Prediction leaching of potassium using the convective–dispersive and the convective log-normal transfer function models

There is increasing concern about soil enrichment with K⁺ and subsequent potential losses following long-term application of poor quality water to agricultural land. Different models are increasingly being used for predicting or analyzing water flow and chemical transport in soils and groundwater. The convective–dispersive equation (CDE) and the convective log-normal transfer function (CLT) models were fitted to the potassium (K⁺) leaching data. The CDE and CLT models produced equivalent goodness of fit. Simulated breakthrough curves for a range of CaCl₂ concentration based on parameters of 15 mmol l⁻¹ CaCl₂ were characterised by an early peak position associated with higher K⁺ concentration as the CaCl₂ concentration used in leaching experiments decreased. In another method, the parameters estimated from 15 mmol l⁻¹ CaCl₂ solution were used for all other CaCl₂ concentrations, and the best value of retardation factor (R) was optimised for each data set. A better prediction was found. With decreasing CaCl₂ concentration the value of R is required to be more than that measured (except for 10 mmol l⁻¹ CaCl₂), if the estimated parameters of 15 mmol l⁻¹ CaCl₂ are used. The two models suffer from the fact that they need to be calibrated against a data set, and some of their parameters are not measurable and cannot be determined independently.     

Aquifer disposal of acid gases: modelling of water–rock reactions for trapping of acid wastes

The pore space of deep saline aquifers in the Alberta (sedimentary) Basin offers a significant volume for waste storage by “hydrodynamic trapping”. Furthermore, given the slow regional fluid flow in these deep saline aquifers, ample time exists for waste-water/rock chemical reactions to take place. A geochemical computer model (PATHARC) was used to compute the interaction of industrial waste streams comprising CO₂, H₂SO₄ and H₂S with the minerals in typical carbonate and sandstone aquifers from the Alberta Basin. The results support the idea that these acids can be neutralized by such reactions and that new mineral products are formed, such as calcite, siderite, anhydrite/gypsum and pyrrhotite, thereby trapping the CO₃, SO₄ and S ions that are formed when the acid gases dissolve in the formation water. Siliciclastic aquifers appear to be a better host for “mineral trapping” than carbonate aquifers, especially with regard to CO₂. Carbonate aquifers may be more prone to leakage due to high CO₂ pressures generated by reaction with H₂SO₄ and H₂S. Even though permeability decreases are expected due to this “mineral trapping”, they can be partially controlled so that plugging of the aquifer does not occur.     

Geochemical Environments of the Archean–Proterozoic

Doklady Earth Sciences - In the Precambrian sequence, namely, in the Proterozoic, Archean calcium and ferruginous carbonate rocks changed to magnesian carbonate ones. This correlates with the...     

Geochemical features and geodynamic setting of formation of the Lukinda dunite–troctolite–gabbro massif (southeastern framing of the Siberian Platform)

The Lukinda dunite–troctolite–gabbro massif in the Selenga–Stanovoy superterrane on the southeastern framing of the Siberian Platform was earlier considered Precambrian. The performed ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of the massif plagioclase yielded an Early Permian age (285 ± 7.5 Ma). The main specific petrochemical features of the intrusion rocks during their crystallization differentiation are an increase in SiO₂ and CaO contents and a decrease in FeO_tot content, with TiO₂ content remaining low and showing minor variations. A specific geochemical feature of the Lukinda massif ultrabasite–basites is a slight domination of LREE over HREE, with (La/Yb)_N= 1.0–8.2. The depletion of the massif rocks in LILE (except for Sr and Ba), REE, and HFSE suggests that the massif formed on an active continental margin.     

Geochemical features of gold–quartz veins in granitoid intrusives and terrigenous masses of the Yana–Kolyma folded belt in the northeast of Russia

The main task of this study was to reveal geochemical and distinctive features of gold–quartz vein ores of deposits in granitoid intrusive bodies and in terrigenous black-schist masses of the Yana-Kolyma folded belt. The results obtained point to the significant role of metamorphism of the enclosing terrigenous carbonaceous masses in ore formation of both types of deposits. The established facts are not contradictory to the metamorphic–magmagene model of the formation of gold deposits in the Yana–Kolyma belt. The geochemical similarity of both types of deposits shows that these are products of the same orogenic system, which confirms the validity of combining these deposits to form a unified gold–quartz formation.     

Geochemical features of Paleozoic Au–Ag epithermal deposits (Northeastern Russia)

The geochemical features and conditions of formation of the Paleozoic epithermal Au–Ag mineralization in the pre-accretion Kedon (D_2–3) volcanoplutonic belt located within the Omolon craton terrain are described. The new data on the composition and contents of trace and rare-earth elements (REEs) in igneous ores of epithermal deposits is provided. The elevated grades of a wide range of trace elements as compared to the average values of the upper crust have been identified.     

Geochemical features and sources of clastic material in Paleozoic terrigenous deposits of the northeastern flank of the South Mongolia–Khingan orogenic belt

The results of geological and geochemical studies of terrigenous rocks of the main stratigraphic subdivisions in the northeastern flank of the South Mongolia–Khingan orogenic belt and also the results of U-Pb (LА-ICP-MS) geochronological studies of detrital zircons from these deposits are presented. It is demonstrated that the studied rocks differ significantly in the nature of distribution of detrital zircon ages and, consequently, they cannot be members of a single sedimentary sequence. The data obtained confirm the standpoint according to which the northeastern flank of the South Mongolia–Khingan orogenic belt represents a “joint” zone separating the Argun and the Bureya-Jiamusi Superterranes. This joint zone was formed as the result of closure of the oceanic basin separating the specified continental massifs in the Paleozoic era. The geochemical features of the studied rocks indicate their formation in the conditions of the island arc or the active continental margin. Lack of zircon generations younger than Ordovician age in the studied samples allows assuming that the sedimentary sequences identified within the northeastern flank of the studied belt as the Necla, Dagmara, siltstone-sandstone, and Gramatukha sequences that formed from the end of the Vendian (?) to the Devonian correspond to the youngest stages of belt formation. These sediments in the current structural plan evidently represent fragments of accretion complexes cropping out in fragments among the Cenozoic sequences of the Amur-Zeya Depression.     

Contents,seasonal variations,and forms of migration of major and minor elements in surface waters in the area of the Tyrnyauz Tungsten–Molybdenum Combine (TTMC) and adjacent areas (Kabardino-Balkarian Republic,Russian Federation) and actions for recovery of the ecological environment

Anomalous concentrations of numerous major and minor elements significantly exceeding the threshold limit values (TLV) for drinking water were registered in the area of the Tyrnyauz Tungsten–Molybdenum Combine (TTMC). The maximal excess of the TLV (by one or two orders of magnitude) were obtained for Mo (up to 11 mg/L), W (4.4 mg/L), As (1.5 mg/L), Mn (8.4 mg/L), and Tl (up to 3.3 μg/L) in water of the Bolshoi Mukulan Brook flowing through the mines and three brooks flowing out from the base of the embankment of the tailing store no. 1. They are the major pollutants for water of the Baksan River. Upon flowing out to the plain, water of the Baksan River shows significant excess of the TLVs (in summer) for Al, Fe, Mn, Be, Si, Ti, Tl, and Hg.     

Geochemical and Sr–Nd–Pb-Isotope Characteristics of Ice-Rafted Sediments of the Arctic Ocean

The paper discusses the geochemical and Sr–Nd–Pb-isotope data on ice-rafted sediments (IRS) from different areas of the Arctic Ocean. Samples were collected during the Cruise of R/V Polarstern between Spitsbergen and North Pole, Yermak Plateau, as well as in Fram Strait. It is shown that the studied IRS samples in terms of La_N/Yb_N and εNd values are close to the composition of suspended particulate matter (SPM) from the mouth parts of large rivers and rivers transporting the sedimentary erosion products. This also follows from their Th/Sc, Th/Co, La/Sc, La/Sm, Sc/Th ratios and Sc content and from the position of their data points in the Sc–Th/Sc, La/Sc–Th/Co, and La/Sm–Sc/Th diagrams between the average SPM compositions of the Ob and Lena rivers. The values of ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb and εNd in IRS samples give grounds to suggest that the rock complexes of the European, North American, and Asian continental margins could be potential sources for this sedimentary material. In the ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb–εNd diagram, the IRS samples from all three studied areas define a compact cluster and are mainly confined to the triangle with corners represented by the Mackenzie River, Okhotsk–Chukotka volcanic area, and Lena River, being closer to the latter. In the Sm/Nd–εNd diagram, IRS points also form a compact field, being located almost in the middle between the average SPM compositions of the Yenisei and Ob rivers, on the one hand, and Lena River, on the other. In all diagrams, IRS samples from the different West Arctic areas show no significant scatter. With allowance for the fact that sediments are not subjected to significant homogenization during ice rafting, sediments from all three areas were obtained from a common source. As seen from the position of IRS data points in the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr–εNd diagram, this source was the Asian continental margin.     

Geochemical evolution of groundwater in the Cambrian–Vendian aquifer system of the Baltic Basin

The shallowly buried marginal part of the Cambrian–Vendian confined aquifer system of the Baltic Basin is characterised by fresh and low δ¹⁸O composition water, whereas the deeply settled parts of the aquifer are characterized by typical Na–Ca–Cl basinal brines. Spatial variation in water geochemistry and stable isotope composition suggests mixing origin of the diluted water of three end-members—glacial melt water of the Weichselian Ice Age (115 000–10 000 BP), Na–Ca–Cl composition basin brine and modern meteoric water. The mixing has occurred in two stages. First, the intrusion and mixing of isotopically depleted glacial waters with basinal brines occurred during the Pleistocene glacial periods when the subglacial melt-water with high hydraulic gradient penetrated into the aquifer. The second stage of mixing takes place nowadays by intrusion of meteoric waters. The freshened water at the northern margin of the basin has acquired a partial equilibrium with the weakly cemented rock matrix of the aquifer.     

Fixed-bed column study for the adsorptive removal of acid fuchsin using carbon–alumina composite pellet

The carbon–alumina composite pellet was developed for the adsorption of acid fuchsin from its aqueous solution. The composite pellet was characterized using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method, scanning Electron Microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The adsorption capacity of commercial alumina, commercial activated carbon and the prepared composite pellet was investigated against acid fuchsin, and the adsorption capacity was found to be increased in the order of alumina < carbon–alumina composite pellet < activated carbon. Although the adsorption capacity of carbon–alumina composite pellets was less than that of activated carbon, the use of the pelletized form of the present adsorbent was proven to be advantageous for the use in the packed-bed column. The experimental data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin adsorption isotherms, and the equilibrium behavior was well explained by Langmuir isotherm. Besides, the kinetic behavior was well predicted by pseudo-second-order kinetics. The effects of inlet dye concentration (10–20 mg/L), feed flowrate (5–15 mL/min) and bed height (2.54–7.62 cm) on the breakthrough characteristics were investigated using a fixed-bed column. The maximum removal capacity in the column study was found to be 343.87 mg/L with an initial dye concentration and flowrate of 20 and 10 mL/min according to Bohart–Adams model. The breakthrough behavior was also effectively described by the Yoon–Nelson and Clark models.     

The Geochemical Zoning of the Peschanka Porphyry–Epithermal System in the West of the Chukchi Peninsula

The results of chemical analyses and the data on core samples for 266 drill holes were used to identify the geochemical zoning of the Peschanka porphyry–epithermal system. A 3D model of geochemical zoning was developed using factor analysis and GIS technologies to represent the spatial distribution of elemental associations and mineral assemblages. The lateral and longitudinal zoning patterns are described. The AgPbZn: CuAuMo ratio is suggested as an indicator of vertical zoning that allows to evaluate the erosion level of porphyry copper stockworks.     

Petrophysical features of the tectonic structures of the Okhotsk continent–ocean transition zone

Petrophysical characteristics are determined for the rock complexes of the Okhotsk margin within the continent–ocean transition zone. Petrophysical maps showing the major inhomogeneities of the main tectonic elements of the studied area are constructed. Petrophysical inhomogeneities and the corresponding geophysical field anomalies are compared. A relationship between the magnetic field anomalies and subsurface rock complexes is revealed. The gravity field anomalies are related to deep inhomogeneities and are almost independent of the subsurface rock complexes of relatively low thickness.     

Geochemical Characteristics and Genesis of the Metallogenic Rocks in the Chagande’ersi Molybdenum Deposit in Wulatehouqi, Inner Mongolia

Geochemical characteristics of the Chagande’ersi molybdenum deposit in Inner Mongolia and its genesis were analyzed in this study using rock mineralography and rock geochemical testing. The mineralized country rocks of the Chagande’ersi molybdenum deposit consist mainly of medium-to fine-grained monzogranite,medium-to fine-grained rich-K granite,with minor fine-grained K-feldspar granite veins and quartz veins.The rocks are characterized by high silica,rich alkali,high potassium,which are favorable factors for molybdenum mineralization.The rocks have the Rittmann index ranging from 1.329 to 1.961,an average Na₂O+K₂O value of 7.41,and Al₂O₃/（CaO+Na₂O+K₂O）>1,suggesting that the rocks belong to the high-K calc-alkaline peraluminous granite.The typical rock samples are enriched in Rb,Th,K and light rare earth elements,depleted in Sr,Ba,Nb,P and Ti, and these features are similar to that of the melt granite resulting from collision of plate margins.TheδEu of the rocks falls the zone between the crust granite and crust-mantle granite,and are close to that of the crust granite;（La/Lu）_N indicates the formation environment of granite is a continental margin setting.The Nb/Ta ratios are close to that of the average crust（10）;the Zr/Hf ratios of monzogranite are partly below the mean mantle（34-60）,while the Zr/Hf ratio of K-feldspar granite are close to the mean value in the crust.Comprehensive analyses show that the granite in this area formed during the transition period between tectonic collision and post-collision.During the plate collision and orogeny,the crust and mantle material were mixed physically,remelting into lava and then crystal fractionation,finally gave rise to the formation of the rock body in this area.This has close spatial and temporal relation with the molybdenum mineralization.     

Mineral Associations and Mo–W Ore Types of the Slepaya Zalezh’ Orebody at the Tyrnyauz Deposit

Geology of Ore Deposits - Slepaya Zalezh’, the largest orebody of the Tyrnyauz Mo–W deposit, is considered a first-priority object should mining operations at the deposit be resumed....     

Origin of the Early Sial Crust and U–Pb Isotope–Geochemical Heterogeneity of the Earth’s Mantle

It is shown that presence of the Early Precambrian sial crust in the Indo–Atlantic segment of the Earth and its absence in the Pacific has been caused by geochemical differences in the mantle underlying these segments. These differences were examined on the basis of Nd–Hf and U–Pb isotopes in modern basalts. The U–Pb isotope system is of particular interest, since uranium is a member of a group of heat-generating radioactive elements providing heat for plumes. It is shown that in the Indo–Atlantic segment, a distribution of areas of the modern HIMU type mantle is typical, while it is almost completely absent in the Pacific segment. In the Archean, in the upper HIMU type paleo-mantle areas, plume generation and formation of the primordial basic crust occurred; this was followed by its remelting resulting in the appearance of an early sial crust forming cratons of the Indo–Atlantic segment.     

Geochemical modelling of fluid–rock interactions in the context of the Soultz-sous-Forêts geothermal system

The development of the Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) at Soultz-sous-Forêts (France) has given to scientists an interesting opportunity for the application of geochemical modelling of water–rock interactions, combining theoretical studies with field and experimental data. The main results of four successive and complementary studies are summarized: geochemical modelling of fluid–rock interactions with prediction of dissolution/precipitation of minerals, feed-back effects on the mineralogy and petrography of the rock (major role of silicates in the geological past and of carbonates in the near future of the exploitation), experimental control of the dynamics of silicates under thermal gradient and relation between the evolution of the petrophysics of the rocks and the heat and mass transfers. The thermal cycle of the fluid, between 200 °C and 65 °C in the geothermal loop, may be responsible for dissolution/precipitation of minerals which modify the porosity and permeability of the granite, as it happened in the geological past, in relation with hydrothermal circulations in the Rhine Graben.     

Isotope–Geochemical Evidence for the Nature of Protolite Eclogite of the Kokchetav Massif (Kazakhstan)

Doklady Earth Sciences - In the present paper, the results of our isotope–geochemical studies on eclogites of the ultrahighpressure metamorphic complex of the Kokchetav massif are reported....     

Geochemical features of major and rare-earth element behavior in the Paratunka and Bol’shebannyi hydrothermal systems of Kamchatka

This paper presents original data on the content and distribution of major and rare-earth elements in the modern hydrothermal systems of the Paratunka and Bol’shebannyi thermal water deposits. In spite of the similar geochemical type of the waters, the individual sites of the hydrothermal systems differ in the major component composition, which is caused by the time of water–rock interaction, temperature control, and the possible influence of seawater intrusions. The REE concentrations in the studied thermal waters are extremely low (a few tenths of ppb). A distinctive feature of these thermal waters is the presence of a positive Eu anomaly. The possible reasons for its appearance are discussed. Calculation of REE speciation shows that the main parameters controlling the formation of the REE complexes in the Paratunka and Bol’shebannyi hydrothermal systems are their individual chemical properties, as well as pH, Eh, and temperature of the aqueous solution.     

Geochemical Features and Sources of Metasedimentary Rocks of the Western Part of the Tukuringra Terrane of the Mongol–Okhotsk Fold Belt

This work presents the results of geological, geochemical, Sm–Nd isotope-geochemical studies of metasedimentary rocks of the Teploklyuchevskaya, Garmakan, and Algaja formations of the Tukuringra Terrane of the eastern part of the Mongol–Okhotsk fold belt, as well as U–Th–Pb geochronological (LA-ICP-MS) studies of detrital zircons from these rocks. It is established that the lower age boundary of formation of the protolith of metasedimentary rocks of the Teploklyuchevskaya Formation is about 243 Ma (Middle Triassic); those of the Garmakan and Algaja formations are ~175 Ma (Lower–Middle Jurassic boundary) and ~192 Ma (Lower Jurassic), respectively. This makes it possible to correlate the Teploklyuchevskaya, Garmakan, and Algaja formations with the youngest sedimentary complexes of the eastern part of the Mongol–Okhotsk fold belt. In terms of geochemistry, the protoliths of metasedimentary rocks of the above-mentioned formations are the most similar to sedimentary rocks of island arcs and active continental margins. The source terrigenous material was transported from the southern frame of the Mongol–Okhotsk fold belt. It is not improbable that Lower Mesozoic deposits of the western part of the Tukuringra Terrane, in particular, and the eastern part of the Mongol–Okhotsk fold belt, as a whole, are relics of residual basins, preserved in “gaps” in the collision zone between the southern margin of plates of the North Asian Craton and the Amur Superterrane.