Effects of dry density and exchangeable cations on the diffusion process of sodium ions in compacted montmorillonite

As a part of the safety assessment of the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste, the effects of dry density and exchangeable cations on the diffusion process of Na⁺ ions in compacted bentonite were studied from the viewpoint of the activation energy for diffusion. The apparent self-diffusion coefficients of Na⁺ ions in compacted Na-montmorillonite and in a Na- and Ca-montmorillonite mixture were determined by one-dimensional, non-steady diffusion experiments at different temperatures and dry densities. A unique change in activation energy as a function of dry density was found for the Na⁺ ions in compacted Na-montmorillonite. The activation energy suddenly decreased from 18.1 to 14.1 kJ mol^− 1 as the dry density increased from 0.9 to 1.0 Mg m^− 3, whereas it increased to 24.7 kJ mol^− 1 as the dry density increased to 1.8 Mg m^− 3. Examination of the effect of exchangeable cations on the activation energies determined that the activation energies were almost constant, approximately 25 kJ mol^− 1, for the montmorillonite specimens at a dry density of 1.8 Mg m^− 3. However, three different activation energy values were obtained at a dry density of 1.0 Mg m^− 3. These findings cannot be explained by the conventional diffusion model (the pore water diffusion model), which suggests that the predominant diffusion process alternates among pore water diffusion, interlayer diffusion, and external surface diffusion.     

海水钙浓度对远海梭子蟹软壳持续时间与形态变化的影响

盐度30、pH7.5～8.5、温度27～30℃条件下,将刚刚蜕壳的远海梭子蟹放入不同钙浓度梯度(0～400 mg/L)的人工海水中,进行钙浓度对远海梭子蟹蟹壳硬化影响的实验。结果表明:0～12.5 mg/L浓度组的软壳持续时间在10.4～11.4 h之间,25～200 mg/L浓度组的软壳持续时间在6.1～7.7 h,400 mg/L浓度组的软壳持续时间为4.4 h;不同浓度组下,壳宽的增加差异不显著(P﹥0.05),壳长的增加差异也不显著(P﹥0.05);50 mg/L浓度组与400 mg/L浓度组体重增加差异显著(P<0.05),其它各浓度组之间体重增加差异不显著(P﹥0.05)。     

First evidence of altered vitellogenin-like protein levels in clam Tapes philippinarum and in cockle Cerastoderma glaucum from the Lagoon of Venice

Possible xenoestrogenic effects were investigated, for the first time, in two bivalve species from the Lagoon of Venice (Italy): the clam Tapes philippinarum and the cockle Cerastoderma glaucum. Bivalves were collected far from their reproductive phase at the very early stage of gametogenesis (January), and in the pre-spawning period (June) in six sites. Vitellogenin (Vg)-like proteins (a biomarker of exposure to estrogenic compounds) were measured by the alkali-labile phosphate method (ALP), in both haemolymph and digestive gland from males and females (when it was possible to distinguish sex by microscopic observation of gonadal tissue). Haemolymph calcium concentrations (a parameter considered closely related to the presence of Vg-like proteins) and the bivalve condition index (CI) were also measured. In both seasons, bivalves collected at Campalto (near a sewage treatment plant) and Marghera (a highly contaminated area) had higher Vg-like protein levels, particularly in haemolymph, than animals from the other sampling sites. Interestingly, CI had high values in these polluted sites. In June only, Vg-like proteins and Ca²⁺ levels in haemolymph exhibited similar trends in both bivalve species at most sampling sites. The responsiveness of bivalves to environmental xenoestrogens was higher in June, allowing better discrimination among sites. The present study demonstrates that animals from highly polluted areas have increased Vg-like protein levels. As endocrine disruption due to exposure to estrogenic compounds may cause fertility reduction, alterations in the sex ratio, and a decrease in reproductive rate, a condition of potential risk for bivalve populations in estuarine areas is highlighted.     

Spectroscopic characterization of geological materials from the United Arab Emirates

Throughout the United Arab Emirates, the sand differs in color and composition, depending on its source. This study reports the collection of 70 sediment samples from coastal district areas of seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, namely, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al-Khaimah, and Fujairah for the purposes of spectroscopic characterization and color justification. The compositions of these naturally occurring sand samples obtained were tested using different spectroscopic techniques. The techniques included both destructive instrumentation as scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis and X-ray powder diffraction and nondestructive instrumentation as confocal Raman microscopy. It was concluded that the sand can acquire various colors ranging from white to black due to the presence of certain chemical compounds.     

浓氯化钙水溶液中高配位Ca-Cl离子团簇:分子动力学模拟研究

采用分子动力学(MD)模拟研究了5.55 mol·kg~(-1)氯化钙溶液的微观结构特征,尤其是溶液中高配位Ca-Cl离子团簇的结构与性质,探究了温度对于高配位Ca-Cl离子团簇的影响。结果显示,5.55 mol·kg~(-1)氯化钙溶液中,除形成[CaCl]~+、[CaCl_2]~0离子对外,还存在一些高配位[CaCl_x]~(2-)~x(x=3～6)离子团簇。高配位[CaCl_x]~(2-)~x(x=3～6)离子团簇在5.55 mol·kg~(-1)氯化钙溶液中介稳存在,易解离或进一步缔合形成更大Ca-Cl离子团簇,这可能与溶液中大量未完全水合Ca~(2+)对高配位[CaCl_x]~(2-)~x(x=3～6)离子团簇水壳层的扰动破坏有关。温度升高,氯化钙溶液中Ca-Cl离子缔合增强,但高配位Ca-Cl离子团簇的平均存在时间(t_(av))减小,这表示高温下溶液中Ca-Cl离子团簇频繁地解离与缔合,离子团聚趋势更为显著。本工作观测到的高配位[CaCl_x]~(2-)~x(x=3～6)离子团簇可能是浓氯化钙溶液Ca-Cl离子缔合过程中一种热力学不稳定结构,但这些高配位Ca-Cl离子团簇的形成可能对溶液结晶及相关化学过程产生不利影响。     

Chemical mass balance of calcrete genesis on the Toledo granite (Spain)

The chemical mass balance of calcrete genesis is studied on a typical sequence developed in granite, in the Toledo mountains, Central Spain.

Field evidence and petrographic observations indicate that the texture and the bulk volume of the parent rock are strictly preserved all along the studied calcrete profile.

Microscopic observations indicate that the calcitization process starts within the saprolite, superimposed on the usual mechanisms of granite weathering: the fresh rock is first weathered to secondary clays, mainly smectites, which are then pseudomorphically replaced by calcite. Based on this evidence, chemical mass transfers are calculated, assuming iso-volume transformation from the parent rock to the calcrete.

The mass balance results show the increasing loss of matter due to weathering of the primary phases, from the saprolite towards the calcrete layers higher in the sequence. Zr, Ti or Th, which are classically considered as immobile during weathering, are also depleted along the profile, especially in the calcrete layer. This results from the prevailing highly alkaline conditions, which could account for the simultaneous precipitation of CaCO₃ and silicate dissolution.

The calculated budget suggests that the elements exported from the weathering profile are provided dominantly by the weathering of plagioclase and biotite. We calculate that 8–42% of the original Ca remains in granitic relics, while only 15% of the authigenic Ca released by weathering is reincorporated in the calcite. This suggests that 373 kg/m² of calcium (i.e., three times the original amount) is imported into the calcrete from allochtonous sources, probably due to aeolian transport from distant limestone formations.     

In situ X-ray diffraction study of an aluminous phase in MORB under lower mantle conditions

In situ X-ray diffraction study was conducted to identify the crystal structure of the “Al-phase”, which was previously reported to form in basaltic compositions at pressures and temperatures of the uppermost part of the lower mantle. Le Bail whole-pattern fitting method was adopted to investigate the structure of the Al-phase under high pressure and temperature as well as ambient conditions. Observed patterns were satisfactorily fitted using the “hexagonal phase” with space group P6₃/m (plus minor amount of garnet) under both of these conditions. On the other hand, the calcium ferrite structure model proposed in some earlier studies based on quench experiments yielded profile-fitting results at significantly lower confidence levels, particularly at simultaneous high pressure and high temperature conditions, suggesting that this phase may not form in oceanic crust materials subducted in the uppermost lower mantle. The difference in densities of hexagonal and calcium ferrite phases, however, is only ~1% under pressures and temperatures of the uppermost part of the lower mantle conditions, which yields a negligible effect on the bulk density of the subducted oceanic crust.     

三元体系NaCl-CaCl2-H2O 25℃相关系研究

采用等温溶解平衡法,研究了三元体系NaCl-CaCl2-H2O 25℃时的溶解度,确定了该体系共饱点的组成,共饱点液相组成是NaCl 0.75%,CaCl244.99%、H2O 54.26%。对应的平衡固相为CaCl2.6H2O和NaCl。两种原始组分未形成复盐或固溶体,体系属于简单共饱型。