Spatial distribution of metals in ground/surface waters in the Chandrapur district (Central India) and their plausible sources

This study addresses a framework to evaluate and map environmental hazard with reference to spatial distribution of major and trace metal contamination and its relationship with lithology in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, India using geospatial, statistical and GIS tools. In all, 208 ground water and 35 surface water samples were collected using global positioning system (GPS) synoptically with satellite imagery IRS P6 LISS III and were analyzed in ICP-AES. Analytical results reflect the presence of major and trace metals in ground water in terms of % as Fe (48%), Mn (12%), Zn (9%), Al (8%), Pb (7%), Cu (6%), Ni (4%), Cd (3%) and Cr (3%) of the total average concentration. The contamination is attributed to weathering of rocks and also to mining activities. Similarly, surface water contribution of major and trace metals was found as Al (47.8%), Fe (42.8%), Mn (5.5%), Zn (2.3%), Pb (0.56%), Ni (0.42%), Cu (0.16%), Cr (0.16%) and Cd (0.10%) of the total average concentration. Ordinary kriging interpolation method was adopted to assess the spatial distribution of different major and trace metals in groundwater samples with their best model fit variogram Classical statistical method like principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out in order to establish correlation between spatial pattern of metal contamination and geology of the area in GIS environment. Various surface and subsurface aspects like landuse/land cover, structural features, hydrogeology, topography etc were also considered to ascertain their impact to supplement the inference of the study.     

Microstructures,subglacial till deposition,and shear band development revealing up-section changes in shear–A study from Weissbach,Austria

Tills from an exposure in Wildschönau Valley, northern Austria were examined using microsedimentological techniques. The tills exhibit a range of microstructures indicative of soft sediment deformation within temperate subglacial bed conditions. The tills can be subdivided at the macroscale into a lower grey and upper red till both of which exhibit some sedimentological variations; however, at the micro-level the tills appear essentially identical. The microstructures in the tills are illustrative of structures developed during deformation both during and following their emplacement. Of note are the microshears within these tills that are demonstrative of changes in applied stress. Both low (<25°) and high angle (>25°) microshears were mapped and their fabric data analyzed. The microshears show a change in stress levels ascending through successive till units. The changes in stress are demonstrative of spatially and temporally changing rheological conditions undergone by the subglacial tills during deformation, ongoing deposition/ emplacement and stress localization. These findings indicate that microstructures reveal local deformation conditions in tills and a more detailed micro-history of paleo-stress.     

Social geology — integrating sustainability concepts into Earth sciences

Most geologists would argue that geoscientific knowledge, experience, and guidance is critical for addressing many of society’s most acute environmental challenges, yet few geologists are directly engaged in current discourses around sustainable development. That is surprising given that several attributes make modern geoscience well placed to make critical contributions to contemporary sustainability thinking. Here, we argue that if geoscientists are to make our know-how relevant to sustainability science, two aspects seem clear. Firstly, the geoscience community needs to substantially broaden its constituency, not only forging interdisciplinary links with other environmental disciplines but also drawing from the human and behavioral sciences. Secondly, the principles and practices of ‘sustainability’ need to be explicitly integrated into geoscience education, training and continued professional development.     

Paleovalley-related uranium deposits in Australia and China: A review of geological and exploration models and methods

The features and similarities in the geology of paleovalley-related uranium mineralizing systems in Australia and China can be used to refine strategies for exploration. Paleovalley-related uranium resources include sandstone-, lignite- and calcrete-style deposits that are developed within the host sediments deposited in paleovalleys. The paleovalleys incise either crystalline bedrock or older sedimentary rocks, and uranium was deposited and concentrated by the influx of oxidized/reduced groundwaters flowing in aquifers within the paleovalley fill. The critical features of paleovalley-related uranium deposits include sediment and uranium sources, geological setting, depositional environment, age and relative timing of mineralization, aquifer characteristics, availability and distribution of reductants, and preservation potential of the uranium mineral system. This set of information provides a basis to establish the uranium mineralization model, which can then be used to assist with generating targets for uranium exploration and prospectivity analysis of a region. With respect to Sino-Australian examples, paleovalley-related uranium deposits form mostly around the margins of sedimentary basins and the mineralization is commonly hosted within channel fills contained within paleovalleys developed upon, or proximal to, Precambrian crystalline rocks that contain primary uranium sources. The deposits that have been well studied show remarkably similar factors that controlled the formation of paleovalley-related uranium deposits. Basement/bedrocks with above-background (2.8 ppm U) levels of uranium (10–100 ppm) that are linked to, and/or, incised by paleovalleys are associated with these deposits and are the inferred source of the uranium. In these regions, extensive fluvial systems developed particularly during Mesozoic and Cenozoic times, uranium from the bedrock was first dispersed into the sediments, and then concentrated to form deposits through successive chemical remobilization, precipitation and concentration. The deposits formed in continental or marginal marine environments, and commonly are associated with reduced lithologies, containing pyrite and dispersed organic matter and/or seams of lignite, or show evidence of infiltrated hydrocarbons. The mineralization is developed where oxidizing fluids (carrying dissolved U) reacted with reductants in the sediments. Geological, geophysical and geochemical features of the paleovalleys and related uranium deposits are used to construct models to understand host sediment distribution, fluid flow and ore genesis that can assist exploration for paleovalley-hosted uranium deposits. Precise geometric definition of the basin margin and paleovalley architecture is important in identifying exploration targets and improving the effectiveness of drilling. Refinements in remote sensing, geophysical and data processing techniques, in combination with sedimentological and depositional interpretations, provide an efficient approach for outlining the principal drainage patterns and channel dimensions. To help reduce risk, an exploration strategy should combine these technologies with a detailed understanding of the physicochemical parameters controlling uranium mobilization, precipitation and preservation.     

Quantifying geological structures of the Nigde province in central Anatolia,Turkey using SRTM DEM data

A digital terrain model and a 3D fly-through model of the Nigde province in central Anatolia, Turkey were generated and quantitatively analyzed employing the shuttle radar topographic mission (SRTM) digital elevation model (DEM). Besides, stream drainage patterns, lineaments and structural–geological features were extracted and analyzed. In the process of analyzing and interpreting the DEM for landforms, criteria such as color and color tones (attributes of heights), topography (shaded DEM and 3D fly-through model) and stream drainage patterns were employed to acquire geo-information about the land, such as hydrologic, geomorphologic, topographic and tectonic structures. In this study, the SRTM DEM data of the study region were experimentally used for both DEM classification and quantitative analysis of the digital terrain model. The results of the DEM classification are: (1) low plain including the plains of Bor and Altunhisar (20.7%); (2) high plain including the Misli (Konakli) plain (28.8%); (3) plateau plain including the Melendiz (Ciftlik) plateau plain (1.0%); (4) mountain including the Nigde massif (33.3%); and (5) high mountain (16.2%). High mountain areas include a caldera complex of Mt Melendiz, Mt Hasan and Mt Pozanti apart from the Ala mountains called Aladaglar and the Bolkar mountains called Bolkarlar in the study region (7,312 km²). Analysis of both the stream drainage patterns and the lineaments revealed that the Nigde province has a valley zone called Karasu valley zone (KVZ) or Nigde valley zone (NVZ), where settlements and agricultural plains, particularly the Bor plain in addition to settlements of the Bor town and the central city of Nigde have the most flooding risk when a heavy raining occurs. The study revealed that the NVZ diagonally divides the study region roughly into two equal parts, heading from northeast to southwest. According to the map created in this study, the right side of the NVZ has more mountainous area, where the Aladaglar is a wildlife national park consisting of many species of fauna and flora whereas the left side of the NVZ has more agricultural plain, with exception of a caldera complex of Mt Melendiz and volcanic Mt Hasan. The south of the study region includes the Bolkarlar. In addition, the Ecemis fault zone (EFZ) lying along the Ecemis rivulet, running from north to south at the west side of the Aladaglar, forms the most important and sensitive location in the region in terms of the tectonics.     

氦气测量及其地质找矿意义

氨是铀、碳氢化合物和地热源的潜在指示元素,其分布普遍,化学性质稳定,来源广泛,易于迁移。通过其在土壤,特别是地下水中的含量,研究其分布特征,结合地质、不主讲 质条件等综合分析,可有效地用以达到地质找矿目的。     

长白山天池老虎洞期火山活动地质特征及成因意义

长白山天池火山老虎洞期火山活动发生在更新世晚期白头山组碱性粗面岩喷发之后,火山活动的产物主要为玄武岩质火山碎屑岩和少量玄武岩质或粗面岩质熔岩;老虎洞组火山岩的稀土元素地球化学特征介于早期玄武岩和气象站组碱流岩两者之间,将二者有机地联系在一起,使整个天池火山岩的演化趋势更加清晰。老虎洞组火山岩的存在充分证明了天池火山的粗面岩类与该区早期的大量玄武岩具有成因联系。长白山天池火山活动的成因并非简单地用西太平洋板块的俯冲作用所能解释的。     

为地矿事业奋斗、贡献的50年

全面回顾了南京综合岩矿测试中心（江苏省地质矿产测试应用研究所）创建５０年来的发展与进步,重点总结了５０年间的主要技术成就,特别指出８０年代以来地矿实验工作获得了新的飞跃。     

Irrigation effects on the salinity of the Arba and Riguel Rivers (Spain): present diagnosis and expected evolution using geochemical models

This work diagnoses the present salinity of the Riguel and Arba Rivers (Spain) and predicts its expected evolution using geochemical models applied to the modernization of the actual Bardenas I and the completion of irrigation in the Bardenas II irrigation districts. The results show a progressive increase in salinity (from 0.39 to 2.21 dS/m electrical conductivity) in the Riguel-Arba system, due to the cumulative collection of irrigation return flows and its progression towards more saline facies. The Bardenas I modernization, involving an increase in irrigation efficiency from 50 to 90%, will decrease the volume and salinity of the Riguel River by 30%. In contrast, irrigation of the new 24,000 ha Bardenas II land will increase the flow (12%) and salinity (21%) of the Arba River. Geochemical models may help in providing sensible estimates on the impact of irrigation on the salinity of the receiving water bodies.     

地质矿产部"八五"期间物探、化探、遥感勘查若干新进展

"八五"期间地矿部系统物探、化探、遥感勘查工作取得了若干新进展。本文根据各省、市、区地勘局及勘查技术院等有关资料,分基础地质、矿产勘查及水工环三部分简述了这些成果的主要方面。在矿产部分,特别列举了自"六五"期间区域化探、区域物探起步以来,15年间找矿成果的对比情况,以供大家参考。