Special Symposia Session at the 7^th International Symposium on Environmental Geochemistry to be held September 24-27, 2006, Beijing, China

 Session Title:
Geochemistry in Natural Low pH Environments Unaffected by Human Activity

Session Organizers:
Robert G. Eppinger, U.S. Geological Survey, eppinger@usgs.gov
Ronald Fuge, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, rrf@aber.ac.uk

Low pH and metalliferous surficial environments on the Earth are unusual, but nevertheless prevalent throughout the world. Over the centuries, many of these systems have been explored and exploited for their mineral content. While ever fewer in number with time, there still remain natural low pH and metalliferous systems undisturbed by human activity. Under some conditions, these systems are known to host rare mineral species and rare plant and animal communities because of the extreme nature of their environmental setting—to survive, the biota need to be tolerant of and adaptable to low pH and high metal content. In some cases these systems may serve as unmined geochemical analogs to deposits that have been exploited elsewhere. In other cases, they are actively sought and explored for the rare biota they contain.

The intent of this special session is to solicit both oral and poster contributions from researchers on geochemistry and biogeochemistry worldwide who have worked in natural low-pH environments unaffected by human activity. Potential low-pH environments and topics for this special session include:

1. active volcanic environments and hot springs
2. fossil mineralized systems such as massive sulphide and porphyry deposits
3. pyrite-bearing black shale deposits
4. actively forming sea-floor massive sulphide deposits
5. pyrite-bearing coal deposits
6. organic-rich deposits, such as peat bogs
7. natural acid sulphate soils

Papers presented in this theme will be published collectively as journal articles in Applied Geochemistry. If an adequate number of papers is received, a special issue will be warranted. The session organizers will coordinate the manuscript reviews and editing. Abstracts are due by May 31, 2006 (see http://www.iseg2006.com/2010_Abstract%20submission_General.htm). Abstracts for this special session should be sent directly to Robert Eppinger (eppinger@usgs.gov), with a copy to the local organizing committee ( iseg2006@vip.gyig.ac.cn). Please put “Special Symposium Session, Geochemistry in Natural Low pH Environments Unaffected by Human Activity” at the top of the page of the submitted abstract. The principal contact for this special symposia session is Robert G. Eppinger, U.S. Geological Survey, PO Box 25046, MS 973, Denver, CO, USA 80225, office phone +1-303-236-2468, email eppinger@usgs.gov. Please indicate your preferred format (oral or poster) for your presentation. Session organizers will select presentations, designate format, and notify presenters after the May 31, 2006 deadline. The deadline for submitting full manuscripts for journal peer review and publication is December 1, 2006.

Potential contributors to this special session will be expected to attend the meeting as fully registered participants, and to provide their own funds for transportation, lodging, meeting registration, etc.