Atmospheric Effects of the Emerging Mainland Chinese Transportation System at and Beyond the Regional Scale

Local surface travel needs in the Peoples Republic of China (mainlandChina) have traditionally been met largely by nonpolluting bicycles. A majorautomobile manufacturing/importing effort has begun in the country over thelast decade, and planning documents indicate that the Chinese may strive toacquire more than 100 million vehicles early in the next century. By analogywith large automotive fleets already existing in the western world, bothregional and global scale pollution effects are to be expected from theincrease. The present work adopts the latest projections of Chinese automobilemanufacture and performs some quantitative assessments of the extent ofpollution generation.Focus for the investigation is placed upon the oxidant ozone. Emissions of theprecursor species nitrogen oxides and volatile organics are constructed basedon data for the current automotive sector in the eastern portion of the UnitedStates. Ozone production is first estimated from measured values forcontinental/oceanic scale yields relative to precursor oxidation. Theestimates are then corroborated through idealized two dimensional modeling ofthe photochemistry taking place in springtime air flow off the Asian land massand toward the Pacific Ocean. The projected fleet sizes could increase coastaland remote oceanic ozone concentrations by tens of parts per billion (ppb)in the lower troposphere. Influences on the tropospheric aerosol system andon the major greenhouse gas carbon dioxide are treated peripherally. Nitrogenoxides created during the vehicular internal combustion process willcontribute to nitrate pollution levels measured in the open Pacific. Thepotential for soot and fugitive dust increases should be considered as theautomotive infrastructure develops. Since the emerging Chinese automotivetransportation system will represent a substantial addition to the globalfleet and all the carbon in gasoline is eventually oxidized completely, asignificant rise in global carbon dioxide inputs will ensue as well.Some policy issues are treated preliminary. The assumption is made thatalterations to regional oxidant/aerosol systems and to terrestrial climate areconceivable. The likelihood that the Chinese can achieve the latest vehiclefleet goals is discussed, from the points of view of new production, positivepollution feedbacks from a growing automobile industry, and known petroleumreserves. Vehicular fuel and maintenance options lying before the Chinese areoutlines and compared. To provide some perspective on the magnitude of theenvironmental changes associated with an Asian automotive buildup, recentestimates of the effects of future air traffic over the Pacific Rim aredescribed.     

An Experimental Study of Nepheline-Kalsilite Exsolution

The nepheline-kalsilite exsolution reaction was studied isothermallybetween 400 and 700°C. Under nonaqueous conditions the mechanisminvolves nucleation of kalsilite and growth by diffusion ofthe alkalis. As predicted by simple nucleation theory, the nucleationrate and hence the over-all exsolution rate are strongly dependenton the supersaturation of the nepheline. A decrease in temperatureat constant composition increases the supersaturation and therebythe nucleation rate. This increased nucleation rate is opposedby the decrease in the growth rate due to slower volume diffusion.At a supersaturation of more than 8–10 mole per cent thenumber of nuclei is large and the over-all exsolution rate isdetermined primarily by the growth rate. The activation energyfor growth is 28 kcal/mole. An increase of two kilobars in thehydrostatic pressure has little effect on the kinetics of thereaction. Under nonhydrostatic conditions the exsolution rateincreases significantly because the nucleation rate is faster. Under hydrothermal conditions the ‘exsolution’ rateis approximately two orders of magnitude faster due to a modificationin the mechanism. Partial dissolution of the original solidsolution in distilled water creates a condition of nonequilibriumin which the fluid is sodium-rich. Rapid alkali exchange eliminatesthis condition but produces the equilibrium compositions ofthe solids because kalsilite nucleates and grows in contactwith the fluid. The experimental evidence for this mechanismincludes X-ray diffraction data showing a gradual change inthe composition of the initial supersaturated solid, essentiallyidentical activation energies for growth under aqueous and nonaqueousconditions, and a lower percentage of oxygen isotope exchangethan ‘exsolution’ in the same experiment.     

Molar-tooth Carbonate Sequences and Sr Isotopes in the Neoproterozoic for Stratigraphic Correlation： Research in the JUin-Liaoning-Xuzhou-Huaiyang Area of the Sino-Korean Plate and Its Correlation with the Yangtze Plate

Based on a study of Neoproterozoic carbonates in the Jilin-Liaoning-Xuzhou-Huaiyang area, especially its cyclic sequence stratigraphy and Sr isotopes, two maximum sea flooding events (at 820 Ma and 835 Ma) have been identified. The resulting isochronous stratigraphic correlation proves that these Precambrian strata were connected between the Qingbaikou and the Nanhuan systems with a time range from 750 Ma to 850 Ma. The disappearance of microsparite carbonate and coming of a glacial stage offer important evidence for worldwide stratigraphic correlation and open a window for further correlation of the stratigraphic successions across the Sino-Korean and Yangtze Plates. A new correlation scheme is therefore provided based on our work.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of Pyrite Exsolution from Pyrrhotite

Pyrite exsolution from pyrrhotite at 325 °C occurs by heterogeneousnucleation of pyrite and subsequent growth by volume diffusionof iron away from the nuclei. Sulfur atoms are required to moveonly short distances and although their diffusivity is muchlower than iron, their movement is not the rate determiningfactor. The exsolution rate is primarily dependent on the nucleationrate, which increases with the degree of supersaturation. Inaddition, the impurities in National Bureau of Standards 55diron or 500 ppm of As, Sb, or Bi retard the exsolution rateby two or more orders of magnitude at 325 °C. This reductionis primarily the result of a lower nucleation rate and is believedto be due to a decreased vacancy mobility caused by a high bindingenergy of vacancies with the slow diffusing impurities. Thusthe strain associated with the nucleation cannot be as easilyrelieved. The impurities may also reduce the growth rate bycausing a decrease in mobility of the pyrite interface. The most important general aspect of this study is the effectof a few hundred parts per million of an impurity on the exsolutionrate of this reaction. This suggests that the rate of othermineral reactions may also be dependent on impurities; however,the importance of this factor in any particular mineral reactionrequires experimental verification.     

劈理现象的观察与讨论

劈理现象的研究从D.沙尔普开始,已有百余年的历史。关于劈理形象的描述、分类与成因方面的一些基本看法,在本世纪初期及更早一些时候就提出来了(Sorby H. C. 1856; Becker G. 1904; LeithC. K. 1905; Becke F. 1913)。以后,仍有不少构造地质工作者继续不断地进行劈理的研究,提出一些补充资料和分类与成因的看法(如Sander B. 1930; Closs E. 1947; Hoeppener R. 1955; de Sitter L.U. 1956; Knill J. K. 1960; Gonzalez-Bonorino F. 1960; Turner F. J. & Weiss L. E. 1963)。     

Thermal Stability of Assemblages in the Cu--Fe--S System

The phase relations in the Cu-Fe-S system were determined from700 C to approximately 200 C in most portions of the systemand below 100 C in restricted areas. Approximate solid solutionlimits for bornite, chalcopyrite, and pyrrhotite were determinedat elevated temperatures. At low temperatures emphasis was placedon establishing the stable assemblages and less on determiningthe compositions of coexisting phases. At 700 C two extensiveternary solid solutions dominate the phase relations in thissystem. One of these solid solutions (bornite) includes thecompositions Cu₂S, Cu₁₈S, and Cu₅FeS₄and the other (chalcopyrite)lies with in the area bounded by the compositions CuFeS₂ CuFe₂S₃,and CU₃Fe₄S₄. The two fields are separated by approximately10 weight per cent copper at 700 C. The chalcopyrite volume,as seen in a trigonal prism representing temperature and composition,is intersected by a miscibility gap below approximately 600C.Below this temperature the two one-phase volumes are referredto as chalcopyrite and cubanite. Chalcopyrite is tetragonalat low temperature but isometric above approximately 550C.The temperature of the transformation is a function of composition.Cubanite is isometric above 252C, tetragonal from 252 to atleast 213C, and orthorhombic at lower temperature. The temperatureof the second transformation is unknown because the tetragonal-to-orthorhombictransformation has not been achieved in the laboratory. Borniteand pyrite become stable together at 568C and coexist downto 228C. Covellite appears with lowering temperature at 507C,and idaite at 501C. Idaite—pyrite and idaite—borniteare stable assemblages below 501 C. The composition of bornitecoexisting with idaite changes gradually towards digenite withdecreasing temperature, thus permitting the change from thebornite—pyrite tie-line to the digenite—chalcopyritetie-line at 228C. Other major tie-line changes are bornite—ironto pyrrhotite—copper below 475C and cubanite—pyriteto chalcopyrite—pyrrhotite below 334C. A new syntheticphase, x-bornite, which has a composition close to bornite (Cu₅FeS₄)but contains about 04 weight per cent more sulfur, forms whensulfur-rich bornite synthesized at high temperature is annealedbetween 62 and 140C. Optically this new phase is very similarto bornite, and their X-ray powder diffraction patterns aregiven for comparison. o The determined phase relations are applicable to numerous deposits.The tie-line changes involving bornitepyrite reacting to producedigenitechalcopyrite below 228 C and cubanite (isometric)pyritegoing to chalcopyritepyrrhotite below 334 C are of considerablegeological interest. The rates of these reactions are sufficientlyslow to allow the higher temperature assemblages to be observedin some ores. The cubic—tetragonal inversion in chalcopyriteis often deduced in ores by inversion twins. However, twinningis also commonly produced through deformation. Geological applicationof the inversion therefore depends on correct interpretationof the twinning. Because of the considerable solubility of copperin pyrrhotite the pyrrhotite—pyrite solvus of the pureFe—S system cannot be applied indiscriminately to oresthat also contain chalcopyrite or cubanite, or both. The newx-bornite phase was identified with the natural ‘anomalousbornites’, which when heated exsolve chalcopyrite and,depending on their composition, also digenite. The experimental results indicate that the mineral commonlyidentified as chalcopyrrhotite is in reality tetragonal or evenisometric cubanite. Experimental evidence could not be obtainedfor the existence of a phase of Cu₂Fe₄S₇ or Cu₂Fe₄S₇ composition,the older formulae given foor valleriite. The thermal breakdownof natural material supports the idea that valleriite is a low-temperaturepolymorph of chalcopyrite. The relatively uncommon occurrenceof idaite in comparison to covellite is attributed to the greaterdifficulty in nucleating idaite. The possibility of stable coexistenceof chalcocite and pyrite was investigated but was found to beprohibited by tie-lines between bornite and digenite even aslow as 100 C.     

Sedimentology of subaqueous volcaniclastic sediment gravity flows in the Neogene Santa Maria Basin, California

Subaqueous tuff deposits within the lower Miocene Lospe Formation of the Santa Maria Basin, California, are up to 20 m thick and were deposited by high density turbidity flows after large volumes of ash were supplied to the basin and remobilized. Tuff units in the Lospe Formation include a lower lithofacies assemblage of planar bedded tuff that grades upward into massive tuff, which in turn is overlain by an upper lithofacies assemblage of alternating thin bedded, coarse grained tuff beds and tuffaceous mudstone. The planar bedded tuff ranges from 0.3 to 3 m thick and contains 1-8 cm thick beds that exhibit inverse grading, and low angle and planar laminations. The overlying massive tuff ranges from 1 to 10 m thick and includes large intraclasts of pumiceous tuff and stringers of pumice grains aligned parallel to bedding. The upper lithofacies assemblage of thin bedded tuff ranges from 0.4 to 3 m thick; individual beds are 6-30 cm thick and display planar laminae and dewatering structures. Pumice is generally concentrated in the upper halves of beds in the thin bedded tuff interval. The association of sedimentary structures combined with semi-quantitative analysis for dispersive and hydraulic equivalence of bubble-wall vitric shards and pumice grains reveals that particles in the planar bedded lithofacies are in dispersive, not settling, equivalence. This suggests deposition under dispersive pressures in a tractive flow. Grains in the overlying massive tuff are more closely in settling equivalence as opposed to dispersive equivalence, which suggests rapid deposition from a suspended sediment load. The set of lithofacies that comprises the lower lithofacies assemblage of each of the Lospe Formation tuff units is analogous to those of traction carpets and subsequent suspension sedimentation deposits often attributed to high density turbidity flows. Grain distributions in the upper thin bedded lithofacies do not reveal a clear relation for dispersive or settling equivalence. This information, together with the association of sedimentary features in the thin bedded lithofacies, including dewatering structures, suggests a combination of tractive and liquefied flows. Absence of evidence for elevated emplacement temperatures (e.g. eutaxitic texture or shattered crystàls) suggests emplacement of the Lospe Formation tuff deposits in a cold state closely following pyroclastic eruptions. The tuff deposits are not only a result of primary volcanic processes which supplied the detritus, but also of processes which involved remobilization of unconsolidated ash as subaqueous sediment gravity flows. These deposits provide an opportunity to study the sedimentation processes that may occur during subaqueous volcaniclastic flows and demonstrate similarities with existing models for sediment gravity flow processes.     

RESOLUTION OF STRONGLY OVERLAPPING TWO-WAY MULTICOMPONENT DATA BY MEANS OF HEURISTIC EVOLVING LATENT PROJECTIONS

High-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection(HPLC-DAD)is used tocharacterize mixtures from chlorophyll α degradation experiments.Overlapping chromatographic peaksare resolved by means of the heuristic evolving latent projections(HELP)method.The HELP methodis a self-modelling curve resolution method.No assumptions are made about spectral and/orchromatographic peak shape.In the first step the method establishes the real noise level in the data byuse of the so-called zero-component regions.This information is used to reveal selective chromatographicinformation and the number of chemical species at every retention time in unresolved chromatographicpeaks.Utilising the selective chromatographic regions in combination with the zero-concentrationwindows,unique resolution into concentration profiles and spectra of the pure chemical species isaccomplished.HPLC-DAD data from six chlorophyll a degradation experiments were analysed.Consistent results were obtained even with very similar spectra for six or seven overlapping chemicalcomponents.     

Experimental Study on the Influencing Factors of Motion Responses on an Air-Floating Caisson with Multiple Compartments

The structure of an air-floating caisson is suitable for the major structure of caisson-type artificial islands.Thus,it has been rapidly developed and widely used in the exploration and development of oil and gas fields in shallow sea and intertidal zones.Air-floating transportation technology is one of the key technologies employed in this structure.In this paper,the factors influencing the dynamic response characteristics of air-floating caisson with multi-compartments(AFCMC)were studied using model tests.The length and the height of each air-floating structure in the model were 1.0 and 0.1 m,respectively.In addition,the 1:100 models with 6,8,and 10 compartments under regular waves were tested in the wave flume,respectively.In the experiments,the respective water depths were set at 0.2,0.3,and 0.4 m,and the corresponding drafts were 0.05,0.06,and 0.07 m.Results show that with the increase of draft,the heave natural period increased and the maximum amplitude of the heave motion decreased.Meanwhile,the pitch motion decreased at 6 and 8 compartments and increased at 10 compartments.As the water depth increased,the maximum amplitude and amplitude change of heave and pitch motions first increased and then decreased.However,several amplitudes close to the maximum amplitude appeared in the measured period at shallower water depth,thereby indicating the vertical movements of the structure enhanced under shallow water.The increase in the number of compartments reduced the vertical movements under 6.0 m draft,but it increased the vertical movements under 5.0 and 7.0 m draft.Thus,increasing the number of compartments has a limited capacity to improve the motion performance of the structure.