Major elements in the Holocene loess-paleosol sequence in the upper reaches of the Weihe River valley,China

Palaeohydmlogical investigations were carried out in the Guchuan Basin in the upper reaches of the Weihe River valley, China. A set of palaeoflood slackwater deposits （SWDs） was found interbedded in the Holocene Ioess-paleosol sequence at the Guchuanzhen site （GCZ）. These palaeoflood SWDs were studied by field observations and laboratory analyses including concentrations of chemical elements and optically stimulated luminescence （OSL） dating. The results showed that the palaeoflood SWDs were the result of the secondary separations of the surface soil and weathered soil layers during the process of water transport and deposition, and without obvious weathering during soil development. These extraordinary flood events were dated back to 3,200-3,000 a B.P. with the OSL method and checked by archaeological dating of the human remains retrieved from the profile. These extraordinary flood events were therefore considered as regional expression of known climatic events and demonstrated the climatic instability in the Holocene. This result is important for understanding the effects of global climate change on the dynamics of river systems.

Major Elements in Lake Muhazi,Rwanda,East Africa

The aim of this study undertaken at Lake Muhazi in Rwanda was to determine and analyze the major elements present in water. The presence of many major elements （Al, As, Ba, C, Ca, Cu, Fe, H^＋, K, Mg, Mn, N, P, S, Si, and Zn） was determined by spectroscopic technique. The concentrations of the elements were measured in water samples taken from three different locations of the lake from May to August 2008. The lake is polluted by water flow from mountain sides surrounding the lake. Other causes of pollution could be the use of agrochemicals in the sugar land, which surrounds the lake, and human activities near the lake. Finally, we proposed the strategies that can be applied in order to ensure good conservation of the environment and to prevent augmentation of heavy materials into the lake.

Features of soil redistribution and major element migration in a karst hillslope of Southwest China

In this study, we investigated the spatial characteristics of the rate of soil distribution and the mechanism of major element migration in a typical karst hillslope in Guangxi Province, Southwestern China. Soil redistribution was examined using (137~)Cs technique under different hillslope components. With the combination of geochemical methods, the migration characteristics of major elements in soils of three hillslope components in both the horizontal and vertical directions were determined. Thirty-seven soil samples were collected and analyzed for 137 Cs and the major elements were determined. By using the profile distribution model the mean soil redistribution rates were found to be-17.01, 0.40 and-23.30t ha-1 yr-1 in the summit(BYSD), shoulder(BYSY) and toeslope(BYSJ) components of the studied hillslope, respectively. In comparison to BYSD, the sesquioxides of Fe_2O_3 and TiO_2 tend to be enriched, whereas the alkalis(CaO, MgO, Na_2O and K_2O) tend to be depleted, both in the shoulder and toeslope components. Due to human and animal activities, the contents of CaO, MgO, K_2O and Na_2O have somewhat increased within the topsoil. The results indicated that (137~)Cs activities are significantly correlated with clay particles and organic matter, and are affected by the pedogenic process and vegatation. Overall, it maybe necessary to use techniques such as (137~)Cs to investigate soil erosion with the combination of geochemical methods.

An Experimental Study on Major Element Release from the Sediments in the Changjiang(Yangtze River) Estuary

With the enhanced warming and acidification of global ocean, whether and to what extent the naturally-weathered fluvial sediment into the sea can release elements and thus influence the geochemical process and ecosystem of global ocean remain to be resolved. In this contribution, an experimental study was carried out to examine the release rates of major elements(Ca, K, Mg and Al) from the surface sediments in the Changjiang(Yangtze River) Estuary under the p H values of 4.0, 6.0 and 7.0. The two studied sediments consist primarily of quartz, plagioclase, calcite and clay minerals, with the BET(Brunauer, Emmett and Teller) surface areas of 61.7 m2 g-1 and 23.1 m2 g-1. Major elements of Ca, K, Mg and Al show different release rates under different solution p H values. With the decreasing solution p H, the release rates of Ca and K increase obviously, while the release rates of Mg and Al increase with the initial solution p H varying from 6.0 to 7.0. The different release rates of these elements are closely related to the original mineral composition of the sediments and the reaction kinetics. Based on the experimental observation, quartz and clay minerals that have low dissolution rates may dominate the major element release to the aqueous phase. This study reveals that the enhancing ocean acidification could cause considerable release of major elements from natural terrigenous sediments into the ambient marine environment, which has to be considered carefully in the future study on global change.

Mass Balance of Major Elements in Relation to Weathering in Soils Developed on Igneous Rocks in a Semiarid Region,Northwestern Iran

This study was conducted to evaluate the weathering intensity of the major soils developed on igneous rocks in semiarid region of northwestern Iran.Eight parent materials were selected including monzodiorite,alkali granite,granodiorite,syenite,pyroxene diorite,hornblende andesite,pyroxene andesite,and dacite.Representative soil profiles were described and soil samples were collected and analyzed for selected chemical and physical properties and total concentrations of major elements and Zr,V,Ti and Y.Bulk densities as well as Ti,Zr and V concentrations were used to estimate the strain factors and mass balance equations were used to quantify the net result of pedogenic weathering,i.e.elemental loss and gain.The results of clay content and pedogenic iron variability as well as index of compositional variability(ICV),chemical index of alteration(CIA) and,A-CN-K and MFW ternary plots showed that the soils developed on volcanic rocks(hornblende andesite> pyroxene andesite> dacite) were more weathered than those on the plutonic parent rocks(alkali granite,granodiorite,monzodiorite,syenite,pyroxene diorite).The results of mass balance calculations based on the strain factors revealed that the Ca and Na depleted during weathering progress mostly from plagioclase grains.In the semiarid regions Ca is precipitated as pedogenic calcite in the soil horizons.K and Mg depletion is less than Ca and Na especially in the profiles on the hornblende andesite with the highest clay and LOI content.The results of this study clearly suggest that the behavior of K and Mg during the weathering cannot only be explained by the disintegration of the primary minerals,since they are fixed on the secondary clay minerals.Iron did not change in the soils compared to the parent material and was precipitated as the pedogenic iron and conserved in the soil horizons.Overall,the results on the weathering indicators and major elements mass balance enrichment/depletion in the study area confirmed that the soil profiles developed on volcanic rocks are more weathered than those on the plutonic igneous rocks.

Are spatial distributions of major elements in soil influenced by human landscapes?

The present study attempted to evaluate the influence of human activity on major elements(Na_2O,MgO, Al_2O_3, SiO_2, K_2O, CaO, Fe_2O_3), and to find a method to explore correlations between major elements and human disturbances, according to geospatial theories and methods. The study results indicate that landscapes influence major elements in diverse ways: Al_2O_3 is closely related to road and mine landscapes; strong relationships exist between MgO, Fe_2O_3, CaO, and SiO_2 and roads;Na_2O, SiO_2, and Fe_2O_3 are unrelated to city landscapes;and Na_2O is unrelated to road and mine landscapes.

Mobility of Major and Trace Elements during the Bauxitization Processes in Ngaoundal Area (Adamawa Cameroon): Implication on Mining Perspectives

This study was focused to assess major and trace elements in bauxitic duricrusts from Ngaoundal and its surroundings in order to establish their mining interest. To this end, fieldworks, mineralogical and geochemical analyses were carried out. Four facies of duricrust were identified and characterized from the summit to the top of the slope of the Ngaoundal mountain: scoriaceous, pisolitic, nodular and massive. Mineralogical and geochemical analyses performed on 16 samples, revealed a significant concentration of Al2O3 mainly in the scoriaceous facies (over 45% in grade), moderate in Fe2O3 (averaging 23.69%) and SiO2 (averaging 21.7%). Trace elements were generally low, excluding Cr (421 ppm on average), Zr (327 ppm on average and V (213 ppm on average). In addition, the limited quantities of alkalis (Na2O, K2O) and alkaline earths metals (MgO, CaO) coupled with the very high values of Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) and Mineralogical Index of Alteration (MIA), (more than 99%) attest to the intense weathering of the studied materials. Allitization and monosiallitization constituted the crystallochemical phenomena that have led to the development of bauxitic minerals. More than 90% of gibbsite in scoriaceous facies, 52.21% - 76.01% of kaolinite in pisolitic facies and more than 40% of hematite in nodular facies were quantified. The relationships between the constitutive components indicated their interdependency during the bauxitization phenomenon. The mineralogical and geochemical properties highlighted the mining interest of the studied duricrusts to be valorized.

Petrogenesis of granitic pegmatite veins:Perspectives from major element and B isotope in tourmalines,Chakabeishan,Northern Tibetan Plateau

The petrogenesis of regionally zoned granitic pegmatite veins remains debated.Because of the economic significance,we carried out a study on the Chakabeishan(CKBS)pegmatite-type Li-Be deposit,eastern North Qaidam Tectonic Belt,Northern Tibetan Plateau,by means of in-situ major element and B isotope compositions of tourmalines in the beryl-bearing and spodumene-bearing pegmatite veins.Tourmalines(Tur-Be)from the beryl-bearing pegmatite are homogeneous schorl with low Mg/(Mg+Fe),high Na/(Na+Ca)and Y Al,suggesting that they are of magmatic origin.Two generations of tourmalines(TurLi)from the spodumene-bearing pegmatite are identified:(i)the crystal cores(mostly elbaite and Lirich schorl with subordinate schorl)are consistent with being of magmatic origin crystallized at the magmatic stage;(ii)the crystal rims(schorl)are best understood as the overgrowth at the later hydrothermal stage.Tur-Be and Tur-Li show an obvious difference in core-to-rim B isotopic variation trend with d11B decrease in Tur-Be and increase in Tur-Li.The core-to-rim d11B decrease in Tur-Be results from degassing during its host pegmatitic melt evolution,whereas the core-to-rim d11B increase in Tur-Li is related to fluid exsolution.The estimated d11B values for the initial melts of the beryl-bearing and spodumenebearing pegmatites are10.46‰and10.78‰,respectively,indicating that they most likely originate from protracted fractional crystallization/differentiation of granitic intrusions rather than partial melting of metapelite.Both Mg/(Mg+Fe)ratios and Li abundances in the cores of Tur-Be are lower than those of Tur-Li,suggesting that Tur-Li crystallizes from chemically more evolved melts.

Preliminary Study of Chemical Elements Distribution in Petroleum Source Rocks Donga and Yogou Formations of the Termit Sedimentary Basin (Est-Niger)

XRF and EDX analyses were carried out on 18 batches of representative raw samples to determine the distribution of major chemical elements in the petroleum source rocks of Donga and Yogou formations of Termit sedimentary basin. The chemical composition of these formations is dominated by silicon (Si), aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe). This is consistent with the oxide composition, which is also dominated by silicon oxide (SiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and iron monoxide (FeO). No less important chemical elements are calcium (Ca), potassium (K), sulfur (S), titanium (Ti), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn) and barium (Ba), as well as some of their oxides. All these major chemical elements are carried by silicate detrital minerals associated with pyrite and goethite and/or clay minerals such as kaolinite and interstratified illite, smectite and chlorite. This trend is illustrated by the values of the Si/Al and SiO2/Al2O3 ratios.

Environmental Changes Recorded by Major Elements in Loulan Stupa Section during Early-Middle Holocene

Holocene palaeoweathering conditions and environmental changes of Loulan （楼兰） Stupa Sec-tion were reconstructed by major elements analysis results and optical stimulated luminescence dating results. Major element results show source rock change little, with the composition equivalent to granodiorite. The low R value and high CIA （chemical index of alteration） value indicating the section at primary weathering phases. The muddy silt and silty clay have low R value and high CIA value and total iron content. In contrast, the sandy clay silt and sandy silt have high R value and low CIA and total iron value. Deglaciation time climate was relatively humid. In comparison to previous and posterior hiatus, the Middle-Holocene climate was relatively wet but still displayed high-frequency and high-amplitude fluctuations.

Paleoclimatic evolution indicated by major geochemical elements from aeolian sediments on the east of Qinghai Lake

As the largest inland lake of China, along with its unique landscape and geographical location, Qinghai Lake has got much atten- tion of the scientists for a long time. The precursors have done substantive researches by using the lake sediment, which deepen our tmderstanding of the climate changes in this region. Although sand dunes and loess sediment are widely distributed around the lake, so far the researches on geochemical elements from aeolian sediment have been less reported. In this paper, we selected a typical aeolian profile on the east of Qinghai Lake. Based on systematic sampling and analysis of seven major geochemical ele- ments, combined with OSL dating and previous researches, this paper discusses climate changes in the Qinghai Lake area since 12.5 ka B.P.. Our conclusions are： （1） Before 12.5 ka B.P., the climate in this region was dry, cold, and accompanied by strong wind-sand activities. （2） During 12.5-11.9 ka B.P., the climate became warm and wet. However, there was an abrupt climate cooling event during 12.2-11.9 ka B.P., which likely corresponded to the Younger Dryas event. （3） During 11.9 8.0 ka B.P., the climate fluctuated greatly and frequently from warm to cold, and three cooling events occurred. （4） During 8.0-2.6 ka B.P., the climate was warm and humid. （5） Since 2.6 ka B.P., similar to the modem climate, the climate was mainly dry and cold.

Geochemical characterization of major elements in desert sediments and implications for the Chinese loess source

Mineral dust released from the desert is one of the important components of atmospheric aerosols. Arid and semi-arid deserts, sandy lands in northern China and their adjacent Gobi Desert lands in northern China and neighboring Mongolia(hereinafter referred to as Gobi) are potential sources of mineral dust in Asia. However, there is currently a lack of systematic studies on the characteristics of major elements in the potential mineral dust source area. This study investigates the major elements of 310 surficial sand samples in the stabilized and semi-stabilized dune fields from 12 deserts/sandy land and Gobi in northern China and southern Mongolian Gobi and compiles published data. We identify four regions with distinct geochemical characteristics:(1) Taklimakan, Kumtag and Qaidam deserts in western China;(2) Badain Jaran, Tengger, Hobq, and Mu Us deserts in the central and western regions of northern China;(3) Hulun Buir, Onqin Daga and Horqin sandy lands in northeast China;and(4) Gobi and Gurbantunggut deserts. The spatial distributions of the SiO2 and CaO contents in Chinese deserts are highly variable. The average content of SiO2 generally reflects an increasing trend from west to east, while the average content of CaO shows a decreasing trend from west to east. We demonstrate that the spatial variation of major elements is likely controlled by two key scenarios: the composition of source rocks and the mineral maturity caused by the supply of fresh materials. The SiO2/(Al2O3+K2O+Na2O) ratio of desert sediments is relatively lower in western China and may be caused by high ferricmagnesia and high carbonate minerals;this ratio is relatively higher in the northeast sandy lands and may be linked to a lack of fresh material supply and the presence of high K-feldspar minerals in source rocks. The deserts can be further distinguished by ternary diagrams with SiO2/10-CaO-Al2O3,(K2O+Na2O)-CaO-Fe2O3 and CaO-Na2O-K2O. The comparison of major elements between desert sediments and loess suggests that the western and/or central deserts in China may be the potential provenances of loess on the Loess Plateau.

Evolution of the East Asian monsoon and its response to uplift of the Tibetan Plateau since 1.8 Ma recorded by major elements in sediments of the South China Sea

东方亚洲季风和它的反应的进化在全球变化的学习被调查了西藏的高原高举。在 ODP Leg184 期间在华南海钻的核心沉积样品是为学习东方亚洲季风的长期的可变性的最好的材料。在好谷物大小的没有碳酸盐的沉积的主要元素的R模式因素分析(< 4 m )上面 185 mcd 地点 1146 在华南海表演在 Leg184 期间钻了的 ODP 拼接那 Ti ， TFe2O3 ， MgO ， K2O ， P ， CaO ，并且 Al2O3 一个陆上的因素是代表性的。在陆上的因素分数的变化在来源区域服从于化学侵蚀并且因此显示东方亚洲夏天季风的进化。陆上的因素分数在 1.3 妈， 0.9 妈，和 0.6 妈有三逐步的减少，显示夏天季风与有关的东方亚洲人变弱分阶段执行完全逐步，自从 1.8 妈，快西藏的高原高举。自从 0.6 妈，陆上的因素分数的周期的变化显示冰川间冰期的周期是驾驶东方亚洲季风的进化的主要力量。作为在中国黄土的情况中，在华南海的沉积记录的东方亚洲季风的长期的进化反映冰川间冰期的周期的 a coupled 效果并且西藏的高原高举。

Sediment provenance and evolution of the East Asian winter monsoon since 700 ka recorded by major elements in the West Philippine Sea

To synthetically realize the character of major-element compositions as well as its significance for provenance and paleoenvironment recorded in core sediments of the West Philippine Sea over the last 700 ka,grain size and major elements of 221 bulk sediments,together with major-element compositions in the detrital phase of 16 typical samples,in core MD06-3047 collected from the Benham Rise were analyzed.Both discrimination plot and R-mode factor analysis indicate that vertical changes of major elements are mainly controlled by the sedimentation of nearby volcanic matter and the eolian dust input,whereas influences from marine biologic deposition and hydrothermal activity are minor.In particular,Al2O3 and K2O are representative of an eolian dust factor.The variation in the eolian dust factor score is characterized by the obviously glacial-interglacial periodicity and can be well compared with the paleotemperature record of the Antarctic ice core and the evolution of the East Asian winter monsoon(EAWM) recorded in the Chinese loess sequence,and then offers a new proxy for the evolution history of eolian dust input into the study area that is controlled by the EAWM intensity and aridity in the continental source regions of atmospheric dust.

Size distributions of major elements in residual ash particles from coal combustion

Combustion experiments for three coals of different ranks were conducted in an electrically-heated drop tube furnace. The size distributions of major elements in the residual ash particles (>0.4μm) such as Al, Si, S, P, Na, Mg, K, Ca and Fe were investigated. The experimental results showed that the con-centrations of Al and Si in the residual ash particles decreased with decreasing particle size, while the concentrations of S and P increased with decreasing particle size. No consistent size distributions were obtained for Na, Mg, K, Ca and Fe. The established deposition model accounting for trace element dis-tributions was demonstrated to be applicable to some major elements as well. The modeling results indicated that the size distributions of the refractory elements, Al and Si, were mainly influenced by the deposition of vaporized elements on particle surfaces. A dominant fraction of S and P vaporized during coal combustion. Their size distributions were determined by surface condensation, reaction or adsorption. The partitioning mechanisms of Na, Mg, K, Ca and Fe were more complex.

The spatial distribution of major and trace elements of surface sediments in the northeastern Beibu Gulf of the South China Sea

A multi-index analysis including grain size, major and trace elements is performed on the surface sediments from the northeastern Beibu Gulf to trace the sources of the sediments and to understand the controlling factors for elements distribution. The mean grain size exhibits a wide variation ranging from 0.09Φ to 8.05Φ with an average value of 5.33Φ. The average contents of major elements descend in an order of c(SiO_2)>c(Al_2O_3)>c(Fe_2O_3)>c(CaO)>c(MgO)>c(K_2O)>c(Na_2O)>c(TiO_2)>c(P_2O_5)>c(MnO), while those of trace elements exhibit a descending order of c(Sr)>c(Rb)>c(V)>c(Zn)>c(Cr)>c(Pb)>c(Ni)>c(Cu)>c(As). On the basis of elementary distribution characteristics and statistical analyses, the study area is divided into the four zones: Zone I is located in the northeastern coastal area of the gulf, which receives large amount of fluvial materials from local rivers in Guangxi and Guangdong, China, and the Qiongzhou Strait; Zone Ⅱ is located in the center of the study area, where surface sediments exhibits a multiple source; Zone Ⅲ is located in the Qiongzhou Strait, where surface sediments are dominated by materials from the Zhujiang River and Hainan; Zone IV is located in the southwest of the study area, where surface sediments are mainly originated from the Red River and Hainan. The statistical analyses of sediment geochemical characteristics reveal that the grain size, which is mainly influenced by hydrodynamics and mineral composition of terrigenous materials, is the leading factor controlling the elementary distribution.Meanwhile, impacts from anthropogenic activities and marine biogenic process will also be taken into consideration.

Distribution of major and trace elements in surface sediments of Hangzhou Bay in China

The Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer was used to analyze sediment samples collected from the Hangzhou Bay to determine major and trace elemental concentrations. Based on these concentrations, the study area can be classified into three geochemical provinces. Province I covers the northern Hangzhou Bay area and contains high concentrations of A120~, Fe203, MgO, Na20, K20, MnO, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, Co and Zn. Province III is located in the western Hangzhou Bay, near the Qiantang River mouth, and contains high concentrations of SiO~, Na20, P205~ TiO2, Cr, Sr, Zr. Province II is located in the middle and eastern Hangzhou Bay, with the medium concentrations of major and trace elements. The results also demonstrate that the grain size is the dominating factor controlling the spatial variations of elemental concentrations, and the Changjiang River （Yangtze River） and Qiantang River sediments play an important role in the distribution of these elements. Anthropogenic impact on heavy metal concentrations （especially Cr, Sr and Zr） can be detected in the surface sediments near the Qiantang River mouth.

Major and trace element geochemistry of the mid-Bay of Bengal surface sediments: implications for provenance

The major and trace elements in 110 surface sediment samples collected from the middle of the Bay of Bengal（mid-Bay of Bengal） are analyzed to investigate provenance. Si levels are highest, followed by Al, and the distributions of these two elements are identical. The average CIA＊（chemical index of alteration） value is 72.07,indicating that the degree of weathering of the sediments in the study area is intermediate between those of sediments of the Himalayan and Indian rivers. Factor analyses and discrimination function analyses imply that the two main provenances are the Himalayan and the Indian continent. The inverse model calculation of the Tinormalized element ratios of the Bay of Bengal sediments indicate an estimated average contribution of 83.5%and 16.5% from the Himalayan and peninsular Indian rivers to the study area, respectively. The Himalayan source contributes more sediment to the eastern part of the study area, whereas the western part receives more sediment from the Indian Peninsula than did the eastern part. The primary mechanisms for deposition of sediments in the study area are the transport of Himalayan matter by turbidity currents and river-diluted water and the transport of Indian matter to the study area by a surface circulation in the Bay of Bengal, particularly the East India Coastal Current.

Seasonal Evolution of the Rhizosphere Effect on Major and Trace Elements in Soil Solutions of Norway Spruce (<i>Picea abies Karst</i>) and Beech (<i>Fagus sylvatica</i>) in an Acidic Forest Soil

In low-nutrient ecosystems such as forests developed on acidic soil, the main limiting factor for plant growth is the availability of soil nutrients. The aim of this study was to investigate in a temperate forest: 1) the influence of the rhizosphere processes on the availability of nutrients and trace elements during one year period and 2) the seasonal evolution of this rhizosphere effect. Bulk soil and rhizosphere were collected in organo-mineral and mineral horizons of an acidic soil during autumn, winter, and spring under Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst) and beech (Fagus sylvatica). Soil solutions were extracted by soil centrifugation. Rhizosphere solutions were enriched in K, and in Ca, Mg, and Na (principally in spring) compared to those of the bulk soil. Our study reveals seasonal variations of the rhizosphere effect for Ca, Mg, and Na under both species, i.e., higher enrichment of the rhizosphere solution in spring as compared with that in autumn and winter. An enrichment of the rhizosphere solutions was also observed for trace elements regardless of the season under both species in the mineral horizon, only. In contrast, seasonal variations of the rhizosphere effect for the trace elements were observed in the solutions of the organomineral horizon under beech, i.e., enrichment in autumn and depletion in winter. This study demonstrates that rhizosphere biological activities significantly increase nutrient bioavailability during the growth period. These complex interactions between roots, microbial communities and soils are a key-process that supports tree nutrition in nutrient-poor forest soils. This research also reveals that rhizosphere processes a) occur throughout the year, even in winter, and b) influence differently the dynamics of nutrients and trace elements in the root vicinity of the organo-mineral horizon.

MAXIMAL ELEMENTS OF A FAMILY OF G_B-MAJORIZED MAPPINGS IN PRODUCT FC-SPACES AND APPLICATIONS

A new family of GB-majorized mappings from a topological space into a finite continuous topological spaces （in short, FC-space） involving a better admissible set-valued mapping is introduced. Some existence theorems of maximal elements for the family of GB-majorized mappings are proved under noncompact setting of product FCspaces. Some applications to fixed point and system of minimax inequalities are given in product FC-spaces. These theorems improve, unify and generalize many important results in recent literature.