Applications of trend surface analysis and geologic model building to mineralized districts in Alaska

The Mineral Industry Research Laboratory, University of Alaska, has investigated the application of computers and statistics to mineral deposits in Alaska. Existing programs have been adapted and new ones written for the computers available at the University. The methods tested are trend surface analysis and geologic model making. An existing coeffecient of association program was converted to Fortran IV , but was not applied to an Alaskan problem. A trend surface is a mathematically describable surface that most closely approximates a surface representing observed data. In geologic model making, regression analysis is used to determine what geologic features are significant as ore controls. Coefficient of association compares samples to each other on the basis of a variable being present or absent. Trend surfaces were computed for dips and s t r i k e s of geologic features ( v e i n s , f a u l t s , bedrock) for Southeastern Alaska, the Chichagof district , and the Hyder district . Results for the f i r s t two are presented as maps. Trend surfaces and residual maps were prepared for geochemical data from the Slana district, Alaska. A mineral occurrence model was made for a portion of the Craig Quadrangle, and potential values were computed for c e l l s in the area. Appraisals of potential values by five geologists are compared with those of the model. An IBM 1620 multiple regression program is included

Characterization and evaluation of washability of Alaskan coals

This report is a result of the second part of a continuing study to obtain washability data for Alaskan coals to supplement the efforts of the U.S. Department of Energy in their ongoing studies on washability of U.S. coals.Contract No. U.S.D.O.E. ET-78-G-01-8969 (formerly U.S.B.M. G0166212

Natural resource base of the Fairbanks North Star Borough

This report on the natural resource base of the Fairbanks North Star Borough is one of several continuing research projects related to community planning in Alaska. It represents an interdisciplinary effort of the Mineral Industry Research Laboratory and the Institute of Social, Economic and Government Research at the University of Alaska. The result is a synthesis of the economic development potential of natural resources in the greater Fairbanks region

The effects of placer mining on the environment in Central Alaska

Within the Tolovana Mining District, as a result of placer mining, 800 acres of land have been disturbed (0.25% of the land area) and 4 million cubic yards of much have been transported down the Tolovana River through the subsiding Minto Flats. This has increased the rate of sedimentation of the lakes adjacent to the Tolovana River. Mine tailings are about 50% revegetated by natural species. Approximately 60 million cubic yards of muck must be removed to mine the Livengood deposits. A large area of settling ponds will be needed if the deposit is stripped by hydraulic means, or a large area for stacking overburden if mechanical stripping is required. The Crooked Creek area, mined for 80 years has 1,900 acres disturbed (0.7% of the land area) and 200,000 cubic yards of much has been stripped. No correlation is apparent between mining and the non-anadromous fish population, although sport fishing is considered by some to be not as good as a result of mining. Portions of the stream system observed to be impacted with mud showed evidence of having been periodically flushed out. Slave analysis and trace element analysis were applied in an attempt to trace sediments back to their sources, but were not successful. Mining is the pioneer industry around which much of the State of Alaska developed. The transportation network required by the mining industry benefits sportsmen, the tour industry, and directly increases the value of adjacent land. The profit from mining brought much of the early population to the state, and will be a steady source of revenue in years to come

Conductance fluctuations and boundary conditions

The conductance fluctuations for various types for two-- and three--dimensional disordered systems with hard wall and periodic boundary conditions are studied, all the way from the ballistic (metallic) regime to the localized regime. It is shown that the universal conductance fluctuations (UCF) depend on the boundary conditions. The same holds for the metal to insulator transition. The conditions for observing the UCF are also given.Comment: 4 pages RevTeX, 5 figures include

A practical method for preparing Ca(OH)2 nanodispersions for the consolidation of archaeological calcareous stones

Exposure to atmospheric conditions results in considerable deterioration of calcareous building stones, lime mortars and plasters in archaeological monuments, requiring several conservation treatments. During the consolidation treatments of the deteriorated calcareous stones, compatibility can best be achieved by introducing a material that would have similar chemical composition and mineralogical structure with the original stone. In recent years, studies on the preparation of Ca(OH)2 nanodispersions for the consolidation of limestone and marble have increased but the preparation processes of these nanodispersions are usually complicated and time consuming. This study aimed to prepare Ca(OH)2 nanodispersions in ethyl alcohol at sufficient concentration levels with a practical method for the consolidation of calcareous archaeological materials. The preparation of higher concentrations of Ca(OH)2 nanodispersion in ethyl alcohol was done by using nano sized CaO and its dispersion in ethyl alcohol. Deteriorated marble pieces from Roman Marble Quarry near Pessinus Archaeological site (Ballıhisar, Turkey) were treated with the prepared Ca(OH)2 nanodispersion and kept at high relative humidity (~90%) at room temperature in the laboratory. Efficient penetration of the nanodispersion, and increase in the physicomechanical properties of treated marbles were followed by examinations with polarizing microscope, SEM, XRD and ultrasonic pulse velocity measurements. Carbonation of the dispersion was followed by titrimetric analysis. Calcite was the main polymorph observed after carbonation. The results showed that consolidation treatments with Ca(OH)2 nanodispersions similar to the one prepared in this study can be used for all calcareous archaeological materials that need improvements in their physical and mechanical properties. © 2018 MAA

Current state-of-the-art in drying low-rank coals

Preparing Alaska's coal for marketing -- Drying low-rank coals -- Effect of lignite source -- Acknowledgement -- References.Research on drying of low-rank coals, such as lignites and subbituminous coals, has been conducted for nearly half a century. Although partial drying of Dakota lignite is practiced for freeze-proofing by mixing partially dried coal with run-of-mine coal, full scale drying of low rank coals has never been practiced commercially in this country. The reasons are: ( 1 ) drying of low rank coals by conventional methods results in severe degradation of coal particles; (2) dried coals are thus dusty and difficult to handle; (3) reabsorption of moisture in storage and transit defeats the drying process. In addition the dry coal particles will react with ambient oxygen, and heat up enough to ignite. It appears that large-scale development of Alaskan coals may have to await solutions to these problems. Our Mineral Industry Research Laboratory at the University of Alaska is making a comprehensive literature search seeking solutions to these problems and identifying areas of research that should be undertaken

Foreign Direct Investment in Developed Economies: A Comparison between European and non - European Countries

We analyse the determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) by multinational corporations (MNCs) in developed economies. We compare between EU and non-EU countries, in the context of an estimated equation derived from economic theory, which compares the main demand and supply-side determinants of FDI. We contribute to the literature in three ways. First, by employing different proxies for demand and supply-side factors. Second, by comparing between European and non-European developed countries. Third, by testing for the relative importance of total factor productivity (TFP) as a determinant of FDI. Our results are in line with theoretical predictions, but point to the importance of TFP as the determinant par excellence of FDI in developed countries. They also highlight differences even within developed European and non-European counties.

Fundamental Moral Attitudes to Animals and Their Role in Judgment: An Empirical Model to Describe Fundamental Moral Attitudes to Animals and Their Role in Judgment on the Culling of Healthy Animals During an Animal Disease Epidemic

In this paper, we present and defend the theoretical framework of an empirical model to describe people’s fundamental moral attitudes (FMAs) to animals, the stratification of FMAs in society and the role of FMAs in judgment on the culling of healthy animals in an animal disease epidemic. We used philosophical animal ethics theories to understand the moral basis of FMA convictions. Moreover, these theories provide us with a moral language for communication between animal ethics, FMAs, and public debates. We defend that FMA is a two-layered concept. The first layer consists of deeply felt convictions about animals. The second layer consists of convictions derived from the first layer to serve as arguments in a debate on animal issues. In a debate, the latter convictions are variable, depending on the animal issue in a specific context, time, and place. This variability facilitates finding common ground in an animal issue between actors with opposing conviction

Copper mineral occurrences in the Wrangell Mountains-Prince William Sound area, Alaska

On January 9, 1970, the U.S. Bureau of Mines entered into an agreement with the University of Alaska based upon a proposal submitted by the Mineral Industry Research Laboratory. Under the terms of this agreement, the Laboratory undertook to compile information on copper occurrences in eight quadrangles covering what are loosely known as the Copper River, White River, and Prince William Sound copper provinces. If time permitted four other quadrangles would be added, and this has been possible. Information was to be obtained by searching published and unpublished records of the Bureau of Mines, the U.S. Geological Survey, the State Division of Geological Survey, the University of Alaska, and the recording offices