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This study investigated young millennials' risk perception, benefit perception, and purchase intention toward GM foods by testing the effects of source credibility and risk attitude. By comparing two samples collected in the U.S. (N = 207) and China (N = 242), we found that source credibility positively influenced benefit perceptions of GM foods among Chinese millennial consumers. Results also revealed risk attitude significantly influenced both American and Chinese millennial consumers' intention to purchase GM foods. Furthermore, a significant interaction effect between source credibility and risk attitude was found on Chinese millennial consumers' risk perception of GM foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The abundances of nine major elements and thirty-eight trace elements in 520 samples of low sulfur coals from the Zhuji Mine, Huainan Coalfield, Anhui, China, were determined. Samples were mainly collected from 10 minable coal seams of 29 boreholes during exploration. The B content in coals shows that the influence of brackish water decreased toward the top of coal seams; marine transgression and regression occurred frequently in the Lower Shihezi Formation. A wide range of elemental abundances is found. Weighted means of Na, K, Fe, P, Be, B, Co, Ni, Cr, Se, Sb, Ba, and Bi abundances in Zhuji coals are higher, and the remainder elements are either lower or equal to the average values of elements in coals of northern China. Compared to the Chinese coals, the Zhuji coals are higher in Na, K, Be, B, Cr, Co, Se, Sn, Sb, and Bi, but lower in Ti, P, Li, V and Zn. The Zhuji coals are lower only in S, P, V and Zn than average U.S. and world coals. Potassium, Mg, Ca, Mn, Sr, As, Se, Sb and light rare earth elements (LREE) had a tendency to be enriched in thicker coal seams, whereas Fe, Ti, P, V, Co, Ni, Y, Mo, Pb and heavy rare earth elements (HREE) were inclined to concentrate in thinner coal seams. The enrichment of some elements in the Shanxi or Upper Shihezi Formations is related to their depositional environments. The elements are classified into three groups based on their stratigraphic distributions from coal seams 3 to 11-2, and the characteristics of each group are discussed. Lateral distributions of selected elements are also investigated. The correlation coefficients of elemental abundances with ash content show that the elements may be classified into four groups related to modes of occurrence of these elements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The comprehensive information of coal quality and its relationship with coal-forming environment in Zhuji exploration area, Huainan coalfield Anhui, China, have been studied. The data of coal quality including proximate and ultimate analysis, calorific values, sulfur forms, petrography and selected trace elements (Ga, Ge, V, U, Th, Cl and As) are based on 614 samples of 13 minable coal seams from 88 drilling holes collected during exploration periods. These data were designed to provide information on the technological performance of coal. Characteristics of coal quality deposited in three different sedimentary environments, namely in coal-bearing strata of the Shanxi Formation, Lower Shihezi Formation and Upper Shihezi Formation, were analyzed. Results show that moisture, volatile matter, and ash yield all increase stratigraphically upward, which is opposite to the variation of calorific values. The correlation between ash yield and calorific value shows negatively higher relevance that than of moisture and ash yield. The coal quality parameters of the boreholes along the divided faults were rarely controlled by geological setting. It was suggested that other factors such as magmatic activity and underground water cycling may modify the parameters of coal quality to some extent and cause their redistribution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study of mercury (Hg) isotopes to trace the potential sources of Hg in thermally-intruded coals from the Huaibei coalfield in China. The Hg isotope composition of non-contacted coals deviates largely from the normal coals from Huainan coalfield which was less influenced by igneous intrusion. In addition, igneous intrusion causes important Hg isotope fractionation at the contact zone of igneous rock-coal.

Heavy metals enrichment in groundwater poses great ecological risks to human beings. In the present research work, a total of 59 groundwater samples from 12 sampling points in Dingji coal mine, Huainan coalfield, were collected and measured for Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Ni, Mn, Cr, and Fe by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The human health risk caused by heavy metals through the pathway of drinking water was evaluated and analyzed using the US Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) evaluation model. It has been found that the carcinogenic risk values were between 1.05 × 10−5and 3.5 × 10−4, all exceeding the maximum acceptable level recommended by the USEPA, and the carcinogenic risk of Cr accounted for 99.67% of the total carcinogenic risk. The non-carcinogenic health risk values were all lower than the negligible level given by the USEPA, and the contribution of non-carcinogenic health risk was in the order of Cr > Zn > Cu / Pb >Mn > Fe > Cd > Ni. Among them, Cr had the largest contribution, accounting for 36% of the total non-carcinogenic risk value. In this study, the carcinogenic risk constituted 99.99% of the total health risk, indicating that the total health risk essentially consisted of carcinogenic risk. The research results suggest that much more attention should be paid to the health risk caused by Cr in the groundwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Rare earth element (REE) concentrations in coals are a source of information relevant to the evolution of source rocks, depositional environment, and epigenetic tectonic activity as well as the effects of igneous intrusions. In this study, 186 coal samples, 11 intrusion-affected coal samples, 4 samples representative of the intrusive rocks, one coal roof and one parting samples were collected from 29 boreholes at the Zhuji coal mine, Huainan Coalfield, Anhui Province, China. The main objective is to characterize the intrusive rocks in the coal-bearing sequence and to investigate the correlation of REE parameters in the coals with the source rocks, depositional environment, localized faults, igneous intrusions, and thickness of the coal beds. A sequence (from base to top) of acidic to basic intrusive rocks through the coal-bearing strata was identified, which possibly corresponds to different intrusive episodes of granite, diorite/monzonite and gabbro. Both the REE contents and degree of fractionation of light rare earth elements (LREE) and heavy rare earth elements (HREE) increase from acidic to basic rocks. Most rocks are slightly depleted in Ce but highly depleted in Eu. The REE concentrations in coals from the Zhuiji mine (average of 118μg/g) are nearly identical to recently-updated average Chinese values, but significantly higher than global values. The REE content of the intrusion-affected coals is not distinctively different from that of the other coals (P=0.2), and REE concentrations of the igneous rocks appear to have no clear relationship to those of the intrusion-affected coals. The depositional environment and source rocks are presumably the main REE contributors to the coal-accumulation basin. The REE content in coals from fault-affected boreholes is higher than that in other boreholes and this trend is stronger in the coal seams of the upper strata. The HREE tend to be incorporated into thinner coal seams and the degree of fractionation between LREE and HREE of the coal-forming materials increases with coal thickness. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The deep-time geological record can provide insights into the processes and mechanisms of glacier retreat. Ice sheets of the Late Paleozoic Ice Age (LPIA) collapsed extensively during the early Artinskian (early Permian) approximately 290 million years ago through massive glacial melting that was associated with dramatic increases in global temperature, atmospheric p CO 2 , sea level, and resulted in profound changes in terrestrial plant distribution and diversity. A hypothesized mode of this extensively glacial melting is multiple large-scale volcanic events, but the causes and effects have not yet been clearly established because of the lack of detailed coeval records of volcanism and environmental changes. Here, we present a record of these events from an Artinskian terrestrial succession in the Liujiang Coalfield, North China. Our new U-Pb zircon dating, high-resolution chemostratigraphy, and kerogen maceral data reveal that environmental changes (carbon cycle perturbation, wildfire, and continental weathering) in the region were intricately linked with the large-scale volcanism associated with the Tarim-II, Panjal and Choiyoi volcanic provinces. Our study shows that hypothesized volcanism and wildfire raised temperatures by releasing greenhouse gases, while the ensuing warming led to ice sheet melting, the release of terrestrial Hg and C and resulting Hg and C cycle anomalies. • Two new early Permian U-Pb dates constrain age of Liujiang Coalfield, North China. • Hg confirms presence of Artinskian volcanism and Hg isotopes reveal Hg sources. • Weathering proxies, organic macerals and C/N ratios reveal environmental changes. • Timing of volcanism correlates with high-latitude Artinskian deglaciation. • Volcanism and wildfires co-driven the Artinskian deglaciation and the Hg and C cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the magnitude to which the carbon isotopic ratio (δ 13 C) varies in coals in response to their contemporary terrestrial environment, the Early-Middle Permian Huainan coals (including coals from the Shanxi Formation, Lower Shihezi Formation and Upper Shihezi Formation) in North China were systematically sampled. A 2.5‰ variation range of δ 13 C values (−25.15‰ to −22.65‰) was observed in Huainan coals, with an average value of −24.06‰. As coal diagenesis exerts little influence on carbon isotope fractionation, δ 13 C values in coals were mainly imparted by those of coal-forming flora assemblages which were linked to the contemporary climate. The δ 13 C values in coals from the Shanxi and Lower Shihezi Formations are variable, reflecting unstable climatic oscillations. Heavy carbon isotope is enriched in coals of the Capitanian Upper Shihezi Formation, implying a shift to high positive δ 13 C values of coeval atmospheric CO 2 . Notably, our study provides evidence of the Kamura event in the terrestrial environment for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a 3-year time series of lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) concentrations and isotope signatures in total suspended particulate (TSP) matter and as total gaseous Hg (TGM) in Xi'an, Northwestern China. Mean concentrations of TSP (299 ± 120 µg m-3), PbTSP (0.33 ± 0.15 µg m-3) and HgTSP (0.64 ± 0.54 ng m-3), and TGM (5.7 ± 2.7 ng m-3) were elevated. We find that atmospheric Pb levels in winter in Xi'an have decreased by 4.6% per year since 2003, yet remain elevated relative to air quality guidelines and therefore a major health concern. δ202HgTSP and Δ199HgTSP averaged -0.80 ± 0.30‰ (1σ) and -0.02 ± 0.10‰ (1σ) and δ202HgTGM and Δ199HgTGM averaged -0.08 ± 0.41‰ (1σ) and 0.00 ± 0.04‰ (1σ). Relative to raw coal from Shaanxi and surrounding provinces, δ202HgTSP is enriched in the light Hg isotopes, whereas δ202HgTGM is enriched in the heavy isotopes. TSP and TGM Δ199Hg signatures are indistinguishable from raw coal, indicating little photochemical mass independent fractionation of atmospheric Hg in the near-field urban-industrial environment. δ202HgTGM correlates significantly with TGM levels (r2 = 0.3, p < 0.01) and likely reflects binary mixing of local industrial TGM emissions with global background TGM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Huainan coalfield situated in the southern margin of North China Plate contains coal deposits of Carboniferous–Permian age. The 1 and 3 seams of the Early Permian Shanxi Formation and seams 4-1, 4-2, 5-1, 7-2 and 8 of the Late Early Permian Lower Shihezi Formation were analyzed for coal petrography, mineralogy and geochemical parameters. Collected data were designed to offer basic information on the assessment of coal quality and further to reveal possible factors controlling on coal quality. The shift of basin subsidence center from Huaibei coal-bearing basin to Huainan coal accumulation region caused the change of coal-forming environment (groundwater table, detrital matters and swamp style) which may further cause the differences in coal quality. The average vitrinite contents, ash yields and mineral matters are higher in the Lower Shihezi Formation coals than in the Shanxi Formation coals. The contents of vitrinite sharply decrease upward within coal seam 4, whereas the inertinite contents, ash yields and mineral matters show opposite trend which may be attributed to the relatively high-accommodation settings produce coals usually in the form of an upward high-to-low vitrinite succession. Two groups of elements are classified among coal seams. According to the vertical variation of elements contents among coal seams, most of elements in Group 1 are depleted in coal seam 4-2 except for Be, B, Sc, Fe, Mg, Ca, Li, Sn while almost all the elements in Group 2 are enriched in coal seam 4-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The rapid expansion of coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) in China has produced huge volume of toxic elements associated combustion residues, which pose great threat to local environment. In this study, feed coal, fly ash, bottom ash and FGD gypsum samples were collected from two different CFPPs at Huainan, Anhui, China. Feed coal and combustion residues were morphologically and mineralogically characterized by scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive microanalyser and X-ray diffraction. Concentrations of thirteen major and trace elements in these samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (B, Ti, Mn, Ni and Zn), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Pb, Sn and V) and atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (As). The results show that most of the trace elements were concentrated in the fly ash, only Fe and Mn were enriched in the bottom ash. The diameters of ash particles removed by the electrostatic precipitator were in an inverse relationship with the enrichment factors of most trace elements. To address possible exposure of combustion residues in the environment, laboratory controlled leaching tests were carried out on fly ash and gypsum to understand the environmental behaviors of these elements. Both fly ash and gypsum were identified as not-hazardous wastes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Coal is one of the major energy resources in China, with nearly half of produced Chinese coal used for power and heat generation. The large use of coal for power and heat generation in China may result in significant atmospheric emissions of toxic volatile trace elements (i.e. F, As, Se, Hg, and Sb). For the purpose of estimating the atmospheric emissions from coal-fired power and heat generation in China, a simple method based on coal consumption, concentration and emission factor of trace element was adopted to calculate the gaseous emissions of elements F, As, Se, Hg, and Sb. Results indicate that about 162161, 236, 637, 172, and 33t F, As, Se, Hg, and Sb, respectively, were introduced into atmosphere from coal combustion by power and heat generation in China in 2009. The atmospheric emissions of F, As, Se, Hg, and Sb by power and heat generation increased from 2005 to 2009 with increasing coal consumptions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present study has investigated the distribution of arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), stibium (Sb) and selenium (Se) in feed coal and its combustion by-products in two pulverized coal-fired power plants at Huainan city, Anhui province, China, both of which burned the bituminous coals. Experimental analysis of simultaneously sampled coal, bottom ash, fly ash and FGD products showed that the concentrations of As, Hg, Sb and Se in coal were in the ranges of typical Chinese power plants reported by others publications. Mercury was found to be the most volatile, whereas Sb was the least volatile. The overall material balances of As, Hg, Sb and Se were established based on the operation parameters of their respective boiler. The average removal efficiencies of As, Hg, Sb and Se by the ESP unit were 83%, 16%, 100%, and 72%, respectively, whereas those by the FGD process were 61%, 80%, 0% and 55%, respectively. The stack emission proportions of As, Hg and Se were 6%, 17% and 13%, respectively. And the total annual emissions of As, Hg and Se from two coal-fired power plants were estimated at 0.46t, 0.04t and 2.27t, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The end-Permian mass extinction (EPME) is sudden, but prior to which, the ecological resilience has diminished. The Late Permian is an important geologic period for coal formation associated with extensive volcanic activities in South China and adjacent regions. Here we present a systematic analysis of organic carbon and mercury isotopes as well as elemental geochemistry and mineralogy of a coal-bearing section from the Lianying Coalfield in Yunnan Province, South China. The data show that organic carbon δ13C values are negatively shifted by −25.22‰ to −25.99‰ in pyroclastic tonstein partings, which are near-synchronous with the negative Eu anomaly (0.48–0.52), significant Hg enrichment (130–352 ppb) and near-zero Δ199Hg (−0.08–0.07‰). These C and Hg isotope anomalies and associated geochemical signatures, which are manifested by characteristic Al 2 O 3 /TiO 2 , Zr/TiO 2 , and Nb/Yb ratios, are likely caused by subduction or collision-related volcanism. Our study provides evidence for the occurrences of volcanism before the advent of EPME, which played a significant role in stressing the environment and consequently diminishing the ecological resilience in the latest Permian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]