Gold enrichment characteristics and exploration prospects in Zambia: Based on 1∶1000000 geochemical mapping

The 1∶1000000 geochemical mapping of Zambia provides catchment sediment geochemical data for 58elements including Au from 746 sediment samples at 736 sampling sites,corresponding to a sampling density of about one site per 1000 km2.Under strict quality control using field duplicates,certified reference materials,and analytical replicate samples,the Au was determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry(ICP-MS).The detection limit of Au was 0.20×10^(-9).The 95%range(2.5%–97.5%)of Au concentrations was from 0.24×10^(-9) to 1.36×10^(-9),and the median value was 0.40×10^(-9).The most noticeable Au distribution patterns shown on the map are mainly located between Lusaka and Ndola(Lufilian Arc Belt).In addition,several high Au value areas occurred in Mansa,Muyombe,Chipata,and Livingstone.The spatial distribution patterns of Au in tectonic units,drainage basins,and geomorphological landscapes could be related to the Lufilian Arc Belt and Bangweulu Block.The Au concentrations show metallogenic belts between Muyombe and Mbala areas,between Mansa and Ndola areas,and between Lusaka and Kasempa areas.

Enrichment characteristic of carbon atoms in solid-liquid zone of high carbon steel under different directional solidification rates

To reveal the formation mechanism and main influencing factors of C-segregation in high carbon steel under different solidification rates(40,80,160,200 and 320μm·s^(-1)),the enrichment characteristics of carbon atoms in the solid-liquid zone of Fe-0.61%C steel were studied using a zone melting liquid metal cooling apparatus and electron probe microanalysis.The relationships among micro-segregation of carbon atoms,solid-liquid interface morphology and solidification rate were fully discussed.The results show that large dendrite spacing and a slow-moving dendritic interface create less resistance and more time for the migration of interdendritic carbon atoms to liquid zone.This results in the continuous enrichment of carbon atoms in liquid zone,further expands the solid-liquid temperature range,prolongs the solidification time of molten steel,and causes the formation of carbon micro-segregation at the solidification end as the solidification rate is 40μm·s^(-1).Conversely,abundant and elongated secondary dendrite arms with small spacing seriously impede the diffusion of interdendritic carbon-rich molten steel to liquid zone.As a result,there is only obvious dendrite segregation,but little difference in the carbon content along the solidification direction as solidification rate exceeds 200μm·s^(-1).

Enrichment Characteristics, Occurrence and Origin of Valuable Trace Elements in Lignite from Linchang Coal Mine, Guangxi, China

To evaluate the comprehensive exploitation and utilization values of coal resources in Baise basin of Guangxi, the Paleogene coal of Linchang coal mine were sampled and studied. The enrichment characteristics, occurrence modes, and geochemical origin of valuable trace elements in coal were studied by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS), polarizing microscope, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). The results reveal that Linchang coal is ultra-low calorific value lignite with high ash, medium sulfur, medium-high moisture and medium volatilization. The minerals are mainly composed of illite, kaolinite, quartz, pyrite, siderite, bassanite, anhydrite and magnesium-containing calcite. Compared with average values for world low-rank coals, the contents of valuable trace elements in Linchang coal are higher on the whole, which is characterized by the high enrichment of U, the enrichment of elements Li, V and Ag, and the slight enrichment of elements Be, Ga and Se. Lithium, V, Ga and Ag mainly occur in clay minerals including illite and kaolinite, and part of V is related to organic matter. The carriers of Be in coal are clay minerals and organic matter. Selenium is mainly combined with organic matter and a small amount exists in pyrite. Uranium is primarily organically bound in coal. The enrichment of valuable trace elements in Linchang coal is influenced by the sedimentary source, coal-forming environment, underground circulating water and geological structure. The sedimentary environment of the coal seam is an acid-reduced terrestrial peat swamp, and the source is Triassic sedimentary rocks weathered from feldspathic volcanic rocks around Baise basin.

Study on enrichment characteristics of Chinese herbal medicine based on LIBS technology

To improve the accuracy of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy(LIBS) measurement and investigate the enrichment characteristics of trace elements in different parts of Chinese herbal medicine, the original spectral data of different Chinese herbal medicines were preprocessed by combining median absolute deviation(MAD), segmented feature extraction, and wavelet denoising, and the enrichment laws of trace elements in different parts of Chinese herbal medicine were studied based on the calibration free laser induced breakdown spectroscopy(CF-LIBS). For these experimental samples, the contents of K, Ca, Mg, and Fe in chrysanthemum and its roots, stems, and leaves, Iris lactea roots and leaves, Salvia miltiorrhiza and corresponding planting soil were obtained by CF-LIBS. By calculating the element enrichment coefficient, it was found that chrysanthemum had strong enrichment ability of K element, and the enrichment ability of K element was flower > leaf > stem > root. The roots and leaves of Iris lactea showed strong enrichment of Ca and Mg. The enrichment ability for Ca is leaf > root, and for Mg is leaf > root. The enrichment coefficient of Ca and Mg in Salvia miltiorrhiza is higher. The results show that the combination of multiple data preprocessing methods can effectively improve the accuracy of LIBS measurement results. The calculation method of trace element enrichment law in different parts of Chinese herbal medicines provides guidance for the cultivation and fertilization of Chinese herbal medicines and the identification of high-quality Chinese herbal medicines.

Nutrient enrichment driven by canopy rainfall redistribution:Mechanism,quantification,and pattern

Vegetation canopies intercept and redistribute rainfall into throughfall and stemflow,which transfer substantial amounts of elements into the soil,influencing soil microbial community,plant survival,and plant community succession.Despite advancements in ecohydrological research,the implication of nutrient enrichment resulting from this redistribution of rainfall by canopies remains largely unexplored.To address this gap,we conducted a systematic review of 1020 papers published between 2000 and 2022,gathering data on nutrient concentration and enrichment for critical ions(including K^(+),Na^(+),Ca^(2+),Mg^(2+),NH_(4)^(+),Cl^(-),NO_(3)^(-)and SO_(4)^(2-))from the Web of Science and Chinese Knowledge Infrastructure databases.We aimed to synthesize the mechanisms,quantify the enrichments,and identify global patterns of nutrient enrichment in stemflow and throughfall across climate zones,and vegetation types and ecosystems.The results of this study indicate that stemflow exhibits,on average,2.1times greater ion concentration(6.13 mg L^(-1))compared to throughfall.In particular,among the investigated ions,SO_(4)^(2-)(12.45and 6.32 mg L^(-1))for stemflow and throughfall,respectively,and Cl^(-)(9.21 and 4.81 mg L^(-1))exhibit the highest concentrations in both rainfall redistribution components,while K^(+)(13.7 and 5.8)and Mg^(2+)(5.6 and 2.8)have the highest enrichment factors.Across climate zones,throughfall and stemflow show the lowest ion concentrations but the highest enrichment factors in extremely humid regions.Along the temperature gradient,ion concentrations are the highest in cold climates with no clear patterns observed for enrichment factors with increasing temperature.In addition,shrubs,conifers,mixed forests,and artificial ecosystems demonstrate enrichment factors 1.1 to 3.0 times greater than those of trees,broad-leaved plants,pure forests,and natural ecosystems.These findings emphasize the need for increased attentions to artificial ecosystems,such as urban and agricultural ecosystems,which often received limited research focus,especially regarding shrubs and conifers exhibiting stronger nutrients enrichment capabilities.Future investigations should integrate soil moisture analysis to better understand the impact of rainfall redistribution on the nutrient enrichment processes,patterns,and nutrient balance in global terrestrial ecosystems.

Enrichment of REEs in polymetallic nodules and crusts and its potential for exploitation

Polymetallic nodules and crusts are two of the most important mineral deposits in the ocean. They are rich in rare earth elements （REEs）, iron, manganese, copper, cobalt, nickel, and other useful metals. This paper discussed the analysis of 25 nodule and crust samples collected from the South China Sea, the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. The samples were analyzed for REE content by ICP-MS/AES. The average REE concentration was found to be 1096.96×10^-6 in the nodules and 1623.88×10^-6 in the crusts. Both of these values are much higher than those recorded in Earth＇s dry-land crust and sedimentary rocks. This REE enrichment is mainly controlled by the absorption of ferromanganese oxides and clay minerals in the nodules and crusts and the high levels of REEs in seawater and sediments. High cerium enrichment in the nodules and crusts may lead to more effective exploitation of REEs in the future.

Characteristics of atmospheric particles and heavy metals in winter in Chang-Zhu-Tan city clusters, China

To understand the pollution characteristics of atmospheric particles and heavy metals in winter in Chang-Zhu-Tan city clusters, China, total suspended particulate （TSP） and PMI0 samples were collected in cities of Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan from December 2011 to January 2012, and heavy metals of Cd, Pb, Cr, and As were analyzed. It shows that the average TSP concentration in Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan were （183 ± 73）, （201± 84） and （190 ±66） μg/m3 respectively, and the average PM10 were （171 ± 82）, （178 ± 65） and （179 ± 55） μg/m3 respectively. The lowest TSP and PM10 concentrations occurred at the background Shaping site of Changsha. The average ratio of p（PM10）/p（TSP） was 91.9%, ranging from 81.3% to 98.9%. Concerning heavy metals, in TSP samples, the concentration of Cr, As, Cd and Pb were 28.8-56.5, 18.1-76.3, 3.9-26.1 and 148.0-460.9 ng/m3, respectively, while in PMI0 samples, were 16.4--42.1, 15.5-67.9, 3.3-22.2 and 127.9-389.3 ng/m3, respectively. The enrichment factor of Cd was the highest, followed by Pb and As, while that of Cr was the lowest.

New advances in the assessment of tight oil resource in China

The research on tight oil becomes another hotspot in the field of unconventional oil and gas after the boom of shale gas.The global recoverable resources of tight oil are estimated to be around 47.3×10^(9)t.In recent years,significant progress has been made in the technologies of tight oil exploration and development in North America,thus stimulating the dramatic increase of tight oil production.Meanwhile,China has also acquired remarkable achievements in tight oil exploration.Mature assessment methods have been established for tight oil resources by the US,generally dominated by analogy and statistical methods with their own advantages and disadvantages as well as applicable conditions.In China,improvement of resource evaluation techniques becomes an urgent issue in increasing tight oil reserve and production.This study mainly discusses the resource evaluation methods and resource enrichment characteristics of tight oil.Seven kinds of assessment methods in three categories(i.e.,analogy,statistical and genetic method)and evaluation parameters have been preliminary established,and are specifically applied in the Sichuan,Ordos,Songliao,Junggar,Bohai Bay and other tight oil basins through the newly hierarchical resource abundance analogy method,the estimated ultimate recovery(EUR)analogy method and the small-cell volumetric method.The preliminary evaluation results reveal that China has great potential in tight oil resource,and the geological resources amount to 20×10^(9)t,providing a resource base for large-scale development.