The use of multi-electrode resistivity imaging in gravel prospecting

We investigated the potential of using a 24-electrode resistivity imaging apparatus for rapid reconnaissance surveys for natural-aggregate accumulation. The surveys were first calibrated at sites with known geometry of sand and gravel layers, which showed that subsurface accumulation of coarse material was accurately resolved with both 2- and 4-m electrode spacing. The inverted absolute resistivity of economically viable gravel deposits varied in the range of 300–1500 Ω m, depending on variation in ground-moisture levels. The exploration surveys were then conducted at seven sites where geomorphological analyses indicated a potential for gravel. Four of these sites, where subsurface resistivity did not exceed 30–40 Ω m, were found to have very little or no coarse material. The three remaining sites showed significant accumulations of high-resistivity material, two of which were subsequently augered for verification. The results of drilling demonstrated that resistivity images were an effective indicator of the presence of coarse material in the subsurface, allowing accurate determination of subsurface distribution and thickness of sand and gravel strata. The total volume of a deposit could easily be estimated from resistivity images. The absolute quality and economic value of the material, is, however, difficult to ascertain from resistivity images alone without drilling.     

Magnetic variation generated by a tangential magnetic dipole located in the Earth's core

Summary The harmonically variable magnetic field, generated by a tangential magnetic dipole (TMD), located eccentrically at the surface of the Earth's core, is investigated for various periods of time variations and for a three-layer conductivity model of the Earth. Numerical computations have shown that the field is inductively damped for variation periods of less than 500 years as compared to the field of a static TMD. It is proved that the field appropriate to the TMD, has a more complicated distribution of the Earth's surface than the field of a radial magnetic dipole. Comparison with maps of the non-dipole part of the geomagnetic field shows that the TMD is not as suitable for interpreting the observed non-dipole field and its variations as the eccentric radial magnetic dipole.     

Dynamic effects in a saturated layered soil deposit: centrifuge modeling

The dynamic response of a saturated layered soil deposit was modeled on the Princeton University geotechnical centrifuge using various centrifugal acceleration levels. The layered soil deposit consists of a saturated Nevada sand layer overlaid by a silt layer of low permeability. Measured acceleration and pore-water pressure time histories are used to validate the scaling laws used in interpreting dynamic centrifugal modeling test results. Careful measurements of the settlements at the silt surface are performed using a non-contact displacement transducer, and comparisons are made with measurements obtained with a standard linear voltage displacement transducer. Finally, the experimental results are used to verify the validity of the numerical procedures encompassed in the computer code DYNAFLOW.     

Porphyry copper deposits of the CIS and the models of their formation

Deposits of the “porphyry” family (essentially porphyry copper and gold-porphyry copper, gold-bearing porphyry molybdenum-copper, gold-containing porphyry copper-molybdenum and porphyry molybdenum deposits) are associated in time and space with granitoid magmatism mainly in Phaerozoic volcano-plutonic belts. Whatever their age, the deposits belong to two types of belts: basaltic belts, representing axial zones of island arcs, or andesitic belts formed within active continental (Andean-type) margins.The petrochemistry of ore-bearing magmatism related to the nature of the substratum of volcano-plutonic belts, reveals a number of essential characteristics, both in composition and zonation of wallrock alteration and ore mineralization. These characterisics enabled previous researchers to establish four models of porphyry copper deposits based on their lithologic associations, e.g., “diorite”, “granodiorite”, “monzonite” and “granite”.Pophyry copper deposits are thought to be the product of self-generating “two-fluid mixing” ore-magmatic systems. Porphyry intrusions are pathways for energy and metals from deep-seated magma chambers, of which the upper mineralized parts are accessible for observation. The relationship between magmatic fluids and meteoric water participating in the ore-forming processes (dependent on the structural-petrophysical conditions of formation), provide a subdivision for the porphyry copper ore-magmatic systems into three types: “open”, “closed” and “transitional”.Concurrently, a common trend in the evolution of the systems has been established, from a nearly autoclave regime of structural-and ore-forming processes to a gradual increase in the importance of hydrothermal recycling. The completeness of the OMS (ore-magmatic system) development according to this scheme, which determines the existence of various OMS types, depends on many factors, the most important being the depth of formation of porphyry intrusive bodies, the petrophysical peculiarities of the host rocks and the palaeohydrogeological conditions of ore deposition.Although rock fracturing (especially defluidization: second boiling) and contraction are caused by the same mechanisms, the stockwork growth in “open” and “closed” systems, relative to the wall rock, takes place in opposite directions, primarily due to different petrophysical parameters of the near-stock environment.In “open” systems structural and ore metasomatic processes are finalized. Fractures extend progressively from porhyry stocks into the marginal parts of the intrusive framework and extension of large-scale recycling of magmatic and activated meteoric water, in the same direction, result in the formation of ore-bearing stockworks. These are large in all dimensions, cover mainly hanging-wall zones and are characterized by clearly defined concentric mineral zoning and extensive geochemical haloes.In a “closed” OMS with centripetal growing fractures, hydrothermal convection is stunted. The vertical extension of recycling cells is restricted and the volume of meteoric water involved in circulation during the period of ore deposition is relatively small. As a result, relatively small intra-intrusive lenticular stockworks are developed which are characterized by close co-existence of several generations of mineralization with fragmentary preservation of the earliest ones. These are characterized by the elements of “reverse” zoning, increased density of the veinlets and metal content, as well as poorly developed hanging-wall dispersion haloes.     

MHD spiral vortex tubes of the solar wind in the outer heliosphere

Summary MHD vortex flow near the heliomagnetic equatorial plane in the outer heliosphere is studied. The possibility of spiral vortex tubes existing on both sides of the equatorial plane is shown. A structure of this type with the scale of the order of several astronomical units can be formed during the solar minimum when the solar wind velocity has a distinct latitudinal dependence with a minimum near the equatorial plane. Another cause of this vortex structure can be the presence of inhomogeneities of the solar wind in the inner heliosphere.     

The tectonics of the Okhotsk Sea

The northern and central parts of the Okhotsk Sea form an epiMesozoic platform. The hetero-aged acoustic basement is represented by deformed geosynclinal rocks from Cretaceous to Precambrian in age. The slightly deformed sedimentary cover levelled the uneven surface of the acoustic basement, and this Upper Paleogene—Neogene cover filled up the system of the structural basins. The general NW—SE and W—E extensions of the taphrogenic horsts and grabens of the acoustic basement were formed due to extension and subsidence of the earth's crust during the late Paleogene—Neogene.     

Oxygen radicals production and actin filament disruption in bivalve haemocytes treated with benzo(a)pyrene

Haemocytes play an essential role in the internal defence of molluscs. It has been reported that organic xenobiotics commonly found as pollutants in the marine environment impair defence capabilities of haemocytes. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] on the integrity of the actin cytoskeleton and on endocytosis in haemocytes and to see if these effects are related to generation of reactive oxygen species. Haemocytes were exposed in vitro to B(a)P (0.5-40 microg/ml) for 1 h. Cell viability (using 2,3-bis[2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide or XTT assay) indicated that selected doses were sublethal. Uptake of neutral red was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner in B(a)P-treated haemocytes. Distribution of actin filaments, labeled with rhodamine-conjugated phalloidin, was altered in haemocytes treated with 20 or 40 microg/ml B(a)P. These effects could be related to an increased production of superoxide anion during B(a)P metabolism, as detected by the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction assay in haemocytes treated with > or = 10 microg/ml B(a)P.