Geochemistry of dust aerosol over the Eastern Pamirs

The Pamirs are situated in the inner part of the Asian continent, a region which plays a critical role in Asian dust emission and transport. This study measured the elemental composition of atmospheric dust aerosol samples collected during the period between July 2004 and April 2006 at Mt. Muztagata, Eastern Pamirs, at a high-altitude (38°17′N, 75°01′E, 4430 m). The Muztagata aerosol samples show Ca/Al (∼0.7) and Fe/Al (∼0.7) ratios that are distinguishable from those from other sites. The La/Th ratios (averaging 2.30-2.36) and Th/U ratios (averaging 2.75-3.11) indicate typical eolian deposition. The dust aerosol samples have very similar rare earth element (REE) patterns, with relative enrichment of light REE, a slight depletion of heavy REE, and a strongly negative europium anomaly (δEu values averaging 0.65). The Muztagata dust shows homogeneity of composition during the sampling period, with minor variations due to seasonal effects and possible different air mass, suggesting the possibility of a well-mixed atmospheric background dust on a regional scale. The zonal Westerlies dominate and the longitude circulations are relatively very weak for dust transport dynamics in the Pamirs and Tien Shan regions. Our results demonstrate a distinct difference in elemental composition between dust over the Eastern Pamirs and that over Inilchek, Central Tien Shan, indicating that the Asian dust emission regions have great variations in their chemical properties, and provide a better constraint on the climatic impact of Asian dust.     

Pt and Pd concentrations and source in urban roadside soils from Xuzhou,China

This investigation represented the preliminary study to characterize Pt and Pd concentrations and enrichment ratios in urban roadside soils. Roadside soil samples were analyzed by ICP-MS. Data from 21 roadside topsoil samples show medians of Pt and Pd concentrations are 2.9 and 2.8 ng g⁻¹, respectively. These values are higher than those of upper crust that average 0.4 and 0.4 ng g⁻¹, respectively. The relatively lower Pt and Pd concentrations are expected due to recent introduction of catalysts to China compared to the prolonged use of catalysts in Europe. Hierarchical clustering analysis indicates that Pt and Pd in Xuzhou urban roadside soils were mainly from the traffic emissions. Computation of enrichment ratios using the upper crust values as background levels suggests that the roadside soils had enrichment medians of 6.4 for Pt (range 2.5–11.75) and of 6.75 for Pd (range 2.75–9.25). Lower Pt/Pd ratios (range 0.35–2.86) in relation to similar studies in other countries were observed due to the different automobile catalytic converters. In general, fine fraction (<250 μm) contains higher Pt and Pd concentrations compared to the coarse fraction (250–500 μm).     

Compositional fractionation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in the karst soils, South China

This study aims to explore the condensation and fractionation trends of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the karst soils. The tiankeng is a karst surface expression that can act as a focal point for introduction of contaminants to a karst aquifer, which may serve both as condenser for vapor phase POPs and as barrier/sink for particulate associated less volatile POPs. The fractionation of POPs in soils from the upper rim and floor of tiankeng is of interest in understanding the role of tiankeng in the long-distance transport of POPs. In the present study, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the surface soils from the upper rim and floor of Dashiwei tiankeng in Southern China were analyzed. The total PAH concentrations in soils were 23.40–190 ng g⁻¹, with phenanthrene being the most abundant. The distribution patterns of PAH compounds in the soil samples matched well with their properties. It indicated the heavy PAHs were susceptible to retention by the floor soils of tiankeng than light PAHs. A plot of Cfloor/Crim against PAH molecular weight gave a good positive relationship in the molecular weight range of 152–276. It is suggested that the floor soils can be focal points of more concentrated PAH and deserve attention. The concentrations of total PAHs in the floor soils (43.40–190 ng g⁻¹, mean 87.76 ng g⁻¹) were higher than those in the upper rim (23.40–88.94 ng g⁻¹, mean 57.74 ng g⁻¹). In addition, there was a shift in compound pattern with an increase in the proportion of light PAHs (2–3 rings), a decrease in heavy PAHs (5–6 rings) and a relatively stable content of 4-ring PAHs. A combination of particulate scavenging and cold condensation is proposed as the major mechanism for the compositional fractionation of PAHs in the soils from the upper rim and floor of tiankeng.     

Below-thunderstorm rain scavenging of urban aerosols in the health hazardous modes

A very high number concentration of aerosols in urban locations has a wide impact on health and ecosystem. The evolutions of urban aerosol distributions at elapse-time 30 and 60 min are simulated at rainfall rates, 0.5 and 0.9 mm h⁻¹ applying scavenging coefficients to initial aerosols number concentrations (before rain). We show how thunderstorm rain scavenges number concentrations of urban aerosols in the ultrafine and fine modes. Elapsed-time evolutions of urban aerosols presented in this work show washout of about 50–60 and 70–80% number concentrations of particles in the diameter range 0.02 μm ≤ D _p  ≤ 0.1 μm after 30 and 60 min of thunderstorm rain when compared to initial number concentrations (before rain). Assuming 37 and 24% Sulfate and Organic Carbon particles in aerosol distributions in the urban environment and by applying scavenging coefficients to these initial number concentrations, elapse-time evolutions after 30 and 60 min of thunderstorm rain are presented in this work. The health impact is addressed in terms of depositions of particles within respiratory system by deposition fractions as a function of particle size. For D _p  ≤ 0.1 μm, 33 and 41% of initial number concentrations of Sulfate and Organic Carbon particles deposits within respiratory system. Whereas elapsed-time evolutions show 60 and 80% cleansing of initial number concentrations of Sulfate and Organic Carbon particles after 30 and 60 min of thunderstorm rain.     

The Tarim picrite–basalt–rhyolite suite, a Permian flood basalt from northwest China with contrasting rhyolites produced by fractional crystallization and anatexis

We report major and trace element composition, Sr–Nd isotopic and seismological data for a picrite–basalt–rhyolite suite from the northern Tarim uplift (NTU), northwest China. The samples were recovered from 13 boreholes at depths between 5,166 and 6,333 m. The picritic samples have high MgO (14.5–16.8 wt%, volatiles included) enriched in incompatible element and have high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and low ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd isotopic ratios (εNd (t) = −5.3; Sr_i = 0.707), resembling the Karoo high-Ti picrites. All the basaltic samples are enriched in TiO₂ (2.1–3.2 wt%, volatiles free), have high FeOt abundances (11.27–15.75 wt%, volatiles free), are enriched in incompatible elements and have high Sr and low Nd isotopic ratios (Sr_i = 0.7049–0.7065; εNd (t) = −4.1 to −0.4). High Nb/La ratios (0.91–1.34) of basalts attest that they are mantle-derived magma with negligible crustal contamination. The rhyolite samples can be subdivided into two coeval groups with overlapping U–Pb zircon ages between 291 ± 4 and 272 ± 2 Ma. Group 1 rhyolites are enriched in Nb and Ta, have similar Nb/La, Nb/U, and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions to the associated basalts, implying that they are formed by fractional crystallization of the basalts. Group 2 rhyolites are depleted in Nb and Ta, have low Nb/La ratios, and have very high Sr and low Nd isotopic ratios, implying that crustal materials have been extensively, if not exclusively, involved in their source. The picrite–basalt–rhyolite suite from the NTU, together with Permian volcanic rocks from elsewhere Tarim basin, constitute a Large Igneous Province (LIP) that is characterized by large areal extent, rapid eruption, OIB-type chemical composition, and eruption of high temperature picritic magma. The Early Permian magmatism, which covered an area >300,000 km², is therefore named the Tarim Flood Basalt.     

Volatile properties of atmospheric aerosols during nucleation events at Pune,India

Continuous measurements of aerosol size distributions in the mid-point diameter range 20.5–500 nm were made from October 2005 to March 2006 at Pune (18°32′N, 73°51′E), India using Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS). Volatilities of atmospheric aerosols were also measured at 40°, 125°, 175°, 300° and 350°C temperatures with Thermodenuder–SMPS coupled system to determine aerosol volatile fractions. Aerosols in nucleated, CCN and accumulated modes are characterized from the measured percentage of particles volatized at 40°, 125°, 175°, 300° and 350°C temperatures. Averaged monthly aerosol concentration is at its maximum in November and gradually decreases to its minimum at the end of March. The diurnal variations of aerosol concentrations gradually decrease in the night and in early morning hours (0400–0800 hr). However, concentration attains minimum in its variations in the noon (1400–1600 hr) due to higher ventilation factor (product of mixing height and wind speed). The half an hour averaged diurnal variation of aerosol number concentration shows about 5 to 10-fold increase despite the ventilation factor at higher side before 1200 hr. This sudden increase in aerosol concentrations is linked with prevailing conditions for nucleation bursts. The measurement of volatile fraction of ambient aerosols reveals that there are large number of highly volatile particles in the Aitken mode in the morning hours and these volatile fractions of aerosols at temperatures <150°C are of ammonium chloride and ammonium sulfate, acetic and formic acids.     

The fidelity of melt inclusions as records of melt composition

A series of experiments created melt inclusions in plagioclase and pyroxene crystals grown from a basaltic melt at 1,150°C, 1.0 GPa to investigate diffusive fractionation during melt inclusion formation; additionally, P diffusion in a basaltic melt was measured at 1.0 GPa. Melt inclusions and melts within a few 100 microns of plagioclase–melt interfaces were analyzed for comparison with melt compositions far from the crystals. Melt inclusions and melt compositions in the boundary layer close to the crystal–melt interface were similar, but both differ significantly in incompatible element concentrations from melt found greater than approximately 200 microns away from the crystals. The compositional profiles of S, Cl, P, Fe, and Al in the boundary layers were successfully reproduced by a two-step model of rapid crystal growth followed by diffusive relaxation toward equilibrium after termination of crystal growth. Applying this model to investigate possible incompatible element enrichment in natural melt inclusions demonstrated that at growth rates high enough to create the conditions for melt inclusion formation, ∼10⁻⁹–10⁻⁸ m s⁻¹, the concentration of water in the boundary layer near the crystal was similar to that of the bulk melt because of its high diffusion coefficient, but sulfur, with a diffusivity similar to major elements and CO₂, was somewhat enriched in the boundary layer melt, and phosphorus, with its low diffusion coefficient similar to other high-field strength elements and rare earth elements, was significantly enriched. Thus, the concentrations of sulfur and phosphorus in melt inclusions may over-estimate their values in the bulk melt, and other elements with similar diffusion coefficients may also be enriched in melt inclusions relative to the bulk melt. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Different responses of different altitudes surrounding Taklimankan Desert to global climate change

Chongce Ice Cap (35°14′N, 81°07′E), located in the south margin of Taklimakan Desert, West Kunlun Mts. of China was sampled by coring in 1992, and this provides us with climate proxy of high altitudes (6,530 m). Through analyzing the weather observation stations surrounding Taklimakan Desert, the climate record of Hotan station was chosen to be the representative of low altitudes. Wavelet analysis were used to investigate the climatic variations of patterns, cycles and frequencies of different altitudes from 1954 to 1992, and different responses of different altitude surrounding Taklimakan Desert to global warming were recorded: (1) coherent decline of snow accumulation rate and dust deposition of high altitude recorded in Chongce ice core; (2) coherent increase of summer half-year precipitation and SAT of Hotan; (3) consistent variation tendency between dust deposit recorded in Chongce ice core and Hotan spring sandstorm days; (4) opposite variation tendency between Hotan precipitation and Chongce ice core snow accumulation rate and consistent cycles in general. By analyzing the mechanism of different responses, the predominant factors were determined of different altitudes: (1) at the low altitude, the vapor supply is predominant, and more vapor supplying means more precipitation; (2) at the high altitude, probably the population of dust aerosols which act as cloud ice nuclei in high altitude takes advantage over the vapor supply to affect the precipitation, and so the dust aerosol population reducing results in the wet deposition being reduced, thus the dust aerosol is the predominant factor.     

An analysis on the dust aerosol climatology over the major dust sources in the northern hemisphere

The paper addresses influence of dust particles on the aerosol loading over the major deserts in the northern hemisphere. The role of dust aerosols in the total aerosol concentration and size distribution of the particles are analysed. It is observed that the aerosol loading is high in the northern hemisphere of which the deserts and adjoining areas in Asia and Africa play a leading role. Over the entire oceanic region, except some parts of the Atlantic Ocean near to the West coast of Africa and the Arabian Sea, aerosol loading is less. The Sahara Desert is the prominent source of dust aerosols throughout the year. The deserts of Asia are also prominent sources of dust aerosols on a global basis. Above 70% of the total aerosol optical depth (AOD) is contributed by the dust particles, reaching to around 90% during spring months March, April and May over the Sahara Desert, which is the major source of dust aerosols. Goddard Chemistry Aerosol Radiation and Transport model is used to estimate the dust aerosol concentration over the deserts of Asia and Africa. The model output almost agrees with the regions of dust loading obtained from the Envisat/SCIAMACHY. Hence, the model is reliable in estimating the dust aerosol loading over the major dust aerosol sources. The major portion of the total dust loading belongs to coarse mode particles.     

The ion–aerosol interactions from the ion mobility and aerosol particle size distribution measurements on January 17 and February 18, 2005 at Maitri,Antarctica – A case study

A case study for the ion–aerosol interactions is presented from the simultaneous measurements of mobility spectra of atmospheric ions in the mobility range of 2.29 to 2.98 × 10^− 4 cm² V^− 1 s^-1^{-1}(diameter range 0.41–109 nm) and of size distribution of atmospheric aerosol particles in the size ranges of 4.4–700 nm and 500–20,000 nm diameters made at Maitri (70°45^′52^{′ ′}S, 11°44^′2.7^{′ ′}E; 130 m above mean sea level), Antarctica, on two days January 17 and February 18, 2005, with contrasting meteorological conditions. In contrast to January 17, on February 18, winds were stronger from the morning to noon and lower from the noon to evening, atmospheric pressure was lower, cloudiness was more, the land surface remained snow-covered after a blizzard on February 16 and 17 and the airmass over Maitri, descended from an altitude of ~3 km after an excursion over ocean. On these days mobility spectra showed two modes, corresponding to intermediate ions and light large ions and an indication of additional one/two maxima for small/cluster ions and heavy large ions. The small ions generated by cosmic rays, and the nucleation mode particles generated probably by photochemical reactions grew in size by condensation of volatile trace gases on them and produced the cluster and intermediate ion modes and the Aitken particle mode in ion/particle spectra. Particles in the size range of 9–26 nm have been estimated to grow at the rate of 1.9 nm h^− 1 on February 18, 2005. Both, ions and aerosol particles show bimodal size distributions in the 16–107 nm size range, and comparison of the two size distributions suggests the formation of multiple charged ions. Attachment of small ions to particles in this bimodal distribution of Aitken particles together with the formation of multiple charged ions are proposed to result in the light and heavy large ion modes. Growth of the nucleation mode particles on February 18, 2005 is associated with the passage of the airmass over ocean. In contrast, though the ion size distributions were not much different, the aerosol size distributions did not show a dominant peak for the formation and growth of nucleation mode particles on January 17. More measurements are needed before the conclusion of this case study is generalized.     

Fluoride,nitrate and water hardness in groundwater supplied to the rural communities of Ensenada County,Baja California,Mexico

The hydrogeochemistry of 26 wells belonging to ten different aquifers in the county of Ensenada, Baja California, is studied. These wells are all used to supply the rural communities in the region, which comprise ~37,000 inhabitants, excluding the city of Ensenada. High total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations (maximum 7.35 g l⁻¹) indicate that salt is a ubiquitous contaminant in the aquifers due to seawater intrusion. The aquifers that support extensive agriculture activities (Maneadero, San Quintín, San Simón and El Rosario) are characterized by higher N–NO₃ concentrations (maximum 20 mg l⁻¹) derived from fertilizers. Fluoride concentrations exceed the 1.5 mg l⁻¹ Mexican official limit in only four wells. The enrichments of F⁻ in the southern aquifers are thought to be associated to water–rock interactions controlled mainly by Na–Ca equilibrium reactions with fluorite, as suggested from high dissolved Na concentrations in these waters. In the northern aquifer of Maneadero, no enrichment of Na is found and a geothermal source for F⁻ is likely. Water is hard to moderately hard, with Ca/Mg ratios >1. Although drinking water directly from the tap is not a common practice in these localities, most sources have concentrations of major ions and TDS that exceed the Mexican official limits.     

The impact of over 100 years of wildfires on mercury levels and accumulation rates in two lakes in southern California,USA

In southern California, USA, wildfires may be an important source of mercury (Hg) to local watersheds. Hg levels and Hg accumulation rates were investigated in dated sediment cores from two southern California lakes, Big Bear Lake and Crystal Lake, located approximately 40-km apart. Between 1895 and 2006, fires were routinely minimized or suppressed around Big Bear Lake, while fires regularly subsumed the forest surrounding Crystal Lake. Mean Hg concentrations and mean Hg accumulation rates were significantly higher in Crystal Lake sediments compared to Big Bear Lake sediments (Hg levels: Crystal Lake 220 ± 93 ng g⁻¹, Big Bear Lake 92 ± 26 ng g⁻¹; Hg accumulation: Crystal Lake 790 ± 1,200 μg m⁻² year⁻¹, Big Bear 240 ± 54 μg m⁻² year⁻¹). In Crystal Lake, the ratio between post-1965 and pre-1865 Hg concentrations was 1.1, and several spikes in Hg levels occurred between 1910 and 1985. Given the remote location of the lake, the proximity of fires, and the lack of point sources within the region, these results suggested wildfires (rather than industrial sources) were a continuous source of Hg to Crystal Lake over the last 150 years.     

Magma mixing origin for the post-collisional adakitic monzogranite of the Triassic Yangba pluton, Northwestern margin of the South China block: geochemistry, Sr–Nd isotopic, zircon U–Pb dating and Hf isotopic evidences

Petrogenesis of high Mg# adakitic rocks in intracontinental settings is still a matter of debate. This paper reports major and trace element, whole-rock Sr–Nd isotope, zircon U–Pb and Hf isotope data for a suite of adakitic monzogranite and its mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) at Yangba in the northwestern margin of the South China Block. These geochemical data suggest that magma mixing between felsic adakitic magma derived from thickened lower continental crust and mafic magma derived from subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) may account for the origin of high Mg# adakitic rocks in the intracontinental setting. The host monzogranite and MMEs from the Yangba pluton have zircon U–Pb ages of 207 ± 2 and 208 ± 2 Ma, respectively. The MMEs show igneous textures and contain abundant acicular apatite that suggests quenching process. Their trace element and evolved Sr–Nd isotopic compositions [(⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i = 0.707069–0.707138, and ε_Nd(t) = −6.5] indicate an origin from SCLM. Some zircon grains from the MMEs have positive ε_Hf(t) values of 2.3–8.2 with single-stage Hf model ages of 531–764 Ma. Thus, the MMEs would be derived from partial melts of the Neoproterozoic SCLM that formed during rift magmatism in response to breakup of supercontinent Rodinia, and experience subsequent fractional crystallization and magma mixing process. The host monzogranite exhibits typical geochemical characteristics of adakite, i.e., high La/Yb and Sr/Y ratios, low contents of Y (9.5–14.5 ppm) and Yb, no significant Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.81–0.90), suggesting that garnet was stable in their source during partial melting. Its evolved Sr–Nd isotopic compositions [(⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i = 0.7041–0.7061, and ε_Nd(t) = −3.1 to −4.3] and high contents of K₂O (3.22–3.84%) and Th (13.7–19.0 ppm) clearly indicate an origin from the continental crust. In addition, its high Mg# (51–55), Cr and Ni contents may result from mixing with the SCLM-derived mafic magma. Most of the zircon grains from the adakitic monzogranite show negative ε_Hf(t) values of −9.4 to −0.1 with two-stage Hf model ages of 1,043–1,517 Ma; some zircon grains display positive ε_Hf(t) of 0.1–3.9 with single-stage Hf ages of 704–856 Ma. These indicate that the source region of adakitic monzogranite contains the Neoproterozoic juvenile crust that has the positive ε_Hf(t) values in the Triassic. Thus, the high-Mg adakitic granites in the intracontinental setting would form by mixing between the crustal-derived adakitic magma and the SCLM-derived mafic magma. The mafic and adakitic magmas were generated coevally at Late Triassic, temporally consistent with the exhumation of deeply subducted continental crust in the northern margin of the South China Block. This bimodal magmatism postdates slab breakoff at mantle depths and therefore is suggested as a geodynamic response to lithospheric extension subsequent to the continental collision between the South China and North China Blocks.     

Characteristics of aerosol dust in fresh snow in the Asian dust and non-dust periods at Urumqi glacier no. 1 of eastern Tian Shan,China

Windblown mineral aerosol dust derived from the crustal surface is an important atmospheric component affecting the earth’s radiation budget. Deposition of atmospheric dust was measured in the fresh snow on glacier no. 1 at the headwater of the Urumqi River in eastern Tian Shan, central Asia. An analysis of seasonal variation of concentrations of dust particles in the snow suggests that the number concentration of dust particle is significantly high from April to June, which may be caused by Asian dust storms in the spring. The comparison of mass-size distribution of dust particles from April to August shows an obvious seasonal change trend. The distribution of particles changes from single model (3–21 μm) in the non-dust period before dust events in April, to bi-model (3–21 and 20–80 μm) during the Asian dust period, and to single model (3–21 μm) after July in the non-dust period again. The Ca²⁺ concentration in the fresh snow is also very high from April to June, while NH₄ ⁺ and SO₄ ²⁻, as water-soluble constituents, have concentration changes that are different from each other. Backward trajectory was also employed to examine the transport process of air mass in this region.     

Radiation-induced defects in quartz. II. Single-crystal W-band EPR study of a natural citrine quartz

Single-crystal electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of a natural citrine quartz without any artificial irradiation, measured at W-band frequencies (∼94 GHz) and temperatures of 77, 110 and 298 K, allow better characterization of three previously-reported Centers (#6, #7 and B) and discovery of three new defects (B′, C′ and G′). The W-band EPR spectra reveal that Centers #6 and #7 do not reside on twofold symmetry axes, contrary to results from a previous X-band EPR study. The W-band spectra also show that the previously reported Center B is a mixture of two defects (B and B′) with similar g matrices but different-sized ²⁷Al hyperfine structures. Center C′ has similar principal g values to the previously reported Center C but is distinct from the latter by a larger ²⁷Al hyperfine structure with splittings from 0.10 to 0.22 mT. Also, Center G′ has a similar g matrix to the previously reported Center G but a different ²⁷Al hyperfine structure with splittings from 0.41 to 0.53 mT. These spin-Hamiltonian parameters, together with observed thermal properties and microwave-power dependence, suggest that Centers #6 and #7 probably represent O₂³⁻ type defects. Centers B and B′ are probably superoxide radicals (O₂⁻) with the unpaired spin localized on the same pair of oxygen atoms around a missing Si atom but linked to a substitutional Al³⁺ ion each at different neighboring tetrahedral sites. Similarly, Centers G and G′ are most likely superoxide radicals with the unpaired spin localized on another pair of oxygen atoms around a missing Si atom and linked to a substitutional Al³⁺ ion each at different neighboring tetrahedral sites. Center C′ is probably an ozonide radical associated with a missing Si atom and linked to a substitutional Al³⁺ ion at the neighboring tetrahedral site. This study exemplifies the value of  high-frequency EPR for discrimination of  similar defect centers and determination of  small local structural distortions that are often difficult to resolve in conventional  X- and Q-band EPR studies.     

Petrogenesis of the Swartruggens and Star Group II kimberlite dyke swarms,South Africa: constraints from whole rock geochemistry

Thirty-seven samples from the Swartruggens and Star Group II kimberlite dyke swarms, emplaced through the Kaapvaal craton, have been analysed for their major and trace element and Sr, Nd and Hf isotope compositions. The samples are all MgO-rich (~12–35 wt%) with high Mg# (0.72–0.90) and Ni (~610–2700 ppm) contents. The kimberlites are strongly enriched in incompatible elements (Zr = 140–668 ppm; La = 124–300 ppm; Nb = 68–227 ppm; Ba = 1500–7000), and have high and variable chondrite normalised La/Yb ratios (Swartruggens = 94 ± 21; Star = 202 ± 36). ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.70718–0.71050) ratios are elevated, whereas εNd (−11.95 to −7.84) and ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios (0.282160–0.282564) are low. Inter- and intra-dyke compositional variation is significant, and there are systematic differences between the kimberlites found at the two localities. Intra-locality differences can largely be attributed to a combination of the effects of alteration, crustal contamination, macrocryst entrainment and phenocryst fractionation. There is some evidence for distinct parental magmas formed through variable and low degrees (0.5–2%) of partial melting, as illustrated by crossing rare earth element patterns. The Star kimberlites have derived from a less radiogenic source, with higher LREE enrichment than the Swartruggens kimberlites. Inferred primary magmas at each locality have high Mg# (~0.83), are Ni-rich (850–1220 ppm) and are strongly enriched in incompatible elements. Calculated mantle source compositions are strongly enriched in incompatible elements (La/Yb_n ~ 10–50), but refractory in terms of Mg# and Ni contents. Incompatible element ratios such as Ba/Nb (>13.5), La/Nb (> 1.1) and Ce/Pb (< 22) are unlike those characteristic of Group I kimberlites or ocean island basalts, but indistinguishable from calc-alkaline magmas. Taken together with extremely low εNd and εHf, these compositional characteristics are used to argue for derivation of these Group II kimberlite magmas from the deep subcontinental lithospheric mantle, metasomatised during the Proterozoic by calc-alkaline fluids/melts.     

Geochemistry of groundwater,Markandeya River Basin,Belgaum district,Karnataka State,India

The Markandeya River Basin stretches geographically from 15o56′ to 16o08′ N latitude and 74o37′ to 74o58′ E longitude, positioned in the midst of Belgaum district, in the northern part of Karnataka. The groundwater quality of 54 pre-monsoon samples in the Markandeya River Basin was evaluated for its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes by estimating pH, EC, TDS, hardness and alkalinity besides major cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+) and anions (HCO3–, Cl–, SO42–, PO43-, F-, NO3–), boron, SAR, % Na, RSC, RSBC, chlorinity index, SSP, non-carbonate hardness, Potential Salinity, Permeability Index, Kelley’s ratio, Magnesium hazard and Index of Base Exchange. Negative Index of Base Exchange indicates the chloro-alkaline disequilibrium in the study area and the majority of water samples fall in the rock dominance field based on Gibbs’ ratio. Permeability indices of classes I and II suggest suitability of groundwater for irrigation. Based on Cl, SO4, HCO3 concentrations, water samples can be classified as normal chloride (96.3%) and normal sulfate (94.4%) and normal bicarbonate (44.4%) water types.     

New constraints on elemental and Pb and Nd isotope compositions of South American and Southern African aerosol sources to the South Atlantic Ocean

Improving the geochemical database available for characterising potential natural and anthropogenic aerosol sources from South America and Southern Africa is a critical precondition for studies aimed at understanding trace metal controls on the marine biogeochemical cycles of the South Atlantic Ocean. We here present new elemental and isotopic data for a wide range of sample types from South America and Southern Africa that are potentially important aerosol sources. This includes road dust from Buenos Aires and lichen samples from Johannesburg, soil dust from Patagonia, volcanic ash from the Andean volcanic belt, and aerosol samples from São Paulo. All samples were investigated for major (Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, Na, K, Mn) and trace element (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, REE, Sc, Th, Y, V, Zn) concentrations and Nd and Pb isotopic compositions. We show that diagrams of ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁷Pb vs. ε_Nd, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁷Pb vs. Pb/Al, 1/[Pb], Zn/Al, Cd/Al, Cu/Al, and ε_Nd vs. Pb/Al, and 1/[Nd] are best suited to separate South American and South African source regions as well as natural and anthropogenic sources. A subset of samples from Patagonia and the Andes was additionally subjected to separation of a fine (<5?μm) fraction and compared to the composition of the bulk sample. We show that differences in the geochemical signature of bulk samples between individual regions and source types are significantly larger than between grain sizes. Jointly, these findings present an important step forward towards a quantitative assessment of aeolian trace metal inputs to the South Atlantic Ocean.     

Hydrogeochemistry and dissolved inorganic carbon isotopic composition on karst groundwater in Maolan, southwest China

The forest ecosystem in the Maolan karst forest, southwest China is the only concentrated, intact, and relatively stable karst forest ecosystem which has survived in the area at the same latitude in the world, and is a valuable karst forest plant resource as well. Groundwater samples from Maolan karst forest were collected from wells and springs during summer; and concentrations of major ions and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) isotopic compositions were measured. The pH values range from 7.2 to 8.3 results from the dissolution of carbonate, HCO₃ ⁻ is the dominant species of DIC in groundwater. Calcium and HCO₃ ⁻, followed by Mg²⁺ and SO₄ ²⁻ dominate the chemical composition of major ions in the groundwaters. Groundwater samples have δ¹³C values in the range from −8.1‰ to −16.6‰, which are lower than that of the other karst city groundwaters in the southwest China. Combining δ¹³C_DIC ratios with measurements of HCO₃ ⁻ and pH clearly distinguishes the principal processes underlying the geochemical evolution of groundwater in Carboniferous carbonate aquifers, where processes can be both degradation of organic matters in the soil and the carbonate dissolution.     

Chemical and isotopic variations in the Wiśniówka Mała mine pit water,Holy Cross Mountains (south-central Poland)

In 2005 and 2006, hydrogeochemical study was carried out in the bipartite Wiśniówka Mała pit lake of the Holy Cross Mountains (south-central Poland). This is the largest acidic water body in Poland. This report presents the element concentrations in the water and sediment, stable sulfur and oxygen isotope ratios in the soluble sulfates, and stable oxygen isotope ratio in the water. The scope of the investigation also encompassed mineralogical examinations (scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction) of the sediment. The results of this study show that there is a spatial and temporal variability in concentrations of most elements and sulfur isotope ratios in the examined pit lake. The water of the western pond displayed a lower pH with a mean of 3.73 and higher conductivity (390 μS cm⁻¹) as well as higher concentrations of sulfates (156 mg L⁻¹) and most of the cations and anions. The concentrations of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ averaged 0.8 and 0.4 mg·L⁻¹. In contrast, the eastern pond water revealed a higher pH (mean of 4.36), lower conductivity (293 μS cm⁻¹) and lower sulfate (90 mg L⁻¹) and trace metal levels. Similar variations were recorded in the stable sulfur isotope ratios. The δ³⁴S_V-CDT(SO₄ ²⁻) values in the water of the western pit pond were in the range of −6.7 to −4.6‰ (mean of −5.6‰), whereas that in the eastern pit pond ranged from −2.2 to −0.9‰ (−1.6‰). The alkalinity of the entire lake water was below 0.1 mg·L⁻¹ CaCO₃. No distinct difference in the δ¹⁸O_V-SMOW(SO₄ ²⁻) was noted between the western and eastern pit ponds. Compared to the Purple Pond in the Sudetes (Poland) and similar sites throughout the world, the examined pit lake is highlighted by distinctly low concentrations of sulfates, iron and other trace metals. Based on this and other studies performed in the Holy Cross Mountains, a conclusion can be drawn that the SO₄ ²⁻ in the Wiśniówka Mała pit lake water is a mixture of SO₄ ²⁻ derived from the following sources: (1) pyrite oxidation (especially in the western pond water), (2) leaching of soluble sulfates from soils and waste material, as well as (3) subordinate deposition of airborne sulfate precipitation.