Evaluación de la precisión del examen petrográfico de arenas en la detección de agregados reactivos

Se realizó el estudio petrográfico de una arena natural silícea proveniente del río Paraná, con el propósito de evaluar la incidencia de la experiencia del petrógrafo en la detección de materiales potencialmente reactivos trabajando con grano suelto. Para ello se tamizó la muestra según lo establecido en la norma IRAM 1649. El retenido en cada fracción se dividió en cuatro partes. Cada cuarto fue analizado por un petrógrafo diferente con distinta experiencia en el análisis litológico sobre grano suelto. Se calculó la composición del material retenido en cada tamiz y la composición en la muestra total ponderada según su abundancia (0,4 % - #10; 1,2 % - #18; 12,4 % - #30; 79,4 % - #60; 6,0 % - #100 y 0,6 % - < #100). Considerando que casi el 80 % en peso de la muestra se encuentra en el retenido #60, y por lo tanto este análisis será el que tenga mayor influencia en el cálculo de la composición total, se impregnó la arena en resina y se determinó el porcentaje de cada litología mediante conteo sobre un corte delgado para comparar los resultados con los obtenidos con grano suelto. Se puso especial énfasis en los materiales potencialmente reactivos como es el caso de la calcedonia, que aún en muy baja proporción y un error de estimación < 1 % puede modificar la calificación entre inocuo o potencialmente reactivo. Con los resultados obtenidos, se evaluó la incidencia de la experiencia de los petrógrafos en la precisión de las determinaciones.Fil: Locati, F. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. CICTERRA; Argentina.Fil: Maiza, P. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología; Argentina.Fil: Marfil, S. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología; Argentina.Fil: Murra, J. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. CICTERRA; Argentina.Geociencias multidisciplinari

Statistical analysis of geochemical data: a tool for discriminating between kaolin deposits of hypogene and supergene origin, Patagonia, Argentina

The numerous kaolin deposits located in Patagonia, Argentina, have been formed by hypogene or supergene processes. The primary origin has been established from O18 and D isotopic composition of the main minerals, kaolinite and/or dickite, and from the behaviour of certain elements during the alteration. The aim of this paper was to find if there is a tool, other than oxygendeuterium data, to establish the origin of the Patagonian kaolin deposits. To handle the large number of variables per sample, a statistical multivariate study was used. The Principal Component method defines, on one hand the variables that better characterize each deposit and, on the other hand, the correlation between them. Fifty seven elements were considered and those that were not explained using these two components (which represent 75% of the total variance of the model) were discarded. As a result, the contents of Fe2O3, P2O5, LOI, Sr, Y, Zr, V, Pb, Hf, Rb, S and REE were used and the results show that the two components separate the deposits into two fields that are consistent with the process of formation. The first component indicates that Fe2O3, Y, Rb, U and HREE are more abundant in the supergene deposits, whereas, Sr, Pb, S and V are more abundant in the hypogene deposits. The second component shows that S, P2O5 and the LREE are enriched in the hydrothermal deposits, whereas Zr is more abundant in those formed under weathering conditions

Childhood Atopic Diseases and Early Life Circumstances: An Ecological Study in Cuba

Background: Children are especially vulnerable during periods of resource shortage such as economic embargoes. They are likely to suffer most from poor nutrition, infectious diseases, and other ensuing short-term threats. Moreover, early life circumstances can have important consequences for long-term health. We examined the relationship between early childhood exposure to the Cuban economic situation in the nineties and the occurrence of atopic diseases later in childhood. Methodology/Principal Findings: A cross-sectional study of 1321 primary schoolchildren aged 4-14 was conducted in two Cuban municipalities. Asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic dermatitis were diagnosed using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire. Children were divided into three groups of exposure to the economic situation in the nineties according to birth date: (1) unexposed; (2) exposed during infancy; (3) exposed during infancy and early childhood. Associations were assessed using multiple logistic regression models. Exposure during infancy had a significant inverse association with the occurrence of asthma (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.33-0.94) and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.25-0.85). The associations were stronger after longer exposure, i.e. during infancy and early childhood, for asthma (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.17-0.95) and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.11-0.77). No significant associations were found for atopic dermatitis. Conclusions/Significance: Exposure to the economic situation in the nineties during infancy and early childhood was inversely associated with asthma and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis occurrence later in childhood. We hypothesize that factors related to this period, such as infectious diseases and undernutrition, may have an attenuating effect on atopic disease development. The exact cause and underlying mechanisms need to be further elucidated