Composition and Origin of Ferromanganese Crusts from Equatorial Western Pacific Seamounts

In the equatorial western Pacific, iron-manganese oxyhydroxide crusts(Fe-Mn crusts) and nodules form on basaltic seamounts and on the top of drowned carbonate platform guyots that have been swept free of pelagic sediments. To date, the Fe-Mn crusts have been considered to be almost exclusively of abiotic origin. However, it has recently been suggested that these crusts may be a result of biomineralization. Although the Fe-Mn crust textures in the equatorial western Pacific are similar to those constructed by bacteria and algae, and biomarkers also document the existence of bacteria and algae dispersed within the Fe-Mn crusts, the precipitation, accumulation and distribution of elements, such as Fe, Mn, Ni and Co in Fe-Mn crusts are not controlled by microbial activity. Bacteria and algae are only physically incorporated into the crusts when dead plankton settle on the ocean floor and are trapped on the crust surface. Geochemical evidence suggests a hydrogenous origin of Fe-Mn crusts in the equatorial western Pacific, thus verifying a process for Fe-Mn crusts that involves the precipitation of colloidal phases from seawater followed by extensive scavenging of dissolved trace metals into the mineral phase during crust formation.     

Anthropogenic Sulfate and Nitrate Signals in Snow from Bogda Glacier, Eastern Tianshan

A 1.2 m snow pit was recovered on July 29th, 2009 from the Bogda Glacier, eastern Tianshan (天山). The sample site temperature of -9.6 ℃ indicates that the unique glaciochemical re-cord was well preserved and suitable for the reconstruction of air pollution levels in this previously un-explored region. Samples were analyzed for major ions (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, NH4+, Cl-, SO42-, NO3-, HCOO-, and CH3COO-). NO3- and SO42- were characterized by significant high levels of pollution con-centration. Most air masses ...     

Monitoring Glacial Shrinkage Using Remote Sensing and Site-Observation Method on Southern Slope of Kalik Mountain, Eastern Tian Shan, China

Currently, one of the effective means in monitoring glacier change in regional scale is remote sensing and site-observation method. In this article, we present a study of comparing glacier area in 2005 derived from SPOT5 satellite image with area in 1972 derived from topographic maps. Moreover, Miaoergou (庙儿沟) flat-summit glacier is site observed to verify glacial change in regional scale. During the study period, glaciers located in the southern slope of Kalik (喀尔里克) Mountain re-duced their area by 12.3%. ...     

Deposition Process of Dust Microparticles from Aerosol to Snow-Firn Pack on Glacier No. 1 in Eastern Tianshan Mountains, China

Samples were continuously collected from aerosol, fresh snow, and snow pits on Glacier No. 1 at Urumqi River source in eastern Tianshan (天山) Mountains. The deposition processes and the characteristics of mineral dust microparticles from aerosol to fresh snow, and then evolution to the snow pit were determined. Total dust microparticle concentration in the surface snow and aerosol showed a similar temporal variation trend, which was strongly associated with regional and local at-mospheric circulation in the ...     

Noble Gas Diffusion Mechanism in Lunar Soil Simulant Grains:Results from ~4He~+ Implantation and Extraction Experiments

Experiments on ion implantation were performed in order to better characterize diffusion of noble gases in lunar soil.4He+ at 50 keV with 5×1016 ions/cm2 was implanted into lunar simulants and crystal ilmenite.Helium in the samples was released by stepwise heating experiments.Based on the data,we calculated the helium diffusion coefficient and activation energy.Lunar simulants display similar 4He release patterns in curve shape as lunar soil,but release temperatures are a little lower.This is probably a con...     

Hybrid Sedimentation in Late Permian-Early Triassic in Western Sichuan Basin,China

Mixed carbonate-siliciclastic sedimentation is common in the Upper Permian-Lower Tri-assic in the western Sichuan(四川) basin.The extensional movement was strong in the Late Permian,resulting in differential uplifting of fault blocks.During this period,there was an extensive retrogres-sion.The Kangdian(康滇) ancient land progressive uplifted and enlarged,forming the major prove-nance of terrigenous clastics.In Changxingian age,mixed terrigenous-carbonate sedimentation was dis-tributed in the area between Dafeis...     

Comparison of Results of Recent Seismic Profiles with Tectonic Models of the North China Craton

The geometry and timing of amalgamation of the North China craton(NCC) have been controversial,with three main models with significantly different interpretations of regional structure,geochronology,and geological relationships.The model of Zhao G C et al.suggests that the eastern and western blocks of the NCC formed separately in the Archean,and an active margin was developed on the eastern block between 2.5 and 1.85 Ga,when the two blocks collided above an east dipping subduc-tion zone.The model of Kusky ...     

Tectonics and Mechanisms of Uplift in the Central Uplift Belt of the Huimin Depression

The Huimin (惠民) depression is a third-level tectonic element of the Bohai (渤海) Bay basin in eastern China. The central uplift belt is the most important oil and gas accumulation zone in the depression, but the lack of adequate geological studies in the area has greatly hindered exploration and development. In this article, using seismic data, fracture mechanics, and a combination of data on fault growth indices and fault throws, we present an analysis of tectonic activity in the central uplift belt and adja...     

地质灾害应急支撑体系建设基本问题分析

以重大地质灾害应急实践为基础,采用文献研究、描述性研究和统计分析法,本文探讨了地质灾害应急支撑体系建设基本问题。认为:地质灾害应急具有"应对面广、预警困难、挽救率低、成因判定难"等特点;单个事件应急响应行动,一般通过三大步七个环节完成四项处置内容。单项处置行动通常有5个技术流程;地质灾害支撑体系具有"弱基础、松耦合、强内聚"结构,能力建设是重点。地质灾害过程机理、应急防治技术、应急预案动态优化和支撑系统是支撑体系建设中的四个关键科学技术问题。     

美国地质灾害防治现状综述

地质灾害的防治研究受到世界各国的广泛重视,本文从地灾防治基础理论、职能部门工作方式入手,对美国科研界的非饱和土理论最新研究进展、美国地质调查局(USGS)地质灾害防治中心的日常工作形式进行了较为全面的阐述。除此之外,还结合作者自身参与的滑坡灾害调研活动,对美国科研人员的野外基本工作方法、野外工作的最主要目的进行了描述。在此基础上,还对中美两国地灾防治现状进行了简要对比,本文所阐述的内容可为相关领域的研究人员提供一定的参考。