On the Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Rice under Smashing Ridge Tillage

Two-line super hybrid rice （Oryza sativa L.） Guiliangyou 2 was taken as the experimental variety, the growth and physiological characteristics of rice under conventional tillage and smashing ridge tillage were compared based on field re- search. The results showed that smashing ridge tillage was beneficial to the tillering growth of rice plants in the the middle and later periods of tillering; under the tillage mode, the white root was more, the vigour was strong during the whole growing period, the SPAD was extremely significantly higher than that of conventional tillage, the net photosynthetic rate of the leaves was high and held green long, which were beneficial to the production and accumulation of photoassimilates; during mature pe- riod, the dry matter accumulation of the overground part under smashing ridge tillage was significantly higher than that of conventional tillage, and the number of productive ears under smashing ridge tillage was more than that of conventional tillage by 27.6×10^4/hm2, thus, the yield-increasing effect was significant and in- creased by 20.36%.

Study on Relative Soil and Water Conservation Benefits of Ridge Tillage in Different Terrain Conditions in the Black Soil Area of Northeast China

Ridge tillage, which is a very common and important tillage measure in the black soil area of northeast China, has some soil and water conservation bene- fits, but has little attention. It is very important to explore the spatial distribution of the ridge direction of the arable land and its soil and water conservation benefits in different terrain conditions in the black soil area. So Binxian County of Heilongjiang Province was selected as the study area, and 168 field investigation units were ex- tracted by stratified sampling method and investigated. According to equations of slope gradient factor and slope gradient in ridge direction, and based on the soft- ware of Arcmap, SPSS and Excel, the investigation data of soil and water loss in Binxian County were analyzed and counted, The results show that in plain, hilly and mountainous areas, the average ground slope gradients are 1.92°, 6.20° and 8.27° respectively, and the average slope gradients along ridge direction are 1.33°, 4.52°and 6.45° respectively, which account for about 70%, 73% and 78% of the average ground slope gradients in the same terrain condition; the relative quantities of soil erosion in the present ridge tillage condition account for about 55%, 69% and 67% respectively of that in down-slope ridge tillage conditions, so the present ridge tillage has obviously relative soil and water conservation benefits. Based on these results, the reasons of the present ridge tillage status were analyzed, and some reform measures were proposed. The results could not only help to comprehend the spatial distribution and soil and water conservation benefits of ridge tillage in the black soil area of Northeast China, but also provide scientific references for the layout of local soil and water conservation measures.

Subsoiling and Ridge Tillage Alleviate the High Temperature Stress in Spring Maize in the North China Plain

High temperature stress（HTS） on spring maize（Zea mays L.） during the filling stage is the key factor that limits the yield increase in the North China Plain（NCP）.Subsoiling（SS） and ridge tillage（R） were introduced to enhance the ability of spring maize to resist HTS during the filling stage.The field experiments were conducted during the 2011 and 2012 maize growing seasons at Wuqiao County,Hebei Province,China.Compared with rotary tillage（RT）,the net photosynthetic rate,stomatal conductance,transpiration rate,and chlorophyll relative content（SPAD） of maize leaves was increased by 40.0,42.6,12.8,and 29.7% under SS,and increased by 20.4,20.0,5.4,and 14.2% under R,repectively.However,the treatments reduce the intercellular CO 2 concentration under HTS.The SS and R treatments increased the relative water content（RWC） by 11.9 and 6.2%,and the water use efficiency（WUE） by 24.3 and 14.3%,respectively,compared with RT.The SS treatment increased the root length density and soil moisture in the 0-80 cm soil profile,whereas the R treatment increased the root length density and soil moisture in the 0-40 cm soil profile compared with the RT treatment.Compared with 2011,the number of days with temperatures 33°C was more 2 d and the mean day temperature was higher 0.9°C than that in 2012,whereas the plant yield decreased by 2.5,8.5 and 10.9%,the net photosynthetic rate reduced by 7.5,10.5 and 18.0%,the RWC reduced by 3.9,5.6 and 6.2%,and the WUE at leaf level reduced by 1.8,5.2 and 13.1% in the SS,R and RT treatments,respectively.Both the root length density and the soil moisture also decreased at different levels.The yield,photosynthetic rate,plant water status,root length density,and soil moisture under the SS and R treatments declined less than that under the RT treatment.The results indicated that SS and R can enhance the HTS resistance of spring maize during the filling stage,and led to higher yield by directly improving soil moisture and root growth and indirectly improving plant water status,photosynthesis and grain filling.The study can provide a theoretical basis for improving yield of maize by adjusting soil tillage in the NCP.

Microearthquake reveals the lithospheric structure at midocean ridges and oceanic transform faults

Mid-ocean ridge and oceanic transforms are among the most prominent features on the seafloor surface and are crucial for understanding seafloor spreading and plate tectonic dynamics,but the deep structure of the oceanic lithosphere remains poorly understood.The large number of microearthquakes occurring along ridges and transforms provide valuable information for gaining an indepth view of the underlying detailed seismic structures,contributing to understanding geodynamic processes within the oceanic lithosphere.Previous studies have indicated that the maximum depth of microseismicity is controlled by the 600-℃isotherm.However,this perspective is being challenged due to increasing observations of deep earthquakes that far exceed this suggested isotherm along mid-ocean ridges and oceanic transform faults.Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain these deep events,and we suggest that local geodynamic processes(e.g.,magma supply,mylonite shear zone,longlived faults,hydrothermal vents,etc.)likely play a more important role than previously thought.

Discovery and characterization of a new hydrothermal field at 2°N on the slow-spreading Carlsberg Ridge

A new hydrothermal field(Tianshi)was discovered on the rift valley wall through plume anomaly surveys and geological work conducted in 2012 and 2018 between 2°35′N and 2°43′N of the slow-spreading Carlsberg Ridge(CR).Here,the results of two expeditions conducted to detect and characterize the new hydrothermal field are reported.Mineralogical and geochemical data,as well as 14 C ages of a sediment core collected near the field are presented to reveal the hydrothermal history.Results show that the Tianshi field is a basalt-hosted hydrothermal system.Geochemical data of the sediments collected near the field indicate a strong hydrothermal contribution,and hydrothermal Fe and Cu fluxes range from 30 to 155 mg/(cm^(2)·ka)and 0.59 to 11.49 mg/(cm^(2)·ka),respectively.Temporal variations in the fluxes of hydrothermal Fe indicate that there have been at least three amplified hydrothermal venting events(H 1,H 2,and H 3)in the Tianshi field over the last 35.2 ka,in 28.6-35.2 ka BP,22.0-27.6 ka BP,and 1.2-11.4 ka BP,respectively.Hydrothermal event H 2 was driven by an increased magmatic production associated with sea level fall during the Last Glacial Maximum,while event H 3 was promoted by tectonic activity associated with a rapid sea level rise.This study further verified the role of sea level change in modulating hydrothermal activity on mid-ocean ridges.

Characteristics of the Deep Crustal Structure of the Greenland–Iceland–Faroe Ridge in the North Atlantic

The Greenland–Iceland–Faroe Ridge,located between the central eastern part of Greenland and the northwestern edge of Europe,spans across the North Atlantic.As the core component of the Greenland–Iceland–Faroe Ridge,the Iceland is an alkaline basalt area,which belongs to the periodic submarine magmatism and submarine volcano eruption resulting from mantle plume upwelling(Jiang et al.,2020).For the oceanic plateaus,the characteristics of the Iceland are closest to the continental crust,so the Iceland is considered the most suitable for simulating the earliest continental crust on the Earth(Reimink et al.,2014).

Environmental characteristics of trace metals in seawater from the Ninety East Ridge in the Indian Ocean

The Ninety East Ridge in the Indian Ocean has complex and unique characteristics.The concentrations and distribution characteristics of 10 trace metals(V,Cr,Mn,Fe,Co,Ni,Cu,Cd,Pb,and U)in seawater from the Ninety East Ridge in the Indian Ocean were investigated.Results show that the average concentrations of different trace metals in all the collected seawater samples were 1.134μg/L for V,0.158μg/L for Cr,0.489μg/L for Mn,0.427μg/L for Fe,0.011μg/L for Co,0.395μg/L for Ni,0.403μg/L for Cu,0.097μg/L for Cd,0.139μg/L for Pb,and 3.470μg/L for U.Differences in the horizontal and vertical distributions of all measured trace metals were revealed,and the occurrence of high concentrations was nonuniform.In addition,the significant differences in the concentration distribution of different trace metals in seawater on both sides of the Ninety East Ridge present regional segmentation in the area for various trace metals in deep sea water.This study provided basic data for future investigations on the environmental and ecological impact of trace metals in the Indian Ocean and the potential water mass transport mechanism.

Cu-Zn isotope compositions of hydrothermal sediments from the southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge:implications to the sediment formation and mineral exploration

Six hydrothermal sediment samples were collected from the Xunmei and Tongguan hydrothermal fields along the southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge during the China Ocean Cruise DY46 in 2017.Sulfides and oxides in the samples were separated,and Cu and Zn isotope compositions were analyzed.Results show that the ranges ofδ^(65)Cu values of the bulk sediments,sulfides,and oxides were 0.36‰-2.46‰,-0.21‰-1.10‰,and 0.68‰-1.52‰,respectively.Theδ^(65)Cu values of sulfides in four samples(46II-14,46II-30,46III-06,and 46II-09)were relatively low(-0.21‰-0.50‰),corresponding to theδ^(65)Cu values of sulfides from inactive old hydrothermal chimneys in northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge(n MAR),suggesting that the sulfides in the sediments were originated from collapsed dead chimney mainly.While theδ^(65)Cu values of the other two samples(46III-02 and 46III-08)were relatively high(1.10‰-0.96‰),corresponding to theδ^(65)Cu values for active hydrothermal chimneys sulfides in n MAR,which indicated that the sulfides in these two samples might mainly come from sulfide particles settled from active hydrothermal plume.Because of the high density of sulfide particles,they tended to settle near the hydrothermal vents first.Therefore,highδ^(65)Cu values of sulfides in 46III-02 and 46III-08 implied that undiscovered active hydrothermal vents near the sampling positions of 46III-02 in the Xunmei hydrothermal field and 46III-08 in the Tongguan hydrothermal field.Theδ^(66)Zn values of hydrothermal sediments and sulfides ranged 0.11‰-0.43‰and 0.29‰-0.67‰,respectively.In the four samples from the Xunmei hydrothermal field,a positive correlation was found between the distance of the sampling position from sulfide mineralized spot and the Zn isotopic ratio,showing that the greater the distance from the mineralized spot,the heavier the Zn isotope composition as seen in two samples(46II-30 and 46II-14)of the Xunmei-3 spot.This result aligned with the findings of Wilkinson et al.(2005)and Baumgartner et al.(2023),suggesting that the lower the Zn isotope composition,the closer it is to the hydrothermal vent.However,in the Xunmei hydrothermal field,the Zn isotope composition in the other two samples(46III-02and 46III-06)showed the opposite trend.This indicated that there might be an active hydrothermal vent near the sampling location of sample 46III-02.This observation aligned with the Cu isotope analysis results.This study showed that Cu-Zn isotopes are good indicators for understanding the formation mechanisms of hydrothermal sediments and for locating active hydrothermal vents.

Hydrographic Characteristics and Oceanic Heat Flux in the Upper Arctic Ocean over the Alpha Ridge Observed by the DTOP Platform in 2018 and 2021

In 2018 and 2021,the Drift-Towing Ocean Profilers(DTOP)provided extensive temperature and salinity data on the upper 120m ocean through their drifts over the Alpha Ridge north of the Canada Basin.The thickness and temperature maximum of Alaska Coastal Water(ACW)ranged from 20m to 40m and-1.5℃to-0.8℃,respectively,and the salinity generally maintained from 30.2 to 32.5.Comparison with World Ocean Atlas 2018’s climatology manifested a 40m-thick and warm ACW roughly ex-ceeding the temperature maximum by 0.4–0.5℃in June–August 2021.This anomalously warm ACW was highly related to the ex-pansion of the Beaufort Gyre in the negative Arctic Oscillation phase.During summer,the under-ice oceanic heat flux F_(w)^(OHF)was elevated,with a maximum value of above 25Wm^(-2).F_(w)^(OHF)was typically low in the freezing season,with an average value of 1.2Wm^(-2).The estimates of upward heat flux contributed by ACW to the sea ice bottom F_(w)^(OHF)were in the range of 3–4Wm^(-2)in June–August 2021,when ACW contained a heat content of more than 80MJm^(-2).The heat loss over this period was driven by a weak stratification upon the ACW layer associated with a surface mixed layer(SML)approaching the ACW core.After autumn,F_(w)^(OHF)was reduced(<2 Wm^(-2))except during rare events when it elevated F_(w)^(OHF)slightly.In addition,the intensive and widespread Ekman suction,which created a violent upwelling north of the Canada Basin,was largely responsible for the substantial cooling and thinning of the ACW layer in the summer of 2021.

Structural features in the mid-southern section of the Kyushu–Palau Ridge based on satellite altimetry gravity anomaly

The Kyushu–Palau Ridge(KPR),an anti-S-shaped submarine highland at the center of the Philippine Sea Plate(PSP),is considered the residual arc of the Izu–Bonin–Mariana Island Arc,which retains key information about the cessation of the Western Philippine Basin(WPB)expansion and the Parece Vela Basin(PVB)breakup.Herein,using the new generation of satellite altimetry gravity data,high-precision seafloor topography data,and newly acquired ship-borne gravity data,the topographic and gravity characteristics of the KPR mid-southern section and adjacent region are depicted.The distribution characteristics of the faults were delineated using the normalized vertical derivative–total horizontal derivative method(NVDR-THDR)and the minimum curvature potential field separation method.The Moho depth and crustal thickness were inverted using the rapid inversion method for a double-interface model with depth constraints.Based on these results,the crust structure features in the KPR mid-southern section,and the“triangular”structure geological significance where the KPR and Central Basin Rift(CBR)of the WPB intersect are interpreted.The KPR crustal thickness is approximately 6–16 km,with a distinct discontinuity that is slightly thicker than the normal oceanic crust.The KPR mid-southern section crust structure was divided into four segments(S1–S4)from north to south,formed by the CBR eastward extension joint action and clockwise rotation of the PVB expansion axis and the Mindanao fault zone blocking effect.

Molybdenum isotope composition of the upper mantle and its origin:insight from mid-ocean ridge basalt

The molybdenum(Mo)isotope system is pivotal in reconstructing marine redox changes throughout Earth’s history and has emerged as a promising tracer for igneous and metamorphic processes.Understanding its composition and variation across major geochemical reservoirs is essential for its application in investigating high-temperature processes.However,there is debate regarding theδ^(98/95)Mo value of the Earth’s mantle,with estimates ranging from sub-chondritic to super-chondritic values.Recent analyses of global mid-ocean ridge basalt(MORB)glasses revealed significantδ^(98/95)Mo variations attributed to mantle heterogeneity,proposing a two-component mixing model to explain the observed variation.Complementary studies confirmed the sub-chondriticδ^(98/95)Mo of the depleted upper mantle,suggesting remixing of subduction-modified oceanic crust as a plausible mechanism.These findings underscore the role of Mo isotopes as effective tracers for understanding dynamic processes associated with mantle-crustal recycling.

Nuclear charge radius predictions by kernel ridge regression with odd-even effects

The extended kernel ridge regression(EKRR)method with odd-even effects was adopted to improve the description of the nuclear charge radius using five commonly used nuclear models.These are:(i)the isospin-dependent A^(1∕3) formula,(ii)relativistic continuum Hartree-Bogoliubov(RCHB)theory,(iii)Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov(HFB)model HFB25,(iv)the Weizsacker-Skyrme(WS)model WS*,and(v)HFB25*model.In the last two models,the charge radii were calculated using a five-parameter formula with the nuclear shell corrections and deformations obtained from the WS and HFB25 models,respectively.For each model,the resultant root-mean-square deviation for the 1014 nuclei with proton number Z≥8 can be significantly reduced to 0.009-0.013 fm after considering the modification with the EKRR method.The best among them was the RCHB model,with a root-mean-square deviation of 0.0092 fm.The extrapolation abilities of the KRR and EKRR methods for the neutron-rich region were examined,and it was found that after considering the odd-even effects,the extrapolation power was improved compared with that of the original KRR method.The strong odd-even staggering of nuclear charge radii of Ca and Cu isotopes and the abrupt kinks across the neutron N=126 and 82 shell closures were also calculated and could be reproduced quite well by calculations using the EKRR method.

Growing-season soil microbial respiration response to long-term no tillage and spring ridge tillage

No tillage(NT)and spring ridge tillage(SRT)are two common applications of conservation tillage.Although conservation tillage is known to exert major control over soil microbial respiration(SMR),the growing-season SMR response to these two applications remains elusive.In order to better understand the influence of conservation tillage practices,this experiment was conducted in an experimental field using NT and SRT for 17 years.In situ measurements of SMR,soil temperature and soil water content(SWC)were performed.Soil samples were collected to analyze soil porosity,soil microbial biomass(SMB)and soil enzymatic activities.Results show that the two conservation tillage systems had a significant difference(p<0.05)in terms of SMR;the SMR of NT was 14.7 mg∙C/m^(2)∙h higher than that of SRT.In terms of soil temperature and soil enzymatic activities,the two treatments were not significantly different(p>0.05).Despite SRT increasing the proportion of micro-porosities and meso-porosities,the soil macro-porosities for NT were 7.37%higher than that of SRT,which resulted in higher bacteria and fungi in NT.Owing to SRT damaged the hypha,which had disadvantage in soil microbe protection.Inversely,less soil disturbance was a unique advantage in NT,which was in favor of improving soil macro-pores and SWC.Redundancy analyses(RDA)showed SMR was positively correlated with soil macro-pores,SMB and SWC.Furthermore,the Pearson correlation test indicated that SMB and soil enzymatic activities did not have a significant correlation(p>0.05).This study results suggest that SRT is more conducive to carbon sequestration compared with NT in cropland.

Review on the fully mulched ridge–furrow system for sustainable maize production on the semi-arid Loess Plateau

The fully mulched ridge–furrow(FMRF) system has been widely used on the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China due to its high maize(Zea mays L.) productivity and rainfall use efficiency. However, high outputs under this system led to a depletion of soil moisture and soil nutrients, which reduces its sustainability in the long run. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the system for the sustainable development of agriculture. The development, yield-increasing mechanisms,negative impacts, optimization, and their relations in the FMRF system are reviewed in this paper. We suggest using grain and forage maize varieties instead of regular maize;mulching plastic film in autumn or leaving the mulch after maize harvesting until the next spring, and then removing the old film and mulching new film;combining reduced/notillage with straw return;utilizing crop rotation or intercropping with winter canola(Brassica campestris L.), millet(Setaria italica), or oilseed flax(Linum usitatissimum L.);reducing nitrogen fertilizer and partially replacing chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer;using biodegradable or weather-resistant film;and implementing mechanized production. These integrations help to establish an environmentally friendly, high quality, and sustainable agricultural system, promote highquality development of dryland farming, and create new opportunities for agricultural development in the semi-arid Loess Plateau.

Aseismic ridge subduction and flat subduction:Insights from three-dimensional numerical models

Flat subduction can significantly influence the distribution of volcanism,stress state,and surface topography of the overriding plate.However,the mechanisms for inducing flat subduction remain controversial.Previous two-dimensional(2-D)numerical models and laboratory analogue models suggested that a buoyant impactor(aseismic ridge,oceanic plateau,or the like)may induce flat subduction.However,three-dimensional(3-D)systematic studies on the relationship between flat subduction and buoyant blocks are still lacking.Here,we use a 3-D numerical model to investigate the influence of the aseismic ridge,especially its width(which is difficult to consider in 2-D numerical models),on the formation of flat subduction.Our model results suggest that the aseismic ridge needs to be wide and thick enough to induce flat subduction,a condition that is difficult to satisfy on the Earth.We also find that the subduction of an aseismic ridge parallel to the trench or a double aseismic ridge normal to the trench has a similar effect on super-wide aseismic ridge subduction in terms of causing flat subduction,which can explain the flat subduction observed beneath regions such as Chile and Peru.

Mulching broad ridges with a woven polypropylene fabric increases the growth and yield of young pear trees ‘Yuluxiang' in the North China Plain

Unlike traditional ridging, mulching broad ridges with a woven polypropylene fabric (WPF) can reduce soil evaporation during the drought season and avoid long saturation time in the root zone of pear trees during the rainy season. In this study, field experiments were conducted from 2017 to 2020 in a pear orchard in the North China Plain to investigate the effects of mulching broad ridges (0.3 m in height and 2 m in width) with WPF on soil temperature and moisture, nitrogen leaching, vegetative and reproductive growth of young pear trees(Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.‘Yuluxiang’). The experiments involved two treatments, namely, control (traditional no-ridge planting without mulching) and mulching broad ridges with WPF (RM treatment). The results showed that the RM treatment increased soil moisture and temperature and decreased nitrogen leaching, resulting in vigorous growth of the young pear trees. Moreover, the RM treatment increased the tree trunk cross-sectional area and height of the young pear trees by 37%and 8%in 2020, respectively. The nitrate nitrogen content at the soil layer depth of 0-30 cm was significantly higher in the RM than that in control. Furthermore, the RM treatment significantly increased the fruit yield due to larger tree size. In addition, compared with control, significantly higher fruit soluble solid content of RM treatment was detected in 2020. High precipitation (423 mm) occurred during fruit enlargement stage in 2020, RM treatment decreased the rainfall infiltration in the ridge and the soil moisture in root region, resulting in the improvement of fruit quality, compared with control.Therefore, mulching broad ridges with WPF can be implemented to increase soil moisture during drought season, soil temperature, and nitrate nitrogen content, thereby improving the growth and fruit yield of young pear trees. Additionally, it can reduce soil moisture in the root zone during the rainy season and improve the fruit quality of the trees. Finally, it can reduce nitrate nitrogen leaching, thereby reducing environmental pollution.

Creation of Cultivars with High Productive Tillering Capacity and Synchronous Earing for Ridge Technology Cultivation

For cultivation of new common wheat cultivars having valuable morphological traits new resource-saving ridge technology was applied. Our collection of dwarf lines, obtained in the result of cyclical diallel crossings of genotrophs, induced by pyridine carbonic acids, zoned common wheat cultivars and short stem common wheat samples from the World Wide Collection of the Russian Institute of Plant Industry, was applied for creation of new common wheat lines having valuable morphological traits. It was observed that open blooming dwarfs were good for cross-pollination, and without insulation they demonstrated a great issue of natural hybrids. It was marked that cross-pollination promoted appearance of great number of hybrid plants with high productive tillering capacity. After individual selection among those hybrid plants and their propagation we got fertile constant lines of common winter wheat having 17-20 productive stems per one plant and a productive ear. These lines are firm and resistant to lodging. At the present time these constant lines are cultivated in conditions of resource-saving ridge technology.

Origin of submarine canyon-channel systems along the middle segment of West Mariana Ridge,Philippine Sea

Submarine canyon-channel systems have been documented in the Parece Vela Basin,West Mariana Ridge;however,the mechanism of the formation and controlling factors remain poorly understood.Based on high-resolution multibeam bathymetric data and two-dimensional(2D)seismic profiles,we identified and mapped the submarine canyon-channel system along the middle segment of West Mariana Ridge in the Philippine Sea.These submarine canyon-channels show a main W-E orientation at depth of 2000–4500 m.They are approximately 72–128 km in length and 1.3–15 km in width,and their canyon heads are adjacent to the seamounts with several branches.The upper reaches of submarine canyon-channels are characterized by deeply incised,narrow,V-shaped thalwegs,suggesting the powerful erosion of gravity flows.The distinguished sediment waves are suggested to be resulted from the interaction of turbidity currents and seafloor.Our observations demonstrate that gravity flows originated from the collapses of seamount flanks plays a vital role in developing the submarine canyonchannel system along the West Mariana Ridge.This work provides better understanding of erosion,transport,and deposition of sediments from subducting ridges to deep-water basins,and also new insights into the origin and evolution of submarine canyon-channel systems along subducting ridges.

Critical thresholds for stage division of water erosion process in different ridge systems in mollisol region of Northeast China

Extreme rainfall events on a slope under ridge tillage systems cause concentrated stream soil loss.To analyse the critical thresholds for different stages of water erosion process of ridge systems,simulated rainfall-erosion experiments for the contour wide ridge(CWR),contour narrow ridge(CNR),longitudinal wide ridge(LWR),and longitudinal narrow ridge(LNR)were conducted under four rainfall intensities,with slope gradients of 3°and 5°.For the runoff event,the runoff depth order was LNR>LWR>CWR>CNR;the soil loss order was CNR>LNR>CWR>LWR.The product of slope factor(S)and rainfall erosivity(R)or runoff depth(D),can be adopted as critical thresholds for different stages of runoff and soil erosion process.For the longitudinal ridge systems,R values were provided for LWR and LNR and were the beginning of sheet flow,whereas the product of rainfall erosivity and slope factor(RS)values were provided for LWR and LNR as the beginning of the accelerated concentrated flow.For the contour ridge systems,R values were provided for CWR and CNR as critical thresholds for the beginning of overflow.The product of runoff depth and slope factor(DS)values were 9.98 and 7.73 mm for CWR and CNR,respectively,and were critical thresholds for the beginning of ridge failure;the DS values were 18.45 and 12.75 mm for CWR and CNR,respectively,and were critical thresholds for the beginning of the formation of ephemeral gully erosion.The critical thresholds can distinguish different stages of soil erosion process modelling.

Geological context and vents morphology in the ultramafic-hosted Tianxiu field, Carlsberg Ridge

The Tianxiu hydrothermal field(TXHF) located on Carlsberg Ridge is one of the few active ultramafic-hosted venting systems known in the Indian Ocean. Despite numerous investigations, there is limited understanding of its sulfide structure morphology, and the factors controlling the formation of TXHF are poorly understood. In this study, we conducted detailed seafloor mapping using visual data obtained by dives using the human-occupied vehicle(HOV) Jiaolong. The TXHF is found to be an active, off-axis, ultramafic-hosted, high-temperature hydrothermal area in which serpentine peridotite is exposed. Two main hydrothermal sites were identified, i.e., P and Y, both of which feature a complex of chimneys and beehive diffusers constituting a “chimney jungle” and isolated large steep-sided structures developed on flat-lying sulfide mounds. In addition, some sporadic inactive chimneys and outcrops of hydrothermal deposits were noted. The chimneys are rich in Fe and Zn sulfide, and lack the central fluid channel formed by focused high-temperature fluid flow. Hydrothermal venting at TXHF is likely related to low-angle detachment faults that focus and transport hydrothermal fluids away from a heat source along the valley wall. Our results complement and expand upon previous works concerning sulfide chimney morphology and their corresponding mineral paragenesis in ultramafic-hosted hydrothermal systems in the Indian Ocean and further our understanding of modern seafloor hydrothermal systems.