<Superscript>1</Superscript>H MAS NMR spectra of kaolinite/formamide intercalation compound

The high spinning speed ¹H magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H MAS NMR) technique was employed to distinguish the two groups of surface hydroxyls of kaolinite and investigate the intercalation mechanism of kaolinite/formamide compound. The proton chemical shifts of the inner hydroxyl and inner surface hydroxyl of kaolinte are in the range of δ−1.3–−0.9 and δ 2.4–3.0 respectively. After formamide intercalation three proton peaks were detected. The proton peak of the inner surface hydroxyls of the intercalation compound shifts to high-field with δ 2.3–2.7, which is assigned to the formation of the hydrogen bond between the inner surface hydroxyl and formamide carbonyl group. Whereas, the proton peak of the inner hydroxyl shifts to δ −0.3 toward low-field, that is attributed to van der Waal’s effect between the inner hydroxyl proton and the amino group proton of the formamide which may be keyed into the ditrigonal hole of the kaolinite. The third peak, additional proton peak, is in the range of δ5.4–5.6, that is ascribed to the hydrogen bond formation between the amino group proton of formimide and SiO₄ tetrahedral oxygen of the kaolinite.     

Surface modification of γ-Al2O3 by sodium ions

¹H/²³Na double resonance NMR techniques were employed to study the modification of surface hydroxyls on γ-Al₂O₃ by sodium ions. ¹H→²³Na cross polarization (CP) experiment can resolve three kinds of sodium cations that are closely associated with surface hydroxyl groups, while the signal of deposited salt-Na₂CO₃, which is not connected to surface hydroxyl groups, is completely suppressed. ¹H{²³Na} spin echo double resonance experiments reveal the surface modification in more detail. At low Na⁺ coverage (5%, 10%), the acidic hydroxyl groups are preferentially coordinated with sodium ions, while both the acidic and the basic hydroxyl groups are accessible for sodium ions at high coordination that causes proton of the OH groups to be easily dissolved, which is evidenced by the fact that with calcination temperature of the catalysts increasing, the acidic hydroxyl groups are preferentially removed and only the basic hydroxyl groups remain when the calcination temperature is raised to 600℃.     

Export and remineralization of POM in the Southern Ocean and the South China Sea estimated from 210Po/210Pb disequilibria

Disequilibria between ^210Po and ^210Pb in the upper water and their potential applications as a proxy of particle export and remineralization were examined in the Southern Ocean （station IV3） and the South China Sea （NS44）. ^210po was deficit in surface waters but excessive relative to ^210Pb in subsurface waters. Good positive correlation between ^210Po and particulate organic carbon （POC） indicated deficits and excess of ^210Po resulted from particulate organic matter （POM） export and remJneralization respectively, which was also supported by the decreased δ^13C and increased δ^15N downwards as a result of particle remineralization. On the basis of ^210Po/^210Pb box-model, POC export flux out of the surface waters were 1.2 mmol C. m^-2. d^-1 and 2.3 mmol C. m^-2. d^-1 for station NS44 and IV3, respectively. In the subsurface waters, remineralization fluxes of ^210Po were 0.062 Bq. m^-2.d^-1 and 0.566 Bq.m^-2.d^-1 for station NS44 and IV3 along with the recycle efficiency of 52±26% and 119±52%, respectively. Remineralized fluxes of POM derived from ^210Po and exported POC were 0.6 mmol C.m^-2.d^-1 and 2.7 mmol C. m^-2. d^-1 for NS44 and IV3. This study suggested that ^210Po was a powerful tracer of particle export and remineralization.     

Water solubility in orthopyroxene: Dependence on temperature and Al content

The water solubility in Al-Fe-Mg orthopyroxene [(Mg,Fe,Al)(Si,Al)O₃: X _Fe = 0.1] was investigated as a function of temperature and Al contents. Experiments were performed at 10 kbar with temperatures ranging from 800 to 1200°C under water-saturated conditions. Water contents in the (Mg,Fe)SiO₃-H₂O-Al₂O₃ system were determined using unpolarized Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The present results show that water solubility in Al-bearing orthopyroxene decreases systematically with temperature from approximately 1 weight % at 800°C to 568 ± 58 ppm at 1200°C and increase significantly with increasing Al₂O₃ contents under the same annealing temperature and pressure. Combined with published results on the dependence of hydroxyl solubility on water fugacity and pressure, the present results can be described by the relation $C_{OH} = A(T)f_{H_2 O}^{n = 0.5} \exp \left( { - \frac{{\Delta H^{1bar} + \Delta V^{solid} P}} {{RT}}} \right)$ where A = 0.0024 ± 0.0015 ppm/bar^0.5, ΔH ^1bar = ?103.348 ± 9.768 kJ/mol, and solid ΔV ^solid = 9.2 ± 1.1 cm³/mol. This equation implies that the incorporation mechanism of water in aluminous orthopyroxene involves the isolated OH groups. Based on the experimentally established solubility model used in this study, it is suggested that water solubility decreases with increasing temperature under typical upper mantle pressure. The predicted temperature dependence of water solubility is in good agreement with the previous experimental observations in Al-bearing orthopyroxene, but the opposite dependence is observed in Al-free systems. Moreover, our estimation of the water solubility in upper-mantle minerals as a function of depth for a typical oceanic geotherm might be of potential importance in interpreting the geophysical observations.     

The high-resolution climate recorded in the δ18O ofPorites lutea from the Nansha Islands of China

A Porites lutea core from Yongshu Reef of Nansha Islands covering 50 years growth history was analyzed for oxygen isotopic composition with monthly and seasonally resolution. The calibration of the δ ¹⁸O with the instrumental temperature indicated that the coral δ ¹⁸O is a good indicator for sea surface temperature (SST) and air temperature ( t ). It can be used to reconstruct the SST and air temperature of the Yongshu Reef sea area. In addition, the coral δ ¹⁸O provides signatures for the intensity of the East Asia monsoon and it is a record for the activities of El Niño events. With the calibrated SST and air temperature formulas, the most recent fifty years SST and air temperature were reconstructed based on the coral δ ¹⁸O, thus back up the understanding of the climate of Nansha Islands to 1950, far beyond the limit of the instrumental recording since September 1988. It was found that, in general, increasing 1℃ air temperature results in 0.24‰ decrease in skeletal δ ¹⁸O.     

Vast laminated diatom mat deposits from the west low-latitude Pacific Ocean in the last glacial period

Diatoms are one of the predominant contributors to global carbon fixation by accounting for over 40% of total oceanic primary production and dominate export production. They play a significant role in marine biogeochemistry cycle. The diatom mat deposits are results of vast diatoms bloom. By analysis of diatom mats in 136°00′--140°00′E, 15°00′--21°00′N, Eastern Philippines Sea, we identified the species of the diatoms as giant Ethmodiscus rex （Wallich） Hendey. AMS 14C dating shows that the sediments rich in diatom mats occurred during 16000--28600 a B.P., which means the bloom mainly occurred during the last glacial period, while there are no diatom mat deposits in other layers. Preliminary analysis indicates that Antarctic Intermediate Water （AAIW） expanded northward and brought silicate-rich water into the area, namely, silicon leakage processes caused the bloom of diatoms. In addition, the increase of iron input is one of the main reasons for the diatom bloom.     

Carbon isotopic composition,turnover and origins of soil CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in a monsoon evergreen broadleaf forest in the Dinghushan Biosphere Reservoir,South China

Carbon isotopic compositions of soil CO2 in rainy season (July) from two natural soil profiles (DHLS & DHS) in the monsoon evergreen broadleaf forest in the Dinghushan Biosphere Reservoir (DBR), South China, are presented. Turnover and origins of soil CO₂ are preliminarily discussed in this paper. Results show that the content of soil CO2 varies between 6120 and 18718 ppmv, and increases with increasing depth until 75 cm, and then it declines. In DHLS, soil CO₂ δ¹³C ranges from −24.71‰ to −24.03‰, showing a significant inverse correlation (R²＝0.91) with the soil CO₂ content in the same layer. According to a model related to soil CO₂ δ¹³C, the soil CO₂ is mainly derived from the root respiration (>80%) in DHLS. While in DHS, where soil CO₂ ? 13C ranges from −25.19‰ to −22.82‰, soil CO₂ is primarily originated from the decomposition of organic matter (51%–94%), excluding the surface layer (20 cm, 90%). Radiocarbon data suggest that the carbon in soil CO₂ is modern carbon in both DHLS and DHS. Differences in ¹⁴C ages between the “oldest” and “youngest” soil CO₂ in DHLS and DHS are 8 months and 14 months, respectively, indicating that soil CO₂ in DHLS has a faster turnover rate than that in DHS. The ¹⁴C values of soil CO₂, which range between 100.0‰ and 107.2‰ and between 102.5‰ and 112.1‰ in DHLS and DHS, respectively, are obviously higher than those of current atmospheric CO₂ and SOC in the same layer, suggesting that soil CO₂ is likely an important reservoir for Bomb-¹⁴C in the atmosphere.     

Spectroscopic investigation of the interaction between human serum albumins and 10-hydroxycamptothecin

The binding reaction between 10-hydroxycamptothecin (10-HCPT) and human serum albumins (HSA) is studied by means of fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-Vis absorption spectrum, 1H NMR spectrum, and molecular simulation. The results indicate that the binding reaction of 10-HCPT and HSA is a single static quenching process, and the binding equilibrium constant for 10-HCPT binding with HSA is estimated K ₀= 4.93×10⁴ L · mol⁻¹ at 25 °C with the molar ratio of 1:1. The distance (r) and energy transfer efficiency (E) between donor (HSA) and acceptor (10-HCPT) are obtained as follows, r =3.51 nm; E =0.27. The enthalpy change (ΔH ^⦵) and entropy change (ΔS ^⦵) are calculated at different temperatures, and the hydrophobic force and shidipole force are the functions in the reaction. The results show that 10-HCPT binds within the subdomain II A of HSA by the hydrophobic force, and the 10-OH and 20-OH of 10-HCPT bind with both residue Leu-238 of HSA and Ala 291 of HSA by hydrogen bonds. Biography: LI Guizhi(1962–), female, Associate professor, research direction: organic analysis.     

Export of particulate organic carbon estimated from234Th-238U disequilibria and its temporal variation in the South China Sea

Activities of²³⁴Th and nutrient concentrations in the upper 500 m water column were measured at a time-series station in the South China Sea over a time span of 12.3 d. Results showed a reduction of dissolved²³⁴Th and an overall increase of particulate²³⁴Th during the period. Meanwhile, activities of total²³⁴Th kept fairly constant, implying rapid transformation of²³⁴Th between the dissolved and particulate forms. Vertical profiles of total²³⁴Th showed evident deficit of²³⁴Th relative to²³⁸U in the upper 500 m water column. Using an irreversible steady-state model of thorium scavenging, export fluxes of particulate organic carbon (POC) corresponding to time pointsT ₁ andT ₂ were estimated to be 46.5 and 13.1 mmolC · m⁻² · d⁻¹. It was demonstrated that the estimation of POC export was greatly dependent on the POC/²³⁴Th_P ratios and the bias caused by the different models of²³⁴Th scavenging, however, was considered to be of minor importance.     

Phenotypic analysis of the medullary-type CD4−CD8+ thymocytes in mice

Phenotypic analysis of the medullary-type CD4 CD8⁺ (CD8SP) thymocytes has revealed phenotypic heterogeneity within this cell population. The phenotype of mature peripheral CDS⁺T cells is TCRαβ⁺CD3⁺Qa-2⁺HSA 3G11⁻6C10, whereas in the medullary-type CD8SP thymocytes, 20% are Qa-2⁺; 33%, HAS; 30%, 3G11; and 70% are 6C10. The disparate expression patterns of these four cell surface markers suggest that medullary-type CD8SP thymocytes may undergo phenotypic maturation process. According to the distribution of these four cell surface markers, six subgroups of CD8SP thymocytes have been identified. The precursor-progeny relationship along with developmental pathway is postulated as follows: 6C10⁺HSA⁺3G11 Qa-2→ 6C10⁺HSA⁺ 3G11⁺Qa-2 → 6C10 HSA⁺3G11⁺Qa-2 → 6C10⁻HSA⁻3G11⁺Qa-2 → 6C10⁻HSA⁻3G11 Qa-2 → 6C10⁻HA S 3G11 Qa-2⁺, the cells in the last subgroup exit the thymus and home into periphery.     

Synthesis of glass ceramics from kaolin and dolomite mixture

Cordierite-and anorthite-based binary glass ceramics of the CaO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ (CMAS) system were synthesized by mixing local and abundant raw minerals (kaolin and doloma by mass ratio of 82/18). A kinetics study reveals that the activation energy of crystallization (Ea) calculated by the methods of Kissinger and Marotta are 438 kJ·mol-1 and 459 kJ·mol-1, respectively. The Avrami parameter (n) is estimated to be approximately equal to 1, corresponding to the surface crystallization mechanism. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that the anorthite and cordierite crystals are precipitated from the parent glass as major phases. Anorthite crystals first form at 850℃, whereas the μ-cordierite phase appears after heat treatment at 950℃. Thereafter, the cordierite allotropically transforms to α-cordierite at 1000℃. Complete densification is achieved at 950℃; however, the density slightly decreases at higher temperatures, reaching a stable value of 2.63 kg·m-3 between 1000℃ and 1100℃. The highest Vickers hardness of 6 GPa is also obtained at 950℃. However, a substantial decrease in hardness is recorded at 1000℃; at higher sintering temperatures, it slightly increases with increasing temperature as the α-cordierite crystallizes.     

Laser cooling using anti-stokes fluorescence in Yb3+-doped fluorozirconate glasses

The fluorozirconate glasses ZBLANP (ZrF₄−BaF₂−LaF₃−NaF−PbF₂) doped with different Yb³⁺ concentration were prepared. The Raman spectra and absorption spectra are measured to substantiate the existence of phonon-assisted emission. After analyzing the normalized absorption spectra of samples with different Yb³⁺-doped concentration, we calculated the maximum cooling effect in the 3 wt% Yb³⁺-doped sample pumped at 1 012.5 nm. The corresponding cooling capability is about −4.09 °C/W and the cooling efficiency reaches 1.76%. Foundation item: Supported by the Key Science Foundation of Wuhan (9601P0223) Biography: Xu Tian-ming (1978-), female, Master candidate, research direction: information optics and nonlinear optics.     

Selective catalytic oxidation of ammonia to nitrogen over orderly mesoporous CuFe2O4 with high specific surface area

Orderly mesoporous CuFe2O4 spinel-type mixed oxide with high specific surface area was prepared successfully by a hard-template method in which KIT-6 mesoporous silica was selected as the hard template. The KIT-6 hard template and CuFe2O4 samples were charac- terized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spec- troscopy, X-ray fluorescence, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen physisorption, and hydrogen-temperature programmed reduction. The KIT-6 hard template had perfect crystalli- zation and ordered mesoporous structure with a probable pore distribution of about 9.1 nm, large enough to be filled by the spinel precursor. The mesoporous CuFe2O4 spinel oxide synthesized inside the KIT-6 mesopores had a rela- tively small pore size （4.3 nm）, orderly arrangement, and high specific area （194 m2/g）. The catalytic activity of the mesoporous CuFe2O4 was tested for the selective oxidation of ammonia to nitrogen. The conversion of ammonia reached nearly 100 % at 300 ℃with a nitrogen selectivity as high as 96 %. The nitrogen selectivity remained high with increasing temperature and even maintained a value of 80 % at 600 ℃.     

Modern systematics and environmental significance of stable isotopic variations in Wanxiang Cave, Wudu, Gansu, China

This paper presents the stable isotopic compositions from the cave dripwater and actively forming soda straw stalactites collected from Wanxiang Cave, Wudu, Gansu, located on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and Loess Plateau transition zone, China. The δ^18Odw and δDdw of dripwater samples in the cave plot directly on the local MWL, constructed by using GNIP data from 3 sites surrounding the cave regions (Lanzhou, Xi‘an, and Chengdu), the nearest site to the cave, suggesting that there is a close relationship be-tween the δ^18Odw of the cave water and the δ^18O of the pre-cipitations. Using the measured δ^18Odw and δ^18Omc values from the mid-farthest parts from the cave entrance and the carbonate paleotemperature equation, the calculated temperatures range from 8.9 to 12.4℃, with the mean value of 10.7℃ and the temperature calculated at 8 locations in the farthest part of the cave is in the range of 10.I--12.4℃, with the mean value of 11.5℃, being consistent with the survey value(10.99℃)in the cave, slightly lower than the mean annual temperature (14.4℃) in Wudu. This suggests that modern speleothems are forming under isotopic equilibrium and their isotopic composition accurately reflects the mean annual temperature at the surface, indicating that the isotopic composition of the modern speleothems records local temperature change with credibility.     

Degradation of 2, 4-D acid using Mn2+ as catalyst under UV irradiation

In this paper, the oxidative degradation of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) using Mn²⁺/H₂O₂ reagent under UV irradiation was studied. The results show that 2, 4-D was degraded more completely in Mn²⁺/H₂O₂ solution than traditional Fenton solutions. The effects of the concentration of Mn²⁺, H₂O₂ and pH were also investigated. And under the optimal condition of 1.48×10⁻⁴ mol/L, 8.99×10⁻⁵ mol/L and pH 3.38, the formation of ·OH was the most, both the decomposition rate of H₂O₂ and the degradation rate of 2, 4-D were the fastest. In addition, the photoreaction process was monitored using spin-trapping electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and the results indicated that the oxidative process was predominated mainly by the hydroxyl radical (·OH) gennerated in the system. Biography: HUANG Yingping (1964–), Professor, Ph. D., research direction: pollution ecology and water pollution control.     

1MAS NMR spectra of kao linite/formamide intercalation compound

The high spinning speed 1H magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (1H MAS NMR) technique was employed to distinguish the two groups of surface hydroxyls of kaolinite and investigate the intercalation mechanism of kaolinite/formamide compound. The proton chemical shifts of the inner hydroxyl and inner surface hydroxyl of kaolinte are in the range of δ-1.3-0.9 and δ 2.4-3.0 respectively. After formamide intercalation three proton peaks were detected. The proton peak of the inner surface hydroxyls of the intercalation compound shifts to high-field with δ 2.3-2.7, which is assigned to the formation of the hydrogen bond between the inner surface hydroxyl and formamide carbonyl group. Whereas, the proton peak of the inner hydroxyl shifts to δ-0.3 toward low-field, that is attributed to van der Waal's effect between the inner hydroxyl proton and the amino group proton of the formamide which may be keyed into the ditrigonal hole of the kaolinite. The third peak, additional proton peak, is in the range of δ5.4-5.6, that is ascribed to the hydrogen bond formation between the amino group proton of formimide and SiO4 tetrahedral oxygen of the kaolinite.     

Recent temperature increase recorded in an ice core in the source region of Yangtze River

Interests on climate change in the source region of Yangtze River have been raised since it is a region with the greatest warming over the Tibetan Plateau (TP). A 70-year history of precipitation δ~(18)O has been recovered using an ice core record retrieved in a plat portion of the firn area in the Guoqu Glacier (33°34′37.8″N, 91°10′35.3″E, 5720 m a.s.l.), Mt. Geladaindong (the source region of Yangtze River), in November, 2005. By using a significant positive relationship between ice core δ~(18)O record and summer air temperature (July to September) from the nearby meteorological stations, a history of summer air temperature has been reconstructed for the last 70 years. Summer temperature was relatively low in 1940s and high in 1950s to the middle of 1960s. The lowest temperature occurred in the middle of 1970s. Temperature was low in 1980s and dramatically increased since 1990s, keeping the trend to the begin-ning of the 21st century. The warming rate recorded in the ice core with 0.5℃/10 a since 1970s is much higher that that in the central TP and the Northern Hemisphere (NH), and it becomes 1.1℃/10 a since 1990s which is also higher than these from the central TP and the NH, reflecting an accelerated warm-ing and a more sensitive response to global warming in the high elevation region.     

Hydrogen Adsorption on Metal-Organic Framework MOF-177

This review summarizes the recent literature on the synthesis, characterization, and adsorption properties of meal-organic framework MOF-177. MOF-177 is a porous crystalline material that consists of Zn4O tetrahedrons connected with benzene tribenzoate (BTB) ligands. It is an ideal adsorbent with an exceptionally high specific surface area (BET4500 m2/g), a uniform micropore size distribution with a median pore diameter of 12.7 ?, a large pore volume (2.65 cm3/g), and very promising adsorption properties for hydrogen storage and other gas separation and purification applications. A hydrogen adsorption amount of 19.6 wt.% on MOF-177 at 77 K and 100 bar was observed, and a CO2 uptake of 35 mmol/g on MOF-177 was measured at 45 bar and an ambient temperature. Other hydrogen properties (kinetics and heat of adsorption) along with adsorption of other gases including CO2, CO, CH4, and N2O on MOF-177 were also be discussed. It was observed in experiments that MOF-177 adsorbent tends to degrade or decompose when it is exposed to moisture. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the structure of MOF-177 remains intact at temperatures below 330℃ under a flow of oxygen, but decomposes to zinc oxide at 420℃.     

Influence of solution concentration and temperature on the dissolution process and the internal structure of glauberite

Although transport in porous media under the influence of chemistry and temperature is a common phenomenon, the dissolution and internal structure evolution of glauberite during in-situ mining have been unique and challenging. This uniqueness indicates the complexity of mineral dissolutions, whereas the challenge represents the characterization of pore development and evolution during the dissolution processes. To investigate the microstructure development of glauberite under the influence of chemistry and temperature, experimental studies were performed with fine cuboid specimens of 4 mm×4 mm×9 mm soaked in solutions of different concentrations (fresh water, half-saturated, and saturated brine). The evolutions of internal structures were monitored through a micro computed tomography system. The statistical analysis indicated that the concentration and temperature of solutions significantly influenced the evolutions of pore size, porosity, and specific surface area of glauberite. The results showed that the increase in the rates of pore size, porosity, and specific surface area declined with time when glauberite was saturated in fresh water. The main reason for pore parameter variation is the differential concentration of solution. However, in the half-saturated and saturated solutions, the increase in rate increased with time. These observations suggest that the chloride ions contained in the saline solution could facilitate the dissolution of glauberite, whereas the existence of salt effect could contribute to the dissolution of calcium sulfate. Compared with the results at 20℃ and 65℃, the studied parameters of glauberite have dramatically decreased when the mineral was soaked in the solutions at high temperature (95℃). This function was most striking in fresh water. The dissolution of glauberite soaked in fresh water or half-saturated brine solution was conditioned by the temperature and solution concentration. However, the dissolution of glauberite was less influenced by temperature at high concentrations. These findings may feature significant implication for the effective recovery of mineral resources by in-situ solution mining method.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization and nonlinear optical effect of orthorhombic phase Ca2B6O11 · H2O

Hydrothermal treatment of calcium oxide and boric acid mixtures at temperatures between 234 °C and 300 °C has produced a colorless, transparent, orthorhombic compound Ca₂B₆O₁₁ · H₂O. Of the seven known members of the series of hydrated dicalcium hexaborate containing boron-oxygen six-membered ring anionic group (B₃O₈)^-7, only the title compound has been found to have the nonlinear optical effect. The second harmanic generation (SHG) effect of its crystal is larger than that of KH₂PO₄ (KDP). The reflection spectrum has shown that this compound has no absorption in the experimental wavelength range (800–240 nm). Its crystal structure is favorable for generating the nonlinear optical effect.