A continuous 200-ka palaeoclimatic record from stalagmite in Tangshan Cave, Nanjing

An oxygen isotope temperature record from 381 to 166 kaB. P. (²³⁰Th/²³⁴U dating and tuned ages) has been obtained by combining data on the isotopic composition of calcites with that of fluid inclusions trapped in a stalagmite from a limestone cave in which a fossil cranium deposited. Several laminae in microsequence of the stalagmite represent climatic events or shifts. The Nanjing man fossil was older than 381 kaB. P.     

The Juancheng chondrite──A new meteorite falling recently in China

The Juancheng chondrite, a new meteorite falling recently in Juancheng County, Shandong Province, China, is classified as an H5 (S2) chondrite based on the compositions of olivine (Fa= 19.2, σ Fa=0.46) and low-Ca pyroxene (Fs=16.9, σ Fa=0.4). The plagioclase in the Juancheng chondrite is rich in CaO, indicating a relatively high metamorphic temperature the parent body underwent.     

The v-v energy transfer of highly vibrationally excited states (I)

The relaxation of the highly vibrationally excited CO (v = 1–8) by CO₂ is studied by timeresolved Fourier transform infrared emission spectroscopy (TR FTIR). 193 nm laser photolysis of the mixture of CHBr₃ with O₂ generates the highly vibrationally excited CO(v) molecules. TR FTIR records the intense infrared emission of CO(v→v-1). The vibrational populations of each level of CO(v) have been determined by the method of spectral simulation. Based on the evolution of the time resolved populations and the differential method, 8 energy transfer rate constants of CO(v = 1–8) to CO₂ molecules areobtained: (5.7±0.1), (5.9±0.1), (5.2±0.2), (3.4±0.2), (2.4±0.3), (2.2±0.4), (2.0±0.4) and (1.8±0.6) (10¹⁴ cm³ · molecule⁻¹ · s⁻¹), respectively. A two-channel energy transfer model can explain the feature of the quenching of CO(v) by CO². For the lower vibrational states of CO, the vibrational energy transfers preferentially to the u³ mode of CO² For the higher levels, the major quenching channel changes to the vibrational energy exchange between CO(v→v-1) and the u¹ mode of CO².     

Marked electrical synapses on AP neuron of the leech (Whitmania pigra)

An initial attempt reveals parameters of marked electric synapse on AP perceptive neuron of leech. The width of gap between marked AP and either neuro-or glio-process is 2–3 nm, the diameter of the hexagonal array of connexion is 8–9 nm with a central pole of 2–2.5 nm, the same as the structure of annular lamellar bodies internalized by AP-glia processes in the AP.     

High-precision timing of the Quaternary standard samples with thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) U-series method

Two national stalagmite standard (GBW04412, GBW04413) and one international coral standard (RKM_4) have been determined by using thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) method. The values of ( 234 U/ 238 U) act , ( 230 Th/ 234 U) act and age are all consistent in error range with the standard values obtained by using α spectrometry.     

Leakage of mantle helium from the Liaodong Peninsula, China

The isotopic cumpositions of helium have been investigated in hot spring gases sampled from the Liaodong Peninsula. China. The³He/⁴He ratios range from 0.14 Ra (0.14 times the atmospheric³He/⁴He ratio of 1.40 × 10^-6 to 0.72 Ra.³He/⁴He versus⁴He/²⁰Ne ratios and He contents suggest that a small amount of mantle-derived helium reaches the earth’s surface. Helium iwtope ratios of the hot spring gases show a distribution pattern similar to the regional heat flow values, indicating that the positive thermal anomaly occurring in the rtrea is closely associated with the presence of mantle-derived helium. The observations described above provide some significant evidence that the molten magma originating from partial melting of the upper mantle may have intruded into the continental crust along the activity fault. The coupling of the presence of mantle He and heat flow anomalies to seismic activity in studied region seem to imply that there is an internal relationship between mantle degassing and seismic activity.     

Kinetic model for the smectite to illite transformation in active geothermal systems

The smectite to illite transformation in active geothermal systems of New Zealand can be simulated by a first-order reaction kinetic model, which provides direct estimates about the minumum ages of active geothermal systems themselves. The derived kinetic values show that the smectite to illite transformation is sensitive to both temperature and time.     

Osmium isotope determination on mantle-derived peridotite xenoliths from Panshishan with N-TIMS

The¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios of spinel lherzolite xenoliths from Panshishan determined with N-TIMS are lower than that of the primitive mantle, which shows depleted mantle characteristics. Their positive correlation with Al₂O₃/MgO suggests that the geochemical behavior of trace elements Re and Os is similar to that of Al₂O₃ and MgO respectively during the magmatic evolution and Re-Os isotopic system is largely immune to mantle metasomatism. A model age of 2.8–3.4 Ga obtained by¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os-Al₂O₃/ MgO correlation might represent the homogeneous age of the mantle lithosphere beneath the area.     

New evidence for the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau as a pilot region of climatic fluctuation in China

Over 40 a observed temperature data in 172 stations in China and historical proxy data were analyzed. Evidence suggested that during 1980–1994, the warmest year appeared first in southeastern part of the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau (henceforth SETP) and then gradually spread northwards and eastwards to eastern China. The climatic change on century time scale in recent 600 a shows 3 relatively warm and clod stages in China. Each warm and cold stage appeared first in Tibet Plateau (henceforth TP) and then in the Qilian Mountains, then in the eastern parts of China. The warm and cold stages in TP were 10–60 a earlier than in the eastern China. The facts show that TP is a pilot region of climatic fluctuation in China on the time scale shorter than 10³a.     

The v-v energy transfer of highly vibrationally excited states (II)

The vibrational energy transfer from highly vibrationally excited CO to H₂O molecules is studied by time-resolved Fourier transform infrared emission spectroscopy (TR FTIR). Following the 193 nm laser photolysis of CHBr₃ and O₂ the secondary reactions generate CO(v). The infrared emission of CO(v → v−1) is detected by TR FTIR. The excitation of H₂O molecules is not observed. By the method of the spectral simulation and the differential technique, 8 rate constants for CO(v)/H₂O system are obtained: (1.7 ±0.1), (3.4 ±0.2), (6.2 ±0.4), (8.0 ±1.0), (9.0 ±2.0), (12 ±3), (16 ±4) and (18 ±7) (10¹³cm³ · molecule^-1· s^-1). At least two reasons lead to the efficient energy transfer. One is the contributions of the rotational energy to the vibational energy defect and the other is the result of the complex collision. With the SSH andab initio calculations, the quenching mechanism of CO(v) by H₂O is suggested.