Application of CFD modeling to hydrodynamics of CycloBio fluidized sand bed in recirculating aquaculture systems

To improve the efficiency of a CycloBio fluidized sand bed(CB FSB) in removal of dissolved wastes in recirculating aquaculture systems, the hydrodynamics of solid-liquid flow was investigated using computational fluid dynamics(CFD) modeling tools. The dynamic characteristics of silica sand within the CB FSB were determined using three-dimensional, unsteady-state simulations with the granular Eulerian multiphase approach and the RNG k-ε turbulence model, and the simulation results were validated using available lab-scale measurements. The bed expansion of CB FSB increased with the increase in water inflow rate in numerical simulations. Upon validation, the simulation involving 0.55 mm particles, the Gidaspow correlation for drag coefficient model and the Syamlal-O'Brien correlation for kinetic granular viscosity showed the closest match to the experimental results. The volume fraction of numerical simulations peaked as the wall was approached. The hydrodynamics of a pilot-scale CB FSB was simulated in order to predict the range of water flow to avoid the silica sand overflowing. The numerical simulations were in agreement with the experimental results qualitatively and quantitatively, and thus can be used to study the hydrodynamics of solid-liquid multiphase flow in CB FSB, which is of importance to the design, optimization, and amplification of CB FSBs.     

Global Climate Internal Variability in a 2000-year Control Simulation with Community Earth System Model(CESM)

Using the low-resolution(T31, equivalent to 3.75°× 3.75°) version of the Community Earth System Model(CESM) from the National Center for Atmospheric Research(NCAR), a global climate simulation was carried out with fixed external forcing factors(1850 Common Era.(C.E.) conditions) for the past 2000 years. Based on the simulated results, spatio-temporal structures of surface air temperature, precipitation and internal variability, such as the El Nio-Southern Oscillation(ENSO), the Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation(AMO), the Pacific Decadal Oscillation(PDO), and the North Atlantic Oscillation(NAO), were compared with reanalysis datasets to evaluate the model performance. The results are as follows: 1) CESM showed a good performance in the long-term simulation and no significant climate drift over the past 2000 years; 2) climatological patterns of global and regional climate changes simulated by the CESM were reasonable compared with the reanalysis datasets; and 3) the CESM simulated internal natural variability of the climate system performs very well. The model not only reproduced the periodicity of ENSO, AMO and PDO events but also the 3–8 years variability of the ENSO. The spatial distribution of the CESM-simulated NAO was also similar to the observed. However, because of weaker total irradiation and greenhouse gas concentration forcing in the simulation than the present, the model performances had some differences from the observations. Generally, the CESM showed a good performance in simulating the global climate and internal natural variability of the climate system. This paves the way for other forced climate simulations for the past 2000 years by using the CESM.     

Numerical simulation of the genesis of typhoon Durian (2001) over the South China Sea: The effect of sea surface temperature

Typhoon Durian (2001),which formed over the South China Sea (SCS),was simulated by using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. The genesis of typhoon Durian which formed in the monsoon trough was reproduced by numerical simulations. The simulated results agree reasonably well with observations. Two numerical experiments in which the sea surface temperature (SST) was either decreased or increased were performed to investigate the impact of the SST on the genesis of the ty-phoon. When the SST was decreased by 5℃ uniformly for all grids in the model,the winds calculated became divergent in the lower troposphere and convergent in the upper troposphere,creating conditions in which the amount of total latent heat release (TLHR) was low and the tropical cyclone (TC) could not be formed. This simulation shows the importance of the convergence in the lower tropo-sphere and the divergence in the upper troposphere for the genesis of the initial vortex. When the SST was increased by 1℃ uni-formly for all grids,a stronger typhoon was generated in the results with an increase of about 10 m s-1 in the maximum surface wind speed. Only minor differences in intensity were noted during the first 54 h in the simulation with the warmer SST,but apparent dif-ferences in intensity occurred after 54 h when the vortex began to strengthen to typhoon strength. This experiment shows that warmer SST will speed the strengthening from tropical storm strength to typhoon strength and increase the maximum intensity reached,while only minor impact can be seen during the earlier stage of genesis before the TC reaches the tropical storm strength. The results sug-gest that the amount of TLHR may be the dominant factor in determining the formation and the intensification of the TC.     

Effects of spectral nudging on the 2010 East Asia summer monsoon using WRF model

The performance of spectral nudging in an investigation of the 2010 East Asia summer monsoon was assessed using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, forced by 1-degree NCEP Global Final Analysis (FNL). Two pairs of experiments were made, spectral nudging (SP) and non-spectral nudging (NOSP), with five members in each group. The members were distinguished by different initial times, and the analysis was based on the ensemble mean of the two simulation pairs. The SP was able to constrain error growth in large-scale circulation in upper-level, during simulation, and generate realistic regional scale patterns. The main focus was the model ability to simulate precipitation. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) 3B42 product was used for precipitation verification. Mean precipitation magnitude was generally overestimated by WRF. Nevertheless, SP simulations suppressed overestimation relative to the NOSP experiments. Compared to TRMM, SP also improved model simulation of precipitation in spatial and temporal distributions, with the ability to reproduce movement of rainbands. However, extreme precipitation events were suppressed in the SP simulations.     

Numerical Simulation of Typhoon Muifa(2011) Using a Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport(COAWST) Modeling System

The newly developed Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport(COAWST) Modeling System is applied to investigate typhoon-ocean interactions in this study. The COAWST modeling system represents the state-of-the-art numerical simulation technique comprising several coupled models to study coastal and environmental processes. The modeling system is applied to simulate Typhoon Muifa(2011), which strengthened from a tropical storm to a super typhoon in the Northwestern Pacific, to explore the heat fluxes exchanged among the processes simulated using the atmosphere model WRF, ocean model ROMS and wave model SWAN. These three models adopted the same horizontal grid. Three numerical experiments with different coupling configurations are performed in order to investigate the impact of typhoon-ocean interaction on the intensity and ocean response to typhoon. The simulated typhoon tracks and intensities agree with observations. Comparisons of the simulated variables with available atmospheric and oceanic observations show the good performance of using the coupled modeling system for simulating the ocean and atmosphere processes during a typhoon event. The fully coupled simulation that includes a ocean model identifies a decreased SST as a result of the typhoon-forced entrainment. Typhoon intensity and wind speed are reduced due to the decrease of the sea surface temperature when using a coupled ocean model. The experiments with ocean coupled to atmosphere also results in decreased sea surface heat flux and air temperature. The heat flux decreases by about 29% compared to the WRF only case. The reduction of the energy induced by SST decreases, resulting in weakening of the typhoon. Coupling of the waves to the atmosphere and ocean model induces a slight increase of SST in the typhoon center area with the ocean-atmosphere interaction increased as a result of wave feedback to atmosphere.     

Evaluation of a regional climate model for atmospheric simulation over Arctic river basins

Evaluation on a regional climate model was made with five-month atmospheric simulations over the Arctic river basins. The simulations were performed with a modified mesoscale model, Polar MM5 coupled to the NCAR Land Surface Model （LSM） to illustrate the skill of the coupled model （Polar MM5＋LSM） in simulating atmospheric circulation over the Arctic river basins. Near-surface and upper-air observations were used to verify the simulations. Sensitivity studies between the Polar MM5 and Polar MM5＋LSM simulations revealed that the coupled model could improve the forecast skill for surface variables at some sites. In addition, the extended evaluations of the coupled model simulations on the North American Arctic domain during December 15, 2002 to May 15, 2003 were carried out. The time series plots and statistics of the observations and Polar MM5＋LSM simulations at six stations for near-surface and vertical profiles at 850 hPa and 500 hPa were analyzed. The model was found capable of reproducing the observed atmospheric behavior in both magnitude and variability, especially for temperature and near-surface wind direction.     

Application of CFD Modeling to Hydrodynamics of CycloBioFluidized Sand Bed in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems

To improve the efficiency of a CycloBio fluidized sand bed （CB FSB） in removal of dissolved wastes in recirculatingaquaculture systems, the hydrodynamics of solid-liquid flow was investigated using computational fluid dynamics （CFD） modelingtools. The dynamic characteristics of silica sand within the CB FSB were determined using three-dimensional, unsteady-state simula-tions with the granular Eulerian multiphase approach and the RNG k-e turbulence model, and the simulation results were validatedusing available lab-scale measurements. The bed expansion of CB FSB increased with the increase in water inflow rate in numericalsimulations. Upon validation, the simulation involving 0.55 mm particles, the Gidaspow correlation for drag coefficient model andthe Syamlal-O＇Brien correlation for kinetic granular viscosity showed the closest match to the experimental results. The volume frac-tion of numerical simulations peaked as the wall was approached. The hydrodynamics of a pilot-scale CB FSB was simulated in or-der to predict the range of water flow to avoid the silica sand overflowing. The numerical simulations were in agreement with theexperimental results qualitatively and quantitatively, and thus can be used to study the hydrodynamics of solid-liquid multiphase flowin CB FSB, which is of importance to the design, optimization, and amplification of CB FSBs.     

Measurement and Scenario Simulation of Effect of Urbanisation on Regional CO2 Emissions Based on UEC-SD Model:A Case Study in Liaoning Province,China

Based on the logical causal relationship and taking Liaoning Province, China, which is the Chinese traditional industrial base and is in the stage of accelerated urbanisation, as a case study, this study builds the ′Urbanisation-Energy Consumption-CO2 Emissions System Dynamics(UEC-SD)′ model using a system dynamics method. The UEC-SD model is applied to analyse the effect of the urbanisation process on the regional energy structure and CO2 emissions, followed by simulation of future production and living energy consumption structure as well as the evolutionary trend of CO2 emissions of three urbanisation scenarios(low speed, intermediate speed and high speed) under the assumed boundary conditions in urban and rural areas of Liaoning Province, China. The results show that the urbanisation process can alter production and the living energy consumption structure and thereby change regional CO2 emissions. An increase in the urbanisation rate in case area will lead to regional CO2 emissions rising in the short term, but when the urbanisation rate approaches 80%, CO2 emissions will reach a peak value and then decrease. Comparison of different urbanisation rates showed that production and living energy consumption exhibit different directions of change and rules in urban and rural areas. The effect of urbanisation on CO2 emissions and energy structure is not direct, and urbanisation can increase the differences in energy and CO2 emissions between urban and rural areas caused by the industrial structure, technical level and other factors.     

Empirical Research on Carrying Capacity of Human Settlement System in Dalian City,Liaoning Province,China

Using the theories of population carrying capacity and ecological elasticity in other fields for reference, the connotation of regional human settlement system was defined from the viewpoint of the complex relationship among the factors such as regional population, resources, environment and economic and social development in the context of China′s rapid urbanization. Then the concept and characterization methods of the regional human settlement carrying capacity were proposed by means of population scale. Furthermore, a model of carrying capacity-pressure-state-response(CPSR) on regional human settlement system was established by referencing pressure-state-response(PSR) model, and the Catastrophe Theory was introduced to determine the corresponding standards of multi-criteria programming and evaluation. Taking Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China as an example, an empirical analysis on evaluation of human settlement system from 2000 to 2012 was carried out. The results showed that the carrying capacity of human settlement system in Dalian was fluctuating between 9.6 × 106 to 10 × 106 persons with a quantitative stage of the dynamic regulation. During the research period the load index of human settlement system in Dalian dropped from 0.96 to 0.84 with a lower pressure of human settlement system than the national average level. And the emergency response grades of human settlement system in Dalian were kept in grade Ⅱ(orange warning) or grade Ⅲ(yellow warning). Human settlement system of Dalian was in slight security state as a whole, but the load had a tendency of increase in recent years. The related departments should pay close attention to regional human settlement system and take active measures to improve human settlement by both intensity control and total quantity control. By comparison, analysis and discussion, it was considered that the results were basically accordded with the current situations of human settlement in Dalian, and the evaluation results were more reliable, visualized and easily applied in practice. Therefore, the above-mentioned concepts, characterization and evaluation methods of the regional human settlement system and carrying capacity could provide a new thought and method for quantitative evaluation of human settlement.     

Assimilating ASAR data for estimating soil moisture profile using an ensemble Kalman filter

Active microwave remote sensing data were used to calculate the near-surface soil moisture in the vegetated areas. In this study, Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar （ASAR） observations of surface soil moisture content were used in a data assimilation framework to improve the estimation of the soil moisture profile at the middle reaches of the Heihe River Basin, Northwest China. A one-dimensional soil moisture assimilation system based on the ensemble Kalman filter （EnKF）, the forward radiative transfer model, crop model, and the Distributed Hydrology-Soil-Vegetation Model （DHSVM） was developed. The crop model, as a semi-empirical model, was used to estimate the surface backscattering of vegetated areas. The DHSVM is a distributed hydrology-vegetation model that explicitly represents the effects of topography and vegetation on water fluxes through the landscape. Numerical experiments were con- ducted to assimilate the ASAR data into the DHSVM and in situ soil moisture at the middle reaches of the Heihe River Basin from June 20 to July 15, 2008. The results indicated that EnKF is effective for assimilating ASAR observations into the hydrological model. Compared with the simulation and in situ observations, the assimilated results were significantly improved in the surface layer and root layer, and the soil moisture varied slightly in the deep layer. Additionally, EnKF is an efficient approach to handle the strongly nonlinear problem which is practical and effective for soil moisture estimation by assimilation of remote sensing data. Moreover, to improve the assimilation results, further studies on obtaining more reliable forcing data and model parameters and increasing the efficiency and accuracy of the remote sensing observations are needed, also improving estimation accuracy of model operator is important.     

A 150-year isotopic record of lead deposition in Yancheng coastal wetland,China

Radioactive markers are useful in dating lead(Pb) deposition patterns from industrialization in sedimentary archives. As a well-known natural reserve in the world, Yancheng coastal wetland in Jiangsu Province is one of areas most sensitive to global sea level change and is located in the most developed and polluted region of China. Two cores were collected in Yancheng wetland in October 2013 and dated using ~(210)Pb and ~(137)Cs radiometric techniques. Sediments in both cores were sectioned into depth bands and examined systematically for dry bulk density, water content, magnetic susceptibility and grain-size. Multiple elements including Pb were also measured using inductively coupled plasma systems. Unsupported ~(210)Pb activities decreased with depth in both of the two cores, and ~(210)Pb chronologies were established(covering 150 years) using the constant rate of supply(CRS) model. The measured Pb contents ranged from 14.97 mg/kg to 29.40 mg/kg with average values of 17.17–22.79 mg/kg, and the Pb fluxes ranged from 41.70 mg/(m~2·yr) to 172.70 mg/(m~2·yr) with averages of 95.59–123.41 mg/(m~2·yr). Temporal variations of Pb flux, enrichment factors and Pb isotopes show a gradual and continuous increase over time and clearly reflect increased emissions from anthropogenic activities in the region. The Pb isotopic compositions show that most of Pb deposition in Yancheng wetland is input from natural sources by water flows and has the same levels of Pb as in the surface sediment of the Yangtze River and the Pacific mineral aerosol. We also stress the anthropogenic Pb contribution in Yangcheng wetland sediment and the reason of our Pb isotopes not showing anthropogenic signature is likely the instability of anthropogenic Pb in high Fe/Mn oxide conditions. Therefore, more attention should be paid to current local pollution problems, and society should take action to seek a balance between economic development and environmental protection.     

Hydrological Simulation Using TRMM and CHIRPS Precipitation Estimates in the Lower Lancang-Mekong River Basin

Satellite-based products with high spatial and temporal resolution provide useful precipitation information for data-sparse or ungauged large-scale watersheds. In the Lower Lancang-Mekong River Basin, rainfall stations are sparse and unevenly distributed, and the transboundary characteristic makes the collection of precipitation data more difficult, which has restricted hydrological processes simulation. In this study, daily precipitation data from four datasets(gauge observations, inverse distance weighted(IDW) data, Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission(TRMM) estimates, and Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Stations(CHIRPS) estimates), were applied to drive the Soil and Water Assessment Tool(SWAT) model, and then their capability for hydrological simulation in the Lower Lancang-Mekong River Basin were examined. TRMM and CHIRPS data showed good performances on precipitation estimation in the Lower Lancang-Mekong River Basin, with the better performance for TRMM product. The Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency(NSE) values of gauge, IDW, TRMM, and CHIRPS simulations during the calibration period were 0.87, 0.86, 0.95, and 0.93 for monthly flow, respectively, and those for daily flow were 0.75, 0.77, 0.86, and 0.84, respectively. TRMM and CHIRPS data were superior to rain gauge and IDW data for driving the hydrological model, and TRMM data produced the best simulation performance. Satellite-based precipitation estimates could be suitable data sources when simulating hydrological processes for large data-poor or ungauged watersheds, especially in international river basins for which precipitation observations are difficult to collect. CHIRPS data provide long precipitation time series from 1981 to near present and thus could be used as an alternative precipitation input for hydrological simulation, especially for the period without TRMM data. For satellite-based precipitation products, the differences in the occurrence frequencies and amounts of precipitation with different intensities would affect simulation results of water balance components, which should be comprehensively considered in water resources estimation and planning.     

Carbon Emission of Regional Land Use and Its Decomposition Analysis: Case Study of Nanjing City,China

Through the matching relationship between land use types and carbon emission items, this paper estimated carbon emissions of different land use types in Nanjing City, China and analyzed the influencing factors of carbon emissions by Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index(LMDI) model. The main conclusions are as follows: 1) Total anthropogenic carbon emission of Nanjing increased from 1.22928 x 107 t in 2000 to 3.06939 x 107 t in 2009, in which the carbon emission of Inhabitation, mining & manufacturing land accounted for 93% of the total. 2) The average land use carbon emission intensity of Nanjing in 2009 was 46.63 t/ha, in which carbon emission intensity of Inhabitation, mining & manufacturing land was the highest(200.52 t/ha), which was much higher than that of other land use types. 3) The average carbon source intensity in Nanjing was 16 times of the average carbon sink intensity(2.83 t/ha) in 2009, indicating that Nanjing was confronted with serious carbon deficit and huge carbon cycle pressure. 4) Land use area per unit GDP was an inhibitory factor for the increase of carbon emissions, while the other factors were all contributing factors. 5) Carbon emission effect evaluation should be introduced into land use activities to formulate low-carbon land use strategies in regional development.     

Managing Soil Erosion Potential by Integrating Digital Elevation Models with the Southern China's Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation——A Case Study for the West Lake Scenic Spots Area of Hangzhou,China

In China,many scenic and tourism areas are suffering from the urbanization that results from physical development of tourism projects,leading to the removal of the vegetative cover,the creation of areas impermeable to water,in-stream modifications,and other problems. In this paper,the risk of soil erosion and its ecological risks in the West Lake Scenic Spots (WLSS) area were quantitatively evaluated by integrating the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) with a digital elevation model (DEM) and geographical information system (GIS) software. The standard RUSLE factors were modified to account for local climatic and topographic characteristics reflected in the DEM maps,and for the soil types and vegetation cover types. An interface was created between the Arcinfo software and RUSLE so that the level of soil erosion and its ecological risk in the WLSS area could be mapped immediately once the model factors were defined for the area. The results from an analysis using the Arcinfo-RUSLE interface showed that the risk value in 93 % of the expanding western part of the WLSS area was moderate or more severe and the soil erosion risk in this area was thus large compared with that in the rest of the area. This paper mainly aimed to increase the awareness of the soil erosion risk in urbanizing areas and suggest that the local governments should consider the probable ecological risk resulting from soil erosion when enlarging and developing tourism areas.     

Monte carlo simulation of in situ gamma-spectra recorded by NaI (Tl) detector in the marine environment

To develop a Na I(Tl) detector for in situ radioactivity monitoring in the marine environment and enhance the confidence of the probability of the gamma-spectrum analysis, Monte Carlo simulations using the Monte Carlo N-Particle( MNCP) code were performed to provide the response spectra of some interested radionuclides and the background spectra originating from the natural radionuclides in seawater recorded by a Na I(Tl) detector. A newly developed 75 mm × 75 mm Na I(Tl) detector was calibrated using four reference radioactive sources 137 Cs, 60 Co, 40 K and 54 Mn in the laboratory before the field measurements in seawater. A simulation model was established for the detector immersed in seawater. The simulated spectra were all broadened with Gaussian pulses to reflect the statistical fluctuations and electrical noise in the real measurement. The simulated spectra show that the single-energy photons into the detector are mostly scattering low-energy photons and the high background in the low energy region mainly originates from the Compton effect of the high energy γ-rays of natural radionuclides in seawater. The simulated background spectrum was compared with the experimental one recorded in field measurement and they seem to be in good agreement. The simulation method and spectra can be used for the accurate analysis of the filed measurement results of low concentration radioactivity in seawater.     

Estimation and Spatio-temporal Patterns of Carbon Emissions from Grassland Fires in Inner Mongolia,China

Grassland fires results in carbon emissions, which directly affects the carbon cycle of ecosystems and the carbon balance. The grassland area of Inner Mongolia accounts for 22% of the total grassland area in China, and many fires occur in the area every year. However, there are few models for estimation of carbon emissions from grassland fires. Accurate estimation of direct carbon emissions from grassland fires is critical to quantifying the contribution of grassland fires to the regional balance of atmospheric carbon. In this study, the regression equations for aboveground biomass(AGB) of grassland in growing season and MODIS NDVI(Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) were established through field experiments, then AGB during Nov.–Apr. were retrieved based on that in Oct. and decline rate, finally surface fuel load was obtained for whole year. Based on controlled combustion experiments of different grassland types in Inner Mongolia, the carbon emission rate of grassland fires for each grassland type were determined, then carbon emission was estimated using proposed method and carbon emission rate. Results revealed that annual average surface fuel load of grasslands in Inner Mongolia during 2000–2016 was approximately 1.1978 × 10~(12) kg. The total area of grassland which was burned in the Inner Mongolia region over the 17-year period was 5298.75 km2, with the annual average area of 311.69 km~2. The spatial distribution of grassland surface fuel loads is characterized by decreasing from northeast to southwest in Inner Mongolia. The total carbon emissions from grassland fires amounted to 2.24 × 10~7 kg with an annual average of 1.32 × 10~6 for the study area. The areas with most carbon emissions were mainly concentrated in Old Barag Banner and New Barag Right Banner and on the right side of the Oroqin Autonomous Banner. The spatial characteristics of carbon emission depend on the location of grassland fire, mainly in the northeast of Inner Mongolia include Hulunbuir City, Hinggan League, Xilin Gol League and Ulanqab City. The area and spatial location of grassland fires can directly affect the total amount and spatial distribution of carbon emissions. This study provides a reference for estimating carbon emissions from steppe fires. The model and framework for estimation of carbon emissions from grassland fires established can provide a reference value for estimation of carbon emissions from grassland fires in other regions.     

Large eddy simulation of the rotation effect on the ocean turbulence kinetic energy budget in the surface mixed layer

A non-hydrostatic, Boussinesq, and three-dimensional large eddy simulation(LES) model was used to study the impact of the Earth's rotation on turbulence and the redistribution of energy in turbulence kinetic energy(TKE) budget. A set of numerical simulations was conducted,(1) with and without rotation,(2) at different latitudes(10°N, 30°N, 45°N, 60°N, and 80°N),(3) with wave breaking and with Langmuir circulation, and(4) under different wind speeds(5, 10, 20, and 30 m/s). The results show that eddy viscosity decreases when rotation is included, indicating that rotation weakens the turbulence strength. The TKE budget become tight with rotation and the effects of rotation grow with latitude. However, rotation become less important under Langmuir circulation since the transport term is strong in the vertical direction. Finally, simulations were conducted based on field data from the Boundary Layer and Air-Sea Transfer Low Wind(CBLAST-Low) experiment. The results, although more complex, are consistent with the results obtained from earlier simulations using ideal numerical conditions.     

Pyrolytic and kinetic analysis of coastal plant Xanthium sibiricum

The fuel properties of coastal plant Xanthium sibiricum were investigated in thermogravimetrics.The distributed activation energy model was employed in the kinetic analysis and a simplified mathematical model that can predict the thermogravimetry curves was proposed.The results show that the initial decomposition temperature tends to increase with the heating rate.The distributed E values ranged from 169.08 to 177.43 kJ/mol,and the frequency factor values ranged from 6.59× 10~8 to 1.22×10~(12)/s at different conversion rates.Furthermore,the prediction made with the simplified mathematical model perfectly matched the experimental data,and the model was found to be simple and accurate for the prediction of devolatilization curves.     

Identification and quantification of lead source in sediment in the northern East China Sea using stable lead isotopes

Stable Pb isotopes in surface and core sediments were determined to identify the sources of Pb contaminants in the northern East China Sea(ECS).The Bayesian stable isotope mixing model was used to quantify the contributions of Pb sources.The results show that since the late 1980 s,ratios of~(207)Pb/~(206)Pb and ~(208)Pb/~(206)Pb increased in the top 34-cm sediment shown in the coastal core samples,reflecting elevated anthropogenic Pb input in coastal sea.Seaward increase of ~(207)Pb/~(206)Pb and ~(208)Pb/~(206)Pb ratios in surface sediments reveals that anthropogenic Pb came mainly via atmospheric transmission into the ECS.Anthropogenic sources accounted for 12.0%-21.1% of the total Pb in sediments after the 1990 s.Coal combustion was the largest anthropogenic contributor(47.5%±18.8%),and Pb mining and smelting,cement production,and vehicle exhaust/gasoline contributed 23.2%±7.1%,19.0%±13.0%,and 10.3%±6.9%,respectively.The proportions of the anthropogenic sources gradually increased while geogenic source(riverine sediment) decreased from the coast to the outer shelf.This study demonstrated that the significant influence of atmospheric input of Pb contaminants into the ECS,and also the urgent need to control coal combustion and Pb discharge from industrial dust and fume emission in China.It also highlights the promising application of the Simmr model to quantify the proportions of multiple sources of trace elements in an environment.