Characterization of a chalcopyrite from Brazil by Mössbauer spectroscopy and other physicochemical techniques

We studied a chalcopyrite from a Cu ore deposit in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, by Mössbauer spectroscopy at room temperature and 110 K. Supporting methods to check for sample purity and to characterize further sample properties were slow-scanning X-ray powder diffraction and optical and microprobe analyses of polished sections of selected grains. Chemical analyses obtained using a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer showed the sample to consist of homogeneous and essentially stoichiometric chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂). Mössbauer spectra taken at both the above temperatures consist of asymmetric magnetically ordered patterns with unequal intensities of the line pairs 1–6 and 2–5, pointing to the existence of non-equivalent or multiple Fe sites. Least-squares fittings evidenced that the resonance intensity ratio of subspectrum with lower quadrupole shift (indicative of a more symmetric environment) to that with higher shift is 69:31, at room temperature, and 68:32, at 110 K. Rietveld refinement of the XRD data indicates the existence of tetragonal [a = 0.52855(1) and c = 1.0412(1) nm] and cubic [a ₀ = 0.5273(2) nm] modifications in a proportion of 74:26, in good agreement with the Mössbauer data. The saturation magnetization of the sample was 32.7 J/(T kg), confirming the oxidation state of Fe as trivalent and pointing to little to no spin canting.     

Structural evolution of the contact between two Penninic nappes (Zermatt-Saas zone and Combin zone,Western Alps) and implications for the exhumation mechanism and palaeogeography

The boundary zone between two Penninic nappes, the eclogite-facies to ultrahigh-pressure Zermatt-Saas zone in the footwall and the blueschist-facies Combin zone in the hanging wall, has been interpreted previously as a major normal fault reflecting synorogenic crustal extension. Quartz textures of mylonites from this fault were measured using neutron diffraction. Together with structural field observations, the data allow a refined reconstruction of the kinematic evolution of the Pennine nappes. The main results are: (1) the contact is not a normal fault but a major thrust towards northwest which was only later overprinted by southeast-directed normal faulting; (2) exhumation of the footwall rocks did not occur during crustal extension but during crustal shortening; (3) the Sesia-Dent Blanche nappe system originated from a continental fragment (Cervinia) in the Alpine Tethys ocean, and the Combin zone ophiolites from the ocean basin southeast of Cervinia; (4) out-of-sequence thrusting played a major role in the tectonic evolution of the Penninic nappes. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Discrete element modeling of transversely isotropic rocks with non-continuous planar fabrics under Brazilian test

Acta Geotechnica - A new numerical approach based on the particle discrete element method (PDEM) is developed to investigate the mechanical behavior of transversely isotropic rocks with...     

Research on Relationship Between Fluorine in Tap Water and That in Urine of Chinese Residents

In this study, the relationship between fluorine in drinking water and that in urine of urban residents in China is assessed. Fluorine concentrations in tap water and those in urine show a good correlation with a linear regression coefficient of 0. 9798, indicating that the fluorine concentrations in big cities under investigation are extremely low, and the main source of fluorine is tap water. The weather effect on the intake amount of fluorine is also discussed. When air temperature is above 15℃, people would intake more fluorine through drinking water with the rise of air temperature. When temperature is below 15℃, no remarkable relationship is observed between air temperature and the intake amount of fluorine. This phenomenon indicates that the main source of fluorine in China is tap water instead of foodstuff.     

The distribution, sources and toxicity risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and n-alkanes in riverine and estuarine core sediments from the Daliao River watershed

The burial characteristics and toxicity risks associated with n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the riverine and estuarine sediments of the Daliao River watershed were investigated based on three sediment cores. The sum of the n-alkane and PAH concentrations, normalized to organic carbon (OC), ranged from 0.27 to 63.09 μg g^?1OC^?1 and 6.60 to 366.20 μg g^?1OC^?1, respectively. The features and the history of industrial activities, such as the oil and chemical industries and port activities near the river and estuary, resulted in different distributions and sources of hydrocarbons. The sources of pollution were identified based on n-alkane indexes and on diagnostic ratios of PAHs. The diagnostic ratios indicated that the n-alkanes were derived from both biogenic and petrogenic sources in different proportions and that the PAHs were derived primarily from petrogenic combustion sources. A hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the core samples into two clusters. The first cluster, river sediments, corresponded to industrial activities; the second cluster, estuarine sediments, corresponded to port shipping activities. The toxic potency of the PAHs in the cores was assessed in terms of toxic equivalents (TEQs) of dibenzo[a,h]anthracene and benzo[a]pyrene. The top layer of the sediment in the cores had a relatively high toxicity. The TEQ values for benzo(a)pyrene (TEQ_BaP) and dioxins (TEQ_TCDD) furnished a consistent assessment of the PAHs in the sediment cores.     

西昆仑塔什库尔干布伦阔勒群的岩石地球化学特征及变质P-T轨迹

西昆仑布伦阔勒群变质岩是西昆仑造山带的重要组成部分,但其成因一直存在争议.在塔什库尔干县的马尔洋地区,布伦阔勒群主要由石榴斜长角闪片麻岩和孔兹岩组成.根据地球化学特征,石榴斜长角闪片麻岩稀土元素配分曲线可以分为两种类型:一种稀土总量较高(∑REE=190.2×10-6 ～ 359.1×10-6),从轻稀土到重稀土逐渐亏损((La/Yb)N =4.28～5.79),与E-MORB类似;另一种稀土总量较低(∑REE=89.28×10-6～113.0×10-6),轻稀土亏损((La/Yb)N=0.59 ～0.84),重稀土曲线平坦((Gd/Yb)N =0.99 ～ 1.07),与N-MORB类似.微量元素蛛网图中石榴斜长角闪片麻岩具有Ba正异常,Sm、Cr、Zr、Hf和Ti的负异常,轻微的Nb、Ta的负异常,显示为岛弧拉斑玄武岩的特征.孔兹岩的原岩判别图解显示其原岩可能为岛弧环境沉积的页岩和硬砂岩.因此,推测塔什库尔干布伦阔勒群的石榴斜长角闪片麻岩和孔兹岩的原岩形成于岛弧环境.根据岩相学观察、矿物化学分析和温压计算,石榴斜长角闪片麻岩经历了三个变质阶段:M1为高压变质阶段,矿物组合为Grt+ Hbl(1)+ Pl1+ Qtz,变质温压条件为850～ 870℃/12.9 ～13.3kb;M2和M3为两期角闪岩相退变质阶段,矿物组合分别为Hbl2+ Pl2+Qtz和Hbl3+ Pl3+ Kfs+ Bt+ Qtz,变质温压条件分别为730 ～ 770℃/7.3～7.8kb和680 ～ 740℃/4.7 ～5.7kb.孔兹岩也经历了三个变质阶段,推测其早期M1阶段变质温压条件可能与石榴斜长角闪片麻岩的峰期变质阶段相同(850～870℃/12.9 ～ 13.3kb);峰期M2和峰期后M3阶段变质矿物组合分别为Grt2+ Pl2+ Bt2+ Sil+ Qtz和Grt3+ Pl3+ Bt3+Sil+ Mus+ Qtz,温压计算结果分别为800～830℃/7.9～9.2kb和670～700℃/5.1～5.6kb.孔兹岩的M1、M2和M3变质阶段对应于石榴斜长角闪片麻岩的M1、M2和M3变质阶段.上述温压计算结果形成顺时针的P-T轨迹,表现为峰期高压变质作用后叠加了由高角闪岩相-中压麻粒岩相到低角闪岩相的退变质作用,反映了西昆仑与碰撞相关的大地构造背景,这可能与海西期古特提斯洋的闭合有关,之后叠加了印支期构造抬升过程中的剪切作用.     

Investigation of manganese tolerance and accumulation of two Mn hyperaccumulators Phytolacca americana L. and Polygonum hydropiper L. in the real Mn-contaminated soils near a manganese mine

Up to date, very few studies have examined the phytoextraction ability of hyperaccumulators in the real soils contaminated with heavy metals following the identification of the hyperaccumulators using hydroponics tests. In the present study, amended with a chemical-mobilizing agent of ethylene diamine triacetic acid (EDTA), the manganese accumulation, tolerance and the hyperaccumulating ability of two hyperaccumulators Phytolacca americana L. (Phytolaccaceae) and Polygonum hydropiper L. (Polygonaceae) proved by previous hydroponics tests were examined using pot experiments with paddy soils contaminated with Mn (1,047 ± 53 mg kg^?1) collected from one site in the vicinity of one manganese mine in Xiushan county of Chongqing, China. Results showed that the root and shoot biomass of P. americana and the chlorophyll production of P. hydropiper were significantly inhibited by EDTA treatments while the chlorophyll production of P. americana was oppositely obviously promoted by EDTA. It is noteworthy that, with or without EDTA treatment, the shoot Mn concentrations of both plant species were significantly below the hyperaccumulator threshold, indicating these two plants concealed their hyperaccumulating ability in the studied soils. Thus, further detailed studies need to be conducted to promote the metal hyperaccumulating capacity of these two plant species under comparably low Mn-contaminated soil conditions as shown in this study before the successful application of these Mn hyperaccumulators identified in laboratories to the phytoextraction of lightly or moderately Mn-contaminated agricultural soils.     

High-resolution profiles of iron, manganese, cobalt, cadmium, copper and zinc in the pore water of estuarine sediment

The remobilization of iron, manganese, cobalt, cadmium, copper and zinc in the pore water of estuarine sediment cores at Yingkou was assessed using diffusive equilibrium in thin films and diffusive gradients in thin films techniques. A relatively anoxic system (+33.7 to ?224.1 mV) in the sediment cores might cause the reductive release of iron, manganese and cobalt into pore water from the estuarine sediment. High-average concentrations of iron (47.85 μg ml^?1) and manganese (3.81 μg ml^?1) were observed using diffusive equilibrium in thin films on the sediment core, but the concentration of cobalt (18.02 ng ml^?1) was relatively low. A strong correlation between iron and cobalt was observed based on the vertical profiles of the metals. Manganese and iron were more readily released from the solid phase to the solution. The peak cobalt, copper and zinc concentrations were observed in the upper layer (2–4 cm) measured using diffusive gradients in thin films. However, the peak iron, manganese and cobalt concentrations were located in the deeper layer (≥7 cm). In addition, the concentration profiles measured using diffusive gradients in thin films of cobalt, copper and zinc were independent of the iron, manganese and cobalt distribution with respect to depth.     

四川石棉县首次发现独特的自然铂矿床

攀西地区大片前震旦纪结晶基底杂岩中产出有众多的前晋宁期层状侵入体，其间可见钒钛磁铁矿化，铬铁矿化，最近在石棉境内新发现一处含铂矿化体呈层状，网脉状产于层状侵入体中，且多以自然铂单矿物存在。伴生主要矿物为磁铁矿，钛铁矿，黄铁矿，黄铜矿等。初步认为该矿床类型属产于层状铁质基性-超基性岩与铜硫化物-钡钛磁铁矿有关的构造-热液再活化型自然铂矿床。     

The Taihua group on the southern margin of the North China craton: further insights from U–Pb ages and Hf isotope compositions of zircons

The "Taihua Group" is a collective term for a series of old terranes scattered along the southern margin of the North China Craton. The timing of formation and thermal overprinting of the Taihua Group have long been contentious, and its relationship with the Qinling orogenic belt has been unclear. In this study, new data from integrated in-situ U–Pb dating and Hf isotope analysis of zircons from an amphibolite (from the Xiong’ershan terrane) and a biotite gneiss (from the Lantian-Xiaoqinling terrane) indicate that the Upper Taihua Group formed during the Paleoproterozoic (2.3–2.5 Ga) and thus was originally part of the southern edge of North China Craton, detached during the Mesozoic Qinling orogeny and displaced about 100 km north from its original location. This suggests that the Taihua Group became part of the tectonic terrane associated with the Qinling orogeny and now forms part of the overthrust basement section of the Qinling belt. Before the Qinling orogeny, the Taihua Group was metamorphosed at 2.1 Ga. The initial Hf-isotope compositions of zircons, together with positive εNd(t) values for the whole-rocks, imply that the original magmas were derived from a juvenile source with some assimilation of an Archean crustal component.