Auroral E-region electron density gradients measured with EISCAT

In the theory of E-region plasma instabilities, the ambient electric field and electron density gradient are both included in the same dispersion relation as the key parameters that provide the energy for the generation and growth of electrostatic plasma waves. While there exist numerous measurements of ionospheric electric fields, there are very few measurements and limited knowledge about the ambient electron density gradients, N_e, in the E-region plasma. In this work, we took advantage of the EISCAT CP1 data base and studied statistically the vertical electron density gradient length, L_z = N_e/(dN_e/d_z), at auroral E-region heights during both eastward and westward electrojet conditions and different ambient electric field levels. Overall, the prevailing electron density gradients, with L_z ranging from 4 to 7 km, are found to be located below 100 km, but to move steadily up in altitude as the electric field level increases. The steepest density gradients, with L_z possibly less than 3 km, occur near 110 km mostly in the eastward electrojet during times of strong electric fields. The results and their implications are examined and discussed in the frame of the linear gradient drift instability theory. Finally, it would be interesting to test the implications of the present results with a vertical radar interferometer.     

Central polar cap convection response to short duration southward Interplanetary Magnetic Field

Central polar cap convection changes associated with southward turnings of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) are studied using a chain of Canadian Advanced Digital Ionosondes (CADI) in the northern polar cap. A study of 32 short duration (1 h) southward IMF transition events found a three stage response: (1) initial response to a southward transition is near simultaneous for the entire polar cap; (2) the peak of the convection speed (attributed to the maximum merging electric field) propagates poleward from the ionospheric footprint of the merging region; and (3) if the change in IMF is rapid enough, then a step in convection appears to start at the cusp and then propagates antisunward over the polar cap with the velocity of the maximum convection. On the nightside, a substorm onset is observed at about the time when the step increase in convection (associated with the rapid transition of IMF) arrives at the polar cap boundary.     

火试金捕集等离子体发射光谱法测定铜铅电解阳极泥中铂和钯

采用火试金分离捕集,电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法分析了铜铅电解阳极泥中的铂和钯,重点试验了银的沉淀分离条件,方法应用于实际样品的分析,加标回收率大于95%。用贫铂矿国家一级标准物质和铜阳极泥管理样分析验证方法,其结果与标准值相符。方法的精密度(RSD,n=5)分别为Pt2.68%~3.04%,Pd4.55%~8.36%。     

Frictional discharge at fault asperities: Origin of fractal seismo-electromagnetic radiation

To investigate the relation between the rock friction and the fractal electromagnetic radiation before the main-shock of earthquakes, we conducted a friction experiment simulating the motion of an asperity on a fault plane, and observed photon emissions due to electric discharge by dielectric breakdown of ambient gases from friction contacts between rock minerals. This indicates that frictional discharges (plasma generations) could occur locally at microscopic asperities on fault surfaces. From concepts on the fractal size-distribution and temporal evolution of fault asperities, the frictional discharge occurring at asperities on the fault plane can be one of origins of the fractal electromagnetic radiation (Benioff electromagnetic radiation) prior to earthquakes.     

LA‐(MC)‐ICP‐MS Trends in 2006 and 2007 with Particular Emphasis on Measurement Uncertainties

Research in 2006 and 2007 dealing with laser ablation‐(multicollector)‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry, LA‐(MC)‐ICP‐MS, involved studies concerned with optimising the technique itself, as well as applying the method to a variety of problems in the Earth sciences. The causes of elemental and isotopic fractionation produced during laser ablation continues to be of considerable interest, with evidence mounting that processes occurring both at the ablation site and in the argon plasma of the ICP are culpable. There is growing excitement in the use of femtosecond lasers for LA‐(MC)‐ICP‐MS, with the hope that they reduce or eliminate melting and non‐congruent volatilisation at the ablation site and thus approach stoichiometric sampling. Ablation chamber design emerged as a serious concern, particularly with respect to achieving the rapid washout needed for fine‐scale compositional mapping of geological objects. LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS provided data for a wide range of isotopic systems, especially hafnium, but also B, S, Mg, Cu, Fe, Sr, Nd, Pb and U. Measurement uncertainties in LA‐ICP‐MS were discussed by several researchers, and are critically reviewed here ‐ total uncertainties for trace element concentration measurements of silicates including errors on the calibration values of common reference materials are ～10% (95% confidence limits), though the precision of individual spot measurements (50 to 100 μm) is much better, ～1% RSD, using a 193 nm laser and a sector field‐ICP‐MS. LA‐ICP‐MS U‐Pb ages for zircon and other U‐rich accessory phases are claimed by most geoanalysts to have 2s uncertainties of ～0.7 and 1.3% respectively but the actual accuracy of the method is probably only as good as ～2% (2s), when uncertainties associated with laser‐induced Pb/U fractionation are included.     

碳酸盐岩地层中B元素测试方法——一种改进的ICP—AES方法

为解决碳酸盐岩地层中B元素分析困难的问题,采用HF—HNO,-HClO3-H3PO3溶样,电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法测定碳酸盐地层中的B元素。该方法的特点是,在溶样体系中加入适量H3PO4避免B元素的挥发损失,并对H3PO4最佳用量进行了试验。方法检出限3．8×10^-6（10SD）,用国家一级标准物质进行准确度、精密度验证,精密度（RSD）小于6．44％,准确度（△1gC）小于0．087。该方法还可以同时测定Be、Ba、Cr、Cu、Co、Ni、Pb、Mo、V、Mn、Li、Zn、Ga等十几种元素,也适用于土壤、岩石、水系沉积物其它样品中B等多元素同时测定。运用该方法测试了西南天山哈拉奇地区碳酸盐地层中B、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、Pb、Ba等元素,并对其地质意义进行了简要探讨。     

GGR Biennial Critical Review: Analytical Developments Since 2012

Advances in the chemical, crystallographic and isotopic characterisation of geological and environmental materials can often be ascribed to technological improvements in analytical hardware or to innovative approaches to data acquisition and/or its interpretation. This biennial review addresses key laboratory methods that form much of the foundation for analytical geochemistry; again, this contribution is presented as a compendium of laboratory techniques. We highlight advances that have appeared since January 2012 and that are of particular significance for the chemical and isotopic characterisation of geomaterials. Prominent scientists from the selected analytical fields present publications they judge to be particular noteworthy, providing background information about the method and assessing where further opportunities might be anticipated. In addition to the well‐established technologies such as thermal ionisation mass spectrometry and plasma emission spectroscopy, this publication also presents new or rapidly growing methods such as electron backscattered diffraction analysis and atom probe tomography – a very sensitive method providing atomic scale information.     

ID-ICP-MS测定高纯石英中微量铀的方法研究

采用一种脉冲增压微色谱柱，阴离子交换树脂，分离富集高纯石英中的微量铀，分离效果好，本底低。样品处理用低温密封闷罐酸溶。同位素稀释电感耦合等离子体质谱(ID-ICP—MS)测定高纯石英中的微量铀，方法检出限低：0．1ng/G(3σ，n=10)，分析速度快，是理想的测定微量铀的方法。     

193 nm ArF准分子激光剥蚀等离子体质谱法测定熔融玻璃中微量铌和钽

建立了一种利用193 nm ArF准分子激光剥蚀-等离子体质谱法直接测定岩石熔融玻璃中Nb和Ta的分析方法。采用常规的碱熔法熔融样品,以29Si为内标、玻璃标准参考物质NIST SRM612为外标进行测定,方法的检出限分别为Nb0.003μg/g和Ta0.006μg/g(n=10)。分析4个不同的地质标准参考物质结果表明,Nb和Ta测定结果的相对误差(RE)和精密度(RSD,n=11)均低于10%。     

异烷基磷酸（1甲基庚基）酯萃淋树脂分离感耦等离子体光谱法测定氧化铕中微量稀土元素

用５７０９萃淋树脂还原色层法分离富集高纯氧化铕中微量稀土杂质，随后用顺序扫描等离子体光电光谱法测定。色层分离的条件：上柱稀土基体的质量浓度为２０ｇ／Ｌ，ｐＨ２～３，流速为２５ｍＬ／ｍｉｎ，洗脱液为６ｍｏｌ／Ｌ的ＨＣｌ溶液。共测定铈、镨、钕、钐、钆和镝６种稀土杂质。回收率为８９％～１０５％，相对标准偏差≤４％。方法可用于荧光级氧化铕中杂质稀土的测定