First Results of Dating Detrital Zircons from the Late Precambrian Quartzite–Schist Sequences of the Chu Block (Southern Kazakhstan)

Doklady Earth Sciences - U–Pb geochronological studies of detrital zircons from quartzite–schist sequences of the Akbastau Formation of the Chu Block (northwestern part of the...     

淮河上游全新世黄土与成壤环境变化

Based on field surveys, soil samples were collected at the YPC site, Yuzhou City, Henan Province for analysis of contents of major and trace elements and their variations with XRF and comparison with the curves of magnetic susceptibility, pH value distribution, loss on ignition and particle-size distribution. It was concluded that the dust source of loess in the upper reaches of the Huaihe River Basin was different from that in the Loess Plateau. And the Holocene pedogenic environmental changes in the upper reaches of the Huaihe River Basin were revealed. Foundation: National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.40571154; No.40471119 Author: Li Xinyan (1978–), Ph.D, specialized in resource exploitation and environmental science.     

Diversity and geographical pattern of altitudinal belts in the Hengduan Mountains in China

This paper analyses the diversity and spatial pattern of the altitudinal belts in the Hengduan Mountains in China. A total of 7 types of base belts and 26 types of altitudinal belts are identified in the study region. The main altitudinal belt lines, such as forest line, the upper limit of dark coniferous forest and snow line, have similar latitudinal and longitudinal spatial patterns, namely, arched quadratic curve model with latitudes and concave quadratic curve model along longitudinal direction. These patterns can be together called as “Hyperbolic-paraboloid model”, revealing the complexity and speciality of the environment and ecology in the study region. This result further validates the hypnosis of a common quadratic model for spatial pattern of mountain altitudinal belts proposed by the authors. The spatial pattern of altitudinal belts is closely related with moisture-related exposure effect in the Hengduan Mountains. Different combinations (spectra) of altitudinal belts and different base belt types appear in windward and leeward flanks and even in the same flanks of different ranges. This is closely related with the parallel mountain ranges of the Hengduan Mountains, which, at nearly right angle with the moving direction of prevailing moisture-laden air masses from west and east, hold up the warm and humid monsoon wind from moving into the core region and result in different moisture conditions in windward and leeward flanks. However, how to quantitatively describe the moisture-related exposure effect needs further study. In addition, the data quality and data accuracy at present also affect to some extent the result of quantitative modeling and should be improved with RS/GIS in the future.     

Spatial Distribution of Contourites in Global Ocean and Its Paleoclimatic Significance—The Contribution of International Ocean Drilling to the Studies of Contourites

Contourite is one of the most important type of sediments in the global ocean, which has recorded significant information on paleoclimatic changes. It is also of great importance for ocean engineering and marine hydrocarbon exploration. The development of scientific ocean drilling, especially the “Integrated Ocean Drilling Program” and the undergoing “International Ocean Discovery Program”, has made great contribution in mapping the spatial distribution of contourites and revealing contourite-related paleoclimatic information, through coring and geophysical exploration in the global ocean. It is found that the global distribution of contourites is controlled predominantly by the global deep-water circulation while its distribution in a specific region can be affected by the intensity of deep currents, tectonic activities, sediment supply, and so on. The geological changes in the global deep-water circulation is, however, further affected by tectonic activities, origins of water masses, as well as climate changes, e.g. the Cenozoic global cooling, changes in the size of the northern hemisphere ice caps, and intensity of monsoon. The main controlling factors of deep water circulation vary with different regions.     

Heavy metal distribution and accumulation in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spartina alterniflora</Emphasis> from the Andong tidal flat,Hangzhou Bay,China

In order to study the heavy metal accumulation and distribution in the roots, stems, and leaves of Spartina alterniflora, we collected S. alterniflora samples and the associated sediments along three transects at the Andong tidal flat, Hangzhou Bay. Co, Ni, Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn were mainly accumulated in the aerial parts (stems and leaves) of the plants, and their distributions depended on their mobility and their roles during the metabolism processes of S. alterniflora. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg, and Pb were significantly enhanced with the increasing of heavy metal concentrations in the sediments, while those of Co and Ni remained relatively constant. Bioaccumulation factors results showed that the serious heavy metal contamination in the sediments from the transect A may overwhelm the accumulation capability of the plants. In addition, the physicochemical properties of the sediments and the pore water therein also play a role in the heavy metal concentrations and accumulations in the plants, because they can influence the behaviors and bioavailabilities of heavy metals during nutrition and bioaccumulation processes of the plants. The sediments with vegetation did not show significantly decreased heavy metal concentration with respect to the unvegetated sediments, although the plants did absorb heavy metals from the sediments. Principal component analysis and correlation analyses indicated that Co–Ni, Cu–Cd–Hg behaved coherently during accumulation, which may be ascribed to their similar accumulation mechanisms. This work provided essential information on the heavy metal accumulation by plants in a tidal flat, which will be useful for the environmental control through phytoremediation at estuaries.     

Structure analyses of the explosive extratropical cyclone: A case study over the Northwestern Pacific in March 2007

The synoptic situation and mesoscale structure of an explosive extratropical cyclone over the Northwestern Pacific in March 2007 are investigated through weather station observations and data reanalysis. The cyclone is located beneath the poleward side of the exit of a 200 hPa jet, which is a strong divergent region aloft. At mid-level, the cyclone lies on the downstream side of a well-developed trough, where a strong ascending motion frequently occurs. Cross-section analyses with weather station data show that the cyclone has a warm and moist core. A ‘nose' of the cold front, which is characterized by a low-level protruding structure in the equivalent potential temperature field, forms when the cyclone moves offshore. This ‘nose' structure is hypothesized to have been caused by the heating effect of the Kuroshio Current. Two low-level jet streams are also identified on the western and eastern sides of the cold front. The western jet conveys cold and dry air at 800–900 hPa. The wind in the northern part is northeasterly, and the wind in the southern part is northwesterly. By contrast, the eastern jet carries warm and moist air into the cyclone system, ascending northward from 900 hPa to 600–700 hPa. The southern part is dominated by the southerly wind, and the wind in the northern part is southwesterly. The eastern and western jets significantly increase the air temperature and moisture contrast in the vicinity of the cold front. This increase could play an important role in improving the rapid cyclogenesis process.     

汉江上游郧县庹家湾剖面光释光测年及意义

在野外考察基础上选择湖北郧县庹家湾剖面为研究对象。在对磁化率和粒度进行分析的同时,用单片再生剂量法进行了光释光测年（OSL）地层断代。OSL测年数据显示：剖面样品年龄处在55.11~13.57 ka BP,且与地层深度呈现出良好的对应关系,此剖面为黄土风化堆积形成。黏粒含量、黏粒/粉砂值以及磁化率值等气候替代性指标数值在马兰黄土层228~260 cm和294~370 cm深度明显高于典型马兰黄土（L₁）,具有明显的成壤特征,通过OSL测年数据判断时间为27.26~21.59 ka BP,说明在晚更新世时期气候并非持续稳定的寒冷干旱,而是具有一定的波动,在此期间气候相对温暖湿润,而且此次气候事件在黄土高原地区其他沉积记录中也有良好记录。     

关于河北平原区深层地下水资源属性的探讨

以河北平原为例,采用同位素、地下水资源评价和地下水水位动态3种思路分析了深层地下水资源属性。根据实测地面沉降量反求深层地下水储存资源量的构成,确定了在以往的深层地下水资源计算时储存资源量少计算了32.77%,弹性释放系数比以往的数据大;根据深层地下水动态特征,分析认为深层地下水资源在同一水文年内可以得到部分恢复,在深层地下水降落漏斗区地下水循环速率将加大,并根据沉积学的观点,认为河北平原含水层在各期古河道带交叉重叠部位或在重叠部位附近可能是连通的,浅层地下水可以沿着各期古河道带沉积的砂性土构成的含水层向下补给深层地下水,其补给量远大于通过巨厚的黏性土层向深层地下水的越流补给。     

影响铁渗透反应格栅修复地下水中氯代烃长期运行性能的研究进展

铁渗透反应格栅技术修复地下水中氯代烃,尤其是四氯乙烯和三氯乙烯,已日臻成熟;近年,研究者对该技术的关注已集中到影响格栅长期运行性能的因素上。文章从地下水的常量化学组分、铁表面形成的矿物沉淀、铁渗透反应格栅中的微生物和共存有机污染物4个方面,对影响其长期运行性能的因素进行了综述。分析表明,铁表面矿物的长期积累是降低格栅长期运行性能的主要因素,并对该技术的发展进行了展望。