Geological and geochemical examination of arsenic contamination in groundwater in the Holocene Terai Basin, Nepal

Geological and geochemical study has been carried out to investigate arsenic contamination in groundwater in Nawalparasi, the western Terai district of Nepal. The work carried out includes analyses of core sediments, provenance study by rare earth elements analyses, ¹⁴C dating, and water analyses. Results showed that distribution of the major and trace elements are not homogeneous in different grain size sediments. Geochemical characteristics and sediment assemblages of the arsenic contaminated (Nawalparasi) and uncontaminated (Bhairahawa) area have been compared. Geochemical compositions of sediments from both the areas are similar; however, water chemistry and sedimentary facies vary significantly. Extraction test of sediment samples showed significant leaching of arsenic and iron. Chemical reduction and contribution from organic matter could be a plausible explanation for the arsenic release in groundwater from the Terai sediments.     

From extension to shortening: Dating the onset of the Brasiliano Orogeny in eastern Borborema Province (NE Brazil)

In pre-drift reconstructions, the central and southern parts of the Borborema Province, northeastern Brazil, belong to a large Brasiliano-Pan-African orogenic realm situated to the north of the São Francisco-Congo Craton. In order to better understand the timing and geodynamic setting under which this orogenic system developed, a structural, geochemical and geochronological study was conducted across the east Pernambuco shear zone (EPSZ) system, which separates the Pernambuco-Alagoas Domain (PEAL) from the Central Domain. A sample of the Pinhões orthogneiss (GE-1), in the Central Domain, one sample of a syenitic orthogneiss (CA-34) wrapped by the EPSZ, and one sample of orthogneiss named Altinho (CA-40), in the northern portion of the PEAL, were dated by LA-ICP-MS. The Pinhões orthogneiss yielded an age of 869 ± 9 Ma, interpreted as the emplacement age of the protolith during a late Tonian magmatic episode. Samples CA-40 and CA-34 yielded ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U weighted mean ages of 652 ± 6 Ma and 636 ± 3 Ma, respectively, which are interpreted as dating emplacement and crystallization of the magmatic protoliths. However, it is also possible that these rocks were formed during the same magmatic event in view of the identical ages of 646 ± 13 Ma and 646 ± 11 Ma, respectively, given by the less precise upper intercept of the discordia lines. The metaluminous and magnesian nature of the Altinho orthogneiss is akin to the calc-alkalic suite. However, some samples plot in the intraplate field in tectonic discrimination diagrams and the Nd T_DM model age of 1.36 Ga is unlike that of juvenile magmas in convergent settings. The Altinho orthogneiss is quite similar in terms of trace elements geochemistry to the syenitic orthogneiss, which has a clearer intraplate affinity, and the dated samples have identical initial Sr isotope ratios (0.7047). Therefore, emplacement in an extensional setting is preferred over a convergent one. Two samples of paragneisses (SB-1 and BB-9) from the PEAL were also dated. The ages of the youngest zircon grains in sample BB-9 (655–642 Ma) overlap the crystallization age of the Altinho orthogneiss, implying that sedimentation is younger than or, at best, synchronous with magmatism. The age of low Th/U grains in samples CA-34 (615 ± 8 Ma) and SB-1 (587 ± 12 Ma) are related to a subsequent metamorphic overprint, which is loosely constrained between 580 and 620 Ma. These observations, combined with evidence provided by previous studies, suggest that the change from an extensional to a contracional setting occurred at ca. 640–630 Ma. In contrast with most collisional orogens, where a long period of oceanic subduction precedes collision, the inferred tectonic evolution suggests that the Brasiliano Orogeny resulted from inversion of continental and/or proto oceanic rifts.     

基于等高线隔断线确定DEM适宜分辨率的方法研究

分辨率是等高线数据插值生成格网DEM数据过程中需要考虑的一个重要参数,适宜的分辨率既能将等高线高程信息尽可能保留,又不会因插值造成数据冗余及误差。基于对格网DEM生成方式的理解,提出了等高线隔断线的相关概念,分析了基于地形图矢量化的等高线数据插值生成格网DEM数据,由不同长度等高线隔断线频率统计来确定格网适宜分辨率参考值的方法。同时,不同长度等高线隔断线的长度与其频率相乘得到标准长度,以及等高线隔断线中心点生成的密度分析图,均可在频率特征决定适宜分辨率参考值时起到一定的参考作用。通过样区实验验证,实现简便,可度量性强,与其他相关研究具有一致性,对确定适宜格网分辨率参考值具有一定的借鉴意义。     

SAR图像海岸线检测的区域距离正则化几何主动轮廓模型

合成孔径雷达(SAR)卫星遥感图像可以极大地提高全国海岸线覆盖频率,然而受到海洋波浪所引起的随机海水表面粗糙度的影响,海岸目标与海水背景边界易混淆不清,因此本文提出了基于区域距离正则化几何主动轮廓模型(RDRGAC),引入距离正则项,解决重复初始化水平集函数为符号距离函数的问题,提高了算法收敛速度。此外,将区域面积项系数与SAR图像等效视数(ENL)建立非线性拟合关系,实现RDRGAC模型根据不同SAR遥感图像的自适应调整,改善海岸线自动提取精度。通过河北省北戴河和大连市金州湾SAR数据海岸线提取对比试验,验证了所提方法的有效性。     

热红外与可见光数据的云边缘高度匹配

高分辨率数据中云高度的差异性突显,特别是边缘处高度在云阴影识别和地表辐射估算等方面成为需要考虑的重要因素。热红外数据获取云高度分辨率较低、缺乏细部差异性特征,为解决这一问题,首先将对应的热红外和可见光数据进行特征点配准,再将基于热红外数据计算的云高度重采样至高分辨率,然后以基于欧式距离变换的围线搜索方法及距离加权将热红外云边缘高度匹配至对应的可见光图像,最后根据云阴影的相似度匹配方法确定真实云高度。结果表明,算法在遵循热红外云高信息分布变化规律的同时,可以得到较准确的高分辨率云边缘高度,一定程度上解决了热红外技术获取云高在分辨率上的局限,扩展了其在云高反演方面的作用。     

Predictive geochemical mapping using environmental correlation

The distribution of chemical elements at and near the Earth's surface, the so-called critical zone, is complex and reflects the geochemistry and mineralogy of the original substrate modified by environmental factors that include physical, chemical and biological processes over time.Geochemical data typically is illustrated in the form of plan view maps or vertical cross-sections, where the composition of regolith, soil, bedrock or any other material is represented. These are primarily point observations that frequently are interpolated to produce rasters of element distributions. Here we propose the application of environmental or covariate regression modelling to predict and better understand the controls on major and trace element geochemistry within the regolith. Available environmental covariate datasets (raster or vector) representing factors influencing regolith or soil composition are intersected with the geochemical point data in a spatial statistical correlation model to develop a system of multiple linear correlations. The spatial resolution of the environmental covariates, which typically is much finer (e.g. ∼90 m pixel) than that of geochemical surveys (e.g. 1 sample per 10-10,000 km²), carries over to the predictions. Therefore the derived predictive models of element concentrations take the form of continuous geochemical landscape representations that are potentially much more informative than geostatistical interpolations.Environmental correlation is applied to the Sir Samuel 1:250,000 scale map sheet in Western Australia to produce distribution models of individual elements describing the geochemical composition of the regolith and exposed bedrock. As an example we model the distribution of two elements – chromium and sodium. We show that the environmental correlation approach generates high resolution predictive maps that are statistically more accurate and effective than ordinary kriging and inverse distance weighting interpolation methods. Furthermore, insights can be gained into the landscape processes controlling element concentration, distribution and mobility from analysis of the covariates used in the model. This modelling approach can be extended to groups of elements (indices), element ratios, isotopes or mineralogy over a range of scales and in a variety of environments.     

Tectonostratigraphic history of the Neogene Maimará basin,Northwest Argentina

This paper presents the tectonostratigraphic evolution of the Maimará Basin and explores the relationship between the clastic sediments and pyroclastic deposits in the basin and the evolution of the adjacent orogeny and magmatic arc. The sedimentary facies in this part of the basin include, in ascending order, an ephemeral fluvial system, a deep braided fluvial system and a medial to distal ephemeral fluvial system. We interpret that Maimará Formation accumulated in a basin that has developed two stages of accumulation. Stage 1 extended from 7 to 6.4 Ma and included accelerated tectonic uplift in the source areas, and it corresponds to the ephemeral fluvial system deposits. Stage 2, which extended from 6.4 to 4.8 Ma, corresponds to a tectonically quiescent period and included the development of the deep braided fluvial system deposits. The contact between the Maimará and Tilcara formations is always characterized by a regional unconformity and, in the study area, also shows pronounced erosion.Rare earth element and other chemical characteristics of the tuff intervals in the Maimará Formation fall into two distinct groups suggesting the tuffs were erupted from two distinct late Miocene source regions. The first and most abundant group has characteristics that best match tuffs erupted from the Guacha, Pacana and Pastos Grandes calderas, which are located 200 and 230 km west of the study area at 22º-23º30′S latitude. The members the second group are chemically most similar to the Merihuaca Ignimbrite from the Cerro Galán caldera 290 km south-southwest of the studied section. The distinctive geochemical characteristics are excellent tools to reconstruct the stratigraphic evolution of the Neogene Maimará basin from 6.4 to 4.8 Ma.     

西准噶尔玛依勒地区枕状玄武岩年代学、地球化学及岩石成因

通过对造山带内洋岛玄武岩的时代及地球化学性质研究,不仅可以进行古海山/大洋高原的识别,而且还可以进行古洋盆演化及古构造格局恢复。笔者等最新在西准噶尔玛依勒山北侧识别出一套枕状玄武岩,其与火山碎屑岩、硅质岩共生。枕状玄武岩斜长石微晶普遍发育中空骸晶结构,是在水下熔岩急剧萃冷条件下迅速结晶的产物。通过LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年,获得枕状玄武岩206Pb/238U加权平均年龄为437.2±2.2Ma,该年龄的获得填补了志留纪碱性玄武岩的空白。岩石地球化学分析结果显示,玛依勒枕状玄武岩为碱性玄武岩系列,岩石具有中等Si O2(44.89%~47.81%),高Ti O2(3.28%~4.12%)及P2O5(0.50%~0.70%),低Mg O(3.49%~6.79%),轻、重稀土元素分异较为明显((La/Yb)N=5.5~7.3),无明显Eu异常(Eu/Eu*=0.96~1.06),相对富集Rb、Th、U,亏损Ba、K、Sr,没有明显Nb、Ta负异常,这些地球化学特征与洋岛玄武岩(OIB)极其相似。微量元素含量及反映源区性质的比值表明,枕状玄武岩来源于富集地幔源区,主要组成为尖晶石和石榴石二辉橄榄岩,并发生了5%±的部分熔融,其形成于大洋板内与地幔柱有关的海山/大洋岛屿环境。结合前人研究,认为西准噶尔乃至古亚洲洋在中古生代洋内俯冲的同时,大洋板内可能存在地幔柱活动。     

新疆西天山铁木里克铁矿床火山岩锆石U-Pb年代学、岩石地球化学特征及地质意义

铁木里克铁矿位于西天山阿吾拉勒铁铜成矿带中段,矿床围岩为一套以粗面安山岩、安山岩和流纹岩为主的连续变化的中酸性火山岩。本文通过对铁木里克铁矿床火山岩进行LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年,并且结合Hf同位素和岩石地球化学研究,对火山岩的形成时代以及大地构造背景进行探讨。锆石LA-ICP-MS测年结果显示,粗面安山岩、安山岩以及流纹岩的测年结果分别是318.8±2.3Ma、320.8±2.5Ma和319.1±3.5Ma。地球化学分析表明该套火山岩属于高钾钙碱性-钾玄岩系列,富集轻稀土元素(LREE)和大离子亲石元素(LILE;如Rb、Th、K),重稀土元素(HREE)配分平坦,同时具有Nb、Ta的强烈亏损,具有明显的岛弧火山岩地球化学特征。在火山岩的大地构造判别图解上,样品点都落在了大陆弧部分。锆石的Hf同位素显示εHf(t)具有一致的变化范围(+6.2~+12.0),指示火山岩具有相同的岩浆来源,都是来源于早古生代新生陆壳的重熔,形成于相同的构造岩浆背景下。结合区域地质资料,本文认为铁木里克铁矿床出露的这套高钾钙碱性-钾玄岩系列火山岩可能是南天山洋闭合末期到陆陆碰撞早期大陆弧岩浆作用的产物。     

渤海蓬莱9-1中生代花岗岩体岩石地球化学特征及其区域构造意义

蓬莱9-1花岗岩体是渤海海域首次发现的中生代花岗岩,鉴于渤海海域在华北克拉通中的重要构造位置,该花岗岩的形成时代和成因机制的研究对区域构造研究具有重大意义。锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb定年结果表明该花岗岩体形成于中侏罗世160~165Ma。花岗岩属于高钾钙碱性系列,为准铝质-过铝质花岗岩;富Al_2O_3(14.84%~17.19%)和Sr(485×10~(-6)~909×10~(-6)),贫Y(0.66×10~(-6)~1.39×10~(-6))和Yb(小于2.0×10~(-6)),无铕的负异常,多数样品表现为铕的弱正异常,表现出C-型埃达克岩特征。表明渤海地区在160~165Ma期间处于挤压地壳增厚环境下,以地壳减薄为标志的克拉通破坏过程彼时尚未发生,其区域动力学环境可能仍处于华北板块-华南板块碰撞拼接的影响范围内。