Diverse transformations of sulfur in seabird-affected sediments revealed by microbial and stable isotope analyses

Microbial communities,sulfur isotope of sulfides(δ^(34)S_(AVS)and δ^(34)S_(CRS)),and sulfur and oxygen isotopes of sulfate(δ^(34)S_(SO_(4))and δ^(18)O_(SO_(4)))in sediments were analyzed to reveal the biogeochemical transformations of sulfur in a seabird-affected lake Y2 and a se abird-free YO from Fildes Peninsula,Antarctic Peninsula.The microbial communities in Y2 were mainly associated with penguin activities,while those in YO were limited by nutrients.The much enriched δ^(34)S_(SO_(4))recorded at depth of 30,41,and 52 cm in Y2indicates very strong sulfate reduction therein.The sulfur-degrading bacteria Pseudomonas in 0-23 cm of Y2 was 3.5 time s as abundant as that of sulfur oxidizing bacteria(SOB),indicating remarkable remineralization of organic sulfur.The abundant SOB and ^(34)S-depleted sulfate indicate considerable sulfur oxidation in 34-56-cm layer in Y2.In YO sediments,the highest abundance of Desulfotalea and the most enriched δ^(34)S_(SO_(4))(35.2‰)and δ^(34)S_(CRS)(2.5‰)indicate the strongest sulfate reduction in 28-cm layer.High abundance of Pseudomonas indicates active remineralization of organic sulfur in 3-5-cm layer in YO.The medium δ^(34)S_(SO_(4))and considerable abundance of SOB and sulfate-reducing bacteria(SRB)indicate concurrence of sulfur oxidation and sulfate reduction in other layers in YO.Therefore,a high level of organic matter input from penguin populations supported the diverse microbial community and transformations of sulfur in aquatic ecosystems in Antarctica.

Mathematical modeling of fluid flow, heat transfer and inclusion transport in a four strand tundish

Mathematical simulation was used for trouble-shooting and optimization. By the mathematical simulation, fluid flow and beat transfer of molten-steel in a four-strand tundish of a billet caster under different conditions （bare tundish and tundish with flow control device） were analyzed, The results showed that （1） the tundish with flow control device （FCD） has an important effect on the fluid pattern and temperature distribution; （2） the unsteady, solving method was used to model the inclusion motions at different time perthds, and it showed that the FCD is advantageous to separate the nonmetallic inclusions. According to the simulation results, the main problem existing in the industry preduction was found, and some helpful rneasurements were executed. Consequently, the large nonmetallic inclusions were separated, and the content of total oxygen was reduced. The qualily of steel was greatly improved.