Soil Geochemistry

Cork oak forests in the MED region are of critical social and ecological value and under stress from both environmental change and variation in management practice. This study, as part of a NATO Science for Peace project (SfP 981674), evaluated geochemical methods to assess potentially toxic element (PTE) input to field sites from Quercus suber forests in Tabarka (Tunisia) and an experimental control forest managed by ARGIS-Sardega (Italy). Surface and subsurface soil samples were collected from environmentally comparable sites in the two regions. Sites were identified with varied stand and shrub density and characterised for basic soil properties and multi element content. The data were evaluated using principle component analysis (PCA) and soil enrichment factors (SEF). Soils showed chemical variability associated with differences in parent material and the effects of biomass density. Contributions from events such as fire damage, as well as biomass, sea salt and geogenic sources can be identified, and evaluation is enhanced using a combination of assessment methods. Ultimately despite concerns for the regulation of forest activities in the study area, little direct anthropogenic impact was on soil quality.

The al-Bassit region is characterized by ophiolite rocks with distinct chemical compositions and characteristics. Six soil profiles formed on ophiolite rocks (basic and ultra-basic) were selected to determine the chemical composition and intensity of weathering processes in these soils. Nineteen samples of profiled soil were selected, and some of their morphological, physical, and chemical properties were studied. Weathering indexes were also calculated (CIA, WIP, CIW…), The results showed that the behavior of chemical elements is influenced by parent materials, and that all profiles are generally located within the weak weathering range, especially profiles P4 and P1, which are derived from basalt and serpentine rocks, respectively. Except for profile P3, which is derived from fine-grained gabbro rocks, it has been exposed to moderate-intensity weathering.

The Hasangazi chromite pit is an abandoned mine located to the east of the town of Pülümür (Tunceli, Turkey). The surface water that circulates in the pit flows into the Pülümür stream via the Turnadere creek. The quality of the surface water and soil from the region is important regarding the ecosystem in the Tunceli area. The open pit operations in the chromite deposits may be the cause of toxic element enrichments. To understand the effects of such pits, samples from the sediments, soil, waste material, and surface water were collected from the Hasangazi pit and its surrounding area. Samples were mineralogically and geochemically analyzed by XRD, ICP-OES, and ICP-MS methods. Mineralogical analyses showed the presence of chrysotile and plagioclase in the sediment and soil samples. These samples are also enriched in toxic elements, e.g., Cr, Ni, and Co. In particular, the Cr and Ni concentrations exceed the limits of soil pollution regulation of Turkey and the US Environmental Protection Agency. Overall the Cr, Ni, and chrysotile contents demonstrate the impact of the abandoned pit and the ultramafic rocks. Moreover, the surface water samples in the dry season have Zn concentrations above the toxic levels that may have been derived from the volcanic rocks. Environmental remediation precautions should immediately be taken around this inactive pit.

During the dry season (July-August 1997) eleven samples of soil-plant pairs were collected in the Pau-a-Pique gold deposit, southwestern of Amazonic Craton, about 440 km NW of Cuiabá city. The area contains rocks of Aguapeí Group, Rondonian Belt and recent cover. The area has a steep relief covered by thin soils. The vegetation is sparse and predominantly composed of xerophitic shrubs. Two kinds of plant species were sampled, one belonging to the Annonaceae family and the other one to the Piperaceae family. The ashes of these plants and the soils were analysed by INAA and ICP. The highest gold contents are found in the ashes of plants collected in the colluvium soil (white mica, clay minerals and Fe-oxyhydroxides) covering the hydrothennal halo of the deposil. In the soil, the highest gold values are those from eluvium related to the quartz veins. The higher gold values in plants respect to the soils suggest that the plants could be use-fuI to establish hydrothennal targets.

Arid and semi-arid zones frequently present salinity problems in soils. The agriculture of the municipality of Ahome, Sinaloa has an agricultural region where its soils are characterized by problems of salinity and sodicity-conditions that reduce production. Salinity can be detected by implementing remote sensing techniques; there are ways to enhance the detection of satellite salinity through the use of diverse quantitative models, using the spectral signature of each of the components of the study area through algorithms named indices. For this study we used the normalized differential salinity index (NDSI) from a Landsat OLI image for the southern area of the city, which is related to the electrical conductivity (EC) of the soils (R = 0.90). At the same time, it is related to some anions and cations. As a result, it is possible to determine since the NDSI, the anion Cl-and Cations Na+, Ca++, and Mg++. We found a relationship between EC-Cl-(R = 0.94), EC-Na+ (R = 0.84), EC-Ca++ (R = 0.85), and EC-Mg++ (R = 0.86). The electrical conductivity in the field and laboratory, anions, cations, and NDSI index were filtered with the Kalman filter obtaining better fitter, eliminating dispersivity in the variable relations.

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This project was undertaken by Raymond E. Healy, who alone discharged all aspects of the research, including preparation of this report, which is his sole responsibility. Mr. Healy formerly operated as the consulting firm Minoretek in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, where he held the professional designation of P.Geo. Mr. Healy has over twenty years experience in mining and exploration geology, principally in the field of applied mineralogy, and now operates as Healy Geoscience & Environmental. This report was prepared using data under licence from the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), the Ordinance Survey of Ireland (OSI) 1 , and the European Environment Agency (EEA) 2. The findings in this report reflect Mr. Healy's best judgement based on the analysis of the data and other information available at the time of writing, and he reserves the right to revise these findings if further information germane to the subject should subsequently come to light. The author does not accept any responsibility whatsoever for loss or damage occasioned or claimed to have been occasioned, in part or in full, as a consequence of any person acting or refraining from acting, as a result of the content herein. Use of this report is predicated on the reader's understanding and acceptance of the foregoing, and the copyright statement set out below.

Afin de documenter davantage la configuration interne de maisons multifamiliales inuit du Labrador et l’impact anthropique de leur occupation sur la matrice sédimentaire, une combinaison d’analyses micromorphologiques et géochimiques a été mise en oeuvre dans l’étude de trois habitations multifamiliales situées sur les sites archéologiques d’Oakes Bay-1 et d’Uivak Point 1. À l’issue des analyses, plusieurs indicateurs anthropiques associés à l’occupation inuit de ces maisons ont été identifiés. Notamment, la présence d’ossements et de matière organique carbonisés, ainsi que l’enrichissement en sodium, en phosphore organique et en baryum, suggèrent la concentration de résidus animaux et organiques pouvant avoir résulté d’activités de cuisine. La dispersion de plusieurs indicateurs anthropiques dans toutes les aires de la maison pourrait avoir été causée par des évènements de nettoyage ou des processus naturels postérieurs aux dépôts. Cette tendance à la dispersion a rendu impossible ...

Petroleum geochemistry of oils in several depobelts of the world has been well documented based on biomarkers. However, there is paucity of data regarding the use of multi-variate statistics in oil-oil correlation study, particularly in the Sub-Saharan African region. The purpose of the study was to gain an insight into the geochemical differences and identify their cause(s) through the application of bulk properties, biomarker indices and multi-variate statistics. Correlation of oils from eight wellheads of three stratigraphic units within the Central and Eastern onshore Niger Delta Basin fields (AG and AS) were undertaken by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. Utilization of bulk properties, biomarker indices and cross plot parameters somewhat separated the mature AG1-4, AS3 and AS4 oils deposited in oxic/suboxicshaly environment from AS2 oil deposited in anoxic fluvio deltaic environment. In-reservoir alteration and migration differences were the major factors responsib...

A total of 65 uncultivated surface soils samples from the area surrounding the city of Kavala, Northern Greece, was collected and analyzed for their abundance in 22 trace elements. The extraction of the elements from the < 200μm soil fraction was based on the digestion of 0.1 g of each sample with 2 ml HNO3. The analytical methods used were ICP-OES and ICP-MS and the elements analyzed were Ag, As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Hg, Μη, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, V, W, and Zn. The chemistry of the surrounding rocks and mineralizations has mainly affected the trace elements contents of the surface soils samples. The average elemental concentrations of the 65 uncultivated surface soil samples were compared with the average values for normal soils of the USA. Arsenic, Pb, andZn were found to be enriched in the surface soils of the present study by a factor of 7.6, 3.3, and 2.7, respectively, indicating that human activities have contributed to their enrichment, since these elements ...

Inorganic arsenic (As) is a naturally occurring metal, present in various ecosystems. However, it can also be added to an aquatic system by anthropogenic activities. The aim of the present study is to determine the total As content in the Palea Kavala river (NE Macedonia, Northern Greece). The correlation between As content and some chemical and physico-chemical parameters of the samples was also examined. Research demonstrated significant As concentrations in the water and the sediments of the river. No correlation was found between As and pH, Fe, Mn in the water samples. Concerning the sediment samples, positive correlation was revealed for As with Fe and Mn content, while negative correlation was revealed between As and pH. This is probably indicative of a higher arsenic mobility in the Palea Kavala river water than in sediments. Since no anthropogenic activities were observed in the river's catchment area, elevated As concentrations are probably due to the lithology of the broader area and especially the presence of extended ore mineralizations including As-bearing sulphide minerals. However, the research in the study area is in progress since a more detailed evaluation of the local sources of As and mechanisms of As release is required.

Recent studies indicate that an analysis of geochemical and geophysical properties of sediments can contribute towards the detection of human occupation beyond the archaeological remains. This is because anthropogenic activity, including food preparation, fireplaces, middenning or craft-working, alters the natural sediments in recognizable ways, forming new soil characteristics that can be traced and measured through multi-analytical methodologies. To date, elevated levels of Ca, P, Cu, Fe, Mg, K, Na, Zn, etc., have been commonly found in archaeological soils and associated with specific inputs (

Cork oak forests in the MED region are of critical social and ecological value and under stress from both environmental change and variation in management practice. This study, as part of a NATO Science for Peace project (SfP 981674), evaluated geochemical methods to assess potentially toxic element (PTE) input to field sites from Quercus suber forests in Tabarka (Tunisia) and an experimental control forest managed by ARGIS-Sardega (Italy). Surface and subsurface soil samples were collected from environmentally comparable sites in the two regions. Sites were identified with varied stand and shrub density and characterised for basic soil properties and multi element content. The data were evaluated using principle component analysis (PCA) and soil enrichment factors (SEF). Soils showed chemical variability associated with differences in parent material and the effects of biomass density. Contributions from events such as fire damage, as well as biomass, sea salt and geogenic sources can be identified, and evaluation is enhanced using a combination of assessment methods. Ultimately despite concerns for the regulation of forest activities in the study area, little direct anthropogenic impact was on soil quality.

This study is aimed at determining the level of environmental degradation as well as the concentration of trace elements in soil and stream sediments in order to evaluate the environmental impact of the mining operation. Twenty-five (25) soils and ten (10) stream sediment samples were collected from the study area. The physicochemical parameters were determined using appropriate instrumentation with the aid of a digital pH meter (Milwaukee meter) to measure the pH and electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, moisture content and loss on ignition of the soil and stream sediment samples. The pH of the soil sample ranged from (6.10 to 7.19); Electrical conductivity ranged from (21.3 to 279.4 lS/cm), moisture content varied from (0.60% to 7.20%), and the LOI ranged from (2.03% to 18.62%). The results of the analysis showed that the concentrations of the trace elements in the soils and stream sediment samples were slightly higher than the background values. Plots of the trace elements in stream sediment samples show moderate, consistent decrease downstream except at points where there was mine water discharge into the main river. The pollution levels of heavy metals were examined in stream sediment and soil samples using different assessable indices, such as the enrichment factor, which showed significant-moderate enrichment for Cr, Th, Nb, Zn, Pb, Y and Zr and the geoaccumulation index, which showed practically moderate contamination with Cr, Ni and Sr based on regional background reference values. Geo-accumulation index and contamination index for soils and stream sediment revealed uncontaminated to moderate contamination. Likewise, elements with moderate contamination were Cr, Ni and Sr. The Pearson correlation showed that there were significant positive associations among selected metals in soil and stream sediment samples.

Zinc (Zn) is an important element determining the grain quality of staple food crops and deficient in many Ethiopian soils. However, farming systems are highly variable in Ethiopia due to different soil types and landscape cropping positions. Zinc availability and uptake by plants from soil and fertilizer sources are governed by the retention and release potential of the soil, usually termed as adsorption and desorption, respectively. The aim of this study was to characterize the amount of plant available Zn at different landscape positions. During the 2018/19 cropping season, adsorption-desorption studies were carried out on soil samples collected from on-farm trials conducted at Aba Gerima, Debre Mewi and Markuma in the Amhara Region. In all locations and landscape positions, adsorption and desorption increased with increasing Zn additions. The amount of adsorption and desorption was highly associated with the soil pH, the soil organic carbon concentration and cation exchange capa...

In this research pollution of soil samples from the southern slopes of the Taftan volcano, SE Iran, and the Khash Plain to the south of the volcano is studied. The concentrations of Arsenic and Sulfur in the soil samples are 6-14 ppm and 0.03-0.51 wt.%, respectively, both more than the quality standard values of USEPA. Pollution zoning maps indicate that samples from Khash Plain to the south are, generally, more polluted in comparison with the samples from Taftan slopes to the north of the area. This phenomenon is associated with an increase in the fine-grained portion (silt-clay), and the pH of the soil samples. It is inferred from the comparison of the AS and S contents of the Khash Plain aquifer (0.005-0.1 and 72-528 mg/L, respectively) and the groundwater pollution zoning maps that water-soil ion-exchange reactions have played important role in the soil pollution processes. Some significant arsenic anomalies in the soil sample, despite the lack of the same in the groundwater, are attributed to arsenic mineralization due to Taftan hydrothermal activities. The mineralization is related to mercury-gold generation in the area which is usually accompanied by arsenic sulfide minerals realgar, AsS and orpiment, As2S3. Therefore, hydrothermal activities of the Taftan volcano produce a particular effect on arsenic and sulfur soil pollution.

Le long de l’axe transvolcanique mexicain qui traverse le pays d’est en ouest, se trouvent des sols d’origine volcanique possédant un ou plusieurs horizons indurés, appelés localement tepetates. Sous l’effet de l’érosion hydrique, ils peuvent affleurer à la surface. Du fait de leur compacité, de leur stérilité biologique et chimique, tout usage agricole est alors impossible. Couvrant près de 31 000 km2, ces « sols » constituent un grave problème environnemental, agronomique et social. C’est pourquoi, au cours des dernières décennies, ont été menés de nombreux travaux pluridisciplinaires de recherche, associant notamment des équipes mexicaines à des équipes européennes. Les résultats ont montré que les tepetates étaient des tufs volcaniques datant de 10 000 à 40 000 ans, argilo-limoneux, compacts, pratiquement imperméables, dépourvus des principaux éléments nutritifs, et affleurant généralement au niveau des ruptures de pente des piedmonts. De par leur nature géologique, les tepetates peuvent être défonçés et mis en culture, sans risque de voir se reformer cette induration. Il est possible d’obtenir un nouveau sol très productif dès la première année et un véritable sol vivant, en l’espace de 3 à 5 ans. Ainsi, le défonçage au bulldozer à 30-40 cm de profondeur doit être croisé, suivi d’un passage croisé de disques passés au tracteur à faible vitesse. Un apport d’engrais minéraux est indispensable lors des premiers semis, de préférence associés à celui de fumier (12 t.MS/ha). Ensuite, il faut gérer les résidus de culture, effectuer des rotations avec des légumineuses. Quelques cultures, comme le maïs et le haricot, ne sont toutefois productives que 2-3 ans après la formation du nouveau sol. Ces apports de matières organiques sont essentiels pour le sol, les cultures et l’environnement. En effet, en capturant près de 90 t de C/ha sur les 20 premiers centimètres du sol, on lutte contre le réchauffement climatique. Au vu des quantités de C séquestré, l’incorporation des tepetates à des pratiques culturales adéquates pourrait être une source de financement international.Along the Mexican transvolcanic belt that crosses the country from east to west, there are soils of volcanic origin with one or more hardened horizons, locally called tepetates. Under the effect of water erosion, tepetates appear on the surface. Due to their compactness, biological and chemical sterility, any agricultural use is practically impossible under its natural conditions. Covering nearly 31,000 km2, these “soils” are a serious environmental, agricultural and social problem. That is why, in recent decades, many multidisciplinary researches have been conducted by Mexican and European teams. Results showed that tepetates are volcanic tuff that emerged 10,000 to 40,000 years ago − silty clay, compact, waterproof, virtually devoid of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, and generally appearing at slope foothills ruptures. Due to their geological origin, tepetates can be broken and cultivated without risk of seeing hardening again. It is possible to obtain a new highly productive substrate (“soil”) since the first year and almost a regular “soil”, in 3 to 5 years. To achieve this status, tepetates must be ripped by a bulldozer at 30-40 cm depth, followed by a cross passage with discs done by a tractor at low speed. An input of mineral fertilizers is essential during the first sowing year, preferably associated with manure (12 t. DM/ha). Then crop residues must be managed and rotations with legumes performed. Some crops, such as corn and beans, however, are productive only 2-3 years after the formation of the new “soil”. These inputs of organic matter are essential for the new “soil” being formed, crops, and environment. Indeed, capturing nearly 90 t C/ha in the first 20 cm depth means fighting against global warming. Due to the quantities of C captured, the creation of a soil from tepetates managed according to good agricultural practices can be a source of international funding

Your article is protected by copyright and all rights are held exclusively by Springer Science+Business Media B.V., part of Springer Nature. This e-offprint is for personal use only and shall not be self-archived in electronic repositories. If you wish to self-archive your article, please use the accepted manuscript version for posting on your own website. You may further deposit the accepted manuscript version in any repository, provided it is only made publicly available 12 months after official publication or later and provided acknowledgement is given to the original source of publication and a link is inserted to the published article on Springer's website. The link must be accompanied by the following text: "The final publication is available at link.springer.com".

Objective of this study is to use soil geochemistry surveys using statistical methods for the exploration of possibly gold mineralization related to Alakeci listvenite area (Bayramic, Canakkale, Turkey). In the scope of soil geochemistry, about 350 soil samples were analyzed and evaluated for nine elements including gold. Element concentrations for Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Sb, Mo, Ni, Co and Au (all element except Au in ppm, Au in ppb) were 10-265, 10-90, 15-545, 5-800, 2-60, 4-8, 10-6300, 15-1255 and 40-300 respectively. The gold concentrations were comparatively detected in low value than important ore deposit and exhibited no correlation with other elements (except Mo). However, positive correlation was observed between Cu and Zn; Sb and As; Mo with As and Sb; Au and Mo; Ni and Co. In literature, Cu, Zn, As, Sb and Mo were widely used as pathfinder elements for exploration of gold mineralization. So, these elements were accepted as pathfinders in this study and their distribution maps wer...

Your article is protected by copyright and all rights are held exclusively by Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. This e-offprint is for personal use only and shall not be selfarchived in electronic repositories. If you wish to self-archive your article, please use the accepted manuscript version for posting on your own website. You may further deposit the accepted manuscript version in any repository, provided it is only made publicly available 12 months after official publication or later and provided acknowledgement is given to the original source of publication and a link is inserted to the published article on Springer's website. The link must be accompanied by the following text: "The final publication is available at link.springer.com".

In surface aquatic systems, trace elements and especially heavy metals accumulate in sediments. Thus, the determination of sediment chemical characteristics is critical in the assessment of an aquatic environment’s quality. Thirteen sediment samples from Palea Kavala river (NE Macedonia, Greece) were studied for their content in Al, Fe, Cu, Cd, Mn, Pb, Zn. In order to evaluate the metal enrichment for environmental purposes, two geochemical indices were employed: Enrichment Factor (EF) and Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo). According to the results, Al was the most abundant major element in sediments with Fe and Mn to follow. Trace element content followed the order Pb>Zn>Cu>Cd. EF values revealed that samples are enriched in Cd and Pb, while Igeo values also suggested that there is considerable contamination concerning Cd and Pb. It is concluded that ore mineralizations which occur in Palea Kavala region contribute to the elevated concentrations of all the studied elements, sin...

This article presents data on the structure and elemental composition of hand-built miniature cups with a smooth surface, that were enclosed into burials as funeral pottery, and household pots dated to the first millennium AD found in four different archaeological sites of Western Lithuania. Investigated funeral and household pottery samples reflect the chemical composition of the local raw materials used for their production, while the variations in composition point to different clay locations, as well as use of distinct tempers and peculiarities of ceramics firing technology.

Afin de documenter davantage la configuration interne de maisons multifamiliales inuit du Labrador et l’impact anthropique de leur occupation sur la matrice sédimentaire, une combinaison d’analyses micromorphologiques et géochimiques a été mise en oeuvre dans l’étude de trois habitations multifamiliales situées sur les sites archéologiques d’Oakes Bay-1 et d’Uivak Point 1. À l’issue des analyses, plusieurs indicateurs anthropiques associés à l’occupation inuit de ces maisons ont été identifiés. Notamment, la présence d’ossements et de matière organique carbonisés, ainsi que l’enrichissement en sodium, en phosphore organique et en baryum, suggèrent la concentration de résidus animaux et organiques pouvant avoir résulté d’activités de cuisine. La dispersion de plusieurs indicateurs anthropiques dans toutes les aires de la maison pourrait avoir été causée par des évènements de nettoyage ou des processus naturels postérieurs aux dépôts. Cette tendance à la dispersion a rendu impossible ...

This study presents the applied methods used for geochemical evaluation of metasedimentary/metamorphic (depleted/exhausted/spent source rocks) and deeply buried sedimentary source rocks from hydrocarbon-rich waters and soils. Someone can determine all parameters used in geochemical assessments of source rocks by conducting TPH (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons) analysis in both water and soil. It is considered that our knowledge about the metamorphosed source rocks will increase as the applications of methods discussed in this study increase. Within the study's scope, the Pr/n-C17 versus Ph/n-C18 plot used to evaluate the source, depositional environment, redox conditions of the depositional environment, thermal maturity, and hydrocarbon generation potential of source rocks in petroleum geochemistry is also comprehensively revised. In the revised plot, the ranges for API gravity, specific gravity (SG), sulfur content (S), biodegradation parameter (BP), vitrinite reflectance (Ro%), and maximum temperature (Tmax) values are defined. Thus, a new approach is developed to estimate API gravities and sulfur contents of petroleum fluids that might be discovered within reservoirs in any specified prospective area from surface geochemical surveys. Furthermore, humic and sapropelic coal ranges are separated. In this way, the plots' functionality and efficiency are developed, making petroleum geochemical assessments possible in only one diagram instead of using several graphs or charts.
Keywords: Metamorphosed source rock, Buried source rock, Hydrocarbon-rich water, Hydrocarbon-rich soil, TPH in water analysis, TPH in soil analysis

Mediante el uso del marco conceptual de los Modelos de Estados y Transiciones (MET) se discute la relación entre la temperatura del suelo (Ts) y la respiración del mismo (Rs). El esquema de acoplamiento del sistema suelo-vegetación-atmósfera permite presentar argumentos y evidencia experimental que explica el porqué de las relaciones entre Ts y Rs, dependiendo del grado de acoplamiento de las componentes del sistema. Asimismo, se discuten las implicaciones de este acoplamiento en relación con los flujos de C y el cambio climático.

Calcareous vertisol soil is the dominant agricultural soil type and covers over 80% of the agricultural cultivated land in Jordan. This type of soil is characterized by its high pH and CaCO 3 content, which made the heavy metals including Zn to be oxidized and adsorbed onto soil. Therefore, this type of soil is regarded as potentially Zn deficient. The effect of Zn initial concentration and average rainfall on the Zn adsorption and desorption from three types of calcareous vertisol soils has been examined. The amount of Zn adsorbed and desorbed at equilibrium increased with increasing Zn initial concentration for each of the three investigated soils. However, the percentage of adsorption and desorption decreased as the initial concentration of Zn ions increased. Moreover, results showed that rainfall has no influence on the behavior of Zn in the calcareous vertisol soils. Freundlich and Redlich-Peterson models provide the best representation of the experimental data, followed by the Langmuir model.

Objective of this study is to use soil geochemistry surveys using statistical methods for the exploration of possibly gold mineralization related to Alakeci listvenite area (Bayramic, Canakkale, Turkey). In the scope of soil geochemistry, about 350 soil samples were analyzed and evaluated for nine elements including gold. Element concentrations for Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Sb, Mo, Ni, Co and Au (all element except Au in ppm, Au in ppb) were 10-265, 10-90, 15-545, 5-800, 2-60, 4-8, 10-6300, 15-1255 and 40-300 respectively. The gold concentrations were comparatively detected in low value than important ore deposit and exhibited no correlation with other elements (except Mo). However, positive correlation was observed between Cu and Zn; Sb and As; Mo with As and Sb; Au and Mo; Ni and Co. In literature, Cu, Zn, As, Sb and Mo were widely used as pathfinder elements for exploration of gold mineralization. So, these elements were accepted as pathfinders in this study and their distribution maps wer...

Objective of this study is to use soil geochemistry surveys using statistical methods for the exploration of possibly gold mineralization related to Alakeci listvenite area (Bayramic, Canakkale, Turkey). In the scope of soil geochemistry, about 350 soil samples were analyzed and evaluated for nine elements including gold. Element concentrations for Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Sb, Mo, Ni, Co and Au (all element except Au in ppm, Au in ppb) were 10-265, 10-90, 15-545, 5-800, 2-60, 4-8, 10-6300, 15-1255 and 40-300 respectively. The gold concentrations were comparatively detected in low value than important ore deposit and exhibited no correlation with other elements (except Mo). However, positive correlation was observed between Cu and Zn; Sb and As; Mo with As and Sb; Au and Mo; Ni and Co. In literature, Cu, Zn, As, Sb and Mo were widely used as pathfinder elements for exploration of gold mineralization. So, these elements were accepted as pathfinders in this study and their distribution maps wer...

515 kapalina. Předběžné pokusy stanovení sledovaných chlorovaných uhlovodíků technikou SPME s polydimethylsiloxanovým vláknem ovšem prokázaly přítomnost dvou stanovovaných analytů (trichlorethen, tetrachlorethen) v slepém stanovení z ovzduší laboratoře na úrovních přibližně 0,1 až 10 μg l. Další předběžné pokusy se statickou „headspace“ technikou a klasickou mikroextrakcí v extrakční nádobě s „headspace“ prostorem nad kapalinou ukázaly, že použití obou technik pro stanovení vinylchloridu by bylo technicky náročné, protože vinylchlorid za normálních podmínek analýzy těká velmi snadno ze soustavy. Z tohoto důvodu byla pozornost zaměřena především na ověření možnosti využití mikroextrakce kapalina-kapalina v uzavřené nádobě se septem bez „headspace“ prostoru nad kapalinou.

A soil geochemical survey was conducted over kimberlites in a discontinuous permafrost zone in the James Bay Lowlands, southeastern Hudson Bay Lowlands. The kimberlites are concealed by 10 to 30 m of tills and Tyrell Sea clay sediments. Samples of humus and B-horizon soil were collected at 25-50-m intervals over traverses with the total lengths of 562 m over the Whiskey kimberlite and 740 m over the Yankee kimberlite pipe. B-horizon soil samples, sieved to <80 mesh and dried at 60 C, have high carbonate contents above the margins of the kimberlite pipes. Ammonium acetate leach at pH 5 (AA5) dissolves most of these carbonates, and shows anomalies of REE, Y and Ni above the margins instead of the centres of kimberlites. Since the leach dissolves not only carbonates but also amorphous Al-O-OH originating from the clastic component, the ratios of metals to Al are effective to display geochemical anomalies associated with kimberlites. The concentrations of high field strength elements, such as Nb and Ta, are low in AA5 relative to their detection limits, whereas these elements show anomalies in the Enzyme leach. The ratios of these metals to Mn in the Enzyme leach are useful to display the anomalies associated with kimberlites because soil samples over kimberlites contain high contents of these metals and low contents of Mn. Our data suggest that a soil geochemical survey may be used to assist in discriminating kimberlites from other targets during diamond exploration in sub-Arctic settings.

Varied distributions of soil chemicals were compared to known activity areas at the Wilson-Slack site, a 19th century historic farmstead/blacksmith complex in northern Delaware. Calcium and magnesium were not clearly corre~ated with specific activity areas. Potassium and phosphorus were not correlated with animal penning areas but were correlated with a machine shop/blacksmithing area. Low pH values were correlated with organic-rich midden deposits.

This study is aimed at determining the level of environmental degradation as well as the concentration of trace elements in soil and stream sediments in order to evaluate the environmental impact of the mining operation. Twenty-five (25) soils and ten (10) stream sediment samples were collected from the study area. The physicochemical parameters were determined using appropriate instrumentation with the aid of a digital pH meter (Milwaukee meter) to measure the pH and electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, moisture content and loss on ignition of the soil and stream sediment samples. The pH of the soil sample ranged from (6.10 to 7.19); Electrical conductivity ranged from (21.3 to 279.4 lS/cm), moisture content varied from (0.60% to 7.20%), and the LOI ranged from (2.03% to 18.62%). The results of the analysis showed that the concentrations of the trace elements in the soils and stream sediment samples were slightly higher than the background values. Plots of the trace elements in stream sediment samples show moderate, consistent decrease downstream except at points where there was mine water discharge into the main river. The pollution levels of heavy metals were examined in stream sediment and soil samples using different assessable indices, such as the enrichment factor, which showed significant-moderate enrichment for Cr, Th, Nb, Zn, Pb, Y and Zr and the geoaccumulation index, which showed practically moderate contamination with Cr, Ni and Sr based on regional background reference values. Geo-accumulation index and contamination index for soils and stream sediment revealed uncontaminated to moderate contamination. Likewise, elements with moderate contamination were Cr, Ni and Sr. The Pearson correlation showed that there were significant positive associations among selected metals in soil and stream sediment samples.

We compared two conventional analytical techniques for measuring Fe, Mn and Sr concentrations in environmental soil samples. This research was carried out on 25 samples of soil horizons from 6 discrete profiles from natural Cerrado soils of the Piau? State, in northeastern Brazil. Concentrations of Fe, Mn, and Sr were initially measured using a non-destructive energy dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer and then digested with nitric acid before analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Both methods show that Fe is the element with the largest concentration, with values ranging from 1253 to 37400 mg kg-1, using the XRF (mean of 9193 mg kg-1) and from 700 to 19910 mg kg-1 using the ICP-OES (mean of 6900 mg kg-1). This is expected given the high concentration of iron oxides in Cerrado soils. Mn concentrations were higher than expected, based on the sedimentary origin of these soils, with values ranging from 13.0 to 822.0 mg kg-1, using the XRF (mean of 72.0 mg kg-1) and from 3.7 to 223.1 mg kg-1 using the ICP-OES (mean of 30.0 mg kg-1). We suggest that this Mn content is partially from exogenic processes. Conversely, the sedimentary nature of the parent material was a determinant factor in the low Sr concentrations of these samples. Sr values ranged from 4.4 to 69.0 mg kg-1, using the XRF (mean of 17.0 mg kg-1) and from 0.07 to 21.90 mg kg-1 using the ICP-OES (mean of 6.00 mg kg-1). XRF provided higher values than the ICP-OES for all three elements studied. As reported elsewhere, there is strong empirical evidence that nitric acid digestion does not thoroughly extracts metals from silicate minerals. These results suggest that XRF is more appropriate for mapping Fe and Mn concentrations in soils from the Brazilian Cerrado, while the ICP-OES method would be more appropriate for micronutrients and other elements occurring in low concentration.

Soil plays an important role in life, especially in the cycling and supply of nutrients and water. Soil degradation is a serious global problem. It is caused by improper use of soil for different human activities. Soil degradation can lead to a significant decline in the productivity of agricultural lands. On a global scale, the annual loss of 75 billion tons of soil (mostly through desertification and soil erosion) costs the world about US$ 400 billion. Over 33% of the global land surface is affected by desertification, while only about 11% of global soil is considered to be stable. This study aims to perform a preliminary assessment of the soil quality at different locations in Qatar. Samples were collected from 14 sites at 8 different locations in the central east of Qatar, in May 2012. These locations are representative of a variety of desert soils (Umm Al-Zubar, Sealine, Semeisma, and Umm Al-Amad), farmland (Al Sailiya), a wastewater pond (Abu-Nakhala), a sandy beach (Katara Beach) and a protected area (Biological Field at Qatar University). The samples were analyzed using a Master Sizer 2000 particle size analyzer for grain-size analysis and by using ICP-MS for geochemical analysis. The results showed significant difference in soil texture (grain-size analysis) between all the study sites. Grain-size distribution analysis showed that soils at the Abu-Nakhala wastewater pond and the Katara Beach are composed almost exclusively of coarse particles (sand-size or higher), while area 3 of the QU Biological Field contained the highest amount of fine particles (over 52% of silt and clay). Geochemical analysis of the soil samples indicate that calcium is the dominant fraction in most of the samples, with concentrations varying between 61% and 89%. Magnesium is the second most abundant element (with concentration varying between 3% and 26%), followed closely by aluminum, with concentrations between 3% and 15%. Potassium (concentrations between 1% and 8%) and iron (1% to 6%) complete the list of major elements in the studied soils.