Distribution of cadmium, chromium, copper, lead and zinc in marine sediments in Hong Kong waters

Partitioning of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn) in marine sediments collected from various sites in Hong Kong waters were determined using sequential extraction method. Sediments from Kellette Bank, located in Victoria Harbour, had higher metal concentrations especially Cu and Zn than most other sites. Slightly over 20% of total Cu and Cr existed as readily available forms in Peng Chau and Kellette Bank. At most sampling sites, over 15% of the Cu existed as the exchangeable form indicating that Cu could be readily released into the aqueous phase from sediments. A significantly higher percentage of Pb and Zn was associated with the three non-residual fractions. Hence, there is a greater environmental concern for remobilization of Pb and Zn compared with Cr. The high amount of residual Cd (>50%) and the relatively lower Cd content indicate that little environmental concern is warranted for the remobilization of Cd. Distribution of metals in sediments collected from different depth at Kellette Bank shows that metal concentrations decreased with profile depth. The levels of Pb and Zn associated with the two readily available fractions increased sharply in the surface sediment. These metals represented the pollutants, which were introduced into the area in the mid-eighties through early nineties as a result of rapid economic and industrial development in the territory. As significant portions of these metals were bound to the readily available phases in the surface sediments, metal remobilization could be a concern. An erratum to this article can be found at     

新疆绿色电气石颜色成因研究

新疆绿色电气石颜色成因比较特殊,为了更好地了解其颜色的形成,主要采用化学分析、吸收光谱、穆斯堡尔谱等测试手段对绿色电气石颜色成因进行研究。化学分析结果显示每个样品中均含有少量不同过渡元素离子,如Fe2 、Ti4 、Cr3 等,影响着绿色的形成;利用吸收光谱测试方法确定了致色离子的吸收带位置及主要离子的种类、价态,并根据化学成分计算出相应的化学式,利用穆斯堡尔谱确定了铁离子在晶体中的占位。综合运用上述测试方法,确定了绿色电气石的颜色成因。     

A Laboratory and Theoretical Study on the Uptake of SO2 Gas by Large and Small Water Drops Containing Heavy Metal Ions

Laboratory experiments have been carried out to investigate the uptake of sulfur dioxide by water drops containing heavy metal ions where the metal ions serve as catalysts to oxidise the taken up S(IV) into S(VI). During the gas uptake the drops were freely suspended at their terminal velocity in the airstream of the Mainz vertical wind tunnel. Two series of experiments were carried out, one with large millimeter size water drops containing manganese or iron ions, and the other with small water drops containing manganese ions and having radii in hundreds of micron size range. The experimental results were compared against model computations using the Kronig–Brink model and the fully mixed model, modified for the case that heavy metal ions present in the liquid phase act as catalysts for the oxidising process. The results of the model calculations show that there are only small differences between the predicted gas uptake according to the two models. In addition it was found that the experimental obtained results from the uptake of SO₂ by water drops containing heavy metal ions for both, large and small water drops did agree with the model results.     

闪电首次回击过程的光谱特性

用无狭缝摄谱仪，拍摄了4次云对地闪电首次回击过程390一660nm波长范围的光谱，并将原子结构的理论应用于闪电光谱的研究，用多组态Dirac—Fock方法，系统考虑相对论效应、电子关联、弛豫效应等重要贡献，对光谱的精细结构进行了计算，给出了谱线的波长、振子强度以及相应的上能级激发能量。通过与试验观测谱线的比较分析发现，大多数谱线对应的上激发能在23ev左右。首次回击过程中，闪电通道内NII离子的密度最大，并且大多数处于n＝3的激发态。     

秦岭—大巴山地区金属矿产成矿规律

秦岭—大巴山地区金属资源蕴藏丰富，成矿规律明显。剖析控矿条件，概括出优势金属资源的空间定位、成矿类型，归纳了成矿期，指明了小秦岭、熊耳山、伏牛山、汉（中）武（都）北（川）、凤（州）成（县）礼（县）、山（阳）柞（水）旬（阳）和商（南）洛（南）等七个成矿域，是查勘巨型或特大型矿产的地区。     

湘南稀土矿床的放射性特征及其对开采的影响

湘南主要稀土矿区的岩、矿石和稀土矿物的放射性特征表明，矿区放射性强度的高低与稀土总量无关，而与矿石的铀、钍含量密切相关；主要矿区的放射性对其开发与产品都没有影响，但长期接触对人体有一定危害。因此，开采时必须加强防护，防止放射性的长期照射，并选用无放射性的清洁饮用水，以保护人体健康。     

Impact of UV-B, Heat and Chemicals on Ethylene-Production of Lichens

To assess the impact of UV-B radiation combined with NaHSO₃ in solution under laboratory conditions, we compared the amounts of stress-ethylene produced by two lichen species of the same genus. Ramalina lacera, an epiphytic Mediterranean lichen, was found to be rather sensitive to UV-B combined with NaHSO₃, relative to the epilithic desert lichen R. maciformis. The impact of high temperatures with FeCl₂ in solution, measured by amounts of stress ethylene accentuated the adaptability of R. maciformis to desert conditions, whereas R. lacera appeared to be rather sensitive to extreme temperatures especially in the case of chemical contamination. The adaptability of R. maciformis to UV-B appears to be related to the photoprotective capabilities of lichen substances.     

The use of heavy metal concentrations and dendrochronology in the reconstruction of sediment accumulation, Ma a Panew River Valley, southern Poland

Heavy metal concentrations were investigated in overbank sediments of the Mala Panew River, southern Poland. Samples were collected from seven vertical profiles located within channel infills of a 20th century floodplain at three sites, each up to 50 m wide. In each profile, 15–24 samples were collected and analysed for Ba, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Sequential extraction of these elements was carried out in the 0.063-mm fraction of selected samples. Additionally, the age of the oldest trees growing close to the profiles has been used to estimate the initiation of sediment accumulation there. Ba, Cu, and Pb, which occur mostly in less mobile, moderately reducible, and residual fractions, were used for sediment dating. Zn and Cd, which in 50–75% occur in the mobile exchangeable fraction, were not suitable for dating. Correlation of Ba, Cu, and Pb concentrations in vertical profiles with changes in the load of effluents discharged to the river showed abrupt changes in the thickness of the strongly polluted sediments across the floodplains. A comparison of the relative changes between heavy metal peaks in sediments of similar age in the different profiles suggests a variable rate of downward metal migration. In general, none of the heavy metals investigated seems to have been mobilised within the stratigraphic layers above the water table. In layers located at stratigraphically lower levels, the Zn and Cd peaks seem to migrate several centimetres to several decimetres down in the profile. In profiles inundated for several weeks every year, Zn and Cd, as well as the relatively less mobile Ba, Cu, and Pb, have migrated downward by several decimetres. The investigation shows that frequent fluctuations of the water table have blurred the original depositional metal patterns of metal concentrations within a period of less than 40 years.     

Spatial and Temporal Cusp Structures Observed by Multiple Spacecraft and Ground Based Observations

Downward precipitating ions in the cusp regularly exhibit sudden changes in ion energy distributions, forming distinctive structures that can be used to study the temporal/spatial nature of reconnection at the magnetopause. When observed simultaneously with the Polar, FAST, and Interball satellites, such cusp structures revealed remarkably similar features. These similar features could be observed for up to several hours during stable solar wind conditions. Their similarities led to the conclusion that large-scale cusp structures are spatial structures related to global ionospheric convection patterns created by magnetic merging and not the result of temporal variations in reconnection parameters. The launch of the Cluster fleet allows cusp structures to be studied in great detail and during changing solar wind conditions using three spacecraft with identical plasma and field instrumentation. In addition, Cluster cusp measurements are linked with ionospheric convection cells by combining the satellite observations with SuperDARN radar observations that are used to derive the convection patterns in the ionosphere. The combination of satellite observations with ground-based observations during variable solar wind conditions shows that large-scale cusp structures can be either spatial or temporal. Cusp structures can be described as spatial features observed by satellites crossing into spatially separated flux tubes. Cusp structures can also be observed as poleward-traveling (temporal) features within the same convection cell, most probably caused by variations in the reconnection rate at the magnetopause.     

Ressi experimental catchment: Ecohydrological research in the Italian pre-Alps

Ressi is a small (2.4 ha) forested catchment located in the Italian pre-Alps. The site became an experimental catchment to investigate the water fluxes in the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum and the impact of vegetation on runoff generation in 2012. The elevation of the catchment ranges from 598 to 721 m a.s.l. and the climate is humid temperate. The bedrock consists of rhyolites and dacites; the soil is a Cambisol. The catchment is covered by a dense forest, dominated by beech, chestnut, maple, and hazel trees. The field set up includes measurements of the rainfall in an open area, streamflow at the outlet, soil moisture at various depths and locations, and depth to water table in six piezometers at a 5- or 10-min interval. Samples of precipitation, stream water, shallow groundwater and soil water are collected monthly for tracer analysis (stable isotopes (²H and ¹⁸O), electrical conductivity and major ions), and during selected rainfall–runoff events to determine the contribution of the various sources to runoff. Since 2017, soil and plant water samples have been collected to determine the sources of tree transpiration. Data collected in the period 2012–2016 are publicly available. Data collection is ongoing, and the data set is expected to be updated on an annual basis to include the most recent measurements.