Sustaining Geology in a Complex Earth System

Resources

Plenary lectures at IMA 2002Plenary lectures at IMA 2002 NSERC reallocation reportNSERC reallocation report Breaking New GroundBreaking New Ground MMCMMC Dynamics of Complex SystemsDynamics of Complex Systems

Terms and Concepts

Geology: Study of the Earth, processes, history, Geology: Study of the Earth, processes, history, materials, life.materials, life.

Complexity: quantitative term, amount of Complexity: quantitative term, amount of information needed to describe a system, information needed to describe a system, measured in the level of detail needed to describe measured in the level of detail needed to describe the systemthe system

Emergence: parts interact in the context of the Emergence: parts interact in the context of the whole; system properties cannot be studied by whole; system properties cannot be studied by physically taking components apart. physically taking components apart.

Earth

Lithosphere, biosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphereLithosphere, biosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere ,, Different length and time scales. Different length and time scales. Feedback between component parts as energy and Feedback between component parts as energy and

mass are exchanged, transferred and redistributedmass are exchanged, transferred and redistributed

Geological context the feedback might occur on a Geological context the feedback might occur on a global scale: sedimentation in basins affects ocean global scale: sedimentation in basins affects ocean chemistry. On a smaller scale we see micron-scale chemistry. On a smaller scale we see micron-scale zones in minerals record changes in lake chemistry. zones in minerals record changes in lake chemistry.

Geological context includes time

Time, minutes

Time, years

Time, thousands of years……

Humans

Human Perspective I

Population 1999: six billionPopulation 1999: six billion The last billion took 12 yearsThe last billion took 12 years Rate of growth declining 2.2% in 1963 to Rate of growth declining 2.2% in 1963 to

~1% today~1% today 9 billion by 20509 billion by 2050 1.1billion entering the age range of 1.1billion entering the age range of

reproductionreproduction

Human Perspective II

Fire on demand 1.5 m to 500,000 yearsFire on demand 1.5 m to 500,000 years Mineral striker 40-50,000 yearsMineral striker 40-50,000 years Au and Cu use 15,000 yearsAu and Cu use 15,000 years Cu + Sn to make bronzeCu + Sn to make bronze By the 16By the 16thth century Agricola: “when ores century Agricola: “when ores

are washed, the water which has been used are washed, the water which has been used poison’s the brooks and streams and either poison’s the brooks and streams and either destroys the fish or drives them away”destroys the fish or drives them away”

Humans Humans have become a major force in the Earth system: Humans have become a major force in the Earth system:

intervention in many of the exchanges.intervention in many of the exchanges.

Global warmingGlobal warming Another measure ~ 42.5 G tonnes of material moved by Another measure ~ 42.5 G tonnes of material moved by

humans, ~ 42.5 G tonnes of material moved by streams, humans, ~ 42.5 G tonnes of material moved by streams, rivers mass wasting etc.rivers mass wasting etc.

Science now referring to our times as the Science now referring to our times as the Anthropozoic era Anthropozoic era or Anthropoceneor Anthropocene. .

G is an extensive variableG is an extensive variable

Complex Systems

Solid and Environmental Earth Sciences Earth ScienceEarth Science Earth System ScienceEarth System Science Interdisciplinary ScienceInterdisciplinary Science Complex Earth SystemComplex Earth System Earth System ProcessesEarth System Processes Complex Dynamical SystemComplex Dynamical System

A Complex or Emergent system has interdependent parts Dictionary definition of complex uses Dictionary definition of complex uses

“interconnected” or “interwoven” which “interconnected” or “interwoven” which have quite different meaningshave quite different meanings

““Interdependent” variables help define Interdependent” variables help define dynamic systems : coupled differential dynamic systems : coupled differential equationsequations

Strong interactions do not imply Strong interactions do not imply interdependence.interdependence.

Complex system: calcite

)1)(1(1

)1)(1(

2

2

xyygydt

dy

B

xyyxdt

dx

Normalized H+ concentration at theface of a growing crystal

Complex Earth System: Entropy and Information Entropy of a physical system is largest when it is Entropy of a physical system is largest when it is

in equilibriumin equilibrium Most complex system is one at equilibriumMost complex system is one at equilibrium Equilibrium systems have no spatial structure and Equilibrium systems have no spatial structure and

do not change with timedo not change with time Complex systems have substantial internal Complex systems have substantial internal

structure and such structures change with time.structure and such structures change with time. Sensitivity to initial conditions “butterfly effect”Sensitivity to initial conditions “butterfly effect”

Complex Earth System: Entropy and Information

Manitoba:•Lithology•Geochemistry•Hydrology•Soil•Geophysics•Population •Agriculture•Weather……………

•Limnology and varves

Complex Earth System: Entropy and Information

Local feedback atmineral surface thatcaptures differentialdiffusion rates andthermal diffusionComposition changes with distance

and time

Mineral Resources

Extraction and processing of minerals Example of how we interact with the Earth over Example of how we interact with the Earth over

timetime Feedback between the lithosphere and our Feedback between the lithosphere and our

environmentenvironment Feedback to our economies and social structures Feedback to our economies and social structures Interconnected or Interdependent? Interconnected or Interdependent? We seek equilibrium or sustainable conditions We seek equilibrium or sustainable conditions

where the use of minerals is in balance with human where the use of minerals is in balance with human needs.needs.

Complex SystemComplex System

All complex systems record Feedback : Social Structure Public policyPublic policy GovernmentGovernment NGOsNGOs EnvironmentEnvironment ResourcesResources EconomicsEconomics EnergyEnergy

Mines Ministers Conference I Links between exploration and production Links between exploration and production

cycles (6 – 30 years) and resources and reservescycles (6 – 30 years) and resources and reserves In Canada some resources depleted by the the In Canada some resources depleted by the the

end of this decadeend of this decade Demographics ~80% of geologists within 15 – Demographics ~80% of geologists within 15 –

20 years of retirement 20 years of retirement 300 of 2.5 Million US high school grads 300 of 2.5 Million US high school grads

interested in mininginterested in mining

Mines Ministers Conference II

More mapsMore maps Integrated databasesIntegrated databases HQPHQP Disconnect between University curricula and Disconnect between University curricula and

what is needed by Industrywhat is needed by Industry

How can disconnected elements be involved in How can disconnected elements be involved in feedback?feedback?

Research and Training

Research Out of ~320 academics surveyed for the last Out of ~320 academics surveyed for the last

reallocation exercise ~6% indicated they reallocation exercise ~6% indicated they would be doing research on mineral deposits.would be doing research on mineral deposits.

Large portion of NSERC funds now targeted Large portion of NSERC funds now targeted Discovery grantsDiscovery grants NSERC-CRDNSERC-CRD Strategic grants Strategic grants

Research

Pd coordinationby EXAFS

Asbestos and ferrihydritefrom lung tissue

Atom coordinationon mineral surfaces

As3+ v. As5+ mediated byseasonally controlled bacteria

Research

Atomic Force Microscopy

Synchrotron Radiation

LAM-ICP-MS

NSERC reallocation

““Recognition of the strong interactions that are Recognition of the strong interactions that are now occurring between humankind and the Earth now occurring between humankind and the Earth System currently constitutes both an urgent System currently constitutes both an urgent research challenge as well as an important research challenge as well as an important research opportunity for Earth Sciences”research opportunity for Earth Sciences”

““Recognition of the strong interdependence Recognition of the strong interdependence between humankind and the Earth System between humankind and the Earth System currently constitutes both an urgent research currently constitutes both an urgent research challenge as well as an important research challenge as well as an important research opportunity for Earth Sciences”opportunity for Earth Sciences”

NSERC strategy for Future Development of the Discipline Three areas deemed to be intellectually, Three areas deemed to be intellectually,

socially, economically and culturally socially, economically and culturally significant: Proposals 1, 2 & 3significant: Proposals 1, 2 & 3 Global Environmental Change and the Challenge of Global Environmental Change and the Challenge of

Greenhouse WarmingGreenhouse Warming Earth Resources: Environmental Stewardship and Earth Resources: Environmental Stewardship and

Sustainable Development (Petroleum, Freshwater, Sustainable Development (Petroleum, Freshwater, Energy and Mineral Resources) Energy and Mineral Resources)

Earth System Evolution and Dynamics (seismic arrays Earth System Evolution and Dynamics (seismic arrays and analytical instrumentation)and analytical instrumentation)

Results:Steering Committee*  Budget

2002-03 Reallocations Contribution 

Proposals Funded Through Reallocations Total Reallocat

ed 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

           

Chemistry30,419,70

0 (3,041,970)1,505

,0001,000

,0002,005

,000         4,510,000

Condensed Matter Physics 8,412,794 (841,279)825,0

00  365,0

00275,000       1,465,000

General Physics 4,580,501 (458,050)125,0

00280,0

00           405,000

Solid and Environmental Earth Sciences

20,711,732 (2,071,173)

700,000  

600,000         1,300,000

Space, Astronomy and Relativity 6,289,088 (628,909)

515,000             515,000

Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics 826,286 (82,629)      

190,000       190,000

Subatomic Physics13,845,55

0 (1,384,555)  175,0

00130,0

00190,000

175,000

920,000

255,000 1,845,000

Interconnected or Interdependent?

Geology curricula

Requirements for Grass Roots Exploration:Requirements for Grass Roots Exploration: Acceptable business political and related risks: permitting, environmental, Acceptable business political and related risks: permitting, environmental,

taxes, ownership, social issues, business strategy, price and marketingtaxes, ownership, social issues, business strategy, price and marketing

Relevance of curriculaRelevance of curricula Courses added to curricula such as environmental geology, geomorphic Courses added to curricula such as environmental geology, geomorphic

process, Earth system scienceprocess, Earth system science

Mineral deposits represents only one of the areas Mineral deposits represents only one of the areas we are called on to supportwe are called on to support

The “disconnect” University curricula: University curricula: geology, math, physics, chemistry, geology, math, physics, chemistry,

structural geology, paleontology, petrology (Ig/Met/Sed), stratigraphy, structural geology, paleontology, petrology (Ig/Met/Sed), stratigraphy, sedimentology, basin analysis, instrumental methods, mineralogy, sedimentology, basin analysis, instrumental methods, mineralogy, global tectonics, petroleum geology, crystallography, mineral deposits, global tectonics, petroleum geology, crystallography, mineral deposits, field mapping, thesis, communications, geochemistry, geomorphologyfield mapping, thesis, communications, geochemistry, geomorphology

…………………………Professional RegistrationProfessional Registration Electives, 5 coursesElectives, 5 courses

Environmental, law, ethics, economicsEnvironmental, law, ethics, economics Soil microbiology……………Soil microbiology……………

Sustaining Geology: Interdependence Research:Research:

number of themes, practical, theoretical and socially number of themes, practical, theoretical and socially relevantrelevant

Teaching programs:Teaching programs: Professional Registration requirementsProfessional Registration requirements Flexibility to include social relevanceFlexibility to include social relevance

environmental stewardshipenvironmental stewardshipmineral and energy resourcesmineral and energy resourcessustainable developmentsustainable development

Sustaining Earth ““Sustaining Earth means Sustaining Earth means

keeping the planet’s life keeping the planet’s life support systems functional support systems functional without going in to a long term without going in to a long term decline so that human decline so that human habitation can be indefinite”habitation can be indefinite”

Life support system includes Life support system includes soils, water atmosphere and soils, water atmosphere and biosphere.biosphere.

If any part fails………….If any part fails…………. Doesn’t speak to purpose or Doesn’t speak to purpose or

quality of lifequality of life

Sustaining Geology : Survival

geology is the “service” science to the Earth geology is the “service” science to the Earth and and the Environmentthe Environment quantitative data on the physical and chemical behaviour and characteristics of quantitative data on the physical and chemical behaviour and characteristics of

Earth materials Earth materials many environmental and industrial process many environmental and industrial process usedused to be considered relatively to be considered relatively

benign, advances in technology and theory mean we have gained a much better benign, advances in technology and theory mean we have gained a much better understanding of what is really going on. understanding of what is really going on.

model the behaviour of minerals in natural and industrial systems. model the behaviour of minerals in natural and industrial systems. the theoretical and instrumental expertise needed to tackle many mineral the theoretical and instrumental expertise needed to tackle many mineral

extraction, mineral processing and environmental problems is resident in extraction, mineral processing and environmental problems is resident in geology departments and geology surveys. geology departments and geology surveys.

a truly unique aspect to geological work is that it is the geologist (the one who a truly unique aspect to geological work is that it is the geologist (the one who maps the rocks) who samples the minerals in the appropriate spatial and maps the rocks) who samples the minerals in the appropriate spatial and temporal context. temporal context.

Geology : Emergence ““Geology” as we currently know it is rapidly Geology” as we currently know it is rapidly

becoming the professionally registerable practice of becoming the professionally registerable practice of Earth ScienceEarth Science

Earth Science suggests an increasing awareness of the Earth Science suggests an increasing awareness of the whole system, more degree options, more courses. whole system, more degree options, more courses. Larger integrated faculty with more facilities.Larger integrated faculty with more facilities.

Geology and our resource requirements need to be Geology and our resource requirements need to be framed in a social contextframed in a social context

InterdependenceInterdependence