Multimillion year thermal history of a porphyry copper deposit: application of U–Pb, 40Ar/39Ar and (U–Th)/He chronometers, Bajo de la Alumbrera copper–gold deposit, Argentina

Application of multiple chronometers (including U–Pb and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology and zircon and apatite (U–Th)/He thermochronology) to porphyry intrusions at the Bajo de la Alumbrera porphyry copper–gold deposit, Argentina, reveals a complex history of reheating that spans millions of years. Previous U–Pb geochronology, combined with our new ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar data, shows that the multiple porphyritic intrusions at Bajo de la Alumbrera were emplaced during two episodes, the first at about 8.0 Ma (P2 and associated porphyries) and the second about a million years later (Early and Late P3 porphyries). Complex overprinting alteration events have obscured the earliest hydrothermal history of the deposit. By contrast, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar data reveal the close temporal relationship of ore-bearing potassic alteration assemblages (7.12 ± 0.13 Ma; biotite) to the emplacement of the P3 intrusions. Consistent with low closure temperatures, younger ages have been determined for associated hydrothermal alkali feldspar (6.82 ± 0.05 Ma and 6.64 ± 0.09 Ma). The temperature-sensitive Ar data also record an unexpected prolonged cooling history (to below 200°C) extending to 5.9 Ma. Our data suggest that the Bajo de la Alumbrera system underwent protracted cooling, after the collapse of the main hydrothermal system, or that one or more low-temperature (~100–200°C) reheating events occurred after emplacement of the porphyritic intrusions at Bajo de la Alumbrera. These have been constrained in part by our new ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar data (including multidomain diffusion modeling) and (U–Th)/He ages. Single-grain (U–Th)/He ages (n = 5) for phenocrystic zircon from P2 and P3 intrusive phases bracket these thermal events to between 6.9 (youngest crystallization of intrusion) and 5.1 Ma. Multidomain modeling of alkali feldspar data (from both igneous and hydrothermal crystals) is consistent with the deposit cooling rapidly from magmatic temperatures to below about 300°C, with a more protracted history down to 150°C. We conclude that the late-stage low-temperature (150 to 200°C) thermal anomaly localized at Bajo de la Alumbrera resulted from radiation of heat and/or fluids sourced from deeper-seated magma bodies, emplaced beneath the deposit. To produce the observed thermal longevity of the porphyry system, magma bodies underlying the Bajo de la Alumbrera deposit must have been repeatedly replenished by new magma batches. Without replenishment, crystallization of the source magma will occur, and heat release will stop, leading to rapid cooling (in less than ten thousand years). The influx of deep-seated magma may have caused the development of late low-temperature hydrothermal alteration assemblages at Bajo de la Alumbrera, at the same time that mineralization formed at Agua Rica, some 25 km away. All available chronologic data for the Bajo de la Alumbrera deposit suggest that the hydrothermal system was active episodically over at least a three-million and possibly up to a four-million-year period. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Effect of tidal flooding on mortality of juvenile muskrats

The effect of tidal flooding on survival of juvenile muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) was investigated in a brackish marsh in Louisiana by examining 50 muskrat lodges each month from July 1984 to June 1985 and tidal data over a 19-yr period. Tide levels increased at a rate of 1.58 cm yr^?1 during the 19-yr period prior to the study, and during the study nest chambers in muskrat lodges were flooded on 43 d. Seventy-seven captured litters averaged 2.2±0.3 young per litter. older litters were less common than younger litters, but the number of young per litter did not differ among 5-d age classes, suggesting that mortality factors usually affected entire litters. The frequency of tidal flooding prior to opening of lodges each month was associated negatively with the number of litters and number of young per litter. If marsh subsidence and sea level rise continue, tidal flooding will become more prevalent and litter mortality will likely increase.     

Southern Kurile Islands/ Northern territories resource potential

The islands of the Habomai group, Shikotan, Kunashir and Iturup are claimed by both the Soviet Union and Japan. These islands are each entitled to an Exclusive Economic Zone. This paper examines the mineral and energy potential on these islands and in their maritime zones and the implications for resource allocation and management of different solutions to the islands question. Return of all four islands would mean the transfer of substantial titanium sand, sulfur and sulfide deposits, as well as extensive fishing grounds. Return of only the southern two would still entail a major transfer of fishing grounds but not known mineral deposits. Return of the southern two and joint development of the other two would give Japan significant fishing grounds and access to several economic mineral deposits.     

On the stability of the geostatistical method

A thorough geostatistical analysis of spatial data, observed at given spatial locations, includes exploratory data analysis, spatial-model building, diagnosing the model fit, and inference on unknown model parameters or unobserved values (at known locations). Using results from mathematical analysis, exact and asymptotic distribution theory, and simulation studies, we argue that, when used sensibly, the geostatistical method is reassuringly stable.     

Spatial prediction and ordinary kriging

Suppose data {Z(s _i ):i=1, ..., n} are observed at spatial locations {s _i :i=1, ..., n}. From these data, an unknownZ(s ₀) is to be predicted at a known locations ₀c, or, ifZ(s₀) has a component of measurement error, then a smooth versionS(s ₀) should be predicted. This article considers the assumptions needed to carry out the spatial prediction using ordinary kriging, and looks at how nugget effect, range, and sill of the variogram affect the predictor. It is concluded that certain commonly held interpretations of these variogram parameters should be modified.This paper was presented at MGUS 87 Conference, Redwood City, California, 14 April 1987.     

Review on carbon-based electrode materials for application in capacitive deionization process

Most of the electrochemical studies related to porous carbon electrodes are those which can be used for either electrostatic energy storage or for energy conversion [using electrical double layer capacitor (EDLC)]. The techniques, such as electrodialysis, membrane filtration, advanced oxidation process, thermal evaporation, can be used now-a-days to treat salty water. Among which, capacitive deionization (CDI) has emerged as a novel cost effective and environment friendly desalination technology. CDI process involves the removal of inorganic ions from the salty water by applying an electrical potential between two porous carbon electrodes. Because of the passage of electrical potentials in the system, the unwanted ions present in the water sample will be adsorbed on the electrode surfaces. Hence, the electrodes which are having high surface area can exhibit higher desalination capacity. In this article, the application of various carbon-based composite electrode materials such as activated carbon and PVDF composite, carbon–metal oxide composite, carbon–CNT composite, carbon–polymer composite and carbon sheet (carbon aerogel, activated carbon cloth) in CDI process is systematically reviewed and presented. CDI process is being developed now-a-days especially toward commercialization in treating the brackish water.     

Decadal prediction of Sahel rainfall: where does the skill (or lack thereof) come from?

Previous works suggest decadal predictions of Sahel rainfall could be skillful. However, the sources of such skill are still under debate. In addition, previous results are based on short validation periods (i.e. less than 50 years). In this work we propose a framework based on multi-linear regression analysis to study the potential sources of skill for predicting Sahel trends several years ahead. We apply it to an extended decadal hindcast performed with the MPI-ESM-LR model that span from 1901 to 2010 with 1 year sampling interval. Our results show that the skill mainly depends on how well we can predict the timing of the global warming (GW), the Atlantic multidecadal variability (AMV) and, to a lesser extent, the inter-decadal Pacific oscillation signals, and on how well the system simulates the associated SST and West African rainfall response patterns. In the case of the MPI-ESM-LR decadal extended hindcast, the observed timing is well reproduced only for the GW and AMV signals. However, only the West African rainfall response to the AMV is correctly reproduced. Thus, for most of the lead times the main source of skill in the decadal hindcast of West African rainfall is from the AMV. The GW signal degrades skill because the response of West African rainfall to GW is incorrectly captured. Our results also suggest that initialized decadal predictions of West African rainfall can be further improved by better simulating the response of global SST to GW and AMV. Furthermore, our approach may be applied to understand and attribute prediction skill for other variables and regions.

     

Ore and Alteration Types of the Gold and Copper Mineralization in the Lascogon Project, Surigao del Norte, Mindanao Island, Philippines

Two ore and three alteration types were identified in the Lascogon Project of Philex Gold Philippines, in Surigao del Norte, Mindanao Island, Philippines. The jasperoid ore is the host to the Carlin‐like gold mineralization in the Lascogon and Danao prospects. The ore occurs in a decalcified and silicified horizon, with minor chlorite and goethite, stibnite, pyrite and quartz crystals ranging from cryptocrystalline to botryoidal. The stringer–stockwork type Cu‐Au mineralization in the Suyoc prospect is hosted in argillized andesitic rocks of the Mabuhay Formation. The primary ore minerals are chalcopyrite with minor amounts of sphalerite. The alteration types identified are propylitic alteration, argillic alteration and silicification. The propylitized basaltic and andesitic flows of the Bacuag Formation bound the jasperoid mineralization in the Lascogon prospect. Stratigraphically, the relationship between propylitized basalts and stringer–stockwork Cu‐Au is not clear but a lateral change can be inferred from jasperoid in the center and stringer–stockwork towards the east.