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River water irrigation is used to reduce soil salinity in the reed fields of the Shuangtai Estuary Wetland in Northeast China to improve the reed quality for paper industry; however, quantitative effects of this approach have not yet been investigated. In this study, the effect of irrigation was investigated by conducting comprehensive field observations and numerical simulations, and the necessary irrigation water volume was determined. The field observations included determination of (1) the relation between surface soil salinity and reed yield; (2) vertical profile of soil salinity before and after the irrigation period; and (3) variation of depth and salinity of the standing water during irrigation and the rate of rainwater interception by reed leaves. Our findings suggested that (1) the reed yield decreased remarkably when the surface soil salinity exceeded 5‰ and (2) irrigation could reduce salinity to below this level. From our observations, water budget in the irrigated reed fields was evaluated. A numerical model was constructed to simulate the salinity reduction process by assuming that the salinity flux across the ground surface was proportional to the salinity difference between the standing water and the surface soil. The model parameters were calibrated using the results of observation (3) such that the model successfully reproduced the observed time series of standing water salinity. A series of numerical experiments were performed using the model to determine the irrigation water volume necessary for sufficient soil salinity reduction. The results suggested that soil salinity reduction depended greatly on rainfall during the reed growth period. Further, an initial irrigation depth of about 20 cm was sufficient for lowering the salinity to 5‰ even during rainfall shortage that occurred every 10 years on an average. Replacing the saline standing water before intensive rainfall events with rainwater was found to be an effective approach to lower the surface soil salinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) pose a significant global concern, requiring a multifaceted approach to their risk assessment procedures, especially concerning their characteristics in the environment. The Horqin Left Middle Banner in Northeast China was chosen for the research region to investigate the abundance, composition, distribution, and ecological impact of MPs in surface agricultural soils. The concentrations of MPs ranged from 300 to 12800 items/kg, with a median concentration of 1550 items/kg (average = 1994 items/kg). The normal-sized MPs (500–5000 µm) had a higher relative abundance than small MPs (<500 µm). MPs were mainly derived from textiles and packaging and were affected by atmospheric transportation. Rayon and PET fibers were the main polymers identified. Furthermore, the potential environmental risks posed by the fundamental characteristics (abundance, chemical composition, and size) of MPs were quantified using multiple risk assessment models. The conditional fragmentation model indicated a propensity for MPs to degrade into smaller particles. Ecological risk assessments using pollution load index, pollution hazard index, and potential ecological risk index models revealed varying levels of risk. This study conducted a comprehensive assessment of the ecological risks of MPs based on their environmental characteristics, emphasizing the importance of considering multiple factors in the risk assessment process. This study investigates the occurrence, distribution, and ecological risk of microplastics (MPs) in agricultural soils of the Northeast Plain of China, a major food production area. MPs are persistent organic pollutants that can pose threats to soil health, crop quality, and food security. By analyzing the composition, size, and source of MPs, as well as their fragmentation and stability in soil, this study provides valuable data for assessing the environmental risk of MPs in agricultural regions. The study also suggests strategies for mitigating MPs pollution and protecting soil ecosystems. [Display omitted] • Evaluated the occurrence, distribution, and risks of MPs based on their properties. • Most MPs are normal-sized (>500 µm) and tend to break into smaller pieces. • MPs mainly derived from textiles and packaging (Rayon and PET, and coated paper). • The featured high-risk sites are mainly caused by polyacrylonitrile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper proposes a multi-dimensional assessment framework for cropland use stability. • Multi-dimensional cropland use characteristics present significant spatial differentiation. • Cropland stability in Northeast China Plain and Loess Plateau is the highest and lowest. • Urbanization will lead to about 9.31% of high-stability cropland losses in 2030. • Integrating landscape stability and national planning can draft a sustainable-oriented strategy. Shifting to more sustainable use can curb cropland resource degradation and improve production resilience. However, most cropland use assessments are unilaterally focused on biophysical levels and productivity, ignoring the multi-dimensional aspects of degraded cropland. This study attempts to describe cropland use stability in China by proposing a multi-dimensional assessment framework (including quantity, quality, management, service, and risk) to provide a reference for designing land degradation-neutral strategies. Results show that multi-dimensional cropland use characteristics present significant spatial heterogeneity. Western regions are reserve resource agglomerations that can replenish cropland quantity. In contrast, main grain-producing areas cover most current resources with preferably cultivation quality, management efficiency, and ecosystem services, while risk resistance is weak (especially in Middle-lower Yangtze Plain). Generally, the stability of cropland use in Northeast Plain is the highest and in Loess Plateau the lowest. Besides, urbanization will occupy about 9.31% of the high-stability cropland in 2030, of which 70.29% will occur in Northeast Plain and Huang-Huai-Hai Plain. The total potential productivity loss in Huang-Huai-Hai Plain alone will reach 100.1 kt, equivalent to supplying the food demand of 199,200 people annually. Therefore, a sustainable-oriented refined cropland management strategy should be designed according to the hierarchical nested spatial layout of comprehensive planning-stability map-multi-dimensional utilization characteristics to ensure the loss-replenishment balance and stable production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) of topsoil could be greatly affected by the conversion of grassland to cropland (CGC) due to vegetation harvesting and soil erosion. However, few studies have evaluated the effects of these changes in the subsoil and distinguished its main controls at the regional scale. This paper investigated the total changes in the SOC stock (SOC S) and TN stock (TN S) of soils from 0 to 30 cm and 0–100 cm in depth over the past three decades in the Songnen Plain, China, a typical Mollisol region. The CGC resulted in a moderate loss of topsoil C and N but an increase in subsoil C and N, and the soil mapping results showed that approximately 7.47 × 1011 kg C and 1.51 × 1011 kg N were accumulated during the past three decades. Prediction uncertainty was assessed by 100 model runs with random jackknife partitions, and high uncertainty was found in the areas with rapidly changing SOC S and TN S levels. Our findings indicated that subsoil should be considered in the estimation of the SOC S and TN S at the regional scale. The SOC S and TN S of the CGC areas were anticipated to increase after long-term cultivation. In view of ongoing cropland expansion, up-to-date land use and soil type data are vital for selecting monitoring sites and understanding long-term soil evolution at the regional scale. Highlights • Conversion of grassland to cropland led to a moderate loss of topsoil C and N, but an increase in C and N in subsoil. • Subsoil should be considered for the estimation of SOC and TN stocks at the regional scale. • The SOC and TN stocks of recent cultivated soils were anticipated to increase after a long term cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Straw bale buildings have the potential reduce the environmental impact of construction. Although the technique has been introduced into northern China more than a decade ago, the construction method and potential problems within straw bale walls have not been fully understood in existing research. Following an analysis of existing straw bale construction both in north China and worldwide, this paper proposes modifications to the straw bale construction details currently used in north China. The modifications involve in-fill raw material, toe-up design and lime render application. These modifications were incorporated into an experimental building constructed in north China, and after having been monitored for 12 months, the modified construction details were critically assessed. The data demonstrate that rice straw bale walls are resistant to agents of decay and offer reduced construction time and cost than standard wall construction in north China. The construction method has the potential to become a mature construction system in the Chinese market in the future offering significant benefits both in construction and operational cost and in environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing severity and intensity of harmful algal blooms (HABs) are of great concern to public health and a threat to ecosystems and have become a global problem in recent decades. Most of the related studies in China have been focused on low-latitude areas, such as Lake Taihu, Chaohu, and Dianchi. However, little attention has been devoted to algal blooms in Northeast China. As a significant Chinese commodity grain production base, the non-point source pollution deteriorated along with the grain production increasing year by year. In fact, the HABs in the little researched Northeast China were exceedingly serious. From 1982 to 2016, there was a total of 271 out of 2186 feasible Landsat images found HABs. The annual total frequencies of the detected HABs increased in fluctuation from 0 in 1982 to 11 times in 2016, and the highest frequency was observed twice, in 2010 and 2014, and was 29 times in both years. The number of lakes and reservoirs detected HABs and the annual sum of normalized HABs area also increased obviously. The tendency was almost coherent with the rising temperature, reduced wind speed, and declining atmospheric pressure. The R 2 and p-value between the annual frequency and the three meteorological indices were (0.274, <0.005), (0.553, <0.0001), and (0.073, 0.126), respectively. Besides, as anthropogenic influence indicators in this paper, we selected fertilizer application amount, industrial wastewater and municipal sewage discharge amount, land use type in 1986, 2000, and 2010. We comprehensively considered lacustrine morphologies and hydrological hydrodynamics and analyzed the driving factors of the spatiotemporal distribution pattern of HABs in Northeast China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the frequent irrigation and excessive fertilization during the rice production in China, diffuse nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) pollution from paddy fields has become a serious environment problem and poses great challenges to national water and food security. Considering the regional heterogeneities of climate, cultivation types and cropping systems of rice planting, many water management strategies have been proposed and implemented to control diffuse N and P pollution. However, the water management optimization at different scales (the field scale, the watershed scale and national scale) is lack of comprehensive analyzed. Here, this paper summarized the characteristics of frequent-used water managements and recommended the optimal water managements after identifying the critical risk periods of diffuse N and P runoff losses at the field scale. The effects of water management optimization on diffuse N and P pollution control at the watershed and national scale were also synthetically reviewed. The results indicated that optimized field water management decreased irrigation water use (38.7–40.0%) and reduced diffuse pollution (25.5–38.8%) without significantly compromising rice yield security (−4.20 to 6.5%). The critical risk periods of diffuse pollution were pre-flooding in the Northeast Plain, pre-flooding, regreening stage for transplanting rice (the seeding-three leaf stage for direct seeding rice) and within 2 weeks after topdressing fertilization in the Yangtze River Basin and Southeast Coast in China. The corresponding water managements for these periods has been proposed after considering the climate, precipitation and fertilization characteristics. Ditches and ponds intercepted water and nutrients and mitigated 6.0–39.0% N and P runoff losses in paddy field watersheds. Furthermore, the extensive implementation of paddy water management optimization (paddy fields, ditches and ponds) combined with other advanced agricultural measures, for example, fertilization optimization, would decrease diffuse N and P pollution by 40.7–80.8% at the watershed scale and 44.7–88.1% at the national scale, respectively. This research provided great insights into the specific characteristics of paddy water managements from the fields, watershed and national scale, proposed optimal water management strategies for the realization of sustainable rice production in China, and also summarized the emerging development trends for future research directions. [Display omitted] • Optimal paddy water managements at field, watershed and national scales were analyzed. • Optimal water managements were proposed for critical risk periods at field scale. • Future emerging prospects of paddy water managements from different scales were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In their recent paper, ; Anti-phase oscillation of Asian monsoons during the Younger Dryas period: Evidence from peat cellulose δ13C of Hani, Northeast China, Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 297, 214–222) discuss bulk peat sample cellulose δ13C data from a fen in northeast China as a proxy for East Asian summer monsoon intensity during the Late Glacial period. Based on their own results, cited papers, and an extensive re-interpretation of sedimentological and palynological data from nearby Lake Sihailongwan, construct a hypothesis of contrasting moisture conditions in northern and southern China, with wet conditions in the north during the Younger Dryas period and an anti-phase behaviour of Indian- and East Asian summer monsoon intensity. However, we do not approve of the re-interpretation of our Lake Sihailongwan data by and must strongly reject it. We show here that neither the fen data, nor the Lake Sihailongwan data or any other cited data allow for the sound assumption of an intensified East Asian summer monsoon in northeastern China during the Younger Dryas. The Late Glacial variability of the fen data found by can be easily explained by changes in the plant assemblage down core and thus by the composition of the peat. Furthermore, the use of bulk peat cellulose δ13C data as a precipitation proxy remains unproven for that area. Hence, there is no basis for a model contrasting Indian and East Asian summer monsoons during that period. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

NE China is the easternmost part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The area is distinguished by widespread occurrence of Phanerozoic granitic rocks. In the companion paper (Part I), we established the Jurassic ages (184–137 Ma) for three granitic plutons: Xinhuatun, Lamashan and Yiershi. We also used geochemical data to argue that these rocks are highly fractionated I-type granites. In this paper, we present Sr–Nd–O isotope data of the three plutons and 32 additional samples to delineate the nature of their source, to determine the proportion of mantle to crustal components in the generation of the voluminous granitoids and to discuss crustal growth in the Phanerozoic.Despite their difference in emplacement age, Sr–Nd isotopic analyses reveal that these Jurassic granites have common isotopic characteristics. They all have low initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7045±0.0015), positive &epsiv;Nd(T) values (+1.3 to +2.8), and young Sm–Nd model ages (720–840 Ma). These characteristics are indicative of juvenile nature for these granites. Other Late Paleozoic to Mesozoic granites in this region also show the same features. Sr–Nd and oxygen isotopic data suggest that the magmatic evolution of the granites can be explained in terms of two-stage processes: (1) formation of parental magmas by melting of a relatively juvenile crust, which is probably a mixed lithology formed by pre-existing lower crust intruded or underplated by mantle-derived basaltic magma, and (2) extensive magmatic differentiation of the parental magmas in a slow cooling environment.The widespread distribution of juvenile granitoids in NE China indicates a massive transfer of mantle material to the crust in a post-orogenic tectonic setting. Several recent studies have documented that juvenile granitoids of Paleozoic to Mesozoic ages are ubiquitous in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, hence suggesting a significant growth of the continental crust in the Phanerozoic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Paleozoic to early Mesozoic tectonic framework and evolution of Northeast China, especially the Jiamusi block and its related structural belts, are highly debated. In this paper, geochemical, geochronological and isotopic analyses were carried out on the blueschist in the Heilongjiang Complex to address these issues. The Heilongjiang Complex defines the suture belt between the Jiamusi block and the Songliao block in NE China, and the blueschist is a major composition for this complex, coexisting with mafic-ultramafic rocks, greenschist, quartzite and mica schist. The blueschist has a mineral association of sodic amphibole, epidote, chlorite, phengite, albite and quartz with accessory phases of apatite, titanite, zircon and ilmenite. Together with the lithological association, the major and trace element compositions present that the protoliths of the blueschist can be divided into the alkaline and tholeiitic basalts and have OIB affinities, formed in an ocean island setting, indicated by the (La/Yb) N values of 3.57 – 11.54, and the (La/Sm) N values of 0.69 – 3.64. The high and positive ε Nd (t) values of + 3.7 to + 9.0, and relative enrichment in Nb (vs. Th) and Ta (vs. U) show that both the alkaline and tholeiitic basalts may be derived from the asthenospheric mantle with insignificant crustal contamination. Magmatic zircons from the blueschist in Yilan area yield a 206 Pb/ 238 U age of 281 ± 3 Ma, interpreted as its protolithic age. The youngest ages of ~ 200 Ma of the detrital zircons in the associated mica schist from Mudanjiang area place constraints on the timing of metamorphism for the blueschist. These indicate that a big ocean existed between the Jiamusi and Songliao blocks at least since the early Permian, and the blueschist formed since the late Triassic to late Jurassic by the subduction of this ocean. Such an ocean during the Permian – Jurassic is difficult to be interpreted by the tectonic evolution of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A gathering pipeline in a gas field in Northeast China transporting mainly natural gas and also some water and sands was welded using two 20G pipes with different wall thicknesses. The internal corrosion of this pipeline was inhomogeneous. The unequal wall thickness welded joint suffered more serious corrosion damage than did other parts of the pipe and was found to fail during routine maintenance. In this paper, the corrosion damage at this joint was studied based on inhomogeneity. Internal and external factors affecting corrosion, such as the mechanical and electrochemical properties of materials, stress distribution at the joint, and the flow condition in the pipe, and their combined action were investigated. Failure attribution was performed on this basis. Specifically, a hardness test was conducted on different zones of the joint, including the base metal (BM), heat-affected zone (HAZ) and weld metal (WM), to investigate the abrasive wear resistance at the joint. Microstructures of the three zones were characterized by optical microscopy. The morphology and composition of the corrosion film covering the inner surface of the welded joint were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Potentiodynamic polarization experiments and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were conducted on samples from the three zones to investigate their electrochemical performances. Moreover, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was performed to obtain the flow condition near the joint, and a finite element method (FEM) was used to calculate the stress distribution at the joint. The results showed that the internal corrosion mechanism of the pipeline was CO 2 corrosion accelerated by detrimental Cl − . The geometric discontinuity of the welded joint was the main cause of the accelerated corrosion damage at the joint. The change in wall thickness of the welded pipe not only produced gas vortices but also led to stress concentration. Both of these conditions can further accelerate corrosion by destroying the protectiveness of the corrosion film. It is suggested that the corrosion can be prevented by eliminating the inhomogeneities of fluid flow and stress distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riverine source-bordering sand dunes, as a result of active fluvial–aeolian interactions, are a pronounced feature on the semiarid Xiliaohe Plain, Northeast China. By means of satellite imagery analysis, and both field survey and observation, this paper presents a new type of riverine source-bordering sand dunes — deflated rims, on the downwind margins of the Xiangshui River. They largely result from the deflation of escarpments on the downwind side of valley by local prevailing winds of NW direction, not from the reworking of point bars on floodplain by wind. In general, a rim is primarily composed of three distinct zones: 1) the upwind frontal escarpment zone with variable plan-form shape, gradient and relief, which is formed by either active lateral erosion by river or significant erosion by wind and transient slope runoff; 2) the deflation zone with gentle slopes of 8–18° and small-scale aeolian bedforms, i.e. ripples of fine sand, ridges of coarse sand; and 3) the downwind dynamic deposition zone with distinctive bedforms with variable superficial texture and slip faces. The sand mass on rims derives overwhelmingly from underlying loose late Quaternary sediments, is sufficient and sustainable by successive retreats of the escarpment, and is gradually transported downwind by pulse motions of bedforms, coupled with high wind events. Essentially, deflated rims are a starting point and the incipient phase of mature riverine dunefields. The superimposed bedforms on rims are fundamentally governed by windflow dynamics, sand sediments and antecedent bedform, exhibiting in turn the manner and intensity of rim development. Consequently, the upwind river valley and downwind deflated rim can jointly stimulate marked wave-like motion of both windflow and aeolian bedforms at different scales, especially when high wind events occur. This study sheds some light on the understanding of the origin and development of riverine source-bordering dunefields, and offers new insights into the mechanisms of fluvial–aeolian interactions on drylands worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two main processing methods for crop residue in Northeast China are stove burning for house heating and open burning as a waste product. Neither method is appropriate, as large amounts of pollutants released. This paper, therefore, proposes biomass boilers as a source for rural district heating. In a rural area in Northeast China, the PM 2.5 dispersions by the aforementioned three methods were simulated using the AERMOD model and the environmental impacts were assessed. The results show that the maximum peak concentration (MPC) is 1248 μg/m 3 for stove burning and 90,602 μg/m 3 for open burning; the general average concentration (GAC) is 345 μg/m 3 for stove burning and 1897 μg/m 3 for open burning. These concentration levels greatly exceed the thresholds established by China, the USA, and the WHO. However, the MPC for biomass boilers is only 2.76 μg/m 3 , a 99.78% and 99.99% decrease from the stove burning and open burning methods, respectively. The GAC for biomass boilers is 1.3 μg/m 3 , a decrease of 99.62% and 99.93%, respectively. Meteorological characteristics greatly influence the dispersion patterns of pollutants. In summary, replacing household heating stoves with biomass boilers is a bio-energy utilization method worth implementing widely to substantially improve the local atmospheric environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Located in the east section of the Central Asian orogen in northeastern China, the Xilamulun district comprises several newly discovered molybdenum deposits, primarily of porphyry type and Mesozoic ages. This district is divided by the Xilamulun fault into the southern and the northern parts. In this paper, we present new zircon U–Pb dating, trace elements and Hf isotope, and/or whole rock Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic results for the host granitoids from three Mo deposits (Yangchang, Haisugou and Shabutai) in northern Xilamulun. Our aim is to constrain the age and petrogenesis of these intrusions and their implications for Mo mineralization. Zircon U–Pb LA-ICP-MS dating shows that the monzogranites from the Shabutai and Yangchang deposits formed at 138.4 ± 1.5 and 137.4 ± 2.1 Ma, respectively, which is identical to the molybdenite Re–Os ages and coeval well with the other Mo deposits in this region, thereby indicating an Early Cretaceous magmatism and Mo mineralization event. Zircon Ce/Nd ratios from the mineralized intrusions are significantly higher than the barren granites, implying that the mineralization-related magmas are characterized by higher oxygen fugacity. These mineralized intrusions share similar zircon in-situ Hf and whole rock Sr–Nd isotopic compositions, with slightly negative to positive ε Hf (t) ranging from − 0.8 to + 10.0, restricted ε Nd (t) values from − 3.7 to + 1.6 but a little variable ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) i ratios between 0.7021 and 0.7074, indicative of formation from primary magmas generated from a dominantly juvenile lower crust source derived from depleted mantle, despite diverse consequent processes (e.g., magma mixing, fractional crystallization and crustal contamination) during their evolution. The Pb isotopes (whole rock) also show a narrow range of initial compositions, with ( 206 Pb/ 204 Pb) i = 18.03–18.88, ( 207 Pb/ 204 Pb) i = 15.48–15.58 and ( 208 Pb/ 204 Pb) i = 37.72–38.28, in agreement with Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes reflecting the dominance of a mantle component. An integration of geochronological and isotopic data points to three stages of Mo mineralization events (i.e., Triassic, Late Jurassic, and Early Cretaceous) associated with magmas generated from three different source regions in the Xilamulun district, NE China. The variation in the origin of the magmas from which the porphyry Mo systems were generated suggests that the formation of Mo deposit lies not in the composition of magma sources. Other factors, including high magma oxygen fugacity, may have taken a fundamental role in Mo enrichment and subsequent mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To learn the effects of climate change on cultivation patterns of spring maize and its suitability will benefit the strategic decisions for future agricultural adaptation. In this paper, based on the daily data from 68 meteorological stations and 82 agro-meteorological observation stations in Northeast China between 1961 and 2010, the cultivation pattern of spring maize and its climatic suitability in Northeast China were investigated. The agricultural climatic suitability theory was applied. The specific growth phases of spring maize that were most sensitive to environmental limitations were further divided into four stages: from germination to emergence, from emergence to jointing, from jointing to tasseling, and from tasseling to maturity. The average resource suitability index ( I sr ) was established to evaluate the effects. Higher values of I sr indicate a higher degree of climatic resource suitability. Over the past five decades, the northern planting boundaries of different maturities (late, medium-late, medium, medium-early and early) of spring maize varieties in Northeast China all markedly extended northward and eastward. Of all the varieties, the medium-late maturity variety had the most expanded planting area. This further illustrated the importance of promoting medium-late range heat-tolerant cultivars of spring maize in reducing the unfavorable effect of climate change in the near future in Northeast China. In addition, the most significant extension was found in the early 21st century. Moreover, the southern planting boundaries of unsuitable planting spring maize areas continually compressed northward from the Tonghe County of Heilongjiang Province (128°49′, 46°21′) to the Huma County of Heilongjiang Province (124°11′, 51°26′). Climate change affected not only the planting patterns of spring maize, but also the climatic suitability of spring maize. Significant temporal and spatial changes of I sr from 1961 to 2010 were found. The I sr showed increasing trends, which increased by 0.19 in Heilongjiang Province, 0.16 in Jilin Province and 0.12 in Liaoning Province. Spatial differences of I sr were obvious, with high values shifting northeastward over the past 50 years, indicating more efficient suitability of agricultural climatic resources in Northeast China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mongol–Okhotsk suture belt played an important role in the tectonic evolution of northeast Asia during the Mesozoic. However, few studies have examined the influence of this tectonic belt on the geological evolution of northeast China. In this paper, we present zircon U–Pb geochronology, major and trace element geochemistry, and zircon Hf–O isotopic data for Early Jurassic volcanic rocks in the Erguna Massif of northeast China, with the aim of constraining the evolution of the Mongol–Okhotsk suture belt and its influence on the tectonic history of China during the Early Jurassic. Zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the trachybasalt and basaltic andesite in the study area were erupted between 193 ± 5 Ma and 181 ± 9 Ma (i.e., in the Early Jurassic). These Early Jurassic volcanic rocks belong to the high-K calc-alkaline series and are enriched in large ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements, as well as being depleted in heavy rare earth elements and high field strength elements such as Nb and Ta. The rocks show a small negative Eu anomaly. The zircon εHf (182 Ma) values of the volcanic rocks range from − 1.9 to + 5.1, corresponding to T DM1 values of 640–901 Ma and T DM2 values of 901–1345 Ma. Zircons from two volcanic rocks yield δ 18 O values of 7.2‰ ± 1.5‰ (n = 19) and 6.6‰ ± 0.7‰ (n = 35). Geochemically, these Early Jurassic volcanic rocks are similar to those from active continental margin settings, and their primary magmas could have been derived from the partial melting of a lithospheric mantle wedge modified by fluid from a subducted slab. The discovery of Early Jurassic calc-alkaline volcanic rocks in the Erguna Massif, together with the coeval porphyry Cu–Mo deposits, indicates that an active continental margin existed in the Erguna area during the Early Jurassic. Taken together, we conclude that southward subduction of the Mongol–Okhotsk oceanic plate took place beneath the Erguna Massif during the Early Jurassic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship among the population, economy and water resources is complex, and the contradictions and conflicts will appear and aggravate with the rapid development of economy and society in Northeast China. Based on the statistical analysis of the available data, this paper depicted the static distribution characteristics of the population, economy and water resources of Northeast China in 2011. It was found that the spatial distribution of the population, economy and water resources was unbalanced in Northeast China. The water resources mismatched with the population and economy. The population and economy were relatively dense and developed in the southwestern part of Northeast China respectively, while the water resources was relatively scarce. However, the situations in the northern part of Northeast China were opposite to those in the southwestern part. The population-economy inconsistence indexes of the cities in northern part of Northeast China showed a significant trend of spatial aggregation and heterogeneity. The cities with lower (<1.5) and higher (>1) inconsistence indexes all faced the problem of water resources shortage. Applying geometric gravity center method and grey correlation model, the result indicated that there was relatively high spatial relevance and the relative deviation among the spatial dynamic distributions of the population, economy and water resources was large. The gravity centers of economy and per capita average annual total water resources moved westward, while the gravity center of population gravity center moved eastward in the period of 1997–2011 in Northeast China. It must be noted that, the migration trend of the economy gravity center was more significant than those of the population and water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports new zircon LA–ICP–MS and SIMS U–Pb ages and Hf isotope data, and whole-rock major and trace element data for Late Triassic igneous rocks of eastern Heilongjiang Province, NE China. These data provide new insights into the timing of the initiation of subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian continent. The zircon U–Pb age data indicate that a suite of Late Triassic (228–202 Ma) igneous rocks is present within the Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif and within the western margin of the Khanka Massif. The Late Triassic igneous rocks within the Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif consist of basalts, basaltic andesites, gabbro-diabases, and rhyolites, whereas coeval igneous rocks in the western margin of the Khanka Massif consist of hornblende gabbros and syenogranitic porphyries. These Late Triassic rocks constitute a geochemically bimodal igneous rock association that contains mafic rocks enriched in light rare earth elements (LREE) and large ion lithophile elements (LILE), and depleted in heavy rare earth elements (HREE) and high field strength elements (HFSE) such as Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, and Ti. Zircons from these mafic rocks have ε Hf ( t ) values and T DM1 ages of +2.8 to +9.8 and 477–733 Ma, respectively, suggesting that they formed from a primary magma generated by the partial melting of depleted lithospheric mantle material that had been previously modified by subduction-related fluids. The coeval felsic rocks are characterized by enrichments in LREEs and LILEs, and depletions in HREEs and HFSEs (including Nb, Ta, and Ti), and their zircons have ε Hf ( t ) values and T DM2 ages of +0.6 to +7.9 and 766 to 1461 Ma, respectively, implying that these rocks were generated during the partial melting of juvenile crustal material. The Late Triassic bimodal igneous rocks in eastern Heilongjiang Province, combined with the regional geologic information, therefore record a post-orogenic extensional environment related to the final late Permian–Early Triassic closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. In addition, the presence of Late Triassic bimodal igneous rocks within the eastern margin of the Eurasian continent suggests that the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian continent began after the Late Triassic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We undertook zircon U-Pb dating and geochemical analyses of volcanic rocks from the Baiyingaolao Formation in the central Great Xing'an Range, northeastern China, with an aim to determine their age, petrogenesis and sources, which are important for understanding the Late Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the eastern section of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Lithologically, the Baiyingaolao Formation is composed mainly of rhyolites and rhyolitic tuffs, with minor trachy dacites. The zircons from three rhyolitic tuffs and two rhyolites are euhedral-subhedral in shape, display fine-scale oscillatory growth zoning and have high Th/U ratios (0.72-2.60), indicating a magmatic origin. The results of LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating indicate that the volcanic rocks from the Baiyingaolao Formation in the study area formed during the Early Cretaceous time with ages of 134-130 Ma. Petrological and geochemical characteristics of these volcanic rocks suggest that they are all highly fractionated I-type igneous rocks, and their parental magmas were likely derived from the partial melting of lower crustal materials with plagioclase, hornblende and apatite as the residual phases. In addition, the volcanics sampled in this paper, tectonically located in the Xing'an terrain, have high initial 176Hf/177Hf ratios (0.282770-0.283035) and positive εHf(t) values (2.42-11.96), combined with young Hf two-stage model ages of 1134-541 Ma, reflecting that the crustal growth of the Xing'an terrain occurred during Neoproterozoic and Phanerozoic times. These data, combined with previous studies on the contemporaneous magma-tectonic activities in NE China, suggest that the generation of the Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks in the central Great Xing'an Range was related to the lithospheric delamination caused by the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The concept of Pacific slab subduction has been advocated in many popular models as the main cause for lithospheric delamination in the eastern part of the North China Craton since Mesozoic. This process is considered to have induced extensional tectonics generating the Songliao Basin and widespread magma intrusion and eruption. In this paper, we used H-κ and CCP (common-conversion-point) stacking technique of receiver function to characterize the crustal structure and upper mantle discontinuities in this region. Seismic evidence from our results present a different perspective suggesting mantle plume, continental rifting process and magmatic underplating in this region. A projection of the proposed plume onto the surface overlaps with the locations of the lithosphere and crustal thinning as well as the mafic–ultramafic domains. We therefore propose that an upwelling mantle plume and related extension might have been the main trigger for the formation of the Mesozoic Songliao Basin in NE China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we present new zircon U–Pb dating, Hf isotope, major and trace elements, and Sr–Nd isotope data for Early–Middle Triassic intrusive rocks in the Erguna Massif of NE China, in the eastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Our aim is to elucidate the tectonic evolution of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean and its influence on NE China. Zircons from five representative intrusions in the Erguna Massif are euhedral–subhedral in shape, display oscillatory growth zoning in CL images, and have Th/U ratios of 0.17–1.54, and in combination these features indicate that the zircons are of igneous origin. Zircon U–Pb dating results demonstrate that the Early–Middle Triassic magmatism in the Erguna Massif took place between 241 and 247Ma. The Early–Middle Triassic rocks are composed mainly of a suite of diorites, quartz–diorites, granodiorites, monzogranites, and syenogranites. They have SiO2 =57.71–72.86wt.%, Mg#=19–52, Al2O3 =14.27–17.23wt.%, and Na2O/K2O=0.67–1.59. Chemically, they are metaluminous to peraluminous and belong to the high-K calc-alkaline series. Moreover, they are enriched in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements, and depleted in heavy rare earth elements and high field strength elements (e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti). The whole-rock εNd(t) and zircon εHf(t) values of these samples range from −4.68 to −3.42, and from −2.0 to +6.6, respectively, indicative of formation from primary magmas generated by partial melting of juvenile crustal material with a contribution from mantle-derived mafic magmas. These magmas subsequently underwent fractional crystallization, contamination, and magma mixing. Geochemically, these Early–Middle Triassic intrusive rocks have affinities with intrusive rocks from active continental margin settings. We conclude, therefore, that the Early–Middle Triassic magmatism in the Erguna Massif was generated within an active continental margin setting related to the southwards subduction of the Mongol–Okhotsk oceanic plate beneath the Erguna Massif. This conclusion is supported by the occurrence of Early Mesozoic porphyry and skarn deposits along the southeastern side of the Mongol–Okhotsk suture belt. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To analyze the status of reticuloendotheliosis (RE) infection of wild birds in China, 585 samples from wild birds collected in Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces China were investigated and analyzed. The sampled birds represent 3 orders and more than 40 species. Virus isolation and PCR amplification showed that some of the wild birds were infected with REV, and 10 REV strains were isolated. The gp90 gene from each of the 10 REV strains was amplified, cloned, and sequenced. Sequence analysis indicated that the gp90 genes of the 10 REV strains isolated in this study were more similar at the nucleotide level with the northeast Chinese strains HLJR0901 and HLJR0801 and some REV strains found in the US and Taiwan than with the early Chinese REV isolate HA9901. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis indicated that the gp90 genes of the 10 REV strains were more similar to the REV subtype III-representing strain (CSV) than to strains 170A (subtype I) or SNV (subtype II). This is the first study to investigate the status of wild birds infected with REV. The results of this paper will not only provide necessary information for further understanding the evolution of REV, but they also identify the potential role of wild birds in REV transmission and furthers our understanding of the ecology of REV in wild bird species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Liaoning province, located in Northeast China – one of China''s three most wind-rich areas, possesses abundant wind resources. Along with China''s rapid development of wind power in recent years, the issue of how to integrate more wind power to the grid, and how to balance the conflict between pollutant and GHG emission reduction and economic cost increase by dispatch model adjustment becomes a big challenge. Based on the GAMS simulation method, by using the real data of thermal power units, wind power and hydropower generation, and load in Liaoning province, this paper studies a joint environmental and economic power dispatch considering wind power integration at valley load and peak load. The results show that the pumped storage power station played an important role in promoting wind power integration. And the power dispatch across thermal power, wind power and hydropower is more favorable than the power dispatch only across thermal power and wind power in terms of reducing pollutant and GHG emission. It is also proved that a comparatively better environmental improvement can be made at a relatively lower economic loss by a joint environmental and economic dispatch across thermal, wind and hydropower. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To evaluate contamination caused by petroleum, surface soil samples were collected from both upland and paddy fields along the irrigation canals in the Hunpu wastewater irrigation region in northeast China. N-alkanes, terpanes, steranes, and phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) in the surface soil samples were analyzed. The aliphatic hydrocarbon concentration was highest in the samples obtained from the upland field near an operational oil well; it was lowest at I-3P where wastewater irrigation promoted the downward movement of hydrocarbons. The Hunpu region was found contaminated by heavy petroleum from oxic lacustrine fresh water or marine deltaic source rocks. Geochemical parameters also indicated significantly heavier contamination and degradation in the upland fields compared with the paddy fields. Principal component analysis based on PLFA showed various microbial communities between petroleum contaminated upland and paddy fields. Gram-negative bacteria indicated by 15:0, 30H 12:0, and 16:1(9) were significantly higher in the paddy fields, whereas Gram-positive bacteria indicated by i16:0 and 18:1(9)c were significantly higher in the upland fields (p < 0.05). These PLFAs were related to petroleum contamination. Poly-unsaturated PLFA (18:2ω6, 9; indicative of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria and fungi) was also significantly elevated in the upland fields. This paper recommends more sensitive indicators of contamination and degradation of petroleum in soil. The results also provide guidelines on soil pollution control and remediation in the Hunpu region and other similar regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper we present U–Pb age data of detrital and magmatic zircons from sedimentary and volcanic rocks in the Zhangguangcailing Group (ZG), NE China, to constrain the tectonic evolution of the region as a whole. The ZG consists of slightly metamorphosed volcanic and sedimentary rocks, and from bottom to top is divided into the Zhenggou, Hongguang, and Xinxing suites. Zircons from three schists in the Zhenggou suite give 12 main groups of age populations (from 226 to 861Ma), whereas zircons from a basaltic andesite give a Late Triassic age (211±2Ma). In the Hongguang suite, zircons from two schists and a greywacke give 6 main groups, 5 main groups, and 3 main groups of age populations (from 262 to 916Ma), respectively, whereas zircons from a gabbro–diorite and two volcanic rocks give ages of 259, 219, and 317Ma, respectively. Zircons from a schist in the Xinxing suite give 12 main groups of age populations (from 284 to 1837Ma). These results, together with the field relationships of the rocks, indicate (1) that the sedimentary and volcanic rocks of the ZG have diverse ages (from Early Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic), (2) that the rocks do not lie in a logical stratigraphic sequence, and (3) that the rocks represent a tectonic mélange. Based on the youngest age (211Ma) for volcanic rocks within the ZG, and the age of deformation (174–184Ma) of the Heilongjiang Complex, we propose that the tectonic mélange formed during the Late Triassic–Early Jurassic. Furthermore, the occurrence of detrital zircons with ages of 0.8–0.9, 1.8, and 2.4–2.5Ga implies the existence of Neoproterozoic magmatism and the remnants of a Precambrian basement in the Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif, NE China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The basement of the Argun massif in the northern Great Hinggan Range consists of the metamorphic supracrustal rocks of the Xinghuadukou Group and associated granitic complexes. The metamorphic supracrustal rocks were previously interpreted as Paleoproterozoic, while the granitic complexes were considered Mesoproterozoic in age. This paper presents new zircon LA-MC-ICP-MS U–Pb ages of biotite-plagioclase leptynite and biotite schist from the Xinghuadukou Group in the Lulin Forest area, Heilongjiang Province; zircon SHRIMP U–Pb ages of biotite-plagioclase gneiss from the Xinghuadukou Group in Lulin Forest; and quartz diorite and monzogranite from the granitic complexes in Mohe County, Heilongjiang Province. New geochronological data from the three metasedimentary rock samples of the Xinghuadukou Group can be preliminarily divided into five groups: (1) 2017–2765Ma, (2) 1736–1942Ma, (3) 1359–1610Ma, (4) 749–1239Ma, and (5) 448–716Ma. Except for the zircons of the 448–716Ma group belonging to a metamorphic origin, the other age groups had the youngest age of 749±17Ma, indicating that the Xinghuadukou Group formed during the Neoproterozoic era (at least <749Ma). These detrital zircon ages cluster at ca. 2.0–1.8Ga and ca. 1.0–0.80Ga, suggesting that the Argun massif had connections with both Columbia and Rodinia and implying that the provenance of the Xinghuadukou Group metamorphosed sediments must be characteristic of felsic–intermediate igneous rocks with ages of ca. 2.0–1.8Ga and ca. 1.0–0.80Ga. The quartz diorite and monzogranite from the granitic complexes of the basement within the Argun massif yielded weighted mean ages of 516±10Ma and 504±9Ma, respectively, indicating that these rocks emplaced in the Early Paleozoic. Considering the geochemical and chronological data together, we propose that the Xinghuadukou Group was most likely deposited in a back-arc basin environment, whereas the granitic complexes emplaced in a post-collisional setting. A wide age spectrum of detrital zircons ranging from 749±9 to 2765±11Ma with ages clustering approximately 2.0–1.8Ga and 1.0–0.80Ga suggests that the basement rocks of the Argun massif are chiefly composed of the Neoproterozoic metasedimentary sequence and Early Paleozoic granitic complexes, with a few Meso- to Paleoproterozoic and even Neoarchean metamorphic rocks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To learn the historical response of cropping system to climate change will benefit the strategy decision of future cropping adaptation. In this paper, we conducted an integrated analysis of the climate records of seventy-two meteorological stations and the records of crop yields over the period 1970–2009 in Northeast China. It was found that over these forty years, the daily mean, maximum and minimum temperatures during crop growing season increased on average by 0.34°C, 0.28°C, 0.43°C every ten years, respectively. No significant change in the precipitation was found, although the differences between years were large. After de-trending the agronomic technique contributions to the increments of crop yields, the historical warming had led to great annually increments of 16.6kgha−1, 15.5kgha−1 and 3.2kgha−1 in rice, corn and soybean yields, respectively. According to the historical warming level, present cropping boundaries can be theoretically extended northward about 80km with a prolonged growing period by 10 days compared to the 1970s. Actually, the growth durations of newly approved varieties of rice, corn and soybean have really prolonged by 14.0 days, 7.0 days and 2.7 days since the 1950s, respectively. The actual growing periods of rice and corn have also respectively prolonged by 6 days and 4 days due to the adjustment of sown and harvest dates by the farmer since 1990s. The existing rice cropping region has been extended northward 80km in the 2006 compared to the 1970. These actual responses were consistent with the theoretical calculation according to the historical warming trends. Our results demonstrate that cropping system owns the potential to progressively and actively adapt to the global warming for high yield through a comprehensive strategy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Vertical distributions of air pollutants are crucial for understanding the key processes of atmospheric transport and for evaluating chemical transport models. In this paper, we present measurements of non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) and halocarbons obtained from an intensive aircraft study over northeast (NE) China in summer 2007. Most compounds exhibited a typical negative profile of decreasing mixing ratios with increasing altitude, although the gradients differed with different species. Three regional plumes with enhanced VOC mixing ratios were discerned and characterized. An aged plume transported from the northern part of the densely populated North China Plain (NCP; i.e. Beijing–Tianjin area) showed relatively higher levels of HCFC-22, 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) and toluene. In comparison, the plume originating from Korea had higher abundances of CFC-12, tetrachloroethene (C2Cl4) and methyl chloride (CH3Cl), while regional air masses from NE China contained more abundant light alkanes. By comparing these results with the earlier PEM-West B (1994) and TRACE-P (2001) aircraft measurements, continuing declining trends were derived for methyl chloroform (CH3CCl3), tetrachloromethane (CCl4) and C2Cl4 over the greater China–northwestern Pacific region, indicating the accomplishment of China in reducing these compounds under the Montreal protocol. However, the study also provided evidence for the continuing emissions of several halocarbons in China in 2007, such as CFCs (mainly from materials in stock) and HCFCs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fluctuations in atmospheric CO2 density can arise from static pressure fluctuations but their effect on the long-term eddy covariance (EC) CO2 flux measurement is poorly known. In this paper, we report the results of a 1-year direct measurement of the static pressure fluctuations and the velocity–pressure covariance over a mixed forest in Northeast China. The results show that the pressure–vertical velocity covariance was primarily controlled by friction velocity and air stability. Without the pressure correction, the open-path EC measurement of the nighttime ecosystem respiration was biased low and that of the daytime photosynthetic CO2 uptake was biased high. Over the 1-year measurement period, the cumulative pressure correction was 40gCm−2, which was about 20% of the annual net ecosystem production of this forest. Using the friction velocity data found in the literature, we estimated the magnitudes of the pressure correction for the major ecosystem types in the long-term global EC network (FluxNet). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper discusses migration styles and primary controls of petroleum migration pathways in heterogeneous carrier beds in the Damintun Depression, Bohai Bay Basin. There are two types of crude oils in the Damintun Depression: a high wax oil (wax hydrocarbon content between 8 and 60%) and a normal oil (wax hydrocarbon content lower than 8%). The high wax oil and normal oil are distinctly different both in biomarker compositions and in distribution patterns of carbon isotopic ratios for individual alkanes, and were confirmed to have been generated from different source rocks. Modeling of secondary migration pathways of both the high wax oil and the normal oil was conducted using a simple three-dimensional model, which assumes that the positions of petroleum migration pathways are controlled by the morphology of the sealing surfaces without taking into consideration the influence of permeability heterogeneity (the morphology-controlled migration model). The modeling results have reasonably well predicted the occurrences of both the high wax oil and the normal oil. All commercial petroleum accumulations are along the predicted preferential petroleum migration pathways (PPMP) formed by focusing of numerous “small petroleum streams” close to the kitchens. The focusing of oils originating from a large area of the generative kitchens is essential for the formation of large oilfields. The strong porosity and permeability heterogeneities of the carrier beds, and the relatively high prediction accuracy of the modeling, suggest that the preferential petroleum migration pathways, although influenced by permeability contrast at local scales, can be effectively predicted at a basin or depression scale under certain circumstances using a model that does not take into consideration the effect of heterogeneity. Most dry holes are not on the predicted petroleum migration pathways, suggesting that the three-dimensional migration pathway modeling may provide a useful tool to reduce exploration risk. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Chinese kang is the most ancient heating system widely used in rural residences in cold regions of China, especially in Northeast China. Even though the outdoor air temperature is very low, the surface temperature of Chinese kang can still remain above 30°C. However, a comfort indoor thermal environment cannot be achieved by a Chinese kang alone. Passive solar heating techniques can be coupled with the Chinese kang to improve the indoor thermal conditions. In this study, two field surveys had been conducted in three residences in Dalian of Northeast China to investigate the thermal environments of rural residences with a coupled Chinese elevated kang and passive solar collecting wall heating system. Indoor thermal environments were evaluated with parameters of indoor air temperature and relative humidity, surface temperature of the kang plates, air temperature of the upper/lower vents in passive solar wall and human activities, etc. The description of this survey and the methodology of data analysis are described in details in this paper. The survey results objectively provide the preliminary information regarding the indoor thermal environment of new rural energy-saving residences in winter in Northeast China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper describes nine brachiopod species in eight genera from the Tumenling Formation in the Wuchang area, southern Heilongjiang, northeast China. The Tumenling fauna is constrained to a Wordian–Capitanian (Guadalupian, Middle Permian) age, based on the correlation of the faunas, and previously published data from the same horizons in the same area. This Middle Permian brachiopod fauna is characterized by an admixture of elements of Boreal affinity (Kochiproductus sp., Yakovlevia sp., Stenoscisma margaritovi, Gypospirifer volatilis, Spiriferella keilhavii, Spiriferella lita and Alispiriferella neimongolensis), with Palaeoequatorial forms (Spinomarginifera sp., Vediproductus sp., and Leptodus nobilis). The Wuchang fauna, as a whole, is comparable to several contemporaneous faunas described from Inner Mongolia in northern China, Jilin in Northeast China, South Primorye in eastern Russia, and the Hida Gaien Belt of Japan, in terms of its index elements and its Boreal–Palaeoequatorial mixture. During the Middle Permian these areas (or blocks) were referred to the Inner Mongolia–Japan transition zone or the northern transition zone between the Palaeoequatorial and Boreal Realms. The overwhelming majority of the Boreal elements reveal that the Wuchang area was probably situated in the northern subzone of this transitional zone, which belongs to the southern margin of the Bureya Block. These east and northeast Asian blocks acted as migratory stepping stones bridging faunal migration between the Palaeoequatorial and Boreal realms during the Middle Permian. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Palaeontological, lithostratigraphical data from the Permian strata and correlation of the Permian successions for different tectonic units in Northeast China are reviewed and summarized in this paper. Permian strata in Northeast China are dominated by brachiopods, fusulinoideans and land plants, with limited ammonoids, conodonts and bivalves. The Cisuralian (Early Permian) in the northern margin of the North China Block and in the Manchuride Belt is composed mostly of marine massive limestone with the characteristic Pseudoschwagerina Zone in the Asselian and Sakmarian and the Misellina claudiae Zone in the Kungurian. The Cisuralian in the Xing''an Block and the northeastern part of Inner Mongolia is dominated by huge terrestrial deposits with fossil plants. The Guadalupian (Middle Permian) in the Manchuride, Altaid and Yanbian Belts are characterized by bi-temperate Roadian or early Wordian Monodiexodina fauna and the late Wordian–Capitanian Codonofusiella–Schwagerina or Neoschwagerina–Yabeina faunas, the mixed brachiopod faunas between the Boreal/antitropical and the Palaeoequatorial Cathaysian forms, the Roadian or early Wordian solitary coral faunas, and the late Wordian–Capitanian compound Waagenophyllum–Wentzelella fauna. The Nadanhada Terrane contains some exotic limestone blocks with a typical Cathaysian Neoschwagerina–Yabeina fauna in a Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous mélange, which is related to Mesozoic subduction in the western Circum-Pacific region. The Lopingian (Late Permian) in Northeast China is mostly characterized by terrestrial molasse deposits with a mixed flora between the Boreal Angaran and the palaeoequatorial Cathaysian Provinces, indicating the final closure of the Palaeo-Asian Ocean. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Jilin province is one of the main dryland grain production areas in China. Recently, limited supplemental irrigation, using groundwater in the semi-arid western area of the province, has developed rapidly to improve the low grain productivity caused by rainfall variability. Research was conducted to estimate the actual crop water requirements and identify the timing and magnitude of water deficits of the main crops such as corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.). Using the guidelines for computing crop water requirements in FAO Irrigation and Drainage paper 56 and historical rainfall distributions, the crop water requirements, ETc and the crop water deficits of corn, soybean and sorghum were calculated. Based on the water deficit analysis, a recommended average supplemental irrigation schedule was developed. Crop production was compared to full irrigation and to a rainfed control in a field experiment. On average, compared to the rainfed control, the full irrigation and the average supplemental irrigation treatments of corn, increased yields 49.0 and 43.9%, respectively; soybean yields of those treatments increased by 41.0 and 34.7%, and sorghum yields of those treatments increased by 55.5 and 46.3%. A supplemental irrigation schedule can be used in the semi-arid western Jilin province to improve crop yields. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Northeastern (NE) China is the easternmost part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), which is celebrated for its accretionary tectonics and the world''s most important juvenile crust production in the Phanerozoic era. Abundant granitoids occur in the Great Xing''an, Lesser Xing''an and Zhangguangcai Ranges in NE China. This paper presents partial results of a series of studies on the granitoids from this region, aiming to understand their role in the building of new continental crust in eastern Asia. Three composite granite plutons (Xinhuatun, Lamashan and Yiershi) were chosen for geochemical and isotopic study in order to determine their emplacement ages and petrogenesis. Petrographically, they range from granodiorite (minor), monzogranite, syenogranite to alkali-feldspar granite. Quartz and perthitic feldspar are principal phases, accompanied by minor amounts of plagioclase, biotite (<5%) and other accessory minerals. In addition, many contain abundant miarolitic cavities which suggest that they were emplaced at shallow levels with extensive fractional crystallization. Geochemically, the granites are silica-rich, peraluminous and have high contents of alkalis. They invariably show enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREE) and significant negative Eu anomalies. All the granitic rocks demonstrate the characteristic negative anomalies in Ba, Nb, Sr, P, Eu, and Ti, and a positive anomaly in Pb in the spidergram.The emplacement of the Xinhuatun pluton took place at 184±4 Ma as revealed by zircon SHRIMP U–Pb data. This is also supported by the slightly younger Rb–Sr whole-rock (WR) isochron age of 173±3 Ma. A whole-rock (WR) Rb–Sr isochron age of 154±3 Ma was obtained for the Lamashan pluton, which is interpreted as close to the time of emplacement. The Yiershi pluton was intruded at about 140 Ma as evidenced by a zircon U–Pb age of 137±2 Ma and WR Rb–Sr isochron age of 143±5 Ma. Biotite-WR Rb–Sr isochrons and 40Ar/39Ar ages of feldspars allow us to estimate the cooling rate of each pluton.Geochemical data suggest that the rocks are highly fractionated I-type granites. Fractionation of biotite and feldspars was the principal process of magmatic differentiation and responsible for major element variation. Rb, Sr and Ba concentrations were controlled by feldspar separation, whereas REE elements were fractionated by accessory minerals, such as apatite, allanite and monazite. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Mutations in GNAL have recently been identified as responsible for primary dystonia, however, GNAL mutations in Chinese patients with primary dystonia are not well characterized. Patients and methods: Fifty-nine unrelated patients with cervical onset or cervical involved primary dystonia and 120 neurologically normal controls from Northeast China without mutations of TOR1A and THAP1 were all screened for mutation of GNAL gene. Results: One subject with adult-onset generalized dystonia was found have a novel nonsense GNAL mutation (c.284C>T, p.Ser95X). Another subject with adult-onset cervical dystonia was found harbor the c.932-7T>G tentative splice site mutation. Although another seventeen sequence variants were identified in both patients and controls, no disease association was found among these sequence variants. Conclusions: Mutations in GNAL gene can cause adult-onset primary dystonia in Chinese patients, and the mutation frequency is 3.4% in cervical onset or cervical involved primary dystonia. This paper identifies the first case of GNAL dystonia in the Chinese population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]