Platinum-group Element Geochemistry of Magnetite from Porphyry-Cu-Mo Deposits and their Host Rocks(Siberia,Russia)

The concentrations of platinum-group elements （PGE） have been analyzed in primary magmatic magnetite samples from the Zhireken, Shakhtama and Aksug porphyry Cu-Mo deposits （Siberia, Russia） by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to determine the range of PGE contents in magnetites and to check whether magnetite from two main rock suites （barren plutonic suite and mineralized porphyry suite） has distinct PGE composition. The results presented here indicate that magnetites are enriched in PGE relative to whole-rocks. Comparison of ore-related porphyry and barren plutonic suites shows that magnetite exhibit relatively similar PGE distribution patterns in both suites. Variations in Rh and Ru contents were controlled by the oxygen fugacity during magma crystallization.

Platinum-Group Element Geochemical Characteristics of the Picrites and High-Ti Basalts in the Binchuan Area,Yunnan Province

The Binchuan area of Yunnan is located in the western part of the Emeishan large igneous province in the western margin of the Yangtze Block. In the present study, the Wuguiqing profile in thickness of about 1440 m is mainly composed of high-Ti basalts, with minor picrites in the lower part and andesites, trachytes, and rhyolites in the upper part. The picrites have relatively higher platinum- group element （PGE） contents （PGE=16.3-28.2 ppb）, with high Cu/Zr and Pd/Zr ratios, and low S contents （5.03-16.9 ppm）, indicating the parental magma is S-unsaturated and generated by high degree of partial melting of the Emeishan large igneous province （ELIP） mantle source. The slightly high Cu/Pd ratios （11 000-24 000） relative to that of the primitive mantle suggest that 0.007% sulfides have been retained in the mantle source. The PGE contents of the high-Ti basalts exhibit a wider range （~PGE=0.517-30.8 ppb）. The samples in the middle and upper parts are depleted in PGE and have ~Nd （260 Ma） ratios ranging from -2.8 to -2.2, suggesting that crustal contamination of the parental magma during ascent triggered sulfur saturation and segregation of about 0.446%-0.554% sulfides, and the sulfide segregation process may also provide the ore-forming material for the magmatic Cu-Ni-PGE sulfide deposits close to the studied basalts. The samples in this area show Pt- Pd type primitive mantle-normalized PGE patterns, and the Pd/Ir ratios are higher than that of the primitive mantle （Pd/Ir=l）, indicating that the obvious differentiation between Ir-group platinum- group elements （IPGE） and Pd-group platinum-group elements （PPGE） are mainly controlled by olivine or chromites fractionation during magma evolution. The Pd/Pt ratios of most samples are higher than the average ratio of mantle （Pd/Pt=0.55）, showing that the differentiation happened between Pt and Pd. The differentiation in picrites may be relevant to Pt hosted in discrete refractory Pt-alloy phase in the mantle; whereas the differentiation in the high-Ti basalts is probably associated with the fractionation of Fe-Pt alloys, coprecipitating with Ir-Ru-Os alloys. Some high-Ti basalt samples exhibit negative Ru anomalies, possibly due to removal of laurite collected by the early crystallized chromites.

Geochemistry and mineralogy of platinum-group elements(PGE)in chromites from CentralnoyeⅠ,Polar Urals,Russia

The Polar Urals region of northern Russia is well known for large chromium （Cr）-bearing massifs with major chromite orebodies, including the Centralnoye I deposit in the Ray-Iz ultramafic massif of the Ural ophiolite belt. New data on platinum （Pt）-group elements （PGE）, geochemistry and mineralogy of the host dunite shows that the deposit has anomalous iridium （Ir） values. These values indicate the predominance of ruthenium--osmium--iridium （Ru--Os--Ir）-bearing phases among the platinum-group mineral （PGM） assemblage that is typical of mantle-hosted chromite ores. Low Pt values in chromites and increased Pt values in host dunites might reflect the presence of cumulus PGM grains. The most abundant PGM found in the chromite is erlichmanite （up to 15 μm）. Less common are cuproiridsite （up to 5 μm）, irarsite （up to 4--5 μm）, and laurite （up to 4 μm）. The predominant sulfide is heazlewoodite, in intergrowth with Ni--Fe alloys, sporadically with pentlandite, and rarely with pure nickel. Based on the average PGE values and esti- mated Cr-ore resources, the Centralnoye I deposit can be considered as an important resource of PGE.

Geochemical characteristics of platinum-group elements in polymetallic nodules from the Northwest Pacific Ocean

Polymetallic nodules and cobalt (Co)-rich crusts are enriched in platinum-group elements (PGEs),especially platinum (Pt) and may be important sinks of PGEs.At present,little information is available on PGEs in polymetallic nodules,and their geochemical characteristics and the causes of PGEs enrichment are unclear.Here PGEs of polymetallic nodules from abyssal basin in the Marcus-Wake Seamount area of the Northwest Pacific Ocean are reported and compared with the published PGEs data of polymetallic nodules and Co-rich crusts in the Pacific.The total PGEs (ΣPGE) content of polymetallic nodules in study area is 258×10^–9) in average,markedly higher than that of Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) nodules (ΣPGE=127×10^–9) and lower than that of Co-rich crusts in the Marcus-Wake Seamount (ΣPGE=653×10^–9),similar to that of Co-rich crusts in the South China Sea(ΣPGE=252×10^~–9).The CI chondrite-normalized PGEs patterns in different regions of polymetallic nodules and cobalt-rich crusts are highly consistent,with all being characterized by positive Pt and negative Pd anomalies These results,together with those of previous studies,indicate that PGEs in polymetallic nodules and Co-rich crusts are mainly derived directly from seawater.Pt contents of polymetallic nodules from the study area are negatively correlated with water depth,and Pt/ΣPGE ratios in nodules there are also lower than those of the Corich crusts in the adjacent area,indicating that sedimentary water depth and oxygen fugacity of ambient seawater are the possible important controlling factors for Pt accumulation in crusts and nodules.

A machine learning approach for regional geochemical data:Platinum-group element geochemistry vs geodynamic settings of the North Atlantic Igneous Province

Whilst traditional approaches to geochemistry provide valuable insights into magmatic processes such as melting and element fractionation,by considering entire regional data sets on an objective basis using machine learning algorithms(MLAs),we can highlight new facets within the broader data structure and significantly enhance previous geochemical interpretations.The platinum-group element(PGE)budget of lavas in the North Atlantic Igneous Province(NAIP)has been shown to vary systematically according to age,geographic location and geodynamic environment.Given the large multi-element geochemical data set available for the region,MLAs were employed to explore the magmatic controls on these shifting concentrations.The key advantage of using machine learning in analysis is its ability to cluster samples across multi-dimensional(i.e.,multi-element)space.The NAIP data set is manipulated using Principal Component Analysis(PCA)and t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbour Embedding(t-SNE)techniques to increase separability in the data alongside clustering using the k-means MLA.The new multi-element classification is compared to the original geographic classification to assess the performance of both approaches.The workflow provides a means for creating an objective high-dimensional investigation on a geochemical data set and particularly enhances the identification of metallogenic anomalies across the region.The techniques used highlight three distinct multi-element end-members which successfully capture the variability of the majority of elements included as input variables.These end-members are seen to fluctuate in prominence throughout the NAIP,which we propose reflects the changing geodynamic environment and melting source.Crucially,the variability of Pt and Pd are not reflected in MLA-based clustering trends,suggesting that they vary independently through controls not readily demonstrated by the NAIP major or trace element data structure(i.e.,other proxies for magmatic differentiation).This data science approach thus highlights that PGE(here signalled by Pt/Pd ratio)may be used to identify otherwise localised or cryptic geochemical inputs from the subcontinental lithospheric mantle(SCLM)during the ascent of plume-derived magma,and thereby impact upon the resulting metallogenic basket.

Platinum-Group Elements Geochemistry and Chromian Spinel Composition in Podiform Chromitites and Associated Peridotites from the Cheshmeh-Bid Deposit, Neyriz, Southern Iran: Implications for Geotectonic Setting

Dunite and serpentinized harzburgite in the Cheshmeh-Bid area, northwest of the Neyriz ophiolite in Iran, host podiform chromitite that occur as sehlieren-type, tabular and aligned massive lenses of various sizes. The most important chromitite ore textures in the Cheshmeh-Bid deposit are massive, nodular and disseminated. Massive chromitite, dunite, and harzburgite host rocks were analyzed for trace and platinum-group elements geochemistry. Chromian spinel in chromitite is characterized by high Cr#（0.72-0.78）, high Mg#（0.62-0.68） and low TiO2 （0.12 wt%-0.2 wt%） content. These data are similar to those of chromitites deposited from high degrees of mantle partial melting. The Cr# of chromian spinel ranges from 0.73 to 0.8 in dunite, similar to the high-Cr chromitite, whereas it ranges from 0.56 to 0.65 in harzburgite. The calculated melt composition of the high-Cr chromitites of the Cheshmeh-Bid is 11.53 wt%-12.94 wt% A1203, 0.21 wt%-0.33 wt% TiO2 with FeO/MgO ratios of 0.69-0.97, which are interpreted as more refractory melts akin to boninitic compositions. The total PGE content of the Cheshmeh-Bid chromitite, dunite and harzburgite are very low （average of 220.4, 34.5 and 47.3 ppb, respectively）. The Pd/Ir ratio, which is an indicator of PGE fractionation, is very low （0.05- 0.18） in the Cheshmeh-Bid chromitites and show that these rocks derived from a depleted mantle. The chromitites are characterized by high-Cr#, low Pd ＋ Pt （4-14 ppb） and high IPGE/PPGE ratios （8.2- 22.25）, resulting in a general negatively patterns, suggesting a high-degree of partial melting is responsible for the formation of the Cheshmeh-Bid chromitites. Therefore parent magma probably experiences a very low fractionation and was derived by an increasing partial melting. These geochemical characteristics show that the Cheshmeh-Bid chromitites have been probably derived from a boninitic melts in a supra-subduction setting that reacted with depleted peridotites. The high-Cr chromitite has relatively uniform mantle-normalized PGE patterns, with a steep slope, positive Ru and negative Pt, Pd anomalies, and enrichment of PGE relative to the chondrite. The dunite （total PGE = 47.25 ppb） and harzburgite （total PGE =3 4.5 ppb） are highly depleted in PGE and show slightly positive slopes PGE spidergrams, accompanied by a small positive Ru, Pt and Pd anomalies and their PdJIrn ratio ranges between 1.55-1.7and 1.36-1.94, respectively. Trace element contents of the Cheshmeh-Bid chromitites, such as Ga, V, Zn, Co, Ni, and Mn, are low and vary between 13-26, 466-842, 22-84, 115- 179, 826-1210, and 697-1136 ppm, respectively. These contents are compatible with other boninitic chromitites worldwide. The chromian spinel and bulk PGE geochemistry for the Cheshmeh-Bid chromitites suggest that high-Cr chromitites were generated from Cr-rich and, Ti- and Al-poor honinitic melts, most probably in a fore-arc tectonic setting related with a supra-subduction zone, similarly to other ophiolites in the outer Zagros ophiolitic belt.

Characteristics of platinum-group elements in basalts from spreading axis of Mariana Trough

Total platinum-group elements （PGEs） abundances in basalts from the spreading axis of Mariana Trough ranged from 0.418 × 10^9 to 1. 022 × 10^-9, and primitive mantle-normalized PGE patterns are of positive slope showing the relative enrichment of PPGE （ platinum, palladium, rhodium） and gold relative to IPGE. Compared with other mantle-originated rocks, these basalts have lower PGE contents and wider ranges of primitive mantle-normalized ratios of palladium content to iridium one, palladium content to platinum one and palladium content to gold one exhibiting relative platinum and iridium depletion. Characteristics of PGE patterns indicated that the studied Mariana Trough basalts originated from low partial melting, and the MORB mantle beneath the spreading center had been contaminated by the are-island mantle. In the aspect of trace elements, Mariana Trough basalts showed the enrichment of LILE, lead and LREE, indicating that they had been influenced by subduetion compositions. All these demonstrated that Mariana Trough basalts are products of partial melting from a mixed mantle （ the contamination of MORB mantle by are-island mantle）.

Analysis of platinum-group elements in drill core samples from the Meishan Permian-Triassic boundary section, China

There is a long-standing controversy of what triggered the extinction at the Permian-Triassic boundary, the most severe mass extinction in the geologic record, including flood basaltic volcanism and/or bolide impact hypothesis. In order to clarify various pieces of evidence for the mass extinction event at the Permian-Triassic boundary, some researchers from some laboratories throughout the world have made a comprehensive study on a group of samples from the Meishan area of China. Some fresh core samples from the Permian-Triassic boundary in the Meishan area were analyzed in this study. The results showed that there is no Ir anomaly. Moreover, the PGEs patterns of those samples show obvious differentiation characteristics, that is different from the case encountered in meteorites. So no evidence supports the hypothesis of extraterrestrial impact. In contrast, the PGEs patterns are similar to those of Siberian and Emeishan basalts, which indicates that those PGEs are derived mainly from the basalts, lending a support to the correlation between mass extinction at the Permian-Triassic boundary and flood basaltic volcanism. This study has also confirmed the results for samples from section C prior to the analysis of the samples.

ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF PLATINUM-GROUP ELEMENTS (PGE) IN PERIDOTITE FROM THE DAGZHUKA OPHIOLITE IN TIBET:IMPLICATIONS FOR MANTLE METASOMATISM

Information on abundance and distribution of platinum\|group elements (PGE) in peridotite from ophiolite is relevant to understand the nature and evolution of the upper mantle. The ophiolite suite outcropping along the famous suture zone of Yarlung Zangbo River, Tibet, has attracted wide attention of geologists both in China and abroad. The Dagzhuka ophiolite of in the suture zone is thought to display a complete ophiolitic sequence. The peridotite from the Dazhuka ophiolite is composed of fairly fresh or unaltered lherzolite, harzburgite and minor dunite which are the upper mantle residuum formed by 15%～35% partial melting. In this paper we have mainly studied the abundance and distribution of PGE in the harzburgites and lherzolites. The harzburgites and lherzolites preserve total PGE contents of 28 37×10 -9 ～50 67×10 -9 respectively higher than Primitive mantle or the peridotite from some typical ophiolites and Alpine. They all have fractionated chondrite\|normalized PGE patterns with positive slopes from Ir to Pd (Fig.1), and Pd/Ir=1 13～2 40>1, Pd/Rh=2 23～7 49>1, and Pd/Pt=0 26～1 16 (average 0 67) higher than Primitive mantle (1 11, 2 35, 0 57) or CI\|chondrite (1 01, 2 73, 0 53). Consequently, the Dagzhuka peridotite are PGE\|enriched, but otherwise possess residual characteristics arising from a minimum of 15% partial melting. It is suggested that mantle residuum by partial melting have low total PGE contents, fractionated chondrite\|normalized PGE patterns with negative or slightly flat slopes from Ir to Pd, and Pd/Ir<1. But, the total PGE contents, chondrite\|normalized PGE patterns and Pt/Ir, Pd/Rh and Pd/Pt values of the Dagzhuka peridotite are completely inconsistent with a residual origin. Partial melting would have partitioned all sulfide in the source into the melt. In fact, no sulfide or silicate melt remained in the Dagzhuka peridotite. Therefore, PGE in Dagzhuka peridotite are not present in sulfides. The PGE\|enrichment and fractionation of the Dagzhuka peridotites seem to arise from mantle metasomatism of melts/fluid enrich incompatible elements include Pt and Pt, but not from residual or percolation of sulfides. The enrichment of Cs, Rb, Ba, Th, U and LREE in Dagzhuka peridotite also give a hint of the mantle metasomatism. The abundance and distribution of PGE in the peridotite from the Dagzhuka ophiolite show the nature and evolution of the Dagzhuka upper mantle are distinctive.

Geochemical characteristics of the platinum-group elements in the Abulangdang ultramafic intrusion,Sichuan Province,China

The contents of the platinum-group elements (PGEs: Os, Ir, Ru, Rh, Pt, Pd) in the Abulangdang ultramafic intrusion have been determined using ICP-MS after nickel sulfide fire assay preconcentration. Different samples show significant differences in absolute PGE abundance. They display a pronounced negative incline in mantle-normalized patterns which are characterized by strong enrichment in IPGEs (Os, Ir, Ru) and depleting to slight enrichment in PPGEs (Rh, Pt, Pd). The characteristics of PGE distribution in the Abulangdang rocks are due to the combined action of sulfide and non-sulfide (spinel/chromite or alloy or micro-granular aggregation of metals). In comparison with the mafic-ultramafic rocks which host Ni-Cu-PGE deposits in the Emeishan Large Igneous Province (ELIP), it is assumed that the Abulangdang ultramafic intrusion may be the product of early-stage magma activity in the ELIP.

Geochemistry of platinum-group elements in the podiform chromitites and associated peridotites of the Nain ophiolites,Central Iran:Implications for geotectonic setting

The Nain ophiolite complex with an extent of[600 km2 is a part of the Central Iranian ophiolite,which is related to the opening and subsequent closure of the Neo-Tethys Ocean.Dunite and serpentinized harzburgite in the Nain area host podiform chromitites that occur as three(eastern Hajhossein,western Hajhossein,and Soheil Pakuh)schlieren-type tabular and aligned massive lenses with various sizes.The most common chromitite ore textures are massive,nodular,disseminated,and banded,reflecting crystal settling processes.The Cr#[Cr/(Cr+Al)]ranges from 0.43 to 0.81(average 0.63).The Mg#[Mg/(Mg+Fe2+)]varies from 0.25 to 0.78(average0.62).The Nain ophiolite and hosted chromitite are generally characterized by high Cr#,reflecting crystallization from a very hot boninite magma in a MORB setting.The high Cr#in the Nain chromitite also indicates a high degree of melting(15%–35%)of the depleted peridotite.The average total PGE content in the ophiolitic host rock(harzburgite and dunite)and chromite are 107 and 221 ppb,respectively.The Nain ophiolite and chromitite have high IPGE/PPGE and negative Pt*(Pt/Pt*=0.6)anomaly,which is a characteristic of high Cr#chromitite.The U-shaped REE pattern of dunite host rock suggests the interaction of depleted mantle peridotite with boninitic melt.Geochemical data suggest that the Nain chromitites are related to the boninitic magma emplacement in a suprasubduction zone.

Investigation of the block toppling evolution of a layered model slope by centrifuge test and discrete element modeling

Primary toppling usually occurs in layered rock slopes with large anti-dip angles.In this paper,the block toppling evolution was explored using a large-scale centrifuge system.Each block column in the layered model slope was made of cement mortar.Some artificial cracks perpendicular to the block column were prefabricated.Strain gages,displacement gages,and high-speed camera measurements were employed to monitor the deformation and failure processes of the model slope.The centrifuge test results show that the block toppling evolution can be divided into seven stages,i.e.layer compression,formation of major tensile crack,reverse bending of the block column,closure of major tensile crack,strong bending of the block column,formation of failure zone,and complete failure.Block toppling is characterized by sudden large deformation and occurs in stages.The wedge-shaped cracks in the model incline towards the slope.Experimental observations show that block toppling is mainly caused by bending failure rather than by shear failure.The tensile strength also plays a key factor in the evolution of block toppling.The simulation results from discrete element method(DEM)is in line with the testing results.Tensile stress exists at the backside of rock column during toppling deformation.Stress concentration results in the fragmented rock column and its degree is the most significant at the slope toe.

Design of low-alloying and high-performance solid solution-strengthened copper alloys with element substitution for sustainable development

Solid solution-strengthened copper alloys have the advantages of a simple composition and manufacturing process,high mechanical and electrical comprehensive performances,and low cost;thus,they are widely used in high-speed rail contact wires,electronic component connectors,and other devices.Overcoming the contradiction between low alloying and high performance is an important challenge in the development of solid solution-strengthened copper alloys.Taking the typical solid solution-strengthened alloy Cu-4Zn-1Sn as the research object,we proposed using the element In to replace Zn and Sn to achieve low alloying in this work.Two new alloys,Cu-1.5Zn-1Sn-0.4In and Cu-1.5Zn-0.9Sn-0.6In,were designed and prepared.The total weight percentage content of alloying elements decreased by 43%and 41%,respectively,while the product of ultimate tensile strength(UTS)and electrical conductivity(EC)of the annealed state increased by 14%and 15%.After cold rolling with a 90%reduction,the UTS of the two new alloys reached 576 and 627MPa,respectively,the EC was 44.9%IACS and 42.0%IACS,and the product of UTS and EC(UTS×EC)was 97%and 99%higher than that of the annealed state alloy.The dislocations proliferated greatly in cold-rolled alloys,and the strengthening effects of dislocations reached 332 and 356 MPa,respectively,which is the main reason for the considerable improvement in mechanical properties.

Genesis of the Nuri Cu-W-Mo Deposit,Tibet,China:Constraints from in situ Trace Elements and Sr Isotopic Analysis of Scheelite

The Nuri deposit is the only Cu-W-Mo polymetallic deposit with large-scale WO3 resources in the eastern section of the Gangdese metallogenic belt,Tibet,China.However,the genetic type of this deposit has been controversial since its discovery.Based on a study of the geological characteristics of the deposit,this study presents mineralization stages,focusing on the oxide stage and the quartz-sulfide stage where scheelite is mainly formed,referred to as Sch-A and Sch-B,respectively.Through LA-ICP-MS trace element and Sr isotope analyses,the origin,evolutionary process of the oreforming fluid and genesis of the ore deposit are investigated.Scanning Electron Microscope-Cathodoluminescence(SEMCL)observations reveal that Sch-A consists of three generations,with dark gray homogenous Sch-A1 being replaced by relatively lighter and homogeneous Sch-A2 and Sch-A3,with Sch-A2 displaying a gray CL image color with vague and uneven growth bands and Sch-A3 has a light gray CL image color with hardly any growth band.In contrast,Sch-B exhibits a‘core-rim’structure,with the core part(Sch-B1)being dark gray and displaying a uniform growth band,while the rim part(Sch-B2)is light gray and homogeneous.The normalized distribution pattern of rare earth elements in scheelite and Sr isotope data suggest that the early ore-forming fluid in the Nuri deposit originated from granodiorite porphyry and,later on,some country rock material was mixed in,due to strong water-rock interaction.Combining the O-H isotope data further indicates that the ore-forming fluid in the Nuri deposit originated from magmatic-hydrothermal sources,with contributions from metamorphic water caused by water-rock interaction during the mineralization process,as well as later meteoric water.The intense water-rock interaction likely played a crucial role in the precipitation of scheelite,leading to varying Eu anomalies in different generations of scheelite from the oxide stage to the quartz-sulfide stage,while also causing a gradual decrease in oxygen fugacity(fO2)and a slow rise in pH value.Additionally,the high Mo and low Sr contents in the scheelite are consistent with typical characteristics of magmatic-hydrothermal scheelite.Therefore,considering the geological features of the deposit,the geochemical characteristics of scheelite and the O-H isotope data published previously,it can be concluded that the genesis of the Nuri deposit belongs to porphyry-skarn deposit.

Method to measure tree-ring width,density,elemental composition,and stable carbon and oxygen isotopes using one sample

Tree-ring width(RW),density,elemental com-position,and stable carbon and oxygen isotope(δ^(13)C,δ^(18)O)are widely used as proxies to assess climate change,ecology,and environmental pollution;however,a specific pretreat-ment has been needed for each proxy.Here,we developed a method by which each proxy can be measured in the same sample.First,the sample is polished for ring width meas-urement.After obtaining the ring width data,the sample is cut to form a 1-mm-thick wood plate.The sample is then mounted in a vertical sample holder,and gradually scanned by an X-ray beam.Simultaneously,the count rates of the fluorescent photons of elements(for chemical characteriza-tion)and a radiographic grayscale image(for wood density)are obtained,i.e.the density and the element content are obtained.Then,cellulose is isolated from the 1-mm wood plate by removal of lignin,and hemicellulose.After producing this cellulose plate,cellulose subsamples are separated by knife under the microscope for inter-annual and intra-annual stable carbon and oxygen isotope(δ^(13)C,δ^(18)O)analysis.Based on this method,RW,density,elemental composition,δ^(13)C,and δ^(18)O can be measured from the same sample,which reduces sample amount and treatment time,and is helpful for multi-proxy comparison and combination research.

A stable implicit nodal integration-based particle finite element method(N-PFEM)for modelling saturated soil dynamics

In this study,we present a novel nodal integration-based particle finite element method(N-PFEM)designed for the dynamic analysis of saturated soils.Our approach incorporates the nodal integration technique into a generalised Hellinger-Reissner(HR)variational principle,creating an implicit PFEM formulation.To mitigate the volumetric locking issue in low-order elements,we employ a node-based strain smoothing technique.By discretising field variables at the centre of smoothing cells,we achieve nodal integration over cells,eliminating the need for sophisticated mapping operations after re-meshing in the PFEM.We express the discretised governing equations as a min-max optimisation problem,which is further reformulated as a standard second-order cone programming(SOCP)problem.Stresses,pore water pressure,and displacements are simultaneously determined using the advanced primal-dual interior point method.Consequently,our numerical model offers improved accuracy for stresses and pore water pressure compared to the displacement-based PFEM formulation.Numerical experiments demonstrate that the N-PFEM efficiently captures both transient and long-term hydro-mechanical behaviour of saturated soils with high accuracy,obviating the need for stabilisation or regularisation techniques commonly employed in other nodal integration-based PFEM approaches.This work holds significant implications for the development of robust and accurate numerical tools for studying saturated soil dynamics.

Paleoenvironmental Characteristics of Paleogene Lacustrine Source Rocks in the Western Bozhong Sag,Bohai Bay Basin,China:Evidence from Biomarkers,Major and Trace Elements

The organic matter(OM)enrichment mechanisms and depositional environment characteristics of lacustrine source rocks in the western Bozhong Sag,Bohai Bay Basin in Northeast China remain controversial.To address these issues,based on Rock-Eval pyrolysis,kerogen macerals,H/C and O/C ratios,GC-MS,major and trace elements,the Dongying Formation Member(Mbr)3(E_(3)d_(3)),the Shahejie Formation mbrs 1 and 2(E_(2)s_(1+2)),and the Shahejie Mbr 3(E_(2)s_(3))source rocks in the western Bozhong Sag were studied.The above methods were used to reveal their geochemical properties,OM origins and depositional environments,all of which indicate that E_(2)s_(1+2)and E_(2)s_(3)are excellent source rocks,and that E_(3)d_(3)is of the second good quality.E_(3)d_(3)source rocks were formed under a warm and humid climate,mainly belong to fluvial/delta facies,the E_(3)d_(3)sediments formed under weakly oxidizing and freshwater conditions.Comparatively,the depositional environments of E_(2)s_(1+2)source rocks were arid and cold climate,representing saline or freshwater lacustrine facies,and the sediments of E_(2)s_(1+2)belong to anoxic or suboxic settings with large evaporation and salinity.During the period of E_(2)s_(3),the climate became warm and humid,indicating the freshwater lacustrine facies,and E_(2)s_(3)was characterized by freshwater and abundant algae.Moreover,compared with other intervals,the OM origin of E_(3)d_(3)source rocks has noticeable terrestrial input.The OM origin of the E_(2)s_(1+2)and E_(2)s_(3)are mainly plankton and bacteria.Tectonic subsidence and climate change have affected the changes of the depositional environment in the western Bozhong Sag,thus controlling the distribution of the source rocks,the geochemical characteristics in the three intervals of lacustrine source rocks have distinct differences.Overall,these factors are effective to evaluate the paleoenvironmental characteristics of source rocks by biomarkers,major and trace elements.The established models may have positive implications for research of lacustrine source rocks in offshore areas with few drillings.

Enriched Constant Elements in the Boundary Element Method for Solving 2D Acoustic Problems at Higher Frequencies

The boundary element method(BEM)is a popular method for solving acoustic wave propagation problems,especially those in exterior domains,owing to its ease in handling radiation conditions at infinity.However,BEM models must meet the requirement of 6–10 elements per wavelength,using the conventional constant,linear,or quadratic elements.Therefore,a large storage size of memory and long solution time are often needed in solving higher-frequency problems.In this work,we propose two new types of enriched elements based on conventional constant boundary elements to improve the computational efficiency of the 2D acoustic BEM.The first one uses a plane wave expansion,which can be used to model scattering problems.The second one uses a special plane wave expansion,which can be used tomodel radiation problems.Five examples are investigated to showthe advantages of the enriched elements.Compared with the conventional constant elements,the new enriched elements can deliver results with the same accuracy and in less computational time.This improvement in the computational efficiency is more evident at higher frequencies(with the nondimensional wave numbers exceeding 100).The paper concludes with the potential of our proposed enriched elements and plans for their further improvement.

Effect of Rare-Earth Element Substitution in Superconducting R_(3)Ni_(2)O_(7) under Pressure

Recently,high temperature(T_(c)≈80 K)superconductivity(SC)has been discovered in La_(3)Ni_(2)O_(7)(LNO)under pressure.This raises the question of whether the superconducting transition temperature T_(c) could be further enhanced under suitable conditions.One possible route for achieving higher T_(c) is element substitution.Similar SC could appear in the Fmmm phase of rare-earth(RE)R_(3)Ni_(2)O_(7)(RNO,R=RE element)material series under suitable pressure.The electronic properties in the RNO materials are dominated by the Ni 3d orbitals in the bilayer NiO_(2) plane.In the strong coupling limit,the SC could be fully characterized by a bilayer single 3d_(x^(2)−y^(2))-orbital t–J‖–J⊥ model.With RE element substitution from La to other RE element,the lattice constant of the Fmmm RNO material decreases,and the resultant electronic hopping integral increases,leading to stronger superexchanges between the 3d_(x^(2)−y^(2)) orbitals.Based on the slave-boson mean-field theory,we explore the pairing nature and the evolution of T_(c) in RNO materials under pressure.Consequently,it is found that the element substitution does not alter the pairing nature,i.e.,the inter-layer s-wave pairing is always favored in the superconducting RNO under pressure.However,the T_(c) increases from La to Sm,and a nearly doubled T_(c) could be realized in SmNO under pressure.This work provides evidence for possible higher T_(c) R_(3)Ni_(2)O_(7) materials,which may be realized in further experiments.

Robust T_c in element molybdenum up to 160 GPa

Element superconductors with the single atoms provide clean and fundamental platforms for studying superconductivity.Although elements with d electrons are usually not favored by conventional BCS,the record superconducting critical temperature(T_(c))in element scandium(S_(c))has further ignited the intensive attention on transition metals.The element molybdenum(M_o)with a half-full d-orbital is studied in our work,which fills the gap in the study of Mo under high pressure and investigates the pressure dependence of superconductivity.In this work,we exhibit a robust superconductivity of Mo in the pressure range of 5 GPa to 160 GPa via high-pressure electrical transport measurements,the T_(c) varies at a rate of0.013 K/GPa to 8.56 K at 160 GPa.Moreover,the superconductivity is evidenced by the T_(c) shifting to lower temperature under applied magnetic fields,and the upper critical magnetic fields are extrapolated by the WHH equation and GL equation;the results indicate that the maximum upper critical magnetic field is estimated to be 8.24 T at 137 GPa.We further investigate the superconducting mechanism of Mo,the theoretical calculations indicate that the superconductivity can be attributed to the strong coupling between the electrons from the partially filled d band and the phonons from the frequency zone of 200-400 cm^(-1).