Trace element chemistry of major rivers in Orissa State, India

 Geochemical analyses of surface waters from rivers flowing through Orissa State, India, indicated that trace element concentrations were extremely variable and consistently higher than world river average. The Brahmani River was the most solute-rich river studied, followed by the Baitarani and Mahanadi Rivers. Although all three rivers drain similar geology, the Brahmani River catchment is heavily industrialized, and water samples collected upstream and downstream from industries indicated that anthropogenic activity directly influenced its chemical composition. Samples collected from several towns, in all three river systems, did not invariably show similar patterns, with various elements having higher dissolved concentrations upstream. Because the concentration of total solids increased downstream, this implied that some components of the sewage had effectively sequestered available elements from solution and converted them to particulate material. Although the impact of pollution is clearly recognizable in water samples collected in proximity to the anthropogenic source, there are only slight elemental accumulations in the lower reaches of the Mahanadi River, with no accumulation in the Brahmani River. Apparently for these large rivers, discharged effluent becomes rapidly diluted, while complexation and sedimentation further removes trace elements from the water column. However, in the less voluminous Baitarani River, elementar enrichment near the river's mouth suggests that in this secondary river, where dilution effects are less, the concerns over regional water quality may be more prevalent. Received: 1 April 1995 · Accepted: 30 August 1995     

大洋环流型式转换在冰期旋回中的作用及经典第四纪冰期理论质疑(续)

大洋环流型式转换在冰期旋回中的作用及经典第四纪冰期理论质疑(续)汉景泰Ｗ．Ｓ．Ｆｙｆｅ(加拿大西安大略大学地质系)４问题及讨论大洋环流－气候学说认为从冰期到间冰期海洋－大气系统全球性巨型再组合导致了末次冰期的终止。     

Reappraisal of the metamorphic facies concept

Eskola's concept of metamorphic facies, now 50 years old, is reappraised in the light of current knowledge and usage among petrologists. Facies should be defined solely in terms of observable geologic criteria. LikeEskola, we continue to view each facies as a set of mineral assemblages that approximate equilibrium within a definite range of temperature; but this is inference and must be excluded from the definition of facies. Mutual boundaries between facies are transitional. Division into subfacies has proved unacceptable to many writers, and has led to confusion in the physical interpretation of metamorphic parageneses. We propose henceforth not to recognize subfacies. Eleven facies are recognized in this paper, and their terminology has been adapted as nearly as possible to current general usage:

1. A.
   Low-pressure facies commonly but not exclusively of contact metamorphism. In order of increasing temperature:

   1. (1)
      Albite-epidote-hornfels.     

Pan-African plates: Additional evidence from igneous events in Saudi Arabia

The chemical and geological nature of thec. 600 m.y. igneous complex of the Al-Hadah escarpment of Saudi Arabia is fitting to that of a modern subduction environment. It appears that plate motions were occurring during this Pan-African tectonic event but the scale of both plates and motions was smaller than that of the present time.     

Dislocations and voids in pyroxene from a low-temperature eclogite: Mechanism of eclogite formation

New occurrences of the phosphates sarcopside/graftonite (Fe, Mn)₃(PO₄)₂, farringtonite (Mg, Fe)₃(PO₄)₂, and brianite Na₂CaMg(PO₄)₂ in iron meteorites are reported. The sarcopside in Duel Hill (1854) (IVA-Anom) contains less than 0.1 mole % Mn₃(PO₄)₂ and more nearly approaches the Fe-rich end member than does any previously reported natural occurrence. This identification of farringtonite in Barranca Bianca (IIE) is the first report of this mineral in a meteorite group other than the pallasites.     

A global crisis: Energy in the future

We are beginning to consider the concept of sustainable (renewable) energy when we develop new technologies. Our present technologies are not sustainable. We are living on capital. Given that one hour of sunlight could provide our annual needs for one year, the future must be with solar energy. Geothermal energy sources, using the normal thermal gradient of Earth, are also impressive. There is no sign thatHomo sapiens has the wisdom to use fission energy given the potential abuses of this technology. One thing is certain, if we continue to burn fossil carbon to supply the world's increasing energy demands, the consequences will be devastating for all life.     

An experimental study of algal uptake of U,Ba, V,Co and Ni from dilute solutions

Experiments in which two species of freshwater green algae, Ankistrodesmus sp. and Selenastrum, were cultured in dilute solutions of metals chelated with EDTA reveal massive uptake of U and Ba, but relatively minor uptake of Ni, Co and V. For 2-ppm metal-spiked TBIM culture media at pH 8.1–8.2 and growth durations of 3–21 days at 13–16°C, both species accumulate U and Ba at levels of 1000 to 10,000 ppm by dry weight, representing a concentration factor of up to 5000 times the aqueous metal solute concentration. Uptake was comparable for passage of 100-ml spiked culture media through algal mats over 100 min. For aqueous solute concentrations of 20 ppb Ba, Co, Ni and U the algae adsorbed 3000–4000 ppm U and Ba giving concentration factors up to 200,000. With 40 ppb U, the algae adsorbed 6000 ppm, representing a concentration factor of 150,000. Co and Ni in the algae were present at levels below analytical sensitivity. The Ba aqueous concentration was about equivalent to, and the U concentration 100 times natural marine water abundances. For 2-ppm Co-, Ni- and V-spiked culture media, algal uptake was 40–600 ppm Ni, 17 ppm Co and 12 ppm V, respectively.Given the abundance of algae in both fresh and marine waters, coupled with the known association of plankton with U-rich Black Sea muds, the experimental results may indicate that algae also play a significant role in mediating U and Ba uptake from the hydrosphere. The recorded levels of algal uptake for metals are ～1000 × (U), ～100 × (Ba), ～100 × (Ni), ～20 × (Co), and ～6 × (V), previously reported abundances for “typical” marine plants.     

Development of rodingite in basaltic rocks in serpentinites,East Liguria,Italy

Hydrogrossular replacement of plagioclase in basaltic rocks enclosed in serpentinite, and relationships between hydrogrossular, pumpellyite, vesuvianite are described. Rogingitic rocks are dominated by mixed layer chlorite-smectite, chlorite, pumpellyite, hydrogrossular and vesuvianite. In these rocks pumpellyite attains maximal Mg contents, and chemical analysis shows extreme removal of Na₂O, K₂O, TiO₂ and SiO₂ from the basalts, and increase in the Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ ratio. Leaching during serpentinization by extremely alkaline solutions dominated by Ca-Mg(OH) may explain removal of components, but the oxidation may suggest that at an earlier stage dykes may have acted as input aquifers.     

Structural states of Mg-cordierite I: Order parameters from synchrotron X-ray and NMR data

The hexagonal to orthorhombic phase transition in synthetic Mg-cordierite has been studied by (i) measuring the spontaneous strain associated with the transition using Synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and (ii) measuring the degree of Al, Si order in terms of the number of Al-O-Al bonds per formula unit using solid state NMR spectroscopy. This defines the two order parametersQ andQ _od respectively, and their relationship as a function of annealing temperature and time is used to define the structural states of cordierite during the ordering sequence. The formation of modulated hexagonal cordierite within which a high degree of Al, Si order can be attained, results in a strongly non-linear relationship betweenQ andQ _od .The transition from modulated to orthorhombic cordierite is strongly first-order under all temperature conditions studied and involves a large step inQ, whileQ _od changes continuously throughout the ordering sequence with no marked discontinuity at the phase transition. The lattice distortion, traditionally defined in cordierite by the Δ index provides no full information on the degree of Al, Si order in anhydrous Mg-cordierite, and both order parameters must be used to define its structural state. Transmission electron microscopy has been used to study the mechanism of the transformation from hexagonal to modulated to orthorhombic cordierite.