Element mobility during pyrite weathering: implications for acid and heavy metal pollution at mining-impacted sites

Based on back scattered electron images and electron micro-probe analysis results, four alteration layers, including a transition layer, a reticulated ferric oxide layer, a nubby ferric oxide layer and a cellular ferric oxide layer, were identified in the naturally weathering products of pyrite. These layers represent a progressive alteration sequence of pyrite under weathering conditions. The cellular ferric oxide layer correlates with the strongest weathering phase and results from the dissolution of nubby ferric oxide by acidic porewater. Leaching coefficient was introduced to better express the response of element mobility to the degree of pyrite weathering. Its variation shows that the mobility of S, Co and Bi is stronger than As, Cu and Zn. Sulfur in pyrite is oxidized to sulfuric acid and sulfate that are basically released into to porewater, and heavy metals Co and Bi are evidently released by acid dissolution. As, Cu and Zn are enriched in ferric oxide by adsorption and by co-precipitation, but they would re-release to the environment via desorption or dissolution when porewater pH becomes low enough. Consequently, Co, Bi, As, Cu and Zn may pose a substantial impact on water quality. Considering that metal mobility and its concentration in mine waste are two important factors influencing heavy metal pollution at mining-impacted sites, Bi and Co are more important pollutants in this case.     

利用可见光/近红外反射光谱估算土壤总氮含量的实验研究

利用土壤的室内反射率光谱，探讨土壤氮元素的高光谱机理。利用土壤光谱各吸收带的特征参数与总氮含量进行逐步回归运算，确定与氮元素关系比较密切的几个吸收带。计算出这几个特征吸收带内土壤反射率的变化形式：一阶导数(FDR)、倒数(1/R)、倒数之对数(log(1/R))、波段深度(Depth)，并与总氮含量进行逐步回归分析，得到比较理想的结果：建模样本的Ra^2(修正的判定系数)分别为0．789、0．753、0．736、0．699，验证样本的Ra^2分别为0．759、0．468、0．794、0．725。可见土壤的反射率光谱与氮元素含量之间存在比较明显的相关性，可见光／近红外反射光谱具有快速估算土壤中氮元素含量的潜力。     

Peatland initiation and carbon dynamics in northeast China: links to Holocene climate variability

Throughout northeast China, the widely distributed peatlands have formed a large carbon (C) pool. However, the relationship between peatland initiation and climate controls is still poorly documented and understood. Understanding the responses of these C‐rich ecosystems to past climate change will provide useful insights into projecting the fate of peatland C in the future. In this study, we present a detailed historical reconstruction of peatland development in northeast China based on 312 basal peat dates, and examine the relationship between Holocene peatland dynamics and climate sensitivity. Our results indicate that peatland initiation started in the early Holocene, and that the majority of peatlands were initiated by and developed during the late Holocene. After the most intensive initiation period of 4.2–0.8 ka, the rate of peatland development slowed, which was concomitant with decreasing insolation and monsoon intensity. The widespread peatland initiation in the late Holocene might have been caused by the cool and moist climate patterns. The optimum timing of the peatland development was not uniform across northeast China, and these spatio‐temporal differences indicate the influences of regional climate and terrain on peatland initiation. Peat‐core data show variations in the long‐term apparent rate of C accumulation (LORCA) during the Holocene, with an average rate of 37.2 g C m^?2 a^?1. The peak LORCA occurred during 10.5–9.0 ka, probably in response to higher temperatures and stronger East Asia summer monsoon intensities. Both temperature and humidity are important factors influencing the peatland initiation and C dynamics in this region.     

基于主体功能区约束的大气污染物总量控制目标分配研究

考虑经济发展水平、污染物排放现状、污染物治理水平、空气质量,特别是国家主体功能区环境目标约束等因素,构建大气污染物排放总量分配的指标体系,用改进的等比例分配方法对2015年国家SO2,NOx总量控制目标进行区域分配。分配结果表明:SO2和NOx削减量大的省份主要集中在华北平原及其周围地区,这些地区污染物排放量大、空气质量较差;削减比例较大的地区主要集中在西部地区以及北京、天津2个直辖市,这些地区单位GDP能耗高、工业污染物去除率低、空气质量差;削减量相对较小的地区主要集中在西南和南部一些省份;削减比例较小的地区主要集中在中南部和南部几个省份,这些地区污染物排放量相对较少,空气质量好于其他省份。     

Efficient estimation of flood forecast prediction intervals via single‐ and multi‐objective versions of the LUBE method

Prediction intervals (PIs) are commonly used to quantify the accuracy and precision of a forecast. However, traditional ways to construct PIs typically require strong assumptions about data distribution and involve a large computational burden. Here, we improve upon the recent proposed Lower Upper Bound Estimation method and extend it to a multi‐objective framework. The proposed methods are demonstrated using a real‐world flood forecasting case study for the upper Yangtze River Watershed. Results indicate that the proposed methods are able to efficiently construct appropriate PIs, while outperforming other methods including the widely used Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation approach. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Suspended sediment and total dissolved solid yield patterns at the headwaters of Urumqi River,northwestern China: a comparison between glacial and non‐glacial catchments

In order to understand the differences in the suspended sediment and total dissolved solid (TDS) yield patterns between the glacial and non‐glacial catchments at the headwaters of Urumqi River, northwestern China, water samples were collected from a glacier catchment and an empty cirque catchment within the region, during three melting seasons from 2006 to 2008. These samples were analyzed to estimate suspended sediment and TDS concentrations, fluxes and erosion rates in the two adjoining catchments. There were remarked differences in suspended sediment and TDS yield patterns between the two catchments. Suspended sediment concentrations were controlled mainly by the sediment source, whereas TDS concentrations were primarily related to the hydrologic interaction with soil minerals. Generally, the glacial catchment had much higher suspended sediment and TDS yields, together with higher denudation rates, than the non‐glacial catchment. Overall, glacial catchment was mainly dominated by physical denudation process, whereas the non‐glacial catchment was jointly influenced by physical and chemical denudation processes. The observed differences in material delivery patterns were mainly controlled by the runoff source and the glacial processes. The melting periods of glacier and snow were typically the most important time for the suspended sediment and TDS yields. Meanwhile, episodic precipitation events could generate disproportionately large yields. Subglacial hydrology dynamics, glaciers pluck and grind processes could affect erodibility, and the large quantities of dust stored on the glacier surface provided additional sources for suspended sediment transport in the glacial catchment. These mechanisms imply that, in response to climate change, the catchment behaviour will be modified significantly in this region, in terms of material flux. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.