Entry #5

Díez, E. G., Corella, J. P., Adatte, T., Thevenon, F., & Loizeau, J. (2017). High-resolution reconstruction of the 20th century history of trace metals, major elements, and organic matter in sediments in a contaminated area of Lake Geneva, Switzerland. Applied Geochemistry, 78, 1-11.
             In Vidy Bay to Lake Geneva of Switzerland, an area of  the lake was examined due to known contamination of that part of the lake. A major concern was  toxic trace metals in laucstrine sediments, as it is hazardous to biota and the human health. The bay had been affected by hazardous compounds due to sewage effluent from a major waste treatment plant, and as well traces of anthropogenic metals were found, suspected to be found due to rise of industrialization in Europe. Studies done in 1964 found that the highest trace of toxic metals was, Ni, Cr, Co, Ag, Fe, and several others. A correlation was found that it was the same year the waste treatment plant had been built. After some improvements had been made to the waste treatment plant, and the relocation of the outlet pipe, it was noticeable that sediments returned to a more concentrated form similar to that of before the waste treatment plant had been built. Even with the improvements done, there still is evident in Vidy Bay a major contamination that constitutes a potential threat to the  lake biota.

Liu, Z., Zhao, M., Sun, H., Yang, R., Chen, B., Yang, M., . . . Zeng, H. (2017). “Old” carbon entering the South China Sea from the carbonate-rich Pearl River Basin: Coupled action of carbonate weathering and aquatic photosynthesis. Applied Geochemistry, 78, 96-104.
           In the South China Sea it was found that "old" carbon from the Pearl River Basin was entering in. Both particulate organic carbon (POC) and dissolved organic carbon (DIC) were found to be exporting to the sea of negative 14C.  Pearl River Basin is known to be the second largest river in China , and is strongly affected by the South Asian monsoon and the East Asian monsoon. Samples were taken from the Pearl River Basin in 14 different sites, and many of the containing, C, CO, PO, and many of the finding relating to POC and DIC that were found to be exporting to the sea. It is suggested that the river has a major control on the carbon isotopes. Results suggest that the fact the river basin is rich in carbon isotopes, many other coastal regions and other areas may as well be affected by it, and have had thoughts to do the experiment to a global level.