Titan trace gaseous composition from CIRS at the end of the Cassini-Huygens prime mission

This paper reports on the results from an extensive study of all nadir-looking spectra acquired by Cassini/CIRS during the 44 flybys performed in the course of the nominal mission (2004-2008). With respect to the previous study (Coustenis, A., and 24 colleagues [2007]. Icarus 189, 35-62, on flybys TB-T10) we present here a significantly richer dataset with, in particular, more data at high northern and southern latitudes so that the abundances inferred here at these regions are more reliable. Our enhanced high-resolution dataset allows us to infer more precisely the chemical composition of Titan all over the disk. We also include improved spectroscopic data for some molecules and updated temperature profiles. The latitudinal distributions of all of the gaseous species are inferred. We furthermore test vertical distributions essentially for acetylene (C₂H₂) from CIRS limb-inferred data and from current General Circulation Models for Titan and compare our results on all the gaseous abundances with predictions from 1-D photochemical-radiative models to check the reliability of the chemical reactions and pathways.     

The photochemical products of benzene in Titan’s upper atmosphere

The Cassini spacecraft detected benzene high in Titan’s atmosphere as well as the presence of large mass positive and negative ions. Previous work has suggested that these large mass ions could be composed of fused-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds. These fused-ring PAHs, such as naphthalene and anthracene, are usually the result of high temperature processes that may not occur in Titan’s thin, cold, upper thermosphere. Here we suggest that a different class of aromatic compounds, polyphenyls, may be a better explanation of the data. Polyphenyls can grow to be large polymeric structures and could condense to form the aerosols seen in Titan’s cloud and hazes. They have similar properties to fused-ring PAHs (for example, electron affinity, ionization potential) and could be the negative ion species seen in the CAPS instrument data from the Cassini spacecraft.     

Urbanised beaches of the Ligurian coastal area (NW Mediterranean): A classification based on organic-matter characteristics and hydrolytic enzymatic activities

The beaches of Liguria have been intensively affected by human activities for over a century, transforming nearly the entire coastline from natural to urbanised and significantly upsetting beach ecological properties. The present study aims to investigate 9 Ligurian beaches characterised by different degree of urbanisation, to test if and to what extent the organic-matter (OM) recycling processes can be linked to the human activity. Swash zone sediment, sampled during the spring–summer–autumn period, when the anthropogenic influence is at its maximum due to tourism, was analysed for OM features and recycling processes. Multivariate statistical analyses showed that huge amounts of detrital OM accumulated in the more urbanised sites, where the anthropogenic influence was at its peak, deriving from higher inhabitant number and density, from the presence of crowded roads very near to the swash zone and sewage treatment plants. The presence of torrent outlets on the beaches provided further OM accumulation. Lipids, carbohydrates and degraded autotrophic pigments were the OM fractions mainly responsible of the differentiation, and rather constant, high labile phosphorus contents were found in the more urbanised sites. The high activity values of the hydrolytic enzymes indicate the response of the microbial system to the OM accumulation in the urban sites. However, a decoupling of the trends of some enzymatic activities (namely glucosidase and lipase) and their target OM was observed in the highly urbanised conditions.     

海洋浮游植物溶解有机碳释放研究进展

溶解有机碳(DOC)是海洋中最大的有机碳库,其中化学性质不稳定的成分大部分来自海洋浮游植物的释放。简要回顾了浮游植物溶解有机碳释放研究的发展历史,从光合作用合成的溶解有机碳(PDOC)释放占初级生产力的比重,PDOC的化学组成,浮游植物DOC释放的途径与机制,PDOC释放的环境调控,浮游植物群落组成对PDOC释放的影响,以及浮游植物释放DOC对异养细菌的生态意义等方面对相关研究进行了综述和分析。讨论了浮游植物溶解有机碳释放研究的现状和存在的问题,并对PDOC初级生产力测定的推广和相关研究的深化提出建议。     

欧美地下水有机污染调查评价进展

1999年中国地质调查局启动了第一个地下水有机污染调查项目,当时检测指标只有20个(包括11个挥发性有机污染物、8种有机氯农药和1种多环芳烃)。"十一五"的地下水有机污染调查必测项目包含了38项(挥发性指标28项、有机氯农药9项和1种多环芳烃),取得了地下水有机污染的基本资料。但从对国外文献的调研来看,地下水中有机污染的种类远远超过38种。为了更全面地掌握中国地下水的质量,有必要对不同地区或不同类型的地下水中典型的有机污染物的种类进行研究,为后续地下水有机污染调查的增项做准备。通过检索美国环保局(USEPA)、美国地质调查局(USGS)和欧盟(EU)近年来的地下水质量年度报告和相关文献,调研了地下水中典型有机污染物的类型,选出最常检出的有机污染物,形成最常检出的有机污染物的检出率排序表,列出了检出率高的前50个污染物的名单。     

Organic carbon concentrations and transport in small mountain rivers,Panama

Tropical small mountainous rivers (SMRs) are increasingly recognized for their role in the global export of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to the oceans. Here we utilize the Isthmus of Panama as an ideal place to provide first-order estimates of DOC yields across a wide assemblage of bedrock lithologies and land cover practices. Samples for dissolved organic carbon (DOC) analysis were collected across Panama along an E–W transect from the central Panama area to the Costa Rican border for 24 mainstem rivers, 3 large tributary rivers, and one headwater stream. Sampling occurred during both the wet and the dry seasons. DOC concentrations during the wet season are higher than during the dry season in all but three of the rivers. Concentrations vary greatly from river to river and from season to season, with values as low as 0.64 mg l⁻¹ to greater than >25 mg l⁻¹ with the highest concentrations observed for the rivers draining Tertiary marine sedimentary rocks in the Burica and Azuero peninsulas. DOC yields from Panamanian rivers (2.29–7.97 tons/km²/y) are similar to or slightly lower than those determined for other tropical SMR systems. Areas underlain by Tertiary aged sediments exhibited significantly higher mean DOC yields compared to their igneous counterparts, despite maintaining substantially lower aboveground carbon densities, suggesting the important influence of lithology. Finally, regression analyses between DOC yields and select watershed parameters revealed a negative and statistically significant relationship with maximum and mean gradient suggesting lower soil retention times may be linked to lower DOC yields.     

羌塘盆地羌资5井二叠系展金组烃源岩基本特征

前人对羌塘盆地的烃源岩研究资料主要来源于中生界地表露头,少见古生界的。对羌资5井二叠系展金组烃源岩的钻井岩心研究表明,其有机碳含量高,平均值达到1.15%,属于好烃源岩。干酪根显微组分主要为Ⅲ型,其次为Ⅱ2型;有机质主要来自于海相低等水生生物,热演化已达到成熟阶段。烃源岩具较好的生气能力。认为井下烃源岩样品虽显示其处于有机质演化成熟阶段,但因受后期构造抬升的影响,推测二叠系深部未知的烃源岩可能尚处于高成熟—过成熟阶段。羌塘盆地二叠系具有较好的勘探前景,油气勘探可向深部古生界开展。     

Predominance of archaea-derived hydrocarbons in an Early Triassic microbialite

We investigated the distribution of lipids in Lower Triassic sedimentary rocks (252–247 myr) from South China, including a shallow water microbialite in the uppermost section of the outcrop. Archaeal derived hydrocarbons were the major constituents of the microbialite from the latest Early Triassic. Among these, we detected (i) abundant C₄₀ acyclic and monocyclic biphytanes (possibly derived from glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether lipids) and their degradation products, C_30–39 pseudohomologues and (ii) a C₂₅ head-to-tail linked (regular) isoprenoid hydrocarbon [possibly derived from dialkyl glycerol diether lipids (DGDs)] and its degradation products, C_21–24 pseudohomologues and abundant pristane and phytane. Through combination of compound-specific stable carbon isotope analysis of isoprenoid hydrocarbons, which had average δ¹³C values of −35‰ to −30‰, and their molecular distribution, it was not possible to unambiguously define the archaeal source for the biphytanes in the microbialite. The δ¹³C values for pristane and phytane were similar to those for head-to-tail linked C_21–25 isoprenoids; potential source organisms for these compounds were halophilic archaea. Except for methane seep microbialites, no other ancient or recent phototrophic microbialites have been reported to contain predominantly archaeal isoprenoid hydrocarbons. Our findings suggest the presence of a new type of microbialite.     

Characterization of low-molecular-weight organic acids isolated from the Toarcian argillite pore water (Tournemire site,France)

Bacterial activity in the near-field environment of radioactive waste disposal facilities in deep argillaceous rocks is currently under investigation. Bacterial development could be enhanced by the availability of low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOA) dissolved in the pore water of clayey rocks. This study firstly aimed at isolating and characterizing the LMWOA of the Toarcian argillite from the Tournemire Underground Research Laboratory (France, Aveyron). It also aimed at assessing the disturbing effects that could be induced by a disposal facility on the type and release of LMWOA (exposure to oxygen, alkaline pH, temperature increase). Under the experimental conditions investigated at 60 °C, the mean dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is about 15 mg L⁻¹ with a LMWOA proportion of 35 %. The main LMWOA are composed of formate, fumarate, propionate, acetate, and lactate. DOC is mainly influenced by both temperature and pH increases, whereas the LMWOA type nature and release are more specifically affected by the exposure to oxygen.     

Granulometric and chemical composition of the Sava River sediments upstream and downstream of the Krsko nuclear power plant

Total concentrations of 13 elements (K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Pb) in the size-fractionated Sava River sediments upstream and downstream of the Krsko nuclear power plant together with metal speciation within bulk sediment have been investigated. Trace metals generally increase with decreasing particle size, however, because of entrapment of organic matter in the 0.63–1 mm fraction, concentrations in the coarser sediment fraction are higher than expected. Exchangeable Pb, Zn, Cu, Mn, Cr and Fe are generally found to represent a negligible fraction of the total metal concentration of the bulk sediment. Seasonal variations of the Pb, Zn and Cu concentrations in the <0.5 mm fraction reflect decreased values during the spring period. Heavy metal concentrations in the 2003 waste water discharges from the Krsko nuclear power plant released into the Sava River were much lower than their maximum allowed values. Combined rubidium and organic matter normalization of the Zn, Pb and Cu concentrations, which was applied on the minus 0.063 mm fraction, indicated three potential sources of contaminants.