Elemental Concentrations of Stream Sediments in Southern China

Over 3 million samples were collected from southern China at a density of 1–2 stream sediment samples per square kilometre as part of the Regional Geochemistry National Reconnaissance (RGNR) programme of China initiated in the late 1970s. Approximately 5244 composite samples of stream sediments from twelve provinces of southern China were prepared from the original RGNR samples collected from a territory with an area of 2300000 km² at a density of one composite sample per 1:50000 map sheet (about 400 km²). Seventy‐six elements were determined by the geoanalysis laboratory of Henan Province (platinum‐group elements) and by the Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration (IGGE) laboratory for the remainder. Internal quality and external quality control methods were applied to ensure that the analytical data were comparable. Statistics were used to derive the mean and background values and indicate the average concentrations of the seventy‐six elements. Comparisons were made against the mean values obtained from stream sediments, floodplain sediments, overall sediments and overall soils of the entire territory of China. The concentrations of Hg, Cd, rare earth elements and 24 other elements were higher than their background for the whole of China. In contrast, the concentration of Na₂O, CaO, Ba and Sr were lower in the stream sediments in southern China than their whole China background.     

Rare earth element geochemistry of Lake Baikal sediment: its implication for geochemical response to climate change during the Last Glacial/Interglacial transition

Sediments deposited on the bottom of Lake Baikal have contributed to the understanding of a long-term environmental history of continents. Rare earth elements (REEs) along with major elements and loss on ignition (LOI) of Baikal sediments were determined with the aim of evaluating their suitability for a new paleoenvironmental proxy. Our interest is concentrated on paleoenvironmental change during the Last Glacial/Interglacial transition (LGIT). Chondrite-normalized REE patterns for Baikal sediments show a similar variation to those for typical upper continental crustal materials. Three parameters of (La/Yb)_n (n: chondrite-normalized value) ratio, ΣREE/TiO₂ and Eu anomaly were used to express detailed characteristics of Baikal sediments. Depth profile of (La/Yb)_n ratio shows abrupt change, whose timing corresponds to the beginning of climatic warming inferred from the profiles of SiO₂/TiO₂ and LOI. In addition, (La/Yb)_n ratio, ΣREE/TiO₂ and the degree of Eu anomaly correlate with each other. This suggests that inflow process of particulate materials into the lake may have changed during the LGIT. The analytical results of this study lead to the conclusion that REE is a useful paleoenvironmental proxy in the Baikal region.     

Evaluation of environmental status and geochemical assessment of sediments,Manasbal Lake,Kashmir, India

The present study was conducted on the Manasbal Lake (34°14′N: 74°40′E) to assess the geochemical characteristics of the lake bottom sediments, its environmental implications and its response in the local catchment area. This study tracks the spatial distribution of grain size, geochemical analysis, C/N ratio, calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and organic matter (OM) of the lake bottom sediments. It is observed that the clay fraction (49.79%) is predominant in the lake bottom sediments, followed by silt (35.88%) and sand (14.33%) and its spatial distribution is controlled by water depth. Geochemistry and normalized diagrams for the major oxides and trace elements reveal enrichment of CaO, K₂O, P₂O₅, S, Cl, Ni, Zn and Sr. Chemical index of alteration (CIA) reflects low to moderate weathering intensity and near compositional similarity with the bedrock exposed in the catchment area around the lake. Environmental indices (EF, Igeo) suggest that the sediments are enriched in Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr, Co, Pb followed by Mn content. Pollution load index (PLI) reveal that all the sampling sites reflect low to moderately polluted category except for few stations that are towards the southern and southeastern side of the lake. OM (16.85%), CaCO₃ (14.04%) and C/N ratio (15.5) of the lake bottom sediments is attributed to high organic activity within the lake, shell fragments, contributions from the lake flora and fauna adhering to the clayey silty sediments. The C/N ratio of 15.5 suggests a mixed source of organic matter both terrestrially and in situ formation within the lake. Sulphur and chlorine are high amongst the trace elements suggesting anthropogenic detritus input into the lake and this is due to the chemical fertilizers from the agricultural runoff and organic load into the lake. Thus, the present study suggests that in order to preserve the pristine lake ecology and the environment; continued monitoring and restoration efforts need to be undertaken.     

The pathway of mercury in contaminated waters determined by association with organic carbon (Tagus Estuary,Portugal)

Reactive dissolved Hg (Hg_R), non-reactive dissolved Hg (Hg_NR), particulate Hg (Hg_P), dissolved organic C (DOC), particulate organic C (POC), salinity and other interpretative parameters were determined in water samples collected in the North Channel and in adjacent areas of the Tagus estuary (Portugal). Higher concentrations of both dissolved and particulate Hg in the North Channel indicate a pollution source and raise the possibility of Hg escaping to adjacent areas by tidal action. This transport was confirmed by the increase of Hg_R with salinity and Hg_NR with DOC, along a longitudinal axis paralleling the North Channel. Apparently, Hg leaving this channel is progressively complexed by inorganic and organic ligands. Near the mouth of the estuary, values decreased reflecting dilution with seawater. Moreover the Hg_P:POC ratio also increased seaward, suggesting mixing with Hg enriched particles that escaped the North Channel, or incorporation of dissolved Hg species in river-derived particles. These results suggest that the pathway of anthropogenic Hg in contaminated waters may be identified by their enrichment in organic matter, both in the dissolved and particulate fraction.     

Mercury in the Lot–Garonne River system (France): Sources,fluxes and anthropogenic component

Dissolved and particulate Hg fluxes in the Lot–Garonne–Gironde fluvial-estuarine system were obtained from observation of daily discharge and suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentrations. In addition to the measurements of the total dissolved (<0.45 μm) and particulate Hg (>0.45 μm), called HgT_D and HgT_P respectively, the dissolved inorganic Hg species (HgR_D) were determined monthly. Geochemical background values for HgT_P in sediments and SPM were similar to crustal values and to typical concentrations in SPM of non-contaminated river systems, respectively. The Riou Mort watershed already known as the origin of important historical polymetallic (e.g., Cd, Zn) pollution was identified as an important Hg point source. In the downstream Lot River, Hg concentrations were clearly higher than those in other moderately contaminated systems. The mean relative contribution of HgR_D to HgT_D in the Lot River and in the Garonne River was close to 25% and 50%, respectively, and showed no correlation with water discharge or SPM concentration. Depending on the origin and nature of SPM, HgT_P concentrations were correlated or not with particulate organic C (POC). Maximum HgT_P concentrations were measured in samples containing low POC concentrations and were attributed to sediment resuspension. In contrast, high POC concentrations (6–17%) during algal blooms were associated with low/moderate HgT_P concentrations (<0.5 mg kg⁻¹) at different sites, suggesting that Hg concentrations in fluvial phytoplankton may be limited by bioavailability of dissolved Hg and/or physiologically controlled Hg accumulation. Mercury was mostly (up to 98%) transported in the particulate phase with estimated annual Hg fluxes at the outlet of the Lot River system ranging from 35 to 530 kg a⁻¹ for the past decade. The minimum anthropogenic component (58–84% of total Hg fluxes) could not be explained by present Riou Mort point source contributions, suggesting important Hg release from contaminated sediment as a major source and from downstream point sources (e.g., coal-fired power plants and/or metal processing industries). HgT_P concentrations and fluxes were strongly related to hydrologic variations and were clearly increased by riverbed dredging during lock construction. Therefore, the estimated Hg stocks in the Lot River sediment (5–13 tons) represent an important potential Hg source for the downstream fluvial-estuarine system.     

Mercury,Trace Elements and Organic Constituents in Atmospheric Fine Particulate Matter,Shenandoah National Park,Virginia, USA: A Combined Approach to Sampling and Analysis

Compliance with U.S. air quality regulatory standards for atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) is based on meeting average 24 hour (35 μ m^?3) and yearly (15 μg m^?3) mass‐per‐unit‐volume limits, regardless of PM_2.5 composition. Whereas this presents a workable regulatory framework, information on particle composition is needed to assess the fate and transport of PM_2.5 and determine potential environmental/human health impacts. To address these important non‐regulatory issues an integrated approach is generally used that includes (1) field sampling of atmospheric particulate matter on filter media, using a size‐limiting cyclone, or with no particle‐size limitation; and (2) chemical extraction of exposed filters and analysis of separate particulate‐bound fractions for total mercury, trace elements and organic constituents, utilising different USGS laboratories optimised for quantitative analysis of these substances. This combination of sampling and analysis allowed for a more detailed interpretation of PM_2.5 sources and potential effects, compared to measurements of PM_2.5 abundance alone. Results obtained using this combined approach are presented for a 2006 air sampling campaign in Shenandoah National Park (Virginia, USA) to assess sources of atmospheric contaminants and their potential impact on air quality in the Park. PM_2.5 was collected at two sampling sites (Big Meadows and Pinnacles) separated by 13.6 km. At both sites, element concentrations in PM₂₅ were low, consistent with remote or rural locations. However, element/Zr crustal abundance enrichment factors greater than 10, indicating anthropogenic input, were found for Hg, Se, S, Sb, Cd, Pb, Mo, Zn and Cu, listed in decreasing order of enrichment. Principal component analysis showed that four element associations accounted for 84% of the PM_2.5 trace element variation; these associations are interpreted to represent: (1) crustal sources (Al, REE); (2) coal combustion (Se, Sb), (3) metal production and/or mobile sources (Mo, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn) and (4) a transient marine source (Sr, Mg). Concentrations of Hg in PM_2.5 at background levels in the single pg m^?3 were shown by collection and analysis of PM_2.5 on filters and by an automated speciation analyser set up at the Big Meadows air quality site. The speciation unit revealed periodic elevation of reactive gaseous mercury (RGM) that co‐occurred with peaks in SO₂, indicating an anthropogenic source. GC/MS total ion current chromatograms for the two sites were quite similar indicating that organic signatures were regional in extent and/or that the same compounds were present locally at each site. Calculated carbon preference index values for n‐alkanes indicated that plant waxes rather than anthropogenic sources, were the dominant alkane source. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were detected, with a predominance of non‐alkylated, and higher molecular weight PAHs in this fraction, suggestive of a combustion source (fossil fuel or forest fires).     

Mercury in lake sediments of the Precambrian Shield near Huntsville, Ontario, Canada

 Long sediment cores (>1 m) were collected from eight Precambrian Shield lakes in southern Ontario, Canada and analyzed for mercury (Hg), loss-on-ignition (LOI), and a suite of 36 other elements. Results indicated at least 100-fold variation in sediment Hg concentrations between lakes in close proximity (from 450 ppb), comparable to the variation reported for lakes across the whole of Canada. Strong areal correlations between Hg concentrations and LOI (r ² =0.77), between Hg and other trace element concentrations (Pb, Zn, Cd, Sb, As, Br), and similarities in the vertical concentration profiles of Hg and LOI, all point to the importance of organic matter in the release, transport and redistribution of metals in watershed systems. The spatial pattern of Hg concentrations in deep, precolonial sediments (>20 cm) was found to mirror the pattern of Hg concentrations in modern surface sediments, an observation that was confirmed in a follow-up survey (r ² =0.85;n=25 lakes), indicating that natural processes govern the unequal distribution of Hg among these lakes. Between-lake differences in surface sediment Hg concentrations normalized to organic carbon (Hg/C) were also reflected by Hg concentrations in smallmouth bass normalized to 35 cm length (R ² =0.63;n=15 lakes). The latter relationship suggests that smallmouth bass and lake sediment indicators provide mutually supportive information regarding Hg loading to the lacustrine environment from geological sources in the watershed system. Received: 31 October 1996 · Accepted: 27 May 1997     

Geochemical features of the ecosystem of Lake Kolyvan (Altai territory) and related technogenic impact

Regularities of the formation of bottom sediments down to a depth of 1.2 m, as well as factors governing the composition of sediments, waters, and soils in the catchment area of the lake, are discussed. It has been established that the chemical composition of lacustrine sediments is closely associated with the composition of soils in the ambient watersheds, and the soils, in turn, are associated with the composition of the soil-forming rocks. The available data suggest an extremely irregular contamination of the lake system by technogenic radionuclides within the water area. Maximum radiocesium contamination of lacustrine bottom sediments is 350 mCi/km² (recalculated to year 2000). Concentrations of elements (Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Co, Mg, Be, Sb, Mn, and others) in bottom sediments, water, and soils in catchment areas of Lake Kolyvan do not exceed the background values (except for the Hg content in bottom sediments), suggesting that the area under consideration is not contaminated by inorganic technogenic components.     

Mercury dynamics in sulfide-rich sediments: Geochemical influence on contaminant mobilization within the Penobscot River estuary, Maine, USA

Research concerning the fate and biogeochemical cycling of mercury (Hg) within coastal ecosystems has suggested that microbially mediated diagenetic processes control Hg mobilization and that ligands with strong affinity for Hg, such as dissolved inorganic sulfide (S(-II)) and dissolved organic matter (DOM), control Hg partitioning between the dissolved and particulate phases. We have studied total Hg cycling in the sediments of the Penobscot River estuary using a combination of equilibrium porewater samplers and kinetic modeling. The Penobscot estuary has been subject to Hg contamination from multiple industries including a recently closed chlor-alkali production facility. The Hg concentration within the estuary surface sediments ranges from 1.25 to 27.5 nmol Hg g⁻¹ sediment and displays an association with sediment organic matter and a concentration maximum within 3 cm of the sediment-water interface (SWI). Porewater profiles for the Penobscot estuary are divisible into three kinetically discrete intervals with respect to Hg dynamics. Beginning at depth in the sediment and moving upward toward the SWI we have defined: (1) a zone of net Hg solubilization at depth, with a zero-order net Hg production rate , (2) a zone of net Hg consumption within the zone dominated by FeS_(s) precipitation with , and (3) a zone of net diffusive transfer within the vicinity of the SWI. Zone 1 is characterized by dissolved S(-II) concentrations ranging from 400 to 500 μM. Equilibrium modeling in this zone suggests that inorganic S(-II) plays the dominant role in both mobilization of sediment-bound Hg and complexation of dissolved Hg. In zone 2, FeS_(s) precipitation occurs concomitant with Hg consumption. Net transfer within zone 3 is consistent with the potential for ligand-mediated Hg efflux across the SWI. S(-II)-mediated Hg mobilization at depth in Penobscot estuary sediments suggests a broadening of the depth interval over which biogeochemical Hg cycling must be examined. Our results also show that, while estuary sediments act as a net sink for particulate Hg inputs, they may also function for a considerable time interval as a source of dissolved Hg.     

Provisional Elemental Values for IAEA‐Sewage Sludge by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) organised a proficiency test (PT), IAEA‐CU‐2010‐02, for the determination of elements in sewage sludge. The PT sample was analysed by semi‐absolute standardless k₀‐instrumental neutron activation analysis (k₀‐INAA). Results for seven elements (As, Co, Cr, Fe, Hg, Se, Zn) were submitted to the IAEA by our laboratory. All of our results were scored ‘acceptable’ by the ‘result evaluation criteria’ adopted by the IAEA. The same analytical methodology produced quantitative results for twenty‐six additional elements. In total, thirty‐six elements were determined with uncertainty varying from 4 to 11%. This paper presents the provisional mass fractions of twenty‐six additional elements (Ag, Al, Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Dy, Eu, Ga, Hf, I, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Ta, Tb, Th, V, U, W) not reported by the IAEA. The analytical methodology was discussed with important sources of spectral, nuclear and fission‐product interferences. It was shown that the important components of uncertainties were the k₀ factor, Q₀ factor, detector efficiency, mass and counting statistics. The methodology was validated by analysing the IAEA‐S7 reference material.     

Specific features of the distribution of trace and rare earth elements in recent bottom sediments in the lower course of the Severnaya Dvina River and White Sea

The paper discusses results of the lithogeochemical examination of recent bottom sediments in the lower course of the Severnaya Dvina River and White Sea. It has been established that the average concentration of several trace elements (Hf, Sc, Co, Y, Ni, V, Cr, Zr, Ba, and others) therein correlates with the content of the silt-pelite fraction. Maximal concentrations of the majority of above elements are confined to the silty-clayey sediments at the Basin/Dvina Bay boundary. They localized near the coastal zone only for some clastophile (Zr, Cr, and others). Typical values of the hydrolyzate module, chemical index of alteration, and Al₂O₃/SiO₂ ratio in the aleuropelitic and pelitic sediments of the Severnaya Dvina River delta, Dvina Bay, and the Dvina Bay Basin boundary suggest that these sediments are confined to sufficiently cold climate settings. Data points of sediment composition in discriminant paleotectonic diagrams are scattered over a large field probably due to high contents of the weakly weathered plagioclases, micas, and amphiboles, as well as the hydrogenic process promoting the accumulation of Fe and Mn. The PAAS-normalized spectra of rare earth elements (REE) in bottom sediments of the Pinega and Severnaya Dvina rivers, marginal filter of the latter river, Dvina Bay, and the Dvina Bay Basin boundary are similar to the REE distribution in clayey rocks of the ancient platform cover (except for a slight positive Eu anomaly). The REE systematics and distribution pattern of compositional data points of recent bottom sediments in the Gd_N/Yb_N-Eu/Eu* and Eu/Eu*-Cr/Th diagrams and values of several indicator ratios of trace elements suggest that the studied rocks were formed by the mixing of clastic materials from geochemically contrast provenances: northwestern provenance (Kola-Karelia geoblock), which is mostly composed of the Archean and Early Proterozoic crystalline complexes, and the southeastern provenance (northwestern periphery of the Mezen syncline), which is almost totally composed of Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks. The latter provenance likely played a crucial role in the geochemical signature of recent bottom sediments over a significant area of the White Sea.     

Mercury Anomaly in the Okinawa Trough Sediments—An Indicator of Modern Seafloor Hydrothermal Activity

The Okinawa Trough is located between the shelf-sea area of the East China Sea and the deep-sea area of western Pacific Ocean. More than 60 chemical elements in the sediments from the shelf area of the East China Sea, the Okinawa Trough and western Pacific Ocean were determined by advanced techniques including neutron activation analysis, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, atomic fluorescence spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry. Quantitative comparisons of the element abundances of the sediments were made in terms of the enrichment coefficients (K) of the elements.K > 1.5 indicates enrichment (K = 1.5–2, weak enrichment; K = 2–4, strong enrichment) andK > 4, anomalous enrichment. The results show that the Okinawa Trough sediments are characterized by Hg anomaly and the enrichment of such elements as Au, Ag, Se, Te, Sb, Cd, Mn, Mo, etc. Detailed studies show that the excess Hg comes from hydrothermal solutions rather than from the continent, sea water, marine organisms, cosmic dust or volcanic rocks. Attributed to modern hydrothermal activities on the sea floor, Hg anomaly can be used as a geochemical indicator of modern seafloor hydrothermal activity. This project was granted by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.     

A kinetic approach to describe trace-element distribution between particles and solution in natural aquatic systems

The partitioning of radioactive trace elements between seawater and particulate matter from surface sediments and sediment traps was investigated in laboratory experiments. For the elements Na, Zn, Se, Sr, Cd, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, Hg, Th and Pa (group I) constant distribution coefficients (K_d) were found after a few days of equilibration, whereas the elements Be, Mn, Co and Fe (group II) showed an increasing K_d over the whole time of observation of 108 days. The time dependence of K_d is described by an adsorption-desorption equilibrium (group I elements), followed by a lattice transport reaction step (group II elements). The reaction rate constants are compared to Mn oxidation rates and to adsorption rate constants derived from in situ measurements of the $\text{U}\text{Th}$ disequilibrium as available from literature.     

Influence of surface geology and mineral deposits on the spatial distributions of elemental concentrations in the stream sediments of Hokkaido,Japan

An elucidation of the background levels of heavy metals, including certain toxic elements, is very essential to accomplish an important environmental assessment. A regional geochemical mapping in Hokkaido, Japan was undertaken by the Geological Survey of Japan, AIST as part of a nationwide geochemical mapping for this purpose. There were 692 stream sediments collected from the active channel (1 sample) / (100 km²) in Hokkaido and the fine fraction sieved through a 180 μm screen was analyzed using the AAS, ICP-AES, and ICP-MS techniques. The regional geochemical maps for 51 elements were created as a 2000 m mesh map using the geographic information system software. Spatial distribution patterns of elemental concentrations in stream sediments, particularly Neogene–Quaternary volcanic and pyroclastic rocks, are primarily determined by surface geology. The correspondence of elemental concentrations in stream sediments to parent lithology is clearly indicated by ANOVA and a multiple comparison. Sediment samples supplied from mafic volcanic and felsic–mafic pyroclastic rocks are significantly rich in MgO, Al₂O₃, P₂O₅, CaO, Sc, TiO₂, V, MnO, Total (T)-Fe₂O₃, Co, Zn, Sr, and heavy rare earth elements (REEs) (Y and Eu–Lu), but significantly lacking in alkali elements, Be, Nb, light REEs (La–Nd), Ta, Tl, Th, and U. Accretionary complexes with sedimentary rocks derived from sediments are in stark contrast to volcanic and pyroclastic rocks. Accretionary complexes with mafic–ultramafic rock have significantly elevated Nb, Ta, and Th abundances in sediments besides MgO, Cr, Ni, Co, and Cu. This inexplicable result is caused by the mixed distributions of granite and ultramafic–mafic rocks.The watersheds with mineral deposits relate to the high concentrations of certain elements such as Zn, As, and Hg. The geochemically anomalous pattern, which is a map of the regional anomalies, and a scatter diagram were applied to examine the contribution of mineral deposits to MnO, T-Fe₂O₃, Cr, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Sb, Hg, Pb, and Bi concentrations. Consequently, they were grouped into four types: 1) Mineral deposits with no outliers resulting from mineralization (MnO, T-Fe₂O₃, and Cr), 2) sediments supplied from watersheds without metal deposits conceal high metal inputs from known mineral deposits (Cu), 3) deposits from a geochemically anomalous area that closely relates to the presence of mineral deposits (As, Sb, and Hg), and 4) deposits from the widely altered zone associated with the Kuroko as well as hydrothermal deposits corresponding to geochemically anomalous patterns (Zn, Cd, and Pb). This study provides an important regional geochemical database for a young island-arc setting and interpretational problems, such as complicated geology and active erosion, that are unique to Japan.     

The regularities of distribution of radionuclides and reare-earth elements in bottom sediments of Siberian lakes

Geochemical studies of the ecosystems of 184 Siberian lakes in three largest zones of northern Asia (humid, arid, and semiarid) and in mountainous area were carried out. The contents of natural radionuclides, radiocesium, and rare-earth elements in conjugate components of the systems and the types of the main sources of the bottom sediment material have been determined.Dating of the bottom sediments was made by the activity of radioisotopes ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb, which permitted estimation of the sedimentation rates in lakes in different regions of Siberia: 0.35 cm/year in the south and 0.25–0.3 cm/year in the north.Six main ions have been determined in the waters of the studied lakes: Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, HCO₃^?, SO₄^2?, and Cl^?. The distribution of natural radionuclides in the stratified sections of bottom sediments of Siberian lakes evidences the stable sedimentation and characterizes their contents in the soils of water-catchment areas, which can be considered background contents there. Sediments enriched in organic matter have higher concentrations of U and lower ones of Th and K. The Th/K ratio in the studied bottom sediments is the same as in the soils. The Th/U ratios are somewhat lower than those in the soils because U is accumulated by chemogenic and organic components. The overall ¹³⁷Cs pollution of bottom sediments of Siberian lakes is close to the global background (40 mCi /km² in 2000), but in the Altai Territory and Buryatia and Altai Republics it is twice higher. The uneven areal and temporal distribution of residual radiocesium is observed not only in the lacustrine sediments but also in the lake water areas. The REE patterns of bottom sediments of different mineral types are similar to those of continental crust and clays of the Russian Platform, though organogenic and carbonate sediments have higher absolute REE contents than terrigenous ones. Pelitic fraction is the main REE concentrator in the bottom sediments.     

An Assessment of Performance in the Routine Analysis of Silicate Rocks Based on an Analysis of Data Submitted to the GeoPT Proficiency Testing Programme for Geochemical Laboratories (2001–2011)

Data reported by laboratories contributing to the GeoPT proficiency testing programme for geochemical laboratories over the period from 2001 to 2011 have been assessed to identify the elements and concentration ranges over which analytical performance can be considered satisfactory. Criteria developed in the paper indicated that performance in the content determination of the elements/constituents SiO₂, Al₂O₃, MnO, Cs, Dy, Er, Eu, Ga, Hf, Ho, Lu, Nd, Pr, Sm, Sr, Tb, Tl, Tm, U, Y, Yb and Zn was satisfactory over the full concentration range assessed. The elements/constituents TiO₂, Fe₂O₃(T), MgO, CaO, Na₂O, K₂O, P₂O₅, Ba, Be, Cd, Ce, Co, Gd, La, Li, Nb, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sn, Ta, Th, V and Zr showed some degradation in performance at lower concentration levels (approaching the detection limit of some techniques). Performance in determining LOI, As, Bi, Cr, Cu, Ge, Mo, Ni, Pb and W was in general unsatisfactory over the full concentration range assessed. Other elements (especially Fe(II)O, H₂O⁺, CO₂, Ag, Au, B, Br, Cl, F, Hg, I, In, Ir, N, Os, Pd, Pt, Re, Rh, S, Se, Te) could not be evaluated as they were not routinely reported by laboratories participating in the GeoPT programme, often because they are present in silicate rocks at sufficiently low concentrations to require a pre‐concentration stage. Some suggestions are made for the causes of unsatisfactory performance, but further progress will require a detailed assessment of the methods used by participating laboratories, which will form the subject of a further paper.     

Geochemical records of the sediments and their significance in Dongping Lake Area,the lower reach of Yellow River,North China

Dongping Lake area, located in the lower reaches of Yellow River, is an ideal place to study the changes of modern river and lake sedimentary environment. The sediment samples of Dawen River, Yellow River, and Dongping Lake were collected, and the major elements, trace elements and organic matter geochemical composition of the samples were analyzed. Cluster analysis, characteristic element ratio method and graphic method were used to explore the geochemical characteristics of sediments and their environmental implication. The results show that the contents of SiO_2, Na_2O, TiO_2 and Zr in sediments of Dawen River and Yellow River are relatively high, and the contents of iron and manganese oxides, organic matter, CaO, P_2O_5 and Sr in lake sediments are relatively high. That reveals the differences of sedimentary environments between the rivers and the lake. The contents of Sr and Zr in Dawen River are affected by the rapid migration of clastic materials in the upstream carbonate source area during the flood season; the δCe,ΣREE and REE's ratios in the sediments of the Yellow River reflect the influence of the Loess source; and the distribution of elements changes along the flow direction during the flood season. The characteristics of p H, element composition and LREE HREE fractionation of the lake sediments indicate that the sediment source is complex, and the lake environment is affected by the flood season. The study shows that the geochemical content and its variation characteristics of sediments effectively reveal the sedimentary environment, material composition and characteristics of flood season of rivers and the lake in the study area.     

Ecological-geochemical evaluation of the state of surface water streams in the impact area of the tailing dump of the Urupsky Ore Mining

Surface waters are subject to intense contamination with trace elements in ore mining areas. A complex study was performed for the state of waters and bottom sediments from the Bogachukha and Urup Rivers in the area of the abandoned tailing dump of the Urupsky Ore Mining. The impact exerted by the tailing dump on the concentration of elements in the water, suspended particulate matter, and bottom sediments of the rivers is evaluated. The major contaminants of surface waters and bottom sediments, as well as the forms of their element distribution are revealed.     

Eclogite and pyroxenite xenoliths from off-craton kimberlites near the Kaapvaal Craton, South Africa

Mantle xenoliths brought to the surface by kimberlite magmas along the south-western margin of the Kaapvaal craton in South Africa can be subdivided into eclogites sensu stricto, kyanite eclogites and orthopyroxene eclogites, all containing omphacite, and garnet clinopyroxenites and garnet websterites characterised by diopside. Texturally, chemically (major elements) and thermally, we observe an evolution from garnet websterites (T_EG = 742–781 °C) towards garnet clinopyroxenites (T_EG = 715–830 °C) and to eclogites (T_EG = 707–1056 °C, mean value of 913 °C). Pressures calculated for orthopyroxene-bearing samples suggest upper mantle conditions of equilibration (P = 16–33 kb for the garnet websterites, 18 kb for a garnet clinopyroxenite and 23 kb for an opx-bearing eclogite). The overall geochemical similarity between the two groups of xenoliths (omphacite-bearing and diopside-bearing) as well as the similar trace element patterns of clinopyroxenes and garnet suggest a common origin for these rocks. Recently acquired oxygen isotope data on garnet (δ¹⁸O_gnt = 5.25–6.78 ‰ for eclogites, δ¹⁸O_gnt = 5.24–7.03 ‰ for garnet clinopyroxenites) yield values ranging from typical mantle values to other interpreted as resulting from low-temperature alteration or precursors sea-floor basalts and associated rocks. These rocks could then represent former magmatic oceanic rocks that crystallised from a same parental magma as plagioclase free diopside-bearing and plagioclase-bearing crustal rocks. During subduction, these oceanic rock protoliths equilibrated at mantle depth, with the plagioclase-bearing rocks converting to omphacite and garnet-bearing lithologies (eclogites sensu largo), whereas the plagioclase-free diopside-bearing rocks converted to diopside and garnet-bearing lithologies (garnet websterites and garnet clinopyroxenites).     

The partitioning of 7beryllium in fresh water

Field observations and experimental measurements of the partitioning coefficient (K_d) of⁷Be in fresh water show that it varies inversely with the solids concentration at typical environmental values (up to 30 mg/1). This behavior is similar to that of many other metals and organic pollutants, which means that ⁷Be may be useful as a tracer of the movement of these substances in the water column. However, the wide range in the percentage of ⁷Be adsorbed by solids over this range of concentrations (over 50%) means that in order to use ⁷Be either to measure total sedimentation rates or to trace lateral sediment movement it will be necessary to monitor changes in sediment concentration over the area and time period of interest. The wide scatter in our data at both high and low solids concentrations suggests that other factors also affect K_d. Until these factors are identified, application of our results to other systems will be risky. At high (greater than 100 mg/1) solids concentrations over 90% of ⁷Be is associated with the solid phase, so it may be a useful tracer of reworking rates in bottom sediments. ⁷Be has a slightly greater affinity for the solid phase in fresh water than in seawater.