Weathering process at the natural fission reactor of Bangombé

 The uranium deposits in the basin of Franceville (Gabon) host the only natural fission reactors known in the world. Unique geological conditions favoured a natural fission reaction 2 Ga ago. This was detected by anomalous isotopic compositions of uranium and rare earth elements (REE), which are produced by the fission reaction. In total, 16 reactor zones were found. Most of them are mined out. The reactor zone of Bangombé, is only 10–11 m below the surface. This site has been influenced by surface weathering processes. Six drill cores have been sampled at the site of the reactor zone of Bangombé during the course of the study and only one drill core (BAX 08) hit the core of the reactor. From these data and previous drilling campaigns, the reactor size is estimated to be 10 cm thick, 2–3 m wide and 4–6 m long. The migration of fission products can be traced by the anomalous isotope ratios of REE because of the fission process. The ¹⁴⁹Sm/¹⁴⁷Sm ratio close to the reactor zone is only 0.28 (normal: 0.92) because of the intense neutron capture of ¹⁴⁹Sm and subsequent transmutation, whereas ¹⁴⁷Sm is enriched by the fission reaction. Similar changes in isotopic patterns are detectable on other REE. The isotope ratios of Sm and Nd of whole rock and fracture samples surrounding the reactor indicate that fission-genic REE migrated only a few decimetres above and mainly below the reactor zone. Organic matter (bitumen) seems to act as a trap for fission-genic REE. Additional REE-patterns show less intense weathering with increasing depth in the log profile and support a simple weathering model. Received: 26 November 1999 · Accepted: 2 May 2000     

南极威尔克斯地SGR钻孔处雪冰转化过程中的密度变化特征

本文着重描述了SGR钻孔处冰盖上的积雪在密实化过程中的特征变化,并对该过程进行了分段的和全面的回归分析.结果表明,冰盖密度随深度增大,但增长幅度随深度减小.作者提出密度变化减小度的概念.计算得出的所研究冰芯钻取点的密度变化减小度为-0.15kg/m~3·m~2,粒雪成冰前的密实速率平均值为4.08kg/m~3·a.本文得到的冰盖密度变化“临界点”与以往报道的有所不同.分析这一现象时,作者强调当积雪还在活动层时冰盖温度的影响,并以此解释密度剖面的异常变化以及离差的回升.特别指出,积雪的密度变化具有气候学意义,它在一定程度上能够反映出积雪形成及变化过程中气候变化的某些信息.本文由密度变化确定的钻孔点雪冰转化深度为50米.     

The Mordor Alkaline Igneous Complex,Central Australia: PGE-enriched disseminated sulfide layers in cumulates from a lamprophyric magma

The Mordor Alkaline Igneous Complex (MAIC) is a composite intrusion comprising a body of syenite and a funnel-shaped layered mafic–ultramafic intrusion of lamprophyric parentage, the Mordor Mafic–Ultramafic Intrusion or MMUI. The MMUI is highly unusual among intrusions of lamprophyric or potassic parentage in containing primary magmatic platinum-group element (PGE)-enriched sulfides. The MMUI sequence consists largely of phlogopite-rich pyroxenitic cumulates, with an inward dipping conformable layer of olivine-bearing cumulates divisible into a number of cyclic units. Stratiform-disseminated sulfide accumulations are of two types: disseminated layers at the base of cyclic units, with relatively high PGE tenors; and patchy PGE-poor disseminations within magnetite-bearing upper parts of cyclic units. Sulfide-enriched layers at cycle bases contain anomalous platinum group element contents with grades up to 1.5 g/t Pt+Pd+Au over 1-m intervals, returning to background values of low parts per billion (ppb) on a meter scale. They correspond to reversals in normal fractionation trends and are interpreted as the result of new magma influxes into a continuously replenished magma chamber. Basal layers have decoupled Cu and PGE peaks reflecting increasing PGE tenors up-section, due to increasing R factors during the replenishment episode, or progressive mixing of between resident PGE-poor magma and more PGE-enriched replenishing magma. The presence of PGE enriched sulfides in cumulates from a lamprophyric magma implies that low-degree partial melts do not necessarily leave sulfides and PGEs in the mantle restite during partial melting. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

内蒙古天和永玄武岩成因：岩相学与矿物学分析

天和永地区南北向出露的小面积单层碱性玄武岩,岩石中出现至少三种矿物共生组合关系。所有岩石均以橄榄石作为主要斑晶矿物,大颗粒环带橄榄石斑晶中心镁值为89．5,边缘镁值为70．3,小颗粒环带橄榄石镁值46．2～78．9。粒径最小的橄榄石聚集体和散布的基质橄榄石均无明显环带,前者镁值67．4～68．1,后者镁值65．5—72．1;单斜辉石由相对高钛高铝贫硅的散布柱状辉石和相对低钛低铝富硅的聚集粒状辉石组成,前者形成于低压快速淬火环境,镁值65．1—77．1,后者形成于富含挥发份的低压低过冷度环境,镁值77．7～78．0。所有单斜辉石均以次透辉石为主,个别为深绿辉石;斜长石以包含结构产出为主,为相对偏酸性的中长石An=33．7～37．4,CaO含量低与早期大量单斜辉石结晶有关。由于残余岩浆内K,0和Na20含量富集且极不均一,晚期结晶的长石同时出现了高钠长石、K-高钠长石（歪长石）和K-透长石;钛铁氧化物多数为晚期结晶的细粒基质矿物,少量以0．3ram左右的斑晶和橄榄石斑晶中的包裹体形式存在,可归属为钛铁尖晶石（Usp）-磁铁矿（Mt）固溶体系列,晚期逐渐向贫铝、铬和富钛方向演化。由于以上各种造岩矿物的晶出,导致残余岩浆形成的火山玻璃向贫镁、铁、钙和富铝、钾方向演化,火山玻璃的全碱含量变异趋势与全岩类似,均和SiO2含量无明显相关性,火山玻璃具有响岩和粗面安山岩成分特征,K2O／Na2O值变化大0．68～1．61,均为钾玄岩系列,Na2O含量依然呈现宽区间特征,是天和永玄武岩由钾质过渡到钠质的主要原因。天和永玄武质岩浆从地幔运移到地表仅需5小时-5天,大颗粒斑晶橄榄石和小颗粒基质橄榄石生长仅需几小时到几天,前者形成无须深部岩浆房停留,后者近似晚期岩浆快速淬火时间。高镁橄榄石斑晶与残余岩浆的扩散平衡时间约42天～252天。深部结晶的橄榄石在运移途中和地表流动过程中缺乏足够的时间和适宜的动力学条件而无法离开岩浆体系。全岩与火山玻璃间缺少中间过渡成分,呈两个相对集中的端元组分存在亦由晶出矿物无法离开岩浆体系所致。天和永玄武岩的成岩时间尺度远小于同化混染和岩浆分异的时间尺度,是岩浆作用过程未能明显影响其不均一原生岩浆性质的主要原因。因此,岩浆作用的某些物理过程分析是认识岩浆起源与岩浆作用过程及其对火成岩多样性的贡献的重要方面,同时对于理解和约束岩浆作用的某些化学过程也是十分有益的。     

新疆东天山葫芦岩体岩石学与地球化学研究

葫芦岩体位于康古尔—黄山韧性剪切带东段,地表出露面积0.75km²。主要岩石类型有辉长闪长岩、辉长岩、辉石岩、辉橄岩、橄揽岩。岩相之间多呈渐变过渡关系,局部也有侵入接触。主量元素化学组成基本上属拉斑玄武岩系列。岩石相对富集LREE、适度亏损高场强元素(Nb、Ta、Ti)。岩浆演化过程中发生了较弱的同化混染作用。橄榄石、斜方辉石、单斜辉石和斜长石的分离结晶作用是岩浆演化的主要机制。四件样品ε_Nd(t)值(＋6.4~+7.1),一件样品的ε_Sr(t)=+3.4,其余三件的ε_Sr(t)值(-10.1~-9.3),²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb(18.091~18.513)、²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb(15.459~15.528)、²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb(37.526~38.126)。元素地球化学和Nd、Sr、Pb同位素体系表明,源区软流圈来源的岩浆中混入了富集岩石圈地幔来源的岩浆。稀土元素地球化学证明,熔融作用发生于尖晶石稳定域内。由此可见,岩体是尖晶石稳定域内占主体的软流圈地幔与富集岩石圈地幔相互作用的结果。     

Seasonal DOC accumulation in the Black Sea: a regional explanation for a general mechanism

During three cruises in the Black Sea, organised in July 1995 and April–May 1997, biological and chemical parameters that can influence the carbon budget were measured in the water column on the NW shelf, particularly in the mixing zone with Danube River waters. We observed in early spring (end of April–May) conditions an important input of freshwater organisms that enhanced the microbial activity in the low salinity range. High bacterial activity regenerates nitrogen in the form of nitrates, but is also responsible for an important consumption of ammonium and phosphate, leading to a high N/P ratio and a strong deficit in phosphorus. The consequence is a limitation of phytoplankton development but also a production of carbohydrates that accumulate all along the salinity gradient. These mechanisms are responsible for a seasonal accumulation of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) that increases from 210 μM in winter to about 280 μM in summer. All this excess DOC disappears during winter, probably degraded by bacterial activity. The degradation of carbon-rich organic matter increases the phosphorus demand by bacteria bringing limitation to phytoplankton primary production.     

基于AHP法和灰色模式识别理论的海底管道系统路由定量风险评估

根据海底管道路由潜在风险的特点及风险类型,提出了一种将层次分析法（AHP法）和灰色模式识别理论相结合的海底管道系统路由定量风险评估方法,该方法利用AHP确定风险评价指标体系,运用灰色模式识别理论,建立识别结果标准,并结合实际工程进行计算,计算结果表明该方法是可行的.     

广西佛子冲铅锌矿田成岩成矿时代研究

广西佛子冲铅锌矿田位于桂东南博白-岑溪多金属成矿带的NE端,区内发育燕山期花岗岩、花岗闪长岩、二长花岗斑岩和英安质凝灰熔岩等;其中花岗闪长岩和二长花岗斑岩与铅锌成矿关系密切,成矿岩体形成时代分别为156Ma和127Ma。     

Fluid sources for the La Guitarra epithermal deposit (Temascaltepec district, Mexico): Volatile and helium isotope analyses in fluid inclusions

The La Guitarra deposit (Temascaltepec district, South-Central Mexico), belongs to the low/intermediate sulfidation epithermal type, has a polymetallic character although it is currently being mined for Ag and Au. The mineralization shows a polyphasic character and formed through several stages and sub-stages (named I, IIA, IIB, IIC, IID, and III). The previous structural, mineralogical, fluid inclusion and stable isotope studies were used to constrain the selection of samples for volatile and helium isotope analyses portrayed in this study. The N₂/Ar overall range obtained from analytical runs on fluid inclusion volatiles, by means of Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (QMS), is 0 to 2526, and it ranges 0 to 2526 for stage I, 0 to 1264 for stage IIA, 0 to 1369 for stage IIB, 11 to 2401 for stage IIC, 19 to 324 for stage IID, and 0 to 2526 for stage III. These values, combined with the CO₂/CH₄ ratios, and N₂-He-Ar and N₂-CH₄-Ar relationships, suggest the occurrence of fluids from magmatic, crustal, and shallow meteoric sources in the forming epithermal vein deposit. The helium isotope analyses, obtained by means of Noble Gas Mass Spectrometry, display R/Ra average values between 0.5 and 2, pointing to the occurrence of mantle-derived helium that was relatively diluted or “contaminated” by crustal helium. These volatile analyses, when correlated with the stable isotope data from previous works and He isotope data, show the same distribution of data concerning sources for mineralizing fluids, especially those corresponding to magmatic and crustal sources. Thus, the overall geochemical data from mineralizing fluids are revealed as intrinsically consistent when compared to each other.The three main sources for mineralizing fluids (magmatic, and both deep and shallow meteoric fluids) are accountable at any scale, from stages of mineralization down to specific mineral associations. The volatile and helium isotope data obtained in this paper suggest that the precious metal-bearing mineral associations formed after hydrothermal pulses of predominantly oxidized magmatic fluids, and thus it is likely that precious metals were carried by fluids with such origin. Minerals from base-metal sulfide associations record both crustal and magmatic sources for mineralizing fluids, thus suggesting that base metals could be derived from deep leaching of crustal rocks. At the La Guitarra epithermal deposit there is no evidence for an evolution of mineralizing fluids towards any dominant source. Rather than that, volatile analyses in fluid inclusions suggest that this deposit formed as a pulsing hydrothermal system where each pulse or set of pulses accounts for different compositions of mineralizing fluids.The positive correlation between the relative content of magmatic fluids (high N₂/Ar ratios) and H₂S suggests that the necessary sulfur to carry mostly gold as bisulfide complexes came essentially from magmatic sources. Chlorine necessary to carry silver and base metals was found to be abundant in inclusion fluids and although there is no evidence about its source, it is plausible that it may come from magmatic sources as well.