中天山白石泉镁铁-超镁铁质岩体岩石学与矿物学研究

白石泉地区镁铁一超镁铁质岩体处于塔里木板块前缘活动带与中天山地块接合部位，是中天山地块华力西中期岩浆活动的产物。主要岩石类型有辉石橄榄岩（斜方辉石橄榄岩、斜长二辉橄榄岩）、橄榄辉石岩、橄长岩、辉长岩及角闪辉长岩等，主要造岩矿物为橄榄石、斜方辉石、单斜辉石、角闪石、斜长石及黑云母。橄榄石均为贵橄榄石，其Fo值（78-85）位于含铜镍硫化物矿橄榄石的Fo值范围之内；辉石主要有顽火辉石、古铜辉石、紫苏辉石、透辉石等；斜长石的环带构造较为发育；角闪石的FeO含量随着岩浆的演化逐渐增加。它们与造山带环境中的东疆型镁铁一超镁铁杂岩中的造岩矿物具有相同的特征。这些特征表明了白石泉地区的镁铁一超镁铁质岩体的原始岩浆为高镁的拉斑玄武质岩浆。     

新疆北山地区漩涡岭镁铁质—超镁铁质层状岩体岩石学与矿物学研究

位于新疆北山地区的漩涡岭岩体是一堆晶层理发育的镁铁质-超镁铁质层状岩体。岩石类型主要有纯橄岩、橄长岩、橄榄辉长岩和辉长岩等。主要的造岩矿物有橄榄石、辉石、斜长石、铬尖晶石,岩相学特征表明岩浆在演化过程中经历了橄榄石、尖晶石、斜长石、斜方辉石和单斜辉石的分离结晶,结晶次序依次为橄榄石+尖晶石→斜长石→辉石,表明结晶时压力较低。漩涡岭岩体的纯橄岩中橄榄石的Fo高达90.1,这不同于新疆北部黄山岩带、喀拉通克岩体群以及甘肃金川岩体的橄榄石Fo组成,利用橄榄石最高Fo值估算得到漩涡岭岩体的母岩浆的Mg#为0.73~0.75,岩浆的液相线温度高达1330~1350℃,其岩浆为高温高Mg的苦橄质岩浆,这为塔里木东北部二叠纪地幔柱活动提供了新的证据。     

东天山二叠纪镁铁-超镁铁质成矿岩体造岩矿物特征及其成因意义

东天山造山带与镁铁-超镁铁质岩体有关的铜镍硫化物矿床数量多,分布集中,是我国重要的铜镍成矿带之一。成矿岩体多以小岩体群形式产出,由西向东分布有白鑫滩、黄山和图拉尔根3个岩体群,大型矿床主要赋存在黄山岩体群内。本文对3个岩体群内成矿岩体的主要造岩矿物进行了系统的对比研究。成矿岩体的主要造岩矿物为贵橄榄石、古铜辉石、单斜辉石、斜长石和角闪石以及少量的铬尖晶石和金云母。橄榄石Al温度计计算结果表明,黄山岩体群内成矿岩体的母岩浆结晶温度介于1 143~1 257℃之间,略低于白鑫滩和图拉尔根岩体群(1 283~1 301℃)。单斜辉石压力计算表明成矿岩体的结晶压力相似,介于0.31~0.33 GPa之间。成矿岩体中均富含含水矿物,且单斜辉石结晶早于斜长石,指示成矿岩体的原始岩浆形成于富水环境。成矿岩体的单斜辉石具有较高的Al/Ti值,铬尖晶石和橄榄石具有与岛弧火山岩相似的矿物学特征,结合区域构造演化,认为东天山镁铁-超镁铁质成矿岩体的原始岩浆是被消减板片交代过的地幔部分熔融的产物。矿物学特征对比显示了黄山岩体群内成矿岩体更富斜方辉石和中性斜长石,且具有较低的铬尖晶石Cr~#值和橄榄石Ca含量。结合前人研究成果和相关地球化学数据,认为相对高的混染程度导致了黄山岩体群的母岩浆富SiO_2和Al_2O_3,同时降低了岩浆的结晶温度。     

甘肃北山二叠纪镁铁- 超镁铁质岩体地质、地球化学特征及铜镍成矿潜力

北山造山带是中亚造山带南缘镁铁- 超镁铁质岩体的集中分布区之一，因其赋含二叠纪铜镍硫化物矿床而受到广泛关注。以往的研究多集中在北山造山带西部的新疆坡北地区，近年来随着对甘肃北山地区二叠纪镁铁- 超镁铁岩体认识逐渐深入，新发现的矿化岩体有逐渐向东延伸的趋势。本文选择北山造山带中东部柳园地区骆驼山和西南山两个典型含铜镍硫化物岩体进行地质年代学、岩相学和岩石地球化学及同位素地球化学研究。岩体主要岩相包括橄榄岩相、辉石岩相、橄榄辉长岩相、橄长岩相和辉长岩相，其中硫化物主要出现在橄榄岩相和辉石岩相中。骆驼山岩体辉长岩锆石的U- Pb年龄为282. 6 Ma，与坡北地区矿化岩体的形成时代一致。骆驼山和西南山岩体母岩浆稀土元素配分模式为轻微右倾型，富集大离子亲石元素，强烈亏损高场强元素Nb- Ta，中等亏损Zr- Hf，与坡北和东天山地区同时代矿化岩体母岩浆特征相似。岩体具有较高的全岩εNd(t)值(+0. 42~+6. 10)和锆石εHf(t)值(+7. 9~+14. 1)的特征，与坡北地区矿化岩体类似，表明具有相似的亏损地幔源区。橄榄石Fo值与Ni含量的关系和母岩浆微量元素Cu/Zr比值特征表明岩浆在橄榄石结晶过程中发生了硫化物熔离。同位素模拟计算表明母岩浆在上升侵位过程中发生了约5%~15%的地壳物质混染，可能是岩浆硫饱和的主要原因。相同的成岩成矿时代、相似的岩石地球化学特征、母岩浆特征及硫化物饱和机制，表明甘肃北山地区二叠纪镁铁- 超镁铁质岩体具有与坡北地区类似的成矿潜力，为在北山地区中东部进一步寻找铜镍硫化物矿床提供了重要信息。     

甘-新北山地区二叠纪镁铁-超镁铁质岩体造岩矿物化学特征及其岩石学指示

二叠纪镁铁-超镁铁质岩体在北山造山带广泛分布,其中多发育铜镍硫化物矿化,并集中在新疆北山坡北和甘肃北山柳园地区。本文对柳园地区二叠纪骆驼山(283Ma)和西南山(277Ma)矿化岩体中早期结晶的造岩矿物开展矿物化学分析,并对甘-新北山地区矿化岩体的主要造岩矿物进行系统对比研究。骆驼山和西南山岩体主要由单辉橄榄岩、二辉橄榄岩、橄榄辉石岩、橄榄辉长岩和辉长岩组成,主要造岩矿物为橄榄石、单斜辉石、斜方辉石、斜长石和角闪石,及少量铬尖晶石和金云母。铬尖晶石Cr^#值范围为52.2～70.4,TiO₂含量为1.1%～4.0%,Al₂O₃含量为8.1%～18.9%。橄榄石Fo值范围为78～86,Ni含量为856×10^-6～2121×10^-6,Ca含量为71.3×10^-6～720×10^-6。斜方辉石主要为顽火辉石和少量古铜辉石;单斜辉石为透辉石和普通辉石,Mg^#范围为86～88,Al^Ⅳ...     

内蒙古中部镁铁质-超镁铁质岩带铜镍成矿潜力探讨

华北陆块北缘是中国铜镍(铂)硫化物矿床的重要成矿区带之一.近年来,在位于该成矿带的内蒙古中部先后发现多处铜镍矿床(点),空间上构成一条重要的镁铁质-超镁铁质岩成矿带.为了探讨该镁铁质-超镁铁质岩带内额布图、温更、克布、黄花滩及小南山等赋矿岩体的成矿潜力,笔者通过搜集和研究国内外典型铜镍硫化物矿床数据,建立有利成矿信息评...     

新疆东天山铜镍成矿带西段镁铁—超镁铁质岩体成因及成矿潜力研究

新疆东天山铜镍成矿带铜镍总储量达百万吨,是我国重要的铜镍矿集区。以往的研究多集中在成矿带的东段和中段,而本文选择成矿带西段的典型岩体进行详细的地质年代学、矿物学和岩石地球化学研究。东天山铜镍成矿带西段镁铁—超镁铁质岩体以大草滩和白鑫滩岩体为代表,可分为四种岩相:闪长岩相、辉长岩相、橄榄辉长岩相和橄榄岩相,其中橄榄岩相为主要含矿岩相。白鑫滩岩体橄榄辉长岩锆石U-Pb年龄为286.4±1.6Ma,与岩体含长辉石橄榄岩(~278 Ma)相差~7 Ma。大草滩和白鑫滩岩体样品主量元素投影点都处于主要造岩矿物化学成分之间,表明岩体的主量元素主要受堆晶矿物控制。大草滩和白鑫滩岩体的微量元素标准化图解与东天山典型成矿岩体相似,均具有明显的Nb,Ta亏损,且具有较高的ε_(Nd)(t)值(+6.01~+8.9,t=286 Ma)和ε_(Hf)(t)值(+11.62~+16,t=286 Ma)。大草滩和白鑫滩岩体岩浆源区是软流圈上涌导致被俯冲事件改造的交代地幔发生部分熔融的产物。岩体橄榄石Fo值与Ni的关系表明岩浆在橄榄石结晶过程中存在硫化物熔离。模拟计算表明上述岩体母岩浆在上侵过程中在深部与新生的岛弧地壳发生5%~15%的混染后达到了硫饱和,造成了硅酸盐岩浆PGE的亏损。分离结晶和地壳硫的加入是导致岩浆在地壳层位发生二次熔离的主要因素。不同岩相的年龄数据表明大草滩和白鑫滩岩体形成于多期次岩浆作用,有助于形成具有经济价值的铜镍矿体。对比可得新疆东天山铜镍成矿带西段的镁铁—超镁铁质岩体的年龄和硫化物饱和过程与东段和中段的成矿岩体相似,故成矿带西段有寻找大中型铜镍硫化物矿床的潜力。     

内蒙古乌拉特中旗克布镁铁质-超镁铁质岩体年代学、矿物学和岩石地球化学

内蒙古乌拉特中旗地处华北陆块北缘西段,大地构造分区属于狼山-白云鄂博陆缘裂谷。区域上,镁铁质-超镁铁质岩呈东西向带状分布,断续出露长约300km,宽约30km。该镁铁质-超镁铁质岩带内铜镍矿床(点)较为发育,克布为该带内一个中-小型铜镍硫化物矿床。克布镁铁质-超镁铁岩体出露面积约45km2,主要由辉长岩相和橄榄岩相组成,辉长岩相为岩体的主要岩相,橄榄岩相为主要的赋矿岩石,两个相带相伴产出,呈渐变过渡关系。本文采用LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb法测年,获得克布斜长方辉橄榄岩年龄为258.1±1.8Ma(MSWD=2.3),属于晚二叠世。岩石主、微量及稀土元素分析结果表明,岩石样品属铁质镁铁质-超镁铁质岩,具有拉斑玄武岩系列演化趋势,并相对富集大离子亲石元素(Rb、Sr、Ba),亏损高场强元素(Nb、Ta、Zr、Hf、Ti),以及具有轻稀土富集[(La/Yb)N=2.47~11.29]的右倾型稀土配分模式。以橄榄石-熔体平衡原理估算克布镁铁质-超镁铁质岩体母岩浆的MgO含量为10.1%,FeO为12.1%,应为高镁的拉斑玄武质岩浆。综合分析认为,克布镁铁质-超镁铁质岩体应形成于后碰撞伸展阶段,岩浆源区由被消减板片交代的地幔楔物质和软流圈物质组成。橄榄石和辉石等富镁铁矿物的分离结晶和富硅地壳物质的混染可能对硫化物熔离富集成矿起到了关键性作用。     

柴北缘尕秀雅平东含铜镍硫化物镁铁-超镁铁质岩体铂族元素的地球化学特征

尕秀雅平东含铜镍硫化物镁铁-超镁铁质岩体位于柴达木地块北缘,主要由蛇纹石化纯橄岩、单辉橄榄岩、橄榄辉石岩、辉石岩、辉长岩及斜长岩组成,侵位于古元古代达肯大坂岩群。本文对组成岩体的4件橄榄辉石岩样品和3件含矿岩石样品进行铂族元素分析,其∑PGE=8.82×10-9~84.8×10-9,原始地幔标准化配分曲线均呈左倾型式。利用Ni/Cu、Pd/Ir等相关参数确定原生岩浆为高镁玄武质岩浆,而低程度的地幔部分熔融作用是导致PPGE与IPGE强烈分异及Ru亏损的主要原因。岩体在形成过程中有一定程度地壳物质的混染作用,但早期硫化物的熔离作用不明显。同时,PGE元素间的协变关系显示热液蚀变作用对全岩PGE丰度影响不大。     

东天山四顶黑山层状岩体地质特征及成矿潜力分析

东天山黄山岩带因发育众多镁铁质-超镁铁质岩体和岩浆铜镍硫化物矿床而备受地质学者关注。四顶黑山岩体位于该岩带最东端,具有层状岩体特征;岩石类型有单辉橄榄岩、橄榄辉石岩、橄榄苏长辉长岩、橄榄辉长岩、辉石角闪岩、辉长岩、角闪辉长岩、闪长岩,主要造岩矿物为贵橄榄石、古铜辉石、透辉石、普通角闪石和斜长石,岩体分异较好,蚀变较发育。通过矿物显微结构特征观察以及计算得出:四顶黑山岩体中橄榄石最先结晶,其开始结晶温度大约在1419℃左右;古铜辉石和透辉石在橄榄石之后开始结晶,结晶温度分别在1100℃左右和900～1100℃之间,两矿物相在岩石中可以共存。岩体中橄榄岩相、苏长岩相发育,以及贵橄榄石+古铜辉石的矿物组合特征,表明岩体具有形成铜镍(铂)矿床的有利条件。     

Wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometric determination of Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in komatiites

Komatiites are mantle-derived ultramafic volcanic rocks. Komatiites have been discovered in several States of India, notably in Karnataka. Studies on the distribution of trace-elements in the komatiites of India are very few. This paper proposes a simple, accurate, precise, rapid, and non-destructive wavelength-dispersive x-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometric technique for determining Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in komatiites, and discusses the accuracy, precision, limits of detection, x-ray spectral-line interferences, inter-element effects, speed, advantages, and limitations of the technique. The accuracy of the technique is excellent (within 3%) for Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th and very good (within 4%) for Y. The precision is also excellent (within 3%) for Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th. The limits of detection are: 1 ppm for Sc and V; 2 ppm for Cr, Co, and Ni; 3 ppm for Cu, Zn, Rb, and Sr; 4 ppm for Y and Zr; 6 ppm for Nb; 10 ppm for Ba; 13 ppm for Pb; and 14 ppm for Th. The time taken for determining Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, and Th in a batch of 24 samples of komatiites, for a replication of four analyses per sample, by one operator, using a manual WDXRF spectrometer, is only 60 hours.     

Isotopic systematics of He,Ar, S,Cu, Ni,Re, Os,Pb, U,Sm, Nd,Rb, Sr,Lu, and Hf in the rocks and ores of the Norilsk deposits

This paper reports the first results of a study of 11 isotope systems (³He/⁴He, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar, ³⁴S/³²S, ⁶⁵Cu/⁶³Cu, ⁶²Ni/⁶⁰Ni, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd, ^206–208Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, Hf–Nd, U–Pb, and Re–Os) in the rocks and ores of the Cu–Ni–PGE deposits of the Norilsk ore district. Almost all the results were obtained at the Center of Isotopic Research of the Karpinskii All-Russia Research Institute of Geology. The use of a number of independent genetic isotopic signatures and comprehensive isotopic knowledge provided a methodic basis for the interpretation of approximately 5000 isotopic analyses of various elements. The presence of materials from two sources, crust and mantle, was detected in the composition of the rocks and ores. The contribution of the crustal source is especially significant in the paleofluids (gas–liquid microinclusions) of the ore-forming medium. Crustal solutions were probably a transport medium during ore formation. Air argon is dominant in the ores, which indicates a connection between the paleofluids and the atmosphere. This suggests intense groundwater circulation during the crystallization of ore minerals. The age of the rocks and ores of the Norilsk deposits was determined. The stage of orebody formation is restricted to a narrow age interval of 250 ± 10 Ma. An isotopic criterion was proposed for the ore-bearing potential of mafic intrusions in the Norilsk–Taimyr region. It includes several interrelated isotopic ratios of various elements: He, Ar, S, and others.     

硅酸盐类样品中硅、铁、铝、钛、锰、钙、镁、钾、钠和磷的x射线荧光光谱测定

本文拟定了一种以熔融法制备样片,用X射线荧光光谱测定硅酸盐类样品中Si、Fe、Al、Tj、Mn、Ca、Mg、K、Na、P等元素的分析方法。在对不同靶材X光管和分光晶体实验对比的基础上,选择了最佳的测量条件。该法具有快速、准确,测量范围广,检测限低,价格便宜等优点。经过近百个各种类型标样或管理样品的分析对比表明,本法不仅适用于硅酸盐类岩石样品的分析,还适用于铁矿、铝土矿、碳酸盐类岩矿样品以及水泥、耐火材料等样品的分析。     

高压微波消解法测定醋酸纤维过滤器采集的微尘粒子中的砷镉钴铬铜铁锰镍铅钒锌

最新的流行病学研究表明,空气中较高浓度的悬浮细颗粒可能对人类的健康有不利的影响。根据该项研究显示,由于心脏病、慢性呼吸问题和肺功能指标恶化而导致死亡率的升高与细尘粒子有关。这些研究结果已经促使欧盟于1999年4月出台了限制空气中二氧化硫、二氧化氮、氧化氮、铅和颗粒物含量的法案(1999/30/EC),对各项指标包括对可吸入PM10颗粒的浓度提出了新的限制性指标。PM10颗粒是指可以通过预分级器分离采集的气体动力学直径小于10μm的细颗粒。目前研究的兴趣重点逐步偏向PM2.5这些更细微颗粒物,PM2.5这种颗粒物对健康有明显的不利影响。在欧盟指令2008/50/EC中,对PM10和PM2.5都提     

硅酸盐中铁、锰、钛、钙、钾、磷、硅、铝、镁、钠、锶、铷、钡的X-射线荧光光谱定量测定

本文介绍样品经四硼酸锂熔融制成玻璃小饼。采用Lachance模式和理论a系数来校正元素间的效应,由3080E型X-射线荧光谱仪和DF-350B数据处理系统完成硅酸盐中十三个项目的测定。     

Viscous, cohesive, non-Newtonian, depositing, radial slurry flow

Mining induced subsidence can significantly affect mining costs where major surface facilities and natural environment need to be protected. Overburden grout injection is a technology used to control coal mine subsidence by injecting the mine waste material extracted from the coal back into the inter-burden rock during longwall mining. The flowing slurry is here categorised as a nonlinear viscous cohesive (Bingham plastic) fluid. During longwall mining the grout slurry is pumped into the separated beds of the rock mass through a central vertical borehole, which is drilled deep into the inter-burden rock strata above the coal seam. However, a blockage can occur in the injection system when the slurry velocity falls below a certain critical threshold velocity, indicating a material phase change from cohesive-viscous to cohesive-frictional. In situ field injection tests through boreholes have been simulated at a smaller scale at the CSIRO laboratory in Brisbane by pumping the slurry through a radial disk (gap = 4 mm) from its centre. Laboratory experiments indicate a general, nonlinear, cohesive, viscous, frictional model for shear behaviour of the slurry, in which the material shear parameters are functions of the disk radial distance. Complete dimensional and dimensionless analytical solutions have been developed based on an approach related to Bingham–Herschel–Bulkley fluid mechanics. The derived formulae include relations for minimum pump pressure, local pressure and pressure gradient, wall shear stress, volume rate, velocity and velocity gradient. The theoretical results match the experimental measurements. The experiments covered slurries with maximum particle sizes of 0.5 to 2 mm with about 50% being larger than 100 µm. The viscosities at the various solids concentrations were measured with a standard torsion viscometer. This study differs from the previous research in several distinct aspects, namely, consideration of the variable shear parameters rather than fixed values, inclusion of total nonlinear behaviour, and implementation of a friction function to mimic behaviour of the deposited and consolidating stiff slurry, which can cause a significant pressure rise as a result of the increased shear resistance.     

Bellechester,Minnesota, USA,lagoon collapses

Bellechester, Minnesota, is a small community of approximately 155 residents located on the county line between Goodhue and Wabasha counties in southeast Minnesota's karst region. Bellechester is served by a 21-year-old wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) consisting of three waste-stabilization ponds. On 28 April 1992 six sinkholes were discovered to have drained cell 2 of the WWTF resulting in the loss of approximately 8.7×10⁶ 1 of partially treated effluent and about 600 m³ of soil into previously undetected subsurface voids of unknown dimensions. In the week following the collapse, approximately 200 water wells located within a 5-km radius of the WWTF were sampled in an after-the-fact, emergency sampling program. Twelve samples with elevated fecal coliform levels, 18 samples with nitrate-nitrogen greater than the 10 mg/1 standard, and no samples with elevated chlorides were found. However, the elevated levels could not be unambiguously attributed to the WWTF collapse. This is the third WWTF to fail by sinkhole collapse in southeast Minnesota since 1974. All three collapsed lagoons have been located in similar geomorphic and stratigraphic settings. However, at least two lagoons have collapsed in the adjacent area in northeast Iowa, and these lagoons are located at different stratigraphic positions. Twenty-two WWTFs constructed in southeast Minnesota's karst region in the last 25 years have been identified as subject to potential sinkhole collapse. An unknown but significant number of manure storage lagoons, flood control structures, etc., have also been constructed in the karst region and are at risk. Public agencies are beginning to develop plans to deal with the risk associated with existing and future waste lagoons in this environment. The critical hydrogeologic parameters that can be used to prioritize the risk of collapse at existing facilities include: (1) the lithology of the first bedrock beneath each lagoon, (2) the thickness of surficial materials between the lagoon and the bedrock surface, (3) the presence and construction of liners (seepage rate), and (4) the proximity to existing sinkholes.     

岩石密度和超高压岩石折返速率

在常温常压条件下对中国大陆科学钻CCSD主孔100-3000米岩心样品进行了密度测量,建立了密度连续剖面,并界定了不同超高压岩石的密度值。通过对比高温高压物性实验资料,岩石密度随着退变程度增强而降低,榴辉岩密度变化序列为3.52g/cm3→3.49g/cm3→3.07g/cm3→2.93g/cm3。超高压长英质岩石密度变化序列为3.00g/cm→2.80g/cm3→2.65g/cm3。上述实验资料是讨论不同折返阶段岩石所受浮力的基础,为研究折返速率大小提供了基本参数。本文通过折返板块运动平衡时,上浮力与粘滞力平衡这一关系式,定量研究了大陆俯冲板块的折返速率,认为密度差产生上浮力从而引起折返,温度对板块折返速率的影响最为显著;密度差大小、折返角度、折返板块大小对折返速率也有直接的影响。定量模拟分析表明,在温度高于850℃时,板块的折返速率可以超过100mm/a;当温度降至700℃时,折返速率则低于1.5mm/a。作者认为在折返早期,温度较高,板块快速折返至60-70km榴辉岩相深度;随着传导散热,温度降低,板块以较慢的速率折返至中下地壳。折返速率的估算表明,浮力是板块折返第一阶段(从>100km深部折返至<40km的中下地壳)的主要驱动力。     

Mercury,arsenic, antimony,and selenium contents of sediment from the Kuskokwim River,Bethel, Alaska,USA

The Kuskokwim River at Bethel, Alaska, drains a major mercury-antimony metallogenic province in its upper reaches and tributaries. Bethel (population 4000) is situated on the Kuskokwim floodplain and also draws its water supply from wells located in river-deposited sediment. A boring through overbank and floodplain sediment has provided material to establish a baseline datum for sediment-hosted heavy metals. Mercury (total), arsenic, antimony, and selenium contents were determined; aluminum was also determined and used as normalizing factor. The contents of the heavy metals were relatively constant with depth and do not reflect any potential enrichment from upstream contaminant sources.