Weathering-pedogenesis of Carbonate Rocks and Its Environmental Effects in Subtropical Region

We investigated the weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks and its environmental effects in subtropical regions of China. The investigation demonstrated that the weathering- pedogenesis of carbonate rocks is the process of a joint action of corrosion and illuviation and metasomatism in subtropical region. It is characterized by multi-stage, multi-path and multi-style. With the persisting development of weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks, metasomatic pedogenesis progressively became the main process of the weathering-pedogenesis and the dominant style of formation of minerals. And it proceeds through the whole process of evolution of the weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks. The stage evolution of weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks and the fractionation evolution of newly produced minerals are characterized by obvious vertically zoning structures and the rules of gradation of elements geochemical characteristics in the carbonate rocks weathering profiles. The geochemical process of weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks can be divided into three geochemical evolution stages, i.e., the Ca, Mg-depletion and Si, Al-enrichment stage; the Fe, Mn enrichment stage and the Si-depletion and Al-enrichment stage in the subtropical regions. Consistent with the three geochemical evolution stages, the sequence of formation and evolution of minerals can be divided into the clay mineral stage; the Fe, Mn oxide and the gibbsite stage. The influence of weathering-pedogenesis of carbonate rocks on the chemical forms of heavy elements is mainly affected via newly produced components and minerals in the process of weathering-pedogenesis, e.g., iron oxide minerals and organic matters. The important mechanism for the mobilization, transport and pollution of F and As is affected the selective adsorption and desorption of F and As on the surface of iron oxide minerals in the subtropical karst zones, i.e., the selective adsorption and desorption on mineral surfaces of newly produced minerals in the process of weathering-pedogenesis control the geochemical behavior of elements on the Earth＇s surface and environmental quality in subtropical regions.

Genesis of fahlore in the Tianbaoshan lead–zinc deposit, Sichuan Province, China: a scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy study

The Tianbaoshan deposit, located in the southwestern part of the Yangtze Block, is a representative Pb–Zn deposit in the Sichuan–Yunnan–Guizhou Pb–Zn metallogenic province. The Pb–Zn orebodies are hosted in the upper Sinian Dengying Formation dolostone. The predominant minerals are sphalerite, galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite, quartz, and calcite with minor arsenopyrite,fahlore, and dolomite. The deposit is characterized by relatively strong Cu mineralization. However, the relationship between Pb–Zn and Cu mineralization is unknown. We analyzed the mineralogy and composition of fahlore, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, and galena using scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy, with the aim of providing new evidence for the genesis of the Pb–Zn–(Cu) ore. The results show that the Cu ore in the deposit is dominated by chalcopyrite and fahlore, both of which formed before or during the Pb–Zn ore-forming stage. The fahlore showed dramatic compositional variation and was characterized by negative correlations between Ag and Cu, and between As and Sb,suggesting substitution of Ag for Cu, and that As and Sb substitute in the same site in the fahlore lattice. Based on backscattered electron images and composition, the fahlorewas divided into two types. Type I fahlore crystallized early and is characterized by enrichment of Cu and depletion in Ag and Sb. Type II fahlore formed after Type I, and is rich in Ag and poor in Cu and As. Moreover,galena and fahlore are the host minerals of Ag. The variation of valence state with As host mineral—from fahlore to arsenopyrite—indicates the metallogenic environment changed from relatively oxidizing to reducing with a high p H. In the light of Gibbs energies of reciprocal reactions and isotherms for cation exchange, the composition of the fahlore implies its ore-forming temperature was lower than220 °C, corresponding with typical Mississippi Valley-type(MVT) deposits. Based on the geologic character and geochemical data of this deposit, we suggest that the Tianbaoshan deposit belongs to the MVT deposit category.

Provenance and tectonic setting transition as recorded in the Neoproterozoic strata, western Jiangnan Orogen:Implications for South China within Rodinia

The Neoproterozoic Tonian strata (ca.870-725 Ma) in the western Jiangnan Orogen archive the records of sedimentary provenance and tectonic setting which can be used to understand the geological evolution of the South China Continent.These strata are separated into the basement and cover sequences by a regional angular unconformity.The basement sequence can be subdivided into the lower and the upper parts by the widespread interbedded ca.840 Ma basalt with pillow structure.In the present work,234 concordant detrital zircon analyses are obtained from three Tonian sandstone samples in the Fanjingshan district,Guizhou Province.Combined with previous results,a total of 1736 analyses of detrital zircon U-Pb ages derived from 12 formations of Tonian strata in the western Jiangnan Orogen are used to decipher the integrated sedimentary and tectonic histories.The zircons from the lowermost part of the basement sequence (the Yujiagou Formation) show oval morphology and display two Paleoproterozoic age peaks at 2325 Ma and 1845 Ma which are similar with the detrital zircon age peaks from the Late Paleoproterozoic to Early Mesoproterozoic Dongchuan/Dahongshan/Hekou groups,suggesting a passive margin basin in which the sediments were mainly sourced from the southwestern Yangtze Block.However,the zircon age population of the lower part of the basement sequence (the Xiaojiahe,Huixiangping formations and their equivalents) indicates the sedimentary derivation from bidirectional sources (the ca.870 Ma arc materials in the south and the old detritus from the southwestern Yangtze Block) which is consistent with a back arc setting for the deposition of the sediments.Zircons from the upper part of the basement sequence (the Duyantang Formation and its equivalent) show euhedral and subangular morphology and display a unimodal age peak at ca.835 Ma.This sequence was possibly deposited in a convergent setting and the detritus were came from the locally distributed syn-collisional igneous rocks.The lower part of the cover sequence (the Xinzhai and Wuye formations and their equivalents) shows a distinct zircon age peak at 815-809 Ma and two subordinate peaks at 2485 Ma and 2018 Ma,suggesting that the basin had gradually transformed into a continental rift basin and received the detritus from the ca.815 Ma post-collisional magmatic rocks as well as from different Paleoproterozoic source rocks in the northern Yangtze Block.We propose a tectonic evolution model that envisages eruption of ca.840 Ma basalt in a back arc basin that existed during ca.870-835 Ma,an angular unconformity was formed during amalgamation of the Yangtze Block and the Cathaysia Block at ca.835-820 Ma and the rifting of the South China Continent was initiated at ca.800 Ma.Our study concludes that the South China Continent was formed on the periphery of the Rodinia supercontinent.

A wave-shaped electrode flexible sensor capable of sensitively responding to wrinkle excitation for a multifunctional human-computer interaction system

Human-machine interactions(HMIs)have advanced rapidly in recent decades in the fields of healthcare,work,and life.However,people with disabilities and other mobility problems do not have corresponding high-tech aids for them to enjoy the convenience of HMIs.In this paper,we propose a sensor with a wave-shaped(corrugated)electrode embedded in a friction layer,which exhibits high sensitivity to skin fold excitation and enormous potential in HMIs.Attributing to the wave-shaped electrode design,it has no built-in cavities,and its small size allows it to flexibly cope with folds at different angles.By specifying the carbon nanotube hybrid silicone film as the electrode layer material and silicone film as the friction layer,good electrical output performance,tensile properties,and biocompatibility can be achieved.Then,the sensor is tested on various joints and skin folds of the human body,the output signals of which can be distinguished between normal physiological behavior and test behavior.Based on this sensor,we designed a medical alarm system,a robotic arm assistive system,and a cell phone application control system for the disabled to help them in the fields of healthcare,work,and life.In conclusion,our research presents a feasible technology to enhance HMIs and makes a valuable contribution to the development of high-tech aids for the disabled.

Mercury isotope constraints on the genesis of late Mesozoic Sb deposits in South China

The late Mesozoic antimony(Sb)mineralization belt in South China hosts a large portion of the world’s Sb reserves.However,the source and mineralization processes of these Sb deposits remain controversial.Here,we measured mercury(Hg)concentrations and isotopic compositions of stibnite in the Banpo Sb-only and Woxi Sbpolymetallic ore deposits,as well as associated rocks in the Yangtze Block in order to constrain the metal sources and ore formation processes in the South China Sb mineralization belt.Stibnite samples from both deposits exhibit significant enrichment in Hg(4.23–50.6 ppm)and have higher δ^(202)Hg values(−0.47‰to 2.03‰)than the studied Precambrian basement rocks(−1.42‰to 0.59‰),Paleozoic sedimentary rocks(−2.40‰to−0.32‰),and other natural Hg reserves(e.g.,marine and continental systems).This indicates that significant mass-dependent fractionation of Hg isotopes occurred during hydrothermal processes.Negative to slightly positive Δ^(199)Hg values of−0.17‰to 0.02‰were obtained for stibnite from the studied deposits,similar to values for the Precambrian basement rocks,but different from those of the Paleozoic sedimentary rocks and data previously reported for mantle materials.This suggests that Precambrian basement rocks were the source of Hg and associated metals.Our data and the tectonic evolution of South China indicate that late Mesozoic asthenospheric upwelling,in response to the Paleo-Pacific oceanic slab foundering,generated heat that drove the circulation of fluids in the basement and crustal basinal rocks.These fluids leached Sb,Hg,and other metals from the Precambrian basement rocks and formed the world-class Sb mineralization belt in South China.

Dating Kimberlite Using Apatite U-Pb Geochronology: A Case Study from Diamond-Bearing Dikes in South China

Kimberlite,one of the deepest known magmatic rocks on Earth,offers valuable glimpses into the deep mantle composition(Woodhead et al.,2019),craton structure(Gardiner et al.,2020),global geodynamic variation(Tappe et al.,2018),and diamond formation(Giuliani et al.,2023).The accurate determination of the emplacement of this special rock is crucial for revealing such information.However,dating kimberlite is challenging due to its silica-poor,volatile-rich,strongly altered,and hybrid nature(Mitchell et al.,2019).Zircon is unsuitable for dating kimberlite and related rocks due to its preference for crystallizing in intermediate to felsic melts(Gervasoni et al.,2016)rather than silica-poor ones.Even if present,zircon is prone to Pb loss through hydrothermal alteration(Zi et al.,2022)in a volatile-rich system like kimberlitic magmas.