Magnetic signature of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils and sediments at the former oil field H?nigsen, Germany

Magnetic properties of hydrocarbon (HC) containing soils and sediments from two sites (Site A and B) of the former oil-field H?nigsen were analyzed in order to determine whether magnetic methods can be employed to delineate HC contamination of soils and sediments. Magnetic parameters such as magnetic susceptibility and induced isothermal remanent magnetizations, as well as soil and sediment properties such as pH, iron content and water content, HC content and most probable number counts of iron-metabolizing microorganisms were determined. The magnetic concentration-dependent parameters for HC contaminated samples were 25 times higher in soils from Site A than in sediment samples from Site B. However, at Site B the magnetic susceptibility was still four times higher in comparison to lithologically similar non-contaminated sediment samples from a third Site C. Newly formed magnetite containing mainly single domain particles was responsible for the magnetic enhancement, whereas superparamagnetic grains represented only a minor component. Site A had an acidic pH compared to neutral pH at Site B, and a higher crystalline and bioavailable total iron content. Nevertheless, Site B samples contained significant numbers of both iron(II)-oxidizing and iron(III)-reducing microorganisms indicating that microbial iron cycling might have taken place at this site and potentially played a role for iron mineral transformation, including magnetite (trans)formation. The content of total non-polar hydrocarbons (TNPH) at Site A was one order of magnitude higher than at Site B. Only at Site A magnetic susceptibility correlated well with TNPH. Our results demonstrate that HC contaminated samples had an enhanced magnetite content compared to non-contaminated soils and sediments. Therefore, magnetic methods may provide a quick and cost-effective way to assess HC contamination in soils and sediments. However, more field sites and laboratory investigations are needed to reveal the complex nature of the processes involved.     

Onshore-offshore gradient in reductive early diagenesis in coastal marine sediments of the Ria de Vigo, Northwest Iberian Peninsula

Early diagenetic modification of magnetic properties is an important process in marine sediments, but temporal and spatial variability of diagenetic processes have rarely been reported for recent coastal sediments. The magnetic properties of sediments from the Ria de Vigo (NW Spain) define a marked three-part zonation with depth. The uppermost zone is magnetically dominated by (titano-)magnetite. In the intermediate zone, rapid down-core dissolution of (titano-)magnetite increases the relative influence of high-coercivity magnetic minerals, which react more slowly during reductive dissolution than (titano-)magnetite. This zone is characterized by the ubiquitous occurrence of framboidal iron sulphides. Pyrite is the dominant iron sulphide, but framboidal ferrimagnetic greigite is also frequently observed in association with pyrite. The lowermost zone is characterized by an almost complete depletion of magnetic minerals associated with progressive reduction of detrital iron oxides with depth. This zonation is controlled by organic matter diagenesis, which varies with water depth and wave-induced sediment resuspension and organic matter reoxidation in the water column. This leads to a shallowing and thinning of each zone with more intense reductive diagenesis toward the interior of the ria. Such a zonation seems to be a common feature in shallow water marine environments. If preserved, the described zonation and its spatial variability provide a potential tool for detecting estuarine-like environments in the geological record. Magnetic detection of current or past reductive conditions also has important implications for assessing paleoenvironmental proxies that are sensitive to diagenetic redox state.     

巢湖沉积物磁性特征及其对沉积动力的响应

对巢湖西部柱样以及杭埠河流域土壤的环境磁学研究表明,磁铁矿是决定磁性特征的主要磁性矿物,杭埠河流域是巢湖西部沉积物的主要来源．靠近巢湖西岸的柱样AC1砂含量较高,X、SIRM值较大而xARM／SIRM较低,说明磁铁矿含量较高、颗粒较粗．距岸稍远的柱样AC2砂含量较低,X、SIRM值也较低,其变化与XARM较相似,与粘土含量变化也有一定程度的相似,AC2沉积物X、SIRM值较ACI小,但XARM／SIRM较高,说明磁铁矿含量较低且颗粒较细．杭埠河流域土壤的磁性测量结果表明,砂、砾含量高的粗骨土磁性最强,富含粗颗粒磁铁矿．巢湖柱样沉积物砂的含量随踞岸远近而不同, 反映了沉积环境的水动力不同,由此产生明显的磁性特征差异,实质是对沉积动力的响应．研究表明磁性参数XARM／SIRM 可以间接反映沉积物中粘土含量的高低变化．     

Paddy soil — A suitable target for monitoring heavy metal pollution by magnetic proxies

A preliminary magnetic study around Meishan steel mill in Nanjing (SE China) was carried out combining geochemical analysis with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to prove that paddy soil can be a suitable target for environmental study on heavy metal pollution. Magnetic background investigation showed a strong variation in this area due to different land uses and soil types. Magnetic susceptibilities (MS) measured on forest soils are much higher than in paddy fields, and values below 20 cm of the soil surface in forest with parent material of Xiashu loess are several times higher than in paddy soil with parent material of fluvisol. Measurements on vertical profiles show that paddy soil has a very low and stable magnetic background with mass-specific MS around 15 × 10^{− 8} m³ kg^{− 1}. A strong enhancement of MS values is found in the upper ~ 20 cm of paddy soil predominated by multidomain and pseudo single domain magnetite. However, relatively low S-ratios (0.57 to 0.85) reveal a significant contribution of imperfect anti-ferromagnetic minerals. Detailed research on a paddy soil core at site C719 near the steel mill indicates strong correlation between magnetic mineral concentration-related parameters (χ, ARM, SIRM) and heavy metal concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn. In addition, typical anthropogenic Fe-spherules are detected in top paddy soil by means of SEM, which indicates that the increase of susceptibility in upper soil is mainly caused by steel mill emission. Mapping of MS in paddy fields across the steel mill area shows a decrease of MS with the distance to the major emission zone. Positive correlation between χ and Zn is found by measuring surface soil samples around the steel mill. Because of low background and high homogeneity of the ~ 20 cm uppermost mixing layer paddy fields are especially suitable for magnetic surface mapping of heavy metal pollution.     

龙门山断裂带大地震孕震环境的岩石磁学证据

地震断裂带的孕震环境对于研究地震的发生至关重要.本文以汶川地震断裂带科学钻探2号（WFSD-2）钻孔岩心中的假玄武玻璃、碎裂岩及其围岩为研究对象,通过岩石磁学测试,并结合显微结构观察探讨龙门山断裂带大地震的孕震环境.WFSD-2岩心碎裂岩中的假玄武玻璃是龙门山断裂带曾经发生过大地震活动的岩石学证据,假玄武玻璃具有高磁化率特征,而碎裂岩的磁化率值与围岩相似,假玄武玻璃中的新生磁铁矿是其高磁化率值异常的重要原因之一.假玄武玻璃中较少量的新生磁铁矿暗示了假玄武玻璃的生成环境为含氧量较低的高温还原环境.大地震断裂的摩擦热是改变龙门山断裂带中假玄武玻璃岩石磁学特征的主导因素,流体作用较弱.无高磁化率异常的碎裂岩经历的温度小于300℃,推测假玄武玻璃的生成深度较深.WFSD-2岩心中20余层假玄武玻璃脉体证明映秀—北川断裂带是一条长期活跃的断裂带,龙门山断裂带上曾经发生了多次大地震断裂活动,这些大地震可能发生在深度较大、流体作用较弱的还原性孕震环境中.     

龙门山构造带WFSD-2钻孔岩心磁化率特征及其对大地震活动的响应

岩石磁化率特征可以帮助判断岩石的形成环境,对地震过程中滑动摩擦伴随高温的物理-化学变化具有显著反应.本研究以钻穿龙门山中段构造带的汶川地震断裂科学钻探2号孔(WFSD-2)岩心为研究对象,使用Bartington MS2K磁化率仪对500~2283.56 m深度的岩心进行高分辨率无损磁化率测试,并结合岩性特征和显微结构探讨了龙门山构造带主要岩石单元的磁化率特征及其地震断裂活动的磁学响应.磁化率测试结果表明,由花岗岩和火山碎屑岩组成的彭灌杂岩体的磁化率值(数十到数千个10~(-6)SI)普遍高于上三叠统须家河组沉积岩的磁化率值(数个到数十个10~(-6)SI).从WFSD-2岩性分布来看,彭灌杂岩上下出露四段,其磁化率值特征反映它们属于不同的岩石单元,它们与下伏须家河组地层呈断层接触,构成叠瓦状构造,指示了龙门山构造带具有强烈的地壳缩短作用.断裂带中处于滑动带的断层泥和假玄武玻璃具有高磁化率特征,而断层角砾岩和碎裂岩不具有高磁化率值特征,表明断层岩磁化率增高的原因可能主要与地震断裂滑动摩擦过程中高温作用下发生的磁性矿物转换有关,断层岩中高磁化率异常可作为大地震活动的证据.WFSD-2岩心中的映秀—北川断裂带(600~960 m)可识别出约80条高磁化率异常的断层岩带,揭示映秀—北川断裂带是一条长期活动的断裂带,龙门山构造带形成演化过程中伴随着大地震活动.     

山西襄汾大柴更新统剖面划分的新观点

对山西襄汾丁村文化遗址群内大柴剖面进行的磁性地层学研究表明,松山与布容的极性界线（M/B）出现在距剖面顶部45 m处;磁化率对比结果显示,此位置正好与S8上部对应.由这种极性和磁化率的对应结果可推断,下、中更新统（Q₁/Q₂）的地层分界也应在距剖面顶部45 m处的S8上部,而不是传统上认为的Q₁/Q₂的地层分界,在距剖面顶部80 m处.这种以古地磁学为基础的新的划分方案,对丁村遗址群的对比以及丁村遗址年代的最终确定都有重要的指示意义.根据其沉积环境和地层特征推断,采样部位下部的磁化率低值带应为水成黄土.而岩石磁学研究结果显示,磁铁矿、赤铁矿和热不稳定性磁赤铁矿是大柴剖面沉积物中主要的磁性矿物;磁铁矿和赤铁矿同为高温稳定性磁性载体.     

Magnetic mineral diagenesis in anoxic laminated sediments from the Southern Gulf of California

Diagenetic effects on the magnetic mineralogy in marine sediments have long been investigated, including oxidation/reduction reactions, magnetic dilution, formation of iron sulfides and oxides, magnetization acquisition mechanisms and reliability of the paleomagnetic record. This study investigates diagenetic effects in low-oxygen depositional environments characterized by recent and past magnetic mineral dissolution zones. We analyze a marine sequence from the Alfonso Basin in the southern Gulf of California in which the topmost sediments show diagenetic effects marked by high magnetic enhancement factors. The susceptibility logs show high values at the top sediments with well-defined small amplitude low frequency fluctuations down core. Magnetic hysteresis loops indicate low coercivity saturation, characteristic of magnetites and low-tititanomagnetites with varying paramagnetic contributions. Intensity of natural remanent, isothermal and anhysteretic magnetizations and coercivity parameters show similar variation patterns with depth. The anhysteretic remanence intensity-susceptibility ratio shows an inverse correlation to magnetic susceptibility, indicating varying concentration of fine grained single domain and superparamagnetic particles. The magnetic logs record diagenetic changes and magnetite authigenesis, with preserved recent and old dissolution zones marked by enriched single-domain/pseudo-singledomain/multi-domain magnetite in between the dissolution fronts. The oxidation/reduction processes relate to climatic and water/sediment interface factors controlling the dissolution processes, which occur in the Alfonso Basin anoxic conditions.     

Water uptake by saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima) in a desert riparian forest: responses to intra‐annual water table fluctuation

There is considerable interest in naturalizing flow regime on managed rivers to slow the spread of saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima) invasion in southwestern USA or to preserve riparian forests dominated by saltcedar and other species in northwestern China. However, little is known about the responses of established saltcedar in water sources to frequent intra‐annual fluctuation of water table resulting from this new, more dynamic flow regime. This study investigates how saltcedar at a riparian site in the middle reaches of the Heihe River, northwest China, responds in water sources use to intra‐annual water table fluctuations. Stable oxygen isotope was employed to determine accurate depth at which saltcedar obtains its water supply, and soil moisture monitoring was used to determine sources of plant‐available soil water. We found that the primary zone of water uptake by saltcedar were stable at 25–60 cm depth, but the water sources used by saltcedar switched between groundwater and soil moisture with the water table fluctuations. Saltcedar derived its water from groundwater when water table was at depth less than 60 cm but switched to soil moisture at 25–60 cm depth when water table declined. It is supposed that the well‐developed clay layer at 60–80 cm depth constrained lateral roots of saltcedar to the soil layers above 60 cm, while the fine‐textured soils at this site, which were periodically resaturated by rising groundwater before the stored soil moisture had become depleted, provided an important water reservoir for saltcedar when groundwater dropped below the primary zone of fine roots. The root distribution of saltcedar may also be related to local groundwater history. The quick decline in water table in the early 1980s when the riparian saltcedar had established may strand its roots in the shallow unsaturated zone. We suggested that raising the water table periodically instead of maintaining it invariably above the rooting depth could sustain desired facultative phreatophytes while maximizing water deliveries. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Magnetic Susceptibility Screening of Anthropogenic Impact on the Danube River Sediments in Northwestern Bulgaria - Preliminary Results

Several events of anthropogenic impacts on the floodplain river sediments of the Danube along a section near the town of Oryakhovo (NW Bulgaria) have been detected using magnetic technique. In the field, magnetic susceptibility was measured using three susceptibility meters – MS2D, KT-5 and SM30. The differences in the surface susceptibility values measured with the different instruments are ascribed to the various penetration depths which depend on several parameters like sensor diameter, frequency and field strength. This is supported by the detailed laboratory study on penetration depth and sensitivity of the new SM30 susceptibility meter and the comparison with the already existing data for the other two sensors. Boundaries between different flooding events are clearly linked with significant variability of the measured susceptibility values corresponding to one and the same level. Sediment cores, taken at different distances from the water level, show the history of depositional events and corresponding degree of anthropogenic pollution. Identification of the magnetic phases responsible for the signal was carried out by means of thermomagnetic (T) curves. The main carrier is magnetite with Tc of 580°C or oxidized magnetite with Tc of 600°C. A second kink at about 300°C is better expressed for samples with lower susceptibilities. It may correspond to several minerals, e.g. maghemite, pyrrothite, titanomagnetite, as well as different mineral transformations of paramagnetic minerals (decomposition, dehydroxilation, etc. for example siderite, lepidocrocite). The samples showing strong magnetic enhancement are characterized by the predominance of magnetite. Optical microscopy on magnetic extracts shows the presence of small spherical particles, typical for the anthropogenic magnetic phases from high-temperature technological processes. Well expressed susceptibility variations along the cores suggest the presence of several stages of different degree of pollution, covering an estimated period of about 30 years.     

土壤剖面中粉煤灰垂向迁移的磁响应

对浙江省安吉县梅溪发电厂粉煤灰贮灰场附近的土壤短剖面进行环境磁学、元素含量及粒度研究.借助模糊聚类分析,分辨出粉煤灰原位堆积、富集、迁移深度及未受污染土壤特征.剖面上部0～14cm为粉煤灰的原位反映,多畴磁铁矿主导了该段样品磁性.其中11～14cm处磁性矿物和金属元素有所富集.14～21cm为粉煤灰在土壤中的迁移深度.迁移段土壤中亚铁磁性矿物及Pb、Zn等金属含量介于底部未污染土壤与上部粉煤灰原位堆积层之间.单畴斜交反铁磁性矿物及来源于上部粉煤灰的多畴磁铁矿共同主导了该段土壤的磁性特征.21cm以下土壤基本未受粉煤灰污染,单畴斜交反铁磁性矿物是其主要磁性矿物.指标聚类分析表明,亚铁磁性矿物主要赋存在粗粉砂中,单畴磁晶粒主要存在于细粉砂中.χ、ARM、SIRM与Cu、Mn、Pb、Zn呈显著相关.结合多元统计分析,磁参数可用于追踪、识别粉煤灰在土壤剖面中的垂向迁移.     

Crack-filling clays and weathered cracks in the DPRI 1800 m core near the Nojima Fault, Japan: Evidence for deep surface-water circulation near an active fault

Abstract Crack-filling clays and weathered cracks were observed in the Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University (DPRI) 1800 m cores drilled from the Nojima Fault Zone, which was activated during the 1995 Hyogo-ken Nanbu earthquake (Kobe earthquake). The crack-filling clays consist mainly of unconsolidated fine-grained materials that fill opening cracks with no shear textures. Most of the cracks observed in the DPRI 1800 m cores are yellow-brown to brown in color due to weathering. Powder X-ray diffraction analyses show that the crack-filling clays are composed mainly of clay minerals and carbonates such as siderite and calcite. Given that the top of the borehole is approximately 45 m above sea level, most of the core is far below the stable groundwater table. Hence, it is suggested that the crack-filling clays and weathered cracks in the cores taken at depths of 1800 m were formed by the flow of surface water down to the deep fractured zone of the Nojima Fault Zone during seismic faulting.     

Characteristics of distribution and transport of petroleum contaminants in fracture-karst water in Zibo Area, Shandong Province, China

Fracture-karst water is an important water resource for the water supply in North China. Petroleum contamination is one of the most problematic types of the groundwater pollution. The characteristics of distribution and transport of the petroleum contaminants in fracture-karst water are different from those in porous water. The flow velocity of fracture-karst water is much faster than the velocity of porous water on an average. Therefore, contaminant transport in fracture-karst water is an absolute advection-dominated problem. The plume of the petroleum contamination may extend to several kilometers from pollution sources. It was not caused by the oil pool floating on the water table but by the oil components dissolved and scattered in groundwater. The distribution of the petroleum contaminants over space are concentrated in the strong conductive zone on the plane. On the vertical section the highest concentration of the oil contaminants appeared in the strata where the contamination sources were located. The concentrations of the oil contaminants in wells changed greatly over time. Therefore, the curves of concentration versus time fluctuated greatly. The reasons are as follows. (a) Fracture-karst water has a very great velocity. (b) Local flow fields which were caused by pumping and stoppage in some wells changed frequently. (c) In fracture-karst aquifer the transport channels are complicated. (d) Residual oil in vadose zone was leached after rainfall. It is of great practical value for the control and remediation of petroleum contamination in fracture-karst aquifer to understand those characteristics.     

Influence of Ambient Temperature,Precipitation, and Groundwater Level on Natural Source Zone Depletion Rates at a Large Semiarid LNAPL Site

Natural source zone depletion (NSZD) is increasingly being integrated into management strategies for petroleum release sites. Measurements of NSZD rates can be used to evaluate naturally occurring hydrocarbon (HC) mass losses, and provide a baseline for evaluating engineered recovery systems. Here, nominal saturated and unsaturated zone HC losses were quantified by groundwater sampling and ground surface CO₂ effluxes approximately monthly over a 1-year period. In addition, subsurface gas profiles and temperature, precipitation, and groundwater elevation were evaluated to elucidate dominant environmental factors controlling NSZD rates. Results showed that NSZD rates estimated by surface CO₂ effluxes were, on average, more than a factor of 3 greater than those estimated by uptake of electron acceptors (primarily sulfate) in extracted groundwater. This may indicate that vadose zone mass loss mechanisms (e.g., volatilization and subsequent biodegradation) were dominant in this system, but possible transfer of gases from the saturated zone to the vadose zone confounds this interpretation. Results for this semiarid site revealed that increasing NSZD rates tended to occur with increasing ambient monthly precipitation and temperature when accounting for time lags associated with subsurface transport. However, groundwater elevation was not found to be significantly related to NSZD rates. This result is counter to an expectation that increased smear zone exposure increases HC mass losses, and suggests that the pump-and-treat system did not greatly influence total NSZD rates directly through smear zone flushing or indirectly by lowering the regional water table.     

Evaluating the Subsurface Distribution of Zero‐Valent Iron Using Magnetic Susceptibility

Successful in situ groundwater remediation relies on the adequate distribution of treatment materials within the subsurface. Zero‐valent iron (ZVI) is widely used for the remediation of soils contaminated with chlorinated organic compounds. Because ZVI is a solid, various techniques are used to distribute ZVI in the subsurface; however, a major uncertainty in this process involves determining the distribution of the iron during emplacement. A method of mapping the distribution of ferromagnetic material such as ZVI is by magnetic susceptibility (MS), a novel approach that is highly sensitive, quantitative, objective, and easily applied in field. The method has been tested in the laboratory on synthetic cores containing EHC®, an organic amendment containing 40 to 50% ZVI, using an MS meter with two types of sensors (loop and handheld). Both sensors have high sensitivity (e.g., 1% disseminated EHC is easily detected), whereas the hand‐held sensor has greater spatial resolution (e.g., differences are notable on a scale of 1 cm). Following the laboratory studies, the handheld instrument was used to perform field measurements for multiple pilot studies and a full‐scale application of EHC using various delivery methods (pneumatic fracturing, hydraulic fracturing, and direct injection) to construct a biobarrier at a field remedial site. The MS method has proven invaluable in quantifying amendment distribution and ensuring appropriate application of this remedial technology.     

Temporal Hyporheic Zone Response to Water Table Fluctuations

Expansion and contraction of the hyporheic zone due to temporal hydrologic changes between stream and riparian aquifer influence the biogeochemical cycling capacity of streams. Theoretical studies have quantified the control of groundwater discharge on the depth of the hyporheic zone; however, observations of temporal groundwater controls are limited. In this study, we develop the concept of groundwater‐dominated differential hyporheic zone expansion to explain the temporal control of groundwater discharge on the hyporheic zone in a third‐order stream reach flowing through glacially derived terrain typical of the Great Lakes region. We define groundwater‐dominated differential expansion of the hyporheic zone as: differing rates and magnitudes of hyporheic zone expansion in response to seasonal vs. storm‐related water table fluctuation. Specific conductance and vertical hydraulic gradient measurements were used to map changes in the hyporheic zone during seasonal water table decline and storm events. Planar and riffle beds were monitored in order to distinguish the cause of increasing hyporheic zone depth. Planar bed seasonal expansion of the hyporheic zone was of a greater magnitude and longer in duration (weeks to months) than storm event expansion (hours to days). In contrast, the hyporheic zone beneath the riffle bed exhibited minimal expansion in response to seasonal groundwater decline compared to storm related expansion. Results indicated that fluctuation in the riparian water table controlled seasonal expansion of the hyporheic zone along the planar bed. This groundwater induced hyporheic zone expansion could increase the potential for biogeochemical cycling and natural attenuation.     

Measurements of thermal magnetic susceptibility of hematite and goethite

Magnetic susceptibility (MS) of natural specimens of hematite and goethite is studied under continuous heating with various additives: with carbon (sugar), nitrogen (carbamide), and elemental sulfur. It is found that heating of hematite with carbon above 450°C results in the formation of single-domain magnetite, while the magnetic susceptibility rises by a factor of 165. The increase in magnetic susceptibility on heating of hematite with nitrogen above 540°C reflects the generation of a single-domain maghemite with the Curie point of about 650°C, which is stable to heating. After the first heating, the magnetic susceptibility increases by 415 times. The subsequent cycle of thermal treatment results in the transition of maghemite to hematite, a decrease of MS, and an increase of coercivity. Heating with sulfur produces a stable single-domain magnetite at a temperature above the Curie point, which is manifested in the cooling curves. Here, the MS increases by a factor of 400. The heating curves for goethite exhibit a sharp drop in susceptibility to a temperature of 350–360°C, which reflects the transition of hematite to goethite. Heating of hematite with carbon produces stable maghemite at above 530°C, and with sulphur and nitrogen, it produces magnetite. When heated with pyrite, hematite reduces to magnetite under the action of sulfur released from pyrite.     

钢铁厂周围不同污染介质的磁学性质及环境意义

为了通过钢铁厂周围不同污染介质的磁学性质研究,实现对环境污染的有效监测,本文系统地采集了河北兴隆和湖南娄底两个钢铁厂周围的树皮和草表面的飞灰、土壤及不同树种的年轮样品.其中前三者用来反映现今污染源,而树木年轮用来追踪长时间尺度的污染历史.通过综合岩石磁学实验分析（包括热磁曲线、磁滞性质和低温实验等）、电子扫描电镜(SEM)和能谱(EDX)以及X射线衍射(XRD)分析,发现钢铁厂周围现今污染源中的主要粗颗粒磁性矿物为磁铁矿、赤铁矿和纯铁.其中8~50 μm的球形磁铁矿颗粒和呈棱角状的铁颗粒是钢铁厂污染物的特征磁性矿物.对不同树种来说,其中香樟树和枫树树木年轮中的磁性矿物以顺磁性物质为主, 不适合用于环境磁学的污染监测.而柳树中的磁性矿物（主要为磁铁矿）与现今污染源的磁性矿物相符.以上研究表明多参数岩石磁学测量并辅以微观分析等手段,可以精确地提取磁性矿物的种类及粒度特征, 判别重工业区污染源,为应用磁学方法来监测环境污染提供依据.     

Nitrate fluctuations at the water table: implications for recharge processes and solute transport in the Chalk aquifer

This study investigates fluctuations in nitrate concentration at the water table to improve understanding of unsaturated zone processes in the Chalk aquifer. Sampling was conducted using a novel multi‐level sampler during periods of water table rise over 5 years at a vertical resolution of 0.05 m. Nitrate concentration increased as the water table seasonally recovered, with similar inter‐annual trends with depth. The rising water table activated horizontal fractures facilitating the delivery of water elevated by up to 10 mg/l of nitrate with respect to the adjacent groundwater below. These fractures are considered to activate via piston displacement of water from the adjoining matrix. Hydrograph analysis identified 16 events which significantly perturbed the water table within 24–48 h of rainfall. Consistent nitrate concentrations indicate recharge through persistent fracture flow from the surface was not generally the primary driver of the rapid water table response during these events. Instead, the response was attributed to the piston displacement of porewater immediately above the water table. However, a single event in November 2012 delivered relatively dilute recharge indicating rapid persistent fracture flow following rainfall was possible to a depth of 14–15 m. Decreases in porewater nitrate concentration around fracture horizons and the dilution of many groundwater samples with respect to porewaters indicate a fresher source of water at depth. This was considered most likely to be a result of near surface water bypassing the matrix because of widespread mineralization on fracture surfaces, which retard water and solute exchange. Therefore, persistent fracture flow maybe considered a frequent process, operating independently of the matrix, and is not necessarily event driven. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Magnetic methods in tracing soil erosion,Kharkov Region,Ukraine

Magnetic measurements of soils are an effective research tool in assessing soil erosion. This approach is based on detecting layers showing different magnetic properties in vertical soil profiles and lateral catenas. The objective of this research is to compile data on magnetic susceptibility (MS) of soils in Eastern Ukraine to assess the soil erosion rates. The chernozems of Tcherkascy Tishki (Kharkov Region, Ukraine) have undergone a field crop rotation without proper soil conservation technologies being applied. We conducted an intrinsic element grouping of the magnetic susceptibility values and demonstrated that they can be used as MS cartograms in soil erosion mapping. The study showed a strong correlation between the MS values and the erosion index. MS and the erosion index were found to correlate with the humus content. Magnetic mineralogical analyses suggest the presence of highly magnetic minerals (magnetite and maghemite) as well as weakly magnetic goethite, ferrihydrite, and hematite. Stable pseudosingle-domain (PSD), single-domain (SD), and superparamagnetic (SP) grains of pedogenic origin dominate in the studied chernozems. Being an effective, quick and low cost alternative, magnetic methods can be successfully used in the soil erosion investigations.