Mineralogy and Chemistry of Sulfides from the Longqi and Duanqiao Hydrothermal Fields in the Southwest Indian Ridge

Recent investigations found that hydrothermal activity and sulfide mineralization occurs along the Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR). The Longqi and Duanqiao hydrothermal fields between 49° E and 53° E of the SWIR are two prospective mineralization areas discovered by Chinese scientists. With the aim to determine the mineralogical and chemical characteristics of sulfide minerals, we have conducted detailed studies for samples from the two areas using an optical microscope, X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, and electron microprobe. The mineralization processes in the Longqi area are divided into three main stages: (1) the low-medium-temperature stage: colloform pyrite (Py I) + marcasite → euhedral pyrite (Py II), (2) the high-temperature stage: isocubanite (±exsolved chalcopyrite) + pyrrhotite → coarse-grained chalcopyrite (Ccp I), and (3) the medium–low-temperature stage: sphalerite + fine-grained chalcopyrite inclusions (Ccp II) → aggregates of anhedral pyrite (Py III) ± marcasite → Fe-oxide (-hydroxide) + amorphous silica. The mineralization processes in the Duanqiao area are divided into two main stages: (1) the medium–high-temperature stage: subhedral and euhedral pyrite (Py I′) → coarse-grained chalcopyrite (Ccp I′) and (2) the medium–low-temperature stage: sphalerite → fine-grained chalcopyrite (Ccp II′) + chalcopyrite inclusions (Ccp II′) → silica-cemented pyrite (Py II′) + marcasite → Fe-oxide + amorphous silica. We suggest that the fine-grained chalcopyrite inclusions in sphalerite from Longqi and Duanqiao were formed by co-precipitation and replacement mechanisms, respectively. Primary sphalerites from both fields are enriched in Fe (avg. 5.84 wt% for the Longqi field vs. avg. 3.69 wt% for the Duanqiao field), Co (avg. 185.56 ppm for the Longqi field vs. 160.53 ppm for the Duanqiao field), and Cd (avg. 1950 ppm for the Longqi field vs. avg. 525.26 ppm for the Duanqiao field). Cu contents in pyrite from the Duanqiao field (Py I′: avg. 849.23 ppm and Py II′: avg. 1191.11 ppm) tend to be higher than those from the Longqi field (Py I: avg. 26.67 ppm, Py II: avg. 445 ppm, and Py III: avg. 179.29 ppm). Chalcopyrite from both fields is enriched in Zn (Ccp I: avg. 3226.67 ppm, Ccp II: avg. 9280 ppm, Ccp I′: avg. 848 ppm, Ccp II′ (inclusions): avg. 1098 ppm, and Ccp II′ (fine-grained): avg. 1795 ppm). The varying contents of Zn in the different pyrite and chalcopyrite generations may result from the zone refining process. An integrated study of the mineralogy and mineralogical chemistry suggests that the hydrothermal fluids of the Longqi area are likely conditioned with higher temperatures and relatively lower fO2 and fS2 than those of the Duanqiao area, but in contrast to the former, the latter is much affected by the compositions of the surrounding rocks.     

Structures and Implications for Fluid Migration in the Jiadi Carlin‐Type Gold Deposit,Guizhou Province,Southwest China

The Jiadi gold deposit is a newly discovered Carlin‐type gold deposit in the Guizhou Province, Southwest China. This deposit is structurally controlled by a shallow fold–fault superimposed system along the Lianhuashan trend. Field geological investigations, structural analysis, and mathematical research are conducted to study its structures and hydrothermal fluid flow process. Geological investigations (i.e. sections, stope, and drill hole) indicate that the structures are dominated by NE‐trending folds, NWW‐trending folds, and faults. A trend‐surface analysis of the low interformational fracture zone suggests that the overall distribution of the Lianhuashan trend is controlled by the NE‐trending Lianhuashan anticline. Nearly all primary Carlin‐type gold deposits are distributed along the southeastern flank where the fold axis changes from NE to EW. Gold orebodies are hosted by the interformational fracture zones and primarily situated at the transitions from the high‐value areas to the low‐value areas of the interformational fracture zones. A stress analysis on the hydrothermal veins indicates that they are of tenso‐shear properties. The ore‐forming elements (Au, As, Sb, Hg, and Tl) of the hydrothermal veins from the interformational fracture zones and intrusive breccia body present strong positive anomalies compared with those from the adjacent wall rocks. According to the development patterns of the ore‐forming elements and hydrothermal veins, a migration process of the ore‐forming fluids is proposed: the deeply sourced ore‐forming fluids migrated vertically to shallow crust along an intrusive breccia body, subsequently flowed horizontally along the interformational fracture zones accompanied by gold precipitation in the early stage, and finally migrated outward along steep micro‐fractures during following stages.     

WRF模式边界层参数化方案对西南低涡模拟的影响

应用中尺度数值模式WRF(V3.3版本)选用4种行星边界层参数化方案(YSU、ACM2、MYJ和NOPBL)对2011年6月16—18日造成强降水的西南低涡过程进行敏感性试验,对比分析不同边界层参数化方案对西南低涡过程模拟的影响。模拟结果表明:4种边界层参数化方案均能较好地模拟出西南低涡以及暴雨带的东移,其中YSU方案对低涡路径、强度及降水的总体模拟效果最好。YSU和ACM2方案,与MYJ和NOPBL方案相比,模拟的低涡中心区域正涡度柱和垂直上升运动较强,达到的垂直高度更高。造成这种差异的主要原因是对边界层上的夹卷效应以及垂直混合作用考虑的不同。不考虑边界层作用的NOPBL方案模拟的地表风速异常偏大,造成地表热通量明显偏强、边界层高度偏高。YSU、ACM2和MYJ 3种方案模拟的边界层高度和热通量的日变化比较一致,夜间基本维持少变,白天变化大,其中MYJ模拟的边界层高度和热通量较大,ACM2模拟的较小。地表风速是造成热量输送以及边界层高度模拟差异的主要因子。     

我国西南地区干旱变化及对贵州水稻产量影响

近几年,我国西南地区干旱频繁发生,严重影响农业生产。为了探讨干旱和水稻产量之间关系的复杂性,采用中国气象局国家气象信息中心提供的西南地区348个站气象数据,计算了西南地区干旱的变化趋势,并利用2000—2011年贵州省县级水稻产量资料分析了干旱对水稻单产的影响,探讨了干旱、水资源灌溉以及水稻产量之间的关系。结果表明:1951—2012年西南地区降水量平均减少16.9 mm/10 a,特别是8—10月降水量明显减少。同时,西南地区干旱日数呈上升趋势,平均增加3.3 d/10 a。对比水稻产量发现,当累计干旱日数少于40 d时,干旱对水稻产量一般不会造成影响;当累计干旱日数超过86 d时,干旱造成水稻减产20%~73%,这意味着当累计干旱日数超过3个月时,江河塘库蓄水将受到影响,进而影响水稻的灌溉,造成水稻严重减产;当累计干旱日数为40~86 d时,水稻减产一般少于20%,但地区差异较大。     

西南印度洋中脊热液产物稀土元素组成变化及其来源

对西南印度洋中脊热液区不同热液产物稀土元素(REE)进行了分析,探讨了热液产物形成过程中稀土元素组成变化及其来源。研究结果表明:不同热液产物稀土元素总量变化范围从3.47×10-7到4.80×10-5,轻重稀土比值(LREE/HREE)从2.06到6.16,表明轻重稀土有较大程度分异,δEu异常(δEu=0.86~3.88)和δCe异常(δCe=0.40~0.86)显示热液产物中REE呈Eu富集和Ce亏损特征。稀土元素球粒陨石标准化模式呈现两种类型:(1)呈轻微富集LREE的平坦模式,REE大于2×10-5;(2)呈显著富集LREE和正Eu异常模式,REE小于5×10-7。模式1类似于洋壳火山岩REE配分模式,而模式2与西南印度洋中脊黑烟囱REE模式相似,也与典型洋中脊热液喷口流体和硫化物LREE富集和正Eu异常模式类似。热液产物中稀土元素含量变化和模式特征以及Mg与LREE极强正相关关系可能反映了西南印度洋中脊硫化物形成在热液流体与海水混合沉淀的初始阶段,后期经历了广泛的热液流体再循环和海水蚀变过程。     

利用地震海洋学方法估算南海中尺度涡的地转流速

中尺度涡是重要的海洋学现象,它在很大程度上影响着海洋内部的能量传递过程.由于传统海洋学观测手段的固有局限性,一直以来对中尺度涡观测和研究的程度都比较低.地震海洋学的诞生和发展为海洋学观测提供了一个全新的手段.对南海的历史地震数据重新处理后,我们首次在本研究海域的地震剖面上看到了透镜状结构.它位于南海西南次海盆(~113.6°E,11.4°N),中心深度约为450 m,中心厚度约为300 m,半径约为55~65 km,具有典型的中尺度涡特征,综合解释为反气旋.我们利用地震海洋学方法估算了地转剪切,结合来自于卫星高度数据的海表面地转流速度进一步得到了绝对流速的垂向剖面.结果显示,流速的最大值约为0.7 m/s,出现在400~450 m处,对应于涡旋的中心深度;西北部分为正,东南部分为负,整体呈现出顺时针的转动方向,说明了它是一个反气旋结构.     

孟加拉湾西南季风与南海热带季风的气候特征比较

本文运用NCAR/NCEP再分析数据和APHRO_MA_V1003R1降水数据,对比分析了孟加拉湾西南季风和南海热带季风的气候特征异同以及对降水分布的影响,得到如下结论:(1)孟加拉湾西南季风比南海热带季风爆发更早、强度更强、持续时间更久、向北推进更北.(2)孟加拉湾西南季风建立过程缓慢,主要是索马里越赤道西南气流的逐渐加强和热带印度洋ITCZ(赤道辐合带)的逐渐北移;而南海热带季风建立过程迅速,主要是东亚大槽的一次替换过程伴随西太平洋副热带高压的突然东撤和热带西太平洋ITCZ的突然北跳.(3)孟加拉湾西南风纬向分量较强,季风建立前后主要变化在于偏西风的强度;而南海西南风经向分量较强,季风建立后风向突然逆转,东南风由于副高东撤而迅速被西南风取代.(4)孟加拉湾西南季风撤退较快,而南海季风则撤退较慢.(5)根据季风进程将夏季风期划分为季风发展期(5月)、强盛期(6-8月)和减退期(9-10月).其间对流活跃区的发展和推进、季风槽的位置以及对应降水区域均有明显差异.(6)在夏季风期,孟加拉湾和南海经度上分别存在着由ITCZ北抬引起的、在季风槽对流活跃区上升而在南北两侧下沉的、南北对称分布的季风经向次级环流.由于孟加拉湾和青藏高原强大热源的存在,孟加拉湾上升区南北跨度比南海的更大;孟加拉湾经圈环流更加稳定,而南海经圈环流的南北摆动更明显;孟加拉湾上升中心区比南海的偏北;在季风减退期,由于南海ITCZ撤退较慢,其上升区比孟加拉湾上升区偏北.     

Terrestrial hydrological responses to precipitation variability in Southwest China with emphasis on drought

Abstract

This study investigates the terrestrial hydrological processes during a dry climate period in Southwest China by analysing the frequency-dependent runoff and soil moisture responses to precipitation variability. Two headwater sub-basins, the Nanpan and Guihe basins of the West River (Xijiang), are studied to compare and contrast the terrestrial responses. The variable infiltration capacity (VIC) model is used to simulate the hydrological processes. Using wavelets, the relationships between observed precipitation and simulated runoff/soil moisture are expressed quantitatively. The results indicate that: (a) the Guihe basin shows a greater degree of high-frequency runoff variability in response to regional precipitation; and (b) the Nanpan basin exhibits less capability in accommodating/smoothing extreme precipitation deficits, reflected in terms of both higher scale-averaged (for 3–6 months) and time-averaged (for the year 1963) wavelet power of soil moisture.

Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz; Associate editor C.-Y. Xu

Citation Niu, J. and Chen, J., 2013. Terrestrial hydrological responses to precipitation variability in Southwest China with emphasis on drought. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 59 (2), 325–335.     

西南地区黑色岩系铀成矿作用及成因模式探讨

西南地区广泛分布黑色岩系,主要分布于上震旦统—下寒武统、志留系、二叠系和三叠系,其中以上震旦统—下寒武统为主,次为志留系。西南地区黑色岩系中分布有众多的铀矿床、铀矿点和铀矿化点,但铀矿床相对较少。西南地区黑色岩系中典型的矿床有四川若尔盖铀矿床(510)、贵州白马硐铀矿床(504)和广西大新铀矿床(373)。这3个富大铀矿床具有许多相似的特点,与深大断裂有关,也与岩性有关,同时还与岩浆—流体活动有关。西南地区黑色岩系沉积和成岩期初步富集较高含量的铀,是西南地区黑色岩系铀成矿的前奏。后期改造作用和叠加成矿的方式及规模,是西南地区黑色岩系中铀矿大矿和富矿形成的必要条件。西南地区黑色岩系中形成富大铀矿需要经过"三部曲":①前奏:沉积作用形成铀含量高值区(铀异常),②改造:浅源流体改造形成铀的再富集(出现铀矿点、小型或中型矿床),③叠加:深源流体叠加和改造形成富大矿(大型铀矿床)。     

Big fish (and a smallish skate) eat small fish: diet variation and trophic level of Sympterygia acuta,a medium‐sized skate high in the food web

The bignose fanskate, Sympterygia acuta, is a small‐to‐medium‐sized species endemic to shallow coastal waters of the Southwest Atlantic. Sympterygia acuta displays a clear seasonal reproductive cycle, characterized by maximum egg‐laying activity in spring and hatching in summer. We hypothesized that diet and feeding activity change with maturity stage and season and that, given its smallish size, the trophic level is low. Using a multiple‐hypothesis modeling approach, the diet of S. acuta in relation to sex, body size, maturity stage, region (i.e. north and south) and season was analysed; and a potential relationship between feeding activity and the seasonal reproductive cycle was assessed. Sympterygia acuta fed on a broad spectrum of prey, but teleosts were more important (47.97% index of relative importance, %IRI), followed by decapods (39.84%IRI), cumaceans (8.31%IRI) and isopods (1.89%IRI). Maturity stage was a strong determinant of the ontogenetic diet shift of S. acuta, and relationships between number of prey consumed with season and region were found.. Feeding activity was higher in the cold season than in the warm season, and was less important in the south region than in the north region. Unexpectedly, the specific trophic level was high (3.87). Sympterygia acuta shifts its diet with maturity stage, possibly by a combination of an improved ability to capture prey and a change in energy demand of mature individuals. Despite being a small‐to‐medium‐sized skate, S. acuta showed a trophic level similar to that of large‐bodied marine predators. It reduces its feeding activity seasonally because in the warm season this species may experience an increased predation risk from large sharks.