Integration of reflection seismic and sediment grain-size data from Lake Khubsugul (Northern Mongolia): a reply to Prokopenko and Kendall

Prokopenko and Kendall (J Paleolimnol doi:, 2008) criticise the work presented in Fedotov et al. (J Paleolimnol 39:335–348, 2008), and instead propose an alternative interpretation for the grain-size evolution recorded in the KDP-01 core, retrieved from the central part of Lake Khubsugul. Their interpretation is based (i) on a seismic-stratigraphic re-interpretation of sparker seismic profile khub012 (which they copied from Fedotov et al. (EOS Trans 87:246–250, 2006)), (ii) on the presupposition that changes in lake level are the dominant control on facies distribution in Lake Khubsugul, and (iii) on the invalidation of our age-depth model. In this reply to their comment, we demonstrate that they interpreted seismic artefacts and geometries caused by changes in profile orientation as true stratigraphic features and that the lake-level reconstruction they derive from this interpretation is therefore incorrect. We also demonstrate that their grain-size predictions, which they consider to be predominantly driven by changes in lake level, are inconsistent with the measured sulphate concentration, which is a demonstrated proxy of lake level in Lake Khubsugul, and with the measured grain-size record. Finally, we point out that even if there would be a problem with the age-depth model, this problem would not affect the part of the sedimentary sequence discussed in Fedotov et al. (J Paleolimnol 39:335–348, 2008).     

Geochemical signatures of two different coastal depositional environments within the same catchment

The geochemistry of lake (Renstradträsket) and estuarine (Pieni Pernajanlahti Bay) sediment was investigated in a medium sized watershed draining to the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea. Catchment land-use types were compared and found similar. Sediment cores were dated using ²¹⁰Pb- and ¹³⁷Cs-chronologies and analyzed for Al, K, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, phosphorus fractions, TN, TC and biogenic silica (BSi). Differences between the sediment cores were studied by using linear regression analysis and principal components analysis (PCA). Despite similarities in catchment land-use and history, the sediment geochemical profiles of the sites varied significantly. Some of the differences could be related to differences in chemical sedimentation environment (lacustrine versus estuarine). TP concentration was found to be positively correlated with sediment iron content in estuarine sediment but negatively correlated with Fe in lake sediment. In the estuarine core sedimentary iron was not correlated to lithogenic potassium and aluminum but in the lake core the iron seemed to be lithogenic in origin, as suggested by the strong positive correlations (r ² = 0.95–0.96) between these three variables. Most similarities among the cores were found in Al concentrations. Estuarine nutrient profiles appeared relatively monotonous compared to the lake core. This is probably due to more vigorous mixing of the sediments that may ensure more rapid and complete consumption of the organic matter deposited on the bottom of the estuary. Therefore the lake sediment appeared to preserve the historical record of eutrophication better. Biologically less active and more particle-bound materials like the trace metals Cu and Zn seemed to retain good records of anthropogenic impact also in the estuarine core. The study highlights the need to take the sedimentation environment into account when interpreting geochemical record.     

Relationships between southern Chilean varved lake sediments,precipitation and ENSO for the last 600 years

In this paper, the relationships between paleo-precipitation and the regional influence of El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in South America are assessed from a high-resolution calendar varve-thickness record. Two short laminated sediment cores (53 and 61 cm length) from Lago Puyehue (40° S) are analysed by continuous varve measurements through the last 600 years. The calendar varve years are determined by the occurrence of graded planktonic-rich layers. The annual sediment accumulation rates are reconstructed by using the standard varve-counting methods on thin sections. The 1980–2000 varve-thickness record is interpreted in terms of climate through correlation with limnological and local monthly instrumental climate databases. The comparison between the standardized varve thickness with the instrumental records reveals a strong correlation (r = 0.75, р = 0.07) between the total varve thickness and the austral autumn/winter precipitation. We argue that strong austral winter winds and precipitation are the forcing factors for the seasonal turn-over and phytoplankton increase in the lake sediments. During strong El Nino events the precipitation and the winds decrease abnormally, hence reducing the thickness of the biogenic sediments deposited after the winter turn-over. Our results show one significant regional maximum peak of winter precipitation (>900 mm) in the mid 20th century and a significant period with lower winter precipitation (<400 mm) before the 15th century, i.e., the late Medieval Warm Period. The first peak in the mid 20th century is confirmed by the regional precipitation database. The influence of ENSO cycles over the last 600 years is assessed by spectral analysis in Fagel et al. (2007). The possible influence of the regional volcanism and/or the seismic activity on the local climate record is also discussed. This is the sixth in a series of eight papers published in this special issue dedicated to the 17,900 year multi-proxy lacustrine record of Lago Puyehue, Chilean Lake District. The papers in this special issue were collected by M. De Batist, N. Fagel, M. -F. Loutre and E. Chapron.     

Density and conductivity properties of Na−CO3−Cl−SO4 brine from Mono Lake, California, USA

Relationships among conductivity, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), and density were determined for hypersaline brine (TDS, 83 g kg⁻¹) from Mono Lake. A theoretical estimate of density based on ionic composition and calculated partial molar volumes compared well with actual measurements (difference, 390 ppm). However, an empirically derived equation of state based on temperature and conductivity provides the most accurate density estimates (residual errors, 190 ppm) and can be used with data collected with CTD profilers.     

洱海环境演变与大理城市发展的关系研究

针对洱海特殊的生态环境和对大理城市发展所起的举足轻重的作用，2002年通过实地环境调查和系列历史及动态资料分析进行了洱海和大理城市之问人地关系的互动研究。概括出大理城市发展的5个阶段，结果表明人类生存场所发展的总趋势是从高处往低处下移，从山前台地向下迁往山缘冲积洪积扇平原，直至湖滨平原地带。并着重分析了变迁的原因和人类活动的影响状况，从而使人们在开发利用洱海的同时，促进人类活动和城市发展建设相得益彰，并建议选择旅游和供水为主的和谐可持续发展道路，强化政府的宏观管理，增大科技投入。     

Analysis of Multiple Tourist Agents’ Symbiotic Relationship on the View of Tourist Enterprises Based on a Grey Correlation Model: A Case Study of Qinghai Lake,China

Tourism symbiosis is a social phenomenon consisting of many complex factors, and the reciprocal cooperation among multiple tourist agents at tourist destinations is the crux of the sustainable development of tourism. This study is from the perspective of tourist enterprises, and introduces the Symbiosis Theory of genecology. A quantitative evaluation is used to analyze both the equilibrium state of the combined symbiotic behavior routes and the behavior patterns of tourist enterprises with local governments, community residents, tourists and tourist enterprises around Qinghai Lake. The findings reveal: (1) the symbiotic behavior routes of the multiple tourist agents “E→G-R-T-E” in the Qinghai Lake area are constituted of intense symbiotic indications, while the maximum dimensionality of symbiotic interest of “E→G-R-T-E” is still in the state of disequilibrium and dissymmetry; (2) the symbiotic model of multiple tourist agents “E→G-R-T-E” in the Qinghai Lake area is an asymmetrically positive symbiotic model. It is proposed that, by establishing symbiotic mechanisms for guidance, decisions, supervisory control and profit distribution, the participation mechanism for multiple agents “E-G-R-T” can be further standardized. Moreover, tourist enterprises should be regarded as the primary agents to optimize the symbiotic model for “E→G-R-T-E” through the reinforcement of integrative supply and the construction of integrative effect, and finally promote the integrative symbiotic model of symmetrical reciprocity of the E-R-G-T model “driven by scenic areas, responsive to community residents, affected by local governments and enjoyed by tourists.”     

鄱阳湖滨沙地植物多样性特征

采用线路踏查法和空间代替时间的方法,调查统计鄱阳湖滨多宝沙山沙地植物组成、优势类群以及风沙化过程中植物组成、多样性、生态习性和生活型的变化特点。结果表明：（1）鄱阳湖滨多宝沙山沙地植物有129种,隶属于58科104属,其中被子植物为研究区沙生植物的重要组成部分;生活型谱以高位芽植物居首位,其次为一年生植物,具有明显的亚热带荒漠属性;优势类群主要为蔷薇科(Rosaceae)、蝶形花科(Papilionaceae)、菊科(Compositae)和禾本科(Gramineae)植物。（2）土地风沙化过程中,植物组成变化较大,固定沙丘上以特有种占优势,流动沙丘上主要是共有种,半流动沙丘上以共有种和稀有种组成;植物丰富度、多样性指数逐渐降低;旱生植物比例增多,中生植物减少,湿生植物仅在固定沙丘阶段出现;一年生植物的减少,地下芽植物的增加,变化幅度较大的为半流动沙丘至流动沙丘阶段。     

内蒙古黄旗海不同粒级湖泊沉积物Rb、Sr组成与环境变化

Based on the geochemical elements Rb and Sr in sediments with three different grain size fractions from profile H3 on the northern lacustrine bottomland 13 m above the Huangqihai Lake surface in 1986,the paper investigates the record of palaeolake stand state, sedimentary environmental evolution,and winter monsoon change.First,these samples are separated into three different grain size fractions,i.e.,total sediments,77-20μm and〈20μm. Second,the chemical elements-Rb and Sr-of the grain size separation were tested and analyzed systematically in this paper.Then the elements compositions of these samples are measured using VP-320 mode fluorescence spectrum instrument,respectively.The magnetic susceptibility of these samples is measured using Kappabridge KLY-3 mode instrument made in Czech AGICO Company.The results showed the elements and the ratios varied regularly with the grain size.But the ratio of Rb/Sr in the sediments〈20μm correlates positively with the magnetic susceptibility of these samples.Therefore,the ratio of Rb/Sr in the fraction〈20 μm from the lake sediments reflected the strengthening of the weathering in the deposition sites.It is a good indicator of the summer monsoon-induced weathering and pedogenesis fluctuations and can be used to reconstruct the conditions of the paleoclimate and paleoenvironment.     

可可西里苟仁错湖泊沉积物元素地球化学特征及其环境意义

湖泊沉积物元素地球化学特征及其比值，有效地揭示了湖泊沉积物物源区的化学风化程度．已成为反映古气候波动的有效指标。根据可可西里苟仁错湖泊沉积物的元素地球化学特征，通过CIA，ICV等元素比值的结果，揭示该地区1400AD以来化学风化作用十分微弱，因此湖泊沉积物元素组成，对气候变化非常敏感。研究表明1400AD以来该地区气候经历多次冷暖波动，且呈干旱化的趋势，1420AD左右进入小冰期，其中1480～1520AD最为寒冷，1900AD后干旱化加剧。     

生物基可降解聚乳酸(PLA)沙障对沙丘表层沉积物粒度特征的影响

以吉兰泰盐湖北部流沙区铺设8 a的不同规格聚乳酸（PLA）沙障内沉积物为研究对象,利用激光衍射技术分析了沙丘表层0~3 cm沉积物粒度组成,计算并分析平均粒径、标准偏差等粒度参数,探讨了影响障内沉积物相对粗细的关键组分,分析PLA沙障的防沙效益。结果表明：PLA沙障内沉积物以细沙、中沙、极细沙为主。中沙、极细沙、细沙是障内沉积物的关键组分。PLA沙障的阻滞作用使得中沙、粗沙含量百分比升高,细颗粒含量百分比降低,障内沙粒分选性逐渐变差,峰态偏离正态分布,向负偏方向发展,频率分布曲线分布范围变宽,累积频率曲线变缓,表层颗粒组成趋于粗化。1 m×1 m规格PLA沙障内均以积沙为主;沙丘迎风坡和背风坡的2 m×2 m、3 m×3 m沙障内均为积沙状态,丘顶则为风蚀状态。综合考虑沙障铺设成本和防护效果,得出研究区域内2 m×2 m规格PLA沙障整体防沙效益最佳。