Remote sensing needs and capabilities in West Africa

The greatest advantage of remote sensing over conventional measurements lies in the opportunity to carry out detailed spatio-temporal analysis of land and ocean features on a very frequent basis. This paper analyses the contribution of satellite imagery to atmospheric, geophysical and ocean studies and management in West Africa since the early 1980s.The detailed application of data from optical sensors (e.g. Meteosat,NOAA/AVHRR, SPOT, Landsat TM, etc.)for weather prediction,hydrogeological, landuse/cover and cartographic studies has been acknowledged. However, the use of microwave (e.g. SAR) and optical data for ocean monitoring and studies in the sub-region is still very limited. Even though sufficient remote sensing expertise and infrastructure is perceived in the region, no clearly defined networking or database exists.     

Study of the Corrosion Resistance of Electroless Ni-P Deposits in a Sodium Chloride Medium

The corrosion resistance of electroless Ni-P deposits with phosphorous contents from 12% to 14% in sodium chloride solutions was studied. The deposits were immersed in 3.5% NaCl solutions for 29 d to obtain the electrochemical parameters and were examined in a standard salt spray test for 15 d respectively. The corrosion resistance of the deposits was studied by poten- tio-dynamic scan, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and cold-field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray detector (EDX). The patterns of XRD and the results of FE-SEM showed that the prepared deposits were amorphous. But after a 15 d standard salt spray test, a few pinholes appeared on the surface of the deposit and the weight content of phosphorus on the surface of the deposit was higher (which was beneficial to the formation of the passivation films) than that before the standard salt spray test when the nickel content was lower because the dissolved weight of nickel was greater than that of phosphorus. The results from potentio-dynamic scan and EIS showed that passivation films formed on the Ni-P deposit after immersion in the NaCl solutions, which decreased the corrosion rate of Ni-P samples. The results of this work show their potential applications in marine corrosion.     

Preliminary determination of calcium, phosphorus, and the calcium/phosphorus ratio in cortical bone of Chinstrap penguin using synchrotron X-ray fluorescence analysis

Synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence （SR-XRF） approach was applied to analyzing of Chinstrap penguin （ Pygoscelis Antarctica） cortical bone. The method enabled the in situ determination of Ca and P concentrations and the Ca/P ratio in cortical bone. The preliminary results show that ： （ 1 ） there is the bone site-related difference for Ca and P concentrations. The mean values for the investigated parameters （ on a dry-weight basis） are： 30.7% （Ca） and 14.9% （P） for the femoral cortical bone, 21.4% （Ca） and 11.5% （P） for wing cortical bone. （2） The variation for the Ca/P ratio in cortical bone is lower than those for Ca and P separately. This is in agreement with the previous report that the specificity of the Ca/P ratio is better than that of Ca and P concentrations and is more reliable for the diagnosis of bone disorders. The authors suggest that further studies be conducted to establish norreal values of Ca, P and Ca/P ratio for polar animals and provide a basis for the diagnosis of bone disorders.     

THE CORROSIVE EFFECT OF BARNACLES ON LOW ALLOY STEELS

The effect of barnacles on corrosion of low alloy (16Mn) steel was studied by immersing steel panels in seawater at Zhonggang.Qingdao, for 41 months. It was found that the secondary attachment on this kind of steel by barnacles had less effect on its corrosion while the primary attachment had a greater effect; that different seasons have different effects on the form and extent of local corrosion in this steel, and that primarily attached barnacles cause more serious local corrosion in high breeding seasons when there are more attachments.     

Engineering geological characteristics of slide zone soil and stability for one landslide in Tibet

On the basis of geological investigating work and experimental studies on slide zone soil of one landslide in Tibet,the authors analyzed granulometric composition,clay mineral composition and physical and mechanical properties for the soil in the slide zone.The soil samples are gravel containing fine particle.Particles larger than 2 mm occupy the main proportion with the content 51.5%--68.5%.The relative content of clay minerals is low.The clay minerals are illite smectite mixed layer and kaolinite,and their relative contents are 6%--13% and 4%-11%,respectively.The main mineral ingredient is quartz and the relative content is over 30%.Therefore,the soil’s hydrophily is poor.The cohesion and internal friction angle are high,causing preferable physical-mechanical features of slide zone soil.On the basis of the obtained data,the landslide stability is evaluated by means of limit equilibrium method.The safety factors are 3.191 and 1.92 respectively under both natural and normal water level conditions.The study results show that the landslide is stable.It can provide the appropriate basis and reference for landslide stability evaluation and landslide control in Tibet.     

Research on compound plugging removal technology and its application in Xinmu oilfield of Jilin

Most fault-block reservoirs in Xinmu oilfield belong to heterogeneous sandstone in characters which has low permeability, and reservoir pollution is a common phenomenon in this area. Acidizing deplugging in oil wells has become one of the major measures to improve production efficiency in the field. A compound deplugging technology in high efficiency low corrosion is developed for this kind of low permeability sandstone reservoir. On the basis of profoundly understanding of the reservoir’s physical properties and sensitivity, along with comprehensive analysis of the cause for jams in oil wells, a series of experiments are carried out in order to investigate the dissolution reaction among samples and deplugging inhibitor, sample dissolving speed, formation fluid compatibility, reduction of secondary pollution, etc. Considered reservoir condition in nearby wells the optimized compositional deplugging liquid formula is selected for this reservoir. It is featured by reducing the deplugging reaction speed, extending solution for processing radius, preventing secondary damage in dissolution processing, and removing plug pollution effectively. To implement this high efficiency low corrosion deplugging measure based on reservoir condition in the borehole and nearby wells, a relatively better result of deplugging and production increasing is achieved, which enriches the measures to increase production in Xinmu oilfield, and this method can be applied to other similar oilfields for the purpose of maintaining the crude oil production and providing assistant for increasing the production significantly.     

EMBEDDABLE REFERENCE ELECTRODE FOR REINFORCED CONCRETE

Laboratory and field tests on our newly developed embeddable reference electrode for reinforced concrete show it can be embedded into reinforced concrete structures and be used for measuring the potentials of the rebar or other metal elements in the outer structural part exposed to seawater. Its potential varies little with the change of Cl~ concentration of the electrolyte and is stable over a time range of 260 days. The electrode can be used for monitoring corrosion and cathodic protection of reinforced concrete structures in seawater.     

NONLINEAR CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ATMOSPHERIC PLANETARY BOUNDARY LAYER IN THE TROPICS

The nonlinear governing equations and its solutions for the tropical atmospheric planetary boundary layer are derived by means of scale analysis and vertical coordinate transformation. It is shown that the nonlinear momentum advection may alter the critical latitude. The restrictive requirement for the solutions to have continuity both in the free atmosphere and in the planetary boundary layer is derived. The context provides theoretical basis for numerical calculation of the wind field within the tropic atmospheric planetary boundary layer.     

THE HYDRODYNAMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF NEARSHORE WATERS AND THE DISCHARGING PROCESS OF MUD FLATS——A CASE STUDY OF. THE MUD FLATS NEAR LIANYUNGANG, CHINA

It is apparent that there is a difference between mud coasts and sand coasts in such aspects as sediment components, hydrodynamics of nearshore waters, and the formative process in configuration, and profile. The intensity distribution of waves affecting the mud flats in Lianyungang, and the conditions determining tidal water levels, are discussed in this paper. A mathematical model which describes the erosion process of mud flats has been derived on the basis of the results of tests for the mud process in seawater. The model is satisfactory for the actual mud flat profile change in Lianyungang with artificial mud discharges.     

The untapped potential of scenic routes for geotourism: case studies of Lasocki Grzbiet and Pasmo Lesistej(Western and Central Sudeten Mountains,SW Poland)

A view is often more than just a piece of landscape, framed by the gaze and evoking emotion. Without diminishing these obvious ‘tourismimportant' advantages of a view, it is noteworthy that in itself it might play the role of an interpretative tool, especially for large-scale phenomena, the knowledge and understanding of which is the goal of geotourism. In this paper, we analyze the importance of scenic drives and trails for tourism, particularly geotourism, focusing on their ability to create conditions for experiencing the dynamically changing landscapes in which lies knowledge of the natural processes shaping the Earth's surface and the methods and degree of its resource exploitation. The issues are found in both wider and local contexts. A more detailed insight has been conducted on the basis of two, although in some sense peripheral, tourism regions from the Sudeten Mountains(southwestern Poland): Lasocki Grzbiet(a ridge) and Pasmo Lesistej(a small range). The subjects of the investigation were complex: the geotourism potential of selected viewpoints located on the most scenic routes(mostly paths and forest tracks) as well as the problems of maintenance, conservation, and protection of their educational value. Our work is based on desk and field research supported by results of GIS visibility analyses(conducted in the QGIS program).     

A STUDY ON LAND SYSTEM INNOVATIONS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SMALL TOWNS IN CHINA

The economic development in China and the rising of the living standard need to speed up the urbanisa-tion.The development of small towns is an important way to Chinese urbanization.Land use plays a very important role in the development of small towns.However there are many problems in the development of small towns,esp.in land use.The paper first discusses the land problems in the development of small towns.Such as much cultivated land lies idle,under-utilization and waste of land,increasing illegal use of land,unstable contractural relationship for land use.The relationship between the development of small towns and land use is also studied.Then the guidelines for the land system innovations of small towns are put forward.Namely the sustainability of social and economic development,the bal-ance between land reservation and land utilization,the provision of service to village ,agriculture and farmer,the manage-ment of land resource and land assets,the parsimonious andlegal use of land.The basic framework of land system innova-tions of small towns is put forward finally.It include the land replacement policy for small towns and the permanent tenan-cy of farmland,the overall plan for land uses and other plans in harmony,the establishment of a flexible system of land supplies,using land with payments ,the transfer of agricultural land and refining the land law related to the construction of small towns.     

ON THE LAGRANGIAN RESIDUAL CURRENT AND RESIDUAL TRANSPORT IN A MULTIPLE TIME SCALE SYSTEM OF SHALLOW SEAS

A multiple time scale perturbation method is used to discuss the Lagrangian residual current and residual transport on the basis of a weakly nonlinear dynamic model of shallow seas. The governing equations for the long-term variation of zero order " apparent concentration " (which is a linear combination of salinity , temperature of seawater and the concentration of any tracer which is conservative and passive ) and its mean value over tidal cycles are obtained for the system with single tidal constituent . and for the one with multi-constituents, winds and thermohaline. The equations for the two cases are in the same form and show this long-term variation resulted from the cumulative effect of residual convection and turbulent diffusion .The multiple time scale variation of current is caused by tides, winds, and the thermohaline and the nonlinear effects of the system. The derived set of governing field equations of the Lagrangian current for this multiple time scale system is also in the same form as     

Numerical simulation of seepage flow field in groundwater source heat pump system and its influence on temperature field

Energy utilization in the aquifers is a new technology closely related to development of heat pump technique. It is significant for the flow distribution to be predicted in the aquifer surrounding the Groundwater Source Heat Pump System （GSHPS）. The authors presented a new concept of ＂flow transfixion＂ by analyzing general features of aquifers, and then discussed interaction of the flow transfixion with the beat transfixion, which has practical significance to projects. A numerical model of groundwater flow was established based on the basic tenets of water-heat transferring in the aquifer. On this basis the flow field and the temperature field of GSHPS for a site in Shenyang City were numerically simulated. The basis of the flow transfixion was obtained; it was discussed for the influence of the flow transfixion on the heat transfixion. To a certain extent, the study offers some reference for the projects＇ design of GSHP in the studied area.     

Geoscience landscape division and tourism zonation in the mid-southern section of the Hengduan Mountains,eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The mid-southern section of the Hengduan Mountains is a typical region of mountainous landscape in western China and is the core region of "Shangri-La", a world-famous ecotourism destination. The landscape classification system is an important scientific basis for landscape protection and tourism development in this region. By combining geology and geography and referring to the concepts of "system tract" and "tectonic system" in geology, this paper comes up with grading standards for the geoscience landscape system of this region. Based on the regional stratigraphic structure, tectonic fault marks and geomorphological differentiation, this paper comes up with 2 Grade Ⅰ geoscience landscape system tracts, 8 Grade Ⅱ geoscience landscape systems, 21 Grade Ⅲ geoscience landscape areas, and 165 representative Grade Ⅳ geoscience landscape attractions. According to the main classification methods for the geological heritage and tourism landscapes, the geoscience landscapes can be divided into 4 categories, 16 types and 19 subtypes. On this basis, 23 eco-tourism areas of the mid-southern section of the Hengduan Mountains can be delimited. The study provides a theoretical direction and method reference for the geoscience landscape division and tourism zonation, which has an importantsignificance on the mountain landscape protection and tourism development in the regions of complex geo-environments.     

ANALYSIS OF THE LANDSAT REMOTE SENSING IMAGES OF THE TYPES OF HABITATS OF YANGTZE ALLIGATORS

The Chinese "Yangtze" alligator is a rare reptile that has been listed as an "endangered species" by the United Nations, so its preservation has become an urgent task. A study of its habitats through analysis of their Landsat images will provide a scientific basis for the government departments concerned to select the best locations for its breeding.The'Chinese alligator is a subtropical reptile of freshwater rivers, lakes and ponds. Found only in China, it is now distributed only in the border region between the three provinces of Anhui, Zhejiang and Jiangsu. On the basis of previous investigations by Chinese scientists, and from an analysis and interpretation of their Landsat images, we made a special study, review, and classification of the natural environment of the alligator's present habitats (and the modern changes in the natural background of these hatitats) so that the government departments concerned with the preservation of the reptiles may have a scientific basis for determining the best loc     

Study of the Wind Conditions in the South China Sea and Its Adjacent Sea Area

An increasing number of marine structures have been built for coastal protection and marine development in recent years,and wind,which is crucial to marine structures,should be analyzed.Therefore,typhoon frequency,wind climate,wind energy assess-ment,and extreme wind speed in the South China Sea(SCS)are investigated in detail in this study.The data are obtained from the China Meteorological Administration,the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts,and the National Centers for Envi-ronmental Prediction.The offshore wind energy potential is analyzed at five sites near the coast.The spatial and monthly frequencies of tropical cyclones for different intensity categories are analyzed.The extreme wind speed is fitted by five distribution models,and the generalized extreme value(GEV)distribution is selected as the most suitable function according to the goodness of fit.The spa-tial distributions of extreme wind speeds in the SCS are plotted on the basis of the GEV distribution and ERA5 data sets.The influ-ences of the distribution models and data sets on the calculated results are discussed.Moreover,the monthly extreme wind speed and comparison with the results of previous studies are analyzed.This study provides a reference for the design of wind turbines.     

“BOTTLENECK” AND COUNTERMEASURE OF HIGHTECHNOLOGIZATION OF MARINE INDUSTRY IN CHINA

This article deeply researched into the existent five problems and four main “bottlenecks” in the high-technologization of marine industry in China on the basis of analyzing the new trends in international marine problems and the necessity of implementing the strategy of developing China based on marine. This article brought up specific measures to the five “bottlenecks”according to the situations, and pointed out that new marine industry should be high-technologization and the traditional marine industry should be reformed by high-technique. The research results mav nrovide the scientific basis for realizing the high-technologization of marine industry in China.     

Risk assessment of maize drought disaster in southwest China using the Environmental Policy Integrated Climate model

The East Asian monsoon has a tremendous impact on agricultural production in China. An assessment of the risk of drought disaster in maize-producing regions is therefore important in ensuring a reduction in such disasters and an increase in food security. A risk assessment model, EPIC(Environmental Policy Integrated Climate) model, for maize drought disasters based on the Erosion Productivity Impact Calculator crop model is proposed for areas with the topographic characteristics of the mountainous karst region in southwest China. This region has one of the highest levels of environmental degradation in China. The results showed that the hazard risk level for the maize zone of southwest China is generally high. Most hazard index values were between 0.4 and 0.5,accounting for 47.32% of total study area. However,the risk level for drought loss was low. Most of the loss rate was 0.1, accounting for 96.24% of the total study area. The three high-risk areas were mainlydistributed in the parallel ridge–valley areas in the east of Sichuan Province, the West Mountain area of Guizhou Province, and the south of Yunnan Province.These results provide a scientific basis and support for the reduction of agricultural drought disasters and an increase in food security in the southwest China maize zone.     

Ecosystem Service Flow Insights into Horizontal Ecological Compensation Standards for Water Resource: A Case Study in Dongjiang Lake Basin,China

Water supply services(WSSs) are critical for the regional water balance and water circulation, but relevant studies have not established the relationship between WSSs and human well-being. This research identifies the scope of areas that benefit from WSSs from an ecosystem service flow perspective. Moreover, the path and quantity of the flow of WSSs are simulated to provide a scientific theoretical basis for ecosystem service management and ecological compensation. The Dongjiang Lake Basin is a national priority river basin in China where ecological compensation pilot programmes concerning water resources are top priorities. Dongjiang Lake Basin experienced an increase and then a decrease in the overall supply of water, with an average net water supply of 1096–1500 mm for the years 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010. The water demand increased each year in service beneficiary areas(SBAs), varying from 387 to 580 mm. Overall, Dongjiang Lake Basin met the net water demands of the actual SBAs in the lower reaches, but a gap in the water supply and demand emerged gradually. This research provides an understanding of the functional mechanisms for the provision, demand and flow of WSSs and provides a scientific theoretical basis for ecosystem service management and ecological compensation.     

Mountain Water Tower and Ecological Risk Estimation of the Mesta-Nestos Transboundary River Basin （Bulgaria-Greece）

The Mesta-Nestos river basin in Bulgaria and Greece is a case study for transboundary decision-making support in south-eastern Europe and a show-case for the development of methodologies and information-gathering for the integrated regional planning of water resources. Land-use conflicts in this water-scarce region cover a wide spectrum of activities like agricultural irrigation,drinking water production,diversions for industrial water,and risk of pollution from mining,to name a few examples. Measurements of the water quality were carried out in the upper basin. Results will be illustrated by the example of the environmental situation in the alpine region of the Pirin National Park as well as in the Razlog Basin with a stronger anthropogenic impact and pollution around a former uranium mine near the village of Ele?nica. The social and economic development of this transboundary region is a recently established priority for the future. It will mean an increase in water usage and more stress for the water resources if regional impacts of global climate change are verified. Problem-focused management of the catchment area as a whole on the basis of proved geo-data sets is needed for the future.