The influence of seafloor hydrothermal activity on major and trace elements of the sediments from the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Sediment samples obtained from the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge were analyzed for the major and trace elements by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results revealed that the contents of elements (e.g., Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, V, Co) were high in samples 22V-TVG10 and 26V-TVG05 from the sites near the hydrothermal areas, and low in sample 22V-TVG14, which was collected far from the hydrothermal areas. The contents of Ca, Sr and Ba in the samples showed opposite trends. A positive correlation between the concentrations of metallic elements (Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, Pb, V) and Fe in the samples were observed. These results are consistent with chemical evolution of the dispersing hydrothermal plume.     

Quantification of 3D macropore networks in forest soils in Touzhai valley (Yunnan,China) using X-ray computed tomography and image analysis

The three dimensional(3D) geometry of soil macropores largely controls preferential flow, which is a significant infiltrating mechanism for rainfall in forest soils and affects slope stability. However, detailed studies on the 3D geometry of macropore networks in forest soils are rare. The intense rainfall-triggered potentially unstable slopes were threatening the villages at the downstream of Touzhai valley(Yunnan, China). We visualized and quantified the 3D macropore networks in undisturbed soil columns(Histosols) taken from a forest hillslope in Touzhai valley, and compared them with those in agricultural soils(corn and soybean in USA; barley, fodder beet and red fescue in Denmark) and grassland soils in USA. We took two large undisturbed soil columns(250 mm×250 mm×500 mm), and scanned the soil columns at in-situ soil water content conditions using X-ray computed tomography at a voxel resolution of 0.945 × 0.945 × 1.500 mm~3. After reconstruction and visualization, we quantified the characteristics of macropore networks. In the studiedforest soils, the main types of macropores were root channels, inter-aggregate voids, macropores without knowing origin, root-soil interface and stone-soil interface. While macropore networks tend to be more complex, larger, deeper and longer. The forest soils have high macroporosity, total macropore wall area density, node density, and large macropore volume, hydraulic radius, mean macropore length, angle, and low tortuosity. The findings suggest that macropore networks in the forest soils have high interconnectivity, vertical continuity, linearity and less vertically oriented.     

Distribution of primary school based on spatial network comprehensive model in low-income mountainous cities: a case study in Wanyuan,China

Focusing on the peculiarities of urban construction resulting from specific mountain terrains, the purpose of this study is to find out a suitable method based on a Spatial Network Comprehensive Model (SNCM) to reasonably plan and distribute primary schools in low-income mountain cities. The construction principles and advantages of the SNCM method are proposed and the method tested in Wanyuan city of Qinba Mountain area (Southwest China) to verify its feasibility and optimization. Taking account of the mountain terrain and its influence on user behavior, we used the SNCM method to build a comprehensive model which integrates the road slope and the walking speed of pupils into the basic spatial model. The model is used to calculate a reasonable layout of the primary schools and to validate the rationale. The results show that the SNCM method can be effectively applied in low-income mountainous cities. It can not only improve the accessibility and service efficiency of primary schools using as little capital-investment as possible, but also help the city grow in an intensive and efficient way.     

Regional Ecological Risk Assessment of Soil Heavy Metals in Pearl River Delta Economic Zone Based on Different Land Uses

Based on the results of regional eco-geochemical survey in Pearl River Delta Economic Zone and the local land use patterns, two conventional risk assessment models are introduced to evaluate the ecological risk of eight heavy metals in the topsoil (0~20 cm) of Pearl River Delta. The spatial distribution characteristics of risk caused by metals in the region were characterized by GIS. Results show that As、Cd、Cu and Hg in the topsoil are the primary heavy metals posing risk to the Pearl River Delta while Cr and Zn are negligible. Meanwhile, 23.89% of soil samples have a hazard index of more than 1 which suggests that it is likely to cause chronic diseases in the region. The soils with high hazard index are mainly distributed in the Quaternary area. 37.22% of soil samples have a negligible chronic risk level, of which the spatial distribution is consistent with granite area. Moreover, the spatial distribution of carcinogenic risk is similar to chronic risk, where 25.68% of samples exceed the cancer risk index (1×10^-4) recommended by USEPA. Furthermore, the evaluation results presented at administrative units indicate that there are both higher chronic and cancer risk in Panyu and Nansha district where more attentions should be paid to.     

Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Heavy Metals in Pearl River Delta Quaternary Boreholes

This paper analyzed contents and geochemical fractions of four heavy metals in four Quaternary boreholes from different sedimentary areas in Pearl River Delta. The results revealed that the geochemical features of heavy metals were controlled by geological provenance and sedimentary environment. The contribution rates of geological sources showed differentiation in four sedimentary environments. In delta plain sedimentary environment, geological sources were the most predominant. In the sea land interaction sedimentary environment, the control of the geological source factor was weakened. The effect of land-sea interaction became more important. Due to different chemical properties of heavy metals, they showed distinct sensitivities to sedimentary environment. Cadmium (Cd) was enriched significantly in the study areas. Mobile fraction of Cd possessed the highest proportion. Potential ecological risk of Cadmium was the highest among heavy metals. Asenic, mercury and lead were enriched weakly. Arsenic and Mercury were dominated by residual fraction. Lead was mainly composed of residual and Fe-Mn oxidation fraction. Their potential ecological risks were relatively lower. In different sedimentary environment, physicochemical parameters had various effects on Cadmium geochemical fraction such as pH. The mobile fraction of Cd was mainly correlated with pH and leaching coefficient.     

Approaches for Monitoring and Assessment of Ecological Benefits of National Key Ecological Projects

In recent decades, due to the combined effect of human activities and climate change, the ecosystem of our country has been continuously degraded, seriously affecting the sustainable economic and social development. In order to protect and recover the ecosystem, China has invested heavily in launching a series of key ecological programs and projects including North Shelter Forest Program, Grain for Green Project and integrated ecosystem management of rock desertification. How to comprehensively and timely grasp the ecological effects and existing flaws of the implementation of key ecological projects so as to scroll the implementation of ecological projects and ensure the implementation effect of the projects, and promote the follow-up ecological engineering deployment of being scientific and space-oriented is a major imperative for the country. Therefore, the National Key Research and Development Program of China set up the project of “Monitoring and Assessment of Ecological Benefits of Key Ecological Engineering in China”. Through the implementation of this project, we will establish an indicator system for monitoring and evaluating the ecological benefits of key ecological projects, developing various technical systems for monitoring and evaluating the ecological benefits of key ecological projects, quantitatively evaluating the ecological benefits of key ecological projects, and concise the technical approaches to enhancing ecological benefits. We will provide a scientific basis for future planning and management of key ecological projects.     

新疆阿合奇地区志留系砂岩地球化学特征及大地构造背景*

塔里木板块西北缘沉积地层的研究,对于恢复南天山洋的演化过程有重要意义。文中利用岩石地球化学的手段,对新疆阿合奇地区志留系砂岩进行物源和构造背景分析。研究表明,阿合奇地区志留系砂岩样品的SiO₂含量范围变化较大,为61.97%~93.91%,平均含量为76.76%;稀土元素球粒陨石标准化配分型式为右倾型,(La/Yb)_N值较高,δEu值较低,Ce异常不明显。中-顶志留统塔塔埃尔塔格组砂岩的成熟度高于下志留统柯坪塔格组。地球化学物源分析图解和大地构造背景判别表明: 研究区沉积物源区逐渐由活动型向稳定型转换,下志留统部分沉积物来自于火成岩物源区,具有主动大陆边缘和大陆岛弧性质;中-顶志留统沉积物全部来自于成熟大陆的石英岩沉积物源区。结合广泛分布的奥陶系-志留系平行不整合,认为晚奥陶世研究区为活动大陆边缘,南天山洋盆向南俯冲到塔里木板块之下;早志留世,向南俯冲结束,研究区大地构造背景开始由活动大陆边缘向稳定的被动大陆边缘转换,来自活动型物源区的沉积物逐渐减少,稳定型物源区的碎屑物质逐渐增多;中-末志留世,研究区构造背景完全转变为被动大陆边缘,碎屑物质全部来自于稳定型物源区。上述成果表明,南天山洋的演化过程中确实存在双向俯冲。     

国家数字地震台网产出资料的分析与说明

介绍了2001年以来地震台站的资料分析情况和国家数字地震台网分中心的资料产出情况,通过分析表明,由于宽频带数字地震资料具有频带宽、动态范围大等特点,2003年利用数字地震台网资料分析地震的数量比传统的模拟记录提高30％～40％。     

Low-frequency characteristics extension for vibration sensors

Traditional magneto-electric vibration sensors and servo accelerometers have severe shortcomings when used to measure vibration where low frequency components predominate. A low frequency characteristic extension for velocity vibration sensors is presented in this paper. The passive circuit technology, active compensation technology and the closedcycle pole compensation technology are used to extend the measurable range and to improve low frequency characteristics of sensors. Thses three types of low frequency velocity vibration sensors have been developed and widely adopted in China.     

The origin of variable-δ18O zircons in Jurassic and Cretaceous Mo-bearing granitoids in the eastern Xing–Meng Orogenic Belt,Northeast China

This study reports new zircon U–Pb ages, Lu–Hf isotope data, and oxygen isotope data for Mesozoic Mo-bearing granitoids in the eastern Xing–Meng Orogenic Belt (XMOB) of Northeast China, within the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Combining these new laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) zircon U–Pb ages with the results of previous research indicates that two stages of Mo-bearing granitoid magmatism occurred in the eastern XMOB, during the Early–Middle Jurassic (200–165 Ma) and the Early Cretaceous (ca. 111 Ma). The eastern XMOB also contains Mo-bearing granitoids with variable δ¹⁸O compositions that record variations in source oxygen isotopic compositions. Combining δ¹⁸O data with zircon U–Pb and Hf isotopic data provides evidence of the origin of these granitoids. Three types of zircon have been identified within these granitoids. Type 1 zircons formed during the Mesozoic and having high δ¹⁸O values (5.71–7.05‰) that are consistent with the compositions of magmatic zircons from the Luming, Jiapigou, and Kanchuangou areas. These zircons suggest that the Mo-bearing granitoids were derived from a source containing supracrustal materials. The type 2 zircons have extremely low and heterogeneous δ¹⁸O values (4.64–4.89‰) that are consistent with the compositions of magmatic zircons from the Jidetun and Fuanpu areas. These magmas were generated by the remelting of juvenile crustal material that was previously significantly modified by interaction with fluids. Type 3 zircons generally have mantle-like δ¹⁸O values (5.42–5.57‰), with several zircons yielding higher δ¹⁸O values, suggesting that these intrusions formed from mantle-derived magmas that assimilated and were metasomatized by crustal material. Combining these geochemical data with the geology of this region indicates that the Mo-bearing granitoids were generated as a result of subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian continent.