—The chemical and isotope compositions of nitric and carbon dioxide thermal waters in Jiangxi Province (China) are considered. The nitric thermal waters are ultrafresh (TDS = 0.26–0.42 g/L) and highly alkaline (pH = 8.73–8.87), with excess of SiO2, F–, Na+, etc. but ultralow concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+, and Cl–. The carbon dioxide thermal waters are more saline (TDS = 0.3–3.9 g/L) but have lower pH values (6.7–7.8). Major anions in both types of waters are HCO3− and Na+, but SO42−, F–, CO2, and H2S also play a crucial role. The equilibria of the thermal waters with a complex of secondary minerals (carbonate, fluoride, clay, zeolite, etc.) have been calculated. The thermal-water–rock system is shown to be in the equilibrium–nonequilibrium state. During the transfer into deep horizons and back to the surface, the hydrotherms continuously dissolve all minerals that are in nonequilibrium with them (K-feldspar, anorthite, etc.) and form new minerals, which are in equilibrium with these waters (calcite, albite, etc.). The composition of the solution and the type of secondary minerals change with time because of the change in the proportion of chemical elements: Some elements are removed from the solution, while others continue to accumulate. A dynamic equilibrium between the elements entering and leaving the nitric thermal waters is established very early, when the waters are still ultrafresh, which is due to the high pH and low pCO2. This equilibrium inhibits an increase in the salinity of the nitric hydrotherms, and they remain lowly mineralized. Owing to the higher pCO2 and, correspondingly, lower pH values, the carbon dioxide thermal waters reach a dynamic equilibrium at a later stage, when their salinity is higher than 3 g/L; therefore, they are more mineralized.

—Results of studies of soda waters of the Chulym–Yenisei artesian basin are presented. It is shown that these waters are ubiquitous within Cretaceous or Jurassic sediments at depths of ~100–300 m to 1.5–2.3 km. According to the formation conditions, mineralization, and pH, they are divided into three groups: Type I waters spread to a depth of 600 m and have pH = 7.4–8.4 and TDS ≤ 0.5 g/L, type II waters occur at depths of 0.6–2.3 km and are characterized by pH = 8.0–8.9 and TDS = 0.7–4.1 g/L, and type III waters (“Omega”) form a local segment among type II waters and have a unique composition: high alkalinity (pH = 9.0–10.3) and low mineralization (TDS = 0.2–0.6 g/L). We focus special attention on type III waters and present results of studies of their microcomponent, gas, and isotope compositions. The cause of their low salinity and high pH is explained for the first time. Taking into account the isotope data (δD, δ18O, and δ13C), we have established the infiltration origin of soda waters of the three types and the biogenic source of their carbon dioxide. Calculations of equilibria in the water–host-mineral system have shown that all soda waters are in disequilibrium with many primary aluminosilicate minerals but are in equilibrium with a wide range of carbonates and clays. In passing from type I to type III waters, the number of minerals in equilibrium with water continuously increases (albite, microcline, muscovite, and biotite). Taking into account the data obtained, we present schemes of formation of different types of soda waters in the studied basin at different stages of the evolution of the water–rock– gas–organic-matter system and estimate the time of each stage.

The chemical and isotopic compositions of waters and associated gases in the Republic of Buryatia are investigated in this report. Results show the thermal waters are predominantly enriched in N-2. They are alkaline, low salinity and have high concentrations of HCO3-, SO42-, F, Si but low values for Ca2+, Mg2+, K+. According to isotopic composition, the thermal waters are meteoric in origin. Despite the low salinity, the thermal waters are in equilibrium with calcite, magnesite, fluorite, albite, laumontite and other minerals but are not equilibrium with respect to primary aluminosilicates. This indicates that the thermal waters and water-bearing rocks represent the equilibrium-nonequilibrium system.

The problem of the evolution of the surrounding world is one of the most important issues for science in general and has been exercising the minds of scientists over several thousand years. In the opinion of the author of this article, one of the reasons is that science has not disclosed thus far the constructive function of water in the formation of the Earth’s external envelopes, which was determined by its antagonistic contradiction with basalts and, later, simple products of photosynthesis. Nonequilibrium is the main factor of all evolutionary processes, which ensures the creation of new environmentally equilibrium formations, including more complex ones. However, the water cycle, which determines the ingress of new portions of water into the system, continuously, violating equilibrium, produces additional complications, leading to the acceleration of the evolution of V.I. Vernadsky’s “water‒rock‒gas‒organic matter (living and nonliving)” system. Water provides for unity in the behavior of inert and living matter.

We have developed a new concept on the formation of diverse geochemical types of salt lakes, in particular for those in the Transbaikal region. This concept explains the nature of their different chemical composition under the close landscape-climatic and geological-geochemical conditions. The extensive hydrogeochemical field data and thermodynamic calculations demonstrate that in addition to evaporation, interactions with rocks play a substantial role in the formation of the composition of these salt lakes. Such processes are most widespread in soda lakes, which is confirmed by the highest pH values (9.0–10.7). These lakes provide evidence of the interaction of the lake waters with aluminosilicates; their hydrolysis provides a pH increase and consequently a high concentration of carbonate ions. These high pH and HCO3− and CO32− contents in turn lead to the maximum precipitation of Ca, Mg and Fe carbonates. Soda lakes also contain high chloride ion concentrations, since a small portion of those ions evaporate under the lake conditions. If evaporation continues and the amount of carbonate ions in the lake does not increase, or increases slowly due to binding with carbonate minerals, the chlorine content becomes higher, the pH lowers to less than 9.0, and the lakes become chloride. Another fundamental process in these lake environments is sulphate reduction, which results in the production of hydrogen sulphide, fundamentally changing the geochemical environment from oxidizing to reducing. The presence of an oxidizing environment and sulphides in rocks gives additional sources for sulphates, which ensures the formation of sulphate-type lakes.

Evolution is an important topic for science in general and has been the main concern of many scientists for several decades. One reason for this continued interest is that science is yet to disclose the creative role that water plays in the formation of the outer shell of the Earth, determined by its antagonistic relationship with basalts and with the simple products of photosynthesis. Nonequilibrium is the main state in all evolutionary processes, ensuring the creation of new equilibrium formations with the environment. However, the water cycle, which continuously determines the flow of new water to systems breaking equilibria, produces an additional complication, leading to the constant acceleration of the evolution of the structure that characterized by V.I. Vernadsky as "water–rock–gas–organic matter (animate and inanimate)". Water provides a unity of the behavior of inert material and living matter.

Two main types of the shallow groundwater are identified in the Poyang Lake area. Groundwater of red earth refers to the HCO $$_{3}$$ -Ca-Na type, has low TDS values (25–130 mg/L) and is mainly slightly acidic (pH varies from 4.5 to 6.6). Due to active water exchange, this groundwater type is in equilibrium with kaolinite and hydroxides, which give the kaolinite weathering crust a reddish shade. Such groundwater develops mainly on sites with a hilly topography, which contributes to the formation of active water exchange. Within agricultural landscapes, where the water exchange rate decreases, there is the shallow groundwater with higher TDS values (160–600 mg/L) and pH values (6.3–7.7) in comparison with the groundwater associated with red earth. The equilibrium with minerals in this case shifts toward montmorillonites and illite due to new stage of water-rock interaction established. It is worth to note, that due to influence of anthropogenic factors relatively high concentrations of pollutants were identified both in the shallow groundwater associated with red earth and groundwater of agricultural landscapes. Prevailing pollutants are NO $$_{3}{}^{-}$$ , Cl $${}{-}$$ and SO $$_{4}{}^{2-}$$ . This pollution leads to an increase in TDS values up to 800 mg/L and a change in the groundwater chemical type to Cl–NO $$_{3}$$ , NO $$_{3}$$ , SO $$_{4}$$ –HCO $$_{3}$$ , SO $$_{4}$$ –Cl–HCO $$_{3}$$ by anionic composition and K–Na–Ca, Ca–K, Ca–Na–K by cationic composition.

The aim of the present research is to identify the main mechanisms of sulfur behavior in saline lakes in the course of time and followed transformations in their chemical composition. The influence of water on chemical composition of biochemical processes involved in decomposition of organic matter was determined by the study of behavior of reduced forms of sulfur in lakes. The determination of reduced forms of sulfur was carried out by successive transfer of each form of sulfur to hydrogen sulfide followed by photometric measurements. The other chemical components were determined by standard methods (atomic absorption, potentiometric method, titration method and others). The salt lakes of the Altai steppe were studied in summer season 2013–2015. Analysis of the chemical composition of the saline lakes of Altai Krai has shown that carbonate-, hydrocarbonate- and chloride ions dominate among anions; sodium is main cation; sulfates are found in subordinate amounts. Reduced forms of sulfur occur everywhere: hydrogen and hydrosulfide sulfur S 2- prevail in the bottom sediments; its derivative—elemental S 0 —prevails in the lakes water. The second important species in water of soda lakes is hydrosulfide sulfur S 2- , and in chloride lakes is thiosulfate sulfur S 2 O 3 2- . The lag in the accumulation of sulfates in soda lakes in comparison to chloride lakes can be explained by their bacterial reduction, followed by the formation and deposition of iron sulfides in sediments. In chloride lakes gypsum is a predominantly barrier for sulfates.

АННОТАЦИЯ: Приведены результаты исследований распределения стронция в подземных водах зоны активного водообмена на территории юго-восточной части Среднеобского артезианского бассейна, содержания которого отличаются повышенным значением относительно вод зоны гипергенеза.Для Sr характерна линейная зависимость от минерализации, содержаний кальция и гидрокарбонат-иона.Описаны основные расчетные формы миграции стронция в подземных водах, полученные с использованием программного комплекса HydroGeo.Установлено, что в пресных и слабоминерализованных подземных водах основной миграционной формой стронция является простая ионная форма, а также гидрокарбонатные

The chemical and isotopic compositions and the origin and formation conditions of the nitric and carbon dioxide thermal waters in Jiangxi Province (China) are examined. The differences between these nitric and carbon dioxide thermal waters are shown. The nitric thermal waters are ultra-fresh and high alkaline with abundant SiO2, F, Na, Li, B, Sr, Rb, etc. but low concentrations of Ca, Mg, Cl, Ag, V, Pb, Zn, Co, etc. The carbon dioxide thermal waters are distinguished by higher salinity but lower pH values. The predominant anions are HCO3- and Nat The thermal waters' composition peculiarity is also determined by SO42-, F-, CO2 and H2S. The special focus is on the thermal waters' origin and the geological conditions of the recharge and discharge zones. The saturation degree of thermal waters with various secondary minerals (carbonates, fluorides, clays minerals, zeolites, pyrogenetic minerals, etc.) is also calculated. The thermal water - rock system is shown to be an equilibrium-nonequilibrium system. While ascent to the surface, studied thermal waters continuously dissolve minerals that are far from equilibrium and form new minerals that are in equilibrium with water. Over time, the solution composition, type of secondary minerals, and chemical element proportions change because some elements precipitate from the solution and the rest continue to accumulate. In nitric thermal waters, the dynamic equilibrium of elements entering and precipitating from the solution is achieved during early stages when the water is ultra-fresh, which creates high pH values and low P-CO2. This equilibrium state decreases the total dissolved solids (TDS) growth of nitric thermal waters, which stay low mineralized. Carbon dioxide thermal waters have higher P-CO2 and, accordingly, lower pH values, thus achieving dynamic equilibrium during later stages when their TDS exceeds 3 g/l. Therefore, carbon dioxide thermal waters are more mineralized. The origin of redundant elements, particularly F, in thermal waters is considered in the paper, and we show that the source of fluorine is simple minerals of igneous origin.

АННОТАЦИЯ: Анализ полученных данных показал, что в Торейской впадине формируются преимущественно воды с повышенным значением рН, минерализацией, содержанием Na, HCO 3 -и CO 3 2-, т.е.типичные содовые воды Показано, что процесс содообразования начинается в поземных водах и

АННОТАЦИЯ: В статье рассмотрен характер равновесия термальных вод провинции Цзянси с минералами водовмещающих пород.Показано, что азотные и углекислые термальные воды имеют разную степень насыщенности к минералам, образуя при этом равновесно-неравновесную систему термальные воды-горные породы.Установлено, что термальные воды представляют собой определенный этап геологической

АННОТАЦИЯ: В статье обосновывается принципиально новый взгляд на роль воды в эволюции окружающего мира.Показано, что вода непрерывно растворяет одни минеральные и органические соединения, но тут же создает новые, более сложные, включая и такие, которых ранее на нашей планете не было

The article is focused on the evolution mechanism of the 'inert' and living world around us, which is determined by the creative function of water. Water and igneous rocks of basic and ultrabasic compositions create an abiogenic dissipative system that never reaches an equilibrium and therefore is capable of maintaining its continuous, strictly directed, geologically long-term development and the formation of numerous new minerals that are paragenetically associated with specific geochemical types of water. This system is equilibrium-nonequilibrium. It develops in a thermodynamic area, far from an equilibrium. It is non-linear, irreversible, and internally contradictory. In this system, water has the creative function: the hydrolysis mechanism continuously dissolves some minerals, with which the system is not in equilibrium, and, at the same time, creates others minerals, with which there is an equilibrium, including the mineral that have been absent on our planet. After the occurrence of photosynthesis, the system was supplemented with organic compounds and developed into the 'water-rock-gas-organic matter' system. The mechanisms of this system were generally described by V.I. Vernadsky, and we suggest to name this system after him. The Vernadsky system had not only repeatedly became more and more complicated, but acquired the capability of creating more complex organic compounds from simple carbohydrates, such as proteins, lipids, more complex carbohydrates, hemoglobin etc. With time, these components developed into living organisms. Regardless of the repeated complication of the system, the basic mechanisms of its evolution remain essentially the same, and water has preserved and enhanced its creative function through dissolving simple compounds and creating more complex ones. An important factor in the continuous complication of the system is the natural water cycle.

The results of studies of the ion-salt, gas, and isotopic compositions of unique СО 2 –saturated cold mineral waters from the Mukhen deposit, as well as the results of calculation of equilibrium in the water-rock system, are presented. Taking these data and the geological structure of the territory into account, it was shown that the source of water solutions is atmospheric precipitates and the source of СО 2 is buried rocks that undergo metamorphism. The long-term interaction in the water–rock–СО 2 system has provided uniquely high salinity to these waters. The scale formation of secondary minerals (clays of different composition and Ca and Mg carbonates) in the system determined НСО 3 –Na and an atypical isotopic composition of the waters. The concept developed has established that СО 2 –saturated mineral waters are formed as a result of migration of СО 2 from the deeper crustal zones through the zones of tectonic faults and the subsequent chemical interaction with infiltration waters, rather than because of magmatic or volcanic activity.

Having appeared on the planet, Homo sapiens became a geological force and began to act out of tune with the laws of nature. As a result, an antagonistic contradiction appeared between the technosphere, which was created by man, and the biosphere, which evolved according to its laws, and both are unable to coexist harmoniously. V.I. Vernadsky saw a way out of this situation in transferring scientific thought to the planetary, noospheric, level, which would ensure the triumph of Reason. This transfer cannot occur by itself; it requires the joint efforts of all mankind. M.V. Koval'chuk sees the perspective of overcoming the systems crisis in converging sciences and technologies; forming a new noosphere, in which the development of the technosphere will continue the evolution of the biosphere; and replacing traditional technologies with additive or naturelike ones. This requires restructuring of the entire basis of contemporary civilization: science, education, culture, production, technologies, and thinking. What hinders the development of this inspiring road to the shining summits of the new civilization? In the author's opinion, first comes misunderstanding of the deep mechanisms of global civilization; namely, science does not recognize the evolution of inert matter and the leading role of water in the development of geological and biological processes.

We present the chemical and isotope compositions of the water and gas phases of the unique Mukhen cold high-pCO(2) spa. Estimated delta O-18, delta D, and delta C-13(TIC) values and data on geology and hydrogeology of the studied area indicate that the source of the groundwaters is meteoric waters, whereas carbon dioxide is of deep genesis and numerous regional faults are gas-feeding channels. Calculations of equilibrium reactions in the water rock system show that the upper-aquifer waters (HCO3-Ca-Mg) with low TDS are undersaturated with carbonate minerals, montmorillonites, and aluminosilicates but are oversaturated with kaolinite, whereas the lower-aquifer waters (HCO3-Na) with high TDS are oversaturated with calcite, dolomite, and clay minerals but are undersaturated with main aluminosilicates. We propose a new concept of the formation of these groundwaters, demonstrating that long interaction between rocks and groundwaters in the presence of CO2 and considerable precipitation of secondary minerals are responsible for the high TDS of the lower-aquifer waters (up to 14 g/L) and their geochemical type (HCO3-Na) and unusual isotope composition (delta O-18 = -25.2 parts per thousand, delta D = -69.0 parts per thousand). (C) 2016, V.S. Sobolev IGM, Siberian Branch of the RAS. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The surrounding world changes slowly, and this is hardly noticeable over a short period. However, over the 4.5 billion years of existence of our planet, it has changed cardinally; Homo sapiens and the noosphere appeared. The English biologist R. Dawkins called this evolution the greatest show on earth. However, the nature of changes is still a great secret and causes debates among scientists of different fields. The author is sure that one of the causes of the existing situation is total rejection or narrow understanding of evolution in nonliving matter by science. There are abiogenic systems on earth, primarily, aquatic, that are capable of continuous and nonlinear evolution. Such dissipative systems develop far from equilibrium. They are irreversible and can accumulate energy or reduce entropy; they receive substance and energy from the external environment and have internal mechanisms of a geologically long evolution with the formation of more complex compounds. Evolution in nonliving matter is close to the evolution of living systems by many of its mechanisms and parameters.