Variations in the Rate of Anaerobic Succinate Accumulation within the Central and Marginal Regions of an Euryoxic Bivalve Mantle

Abstract. Anaerobic metabolism in the central and marginal portions of the mantle of Mercenaria mercenaria was compared. Anaerobic succinate accumulation was more rapid in the central region. This difference may be due to higher phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity in the central region. Thus, the central region is more specialized for anaerobic metabolism and the marginal region more for net shell growth. The original rate of succinate accumulation in the mantle is similar in isolated mantles and intact clams, suggesting that mantle succinate production does not require translocation of precursors from other tissues. However, in intact clams, the rate of succinate accumulation in the central region of the mantle slows after four hours. The reduced rate is probably caused by reducing the metabolic rate. Succinate accumulation and shell dissolution are slower in freshly collected clams than in clams that had been stored anaerobically. The difference may be due to induction of PEPCK synthesis during storage. Shell derived calcium did not accumulate in the mantle and, therefore did not alter the intracellular calcium concentration in the mantle.     

Origin of Oils in “Subtle pools” in the Dongying Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, China

Subtle traps or oil pools have become an important exploration play in the Dongying Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, east China. Despite recent successes in exploration, the formation mechanisms of subtle traps are still not well understood. The majority of subtle oil pools in the Dongying Depression are developed in the middle interval of the Es3 Member of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation with the subtle traps being primarily of lenticular basin-floor turbidite sands encompassed in mudstones. Oil in the subtle traps was previously thought to have migrated directly from the surrounding source rocks of the same formation （Es3）. Detailed geochemical investigation of 41 oils and 41 rock samples from the depression now indicates that the oils from the subtle traps cannot be correlated well with the surrounding Es3 source rocks, which are characterized by high Pr/ Ph （〉1）, low Gammacerane/C30hopane, representing a freshwater lacustrine setting. In contrast the oils features low Pr/Ph （〈1） and relatively high Gammacerane content, showing a genetic affinity with the underlying Es4 source rocks, which also have the same qualities, indicating a brackish lacustrine setting. Oils in the Es3 subtle traps are probably derived from mixed sources with the contribution from the upper Es4 source rocks predominating. Therefore unconventional oil migration and accumulation mechanisms need to be invoked to explain the pooling of oils from the ES4 source rocks, which probably came through a thick low interval of the Es3 source rocks with no apparent structural or stratigraphic pathways. We suggest that the subtle oil migration pathway probably plays an important role here. This finding may have significant implications for future exploration and the remaining resource evaluation in the Dongying Depression.     

The Glarus thrust: excursion guide and report of a field trip of the Swiss Tectonic Studies Group (Swiss Geological Society, 14.–16. 09. 2006)

This excursion guide results form a field trip to the Glarus nappe complex organized by the Swiss Tectonic Studies Group in 2006. The aim of the excursion was to discuss old and recent concepts related to the evolution of the Glarus thrust. The major aspects were (i) the interplay between deformation, fluid flow and geochemical alteration, (ii) episodic versus continuous deformation and fluid flow, and (iii) the link between large-scale structures, microstructures, and geochemical aspects. Despite 150 years of research in the Glarus nappe complex and the new results discussed during the excursion, there exist controversies that still are unsolved.     

Quantification of the risk associated with high levels of mercury pollution at Temirtau, Kazakhstan

This research aims to establish the risks of hurnan exposure to modeling approach. The study site was located on the River Nura 1990s, an acetaldehyde production plant located in the industrial high environmental mercury levels, based on a quantitative risk in central Kazakhstan. From the 1950s until its closure in the mid city of Temirtau released mercury-containing wastewater into the river. River sediments are highly contaminated with mercury up to a distance of 25 km and beyond. In addition, a local power station released an estimated 6 million tonnes of fly-ash into the water and the mercury has become quite tightly associated with the ash deposits. River water, fish and agricultural land in the floodplain are also contaminated with mercury, yet the risks posed to the local population have not been evaluated to date. In June and July 2005, we took samples of soil, interior and exterior dust, drinking water, and food from individual households, communal areas and markets. Additionally, water and sediment samples and fish were taken from the river. Interviews were conducted with householders to establish their age and body weight, general living conditions and sources of irrigation and drinking water. A food frequency questionnaire （FFQ） was designed to investigate the frequencies of consumption of several common regional food items, including fish from the fiver and/or local market. Human hair samples were also collected to estimate the mercury bioburden and to enable the validity of the modeling approach to be established. The paper expands on the main pathways of contamination and looks at linkages between exposure pathways and mercury concentrations found in human hair. Uncertainties inherent in risk analysis as well as their influence on the relative importance of different exposure routes are also discussed.     

油气成藏机理研究进展和前沿研究领域

随着地质工作者刻划和认识地下地质体构成、结构的能力及研究和预测沉积盆地能量场（温度场、压力场和应力场）及其演化能力的不断提高，以流体流动和油气运移为核心的油气成藏机理研究取得了重要进展：（1）证实了油气的优势通道运移并妆步提示了优势运移通道的微观和宏观控制机制，从而使基于油气运移路径三维预测的油气藏定位预测成为可能；（2）证实了幕式快速成藏过程并初步揭示了幕式成藏的驱动机制、有利场所和地球化学识别标志，突破了油气成藏是一个缓慢渗流过程的传统模式；（3）深盆气勘探和成藏机理研究取得了进展，从而突破了背斜成藏的传统观念，使“向斜”（盆地凹陷区）成为一些盆地寻找大型天然气藏的重要场所。沉积盆地深层油气成藏过程和保存条件、活动构造背景下油气晚期快速成藏过程是油气成藏机理研究的重要前沿研究领域。     

柴达木盆地三湖地区第四系生物气的形成途径与运聚方式

柴达木盆地三湖(台吉乃尔湖、涩聂湖、达布逊湖)地区第四系生物气区是我国最大的生物气区。笔者系统采集了该气区21个天然气样品,测量了其组分和碳同位素组成,重点探讨了生物气形成途径和运聚方式。生物气δ~(13)C_1和δ~(13)C_(CO_2)均随深度增大而变重,显示了CO_2还原途径成气的特征。生物气δ~(13)C_1、δ~(13)C_(CO_2)和δD分布与CO_2还原方式形成的生物气的相应同位素值分布范围接近。在有关成因图解中这些数据主要位于CO_2还原途径成气范围内。生物气CO_2和CH_4之间的碳同位素分馏系数α_c>1.055,具有CO_2还原途径成气的特征。柴达木盆地第四纪干旱的古气候、较低的古温度、较高的沉积速率和水体中较高的硫酸盐含量使得甲烷菌的大量繁殖只能在较大的深度范围内才能实现,从而,有利于CO_2还原途径成气作用进行。涩北一号、涩北二号气田生物气δ~(13)C_1组成分布可能表明,生物气形成以后沿疏导层水平运移进入气藏,基本不存在垂向运移。该项研究对于进一步深入探讨生物气成因、形成条件,确定生物气模拟实验方式与条件,计算生物气资源量,建立成藏模式和选择天然气有利勘探区块均具有重要价值。     

An Algorithm for the Determination of All Significant Pathways in Chemical Reaction Systems

When the output of a complex chemical model is analysed, a typical topic isthe determination of pathways, i.e., reaction sequences, that produce ordestroy a chemical species of interest.A representative example is the investigation of catalytic ozone destruction cycles in the stratosphere.An algorithm for the automatic determination of pathways in any given reactionsystem is presented. Under the assumption that reaction rates are known, it finds all significant pathways, i.e., all pathways with a rate above a prescribed threshold.The algorithm forms pathways step by step, starting from single reactions.The chemical species in the system are consecutively considered as `branching points'.For every branching-point species, each pathway producing it is connected witheach pathway consuming it.Rates proportional to `branching probabilities' are calculated.Pathways with a rate that is smaller than a prescribed threshold arediscarded.If a newly formed pathway contains sub-pathways, e.g., null cycles, it is split into these simpler pathways.In order to demonstrate the performance of the algorithm, it has been applied to the determination of catalytic ozone destruction cycles and methaneoxidation pathways in the stratosphere.     

透明胞外聚合颗粒物碳输运新途径

目前大家普遍认为,透明胞外聚合颗粒物(Transparent Exopolymer Particles,TEP)因其独特的凝聚效应导致碳通量向海底输出。但是,近几年的研究表明TEP不仅影响了碳沉降途径,其本身能够悬浮甚至向海水表层迁移,导致其在海洋微表层(Surface Micro-layer, SML)积累,最终显著影响海洋表层碳通量。TEP和其他颗粒物聚集形成凝聚物后,其运动趋势则由凝聚物中TEP的含量占比,即最终颗粒物密度所决定。一个新的值得注意的现象是,密度低的TEP通过与其他微粒聚合形成表面活性物质(Surface-active Substances, SAS),会在海洋–大气界面形成薄膜,显著影响海–气CO₂交换通量,甚至对全球气候变化造成影响。     

Intraseasonal oscillation intensity over the western North Pacific:Projected changes under global warming

本文利用8个CMIP5模式的日资料,预估了RCP4.5和RCP8.5情景下全球增温达1.5℃和2.0℃时西北太平洋夏季30～60天和10～20天季节内振荡(ISO)强度的变化情况.大多数模式都认为,无论增温水平或情景如何,预估结果均显示从中南半岛南部到菲律宾以东的带状区域内ISO强度增加,并且关键气象要素背景的变化会对...