An Atomic Force Microscopy study of the growth of calcite in the presence of sodium sulfate

In situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to compare the growth of pure calcite and the growth of calcite in the presence of sulfate ions from aqueous solutions at a constant value of supersaturation (S.I. = 0.89) with respect to calcite. The effect of sulfate ions on calcite growth rates is determined and a potential incorporation of sulfate ions is identified in the calcite during growth. Solutions supersaturated with respect to calcite with solution concentration ratio of one and a constant pH of 10.2, were prepared and sulfate was added as Na₂SO₄ aqueous solution. The solution composition was readjusted in order to keep the supersaturation and pH constant. PHREEQC was used to determine relevant solution concentrations. In situ AFM experiments of calcite growth were performed using a fluid cell and flowing solutions passed over a freshly cleaved calcite surface. Growth rates were determined from the closure of the rhombohedral etch pits induced by initial dissolution with pure water. The spreading rate of 2-dimensional nuclei was also measured. At low concentrations of sulfate (≤ 0.5 mM), no effect on the growth rate of the calcite was observed. At higher concentrations (2 to 3 mM) of sulfate, the growth rate increased, possibly because a higher concentration of calcium and carbonate was necessary to maintain the supersaturation constant. At much higher concentrations of additional sulfate (up to 60 mM) the growth rate of the calcite was substantially decreased, despite the fact that a further increase of calcium and carbonate was required. The morphology of 2-dimensional growth nuclei became increasingly elongated with increasing sulfate content. Measurements of step height showed that newly grown steps were approximately 1 Å higher when grown in high sulfate concentrations, compared to steps grown in sulfate-free solutions. At sulfate concentrations above 5 mM the growth mechanism changes from layer growth to surface roughening. These observations suggest that the new growth has incorporated sulfate into the calcite surface.     

Application of Atomic Force Microscopy to Observation of Marine Bacteria

The atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a recently developed, bench-top instrument that can image the surface structures of biological specimens at high resolution with simultaneous measurement of their size. This paper describes the application of AFM to marine bacteria. Both natural and cultured bacteria were retained on a filter or placed on glass, washed, air-dried and observed by AFM. The instrumental condition, the choice of suitable filter, effect of fixation and filtration, comparison with epifluorescent microscopic (EFM) count, and the size and shape of bacterial cells were investigated. An Isopore filter was best for concentration and subsequent observation because of its surface flatness. Cross section images showed that both rod and coccoid cells were flattened, the former usually having a two-humped shape. Bacterial cells were differentiated from non-living particles based on their cross section shape and size. Bacterial counts by AFM and EFM showed good agreement. Although size measurement is easily done by the instrument, AFM tends to overestimate the size of microspheres. More work is thus needed on the size measurement of living organisms. Because AFM easily provides images of natural bacterial cells at high magnification, it can be used as a new tool to study the fine structures of marine bacteria. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

封闭体系有机质与有机碳氢氮恢复动力学研究

在封闭体系的条件下,对典型的Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ型干酪根在热演化过程中的损失进行生烃动力学研究,获得了Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ型干酪根的总量、有机碳、氢以及氮质量损失动力学参数。用Kinetics软件计算了封闭体系干酪根有机碳丰度、氢碳原子比和氮碳原子比的恢复系数。认为在对高成熟—过成熟干酪根进行生烃评价时,Ⅰ、Ⅲ型干酪根残余有机碳丰度需要进行恢复,而Ⅱ型干酪根残余有机碳丰度不需要恢复。三种类型干酪根的氢碳原子比均需要进行恢复。     

关于绝对重力仪的发展和我们的思考

介绍了近年来出现的新型绝对重力仪，认为该仪器是控制地球重力场信息的重要工具，特别对FG5型的如何改进及我国绝对重力仪的如何发展，提出了建议。     

Global scale annual and semi-annual variations of daytime NmF2 in the high solar activity years

The annual and semi-annual variations of the ionosphere are investigated in the present paper by using the daytime F2 layer peak electron concentration (NmF2) observed at a global ionosonde network with 104 stations. The main features are outlined as follows. (1) The annual variations are most pronounced at magnetic latitudes of 40–60° in both hemispheres, and usually manifest as winter anomalies; Below magnetic latitude of 40° as well as in the tropical region they are much weaker and winter anomalies that are not obvious. (2) The semi-annual variations, which are usually peak in March or April in most regions, are generally weak in the near-pole regions and strong in the far-pole regions of both hemispheres. (3) Compared with their annual components, the semi-annual variations in the tropical region are more significant.In order to explain the above results, we particularly analyze the global atomic/molecular ratio of [O/N2] at the F2 layer peak height by the MSIS90 model. The results show that the annual variation of [O/N2] is closely related with that of NmF2 prevailing in mid-latitudes and [O/N2] annual variation usually may lead to the winter anomalies of NmF2 occurring in the near-pole region. Moreover, NmF2 semi-annual variations appearing in the tropical region also have a close relationship with the variation of [O/N2]. On the other hand, the semi-annual variations of NmF2 in the far-pole region cannot be simply explained by that of [O/N2], but the variation of the solar zenith angle may also have a significant contribution.     

石墨炉原子吸收分光光度法测定土壤样品中痕量镉

研究了土壤样品中痕量镉的石墨炉原子吸收分光光度法测定最佳条件以及磷酸二氢铵与硝酸镁作基体改进剂对测定镉的基体改进效应，并比较了两种试样分解体系。方法检出限为0.01pg／L，精密度(RSD，n=8)为3．29％-7．69％，经国家一级标准物质分析验证，结果与标准值符合。     

ROCKS & MINERALS DETERMINATION AND ANALYSIS

正20140786Deng Zhenping(Institute of Karst Geology,Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences,Guilin 541004,China);Yang Wen-qiong Application of Stripping Voltammetry with a Solid Amalgam Electrode for Determination of Copper in a Tracer and Groundwater Tracing Experiment(Rock and Mineral Analy-     

ROCKS & MINERALS DETERMINATION AND ANALYSIS

正20142093Chen Daohua(Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey,Guangzhou 510075,China);Diao Shaobo The Latest Progress of Geological Marine Testing Technology in China(Rock and Mineral Analysis,ISSN0254-5357,CN11-2131/TD,32(6),2013,p.850-859,105refs.)Key words:chemical analysis,China     

A Screening Procedure for Heavy Metals in Soil Extracts by Alcohol Dehydrogenase and Urease Inhibition Eine Screening-Methode für Schwermetalle in Extrakten aus Bodenproben,basierend auf der Inhibierung der Enzyme Alkoholdehydrogenase und Urease

A screening method for heavy metals in aqueous extracts of soil is presented which is based on inhibition of the enzymes urease and alcohol dehydrogenase. The method is suitable to detect cupric and mercury ions in concentrations below 0.01 mg/L and several other heavy metal ions in 1000 fold higher concentration. It is shown that the test may be used for screening of mercury ion concentrations exceeding 0.03 mg/L in aqueous solution when copper chelators are added to the test system. The usefulness of the presented tests to detect heavy metals eluted from soil was verified with samples from ore mining waste. The concentration of copper, lead, and zinc eluted from these samples to different amount was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry and was in good agreement with the enzyme inhibition data obtained with these samples.     

Determination of nitrophenols,diaminotoluenes, and chloroaromatics in ammunition wastewater

Methods for the determination of three compound classes, i. e. diaminotoluenes, nitrophenols, and chloroaromatics in groundwater of a former ammunition plant are reported. Diaminotoluenes were extracted by discontinuous liquid/liquid-, nitrophenols by continuous liquid/liquid-extraction using dichloromethane, and chloroaromatics by solid-phase extraction. These compound classes may be analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) or gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) without derivatization or after derivatization with N-methyl-bis(trifluoroacetamide) (MBTFA) or heptafluorobutyric anhydride (HFBA) in the case of diaminotoluenes and HFBA or acetic anhydride in the case of nitrophenols. An atomic emission detector (AED) coupled to a gas chromatograph may be employed for the analysis of chloroaromatics. High selectivity can be achieved using the characteristic wavelengths of chlorine. A variety of these compounds were identified and quantified in a groundwater sample from the former ammunition plant Elsnig (Saxony, Germany). Concentrations were in the lower ppb range. Thus, dichlorobenzenes which may have been used as substituents at the end of World War II could be identified in groundwater samples at this site.