北大别早白垩纪花岗岩类的Sm-Nd和锆石Hf同位素及其构造意义

大别造山带产出两期早白垩纪造山后花岗岩类:早期(≈132Ma)变形的角闪石英二长岩和斑状二长花岗岩具高钾的类埃达克岩的地球化学特征,形成于增厚地壳(>50km)的下地壳部分熔融;晚期(≈128Ma)未变形的花岗岩包括细粒二长花岗岩和钾长花岗(斑)岩,属于正常安山岩-英安岩-流纹岩系列岩石,它们形成于相对薄的地壳(<35km)的下地壳部分熔融。早期变形的花岗岩类中,角闪石英二长岩的(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)_i=0.7066～0.7076,ε_(Nd)(t)=-20.3～-27.8,类似于扬子下地壳基性麻粒岩的Sr-Nd同位素特征,其中白垩纪岩浆锆石(≈132Ma)Hf同位素初始比值(ε_(Hf)(t))和两阶段Hf模式年龄(t_(DM2))分别为-29.30.5和303065Ma;我们认为角闪石英二长岩源于锆石Hf模式年龄约3.0Ga的基性下地壳部分熔融。早期斑状二长花岗岩的(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)_i=0.7078～0.7083,ε_(Nd)(t)=-15.8～-20.0,类似于北大别英云闪长质-花岗质片麻岩的Sr-Nd同位素特征,其白垩纪岩浆锆石(≈132Ma)的ε_(Hf)(t)和t_(DM2)分别为-24.80.5和274434Ma。我们认为宽状二长花岗岩源于约2.7Ga的中酸性下地壳部分熔融。晚期未变形的花岗岩的(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)_i=0.7069～0.7105,ε_(Nd)(t)=-16.4～-22.1,类似于北大别英云闪长质-花岗质片麻岩的Sr-Nd同位素特征;其白垩纪岩浆锆石(≈128Ma)的ε_(Hf)(t)具有较大的变化范围(-25.2～7.4),主要峰值为-22.5±0.5,次要峰值为-16.3±0.7,并有少量正的ε_(Hf)(t)值5.8～7.4,与ε_(Hf)(t)值对应的t_(DM2)分别为2600±40Ma、2211±68Ma和743±130Ma。我们认为晚期未变形的花岗岩源于锆石Hf模式年龄约2.6～2.2Ga的中酸性下地壳部分熔融,源区夹杂新元古代新生的陆壳。在大别造山带垮塌之前(>132Ma),增厚地壳(>50km)的下地壳存在双层结构:锆石Hf模式年龄约为3.0Ga的基性下地壳基底和约2.7Ga的中酸性(英云闪长质-花岗质)上部下地壳.在大别造山带伸展垮塌的晚期阶段(≈128Ma),减薄的下地壳(<35km)主要为锆石Hf模式年龄约2.6～2.2Ga的中酸性(英云闪长质-花岗质)岩石,并夹杂少量新元古代Rodinia超大陆裂解时形成的新生陆壳。     

柴北缘都兰UHP地体中两期不同性质的岩浆活动:对碰撞造山作用的启示

本文报道了对柴北缘都兰地区英云闪长岩、花岗岩的地球化学、锆石U-Pb定年和Hf同位素的研究结果.锆石U-Pb定年结果表明,英云闪长岩侵住时代为432～434Ma,并显示出类似于埃达克质岩石的地球化学特征:(1)高SiO2、富Na2O、贫KO、过铝质;(2)高Sr、低Y和相应的高Sr/Y值;(3)高La/Yb和低Yb;(4)轻重稀土分馏程度高,亏损重稀土;(5)富集Ba、Sr等大离子亲石元素,而亏损Nb、Ta等高场强元素.结合英云闪长岩高的εHí(t)值(3.3～10.7)和年轻的地壳模式年龄(732～1207Ma),可以认为本区英云闪长岩源自于增厚下地壳的部分熔融作用.锆石U-Pb定年结果表明,晚期花岗岩的结晶时代为382～391Ma,并显示出类似于S型花岗岩的地球化学特征:(1)高SiO2,低MgO和高K2O的特征,K2O/Na2O＞1;(2)A/CNK几乎全部大于1,显示过铝质的特征;(3)轻、重稀土分馏程度低,(La/Yb)N =2.22～9.62,但具明显的负Eu异常(δEu =0.27～0.81);(4)强烈亏损Nb、Ta、sr和Ti等元素,轻微亏损Ba元素.在综合对比花岗岩形成年龄与区域高压-超高压变质时代的基础上,结合地球化学特征,推断都兰地区花岗岩体可能形成于后碰撞造山伸展作用阶段,并可能是由其围岩富铝质片麻岩部分熔融形成,并可能有少量地幔物质的添加.     

阿拉善雅布赖山二叠纪中酸性岩浆岩年代学、地球化学、锆石Hf同位素特征及构造意义

雅布赖山位于内蒙古自治区阿拉善盟西部,该地区广泛出露中酸性岩浆岩。锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb测年显示,雅布赖山花岗质岩石形成于早中二叠世,其中花岗闪长岩年龄为280±1 Ma,正长花岗岩年龄为286±1 Ma,英安岩年龄为275±2 Ma,英云闪长岩年龄为272±1 Ma。正长花岗岩个别锆石的εHf(t)值为正值,大多数低于0[εHf(t)=-5.8~+1.8],暗示其可能起源于新生地壳物质或形成过程中有亏损地幔物质的加入,而花岗闪长岩[εHf(t)=-13.0~-8.1]、英云闪长岩[εHf(t)=-10.1~-3.3]和英安岩[εHf(t)=-15.2~-4.9]中锆石的εHf(t)值均低于0,表明这些岩浆岩的源区主要为古老的地壳物质,这与典型的古老陆块上发育的酸性岩浆岩一致。地球化学分析结果表明,该地区花岗闪长岩和正长花岗岩具有相似的微量和稀土元素组成,都显示出轻稀土元素相对富集和重稀土元素相对亏损的特征,并具有微弱-中等的Eu负异常;而英云闪长岩则具有一定程度的Eu正异常,且相比前两者具有较高的Sr/Y值(300)。排除岩浆在侵位过程中围岩同化混染作用的影响,中上地壳酸性侵入岩的结晶分异作用难以形成如此高的Sr/Y值,因而英云闪长岩高Sr/Y值特征可能是源区特征的反映。因斜长石、角闪石和黑云母均不能显著影响Sr/Y值,所以造成英云闪长岩与花岗闪长岩和正长花岗岩地球化学差异的原因可能是其源区较深而存在石榴子石残留。结合前人研究,雅布赖山地区及其以东的诺尔公-狼山一带以及华北克拉通北缘广泛分布的晚古生代岩浆岩形成了一条近东西向展布的岩浆岩带。其中,雅布赖山二叠纪岩浆岩可能形成于宗乃山-沙拉扎山构造带和雅布赖-诺尔公-红古尔玉林构造带拼合的碰撞或碰撞后环境。     

柴北缘牛鼻子梁地区闪长–花岗质岩体锆石U-Pb年龄、地球化学特征及地质意义

柴北缘牛鼻子梁地区出露大面积闪长–花岗质侵入岩,包括英云闪长岩、闪长岩、角闪闪长岩,本文对其进行了锆石U-Pb定年,结合全岩地球化学特征,探讨了英云闪长岩的岩石成因、形成时代及构造环境。LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年分析获得英云闪长岩、闪长岩和角闪闪长岩的206Pb/238U加权平均年龄分别为346±1 Ma、343±1 Ma和338±1 Ma,限定了岩体的结晶时代为早石炭世。英云闪长岩的分布最为广泛,地球化学组成具有I型花岗岩的特征:①A/CNK都小于1, K_2O/Na_2O值小于1,显示出准铝质富钠的特征;②全碱含量(Na_2O+K_2O)介于4.83%～6.53%,里特曼指数(σ)在2.32左右,表现为钙碱性;③轻稀土元素富集,重稀土元素分馏程度较低,基本无Eu异常;④高Sr、低Y,富集K、Rb、La等元素,亏损Nb、Ta、Ba、Ti、P等元素;⑤P_2O_5与SiO_2具明显负相关关系。综合研究认为英云闪长岩是来自下地壳物质部分熔融,属于晚古生代(早石炭世)柴达木地块与祁连地块的俯冲碰撞后伸展环境下岩浆活动的产物。     

华北北缘固阳二叠纪闪长岩-石英闪长岩-英云闪长岩套 SHRIMP 年代学

应用岩石地球化学方法,笔者在内蒙古二叠纪索伦山蛇绿岩缝合带南100～180 km、华北克拉通北缘固阳地区,识别出了一个闪长岩-石英闪长岩-英云闪长岩套。这些花岗质岩石为钠质,与岛弧深成岩在化学成分上一致。SHRIMP年代学研究表明:2件闪长岩的SHRIMP U-Pb锆石年龄为(293±4)Ma和(266±4)Ma;1件石英闪长岩的锆石年龄为(272±7)Ma;1件英云闪长岩的锆石年龄为(277±3)Ma。这些二叠纪花岗质岩石因此在形成时代上没有间断,它们与索伦山SSZ(supersubduction zone)型蛇绿岩(299～290 Ma)大致同时或略晚。基于其特定的构造背景及其与索伦山蛇绿岩的时代关系,所研究的二叠纪钠质深成岩套(293～266 Ma)与大致同时代的安山质火山岩一起,构成一个大陆边缘岛弧。     

新疆多拉纳萨依金矿一带花岗岩类形成时代及其对金矿成矿作用的制约

新疆阿尔泰造山带西南缘分布有多拉纳萨依、赛都、哲兰德等大中型金矿床,近年又发现沃多克等小型金矿.这些金矿主要赋存于糜棱岩化石英闪长岩中,岩石地球化学特征表明沃多克和多拉纳萨依金矿含矿石英闪长岩特征基本一致,属同一期岩浆活动的产物,而明显不同于两矿床之间的萨热乌增英云闪长岩.沃多克金矿含矿石英闪长岩和萨热乌增英云闪长岩LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄分别为(299.4±4.1) Ma和(317.7±1.5) Ma.二者分别属于后造山和后碰撞花岗岩.沃多克含金石英闪长岩年龄限定了多拉纳萨依一带金矿形成时代不早于300 Ma,结合前人的研究成果分析,表明其主要成矿时期为290 Ma左右.萨热乌增等岩体的形成早于金矿形成时代,金的成矿作用与该期大规模花岗岩体的侵位无关.     

扬子克拉通西缘康定杂岩中花岗质岩石的成因及其构造意义

扬子克拉通西缘康定杂岩中的片麻状花岗岩主要由英云闪长岩、花岗闪长岩、灰白色细粒二长花岗岩和少量的粉红色粗粒二长花岗岩组成.其中英云闪长岩和花岗闪长岩形成于797～795Ma,灰白色细粒二长花岗岩SHRIMP锆石定年产生一个206Pb/238U权重平均767±24Ma,被解释为该期花岗质岩浆的结晶年龄.英云闪长岩、花岗闪长岩和灰白色细粒二长花岗岩和其中的闪长岩包体表现为右斜式稀土配分模式,具有很高的(La/Yb)N比值,无Eu异常,在原始地幔标准化的多元素蜘蛛网状图上表现了明显的Nh、Ta、P和Ti负异常.而粉红色粗粒二长花岗岩却表现了平坦的稀土配分模式,具有强烈的负Eu异常和强烈的Nh、Ta、sr、P和Ti负异常,但是富集大离子亲石元素.所有这些片麻状花岗岩具有εNd(t)=-0.57～+5.67,绝大部分样品εNd(t)>0.结合地质学、岩石学、地球化学和Sm-Nd同位素特征,康定杂岩中英云闪长岩、花岗闪长岩和灰白色细粒二长花岗岩形成于来自亏损地幔的初生地壳玄武质岩石和相关的杂砂岩在高压条件下的部分熔融,而粉红色粗粒二长花岗岩的岩浆导源于表壳岩低压条件下的部分熔融.结合这些片麻状花岗岩的岩石成因和构造鉴别,表明扬子克拉通西缘康定杂岩中新元古代片麻状花岗岩形成于安第斯型活动大陆边缘.     

福建平潭岛花岗质岩石成因:来自锆石U-Pb定年、O-Hf同位素及黑云母矿物化学的约束

东南沿海地区发育具有"等同位素组成"特征的晚中生代双峰式火成岩,其成因备受争论。本文选择了福建省平潭岛双峰式杂岩体中的花岗闪长岩、英云闪长岩与花岗岩开展了高精度锆石U-Pb定年、原位O-Hf同位素和黑云母矿物化学方面的研究,以探讨这些花岗质岩石的成因。分析结果显示,花岗闪长岩、英云闪长岩与花岗岩的锆石U-Pb年龄分别为116.8±1.0Ma、116.3±1.0Ma与117.4±1.0Ma,表明它们均侵位于早白垩世。这三类岩石也有较为相似的锆石O-Hf同位素组成。其中,锆石的δ18O分别变化为4.6%~5.3‰、4.8%~5.3‰及5.0%~5.6‰,与地幔的O同位素值基本一致。锆石的εHf(t)变化范围分别为+2.0^+7.1、+2.8^+6.5及+1.8^+5.6,相应的两阶段模式年龄tDM2分别为741~1046Ma、754~995Ma及815~1058Ma。锆石O-Hf同位素数据反映其熔融源区主要为相对较年轻的地壳物质,来自华夏地块古老基底的贡献较少。另外,黑云母矿物化学暗示这三类岩石具有Ⅰ型花岗岩的特征。但是,黑云母种属在不同岩性间存在差异,其中花岗闪长岩与英云闪长岩中的黑云母为镁质类型,花岗岩中的黑云母为铁质类型。从花岗闪长岩、英云闪长岩到花岗岩,黑云母的结晶温度和岩浆体系的氧逸度均逐渐降低,这与钙碱性岩浆分异演化的趋势基本一致。结合前人研究资料及区域地质演化历程,我们认为平潭岛杂岩体中的花岗质岩石形成于古太平洋俯冲背景,其熔融源区主要为新增生地壳物质。花岗质岩石内部岩性的差别主要是母岩浆经历不同程度分异演化的结果。我们的研究结果暗示壳幔岩浆混合在东南沿海早白垩世长英质岩石形成过程中所具有的作用可能较为有限。     

鲁西峄山岩体的形成时代——锆石SHRIMPU—Pb定年的证据

峄山岩体主要岩性为片麻状花岗闪长岩及斑状片麻状花岗闪长岩,根据新测的锆石SHRIMPU—Pb年龄结果,片麻状花岗闪长岩为（2526±10）Ma,斑状片麻状花岗闪长岩为（2514±18）Ma,其形成时代确定为新太古代晚期。该岩套出露于鲁西新太古代早期泰山岩群和英云闪长质片麻岩、条带状英云闪长质片麻岩组成的古陆核的西南部,是地幔岩浆侵入混入地壳物质形成的。     

大别山北部榴辉岩和英云闪长质片麻岩锆石U-Pb年龄及多期变质增生

大别山北部榴辉岩及英云闪长质片麻岩的锆石U-Pb年龄分析表明：北部榴辉岩相峰期变质时代为226～230Ma左右;北部塔儿河一带英云闪长质片麻岩经历过印支期变质事件;大别山北部与南部超高压岩石中一致的（226～230Ma）高压或超高压变质年龄表明,北部镁铁-超镁铁质岩带中部分岩石也曾作为扬子俯冲陆壳的一部分,在印支期发生过高压或超高压变质作用;本区锆石发生过两期变质增生事件,一是印支期高压或超高压变质,另一期是燕山期热变质事件;榴辉岩及英云闪长质片麻岩的原岩形成时代为晚元古代;锆石U-Pb年龄可用多期变质增生模型来解释。     

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.     

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.     

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).     

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.     

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.     

Pebbles,Shapes, and Equilibria

The shape of sedimentary particles may carry important information on their history. Current approaches to shape classification (e.g. the Zingg or the Sneed and Folk system) rely on shape indices derived from the measurement of the three principal axes of the approximating tri-axial ellipsoid. While these systems have undoubtedly proved to be useful tools, their application inevitably requires tedious and ambiguous measurements, also classification involves the introduction of arbitrarily chosen constants. Here we propose an alternative classification system based on the (integer) number of static equilibria. The latter are points of the surface where the pebble is at rest on a horizontal, frictionless support. As opposed to the Zingg system, our method relies on counting rather than measuring. We show that equilibria typically exist on two well-separated (micro and macro) scales. Equilibria can be readily counted by simple hand experiments, i.e. the new classification scheme is practically applicable. Based on statistical results from two different locations we demonstrate that pebbles are well mixed with respect to the new classes, i.e. the new classification is reliable and stable in that sense. We also show that the Zingg statistics can be extracted from the new statistics; however, substantial additional information is also available. From the practical point of view, E-classification is substantially faster than the Zingg method.     

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.