A review on bivalve shell, a tool for reconstruction of paleo-climate and paleo-environment

Environmental information can be extracted from bivalve shell geochemistry. In this review, the latest research progress and the existing problems as well as the focus of future research on stable oxygen and carbon isotopic composition and trace elemental ratios of bivalve shell were investigated. Oxygen isotopic signatures of bivalve shell have been proved precipitate in equilibrium with their host water and used as a robust tool to reconstruct ancient water temperature. In order to reconstruct quantitative paleo-temperature information, the future research on bivalve shell oxygen isotope should combine with the study of ancient water oxygen isotope. Metabolic effect prevents the direct application of stable carbon isotopic composition of bivalve shell from extracting dissolved inorganic carbon information. The contribution of metabolic carbon to bivalve shell is species specific. Stable carbon isotopic composition of dissolved inorganic carbon could be reconstructed if the metabolic contribution could be accounted for. Explore ways to remove contribution of metabolic effects to bivalve shell is the future focus of the research. There is no consensus on the effect of temperature on bivalve trace element ratios, which may be also species specific, each proxy should ideally be validated and calibrated for each species before being used to interpret past climate and environmental conditions. Future research needs to pay attention to the bivalve shell biomineralization process, which controlled bivalve shell trace element ratios. Cultivation experiment is an important way to obtain the relevant conclusions.

Evaluation of groundwater geochemical characteristics and quality in the central and Northern Shaanxi Province,China

Groundwater is of vital importance to many aspects of ecosystem services,especially in the central and northern Shaanxi Provence,China,-an area covered by loess deposits and short of water resources.We studied the solute geochemistry and water quality of groundwater in this area to improve the understanding of hydrogeochemical processes in loess deposits area.The results showed that the average pH of groundwaters was 8.03±0.36(1 SD)with large ranges(324-83,379 mg/L)of the total dissolved solids(TDS).The cations and anions followed the order of Na^+>Ca^2+>Mg^2+>K^+>SiO2 and HCO3>Cl^->SO4^2->F^->NO3^-.Most groundwater samples show the HCO3^--Na^+-Ca^2+water type and a small number of samples the Na^+-Cl^-type.Irrigation water quality assessments showed that 40%of the groundwater has good water quality,42%moderate water quality,and 18%(the upper reaches of Wuding River and Wei River)poor water quality with very high salinity.About 40%of groundwater samples were not suitable for drinking due to the high TDS,fluoride,sulfide,and chloride.Gibbs plot and stoichiometry analysis showed that carbonate weathering is the main source of groundwater chemistry in central Shaanxi Province while evaporite dissolution dominates in northern Shaanxi Provence.The loess weathering significantly influences the dissolved solutes of groundwater in the Loess Plateau.The ion-exchange between Mg^2+and Ca^2+in groundwater and Na^+in clay minerals and the deposition of carbonate minerals increased Na^+but decreased the Ca^2+in groundwater.Our research results improve our understanding of hydrogeochemical processes that affect the solutes chemistry of groundwater in the loess area and provide essential data to the global groundwater database.