Sediment budget-based estimates of trace metal inputs to a Chesapeake estuary

This article evaluates whether a sediment budget for the South River, Maryland, can be coupled with metals data from sediment cores to identify and quantify sources of historic metal inputs to marsh and subtidal sediments along the estuary. Metal inputs to estuarine marsh sediments come from fluvial runoff and atmospheric deposition. Metal inputs to subtidal sediments come from atmospheric deposition, fluvial runoff, coastal erosion, and estuarine waters. The metals budget for the estuary indicates that metal inputs from coastal erosion have remained relatively constant since 1840. Historical variations in metal contents of marsh sediments have probably resulted primarily from increasing atmospheric deposition in this century, but prior to 1900 may reflect changing fluvial sources, atmospheric inputs, or factors not quantified by the budget. Residual Pb, Cu, and Zn in the marsh sediments not accounted for by fluvial inputs was low to moderate in 1840, decreased to near zero circa 1910, and by 1987 had increased to levels that were one to ten times greater than those of 1840. Sources of variability in subtidal cores could not be clearly discerned because of geochemical fluxes, turbulent mixing, and bioturbation within the cores. The sediment-metal budgeting approach appears to be a viable method for delineating metal sources in small, relatively simple estuarine systems like the South River and in systems where recent deposition (for example, prograding marshes) prevents use of deep core analysis to identify background levels of metal. In larger systems or systems with more variable sources of sediment and metal input, however, assumptions and measurement errors in the metal budgeting approach suggest that deep core analysis and normalization techniques are probably preferable for identifying anthropogenic impacts.Field and laboratory research conducted at the Department of Geography, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742, USAField and laboratory research conducted at the Marine and Estuarine Environmental Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742, USA     

软土地基桥台位移病害分析及防治措施

软土地基桥台存在三方面的主要隐患:桥头与路堤具有较大的沉降差;桥台倾斜或桥台底部出现垂直裂缝;桥台向河心移动。软土层地质结构及物理地学性质、桥台形式、勘探与施工质量是影响桥台位移的主要原因。淮安市高等级公路建设的桥梁建设实践表明,应从设计施工、养护方面采取综合防治措施,使损失减到最低限度。     

Continental size,eustasy and sediment yield

Sediment yield from modern continental blocks is a function of the area (dissolved load) and hypsometry (mechanical load) of the blocks. Hypsographic curves for modern continental blocks show that the change in the percentage area flooded for any change in eustatic sea level depends on the size of the block and the absolute sea level. This allows predictions of changes in sediment yield around different sized blocks for any given eustatic change. The range in size of continental blocks is such that, for any given sea level change, the blocks will show different percentage changes in yield. Data from modern continental blocks are compared with theoretical results. Assuming that the rules governing modern hypsometries applied in the past, and a constant volume of continental crust, it is possible to estimate the hypsographic curves of former continental blocks. The implications of suggested past continental configurations and sea levels for sediment yield are discussed.     

Evaluation of geochemical impact of tsunami on Pichavaram mangrove ecosystem,southeast coast of India

The 26 December 2004-tsunami has deposited sediments in the Pichavaram mangrove ecosystem, east coast of India. Ten surface and three core sediment samples were collected within 30 days of the event and analyzed for nutrients. Water samples were also analyzed to see the impact of tsunami on the geochemical behavior of nutrients. An increase in the concentration of various nutrients namely nitrate and phosphate was observed. The geochemistry of the mangrove forest was observed to be influenced by a number of factors like rapid increase of aquaculture farms, agricultural practices and the anthropogenic discharge from the nearby-inhabited areas. Further the sediment column was disturbed due to energetic tsunami waves, which has caused a sheer increase in the dissolved oxygen in water. As a result, the change in the redox potential has resulted in change in the nutrients absorbed/associated with the sediments. In addition, role of retreating water after tsunami on the nutrient geochemistry was also evaluated.     

Accumulation and speciation of selenium in evaporation basins in California,USA

The accumulation of selenium in evaporation basins (or ponds) in the San Joaquin Valley, California is of a great concern due to its potential hazards to environments. In this study, the accumulation, speciation and concentrations of Se were examined in waters as well as sediments in a system of the evaporation ponds. A significant decrease in the total dissolved Se concentration in Cell 1 in which drainage water with higher Se concentration was pumped from Inlet Channels indicated that the immobilization of Se was active in the Cell 1 and resulted in the higher Se concentration in sediments compared to the terminal cell such as Cell 9. The percentage of reduced Se species such as selenite [Se(IV)] and org-Se of total Se in drainage waters was also found increased in Cell 1 compared to Inlet Channels. The total dissolved Se concentrations in water along flow paths from Cell 1 were relatively constant except for terminal cells such as Cells 9 and 10, which showed higher total dissolved Se concentrations due to evapoconcentration. The percentage of reduced Se forms of total Se was inversely proportional to the percentage of Se(VI) depending on the redox condition of evaporation ponds along the flow paths. Sequential extractions of Se species in sediments indicated that organic associated Se and elemental Se were prevalent forms in sediments in the ponds system. The higher concentrations of elemental Se and organic associated Se in sediments in Cell 1 indicated that the immobilization of Se was active in the sediments compared to Cell 9, while the percentage of both fractions of total Se in sediments in Cells 1 and 9 was relatively constant. The organic materials from algae might provide carbon sources for Se reduction and Se sink in sediments in its elemental and organic associated forms.     

Heavy metals in sediments of the Tecate River, Mexico

Ten sites along the Tecate River, Mexico were sampled to evaluate the cadmium, lead, nickel and chromium concentrations in sediments. The result shows contamination for cadmium in most of the sites, where two sites were class 4 (polluted to strongly polluted) according to geoaccumulation index proposed by Muller. Two sites were found polluted for all the heavy metals analyzed (Cr, Cd, Pb and Ni), indicating the effect of anthropogenic activities. A correlation between Ni and Cd concentration had been found indicating a common source. These metals are usually used in electroplating industry. The results of this study can be used for decision makers to prioritize measures to control the pollution for these metals.     

贵州晴隆中二叠统大厂层砾岩成因研究

贵州晴隆中二叠统大厂层中—上部产出一套呈囊状、透镜状分布的砾岩层。对大厂层砾岩沉积序列、结构、构造特征和矿物组合进行研究,结果表明:沉积序列为"反粒序",砾岩成分单一,基本为玄武质,是由峨眉山玄武岩直接改造而成,未发育河道相沉积特征;大厂层砾石具特殊的"泥化边"构造,是玄武岩在海水中大量水解的直接证据,填隙物中的青磐岩化矿物组合表明砾岩遭受了低温热液的改造。填隙物具有接近凝灰岩的Zr/Hf(30.7~43.4,均值38.0),揭示玄武岩在改造形成砾石的过程中有火山碎屑(火山灰)参与成岩;砾石和填隙物相对玄武岩贫Na(Na2O)富K(K2O),三者具有相似的稀土配分模式,其中∑REE呈规律性变化(玄武岩最高,砾石次之,填隙物中最低)。沉积背景分析认为,峨眉地幔柱作用使地壳发生了差异抬升,抬升一侧暴露遭受剥蚀形成不整合面,相对沉降一侧继续接受沉积,大厂层正是峨眉山玄武岩前锋带在局限海盆边缘(沉降侧),于茅口灰岩之上继续沉积的产物。大厂层砾岩形成机制是:炽热玄武岩流在海水中急剧爆裂,同时火山碎屑参与沉积,形成的玄武岩前积层(淬碎熔岩角砾)及凝灰岩,沉积在茅口组灰岩之上;在后期的演化过程中,炽热玄武岩冷凝收缩,柱状节理发育,在潮汐流和沿岸流的相互作用下不断磨蚀形成大厂层砾岩。     

An analysis of coastal erosion in the tropical rapid accretion delta of the Red River, Vietnam

The largest plain in the North Vietnam has formed by the redundant sediment of the Red River system. Sediment supply is not equally distributed, causing erosion in some places. The paper analyzes the evolvement and physical mechanism of the erosion. The overlay of five recent topographical maps (1930, 1965, 1985, 1995, and 2001) shows that sediment redundantly deposits at some big river mouths (Ba Lat, Lach, and Day), leading to rapid accretion (up to 100 m/y). Typical mechanism of delta propagation is forming and connecting sand bars in front of the mouths. Erosion coasts are distributed either between the river mouths (Hai Hau) or nearby them (Giao Long, Giao Phong, and Nghia Phuc). The evolvement of erosion is caused by wave-induced longshore southwestward sediment transport. Meanwhile sediment from the river mouths is not directed to deposit nearshore. The development of sand bars can intensively reduce the erosion rate nearby river mouths. Erosion in Hai Hau is accelerated by sea level rise and upstream dams. Sea dike stability is seriously threatened by erosion-induced lowering of beach profiles, sea level rise, typhoon, and storm surge.     

南极普里兹湾表层沉积物微量元素分布特征及其物源指示意义

利用电感耦合等离子体质谱仪测定了中国南极科考21~27航次期间获取的普里兹湾表层沉积物中Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr、Co、Al、Fe、Mn的含量,分析了普里兹湾微量元素的分布特征,结合沉积物粒度分布、生物硅含量,并利用富集系数和主成分分析的方法,探讨了微量元素的物源指示意义。研究结果表明:普里兹湾沉积物中的微量元素含量与南大洋其他海域具有很好的可比性。Cu、Zn、Cr、Co、Fe、Mn含量在陆坡深海区明显高于冰架边缘区和陆架区;Al、Pb含量在冰架边缘区较高;而Cd含量在陆架区相对较高。人类活动对普里兹湾沉积物中的微量元素没有明显的影响,南极大陆岩石风化产物和海洋生物源性沉降是其主要来源。冰架边缘区及陆架破折处P2-9站位的微量元素主要为岩源性输入。陆架区、陆坡深海区的微量元素Cu、Zn、Cr、Co、Fe、Mn明显受到生源性物质输入的影响。而普里兹湾沉积物中Cd则主要来源于硅藻的吸收利用及硅质软泥的富集。     

Temporal and spatial variations in water flow and sediment load in Narmada River Basin, India: natural and man-made factors

The Narmada River flows through the Deccan volcanics and transports water and sediments to the adjacent Arabian Sea. In a first-ever attempt, spatial and temporal (annual, seasonal, monthly and daily) variations in water discharge and sediment loads of Narmada River and its tributaries and the probable causes for these variations are discussed. The study has been carried out with data from twenty-two years of daily water discharge at nineteen locations and sediment concentrations data at fourteen locations in the entire Narmada River Basin. Water flow in the river is a major factor influencing sediment loads in the river. The monsoon season, which accounts for 85 to 95% of total annual rainfall in the basin, is the main source of water flow in the river. Almost 85 to 98% of annual sediment loads in the river are transported during the monsoon season (June to November). The average annual sediment flux to the Arabian Sea at Garudeshwar (farthest downstream location) is 34.29×10⁶ t year⁻¹ with a water discharge of 23.57 km³ year⁻¹. These numbers are the latest and revised estimates for Narmada River. Water flow in the river is influenced by rainfall, catchment area and groundwater inputs, whereas rainfall intensity, geology/soil characteristics of the catchment area and presence of reservoirs/dams play a major role in sediment discharge. The largest dam in the basin, namely Sardar Sarovar Dam, traps almost 60–80% of sediments carried by the river before it reaches the Arabian Sea.