Thermodynamics of the xanthoconite-proustite and pyrostilpnite-pyrargyrite phase transition as determined by abrasive stripping voltammetry

The electrochemical reduction of xanthoconite, proustite, pyrostilpnite, and pyrargyrite was studied by abrasive stripping voltammetry, a technique which is based upon a preliminary mechanical transfer of trace amounts of the mineral onto the surface of a paraffin impregnated graphite electrode. Because the electrochemical reduction proceeds near to reversibility and is very similar for each pair of minerals, the peak potentials in differential pulse voltammetry can be used to calculate the standard enthalpy of phase transformation of xanthoconite to proustite and of pyrostilpnite to pyrargyrite: _T H _{(xanth proust)} ^O = 35.46 ± 14.15 kJ/mol and _T H _{(pyrostilp pyrarg)} ^O = 38.85 ± 6.60 kJ/mol. These values are not accessible otherwise until now.     

Floodplain sediments on the divide between Huang He and Chang Jiang,Gansu Province,NW China

At Lingfeng, (34°17'N, 104°08'E) on the northern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, a stratigraphic survey was made of a 21-m-profile of floodplain sediments on the watershed between the Chang Jiang (Yangtze River) and Huang He (Yellow River) at 2500 m above sea level. The sediments contain <2 m thick layers of peat and detritical plant matter that had been deposited on the floodplain of the Langouhe. If the radiometric dates are reliable, the chronology of the site spans some 80,000 years, covering an accumulation process from the terminal Last Interglacial up to <24 ka BP. The phase >73 ka BP had cool and wet conditions with a coniferous forest vegetation. Between 73 ka and > 40 ka colder and drier conditions were likely. The vegetation changed from aPicea-Pinus forest to aPicea-Abies-Larix forest with a later increase of non-arboreal pollen. Around 40 ka the climate was warm and moist. The accumulation of silt and organic matter as well as the development of a mixed coniferous forest with high rates of thermophilous trees(Quercus, Castanea) characterize the interstadial conditions at this time. Later on, the climate changed to cool and moist conditions, evidenced by silt and peat accumulation and a coniferous forest vegetation up to <24 ka BP. The loess in this area was deposited after 24 ka and erosion by the tributaries of Chang Jiang and Huang He to a depth of at least 40 m created the watershed between the two river systems.     

Ozeane: Ergebnisse der 7. Sitzung der Kommission für nachhaltige Entwicklung (CSD) der Vereinten Nationen

Ocean Dynamics - Die 7. Sitzung der Kommission für nachhaltige Entwicklung (Commission on Sustainable Development, CSD) der Vereinten Nationen fand vom 19. bis 30. April 1999 im...     

Complementary roles of European and national institutions under the Common Fisheries Policy and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive

Exploited fish and shellfish stocks in European marine waters underlie the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The next round of reform of the CFP is due for completion in 2012. The exploitation at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) may be confirmed as the common environmental objective for good environment status (GES) of exploited fish and shellfish stocks of the reformed CFP and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). The foreseen time horizon to achieve or maintain GES by 2020 appears inconsistent with the World Summit on Sustainable Development UN agreement in 2002, which stipulates that maintenance or restoring of stocks to produce MSY be realized by 2015. The MSFD requires instead that by 2015 the national programmes of measures be designed in order to become operational the following year (2016).