Geobotany-biogeochemistry for mineral exploration of sulphide deposits in northern Greece — Heavy metal accumulation by Rumex acetosella L. and Minuartia verna (L.) Hiern

Rumex acetosella and Minuartia verna are confined to mineralized ground in Macedonia. These plants contain relatively high concentrations of heavy metals such as copper, zinc, lead and manganese, and are to that extent, valuable indicators of sulphide mineralization, either pyrite + chalcopyrite or pyrite + chalcopyrite + sphalerite + galena. There is a direct relationship between the metal content of the plant ash and the metal content of the soils and mineralized substrate.     

Rumex acetosella L. and Minuartia verna (L.) Hiern as geobotanical and biogeochemical indicators for ore deposits in northern Greece

Copper, zinc, lead, manganese, arsenic, iron, cadmium and molybdenum were measured in specimens of Rumex acetosella and Minuartia verna and in soils where these plants grow. In Macedonia and the Chalkidiki peninsula both plants occur on newly investigated sulphide-mineralized ground. There are highly significant correlations between the levels of copper, zinc and lead in the plants and those in the soils. Where high concentrations of arsenic occur in the soil, this is also reflected in the plants. Because of the common association of gold and arsenic, it is suggested that analysis of Rumex and Minuartia for arsenic may be a useful prospecting tool since most of the ore occurrences in the Serbomacedonian massif are auriferous. The high levels of manganese in both plants from a manganese mineralized area indicate a strong possibility of using biogeochemical methods to define zones of some types of mineralization of this element also.     

Heavy metal distribution and accumulation in two Spartina sp.-dominated macrotidal salt marshes from the Seine estuary (France) and the Medway estuary (UK)

The upper intertidal zone, and salt marshes in particular, have been shown by numerous authors to be effective medium to long-term storage areas for a range of contaminants discharged or transported into the estuarine environment. A detailed understanding of the specific controls on the trapping and storage of contaminants, however, is absent for many estuarine systems. This paper examines heavy metal distribution and accumulation in two contrasting Spartina sp.-dominated macrotidal salt marsh systems – a rapidly prograding, relatively young marsh system at the Vasiere Nord, near the mouth of the Seine estuary, France, and a more mature, less extensive marsh system in the Medway estuary, UK. The spatial distribution of the heavy metals Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni and Co is assessed and compared in both systems via detailed surface sampling and analysis, while the longer-term accumulation of these metals and its temporal variability is compared via analysis of dated sediment cores. Of the two sites studied, the more extensive marsh system at the Vasiere Nord in the Seine estuary shows a clear differentiation of heavy metals across the marsh and fronting mudflat, with highest metal concentrations found in surface sediments from the more elevated, interior marsh areas. At Horrid Hill in the Medway estuary, the spatial distribution of heavy metals in surface sediments is more irregular, and there is no clear relationship between heavy metal concentration and site elevation, with average concentrations similar in the marsh and fronting mudflats. Sediment core data indicate that the more recent near-surface sediments at Horrid Hill are clearly more contaminated than those at greater depth, with most heavy metal contamination confined to the upper 20 cm of the sediment column (with peak metal input in the late 1960s/early 1970s). In contrast, due to extremely rapid sediment accretion at the mouth of the Seine, heavy metal distribution with depth at the Vasiere Nord site is relatively erratic, with metal concentrations showing a general increase with depth. These sediments provide little information on temporal trends in heavy metal loading to the Seine estuary. Overall, heavy metal concentrations at both sites are within typical ranges reported for other industrialised estuaries in NW Europe.     

European species of Thlaspi L. (Cruciferae) as indicators of nickel and zinc

The analysis of herbarium specimens has shown that unusual metal uptake by European species of Thlaspi (Cruciferae, mustard family) is not confined to the well-known accumulation of zinc from calaminiferous soils. At least twelve species show unusual accumulation of nickel, to levels of 1000–30,000 μg/g (dry-mass basis), from serpentine or other nickel-rich substrates. In addition, accumulation of zinc to levels above 1000 μg/g in the dry mass of the plant is widespread; about three-quarters of the European species, from a wide variety of soil types, have been found to exhibit this behaviour in the natural state. These observations are significant in many fields, including taxonomy, plant physiology and phytochemistry, but are particularly important in extending the potential of biogeochemical methods of mineral exploration.     

Biosorption of metal dye from aqueous solution onto Agave americana (L.) fibres

In this research, a new low cost and abundant biosorbent; Agave americna (L.) fibres has been investigated in order to remove metal dye (Alpacide yellow) from aqueous solutions. In order to optimize the biosorption process, the effect of pH, temperature, contact time and initial solution concentration was investigated in batch system. The results indicated that acidic pH=2 was favourable for metal dye removal. The increase of temperature increases the velocity of the biosorption reaction. The biosorption kinetics of alpacide yellow were closer to the pseudo-second order than to the first order model for all concentrations and temperature. The calculated thermodynamic parameters such as dGG°, dGH° and dGS° indicated a spontaneous and endothermic biosorption process of metal dye onto Agave americana fibres. The equilibrium data were analysed using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and showed a good fit with Langmuir model at lower temperatures and with Freundlich model at 50 °C.     

黑龙江依兰地区蓝片岩的变质演化P-T-t轨迹

黑龙江省依兰地区出露了一套经高压变质形成的蓝片岩、云母片岩、长英质糜棱岩和少量超基性岩及大理岩并经历了强变形作用改造,一直被认为是佳木斯地块与其西侧松嫩地块碰撞拼贴所形成的缝合带产物。本次研究,通过岩相学与矿物化学分析,根据矿物组合的不同,识别出研究区内三种不同类型的蓝片岩;并获得了绿帘蓝闪石片岩(T=350~550℃,P=10~14kbar)、蓝闪霓辉石片岩(T=350~550℃,P=10~14kbar)和石榴石冻蓝闪石片岩(T=500~540℃,P=10~12kbar)的峰期变质温压条件。结合前人发表的地质年代学数据,建立了变质演化P-T-t轨迹。其中,绿帘蓝闪石片岩具"发卡式"变质演化P-T-t轨迹;而蓝闪霓辉石片岩与石榴石冻蓝闪石片岩具顺时针的演化轨迹。我们推测其成因可能为不同类型的蓝片岩形成于不同的俯冲阶段,由动力学机制的变化所造成。该研究成果为进一步探索佳木斯地块与松嫩地块碰撞拼贴的构造演化过程提供重要的依据。     

Effectiveness of zinc application to minimize cadmium toxicity and accumulation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal and its presence in soil is of great concern due to the danger of its entry into the food chain. Among many others, proper plant nutrition is an economic and practicable strategy for minimizing the damage to plants from Cd and to decrease Cd accumulation in edible plant parts. The study was carried out to compare the effectiveness of soil and foliar applications of zinc (Zn) to minimize Cd accumulation in wheat grains. The results revealed that the exposure of plants to Cd decreased plant growth and increased Cd concentration in the shoots and grains of wheat, when compared with unexposed plants. Foliar application of 0.3 % zinc sulfate solution effectively decreased Cd concentration in wheat grains. Foliar application of Zn at a suitable concentration can effectively ameliorate the adverse effects of Cd exposure and decrease the grain Cd concentration of wheat grown in Cd-contaminated soil.     

Heavy metal concentrations in sultana-cultivation soils and sultana raisins from Manisa (Turkey)

This paper describes the concentrations of heavy metals in soils and in raisins (sultanas) cultivated upon the Gediz Plain (Manisa), western Turkey, which is cut by major roads from ?zmir to ?stanbul and ?zmir to Ankara. A total of 212 samples of surface soil and 82 raisin samples were analysed. Soil samples have nearly same mineralogy, quartz, calcite, magnetite, pseudo-rutile and clay minerals. Dolomite is seen especially in areas close to Neogene sediments. Clay minerals are mainly mica (illite?Cmuscovite), chlorite/kaolinite, smectite and mixed layers (Sm-Il). The concentrations of 21 elements (Ba, Ni, Mo, Cu, Pb, Zn, Co, Mn, As, U, Sr, Cd, Sb, Bi, Cr, B, W, Hg, Sn, Li and organic C) were determined in the surface soils. The degree of element enrichment in soil can be measured in many ways, the most common of which are the geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor and the pollution index. Arsenic and Sb showed the highest Igeo values, corresponding to Igeo classes 3?C4. Hence, the area is characterised as ??being heavily contaminated to polluted?? by As and Sb. Arsenic contamination has been reported from all over world. Arsenic-related pollutants enter the groundwater system by gradually moving with the flow of groundwater from rains and irrigation. Gediz Plain forms the main groundwater supply of ?zmir city. The enrichment factor (EF_arsenic) of the analysed soil samples is around 76, which corresponds to ??extremely high enrichment??. The concentrations of 33 elements (Al, Sb, As, Ba, Be, Bi, B, Cd, Ca, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Pb, Li, Mg, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, K, Se, Ag, Na, Sr, Ta, Th, Sn, Ti, U, V, Zn and Zr) were determined in the raisin samples. The Pb and Cd contents of raisins are of great concern due to their toxicity. Pb contents ranged between 0.05 and 0.46?mg?kg^?1, and average Cd content was 0.04?mg?kg^?1. Only one sample contained high level of Cd, 0.23?mg?kg^?1. After cleaning the raisins, the heavy metal concentrations were low as in the European Community (EC) regulation No: 466/2001 for allowable levels of Pb (0.2?mg?kg^?1) and Cd (0.05?mg?kg^?1).     

Heavy metal contamination of coastal lagoon sediments by anthropogenic activities: the case of Nador (East Morocco)

Nador lagoon sediments (East Morocco) are contaminated by industrial iron mine tailings, urban dumps and untreated wastewaters from surrounding cities. The lagoon is an ecosystem of biological, scientific and socio-economic interests but its balance is threatened by pollution already marked by biodiversity changes and a modification of foraminifera and ostracods shell structures. The aim of the study is to assess the heavy metal contamination level and mobility by identifying the trapping phases. The study includes analyses by ICP-AES and ICP-MS, of, respectively, major (Si, Al, Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn, Ti, Na, K, P) and trace elements (Sr, Ba, V, Ni, Co, Cr, Zn, Cu, As, Pb, Cd) in sediments and suspended matter, heavy metals enrichment factors calculations and sequential extractions. Results show that sediments contain Zn, Cu, Pb, V, Cr, Co, As, Ni with minimum and maximum concentrations, respectively, of 4–1190 μg/g, 4–466 μg/g, 11–297 μg/g, 11–194 μg/g, 9–139 μg/g, 1–120 μg/g, 4–76 μg/g, 2–62 μg/g. High concentrations in Zn are also present in suspended matter. The enrichment factors show contamination in Zn, Pb and As firstly induced by the mining industry and secondly by unauthorized dumps and untreated wastewaters. Cr and Ni are bound to clays, whereas V, Co, Cu and Zn are related to oxides. Thus, the risk in metal mobility is for the latter elements and lies in the oxidation–reduction-changing conditions of sediments.     

Thermodynamics of U(VI) sorption onto Shewanella putrefaciens

We have conducted acid–base potentiometric titrations and U(VI) sorption experiments using the Gram negative, facultatively anaerobic bacterium Shewanella putrefaciens. Results of reversed titration studies on live, inactive bacteria indicate that their pH-buffering properties result from the equilibrium ionization of three discrete populations of functional groups. Carboxyl (pK_a=5.16±0.04), phosphoryl (pK_a=7.22±0.15) and amine (pK_a=10.04±0.67) groups most likely represent these three resolvable functionalities, based on their pK_a values. Site densities for carboxyl, phosphoryl and amine groups on the bacterial surface were approximately 31.7 μmol sites/g bacteria (0.35±0.02 sites/nm²), 8.95 μmol/g (0.11±0.007 sites/nm²) and 38.0 μmol/g (0.42±0.008 sites/nm²), respectively, based on an estimated bacterial specific surface area of 55 m²/g. Sorption experiments showed that U(VI) can reversibly complex with the bacterial surface in the pH 2–8 interval, with maximum adsorption occurring at a pH of 5. Sorption is not strongly sensitive to ionic strength (NaCl) in the range 0.02–0.10 M. The pH and ionic strength dependence of U(VI) sorption onto S. putrefaciens is similar to that measured for metal-oxide surfaces and Gram positive bacteria, and appears to be similarly governed by competitive speciation constraints. Measured U(VI) sorption is accounted for by using two separate adsorption reactions forming the surface complexes >COO–UO₂⁺ and >PO₄H–UO₂(OH)₂. Using S. putrefaciens as a model organism for dissimilatory metal-reducing Gram negative anaerobes, our results extend the applicability of geochemical speciation models to include bacteria that are capable of reductively solubilizing or precipitating a wide variety of environmentally and geologically important metals and metallic species.     

A unique find of Hercoglossa pavlovi (Arkh.) (Nautiloidea) in paleocene sediments of the Volga region

A unique find of Hercoglossa pavlowi (Arkhangelsky) from Paleocene sediments of the Saratov Volga region is described. It is assumed that the shell was transported in the post-mortem condition from lower latitudes to the sea basin that covered the East European Platform at that time.     

Ar/Ar dating of amphiboles from Zabargad Island (Red Sea) is precluded by interaction with fluids

Stepwise heating data on four amphiboles separated from various Zabargad rocks (a dolerite dike, a peridotite, a gneiss and a pyroxenite) invariably show saddle-shaped age spectra. The age information in the spectrum is generally masked by 1–2 nl/g excess ⁴⁰Ar. The spectrum least affected by excess Ar constrains the emplacement age of the dolerite dike (Z-2137) to be 20 Ma. The greatest concentration of excess Ar is found in the peridotite, implying that the ultramafic rocks were metasomatized by a very ⁴⁰Ar-rich fluid. A complex history of subsolidus reactions with hydrothermal fluids is suggested by the irregularities in the ³⁷Ar/³⁹Ar spectra.     

A history of the ‘Zambian copper flower', Becium centraliafricanum (B. homblei)

This contribution is a short history of the Zambian copper flower, Becium homblei (recently renamed B. centraliafricanum that has attracted attention as a plant associated with Cu-rich soils. It has a peculiar discontinuous distribution in Central Africa which has been explained in terms of biotype depletion. A field investigation into the ecology of the species shows that it is able to tolerate soil Cu concentrations of up to 15,000 μg/g (ppm), and soil nickel concentrations of nearly 5000 μg/g. B. homblei is also found on areas where soil metals are in trace quantities, and where soil bases, particularly Ca, are low. In spite of its tolerance to a wide range of edaphic conditions, the distribution of the species is very restricted in Zimbabwe, and this is almost certainly due to severe interspecific competition with a closely related species, B. obovatum, which is common on soils not unusually enriched in heavy metals. Pioneering work on geobotanical prospecting by use of Becium homblei was carried out by the late G. Woodward and others in the 1950s and 1960s. This species was used successfully for geobotanical prospecting for Cu. This present report is a brief history of these pioneering studies     

辽宁大连骆驼山地点的大斑鹿新材料

2013年在辽宁大连骆驼山金远洞堆积（39°23'59.01"N,121°41'20.28"E）中发现了哺乳动物残骸后,自2014年以来进行了系统发掘,出土了大量的哺乳动物化石。最近从偶蹄类化石中鉴定出较为罕见的大斑鹿（Cervus（Sika）magnus）。金远洞大斑鹿标本角柄短,角冠简单,第一枝距角环不远,眉枝与主枝的夹角较大,近于直角;上前臼齿齿冠上具明显的内中凹,上臼齿齿冠上的新棱、马刺等附属结构不存在,下前臼齿中p4臼齿化,下臼齿齿冠上的下外附尖不明显。根据目前掌握的大斑鹿化石地层资料,大斑鹿的时代分布可能是早更新世至中更新世。

     

Heavy metal pollution and soil magnetic susceptibility in urban soil of Beni Mellal City (Morocco)

The assessment of anthropogenic impact in the urban environment can be evaluated according to heavy metal contents of soils such as Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd and Fe. These elements have more affinity to establish metallic bond with ferrous material leading to enhancement of soil magnetic susceptibility. The objective of this study was to undertake joint magnetic and geochemical investigations of road-side urban soil materials to address the environmental pollution of Beni Mellal city that has been subjected to environmental stress, due to population overpressure and related urbanization. Twenty three soils magnetic susceptibility profiles were made along 5 km peripheral national road (N8) in Beni Mellal. The magnetic survey reported here for the first time on this City’s topsoils tries to establish the link between magnetic properties and the content of heavy metals. High magnetic susceptibility values and high contents of heavy metals were found near the paved edge of the road and within the place reserved as large engine park. Magnetic extracts of highly polluted areas and unpolluted soil (olive plantation) were analyzed by SEM coupled with RDX in order to discriminate anthropogenic magnetic spherules and pedo-lithogenic magnetite-like minerals. Magnetic mineralogy determined by Mössbauer spectroscopy suggests the presence of hematite, magnetite and goethite in highly polluted areas. The iron oxides and especially goethite are efficient in incorporating and/or adsorbing foreign ions.     

The nature of Mawsonites (Ediacara fauna)

Some representatives of the Ediacara fauna have been later re-interpreted as pseudofossils. This was recently also done for Mawsonites, which was re-interpreted as a sedimentary structure formed due to interaction of a sand volcano (or water-escape structure) and a biomat. This sedimentary genesis appears not to be tenable, as several physical processes should have been involved, none of which is known from modern times or the geological past. It is concluded that Mawsonites must be considered as a fossil, either an imprint or a true fossil. This interpretation may be tested on one or more fragments of the structure.     

The Growth of Estuarine Resources (Zostera marina, Mercenaria mercenaria, Crassostrea virginica, Argopecten irradians, Cyprinodon variegatus) in Response to Nutrient Loading and Enhanced Suspension Feeding by Adult Shellfish

While many coastal ecosystems previously supported high densities of seagrass and abundant bivalves, the impacts of overfishing, eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, and habitat loss have collectively contributed to the decline of these important resources. Despite improvements in wastewater treatment in some watersheds and subsequent reduced nutrient loading to neighboring estuaries, seagrass and bivalve populations in these locations have generally not recovered. We performed three mesocosm experiments to simultaneously examine the contrasting effects of nutrient loading and historic suspension-feeding bivalve densities on the growth of eelgrass (Zostera marina), juvenile bivalves (northern quahogs, Mercenaria mercenaria; eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica; and bay scallops, Argopecten irradians), and juvenile planktivorous fish (sheepshead minnow, Cyprinodon variegatus). High nutrient loading rates led to significantly higher phytoplankton (chlorophyll a) levels in all experiments, significantly increased growth of juvenile bivalves relative to controls with lower nutrient loading rates in two experiments, and significantly reduced the growth of eelgrass in one experiment. The filtration provided by adult suspension feeders (M. mercenaria and C. virginica) significantly decreased phytoplankton levels in all experiments, significantly increased light penetration and the growth of eelgrass in one experiment, and significantly decreased the growth of juvenile bivalves and fish in two experiments, all relative to controls with no filtration from adult suspension feeders. These results demonstrate that an appropriate level of nutrient loading can have a positive effect on some estuarine resources and that bivalve filtration can mediate the effects of nutrient loading to the benefit or detriment of different estuarine resources. Future ecosystem-based approaches will need to simultaneously account for anthropogenic nutrient loading and bivalve restoration to successfully manage estuarine resources.