Environmental influences upon mercury, radon and helium concentrations in soil gases at a site near Denver, Colorado

Variations in soil gas Hg, Rn and He concentrations and meteorological variables were monitored daily at one site over a period of 22 months. Air and soil temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, soil moisture, wind direction and velocity, soil freeze-thaw, water table elevation, crystal strain and gas emissions were determined simultaneously in order to assess the influence of the environmental variables on gas emission.Mercury concentrations were found to be higher in the summer while Rn and He concentrations were higher in the winter. It is hypothesized that adsorption-desorption controls the migration of Hg whereas Rn and He concentrations are controlled by diffusion and mass transport. Gas emissions respond to seasonal and shorter-term changes in environmental conditions. Stepwise multiple regression using gas emissions as the dependent variables suggests that environmental parameters account for 62% of the total Hg variance, 83% of the total Rn variance, and 33% of the total He variance. Temperature, barometric pressure and soil moisture exert the most influence on gas emissions with temperature effects dominating gas emissions throughout the year. Soil gas emissions display a predictable behavior during winter and summer when more stable meteorological conditions exist. During the transitional seasons of spring and fall, soil gas emissions become erratic and exhibit increased variability. Environmental variables are interrelated and appear to control the manner of gas migration.Increased adsorption by solids during the season of falling temperature decreases soil gas Hg<0.0001 ng L⁻¹, which is desorbed as the soil warms in the spring. Transport of Rn and He is primarily by convection. During the winter months, air temperatures are less than soil temperatures promoting upward movement of Rn and He by convection. During the summer, soil temperatures are less than air temperatures and an inversion layer below the level of sampling reduces upward flux and observed concentration.     

Seasonal variations in soil radon emanation: long-term continuous monitoring in light of seismicity

Soil gas radon release patterns have been monitored continuously for more than 3 years in the Eastern Mediterranean Province (EMP) (Southern Turkey), alongside regional seismic events, providing a multidisciplinary approach. In the period from January 2008 to January 2011, 14 earthquakes M _L ≥4 occurred in the study area. By monitoring the sites for more than 3 years, the site-characteristic patterns of soil radon emanation of each site have become evident. Radon emanation data show seasonal (semi-annual) variation characteristics; high soil radon values are between May and October and low soil radon values are between November and April. With available rainfall data, the soil gas radon data can be more reliably evaluated. It is shown in this paper that if radon emanation data are available over sufficiently long periods of time and baseline data (and their seasonal variations) are known with certainty for each monitoring site, then the observation of positive anomalies might provide a correlation or connection to seismic activity.     

A comparison of field and laboratory analytical methods for radon site investigation

Soil-gas radon measurements provide a valuable tool in assessing probable indoor radon levels on a regional basis. However, in Great Britain, seasonal weather changes can cause large changes in soil-gas radon concentration. Although this does not significantly constrain systematic radon potential mapping programmes, it does cause difficulties in responding to ad-hoc requests for site-specific radon investigations. The relationship between soil-gas radon and gamma spectrometry measurements made in the field with radon released from a representative sample of soil in the laboratory has been investigated as part of a program to develop a method of radon potential mapping and site investigation which can be used at any time of the year. Multiple soil and soil-gas samples were collected from sites underlain by bedrocks with widely varying radon potentials. For each geological unit, sites both free of and covered by glacial drift deposits were sampled. Soil and soil-gas samples were taken at the same depth of 60–100 cm. The effectiveness of these radon site investigation procedures has been evaluated by studying the relationship between the soil-gas radon, gamma spectrometry and radon emanation data with an independent estimate of the radon risk. The geologic radon potential (GEORP), which is the proportion of existing dwellings which exceed the UK radon Action Level (200 Bq m⁻³) for a particular combination of solid and drift geology within a defined geographic area, has been used for this study as the independent estimate of radon risk. Soil-gas radon, radon emanation and eU (equivalent uranium by field γ spectrometry) are all good geochemical indicators of radon risk (GEORP) in Derbyshire but only soil-gas radon correlates significantly with GEORP in Northamptonshire. Radon in soil gas discriminates more effectively between sites with different radon potential in Northamptonshire if soil permeability is also taken into account. In general, measurement of soil-gas radon in the field provides the most universally applicable indicator of radon potential. If soil-gas radon concentrations cannot be determined because of climatic factors, for example when the soil profile is waterlogged, measurement of radon emanation in the laboratory or measurement of eU can be used as radon potential indicators in some geological environments. This applies particularly in areas where the soil composition rather than the composition and permeability of the underlying rock or superficial deposits are the dominant controls of radon potential. It appears, therefore, that it may be necessary to use different radon site investigation methods according to the specific factors controlling radon emanation from the ground. In some cases no method will provide a reliable indicator of radon risk under unfavourable climatic conditions.     

Experimental study of radon production and transport in an analogue for the Martian regolith

The suggestion that radon could be used as a radioactive tracer of regolith-atmosphere exchanges and as a proxy for subsurface water on Mars, as well as its indirect detection in the Martian atmosphere by the rover Opportunity, have raised the need for a better characterization of its production process and transport efficiency in the Martian soil. More specifically, a proper estimation of radon exhalation rate on Mars requires its emanation factor and diffusion length to be determined. The dependence of the emanation factor as a function of pore water content (at 267 and 293 K) and the dependence of the adsorption coefficient on temperature, specific surface area and nature of the carrier gas (He, He + CO₂) have been measured on a Martian soil analogue (Hawaiian palagonitized volcanic ash, JSC Mars-1), whose radiometric analysis has been performed. An estimation of radon diffusion lengths on Mars is provided and is used to derive a global average emanation factor (2-6.5%) that accounts for the exhalation rate inferred from the ²¹⁰Po surface concentration detected on Martian dust and from the ²¹⁴Bi signal measured by the Mars Odyssey Gamma Ray Spectrometer. It is found to be much larger than emanation factors characterizing lunar samples, but lower than the emanation factor of the palagonite samples obtained under dry conditions. This result probably reflects different degrees of aqueous alteration and could indicate that the emanation factor is also affected by the current presence of pore water in the Martian soil. The rationale of the “radon method” as a technique to probe subsurface water on Mars, and its sensitivity to soil parameters are discussed. These experimental data are useful to perform more detailed studies of radon transport in the Martian atmosphere using Global Climate Models and to interpret neutron and gamma data from Mars Odyssey Gamma Ray Spectrometer.     

On radon emanation as a possible indicator of crustal deformation

Radon emanation has been monitored in shallow capped holes by a Tracketch method along several active faults and in the vicinity of some volcanoes and underground nuclear explosions. The measured emanation shows large temporal variations that appear to be partly related to crustal strain changes. This paper proposes a model that may explain the observed tectonic variations in radon emanation, and explores the possibility of using radon emanation as an indicator of crustal deformation. In this model the emanation variation is assumed to be due to the perturbation of near-surface profile of radon concentration in the soil gas caused by a change in the vertical flow rate of the soil gas which, in turn, is caused by the crustal deformation. It is shown that, for a typical soil, a small change in the flow rate (3 · 10⁻⁴ cm sec⁻¹) can effect a significant change (a factor of 2) in radon emanation detected at a fixed shallow depth (0.7 m). The radon concentration profile has been monitored at several depths at a selected site to test the model. The results appear to be in satisfactory agreement.     

Observations of surface radon in Central Italy

Two years of in situ radon concentration measurements in the atmospheric surface layer have been collected in a central Italy town (L’Aquila), located in the Aterno river valley. These data have been analyzed in order to study the controlling mechanisms of surface radon abundance; observations of coincident meteorological parameters confirmed the role of dynamics on the local removal rate of this tracer. The relatively high negative correlation of hourly data of surface wind speed and radon activity concentration (R = −0.54, on annual scale) suggests that dynamical removal of radon is one of the most important controlling processes of the tracer accumulation in the atmospheric surface layer. An attempt is made to quantify the precipitation impact on radon soil fluxes. No anticorrelation of radon and precipitation comes out from the data (R = −0.15), as in previous studies. However, since the main physical parameter affecting the ground radon release is expected to be the soil accumulation of water, snow or ice, the emission flux has also been correlated with soil moisture; in this way a much clearer anticorrelation is found (R = −0.54).     

Review: evaporation of mercury from soils. An integration and synthesis of current knowledge

 Understanding the mechanisms of mercury evaporation from soil to the atmosphere is necessary for tracing the fate of mercury in the biological environment and for assessing potential health effects and the impact of anthropogenic mercury emissions on the environment. In this article an integrating overview of the current knowledge of the mechanisms of mercury evaporation is presented. Abiological and biological formation of Hg(0) and/or (CH₃)₂Hg in the uppermost soil layers are the rate limiting processes of mercury evaporation from soils in background areas; the evaporation rate in background areas is probably strongly influenced by deposited airborne mercury. The evaporation rate limiting factors in mercury enriched mineralized areas with large fractions of total mercury being volatile mercury species (relative to background soil in the non-mineralized vicinity) meteorological variations and the transport characteristics of soils for volatile mercury species. Mercury evaporation rates from background soils are usually <0.2 μg·m^–2·h^–1 and significantly smaller than from mercury-enriched mineralized areas. Received: 20 November 1995 / Accepted: 24 July 1996     

Geological and geochemical factors affecting radon concentrations in dwellings located on permeable glacial sediments—a case study from Kinsarvik,Norway

In 1996–1997, indoor radon values of more than 40,000 Bq/m³ and large seasonal and geographical variations in indoor air radon were reported from a residential area located on a highly permeable ice-marginal deposit. Geochemical analyses of bedrock, groundwater and sediments and comparisons between indoor radon values and soil radon values indicate that the indoor radon concentrations in this area are strongly affected by subterranean airflows caused by temperature differences between soil air and atmospheric air. The airflows concentrate the radon-laden soil air towards the topographic highest part of the deposit in winter and towards the topographic lowest part in summer. In areas where subterranean airflows are likely to occur, radon measurements performed both in summer and in winter provide the best estimate of annual average indoor radon concentrations, and assessments of indoor radon concentrations based on single soil gas measurements are not recommended.     

Geological and tectonic influence on water–soil–radon relationship in Mandi–Manali area,Himachal Himalaya

Radon measurements in soil and groundwater (springs, thermal springs and handpumps) were made in a variety of lithological units including major thrusts between Mandi and Manali in Himachal Himalaya. Analysis of radon data in light of lithological controls and influence of deep-seated thrusts has been made to elucidate the causative factors for anomalous emanation of radon. The lithological types include banded gneisses, schists, quartzite, granite, phyllites, volcanics and mylonites. The low-grade metasedimentries of Shali and Dharamsala generally show low and narrow range of radon concentration in water (5.6–13.4 Bq/l) as well as in soil (1.8–3.2 kBq/m³) except for the samples related to thrusts. On the other hand, sheared and deformed rocks of Chail and Jutogh show moderate radon content (average 5.03 kBq/m³, range 2.9–11.1 kBq/m³) in soil. However, the groundwater radon concentration shows wide variation in different types of sources (2.1–80.8 Bq/l). The quartzite and volcanic rocks of Rampur formation in this area present as a window separated by Chail thrust. Radon emanations on these rock types are relatively high (6.3–68.1 Bq/l in water and 5.5–15.9 kBq/m³ in soil) and are exceptionally high in samples that are related to uranium mineralization, deep-seated thrusts and hot springs (13.5–653.5 Bq/l). It is generally observed that anomalous high radon content is associated with mineralization, deeper source and tectonic discontinuities. Whereas it is obvious that subsurface radioactive mineralization would facilitate enhanced radon production, however, thrust plains provide easy pathways for escape of gases from the deeper sources. Shallow and deep sources of the groundwater have contrasting radon content particularly in the deformed and metamorphosed rocks of Jutogh and Chail. Shallow groundwater sources, mainly handpumps, have lower radon concentration due to limited superficial water circulation, whereas deeper sources, mainly perennial springs, show higher radon content because of larger opportunity for water–rock interaction.     

Radon variations in an active landslide zone along the Pindar River, in Chamoli District, Garhwal Lesser Himalaya, India

Radon measurements were made in the soil and spring/seepage water in and around an active landslide located along the Pindar river in the Chamoli District of Uttaranchal in Garhwal Lesser Himalaya, to understand the application of radon in geological disasters. The landslide is a compound slide i.e. a slump in the crown portion, and debris slide and fall in the lower part. The bedrock consists of gneisses and schists of the Saryu Formation of the Almora Group of Precambrian age. The presence of several small slump scars and debris slide/fall scars along the length of the slide indicates continuous downward movement. The radon concentrations in the present study are much lower in comparison to values reported from other regions. However, the present radon data show relative variation in the slide zone. The concentration of radon measured in landslide zones varies from 3.1 Bq/l to 18.4 Bq/l in spring water and from 2.3 kBq/m³ to 12.2 kBq/m³ in the soil gas of the debris. Along the section of the slide, the radon values in water and soil are slightly higher in the upper slopes i.e. toward the crown portion of the landslide as compared to the distal portion. The relatively low concentration of radon both in soil gas and water in the toe portion of the landslide may be due to the high porosity of the debris, which does not allow radon to accumulate in the soil and water, whereas, towards the crown portion, the high frequency of fractures increases the surface area due to particle size reduction, and the near absence of debris enhances the radon emanation in soil.     

Evaporation and energy balance estimates over a large inland lake in the Tibet-Himalaya

The process of evaporation from the lake surface is one of the main mechanisms in the energy and water budgets of the lake hydrologic cycle, and an essential component of the water balance especially for inland lakes. In this study, using routine meteorological data as input, a one-layer potential evaporation model was employed to simulate evaporation and energy fluxes over Lake Yamdrok Yumco, the largest high-elevation inland lake in the mountain area of the Tibet-Himalaya in China. Then, the calculation results were compared with the measured values from a big pan evaporator of 20 m² near the lake. The results show that the average annual input radiation flux R ^↓ is 128.2 W m⁻², the lake storage heat flux G is 19.4 W m⁻², the sensible heat flux H is 20.4 W m⁻² and the latent heat flux lE is 107.8 W m⁻². The R ^↓ and G exhibit similar seasonal variations. The lE reaches a maximum in October, lagging nearly 4 months behind the R ^↓ and the G, which indicates the large heat capacity of the lake. The simulated annual evaporation ranges from 1,113.2 to 1,429.1 mm and its mean value is 1,252.5 mm during 1961–2005. The simulated annual evaporation is in good agreement with the measured value, and the measured average lake temperature is as expected when compared with the measured lake surface temperature.     

Geochemistry of granites and metasediments of the urban area of Vila Real (northern Portugal) and correlative radon risk

Radon concentration was evaluated in dwellings of the urban area of Vila Real (Northern Portugal). The area is mainly composed of Hercynian granites and Cambrian metasediments, and CR-39 passive detectors (n = 112) were used for the purpose. The results obtained in winter conditions suggest that the most productive geological unit is the Hercynian granite G1 (geometric mean of 364 Bq/m³), while Cambrian metasediments of the Douro Group show the lowest average indoor radon concentration (236 Bq/m³). The geological, geochemical and radiological data obtained suggest that the most effective control on the radon concentrations of the area is related with the uranium content of the rocks; indeed, the highest contents were observed in granite G1 (21 ppm) and the lowest in the metasediments (3 ppm). This is also confirmed by the results obtained for groundwater, where granites present the highest concentrations of dissolved radon (up to 938 Bq/l), uranium (5–18 ppb) and gross α activities (0.47–0.92 Bq/l). No important radiometric anomalies were found in relation with geological structures such as faults, veins and contacts, but a moderate increase of the uranium content can occur locally in such structures. Petrographic observations and SEM studies show that uranium is mainly contained within the rock in heavy accessory minerals (apatite, zircon, monazite, xenotime), which reduces radon emanation. Notwithstanding, due to the high U contents granites show a significant potential to induce indoor radon concentrations in dwellings in excess of the recommended value of 400 Bq/m³. Overall, we can conclude that the region of Vila Real presents a moderate to high radon risk in dwellings and groundwater.     

Spatial variability of mercury emissions from soils in a southeastern US urban environment

We quantified gaseous mercury (Hg⁰) fluxes over soil surfaces in an urban setting during the winters of 2003 and 2004 across the metropolitan area of Tuscaloosa, AL. The objective was to provide a first inspection of the local spatial variability of mercury flux in an urban area. Flux sampling took place on bare, undisturbed, soil surfaces within four evenly spaced landuse areas of Tuscaloosa: industrial, commercial, residential, and mixed landuse. Median total gaseous mercury fluxes (ng/m² h) from each site were as follows: 4.45 (residential site), 1.40 (industrial site), 2.14 (commercial site), and 0.87 (mixed landuse site). Using non-parametric statistical analyses, the residential and mixed landuse sites were found to be statistically different from the overall median flux. Landuse and soil type are the suspected factors primarily controlling the observed spatially variable fluxes. The presence of statistically different fluxes over soil surfaces on a local scale in this preliminary study warrants additional investigation, particularly during the spring and summer seasons when terrestrial mercury emission is the highest. Providing such information will help develop better estimates of mercury emission from urban areas and, ultimately, lead to more accurate and useful spatially relevant inventories.     

Distribution of trace Hg and its mode of occurrence over Fankou Pb---Zn deposit, Guangdong, China

Blind ore bodies more than 200 m below the surface and ore-bearing faults are clearly indicated by soil-air Hg anomalies through an overburden 20–40 m thick over the Fankou Pb---Zn deposit. The background of soil-air mercury in this area is 50 ng m⁻³ and the highest value encountered is 2000 ng m⁻³. The maximum anomaly to background contrast is 40. The width of anomalies higher than 500 ng m⁻³ can be greater than 600 m. The background Hg in soils of the area is 0.06 ppm and increases to 0.15 ppm where there are soil-air anomalies. The contrast of Hg in soils is only 2.5. Mercury in the unconsolidated overburden is in the form of free gas and is absorbed onto soil colloids such as clay minerals and Fe-Mn oxides. The primary sulphides contain 14–320 ppm Hg where Hg is incorporated isomorphically in sulphide minerals, which is confirmed by microprobe analysis.Based on a systematic analysis of the materials from surface and underground workings for the mode of occurrence of Hg, the authors suggest that the Hg-vapour anomalies in soil-air are the oxidation products of the ore.     

Activity of radon (<Superscript>222</Superscript>Rn) in the lower atmospheric surface layer of a typical rural site in south India

Analysis of one year measurements of in situ radon (²²²Rn) and its progenies along with surface air temperature, relative humidity and pressure near to the Earth’s surface has been carried out for the first time at the National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL, 13.5^°N and 79.2^°E) located in a rural site in Gadanki, south India. The dataset was analysed to understand the behaviour of radon in relation to the surface air temperature and relative humidity at a rural site. It was observed that over a period of the 24 hours in a day, the activity of radon and its progenies reaches a peak in the morning hours followed by a remarkable decrease in the afternoon hours. Relatively, a higher concentration of radon was observed at NARL during fair weather days, and this can be attributed to the presence of rocky hills and dense vegetation surrounding the site. The high negative correlation between surface air temperature and activity of radon (R = – 0.70, on an annual scale) suggests that dynamical removal of radon due to increased vertical mixing is one of the most important controlling processes of the radon accumulation in the atmospheric surface layer. The annual averaged activity of radon was found to be 12.01±0.66 Bq m^?3 and 4.25±0.18 Bq m^?3 for its progenies, in the study period.     

Radon distributions in the Hail Region of Northern Saudi Arabia

Indoor radon measurements were carried out in a total of 420 dwellings and 17 schools in Hail region of Saudi Arabia, using NTDs based radon dosimeters. The duration of the measurements was one year, from April 2008 to April 2009. The indoor radon concentrations varied from 4 to 513 Bq/m³ with an overall average of 45 Bq/m³ for all surveyed dwellings. These passive measurements were confirmed by the active measurements. The anomalous concentrations above 200 Bq/m³ were observed in 13 dwellings, representing 3.1 % of the total surveyed dwellings. In Inbowan village alone, it was found that 7.6 % of the dwellings have indoor radon concentration above 200 Bq/m³. The highest average indoor radon concentration of 64 Bq/m³ was found in Inbowan village while the lowest average of 24 Bq/m³ was found in Majasah village. The city of Hail showed an average indoor radon concentration of 49 Bq/m³. The average indoor radon concentration in one area located at the edge of the Aja Mountain in Hail city was 111 Bq/m³. The elevated indoor radon concentrations in many dwellings in the Hail region, prompted us to measure outdoor ground radon in such locations using gas monitor. It was found that radon concentrations at a depth of 0.5 m varied significantly from place to place ranging from 1.2 to 177 kBq/m³. The outdoor radon concentrations are generally correlated with the indoor radon measurements. Radon exhalations from construction materials and soil samples from the Hail region were also measured. It was found that radon exhalations from soil samples are higher than that of construction materials by a factor of at least 3 and reaching up to 11. These results indicate that soil is the main source of indoor radon. Geological interpretations of the results are also given.     

Soil CO2 efflux along an elevation gradient in Qinghai spruce forests in the upper reaches of the Heihe River,northwest China

This study was conducted in six plots along an elevation gradient in the Qinghai spruce (Picea crassifolia Kom.) forest ecosystem of the Qilian Mountains, northwest China. Soil CO₂ efflux over bare soil (R _s) and moss covered soil (R _s+m) were investigated from June to September in 2010 and 2011 by means of an automated soil CO₂ flux system (LI-8100). The results showed that R _s ranged from 1.51 to 3.96 (mean 2.64 ± 0.72) μmol m^?2 s^?1 for 2010, and from 1.41 to 4.09 (mean 2.55 ± 0.70) μmol m^?2 s^?1 for 2011. The daily change trend of R _s resembled that of air temperature (T _a), and there was a hysteresis between R _s and soil temperature (T _s). The seasonal variations of R _s at lowlands (i.e., Plot 1, Plot 2 and Plot 3) were driven by soil moisture and temperature (T _a and T _s), while that at highlands (i.e., Plot 4, Plot 5 and Plot 6) were obviously affected by temperature. There were higher values at Plot 2 and Plot 6, which were caused by the interaction between soil moisture and temperature. In addition, soil CO₂ efflux over moss covered soil (R _s+m) was 8.83 % less than that over bare soil (R _s), indicating that moss was another factor affecting R _s. It was concluded that R _s had temporal and spatial variations and was mainly controlled by temperature and soil moisture; the main determinants differed at different elevations; moss could reduce R _s.     

Analysis of long- and short-term temporal variations of the diffuse CO2 emission from Timanfaya volcano,Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Reported herein are the results of eight soil CO₂ efflux surveys performed from 2006 to 2011 at Timanfaya Volcanic Field (TVF), Lanzarote Island with the aim of evaluating the long- and short-term temporal variations of the diffuse CO₂ emission. Soil CO₂ efflux values ranged from non-detectable up to 34.2 g m⁻² d⁻¹, with the highest values measured in September 2008. Conditional sequential Gaussian simulations (sGs) were applied to construct soil CO₂ efflux distribution maps and to estimate the total CO₂ output from the studied area at the TVF. Soil CO₂ efflux maps showed a high spatial and temporal variability. Total CO₂ emission rates ranged between 41 and 518 t d⁻¹, February 2011 (winter) being the season when maximum diffuse CO₂ emission rates were observed. To investigate the influence of external variables on the soil CO₂ efflux, a geochemical station (LZT01) was installed at TVF to measure continuously the soil CO₂ efflux between July 2010 and March 2012 Since external factors such as barometric pressure, rainfall, soil water content, soil and air temperatures, and wind speed influence strongly the observed soil CO₂ effluxes, multiple regression analysis was applied to the time series recorded by the automatic geochemical station LZT01 to remove the contribution of these external factors. The influence of meteorological variables on soil CO₂ efflux oscillations accounts for 13% of total variance, with barometric pressure, rainfall and/or soil water content having the most influence in the control of the soil CO₂ efflux. These observations along with the results from the eight soil gas surveys performed at TVF indicate that the short and long-term trends in the diffuse CO₂ degassing are mainly controlled by environmental factors.     

A distributed water–heat coupled model for mountainous watershed of an inland river basin in Northwest China (II) using meteorological and hydrological data

A distributed water–heat coupled model (DWHC) is calibrated by using daily precipitation data from 26 hydrological and meteorological stations: daily averaged air temperature data from the 11 stations and daily pan evaporation data (E601) from the 15 stations in 2000. Six tests by using different spatial interpolation methods to calculate the above daily meteorological data in each 1 km × 1 km grid, are designed to simulate the mean daily runoff generated from the research Heihe mountainous watershed in 2000. Due to spatial sparseness and asymmetry of the hydrological and meteorological stations, the results of the six tests have little differences. The interpolation method in 3-D mode considering altitude is not better than those taking no account of altitude, nor are the model results when the daily meteorological data at the two stations far from the research watershed are complemented. At last, a nearest neighbor interpolation method in 2-D mode is used to calibrate the DWHC model, in which the revised Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency NSE, balance error B, determinate coefficient R ², root mean square error RMSE and average absolute error MAE is about 0.61, 0.08%, 0.73, 25.0 and 15.8 m³s⁻¹, respectively. However, by using the daily data in 1999 to validate the model, the NSE, B, R ², RMSE and MAE are, respectively, 0.63, −2.98%, 0.77, 34.9 and 20.3 m³s⁻¹. The reason that the model result is not favorable is mainly because of the lack of detailed soil information, meteorological data and vegetation data; even worse, the basic equations for runoff generation processes are mainly derived from the research results in other regions and meanwhile, its flow concentration method should be improved too. The water balance of the research watershed in 2000 is also discussed in this paper. Though the runoff simulation results are not favorable, the estimated evapotranspiration and runoff components are in accordance with the usual knowledge qualitatively, parts of which meet with the field measurements. According to the model results, the runoff is mainly generated from the land surfaces and shallow soil layers in this cold mountainous watershed. The alpine meadow has evident water conservation function based on the model results, field investigation and field observation results. The DWHC model also reproduces the formation processes of the thick-layered ground ice to some extent, though it is suppositional due to lack of detailed soil, vegetation and meteorological information.     

Characteristics and distributions of atmospheric mercury emitted from anthropogenic sources in Guiyang,southwestern China

Continuous measurements of speciated atmospheric mercury (Hg), including gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), particulate mercury (PHg), and reactive gaseous mercury (RGM) were conducted in Guizhou Province, southwestern China. Guiyang Power Plant (GPP), Guiyang Wujiang Cement Plant, Guizhou Aluminum Plant (GAP), and Guiyang Forest Park (GFP) in Guiyang were selected as study sites. Automatic Atmospheric Mercury Speciation Analyzers (Tekran 2537A) were used for GEM analysis. PHg and RGM were simultaneously collected by a manual sampling system, including elutriator, coupler/impactor, KCl-coated annular denuder, and a filter holder. Results show that different emission sources dominate different species of Hg. The highest average GEM value was 22.2 ± 28.3 ng·m^?3 and the lowest 6.1 ± 3.9 ng·m^?3, from samples collected at GPP and GAP, respectively. The maximum average PHg was 1984.9 pg·m^?3 and the minimum average 55.9 pg·m^?3, also from GPP and GAP, respectively. Similarly, the highest average RGM of 68.8 pg·m^?3 was measured at GPP, and the lowest level of 20.5 pg·m^?3 was found at GAP. We conclude that coal combustion sources are still playing a key role in GEM; traffic contributes significantly to PHg; and domestic pollution dominates RGM.