Geochemical evidence (C,N and Pb isotopes) of recent anthropogenic impact in south‐central Chile from two environmentally distinct lake sediment records

In this paper, we compare the elemental and isotopic (C, N, Pb) geochemistry of lake sediments from two contrasted environments in south‐central Chile. The first lake, Laguna Chica de San Pedro (LCSP), is situated in the urbanised area of the Biobio Region (36°S). The second lake, Lago Puyehue (40° S), is located 400 km to the southeast of LCSP and within an Andean national park. Our aim is to identify environmental impacts associated with increasing industrial activities and land degradation during the last 150 a. In LCSP, shifts in C/N atomic ratios, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N from 1915–1937 to the late 1980s are attributed to successive land degradation episodes in the lake watershed. Based on a Pb isotopic mixing model, we estimate that up to 20% of lead in LCSP sediments is supplied from urban atmospheric pollution. By contrast, human impact in the watershed of Lago Puyehue is very limited. We observe no change in organic geochemistry during the last 150 a and lead contamination remains lower than 5%, even during the last decades. Although contamination levels are much higher in LCSP than in Lago Puyehue, a peak in anthropogenic Pb is recorded during the same period (1974–1976) at both sites. This maximum contamination level is consistent with increased industrial activity in the vicinity of Concepción. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assessment of metal concentrations in lake sediments of southwest Japan based on sediment quality guidelines

Geochemical analysis of the bottom sediments of Lakes Banryoko, Onbe, Hamahara and Kijima in Shimane prefecture of southwest Japan was carried out to determine their metal concentrations, and to assess the potential for ecological harm by comparison with sediment quality guidelines. The work conducted includes water quality measurement, and analyses of trace and major elements and rare earth element (REE) of sediments. Results showed that water quality of the lakes contrasts slightly between their upper and lower parts. Average abundances of As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cr in Banryoko sediments were 27, 33, 90, 27, 25, and 46 ppm, respectively, compared to 31, 52, 175, 44, 44, and 75 ppm at Onbe, 11, 26, 96, 13, 13, and 35 ppm at Hamahara, and 24, 43, 193, 31, 12, and 30 ppm at Kijima. These concentrations exceeded the lowest effect level that has moderate impact on aquatic organisms as proposed by the New York State Department of Environmental conservation. Pb and Cu abundances are comparable to the Coastal Ocean Sediment Database threshold, while As and Zn exceed this value, indicating the concentrations of these metals are potentially toxic. Increases in the abundances of these metals in lake sediments are probably related to the reducing condition of the sediments, anthropogenic sources and surface soil erosion. The REE patterns of sediments in the study areas are broadly comparable to the average upper continental crust, but show some contrast between lakes due to differing source litho type. Significant positive correlations between Fe₂O₃ and As, Pb, Zn, and Cu were found in the sediments, suggesting these metals may be adsorbed on Fe oxides in the lake sediments.     

福建龙海市土壤营养元素全量特征及有效量预测

以福建龙海市为研究区,在不同地质背景、土地利用方式、土壤类型和土壤成因类型条件下进行样品采集,共采集56件土壤样品,测定pH值、有机质含量（SOM）、阳离子交换量（CEC）、营养元素全量及有效量。利用相关分析、线性回归分析等统计手段,探究土壤中营养元素有效量的影响因素,建立并验证了研究区土壤中营养元素有效量的预测模型,以此深入了解区内土壤养分状况,为该区土地的合理利用及治理提供科学依据。结果表明：龙海市土壤呈酸性—强酸性,有机质含量较低,阳离子交换量偏低;土壤中N、P、K、Mo、Zn元素全量相对富集;元素全量、有效量及其有效度变异性较强;土壤中B、Cu、K、Mn等营养元素全量与有效量相关性较好,土壤pH值对K、Mo、Si的有效度有一定影响,CEC与Si的有效度呈显著正相关,SOM增加有利于提高Cu、Fe、Mn、P、Zn等元素有效量。通过土壤全量分析数据及土壤理化指标建立的线性模型,可以预测表层土壤中Cu、Fe、Mo、Mo、P、S、Si等营养元素的有效量,若引入更多影响因子,将有利于进一步提高模型的拟合效果,使得预测更准确。     

Alpine climate during the Holocene: a comparison between records of glaciers,lake sediments and solar activity

The European Alps are very sensitive and vulnerable to climate change. Recent improvements in Alpine glacier length records and climate reconstructions from annually laminated sediments of Alpine Lake Silvaplana give the opportunity to investigate the relationship between these two data sets of Alpine climate. Two different time frames are considered: the last 500–1000 years as well as the last 7400 years. First, we found good agreement between the two different climate archives during the past millennium: mass accumulation rates and biogenic silica concentration are largely in phase with the glacier length changes of Mer de Glace and Unterer Grindelwaldgletscher, and with the records of glacier length of Grosser Aletschgletscher and Gornergletscher. Secondly, the records are compared with temporally highly resolved data of solar activity. The Sun has had a major impact on the Alpine climate variations in the long term, i.e. several centuries to millennia. Solar activity varies with the Hallstatt periodicity of about 2000 years. Hallstatt minima are identified around 500, 2500 and 5000 a. Around these times grand solar minima (such as the Maunder Minimum) occurred in clusters coinciding with colder Alpine climate expressed by glacier advances. During the Hallstatt maxima around 0, 2000 and 4500 a, the Alpine glaciers generally retreated, indicating a warmer climate. This is supported by archaeological findings at Schnidejoch, a transalpine pass in Switzerland that was only accessible when glaciers had retreated. On shorter timescales, however, the influence of the Sun cannot be as easily detected in Alpine climate change, indicating that in addition to solar forcing, volcanic influence and internal climate variations have played an important role. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Images of concentrations of dissolved sulphide in the sediment of a lake and implications for internal sulphur cycling

The high-resolution mapping of dissolved sulphide in modern sediment of a permanently stratified (meromictic) lake is possible using a novel sulphide imaging technique (called a 'sulphur print'). The technique is simple, easy to use and can map a relatively large area (up to several dm²). In situ sulphur prints from anoxic fine-grained sediments are able to reveal internal structures in apparently homogeneous materials. Sulphur prints have been used to examine the formation and distribution of dissolved sulphide in the sediment and water column of the meromictic Lake Cadagno (southern Switzerland). The prints show clearly that a previously unknown laminar convective flow of sulphide-free porewater occurs across the sediment–water interface. Such convective flow out of the sediment must be accompanied by convective flow of sulphide- and sulphate-rich lake water into the sediment, and may be an important mechanism for the accumulation of sulphur in the sediment.     

Weathering and climate change since 1820 AD in Hoh Xil, Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, China Evidence from element geochemistry of lake sediments of Gulug Co Lake

Element geochemistry of lake sediments has been widely used to detect climate change because element composition and ratios can reflect the weathering degree in the source area. Given the element composition of lake sediments from Gulug Co Lake, Hoh Xil, Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, chemical index of alteration (CIA), index of composition variability (ICV) and other element ratios have been used to establish the weathering sequence of this area since 1820 AD. The weathering is so weak that the element composition change is more sensitive to climate change and autochthonous processes. From 1820 to 1984 AD, there were two drier periods with a wetter interval from 1870 to 1945 AD. After 1984 the weather showed a tendency of becoming wet.     

Geochemical time series from lake sediments of the Central Asia as chronologic evidence of environmental change over the Late Holocene

Lake sediments provide archives of various parameters correlative with climatic oscillations such as seasonal temperature and humidity. However, geochemical records from many European and Asian lakes cannot be directly correlated with meteorological data within densely populated areas, because of anthropogenic pollution there. The human impact has greatly increased within the instrumental period of the last 150-200 years. However, the pollution problem is not essential for the mountain lakes of Siberia and Mongolia remote from industrial and agricultural centers. For such lakes a correlation between sedimentological-geochemical （inorganic） parameters and climatic data is correct enough. It is able to estimate any type of transfer functions for quantification of that dependence.     

The impact of climate change on the bulk and clay geochemistry of fluvial residual channel infillings: the late Weichselian and Early Holocene River Meuse sediments (The Netherlands)

Fine-grained fluvial residual channel infillings are likely to reflect systematic compositional changes in response to climate change, owing to changing weathering and geomorphological conditions in the upstream drainage basin. Our research focuses on the bulk sediment and clay geochemistry, laser granulometry and clay mineralogy of Late-glacial and Early Holocene River Meuse (Maas) unexposed residual channel infillings in northern Limburg (The Netherlands). We demonstrate that residual channel infillings register a systematic bulk and clay compositional change related to climate change on a 1–10 k-yr time-scale. Late-glacial and Holocene climatic amelioration stabilised the landscape and facilitated prolonged and intense chemical weathering of phyllosilicates and clay minerals due to soil formation. Clay translocation and subsequent erosion of topsoils on Palaeozoic bedrock and loess deposits increased the supply of smectite and vermiculite within River Meuse sediments. Smectite plus vermiculite contents rose from 30–40% in the Pleniglacial to 60% in the Late Allerød and to 70–80% in the Holocene. Younger Dryas cooling and landscape instability caused almost immediate return to low smectite and vermiculite contents. Following an Early Holocene rise, within about 5000 yr, a steady state supply is reached before 5 ka (Mid-Holocene). Holocene sediments therefore contain higher amounts of clay that are richer in high-Al, low-K and low-Mg vermiculites and smectites compared with Late (Pleni-)glacial sediments. The importance of clay mineral provenance and loess admixture in the River Meuse fluvial sediments is discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Weathering and climate change since l820 AD in Hoh Xil, Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, China——Evidence from element geochemistry of lake sediments of Gulug Co Lake

Element geochemistry of lake sediments has been widely used to detect climate change because element composition and ratios can reflect the weathering degree in the source area. Given the dement composition of lake sediments from Gulug Co Lake, Hoh Xil, Qing- hai-Xizang Plateau, chemical index of alteration （CIA）, index of composition variability （ICV） and other element ratios have been used to establish the weathering sequence of this area since 1820 AD. The weathering is so weak that the element composition change is more sensitive to climate change and autochthonous processes. From 1820 to 1984 AD, there were two drier periods with a wetter interval from 1870 to 1945 AD. After 1984 the weather showed a tendency of becoming wet.     

内蒙古东来地区土壤养分空间分布特征及评价

在中小尺度上确定土壤养分状况并准确表达其空间分布特征仍需深入研究,了解和掌握土壤养分现状可为土地资源利用提供一定的科学参考。基于内蒙古东来地区土地质量地球化学调查中采集的468件表层土壤样品分析结果,采用主成分分析法和GIS技术对碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾、有机质4项养分指标进行空间分布特征分析及养分丰缺评价。结果表明,研究区土壤养分属于中度变异,呈不均匀分布。主成分分析提取的2项主成分指标可反映土壤养分指标90.34%的原量信息,得出的土壤肥力综合得分IFI值为-1.643～1.972。空间分布特征显示,研究区土壤整体有机质缺乏,碱解氮稍缺,速效磷适中,速效钾较丰富。IFI值的空间插值结果表明：土壤养分达到丰富及以上的区域占研究区面积的29.35%,主要分布在研究区中部的工农村、七间房附近;达到适中等级的占比为41.74%;稍缺—缺乏等级的占比为28.91%,其中缺乏等级分布面积为10.43%,主要分布在辽河农场三分场附近。建议在研究区进行农林业生产活动时,应注意有机肥和氮肥的增施。     

土壤／沉积物中汞污染地球化学及污染防治措施研究

本文综述了汞的来源,介绍了汞的形态及形态分析方法的研究进展,讨论了影响汞吸附和解吸的主要因素,比较了对土壤/沉积物中汞污染进行风险评价的方法,提出了生物修复、减少汞污染的排放等治理我国汞污染的有效措施。最后对汞在土壤/沉积物中的地球化学行为等研究方面进行了展望。     

Response of geochemical records in lacustrine sediments to climate change and human impact during middle Holocene in Mengjin, Henan Province, China

In this paper, we examined the response of geochemical records in lacustrine sediments to climate and human activity in Mengjin, Henan Province of China during the middle Holocene. Indices used in this study include K, Na, Mn, Ba, Sr, Al, Ti, cation ratios, and Gramineae pollen in lacustrine sediments. Results indicate a drought event in this area around 5660 cal a BP, which weakened soil leaching and changed the element composition of surface soil runoff entering the paelo-lake and lacustrine sediments. Human activity appearing from 4695 cal a BP to 4000 cal a BP also affected the chemical composition of lake sediments. Human activities led to enhanced soil erosion and destroyed soil leaching horizons. Therefore, the substance of soil illuvial layer exposed to the surface and entering the paleo-lake were substantially altered by human activities.     

A statistical approach for determining the environment impact of surface sediments from the Dongting Lake area,central China

The Dongting Lake, the second biggest freshwater lake in China, consists of three wetlands of national importance, namely the East Dongting Lake, the South Dongting Lake, and the West Dongting Lake. Surface sedi-ments were sampled from 57 locations across the lake. Nutrient concentrations [total organic carbon (TOC), total N (TN) and total P (TP)] and 16 element concentrations (Al, As, B, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, K, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Si, Ti and Zn) in the sediments were measured to investigate the impact of industrialization along the lake's coastline and sev-eral tributaries on the profiles of nutrients and heavy metals in the lake's surface sediments. R-mode cluster analysis (CA) was used to integrate geochemical data. The result showed that euthophication of the Dongting Lake resulted mainly from TN and TOC. The main polluting trace metals are Hg, As, Cd, Zn, Pb and Mn, which are largely ad-sorbed on clay minerals or Fe/Mn oxides, or deposited as carbonates. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed the source of micropollutants. The worst affected district by heavy metals is the East Dongting Lake, the pollution sources may originate mainly from the Xiangjiang drainage area. The results demonstrated that multivariate methods are the potentially great tools for the interpretation of the environmental data on lake sediments.     

Normalizing XRF-scanner data: A cautionary note on the interpretation of high-resolution records from organic-rich lakes

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) scanning of unlithified, untreated sediment cores is becoming an increasingly common method used to obtain paleoproxy data from lake records. XRF-scanning is fast and delivers high-resolution records of relative variations in the elemental composition of the sediment. However, lake sediments display extreme variations in their organic matter content, which can vary from just a few percent to well over 50%. As XRF scanners are largely insensitive to organic material in the sediment, increasing levels of organic material effectively dilute those components that can be measured, such as the lithogenic material (the closed-sum effect). Consequently, in sediments with large variations in organic material, the measured variations in an element will to a large extent mirror the changes in organic material. It is therefore necessary to normalize the elements in the lithogenic component of the sediment against a conservative element to allow changes in the input of the elements to be addressed. In this study we show that Al, which is the lightest element that can be measured using the Itrax XRF-scanner, can be used to effectively normalize the elements of the lithogenic fraction of the sediment against variations in organic content. We also show that care must be taken when choosing resolution and exposure time to ensure optimal output from the measurements.     

Stratigraphy of nutrients and metals in sediment profiles of two dimictic lakes in North-Eastern Germany

A sedimentological study of two dimitic lakes in North-Eastern Germany provided a record of anthropogenic impacts and historical changes of water quality. The upper 50 cm sediment profiles were compared for major nutrients and selected major trace elements. The sediments were dated by ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs measurement. The upper 50 cm sediment profiles represent approximately the last 100 years of history in both lakes. Element analyses show different characteristic stratigraphic patterns in both lakes. Based on the nutrient and metal stratification, three characteristic time periods can be documented for both lakes. In addition to agricultural use of the catchment area, atmospheric pollution greatly influenced the metal concentration in the sediment layers. Variation in the external loading and redox conditions in the hypolimnion explain the variation in the composition and accumulation of metals in the sediment stratigraphy. No increases or changes in the trophic level of either lake could be documented based on the accumulation of the nutrients C, N and P. The ratio of Fe/Mn and Fe/Ca characterized the changing redox conditions. The stratigraphy of Pb and Zn agrees with the historical variation in atmospheric pollution and confirms literature values for Central and North Europe. The drop in Pb and Zn over the last 10–15 years is a regional effect in North-Eastern Germany.     

达里湖沉积粒度组分-湖面状况定量模型

湖泊碎屑沉积物的粒度分布可以提供与区域气候变化相关的湖泊水文变化信息。然而, 由于湖泊沉积物多峰分布固有的复杂性, 其粒度组分成因的解释仍存在很大的不确定性。本文利用对数正态分布函数对内蒙古达里湖36个表层沉积物样品的粒度组分进行了分离, 并探讨了各组分特性与特定沉积环境(包括每个采样点位的离岸距离和水深)之间的关系。结果表明, 达里湖现代碎屑沉积物包含5个截然不同的单峰粒度分布, 分别代表5个不同的粒度组分。虽然其相对百分含量随湖泊水动力条件而变化, 但每个组分均保留着各自的众数粒径、搬运方式、沉积环境等特性。这些组分自细而粗可分为: 长期悬移粘土组分、离岸带悬移细粉砂组分、离岸带悬移中粗粉砂组分、近岸带悬移细砂组分、近岸带跃移中砂组分。近岸带环境两个组分的百分含量与现今湖泊水深呈负相关, 揭示出沉积岩芯近岸带组分与地质历史时期湖面状况相关联的数值模型。该模型在达里湖沉积岩芯中的应用显示, 近岸带组分百分含量增加与同岩芯孢粉序列重建的区域降水减少相对应。两种独立的代用指标在时间上的一致性, 不仅展示了对数正态分布函数分离多峰沉积物的有效性, 而且揭示出利用粒度组分-湖面状况模型重建湖泊古水文的潜力。     

青藏高原兹格塘错沉积记录的全新世水位变化事件及其原因初步研究

兹格塘错是一个内陆封闭型湖泊,位于藏北高原腹地,处于西南季风作用边缘地带。由于流域内无冰川分布,湖泊补给主要靠大气降水,因此水体的扩张与收缩能够直接反映西南季风的变化。半干旱气候地区湖泊沉积物碳酸盐含量能够敏感地反映水体的扩张与收缩。兹格塘错沉积物碳酸盐含量高,与可溶盐(氯离子与硫酸根离子)含量变化结合能更好地揭示水体的演化阶段。分析结果表明,在9.3～8.9calkaBP、8.3～7.8calkaBP、5.0～4.7calkaBP、4.0～3.8calkaBP和3.1～2.7calkaBP碳酸盐含量出现大幅度下降,指示湖泊淡化、水位升高。但在3.8calkaBP左右碳酸盐含量和可溶盐(氯离子与硫酸根离子)含量同时出现峰值,指示出湖泊水体盐度升高、水位出现下降;近1calkaBP以来,碳酸盐与可溶盐含量都呈现逐渐下降趋势,表明湖泊水体逐渐淡化、水位缓慢上升的过程。但近100a来可溶盐含量上升,指示出湖泊水体的不断浓缩和水位下降过程,这和近百年的气候暖干化过程是一致的。兹格塘错沉积岩心碳酸盐含量全新世以来5次极低事件,有力地证明青藏高原西南季风在全新世期间的不稳定性。     

内蒙古乌梁素海湖泊地球化学特征与初步评价

通过内蒙古乌梁素海表层沉积物和深层沉积物的研究分析,对乌梁素海的湖泊沉积物特征有着明确的了解。乌梁素海深层沉积物中各元素与河套平原深层土壤中基本一致,而表层沉积物中各元素则具有明显的特征。湖泊表层沉积物中主要富集C、lCd、S、F、Sb、C、B、iAs、Li、MgO、CaO、Cu、N、iSn、W、Zn、Co、Mo、Au、Sc、Tl、Hg、I、Mn、U、Ce、La、Be、Se、Th等。湖泊表层沉积物与深层沉积物相比,在表层富集S、orgC、N、Se、I、Br、Sr、C、U、Mo、C、lCaO、Hg、P。在湖泊表层富集上述元素说明了黏土极易吸附这些元素,有些元素的富集主要是由于人类活动造成的结果。同时在表层土壤中pH明显低于深层土壤和河套地区土壤的pH,这与工业排放等人类活动紧密相关。垂直剖面结果也表明,人类活动对湖泊环境造成了严重影响。乌梁素海已出现富营养化和Hg、F污染,需对其进行治理。