Observing system experiments over the Atlantic Ocean with the REMO ocean data assimilation system (RODAS) into HYCOM

Ocean Dynamics - The Oceanographic Modeling and Observation Network (REMO) focuses on scientific and technological development of operational oceanography in Brazil considering both numerical...     

Integrated geophysical exploration in onshore frontier basins

Faced with the challenge of rapidly screening a huge expanse of frontier exploration acreage, often characterized by sparse vintage data, it is our experience that a combination of appropriate air- and ground-based geophysical techniques contributes positively to the exploration value chain. Airborne gravity gradiometry in conjunction with conventional gravity and magnetic data, as well as geological knowledge, add significant value to the screening process. This combination can subsequently assist in optimizing the location of the more time-consuming and expensive seismic programme. In addition, analysis and inversion of passive seismic data have also proven useful in providing depth to basement estimates, and results derived from all the techniques investigated have been consistent within several study areas. Following initial tests, where the data were independently analysed and cross-checked for consistency (including comparisons with active source seismic data and well data, when available), the company now routinely adopts the integration of these techniques in our frontier exploration acreage to support sedimentary basin delineation and mapping. This allows the optimal positioning and focussing of the higher spend and higher footprint programmes, such as active reflection seismic.     

北美地热井高温硬岩钻井技术

近年来,在全球能源转型的大背景下,高温地热发电得到世界各国极大的重视,前景广阔。要实现对高温地热能源的开采,采用的钻井技术是关键。北美从20世纪50年代开始,对地热能源商业化开采、并用以发电的技术进行了持续性的研究和试验。在高温硬岩地热钻井技术上形成了完整的体系,比如高温地热井设计与井筒完整性技术,高温、超高温坚硬岩石钻头设计与生产技术,高温井底动力钻具,高温井下测量工具,高温泥浆与堵漏技术,高温水泥浆体系以及高温井控技术等。本文结合作者在国内地热井钻完井及北美地热井的工作经验,概要介绍北美的地热钻井技术现状、地热钻井技术难点以及与之相关的关键技术。     

The role of porous matrix in water flow regulation within a karst unsaturated zone: an integrated hydrogeophysical approach

Some portions of the porous rock matrix in the karst unsaturated zone (UZ) can contain large volumes of water and play a major role in water flow regulation. The essential results are presented of a local-scale study conducted in 2011 and 2012 above the Low Noise Underground Laboratory (LSBB – Laboratoire Souterrain à Bas Bruit) at Rustrel, southeastern France. Previous research revealed the geological structure and water-related features of the study site and illustrated the feasibility of specific hydrogeophysical measurements. In this study, the focus is on hydrodynamics at the seasonal and event timescales. Magnetic resonance sounding (MRS) measured a high water content (more than 10 %) in a large volume of rock. This large volume of water cannot be stored in fractures and conduits within the UZ. MRS was also used to measure the seasonal variation of water stored in the karst UZ. A process-based model was developed to simulate the effect of vegetation on groundwater recharge dynamics. In addition, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) monitoring was used to assess preferential water pathways during a rain event. This study demonstrates the major influence of water flow within the porous rock matrix on the UZ hydrogeological functioning at both the local (LSBB) and regional (Fontaine de Vaucluse) scales. By taking into account the role of the porous matrix in water flow regulation, these findings may significantly improve karst groundwater hydrodynamic modelling, exploitation, and sustainable management.     

The big picture of field hydrology studies in Brazil

ABSTRACT

In-situ

hydrological monitoring is essential for a proper decision-making process and modelling. Efforts have been made in Brazil to carry out field activities at the basin scale, but how complete and comprehensive are those studies? Where are they located? How long have they been carried out? What are the main findings? To answer these questions, an overview of experimental monitoring basins in Brazil is presented, listing their geographical locations, monitored variables, operational status, monitoring periods and main publications. We identified 60 monitored sites, spread across most Brazilian biomes, with an average monitoring period of 12 years. However, some publications from these monitoring studies are not fully accessible to the international community. Field hydrology activities in Brazil contribute to a better understanding of hydrological processes in humid and semi-arid regions and inform us about the impacts of land-use change on water quality and quantity.     

Moment tensor inversion of explosive long period events recorded on Arenal volcano,Costa Rica,constrained by synthetic tests

In order to constrain the moment tensor solution of an explosive seismic event recorded on Arenal volcano, Costa Rica, we perform tests using synthetic data. These data are generated using a 3D model including the topography of the volcano and the best estimation of the velocity model available for Arenal. Solutions for (i) the moment tensor components, and (ii) the moment tensor plus single forces, are analyzed. When noisy data and mislocated sources are used in the inversion, spurious single forces are easily generated in the solution for the moment tensor components plus single forces. Forces also appear when the inversion is performed using an explosive event recorded on Arenal in 2005. Synthetic tests indicate that these forces might be spurious. However the mechanism is correctly retrieved by the inversion in both solutions. The ability to recover the explosive mechanism for the 2005 event combined with the interpretative aids from the synthetics tests will enable us to invert for the large variation in events observed on Arenal.     

Model sensitivity experiments on data assimilation,downscaling and tides for the representation of the Cape São Tomé Eddies

Ocean Dynamics - The impacts of data assimilation, downscaling, and tidal forcing were investigated with focus on the representation of the Cape São Tomé Eddy (CSTE). Sea level anomaly...     

Synergistic effect of extreme climatic events and urbanization on population density of the ghost crab Ocypode quadrata (Fabricius, 1787)

The combined effects of urbanization and extreme climatic events were examined on the ghost crab Ocypode quadrata, a well‐recognized ecological indicator in sandy beaches. The effect of storm waves was assessed before and after these climate events in beaches with different levels of urbanization in the coast of Brazil, Tropical Atlantic Ocean. The number of burrows was used as a metric for the population size of O. quadrata and the number of humans along the beaches as a proxy for the urbanization level. Significant differences were recorded in this species’ population density according to the human pressure. Our core modelling approach showed that the number of O. quadrata burrows was lower after storm waves in urbanized zones, compared to non‐urbanized ones. The interaction between storm waves and urbanization impacted the number of O. quadrata burrows negatively, and suggest that species’ populations are more vulnerable to the combined effects of extreme climatic events and urbanization. Extreme events are predicted to increase in frequency in the next few decades, and may modify or impair ecosystem functioning in sandy beaches by reducing populations of the O. quadrata, an important beach scavenger, which markedly contribute to the flux of energy in coastal trophic webs.     

Warm-Season Annual to Decadal Temperature Variability for Hokkaido, Japan, Inferred from Maximum Latewood Density and Ring Width Data

We present a warm season (April–September) temperature reconstructionfor Asahikawa, north central Hokkaido, Japan for AD 1557–1990. The reconstruction, which accounts for 34% of the temperature variancefrom 1925–1990, is based on maximum latewood density data from Saghalinspruce (Picea glehnii) growing at timberline (1340–1390 m) at MountAsahidake, Hokkaido. We only present a high frequency (prewhitened or white noise) version of the reconstruction because there is an unexplained offset in the mean between the actual and estimated temperature data for an earlier period of overlap from 1891–1924. The coldest summer in the reconstruction is 1718, forwhich the estimated value is 12.89 ° C, nearly four standard deviations (SD) below the mean. A colder-than-average year is reconstructed for 1641 (13.30° C, nearly 3 SD below mean), following the eruption of Komagatake, Hokkaido which began in July, 1640. The Asahikawa density chronology, shows decadal modes of variation with statistically significant spectral peaks prior to around 1850. A tree-ring width chronology for this same site (AD 1532–1990) is in phase with a tree-ring width record from centralKamchatka prior to around 1850, but out of phase since that time. This pattern suggests, as has been hypothesized for temperature-sensitive tree-ring records from the eastern Pacific sector (Alaska and Patagonia), that a decadal mode of climate variation was more dominant in the Pacific sector prior to about 1850, after which a higher frequency (ENSO-type) mode may have become more pronounced, at least until recent decades. Additional data from the northwestern Pacific is needed to compare to these findings.