Optimization and Parametrical Investigation to Assess the Reconstitution of Different Types of Indian Sand Using Portable Travelling Pluviator

By using the air pluviation technique, it is aimed to achieve the desired relative density with uniform void ratio throughout the specimen in order to maintain the homogeneity and to avoid the spatial variability. Further, in order to achieve the maximum deposition intensity, a systematic optimization study has been carried out rigorously in a test tank to determine the diameter of the orifice to be employed for the sieve plates of different porosity and the number of sieve plates to be installed in the diffuser sieve sets. The study has been conducted with four different patterns of sieves with different porosity to achieve a wide range of relative densities for four different uniformly graded Indian sands. The dynamic penetrometer which is considered to be one of the cost effective instruments has been efficiently used to determine the soil resistance at various locations of the test tank for every given height of fall in order to check the uniformity of placement density throughout the sand bed. The study reveals that the sand beds of different relative densities could be achieved using different patterns of diffuser sieves at optimum sand flow rate without compromising the uniformity. The effect of height of fall as well as porosity of diffuser sieves on the relative density of different sands has been studied in detail. The deposition intensity and the relative density obtained from the present study are compared with the values available in the literature.     

Assessment and Prediction of Liquefaction Potential Using Different Artificial Neural Network Models: A Case Study

Soil liquefaction as a transformation of granular material from solid to liquid state is a type of ground failure commonly associated with moderate to large earthquakes and refers to the loss of strength in saturated, cohesionless soils due to the build-up of pore water pressures and reduction of the effective stress during dynamic loading. In this paper, assessment and prediction of liquefaction potential of soils subjected to earthquake using two different artificial neural network models based on mechanical and geotechnical related parameters (model A) and earthquake related parameters (model B) have been proposed. In model A the depth, unit weight, SPT-N value, shear wave velocity, soil type and fine contents and in model B the depth, stress reduction factor, cyclic stress ratio, cyclic resistance ratio, pore pressure, total and effective vertical stress were considered as network inputs. Among the numerous tested models, the 6-4-4-2-1 structure correspond to model A and 7-5-4-6-1 for model B due to minimum network root mean square errors were selected as optimized network architecture models in this study. The performance of the network models were controlled approved and evaluated using several statistical criteria, regression analysis as well as detailed comparison with known accepted procedures. The results represented that the model A satisfied almost all the employed criteria and showed better performance than model B. The sensitivity analysis in this study showed that depth, shear wave velocity and SPT-N value for model A and cyclic resistance ratio, cyclic stress ratio and effective vertical stress for model B are the three most effective parameters on liquefaction potential analysis. Moreover, the calculated absolute error for model A represented better performance than model B. The reasonable agreement of network output in comparison with the results from previously accepted methods indicate satisfactory network performance for prediction of liquefaction potential analysis.     

进积型三角洲交汇区沉积模式--以东营凹陷沙三中亚段为例

作为碎屑岩储层发育的最主要沉积相类型之一,进积型三角洲在油气勘探领域具有举足轻重的地位;加强对进积型三角洲沉积模式的研究,对于油气储层预测具有重要现实意义。渤海湾盆地东营凹陷古近纪湖盆内发育的东营三角洲和永安三角洲在沙河街组三段中亚段沉积期发生了交汇,而有关两个三角洲的交汇方式、沉积特征及交汇区储层的预测尚未引起足够的重视。以岩芯观测、录井和地震资料为基础,分析了东营凹陷古近系沙三段中亚段三角洲交汇区沉积特征,探讨了沉积期次、交汇过程,建立了三角洲交汇区沉积模式。研究表明,东营凹陷沙河街组三段中亚段主要发育湖泊、进积型三角洲沉积;储集砂体主要形成于三角洲前缘水下分流河道,河口坝微相次之,浊积岩主要分布于深湖区。认为此前界定的东营三角洲的分布范围可能被夸大,而永安三角洲的沉积规模可能被低估。东营凹陷古近系沙三中亚段可划分为9个期次,其作用过程可分为局部交汇阶段和完全交汇阶段。三角洲水下交汇区是水流汇聚和沉积物卸载的有利场所,叠置砂体可成为有利的油气储层,因而具有重要的油气勘探价值。     

朝鲜半岛古元古代摩天岭群的碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄及其地质意义

克拉通内部活动带变质沉积建造蕴藏了早期超大陆形成中地体聚-散动力学过程的重要信息,碎屑锆石年代学则是揭示这种信息的最佳工具之一。针对华北(中-朝)克拉通最具代表性的古元古代活动带(辽-吉-朝活动带)中巨量沉积建造精细表征方面的空白区域,本文开展了朝鲜半岛检德地区摩天岭群的碎屑锆石年代学研究。SIMS U-Pb定年结果显示,北大川组变火山碎屑岩样品的锆石年龄谱记录了约2.53Ga的主要年龄峰值和约2.19Ga的最年轻峰值,说明北大川组开始沉积的时代应该晚于2.2Ga。南大川组变沉积岩样品碎屑锆石记录的最年轻峰值年龄为约2.02Ga,说明南大川组的沉积时代应该不早于2.02Ga;其锆石年龄谱记录了一个主要年龄峰值区域(2.02~2.18Ga)、一个次要年龄峰值(约2.46Ga)和一些2.78~3.30 Ga的古老年龄,指示其物质源区主要为同区古元古代地质体和邻近地体上的太古宙变质基底。区域对比表明,摩天岭群与中国境内辽吉活动带中的辽河群及集安群/老岭群具有基本一致的碎屑锆石年龄谱,说明它们不仅是同一时代的产物,而且分享类似的物质源区。这些时代一致、物源相近的沉积建造可以为甄别古元古代辽-吉-朝活动带的大地构造属性提供重要参考。与沉积年龄相近的碎屑锆石占据主导的碎屑锆石年龄谱反映了汇聚板块边缘各类盆地的典型特征,而相悖于大部分碎屑锆石年龄远大于地层沉积年龄的裂谷型盆地。     

滇西马登地区晚二叠世-早三叠世地层组合及年代学:火山岩锆石U-Pb定年证据

在西南"三江"造山带中段的兰坪盆地内,由于露头状况不好,盆地基底岩石出露状况不详,导致地层划分、归属相当混乱。详细的野外地质调查揭示,盆地东缘马登地区出露的基底岩石主要由2个构造地层单元组成,上部为火山-沉积序列,下部为浅海相泥岩、灰岩及生物碎屑灰岩。上部火山-沉积序列出露厚约1200m,可分为4个喷发-沉积韵律,由英安质熔岩、流纹质熔岩与晶屑凝灰岩、火山集块岩、火山角砾岩、流纹质凝灰岩、火山碎屑岩及少量泥岩相间组成。火山岩锆石LAICP-MS U-Pb法测年数据显示,岩浆活动始于250Ma,持续至244Ma,总体处于早三叠世,构成江达-维西-云县弧火山岩带的一部分。强烈变形的海相地层与火山岩二者呈断层接触,其时代老于250Ma。结合砂岩中碎屑锆石年龄结果(大于260Ma)判定,这套沉积岩应属于晚二叠世,其与早三叠世-中三叠世火山岩一起组成兰坪盆地的基底岩石。     

川滇黔相邻区碳酸盐岩容矿铅锌矿成矿特征

本文对川滇黔相邻区碳酸盐岩容矿铅锌矿成矿特征进行系统总结,并对区域成矿过程进行讨论。该区碳酸盐岩容矿铅锌矿发育3种矿床类型,主要分布在泸定-荥经-汉源、雷波-金阳-巧家-会东、赫章-威宁-水城和会泽-彝良4个矿集区,震旦系和古生代地层为主要容矿层。铅锌矿形成于3个成矿期和3类构造环境:以黑区-雪区铅锌矿床为代表的喷流沉积型(SEDEX型),形成于早寒武世海底地震同生断裂环境;以会泽矿床为代表的与侵入作用有关的碳酸盐岩容矿铅锌银矿床类型(IRCH Pb-Zn-Ag型),形成于晚三叠世前陆早期局部引张环境;以大梁子和天桥矿床为代表的密西西比河谷型(MVT型),形成于前陆晚期冲断挤压环境。与世界其它地方不同,川滇黔相邻区MVT铅锌成矿作用主要发生于早侏罗世。     

Reconstruction of Holocene paleohydrological and sedimentological characteristics of Umm Ar-Rimam basin (northern Kuwait)

The paleohydrological and sedimentological characteristics of a playa lake in northern Kuwait (Arabian Gulf) are reconstructed using sedimentological, geochemical, and isotopic techniques. The sequence consists of up to 8 cycles of S-poor, alluvial sediments capped by a thin organic soil interbedded with gravity-fall calcrete sediments. The succession is locally derived from mainly Quaternary sediments and is regressive with upsection filling of the subsiding basin by cycles of sheetwash flow in response to climatic change. There is no natural, open-water lake water as indicated by low total organic carbon (TOC) data, but the presence of incised calcrete yardangs suggests that more extensive open-water conditions were operative in the past. Stable isotope (δ¹⁸O‰ and δ¹³C‰) values of the authigenic carbonates indicate the following three distinct processes: evaporation, meteoric fluid infiltration, and rapid per-descensum flow (rapid downward movement of water and playa sediment through pipes) through a porous, clastic sequence. Because evaporites are scarce, other factors besides evaporation action control chemical and isotopic compositions of the per-decensum lake fluids. Consequently, the isotopic composition cannot be interpreted exclusively as an indicator of salinity or evaporation ratio. The degassing of CO₂ during groundwater discharge may explain the enriched carbon isotope values for the authigenic carbonates precipitated in the sediments. Hydrologically closed lake water bodies tend to show low negative carbonate oxygen and carbon isotopic signatures. Isotopically negative δ¹³C values imply a strong input of soil-zone carbon to the groundwater of the top 60 cm of the sediment. Lakes that are hydrologically closed and evaporate or equilibrate with atmospheric CO₂ will tend to have low negative δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values in the carbonates as reported by Talbot (Chem Geol: Isotope Geosci Sect 80(4):261–279, 1990). Biologically active lakes will tend toward lower δ¹³C of dissolved carbon due to the photosynthetic effects of ¹²C withdrawal as reported by Dunagan and Driese (J Sed Res 69:772–783, 1999). Increased biological activity during sedimentation may account for low carbon isotope values where plants were abundant, but in shrinkage-dominated systems (those of clay-rich soil subjecting to wet-dry conditions), carbon isotopes will be largely inherited from the calcretic limestones in the land extending landward of the coast and not influenced by coastal processes (known as hinterland), such as Umm Ar-Rimam depression. This basin does not fit the classic shallow playa-type basins of the Arabian Peninsula but rather the recharge playas of the southwestern USA.     

Tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Miocene Oued Dayr Formation (Ghomaride Complex,Internal Domain of the Maghrebian Rif Belt,Morocco)

This work deals with sedimentological, petrographic, and structural analyses of a middle Miocene late-orogenic sedimentary cycle, denoted Oued Dayr Formation, recognized in the Rifian sector of the Maghrebian Chain (Morocco). The analyzed Formation (75 m thick) starts with 15–20 m of light colored polymict conglomerates, with minor sandstone beds, lying on the Paleozoic basement and Mesozoic cover of the Ghomaride Nappe. Facies analysis indicates a fining-upward deposition in a marine environment characterized by increasing deepening, reflecting a subsidence rate that exceeds sedimentary supply. Petrographic analysis points out that sandstones are represented by litharenites originated by erosion of recycled orogen. The conglomerates pebbles and cobbles consist of Alpine low- to high-grade metamorphic rocks as metarenites, phyllites, mylonitic quartzites, micaschists, augen gneisses deriving from the exhumed deep metamorphic basement, the overlying metasedimentary of the Sebtide Nappes and of sedimentary rocks as sandstones, jaspes, limestones, and shales deriving from the Ghomaride Nappes and their sedimentary cover. Data reveal mixed provenance indicating that the Oued Dayr Formation was fed by the Internal Nappes stack of the Maghrebian Chain. Structural analysis shows that the Oued Dayr Formation accumulated in a Thrust-Top basin, during an early extension (D₀ phase), recorded by synsedimentary normal faults within middle Langhian deposits on the rear of the Internal Nappes stack. Subsequent ductile and brittle compressional (D₁, D₂, D₃) and extensional (D₄) deformation phases occurred during and/or after the stacking, exhumation, and early unroofing of Sebtide Complex coeval with the opening of the western Mediterranean back-arc basins since middle Miocene time.     

Sensitivity analysis for the GALDIT method based on the assessment of vulnerability to pollution in the northern Sfax coastal aquifer,Tunisia

Coastal aquifer of northern Sfax (Tunisia) suffers from the high risk to seawater intrusion and the water quality degradation due to the overexploitation. Hence, assessing the study area vulnerability to pollution is highly crucial so as to protect the groundwater resources. The assessment has been performed by applying the GALDIT method using Geographic Information System (GIS) software and multi-criteria evaluation techniques, and the sensitivity analysis approach to evaluate the effect of each GALDIT parameter on the vulnerability assessment. The GALDIT vulnerability map classifies the study area into three vulnerability classes: low vulnerability (30–50), moderate vulnerability (50–70), and high vulnerability (70–90), which represent 5, 30, and 65 % of the study area, respectively. The map illustrates that the coastal zones of the aquifer are the most threatened areas. The sensitivity analysis results show that the aquifer hydraulic conductivity (A) and the thickness of the aquifer (T) represent the determining factors in the modified vulnerability model. The real weight was used to elaborate the modified GALDIT model which was correlated with resistivity values for validation. This study could serve as a scientific basis for sustainable land planning and groundwater management in the study area.     

<Emphasis>H</Emphasis>ydrological variability of the <Emphasis>S</Emphasis>oummam watershed <Emphasis>(N</Emphasis>ortheastern <Emphasis>A</Emphasis>lgeria<Emphasis>)</Emphasis> and the possible links to climate fluctuations

The long-term variability of rainfall in the Soummam watershed (NE Algeria) has been analysed over the past 108 years using continuous wavelet method in order to identify the interannual modes controlling the rainfall variability. Statistical analyses of rainfall timeseries have shown its distribution following five periods of time, limited by a series of discontinuities around 1935, 1950, 1970 and 1990. The continuous wavelet transform have demonstrated different low frequency modes: 2–4, 4–8, 8–16 and 16–32 years.The annual band is expanded during the full study period with some pics around 1905, 1920–1935 and 1960; it shows a negative long-term trend, in particular since the period 1970–1990 when a major change has been identified. Then, the relationships between climate patterns of North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and the hydrological variability in the frequency domain have been investigated; they have shown a mean explained variance of 40 and 24 %, respectively. Such variances are less obvious for the annual mode and increase for the interannual frequencies. The coherence suffer from high perturbations since the period 1970–1990 when the NAO (SOI) shifts from negative (positive) phases to positive (negative) ones. Such anomalies are responsible for significant changes of rainfall variability, emphasising the global warming effects.