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The eastern Tianshan Mountain (ETS) region in Xinjiang, China, has played a crucial role as a major highway for large‐scale human migrations and technological exchanges across Eurasia throughout history. Understanding the genetic makeup of past populations holds significant importance in comprehending human mobility in this region. Here, we report genome‐wide ancient DNA for the two individuals whose origins remain uncertain, found at the Dahe ancient city site in the ETS region. Our results indicate that although both individuals display a higher genetic affinity to Asian populations, one individual shows some genetic sharing with South Asians, while the other shares more affinity with populations from Northeastern Asia. Radiocarbon dating shows that the two human remains were not deposited simultaneously. Overall, the combined genetic, physical anthropology and radiocarbon evidence strongly suggests that the ETS region, situated at the heart of the Silk Road, has been a crossroads of diverse populations coexisting between the 8th and 11th centuries. Additionally, the genetic ancestry sharing with the Bronze Age Tarim mummies suggested a long‐term residual of indigenous ancestry in Xinjiang and showed that autochthonous deep Asian ancestry had left their genetic legacy into the historical populations of Xinjiang despite a spanning of over three millennia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of detrital zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotope analysis as conventional sedimentological research methods, a large number of studies have been conducted in the Tarim, West Kunlun, Tajik, Pamir and Tianshuihai regions and abundant data have been accumulated. Summarizing these data to characterize sedimentary units and source regions is more important than local studies of specific geological epochs; therefore, we compiled a database of detrital zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotope analyses from the Tarim, West Kunlun, Pamir, Tajik and Tianshuihai terranes. The database contains data from 90 papers, including 35,281 individual U–Pb ages and 4,181 Hf isotope analyses. The database records the literature source, petrologic sample information, regional geological information, geographic coordinates and analytical parameters for each data point in as much detail as possible to allow readers to review, process, analyse and use the data. The database relies on the Deep‐time Digital Earth (DDE) platform and uses an open database update system to enable sharing and collaborative building. We encourage other researchers to contribute relevant published data to facilitate wider use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water cycle is important for maintaining the dynamic balance of regional water resources. Here, based on the input–output water circulation flux accounting model, we take Xinjiang as a case area to empirically explore the mechanism of the 'nature‐society‐trade' ternary water cycle. The results show that the water transferred out was much larger than the transferred in in Xinjiang. The scale of water resources development and utilization and the social water cycle fluxes have been constantly expanding, but there was a mismatch between the hydrological system and the socio‐economic system in terms of water resource utilization. From 2007 to 2017, agriculture had always been the department with the largest amount of direct water consumption and virtual water transfer in Xinjiang, which mainly transferred virtual water to the light industry and service sector where the production of final products requires large amounts of agricultural products as raw materials or intermediate products. In Xinjiang, the virtual water transferred outside through trade in products and services was much larger than the virtual water transferred in from other regions, and it was thus always in a state of net virtual water outflow as a whole. In inter‐provincial trade of China, Xinjiang mainly transferred virtual water to areas with abundant water resources, developed economies and dense populations in eastern China. Lastly, we put forward targeted suggestions on the optimal allocation of water resources to promote the sustainable development of Xinjiang and we hope that our study will be instructive for water resources management in other arid inland river basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xinjiang, located in Northwest China, is a typical arid and semiarid region. In this region, frequent droughts have caused great losses in agricultural production and social economy. Therefore, changes in drought over Xinjiang have attracted considerable attention. This study projects the drought changes over Xinjiang during the 21st century, based on the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) simulations under three Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). The Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) is applied to measure drought variation. After quantitatively evaluating the performance of 25 CMIP6 models in annual and seasonal precipitation and evapotranspiration in Xinjiang during 1995–2014, we select 13 preferred models for projection. The projection results show significant decreasing trends in annual SPEI during 2021–2100 in Xinjiang, with the trends of −0.1/10a, −0.1/10a and −0.2/10a under SSP1‐2.6, SSP2‐4.5 and SSP5‐8.5, respectively. For seasons, the projected decreasing trends of SPEI in summer, autumn and spring are greater than that in winter. Relative to 1995–2014, during 2081–2100, moderate and severe droughts are projected to occupy a major increase in drought areas in Xinjiang under the three scenarios. In addition, drought tends to become more frequent and intense and last longer especially under higher scenarios. Under SSP5‐8.5, the projected regionally averaged drought frequency, intensity and duration increase by 15%, 8% and 1 month at the end of the 21st century. On the whole, the intermodel uncertainties of the projected changes in drought over Xinjiang increase with time in each emission. The findings of this study can provide information for decision makers to develop drought adaptation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The security of the Uyghur ethnic community in Xinjiang became an international concern after media reports about the existence of re‐education camps. History has recorded that the Uyghur often experienced violation of their human security rights. This violation worsened when the Chinese Community Party (CCP) succeeded in controlling the entire mainland. The three pillars of human security that should be ensured by the state, freedom from fear, freedom from want and freedom to live in dignity were violated by the CCP. Using the theory of social construction process, the finding of the research was that the violations aimed to insert socialist and communist values into Uyghur's identity and to control their province, which rich in natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amount, frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation over Xinjiang have increased dramatically under the wetting trend in Northwest China, but long‐term trends in the precipitation‐recycling process remain largely unexplored. Based on dynamic recycling model and MERRA2 reanalysis, we revealed a mean recycling ratio for extreme precipitation in Xinjiang of 42.3% with a growth rate of 2.3% decade−1 during 1982–2019. The increasing trend of extreme precipitation was almost equally attributed to increased recycling precipitation (49%) and external precipitation (51%). The extreme precipitation in Xinjiang exhibited two peak centers, the Tianshan Mountains region (TS) and Kunlun Mountains region (KL), highlighting variations in the water cycle. Specifically, the external cycle predominated the increased extreme precipitation in TS (61%), while the recycling process mainly influenced the increase in KL (67%) due to markedly enhanced evapotranspiration. Moisture source attribution further proved the crucial role of evapotranspiration from Xinjiang and its vicinity in extreme precipitation. Plain Language Summary: Local evapotranspiration is essential for precipitation over arid and semiarid regions, which can be evaluated via the precipitation recycling process. To date, studies investigating the precipitation‐recycling process over Xinjiang have primarily focused on general precipitation, but long‐term trends in the precipitation‐recycling process during extreme precipitation events remain largely unexplored. In this study, we used a dynamic recycling model and revealed that the recycling process accounted for 42.3% of extreme precipitation in climatology and increased by 2.3% decade−1 during 1982–2019. The ascending trend of extreme precipitation over Xinjiang was almost equally attributed to increased recycling precipitation and external precipitation. However, there are regional differences in the dominant factor. Specifically, the Tianshan Mountains region was predominated by the external water cycle, while Kunlun Mountains region was mainly determined by the recycling process. Considering precipitation and evapotranspiration along the moisture trajectory, we further showed that the majority of moisture responsible for extreme precipitation in Xinjiang came from this locality and surrounding area. These findings indicate that the recycling process plays a crucial role in the formation of extreme precipitation in Xinjiang, and a deeper understanding of its changing mechanisms can help reduce the flood risks caused by extreme precipitation. Key Points: The mean recycling ratio of extreme precipitation in Xinjiang was 42.3%, with an increasing trend of 2.3% decade−1Recycling and external precipitation contributed 49% and 51% to the growing trend of extreme precipitation in Xinjiang, respectivelyThe recycling process (external process) dominated the increased extreme precipitation in the Kunlun (Tianshan) Mountains [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we analyzed seven wooden bows and 13 arrows excavated from the cemeteries of Subeixi Culture (13th century BCE–AD second century) in the Turpan Basin, northwest China. A total of six taxa, viz. Morus sp., Salix sp., Picea sp., Lonicera sp., Betula sp., and Tamarix sp. were identified. Some of these taxa have been generally accepted to be suitable for bow‐and‐arrow production. All these taxa were local in origin but distributed in different ecotonal zones, including oases, saline‐alkali lands, and mountain areas. Previous archaeological studies have confirmed that the Subeixi populations lived an agro‐pastoral life. By analyzing the possible provenance of these wood samples, it can be hypothesized that these ancient agro‐pastoralists moved between the Turpan Basin and the Tianshan Mountains on a seasonal basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the Han dynasty's imperial expansion to the west, Xinjiang became a frontier region for political negotiation, military conflict, and cultural contact. The recent excavation at Shichengzi military fort has rendered an opportunity to examine animal exploitation in the empire's frontiers. The results of our zooarchaeological analysis suggest that meat production primarily relied on caprines and cattle. Horses, donkeys, and camels were exploited for labor. Pig husbandry was a novel addition to the local agropastoral regime, and pork became a signature food particular to the identity of the garrison community. A "meat‐not‐milk" dietary preference also underscores this cultural identity. Animal exploitation was a combined result of subsistence adaptation and military reinforcement. Our work further highlights the tension between the flexible husbandry strategy adapted to the new environment and the conservative culinary attitude held by immigrants toward certain new foods. This case study helps contextualize the interaction and integration of different ways of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) has recently experienced a series of policies seeking economic development and intensive methods of social coercion. A unique leader, Chen Quanguo, brought these changes to the XUAR in 2016. This paper seeks to examine the effects of Chen's regime. We specifically examine three outcomes: GDP per capita, arrest rates, and spending on public security. Using the synthetic control method, we find that Chen's regime had no significant effect on the development. However, his policies led to much higher rates of arrest and larger spending on public security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region has long been a vital link between Europe and Eastern Asia. Xinjiang's geographical location and natural environment have led to unique dietary habits and traditions among both the region's modern inhabitants and their ancient forebears. Here, we report on the analysis of human dental residue samples unearthed from the Jiayi Cemetery, a 10th to 2nd century BCE mortuary complex located in the Turpan Basin, Xinjiang, generating ancient starch granules produced by vegetal foodstuffs. Morphological analysis of starch granules and comparative data indicate that crops of Triticeae tribe and subfamily Panicoideae comprised a large portion of the diet, whereas common legumes, nuts, root, and tuber were also present, although in relatively smaller proportions. The discovery of these plant starch granules in archaeological context provides direct evidence of the Jiayi population's vegetal diet and sheds light on agricultural practices during this period. With supporting evidence drawn from zooarchaeological, archaeobotanical, and paleo‐isotopic studies of Bronze Age sites in Xinjiang, we conclude that the people interred in the Jiayi Cemetery practiced cereal crop cultivation and animal husbandry in the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages. The species of cereal crops represented suggest meaningful economic communication between Central and West Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

East Junggar is an important part of the Central Asia Orogenic Belt and has developed a multi‐epoch and multi‐type metallogenic system. Yundukala is a recently discovered large intrusion‐related Au–Cu–Co deposit. The No. 1 main mineralization zone mainly occurs in the contact area between fine‐grained diorite and basalt. Massive and vein mineralization have developed there, but the ore‐bearing stratum, ore‐bearing intrusive rocks, and metallogenic ages are not clear. Zircon SHRIMP U–Pb dating of the porphyritic diorite and fine‐grained diorite yields ages of 416.1 ± 3.9 Ma and 411.1 ± 7.5 Ma, respectively. The dioritoid intruded into the ore‐bearing stratum, indicating that this formation is part of the Early Palaeozoic strata rather than the Middle Devonian Beishan Formation. The Re–Os isochron age of the chalcopyrite in the massive mineralization is 402.6 ± 5.2 Ma; thus, the massive mineralization is related to fine‐grained diorite and formed in the Early Devonian. Six sulphides and four sulphides from the vein mineralization yield Re–Os isochron ages of 352.8 ± 1.8 Ma and 354 ± 23 Ma, respectively, and the limited vein mineralization was formed during 353–354 Ma. The massive and vein mineralizations in the Yundukala deposit were formed in the Early Devonian and Early Carboniferous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Racism, as a truly global phenomenon, requires a comparative approach that can account for its diverse forms and their commonalities. Despite the prevalence and relevance of racism throughout Asia, much scholarship on the topic remains parochially focussed on the north Atlantic world. This article aims to help address this issue in two ways. First, it discusses surveillance and racialisation practices in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China, based on an examination of leaked police files from the city of Urumqi. It examines how racialisation processes are carried out through surveillance, who these impact, and how. Second, these empirical materials are put in a broader comparative framework, drawing on Michel Foucault's concept of state racism, which sees racism as a technique of governance common to all contemporary states. The conclusions reflect on what it means to undertake anti-racist scholarship in a world of racist states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The archaeological visibility of the production and consumption of gold and silver ornaments increased substantially during the Iron Age. A large number of precious metalworks rendered with distinctive 'animal style' motifs have been recovered from elite tombs in north‐west China, and have attracted great interest when investigating the dynamics of exchange, mobility and transcultural encounters in Eurasian antiquity. However, little scientific research has been undertaken to examine the manufacturing techniques and metal composition of such 'animal style' artefacts found in north‐west China and its neighbouring areas in a broader Eurasian context. Using multiple non‐invasive analytical methods, we conducted a detailed scientific analysis of two groups of precious metals excavated from Dongheigou Tomb 12 (fourth–second centuries bce) and Xigou Tomb 1 (third–second centuries bce) in present‐day Balikun county, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The results suggest that mould‐pressing technology was employed for the production of the 'animal style' appliqués found in these two tombs. The current analysis provides a definitive explanation for the traces of superficial crafting through their specific microstructure and the tool marks of manufacturing, and will thus be of significant interest for further research concerning the metallurgic knowledge and technological practice of precious metalworking industry in north‐west China and Central Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tianyu Cu‐Ni sulfide deposit occurs in the north margin of the Central Tianshan Arc in East Tianshan orogenic belt, Xinjiang, NW China. The intrusions consist of gabbro, peridotite, and olivine pyroxenite. The peridotite and pyroxenite are the main host rock for the Cu‐Ni ores. Rhenium and osmium isotopic analyses of Ni‐ and Cu‐bearing sulfide minerals from the deposit have been used to determine the source of osmium, and by inference, the sources of ore metals. Sulfide ore samples have Os and Re concentrations varying in the ranges 1.85 to 4.58 ppb and 93.56 to 146.00 ppb, respectively. An initial 187Os/188Os ratio ranges from 0.86 to 1.23 for the ores and the γOs values from 592 to 2227. Osmium isotopic data suggest that the Tianyu intrusion and associated Cu‐Ni mineralization has derived from crustal‐contaminated mantle melts. The intrusions early show island‐arc geochemical signatures, which indicate that the Hulu mafic–ultramafic intrusions, along with the Cu‐Ni deposit, formed as a result of subduction of oceanic crust in the Early Permian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long before the East–West "Silk Road" appeared, cultural communication as well as exchanges of materials and technologies had existed between different populations across the Eurasian Steppe. Xinjiang, located at a crossroads of the East and the West, is particularly important for exploring human interactions. The present paper contributes to this end from a stable isotopic perspective. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis were applied to 51 human and four animal bone remains collected from three types of tombs—namely, the earthen vertical tomb‐pit, earthen vertical tomb‐pit with second‐tier ledge, and earthen vertical tomb‐pit with side chamber—excavated from the Dalujiao cemetery, dated to the Early Iron Age (542 BCE–59 CE), in Xinjiang of northwest China. The δ13C (mean: −18.6 ‰) and δ15N (mean: 7.5‰) results of the faunal remains suggest that the two herbivore species (horse and sheep) were fed mainly by C3 terrestrial plants. By contrast, the human bone specimens differ in δ13C values (from −16.0‰ to −11.6‰, with a mean of −14.1‰ ± 1.1‰, n = 51). People buried in vertical tomb‐pits show a narrow range of δ13C values, an indication that they consumed quite stable sources of food. In contrast, those buried in vertical tomb‐pits with a second‐tier ledge or with a side chamber consumed more diverse foods and probably adopted different subsistence strategies. Taking into consideration both isotopic results and types of tombs, we propose that at least three groups of populations with diverse dietary and subsistence strategies are identifiable at the Dalujiao cemetery. Our study reveals not only human diets and subsistence patterns in the study area but also interactions among different populations prior to the rise of "Silk Road." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A silicified trunk, Zhuotingoxylon liaoi Wan, Yang, Wang, Liu et Wang gen. et sp. nov., is described from the uppermost part of Guodikeng Formation in South Taodonggou section, Turpan–Hami Basin, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, northwestern China. It is characterized by a solid pith, endarch primary xylem and pycnoxylic wood. The pith is composed of parenchyma and sclereids. Radial walls of primary xylem tracheids have spiral and scalariform thickenings. Secondary xylem consists of thick‐walled tracheids and parenchymatous rays. Uniseriate rounded pits with oval apertures are distributed on radial tracheidal walls separately. Cell walls of rays are homogeneous and smooth. Rays are 1–10 cells high in tangential section. Cross‐field pits are cupressoid. There are 1–4 bordered pits with slit‐like to oval apertures in each cross‐field. Based on the anatomical features of the pith and xylems, it is proposed that the new stem has a coniferous affinity. The new fossil stem adds to the knowledge of vascular plant diversity close to the Permian–Triassic boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization has negative effects on ecosystem structure, function, and balance, leading to the loss of ecosystem services (ES) and posing a threat to regional sustainable development. However, the complex interactive coercing relationship between urbanization and ES is not yet fully understood, especially in arid Northwestern China. In this study, we constructed an evaluative framework for urbanization and ES using land cover/land use data and socioeconomic data from 1990 to 2018. We used global and local autocorrelation models to reveal the spatiotemporal interaction between urbanization and ES. The results revealed that the urbanization index increased from 0.06 in 1990 to 0.16 in 2018 in Xinjiang, and urbanization was significantly negatively correlated with ES. With the acceleration of urbanization, the ecosystem services value (ESV) has decreased 2,698.74 × 109 Yuan from 1990 to 2018 (6.62 Yuan = 1.00 US$). Due to geographical advantages, resource conditions, and land use changes, the spatial relationship of urbanization and ES has obvious heterogeneity. High–low correlation areas are mainly concentrated in the Northern Tianshan Mountain Economic Zone, whereas low–high correlation areas are concentrated in the Kashgar and Hotan Oases in southern Xinjiang. Based on regional geographical conditions and the spatial heterogeneity of resources, diversified ecological, social, and economic balance models should be considered to promote future sustainable urban planning and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese Altay in Northwest China and adjacent regions in the Russian and Mongolian Altay form a tungsten province within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Unlike the Russian and Mongolian Altay, almost no tungsten deposits in the Chinese Altay have been reported. The Basitielieke deposit located in the Altay orogenic belt in Xinjiang is a newly discovered polymetallic tungsten deposit hosted in the skarn in the exocontact zone of a granite pluton. Mineralization can be divided into the skarn period and supergene oxidization period, the skarn period can be further divided into a prograde skarn stage (I), a retrograde skarn stage (II), and a quartz–sulphide stage (III). Scheelite mineralization mainly occurred in stage II, and Cu–Zn–Au formed in stage III. The ore‐forming fluid can be divided into a H2O–NaCl systems, including stage I (211 to 480°C and 2.24 to 14.04 wt% NaCl equiv) and stage II (178 to 336°C and 4.96 to 9.47 wt% NaCl equiv), and a H2O–CO2 (±CH4/N2)–NaCl system in stage III (130 to 434°C and 1.40 to 9.60 wt% NaCl equiv). Hydrogen, oxygen, and sulphur isotope compositions indicate that magmatic water participated in the hydrothermal mineralization system in stage I, and meteoric water increased with the process of mineralization. Sulphur was derived from deep‐seated magmas. The Basitielieke deposit is a reduced skarn polymetallic tungsten deposit. The deposit formed by hydrothermal fluid from the granite interacting with strata during the Early Permian, the fluid–rock interaction and fluid mixing (magmatic water and meteoric water) was the main precipitation mechanism of the Basitielieke polymetallic tungsten deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two Upper Devonian to Lower Carboniferous sections, namely the Bulongguoer and Haer (Gennaren area) in the Junggar Basin, Central Asian Orogenic Belt, in northwestern China were examined with regard to ichnology and palynology. The deposits of the Hongguleleng Formation and Namu Member of the Heishantou Formation, respectively, are mostly unbioturbated or poorly bioturbated, with poorly diversified trace fossils, which indicate unfavourable conditions for the burrowing benthic community during the Late Devonian and Early Carboniferous. The main factor governing the growth of the bioturbating population was the rapid sedimentation of fine‐grained, volcanic material documented as tempestites, which buried the benthic fauna. In the Bulongguoer section, the presence of miospores Teichertospora torquata and Grandispora gracilis enabled identification of the broad Teichertospora torquata‐Grandispora gracilis Miospore Zone from the transitional Frasnian/Famennian interval. More accurate identification of palynostratigraphical levels (DE and CZ Miospore zones) is only tentative. On the basis of palynofacies analysis, samples from the lower Bulongguoer section indicate deposition in more proximal conditions, whereas samples from the top of the section indicate deposition in a more distal environment. In the Haer section, only a general biostratigraphic indication for the Tournaisian was possible, owing to poor preservation of organic matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jiamante Au deposit is one of the important deposits in the Axi ore cluster of the Western Tianshan, Xinjiang. The orebodies occurring mainly as quartz‐sulphide veins are hosted in Late Devonian volcanoclastic rocks and granitic porphyries, and structurally controlled by a group of NNW‐ and NNE‐ trending extensional faults and volcanic breccias. Primary metallic minerals are chalcopyrite, galena, pyrite, sphalerite, and native gold, with minor amounts of bismuthinite and bismuth. Nonmetallic minerals are dominated by quartz, sericite, chlorite, and calcite. Medium to low temperature hydrothermal alterations are well developed and characterized by silicification, beresitization, phyllic alteration, and chloritization. Two hydrothermal stages were identified: (a) the main‐ore quartz‐sulphide stage; and (b) the post‐ore quartz‐calcite stage. Microthermometric measurements indicate that the primary biphase liquid‐rich aqueous fluid inclusions within quartz of the main‐ore stage homogenize at temperatures (Th) of 176 to 251°C and have salinities of 2.1 to 7.4 wt% NaCleqv. A lower range of homogenization temperatures (169 to 212°C) and salinities (1.6 to 5.2 wt% NaCleqv) were obtained in calcite of the post‐ore stage. The fluid characteristics of moderate to low temperatures and salinities imply that the ore‐forming process occurred in an epithermal environment. In addition, there is a positive relationship between Th and salinities consistent with the fluid mixing trend. Together with H–O isotopic data (δDH2O = −118 to −97‰ and δ18OH2O = −5.5 to −1.6‰) and fluid characteristics, it is suggested that the ore‐forming fluids were a mixture of magmatic and meteoric waters. The δ13C values for CO2 in the hydrothermal fluids range from −3.2 to −2.7‰, and the sulphides have δ34S values of −5.2 to 2.9‰ with relatively uniform Pb isotopic compositions (206Pb/204Pb = 18.228 to 18.287, 207Pb/204Pb = 15.574 to 15.617, and 208Pb/204Pb = 38.151 to 38.251), indicating that the ore‐forming materials were magmatic sources that were derived directly from magmatic fluids and/or leached from volcanic‐subvolcanic rocks by hydrothermal fluids. Combined with the evidence from the mineralization and alteration, fluid inclusions, and C–H–O–S–Pb isotopes suggest that the Jiamante deposit is an intermediate‐sulphidation epithermal Au deposit. A combination of fluid mixing and fluid–rock interactions is inferred as the important factors causing ore deposition. According to the close spatial and temporal relationship between intermediate‐epithermal deposits and porphyry deposits, it is further suggested that porphyry‐type mineralization should have a good potential at the deep sites of the Jiamante deposit and its vicinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The micro‐nano pore structure of conglomerate in the Lower Karamay Formation of the Xinjiang Oilfield, Junggar Basin, northern China is characterized to predict its impact on fluid reserves and seepage. Authigenic clay minerals are mainly kaolinite (67%), followed by an illite/smectite mixed layer (18%), illite (10%), and chlorite (5%). For kaolinite, pore throats between 0–200 nm are dominant, accounting for 90% of the total pore throats. For illite/smectite mixed layer, pore throats also between 0–200 nm account for nearly 80%, while pore throats between 200‐500 nm only account for 15%. For illite, pore throats below 100 nm account for about 80%, while pore throats in the range of 100–500 nm only account for 20%. For chlorite, most throats are below 200 nm. The pore roundness of illite is the highest, while the pore roundness of chlorite is relatively lower. The lower limits of the dynamic and static pore throat radii are 42.128 nm and 72.42 nm, respectively. The theoretical contribution rates of the illite/smectite mixed layer, kaolinite, illite and chlorite to storage/seepage are 60%/45.86%, 52.72%/38.18%, 37.07%/28.78% and 32.97%/26.3%, respectively. Therefore, the contribution rates of clay minerals in the study area are as follows: illite/smectite mixed layer, kaolinite, illite and chlorite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mapping flood risk zone is an essential task in the arid region for sustainable water resources management. Due to the lack of hydrological and meteorological information and disaster event inventory in Xinjiang, China, storm flood disaster (SFD) risk zoning is an effective technique in investigating the potential impact of SFD. In this study, the statistics about natural, social, and risk related to SFD are collated. With the help of the compiled inventory data, a disaster risk assessment model for storm flood is proposed for the Xinjiang region based on the random forest (RF) algorithm. Randomly selected negative and positive samples from the historical SFD locations are composed of five different total samples. The overall prediction accuracy of the five sample groups attained 83.48%, indicating that the proposed RF model can well capture the spatial distribution of SFD in Xinjiang. It should also be noted that the spatial heterogeneity and complexity of SFD had a significant effect on its spatial distribution in Xinjiang. There are spatial distribution characteristics of lowland plains and high plateaus; the main mountainous regions, plains in the middle‐lower reaches of major rivers, and areas surrounding major lakes are prone to flooding. The variable importance RF indicates that the disaster risk is mainly affected by the following factors, including hazard factors, catastrophic intensity, population density, as well as economic development in the affected area. Besides, latitude, longitude, agricultural acreage, road density, distance from rivers, and the maximum monthly precipitation account for most of the increase in storm flooding disasters, and they are the main triggering point for SFD in Xinjiang. The proposed model provides some insight into the disaster in the mountainous region, and gives useful guidance for the national macro‐control of flood prevention and disaster reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatiotemporal pattern of precipitation is significantly changing with global climate change. Snowfall is a solid phase of precipitation and an important water resource. With two gridded data sets of APHRO (Asia Precipitation‐Highly‐Resolved Observational Data Integration Towards Evaluation of Water Resources) and CN05.1, this study analyses the changes in the spatiotemporal pattern of snowfall in a snow‐dominant region of China from 1961 to 2015. The results indicate the significant increasing trend of winter snowfall in horizontal and altitude dimension in snow‐dominant regions, but the winter snowing season length shortened. For the frequency of snowfall intensity level, light, and heavy snowfall and snowstorms increased, but moderate snowfall showed no change. However, the intensity of extreme snowfall in once‐in‐a‐century was decreasing in all of the snow‐dominant regions. In the altitude dimension, the increasing trend in snow‐dominant conditions was not uniform, which may be related to change in air temperature and water vapour through the vertical atmospheric levels. The upwards trend in snowfall may be caused by the increase of atmospheric water content rather than the change of snowy weather conditions. In addition, the change values of climate indices can also contribute to snowfall increasing in snow‐dominant regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Xinjiang is a high‐risk area for celiac disease (CD) regardless of genetic or environmental factors. However, no case has been reported yet in people living in Xinjiang. This study aims to explore the potential connection between diet and occurrence of CD in the Xinjiang population. To this end, the levels of T‐cell stimulatory epitopes in 164 accessions of Xinjiang wheat were tested by using Western blot with monoclonal antibodies against α‐gliadin epitopes Glia‐α9 and Glia‐α20. Three wheat varieties with remarkably low amounts of T‐cell stimulatory epitopes were obtained. Western blot and R5 competitive ELISA were performed for the assessment of potential toxicity related to CD of naan. Results showed a reduction of gluten toxicity after wheat flour was processed into naan, suggesting it may have the potential to help to reduce the risk of CD for the genetically predisposed individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

West Junggar is located at the southwest margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and includes Silurian pillow basalts of the Mayilashan Formation. The petrogenesis and tectonic setting of these pillow basalts are important for the understanding of the tectonic evolution and metallogeny of the West Junggar area. This paper presents geochronological, geochemical, and whole‐rock Sr–Nd–Pb isotope data from the pillow basalts of the Mayilashan Formation. Zircon LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb dating of a pillow basalt, which is in conformable contact with the chert, suggests that they were erupted at 437.2 ± 2.2 Ma marking the timing of generation of these rocks as Middle Silurian. Geochemically, all the pillow basalts bear the signature of ocean island basalt (OIB), and are characterized by alkaline affinity with high concentrations of TiO2 (3.28–4.12 wt.%), LILE and LREE enrichment and HREE depletion ((La/Yb)N = 5.5–7.3), with very weak Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.96–1.06), and no obvious Nb, Ta, or Ti negative anomalies. Their Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions ((87Sr/86Sr)I = 0.7037–0.7051, εNd(t) = 1.9–2.9, 206Pb/204Pbi = 17.74–18.22, 207Pb/204Pbi = 15.48–15.52, and 208Pb/204Pbi = 36.49–37.86) show Dupal‐like isotopic signature of ophiolites in the southern Paleo‐Asian Ocean. These characteristics indicate that the magmas were derived from a deep OIB reservoir, that is, a depleted but slightly heterogeneous asthenospheric mantle source with ~5–15% partial melting of garnet and spinel lherzolite. Our obtained results, in conjunction with previous published data, allow us to suggest that the alkaline pillow basalts formed in a seamount within an intraoceanic setting, where a larger number of seamounts with different ages occurred in the Paleo‐Asian Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first unequivocal remains of medium to large‐sized mustelids from the middle Miocene Halamagai and Kekemaideng formations have been found in the Ulungur River area, Xinjiang, northwestern China. These new fossils are referred to the hypercarnivorous mustelid Hoplictis Ginsburg, 1961 and denote the first record of the genus in East Asia. We define Hoplictis baihu n. sp., for the mustelid from Tieersihabahe (Halamagai Fm.), which represents the smallest species of the genus. This primitive form is closer to H. florancei and H. noueli than to H. anatolicus and later, larger and more derived Hoplictis spp., from Europe and North America. A large toothless mandible from Duolebulejin (Kekemaiden Fm.) is assigned to Hoplictis cf. helbingi, and it presumably might represent the first record of H. helbingi outside Western Europe. The systematic position of Hoplicitis in relation to Ischyrictis with which it is similar is clarified. The occurrence in East Asia of two species of Hoplictis greatly expands the known distribution and diversity of the genus, and supports a Palaearctic Neogene dispersal event of carnivorans between Europe and Asia during the late Shanwangian–early Tunggurian equivalent to MN5–6 in Europe, and indication of another dispersal event from Europe to North America, through Northwest China during the late Tunggurian, equivalent to MN7–8 in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (Northwest China) has gained momentum in the last three decades. The Chinese government supports infrastructure development in this border region and construction sites have been emerging everywhere. Often framed as a planned nation‐state project of sinicization from above, from an ethnographic perspective infrastructure development involves a much more diverse set of actors and their different motives. The construction sector offers a gateway for global and national architectural designs and manpower to enter the making of local cityscapes. Besides engaging with the political economy of construction activities, this article outlines the meaning of the construction site as a place where social and ethnic senses of locality are negotiated. The data show that many of the economic, material, social and design mobilities on the construction site in Xinjiang extend eastwards to the rest of China rather than to Central Asian countries which are geographically much closer. Power relations and ethnic issues become interwoven into the construction of new cityscapes. In particular, the domination of Han actors in the planning and implementation of construction projects shapes not only the materiality of the built environment but also related senses of locality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to determine the source of the light hydrocarbons in the Kuqa Depression of the Tarim Basin, Northwest China, their geochemical characteristics are documented, and possible influencing factors are discussed in a broad context on the basis of geochemical analyses of natural gas samples from 19 wells in combination with previously reported natural gas components and carbon isotope values from the same depression. The biomarker analytical results show that (a) methyl cyclohexane (37.5–60.3%) of natural gas predominates the C7 light hydrocarbon series (methyl cyclohexane, heptanes, and dimethyl cyclopentane), and (b) the heptane content (25.0–54.8%) is also relatively high. The C6–7 light hydrocarbon series (aromatics, normal alkanes, and cycloalkanes) have abnormally high aromatics (benzene and toluene) content (26.2–83.8%). Heptane value (13.31–37.77%) and isoheptane value (2.10–7.64%) indicate that the Kuqa natural gases are of high maturity and typical of coal‐derived gas (gas generated by sapropelic source rock). Their light hydrocarbons, however, appear to have some characteristics of mixed‐source organic matter. Specifically, the light hydrocarbons in the Dina 2 gas field show characteristics of the coal‐derived gas; those in the Dabei gas field show some features of the oil‐associated gas (gas generated by humic source rock), whereas those in the Kela 2 and Keshen 2 gas fields and Well Yangtake‐101 display characteristics of the mixed source organic matter. The abnormally high content of the aromatics in the Kuqa Depression may have resulted mainly from their high productivity during the thermal maturity of humic type organic matters and the gases accumulation of late stage. The different relative contents of the aromatics in various oil and gas fields may have been accounted by different organic matter types, maturity, and distribution patterns of source rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the influence of the diagenetic water medium on the isotopic compositions of thermogenic coalbed gas, both hydrous and anhydrous closed‐system pyrolyses were performed at temperatures of 250°C to 650°C on an herbaceous marsh peat. Compared to the results of anhydrous pyrolysis, the hydrocarbon gases generated from hydrous pyrolyses have very different hydrogen isotopic compositions. However, the carbon isotopic compositions of the hydrocarbon gases became only slightly heavier in hydrous pyrolysis, compared to that from anhydrous pyrolysis. With the progress of thermal evolution from peat to a more advanced thermal maturity of vitrinite reflectance values (Ro) of 5.5% during the pyrolysis, the difference in the average δD value increased from 52‰ to 64‰ between the hydrous pyrolysis with saltwater and anhydrous pyrolysis and increased from 18‰ to 29‰ between the hydrous pyrolysis with freshwater and anhydrous pyrolysis, respectively. The difference in the average δ13C value was only 1‰–2‰ between the hydrous and anhydrous pyrolysis. The relationships between the δD values of the generated hydrocarbon gases and Ro values as well as among δD values of the hydrocarbon gas species are established. The close relationships among these parameters suggest that the water medium had a significant effect on the hydrogen isotopic composition and a minimal effect on the carbon isotopic composition of the hydrocarbon gases. The results of these pyrolyses may provide information for the understanding of the genesis of coalbed gas from herbaceous marsh material with the participation of different diagenetic water media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bailingshan complex distributed in the Jueluotage tectonic belt of Eastern Tianshan is composed of quartz monzodiorite, granodiorite, monzogranite, and granite. The petrography and petrochemistry of the complex have the features of metaluminous–high K calc‐alkaline series. The ages obtained by zircon U–Pb dating from different rocks indicate that quartz monzodiorite, granodiorite, monzogranite, and granite formed in 314.2 ± 3.5, 302.5 ± 3.8, 298.2 ± 3.6, and 310.9 ± 4.7 Ma, respectively, which is equivalent to the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian. The unconformity between the Lower Carboniferous and Upper Carboniferous in the Jueluotage tectonic belt indicates that the collisional orogen finished in the later period of the Early Carboniferous in this area, and that it began to enter the post‐collisional extension from the Late Carboniferous. The magmatic intrusion is a sign of the extensional activity of the Jueluotage tectonic belt in the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bailingshan complex is located to the south of the Jueluotage tectonic belt of Eastern Tianshan, consisting of quartz monzodiorite, granodiorite, monzogranite, and granite. Mafic microgranular enclaves (MME) are commonly found in granodiorites and monzogranites and have sharp contacts with the host rocks. Sometimes, the fine veins of the host rocks cut through the enclaves. The MMEs are mainly fine‐grained dioritic rocks, including diorite and pyroxene diorite with igneous textures, and having condensing edges with rich fine dark minerals. Among the enclaves, the orthoclase xenocryst with hornblende aggregation rim at its edge, acicular apatites in plagioclase, sometimes late‐crystallized biotites between the oscillatory zonings of plagioclase, and hornblende metasomatic rims occur around the pyroxene phenocrysts can be observed. Both the host rocks and the enclaves are metaluminous and calc‐alkaline to high‐K calc‐alkaline rocks. The enclaves have lower SiO2 and higher Al2O3, FeOT, MgO, CaO, and TiO2 concentrations, as well as higher amounts of the trace elements Cr, Sc, and Th than the host rocks. The host rocks and the enclaves exhibit similar rare earth elements patterns and linear relation of oxides. The sulphur isotopes (δ34S(V‐CDT) = −1.7‰ to +0.7‰) from the iron ores in the Bailingshan area indicate that the mineralization materials originated from the upper mantle. All of these lithology and geochemistry characteristics demonstrate that the enclaves were formed by the mixture of mantle‐derived mafic magma and crust‐derived felsic magma. The iron ore mineralization in the Bailingshan area may be associated with the magma mixing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bailingshan area of the Eastern Tianshan is rich in iron deposits, mainly magnetite and haematite. Further explorations revealed that the genesis of these two types of deposits was different. The magnetite deposits are found both in the Late Carboniferous–Permian granitoid intrusions and the surrounding rocks, composed of veined or tabular ore bodies, and controlled by fractures or interlayered sliding belts. The formations of these iron deposits are related to the injection of ore‐bearing thermal fluids from the magma in the Late Carboniferous–Permian. The sulphur isotopic characteristics indicated that the ore‐forming materials were mainly derived from the upper mantle. The haematite deposit composed of layered ore bodies hosted in the volcanic rocks of the Upper Carboniferous Dikaner Formation is related to the volcanic hydrothermal deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Palaeozoic Beishan Rift Valley zone in Xinjiang, China, is located between the Dunhuang and Kuluketage blocks, in the north‐eastern margin of the Tarim Plate. Carboniferous–Permian volcanism is evident in this area. The Ganquan cycle, the main eruptive event of the Late Carboniferous in the Beishan region, produced large volumes of lava and was related to Carboniferous–Permian volcanism in the rift valley. Major element, rare earth element (REE), and trace element compositions of volcanic rocks were determined, with results indicating that volcanic rocks of the Ganquan cycle are mainly an association of sodic calc‐alkaline rocks, with some alkaline compositions. The REE characteristics of all rock types indicate a continuous and progressive evolution, with a gradual increase in light REE enrichment, and positive to negative Eu anomalies reflecting crystallization of plagioclase. Trace element compositions show obvious depletion in Nb and Ta, and high abundances of large‐ion lithophile elements, indicative of a subduction‐related origin. It is concluded that the Late Carboniferous Beishan Rift Valley of the Ganquan cycle formed in a compressional tectonic environment, which generated a set of volcanic rock assemblages and sedimentary formations. Subsequent Early Permian volcanic activity was caused by large‐scale delamination of the orogenic belt and thickened lithosphere, which resulted in large‐scale ascent of partial melt from the mantle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sepikou region is located in the eastern Bogda Mountains of the east Tianshan. The Bogda belt is mainly composed of Carboniferous strata, including the Lower Carboniferous Qijiaojing Formation (C1q), Upper Carboniferous Liushugou Formation (C2l), and Qijiagou Formation (C2qj). Here, we report the petrology, geochemistry, and geochronology of bimodal volcanic rocks from the Upper Carboniferous Liushugou Formation, which is widely distributed in the Sepikou region. The basalts, basaltic andesite, and keratophyre have similar petrochemical characteristics and exhibit the high‐Na, low‐K characteristics belonging to calc‐alkalic rocks. These are characterized by the high abundance of K, Rb, Th, Ba, the depletion of HFSE (Nb, Ta, Zr, and Hf), and the slight depletion of Ti. Chondrite‐normalized rare‐earth elements (REE) patterns for basalts‐keratophyre show right‐leaning parallel curve clusters, together with a slight enrichment in light rare‐earth elements (LREE) contents and low heavy rare‐earth elements (HREE)/LREE ratios. The keratophyre exhibits slightly negative Eu anomalies. Compared with the basalts, the rhyolites have high alkali contents, slightly high ∑REE contents, low heavy rare‐earth elements/LREE ratios, negative εSr(t) (−9.1 to −12.0), low 87Sr/86Sr initial ratio, highly positive εNd (t) (+5.3 to +6.4), and low Pb isotope ratios. The fractionated REE patterns with prominent negative Eu anomalies suggest they were chiefly derived from the mantle magma underplated basaltic body remelting from the depleted mantle source. The LA‐ICP‐MS analysis on zircons from quartz keratophyre and rhyolite yield similar ages of 314.9 ± 1.2 and 314.0 ± 1.1 Ma, respectively, suggest that the major bimodal volcanism took place in the Late Carboniferous epoch. The quartz keratophyre zircons, with the 176Hf/177Hf ratios of 0.282897–0.283097, have highly positive εHf (10.99–19.97) and depleted mantle model ages between 180 and 628 Ma. The mafic rocks were chiefly derived from the depleted mantle with the partial incorporation of crustal components. The bimodal volcanic rocks were formed under a continental rift setting. The rift experienced extension in the early period of the Early Carboniferous and its final closure arose after a late period of the Late Carboniferous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A stem canker disease of apple that differs from previously reported canker diseases has been recorded in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in China. Eight Cytospora strains obtained from diseased apple trees and inoculated onto healthy apple tree branches resulted in the development of the same disease symptoms. This pathogen formed conceptacles, which were multilocular pycnidia with common walls and a single ostiole. Comprehensive analysis of three DNA sequence regions (internal transcribed spacer, large ribosomal subunit and transcription elongation factor) and morphological and cultural characteristics revealed that these strains were most similar to the fungus Cytospora parasitica. This is the first report of C. parasitica causing canker disease of apple in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jiangjunshan and Dakalasu alkali‐feldspar granites are located in the central part of the Chinese Altay orogen. In this paper, we present detailed geochemical, zircon U–Pb, and Hf isotopic data of these granites. The Jiangjunshan and Dakalasu alkali‐feldspar granites show a high content of SiO2 (72.05–73.27 and 69.55–71.04 wt%, respectively), total alkalis (Na2O + K2O = 8.41–8.71 and 7.24–8.66 wt%, respectively), and high‐field strength elements (Zr + Nb + Ce + Y = 400.3–482.9 and 156.7–339.3 ppm, respectively), as well as high Ga/Al ratios (10,000 × Ga/Al = 3.46–4.19 and 2.62–3.28, respectively) and depletion in Ba, Nb, Sr, and Ti, showing geochemical characteristics similar to those of A‐type granites. Zircon U–Pb dating of the Jiangjunshan and Dakalasu alkali‐feldspar granites yielded weighted mean dating 206Pb/238U ages of 268.3 ± 1.9 and 270.4 ± 1.9 Ma, respectively, indicating that these granites intruded during the Permian. The Jiangjunshan and Dakalasu alkali‐feldspar granites show highly variable zircon εHf(t) values ranging from −7.0 to +5.6, implying that these granites originated from a mixing of mantle‐derived magma with crustal materials. Our data on the Jiangjunshan and Dakalasu alkali‐feldspar granites, coupled with previous studies of Permian magmatism and metamorphism, suggest that the tectonic regime was in a postcollisional extensional environment in the Chinese Altay orogen during the Permian. Therefore, the change in stress from compression to extension and asthenospheric upwelling triggered by slab break‐off plays a significant role in the generation of Jiangjunshan and Dakalasu alkali‐feldspar granites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Banded iron formations (BIFs), granites and diabases are extensively distributed in the Kuluketage block of the northeast Tarim Craton. Here we report laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) zircon U–Pb ages and whole‐rock elemental data for these rocks. The detrital zircons from the BIFs show a peak age of 2.0–1.8 Ga with a weighted mean age of 1945 ± 10 Ma (MSWD = 0.77), and the zircons from the granite give an upper intercept age of 1974 ± 27 Ma (MSWD = 1.05). The trace element features suggest that the Asitingbulake granite, which belongs to the I‐type granite, may originate from the re‐melting of continental crust in a ~1.95 Ga collisional orogenic setting. Recently, the 2.0–1.8 Ga continuous magmatic and metamorphic events which are contemporaneous with the global orogenic event have been reported in the Kuluketage block and other massifs around the Tarim Craton (e.g. Central Tianshan, Dunhuang, Quanji, Altyn Tagh, West Kunlun). Based on the previous geochronological data, two 2.0–1.8 Ga orogens associated with the assembly of the Columbia supercontinent can be identified along the north and south margins of Tarim Craton: (1) the north Tarim Orogen, Central Tianshan–Kuluketage–Dunhuang orogenic belt and (2) the south Tarim Orogen, West Kunlun–Altyn Tagh–Aketashtage–Quanji orogenic belt. Additionally, this paper reports a new zircon U–Pb age of 1497 ± 21 Ma (MSWD = 0.96) from the Baowenbulake diabase dykes where the trace element features suggest that the parental magma of Baowenbulake diabases is derived from the mantle in an intra‐plate rifting or extensional setting. The ~1.5 Ga diabases from northwest Tarim corresponded to a major episode of mafic magmatism during the early Mesoproterozoic period identified in other crustal fragments of Laurentia, Siberia, Greater Congo, South China and North China Craton and probably belong to one of the three major large igneous provinces associated with the breakup of the Mesoproterozoic Columbia supercontinent. The data from this paper provide important constraints on the configuration of the Tarim Craton during the assembly and breakup of the Columbia supercontinent. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The base of the Saerba Member (Mbr) of the Hongguleleng Formation (Fm.) probably lies in the Famennian Palmatolepis crepida Zone; the Longkou Mbr is probably a sedimentary wedge that thins out northwards; the Duguer Mbr has an approximate age from the upper part of the Pa. marginifera Zone or the Lower Pa. rugosa trachytera Zone through the top of the Pa. perlobata postera Zone; the Wulan Mbr has an age approximately corresponding to the whole Pa. gracilis expansa Zone. In the Bulongguoer section, the Lower Mbr of the Hongguleleng Fm. corresponds to Famennian Pa. crepida Zone through Pa. marginifera Zone; the Middle Mbr probably ranges from the Pa. r. trachytera Zone through the Pa. g. expansa Zone. The basal Namu Mbr of the Heishantou Fm. is probably the product during and after the Hangenberg Event in the upper part of the Siphonodella praesulcata Zone, which is still within the Devonian. In this context, the underlying Chasi Mbr may approximately correspond to the lower part of the S. praesulcata Zone (before the Hangenberg Event). Lateral distribution of strata indicates that the Upper Devonian in the Gennaren and Saerba areas each constitutes a structure of syncline, which differs from the previous recognition of a monocline structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Xingdi mafic-ultramafic intrusions occur in the northeastern margin of the Tarim craton. The Xingdi No. 3 intrusion is the smallest of four intrusions, with an exposed area of 1.7 km2, and the zircon U-Pb age of the intrusion is 752±4 Ma. The intrusion consists of gabbros, pyroxenites and peridotites, and exhibits a crystallization sequence of the main rock-forming minerals as olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and plagioclase. Mineralization occurred at or near the boundaries of the intrusion between pyroxenites and peridotites, and appears as a layered or lenticular shape about 500 m long and 4-15 m wide. The primary sulfides have a relatively simple mineralogy dominated by pyrrhotite-pentlandite-chalcopyrite assemblages, which occur as droplet, star-like and graphic texture and locally sideronitic structures. Geochronological and geochemistry investigations suggest that the Xingdi mafic-ultramafic intrusions and coeval volcanic rock in the Kuluktag area of the Tarim craton formed in an intracontinental breakup environment. Based on the composition of the dominant rock-forming minerals and covariant relationships of other oxides versus MgO, the parental magma of the Xingdi No. 3 intrusion belongs to high-Mg tholeiitic basaltic magmas with MgO of 10.78 wt%. The Xingdi No. 3 intrusive rocks are characterized by light REE enrichment relative to heavy REE, negative Nb-Ta anomalies, low 143Nd/144Nd ratios (from 0.511183 to 0.511793) and high initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (from 0.7051 to 0.7113). The magma was derived from the enriched-lithospheric mantle and was contaminated during emplacement. According to rock assemblages, mineralization, olivine characteristics, geochemical characteristics and mass balance, there are better copper-nickel ore prospects in the Xingdi No. 3 intrusion than in the other three intrusions in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Precipitation in Xinjiang, China, was modelled with covariates, such as time and climate indices, using quantile regressions. Compared to a frequentist quantile regression, a Bayesian quantile regression tended to generate smoother and narrower band confidence intervals of quantile regression coefficients, especially at extremely high and low quantile levels. A full picture of temporal trends at quantile levels from 0.01 to 0.99 indicates that the wet season (May to August) precipitation in Northern Xinjiang and the western regions of Southern Xinjiang showed statistically significant increases with different magnitudes over all quantile levels. However, the wet season precipitation in South-eastern Xinjiang decreased at some quantile levels. The Eastern Atlantic/Western Russia ( EAWR) pattern was the most significant large-scale climate pattern that influenced wet season precipitation when compared to other studied patterns, i.e. the El Niño-Southern Oscillation ( ENSO), the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation ( AMO), the Pacific Decadal Oscillation ( PDO), the Northern Oscillation ( NO), the Arctic Oscillation ( AO) and the North Atlantic Oscillation ( NAO). The quantile regression coefficients associated with the EAWR index positively increased from low to high quantile levels. The ENSO significantly affected the extremely high wet season precipitation in Xinjiang. El Niño increased and La Niña decreased wet season precipitation in Northern Xinjiang, with different magnitudes at different quantile levels. Other climate patterns, i.e. the AMO, PDO, NO, NAO and AO, did not evidently affect the wet season precipitation conditional on the ENSO and EAWR. These findings suggest that the predictability of seasonal precipitation over Xinjiang can be improved by incorporating indices associated with the ENSO and EAWR as model predictors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in land use and land cover are known to impact ecosystem services and functions. In this study, land use characteristics were combined with global and China-specific ecosystem coefficients to quantify land-use and ecosystem service changes in Charchan Oasis. Results indicated that: (i) the total values of ecosystem services in Charchan Oasis were increased 8·4 M$ from 1972 to 2013; (ii) the aggregated ecosystem service values for water bodies, grasslands, forest lands, and barren lands were 98·90% of the total value for all land types; (iii) waste treatment, soil formation, biodiversity protection, and water supply were ecological functions with the highest service values, contributing approximately 65% of the total service values; and (iv) ecosystem service values estimated in this study were inelastic with respect to the value coefficients, therefore, the estimation results were believable. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Based on a temperature anomaly time series from 16 international exchange stations in Xinjiang from 1957 to 2012, the multi-scale characteristics of temperature variability were analysed using the ensemble empirical mode decomposition ( EEMD) method. Regional differences in variation trends and change-points were also preliminarily discussed. The results indicated that in the past 50+ years, the overall temperature in Xinjiang has exhibited a significant nonlinear upward trend, and its changes have clearly exhibited an inter-annual scale (quasi-3 and quasi-6-year) and inter-decadal scale (quasi-10 and quasi-30-year). The variance contribution rates of each component demonstrated that the inter-annual change had a strong influence on the overall temperature change in Xinjiang, and the reconstructed inter-annual variation trend could describe the fluctuation state of the original temperature anomaly during the study period. The reconstructed inter-decadal variability revealed that the climate mode in Xinjiang had a significant transformation before and after 1995, namely the temperature anomaly shift from a negative phase to a positive one. Furthermore, there were regional differences in the nonlinear changes and change-points of temperature. At the same time, the results also suggested that the EEMD method can effectively reveal variations in long-term temperature sequences at different time scales and can be used for the complex diagnosis of nonlinear and non-stationary signal changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Xinjiang is the largest arid inland region in China and its agricultural development plays an important role in the socio-economy of China. Drought is one of the major natural hazards in this region and has impacts on agriculture. In this study, spatiotemporal patterns of droughts are analysed based on monthly precipitation datasets from 52 meteorological stations covering the period of 1961-2008 using the Rotated Empirical Orthogonal Functions ( REOF) technique and also the Mann-Kendall trend test ( MK test). Results of the study indicate that: (1) a wetting tendency is observed in recent years, particularly in northern Xinjiang. Seasonally, the wetting tendency is found mainly in winter. The modes of REOF can be divided by the Tianshan mountain and the principal component ( PC) of the northern Xinjiang mode in winter has a significant increasing trend. (2) The area of drought-affected regions is decreasing in northwestern Xinjiang and along the northern side of Tianshan mountain. Seasonally, the area of drought-affected regions is significantly decreasing in winter. (3) The wetting tendency of Xinjiang may alleviate the drought influence. However, uneven spatial patterns of precipitation changes may enhance drought impacts. Besides, drought-related impacts can be greatly alleviated where irrigation conditions are favourable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years diamonds and other exotic minerals have been recovered from mantle peridotites and high-Cr chromitites of a number of ophiolites of different age and different tectonic environments. Here we report a similar collection of minerals from the Sartohay ophiolite of Xinjiang Province, western China, which is characterized by having high-Al chromitites. Several samples of massive podiform chromitite with an aggregate weight of nearly 900 kg yielded diamonds, moissanite and other highly reduced minerals, as well as common crustal minerals. Thus far, more than 20 grains each of diamond and moissanite have been recovered from heavy mineral separates of the chromitites. The diamonds are all 100-200 μm in size and range in color from pale yellow to reddish-orange to colorless. Most of the grains are anhedral to subhedral octahedra, commonly with elongate forms exhibiting well-developed striations. They all display characteristic Raman spectra with shifts between 1325 cm−1 and 1333 cm−1, mostly 1331.51 cm−1 or 1326.96 cm−1. The moissanite grains are light blue to dark blue, broken crystals, 50-150 μm across, commonly occurring as small flakes or fragments. Their typical Raman spectra have shifts at 762 cm−1, 785 cm−1, and 966 cm−1. This investigation extends the occurrence of diamonds and moissanite to a Paleozoic ophiolite in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and demonstrates that these minerals can also occur in high-Al chromitites. We conclude that diamonds and moissanite are likely to be ubiquitous in ophiolitic mantle peridotites and chromitites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 33 ancient glass beads unearthed from the Kizil reservoir cemetery and Wanquan cemetery in Xinjiang are studied using Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectrometry ( SEM- EDS) and other methods. The detailed study of the glassy matrices, the crystalline inclusions and the microstructural heterogeneities for these glass beads has revealed some valuable information to help in the understanding of their possible manufacturing technology and provenance. At least two different types of glass were present in the two cemeteries. For the first time, antimony-based colourant/opacifier-for example, Pb2 Sb2 O7 or CaSb2 O6-was systematically identified in some beads of plant-ash type soda-lime glass dated to about 1000-500 bc. The limited number of potash glass beads from the Kizil reservoir cemetery, which were dated to about 500-300 bc, used tin oxide as an opacifier. The diverse resources of the soda-lime and potash glasses indicate the existence of a complex trade network between China and the West much earlier than the Western Han Dynasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subjective risk perceptions give rise to unique policy implications as they reflect both the expectation of risk exposure and the ability to mitigate or cope with the adverse impacts. Based on data collected from semistructured interviews and iterative ranking exercises with 159 households in the Altay and Tianshan Mountains of Xinjiang, China, this study investigates and explains the risks with respect to a seriously understudied population and location. Using both geostatistical and econometric methods, we show that although fear of environmental crisis is prevalent among our respondents, recently implemented pastoral conservation, sedentarization, and development projects are more likely to be ranked as the top concerns among affected households. In order to reduce these concerns, future pastoral policy must be built on the livestock economy, and intervention priority should be given to the geographic areas identified as risk hot spots. In cases where pastoralists have to give up their pastures, the transition to other comparable livelihood strategies must be enabled by creating new opportunities and training pastoralists to acquire the needed skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used to determine the trace element concentrations of magnetite from the Heifengshan, Shuangfengshan, and Shaquanzi Fe(-Cu) deposits in the Eastern Tianshan Orogenic Belt. The magnetite from these deposits typically contains detectable Mg, Al, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn and Ga. The trace element contents in magnetite generally vary less than one order of magnitude. The subtle variations of trace element concentrations within a magnetite grain and between the magnetite grains in the same sample probably indicate local inhomogeneity of ore-forming fluids. The variations of Co in magnetite between samples are probably due to the mineral proportion of magnetite and pyrite. Factor analysis has discriminated three types of magnetite: Ni-Mn-V-Ti (Factor 1), Mg-Ai-Zn (Factor 2), and Ga-Co (Factor 3) magnetite. Magnetite from the Heifengshan and Shuangfengshan Fe deposits has similar normalized trace element spider patterns and cannot be discriminated according to these factors. However, magnetite from the Shaquanzi Fe-Cu deposit has affinity to Factor 2 with lower Mg and Al but higher Zn concentrations, indicating that the ore-forming fluids responsible for the Fe-Cu deposit are different from those for Fe deposits. Chemical composition of magnetite indicates that magnetite from these Fe(-Cu) deposits was formed by hydrothermal processes rather than magmatic differentiation. The formation of these Fe(-Cu) deposits may be related to felsic magmatism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pterosaur-bird track assemblage from a sandstone-siltstone-mudstone sequence of the Lower Cretaceous Tugulu Group of Xinjiang comprises the first pterosaur track record from this province and the largest specimen thus far known from China. The pterosaur tracks are assigned to the ichnogenus Pteraichnus based on the triangular overall-shape, the four elongate digit traces and the robust manual digit trace III. Supposed trackmakers were dsungaripterid pterodactyloids whose skeletal remains are well known from the Tugulu Group. The bird tracks that occur on the same surface, are those of typical shorebirds, known from different other localities in southeast Asia. The congruence with Koreanaornis dodsoni described from the same stratigraphic level justifies an assignment to this ichnospecies. This is a further evidence of the co-occurrence of pterosaurs and birds in a typical lakeshore environment with possible seasonal alteration of water supply and aerial exposure indicated by wave ripples, mudcracks and repeated cycles of coarse to fine sediment. Pterosaurs and birds frequented the shoreline and may have fed also on the numerous invertebrates such as the Scoyenia tracemaker that left abundant burrows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The herbaceous lycopsid Drepanophycus minor sp. nov. is described from the late Mid Devonian Hujiersite Formation of Xinjiang, Northwest China. The new species is characterized by minor sized, falcate microphylls, and kidney-shaped sporangia, with rhizome, K-shaped branching, and developed lateral buds. Stomatal apparatuses are observed from the axis surface of the new species. The habit and the rhizome structure of D. minor are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), is an infamous invasive species worldwide that aggressively attacks potato and other Solanaceae crops. CPB was first found in China in 1993 and has since spread across 2.77 × 105 km2 in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. To better understand genetic variation and migration patterns, we used seven polymorphic microsatellite loci to elucidate the genetic relationships and gene flow among 10 CPB populations across Xinjiang. (i) Overall low levels of genetic diversity were detected on the entire population in Xinjiang but most of the diversity was retained among populations during invasion. (ii) The mean pairwise FST was low (0.071 ± 0.043) among populations. The genetic differentiation was little (pairwise FST 0.038 ± 0.016) between the five interior populations (Wusu, Urumqi, Jimsar, Qitai and Mulei) and Tacheng population. The six populations might come from the same genetic group via Bayesian clustering and were closely related on a neighbor-joining tree. Combining the history data, the five interior populations may have originated from Tacheng. (iii) Gene flow was frequent, especially among the five interior populations. Individuals from the interior populations could be assigned to Tacheng at higher probabilities (means 0.518 ± 0.127) than vice versa (means 0.328 ± 0.074), suggesting that the beetle population has spread from the border to the interior in Xinjiang. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]