Fluid Geochemistry as Indicator of Tectonically-Related,Deep Water Circulations in the Sardinian Rift-Campidano Graben (Italy): New Insights from Environmental Isotopes

The EC funded Geochemical Seismic Zonation program (EEC GSZ Project 1996–1998) chose Sardinia as a low-seismicity site, in which the relationships between fluid geochemistry and seismo-tectonics had to be investigated and results compared with outcomes from other selected high-seismicity sites. A first article, examining the role of fault segmentation and seismic quiescence on the geochemical composition of groundwaters and gases, has already been presented (Angelone et al. 2005). This article deals with environmental isotopes which, together with selected hydrochemical data, give hints on tectonically-related fluid circulations. Four water-dominated hydrothermal systems were considered, all located along regional fault systems and discharging groundwaters belonging to the Na–HCO₃ and Na–Cl facies. In the considered systems, groundwater circulation takes place, principally, in the Palaeozoic Crystalline Basement (PCB), with the exception of the Logudoro system, where hydrological circuits develop in the Mesozoic Carbonate Platform (MCP). The high CO₂ contents, the non-attainment of fluid-rock equilibrium and the large lithological variability prevent the construction of a unique hydrogeological–geochemical conceptual model. In this case, stable isotopes provide a useful tool to describe the origin of fluids and their subterranean movements. Stable isotopes of water, integrated with hydrochemical data, indicate that fluids are derived from three main end members. The dominant component is a relatively recent local meteoric water; the second one is marine water; and the third one is a fossil freshwater, depleted in heavy isotopes with respect to modern rains. The latter end member entered the aquifer system in the past, when climatic conditions were greatly different from today. At least two circulation systems can be recognised, namely a shallow cold system and a deep hydrothermal system, as well as two distinct hydrological processes: (1) gravity-controlled descent of cold water towards greater depths and (2) convection linked to a thermal gradient, causing deep fluids to rise up from the hydrothermal reservoir towards the surface. The highly variable δ¹³C_TDIC values suggest the presence of two distinct CO₂ sources, namely, a biogenic one and a thermogenic one. The relation between the isotopic compositions of CO₂ and He indicates an increased mantle signature in uprising CO₂-rich fluids.     

Geochemistry of magmatic rocks of the Koksharovka alkaline-ultrabasic massif,primorye, and results of trace-element modeling

New geochemical data are presented on the magmatic rocks of the Late Jurassic Koksharovka alkaline-ultrabasic massif, which is associated with deposits of vermiculite, apatite, V-bearing titanomagnetite, and placer isoferroplatinum. The REE geochemistry and strontium, oxygen, and carbon isotopic composition of carbonatites and related ijolites and pyroxenites, together with geological observations, point to the magmatic origin of the Koksharovka carbonatites. The origin of associated magmatic rocks is discussed. Trace element modeling of partial melting of mantle sources was conducted to decipher the genesis of the melts of the Koksharovka carbonatites and host titanite-kaersutite pyroxenites.     

Boron isotope variations in nature: a synthesis

The large relative mass difference between the two stable isotopes of boron, ¹⁰B and ¹¹B, and the high geochemical reactivity of boron lead to significant isotope fractionation by natural processes. Published ¹¹B values (relative to the NBS SRM-951 standard) span a wide range of 90. The lowest ¹¹B values around — 30 are reported for non-marine evaporite minerals and certain tourmalines. The most ¹¹B-enriched reservoir known to date are brines from Australian salt lakes and the Dead Sea of Israel with ¹¹B values up to +59. Dissolved boron in present-day seawater has a constant world-wide ¹¹B value of + 39.5. In this paper, available ¹¹B data of a variety of natural fluid and solid samples from different geological environments are compiled and some of the most relevant aspects, including possible tracer applications of boron-isotope geochemistry, are summarized.

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Résumé La grande différence relative de masse entre les isotopes stables du bore, ¹⁰B et ¹¹B, et la grande réactivité geochimique du bore ont pour conséquence un fractionnement isotopique naturel important. Les valeurs de ¹¹B publiées (par rapport au standard NBS SRM-951) varient de 90. Les valeurs de ¹¹B les plus basses (–30) correspondent aux evaporites non-marines et à certaines tourmalines. Le réservoir le plus enrichi en ¹¹B est représenté par les saumures des lacs salés d' Australie et par la Mer Morte en Israël, qui ont des valuers de ¹¹B allent jusqu'à + 59. L'eau de mer a une valeur de ¹¹B mondialement constante de + 39.5. Des valeurs de ¹¹B des solutions naturelles ainsi que des roches et minéraux de différentes origines, publiées jusqu'à présent, sont présentées ici. En outre quelques aspects importants concernant la géochimie des isotopes du bore y compris quelques applications sont exposés.

     

中国南方离子吸附型稀土矿床成矿类型及其母岩控矿因素探讨

传统认为中国南方的离子吸附型稀土矿床可划分为以“足洞式”为代表的重稀土型和以“河岭式”(或“花山式”)为代表的轻稀土型两种矿化类型。然而，近年来发现的许多矿床(如清溪、寨背和馒头山等)的赋矿风化壳中出现了轻稀土矿与重稀土矿并存现象，表现出特殊的“上轻下重”双层矿体结构。这指示了除重稀土型和轻稀土型之外，还存在着轻重稀土共生型的过渡类型。本研究通过对三种不同成矿类型的若干典型矿床系统对比，指出成矿类型的多样性与母岩性质密切相关，尤其是母岩的稀土元素地球化学和稀土载体矿物属性是制约成矿类型变化的关键因素。统计数据表明，从重稀土型→轻重稀土共生型→轻稀土型，成矿母岩的全岩稀土总量变化不大(ΣREY: 200×10-6~450×10-6→200×10-6~500×10-6→200×10-6~800×10-6)，但轻重稀土配分值出现较显著的区间性差异(ΣLREE/ΣHREY: 02~1→1~5→2~10)。与之同时，母岩中能为离子相稀土提供物源且具有重稀土配分属性的稀土副矿物类型和数量明显减少，这与全岩稀土元素地球化学特征中重稀土分量占比的降低趋势也互相匹配。该结果指示，以往认为重稀土配分母岩形成重稀土矿床、轻稀土配分母岩形成轻稀土矿床的传统观点需要外延，即一部分具有低度轻稀土配分属性(1＜ΣLREE/ΣHREY＜5)且含有丰富易风化稀土副矿物的母岩还可能形成轻重稀土共生型矿床，该认识可为今后离子吸附型稀土矿床勘查工作提供新的找矿依据。     

寒武系古流体地球化学特征及其对页岩气保存的指示意义 ——以中扬子地区寒武系页岩气发现井宜地2井为例

保存条件是中扬子地区页岩气富集的关键因素之一，宜地2井是中扬子寒武系页岩气发现井，通过对该井全井段岩芯裂缝古流体的地球化学分析，探讨了寒武系古流体成因和对水井沱组页岩气保存条件的指示意义。结果认为：① 覃家庙组膏岩层之上方解石脉缺少Fe2+、Mn2+，且δ13C和δ18O值较围岩偏负，指示其形成于氧化的环境，石牌组方解石脉δ13C偏负，黄铁矿脉δ34S值与膏盐相似，表明其成因与TSR密切相关；水井沱组脉体δ13C和δ18O与围岩相似，形成于封闭的环境。② 方解石脉包裹体群SO42-、Ca2+、Mg2+含量整体上由覃家庙组向上向下分别递减，钠氯系数以水井沱组最低，整体上向上升高，表明覃家庙组是高盐度卤水的主要来源，水井沱组受外来流体影响弱；包裹体水溶液δD和δ18O也指示娄山关组、石牌组方解石脉成因分别与大气水、TSR相关。③ 古流体地球化学研究表明宜昌地区页岩气保存条件整体较好，页岩气散失的主要通道是垂直裂缝，页岩气保存条件好与膏盐盖层发育、后期构造破坏弱、脉体对裂缝的及时封闭以及白垩系盖层等因素密切相关。     

Episode 49 of the Pu'u 'O'o-Kupaianaha eruption of Kilauea volcano-breakdown of a steady-state eruptive era

The Pu'u 'O'o-Kupaianaha eruption (1983-present) is the longest lived rift eruption of either Kilauea or neighboring Mauna Loa in recorded history. The initial fissure opening in January 1983 was followed by three years of episodic fire fountaining at the Pu'u 'O'o vent on Kilauea's east rift zone 19km from the summit (episodes 4–47). These spectacular events gave way in July 1986 to five and a half years of nearcontinuous, low-level effusion from the Kupaianaha vent, 3km to the cast (episode 48). A 49th episode began in November 1991 with the opening of a new fissure between Pu'u 'O'o and Kupaianaha. this three week long outburst heralded an era of more erratic eruptive behavior characterized by the shut down of Kupaianaha in February 1992 and subsequent intermittent eruption from vents on the west flank of Pu'u 'O'o (episodes 50 and 51). The events occurring over this period are due to progressive shrinkage of the rift-zone reservoir beneath the eruption site, and had limited impact on eruption temperatures and lava composition.     

A multivariate statistical and geostatistical study on the geochemistry of allochtonous karst bauxite deposits in Hungary

A geochemical evaluation of the Szc-Halimba-Kisld area, Hungary, covering an area of more than 200 km² is presented using different statistical and geostatistical methods. The study area is a representative example of allochtonous karst bauxite accumulation. The three groups of deposits studied here have been explored and mined since 1950. Several thousand boreholes have been drilled, and bauxite cores were analyzed for the five main chemical components. A total of 80,000 pleces of analytical data were processed, followed by a geological examination of borehole logs and of mining excavations.The quantitative geochemical evaluation of the data set led to both geochemical and practical results: The geochemical behavior of the allochtonous, clastic karst bauxite deposits differs essentially from that of the autochtonous and parautochtonous ones, as well as that of the lateritic bauxite deposits. The deposits of the study area can be split into several subsequent geochemical-sedimentological units, each representing an event of bauxite transport and accumulation. Clear regional patterns can be revealed in the composition of these units. The geostatistically measured chemical variability of the geochemical units is rather different, the lowest units showing the smallest variability. The interrelations of the main chemical components are weaker and more irregular in the studied deposits than in the autochtonous lateritic bauxite deposits. Additional local genetic features, such as transport routes, can be delineated by the methods applied. Within each deposit, local changes of chemical composition and of its variability can be determined more precisely. These results can be used in bauxite prospecting and exploration, because areas of high or low bauxite quality can be predicted.     

南极长城站地区现代环境地球化学特征

本文通过环境背景值、风化壳地球化学、对流层(大气气溶胶)地球化学和人为地球化学异常,初步探讨了南极长城站地区的现代环境地球化学特征。分析表明:环境要素固有的地球化学性质、区域环境条件和自然环境演变之间具有深刻的内在联系。     

Weathering and climate change since l820 AD in Hoh Xil, Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, China——Evidence from element geochemistry of lake sediments of Gulug Co Lake

Element geochemistry of lake sediments has been widely used to detect climate change because element composition and ratios can reflect the weathering degree in the source area. Given the dement composition of lake sediments from Gulug Co Lake, Hoh Xil, Qing- hai-Xizang Plateau, chemical index of alteration （CIA）, index of composition variability （ICV） and other element ratios have been used to establish the weathering sequence of this area since 1820 AD. The weathering is so weak that the element composition change is more sensitive to climate change and autochthonous processes. From 1820 to 1984 AD, there were two drier periods with a wetter interval from 1870 to 1945 AD. After 1984 the weather showed a tendency of becoming wet.     

Environmental geohydrochemistry and health of the high altitude population in Ladakh

Background： Radiographic signs of Pneumoconiosis found in farming Ladakhi despite absences of mines and industries were believed to be due to exposure to frequent dust storms and domestic fire pollutions. Seasonal Koilonychia （spoon nail） occurring predominantly in farming women in absences of iron deficiency anaemia was thought to arise from exposure to water made alkaline by weathering of hornblende minerals. The relation of these health conditions to environmental geohydrochemistry is postulated as the source of irrigation water in the affected population originates from glaciers in trans-Himalaya range of sedimentary geology and steep landscape favouring flushing of silica/silicate containing silts. Methods and results： Survey in two central Ladakh villages revealed radiographic evidence of silicosis in all middle aged women and half in middle aged men. In a large-scale study of 3105 subjects aged over 30 years from three villages; 101 （22.5%） of the 449 radiographed showed signs of pneumoconiosis （ILO 1980 criteria） including eggshell calcification of hilar gland and progressive massive fibrosis. Indoor dust analyzed using Philips 400T electron microscope with energy dispersive analysis system attached showed SiO2 levels upto 53.27% with particle size of 0.5 to 5.0 microns and the concentration during cooking period in the worst affected area was 7.495 mg/m^3. Microscopy and histopathology from the subject was characteristic of pneumoconiosis. Analysis of the inorganic dust in the lung showed 40.2% muscovite, 37.3% quartz with the extracted dust wt 147.9 mg/gm of dry tissue. Prevalence of chronic cough with chronic phlegm and percentage of villagers with FEV1/FVC ratio of less than 65% rose with age. Of 70 subjects studied 19 women and 2 men had Koilonychia with incidence being highest in summer. Absence of seasonal Koilonychia in villages fed by water derived from northern mountain range glaciers with mainly igneous geology supports our hypothesis.