Characterization and evaluation of a tropical peat for the removal of Cr(VI) from solution

Tropical peat soils present higher ash content than those generated at temperate climate areas. Therefore, this study evaluated the characteristics of a Brazilian organic soil (OS), commercialized as peat, as well as its capacity in removing Cr(VI) from contaminated waters. The OS is composed of 35.5 wt% of organic matter and 56 wt% of inorganic fraction (ash), which is formed by minerals and phytoliths rich in silica (29.2 wt%) and alumina (23.6 wt%). The Cr(VI) removal tests were carried out in batch and column systems using OS and solutions of Cr(VI) prepared with distilled water and groundwater. Batch tests revealed that the organic substances in the OS caused the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III), with an efficiency depending on solution pH. At pH 5.0 the Cr(VI) removal was 0.45 mg g^?1 in 24 h; whereas at pH 2.0, this removal increased to 1.10 mg g^?1. Since this redox reaction is very slow, the removal of Cr(VI) at pH 5.0 increased to around 2 mg g^?1 after 5 days. The removal of Cr(VI) was more effective in the column tests than in the batch test due to the greater solid/solution ratio, and their half-lives were 4.4 and 26.2 h, respectively. Chemical analysis indicated that Cr(VI) was reduced by the humic substances of OS, followed by the precipitation and/or adsorption of Cr(III) into the organic and inorganic components, as anatase. The presence of Cr(III) increased the stability of anatase structure, avoiding its transformation into rutile, even after being heated at 800 °C/2 h.     

盐溶液对膨润土膨胀性的影响

膨润土因其优良的膨胀性和低渗透性常被用作深层地质处置库的缓冲和回填材料,但其膨胀性会受到地下流体溶液浓度的影响。针对这种现象,利用单轴固结仪研究了压实商用膨润土在不同上覆荷载和不同浓度NaCl溶液作用下的膨胀变形特性。结果表明：随着NaCl溶液浓度升高,该膨润土的膨胀性显著降低,且最大膨胀应变与上覆荷载之间在双对数坐标系下存在良好的线性关系。利用有效压力的概念和计算方法,实现了用唯一一条曲线来描述不同盐溶液浓度作用下膨润土的膨胀变形行为,同时证明了有效压力理论的合理性。     

Magnesium recovery from magnesite tailings by acid leaching and production of magnesium chloride hexahydrate from leaching solution by evaporation

The recovery of magnesium from magnesite tailings in aqueous hydrochloric acid solutions by acid leaching was studied in a batch reactor using hydrochloric acid solutions. Subsequent, production of magnesium chloride hexahydrate (MgCl₂.6H₂O) from leaching solution was also investigated. The effects of temperature, acid concentration, solid-to-liquid ratio, particle size and stirring speed on the leaching process were investigated. The pseudo-second-order reaction model seemed to be appropriate for the magnesium leaching. The activation energy of the leaching process was estimated to be 62.4 kJ mol^− 1. Finally, MgCl₂.6H₂O in a purity of 91% was produced by evaporation of leaching solution obtained at a temperature of 40 °C, 1.0 M acid, solid-to-liquid ratio of 10 g/L, particle size of 100 µm, stirring speed of 1250 rpm and leaching time of 60 min.     

大九湖泥炭柱样的木质素特征

根据大九湖泥炭柱样的木质素特征,结合C/N、δ13C和δ15N数据,分析了有机物的来源和降解特征.结果表明,陆地C3高等植物是有机物的主要来源.木质素的S/V和C/V参数指示该泥沼的主要维管植物是草本被子植物.有机碳含量(OC)的变化与这些植被参数具有良好的对应关系,说明植被变化是控制有机碳含量的重要因素.(Ad/AI)v和(Ad/A1)s参数表明泥炭中的木质素经历了中等程度的氧化降解,而棕腐菌的去甲基/去甲氧基过程是控制木质素含量的主要降解途径.木质素在埋藏后的降解很小,其降解程度更多地受对应年代的环境条件的控制,例如,在温暖湿润的全新世气候最适宜期,木质素降解程度显著高于之前的寒冷干燥时期.     

Effect of permafrost on geochemistry in a Canadian peat plateau bog

Permafrost is a common feature in the Canadian Subarctic, resulting in the development of distinctive wetland forms, such as peat plateaux, which are perennially frozen peatlands. The geochemistry of a peat plateau bog in East Little Bear River Valley, Northwest Territories, is discussed, including variations in botanical and mineralogical composition, and the influence of permafrost. The riparian margin of the plateau bog is unfrozen, but permafrost occurs at 0.68 m depth 10 m inland. Cores taken in these 2 sites exhibit variations in peat stratigraphy, but possess a similar C-shape ash distribution. In the core not affected by permafrost, most elements studied (Al, Ba, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Si, Th, Ti, V) also display a C-shape distribution, and their concentration can be explained in terms of mineral matter abundance and variety. Halogens (Cl, I, Br), on the other hand, are mainly associated with the organic fraction, whereas Ca and Se appear to be associated with both the organic and inorganic fraction. In the permafrost-affected core, all elements, independently of their organic or inorganic affinity, exhibit a substantial enrichment immediately above the permafrost table, whereas they are depleted immediately below. This is inferred to be the result of solute redistribution linked with ice formation caused by upward permafrost growth and downward seasonal freezing.     

中国沿海登陆热带气旋活动特征分析

热带气旋是危害中国最严重的天气系统,分析和认识中国沿海登陆热带气旋活动的新特征对防灾减灾具有重要意义。依据近70年气象资料,采用统计学方法,对登陆中国沿海的热带气旋特征进行分析,研究发现:在气候变化的背景下,登陆中国的热带气旋发生了明显变化。近年台风登陆频数高于往年平均,其整体强度和最大值均呈增大趋势,年台风强度的不稳定性加剧;研究还发现台风强度越高,其生成地纬度带范围越窄且越靠近赤道;建立了高强度热带气旋（STY和SUPER TY）时间和纬度的关系"φ—m"。检验了台风季长与初旋日呈负相关且不受厄尔尼诺现象影响,台风季长符合正态分布并给出概率密度公式。     

Distribution, classification, petrological and related gochemical (SRA) characteristics of a tropical lowland peat dome in the Kota Samarahan-Asajaya area, West Sarawak, Malaysia

Petrographic studies indicate that lateral variations in the decomposition levels of peat are associated with the predominantly occurring peat macerals. Source Rock Analyzer (SRA) results indicate lateral variation in peat organic matter types from type II to III and back again to type II, occurring laterally within the top 0-m to 0.5-m layer at the basin margin to the midsection and further towards the near-center areas of the peat dome. This variation is most likely caused by a combination of factors: (a) Horizontal zonation and lateral variation of the dominant species of plant assemblages (b) Fibric (marginal) peats and hemic to sapric peats associated with type II organic matter (kerogen). Sample organic matter (coal-equivalent kerogen) typing indicates that the relative abundance of phytoclasts and palynomorphs generally supports the organic matter classification obtained by the SRA method. Lateral variations in the peat organic matter types may support the lateral vegetation variation concept. The classification of peat organic matter types (interpreted from visual analyses of palynological slides) occurring from the basin periphery to the mid-section and further towards the basin center yields organic matter of type II to type III and mixed types II to III (coal kerogen-equivalent), respectively.     

Seasonal variability of physico-chemical characteristics of the Haldia channel of Hooghly estuary, India

Physical and chemical characteristics of the Hooghly estuary during winter (December 1997–January 1998), summer (May 1998) and post-monsoon (November 1998) seasons have been studied. Salinity varied spatially and temporally and seasonally during ebb and flood tide conditions. Water temperature showed a difference of 10‡C in winter to summer. Temperature did not vary much vertically as it is a well-mixed estuary. Strong currents exceeding 100 cm S^-1 were observed during peak ebb and flood tide conditions irrespective of the season. Longitudinal eddy diffusion coefficient (K _x ) was estimated as 757m S^-1 and 811m² S^-1 during summer and post-monsoon seasons, respectively. The vertical eddy diffusion coefficient (ε_v) was estimated as 0.0337 m² S^-1 during post-monsoon season. The salinity and current observations are compared with those obtained from models reported earlier. Values of pH, Dissolved Oxygen and Biological Oxygen Demand are within the threshold limits of the estuarine environment. Nutrients show seasonal variation in the estuarine environment. High values (160-2686 mg l^-1) of total suspended matter were noticed both at surface and bottom in the study region showing the impact of fresh water and sediment transportation.     

Physicochemical characteristics and levels of microbial activity in some florida peat swamps

Although microorganisms are certainly present in swamp and marsh peats, their geochemical role has not been demonstrated, in spite of their importance in determining the input to coalification processes. In order to obtain information on the gross level of microbial activity in the natural habitats, a broad-spectrum test for a type of enzyme important in the respiration of all organisms has been applied to cores of peat from a number of different environments in the Florida Everglades. In most cases, the respiratory activity in the upper layer is comparable to that in a fertile mineral soil, and this level of activity is found also at greater depths in several cores. In addition, some properties of the peat that tend to define their character as habitats for microorganisms were determined. pH values close to neutrality were observed at all sites. Chlorinity and total ionic strength naturally were high in the coastal swamps; seasonal variations in profiles in the brackish areas somewhat away from the coast suggested that some bulk flow of water through the peat into the porous limestone bedrock occurs in the rainy season. Eh profiles, regarded as empirical characterizations of environments, did differ considerably between saline and fresh water peats, though on a graphite indicator electrode were more positive than might have been expected in systems in which sulfate reduction was active. However, in these non-equilibrium systems, the potential recorded apparently depends on the nature of the electrode material used.     

Sorption characteristics of peat of Brunei Darussalam IV: equilibrium,thermodynamics and kinetics of adsorption of methylene blue and malachite green dyes from aqueous solution

Peat of Brunei Darussalam shows a great potential for the removal of methylene blue (MB) and malachite green (MG) dyes from aqueous solution. Carefully controlled batch experiments performed by changing one parameter at a time indicate that the optimum time periods of agitation and settling required for maximum removal of MB are 2.0 and 1.0 h, respectively, while these values for MG are 4.0 and 1.0 h, respectively. The optimum pH is determined to be the ambient value, and under the optimum conditions, 90 % removal of both dyes was determined under laboratory conditions. The equilibrium adsorption data analyzed for various isotherm models suggest that the Sips and Redlich–Peterson (R–P) models are valid for MB and MG, respectively. Further, thermodynamic studies show that the adsorption of both dyes on peat is spontaneous and endothermic. The adsorption capacities (q _max) of MB and MG dyes on peat are 0.45 and 0.31 mmol g^?1, respectively. Characterization of the surfaces of peat before and after treatment of dyes by SEM and FTIR provides conclusive evidence of adsorption of both dyes. Kinetics studies indicate that the adsorption of both MB and MG dyes is favored toward the pseudo-second-order model, with a little contribution of MG to the pseudo-first-order model. These results suggest that peat is a potential low-cost adsorbent for the removal of MB and MG dyes.     

Adsorption capacity and mineralogical and physico-chemical characteristics of Shuwaymiyah palygorskite (Oman)

In this paper, Shuwaymiyah palygorskite in the Sultanate of Oman has been characterized mineralogically by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron microscopy, chemically by oxide compositions, structural formulae, and cation exchange capacity (CEC), and physically by specific surface area and adsorption isotherms. Batch adsorption studies were performed to evaluate the adsorption performance of methylene blue (MB) basic dye on the local clay mineral. The quantitative XRD analysis indicates that the purity of some selected samples of palygorskite clay is very high (about 70% of the clay minerals are palygorskite and 30% kaolinite). The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images clearly support this conclusion. The adsorption equilibrium revealed that Shuwaymiyah palygorskite clay can uptake up to 51 mg of MB per 1 g mass of clay. MB adsorption is best fitted by Langmuir isotherm, and a pseudo-second-order kinetic model can be efficiently used to predict the kinetic of adsorption of MB by the palygorskite. The results obtained from these laboratory-scale adsorption tests indicate the promising adsorption capability of the Omani palygorskite.     

草炭土路基处理方法研究

为选择合适的草炭土路基处理方法，通过理论分析，对工程实例中遇到的草炭土路基，拟定塑料排水板法和砂桩挤密法处理措施，并对两种方法的处理效果进行了对比。研究结果表明砂桩挤密法无论是从提高固结度，加快草炭土路基固结，还是减小工后沉降，保证路基运营稳定方面都要优于塑料排水板法。砂桩挤密法更适用于草炭土路基处理。     

Influence of micrometeorological features on coastal boundary layer aerosol characteristics at the tropical station, Trivandrum

Characteristics of aerosols in the Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) obtained from a bistatic CW lidar at Trivandrum for the last one decade are used to investigate the role of ABL micro-meteorological processes in controlling the altitude distribution and size spectrum. The altitude structure of number density shows three distinct zones depending on the prevailing boundary layer feature; viz, the well-mixed region, entertainment region and upper mixing region. In the lower altitudes vertical mixing is very strong (the well-mixed region) the upper limit of which is defined as aerosol-mixing height, is closely associated with the low level inversion. The aerosol mixing height generally lies in the range 150 to 400 m showing a strong dependence on the vertical eddy mixing processes in ABL. Above this altitude, the number density decreases almost exponentially with increase in altitude with a scale height of 0.5–1.5 km. The aerosol mixing height is closely associated with the height of the Thermal Internal Boundary Layer (TIBL). Sea-spray aerosols generated as a result of the interaction of surface wind with sea surface forms an important component of mixing region aerosols at this location. This component shows a non-linear dependence on wind speed. On an average, depending on the season, the mixing region contributes about 10–30% of the columnar aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 0.5Μm wavelength. A long term increasing trend (∼ 2.8% per year) is observed in mixing region AOD from 1989 to 1997. A study on the development of the aerosols in the nocturnal mixing region shows that the convectively driven daytime altitude structure continues to persist for about 4–5 hrs. after the sunset and thereafter the altitude structure is governed by vertical structure of horizontal wind. Stratified aerosol layers associated with stratified turbulence is very common during the late night hours.     

Sensitivity of tropical cyclone characteristics to the radial distribution of sea surface temperature

Sea Surface Temperature (SST) is crucial for the development and maintenance of a tropical cyclone (TC) particularly below the storm core region. However, storm data below the core region is the most difficult to obtain, hence it is not clear yet that how sensitive the radial distribution of the SST impact the storm characteristic features such as its inner-core structures, translational speed, track, rainfall and intensity particularly over the Bay of Bengal. To explore the effects of radial SST distribution on the TC characteristics, a series of numerical experiments were carried out by modifying the SST at different radial extents using two-way interactive, triply-nested, nonhydrostatic Advanced Weather Research and Forecast (WRF-ARW) model. It is found that not only the SST under the eyewall (core region) contribute significantly to modulate storm track, translational speed and intensity, but also those outside the eyewall region (i.e., 2–2.5 times the radius of maximum wind (RMW)) play a vital role in defining the storm’s characteristics and structure. Out of all the simulated experiments, storm where the positive radial change of SST inducted within the 75 km of the storm core (i.e., P75) produced the strongest storm. In addition, N300 (negative radial changes at 300 km) produced the weakest storm. Further, it is found that SST, stronger within 2–2.5 times of the RMW for P75 experiment, plays a dominant role in maintaining 10 m wind speed (WS ₁₀), surface entropy flux (SEF) and upward vertical velocity (w) within the eyewall with warmer air temperature (T) and equivalent potential temperature (??_e) within the storm’s eye compared to other experiments.     

The role of saline solution properties on porous limestone salt weathering by magnesium and sodium sulfates

Saline solution properties, viscosity in particular, are shown to be critical in salt weathering associated with sodium and magnesium sulfate crystallization in porous limestone. The crystallization of sodium and magnesium sulfate within a porous limestone has been studied at a macro- and microscale using different techniques, including mercury intrusion porosimetry, environmental scanning microscopy and X-ray computed tomography. Such analysis enabled the visualization of the crystallization process in situ, and at high magnification, yielding critical information as to where and how salts crystallize. Sodium sulfate decahydrate (mirabilite) tends to crystallize in large pores as euhedral micron-sized crystals formed at low supersaturation near to the surface of the stone. In contrast, magnesium sulfate heptahydrate (epsomite) tends to precipitate as anhedral wax-like aggregates formed at high supersaturation and distributed homogeneously throughout the stone pore system filling large and small pores. While the former crystallization behavior resulted in scale formation, the latter led to crack development throughout the bulk stone. Ultimately, the contrasting weathering behavior of the two sulfates is explained by considering differences in flow dynamics of solutions within porous materials that are mainly connected with the higher viscosity of magnesium sulfate saturated solution (7.27 cP) when compared with sodium sulfate saturated solution (1.83 cP). On the basis of such results, new ways to tackle salt weathering, particularly in the field of cultural heritage conservation, are discussed.     

Development and carbon sequestration of tropical peat domes in south-east Asia: links to post-glacial sea-level changes and Holocene climate variability

Tropical peatlands of SE-Asia represent a significant terrestrial carbon reservoir of an estimated 65 Gt C. In this paper we present a comprehensive data synthesis of radiocarbon dated peat profiles and 31 basal dates of ombrogenous peat domes from the lowlands of Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo and integrate our peatland data with records of past sea-level and climate change in the region. Based on their developmental features three peat dome regions were distinguished: inland Central Kalimantan (Borneo), Kutai basin (Borneo) and coastal areas across the entire region. With the onset of the Holocene the first peat domes developed in Central Kalimantan as a response to rapid post-glacial sea-level rise over the Sunda Shelf and intensification of the Asian monsoon. Peat accumulation rates in Central Kalimantan strongly declined after 8500 cal BP in close relation to the lowering rate of the sea-level rise and possibly influenced by the regional impact of the 8.2 ka event. Peat growth in Central Kalimantan apparently ceased during the Late Holocene in association with amplified El Niño activity as exemplified by several truncated peat profiles. Peat domes from the Kutai basin are all younger than ～8300 cal BP. Peat formation and rates of peat accumulation were driven by accretion rates of the Mahakam River and seemingly independent of climate. Most coastal peat domes, the largest expanse of SE-Asian peatlands, initiated between 7000 and 4000 cal BP as a consequence of a Holocene maximum in regional rainfall and the stabilisation and subsequent regression of the sea-level. These boundary conditions induced the highest rates of peat accumulation of coastal peat domes. The Late Holocene sea-level regression led to extensive new land availability that allowed for continued coastal peat dome formation until the present. The time weighted mean Holocene peat accumulation rate is 0.54 mm yr^?1 for Central Kalimantan, 1.89 mm yr^?1 for Kutai and 1.77 mm yr^?1 for coastal domes of Sumatra and Borneo. The mean Holocene carbon sequestration rates amount to 31.3 g C m^?2 yr^?1 for Central Kalimantan and 77.0 g C m^?2 yr^?1 for coastal sites, which makes coastal peat domes of south-east Asia the spatially most efficient terrestrial ecosystem in terms of long term carbon sequestration.     

The physico-chemical behaviour of the descending lithosphere

The lithosphere is the cold conductive boundary layer formed by cooling of the oceanic crust and upper mantle as it is convected away from oceanic ridges. Although its rheological properties vary continuously with depth, the lithosphere is conveniently divided into an upper elastic layer and a lower plastic layer, the latter overlying a zone of viscous flow. Chemically the lithosphere is vertically zoned with its uppermost part formed by variously hydrated oceanic crust; at M this overlies highly depleted dunite or harzburgite passing downwards over 50 km or so into garnet lherzolite. The vertical variation in density, and thus the gravitational stability of the lithosphere, is controlled by interplay of compositional variation and temperature distribution.As it enters an oceanic trench the lithosphere flexures elastically and plunges downwards at an average inclination close to 45°. During its descent it undergoes dissipative heating at its upper surface. Initially this heating drives a series of prograde metamorphic reactions in the oceanic crust ; because these are largely endothermic, the descending lithosphere heats less rapidly than previously expected, an effect which may be enhanced by percolation of the water of dehydration.Although it is commonly assumed that dehydration water is released upwards, it is not clear that this is true in the presence of the strong negative temperature gradients at the top of the slab, and water may initially be driven downwards into the slab to be released later at much greater depth. The magmatic activity which is associated with the partial melting of the uppermost part of the slab and with partial fusion of diapiric masses in the mantle above it, is critically dependent on the behaviour of the water carried down by the subduction process.The slab itself undergoes a series of phase changes during its descent some of which make a major contribution to the body force during subduction. By the time it reaches 700 km the slab has undergone significant thermal erosion, but the major compositional inhomogeneities within it are retained by the mantle into which it merges.     

Study on the compositional dependence of the apparent partition coefficient of iron and magnesium between coexisting garnet and clinopyroxene solid solution

Compositional dependence of apparent partition coefficient of iron and magnesium between coexisting garnet and clinopyroxene from Mt. Higasiakaisi is studied by means of a multicomponent regular solution model. It is shown that garnet and clinopyroxene solid solutions are positively non-ideal, and the non-ideal parameters according to the symmetric regular solution model are 2.58 kcal and 2.39 kcal, respectively, assuming the equilibration temperature of the mass to be 550° C.Notations a _i ^h activity of component i in phase h - _ij interaction parameter of component i and j in a solid solution - _i activity coefficient of component i - X _i mole fraction of component i - K partition coefficient of Fe and Mg between coexisting garnet and clinopyroxene - K apparent partition coefficient of Fe and Mg between coexisting garnet and clinopyroxene - G ⁰ difference in free energy of the partition reaction - H ⁰ difference in enthalpy of the partition reaction - S ⁰ difference in entropy of the partition reaction - R gas constant - G garnet - Alm almandine component - Py pyrope component - Gr grossular component - Sp spessartine component - CPx clinopyroxene - Hd hedenbergite component - Di diopside component - Jd jadeite component - Ts Tschermac's molecule component Deceased on April 17, 1974.     

Influence of physico-chemical components on the consolidation behavior of soft kaolinites

Pore solution salinity has important bearing on engineering behavior of marine sediments as they influence electrochemical stress (A–R) and differential osmotic stress (?π) of the salt-enriched clays. The electrochemical stress (A–R) is contributed by van der Waals (A) attraction and diffuse ion layer repulsion (R), while the differential osmotic stress (?π) is governed by the differences in dissolved salt concentrations in solutions separated by osmotic membrane. The paper examines the relative influence of differential osmotic stress (Δπ) and electrochemical stress (A–R) on the consolidation behavior of slurry consolidated kaolinite specimens, which are known to be encountered in recent alluvial marine sediments. Methods are described to evaluate the magnitudes of these physico-chemical components and their incorporation in true effective stress. Results of the study demonstrate that differential osmotic stress finitely contributes to true effective stress. The contribution from differential osmotic stress enables kaolinite specimens to sustain larger void ratio during consolidation.