The Kuwae (Vanuatu) eruption of<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps"> AD</Emphasis> 1452: potential magnitude and volatile release

Sometime during AD 1452, according to new evidence, a large-magnitude, initially phreatomagmatic eruption, destroyed the island of Kuwae (16.83°S, 168.54°E), located in the present-day Republic of Vanuatu. It created a 12×6-km submarine caldera composed of two adjacent basins. Based on estimates of caldera volume, between 30 and 60 km³ DRE of dacite magma was ejected as pyroclastic flow and fall deposits during this event. Annual layers of ice dating from the period AD 1450–1460 contain acidity peaks representing fallout of sulfuric acid onto both the Greenland and Antarctic ice caps. These acidity peaks have been attributed by others to the sedimentation of H₂SO₄ aerosols that originated from sulfur degassing during the Kuwae eruption. Improved dating techniques and new data from nineteen ice cores reveal a single acidity peak attributed to Kuwae lasting from 1453 to 1457. In this study, we present new electron microprobe analyses of the S, Cl, and F contents of matrix glasses and glass inclusions in phenocrysts from tephra ejected during the Kuwae eruption. We establish that the Kuwae event did indeed yield a large release of sulfur gases. From our glass inclusion data and analysis, we calculate that the total atmospheric aerosol loading from the 1452 Kuwae eruption was ≫100 Tg H₂SO₄. Much of the volatile mass released during the eruption was probably contained in a separate, volatile-rich, fluid phase within the pre-eruptive Kuwae magma body. Comparing the volatile release of the Kuwae eruption with other large-magnitude eruptions, places Kuwae as the greatest sulfuric acid aerosol producer in the last seven centuries, larger even than sulfur emissions from the eruption of Tambora (Indonesia) in 1815, and possibly Laki (Iceland) in 1783. The severe and unusual climatic effects reported in the mid- to late-1450s were likely caused by the Kuwae eruption.     

A Three-Dimensional Global Model Study of Carbonyl Sulfide in the Troposphere and the Lower Stratosphere

Global distributions of carbonyl sulfide and carbon disulfide have been calculated with a three-dimensional global model of the atmospheric general circulation (ECHAM). The model calculates a global sink strength for carbonyl sulfide of 0.3 Tg S yr^-1, with vegetation uptake being the largest sink. With this sink strength, the sources have to be close to the lower limit of the present estimate in the literature. The calculated mixing ratios are higher in the Southern Hemisphere than in the Northern Hemisphere. This interhemispheric gradient is the opposite of what is observed demonstrating that the present knowledge of the distribution of sinks and sources is not fully adequate. The model calculations support the idea that the open oceans could act as a net sink of carbonyl sulfide. The calculated stratospheric photolysis of carbonyl sulfide constitutes about 4% of the total sink of carbonyl sulfide. A stratospheric production of sulfate from carbonyl sulfide of 0.013 Tg S yr^-1 is obtained, which is 3 to 12 times less than what is needed to maintain the stratospheric sulfate aerosol layer. Although these results are associated with uncertainties, due to the low upper boundary and coarse vertical resolution of the model, they support recent findings of a low stratospheric production of sulfate from carbonyl sulfide. Instead, sulfur dioxide transported from the troposphere is calculated to be the most important precursor for the stratospheric sulfate aerosol layer.     

中国地区气溶胶的辐射强迫及其气候响应试验

根据国内测定的排放因子数据和国家、部委及各省市统计年鉴公布的排放源数据,得到的中国大陆的1°×1°网格精度的SO2的排放分布,计算了中国地区人为扰动气溶胶的辐射强迫。应用近期开发的二维能量平衡模式计算了由该种气溶胶所引起的中国地区地面温度变化。模式结果表明,最大辐射强迫和最大地面温度变化都集中在中国的沿海和四川地区。最大辐射强迫达3 W/m2。     

Source Sector Contributions to Aerosol Levels in Pakistan

Urban air pollution in Pakistan is a serious challenge and it causes significant damage to human health and ecosystems. This paper presents a modelling study using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model coupled with Chemistry(WRF-Chem) to simulate the spatial distributions and temporal variations of aerosol concentrations over Pakistan, focusing on contributions of domestic emission sectors(transport, industry, residential, and energy) to mass concentrations of sulfate(SO2–4), nitrate(NO–3), ammonium(NH+4), black carbon(BC), and organic carbon(OC) during the months of January, April, July, and October in 2010. Sensitivity studies indicate that, averaged over January, April, July, and October of 2010, energy and industry sectors have the largest contributions to SO2–4 concentrations, each of which contributes about 10%?20% to SO2– 4over the polluted eastern Pakistan. The contributions from residential and transport sectors to NO–3 concentrations reach 40%?50% in central Pakistan. The residential sector has the highest contribution of 50%–80% to BC and OC loading in northeastern and southern Pakistan. Examination of sector contributions to aerosol levels in Lahore, the most polluted city in Pakistan, suggests that reductions in emissions in the residential sector should be an efficient measure for improving particulate matter air quality in this region.     

电活化硫酸盐处理四环素类废水的研究

本文构建以掺硼金刚石(Boron-doped diamond,BDD)为阳极、不锈钢为阴极、硫酸盐为电解质的电化学体系,考察了电流密度、pH值、硫酸盐浓度以及初始四环素浓度等四个因素对电化学氧化降解废水中四环素的影响,运用响应曲面法对运行参数进行优化;通过电子自旋共振检测技术分析电化学反应中产生的自由基,探究了间歇通电模式下电化学体系持续氧化机理。结果表明,四个因素对TOC去除率的影响大小次序为:电流密度>初始四环素浓度>初始pH值>硫酸盐浓度,其中初始pH值和硫酸盐浓度与电流密度和初始四环素浓度的交互作用对TOC去除率的影响较为显著;最佳运行参数为pH值为5,电流密度为100 mA·cm^-2,硫酸盐浓度为0.25 mol·L^-1,初始四环素浓度为1000 mg·L^-1;间歇通电模式下,BDD电极表面产生的SO₄^·-等高活性物质间相互转化提供了体系的可持续氧化能力。该研究结果为电化学氧化技术的实际应用提供了节省能耗的有效途径。     

从硫酸锂粗矿中分离富集锂的实验研究

针对从西藏查波措盐湖卤水中获得的硫酸锂粗矿,开展从该矿物中分离提取锂的研究。根据该矿物的组成,设计了去除与锂离子共存的镁、硫酸根等主要离子的工艺路线,通过除镁、硫酸根、钙等过程和蒸发浓缩、结晶分离等步骤,得到了杂质离子含量较低的富锂溶液。实验对除镁步骤的加水量、加料方式、反应时间、Ca O加入量等反应关键控制因素进行了考察,确定了较优的分离条件。     

Effects of sulfate chitosan derivatives on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Sulfate chitosan derivatives have good solubility and therapeutic effect on the cell model of NAFLD. The aim of this study was to examine the therapeutic effect of sulfate chitosan derivatives on NAFLD. The male Wistar rats were orally fed high fat emulsion and received sulfate chitosan derivatives for 5 weeks to determine the pre-treatment effect of sulfate chitosan derivatives on NAFLD. To evaluate the therapeutic effect of sulfate chitosan derivatives on NAFLD, the rats were orally fed with high concentration emulsion for 5 weeks, followed by sulfate chitosan derivatives for 3 weeks. Histological analysis and biomedical assays showed that sulfate chitosan derivatives can dramatically prevent the development of hepatic steatosis in hepatocyte cells. In animal studies, pre-treatment and treatment with sulfate chitosan derivatives significantly protected against hepatic steatohepatitis induced by high fat diet according to histological analysis. Furthermore, increased TC, ALT, MDA, and LEP in NAFLD were significantly ameliorated by pre-treatment and treatment with sulfate chitosan derivatives. Furthermore, increased TG, AST, and TNF-α in NAFLD were significantly ameliorated by treatment with sulfate chitosan derivatives. Sulfate chitosan derivatives have good pre-treatment and therapeutic effect on NAFLD.     

Origin of high H2S concentrations in the Upper Permian Changxing reservoirs of the Northeast Sichuan Basin,China

Intense thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) and up to 18% H₂S are found in the Upper Permian Changxing Formation (P₃ch) in the northeast (NE) Sichuan Basin, China, despite that rare gypsum or anhydrite was found in this formation. Here, we present new concentration data of carbonate-associated sulfate (CAS) from carbonate host rocks, C, O, and Sr isotope data for TSR-related calcites, and S isotope data for sulfur compounds obtained during this study. These data along with spatial-temporal changes in palaeogeopressure conditions, hydraulic conductivity and the physical capacity indicate that the H₂S was generated locally from TSR within the P₃ch reservoirs. We propose that the reactive sulfates were derived from CAS released during dolomitization and recrystallization of earlier dolomite within the P₃ch Fm. and from the cross-formational migration of evaporative brines from the Lower Triassic Feixianguan Formation (T₁f) to P₃ch Fm. Our calculation shows that the two sources could provide enough SO₄²⁻ for the generation of H₂S within the P₃ch reservoirs. Early downward migration of sulfate-rich evaporative brines from the T₁f formation occurred in near-surface and shallow burial diagenetic settings (mainly <1000 m). The evaporative brines seeped into porous grainstones and displaced preexisting seawater, causing pervasive dolomitization within the P₃ch Fm. Subsequently, TSR calcites precipitated from the pore water have high Sr concentrations (up to 7767 ppm), close to the T₁f TSR calcites, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios mainly from 0.7074 to 0.7078, which are significantly higher than those of Late Permian seawater but within the range of early Triassic seawater.     

Origin of the hydrocarbon gases carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide in Dodan Field (SE-Turkey)

Gas occurrences consisting of carbon dioxide (CO₂), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and hydrocarbon (HC) gases and oil within the Dodan Field in southeastern Turkey are located in Cretaceous carbonate reservoir rocks in the Garzan and Mardin Formations. The aim of this study was to determine gas composition and to define the origin of gases in Dodan Field. For this purpose, gas samples were analyzed for their molecular and isotopic composition. The isotopic composition of CO₂, with values of −1.5‰ and −2.8‰, suggested abiogenic origin from limestone. δ³⁴S values of H₂S ranged from +11.9 to +13.4‰. H₂S is most likely formed from thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) and bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR) within the Bakuk Formation. The Bakuk Formation is composed of a dolomite dominated carbonate succession also containing anhydrite. TSR may occur within an evaporitic environment at temperatures of approximately 120–145 °C. Basin modeling revealed that these temperatures were reached within the Bakuk Formation at 10 Ma. Furthermore, sulfate reducing bacteria were found in oil–water phase samples from Dodan Field. As a result, the H₂S in Dodan Field can be considered to have formed by BSR and TSR.As indicated by their isotopic composition, HC gases are of thermogenic origin and were generated within the Upper Permian Kas and Gomaniibrik Formations. As indicated by the heavier isotopic composition of methane and ethane, HC gases were later altered by TSR. Based on our results, the Dodan gas field may have formed as a result of the interaction of the following processes during the last 7–8 Ma: 1) thermogenic gas generation in Permian source rocks, 2) the formation of thrust faults, 3) the lateral-up dip migration of HC-gases due to thrust faults from the Kas Formation into the Bakuk Formation, 4) the formation of H₂S and CO₂ by TSR within the Bakuk Formation, 5) the vertical migration of gases into reservoirs through the thrust fault, and 6) lateral-up dip migration within reservoir rocks toward the Dodan structure.     

A global satellite view of the seasonal distribution of mineral dust and its correlation with atmospheric circulation

Aerosols make a considerable contribution to the climate system through their radiative and cloud condensation nuclei effects, which underlines the need for understanding the origin of aerosols and their transport pathways. Seasonal distribution of mineral dust around the globe and its correlation with atmospheric circulation is investigated using satellite data, and meteorological data from ECMWF. The most important sources of dust are located in North Africa, the Middle East and Southwest Asia with an observed summer maximum, and East Asia with a spring peak. Maximum dust activity over North Africa and the Middle East in summer is attributed to dry convection associated with the summertime low-pressure system, while unstable weather and dry conditions are responsible for the spring peak in dust emission in East Asia. Intercontinental transport of mineral dust by atmospheric circulation has been observed, including trans-Atlantic transport of North African dust, trans-Pacific transport of Asian dust, and transport of dust from the Middle East across the Indian Ocean. The extent of African dust over the Atlantic Ocean and its latitudinal variation with season is related to the large-scale atmospheric circulation, including seasonal changes in the position of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and variation of wind patterns. North African aerosols extend over longer distances across the North Atlantic in summer because of greater dust emission, an intensified easterly low level jet (LLJ) and strengthening of the Azores-Bermuda anticyclonic circulation. Transport of East Asian aerosol is facilitated by the existence of a LLJ that extends from East Asia to the west coast of North America.