The recently discovered nitrate ore field in the Turpan-Hami Basin of western China represents an estimated resource of 2.5 billion tons, and is comparable in scale to the Atacama Desert super-scale nitrate deposit in...The recently discovered nitrate ore field in the Turpan-Hami Basin of western China represents an estimated resource of 2.5 billion tons, and is comparable in scale to the Atacama Desert super-scale nitrate deposit in Chile. The research on this area is rarely carried out, and the origin of the deposits remains uncertain. In this study, new methods were used to systematically analyze N and O isotopes in nitrate minerals collected from the Kumutage, Xiaocaohu, Wuzongbulak, Dawadi, Tuyugou, and Shaer ore deposits in the Turpan-Hami Basin. The data showed that the δ15NAir value ranges from 0.7‰ to 27.6‰, but mostly between 2‰ and 6‰, which was similar to atmospheric NO3-. The 18O was highly enriched with δ18OV-SMOW varying from 30.2‰ to 46.7‰. This differs from levels in deposits derived from microbial nitrogen fixation, but is similar to those in atmospheric nitrates. N and O isotopes data indicated that nitrate deposits in Turpan-Hami Basin must be the result of deposition of atmospheric nitrate particles. Although atmospheric nitrate particles are common, the nitrate deposits could form only under the condition of long-term extreme drought climate and very limited biological activity. This paper summarized the ore-forming mechanism of different types nitrate deposits based on their geological setting.展开更多
The dual isotopes(N and O)of nitrate were measured using a denitrifier bacterial method in the western South China Sea(WSCS)during September 2015 to elucidate key information during N transformation in the lower eupho...The dual isotopes(N and O)of nitrate were measured using a denitrifier bacterial method in the western South China Sea(WSCS)during September 2015 to elucidate key information during N transformation in the lower euphotic zone(LEZ)-upper mesopelagic zone(UMZ,down to 500 m in this study)continuum,which is a vital sub-environment for marine N cycle and sequestration of atmospheric CO_(2)as well.The N isotopic composition(δ^(15)N)of nitrate generally decreased from 500 m toward the base of the euphotic zone(∼100 m),reaching a value of∼4.6‰(vs.air N_(2))at the base of the LEZ,suggesting the imprint of remineralization(nitrification)of isotopically light N from atmospheric source.Theδ^(15)N andδ18O of nitrate only generally conform to a 1:1 line at 50 m and 75 m,suggesting that nitrate assimilation is a dominant process to shape nitrate isotope signature in this light-limited and relatively N-replete lower part of the euphotic zone.The fractionation factors of N and O isotopes during nitrate fractionation(15εASSIM,18εASSIM)using a steady-state model were estimated to be 4.0‰±0.3‰and 5.4‰±0.3‰,respectively.The occurrence of nitrification at the base of the LEZ and most of the UMZ is corroborated by the decoupling ofδ^(15)N and the oxygen isotopic composition(δ18O)of nitrate.Our results will provide insights for better understanding N cycle in the South China Sea from a perspective of present and past.展开更多
基金supported by Basic Scientific Research Operation Cost of State-Leveled Public Welfare Scientific Research Courtyard (Grant No. K0926)National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40543013, 40873003)Key Laboratory of Isotope Geology, Ministry of Land and Resources
文摘The recently discovered nitrate ore field in the Turpan-Hami Basin of western China represents an estimated resource of 2.5 billion tons, and is comparable in scale to the Atacama Desert super-scale nitrate deposit in Chile. The research on this area is rarely carried out, and the origin of the deposits remains uncertain. In this study, new methods were used to systematically analyze N and O isotopes in nitrate minerals collected from the Kumutage, Xiaocaohu, Wuzongbulak, Dawadi, Tuyugou, and Shaer ore deposits in the Turpan-Hami Basin. The data showed that the δ15NAir value ranges from 0.7‰ to 27.6‰, but mostly between 2‰ and 6‰, which was similar to atmospheric NO3-. The 18O was highly enriched with δ18OV-SMOW varying from 30.2‰ to 46.7‰. This differs from levels in deposits derived from microbial nitrogen fixation, but is similar to those in atmospheric nitrates. N and O isotopes data indicated that nitrate deposits in Turpan-Hami Basin must be the result of deposition of atmospheric nitrate particles. Although atmospheric nitrate particles are common, the nitrate deposits could form only under the condition of long-term extreme drought climate and very limited biological activity. This paper summarized the ore-forming mechanism of different types nitrate deposits based on their geological setting.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 42076042 and 41721005the Science and Technology Basic Resources Investigation Program of China under contract No.2017FY201403.
文摘The dual isotopes(N and O)of nitrate were measured using a denitrifier bacterial method in the western South China Sea(WSCS)during September 2015 to elucidate key information during N transformation in the lower euphotic zone(LEZ)-upper mesopelagic zone(UMZ,down to 500 m in this study)continuum,which is a vital sub-environment for marine N cycle and sequestration of atmospheric CO_(2)as well.The N isotopic composition(δ^(15)N)of nitrate generally decreased from 500 m toward the base of the euphotic zone(∼100 m),reaching a value of∼4.6‰(vs.air N_(2))at the base of the LEZ,suggesting the imprint of remineralization(nitrification)of isotopically light N from atmospheric source.Theδ^(15)N andδ18O of nitrate only generally conform to a 1:1 line at 50 m and 75 m,suggesting that nitrate assimilation is a dominant process to shape nitrate isotope signature in this light-limited and relatively N-replete lower part of the euphotic zone.The fractionation factors of N and O isotopes during nitrate fractionation(15εASSIM,18εASSIM)using a steady-state model were estimated to be 4.0‰±0.3‰and 5.4‰±0.3‰,respectively.The occurrence of nitrification at the base of the LEZ and most of the UMZ is corroborated by the decoupling ofδ^(15)N and the oxygen isotopic composition(δ18O)of nitrate.Our results will provide insights for better understanding N cycle in the South China Sea from a perspective of present and past.
