Identification of Cu and Ni indicator plants from mineralised locations in Botswana

Plant species that accumulate high levels of metals in proportion to the metal content in the soil are of considerable interest in biogeochemical and biogeobotanical prospecting. This study was aimed at investigating copper and nickel accumulation in the plants Helichrysum candolleanum and Blepharis diversispina, to assess their potential use as mineral indicators in biogeochemical prospecting. Soils and plants were collected from copper–nickel mineralised areas in Botswana. Analyses of the soils and the respective plant parts (roots, stem, leaves and flowers) were carried out using ultrasonic slurry sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS), which allowed rapid determination of copper and nickel in small amounts of the samples.The metal concentration in the soil was in the range ≈ 40 μg/g–4% (w/w) for Cu and ≈ 60 μg/g–0.3% (w/w) for Ni. The concentration ranges of the elements in the plant parts were ≈ 6 μg/g–0.2% Cu and ≈ 3–210 μg/g Ni. At high soil metal content (greater than 2.5% (w/w) Cu and 0.1% (w/w) Ni), high levels of both nickel and copper were found in the shoots (leaves and flowers) of H. candolleanum. Concentrations as high as 0.2% (w/w) Cu were found in the leaves and flowers of H. candolleanum, indicating hyperaccumulation for this plant. For B. diversispina, the metal concentrations did not exceed 100 μg/g for any plant part, for both metals. Both plant species tolerate high concentrations of metals and should therefore be categorized as metallophytes. In order to evaluate metal translocation from the soil to the shoots, metal leaf transfer coefficients (ratio of metal concentration in the leaf to metal concentration in the soil) were calculated. Our data suggest that the two plant species have different metal uptake and transport mechanisms, which needs to be investigated further. The present work also suggests that H. candolleanum may be used as a copper/nickel indicator plant in biogeochemical or biogeobotanical prospecting.     

Biogeochemistry of Pb–Zn gossans,northwest Queensland,Australia: Implications for mineral exploration and mine site rehabilitation

The concentration and distribution of metals were studied in metallophytes, growing on and in the vicinity of Pb–Zn gossans, NW Queensland. The study investigated the accumulation of metals in plant species and assessed their potential use as indicators in geobotanical and biogeochemical prospecting and as metal excluders in mine site rehabilitation. Plant species colonising the gossans tolerate high concentrations of metals. Total mean metal concentrations of soils ranged from minima of 14 ppm Cu, 28 ppm Pb and 34 ppm Zn in background areas to maxima of 660 ppm Cu, 12000 ppm Pb and 2100 ppm Zn over mineralised soils. Over the gossans, the grass species Eriachne mucronata forma, Enneapogon lindleyanus and Paraneurachne muelleri replace the characteristic grass Triodia molesta where the soils have high Pb and Zn concentrations. Of the 16 plant species identified, 3 of them, Hybanthus aurantiacus, Clerodendrum tomentosum and Bulbostylis barbata, were confined to the gossan sites. B. barbata appears to be of particular use in geobotanical prospecting as it indicates base metal mineralisation in the region.     

Heavy metal accumulation by Vernonia cinerea (L.) less. (asteraceae)

The concentrations of heavy metals i.e. cobalt, copper, nickel, manganese and zinc in dried material of Vernonia cinerea are much higher than in the soil samples. Accumulation of these metals is greater in pink than in purple or mauve flowered forms. The geobotanical significance of these observations is discussed.     

European species of Thlaspi L. (Cruciferae) as indicators of nickel and zinc

The analysis of herbarium specimens has shown that unusual metal uptake by European species of Thlaspi (Cruciferae, mustard family) is not confined to the well-known accumulation of zinc from calaminiferous soils. At least twelve species show unusual accumulation of nickel, to levels of 1000–30,000 μg/g (dry-mass basis), from serpentine or other nickel-rich substrates. In addition, accumulation of zinc to levels above 1000 μg/g in the dry mass of the plant is widespread; about three-quarters of the European species, from a wide variety of soil types, have been found to exhibit this behaviour in the natural state. These observations are significant in many fields, including taxonomy, plant physiology and phytochemistry, but are particularly important in extending the potential of biogeochemical methods of mineral exploration.     

Accumulation patterns of Cu and Ni for Indigofera melanadenia and Tephrosia longipes plant species growing in Cu–Ni mining area in Botswana

Indigofera melanadenia and Tephrosia longipes plant species, collected from Cu–Ni mining area, were evaluated for accumulation of Cu and Ni. The total and bioavailable concentrations of Cu and Ni in the host soils were also determined. Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry was used for all metal determinations. The total and bioavailable concentrations of Cu in the soils were in the range 900–9000 μg/g and 200–2000 μg/g respectively. For Ni, the total and bioavailable concentrations were in the range 900–2000 μg/g and ∼ 40–100 μg/g respectively. The concentrations of Cu and Ni in the leaves of I. melanadenia were higher than in the roots with a range 80–130 μg/g in the leaves and 20–80 μg/g in the roots for Cu and a range of 150–200 μg/g in the leaves and 20–60 μg/g in the roots for Ni. Concentration of Cu in T. longipes was in the range of 37–240 μg/g and 150–200 μg/g in the leaves and roots respectively while the concentration of Ni was 80–140 μg/g in the leaves and 25–100 μg/g in the roots. Results indicate that both species have a potential for accumulating Cu and Ni. Translocation factor, a ratio of shoots to roots metal concentration, was used to evaluate the translocation properties of the plants from roots to shoots. Translocation factors of the plants were ≥ 1 suggesting efficient translocation of metals from roots to shoots.     

A late-glacial transition from Picea glauca to Picea mariana in southern New England

Picea is an important taxon in late-glacial pollen records from eastern North America, but little is known about which species of Picea were present. We apply a recently developed palynological method for discriminating the three Picea species in eastern North America to three records from New England. Picea glauca was dominant at  14,500–14,000 cal yr BP, followed by a transition to Picea mariana between  14,000 and 13,500 cal yr BP. Comparison of the pollen data with hydrogen isotope data shows clearly that this transition began before the beginning of the Younger Dryas Chronozone. The ecological changes of the late-glacial interval were not a simple oscillation in the position of a single species' range, but rather major changes in vegetation structure and composition occurring during an interval of variations in several environmental factors, including climate, edaphic conditions, and atmospheric CO₂ levels.     

A biogeochemical orientation survey in the Moisan gold-mineralized area, Haenam district in Korea

A biogeochemical orientation survey was carried out in the vicinity of an epithermal Au deposit in the Moisan Au–Ag mineralized area, Haenam district in Korea. The Au–Ag bearing quartz veins of the mine occur as narrow open-space fillings within Cretaceous silicic pyroclastics. The vein minerals consist mainly of quartz, sericite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and galena, with some electrum and argentite. The main objectives of this study were to study the geochemical characteristics of rocks, soils and plants in this area, to investigate the spatial relationship between Au and associated elements in rock–soil–plant system, and to evaluate the applicability of biogeochemical prospecting for Au vein occurrences in Korea. Samples of rocks and soils, and leaves of three plant species (Japanese red pine — P. densiflora, oriental white oak — Q. aliena, Japanese mallotus — M. japonicus) were collected from the target mineralized area and control barren locations, and analyzed for trace elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Sampling lines were composed of one slope line which is almost parallel to the mineralized quartz-veins, and four transect lines spaced 100 m apart across the veins at 20 m sampling intervals. From the multi-element data of rock samples (n = 9), high values of Au (maximum 2030 ppb) are spatially related to Au–quartz veins. Soil samples (n = 61) collected from five sampling lines show higher values of Au (24–825 ppb) whereas soil samples from the control locations have lower values of Au (below 25 ppb). Many plant species collected from the vicinity of the veins have high Au contents compared with those at the control locations, but the ranges of Au values are variable among plant species. In a total of 128 samples of plant leaves, Q. aliena yielded Au values of 0.4 to 6.9 ppb, and M. japonicus 0.9 to 4.1 ppb. Gold contents in P. densiflora ranged from 0.1 to 5.6 ppb. Plant leaves from control areas show less than 1.6 ppb Au. The biological absorption coefficient (BAC) of Au in plants decreases in the order of Q. aliena > M. japonicus > P. densiflora. Based on the results of the study, Q. aliena appeared to be the best sampling media for biogeochemical prospecting of Au in the study area.     

Revision of the conchostracan genera Cratostracus and Porostracus from Cretaceous deposits in north-east China

The diagnoses of the conchostracan genera Cratostracus and Porostracus are revised following a re-examination of their type species under a scanning electron microscope. In Cratostracus each growth line has a serrated lower margin. Radial lirae branch into smaller ridges that merge with each other to give the upper part of each growth band in the ventral region of the carapace a slightly undulating surface. Cross-bars are present between these lirae. In Porostracus the radial lirae on the growth bands near the umbo are long and relatively widely spaced. There is a fine reticulum between them in the umbonal part of the carapace and cross-bars on the ventral surface. The ornament of Porostracus indicates that it can be assigned to the family Halysestheriidae rather than to the Afrograptidae, in which it has been placed previously. Morphological analysis of most of the species of the two genera and closely related Orthestheria (Migransia) under the scanning electron microscope is required before their stratigraphic potential can be fully realized.     

Pedo and biogeochemical studies of mafic and ultramfic rocks in the Mingora and Kabal areas,Swat, Pakistan

This study highlights the heavy metals (HMs) distribution in soils and their uptake by wild plants grown in the soils derived from the mafic and ultramafic terrains. Plant and soil samples were analyzed for Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni and Cd using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The data indicate that almost all the HMs in the soil samples collected from the study area exceeded the reference and normal agricultural soils. Greater variability was noticed in the uptake of HMs by various plants grown on the studied soils. High concentrations of Cu and Zn in Cannabis sativa L. (seft hemp), Pb in Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) (Ailanto), Ni and Cr in Indigofrra gerardiana Wall. ex Baker (sage), and Saccharum griffihii Munro ex Boiss. (plume grass) were noticed among the studied plants. The multifold enrichments of Cr and Ni in the Indigofrra gerardiana and Saccharum griffihii as compared to the other plants of the study area suggested that these plants have the ability to uptake and translocate high concentrations of Cr and Ni. The excessive concentrations of Cr and Ni in these plants can be used for mineral prospecting but their main concern could be of serious environmental problems and health risks in the inhabitants of the study areas.     

Similar morphological and chemical variations of Gloeocapsomorpha prisca in Ordovician sediments and cultured Botryococcus braunii as a response to changes in salinity

Most Ordovician source rocks consist of accumulation of a colonial marine microorganism, Gloeocapsomorpha prisca (G. prisca) whose nature, ecology and affinity with extant organisms have been in dispute for years. Furthermore, recent studies have shown major differences in phenol moieties between two G. prisca-rich samples. Examination of five G. prisca-rich kerogens by electron microscopy and pyrolysis studies revealed (i) the occurrence of two markedly distinct “morpho/chemical” types: a “closed/phenol-rich” type (Baltic samples) and an “open/phenol-poor” one (North American samples) and (ii) the selective preservation of the resistant micromolecular material building up the thick cell walls in the original organism. Comparison with extant Botryococcus braunii (a widespread green microalga) grown on media of increasing salinity suggests that G. prisca is likely to be a planktonic green microalga related to B. braunii, which can adapt to large salinity variations which, in turn, control its polymorphism. The large differences in colony morphology and in the content of phenol moieties observed in fossil G. prisca and the resulting occurrence of two “morpho/chemical” types, should therefore reflect depositional environments with different salinities. The presence of thick, highly aliphatic, resistant walls in G. prisca selectively preserved during fossilization, accounts for the major contribution of this organism to Ordovician organic-rich sediments and for the resulting typical signature of Ordovician oils.     

Trace metal uptake by the grass <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melinis repens</Emphasis> from roadside soils and sediments,tropical Australia

This study reports on trace metal uptake by the grass species Melinis repens, growing in roadside soils and sediments in tropical northeastern Australia. Median total Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in road edge soils (Cu = 61.1 mg/kg, Pb = 97.3 mg/kg, Ni = 28.6 mg/kg, Zn = 729 mg/kg) than in background soils collected away from roads (Cu = 5.8 mg/kg, Pb = 11.2 mg/kg, Ni = 3.7 mg/kg, Zn = 21 mg/kg). Significantly (P < 0.05) elevated Zn values were recorded in the stems of the M. repens specimens growing on roadside soils (231.6 mg/kg dry weight of tissue) compared with those of grasses growing on background soils (40.8 mg/kg dry weight of tissue). Moreover, median Cu, Ni and Zn values in the roots of roadside grasses (Cu = 29.1 mg/kg, Ni = 2.73 mg/kg, Zn = 169 mg/kg) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than their respective levels in the roots of background M. repens samples (Cu = 5.98 mg/kg, Ni = 0.70 mg/kg, Zn = 22 mg/kg). A greenhouse experiment showed that Cu and Zn in road sediments are labile and are available for uptake by M. repens. The studied roadside soils and sediments were leached with a diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid–CaCl₂–triethanolamine–HCl extraction solution, which proved to be a rudimentary indicator of Zn availability and uptake to the root tissue of M. repens. The results demonstrate that trace metals in roadside grasses have the potential to be directed up the food-chain as grasses are consumed by herbivores. In addition, bioavailable metal contaminants hosted by road sediments have the capacity to impact on ecosystems downstream of roads because these sediments are mobilised by road runoff waters from road surfaces into adjoining catchments.     

Revision of the conchostracan genus Estherites from the Upper Cretaceous Nenjiang Formation of the Songliao Basin and its biogeographic significance in China

The diagnosis of Estherites corrugatus from the basal part of the Coniacian Second Member of the Nenjiang Formation in Nenjiang County, north-east China is revised following the application of a new preparation technique to some of the carapaces and an examination of specimens under a scanning electron microscope, both of which revealed morphological features on the carapace that had not been recognized previously. Restudy of the type species of the two subgenera Estherites (Euestherites) and Estherites (Parestherites) also revealed details of carapace features not seen hitherto. These indicate that they should be separated from Estherites. As a result, Euestherites is upgraded to genus level and Parestherites is placed in synonymy. The importance of Estherites and Euestherites is considered in the context of Late Cretaceous assemblages of these crustaceans and the three conchostracan provinces (South-West, South-East and North China) that are recognized to have been present in China during the Turonian–Santonian period.     

Uptake and fixation of Zn, Pb, and Cd by Thlaspi caerulescens: application in the cases of old mines of Mibladen and Zaida (West of Morocco)

Contaminated soils and mine tailings pose major environmental and agricultural problems worldwide. These problems may be partially solved by an emerging new technology: phytoremediation. This technique uses plants to extract soil contaminants from the ground. Thlaspi caerulescens is known to accumulate in their tissues several heavy metals from soil and aerial deposition. This study was conducted to screen plants growing on a contaminated site to determine their potential for metal accumulation. Seeds of T. caerulescens metallicolous have been collected in the vicinity of F.T. Laurent le Minier in the Pb–Zn mining district of les Malines (North of Montpellier, Southern France), and seeds of T. caerulescens non-metallicolous were sampled on Larzac Plateau (North of Montpellier, Southern France). Soil substrates were collected from a mine site of Mibladen and Zaida (West, Morroco). Cultivated plant and surface soil samples were analyzed for zinc, lead, and cadmium concentrations by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. A non-metallicolous (NM) ecotype of T. caerulescens and a metallicolous (M) ecotype are compared for Pb, Cd, and Zn accumulation in shoot and root in five metal-contaminated soils and one uncontaminated soil. The growth of individuals from uncontaminated soil was greater than that of individuals from metal-contaminated soils. The NM populations had markedly higher root/shoot ratio compared to M populations. The results indicate that both ecotypes of T. caerulescens are highly tolerant of zinc and Cd. Ecotype NM had constitutively higher Zn uptake capacity than the M ecotype. T. caerulescens species accumulate higher amount of Zn and Cd in their tissues in polluted soil and, in both of the two ecotypes, the root Pb concentrations were much greater than those of the shoot Pb contents. From both uncontaminated and metal-contaminated soils, we conclude that T. caerulescens are interesting material for phytoremediation of zinc and cadmium.     

吉林省大布苏国家重点化石产地的猛犸象-披毛犀动物群

猛犸象-披毛犀动物群是晚更新世时期北半球最具代表性的典型哺乳动物群,该动物群的化石在中国东北地区广泛分布,其演化、发展乃至灭绝与古人类文明的发展有密切的关系。综述猛犸象-披毛犀动物群的概况,从动物组合、古地理分布、古生态环境等方面介绍了该生物群之全貌。以吉林省大布苏国家重点化石产地为例,对该产地出土的猛犸象-披毛犀动物群化石标本进行了最新的统计(分属6目13科21属23种),对其化石组合特征进行了分析,并对在东北地区深入开展该动物群研究的意义进行了探讨。     

Exposure and bioavailability of arsenic in contaminated soils from the La Parrilla mine, Spain

Arsenic derived from mining activity may contaminate water, soil and plant ecosystems resulting in human health and ecotoxicological risks. In this study, exposure assessment of arsenic (As) in soil, spoil, pondwater and plants collected from the areas contaminated by mine tailings and spoils in and around the La Parrilla mine, Caceres province, Spain, was carried out using AAS method. Water solubility, bioavailability and soil–plant transfer coefficients of As and phytoremediation potential of plants were determined. Arsenic concentrations varied from 148 to 2,540 mg/kg in soils of site 1 and from 610 to 1,285 mg/kg in site 2 exceeding the guideline limit for agricultural soil (50 mg/kg). Arsenic concentrations in pond waters varied from 8.8 to 101.4 μg/l. High concentrations of water-soluble As in the soils that ranged from 0.10 to 4.71 mg/kg in site 1 and from 0.46 to 4.75 mg/kg in site 2 exceeded the maximum permitted level of water-soluble As (0.04 mg/kg) in agricultural soils. Arsenic concentrations varied from 0.8 to 149.5 mg/kg dry wt in the plants of site 1 and from 2.0 to 10.0 mg/kg in the plants of site 2. Arsenic concentrations in plants increased in the approximate order: Retama sphaerocarpa < Pteridium aquilinum < Erica australis < Juncus effusus < Phalaris caerulescens < Spergula arvensis in site 1. The soil–plant transfer coefficients for As ranged from 0.001 to 0.21 in site 1 and from 0.004 to 0.016 in site 2. The bioconcentration factor based on water-soluble As of soil varied from 3.2 to 593.9 in the plants of site 1 whereas it varied from 2.1 to 20.7 in the plants of site 2. To our knowledge, this is the first study in Europe to report that the fern species P. aquilinum accumulates extremely low contents of As in its fronds despite high As levels in the soils. Therefore, the S. arvensis, P. caerulescens and J. effusus plant species grown in this area might be used to partly remove the bioavailable toxic As for the purpose of minimization of mining impacts until hypothetical hyperaccumulating and/or transgenic plants could be transplanted for the phytoremediation of As contaminated soils.     

On the affinity of Chuaria–Tawuia complex: A multidisciplinary study

In this study, biometric and structural engineering tool have been used to examine a possible relationship within Chuaria–Tawuia complex and micro-FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) analyses to understand the biological affinity of Chuaria circularis Walcott, collected from the Mesoproterozoic Suket Shales of the Vindhyan Supergroup and the Neoproterozoic Halkal Shales of the Bhima Group of peninsular India. Biometric analyses of well preserved carbonized specimens show wide variation in morphology and uni-modal distribution. We believe and demonstrate to a reasonable extent that C. circularis most likely was a part of Tawuia-like cylindrical body of algal origin. Specimens with notch/cleft and overlapping preservation, mostly recorded in the size range of 3–5 mm, are of special interest. Five different models proposed earlier on the life cycle of C. circularis are discussed. A new model, termed as ‘Hybrid model’ based on present multidisciplinary study assessing cylindrical and spherical shapes suggesting variable cell wall strength and algal affinity is proposed. This model discusses and demonstrates varied geometrical morphologies assumed by Chuaria and Tawuia, and also shows the inter-relationship of Chuaria–Tawuia complex.Structural engineering tool (thin walled pressure vessel theory) was applied to investigate the implications of possible geometrical shapes (sphere and cylinder), membrane (cell wall) stresses and ambient pressure environment on morphologically similar C. circularis and Tawuia. The results suggest that membrane stresses developed on the structures similar to Chuaria–Tawuia complex were directly proportional to radius and inversely proportional to the thickness in both cases. In case of hollow cylindrical structure, the membrane stresses in circumferential direction (hoop stress) are twice of the longitudinal direction indicating that rupture or fragmentation in the body of Tawuia would have occurred due to hoop stress. It appears that notches and discontinuities seen in some of the specimens of Chuaria may be related to rupture suggesting their possible location in 3D Chuaria.The micro-FTIR spectra of C. circularis are characterized by both aliphatic and aromatic absorption bands. The aliphaticity is indicated by prominent alkyl group bands between 2800–3000 and 1300–1500 cm⁻¹. The prominent absorption signals at 700–900 cm⁻¹ (peaking at 875 and 860 cm⁻¹) are due to aromatic CH out of plane deformation. A narrow, strong band is centred at 1540 cm⁻¹ which could be COOH band. The presence of strong aliphatic bands in FTIR spectra suggests that the biogeopolymer of C. circularis is of aliphatic nature. The wall chemistry indicates the presence of ‘algaenan’—a biopolymer of algae.     

Cu and Fe associated with humic acids in sediments of a tropical coastal lagoon

The amount of Cu and Fe associated with humic acids was estimated in five sediment cores from a tropical coastal lagoon (Piratininga Lagoon, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Core samples were analysed for humic acid contents, total Fe and Cu content. Fe and Cu associated with humic acids were also measured. Results show amounts of humic acids ranging from 0.7 to 21.7% of the dry weight of sediment (average 4.6%, standard deviation 4.4%). Concentrations of Fe and Cu ranged from 0.3 to 6.0% (average 2.2%, S.D. 1.2%) and from <1.0 to 65.0 μg g⁻¹ (average 28.6 μg g⁻¹, S.D. 16.4 μg g⁻¹), respectively. The results of strongly bound metals show that while humic acids are the main carrier for Cu, Fe does not seems to be significantly associated with this organic matter.     

The use of plants in prospecting for gold: A brief overview with a selected bibliography and topic index

The focal point of this report is a bibliography of 133 references and an associated topic index — both of which could be useful to geochemists attempting to locate new Au deposits. Fifty of these references originated in the Soviet Union, where most of the initial work on biogeochemical exploration for Au had been done. The 15 topics in the index range from agriculture (Au in crop plants) to silver.As an introduction to the bibliography, we have briefly described some examples of applications and difficulties in using plants. These examples are drawn from the literature and from field experience. Because of the generally low Au concentrations found in plants, the analysis of plant tissue is critical to the successful application of the biogeochemical method of prospecting. Neuron activation analysis is the most widely used method to detect Au in plants, due largely to its sensitivity; levels in the parts per billion range are easily attained. Two general types of sampling media are used in prospecting for Au: humus and living plants. Humus has been widely used in Canada, but the sampling of plants has increased there and elsewhere in recent years. Our use of douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) at a Au-bearing stockwork in Idaho is a prime example. A maximum Au concentration of 14 μg/g (ppm) was detected in the wood ash of this coniferous tree, well above the normal concentration of ≈ 0.15 μg/g. Among shrubs that might be useful in Au prospecting, we recommend sagebrush or wormwood (genus Artemisia), because it is extremely responsive to concealed mineralization. It has been used extensively in the Soviet Union and could be used in areas of the western United States where disseminated Au occurrences might be located.Among the problems one may encounter in using plants for Au prospecting are: (1) physiological barriers, by which many plant species simply do not absorb Au at detectable levels; (2) misconceptions of soil-plant correlations; (3) localization of Au in plant tissue; and (4) the variation of Au concentrations due to season. Despite these limitations, biogeochemical techniques can complement or replace other geochemical methods currently used.     

A survey of the occurrence of Bacillus anthracis in North American soils over two long-range transects and within post-Katrina New Orleans

Soil samples were collected along a north–south transect extending from Manitoba, Canada, to the US–Mexico border near El Paso, Texas in 2004 (104 samples), a group of sites within New Orleans, Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 (19 samples), and a Gulf Coast transect extending from Sulphur, Louisiana, to DeFuniak Springs, Florida, in 2007 (38 samples). Samples were collected from the top 40 cm of soil and were screened for the presence of total Bacillus species and Bacillus anthracis (anthrax), specifically using multiplex-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Using an assay with a sensitivity of 170 equivalent colony-forming units (CFU) g⁻¹ field moist soil, the prevalence rate of Bacillus sp./B. anthracis in the north–south transect and the 2005 New Orleans post-Katrina sample set were 20/5% and 26/26%, respectively. Prevalence in the 2007 Gulf Coast sample set using an assay with a sensitivity of 4 CFU g⁻¹ of soil was 63/0%. Individual transect-set data indicate a positive relation between occurrences of species and soil moisture or soil constituents (i.e., Zn and Cu content). The 2005 New Orleans post-Katrina data indicated that B. anthracis is readily detectable in Gulf Coast soils following flood events. The data also indicated that occurrence, as it relates to soil chemistry, may be confounded by flood-induced dissemination of germinated cells and the mixing of soil constituents for short temporal periods following an event.     

Geochronology of Ailuropoda–Stegodon fauna and Gigantopithecus in Guangxi Province, southern China

Pleistocene faunas from south China are difficult to subdivide based on the long temporal ranges of many taxa and a reduced number of genera in comparison to faunas from temperate north China. In south China, the Ailuropoda–Stegodon fauna is a very general one and includes a relatively stable suite of genera that apparently persisted for long periods of time. These attributes have made constraining its time range difficult. Application of electron spin resonance (ESR) dating of tooth enamel constrains the ages well where uranium uptake was minor. Where uranium uptake into teeth was significant, an approach combining ESR and ²³⁰Th/²³⁴U isotopic analysis also yields excellent ages. Previous estimates of early, middle and late Pleistocene time ranges previously determined by biostratigraphic seriation for the Ailuropoda–Stegodon fauna are confirmed in all cases but are made more precise with our approach, including specific time ranges for certain archaic taxa. Absolute dating also yields an extended time range for Gigantopithecus blacki of 1200 to 310 ka.