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This work aims to understand the distribution and migration mechanisms of U and Mo between surface sediment and water in acid mine drainage (AMD) regions near a molybdenum mining region. A series of river sediment and water samples near the Jinduicheng mining area, one of the largest deposits of molybdenite ore in Asia, were collected and analyzed. Our results indicate that: (1) The pH value of river water samples increases with distance from upstream to downstream, while the pH has poor correlation with Mo and U; (2) The content of Mo and U in the sediment are significantly higher than the background value, which suggests potential pollution; (3) The content of Mo and U in the water and sediments in the lower reaches of the Wenyu river is significantly linearly related with the distance from the mining area, suggesting that AMD is a potential source; (4) BCR analysis shows that Mo in river sediments mainly existed as the residual, while U mainly existed as the non-residual; (5) The distribution coefficient Kd(Mo) exceeds Kd(U), indicating that Mo is enriched in sediments while U is more prone to porewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper attempts to review the environmental geochemical characteristics (re.: enriched elements) in coals of the Late Permian Xuanwei Formation of NW Yunnan, China, and gauge the possible existence of significant relationships with the incidence and distribution of lung cancer in the region. To achieve this goal, 27 samples were collected in this region; the mineralogical characteristics and major and trace elements were analysed; the Pb isotopic composition was traced; the contribution of the source rock was calculated; and principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out. Our current findings are summarized as follows: (1) the minerals are mainly quartz (silica), chamosite, calcite and kaolinite; (2) MnO, SiO2, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Cd and W are enriched; (3) the LREYs (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm and Eu) and HREYs (Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and Y) have similar enrichment degrees, and the fractionation degree of HREYs is higher than that of LREYs; (4) the source distance restricts the Pb isotope composition; (5) MnO, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu and Cd are controlled by the Emeishan basalt; the origin of SiO2 (authigenic quartz) is unclear; (6) the lung cancer tissue characteristics, PCA, and toxicological characteristics of elements suggest that the main components of enriched elements probably come from V, Cr, Co, Ni and Cd, not SiO2. In conclusion, the carcinogenic elements V, Cr, Co, Ni and Cd may be related to lung cancer. Since our study is highly explorative, this result leaves many interesting aspects to be further studied. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Geochemical processes related to mined, milled, or natural metal deposits collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/geochemical-processes-related-to-mined-milled-or-natural-metal-deposits Supplementary material: The coal mine and coal sample description, major, trace elements, and XRD results of coal as well as regional geological map are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6444476 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oxidation/weathering of molybdenite (MoS2) is too slow to be monitored, even under pure oxygen and high temperatures, while it proceeds rapidly through humid air. The adsorption of water molecules on molybdenite is necessary for the wet oxidation/weathering of molybdenite. Therefore, we employ kinetic Monte Carlo modeling to clarify the adsorption isotherm, site preferences and kinetics of water on different surfaces of molybdenite. Our results indicate that (1) the adsorption capacity and adsorption rate coefficient of H2O on the (110) surface are significantly larger than those on the (001) surface at a temperature of 0~100 °C and a relative humidity of 0~100%, suggesting that the (110) surface is the predominant surface controlling the reactivity and solubility of molybdenite in its interaction with water; (2) the kinetic Monte Carlo modeling considering the adsorption/desorption rate of H2O, dissociation/formation rate of H2O and adsorption/desorption of dissociated H indicates that the adsorption and dissociation of H2O on the (110) surface can be completed in one microsecond (ms) at 298 K and in wet conditions; (3) the adsorption and dissociation of H2O on molybdenite are not the rate-limiting steps in the wet oxidation/weathering of molybdenite; and (4) kinetic Monte Carlo modeling explains the experimental SIMS observation that H2O and OH (rather than H+/H− or H2O) occupy the surface of MoS2 in a short time. This study provides new molecular-scale insights to aid in our understanding of the oxidation/weathering mechanism of molybdenite as the predominant mineral containing molybdenum in the Earth's crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paleosedimentary environment and paleoclimate of the Neogene Guantao Formation in the Liaodong sub-uplift of Bohai Bay Basin in China, which is an important oil and gas exploration horizon, are not clear owing to the lack of quantitative analysis. The paleosedimentary environment and paleoclimate can be qualitatively or semi-quantitatively reconstructed by sedimentary geochemical indicators sensitive to the environment and climate. Based on the evaluation of whether the elements and isotopes can effectively record paleosedimentary environment and paleoclimate information or not, the paleoclimate (temperature and humidity), paleoenvironment (salinity, water depth, redox conditions), and evolution of the paleoenvironment and paleoclimate are studied by analyzing the trace elements, carbon and oxygen isotopes, strontium isotopes, whole-rock mineral compositions, and clay minerals of mudstones of the Guantao Formation in the Liaodong sub-uplift, Bohai Bay Basin. The study results show that (1) according to the trace element distribution patterns, high concentrations of continental elements (Ti, Zr, Th), clay minerals, and detrital content, the Guantao Formation is a product of proximal deposits, and the provenance mainly originates from the intermediate–acidic magmatic rocks near surrounding uplifts. (2) The paleoclimate during the sedimentation of the Guantao Formation was mainly semi-arid and semi-humid, as revealed by the Sr/Cu ratio. However, the high Rb/Sr and 87Sr/86Sr ratios demonstrate that the paleoclimate is relatively warm and humid. (3) The paleosedimentary temperature calculated by the Sr content and δ18O is roughly 30 °C, indicating that the Guantao Formation was deposited in a subtropical to tropical climate. (4) The Guantao Formation was deposited in continental freshwater according to the Li, Ni, and Sr content, Sr/Ba ratios, 87Sr/86Sr ratios, and salinity index Z. (5) The water depth of the paleoenvironment of the Guantao Formation is mainly in nearshore shallow water, reflected by the Mn/Ti ratio and calculated by the Co content, and the oxidizing condition of the paleoenvironment of the Guantao Formation, reflected by the U/Th, V/Cr, and Ni/Co ratios, is in a good coupling relationship with this environment. (6) As revealed by the variations in the geochemical data in the section, the temperature, humidity, and water depth of the Guantao Formation gradually increased from the early to late period, while the salinity gradually decreased, and the chemical weathering effect gradually increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ophiolites along the North Qilian Orogenic Belt are considered to be fragments of ancient oceanic crusts and lithospheric mantle of the Palaeozoic North Qilian Ocean (a branch of the Proto‐Tethys). Compared with other ophiolites in this belt, the genesis of the Xiejiayao ophiolite has been poorly studied so far, making it difficult to understand the tectonic evolution of the ocean. In this study, we present new compositional and Sr‐Nd isotopic analyses of basaltic rocks from the Xiejiayao ophiolite to shed light on its petrogenesis and geodynamic background. These oceanic basalts are characterized by flat REE patterns, low elemental ratios of high‐field‐strength elements (e.g., La/Sm, Sm/Yb, La/Yb, Gd/Yb, [Th/Yb]PM) and abundant spinels, implying that they were generated via partial melting in the spinel stability field of the mantle. Their positive εNd(t) values (6.1–8.4), high Zr/Nb (43.65–79.40) as well as low Nb/Ta (10.91–15.09), Zr/Hf (34.64–39.28), and Nb/Yb (0.41–0.59) ratios further reflect that the ancient mantle had already become depleted to some extent before the onset of the Palaeozoic ocean. Additionally, basalts share many geochemical similarities (e.g., Zr, Y, Ti, and V) with both mid‐ocean ridge and island arc basalts. This supports the strong likelihood of origin in a back‐arc basin close to the suprasubduction zone for the ophiolite. Therefore, accompanied by the northward subduction of the oceanic lithosphere during the early Palaeozoic, a large‐scale back‐arc basin developed progressively in response to the back‐arc expansion. The Xiejiayao basaltic magmas were generated in the back‐arc basin via partial melting of the depleted mantle and their source was probably mixed with subducted melts/fluids from the dehydration and melting of oceanic slabs and sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulating heavy metal contamination in soils caused by industrial waste, fertilizer, and wastewater irrigation is a matter of grave concern for the environment and food safety. In recent years, remediation agents with the characteristics of economy, high efficiency, and simple operation have become a popular choice for remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil. By far, there are relatively few studies evaluating the effects on remediation agents for their both heavy metal passivation and soil fertility promotion. This study investigated the effects of a remediation agent on Cd passivation, soil pH, and heavy metal uptake by rice crops. Eight treatments were used to evaluate the effect of Cd immobilization in soil. Changes in soil pH and soil Cd fractions were monitored during incubation for 30 days. The field study was conducted during the whole growth stages of rice crops, samples of rice plants and soil at the tillering, booting, and harvesting stages were collected and tested. Cd fractions were extracted from soil at different stages to investigate the effects of various treatments on Cd uptake and bioaccumulation in rice plants. The results show that composite mineral remediation agents composed of mineral fertilizer and synthetic zeolite could effectively improve the pH of soil in incubation experiments and field experiments. Composite mineral remediation agents were effective in stabilizing Cd and increasing rice yield. Mineral fertilizer and Synthetic zeolite played an important role in the tillering stage and harvesting stage of rice growth in field, respectively. Group A4 (mineral fertilizer: synthetic zeolite at mass ration of 10:6) had the best results. Compared with control experiment (CK), HOAc extractable Cd of A4 group decreased by 6%, oxidizable Cd of A4 group increased by 2%, and the residue Cd of A4 group increased by 4%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To clarify the mechanism controlling the migration of uranium and typical heavy metals at the sediment–water interface, four sampling cores were collected along the Mianyuan River near a phosphate mining region to investigate their distribution in pore water and sediment along vertical profiles. This study indicated that: (1) the average concentrations of U, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and Ni in the pore water were 2.17, 0.08, 6.28, 1.78, 80.56 and 5.18 µg l−1 , respectively, some of them being higher than the National Recommended Water Quality Criteria. (2) The enrichment of U, Cu, Pb, Zn and Ni in the sediment near the urban area clearly indicated that local industries were important pollution sources. (3) The average diffusive fluxes of U, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and Ni of the four profiles were 0.016, 0.007, 0.300, 0.022, 2.925 and −1.328 µg/(m2·d), indicating that most of the metals diffused from the sediment pore water to the overlying water. (4) The IWCTU (Interstitial Water Criteria Toxic Units) values of Pb in the pore water exceeded 1 in most river sections, indicating that the toxicity levels in the sediments presented a risk to aquatic organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 87Sr/86Sr minimum of the Capitanian seawater is one of the most significant features in the Phanerozoic seawater 87Sr/86Sr history. In order to assess possible contribution of the Emeishan large igneous provinces (LIPs) to strontium isotope evolution of the Capitanian seawater, 87Sr/86Sr ratios were measured from the Capitanian limestones which are locally interlayered with the Emeishan basalts. The limestones underlying the Emeishan basalts have high 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7070–0.7074). However, extremely low 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7068–0.7070) were identified in the late Capitanian Jinogondolella prexuanhanensis–J. xuanhanensis zones, which correspond to the eruption time of the Emeishan LIP. The temporal coincidence of these two phenomena supports the idea of a potential linkage between Capitanian 87Sr/86Sr minimum and eruption of this igneous province. The strong submarine hydrothermal activity and erosion of the Emeishan LIP could have released large amounts of non-radiogenic Sr to the oceans and play an important role in strontium isotope evolution of the seawater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]