Geographical variations of trace elements in sediments of the major rivers in eastern China

 A total of 26 geographically and hydrologically diverse sediment samples were collected from 12 major rivers in eastern China. The <63-μm fraction of the sediments was analysed for both total concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd, and their associations with various geochemical phases. The geographical variations of sediment-bound trace metals can be related to the bedrock types and weathering processes in the corresponding river basins. The rivers in southern China had notably higher concentrations of trace metals in sediments because of abundant non-ferrous mineral deposits and stronger weathering process in the region. A large proportion of trace metals in these sediments was associated with iron and manganese oxides and organic matter. Relative low levels of trace metals were found in river sediments in northern China, and a significant proportion of the metals was bound to organic matter, carbonates, and the residual fraction. The sediments in the Yellow River, originating from special loess, had the lowest concentrations of trace metals. Most of the trace metals were associated with the carbonates and residual phases. Received: 24 March 2000 · Accepted: 11 July 2000     

Mitigation of adverse effects at the Lezama-Leguizamon abandoned open-pit mine (Bilbao, northern Spain)

Solid fills arranged in 1-m-thick layers were prepared with stone blocks and pebbles of a drainage bed every 8 m. Runoff gathering in a well and the use of silts and mud lands for bordering and sealing the limestones are the main techniques employed for minimizing unfavorable effects at the Lezama-Leguizamon abandoned open-pit mine. Since there were waste disposal problems in the area, the rate of disposal has made the activity profitable. No significant faults have been detected by control studies, and the objectives are being achieved without problems.     

Chemical variations of muscovites from the Sierra de Guadarrama metamorphic area,Sistema Central,Spain

Muscovites in metapelites belonging to the Chloritoid, Staurolite, Kyanite, Sillimanite-K feldspar and Sillimanite-K feldspar-Cordierite zones of the Sierra de Guadarrama metamorphic area, have a chemical composition close to the end member Ms (mean value around Ms 92); nevertheless, they show definite variations in Al₂O₃, K₂O and Na₂O contents and, to a lesser extent, in FeO and MgO.These chemical variations (i. e., a progressive decrease of celadonite content, a increase followed by a decrease in paragonite solid solution towards compositions close to the endmember muscovite) may be regarded as in a close relationship with metamorphic grade in the upper metamorphic zones (Chloritoid, Staurolite and Kyanite zones), but the corresponding variations in the remaining lower zones (that is, a slight increase in Fe and Mg coupled with a slight increase in Al^VI and Ti, and more or less abrupt changes in Na and K contents) can only be explained considering the interference of anatectic phenomena, which modificate the normal trends due to changes in metamorphic grade.As a consequence of these observations, it has been concluded that muscovite composition in metapelites can only be used as an indicator of metamorphic grade in conditions where partial melting phenomena are absent.

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Zusammenfassung Muskovite in Metapeliten, die zu den Chloritoid, Staurolit, Cyanit, Sillimanit-K-Feldspat und Sillimanit-K-Feldspat-Cordierit Zonen der Sierra Guadarrama Metamorphgebiet gehören, zeigen einen Chemismus, der sich dem Endglied Muskovit nähert (Durchschnitt etwa Ms 92). Es wurden trotzdem bestimmte Veränderungen in den Gehalten von hauptsächlich Al₂O₃, K₂O und Na₂O und in geringerem Ausmaß in FeO und MgO festgestellt.Diese chemischen Veränderungen (d. h. ein progressives Abnehmen des Keladonitgehaltes, gefolgt von einer Abnahme der Paragonitmischungsreihe in einer Richtung, die sich dem Endglied Muskovit annähert) können in einem engen Zusammenhang mit der höher metamorphen Zone (Chloritoid-, Staurolit- und Cyanitzonen) gesehen werden. Die entsprechenden Veränderungen in den tieferen Zonen (d. h. eine minimale Abnahme von Fe und Mg begleitet von einer ebenfalls geringen Abnahme von Al und Ti und einer mehr oder weniger abrupten Veränderung im Na- und K-Gehalt) können jedoch nur unter Berücksichtigung der Interferenz von anatektischen Phänomenen gesehen werden. Solche Phänomene modifizieren den normalen Trend durch eine Veränderung des Metamorphosegrades.Daraus folgt, daß die Muskovitzusammensetzung als Indikator des Metamorphosegrades nur in Abwesenheit von partiellen Schmelzphenomen gebraucht werden kann.

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Résumé Les muscovites des métapélites de la Sierra de Guadarrama, appartenant aux zones à chloritoïde, staurotide, disthène, sillimanite-feldspath potassique et sillimanite-feldspath potassique-cordierite, ont une composition chimique très proche de la valeur theorique (valeur moyenne Ms 92); néanmoins elles présentent une certaine variation dans les teneurs en Al₂O₃, K₂O et Na₂O et, à une moindre échelle, en FeO et MgO.Ces variations chimiques (diminution progressive en céladonite, augmentation suivie d'une diminution de la paragonite vers des compositions proches de la muscovite sensu stricto) que présentent les muscovites des zones à chloritoïde, staurotide et disthène sont étroitement liées aux zones métamorphiques superieures. Au contraire, les variations (legère augmentation des teneurs en Fe et Mg, legère diminution en Al^VI et Ti, et plus ou moins brusques variations en Na et K, respectivement) correspondantes des muscovites des zones de la sillimanite-feldspath potassique et de la sillimanite-feldspath potassiquecordiérite, ne peuvent s'expliquer que si l'on admis que, dans les niveaux plus métamorphiques, les muscovites souffrent une série de changements chimiques dûs au début de l'anatexie, laquelle modifie les tendances normales liées à l'intensité du metamorphisme.En conséquence, seules les muscovites des métapélites situées au-dessus de l'isograde du feldspath potassique, en dehors de toute fusion partielle peuvent être utilisées pour déterminer le degré de métamorphisme des roches qui les contiennent.

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, , , , -K- -- - , , 92 % . ₂₃, K₂ Na₂O FeO MgO. (.. , , , ) — , . (.. , ) , . . , .

     

Intrinsic and specific vulnerability of groundwater in central Spain: the risk of nitrate pollution

The intrinsic vulnerability of groundwater in the Comunidad de Madrid (central Spain) was evaluated using the DRASTIC and GOD indexes. Groundwater vulnerability to nitrate pollution was also assessed using the composite DRASTIC (CD) and nitrate vulnerability (NV) indexes. The utility of these methods was tested by analyzing the spatial distribution of nitrate concentrations in the different aquifers located in the study area: the Tertiary Detrital Aquifer, the Moor Limestone Aquifer, the Cretaceous Limestone Aquifer and the Quaternary Aquifer. Vulnerability maps based on these four indexes showed very similar results, identifying the Quaternary Aquifer and the lower sub-unit of the Moor Limestone Aquifer as deposits subjected to a high risk of nitrate pollution due to intensive agriculture. As far as the spatial distribution of groundwater nitrate concentrations is concerned, the NV index showed the greatest statistical significance (p?<?0.01). This new type of multiplicative model offers greater accuracy in estimations of specific vulnerability with respect to the real impact of each type of land use. The results of this study provide a basis on which to guide the designation of nitrate vulnerable zones in the Comunidad de Madrid, in line with European Union Directive 91/676/EEC.     

Acebuches amphibolites in the Aracena hercynian metamorphic belt (southwest Spain): Geochemical variations and basaltic affinities

A 1500–2000 m sequence of amphibolites exhibits progressively increasing metamorphic grade from greenschist to the amphibolite/granulite facies transition. The chemical variations are considered to be principally inherited from the basaltic parent. The appearance of clinopyroxene is related to P,T and to bulk-rock composition during metamorphism. Excluding some basal rocks in the orthopyroxene zone, chemical variations related to metamorphism are minor. The small decrease in the K₂O content from 0.3% to 0.1% with increasing grade suggests that the low K content was a characteristic of the basaltic precursor. These amphibolites have affinities with abyssal tholeiites.     

Geographical variations in postnatal care use and associated factors in India: evidence from a cross-sectional national survey

GeoJournal - Postnatal care (PNC) period is a critical phase for survival of mothers and newborn babies. Understanding spatial heterogeneity is essential for evidence-based policymaking in...     

The Tous dam disaster of 1982 and the origins of integrated flood risk management in Spain

The failure of the Tous dam in 1982 caused one of the most important socio-natural disasters in Spain during the twentieth century. That event triggered a paradigm change in the way disaster risks were perceived and managed, not only locally, but also at multiple levels of governance. Fifteen interviews with relevant stakeholders, content analysis of scientific literature, and review of historical and media accounts indicate that the collapse of the Tous dam had the two major effects. First, it prompted a process of institutional development, which led to the growth, and increase in complexity of the organizations involved both in vertical and horizontal communication of disaster risk reduction. Second, actions taken and experiences gained in dealing with disaster risk reduction in the Tous area were used as a benchmark to develop new strategies, as well as new mechanisms for communication and planning in other territories and other risk domains in Spain. This paper also identified the three main stages in the evolution of disaster risk reduction planning in the area: (1) After the collapse of the Tous dam, disaster risk reduction strategies in Spain focused on improving preparedness in order to reduce short-term risks. (2) Disaster management in the 1990s was strongly influenced by international initiatives, which emphasized the contextualization of risk and the importance in long-term disaster risk reduction measures such as land-use planning. (3) The European Water Framework Directive (2000) and, more recently, the Floods Directive (2007) are exerting a strong influence on the development of a new Spanish flood policy that focuses on preventive measures. However, this process is far from complete and many issues still remain unresolved: dealing with different domains of risk action, integrating concepts of ecological resilience and climate change, and promoting public awareness and effective participation.     

Middle pleistocene variations in palaeoclimate,palaeoenvironment and vegetation of the las tablas de daimiel national park (Spain)

The Middle Pleistocene palaeoclimate and palaeoenvironment evolution of the Las Tablas de Daimiel wetlands is described using a combination of sedimentology, pollen and δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O isotopic records of Unit B of core LT‐199906. This unit mostly contains fluvial and palustrine sediments. U/Th and amino acid racemization (AAR) dating and a comparison of the δ¹⁸O curve of Unit B with oceanic records suggests that Unit B spans the period from the end of Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 10 (340 ka) to the first stages of MIS 7 (ca. 210 ka). MIS 9 was characterised by a regional vegetation dominated by Cupressaceae, with Pinus as a tree element. The water level was high and temperatures were very probably higher than during the Holocene. MIS 8 and the first substages of MIS 7 (7e, 7d and 7c) were dominated by xerophilous steppe vegetation in lowlands (elevations around 610 m above sea level) near to the wetland. At higher altitudes, far away from the wetland, there were fewer Pinus than in MIS 9, and a greater presence of warm, temperate and cool climate tree elements. The aquatic system in MIS 9 became shallower, with eutrophication and the accumulation of organic matter occurring; temperatures were similar to or lower than those of the Holocene. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Probabilistic earthquake risk assessment using CAPRA: application to the city of Barcelona, Spain

The risk evaluation model CAPRA (Comprehensive Approach to Probabilistic Risk Assessment) is a techno-scientific methodology and information platform, composed of tools for evaluating and communicating risk at various territorial levels. The model allows evaluating losses on exposed elements using probabilistic metrics, such as the loss exceedance curve, the expected annual loss and the probable maximum loss, useful for multi-hazard risk analyses. In this article, the process of probabilistic seismic risk analysis is described, explaining the main features of the CAPRA modules of hazard, vulnerability and risk estimation applied to the city of Barcelona, Spain. In addition, according to the physical risk results and the information on the socioeconomic indicators of the city, this article presents the holistic evaluation of seismic risk, which is a valuable result to facilitate the integrated risk management by the different stakeholders involved in risk reduction decision making.     

Chemical variations and significance of phosphates from the Fregeneda-Almendra pegmatite field, Central Iberian Zone (Spain and Portugal)

Granitic pegmatites are widespread within a schist-metagreywacke complex in the Fregeneda-Almendra area (Central Iberian Zone). They intrude pre-Ordovician metasedimentary rocks and show a zonal distribution relative to the Meda-Penedono-Lumbrales granitic complex, from barren bodies to those enriched in Li, F, Sn, Nb>Ta, P and Be. Based on mineralogical criteria, these pegmatites are classified into three main categories: barren, intermediate and rare-element pegmatites, with each type including various subtypes. Phosphates are present in many pegmatites that usually occur as fine-grained accessory minerals. The most complex association of such minerals includes numerous Fe–Mn phosphates that occur in intermediate pegmatites. Al-phosphates are characteristic of Li-rich pegmatites. Electron microprobe analyses of representative phosphates reflect compositional differences depending on the pegmatite type. The Fe/(Fe+Mn) ratio of phosphates tends to decrease as the evolution degree of the pegmatites increases.     

中国冰川分布的地理特征

中国冰川分布，在西北形成了冰水绿州景观，在塔里木盆地和雅鲁藏布江周围形成5个巨大的冰川集结中心，用“冰川覆覆盖度”评价，干旱山区的高山有较大的冰川发育能力。“冰川中值”标志的冰川分布高程，向青春高原内部逐渐抬升。冰川的进退幅度，向低能量冰川区域小，冰川形在型因地而异，分化成“高山型”和“高原型”两大类型组合。     

Geographical distribution of the Soviet-Jewish new immigrants in Israel

The State of Israel is facing now one of the most difficult absorption challenges it has ever had. About 250.000 Soviet-Jewish immigrants have arrived to the country since 1989 and another million are waiting in the Soviet Union for immigration. A direct absorption plan around an absorption basket of a few thousand dollar per family of three for the first year enables the immigrants to choose their place of habitation. They concentrate in big cities and veteran settlements along the coastal plain where employment possibilities are better. This trend is against the government's plans to direct them to peripheral regions. The current mass-immigration creates an unexpected change in the population and settlement pattern of Israel.     

Changing patterns of the population distribution in Spain

The 1981 census has motivated this study, outlining changes in Spanish population patterns during the decade 1970–1981. For migration patterns the year 1975 may have been a significant turning point. As a consequence of the economic recession in the western world emigration is coming to an end; the interprovincial migration, too, is declining rapidly. In some provinces a remarkable change can be observed in the direction of migration flows. After more than 25 years the industrial regions of Spain are now losing population by migration, whereas rural provinces of the central highlands and of Andalusia exhibit some growth by migration for the first time. This is a result of return migration from abroad as well as from the industrial regions of Spain. For natural change three important dynamics overlap. First, a marked increase in natural growth from North to South is found. This pattern of natural change is strengthened or weakened regionally by age-specific selective migration. Lastly, both dynamics have recently been dominated by an overall decline of the crude birth rate in all of Spain since 1970.     

Yearly variations in runoff as a function of precipitation variations for the East-European plain

Variations in climatic conditions for the East-European Plain (EEP) are analysed. The observations show that the time periods of high-water and low-water correspond to certain circulation conditions, which points to a conceptual possibility to construct a model correlating streamflow with atmospheric precipitation. Described is a linear model based on a regression equation for the principal components of runoff and precipitation. The model presents the best results for a territory where a strong reaction of the river water to a certain circulation type has been established beforehand.     

On the prevalence of forest fires in Spain

Natural Hazards - We study the prevalence of forest fires in Spain in the long run by computing the probability that a forest tree, as opposed to shrub or bush, will be lost to fire over the course...     

100 years of the Czech Geographical Society

Main features of the history and activities of the Czech Geographical Society are described.     

Geographical factors of the abundance of flora in Russian cities

Doklady Earth Sciences - An analysis of data on the species abundance of flora in 89 cities (urban flora) of the Russian Federation facilitated determination of its main factors. It has been...