东秦岭－大别地区中生代与岩浆活动有关Mo（W）AuAgPbZn矿床成矿系列

根据矿床与有关岩浆岩的时间、空间和成因关系,东秦岭－大别地区的钼（钨）、金、银、铅锌等金属矿床构成一个与中生代岩浆活动有关的矿床成矿系列,并划分出4个矿床成矿亚系列：中晚三叠世与碱性岩有关的钼稀土等矿床成矿亚系列、晚侏罗世－早白垩世与I型花岗斑岩有关的钼（钨）银铅锌（金）成矿亚系列、早白垩世与重熔花岗岩有关的以金为主的矿床成矿亚系列和早白垩世晚期与铝质A型花岗岩有关的钼铅锌成矿亚系列。4个成矿亚系列的形成构造环境、成矿有关的岩浆岩、成矿的矿产组合及其时空分布具有一定的演化规律。     

郴临深大断裂带及其两侧的矿床成矿系列

在对该区进行岩浆岩、地球化学、矿床物质组分特征研究的基础上,根据所处构造区带、岩浆岩及成矿特征,划分出三个矿床成矿系列,即：东部后加里东隆起区与燕山期中浅成酸性花岗岩有关的钨锡银矿床成矿系列、西部海西－印支坳陷区燕山期中浅成酸性中酸性花岗岩有关的铜钼铅锌银（金）矿床成矿系列和中部过渡带钨锡铋钼（铅锌银）矿床成矿系列。     

内蒙古及邻区矿床成矿规律与成矿系列

成矿系列是矿床地质学科中研究区域成矿规律的一种学术思想,主张用系统论、活动论的观点研究在地质历史发展的各阶段、各特定地质构造环境中,成矿作用的过程及形成的矿床组合自然体.文章基于对内蒙古大地构造演化的新认识和新理解,结合周边省、自治区以及境外地质和矿产研究新进展,尤其是大批成矿年龄精测数据和对成岩成矿物质来源的新认识,将内蒙古矿产资源划分为11个主要矿床成矿系列:①太古代鞍山式沉积变质型铁矿成矿系列(包括中太古代和新太古代2个系列);②中元古代海底喷流型铅锌铜硫矿成矿系列;③中元古代白云鄂博稀土元素-铁-铌矿床成矿系列;④奥陶纪—志留纪岛弧环境斑岩铜(金,钼)矿成矿系列;⑤泥盆纪与蛇绿岩有关的铬铁矿矿床成矿系列;⑥晚二叠纪—三叠纪与花岗岩有关的钼金多金属成矿系列;⑦三叠纪—中侏罗世斑岩铜矿床成矿系列;⑧得尔布干地区晚侏罗世—早白垩世与花岗岩有关的浅成低温热液型铅锌多金属矿床成矿系列;⑨大兴安岭及邻区晚侏罗世—早白垩世与花岗岩有关的铅锌锡钼金多金属矿床成矿系列;⑩新生代与湖相沉积-蒸发作用有关的盐类矿床成矿系列.在成矿系列划分的基础上,编制了各成矿系列主要矿床分布图,并简要论述了各个成矿系列的成矿地质背景、成矿特征、矿床组合及时空分布规律等.本次成矿系列的划分,强调以重大构造事件作为背景,突出以重大构造事件与大规模成矿的耦合关系作为出发点,力求从更大尺度上认识当时的地质背景,如将多宝山与白乃庙2个同时代矿床作为一个矿床成矿系列(尽管目前尚不清楚它们属于同一个断续的岛弧链,还是被后来构造运动所分裂).值得指出的是,内蒙古幅员辽阔,不少矿床的成矿系列具有明显空间递变性,如与古亚洲洋闭合和碰撞有关的成矿事件横跨晚石炭世、二叠纪和三叠纪,与蒙古-鄂霍茨克洋俯冲有关的成矿事件横跨三叠纪一中侏罗世.     

湘南西部内生金属成矿系列及找矿方向

根据成矿地质背景和矿床组合特征，认为湘南西部内生金属矿床的形成受一定的沉积建造、地质构造和岩浆岩的控制可划分三个成矿系列，即与I型花岗岩类有关的铅锌铜银成矿系列、与S型花岗岩 类有关的钨锡铅锌铜银成矿系列和沉积改造型铁锰铅锌成矿系列，根据上述特征分析了找矿远景。     

闽西南地区大地构造演化和矿床时空分布规律

在充分吸收前人工作成果的基础上,讨论了闽西南地区的主要矿床类型及其特征,将闽西南地区的矿床划分为三个矿床成矿系列:晋宁期与海相火山作用有关的铅、锌、银多金属块状硫化物矿床成矿系列;海西-印支期与火成岩有关的铁、铜、铅、锌多金属矿床成矿系列;燕山期与中酸性火成岩有关的铁、铜、铅、锌、钼、钨、锡、金、银、铀等多金属矿床成矿系列。其中,与燕山期有关的矿床成矿系列可进一步划分为侏罗纪早期与壳幔混合源I型花岗闪长岩有关的铁、铜、铅、锌矿床成矿亚系列;侏罗纪晚期与壳源S型花岗质岩体有关的钨、锡、钼、铋多金属矿床成矿亚系列;早白垩世与壳源型中酸性侵入岩有关的层控矽卡岩型铁、铜、铅、锌、钼多金属矿床成矿亚系列;早白垩世与壳幔混合源型中酸性侵入岩-次火山作用有关的金、银、铜、钼、铅、锌、铀等多金属矿床成矿亚系列。总结研究提出了各成矿(亚)系列的形成背景、时空分布规律,初步认为晋宁期VMS型多金属矿床形成于华南联合陆块拉张裂解形成的政和-大埔海底双峰式火山盆地环境,海西-印支期岩浆热液-斑岩型金属矿床形成于陆内伸展与挤压环境交替出现的岩浆侵入过程中,而燕山期成矿(亚)系列则形成于太平洋构造域时期的陆内伸展与挤压环境交替出现的岩浆侵入与火山喷发的过程中。     

西藏冈底斯成矿带成矿规律

冈底斯成矿带是中国西部最重要的成矿带之一,目前已探获的铜金属资源量大于3000万t、铅锌金属资源量大于730万t。前人对该带成矿地质条件、成矿规律、成矿理论等研究取得了创新性、突破性的成果,文章结合成矿带最新勘查和研究进展,开展了以下总结工作：①划分了矿床类型。成矿带已发现的矿床类型包括：斑岩型铜金、铜钼、钼（铜）矿床,矽卡岩型铜、铅锌、铁、钨钼矿床,浅成中-低温热液型铅锌银、铯、自然硫矿床,沉积型石膏、煤等;②收集汇总了矿床成岩成矿高精度年龄学数据,总结了成矿时代分布规律,划分了石炭纪、晚三叠世—侏罗纪、早白垩世晚期—晚白垩世早期、晚白垩世晚期—始新世早期、渐新世、中新世、第四纪7个成矿期;③总结了不同矿床类型的空间分布规律,探讨了矿床东西向成带、南北向成串的控制因素;④收集了典型矿床金属硫化物的硫、铅同位素数据,探讨了成矿物质来源对成矿元素的影响：幔源物质→壳幔混合物质→壳源物质依次对应了Cu-Au→ Cu-Mo→Pb-Zn成矿元素的分布;⑤厘定了5个成矿系列,包括冈底斯与晚古生代沉积成矿作用有关的石膏矿床成矿系列;冈底斯与印支晚期—燕山早期中酸性岩浆成矿作用有关的Cu、Au、Ag、Fe矿床成矿系列;冈底斯与晚中生代沉积成矿作用有关的煤矿床成矿系列;冈底斯与喜马拉雅期岩浆成矿作用有关的Cu、Mo、Pb、Zn、Au、Ag、W、Fe、Co矿床成矿系列;冈底斯与新生代沉积成矿作用有关的砂金矿床成矿系列;⑥探讨了区域构造演化与成矿的关系。     

冈底斯成矿带东段矿床成矿系列及找矿突破的关键问题研究

冈底斯成矿带是我国最重要的资源接续基地之一,其中冈底斯岩浆弧(III43)是最重要的Ⅲ级成矿带,研究程度最高在拉孜县-工布江达县长约600km、宽约90km范围内,已发现并评价了5个超大型矿集区:雄村铜金矿集区,厅宫-冲江铜多金属矿集区,甲玛-驱龙-邦铺铜多金属矿矿集区,蒙亚啊-洞中拉-亚贵拉多金属矿集区,程巴-努日钨钼铜矿集区。根据近年来的研究成果,厘定出与海西期火山作用、海西期裂谷构造有关的铅锌银矿床成矿系列组、印支-燕山期与沉积-构造岩浆作用有关的铜、金、铁、铅锌、银、钼矿床成矿系列组以及冈底斯成矿带内喜山期与构造岩浆、沉积作用有关的铜、金、铁、铅锌、银、钼、钨、铀、盐类矿床成矿系列组,包括6个矿床成矿系列和10个成矿亚系列。主要的矿床成矿亚系列为:与早侏罗世-晚侏罗世岛弧型中酸性火山岩-浅成岩建造有关的铜、金、银、铅锌矿床成矿亚系列,成矿年龄173～160Ma,雄村外围和拉萨以东广泛分布的叶巴组分布区是其主要找矿远景区;与古新世-始新世中酸性火山-中浅成岩浆建造有关的铅锌、银、钼、钨、铁矿床成矿亚系列(沙让式、亚贵拉式、洞中拉式),成矿年龄在65～38Ma,林周盆地-南木林盆地及其北侧的隆格尔断隆带是主要的找矿远景区;与中新世中酸性浅成岩浆建造有关的铜、钼、铅锌、钨、金、银矿床成矿亚系列(驱龙式、甲玛式、冲江-厅宫式、朱诺式、邦铺式),成矿年龄17～13Ma,冈底斯成矿带东段中带是主要的找矿远景区,尤其是含矿斑岩体接触带的矽卡岩型铜多金属矿,如新发现的普桑果矽卡岩型铜铅锌矿。成矿元素从南往北的分布规律为Cu-Au(斑岩型)→Mo-W(Cu)(斑岩-矽卡岩型)→Cu-Mo-Pb-Zn(Au、Ag)(斑岩-矽卡岩型)→Mo(Cu)(斑岩)→Pb-Zn-Mo-W-Fe(斑岩-矽卡岩型)→Pb、Zn(Ag)(热液脉型)。成矿时代从南往北的规律为173～154Ma(雄村)→40～20Ma(努日-程巴等)→17～13Ma(驱龙、甲玛等)→65～38Ma(沙让、亚贵拉等)。冈底斯成矿带强烈的燕山晚期、喜山期的黑云母花岗岩(花岗斑岩、石英斑岩)岩浆活动控制了矽卡岩型铜铅锌铁钼矿床的分布,形成岩体中Cu、Mo、W矿化,外围接触带(0～4km)灰岩与黑色岩系的层间构造中的Mo-W-Cu-Zn-Pb-Ag-Au矿化分带,主要的含矿岩系组合是灰岩(大理岩)+黑色板岩、凝灰岩、砂板岩。主要的含矿层位为晚石炭-早二叠世昂杰组、来姑组,二叠纪的洛巴堆组、下拉组,中侏罗世多底沟组与晚侏罗世林布宗组层间构造。按照"缺位"理论预测燕山晚期-喜山早期(126～40Ma)念青唐古拉地区矽卡岩型多金属矿附近的斑岩钼(铜)矿等5种主要矿床类型和雄村铜金矿外围,拉萨以东叶巴组(J2y)大面积分布地区等4个主要预测区,提出了增生楔中的造山型金矿的找矿突破、推覆-滑覆构造控岩控矿模型的构建等当前找矿突破中的关键地质问题。     

广东中生代岩浆作用矿床成矿系列

广东中生代与壳幔岩浆活动有关的成矿作用十分强烈,多期成矿作用明显.在前人工作的基础上,根据矿床的成矿时代、成矿地质构造环境、主要成矿作用及形成的矿床组合,将中生代与岩浆作用有关的矿床厘定为6个矿床成矿系列：1）云开与印支期岩浆活动有关的铌、钽、磷、铁矿床成矿系列;2）粤北与燕山期花岗岩有关的有色金属、稀有金属、贵金属、非金属、铀矿床成矿系列;3）深大断裂带与燕山期基性-中酸性侵入岩有关的铜、铅、锌、金、铁、钼、钨、水晶、砷、硫铁、钒、钛矿床成矿系列;4）深变质带与区域变质、动力变质及燕山期花岗岩类有关的金、银矿床成矿系列;5）沿海与燕山期火山-侵入活动有关的铁、铜、金、银、铅、锌、钨、锡、钼、铌、钽、硫铁、水晶、萤石、叶蜡石、重晶石矿床成矿系列;6）阳春-罗定与燕山晚期壳源花岗岩类侵入活动有关的锡、钨、钼、铜、铁、铅、锌、银矿床成矿系列.论述了各成矿系列的基本特征,并对成矿系列形成的构造背景和成矿作用的时空分布及演化规律进行了探讨.     

湘南西部内生金属成矿系列及找矿方向

湘南西部处于南岭多金属成矿带中段,矿产资源丰富.在新一轮国土资源大调查中,认为内生金属矿的形成受一定的沉积建造、地质构造和岩浆岩控制,呈规律性分布.根据成矿地质背景和矿床组合特征,可划分3个成矿系列,即与1型花岗岩类有关的铜铅锌银成矿系列,与S型花岗岩类有关的钨锡铅锌铜银成矿系列和沉积改造型铁锰铅锌成矿系列.最后,以区内地质成矿规律、地球物理、地球化学及已知矿产分布等为依据,建立找矿标志,提出找矿靶区,指出每个靶区的主攻矿种和主攻矿床类型.     

西秦岭成矿系列、成矿谱系研究及其找矿意义

西秦岭是中国西北地区重要的有色、贵金属资源富集区。文章运用矿床成矿系列的理论和方法,对甘肃西秦岭地区进行矿床成矿系列和成矿谱系研究。初步厘定了7个矿床系列12个亚系列,分属2个成矿系列组合,以典型矿床地质特征分析为基础,根据各成矿系列在区域内的演化归结为成矿谱系。指出本区晚古生代、中生代成矿作用强烈,以与构造岩浆活动有关的金、铜(砷)、金(锑)、银、钼、钨锡矿床为主,以沉积岩容矿的层控热液型金、汞、锑、铅锌的大量发育为特征。基于成矿系列划分,在铅锌、金、钼矿产勘查实践中,取得了新的找矿突破。这对于深入研究区域成矿规律,指导矿产勘查工作具有重要意义。     

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.     

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。     

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。     

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.     

Regional distribution of Al,B, Ba,Ca, K,La, Mg,Mn, Na,P, Rb,Si, Sr,Th, U and Y in terrestrial moss within a 188,000 km2 area of the central Barents region: influence of geology,seaspray and human activity

Five hundred and ninety-eight samples of terrestrial moss (Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi) collected from a 188,000 km² area of the central Barents region (NE Norway, N Finland, NW Russia) were analysed by ICP-AES and ICP-MS. Analytical results for Al, B, Ba, Ca, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Rb, Si, Sr, Th, U and Y concentrations are reported here. Graphical methods of data analysis, such as geochemical maps, cumulative frequency diagrams, boxplots and scatterplots, are used to interpret the origin of the patterns for these elements. None of the elements reported here are emitted in significant amounts from the smelting industry on the Kola Peninsula. Despite the conventional view that moss chemistry reflects atmospheric element input, the nature of the underlying mineral substrate (regolith or bedrock) is found to have a considerable influence on moss composition for several elements. This influence of the chemistry of the mineral substrate can take place in a variety of ways. (1) It can be completely natural, reflecting the ability of higher plants to take up elements from deep soil horizons and shed them with litterfall onto the surface. (2) It can result from naturally increased soil dust input where vegetation is scarce due to harsh climatic conditions for instance. Alternatively, substrate influence can be enhanced by human activity, such as open-cast mining, creation of ‘technogenic deserts’, or handling, transport and storage of ore and ore products, all of which magnify the natural elemental flux from bedrock to ground vegetation. Seaspray is another natural process affecting moss composition in the area (Mg, Na), and this is most visible in the Norwegian part of the study area. Presence or absence of some plant species, e.g., lichens, seems to influence moss chemistry. This is shown by the low concentrations of B or K in moss on the Finnish and Norwegian side of the (fenced) border with Russia, contrasting with high concentrations on the other side (intensive reindeer husbandry west of the border has selectively depleted the lichen population).     

NEW SET OF LOW CONCENTRATION STANDARDS FOR LA, CE, SM, YB, LU, Y, SC, V, NB AND TA IN SILICATES

We have developed a set of four synthetic standards for the rare earth and high field strength elements designed for use in the determination of those elements in silicates. The base material is a glass nominally at the eutectic of the MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ ternary system. The nominal doping level was 2 wt% of the elements as oxides. To avoid problems associated with peak interference, the elements were doped in four separate glasses.     

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.