Late Mesozoic tectonostratigraphic division and correlation of the Bohai Bay basin: Implications for the Yanshanian Orogeny

We present the results of Mesozoic sequences of the Bohai Bay basin in North China, based mainly on geochronology and interpretations of seismic profiles and logging data. Five tectono-stratigraphic sequences are defined: Lower-Middle Triassic, Lower-Middle Jurassic, Upper Jurassic, Lower Cretaceous and Upper Cretaceous. Based on an analysis of detrital zircons, the clastic rocks recorded two intervals of Jurassic magmatic activity, during 180–175 and 160–152 Ma, which can be correlated to the Nandaling and Tiaojishan Formations in the Yanshan area, respectively. However, since Jurassic volcanic rocks have not yet been found in the Bohai Bay basin, we speculate that these two stages of activity were mainly concentrated around the periphery of the North China Craton(NCC) rather than within. Based on an analysis of zircons from volcanic rocks and pyroclastics, the early Cretaceous magmatism in the Bohai Bay basin can be divided into two stages, 125–120 and 110–100 Ma,which can be correlated to magmatism in the eastern part of the NCC. The zircon ages indicate an absence of volcanic activity during the late Tuchengzi and Zhangjiakou periods which may correlate to the uplift of the Bohai Bay basin in the late Late Jurassic. Comparison of the development of Mesozoic basins and sedimentary strata in the central-eastern part of Yanshan tectonic belt and the the Bohai Bay basin indicates that the two areas are generally comparable, but with substantial differences.The central-eastern part of the Yanshan structural belt lacks Early-Middle Triassic strata, and the Bohai Bay basin lacks late Jurassic-early Cretaceous strata. Based on research results from late Mesozoic sedimentary structures in the central and eastern parts of the Yanshan tectonic belt, we infer that episode A of the Yanshanian Orogeny was weak in the Bohai Bay basin and its periphery, while episode B of the Yanshanian Orogeny had a strong influence on the Bohai Bay basin and its periphery. The available data reveal differences in the expression of these episodes: the Bohai Bay basin is characterized by vertical uplift, and the northern margin of NCC is characterized by horizontal compression uplift.

Variation of temporal and spatial patterns of NO_2 in Beijing using OMI and mobile DOAS

Control policies such as "odd-and-even license plate rule" were implemented by the Chinese government to restrict traffic and suspend factory production in Beijing and neighboring cities during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. We use ozone monitoring instrument(OMI), mobile differential optical absorption spectroscopy(DOAS), and multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy(MAX-DOAS) to measure the variation of the spatial and temporal patterns of NO2 column densities from October 24, 2014 to November 22, 2014. It is found that the NO2 column densities during the episode of control policies are significantly lower than those during other periods, and the emission flux of NO2 calculated by mobile DOAS is also lower than the results from other periods. Some daily low NO2 column densities occur with the northwest wind direction. We then compare the relationship between OMI and mobile DOAS NO2 column density observations, and the results of mobile DOAS are approximately 2.7 times larger than the OMI values. The largest discrepancy occurs in the northern part of Beijing city. In other parts, the two instruments have a better correlation coefficient(R2) of 0.61. The low NO2 column densities that occur during the episode of control policies are affected by the control policies as well as meteorological conditions.

Radioanalytical chemistry for nuclear forensics in China:Progress and future perspective

A relatively new branch of science-nuclear forensics,aiming at providing the nature,origin,history and possible trafficking route of seized nuclear materials/devices,has been established and rapidly developed over decades to screen illicit nuclear activities.This highly interdisciplinary science is built upon a foundation of analytical chemistry,radiochemistry,nuclear physics,material sciences,geology,and other scientific disciplines,within which radiochemical methodologies and radioanalytical techniques play a key role.The present review provides a brief overview about the crucial aspects of nuclear forensics,including basic content,procedure,concerned elements,common separation,analytical method,and so on.The state of the art and recent progresses of nuclear forensics by research communities in China are reviewed,while selected examples and practical applications are emphasized.The challenges associated with this new area and on-going developments are highlighted and discussed.