Organic carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes in the intertidal sediments from the Yangtze Estuary, China

The natural isotopic compositions and C/N elemental ratios of sedimentary organic matter were determined in the intertidal flat of the Yangtze Estuary. The results showed that the ratios of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes were respectively −29.8‰ to − 26.0‰ and 1.6‰–5.5‰ in the flood season (July), while they were −27.3‰ to − 25.6‰ and 1.7‰–7.8‰ in the dry season (February), respectively. The δ¹³C signatures were remarkably higher in July than in February, and gradually increased from the freshwater areas to the brackish areas. In contrast, there were relatively complex seasonal and spatial changes in stable nitrogen isotopes. It was also reflected that δ¹⁵N and C/N compositions had been obviously modified by organic matter diagenesis and biological processing, and could not be used to trace the sources of organic matter at the study area. In addition, it was considered that the mixing inputs of terrigenous and marine materials generally dominated sedimentary organic matter in the intertidal flat. The contribution of terrigenous inputs to sedimentary organic matter was roughly estimated according to the mixing balance model of stable carbon isotopes.     

A226Ra section across the East Pacific Rise

Four vertical Ra profiles have been measured across the East Pacific Rise (EPR) from Callao to Tahiti. These profiles show that Ra in the deep water (below 2 km depth) increases toward the EPR. However, this increase does not necessarily indicate a Ra source on the EPR. The increase from Tahiti toward the EPR reflects the general trend of the Pacific Ra distribution. The decrease from the EPR eastward to the Peru Basin is probably due to the continental effect with higher sedimentation rates.The hydrography, especially potential temperature and oxygen, indicates significant differences below about 3 km depth between the east and west flanks of the EPR indicating the effect of the cold bottom water to the west of the EPR. The benthic front is identified at 3.9 km depth at the westernmost station near Tahiti. Silicate and salinity data are by no means unique and reflect a complicated local circulation and mixing pattern with a minor intrusion of the Antarctic Bottom Water from the south into the Peru Basin.The θ-Ra and Ra-Si relationships both indicate an enrichment of Ra in the deep water below 2 km depth probably due to input from the underlying sediments. Above 2 km depth, Ra covaries almost linearly with θ as well as Si, mimicking a stable conservative property. This suggests that the radiodecay rate is nearly balanced by the input rate within the water column between 1 and 2 km depth in which θ is linearly correlated withS.Simple vertical model calculations show that the in-situ production of Ra by particulate dissolution in the deep water is negligible within a reasonable range of upwelling rates from 2 to 12 m/yr. Thus the Ra profiles show a net decay effect and so the θ-Ra relations are not linear in the deep water. In fact, the composite θ-Ra plots show a break at 25 dpm/100 kg (at 2 km depth) rather than a smooth curve, while theθ-S plots are essentially linear. A maximum Ra production rate of about 8 × 10^?3 (dpm/100 kg) yr^?1 is obtained from all the profiles with minimum upwelling rates between 0.7 and 3.5 m/yr.     

210Pb in GEOSECS water profiles from the North Pacific

Ten GEOSECS profiles from the North Pacific have been analyzed for²¹⁰Pb. GEOSECS²²⁶Ra data on the same profiles are used to calculate²¹⁰Pb excess or deficiency relative to secular equilibrium. The resultant profiles are divisible into a thermocline zone (<2000m) showing an expected decrease with depth, a mid-water zone of about 2000 m showing small constant deficiencies with a zone of increasing deficiency to a bottom zone of about 1000 m having the highest deficiency virtually invariant with depth. The exponentially decreasing portion in the thermocline yields a “diffusion” coefficient of 3 cm²/s. The mid-water deficiencies yield ? model residence times of 400 years northeast of Hawaii decreasing to 100 years at the most marginal stations.     

Simulating a Highly Parameterized Groundwater Model for a Tropical Eogenetic Karst Aquifer Using Physically-Based Numerical Modeling and Inverse Method

Water Resources - Formulation of effective water management based on the understanding of the interaction between climate and sub-surface components as well as its causative consequences to...     

Measurement of lower-stratospheric aerosol by a balloon-borne photometer

Height distribution of the stratospheric aerosol extinction coefficient was measured in the altitude range 10 to 20 km by a balloon-borne multi-color sunphotometer in May 1978. It is demonstrated that detailed structures of the distribution of stratospheric aerosol can be remotely measured by the solar occultation method as well as by lidar andin situ particle counter observations. In the aerosol layer appearing at 18 km altitude the extinction coefficient at 800–1000 nm wavelength reached to 3×10^–7 m^–1, which was reasonable compared with lidar observations. Wavelength dependence of the aerosol optical depth was crudely estimated to be proportional to ^–1.5.     

Mapping nonlinear shallow-water tides: a look at the past and future

Overtides and compound tides are generated by nonlinear mechanisms operative primarily in shallow waters. Their presence complicates tidal analysis owing to the multitude of new constituents and their possible frequency overlap with astronomical tides. The science of nonlinear tides was greatly advanced by the pioneering researches of Christian Le Provost who employed analytical theory, physical modeling, and numerical modeling in many extensive studies, especially of the tides of the English Channel. Le Provost’s complementary work with satellite altimetry motivates our attempts to merge these two interests. After a brief review, we describe initial steps toward the assimilation of altimetry into models of nonlinear tides via generalized inverse methods. A series of barotropic inverse solutions is computed for the M tide over the northwest European Shelf. Future applications of altimetry to regions with fewer in situ measurements will require improved understanding of error covariance models because these control the tradeoffs between fitting hydrodynamics and data, a delicate issue in coastal regions. While M can now be robustly determined along the Topex/Poseidon satellite ground tracks, many other compound tides face serious aliasing problems. In memory of Christian Le Provost     

Changes in biodiversity of the extremely polluted Golden Horn Estuary following the improvements in water quality

Long-term biological data supported by physicochemical parameters were evaluated to investigate the biodiversity of the Golden Horn Estuary from the past to the present. Limited observations dating back to 60 years ago indicated the existence of a diverse community in this small estuary. Unfortunately, in parallel with the increase in unplanned settlements and industry around the Golden Horn, pollution stress increased since the 1960s. Preliminary studies in the 1990s indicated survival of only a couple of pollution-resistant species, in the relatively cleaner lower estuary. Following the intensification of rehabilitation studies in 1998 and particularly after the opening of the floating bridge at the mid estuary; a remarkable day-by-day recovery in marine life has begun with the improving water quality. Nutrient concentrations decreased markedly; while water clarity significantly increased. Fecal coliform values decreased 10(3) fold. Phytoplankton composition changed and dense blooms of eukaryotic phytoplankters frequently occurred. Hydrogen sulfide almost completely disappeared even during the warmest periods of the year and dissolved oxygen concentrations increased. All results clearly depicted that the Golden Horn ecosystem shifted to eutrophic conditions from an anoxic environment. SCUBA dives in 2002, documented the level of diversification of life in the Golden Horn. All appropriate substratums were intensely covered by macrobenthic forms until the Halic Bridge and filter feeders dominated the plankton-rich ecosystem. Achieving the diversity of 1940s is not possible since the Black and Marmara seas, influencing water quality of the Golden Horn, are also suffering from anthropogenic impacts and are far less diverse than their rich diversity in 1940s. However, the Golden Horn is a good example that even the most polluted ecosystems can recover when appropriate measures are taken.     

Gravity map of Kalabsha area, northwest of Aswan Lake, and its structural significance

A detailed gravity survey was carried out in one of the seismo-active areas at the northwestern region of the High Dam Lake (Kalabsha area) to study its subsurface structure. In order to understand the seismicity of the area, the establishment of a geodynamic model from geological and geodetic data is of great importance. After a series of adjustments and corrections of the measured gravity data, free-air and Bouguer anomaly maps were constructed for the Kalabsha area, and several interpretation techniques were applied to analyse these anomalies. The results of the analysis indicate that the Kalabsha area is affected by several faults trending mainly E-W and N-S. The active area located west of Gebel Marawa is bounded by a set of faults striking NE-SW, N-S and E-W. The throws of these faults range from 160 to 370 m.The minimum depth to the basement complex is about 200 m and its maximum depth is around 600 m. The thickness of the sedimentary column (Nubia sandstone) in the Kalabsha area decreases due west and increases toward the southern and eastern parts of the area. The results explain the tectonic framework of the area well.     

Dynamics of rigid strip foundations embedded in orthotropic elastic soils

This study is concerned with the dynamic response of an arbitrary shaped rigid strip foundation embedded in an orthotropic elastic soil. The foundation is subjected to time-harmonic vertical, horizontal and moment loadings. The boundary-value problem related to an embedded foundation is analysed by using the indirect boundary integral equation method. The kernel functions of the integral equations are displacement and traction Green's functions of an anisotropic elastic half plane. Exact analytical solutions are used for the Green's functions. The boundary integral equation is solved by using numerical techniques. Selected numerical results are presented for the impedances of rectangular and semi-circular rigid strip foundations embedded in four types of anisotropic soils. A discussion on the influence of soil anisotropy and frequency of excitation on the impedances is presented. The versatility of the analysis is demonstrated by considering the through soil interaction between two semi-circular strip foundations.     

粤北存在早侏罗世的岩浆活动——来自霞岚杂岩SHRIMP锆石U-Pb年代学的证据

报道了粤北梅州地区霞岚杂岩的SHRIMP锆石U-Pb年龄,花岗岩(196±2)Ma,辉长岩(195±1)Ma,为中国东南部缺少200~180Ma期间的岩浆岩报道增添了新资料,又表明了滨太平洋构造域至少在195Ma左右已经开始作用于中国东南部.野外揭露的新鲜露头上,辉长岩与花岗岩之间有岩浆部分混合作用现象.辉长岩局部发育20~30cm的细粒边,从辉长岩往花岗岩方向逐渐变细;花岗岩中发育大量暗色细粒-微粒闪长质岩浆包体,形态多样、大小不一,边部有暗色矿物集中现象,部分界线呈截然、模糊或过渡关系;包体中出现针状磷灰石;辉长岩类与花岗质岩石的稀土配分模式基本一致,其微量元素特征也具有明显的一致性;二者年龄十分接近,且基性岩略晚于花岗岩形成.这些特征均表明,早侏罗世基性岩浆注入引起了深部陆壳物质的熔融,并形成了酸性岩浆,然后二者发生混合产生了霞岚杂岩.