Treasure maps, sustainable development, and the billion-year stability of cratonic lithosphere

Sustainable development and transition to a clean-energy economy is placing ever-increasing demand on global supplies of base metals (copper, lead, zinc and nickel). Consumption over the next ~25 years is set to exceed the total produced in human history to date, and it is a growing concern that the rate of exploitation of existing reserves is outstripping discovery of new deposits. Therefore, improvements in the effectiveness of exploration are required to reverse this worrying trend and maintain growth in global living standards.Approximately 70% of known lead, 55% of zinc and 20% of copper has been deposited between 2 Ga and recent by low temperature hydrothermal circulation in shallow sedimentary basins. These basins are formed by extension and rifting, which are key manifestations of the plate-mode of tectonics. Despite 150 years of research, the relationship between deposit locations and local geological structure is enigmatic and there remains no accurate technique for predicting their distribution at continental scales.Here, we show that modern surface wave tomography and recent parameterisations for anelasticity at seismic frequencies can be used to map lithospheric structure, and that sediment-hosted base metal deposits occur exclusively along the edges of thick lithosphere. Approximately 90% of the world's sediment-hosted copper, lead and zinc resources lie within 200 km of these boundaries, including all giant deposits (>10 megatonnes of metal). Incorporation of higher resolution regional seismic studies into global lithospheric thickness models further enhances the robustness of this relationship.&#160;This observation implies that lithospheric architecture imparted by the plate-mode of tectonics is stable over billion-year timescales, and that there is a genetic link between lithospheric scale &#160;processes and near-surface hydrothermal mineral systems. Our new maps provide an unprecedented global means to identify fertile regions for targeted mineral exploration, and provide a clear economic justification for funding targeted seismic arrays, theoretical advances in imaging techniques, and geodynamic studies that improve our understanding of deep-time plate tectonics.

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“Seeing Is Believing”—In-Depth Analysis by Co-Imaging of Periodically-Poled X-Cut Lithium Niobate Thin Films

Crystals ◽

10.3390/cryst11030288 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 288

Author(s):

Sven Reitzig ◽

Michael Rüsing ◽

Jie Zhao ◽

Benjamin Kirbus ◽

Shayan Mookherjea ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lithium Niobate ◽

Second Harmonic ◽

Imaging Techniques ◽

Piezoresponse Force Microscopy ◽

Periodically Poled ◽

Near Surface ◽

Domain Structures ◽

Depth Analysis ◽

Improved Performance ◽

Quantum Optical

Nonlinear and quantum optical devices based on periodically-poled thin film lithium niobate (PP-TFLN) have gained considerable interest lately, due to their significantly improved performance as compared to their bulk counterparts. Nevertheless, performance parameters such as conversion efficiency, minimum pump power, and spectral bandwidth strongly depend on the quality of the domain structure in these PP-TFLN samples, e.g., their homogeneity and duty cycle, as well as on the overlap and penetration depth of domains with the waveguide mode. Hence, in order to propose improved fabrication protocols, a profound quality control of domain structures is needed that allows quantifying and thoroughly analyzing these parameters. In this paper, we propose to combine a set of nanometer-to-micrometer-scale imaging techniques, i.e., piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM), second-harmonic generation (SHG), and Raman spectroscopy (RS), to access the relevant and crucial sample properties through cross-correlating these methods. Based on our findings, we designate SHG to be the best-suited standard imaging technique for this purpose, in particular when investigating the domain poling process in x-cut TFLNs. While PFM is excellently recommended for near-surface high-resolution imaging, RS provides thorough insights into stress and/or defect distributions, as associated with these domain structures. In this context, our work here indicates unexpectedly large signs for internal fields occurring in x-cut PP-TFLNs that are substantially larger as compared to previous observations in bulk LN.

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Overburden geochemical signature of the Lac des Iles platinum group element deposit, northwestern Ontario, Canada

Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences ◽

10.1139/e06-136 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 44 (8) ◽

pp. 1151-1168 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Peter J Barnett

Keyword(s):

Mineral Exploration ◽

Shallow Groundwater ◽

Soil System ◽

Near Surface ◽

Rock Fragments ◽

The North ◽

Northwestern Ontario ◽

Airborne Contamination ◽

The Many ◽

Lac Des Iles

Many previously published studies of the behaviour of Pt and Pd in till and soils have been done in areas of complex stratigraphy or very thin overburden cover, making the interpretation of soil results difficult because of the many variables associated with these settings. At the Lac des Iles mine site in northwestern Ontario, there are excellent exposures of the overburden in a series of exploration trenches. Glacial dispersal trains can be observed in till (C horizon) geochemistry (e.g., Ni, Cr, Cu, and Co). Regional geochemical dispersal trains of elements, such as Ni, Cr, Mg, and Co associated with the North Lac des Iles intrusion, can be detected for about 4 km beyond the western margin of the Mine Block intrusion. Entire dispersal trains range from 5 to 7 km in length and about 1 to 2 km in width. The dispersal of North Lac des Iles intrusion rock fragments tends to mask the response of the Mine Block intrusion. Dispersal trains of Pt and Pd are not well defined and tend to be very short, <1 km in length, due to the initial low concentrations of these elements in C-horizon till samples from the Lac Des Iles area. An exception to this is the Pd dispersal train originating from the high-grade zone that is up to 3 km long. Pd, Pt, Ni, and Cu appear to be moving both within and out of the soil system downslope into surface and shallow groundwater. It is suggested that these elements, to varying degrees, are moving in solution. Airborne contamination from mine operations of the humus has adversely affected the ability to determine the effectiveness of humus sampling for mineral exploration at Lac des Iles. The airborne contamination likely influences the geochemical results from surface water, shallow groundwater, and near-surface organic bog samples, particularly for the elements Pd and Pt.

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A new sedimentary cover model for the southern area of the East European Platform and the Pre-Caucasus based on decompensation gravity anomalies data

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-15625 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mikhail Kaban ◽

Alexei Gvishiani ◽

Roman Sidorov ◽

Alexei Oshchenko ◽

Roman Krasnoperov

Keyword(s):

East European Platform ◽

Sedimentary Cover ◽

Gravity Anomalies ◽

Sedimentary Basins ◽

The Caucasus ◽

Near Surface ◽

New Model ◽

Origin And Evolution ◽

East European ◽

Bouguer Anomalies

A new model has been developed for the density and thickness of the sedimentary cover in a vast region at the junction of the southern part of the East European Platform, the Pre-Caucasus and some structures adjacent to the south, including the Caucasus. Structure and density of sedimentary basins was studied by employing the approach based on decompensation of gravity anomalies. Decompensative correction for gravity anomalies reduces the effect of deep masses providing compensation of near-surface density anomalies, in contrast to the conventional isostatic or Bouguer anomalies. . The new model of sediments, which implies their thickness and density, gives a more detailed description of the sedimentary thickness and density and reveals new features which were not or differently imaged by previous studies. It helps in better understanding of the origin and evolution of the basins and provides a background for further detailed geological and geophysical studies of the region.

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Two-dimensional elastic pseudo-spectral modeling of wide-aperture seismic array data with application to the Wichita Uplift-Anadarko Basin region of southwestern Oklahoma

Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America ◽

10.1785/bssa08006a1677 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 80 (6A) ◽

pp. 1677-1695 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ik Bum Kang ◽

George A. McMechan

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Deep Structure ◽

Sedimentary Basins ◽

P Wave ◽

Two Dimensional ◽

Anadarko Basin ◽

Near Surface ◽

University Of Texas ◽

Wide Aperture ◽

The University

Abstract Full wave field modeling of wide-aperture data is performed with a pseudospectral implementation of the elastic wave equation. This approach naturally produces three-component stress and two-component particle displacement, velocity, and acceleration seismograms for compressional, shear, and Rayleigh waves. It also has distinct advantages in terms of computational requirements over finite-differencing when data from large-scale structures are to be modeled at high frequencies. The algorithm is applied to iterative two-dimensional modeling of seismograms from a survey performed in 1985 by The University of Texas at El Paso and The University of Texas at Dallas across the Anadarko basin and the Wichita Mountains in southwestern Oklahoma. The results provide an independent look at details of near-surface structure and reflector configurations. Near-surface (<3 km deep) structure and scattering effects account for a large percentage (>70 per cent) of the energy in the observed seismograms. The interpretation of the data is consistent with the results of previous studies of these data, but provides considerably more detail. Overall, the P-wave velocities in the Wichita Uplift are more typical of the middle crust than the upper crust (5.3 to 7.1 km/sec). At the surface, the uplift is either exposed as weathered outcrop (5.0 to 5.3 km/sec) or is overlain with sediments of up to 0.4 km in thickness, ranging in velocity from 2.7 to 3.4 km/sec, generally increasing with depth. The core of the uplift is relatively seismically transparent. A very clear, coherent reflection is observed from the Mountain View fault, which dips at ≈40° to the southwest, to at least 12 km depth. Velocities in the Anadarko Basin are typical of sedimentary basins; there is a general increase from ≈2.7 km/sec at the surface to ≈5.9 km/sec at ≈16 km depth, with discontinuous reflections at depths of ≈8, 10, 12, and 16 km.

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Alternatives to solve SDG trade-offs and to enforce SDG synergies: a systematic literature review

Management of Environmental Quality An International Journal ◽

10.1108/meq-07-2021-0181 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Andrei Boar ◽

Erola Palau Pinyana ◽

Marc Oliveras-Villanueva

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Developing Countries ◽

Literature Review ◽

Systematic Literature Review ◽

Business Models ◽

Economic Models ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Content Type ◽

Trade Offs

PurposeThis paper takes a critical view of synergies and trade-offs and discloses the practices that countries and companies should apply to achieve sustainable development.Design/methodology/approachThis paper offers a systematic literature review of 408 papers to find models of sustainable development goals (SDGs) interaction with the aim of shedding light on the existing synergies and trade-offs and finding solutions to enhance these synergies and minimize the trade-offs.FindingsBoth rich and developing countries should follow multiple strategies to improve the quality of life of their citizens. Developing countries should focus on eradicating poverty. Rich countries should apply new economic models that are more likely to be environmental-friendly. Finally, the topic of SDGs should be revisited by the United Nations.Practical implicationsBoosting the quality of education and providing clean energy are two of the most relevant actions that should to be taken by countries, as they will accelerate the fulfilment of all the other SDGs. The use of circular economic models or new business models, such as the sharing economy, is essential to the achievement of sustained economic growth without negative environmental impact.Originality/valueThe paper analyzes SDG interactions and offers a critical vision of practices that countries and companies should adhere to for achieving sustainable development.

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Clean air in the Anthropocene

Faraday Discussions ◽

10.1039/c7fd90032e ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 200 ◽

pp. 693-703 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Jos Lelieveld

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Sustainable Development ◽

Air Quality ◽

Human Health ◽

Atmospheric Chemistry ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Atmospheric Composition ◽

Anthropogenic Sources ◽

Years Of Life Lost ◽

Clean Air

In atmospheric chemistry, interactions between air pollution, the biosphere and human health, often through reaction mixtures from both natural and anthropogenic sources, are of growing interest. Massive pollution emissions in the Anthropocene have transformed atmospheric composition to the extent that biogeochemical cycles, air quality and climate have changed globally and partly profoundly. It is estimated that mortality attributable to outdoor air pollution amounts to 4.33 million individuals per year, associated with 123 million years of life lost. Worldwide, air pollution is the major environmental risk factor to human health, and strict air quality standards have the potential to strongly reduce morbidity and mortality. Preserving clean air should be considered a human right, and is fundamental to many sustainable development goals of the United Nations, such as good health, climate action, sustainable cities, clean energy, and protecting life on land and in the water. It would be appropriate to adopt “clean air” as a sustainable development goal.

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Why Affordable Clean Energy Is Not Enough. A Capability Perspective on the Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su10072485 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 2485 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Rafaela Hillerbrand

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Sustainable Development Goals ◽

Capability Approach ◽

Energy Systems ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Well Being ◽

Human Beings ◽

Energy Technologies ◽

Development Goals ◽

The Capability Approach

This paper reflects on criticisms raised in the literature on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These have been criticized as creating a dichotomy between the environment and human beings that fails to address the multiple interconnections between the two. This paper focuses on SDG7—“affordable and clean energy”—and suggests that there is in fact a tripartite distinction between the environment, human beings and technology underlying the SDGs. This distinction, we argue, does not adequately represent the multiple interconnections among the various SDGs and hampers their implementation. We contend that the formulation of SDG7 produces a circular definition of sustainability, a difficulty that is currently resolved at the level of the targets and indicators in a way that regards energy technologies primarily as artifacts. By contrast, the literature on ethical aspects of energy systems largely agrees that energy is a paradigmatic example of a sociotechnical system. We contend that, by not considering this sociotechnical nature, the SDGs run the risk of implicitly defending a certain variant of technological optimism and determinism. We argue that this is disadvantageous to the environment, human well-being and technological development. In line with recent critical evaluations of the SDGs, we argue that these (and other) shortcomings can be addressed by better connecting the SDGs to human well-being. Building on recent literature that expands the scope of the Capability Approach as an alternative measure of well-being so as to include considerations of sustainability, we articulate a framework that allows us to elucidate this connection and thus to take advantage of synergies between human well-being and the environment. On the basis of the Capability Approach, we argue that equating sustainable energy with renewable energy—as is done in the transition from SDG7’s goal to its targets—is indefensible because, as part of the overarching energy systems, energy technologies cannot be classified as simply right or wrong. Rather, the indicators and targets within a framework focused on sustainability need to be (more) context sensitive, meaning that, among other things, they may vary by country and with the available technology.

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The Impact of Lack of Clean Cooking Fuels on Sustainable Development in Developing Countries

ASME 2018 12th International Conference on Energy Sustainability ◽

10.1115/es2018-7112 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ifeoluwa Garba ◽

Richard Bellingham

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Developing Countries ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Energy Use ◽

Business Models ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Well Being ◽

The World ◽

Cooking Fuels ◽

The Impact

Access to energy is crucial in tackling many of the current global development challenges that impact on people’s economic, health and social well-being as well as the ability to meet the commitments of reducing carbon emissions through clean energy use. Despite increased attention from multiple governments and agencies, energy poverty remains a serious sustainable development issue in many developing countries. To date, most research have focused on general access to electricity and the generation of clean energy to replace fossil fuels, failing to address the lack of basic access to clean energy for cooking and heating. More people in the world lack access to clean cooking fuels than to electricity. This issue is one aspect of a broader research which investigates the impacts of optimized energy policy and energy business models on sustainable development in developing countries.

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