浅析广西北海市偏酸性地下水的形成原因

广西北海市滨海平原松散沉积物中分布有潜水含水层和承压含水层,地下水的pH值普遍偏低,一般4.0～6.0者居多。第四系松散沉积物的矿物成分石英占50%～80%,含少量粘土矿物,化学成分中SiO2占绝大多数。以难溶成分为主的沉积物和长期的淋滤作用使地下水具有低矿化度。天然状态下偏酸性地下水的H 来源于碳酸的离解、粘土层中的H2O 以及雨水中的酸度。碳酸则是由CO2溶解于水而形成。其中CO2主要来源于生物成因。地下含水系统中缺少可以中和酸的碱性物质,有利于H 集聚,使地下水pH值偏低。     

Occurrence of soluble salts and moisture in the unsaturated zone and groundwater hydrochemistry along the middle and lower reaches of the Heihe River in northwest China

Deforestation, over-development of water resources and population growth have contributed to degeneration of vegetation in the Heihe River Basin in northwest China. Salts and water contents are the most important factors affecting the growth of vegetation in this arid area. This study was conducted to determine soluble salt levels of soils in the unsaturated zone and the hydrochemistry of groundwater at 14 sites in this region. Concentrations of soluble ions in the soils deceased with depth. Soil ion contents increased at depths below the root system of native plants. Sulfate was the dominant anion in both the unsaturated zone and the groundwater. Total dissolved solids (TDS) in groundwater ranged from less than 1 g/L in the middle reaches of the watershed to about 10 g/L in the arid lower reaches. In the middle and upper reaches of the watershed, salinity in soil and groundwater decreased. Groundwater was highly variable in hydrochemistry. The lower reaches was predominated by SO₄–Na•Mg and SO₄–Mg•Na type water, whereas in the middle reaches groundwater is characterized by lower TDS and HCO₃-dominated type water. Evapotranspiration is responsible for occurrence of the soluble salts in the soil profiles. Dissolution is the dominant chemical process in the middle reaches, whereas evapotranspiration prevails in the lower reaches of the Heihe River.     

Seasonally chemical weathering and CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> consumption flux of Lake Qinghai river system in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau

The major cation and anion compositions of waters from the Lake Qinghai river system (LQRS) in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau were measured. The waters were collected seasonally from five main rivers during pre-monsoon (late May), monsoon (late July), and post-monsoon (middle October). The LQRS waters are all very alkaline and have high concentrations of TDS (total dissolved solids) compared to rivers draining the Himalayas and the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. Seasonal variations in the water chemistry show that, except the Daotang River, the TDS concentration is high in October and low in July in the LQRS waters. The forward models were used to quantify the input of three main rivers (Buha River, Shaliu River, and Hargai River) from rain, halite, carbonates, and silicates. The results suggest that (1) atmospheric input is the first important source for the waters of the Buha River and the Shaliu River, contributing 36–57% of the total dissolved cations, (2) carbonate weathering input and atmospheric input have equal contribution to the Hargai River water, (3) carbonate weathering has higher contribution to these rivers than silicate weathering, and (4) halite is also important source for the Buha River. The Daotang River water is dominated by halite input owing to its underlying old lacustrine sediments. The water compositions of the Heima River are controlled by carbonate weathering and rainfall input in monsoon season, and groundwater input may be important in pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. After being corrected the atmospheric input, average CO₂ drawdown via silicate weathering in the LQRS is 35 × 10³ mol/km² per year, with highest in monsoon season, lower than Himalayas and periphery of Tibetan Plateau rivers but higher than some rivers draining shields.     

Uranium geochemistry in groundwater from tertiary sediments

Dissolved U concentrations and activity ratios (ARs) of the U isotopes in the ²³⁸U decay series were measured in ground and surface waters as part of an investigation to delineate the water quality in a proposed uranium mining area of northwest Nebraska. In oxidizing groundwaters from 67 wells completed in the Tertiary sediments, increasing U concentrations in the direction of groundwater flow generally were associated with a maturation of the formation water as evidenced by evolutionary trends in major ion character. The increased U levels probably are associated with leaching as shown by the positive correlation between U concentrations and total dissolved solids (TDS) (r = +0.83). The inverse relationships between TDS and U ARs (r = ?0.73) and U levels and ARs (r = 0.72) indicate that the decay of excess U-234 is related to maturation of the formation water and to sediment leaching along the flowpath. The data are described by a model which incorporates etching, decay and recoil and suggests that aquifer residence time can be estimated from the TDS level.The levels of soluble U in a reducing uraniferous hydrogeologic unit near Crawford, Nebraska are affected by the proximity of the sample collection to ore. In groundwater samples having similar chemistries (Na-SO₄ + Cl type), similar Ehs, and collected from a close-knit pattern, U concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 2,037 μg l^?1 and ARs ranged from 0.75 to 12.6. This high variability in U levels and ARs is indicative of uranium ore in small areal studies where low ARs almost always are associated with high U concentrations.     

Bottom sediments of Kandalaksha Bay in the White Sea: The phenomenon of Mn

The redox stratification of bottom sediments in Kandalaksha Bay, White Sea, is characterized by elevated concentrations of Mn (3–5%) and Fe (7.5%) in the uppermost layer, which is two orders of magnitude and one and a half times, respectively, higher than the average concentrations of these elements in the Earth’s crust. The high concentrations of organic matter (C_org = 1–2%) in these sediments cannot maintain (because of its low reaction activity) the sulfate-reducing process (the concentration of sulfide Fe is no higher than 0.6%). The clearest manifestation of diagenesis is the extremely high Mn²⁺ concentration in the silt water (>500 μM), which causes its flux into the bottom water, oxidation in contact with oxygen, and the synthesis of MnO₂ oxyhydroxide enriching the surface layer of the sediments. Such migrations are much less typical of Fe. Upon oxygen exhaustion in the uppermost layer of the sediments, the synthesized oxyhydroxides (MnO₂ and FeOOH) serve as oxidizers of organic matter during anaerobic diagenesis. The calculated diffusion-driven Mn flux from the sediments (280 μmM/m² day) and corresponding amount of forming Mn oxyhydrate as compared to opposite oxygen flux to sediments (1–10 mM/m² day) indicates that >10% organic matter in the surface layer of the sediments can be oxidized with the participation of MnO₂. The roles of other oxidizers of organic matter (FeOOH and SO₄²⁻) becomes discernible at deeper levels of the sediments. The detailed calculation of the balance of reducing processes testifies to the higher consumption of organic matter during the diagenesis of surface sediments than it follows from the direct determination of C_org. The most active diagenetic redox processes terminate at depths of 25–50 cm. Layers enriched in Mn at deeper levels are metastable relicts of its surface accumulation and are prone to gradual dissemination     

Mobility of Al, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and V in sulphide-bearing fine-grained sediments exposed to atmospheric O2: an experimental study

 The major aim was to increase our knowledge on the behaviour of Al, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and V in sulphide-bearing fine-grained sediments exposed to atmospheric oxygen. Samples of this type of sediment collected in a previous investigation at eight sites in western Finland were digested in HClO₄-HNO₃-HCl-HF at 200  °C and in HCl:HNO₃:H₂O at 95  °C (aqua regia), and subjected to extractions with ammonium acetate and hydrogen peroxide. Metals and S in the leachates were determined with ICP-AES. The results of the chemical analyses are compared with previously reported experimental data. The concentrations of Al and Fe in the sulphide-bearing fine-grained sediments are about 7% and 5%, respectively. Of the trace metals studied, Mn is most abundant followed in decreasing order by V>Cr>Ni>Cu>Co. On oxidation of the sediments, high proportions of Co, Mn and Ni, intermediate proportions of Cu but low proportions of Fe, Al, Cr and V are released. The extent of the release of a metal on oxidation is controlled either by (1) the level to which the pH of the sediments drops on oxidation (Al, Cu, Cr, V), (2) the amount of the metal associated with easily reduced phases (metal sulphides) in the sediments (Ni, Co) or (3) the sum of the amount associated with reduced phases and adsorbed on soil compounds (Mn). No control of the release of Fe on oxidation of the sediments was identified. Based on the results of the study it is argued that artificial drainage and the subsequent oxidation of sulphide-bearing sediments will result in extensive leaching of Co, Mn and Ni, moderate leaching of Cu and limited leaching of Cr and V into drainages. The major elements, Fe and Al, have the potential to be mobilised and leached in large amounts, though the proportions mobilised/leached will remain low. It is suggested that the identification of sulphide-bearing sediments with a high potential of metal release should be based on determination of metals in easily mobilised reduced compounds (dissolved e.g. in H₂O₂) and of the level to which the pH of the sediments drops on oxidation. Received: 16 October 1997 · Accepted: 9 March 1998     

Environmental geochemistry of the River Gomti: A tributary of the Ganges River

Water and sediment samples collected from the Gomti River, a tributary of the Ganges River system, during the postmonsoon season have been analyzed to estimate major elemental chemistry. Water chemistry of the River Gomti shows almost monotonous spatial distribution of various chemical species, especially because of uniform presence of alluvium Dun gravels throughout the basin. The river annually transports 0.34×10⁶ tonnes of total suspended material (TSM) and 3.0×10⁶ tonnes of total dissolved solids (TDS), 69 percent of which is accounted for by bicarbonate ions only. Samples collected downstream of the city of Lucknow show the influence of anthropogenic loadings for a considerable distance in the river water. Na⁺, Cl^–, and SO₄ ^2– concentrations build up downstream. The bed sediment chemistry is dominated by Si (36 percent), reflecting a high percentage of detrital quartz, which makes up about 74 percent of the mineralogy of the bed sediments in the River Gomti. The average Kjeldahl nitrogen concentration (234 g/g) indicates indirectly the amount of organic matter in the sediments. The Hg concentration in sediments has been found to be higher (average 904 ppb) than the background value. The suspended sediments are well sorted, very finely skewed, and extremely leptokurtic, indicating a low energy condition of flow in the Gomti River. The influence of chemical loads in the Gomti has been found to be small or nonexistent on the Ganges River, perhaps because the water discharge of the Gomti (1.57 percent) to the Ganges is quite low.     

Sediment trapping and transport in the ACE Basin,South Carolina

A study took place during May 1998 and May 1999 to examine the processes controlling localized accumulation of fine-grained sediments in the lower Ashepoo River. This region, referred to as the Mud Reach, is an area of muddy bottom sediments bounded by fine sands. The Mud Reach is located downstream of the landward extent of the salt intrusion where an estuarine turbidity maximum commonly occurs. Tidal time-series measurements made in the Mud Reach during May 1998, when river discharge was at a 10-yr high, showed high concentrations of suspended sediment (0.05–1 g I⁻¹) during maximum tidal current velocity with concentrations in the bottom 30 cm exceeding 70 g I⁻¹ (fluid mud). A correlation between salinity stratification and increased suspended sediment concentration suggests that inhibited vertical mixing enhances the settling of flocculated sediments to the bed. Measurements made during May 1999 show a two-order-of-magnitude decrease in the concentration of near-bed sediments. A decrease in river discharge during the 1999 observation period of more than 100 m³ s⁻¹ suggests that changes in the hydrography and in the supply of sediments to the system both may be important factors in the trapping of fine-grained sediments in the region. The source of sediments is likely from muddy deposits in the Fenwick Cut, a man-made section of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway about 2 km north of the Mud Reach that connects the Ashepoo and Edisto Rivers. The Fenwick Cut appears to be an effective area for trapping sediments where shoaling has increased by 130% in the last decade. Current measurements show that flow velocities decrease through the Cut, likely allowing for the settling of suspended particles that form the thick deposits of unconsolidated mud observed during both years.     

The effect of organic matter and oxygen on the degradation of bacterial membrane lipids in marine sediments

The biodegradation of purified radiolabelled membrane lipids from a methanogenic bacterium and a pseudomonad were investigated in mangrove, beach and high marsh marine sediments under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The effect of organic matter on the amount and rate of degradation was also examined by supplementing beach sediments with humic acids. In aerobic sediments, CO₂ was the major product of lipid degradation while under anaerobic conditions both CO₂ and CH₄ were major end products and the overall rates were reduced (up to 40%) relative to aerobic conditions. Total bacterial numbers increased during all incubations with the largest increases occurring in anaerobic sediments supplemented with humic acids. No lipid degradation occurred in aerobic or anaerobic sediments treated with formaldehyde or autoclaving. In low organic beach sediments, the ester-linked phospholipid of the pseudomonad was degraded much more rapidly than the diphytanyl glycerol diether of the methanogen with 69% of the phospholipid degraded in 96 hours versus only 4% of the methanogen lipid. Lipid degradation in both aerobic and anaerobic sediments was highly correlated to organic matter content with increasing amounts of organic matter inhibiting degradation. Long incubations (75 days) of the diphytanyl glycerol ether resulted in 51% degraded to CO₂ in low (0.5%) organic mangrove sediments while only 9% was mineralized in high (10.8%) organic marsh sediments. Physicochemical sorption of membrane lipids to the organic matrix is proposed as a mechanism which protects membrane lipids from microbial attack and degradation.     

The hydrogeochemistry of a heavily used aquifer in the Mexican wine-producing Guadalupe Valley, Baja California

The Guadalupe Valley aquifer is the only water source for one of the most important wine industries in Mexico, and also the main public water supply for the nearby city of Ensenada. This groundwater is monitored for major ion, N-NO₃, P-PO₄, Fe, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and Sb concentrations, as well as TDS, pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature. High concentrations of N-NO₃ (26 mg l⁻¹), Se (70 μg l⁻¹), Mo (18 μg l⁻¹) and Cu (4.3 μg l⁻¹) suggest that groundwater is being polluted by the use of fertilizers only in the western section of the aquifer, known as El Porvenir graben. Unlike the sites located near the main recharge area to the East of the aquifer, the water in El Porvenir graben has low tritium concentrations (<1.9 TU), indicating a pre-modern age, and thus longer water residence time. No significant variations in water quality (generally <10%) were detected throughout 2001–2002 in the aquifer, suggesting that reduced rainfall and recharge during this dry period did not significantly affect water quality. However, the wells nearest to the main recharge area in the Eastern aquifer show a slight but constant increase in TDS with time, probably as a result of the high (∼200 L S⁻¹) uninterrupted extraction of water at this specific recharge site. Relatively high As concentrations for the aquifer (10.5 μg l⁻¹) are only found near the northern limit of the basin associated with a geological fault.     

The salt composition of rivers in Wrangel Island

Pioneer information about the chemical composition of river water in Wrangel Island has been obtained. It is shown that the water composition reflects the lithogeochemical specifics of primary rocks and ore mineralization. In contrast to many areas of the Russian Far North, river waters of the island are characterized by an elevated background value of total mineralization (i.e., total dissolved solids, TDS) (0.3–2 g/l) and specific chemical type (SO₄-Ca-Mg). This is related to abundance of Late Carboniferous gypsiferous and dolomitic sequences in the mountainous area of the island. It has also been established that the salt composition of some streams is appreciably governed by supergene alterations of the sulfide mineralization associated with the quartz-carbonate vein systems. They make up natural centers of surface water contamination. Waters in such streams are characterized by low pH values (2.4–5.5), high TDS (up to 6–23 g/l) and the SO₄-Mg composition. These waters are also marked by anomalously high concentrations of heavy and nonferrous metals, as well as REE, U, and Th.     

Hydrogeochemical study in the Main Ethiopian Rift: new insights to the source and enrichment mechanism of fluoride

The central Main Ethiopian Rift suffers a severe water quality problem, characterized by an anomalously high fluoride (F) content that causes an endemic fluorosis disease. The current study, conducted in the Ziway–Shala lakes basin, indicates that the F content exceeds the permissible limit for drinking prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO; 1.5 mg/l) in many important wells (up to 20 mg/l), with even more extreme F concentration in hot springs and alkaline lakes (up to 97 and 384 mg/l respectively). The groundwater and surface water from the highlands, typically characterized by low total dissolved solids (TDS) and Ca (Mg)–HCO₃ hydrochemical facies, do not show high F content. The subsequent interaction of these waters with the various rocks of the rift valley induces a general increase of the TDS, and a variation of the chemical signature towards Na–HCO₃ compositions, with a parallel enrichment of F. The interacting matrixes are mainly rhyolites consisting of volcanic glass and only rare F-bearing accessory minerals (such as alkali amphibole). Comparing the abundance and the composition of the glassy groundmass with other mineral phases, it appears that the former stores most of the total F budget. This glassy material is extremely reactive, and its weathering products (i.e. fluvio/volcano-lacustrine sediments) further concentrate the fluoride. The interaction of these “weathered/reworked” volcanic products with water and carbon dioxide at high pH causes the release of fluoride into the interacting water. This mainly occurs by a process of base-exchange softening with the neo-formed clay minerals (i.e. Ca–Mg uptake by the aquifer matrix, with release of Na into the groundwater). This is plausibly the main enrichment mechanism that explains the high F content of the local groundwater, as evidenced by positive correlation between F, pH, and Na, and inverse correlation between F and Ca (Mg). Saturation indices (SI) have been calculated (using PHREEQC-2) for the different water groups, highlighting that the studied waters are undersaturated in fluorite. In these conditions, fluoride cannot precipitate as CaF₂, and so mobilizes freely without forming other complexes. These results have important implications for the development of new exploitation strategies and accurate planning of new drilling sites. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Genesis and evolution of high-pCO2 groundwaters of the Mukhen spa (Russian Far East)

We present the chemical and isotope compositions of the water and gas phases of the unique Mukhen cold high-pCO₂ spa. Estimated 5¹⁸O, 5D, and 5¹³C_tic values and data on geology and hydrogeology of the studied area indicate that the source of the groundwaters is meteoric waters, whereas carbon dioxide is of deep genesis and numerous regional faults are gas-feeding channels. Calculations of equilibrium reactions in the water-rock system show that the upper-aquifer waters (HCO₃-Ca-Mg) with low TDS are undersaturated with carbonate minerals, montmorillonites, and aluminosilicates but are oversaturated with kaolinite, whereas the lower-aquifer waters (HCO3-Na) with high TDS are oversaturated with calcite, dolomite, and clay minerals but are undersaturated with main aluminosilicates. We propose a new concept of the formation of these groundwaters, demonstrating that long interaction between rocks and groundwaters in the presence of CO₂ and considerable precipitation of secondary minerals are responsible for the high TDS of the lower-aquifer waters (up to 14 g/L) and their geochemical type (HCO₃-Na) and unusual isotope composition (5¹⁸O = -25.2%c, 5D = -69.0%c).     

Biogeochemistry of Mono Lake,California

Modern sediments of Mono Lake show marked variation in lipid composition with depositional environment. Constituents derived from the drainage basin, characterized by high molecular weight alkane hydrocarbons (C₂₅–C₃₁), and the steroids β-sitosterol and brassicasterol, predominate in near-shore environments. In the deepest part of the lake, sediments exhibit a combination of externally-derived constituents, and lipids derived from the lake biota; the latter characterized by low molecular-weight alkanes and alkenes (C₁₅–C₁₇), phytane, and the steroids ergost-7-en-3β-ol and 24-ethylcholest-7-en-3-β-ol. Steranes, 4-methylsteranes, and the C₁₈ and C₁₉ isoprenoids appear to be forming in the intensely reducing bottom sediments at the present time.The compositions of samples from the Pleistocene succession of Mono Basin suggest that sample-to-sample variation within the same stratum is negligible so long as unweathered samples from the same depositional environment are compared. Sediments having equivalent lithologies may or may not have similar compositions, but sediments having similar fossil contents do show similar lipid compositions. Subaerial weathering of sediments causes a marked decrease in the amount of extractable organic material, as well as distinct changes in its hydrocarbon composition. Specifically, weathered sediments exhibit a decrease in relative content of low molecular weight hydrocarbons and a relative increase in nC₂₂.Organic composition of sediments from the Pleistocene stratigraphie column cannot be correlated with depth of burial. Compositional changes with stratigraphie position are probably related to paleo-ecological factors such as population or productivity rather than depth of burial. Lithology and organic composition provide mutually-corroborating evidence regarding glacial advances in the adjacent Sierra Nevada Mountains. During glaciations, the lake sediments are rich in sandstones, and the organic composition shows a predominance of externally-derived debris, with no evidence for contributions from the lake biota.     

Chemical evolution of shallow playa groundwater in response to post-pluvial isostatic rebound, Honey Lake Basin, California–Nevada, USA

The 1,750-km² endorheic Honey Lake basin (California–Nevada, USA) was part of the 22,000-km² Pleistocene Lake Lahontan pluvial lake system which existed between 5,000 and 40,000 years BP. The basin consists of two subbasins separated by a low elevation divide. Groundwater in the western subbasin has a maximum total dissolved solids (TDS) content of only ～1,300 mg/L; however eastern subbasin groundwater has a maximum TDS of ～46,000 mg/L. This TDS distribution is unexpected because 94% of surface water TDS loading is to the western subbasin. In situ reactions and upwelling thermal groundwater contributing to groundwater chemistry were modeled using NETPATH. The TDS difference between the subbasins is attributed to post-Lake Lahontan isostatic rebound about 13,000 years ago. Prior to rebound the subbasins did not exist and the low point of the basin was in the eastern area where hydraulic isolation from the larger Lake Lahontan and frequent desiccation of the basin surface water resulted in evaporite mineral deposition in accumulating sediments. After rebound, the terminal sink for most surface water shifted to the western subbasin. Although most closed basins have not been impacted by isostatic rebound, results of this investigation demonstrate how tectonic evolution can impact the distribution of soluble minerals accumulating in shallow basins.     

Genesis of organic and carbonate carbon in sediments of the North and Middle Caspian basins inferred from the isotope data

Isotopic compositions of organic (δ¹³C-C_org) and carbonate (δ¹³C-C_carb) carbon were analyzed in the particulate matter (hereafter, particulates) and sediments from the North and Middle Caspian basins. Isotopic composition of C_org was used for assessing proportions of the allochthonous and autochthonous organic matter in the particulates. Difference between the δ¹³C-C_org values in surface sediments and particulates is explained by the aerobic and anaerobic diagenetic transformations. Isotopic composition of C_org in sediments may be used as a tool for reconstructing the Quaternary transgressive-regressive history of the Caspian Sea.     

Hydrocarbons in western North Atlantic surface sediments

High concentrations of hydrocarbons (500–3000 μg/g dry weight) together with a complex and wide molecular weight range of composition, and low ¹⁴C activity of δ¹⁴C = ?833 ± 50%. strongly indicate that fossil fuel hydrocarbons make up the bulk of hydrocarbons in and near the New York Bight dump site areas. The composition and concentrations of hydrocarbons in Hudson Channel sediments suggest some transport of dump site hydrocarbons to areas in the channel midway to the edge of the continental shelf. Sediments at 16 stations in other areas of the continental shelf, continental slope and abyssal plain have hydrocarbon concentrations and compositions indicating that no more than 1 μg/g dry weight of fossil fuel hydrocarbons are present.N-alkanes from land sources were among the most predominant hydrocarbons in all samples except those in the New York Bight region. Their presence in abyssal plain surface sediments documents transport of some land derived organic matter to these deep ocean areas. Two 25-carbon cycloalkenes are among the more predominant hydrocarbons in continental shelf surface sediments except for the dump site areas. These two compounds are present in lower concentrations in slope sediments and are not detected in abyssal plain sediments.     

Anoxic carbon degradation in Arctic sediments: Microbial transformations of complex substrates

Complex substrates are degraded in anoxic sediments by the concerted activities of diverse microbial communities. To explore the effects of substrate complexity on carbon transformations in permanently cold anoxic sediments, four substrates—Spirulina cells, Isochrysis cells, and soluble high molecular weight carbohydrate-rich extracts of these cells (Spir-Ex and Iso-Ex)—were added to sediments collected from Svalbard. The sediments were homogenized, incubated anaerobically in gas-tight bags at 0°C, and enzyme activities, fermentation, and terminal respiration were monitored over a 1134 h time course. All substrate additions yielded a fraction (8%-13%) of carbon that was metabolized to CO₂ over the first 384 h of incubation. The timecourse of VFA (volatile fatty acid) production and consumption, as well as the suite of VFAs produced, was similar for all substrates. After this phase, pathways of carbon degradation diverged, with an additional 43%, 32%, 33%, and 8% of Isochrysis, Iso-Ex, Spirulina, and Spir-Ex carbon respired to CO₂ over the next 750 h of incubation. Somewhat surprisingly, the soluble, carbohydrate-rich extracts did not prove to be more labile substrates than the whole cells from which they were derived. Although Spirulina and Iso-Ex differed in physical and chemical characteristics (solid/soluble, C/N ratio, lipid and carbohydrate content), nearly identical quantities of carbon were respired to CO₂. In contrast, only 15% of Spir-Ex carbon was respired, despite the initial burst of activity that it fueled, its soluble nature, and its relatively high (50%) carbohydrate content. The microbial community in these cold anoxic sediments clearly has the capacity to react rapidly to carbon input; extent and timecourse of remineralization of added carbon is similar to observations made at much higher temperatures in temperate sediments. The extent of carbon remineralization from these specific substrates, however, would not likely have been predicted on the basis of general substrate characteristics.     

Chemical and Strontium Isotopic Compositions of the Hanjiang Basin Rivers in China: Anthropogenic Impacts and Chemical Weathering

The Hanjiang River, the largest tributaries of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River, is the water source area of the Middle Route of China’s South-to-North Water Transfer Project. The chemical and strontium isotopic compositions of the river waters are determined with the main purpose of understanding the contribution of chemical weathering processes and anthropogenic inputs on river solutes, as well as the associated CO₂ consumption in the carbonate-dominated basin. The major ion compositions of the Hanjiang River waters are characterized by the dominance of Ca²⁺ and HCO₃ ⁻, followed by Mg²⁺ and SO₄ ²⁻. The increase in TDS and major anions (Cl⁻, NO₃ ⁻, and SO₄ ²⁻) concentrations from upstream to downstream is ascribed to both extensive influences from agriculture and domestic activities over the Hanjiang basin. The chemical and Sr isotopic analyses indicate that three major weathering sources (dolomite, limestone, and silicates) contribute to the total dissolved loads. The contributions of the different end-members to the dissolved load are calculated with the mass balance approach. The calculated results show that the dissolved load is dominated by carbonates weathering, the contribution of which accounts for about 79.4% for the Hanjiang River. The silicate weathering and anthropogenic contributions are approximately 12.3 and 6.87%, respectively. The total TDS fluxes from chemical weathering calculated for the water source area (the upper Hanjiang basin) and the whole Hanjiang basin are approximately 3.8 × 10⁶ and 6.1 × 10⁶ ton/year, respectively. The total chemical weathering (carbonate and silicate) rate for the Hanjiang basin is approximately 38.5 ton/km²/year or 18.6 mm/k year, which is higher than global mean values. The fluxes of CO₂ consumption by carbonate and silicate weathering are estimated to be 56.4 × 10⁹ and 12.9 × 10⁹ mol/year, respectively.     

Evolution of the groundwater environment under a long-term exploitation in the coastal area near Zhanjiang, China

Aquifers consisting of unconsolidated sediments in the coastal area near Zhanjiang in southern China are grouped into the shallow, middle-deep and deep aquifer systems. Groundwater exploitation began in the 1950s in this district and has increased from year to year since 1980. Measurements of groundwater levels and monitoring data of groundwater chemistry at some 60 wells since 1981 are examined to analyze the evolution of hydrodynamics and hydrochemistry in the coastal aquifers. The results indicate that groundwater levels in the middle-deep and deep aquifer systems have fallen continuously and the extents of the depression cones in water levels have increased in the past two decades, even though the water levels recovered to some degree during the period of 1997–2001. In 2004, the lowest water levels in the middle-deep and deep aquifer systems were 23.58 and 21.84 m below sea level, respectively. The groundwater has TDS ranging from 40 to 550 mg/L, and is of low pH, commonly varies between 4 and 7. Concentrations of total iron and manganese exceed the concentration limits of the drinking water standards. The hardness is in the range of 10–250 mg/L. Chloride contents of the groundwater range from 10 to 60 mg/L. The chloride and TDS do not show systematically increasing trends. Although the water levels in the exploitation center near the coast are significantly lower than the sea level and the depression cones of water levels in the middle-deep and deep aquifer systems have expanded to the sea, sea water intrusion has not been observed until recently. This phenomenon is quite unique in the coastal area near Zhanjiang.