Fractionation of phosphorus in the sediments of a tropical estuary

Fractionation of phosphorus in the sediments of the Cochin estuary situated along the southwest coast of India was studied by applying sequential chemical extraction. The different forms of phosphorus were estimated seasonally (premonsoon, monsoon, and postmonsoon) under eight different schemes. The major forms of phosphorus analyzed were exchangeable P, anion exchangeable P, carbonate-bound P, labile and resistant organic P, Fe and Al P, calcium-bound P, and hydrolyzable surplus P. Quantitatively, the above fractions in isolation or in combination vary in content due to chemoestuarine variability and seasonal fluctuations. Changes in speciation have been noted in association with salinity variations in the waterway, especially following enhanced river runoff during the monsoon. The chemical forms of the sediment-bound phosphorus in the northern parts of this estuary have been shown to be modified by nonpoint sources. Sediment P fractionation defines the role of chemical speciation of phosphates (as nutrients) and is indicative of the processes controlling the pathways of P into the coastal waters. The changes in the exchangeable P, together with marked regional variations in calcium-bound P, exemplify the complex estuarine variability of phosphorus. Enhanced amounts of exchangeable P mark its appearence in high saline waters, signifying the presence of biologically available nutrient phosphorus. The calcium-bound P and hydrolyzable surplus P show significant relation with sediment organic carbon and Fe whereas other forms do not exhibit any marked covariation. The Ca and Na NTA extraction scheme is very specific in its selectivity.     

Speciation of trace metals in sediments of a tropical estuary

Axial surveys were performed in the two river tributaries of the Cochin estuary, SW India during November 1988. Surficial sediments were subjected to sequential chemical extractions to delineate five metal fractions, namely, exchangeable, carbonate bound, easily reducible, organic/sulfide bound, and residual. The results indicated selective accumulation of Mn and Ni in carbonate bound and organic/sulfide forms, along with marginal amounts of Co in the exchangeable fraction. Large portions of Fe and Cr occurred in the residual fraction, whereas composite fractionation of Zn species was noticed. The exchangeable fractions of Fe and Cr as well as of easily reducible cobalt were below detection limits. The levels of Cr and Zn indicate anthropogenic inputs in this estuary, whereas Co and Ni show regional contamination exceeding natural levels. The analytical speciation procedure helps to deduce the sedimental diagenetic processes in the estuarine environment.     

Integrated marine and terrestrial evidence for abrupt Congo River palaeodischarge fluctuations during the last deglaciation

We present a high‐resolution reconstruction of tropical palaeoenvironmental changes for the last deglacial transition (18 to 9 cal. kyr BP) based on integrated oceanic and terrestrial proxies from a Congo fan core. Pollen, grass cuticle, Pediastrum and dinoflagellate cyst fluxes, sedimentation rates and planktonic foraminiferal δ¹⁸O ratios, u₃₇^K′ sea‐surface temperature and alkane/alkenone ratio data highlight a series of abrupt changes in Congo River palaeodischarge. A major discharge pulse is registered at around 13.0 cal. kyr BP which we attribute to latitudinal migration of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) during deglaciation. The data indicate abrupt and short‐lived changes in the equatorial precipitation regime within a system of monsoonal dynamics forced by precessional cycles. The phases of enhanced Congo discharge stimulated river‐induced upwelling and enhanced productivity in the adjacent ocean. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

土壤地球化学测量在刚果(金)加丹加省的应用

土壤地球化学测量在刚果(金)加丹加省某矿区的应用实践表明,土壤地球化学测量能进一步明确找矿方向,研究区地表铜矿化体基本上有较为清晰的异常,分布规律明显。从区域上对比认为研究区地层往深部应该为深灰色白云质泥岩,也就是罗安组的含铜、钴矿的层位,故测区应着眼于找深部隐伏或盲矿体为主。     

Geochemical characteristics of stream sediments,sediment fractions,soils, and basement rocks from the Mahaweli River and its catchment,Sri Lanka

Geochemical variations in stream sediments (n = 54) from the Mahaweli River of Sri Lanka have been evaluated from the viewpoints of lithological control, sorting, heavy mineral concentration, influence of climatic zonation (wet, intermediate, and dry zones), weathering, and downstream transport. Compositions of soils (n = 22) and basement rocks (n = 38) of the catchment and those of <180 μm and 180–2000 μm fractions of the stream sediments were also examined. The sediments, fractions, soils and basement rocks were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence to determine their As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, V, Sr, Y, Nb, Zr, Th, Sc, Fe₂O₃, TiO₂, MnO, CaO, P₂O₅ and total sulfur contents. Abundances of high field strength and ferromagnesian elements in the sediments indicate concentration of durable heavy minerals including zircon, tourmaline, rutile, monazite, garnet, pyriboles, and titanite, especially in <180 μm fractions. The sediments show strong correlation between Ti and Fe, further suggesting presence of heavy mineral phases containing both elements, such as ilmenite and magnetite. The basement rocks range from mafic through to felsic compositions, as do the soils. The river sediments lack ultrabasic components, and overall have intermediate to felsic compositions. Elemental spikes in the confluences of tributary rivers and high values in the <180 μm fractions indicate sporadic inputs of mafic detritus and/or heavy minerals to the main channel. Al₂O₃/(K₂O + Na₂O) and K₂O/Na₂O ratios of the sediments and LOI values of the soils correlate well with the climatic zones, suggesting intense weathering in the wet zone, lesser weathering in the intermediate zone, and least weathering in the dry zone. Low Sr and CaO contents and Cr/V ratios in stream sediments in the wet zone also suggest climatic influence. Fe-normalized enrichment factors (EFs) for As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni and Cr in stream sediments in the main channel are nearly all <1.5, indicating there is no significant environmental contamination. The chemistry of the sediments, rocks and the soils in the Mahaweli River are thus mainly controlled by source lithotype, weathering, sorting, and heavy mineral accumulation.     

长江三峡库区土壤与水系沉积物Cd地球化学特征

对长江三峡库区段不同介质中Cd的分布特征和长江水系沉积物在垂向、横向剖面上的元素分布特征的研究发现，残坡积型土壤与长江干流水系沉积物Cd含量差异较大，水系沉积物具明显的高Cd异常；各个沉积时期的水系沉积物中均存在Cd异常，上游来源的Cd是引起三峡库区水系沉积物高Cd异常的主要因素；人类活动对土壤和水系沉积物中Cd的含量影响明显，在厂矿、码头、生活垃圾场等地区土壤中Cd的含量远高于一般地区土壤中Cd的含量，城市排污水系沉积物Cd的含量也高于长江干流水系沉积物Cd的含量。自然源是沿长江流域Cd异常普遍存在的根本原因，而人为源却有可能是高Cd异常主要沿长江干流及支流两岸大中城市分布的重要影响因素。     

Application of in situ-produced cosmogenic Be and Al to the study of lateritic soil development in tropical forest: theory and examples from Cameroon and Gabon

Depth profiles of in situ-produced cosmogenic nuclides, including ¹⁰Be (T_1/2=1.5×10⁶ years) and ²⁶Al (T_1/20.73×10⁶ years), in the upper few meters of the Earth's crust may be used to study surficial processes, quantifying denudation and burial rates and elucidating mechanisms involved in landform evolution and soil formations. In this paper, we discuss the fundamentals of the method and apply it to two lateritic sequences located in African tropical forests.     

福建九龙江下游地区土壤地球化学分类

本文以福建省九龙江下游的长泰、漳州、龙海三市县为实例，利用多目标区域地球化学调查资料，探讨了土壤地球化学分类的方法，提出了分类命名方案和诊断标准，将本区土壤划分为铁铝土、硅铝土、铝硅土、硅土4个大类，其中硅铝土又分为一般硅铝土、铁质硅铝土、钾质硅铝土、硫铁质硅铝土4个亚类，调查了各类(硅土除外)的52种元素平均含量和农业利用情况。     

Geochemistry of S,Cu, Ni,Cr and Au-PGE in the garnet amphibolites from the Akom II area in the Archaean Congo Craton,Southern Cameroon

The fresh and weathered garnet amphibolites, from the Akom II area in the Archaean Congo Craton, were investigated to determine the S, Cu, Ni, Cr, and Au-PGE values. The garnet amphibolites are composed of amphibole, plagioclase, garnet, quartz, and accessory apatite, spinel, sericite, pyrite, chalcopyrite and non-identified opaque minerals. The presence of apatite, sericite, and two generations of opaque minerals suggests that they might be affected by hydrothermal alteration. They are characterized by moderate Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, CaO, V, Zn, and Co contents with negative Eu- and Ce-anomalies. The sulfur concentrations are variable (380–1710 ppm). According to the sulfur contents, amphibolites can be grouped into two: amphibolites with low contents, ranging between 380 and 520 ppm (av. = 457 ppm); and amphibolites with elevated contents, varying from 1140 to 1710 ppm (av. = 1370 ppm). Amphibolites contain contrast amounts of Cu (∼ 1800 to 5350 ppm) while nickel contents attain 121 ppm. Chromium contents vary from 43 to 194 ppm. Sulfur correlates positively with Cu and Cr, but negatively with Ni and Ni/Cr ratio. The total Au-PGE contents attain 59 ppb.The presence of amphibole and feldspars confirms the low degree of amphibolite weathering. The secondary minerals are constituted of kaolinite, gibbsite, goethite and hematite. Despite the accumulation of some elements, the major and trace element distribution is quite similar to that of fresh amphibolites. Nevertheless, the weathering processes lead to the depletion of several elements such as S (239–902 ppm), Cu (520–2082 ppm), and Ni (20–114 ppm). Chromium and Au-PGE show an opposite trend marked by a slight enrichment in the weathered amphibolites. Amidst the Au-PGE, Pd (60 ppb) and Pt (23 ppb) have elevated contents in the fresh rocks as well as in the weathered materials. The PPGE contents are much higher than IPGE contents in both types of materials. The Pd/Pt, Pd/Rh, Pd/Ru, Pd/Ir, Pd/Os, and Pd/Au values indicate that Pt, Rh, Ru, Ir, Os and Au are more mobile than Pd. Chondrite-normalized base metal patterns confirm the abundance of Pd and the slight enrichment of Au-PGE in weathered rocks. Palladium, Rh and Ir are positively correlated with S. Conversely Pt and Ru are negatively correlated with S and Au is not correlated with S. Despite the high and variable S and Cu contents, the garnet amphibolites possess low Au-PGE and other base metals contents.     

Karst groundwater protection in the Kupa River catchment area and sustainable development

One of the most significant water resources in the Republic of Croatia is the catchment area of the Kupa River, located in the region bordering the Republic of Slovenia. About 88% of the total amount of water in this catchment originates in Croatia and just 12% from Slovenia; therefore, the largest part of the catchment area (about 1000 km²) is on the Croatian side of the border. It is a typical karst area of the Dinarides with aquifers characterized by a relatively rapid water exchange, high groundwater flow velocities and aquifers open to human impact from the surface. Consequently, the aquifers are highly vulnerable and at risk. Due to the availability of large quantities of high-quality spring water (about 6 m³/s), the entire area has a strategic importance within the context of any future development strategy pertaining to the western part of Croatia. The catchment area on the Croatian side was investigated using a wide range of research methods that included a classical hydrogeological approach, the detailed hydrologic calculation of water balance to the hydrogeochemical analyses and modelling. The objective was to determine protection zones and protection measures for the whole area. The difficulties are increased due to the fact that the karst catchment area is crossed by major traffic corridors, oil pipelines and a railway and that many settlements and a highly developed wood industry are present. The combination of protecting water resources with adequate prevention measures and necessary remedial activities that should satisfy the very strict requirements necessary for the protection of the karst aquifers while still allowing for present and future human activities is difficult – but not impossible – to achieve. One good example is the present highway with a closed dewatering system and waste water treatment before the water passes into the karst underground system.     

刚果（布）主要矿产及地质特征

在结合刚果（布）1／100万区域矿产地质调查资料的基础上,对该国的主要矿产及地质特征进行了分析．结合区域地质矿产概况将该国的金属矿产分为12个矿带,归为3大类：结晶基底和绿岩带中的铁矿、金矿、钨锡铌钽及稀土矿,碳酸盐岩地层中的低温热液铜铅锌矿,构造、岩体、地层共同控制的多金属矿。根据分析结果对成矿规律进行了初步总结：绿岩带和重熔花岗岩及其相互作用形成了铁矿、金矿及钨锡铌钽等相关矿产;中生代的构造活动形成了碳酸盐岩地层中的低温热液铜铅锌矿;中元古代岩浆活动及中生代的构造活动促使了南部构造、岩体、地层共同控制的多金属矿带的形成。在对成矿规律认识的基础上对找矿潜力作了分析,认为该国所有金属矿产绝大部分为风化矿产和冲积砂矿,矿点多,但原生矿少,寻找原生矿的空间大;勘探和开采程度极低,矿业开发前景巨大．总的说来,以该国作为长期的矿业开发基地,具有战略意义。     

Characteristics and formation of rain forest soils derived from late Quaternary basaltic rocks in Leyte,Philippines

This study was conducted to evaluate the physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics of rain forest soils derived from late Quaternary basaltic rocks in Leyte, Philippines. Four sites along a catena were selected at an elevation of 75–112 m above sea level with an average annual rainfall of 3,000 mm and an average temperature of 28°C. Results indicate that the soils are deep, clayey, and reddish in color, which is indicative of the advanced stage of soil development. They also posses excellent physical condition (friable and highly porous) although they are plastic and sticky when wet as is usual for clayey soils. In terms of chemical characteristics, the soils are acidic with low CEC values and generally low in organic matter and nutrient contents. The clay mineralogy of the soils is dominated by halloysite and kaolinite with minor amounts of goethite and hematite, and they also have generally high dithionite-extractable Fe contents confirming the advanced stage of their development. The soils in the more stable slope positions (PL-1, PL-2, and PL-4) have generally similar characteristics and appeared more developed than the one in the less stable position (PL-3). The most important pedogenic processes that formed the soils appear to be weathering, loss of bases and acidification, desilification, ferrugination, clay formation and translocation, and structure formation. The nature of the parent rock and climatic conditions prevailing in the area as well as slope position appear to have dominant effects on the development of the soils.     

Geochemistry of Fe and Mn in surficial sediments of a tropical river and estuary,India—a granulometric approach

Geochemical characteristics of Fe and Mn in sand, silt, and clay fractions as well as in bulk sediments of the tropical perennial Muvattupuzha river and the Central Vembanad estuary of the southwest coast of India have been studied and discussed. The results of a physical fractionation study of Fe and Mn indicated a substantial increase in the content of these metals in silt and clay fractions above that in sand. The riverine silt and clay fractions account for two to three times the enrichment of Fe and Mn than the corresponding sand fraction; the estuarine counterparts indicate four to eight times the enrichment. The observed enrichment of Fe and Mn towards the more finer size grades is mainly due to the increased surface area of the finer clastics, which in turn increase the absorptive ability. However, the mineralogical diversities of the three size fractions also influence the enrichment of Fe and Mn. The spatial distribution of Fe and Mn indicates a marked decrease in the content of the latter than the former towards the high saline zones of the river and the estuary. This variation could be due to the higher solubility of Mn towards the high saline zones of the aquatic environment where reducing condition prevails most of the year.     

综合物探方法在刚果(金)马本德地区铜矿的应用研究

文章在研究刚果马本德地区矿床地质特征的基础上,在已知矿体上进行四种装置的激电法(中梯、偶极-偶极、联合剖面和对称四极测深装置)和高密度电阻率方法应用,通过已知矿体与物探异常的对照研究,总结了该区域含矿岩石和主要围岩的电性异常规律,集成了适用于已知矿床的物探技术方法组合。将该方法组合推广到周边矿区应用,且对物探异常进行钻孔验证,在高阻中高幅频率异常区分别见到了三处厚度不等的矿体,取得了较好的应用效果。     

Patterns in the distribution of several chemical elements in bottom sediments and soils of the Ivankovo Reservoir area,Volga River valley

This paper discusses the distribution of trace elements in certain genetic horizons of flooded soils and riverside soil cover and compares it with the heavy metal distribution in bottom sediments of the Ivankovo Reservoir area in the Volga River valley. We present data on the chemical and grain-size compositions of bottom sediments and the concentrations of biophile elements and humus in these sediments. Correlation and factor analyses were applied to reveal the relationships between the abundances of heavy metals and humus and the grain-size composition.     

Cu and Fe associated with humic acids in sediments of a tropical coastal lagoon

The amount of Cu and Fe associated with humic acids was estimated in five sediment cores from a tropical coastal lagoon (Piratininga Lagoon, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Core samples were analysed for humic acid contents, total Fe and Cu content. Fe and Cu associated with humic acids were also measured. Results show amounts of humic acids ranging from 0.7 to 21.7% of the dry weight of sediment (average 4.6%, standard deviation 4.4%). Concentrations of Fe and Cu ranged from 0.3 to 6.0% (average 2.2%, S.D. 1.2%) and from <1.0 to 65.0 μg g⁻¹ (average 28.6 μg g⁻¹, S.D. 16.4 μg g⁻¹), respectively. The results of strongly bound metals show that while humic acids are the main carrier for Cu, Fe does not seems to be significantly associated with this organic matter.     

Neoproterozoic diamictites from the Itombwe Synclinorium, Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo: Palaeoclimatic significance and regional correlations

The Itombwe Synclinorium in the Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo contains a Neoproterozoic succession of greenschist facies metasedimentary rocks defined as the Itombwe Supergroup, dated between 1020 ± 50 and 575 ± 83 Ma. The Itombwe Supergroup unconformably overlies the Mesoproterozoic Kibaran belt and is subdivided into the Upper and Lower Kadubu Groups which are separated by a faulted tectonic contact. Graded, rhythmically repeated sequences of sandstones, greywackes, phyllites and shales indicate deposition as turbiditic sediment-gravity flows. Periods of basin anoxia are indicated by the presence of graphitic black shales. The Lower and Upper Kadubu Groups contain three stratigraphic levels of diamictites and lonestone-bearing iron-rich sedimentary rocks interpreted as glaciogenic strata, which broadly correlate with other Neoproterozoic glacial sequences in the Central African region and elsewhere around the world. Current stratigraphic and geochronological knowledge of these beds is insufficient to provide more accurate correlations.     

Mercury speciation in soils of the industrialised Thur River catchment (Alsace,France)

Methylmercury (MeHg) and total Hg (THg) concentrations in soil profiles were monitored in the Thur River basin (Alsace, France), where a chlor-alkali plant has been located in the city of Vieux-Thann since the 1930s. Three soil types were studied according to their characteristics and location in the catchment: industrial soil, grassland soil and alluvial soil. Contamination of MeHg and THg in soil was important in the vicinity of the plant, especially in industrial and alluvial soil. Concentrations of MeHg reached 27 ng g⁻¹ and 29,000 ng g⁻¹ for THg, exceeding the predictable no effect concentration. Significant ecotoxicological risk exists in this area and remedial actions on several soil types are suggested. In each type of soil, MeHg concentrations were highest in topsoil, which decreased with depth. Concentrations of MeHg were negatively correlated with soil organic matter and total S, particularly when MeHg concentrations exceeded 8 ng g⁻¹. Under these conditions, MeHg concentrations in soil seemed to be influenced by THg, soil organic matter and total S concentrations. It was found that high MeHg/THg ratios (near 2%) in soil were mainly related to the combined soil environmental conditions such as low THg concentrations, low organic C/N ratios (<11) and relatively low pH (5–5.5). Nevertheless, even when the MeHg/THg ratio was low (∼0.04%), MeHg and THg concentrations were elevated, up to 13 ng g⁻¹ and to 29,000 ng g⁻¹, respectively. Thus, both THg and MeHg concentrations should be taken into account to assess potential environmental risks of Hg.     

Suspended sediments in the Kharaa River catchment (Mongolia) and its impact on hyporheic zone functions

A previous study investigating the ecological status of the Kharaa River in Northern Mongolia reported fine-grained sediments as being a major stress factor causing adverse impacts on the benthic ecology. However, the source of these sediments within the catchment as well as the specific impact on hyporheic zone functions in the Kharaa River remained unclear. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to investigate the underlying source–receptor system and implement an integrated monitoring approach. Suspended sediment sources within the Kharaa catchment were identified by using extensive spatially distributed sediment sampling and geochemical and isotope fingerprinting methods. On the receptor side, the ecological implications across a gradient of fine-grained sediment influx were analyzed using a distinct hyporheic zone monitoring scheme at three representative river reaches along the Kharaa River. Results of suspended sediment source monitoring show that during snowmelt runoff, riverbank and gully erosion were the dominant sources. During the summer period, upland erosion contributed a substantial share of suspended sediment. Fine-grained sediment influx proved to be the cause of habitat loss in the hyporheic zone and benthic oxygen production limitation. This combined catchment and in-stream monitoring approach will allow for a better understanding and spatially explicit analysis of the interactions of suspended sediment transport and hyporheic zone functioning. This information has built the basis for a coupled modeling framework that will help to develop efficient management measures within the Kharaa River basin with special emphasis on rapidly changing land-use and climatic conditions.     

Calcium distribution in soils and stream sediments in Istria (Croatia) and the Slovenian littoral

For experimental geochemical mapping soil was sampled in 5×5 km regular grid in Istria and the Slovenian littoral (Croatia and Slovenia). The territory consists predominantly of karstified limestones and dolomites, and of flysch beds exposed in two basins, Istrian and Brkini. In addition to soil, stream sediment was also collected in the flysh area. Sampling was performed according to an analysis of variance design that permitted one to estimate the effects of the sample medium, geographic position, sampling error and analytical error. The analysis of variance of chemical variables indicated that soil and stream sediment as sampling media lead to similar results in producing geochemical maps. The largest differences with respect to the lithologic substrate of soil is indicated by calcium. As shown by the geochemical map, calcium in soil is high on the Istrian flysch beds, and low on limestones as well as on the flysch beds of the Brkini basin. The two soils also differ in mineralogy. The reason for this difference seems to lie in soil genesis on limestone and on flysch, and in the variable calcium content of flysch beds. The results of Q-mode factor analysis confirmed the adherence of soil and stream sediment of the two flysch basins to two differing groups. This difference was discovered by geochemical mapping. The hypothesis of differing calcium content in the rocks of the two basins was confirmed by the investigation of fresh and weathered rocks and soils in eight profiles sampled in the Brkini and Istrian flysch basin. It was found that the sandstone and calcarenitic samples from the Istrian basin contain an average factor of 3.5 more Ca than those of the investigated Brkini basin, and the samples of Istrian marls 4 times more Ca than those of the Brkini siltstones. Furthermore, the investigated weathered rocks and soils that originated from these rocks in the Istrian basin contain considerably more Ca than in the Brkini basin. In comparison with sandstone and siltstone samples of the Brkini basin, sandstone, calcarenite and marl samples of the Istrian flysch basin contain less clay minerals, quartz and feldspars and more calcite.