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.

Anomalous extensive landfast sea ice in the vicinity of Inexpressible Island, Antarctica

On 10 December 2017,a Chinese research vessel R/V Xuelong encountered an extensive area of landfast ice offshore Inexpressible Island(Antarctica)near the location where the fifth Chinese Antarctic research station is to be built.Using multi-source satellite images and weather data,we analyzed the ice conditions during the event season and reconstructed the development of landfast ice.Two stages in late September and early October were identified as contributing to the final ice extent.These two events are highly related to local-and large-scale weather conditions.Satellite images from 2003 to 2017 showed that four in fifteen years experienced severe landfast ice conditions,suggesting that it is not a rare phenomenon.

Language and Practice From the Buddhist Perspective: Based on the Prajñāpāramitā-Sūtras

Having traveled through four gates of the palace,Śākyamuni became aśramaṇa to seek the solution for mankind’s“birth,aging,sickness,and death”.Finally,he found the truth-the ineffable reality of the world.To expound the truth to people,he had to use the linguistic convention to express the inexpressible state.The primary purpose of this paper is to use the Buddhist perspective on language based on the Prajñāpāramitā-sūtras,to compare the daily language in the world-especially linguistics and philosophy of language in academia;hence point out their limitations,defect,or pitfalls,to see the crux of the language problem,and turn to the path of Buddhist practicing as well as“bringing wisdom from knowledge”.I will elaborate on six points in full text:I.Introduction,including the five key concepts.II.The comparison of the Buddhist perspective on language with linguistics and philosophy of language.III.The perspective of the language in the 4th,7th&16th assemblies.IV.To understand the reality of the world,we have to cultivate the“hearing,contemplating,and practicing”based on Buddha’s words.V.The significance of the Buddhist perspective on language in this era.VI.Conclusion.