Constraints from strontium and neodymium isotopic ratios and trace elements on the sources of the sediments in Lake Huguang Maar

The sediments in Lake Huguang Maar in coastal South China were previously thought to originate mainly from wind-blown dust transported from North China, such that the lake sediments recorded the varying strength of the Asian winter monsoon. An alternative explanation was that the local pyroclastic rocks supplied the lake sediments, but the actual contributions from the different sources remained unclear. Geochemical analyses including ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd and trace elements support the local pyroclastic rock as the dominant source: < 22% of the total Sr in the lake sediments and  17% of the Nd arises from the distant source. Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf for the lake sediments are identical to those for the local rock but differ from the ratios for the wind-blown dust, and chondrite-normalized rare earth element patterns for the lake sediments are similar to those for the local rock and soil, but differ from those for the distant source. The sediments in Lake Huguang Maar are probably input into the lake through runoff and thus controlled by the hydrology of the lake. Wind-blown dust transported by the Asian winter monsoon from arid North China is only a minor contribution to the sediments.     

Holocene evolution of mud depocentres on a high-energy, low-accumulation shelf (NW Iberia)

The high-energy, low-accumulation NW Iberian shelf features three confined Holocene mud depocentres. Here, we show that the evolution of such depocentres follows successive steps. The flooding of inner shelf zones and river catchment areas by the late deglacial sea-level rise provided the precondition for shelf mud deposition. Following this, the Holocene deceleration of the sea-level rise caused a rapid refill of the accommodation space within river valleys. Subsequently, the export of major amounts of fines was initiated. The initial onset and loci of shelf mud deposition were related to deposition-favouring conditions in mid-shelf position or to the presence of morphological highs, which act as sediment traps by providing protection against stronger hydrodynamic energy. The detailed reconstruction of the Holocene depocentre evolution shows for the first time that the expansion of such shelf mud deposits cannot only occur by linear growth off the associated sediment source. Rather, they might develop around centres that are fully disconnected from the source of original sediment supply, and expand later into specific directions. Based on these differences and on the connection of the individual mud depocentres to the material source we propose a conceptual subdivision of the group “mid-shelf mud depocentres”.     

渭河渭南段高漫滩沉积记录的洪水研究

本文根据渭河渭南段两个典型高漫滩沉积剖面中和2005年洪水沉积中376个样品的粒度分析,并结合历史文献资料研究了高漫滩沉积层代表的洪水变化。结果表明, 渭河高漫滩洪水沉积以粉砂和极细砂为主, 分层明显,分辨率高,能够指示洪水频次、洪水位高度和洪水动力。两个剖面厚度为约5.3m,均可分为19个层位,指示至少发生了19次较大规模的洪水。粒度分析确定的19个洪水阶段与历史文献记录的大洪水阶段基本一致。粒度参数Md、Mz、σ、Sk、Kg在剖面各层差异明显,也指示了各阶段洪水的差异。 其中WN1剖面中第15、14、10、3、12、4、13、6、8、2阶段洪水发生时高漫滩上的洪水深度大于2005年渭南渭河高漫滩上16m的洪水深度,当时河床之上的洪水深度大于81m,其余洪水阶段发生时河床之上的洪水深度接近或略小于81m,是当时发生了大洪水或中等规模洪水的显示。根据渭河流域近代大洪水发生年的降水条件确定,WN1、WN2剖面多数阶段洪水的发生是当年降水量的显著增加造成的。     

Macro- and trace-element concentrations in leaves and roots of Phragmites australis in a volcanic lake in Southern Italy

Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, N, Ni, Pb, S, V and Zn concentrations were determined during a whole seasonal cycle in leaves and in water and sediment roots of the aquatic macrophyte Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steudel from three sites in the Lake Averno (Naples, Italy), a volcanic lake contaminated by trace elements. At the beginning of the research, elemental analysis was also performed on lake sediments, that showed different trace-element concentrations depending on the sites.     

Application of wave transformation models for estimation of morphological changes at Vellar estuary,southeast coast of India

Assessment of the wave climate at near coast is vital for estimation of morphological changes, such as growth of sand spit and associated siltation of tidal inlets. Vellar (bar-built) estuary is one of the prominent estuaries along the southeast coast of India, located at 11°30′N and 79°46′E, less studied in terms of its morphological features. The inlet of Vellar is exposed to high energetic waves, inducing large sediment transport rates and shoreline changes. Local wave characteristics are not accurately defined and the available wave information at near coast is limited (point based observations). In the present study, three decoupled numerical models are employed to derive the monthly nearshore wave climate at Vellar by transforming waves from deep water to nearshore. These models are independently validated with buoy observations in deep water and wave gauge data at nearshore. Based on the nearshore wave data, littoral drift along the coast was estimated and compared with the spit growth at Vellar inlet. The estimated average littoral drift along this coast from February to October is 1.93 × 10⁶ m³ toward north and from November to January it is 1.52 × 10⁶ m³ toward south, resulting in a net northerly drift. Results indicated that increase in the wave energy during the period of July to September is responsible for the maximum growth of the sand spit observed in the field.     

Chemical and isotopic variations in the Wiśniówka Mała mine pit water,Holy Cross Mountains (south-central Poland)

In 2005 and 2006, hydrogeochemical study was carried out in the bipartite Wiśniówka Mała pit lake of the Holy Cross Mountains (south-central Poland). This is the largest acidic water body in Poland. This report presents the element concentrations in the water and sediment, stable sulfur and oxygen isotope ratios in the soluble sulfates, and stable oxygen isotope ratio in the water. The scope of the investigation also encompassed mineralogical examinations (scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction) of the sediment. The results of this study show that there is a spatial and temporal variability in concentrations of most elements and sulfur isotope ratios in the examined pit lake. The water of the western pond displayed a lower pH with a mean of 3.73 and higher conductivity (390 μS cm⁻¹) as well as higher concentrations of sulfates (156 mg L⁻¹) and most of the cations and anions. The concentrations of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ averaged 0.8 and 0.4 mg·L⁻¹. In contrast, the eastern pond water revealed a higher pH (mean of 4.36), lower conductivity (293 μS cm⁻¹) and lower sulfate (90 mg L⁻¹) and trace metal levels. Similar variations were recorded in the stable sulfur isotope ratios. The δ³⁴S_V-CDT(SO₄ ²⁻) values in the water of the western pit pond were in the range of −6.7 to −4.6‰ (mean of −5.6‰), whereas that in the eastern pit pond ranged from −2.2 to −0.9‰ (−1.6‰). The alkalinity of the entire lake water was below 0.1 mg·L⁻¹ CaCO₃. No distinct difference in the δ¹⁸O_V-SMOW(SO₄ ²⁻) was noted between the western and eastern pit ponds. Compared to the Purple Pond in the Sudetes (Poland) and similar sites throughout the world, the examined pit lake is highlighted by distinctly low concentrations of sulfates, iron and other trace metals. Based on this and other studies performed in the Holy Cross Mountains, a conclusion can be drawn that the SO₄ ²⁻ in the Wiśniówka Mała pit lake water is a mixture of SO₄ ²⁻ derived from the following sources: (1) pyrite oxidation (especially in the western pond water), (2) leaching of soluble sulfates from soils and waste material, as well as (3) subordinate deposition of airborne sulfate precipitation.     

Study on vertical distribution and activity factor of P forms in sediments of three urban shallow lakes in People’s Republic of China

The vertical variation of P forms in sediments of urban shallow lakes in China, Xuanwu Lake, Daming Lake and Mochou Lake, were sequentially extracted and measured with the method of SEDEX. The results indicated the TP content in the sediment profiles ranged from 371.94 to 777.25 mg kg⁻¹ for Xuanwu Lake, 1,308.14 to 4,632.63 mg kg⁻¹ for Daming Lake, and 995.49 to 1,860.71 mg kg⁻¹ for Mochou Lake. The results of sequential extraction showed that Ca-P and Fe-P were the main fractions. Meanwhile, the proportions of Bio-P to TP were 35.24% for Xuanwu Lake, 29.57% Daming lake, and 25.26%, for Mochou Lake, indicating a high potential of P releasing. The content of Bio-P was significantly and positively correlated with TP (r = 0.978, P < 0.01). Lake hydrations conditions played an important role in the distribution and contents of Bio-P and TP. In the region with macrophytes, the contents of TP and Bio-P were relatively low. Physicochemical properties of sediments were significantly related to the fraction distribution and P contents, and might play an important role in controlling P activity and mobility. Moreover, Fe showed an evident influence on P fraction and the ratio Fe/P might be good indicator to the contents and composition of active P in sediments.     

长江口-杭州湾及其邻近海域不同粒级沉积有机碳分布特征

通过对长江口、杭州湾、舟山海域及东海陆架4个海区表层沉积物样品的粒度敏感组分分析,发现东海陆架与长江口具有相似的三级组分物质组成,杭州湾与舟山海域具有相似的两级组分物质组成.综合4个区域粒级组分分布特征,采用湿分法将4个海域表层沉积物样品分成6个粒级:＜0.004 mm,0.004～0.025 mm,0.025～0.063 mm,0.063～0.125 mm,0.125～0.250 mm和＞0.250 mm,分别提取各级组分和全样进行有机碳及同位素测试.定量分析各级组分有机碳含量、来源及物质组分,除杭州湾海域粗粒级外,基本上＜0.004 mm的粘土组分有机碳含量最高;富集在杭州湾海域粗颗粒中的有机质主要来源于陆源植物碎屑.沉积物颗粒大小、物质组成类型是不同粒级有机质富集的主要控制因素.     

EFFECTS OF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ON THE REDUCTION OF SEDIMENT AND RUNOFF IN THE JIALING RIVER,CHINA

The Three Gorges Project is one of the largest hydro-projects in the world and has drawn many debates inside China and abroad. The major concern is that sediment load from the river basin may eventually fail the functions of the project for flood control and power generation. To reduce sedimentation in the reservoir, watershed management has been adopted. However, there is limited information regarding the effectiveness of various control measures such as terracing and afforestation on a watershed scale. The Jialing River, a main tributary of the Yangtze River, contributes approximately 25% of the total sediment load in the main river but only represents 8% of the whole basin area. There have been various land use patterns and extensive human activities for thousands of years in the Jialing River watershed. Based on analysis of the major factors affecting erosion in the Jialing River watershed, the main watershed management strategies (afforestation, farming and engineering practice) are illustrated, and their effects on the reduction of sediment and runoff are studied in detail. The sediment budget of the watershed shows that 1/3 of the sediment yield is trapped by the erosion control measures (afforestation and farming) on the slope, 1/3 is trapped by the reservoirs, ponds and dams within the watershed, and only about 1/3 is transported into the Yangtze River, which will affect the Three Gorges Project.     

DESIGN OF SEDIMENT TRANSPORTING CANAL SECTIONS

Design equations for minimum area or maximum velocity canal-sections for transport of bulk sediment carried by water have been obtained. Such canals are economically feasible in the terrain where large slopes are available. The design procedure is illustrated by a practical example.