Rank statistical analysis of nickel sulphide resources of the Norseman-Wiluna Greenstone Belt,Western Australia

Estimating the undiscovered mineral resources of a terrane is a challenging, yet essential, task in mineral exploration. We apply Zipf’s law rank statistical analysis to estimate the undiscovered nickel sulphide resources in the Norseman-Wiluna Greenstone Belt, Western Australia. The analysis suggests that about 3.0 to 10.0 Mt of nickel sulphide resources are yet to be discovered in this belt, compared to the currently known total nickel sulphide endowment of 10.8 Mt. This undiscovered nickel sulphide endowment is likely to be hosted by incompletely delineated deposits and undiscovered deposits in less explored komatiites in the belt. Using the more detailed data subset of the Kambalda domain, this study manipulates Zipf’s law to estimate the sizes of undiscovered deposits, in addition to the domain’s total nickel sulphide endowment estimate. Importantly, regression analysis shows that the gradient of the line of best fit through the logarithmic rank-size plot for the detailed Kambalda data subset is −1. This gradient, which is the key Zipf’s law constant k, has the value of −0.92 for the Norseman-Wiluna Greenstone Belt which is collectively less mature than the Kambalda domain. This result corroborates the use of k = −1 in Zipf’s law predictive analyses of mineral resources for deposit populations for which the value of k = −1 has not yet been attained due to exploration immaturity.     

Characterization,dissolution and solubility of the hydroxypyromorphite–hydroxyapatite solid solution [(Pb<Subscript>x</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>)<Subscript>5</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>OH] at 25 °C and pH 2–9

Background

The interaction between Ca-HAP and Pb²⁺ solution can result in the formation of a hydroxyapatite–hydroxypyromorphite solid solution [(Pb_xCa_1?x)₅(PO₄)₃(OH)], which can greatly affect the transport and distribution of toxic Pb in water, rock and soil. Therefore, it’s necessary to know the physicochemical properties of (Pb_xCa_1?x)₅(PO₄)₃(OH), predominantly its thermodynamic solubility and stability in aqueous solution. Nevertheless, no experiment on the dissolution and related thermodynamic data has been reported.

Results

Dissolution of the hydroxypyromorphite–hydroxyapatite solid solution [(Pb_xCa_1?x)₅(PO₄)₃(OH)] in aqueous solution at 25 °C was experimentally studied. The aqueous concentrations were greatly affected by the Pb/(Pb + Ca) molar ratios (X_Pb) of the solids. For the solids with high X_Pb [(Pb_0.89Ca_0.11)₅(PO₄)₃OH], the aqueous Pb²⁺ concentrations increased rapidly with time and reached a peak value after 240–720 h dissolution, and then decreased gradually and reached a stable state after 5040 h dissolution. For the solids with low X_Pb (0.00–0.80), the aqueous Pb²⁺ concentrations increased quickly with time and reached a peak value after 1–12 h dissolution, and then decreased gradually and attained a stable state after 720–2160 h dissolution.

Conclusions

The dissolution process of the solids with high X_Pb (0.89–1.00) was different from that of the solids with low X_Pb (0.00–0.80). The average K _sp values were estimated to be 10^?80.77±0.20 (10^?80.57–10^?80.96) for hydroxypyromorphite [Pb₅(PO₄)₃OH] and 10^?58.38±0.07 (10^?58.31–10^?58.46) for calcium hydroxyapatite [Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH]. The Gibbs free energies of formation (ΔG _f ^o ) were determined to be ?3796.71 and ?6314.63 kJ/mol, respectively. The solubility decreased with the increasing Pb/(Pb + Ca) molar ratios (X_Pb) of (Pb_xCa_1?x)₅(PO₄)₃(OH). For the dissolution at 25 °C with an initial pH of 2.00, the experimental data plotted on the Lippmann diagram showed that the solid solution (Pb_xCa_1?x)₅(PO₄)₃(OH) dissolved stoichiometrically at the early stage of dissolution and moved gradually up to the Lippmann solutus curve and the saturation curve for Pb₅(PO₄)₃OH, and then the data points moved along the Lippmann solutus curve from right to left. The Pb-rich (Pb_xCa_1?x)₅(PO₄)₃(OH) was in equilibrium with the Ca-rich aqueous solution.

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Graphical abstractLippmann diagrams for dissolution of the hydroxypyromorphite–hydroxyapatite solid solution [(Pb_xCa_1?x)₅(PO₄)₃OH] at 25??C and an initial pH of 2.00.

     

采用GPS精密单点定位技术实时确定舰船位置与姿态

文章采用静态模拟动态的手段,研究基于精密单点定位技术实时确定海上舰船位置和姿态的方法,并分析实时精密单点定位技术的定位定姿精度.研究表明:用精密单点定位技术进行实时动态定位,一般可获得2cm的平面定位精度和4cm左右的高程精度;在动态精密单点定位技术的定位精度一定的情况下,航向角的精度高于横滚角和俯仰角;真实动态观测值的随机误差比静态模拟的大,定位和定姿精度可能会有所降低.     

Features of coastal upwelling regions that determine net air-sea CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> flux

The influence of the coastal ocean on global net annual air-sea CO₂ fluxes remains uncertain. However, it is well known that air-sea pCO₂ disequilibria can be large (ocean pCO₂ ranging from ∼400 μatm above atmospheric saturation to ∼250 μatm below) in eastern boundary currents, and it has been hypothesized that these regions may be an appreciable net carbon sink. In addition it has been shown that the high productivity in these regions (responsible for the exceptionally low surface pCO₂) can cause nutrients and inorganic carbon to become more concentrated in the lower layer of the water column over the shelf relative to adjacent open ocean waters of the same density. This paper explores the potential role of the winter season in determining the net annual CO₂ flux in temperate zone eastern boundary currents, using the results from a box model. The model is parameterized and forced to represent the northernmost part of the upwelling region on the North American Pacific coast. Model results are compared to the few summer data that exist in that region. The model is also used to determine the effect that upwelling and downwelling strength have on the net annual CO₂ flux. Results show that downwelling may play an important role in limiting the amount of CO₂ outgassing that occurs during winter. Finally data from three distinct regions on the Pacific coast are compared to highlight the importance of upwelling and downwelling strength in determining carbon fluxes in eastern boundary currents and to suggest that other features, such as shelf width, are likely to be important.     

福建省洋源地区镁钠闪石的发现及成因探讨

根据电子探针分析成果结合矿物光性特征，在洋源南部万全岩群中浅变质岩中新发现蓝闪石类矿物－镁钠闪石，它产于闽西北与闽西南两大构造单元交接部位之南平－宁化构造岩浆岩带上，它的出现与四堡期－晋宁期构造作用密切相关，镁钠闪石的发现对于探讨该地区用至福建大地构造演化，具有一定意义。     

Decadal evolution of tidal flats and channels in the Outer Weser estuary,Germany

This study focuses on the medium scale morphodynamics of the tidal flat and channel system Fedderwarder Priel, located in the Outer Weser estuary (Wadden Sea, Germany). Tidal channels and adjacent flats are highly dynamic systems whose morphologic evolution are driven by tidal, wind, and wave forcings. These coastal environments are an important ecosystem and react to changes in hydrodynamic conditions in various spatial and temporal scales. Based on annual medium-resolution digital elevation models from 1998 to 2016, we describe changes in the surface area over depth with hypsometries and use vertical dynamic trends in order to analyze and visualize the morphologic evolution of the Fedderwarder Priel and adjacent tidal channels. It is shown that several intertidal flats rise in the order of 1.3 to 5.6 cm/year. The findings indicate that the Outer Weser estuary was not in an equilibrium state for the investigated period, and tidal flats accreted with a rate exceeding mean sea level rise.     

2012年欧亚寒冷天气过程与北极涛动异常活动的联系

利用NCEP/NCAR再分析资料和CPC逐日北极涛动(AO)指数资料,结合近30年欧亚地区地面气温年际异常变化的可能机理,分析了AO异常波动对2012年欧亚地区严寒天气过程的影响。结果表明,AO发生负异常波动对2012年1—2月欧亚地区异常寒冷天气起到至关重要的作用。AO在12月为正异常波动,次年1—2月则呈现负异常波动,其中1月中下旬至2月中旬的负异常波动过程比较显著。在AO负异常影响下,极涡面积增大,冷空气活动加强,中纬度纬向环流减弱而经向环流增强,造成冷、暖空气交换加剧,极地冷空气南下入侵到中纬度地区,从而导致欧亚大陆异常寒冷天气;同时,由北大西洋及地中海北上的暖湿气流,在遭遇冷空气阻碍后给西欧和南欧一些地区带来了大面积的雨雪天气。     

乌东德水电站大坝防渗帷幕成幕影响地质因素分析及处理措施

灌浆工程为地下隐蔽工程,其地质条件约束着实际的现场施工工艺,且不同地质条件对应不同的岩石属性,并将直接影响着防渗帷幕的优化设计,同时地质条件分析不足也将给整个灌浆工程带来很多不确定的风险。目前,地质条件预测在隧洞开挖过程中的研究较充分,但在灌浆工程中地质因素的研究较少。本文以乌东德水电站大坝防渗帷幕工程为例,分析了对防渗帷幕成幕有影响的岩溶、角砾岩、断层、岩层走向与帷幕走向大角度相交及长大结构面等地质因素,并针对不同地质因素的特点,提出了采取浓浆回填、灌浆孔加密加深、灌浆压力及浆材动态调整等处理措施,为帷幕灌浆工程优化提供了必要支持。     

Zircon U–Pb ages and O–Nd isotopic composition of basement rocks in the North Qinling Terrain, central China: evidence for provenance and evolution

The Qinling Group was previously interpreted as the oldest Precambrian basement unit of the North Qinling Terrain, recording its formation and early crustal evolution. The Qinling Group consists predominantly of gneisses, amphibolites, and marbles, which underwent multi-phase deformation and metamorphism. In order to better constrain the provenance and tectonic setting of this group and the evolution of the North Qinling orogenic belt, in situ U–Pb dating and oxygen isotopic analysis of zircons in combination with whole-rock geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotope analysis was performed on the two dominant rock types, amphibolite and felsic gneiss. Felsic gneisses exhibit enrichment of LREEs and LILEs (Rb, Ba, Th, K, Pb), negative Eu anomalies and depletion of HFSEs (Nb, Ta, P, Ti). The rocks have slightly elevated δ¹⁸O values (6.5–9.3 ‰) and initial ε _Nd values of ?4.6 corresponding to two-stage Nd model age of 1.99 Ga. Amphibolites are also enriched in LILEs and LREEs and depleted in Nb and Ta and have homogeneous δ¹⁸O values (5.0–6.0 ‰), but higher initial ε _Nd values (2.8–3.3) and younger two-stage Nd model ages (1.29–1.24 Ga) compared to the gneisses. The zircon age record indicates that the gneisses and amphibolites were formed in a ~960 Ma volcanic arc environment rather than in a rift setting as previously suggested. A major metamorphic event took place during the Early Paleozoic. Based on the age spectrum of detrital zircons, the Qinling Group is interpreted as an autonomous geological unit, which was mainly derived mostly from 1,000 to 900 Ma old granitoid rocks. The North Qinling Terrain can be regarded as a remnant of the Grenville orogenic belt with an early Neoproterozoic evolution different from that of the North and South China blocks.     

P-Ⅲ、对数P-Ⅲ和GL分布线型比较研究

以淮河和珠江流域为研究对象,收集了淮河18个和珠江16个水文站19512010年长系列日流量资料。通过年极大值取样,应用线性矩法估计参数,比较分析了P-Ⅲ、对数P-Ⅲ和GL分布曲线在两个流域洪水频率分析计算情况。研究结果表明,对于小概率事件,在这两个流域对数P-Ⅲ和GL分布曲线设计洪水值要大于P-Ⅲ曲线分布计算的值,而通过误差分析,P-Ⅲ曲线的误差整体上小于对数P-Ⅲ曲线。