Non‐metallurgical Slags in the Masonry of Obřany Castle in the Czech Republic: Evidence for the Local Production of Hydraulic Lime in the 14th Century?

Two types of compositionally heterogeneous slags have been found in the wall masonry of the Gothic Castle ruin Obřany. The bright phase is composed of quartz, tridymite, cristobalite, and porous glass, while the dark one also contains feldspars, hercynite, magnetite, clinopyroxenes, and a suite of accessory phases. The bright slags have a similar chemical composition as the mortar from the castle masonry or local sandstones, based on rare earth elements (REE) and other trace element abundances. In contrast, the dark slags are characterized by elevated contents of Al₂O₃ (15.4–18.6 wt.%) and Fe₂O₃^tot (4.1–10.0 wt.%), and consequently resemble the local clay. The investigated slags are not related to iron metallurgy in terms of their composition and texture. They probably originated in a medieval lime kiln through heat sintering of the inner lining during the burning process under relatively high temperatures (1080–1500°C). Simultaneously, the finding of relics of clinker‐like material together with products of its hydration in the hydraulic mortar from the wall masonry infers the production of hydraulic lime or Roman cement during the construction of the castle in the 14^th century. The Obřany Castle appears to represent one of the first applications of hydraulic binders in Moravia.     

Erosion rates evaluated by the <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs technique in the high altitude area of the Qinghai–Tibet plateau of China

Studying spatial and temporal variation of soil loss is of great importance because of global environmental concerns. Understanding the spatial distribution of soil erosion and deposition in the high-cold steppe is important for designing soil and water conservation measures. Measured ¹³⁷Cs losses (Bq m⁻²) from long-term high altitude (4,000 m above sea level) watershed plots on the Qinghai–Tibet plateau and derived soil erosion estimates (Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) were significantly correlated to directly measured soil losses from the same plots, over the same period (1963–2005). The local reference inventory was estimated to be 2,468 Bq m⁻². The result of analyzing ¹³⁷Cs distribution and its intensity in the soil profiles in this area shows similarities to ¹³⁷Cs distribution in other areas. ¹³⁷Cs is basically distributed in the topsoil layer of 0–0.3 m. Soil erosions vary greatly in the entire sampled area, ranging from 5.5 to 23 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, with an average of 16.5 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ which is a moderate rate of erosion.     

Gold Dissolution in Dry Salt Melts in the Presence of SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> as a Function of Р(O<Subscript>2</Subscript>)

The solubility of gold was measured in dry NaCl salt melt at 860°С in closed systems with SiO₂ (silica glass). The reactions do not occur in a closed system without oxidizer. Reaction of SiO₂ with salt in the presence of an oxidizer (KClO₄) results in the formation of water-soluble sodium silicates (a mixture of meta-, ortho-, and pyrosilicates). Gold mobilization by a salt melt is limited by the diffusion of Na in SiO₂. In a closed system with the addition of a strong oxidizer (dry KClO₄ salt), the solubility of gold increase with increasing amount of KClO₄ and the saturation level is estimated to be ~3 wt % Au. For ampoule configurations used in our experiments, 5.5 g of gold dissolved per 1 g of KClO₄. Only cheap, non-toxic reagents were used in our model experiments on gold dissolution in a salt melt, which did not require elevated pressures. The solubility of 30 g Au per 1 kg NaCl will eliminate geochemical problems associated with the compact leaching of gold ores using cyanide.     

Spatio-temporal variations of δ<Superscript>2</Superscript>H and δ<Superscript>18</Superscript>O in precipitation and shallow groundwater in the Hilly Loess Region of the Loess Plateau,China

Groundwater is of utmost significance to socio-economic development and ecological recovery for the Loess Plateau. However, studies regarding the mechanism governing groundwater recharge over this area appear to be inadequate. This study is to examine the spatio-temporal variations of δ²H and δ¹⁸O in precipitation and shallow groundwater. On the basis of this, the mechanisms governing shallow groundwater recharge were explored. Precipitation and groundwater were sampled monthly from May to October during the period 2004–2006 at 13 sites in the Chabagou Catchment (187 km²). In the Caopingxigou Experimental Watershed (0.1 km²), meteorological variables were observed and rainfall larger than 5 mm was sampled immediately after each rain event. Across the area, 90% of the precipitation occurred from May to September primarily in the form of heavy rains or rainstorms with great spatial variability. There were about 30 localized rains in each year. It was indicated that there existed notable seasonality and pronounced spatial variability in precipitation isotopic compositions. Contributing factors and indications of isotopic compositions, as well as their climatic indications such as monsoon intensities and mixing processes of water vapor, were investigated. The δ²H–δ¹⁸O relation of groundwater was found to be δ²H = 3.22 × δ¹⁸O − 38.1, deviating from the local meteoric water line δ²H = 7.57 × δ¹⁸O + 3.9. The range of δ values in groundwater is shrunken to be 15–21% of that in individual precipitations, and groundwater in the middle reaches shows a wider range of δ values. Isotopic results showed that groundwater originates from precipitation with hydrogen and oxygen isotopic compositions being −69 and −9.7‰, respectively, and most groundwater experiences serious evaporation and adequate mixing with old water during infiltration or percolation in the aerated zone. It was also founded that obvious fluctuations of isotopic compositions in groundwater mainly appear in the middle reaches especially at sites that are close to valleys, suggesting varying sources of groundwater from precipitation, precipitation runoff, isotopically enriched surface water and/or lateral recharge of adjacent groundwater.     

Bursting the limits of time： the reconstruction of geohistory in the age of revolution

Bursting the Limits of Time by the distin- guished historian of geology Martin Rudwick is a massive, two-part book. The first part contains what he calls a synchronous history of what eventually became historical geology in western Europe between the time of de Sans- sure＇s epoch-making ascent of Mont Blanc in 1787 and the discovery of the Kirkdale hyaena cave by Buckland in the winter of 1821-1822,     

Factor analysis of the elemental composition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pteridium aquilinum</Emphasis> from serpentine and granite soils as a tool in the classification of relations between this composition and the type of parent rock in the Ślęża Massif in Lower Silesia,Poland

Concentrations of the elements N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Co, Mo, Cd and Pb were measured in serpentine and granite soils and in the fern Pteridium aquilinum sampled from the Ślęża Massif in Lower Silesia, Poland. The serpentine soils were typical for serpentine soils in general with deficiency of K and Ca and excess of Mg, Ni and Cr. The principal component analysis (PCA) ordination based on the matrix of concentrations of elements in plants growing on serpentine and granite soils enabled the identification of the parent material from which ferns in this study were collected. This method indicated that the ferns from granite soils were distinguished by higher concentrations of Mo and Pb, while those from serpentine soils were distinguished by higher concentrations of Mg, Ni, Cr and Co. These differences in bioaccumulation reflect the higher concentrations of total and plant-available forms of Mg, Ni, Cr, Co in serpentinite and the higher concentrations of total Mo and total and plant-available Pb in granites as reported in literature. The different parent material types in the Ślęża Massif on which the investigated soils were developed influence the concentration and type of elements accumulated in P. aquilinum.     

δ<Superscript>18</Superscript>O shifts of geothermal waters in the central of Weihe Basin,NW China

The thermal-waters resources in Weihe Basin of Shaanxi province, NW China are historically classified as middle- to low- temperature thermal-waters in China. Recent exploitation of the deep thermal reservoir in the centre part of the basin (i.e. Xi’an and Xianyang) had observed plentiful supply of thermal fluid with higher measured maximum temperature (120°C) and higher hydraulic pressure (80.50 MPa) in the deeper (more than 4,000 m deep) sedimentary basin. A recent isotope study shows that deep geothermal waters in the cities of Xi’an and Xianyang are characterized by an observable horizontal oxygen-18 (δ¹⁸O) shift and minor deuterium (²H) enrichment. The considerable oxygen shift is possibly due to the following four reasons: water–rock interaction at high temperature, slow circulation rate of water, low water-to-rock ratio, and old age. On the end number of the δ¹⁸O shift, minor δ²H enrichment occur when there is higher concentrations of H₂S, CH₄, I and Br with lower rate of rSO₄ ²⁻/rCl⁻ and r _Na⁺/r _Cl⁻ suggesting relatively isolated geological environment. In a few thermal waters points, r\textNa^\text+ \text/r\textCl^-r{\text{Na}}^{{\text{+}}} {\text{/}}r{\text{Cl}}^{-} < 0.85. This shows possible presence of formation waters. Combining the results from isotopic study and chemical analysis, we can classify the types of geothermal waters into three groups, the shallow and fast circulating system, the semi-circulating system and the deep and slow circulating system.     

Granitoid massif of the Dal’negorsk borosilicate deposit in the Primorye region of Russia: The role of the intrusion in the formation of the boron mineralization

The granitoids of the Dal’negorsk borosilicate deposit are ascribed mainly to the high-K metaluminous rocks of the calcic and alkali-calcic series. The thermo-baro-geo-chemical studies showed that they originated from melts with low contents of water (H₂O < 3.5% H₂O) and CO₂ at 800–850°C and 65–90 MPa. The data on the average contents of elements in the rock-forming minerals and the estimated initial water content in the magma point to the absence of a genetic relation between the intrusion and boron mineralization. The granitoid magma was responsible for the skarn formation and for the mobilization and remobilization of boron under a favorable environment. The K/Ar dating (51.0 ± 10 Ma), the geochemical typification (signatures of within-plate, subduction, and collisional granitoids), and the low water content in the parental melts of the granitoids, in accordance with the scheme of the geodynamic evolution of the region, indicate their formation in the lithospheric plate sliding environment.     

Formation of PGM-Cu-Ni deposits in the process of evolution of flood-basalt magmatism in the Noril’sk region

The timing of the emplacement of ore-bearing melts in the process of evolution of flood-basalt magmatism in the Noril’sk District is discussed. The current models of ore formation consider the emplacement of ore-bearing intrusions either under the conditions of a closed magmatic system as a product of a self-dependent magmatic event, or under the conditions of an open magmatic system, where intrusions are parts of the conduits feeding lava flows. In both cases, the composition of the initial magma, the content of volatile components therein, and the contribution of country rock assimilation are important for the development of a genetic model. The relationships between lavas and intrusions are exemplified in the South Maslov intrusion, which cuts through the rocks of the Nadezhdinsky Formation. No geological evidence for links of lavas to intrusions has been established. Substantial difference in geochemistry (Ti contents, Gd/Yb and La/Sm ratios, etc.) of the tuff and lava sequence on the northern shore of Lake Lama and the Maslov intrusions are demonstrated. It is concluded that the Noril’sk deposits were formed as products of emplacement of self-dependent portion of magma in the post-lower Nadezhdinsky time. The melt composition determined from melt inclusions in olivine corresponds to high-Mg tholeiitic basalt (up to 7–8 wt % MgO) containing up to 1 wt % H₂O and 0.3 wt % Cl and undersaturated with sulfur. The fluid regime of flood-basalt volcanism had no anomalous features—the fluid was aqueous-carbon dioxide. The melts of ore-bearing and barren intrusions had similar concentrations of volatile components. The distribution of major and trace elements in intrusive rocks of the contact zone with the lower part of the Nadezhdinsky Formation characterized by high (La/Sm)_N ratio in comparison with gabbroic rocks (2.8–2.3 and 1.3–1.6, respectively), indicates that contamination of the initial melt only took place in a narrow (1 m) contact zone or did not develop at all. New data on isotopic compositions of Sr (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)₂₅₁ = 0.7089 and Pb (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 20.877–24.528 in anhydrite confirm that local assimilation did not play a substantial role in the formation of rock and ores. On the basis of chemical composition of ore-forming intrusions, their isotopic characteristics, and the composition of melt inclusions in olivine, it is suggested that the lower crustal rocks were a major source of ore-bearing magmas.     

Geochemical Characteristics of Granitoids in the Eastern Sector of the Northern Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang

The granitioids in question are located in the geosynclinal fold belt of the Northern Tianshan Mountains.The magmas are intruded into a Carboniferous marine volcanic-sedimentary rock series. forming a contempo-raneous. intermediate-basic to acid. composite intrusion. With a whole-rock Rb-Sr isochron age of 315.7 Ma. itis considered to be of middle Heicynian age. The granitoids have a SiO_2 content of 48-78%, a calc-alkali indexof 60 and silica-alkali indices ρ=2.2-2.4 and σ=1.5-2. From basic to acid compositions, the total REE con-tent increases from 38 to 143 ppm. δEu ranges from 0.47 to 0.86 and the Eu anomalies are negative. Thenormalized curves of REE of various rock types are very similar. These coupled with the characteristics of traceelement geochemistry show that the intrusion is an island arc-continental margin, calc-alkaline one. Theδ~(18)O values range from 5.8 to 8.9‰ and the ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr initial ratio is 0.705. The materials of the intrusion arecomposed of a mixture of the magmas at the top of the upper mantle and in the lower crust, This indicates thatthe rocks might be consanguineous. differentiated and evolved products and possess the characteristics of Ⅰtype granites.     

Evolution of Apatites in the Diagenesis

Apatites occurring in sedimentary rocks are carbonate fluorapatites (C-F apatites) with differentCO_2 contents. During diagenesis. the CO_2 in the C-F apatites gradually decreased with the increasing strengthof diagenesis. resulting in the systematic changes in refractive index. specific gravity, cell parameters and crystalchemistry of apatites. On the basis of X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopic analyses, the author proposes twoparameters for determining diagenetic stages. i.e.. the crystallinity index (CR) and sharpness index (SH). Thesetwo parameters serve as new criteria for the determination. which due to the common existence of phosphorousnodules and bands and argillo-crystalline cement in sedimentary rocks, most likely have wide prospects for ap-plication.     

Tectonic Interpretation of the Earthquake istribution in the Contiguous Continent of the United States

With increasing high-quality geological and geophysical data it becomes clear that seismicity of the continents is characterized by linear patterns which are closely associated with tectonic features. The aim of this paper is to give reasonable interpretation for the earthquake distribution in the contiguous continent of the United States. Seismic lines and earthquake concentrated zones are defined, which reflect the characteristics of the continental seismotectonics. Similarities and differences in seismotectonics between the continental part of China and the contiguous continent of US are analysed. It is demonstrated that the spatial distribution of earthquakes can provide the information of the active structures in the earth's crust. The authors consider that the patterns of continental seismotectonics are not only controlled by the pre—existing tectonic frameworks and the current boundary dynamic conditions, but also possibly affected by dynamic factors of global tectonics at a higher level.     

Changes of the Optical Spectrum of the Hypergiant <Emphasis Type="Italic">ρ</Emphasis> Cas due to a Shell Ejection in 2013

Spectral monitoring of the yellow hypergiant ρ Cas with the by 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory with a spectral resolution of R ≥ 60 000 has led to the detection of new features in the kinematic state of its extended atmosphere following the ejection of matter in 2013. Significant changes in the profile of the Hα line were detected: the line had a doubled core for the first time in a 2014 spectrum, an inverse P Cygni profile on February 13, 2017, and the profile was again doubled on August 6, 2017 and September 5, 2017, but was strongly shifted toward longer wavelengths, indicating a rapid infall of matter. Splitting of the profiles of strong, low-excitation absorption lines into three components was first detected in 2017. There is no correlation between the evolution of the profiles of Hα and the splitted absorption lines. Pulsation-like variability with an amplitude of about 10 km/s is characteristic only of symmetric weak and moderate-intensity absorption lines. Shell emission lines of iron-group elements can be identified in the long-wavelength part of a spectrum obtained in 2013, whose intensity decreased until they completely disappeared in 2017. In the absence of emission in the cores of the H and K lines of Ca II, emission lines of shell metals are visible in the wings of these lines.     

A Bright-Coloured Flower in the Field of Earth Sciences in China——in Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Publication of Acta Geologica Sinica

Acta Geologica Sinica (hereinafter referred to as the Acta) starting publication in 1922, is a quaterly academia periodical sponsored by the Geological Society of China (GSC). It has been one of the science and technology periodicals in China with the longest history.     

Conspicuous redemption? Reflections on the promises and perils of the ‘Celebritization’ of climate change

With rising public awareness of climate change, celebrities have become an increasingly important community of non nation-state ‘actors’ influencing discourse and action, thereby comprising an emergent climate science-policy-celebrity complex. Some feel that these amplified and prominent voices contribute to greater public understanding of climate change science, as well as potentially catalyze climate policy cooperation. However, critics posit that increased involvement from the entertainment industry has not served to influence substantive long-term advancements in these arenas; rather, it has instead reduced the politics of climate change to the domain of fashion and fad, devoid of political and public saliency. Through tracking media coverage in Australia, Canada, the United States, and United Kingdom, we map out the terrain of a ‘Politicized Celebrity System’ in attempts to cut through dualistic characterizations of celebrity involvement in politics. We develop a classification system of the various types of climate change celebrity activities, and situate movements in contemporary consumer- and spectacle-driven carbon-based society. Through these analyses, we place dynamic and contested interactions in a spatially and temporally-sensitive ‘Cultural Circuits of Climate Change Celebrities’ model. In so doing, first we explore how these newly ‘authorized’ speakers and ‘experts’ might open up spaces in the public sphere and the science/policy nexus through ‘celebritization’ effects. Second, we examine how the celebrity as the ‘heroic individual’ seeking ‘conspicuous redemption’ may focus climate change actions through individualist frames. Overall, this paper explores potential promises, pitfalls and contradictions of this increasingly entrenched set of ‘agents’ in the cultural politics of climate change. Thus, as a form of climate change action, we consider whether it is more effective to ‘plant’ celebrities instead of trees.     

Long-term monitoring and interpretation of flares in the H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O maser emission of IRAS 16293–2422

The results of a study of the H₂O and OH maser emission from the cool IR source IRAS 16293?2422 are presented. The observations analyzed were obtained in H₂O lines with the 22-m telescope of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory during 1999–2015 and in OH lines with the Nanc¸ ay radio telescope (France). A large number of very strong flares of the H₂O maser were detected, reaching fluxes of tens of thousands of Jansky. Individual features can form organized structures resembling chains ～2 AU in length with a radial-velocity gradient along them. The observed drift of the H₂O emission (2003–2004) in space and velocity (from 4.3 to 5.3 km/s) is not due solely to proper motion of the features. The other origin of the drift is a drift of the emission maximum during a flare as the shock consecutively excites spatially separated features in the structure in the form of a chain. The OH-line observations at 18 cm show that the emission remains unpolarized and thermal, with a line width of 0.7 km/s, which corresponds to a cloud temperature of ～30 K.     

Sedimentary Characteristics of the Cretaceous in the Songliao Basin

The rupture of the lithosphere in Late Jurassic brought about the eruption of basaltic magma in the Songliao Basin. The evolution of the basin in Cretaceous progressed through six stages: pre-rift doming, extensional fracturing, fault subsidence, fault downwarping, downwarping and shringkage, resulting in the deposition of terrstrial facies nearly 10,000 m thick. There are different depositional sequences in these stages: the depositional period of the Early Cretaceous Shahezi and Yincheng Formations is the development stage of the down-faulted basin, forming a volcanic rock-alluvial fan-fan delta-lacustrine (intercalated with episodic turbidites)-swamp facies sequences; the period of the Early Cretaceous Dengluku Formation is the transformation stage of fault subsidence into fault downwarping of the basin, forming a sequence mainly of alluvial plain-lacustrine facies; the depositional period of the Early Cretaceous Quantou Formation-Late Cretaceous Nenjiang Formation is the downwarping stage of the basin, forming an alluvial plain-delta-lacustrine facies sequence; the period of the Late Cretaceous Sifangtai Formation-Mingshui Formation is the shringkage stage of the basin, forming again a sequence mainly of alluvial plain-alluvial fan and small relict lacustrine facies. These vertical depositional sequences fully display the sedimentary characteristics of a failed continental rift basin. Many facts indicate that the two large-scale lake invasions, synchronous with the global rise of sea level, which took place in the downwarping stage of the basin development, led to the connection between the lake and sea.     

Influence of plant on the extractability of estrogen in the rhizospheric soil

Livestock wastes applied to agricultural land are potential sources of steroidal hormones （estradiol （E2）, estrone （E1）, and estriol （E3）） that can adversely affect the aquatic ecosystem as endocrine disruptors. But the effects of plants on the fate of estrogen in the environment are not clearly known. In the present report, the behavior of E1, E2 and E3 added to the rhizospheric soil in various concentrations and its effect on plant growth were examined by estrogen batch sorption test, plant pot test and estrogen extraction test. Trifolium repens was grown on the soil spiked with E2 or a mixture of E1, E2 and E3. Pots without plant were prepared as controls. All pots were watered in 50 ml dose almost every day, and the rhizosheric soil and plant body were collected 7, 19, 26, 33 days after planting. The soil was sequentially extracted with Milli-Q water, and methanol / 1M acetic acid solvent followed by methanol wash at the solid to liquid ratio of 1 ： 4 （g/mL）. Extracts were analyzed for El, E2 and E3 using a Shimadzu GCMS-QP5050. Plant dry weight （4 hours, 105 ℃） was measured as an indicator of plant growth. In batch sorption tests, E1 and E2 concentrations in the liquid phase significantly decreased within 24 hours after the addition of estrogen. The sum of methanol / 1M acetic acid extractable E 1 and E2 in the soil decreased to half of the initial added amount within 7 days. Reduction in total estrogenic activity of the soil extracts （estimated as 0.01CE1＋CE2＋0.1CE3 where CE1, CE2 and CE3 are respective El, E2 and E3 concentrations per unit soil weight） continued for 1 month due to slow oxidation of E2 to E1. Desorption of E2 from soil during the pot experiment was higher than expected from the sorption experiment.     

The results of measurements of heavy metals in atmospheric aerosols in the open areas of the Arctic Seas in 2009–2010

By experimental data on the concentration of toxic microelements (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, and Cr) in atmospheric aerosols over the White and Norwegian Seas in winter-spring period of 2009–2010, the contamination of air environment over two sea basins, significantly different by geographical conditions but being heavily impacted by North-European industrial centres, including the impact of the largest in the European Arctic Kola industrial centre, has been analyzed. It has been indicated and described that the air basin over the White Sea water area, when compared to the Norwegian Sea, is under a significantly greater impact of the emission sources of heavy metals, located on the Kola Peninsula.