Ephemeral rollover points and clinothem evolution in the modern Po Delta based on repeated bathymetric surveys

Reconstructions of ancient delta systems rely typically on a two-dimensional (2D) view of prograding clinothems but may miss their three-dimensional (3D) stratigraphic complexity which can, instead, be best documented on modern delta systems by integrating high-resolution geophysical data, historical cartography, core data and geomorphological reconstructions offshore. We quantitatively compare three precisely positioned, high-resolution multi-beam bathymetry maps in the delta front and pro delta sectors (0.3 to 10 m water depth) of Po di Pila, the most active of the modern Po Delta five branches. By investigating the detailed morphology of the prograding modern Po Delta, we shed new light on the mechanisms that control the topset to foreset transition in clinothems and show the temporal and spatial complexity of a delta and its pro delta slope, under the impact of oceanographic processes. This study documents the ephemeral nature of the rollover point at the transition between sandy topset (fluvial, delta plain to mouth-bar) and muddy seaward-dipping foreset deposits advancing, in this case, in >20 m of water depth. Three multibeam surveys, acquired between 2013 and 2016, document the complexity in space and time of the topset and foreset regions and their related morphology, a diagnostic feature that could not be appreciated using solely 2D, even very high-resolution, seismic profiles. In addition, the comparison of bathymetric surveys gathered with one-year lapses shows the migration of subaqueous sand dunes on the clinothem topset, the formation of ephemeral cut-and-fill features at the rollover point (few m below mean sea level), the presence of collapse depressions derived by sagging of sediments and fluid expulsion (possibly induced by storm waves) on the foreset, and splays of sand likely reflecting gravity flows on the lower foreset. Though the modern Po Delta is anthropogenic in many respects, its subaqueous clinothem can be studied as a scale model for ancient clinothems that are less resolved geometrically and far less constrained chronologically.     

徐闻南山镇红树林沉积物及红树植物中重金属的累积特征与迁移规律

为探究重金属在红树林沉积物及红树植物中的分布累积及迁移规律，选取了徐闻南山镇红树林为研究对象，通过测定红树林沉积物及红树植物不同部位（根、茎、叶）的重金属质量分数，运用富集因子、生物富集系数、转移系数及相关性分析等方法进行分析。结果表明：1）红树林沉积物重金属质量分数表现为铬（Cr）＞锌（Zn）＞镍（Ni）＞铜（Cu）＞铅（Pb）＞砷（As）＞汞（Hg）＞镉（Cd），为中等变异程度；除了镍（Ni）元素外，其余7种重金属未超过国家一级标准，除了铅（Pb）元素外，其余7种重金属均超过广东省土壤环境背景值，说明研究区沉积物中重金属具有一定的积累效应。2）沉积物中砷（As）、铜（Cu）、锌（Zn）、汞（Hg）、镍（Ni）、铬（Cr）富集因子值均＞1.5，说明受到轻微人为活动影响；各站位镍（Ni）富集因子值均＞5，结合研究区背景，反映了镍（Ni）受到自然和人为输入的共同影响。3）白骨壤体内重金属主要集中在根部，而红海榄体内重金属在根茎叶中分布相对均匀。白骨壤根茎叶部位的大多数重金属质量分数远高于红海榄，说明白骨壤对重金属的吸附能力比红海榄强。汞（Hg）集中分布在植物的叶片部位，且与其他重金属之间相关性不明显；推测汞（Hg）主要通过叶片吸收进入植物体内，与交通运输污染有关。4）不同红树植物对不同重金属富集能力各异，白骨壤对重金属的富集能力表现为：镉（Cd）＞砷（As）＞铜（Cu）＞锌（Zn）＞汞（Hg）＞铅（Pb）＞镍（Ni）＞铬（Cr），红海榄表现为：镉（Cd）＞铜（Cu）＞汞（Hg）＞锌（Zn）＞铅（Pb）＞砷（As）＞镍（Ni）＞铬（Cr）。白骨壤和红海榄对汞（Hg）的运移能力都较强；红海榄对镉（Cd）的富集能力和转运能力都较强，而白骨壤对镉（Cd）富集能力较强，转运能力却较弱，这说明红树植物对重金属元素的富集能力与转运能力不存在正比关系。     

PS测井在机场隧道地基勘查中的应用

PS测井技术是地震勘探方法之一,也是一种简便、快速、准确的原位测试技术。该文介绍了单孔法PS测井的原理及其在铁路工程勘察中的应用,主要包括根据等效剪切波,进行建筑抗震场地类别划分,铁路工程抗震场地类别划分。根据岩土动力学参数,达到评价岩体质量和划分围岩类别目的,利用剪切波速法估算岩土的承载力基本值。通过青岛机场隧道场地的工程实例说明了PS测井技术在岩土工程勘察设计中的应用情况及应用效果。     

High-frequency monitoring of hydrological and biogeochemical fluxes in forested catchments of southern Chile

The variability of rainfall-dependent streamflow at catchment scale modulates many ecosystem processes in wet temperate forests. Runoff in small mountain catchments is characterized by a quick response to rainfall pulses which affects biogeochemical fluxes to all downstream systems. In wet-temperate climates, water erosion is the most important natural factor driving downstream soil and nutrient losses from upland ecosystems. Most hydrochemical studies have focused on water flux measurements at hourly scales, along with weekly or monthly samples for water chemistry. Here, we assessed how water and element flows from broad-leaved, evergreen forested catchments in southwestern South America, are influenced by different successional stages, quantifying runoff, sediment transport and nutrient fluxes during hourly rainfall events of different intensities. Hydrograph comparisons among different successional stages indicated that forested catchments differed in their responses to high intensity rainfall, with greater runoff in areas covered by secondary forests (SF), compared to old-growth forest cover (OG) and dense scrub vegetation (CH). Further, throughfall water was greatly nutrient enriched for all forest types. Suspended sediment loads varied between successional stages. SF catchments exported 455 kg of sediments per ha, followed by OG with 91 kg/ha and CH with 14 kg/ha, corresponding to 11 rainfall events measured from December 2013 to April 2014. Total nitrogen (TN) and phosphorus (TP) concentrations in stream water also varied with rainfall intensity. In seven rainfall events sampled during the study period, CH catchments exported less nutrients (46 kg/ha TN and 7 kg/ha TP) than SF catchments (718 kg/ha TN and 107 kg/ha TP), while OG catchments exported intermediate sediment loads (201 kg/ha TN and 23 kg/ha TP). Further, we found significant effects of successional stage attributes (vegetation structure and soil physical properties) and catchment morphometry on runoff and sediment concentrations, and greater nutrients retention in OG and CH catchments. We conclude that in these southern hemisphere, broad-leaved evergreen temperate forests, hydrological processes are driven by multiple interacting phenomena, including climate, vegetation, soils, topography, and disturbance history.     

苏北浅滩沉积物中的大型绿藻微观繁殖体的垂直分布和物种多样性

本研究通过在2017年秋冬季组织实施的2个绿潮种源调查航次,研究苏北浅滩紫菜养殖区沉积物中的大型绿藻微观繁殖体的垂直分布和物种多样性。对沉积物中的微观繁殖体的定量实验结果表明:表层泥样中绿藻微观繁殖体的丰度最高,随着深度的增加迅速降低。在9月份表层沉积物中丰度为9±2ind./g,而在11月份表层丰度达到98±25ind./g;与9月份相比, 11月份浅滩沉积物中绿藻繁殖体数量呈现出显著升高的趋势。通过对51个绿藻样品的分子鉴定发现:沉积物中存在石莼属(Ulva)、尾孢藻属(Urospora)、盘苔属(Blidingia)等大型绿藻的微观繁殖体;数量占优是石莼属繁殖体,主要包括曲浒苔(Ulva flexuosa)、浒苔(Ulva prolifera)、扁浒苔(Ulva compressa)、缘管浒苔(Ulva linza);其中曲浒苔占据的比例最高,在9和11月份分别达到80.94%和73.33%。在2个调查航次中,都从沉积物中发现了绿潮浒苔的微观繁殖体,这些微观繁殖体是绿潮浒苔在苏北浅滩种源维持的重要方式和关键阶段,也构成了黄海浒苔绿潮连年暴发的"种子库"。     

Flexural deformation controls on Late Quaternary sediment dispersal in the Garo-Rajmahal Gap,NW Bengal Basin

Subsurface deformation is a driver for river path selection when deformation rates become comparable to the autogenic mobility rate of rivers. Here we combine geomorphology, soil and sediment facies analyses, and geophysical data of the Late Quaternary sediments of the central Garo-Rajmahal Gap in Northwest Bengal to link subsurface deformation with surface processes. We show variable sedimentation characteristics, from slow rates (<0.8 mm/year) in the Tista megafan at the foot of the Himalaya to nondeposition at the exposed surface of the Barind Tract to the south, enabling the development of mature soils. Combined subsidence in the Tista fan and uplift of the Barind Tract are consistent with a N-S flexural response of the Indian plate to loading of the Himalaya Mountains given a low value of elastic thickness (15–25 km). Provenance analysis based on bulk strontium concentration suggests a dispersal of sediment consistent with this flexural deformation—in particular the abandonment of the Barind Tract by a Pleistocene Brahmaputra River and the current extents of the Tista megafan lobes. Overall, these results highlight the control by deeply rooted deformation patterns on the routing of sediment by large rivers in foreland settings.     

Factors influencing biodeposit production by the New Zealand freshwater mussel Echyridella menziesii

Laboratory experiments on the New Zealand freshwater mussel Echyridella menziesii were used to investigate the short-term effects (7–8 days) of food type on rates of biodeposition and benthic substrate respiration. Post-feeding biodeposition rates ranged from 0.34 to 1.52?mg?g^?1?h^?1 (mean?=?0.50?mg g^?1?h^?1) and were unaffected by the addition of toxin-producing Microcystis. Addition of suspended sediment (30?mg?L^?1) visibly altered substrate composition, and increased total and inorganic biodeposit production rates by 24–33% compared to mussels fed commercial phytoplankton stock. Biodeposition rates of mussels in lake bed substrates were 38% higher than those in silica sand for identical feeding regimes, suggesting that a significant proportion of material produced in this experiment could have been derived from feeding on organic matter in the lake bed sediments. Respiration rates were higher in treatments with Microcystis but were unaffected by the presence of mussels. This laboratory study suggests that biodeposition by E. menziesii is resilient to short-term exposure to Microcystis, and highlights the ability of mussels to alter benthic substrate composition by incorporating suspended sediment into substrates.     

青海湖流域植被盖度时空变化研究

高寒区植被变化一直是气候和生态学领域关注的热点问题。本研究基于MODIS NDVI数据计算的植被覆盖度数据和高分辨率气象数据,分析了青海湖流域2001-2017年植被覆盖度分布格局及动态变化,探讨了其对气候变化、人类活动和冻土退化的响应。结果表明：① 近十几年青海湖流域植被覆盖度整体表现为增加趋势,不同植被类型增幅存在差异性,草地增幅最大,达到6.1%/10a,其它植被类型增幅在2%~3%/10a之间;② 流域局部地区仍存在植被退化现象,研究期植被退化面积表现为先增加后减小的变化趋势。2006-2011年重度退化区集中在青海湖东岸,2011-2017年重度退化区集中在流域的西北部,这些区域是青海湖流域荒漠分布区,植被覆盖度较低,是今后生态恢复需重点关注的区域;③ 气候变化是流域植被覆盖度变化的主导因素,气候变化对青海湖流域主要植被类型覆盖度变化的贡献率为84.21%,对草原、草甸和灌丛植被覆盖度变化的贡献率分别为81.84%、87.47%和75.96%;④ 人类活动对流域主要植被类型覆盖度变化的贡献率为15.79%,对草原、草甸和灌丛植被覆盖度变化的贡献率分别为18.16%、12.53%和24.04%,环青海湖地区人类活动对植被恢复有促进效应,在青海湖流域北部部分地区人类活动的破坏力度仍大于建设力度;⑤ 冻土退化对青海湖流域草甸和灌丛植被覆盖度变化影响很小,主要影响草原植被覆盖度变化,冻土退化造成草原植被覆盖度增长速率减小了1.2%/10a。     

First evidence of IMF control of Jovian magnetospheric boundary locations: Cassini and Galileo magnetic field measurements compared

The Cassini spacecraft, en route to Saturn, passed close to Jupiter while the Galileo spacecraft was completing its 28th and 29th orbits of Jupiter, thus offering a unique opportunity for direct study of the solar wind-Jovian interaction. Here evidence is given of response of the Jovian magnetopause and bow shock positions to changes of the north-south component of the solar wind magnetic field, a phenomenon long known to occur in equivalent circumstances at Earth. The period analyzed starts with the passage over Cassini of an interplanetary shock far upstream of Jupiter. The shock's arrival at Galileo on the dusk-flank of the magnetosphere caused Galileo to exit into the solar wind. Using inter-spacecraft timing based on the time delay established from the shock arrival at each spacecraft, we point out that Galileo's position with respect to the Jovian bow shock appears to correlate with changes in the disturbed north-south reversing field seen behind the shock. We specifically rule out the alternative of changes in the shape of the bow shock with rotations of the interplanetary magnetic field as the cause.