南海北部1,3,4-C_(27-29)三醇化合物的检出及其指示

继长链三醇化合物(1,20,21-C_(29))在部分沉积物和淡水蕨类植物中检出后,本文在南海北部Site4B岩芯沉积物中检出了与1,20,21-C_(29)三醇不同羟基位置和碳链长度的新的长链三醇同系物(1,3,4-C_(27-29)).通过对其分子分布和单体碳同位素测试发现1,3,4-C_(29)三醇与n-C_(26-30)偶碳长链脂肪醇含量具有良好相关性,R2(n=68)分别为0.905、0.929和0.903,并且碳同位素组成(–32.3±1.9‰)与n-C_(26-30)偶碳长链脂肪醇(分别为-29.13±0.87‰、-32.98±1.28‰和-32.98±1.28‰)较为接近.Site4B岩芯沉积物中1,3,4-C_(29)三醇和陆源长链脂肪醇(n-C_(26-34))在整个剖面中的分布趋势高度一致,可以作为陆源输入的替代性指标.鉴于以往研究1,20,21-C_(29)三醇专属于满江红属(Azolla)淡水蕨类植物,此次报道的1,3,4-C_(27-29)三醇可能具有相似的生物来源,通过对其生源区及生长环境的判定可以为南海北部陆源输入途径和来源提供潜在的有机地球化学依据.     

Alcohol compounds in Azolla imbricata and potential source implication for marine sediments

This study investigated the composition of long-chain alkyl diols,triols,sec-alcohols,hydroxyl acids,and other hydroxylated compounds in Azolla imbricata and compared the organic alcohol components of Azolla filiculoides,Azolla microphylla,and South China Sea(SCS)sediments in order to investigate the possible indication of Azolla being the biological source of diols and triols in SCS sediment.Large amounts of diols,monohydroxy acids,and sec-alcohols with internal hydroxy groups atω20 were detected in the three types of Azolla.Among these,1,ω20-diol andω20-hydroxy acid exhibited strong even-odd predominance distribution,whereasω20-sec-alcohol exhibited strong odd-even predominance distribution.In addition,small amounts of diols,triols,and dihydroxy acids with internal hydroxy groups at 9,10 orω9,ω10 were detected,among which the chain length of C_(29)was predominate.Compounds having similar structures as those in Azolla reflected a similar biosynthetic pathway:ω20-hydroxy acid exhibiting even-odd predominance distribution is decarboxylated toω20-sec-alcohol exhibiting odd-even predominance distribution and converted to 1,ω20-diol with even-odd predominance distribution by acyl reduction;ω9,ω10-hydroxy acid is converted to 1,20,21(1,ω9,ω10)-triol by acyl reduction,and then converted to 9,10-diol by hydrogenation and dehydration.The alcohol components in A imbricata were clearly not the biological source of 1,13/1,14/1,15-C_(28,30,32)diols and 1,3,4-C_(27-29)triols in the SCS sediment.Certain marine diatoms might be the source of 1,14-C_(28,30)diol in inshore sediment,but the biological source of diols and triols in the SCS sediment requires further investigation.     

Catchment environmental change over the 20th Century recorded by sedimentary leaf wax n-alkane δ~(13)C off the Pearl River estuary

The compound-specific stable carbon isotope compositions(δ~(13)C) of leaf wax n-alkanes from two short sediment cores recovered off the Pearl River estuary(PRE) were analyzed to check for their capability of indicating decadal scale catchment environmental change. Sedimentary long-chain n-alkanes exhibited an odd-over-even predominance, with a maximum at n-C_(29) or n-C_(31), indicating their leaf wax origin was from vascular plants. The δ~(13)C values of C_(29) and C_(31) n-alkane in all the sediment samples were in the range of -28.8‰ to -31.2‰, consistent with the C_3 plant-dominated vegetation in the Pearl River catchments. The time series of δ~(13)C records from the two cores were comparable and displayed a decreasing trend from the early 20 th century to the end of the 1970s, followed by a reversal in that change leading to continued increase for ca. 15 years. After being corrected for the effect of atmospheric CO_2 rise and δ~(13)C_(atm) decline, the δ~(13)C_(29) records largely retained their raw changing pattern; the post-1980 increase being more conspicuous. The slightly decreasing trend in corrected δ~(13)C records before around 1980 may have been caused by an increase in precipitation, whereas the subsequent increase of δ~(13)C is likely associated with the observed dry climate and/or intensive anthropogenic deforestation. Our results thus demonstrate that leaf wax n-alkanes buried in the sediments off the PRE may well reflect change in the regional climate and/or human activity in the river catchments over the past century.     

Spatiotemporal variations of deep-sea sediment components and their fluxes since the last glaciation in the northern South China Sea

Sediment components and their fluxes of Cores MD12-3428(water depth: 903 m), MD12-3433(water depth: 2125 m),and MD12-3434(water depth: 2995 m), obtained along a transect on the continental slope of the northern South China Sea, have been conducted to reveal the spatiotemporal variations and the controlling factors of the sediment components and of their fluxes.Results show that deep-sea sediments in the northern South China Sea are composed mainly of terrigenous(59–89%) and carbonate(6–38%) particles, with minor components of opal(1.6–9.4%) and organic matter(0.7–1.9%). Fluxes of terrigenous and carbonate particles reach up to 2.4–21.8 and 0.4–6.5 g cm–2 kyr–1, respectively, values that are one to two orders of magnitude higher than the fluxes of opal and organic matter. Temporal variations of the percentages and fluxes of deep-sea sediment components have displayed clear glacial-interglacial cyclicity since the last glaciation. Terrigenous, opal, and organic matter percentages and their fluxes increas clearly during marine isotope stage 2, while carbonate percentages and fluxes show an opposite variation pattern or are characterized by an unremarkable increase. This implies that deep-sea carbonate in the South China Sea is affected by the dilution of terrigenous inputs during the sea-level lowstand. With increasing water depth along the transect, the terrigenous percentage increases but with largely decreased fluxes. Both the percentage and flux of carbonate decrease, while the percentages and fluxes of opal and organic matter display much more complicated variational features. The spatiotemporal variations of deep-sea sediment components and of their fluxes since the last glaciation in the northern South China Sea are strongly controlled by sea-level fluctuations. Simultaneously, terrigenous supply associated with monsoonal rainfall, marine primary productivity,and the dilution effect between terrigenous and biogenic particles, also play interconnected roles in the sediment accumulation processes.     

Geochemical evidence for strong ongoing methanogenesis in Sanhu region of Qaidam Basin

Sanhu depression of Qaidam Basin is the largest biogenic gas production region in China.Headspace samples were collected from two wells in this region,and hydrogen and propylene compounds were detected in these samples with a certain concentration.The stable hydrogen isotope ratio of H 2 is relatively light (-700‰--820‰).The stable carbon isotope ratio of propylene ranges from -27‰ to -40‰,which coincides with the rule of change of the stable carbon isotope of kerogen at the corresponding horizon.The charac...     

Diagenetic fluid evolution and water-rock interaction model of carbonate cements in sandstone: An example from the reservoir sandstone of the Fourth Member of the Xujiahe Formation of the Xiaoquan-Fenggu area,Sichuan Province,China

Carbonate cement is the most abundant cement type in the Fourth Member of the Xujiahe Formation in the Xiaoquan-Fenggu area of the West Sichuan Depression. Here we use a systematic analysis of carbonate cement petrology, mineralogy, carbon and oxygen isotope ratios and enclosure homogenization temperatures to study the precipitation mechanism, pore fluid evolution, and distribution of different types of carbonate cement in reservoir sand in the study area. Crystalline calcite has relatively heavy carbon and oxygen isotope ratios(δ13C = 2.14‰, δ18O = -5.77‰), and was precipitated early. It was precipitated directly from supersaturated alkaline fluid under normal temperature and pressure conditions. At the time of precipitation, the fluid oxygen isotope ratio was very light, mainly showing the characteristics of a mixed meteoric water-seawater fluid(δ18O = -3‰), which shows that the fluid during precipitation was influenced by both meteoric water and seawater. The calcite cement that fills in the secondary pores has relatively lighter carbon and oxygen isotope ratios(δ13C = -2.36‰, δ18O = -15.68‰). This cement was precipitated late, mainly during the Middle and Late Jurassic. An important material source for this carbonate cement was the feldspar corrosion process that involved organic matter. The Ca2+, Fe3+ and Mg2+ ions released by the clay mineral transformation process were also important source materials. Because of water-rock interactions during the burial process, the oxygen isotope ratio of the fluid significantly increased during precipitation, by about 3‰. The dolomite cements in calcarenaceous sandstone that was precipitated during the Middle Jurassic have heavier carbon and oxygen isotope ratios, which are similar to those of carbonate debris in the sandstone(δ13C = 1.93‰, δ18O = -6.11‰), demonstrating that the two are from the same source that had a heavier oxygen isotope ratio(δ18O of about 2.2‰). The differences in fluid oxygen isotope ratios during cement precipitation reflect the influences of different water-rock interaction systems or different water-rock interaction strengths. This is the main reason why the sandstone containing many rigid particles(lithic quartz sandstone) has a relatively negative carbon isotope ratio and why the precipitation fluid in calcarenaceous sandstone has a relatively heavier oxygen isotope ratio.     

Influence of aquatic plants on the hydrogen isotope composition of sedimentary long-chain n-alkanes in the Lake Qinghai region,Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The hydrogen isotopic composition(δD) of leaf wax long-chain n-alkanes(C27, C29, and C31) from lacustrine sediments has been widely applied to reconstruct terrestrial paleoclimatic and paleohydrological changes. However, few studies have addressed whether the aquatic-derived n-alkanes can affect the δD values of lake sedimentary long-chain n-alkanes, which are usually regarded as a recorder of the terrestrial hydrological signals. Here we systematically investigated δD values of long-chain n-alkanes from modern aquatic plants, both near-shore and off-shore surface sediments, surrounding terrestrial plant litters, as well as river water and lake water in Lake Qinghai and its satellite lakes on the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Our data showed that(i) δD values of long-chain n-alkanes from aquatic plants varied from-184‰ to-132‰ for n-C27, from-183‰ to-138‰ for n-C29, and from-189‰ to-130‰ for n-C31, respectively, with no significant differences among the three n-alkanes homologues;(ii) δD values of long-chain n-alkanes from aquatic plants were generally more positive than those from surrounding terrestrial plants, possibly because that they recorded the D-enrichment of lake water in this semi-arid region;(iii) δD values of long-chain n-alkanes from surface sediments showed significant differences among the three n-alkanes homologues, due to the larger aquatic input of n-C27 to the sedimentary lipid pool than that of n-C31, and(iv) n-C27 δD values of near-shore aquatic plants and near-shore sediments are more negative than those from off-shore as a result of lower δD values of near-shore lake water. Our findings indicate that in this region(i) the offset between sedimentary n-C27 and n-C31 δD values(ΔδDC27-C31) could potentially be used to evaluate if sedimentary long-chain n-alkanes are derived from a single source;(ii) while δD values of n-C27 may be influenced by lake water hydrological changes, sedimentary n-C31 is derived predominantly from terrestrial plants and thus its δD can serve as a relatively reliable indicator for terrestrial paleoclimatic and paleohydrological reconstructions.     

Carbon isotope composition and comparison of Lower Triassic marine carbonate rocks from Southern Longmenxia section in Guang’an,Sichuan Basin

The Early Triassic was a period of ecological restoration for the earth's system after the end-Permian mass extinction.Geochemical records linked to the variations in marine ecosystems during this period have attracted the interest of geologists for many years.Based on petrographic analysis of samples and evaluations of their reliability as proxies for original seawater,this study investigated the carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of 350 carbonate rock samples from the Lower Triassic(and adjacent strata)in the southern Longmenxia section of Guang'an,eastern Sichuan Basin.The results indicate that the Triassic carbonate rocks from the southern Longmenxia section favorably preserved the original seawater'sδ~(13)C signal.Furthermore,carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions are found to be poorly correlated,with a determination coefficient as low as 0.0205 and only 44 rock samples show results of Mn/Sr2 and/orδ~(18)0-6.5‰.The complete carbon isotopic curve for the Lower Triassic is established using the data from the remaining 306 samples with Mn/Sr2 and/orδ~(18)O-6.5‰.This curve presents favorable comparability on a global scale,specifically in theδ~(13)C minima near the Permian-Triassic boundary,at the top of the Jia1 and within the the Jia3,as well as in theδ~(13)C maxima at the tops of the Ye1 and Ye4,at the base of the Jia2 and at the top of the Ye3.The peaks and troughs corresponding to these maxima and minima all reflect global signals.By comparing these results to previous research on coeval carbon isotopic curves established within the chronostratigraphic framework,the ages of these critical evolution points are determined.The results show that the Ye1 roughly corresponds to the Griesbachian substage;the Ye2 through Ye4 correspond to the Dienerian substage;Jial corresponds to the Smithian substage;from the Jia2 to the lower part of the Jia4 correspond to the Spathian substage;and the middle and upper parts of the Jia4 belongs to the Aegean Substage of the Middle Triassic.Around the boundary between the Jial and Jia2(which represents the Smithian-Spathian boundary(SSB)),the value ofδ~(13)C increases rapidly from-0.911‰to 3.679‰.The span during which the seawater's carbon isotope experiences this drastic change may be less than36 kyr.The oxygen isotope,which is more sensitive to sedimentary environmental changes,exhibits changes prior to the carbon isotope near the SSB,indicating a significant increase in the salinity of the seawater before a sharp rise in the carbon isotope;this event leads to the formation of evaporites and dolomites.     

Discovery of SPICE and carbon isotope stratigraphic correlation of the Cambrian Furongian Series in Tarim Craton,NW China

The Furongian Series of the Cambrian in the Tarim Craton(NW China) is mainly composed of crystalline dolostones,and is an important target for oil and gas exploration. The chronostratigraphic framework of the Furongian Series in the Tarim Craton has not yet been established due to the scarcity of fossils and the absence of the Steptoean Positive Carbon Isotope Excursion(SPICE), which is the primary global carbon isotope excursion of the Furongian Series. In this study, the SPICE was discovered by examining the carbon isotopes of the representative drilling wells in the West Platform and East Basin. A positive carbon isotope anomaly with δ~(13)C values ranging from 1.5‰ to 1.9‰(PDB), were found in the middle of the Xiaqiulitag Formation of the three drilling wells in the West Platform, and a positive excursion with δ~(13)C values up to 4.0‰(PDB), which is correlated with the SPICE, was found in the lower limestone of the Tuershaketag Formation in the East Basin. Based on the carbon isotopic data and chemostratigraphic correlation, the chronostratigraphic framework of the Furongian Series across different facies in the Tarim Craton is preliminarily established. The basal boundary of the Furongian Series was preliminarily defined by the occurrence of the SPICE. Aweak positive anomaly of δ~(13)C was observed at the base of the Penglaiba Formation of the three boreholes in the West Platform and the top of the Tuershaketag Formation of Tadong-2 well. We propose that the positive anomaly of the carbon isotope above the weak negative anomaly at the base of the Penglaiba Formation and the top of the Tuershaketag Formation can be used to define the Cambrian-Ordovician boundary in the Tarim Craton.     

Stable carbon isotope evidence for tracing the diet of the host Hepialus larva of Cordyceps sinensis in the Tibetan Plateau

Two types of Hepialus larvae with different diets were distinguished in the Sejila Mountain,Tibetan Plateau based on the stable carbon isotope data of the host Hepialus larva of Cordyceps sinensis and its closely adjacent tender plant roots and humus fractions.Type I is the larva chiefly fed by soil humus,and characterized by the δ 13C values of -22.6‰ to-23.4‰,and more than -23.4‰ in its heads.Type II is the larva chiefly fed by tender plant roots,and characterized by the δ 13C values of-24.6‰ to -27.6‰,an...     

Extraction of soluble collagen and its feasibility in the palaeodietary research

In current palaeodietary research, gelatinization is the main method to extract insoluble collagen(ISC) from ancient bones. However, the degradation products of ISC, i.e., soluble collagen(SC), is often neglected and abandoned. In this work, we try to separate the extracts of ancient bones using gel chromatography and compare the contents of carbon and nitrogen, atomic C/N ratio, and stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic values of the extracts from three peaks to determine which peak can be attributed to SC. At last, the potential application of SC in palaeodietary research is discussed based on the comparison of stable isotopic values between ISC and SC. Among the three peaks, the second with the retention time between 17.5 min and 27.5 min had the most broad peak shape, indicating that the molecular weights of proteins collected were most variable. Besides, the contents of carbon and nitrogen and atomic C/N ratio of extracts in this peak were closest to the corresponding ISC. Based on the above, we conclude that the extract in second peak is SC. More important, the δ 13C and δ 15N values of ISC and SC are very similar. For ISC and SC with atomic C/N ratios within the normal range(2.9–3.6), the mean difference of δ 13C value was only(0.3±0.2)‰(n=2) while δ 15N value was(0.6±0.1)‰(n=2). Although the atomic C/N ratios of some SC are slightly beyond the normal range, the mean differences of δ 13C and δ 15N values were still only(0.4±0.1)‰ and(0.3±0)‰(n=2) respectively. These isotopic differences are quite below the isotope fractionation in one trophic level(δ 13C values of 1‰–1.5‰ and δ 15N values of 3‰–5‰), suggesting that SC had great application potentials in palaeodietary research.     

Stable carbon isotope composition of monoterpanes in essential oils and crude oils

Twenty-five monoterpanes from six types of essential oils and hydrogenated turpentine oil have been identified and their stable carbon isotope composition determined.Monoterpanes in essential oils sourced from terrestrial higher plants display a δ13C value in the range of-34‰-26‰,and mostly between-29‰ and-27‰.The δ13C value of any single monoterpane is very consistent in different essential oils.Acyclic monoterpanes show closer isotope composition between-28.6‰ and-26.2‰,with an average value of-27.7‰.In contrast,the isotope composition of cyclic monoterpanes is more scattered with an average value of-28.6‰.Isotopic fractionation with 13C enrichment has been observed during both artificial and geological hydrogenation of monoterpenoids to monoterpanes,and this is more obvious for the acyclic monoterpenoids.In addition to higher plants,acyclic monoterpane 2,6-dimethylheptane in crude oil can also be originated from other organic inputs.     

Organic carbon isotope gradient and ocean stratification across the late Ediacaran-Early Cambrian Yangtze Platform

Organic carbon isotope(δ13Corg) data from two well-preserved sections across a shallow-to-deep water transect of the late Ediacaran-Early Cambrian Yangtze Platform in South China show significant temporal and spatial variations. In the shallow-water Jiulongwan-Jijiapo section, δ13Corg values of the late Ediacaran Dengying Formation range from -29‰ to -24‰. In the deep-water Longbizui section, δ13Corg values from time-equivalent strata of the Dengying Formation are mostly between –35‰ and -32‰. These new data, in combination with δ13Corg data reported from other sections in South China, reveal a 6‰–8‰ shallow-to-deep water δ13Corg gradient. High δ13Corg values(-30‰) occur mostly in shallow-water carbonate rocks, whereas low δ13Corg values(-32‰) dominate the deep-water black shale and chert. The large temporal and spatial δ13Corg variations imply limited buffering effect from a large dissolved organic carbon(DOC) reservoir that was inferred to have existed in Ediacaran-Early Cambrian oceans. Instead, δ13Corg variations between platform and basin sections are more likely caused by differential microbial biomass contribution to total organic matter. High δ13Corg values(-30‰) documented from shallow-water carbonates are within the range of typical Phanerozoic δ13Corg data and may record the isotope signature of organic matter from primary(photosynthetic) production. In contrast, low δ13Corg values(-32‰) from deep-water sections may have resulted from higher chemoautotrophic or methanotrophic biomass contribution to bulk organic matter in anoxic environments. The δ13Corg data provide indirect evidence for ocean stratification and episodic chemocline fluctuations in the Ediacaran-Early Cambrian Yangtze Platform.     

Comparative study on CO2 sources in soil developed on carbonate rock and non-carbonate rock in Central Guizhou

In this paper, by using concentration and carbon stable isotope the CO2 sources of soil profiles developed on limestone, dolostone and claystone basements in Central Guizhou, China are comparatively studied. The results show that CO2 concentration of soil profiles developed on different basements is different, having the following sequence: limestone>dolostone>claystone. Below the soil depth of 20 cm from the surface the ? 13C value of CO2 in soil profile developed on limestone ranges from -12.811‰ - -13.492‰(PDB), that in soil profile developed on dolostone varys from -13.212‰ - -14.271‰(PDB) and that in soil profile developed on claystone is about -20.234‰ - -21.485‰(PDB). Taking the carbon isotope of soil organic matter and carbonate rock as two isotopic endmembers, the proportion of soil CO2 generated by dissolution of carbonate rock is calculated, about 21%-25% for soil profile developed on limestone basement, 19%-21% for soil profile developed on dolostone basement. There is almost no influx of CO2 generated by the dissolution of carbonate rock in soil profile developed on claystone basement.     

Distribution and fractionation mechanism of stable carbon isotope of coalbed methane

The stable carbon isotope values of coalbed methane range widely, and also are gener- ally lighter than that of gases in normal coal-formed gas fields with similar coal rank. There exists strong carbon isotope fractionation in coalbed methane and it makes the carbon isotope value lighter. The correlation between the carbon isotope value and Ro in coalbed methane is less obvious. The coaly source rock maturity cannot be judged by coalbed methane carbon isotope value. The carbon isotopes of coalbed methane become lighter in much different degree due to the hydrodynamics. The stronger the hydrodynamics is, the lighter the CBM carbon isotopic value becomes. Many previous investigations indicated that the desorption-diffusion effects make the carbon isotope value of coalbed methane lighter. However, the explanation has encountered many problems. The authors of this arti- cle suggest that the flowing groundwater dissolution to free methane in coal seams and the free methane exchange with absorbed one is the carbon isotope fractionation mechanism in coalbed methane. The flowing groundwater in coal can easily take more 13CH4 away from free gas and com- paratively leave more 12CH4. This will make 12CH4 density in free gas comparatively higher than that in absorbed gas. The remaining 12CH4 in free gas then exchanges with the adsorbed methane in coal matrix. Some absorbed 13CH4 can be replaced and become free gas. Some free 12CH4 can be ab- sorbed again into coal matrix and become absorbed gas. Part of the newly replaced 13CH4 in free gas will also be taken away by water, leaving preferentially more 12CH4. The remaining 12CH4 in free gas will exchange again with adsorbed methane in the coal matrix. These processes occur all the time. Through accumulative effect, the 12CH4 will be greatly concentrated in coal. Thus, the stable carbon isotope of coalbed methane becomes dramatically lighter. Through simulation experiment on wa- ter-dissolved methane, it had been proved that the flowing water could fractionate the carbon isotope of methane, and easily take heavy carbon isotope away through dissolution.     

Characteristics of authigenic pyrite and its sulfur isotopes influenced by methane seep at Core A,Site 79 of the middle Okinawa Trough

The anaerobic oxidation of methane(AOM) has strongly developed at Core A, Site 79 of the middle Okinawa Trough, East China Sea, and a large amount of authigenic pyrite is preserved in the surface sediment. In this study, we analyze the characteristics of the authigenic pyrite and its sulfur isotopic values. The authigenic pyrite is stripy and tubular, and there were foraminifera compartments filled with pyrite. The pyrite is extracted using chromium reduction, and the values of ? 34 S are found to lie between ?41.20‰ and 8.92‰ V-CDT. The bulk pyrite tends to be more enriched in 34 S with increasing depth. Particularly, the ? 34 S value of the pyrite lies between ?32.73‰ and ?41.20‰ V-CDT above 278 cmbsf, but it quickly increases below this depth(?21.49‰–8.92‰ V-CDT). At the same time, the total sulfur content of the pyrite shows an abrupt increase above 100 cmbsf but is otherwise stable between 1.04% and 0.55% below 100 cmbsf. The stable and negative values of ? 34 S and the decreasing values of total sulfur above 278 cmbsf indicate reduced AOM activities in 17.18–5.3 ka. In addition, the increasing ? 34 S and pyrite content indicate strong AOM development and methane seep below 278 cmbsf in 18.8–17.18 ka. In particular, the highest positive value of ? 34 S occurring in 18.78 ka indicates the most intense AOM activity. The shallow sulfate-methane interface(SMI) and high methane flux below marine sediments also strongly support this activity.     

Seasonal drought effects on carbon sequestration of a mid-subtropical planted forest of southeastern China

Continuous measurement of carbon dioxide exchange using the eddy covariance (EC) technique is made at the Qianyanzhou mid-subtropical planted forest as part of the ChinaFLUX network. Qianyanzhou planted forest is affected by typical subtropical continental monsoon climate. It has plentiful water and heat resource but is in inconsistency of its seasonal distribution in the mid-subtropical region, thus seasonal drought frequently occurs in this planted forest. In this study, seasonal drought effect on ecosystem carbon sequestration was analyzed based on net ecosystem productivity (NEP), ecosystem respiration (RE) and gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) at the month scale in 2003 and 2004. In this drought-stressed planted forest, ecosystem carbon sequestration showed a clear seasonality, with low rates during seasonal drought and in winter. The declining degree of ecosystem carbon sequestration under the seasonal drought condition was determined by the accumulation of soil moisture deficits and a co-occurrence of high temperatures. Different drought effects are expected for RE and GEP. The net effect of ecosystem carbon balance depends on how these two quantities are affected relatively to each other. Summer drought and heat wave are two aspects of weather that likely play an important part in the annual NEP of forest in this region.     

Growth of a polymetallic nodule from northwestern continental margin of the South China Sea and its response to changes in paleoceanographical environment of the late Cenozoic

In the northern South China Sea,the accumulation of enormous quantities of terrigenous sediment during Cenozoic rendered well-developed polymetallic nodules very rare.In this study,we analyzed a polymetallic nodule from the northwestern continental margin of the South China Sea using microscopic mineralogical observation,electron probes,X-ray diffraction(XRD),ICP-MS,and Be isotope dating.We found the nodule’s shell layers rich in different types of microstructures,including columnar,laminar,stack-like,petal-like,and porphyritic structures.The major mineral components of the nodule are MnO2.Unlike nodules from the eastern Pacific basin,this nodule has high contents in Fe,Si,Al,and REEs but low contents in Mn,Cu,Co,and Ni.The Mn/Fe ratio is also low and the average REEs content is 1370.4 ppm.There is a strong positive anomaly of Ce;and the Be(beryllium) isotope dating shows the initial time of growth of the nodule to be about 3.29 Ma.The inner compact layer formed from 3.29 Ma to about 1.83 Ma.The laminar and stack-like structures and the low contents of the terrigenous elements such as Fe,Si,REE,and Al indicate the paleoceanographical environment with weak undersea currents and favorable oxidizing conditions.From 1.83 Ma to 0.73 Ma,the growth rate of the nodule increased by about 3%;the microstructures formed during this period are stack-like and columnar.The contents of Si and Al are increased by nearly 10%,indicating an increase of terrigenous sediment input in the northern South China Sea.The content of Ce is decreased by about 16%,indicating a significant weakening of the oxidizing conditions at the seabed.From 0.73 Ma to 0.69 Ma,the growth rate of the nodule rapidly rose up to 8.27 times that of the nodule’s average growth rate,and the contents of Fe,Al,and REEs in the layer also increased,forming a loose layer characterized by oolitic,granular,porphyritic,and petal-like structures,indicating the paleoceanographical environment with a high sedimemtation rate and abundant supply of terrigenous sediment in the northern South China Sea.From 0.69 Ma to 0.22 Ma,the growth rate of the nodule suddenly slowed and the outer compact layer formed.Contents of Fe,Si,REE,Al,Mn,Cu,Co,and Ni in this layer were significantly lower than in other layers.The main structures of the layer are laminar and fissure filling structures.These reflect the paleoceanographical environment with stable undersea currents,poor oxidizing conditions,and other conditions not conducive to nodule growth.The growth process of nodule S04-1DG-1 was found to respond sensitively to the changes of the paleoceanographical environment of the northern South China Sea during the late Cenozoic.     

Distribution of n-alkanes in Miocene loess in Qinan,western Chinese Loess Plateau,and its palaeoenvironmental implications

Neogene eolian successions are one of the most important terrestrial palaeoenvironmental archives in East Asia.However, they have received far less attention than Quaternary loess deposits, especially in the case of lipid biomarker analysis.In order to obtain a better insight into the early-middle Miocene palaeoenvironment, we conducted a study of n-alkane biomarkers from sediments of the QA-I section(Qinan) in the western Chinese Loess Plateau, and compared the results with those of previous n-alkane analyses of eolian and aquatic sediments of varying age. Our principal results are as follows:(1) All QA-I samples contain n-alkanes ranging from C_(14) to C_(35), among which the relative content of short-chain n-alkanes(C_(14)–C_(20)) from microorganisms is significantly greater than that of long-chain n-alkanes(C_(26)–C_(35)) from the waxes of terrestrial higher plants;the main peak is at C_(16)–C_(18). All samples have a relatively lower abundance of medium-chain n-alkanes(C_(21)–C_(25)) than that of long-and short-chain n-alkanes, similar to strongly weathered palaeosols in Quaternary loess and Late Miocene-Pliocene Hipparion Red-Earth; however, this distribution is significantly different from that in weakly-weathered loess of Quaternary loess and Late Miocene-Pliocene Hipparion Red-Earth, as well as from aquatic sediments.(2) Despite some odd-over-even carbon predominance of long-chain n-alkanes in the QA-I samples, the carbon preference index(CPI) values are significantly lower than those of most of the weakly-weathered sediments. Our results show that strong weathering and microbial processes have significantly altered the n-alkanes in the Miocene eolian deposits in Qinan, and led to a significant oxidation and degradation of long-chain n-alkanes and the predominance of short-chain n-alkanes from bacteria. Therefore, the contribution of microorganism to total organic carbon(TOC) and its resulting in carbon isotopic composition should be carefully assessed in future studies.     

Origin of the Dashuigou independent tellurium deposit at Qinghai–Xizang Plateau: constraints from the light stable isotopes C,O, and H

By studying the light isotopic compositions of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen, combined with previous research results on the ore-forming source of the deposit, the authors try to uncover its metallogenic origin. The δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C isotope signatures of dolomite samples vary between 10.2 and 13.0‰, and between-7.2 and-5.2‰, respectively, implying that the carbon derives from the upper mantle. δD and δ¹⁸O of quartz, biotite, and muscovite from different ore veins of ...