Trace element geochemistry of altered volcanic ash layers (tonsteins) in Late Permian coal-bearing formations of eastern Yunnan and western Guizhou Provinces, China

Trace element compositions were determined (by instrumental neutron activation analysis; INAA) in 30 samples of synsedimentary volcanic ash-derived tonsteins and detrital claystones from coal seams within the late Permian coal-bearing formation of eastern Yunnan and western Guizhou Provinces, China. The characteristics of trace-element geochemistry in the tonsteins can be distinguished from those of detrital claystones because of the former's unique volcanic-ash origin. The detrital claystones are characterized by their relatively high content of V, Ti, Sc, Cr, Co and Ni, relatively low content of Th and U, Th/U ratio, and small negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* 0.63–0.93). Overall, these trace element characteristics are consistent with a mafic source similar to the composition of basalt rocks in the erosional region on the western edge of the study area. In contrast, the tonsteins are low in V, Ti, Sc, Cr, Co and Ni contents and have a high Th/U ratio with a distinct negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* normally in the range of 0.2–0.4), consistent with a silicic magmatic source.Within the group of tonsteins, those from the lower section (P_2.1) of the coal-bearing formation are relatively high in Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta and rare earth elements (REE), as compared to those from the middle and upper sections (P_2.2+3). In trace-element discrimination diagrams (scatter plots) of Hf–Ta, Ti–Ta, Ti–V, Hf–Sc, Lu–Hf and Lu–Th, tonsteins from the P_2.1 horizon always fall in isolated distribution areas, separate from the tonsteins of the P_2.2+3 horizon. These results suggest that the source materials of tonsteins from the two separate horizons were probably derived from volcanic ash falls of two distinctly different natures. Based on a comparison of the concentrations and assemblages of trace elements between various magmatic rocks, the source materials of tonsteins from P_2.1 horizon were mostly composed of calc-alkalic, silica-poor volcanic ash (similar to rhyodacitic magma), whereas those from P_2.2+3 were apparently more siliceous and K-rich (rhyolitic magma). Thus, tonsteins from the two different horizons are characterized by unique geochemical properties, which remain constant over a wide lateral extent. Integration of trace-elemental compositions with mineralogical and textural observations makes possible the establishment of tonstein stratigraphy, thus, facilitating more precise and reliable coal-seam correlations.     

The usability of bottom ash as an engineering material when amended with different matrices

This study aims at investigating the utilization of bottom ash obtained from four different power stations as a construction fill and landfill bottom liner. For the matrix material, commercial powdered bentonite, construction lime and natural clay were used. Compaction tests (Standard Proctor and vibratory hammer) were carried out on the different ratios of bottom ash and matrix material. The optimum water content ranged from 40 to 45% yielding a dry density mostly ca 1 Mg m⁻³. Uniaxial compressive strength of mixtures ranges from 0.1 to 0.5 kgf cm⁻² which showed a 3–20-fold increase when tested on 28-day cured specimens. Triaxial compression tests yield varying rates of shear strength which also showed as high as an 11-fold increase for cured specimens. The hydraulic conductivity of those mixtures was mostly ca 10⁻⁴ cm s⁻¹, which is not considered to be low enough for landfill lining. Leaching tests using deionized water were also performed to investigate the possible effect of leachate produced from the mixtures on the environment. In conclusion a light density and environmentally friendly mixture is determined and proposed as construction filler.     

Late Pleistocene Eifel eruptions: insights from clinopyroxene and glass geochemistry of tephra layers from Eifel Laminated Sediment Archive sediment cores

The Eifel Laminated Sediment Archive (ELSA), which comprises several cores from maar lakes, includes numerous tephra layers spanning the last 140 000 years. The sediment cores are dated by ¹⁴C and thermoluminescence as well as tuned to Greenland stadial–interstadial successions. Within the last glacial cycle, the Eifel Volcanic Fields are source to several widespread tephra layers, namely the Laacher See, Eltville, Rambach and Rocourt Tephra. However, a corresponding source volcano was so far only identified for the Laacher See Tephra. In this study we use glass and clinopyroxene geochemistry to link the remaining tephra layers to possible eruption centers within the West and East Eifel Volcanic Fields: while we demonstrate that the Eltville Tephra originated from an earlier eruption of the Laacher See Volcano at 24 300 a bp from within the East Eifel Volcanic Field, the Rambach and Rocourt Tephras are sourced from the West Eifel Volcanic Field and erupted from Wartgesberg at 27 900 a bp and Pulvermaar at 75 000 a bp , respectively. Phases of volcanic activity peaked at 10 000–30 000 and 60 000–80 000 a bp and were thus erupted around the temperature minima of the last glacial cycle. The longest phase of dormancy between individual vents was around 30 000 years long, within the last interglacial.     

Geomorphic and climatic change over the past 12,900 yr at Swiftcurrent Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA

Glaciated alpine landscapes are sensitive to changes in climate. Shifts in temperature and precipitation can cause significant changes to glacier size and terminus position, the production and delivery of organic mass, and in the hydrologic energy related to the transport of water and sediment through proglacial environments. A sediment core representing a 12,900-yr record collected from Swiftcurrent Lake, located on the eastern side of Glacier National Park, Montana, was analyzed to assess variability in Holocene and latest Pleistocene environment. The spectral signature of total organic carbon content (%TOC) since ~ 7.6 ka matches that of solar forcing over 70-500 yr timescales. Periodic inputs of dolomite to the lake reflect an increased footprint of Grinnell Glacier, and occur during periods when sediment sinks are reduced, glacial erosion is increased, and hydrologic energy is increased. Grain size, carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratios, and %TOC broadly define the termination of the Younger Dryas chronozone at Swiftcurrent Lake, as well as major Holocene climate transitions. Variability in core parameters is linked to other records of temperature and aridity in the northern Rocky Mountains over the late Pleistocene and Holocene.     

Importance of volcanic glass alteration to sediment stabilization: offshore Japan

A minor amount (ca 1 wt%) of amorphous silica cement sourced from volcanic glass inhibits consolidation of hemipelagic sediment approaching the Nankai Trough subduction zone throughout the Shikoku Basin. The distribution and nature of the cement were examined via secondary and backscattered electron imaging. The amorphous silica occurs as altered material in contact with volcanic glass, coating grains (including grain contacts) and filling pores. Based on chemical and petrographic evidence, the cement is probably sourced from volcanic glass; this is in contrast to a previous suggestion that this silica cement is sourced dominantly from biogenic silica. Amorphous silica sourced from disseminated volcanic glass shards has the ability to form a thin coating on clay‐dominated sediment throughout the Shikoku Basin. Measured amorphous silica content in hemipelagic sediments suggests that the cementing process is active throughout the Shikoku Basin (at sites separated by >500 km). The cementation process may occur in other locations where sediment containing hydrated disseminated volcanic glass is buried sufficiently for heat to facilitate alteration (i.e. Central America, Cascadia and the Gulf of Alaska).     

Evolution of Irruputuncu volcano,Central Andes,northern Chile

The Irruputuncu is an active volcano located in northern Chile within the Central Andean Volcanic Zone (CAVZ) and that has produced andesitic to trachy-andesitic magmas over the last ∼258 ± 49 ka. We report petrographical and geochemical data, new geochronological ages and for the first time a detailed geological map representing the eruptive products generated by the Irruputuncu volcano. The detailed study on the volcanic products allows us to establish a temporal evolution of the edifice. We propose that the Irruputuncu volcanic history can be divided in two stages, both dominated by effusive activity: Irruputuncu I and II. The oldest identified products that mark the beginning of Irruputuncu I are small-volume pyroclastic flow deposits generated during an explosive phase that may have been triggered by magma injection as suggested by mingling features in the clasts. This event was followed by generation of large lava flows and the edifice grew until destabilization of its SW flank through the generation of a debris avalanche, which ended Irruputuncu I. New effusive activity generated lavas flows to the NW at the beginning of Irruputuncu II. In the meantime, lava domes that grew in the summit were destabilized, as shown by two well-preserved block-and-ash flow deposits. The first phase of dome collapse, in particular, generated highly mobile pyroclastic flows that propagated up to ∼8 km from their source on gentle slopes as low as 11° in distal areas. The actual activity is characterized by deposition of sulfur and permanent gas emissions, producing a gas plume that reaches 200 m above the crater. The maximum volume of this volcanic system is of ∼4 km³, being one of the smallest active volcano of Central Andes.     

云南洛旺煤矿区上二叠统主采煤层煤质特征及其影响因素

洛旺煤矿区是云南重要的煤产地,煤类以贫煤为主,局部为无烟煤。根据地质勘查成果及煤质测试资料,系统分析了该区主采煤层C5煤层的煤质特征及其变化规律,探讨了影响煤质变化的地质因素。结果表明:区内C5煤层硫分由西南向东北逐渐增大,灰分产率自东向西逐渐降低,这一规律主要受自西向东陆相到海陆交互相沉积环境变化的控制。在平面上煤类表现为煤矿区中部为无烟煤三号,东西两端逐渐变为贫煤,分析认为深成变质作用是造成煤类变化的主要原因。矿区中部煤层埋深较东、西两端大,煤变质程度相对高,根据构造条件推测,后期的动力变质作用对矿区中部煤变质程度的加深起了一定的促进作用。     

Strength characteristics of compacted pond ash

Strength properties of compacted ash layers depend to a great extent on the moulding conditions. This paper focuses on the effects of compaction energy and degree of saturation on strength characteristics of compacted pond ash. The pond ash sample, collected from the ash pond of Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), was subjected to compactive energies varying from 357 kJ/m³ to 3488 kJ/m³. The optimum moisture content and maximum dry densities corresponding to different compactive energies were determined by conventional compaction tests. The shear strength parameters, unconfined compressive strengths (UCS) and California bearing ratio (CBR) values of specimens compacted to different dry densities and moisture content were assessed and reported. The effects of compaction energy and degree of saturation on shear strength parameters i.e. unit cohesion (c_u) and angle of internal friction (Ф) values and also the UCS values are evaluated and presented herein. The results indicate that the dry density and strength of the compacted pond ash can be suitably modified by controlling the compactive energy and moulding moisture content. The strength achieved in the present study is comparable to the good quality, similar graded conventional earth materials. Hence, it may be safely concluded that pond ash can replace the natural earth materials in geotechnical constructions.     

不同固化材料垫层在黄土中隔水能力及其垂直扩散特性

黄土作为地基材料时由于其湿陷性容易出现失稳现象,利用固化剂垫层改良黄土地基水稳性和强度的技术被广泛使用。本文主要通过在黄土中分别加入石灰、水泥和粉煤灰固化剂垫层的方法进行加固,测定了在垂直方向上各处的含水率、密度、干密度、土颗粒比表面积(SSA)及阳离子交换能力(CEC)的变化。试验表明石灰、水泥和粉煤灰垫层可以影响10～15cm范围内相邻土层含水率、密度、比表面积和阳离子交换能力,改变土质结构,提高土体的水稳性。改性后的土体越靠近固化剂垫层,含水率、SSA和CEC越小而密度越大。其中,石灰垫层效果最好,它能将黄土中含水率减小超过4%,密度增加1.0～1.5g cm-3,粉煤灰作用次之,水泥最弱。此外,试样土颗粒比表面积(SSA)与阳离子交换能力(CEC)存在线性递增的关系,本次试验中,3个试样中SSA与CEC之比均稳定于6.5～7.5之间。     

准格尔地区粉煤灰中镓的浸出率影响因素研究

为了粉煤灰的高附加值综合利用,采用酸浸法对准格尔地区循环流化床粉煤灰进行了镓的浸出实验研究,考察了多种因素对镓的浸出率的影响,包括粉煤灰粒度,酸的种类与浓度、酸浸温度与时间、固液比等。结果表明,提高镓的浸出率的适宜条件为:粉煤灰粒度200目,盐酸的浓度6 mol/L,酸浸温度应大于160℃,酸浸时间6 h,液固比在5∶1~6∶1之间为宜。在优选的工艺条件下,镓的浸出率可达80%以上。从粉煤灰中提取镓,使其作为一种资源加以利用,是提高粉煤灰综合利用价值的有效途径。