The deep structures and oil-gas prospect evaluation in the Qiangtang Basin, Tibet

The Qiantang Basin is now one of the topics of general interest in petroleum exploration in China. This paper reports a comprehensive study of geophysical and geological survey data recently obtained in this area and, combined with INDEPTH-3 deep survey results, comes to the following conclusions： 1） The hydrocarbon source formations, reservoirs, and overlying strata and their association within the basin are quite good, local structures are developed, and, therefore, the region is favorable for forming and preserving oil and gas accumulations. Faults are not a fatal problem. The future main target strata are the middle-deep structural strata composed of Upper-Triassic and middle Jurassic rocks; 2） A new classification has been made for second-order tectonic sequences inside the basin to disavow the central Qingtang uplift. It is noted that the main structures at the surface are orientated NW-SE and the crustal structure can be described as three depressions, three risees, and one deep depression, of which the prospective zone with the most potential is the inner main subsided belt and its two sides; 3） Comparatively intensive interaction between the crust and mantle and volcanic and thermal activities in the northern basin play a very important role in petroleum evaluation. The southern deeper sedimentation and less thermal activity make this area a more perfect zone for oil exploration; 4） Currently, the most important objective is determining the physical properties of the deep strata, the status of oil and gas accumulations, the source of the hydrocarbons, and the relationship between the upper and lower structures; and 5） The Lunpola Tertiary basin may be favorable for oil accumulations because petroleum may migrate from marine strata on two sides.

A New Occurrence of （Gold-Bearing） Graphite in the Assosa Region, BenishanguI-Gumuz State, W Ethiopia

The Assosa region of western Ethiopia hosts newly discovered and potentially highly economic graphite-bearing schist units. Due to its unique physical and chemical properties, graphite is quickly becoming an increasingly important economic resource. Graphite occurs over much of the area, and is hosted predominantly by quartz-graphitic schist, quartz-feldspar-mica schist and quartzite. The quartz-graphitic schist covers an area of 37 km2, forming steep valleys and ridges across a 190 km long belt. Graphite is texturally-variable within and across units. Crystal habit varies from highly crystalline to irregular flakes. Flake sizes range from amorphous and crystalline small flake to coarse large flake （〉 150 p.m）, with beneficiation of- 70% and yield potential of 〉 95% （froth flotation methods）. The license area is already a well-known gold-hosting area, and potentially economic gold deposits occur within the graphite-bearing units. Overall, the site shows excellent geochemical indicators, field observations and historical accounts of high gold content. It is suggested that textural variations may be the product of （1） early in-situ formation during （early- to late-Proterozoic） prograde metamorphism and （2） later vein-type mineralization during retrograde metamorphism. The discovery of graphite in western Ethiopia is the first documented and preliminary studies suggest a high economic potential for the deposits.

Lead and Mercury Contamination Assoc=atea with Artisanal Gold Mining in Anka, Zamfara State, North Western Nigeria： The Continued Unabated Zamfara Lead Poisoning

A total of 24 soil samples were collected from areas around Artisanal Gold and associated Pb-Zn-Cu sulfide mining and mineral processing sites in the Anka mining district of Zamfara State, NW Nigeria. The samples were geochemically analyzed with the main objective of assessing the degree of Pb and Hg pollution in the environment resulting from the mining and mineral ore processing activities in the mining district and to consider the effect on human health. The assessment of the degree of pollution or toxicity was based on the Igeo （index of geoaccummulation） and EF （enrichment factor） where the former gives a quantitative pollution class with respect to the quality of the medium analyzed, while the latter differentiates between metals originating from anthropogenic activities and those from natural processes. The geochemical results show that the concentrations of Pb and Hg especially at the mineral processing sites significantly exceed the established thresholds （4,152 ppm and 12.92 ppm respectively）. The calculated EF values for both Pb and Hg revealed that the soils from the entire mining district are extremely enriched in these elements, essentially originating from the anthropogenic activities （EF= 〉〉 40）. Lead and Mercury are toxic heavy metals with documented long-lasting adverse human health effects. These calls for efficient bioremediation measures for the removal of Pb and Hg from the contaminated soils that take into account the geochemical peculiarities of the mining district.

China＇s Economic Circumstances and Prospects： A Post-Reform Era

China ＇s current economic circumstances are defined by five basic features. （1） For the global economy as a whole, the ＂post-crisis era＂ is ending. （2） China＇s overall economy continues to develop steadily. （3） China has entered a ＂post-reform era.＂ （4） China＇s eastern region and western regions have attained different levels of economic development in terms of capital construction, social development, and household consumption. And （5） China＇ s regional development is still uneven. In the near future, the speed, momentum, environment, priorities and sources of China＇s economic development will see new changes.

Trends and Features of China's Inter-Provincial Trade:1987-2007

With today's economic globalization,inter-provincial trade plays an important role in a country's economy.This paper is the first to adopt the input-output tables of 30 Chinese provinces and to summarize the evolution of China's inter-provincial trade from1987 to 2007.This paper reaches the following conclusions.First,China's inter-provincial trade has sustained a period of rapid growth.In 2007,the total volume of inter-provincial trade was twice the amount of international trade,with the eastern region accounting for the majority of the inter-provincial trade volume.GDP may have a greater effect on interprovincial trade than geographic distance does.Second,inter-provincial trade maintains a high level of concentration and overlaps with the high concentration of GDP.Third,the inter-provincial trade dependence of Chinese provinces tends to increase,an indication of the growing domestic market integration.Moreover,the eastern region's dependence on inter-provincial trade is higher than the central and western regions'.Fourth,the share of inter-provincial trade in the overall external trade of Chinese provinces has a declining tendency,which indicates a slower process of China's domestic market integration compared with international market integration.However,in terms of proportion,the external trade of most Chinese provinces is still dominated by inter-provincial trade.Fifth,most provinces with longstanding inter-provincial trade deficits are in the central and western regions.

The dynamic analysis of natural environment change of nuclear test field in Lop Nur region of China

Using earth satellite observation means, remote sensing information distilled technique and regional research production, we have roundly analyzed and made an integrated evaluation about the Lop Nur nuclear test field in western China. This product reveals the rarely-known nuke explosion effect and response events of geology conditions. It also offers us legible and practical first-hand materials about human extreme effects, important engineering environment and intimidating influence process. By excavating and appraising the materials gradually on the natural environment factors changing in the test field through macroscopic elimination and typical filtration, it can supply basic scientific data for security of national nuclear usage, appraising the nuclear environment synthetically and developing nuclear strategy expediently.

Petrological characteristics,geochemical feature and metallogenetic relation of alkaline-rich rocks in northwest of Yunan Province,China

The alkali-rich rocks, spreading along the suture zone of Jingsha River, refer to the alkali-rich porphyry rocks, which emplace during the Himalaya epoch in northwest of Yunnan Province, and consist of syenit, syenit porphyry, monzonite porphyry and granite porphyry. Petrological chemical analysis results suggest that silica is poor and aluminum is rich, and high potassium large ion lithophile elements （LILE）, light rare earth element （LREE） and Sr are obviously detracted in these rocks. High field strength elements （HFSE） and heavy rare earth element （HREE） are depleted, especially Nb, Ta, P and Ti. 8Eu： 0.09--1.64 shows that plagioclase does not appear fractional crystallization during the formation of alkali-rich rocks, t^348, H and O isotopes and Pb isotopes suggest that ore-forming fluid is derived from the mantle, and Pb is possibly mixed by mantle, wall rock and crust. The age of Pb in alkali-rich rocks is about 250-220 Ma. The age of alkali porphyry rock （dykes） varies from 30 Ma to 50 Ma. Alkali rocks have strong metallogenetic relation. Au mineralization is associated to the alkali magrnatic activities with a relatively high temperature, low pressure and high oxygen fugacity. However, copper mineralization is mainly associated with alkali-sub-alkali magmatic activities in a process of relatively low temperature, high pressure and lower oxygen fugacity.

Multivariant statistical analysis for diagenetic information of chert from southern Tibet,China

There are large scale chert formations of different ages exposed widely in southern Tibet, along Yarlung-Zangbo suture zone. The typical chert specimens were sampled from Pengcuolin, Xialu and Zongzhuo profiles. Multivariate statistical analysis is applied for effectively extracting the geochemical information of the chert, and the raw data are processed by R-factor analysis. The first, second and third factors representing terrigenous, authigenic and hydrothermal constituents are extracted from the analysis results. From Pengcuolin, Xialu to Zongzhuo chert profiles, the variance ratios of continental and authigenetic factors become higher （ 51. 1% →62.9 % →91.6 % ）, while hydrothermal factor rapidly decrease （ 40. 9 % →32.2 % →0 ）. This tend- eney also present in the analysis for traee elements, indicating that Pengeuolin chert is hydrothermal origin, The Zongzhuo chert belong to normal sedimentation and the Xialu chert exhibit normal deposition interacted with hydrothermal sedimentation. The facts provide significant implications for understanding the diagenetic and palaeomineralization information of southern Tibet.

Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb geochronology,geochemistry and petrogenesis of the upper Eocene Shuangmaidi peraluminous granite in Baoshan Block,Western Yunnan Terrain,southwestern China

The Baoshan Block is tectonically located in the middle segment of the Sibumasu plate. Granitic magmatism within the Baoshan Block has been considered weakly active due mainly to very limited exposures during the Himalaya orogenic episode. The geochronological study on the buried Shuangmaidi granite has confirmed the existence of the Cenozoic granitoids in the Baoshan Block. The present study indicates that： （1） It is medium- to coarse-grained two mica phyric granite, characterized by high SiO2 （73.55%-77.16%） and low CaO （0.34%-1.38%） contents, with a total alkalis （K2O＋Na2O） of 5.22%-8.03%, K2O/Na2O ratios of 0.24-1.79, and total rare earth elements （ZREE） of the granite between 85 and 125 ppb. All samples are enriched in light REE and exhibit medium negative Eu anomalies; and they show pronounced negative anomalies in Ba, Sr, Ti, and Nb but significant positive anomalies in K, Rb, U, Th, and Pb on mantle-normalized trace element patterns, indicating typi-cally peraluminous to strongly peraluminous S-type granite. （2） The zircon SHRIMP U-Pb ages of the granite are 36.27±0.48 Ma for the samples from ZK7-1 and 35.78±0.49 Ma for those from ZK0-1, respectively. The similar zircon ages from these two drill cores may suggest that the granite samples come from the same buried pluton. （3） 206pb/204pb values of the granite vary from 20.115 to 25.359, 207pb/204pb from 15.776 to 16.160, and 208pb/204pb from 39.236 to 41.285, showing the characteristics of radio- active lead anomaly of the upper crust. The （87Sr/86Sr）i values calculated on the average age of the two-mica orthoclase granite （36 Ma） range from 0.72524 to 0.77503 and eNd（t） values vary from -10.9 to -11.7. These data, along with the depleted-mantle Nd modal ages of 1.73-1.80 Ga, imply that the granites might have formed from partial melting of the Precambrian crystal basements. （4） On the Hf-Rb-Ta diagram, almost all the samples fall within the field of post-collision tectonic setting. The CaO/Na2O and A1203/TiO2 ratios suggest that the granitic magma may have formed from partial melting of clay-rich crustal materials with a pos- sible melting temperature of about 900℃ and a possible crystallization temperature of 775-795~C. （5） During the post-collision of the Himalaya orogen, with the southeastward extrusion of the Indochina continent resulting from the continuous northward indentation of the India continent into the Asia, the Gaoligong Fault, as the western boundary of the Indochina continent, moved in the dextral strike-slip on a large scale to trigger partial melting of the thickened crust, and the peraluminous granitic magma from which the Shuangmaidi two-mica orthoclase granite derived was formed.

Electrical conductivities of two granite samples in southern Tibet and their geophysical implications

There are clear differences in the electrical conductivities of the crustal granites of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.Because these granites are among the major rock types on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, it is very important to detect the electrical conductivity of granites under high temperatures and pressures to study the electrical conductivity structure of this area. Using impedance spectroscopy at a frequency range of 10.1–106 Hz, the electrical conductivity of the muscovite-granite collected from Yadong was investigated at a confining pressure of 1.0 GPa and temperatures ranging from 577 to 996 K, while the electrical conductivity of the biotite-granite collected from Lhasa was investigated at a pressure of 1.0 GPa and temperatures ranging from587 to 1382 K. The calculated activation enthalpies of the Yadong muscovite-granite sample is 0.92 eV in the low-temperature range(577–919 K) and 2.16 eV in the high-temperature range(919–996 K). The activation enthalpies of the Lhasa biotite-granite sample is 0.48 eV in the low-temperature range(587–990 K) and 2.06 eV in the high-temperature range(990–1382 K). The change in the activation enthalpies of the granites at different temperature ranges may be associated with the dehydration of the two samples. The electrical conductivities of the granite samples obtained in the laboratory using impedance spectroscopy correspond well with field observations conducted near the sampling points, both in terms of the actual conductivity values and the observed variations between the low-temperature and high-temperature regimes. This correlation of laboratory and field conductivities indicates that the conductivities of the crustal rocks in the two regions closely correspond to granite conductivities.We calculated the electrical conductivities of muscovite-granite and biotite-granite samples using the effective medium and HS boundary models. When applied to the crustal rocks of southern Tibet, the results of the geophysical conductivity profiles lie within the range of laboratory data. Thus, the electrical characteristics of the crustal rocks underlying the southern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau can largely be attributed to granites, with the large changes to high conductivities at increasing depths resulting from the dehydration of crustal rocks with granitic compositions.

Geophysical implications for the formation of the Tamu Massif–the Earth's largest single volcano–within the Shatsky Rise in the northwest Pacific Ocean

Recent geophysical research programs survey the Tamu Massif within the Shatsky Rise oceanic plateau in the northwest Pacific Ocean to understand the formation of this immense volcano and to test the forma- tion hypotheses of large igneous province volcanism. Massive sheet basalt flows are cored from the Tamu Massif, implying voluminous eruptions with high effusion rates. Seismic reflection data show that the Tamu Massif is the largest single volcano on Earth, characterized by a central volcanic shield with low- gradient flank slopes, implying lava flows emanating from its center and spreading massive area on the seafloor. Velocity model calculated from seismic refraction data shows that crustal thickness has a negative correlation with average velocity, implying a chemically anomalous origin of the Tamu Massif. Seismic refraction and reflection data reveal a complete crustal structure across the entire vol- cano, featured by a deep crust root with a maximum thickness of -30 kin, and Moho geometry is consis- tent with the Airy lsostasy. These recent findings provide evidence for the two end-member formation models： the mantle plume and the plate boundary, Both are supported by some results, but both are not fit with some either. Consequently, plume-ridge interaction could be a resolution that awaits future investigations.

Timing of uplift and evolution of the Lüliang Mountains,North China Craton

This study analyses evidence for reformed basin development and basin-mountain coupling associated with devel- opment of the Ordos Basin and the Laliang Mountains, China. Gaining an improved understanding of the timing and nature of uplift and evolution of the Ltiliang Mountains is important for the reconstruction of the eastern sedimentary boundary of the Ordos Basin （a major petroliferous basin） as well as for providing insight into the evolution and breakup of the North China Craton （NCC）. Based on systematic sampling for fission track analysis, it is suggested that the main phase of uplift of the Laliang Mountains occurred since later part of the Early Cretaceous. Three evolutionary stages of uplift and development are identified： slow initial uplift （120-65 Ma）, accelerated uplift （65-23 Ma）, and intensive uplift （23 Ma to present）, with the ma- jority of the uplift activity having occurred during the Cenozoic. The history of uplift is non-equilibrium and exhibits complex- ity in temporal and spatial aspects. The middle and northern parts of the Ltiliang Mountains were uplifted earlier than the southern part. The most intensive episode of uplift activity commenced in the Miocene and was associated with a genetic cou- pling relationship with the eastern neighboring Cenozoic Shanxi Grabens. The uplifting and evolutionary processes of the Ltiliang Mountains area since later part of the Early Cretaceous share a unified regional geodynamic setting, which was ac- companied by uplift of the Mesozoic Ordos Basin and development of the neighboring Cenozoic Shanxi Grabens. Collectively, this regional orogenic activity is related principally to the far-field effects of both the compression sourced from the south- western Tibet Plateau and westward subduction of the Pacific Plate in Cenozoic.

The distribution characteristic and its significance of compound specific isotopic composition of aromatic hydrocarbon from marine source rock and oil in the Tarim Basin, western China

Aromatic hydrocarbons are generally main distillation of crude oil and organic extract of source rocks. Bicyclic and tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbons can be purified by two-step method of chromatography on alumina. Carbon isotopic composition of in- dividual aromatic hydrocarbons is affected not only by thermal maturity, but also by organic matter input, depositional envi- ronment, and hydrocarbon generation process based on the GC-IRMS analysis of Upper Ordovician, Lower Ordovician, and Cambrian source rocks in different areas in the Tarim Basin, western China. The subgroups of aromatic hydrocarbons as well as individual aromatic compound, such as 1-MP, 9-MP, and 2,6-DMP from Cambrian-Lower Ordovician section show more depleted 13C distribution. The δ13C value difference between Cambrian-Lower Ordovician section and Upper Ordovician source rocks is up to 16.1%o for subgroups and 14%o for individual compounds. It can provide strong evidence for oil source correlation by combing the δ13C value and biomarker distribution of different oil and source rocks from different strata in the Tarim Basin. Most oils from Tazhong area have geochemical characteristics such as more negative δI3Cg_Mp value, poor gam macerane, and abundant homohopanes, which indicate that Upper Ordovician source rock is the main source rock. In contrast, oils from Tadong area and some oils from Tazhong area have geochemical characteristics such as high 613C9-MP, value, abun dant gammacerane, and poor homohopanes, which suggest that the major contributor is Cambrian-Lower Ordovician source rock.

Geomagnetic polarity transitions recorded in the Miocene lavas of the Wuyu basin,Tibet

Geomagnetic polarity transitions were the most important phenomena in the study of the geomagnetic field evolution and the earth＇s deep interior dynamics. The Miocene postcollisional ultrapotassic-potassic rocks are widely distributed in the Lhasa Block of southern Tibet. Paleomagnetic studies on the Wuyu Formation indicated that these volcanic rocks recorded the C5Bn.2n-C5Bn.lr and C5ACr-C5ACn geomagnetic polarity transitions. The virtual geomagnetic poles （VGPs） of these two polarity transitions were located in the Atlantic and the central Pacific, respectively. Due to data scarcity, it remains unclear whether VGP paths of Miocene geomagnetic polarity transitions were longitudinal preference and/or 90° away from the sampiing sites.