The content of some microelements in mineral waters from Covasna and Harghita Romanian districts

Using two analytical techniques, CSV/ASV and ICP–AES, the concentration of some microelements (lead, zinc, manganese) in mineral waters from the Covasna and Harghita districts of Romania were determined. The optimum parameters for the voltammetric determination of manganese, copper, zinc and lead were established (electrolyte, deposition time, pulse duration, pulse amplitude, etc.) and then the content of these elements in twelve samples of mineral water were determined. The results obtained by both techniques led to the conclusion that the concentration of microelements in mineral waters from Covasna and Harghita districts is connected to the mineral content underground.     

Lotic communities of two small temporary karstic stream systems (East Westphalia, Germany) along a longitudinal gradient of hydrological intermittency

The spatial and temporal discharge regime and its effects on benthic communities were studied in two small temporary karstic stream systems of the Paderborner Hochfläche (East Westphalia, Germany). Both streams are characterized by very small perennial springbrook sections. Benthic invertebrates were sampled three times at 12 sites and discharge was measured monthly from March to September 2000. The spatial extension of streamflow was observed regularly to evaluate the duration of drought. Both streams showed a longitudinal gradient of hydrological intermittency from very small perennial reaches with low intermittency to an extremely harsh hydrological situation. The benthic communities displayed a decreasing species richness at increasing intermittency. The different hydrological stream sections were colonized by different lotic communities, characterized by typical species of temporary streams and by several typical species of springs. Particularly the perennial springs and springbrooks are very important for the species richness in these karstic stream systems.     

Chemical weathering in the drainage basin of a tropical watershed (Nsimi-Zoetele site, Cameroon) : comparison between organic-poor and organic-rich waters

This study deals with the weathering processes operating at the scale of a small catchment (Nsimi-Zoetele, Cameroon) and is focused on the role of organic colloids on mineral weathering and transport of elements in natural waters. Samples of river, spring and groundwaters from Nsimi-Zoetele were filtered through membranes of decreasing pore size (0.22 μm, 0.025 μm, or: 300,000 Da, 5000 Da) to separate colloidal fractions from the truly dissolved one. Major and trace elements and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were analysed in each fraction. Two kinds of waters can be distinguished in the catchment: clear and coloured waters. Clear waters exhibit low concentrations of major and trace elements and DOC. Elements are carried in these solutions in a true dissolved form except Al and rare earth elements (REEs). By contrast, the higher abundances of Al, Fe and trace elements in coloured waters are controlled by the colloidal fraction. Thermodynamic equilibrium calculations show that clear waters are in equilibrium with kaolinite and iron oxi-hydroxide which are major minerals in the weathered soil. For coloured waters, the aqueous speciation of Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Al, La and Th was calculated taking into account the complexes with humic acids. Speciation calculations for Cu, Fe, Al, La, Th show a strong complexation with humic acids, in good agreement with the results of the filtration experiments. By contrast, although filtration experiments show a strong control of major cations by organic matter (for example 75% for Ca), speciation calculations reveal that their complexes with humic ligands do not exceed a few percent of total dissolved elements. This discrepancy is explained as an artefact induced by the organic colloids and occurring during the filtration procedure. Finally, both filtration experiments and speciation calculations show that organic matter plays an important role in natural DOC-rich waters. Organic acids increase significantly the dissolution rates of silicates and oxi-hydroxides and thus the amounts of solutes and of complexed elements leaving the catchment.     

A geochemical and geophysical approach to derive a conceptual circulation model of CO2-rich mineral waters: A case study of Vilarelho da Raia, northern Portugal

The Vilarelho da Raia-Chaves region, located in northern Portugal adjacent to the Spanish border, is characterized by both hot and cold CO₂-rich mineral waters issuing from springs and drilled wells. The present paper updates the conceptual circulation model of the Vilarelho da Raia cold CO₂-rich mineral waters. Vilarelho da Raia mineral waters, dominated by Na and HCO₃ ions, have formed mainly by interaction with CO₂ of deep-seated mantle origin. The δ ¹⁸O, δ ²H and ³H values indicate that these waters are the result of meteoric waters infiltrating into Larouco Mountain, NW of Vilarelho da Raia, circulating at shallow depths in granitic rocks and moving into Vilarelho da Raia area. The conceptual geochemical and geophysical circulation model indicates that the hot and cold CO₂-rich mineral waters of Chaves (76 °C) and Vilarelho da Raia (17 °C) should be considered manifestations of similar but not the same geohydrological systems. Electronic Publication     

Environmental factors and the development of Bath Spa,England

Thermal water springs at Bristol and Bath in west England have come under close scrutiny since the closure of Bath Spa in 1978. In order to protect the hot springs from dewatering and loss of pressure due to largescale quarrying and deep drilling, it is necessary to identify the sources and routes whereby the thermal water travels to its resurgences in the Avon valley. Control over deep water movements is exercised by the structure and size of the aquifers and aquicludes, modified by zones of Quaternary—Recent fracturing along which water movements have not been restricted or blocked by mineralization.     

Geochemical assessment of the contaminant potential of granite fines produced during sawing and related processes associated to the dimension stone industry

Granite fines are inorganic wastes produced in the elaboration of dimension stone. Because of the increasing development of that industry in NW Spain, some concerns related to their classification as type of waste and their environmental impact have been raised. We have performed a detailed physicochemical, mineralogical and geomechanical characterization of the fines and the results make up the basis of several modeling exercises addressed to give answers to particular topics: the impact of high pH waters on the environment and the mobility of some toxic metals. Based on our analyses, we conclude that granite fines do not constitute a significant hazard to the quality of natural waters.     

The state and its agencies in coastal resources management: The political ecology of fisheries management in Pattani, southern Thailand

Various stakeholders contribute to the current state of resource management in the inshore fisheries of Pattani, southern Thailand. Taking the state, empowered by national legislation, as the main agent of enforcement, this paper uses an actor-oriented approach derived from political ecology to evaluate how key agents in state agencies at provincial and district levels translate Thai political and legal systems at the local level; more specifically, how cross-scalar institutional linkages and translations affect coastal resources management and the access of village-based, small-scale fishermen to coastal resources. The paper shows that trans-scalar interpretations have created a space of contestation and negotiation in resource governance at the local level that reveals intrastate tensions. Based on extensive fieldwork, the paper demonstrates that access to environmental resources at the local level is highly influenced or regulated by the unequal power relations between different actors at various levels.     

开展中国近海地球化学调查的设想与建议

海洋是蓝色资源宝库,蕴藏着丰富的资源.开发海洋是国家的重大战略举措.从海洋开发和我国勘查地球化学发展的战略角度出发,探讨了开展近海地球化学调查的目的意义及可行性与必要性,并就开展近海地球化学调查的思路和设想提出了一些个人看法.认为依托陆地区域地球化学调查的成功经验,利用现代海洋勘查技术,通过研究近海地球化学调查的方法与技术,开展中国近海海域的区域地球化学调查是完全可行的,而且,还具有前沿性和创新性.     

A new record of Sebastes koreanus from China based on morphological characters and DNA barcoding

A new record of Sebastes koreanus(Kim and Lee,1994) was documented based on morphological characters and DNA barcoding. Fifty-six S ebastes specimens were collected from the coastal waters of northern China. Samples were identified as S. koreanus based on morphological characters. The coloration and morphometric measurements were consistent with those described from specimens collected in South Korea. In this study,specimens had the following morphological characteristics:light brown body with dark stripes and tiny dark spots,4–5 wide indistinct vertical patterns on the side,2 radial stripes behind and below the eyes,1 large dark blotch on the opercle. Additionally,the following meristic characters were recorded:dorsal fin XIV-13,pectoral fin 16,anal fin III-6–7,pelvic fin I-5,lateral line scales 29–30,and vertebrae 26. The fragment of cytochrome oxidase subunit I(C OI) gene of mitochondrial DNA was sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. The mean genetic distance within the species was 0.3%. Net genetic distances between S. koreanus and other S ebastes species ranged from 3.1% to 7.6%,which was greater than the threshold for species delimitation. The phylogenetic analysis strongly supports the validity of S. koreanus in China at the genetic level. The origion,evolution,patterns of speciation and unique features in genome divergence among primate lineages of this species still need future directions of research.