Central Hunan Research Articles

Prediction of the Potentially Suitable Areas of Sesame in China Under Climate Change Scenarios Using MaxEnt Model

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L, flora of China) is an essential oil crop in China, but its growth and development are affected by climate change. To cope with the impacts of climate change on sesame cultivation, we used the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model to analyze the bioclimatic variables of climate suitability of sesame in China and predicted the suitable area and trend of sesame in China under current and future climate scenarios. The results showed that the MaxEnt model prediction was excellent. The most crucial bioclimatic variable influencing the distribution of sesame was max temperature in the warmest month, followed by annual mean temperature, annual precipitation, mean diurnal range, and precipitation of the driest month. Under the current climate scenario, the suitable areas of sesame were widely distributed in China, from south (Hainan) to north (Heilongjiang) and from east (Yellow Sea) to west (Tibet). The area of highly suitable areas was 64.51 × 104 km2, accounting for 6.69% of the total land area in China, and was primarily located in mainly located in southern central Henan, eastern central Hubei, northern central Anhui, northern central Jiangxi, and eastern central Hunan. The area of moderately suitable areas and lowly suitable areas accounted for 17.45% and 25.82%, respectively. Compared with the current climate scenario, the area of highly and lowly suitable areas under future climate scenarios increased by 0.10%–11.48% and 0.08%–8.67%, while the area of moderately suitable areas decreased by 0.31%–23.03%. In addition, the increased highly suitable areas were mainly distributed in northern Henan. The decreased moderately suitable areas were mainly distributed in Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning. This work is practically significant for optimizing the regional layout of sesame cultivation in response to future climate conditions.

Prediction of potential suitable distribution for sweet cherry (Prunus avium) based on the MaxEnt model.

The sweet cherry (Prunus avium) is among deciduous fruit trees with high economic value and its planting area is gradually expanding. However, little was known about its accurately suitable area in China. Herein, the potential distributions were modeled based on the MaxEnt model under the current conditions. Its performance was excellent, with AUCs >0.9 for model training and testing. The key environmental factors were the thermal factors (minimum temperature of the coldest month (bio06) from -14.5 to 4.5°C, the mean temperature of the warmest quarter (bio10) from 21.0 to 28.0°C), followed by the water factor (the annual precipitation (bio12) from 500 to 1200 mm), indicating that it is not resistant to cold and heat, nor is it resistant to drought or floods. The suitable area in China mainly is found in seven geographical regions including southwest China (eastern Sichuan, northeast and main urban areas of Chongqing, mid-western Guizhou and mid-northern Yunnan), northwest China (mid-southern Shaanxi, southern Ningxia mid-southern and eastern Gansu), northeast China (Coastal region of Liaoning), central China (most of Henan, mid-northern Hubei and central Hunan), north China (Beijing, Tianjing, mid-southern Shanxi), east China (Shanghai, Jiangsu, Shandong, central Zhejiang, central and northern Anhui and eastern Jiangxi) and south China (western Guangxi). Based on statistical analysis, these fourteen provinces or cities, namely, Shaanxi, Beijing, Tianjing, Shanxi, Hebei, Henan, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Shandong, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Liaoning and Hubei were the main regions for current development and utilization while for the twelve provinces with higher moderate suitable areas, namely, Chongqing, Guizhou, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Ningxia, Liaoning, Hubei, Hunan, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi and Guangxi, we should supplement the appropriate irrigation and winter insulation facilities etc. Additionally, Hubei, Hunan, Anhui, also have been identified to have some potentially suitable areas. These information will help avoid the loss of human labor, material, and financial resources and provide a scientific basis for its current introduction, cultivation, and management.

Influence of Sedimentary Environments on Organic Matter Enrichment in Marine-Continental Transitional Shale: A Case Study of the Upper Permian Longtan Formation in the Central Hunan Depression, China

Influence of Sedimentary Environments on Organic Matter Enrichment in Marine-Continental Transitional Shale: A Case Study of the Upper Permian Longtan Formation in the Central Hunan Depression, China

Rice Terraces Enhanced the Hydrological Stability of Small Watershed with LUCC—A Case Study of Xinhua Basin

Rice terraces are crucial for agriculture in China’s southern mountainous regions. Land use and land cover change (LUCC) in these areas impact hydrology, but our understanding is limited. In this study, we applied the hydrological assessment tool SWAT to a selected small watershed in the rice terrace-dense area of central Hunan province, China. This study covered four LUCC periods over the past 40 years and was simulated at annual and monthly scales. The results showed that from 1980 to 2020, the areas of paddy fields and drylands decreased by 4.19% and 5.76%, respectively, while the areas of forests and construction land increased by 1.14% and 92.48%, respectively. During the past period, LUCC led to a decrease of 1.77% and 2.49% in runoff and infiltration, respectively, and an increase of 1.03% in ET. However, the water yield remained almost unchanged, indicating that the rice terrace plays a positive role in maintaining stable watershed water yield under LUCC. The results of the sub-basin analysis indicated that the transformation of paddy fields and forests directly determines the trend of hydrological changes. Land use type had the most significant impact on the runoff of the rice-terrace watershed, with the proportions of paddy fields and forests being the most influential factors. Paddy fields significantly influenced the stability of runoff at the watershed scale, suggesting that a high paddy field ratio doesn’t ensure sustainability. This study offers valuable insights for managing small watershed terraces, land use planning, and achieving sustainable development in the watershed.

Matching and coupling coordination between the supply and demand for ecosystem services in Hunan Province, China

Understanding of the ecosystem services (ESs) supply–demand balance, coupling, and coordination are vital for sustainable development in society. To reveal the changing pattern and underlying mechanisms of the supply–demand matching, coupling, and coordination in ESs, in this study, we used the InVEST model to quantify the supply of the following three ESs in Hunan Province in central China from 2000 to 2018: soil conservation (SC), water yield (WY), and carbon retention (CR). Using socioeconomic data, the capacity and demand for food supply (FS) and the demand for the other three ESs were quantitatively evaluated. The Z-score standardized data were used to divide the quadrants to clarify the supply–demand matching situation. Additionally, the elasticity coefficient model and coupling coordination degree (CCD) model were used to evaluate the supply–demand coupling relationship and coordination level. Our results indicate the following: (1) The supply of CR and FS in Hunan Province increased by 12.67% and 19.48%, respectively, while that of SC and WY decreased by 2.57% and 22.83%, respectively; the demand for SC, WY, CR, and FS increased by 0.329%, 9.43%, 142.05%, and 6.23%, respectively. The supply of CR is less than the demand, showing a clear supply–demand contradiction; the supply of SC, WY, and FS exceeded the demand; both had notable spatial heterogeneity. (2) The area of high supply–high demand (HS–HD) and high supply–low demand (HS–LD) matching types decreased, whereas the low supply–low demand (LS–LD) and low supply–high demand (LS–HD) matching types increased. Additionally, the Changsha–Zhuzhou–Xiangtan urban agglomeration (CZX) and selected districts in northern and central Hunan face a shortage of ESs. (3) The supply–demand coupling relationship of the SC and FS services was primarily positive while that of the WY and CR services was negative. (4) The supply–demand CCD of the four ESs was in an unbalanced state and demonstrated different trends. This study provides novel insights for decision-making regarding the optimisation of the spatial pattern of the land use in Hunan Province.

Potential toxic heavy metals in village topsoil of antimony mining area: Pollution and distribution, environmental safety----A case study of Qilijiang village in xikuangshan mining area, central Hunan Province, China

Potential toxic heavy metal elements in the topsoil of villages in antimony mining areas pose a serious threat to residents' health, and scientific analysis of potential toxic heavy metal element contamination in the topsoil of villages in antimony mining areas and environmental safety is especially important for residents' health and the high quality of sustainable development in the mining areas. In this study, we chose Qilijiang Village in the Lengshuijiang Tin Mine in Hunan Province and used field sampling and indoor experiments to investigate the toxic heavy metal pollution and environmental safety of the topsoil using key technologies such as geomatics mathematical analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), GIS, and environmental risk assessment modeling.The average contents of potential Pb, Cr, As, Cd, and Sb in the topsoil of the residential area exceeded the standard values by 1.12, 1.00, 15.82, 13.37, and 38.87 times, respectively; the degree of contamination risk was As > Sb > Cr > Pb > Cd in the order of As > Sb > Cr > Pb > Cd; and the high-loading elements were As and Sb with a high degree of homology. The results of spatial and principal component analysis revealed that the potential Pb, Cr, As, Cd, and Sb in the surface soil of the residential area were influenced by discrete sources such as mining, processing, and other industrial and mining activities, as well as dust deposition and residents' domestic drainage water (As and Sb); the natural geological backdrop and the metal products industry (Cr); lead-acid batteries, industrial activities, and gasoline additives (Pb); residents of the residential area, green space, and resident gardens; fertilizer application; and pesticide use (Cd). According to the results of the environmental safety analysis, Sb, As, and Cd are in the heavy pollution category, while Cr and Pb are in the low pollution category, and the ecological danger of metals is Cd (401.22) > Sb (388.70) > As (158.16) > Pb (5.58) > Cr (2.00).Cd and Sb have reached a very high degree of ecological risk; As is at a higher risk level; and Pb and Cr are at a lower or no risk level. Except for As and Sb (HI value > 1), the non-carcinogenic risk of village topsoil was insignificant, and Pb, Sb, and As in topsoil exhibited carcinogenic risk, with As exceeding the permissible level, and the carcinogenic risk of As in Qilijiang village was more serious than that of Sb. The study's findings are critical for implementing preventive steps to protect the ecosystem and assure long-term growth in the area.

Discovery of a new cryptic Achalinus Peters, 1869 (Serpentes, Xenodermidae) species from Hunan Province, China.

A new species, Achalinusshenisp. nov., from central Hunan Province is described, based on the results of molecular systematics and morphological characters according to five specimens. Our molecular phylogeny inferred from the mitochondrial CO1 gene fragment revealed that this new species is most closely related to A.yunkaiensis, but a considerable amount of genetic divergence exists between them (p-distance ranging from 5.8% to 6.4%) and much distinct genetic divergence exists compared with other known Achalinus species (p-distance ranging from 10.4% to 15.8%), supporting its validity. Morphologically, it can be distinguished from its congeners by: (1) dorsal scales strongly keeled, 23 rows throughout the body, the outmost row smooth and significantly enlarged; (2) tail relatively short, TaL/TL 0.183 ~ 0.224; (3) the suture between internasals subequal to the suture between prefrontals; (4) loreal one, subrectangular, LorH/LorL 0.53 ~ 0.57; (5) ventrals 161-170, anal entire, subcaudals 55-61, not paired; (6) the length of supraocular equal to or longer than the length of upper anterior temporal; and (7) vertebral line inconspicuous and subcaudal streak absent. Currently, 27 species of Achalinus are known in the world, amongst which 20 species are distributed in China. Moreover, a key to species of the genus Achalinus is provided in this study.

Central Hunan Lutheran Church’s Progress toward Self-Reliance (1902–1951): A Study Based on the Archives of the Norwegian Missionary Society

In 1902, the Norwegian Missionary Society (NMS) sent its first missionaries to central Hunan, China, to preach and set up a local Lutheran Church. Missionaries in China traditionally had a sense of religious superiority. At that time, Chinese Christians were experiencing a series of national crises, and their desire for self-reliance correlated with a rise in the national consciousness. Hunan’s Christians demanded autonomy for the Church, causing tension with the Western missionaries’ sense of superiority. The Central Hunan Lutheran Church realized a balanced transfer of authority through contradiction and dialogue. The establishment of a Chinese and Western Council aided gradual realization of Hunan Christians’ demand for self-reliance, and in 1922, the rise of an anti-Christian movement with strong anti-imperialist sentiments triggered further moves toward Church independence. However, local churches faced many difficulties and progress was slow, owing to the economic situation, the lack of material foundation, local Christians’ weak theological foundation and a highly mobile population. This article examines how Christians in Hunan responded to the huge gap between their own will and the conditions they faced, illustrating the historical process of cross-cultural cooperation as cultures collided.

Petrographic features and carbon structural evolution of a series of high-temperature treated anthracites

Clean energies such as solar, wind, and geothermal power have developed rapidly in recent years and they will probably become the dominant energy source in the future. Thus, coal utilization will have to shift from traditional combustion for energy to coal being a source for raw carbon materials. In this paper, anthracite from the Jinzhushan mine located in central Hunan, China, was treated up to 2900 °C to examine its chemical, petrographic, and carbon structural evolution. Carbon content increased rapidly from 90.2 to 98.8% (daf basis) when treated up to 1700 °C; beyond this temperature the carbon content increased gradually to 100% (daf) at 2900 °C. Altered macerals (vitrinite and inertinite) with an amorphous carbon structure were prevalent in samples treated to ≤1500 °C. Graphitized components were identified in the anthracite heated to ≥1700 °C, as confirmed by micro-Raman spectroscopy and HRTEM. Based on D1 band FWHM versus R1 plots, the carbon structural evolution of anthracite between room temperature and 1700 °C was classified as carbonization, whereas the graphitization process occurred between 1700 and 2900 °C. The nanometric polyaromatic rings retained short-range order during carbonization; the condensed aromatic rings remained randomly oriented at the submicron scale. During graphitization, the aligned structural units were able to undergo condensation reactions and de-wrinkle with temperature increase, leading to a marked increase in crystallite parameters La and Lc. Most vitrinite and inertinite in the anthracite transformed into graphitic components in samples treated to 2600 and 2900 °C, and La showed a significant increase whereas Lc only showed a slight increase between 2600 and 2900 °C. This study will provide insights for optimizing temperature control strategies during preparation of anthracite-based carbon materials in the future.

Heavy Metal Regularity of Carboniferous Weathered Black Shale in Qiziqiao Area, Central Hunan

The Hunan region is a high geological background area of black rock series rich in various metallic elements; accordingly, local heavy metal pollution is severe. Previous studies on black shale have primarily focused on the lower Cambrian strata, while research on Carboniferous black shale remains scarce. To better explore the activity law of heavy metals during Carboniferous black shale weathering, this study analyzed the elemental components of samples through field observations of outcrops in the Qiziqiao area of central Hunan province, China using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The results showed that the heavy metal content of black shale under different degrees of weathering varied greatly, with different heavy metals maintaining distinct migration and enrichment rules throughout this process. The heavy metal content in Carboniferous black shale and soils of central Hunan was generally less than that of the regional lower Cambrian black shale and soil; however, the Cd content in the black shale soil was slightly higher than background values, while the Sr content was substantially higher than background values. Heavy metals V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, and Pb were not generally leached or released during weathering, and may undergo relative enrichment or secondary enrichment. Comparatively, Zn, Cd, and Ba can be more readily leached and released, and may undergo secondary enrichment. The lithophilic element Sr tended to leach out overall and expressed strong activity, whereas the chemical activities of the high-field-strength elements, Zr and Hf, were relatively stable. During soil formation, all heavy metal elements save Sr were significantly enriched. The enrichment factor analysis of different degrees of weathered black shale reveals that the heavy metals Ba, Hf, and Sr in black shale soil originate from the parent rock. V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb are influenced by both natural and anthropogenic factors, with Cd being significantly impacted by human activities. The evaluation of soil heavy metals using the geoaccumulation index method indicates that V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Ba, Hf, and Pb are non-polluted, Cd exhibits moderate pollution, and Sr shows moderately heavy pollution. From a geochemical perspective, it can be inferred that heavy metals in black shale soil are likely to be secondarily enriched in clay and iron oxide minerals.

Re–Os and Pb isotope features of pyrite in the Shihangli graphite deposit: implications of coal-generated graphite mineralization in central Hunan, South China

Re–Os and Pb isotope features of pyrite in the Shihangli graphite deposit: implications of coal-generated graphite mineralization in central Hunan, South China

A contribution to cavernicolous beetle diversity of South China Karst: eight new genera and fourteen new species (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Trechini)

The specific diversity of Chinese cave fauna of the ground beetle tribe Trechini is further enriched. Eight new genera and species of trechine beetles are reported from limestone caves in southern China karsts: Youtrechus zijunae n. gen., n. sp. (Xianning, southeastern Hubei Province), Wumengius fengi n. gen., n. sp. (Liupanshui, western Guizhou Province), Chenotrechus parvulus n. gen., n. sp. (Laibin, central Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region), Sinaphaenopoides zhaoyiae n. gen., n. sp. (Chenzhou, southern Hunan Province), Ecotrechus ruruiae n. gen., n. sp. Hurites yunxianicus n. gen., n. sp. (Shaoyang, central Hunan Province), Pangaphaenops seraphicus n. gen., n. sp. (Bama, northwestern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region) and Zunotrechus zhaojieyui n. gen., n. sp. (Zunyi, northern Guizhou Province). All the above genera are monospecific. Generic diagnosis of each new genus, with discussions on its possible phylogenetic position within the tribe Trechini, and description of the type species are provided. The following new species of cavernicolous trechines are described: Dongodytes (Dongodytodes) pingjingae sp. n. (Hechi, northern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region), Dongodytes (s. str.) mingruoae n. sp. (Du'an, Hechi, northern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region), Deuveaphaenops (Furongius) huangheae n. sp. (Daozhen, Zunyi, northern Guizhou Province), Shilinotrechus zhangfani n. sp. (Mile, Honghe Hani & Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southeastern Yunnan Province), Guizhaphaenops (s. str.) wanghaoi n. sp. (Qinglong, Qianxinan Buyi & Miao Autonomous Prefecture, southwestern Guizhou Province), and Graciliblemus gui n. sp. (Liping, Qiandongnan Miao & Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southeastern Guizhou Province). Further generic characteristics of the genus Graciliblemus Deuve & Tian, 2016 are added. A distribution map for all above new taxa is given.

Tungsten–Gold Metallogenetic Potential of the Ziyunshan Pluton in Central Hunan, South China: Insights from Element Geochemistry of Granites

In order to reveal the metallogenic potential of the Indosinian Ziyunshan granite in central Hunan, the temporal, spatial and genetic relationship between the mineralization and the granite is discussed, and the concentrations of ore-forming elements for different granites are measured. The geochemistry of the elements, isotope geochemistry and chronology, and the data derived from the analysis on Au-W deposit in the area are compared with the geologic features of the regional metallogenic rock. The results indicate that Ziyunshan granite is an irregular shaped complex of late Indosinian by multi-stage intrusion. Elements such as W, Sn, Cu, Pb, Ag, Sb, Be, Li and Ta are enriched in the granite. The sulfophilic elements including Au, Pb, Zn and Ag are relatively enriched in the main body of the Ziyunshan granite, while the lithophilic elements including W and Sn are relatively enriched in the late phase of the Ziyunshan granite. The zoning of the ore-forming elements could be observed in the granite: Nb and Ta (inside the granite); W, Sn, Mo and Bi (inner contact zone); Pb, Zn and Cu (contact zone); and Au and Sb (outer contact zone). All the deposits in the area are formed after the intrusion of the Ziyunshan granite except the Ni-Ta-Sn ore formed simultaneously with the Ziyunshan granite. The Ziyunshan granite provides necessary heat, active fluid and partial ore-forming materials sources, which may show good metallogenic potential.

Genomics, Origin and Selection Signals of Loudi Cattle in Central Hunan.

Due to the geographical, cultural and environmental variability in Xiangxi, China, distinctive indigenous cattle populations have formed. Among them, Loudi cattle and Xiangxi cattle are the local cattle in Hunan, and the environment in Loudi is relatively more enclosed and humid than that in Xiangxi. To study the genome and origin of Loudi cattle in hot and humid environments, 29 individuals were collected and sequenced by whole-genome resequencing. In addition, genomic data were obtained from public databases for 96 individuals representing different cattle breeds worldwide, including 23 Xiangxi cattle from western Hunan. Genetic analysis indicated that the genetic diversity of Loudi cattle was close to that of Chinese cattle and higher than that of other breeds. Population structure and ancestral origin analysis indicated the relationship between Loudi cattle and other breeds. Loudi has four distinctive seasons, with a stereoscopic climate and extremely rich water resources. Selective sweep analysis revealed candidate genes and pathways associated with environmental adaptation and homeostasis. Our findings provide a valuable source of information on the genetic diversity of Loudi cattle and ideas for population conservation and genome-associated breeding of local cattle in today's extreme climate environment.

Determining the gas accumulation period using fluid inclusion observations: Xiang Zhong Basin, China

Abstract There are a large number of natural gas shows in the Upper Paleozoic of the central Hunan Basin. However, the hydrocarbon accumulation process was complicated due to the strong tectonic reformation in this area. A study of the natural gas accumulation period is of significance for determining gas accumulation models. In this research, the fluid inclusion samples were tested, the fluid inclusion occurrence characteristics, uniform temperature data, and reservoir evolution were analyzed, and four diagenetic periods and four diagenetic periods and three hydrocarbon accumulation periods were identified. (i) For the syntaxial stage, the filling is dark and nonluminous, and the fluid captured by the overgrowing cement around the particles is mainly seawater; (ii) for the (Early) Mesogenetic burial stage, the calcite cement grows around the particles or micritic calcite matrix, and the fluid captured is mainly brine; (iii) for (Late) Mesogenetic burial stage, two sets of decomposed fissures developed in massive calcite colloids with non-luminous gas-rich hydrocarbon inclusions within the crystals; and (iv) for Telogenetic burial stage, weakly fluorescent pure gaseous hydrocarbon inclusions are developed in luminescent calcite veins. The result indicates that the organic inclusions in the Lower Carboniferous of the central Hunan Basin are dominated by weakly fluorescent and nonfluorescent rich gas inclusions and pure gas-phase inclusions, with three stages of hydrocarbon filling. By integrating the average homogenization temperatures on burial curves, the three charging orders correspond to 260–250 Ma during the Late Permian, 249–245 Ma during the Early Triassic, and 208–170 Ma during the Late Triassic. Dense reservoir characteristics reveal deep basin gas reservoir in deep basin.

Geological occurrence and productivity prediction for coalbed methane of central Hunan depression, China

To analyze the geological occurrence and predict the drainage performance of coalbed methane in the central Hunan depression of China, coal samples were collected to conduct physical experiments and numerical simulations. The following conclusions were reached. The vitrinite ranges from 54.37 to 87.80%, the inertinite is between 11.14–25.89%, and exinite is less than 1%. The inorganic components are mainly clay minerals and vary from 0.71 to 5.66%. The major porosity ranges from 7 to 9%, and it is influenced by organic/inorganic components and maturity. Both the vertical and horizontal permeabilities are at a relatively low level, mostly below 0.05 mD, indicating the reservoir is low permeable or non-permeable. The reservoir pressure ranges from 3.74 to 11.58 MPa, which has significant and positive linear correlations with closure pressure and burial depth. Gas content varies from 5 m3/t to 20 m3/t. The theoretical recovery ratio in the Hongshandian mining area is about 61.7%, while the values of the two spots in the Duanpiqiao mining area are 49.1 and 54.5%. Production predictions show that under the permeability of 0.01 mD, 0.05 mD, and 0.10 mD, cumulative gas productions in 10 years for a single well range from 1.7 × 106 m3 to 3.2 × 106 m3, and those for a well group consisting of five wells vary from 10.5 × 106 m3 to 19.2 × 106 m3. Thus, this area will have a high value for coalbed methane exploitation after stimulating the reservoir to increase permeability successfully.

Petrogenesis and geodynamic implications of the Baimashan granitic complex in central Hunan, South China

The Baimashan granitic complex in central Hunan is a giant multiphase complex pluton within the South China Plate, which contains three phases (the Shuiche, Longtan‐Xiaoshajiang, and Longcangwan superunits). It is located in the Jiangnan Orogenic Belt and is of great significance for the study of the regional tectonic magmatic evolution. Herein, we utilized zircon U–Pb dating, major and trace element geochemistry, and zircon Hf isotope geochemistry for three of the Baimashan granitic complexes; data for the Longcangwan superunit were obtained from previous studies. The new zircon U–Pb ages of 418 ± 3.2 Ma and 223 ± 2.6 Ma for the Shuiche and Longtan‐Xiaoshajiang superunits, respectively, suggest the existence of Late Silurian and Late Triassic magmatism. Both superunits exhibited weak peraluminosity and high‐K calc‐alkaline and weak negative Eu anomalies, which are similar to those of I‐type granites. The Longcangwan superunit showed strong peraluminosity and high‐K calc‐alkaline and stronger negative Eu anomalies; Hf isotope and mineralogical evidence suggest that it is a fractionated I‐type granite. The zircon Hf(t) values and two‐stage depleted mantle Hf model ages revealed that the magma of the Baimashan granitic complex originates from the partial melting of metamorphic igneous rocks; the crust–mantle differentiation age in the source area was 1.5–1.7 Ga for Longtan‐Xiaoshajiang and Longcangwan and 1.7–1.9 Ga for Shuiche. The superunits formed in a post‐collisional extensional tectonic setting. In the case of the Shuiche supersuit this is related to the remote effect of the interaction of the South China Plate with the Australian‐Indian margin of Eastern Gondwana. The formation of the Longtan‐Xiaoshajiang and Longcangwan superunits is linked to the remote effect of the Indosinian and South China Plate collision and the superimposition of the subduction of the Palaeo‐Pacific Plate. The weakly fractionated I‐type granite that formed during the Caledonian in South China is closely related to scheelite mineralisation.

Trace elements and in situ sulfur isotopes of pyrite from the Baiyunpu Au deposit in central Hunan, South China: Implications for gold mineralization

The Central Hunan metallogenic province, located in the southeastern part of the Yangtze Block, South China, is one of the most important Sb–Au metallogenic belts in China. The Baiyunpu gold deposit is one of the important Carlin‐type gold deposits occurring in Devonian sedimentary strata in Central Hunan. Optical microscopy and in situ laser ablation (multi‐collector) inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐[MC]‐ICP‐MS) are used to determine the texture, trace element compositions and sulfur isotope for pyrites from the pre‐ore and syn‐ore stages to constrain the sources of reduced sulfur and metals and the mechanism of gold precipitation. Four generations of pyrite were identified by petrography and pyrite compositions. Pre‐ore Py1 is characterized by relatively low concentrations of As, Au, Sb and Cu and high concentrations of Co, Ni, Bi and Pb. Py1 has positive δ34S values of 6.5–10.1‰, which we ascribe to a bacterial reduction of marine sulfate in closed marine systems, or from weak Rayleigh fractionation by bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR) or thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) during sedimentary‐diagenetic processes. Pre‐ore Py2 presents as rims of Py1 and contains relatively high As (69,530 ppm), Sb (123.2 ppm) and low Au (4.89 ppm). Compared with Py2, Py3 has relatively high Au (194.4 ppm) and Cu (24.6 ppm) and low As (40,801 ppm). We interpret that Py2 and Py3 could have precipitated from an Au‐free but As‐rich early hydrothermal fluids or from low‐Au and As‐rich fluids at the beginning of the ore stage. The δ34S values of Py2 and Py3 in the Baiyunpu deposit are concentrated in a narrow range of −1.2 to 1.2‰, suggesting the involvement of magmatic sulfur. Syn‐ore pyrites (Opy) are enriched in Au (517.8 ppm), As (39,719 ppm), Cu (261.9 ppm) and Sb (171.4 ppm). Irregular boundaries between Py1 and Opy suggest that the replacement may have been important for the formation of pyrites at the syn‐ore stage. The variation of As concentration in Opy1, Opy2 and Opy3 appear to have recorded fluctuations in the chemical composition of ore fluids. The δ34S values of Opy (0.1–5.9‰) are slightly higher than Py2 and Py3 due to mixing with sedimentary components with elevated δ34S values in late‐stage hydrothermal fluids. Profile analyses for Baiyunpu auriferous pyrite grains suggest that Au was positively correlated with Cu, but not with As. The correlation between Au, Cu and As in Opy may be dominated by their concentrations of ambient evolving fluids.

Spiritual Colonisation: Society and Religious Cults in Central Hunan since the Song Dynasty

La mise au jour récente d’une multitude de sources primaires dans la région du centre du Hunan a considérablement enrichi les études sur le taoïsme local en Chine. La découverte la plus notable est celle de petites statues en bois dans lesquelles sont ingénieusement dissimulés des certificats de consécration. En tant que divinités communautaires et familiales, le « maître de famille » (jiazhu 家主) et le « maître du lieu » (dizhu 地主) sont représentés sous la forme de ces statues et disposés sur les autels domestiques. Membres du clan, les dizhu sont honorés d’une part en raison de leur pouvoir spirituel (fashu 法術), et ont été identifiés à des chamans et des dieux territoriaux et, d’autre part, comme les jiazhu, ils sont vénérés comme des divinités ayant mis en valeur des terres incultes. Le culte des ancêtres dans les communautés locales implique principalement la célébration des jiazhu. Cet article présente une étude du développement de leur culte par le biais d’analyses de diverses sources primaires, notamment des documents officiels, des sources locales et des textes rituels taoïstes. L’auteur se concentre sur le long processus au cours duquel les croyances locales se sont entrelacées avec différents cultes à partir de la dynastie des Song, ce qui a donné lieu à des caractéristiques régionales spécifiques qui sont repérables dans les observances rituelles de routine.

Meishan scroll paintings and ancestor worship of the Flat Land Yao people in Gongcheng Yao Autonomous District, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China

ABSTRACT This article focuses on the Flat Land Yao (Pingdi Yao,平地瑶) people’s ancestor worship reflected in the Meishan scroll paintings which were discovered in Shuibin village, Guanyin township, Gongcheng Yao Autonomous District, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China in 1984. The Yao people believed that Meishan was not only their ancestral habitation located in ancient central Hunan, but also the pure land for the ancestors’ souls. For the long migration duration and the unfavourable preservation environment, the existing number of Meishan scroll paintings of Flat Land Yao is small, and the two sets of scrolls in Gongcheng Yao Autonomous District are rare art works in the series. The dress style, decoration, generation names of the ancestors, and the skills of the painters reflected that the Flat Land Yao people had absorbed the culture of the surrounding nationalities, especially the Han culture. Confucianism also had an important influence on the Flat Land Yao.