西秦岭闾井花岗岩体锆石U-Pb年龄、岩石地球化学及其意义

闾井岩体是西秦岭"五朵金花"岩体群的成员之一。岩石类型主要为似斑状黑云母二长花岗岩、含斑黑云母二长花岗岩、中细粒黑云母二长花岗岩及粗粒黑云母二长花岗岩。对似斑状黑云母二长花岗岩、粗粒黑云母二长花岗岩和中细粒黑云母二长花岗岩的LA-ICP-MS锆石U_Pb定年分别获得221±1 Ma(N=20,MSWD=0.11)、221±1 Ma(N=24,MSWD=0.04)和218±1 Ma(N=15,MSWD=0.13)的年龄,表明该岩体形成于晚三叠世,其中似斑状黑云母二长花岗岩比中细粒黑云母二长花岗岩形成略早。该花岗岩的A/CNK=1.02~1.16,Na_2O+K_2O=7.65%~8.84%,K_2O/Na_2O=1.37~1.82,属于过铝质-强过铝质、高钾钙碱性-钾玄岩系列,为I型花岗岩。稀土元素配分曲线为右倾型,轻、重稀土元素分馏明显,具有显著的负Eu异常。地球化学上总体富集Rb、Th、K元素,不同程度亏损Sr、Nb、P、Ti元素。锆石饱和温度计算显示,闾井岩体成岩温度为736~818℃。该岩体与"五朵金花"岩体群中的中川岩体具有相似的形成时代及地球化学特征,表明闾井岩体与中川岩体可能具有相似的成岩机制,其外围可能也具有和中川岩体一样的成矿潜力。     

新疆北部青河县阿斯喀尔特铍矿区花岗质岩石年代学及地球化学特征

新疆北部青河县阿斯喀尔特铍矿床的形成与岩浆活动密切相关,是中国花岗岩型铍矿床的典型代表。对矿区斑状二云母二长花岗岩进行LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄测试,获得其加权平均年龄为(216.7±2.8)Ma(MSWD=0.48),表明该岩体形成时代为晚三叠世,据此限定阿斯喀尔特铍矿床成矿时代略晚于216 Ma,为晚三叠世—早侏罗世。岩石具有高硅(w(Si O2)=70.86%~76.34%)、富碱(ALK=5.54~9.30)、富铝(w(Al_2O_3)=13.00%~14.74%,A/CNK=0.99~1.23)、低钛(w(Ti O2)=0.02%~0.18%)和镁(w(Mg O)=0.02%~1.21%)特征,为过铝质中钾-高钾岩石系列。稀土元素配分型式显示LREE的相对弱富集,HREE较平坦以及Eu弱-中等的负异常(δEu=0.37~0.90),呈略右倾型。微量元素Ba、Sr、Hf、Ti等具负异常,Rb、Th、K、Nb、Ta、La、Ce、Nd、Sm等具正异常,Rb/Sr比值较高(9.34~26.81),显示出S型花岗岩特征。结合区域资料,认为阿斯喀尔特铍矿矿区印支期花岗岩形成于后造山构造阶段,可能是上地壳含砂泥质岩石部分熔融的产物。     

阿尔金造山带帕夏拉依档岩体锆石U-Pb年代学、地球化学特征及地质意义

出露于阿尔金造山带帕夏拉依档沟一带的帕夏拉依档岩体主要岩性为二长花岗岩、偶含斑黑云母二长花岗岩和正长花岗岩。二长花岗岩LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年结果显示其形成年龄460.1±3.9Ma,表明帕夏拉依档岩体形成于中—晚奥陶世。地球化学结果显示,常量元素具有富硅(Si O2=72.08%~72.27%)、富铝(Al2O3=14.10%~14.79%,A/CNK=1.06~1.18)、富钾(K2O=5.55%~6.33%,K2O/Na2O=1.95~2.21),低钛(Ti O2=0.19%~0.23%)、贫铁(TFe O=1.48%~1.79%)、贫镁(Mg O=0.22%~0.28%)的特点,为弱过铝质花岗岩系列,具典型的高钾钙碱性特征。稀土元素总量较高(165.58×10-6~229.86×10-6),轻稀土元素相对富集、重稀土元素亏损,有右倾型特征和明显的负Eu异常(δEu=0.11~0.17)。Ba、Sr、Ti等具负异常,Rb、Th、U、K等大离子亲石元素具正异常,Rb/Sr比值高(9.05~12.57),显示S型花岗岩特征。结合原岩判别图解,推断其源区物质主要来源于上地壳变泥质沉积岩类。结合区域资料,认为帕夏拉依档岩体形成于挤压体制向拉张体制转换的构造环境,属后碰撞花岗岩类,表明在中—晚奥陶世阿中地块和和柴达木地块间阿尔金造山带已由挤压碰撞阶段转为伸展后碰撞阶段。     

北秦岭马河钼矿区花岗岩类的锆石U-Pb年龄、地球化学特征及其地质意义

本文对北秦岭马河钼矿区桃官坪中-细粒二长花岗岩和西沟斑状二长花岗岩进行了LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄测定,分别获得了157±1Ma(NSWD=13)和153±1Ma(NSWD=14)的谐和年龄,表明其为晚侏罗世侵入体。马河钼矿的形成与这两个侵入体密切相关,据此限定该钼矿床成矿时代略晚于157~153Ma,为侏罗世晚期成矿。桃官坪和西沟花岗岩具有高硅(68.12%~76.33%),富碱(Na₂O+K₂O=6.35%~10.38%)的特征,K₂O/Na₂O变化较大(0.91~1.89),A/CNK在0.85~1.14之间,为准铝质-弱过铝质高钾钙碱性系列。微量元素上富集U、Pb、Hf等高场强元素,亏损Rb、Ba、K、Sr、P等大离子亲石元素。稀土元素配分曲线为轻稀土相对富集的右倾型,多数具有弱的负铕异常(δEu=0.5~0.9),少数样品具有弱正铕异常(δEu=1.05~1.08)。与华北地块南缘与钼矿有关的花岗岩相比,二者均具有高硅、高钾、富碱的特征。但马河钼矿区成矿花岗岩比华北地块南缘的稍基性,这可能是导致马河钼矿的矿床规模比华北地块南缘较小的原因之一。     

内蒙古东乌旗巴彦都兰二长花岗岩年代学、地球化学特征及其地质意义

为了解晚古生代西伯利亚板块南缘增生造山过程中的岩浆活动特征,对东乌旗巴彦都兰二长花岗岩岩相学、锆石U-Pb年代学、锆石Hf同位素和岩石地球化学进行了研究,并讨论了岩石成因和构造环境。锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb定年结果为(277.2±0.7)Ma,以正的锆石εHf(t)(6.8~14.1)为特征,具有年轻的锆石地壳模式年龄(tcDM)(865~655 Ma),属于早二叠世晚期岩浆活动产物。二长花岗岩以高钾[w(K)=3.63%~4.95%,K2O/Na2O=0.91~1.47]、富碱[w(K2O+Na2O)=7.52%~9.16%]、准铝质-弱过铝质(A/CNK=0.96~1.15)为特征;稀土元素总量较低(38.82×10-6~193.20×10-6),(La/Yb)N为3.91~23.08,轻、重稀土元素分异较明显,呈弱负铕异常(δEu为0.34~1.17);富集部分大离子亲石元素(LREE、Rb、K等);Zr弱负异常、Hf弱正异常,亏损Sr、Nb、Ta、P、Ti,显示后造山花岗岩特征。综合分析表明,巴彦都兰二长花岗岩形成于伸展的构造环境中,是贺根山洋盆闭合后的后造山阶段产物,为865~655 Ma前洋壳俯冲形成的先成地壳部分熔融而成。     

秦祁结合部位宝鸡地区早泥盆世香泉A型正长花岗岩年龄、地球化学特征及其构造意义

对秦祁结合部位宝鸡地区香泉正长花岗岩进行了LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄和岩石地球化学研究。结果显示,锆石~(206)Pb/~(238)Pb年龄加权平均值为410±5Ma(MSWD=0.20,n=18),限定该岩体的形成时代为早泥盆世。香泉正长花岗岩具有高硅(SiO_2=69.63%~73.94%)、富钾(K_2O=4.24%~4.88%,K_2O/Na_2O=1.23~1.44)、富铁(TFe_2O_3=2.10%~3.70%,TFe_2O_3/MgO=3.88~6.84)、低镁(MgO=0.31%~0.94%)、低磷(P_2O_5=0.08%~0.21%)的特征,属准铝质、高钾钙碱性系列。香泉正长花岗岩稀土元素含量较高(318×10~(-6)~499×10~(-6)),表现出明显的负Eu异常(δ Eu=0.37~0.46),富集Rb、Th、Zr、Sm、Ga(10000×Ga/Al=2.59~2.93)等微量元素,贫Ba、Nb、Ta、Sr,整体表现出A型花岗岩特征。结合区域资料认为,香泉正长花岗岩形成于造山后环境,为低压环境下长英质地壳物质部分熔融成因。     

内蒙古西部阿拉善地区哈里努登花岗岩LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄和地球化学特征

哈里努登岩体位于阿拉善地块北缘,主要由花岗闪长岩、黑云母二长花岗岩组成。锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb测年显示其形成时代为284.0Ma±1.8Ma,并非以往认为的志留纪。岩石SiO2含量为67%~72%,CaO为2.2%~4.4%,Na2O为3.7%~4.3%,K2O为2.1%~2.9%,具有较高的全碱含量,属钙碱性—高钾钙碱性系列,Al2O3含量为14.5%~17.2%,为准铝—弱过铝质(A/CNK=0.90~1.07),总体显示出I型花岗岩的特征。稀土元素总量较低(35.2×10-6~130.6×10-6),轻稀土元素相对富集,Eu呈正异常(δEu=1.04~1.90)。在原始地幔标准化图解中,大离子亲石元素(K、Rb、Ba、Sr)富集,亏损高场强元素(Ta、Nb、P、Yb、Y等),显示出弧花岗岩的特征。结合区域背景分析,阿拉善北缘在早二叠世时可能还存在与弧物质有关的岩浆活动。     

豫西南泥湖矿集区石宝沟花岗岩体的锆石U-Pb年龄、岩石地球化学及Hf同位素组成

石宝沟花岗岩体位于华北陆块南缘,主要由似斑状二长花岗岩和中细粒二长花岗岩组成,发育岩浆暗色包体。LA-ICPMS锆石U-Pb定年结果显示,似斑状二长花岗岩和中细粒二长花岗岩的成岩年龄分别为(156±1)Ma(N=15,MSWD=0.34)和(157±1)Ma(N=17,MSWD=0.10)。这些花岗岩的A/CNK=0.82～1.02,Na2O+K2O=7.61%～8.91%,K2O/Na2O=1.02～1.48,属于高钾钙碱性、准铝质-弱过铝质I型花岗岩。稀土和微量元素特征显示其富集LREE、Rb、Ba、K、Pb等大离子亲石元素,亏损HREE、P、Ti等高场强元素,具有弱的负铕异常,个别样品具有正铕异常(δEu=0.81～1.12)。似斑状二长花岗岩的锆石εHf(t)为-22.6～-8.3,tDM2为2.64～1.73Ga;中细粒二长花岗岩εHf(t)为-26.9～-12.4,tDM2为2.91～1.99Ga。岩石地球化学和锆石Hf同位素组成特征表明,石宝沟花岗岩体的源区物质以壳源物质为主,可能为太古宙太华群,但也有年轻幔源组分的参与。     

江西乐安县咸口花岗岩体的锆石LA-ICP-MS定年及构造意义

江西乐安县咸口花岗岩体主要由中粗粒巨斑状黑云二长花岗岩、中粗粒少斑黑云二长花岗岩组成,另有较多细粒碱长花岗岩脉,总体呈偏心式环套状分布。锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年龄分别为230±4Ma、235±3Ma和235±3Ma,形成于中三叠世。岩石具有高硅(SiO2=70.35%~76.89%),富碱(Na2O+K2O=6.77%~11.40%),弱过铝-强过铝(A/CNK=1.00~1.18,平均1.07)的特征。主体花岗岩富集稀土元素[∑REE=(121.52~383.33)×10-6]和高场强元素(Y、Zr、Nb等),晚期强分异并受流体作用的细粒碱长花岗岩稀土含量低[∑REE=(25.85~43.75)×10-6]。具有S型-铝质A型过渡型花岗岩的特征。(87Sr/86Sr)i为0.7082~0.7120,εNd(t)值介于-7.07~-8.10之间,平均值为-7.48,t2DM为1585~1669Ma,平均1618Ma,显示其物源以地壳物质为主,混有地幔组份,钾长石Pb同位素组成也显示壳幔混源的特征。提出咸口岩体形成于后造山的构造环境。     

桂东北苗儿山张家花岗岩LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄与地球化学特征

对张家岩体乍古田矿床及张家矿床的2件赋矿围岩样品,开展LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb同位素定年,获得乍古田矿床赋矿围岩形成年龄为218.0±1.4Ma,张家矿床赋矿围岩形成年龄为226.8±5.7Ma。另外,对张家岩体8件样品的主量、微量元素及Sr-Nd同位素分析测试显示,张家花岗岩富硅(Si O2=74.35%~76.29%)、高铝(Al2O3=12.54%~14.03%)、高碱(Na2O+K2O=6.95%~9.17%)、低镁(Mg O=0.34%~0.45%)、低钙(Ca O=0.68%~1.03%)、低钛(Ti O2=0.106%~0.18%),属高钾钙碱性花岗岩;富集Rb,亏损Ba、Sr,Rb/Sr值高,属于低Ba-Sr花岗岩;轻稀土元素富集,负Eu异常;富U(平均21.5×10-6),Th/U值低(平均1.63),有利于铀矿化;(87Sr/86Sr)i高(约0.7247),低εNd(t)值(平均-13.95),二阶段Nd模式年龄为2.07~2.19Ga。张家花岗岩属于强过铝质S型花岗岩,可能是华夏板块古元古代基底变泥质岩经部分熔融形成的。     

Hydrogen and carbon in solid solution in oxides and silicates

The dissolution of H₂O and CO₂ in structurally dense, nominally anhydrous and non-carbonate oxide matrices such as MgO and CaO is reviewed. H₂O and CO₂ are treated as gaseous oxide components which enter into solid solution with the refractory oxide hosts. They form anion complexes associated with cation vacancy sites. Evidence is presented that OH^? pairs which derive from the dissolution of H₂O are subject to a charge transfer (CT) conversion into peroxy moieties and molecular hydrogen, O ₂ ^2? ... H₂. Because the O ₂ ^2? moiety is small (O^?-O^? distance ≈ 1.5 Å) high pressure probably favors the CT conversion. Mass spectroscopic studies show that molecular H₂ may be lost from the solid which retains excess oxygen in the form of O ₂ ^2? , leading to the release of atomic O. The dissociation of O ₂ ^2? moieties into a vacancy-bound O^? state and an unbound O^? state can be followed by measuring the internal redox reactions involving transition metal impurities, the transient paramagnetism of the O^? and their effect on the d.c. conductivity. Evidence is presented that CO₂ molecules dissolve dissociatively in the structurally dense oxide matrix, as if they were first to dissociate into CO+O and then to form separate solute moieties CO ₂ ^2? and O ₂ ^2? , both associated with cation vacancy sites. In the CO ₂ ^2? moiety (C-O^? distance 1.2–1.3 Å, OCO angle ≈ 130°) the C atom probably sits off center. The transition of the C atom into interstitial sites is accompanied by dissociation of the CO ₂ ^2? moiety into CO^? and O^?. This transition can be followed by infrared spectroscopy, using OH^? as local probes. Further support derives from magnetic susceptibility, thermal expansion, low frequency dielectric loss and low temperature deformation measurements. The recently observed emission of O and Mg atoms besides a variety of molecules such as CO, CO₂, CH₄, HCN and other hydrocarbons during impact fracture of MgO single crystals is presented and discussed in the light of the other experimental data.     

Comparative urbanization in Ghana and Kenya in time and space

There are few inter-African country urban analyses because of the continent’s enormous size and socioeconomic diversity, language barriers, and wide variations in national and regional urban research capacity. Nevertheless, comparative urban studies are critical in understanding contemporary African urbanization. In this comparative spatial and temporal analysis of Ghana and Kenya’s urbanization, we find that both countries are urbanizing rapidly and are faced with many common urban problems. Moreover, Ghana is more urbanized than Kenya and has a larger indigenous urban imprint and a more widely dispersed urban pattern. Besides their physiographic and population conditions, we trace these countries’ convergent and divergent urban trends to their shared but unique experiences of colonialism, nationalism and globalization.     

岩溶地区现代土壤与洞穴石笋中单甲基支链烷烃与烷基环己烷对比研究

利用GC-MS（气相色谱—质谱仪）,对采自湖北清江流域和尚洞洞顶的土壤样品与洞内石笋样品进行分析,发现土壤中存在的七个系列单甲基支链烷烃在所有的石笋样品中均可以找到,呈现相似的分布模式,石笋中七个系列支链烷烃有可能来自洞穴滴水携带的土壤中的支链烷烃,但是也不能排除石笋原地生长的微生物的贡献。烷基环己烷的分布在土壤与石笋中呈现了相似的分布模式,但是主峰碳数有所变化,高碳数部分与低碳数部分的相对含量也发生了变化。主要原因可能是微生物选择性降解的结果,也有可能是土壤与石笋中微生物种类分布差异所造成的。本次研究初步显示了相对封闭稳定的洞穴沉积物与上覆土壤层中生物标志化合物的异同。      

Re-Os and Pd-Ag systematics in Group IIIAB irons and in pallasites

Using improved analytical techniques, which reduce the Re blanks by factors of 8 to 10, we report new Re-Os data on low Re and low PGE pallasites (PAL-anom) and IIIAB irons. The new pallasite samples nearly double the observed range in Re/Os for pallasites and allow the determination of an isochron of slope 0.0775 ± 0.0008 (T = 4.50 ± 0.04 Ga, using the adjusted λ¹⁸⁷Re = 1.66 × 10⁻¹¹ a⁻¹) and initial (¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os)₀ = 0.09599 ± 0.00046. If the data on different groups of pallasites (including the “anomalous” pallasites) are considered to define a whole-rock isochron, their formation would appear to be distinctly younger than for the iron meteorites by ∼60 Ma. Five IIIAB irons (Acuna, Bella Roca, Chupaderos, Grant, and Bear Creek), with Re contents ranging from 0.9 to 2.8 ppb, show limited Re/Os fractionation and plot within errors on the IIAB iron meteorite isochron of slope 0.07848 ± 0.00018 (T = 4.56 ± 0.01 Ga) and initial (¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os)₀ = 0.09563 ± 0.00011. Many of the meteorites were analyzed also for Pd-Ag and show ¹⁰⁷Ag enrichments correlated with Pd/Ag, requiring early formation and fractionation of the FeNi metal, in a narrow time interval, after injection of live ¹⁰⁷Pd (t_1/2 = 6.5 Ma) into the solar nebula. Based on Pd-Ag, the typical range in relative ages of these meteorites is ≤10 Ma. The Pd-Ag results suggest early formation and preservation of the ¹⁰⁷Pd-¹⁰⁷Ag systematics, both for IIIAB irons and for pallasites, while the younger Re-Os apparent age for pallasites suggests that the Re-Os system in pallasites was subject to re-equilibration. The low Re and low PGE pallasites show significant Re/Os fractionation (higher Re/Os) as the Re and PGE contents decrease. By contrast, the IIIAB irons show a restricted range in Re/Os, even for samples with extremely low Re and PGE contents. There is a good correlation of Re and Ir contents. The correlation of Re and Os contents for IIIAB irons shows a similar complex pattern as observed for IIAB irons (Morgan et al., 1995), and neither can be ascribed to a continuous fractional crystallization process with uniform solid-metal/liquid-metal distribution coefficients.     

煤中气孔和镶嵌结构及其在煤变质研究中的意义

河南省禹县、新密和荥巩煤田山西组Ⅱ₁煤的贫煤和无烟煤中,气孔发育。气孔形态有椭圆状（图版1）、圆状及不规则状（图版2）,有的几个气孔连在一起呈大的朵状气孔(图版3)。此外,在荥巩煤田西部无烟煤中还发育有镀嵌结构(图版4)。      

Geogenic and anthropogenic zinc in epiphytic and terricolous lichens in Finland

At 31 sites in Finland the Zn content was determined of the epiphytic lichen Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. growing on pine and birch, the terricolous lichen Cladina spp. in pine bark, and the inner part of birch bark. The anomalous contents of Zn in H. physodes on pine and Cladina spp. in soil appeared to be strongly related to sulphide ore deposits. Anthropogenic Zn correlated closely with S and Fe in H. physodes on pine and with Fe in Cladina spp. The binding of geogenic Zn was related to iron hydroxides, and was attributed to the different uptake mechanism of S in these lichens. Elevated values of Zn in H. physodes on birch were due to both geogenic and anthropogenic sources. Zinc in pine bark increased with the Zn content in H. physodes and reached a limiting value.     

Amphibole and chlorite in mafic and ultramafic rocks in the lower crust and upper mantle

Stabilities of amphibole and chlorite in mafic and ultramafic compositions have been considered in the model system CaO+MgO+Al₂O₃+SiO₂+H₂O. From topological arguments two petrogenetic grids have been constructed. Although available experimental data in CMASH are compatible with the grid in which amphibole reacts out before chlorite in model ultramafic compositions for the pressure range 6 to 15 kbar, naturally observed mineral assemblages and some experimental data in more complex systems favour the other grid in which chlorite reacts out before amphibole at all pressures. This discrepancy between natural and model systems is due to differential movement of the dehydration equilibria of the two hydrates reflecting the variation of activity of H₂O or of components other than CMASH.     

Water-extractable and exchangeable phosphate in Martian and carbonaceous chondrite meteorites and in planetary soil analogs

Aqueous extraction contributes to the formation and weathering of planetary materials and renders electrolytes such as phosphate available for biology. In this context, the solubility of phosphate is measured in planetary materials, represented by the Mars meteorites Nakhla, Dar al Gani 476 (DaG 476), Elephant Morraine 79001 (EETA 79001), and terrestrial analogs, and in the Murchison CM2 and Allende CV3 carbonaceous chondrites. The Mars meteorites contain high levels of phosphate that is readily extracted by water, up to 15 mg kg⁻¹ in Nakhla and DaG 476 and 38 mg kg⁻¹ in EETA 79001, while the terrestrial analogs and the carbonaceous chondrites contain 0.5 to 6 mg kg⁻¹. Correspondingly, high phosphate concentrations of 4 to >28 mg L⁻¹ are obtained in extracts of the Mars meteorites at high solid/solution ratios, exceeding the concentrations of 0.4 to 2.0 mg L⁻¹ in the extracts of the terrestrial analogs. A wide range of planetary conditions, including N₂ and CO₂ atmospheres, solid/solution ratios of 0.01 to 1.0 kg L⁻¹, extraction times of 1 to 21 d, and temperatures of 20 to 121°C affect the amounts of extractable phosphate by factors of only 2 to 5 in most materials. Phosphate-fixing capacity and exchangeable phosphate are assessed by the isotopic exchange kinetics (IEK) method, which quantifies the amount of P isotopically exchangeable within 1 min (E_1min) and between 1 min and 3 months (E_1min-3m) and the amount of P that cannot be exchanged within 3 months (E_>3m). The IEK results show that the DaG 476 Mars meteorite and terrestrial analogs have low P-fixing capacities, while the carbonaceous chondrites have high P-fixing capacities. Aqueous processing under early planetary CO₂ atmospheres has large effects on the available phosphate. For example, the fraction of total P that is exchangeable in 3 months increases from 1.6 to 11%, 13 to 51.6%, and 43.9 to 90.4% in the DaG 476 Mars meteorite, Allende, and Murchison, respectively. The results show that solutions with high phosphate concentrations can form in the pores of planetary lava ash and basalts and in carbonaceous asteroids and meteorites. These solutions can help prebiotic synthesis and early microbial nutrition. The Martian and carbonaceous chondrite materials contain sufficient phosphate for space-based agriculture.     

Discovery of Cinnabar in Soils in Hg Anomalous Zones in City and Town Areas and Their Surroundings and Its Significance

As a result of systematic study on heavy minerals in soils at city and town areas and their surroundings,cinnabar was discovered for the first time in areas of Hg anomalies in China, and it was found that the distribution of cinnabar was basically coincident in scope with that of Hg anomalies, showing that Hg anomalies were‘closely related to cinnabar. This finding provides a theoretical basis for a verification of Hg anomalies in soils in city and town areas and their surroundings, as well as evaluation of its ecological effects, and is significant to revealing the occurrence modes and origin of Hg in soils.     

Temporal and spatial variations in water discharge and sediment load in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi Rivers in Himalaya, India

The Alaknanda and Bhagirathi Rivers originate in the mountainous regions of the Himalayas (Garhwal) and result in high sediment yields causing flood hazards downstream of the Ganga River and high sediment flux to the Bay of Bengal. The rivers are perennial, since runoff in these rivers is controlled by both precipitation and glacial melt. In the present study, three locations in the upper reaches of the Ganga River were monitored for 1 yr (daily observations of, more than >1000 samples) for suspended sediment concentrations. In addition, more than one hundred samples were collected from various locations of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi Rivers at different periods to observe spatial and temporal variations in river suspensions. Further, multi-annual data (up to 40 yrs) of water flow and sediment concentrations were used for inferring the variations in water flow and sediment loads on longer time scales. In most previous studies of Himalayan Rivers, there has been a general lack of long term water flow and sediment load data. In the present study, we carried out high frequency sampling, considered long term discharge data and based on these information, discussed the temporal and spatial variations in water discharge and sediment loads in the rivers in the Himalayan region. The results show that, >75% of annual sediment loads are transported during the monsoon season (June through September). The annual physical weathering rates in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi River basins at Devprayag are estimated to be 863 tons km⁻² yr⁻¹ (3.25 mm yr⁻¹) and 907 tons km⁻² yr⁻¹ (3.42 mm yr⁻¹) respectively, which are far in excess of the global average of 156 tons km⁻² yr⁻¹ (0.58 mm yr⁻¹).