Heavy Metal Pollution Characteristics in the Modern Sedimentary Environment of Northern Jiaozhou Bay, China.

The particle size distribution characteristics of sediments and the concentrations of heavy metals in Jiaozhou Bay were investigated in this study. The average concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, Hg and As were 36.88, 29.60, 82.08, 77.48, 0.083, 0.048 and 11.00 mg/kg, respectively. The heavy metal concentrations were highest in the eastern sediments, followed by those at the top of the bay, and the lowest concentrations were observed in the central region. Overall, a decreasing trend from the center of the bay to the periphery was observed. Additionally, the distribution of heavy metals in sediments was not completely controlled by sediment particle size. The degree of heavy metal contamination was evaluated using the geoaccumulation index and Hakanson's method. The results revealed that the level of heavy metal pollution in the sediments was relatively low and that the main pollution elements were Cu and Hg. In addition, the sediments are associated with various levels of potential ecological risk due to the high pollution levels of Hg and Cd.

An improved intermittent control model of postural sway during quiet standing implemented by a data driven approach.

This paper proposes a new intermittent control model during human quiet standing, which is consisted of postulated "regular intervention" and "imminent intervention". The regular intervention is within the main control loop, and its trigger condition is equivalent to the switching frequency of center of pressure (COP) data calculated by wavelet transform. The imminent intervention will only be triggered after the postural sway angle exceeds a certain threshold. In order to prove the effectiveness of the new model, the simulation results of the new model and the model proposed by Asai et al. (2009) are compared with the experimental data. The setting parameters of both models are retrieved by Bayesian regression from the experimental data. The results show that the new model not only could exhibit two power law scaling regimes of power spectral density (PSD) of COP, but also show that indices of the probability density function distance, root mean square (RMS), Total Sway Path, displacement Range, 50% power frequency of center of mass (COP) between the simulation results and the experimental data are closer compared to the existing model. Moreover, the limit cycle oscillations (LCOs) obtained from the simulation results of the new model have a higher degree of matching with those retrieved from the experimental data.

Ecological risk assessment of heavy metal(loid)s in riverine sediments along the East China Sea: A large-scale integrated analysis.

This study comprehensively assesses spatial distribution, pollution levels, and potential sources of heavy metal(loid)s in surface sediments across multiple river systems along the coastal area of the East China Sea. Copper in Qiantang River and Xiangshan Bay showed higher concentations and exceeded the threshold effect value, while the higher content of Lead was mainly found in the Saijiang River, Oujiang River, and Minjiang River. Heavy metal(loid)s in the alluvium of Qiantang River, Jiaojiang River, and Yangtze River showed low to moderate pollution levels, with Cd posing the highest ecological risk, followed by Hg. Meanwhile, Qiantang River, Jiaojiang River, Yangtze River, and Oujiang River exhibited considerable to moderate ecological risks and low toxic risk. PMF model analysis results reveal that concentrations of Cr, Ni, and As were closely related with natural geogenic input (36.56 %), while industrial and traffic activities (48.77 %) were primary source of Cu, Pb, Zn, and Hg, and main source of Cd was agricultural emissions (14.67 %).

Physics Embedded Graph Convolution Neural Network for Power Flow Calculation Considering Uncertain Injections and Topology.

Probabilistic analysis tool is important to quantify the impacts of the uncertainties on power system operations. However, the repetitive calculations of power flow are time-consuming. To address this issue, data-driven approaches are proposed but they are not robust to the uncertain injections and varying topology. This article proposes a model-driven graph convolution neural network (MD-GCN) for power flow calculation with high-computational efficiency and good robustness to topology changes. Compared with the basic graph convolution neural network (GCN), the construction of MD-GCN considers the physical connection relationships among different nodes. This is achieved by embedding the linearized power flow model into the layer-wise propagation. Such a structure enhances the interpretability of the network forward propagation. To ensure that enough features are extracted in MD-GCN, a new input feature construction method with multiple neighborhood aggregations and a global pooling layer are developed. This allows us to integrate both global features and neighborhood features, yielding the complete features representation of the system-wide impacts on every single node. Numerical results on the IEEE 30-bus, 57-bus, 118-bus, and 1354-bus systems demonstrate that the proposed method achieves much better performance as compared to other approaches in the presence of uncertain power injections and system topology.

Temperature prediction of solar greenhouse based on NARX regression neural network.

Temperature has an important influence on plant growth and development. In protected agriculture production, accurate prediction of temperature environment is of great significance. However, due to the time series, nonlinear and multi coupling characteristics of temperature, it is difficult to achieve accurate prediction. We proposed a method for building a solar greenhouse temperature prediction model based on a timeseries analysis, that considers the time series characteristics and dynamic temperature changes in the greenhouse system. The method would predict the temperature of greenhouse, and provide reference for the temperature change law in protected agriculture. A parameter analysis was performed on the nonlinear autoregressive exogenous (NARX) neural network, and a solar greenhouse temperature time series prediction model was established using the NARX regression neural network. The results showed that the proposed model depicted a maximum absolute error of 0.67 °C, and model correlation coefficient of 0.9996. Compared with the wavelet and BP neural networks, the NARX regression neural network accurately predicted and significantly outperformed in the solar greenhouse temperature prediction model. Moreover, the prediction model can accurately predict temperature trends within the solar greenhouse and is pivotal to obtaining precise control of solar greenhouse temperature.

Hydrochemical evolution processes of multiple-water quality interfaces (fresh/saline water, saline water/brine) on muddy coast under pumping conditions.

A thorough understanding of the evolution of coastal brine-bearing groundwater systems under the influence of human activities contributes to the sustainable use of coastal groundwater resources. Therefore, this study comprehensively investigated the processes associated with hydrochemical changes in groundwater during brine exploitation based on long-term monitoring data. The dataset comprised 102 samples (including groundwater, seawater, rain and river samples) collected from 1966 to 2021 to capture the hydrochemical variability. Significant changes in the brine water table and concentration between the pre-overexploitation period (1965-2000) and the exploitation period (2000-2021) are observed. From the relationship between stable isotope (δ18O and δ2H) values and Cl- contents, shallow saline water (SSW) near the drawdown cone (with δ18O and δ2H values of -4.66 ‰ ~ -3.57 ‰ and - 42.1 ‰ ~ -32.8 ‰, respectively) is similar geochemically to the brine inside the drawdown cone (with values of -4.30 ‰ ~ -3.10 ‰ and - 39.0 ‰ ~ -32.3 ‰, respectively), indicating that the SSW has a recharge effect on the underground brine. The delta values of major cations were calculated to analyze the hydrochemical processes at different water quality interfaces (saline/freshwater interface, salinewater/brine interface). The results demonstrated that the SSW and deep saline water (DSW) at the offshore brine/saline water interface undergo seawater intrusion, where SSW undergoes a salinization process with cation exchange (Na+ is exchanged for Ca2+ and Mg2+ in clay), while DSW undergoes a freshening process. The SSW at the saline/freshwater interface is affected by freshwater pumping, and the DSW undergoes a salinization process influenced by brine intrusion presenting the common salinization process with cation exchange. The hydrochemical model shows that the brine concentration recovered during the restricted exploitation stage due to the dissolution of gypsum and halite. If no measures are taken to restrict exploitation, then brine will eventually be replaced by saline water.

Assessment of the vertical characteristics and contamination levels of toxic metals in sediment cores from typical Chinese intertidal zones.

The heavy metal (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn) contents of 24 sediment cores were obtained and analyzed from 12 typical Chinese intertidal zones. The results revealed a gradual improvement in the environmental quality of the intertidal zone. Enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index analyses demonstrated a generally good environmental quality of intertidal sediment, with some areas of serious contamination, such as the Xiamen Jiulong Estuary, the Yangtze River Estuary, and the Pearl River Delta. Relative to the guidelines for sediment quality, the studied intertidal zones were moderately impacted, with a risk of biotoxic impacts. This research reveals the status of toxic metal pollution in the intertidal zone of China and provides a reference for coastal area development.

The first high resolution PAH record of industrialization over the past 200 years in Liaodong Bay, northeastern China.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are excellent tracers for fossil fuel combustion, natural fires and petroleum contamination, and have been widely used for reconstructing past wildfires and industrial activities at a variety of time scales. Here, for the first time, we obtain a high resolution (annual to decadal scale) record of PAHs from two parallel marine sediment cores from the Liaodong Bay, Northeastern China to reconstruct the industrial activities, spanning the past ∼ 200 years from 1815 to 2014. Our data indicate that PAH variations can be divided into four episodes: I) low (probably near background) PAHs from natural fires and domestic wood combustion during the pre-industrial period from 1815 to 1890; II) slightly increased (but with large fluctuations) PAH concentrations derived from intermittent warfare during the World War (1891-1945) and increased industrial activities after 1946 (1946-1965); III) a period of stagnation and, in some cases, reduction in PAHs during the "Cultural Revolution" (1966 to 1979); and IV) a rapid and persistent rise in PAHs post 1979 linked to fast economic development, with PAH concentrations doubled from 1979 to 2014. Changes in PAH distributions demonstrate major shifts in the dominant types of fuels over time from vegetation/wood, to coal and wood, followed by coal and petroleum (including vehicle emissions) over the past 200 years. We find that PAH records also show similar trend to domestic economy and the estimated regional Anthropocene CO2 emissions from industrial activities, suggesting sedimentary PAH fluxes could be used as an indirect and qualitative proxy to track the trend for regional anthropogenic CO2 emissions.

Chemotaxonomic variation in volatile component contents and their correlation between climate factors in Chinese prickly ash peels (Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim.).

In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of volatile compounds of Chinese prickly ash peels with different climate conditions and their correlation. The data revealed that the contents of limonene and linalool in peels from southwest and northwest regions were higher, and the aroma was stronger, while the contents of ß-myrcene and (E)-ocimene in them from north, east and central China were higher, and the spicy flavor was heavier. Hierarchical cluster analysis demonstrated that the classification had geographical continuity. Through the correlation analysis and path analysis, it was found that the contents of volatile compounds were closely related to the climatic factors. The influence of wind speed and annual average temperature on volatile substances was greater than that of annual average precipitation and annual sunshine duration. This enriched the effect of climatic factors on the accumulation of volatile substances, and promoted the agriculture practices in area having similar climate conditions.

Vertical profiles and contamination assessments of heavy metals in sediment cores from typical intertidal zones in northern China.

The concentrations of 7 heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, As and Hg) were analysed in 12 sediment cores collected from 6 typical intertidal zones in northern China. The data reveal that the environmental quality of the northern Chinese intertidal environment has gradually improved and that the concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, As and Hg averaged over all sediments were 29.2, 25.8, 78.5, 72.2, 0.168, 10.7 and 0.044 mg/kg, respectively. The results of the geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor methods demonstrate that most of the sediments in the intertidal zone in northern China have good environmental quality, although some areas are contaminanted, including the Yangtze River Estuary, which is seriously contaminanted. According to sediment quality guidelines, the heavy metal concentrations in the sediments in the 6 typical intertidal zones in this survey are categorized as having moderate impacts with potential adverse biotoxic effects.

Investigation of submarine groundwater discharge and associated nutrient inputs into Laizhou Bay (China) using radium quartet.

Radium is widely used to estimate flushing time, submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), and submarine fresh groundwater discharge (SFGD), however there are important sources of uncertainty in current methods. Here an improved method is proposed, incorporating all radium quartet information to estimate flushing time, SFGD, SGD, and associated nutrient fluxes during wet and dry seasons in Laizhou Bay, China. Both SGD and SFGD in dry season are comparable to that in wet season, likely due to higher groundwater hydraulic gradients resulting from higher groundwater table and lower mean sea level in dry season. Estimated dry and wet season SFGD are of the same order of magnitude as the annually-averaged Yellow River discharge, highlighting SFGD's importance to the bay environment. Nutrient inputs into Laizhou Bay were estimated for the wet season, suggesting that SGD-derived nutrients are indeed important and significant for coastal environments compared to local river discharge estimates.

Evolutionary process of saline-water intrusion in Holocene and Late Pleistocene groundwater in southern Laizhou Bay.

Saline water intrusion is one of the most serious groundwater problems in southern Laizhou Bay. In this study, formation of groundwater with different qualities and saline water intrusion were analyzed using hydrochemical and stable isotopic methods, and the Hydrochemical Facies Evolution Diagram (HFE-Diagram). The results demonstrate that the structure of the sedimentary layer in this area is the dominant controlling factor of groundwater distribution. From the south (land) to the north (sea), the hydrochemical distribution presents a regular changing pattern following the order: HCO3-Na·Mg and HCO3·Cl-Mg·Ca (fresh water), HCO3·Cl-Na·Mg (brackish water), Cl-Na·Mg (saline water), Cl-Na (saline water) and Cl·HCO3-Na (brackish water). Hydrochemical data show that saline water and brine are not the result of evaporation or the concentration of seawater. Brackish water and saline water with low mineralization in Holocene groundwater are formed by the mixing of fresh water and highly mineralized saline water, dissolution of evaporates by meteoric water, and water/salt interaction. And the saline water formed through dissolution of evaporates in Holocene and Late Pleistocene groundwater. Isotopic results reveal that the main recharge of saline water in Holocene groundwater and Late Pleistocene groundwater is a combination of the meteoric water and lateral recharge from rivers. Saline water intrusion was found to follow a wedge-shaped intrusion pattern. Significant variations in Cl- and Na+indicate saline intrusion in the southern area. The degree of saline water intrusion in Holocene groundwater was found to be more serious than that in Late Pleistocene groundwater. Hydrochemical data and HFE-Diagram show that there is an intrusion process in Holocene groundwater. In this process, it is accepted the fresh water recharge, such as meteoric water and lateral recharge from rivers. In Late Pleistocene groundwater, it presents a simple intrusion process from saline water to fresh water.

Surface sediment properties and heavy metal pollution assessment in the near-shore area, north Shandong Peninsula.

Samples of surface sediment were collected off the north Shandong Peninsula for grain size and element analyses. Based on the grain size analysis, the surface sediments were dominated by silt and sand, with a small portion of clay, and were probably from the coastal erosion of the Shandong Peninsula. The spatial distribution patterns of the heavy metals were primarily controlled by the sediment types. The geo-accumulation indexes suggest that there was no Cu, Zn and Cr pollution in the study area; Pb and Cd contaminations appeared only at a few stations, while As pollution was distributed widely. The enrichment factors indicated that Cu, Zn and Cr were primarily from terrigenous materials. By contrast, Cd, Pb and As, and especially Cd and As, were probably largely provided by anthropogenic sources. Due to the dilution of coarse-grained matters, there was no contamination at some of the stations at which the influence of human activities was obvious.

Sediment properties and trace metal pollution assessment in surface sediments of the Laizhou Bay, China.

Spatial distribution, ecological risk, pollutant source, and transportation of trace metals in surface sediments, as well as the sediment properties, were analyzed in this study to assess the pollution status of trace metal in the Laizhou Bay, China. Results of provenance analyses indicate that surface sediments were primarily from weathering products carried by the surrounding short rivers and partially from loess matters carried by the Yellow River. Variations of trace metal concentrations were mostly controlled by the accumulation of weathering products, organic matters, and the hydrodynamics. Geoaccumulation index suggests that no Cr pollution occurred in the study area, and Cu, Pb, and Zn pollutions appeared only at a few stations. Comparatively, Cd and As pollutions were at noticeably weak to moderate level at many stations. The combination of six trace metals in this study had a 21% probability of being toxic in our study area based on sediment quality guidelines. Enrichment factors (EFs) and statistical analyses indicate that Cu, Pb, and Zn were primarily derived from the natural process of weathering. By contrast, Cd, As, and Cr (especially Cd and As) were provided by the anthropogenic activities to a large extent. Due to the dilution of coarse-grained sediments, there was even no contamination at some of stations that were obviously influenced by humans. Based on the current study of transportation process of fine-grained sediments in combination with the spatial distribution of EFs, it is found that the migration of anthropogenic trace metals was mainly controlled by the tide in the Laizhou Bay. The study suggests that an effective strategies and remedial measures should be designed and undertaken to prevent further anthropogenic Cd and As pollutions in this area in the future.

Carcinogenic and mutagenic potencies for different PAHs sources in coastal sediments of Shandong Peninsula.

In this study, sources of PAHs in coastal sediments of Shandong Peninsula were apportioned using the chemical mass balance (CMB) model, and source apportionment of carcinogenic and mutagenic potencies was conducted combining CMB with the formula of benzo(a)pyrene carcinogenic equivalent (BaPTEQ) and BaP mutagenic equivalent (BaPMEQ) concentration. Total concentrations of sixteen PAHs in sediment ranged from 181.2 ng g(-1) to 303.6 ng g(-1), and concentrations of eight carcinogenic PAHs (cPAHs) varied from 98.8 ng g(-1) to 141.1 ng g(-1). The BaP played a dominant role for carcinogenic and mutagenic potencies of PAHs, although the IND showed the highest concentration level. The vehicular sources made the highest contribution to BaPTEQ (57.7%) and BaPMEQ (55.5%), while petrogenic source, the highest contributor for PAHs (39.4%), provided the lowest contribution to BaPTEQ (1.1%) and BaPMEQ (1.5%). Besides, the ecotoxicological evaluation, based on Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs), showed low ecological risks generally.

[Effects of tillage and mulching on orchard soil moisture content and temperature in Loess Plateau].

A field experiment was conducted to study the effects of different tillage system (no-tillage, rotary tillage, and plow tillage) and mulching (straw mulch, sod mulch, and film mulch) on the orchard soil moisture content and temperature in Loess Plateau. Under different tillage system, the soil moisture content in 0-1 m layer differed significantly in May, with the sequence of no-tillage (14.28%) > rotary tillage (14.13%) > plow tillage (13.57%), but had less difference in September. Straw mulch induced significantly higher soil moisture content than sod mulch, film mulch, and no-mulch. Among the treatments tillage plus mulching, no-tillage plus straw mulch resulted in the greatest soil water storage. The average soil temperature at daytime was in order of film mulch > no-mulch > sod mulch > straw mulch, and the change range of soil temperature was no-mulch > film mulch > sod mulch > straw mulch. Soil water storage under different mulching treatments was not always negatively correlated with soil temperature, but depended on the water conservation effect and heat-preserved capacity of mulching material. Above all, the main conservation tillage system for the orchards in Loess Plateau would be no tillage plus straw mulch.