TEM evidence for intracellular accumulation of lead by bacteria in subsurface environments

We monitored near-surface atmospheric fallout (15-cm above ground) and soil solution (at 15, 35 and 55 cm below ground) derived nanoparticles over an 8-month period by collecting the particles directly onto TEM grids in anthropogenically-influenced (vineyard) and pristine (native forest) sites in France. Particle clusters trapped on the grid were selected randomly and individual particles were binned into eight different groups (euhedral clays, weathered clays, salts, oxi-hydroxides, bacteria, non-living organic matter, aggregates and undetermined). Bacteria represent 9–23% of the collected nanoparticle area (ave. 9.4% and 18% for two atmospheric collection sites and ave. 23% for soil infiltration samples). Bacteria were most often associated with non-living organic matter and comprised a variety of morpho-types. Interestingly, 45% of all the bacteria analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and electron dispersive spectroscopy (TEM-EDX) showed the presence of intracellular grains significantly enriched in lead and phosphorus. Intracellular sequestration of Pb into polyphosphate bodies has been observed in the laboratory, but this is the first observation of this phenomenon in a natural environment. Furthermore, this suggests that microbial-bound Pb may be an important transport mechanism in subsurface environments.     

福建省兴化湾有毒重金属的输入输出

基于对兴化湾大气干、湿沉降,沉积物及河(海)水的取样分析数据,主要考虑河流输入及与外海的物质交换,大气干、湿沉降和沉积作用过程重金属物质的迁移量,估算了兴化湾重金属的输入输出量.结果表明,As、Cr、Pb主要来自于河流输入,其河流输入量分别占总输入量的76.4%,78.2%和68.9%,Hg主要来自于河流输入和与外海的物质交换,Cd主要以大气干、湿沉降为输入方式,该方式的输入量占输入总量的78.8%.沉积作用是5种有毒重金属的主要输出方式,占输出总量的88.2%～100%,潮汐作用可将部分As、Cr、Pb输向外海,但也可能将Hg带入兴化湾,兴化湾Cd污染有加剧的趋势.     

The impact of hurricanes on sedimenting particulate matter in the semi-arid Bahía de La Paz,Gulf of California

From 2002 through 2004, time-series sediment trap samples were collected from a depth of 410 m in Cuenca Alfonso, Bahía de La Paz, on the SW coast of the Gulf of California. The instrument recorded the impact of the local passage of hurricanes “Ignacio” (24–26 August) and “Marty” (21–23 September) in 2003. These two events accounted for 82% of the total rainfall measured in 2003, equivalent to the annual average precipitation in years without hurricanes. Mean total mass fluxes (TMFs) of 2.88 and 3.58 g m⁻² d⁻¹ were measured during the week of each hurricane as well as the following week. This may have been enough to produce a lamina in the underlying sediment with characteristics peculiar to such events. The terrigenous component was particularly abundant, with notably higher concentrations of Fe, Sc, Co and Cs and REEs. In contrast, TMFs throughout 2002–2004 (excluding the hurricane periods) averaged only 0.73 g m⁻² d⁻¹ and had a larger marine biogenic component. The extraordinary elemental fluxes during the 29 days of hurricane-influenced sedimentation represented a great proportion of the totals over an entire “normal” year: Co (67.8%) >Sc (62.6) >Fe (59.6) >Cs (53.4)>Lu (51.5)>La (51.3)>Yb (51.0)>Ce (49.5) >Tb (48.4) >Sm (44.7)>Cr (36.5) >Ca (31.0)>Eu (25.4%). The terrigenous fraction was calculated using (a) TMF minus the sum of CaCO₃, biogenic silica and organic matter and (b) the ratio of Sc in the trap samples to the average in the Earth's crust. The latter was consistently smaller, but the two methods offered similar results following hurricanes (78% vs. 63%, respectively). For normal sedimentation, however, the difference method yielded values twice as large as the Sc method (58% vs. 30%) This suggests that the mineralogy of the terrigenous fraction may also vary, with unsorted dessert soil being carried to sea by the powerful flash floods associated with hurricanes. Eolian supply of particles, particularly Sc-free quartz grains, possibly from beyond the limited fluvial drainage basin, apparently dominates normal sedimentation.     

包兰铁路沙坡头段风沙运动规律及其与防护体系的相互作用

包兰铁路沙坡头段是穿越流动沙丘最长,受到风沙危害最为严重的路段,自建成运营45 a以来,其有效而稳定的防护体系受到世人的关注和公认。通过前期23 a的防沙实践和后期22 a的监测证实：①该地区存在着一个较为稳定的风沙流场,具有三组不同风向,主风向为W—NNW,次主风向为NE—E、WSW—S,此种风沙流场格局具有明显的季节变化,是塑造格状沙丘形态和造成对铁路危害的重要因素。②沙丘移动过程表现为格状沙丘主梁沿主风向前后摆动,以缓慢的速度向前推移,其移动量为2~5 m·a^-1,造成风沙危害的最直接的原因是格状沙丘副梁的迅速前移,22 a平均移动速度为0.527 m·a^-1。合成移动方向为318.6°(NW→SE )。③从理论上考虑,前移的沙体是一种对防护体系的潜在威胁,即可能在固沙带前缘形成高大的沙堤掩埋防护体系。可是,实际上随着防护体系的建立和逐步的完善,不但有效的保障铁路的安全,而且同时也抑制了年总输沙量的25%;并改变了风沙流场的某些性质或作用,进而控制了风沙活动的方向与活动强度。在迎风坡的风蚀和背风坡的积沙致使沙丘高度相应的降低,这种变化规律具有从流沙区向固沙区逐渐衰减的趋势。     

Regional grain size variations in aeolian sediments along the transition between Tibetan highlands and north‐western Chinese deserts – the influence of geomorphological settings on aeolian transport pathways

Sediment distribution is investigated applying grain size analysis to 279 surface samples from the transitional zone between high mountains (Qilian Shan) and their arid forelands (Hexi Corridor) in north‐western China. Six main sediment types were classified. Medium scale (10³ m) geomorphological setting is carefully considered as it may play an important role concerning sediment supply and availability. A tripartite distribution of sedimentological landscape units along the mountain to foreland transition is evident. Aeolian sediments (e.g. loess and dune sands) are widespread. They are used to identify aeolian transport pathways. The mU/fS‐ratio (5–11 µm/48–70 µm) among primary loess opposes the two grain size fractions being most sensitive to varying accumulation conditions. The first fraction is attributed to long‐distance transport in high suspension clouds whereas the latter represents local transport in saltation mode. The ratio shows strong correlation with elevation (R² = 0.77). Thus, it indicates a relatively higher far‐traveled dust supply in mountainous areas (>3000 m above sea level [a.s.l.]) compared to the foreland. The contribution of westerlies to high mountain loess deposits is considered likely. Hereby, the influence of the geomorphological setting on grain size composition of aeolian sediments becomes apparent: the contribution from distant dust sources is ubiquitous in the study area. However, the far‐distance contribution may be reduced by the availability of fine sand provided in low topography settings. Plain foreland areas support fine sand deflation from supplying river beds, allowing the formation of sandy loess in foreland areas and intramontane basins. In contrast, high mountain topography inhibits strong sand deflation into loess deposits. Eastern parts of the Hexi Corridor show higher aeolian sand occurrence. In contrast, the western parts are dominated by gravel gobi surfaces. This is attributed to higher sand supply in eastern parts provided by the Badain Jaran Desert and fluvial storages as sand sources. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

广东大亚湾底质重金属分布特征与环境质量评价

大亚湾是粤东的大型海湾，毗邻深港，其环境质量现状及发展趋势颇受关注。对大亚湾海域45个表层站位、1口浅钻及2个柱状样重金属元素Hg、As、Cd、Cu、Pb、Cr、Zn进行分析，并对底质环境质量进行定量评价。其结果：①大亚湾海域Hg、As、Cu的污染指数Pi值均小于1．0，超标率为0，表明全区未受这些因子污染；②Cd、Zn、Pb、Cr的污染指数Pi值部分大于1．0，表明受到这些因子不同程度的污染，其中Pb的超标率最高，达93．3％，污染指数Pi值为0．83～2．25，为良好—中等污染，总体为轻微污染；Zn的超标率为76．9％，pf值为0．25～2．63，变化较大，总体为轻微污染；Cd的超标率为60．0％，Pi值为0．50～1．78，良好—轻微污染；Cr的超标率为17．8％，Pi值为0，49～1．90，良好—轻微污染；③综合污染指数为1．08～2．21，平均1．37，表明本区均不同程度地受重金属污染，总体属轻微污染，其中范和港污染最为严重，SQI值多在1．5以上，其次为中央列岛附近海域。湾口和澳头—霞涌近岸海域污染较轻。从钻孔及柱状样的重金属含量分布来看，在表层没有明显增多的趋势。     

Fragmentation, transport and deposition of a low-grade ignimbrite: The Citlaltépetl Ignimbrite, Eastern México

 The Citlaltépetl Ignimbrite records one of the largest explosive events during the Holocene activity of Citlaltépetl Volcano (Pico de Orizaba). Multiple pyroclastic flow units, a fall deposit, and some lahar units were emplaced between 8500–9000 y B.P. as a result of repetitive but discrete explosive events. The whole ignimbrite resulted from discrete fluctuations in eruptive intensity that decreased with time. The initial pyroclastic flow pulse was by far the most violent and widespread event, and its deposits show conspicuous variations in structure and texture that could be associated with different mechanisms of transport and emplacement. Subpopulation Sequential Fragmentation Transport (SFT) analyses were carried out in order to determine the physical mechanisms that selectively concentrate or remove particles in the moving flows. We suggest that lateral and temporal changes in the flow rheology, in which fluidization, yield strength, entrainment of atmospheric air, and sedimentation played a dominant role in flow propagation and emplacement, may imprint a unique signature in the grain-size spectra. The lowermost unit of the Citlaltépetl Ignimbrite can be envisaged by a model in which progressive aggradation near the vent became replaced by en masse emplacement farther outward. Received: 24 March 1998 / Accepted: 9 October 1998     

攀西大梁子铅锌矿区水系沉积物重金属地球化学特征及源解析

长江上游是整个长江经济带的重要生态屏障。以长江上游攀西大梁子铅锌矿区水系沉积物为研究对象,查明了重金属元素含量的空间分布特征,分析了重金属来源,探讨了在不同pH条件下重金属的淋滤规律,并进行了生态风险评估。研究结果显示:攀西大桥河流域水系沉积物中重金属的空间分布极不均匀,其含量明显要高于长江水系沉积物中重金属的平均含量;重金属生态风险属于很强风险,Hg和Cd呈高度富集、严重污染;Pb和Zn呈中度富集、中等污染。淋滤实验结果表明Pb、Zn、Cd在酸性和中性条件下淋滤浓度先快速下降,后逐渐趋于平衡,而As在快速下降后又有缓慢升高的趋势。大桥河流域水系沉积物中As、Cd、Pb、Zn主要来源于大梁子铅锌矿的采选活动,Hg为岩石风化和土壤剥蚀来源,而Cu和Cr主要为农业和工业活动来源。综合对比发现,攀西成矿带铅锌矿周边土壤富Cd而贫Cr,此外Cd、Pb、Zn、Hg是主要潜在污染物,且生态风险程度较高。     

金川铜镍硫化物矿床中铂族矿物的主要类型和产出特征: 热液蚀变过程中铂族元素的富集机理

金川铜镍硫化物矿床是我国最主要的铂族元素（PGE）资源产地,其矿石受热液蚀变作用影响明显,并产出多种铂族矿物（PGM）。岩浆演化和热液蚀变过程中PGE的迁移富集机制和PGM的成因,一直是研究PGE地球化学行为非常关注的问题。本文对金川铜镍硫化物矿床中PGM的研究发现,其主要类型包括含PGE的硫砷化物（硫砷铱矿）和砷化物（砷铂矿）,Pd的铋化物、碲化物和硒化物,以及少量其他铂族矿物。其中,硫砷铱矿可包裹于各种贱金属硫化物（镍黄铁矿、磁黄铁矿和黄铜矿）中,表明硫砷铱矿可能结晶于早期的含As硫化物熔体,随后被包裹于硫化物熔体冷凝分异产生的单硫化物固溶体（MSS）和中间硫化物固溶体（ISS）中。硫化物熔体中的As可能主要通过地壳混染作用加入幔源岩浆。大量铋钯矿（PdBi）呈微细乳滴状包裹于黄铜矿中,为晚期ISS冷凝形成黄铜矿过程中出溶的产物。少量铋钯矿（PdBi₂）呈不规则状充填于矿物裂隙,与次生磁铁矿脉紧密共生,并随矿石的蚀变程度增加,铋钯矿的化学成分由PdBi逐渐向PdBi₂转变,表明这部分铋钯矿为后期热液蚀变产物。铋碲钯矿和钯的硒化物则主要产出于镍黄铁矿裂隙且与次生磁铁矿紧密共生,指示明显的热液成因。钯的硒化物的出现表明,岩浆期后酸性、高盐度、高氧逸度的富Cl^-流体对金川铜镍硫化物矿床中Pd的迁移和富集起到了关键控制作用。

     

Atmospheric and Surface Water Pollution Interpretation in the Gdańsk Beltway Impact Range by the Use of Multivariate Analysis

The present study deals with the application of the hierarchical cluster analysis and non‐parametric tests in order to interpret the Gdańsk Beltway impact range. The data set represents concentration values for major inorganic ions (Na⁺, NH, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, F⁻, Cl⁻, NO, and SO) as well as electrolytic conductivity and pH measured in various water samples [precipitation, throughfall water, road runoff, and surface water (drainage ditches, surface water reservoirs, and spring water)] collected in the vicinity of the beltway. Several similarity groups were discovered both in the objects and in the variables modes according to the water sample. In the majority of cases clear anthropogenic (fertilizers usage and transport, road salting in winter) and semi‐natural (sea salt aerosols, erosion of construction materials) impacts were discovered. Spatial variation was discovered for road runoff samples and samples collected from surface water reservoirs and springs. Surprisingly no clear seasonal variability was discovered for precipitation chemistry, while some evidences for existing of summer and winter specific chemical profile was discovered for road runoff samples. In general, limited range of the Gdańsk Beltway impact was proven.