Preliminary data on chemical changes in the Aral Sea during low-level periods from the last 9000 years

The withdrawal of the Aral Sea tributaries (Amu and Syr Daria) for cultures has led to significant falls of its level and an important increase in its salinity. During the Holocene, a succession of low and high water inputs occurred. Silty deposits correspond to the high levels and carbonates to the low levels. This study makes a distinction between the Syr Daria and the Amu Daria water inputs during low-level periods by using mineralogical and chemical compositions of the carbonates deposits. Waters from the Syr Daria are more sulphatic and have a low iron content in comparison with that of the Amu Daria. The Syr Daria was the major tributary around 7500, 4956 and 970 yr?BP, whereas around 6200 and 3610 yr?BP, inflow also from the Amu Daria is observed. To cite this article: L. Le Callonnec et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).     

Arsenic and lead mobility: From tailing materials to the aqueous compartment

This study concerns the mineralogy of the tailings of a former Ag–Pb mine (Auzelles district, France) and the contribution of the waste materials to the heavy metal dissemination in the environment. Accumulation of metals in fish flesh was reported and this pollution is attributed to past mining activities. Tailings were studied to establish the major transfer schemes of As and Pb in order to understand their mobility that leads to contamination of a whole ecosystem. Mineralogical investigation, solubility and compliance tests were performed to assess the stability of the metal-bearing phases. Among the various metallic elements measured, As and Pb show the highest bulk concentrations (up to 0.7% and 6.3% respectively) especially for samples presenting near neutral pH values. According to X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDX), Electron Probe Micro-Analysis (EPMA) and micro-Raman spectrometry (μRS), tailings mineralogy still contain primary minerals such as sulfides (e.g., galena, pyrite), phosphates (monazite, apatite) and/or carbonates (e.g., (hydro-)cerussite, dolomite, siderite). Sulfates (e.g., anglesite, lanarkite, plumbojarosite and beudantite) are the main secondary metal-bearing phases with other interesting phases accounting for metals mobility such as Fe and/or Pb and/or Mn oxides (e.g., lepidocrocite, goethite -up to 15 wt% of Pb was measured-, plumboferrite-type phase, mimetite). The lowest Pb solubilities were obtained at pH 8–9 and at a larger range than for As for which the lowest solubilities are reached around pH 6–7. At this minimum solubility pH value, Pb concentrations released still over exceed the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS), whatever the samples. The highest solubility is reached at pH 2 for both elements whatever the considered sample. This represents up to 51% of total Pb and up to 46% of total As remobilized and concentrations exceeding the NEQS. As and Pb released mainly depends on the Fe/Mn oxides (e.g., goethite, lepidocrocite) and carbonates (cerussite) which are the less stable phases. Compliance tests also show that Pb concentrations released are higher than the upper limit for hazardous waste landfills. Determination of the mineralogy allows understanding both the solubility and leaching test experiments results, as well as to forecast the impact of the residues on the water quality at a mid-term scale.     

四川会理天宝山矿床深部新发现铜矿与铅锌矿的成因关系探讨

天宝山矿床是川滇黔接壤铅锌矿集区内的代表性铅锌矿床之一,赋存于上震旦统灯影组白云岩中。近年来,该矿床深部发现了以铜为主的矿化,甚至形成铜矿体。目前,对铜矿成因及其与铅锌矿的关系尚不清晰。本文报道新发现铜矿的矿物学和同位素地球化学资料,以期揭示铜矿的成矿物质来源,结合铅锌矿的相关研究,探讨铜矿形成机制及其与铅锌矿的成因关系。镜下观察和扫描电镜分析显示,铜矿石中主要金属矿物为黄铜矿和银黝铜矿,其次为方铅矿和毒砂,含少量闪锌矿和黄铁矿;铅锌矿石中闪锌矿是主要金属矿物,方铅矿和黄铁矿次之,含少量黄铜矿和深红银矿。铜矿石中闪锌矿主要呈半自形-他形粒状,与黄铜矿共生或被其包裹,方铅矿主要呈细脉状充填在黄铜矿、银黝铜矿和毒砂的裂隙中或呈他形粒状分布在这些矿物中;铅锌矿石中黄铜矿主要呈浸染状分布于闪锌矿之中。两类矿石金属矿物的组构特征,显示铜矿物与铅锌矿物具有密切的共生、穿插和包裹关系,应属同期成矿。同位素地球化学数据显示,铜矿石中黄铜矿的δ34SCDT值为3.9‰~4.2‰(均值为4.1‰,n=3),铅锌矿石闪锌矿的δ34SCDT值为3.3‰~3.9‰(均值为3.5‰,n=3),十分相近,暗示它们具有相似的S源,应均属赋矿地层海相蒸发岩中硫酸盐热化学还原作用的产物。铜矿石中黄铜矿的~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb=18.441~18.476(均值为18.461,n=3),~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb=15.731~15.751(均值为15.741,n=3),~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb=38.809~38.873(均值为38.849,n=3),μ=9.72~9.76;铅锌矿石中方铅矿的~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb=18.442~18.480(均值为18.455,n=3),~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb=15.746~15.763(均值为15.752,n=3),~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb=38.793~38.892(均值为38.840,n=3),μ=9.75~9.78。两者具有相近的Pb同位素组成且其壳源特征明显,表明它们的成矿金属来源相似,均来自上地壳,与赋矿沉积岩有关。综上,矿物学和同位素地球化学证据表明,天宝山矿床深部新发现铜矿与铅锌矿具有明显的同期共生关系和相似的成矿物质来源,是同一成矿热液体系不同阶段演化的产物。天宝山铜铅锌矿床与MVT矿床的成矿特征不同,暗示其成矿作用(环境)特殊,可能与矿床所处的地质背景有关,其成因认识对川滇黔接壤区同类型矿床深部找铜矿具有重要的指导意义。     

Stratigraphy,geochemistry, and thermoluminescence ages of lower Mississippi Valley loess

Four periods of loess deposition in the Lower Mississippi Valley can be identified on the basis of geochemical and mineralogical criteria, radiocarbon dating, and thermoluminescence dating. These are designated Loess Units 1,2,3, and 4 in order of increasing age. Carbonate-rich Unit 1 loess comprises more than 70 per cent of the thickness of the loess profiles. ¹⁴C and TL dates indicate this loess was deposited between 9 000 and 20 000 years ago. A maximum sedimentation rate of 2.17 mm yr^?1 has been recorded near Vicksburg just after the last Laurentide glacial maximum, between 17 190 and 15 580 years ago. The Unit 2 loess, which is thin and partly decalcified, was deposited slowly between about 25 000 and 20 000 years ago. The Unit 3 and Unit 4 loess formations, which are both highly weathered, have yielded TL ages of 76 000–85 000 years and 119 000- > 132 000 years, suggesting they were deposited during the Altonian Substage of the early Wisconsinan and the Illinoian glacial stage respectively. The four loess units are stratigraphically equivalent to the Peoria, Farmdale, Roxana, and Loveland loess formations previously recognized in Illinois. The source of dust in both areas was glacial outwash in the Mississippi Valley. During interglacials and interstadials, when the supply of glacial debris was reduced and the Mississippi River changed from a braided to a meandering regime, dust sedimentation in southern Mississippi virtually ceased, allowing weathering and pedogenesis to proceed.     

Late Quaternary-Holocene lake-level changes in the eastern margin of the Thar Desert,India

A study on two closed salt lake basins, Tal Chapar and Parihara in the eastern margin of the Thar Desert, Rajasthan, was carried out to unravel late Quaternary geomorphic evolution of these saline lakes. Both lakes are elliptical in shape bordered by stabilised dunes, and are oriented in a NE-SW direction, i.e., in the direction of the prevailing summer monsoon wind. Both lakes have been formed in the wind-shadow zones of isolated hills of Precambrian quartzite. Our study indicates that the late Quaternary sediments in the lakes began with the cyclic deposition of laminated fine silt layers (0.5 m thick), rich in organic matter, alternating with ripple cross-bedded sand layers (each ∼1.5–2 m thick). Sand layers that are moderately sorted are separated by laminated silt-clay layers with gypsum/calcite and this unit occurs in the upper most 4 m sequence in deeper sections. The presence of gypsum crystals within the laminated sediments suggests a high concentration of Ca in the inflowing water. At Parihara Lake the organic carbon-rich sediments at 95 cm depth was dated to 7,375 + 155/−150 year BP. At Tal Chapar radiocarbon dates of 7,190 + 155/−150 and 9,903 + 360/−350 was obtained from the sediments rich in organic carbon occurring at a depth of 1.35 m and 1.80 m, respectively. The study reveals strong hydrologic oscillations during the past ∼14,000 year BP (13,090 + 310/−300 year BP). Quaternary geomorphic processes, especially the strong aeolian processes during dry climatic phases, played a major role in the formation of the lake basins, as well as the fringing linear dunes. Geochemical and mineralogical analyses of the lacustrine sediments, supported by radiocarbon dates indicate the existence of an ephemeral lake earlier than ∼13,000 year BP as sediments began to be deposited in a lacustrine environment implying sustained runoff in the catchments. A freshwater lake formed between 9,000 year and 7,000 year BP. The lake dried periodically and this strong fluctuating regime continued until about ∼7,000 year BP. Mid-Holocene was wet and this was possibly due to higher winter rains A saline lake existed between 6,000 year and 1,300 year BP and finally present day semi arid conditions set in since 1,200 year BP. Remnants of a habitation site (hearth and charred bones) on stabilised dune at Devani near Tal Chapar were dated to 240 ± 120 year, while that at Gopalpura was dated to 335 ± 90 year. These historical sites on stabilised dunes were, according to the local accounts, settlements of people who used the lake brine for manufacturing salt.     

南乌拉尔玛克苏托夫榴辉岩蓝片岩杂岩体的岩石学

玛克苏托夫 (Maksyutov)榴辉岩是乌拉尔—昆仑—祁连—秦岭—大别山元古代褶皱带之一部分。榴辉岩呈团块或布丁夹于片麻岩内 ,由于显生宙与花岗岩侵入有关的退变质叠加影响 ,时代变化自元古代至下古生代。榴辉岩矿物组分恒定但不同程度受绿帘蓝片岩相退变质叠加 ,榴辉岩中石榴石以富铁为主 (f=50 %～ 75% ) ;单斜辉石为绿辉石 Jd40 .3～ 52 .2。据 Krogh石榴子石—单斜辉石温度计 ,榴辉岩形成温度为 1 0 60～ 686℃ ,压力为 2 2 .3× 1 0 5～ 1 4.1 6× 1 0 5k Pa;PT轨迹具岩浆 (榴辉岩浆 )自上地幔向下地壳上侵的特点。     

Aggregate production: Fines generation during rock crushing

The energy required to crush rocks is proportional to the amount of new surface area that is created; hence, a very important percentage of the energy consumed to produce construction aggregates is spent in producing non-commercial fines. Data gathered during visits to quarries, an extensive survey and laboratory experiments are used to explore the role of mineralogy and fracture mode in fines production during the crushing of single aggregates and aggregates within granular packs. Results show that particle-level loading conditions determine the failure mode, resulting particle shape and fines generation. Point loading (both single particles and grains in loose packings) produces clean fractures and a small percentage of fines. In choked operations, high inter-particle coordination controls particle-level loading conditions, causes micro-fractures on new aggregate faces and generates a large amount of fines. The generation of fines increases when shear is imposed during crushing. Aggregates produced in current crushing operations show the effects of multiple loading conditions and fracture modes. Results support the producers' empirical observations that the desired cubicity of aggregates is obtained at the expense of increased fines generation when standard equipment is used.     

Mineral chemistry constraints on the evolution of the 1.88–1.87 Ga post-kinematic granite plutons in the Central Finland Granitoid Complex

A suite of post-kinematic, 1.88–1.87 Ga, silicic plutons crosscut 1.89–1.88 Ga synkinematic granitoids in the Central Finland Granitoid Complex (CFGC) in south-central Finland. The plutons range from biotite±hornblende quartz monzonite to syenogranite and include pyroxene- and olivine-bearing varieties. Mineral chemical data on feldspars, biotite, amphibole, pyroxenes, olivine, and oxides of the post-kinematic plutons are presented. The data are interpreted to show that these plutons register (1) a considerable range in pressure from 2–4 kbar (amphibole barometry) to 5–7 kbar (olivine–pyroxene barometry), (2) temperatures mostly reflecting resetting during cooling (450–800°C; QUIlF thermometry), and (3) low fO₂ (log fO₂ ΔFMQ −0.3 to −1.5; QUIlF equilibria). In particular, plutons with olivine- and pyroxene-bearing margins and amphibole-dominated central parts record progressive oxidation and hydration upon cooling, shifting from the QUIlF equilibrium toward KUIlB. The post-kinematic granites can be considered post-collisional in regard to compressional events in the CFGC and display many of the characteristics of the anorogenic 1.6 Ga rapakivi granites further south. They were presumably derived from a deep and dry crustal source, like the rapakivi granites.     

Intracrystalline lipids within sulfates from the Haughton Impact Structure—Implications for survival of lipids on Mars

Lipids can be present within gypsum as intracrystalline inclusions if they become incorporated within the mineral as is it precipitates. The lipids that comprise these inclusions are protected against alteration or destruction by an external oxidising chemical environment because a protective mineral matrix surrounds them. Sulfate minerals are abundant on the surface of Mars and were present in the samples that were analysed by the Viking landers. The quantities of secondary intracrystalline fossil-lipids that are present in samples of gypsum and gypsum-rich soils from the Haughton Impact Structure, Devon Island, Canadian High Arctic are sufficient to suggest that if a similar concentration of fossil lipids was present in the sulfate-rich samples analysed by the Viking Landers then they could have been detected. Possible reasons why a secondary fossil-lipid signature was not detected include a poor rate of conversion during pyrolysis, exposure of intracrystalline lipids during periods of weathering to oxidative martian diagenesis, a low level of biological productivity or an absence of a source for lipids on the surface of Mars. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of meteoritic origin, and terpane biomarkers such as hopanes and steranes, are not present in the Haughton gypsum in sufficient quantities to have been readily detected.