ISOLATION, PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE HYDROGEN EVOLUTION PROMOTING FACTOR OF HYDROGENASE OF SPIRULINA PLATENSIS

A component (s-factor) with obvious promoting effect on hydrogen evolution of hydrogenase has beenisolated and extracted from a Cell=free preparation of Spirulina platensis.The effect of the s-factor in the re-action system is similar to that of Na_2S_2O_4, but is coupled with ligh. The s-factor has the maximumabsorption peak at 620 nm in the oxidized state, at 590 nm in the reduced state. The partially purifieds-factor showed two bands by SDS-PAGE and is distinctly different from phycocyanin,which has nochange of oxidized state and reduced state absorption spectra, and also has no promoting effect onhydrogenase of Spirulina platensis under the light.     

Models for the magnitude‐distribution of brightest cluster galaxies

The brightest, or first-ranked, galaxies (BCGs) in rich clusters show a very small dispersion in luminosity, making them excellent standard candles. This small dispersion raises questions about the nature of BCGs. Are they simply the extremes of normal galaxies formed via a stochastic process, or do they belong to a special class of atypical objects? If they do, are all BCGs special, or do normal galaxies compete for the first rank? To answer these questions, we undertake a statistical study of BCG magnitudes using results from extreme value theory. Two-population models do better than one-population models. A simple scenario where a random boost in the magnitude of a fraction of bright normal galaxies forms a class of atypical galaxies best describes the observed distribution of BCG magnitudes.     

Dissipationless mergers of elliptical galaxies and the evolution of the fundamental plane

We carry out numerical simulations of dissipationless major mergers of elliptical galaxies using initial galaxy models that consist of a dark matter haloes and a stellar bulge with properties consistent with the observed fundamental plane. By varying the density profile of the dark matter haloes [standard Navarro, Frenk & White (NFW) profile versus adiabatically contracted NFW profile], the global stellar to dark matter mass ratio and the orbit of the merging galaxies, we are able to assess the impact of each of these factors on the structure of the merger remnant. Our results indicate that the properties of the remnant bulge depend primarily on the angular momentum and energy of the orbit; for a cosmologically motivated orbit, the effective radius and velocity dispersion of the remnant bulge remain approximately on the fundamental plane. This indicates that the observed properties of elliptical galaxies are consistent with significant growth via late dissipationless mergers. We also find that the dark matter fraction within the effective radius of our remnants increases after the merger, consistent with the hypothesis that the tilt of the fundamental plane from the virial theorem is due to a varying dark matter fraction as a function of galaxy mass.     

Distribution and fluxes of metals in the St. Lawrence River from the outflow of Lake Ontario to Québec City

Six anchor stations in the St. Lawrence River from the outflow of Lake Ontario to Quebec City, were occupied for ca. 24 hours in June 1987 during low flow conditions. Samples of water and suspended particulate matter were separated by continuous-flow centrifugation, and were collected every two hours.During this sampling period, fluxes of dissolved forms of zinc, copper and nickel increased in Lac St. François and downstream relative to the sum of the fluxes for the two upstream stations at the outflow of Lake Ontario. Increases in the flux of dissolved zinc and copper were pronounced below Montreal and above Lac St. Pierre. For particulate forms of metals, all five metals show that there are significant inputs in the section of the St. Lawrence River between Lac St. François and the station just above the entrance to Lac St. Pierre.The average concentrations of dissolved cadmium, lead, zinc, copper and nickel ranged from 7–23 ng/l; 9–35 ng/l; 0.434–0.939 g/l; 0.15–0.89 g/l and 0.58–1.12 g/l respectively.Regression analysis of the dissolved and particulate metal concentrations suggests that the concentration of dissolved cadmium, lead, zinc and nickel can be predicted from the regression equation and the determination of particulate metal concentration. This prediction appears to be independent of the suspended particulate matter concentration which varies from ca. 1 to 10 mg/l from the outflow of Lake Ontario to Québec City.     

Migration of the Ganga river and its implication on hydro-geological potential of Varanasi area, U.P., India

Borehole data reveals that during Late Quaternary, the Ganga river was non-existent in its present location near Varanasi. Instead, it was flowing further south towards peripheral craton. Himalayan derived grey micaceous sands were being carried by southward flowing rivers beyond the present day water divide of Ganga and mixed with pink arkosic sand brought by northward flowing peninsular rivers. Subsequently, the Ganga shifted to its present position and got incised. Near Varanasi, the Ganga river is flowing along a NW-SE tectonic lineament. The migration of Ganga river is believed to have been in response to basin expansion caused due to Himalayan tectonics during Middle Pleistocene times. Multi-storied sand bodies generated as a result of channel migration provide excellent aquifers confined by a thick zone of muddy sediments near the surface. Good quality potable water is available at various levels below about 70 m depth in sandy aquifers. Craton derived gravelly coarse-to-medium grained sand forms the main aquifer zones of tens of meter thickness with enormous yield. In contrast, the shallow aquifers made up of recycled interfluve silt and sandy silt occur under unconfined conditions and show water-level fluctuation of a few meters during pre-and post-monsoon periods.     

Origin and mechanisms of K–Si-metasomatism of ca. 3.4–3.3 Ga volcaniclastic deposits and implications for Archean seawater evolution: Examples from cherts of Kittys Gap (Pilbara craton, Australia) and Msauli (Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa)

The effects of K–Si-metasomatism during the formation of Early Archean replacement cherts have been quantified in this study by the investigation of two well-known stratigraphic sections: the Msauli chert (MC, Barberton greenstone belt, South Africa) and the Kittys Gap chert (KGC, Pilbara craton, Western Australia). The KGCs have a dacitic precursor similar to Duffer Formation dacites (Pilbara craton), while the MCs are derived from Al-depleted komatiites similar to those from the Weltevreden Formation (Barberton greenstone belt). Mass balance calculations reveal that the volcaniclastic deposits had initial porosities of up to 85 vol.% for the KGC and of 65 vol.% for the MC. Secondary porosities (27 vol.%: MC, 8 vol.%: KGC) produced during K-metasomatism are proportional to the dissolution of Fe, Ca, Mg-rich glass and precursor minerals. Komatiites have a higher chemical exchange potential than dacites, each gram releasing 1.2 mmol Fe²⁺, 2.8 mmol Mg²⁺, 1.4 mmol Ca²⁺ and 1.1 mmol Na⁺ to seawater, together with 4.4 mmol O²⁻. K-metasomatism of 1 g of komatiite further implies an uptake of 0.67 mmol of K⁺ and 2.7 mmol of H⁺. The highest silica uptake is achieved for the KGC (82 mmol/g of precursor). This silica enrichment most likely operated in the water column and at the sediment–water interface by sorption mechanisms on the surface of detrital particles and particulate organic matter, as a result of seawater silica-saturation. Acidic conditions (pH 5.5–6.5) and hot temperatures (>70 °C) favored the formation of K-rich phyllosilicates by interaction with seawater during the early diagenetic alteration of the volcaniclastic particles. The widespread occurrence of K–Si-metasomatism in volcanic and sedimentary rocks can be regarded as a general alteration process of the Early Archean seafloor, with a major influence on seawater composition. The highly K-selective metasomatism confirms previous studies suggesting that the Archean ocean was acidic and probably in equilibrium with a CO₂-rich atmosphere.     

江西浒坑钨矿含矿石英脉的地质特征及成矿构造演化

位于赣西武功山地区的江西浒坑钨矿是一个大型石英脉型钨矿床,与赣南典型的“五层楼”模式不同,矿脉主要集中在岩体内接触带。含矿石英脉除了普通的块状构造以外,还普遍存在条带状构造。详细的野外编录和镜下研究表明含矿块状石英脉在形成后遭受不同程度的韧性剪切,从而形成不同成分的分异条带。剪切带以出现新生的面理和线理（拉伸线理）为特征。岩石学研究表明条带状矿石属于糜棱岩,具有丰富的塑性变形显微构造特征。通过对含矿石英脉的构造解析,认为与岩浆岩有关的原生节理系统基本上是同时形成的,沿节理充填的石英脉经历了长期的、多期次的构造运动,从而形成了复杂的石英脉和矿石类型。建立了原生节理形成→石英充填→韧性剪切发生→二期石英充填→脆性碎裂的矿区构造演化序列。韧性剪切作用的动力学背景可能是受后期岩浆侵入的影响,最后的脆性破裂应与区域上存在南北向的压应力有关。     

Recharge source and hydrogeochemical evolution of shallow groundwater in a complex alluvial fan system,southwest of North China Plain

Many cities around the world are developed at alluvial fans. With economic and industrial development and increase in population, quality and quantity of groundwater are often damaged by over-exploitation in these areas. In order to realistically assess these groundwater resources and their sustainability, it is vital to understand the recharge sources and hydrogeochemical evolution of groundwater in alluvial fans. In March 2006, groundwater and surface water were sampled for major element analysis and stable isotope (oxygen-18 and deuterium) compositions in Xinxiang, which is located at a complex alluvial fan system composed of a mountainous area, Taihang Mt. alluvial fan and Yellow River alluvial fan. In the Taihang mountainous area, the groundwater was recharged by precipitation and was characterized by Ca–HCO₃ type water with depleted δ¹⁸O and δD (mean value of −8.8‰ δ¹⁸O). Along the flow path from the mountainous area to Taihang Mt. alluvial fan, the groundwater became geochemically complex (Ca–Na–Mg–HCO₃–Cl–SO₄ type), and heavier δ¹⁸O and δD were observed (around −8‰ δ¹⁸O). Before the surface water with mean δ¹⁸O of −8.7‰ recharged to groundwater, it underwent isotopic enrichment in Taihang Mt. alluvial fan. Chemical mixture and ion exchange are expected to be responsible for the chemical evolution of groundwater in Yellow River alluvial fan. Transferred water from the Yellow River is the main source of the groundwater in the Yellow River alluvial fan in the south of the study area, and stable isotopic compositions of the groundwater (mean value of −8.8‰ δ¹⁸O) were similar to those of transferred water (−8.9‰), increasing from the southern boundary of the study area to the distal end of the fan. The groundwater underwent chemical evolution from Ca–HCO₃, Na–HCO₃, to Na–SO₄. A conceptual model, integrating stiff diagrams, is used to describe the spatial variation of recharge sources, chemical evolution, and groundwater flow paths in the complex alluvial fan aquifer system.