New data on the age and nature of the Khan–Bogd alkaline granites,Mongolia

New age dating (291 Ma) was obtained for one of the largest alkaline granite massifs in the world, the Khan–Bogd Massif (Mongolia). For the first time, apart from zircon, other zirconium silicates, elpidite and armstrongite, have been analyzed. Our determinations showed the highly depleted nature of the mantle sources of granites with ε_Nd = 12. All the studied Zr-silicates demonstrate positive Eu anomalies in the REE patterns, which indicate a low oxidation potential during alkaline granite formation.     

Effect of mini-greenhouse on the transportation of heavy metals

Plastic mulching is widely used for the vegetables growing all over the world. However, plastic mulching might change the soil physic-chemical properties due to its mini-greenhouse effect. The purpose of this study is to probe the possible transportation …     

The deep structure of the earth’s crust beneath the White Sea based on seismic data

New data on the deep structure of the White Sea have been obtained. An interpretation of traverses 510 km in total length is presented. It has been found that the area of the Black Sea that was surveyed with the traverses is characterized by a consolidated crust consisting of two layers. In the velocity sections, interleaving of horsts and grabens is sharply identified. In the central part of the sea, an isometric trough is found with sediments up to 7–8 km thick. The trough is surrounded by east- and northeast-striking ledges and faults. Rocks with anomalously increased velocities are found in the lower part of the sedimentary cover. The thickness of the upper crust is 5–7 km. The lower crust is of a complicated structure and is 30 km thick; it forms a large fold surrounded by rocks with decreased velocitys.     

Magmatic evolution and rare earth element enrichment of Saima alkaline complex,Liaoning, ChinaSCIEI北大核心CSCD

赛马碱性杂岩体位于我国辽东半岛,是一个典型的铀-铌和稀土多金属矿化杂岩体,富含重稀土,其复杂的演化过程和稀土元素富集机制仍没有得到有效约束。本文对该碱性杂岩体中角闪辉石正长岩、正长岩、黑云正长岩、云霓霞石正长岩和异霞正长岩5类岩石及锆石的元素地球化学特征进行了系统研究,并开展了特征矿物包裹体的显微岩相学研究,旨在限定杂岩体母岩浆的演化路径,揭示稀土元素的富集机制。研究结果显示,赛马碱性杂岩体的母岩浆经历了由钾质碱性(角闪辉石正长岩、正长岩和黑云正长岩),到钾质过碱性(云霓霞石正长岩),向钠质过碱性(异霞正长岩)的充分演化。在演化过程中赛马碱性杂岩体母岩浆的体系状态发生了明显变化,碱性岩浆演化受流体不饱和的纯岩浆体系的控制,而过碱性岩浆岩则形成于流体过饱和的岩浆体系,且异霞正长岩母岩浆流体的饱和程度明显高于云霓霞石正长岩的母岩浆。研究还显示,钾质碱性岩浆稀土元素的地球化学行为主要受控于磷灰石等矿物的分离结晶,而成矿的钠质过碱性岩浆稀土、锆和铌等元素的富集成矿则主要受富CO_(2)的高盐度岩浆热液的控制。     

Effects of low molecular weight organic acids on sorption and desorption behavior of p-chlorophenol by yellow earth

Low molecular weight organic acids （LMWOAs） are important components of root exudates. They play an important role in immobilizing and remobilizing contaminants in rhizospheric soil. Effects of four LMWOAs on the sorption and desorption behavior of p-chlorophenol by yellow earth was studied in batch mode. The results showed that the previous application of LMWOAs to enhanced adsorption capacity of p-chlorophenol of the soil in the order of maleic acid〉malic acid〉oxalic acid〉citric acid. However, when LMWOAs were applied to soil where p-chlorophenol had been previously adsorbed, substantial p-chlorophenol was desorbed from soil by oxalic acid, whereas citric acid, malic acid and maleic acid didn＇t desorb as much p-chlorophenol from soil as deionized water.     

Effects of Mg and Si ions on the symmetry of δ-AlOOH

We conducted powder neutron diffraction for δ-AlOOH samples with and without Mg and Si ions under ambient conditions in order to investigate the long-standing problem of the symmetry of this phase. The observed reflection conditions clearly show that the space group of pure δ-AlOOH is P2₁ nm with ordered hydrogen bonds, whereas that of δ-(Al_0.86Mg_0.07Si_0.07)OOH is Pnnm or Pnn2 with disordered hydrogen bonds. It is more likely that the space group of δ-(Al_0.86Mg_0.07Si_0.07)OOH is Pnnm, because cation or hydrogen ordering that breaks the mirror plane perpendicular to c axis in the Pnnm structure would not occur. The previously reported inconsistency for the space group of this phase was caused by the substitution of Mg and Si ions to Al site, i.e., the disordered cations with different valences may fluctuate hydrogen positions, and the disordered hydrogen causes the symmetry change.     

Comparison of components and distribution of heavy metals in sediments, suspended particulate matter and surface coatings in natural waters

Solid phases, such as surface coatings （SC）, suspended particulate matter （SPM） and deposited sediments （DS）, contribute to the pool of heavy metals in natural waters. Their existing and forming conditions lead to potential differences in enrichment capacity of pollutants, chemical compositions and crystals. In this study, the contents of heavy metals in SC, SPM and DS were determined by GF-AAS after digestion with a mixture of concentrated HNO3 and HClO4. The selective extraction method was employed to remove Fe, Mn oxides and organic matters and associated heavy metals （Cu, Pb, Zn）. X-ray diffraction analyses were performed to characterize the crystals in the samples. The results showed that no significant difference in the contents of Fe-oxides in DS, SPM and SC was found, but the contents of Mn-oxides and organic matter follow the order of SC〉SPM〉DS. The significant crystal characters were observed in DS, SPM and SC, and the kinds of minerals and crystallization degree follow the order of DS〉SC〉SPM. In addition, quartz was the most important matter of crystals in the solid phases. Enrichment capacity follows the order of SPM〉SC〉DS for Pb, Cu and Zn. Organic matter was the major sorbent for Cu, and Mn oxides and organic matter played an important role in the enrichment of Zn. However, Pb was absorbed mainly by Fe oxides. Moreover, compared with Fe oxides and organic matter, Mn oxides had a great enrichment capacity for these metals. Although DS, SPM and SC were formed in the same water system, contents of chemical components, crystals and enrichment capacities to heavy metals were obviously different.     

Study on the spatial and temporal variations of the surface albedo on Muz Taw Glacier,Sawir Mountains北大核心CSCD

冰川反照率时空变化特征研究对于评估冰川能量物质平衡及认识冰川消融过程至关重要。本文基于高空间分辨率的Landsat OLI影像和高时间分辨率的MOD10A1产品,并结合冰面反照率实测数据,开展了2011—2021年北疆萨吾尔山木斯岛冰川表面反照率的时空变化特征及其对冰川物质平衡影响的研究。结果表明:Landsat反演反照率和MOD10A1反照率与同期内冰面实测反照率的相关性分别为0.95和0.62,均显示木斯岛冰川表面反照率存在显著的时空变化特征;在空间尺度上,冰面反照率沿主流线整体随海拔升高呈增加趋势。但由于局部地形差异,反照率在海拔3 600 m以下区域随海拔升高出现下降趋势;在同一海拔处,反照率沿冰川两侧边缘向中部递增。2011—2021年,冰川年均反照率微弱增加,消融期内(5—8月)平均反照率与全年平均反照率的变化速率分别为0.0024 a-1和0.0017 a-1;逐月反照率具有显著的季节变化特征,6—8月冰面反照率较低(0.330),12月—次年2月冰面反照率较高(0.586);消融期内冰川消融区反照率下降幅度大于积累区。研究进一步表明,夏季(6—8月)平均反照率与冰川物质平衡存在显著的正相关(R=0.84,P<0.01),气温、固态降水、云量、太阳入射角、吸光性杂质等是影响冰川反照率变化的重要因素。该研究将对冰川消融过程和机理、能量物质平衡模拟等工作提供重要的基础支撑。     

Adsorption of Cr(VI) on γ-alumina in the presence and absence of CO2: Comparison of three surface complexation models

Adsorption of Cr(VI) on γ-alumina was investigated as a function of ionic strength (0.001, 0.01 and 0.1 M NaNO₃), pH (4-10), Cr(VI) concentration (10⁻⁴ or 10⁻⁵ M with 5 g/L solid) and pCO₂ (0, atmospheric, 2.5%). Cr(VI) sorption is significant at low pH and decreases with increasing pH, with 50% of the Cr(VI) adsorbed between pH ∼6.5 and 8. Adsorption varies little with ionic strength or pCO₂ under most of the studied conditions. However, at low pH under high ionic strength and especially at high ionic strength and high pCO₂, Cr(VI) sorption on γ-alumina is suppressed. The adsorption edge data were used to parameterize constant capacitance (CCM), diffuse double layer (DLM) and triple layer (TLM) surface complexation models. None of the models entirely captures the full range of observed adsorption dependence on ionic strength and sorbate/sorbent ratio. The best fits to the full dataset are produced by the CCM, mostly because it has ionic-strength dependent stability constants. The more sophisticated TLM, which requires the most fitting parameters, does not produce better fits than the simpler CCM or DLM approaches for the conditions tested in this study.     

Effects of temperature on the crystal structure of epidote: a neutron single-crystal diffraction study at 293 and 1,070 K

The effects of temperature on the crystal structure of a natural epidote [Ca_1.925 Fe_0.745Al_2.265Ti_0.004Si_3.037O₁₂(OH), a = 8.890(6), b = 5.630(4), c = 10.150(6) Å and β = 115.36(5)°, Sp. Gr. P2₁ /m] have been investigated by means of neutron single-crystal diffraction at 293 and 1,070 K. At room conditions, the structural refinement confirms the presence of Fe³⁺ at the M₃ site [%Fe(M3) = 73.1(8)%] and all attempts to refine the amount of Fe at the M(1) site were unsuccessful. Only one independent proton site was located. Two possible hydrogen bonds, with O(2) and O(4) as acceptors [i.e. O(10)–H(1)···O(2) and O(10)–H(1)···O(4)], occur. However, the topological configuration of the bonds suggests that the O(10)–H(1)···O(4) is energetically more favourable, as H(1)···O(4) = 1.9731(28) Å, O(10)···O(4) = 2.9318(22) Å and O(10)–H(1)···O4 = 166.7(2)°, whereas H(1)···O(2) = 2.5921(23) Å, O(10)···O(2) = 2.8221(17) Å and O(10)–H(1)···O2 = 93.3(1)°. The O(10)–H(1) bond distance corrected for “riding motion” is 0.9943 Å. The diffraction data at 1,070 K show that epidote is stable within the T-range investigated, and that its crystallinity is maintained. A positive thermal expansion is observed along all the three crystallographic axes. At 1,070 K the structural refinement again shows that Fe³⁺ share the M(3) site along with Al³⁺ [%Fe(M3)_1,070K = 74(2)%]. The refined amount of Fe³⁺ at the M(1) is not significant [%Fe(M1)_1,070K = 1(2)%]. The tetrahedral and octahedral bond distances and angles show a slight distortion of the polyhedra at high-T, but a significant increase of the bond distances compared to those at room temperature is observed, especially for bond distances corrected for “rigid body motions”. The high-T conditions also affect the inter-polyhedral configurations: the bridging angle Si(2)–O(9)–Si(1) of the Si₂O₇ group increases significantly with T. The high-T structure refinement shows that no dehydration effect occurs at least within the T-range investigated. The configuration of the H-bonding is basically maintained with temperature. However, the hydrogen bond strength changes at 1,070 K, as the O(10)···O(4) and H(1)···O(4) distances are slightly longer than those at 293 K. The anisotropic displacement parameters of the proton site are significantly larger than those at room condition. Reasons for the thermal stability of epidote up to 1,070 K observed in this study, the absence of dehydration and/or non-convergent ordering of Al and Fe³⁺ between different octahedral sites and/or convergent ordering on M(3) are discussed.     

Effect of transition metals on the growth and activity of external carbonic anhydrase of two green algae

Algae develop ultra-efficient uptake systems to adequately obtain essential transition metals. However, in transition metal polluted area, these systems also result in tremendous accumulation of transition metals, which are finally far beyond algal requir…     

Mineralogy,composition and heavy metals’ concentration,distribution and source identification of surface sediments from the saline Maharlou Lake (Fars Province,Iran)

This study concerns the mineralogy, spatial distribution and sources of nine heavy metals in surface sediments of the Maharlou saline lake, close to the Shiraz metropolis in southern Iran. The sources for these sediments were studied by comparing the mineralogy and the distribution of heavy metals, using multivariate statistical analysis (correlation analysis and principal component analysis). The geochemical indices, including geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF) and pollution load index (PLI), were used to assess the degree of heavy metal contamination in surface sediments. Sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) have also been applied to assess its toxicity. The XRD analysis shows that the main minerals of the surface sediments are aragonite, calcite, halite and quartz, with small amounts of montmorillonite, dolomite and sepiolite. The total heavy metal contents in surface sediments decrease in order of Sr?>?Ni?>?Cr?>?Zn?>?Cu?>?Co?>?Pb?>?As >?Cd and the average concentrations of Sr, Ni and As exceeded more than 10, 5 and 3 times, respectively, by comparing with the normalized upper continental crust (UCC) values. The results of pollution indices (Igeo, CF and PLI) revealed that strontium (Sr), nickel (Ni) and arsenic (As) were significantly enriched in those sediments. Based on the sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), Ni would infrequently cause toxicity. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated that the Ni, Co and Cr came mainly from natural geological background sources, while Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were derived from urban effluents (especially traffic emissions) and As originated from agriculture activities. Significant relationships of Sr with S, CaO and MgO in sediments suggest that Sr was derived from carbonate- and gypsum-bearing catchment source host rocks.     

Effects of the addition of complexants and bacteria on the soil-plant transfer at metal contaminated sites

Within a series of pot experiments with substrates sampled at heavily to moderately polluted sites of past metal mining activities, it was tried to influence the soil plant transfer of metals via addition of complexants, soil bacteria and perlite. Lettuce （lactuca sativa） was chosen as a universal accumulator plant. A wide range of concentrations in the samples ensures a rather general approach. The goal was to develop a strategy to enable plant growth at metal contaminated substrates for phytoremediation purposes. One contaminated mine tailing from Shiheung/Korea was treated with EDTA, NTA, citric acid, malic acid, NaCl, citrate＋NaCl, as well as compost, to provoke effects from chemical treatment. This should yield low molecular metal complexes in the soil solution and provide a carbon source to natural soil life. Other samples from Shiheung, from Okdong mine tailings, Okdong farmland, as well as from three contaminated sites from a medieval mine tailing at Oberzeiring/Styria/Austrias were treated with Cd- adapted soil bacteria, perlite, and soil bacteria and perlite, to impose of changes in microbial life directly. Fresh mine tailings are low in microbial life and plant- available nitrogen, whereas in the contaminated Austrian medieval samples, conditions have had time to adapt for more than 600 years. In the test substrates, supply with nutrient nitrogen was low, supply with nutrient phosphorus was low to adequate, and supply with potassium and sulfate was adequate. Effects of various additives on the plant yield mainly depend on the initial nutrient status. After harvest, the soils were parted in root soils and bulk soils to recognize possible differences. The lettuce plants were parted in leaves and roots. The solids were characterized by convential methods and aqua regia digestion, as well as by a Tessier-type sequential leaching procedure. The plant samples were digested with HNO3/HClO4. Basically, sample solutions were simultaneously read for 23 elements in ICP-OES in appropriate dilutions. Various treatments result in concentration shifts in root soil, bulk soil, plant roots and plant leaves. Interpretation is not easy, but physiologically active elements or contaminants are usually more involved.     

The effect of γ-irradiation on the structure and subsequent thermal decomposition of brucite

The effect of γ-irradiation on the structure, phase composition and kinetics of isothermal decomposition of natural textural brucite Mg(OH)₂ has been investigated by Mn²⁺ electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), proton magnetic resonance (PMR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and weight loss methods. Starting from a 10⁶-Gy dose, γ-irradiation (⁶⁰Co, 13.8 Gys^?1) is found to stimulate the formation of a new phase in the brucite structure, namely basic magnesium carbonate. The carbonate phase is assumed to form in brucite under γ-irradiation accordingly to the scheme \(\) (in the brucite structure). There is also a possibility that γ-irradiation forms particles with high reaction ability, CO^?₂ radicals and/or CO molecules, which can react with the brucite structure. Preliminary γ-irradiation (9.75 × 10⁷ Gy) slows down the subsequent isothermal dehydroxylation of natural brucite, which can be explained by the formation of the new carbonate phase in the Mg(OH)₂ structure. Dehydroxylation kinetics of both original and irradiated samples are interpreted by a two-stage nucleation model at 623, 648, 673, 698 and 723 K. The reaction rate is limited by the first nucleation stage rate (proton transition from an OH group near the reaction interface on a freed vacant orbital of an oxygen ion of the OH group in the nearest elementary cell, i.e., formation of a structured water molecule). The second-stage rate (water molecule removal from the structure and proton migration from the residual hydroxyl inside the structure) is about 1 order of magnitude higher. The activation energy of the limiting stage is 194 and 163 kJ mol^?1 for the original and irradiated samples, respectively. Non-linear Arrhenius dependencies for the first-stage rate constants are related to the potential barrier reduction due to thermal fluctuations of large structural zones (with radii of about 20 and 81 Å in original and irradiated samples, respectively), whose ions form this barrier.     

Speciation and potential remobilization of heavy metals in sediments of the Taihu Lake, China

The species of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd and Cr in sediments of the Taihu Lake, China, have been analyzed using the sequential chemical extraction method. Variations in the chemical fractions of these metals and their geographic distributions have also been studied. For all five metals, the residual fraction is highest but the exchangeable fraction is lowest among all the fractions. Compared to other metals, Cd has the highest percentage in the exchangeable fraction, and Cr is associated mainly with the residual fraction. Cu in the organic fraction and Pb in the Fe-Mn fraction are the important species, whereas the lowest percentages are found for Cd in the organic fraction, Cu in the Fe-Mn oxide fraction and Pb in the carbonate fraction. With respect to spatial differences, the total contents in the non-residual fractions of the metals in bay sediments are found to be higher than those in other sediments. The fractions of Cd, Cu and Cr showed significant variations in different regions. The fractions of Pb and Zn, however, did not show significant variations in spatial distribution, suggesting different amounts and different paths of anthropogenic input for the metals. Comparisons of the metal speciation indicated that Cd might be the most bioavailable metal, followed by Pb.     

Effects of site–city interaction and polarization of the incident S-wave on the transfer function and fundamental frequency of structures

Natural Hazards - The variation of 2D fundamental frequency of stand-alone structure on rock $$ ({F}_{{02{\text{D}}}}^{\text{S}} ) $$ and in a basin $$ ({F}_{{02{\text{D}}}}^{\text{BS}} ) $$ with...     

Enrichment and mobility of cadmium and other heavy metals in the area of the Three-Gorges Reservoir

This study focused on the geochemical distribution patterns and ecological effects of Cd and other heavy metals such as As, Hg, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in rock, soil, water, sediment and crops in the area of the Three-Gorges Reservoir within Chongqing, and aimed at the protection of ecological environment and rational application of the local lands. This study found that the metals of Cd, Hg and Pb presented pollution in the surface environment along the Yangtze River, that is Cd〉Hg〉Pb （Cu）〉Zn〉As〉Ni〉Cr. The pollution of Cd in sediment was mainly attributable to the regional black shales, and partly to the urban sewage and garbage. The geochemical modes of metals in the sediment varied. Cr, Hg, Ni, and Pb mainly existed as residues, and Cd as carbonate. Cd exited as a high proportion in the modes of ion-exchange, carbonate, and iron-manganese oxidation, up to 63 percent. The contents of heavy metals in soiland sediment were correlated to the host clay minerals, such as illite, montmorillonite, kaolinite and chlorite. It is shown that Cd was transported with clay minerals in the Yangtze River over long distance and formed the regional anomaly. In the abnormal area of Jianping in Wushan County, higher Cd contents are reported in the local crops and local villagers＇ hairs than from the background areas.