Wetlands and low-gradient topography are associated with longer hydrologic transit times in Precambrian Shield headwater catchments

The estimation of hydrologic transit times in a catchment provides insights into the integrated effects of water storage, mixing dynamics, and runoff generation processes. There has been limited effort to estimate transit times in southern boreal Precambrian Shield landscapes, which are characteristically heterogeneous with surface cover including till, thin soils, bedrock outcrops, and depressional wetland features that play contrasting hydrologic roles. This study presents approximately 3.5 years of precipitation and streamflow water isotope data and estimates mean transit times (MTTs) and the young water fraction (p_y) across six small catchments in the Muskoka-Haliburton region of south-central Ontario. The main objectives were to define a typical range of MTTs for headwater catchments in this region and to identify landscape variables that best explain differences in MTTs/p_y using airborne light detection and ranging and digital terrain analysis. Of the transit time distributions, the two parallel linear reservoir and gamma distributions best describe the hydrology of these catchments, particularly because of their ability to capture more extreme changes related to events such as snowmelt. The estimated MTTs, regardless of the modelling approach or distribution used, are positively associated with the percent wetland area and negatively with mean slope in the catchments. In this landscape, low-gradient features such as wetlands increase catchment scale water storage when antecedent conditions are dryer and decrease transit times when there is a moisture surplus, which plausibly explains the increases in MTTs and mean annual runoff from catchments with significant coverage of these landscape features.     

The Effect of Hydraulic Gradient and Pattern of Conduit Systems on Tracing Tests: Bench-Scale Modeling

Tracer breakthrough curves provide valuable information about the traced media, especially in inherently heterogeneous karst aquifers. In order to study the effect of variations in hydraulic gradient and conduit systems on breakthrough curves, a bench scale karst model was constructed. The bench scale karst model contains both matrix and a conduit. Eight tracing tests were conducted under a wide range of hydraulic gradients from 1 to greater than 5 for branchwork and network-conduit systems. Sampling points at varying distances from the injection point were utilized. Results demonstrate that mean tracer velocities, tracer mass recovery and linear rising slope of the breakthrough curves were directly controlled by hydraulic gradient. As hydraulic gradient increased, both one half the time for peak concentration and one fifth the time for peak concentration decreased. The results demonstrate the variations in one half the time for peak concentration and one fifth the time for peak concentration of the descending limb for different sampling points under differing hydraulic gradients are mainly controlled by the interactions of advection with dispersion. The results are discussed from three perspectives: different conduit systems, different hydraulic-gradient conditions, and different sampling points. The research confirmed the undeniable role of hydrogeological setting (i.e., hydraulic gradient and conduit system) on the shape of the breakthrough curve. The extracted parameters (mobile-fluid velocity, tracer-mass recovery, linear rising limb, one half the time for peak concentration, and one fifth the time for peak concentration) allow for differentiating hydrogeological settings and enhance interpretations the tracing tests in karst aquifers.     

What does the occurrence of Sporormiella (Preussia) spores mean in Australian fossil sequences?

Understanding the loss of the final few species of Australian megafauna is beset by a paucity of data on human arrival, well‐provenanced megafauna, human/megafauna population range and distribution (coexistence and interaction), and the range, scale and impact of environmental changes spanning the human–megafauna period. To overcome these shortcomings, the occurrence and decline of coprophilous fungal spores of Sporormiella in sediments have been used as a proxy for extinct megaherbivores. The Sporormiella evidence is presented as the key indicator of extinction timing and these reports are often from locations where there is no known archaeological record or megafauna remains. However, interpreting fungal spore occurrence is not straightforward, as demonstrated by studies investigating taphonomy, taxonomy and the types of animal dung where Sporormiella occurs. No detailed studies on these problems exist for Australia and no evidence supporting the use of Sporormiella as a valid proxy has been reported. Here we examine the occurrence of Sporormiella spores from Cuddie Springs in south‐eastern Australia. Despite a well‐preserved suite of megafauna fossils, Sporormiella occurrence is sporadic and frequencies are low. We conclude that using Sporormiella alone as an indicator for the presence of megafauna is premature for the Australian context.     

鄂西地区长阳组的时代问题

对长阳组命名剖面的重新观察和研究表明,原认定的长阳组层位不存在误认的问题.来自长阳组命名剖面和相邻剖面长阳组的两件牙形石样品的分析结果显示:长阳组的牙形石化石组合以Siphonodella levis大量发育为特征,兼有少量的Polygnathus inormatus、P.cf.symmetricus、Bispatho...     

铵在中砂上的3种吸附形态研究

通过动力学和等温吸附实验,研究了不同初始氨氮浓度下水溶铵、交换铵和固定铵在中砂上的吸附规律。结果表明,吸附平衡时各种形态铵含量随初始氨氮浓度增加而增大。3种形态铵吸附行为符合准二级动力学方程。吸附速率常数K大小顺序为：固定铵〉交换铵〉水溶铵,初始速率：固定铵〈交换铵〈水溶铵。随着初始氨氮浓度的增加,水溶铵占总铵的比重由40%上升到65%,其吸附的主要限制步骤为颗粒间扩散。交换铵对总铵的贡献率维持在25%左右,吸附饱和后有所降低,初始氨氮浓度为交换铵吸附的主要限制步骤。固定铵达到饱和时,吸附量只有26.18 mg/kg,对总铵的贡献率由33%下降到9%。     

Tectonics and Mechanisms of Uplift in the Central Uplift Belt of the Huimin Depression

The Huimin (惠民) depression is a third-level tectonic element of the Bohai (渤海) Bay basin in eastern China. The central uplift belt is the most important oil and gas accumulation zone in the depression, but the lack of adequate geological studies in the area has greatly hindered exploration and development. In this article, using seismic data, fracture mechanics, and a combination of data on fault growth indices and fault throws, we present an analysis of tectonic activity in the central uplift belt and adja...     

Hybrid Sedimentation in Late Permian-Early Triassic in Western Sichuan Basin,China

Mixed carbonate-siliciclastic sedimentation is common in the Upper Permian-Lower Tri-assic in the western Sichuan(四川) basin.The extensional movement was strong in the Late Permian,resulting in differential uplifting of fault blocks.During this period,there was an extensive retrogres-sion.The Kangdian(康滇) ancient land progressive uplifted and enlarged,forming the major prove-nance of terrigenous clastics.In Changxingian age,mixed terrigenous-carbonate sedimentation was dis-tributed in the area between Dafeis...     

Anthropogenic Sulfate and Nitrate Signals in Snow from Bogda Glacier, Eastern Tianshan

A 1.2 m snow pit was recovered on July 29th, 2009 from the Bogda Glacier, eastern Tianshan (天山). The sample site temperature of -9.6 ℃ indicates that the unique glaciochemical re-cord was well preserved and suitable for the reconstruction of air pollution levels in this previously un-explored region. Samples were analyzed for major ions (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, NH4+, Cl-, SO42-, NO3-, HCOO-, and CH3COO-). NO3- and SO42- were characterized by significant high levels of pollution con-centration. Most air masses ...     

Noble Gas Diffusion Mechanism in Lunar Soil Simulant Grains:Results from ~4He~+ Implantation and Extraction Experiments

Experiments on ion implantation were performed in order to better characterize diffusion of noble gases in lunar soil.4He+ at 50 keV with 5×1016 ions/cm2 was implanted into lunar simulants and crystal ilmenite.Helium in the samples was released by stepwise heating experiments.Based on the data,we calculated the helium diffusion coefficient and activation energy.Lunar simulants display similar 4He release patterns in curve shape as lunar soil,but release temperatures are a little lower.This is probably a con...     

地质灾害应急支撑体系建设基本问题分析

以重大地质灾害应急实践为基础,采用文献研究、描述性研究和统计分析法,本文探讨了地质灾害应急支撑体系建设基本问题。认为:地质灾害应急具有"应对面广、预警困难、挽救率低、成因判定难"等特点;单个事件应急响应行动,一般通过三大步七个环节完成四项处置内容。单项处置行动通常有5个技术流程;地质灾害支撑体系具有"弱基础、松耦合、强内聚"结构,能力建设是重点。地质灾害过程机理、应急防治技术、应急预案动态优化和支撑系统是支撑体系建设中的四个关键科学技术问题。