西江流域环境河水地球化学研究

River is a major component of the global surface water and CO2 cycles. The chemistry of river waters reveals the nature of weathering on a basin-wide scale and helps us understand the exogenic cycles of elements in the continent-river-ocean system. In particular, geochemical investigation of large river gives important information on the biogeochemical cycles of the elements, chemical weathering rates, physical erosion rates and CO2 consumption during the weathering of the rocks within the drainage basin. Its importance has led to a number of detailed geochemical studies on some of the world's large and medium-size river systems. Flowing in the south of China, the Xijiang River is the second largest river in the China with respect to its discharge, after the Yangtze River. Its headwaters drain the YunGui Plateau, where altitude is approximately 2000 meters. Geologically, the carbonate rocks are widely spread in the river drainage basin, which covers an area of about 0.17xl06 km2, i.e., 39% of the whole drainage basin. This study focuses on the chemistry of the Xijiang river system and constitutes the first geochemical investigation into major and trace elements concentrations for both suspended and dissolved loads of this river and its main tributaries, and Sr isotopic composition of the dissolved load is also investigated, in order to determine both chemical weathering and mechanical erosion rates. As compared with the other large rivers of the world, the Xijiang River is characterized by higher major element concentration. The dissolved major cations average 1.17, 0.33, 0.15, and 0.04 mmol I"1 for Ca, Mg, Na, and K, respectively. The total cation concentrations (TZ+) in these rivers vary between 2.2 and 4.4 meq I'1. The high concentration of Ca and Mg, high (Ca+Mg)/(Na+K) ratio (7.9), enormous alkalinity and low dissolved SiO2/HCO3 ratio (0.05) in river waters reveal the importance of carbonate weathering and relatively weak silicate weathering over the river drainage basin. The major elements in river water, such as the alkalis and alkaline-earths, are of different origins: from rain water, silicate weathering, carbonate and evaporite weathering. A mixing model based on mass budget equation is used in this study, which allows the proportions of each element derived from the different source to be calculated. The carbonate weathering is the main source of these elements in the Xijiang drainage basin. The contribution of rainwater, especially for Na, reaches to approximately 50% in some tributaries. Dissolved elemental concentration of the river waters are corrected for rain inputs (mainly oceanic salts), the elemental concentrations derived from the different rock weathering are calculated. As a consequence, silicate, carbonate and total rock weathering rates, together with the consumption rates of atmospheric CO2 by weathering of each of these lithologies have been estimated. They provide specific chemical erosion rates varying between 5.1~17.8 t/km2/yr for silicate, 95.5~157.2 t/km2/yr for carbonate, and 100.6-169.1 t/km2/yr for total rock, respectively. CO2 consumptions by silicate and carbonate weathering approach 13><109and 270.5x10 mol/yr. Mechanical denudation rates deduced from the multi-year average of suspended load concentrations range from 92-874 t/km2/yr. The high denudation rates are mainly attributable to high relief and heavy rainfall, and acid rain is very frequent in the drainage basin, may exceed 50% and the pH value of rainwater may be <4.0, result from SO2 pollution in the atmosphere, results in the dissolution of carbonates and aluminosilicates and hence accelerates the chemical erosion rate. The compositions of minerals and elements of suspended particulate matter are also investigated. The most soluble elements (e.g. Ca, Na, Sr, Mg) are strongly depleted in the suspended phase with respect to upper continent crust, which reflects the high intensity of rock weathering in the drainage basin. Some elements (e.g. Pb, Cu, Co, Cr) show positive anomalies, Pb/Th ratios in suspended matter approach 7 times (Liu Jiang) to 10 times (Nanpan Jiang) the crustal value. The enrichment of these elements in suspended matter reflects the intensity both of anthropogenic pollution and adsorption processes onto particles. The contents of the soluble fraction of rare earth elements (REE) in the river are low, and REE mainly reside in particulate phase. In dissolved phase, the PAAS-normalized distribution patterns show significant HREE enrichment with (La/Yb) SN=0.26~0.94 and Ce depletion with (Ce/Ce*) SN=0.31-0.98, and the most pronounced negative Ce anomalies occur in rivers of high pH. In the suspended phase, the rivers have LREE-enriched patterns relative to PAAS, with (La/Yb) SN=1 -00-1 .40. The results suggest that pH is a major factor controlling both the absolute abundances of REE in solution and the fractionation of REE of dissolved phase. Ce depletion in river waters with high pH values results probably from both preferential removal of Ce onto Fe-Mn oxide coating of particles and CeC^ sedimentation. This process is known to occur in the marine environment and may also occur in high pH rivers. Positive correlations are also observed between La/Yb ratio and DOC, HCO3", PO4", suggesting that colloids and (or) adsorption processes play an important role in the control of these elements.

基于工程地质力学的岩土工程加固理论、技术与实践

In the engineering reinforcement of-rock and soil mass, engineers must consider how to obtain better reinforcing effect at the cost of less reinforcing expense, which, in fact, is the aim of reinforcement design. In order to accomplish the purpose, they require not only researching the material used to reinforce and its structure, but also taking into account of several important geological factors, such as the structure and property of rock and soil mass. How to improve the reinforcing effect according to engineering geomechanical principle at the respect of the reinforcement of engineering soil and rock mass is studied and discussed in this paper. The author studies the theory, technology and practice of geotechnical reinforcement based on engineering geomechanics, taking example for the soil treatment of Zhengzhou Airport, the effect analysis of reinforcement to the slope on the left bank of Wuqiangxi Hydropower Station and the reinforcing design of the No. 102 Landslide and unique sand-slide slope on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. The paper is comprised of two parts for the convenience of discussion. In the first part, from the first chapter to the fifth chapter, trying to perform the relevant research and application at the viewpoint of soil mass engineering geomechanics, the author mainly discusses the study of reinforcing soft ground soil through dynamical consolidation and its application. Then, in the second part, from the sixth chapter to the eleventh chapter, the study of new technologies in the rock slope reinforcement and their application are discussed. The author finds that not only better reinforcing effect can be gained in the research where the principle and method of rock mass engineering geomechanics is adopted, but also new reinforcing technologies can be put forward. Zhengzhou Airport is an important one in central plains. It lies on Yellow River alluvial deposit and the structure of stratum is complex and heterogeneous. The area of airport is very large, which can result in differential settlement easily, damage of airport and aircraft accident, whereas, there are no similar experiences to dispose the foundation, so the foundation treatment become a principal problem. During the process of treatment, the method of dynamic compaction was adopted after compared with other methods using the theory of synthetic integration. Dynamic compaction is an important method to consolidate foundation, which was successfully used in the foundation of Zhengzhou Airport. For fill foundation, controlling the thickness of fill so as to make the foundation treatment can reach the design demand and optimum thickness of the fill is a difficult problem. Considering this problem, the author proposed a calculation method to evaluate the thickness of fill. The method can consider not only the self-settlement of fill but also the settlement of the ground surface under applied load so as to ensure the settlement occurred during the using period can satisfy the design demand. It is proved that the method is correct after using it to choose reasonable energy of dynamic compaction to treat foundation. At the same time, in order to examine the effect of dynamic compaction, many monitor methods were adopted in the test such as static loading test, modulus of resilience test, deep pore pressure -test, static cone penetration test and the variation of the pore volume measurement. Through the tests, the author summarized the discipline of the accumulation and dissipation of pore pressure in Yellow River alluvial deposit under the action of dynamic compaction, gave a correct division of the property change of silt and clay under dynamic compaction, determined the bearing capacity of foundation after treatment and weighted the reinforcing effect of dynamic consolidation from the variation of the soil particle in microcosmic and the parameter of soil mass' density. It can be considered that the compactness of soil is in proportion to the energy of dynamic compaction. This conclusion provided a reference to the research of the "Problem of Soil Structure-the Central Problem of Soil Mechanics in 21 Century ". It is also important to strengthen rock mass for water conservancy and electric power engineering. Slip-resistance pile and anchoring adit full of reinforced concrete are usually adopted in engineering experience to strengthen rock mass and very important for engineering. But there also some deficiency such as the weakest section can't be highlighted, the monitor is inconvenient and the diameter of pile and adit is very large etc. The author and his supervisor professor Yangzhifa invented prestressed slip-resistance pile and prestressed anchoring adit full of reinforced concrete, utilizing the advantage that the prestressed structure has better anti-tensile characteristic (this invention is to be published). These inventions overcome the disadvantages of general slip-resistance pile and anchoring adit full of reinforced concrete and have the functions of engineering prospecting, strengthening, drainage and monitor simultaneous, so they have better strengthened effect and be more convenient for monitor and more economical than traditional methods. Drainage is an important factor in treatments of rock mass and slop. In view of the traditional drainage method that drainage pore often be clogged so as to resulted in incident, professor Yangzhifa invented the method and setting of guide penetration by fiber bundle. It would take good effect to use it in prestressed slip-resistance pile and anchoring adit full of reinforced concrete. In this paper, the author took example for anchoring adit full of reinforced concrete used to strengthen Wuqiangxi left bank to simulate the strengthened effect after consolidated by prestressed slip-resistance pile, took example for 102 landslide occurred along Sichuan-Tibet highway to simulate the application of slip-resistance pile and the new technology of drainage. At the same time the author proposed the treatment method of flowing sand in Sichuan-Tibet highway, which will benefit the study on strengthening similar engineering. There are five novelties in the paper with the author's theoretical study and engineering practice: 1. Summarizing the role of pore water pressure accumulation and dissipation of the Yellow River alluvial and diluvial soil under the action of dynamical consolidation, which has instructive significance in the engineering construction under the analogical engineering geological conditions in the future. It has not been researched by the predecessors. 2. Putting forward the concept of density D in microcosmic based on the microcosmical structure study of the soil sample. Adopting D to weight the reinforcing effect of dynamic consolidation is considered to be appropriate by the means of comparing the D values of Zhengzhou Airport's ground soil before with after dynamically consolidating reinforcement, so a more convenient balancing method can be provided for engineering practice. 3. According to the deep research into the soil mass engineering geology, engineering rock and soil science, soil mechanics, as well as considerable field experiments, improving the consolidating method in airport construction, from the conventional method, which is dynamically compactmg original ground surface firstly, then filling soil and dynamically layer-consolidating or layer-compacting at last to the upgraded method, which is performing dynamical consolidation after filling soil to place totally at the extent of the certain earth-filling depth. The result of the dynamical consolidation not only complies with the specifications, but also reduces the soil treatment investment by 10 million RMB. 4. Proposing the method for calculating the height of the filled soil by the means of estimating the potential displacement produced in the original ground surface and the filled earth soil under the possible load, selecting the appropriate dynamically-compacting power and determining the virtual height of the filled earth soil. The method is proved to be effective and scientific. 5. According to the thought of Engineering Geomechanics Metal-Synthetic Methodology (EGMS), patenting two inventions (to the stage of roclamation, with Professor Yang Zhi-fa, the cooperative tutor, and etc.) in which multi-functions, engineering geological investigation, reinforcement, drainage and strength remedy, are integrated all over in one body at the viewpoint of the breakage mechanism of the rock slope.

松辽盆地河流-三角洲体系高分辩率层序地层学、储层构形及非均质模型研究

This dissertation tries to combine the new theories of high-resolution sequence stratigraphy and reservoir architecture with fine sedimentology to form a integral theory system -"high-resolution sequence sedimentology", which can be applied widely ranging from the early petroleum exploration to the tertiary recovery stage in marine and terrestrial basin. So the west slope area in south of Songliao basin, in which, early-fine exploration have been developed, and Xingnan area of Daqing placantictine in high water-bearing and tertiary recovery stage, are selected as target areas to research and analyze. By applying high-resolution sequence stratigraphy theory as well as analysis of source area-facies, the west slope area has been divided into two source areas and three drainage systems and the following conclusions have been drawn: three high values sandstone areas, two sandstone pinchout zones and one stratigraphic pinchout overlap; the facies between Baicheng-Tongyu drainage system is frist ascertained as large-scale argillaceous filled plain facies; fine-grained braided channel-delta depositional system has been found; plane sedimentary facies and microfacies maps of different-scale sequence have been completed, and then twenty-eight lithologic traps have been detected in the east of Taobao-Zhenlai reverse fault zone; In no exploration area of the west, large-scale stratigraiphic overlap heavy oil reservoirs has first been found, which has become an important prograss. In Xingnan area, in the view of high-resolution sequence stratigraphy, the surface of unconformity (the bottom of SSC13) in P I group has been identified, and the following method and technique have been advanced: the division and correlation methods of short-scale base-level cycle sequence (SSC); the comprehensive research methods of SSC plane microfacies; the division technique of hierarchy and type of flow unit, the origin of large-scale composite sandbody and flow unit; And ,on the basis of these, 103 monosandstone bodies and 87 flow units of the third levels have been identified, and four levels of flow units model of five sandstone-bodies types have been established. Because it is a very difficult task all over the world to research architecture in subsurface monosandstone body, brings forward a series of techniques as follows: technique of researching architecture of thin interbed in subsurface monosandstone body; classification, type and liquid-resisting mechanism of thin interbed; multiple-remember vertical subsequence model of remaining oil in monosadstone body. Models of heterogeneity and architecture of thin interbed in five types of monosandstone body have been established. Applying these techniques, type and distribution of remaining oil in different types of monosandstone bodies have been predicated.

龙滩工程左岸边坡监测资料分析与稳定性评价研究

On the basis of the geological analysis and rock mass toppling deformation and failure mechanism analysis of Longtan engineering left bank slope, the synthetic space-time analysis and influence factors analysis on the surface monitoring data and deep rock mass monitoring data of B-zone of left bank slope are carried on. At the same time, based on the monitoring data analysis in conjunction with the predecessor's mechanics analysis results, the deformation state of B-zone of the left bank slope is discussed and its stability is synthetically evaluated. The detailed research contents and results are as following: According to the monitoring drill histogram analysis of Longtan engineering left bank slope, numerical simulation analysis and model experimentation analysis of bedded counter-inclined steep slope, a new type of toppling deformation and failure mode is proposed, that is "up-slope warping". Then the deformation and failure mode of bedded counter-inclined steep slope is summarized as "down-slope toppling" type, "up-slope warping" type and "complex fold" type. On the basis of synthetic space-time analysis to surface monitoring data and deep rock mass deformation monitoring data of B-zone of Longtan left bank slope;, we can get the conclusion that there exists potential instability rock mass over 520m altitude, especially over 560m altitude of slope B, and the rock mass of around strong-weathering line or creep rock mass breaking band controls the deformation of the whole slope. 1. According to the synthetic space-time analysis and influence factors analysis to the surface monitoring data of B-zone of Longtan left bank slope, a dynamical index, accumulative total acceleration index, which is used to analyze the influence factors of slope surface deformation, is raised. The principle and method of accumulative acceleration index are explained, and the index can be used for the influence factors analysis of the similar slope. 2. Summarize the results of geologic analysis, monitoring analysis and mechanics analysis, the following conclusion can be gotten: the stability of B-zone of the slope is basically good. However, on the condition of drainage and slope toe loading engineering, there is still some creep deformation in the rock mass over 520m altitude, especially over 560m altitude. So, better measures of the monitoring and timely maintenance of the drainage system are suggested in the paper.

地质与生态环境影响下的地表水化学以及碳同位素地球化学特征——以贵州境内珠江水系为例

河流是连接海洋和陆地生态系统的重要途径，也是全球碳循环研究的重要环节。因此，河水的水文地球化学研究是获得有关流域侵蚀、风化以及元素在大陆- 河流- 海洋系统中外生循环过程等的重要途径。由于碳酸盐岩风化作用的产物在很大程度上控制着地表水系的地球化学组成, 因此对碳酸盐岩地区河流的水文地球化学特征的研究, 对于了解碳酸盐岩地区的侵蚀、风化强度以及河流地球化学组成变化的多种控制因素有很大的意义。 单就珠江水系而言，目前该方面的研究范围较窄，主要集中于珠江流域水文气候监测、水体有机污染物的迁移转化以及珠江三角洲与河口水体的同位素示踪研究等几个方面，而对于典型气候、地质地貌区域内的各支流的系统的水文地球化学研究少之又少。事实上，对于珠江水系的干流西江而言，流域内由于喀斯特地貌广泛发育，具有极强的地理特异性，因而各支流在不同地质地貌特征、土壤、气候、植被等条件下的水文地球化学的系统研究以及同位素示踪流域侵蚀状况等方面的研究，不仅对于更好地了解中国西南地区典型喀斯特岩溶区域内土壤、岩石的化学风化、水土流失、水文地球化学特征以及环境污染等方面具有极其重要的意义，同时也对全球碳循环的系统研究有着极其重要的研究价值。 本研究在导师刘丛强研究员主持的国家重大基础规划“973”计划项目“西南喀斯特山地石漠化与适应性生态系统调控”课题的支持下开展完成，选择贵州境内珠江水系干流西江及其支流（红水河流域），以及一级支流柳江源头都柳江及其支流为研究对象，分别通过对流域内，变质碎屑岩以及海相碳酸盐岩两大岩性区域内不同植被覆盖状况下各地表水体中水文地球化学特征以及碳同位素地球化学特征分析，得出以下结论： 1、流域岩性特征是控制流域内各地表水体水文地球化学特征以及流域风化侵蚀程度的重要影响因素。与此同时，研究区内由于人为活动造成的水体污染对于地表水体离子组成特征的变化，也有一定的影响。 2、研究区珠江流域内的地表水体来源主要为大气降水和地下水。研究区内的受西南季风影响下的频繁的降雨过程，是研究区地表水体的主要补给源。研究区内大气降水大多透过表层土壤，进入深部土壤含水层后，或以地表径流的形式冲刷土壤岩石表层后汇入流域内地表河流；或参与地下水体循环，最终以地下水补给地表河流。研究区内NNE方向褶皱断裂构造极其发育，地表河网与地下河网相互连接，转换频繁。 3、研究区内地表水体的离子组成特征以及物理化学性质，主要受流域内土壤岩石化学风化过程的控制。不同岩性特征区域内，地表水体的离子组成特征以及水化学参数有着显著的差异。 4、通过对贵州境内珠江水系75个地表水体中三种不同形态碳DIC、DOC、POC及其部分稳定碳同位素的分析测试，发现研究区内地表水体中的DIC主要来源于研究区内土壤CO2对不同流域内土壤、岩石矿物的化学风化过程。一般而言，植被覆盖状况较好的区域，土壤CO2较为丰富，化学风化作用较为强烈；碳酸盐岩比硅酸盐类易于风化，并且不同岩性区域化学风化过程可以使得地表水体具有不同的离子组成特征与水化学特性。 5、研究区各流域地表水体中的有机碳主要与流域内植被状况相关。地表水体中DOC浓度在一定程度上反映了流域内的植被状况，而TSS以及POC则反映了流域内土壤有机质的情况。研究区地表水体中DOC、POC含量变化情况，是探讨喀斯特地区碳的源汇关系及循环模式的重要依据。 6、河流悬浮物中的POC主要来源于土壤有机质和陆地植物，是研究流域侵蚀问题的重要指标。研究区内变质碎屑岩以及海相碳酸盐岩区域内各地表水体均表现出δ13CPOC 与TOC/TN之间的负相关关系，且地表水体中颗粒有机物具有较低的TOC/TN，表明研究区内各地表水体中POC很可能来源于深层土壤。水动力越强，流域侵蚀越强烈，因而TSS中TOC/TN越低。

长江流域的锂及锂同位素地球化学研究

锂的两个同位素（6Li和7Li）之间相对大的质量差导致它们在自然界的分馏强烈，仅在表生环境就达到了35‰。因而，作为一种有效的示踪剂被广泛地应用于研究宇宙事件、洋壳蚀变及海底热液活动、板块活动、壳幔演化以及示踪卤水来源等地球化学过程。近年来则以大陆风化过程的锂同位素地球化学研究为热点，主要研究方向包括流域尺度大空间范围的总体研究、风化壳剖面的精细研究以及实验室的模拟研究，均涉及水/岩作用过程的锂同位素分馏机理研究。但是，现有的研究结果有的需要进一步论证，有的相互之间存在矛盾，还有部分结论不能自圆其说。 因此，本项论文工作以地表环境过程的锂同位素地球化学研究为切入点，选择长江水系干流和主要支流的地表水、悬浮物和沉积物为研究对象。在低含量样品锂同位素分析方法研究和完善的基础上，就河流体系锂的来源、流域体系的锂同位素组成变化特征及其主要受控因素等方面开展探索性研究。 通过以上研究，本论文得出以下几点认识： 1、采用单一的阳离子树脂柱分离、提纯样品锂，MC-ICP-MS测定其同位素组成。其分析结果的准确度和精确度可以达到现阶段报道的最高水平。海水的锂同位素组成为+31.3±1.0‰（2σ）与前人测定结果的平均值（+31.2‰）接近；样品分析误差约为0.5‰（2σ），与TIMS的分析结果相似。 2、长江水系河水以富含HCO3-、Ca2+为主要特征，两者分别占阴、阳离子总量的70%和50%；其中，以Na+、Cl-含量的变化最大。长江河水的主要离子组成主要受流域岩石风化作用影响，蒸发结晶作用只在少数点起次要作用，而大气沉降的输入十分微弱。岩石风化作用以碳酸盐岩风化的影响最为显著，蒸发盐岩和硅酸岩的影响较小，仅限于长江流域的局部地区。 3、长江水系悬浮物的锂含量及δ7Li值变化较小，分别为41 µg/g~92 µg/g和-4.7‰~+0.7‰。沉积物的锂含量在13.26 µg/g~46.32 µg/g之间，略低于悬浮物的锂含量，而δ7Li较高，在+0.9‰和+9.1‰之间变化。悬浮物和沉积物的锂含量与Al2O3/SiO2、Fe2O3/SiO2、MnO/SiO2及K2O/SiO2等比值之间存在明显的正相关关系，与δ7Li值存在一定的负相关关系，主要表现为粘土矿物对锂的吸附作用，尤其是6Li。 4、长江水系河水的锂含量在1.04 µg/L和31.72 µg/L之间，平均为8.87 µg/L，呈现出从上游至下游逐渐降低的趋势，最高值出现在长江上游的攀枝花段（CJ1）。其锂同位素组成变化也较大，δ7Li值在+7.6‰和+28.1‰之间，但是却呈现出与锂含量变化相反的特征，即从上游至下游逐渐增加，最小值出现在长江上游的攀枝花段(CJ1)。 5、长江干流水体的锂摩尔浓度的倒数（1/Li）和δ7Li值之间存在明显的正相关关系，可能是两个端员组分混合的结果。综合考虑雨水、人为输入和碳酸盐岩对长江干流河水的贡献后，我们认为长江干流河水的锂应该是来自于流域岩石风化的贡献，即蒸发盐岩的溶解和硅酸岩的风化，两者对长江河水锂的贡献在78%和99%之间。 6、悬浮物总是比相应水体富集6Li，导致两者之间的锂同位素分馏明显。悬浮物和河水之间的锂同位素分馏系数（α矿物-流体）在0.976和0.993之间比变化，落在不同粘土矿物吸附产生的分馏范围内。长江上游地区的α矿物-流体落在室温下水铝矿和蒙脱石对锂吸附产生的分馏范围内，下游地区的α矿物-流体则与蛭石和高岭石对水体锂的吸附分馏范围内。除此之外，α矿物-流体还与悬浮物的量密切相关，尤其是在河水进入三峡库区之前。这种相关性同样是粘土矿物对6Li的优先吸附引起的。

Metallic foam processing from the liquid state

Cox, S.J., Bradley, G. and Weaire, D. (2001) Metallic foam processing from the liquid state: the competition between solidification and drainage. Eur. Phys. J. AP 14:87-97. Sponsorship: This research was supported by the Prodex programme of ESA, and is a contribution to ESA contract C14308/AO-075-99. SJC was supported by Enterprise Ireland and a Marie Curie fellowship. GB was supported by the HPC Programme of TCD.

Phosphorus export from a restored wetland ecosystem in response to natural and experimental hydrologic fluctuations

Wetland restoration is a commonly used approach to reduce nutrient loading to freshwater and coastal ecosystems, with many wetland restoration efforts occurring in former agricultural fields. Restored wetlands are expected to be effective at retaining or removing both nitrogen and phosphorus (P), yet restoring wetland hydrology to former agricultural fields can lead to the release of legacy fertilizer P. Here, we examined P cycling and export following rewetting of the Timberlake Restoration Project, a 440 ha restored riverine wetland complex in the coastal plain of North Carolina. We also compared P cycling within the restored wetland to two minimally disturbed nearby wetlands and an adjacent active agricultural field. In the restored wetland we observed increased soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) concentrations following initial flooding, consistent with our expectations that P bound to iron would be released under reducing conditions. SRP concentrations in spring were 2.5 times higher leaving the restored wetland than a forested wetland and an agricultural field. During two large-scale drawdown and rewetting experiments we decreased the water depth by 1 m in ∼10 ha of inundated wetland for 2 weeks, followed by reflooding. Rewetting following experimental drainage had no effect on SRP concentrations in winter, but SRP concentrations did increase when the experiment was repeated during summer. Our best estimates suggest that this restored wetland could release legacy fertilizer P for up to a decade following hydrologic restoration. The time lag between restoration and biogeochemical recovery should be incorporated into management strategies of restored wetlands. Copyright 2010 by the American Geophysical Union.

On the multiple ecological roles of water in river networks

The distribution and movement of water can influence the state and dynamics of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems through a diversity of mechanisms. These mechanisms can be organized into three general categories wherein water acts as (1) a resource or habitat for biota, (2) a vector for connectivity and exchange of energy, materials, and organisms, and (3) as an agent of geomorphic change and disturbance. These latter two roles are highlighted in current models, which emphasize hydrologic connectivity and geomorphic change as determinants of the spatial and temporal distributions of species and processes in river systems. Water availability, on the other hand, has received less attention as a driver of ecological pattern, despite the prevalence of intermittent streams, and strong potential for environmental change to alter the spatial extent of drying in many regions. Here we summarize long-term research from a Sonoran Desert watershed to illustrate how spatial patterns of ecosystem structure and functioning reflect shifts in the relative importance of different 'roles of water' across scales of drainage size. These roles are distributed and interact hierarchically in the landscape, and for the bulk of the drainage network it is the duration of water availability that represents the primary determinant of ecological processes. Only for the largest catchments, with the most permanent flow regimes, do flood-associated disturbances and hydrologic exchange emerge as important drivers of local dynamics. While desert basins represent an extreme case, the diversity of mechanisms by which the availability and flow of water influence ecosystem structure and functioning are general. Predicting how river ecosystems may respond to future environmental pressures will require clear understanding of how changes in the spatial extent and relative overlap of these different roles of water shape ecological patterns. © 2013 Sponseller et al.

Morphological characteristics of urban water bodies: mechanisms of change and implications for ecosystem function.

The size, shape, and connectivity of water bodies (lakes, ponds, and wetlands) can have important effects on ecological communities and ecosystem processes, but how these characteristics are influenced by land use and land cover change over broad spatial scales is not known. Intensive alteration of water bodies during urban development, including construction, burial, drainage, and reshaping, may select for certain morphometric characteristics and influence the types of water bodies present in cities. We used a database of over one million water bodies in 100 cities across the conterminous United States to compare the size distributions, connectivity (as intersection with surface flow lines), and shape (as measured by shoreline development factor) of water bodies in different land cover classes. Water bodies in all urban land covers were dominated by lakes and ponds, while reservoirs and wetlands comprised only a small fraction of the sample. In urban land covers, as compared to surrounding undeveloped land, water body size distributions converged on moderate sizes, shapes toward less tortuous shorelines, and the number and area of water bodies that intersected surface flow lines (i.e., streams and rivers) decreased. Potential mechanisms responsible for changing the characteristics of urban water bodies include: preferential removal, physical reshaping or addition of water bodies, and selection of locations for development. The relative contributions of each mechanism likely change as cities grow. The larger size and reduced surface connectivity of urban water bodies may affect the role of internal dynamics and sensitivity to catchment processes. More broadly, these results illustrate the complex nature of urban watersheds and highlight the need to develop a conceptual framework for urban water bodies.

In vitro fluid dynamics of the Ahmed glaucoma valve modified with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.

PURPOSE: Long-term intraocular pressure reduction by glaucoma drainage devices (GDDs) is often limited by the fibrotic capsule that forms around them. Prior work demonstrates that modifying a GDD with a porous membrane promotes a vascularized and more permeable capsule. This work examines the in vitro fluid dynamics of the Ahmed valve after enclosing the outflow tract with a porous membrane of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The control and modified Ahmed implants (termed porous retrofitted implant with modified enclosure or PRIME-Ahmed) were submerged in saline and gelatin and perfused in a system that monitored flow (Q) and pressure (P). Flow rates of 1-50 μl/min were applied and steady state pressure recorded. Resistance was calculated by dividing pressure by flow. RESULTS: Modifying the Ahmed valve implant outflow with expanded ePTFE increased pressure and resistance. Pressure at a flow of 2 μl/min was increased in the PRIME-Ahmed (11.6 ± 1.5 mm Hg) relative to the control implant (6.5 ± 1.2 mm Hg). Resistance at a flow of 2 μl/min was increased in the PRIME-Ahmed (5.8 ± 0.8 mm Hg/μl/min) when compared to the control implant (3.2 ± 0.6 mm Hg/μl/min). CONCLUSIONS: Modifying the outflow tract of the Ahmed valve with a porous membrane adds resistance that decreases with increasing flow. The Ahmed valve implant behaves as a variable resistor. It is partially open at low pressures and provides reduced resistance at physiologic flow rates.

Aqueous solution of anionic surfactants mixed with soils show a synergistic reduction in surface tension

Water retention and transport in soils is dependent upon the surface tension of the aqueous phase. Surfactants present in aqueous solution reduce the surface tension of aqueous phase. In soil–water systems, this can result in water drainage and reductions in field capacity and hydraulic conductivity. In this investigation, the surface tension of surfactant solutions mixed with soil—in a constant fixed ratio—was measured as a function of surfactant concentration. Two anionic surfactants were used: sodium dodecyl sulphate and sodium bis (2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate. Two soils were also used—a clay soil and a sandy soil. The key observation made by this investigation was that the addition of soil to the surfactant solution provided a further component of surface tension reduction. Neither soil sample reduced the surface tension of water when surfactant was absent from the aqueous phase, though both soils released soil organic matter at low surfactant concentrations as shown by measurement of the chemical oxygen demand of the supernatant solutions. Furthermore, both surfactants were shown to be weakly adsorbed by soil as shown by the use of a methylene blue assay. It is therefore proposed that the additional reduction in surface tension arises from synergistic interactions between the surfactants and dissolved soil organic matter.

Recovery or decline of the Northwestern Black Sea: A societal choice revealed by socio-ecological modelling

During recent decades anthropogenic activities have dramatically impacted the Black Sea ecosystem. High levels of riverine nutrient input during the 1970s and 1980s caused eutrophic conditions including intense algal blooms resulting in hypoxia and the subsequent collapse of benthic habitats on the northwestern shelf. Intense fishing pressure also depleted stocks of many apex predators, contributing to an increase in planktivorous fish that are now the focus of fishing efforts. Additionally, the Black Sea's ecosystem changed even further with the introduction of exotic species. Economic collapse of the surrounding socialist republics in the early 1990s resulted in decreased nutrient loading which has allowed the Black Sea ecosystem to start to recover, but under rapidly changing economic and political conditions, future recovery is uncertain. In this study we use a multidisciplinary approach to integrate information from socio-economic and ecological systems to model the effects of future development scenarios on the marine environment of the northwestern Black Sea shelf. The Driver–Pressure–State-Impact-Response framework was used to construct conceptual models, explicitly mapping impacts of socio-economic Drivers on the marine ecosystem. Bayesian belief networks (BBNs), a stochastic modelling technique, were used to quantify these causal relationships, operationalise models and assess the effects of alternative development paths on the Black Sea ecosystem. BBNs use probabilistic dependencies as a common metric, allowing the integration of quantitative and qualitative information. Under the Baseline Scenario, recovery of the Black Sea appears tenuous as the exploitation of environmental resources (agriculture, fishing and shipping) increases with continued economic development of post-Soviet countries. This results in the loss of wetlands through drainage and reclamation. Water transparency decreases as phytoplankton bloom and this deterioration in water quality leads to the degradation of coastal plant communities (Cystoseira, seagrass) and also Phyllophora habitat on the shelf. Decomposition of benthic plants results in hypoxia killing flora and fauna associated with these habitats. Ecological pressure from these factors along with constant levels of fishing activity results in target stocks remaining depleted. Of the four Alternative Scenarios, two show improvements on the Baseline ecosystem condition, with improved waste water treatment and reduced fishing pressure, while the other two show a worsening, due to increased natural resource exploitation leading to rapid reversal of any recent ecosystem recovery. From this we conclude that variations in economic policy have significant consequences for the health of the Black Sea, and ecosystem recovery is directly linked to social–economic choices.

Effect of habitat fragmentation on levels and patterns of genetic diversity in natural populations of the peat moss Polytrichum commune

Peat bogs represent unique ecosystems that are under particular threat from fragmentation due to peat harvesting, with only 38% of the original peatland in Europe remaining intact and unaffected by peat cutting, drainage and silviculture. In this study, we have used microsatellite markers to determine levels and patterns of genetic diversity in both cut and uncut natural populations of the peat moss Polytrichum commune. Overall diversity levels suggest that there is more genetic variation present than had previously been assumed for bryophytes. Despite this, diversity values from completely cut bogs were found to be lower than those from uncut peatlands (average 0.729 versus 0.880). In addition, the genetic diversity was more highly structured in the cut populations, further suggesting that genetic drift is already affecting genetic diversity in peat bogs subjected to fragmentation.

Soil-Landscape relationships at the lower reaches of a watershed at Bear Creek near Oak Ridge, Tennessee

The watersheds at Bear Creek, Oak Ridge, TN, have similar soil–landscape relationships. The lower reaches of many of these watersheds consist of headwater riparian wetlands situated between sloping non-wetland upland zones. The objectives of this study are to examine the effects of (i) slope and geomorphic processes, (ii) human impacts, and (iii) particular characteristics of soils and saprolite that may effect drainage and water movement in the wetlands and adjacent landscapes in one of these watersheds. A transect was run from west to east in a hydrological monitored area at the lower reaches of a watershed on Bear Creek. This transect extended from a steep side slope position across a floodplain, a terrace, and a shoulder slope. On the upland positions of the Nolichucky Shale, mass wasting, overland flow and soil creep currently inhibit soil formation on the steep side slope position where a Typic Dystrudept is present, while soil stability on the shoulder slope has resulted in the formation of a well-developed Typic Hapludult. In these soils, argillic horizons occur above C horizons on less sloping gradients in comparison to steeper slopes, which have Bw horizons over Cr (saprolite) material. A riparian wetland area occupies the floodplain section, where a Typic Endoaquept is characterized by poorly drained conditions that led to the development of redoximorphic features (mottling), gleying, organic matter accumulation, and minimal development of subsurface horizons. A thin colluvial deposit overlies a thick well developed Aquic Hapludalf that formed in alluvial sediments on the terrace position. The colluvial deposit from the adjacent shoulder slope is thought to result from soil creep and anthropogenic erosion caused by past cultivation practices. Runoff from the adjacent sloping landscape and groundwater from the adjacent wetland area perhaps contribute to the somewhat poorly drained conditions of this profile. Perched watertables occur in upland positions due to dense saprolite and clay plugging in the shallow zones of the saprolite. However, no redoximorphic features are observed in the soil on the side slope due to high runoff. Remnants of the underlying shale saprolite, which occur as small discolored zones resembling mottles, are also present. The soils in the study have a CEC of