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.     

Variation of stream temperature among mesoscale habitats within stream reaches: southern Appalachians

Stream mesoscale habitats have systematic topographic relationships to hyporheic flow patterns, which may create predictable temperature variation between mesoscale habitat types. We investigated whether systematic differences in temperature metrics occurred between mesoscale habitats within reaches of small streams tributary to the upper Little Tennessee River, southern Appalachians. Surface water temperature was recorded over three or four mid‐summer days in four mesoscale habitat types: riffle, main riffle, pool and alcove in 44 stream segments (sites). Temperature metrics were calculated for each mesoscale habitat relative to the mean value of the metric over the stream: Δ maximum temperature, Δ average maximum temperature and Δ maximum daily variation and also for each site: standard deviation of the maximum temperature and average diurnal variation (ADV). Sites were categorized as fully or partially forested. Pool tailouts had statistically significantly lower Δ maximum temperature and Δ average maximum temperature than riffle tailouts in partially forested sites, although differences were small. This was the opposite of what was expected in the presence of hyporheic exchange, indicating hyporheic exchange is not a dominant driver of mesoscale habitat temperatures at these sites. Temperature differences between mesoscale habitat units were small and unlikely to have ecological significance. We also evaluated relationships between stream temperature and riparian condition, watershed % impervious surfaces, watershed % non‐forested and elevation. ADV and standard deviation of the maximum temperature were significantly higher in partially forested sites, indicating that partially forested sites have greater temperature ranges and spatial variation of maximum temperatures. ADV decreased with elevation and increased with % impervious surfaces. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Late Quaternary sea‐level change and evolution of Belfast Lough,Northern Ireland: new offshore evidence and implications for sea‐level reconstruction

The interplay of eustatic and isostatic factors causes complex relative sea‐level (RSL) histories, particularly in paraglacial settings. In this context the past record of RSL is important in understanding ice‐sheet history, earth rheology and resulting glacio‐isostatic adjustment. Field data to develop sea‐level reconstructions are often limited to shallow depths and uncertainty exists as to the veracity of modelled sea‐level curves. We use seismic stratigraphy, 39 vibrocores and 26 radiocarbon dates to investigate the deglacial history of Belfast Lough, Northern Ireland, and reconstruct past RSL. A typical sequence of till, glacimarine and Holocene sediments is preserved. Two sea‐level lowstands (both max. ?40 m) are recorded at c. 13.5 and 11.5k cal a bp . Each is followed by a rapid transgression and subsequent periods of RSL stability. The first transgression coincides temporally with a late stage of Meltwater Pulse 1a and the RSL stability occurred between c. 13.0 and c. 12.2k cal a bp (Younger Dryas). The second still/slowstand occurred between c. 10.3 and c. 11.5k cal a bp . Our data provide constraints on the direction and timing of RSL change during deglaciation. Application of the Depth of Closure concept adds an error term to sea‐level reconstructions based on seismic stratigraphic reconstructions.     

An integrated land vehicle navigation system based on context awareness

In the complex urban environments, land vehicle navigation purely relying on GNSS cannot satisfy user needs due to the loss of satellite signals caused by obstructions such as buildings, tunnels, and trees. To solve this problem, we introduce a GPS-/MSINS-/magnetometer-integrated urban navigation system based on context awareness. In this system, the data from the Micro Strapdown Inertial Navigation System (MSINS) are used to analyze and detect the context knowledge of vehicles, whose sensor errors can be compensated by the heuristic drift reduction algorithm for different motion situations. When GPS is available, the vehicle position can be estimated by unscented Kalman Filter, whereas in the case of GPS outages, the vehicle attitude is provided by an attitude and heading reference system and the motion constraints-aided algorithm is used to complete the positioning. In the experiment validation, the integrated navigation system is set up by low-cost inertial sensors. The result shows that the proposed system can achieve high accuracy when GPS is available. For most of the time without GPS, the system can guarantee the positioning precision of 10 m and compensate the errors of MSINS effectively, which fully satisfies positioning needs in complex urban environments.     

胶东玲珑金矿田175号脉群深部地质特征与成矿预测

玲珑金矿属于以石英脉型为主的金矿床,其矿脉受玲珑断裂和破头青断裂控制。区内脉群发育,175号脉群是玲珑金矿的主要大型金矿脉群之一。文章通过总结175号脉群成矿地质背景、矿床地质特征,分析了控矿因素、矿体赋存规律、矿石类型等;阐述了175号脉群深部成矿规律,并根据见矿工程利用地质块段法预测175号脉群11—101勘探线范围-800 m标高以下(332+333)金矿石量192.44×10~4 t,金金属量8.5t。     

黑龙江省嫩江县三矿沟铁铜矿床矿石特征及意义

三矿沟矿床位于黑龙江省嫩江县多宝山矿集区西北部,为小型矽卡岩型铁铜矿床。在野外地质调查与ICP_MS测试的基础上,通过显微观察、扫描电镜与电镜能谱分析,对三矿沟矿床的矿石特征进行了研究。在矿石中新识别出钨铁矿、白钨矿、锡石、自然铋、碲铋矿、辉铋矿、硫铜铋矿、硫铋铜矿、碲银矿、银金矿、金银矿、自然金,钴黄铁矿、辉砷钴矿、含锌硫砷铜矿等金属矿物。矿石有用金属元素为Cu、Fe、Zn、W、Co、In、Bi,建议对这些元素展开进一步的研究,并在开采时进行综合评价。详细的矿石镜下研究结果显示,矿床形成过程分为内生成矿期与表生期,其中内生成矿期分为干矽卡岩阶段、湿矽卡岩阶段、氧化物阶段(主要的铁矿化阶段)和低热液-硫化物阶段这4个阶段(主要的铜矿化阶段),表生期只包含表生阶段。其中铁矿化形成于高温阶段,铜矿化系中温热液交代形成。     

均生函数与BP神经网络耦合模拟预测模型(MGF-BP-I)的建立与应用

水文气候因子模拟预测对气候变化研究、农业墒情预报、生态环境改善、水资源合理开发利用等具有一定参考意义。均生函数、BP神经网络及其结合改进方式在模拟预测中各有优点,被广泛应用,但仍有进一步改进空间。针对MGF、MGF-OSR、MGF-OSR-BP等方法粗选因子集、粗选集组合筛选、收敛适应性、精度控制等可改进空间,进一步发挥均生函数和BP神经网络优势,建立了MGF-BP-I模拟预测模型。利用MGF-OSR、MGF-OSR-BP、MGF-BP-I对科尔沁沙地区域平均年降水进行了模拟预测。结果表明,建模期MGF-OSR-BP、MGF-BP-I拟合效果均较好,MGF-BP-I建模阶段最优模式精度优于MGF-OSR-BP,MGF-BP-I整体同时最优模式结果也非常好。检验期,MGF-BP-I检验阶段最优及整体同时最优两种模式拟合效果最好,相比其他模式精度有所提高。MGF-BP-I考虑更加全面,充分发挥了均生函数和BP神经网络优势,精度远高于MGF-OSR和MGF-OSR-BP,MGF-BP-I整体同时最优模式更符合实际应用,效果理想,可用于水文气候因子模拟预测。     

Detachment folding in a Lower Cambrian–Upper Permian karst reservoir: 3D model of the Yubei 3D area (eastern Markit Slope,Tarim Basin,Northwest China)

A three-dimensional (3D) structural modeling of the Lower Cambrian–Upper Permian Yubei 3D area was performed to understand its structural evolution. This model reproduces the present-day structure of the basin and comprises 11 horizons within Lower Cambrian to Upper Permian rocks. The analysis is based on 3D depth views and faults. The results image salt movements due to tectonics and/or burial. From these observations, this paper deduces that salt structures are correlated to the main faults and tectonic events. From the model analysis, we interpret the timing and geometry of Tarim Basin tectonics. The fault geometry can be resolved based on the strike of the fault, the morphology of hanging wall strata, and the stratigraphic distribution. Emphasis is placed on gypsum rock detachment, considering its movements during the Middle Caledonian event and decoupling effects during tectonic evolution. Moreover, we point to the structural control of the Paleozoic basement and the crustal architecture (Yubei 3D Zone) on the geometry of the Tarim Basin.