Spatial distribution characteristics of stable carbon isotope compositions in desert plant Reaumuria soongorica (Pall.) Maxim

In order to investigate the distribution characteristics of stable carbon isotope ratios (δ ¹³C) in the desert plant Reaumuria soongorica, the δ ¹³C values of leaves were measured in 407 individuals of 21 populations. Soil physicochemical properties including soil water content, soil total dissolved solids, soil total nitrogen, soil total phosphorus and soil organic content were also analyzed in order to survey the major factors influencing δ ¹³C values on spatial variation. Leaves and soil samples were simultaneously collected from the ten major distribution areas in Northwest China at altitudes from 394 m to 1 987 m above sea level, at latitudes from 36°10′N to 44°33′N, and at longitudes from 81°43′E to 106°37′E. These ten areas include Shihezi, Baicheng, Yiwu areas in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region; Anxi, Zhangye, Baiyin, Lanzhou areas in Gansu Province; Shapotou, Yinchuan areas in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region; and Alashan County in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The results show that the δ ¹³C value of R. soongorica ranges from −22.77‰ to −29.85‰ with an average of −26.52‰. Foliar d13C values in R. soongorica are not significantly correlated with altitude, latitude or longitude, and a spatial distribution trend of d13C values of R. soongorica is not obvious on a large scale. However, when d13C values of two R. soongorica populations under the same climate conditions are compared, δ ¹³C values increase obviously from east to west and from north to south. As none of the soil total dissolved solids, soil total nitrogen, soil total phosphorus, and soil organic content shows a uniform trend from east to west and from north to south, we suppose that the small-scaled spatial distribution pattern of δ ¹³C values of R. soongorica is mainly controlled by the soil water content. Translated from Quaternary Sciences, 2006, 26(6): 947–954 [译自: 第四纪研究]     

A method to estimate hydraulic conductivity from bulk geochemical compositions

A new method has been developed to estimate the hydraulic conductivity in unconsolidated aquifers. The method uses bulk geochemical compositions correlated with hydraulic conductivities measured by pumping tests. The concept is based on a general rule that hydraulic conductivity is principally controlled by grain-size distribution and particle shape,both of which relate to mineralogical composition. Using a MINLITH algorithm, normative mineralogical compositions can be derived from bulk geochemical compositions economically and expediently, and then correlated to the hydraulic conductivity determined by pumping tests in the field. In this study, 202 sediment samples from nine unconsolidated aquifers were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence. Although hydraulic conductivity does not show a definite relationship with geochemical compositions, it does demonstrate a linear logarithmic equation to the content of normative earthy minerals. However, linear regressed equations should not be applied to aquifers composed of medium to coarse sand and gravel sizes due to interference from lithic fragments. In addition, this equation tends to overestimate hydraulic conductivity possibly because the effect of compaction is ignored in this study.     

西藏主要含煤岩系及其成煤环境初探

西藏煤系分布广泛,本文通过对西藏煤系的初步研究,主要从煤系地层、岩石组成以及煤系沉积特点三个方面对马查拉煤系、妥坝煤系、土门煤系、多尼煤系四个主要的西藏煤系进行初步探讨.认为马查拉煤系的沉积环境属浅海-海陆交互相沉积,妥坝煤系不仅具有海陆过渡相之滨岸三角洲带-碎屑潮坪-潮坪泻湖相沉积,还具有滨岸碳酸盐潮坪-碳酸盐台地的滨海-浅海清水沉积的特征,土门煤系则是下部以浅海相沉积为主,中部以海陆交互相沉积为主,上部以陆相沉积为主,多尼煤系则是滨海与海陆过渡相沉积.     

四川盆地三叠纪海水的硫同位素分布特点及其地质意义

四川盆地海相三叠系地层发育齐全。通过盆地海相三叠系各层段众多的硫酸盐（ 石膏、硬石膏） 和盐卤水硫同位素分析样的系统整理和研究,可见同一层段的硫同位素（δ３４Ｓ）组成稳定,而沿剖面由下而上δ３４Ｓ呈阶梯状递减轻化趋势,与已知全球海相三叠硫酸盐δ３４Ｓ的研究的结果有明显差异,这对全球海相三叠系硫酸盐δ３４Ｓ的研究是一个重要的补充和贡献。对地层划分对比、盐卤水产层和成因、蒸发岩形成环境、咸化发展方向及成钾预测等方面的研究,也有重要意义。     

An examination of the use of the logratio transformation for the testing of endmember hypotheses

Given a compositional dataset in the absence of any prior information on any mixing process which may have formed it, a complete analysis of mixtures determines three distinct types of estimates in order. These are: (i) the estimate of the number of endmembers or fixed source compositions, of which all the sample compositions of the dataset must be approximate mixtures; (ii) the estimated compositions for each of these chosen number of endmembers; and (iii) the estimated contributions of each of these endmember estimates to each sample. Traditionally, the estimate for the number of endmembers has been assessed either by mapping or by inspection of the coefficients of determination between the observed and estimated variables. Mapping entails the plotting on a map of the region from which the samples were taken, either the contours of the contributions of each endmember to each sample, or some other portrayal of the distribution of endmember abundances. Because it requires the complete analysis, assessment by this method is too elaborate except for final confirmation and display. Alternatively, choosing a number of endmembers, which result in suitability high coefficients of determination for all or most variables, may account for elements which are not part of the conjectured mixing process or, worse, may result in the identification of endmembers which may never in fact have existed. Such an error is similar to overspecifying a multiple regression model. So, the obvious starting point from which to assess the validity, or otherwise choice of endmember numbers, is to examine the matrix of residuals. The differences between the logratio-transformed observed and estimated data form an array of residual logratios. A linear combination of these may be formed for each sample, which, under a random perturbation assumption, should follow a univariate normal distribution. Whether or not this scalar is normal can be readily tested. It can also be examined graphically for such desirable qualities as symmetry when the test for normality may be too severe. This procedure is employed to assess the decompositions of the U.S.G.S. Mid-Pacific data and the Nazca Plate Surface sediments.This paper was presented at the 18th Geochautauqua, Newark, Delaware, 13–14 October 1989.     

东帕米尔变质核杂岩构造的厘定

卡拉库鲁木变质核杂岩是慕土塔格岩体的南缘部分，由长城系片麻岩以及燕山期花岗岩组成，其中长城系片麻岩为一套低角闪岩相的变质侵入岩，主要岩性为（石榴石）黑云二长片麻岩、（石榴石）黑云斜长片麻岩；根据变形程度，将其划分为内带、中带及外带，其中在内带见有燕山期花岗岩。剥离断层沿变质核杂岩边缘呈向南凸出的弧形展布。剥离断层上盘滑脱体由长城系赛图拉岩群高绿片岩－低角闪岩相的变质岩系构成。变质核杂岩构造的形成时代为早－中侏罗世。     

Tectonic controls on metamorphism, partial melting, and intrusion: timing and duration of regional metamorphism and magmatism in the Ni de Massif, Turkey

Mafic high-pressure granulite, eclogite and pyroxenite xenoliths have been collected from a Mesozoic volcaniclastic diatreme in Xinyang, near south margin of the Sino-Korean Craton (SKC). The high-pressure granulite xenoliths are mainly composed of fine-grained granoblasts of Grt+Cpx+Pl+Hbl±Kfs±Q±Ilm with relict porphyritic mineral assemblage of Grt+Cpx±Pl±Rt. P–T estimation indicates that the granoblastic assemblage crystallized at 765–890 °C and 1.25–1.59 GPa, corresponding to crustal depths of ca. 41–52 km with a geotherm of 75–80 mW/m². Calculated seismic velocities (V_p) of high-pressure granulites range from 7.04 to 7.56 km/s and densities (D) from 3.05 to 3.30 g/cm³. These high-pressure granulite xenoliths have different petrographic and geochemical features from the Archean mafic granulites. Elevated geotherm and petrographic evidence imply that the lithosphere of this craton was thermally disturbed in the Mesozoic prior to eruption of the host diatreme. These samples have sub-alkaline basaltic compositions, equivalent to olivine– and quartz–tholeiite. REE patterns are flat to variably LREE-enriched (La_N/Yb_N=0.98–9.47) without Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu*=0.95–1.11). They possess 48–127 ppm Ni and 2–20 ppm Nb with Nb/U and La/Nb ratios of 13–54 and 0.93–4.75, respectively, suggesting that these high-pressure granulites may be products of mantle-derived magma underplated and contaminated at the base of the lower crust. This study also implies that up to 10 km Mesozoic lowermost crust was delaminated prior to eruption of the Cenozoic basalts on the craton.     

硼及硼同位素地球化学在地质研究中的应用

总结了硼及硼同位素的地球化学特征：（１）硼是易溶元素,主要赋存在地球表层,尤其是海水、海相沉积物及海水交代岩石中。其同位素组成δ１１Ｂ值按顺序变化,封闭盐湖卤水（＞４０‰）＞海水（３９５‰）＞海相硼矿物（１８２‰～３１７３‰）＞海相沉积物（１３９‰～２５２‰）＞海水交代岩石（４５１‰～１０８５‰）。大陆水及陆相沉积物硼含量及硼同位素组成变化极大,并多以负值为主。海陆过渡构造带则具有过渡的硼丰度值和硼同位素组成。（２）１１Ｂ较１０Ｂ具有更活跃的地球化学性质,因此在水岩作用中具有明显的同位素交换。硅化交代作用中,岩石被硅化交代,释放硼,并优先释放重硼,同位素组成变轻;在脱硅反应中,岩石释放硅吸收硼,并优先吸收重硼,同位素组成变重。在封闭体系中,水溶液淋滤岩石中部分的硼,即可大量富集,并富集１１Ｂ;在开放体系中,岩石硼被大量淋滤流失,δ１１Ｂ值明显降低。由于水岩作用的结果,从新鲜海底玄武岩到正常海水,硼同位素值从－２９５‰到３９５‰逐渐升高。（３）变质脱水反应中硼被大量排出,并优先排出重硼同位素,进入流体相,因此随着变质程度由低到高,岩石中硼含量及同位素组成δ１１Ｂ值由高变低。（４）在成矿研究中?     

Helium-argon isotopic tracing for the Pb-Zn-Ag polymetallic ore deposits in the central-south segment of the Da Hinggan Ling Range

In recent years big strides have been made in the exploration of ores in the central-south segment of the Da Hinggan Ling Range, though some debates still exist on the metallogenesis and sources of ore-forming materials. Pyrite and other sulfides in direct relation to the Pb-Zn-Ag ore deposits were chosen for the He and Ar isotopic analysis of ore-forming fluids, and the first He and Ar isotope data have been obtained from the study region. ^3He/^4He ratios in 14 samples collected from 7 mining districts are 2.17×10^-6-12.52×10^-6, averaging 6.86×10^-6 and their R/Ra ratios are 1.56-9.01 Ra, averaging 4.37 Ra. By projecting the data points onto the ^3He-^4He concentrations diagram, all the points fall near the mantle helium area. The calculated mantle-source helium ratios are within the range of 19.58%-76.96%, with an average of 49.52%. Argon isotopic characteristics are close to those of mantle source, indicating that the ore-forming material was transport upwards via the multi-stage evolution of mantle plume and concentrated as ores in the favorable loci of mantle branch structures.     

Staurolite porphyroblast controls on local bulk compositional and microstructural changes during decompression of a St–Bt–Grt–Crd–And schist (Ancasti metamorphic complex,Sierras Pampeanas,W Argentina)

The staurolite–biotite–garnet–cordierite–andalusite–plagioclase–muscovite–quartz metapelitic mineral assemblage has been frequently interpreted in the literature as a result of superimposition of various metamorphic events, for example, in polymetamorphic sequences. The assemblage was identified in schists from the Ancasti metamorphic complex (Sierras Pampeanas of Argentina) where previous authors have favoured the polymetamorphic genetic interpretation. A pseudosection in the MnNCKFMASH system for the analysed XRF bulk composition predicts the stability of the sub‐assemblage staurolite–biotite–garnet–plagioclase–muscovite–quartz, and the compositional isopleths also agree with measured mineral compositions. Nevertheless, the XRF pseudosection does not predict any field with staurolite, andalusite and cordierite being stable together. As a result of more detailed modelling making use of the effective bulk composition concept, our interpretation is that the staurolite–biotite–garnet–plagioclase–muscovite–quartz sub‐assemblage was present at peak metamorphic conditions, 590 °C and 5.2 kbar, but that andalusite and cordierite grew later along a continuous P–T path. These minerals are not in mutual contact and are observed in separate microstructural domains with different proportions of staurolite. These domains are explained as a result of local reaction equilibrium subsystems developed during decompression and influenced by the previous peak crystal size and local modal distribution of staurolite porphyroblasts that have remained metastable. Thus, andalusite and cordierite grew synchronously, although in separate microdomains, and represent the decompression stage at 565 °C and 3.5 kbar.