Phreatic drainage conduits within quartz sandstone: Evidence from the Jurassic Precipice Sandstone, Carnarvon Range, Queensland, Australia

Discrete underground drainage conduits in quartz sandstones are far less common than in limestones. This paper provides field evidence from the quartzose Precipice Sandstone in the Carnarvon Range of south-central Queensland, Australia, for tubular underground drainage networks similar in many ways to limestone conduits. Diameters range from less than 1 or 2 cm to over 1.5 m, most display a near-circular to oval cross-section that seems to suggest phreatic or epiphreatic development, and the internal surfaces of many are case-hardened by secondary silica deposits. A number of the region's perennial springs appear to be fed by such tubes.The dominant vertical jointing of the quartz sandstone and relatively high permeability of the sandstone are important controls on tube formation. Solutional weathering of the sandstone is widespread, and is followed by the removal of loosened sand grains by flowing underground water, the process of ‘arenisation’. Tube development would appear to have been happening for a very long time, and may still be occurring. A model for tube network formation is proposed.These findings highlight our potentially poor understanding of groundwater flow within some quartz sandstones, and may have important groundwater management implications.     

Vertical variations of luminescence sensitivity of quartz grains from loess/paleosol of Luochuan section in the central Chinese Loess Plateau since the last interglacial

The provenance of loess in Chinese Loess Plateau, including origin, transport pathways and source areas, has long been one of the most important questions. In this study, the vertical variations of the luminescence sensitivity of quartz grains from the central Chinese Loess Plateau were investigated by using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) techniques. Our results indicate that the luminescence sensitivity of quartz grains of paleosols can be much higher than that of loess beds. In addition, the quartz grains from the loess-paleosol sequence exhibit a temporal trend in the strength of luminescence sensitivity, characterized by higher values in soils and lower values in loess beds. The OSL sensitivity of quartz grains of the loess-paleosol sequence also shows very similar trend to the magnetic susceptibility and particle size fluctuations, implying that the luminescence sensitivity might be climatic dependent. The possible factors affecting the variations of luminescence sensitivity were discussed including particle size, natural radioactivity, and the provenance of eolian deposits. We suggest that the temporal variations of luminescence sensitivity can be attributed to the retreat-advance of deserts, the different contributions of glacial origin quartz particles associated with mountain processes, and wind patterns during glacial/interglacial cycles. Therefore, the secular variations of luminescence sensitivity of quartz grains are ultimately influenced by past climatic change through its controlling on sediment provenance changes.     

铁在含水层介质中的沉积行为研究

为分析铁在含水层介质中的沉积行为,以石英砂为实验材料,研究了铁在石英砂表面的吸附规律,并对接触时间、铁浓度、腐植酸、钙离子等对沉积过程的影响进行了探讨。结果表明:铁在石英砂上的沉积是单分子层沉积,且沉积过程符合准一级动力学模型。低浓度腐殖酸会促进铁在石英砂上的沉积,但受络合作用影响,增加腐植酸浓度会减少铁在石英砂上的沉积。当水中存在阳离子Ca2+和阴离子SO42-时,会促进铁的沉积,NO3-离子的影响较小,而高浓度F-离子会阻碍铁的沉积。     

Crystallization and impact history of a meteoritic sample of early lunar crust(NWA 3163)refined by atom probe geochronology

Granulitic lunar meteorites offer rare insights into the timing and nature of igneous,metamorphic and impact processes in the lunar crust.Accurately dating the different events recorded by these materials is very challenging,however,due to low trace element abundances(e.g.Sm,Nd,Lu,Hf),rare micrometerscale U-Th-bearing accessory minerals,and disturbed Ar-Ar systematics following a multi-stage history of shock and thermal metamorphism.Here we report on micro-baddeleyite grains in granulitic mafic breccia NWA 3163 for the first time and show that targeted microstructural analysis(electron backscatter diffraction)and nanoscale geochronology(atom probe tomography)can overcome these barriers to lunar chronology.A twinned(～90°/401)baddeleyite domain yields a ~(232)Th/~(208)Pb age of 4328 ± 309 Ma,which overlaps with a robust secondary ion mass spectrometry(SIMS)~(207)Pb/~(206)Pb age of 4308 ± 18.6 Ma and is interpreted here as the crystallization age for the igneous protolith of NWA 3163.A second microstructural domain,2μm in width,contains patchy overprinting baddeleyite and yields a Th-Pb age of 2175 ±143 Ma,interpreted as dating the last substantial impact event to affect the sample.This finding demonstrates the potential of combining microstructural characterization with nanoscale geochronology when resolving complex P-T-t histories in planetary materials,here yielding the oldest measured crystallization age for components of lunar granulite NWA 3163 and placing further constraints on the formation and evolution of lunar crust.     

龙门山南段盐井-五龙断裂磁组构特征及其对几何学、运动学的制约

盐井?五龙断裂是龙门山中央断裂北川?映秀断裂的南延部分,也是龙门山南段的三大控制性主干断裂之一。为了详细认识盐井?五龙断裂的构造几何学、运动学特征,在野外构造研究的基础上,运用磁组构方法对盐井?五龙断裂105块构造岩定向样品进行深入研究。野外构造解析表明断裂至少发生了韧性挤压剪切、脆?韧性逆冲和脆性挤压碎裂三期构造变形。磁组构研究显示构造岩磁组构样品的平均磁化率k_m值具有强磁化率和弱磁化率两种特征。磁组构形状参数T、磁面理F值、磁线理L值和T-P_J图解显示磁化率椭球体主要为压扁型,磁面理较磁线理发育,局部发育较强磁线理,进一步表明盐井?五龙断裂以挤压、剪切为主,伴有拉伸变形的整体特征,样品的P_J整体较大,显示出构造强变形磁组构特征。最小磁化率主轴K_min方位表明盐井?五龙断裂北段和南段分别受到了NW-SE向和NEE-SWW向的挤压作用;K_min方位和倾伏角表明北段晚一期的脆韧性变形主体为自NW向SE的较高角度的挤压逆冲剪切变形,局部伴有极小量的左行走滑特征。断裂南段早期韧性变形整体以自SWW向NEE的挤压逆冲剪切变形为主,上盘(西盘)远离主干断裂表现为左行走滑兼逆冲的运动学特征,下盘变形主要以逆冲剪切变形为主,走滑分量极小,并且自西向东韧性剪切变形具有相对强弱相间的特征。     

Geochemistry of Archean Radioactive Quartz Pebble Conglomerates and Quartzites from western margin of Singhbhum-Orissa Craton,eastern India: Implications on Paleo-weathering,provenance and tectonic setting

Lenses of radioactive Quartz Pebble Conglomerates (QPC) and associated quartzites are exposed along western margin of Archean Bonai Granite in Singhbhum-Orissa Craton, eastern India intermittently spreading over a strike length of 8–10 km. QPCs are radioactive while quartzites are mostly non-radioactive in nature. The purpose of the research is to investigate and characterize the radioactive QPC and quartzites geochemically to decipher their paleo-weathering conditions, provenance characteristics and possible tectonic setting of deposition. Geochemical data suggest moderate to high chemical weathering conditions in the provenance areas of QPC and quartzites. Major, trace and REE data indicate predominantly felsic to partly mafic-ultramafic sources for the deposition of radioactive Quartz Pebble Conglomerates from the surrounding Archean terrain.Elevated values of Th, U, Pb, La, Ce, Y and low Sc with high critical trace elemental ratios of Th/Sc, La/Sc, Th/Cr and Zr/Sc in radioactive QPC indicate their derivation from felsic igneous source. Low concentration of Th and Sc in quartzites compared to QPC and their variable Th/Sc ratios indicate both felsic and mafic sources for quartzites, albeit their preferential felsic affiliation. Higher Cr/Th ratios in quartzites (18.4), moderate Cr/Th in QPC (5.42), low to moderate Y/Ni in QPC (0.36–12.4) and quartzite (0.29–1.88), along with Au ranging from 30 to 1527 ppb, Pt up to 188 ppb and 682 ppb in QPC and quartzites respectively point towards some contribution from mafic-ultramafic source as well. REE patterns and in particular negative Eu anomalies for both QPC and quartzites further support their derivation from felsic rocks and could possibly linked to some of the phases of Archean Singhbhum Granite and Bonai Granite. Granitic to pegmatitic source for QPC is also revealed by the presence of rounded to sub-rounded monazite, zircon and thorian-uraninite grains in their matrix. Study indicates that QPC and quartzites were deposited in a passive margin tectonic setting developed during Archean between a span of 3.3 and 3.16 Ga along the western margin of Bonai Granite when the reducing condition was prevalent as indicated by their low Th/U ratios (<4.0) and presence of detrital grains of uraninite and pyrite in QPC. Radioactive QPC from western margin of Archean Singhbhum-Orissa Craton bears broad resemblance with QPC from Witwatersrand basin of South Africa and Elliot Lake, Canada and thus appears to be ideal sites for exploring QPC hosted U (+Au-PGE) mineralization in the analogous areas.     

Copper isotopes trace the evolution of skarn ores: A case study from the Hongshan-Hongniu Cu deposit,southwest China

Transition metal isotopes are sensitive geochemical tracers of ore genesis. Here we present MC-ICP-MS analytical data of Cu isotope compositions from the Hongshan-Hongniu Cu deposit in Yunnan province. The δ⁶⁵Cu values (δ⁶⁵Cu = [(⁶⁵Cu/⁶³Cu)_sample/(⁶⁵Cu/⁶³Cu)_NIST976 − 1] × 1000) of seven whole-rock quartz monzonite porphyries and twenty-two chalcopyrite samples from the skarn ore-bodies display relatively narrow ranges from −0.15‰ to 0.38‰ and from −0.02‰ to 0.77‰, respectively. The overlap of δ⁶⁵Cu values indicates a genetic relationship between the quartz monzonite porphyry and skarn ore-bodies. We also evaluate the spatial and temporal variations of Cu isotope compositions in the skarn ore-bodies by comparison with some well-documented porphyry deposits in the world. The quartz monzonite porphyry shows compositional zoning with the inner domain enriched in heavy Cu isotope and the skarn related to the porphyry depleted in heavy Cu isotope. The chalcopyrites that formed during the late stage of mineralization tend to be enriched in heavy Cu isotope, and this feature is analogous to porphyry deposits. The δ⁶⁵Cu values of the quartz monzonite porphyry show typical features of hypogene mineralization, suggesting a potential scope for deep exploration and development in this deposit.     

巴丹吉林沙漠石英δ18O值及其物源意义

巴丹吉林沙漠是世界上沙丘最高大的沙漠,其沙源研究对认识沙漠形成、高大沙山发育和防沙治沙工程有重要意义。石英是沙漠沉积物中常见的矿物,其氧同位素值可示踪物源。采集沙漠西北部、东部、东南部高大沙山、丘间低地与湖泊以及雅布赖山前的表层沉积物,测定了样品不同粒级的石英δ18O值。结果表明:①石英δ18O值随粒级减小有增大趋势,同一样品不同粒级石英δ18O值存在较大差异,相同粒级石英δ18O值也有变化。②石英δ18O值介于9.4‰~19.3‰,均值为13.3‰（n=55）;其中沙丘沙的石英δ18O值介于9.5‰~16.6‰,均值为12.9 ‰（n=39）;湖相沉积物的石英δ18O值介于9.4‰~19.3‰,均值为14.2‰（n=16）。③区域内,<16 μm粒级的石英δ18O值与16~64 μm、125~154 μm、200~250 μm、> 300 μm粒级的石英δ18O值都存在显著差异,但200~250 μm与 > 300 μm粒级的石英δ18O值没有显著差异;经区域对比,巴丹吉林沙漠 < 16 μm粒级的石英δ18O值与柴达木盆地沙漠、蒙古戈壁风成沉积物 < 16 μm石英δ18O值无显著差异,但巴丹吉林沙漠16~64 μm粒级的石英δ18O值与蒙古戈壁风成沉积物16~64 μm石英δ18O值存在显著差异;这似乎暗示研究区的细颗粒物质可能是远源的。巴丹吉林沙漠沉积物的石英δ18O值位于火成岩石英、砂岩和变质岩石英δ18O值分布阈值内,受区域地质条件、物源混合、粒级效应等因素的影响,砂粒级的石英δ18O值所指示的母岩成份特征与祁连山区岩石的岩性有较好吻合。     

Carbon dioxide concentration in temperate climate caves and parent soils over an altitudinal gradient and its influence on speleothem growth and fabrics

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations in caves and parent soils in the Italian Alps have been studied along a 2100 m altitudinal range – corresponding to a mean annual temperature (MAT) range of 12°C – in order to investigate the relationship between MAT, soil pCO₂ and cave air pCO₂, and to test the influence of soil pCO₂ on speleothem growth and fabric to ultimately gain insight into their palaeoclimatic significance in temperate climate settings. Our findings indicate that soil CO₂ is linearly correlated to MAT and its mean annual concentration is described by the equation: soil CO₂ (ppmv) = 1112 + 460 MAT. Soil pCO₂ can also be exponentially correlated to actual evapotranspiration. The pCO₂ in the aquifer is linearly correlated to MAT at the infiltration site and is more influenced by summer soil pCO₂. Cave air CO₂ in the innermost part of the caves exhibits a similar seasonal pattern, and commonly reaches concentrations of about 15% to 35%, with respect to the corresponding soil values, and is exponentially correlated to the MAT at the infiltration site. The combination of these parameters (soil pCO₂, dripwater pCO₂ and cave air pCO₂) results in speleothem growth and controls their fabrics which are typical of four MAT/elevation belts broadly corresponding to the present‐day vegetation zones. In the lower montane zone [100–800 m above sea level (a.s.l.)] speleothems mostly consist of columnar fabric, in the upper montane zone (800–1600 m a.s.l.) both columnar and dendritic fabrics are common, the Subalpine zone (1600–2200 m a.s.l.) is characterized mostly by moonmilk deposits, whereas in the Alpine zone (above 2200 m a.s.l.) no speleothems are forming today. Therefore, fabric changes in fossil speleothem can potentially be used to reconstruct MAT changes in temperate climate karst areas. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

OSL-thermochronometry using bedrock quartz: A note of caution

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) thermochronometry is an emerging application, whose capability to record sub-Million-year thermal histories is of increasing interest to a growing number of subdisciplines of Quaternary research. However, several recent studies have encountered difficulties both in extraction of OSL signals from bedrock quartz, and in their thermochronometric interpretation, thus highlighting the need for a methodological benchmark. Here, we investigate the characteristic OSL signals from quartz samples across all major types of bedrock and covering a wide range of chemical purities. High ratios of infrared to blue stimulated luminescence (IRSL/BLSL), an insensitive ‘fast’ OSL component, and anomalously short recombination lifetimes seen in time-resolved luminescence (TR-OSL), are often encountered in quartz from crystalline (magmatic and metamorphic) bedrock, and may hamper successful OSL dating. Furthermore, even when the desirable signal is present, its concentration might be indistinguishable from its environmental steady-state prediction, thus preventing its conversion to a cooling or heating history. We explore the saturation properties and the thermal activation parameters of various OSL signals in quartz to outline the capabilities and limitations for their use in low-temperature thermochronometry.