Near-surface wind field characteristics of the desert-oasis transition zone in Dunhuang,China

The desert-oasis transition zone(DOTZ)serves as a buffer area between the desert and oasis.Understanding its wind field characteristics is of great significance for the prevention and control of aeolian disasters in the oasis.In this study,we used meteorological data during 2013–2019 from the portable meteorological stations at five sites(site A on the edge of the oasis,sites B,C,and D in the DOTZ,and site O in the desert)in Dunhuang,China to analyze the near-surface wind field characteristics and their causes,as well as to reveal the key role of the DOTZ in oasis protection.The results showed that the mean wind speed,frequency of sand-driving wind,and directional variability of wind decreased from west to east within the DOTZ,and wind speed was significantly affected by air temperature.The terrain influenced the prevailing winds in the region,mainly from northeast and southwest.Only some areas adjacent to the oasis were controlled by southeasterly wind.This indicated that the near-surface wind field characteristics of the DOTZ were caused by the combined effects of local terrain and surface hydrothermal difference.At site D,the annual drift potential(DP)was 24.95 vector units(VU),indicating a low wind energy environment,and the resultant drift direction(RDD)showed obvious seasonal differences.Additionally,the DOTZ played an important buffering role between the desert and oasis.Compared with the desert,the mean wind speed in the oasis decreased by 64.98%,and the prevailing wind direction was more concentrated.The results of this study will be useful in interpreting the aeolian activity of the DOTZ in Dunhuang.

Influence of Evaporating Under the Clouds on the Precipitation Stable Isotope in the Transition Zone Between Tibetan Plateau and Arid Region of China

Consideration of stable isotopes in precipitation is valuable for investigating hydrological processes.Therefore,correcting the measured isotopic composition of precipitation under below-cloud evaporation is necessary.An accurate description of the underlying processes affecting stable isotopic composition of precipitation could help improve our understanding of the water cycle.The transitivity between monsoonal and arid climates was reflected by the evaporation rate of falling raindrops in precipitation in the Qilian Mountains,a typical transition zone between Tibetan Plateau and arid region of China.Considering 1310 precipitation event-scale samples,based on stable isotope analysis method,the mean below-cloud evaporation rate(f)in the study area was measured as 12.00%during the summer half-year(May-October).The evaporation rate on the northern slopes(12.70%)of the Qilian Mountains in China was significantly higher than that on the southern slopes(9.98%).The transition between monsoonal and arid climates was reflected in the evaporation rate of falling raindrops during precipitation in the Qilian Mountains of China.Below-cloud evaporation contributed to a noticeable enrichment of stable isotopes in the precipitation in the study area.The monthly precipitationδ^(18)O enrichment rate in the Qilian Mountains of China from May to October was 29.18%,23.35%,25.60%,22.99%,31.64%,and 14.72%,respectively.For every 1.00%increase in the evaporation rate of raindrops in Qilian Mountains of China,the changes in the concentration of oxygen isotopes from the bottom of the clouds to the ground increased by 0.92‰;however,with an evaporation rate of<5.00%,for every 1.00%increase in the evaporation rate of raindrops the changes in the concentration of oxygen isotopes from the bottom of the clouds to the ground increased by 1.00‰could also be observed.Furthermore,altitude was an important factor affecting below-cloud evaporation in the study area.

Influence Mechanism of Curing Regimes on Interfacial Transition Zone of Lightweight Ultra-High Performance Concrete

This study aims to clarify the effects of curing regimes and lightweight aggregate(LWA)on the morphology, width and mechanical properties of the interfacial transition zone(ITZ) of ultra-high performance concrete(UHPC), and provide reference for the selection of lightweight ultra-high performance concrete(L-UHPC) curing regimes and the pre-wetting degree LWA. The results show that, under the three curing regimes(standard curing, steam curing and autoclaved curing), LWA is tightly bound to the matrix without obvious boundaries. ITZ width increases with the water absorption of LWA and decreases with increasing curing temperature. The ITZ microhardness is the highest when water absorption is 3%, and the microhardness value is more stable with the distance from LWA. Steam and autoclaved curing increase ITZ microhardness compared to standard curing. As LWA pre-wetting and curing temperatures increase, the degree of hydration at the ITZ increases, generating high-density CSH(HD CSH) and ultra-high-density CSH(UHD CSH), and reducing unhydrated particles in ITZ. ITZ micro-mechanical properties are optimized due to hydration products being denser.

Multiphysics processes in the interfacial transition zone of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites under induced curing pressure and implications for mine backfill materials: A critical review

The mesoscale fiber-matrix interfacial transition zone(FM-ITZ) under induced curing pressure plays a key role in the effectiveness of fiber reinforcement and the engineering application of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites(FRCCs). This critical review establishes the link among induced curing pressure(i.e., external loading condition), multiphysics processes(i.e., internal governing mechanism), and interface behavior(i.e., material behavior) for FRCC materials through analysis of the state-of-the-art research findings on the FM-ITZ of FRCC materials. The following results are obtained. For the mechanical process, the induced curing pressure changes the stress state and enhances multicracking behavior, which can strengthen the FM-ITZ. For the hydraulic process, the strengthened seepage of the FM-ITZ under induced curing pressure weakens the effective stress and exaggerates the deficiency in water retention capacity between the bulk matrix and the FMITZ. For the thermal process, the induced curing pressure causes a steep temperature gradient in the FM-ITZ and thus influences the temperature evolution and thermally-induced microcracks in the FM-ITZ. For the chemical process, the induced curing pressure enhances hydration kinetics and results in the formation of additional hydration products in the FM-ITZ. Moreover, recommendations are proposed on the basis of findings from this review to facilitate the implementation of fiber reinforcement in cemented paste backfill technology.

Influence of train speed and its mitigation measures in the short-and long-term performance of a ballastless transition zone

The ballastless track is nowadays the most popular railway system due to the required low number of maintenance opera-tions and costs,despite the high investment.The gradual change from ballasted to ballastless tracks has been occurring in Asia,but also in Europe,increasing the number of transition zones.The transition zones are a special area of the railway networks where there is an accelerated process of track degradation,which is a major concern of the railway infrastructure managers.Thus,the accurate prediction of the short-and long-term performance of ballastless tracks in transition zones is an important topic in the current paradigm of building/rehabilitating high-speed lines.This work purposes the development of an advanced 3D model to study the global performance of a ballastless track in an embankment-tunnel transition zone considering the influence of the train speed(220,360,500,and 600 km/h).Moreover,a mitigation measure is also adopted to reduce the stress and displacements levels of the track in the transition.A resilient mat placed in the tunnel and embank-ment aims to soften the transition.The behaviour of the track with the resilient mat is evaluated considering the influence of the train speed,with special attention regarding the critical speed.The used methodology is a novel and hybrid approach that allows including short-term and long-term performance,through the development of a powerful 3D model combined with the implementation of a calibrated empirical permanent deformation model.

Stem sap flow of Haloxylon ammodendron at different ages and its response to physical factors in the Minqin oasis-desert transition zone, China

Haloxylon ammodendron, with its tolerance of drought, high temperature, and salt alkali conditions, is one of the main sand-fixing plant species in the oasis-desert transition zone in China. This study used the TDP30(where TDP is the thermal dissipation probe) to measure hourly and daily variations in the stem sap flow velocity of H. ammodendron at three age-classes(10, 15, and 20 years old,which were denoted as H10, H15, and H20, respectively) in the Minqin oasis-desert transition zone,China, from May through October 2020. By simultaneously monitoring temperature, relative humidity,photosynthetically active radiation, wind speed, net radiation, rainfall, and soil moisture in this region, we comprehensively investigated the stem sap flow velocity of different-aged H. ammodendron plants(H10,H15, and H20) and revealed its response to physical factors. The results showed that, on sunny days, the hourly variation curves of the stem sap flow velocity of H. ammodendron plants at the three age-classes were mainly unimodal. In addition, the stem sap flow velocity of H. ammodendron plants decreased significantly from September to October, which also delayed its peak time of hourly variation. On rainy days, the stem sap flow velocity of H. ammodendron plants was multimodal and significantly lower than that on sunny days.Average daily water consumption of H. ammodendron plants at H10, H15, and H20 was 1.98, 2.82, and 1.91kg/d, respectively. Temperature was the key factor affecting the stem sap flow velocity of H. ammodendron at all age-classes. Net radiation was the critical factor influencing the stem sap flow velocity of H.ammodendron at H10 and H15;however, for that at H20, it was vapor pressure deficit. The stem sap flow velocity of H. ammodendron was highly significantly correlated with soil moisture at the soil depths of 50and 100 cm, and the correlation was strengthened with increasing stand age. Altogether, our results revealed the dynamic changes of the stem sap flow velocity in different-aged H. ammodendron forest stands and its response mechanism to local physical factors, which provided a theoretical basis for the construction of new protective forests as well as the restoration and protection of existing ones in this region and other similar arid regions in the world.

Evapotranspiration of an oasis-desert transition zone in the middle stream of Heihe River, Northwest China

As a main component in water balance, evapotranspiration is of great importance for water saving and irrigation-measure making, especially in arid or semiarid regions. Although studies of evapotranspiration have been conducted for a long time, studies concentrated on oasis-desert transition zone are very limited. On the basis of the meteorological data and other parameters（e.g. leaf area index（LAI）） of an oasis-desert transition zone in the middle stream of Heihe River from 2005 to 2011, this paper calculated both reference（ET0） and actual evapotranspiration（ETc） using FAO56 Penman-Monteith and Penman-Monteith models, respectively. In combination with pan evaporation（Ep） measured by E601 pan evaporator, four aspects were analyzed：（1） ET0 was firstly verified by Ep;（2） Characteristics of ET0 and ETc were compared, while the influencing factors were also analyzed;（3） Since meteorological data are often unavailable for estimating ET0 through FAO56 Penman-Monteith model in this region, pan evaporation coefficient（Kp） is very important when using observed Ep to predict ET0. Under this circumstance, an empirical formula of Kp was put forward for this region;（4） Crop coefficient（Kc）, an important index to reflect evapotranspiration, was also analyzed. Results show that mean annual values of ET0 and ETc were 840 and 221 mm, respectively. On the daily bases, ET0 and ETc were 2.3 and 0.6 mm/d, respectively. The annual tendency of ET0 and ETc was very similar, but their amplitude was obviously different. The differences among ET0 and ETc were mainly attributed to the different meteorological variables and leaf area index. The calculated Kc was about 0.25 and showed little variation during the growing season, indicating that available water（e.g. precipitation and irrigation） of about 221 mm/a was required to keep the water balance in this region. The results provide an comprehensive analysis of evapotranspiration for an oasis-desert transition zone in the middle stream of Heihe River, which was seldom reported before.

Tumor formation of prostate cancer cells influenced by stromal cells from the transitional or peripheral zones of the normal prostate

This study was designed to investigate the different involvements of prostatic stromal cells from the normal transitional zone(TZ)or peripheral zone(PZ)in the carcinogenesis of prostate cancer(PCa)epithelial cells(PC-3)in vitro and in vivo co-culture models.Ultra-structures and gene expression profiles of primary cultures of human prostatic stromal cells from the normal TZ or PZ were analyzed by electron microscopy and microarray analysis.In vitro and in vivo co-culture models composed of normal TZ or PZ stromal cells and human PCa PC-3 cells were established.We assessed tumor growth and weight in the in vivo nude mice model.There are morphological and ultra-structural differences in stromal cells from TZ and PZ of the normal prostate.In all,514 differentially expressed genes were selected by microarray analysis;483 genes were more highly expressed in stromal cells from TZ and 31 were more highly expressed in those from PZ.Co-culture with PZ stromal cells and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)increased the tumor growth of PC-3 cells in vitro and in vivo,as well as Bcl-2 expression.On the other hand,stromal cells of TZ suppressed PC-3 cell tumor growth in the mouse model.We conclude that ultra-structures and gene expression differ between the stromal cells from TZ or PZ of the normal prostate,and stroma-epithelium interactions from TZ or PZ might be responsible for the distinct zonal localization of prostate tumor formation.

Effect of the Entrained Air Void on Strength and Interfacial Transition Zone of Air-Entrained Mortar

In order to facilitate the development and application of air entraining agents (AEA) in the high performance concrete, entrained air void structure parameters (air void size range from 10 to 1 600 mu m) of 28 d sifted mortar were measured by image analysis method. The relationship between the air void size distribution and strength of mortar was studied by methods of grey connection analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. The multiple linear regression equation was established with a correlation coefficient of 0.966. The weight of the affection of hierarchical porosity on the compressive strength ratio was also obtained. In addition, the effect of air voids on the paste-aggregate interfacial transition zone (ITZ) was analyzed by microhardness. The results show that the correlation between different pore size range and the compressive strength is negative. The effect of air void size distribution on 28 days compressive strength is different: under the condition of similar total porosity, with the increase of the porosity of the air void size, ranging from 10 to 200 mu m, and the decrease of the porosity, ranging from 200 to 1 600 mu m, the average air void diameter and mean free spacing are decreased; as well as the width of ITZ. On the contrary, the microhardness of the ITZ is increased while the compressive strength loss is decreased.

Quantitative Analysis and Affecting Factors of the Overlapping Degree of Interfacial Transition Zone between Neighboring Aggregates in Concrete

Based on the nearest surface function formula, a quantitative formula to measure the overlapping degree between the interfacial transition zone （ITZ） of neighboring aggregate particles was put forward. The formula was further deduced to quantitatively analyze the influence of the volume fraction of aggregate, ITZ thickness and the maximum aggregate diameter on the overlapping degree between neighboring ITZ. The volume of ITZ was quantitatively calculated in actual concrete by comparing the nearest surface function formula with an approximate method, that is the surface area of the aggregates multiplied by the uniform thickness of the ITZ layers. The results showed that the influencing order of these three factors on the overlapping degree between neighboring ITZ in turn was the interface thickness, aggregate volume fraction and the maximum aggregate diameter; As long as the interface thickness 50 μm and the aggregate volume fraction 50%, the calculated error between two methods mentioned above is about 10 %.

Multi-parametric MR imaging of transition zone prostate cancer: Imaging features, detection and staging

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been increasingly used in the evaluation of prostate cancer. As studies have suggested that the majority of cancers arise from the peripheral zone (PZ), MR imaging has focused on the PZ of the prostate gland thus far. However, a considerable number of cancers (up to 30%) originate in the transition zone (TZ), substantially contributing to morbidity and mortality. Therefore, research is needed on the TZ of the prostate gland. Recently, MR imaging and advanced MR techniques have been gaining acceptance in evaluation of the TZ. In this article, the MR imaging features of TZ prostate cancers, the role of MR imaging in TZ cancer detection and staging, and recent advanced MR techniques will be discussed in light of the literature.

A circular zone counting method of identifying a Duffing oscillator state transition and determining the critical value in weak signal detection

Identifying state transition and determining the critical value of the Duffing oscillator are crucial to indicating external signal existence and have a great influence on detection accuracy in weak signal detection. A circular zone counting （CZC） method is proposed in this paper, by combining the Duffing oscillator＇s phase trajectory feature and numerical calculation for quickly and accurately identifying state transition and determining the critical value, to realize a high- efficiency weak signal detection. Detailed model analysis and method construction of the CZC method are introduced. Numerical experiments into the reliability of the proposed CZC method compared with the maximum Lyapunov exponent （MLE） method are carried out. The CZC method is demonstrated to have better detecting ability than the MLE method, and furthermore it is simpler and clearer in calculation to extend to engineering application.

Imaging mantle transition zone discontinuities in southwest China from dense array ambient noise interferometry

Body waves retrieved from ambient noise cross-correlation functions（NCFs） have been reported by more and more recent studies in addition to the dominant recovered surface waves. And one of important applications of these recovered body waves is to investigate the structure of discontinuities within the mantle transition zone（MTZ）. In this study, clear body wave phases reflected from the MTZ discontinuities at 410 km and 660 km have been observed on the NCFs in the frequency band of 0.1–0.2 Hz from a dense regional seismic array in southwest China. The original timedomain reflected signals in the NCFs were first converted to the depth-domain NCFs based on a velocity model before they were further stacked spatially within different bins. Then the depth-domain NCFs were stacked to investigate the lateral variations of the MTZ discontinuities, that is, the 410-km and 660-km discontinuities. Our results exhibit a simple and lateral coherent P;P phase and a much more complicated P;P phase along two profiles, which are in good agreement with mineralogical prediction and recent receiver function studies in the same area. This interferometric method can provide stable reflected body wave phases mainly in the frequency band 0.1–0.2 Hz due to the secondary microseism noise, which can be potentially used for high-resolution mantle interface imaging. This approach is also a good complement to traditional imaging methods, such as receiver function imaging.

Discussion on position of China’s north-south transitional zone by comparative analysis of mountain altitudinal belts

The Qinling Mountains has always been regarded as an essential dividing line between the warm temperate zone and the subtropical zone in eastern China and plays a vital role in the geoecological pattern of China.However,there is controversy about the specific location of this geographical boundary in the academic community.As a product of the combined effects of zonal and non-zonal factors,the mountain altitudinal belts(MABs)can reflect both the horizontal zonality and the vertical zonality of vegetation distribution.Using the MAB information,we can not only profoundly understand the complex mountain system of QinlingDaba Mountains but can also judge its nature as a geographical boundary more scientifically.Therefore,based on the comparative analysis of basal belt,dominant belt characteristics and belt structure characteristics of the MABs in Qinling-Daba Mountains,subtropical and temperate mountains,this paper analyzed the MAB differences and similarities among Qinling-Daba Mountains,subtropical and temperate typical mountains,to reveal the vegetation distribution characteristics in the north-south transitional zone.The results show that:(1)The MABs of the southern part of QinlingDaba Mountains(southern slope of the Daba Mountains)are the same or similar to those of the Subtropical Mountains,and the MABs of the northern part of Qinling-Daba Mountains(northern slope of the Qinling Mountains)are similar to those of the temperate mountains.While it shows obvious transitional characteristics in the vast area between the northern slope of the Daba Mountains and the southern slope of the Qinling Mountains:the basal belts gradually transit from the evergreen broadleaved forest belt(basal belt in subtropical mountains)to the evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest belt,and the dominant belts also transit from the evergreen broad-leaved forest belt to the evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest belt or the deciduous broad-leaved forest belt.(2)The transitional zone between the subtropical zone and the warm temperate zone is located between the northern slope of the Daba Mountains and the southern slope of the Qinling Mountains.The southern boundary of the transitional zone is along the northern slope of Shennongjia Mountain-the northern slope of Micang Mountain-Baishuijiang Nature Reserve,and the northern boundary is along the southern slope of Funiu Mountain-the southern slope of Taibai Mountain-Lianhua Mountain.Additionally,in the transitional zone,the average temperature in January is between-5°C and 1°C,the annual average temperature is between 10°C and 13°C except Hanzhong Basin and Hanshui Valley,and the accumulated temperature above 10°C ranges from 2000°C to 4000°C,the annual rainfall is about 800-1000 mm.The results provide a scientific basis for revealing the characteristics of China’s north-south transitional zone and scientific division of the boundary between the subtropical zone and warm temperate zone in China.

Modeling and Software Development of the Interfacial Transition Zone of Ellipsoidal Aggregate in Cement-Based Composites

The interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between the aggregates and the bulk paste is the weakest zone of ordinary concrete, which largely determines its mechanical and transporting properties. However, a complete understanding and a quantitative modeling of ITZ are still lacking. Consequently, an integrated modeling and experimental study were conducted. First, the theoretical calculation model of the ITZ volume fraction about the rotary ellipsoidal aggregate particles was established based on the nearest surface function formula. Its calculation programs were written based on Visual Basic 6.0 language and achieved visualization and functionalization. Then, the influencing factors of ITZ volume fraction of the ellipsoidal aggregate particles and the overlapping degree between the ITZ were systematically analyzed. Finally, the calculation models of ITZ volume fraction on actual ellipsoidal aggregate were given, based on cobblestones or pebbles particles with naturally ellipsoidal shape. The results indicate that the calculation model proposed is highly reliable.

Study of crust-mantle transitional zone along the northeast margin of Qinghai-Xizang plateau

This study deals with complexity, frequency spectrum and velocity model of the crust-mantle transitional zone in different tectonic units along the northeast margin of Qinghai-Xizang plateau, based on PmP waveform data from two deep seismic sounding profiles passing through the area. It reveals that Moho has stable tectonic features in Ordos and Lingzhong basins, where crust and mantle are coupled as first-order discontinuity. Moho shows obvious signs of activity in Haiyuan seismic region and in the contact zone between Bayanhar block and Qaidam block. Crust and mantle in these two areas are coupled as complicated crust-mantle transitional zone consisting of multiple laminae with alternate high and low velocities, totaling 20 km in thickness. The difference between Moho of different tectonic units reflects heterogeneity of the coupled crust-mantle zone; the difference between fine structures of Haiyuan seismic region and Maqin fault zone reflects different deep material composition of the two continent-continent collision zones and the interaction between blocks.

Impacts of Changing Climate on Maize Production in the Transitional Zone of Ghana

This study sought to assess the challenges and opportunities that come with climate change and variability impacts on maize farming in the Nkoranza South Municipality in the Transitional Zone of Ghana. The mixed method approach (qualitative and quantitative) was used in collecting the data. Rainfall data obtained from the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) indicated that the dry cell between the major and minor rainy seasons was getting wetter and the two seasons were gradually merging whereas the first and last quarters of the year were getting drier over the last couple of decades. The situation over the last five years (2010-2015) had worsened as the amount of total rainfall had reduced by 22% compared to the 30 year period between 1960 and 1982. The results of the study showed that farmers had perceived changes in climate in the form of decreasing rainfall, rising air temperatures and seasonal changes in rainfall pattern which were affecting their maize farming operations. The major setbacks within the area were deficit in rainy days and intermittent erratic rainfall affecting maize production. The major opportunity available to farmers in the face of changing climate in this agroecological zone was cashew production. About 76.8% of the respondents had diversified into cashew farming as a result of rainfall failure and strong resistance of the cashew trees to changing and variable climate.

Sandstone-concrete interface transition zone (ITZ) damage and debonding micromechanisms under freeze-thaw

The sufficient bond between concrete and rock is an important prerequisite to ensure the effect of shotcrete support. However, in cold regions engineering protection system, the bond condition of rock and concrete surface is easily affected by freeze-thaw cycles, resulting in interface damage, debonding and even supporting failure. Understanding the micromechanisms of the damage and debonding of the rock-concrete interface is essential for improving the interface protection.Therefore, the micromorphology, micromechanical properties, and microdebonding evolution of the sandstone-concrete interface transition zone(ITZ) under varying freeze-thaw cycles(0, 5, 10, 15, 20) were studied using scanning electron microscope, stereoscopic microscope, and nano-indentation. Furthermore, the distribution range and evolution process of ITZ affected by freeze-thaw cycles were defined. Major findings of this study are as follows:(1) The microdamage evolution law of the ITZ under increasing freeze-thaw cycles is clarified, and the relationship between the number of cracks in the ITZ and freeze-thaw cycles is established;(2) As the number of freeze-thaw cycles increases, the ITZ's micromechanical strength decreases, and its development width tends to increase;(3) The damage and debonding evolution mechanisms of sandstone-concrete ITZ under freeze-thaw cycles is revealed, and its micromechanical evolution model induced by freeze-thaw cycles is proposed.

Numerical Experiments for the influence of the Transition Zone Migration on Summer Climate in North China

As the position of the transition zone changes obviously, that is, as the transition zone migrates to the north or the south from present position, it affects water or heat balance between the land and the atmosphere in a considerable degree and has a profound influence on climate in North China. The experiment results in this paper indicate whether in the dry case or in the wet case of the large-scale climatological background field, the surface air temperature in a wide range of the transition zone migration and its surrounding decreases as the transition zone migrates northward. Moreover, the net upward fluxes of the surface long wave radiation and the sensible heat decrease, and the evaporation to the atmosphere increases. As the transition zone migrates southward, the results are opposite. This kind of significant thermal forcing between the land and the atmosphere can excite secondary circulation or circulation cells, which interact with the large-scale circulation systems, changing the atmospheric motion, affecting the water vapor transportation and consequently having an effect on the precipitation.

Iron Isotopic Fractionation and Origin of Chromitites in the Paleo-Moho Transition Zone of the Kop Ophiolite, NE Turkey

The Kop ophiolite in NE Turkey is a fragment of Neo-Tethyan forearc.It can be mainly divided into a paleo-Moho transition zone(MTZ)in the North and a harzburgitic mantle sequence in the South.Dunites are predominant in the MTZ of the Kop ophiolite,and they are locally interlayered with chromitites and enclose minor bodies of harzburgites near the petrological Moho boundary.Large Fe isotopic variations were observed for magnesiochromite(-0.14‰to 0.06‰)and olivine(-0.12‰to 0.14‰)from the MTZ chromitites,dunites and harzburgites.In individual dunite samples,magnesiochromite usually has lighter Fe isotopic compositions than olivine,which was probably caused by subsolidus Mg-Fe exchange between the two mineral phases.Both magnesiochromite and olivine display an increasing trend ofδ56Fe along a profile from chromitite todunite.This trend reflects continuous fractional crystallization in a magma chamber,which resulted in heavier Fe isotopes concentrated in the evolved magmas.In each cumulative cycle of chromitite and dunite,dunite was formed from relatively evolved melts after massive precipitation of magnesiochromite.Mixing of more primitive and evolved melts in the magma chamber was a potential mechanism for triggering the crystallization of magnesiochromite,generating chromitite layers in the cumulate pile.Before mixing happened,the primitive melts had reacted with mantle harzburgites during their ascendance;whereas the evolved melts may lie on the olivine-chromite cotectic near the liquidus field of pyroxene.Variable degrees of magma mixing and differentiation are expected to generate melts with differentδ56Fe values,accounting for the Fe isotopic variations of the Kop MTZ.