In search for fingerprints of an extraterrestrial event: Trace element characteristics of sediments from the lake Medvedevskoye (Karelian Isthmus,Russia)

Concentration and distribution of trace elements across the sequence of the Late Pleistocene sediments from the lake Medvedevskoye suggest the addition of materials other than those from a common source for the lake sediments of the region. The sediments of the lake Medvedevskoye carry some geochemical fingerprints which could be related the ET event that occurred at ca. 12.9 ka. Because such fingerprints are extremely subtle, the NW Russia can be considered to be the most remote eastern region of the extent of the Late Pleistocene airborne ET material. The sediments of the lake Medvedevskoye can also contain volcanic material from the eruption of the Laacher See (Germany) volcano and probably from other Late Pleistocene volcanoes of Western Europe and/or Iceland.     

福建近岸浅海沉积物元素丰度及含量变化特征

通过福建省沿海经济带生态地球化学调查,在福建近岸浅海区域共采集479件沉积物样品,分析测试了52种化学元素以及pH值和有机碳等指标。总结了该区域浅海沉积物化学元素的丰度、含量变化及其区域分布,并分不同沉积物类型统计有害元素的污染起始值。福建近岸浅海沉积物与中国浅海沉积物对比,大部分元素的含量高于中国浅海沉积物,含量变化基本遵循“元素的粒度控制律”,除Si元素相反外,Al、Fe、Cu、Co、Ni等绝大多数元素的含量随沉积物粒度变细（砂→粉砂→泥）而升高,有些元素在泥质沉积物中的含量常高出砂质的数倍;其高值、高背景区的区域分布也总是与细粒沉积物有关,而低值、低背景区则明显地与砂质沉积物的分布相关。     

Distribution and sources of carbon,nitrogen, phosphorus and biogenic silica in the sediments of Chilika lagoon

The present study investigated the spatial and vertical distribution of organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and biogenic silica (BSi) in the sedimentary environments of Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon. Surface and core sediments were collected from various locations of the Chilika lagoon and were analysed for grain-size distribution and major elements in order to understand their distribution and sources. Sand is the dominant fraction followed by silt + clay. Primary production within the lagoon, terrestrial input from river discharge and anthropogenic activities in the vicinity of the lagoon control the distribution of OC, TN, TP and BSi in the surface as well as in the core sediments. Low C/N ratios in the surface sediments (3.49–3.41) and cores (4–11.86) suggest that phytoplankton and macroalgae may be major contributors of organic matter (OM) in the lagoon. BSi is mainly associated with the mud fraction. Core C5 from Balugaon region shows the highest concentration of OC ranging from 0.58–2.34%, especially in the upper 30 cm, due to direct discharge of large amounts of untreated sewage into the lagoon. The study highlights that Chilika is a dynamic ecosystem with a large contribution of OM by autochthonous sources with some input from anthropogenic sources as well.     

杭州湾及其邻近海域沉积物中Fe、Mn、Ca、Mg的地球化学研究

本文通过对杭州湾及其邻近海域29个站位的表层沉积物化学、粘土矿物及碎屑矿物资料的分析,详细研究了开放型海湾沉积物中Fe、Mn、Ca、Mg元素地球化学特征。研究表明,1)与同类型海湾相比,杭州湾显示高Fe、Mn、Mg低Ca的特点。表明物质来源丰富,而生物作用较弱;2)Fe、Mn主要来自长江和钱塘江径流搬运,受粘土控制。Mg主要来自粘土对海水中Mg2+的吸附,同时受上覆水盐度的影响;3)北区元素间关系明显的比南区强烈,表明南区物质来源较北区复杂;4)主断面沉积物中Mg/Ca由河口向海洋增加,并与有机碳呈明显的正相关,显示杭州湾及邻近陆架区可能发生着原始碳酸盐（钙）白云岩化的反应。     

Investigating the spatial distribution of antimony geochemical anomalies located in the Yunnan-Guizhou-Guangxi region,China

The Yunnan-Guizhou-Guangxi region is well known for its abundant mineral resources, and low-temperature hydrothermal mineralization represented by the elemental association of gold, arsenic, antimony and mercury is widely developed there. Many studies on the geological-geochemical characteristics of gold have been conducted, but a comprehensive understanding of the antimony geochemical pattern is still lacking. This paper studied the Sb distribution characteristics and the cause of geochemical anomalies based on the geochemical data of stream sediments and rocks in the study area. In addition, the geochemical data of Au, As, Sb and Hg were centered and log-ratio transformed to eliminate the closure effect, and then random forest regression (RFR) with Au, As and Hg as the characteristic variables was used to investigate the ore-related geochemical anomalies of Sb. Seven geochemical provinces were delineated from the original geochemical data, and they are not entirely consistent with the known deposits. Sb moves from the rocks to the stream sediments during weathering. The variation trend in the Sb background values in stream sediments in each tectonic unit is consistent with that in the rocks themselves, implying that Sb in the stream sediments is inherited from the background rocks. The distributions of Sb predicted by RFR are similar to the distribution pattern of Sb in stream sediments. Of the three elements considered, the influence of As on the variations in the Sb geochemical background is the greatest, followed by Au and then Hg. The geochemical anomalies extracted by the residuals produced in this algorithm are consistent with where the known Sb metallogenic district is located, indicating that this method of recognizing geochemical anomalies is feasible and effective and has theoretical and practical significance.     

四川省木里地区水系沉积物中微量元素的分布分配特征浅析

通过时比三种粒度中元素异常的形态、规模、空间展布、强度、元素组合及均值、峰值含量的变化,了解各元素在各粒级中的分配特征,研究元素随样品粒度的变化规律.     

江苏典型地区河流沉积物重金属元素分布特征及其污染来源

通过对河流沉积物等地表沉积物中重金属元素分布等环境地球化学调查数据的统计分析,总结了江苏典型地区河流沉积物中重金属元素的分布特点与规律:江苏局部地区河流沉积物中,Cd、Pb、Zn、Cr、Cu、Ni、Hg等相对富集趋势明显,Cd最大富集倍数 100;不同河流沉积物的重金属元素分布存在差异,与其污染来源密切相关;工业排放是导致河流重金属污染的主要原因,使用含Cd的颜料作为调色剂导致部分河流出现严重Cd污染;与土壤等其他地表沉积物相比,河流沉积物中重金属元素的分布更不均衡。查明河流沉积物的重金属元素分布可为相关农产品安全性预测、确定重金属污染来源、追踪涉重产业的发展历程、防治局部耕地重金属污染等提供科学依据。     

Ecological-geochemical evaluation of the state of surface water streams in the impact area of the tailing dump of the Urupsky Ore Mining

Surface waters are subject to intense contamination with trace elements in ore mining areas. A complex study was performed for the state of waters and bottom sediments from the Bogachukha and Urup Rivers in the area of the abandoned tailing dump of the Urupsky Ore Mining. The impact exerted by the tailing dump on the concentration of elements in the water, suspended particulate matter, and bottom sediments of the rivers is evaluated. The major contaminants of surface waters and bottom sediments, as well as the forms of their element distribution are revealed.     

Palaeoclimate indicators (clay minerals,calcareous nannofossils,stable isotopes) compared from two successions in the late Jurassic of the Volga Basin (SE Russia)

A study of clay mineral and calcareous nannofossil abundances in late Jurassic–early Cretaceous sediments from the Volga Basin, SE Russia, is presented. From these results, we are able to compare some general patterns of mineralogical and palaeontological change for the Volga Basin to the palaeoclimate models developed for northern Europe and beyond. The two successions examined comprise calcareous mudstones with black organic‐rich shale horizons, overlain by a series of phosphatic silty sands. Clay mineralogical results show a progressive decrease in kaolinite and the concomitant increase of smectite and illite through the middle Volgian, followed by an abrupt increase in kaolinite in the late Volgian. The clay mineral evidence suggests increasing aridity at the end of the Jurassic, similar, in part, to many western European successions. Because of differential settling of clay minerals, superimposed upon this possible climatic signature is likely to be the effect of relative sea‐level change. Calcareous nannofossil analysis from a single section reveals a shift through the middle Volgian from low nutrient, warm water assemblages dominated by Watznaueria to cooler surface water and high nutrient assemblages dominated by Biscutum constans. These observations suggest that increased aridity is also associated with climatic cooling. Black shales are associated with increased productivity, higher sea levels and increases in smectite content. Hence, periods of low (chemical) hinterland weathering during semi‐arid conditions are paradoxically associated with relatively nutrient‐rich waters, and organic‐rich shales. Comparison of published carbon and oxygen stable isotope results from this and other sections to the clay mineral and nannofossil data confirms the palaeoclimatic interpretation. This study significantly improves the published biostratigraphically constrained clay mineral database for this time period, because other European and North American successions are either non‐marine (and thus poorly dated), absent (through penecontemporaneous erosion) or condensed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Natural and anthropogenic influences on the geochemistry of Quaternary lake sediments from Holzmaar, Germany

 The accumulation of heavy metals and trace elements has been investigated in a well laminated sequence of Holocene and late Pleistocene lake sediments composed of diatomaceous gyttja, tuff and silt and clay sediments. Varve chronology of the annually deposited gyttja yielded a continuous high-resolution time sequence and allowed the absolute age dating of the sediment. Fluxes of elements remained largely uniform from the late Pleistocene into the Holocene (12 867–2 364 VT years ago; VT: varve time, years before 1950). Higher trace element and heavy metal fluxes occur from 2 322 to 862 VT years ago and reached their maxima in the uppermost sediments (<845 VT years ago). These increasing element fluxes correlate with increasing inputs of clastic material. The changing accumulation rates are the result of elevated soil erosion in the lake catchment caused by human settlement, deforestation and agricultural activities. Thus disturbances of the natural geochemical cycles of the Holzmaar region have occurred since the beginning of the Iron Age and especially since the beginning of the Middle Ages. Received: 29 May 1996 · Accepted: 19 August 1996     

The upper Volgian Substage in Northeast Siberia (Nordvik Peninsula) and its Panboreal correlation based on ammonites

Section of the middle and upper Volgian substages and basal Boreal Berriasian in the Cape Urdyuk-Khaya (Nordvik Peninsula) is largely composed of dark argillites substantially enriched in C_org. Characteristic of the section is a continuous succession of ammonite, foraminiferal, ostracode, and dinocyst zones known also in the other Arctic areas. Boundaries of the upper Volgian Substage are recognizable only based on biostratigraphic criteria. The succession of the middle Volgian Taimyrosphinctes excentricus to basal Ryazanian Hectoroceras kochi zones is characterized. The range of the substage is revised. The lower Exoticus Zone, where ammonites characteristic of the Nikitini Zone upper part in the East European platform have been found, is referred to the middle Volgian Substage. Newly found ammonites are figured. Two possible positions of the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary in the Arctic region, i.e., at the lower and upper boundaries of the Chetae Zone at the top of the upper Volgian Substage, are discussed.     

Geochemistry and genetic model of the ore-bearing sediments of the Parnok ferromanganese deposit, Polar Urals

The Parnok ferromanganese deposit is confined to the black shales of the western slope of the Polar Urals. The deposit area is made up of weakly metamorphosed terrigenous-carbonate rocks formed in a marine basin at a passive continental margin. Ore-bearing sequence is composed of coaliferous clayey-siliceous-calcareous shales comprising beds and lenses of pelitomorphic limestones, and iron and manganese ores. The iron ores practically completely consist of micrograined massive magnetite. The manganese ores are represented by lenticular-bedded rocks consisting of hausmannite, rhodochrosite, and diverse manganese silicates. With respect to relations between indicator elements (Fe, Mn, Al, Ti), the shales are ascribed to pelagic sediments with normal concentrations of Fe and Mn, the limestones correspond to metalliferous sediments, ferruginous sediments are ore-bearing sediments, while manganese rocks occupy an intermediate position. It was found that the concentrations of trace elements typical of submarine hydrothermal solutions (As, Ge, Ni, Pb, Sb, Zn, etc.) in both the ore types are in excess of those in lithogenic component. At the same time, the indicator elements of terrigenous material (Al, Ti, Hf, Nb, Th, Zr, and others) in the ores are several times lower than those in the host shales (background sediments). REE distribution patterns in iron ores show the positive Eu anomaly, while those in manganese ores, the positive Ce anomaly. In general, the chemical composition of the ores indicates their formation in the hydrothermal discharge zone. The peculiar feature of the studied object is the manifestation of hydrothermal vents in sedimentary basin without evident signs of volcanic activity. Hydrothermal solutions were formed in terrigenous-carbonate sequence mainly at the expense of buried sedimentation waters. The hydrothermal system was likely activated by rejuvenation of tectonic and magmatic processes at the basement of sedimentary sequences. Solutions leached iron, manganese, and other elements from sedimentary rocks and transported them to the seafloor. Their discharge occurred in relatively closed marine basin under intermittent anaerobic conditions. Eh-pH variations led to the differentiation of Fe and Mn and accumulation of chemically contrasting ore-bearing sediments.     

太湖入湖河道沉积物中生物利用磷和营养水平分析

为了解太湖入湖河道的营养状况,研究了太湖西部河流沉积物生物利用磷的组成与分布。研究结果显示,北部沉积物中营养元素较高,南部较低;沉积物中生物利用磷的含量次序为藻类可利用磷(AAP)>NaHCO3提取磷(OLP)>水溶性磷(WSP)>易解吸磷(RDP),其中AAP是重要的生物利用磷,AAP的比例越高,富营养化程度越高。AAP与营养元素的相关性在不同区域河道有所不同,北部河道与总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)相关性较好,中部和南部河道与沉积物有机质总量(TOM)相关性较好。沉积物的生物利用磷受不同污染源影响较大。对比河道沉积物与湖泊沉积物的特征,发现湖泊沉积物中生物利用磷(BAP)/总磷(TP)、藻类可利用磷(AAP)/总磷(TP)都高于河道沉积物,表明湖泊沉积物中的磷更容易被植物吸收。     

Distribution of trace elements in waters and sediments of the Seversky Donets transboundary watershed (Kharkiv region,Eastern Ukraine)

This paper reports on the aquatic chemistry of trace elements in terms of spatial and temporal distribution, but also pollution sources in the transboundary watershed of the Seversky Donets River (Ukraine/Russia). Bed sediments and filtered water were collected from the Udy and Lopan Rivers at sites from the river source in the Belgorod region (Russia) to rural and urban areas in the Kharkiv region (Ukraine) in May and August 2009. Priority trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn), an urban tracer (Ag) and additional metals (Co, Mo, V) and Th were measured in stream water and sediments. The low levels and variability of Th-normalized concentrations indicated the absence of geochemical anomalies in the upstream part of the rivers and suggested that these data represent a regional baseline for trace elements in bed sediments. In contrast, water and sediments within the city of Kharkiv were contaminated by Ag, Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr and Zn, which are mainly attributed to municipal wastewater inputs and urban run-off. Results of the environmental quality assessment showed that element concentrations in the sediments can be considered as potentially toxic to aquatic organisms in sites downstream of the wastewater discharges.     

REE geochemistry of the recent playa sediments from the Thar Desert, India: An implication to playa sediment provenance

The playas (saline lakes) situated in the Thar Desert, north-west India, provide prominent examples of alkaline brine and varying assemblages of detrital and evaporite mineralogy. The eastern margin of the desert is relatively semi-arid, whereas the central to western region is arid to hyper-arid in nature. Rare earth elements (REEs) systematics in the sediments of nine different playas of the Thar Desert were studied to understand the provenance of the sediments and the intensity of chemical weathering in the region. Based on the REE patterns, fractionation of light REE (LREE) (La/Sm)_N and heavy REE (HREE) (Gd/Yb)_N, and Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu*), the upper continental crust normalised playa sediments are divided into two different groups. The eastern margin playa sediments show homogeneous REE contents, relatively positive Eu anomaly and depleted HREE values, whereas the western arid core playa sediments have highly variable REE contents, relatively negative Eu anomaly and similarly fractioned LREE and HREE patterns. The dissimilarity in the degree of HREE fractionations both in the eastern and western playa sediments is attributed to the differential distribution of minerals, depending upon their resistance to chemical weathering. It is believed that the relatively higher abundance of REE bearing heavy minerals and the presence of higher amounts of evaporites influence the large variation of REE distribution and enriched HREE in the western playa sediments. Apart from the relatively higher abundance of heavy minerals, the presence of rock fragments of variable petrographic character and roundness mirror the lower rock–water interaction in the arid western region. The presence of well-rounded metamorphic rock fragments and minerals, sourced from the eastern margin Aravalli mountains, indicates that the playas of the entire desert get the detrital and dissolved material mainly from the Aravalli mountains. Additionally, the western playas receive sediments from their surrounding Proterozoic and Mesozoic formations. This interpretation is supported by the presence of angular rock fragments of basalt, rhyolite and limestone in the western playas.     

Sedimentological geochemistry of the strata from Ordovician to Tertiary in Nyanang-Gamba area,southern Xizang

Average chemical compositions have been worked out of various rock types in the Ordovician-Tertiary strata based on field observations, chemical analyses, trace element determinations and semiquantitative spectrophotographic measurements on 144 samples. Discussion is given to the evolutionary regulations of various chemical elements as well as to the sedimentary environment during the geological history in this region. A diagram of trace element distribution in sedimentary rocks is also presented. Judged from the assemblage of chemical elements and rock association the authors hold that the strata in southern Xizang represent typical platform sediments along the north margin of the Indian plate in a relatively stable environment.     

Assessment of the anthropogenic influx of metallic pollutants in Yarmouk River, Jordan

 Chemical data for 15 elements at depths at 10-cm intervals in 6 cores at two locations along the Yarmouk River as well as the heavy-metal enrichment factors (EFs) and anthropogenic factors (AFs) show that Cd and Ni for all the cores, and Mn, Zn, Cr, Co and Pb for core 3 at location A are anthropogenically enriched. The contents of these elements decrease clearly with depth in the sediment column. The sequence of element enrichment depends on whether the EF and the AF are used to calculate the elements which show no systematic decrease in enrichment with depth in all cores, especially for location A, probably due mainly to a higher sedimentation rate. The results of the present study show that the sediments of the Yarmouk River are uncontaminated with Fe, Cr, and Mn, whereas they are uncontaminated to moderately contaminated with Ni, Co, and Zn, moderately contaminated with Pb, and strongly to extremely contaminated with respect to Cd. Also, the study shows that the EF and AF values are higher than 1, which indicates that all the metals measured in the sediments of the Yarmouk River were enriched by various anthropogenic sources in the catchment area of this river. Heavy metal enrichment reflects the combined effects of agricultural activities, a treatment plant, a landfill site at El-Akader, and small industries in the region. Received: 16 March 2000 · Accepted: 12 August 2000     

Anomalous Concentrations of Trace Elements in the Spetsugli Germanium Deposit (Pavlovka Brown Coal Deposit,Southern Primorye): Communication 2. Rubidium and Cesium

Data on Rb and Cs concentrations in typical (in terms of Ge content) and Ge-bearing coals, as well as host sedimentary rocks and underlying granites, are reported. It is shown that all Miocene deposits within ore zone are strongly enriched in these elements relative to Ge-barren areas of the deposit. The relative Cs accumulation is several times higher relative to Rb, because Ge-bearing sediments are characterized by anomalously low Rb/Cs ratio (up to 0.9). The average Cs concentration in coals (30.3 ppm) is more than one order of magnitude higher than the typical content in such rocks, while the maximal contents (57.2 ppm) exceed all known highest Cs contents found in solid fuel. Differences in Rb and Cs accumulation were found in the following sequence: coals (A^d < 50%)–coaly siltsones (50% < A^d < 75%)–coal-free and low-coaly silty sandstones and mudstones (A^d > 75%). The Rb content in this sequence increases, while the Cs content reaches maximum (up to 118.1 ppm) in the coaly siltstones. The anomalous Rb and Cs accumulation in Ge-bearing sediments is related to the circulation of volcanogenic thermal solutions, which are enriched in Ge, Rb, and Cs. It is suggested that Rb is mainly sorbed by clayey particles, whereas Cs is concentrated in the organic matter as well. This work presents the first data on high contents and distribution of Rb and Cs in Ge-bearing coals of the Pavlovka deposit. The data obtained make its possible to consider Rb and Cs as new associated elements of Ge mineralization, although their occurrence mode differs from that of Ge.     

湘江下游河床沉积物元素地球化学背景值估算

本研究对湘江下游河床沉积物进行了元素地球化学分析,在认识沉积物元素地球化学特征、甄别人为源与自然源重金属的基础上,估算了沉积物的元素地球化学背景值。结果表明:SiO2、TiO2、Al2O3、Fe2O3、K2O等主量元素及V、Co、Cr、Ba、Sc、U、Sr、Ga、Ge、Rb、Nb、Y、REE等微量元素在沉积物中含量变化相对稳定(Cv<0.2),分布相对均匀,且富集不明显(EF<2.0,Sr明显亏损)。而MnO、MgO、CaO、Na2O、P2O5等主量元素,及Cd、Mn、Cu、Pb、Zn等重金属在沉积物中含量变化大(Cv>0.25),分布极不均匀,且沉积物中重金属明显富集(EF>2.0)。主成分及Pearson线性相关性分析显示,沉积物中不明显富集的微量元素主要赋存于难溶硅酸盐矿物相中,为自然源元素。而沉积物中显著富集的重金属主要赋存于铁—锰氧化物等矿物相中,为有人为源叠加的元素。故针对不同来源特征的元素用不同的方法进行了背景值计算,求得沉积物中47个元素的背景值。再利用元素比值等方法对所得背景值进行检验。结果表明,本文得到的湘江沉积物元素背景值合理,可用作流域沉积物重金属污染评价参考。     

云南麻栗坡地区成矿元素的多重分形特征与成矿预测

对麻栗坡地区1∶5万水系沉积物测量数据的统计分析表明,W、Sn、Pb、Zn、Cu等主要成矿元素不完全服从正态分布和对数正态分布,而表现出多重分形结构特征。因此,采用传统的地质统计学方法提取异常显然不能客观地反映区域的成矿元素分布特征。本文引用了"C-A"多重分形模型来研究该地区成矿元素特征,并有效提取各元素异常下限值,结合区域成矿地质背景,对区内成矿潜力进行初步预测。实践表明,分形方法所提取的剩余异常与研究区的矿产分布较为相符,较好地反映了研究区成矿元素分布规律,为研究区成矿预测提供了依据。