The Role of Atmospheric Aerosols in the Origin Of Life

Recent results from the real time analysis of individual aerosol particles by laser mass spectrometry have revived interest in the inverted micelle structure for aerosols containing organic molecules; indeed for many aerosols the organic content is high enough, for example 50% by mass in the tropical upper troposphere, that it is likely to be the only viable structure. It is pointed out that atmospheric aerosols would have had many advantages as prebiotic chemical reactors, having the potential to address several key problems in a way arising naturally from the probable geophysical and chemical environment on the prebiotic planet. Bacterial and viral size can be predicted for these structures by an equation combining atmospheric aerodynamics and gravity, and which is therefore applicable to other astronomical objects which are candidates for supporting life. Experimental tests and mathematical modelling of the early stages of the chemical evolution of aerosols should be possible.     

Numerical modeling of a long-term in situ chemical osmosis experiment in the Pierre Shale,South Dakota

We have numerically modeled evolving fluid pressures and concentrations from a nine-year in situ osmosis experiment in the Pierre Shale, South Dakota. These data were obtained and recently interpreted by one of us (C.E.N.) as indicating a potentially significant role for chemical osmosis in media like the Pierre Shale. That analysis considered only the final pressure differentials among boreholes that were assumed to represent osmotic equilibrium. For this study, the system evolution was modeled using a recently developed transient model for membrane transport. The model simulates hydraulically and chemically driven fluid and solute transport. The results yield an estimate of the thickness of the water film between the clay platelets b of 40 Å, which corresponds to an osmotic efficiency σ of 0.21 for the ambient pore water salinity of 3.5 g/l TDS. These values largely confirm the results of the earlier equilibrium analysis. However, the new model analysis provides additional constraints suggesting that intrinsic permeability k = 1.4 × 10⁻¹⁹ m², specific storage S_s = 1.7 × 10⁻⁵ m⁻¹, and diffusion coefficient D* = 6 × 10⁻¹¹ m²/s. The k value is larger than certain independent estimates which range from 10⁻²¹ to 10⁻²⁰; it may indicate opening of microcracks during the experiments. The fact that the complex transient pressure and concentration behavior for the individual wells could be reproduced quite accurately, and the inferred parameter values appear to be realistic for the Pierre Shale, suggests that the new model is a useful tool for modeling transient coupled flows in groundwater systems.     

A novel experimental procedure to investigate the biodegradation of NAPL under unsaturated conditions

Soils need to be thoroughly investigated regarding their potential for the natural attenuation of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPL). Laboratory investigations truly representative of degradation processes in field conditions are difficult to implement for porous media partially saturated with water, NAPL and air. We propose an innovative protocol to investigate degradation processes under steady-state vadose zone conditions. Experiments are carried out in glass columns filled with a sand and, as bacteria source, a soil from a diesel-fuel-polluted site. Water and NAPL (n-hexadecane diluted in heptamethylnonane (HMN)) are added to the porous medium in a two-step procedure using ceramic membranes placed at the bottom of the column. This procedure results, for appropriate experimental conditions, in a uniform distribution of the two fluids (water and NAPL) throughout the column. In a biodegradation experiment non-biodegradable HMN is used to provide NAPL mass, while keeping biodegradable n-hexadecane small enough to monitor its rapid degradation. Biodegradation is followed as a function of time by measuring oxygen consumption, using a respirometer. Degradative activity is controlled by diffusive transfers in the porous network, of oxygen from the gas phase to the water phase and of n-hexadecane from the NAPL phase to the water phase.     

Cytological and Physiological Biomarker Responses from Green Mussels, Perna viridis (L.) Transplanted to Contaminated Sites in Hong Kong Coastal Waters

Biological monitoring of marine contaminants often involves the analysis of metals accumulated in mussel tissues. Critiques of this type of monitoring suggest that although relatively good indications of ambient metal concentrations are determined, actual biological harm is not elucidated. Biomarkers, techniques originally developed in medicine, have recently been employed in an attempt to ascertain the health of marine mussels. Biomarkers have been used with good effect in temperate marine pollution monitoring programmes. The use of biomarkers in the toxicological evaluation of tropical and subtropical waters is, however, generally lacking, which is somewhat surprising, as considerable industrialisation and environmental degradation is taking place in the Pacific-rim countries of Southeast Asia. In the present study, a suite of cytological and physiological biomarkers have been measured from mussels (Perna viridis: Mytilidae) transplanted within the coastal waters of Hong Kong. Mussels from contaminated sites, had labile lysosomal membranes, whereas animals from a cleaner reference site had more stable membranes. These cytological responses have been related to metal-induced stress and are simple, cost-effective markers of pollution. Cardiac activity from mussels transplanted to polluted sites was generally similar to that of individuals from the reference site, although a mild tachycardia was associated with one site. The cause of the tachycardia and the use of heart rate in mussels as a biomarker is discussed. Integrated physiological responses to stress, condition indices, revealed mussels from a clean reference site had higher indices than animals from contaminated sites. The relative sensitivities of the cytological and physiological biomarkers deployed in this study and their application to pollution monitoring is discussed.     

江西省地震局虚拟专用网(VPN)建设

叙述了在FreeBSD环境下构建基于PPTP的VPN网关的过程和技术，分析了基本概念、实现方式以及在江西省地震信息网的实际应用等。     

山西大同数字遥测地震台网记录的震相特征

从地球及地壳的分层结构出发，使用较成熟的理论，从地震波传播的基本原理入手，结合多年的震相观察分析工作实践，选取了山西大同数字遥测地震台网近年来的一些典型震相进行了分析，得出本台网记录到震中距小于100km的地方震震相有Pg，P11，Sg，S11震中距在100km～500km的近震震相有Pn，Pg，P11，Sn，Sg,S11对比分析了在本台网内及周边地区发生的爆破与天然地震在震相上的差异性，并对其特征作了较详细的描述。     

兰州地震研究所发展的三段历史回顾

对兰州地震研究所的三段历史作回顾,分别为国家地震局、中国地震局兰州地震研究所的体制沿革变迁,中国科学院地球物理研究所;中国科学院兰州地球物理研究所观象台早期创建;兰州地震研究所硕士点早期阶段。     

山东数字地震台网子台背景噪声位移值的分布特征

利用山东数字地震台网的实时记录波形资料,采用在频率域积分方法,计算出各台站背景噪声的位移值。然后进行统计分析,得出了山东地区背景噪声位移值的空间分布和时间变化特征：台站背景噪声幅值与不同地区地质环境、岩性密切相关,位于第四系黄土覆盖层较厚的鲁西聊城、菏泽地区,鲁西北德州地区和鲁北东营、滨州地区各子台的背景噪声位移值较大,鲁中、鲁南山区和胶东半岛地区的基岩台站背景噪声位移值较小;同时,白天噪声值大于夜间噪声值,但深井观测台站的背景噪声值相对稳定。此项研究为绘制台网监测能力图提供基础数据,并为计算各台站的场地响应及震级修正值等测震学研究提供基础资料,促进台网的改建和发展。     

裂隙岩体渗透性空间分布的指示克里格估值

本文较详细介绍了指示克立格估值的基本方法和原理，以指示变异函数为基本工具分析了向家坝坝址区裂隙岩体渗透性空间分布的结构特征，表明该址区裂隙岩体渗透性存在明显的各向异性特征；在此基础上用指示克立格法对未采样点处进行估值，估值结果显示坝址区裂隙岩体渗透性存在明显的壳状渗透结构特征.通过这一实际应用，表明指示克立格法可以较好地描述裂隙岩体渗透性的空间分布规律.     

对齐误差对测试地震计自噪声的影响

本文在理论上研究了对齐误差对测试地震计自噪声的影响。指出对齐误差影响到2台仪器记录间的计算互功率谱密度, 进而影响到被测仪器记录间相干函数计算, 最终影响到被测仪器的自噪声计算。发现当存在对齐误差时, 在信噪比较高频段计算得到的自噪声水平比仪器的实际自噪声水平要高, 在一般的实际测试中可能高20 dB以上。为了消除对齐误差对自噪声测试的影响, 提出通过投影逆变换把观测记录变换到标准坐标系下, 再用变换后的观测记录来计算地震计自噪声。给出了基于以上思路和传感参数对比测试方法的地震计自噪声计算处理流程, 合成数据、 实际测试数据的处理检验计算结果表明, 本文方法可以有效克服地震计自噪声测试中对齐误差的影响。     

萧山-球川断裂富阳—建德段第四纪活动性研究

萧山-球川断裂是浙江地区1条大规模的北东向断裂,在该断裂附近曾发生过多次破坏性地震。本文通过地质调查、电法勘探和探槽开挖等方法,对萧山-球川断裂富阳—建德段第四纪活动性进行了研究。萧山-球川断裂富阳—建德段的遥感影像线性特征清楚,对地貌的控制作用较为明显,对山前的第四系发育有明显影响。通过对断裂露头剖面的分析,认为萧山-球川断裂富阳—建德段活动性质以走滑兼具逆冲为主。通过本次开挖的富阳峙山村探槽,结合ESR年龄测定,判定该断裂在第四纪早、中期有过活动,但未断错上覆中更新统上部地层,其最新活动时代为早、中更新世。     

层状地基土双自由度集总参数模型的参数识别

在土-结构的动力相互作用简化分析中,常采用双自由度集中参数模型简化土层.这种模型适合各向同性的单一土层,而实际工程场地的地基土多是各向异性的成层土层.为了将这一模型应用于此类土层,本文根据实际地震动记录,提出了一种变阻尼最小二乘反分析方法,可用来识别模型中的各个参数值.文中提出的方法具有适用范围广、计算精度较高的优点,并已通过编制FORTRAN程序加以实施和应用.     

山西夏县中心地震台温泉水化学特征

采集夏县中心地震台温泉水及周边水点样品进行水化学组分特征分析。利用矩形图、Na-K-Mg三角图等方法,初步分析温泉水的水质类型、水-岩平衡状态、热储温度以及循环深度等,并结合氢氧同位素组成特征,初步分析温泉水补给来源。研究表明,夏县中心地震台温泉水化类型属于Na-Cl·SO₄型,水-岩反应属于部分成熟水,热储温度为148.8℃,循环深度为3.91 km,补给源主要为大气降水,温泉为断裂型温泉。以上结果可为该台流体异常分析提供基础研究资料,为夏县地区水化研究奠定基础。     

倾斜仪时号·光源灯控器的改进

为解决地震台光记录倾斜仪灯光系统故障率高的问题 ,研制了一种时号·光源灯控器。采用了数字钟报时及定闹信号对直接延时时号灯进行控制的措施 ,使仪器的无故障运行期及蓄电池的使用寿命得以延长 ,明显提高了观测质量。     

岩石损伤模量分析

从能量的角度出发定义损伤变量,通过应力-应变曲线卸载段有效应力与总应力之间的假定关系,确定损伤模量的计算方法。在单轴和三轴条件下,对岩石损伤相关参数进行统计研究,重点对损伤模量进行计算和对比分析。结果表明,单轴及低围压下损伤模量基本呈逐渐减小的趋势,而随着围压的增大,损伤模量呈先减小后保持动态稳定的趋势。损伤变量的计算充分考虑到围压的影响,可进一步增进对岩石损伤的认识。     

地震工程试验联网最新进展

地震工程试验联网(NEES)是新世纪地震工程学科最重要的事件。由美国国家自然科学基金会牵头,全美15家主要的地震工程研究单位共同实施一项旨在调动全部优势资源进行复杂结构体系的地震响应协同试验研究计划。该计划从1999年开始,将于2014年全部完成,目前多数成员单位进入设备安装调试阶段,有些单位利用新装备实现了某些利用传统手段无法完成的试验任务。建议工程力学研究所燕郊的结构实验室直接按照加入NEES的标准进行硬件配置和软件开发,使硬件的数量和技术指标满足NEES要求;使软件与硬件配套,实现与NEES联网,可远程快速通讯,实时监控,实时数值模拟计算,实现显式、隐式和显隐混合算法伪动力试验以及具有位移控制、力控制、位移和力混合控制功能。     

前兆场变化在地震空间位置判断上的应用

运用福建前兆观测台网资料,分析了形变应力场和水位震后效应场等前兆场的空间变化规律与福建区域地震的相关性.结果显示,福建多次ML＞4.5地震的孕育过程均伴随着形变应力及水位震后效应的成场.研究认为,当形变应力场与水位震后效应场的时空演化规律趋于一致时,这一区域就具备发生中强以上地震的背景条件,跟踪分析形变应力场及水位震后效应场的空间迁移规律,可对未来发生的地震的空间位置做出较为准确的判断.