Geophysical Significance of the Senegalo-Mali Discontinuity: Evidence from Secondary Structures, Kédougou-Kéniéba Inlier, Western Mali

The present study focuses on the analysis and description of lineaments interpreted as secondary structures to describe the nature of Senegalo Malian Discontinuity. These lineaments cross-cut the large north-south oriented transcurrent lithospheric structure known as the Senegalo Malian Discontinuity (SMD). Two lineaments were selected oriented NNE (N15˚ to N25˚), one at Dialafara and one at Sadiola. Four profiles on each lineament of these 2 zones, so that there were 2 on each side of the SMD. The ground data collected were processed using proper parameter and software. Some filters were applied to enhance the signal level. These ground data were later compared to the existing airborne magnetic data for consistency and accuracy using the upward continuation filter. The results show that the quality of ground data is good. In addition, the ground magnetic data show the presence of certain local anomalies that are not visible in the regional data. The analytical signal was also used to determine domain boundaries or possible contact zones. The contact zone can be highlighted on certain profiles such as L300 and L600. The study showed that the west and east sides of the SMD are not the same. Secondary structures become wide when approaching the SMD on both sides. They are also duplicated to the east of the SMD when we move progressively away. In the Dialafara area, the ground magnetic data intersect an interpreted fold. The results of this work confirm the presence of the secondary structures and their evolution in relation to the SMD. The relationships between the secondary structures in the Dailafara and Sadiola zones and their relations with the SMD are highlighted. The technique used in this study, is an important approach to better description and interpreting of regional structures using the secondary structures and proposing a structural model.

Integrating artificial neural networks and geostatistics for optimum 3D geological block modeling in mineral reserve estimation:A case study

In this research, a method called ANNMG is presented to integrate Artificial Neural Networks and Geostatistics for optimum mineral reserve evaluation. The word ANNMG simply means Artificial Neural Network Model integrated with Geostatiscs, In this procedure, the Artificial Neural Network was trained, tested and validated using assay values obtained from exploratory drillholes. Next, the validated model was used to generalize mineral grades at known and unknown sampled locations inside the drilling region respectively. Finally, the reproduced and generalized assay values were combined and fed to geostatistics in order to develop a geological 3D block model. The regression analysis revealed that the predicted sample grades were in close proximity to the actual sample grades, The generalized grades from the ANNMG show that this process could be used to complement exploration activities thereby reducing drilling requirement. It could also be an effective mineral reserve evaluation method that could oroduce optimum block model for mine design.

Effect of solids on pulp and froth properties in flotation

Froth flotation is a widely used process of particle separation exploiting differences in surface properties. It is important to point out that overall flotation performance(grade and recovery) is a consequence of the quality and quantity of the solid particles collected from the pulp phase, transported into the froth phase, and surviving as bubble-particle aggregates into the overflow. This work will focus on studying these phenomena and will incorporate the effects of particle hydrophobicities in the 3-phase system. Solids are classed as either hydrophilic non-sulphide gangue(e.g. silica, talc), hydrophilic sulphide(e.g. pyrite), or hydrophobic sulphide(e.g. sphalerite). Talc is a surface-active species of gangue that has been shown to behave differently from silica(frother adsorbs on the surface of talc particles). Both are common components of ores and will be studied in detail. The focus of this work is to investigate the role of solids on pulp hydrodynamics, froth bubble coalescence intensity, water overflow rate with solids present, and in particular, the interactions between solids, frother and gas on the gas dispersion parameters. The results show that in the pulp zone there is no effect of solids on bubble size and gas holdup; in the froth zone, although hydrophilic particles solely do not effect on the water overflow rate, hydrophobic particles produce higher intensity of rates on water overflow and bubble coalescence, and many be attributed to the water reattachment.

Modeling and Numerical Simulation of Yield Viscoplastic Fluid Flow in Concentric and Eccentric Annuli

Numerical solution of yield viscoplastic fluid flow is hindered by the singularity inherent to the Herschel-Bulkley model. A finite difference method over the boundary-fitted orthogonal coordinate system is util- ized to investigate numerically the fully developed steady flow of non-Newtonian yield viscoplastic fluid through concentric and eccentric annuli. The fluid rheology is described with the Herschel-Bulkley model. The numerical simulation based on a continuous viscoplastic approach to the Herschel-Bulkley model is found in poor accordance with the experimental data on volumetric flow rate of a bentonite suspension. A strict mathematical model for Herschel-Bulkley fluid flow is established and the corresponding numerical procedures are proposed. However, only the case of flow of a Herschel-Bulkley fluid in a concentric annulus is resolved based on the presumed flow stnicture by using the common optimization technique. Possible flow structures in an eccentric afinulus are presumed, and further challenges in numerical simulation of the Herschel-Bulkley fluid flow are suggested.

Effect of Steel Slag on Soil Fertility and Plant Growth

The effective utilization of steel slag, a byproduct produced in large quantities from the steel refining process, is an important issue. Because steel slag contains abundant mineral components, the effects of steel slag on soil bacterial biomass and plant mineral uptake were analyzed in this study. The soil pH increased in proportion to the amount of steel slag added. A lower concentration (0.2% to 1%) of steel slag addition did not change the bacterial biomass. However, a higher concentration of steel slag (above 1%) had a negative effect on bacterial biomass. A lower amount of steel slag (0.2% to 1%) addition in soil leads to increased mineral (Ca, Mg, and Fe) uptake and plant growth in Brassica rapa var. periviridis and Spinacia oleracea L. However, mineral uptake by the plants decreased when a large amount of steel slag (above 1%) was added to the soil. Low concentrations of steel slag (0.2% to 1%) in soil had positive effects on plant growth, mineral uptake of plants, and bacterial biomass.

新西兰怀特岛火山热水系统构成强硫化铜金矿床的地球化学环境

新西兰怀特岛的火山热水系统与形成强硫化Cu-Au矿床的化学条件非常接近。据计算,1万多年间火山活动带出的Cu和Au(主要来自岩浆脱气)分别为1百万吨和45吨。从近期喷口中喷出的蚀变安山岩块含有明矾石、硬石膏和黄铁矿。其硫同位素组成表明,矿脉充填温度约为380℃。在此温度下,Cu、Au在酸性溶液中易于溶解。这可以解释喷发物中Cu亏损、Au缺失的原因。然而,质量平衡计算表明,Cu、Au在酸性溶液释放到地表之前就在冷却带中沉淀下来了。

The characteristics, origins, and geodynamic settings of supergiant gold metallogenic provinces

There are six distinct classes of gold deposits, each represented by metallogenic provinces, having 100's to > 1 000 tonne gold production. The deposit classes are: (1) erogenic gold; (2) Carlin and Carlin-like gold deposits; (3) epithermal gold-silver deposits; (4) copper-gold porphyry deposits; (5) iron-oxide copper-gold deposits; and (6) gold-rich volcanic hosted massive sul-fide (VMS) to sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX) deposits. This classification is based on ore and alteration mineral assemblages; ore and alteration metal budgets; ore fluid pressure(s) and compositions; crustal depth or depth ranges of formation; relationship to structures and/or magmatic intrusions at a variety of scales; and relationship to the P-T-t evolution of the host terrane. These classes reflect distinct geodynamic settings. Orogenic gold deposits are generated at mid-crustal (4-16 km) levels proximal to terrane boundaries, in transpressional subduction-accretion complexes of Cordilleran style erogenic belts; other orogenic gold provinces form inboard by delamina-tion of mantle lithosphere, or plume impingement. Carlin and Carlin-like gold deposits develop at shallow crustal levels (< 4 km) in extensional convergent margin continental arcs or back arcs; some provinces may involve asthenosphere plume impingement on the base of the lithosphere. Epithermal gold and copper-gold porphyry deposits are sited at shallow crustal levels in continental margin or intraoceanic arcs. Iron oxide copper-gold deposits form at mid to shallow crustal levels; they are associated with extensional intracratonic anorogenic magmatism. Proterozoic examples are sited at the transition from thick refractory Archean mantle lithosphere to thinner Proterozoic mantle lithosphere. Gold-rich VMS deposits are hydrothermal accumulations on or near the sea-floor in continental or intraoceanic back arcs.The compressional tectonics of orogenic gold deposits is generated by terrane accretion; high heat flow stems from crustal thickening, delamination of overthickened mantle lithosphere inducing advection of hot asthenosphere, or asthenosphere plume impingement. Ore fluids advect at lithostatic pressures. The extensional settings of Carlin, epithermal, and copper-gold porphyry deposits result from slab rollback driven by negative buoyancy of the subducting plate, and associated induced convection in asthenosphere below the over-riding lithospheric plate. Extension thins the lithosphere, advecting asthenosphere heat, promotes advection of mantle lithosphere and crustal magmas to shallow crustal levels, and enhances hydraulic conductivity. Siting of some copper-gold porphyry deposits is controlled by arc parallel or orthogonal structures that in turn reflect deflections or windows in the slab. Ore fluids in Carlin and epithermal deposits were at near hydrostatic pressures, with unconstrained magmatic fluid input, whereas ore fluids generating porphyry copper-gold deposits were initially magmatic and lithostatic, evolving to hydrostatic pressures. Fertilization of previously depleted sub-arc mantle lithosphere by fluids or melts from the subducting plate, or incompatible element enriched asthenosphere plumes, is likely a factor in generation of these gold deposits. Iron oxide copper-gold deposits involve prior fertilization of Ar-chean mantle lithosphere by incompatible element enriched asthenospheric plume liquids, and subsequent intracontinental anorogenic magmatism driven by decompressional extension from far-field plate forces. Halogen rich mantle lithosphere and crustal magmas likely are the causative intrusions for the deposits, with a deep crustal proximal to shallow crustal distal association. Gold-rich VMS deposits develop in extensional geodynamic settings, where thinned lithosphere extension drives high heat flow and enhanced hydraulic conductivity, as for epithermal deposits. Ore fluids induced hydrostatic convection of modified seawater, with unconstrained magmatic input. Some gold-rich VMS deposits with an epithermal metal budget may be submarine counterparts of ter

Facile Synthesis of Nanocrystal Tin Oxide Hollow Microspheres by Microwave-Assisted Spray Pyrolysis Method

Tin oxide（SnO2） hollow microspheres with narrow size distribution were prepared by a facile one-pot microwave-assisted spray pyrolysis method. The effect of temperature on microstructural and optical properties was investigated by X-ray diffraction（XRD）, scanning electron microscope（SEM）, high resolution transmission electron microscope（HRTEM）, and UV-Vis spectrophotometer（UV-Vis）, respectively.The SnO2 particles obtained at and above 700？C are tetragonal rutile structure with high purity and smooth surface morphology, which consist of well-interconnected SnO2 nanocrystallines and the shell thickness was about 26 nm. UV-Vis absorption values were quite low in visible light region and high in ultraviolet region, indicating the possible utilization for optical purpose of the as-prepared SnO2. The band gaps were 3.88 and 4.07 e V for SnO2 synthesized at 700 and 800？C, respectively. As compared to traditional electrical heating or flame modes, microwave heating introduced here demonstrates a highefficiency, environmentally benign, and time-and energy-saving technology to synthesize advanced powders.

Community structure and activity potentials of archaeal communities in hadal sediments of the Mariana and Mussau trenches

Hadal trenches are the least explored marine habitat on earth. Archaea has been shown to be the dominant group in trench sediments. However, the activity potentials and detailed diversity of these communities as well as their inter-trench variations are still not known. In this study, we combined datasets from two pairs of primers to investigate at high resolution the structure and activity potentials of the archaeal communities in vertically sectioned sediment cores taken from the deepest points of the Mariana (10,853 m) and Mussau (7011 m) trenches. The compositions of the potentially active communities revealed, via 16S ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) and RNA (rRNA), significant differences between samples. Marine Group I (MGI), with nine identified subgroups, was the most dominant class in the active archaeal communities of the two trenches. Significantly different species composition and vertical variations were observed between the two trenches. Vertical transitions from aerobic MGI α to anaerobic MGI η and υ subgroups were observed in MST but not in MT sediments, which might be related to the faster microbial oxygen consumption in MST. These results provide a better understanding on archaeal activity and diversity in trench sediments.