Evaluation of the level of technogenic pollution in the coastal zone of the Black Sea near Gelendzhik

The content of technogenic pollutants in the coastal zone of the northeastern part of the Black Sea was evaluated. The quantitative evaluation of the level of technogenic load on the waters of Gelendzhik and Golubaya (Rybatskaya) bays was performed. A list of pollutants exceeding MPC standards was compiled.     

Co-benefits of local air pollutants and greenhouse gas reduction achieved by hydropower development in Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region,China

Hydropower development in Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region plays a vital role in co-control of local air pollutants and greenhouse gas (GHG) in China. According to emission factors of local air pollutants and GHG of coal-fired power industry in different hydropower service regions, we estimate the effect and synergy of local air pollutants and GHG reduction achieved by hydropower development in Tibet, examine the main factors constraining the effect and synergy, using correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. The results show that: 1) During the period from 2006 to 2012, the effect of local air pollutants and GHG reduction achieved by hydropower development in Tibet decreased as a whole, while the synergy increased first and decreased afterwards. 2) The effect and synergy of local air pollutants and GHG reduction achieved by hydropower development in Tibet vary significantly across different hydropower service regions. The effect based on emission levels of Central China power grid (CCPG) and Northwest China power grid (NCPG) was more significant than that based on emission level of national power grid (NPG) from 2006 to 2012, and the synergy based on emission levels of CCPG and NCPG was also more significant than that based on emission level of NPG from 2010 to 2012. 3) The main factors constraining the effect and synergy based on emission levels of NCPG and CCPG included SO₂ removal rate and NO _x removal rate, the effect and synergy based on emission level of NPG was mainly influenced by net coal consumption rate. 4) Transferring hydropower from Tibet to NCPG and CCPG, and substituting local coal-fired power with hydropower can greatly help to co-control local air pollutants and GHG, transform the emission reduction pattern of the power industry and optimize energy structure.     

Nd isotope systematics of the Vendian–Early Cambrian sedimentary ores in the northern segment of the Paleoasian Ocean

Isotope–geochemical studies of Mn, P, and Ba ores were performed in order to establish the influence of submarine hydrotherms on the formation of Early Cambrian sedimentary rocks of the southern environs of the Siberian Platform. Based on study of the geochemical and isotope (ε_Nd) characteristics of the shallow-water Mn and Ba ores and phosphorites of southern environs of the Siberian Platform with similar ages, two types of sedimentary basins of the different geodynamic origins were distinguished: intraplate oceanic and those of the active continental margin, for which the sources of ore materials differ by the proportions of the mantle and contaminated crustal matter.     

Hydrothermal transformations in an aluminophosphate glass matrix containing simulators of high-level radioactive wastes

The interaction of aluminophosphate glass with water at 95°C for 35 days results in glass heterogenization and in the appearance of a gel layer and various phases. The leaching rate of elements is low owing to the formation of a protective layer on the glass surface. It is shown that over 80% of uranium leached from the glass matrix occurs as colloids below 450 nm in size characterized by high migration ability in the geological environment. To determine the composition of these colloids is a primary task for further studies. Water vapor is a crystallization factor for glasses. The conditions as such may appear even at early stages of glass storage because of the failure of seals on containers of high-level radioactive wastes. The examination of water resistance of crystallized matrices and determination of the fraction of radionuclide in colloids are also subjects for further studies.     

The first discovery of cryptotephra of the catastrophic eruptions of the Baitoushan volcano in the tenth century A.D. in the shelf deposits of the Sea of Japan

The interlayers of the cryptotephra of different episodes of the catastrophic eruption of the Baitoushan volcano (Paektu-san, Changbaishan-Tianchi) in the 10th century were discovered in the sedimentary cover of Amur Bay in the Sea of Japan by the geochemical and paleomagnetic characteristics. The petrochemistry of the volcanic glass indicates the possible occurrence of pyroclastic material in the B–Tm layer and more recent episodes that have not been identified before in the sediments of the Sea of Japan. The impact of the eruption on the bay environment is noted. It is shown that the medieval state of Balhae occupying vast areas and adjacent to the volcano no longer existed after the more earlier episodes of eruption.     

The first data on mass-independent fractionation of sulfur isotopes in sulfides from rocks of the eastern part of the Fennoscandian Shield

The first data on the multi-isotope composition of sulfur (³²S, ³³S, ³⁴S) in samples from the Fennoscandian Shield were obtained by the laser local method. An anomalous concentration of the stable isotope ³³S was registered in some samples. Δ³³S ranges from–0.45 to +0.24‰, which indicates the mass-independent fractionation of S isotopes and provides evidence for the processes of primarily sedimentary accumulation of sulfides in the Archean oxygen-free atmosphere.