Silicon isotope fractionation in bamboo and its significance to the biogeochemical cycle of silicon

A systematic investigation on silica contents and silicon isotope compositions of bamboos was undertaken. Seven bamboo plants and related soils were collected from seven locations in China. The roots, stem, branch and leaves for each plant were sampled and their silica contents and silicon isotope compositions were determined. The silica contents and silicon isotope compositions of bulk and water-soluble fraction of soils were also measured. The silica contents of studied bamboo organs vary from 0.30% to 9.95%. Within bamboo plant the silica contents show an increasing trend from stem, through branch, to leaves. In bamboo roots the silica is exclusively in the endodermis cells, but in stem, branch and leaves, the silica is accumulated mainly in epidermal cells. The silicon isotope compositions of bamboos exhibit significant variation, from −2.3‰ to 1.8‰, and large and systematic silicon isotope fractionation was observed within each bamboo. The δ³⁰Si values decrease from roots to stem, but then increase from stem, through branch, to leaves. The ranges of δ³⁰Si values within each bamboo vary from 1.0‰ to 3.3‰. Considering the total range of silicon isotope composition in terrestrial samples is only 7‰, the observed silicon isotope variation in single bamboo is significant and remarkable. This kind of silicon isotope variation might be caused by isotope fractionation in a Rayleigh process when SiO₂ precipitated in stem, branches and leaves gradually from plant fluid. In this process the Si isotope fractionation factor between dissolved Si and precipitated Si in bamboo (α_pre-sol) is estimated to be 0.9981. However, other factors should be considered to explain the decrease of δ³⁰Si value from roots to stem, including larger ratio of dissolved H₄SiO₄ to precipitated SiO₂ in roots than in stem. There is a positive correlation between the δ³⁰Si values of water-soluble fractions in soils and those of bulk bamboos, indicating that the dissolved silicon in pore water and phytoliths in soil is the direct sources of silicon taken up by bamboo roots. A biochemical silicon isotope fractionation exists in process of silicon uptake by bamboo roots. Its silicon isotope fractionation factor (α_bam-wa) is estimated to be 0.9988. Considering the distribution patterns of SiO₂ contents and δ³⁰Si values among different bamboo organs, evapotranspiration may be the driving force for an upward flow of a silicon-bearing fluid and silica precipitation. Passive silicon uptake and transportation may be important for bamboo, although the role of active uptake of silicic acid by roots may not be neglected. The samples with relatively high δ³⁰Si values all grew in soils showing high content of organic materials. In contrast, the samples with relatively low δ³⁰Si values all grew in soil showing low content of organic materials. The silicon isotope composition of bamboo may reflect the local soil type and growth conditions. Our study suggests that bamboos may play an important role in global silicon cycle.     

Experimental investigation on thermochemical sulfate reduction by H2S initiation

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is known to catalyze thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) by hydrocarbons (HC), but the reaction mechanism remains unclear. To understand the mechanism of this catalytic reaction, a series of isothermal gold-tube hydrous pyrolysis experiments were conducted at 330 °C for 24 h under a constant confining pressure of 24.1 MPa. The reactants used were saturated HC (sulfur-free) and CaSO₄ in the presence of variable H₂S partial pressures at three different pH conditions. The experimental results showed that the in-situ pH of the aqueous solution (herein, in-situ pH refers to the calculated pH of aqueous solution under the experimental conditions) can significantly affect the rate of the TSR reaction. A substantial increase in the TSR reaction rate was recorded with a decrease in the in-situ pH value of the aqueous solution involved. A positive correlation between the rate of TSR and the initial partial pressure of H₂S occurred under acidic conditions (at pH ∼3-3.5). However, sulfate reduction at pH ∼5.0 was undetectable even at high initial H₂S concentrations. To investigate whether the reaction of H₂S_(aq) and occurs at pH ∼3, an additional series of isothermal hydrous pyrolysis experiments was conducted with CaSO₄ and variable H₂S partial pressures in the absence of HC at the same experimental temperature and pressure conditions. CaSO₄ reduction was not measurable in the absence of paraffin even with high H₂S pressure and acidic conditions. These experimental observations indicate that the formation of organosulfur intermediates from H₂S reacting with hydrocarbons may play a significant role in sulfate reduction under our experimental conditions rather than the formation of elemental sulfur from H₂S reacting with sulfate as has been suggested previously (Toland W. G. (1960) Oxidation of organic compounds with aqueous sulphate. J. Am. Chem. Soc.82, 1911-1916).Quantification of labile organosulfur compounds (LSC), such as thiols and sulfides, was performed on the products of the reaction of H₂S and HC from a series of gold-tube non-isothermal hydrous pyrolysis experiments conducted at about pH 3 from 300 to 370 °C and a 0.1-°C/h heating rate. Incorporation of sulfur into HC resulted in an appreciable amount of thiol and sulfide formation. The rate of LSC formation positively correlated with the initial H₂S pressure. Thus, we propose that the LSC produced from H₂S reaction with HC are most likely the reactive intermediates for H₂S initiation of sulfate reduction. We further propose a three-step reaction scheme of sulfate reduction by HC under reservoir conditions, and discuss the geological implications of our experimental findings with regard to the effect of formation water and oil chemistry, in particular LSC content.     

Simple models for dynamic melting in an upwelling heterogeneous mantle column: Analytical solutions

Several lines of evidence suggest that the melt generation and segregation regions of the mantle are heterogeneous, consisting of chemically and lithologically distinct domains of variable size and dimension. Partial melting of such heterogeneous mantle source regions gives rise to a diverse range of basaltic magmas. In order to better assess the role of source heterogeneity during mantle melting, we have undertaken a theoretical study of trace element distribution and fractionation during concurrent melting and melt migration in an upwelling, chemically heterogeneous, two-porosity double lithology melting column. Analytical solutions for the abundance of a trace element in the matrix and channel were obtained under the assumptions that the porosity, melt and solid velocities, and solid-melt partition coefficients are constant and uniform. For simplicity, we neglected diffusion and dispersion in the melt. Chemical source heterogeneities of arbitrary size and shape were integrated into the simple melting models by allowing trace element abundance in the source region to vary as a function of time and space. Concurrent melting and melt migration in an upwelling heterogeneous mantle may be approximated as a quasi-steady state problem in which time-dependent concentration patterns produced by melting of heterogeneous source regions are superimposed on a reference steady-state concentration distribution established by melting of the ambient or background mantle. Chromatographic fractionation is especially important for the matrix melt and solid when chemical heterogeneities are involved during melting and melt migration in the mantle, giving rise to significant phase-shift between two incompatible trace elements in the matrix melt and scattered correlations among incompatible trace elements in residual peridotites. Mixing is the chief mass transfer process in the dunite channel where the chromatographic effect is negligible for most of the incompatible trace elements. The lack of chromatographic fractionation among incompatible trace elements and isotopic ratios in MORB suggests either most MORB are channel melts or mixing in magma conduit and chamber is very efficient such that the phase-shift is averaged out during magma transport and storage processes. Advection brings melt produced by smaller-degree of melting in the deeper part of the melting column to the overlying melting region, increasing the incompatible trace element abundance in the matrix and the channel. This advection-induced self-enrichment is especially important when heterogeneous sources are involved and may account for some of the enriched incompatible trace element patterns observed in residual peridotite that were previously interpreted to be a result of mantle metasomatism. Systematic studies of high-resolution spatially correlated mantle samples may help to constrain the melting history and the size and nature of chemical heterogeneities in the mantle.     

The age of the Nantuo Formation and Nantuo glaciation in South China

A U–Pb sensitive high‐resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) age of 654.5 ± 3.8 Ma from an ash bed immediately below the Nantuo Formation in South China provides the lowest age constraint for the Nantuo glaciation, which has been correlated with the global ‘Marinoan’ glaciation. A U–Pb SHRIMP age of 636.3 ± 4.9 Ma from a fallout tuff within the basal layer of the Nantuo Formation, along with the existing age of 635.2 ± 0.6 Ma from its overlying Doushantuo cap carbonate, suggests that the traditionally defined Nantuo Formation may have been deposited in a short time period at the end of the Nantuo glaciation. In combination with available ages globally, the data support a relatively short duration and rapid termination of ‘Marinoan’ glaciations.     

川西108国道高位崩塌成因与运动特征

2007年5月25日于川西108国道某段发生的高位崩塌造成了重大人员伤亡和财产损失。综合地质调查、三维激光扫描技术、爆破振动效应分析以及历史崩塌与降雨关系的统计分析,得出了地形高陡、岩体破碎及降雨诱发等是崩塌产生的主要原因,爆破振动对其也有轻微间接影响。根据边坡形态及塌落高度,运用运动学原理及能量法还对崩塌体的撞击速度及冲击力进行了计算分析。     

基于泡沫钻进中消泡装置的试验研究

泡沫钻进过程中,会产生很多泡沫,如不及时清除,会造成施工现场泡沫的大量堆积,影响正常的生产。因此,选择合适的消泡方法在泡沫钻进过程中是非常重要的环节。选用机械消泡法中的缝隙式消泡器,建立消泡装置室内试验台进行试验,取得了良好的效果,消泡率可达86%。     

分光光度法测定海洋河弧菌510脂多糖

本文研究了直接测定海洋河弧菌 (vibrio fluvailis) 5 10脂多糖的分光光度法。利用 1,9-二甲基亚甲蓝 (DMB) ,在适当条件下同脂多糖发生染色反应 ,在 5 5 0 nm波长下 ,反应体系的吸光值同脂多糖含量呈线性相关。相关系数为 0 .9993,最低检出限为 10 μg/m L,相对标准偏差为 1.6 2 ,平均回收率为 (10 5± 2 .18) %。     

中国对虾血细胞酶细胞化学的初步研究

运用电镜酶细胞化学技术 ,对中国对虾 (Penaeus chinensis)的血细胞和血清中的酚氧化酶、酸性磷酸酶、碱性磷酸酶和过氧化物酶的酶活性部位进行标记。实验结果显示 :酚氧化酶主要以酶原形式存在于大颗粒细胞的颗粒体中 ,酸性磷酸酶和碱性磷酸酶以酶原形式存在于小颗粒细胞的颗粒体中。健康虾和患病虾血细胞中酶活性的表现形式不尽相同 ,在病理情况下 ,颗粒细胞能以细胞解体的方式 ,排出细胞内的颗粒 ,转化成有活性的酶 ,以此提高血淋巴中这几种酶的活性。透明细胞可以吞噬排放颗粒后的颗粒细胞 ,透明细胞中由高尔基体合成的酸性磷酸酶等溶酶体酶主要用于透明细胞的细胞内消化作用。研究认为 :3种血细胞因含有不同的免疫酶以及酶的作用方式不同而具有不同的免疫功能     

从统计分析看控制东海重矿物分布的因素

任何地质作用过程都是复杂的,东海也不例外,其沉积过程具有长期性、继承性和叠加性的特点.因而反映在矿物组合及其分布变化上较为复杂,影响因素颇多.然而,运用数学地质方法却可帮助我们寻找和确定其主要的影响因素,查明它们的相互关系,甚至建立定量描述的模式.而这正是传统地质学研究中的难题之一.     

中太平洋西部深海沉积物中的火山碎屑与粘土矿物

对于太平洋深海沉积物的研究虽有很久的历史(如1873-1876年“挑战者”号的科学考察),但对该区开展深入系统的岩石学和矿物学研究却是六十年代以后的事.随着研究手段的发展和进步,已积累了关于该区深海沉积物的大量资料.目前我国的海洋工作者也正在努力开展这方面的科学研究工作.