Assessment of selenium pollution in agricultural soils in the Xuzhou District,Northwest Jiangsu, China

Xuzhou City is an important base for coal production and coal-fired power. To evaluate selenium contamination in this area, we sampled agricultural soil, soil profile, irrigation water, bedrock, coal, fly ash, paddy rice, and vegetables from the north of Xuzhou City, and determined their selenium contents. The background level of selenium in the soil profile was 0.08 mg/kg. The selenium concentrations in agricultural soils and irrigation water were in the range of 0.21-4.08 mg/kg and 0.002-0.29 mg/L, respectively. Soils with high selenium content were located closely to coalmines and power plants. The average selenium concentrations in coal and coal fly ash were 5.46 and 2.81 mg/kg, respectively. In contrast, the concentrations of selenium in bedrock and in the soil profile were very low. These results imply that the high selenium level in agricultural soils is mainly caused by anthropogenic activities, rather than by parent material. The arithmetic mean of selenium concentration in paddy rice was 0.116 mg/kg, and in cabbage was 0.05 mg/kg. The selenium concentration in rice was positively correlated with total selenium concentration in soil, suggesting that selenium in soil is readily transferred into the crops. Furthermore, the estimated dietary intake （88.8 μg） of selenium from paddy rice and cabbage exceeds the recommended dietary allowance （55 μg）. Therefore, there is a potential health risk from consumption of local staple food in the study area.

Geological and geochemical characteristics of Middle Jurassic granites in Bengbu uplift, Southeast of North China craton

1 Introduction The early formation and evolution of the North China craton has been widely concerned by scientists.The Bengbu uplift belt is located in the southeast of the craton,theresearch degree of the belt is relatively low and received increasing attention from many scholars in recent years.Through the author’s practical work and combined with

Geological environment impact analysis of a landfill by the Yangtze River

In order to assess the geological environment impact of a city landfill by the Yangtze River, soils from different depths in the dumpsite were sampled and analyzed. It was found that pollutants content at the site was distinctly higher than that in nearby environments. The content of heavy metals, such as Cd, Hg, As, Pb and Cu, reduces as depth increases; the content of elements F, Cl and N is the contrary. Pollutants migration driven by underground water flow was analyzed, considering the hydro-geological conditions of the site. It is believed that, due to leaching after rainfall infiltration, pollutants in the garbage layer migrates deeper, the cohesive soil in the underlying surface prevents them from spreading to the deeper aquifer; additionally, the high pressure tolerance of the deep groundwater is a key factor in preventing pollutants from entering the aquifer. Furthermore, human control has reduced the annual fluctuation range of water level in nearby rivers, weakening the hydrodynamic relations with phreatic water, and thus reducing the spreading of pollutants to nearby surface waters.

Genesis of the Bangbu Orogenic Gold Deposit, Tibet： Evidence from Fluid Inclusion, Stable Isotopes, and Ar-Ar Geochronology

The Bangbu gold deposit is a large orogenic gold deposit in Tibet formed during the AlpineHimalayan collision. Ore bodies（auriferous quartz veins） are controlled by the E-W-trending Qusong-Cuogu-Zhemulang brittle-ductile shear zone. Quartz veins at the deposit can be divided into three types： pre-metallogenic hook-like quartz veins, metallogenic auriferous quartz veins, and postmetallogenic N-S quartz veins. Four stages of mineralization in the auriferous quartz veins have been identified：（1） Stage S1 quartz＋coarse-grained sulfides,（2） Stage S2 gold＋fine-grained sulfides,（3） Stage S3 quartz＋carbonates, and（4） Stage S4 quartz＋ greigite. Fluid inclusions indicate the oreforming fluid was CO_2-N_2-CH_4 rich with homogenization temperatures of 170–261°C, salinities 4.34–7.45 wt% Na Cl equivalent. δ^（18）Ofluid（3.98‰–7.18‰） and low δDV-SMOW（-90‰ to-44‰） for auriferous quartz veins suggest ore-forming fluids were mainly metamorphic in origin, with some addition of organic matter. Quartz vein pyrite has δ^（34）SV-CDT values of 1.2‰–3.6‰（an average of 2.2‰）, whereas pyrite from phyllite has δ^（34）SV-CDT 5.7‰–9.9‰（an average of 7.4‰）. Quartz vein pyrites yield 206Pb/204 Pb ratios of 18.662–18.764, 207Pb/204 Pb 15.650–15.683, and ^（208）Pb/204 Pb 38.901–39.079. These isotopic data indicate Bangbu ore-forming materials were probably derived from the Langjiexue accretionary wedge. 40Ar/39 Ar ages for sericite from auriferous sulfide-quartz veins yield a plateau age of 49.52 ± 0.52 Ma, an isochron age of 50.3 ± 0.31 Ma, suggesting that auriferous veins were formed during the main collisional period of the Tibet-Himalayan orogen（-65–41 Ma）.

Sedimentary Evolution and Transgressions of the Western Subei Basin in Eastern China since the Late Pliocene

Sedimentary sequences in the Subei Basin are complex and have been affected by interactions between the ocean and rivers since the Late Pliocene, including the Yellow River, Huaihe River, and the Yangtze River. This sedimentary evolution, in particular the timing of Pleistocene transgressions, has long been a matter of controversy owing to the lack of precise chronological evidence. The aim of this study is to explore the evolution of the sedimentary environment throughout the past 3.00 Ma in this region on the basis of a comprehensive analysis of particle size and foraminifera and ostracods collected in the TZK9 core from the Subei Basin combined with geochronological studies of magnetostratigraphy, AMS^(14)C and optically stimulated luminescence(OSL). The results show that fluvial facies in the sedimentary environment from 3.00 to 1.01 Ma. There were fluvial facies and reflects six sea-level high stands from 1.01 to 0.25 Ma. The study area was affected by four large-scale transgressions since 0.25 Ma. The four marine sedimentary layers known as DU7(buried at 48–52 m), DU5(buried at 35–41 m), DU3(buried at 16–23 m), and DU1(buried at 2–4 m) are recorded in the MIS7(210–250 ka), MIS5, MIS3, and Holocene, respectively. The magnitude of the DU5 transgression was identical to that of the DU3 transgression, both were larger than the DU7 transgression, and the DU1 transgression was the weakest. The variation of transgression strength reflects the influence of global changes in sea level, tectonic subsidence, shell ridges, and sand dams. In the TZK9 core, we found evidence of seven sea-level high stands from the Early–Middle Pleistocene, and the first one caused by regional rapid subsidence and could be traced back to 0.83-0.84 Ma. The sea-level high stands and the age of the first one recorded above was different from other cores in eastern China, this was caused by the lack of absolute age control and the differences in paleotopography during this period. This study reconstructs sedimentary evolution, determines the transgression and its age, establishes the chronology since the Late Pliocene, and provides a scientific framework for further paleoenvironmental and tectonic studies. The results of this study highlight the important role that local tectonics and global sea level play in the sedimentary evolution and transgressions that have occurred in the western Subei Basin.

Influence of Alumina Content on Catalytic Performance of PtSn/Al_2O_3/SBA-15 Catalysts for Propane Dehydrogenation

The alumina-modified SBA-15 （A12OJSBA-15） zeolite was prepared in a non-aqueous system by using toluene as the solvent, and was used to support the PtSn-based catalyst for propane dehydrogenation. The BET surface area mea- surements, hydrogen chemisorption, FT-IR spectroscopy, NH3-TPD, XPS and TPO techniques were used to characterize the catalysts. Test results showed that the addition of alumina not only could modify the acid function of the support but also the structure of the metallic phase, thus affecting their catalytic properties. Among these catalysts studied, the PtSn/AI203 （5%）/ SBA-15 catalyst exhibited a best catalytic performance in terms of propane conversion and selectivity to propene. The high catalytic performance might be attributed to the relatively good Pt metal dispersion and/or the strong interaction between Pt and Sn species.

Simulating experiment on the hydrothermal superimposing metallogenesis of the Dongguashan strata-bound copper deposit

Series of sedimentary hydrothermal-diplogenetic copper deposits have been found scattering in the region along the middle-lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and their metallogenetic mechanism is still in hot debate. In order to reveal the ore-forming kinetics of sedimentary process and hydrothermal superimposition, and evaluate the role of sedimentary pyrite in the enrichment and precipitation of copper, a set of simulating experiments on the reaction between pyrite and CuCl2 solution were conducted. According to the physicochemical characteristics of the ore-forming fluid of the Dongguashan copper deposit, Anhui Province, 100 MPa was selected as the experimental pressure, and the experimental temperatures were set at 450, 350, 250 and 150°C, respectively. The reactions between pyrite grains isolated from the Shimenkou strata-bound pyrite deposit and the solution with 0.2 mol/L CuCl2 and 1.0 mol/L NaCl were experimentally simulated. Then, variations in surface topography and surface chemistry of the experimental pyrite grains were documented using scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Auger electron spectrometry (AES) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and the solution and newly formed minerals were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma (ICP-AES) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Desulphurization of pyrite surface was observed and new copper minerals were detected. It is proposed that pyrite can act as a geochemical barrier for the enrichment and precipitation of copper from the solution under the experimental conditions. Furthermore, the ore-forming mechanism of sedimentary hydrothermal-diplogenetic copper deposits was discussed.

Geological Environment Problems Caused by Controlling Groundwater Exploitation in Jiangyin City

Geological environment effects caused by the control of groundwater exploitation in Jiangyin city are discussed thoroughly, including the dynamic variation of groundwater levels and quality and the development of land sub-sidence and ground fissures. According to the dynamic characteristics of groundwater levels, some advice about groundwater exploitation is offered. Our research will provide a basis for using groundwater resources and the preven- tion of geological disasters in Jiangyin city and the Suzhou-Wuxi-Changzhou area. The following results are deduced from our research. First, groundwater levels vary with the exploitation of groundwater in Jiangyin city and are affected by hydrogeological conditions. The groundwater levels remained rather stable before and after the implementation of control of groundwater exploitation in the northwest of Jiangyin city along the Yangtze River. A suitable level of exploitation should be allowed. In the southeast, the speed of recovery of the groundwater level has been rather rapid after the control of exploitation. We conclude that groundwater might be exploited locally after the groundwater level has recovered. In the southwest, the speed of recovery of the groundwater level is rather slow and exploitation of ground-water should be prohibited. Second, groundwater quality is stable in Jiangyin city and the contents of the main chemical indices of groundwater varied only slightly before and after the control of exploitation. Third, after controlling the exploitation, the speed of land subsidence has clearly slowed down and the development of ground fissures has been controlled effectively.

Carbon isotope variations of modern soils in the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau and their controlling factors

The marginal areas of the Tibetan Plateau have great vertical altitude gradient and abundant vegetation, they are therefore the ideal places for investigating the relationships among carbon isotope composition(δ^(13)C) of modern soils, vegetation and environmental factors, which would be very useful for the reconstructions of both paleovegetation and paleoclimate. In this paper, modern soil samples collected in different vegetation vertical zones along 4km elevation gradient in the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau were analyzed for their carbon isotope composition. The results show that the modern soils in different vegetation vertical zones show apparent difference of δ^(13)C values, which get heavier in the sequence of mixed evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forest(-27.28‰ on average), evergreen broad-leaved forest(-27.25‰), subalpine shrub-meadow(-25.81‰), subalpine coniferous forest(-25.81‰), alpine bush-meadow(-25.16‰), and drought-enduring shrub(-24.07‰). 1800 m and 3500 m are two critical points for the δ^(13)C values with respect to altitude. Specifically, the δ^(13)C values decrease with increasing altitude below both points while increasing with increasing altitude above both points. Further analyses indicate that the declining δ^(13)C values are mainly controlled by the decreasing proportion of C4 plants with elevation and the increasing δ^(13)C values are attributed to the plant physic-morphological adaptation to the alpine environment. In the absence of drought stress, temperature is the main controlling factor for the carbon isotopic variations with altitude gradient.

THE XIAOJIAO HIGH-GRADE ECLOGITE-TYPE RUTILE DEPOSIT IN JIANGSU, CHINA: GEOLOGY, GEOCHEMISTRY AND METALLOGENESIS

The Xiaojiao rutile deposit with stratiform, banded and lens-shaped rutile-bearing eclogite in the Sulu ultra-high pressure metamorphic zone represents the largest and richest primary rutile mineralization in the zone. Four kinds of rutile can be recognized. They are: (1) inclusions in garnet and omphacite; (2) intergranular infilling between garnet and omphacite; (3) altered remnant; and (4) hydrothermal infilling in veinlets. Electron microprobe data show that sodic metasomatism probably from metamorphic fluid could play an important role in rutile mineralization during high and ultra-high pressure metamorphism. The present paper concludes that according to geochemical characteristics, the eclogite originated from mafic and ultramafic rocks in the upper mantle and crust-mantle boundary and the Xiaojiao eclogite-type rutile deposit is genetically closely related to ultra-high pressure metamorphism.

Preparation of Alumina Binder-Added PtSnNa/AlSBA-15 Catalyst for Propane Dehydrogenation

Abstract： The present article compares the propane dehydrogenation performance of alumina binder-added PtSnNa/ A1SBA-15 catalysts prepared via three different procedures in comparison with the performance of a binder-free PtSnNa/ AISBA-15 catalyst. All these catalysts have been investigated by reaction tests and some physico-chemical characterizations such as BET, H2 chemisorption, catalytic grain crushing strength, NHa-TPD and TPO analyses. Test results showed that the addition of alumina binder could enhance the mechanical strength of catalyst evidently. Moreover, the different preparation procedures not only modified the characteristics of both acid and metal functions but also affected the coke deposition on the catalysts. Among these catalysts studied, the catalyst prepared by impregnation followed by the agglomeration of alumi- na binder had exhibited the highest catalytic activity and stability compared with other catalyst samples undergoing different preparation procedures. The possible reason may be attributed to the highest metallic dispersion and the strong interactions among Pt, Sn and the support.

Multi-mechanism Orogenic Model of the Su-Jiao Orogenic Belt

The Su-Jiao orogenic belt is the eastern part of the Central Mountain System of China. Recent studies on its orogenic system indicate that the Su-Jiao orogenic belt is a complex orogenic belt which suffered at least 3 orogenies of different mechanisms in the Mesoproterozoic, Neoproterozoic and Triassic respectively. The Meso-Neoproterozoic orogenies belong to the Wilson cycle on the plate margins. The belt is a part of the Late Mesoproterozoic supercontinent Rodinia. The Triassic orogeny belongs to the re-orogeny of the non-Wilson cycle. Delamination of mountain roots occurred after both the Wilson and non-Wilson cycles in the Su-Jiao orogenic belt. The large-amplitude isostatic uplift of mountains, magmatic activities and basin-forming and mountain-making in the upper crust, all indicate the general significance of delamination in the development of orogenic belts.

Evaluation and comparison of CMIP6 models and MERRA-2 reanalysis AOD against Satellite observations from 2000 to 2014 over China

Rapid industrialization and urbanization along with a growing population are contributing significantly to air pollution in China.Evaluation of long-term aerosol optical depth(AOD)data from models and reanalysis,can greatly promote understanding of spatiotemporal variations in air pollution in China.To do this,AOD(550 nm)values from 2000 to 2014 were obtained from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project(CIMP6),the second version of Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research,and Applications(MERRA-2),and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS;flying on the Terra satellite)combined Dark Target and Deep Blue(DTB)aerosol product.We used the TerraMODIS DTB AOD(hereafter MODIS DTB AOD)as a standard to evaluate CMIP6 Ensemble AOD(hereafter CMIP6 AOD)and MERRA-2 reanalysis AOD(hereafter MERRA-2 AOD).Results show better correlations and smaller errors between MERRA-2 and MODIS DTB AOD,than between CMIP6 and MODIS DTB AOD,in most regions of China,at both annual and seasonal scales.However,significant under-and over-estimations in the MERRA-2 and CMIP6 AOD were also observed relative to MODIS DTB AOD.The long-term(2000-2014)MODIS DTB AOD distributions show the highest AOD over the North China Plain(0.71)followed by Central China(0.69),Yangtse River Delta(0.67),Sichuan Basin(0.64),and Pearl River Delta(0.54)regions.The lowest AOD values were recorded over the Tibetan Plateau(0.13±0.01)followed by Qinghai(0.19±0.03)and the Gobi Desert(0.21±0.03).Large amounts of sand and dust particles emitted from natural sources(the Taklamakan and Gobi Deserts)may result in higher AOD in spring compared to summer,autumn,and winter.Trends were also calculated for 2000-2005,for2006-2010(when China introduced strict air pollution control policies during the 11 th Five Year Plan or FYP),and for 2011-2014(during the 12 th FYP).An increasing trend in MODIS DTB AOD was observed throughout the country during 2000-2014.The uncontrolled industrialization,urbanization,and rapid economic development that mostly occurred from 2000 to 2005 probably contributed to the overall increase in AOD.Finally,China’s air pollution control policies helped to reduce AOD in most regions of the country;this was more evident during the 12 th FYP period(2011-2014)than during the 11 th FYP period(2006-2010).Therefore this study strongly advises the authority to retain or extend these policies in the future for improving air quality.

Spatial Variability of Soil Organic Carbon and Related Factors in Jiangsu Province,China

Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays a key role in the global carbon cycle.In this study,we used statistical and geostatistical methods to characterize and compare the spatial heterogeneity of SOC in soils of Jiangsu Province,China,and investigate the factors that influence it,such as topography,soil type,and land use.Our study was based on 24 186 soil samples obtained from the surface soil layer (0-0.2 m) and covering the entire area of the province.Interpolated values of SOC density in the surface layer,obtained by kriging based on a spherical model,ranged between 3.25 and 32.43 kg m 3.The highest SOC densities tended to occur in the Taihu Plain,Lixia River Plain,along the Yangtze River,and in high-elevation hilly areas such as those in northern and southwest Jiangsu,while the lowest values were found in the coastal plain.Elevation,slope,soil type,and land use type significantly affected SOC densities.Steeper slope tended to result in SOC decline.Correlation between elevation and SOC densities was positive in the hill areas but negative in the low plain areas,probably due to the effect of different land cover types,temperature,and soil fertility.High SOC densities were usually found in limestone and paddy soils and low densities in coastal saline soils and alluvial soils,indicating that high clay and silt contents in the soils could lead to an increase,and high sand content to a decrease in the accumulation of SOC.SOC densities were sensitive to land use and usually increased in towns,woodland,paddy land,and shallow water areas,which were strongly affected by industrial and human activities,covered with highly productive vegetation,or subject to long-term use of organic fertilizers or flooding conditions.

Methods for calculating glacier area and length in a mountainous area based on remote-sensing data and a digital elevation model

In a mountainous region, the glacier area and length extracted form the satellite imagery data is the projected area and length of the land surface, which can’t be representative of the reality; there are always some errors. In this paper, the methods of calculating glacier area and length calculation were put forward based on satellite imagery data and a digital elevation model (DEM). The pure pixels and the mixed pixels were extracted based on the linear spectral un-mixing approach, the slop of the pixels was calculated based on the DEM, then the area calculation method was presented. The projection length was obtained from the satellite imagery data, and the elevation differences was calculated from the DEM. The length calculation method was presented based on the Pythagorean theorem. For a glacier in the study area of western Qilian Mountain, northwestern China, the projected area and length were 140.93 km2 and 30.82 km, respectively. This compares with the results calculated by the methods in this paper, which were 155.16 km2 and 32.11 km respectively, a relative error of the projected area and length extracted from the LandSat Thematic Mapper (TM) image directly reach to -9.2 percent and -4.0 percent, respectively. The calculation method is more in accord with the practicality and can provide reference for some other object’s area and length monitoring in a mountainous region.

A numerical simulation study on the evolutionary characteristics of the damage process of karst soil cavity under positive pressure effect

Positive pressure effect is the result of rapid urban development in recent years,which leads to over-exploitation of karst groundwater,coupled with the emergence of extreme weather(such as heavy rainfall,the increase in the duration of heavy rainfall),leading to the sharp rise of karst water level,the gas in the karst cavity can not be discharged in time to form a high positive pressure in the soil cavity and promote the destruction of the soil layer,which then induces a series of phenomena,such as karst subsidence.As a new collapse mechanism,the positive pressure effect causes geological disasters that seriously affect the safety of people's lives and properties in karst regions.In order to study the damage characteristics and evolution characteristics of karst soil cavities under positive pressure effect,this study is based on the ASCII text provided by FLAC itself,and the orthotropic simulation computation compilation program,which realizes the finite element analysis in FLAC3D,and focuses on the inhomogeneous change of soil displacement,redistribution of stresses,and plastic damage of karst soil cavities in different evolution stages under the action of positive pressure,and summarizes the characteristics and laws of stress,strain and damage in plastic zone of karst soil cave at different stages of evolution.The results will play a positive role in further investigating the potential mechanical effects,development mechanism and critical warning conditions during the evolution of covered karst soil caves,and also have important scientific research value in deepening the theory of prevention and control of collapse disasters in covered karst soil caves.

Effect of Intensive Greenhouse Vegetable Cultivation on Selenium Availability in Soil

Soil properties dramatically change after long-term greenhouse vegetable cultivation, which further affects soil selenium （Se） nutritional status and plant Se uptake. An evaluation of Se availability after long-term greenhouse vegetable cultivation （CVC） can help in better understanding its influential factors under GVC conditions and will also facilitate further regulation of soil Se nutrition in GVC systems. Two typical GVC bases were chosen： one with clayey and acidic soil in Nanjing, southern China, and the other with sandy alkaline soil in Shouguang, northern China. Twenty-seven surface soil samples at the Nanjing base and 61 surface soil samples at the Shouguang base were collected according to cultivation duration and cultivation intensity. Soil properties including soil available Se （PO4^3--Se） and total Se （T-Se） were analyzed. The results showed that soil PO4^3--Se was significantly and negatively correlated with soil Olsen-P, available K （A-K）, and electrical conductivity （EC） at the Nanjing base. At the Shouguang base, however, no significant correlation was found between soil PO4^3--Se and Olsen-P and EC, and soil PO4^3--Se increased with increasing soil organic matter （OM）. Intensively utilized greenhouse vegetable cultivation caused significant changes in soil properties and further affected soil Se availability. Due to different management practices, the dominant factors affecting Se availability varied between the two GVC bases. At the Nanjing base, the dominant influential factor on soil Se availability was soil nutritional status, especially Olsen-P and A-K status. At the Shouguang base, where organic fertilizers were applied at high rates, soil OM was the dominant influential factor.