Microplane constitutive model for porous isotropic rocks

The paper deals with constitutive modelling of contiguous rock located between rock joints. A fully explicit kinematically constrained microplane‐type constitutive model for hardening and softening non‐linear triaxial behaviour of isotropic porous rock is developed. The microplane framework, in which the constitutive relation is expressed in terms of stress and strain vectors rather than tensors, makes it possible to model various microstructural physical mechanisms associated with oriented internal surfaces, such as cracking, slip, friction and splitting of a particular orientation. Formulation of the constitutive relation is facilitated by the fact that it is decoupled from the tensorial invariance restrictions, which are satisfied automatically. In its basic features, the present model is similar to the recently developed microplane model M4 for concrete, but there are significant improvements and modifications. They include a realistic simulation of (1) the effects of pore collapse on the volume changes during triaxial loading and on the reduction of frictional strength, (2) recovery of frictional strength during shearing, and (3) the shear‐enhanced compaction in triaxial tests, manifested by a deviation from the hydrostatic stress–strain curve. The model is calibrated by optimal fitting of extensive triaxial test data for Salem limestone, and good fits are demonstrated. Although these data do not cover the entire range of behaviour, credence in broad capabilities of the model is lend by its similarity to model M4 for concrete—an artificial rock. The model is intended for large explicit finite‐element programs. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the character of distribution of chemical elements in nature

Distribution of chemical elements in nature is controlled by the general physical-chemical state of natural processes, a result of the effort to reach thermodynamic equilibrium. Natural processes, forming geologic objects (e.g., rocks, ores) usually do not reach total chemical equilibrium. This is reflected in distributions of chemical elements in nature. We recognize symmetric as well as asymmetric distributions. The question arises, what distribution in nature is most commonly followed? Evidently, this should be a distribution of chemical elements in thermodynamic equilibrium throughout the system, thus with maximum entropy. This paper notes that Gauss's normal distribution may be derived from statistic explanation of entropy as a function of contnt of chemical elements in a system with application of Einstein's formula.     

A statistical study of environmental factors controlling concentrations of heavy metals in the burrowing bivalve Scrobicularia plana and the polychaete Nereis diversicolor

Multiple regression analyses indicate that the most important factors controlling Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations in the estuarine bivalve Scrobicularia plana and the polychaete Nereis diversicolor are the concentrations of these metals in surface sediments and the partitioning of sediment-bound metals between different sediment constituents. Extraction of the sediments with 1-n HCl provides more information about the bioavailability of the metals than do extractions with five other techniques. Biologically available Cd and Co in solution contribute significantly to Cd and Co concentrations in both Scrobicularia and Nereis. Concentrations of Ag in Scrobicularia are reduced where Cu concentrations in sediments are high. An unexplained increase in concentrations of Cu in Scrobicularia at specific stations in six estuaries suggests that under certain very anoxic conditions the availability of copper may be exceptionally high.     

Vertical distribution of trace elements in the surface waters offshore Nova Scotia

Concentrations of the trace elements Fe, Al, Mn, Cu, Cd, Zn and Ni were measured in shallow vertical profiles (maximum depth 500 m) off the Scotian Shelf in the western North Atlantic. The distributions of the trace elements show variations with depth, the most consistent of which are for Fe and Zn. A minimum concentration near the surface followed by an increase with depth is attributed to in situ mechanisms.     

Contamination risk assessment of fresh groundwater using the distribution and chemical speciation of some potentially toxic elements in Calabar (southern Nigeria)

The computer program PHREEQC was used to determined the distribution, chemical speciation and mineral saturation indices in a fresh groundwater environment with limited mining activities in the adjoining areas. The aim was mainly to determine the potential risk of a coastal plain aquifer contamination by some potentially toxic elements. The results show that the elements Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Rb, Sr, and Zn are distributed as free metal ions. Arsenic is in the neutral form of H₃AsO₃ ^o, while three species of aluminium [Al³⁺, AlOH₂, Al(OH)₂ ⁺] dominate. The major species of uranium include UO₂CO₃, UO₂²⁺+, UO₂⁺, and UO₂OH⁺, respectively, in order of abundance. The groundwater is saturated with respect to alunite [KAl₃ (SO₄)₂ (OH)₆], basaluminite [Al₄ (OH)₁₀ SO₄], boehmite [Al(OH)], Cu metal (Cu), cuprous ferrite (CuFeO₂), diaspore [AlO(OH)], gibbsite [Al(OH)₃], goethite (FeOOH), hematite (Fe₂O₃), magnetite (Fe₃O₄) and uraninite (UO₂). Most of the species are not mobile under the prevailing pH (3.3 to 5.9) and Eh (7 to 158 mV) conditions. The mobile ones are very low in concentration and will be immobilized by precipitation of mineral phases. The study concludes that presently these species do not pose any risk to the aquifer.     

Trace elements in medium-temperature (40–80 °C) thermal waters from the Mura basin (North-Eastern Slovenia)

Medium-temperature thermal waters in the Mura basin occur in hydrogeological systems different in age, burial depth, temperature, porosity and permeability, and the presence of free carbon dioxide which penetrates through the fractures from pre-Tertiary basement. The waters commonly belong to sodium-bicarbonate hydrogeochemical facies, but may have significantly different amounts of total dissolved solids, including trace elements. Thermal waters occurring in low-permeable, well-compacted and moderately fractured Tertiary sediments older than Upper Pliocene are the richest in trace elements, although their abundance may be very variable from one aquifer to another. The ratios of major alkaline and alkaline earth elements (Na, K, Ca) and trace elements (Li, Rb, Cs, Ba, Sr) commonly show relative enrichment in highly mineralised waters with respect to the waters with lower mineralisation. Rare earth elements (REEs) and Y show only minor fractionation in the highly mineralised waters, whereas in the waters with lower mineralisation strong fractionation of heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) over light rare earth elements (LREEs) occurs, along with a pronounced positive europium anomaly. Positive Th/U ratios are commonly observed, although both actinide elements occur in the range of some hundredths of ppb to some ppb. Trace elements were particularly useful in the study of well cycling in two hydraulically interconnected geothermal wells in the town of Murska Sobota, which produce a mixture of low- and high-mineralised waters.     

REE Characteristics of the Kalatongke Cu-Ni Deposit, Xinjiang, China

On the basis of the study on the REE geochemistry of the ore minerals and host rocks of the Kalatongke Cu-Ni deposit, Xinjiang, it is indicated that the major ore minerals, sulfides, were sourced from the host mafic-ultramafic magma. Characterized by low REE content of sulfide, such a Cu-Ni sulfide deposit occurring in the orogen is obviously different from that on the margin of the craton. Because the mafic-ultramafic rocks from the Cu-Ni sulfide deposit occurring in the orogen is water-rich and the REEs of some sulfides show a particular "multiple-bending" pattern, which suggests coexistence of multiple liquid phases (fluid and melt), the sulfide melt possibly contains a great deal of hydrothermal fluids and increasingly developed gases and liquid-rich ore-forming fluids after the main metallogenic epoch (magmatic segregation stage).     

The Geochemistry of Lake Joyce, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

Lake Joyce is one of the least studied lakes of the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Similar to other lakes in this region, Lake Joyce is a closed-basin, permanently ice-covered, meromictic lake. We present here a detailed investigation of major ions, nutrients, and dissolved trace elements for Lake Joyce. Specifically, we investigate the role of iron and manganese oxides and hydrous oxides in trace metal cycling.Lake Joyce is characterized by fresh, oxic waters overlying an anoxic brine, primarily Na–Cl. Surface waters have a maximum nitrate concentration of 26M with a molar dissolved inorganic nitrogen to phosphorus ratio of 477. The supply of nitrogen is attributed to atmospheric deposition, possibly from polar stratospheric clouds. Dissolved phosphorus is scavenged by hydrous iron oxides. The pH is highest (10.15) just beneath the 7-m thick ice cover and decreases to a minimum of 7.29 in the redox transition zone. Dissolved Al exceeds 8M in surface waters, and appears to be controlled by equilibrium with gibbsite. In contrast, concentrations of other trace elements in surface waters are quite low (e.g., 5.4nM Cu, 0.19nM Co, <20pM La). Dissolved Fe, Mn, Ni and Cd were below our detection limits of 13 nM, 1. 8 nM, 4.7 nM and 15pM (respectively) in surface waters. There was a 6-m vertical separation in the onset of Mn and Fe reduction, with dissolved Mn appearing higher in the water column than Fe. Based on thermodynamic calculations, dissolved Mn appears to be controlled by equilibrium with hausmannite (Mn3O4). Co tracks the Mn profile closely, suggesting Co(III) is bound in the lattice of Mn oxides, whereas the Ce profile is similar, yet the Ce anomaly suggests oxidative scavenging of Ce. Release of Cu, Ni, Cd and trivalent REE appears to be controlled by pH-induced desorption from Fe and Mn oxides, although Cu (and perhaps Ni) may be scavenged by organic matter in surface waters.     

Geochemical Constraints on the Origin of Volcanic Rocks from the Andean Northern Volcanic Zone, Ecuador

Whole-rock geochemical data on basaltic to rhyolitic samplesfrom 12 volcanic centers are used to constrain the role of continentalcrust in the genesis of magmas formed beneath the anomalouslywide subduction-related volcanic arc in Ecuador. Relativelyhomogeneous, mantle-like, isotopic compositions across the arcimply that the parental magmas in Ecuador were produced largelywithin the mantle wedge above the subduction zone and not byextensive melting of crustal rocks similar to those upon whichthe volcanoes were built. Cross-arc changes in ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd and7/4Pb are interpreted to result from assimilation of geochemicallymature continental crust, especially in the main arc area, 330–360km from the trench. Mixing calculations limit the quantity ofassimilated crust to less than 10%. Most andesites and dacitesin Ecuador have adakite-like trace element characteristics (e.g.Y <18 ppm, Yb <2 ppm, La/Yb >20, Sr/Y >40). Availablewhole-rock data do not provide a clear basis for distinguishingbetween slab-melting and deep crustal fractionation models forthe genesis of Ecuador adakites; published data highlightinggeochemical evolution within individual volcanoes, and in magmaticrocks produced throughout Ecuador since the Eocene, appear tosupport the deep fractionation model for the genesis of mostevolved Ecuadoran lavas. A subset of andesites, which displaya combination of high Sr (>900 ppm), Nd >4·1 and7/4Pb <6·0, appear to be the best candidates amongEcuador lavas for slab-melts associated with the subductionof the relatively young, over-thickened, oceanic crust of theCarnegie Ridge. KEY WORDS: andesite; Ecuador; trace elements; isotopes; adakite     

利用物理方法确定外方位元素的卫星立体摄影测量的精度分析

本文在分析用物理方法确定外方位元素的情况下卫星立体摄影测量的精度影响因素,推导了卫星立体摄影测量的理论精度计算公式,并以SPOT5 HRS立体像对为例,计算了SPOT5 HRS立体测量的理论精度,进行了利用少量地面控制点的立体测量试验。结果证明卫星立体摄影测量的理论精度估算公式是正确的,同时SPOT5 HRS立体测量精度能够满足1∶50000测图的要求。