楚科奇海-加拿大海盆表层沉积物中的氨基酸

对2003年中国第二次北极科学考察所获得的部分表层沉积物样品进行了总水解氨基酸(THAA)、氨基糖(HA)的测定。不同区域氨基酸主要成分不同,楚科奇海站位的氨基酸主要成分为甘氨酸(Gly)、谷氨酸(Glu),位于加拿大海盆的B80、B11、P27站THAA的主要成分为丝氨酸(Ser)。沉积物的总有机碳(TOC)、总氮(TN)、THAA、HA含量等特征随区域不同有较大差别,白令海峡的BS11站TOC、HA含量最低,加拿大海盆的B80站THAA、TN含量最低。楚科奇海R03站TOC、TN为最高,THAA在R11含量达最大值,HA在楚科奇海台的P11站最高。初步讨论了楚科奇海—加拿大海盆表层沉积物中氨基酸的空间分布,根据氨基酸选择性降解和主成份分析结果引入DI”指标,并对七个站位表层沉积物有机质新鲜程度进行了比较,新鲜度由大至小顺序为C15>BS11>R11>S11>P11>R03>B80,这与表层沉积物来源、水动力条件等有关,由此推测楚科奇海陆架、白令海峡沉积物有机质较楚科奇海台、加拿大海盆较为新鲜。     

绿素对西北冰洋海源有机碳埋藏的指示意义

依托于2003年第2次北极科学考察航次,对西北冰洋25个表层沉积物样品用高效液相色谱仪(HPLC)进行绿素(chlorin)分析。结果显示,绿素含量值为0.04~125.29μg/g,平均18.92μg/g,远高于世界其他海域。楚科奇海陆架区绿素含量高,表明整体具有高的生产力。高营养盐的阿纳德尔流和白令海陆架流的输入促进了浮游植物的生长,加大了海源有机碳在楚科奇海陆架区的沉积,也加大了沉积绿素的输入。加拿大海盆区绿素含量低,主要因为海盆区营养盐含量低,加上海冰覆盖(光限制),藻类生产力低;另一个因素是,海盆区水深较大,绿素在沉降过程中更容易降解,不易保存在沉积物中。通过上层水柱中叶绿素积分与表层沉积绿素的对比也可以看出,陆架区的生物量普遍高于海盆区。由于时间尺度的不同,楚科奇海上层海洋叶绿素分布(代表瞬时)和表层沉积绿绿素分布(代表几年至十几年平均)存在空间差异。而总有机碳归一化处理后的绿素与有机碳的比值,则与海源有机碳的百分含量有较好的相关性。经过归一化以后的沉积绿素与有机碳比值可以为长时间尺度下北冰洋上层海洋生态环境变化提供重要的信息。     

北极地区区域地质及美亚海盆的演化

北冰洋是世界四大洋之一,受自然条件的限制,其地质调查和研究程度还很低。美亚海盆的形成演化,更是众说纷纭,且很少得到地质地球物理资料的支持。笔者在充分调研的基础上,试图对北极地区区域地质及美亚海盆的扩张进行综述。北冰洋张开之前,北极地区主体是北极克拉通,周边为不同时期形成的造山带,包括晚新元古代贝加尔造山带、中古生代加里东造山带、二叠纪—三叠纪海西造山带及早白垩世晚基末利造山带。美亚海盆中的阿尔法海岭、门捷列夫海岭以及楚科奇高地、Northwind脊均为陆壳,是北极克拉通的一部分。美亚海盆应是中—晚侏罗世伴随着泛大陆的裂解开始形成,但海盆的扩张方式及时间有多种不同的观点,包括晚侏罗世门捷列夫海岭从加拿大陆缘裂离及门捷列夫海岭从罗蒙诺索夫海岭裂离等。这些观点均难以解释美亚海盆的外形与地理特征。平行四边形模式,虽能较好地解释美亚海盆演化的外形特征,但其地球动力系统复杂,尚需地质地球物理资料的支持。     

北极楚科奇海沉积生物硅的分布及其硅质泵过程初探

依托第3次、第4次、第5次北极科学考察在北极楚科奇海采集的表层沉积物样品,通过碱液连续提取法对生物硅含量进行分析,以探讨楚科奇海的生物硅分布及硅质泵过程。结果显示,楚科奇海表层沉积物中生物硅的含量为1.23%~10.60%。高值区位于楚科奇海陆坡处72°N附近和楚科奇海南部阿纳德尔流和西伯利亚沿岸流的交界处68°N附近,低值区位于楚科奇海东部阿拉斯加沿岸流影响区域,其生物硅含量小于3%。楚科奇海表层沉积物中生物硅的分布与上层水体的初级生产力的分布格局较一致,而影响上层水体浮游植物生产的两个重要因素分别为楚科奇海环流格局(尤其是太平洋入流水的影响)和海冰融化。生物硅和有机碳之间存在很好的正相关关系,表层沉积物中蛋白石/有机碳(Sibio/Corg)的比值为1.6~2.02,与北太平洋中该比例相当,表明上层海洋硅质泵过程对楚科奇海碳埋藏的贡献较大,使得楚科奇海成为全球海洋吸收大气CO2重要的汇之一。     

融冰期北极楚科奇海陆架中心区硅限制与来源补充

相对氮亏损(N:P约为7,小于16)的太平洋入流水携带的营养盐是支撑北冰洋上层生态系统的重要物质基础。海冰消退,光限制消失,楚科奇海陆架存在强烈的营养盐消耗与利用,广泛认为其表现为氮限制,因此该区域重点关注氮元素循环,对于硅元素的相关研究较少。本文基于2016年中国第七次北极科学考察和中国-俄罗斯首次联合北极科学考察两个同步进行的航次调查结果,全面展示了融冰期整个楚科奇海陆架区的营养盐分布格局。结果显示,硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐表层基本耗尽;硅酸盐表现为中心低,周围高,陆架中心区是强烈的硅限制区域,受到硅和氮的共同限制。沿着太平洋入流方向,S01、R01、LV77-01站位30 m以深硅酸盐浓度高于太平洋入流水端员,说明沉积物孔隙水向底层水释放硅酸盐,因此在浅水陆架区孔隙水可作为上层海洋硅酸盐的潜在来源。本研究结合文献数据计算得到楚科奇海陆架沉积物-水界面硅酸盐年通量为630.78 mmol·m^-2·a^-1,总量为3.75×10¹¹ mol·a^-1,是太平洋入流水所携带硅酸盐年通量的一半(6.59×10¹¹ mol·a^-1),表明沉积物孔隙水也是楚科奇海陆架硅酸盐的重要来源。     

淮南采煤沉陷区表层沉积物稀土元素地球化学特征

稀土元素由于其独特的化学特征被广泛应用于环境地球化学分析过程研究。以淮南采煤沉陷区表层沉积物中稀土元素(REEs)为研究对象,采集研究区潘一、顾桥、谢桥沉陷区的表层沉积物样品共12个,采用ICP-MS对样品的稀土元素含量进行测试分析,探讨了表层沉积物中稀土元素的含量分布特征、控制因素及其物质来源。结果表明:研究区表层沉积物中稀土元素含量为54.63~130.45 μg/g,平均102.60 μg/g;LREE/HREE比值为11.89~20.55,平均14.29,轻稀土呈现明显富集现象;相关性分析结果显示,REEs趋向于黏土组分中富集;研究区养殖和捕捞活动导致表层沉积物中稀土元素含量的降低;球粒陨石标准化结果表明,研究区稀土元素呈现不同程度的La和Gd正异常,其中,Gd正异常主要是受到燃煤的影响,而La正异常主要与燃煤和化肥有关。结合Pearson相关性、球粒陨石标准化和(La/Yb)_N-(La/Sm)_N-(Gd/Yb)_N三元图判别,认为研究区水体表层沉积物中稀土元素与人类活动(燃煤和化肥)有关,研究认识为污染物的源头控制和煤矿区环境的生态治理提供参考依据。      

南海表层沉积物的稀土和微量元素的丰度及其空间变化

对南海表层沉积物中稀土元素、微量元素丰度和分布特征的研究结果表明,在空间分布上,∑REE与Nb、,Th、Ta、Rb、Ti、Zr、Hf、Cs、Ga、Li等相似,呈显著正相关,反映出这些元素在风化、搬运和沉积过程中地球化学行为非常相似;元素Sr几乎与所有元素都呈负相关,指示其来源或存在形式不同于其他元素,主要来源于生物作用,而在粗粒级的钙质生物贝壳和碎屑中富集.∑REE与Nb、Th、Ta、Rb、Ti、Zr、Hf、Cs、Ga、Li在陆架区具有沿陆分带特点,北部陆架区、中南半岛中东部和加里曼丹岛西北部沿大陆区域富集,与该区陆源河流物质输入及海流的分选作用,造成某些富含稀土和微量元素的重砂矿的富集有关;西南部巽他陆架和东南部岛礁区以及中、西沙附近区域含量较低,与该区域的生源碳酸盐的稀释作用,使粘土矿物相对减少和火山物质对其产生的“稀释“作用有关.南海各海区沉积物和全海区表层沉积物平均值的球粒陨石标准化稀土元素分布模式,总体上与中国大陆沉积物和浅海沉积物相似,而与大洋玄武岩完全不同,反映了南海沉积物与中国浅海沉积物及中国大陆沉积物的物源大致相同,主要来自陆源.南海各海区沉积物稀土元素的球粒陨石标准化配分曲线仍表现出了一定差异,陆架区轻稀土比重稀土明显富集,存在比较明显的Eu负异常,与陆架区相比较,陆坡区和海盆区则轻稀土含量相对降低,重稀土含量有所上升,LREE/HREE从陆架区、陆坡区到海盆区逐渐降低,显示陆架区主要为陆源,而陆坡和海盆沉积物中则有幔源物质加入.稀土元素的大陆壳标准化配分模式大部分较为平坦,少数样品呈轻稀土弱富集型或重稀土弱富集型.说明南海海表层沉积物主要来源于周边大陆.从各海区沉积物稀土元素的大陆壳标准化配分曲线对比来看,陆架区表现为轻稀土富集、重稀土亏损,具一定的铕负异常,深部海盆区则出现明显的中稀土和重稀土的富集,铕异常变弱,与深部海盆区有基性火山物质的加入的地质事实相吻合.南海表层沉积物稀土元素和微量元素总体上呈现出以陆源沉积为主的特征.其元素平均丰度和各参数值都比较接近陆源河流和中国浅海沉积物,而与深海沉积物和大洋玄武岩差别显著,显示南海沉积物虽然受到火山沉积和生物沉积的混合作用的影响,但其物质源仍然主要来自于周缘大陆.     

南海沉积物总量的统计：方法与结果

通过收集包括大洋钻探钻井岩芯在内的大量地质地球物理资料，获得了南海的沉积物厚度分布格局，并统计了自渐新世以来的沉积总量以及E3、N11、N21、N31、N2、Q各时期的沉积量。结果表明，在前渐新世基底之上，南海海盆中共有7.01×106  km3的沉积物，总质量为1.44×1016吨。以渐新世33 Ma的年龄计，南海的平均堆积速率是12.8 g/(cm2·ka)。南海沉积物主要堆积在陆架和陆坡上，中央海盆的沉积总量不及全部的5%。陆架和陆坡上发育的沉积盆地，如果以沉积厚度2 km为边界，则只占南海总面积的34%，却堆积了南海沉积总量的82%，表明沉积盆地是南海接受沉积物的主体。晚渐新世是南海沉积量最大、堆积速率最高的时期，与全球沉积速率演变有明显差异，显示出边缘海盆地的沉积作用，首先受该地构造作用的控制。     

刘家峡水库西南部水域表层沉积物重金属污染评价

为了研究刘家峡水库西南部水域表层沉积物中重金属的污染状况,对采集的55个表层沉积物样品中的6种重金属元素Cr、Cd、Ni、Cu、Zn和Pb的含量进行测试,其平均含量分别为77.03μg/g、0.16μg/g、33.53μg/g、32.09μg/g、291.77μg/g、22.44μg/g。在研究表层沉积物重金属含量空间分布的基础上,运用单因子污染指数法、内梅罗综合污染指数法、地累积指数法、潜在生态风险指数法,综合判断水库的受污染程度并对其潜在生态风险进行评估。6种元素的地累积指数排序依次为：Zn > Cu > Cd > Ni > Pb > Cr;潜在生态风险系数排序依次为：Cd > Cu > Pb > Zn > Ni > Cr;各区域重金属污染程度或潜在生态风险水平依次为黄河主河道 > 大夏河河口 > 黄河横剖面。综合4种方法的评价结果,认为对刘家峡水库西南部表层沉积物重金属污染及潜在生态风险评价贡献率较高的重金属污染因子是Zn、Cu和Cd;综合相关性分析与主成分分析,认为研究区沉积物重金属污染主要来源于两个方面：（1） Zn、Cu主要来源于生活污染或工业污染;（2） Cd主要来源于工农业活动产生的污染。     

南海西南海域表层沉积物中微量元素Ba的地球化学特征

分析南海西南海域表层沉积物中微量元素Ba的地球化学特征,并探讨生物成因Ba的分布及其与表层海水生产力的关系。南海西南海域表层沉积物Ba总量的变化范围为398~1 270 μg/g,平均值为851 μg/g,从上陆坡到下陆坡,沉积物中的Ba含量逐渐增加;微量元素Ba主要赋存于陆源碎屑相和生物成因相中,且明显受到沉积环境水深和陆源物质输入的影响。生物成因Ba含量的变化范围为30.6~938 μg/g,陆坡区和深海区平均值分别为495 μg/g、349 μg/g,占沉积物Ba总量的54％和51％,总体上,与沉积物Ba总量具有相对一致的分布特征。尽管研究区表层沉积物中Al、Ti成分为典型的陆源碎屑组分,但是,利用大陆上地壳Ba/Al比值和陆坡区沉积物回归分析获得的Ba/Al比值进行生物成因Ba的计算,过高地估算了沉积物中陆源Ba的含量;而采用页岩Ba/Ti比值来估算陆坡区表层沉积物中的生物成因Ba含量显得相对可靠。在深海区,利用经验的Ba/Al或Ba/Ti比值均不能获得有效的生物成因Ba值。因此,在获取沉积物中生物成因钡含量时,需结合各海区的特点选取合适的参数来扣除陆源Ba的含量。     

Biogeochemical processes in the Chukchi Sea

Study of biogeochemical processes in water and sediments of the Chukchi Sea in August 2004 revealed atypical maximums of the concentration of biogenic elements (N, P, and Si) and the rate of microbial sulfate reduction in the surface layer (0–3 cm) of marine sediments. The C: N: P ratio in the organic matter (OM) of this layer does not fit the Redfield-Richards stoichiometric model. Specific features of biogeochemical processes in sea are likely related to the complex dynamics of water, high primary productivity (110–1400 mg C/(m² day)), low depth of basin (<50 m in 60% of the water area), reduced food chain due to low population of zooplankton, high density of zoobenthos (up to 4230 g m^?2), and high activity of microbial processes. Drastic decrease in the concentration of biogenic elements, iodine, total alkalinity (Alk), and population of microorganisms beneath the 0–3 cm layer testify to a large-scale OM decay at the water-seafloor barrier. Our original experimental data support the high annual rate of OM mineralization at the bottom of the Chukchi Sea.     

黑碳气溶胶研究进展Ⅰ：排放、清除和浓度

黑碳气溶胶是近几年非常活跃的一个研究课题，因为黑碳气溶胶吸收太阳和地球大气的辐射，对全球气候变暖有重要的影响。中国黑碳气溶胶的排放和浓度比同纬度的高，在全球气候变暖的大背景下，中国黑碳气溶胶一直受到国外的关注。综述了国内外黑碳气溶胶研究的最新进展，受篇幅的限制，文章分两篇，第一篇是黑碳气溶胶的排放、清除和浓度，第二篇是黑碳气溶胶的气候效应和拓展的研究领域。从黑碳排放的估算和大气浓度的测量方法进行描述，列出有关的测量结果，对黑碳气溶胶的排放和大气浓度进行国内外的初步比较分析。还对黑碳气溶胶排放和浓度测量误差进行了讨论，并对今后黑碳气溶胶研究提出了几点建议。     

Multibeam bathymetric and sediment profiler evidence for ice grounding on the Chukchi Borderland, Arctic Ocean

Multibeam bathymetry and 3.5-kHz sub-bottom profiler data collected from the US icebreaker Healy in 2003 provide convincing evidence for grounded ice on the Chukchi Borderland off the northern Alaskan margin, Arctic Ocean. The data show parallel, glacially induced seafloor scours, or grooves, and intervening ridges that reach widths of 1000 m (rim to rim) and as much as 40 m relief. Following previous authors, we refer to these features as “megascale glacial lineations (MSGLs).” Additional support for ice grounding is apparent from stratigraphic unconformities, interpreted to have been caused by ice-induced erosion. Most likely, the observed sea-floor features represent evidence for massive ice-shelf grounding. The general ESE/WNW direction of the MSGLs, together with sediment, evidently bulldozed off the Chukchi Plateau, that is mapped on the western (Siberian) side of the plateau, suggests ice flow from the Canada Basin side of Chukchi Borderland. Two separate generations of glacially derived MSGLs are identified on the Chukchi Borderland from the Healy geophysical data. The deepest and oldest extensive MSGLs appear to be draped by sediments less than 5 m thick, whereas no sediment drape can be distinguished within the resolution of the sub-bottom profiles on the younger generation.     

Abundance and Chemical Speciation of Phosphorus in Sediments of the Mackenzie River Delta, the Chukchi Sea and the Bering Sea: Importance of Detrital Apatite

Utilizing a sequential extraction technique this study provides the first quantitative analysis on the abundance of sedimentary phosphorus and its partitioning between chemically distinguishable phases in sediments of the Bering Sea, the Chukchi Sea and the Mackenzie River Delta in the western Arctic Ocean. Total sedimentary phosphorus (TSP) was fractionated into five operationally defined phases: (1) adsorbed inorganic and exchangeable organic phosphorus, (2) Fe-bound inorganic phosphorus, (3) authigenic carbonate fluorapatite, biogenic apatite and calcium carbonate-bound inorganic and organic phosphorus, (4) detrital apatite, and (5) refractory organic phosphorus. TSP concentrations in surface sediments increased from the Chukchi Sea (18 μmol g⁻¹ of dried sediments) to the Bering Sea (22 μmol g⁻¹) and to the Mackenzie River Delta (29 μmol g⁻¹). Among the five pools, detrital apatite phosphorus of igneous or metamorphic origin represents the largest fraction (~43%) of TSP. The second largest pool is the authigenic carbonate fluorapatite, biogenic apatite as well as CaCO₃ associated phosphorus (~24% of TSP), followed by the Fe-bound inorganic phosphorus, representing ~20% of TSP. The refractory organic P accounts for ~10% of TSP and the readily exchangeable adsorbed P accounts for only 3.5% of TSP. Inorganic phosphorus dominates all of phosphorus pools, accounting for an average of 87% of the TSP. Relatively high sedimentary organic carbon and total nitrogen contents and low δ¹³C values in the Mackenzie River Delta together with the dominance of detrital apatite in the TSP demonstrate the importance of riverine inputs in governing the abundance and speciation of sedimentary phosphorus in the Arctic coastal sediments.     

Tidal river sediments in the Washington,D.C. area. I. Distribution and sources of trace metals

Thirty-three bottom sediments were collected from the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, Tidal Basin, and Washington Ship Channel in June 1991 to define the extent of trace metal contamination and to elucidate source areas of sediment contaminants. In addition, twenty-three sediment samples were collected directly in front of and within major storm and combined sewers that discharge directly to these areas. Trace metals (e.g., Cu, Cr, Cd, Hg, Pb, and Zn) exhibited a wide range in values throughout the study area. Sediment concentrations of Pb ranged from 32.0 μg Pb g^?1 to 3,630 μg Pb g^?1, Cd from 0.24 μg Cd g^?1 to 4.1 μg Cd g^?1, and Hg from 0.13 μg Hg g^?1 to 9.2 μg Hg g^?1, with generally higher concentrations in either outfall or sewer sediments compared to river bottom-sediments. In the Anacostia River, concentration differences among sewer, outfall, and river sediments, along with downriver spatial trends in trace metals suggest that numerous storm and combined swers are major sources of trace metals. Similar results were observed in both the Tidal Basin and Washington Ship Channel. Cadminum and Pb concentrations are higher in specific sewers and outfalls, whereas the distribution of other metals suggests a more diffuse source to the rivers and basins of the area. Cadmium and Pb also exhibited the greatest enrichment throughout the study area, with peak values located in the Anacostia River, near the Washington Navy Yard. Enrichment factors decrease in the order: Cd>Pb>Zn>Hg>Cu>Cr. Between 70% and 96% of sediment-bound Pb and Cd was released from a N₂-purged IN HCl leach. On average, ≤40% of total sedimentary Cu was liberated, possibly due to the partial attack of organic components of the sediment. Sediments of the tidal freshwater portion of the Potomac estuary reflect a moderate to highly components area with substantial enrichments of sedimentary Pb, Cd, and Zn. The sediment phase that contains these metals indicates the potential mobility of the sediment-bound metals if they are reworked during either storm events or dredging.     

Microplastic contamination in lacustrine sediments in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Current status and transfer mechanisms

This paper aims to investigate the present situation and transfer mechanisms of microplastics in lacustrine sediments in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The study surveyed the average abundance of microplastics in sediments. The abundance of microplastics in sediments of lakes from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is 17.22–2643.65 items/kg DW and 0–60.63 items/kg DW based on the data of the Qinghai Lake and the Siying Co Basin. The microplastic abundance in sediments from small and medium lakes is very high compared to that in other areas in the world. Like microplastics in other lakes of the world, those in the lakes in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau mainly include organic polymers PA, PET, PE, and PP and are primarily in the shape of fibers and fragments. The microplastic pollution of lacustrine sediments in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is affected by natural changes and by human activities, and the concentration of microplastics in lacustrine ecosystems gradually increases through food chains. Furthermore, the paper suggests the relevant administrative departments of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau strengthen waste management while developing tourism and pay much attention to the impacts of microplastics in water environments. This study provides a reference for preventing and controlling microplastic contamination in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.©2022 China Geology Editorial Office.     

Principal features of the tectonic evolution of sedimentary basins in the Western Chukchi shelf and their petroleum resource potential

The history of the formation of sedimentary basins located predominantly in the western shelf of the Chukchi Sea is considered along with the data on the geology of adjacent areas of the American part of the sea and northern Alaska reported in the available publications on this region. The main lithotectonic complexes that correspond to particular stages of evolution of the region are identified. The tectonic rearrangement of the structural grain in response to the formation of the Canada Basin resulted in the development of the North Chukchi Trough. Intense subsidence of this trough and accumulation of thick sedimentary sequence favored, in turn, the balanced inversion uplift of the Wrangel-Herald Zone spatially related to depocenters of older sediments. Vigorous uplift and folding ceased in the Albian. In the geologic record, these processes are marked by unconformity and overstep of the older structural features. The inversion uplifts continued to rise later. Analysis of the data available provides new insights into the structure and evolution of the region. The sedimentary basins with a great thickness of their fill were favorable for generation and accumulation of hydrocarbons. The large uplifted blocks, extensive wedge-out zones, and stratigraphic unconformities at the walls of troughs and uplift slopes are especially favorable for hydrocarbon accumulation. Permissive beds are correlated with the Neocomian-Aptian sequence in Alaska that hosts oil and gas fields. The Upper Paleozoic and Lower Mesozoic strata, which are the main petroliferous sedimentary rocks in Alaska, may occur at a shallow depth in the Wrangel-Herald Inversion Zone. The conclusions drawn in this paper should be taken into account during reappraisal of the petroleum resources throughout the entire Chukchi shelf. At present, several oil and gas prospects are outlined in the Russian part of the Chukchi Sea.     

Arsenic Distribution Pattern in Different Sources of Drinking Water and their Geological Background in Guanzhong Basin,Shaanxi, China

To study arsenic(As) content and distribution patterns as well as the genesis of different kinds of water, especially the different sources of drinking water in Guanzhong Basin, Shaanxi province, China, 139 water samples were collected at 62 sampling points from wells of different depths, from hot springs, and rivers. The As content of these samples was measured by the intermittent flowhydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry method(HG-AFS). The As concentrations in the drinking water in Guanzhong Basin vary greatly(0.00–68.08 μg/L), and the As concentration of groundwater in southern Guanzhong Basin is different from that in the northern Guanzhong Basin. Even within the same location in southern Guanzhong Basin, the As concentrations at different depths vary greatly. As concentration of groundwater from the shallow wells(50 m deep, 0.56–3.87 μg/L) is much lower than from deep wells(110–360 m deep, 19.34–62.91 μg/L), whereas As concentration in water of any depth in northern Guanzhong Basin is 10 μg/L. Southern Guanzhong Basin is a newly discovered high-As groundwater area in China. The high-As groundwater is mainly distributed in areas between the Qinling Mountains and Weihe River; it has only been found at depths ranging from 110 to 360 m in confined aquifers, which store water in the Lishi and Wucheng Loess(Lower and Middle Pleistocene) in the southern Guanzhong Basin. As concentration of hot spring water is 6.47–11.94 μg/L; that of geothermal water between 1000 and 1500 m deep is 43.68–68.08 μg/L. The high-As well water at depths from 110 to 360 m in southern Guanzhong Basin has a very low fluorine(F) value, which is generally 0.10 mg/L. Otherwise, the hot springs of Lintong and Tangyu and the geothermal water in southern Guanzhong Basin have very high F values(8.07–14.96 mg/L). The results indicate that highAs groundwater in depths from 110 to 360 m is unlikely to have a direct relationship with the geothermal water in the same area. As concentration of all reservoirs and rivers(both contaminated and uncontaminated) in the Guanzhong Basin is 10 μg/L. This shows that pollution in the surface water is not the source of the high-As in the southern Guanzhong Basin. The partition boundaries of the high- and low-As groundwater area corresponds to the partition boundaries of the tectonic units in the Guanzhong Basin. This probably indicates that the high-As groundwater areas can be correlated to their geological underpinning and structural framework. In southern Guanzhong Basin, the main sources of drinking water for villages and small towns today are wells between 110–360 m deep. All of their As contents exceed the limit of the Chinese National Standard and the International Standard(10 μg/L) and so local residents should use other sources of clean water that are 50 m deep, instead of deep groundwater(110 to 360 m) for their drinking water supply.