The Sierra Mojada district consists of multiple types of mineral concentrations ranging from polymetallic sulfide deposits, "non-sulfide Zn" (NSZ) deposits, and a Pb carbonate deposit hosted by Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous carbonates. This study focuses on the two non-sulfide Zn deposits, the Smithsonite Manto and the Iron Oxide Manto, that occur south of the San Marcos fault. The Smithsonite Manto shows karst features, including internal sediments interbanded with smithsonite (ZnCO₃). The Iron Oxide Manto consists of strata-bound zones dominantly of hemimorphite (Zn₄Si₂O₇ (OH)₂·H₂O) that fills pores in Fe-oxides. The mineralogy of the NSZ mineralization consists of smithsonite, hemimorphite and Zn clays (sauconite) associated mainly with calcite and Mn-Fe-oxides. Zn clays are abundant in the Smithsonite Manto, but no Zn clays have been found in the Iron Oxide Manto. This project attempts to constrain the origin of the NSZ concentrations through petrographic and mineralogical study of major Zn-bearing minerals, and their carbon and oxygen stable isotopes and Pb isotope geochemistry. Smithsonite in the Smithsonite Manto occurs as botryoidal aggregates consisting of scalenohedral or rhombohedral microcrystals and banded colloform or massive smithsonite in open spaces, whereas smithsonite in the Iron Oxide Manto occurs as rhombic microcrystals grown in pore spaces or finely intergrown with Fe-oxides. Both Fe-poor and Fe-rich smithsonite are found in the Iron Oxide Manto. Under optical-CL, smithsonite displays complex growth zoning that can be related to variable trace element content. Trace elements semiquantitatively analyzed using LA-ICP-MS show that most blue luminescent smithsonite has lower Mn contents than pink to bright red luminescent zones in smithsonite. Preliminary fluid inclusion petrography in hemimorphite and calcite suggests that fluid composition can be related to precipitation of NSZ minerals from freshwater to slightly saline waters. Calculated salinities for two phase (liquid +vapor) and single phase (liquid) inclusions in hemimorphite range between 0.0 and 1.6 wt. % NaCl equivalent, and salinities of inclusions in calcite were between 0.0 and 1.1 wt. % NaCl equivalent. The oxygen isotope values for smithsonite are relatively constant (avg. [delta]¹⁸O[subscriptVSMOW] = 21.9 ± 0.5[per mille]), whereas [delta]¹³C[subscriptVPDB] values range from -8.4 to -1.1 [per mille]. The oxygen isotope values in late calcite are within the same range of smithsonite, whereas the average values of the carbon isotope are lower by 5 [per mille]. Formational temperature of smithsonite is calculated to be between 26 ~ 40 °C using the modern groundwater composition at Cuatro Ciénegas. Similar Pb isotopic compositions of smithsonite and cerussite to galena suggest the source of metals in the NSZ deposits presumably originate from the sulfide deposits. / text

The Tarahumara are one of the most isolated and intact indigenous groups in Mexico. Their agriculture has traditionally been practiced within the steep canyons and uplands of the Sierra Madre Occidental in southwestern Chihuahua. Adapting to these rugged conditions, the Tarahumara developed a variety of agricultural techniques that allowed them to be self-sufficient in food production and independent of external inputs. As varied and ingenious as their techniques are, they share one main objective -- to overcome the lack of organic matter in the stony mountain soils. Since the arrival of the Spaniards, the addition of organic matter has involved large amounts of animal manure to increase organic matter in the soil and maintain fertility. The focus of this study is to investigate new agricultural techniques that the Tarahumara are adopting due to the pressures of globalization and alleged climate change. These new technologies may still include many traditional agricultural methods, but they are increasingly using commercially available fertilizers and other modern agricultural additions, thereby losing self-sufficiency. This study includes in depth interviews with 28 Tarahumara farmers to better understand the modern agricultural techniques, their motivations, and overall sustainability. Soil samples determined the viability of Tarahumara agricultural techniques on soil fertility by examining the visual description, organic matter content, soil texture, and a chemical analysis. The analyses showed that traditional Tarahumara agricultural practices are efficient and sustainable, while modern additions are often ill-suited for their environment and are disruptive to Tarahumara culture. / text

No description available.

Natural protected areas are places intended to protect nature, but it is now accepted that their social impact must be compatible with the ideals of 'sustainable development': they must conserve nature while improving, or at least not injuring, the socio-economic status of human communities. In Mexico, recent conservation policy has emphasized the creation of biosphere reserves, a type of protected area designed as a practical application of the concept of sustainable development. Previous research has shown that in Mexico and elsewhere, such reserves are often created in areas that are environmentally marginal and where, therefore, the lives and livelihoods of inhabitants are precarious at best. This makes the dual challenges of protecting nature and aiding social and economic development particularly acute. This study explores these challenges by considering the socio-economic patterns within protected areas along the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt of central Mexico. The study measured sustainable development, as indexed by the Mexican government, at both the regional and local scales, combining census data and interviews with residents in the Sierra Gorda Reserve. This combination of methodologies allowed for a fuller description of the social impacts of protected areas at different scales. The study found that while overall the lives of residents in or near natural protected areas improved steadily between 1990 and 2000, these areas are also characterized by high migration levels and an aging population, which may threaten the future sustainability of these communities. The study concludes by suggesting that migration is a key factor which should be included in Mexico's assessments of sustainable development, and that the concept of a community's social resilience is extremely useful in informing future studies.

This study provides an analysis of the experience of persons disabled by war in the peace processes of Sierra Leone such as the Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration Program, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Special Court and the electoral process. The research findings are a result of participant observation and qualitative interviewing methodologies carried out over two months of intensive in-country field research. The main themes that resulted from the research are: Inclusion and Participation in Decision Making, Utilizing Unique Initiatives, Dissension among the Disabled, Justice Unfulfilled, Recognizing the Unintended Consequences of Peace Building, and Experiences with Policy Makers. The results of these findings are discussed in relation to current notions of peace, reconciliation, justice and retribution. Particular attention is paid to the current relationship between the international community and persons disabled by war in Sierra Leone, and recommendations are made by participants regarding ways to strengthen and build on that relationship.

Zugl.: Bremen, Univ., Diss., 2005

Thesis (M.A.)--Texas State University--San Marcos, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 118-121). Also available on microfilm.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 1997. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 46-48). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.A.)--Flinders University, School of Political and International Studies. / Typescript bound. Includes bibliographical references: (leaves 221-238) Also available online.

Thesis--George-August-Universität. / Spanish summary. Includes bibliographical references (p. 137-142).