Speciation of adsorbed arsenate on the surface of hydrous iron oxide

Adsorption of arsenate on hydrous iron oxide is an important process controlling geochemical cycling of arsenic in environment as well as the fate of arsenic-bearing mining wastes. The widely accepted view on the mechanism of adsorption is that arsenate is adsorbed via bidentate binuclear inner-sphere complexation. In this study, we characterized the arsenate-hydrous iron oxide sorption solids synthesized at pH=3-8 using Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy （FTIR） and X-ray diffraction （XRD）. It has been determined that poorly crystalline ferric arsenate developed on the surface of iron oxide when arsenate was sorbed at acidic pH, while at alkaline pH the adsorption of arsenate was via bidentate complexation.     

Why did life develop on the surface of the Earth in the Cambrian?

Life was limited for most of Earth's history, remaining at a primitive stage and mostly marine until about 0.55 Ga. In the Paleozoic, life eventually exploded and colonized the continental realm. Why had there been such a long period of delayed evolution of life? Early life was dominated by Archaea and Bacteria,which can survive ionizing radiation better than other organisms. The magnetic field preserves the atmosphere, which is the main shield of UV radiation. We explore the hypothesis that the Cambrian explosion of life could have been enabled by the increase of the magnetic field dipole intensity due to the solidification of the inner core, caused by the cooling of the Earth, and the concomitant decrease with time of the high-energy solar flux since the birth of the solar system. Therefore, the two phenomena could be responsible for the growth and thickening of the atmosphere and the development of land surface life.     

Metal contamination of surface sediments of the Sfax–Chebba coastal line,Tunisia

Concentrations of several heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn and Fe) in surface sediment were determined to investigate the distributions and the metallic pollution status in Sfax–Chebba coastal area (southeast of Tunisia). Sediment samples were collected from 20 locations, representing three different site groups (i.e., site I: urban zone, site II: pre-urban zone and site III: rural zone). Heavy metal contents were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The obtained results showed that generally, heavy metal concentrations in the coastal sediments near Sfax city (urban zone) were higher than those at other stations because of the anthropogenic activities. These concentrations exceeded the threshold effect levels. This was confirmed by the chemometric approaches (enrichment factors, geoaccumulation index and principal component analysis) which showed a significant impact of multiple anthropogenic sources. Moderate to extremely severe enrichment of sediments in terms of Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu and Zn were shown to exist in site I. Severe enrichment by Cd was also observed in other sites. Based on the geoaccumulation index, Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu and Zn can be considered as unpollutants to extreme pollutants.     

ATR-FTIR spectroscopic study of the adsorption of desferrioxamine B and aerobactin to the surface of lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH)

The adsorption of two model siderophores, desferrioxamine B (DFOB) and aerobactin, to lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH) was investigated by attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The adsorption of DFOB was investigated between pH 4.0 and 10.6. The spectra of adsorbed DFOB indicated that two to three hydroxamic acid groups of adsorbed DFOB were deprotonated in the pH range 4.0-8.2. Deprotonation of hydroxamic acid groups of adsorbed DFOB at pH values well below the first acid dissociation constant of solution DFOB species (pK_a = 8.3) and well below the point of zero charge of lepidocrocite (pH_PZC = 7.4) suggested that the surface speciation at the lower end of this pH range (pH 4) is dominated by a surface DFOB species with inner-sphere coordination of two to three hydroxamic acids groups to the surface. Maximum adsorption of DFOB occurred at approximately pH 8.6, close to the first pK_a value of the hydroxamic acid groups, and decreased at lower and higher pH values.The spectra of adsorbed aerobactin in the pH range 3-9 indicated at least three different surface species. Due to the small spectral contributions of the hydroxamic acid groups of aerobactin, the interactions of these functional groups with the surface could not be resolved. At high pH, the spectral similarity of adsorbed aerobactin with free aerobactin deprotonated at the carboxylic acid groups indicated outer-sphere complexation of the carboxylate groups. With decreasing pH, a significant peak shift of the asymmetric carboxylate stretch vibration was observed. This finding suggested that the (lateral) carboxylic acid groups are coordinated to the surface either as inner-sphere complexes or as outer-sphere complexes that are strongly stabilized at the surface by hydrogen bonding at low pH.     

Contrasting rock permeability in the aureole of the Ballachulish igneous complex, Scottish Highlands: the influence of surface energy?

The Ballachulish igneous complex in the Scottish Highlands, part of a widespread group of late Caledonian calcalkaline intrusions, was emplaced at a depth of 10 km into Dalradian metasediments resulting in melting of the country rocks near the intrusive contact. The greatest extent of melting occurred in the Leven schist in the 400 m wide so-called Chaotic Zone which experienced infiltration of aqueous fluids from the pluton. In contrast, adjacent to the Chaotic Zone, the feldspar-bearing Appin quartzite underwent significant melting only within a few metres of the intrusion, despite both being in contact with the same fluid source as the Leven schist and having a similar (wet) melting point. The permeability of the Appin quartzite and quartz horizons in the Leven schist to pervasive grain-edge infiltration of aqueous fluids was determined by measuring the equilibrium quartz-H₂O dihedral angle for the P-T conditions of contact metamorphism. Addition of powdered samples of both rock types to the pure quartz-H₂O system results in a linear decrease of the quartz-H₂O dihedral angle with increasing temperature. The rate of this decrease for the Leven schist is greater than that for the Appin quartzite, and the angle decreases below 60° some 30 °C below the wet solidus (670 °C at 0.3 GPa). Charges bearing Appin quartzite had dihedral angles greater than 60° at all temperatures below the wet solidus (690 °C at 0.3 GPa). These results demonstrate that quartz-rich horizons in the Leven schist would have been permeable to infiltration of aqueous fluids close to the solidus, permitting extensive H₂O-fluxed melting to occur. The Appin quartzite would have remained impermeable to grain-edge flow, consistent with the observed differences in the extent of partial melting of the two lithologies. Received: 25 November 1996 / Accepted: 29 October 1997     

Distribution and concentrations of anthropogenic platinum group elements in the surface environment of Hong Kong

Ecotourism environmental impact assessment is a traveling activity relevant influence prediction and appraisal. And the setting-up of the index system is very important to implement the appraisal of environmental impact of ecological travel. According to the index system, natural ecological environment, humane social environment, the environment of tourist resources and the atmosphere of capacity of tourist environment, four major systems form the first index. Each system formed the second index of several key elements. In addition, it is a key step to appraise the sureness of the factor weight, which influences the rationality of the result directly. Daily method of weighting has the Delphi＇s and the AHP. According to ＂Grade form of characteristic value of Standard of rating for quality of tourist attractions＂ which the National Tourism Administration issues, the paper takes the Jingshan mountains ecological tourist zone as an example and adopts AHP to weight the factors mainly, assisted with the Delphi＇s by the help of computer. The Jingshan ecological tourist zone is good. The result of calculation, comprehensive value of 8.35 after establishment, shows that it doesn＇t change dramatically, attributing to the index of natural ecological environment like atmosphere, quality of surface water, acoustics environment and vegetation coverage. Improvement of traffic states and sanitation caused by the project in the region increases the comprehensive value, while the water and soil loss in partial area caused by construction decrease.     

Changes in the temperatures of perennially frozen rocks due to pollution of the earth’s surface by coal dust in the territory of the Pechorsk coal basin

A quantitative estimate of the influence on the temperature mode of perennially frozen rocks in the Pechorsk coal basin caused by pollution of the surface by coal dust was undertaken.     

Effects of alkaline earth metals on the surface,structure, and reactivity of α-alumina

A series of strontium- and barium-doped alumina samples were prepared by hydrolysis, in neutral medium, starting from commercial Al₂O₃, SrCO₃, and BaCO₃ materials. The precursors thus obtained were calcined under air at 700 °C; then, the bulk and surface properties of the resulting mixed oxides were characterized by nitrogen physisorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H₂-TPR), thermogravimetry (TGA), and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Contrary to SrCO₃, an addition of BaCO₃ to α-Al₂O₃ increases slightly the specific surface area. XRD patterns essentially reveal the characteristic reflections assigned to α-Al₂O₃. In agreement with TGA and XRD analysis, strontium and barium carbonates remain after calcination at 700 °C, their decomposition starting above 800 °C. Let us note that this decomposition occurs more readily on AlSr-100 than on AlBa-100 with no apparent relationship with the evolution observed on the specific surface areas. H₂-TPR experiments underline a significant bulk reduction of barium and strontium carbonates taking place significantly above 900 °C with similar trend noticed during TGA regarding their thermal decomposition. However, the most relevant observation is related to a sharp enhancement of the reducibility of AlSr-y with the appearance two reduction ranges highlighting the existence of different types of interactions with strontium and the alumina substrate.     

Shear deformation and strength of the interphase between the soil–rock mixture and the benched bedrock slope surface

A series of benched excavations were typically carried out on the bedrock slope surface to improve the stability of the soil–rock mixture (S–RM) fill slope. It is difficult to devise an in situ, large-scale direct shear test for the interphase between the S–RM fill and the benched bedrock slope surface. This study introduced a comprehensive approach to investigate the shear deformation and strength of the interphase. First the soil–rock distribution characteristics were analyzed by test pitting, image analysis, and sieve test. Then the PFC2D random structure models with different rock block size distributions were built, and large-scale numerical shear tests for the interphase were performed after calibrating model parameters through laboratory tests. The stress evolution, damage evolution and failure, deformation localization (based on a principle proposed in this paper), rotation of rock blocks, and shear strength were systematically investigated. It was found that as the rock block proportion and rock block size (rock block proportion of 50 %) increase, the fluctuations of the post-peak shear stress–displacement curves of the interphase become more obvious, and the shear band/localized failure path network becomes wider. Generally, smaller rock blocks are of greater rotation angles in the shear band. The peak shear stress and internal friction angle of the interphase increase, while the cohesion decreases with growth of the rock block proportion. However, all these three parameters increase as the rock block size (rock block proportion of 50 %) increases.     

Analysis of trace elements (heavy metal based) in the surface soils of a desert–loess transitional zone in the south of the Tengger Desert

It is very important to strengthen the research about the heavy metal pollution of soil in vulnerable ecological regions of the south-central arid area of Northwest China for regulating and guiding local industrial and municipal activities and for protecting the environment. In this study, 48 surface soil samples were collected in the desert–loess transitional zone in the south of the Tengger Desert. The distributions of elements (heavy metal based) and the differences between urban and natural soils were analyzed. We observed that As, Pb, Cu, Zn and S were clearly enriched in the Baiyin area, and Ni and Cr were mainly enriched in the Zhongwei area. V, Mn, Ti, Bi, Co and W were enriched in the southeast margin of the Tengger Desert, where there is relatively little human activity. Over the entire study area, Ce, La and Nd were widely distributed across regions whether with strong or weak human activity. Based on the distributions of elements, we suggest that in the desert–loess transitional zone in the south of the Tengger Desert, the distribution and abundances of element As, Pb, Cu, Zn, S, Ni and Cr are strongly related to the human activities in the area, but the elements V, Mn, Ti, Bi, Co, W, Ce, La and Nd are derived mainly from natural sources.     

Spatial–temporal characteristics of surface water quality in the Taihu Basin,China

Taihu Basin is one of the most developed and industrialized regions in China. In the last two decades, rapid development of economy as well as an increase in population has resulted in an increase of pollutants produced and discharged into rivers and lakes. Much more attention has been paid on the serious water pollution problems due to high frequency of algal blooming. The dataset, obtained during the period 2001–2002 from the Water Resources Protection Bureau of the Taihu Basin, consisted of eight physicochemical variables surveyed monthly at 22 sampling sites in the Taihu Basin, China. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were used to identify the characteristics of the surface water quality in the studied area. The temporal and spatial variations of water quality were also evaluated by using the fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) method. PCA extracted the first two principal components (PCs), explaining 86.18% of the total variance of the raw data. Especially, PC1 (73.72%) had strong positive correlation with DO, and was negatively associated with COD_Mn, COD, BOD, NH₄ ⁺–N, TP and TN. PC2 (12.46%) was characterized by pH. CA showed that most sites were highly polluted by industrial and domestic wastewater which contributed significantly to PC1. The sites located in the west of Lake Taihu were influenced by farmland runoff which may contribute to nitrogen pollution of Lake Taihu, whereas the monitoring sites in the eastern of Lake Taihu demonstrated that urban residential subsistence and domestic wastewater are the major contaminants. FSE indicates that there is no obvious variance between 2001 and 2002 among most sites. Only several sites free from point-source pollution appear to exhibit good water quality through the studied period.     

The impact of surface energy exchange on the thawing process of active layer over the northern Qinghai–Xizang Plateau,China

In this study, we collected radiation and active layer temperature data observed in the northern Qinghai–Xizang Plateau during the period 2006–2008 in order to analyze the impact of surface energy balance on the thawing process of the active layer. Results show that surface energy exhibits an obvious seasonal variation. The largest values of energy variables including global radiation, net radiation, soil heat flux and surface heat source intensity occur during June and July, while the smallest values occur in November and December. The active layer is generally dominated by an endothermic process. During the freeze–thaw period, the variation process of the active layer temperature is similar to that of surface energy. The seasonal thawing depth is closely related to the process of surface energy exchange. During the thawing period, seasonal thawing depth gradually increases as more solar energy enters the surface. When the surface energy accumulation is 0.0 MJ m^?2 d^?1, the seasonal thawing depth is the smallest. The seasonal thawing depth gradually increases with further accumulation of surface energy. Thus, the variation processes between the surface energy and seasonal thawing depth can be expressed by a power relation. The values of seasonal thawing depth calculated with the empirical relationship provided in this study agree well with the observed values. The relative error between calculated and observed values is less than 12 %. These results show that this empirical relationship can be successfully used to describe the behavior of active layers.