We must persevere to drill through the intact ocean crust to fully address fundamental questions towards completion of the plate tectonics theory.The primary questions include:what is the ocean crust made up of,how th...We must persevere to drill through the intact ocean crust to fully address fundamental questions towards completion of the plate tectonics theory.The primary questions include:what is the ocean crust made up of,how thick is it and what is the petrological nature of the crust-mantle boundary(i.e.,Mohorovičićdiscontinuity or Moho)?These questions may sound naive because they are widely believed to be well-understood facts,but they are not.Correctly,our current knowledge remains incomplete,and some popular misperceptions come from interpretations based on convenient assumptions.One assumption is that the ocean crust inferred from seismic data is of magmatic origin.Testing this assumption is a principal motivation of Project Mohole(1957-1966),attempting to drill intact ocean crust across the Moho into the mantle.Project Mohole failed because of its high cost,engineering challenges and insufficient tries,but the technologies developed made subsequent ocean drilling successful.However,answers to the original questions remain unsatisfactory.For example,seismic crust interpreted to be of magmatic origin is shown to have globally uniform thickness of 6.0±1.0 km,but crust with such thickness at many slow-spreading ridge segments is dominated by serpentinized mantle peridotites exposed on seafloors.Therefore,the popular view on ocean ridge magmatism must be re-examined,which needs intact ocean crust drilling into the mantle.Drilling at geologically simple sites in the fast-spreading Pacific seafloor is most promising.The US-led D/V JOIDES Resolution that has well served the scientific ocean drilling since 1985 is to retire by the end of 2024,but timely the Chinese geoscience community wishes to continue this international endeavor using the purpose-built D/V Meng Xiang to be in service in 2025.The international community is to gather in November 24-27,2024,Guangzhou,China,to discuss strategies on where and how to successfully drill intact ocean crust across the Moho in coming years.展开更多
The high Ba-Sr rocks can provide significant clues about the evolution of the continent lithosphere,but their petrogenesis remains controversial.Identifying the Late Cretaceous high Ba-Sr granodiorites in the SE Lhasa...The high Ba-Sr rocks can provide significant clues about the evolution of the continent lithosphere,but their petrogenesis remains controversial.Identifying the Late Cretaceous high Ba-Sr granodiorites in the SE Lhasa Block could potentially provide valuable insights into the continent evolution of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.Zircon U-Pb ages suggest that the granodiorites were emplaced at 87.32±0.43 Ma.Geochemically,the high Ba-Sr granodiorites are characterized by elevated K2O+Na2O contents(8.18-8.73 wt%)and K2O/Na2O ratios(0.99-1.25,mostly>1),and belong to high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic series.The Yonglaga granodiorites show notably high Sr(653-783 ppm)and Ba(1346-1531 ppm)contents,plus high Sr/Y(30.92-38.18)and(La/Yb)N(27.7-34.7)ratios,but low Y(20.0-22.8 ppm)and Yb(1.92-2.19 ppm)contents with absence of negative Eu anomalies(δEu=0.83-0.88),all similar to typical high Ba-Sr granitoids.The variable zirconεHf(t)values of-4.58 to+12.97,elevated initial87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratios of 0.707254 to 0.707322 and lowεNd(t)values of-2.8 to-3.6 with decoupling from the Hf system suggest that a metasomatized mantle source included significant recycled ancient materials.The occurrence of such high Ba-Sr intrusions indicates previous contributions of metasomatized mantle-derived juvenile material to the continents,which imply the growth of continental crust during the Late Cretaceous in the SE Lhasa.Together with regional data,we infer that the underplated mafic magma provides a significant amount of heat,which leads to partial melting of the juvenile crust.The melting of the metasomatized mantle could produce a juvenile mafic lower crust,from which the high Ba-Sr granitoids were derived from reworking of previous mafic crust during the Late Cretaceous(ca.100-80 Ma)in the SE Lhasa.展开更多
The Cretaceous andesites were discovered in the Biluocuo area,and provided key records to understand the late Mesozoic geodynamic evolution and crustal basement for the southern Qiangtang block in the central Xizang.I...The Cretaceous andesites were discovered in the Biluocuo area,and provided key records to understand the late Mesozoic geodynamic evolution and crustal basement for the southern Qiangtang block in the central Xizang.In this study,we present a detailed study of zircon U-Pb dating,major and trace elemental composition,and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes for the Biluocuo trachy-andesites.The trachy-andesites yielded zircon U-Pb ages at ca.97 Ma,and exhibited SiO2contents ranging from 55.92 to 69.04 wt%,low TiO2contents(0.37 to 0.75 wt%)and low Mg~#values(18.6 to 53.7),suggesting that they belong to high-K calc-alkaline series.They showed adakitic signatures,such as high Sr/Y ratios(almost 24 to 55)and low Y(15 kbar).The samples have initial Sr isotopic ratios of 0.70963 to 0.70964,εNd(t)values of-4.7 to-4.6,and zirconεHf(t)values of-1.2 to+1.3 with two-stage Hf model ages of 0.95 to 1.09 Ga.Elemental and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic signatures suggest that the trachy-andesites were derived from the partial melting of the thickened lower crust with involvement of metasomatized mantle components.Combined with coeval highMg andesites,we proposed that underplating of mantle induced melting of the lower crust at ca.97 Ma in the southern Qiangtang block,following by lithospheric delamination.Inherited/xenocrystic zircons from the trachy-andesites revealed magmatic activities at 2562 Ma,1850-1804 Ma,1768-1665 Ma,1043-935 Ma,851-736 Ma and 642-540 Ma.There is a Precambrian crustal basement in the southern Qiangtang block,which may have experienced the assembly and break-up of the Columbia,Rodinia,and Gondwana supercontinents.展开更多
In this paper,a multi-stage leaching process for the weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ore was proposed using MgSO4as a leaching agent.The results indicate that with increasing the concentration of MgSO_...In this paper,a multi-stage leaching process for the weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ore was proposed using MgSO4as a leaching agent.The results indicate that with increasing the concentration of MgSO4from 0.5 wt%-1.0 wt%to 2.0 wt%-4.0 wt%,the peak concentrations of rare earths increase from 1.87 to 3.59 to 5.49-10.21 g/L,and the collection periods of leach solution are sho rtened from 0.85 to 1.54 to 0.31-0.47(liquid-to-ore ratio).When the rare earth ore is leached with leaching agent solution with high initial pH(3.0-5.0),the rare earths and aluminum are predominantly leached by Mg2+instead of H+.However,H+participate in the leaching process of rare earths and aluminum at lower initial pH(1.5-3.0)of the leaching agent solution.Especially,when the initial pH of leaching agent solution is 2.0,a large amount of aluminum is leached when the liquid-to-ore ratio is greater than 1.2.Based on the above insights,increasing the initial pH(3.0-5.0)of leaching agent solution in the injection stage using high-concentration MgSO4(>1.0 wt%)can increase the peak concentration of rare earths in the leach solution and shorten the collection period.However,in the injection stage using low MgSO4concentration(<1.0 wt%),an initial pH of leaching agent solution of 2.0 is selected to reduce the leaching amount of aluminum and the consumption of MgSO4.Comparing to the Leaching process using constant MgSO4concentration(2.0 wt%,initial pH of 5.0),the leaching efficiency of rare earths using a multi-stage leaching process is approximately equal(about 94.6%)under optimal conditions.The leaching amount of aluminum is reduced by 16.9%.The consumption of MgSO4is reduced by 67.1%.展开更多
The Anninghe–Zemuhe Fault and the Xiaojiang Fault are critical active faults along the middle-eastern boundary of the South Chuan–Dian Block. Many researchers have identified these faults as potential strong-earthqu...The Anninghe–Zemuhe Fault and the Xiaojiang Fault are critical active faults along the middle-eastern boundary of the South Chuan–Dian Block. Many researchers have identified these faults as potential strong-earthquake risk zones. In this study, we leveraged a dense seismic array to investigate the high-resolution shallow crust shear wave velocity(Vs) structure beneath the junction of the Zemuhe Fault Zone and the Xiaojiang Fault Zone, one of the most complex parts of the eastern boundary of the South Chuan–Dian Block. We analyzed the distribution of microseismic events detected between November 2022 and February 2023 based on the fine-scale Vs model obtained. The microseismicity in the study region was clustered into three groups, all spatially related to major faults in this region. These microseismic events indicate near-vertical fault planes, consistent with the fault geometry revealed by other researchers.Moreover, these microseismic events are influenced by the impoundment of the downstream Baihetan Reservoir and the complex tectonic stress near the junction of the Zemuhe Fault Zone and the Xiaojiang Fault Zone. The depths of these microseismic events are shallower in the junction zone, whereas moving south along the Xiaojiang Fault Zone, the microseismic events become deeper.Additionally, we compared our fine-scale local Vs model with velocity models obtained by other researchers and found that our model offers greater detail in characterizing subsurface heterogeneity while demonstrating improved reliability in delineating fault systems.展开更多
Aluminum is the main impurity of the weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ore(WCED-REO).Efficient leaching of rare earths and low leaching of aluminum are of great importance for the leaching of the WCED-REO.T...Aluminum is the main impurity of the weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ore(WCED-REO).Efficient leaching of rare earths and low leaching of aluminum are of great importance for the leaching of the WCED-REO.The effects of pH,MgSO4 concentration and Al3+concentration of the leaching agent solution on the column leaching behaviors of WCED-REO using magnesium sulfate were investigated.Experimental data show that controlling the MgSO4 concentration to 0.15 mol/L,pH of the leaching agent solution to 2,the leaching amount of aluminum from the rare earth ore gradually decreases with the increase of Al3+concentration in the leaching agent solution,indicating that Al3+in the leaching agent solution may act as leaching agent to participate in the ion exchange of RE3+,but the leaching amounts of rare earths change insignificantly as the Al3+concentration is increased.Increasing the MgSO4 concentration is beneficial to the leaching of aluminum,and when the Al3+concentration is 0.04 mol/L(Al accumulation),the amount of Al3+leached from the rare earth ore increased gradually with increasing the MgSO4 concentration.The pH of the leaching agent solution has a significant influence on the leaching of aluminum in the rare earth ore,and the leaching amount of aluminum from the rare earth ore increases gradually with decreasing the pH.When the Al3+conce ntration is 0.04 mol/L(Al accumulation)and the pH of the leaching agent solution is above 2.0,the aluminum in the leaching agent solution can be back-adsorbed onto the rare earth ore,and the amount of the back-adsorbed Al3+increases with increasing the pH of the leaching agent solution.The injection rate of the leaching agent solution has slight effect on the leaching behavior of rare earths and aluminum.In summary,leaching of Al3+and consumption of MgSO4 can be reduced by regulating the accumulation of aluminum,MgSO4 concentration and pH.展开更多
Artificial cyanobacteria crusts are formed by inoculating soil with cyanobacteria.These crusts help prevent soil erosion and restore soil functionality in degraded croplands.However,how fast the artificial cyanobacter...Artificial cyanobacteria crusts are formed by inoculating soil with cyanobacteria.These crusts help prevent soil erosion and restore soil functionality in degraded croplands.However,how fast the artificial cyanobacteria crusts can be formed is a key issue before their practical application.In addition,the effects of artificial cyanobacteria crusts on soil nutrients and plant growth are not fully explored.This study analyzed the effect of inoculation of cyanobacteria from local biological soil crusts on soil nutrients and Pak-choi(Brassica campestris L.ssp.Chinensis Makino var.communis Tsen et Lee;Chinese cabbage)growth in a cropland,northern China through field experiments by comparing with no fertilizer.The results showed that artificial cyanobacteria crusts were formed on the 18th d after inoculation with a coverage of 56.13%,a thickness of 3.74 mm,and biomass of 22.21μg chla/cm2.Artificial cyanobacteria crusts significantly improved the soil organic matter(SOM),NO3--N,total nitrogen(TN)contents,and the activities of sucrase,alkaline phosphatase,urease,and catalase enzymes of plants on the 50th d after inoculation.Additionally,artificial cyanobacteria crusts led to an increase in plant biomass,improved root morphology,and raised the phosphorus and potassium contents in the plants.Furthermore,the biomass of plant grown with artificial cyanobacteria crusts was comparable with that of grown with chemical fertilizer.The study suggested that,considering plant biomass and soil nutrients,it is feasible to prevent wind erosion in the cropland of arid and semi-arid areas by inoculating cyanobacteria crusts.This study provides new perspectives for the sustainable development and environmental management of cropland in arid and semi-arid areas.展开更多
Abstract: The great majority of the Palaeozoic orogenic belts of Central Asia are of the intercontinental type, whose evolution always follows a five-stage model, i.e. the basal continental crust-extensional transitio...Abstract: The great majority of the Palaeozoic orogenic belts of Central Asia are of the intercontinental type, whose evolution always follows a five-stage model, i.e. the basal continental crust-extensional transitional crust-oceanic crust-convergent transitional crust-new continental crust model. The stage for the extensional transitional crust is a pretty long, independent and inevitable phase. The dismembering mechanism of the basal continental crust becoming an extensional continental crust is delineated by the simple shear model put forward by Wernike (1981). The continental margins on the sides of a gently dipping detachment zone and moving along it are asymmetric: one side is of the nonmagmatic type and the other of the magmatic type with a typical bimodal volcanic formation. In the latter case, however, they were often confused with island arcs. This paper discusses the five-stage process of the crustal evolution of some typical orogenic belts in Xinjiang.展开更多
Weijia Guyot,located in the western Pacific Ocean,has become a research focus due to its abundant cobalt-rich ferromanganese(Fe-Mn)crusts.While most studies on Fe-Mn crusts on seamounts have focused on the exposed var...Weijia Guyot,located in the western Pacific Ocean,has become a research focus due to its abundant cobalt-rich ferromanganese(Fe-Mn)crusts.While most studies on Fe-Mn crusts on seamounts have focused on the exposed variety,less attention has been paid to potential buried crusts.This study presents a preliminary geochemical and chronological study of buried Fe-Mn crusts at Weijia Guyot.The findings suggest that these buried crusts began to form around 57.5 Ma and ceased growing at approximately 46.3 Ma.Following the formation of Weijia Guyot through volcanic eruption,it did not experience continuous and steady subsidence to its current depth.Instead,an exhumation process took place from deep to shallow depths between 46.3 and 11.6 Ma.This process brought the Fe-Mn crusts into shallow water environments,halting their growth.During this time,Weijia Guyot was located near the equatorial Pacific Ocean and was exposed to an extended period of phosphatization.This exposure led to a depletion of key metallogenic elements,such as Co,Ni and Cu,within the Fe-Mn crusts,while P2O5 and CaO levels increased significantly.Since the Middle Miocene,the crusts have been progressively buried by pelagic sediments.展开更多
Biological soil crusts(BSCs)play crucial roles in improving soil fertility and promoting plants settlement and reproduction in arid areas.However,the specific effects of BSCs on growth status and nutrient accumulation...Biological soil crusts(BSCs)play crucial roles in improving soil fertility and promoting plants settlement and reproduction in arid areas.However,the specific effects of BSCs on growth status and nutrient accumulation of plants are still unclear in different arid areas.This study analyzed the effects of three different BSCs treatments(without crust(WC),intact crust(IC),and broken crust(BC))on the growth,inorganic nutrient absorption,and organic solute synthesis of three typical desert plants(Grubovia dasyphylla(Fisch.&C.A.Mey.)Freitag&G.Kadereit,Nitraria tangutorum Bobrov,and Caragana koraiensis Kom.)in the Minqin desert-oasis ecotone of Northwest China.Results showed that the effects of three BSCs treatments on seed emergence and survival of three plants varied with seed types.The IC treatment significantly hindered the emergence and survival of seeds,while the BC treatment was more conducive to seed emergence and survival of plants.BSCs significantly promoted the growth of three plants,but their effects on plant growth varied at different stages of the growth.Briefly,the growth of G.dasyphylla was affected by BSCs in early stage,but the effects on the growth of G.dasyphylla significantly weakened in the middle and late stages.However,the growth of N.tangutorum and C.koraiensis only showed differences at the middle and late stages,with a significant enhancement in growth.Analysis of variance showed that BSCs,plant species,growth period,and their interactions had significant effects on the biomass and root:shoot ratio of three plants.BSC significantly affected the nutrients absorption and organic solute synthesis in plants.Specifically,BSCs significantly promoted nitrogen(N)absorption in plants and increased plant adaptability in N poor desert ecosystems,but had no significant effects on phosphorus(P)absorption.The effects of BSCs on inorganic nutrient absorption and organic solute synthesis in plants varied significantly among different plant species.The results suggest that BSCs have significant effects on the growth and nutrient accumulation of desert plants,which will provide theoretical basis for exploring the effects of BSCs on desert plant diversity,biodiversity conservation,and ecosystem management measures in arid and semi-arid areas.展开更多
Bauxite mining will bring huge economic benefit,but it also faces the risk of environmental pollution.Metal pollution problem has been widely concerned in bauxite tailing areas.Biodiversity indices,metal concentration...Bauxite mining will bring huge economic benefit,but it also faces the risk of environmental pollution.Metal pollution problem has been widely concerned in bauxite tailing areas.Biodiversity indices,metal concentrations of moss crusts,and soil contamination indices in Wachangping bauxite tailing areas in Guizhou Province,China were measured and analyzed.In a total of 40 species belonging to 19 genera and 12 families of moss in the study areas,Ditrichum flexicaule(Schwaegr.)Hamp.(DF),Oxystegus cylindricus(Brid.)Hilp.(OC),and Ditrichum brevidens Nog.(DB)are the dominant moss crusts.Moss species diversity in different habitats has a certain regularity:waste residues areaDF>OC.Single factor pollution index(Ps)and Nemero comprehensive pollution index(Pc)of six metal are much greater than 3,and the index of geoaccumulation(Igeo)(1geo<5)reveals that the soil environment is at moderately to seriously contaminated levels.Principal components analysis(PCA)shows that there is no significant correlation between p H value,and metal contents(Al,Mg,Fe,K and Ti),soil temperature(ST)and metal contents(Al,Mg,Fe,K and Ti).Soil humidity(SH)is negatively correlated with metal contents(Al,Mg,Fe,K and Ti).These three environmental factors have little effect on the distribution of metal.Result also reflects that DB moss is readily able to both tolerate and accumulate metal,which makes it a suitable bioindicator of multiple metal contamination in Wachangping bauxite tailing areas.展开更多
The Tan-Lu Fault Zone is a large NNE-trending fault zone that has a substantial effect on the development of eastern China and its earthquake disaster prevention efforts. Aiming at the azimuthally anisotropic structur...The Tan-Lu Fault Zone is a large NNE-trending fault zone that has a substantial effect on the development of eastern China and its earthquake disaster prevention efforts. Aiming at the azimuthally anisotropic structure in the upper crust and seismogenic tectonics in the Hefei segment of this fault, we collected phase velocity dispersion data of fundamental mode Rayleigh waves from ambient noise cross-correlation functions of ~400 temporal seismographs in an area of approximately 80 × 70 km along the fault zone. The period band of the dispersion data was ~0.5–10 s. We inverted for the upper crustal three-dimensional(3-D) shear velocity model with azimuthal anisotropy from the surface to 10 km depth by using a 3-D direct azimuthal anisotropy inversion method. The inversion result shows the spatial distribution characteristics of the tectonic units in the upper crust. Additionally, the deformation of the Tan-Lu Fault Zone and its conjugated fault systems could be inferred from the anisotropy model. In particular, the faults that have remained active from the early and middle Pleistocene control the anisotropic characteristics of the upper crustal structure in this area. The direction of fast axes near the fault zone area in the upper crust is consistent with the strike of the faults, whereas for the region far away from the fault zone, the direction of fast axes is consistent with the direction of the regional principal stress caused by plate movement. Combined with the azimuthal anisotropy models in the deep crust and uppermost mantle from the surface wave and Pn wave, the different anisotropic patterns caused by the Tan-Lu Fault Zone and its conjugated fault system nearby are shown in the upper and lower crust. Furthermore,by using the double-difference method, we relocated the Lujiang earthquake series, which contained 32 earthquakes with a depth shallower than 10 km. Both the Vs model and earthquake relocation results indicate that earthquakes mostly occurred in the vicinity of structural boundaries with fractured media, with high-level development of cracks and small-scale faults jammed between more rigid areas.展开更多
To solve the problems of the long development period,low mass transfer efficiency and high impurity conte nt in the in-situ leaching process of weathe red crust elution-deposited rare earth ores(WCE-DREO),cationic hyd...To solve the problems of the long development period,low mass transfer efficiency and high impurity conte nt in the in-situ leaching process of weathe red crust elution-deposited rare earth ores(WCE-DREO),cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose(PQ-10)was composited with conventional leaching agent ammonium sulfate((NH4)2SO4)to form a novel composite leaching agent.The effects of PQ-10 concentration,leaching temperature and leaching flow rate of the composite leaching agent on the leaching kinetics and mass transfer processes of rare earth(RE)and aluminum(Al)were investigated.Compared to the single leaching agent(NH4)2SO4,the composite leaching agent(2 wt%(NH4)2SO4+0.02 wt%PQ-10)can reduce the RE leaching equilibrium time from 465 to 130 min and increase the RE leaching efficiency and decrease the Al leaching efficiency.It also facilitates the leaching process of WCE-DREO by increasing the peak concentrations of RE and Al,reducing the theoretical tower plate height(HETP)and improving the leaching mass transfer efficiency.It is indicated that PQ-10 can promote the leaching of WCE-DREO.The leaching process of the composite leaching system conforms to the diffusion kinetic control model.When the PQ-10 concentration is in the range of 0.005 wt%-0.020 wt%,the reaction orders of RE and Al are 0.73 and 0.54,respectively,which shows a positive effect on the leaching velocity;when the PQ-10 concentration is in the range of 0.030 wt%-0.060 wt%,the reaction orders of RE and Al are-1.16 and-0.75,respectively,which show a negative effect on the leaching velocity.In the range of 10-50℃,the apparent activation energies of RE and Al are 15.02 and 17.31 kJ/mol,respectively,and the higher the leaching temperature,the smaller the HETP and the higher the leaching velocity and mass transfer efficiency.The increase in leaching flow rate contributes to the increase in the longitudinal diffusion velocity of the leaching agent within WCE-DREO,causing a shorter time for RE and Al to reach leaching equilibrium.In addition,the flow rate and HETP are consistent with the Van Deemter equation.At a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min,HETP was minimized and the optimal mass transfer efficiencies is achieved for RE and Al.展开更多
Globally,many lakes are drying up,leaving exposed lakebeds where wind erosion releases dust and sand rich in salt and harmful heavy metals into the atmosphere.Therefore,understanding the characteristics and spatial di...Globally,many lakes are drying up,leaving exposed lakebeds where wind erosion releases dust and sand rich in salt and harmful heavy metals into the atmosphere.Therefore,understanding the characteristics and spatial distribution of playa surface crusts is important to recognize the manifestation of salt dust storms.The objective of this study was to explore the playa surface crust types as well as their spatial distribution and evolution of Qehan Lake in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,China to understand the salt dust release potential of different types of playa surface crusts.Various crust characteristics were investigated by field sampling in Qehan Lake,and playa surface crusts were further divided into five types:vegetated areas,salt crusts,clay flats,curly crusts,and margins.It should be noted that curly crusts were distributed in clay flats and covered only a small area in Qehan Lake.The spatial distribution characteristics of playa surface crust types were obtained by supervised classification of remote sensing images,and the salt dust release potential of crusts was explored by the wind tunnel experiments.The field investigation of Qehan Lake revealed that playa surface crust types had a circum-lake band distribution from the inside to the outside of this lake,which were successively vegetated areas,clay flats,salt crusts,and margins.The spatial distribution patterns of playa surface crust types were mainly controlled by the hydrodynamics of the playa,soil texture,and groundwater.There was a significant negative correlation between crust thickness and electrical conductivity.The results of the wind tunnel experiments showed that the initial threshold of friction wind velocity for the salt dust release was higher in clay flats(0.7–0.8 m/s)than in salt crusts(0.5–0.6 m/s).Moreover,the particle leap impact processes occurring under natural conditions may reduce this threshold value.Salinity was the main factor controlling the difference in the initial threshold of friction wind velocity for the salt dust release of clay flats and salt crusts.This study provides a scientific reference for understanding how salt dust is released from a lakebed,which may be used for ecological restoration of dry salt lakes.展开更多
The paleogeographic reconstruction of fragmented and dispersed continents often poses a challenge due to the lack of information regarding the nature of that extend beneath passive margin basins.To define the width of...The paleogeographic reconstruction of fragmented and dispersed continents often poses a challenge due to the lack of information regarding the nature of that extend beneath passive margin basins.To define the width of the continental crust beneath passive margin basins and its implications for paleogeographic reconstruction of conjugate continental margins,this study investigates the architecture of the stretched continental crust of the southern South Atlantic conjugate margin.The investigated region encompasses South Africa,Namibia,southern Brazil,and Uruguay,which were formed during the Mesozoic rifting of SW Gondwana.Employing a multi-tool approach combining seismic interpretation,gravity,magnetometry,and U-Pb isotopic data,the research aims to quantify the extension of stretched continental crust and its implications for plate reconstructions.The study reveals that the restored stretched crust spans at least 150 km,emphasizing the significance of considering connections between both margins for realistic paleogeographic reconstructions.Furthermore,the distinct U-Pb zircon age distribution patterns between SW Africa and SE South America reinforce the lack of direct connections despite their Gondwanan origin.The missing link estimated in this study is around 150 km,comparable in size to major mountain ranges such as the Andean or Urals.This work sheds light on critical aspects of Earth’s dynamic crustal evolution and emphasizes the need for comprehensive reconstructions considering stretched and eroded crust in the South Atlantic conjugate margin.展开更多
Weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ores(WREOs)are rich in medium and heavy rare earth.In order to improve the in-situ leaching process,which is prone to landslides and poor permeability,cationic hydroxyethyl...Weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ores(WREOs)are rich in medium and heavy rare earth.In order to improve the in-situ leaching process,which is prone to landslides and poor permeability,cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose(PQ-10)was used as a novel green swelling inhibitor and percolation promoter and was mixed with conventional leaching agent ammonium sulfate((NH4)2SO4)to form a composite leaching agent to study the performance and mechanism of swelling inhibition and percolation promotion.Adding PQ-10 can inhibit the hydration swelling of WREOs,promote the percolation effect of the leaching agent,improve the rare earth(RE)leaching efficiency,and reduce the im purity aluminum(Al)leaching efficiency.Compared with the conventional leaching agent 2 wt%(NH4)2SO4,the percolation time is reduced by 50%by using the composite leaching agent(0.02 wt%PQ-10+2 wt%(NH4)2SO4).PQ-10 has positively charged quaternary ammonium groups and hydrophilic group hydroxyl groups,which makes it easy to adsorb on WREOs multiple sites through electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding,weakening the electrostatic repulsion between mineral particles,reducing the WREOs interlayer spacing,compressing the double electric layer thickness at the solid-liquid interface,weakening the mineral hydration swelling and increasing the percolation rate.The long carbon chains of the polymer entangle and link the fine mineral particles to agglomerate them,increasing their particle size and reduc ing their hydration dispersion,and preventing blockage of the pe rcolation pores caused by migration of the fine particles through the ore body with the solution.PQ-10 molecules also insert the mine ral interlayer and expulsion of the internal water,further inhibiting the swelling of WREOs.Adding PQ-10 reduces the surface tension of(NH4)2SO4solution,improving the spreading and spreading ability of the solution,reducing the adhesion work between molecules in the solid-liquid phase and the adhesion work reduction factor.It proves that PQ-10 promotes the percolation effect of the leaching process of WREOs.In addition,PQ-10 expands the leaching pore size and seepage channels,further improving the percolation rate.展开更多
Biological soil crusts (BSCs) play an important role in surface soil hydrology. Soils dominated with moss BSCs may have higher infiltration rates than those dominated with cyanobacteria or algal BSCs. However, it is...Biological soil crusts (BSCs) play an important role in surface soil hydrology. Soils dominated with moss BSCs may have higher infiltration rates than those dominated with cyanobacteria or algal BSCs. However, it is unnown whether improved infiltration in moss BSCs is accompanied by an increase in soil hydraulic conductivity or water retention capacity. We investigated this question in the Tengger Desert, where a 43-year-old revegetation program has promoted the formation of two distinct types of BSCs along topographic positions, i.e. the moss-dominated BSCs on the interdune land and windward slopes of the fixed sand dunes, and the al- gal-dominated BSCs on the crest and leeward slopes. Soil water retention capacity and hydraulic conductivity were measured using an indoor evaporation method and a field infiltration method. And the results were fitted to the van Genuchten-Mualem model. Unsaturated hydraulic conductivities under greater water pressure (〈-0.01 MPa) and water retention capacities in the entire pressure head range were higher for both crust types than for bare sand. However, saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivities in the near-saturation range (〉-0.01 MPa) showed decreasing trends from bare sand to moss crusts and to algal crusts. Our data suggested that topographic differentiation of BSCs significantly affected not only soil water retention and hydraulic conductivities, but also the overall hydrology of the fixed sand dunes at a landscape scale, as seen in the reduction and spatial variability in deep soil water storage.展开更多
This study evaluated the morphological characteristics and dynamic variation in characteristics of soil crust and iden-tified the relationships between soil crust and splash erosion under simulated rainfall.The effect...This study evaluated the morphological characteristics and dynamic variation in characteristics of soil crust and iden-tified the relationships between soil crust and splash erosion under simulated rainfall.The effect of polyacrylamide (PAM) on soil aggregate stabilization and crust formation was also investigated.A laboratory rainfall simulation experiment was carried out using soil sample slices.The slices were examined under a polarized light microscopy and a scanning electron microscope (SEM).The results revealed that the soil crusts were thin and were characterized by a greater density,higher shear strength,finer porosity,and lower saturated hydraulic conductivity than the underlying soil.Two types of crusts,i.e.,structural and depositional crusts,were observed.Soil texture was determined to be the most important soil variable influ-encing surface crust formation;depositional crust formation was primarily related to the skeleton characteristics of the soil and happened when the soil contained a high level of medium and large aggregates.The crust formation processes observed were as follows:1) The fine particles on the soil surface became spattered,leached,and then rough in response to raindrop impact and 2) the fine particles were washed into the subsoil pores while a compact dense layer concurrently formed at soil surface due to the continual compaction by the raindrops.Therefore,the factors that influenced structural crust formation were a large amount of fine particles in the soil surface,continual impact of raindrops,dispersion of aggregates into fine particles,and the formation of a compact dense layer concurrently at the soil surface.It was concluded that the most important factor in the formation of soil crusts was raindrop impact.When polyacrylamide (PAM) was applied,it restored the soil structure and greatly increased soil aggregate stabilization.This effectively prevented crust formation.However,this function of PAM was not continuously effective and the crust reformed with long-term rainfall.In conclusion,this study showed that soil micromorphological studies were a useful method for evaluating soil crust formation.展开更多
Models for when and how the continental crust was formed are constrained by estimates in the rates o crustal growth. The record of events preserved in the continental crust is heterogeneous in time with distinctive pe...Models for when and how the continental crust was formed are constrained by estimates in the rates o crustal growth. The record of events preserved in the continental crust is heterogeneous in time with distinctive peaks and troughs of ages for igneous crystallisation, metamorphism, continental margin and mineralisation. For the most part these are global signatures, and the peaks of ages tend to b associated with periods of increased reworking of pre-existing crust, reflected in the Hf isotope ratios o zircons and their elevated oxygen isotope ratios. Increased crustal reworking is attributed to periods o crustal thickening associated with compressional tectonics and the development of supercontinents Magma types similar to those from recent within-plate and subduction related settings appear to hav been generated in different areas at broadly similar times before ~3.0 Ga. It can be difficult to put th results of such detailed case studies into a more global context, but one approach is to consider when plate tectonics became the dominant mechanism involved in the generation of juvenile continental crust The development of crustal growth models for the continental crust are discussed, and a number o models based on different data sets indicate that 65%-70% of the present volume of the continental crus was generated by 3 Ga. Such estimates may represent minimum values, but since ~3 Ga there has been reduction in the rates of growth of the continental crust. This reduction is linked to an increase in th rates at which continental crust is recycled back into the mantle, and not to a reduction in the rates a which continental crust was generated. Plate tectonics results in both the generation of new crust and it destruction along destructive plate margins. Thus, the reduction in the rate of continental crustal growth at ~3 Ga is taken to reflect the period in which plate tectonics became the dominant mechanism b which new continental crust was generated.展开更多
Detrital zircons from modern sediments display an episodic temporal distribution of U-Pb crystallization ages forming a series of'peaks'and'troughs'.The peaks are interpreted to represent either period...Detrital zircons from modern sediments display an episodic temporal distribution of U-Pb crystallization ages forming a series of'peaks'and'troughs'.The peaks are interpreted to represent either periods of enhanced generation of granitic magma perhaps associated with mantle overturn and superplume events,or preferential preservation of continental crust during global collisional orogenesis.The close association of those peaks with the assembly of supercontinents implies a causal relationship between collisional orogenesis and the presence of zircon age peaks.Here these two end-member models(episodic periodicity of increased magmatism versus selective preservation during collisional orogenesis)are assessed using U-Pb,Hf,and 0 analysis of detrital zircons from sedimentary successions deposited during the-1.3-1.1 Ga accretionary,-1.1-0.9 Ga collisional,and〈0.9 Ga extensional collapse phases of the Grenville orogenic cycle in Labrador and Scotland.The pre-collisional,accretionary stage provides a baseline of continental crust present prior to orogenesis and is dominated by Archean and Paleoproterozoic age peaks associated with pre-1300 Ma Laurentian geology.Strata deposited during the Grenville Orogeny display similar Archean and Paleoproterozoic detrital populations along with a series of broad muted peaks from-1500 to 1100 Ma.However,post-collisional sedimentary successions display a dominant age peak between 1085 and 985 Ma,similar to that observed in modern North American river sediments.Zircons within the post-orogenic sedimentary successions have progressively lower EHf and higher-lSO values from-1800 to-1200 Ma whereupon they have higher EHf and-3180 within the dominant 1085-985 Ma age peak.Furthermore,the Lu-Hf isotopic profile of the Grenville-related age peak is consistent with significant assimilation and contamination by older crustal material,The timing of this dominant age peak coincides with the peak of metamorphism and magmatism associated with the Grenville Orogeny,which is a typical collisional orogenic belt.The change from broad muted age peaks in the syn-orogenic strata to a single peak in the post-orogenic sedimentary successions and in the modern river sediments implies a significant shift in provenance following continental collision.This temporal change in provenance highlights that the source(s),from which detrital zircons within syn-orogenic strata were derived,was no longer available during the later stages of the accretionary and collisional stages of the orogenic cycle.This may reflect some combination of tectonic burial,erosion,or possibly recycling into the mantle by tectonic erosion of the source(s).During continental collision,the incorporated continental crust is isolated from crustal recycling processes operative at subduction margins.This tectonic isolation combined with sedimentary recycling likely controls the presence of the isotopic signature associated with the Grenville Orogeny in the modern Mississippi and Appalachian river sed-iments.These results imply that zircon age peaks,which developed in conjunction with supercontinents,are the product of selective crustal preservation resulting from collisional orogenesis.展开更多
基金supported by grants from NSFC(91958215)Shandong Basic Research Office(WSR2023018)the Ministry of Education 111 Project(B18048).
摘要We must persevere to drill through the intact ocean crust to fully address fundamental questions towards completion of the plate tectonics theory.The primary questions include:what is the ocean crust made up of,how thick is it and what is the petrological nature of the crust-mantle boundary(i.e.,Mohorovičićdiscontinuity or Moho)?These questions may sound naive because they are widely believed to be well-understood facts,but they are not.Correctly,our current knowledge remains incomplete,and some popular misperceptions come from interpretations based on convenient assumptions.One assumption is that the ocean crust inferred from seismic data is of magmatic origin.Testing this assumption is a principal motivation of Project Mohole(1957-1966),attempting to drill intact ocean crust across the Moho into the mantle.Project Mohole failed because of its high cost,engineering challenges and insufficient tries,but the technologies developed made subsequent ocean drilling successful.However,answers to the original questions remain unsatisfactory.For example,seismic crust interpreted to be of magmatic origin is shown to have globally uniform thickness of 6.0±1.0 km,but crust with such thickness at many slow-spreading ridge segments is dominated by serpentinized mantle peridotites exposed on seafloors.Therefore,the popular view on ocean ridge magmatism must be re-examined,which needs intact ocean crust drilling into the mantle.Drilling at geologically simple sites in the fast-spreading Pacific seafloor is most promising.The US-led D/V JOIDES Resolution that has well served the scientific ocean drilling since 1985 is to retire by the end of 2024,but timely the Chinese geoscience community wishes to continue this international endeavor using the purpose-built D/V Meng Xiang to be in service in 2025.The international community is to gather in November 24-27,2024,Guangzhou,China,to discuss strategies on where and how to successfully drill intact ocean crust across the Moho in coming years.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China[Grants.41802054]supported by a Royal Society SinoBritish Fellowship Trust International Exchanges Award[Grant No.IESR3213093]。
摘要The high Ba-Sr rocks can provide significant clues about the evolution of the continent lithosphere,but their petrogenesis remains controversial.Identifying the Late Cretaceous high Ba-Sr granodiorites in the SE Lhasa Block could potentially provide valuable insights into the continent evolution of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.Zircon U-Pb ages suggest that the granodiorites were emplaced at 87.32±0.43 Ma.Geochemically,the high Ba-Sr granodiorites are characterized by elevated K2O+Na2O contents(8.18-8.73 wt%)and K2O/Na2O ratios(0.99-1.25,mostly>1),and belong to high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic series.The Yonglaga granodiorites show notably high Sr(653-783 ppm)and Ba(1346-1531 ppm)contents,plus high Sr/Y(30.92-38.18)and(La/Yb)N(27.7-34.7)ratios,but low Y(20.0-22.8 ppm)and Yb(1.92-2.19 ppm)contents with absence of negative Eu anomalies(δEu=0.83-0.88),all similar to typical high Ba-Sr granitoids.The variable zirconεHf(t)values of-4.58 to+12.97,elevated initial87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratios of 0.707254 to 0.707322 and lowεNd(t)values of-2.8 to-3.6 with decoupling from the Hf system suggest that a metasomatized mantle source included significant recycled ancient materials.The occurrence of such high Ba-Sr intrusions indicates previous contributions of metasomatized mantle-derived juvenile material to the continents,which imply the growth of continental crust during the Late Cretaceous in the SE Lhasa.Together with regional data,we infer that the underplated mafic magma provides a significant amount of heat,which leads to partial melting of the juvenile crust.The melting of the metasomatized mantle could produce a juvenile mafic lower crust,from which the high Ba-Sr granitoids were derived from reworking of previous mafic crust during the Late Cretaceous(ca.100-80 Ma)in the SE Lhasa.
基金supported by Deep Earth Probe and Mineral Resources Exploration-National Science and Technology Major Project(Grant No.2024ZD1001005)The Central Government Guided Local Scientific and Technological Development Funding Project(Grant No.XZ202401YD0006)+5 种基金Key Research and Development Program(Grant No.XZ202403ZY0040)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.U24A20597)China Geological Survey(Grant Nos.DD20230024,DD20230315)the Basic Scientific Research Project of Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences(Grant No.JKY202209)Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.2023AFD206,2023AFD230,2024AFD401)the Research Fund Program of Hubei Key Laboratory of Resources and Eco-Environment Geology(Grant No.HBREGKFJJ202302)。
摘要The Cretaceous andesites were discovered in the Biluocuo area,and provided key records to understand the late Mesozoic geodynamic evolution and crustal basement for the southern Qiangtang block in the central Xizang.In this study,we present a detailed study of zircon U-Pb dating,major and trace elemental composition,and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes for the Biluocuo trachy-andesites.The trachy-andesites yielded zircon U-Pb ages at ca.97 Ma,and exhibited SiO2contents ranging from 55.92 to 69.04 wt%,low TiO2contents(0.37 to 0.75 wt%)and low Mg~#values(18.6 to 53.7),suggesting that they belong to high-K calc-alkaline series.They showed adakitic signatures,such as high Sr/Y ratios(almost 24 to 55)and low Y(15 kbar).The samples have initial Sr isotopic ratios of 0.70963 to 0.70964,εNd(t)values of-4.7 to-4.6,and zirconεHf(t)values of-1.2 to+1.3 with two-stage Hf model ages of 0.95 to 1.09 Ga.Elemental and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic signatures suggest that the trachy-andesites were derived from the partial melting of the thickened lower crust with involvement of metasomatized mantle components.Combined with coeval highMg andesites,we proposed that underplating of mantle induced melting of the lower crust at ca.97 Ma in the southern Qiangtang block,following by lithospheric delamination.Inherited/xenocrystic zircons from the trachy-andesites revealed magmatic activities at 2562 Ma,1850-1804 Ma,1768-1665 Ma,1043-935 Ma,851-736 Ma and 642-540 Ma.There is a Precambrian crustal basement in the southern Qiangtang block,which may have experienced the assembly and break-up of the Columbia,Rodinia,and Gondwana supercontinents.
基金Project supported by the Major Research Plan of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(91962211)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFC2902202)+2 种基金the Science and Technology Innovation Fund of GRINM(2022PD0102)the Major Program of Qingyuan Innovation Laboratory(00122004)the Beijing Nova Program(20230484379)。
摘要In this paper,a multi-stage leaching process for the weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ore was proposed using MgSO4as a leaching agent.The results indicate that with increasing the concentration of MgSO4from 0.5 wt%-1.0 wt%to 2.0 wt%-4.0 wt%,the peak concentrations of rare earths increase from 1.87 to 3.59 to 5.49-10.21 g/L,and the collection periods of leach solution are sho rtened from 0.85 to 1.54 to 0.31-0.47(liquid-to-ore ratio).When the rare earth ore is leached with leaching agent solution with high initial pH(3.0-5.0),the rare earths and aluminum are predominantly leached by Mg2+instead of H+.However,H+participate in the leaching process of rare earths and aluminum at lower initial pH(1.5-3.0)of the leaching agent solution.Especially,when the initial pH of leaching agent solution is 2.0,a large amount of aluminum is leached when the liquid-to-ore ratio is greater than 1.2.Based on the above insights,increasing the initial pH(3.0-5.0)of leaching agent solution in the injection stage using high-concentration MgSO4(>1.0 wt%)can increase the peak concentration of rare earths in the leach solution and shorten the collection period.However,in the injection stage using low MgSO4concentration(<1.0 wt%),an initial pH of leaching agent solution of 2.0 is selected to reduce the leaching amount of aluminum and the consumption of MgSO4.Comparing to the Leaching process using constant MgSO4concentration(2.0 wt%,initial pH of 5.0),the leaching efficiency of rare earths using a multi-stage leaching process is approximately equal(about 94.6%)under optimal conditions.The leaching amount of aluminum is reduced by 16.9%.The consumption of MgSO4is reduced by 67.1%.
基金funded by the National Key R&D Program of China (Grant No. 2021YFC3000704)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 42125401)the Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund (Grant No. CEAIEF20240401)。
摘要The Anninghe–Zemuhe Fault and the Xiaojiang Fault are critical active faults along the middle-eastern boundary of the South Chuan–Dian Block. Many researchers have identified these faults as potential strong-earthquake risk zones. In this study, we leveraged a dense seismic array to investigate the high-resolution shallow crust shear wave velocity(Vs) structure beneath the junction of the Zemuhe Fault Zone and the Xiaojiang Fault Zone, one of the most complex parts of the eastern boundary of the South Chuan–Dian Block. We analyzed the distribution of microseismic events detected between November 2022 and February 2023 based on the fine-scale Vs model obtained. The microseismicity in the study region was clustered into three groups, all spatially related to major faults in this region. These microseismic events indicate near-vertical fault planes, consistent with the fault geometry revealed by other researchers.Moreover, these microseismic events are influenced by the impoundment of the downstream Baihetan Reservoir and the complex tectonic stress near the junction of the Zemuhe Fault Zone and the Xiaojiang Fault Zone. The depths of these microseismic events are shallower in the junction zone, whereas moving south along the Xiaojiang Fault Zone, the microseismic events become deeper.Additionally, we compared our fine-scale local Vs model with velocity models obtained by other researchers and found that our model offers greater detail in characterizing subsurface heterogeneity while demonstrating improved reliability in delineating fault systems.
基金Project supported by the Major Research Plan of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(91962211)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFC2902202)the Key Research and Development Program of Guangxi Province(Guike-AB22080056)。
摘要Aluminum is the main impurity of the weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ore(WCED-REO).Efficient leaching of rare earths and low leaching of aluminum are of great importance for the leaching of the WCED-REO.The effects of pH,MgSO4 concentration and Al3+concentration of the leaching agent solution on the column leaching behaviors of WCED-REO using magnesium sulfate were investigated.Experimental data show that controlling the MgSO4 concentration to 0.15 mol/L,pH of the leaching agent solution to 2,the leaching amount of aluminum from the rare earth ore gradually decreases with the increase of Al3+concentration in the leaching agent solution,indicating that Al3+in the leaching agent solution may act as leaching agent to participate in the ion exchange of RE3+,but the leaching amounts of rare earths change insignificantly as the Al3+concentration is increased.Increasing the MgSO4 concentration is beneficial to the leaching of aluminum,and when the Al3+concentration is 0.04 mol/L(Al accumulation),the amount of Al3+leached from the rare earth ore increased gradually with increasing the MgSO4 concentration.The pH of the leaching agent solution has a significant influence on the leaching of aluminum in the rare earth ore,and the leaching amount of aluminum from the rare earth ore increases gradually with decreasing the pH.When the Al3+conce ntration is 0.04 mol/L(Al accumulation)and the pH of the leaching agent solution is above 2.0,the aluminum in the leaching agent solution can be back-adsorbed onto the rare earth ore,and the amount of the back-adsorbed Al3+increases with increasing the pH of the leaching agent solution.The injection rate of the leaching agent solution has slight effect on the leaching behavior of rare earths and aluminum.In summary,leaching of Al3+and consumption of MgSO4 can be reduced by regulating the accumulation of aluminum,MgSO4 concentration and pH.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFF1300802)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42377357).
摘要Artificial cyanobacteria crusts are formed by inoculating soil with cyanobacteria.These crusts help prevent soil erosion and restore soil functionality in degraded croplands.However,how fast the artificial cyanobacteria crusts can be formed is a key issue before their practical application.In addition,the effects of artificial cyanobacteria crusts on soil nutrients and plant growth are not fully explored.This study analyzed the effect of inoculation of cyanobacteria from local biological soil crusts on soil nutrients and Pak-choi(Brassica campestris L.ssp.Chinensis Makino var.communis Tsen et Lee;Chinese cabbage)growth in a cropland,northern China through field experiments by comparing with no fertilizer.The results showed that artificial cyanobacteria crusts were formed on the 18th d after inoculation with a coverage of 56.13%,a thickness of 3.74 mm,and biomass of 22.21μg chla/cm2.Artificial cyanobacteria crusts significantly improved the soil organic matter(SOM),NO3--N,total nitrogen(TN)contents,and the activities of sucrase,alkaline phosphatase,urease,and catalase enzymes of plants on the 50th d after inoculation.Additionally,artificial cyanobacteria crusts led to an increase in plant biomass,improved root morphology,and raised the phosphorus and potassium contents in the plants.Furthermore,the biomass of plant grown with artificial cyanobacteria crusts was comparable with that of grown with chemical fertilizer.The study suggested that,considering plant biomass and soil nutrients,it is feasible to prevent wind erosion in the cropland of arid and semi-arid areas by inoculating cyanobacteria crusts.This study provides new perspectives for the sustainable development and environmental management of cropland in arid and semi-arid areas.
摘要Abstract: The great majority of the Palaeozoic orogenic belts of Central Asia are of the intercontinental type, whose evolution always follows a five-stage model, i.e. the basal continental crust-extensional transitional crust-oceanic crust-convergent transitional crust-new continental crust model. The stage for the extensional transitional crust is a pretty long, independent and inevitable phase. The dismembering mechanism of the basal continental crust becoming an extensional continental crust is delineated by the simple shear model put forward by Wernike (1981). The continental margins on the sides of a gently dipping detachment zone and moving along it are asymmetric: one side is of the nonmagmatic type and the other of the magmatic type with a typical bimodal volcanic formation. In the latter case, however, they were often confused with island arcs. This paper discusses the five-stage process of the crustal evolution of some typical orogenic belts in Xinjiang.
基金financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.U2244222,42576244,42072324,42442603)the Guangzhou Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(Grant No.202201011367,202201011487).
摘要Weijia Guyot,located in the western Pacific Ocean,has become a research focus due to its abundant cobalt-rich ferromanganese(Fe-Mn)crusts.While most studies on Fe-Mn crusts on seamounts have focused on the exposed variety,less attention has been paid to potential buried crusts.This study presents a preliminary geochemical and chronological study of buried Fe-Mn crusts at Weijia Guyot.The findings suggest that these buried crusts began to form around 57.5 Ma and ceased growing at approximately 46.3 Ma.Following the formation of Weijia Guyot through volcanic eruption,it did not experience continuous and steady subsidence to its current depth.Instead,an exhumation process took place from deep to shallow depths between 46.3 and 11.6 Ma.This process brought the Fe-Mn crusts into shallow water environments,halting their growth.During this time,Weijia Guyot was located near the equatorial Pacific Ocean and was exposed to an extended period of phosphatization.This exposure led to a depletion of key metallogenic elements,such as Co,Ni and Cu,within the Fe-Mn crusts,while P2O5 and CaO levels increased significantly.Since the Middle Miocene,the crusts have been progressively buried by pelagic sediments.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province,China(24JRRA733,23JRRA589)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42377470,42207539)the Light of Western Light Program of Talent Cultivation of Chinese Academy of Sciences(22JR9KA028).
摘要Biological soil crusts(BSCs)play crucial roles in improving soil fertility and promoting plants settlement and reproduction in arid areas.However,the specific effects of BSCs on growth status and nutrient accumulation of plants are still unclear in different arid areas.This study analyzed the effects of three different BSCs treatments(without crust(WC),intact crust(IC),and broken crust(BC))on the growth,inorganic nutrient absorption,and organic solute synthesis of three typical desert plants(Grubovia dasyphylla(Fisch.&C.A.Mey.)Freitag&G.Kadereit,Nitraria tangutorum Bobrov,and Caragana koraiensis Kom.)in the Minqin desert-oasis ecotone of Northwest China.Results showed that the effects of three BSCs treatments on seed emergence and survival of three plants varied with seed types.The IC treatment significantly hindered the emergence and survival of seeds,while the BC treatment was more conducive to seed emergence and survival of plants.BSCs significantly promoted the growth of three plants,but their effects on plant growth varied at different stages of the growth.Briefly,the growth of G.dasyphylla was affected by BSCs in early stage,but the effects on the growth of G.dasyphylla significantly weakened in the middle and late stages.However,the growth of N.tangutorum and C.koraiensis only showed differences at the middle and late stages,with a significant enhancement in growth.Analysis of variance showed that BSCs,plant species,growth period,and their interactions had significant effects on the biomass and root:shoot ratio of three plants.BSC significantly affected the nutrients absorption and organic solute synthesis in plants.Specifically,BSCs significantly promoted nitrogen(N)absorption in plants and increased plant adaptability in N poor desert ecosystems,but had no significant effects on phosphorus(P)absorption.The effects of BSCs on inorganic nutrient absorption and organic solute synthesis in plants varied significantly among different plant species.The results suggest that BSCs have significant effects on the growth and nutrient accumulation of desert plants,which will provide theoretical basis for exploring the effects of BSCs on desert plant diversity,biodiversity conservation,and ecosystem management measures in arid and semi-arid areas.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC No.32360309)。
摘要Bauxite mining will bring huge economic benefit,but it also faces the risk of environmental pollution.Metal pollution problem has been widely concerned in bauxite tailing areas.Biodiversity indices,metal concentrations of moss crusts,and soil contamination indices in Wachangping bauxite tailing areas in Guizhou Province,China were measured and analyzed.In a total of 40 species belonging to 19 genera and 12 families of moss in the study areas,Ditrichum flexicaule(Schwaegr.)Hamp.(DF),Oxystegus cylindricus(Brid.)Hilp.(OC),and Ditrichum brevidens Nog.(DB)are the dominant moss crusts.Moss species diversity in different habitats has a certain regularity:waste residues areaDF>OC.Single factor pollution index(Ps)and Nemero comprehensive pollution index(Pc)of six metal are much greater than 3,and the index of geoaccumulation(Igeo)(1geo<5)reveals that the soil environment is at moderately to seriously contaminated levels.Principal components analysis(PCA)shows that there is no significant correlation between p H value,and metal contents(Al,Mg,Fe,K and Ti),soil temperature(ST)and metal contents(Al,Mg,Fe,K and Ti).Soil humidity(SH)is negatively correlated with metal contents(Al,Mg,Fe,K and Ti).These three environmental factors have little effect on the distribution of metal.Result also reflects that DB moss is readily able to both tolerate and accumulate metal,which makes it a suitable bioindicator of multiple metal contamination in Wachangping bauxite tailing areas.
基金financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFC3005600)the Foundation of the Anhui Educational Commission (2023AH051198)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (42125401 and 42104063)the Joint Open Fund of Mengcheng National Geophysical Observatory (MENGO-202201)。
摘要The Tan-Lu Fault Zone is a large NNE-trending fault zone that has a substantial effect on the development of eastern China and its earthquake disaster prevention efforts. Aiming at the azimuthally anisotropic structure in the upper crust and seismogenic tectonics in the Hefei segment of this fault, we collected phase velocity dispersion data of fundamental mode Rayleigh waves from ambient noise cross-correlation functions of ~400 temporal seismographs in an area of approximately 80 × 70 km along the fault zone. The period band of the dispersion data was ~0.5–10 s. We inverted for the upper crustal three-dimensional(3-D) shear velocity model with azimuthal anisotropy from the surface to 10 km depth by using a 3-D direct azimuthal anisotropy inversion method. The inversion result shows the spatial distribution characteristics of the tectonic units in the upper crust. Additionally, the deformation of the Tan-Lu Fault Zone and its conjugated fault systems could be inferred from the anisotropy model. In particular, the faults that have remained active from the early and middle Pleistocene control the anisotropic characteristics of the upper crustal structure in this area. The direction of fast axes near the fault zone area in the upper crust is consistent with the strike of the faults, whereas for the region far away from the fault zone, the direction of fast axes is consistent with the direction of the regional principal stress caused by plate movement. Combined with the azimuthal anisotropy models in the deep crust and uppermost mantle from the surface wave and Pn wave, the different anisotropic patterns caused by the Tan-Lu Fault Zone and its conjugated fault system nearby are shown in the upper and lower crust. Furthermore,by using the double-difference method, we relocated the Lujiang earthquake series, which contained 32 earthquakes with a depth shallower than 10 km. Both the Vs model and earthquake relocation results indicate that earthquakes mostly occurred in the vicinity of structural boundaries with fractured media, with high-level development of cracks and small-scale faults jammed between more rigid areas.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U2002215)。
摘要To solve the problems of the long development period,low mass transfer efficiency and high impurity conte nt in the in-situ leaching process of weathe red crust elution-deposited rare earth ores(WCE-DREO),cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose(PQ-10)was composited with conventional leaching agent ammonium sulfate((NH4)2SO4)to form a novel composite leaching agent.The effects of PQ-10 concentration,leaching temperature and leaching flow rate of the composite leaching agent on the leaching kinetics and mass transfer processes of rare earth(RE)and aluminum(Al)were investigated.Compared to the single leaching agent(NH4)2SO4,the composite leaching agent(2 wt%(NH4)2SO4+0.02 wt%PQ-10)can reduce the RE leaching equilibrium time from 465 to 130 min and increase the RE leaching efficiency and decrease the Al leaching efficiency.It also facilitates the leaching process of WCE-DREO by increasing the peak concentrations of RE and Al,reducing the theoretical tower plate height(HETP)and improving the leaching mass transfer efficiency.It is indicated that PQ-10 can promote the leaching of WCE-DREO.The leaching process of the composite leaching system conforms to the diffusion kinetic control model.When the PQ-10 concentration is in the range of 0.005 wt%-0.020 wt%,the reaction orders of RE and Al are 0.73 and 0.54,respectively,which shows a positive effect on the leaching velocity;when the PQ-10 concentration is in the range of 0.030 wt%-0.060 wt%,the reaction orders of RE and Al are-1.16 and-0.75,respectively,which show a negative effect on the leaching velocity.In the range of 10-50℃,the apparent activation energies of RE and Al are 15.02 and 17.31 kJ/mol,respectively,and the higher the leaching temperature,the smaller the HETP and the higher the leaching velocity and mass transfer efficiency.The increase in leaching flow rate contributes to the increase in the longitudinal diffusion velocity of the leaching agent within WCE-DREO,causing a shorter time for RE and Al to reach leaching equilibrium.In addition,the flow rate and HETP are consistent with the Van Deemter equation.At a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min,HETP was minimized and the optimal mass transfer efficiencies is achieved for RE and Al.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (42067013, 41571090)
摘要Globally,many lakes are drying up,leaving exposed lakebeds where wind erosion releases dust and sand rich in salt and harmful heavy metals into the atmosphere.Therefore,understanding the characteristics and spatial distribution of playa surface crusts is important to recognize the manifestation of salt dust storms.The objective of this study was to explore the playa surface crust types as well as their spatial distribution and evolution of Qehan Lake in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,China to understand the salt dust release potential of different types of playa surface crusts.Various crust characteristics were investigated by field sampling in Qehan Lake,and playa surface crusts were further divided into five types:vegetated areas,salt crusts,clay flats,curly crusts,and margins.It should be noted that curly crusts were distributed in clay flats and covered only a small area in Qehan Lake.The spatial distribution characteristics of playa surface crust types were obtained by supervised classification of remote sensing images,and the salt dust release potential of crusts was explored by the wind tunnel experiments.The field investigation of Qehan Lake revealed that playa surface crust types had a circum-lake band distribution from the inside to the outside of this lake,which were successively vegetated areas,clay flats,salt crusts,and margins.The spatial distribution patterns of playa surface crust types were mainly controlled by the hydrodynamics of the playa,soil texture,and groundwater.There was a significant negative correlation between crust thickness and electrical conductivity.The results of the wind tunnel experiments showed that the initial threshold of friction wind velocity for the salt dust release was higher in clay flats(0.7–0.8 m/s)than in salt crusts(0.5–0.6 m/s).Moreover,the particle leap impact processes occurring under natural conditions may reduce this threshold value.Salinity was the main factor controlling the difference in the initial threshold of friction wind velocity for the salt dust release of clay flats and salt crusts.This study provides a scientific reference for understanding how salt dust is released from a lakebed,which may be used for ecological restoration of dry salt lakes.
基金supported by the UNISINOS-PETROBRAS and UNISINOS-CNODC Cooperation Agreements.
摘要The paleogeographic reconstruction of fragmented and dispersed continents often poses a challenge due to the lack of information regarding the nature of that extend beneath passive margin basins.To define the width of the continental crust beneath passive margin basins and its implications for paleogeographic reconstruction of conjugate continental margins,this study investigates the architecture of the stretched continental crust of the southern South Atlantic conjugate margin.The investigated region encompasses South Africa,Namibia,southern Brazil,and Uruguay,which were formed during the Mesozoic rifting of SW Gondwana.Employing a multi-tool approach combining seismic interpretation,gravity,magnetometry,and U-Pb isotopic data,the research aims to quantify the extension of stretched continental crust and its implications for plate reconstructions.The study reveals that the restored stretched crust spans at least 150 km,emphasizing the significance of considering connections between both margins for realistic paleogeographic reconstructions.Furthermore,the distinct U-Pb zircon age distribution patterns between SW Africa and SE South America reinforce the lack of direct connections despite their Gondwanan origin.The missing link estimated in this study is around 150 km,comparable in size to major mountain ranges such as the Andean or Urals.This work sheds light on critical aspects of Earth’s dynamic crustal evolution and emphasizes the need for comprehensive reconstructions considering stretched and eroded crust in the South Atlantic conjugate margin.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U2002215)。
摘要Weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ores(WREOs)are rich in medium and heavy rare earth.In order to improve the in-situ leaching process,which is prone to landslides and poor permeability,cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose(PQ-10)was used as a novel green swelling inhibitor and percolation promoter and was mixed with conventional leaching agent ammonium sulfate((NH4)2SO4)to form a composite leaching agent to study the performance and mechanism of swelling inhibition and percolation promotion.Adding PQ-10 can inhibit the hydration swelling of WREOs,promote the percolation effect of the leaching agent,improve the rare earth(RE)leaching efficiency,and reduce the im purity aluminum(Al)leaching efficiency.Compared with the conventional leaching agent 2 wt%(NH4)2SO4,the percolation time is reduced by 50%by using the composite leaching agent(0.02 wt%PQ-10+2 wt%(NH4)2SO4).PQ-10 has positively charged quaternary ammonium groups and hydrophilic group hydroxyl groups,which makes it easy to adsorb on WREOs multiple sites through electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding,weakening the electrostatic repulsion between mineral particles,reducing the WREOs interlayer spacing,compressing the double electric layer thickness at the solid-liquid interface,weakening the mineral hydration swelling and increasing the percolation rate.The long carbon chains of the polymer entangle and link the fine mineral particles to agglomerate them,increasing their particle size and reduc ing their hydration dispersion,and preventing blockage of the pe rcolation pores caused by migration of the fine particles through the ore body with the solution.PQ-10 molecules also insert the mine ral interlayer and expulsion of the internal water,further inhibiting the swelling of WREOs.Adding PQ-10 reduces the surface tension of(NH4)2SO4solution,improving the spreading and spreading ability of the solution,reducing the adhesion work between molecules in the solid-liquid phase and the adhesion work reduction factor.It proves that PQ-10 promotes the percolation effect of the leaching process of WREOs.In addition,PQ-10 expands the leaching pore size and seepage channels,further improving the percolation rate.
基金funded by the National Basic Research Program of China (2013CB429901)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41471434, 31170385)the Foundation for Excellent Youth Scholars of CAREERI, Chinese Academy of Sciences
摘要Biological soil crusts (BSCs) play an important role in surface soil hydrology. Soils dominated with moss BSCs may have higher infiltration rates than those dominated with cyanobacteria or algal BSCs. However, it is unnown whether improved infiltration in moss BSCs is accompanied by an increase in soil hydraulic conductivity or water retention capacity. We investigated this question in the Tengger Desert, where a 43-year-old revegetation program has promoted the formation of two distinct types of BSCs along topographic positions, i.e. the moss-dominated BSCs on the interdune land and windward slopes of the fixed sand dunes, and the al- gal-dominated BSCs on the crest and leeward slopes. Soil water retention capacity and hydraulic conductivity were measured using an indoor evaporation method and a field infiltration method. And the results were fitted to the van Genuchten-Mualem model. Unsaturated hydraulic conductivities under greater water pressure (〈-0.01 MPa) and water retention capacities in the entire pressure head range were higher for both crust types than for bare sand. However, saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivities in the near-saturation range (〉-0.01 MPa) showed decreasing trends from bare sand to moss crusts and to algal crusts. Our data suggested that topographic differentiation of BSCs significantly affected not only soil water retention and hydraulic conductivities, but also the overall hydrology of the fixed sand dunes at a landscape scale, as seen in the reduction and spatial variability in deep soil water storage.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (No. 41101019)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of Chinathe State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology of China (No. 2011-KF-09)
摘要This study evaluated the morphological characteristics and dynamic variation in characteristics of soil crust and iden-tified the relationships between soil crust and splash erosion under simulated rainfall.The effect of polyacrylamide (PAM) on soil aggregate stabilization and crust formation was also investigated.A laboratory rainfall simulation experiment was carried out using soil sample slices.The slices were examined under a polarized light microscopy and a scanning electron microscope (SEM).The results revealed that the soil crusts were thin and were characterized by a greater density,higher shear strength,finer porosity,and lower saturated hydraulic conductivity than the underlying soil.Two types of crusts,i.e.,structural and depositional crusts,were observed.Soil texture was determined to be the most important soil variable influ-encing surface crust formation;depositional crust formation was primarily related to the skeleton characteristics of the soil and happened when the soil contained a high level of medium and large aggregates.The crust formation processes observed were as follows:1) The fine particles on the soil surface became spattered,leached,and then rough in response to raindrop impact and 2) the fine particles were washed into the subsoil pores while a compact dense layer concurrently formed at soil surface due to the continual compaction by the raindrops.Therefore,the factors that influenced structural crust formation were a large amount of fine particles in the soil surface,continual impact of raindrops,dispersion of aggregates into fine particles,and the formation of a compact dense layer concurrently at the soil surface.It was concluded that the most important factor in the formation of soil crusts was raindrop impact.When polyacrylamide (PAM) was applied,it restored the soil structure and greatly increased soil aggregate stabilization.This effectively prevented crust formation.However,this function of PAM was not continuously effective and the crust reformed with long-term rainfall.In conclusion,this study showed that soil micromorphological studies were a useful method for evaluating soil crust formation.
基金supported by grants from the LeverhulmeTrust RPG-2015-422 and EM-2017-047\4 to Chris HawkesworthNERC NE/K008862/1 to Bruno Dhuimefrom AustralianResearch Council FL160100168 to Peter A. Cawood
摘要Models for when and how the continental crust was formed are constrained by estimates in the rates o crustal growth. The record of events preserved in the continental crust is heterogeneous in time with distinctive peaks and troughs of ages for igneous crystallisation, metamorphism, continental margin and mineralisation. For the most part these are global signatures, and the peaks of ages tend to b associated with periods of increased reworking of pre-existing crust, reflected in the Hf isotope ratios o zircons and their elevated oxygen isotope ratios. Increased crustal reworking is attributed to periods o crustal thickening associated with compressional tectonics and the development of supercontinents Magma types similar to those from recent within-plate and subduction related settings appear to hav been generated in different areas at broadly similar times before ~3.0 Ga. It can be difficult to put th results of such detailed case studies into a more global context, but one approach is to consider when plate tectonics became the dominant mechanism involved in the generation of juvenile continental crust The development of crustal growth models for the continental crust are discussed, and a number o models based on different data sets indicate that 65%-70% of the present volume of the continental crus was generated by 3 Ga. Such estimates may represent minimum values, but since ~3 Ga there has been reduction in the rates of growth of the continental crust. This reduction is linked to an increase in th rates at which continental crust is recycled back into the mantle, and not to a reduction in the rates a which continental crust was generated. Plate tectonics results in both the generation of new crust and it destruction along destructive plate margins. Thus, the reduction in the rate of continental crustal growth at ~3 Ga is taken to reflect the period in which plate tectonics became the dominant mechanism b which new continental crust was generated.
基金The University of St.Andrews and Natural Environment Research Council(NERC grant NE/J021822/1)provided financial support for this studyThe NERC Isotope Geosciences Facilities Steering Committee(IP-1326-0512 and IMF 458-0512)provided additional analytical support
摘要Detrital zircons from modern sediments display an episodic temporal distribution of U-Pb crystallization ages forming a series of'peaks'and'troughs'.The peaks are interpreted to represent either periods of enhanced generation of granitic magma perhaps associated with mantle overturn and superplume events,or preferential preservation of continental crust during global collisional orogenesis.The close association of those peaks with the assembly of supercontinents implies a causal relationship between collisional orogenesis and the presence of zircon age peaks.Here these two end-member models(episodic periodicity of increased magmatism versus selective preservation during collisional orogenesis)are assessed using U-Pb,Hf,and 0 analysis of detrital zircons from sedimentary successions deposited during the-1.3-1.1 Ga accretionary,-1.1-0.9 Ga collisional,and〈0.9 Ga extensional collapse phases of the Grenville orogenic cycle in Labrador and Scotland.The pre-collisional,accretionary stage provides a baseline of continental crust present prior to orogenesis and is dominated by Archean and Paleoproterozoic age peaks associated with pre-1300 Ma Laurentian geology.Strata deposited during the Grenville Orogeny display similar Archean and Paleoproterozoic detrital populations along with a series of broad muted peaks from-1500 to 1100 Ma.However,post-collisional sedimentary successions display a dominant age peak between 1085 and 985 Ma,similar to that observed in modern North American river sediments.Zircons within the post-orogenic sedimentary successions have progressively lower EHf and higher-lSO values from-1800 to-1200 Ma whereupon they have higher EHf and-3180 within the dominant 1085-985 Ma age peak.Furthermore,the Lu-Hf isotopic profile of the Grenville-related age peak is consistent with significant assimilation and contamination by older crustal material,The timing of this dominant age peak coincides with the peak of metamorphism and magmatism associated with the Grenville Orogeny,which is a typical collisional orogenic belt.The change from broad muted age peaks in the syn-orogenic strata to a single peak in the post-orogenic sedimentary successions and in the modern river sediments implies a significant shift in provenance following continental collision.This temporal change in provenance highlights that the source(s),from which detrital zircons within syn-orogenic strata were derived,was no longer available during the later stages of the accretionary and collisional stages of the orogenic cycle.This may reflect some combination of tectonic burial,erosion,or possibly recycling into the mantle by tectonic erosion of the source(s).During continental collision,the incorporated continental crust is isolated from crustal recycling processes operative at subduction margins.This tectonic isolation combined with sedimentary recycling likely controls the presence of the isotopic signature associated with the Grenville Orogeny in the modern Mississippi and Appalachian river sed-iments.These results imply that zircon age peaks,which developed in conjunction with supercontinents,are the product of selective crustal preservation resulting from collisional orogenesis.