Barrier Zone Research Articles

Neodymium-Facilitated Visualization of Extreme Phosphate Accumulation in Fibroblast Filopodia: Implications for Intercellular and Cell–Matrix Interactions

A comprehensive understanding of intercellular and cell–matrix interactions is essential for advancing our knowledge of cell biology. Existing techniques, such as fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy, face limitations in resolution and sample preparation. Supravital lanthanoid staining provides new opportunities for detailed visualization of cellular metabolism and intercellular interactions. This study aims to describe the structure, elemental chemical, and probable origin of zones of extreme lanthanoid (neodymium) accumulation that form during preparation for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis in corneal fibroblasts filopodia. The results identified three morphological patterns of neodymium staining in fibroblast filopodia, each exhibiting asymmetric staining within a thin, sharp, and extremely bright barrier zone, located perpendicular to the filopodia axis. Semi-quantitative chemical analyses showed neodymium-labeled non-linear phosphorus distribution within filopodia, potentially indicating varying phosphate anion concentrations and extreme phosphate accumulation at a physical or physicochemical barrier. Phosphorus zones labeled with neodymium did not correspond to mitochondrial clusters. During apoptosis, the number of filopodia with extreme and asymmetric phosphorus accumulation increases. Supravital lanthanoid staining coupled with SEM allows detailed visualization of intercellular and cell–matrix interactions with high contrast and resolution. These results enhance our understanding of phosphate anion accumulation and transfer mechanisms in cells under normal conditions and during apoptosis.

Characterizing genetic diversity of Sclerotium rolfsii isolates by biomapping of mycelial compatibility groupings and multilocus sequence analysis.

Genetic diversity in Sclerotium rolfsii is useful for understanding its population structure, identifying different mycelial compatibility groups (MCGs), and developing targeted strategies for disease management in affected crops. In our study, a comprehensive genetic analysis was conducted on 50 isolates of S. rolfsii, collected from various geographic regions and host plants. Two specific genes, TEF1α and RPB2, were utilized to assess the genetic diversity and relationships among these isolates. Notably, out of 1225 pairings examined, only 154 exhibited a compatible reaction, while the majority displayed antagonistic reactions, resulting in the formation of a barrier zone. The isolates were grouped into 10 distinct MCGs. These MCGs were further characterized using genetic sequencing. TEF1α sequences distinguished the isolates into 17 distinct clusters, and RPB2 sequences classified them into 20 clusters. Some MCGs shared identical gene sequences within each gene, while others exhibited unique sequences. Intriguingly, when both TEF1α and RPB2 sequences were combined, all 10 MCGs were effectively differentiated, even those that appeared identical with single-gene analysis. This combined approach provided a comprehensive understanding of the genetic diversity and relationships among the S. rolfsii isolates, allowing for precise discrimination between different MCGs. The results shed light on the population structure and genetic variability within this plant pathogenic fungus, providing valuable insights for disease management and control strategies. This study highlights the significance of comprehending the varied virulence characteristics within S. rolfsii isolates, categorizing them into specific virulence groups based on disease severity index (DSI) values. The association with MCGs provides additional insights into the genetic underpinnings of virulence in this pathogen. Furthermore, the identification of geographical patterns in virulence implies the influence of region-specific factors, with potential implications for disease control and crop protection strategies.Please confirm if the author names are presented accurately and in the correct sequence (given name, middle name/initial, family name). Author 1 Given name: [G. M. Sandeep] Last name [Kumar]. Author 2 Given name: [Praveen Kumar] Last name [Singh]. Also, kindly confirm the details in the metadata are correct.I confirm that the given names are accurate and presented in the correct sequence.

Sustainable lindane waste remediation: Surfactant-driven residual DNAPL extraction and oxidation in a real landfill (LIFE SURFING)

The LIFE SURFING Project was carried out at the Bailin Landfill in Sabiñánigo, Spain (2020-2022), applying Surfactant Enhanced Aquifer Remediation (SEAR) and In Situ Chemical Oxidation (S-ISCO) in a 60-meter test cell beneath the old landfill, to remediate a contaminated aquifer with dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) from nearby lindane production. The project overcame traditional extraction limitations, successfully preventing groundwater pollution from reaching the river.In spring 2022, two SEAR interventions involved the injection of 9.3 m3 (SEAR-1) and 6 m3 (SEAR-2) of aqueous solutions containing 20 g/L of the non-ionic surfactant E-Mulse 3®, with bromide (around 150 mg/L) serving as a conservative tracer. 7.1 and 6.0 m3 were extracted in SEAR-1 and SEAR-2, respectively, recovered 60–70 % of the injected bromide and 30–40 % of the surfactant, confirming surfactant adsorption by the soil. Approximately 130 kg of DNAPL were removed, with over 90 % mobilized and 10 % solubilized. A surfactant-to-DNAPL recovery mass ratio of 2.6 was obtained, a successful value for a fractured aquifer. In September 2022, the S-ISCO phase entailed injecting 22 m3 of a solution containing persulfate (40 g/L), E-Mulse 3® (4 g/L), and NaOH (8.75 g/L) in pulses over 48 h, oxidizing around 20 kg of DNAPL and ensuring low toxicity levels after that.Preceding the SEAR and S-ISCO trials, 2020 and 2021 were dedicated to detailed groundwater flow characterizations, including hydrological and tracer studies. These preliminary investigations allowed the design of a barrier zone between 317 and 557 m from the test cell and the river, situated 900 m away. This zone, integrating alkali dosing, aeration, vapor extraction, and oxidant injection, effectively prevented the escape of fluids to the river. Neither surfactants nor contaminants were detected in river waters post-treatment. The absence of residual phase in test cell wells and reduction of chlorinated compound levels in groundwater were noticed till one year after S-ISCO.

Urbanization intensifies the imbalance between human development and biodiversity conservation: Insights from the coupling analysis of human activities and habitat quality

AbstractIntensified human activities have been seriously threatening the structure and ecological processes of ecosystems, resulting in habitat degradation. Therefore, coordinating the coupling between human activities and habitat quality (HQ) is crucial for high‐quality sustainable regional development and human well‐being. This study evaluated the human activities and HQ in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) urban agglomeration in China from 2000 to 2020 using the human footprint index (HFI) and the integrated valuation of ecosystem services and tradeoffs model. Then, we employed bivariate spatial autocorrelation and a coupling coordination degree (CCD) model to explore the synergistic relationship between human activities and HQ. The results show that spatial changes in HQ were predominantly driven by human activities. The gradual outward urban expansion resulted in significant HQ degradation. Slight HQ improvement by ecological restoration in urban outskirts cannot offset HQ losses caused by urbanization. During the study period, high‐HQ low‐HFI clusters decreased by 1.02%, while low‐HQ high‐HFI clusters increased by 4.67%, the two main clustering types in the PRD. Despite the CCD between HFI and HQ increased after 2010, the continuous changes of CCD characteristics from the HFI significantly lagged type to the HQ lagged. HFI showed an inverted U‐shaped relationship with CCD. The CCD peaks during 2000–2020 corresponded to HFI decreasing from 0.711 to 0.566. This indicates that the risk of decoupling between human activities and HQ gradually increased. Furthermore, CCD levels and characteristics in different bivariate clusters exhibited varying changes over time. These results reveal that the spatiotemporal dislocation between urbanization and ecological restoration induced the spatial nonstationarity of the coupling relationship between human activities and HQ. Urbanization exacerbates the imbalance between human development and biodiversity conservation. Therefore, we suggest reasonably delimiting urban boundaries, controlling the scale of urban sprawl, and strengthening biodiversity protection in areas undergoing rapid urbanization. In addition, we advocate for the division of ecological barrier zones, urban development buffer zones, and urban built‐up areas, each with tailored management and protection measures. Our findings can provide an important reference for the ecological restoration of urban agglomerations.

Green Infrastructure Fluctuations in Urban Agglomeration of Shanxi Province, China: Implications for Controlling Ecological Crises

The rapid urbanization process means that even moderate-sized cities can quickly become part of larger urban agglomerations, creating new urban zones. Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI) plays a crucial role in these clusters, acting as precious green spaces essential for maintaining ecological safety. This study combines fluctuation analysis based on Morphological Spatial Pattern with traditional landscape pattern analysis, comprehensively addressing the evolution of UGI in terms of quantity, characteristics, and morphology. We selected the Taiyuan-Jinzhong agglomeration as our study area, which is currently in an agglomeration process. The results demonstrated the critical role of surrounding mountains as natural ecological barrier zones. During urban agglomeration, management strategies focused on large-scale afforestation to ensure the quantity of UGI. However, this approach also led to a more clustered landscape with reduced connectivity. Additionally, linear or small-scale UGI types such as branch and islet have seen reductions over the past decade. Changes in internal morphological and complex fluctuations within UGI can harm the formation of ecological networks and potentially negatively affect biodiversity and ecological safety. The research highlights how ecological protection and urban planning policies can influence UGI fluctuations. Therefore, urban managers should not just concentrate on maintaining the quantity of UGI, but also give consideration to changes in its internal features and morphology. Before cities further agglomerate into larger urban clusters, it is crucial to address deficiencies in UGI, continuously improving type configurations and functional structures at the landscape scale. Through strategic planning of UGI, cities can mitigate ecological risks and foster sustainable urban development.

Research on Legal Issues of Water Pollution Control in Cities in the Yangtze River Basin

As an important ecological barrier and economic zone in China, the Yangtze River Basin has increasingly highlighted the contradiction between the protection and exploitation of its water resources. With the acceleration of urbanization, the problem of urban water pollution has become one of the bottlenecks restricting the sustainable development of the Yangtze River Basin. As an important city along the Yangtze River, Anqing City has certain representativeness and typicality in its water pollution control work. Therefore, this paper chooses to take Anqing City as an example to conduct an in-depth study on the legal issues of urban water pollution control in the Yangtze River Basin.

Spatial Distribution and Diffusion Characterisation of Water in Coal Samples: An Experimental Study

Comprehending the water absorption process inherent to coal, including the associated spatial distribution patterns of water, proves indispensable in the design and evaluation of coal pillar dams in underground water reservoirs. To better understand this process, a series of NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) tests were carried out on cylindrically shaped coal samples immersed in water for varying durations, with the upper and lower surfaces of the samples sealed. A method involving image digital processing and finite element simulation was used to quantitatively characterise the water absorption process, as well as the spatial distribution of water in the samples. The results showed that NMR imaging colour brightness differences were positively correlated with water content and that the wetted ring gradually increased in width as the water immersion time increased. The expectation and sum of squared deviations of the pixel greyscale values of the NMR images, which were used to characterise the water saturation and spatial distribution of the coal samples, represented positive and negative exponential functions of the water immersion time, respectively. This indicated that the water saturation gradually increased and became more uniformly distributed. Furthermore, based on the set threshold value of the target variable rate of change, the limiting expectation of the pixel greyscale values was obtained, and the limiting water absorption time of the coal sample was predicted. The water diffusion equation was then used to characterise the water absorption process of the coal samples, and a water diffusion model was developed to accurately obtain the wet ring boundary data. A reasonable value of the diffusion coefficient was determined by comparing and correcting the results of the numerical simulation and physical experiments with full consideration of the non-homogeneity of the numerical model. This water diffusion model can better characterise the water transport phenomena in the macroscopic barrier zone of coal pillar dams. Finally, the application prospects in terms of practical engineering were investigated.

Ecological Zoning Based on Value–Risk in the Wuling Mountains Area of Hunan Province

Based on land use data from the Wuling Mountains area of Hunan Province for 2000, 2010, and 2020, we used tools such as frastats4.8 and ArcGIS10.8 to construct a model for assessing ecosystem service value and the ecological risk index. We divided the area into four regions based on ecosystem service value and ecological risk indicators, which served as the foundation for ecological zoning and a proposed strategy for an ecological security pattern that suits the ecology of the region. The results showed a general increase in both ecosystem service value and ecological risk in the study area from 2000 to 2020. The annual ecosystem service value exceeded CNY 300 × 109, with forests providing more than 77% of this value, and the regulating services value accounted for 68% of the total value. The mean ecological risk indexes for the periods of 2000, 2010, and 2020 were 0.0384, 0.0383, and 0.0395, respectively. The sizes of the four zones within the study area remained relatively stable: the ecological barrier zone accounted for more than 53% over three years; the ecological improvement zone, approximately 32%; the ecological control zone comprised 8.62% of the total area in 2000, and this proportion rose to 9.56% in 2020. The ecological conservation zone had the smallest proportion of the total area among the four zones. Our research provides a comprehensive analytical framework for constructing ecological security patterns in other developing countries and offers a new perspective for regional ecological zoning management and conservation planning.

Landscape ecological risk assessment across different terrain gradients in the Yellow River Basin

The Yellow River Basin is an important ecological barrier zone in China, and the landscape pattern has changed greatly due to intense human activities. It is of great significance to explore the dynamic forecasting of ecological risk based on terrain gradient for the ecological security of the Yellow River Basin. In this study, the distribution characteristics of ecological risk from 2000 to 2040 are evaluated by CA-Markov and ERI models. We put forward a new method of landscape ecological risk assessment based on terrain gradient and further analyzed the relationship between ecological risk and terrain index. The results showed that the proportion of the cultivated land and the grassland in the Yellow River basin is more than 73%, with the largest dynamic change in 2020. The ecological risk in the study area showed a spatial pattern of “high in the northwest and southwest, low in the east and south-central.” During the study period, the overall ecological risk showed a decreasing trend, and the high risk was reduced by four times. The future ecological risk of all terrain gradient will show a decreasing trend, the high risks mainly occurred in areas with “flat terrain with low terrain gradient and low vegetation coverage.” This study will provide a new perspective for the dynamic forecasting of ecological risk and the analysis of the change of ecological risk through terrain gradients.

POTENTIAL OF CITRUS LEAF EXTRACT (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf) AS AN ANTIBACTERIAL INHIBITORY of Staphylococcus epidermidis

The concerns of antibiotic resistance have increased in recently years, this issue caused by long-term repeated use of antibiotics to treat bacterial illnesses. Lemongrass leaf (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf) is one of the natural ingredients that can be used as an alternative antibacterial. The study objective is to determine the antibacterial activity of the ethanol extract of 70% cooking leaves against Staphylococcus epidermidis using diffusion methods. In addition, the Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of extracts were determined using liquid dilution methods. The results of this study show that extract concentrations of 1,000,000 ppm have a barrier zone in the intermediate category when compared with the positive control, that is, clindamycin. Meanwhile, the MIC value obtained is 1250 ppm, while the MBC value is 5000 ppm. The results of statistical analysis showed that there were no significant differences in the inhibition zone diameter formed between the test concentrations.

Barrier zone formation and development in the stems of Aquilaria sinensis (Thymelaeaceae) and the effect on agarwood formation

Summary Barrier and reaction zones are core parts of compartmentalization in trees. However, little is known about the relationship between them. Here, agarwood and barrier zone formation in Aquilaria sinensis trees were studied for the first time using compartmentalization theory. The main results were as follows: (1) Wounding methods had a very important influence on the occurrence of barrier zones in A. sinensis. (2) The barrier zone development process was divided into three phases based on the morphological features. (3) The agarwood resin mainly accreted during the barrier zone lag and division phases; then, after the barrier zone entered the differentiation phase, the resin no longer accreted and even tended to degrade. (4) In the application of the whole-tree agarwood-inducing technique, the barrier zone generally began to appear 10 months after the technique treatment, and the barrier zones were more severe in the lower part of the stem. (5) Considering the agarwood yield, agarwood resin filling degree and ethanol-soluble extract content, the serious barrier zone indeed reduced the agarwood productivity. This study is important for revealing the agarwood and barrier zone formation mechanism in Aquilaria trees. It also provides a good research model for considering the high economic value of agarwood when studying compartmentalization.

Analysis of the evolution of ecosystem service value and its driving factors in the Yellow River Source Area, China

The Yellow River Source Area (YRSA) functions as an ecological barrier within the Yellow River Basin, playing a significant role in providing indispensable ecosystem services. Analyzing the ecosystem service value (ESV) of YRSA holds great significance in establishing ecological protection awareness and promoting ecological actions. In this study, we reveal the spatial and temporal characteristics of ESV in YRSA from 2000 to 2020 based on the land use change and equivalent factor method, and explore the driving mechanisms behind ESV heterogeneity using geographical detector. The results showed that from 2000 to 2020, ESV in the YRSA increased significantly, with an average increase rate of 9.12 × 1021seJ/5a, showing a spatial distribution pattern of low in the northwest and high in the southeast, and this imbalance is gradually weakening. The average annual contribution of grassland ESV reached 45 %, followed by water bodies (23 %). Ecosystem services in the YRSA are mainly dominated by regulating services, among which hydrological regulating services are dominated, with an average annual contribution rate of more than 40 %. Supply and regulation, support and cultural services both form a strong correlation synergy. Climate factors are the main drivers of spatial heterogeneity in ESV, further illustrating the sensitivity of the YRSA to climate change. Moreover, our results accentuate the integral role of the YRSA in furnishing ESV to the broader Yellow River Basin, which provides a theoretical basis and reference for decision makers to assess the ecological security of the ecological barrier zones.

Pore-Type Characterization and Reservoir Zonation of the Sarvak Formation in the Abadan Plain, Zagros Basin, Iran

Carbonate reservoirs are characterized by their complex depositional–diagenetic history and, consequently, intricate pore networks. In this study, pore types and reservoir zones of the Sarvak Formation, which is the second most important oil reservoir in Iran, are investigated by integrating core, thin-section, porosity–permeability, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP) data. Depositional, diagenetic, and fracture pores are identified in macroscopic to microscopic scales. Frequency analysis of pore types revealed that diagenetic pores, including vuggy, moldic, intercrystalline, and fracture pores, formed the majority of pore spaces of the Sarvak Formation. They are dominantly recorded in the regressive systems tracts of both the Cenomanian and Turonian sequences, just below the paleoexposure surfaces. Away from the disconformities, there are two general trends regarding the pore-types distribution: (a) grain-supported facies of shoal and talus settings with dominant primary (depositional) pores including interparticle, intra-skeletal, and growth-framework pores, which are concentrated in the middle part of the formation, and (b) microporous mud-dominated facies with various types of primary and secondary pore types in the TSTs of third-order sequences, especially in the lower part of the Sarvak Formation. Stratigraphic modified Lorenz plot differentiated reservoir, speed, barrier, and baffle zones in this formation. Depositional–diagenetic characters, petrophysical properties, and dominant pore types are defined for each zone in a sequence stratigraphic framework.

Rapid In Vitro Screening of Prunus Genotypes for Resistance to Armillaria Root Rot Using Roots of Young Rootstocks

Armillaria root rot (ARR), caused by Armillaria species and Desarmillaria tabescens, is a severe disease that affects stone fruit trees in the United States. One strategy to mitigate the impact of this disease is to develop ARR-resistant rootstocks. However, current techniques to screen Prunus species for resistance to ARR are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and may not fully replicate field conditions. To address these limitations, we developed a new rapid in vitro screening assay, which uses roots of 2-year-old Prunus rootstock genotypes. We screened 12 Prunus genotypes against Armillaria mellea, Armillaria solidipes, and Desarmillaria tabescens in vitro. Freshly excavated root segments were placed next to or on top of fungal cultures. After 21 days, the circumferential percentage and horizontal length of the fungal colonization and the ability of the fungus to enter through root periderm were evaluated. The root tissue surrounding the infection was also evaluated to assess any response reactions against the ARR pathogens. Our results showed that inoculated root tissues displayed signs of fungal infection, and infection and host responses varied among the Prunus genotypes. Host responses similar to those observed in the field, such as compartmentalization of infected tissue with barrier zones, necrophylactic periderm formation, and callus formation on root surfaces, were observed and were more evident in less susceptible genotypes. In conclusion, our newly developed assay, which uses freshly excavated roots from 2-year-old rootstocks, can rapidly screen Prunus genotypes for resistance to ARR.

Analysis of carbon emission drivers and multi-scenario projection of carbon peaks in the Yellow River Basin

The Yellow River Basin is a key ecological barrier and commercial zone in China, as well as an essential source of energy, chemicals, raw materials, and fundamental industrial foundation, the achievement of its carbon peaking is of great significance for China’s high-quality development. Based on this, we decomposed the influencing factors of carbon dioxide emissions in the Yellow River Basin using the LMDI method and predicted the carbon peaking in the Yellow River Basin under different scenarios using the STIRPAT model. The results show that (1) the energy intensity effect, economic activity effect and population effect play a positive role in promoting carbon emissions during 2005–2020. The largest effect on carbon emissions is the population size effect, with a contribution rate of 65.6%. (2) The STIRPAT model predicts that the peak of scenarios “M–L”, “M–M” and “M–H” will occur in 2030 at the earliest. The “M–H” scenario is the best model for controlling carbon emissions while economic and social development in the Yellow River Basin. The results of this paper can provide a theoretical basis for the development of a reasonable carbon peak attainment path in the Yellow River Basin and help policy makers to develop a corresponding high-quality development path.

Polysaccharide-Based Supramolecular Hydrogel Coatings with Corrosion Barrier Zone for Protection of Patina Bronze.

Protective coatings for bronze relics should adhere to the basic principles of cultural relic preservation, such as not altering the color and appearance of the artifacts, and being moderately combined with the artifacts to resist erosion due to external environments (such as water and gas). This paper presents the development of a physically crosslinked supramolecular hydrogel produced from guanidinium-based chitosan (GC). The hydrogel exhibits the excellent adsorption protection of bronze, and the addition of clay enhances the water barrier properties of the chitosan film. The supramolecular interaction between sodium polyacrylate/GC/clay confers corrosion buffering capability to the hydrogel coating in corrosive environments, and the gel coating can be self-healing at room temperature for 24 h. The fabricated nanocomposites were comprehensively characterized using various methods (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, etc.). The electrochemical properties of coated specimens were evaluated, and the impedance spectrum revealed a large impedance arc indicating high charge resistance, which has a corrosion resistance effect.

Comprehensive performances investigation of a modular hydronic thermal barrier system for low-energy buildings with filler cavity and filling material design

The hydronic thermal barrier is a promising energy-efficiency technique for opaque envelopes of low-energy buildings. A modular hydronic thermal barrier (MHTB) wall with filler cavities and thermal diffusive material is designed to solve the capacity mismatch in the process of heat injection and thermal diffusion. To quantify its dynamic thermal behaviors and the influence of several key variables, a parametric study regarding thermal barrier formation and performance enhancement is carried out. Results show that the inlet velocity range can be divided into high-influence and low-influence regions, and 0.2–0.3 m/s is recommended to achieve a good performance at relatively small flow rates. Besides, heat load at inner surface of MHTB walls in studied orientations and cities can be further reduced by 35.79% and 34.02–35.98% respectively, and primary energy consumption savings of 11.24% and 8.81–11.56% can be achieved under the assumed energy-supply scheme. Furthermore, increasing a:b-value of filler cavities in the range of 1:1–1:3 is effective to form a more continuous and stable thermal barrier zone, heat load at inner surface of MHTB walls can be reduced by 72.89–91.87% at a charging temperature of 22 °C compared with CW wall, and this effect is more obvious at larger pipe spacings or higher charging temperatures. Meanwhile, increasing filler's thermal conductivity in the range of 1-12λ0 also possesses positive effects in enhancing the thermal diffusion in the direction parallel to the wall surface, the maximum further reduction ratio in heat load at inner surface of 42.26% and a further primary energy consumption savings of 13.30% can be obtained at pipe spacing of 300 mm and charging temperature of 22 °C. The results verified the effectiveness of MHTB concepts and could provide useful references for further research and application of MHTB walls.

Study on the Spatial and Temporal Evolution of High-Quality Development in Nine Provinces of the Yellow River Basin

High-quality development (HQD) is a positive initiative in China to promote sustainable development. Promoting HQD in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) is a major national strategy for China. The YRB is an important ecological barrier and economic zone in China, which comprises nine provinces, including Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan and Shandong. The objective of this paper is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the HQD of the nine provinces in the YRB. It clarifies the basic connotation of HQD and constructs a comprehensive evaluation index system for HQD according to the principles of comprehensiveness, distinctiveness, openness, refinement and feasibility. The comprehensive evaluation index system includes four dimensions: economic development, technology innovation, society and livelihood, and ecological security, which contain 28 secondary indicators. The combined method of coupling development and entropy weight termed the “technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS)” was selected to make a comprehensive evaluation of the HQD of the nine provinces in the YRB from the time dimension and the space dimension, respectively. It was found that there are still problems, such as the differentiation of HQD, the low comprehensive development degree (CDD), and the low development coupling degree (DCD) in some provinces.

In‐Situ Vp/Vs Reveals Fault‐Zone Material Variation at the Westernmost Gofar Transform Fault, East Pacific Rise

AbstractOcean transform faults often generate characteristic earthquakes that repeatedly rupture the same fault patches. The westernmost Gofar transform fault quasi‐periodically hosts ∼M6 earthquakes every ∼5 years, and microseismicity suggests that the fault is segmented into five distinct zones, including a rupture barrier zone that may have modulated the rupture of adjacent M6 earthquakes. However, the relationship between the systematic slip behavior of the Gofar fault and the fault material properties is still poorly known. Specifically, the role of pore fluids in regulating the slip of the Gofar fault is unclear. Here, we use differential travel times between nearby earthquakes to estimate the in‐situ Vp/Vs of the fault‐zone materials. We apply this technique to the dataset collected by an ocean‐bottom‐seismometer network deployed around the Gofar fault in 2008, which recorded abundant microearthquakes, and find a moderate Vp/Vs of 1.75–1.80 in the rupture barrier zone and a low Vp/Vs of 1.61–1.69 in the down‐dip edge of the 2008 M6 rupture zone. This lateral variation in Vp/Vs may be caused by both pore fluids and chemical alteration. We also find a 5%–10% increase in Vp/Vs in the barrier zone during the 9 months before the mainshock. This increase may have been caused by fluid migrations or slip transients in the barrier zone.

Retention effect and mode of capillary zone on the migration process of LNAPL pollutants based on experimental exploration

Two-dimensional sand tank experiments were designed to investigate the retention process of the capillary zone during the migration of light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) pollutants. The fine sand and silt media experiments simulated the LNAPL migration process given a shallow point source leakage scenario. The results indicate that the LNAPL was retained in the capillary zone. A retention factor, based on the ratio of the change in the vertical migration velocity of the LNAPL front with time, was proposed to quantitatively characterize the retention effect. The retention factor and time satisfied the function of σ=A×exp(−kt). And the retention factor increased gradually with time, indicating the enhanced retention effect of capillary zone on the vertical migration of LNAPL. The concentration change rate was then used to investigate the LANPL redistribution process, which had a relationship with time of νc=B×ln(t)+C. The capillary zone could be divided from top to bottom into a weak retention zone (B > 0, vc < 0), a strong retention zone (B < 0), and a barrier zone (B > 0, vc > 0). The retention effect of capillary zone on LNAPL migration gradually strengthened during the vertical migration of LNAPL. In addition, the coefficient B had a relationship with the environmental factors (i.e., EC, pH, and ORP) of B=a×sin(b×α×β×γ)c and the fitting coefficient R2 of the function was above 0.913 for both media, indicating a strong correlation between the LNAPL redistribution process and the key environmental factors.