Mobility of rare earth elements in the system soils–plants–groundwaters: a case study of an arid area (Oman)

Groundwater samples from six wells and various species of plants from soils developed on ophiolites were collected from an arid area (AlKhod area, Oman) and analyzed for trace elements including rare earth elements (REEs). The distribution patterns of REEs in plants indicated an enrichment in middle REEs (MREEs?=?Sm to Dy) and heavy REEs (HREEs?=?Ho to Lu), when they are normalized to the REE composition of the Post Archean Australian Shale (PAAS), with a significant negative anomaly in Ce and a positive anomaly in Eu. Compared to Oman ophiolites, the REEs in different species of plants are depleted in Ce and enriched in MREEs and slightly enriched in light REE (LREE?=?from La to Nd). Relative to PAAS, the distribution of REEs in groundwaters revealed similar patterns to the REE distribution in plants. The distribution patterns of REEs in plants relative to those in waters are nearly flat. These patterns suggest that the transfer of REEs from soil solutions to the groundwaters in Oman occurs without any significant fractionation.     

Nitrate in groundwater and N circulation in eastern Botswana

Nitrate pollution due to deep leaching from pit latrines has caused water supply wells in eastern Botswana to exceed health limits concerning nitrate. It was deduced from the estimated intake of salt and protein by the population that, as an average, about 10 percent of the human nitrogen excretion is leached to the groundwater. This fraction was also found in southern India, where on-the-ground excretion is customary. The nitrogen circulation in general in the savanna ecosystem is not appreciably affected in spite of a large livestock density. Overall nitrate leaching is in the order of 1.5 kg N/ha/y, similar to that in another semiarid area in southern India. However, in India, there seems to be a more diffuse areal leaching from agriculture as well as from villages.Measures to minimize the nitrate leaching could be to plant deep-rooted trees adjacent to pit latrines or to use latrines that separate the urine from the faces for a more near-surface infiltration facilitating plant uptake. Measures to minimize leaching will also lessen the rick for bacterial pollution of the groundwater.     

北京怀柔云蒙山地区花岗岩风化过程的地球化学基因

地球化学基因是近两年提出的一种新的地球化学示踪技术,本文选择北京怀柔云蒙山地区两个邻近的花岗岩风化剖面(编号为B和C)来分析岩性地球化学基因和金矿化地球化学基因的属性特征.剖面B样品的化学蚀变指数CIA变化为51.3～58.9,WIG的范围为89.4～68.6,属于初始风化程度;剖面C样品的CIA变化为52.4～78....     

Multifunctional intervention and market rationality in agricultural governance: a comparative study of England and South Australia

Critiques of the neoliberal governance of agricultural systems have led to a number of political responses which attempt to address the socio-environmental consequences of the dominant regime. In this paper two case study regions (South Australia and England) have been chosen to represent variations in agricultural policy and to highlight subsequent outcomes on the sustainability of agriculture. Interviewed governance stakeholders highlighted issues in regard to the agricultural governance of each area, from social and environmental consequences of minimal policy intervention in South Australia, to issues created by greater economic support in England. As such, the distinct variations in agricultural regimes will continue to demand scholarly attention, in order for the value of diversity within the sector to be more widely understood. The study concludes that it is likely agricultural support will continue to decline in both case study regions. Importantly, however, innovative policy mechanisms that aim to reduce local risks and value local agricultural priorities, without requiring significant financial support, might be the most promising way forward in regard to agricultural system sustainability.     

Land use change assessment in coastal mangrove forests of Iran utilizing satellite imagery and CA–Markov algorithms to monitor and predict future change

Mangrove forest stores large organic carbon stocks in a setting that is highly vulnerable to climate change and direct anthropogenic influences. As such there is a need to elucidate the causes and consequences of land use change on these ecosystems that have high value in terms of ecosystem services. We examine the areal pattern of land types in a coastal region located in southern Iran over a period of 14 years to predict future loss and gain in land types to the year 2025. We applied a CA–Markov model to simulate and predict mangrove forest change. Landsat satellite images from 2000 to 2014 were used to analyze the land cover changes between soil, open water and mangroves. Major changes during this period were observed in soil and water which could be attributed to rising sea level. Furthermore, the mangrove area in the more seaward position was converted to open water due to sea-level rise. A cellular automata model was then used to predict the land cover changes that would occur by the year 2025. Results demonstrated that approximately 21 ha of mangrove area will be converted to open water, while mangroves are projected to expand by approximately 28 ha in landward direction. These changes need to be delineated to better inform precise mitigation and adaptation measures.     

“四深”微生物的地质作用：从气候环境变化到生态灾难

“四深”微生物是指深海、深地、深空和深时环境的微生物,特别是细菌、古菌、真菌、病毒等。人们对“四深”微生物的了解非常有限,是亟待突破的地球生物学前沿领域。“四深”微生物的研究对理解地球生命起源、界定生物圈的边界条件、促进地球科学与生命科学以及行星科学之间的交叉融合具有不可替代性的贡献。随着我国深海、深空、深地等重大工程计划的推进,一系列与“四深”微生物有关的前沿科学问题不断提出,包括地质微生物与气候环境的相互作用、地质微生物的生物安全与生态安全、地质微生物参与的隐匿地质过程等。特别是,“四深”环境活性氧自由基对微生物的影响、地质病毒对生物演化和地质过程的影响等前沿领域都亟待突破。活性氧自由基能对生物分子、细胞、组织和器官,乃至整个生物圈的演化以及微生物地质作用都产生重要影响。病毒引发了现代和近代诸多全球性疫情爆发,地质病毒则可能对生物的背景灭绝和大灭绝以及一些地质过程产生影响。     

江西银山矿伊利石化过程中围岩化学成分变化及其成矿意义

江西银山热液多金属矿床矿体围岩发生了强烈的伊利石化,研究这些伊利石化是认识本矿床成矿作用的关键之一。通过伊利石的化学成分和矿体围岩蚀变前后的化学成分比较等方面的研究,本文得出以下认识:银山矿矿体围岩千枚岩、英安质流纹岩和中酸性次火山岩都发生了强烈的伊利石化,矿石与蚀变千枚岩中伊利石的化学成分最为相近。银山矿矿体蚀变围岩的化学成分以K2O的含量较高、Na2O和CaO的含量都很低(平均值都在0.11%左右)为特征,矿体围岩在伊利石化过程中Ca和Na被大量带出。综合各方面的证据推测,引起强烈伊利石化的热液是以H2O+CO2为主要组份的氧化性火山-次火山热液。     

西安市地裂缝对长安路立交桥致灾机理调查研究

西安地裂缝作为一种特殊的城市地质灾害,已经对基础设施造成很大的危害。长安路立交的破坏最为严重和典型,文章结合西安地裂缝的分布及活动特点,详细分析了地裂缝活动引起的长安路立交的破坏形式和特点。并对引起长安路立交破坏的原因做了进一步分析,得出了由于长安立交没有很好的排水措施导致地裂缝的异常活动从而引起桥梁破坏的结论。同时,文章还结合长安路立交的结构措施给出了在地裂缝带修建立交的结构措施建议。并最终得出了在地裂缝带修建城市立交等基础设施,应从采取措施减少地裂缝活动和采取合理的结构措施以适应地裂缝活动两方面进行综合考虑的结论。     

“四深”微生物的地质作用——从气候环境变化到生态灾难

“四深”微生物是指深海、深地、深空和深时环境的微生物,特别是细菌、古菌、真菌、病毒等。人们对“四深”微生物的了解非常有限,是亟待突破的地球生物学前沿领域。“四深”微生物的研究对理解地球生命起源、界定生物圈的边界条件、促进地球科学与生命科学以及行星科学之间的交叉融合具有不可替代性的贡献。随着我国深海、深空、深地等重大工程计划的推进,一系列与“四深”微生物有关的前沿科学问题不断提出,包括地质微生物与气候环境的相互作用、地质微生物的生物安全与生态安全、地质微生物参与的隐匿地质过程等。特别是,“四深”环境活性氧自由基对微生物的影响、地质病毒对生物演化和地质过程的影响等前沿领域都亟待突破。活性氧自由基能对生物分子、细胞、组织和器官,乃至整个生物圈的演化以及微生物地质作用都产生重要影响。病毒引发了现代和近代诸多全球性疫情爆发,地质病毒则可能对生物的背景灭绝和大灭绝以及一些地质过程产生影响。     

Dedication: Dr. Scott W. Nixon (1943–2012)

The availability of suspended sediments will be a dominant factor influencing the stability of tidal wetlands as sea levels rise. Watershed-derived sediments are a critical source of material supporting accretion in many tidal wetlands, and recent declines in wetland extent in several large river delta systems have been attributed in part to declines in sediment delivery. Little attention has been given, however, to changes in sediment supply outside of large river deltas. In this study, significant declines in suspended sediment concentrations (SSCs) over time were observed for 25 of 61 rivers examined that drain to the East and Gulf Coasts of the USA. Declines in fluvial SSC were significantly correlated with increasing water retention behind dams, indicating that human activities play a role in declining sediment delivery. There was a regional pattern to changes in fluvial sediment, and declines in SSCs were also significantly related to rates of relative sea level rise (RSLR) along the coast, such that wetlands experiencing greater RSLR also tend to be receiving less fluvial sediment. Tidal wetlands in the Mid-Atlantic, Mississippi River Delta, and Texas Gulf especially may become increasingly vulnerable due to rapid RSLR and reductions in sediment. These results also indicate that past rates of marsh accretion may not be indicative of potential future accretion due to changes in sediment availability. Declining watershed sediment delivery to the coastal zone will limit the ability of tidal marshes to keep pace with rising sea levels in some coastal systems.     

The Effect of finite strain and deformation history of HALABAN area,eastern Arabian shield,Saudi Arabia

The present study aims to evaluate a relationship between the mineralogy and structural analysis in the Halaban area and to document the tectonic evolution of Halaban and Al Amar faults. The collected samples were taken from deformed granitiods rocks (such as granite, gneisses and tonalite), metasedimentary, metavolcanic, metagabbro and carbonate rocks are trend to NE-SW with low dip angle in the Halaban area. These samples were 8 from granite, 14 metagabbro, 6 metavolcanics, 5 tonalite, 6 metasedimentary, 10 gneisses and 8 carbonate rocks. Our results are described for the different axial ratios of deformed rocks as the following: XZ sections range from 1.10 to 4.60 in the Fry method and range from 1.70 to 2.71 in the Rf/? method. YZ sections range from 1.10 to 3.34 in the Fry method and range from 1.62 to 2.63 in the Rf/Phi method. In addition, XY sections range from 1 to 3.51 in the Fry method and range from 1 to 1.27 in the Rf/? method for deformed granite rocks, metasedimentry rocks, and metagabbro. The stretch axes for measured samples in the X direction axes (S_X) variety from 1.06 to 2.53 in the Fry method and vary from 1.20 to 1.45 in the Rf/? method. The values of the Y direction axes (S_Y) vary from 0.72 to 1.43 in the Fry method, which indicates contraction and extension in this direction and vary from 1.13 to 1.37 in the Rf/? method which indicates extension in this direction. Furthermore, the Z direction axes (SZ) varies from 0.09 to 0.89 in the Fry method and from 0.52 to 0.71 in the Rf/? method. The stretches axes in the Z direction (SZ) show a vertical shortening about 11% to 91% in the Fry method and show vertical shortening about 29% to 48% in the Rf/? method. The studied rock units are generally affected by brittle-ductile shear zones, which are sub-parallel to parallel NW or NNW trend. It assumed that different rock types of have similar deformation behavior. Based on these results, it is concluded that the finite strain is accumulated during the metamorphism after that was started the deformation by thrusting activity. The contacts between the different rock types were deformed during thrusting under semi-brittle to ductile deformation conditions by simple shear. A component of vertical shortening is also involved causing subhorizontal foliation in the Halaban area.     

Millennial‐scale variability in the oceans: an ocean modelling view

Climate and ocean‐only models have shown that the ocean will respond abruptly to significant perturbations in surface forcing. Centennial‐scale oscillation is a characteristic of circulation in large semi‐enclosed ocean basins such as the Arctic, whereas millennial‐scale adjustment to changes in surface forcing has been found in the global ocean component of climate models. We show that the millennial time‐scale in climate models is likely to be intrinsic to the ocean through its presence in an ocean‐only model. The strength of the thermohaline circulation is shown to be very sensitive to the magnitude of ice albedo and, to a lesser extent, perturbation in the surface freshwater flux. Modelled glacial ocean circulation, in contrast to present‐day simulations, requires an enhanced freshwater flux over the northern Atlantic, even in its non‐Heinrich state, to obtain realistic overturning in the North Atlantic. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Regional soil erosion in response to land use and increased typhoon frequency and intensity,Taiwan

Reservoir sedimentation data and sediment yields from Taiwanese rivers show increased soil erosion in response to both 20th century changes in land use and a more recent increase in typhoon frequency and intensity. Decadal variations of up to 5- to 20-fold in suspended-sediment rating curves demonstrate supply-limited transport and correspond to increased sediment delivery from hillslopes due to changes in land use, regional ground shaking during the Chi-Chi earthquake, and post-2000 changes in typhoon frequency and intensity. While accelerated erosion in central Taiwan after the Chi-Chi earthquake has been documented previously, our results show that periods of increased upland erosion also occurred earlier, in response to 20th century changes in land use. Analyses of rainfall records and typhoon frequency for the period 1900–2009 further point to an island-wide increase in erosion rates corresponding to increased typhoon frequency and intensity after 1990.     

我国过去50a来降水变化趋势及其对水资源的影响(Ⅱ):月系列

应用全国范围内的678个气象站1951-1998年长系列逐月降水资料, 用线性回归方法研究降水量的变化趋势, 同时结合长江、黄河和松花江主要控制水文站同期的径流资料, 研究径流对气候变化的响应. 结果表明: 降水的年内变化表现出较大的区域特性, 最显著的变化特点是秋冬季 (8～12月) 东部地区降水量普遍减少, 1～3月江南地区降水有增加趋势. 气候的上述变化趋势对我国干旱的西北地区有利, 该区河流径流量有明显增加; 另一方面, 夏季降水的增加可能会导致洪水事件的濒发, 与此同时, 降水量的年内不均匀变化, 特别是在 8～12月长时间的降水减少趋势, 导致枯水期径流的减少, 从而加剧秋冬季水资源的供需矛盾. 长江、黄河和松花江主要控制水文站6个站1～4月径流基本上表现为增加趋势, 而6～12月大多表现为减少趋势, 只有黄河上游唐乃亥站6月, 长江下游大通站7月和松花江哈尔滨站8月径流为增加; 另外, 气候变暖使发源于青藏高原的长江(宜昌站3、 4月)和黄河上游(唐乃亥站4～6月)的春季的融雪过程提前, 融雪期径流增加.     

Impacts of climate change on groundwater in Australia: a sensitivity analysis of recharge

Groundwater recharge is a complex process reflecting many interactions between climate, vegetation and soils. Climate change will impact upon groundwater recharge but it is not clear which climate variables have the greatest influence over recharge. This study used a sensitivity analysis of climate variables using a modified version of WAVES, a soil-vegetation-atmosphere-transfer model (unsaturated zone), to determine the importance of each climate variable in the change in groundwater recharge for three points in Australia. This study found that change in recharge is most sensitive to change in rainfall. Increases in temperature and changes in rainfall intensity also led to significant changes in recharge. Although not as significant as other climate variables, some changes in recharge were observed due to changes in solar radiation and carbon dioxide concentration. When these variables were altered simultaneously, changes in recharge appeared to be closely related to changes in rainfall; however, in nearly all cases, recharge was greater than would have been predicted if only rainfall had been considered. These findings have implications for how recharge is projected to change due to climate change.     

Rice research for food security and sustainable agricultural development in Asia: Achievements and future challenges

Rice is the major staple food of Asia, and an important source of employment and income in rural areas, particularly in low-income countries. Research has contributed significantly in achieving food security by increasing the yield potential of rice in irrigated systems, reducing the crop maturity period and achieving yield stability by developing resistance against major insects and diseases in the modern high-yielding varieties. Poverty is, however, still extensive in fragile rainfed rice ecosystems where rice yield has remained low, as scientists have yet to develop high-yielding varieties resistant to abiotic stresses and problem soils. Rice production needs to be increased by another 70% over the next 30 years to meet growing food needs. This has to be achieved with less land, less water, and less labor to accommodate the demand for these inputs from the expanding nonagricultural sectors. The challenge to the rice research community is to make further shifts in yield potential of rice for the irrigated systems, to close the yield gaps in the rainfed systems through developing resistance of high yielding varieties to abiotic stresses, and greater understanding of the interactions between genotypes and environment, developing durable resistance against pests and diseases to reduce farmers' dependence on harmful agrochemicals, and to increase efficiency in the use of water, labor and fertilizers. As further intensification of rice cultivation is inevitable, scientists must understand the negative environmental side-effects of increasing rice productivity, to develop appropriate mitigation options.     

广州地区蔬菜生产基地有机污染物含量状况及分布

为了解广州地区蔬菜基地有机污染物的分布情况,选取了6个代表性基地进行调查采样,测试分析了表层土壤、蔬菜及灌溉水中15种邻苯二甲酸酯(PAEs)化合物、16种多环芳烃(PAHs)化合物和19种有机氯农药(OCPs)化合物的质量分数及质量浓度.结果表明:在15种PAEs化合物的总质量分数(w(ΣPAEs))中,土壤样品为158.0~4 321.0 ng/g,蔬菜样品为1 134.0~48 576.0 ng/g;水样中15种PAEs化合物的总质量浓度(ρ(ΣPAEs))为632.0~14 271.0 ng/L;就单个化合物而言,以DiBP、DBP、DEHP三种污染物为主,其三项之和占所有PAEs质量分数的97.5%~99.1%;在16种PAHs化合物的总质量分数(w(ΣPAHs))中,土壤样品为28.48~1 121.96 ng/g,蔬菜样品为238.09~1 000.61 ng/g;水样中16种PAHs化合物的总质量浓度(ρ(ΣPAHs))为338.21~1 239.78 ng/L;在19种OCPs化合物的总质量分数(w(ΣOCPs))中,土壤为0.04~71.28 ng/g,蔬菜为1.08~9.18 ng/g.总体上看,各基地土壤中DBP质量分数均超标,多环芳烃类在灵山、花东、黄埔菜地土壤中存在轻微污染,有机氯农药均未出现污染.     

Spatial patterns of Holocene glacier advance and retreat in Central Asia

Glaciers in the southern Himalayas advanced in the early Holocene despite an increase in incoming summer solar insolation at the top of the atmosphere. These glacier advances are in contrast to the smaller alpine glaciers in the western and northern regions of Central Asia. Two different glacier mass-balance models are used to reconcile this Holocene glacier history with climate by quantifying the change in equilibrium-line altitudes (ELA) for simulated changes in Holocene climate. Both ELA models clearly show that the lowering of ELAs in the southern Himalayas is largely due to a decrease in summer temperatures, and that an increase in monsoonal precipitation accounts for less than 30% of the total ELA changes. The decrease in summer temperatures is a dynamic response to the changes in solar insolation, resulting in both a decrease in incoming shortwave radiation at the surface due to an increase in cloudiness and an increase in evaporative cooling. In the western and northern zones of Central Asia, both ELA models show a rise in ELAs in response to a general increase in summer temperatures. This increase in temperatures in the more northern regions is a direct radiative response to the increase in summer solar insolation.     

水文网络模型在分布式流域水文模拟中的应用

水文网络模型是地理信息系统对流域实际河网水系的一种规范化描述,它采用拓扑关系来确定流域水流的空间聚合与分散。准确地描述水文网络对成功模拟流域水流的空间分布起着至关重要的作用。水文网络数据模型的关键在于如何表达水文网络的构成要素,以及如何建立要素间的拓扑关系。本文重点阐述了水文网络模型在分布式流域水文模拟中的应用。实例研究证明,采用水文网络模型来表达流域河网水系结构有助于准确地模拟流域上水流的空间与时间分布。     

近几十年来黑河野牛沟流域的冰川变化

利用1956年航测、1970/1973年1:50000地形图以及野牛沟流域2003年ASTER影像获取的3期冰川资料,对黑河源头西支野牛沟流域的冰川时空变化进行了分析.通过分析流域气温变化和冰川变化的关系,探讨了流域冰川变化对河川径流的影响.结果表明:野牛沟流域1956—1970/1973年冰川总面积减少9.29%,年平均消退0.54%;1970/1973—2003年冰川总面积减少了18.23%,年平均消退0.60%.流域内冰川条数由1956年的165条减少为2003年的144条,1956—1970/1973年间流域冰川储量减少了2.29×10⁸m³,年均损失约0.13×10⁸m³;从1970/1973年到2003年,冰川储量减少了4.19×10⁸m³,年均损失约0.14×10⁸m³.从1956年到2003年,冰川变化率随着冰川面积的增加而降低,冰川萎缩速度有加快的迹象,而流域年平均温度也有加快升高的趋势.冰川的消退对于流域径流量的影响不大.