sustaining the system. Furthermore, we measured the concentration of various macronutrients, essential elements, and heavy metals in the physical environment and trophic compartments. Finally, we examined the hypothesis of a positive relationship between the "rarity" of an element and its tendency to bioaccumulate. To do so, we used transformity, the relative energy input required to sustain a compartment's net production or the concentration differential of an element between the living community and the physical environment.¶The resulting energy flow network is one of the most complete available for streams. In the Steina, over 99% of the energy input is transported through the system without being processed. Dissolved inorganic matter and sunlight are the largest inputs, but uptake efficiency is much higher for dissolved and particulate organic matter. Transformities of trophic compartments and elements span 6 to 7 orders of magnitude.¶The tendency to bioaccumulate was as predicted for most elements, with macronutrients showing no accumulation and heavy elements accumulating in high-transformity compartments. However, Na and K were found at highest concentrations in consumers, and Pb, Ga, and Cd in algae. Improved estimates may become possible as more knowledge is available on ecosystem flows. We suggest further ways of testing hypotheses about strategies of element processing.     

New density measurements on carbonate liquids and the partial molar volume of the CaCO<Subscript>3</Subscript> component

Density measurements on nine liquids in the CaCO₃–Li₂CO₃–Na₂CO₃–K₂CO₃ quaternary system were performed at 1 bar between 555 and 969 °C using the double-bob Archimedean method. Our density data on the end-member alkali carbonate liquids are in excellent agreement with the NIST standards compiled by Janz (1992). The results were fitted to a volume equation that is linear in composition and temperature; this model recovers the measured volumes within experimental error (±0.18% on average, with a maximum residual of ±0.50%). Our results indicate that the density of the CaCO₃ component in natrocarbonate liquids is 2.502 (±0.014) g/cm³ at 800 °C and 1 bar, which is within the range of silicate melts; its coefficient of thermal expansion is 1.8 (±0.5)×10^–4 K^–1 at 800 °C. Although the volumes of carbonate liquids mix linearly with respect to carbonate components, they do not mix linearly with silicate liquids. Our data are used with those in the literature to estimate the value of in alkaline silicate magmas (20 cm³/mol at 1400 °C and 20 kbar), where CO₂ is dissolved as carbonate in close association with Ca. Our volume measurements are combined with sound speed data in the literature to derive the compressibility of the end-member liquids Li₂CO₃, Na₂CO₃, and K₂CO₃. These results are combined with calorimetric data to calculate the fusion curves for Li₂CO₃, Na₂CO₃, and K₂CO₃ to 5 kbar; the calculations are in excellent agreement with experimental determinations of the respective melting reactions.Editorial responsibility: I Carmichael     

A Measurement of Omega from the North American Test Flight of Boomerang

We use the angular power spectrum of the cosmic microwave background, measured during the North American test flight of the Boomerang experiment, to constrain the geometry of the universe. Within the class of cold dark matter models, we find that the overall fractional energy density of the universe Omega is constrained to be 0.85相似文献   

华北地区地震异常前兆信息场演化特征及其与地震关系的研究

在对地震异常前兆信息量先前研究的基础上,进一步给出了描述各种地震异常前兆信息量的普适性综合数学表达式.从大量震例资料入手,再次研究了地震异常延续有效性的问题,进而建立了地震异常持续有效时间与延续有效时间的数学关系式.收集整理了1980～1997年华北地区水化、形变、地磁、应力、水位、地电等371个观测项目、上百万个前兆观测数据,对每一观测项目逐一计算了它们的地震异常前兆信息量.研究了华北地区近20年的地震异常前兆信息场的演化特征及其与地震的关系,建立了华北地区Ms≥5地震的中短期综合预报指标体系,经R值评分检验,表明该地震综合预报指标体系在中短期地震预测中具有一定效果.