| Nanoscale particles of metals were observed by TEM both in gases and in soils over a Cu-Ni deposit concealed at a depth of 400 m on the margin of Nanyang basin, Henan Province. Particle diameters range from several nanometers to hundreds of nanometers, and most of them are generally tens of meters in diameters with ordered crystal structure. The particles tend to occur in clusters. The particles are composed of native copper, compound metals of Cu-Fe, Cu-Fe-Mn, Cu-Ag, Cu-Cr, Cu-Ni, and compound metals with Si, Al, Ca, O and P. Gases and soils have similar particle sizes, shapes and compositions, suggesting that all these particles are from the concealed copper and nickel deposit. The experimentation in the lab shows that nanoscale metals have great penetration and fast migration capabilities. The findings provides direct observation evidence for deep-penetrating geochemistry using soil as sampling media in search for deeply concealed ore deposits. |