Recent advances in organic geochemistry

The study of the nature, distribution and interchange of organic matter in the geosphere and biosphere, and — in the narrower view — in sediments and fossils, is developing rapidly. One approach lies in the chromatographic isolation of individual components, followed either by their conclusive identification through direct comparison with known substances or by their structural elucidation using physical and chemical procedures.In favourable circumstances, single substances may be identified at the microgram level (10^–6gm.). Compounds of obvious biological origin are frequently present in geological materials and may be correlated with the original biological source. Thus, the hydrocarbons phytane (C₂₀H₄₂) and pristane (C₁₉H₄₀) found in crude oils and in sediments as old as 2 · 7 × 10⁹ years almost certainely derive from the phytyl (C₂₀H₃₉O-) side chain of chlorophyll.

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Zusammenfassung Das Studium der Natur, der Verteilung und des Austausches des organischen Stoffes in der Geosphere und Biosphere, und — im engeren Sinne — in Sedimenten und Fossilien, macht rasche Fortschritte. Eine Methode besteht in der chromatographischen Isolierung einzelner Komponente. Darauf folgt entweder die entscheidende Identifizierung durch direkten Vergleich mit bekannten Substanzen oder die Aufklärung der Struktur durch physikalische und chemische Verfahren.In günstigen Fällen können einzelne Substanzen in der Größenordnung von Mikrogramm (10^–6g) identifiziert werden. Komponenten klarer biologischer Abstammung finden sich oft im geologischen Ausgangsmaterial und können mit der ursprünglichen biologischen Quelle in Beziehung gebracht werden. So stammen die in 2,7.10⁹ Jahre alten Rohölen und Sedimenten gefundenen Kohlenwasserstoffe Phytan (C₂₀H₄₂) und Pristan (C₁₉H₄₀) fast sicher aus der Phytylseitenkette (C₂₀H₃₉O-) des Chlorophylls.

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Résumé L'étude de nature, de la distribution et de l'échange de la matière organique dans la géosphère et la biosphère et, plus précisément, dans les sédiments et les fossiles, progresse rapidement. Une méthode d'approche est la séparation chromatographique de composés, suivie ou bien par l'identification décisive par comparaison avec des substances connues ou bien par l'élucidation de leur structure à l'aide de méthodes physiques et chimiques.Dans des circonstances favorables, des substances pures peuvent être identifiées à l'échelle du microgramme (10^–6g). Des composés d'un évident origine biologique sont fréquemment présents dans les matières géologiques et peuvent être rapprochés de la source biologique. C'est ainsi que les hydrocarbures phytane (C₂₀H₄₂) et pristane (C₁₉H₄₀) trouvés dans des huiles brutes et des sédiments vieux de 2,7 · 10⁹ ans proviennent presque certainement de la chaîne latérale (C₂₀H₃₅O-) de la chlorophylle.

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. , , . . . Phytan (_{20 42}) Pristan (_{19 40}) .

     

Recent advances in aquaculture in Japan

Conclusions During the last ten years, aquaculture, especially mariculture has undergone remarkable expansion to counter-balance the gap between the supply and demand of fishery products in Japan. Its expansion has also been supported by the traditional preference of the Japanese people for seafood. Mariculture is now being forced to change its structure due to adverse economic circumstances such as the rise in the cost of energy, feeds and other materials for culture, low market prices, deterioration of environmental conditions, and many other factors. Before these constraints can be resolved, advanced scientific knowledge and technologies must be integrated to develop new types of aquaculture. Expansion of maricultural activities to more open-sea and off shore areas would be one route to follow. Technologies for the development of formulated diets not only for young but also for adults and larvae, establishment of feeding standards, prevention of epizootic diseases must support the establishment of modern aquaculture.The culture-based fisheries, or marine ranching, is becoming a subject for further development in Japan. Much research work has been conducted with a great degree of governmental support. Establishment of a net work of seedstock production farms has made it possible to carry out releasing experiments on a large scale. A newly integrated restoration system could be developed on the basis of these experiments, even though the profits resulting from the artificial restoration of stocks is not thouroughly verified at present. The commencement of a national scheme for culture-based fisheries would be a manifestation of the enthusiasm of the Japanese fish industry.     

Recent advances in solar radio physics

We review high spatial resolution microwave observations of solar active regions, coronal loops and flares. Observations of preflare active regions are presented; in particular we discuss the interpretations of reversal of polarization at the flare site and the role of newly emerging flux in triggering the onset of flares. We discuss the spatial locations of microwave burst emitting regions; loops or arcades of loops appear to be the sites of flare energy release in microwave bursts. We provide direct observational evidence of magnetic reconnection as the primary cause of acceleration of electrons in microwave bursts.     

石榴子石Lu-Hf年代学研究进展

高Lu/Hf比的石榴子石可以用于构筑高精度的Lu-Hf等时线,因而石榴子石Lu-Hf法被广泛地应用于各类岩石的定年研究中。特别是在造山带研究中,石榴子石Lu-Hf法揭示了许多其他定年体系所不能揭示的信息。但是由于石榴子石生长历史复杂,影响石榴子石 Lu-Hf 定年结果的因素多样,合理解释石榴子石Lu-Hf年龄指示的地质意义成为石榴子石Lu-Hf年代学研究的难点。这些因素包括石榴子石的生长模式、石榴子石的成核过程、封闭温度、包裹体、石榴子石生长历史、矿物间元素平衡、几何效应以及样品的预处理方法等。在进行石榴子石 Lu-Hf 定年研究时需要对这些因素进行综合的判定,才能对年龄做出合理的解释。本文初步探讨了这些因素对石榴子石 Lu-Hf 定年结果的影响,并以苏鲁-大别造山带为例介绍了石榴子石Lu-Hf年代学在碰撞造山带研究中的进展,揭示了石榴子石Lu-Hf体系在造山带及超高压变质研究中的巨大潜力。     

Recent advances in geochemical exploration in China

This paper outlines the recent advances in geochemical exploration in China.The Regional Geochemistry—National Reconnaissance (RGNR) Project first proposed in 1978, continues to be the focus of geochemical exploration activities in China. Several rapid quantitative multi-element analysis systems using conventional equipment available in most Chinese geological laboratories, have been developed. Eight Geochemical Standard Reference Samples of Drainage Sediments were prepared. Large-scale orientation or pilot surveys are being carried out by nearly 2/3 of the provincial geological bureaus in China. Methods of regional and follow up surveys for high and cold mountainous terrain have been worked out.Special attention has been given to the improvement and application of mercury vapour detection techniques. A new sampler was used to enhance anomalous values. A new Zeeman effect mercury detector was constructed and tested in routine analysis of mercury. Experiments of the application of soil gas mercury survey in petroleum and uranium prospecting are briefly described.Some examples of recent geochemical success in China are given.     

Rice agricultural origins: Recent advances

Much research has been carried out on the origins of long grained rice, the cereal which is the staple of most of mankind, in the last few years. This article briefly summarises the botanical results and data from archaeological excavations in China, India and Thailand especially. There is no recent information on the origins of glutinous rice but botanical evidence points to a West African origin.     

镁同位素地球化学研究进展

镁有3个稳定同位素:24Mg、25Mg和26Mg.已有数据表明,自然界Mg同位素组成的变化在陨石中较大.δ26Mg值在-0.71‰～11.92‰之间(相对于DSM3标准),而地球岩石中Mg同位素组成的变化较小,如地幔橄榄岩的δ26Mg变化范围为-3.01‰-1.03‰,沉积碳酸盐岩的δ26Mg变化范围为-4.84‰～-1.09‰,黄土的δ26Mg为-0.60‰.目前,大多数实验室均采用MC-ICP-MS方法来获得高精度的Mg同位素数据.原有Mg同位素国际标准SRM980由于具有不均一性应该废弃,应使用新的DSM3标准.Mg同位素地球化学的研究主要集中在太阳系星云形成过程、记录亏损地幔和地幔交代作用、揭示地质历史时期海水的Mg同位素组成演化、估算大陆风化通量等方面.我国开展的Mg同位素研究还非常少,且尚处于建立Mg同位素分析方法的研究阶段.随着技术的不断发展以及Mg同位素分馏机理的深入研究,Mg同位素的地质应用前景将日趋广泛.     

锌同位素在地球科学研究中的新进展

作为“金属稳定同位素家族”中的重要成员之一,锌同位素自20世纪就受到了国际地学界的关注。进入21世纪后,随着多接收电感耦合等离子体质谱仪(MC-ICP-MS)测试技术的发展,锌同位素在地球及行星科学中的应用得到了极大拓展。本文比较全面地总结了锌同位素的标准物质和分析测试方法、自然界主要储库的锌同位素组成、锌同位素在不同地质过程中的行为及分馏机理,以及锌同位素在地球科学研究的新进展,包括：(1)示踪再循环沉积碳酸盐和再循环洋壳以及约束玄武岩成分变化机制;(2)示踪成矿物质来源、微生物成矿以及指示矿产勘查;(3)揭示月球的起源与演化过程;(4)指示初级生产力和有机质埋藏变化等生物地球化学过程以及揭示生物灭绝机制。未来,随着锌同位素微区原位分析技术的发展,锌同位素必将在地球科学(尤其是矿床学)和生物医学等领域中得到更加深入与广泛的应用。     

新型深水系泊基础研究进展

介绍了几种国际上广泛应用于深水锚泊的新型系泊基础（吸力锚、法向承力锚、吸力式贯入锚和动力贯入锚）,并结合国内外的最新研究进展,分别针对吸力锚安装过程中的海床阻力和内部土塞发展、服役阶段的承载力特性,法向承力锚安装时的拖曳轨迹和三维受力状态下的承载力,吸力式贯入锚的“keying”过程,动力贯入锚的最终安装深度和承载力,以及锚泊线与海床的接触问题等当前国际上研究的重点和热点内容进行了简要地评述,旨在通过分析当前新型深水锚在设计、施工以及承载机制等方面的不足,以探索深水系泊基础发展的新趋势     

Recent advances in the study of the Mesoproterozoic geochronology in the North China Craton

The Mesoproterozoic successions in the North China Craton (NCC) and the Qinling–Qilian–Kunlun Orogens have been revised using the new and highly reliable age data. Many Proterozoic strata in the Qinling–Qilian–Kunlun Orogens, such as the Qinling, Jinshuikou and Beidahe groups that have been ascribed to be Paleoproterozoic are actually of Mesoproterozoic Era. The most significant advances are recent geochronological studies on the Mesoproterozoic stratigraphy and magmatic events in the NCC. The boundary age between the Dahongyu Formation and the overlying Gaoyuzhuang Formation is well constrained to be ∼1600 Ma, corresponding to the boundary age between Statherian and Calymmian. The boundary between the Tieling Formation and the overlying Xiamaling Formation is best positioned at ∼1400 Ma, which is coeval with the boundary between Calymmian and Ectasian, and is about 400 Myrs older than the conventional value of 1000 Ma originally defined by the All China Commission of Stratigraphy. Hence the Jixianian System, including the Gaoyuzhuang, Yangzhuang, Wumishan, Hongshuizhuang and Tieling formations in ascending order, is comparable with the Calymmian System in the International Stratigraphic Chart. The lower boundary of the Changchengian System, the first system of the Mesoproterozoic in China Regional Stratigraphic Chart, also needs revision from the conventional 1800 Ma to ∼1650 Ma well constrained by the zircon U–Pb ages 1673 ± 10 Ma (LA-MC-ICP-MS) and 1669 ± 20 Ma (SHRIMP) of a granite-porphyry dike that was overlain unconformably by the basal conglomerate of the Changzhougou Formation, the first formation of the Changchengian System. Therefore, the earliest Mesoproterozoic sequence in the NCC represented by the Changchengian and Jixianian Systems in the Yanliao Aulacogen is identical to that of the Vindhyan Supergroup in Central Indian and the Riphean Series in Russia. On the other hand, a series of 1.8–1.6 Ga anorogenic magmatic records were well-preserved around the NCC, which marked the initial rifting of the Columbia Supercontinent in the NCC. The magmatic events can thus be subdivided into three phases with peaks at ca 1.77 Ga, ca 1.70 Ga and ca 1.63 Ga, respectively. In addition to 1.8–1.6 Ga magmatic events, some minor volcanic eruptions at ca 1.56 Ga and 1.44 Ga, and wide-spread bi-modal magmatic intrusions at 1.35–1.32 Ga have been recognized in the northern NCC, marking the continued rifting of the Columbia Supercontinent since ∼1.8 Ga.     

Recent advances in coal geologyoutcome of the 10th Coal Geology Conference

The 10th Coal Geology Conference, jointly organized by the Faculty of Science of the Charles University in Prague, the Czech Geological Survey and the Institute of Geology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, took place in June 7-11, 2004, at the Faculty of Science. The coal geology conferences have been held at the faculty every three or four years since 1972. They were preceded by coal geology seminars which began even earlier, in January 1968.These seminars and conferences provided an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge and new information on coal geology and related fields and, above all, to bring together people from various fields starting with science and ending up with a wide spectrum of interests.     

GIS在地下水研究中的应用进展

地理信息系统在水资源研究中的应用是水资源管理研究的一个热点。论文就基于GIS的地下水模拟评价、地下水环境评价、水源地保护、流域地表、地下水联合调度、决策支持及专家系统等方面,介绍了国内外关于地理信息系统在地下水研究方面的应用现状,对今后GIS在地下水的应用研究进行展望。     

孔隙网络模型在土壤水文学中的应用研究进展

非饱和土壤的水力性质是采用模型定量模拟水分和溶质在非饱和带中运动的最重要的物理参数,可以用网络模型来预测。孔隙网络模型的主要优点在于可以对发生在土壤孔隙尺度上的物理、化学过程进行直观的表达和模拟。目前,国内外研究者已在样品图像获取、图像分析、模型建立以及求解等方面取得了一定的进展。在对其进行综合评述的基础上,指出了已有网络模型在建立过程中存在的不足之处,并进一步明确了今后的研究方向。     

冰川径流温度及其响应机制研究进展

在冰冻圈地区,受到积雪和冰川融水的影响,径流表现出独特的热状况,形成特有的冷水生态系统.由于大气和河流内部过程之间强烈的耦合和高敏感度,河水温度作为生态系统的重要驱动因素在冰川流域表现得尤为显著.通过对冰川径流温度特征、影响因素和热量机制响应等方面的国内外研究现状进行综述,发现冰川径流温度具有温度低、时空变化显著的特征;冰川径流温度影响因素主要有4个方面:水-气界面的热量传输、水-河道及河岸界面热量传输、径流组成、气候变化及人类活动;冰川径流热量机制的响应在河水物理化学性质方面表现为河流水质参数以及热量水分循环的影响,在河流水生生态系统方面表现为水生生态系统的分布和结构随冰川径流温度的变化而变化,且一旦超过某个阈值后,这种变化不可逆.     

中国油气化探的近期进展和发展方向

近10多年来,中国油气化探理念发生了重要转变,并取得了重大进展。开展了油气化探异常类型及成因机理研究,进行了烃类垂向微渗漏模拟试验,提出了“气相压驱裂隙渗透”理论;在酸解烃、蚀变碳酸盐、荧光、紫外等传统方法的基础上,开发了热释烃、高效液相色谱芳烃、物理吸附气、微生物专性烃菌等新方法;进行了非常规油气资源,尤其是天然气水合物、无机成因气的油气化探应用研究;开展了复杂地表区如沙漠、戈壁、黄土塬、山区等化探技术方法的研究;进行了雪样地球化学方法试验;海上化探蓬勃发展,尤其在南海、东海、黄海、渤海和台湾海峡开展了大量油气化探工作;研发了新的数据处理和解释评价技术,如决策分析、分形几何、人工神经网络等得到应用,建立了中国主要含油气盆地油气化探数据库。在总结经验的基础上,对油气化探的发展方向提出了一些见解。     

First occurrence of azhdarchoid pterosaurs in the Gault Formation (Lower Cretaceous,Albian) of England,United Kingdom with a brief review of Gault pterosaurs

Pterosaurs are a rare component of the Early Cretaceous (Albian) Gault Formation of southern England. The only named taxon reported, ‘Pterodactylus’ daviesii Owen, 1874, is widely regarded as a nomen dubium or as Pterodactyloidea incertae sedis, while most other material can be referred to Pterodactyloidea indet. Here we describe a fragmentary humerus and elongate mid-series cervical vertebra both from the Gault Formation of Kent, southeast England that can be referred to the edentulous pterodactyloid clade Azhdarchoidea. The cervical vertebra is identified as being from a non-tapejaromorph azhdarchoid on account of its reduced neural spine, a neural arch confluent with the centrum, a neural canal that is subsumed into the centrum and the lack of foramina on the lateral surfaces of the centrum. The humerus is referred to Azhdarchoidea on account of its sub-rectangular distal end.