Mongolia Of China Research Articles

Heat transfer model of hot-wall Kang based on the non-uniform Kang surface temperature in Chinese rural residences

Chinese Kangs are widely used for home space heating in rural residences. However, the energy efficiency of a traditional Kang is less than 20%. Thus, the hot-wall Kang is gradually becoming popular in Jilin, Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia of China because of its higher energy efficiency, comfortable indoor thermal environment and flexibility of application. The hot-wall Kang has three operation modes. The heat transfer model of Kang in previous studies was developed based on the three assumptions, which include the uniform Kang surface temperature, the neglect of the radiation effect of gas and the thermal storage of ash soil layer. However, the model of hot-wall Kang in this paper was improved with respect to the three assumptions, which were discussed in this paper. Then, the model was validated by experiments and applied to optimize the thermal performance of the hot-wall Kang. The results showed that the simulation results were in good agreement with the measurement results. Furthermore, based on the verified model, the better thickness and material of the cover board were found to be 0.06 m and foam concrete, respectively.

Spirosoma soli sp. nov., isolated from biological soil crusts.

A Gram-negative, aerobic, short rod-shaped, non-motile, pale-yellow bacterial strain was isolated from biological soil crusts collected in the desert of Kubuqi, Inner Mongolia of China, designated MIMBbqt12T. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain MIMBbqt12T was 49.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain MIMBbqt12T belongs to the genus Spirosoma with the highest sequence similarity of 93.5 % to Spirosoma arcticum R2-35T. The major fatty acids of strain MIMBbqt12T were C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 03-OH, C16 : 1ω5c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c). The results of phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness supported that strain MIMBbqt12T represents a novel species of the genus Spirosoma, for which the name Spirosoma soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MIMBbqt12T (=MCCC 1K01308T=KCTC 42805T).

Responses of soil enzyme activity and microbial community compositions to nitrogen addition in bulk and microaggregate soil in the temperate steppe of Inner Mongolia

In order to explore the responses of soil enzyme activities and microbial community compositions to long-term nitrogen (N) addition in both bulk soil and microaggregate of chestnut soil, we conducted a 7-year urea addition experiment with N treatments at 6 levels (0, 56, 112, 224, 392 and 560 kg N ha–1 yr–1) in a temperate steppe of Inner Mongolia in China. Soil properties and the activities of four enzymes involved in carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycling were measured in both bulk soil and microaggregate, and phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) were measured in bulk soil. The results indicated that: 1) in bulk soil, N addition significantly decreased β-1,4-glucosidase (BG) and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) activities at the treatment amounts of 224, 392 and 560 kg N ha–1 yr–1, and obviously suppressed β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) activity at the treatment amount of 560 kg N ha–1 yr–1. N addition enhanced total PLFAs (totPLFAs) and bacterial PLFAs (bacPLFAs) at the treatment amounts of 392 and 560 kg N ha–1 yr–1, respectively, but fungal PLFAs showed no response to N addition. The activities of BG, NAG and LAP were positively correlated with soil pH, but negatively correlated with the concentration of NH 4 + -N; 2) in microaggregate (53–250 μm), the activities of BG, NAG and AP showed no response to increased addition of N, but the significantly decreased LAP activity was observed at the treatment amount of 392 kg N ha–1 yr–1. These results suggested that enzyme activities were more sensitive to N addition than PLFA biomarkers in soil, and LAP activity in microaggregate may be a good indicator for evaluating N cycle response to long-term N addition.

Investigation of Irrigation Canal Seepage Losses through Use of Four Different Methods in Hetao Irrigation District, China

Canal seepage is an important cause of irrigation water losses. Specific seepage losses of Gongan lateral and Zuosi field canals, which are located in the Hetao Irrigation District of Inner Mongolia in China, are calculated in this study. Specifically, canal seepage losses are calculated by field experiments, empirical formulas, the Kostiakov formula, and numerical simulations. The ponding method is rarely utilized in large irrigation canals and canals with many branches or high slopes. The results of the field experiment are utilized to compare and analyze the calculation results of three other methods. When the empirical formulas are employed to calculate canal seepage losses, more related factors are considered; hence, more-accurate calculation results are obtained. The first empirical formula is mostly used for canals that do not adopt seepage control measures or apply simple forms for seepage control. The second empirical formula is suitable for the case wherein the entire flow section of a canal has been paved with a soil impermeable layer and canal seepage is in a free state. When the Kostiakov formula is employed to calculate canal seepage losses, the parameter values may differ significantly from the actual conditions. Thus, a large difference exists between the calculation results of the Kostiakov formula and those of the field experiment. The Kostiakov formula is widely utilized in the planning and design of canals, as well as being applied to seepage loss estimation during canal water conveyance and distribution under normal canal operating conditions. The numerical method is utilized to calculate canal seepage losses by simulating the actual situation in the site. Except for the result of seepage loss for the lined Gongan lateral canal, the simulation results of seepage losses for the unlined Gongan lateral and Zuosi field canals and the lined Zuosi field canal are relatively reasonable. If sufficient data of the study area can be obtained and finite-element software can meet the computing requirements, the numerical method can be applied to any channel.

Bringing Sustainability Down to Earth: Heihe River as a Paradigm Case of Sustainable Water Allocation

The article analyses a transdisciplinary wicked upstream-downstream conflict over water allocation in an arid region of Inner Mongolia (China). This conflict is about scarce water resources which can be either allocated to irrigation agriculture upstream or to preservation and restoration a rare ecosystem downstream. This conflict is located at the interface of environmental and agricultural ethics. The case study is about Heihe River, agricultural demands for irrigation in the region of Zhangye, and endangered Tugai forest at downstream Heihe in Ejina oasis. Authors use a theoretical approach of environmental philosophy and rely on the concept of 'strong sustainability'. From this background two normative yardsticks are derived: a constant natural capital rule and the overall satisfactory goodness of a river basin. Both yardsticks are not met at Heihe. Downstream, we see the endangered Tugai forest as a location which should be preserved de re. We argue for a viable institutional water saving strategy within the agricultural areas of Zhangye district by which Tugai forests at downstream Heihe might be restored. Our case study indicates that even wicked problems can find proper and prudent solutions.

Population genetics of 23 Y-STR loci in the Mongolian minority population in Inner Mongolia of China.

In this study, 23 Y chromosomal STRs (DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385a, DYS385b, DYS438, DYS439, DYS437, DYS448, DYS456, DYS458, DYS635, YGATAH4, DYS576, DYS481, DYS549, DYS533, DYS570, and DYS643) were investigated in 258 unrelated individuals of Mongolian descent living in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. A total of 233 different haplotypes were found, and 209 of them were unique. Haplotype diversity was 0.9992 and gene diversity ranged from 0.4840 (DYS391) to 0.9679 (DYS385ab). Both R st pairwise analysis and multidimensional scaling plot showed that the genetic structure of the Mongolian population was significantly different from some Chinese ethnic groups and neighboring populations. It is notable that there were null features existing at DYS448 as observed by the PowerPlex® Y23 System, which could be also obtained by sequencing in the Tibetan population.

Variation of Zn content in soils under different land-use types in the Hetao oasis, Inner Mongolia of China

Understanding the status and distribution of the micronutrient Zn in soils is important for managing plant growth and preventing soil pollution for agricultural irrigation systems in arid and semi-arid regions. In this study, a total of 195 soil samples from five soil layers (0–20, 20–40, 40–60, 60–80 and 80–100 cm) in the three land-use types (wasteland, forestland and cropland) after long-term agricultural fertilization and irrigation with Yellow River water were collected in the middle of the Hetao oasis, i.e. the Yongji irrigation sub-oasis. We analyzed the vertical and spatial distributions of Zn content and its relationship with soil properties to determine whether differences of Zn content existed in the soil profiles. The results revealed that the mean content of Zn was 107 mg/kg, 1.9 times higher than the background value (55.7 mg/kg) of the Hetao oasis and much lower than the secondary standard value (300 mg/kg) of the Chinese Environmental Quality Standard for Soils when pH>7.5. Soil Zn contents were not significantly different and the coefficients of variation of Zn contents were less than 50% in the five soil layers. Soil Zn content was similar from southern to northern parts but increased from western to eastern parts in the sub-oasis. Soil Zn contents did not differ significantly among the three land-use types, but soil total nitrogen (TN) contents were significantly higher in the agriculturally managed forestland and cropland than in the wasteland (P<0.05). Zn was significantly and positively correlated with TN (F=36.6, P<0.001). The use of fertilizers may increase the content of Zn in soils, but flooding irrigation may minimize the differences in the spatial distribution of soil Zn content in the whole sub-oasis. This research is of important value for soil pollution control and sustainable land use management in arid and semi-arid regions.

Origin of Late Cenozoic Abaga–Dalinuoer basalts, eastern China: Implications for a mixed pyroxenite–peridotite source related with deep subduction of the Pacific slab

Continental intraplate basalts (15.42–0.16Ma) from Abaga–Dalinuoer volcanic field (ADVF) in central Inner Mongolia of eastern China, as a part of Cenozoic volcanic province along eastern margin of the Eurasian continent, provide a good opportunity to explore potential links between deep subduction of the Pacific slab and continental intraplate volcanism. In this study, we report an integrated dataset of whole-rock K–Ar ages, major and trace elements and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes, and olivine major and minor elements for the Abaga–Dalinuoer basalts (ADBs), and propose that mantle source lithology of the ADB magmas may consist of both pyroxenite and peridotite. The ADBs display low SiO2 (42.3–50.2wt.%), high MgO (7.3–11.4wt.%) and moderate K2O+Na2O (3.8–6.4wt.%), and can be subdivided into basanites, alkali basalts and tholeiitic basalts that are all characterized by ocean island basalt (OIB)-like rare earth elements (REE) and enrichment in both large ion lithosphile elements (LILE) and high field strength elements (HFSE). Olivine phenocrysts have higher Ni and Fe/Mn and lower Mn, Ca and Ca/Fe relative to those from peridotite melts, but exhibit clearly lower Ni contents (<2500ppm) compared with expected Ni range (>3000ppm) for olivines crystallized from olivine-free pyroxenite melts. Estimated compositions of the ADB primary magmas, together with olivine compositions, suggest an iron-rich mantle source related with silica-deficient pyroxenite that is most likely derived from deeply subducted Pacific oceanic crust. Additionally, peridotite and recent subducted sediments are also required to account for high Ni and MgO in primary magmas together with their trace elements and Sr–Nd–Pb isotope systematics. We suggest that a mixed pyroxenite–peridotite source lithology can better match observed whole-rock and olivine signatures in the ADB, compared with either peridotite only or olivine-free pyroxenite only source lithology. In our model, pyroxenite melts would either react with or mechanically mix with peridotite, and the proportion of pyroxenite melts may range from 30% to 45% for mechanical mixing scenario. A continuous spectrum from tholeiitic to alkali melts revealed by melt-peridotite reaction experiment can explain formation of primary magmas of basanites, alkali basalts and tholeiitic basalts by increasing melting degree of a similar mantle source. Relatively higher 206Pb/204Pb of the ADB may suggest more significant role of recent (<0.5Ga) subducted Pacific oceanic materials, in contrast to other Cenozoic basalts in eastern China (e.g., Changbai basalts) that exhibit varying contributions from ancient (>1.5Ga) subducted continental sediments. We emphasize that coupled geochemical and geodynamic links (i.e., subduction polarity) between deeply subducted Pacific slab and continental intraplate volcanism in eastern China may exist, which directly support the involvement of deeply subducted Pacific materials in petrogenesis of the ADB. From the perspective of plate motion kinetics, decompression partial melting of upwelling fragmented Pacific slab (silica-deficient pyroxenite+recent subducted sediments) may be triggered by rollback of deeply subducted Pacific slab during Late Cenozoic times. Continental intraplate volcanism in the ADVF generally started with termination of opening of the Japan Sea, suggesting that deep subduction of the Pacific slab may have been an important geodynamic mechanism responsible for tectono-magmatic evolution of northeastern Asia. We suggest that the ADBs have the potential to shed light on genetic links between continental intraplate volcanism and deep subduction of the Pacific slab in geochemical and geodynamic processes.

Spectra and electromagnetic transitions of 72–84Kr in the interacting boson model-1**Supported by NSFC(11465001,11165001) and Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia of China (2013MS0117)

Within the framework of the interacting boson model-1, the energy levels and electromagnetic transitions in 72–84Kr isotopes are calculated. The structures of the eigenstate and Hamiltonian matrix for some low-lying states are also calculated. The calculated results are compared with available experimental data, and the results are generally in good agreement. The present study shows that the 72,74,76,80,82,84Kr isotopes are in the transition from U(5) → SU(3), and 78Kr is in the transition from U(5) → O(6).

Mercury emission from spontaneously ignited coal gangue hill in Wuda coalfield, Inner Mongolia, China

Coal mining waste material (coal gangue) is a serious problem in all coal-producing countries, consuming land resource and posing occupational and environmental hazards. In China alone, coal gangue inventory reaches 4.5–5Gt, with an annual increase of 0.37–0.55Gt. Coal gangue is commonly stored as gangue hills and known for the inclination to spontaneous combustion. This study targeted the largest gangue hill with 100m in height, 2000m in foot perimeter and a combustion history over 50years in Wuda coalfield, Inner Mongolia of China—a global hot spot for underground coal fire. Lumex RA-915+ portable mercury analyzer was employed in the in-situ real-time measurement of exhaust gas at 46 accessible vents on the gangue hill slope, and a total of 2760 mercury concentration data showed an average mercury concentration of 5908ng/m3 (1022–31,750ng/m3, n=2760) in the exhaust gas, which is 12.7 times that measured in underground coal fire in the same coalfield. Moreover, an elevated mercury content (43.2ng/m3) was observed in the near-surface air in the vicinity of gangue hill, which is 15–30 times of the atmospheric background level. This findings suggest that the coal gangue may also be an important contributing factor to the global anthropogenic mercury inventory.

Common occurrence of Cryptosporidium hominis in horses and donkeys

Extensive genetic variation is observed within the genus Cryptosporidium and the distribution of Cryptosporidium species/genotypes in humans and animals appears to vary by geography and host species. To better understand the genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in horses and donkeys, we characterized five horse-derived and 82 donkey-derived Cryptosporidium isolates from five provinces or autonomous regions (Sichuan, Gansu, Henan, Inner Mongolia and Shandong) in China at the species/genotype and subtype levels. Three Cryptosporidium species/genotypes were identified based on the analysis of the SSU rRNA gene, including Cryptosporidium parvum (n=22), the Cryptosporidium horse genotype (n=4), and Cryptosporidium hominis (n=61). The identification of C. hominis was confirmed by sequence analysis of the HSP70 and actin genes. Subtyping using sequence analysis of the 60kDa glycoprotein gene identified 21 C. parvum isolates as subtype IIdA19G1, the four horse genotype isolates as subtypes VIaA15G4 (n=2) and VIaA11G3 (n=2), and the 61 C. hominis isolates as IkA16G1 (n=59) and IkA16 (n=2). The common finding of C. hominis reaffirms the heterogeneity of Cryptosporidium spp. in horses and donkeys and is possibly a reflection of endemic transmission of C. hominis in these animals. Data of the study suggest that horses and donkeys as companion animals may potentially transmit Cryptosporidium infections to humans.

Environmental and tectonic significance of Late Permian reefs in the Linxi and adjacent areas in Inner Mongolia of China

Many plateau-edge reefs and reef mounds of the Late Permian have been discovered in Linxi County and adjacent areas of Inner Mongolia, China. These reefs verify that the Hinggan-Inner Mongolia Area was an open and unobstructed sea-trough in Late Permian. Facies and sequences of reef strata in Member 4 and Member 5 of the Linxi Formation were studied for information to reconstruct the closing process of the Linxi-Jiutai chasm in the sea-trough, i.e., to constrain subsidence, uplift, and final closing. Ages of the reef-bearing strata have been determined to be late and end of Late Permian, based on ranges or abundances of diverse fossils. Six reef-building organic assemblages were distinguished, representing different ecologic conditions, according to morphological functions and paleoecological adaptations of organisms including primarily sponges, bryozoans, and calcareous algae. Two types of shelf slopes, the gentle slope and the steep slope, have been interpreted for Member 4 and Member 5 of the Linxi Formation, based on the assemblages. The locations of outcrops, and types of these reefs delineate the north margin of Sino-Korea Platform, and define uplift and final closing of the Linxi–Jiutai chasm at the end of Late Permian.

An empirical analysis of the effect of crop insurance on farmers’ income: results from Inner Mongolia in China

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the effect of crop insurance on farmer income in Inner Mongolia, China Design/methodology/approach We use a survey of farmers in Inner Mongolia, China, with difference-in-difference, propensity score matching, and hybrid propensity score matching difference-in-difference treatment effect estimators to assess the effectiveness of crop insurance on farmer income. Findings The empirical results show that crop insurance does not significantly affect farmer income under the current policy of “low-premium, wide-coverage, low-guarantee and low-indemnity.” Research limitations/implications A possible limitation of this study is that the data includes only one geographic area, Inner Mongolia, China, and so results may not generalize to other regions of China. Practical implications This research provides empirical estimates of the impact of crop insurance on farm household income. Given the results, we speculate that a number of specific changes to the crop insurance program might increase its positive impacts. Originality/value We believe this is the first study to use individual farm household level survey data to evaluate the impact of crop insurance on farmer income in China.

Coal containerization

Purpose Shaanxi, Shanxi province and Inner Mongolia in north China are the nation’s leading producers of coal. In the past decades, a huge amount of coal has been transported from these areas to the central and south China via ports in Hebei Province and Port of Tianjin. Traditionally, coal is transported in bulk shipment. However, in recent years, an interesting phenomenon is that the lump coal is sorted out in the north and then moved in containers to the south. This paper aims to ascertain whether the coal containerization will become an alternative transport mode for moving lump coal from the north to the south of China. Based on extensive field investigation and data analyses, it is found that although the container mode appears to be more expensive than the bulk shipping mode, the cost difference between the two modes is not as significant as our expectation if we also take into factors like fragmented demand, environment pressure, geographic distribution characteristics of customers and so on. Design/methodology/approach Extensive field investigation, data analysis and economic decision model. Findings It is found that although the container mode appears to be more expensive than the bulk shipping mode, the cost difference between the two modes is not as significant as the authors’ expectation if they also take into factors like fragmented demand, environment pressure, geographic distribution characteristics of customers and so on. Originality/value Although the major focus has been placed on the food containerization, the coal containerization is still a new thing and has attracted only limited attention. This paper is making an initial attempt to profile the phenomenon of coal containerization in China. This attempt is believed to not only enrich the literature of coal containerization but also support the literature of bulk containerization.

Complete genome sequence of Enterococcus faecalis LD33, a bacteriocin-producing strain

Enterococcus faecalis LD33 strain was originally isolated from traditional naturally fermented cream in Inner Mongolia of China. Its complete genome sequence was carried out using the Illumina Hiseq and the PacBio RSII platform. The genome only has a circular chromosome and a GC content of 37.58%. Other core information shown in the genome sequencing results further insight on this bacterium’s genetic elements for bacteriocin production and the genes related to respiratory chain.

Hafting wear on quartzite tools: An experimental case from the Wulanmulun Site, Inner Mongolia of north China

Abstract Usewear analysis is one of the most important and significant methods in studying the hafting wear. The raw material used in this article is quartzite gathered from identified raw material resource of Wulanmulun Site, and the wooden handle and hemp rope are used as the binding material of accomplishing the experimental study on the hafting wear on quartzite tools. The low-power technique was applied in observing stone specimens. The research shows that the hafting wear on quartzite tools has its own regular pattern that can be well recognized by the low-power technique. Generally, the difference of major features and patterns of hafting wear occurred and distributed at areas of the lateral edges, surface ridges and basal edges of the lower part on the specimens can be well distinguished. The binding material, binding method, processing way of binding and the morphology of stone specimen themselves can be also affected factors to the hafting wear patterns. The present study may contribute a partial set of reference standards in constructing hafting wear patterns on the quartzite tools and aid interpretation of features observed on archaeological assemblages on the basis of the low-power technique.

Spatio-temporal variation of wind erosion in Inner Mongolia of China between 2001 and 2010

Using Geographic Information System (GIS), based on wind speed, precipitation, topographic, soil, vegetation coverage and land use data of Inner Mongolia between 2001 and 2010, we applied the revised wind erosion equation (RWEQ) model to simulate wind erosion intensity. The results showed that an area of approximately 47.8 × 104 km2 experienced wind erosion in 2010, 23.2% of this erosion could be rated as severe, and 46.0% as moderate. Both the area and the intensity of wind erosion had decreased from 2001 to 2010, the wind erosion area reduced 10.1%, and wind erosion intensity decreased by 29.4%. Precipitation, wind speed, population size and urbanization in rural areas, and gross domestic product of primary industry (GDP1) were the main factors influencing wind erosion. Overall, these factors accounted for 88.8% of the wind erosion. These results indicated that the decrease in wind erosion over the past decade related to the increase in precipitation and the decrease in the number of windy days, while modest urban development and optimization of the economic structure might partially reduced the level of ecological pressure, highlighting the importance of human activities in controlling wind erosion.

Climate variability over the last 2000 years inferred from glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) in alkaline Nalin Lake of Inner Mongolia, China

Nalin Lake from western Inner Mongolia of China is a shallow oxbow lake with a laminated sedimentary record. The distributions of glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers in lacustrine sediment core collected in Nalin Lake in June 2011 were examined in combination with other paleoclimate proxies. The cyclization index of branched tetraethers (CBTs)-inferred pH values changed primarily between 7.67 and 8.63. These changes were synchronous with those from the actual measurement and previous studies. The newly proposed CBT/methylation index of branched tetraethers (MBTs) palaeothermometer was also applied to produce a mean annual air temperature record for Nalin Lake spanning circa the last 2000 years. Over much of the record temperature fluctuated from ~2.76 to 7.61 °C, with a mean value of ~4.76 °C. The proposed CBT/MBT-based temperatures revealed a strong similarity to the local records, both documenting the moderate Medieval Warm Period from 600 to 1200 A.D. (1400–800 cal year BP) and a cooling anomaly Little Ice Age around 16th century. The CBT/MBT temperature patterns seemed to follow variations in the historical and Northern Hemisphere records of the mean annual air temperature. These suggested that the signals were produced during this period. Identification of high alkalinity in association with the decreased fluvial input by multiple indices was consistent with the previous observations due to the cutoff of Yellow River channel. Therefore, CBT/MBT temperature records of lake sediment core can potentially be a useful tool in reconstructing past variations of alkaline lacustrine climate.

Spatial Pattern of Foliar δ○13C in C3-dominated Grasslands and Its Responses to Climatic Factors in Inner Mongolia of China

Spatial Pattern of Foliar δ○13C in C3-dominated Grasslands and Its Responses to Climatic Factors in Inner Mongolia of China

Building Asian climate change scenario by multi-regional climate models ensemble. Part II: mean precipitation

Under the framework of an project ‘Building Asian Climate Change Scenarios by Multi-Regional Climate Models Ensemble’, the ability of eight regional climate models and two fine-resolution global climate models to reproduce late 20th century (1981–2000) precipitation climatology is assessed. Future precipitation change (2041–2060) under the A1B scenario is also quantified by applying four different ensemble methods: equal weighting, weighted mean (WM), reliability ensemble averaging (REA) and performance-based ensemble averaging, after applying fourfold cross-validation using observation and multi-model-simulated precipitation. The results indicate that the ensemble of simulated precipitation outperforms any single RCM in many aspects. Among the four ensemble approaches, the WM and REA methods show better skill in improving the simulation results, and are used for ensemble prediction of regional climate in Asia. Under the A1B scenario, the WM method estimates future precipitation change of approximately 0.2 mm day−1 with less precipitation in northern and western China and northern India, and more precipitation in most other areas in Asia. The future annual precipitation will decrease by 0.1-0.5 mm day−1 in northern India, Pakistan and the central area of southern China. No significant change is found over eastern Kazakhstan, Mongolia, north-central and western China.