The study examined the contamination levels of the soil and plantain leaves in three communities in Atakunmosa west local government area of Osun State in southwest Nigeria, where gold mining activities have recently ...The study examined the contamination levels of the soil and plantain leaves in three communities in Atakunmosa west local government area of Osun State in southwest Nigeria, where gold mining activities have recently become intensive. Plantain is a major food crop, whose leaves are used to wrap food items for household consumption. The objectives were to examine the heavy metal concentrations in the soil and plantain leaves around the gold mine site and compare them with standard recommended safe limits for the environment. Soil and plantain leaves were sampled at different locations around the sites and at a control site from a neighboring local government area with no history of gold mining activities between March 2015 and February 2016. Both soil and leave samples were processed and analyzed for selected heavy metals (Cd, As, Cu, Zn, Cr, Mn and Fe) using the Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) in the laboratory. The study showed higher concentrations than the World Health Organization’s recommended safe limits of the heavy metals in the soils and plantain leaves. Dry season concentrations of the variables were also higher than the wet season and the heavy metal concentrations at the control station were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than those of the mining environment. The study concluded that the ecosystems in the artisanal gold mining region are vulnerable to bioaccumulation of heavy metals and the leaves from the sites are sources of heavy metal contamination if consumed or used to wrap food items.展开更多
Heating and acceleration of electrons in solar impulsive hard X-ray （HXR） flares are studied according to the two-stage acceleration model developed by Zhang for solar ^3Herich events. It is shown that electrostatic...Heating and acceleration of electrons in solar impulsive hard X-ray （HXR） flares are studied according to the two-stage acceleration model developed by Zhang for solar ^3Herich events. It is shown that electrostatic H-cyclotron waves can be excited at a parallel phase velocity less than about the electron thermal velocity and thus can significantly heat the electrons （up to 40 MK） through landau resonance. The preheated electrons with velocities above a threshold are further accelerated to high energies in the flare-acceleration process. The flareproduced electron spectrum is obtained and shown to be thermal at low energies and power law at high energies. In the non-thermal energy range, the spectrum can be double power law if the spectral power index is energy dependent or related. The electron energy spectrum obtained by this study agrees quantitatively with the result derived from the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager （RHESSI） HXR observations in the flare of 2002 July 23. The total flux and energy flux of electrons accelerated in the solar flare also agree with the measurements.展开更多
Dust events occurred frequently in Beijing in recent years. In this work, 120 aerosol samples were collected in two typical dust events (21-22 March and 15 May) and a non-dust period in Beijing from March to May 2001....Dust events occurred frequently in Beijing in recent years. In this work, 120 aerosol samples were collected in two typical dust events (21-22 March and 15 May) and a non-dust period in Beijing from March to May 2001. Samples were analyzed for major elemental components by the Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) method. Results show that the enrichment factors of crustal elements such as Mg, Al, and Ti had little differences between the dust period and the non-dust period in Beijing, while the enrichment factors of other elements that have a relation to anthropogenic emissions were very low during the dust period. The results derived by using multivariate factor analysis from the observation data show that the sources such as soil dust, industry, and fuel combustion were among the major contributors to the particles in Beijing.展开更多
Solar type III radio bursts are an important diagnostic tool in the understanding of solar accelerated electron beams. They are a signature of propagating beams of nonthermal electrons in the solar atmosphere and the ...Solar type III radio bursts are an important diagnostic tool in the understanding of solar accelerated electron beams. They are a signature of propagating beams of nonthermal electrons in the solar atmosphere and the solar system. Consequently, they provide information on electron acceleration and transport, and the conditions of the background ambient plasma they travel through. We review the observational properties of type III bursts with an emphasis on recent results and how each property can help identify attributes of electron beams and the ambient background plasma. We also review some of the theoretical aspects of type III radio bursts and cover a number of numerical efforts that simulate electron beam transport through the solar corona and the heliosphere.展开更多
Particle bursts(PBs),the phenomena characterized by short-term increases of particle counting rates(CRs),were observed by space-borne radiation belt particle detectors.With the electron CR data obtained by National Oc...Particle bursts(PBs),the phenomena characterized by short-term increases of particle counting rates(CRs),were observed by space-borne radiation belt particle detectors.With the electron CR data obtained by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA)-18 satellite,the occurrence of PBs in the inner belt(1 L 2 and B 20.5 T)were derived for years2006–2011.The monthly occurrence number of PBs exhibits a strong maximum in northern summer(May–August).In association with global lightning data,the seasonal occurrence of PBs is found to be consistent with the lightning activity,especially if only lightning flashes at latitudes>20°are taken into account.The positive correlation between PBs and mid-latitude lightning discharges indicates the role of lightning-induced whistler waves,and is consistent with the expected pitch-angle scattering by wave-particle interactions.The contribution of lightning is so significant that it forms a non-negligible seasonal background of PBs.If one connects PBs to seismoelectromagnetic emissions(SEME)in attempt to find the earthquake precursor,the lightning background needs to be considered with great care.展开更多
To develop a microbe-based bioremediation strategy for cleaning up thorium-contaminated sites, we have investigated the biosorption behavior and mechanism of thorium on Bacillus sp. dwc-2, one of the dominant species ...To develop a microbe-based bioremediation strategy for cleaning up thorium-contaminated sites, we have investigated the biosorption behavior and mechanism of thorium on Bacillus sp. dwc-2, one of the dominant species of bacterial groups isolated from soils in Southwest China. Thorium biosorption depended on the p H of environment, and its rapid biosorption reached a maximum of up to 10.75 mg Th per gram of the bacteria(wet wt.) at pH 3.0. The biosorption agreed bettter with Langmuir isotherm model than Freundlich model, indicating that thorium biosorption was a monolayer adsorption. The thermodynamic parameters, negative change in Gibbs free energy and positive value in enthalpy and entropy, suggested that the biosorption was spontaneous,more favorable at higher temperature and endothermic process with an increase of entropy. Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) indicated that thorium initially binded with the cell surface, while transmission electron microscopy(TEM) revealed that Th deposited in the cytoplasm and served as cores for growth of element precipitation(e.g., phosphate minerals) or by self-precipitation of hydroxides, which is probably controlled by ion-exchange, as evidenced by particle induced X-ray emission(PIXE) and enhanced proton backscattering spectrometry(EPBS). Fourier Transform Infrared(FTIR) further indicated that thorium biosorption involved carboxyl and phosphate groups and protein in complexation or electrostatic interaction. Overall results indicated that a combined electrostatic interaction-complexation-ion exchange mechanism could be involved in thorium biosorption by Bacillus sp. dwc-2.展开更多
Over the past few decades,the metal elements(MEs)in atmospheric particles have aroused great attention.Some well-established techniques have been used to measure particlebound MEs.However,each method has its own advan...Over the past few decades,the metal elements(MEs)in atmospheric particles have aroused great attention.Some well-established techniques have been used to measure particlebound MEs.However,each method has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of complexity,accuracy,and specific elements of interest.In this study,the performances of inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry(ICP-OES)and total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy(TXRF)were evaluated for quality control to analyze data accuracy and precision.The statistic methods(Deming regression and significance testing)were applied for intercomparison between ICP-OES and TXRF measurements for same lowloading PM_(2.5)samples in Weizhou Island.The results from the replicate analysis of standard filters(SRM 2783)and field filters samples indicated that 10 MEs(K,Ca,V,Cr,Mn,Fe,Ni,Cu,Zn,and Pb)showed good accuracies and precision for both techniques.The higher accuracy tended to the higher precision in the MEs analysis process.In addition,the interlab comparisons illustrated that V and Mn all had good agreements between ICP-OES and TXRF.The measurements of K,Cu and Zn were more reliable by TXRF analysis for low-loading PM_(2.5).ICP-OES was more accurate for the determinations for Ca,Cr,Ni and Pb,owing to the overlapping spectral lines and low sensitivity during TXRF analysis.The measurements of Fe,influenced by low-loading PM_(2.5),were not able to determine which instrument could obtain more reliable results.These conclusions could provide reference information to choose suitable instrument for the determination of MEs in low-loading PM_(2.5)samples.展开更多
Major solar eruptions （flares, coronal mass ejections （CMEs） and solar energetic particles （SEPs）） strongly influence geospace and space weather. Currently, the mechanism of their influence on space weather is n...Major solar eruptions （flares, coronal mass ejections （CMEs） and solar energetic particles （SEPs）） strongly influence geospace and space weather. Currently, the mechanism of their influence on space weather is not well understood and requires a detailed study of the energetic relationship among these eruptive phenomena. From this perspective, we investigate 30 flares （observed by RHESSI）, followed by weak to strong geomagnetic storms. Spectral analysis of these flares suggests a new power-law relationship （r - 0.79） between the hard X-ray （HXR） spectral index （before flarepeak） and linear speed of the associated CME observed by LASCO/SOHO. For 12 flares which were followed by SEP enhancement near Earth, HXR and SEP spectral analysis reveals a new scaling law （r - 0.9） between the hardest X-ray flare spectrum and the hardest SEP spectrum. Furthermore, a strong correlation is obtained between the linear speed of the CME and the hardest spectrum of the corresponding SEP event （r - 0.96）. We propose that the potentially geoeffective flare and associated CME and SEP are well-connected through a possible feedback mechanism, and should be regarded within the framework of a solar eruption. Owing to their space weather effects, these new results will help improve our current understanding of the Sun-Earth relationship, which is a major goal of research programs in heliophysics.展开更多
文摘The study examined the contamination levels of the soil and plantain leaves in three communities in Atakunmosa west local government area of Osun State in southwest Nigeria, where gold mining activities have recently become intensive. Plantain is a major food crop, whose leaves are used to wrap food items for household consumption. The objectives were to examine the heavy metal concentrations in the soil and plantain leaves around the gold mine site and compare them with standard recommended safe limits for the environment. Soil and plantain leaves were sampled at different locations around the sites and at a control site from a neighboring local government area with no history of gold mining activities between March 2015 and February 2016. Both soil and leave samples were processed and analyzed for selected heavy metals (Cd, As, Cu, Zn, Cr, Mn and Fe) using the Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) in the laboratory. The study showed higher concentrations than the World Health Organization’s recommended safe limits of the heavy metals in the soils and plantain leaves. Dry season concentrations of the variables were also higher than the wet season and the heavy metal concentrations at the control station were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than those of the mining environment. The study concluded that the ecosystems in the artisanal gold mining region are vulnerable to bioaccumulation of heavy metals and the leaves from the sites are sources of heavy metal contamination if consumed or used to wrap food items.
基金NASA Grant （NNG04GD59G A/C 2-302-14-3380-119） National Science Foundation （ATM 00-70385）.
文摘Heating and acceleration of electrons in solar impulsive hard X-ray （HXR） flares are studied according to the two-stage acceleration model developed by Zhang for solar ^3Herich events. It is shown that electrostatic H-cyclotron waves can be excited at a parallel phase velocity less than about the electron thermal velocity and thus can significantly heat the electrons （up to 40 MK） through landau resonance. The preheated electrons with velocities above a threshold are further accelerated to high energies in the flare-acceleration process. The flareproduced electron spectrum is obtained and shown to be thermal at low energies and power law at high energies. In the non-thermal energy range, the spectrum can be double power law if the spectral power index is energy dependent or related. The electron energy spectrum obtained by this study agrees quantitatively with the result derived from the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager （RHESSI） HXR observations in the flare of 2002 July 23. The total flux and energy flux of electrons accelerated in the solar flare also agree with the measurements.
基金supported by China National Key Basic Research Science Foundation Project(G1999043400)the Hundred Talents Program(Global Environmental Change)by the Chinese Academy of Sciences+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.40205017)Social Commonweal Research Project(2002DIA20012)by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China.
文摘Dust events occurred frequently in Beijing in recent years. In this work, 120 aerosol samples were collected in two typical dust events (21-22 March and 15 May) and a non-dust period in Beijing from March to May 2001. Samples were analyzed for major elemental components by the Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) method. Results show that the enrichment factors of crustal elements such as Mg, Al, and Ti had little differences between the dust period and the non-dust period in Beijing, while the enrichment factors of other elements that have a relation to anthropogenic emissions were very low during the dust period. The results derived by using multivariate factor analysis from the observation data show that the sources such as soil dust, industry, and fuel combustion were among the major contributors to the particles in Beijing.
基金supported by a SUPA Advanced Fellowship (Hamish Reid)the European Research Council under the SeismoSun Research Project No. 321141 (Heather Ratcliffe)the Marie Curie PIRSESGA- 2011-295272 RadioSun project
文摘Solar type III radio bursts are an important diagnostic tool in the understanding of solar accelerated electron beams. They are a signature of propagating beams of nonthermal electrons in the solar atmosphere and the solar system. Consequently, they provide information on electron acceleration and transport, and the conditions of the background ambient plasma they travel through. We review the observational properties of type III bursts with an emphasis on recent results and how each property can help identify attributes of electron beams and the ambient background plasma. We also review some of the theoretical aspects of type III radio bursts and cover a number of numerical efforts that simulate electron beam transport through the solar corona and the heliosphere.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China("973" Project)(Grant Nos.2012CB957801,2011CB811405)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.41274155,40904036)+1 种基金the Public Science and Technology Research Funds Projects of Ocean,State Oceanic Administration of China(Grant No.201005017)the Specialized Research Fund for State Key Laboratories
文摘Particle bursts(PBs),the phenomena characterized by short-term increases of particle counting rates(CRs),were observed by space-borne radiation belt particle detectors.With the electron CR data obtained by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA)-18 satellite,the occurrence of PBs in the inner belt(1 L 2 and B 20.5 T)were derived for years2006–2011.The monthly occurrence number of PBs exhibits a strong maximum in northern summer(May–August).In association with global lightning data,the seasonal occurrence of PBs is found to be consistent with the lightning activity,especially if only lightning flashes at latitudes>20°are taken into account.The positive correlation between PBs and mid-latitude lightning discharges indicates the role of lightning-induced whistler waves,and is consistent with the expected pitch-angle scattering by wave-particle interactions.The contribution of lightning is so significant that it forms a non-negligible seasonal background of PBs.If one connects PBs to seismoelectromagnetic emissions(SEME)in attempt to find the earthquake precursor,the lightning background needs to be considered with great care.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.21071102 and 91126013)Joint Funds of China National Natural Science Foundation and China Academy of Engineering Physics(No.U1330125)the National Fund of China for Fostering Talents in Basic Science(No.J1210004)
文摘To develop a microbe-based bioremediation strategy for cleaning up thorium-contaminated sites, we have investigated the biosorption behavior and mechanism of thorium on Bacillus sp. dwc-2, one of the dominant species of bacterial groups isolated from soils in Southwest China. Thorium biosorption depended on the p H of environment, and its rapid biosorption reached a maximum of up to 10.75 mg Th per gram of the bacteria(wet wt.) at pH 3.0. The biosorption agreed bettter with Langmuir isotherm model than Freundlich model, indicating that thorium biosorption was a monolayer adsorption. The thermodynamic parameters, negative change in Gibbs free energy and positive value in enthalpy and entropy, suggested that the biosorption was spontaneous,more favorable at higher temperature and endothermic process with an increase of entropy. Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) indicated that thorium initially binded with the cell surface, while transmission electron microscopy(TEM) revealed that Th deposited in the cytoplasm and served as cores for growth of element precipitation(e.g., phosphate minerals) or by self-precipitation of hydroxides, which is probably controlled by ion-exchange, as evidenced by particle induced X-ray emission(PIXE) and enhanced proton backscattering spectrometry(EPBS). Fourier Transform Infrared(FTIR) further indicated that thorium biosorption involved carboxyl and phosphate groups and protein in complexation or electrostatic interaction. Overall results indicated that a combined electrostatic interaction-complexation-ion exchange mechanism could be involved in thorium biosorption by Bacillus sp. dwc-2.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42075182)the Science and Technology Pre-research Project for Collaborative Prevention and Control on O3 and PM2.5 Compound Pollution(No.DQGG202026)the Three-dimensional Comprehensive Observation Research Program for O3and PM2.5Compound Pollution in Key Areas in Summer 2021(No.DQGG2021101)
文摘Over the past few decades,the metal elements(MEs)in atmospheric particles have aroused great attention.Some well-established techniques have been used to measure particlebound MEs.However,each method has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of complexity,accuracy,and specific elements of interest.In this study,the performances of inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry(ICP-OES)and total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy(TXRF)were evaluated for quality control to analyze data accuracy and precision.The statistic methods(Deming regression and significance testing)were applied for intercomparison between ICP-OES and TXRF measurements for same lowloading PM_(2.5)samples in Weizhou Island.The results from the replicate analysis of standard filters(SRM 2783)and field filters samples indicated that 10 MEs(K,Ca,V,Cr,Mn,Fe,Ni,Cu,Zn,and Pb)showed good accuracies and precision for both techniques.The higher accuracy tended to the higher precision in the MEs analysis process.In addition,the interlab comparisons illustrated that V and Mn all had good agreements between ICP-OES and TXRF.The measurements of K,Cu and Zn were more reliable by TXRF analysis for low-loading PM_(2.5).ICP-OES was more accurate for the determinations for Ca,Cr,Ni and Pb,owing to the overlapping spectral lines and low sensitivity during TXRF analysis.The measurements of Fe,influenced by low-loading PM_(2.5),were not able to determine which instrument could obtain more reliable results.These conclusions could provide reference information to choose suitable instrument for the determination of MEs in low-loading PM_(2.5)samples.
基金the CAWSES-India Program, supported by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Dept. of Space, Govt. of India
文摘Major solar eruptions （flares, coronal mass ejections （CMEs） and solar energetic particles （SEPs）） strongly influence geospace and space weather. Currently, the mechanism of their influence on space weather is not well understood and requires a detailed study of the energetic relationship among these eruptive phenomena. From this perspective, we investigate 30 flares （observed by RHESSI）, followed by weak to strong geomagnetic storms. Spectral analysis of these flares suggests a new power-law relationship （r - 0.79） between the hard X-ray （HXR） spectral index （before flarepeak） and linear speed of the associated CME observed by LASCO/SOHO. For 12 flares which were followed by SEP enhancement near Earth, HXR and SEP spectral analysis reveals a new scaling law （r - 0.9） between the hardest X-ray flare spectrum and the hardest SEP spectrum. Furthermore, a strong correlation is obtained between the linear speed of the CME and the hardest spectrum of the corresponding SEP event （r - 0.96）. We propose that the potentially geoeffective flare and associated CME and SEP are well-connected through a possible feedback mechanism, and should be regarded within the framework of a solar eruption. Owing to their space weather effects, these new results will help improve our current understanding of the Sun-Earth relationship, which is a major goal of research programs in heliophysics.
