Sources of organic matter and paleo-environmental implications inferred from carbon isotope compositions of lacustrine sediments at Inexpressible Island, Ross Sea, Antarctica

The carbon isotopic composition of organic matter （δ^13Corg） was determined in two sediment cores （IIL1 and IIL9） recovered from Inexpressible Island, Ross Sea, Antarctica, and analyzed to identify the sources of that organic matter. The δ^13Corg values of sediments of IIL9 were found to vary between -14.6‰ and -11.6‰, with a mean of-13.4‰ （n=48）. These values were significantly higher than those of IIL1 sediments which varied between -23.2‰ and -20.4‰, with a mean of-21.8%o （n=55）. The variation in δ^13Corg values in these two sediment cores indicate different sources of organic matter, The relatively high 6~3Corg values in IIL9 are in accordance with a source from algae, while the low δ^13Corg values in IIL1 evince significant influence from penguin guano with algae as the secondary source. Compared with the reference data from other high-latitude lake sediments and plants, the δ^13Corg values in IIL9 were extremely high, a result likely related to intense competition for CO2 assimilation among algal species during the growing season in this relatively shallow pond. These results indicate that sedimentary δ^13Corg is a reliable proxy for paleo-primary productivity in ponds at Inexpressible Island.

Characteristics of carbon isotopic composition of alkane gas in large gas fields in China

Exploration and development of large gas fields is an important way for a country to rapidly develop its natural gas industry.From 1991 to 2020,China discovered 68 new large gas fields,boosting its annual gas output to 1925×108m3in 2020,making it the fourth largest gas-producing country in the world.Based on 1696 molecular components and carbon isotopic composition data of alkane gas in 70 large gas fields in China,the characteristics of carbon isotopic composition of alkane gas in large gas fields in China were obtained.The lightest and average values ofδ^(13)C_(1),δ13C2,δ13C3andδ13C4become heavier with increasing carbon number,while the heaviest values ofδ^(13)C_(1),δ13C2,δ13C3andδ13C4become lighter with increasing carbon number.Theδ^(13)C_(1)values of large gas fields in China range from-71.2‰to-11.4‰(specifically,from-71.2‰to-56.4‰for bacterial gas,from-54.4‰to-21.6‰for oil-related gas,from-49.3‰to-18.9‰for coal-derived gas,and from-35.6‰to-11.4‰for abiogenic gas).Based on these data,theδ^(13)C_(1)chart of large gas fields in China was plotted.Moreover,theδ^(13)C_(1)values of natural gas in China range from-107.1‰to-8.9‰,specifically,from-1071%o to-55.1‰for bacterial gas,from-54.4‰to-21.6‰for oil-related gas,from-49.3‰to-13.3‰for coal-derived gas,and from-36.2‰to-8.9‰for abiogenic gas.Based on these data,theδ^(13)C_(1)chart of natural gas in China was plotted.

Stable Carbon Isotopic Compositions of Methylated-MTTC in Crude Oils from Saline Lacustrine Depositional Environment:Source Implications

Significantly high abundant methyl-Methyl Trimethyl Tridecyl Chromans （MTTCs） have been detected in aromatic hydrocarbon fractions in crude oils from the Jizhong Depression and Jianghan Basin. The distribution of these compounds is dominated by methyl-MTTC and dimethyl- MTTC series, which indicate diagenetic products of a hypersaline depositional environment in the early stage and show a low degree of methylation. The occurrence of significantly high abundant methyl-MTTC depends mainly on good preservation conditions with a strongly reductive, hypersaline and water-columned depositional environment and subsequent non-intensive diagenetic transformations. The stable carbon isotopic compositions of the methyl-MTTCs and dimethyl-MTTCs in two samples are far different from the stable carbon isotopic composition of C30 hopane of apparent bacteria biogenesis （up to 4.11‰ and 5.75‰, respectively）. This obviously demonstrates that the methyl-MTTC and dimethyl-MTTCs cannot be of bacteria origin, which is different from the previous point of view about non-photosynthetic bacteria products or possible bacteria-reworked products. On the contrary, the stable carbon isotopic compositions of methyl-MTTC and dimethyl-MTTCs in the two samples were similar to that of the same carbon-numbered n-alkanes （nC27-nC28-nC29）, which indicates that they share the same source origin. Especially in the crude oil from the Zhao61 well, stable carbon isotopic compositions are also similar to that of the same carbon-numbered steranes with ααα- 20R isomer （mostly less than 0.4‰）. In consideration of the results of previous studies on saline lake ecological sedimentation, the authors hold that the methyl-MTTC and dimethyl-MTTCs in the saline lake sediments should be of algal biogenesis origin.

Evolution of Carbon Isotope Composition in Potential Global Stratotype Section and Point at Luoyixi, South China, for the Base of the Unnamed Global Seventh Stage of Cambrian System

This work deals with the evolution of carbon isotope composition in the Luoyixi （罗依溪） Section, a candidate of the Global Standard Stratotype-section and Point （GSSP）, defining the base of the as-yet-undefined seventh stage of Cambrian System at the first appearance of the cosmopolitan agnostoid Lejopyge iaevigata. This level is favored in a vote of International Subcommission on Cambrian Stratigraphy （ISCS） as the biohorizon for defining the base of a global stage. Two hundred and sixty-four samples for carbon and oxygen isotope analysis have been collected from the carbonate successions at an interval of 0.25 to 0.5 m in this section. Results of the carbon isotope data exhibit a remarkable disciplinarian trend. The pattern of the carbon isotope evolution is gently undulant with a relatively long period during the underlying Drumian Stage, and then the values of δ13C fluctuate sharply with a short period in provisional seventh stage. The onset of sharp fluctuation in the δ13C values begins at the proposed GSSP level, defining the base of the global seventh stage, where δ13C values change from a gentle trend to a sharp trend. Distinct covariant-relationships among δ13C,δ18O, and sea level fluctuations suggest that a warming change in paleoclimate took place during the early global seventh stage, which led to a positive shift in δ13C values.

Organic Carbon Isotope Geochemistry of the Neoproterozoic Doushantuo Formation,South China

The Neoproterozoic Doushantuo Formation on the Yangtze Platform, South China, documents a sedimentary succession with different sedimentary facies from carbonate platform to slope and to deep sea basin, and hosts one of the world-class phosphorite deposits. In these strata, exquisitely preserved fossils have been discovered： the Weng＇an biota. This study presents carbon isotope geochemistry which is associated paired carbonate and organic matter from the Weng＇an section of a carbonate platform （shelf of the Yangtze Platform, Guizhou Province） from the Songtao section and Nanming section of a transition belt （slope of the Yangtze Platform, Guizhou Province） and from the Yanwutan section （basin area of the Yangtze Platform, Hunan Province）. Environmental variations and bio-events on the Yangtze Platform during the Late Neoproterozoic and their causal relationship are discussed. Negative carbon isotope values for carbonate and organic carbon （mean δ^13Corg = -35.0‰） from the uppermost Nantuo Formation are followed by an overall increase in δ^13C up-section. Carbon isotope values vary between -9.9‰ and 3.6‰ for carbonate and between -35.6‰ and -21.5‰ for organic carbon, respectively. Heavier δ^13Ccarb values suggest an increase in organic carbon burial, possibly related to increasing productivity （such as the Weng＇an biota）. The δ^13C values of the sediments from the Doushantuo Formation decreased from the platform via the slope to basin, reflecting a reduced environment with minor dissolved inorganic carbon possibly due to a lower primary productivity. It is deduced that the classical upwelling process, the stratification structure and the hydrothermal eruption are principally important mechanisms to interpret the carbon isotopic compositions of the sediments from the Doushantuo Formation.

Temporal and spatial variations of carbon isotope signature reveal substantial contribution of bracts and internode assimilates to grain filling of japonica rice

Carbon isotope composition(δ^(13)C)of a plant organ is an inherent signature reflecting its physiological property,and thus is used as an integrative index in crop breeding.It is also a non-intrusive method for quantifying the relative contribution of different source organs to grain filling in cereals.Using the samples collected from two-year field and pot experiments with two nitrogen(N)fertilization treatments,we investigated the temporal and spatial variations of δ^(13)C in source organs of leaf,sheath,internode,and bracts,and in sink organ grain.Constitutive nature of δ^(13)C was uncovered,with an order of leaf(−27.84‰)<grain(−27.82‰)<sheath(−27.24‰)<bracts(−26.81‰)<internode(−25.67‰).For different positions of individual organs within the plant,δ^(13)C of the leaf and sheath presented a diminishing trend from the top(flag leaf and its sheath)to the bottom(the last leaf in reverse order and its sheath).No obvious pattern was found for the internode.For temporal variations, δ^(13)C of the leaf and sheath had a peak(the most negative)at 10 days after anthesis(DAA),whereas that of the bracts showed a marked increase at the time point of anthesis,implying a transformation from sink to source organ.By comparing the δ^(13)C in its natural abundance in the water-soluble fractions of the sheath,internode,and bracts with the δ^(13)C in mature grains,the relative contribution of these organs to grain filling was assessed.With reference to the leaf,the internode accounted for as high as 32.64%and 42.56%at 10 DAA and 20 DAA,respectively.Meanwhile,bracts presented a larger contribution than the internode,with superior bracts being higher than inferior bracts.In addition,N topdressing reduced the contribution of the internode and bracts.Our findings clearly proved the actual significance of non-foliar organs of the internode and bracts for rice yield formation,thus extending our basic knowledge of source and sink relations.

The Carbon and Oxygen Stable Isotopic Compositions and its Paleoenvironment Significance from the Upper Yunlong Formation of Paleogene in Lanping Basin,Yunnan

Lanping Basin is one part of the three-rivers Tethyan tectonic domain and located in western Yunnan or southeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.Yunlong salt-bearing Formation had formed under the condition of strong arid

Leaf stable carbon isotope composition in Picea schrenkiana var. tianschanica in relation to leaf physiological and morphological characteristics along an altitudinal gradient

To understand the effects of leaf physiological and morphological characteristics on δ13C of alpine trees, we examined leaf δ13C value, LA, SD, LNC, LPC, LKC, Chla+b, LDMC, LMA and Narea in one-year-old needles of Picea schrenkiana var. tianschanica at ten points along an altitudinal gradient from 1420 m to 2300 m a.s.l. on the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains in northwest China. Our results indicated that all the leaf traits differed significantly among sampling sites along the altitudinal gradient(P<0.001). LA, SD, LPC, LKC increased linearly with increasing elevation, whereas leaf δ13C, LNC, Chla+b, LDMC, LMA and Narea varied non-linearly with changes in altitude. Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that four controlled physiological and morphological characteristics influenced the variation of δ13C. Among these four controlled factors, LKC was the most profound physiological factor that affected δ13C values, LA was the secondary morphological factor, SD was the third morphological factor, LNC was the last physiological factor. This suggested that leaf δ13C was directly controlled by physiological and morphological adjustments with changing environmental conditions due to the elevation.

The Carbon and Oxygen Isotopic Compositions:Implications for the Sources and Types of Uranium Deposits in South China

Uranium ore is an essential material in the preparation of nuclear fuel for civilian and military uses.Uranium deposits are also important sources of energy for countries which depend heavily on nuclear power(e.g.France).

Carbon and Oxygen Isotopic Composition of Surface-Sediment Carbonate in Bosten Lake (Xinjiang,China) and its Controlling Factors

Bosten Lake is a mid-latitude lake with water mainly supplied by melting ice and snow in the Tianshan Mountains. The depositional environment of the lake is spatially not uniform due to the proximity of the major inlet and the single outlet in the western part of the lake. The analytical results show that the carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of recent lake sediments is related to this specific lacustrine depositional environment and to the resulting carbonate mineralogy. In the southwestern lake region between the Kaidu River inlet and the Kongqi River outlet, carbon isotope composition （δ^13C） values of the carbonate sediment （-1‰ to -2‰） have no relation to the oxygen isotope composition of the carbonate （δ^18O） values （-7‰ to -8‰）, with both isotopes showing a low variability. The carbonate content is low （〈20%）. Carbonate minerals analyzed by X-ray diffraction are mainly composed of calcite, while aragonite was not recorded. The salinity of the lake water is low in the estuary region as a result of the Kaidu River inflow. In comparison, the carbon and oxygen isotope values are higher in the middle and eastern parts of the lake, with δ^13C values between approximately ＋0.5‰ and ＋3‰, and δ^18O values between -1‰ and -5‰. There is a moderate correlation between the stable oxygen and carbon isotopes, with a coefficient of correlation r of approximately 0.63. This implies that the lake water has a relatively short residence time. Carbonate minerals constitute calcite and aragonite in the middle and eastern region of the lake. Aragonite and Mg-calcite are formed at higher lake water salinity and temperatures, and larger evaporation effects. More saline lake water in the middle and eastern region of the lake and the enhanced isotopic equilibrium between water and atmospheric CO2 cause the correlating carbon and oxygen isotope values determined for aragonite and Mg-calcite. Evaporation and biological processes are the main reasons for the salinity and carbonate mineralogy influence of the surface-sediment carbonate in Bosten Lake. The lake water residence time and the CO2 exchange between the atmosphere and the water body control the carbon and oxygen isotope composition of the carbonate sediment. In addition, organic matter pollution and decomposition result in the abnormally low carbon isotope values of the lake surface-sediment carbonate.

Damming effects on dissolved inorganic carbon in different kinds of reservoirs in Jialing River,Southwest China

To assess the effects of river damming on dissolved inorganic carbon in the Jialing River, a total of 40 water samples, including inflow, outflow, and stratified water in four cascade reservoirs(Tingzikou, Xinzheng,Dongxiguan, Caojie) were collected in January and July,2016. The major cations, anions, and δ^(13)C_(DIC) values were analyzed. It was found that the dissolved compositions are dominated by carbonate weathering, while sulfuric acids may play a relatively important role during carbonate weathering and increasing DIC concentration. Different reservoirs had variable characteristics of water physiochemical stratification. The DIC concentrations of reservoir water were lower in summer than those in winter due to the dilute effects and intensive aquatic photosynthesis, as well as imported tributaries. The δ^(13)C_(DIC) values in Tingzikou Reservoir were higher during summer than those in winter,which indicated that intensive photosynthesis increased the δ^(13)C_(DIC) values in residual water, but a similar trend was not obvious in other reservoirs. Except for in Xinzheng Reservoir, the δ^(13)C_(DIC) values in inflow and outflow reservoir water were lower than those in the surface water of stratified sampling in summer. For stratified sampling, it could be found that, in summer, the Tingzikou Reservoir δ^(13)C_(DIC) values significantly decreased with water depthdue to the anaerobic breakdown of organic matter. The significant correlation(p<0.01 or 0.05) between the DIC concentrations, the δ^(13)C_(DIC) values and anthropogenic species(Na^++K^+, Cl~–, SO_4^(2-) and NO_3^-) showed that the isotope composition of DIC can be a useful tracer of contaminants. In total, Tingzikou Reservoir showed lacustrine features, Xinzheng Reservoir and Dongxiguan Reservoir had "transitional'' features, and Caojie Reservoir had a total of "fluvial'' features. Generally, cascade reservoirs in the Jialing River exhibited natural river features rather than typical lake features due to characteristics of reservoir water in physiochemical stratification, spatiotemporal variations of DIC concentrations and isotopic compositions. It is evident that the dissolved inorganic carbon dynamics of natural rivers had been partly remolded by dam building.

Carbon Isotopic Evolution of the Late Ediacaran Gaojiashan Biota on the Northern Yangtze Platform,South China

Metazoan fossils in the Gaojiashan Biota are famous for being well preserved and may provide new insights into the early evolution and skeletonization of Metazoans. We are studying the isotopic compositions of organic and carbonate carbon from a sequence of sedimentary rocks at the Gaojiashan section, northern Yangtze Platform, Shaanxi Province of China. Organic carbon isotope values display a range between -30.8%0 and -24.7%0 with clear stratigraphic variations. Carbonate carbon isotope data vary between 0.1%o and ＋6%0. Positive j13C values from sediments with Gaojiashan biota reflect temporal variations in carbon turnover, i.e. an increasing in photosynthetic carbon fixation followed by an increasing subsequent fractional organic carbon burial, and that related to bio- radiation such as increasing algae, bacteria, and original creatures productivity in biomass. These secular variations are interpreted to reflect perturbations of the regional carbon cycle, specifically changes in the fractional burial of organic carbon, and discuss the relationship between Gaojiashan biota and paleoenvrionmental variation.

Variation characteristics of CO_(2) in a newly-excavated soil profile,Chinese Loess Plateau:Excavation-induced ancient soil organic carbon decomposition

Soils of the Chinese Loess Plateau(CLP)contain substantial amounts of soil inorganic carbon(SIC),as well as recent and ancient soil organic carbon(SOC).With the advent of the Anthropocene,human perturbation,including excavation,has increased soil CO_(2) emission from the huge loess carbon pool.This study aims to determine the potential of loess CO_(2) emission induced by excavation.Soil CO_(2) were continuously monitored for seven years on a newly-excavated profile in the central CLP and the stable C isotope compositions of soil CO_(2) and SOC were used to identify their sources.The results showed that the soil CO_(2) concentrations ranged from 830μL·L^(-1) to 11190μL·L^(-1) with an annually reducing trend after excavation,indicating that the human excavation can induce CO_(2) production in loess profile.Theδ^(13) C of CO_(2) ranged from–21.27‰to–19.22‰(mean:–20.11‰),with positive deviation from top to bottom.The range of δ^(13)CSOC was–24.0‰to–21.1‰with an average of–23.1‰.Theδ^(13) C-CO_(2) in this study has a positive relationship with the reversed CO_(2) concentration,and it is calculated that 80.22%of the soil CO_(2) in this profile is from the microbial decomposition of SOC and 19.78%from the degasification during carbonate precipitation.We conclude that the human excavation can significantly enhance the decomposition of the ancient OC in loess during the first two years after perturbation,producing and releasing soil CO_(2) to atmosphere.

Mechanisms of carbon isotopic fractionation in the process of natural gas generation: Geochemical evidence from thermal simulation experiment

Low maturity coal samples were taken from the Ordos Basin to conduct gold tube thermal simulation experiment in a closed system,and the characteristics of the products were analyzed to find out the fractionation mechanism of carbon isotopes and the causes of abnormal carbon isotopic compositions of natural gas.At the heating rates of 2℃/h(slow)and 20℃/h(rapid),the low maturity coal samples of the Ordos Basin had the maximum yields of alkane gas of 302.74 mL/g and 230.16 mL/g,theδ13C1 ranges of-34.8‰to-23.6‰and-35.5‰to-24.0‰;δ13C2 ranges of-28.0‰to-9.0‰and-28.9‰to-8.3‰;andδ13C3 ranges of-25.8‰to-14.7‰and-26.4‰to-13.2‰,respectively.Alkane gas in the thermal simulation products of rapid temperature rise process showed obvious partial reversal of carbon isotope series at 550℃,and at other temperatures showed positive carbon isotope series.In the two heating processes,theδ13C1 turned lighter first and then heavier,and the non-monotonic variation of theδ13C1 values is because the early CH4 is from different parent materials resulted from heterogeneity of organic matter or the carbon isotope fractionation formed by activation energy difference of early enriched 12CH4 and late enriched 13CH4.The reversal of carbon isotope values of heavy hydrocarbon gas can occur not only in high to over mature shale gas(oil-type gas),but also in coal-derived gas.Through thermal simulation experiment of toluene,it is confirmed that the carbon isotope value of heavy hydrocarbon gas can be reversed and inversed at high to over mature stage.The isotope fractionation effect caused by demethylation and methyl linkage of aromatic hydrocarbons may be an important reason for carbon isotope inversion and reversal of alkane gas at the high to over mature stage.

Hydrochemistry and carbon isotope characteristics of Nujiang River water:Implications for CO_(2) budgets of rock weathering in the Tibetan Plateau

The Tibetan Plateau is one of the most complicated geographical units worldwide in terms of its tectonic and environmental background.Although a hotspot for continental weathering and carbon cycling studies,accurate determination of the weathering carbon budget is challenging in this area,especially sink and source flux quantification and the controlling mechanisms.Compared with other major rivers on the plateau,the Nujiang River is characterized by less human disturbance and maintains a relatively pristine state.This study investigates the high spatiotemporal resolution hydrochemistry and dual-carbon isotope composition(δ~(13)C_(DIC)andΔ~(14)C_(DIC))of river water in the Nujiang River Basin.The results revealed that the solutes and dissolved inorganic carbon in the river water are predominantly derived from rock weathering by carbonic and sulfuric acids,mainly due to the carbonate weathering process,and significantly enhanced by deep carbon sourcing from hot springs in the fault zone.The average contributions of geological and modern carbon in the main stream of the Nujiang River are 35.2%and 64.8%,respectively,and sulfide oxidation contributes>90%of sulfate ions in the river water.After considering the involvement of sulfuric acid generated by sulfide oxidation during rock weathering,the calculated consumption fluxes of atmospheric CO_(2) by silicate and carbonate weathering in the watershed were decreased by approximately 52.0%and 37.4%,respectively,compared with those calculated ignoring this process.Rock weathering of the Nujiang River Basin is a“CO_(2) sink”on a short time scale,while the participation of sulfuric acid makes it a“CO_(2) source”on a geological time scale.The high-frequency observations of ion concentrations,elemental ratios,and calculated contributions of different rock weathering materials indicate that carbonate rock weathering is more sensitive to temperature and runoff variations than silicate rock weathering,with the solute contribution from carbonate weathering increasing significantly during monsoon period.The material input from different rock types is dominated by the hydrological pathways and water-rock reaction times in the basin.This study reveals the river solute origins and weathering CO_(2) sequestration effect in response to a monsoonal climate in one of the most representative pristine plateau watersheds in the world,which is of great importance for elucidating the weathering control mechanisms and CO_(2) net sourcesink effect in plateau watersheds.

Correlations Between Foliar Stable Carbon Isotope Composition and Environmental Factors in Desert Plant Reaumuria soongorica （Pall.） Maxim.

Leaves of 407 individuals of Reaumuria soongorica （Pall.） Maxim. collected from the major distribution areas were measured to investigate the distribution characteristics of the stable carbon isotope in this desert plant, as well as correlations between δ^13C values and environmental factors. Results showed that δ^13C values in R. soongorica ranged from -22.77‰ to -29.85‰ and that the mean δ^13C value （-26.52‰） was higher than a previously reported δ^13C value for a different desert ecosystem. This indicates that R. soongorica belongs to the C3 photosynthetic pathway and has higher water use efficiency than other species. The correlations between δ^13C values and environmental factors demonstrated that the foliar δ^13C values in R. soongorica increased significantly with decreasing mean annual precipitation and mean relative humidity, and decreased with decreasing duration of sunshine and evaporation. The spatial distribution trend of δ^13C values in R. soongorica was not obvious and there was no significant correlation between the δ^13C values and mean annual temperature. We conclude that different distribution trends in δ^13C values for R. soongorica were likely caused by stomatal limitation rather than by nutrient-related changes in photosynthetic efficiency and that precipitation played an important role in the wide distribution range of R. soongorica. This pattern of δ^13C values for R. soongorica reinforced that it is a super-xerophil in terms of its adaptive strategies to a desert environment.

Relationships between altitudinal gradient and plant carbon isotope composition of grassland communities on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China

Foliar and root carbon isotope composition(δ13C) of grassland communities on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China,was obtained by the biomass weighting method and direct measurement.We investigated the characteristics and altitudinal patterns of foliar and root δ13C and determined which environmental factors influenced foliar δ13 C most.Foliar δ13 C of alpine steppe was significantly higher than that of alpine meadow and temperate steppe.For alpine meadow,root δ13C was significantly higher than of foliar δ13C.Foliar δ13C increased with altitude at an average rate of 0.60‰ km 1 for the whole grassland ecosystem.This rate was lower than that at species level.However,there were no significant relationships between root δ13C and altitude.Atmospheric pressure was a more important factor than temperature and precipitation in its influence on the altitudinal pattern of foliar δ13C at the community level.

Organic carbon isotope and molecular fossil records of vegetation evolution in central Loess Plateau since 450 kyr

Significant uncertainties remain regarding the temporal evolution of natural vegetation during the Quaternary, and drivers of past vegetation change, on the Chinese Loess Plateau （CLP）. This study presents analyses of total organic carbon isotopic composition （TOC） and n-alkane ratios （C31/C27） from the Lingtai loess-palaeosol sequence on the central CLP over the last 450 kyr. The results demonstrate that the vegetation in this region comprised a mix of C3 and C4 plants of herb and woody growth-form. C3 plants dominated for most of the last 450 kyr, but this did not lead to extensive forest. C3 woody plants were more abundant in MIS9 （S3 period） and MIS5 （S 1 period） during warm and humid climate conditions. Herbs increased in the region since 130 kyr, possibly as a result of increased aridity. On the orbital timescales, there was a reduction of C3 herbal plants in MIS 11 （$4） than in M1S 12 （L5）, and in Holocene than in the last glacial period. Our isotope and n-alkane proxy records are in agreement with Artemisia pollen changes in the region, which is/was the dominant species in this area and varying due to different heat and water conditions between glacial and interglacial periods. Though the climate in MIS1 （SO） was similar to that in MIS11 （S4）, a significant increase in woody plants during the Holocene suggests the impact of human activities and ecological effects of changes in fire activity.

Mantle-derived CO_(2) in Hot Springs of the Rehai Geothermal Field,Tengchong,China

Gas concentrations and isotopic compositions of He and CO2 were determined on free gas samples from ten hot springs of the Rehai geothermal field, Tengchong, China. The results showed that hot-spring CO2 gas, together with He, was derived mainly from the mantle, indicating the accumulation of mantle-derived volatiles beneath the survey area. The δ 13C values of CO2, higher than those of the typical mantle-derived carbon and the isotopic composition of hot-spring-free CO2 in unequilibrium with dissolved CO2, are recognized only in the Rehai geothermal field, suggesting that there seems to be a still-degassing magmatic intrusion at depths, which provides mantle-derived volatiles to the hydrothermal system above. The accumulation of those volatiles has probably played an important role in triggering earthquakes in this region. In addition, the isotopic characteristics of He and C also indicate that the magmatic intrusion seems to have been derived from the MORB source, and could be contaminated by crustal materials during its upwelling through the continental crust.

Physiological responses of Populus euphratica Oliv. to groundwater table variations in the lower reaches of Heihe River, Northwest China

Riparian vegetation in the lower reaches of Heihe River serves important ecological functions. However, the riparian ecosystems have been constantly deteriorating in the past 30 years simply due to water interception for oasis agricultural irrigation in the middle reaches of the river. This study pays a particular attention to Populus eu- phratica Oily. forest because it is a dominant component of the riparian ecosystem in the lower reaches of Heihe River where the depth of groundwater table is the controlling factor in sustaining riparian ecosystems. To reveal leaf-related physiological responses of Populus euphratica Oliv. forest to groundwater table variations, we analyzed the relationships between the depth of groundwater table （DG） and three leaf-related parameters, i.e. leaf stomatal density （SD）, specific leaf area （SLA）, and stable carbon isotopic composition （6~SC）. Our results show that the relationship between DG and leaf SD is a bi-mode one shaped by both salt stress and water stress. That is, salt stress appeared in shallow groundwater conditions and water stress happened in deep groundwater conditions, and the thin layer around 2.7 m of DG is a stress-free layer. Leaf SD fluctuated according to the DG variation, first de- creased with increasing DG, then increased at depths ranging 2.7-3.7 m, and after a relatively stable plateau of SD at depths ranging 3.7-5.2 m, decreased again with increasing DG. Our results also show that SLA decreased ex- ponentially with increasing DG and foliar 6130 values are also strongly dependent on DG, further demonstrating that these two parameters are sensitive indicators of water stress. The exponential curve suggests that SLA is more sensitive to DG when groundwater table is shallow and 3 m seems to be a threshold beyond which SLA becomes less sensitive to DG. Foliar 613C becomes more sensitive when the groundwater table is deep and 7 m seems to be a threshold below which the 6130 signature becomes more sensitive to DG. These findings should be helpful in monitoring the growth and development of Populus euphratica Oliv. forests and also in providing protection measures （i.e. DG related） for Heihe River riparian forests.