Characteristics and Origins of Suspended Pyrite in the Mixing Zone of the Yangtze Estuary

For a long time, most studies about pyrite have focused on sediments while only a few have focused on pyrite in water. In this study, a method that combines the scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and the energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry(EDS) was used to compare pyrite particles suspended in water to those in associated bottom sediments, both obtained from the mixing zone of the Yangtze Estuary. It was found that the pyrite particles in the two media have similar morphologies and size distributions. The particle morphology mainly includes two types, single crystal and aggregate, and the particle size mainly ranges from 0.5 to 2 μm. The pyrite particles in water exhibit an increase in relative content towards the sea, and their transport and deposit processes are mainly affected by hydrodynamic conditions. It is concluded that the pyrite particles in the suspended matter mainly derived from the resuspension of sediments, which are products of the early diagenesis. Precursor minerals may appear during the formation of pyrite, but are generally restricted by the diagenetic environment and local microenvironment.     

Star formation in the starburst cluster in NGC 3603

We have used new, deep, visible and near infrared observations of the compact starburst cluster in the giant HII region NGC 3603 and its surroundings with the WFC3 on HST and HAWK-I on the VLT to study in detail the physical properties of its intermediate mass (∼1–3 M_⊙) stellar population. We show that after correction for differential extinction and actively accreting stars, and the study of field star contamination, strong evidence remains for a continuous spread in the ages of pre-main sequence stars in the range ∼2 to ∼30 Myr within the temporal resolution available. Existing differences among presently available theoretical models account for the largest possible variation in shape of the measured age histograms within these limits. We also find that this isochronal age spread in the near infrared and visible Colour-Magnitude Diagrams cannot be reproduced by any other presently known source of astrophysical or instrumental scatter that could mimic the luminosity spread seen in our observations except, possibly, episodic accretion. The measured age spread and the stellar spatial distribution in the cluster are consistent with the hypothesis that star formation started at least 20–30 Myrs ago progressing slowly but continuously up to at least a few million years ago. All the stars in the considered mass range are distributed in a flattened oblate spheroidal pattern with the major axis oriented in an approximate South-East–North-West direction, and with the length of the equatorial axis decreasing with increasing age. This asymmetry is most likely due to the fact that star formation occurred along a filament of gas and dust in the natal molecular cloud oriented locally in this direction.     

Isolation and identification of bacteria associated with the surfaces of several algal species

We conducted this study to assess the diversity of bacteria associated with the surfaces of algae based on 16S rDNA sequence analyses.Twelve strains of bacteria were obtained from the surfaces of the following four species of algae:Gracilaria textorii,Ulva pertusa,Laminaria japonica,and Polysiphonia urceolata.The isolated strains of bacteria can be divided into two groups:Halomonas and Vibrio,in physiology,biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence analyses.The phylogenetic tree constructed based on ...     

天津市公众地震科普认知与需求调查

为真实了解天津市公众地震科普认知与需求情况,以天津市机关单位工作人员、企业员工、事业单位工作人员、大学生、中小学生、社区居民、农民、驻津部队、残障人士等特殊人群为研究对象,开展专项问卷调查与分析。调查结果显示,天津市公众地震科学知识与地震科普工作的认知度与需求度较高,但仍存在地震科学知识掌握不全面、地震科普产品吸引力不足、科普渠道相对单一等问题,地震科普工作在参与性、互动性与趣味性等方面仍有较大提升空间。基于此,提出提高地震科普工作针对性和有效性及地震科普服务个性化和精准化等建议。     

Complex refractive index of Martian dust: Wavelength dependence and composition

Mariner 9 ultraviolet spectra of the 1971 dust clouds were analyzed to obtain the phase function times single scattering albedo of the dust particles. The phase functions were matched with Mie scattering calculations for size distributions of spheres of homogeneous and isotropic material. The absorption index of the dust particles was found to increase with decreasing wavelenght from 350 nm down to about 210 nm, and drop off shortward of this wavelength. A structural shoulder occurs in the absorption spectrum between 240 and 250 nm. Titanium dioxide (anatase) has the correct transitions at 210 and 250 nm to match the absorption curve of Martian dust, and is proposed as a candidate constituent in Martian surface material. The spectral neutrality of TiO₂ between 0.5 and 4 μm is consistent with visible and infrared observations of Mars. The high refractive index of TiO₂ can explain the large refringence of Martian dust. The titanium dioxide content of the dust particles is estimated to be a few percent or less. Uncertainties in the results due to limitations in the model and data are discussed.     

云南地区房屋建筑的震害矩阵

自1992年4月23日云南孟连西中缅交界6.7、6.9级地震始,地震部门对云南地区的破坏性地震进行了现场灾害调查和经济损失评估。1992~2003年,云南地区共发生50次破坏性地震,积累了丰富的震害资料。本文根据云南地区的主要建筑结构,统计分析了50次地震不同烈度区的破坏比、损失比和震害指数,给出了房屋建筑的震害矩阵。     

Holocene environmental change inferred from the loess–palaeosol sequences adjacent to the floodplain of the Yellow River, China

Chinese loess deposits are generally considered to be the product of dust storms and dust falls from the central Asia arid zones that were transported across China by the northwesterly continental monsoon. In contrast, the Zhengzhou Loess found southeast of the Loess Plateau, adjacent to the floodplain of the Yellow River, records a different eolian regime and dust source. The Zhengzhou Loess was investigated by field observations, measurements of magnetic susceptibility, particle-size distribution, loss-on-ignition, CaCO₃ and chemical contents. Both field observations and the laboratory results indicate that, during the last glacial, the Zhengzhou Loess was supplied by two different eolian regimes and dust sources, one was from the fresh flood deposits of the Yellow River driven by the northeast winds from the low-lying floodplain, and the other was from the dust storms and dust falls that traveled across the Loess Plateau driven by the northwesterly continental monsoon from the central Asian arid lands. The early Holocene, 11,500–8500 a BP, was a transition during the change in eolian regime and dust source because of the weakened northwesterly monsoon along with the global climatic amelioration. Following the retreat of the northwesterly monsoon from the onset of the mid-Holocene Climatic Optimum at 8500 a BP, dust supply from the drifting sand zone on the Yellow River floodplain became dominant because of the intensified strength of the northeast winds from the Bohai Sea. From 3100 a BP onwards, climatic aridity and extensive human disturbance have resulted in intensive eolian processes causing the incursion of the drifting sand into the Zhengzhou Loess zone. These results show that loess accumulation is more complex than traditionally assumed. The origin of loess deposits elsewhere outside the Loess Plateau may be related to dust sources derived from alluvial sediments of major river systems.     

On global climate warming

On global climate warming     

江苏固城湖流域1951-2000年农业非点源氮、磷输移的数值模拟研究

选择位于长江下游的固城湖流域作为研究区域,基于分布式流域水文模型SWAT,采用数值模拟的手段,反演了1951～2000年流域农业非点源氮、磷的输移规律。模拟结果与实测值的一致性反映了模型的良好模拟能力。比较两个时段的模拟结果发现,1981～2000年,流域农业非点源氮、磷年平均浓度和输移量分别为:总氮0.82mg/L和411.88×103kg/a,总磷0.084mg/L和43.04×103kg/a;远高于1951～1960年的氮、磷年平均浓度和输移量分别为:总氮0.22mg/L和49.55×103kg/a,总磷0.036mg/L和7.67×103kg/a。模拟主要反映了流域下垫面条件和农作物耕作模式对农业非点源氮、磷浓度及输移量的影响。