青海南山构造带西段黑马河花岗杂岩体锆石U-Pb年代学、地球化学特征及其地质意义

本文对青海南山构造带西段黑马河花岗杂岩体中的石英闪长岩和花岗闪长岩以及花岗闪长岩中的暗色微粒包体进行了详细的岩石学、岩石地球化学和LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年代学研究。结果表明,花岗闪长岩及暗色微粒包体的结晶年龄分别为244.4±1.1 Ma和243.0±1.2 Ma,表明岩体形成于中三叠世早期。石英闪长岩和花岗闪长岩为准铝质高钾钙碱性系列,暗色微粒包体为高钾钙碱性—钾玄岩系列,稀土元素配分曲线均具有轻重稀土明显分异的右倾特征,具弱负Eu异常(δEu=0.65~0.83),富集大离子亲石元素(Cs、Rb、Th、K)和Pb,亏损高场强元素(Nb、Ta、Ti)和P、Ba负异常。岩相学和岩石地球化学特征指示黑马河花岗杂岩体具壳幔岩浆混合特征,形成于活动大陆边缘的俯冲环境,石英闪长岩为受俯冲流体交代的地幔楔部分熔融产生的基性岩浆演化的产物,花岗闪长岩则源自壳源岩浆与少量幔源岩浆的混合。黑马河花岗杂岩体是中三叠世早期宗务隆洋向南俯冲消减的岩浆记录。     

云南永平卓潘碱性杂岩体岩石学和地球化学特征及成因研究

卓潘碱性杂岩体为"三江"地区富碱(高钾)侵入岩的重要组成部分,位于哀牢山-金沙江缝合带的中部,侵位于兰坪盆地南部的白垩系砂岩中,主要由碱性辉长岩、辉石正长岩和霞石正长岩组成。对卓潘碱性杂岩体的岩相学、岩石学、主元素和稀土微量及同位素地球化学特征的系统研究表明,该杂岩体主量元素显示低硅、富钾、高碱(K2O+Na2O为6.92%~13.43%)、低TiO 2(0.31%~1.20%)的特征,属钾质碱性系列岩石;杂岩体的各种岩石均富集Rb、Sr、Ba、Th等大离子亲石元素、亏损Nb、Ta、Ti等高场强元素,并具有轻稀土富集的右倾型稀土元素分布模式、具较高的87Sr/86Sr、206Pb/204Pb、207Pb/204Pb、208Pb/204Pb及较低的143Nd/144Nd等特征,表明源区具有较明显的EMⅡ型富集地幔特征,源区明显受到壳源物质的混染。卓潘岩体形成于印度-欧亚大陆后碰撞的剪切和拉张的构造环境,古扬子板片向西俯冲,诱发了经过陆壳交代混染了的岩石圈地幔的部分熔融。由于兰坪走滑拉分盆地东缘断裂拉伸强度大,岩浆起源的深度大,以及岩浆源区成分(特别是CO2含量)与其它部位不同,因此在卓潘地区形成一套与金沙江-哀牢山-红河断裂带其它新生代富碱斑岩完全不同的过碱性的岩石。     

陕西省洛南县长岭碱性杂岩体锆石U-Pb年代学及岩石地球化学特征

长岭碱性杂岩体位于华北陆块南缘洛南台缘褶皱带,侵位于中元古界长城系熊耳群和高山河群,主要岩石类型为石英正长岩和霓辉正长岩。开展了石英正长岩主量元素、稀土元素、微量元素分析和LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年。研究结果显示:岩石为过碱质系列。稀土元素具有弱Eu正异常,表现出轻稀土富集,重稀土亏损。微量元素具有亏损Ti、Ce、Ta、Nb、相对亏损P等高场强元素,富集大离子亲石元素的特点。δEu-(La/Yb)N图解中,两类岩石样品落在壳幔型区域,说明岩浆起源可能与壳幔相互作用有关;LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb表明其形成年龄为(265.3±1.5)Ma,为晚二叠世早期岩浆活动产物。长岭正长岩形成于拉张的构造环境,由受俯冲组分改造的岩石圈地幔物质与部分熔融的地壳物质混合形成。     

吉林红旗岭镁铁-超镁铁质岩的地球化学特征及地质意义

吉林红旗岭钼镍矿的岩石类型主要包括橄榄岩、橄榄辉石岩、辉石岩和辉长岩等。岩体的主量元素显示拉斑玄武岩岩浆分异演化的趋势。岩石中∑REE=39.48×10-6~53.86×10-6,LREE/HREE=1.07~3.89,(La/Yb)N=1.14~10.00,轻稀土富集,重稀土亏损,无明显的负铕异常。微量元素以明显富集大离子亲石元素(Rb、Ba),亏损高场强元素,有Nb、Ti的负异常为特征,显示出俯冲带幔源岩石的成分特征。该区岩石可能为受到俯冲带流体交代过的岩石圈地幔经减压部分熔融所产生的岩浆在上侵过程中,同化混染了部分壳源物质组分的产物。     

华北克拉通中部早白垩世岩石圈地幔性质：来自狐偃山科头钾质正长岩年代学、同位素的限制

华北克拉通东部中生代岩石圈减薄已经取得了大量进展,相比之下对克拉通中部岩石圈演化认识不足。本文对华北克拉通中部狐偃山杂岩体中科头正长岩进行了锆石U-Pb年代学、主量和微量元素、Sr-Nd-Hf同位素地球化学研究。LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年结果显示,科头正长岩侵位于早白垩世晚期(～111Ma)。岩石样品均为钾质—超钾质,属于碱性系列岩石。这些岩石相对富集轻稀土,亏损重稀土和中稀土,具有明显的正Eu异常(Eu/Eu~*=1.22～1.96)、富集大离子亲石元素LILE(Rb、Sr、Ba),亏损高场强元素HFSE(Nb、Ta、Ti)。所有岩石样品具有相对高的初始~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr比值(0.7058～0.7062)和低的ε_(Nd)(t)(-10.4～—11.1),ε_(Hf)(t)介于—12.2～—5.2之间。详细的元素和同位素地球化学研究表明科头正长岩的原始岩浆可能来源于富集岩石圈地幔中富金云母的尖晶石二辉橄榄岩源区的部分熔融,岩浆演化过程中经历了地壳混染与结晶分异(AFC)过程。结合华北克拉通中部岩浆资料,将华北克拉通中部早白垩世岩浆作用分为早晚两期:早期(123～135Ma)为岩浆作用高峰期,晚期(～114Ma)为最后一期弱的岩浆期;华北克拉通中部陆下岩石圈地幔是富集的、不均一的,其至少在早白垩世(138～111Ma)一直处于减薄状态。     

西藏拉萨地块西段狮泉河地区晚侏罗世花岗岩年代学、地球化学与岩石成因

目前关于拉萨地块西段狮泉河地区中生代岩浆岩的报道相对较少,限制了对该地区中生代岩浆作用的认识.对狮泉河地区石英闪长岩和闪长质包体的锆石U-Pb年龄、岩石学特征与元素地球化学进行了研究.结果显示,寄主石英闪长岩的年龄为161.1±1.7 Ma,闪长质包体的年龄为159.8±1.6 Ma和157.0±1.3 Ma,两者为同期形成.寄主石英闪长岩为I型准铝质中钾-高钾钙碱性系列岩石,具有富集大离子亲石元素、亏损高场强元素的特征.闪长质包体为准铝质中钾-高钾钙碱性系列岩石.岩石学、地球化学特征研究表明,该套岩石可能与中侏罗世班公湖-怒江特提斯洋南向俯冲有关,班公湖-怒江特提斯洋南向俯冲引起幔源物质发生熔融,上涌的幔源岩浆与拉萨地块古老基底重熔形成的酸性岩浆混合,形成了含闪长质包体的晚侏罗世岩体.      

觉罗塔格南缘石炭系火山岩地球化学特征及其对古亚洲洋南缘构造演化的指示意义

研究了觉罗塔格南缘石炭系雅满苏组与土古土布拉克组火山岩的主量元素、微量元素和Sr-Nd同位素特征。结果显示,雅满苏组(中)酸性熔岩属贫钾钙碱性岩浆系列,Mg#值介于0.49~0.51,ISr介于0.706 42~0.707 68、εNd(t)为3.28~5.49,富集轻稀土与大离子亲石元素、相对亏损重稀土与高场强元素,具中等负Eu异常(δEu=0.62~0.65),其形成可能与幔源基性岩浆结晶分异有关。土古土布拉克组中(酸)性火山岩属钙碱性-高钾钙碱性系列,Mg#值介于0.53~0.57,轻稀土相对富集,重稀土相对亏损,略具负铕异常(δEu=0.63~0.84),富集大离子亲石元素,相对亏损高场强元素,ISr介于0.703 71~0.708 47、εNd(t)为6.48~6.83,表明其母岩浆来源于受交代的富集岩石圈地幔楔。结合区域地质背景研究成果,认为它们形成于古亚洲洋壳向南俯冲的岛弧环境,并且早石炭世的雅满苏组火山岩代表不成熟的洋内岛弧的产物,而晚石炭世的土古土布拉克组火山岩是岛弧演化到相对成熟阶段的产物。这种物质成分和时空分布特征揭示的石炭纪该区壳幔岩石圈由北向南、由老到新明显增厚现象,为古亚洲洋南缘吐哈古洋壳当时在该处具有向南俯冲的极性提供了有力证据。     

西藏措勤地区布嘎寺碱性正长岩的特征及构造环境

布嘎寺正长岩体是目前冈底斯乃至青藏高原地区唯一含似长石及碱性暗色矿物的新生代碱性正长岩体,主要岩性为霓辉正长岩。碱性正长岩体与新生代钾质熔岩密切共生,Ar-Ar法测得正长岩的年龄为27.14Ma±0.05Ma,略早于熔岩。正长岩在化学成分上高钾、富碱,K2O Na2O>11%,K2O>8%,K2O/Na2O>2,里特曼指数σ>9,属超钾质的碱性系列岩石。岩石富集大离子亲石元素、生热元素和轻稀土元素,贫Sr、Ba,具弱的Eu负异常。岩石地球化学特征、O同位素组成、黑云母化学成分等显示其成岩物质来源于富集的上地幔。渐新世碱性正长岩与中新世钾质火山岩构成了该区碰撞后的构造岩浆组合,是在印度-欧亚板块碰撞引起的岩石圈加厚及高原隆升的基础上,岩石圈拆沉、软流圈上涌导致富集的岩石圈地幔部分熔融所形成的。     

云南永平卓潘新生代碱性杂岩体的元素地球化学和Nd-Sr-Pb同位素特征及地质意义

云南永平卓潘碱性杂岩体是金沙江-哀牢山富碱斑岩带中的重要岩体,位于兰坪走滑拉分盆地西部。该岩体的主要岩石类型为辉石正长岩、正长岩和霞石正长岩等。岩石地球化学显示高碱、高K_2O/Na_2O比值、低TiO_2、高Al_2O_3的超钾质钾玄岩系列岩石。微量元素表现为富集K、Rb、Sr、Ba等大离子亲石元素(LILE),亏损Ta、Nb、Ti、P、Zr等高场强元素(HFSE),表现为明显的"Ta-Nb-Ti"负异常,同时富集过渡性元素Cr、Ni、Co等。稀土元素为稀土总量高,富集LREE、(La/Yb)_N比值高、Eu异常不明显为特征。(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)_i比值为0.707611～0.709167、ε_(Nd)(t)值为-4.89～-6.57,~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb变化于18.6886～18.7022、~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb变化于15.6169～15.63493、~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb变化于38.7972～38.8927,显示岩浆源区具有富集地幔(EMⅡ)与下地壳共同作用的壳幔过渡带特征,构造环境判别为大陆弧(CAP)环境。岩体是在碰撞造山过程中大陆板片俯冲,使曾经遭受古洋壳板片流体强烈交代的壳幔过渡带在上升的软流圈熔体的注入而发生部分熔融,在走滑拉分盆地的核心部位沿构造断裂上升侵位而形成。     

滇西北甭哥正长岩体成因:锆石U-Pb年龄、Hf同位素和地球化学证据

滇西北甭哥金矿区赋矿岩石类型主要为黑云辉石正长岩、黑云母正长岩及正长斑岩。锆石LA-ICP-MS定年结果表明黑云辉石正长岩和黑云母正长岩的结晶年龄分别为213.8±2.2Ma和219.1±4.7Ma,形成于印支期甘孜-理塘洋向西俯冲时期。岩石地球化学分析表明三类岩石均高钾富碱,属于钾玄质系列,富集LREE和大离子亲石元素(Sr、K、Rb、Ba、Th),亏损高场强元素(如Nb、Ta、Hf、Ti等),具有高的Mg#、Zr/Nd比值、Cr和Ni含量,黑云辉石正长岩和黑云母正长岩锆石εHf(t)值多集中于-2~+2之间,显示源区为俯冲板片物质交代的富集地幔。二阶段Hf模式年龄(978~1317Ma和998~1611Ma)远大于结晶年龄,结合从黑云母正长岩的部分锆石中获得510~534Ma、598~945Ma和1096~1206三组晚古生代-元古代的年龄信息,显示岩浆在上升侵位的过程中经历了壳源物质的混染。推测此次岩浆活动可能与晚三叠世甘孜-理塘洋向西俯冲,大洋板片断离,形成弧后拉张作用相关。     

Roles of xenomelts,xenoliths, xenocrysts,xenovolatiles, residues,and skarns in the genesis,transport, and localization of magmatic Fe-Ni-Cu-PGE sulfides and chromite

Most sulfide-rich magmatic Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits form in dynamic magmatic systems by partial melting S-bearing wall rocks with variable degrees of assimilation of miscible silicate and volatile components, and generation of barren to weakly-mineralized immiscible Fe sulfide xenomelts into which Ni-Cu-Co-PGE partition from the magma. Some exceptionally-thick magmatic Cr deposits may form by partial melting oxide-bearing wall rocks with variable degrees of assimilation of the miscible silicate and volatile components, and generation of barren Fe ± Ti oxide xenocrysts into which Cr-Mg-V ± Ti partition from the magma. The products of these processes are variably preserved as skarns, residues, xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and xenovolatiles, which play important to critical roles in ore genesis, transport, localization, and/or modification. Incorporation of barren xenoliths/autoliths may induce small amounts of sulfide/chromite to segregate, but incorporation of sulfide xenomelts or oxide xenocrysts with dynamic upgrading of metal tenors (PGE > Cu > Ni > Co and Cr > V > Ti, respectively) is required to make significant ore deposits. Silicate xenomelts are only rarely preserved, but will be variably depleted in chalcophile and ferrous metals. Less dense felsic xenoliths may aid upward sulfide transport by increasing the effective viscosity and decreasing the bulk density of the magma. Denser mafic or metamorphosed xenoliths may also increase the effective viscosity of the magma, but may aid downward sulfide transport by increasing the bulk density of the magma. Sulfide wets olivine, so olivine xenocrysts may act as filter beds to collect advected finely dispersed sulfide droplets, but other silicates and xenoliths may not be wetted by sulfides. Xenovolatiles may retard settling of – or in some cases float – dense sulfide droplets. Reactions of sulfide melts with felsic country rocks may generate Fe-rich skarns that may allow sulfide melts to fractionate to more extreme Cu-Ni-rich compositions. Xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and xenovolatiles are more likely to be preserved in cooler basaltic magmas than in hotter komatiitic magmas, and are more likely to be preserved in less dynamic (less turbulent) systems/domain/phases than in more dynamic (more turbulent) systems/domains/phases. Massive to semi-massive Ni-Cu-PGE and Cr mineralization and xenoliths are often localized within footwall embayments, dilations/jogs in dikes, throats of magma conduits, and the horizontal segments of dike-chonolith and dike-sill complexes, which represent fluid dynamic traps for both ascending and descending sulfides/oxides. If skarns, residues, xenoliths, xenocrysts, xenomelts, and/or xenovolatiles are present, they provide important constraints on ore genesis and they are valuable exploration indicators, but they must be included in elemental and isotopic mass balance calculations.     

Mountains,nations, parks,and conservation

Between 1985 and 1991, two new mountain protected areas (MTNPA) covering more than 35,000 km² and based on participatory management models — the Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area, Nepal, and Qomolangma Nature Preserve, Tibet Autonomous Region — were successfully established through the collaborative efforts of Woodlands Mountain Institute and conservationists in China and Nepal. Characteristics common to both projects include the importance of establishing (1) effective rationales, (2) local support constituencies, (3) a senior advisory group, (4) a task force, (5) linkages between conservation and development, and (6) fund raising mechanisms. The lessons derived from the experiences of Woodlands Mountain Institute are of significant value to others in preserving MTNPA. Increased collaboration and communication between all interested in conservation, however, will remain a critical component for expanding mountain protected area coverage to throughout the world.     

Parents,permission, and possibility: Young women,college, and imagined futures in Gujarat,India

This article advances critical geographies of youth through examining the spatiality implicit in the imagined futures of young women in rural India. Geographers and other scholars of youth have begun to pay more attention to the interplay between young people’s past, present, and imagined futures. Within this emerging body of scholarship the role of the family and peer group in influencing young people’s orientations toward the future remain underexamined. Drawing on eleven months of ethnographic fieldwork, my research focuses on a first generation of college-going young women from socioeconomically marginalized backgrounds in India’s westernmost state of Gujarat. I draw on the “possible selves” theoretical construct in order to deploy a flexible conceptual framework that links imagined post-educational trajectories with motivation to act in the present. In tracing the physical movement of these young women as they navigate and complete college, my analysis highlights the ways in which particular kinds of spaces and spatial arrangements facilitate and limit intra- and inter-generational contact, and the extent to which this affects young women’s conceptions of the future. I conclude by considering the wider implications of my research for ongoing debates surrounding youth transitions, relational geographies of age, and education in the Global South.     

Comparative study of As,Cd, Cu,Cr, Mg,Mn, Ni,Pb and Zn concentrations between sediment and water from estuary and port

The contents of As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn have been determined in sediment and water samples from Valle de las Garzas estuary and Port Manzanillo (Colima, Mexico) using ICP-AES. The concentrations of these elements were used for a comparative study to determine the distribution of heavy metals and to evaluate which elements reflect natural or anthropogenic backgrounds. For this purpose, seven sampling points were selected: Four of them correspond to the lagoon, and three were situated in the port. Statistical analysis of the mineral content was assessed. Initially, data comparison was assessed by statistical tests for each variable. Principal component analysis was then applied considering the influence of all variables at the same time by obtaining the distribution of samples according to their scores in the principal component space. In this way, four studies were carried out: (1) study of sediments collected during the dry season; (2) study of sediments collected during the rainy season; (3) comparative study between sediments from rainy and dry season; and (4) study of water composition collected during rainy season. From the results of the performed analyses, it can be concluded that metals distribution pattern reflected natural and anthropogenic backgrounds (e.g., sediments from the lagoon, situated at the beginning of the rain channel, presented high contents of Zn and Cu, perhaps related to anthropogenic activities or the influence of igneous sediments).     

Partition coefficients of Hf,Zr, and REE between zircon,apatite, and liquid

Concentration ratios of Hf, Zr, and REE between zircon, apatite, and liquid were determined for three igneous compositions: two andesites and a diorite. The concentration ratios of these elements between zircon and corresponding liquid can approximate the partition coefficient. Although the concentration ratios between apatite and andesite groundmass can be considered as partition coefficients, those for the apatite in the diorite may deviate from the partition coefficients. The HREE partition coefficients between zircon and liquid are very large (100 for Er to 500 for Lu), and the Hf partition coefficient is even larger. The REE partition coefficients between apatite and liquid are convex upward, and large (D=10–100), whereas the Hf and Zr partition coefficients are less than 1. The large differences between partition coefficients of Lu and Hf for zircon-liquid and for apatite-liquid are confirmed. These partition coefficients are useful for petrogenetic models involving zircon and apatite.     

Coprecipitation of Ti,Mo, Sn and Sb with fluorides and application to determination of B,Ti, Zr,Nb, Mo,Sn, Sb,Hf and Ta by ICP-MS

We examined the coprecipitation behavior of Ti, Mo, Sn and Sb in Ca–Al–Mg fluorides under two different fluoride forming conditions: at < 70 °C in an ultrasonic bath (denoted as the ultrasonic method) and at 245 °C using a Teflon bomb (denoted as the bomb method). In the ultrasonic method, small amounts of Ti, Mo and Sn coprecipitation were observed with 100% Ca and 100% Mg fluorides. No coprecipitation of Ti, Mo, Sn and Sb in Ca–Al–Mg fluorides occurred when the sample was decomposed by the bomb method except for 100% Ca fluoride. Based on our coprecipitation observations, we have developed a simultaneous determination method for B, Ti, Zr, Nb, Mo, Sn, Sb, Hf and Ta by Q-pole type ICP-MS (ICP-QMS) and sector field type ICP-MS (ICP-SFMS). 9–50 mg of samples with Zr–Mo–Sn–Sb–Hf spikes were decomposed by HF using the bomb method and the ultrasonic method with B spike. The sample was then evaporated and re-dissolved into 0.5 mol l^− 1 HF, followed by the removal of fluorides by centrifuging. B, Zr, Mo, Sn, Sb and Hf were measured by ID method. Nb and Ta were measured by the ID-internal standardization method, based on Nb/Mo and Ta/Mo ratios using ICP-QMS, for which pseudo-FI was developed and applied. When 100% recovery yields of Zr and Hf are expected, Nb/Zr and Ta/Hf ratios may also be used. Ti was determined by the ID-internal standardization method, based on the Ti/Nb ratio from ICP-SFMS. Only 0.053 ml sample solution was required for measurement of all 9 elements. Dilution factors of ≤ 340 were aspirated without matrix effects. To demonstrate the applicability of our method, 4 carbonaceous chondrites (Ivuna, Orgueil, Cold Bokkeveld and Allende) as well as GSJ and USGS silicate reference materials of basalts, andesites and peridotites were analyzed. Our analytical results are consistent with previous studies, and the mean reproducibility of each element is 1.0–4.6% for basalts and andesites, and 6.7–11% for peridotites except for TiO₂.     

Models,validation, and applied geochemistry: Issues in science,communication, and philosophy

Models have become so fashionable that many scientists and engineers cannot imagine working without them. The predominant use of computer codes to execute model calculations has blurred the distinction between code and model. The recent controversy regarding model validation has brought into question what we mean by a ‘model’ and by ‘validation.’ It has become apparent that the usual meaning of validation may be common in engineering practice and seems useful in legal practice but it is contrary to scientific practice and brings into question our understanding of science and how it can best be applied to such problems as hazardous waste characterization, remediation, and aqueous geochemistry in general. This review summarizes arguments against using the phrase model validation and examines efforts to validate models for high-level radioactive waste management and for permitting and monitoring open-pit mines. Part of the controversy comes from a misunderstanding of ‘prediction’ and the need to distinguish logical from temporal prediction. Another problem stems from the difference in the engineering approach contrasted with the scientific approach. The reductionist influence on the way we approach environmental investigations also limits our ability to model the interconnected nature of reality. Guidelines are proposed to improve our perceptions and proper utilization of models. Use of the word ‘validation’ is strongly discouraged when discussing model reliability.     

Pools,riffles, and channelization

The addition of regularly spaced deeps (pools) and shallows (riffles) that provide a variety of flow conditions, areal sorting of stream-bed material, cover for wildlife, and a positive aesthetic experience, may be desirable in many channel projects. Such designs will reduce adverse environmental impacts of stream channel modifications. Analysis of variance for pool-to-pool spacing data suggests that there is no significant difference with respect to channel width between pools that form in natural streams and those in streams affected by a variety of human uses. Short of channelization, which changes the channel width, pools and riffles, within limits, are not particularly sensitive to environmental stress. Experiments in Gum Branch near Charlotte, North Carolina, support the hypothesis that channel form and process evolve in harmony and that manipulation of cross-channel morphology can influence the development of desired channel processes. Planned manipulation of its channel form induced Gum Branch to develop as desired. Morphologic stability consisting of incipient point bars, pools, and riffles was maintained over a period of high magnitude flood events, only to be degraded later by a wave of sediment derived from upstream construction and stream-bank failures. Thus, environmentally desirable channel morphology in urban streams cannot remain stable if changes in the sediment load or storm-water runoff exceed the limits of the stream's ability to make internal adjustments while maintaining morphologic stability.     

Entropy,materials, and posterity

Materials and energy are the interdependent feedstocks of economic systems, and thermodynamics is their moderator. It costs energy to transform the dispersed minerals of Earth's crust into ordered materials and structures. And it costs materials to collect and focus the energy to perform work — be it from solar, fossil fuel, nuclear, or other sources. The greater the dispersal of minerals sought, the more energy is required to collect them into ordered states.But available energy can be used once only. And the ordered materials of industrial economies become disordered with time. They may be partially reordered and recycled, but only at further costs in energy. Available energy everywhere degrades to bound states and order to disorder — for though entropy may be juggled it always increases. Yet industry is utterly dependent on low entropy states of matter and energy, while decreasing grades of ore require ever higher inputs of energy to convert them to metals, with ever increasing growth both of entropy and environmental hazard.Except as we may prize a thing for its intrinsic qualities — beauty, leisure, love, or gold — low-entropy is the only thing of real value. It is worth whatever the market will bear, and it becomes more valuable as entropy increases. It would be foolish of suppliers to sell it more cheaply or in larger amounts than their own enjoyment of life requires, whatever form it may take. For this reason, and because of physical constraints on the availability of all low-entropy states, the recent energy crises is only the first of a sequence of crises to be expected in energy and materials as long as current trends continue.The apportioning of low-entropy states in a modern industrial society is achieved more or less according to the theory of competitive markets. But the rational powers of this theory suffer as the world grows increasingly polarized into rich, over-industrialized nations with diminishing resource bases and poor, supplier nations with little industry. The theory also discounts posterity, the more so as population density and percapita rates of consumption continue to grow. A new social, economic, and ecologic norm that leads to population control, conservation, and an apportionment of low-entropy states across the generations is needed to assure to posterity the options that properly belong to it as an important but voiceless constituency of the collectivity we call mankind.

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Zusammenfassung Rohstoffe und Energie sind die Grundlagen unseres ökonomischen Systems, das von den Gesetzen der Thermodynamik bestimmt wird. Es kostet Energie, um die auf der Erde verteilten Rohstoffe diesem System zuzuführen. Andererseits braucht man Rohstoffe, um die Energie nutzbar zu machen.Die verfügbare Energie kann nur einmal genutzt werden und das Material verbraucht sich. Verbrauchtes Material kann teilweise zur weiteren Nutzung zurückgeführt werden, das kostet wiederum Energie. Die verfügbare Energie nimmt überall ab, und einmal geschaffene Ordnung gerät wieder in Unordnung — das heißt, die Entropie des Systems nimmt ständig zu. Die Industrie ist jedoch abhängig von einem niedrigen Entropiezustand sowohl der Materie als auch der Energie.Je ärmer die Erze sind, um so höher wird die Energie sein, um sie in Metalle umzuwandeln, wobei die Entropie und die Belastung der Umwelt ständig zunimmt.Außer den Dingen, die wir wegen höherer ideeller Werte schätzen, ist eine niedrige Entropie der einzige realistische Wertmaßstab, und der wirkliche Wertzuwachs ist nur an einer höheren Entropie zu messen. Es ist unverantwortlich, Dinge, die eine höhere Entropie bedingen, billiger zu verkaufen oder in größerer Menge zu erzeugen, als unbedingt notwendig ist. Da wir dies heute in unserem Handeln nicht berücksichtigen, ist die derzeitige Energiekrise nur der Anfang einer Folge von Krisen, die Energie und Rohstoffe betreffen, solange wir nicht umdenken.Die Verteilung von niedriger Entropie in einer modernen Industriegesellschaft wird mehr oder weniger nach dem Prinzip der konkurrierenden Märkte erreicht. Das selbstregulierende System gerät jedoch mit zunehmender Polarisierung in reiche Industrienationen mit abnehmenden Ressourcen und armen Nationen mit geringer Industrialisierung in Unordnung. Dieses Prinzip berücksichtigt auch nicht die Nachwelt, vor allem wenn die Bevölkerungsdichte stetig zunimmt und die Konsumbedürfnisse anwachsen. Es sind neue soziale, ökonomische und ökologische Normen notwendig, die zur Populationskontrolle, zur Erhaltung der Umwelt und zu einem Zustand niedriger Entropie für zukünftige Generationen führen. Die nach uns kommenden Menschen haben ein Anrecht darauf.

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Résumé Matériaux et énergie sont les sources des systèmes économiques et sont régis par les lois de la thermodynamique. Il faut de l'énergie pour transformer les ressources minérales dispersées dans la croûte terrestre en matériaux et structures ordonnancées. Et il faut des matériaux pour receuillir et concentrer l'énergie, qu'elle soit solaire ou atomique, ou provienne de combustibles fossiles ou d'autres sources. Plus les minéraux recherchés sont dispersés et plus est côuteuse l'énergie pour leur donner une ordonnance.Or l'énergie disponsible ne peut être utilisée qu'une seule fois. Et les matériaux ordonnancés des économies industrielles se dégradent avec le temps. Ils peuvent être remis partiellement en état et recyclés, mais pour cela il faut de nouveau de l'énergie. Partout l'énergie disponible se dégrade et l'ordre devient désordre; -malgré toutes les jongleries possibles l'entropie augmente toujours.L'industrie dépend clairement d'états de basse entropie tant en ce qui concerne les matériaux que l'énergie, tandis que plus pauvres sont les minerais, plus; élevée est l'énergie à mettre en jeu pour en extraire les métaux, avec toujours augmentation à la fois de l'entropie et de la degradation des milieux.A l'exception de ce que nous apprécions pour leur valeur intrinsèque — la beauté, le loisir, l'amour ou l'or — la basse entropie est la seule chose de réelle valeur. Son prix est réglé par le marché, et sa valeur augmente au fur et à mesure que l'entropie s'accroît. Ceux qui en disposent seraient insensés de la vendre à bas prix ou en quantité supérieure à ce qu'exige leur propre niveau de vie. Pour cette raison, et à cause des contraintes physiques liées à la disponibilité en états de basse entropie, la récente crise d'énergie n'est, en ce qui concerne les matières premières et l'énergie, que la première d'une série de crises auxquelles il faut s'attendre aussi longtemps que se poursoit la marche actuelle des étènements.Dans les sociétés industrielles modernes, les approvisionnement en basse entropie s'effectuent plus ou moins conformément à la théorie de la concurrence des marchés. Cependant la rationalité de cette théorie se ressent de l'accentuation croissante de la polarisation, à l'échelle du monde, en nations riches, surindustrialisées, à ressources de base décroissantes, et en nations pauvres, sous-industrialisées, mais fournisseurs de resources-naturelles. De plus cette théorie ne tient pas compte de notre postérité, et ce, en face d'une densité de population et d'un taux de la consommation par tête d'habitant en augmentation continue.Nous avons donc besoin de nouvelles normes sociales, économiques et écologiques qui conduisent au contrôle de la population, à la conservation et à la répartition des états de basse entropie à travers les générations pour assurer à notre postérité les options qui leur riviennent de droit comme une constituante importante, mais encore muette, de la collectivité que nous appelons l'Humanité.

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Dedicated with appreciation to Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen, distinguished economist, realist among cornucopians