Rapid delineation of subsurface petroleum contamination using the site characterization and analysis penetrometer system

 The Site Characterization and Analysis Penetrometer System (SCAPS) was used to investigate subsurface petroleum contamination at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. The SCAPS is a rapid site-screening tool developed by the Tri-Services (U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force) to reduce the cost of installation restoration activities. The system, consisting of a geophysical cone penetrometer fitted with a laser-induced fluorescence petroleum sensor, is capable of simultaneous, real-time delineation of subsurface stratigraphy and petroleum contamination. Onsite processing of the SCAPS data allows three-dimensional visualization of both subsurface stratigraphy and petroleum contaminant distribution. The site investigation described herein successfully identified three distinct areas of subsurface petroleum contamination caused by leaking underground storage tanks containing No. 2 healing oil. The SCAPS petroleum sensor response was verified by obtaining 20 soil samples and performing onsite and conventional laboratory analyses for petroleum contaminants. Verification sample results indicate a strong correlation between the SCAPS fluorescence data and conventional measures of petroleum contamination. This investigation illustrates the capabilities of the SCAPS for rapid site characterization. Received: 27 November 1995 · Accepted: 11 December 1995     

Origin of gases dissolved in subsurface waters and paragenetic brines associated with saline strata

As a result of examining a large amount of information on stratotype sections of Neogene-Quaternary deposits of the south of Western Siberia, we have compiled a sequence through these deposits in which boundaries between geomagnetic subdivisions are linked with Pliocene-Quaternary biozones.

The Brunhes zone Includes deposits with mammal remains of the Upper Paleolithic, Khazara, and Tiraspol' assemblages. The Gauss-Matuyama inversion has been identified in the upper Pliocene deposits with a Khapry mammal assemblage. The lower boundary of the Gauss zone apparently passes below strata with a Moldavian faunal complex. The data on the biologic linking of the magnetic zones demonstrate the synchronous development of the faunal assemblages of Pliocene-Quaternary time in Western Siberia and in the southwest of European USSR. —Authors.     

Applications of hydrogeophysics in characterization of subsurface architecture and contaminant plumes

Geophysical methods have been applied to a wide range of hydrogeological problems. With improvement in geophysical inversion algorithms and measurement tools, significant achievements have been made in the characterization of subsurface architecture, time-lapse monitoring of hydrogeological process and contaminant plumes delineation. In this paper, we summarize the geophysical methods that are most widely used in hydrogeology including Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), Induced Polarization (IP), Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Electromagnetic Induction (EMI). Three examples including lab and field works are used to demonstrate current application of geophysical methods for characterizing subsurface architecture and contaminant plumes. Though great progress has been made in hydrogeohysics over the last few decades at home and abroad, challenges still remain in practical applications. More recently, hydrogeophysics continues to develop in the areas of establishment of hydrogeophysical models, large-scale architecture characterization, uncertainty analysis, biogeochemical process monitoring and ecosystem science.     

灌区塘堰分布分形描述

塘堰服务于灌区农业灌溉、居民生活用水等,是灌区水循环系统的重要组成部分,其分布是地貌侵蚀与发育以及人为因素影响下的结果。基于GIS数据库和空间分析功能,以湖北漳河三干渠灌区塘堰为例,应用分形理论对塘堰分布进行了分析。区域内塘堰面积服从双曲分布,一定范围内具有标度不变性,在概率空间中表现出分形结构的幂律性质。采用覆盖塘堰像元的方法求取了整个灌区和14个子区域的盒维数和信息维数,也表明塘堰的空间展布是一个分形体。最后分析了盒维数和信息维数与地形因子的线性关系。     

Inverse relationship between D/H fractionation in cyanobacterial lipids and salinity in Christmas Island saline ponds

Sediments from 28 saline and hypersaline (salinity 13.6-149.2) ponds on Christmas Island (Kiritimati), in the Central tropical Pacific Ocean, were investigated for the effect of salinity on the D/H ratios of lipid biomarkers. Hydrogen isotope ratios (expressed as δD values) of total lipid extracts, and individual hydrocarbons heptadecane, heptadecene, octadecane, octadecene, diploptene, and phytene from cyanobacteria, became increasingly enriched in deuterium as salinity increased, spanning a range of 100‰, while lake water δD values spanned a range of just 12‰. Net D/H fractionation between lipids and source water thus decreased as salinity increased. Isotope fractionation factors (α_lipid-water) were strongly correlated with salinity, and increased in all compound classes studied by up to 0.0967 over a salinity range of 136. Differences in the hydrogen isotopic composition of lipids derived from three biosynthetic pathways (acetogenic, mevalonate, and non-mevalonate) remained similar irrespective of the salinity. This suggests that the mechanism responsible for the observed α_lipid-water-salinity relationship originates prior to the last common biosynthetic branching point, the Calvin Cycle. We propose that a decrease in the exchange of intra- and extra-cellular (ambient) water resulting from down-regulation or closure of water channels (aquaporins) within cyanobacterial cell membranes, and subsequent isotopic enrichment of the intracellular water, likely resulting from metabolic reactions. These findings imply that caution must be exercised when attempting to reconstruct source water δD values using lipid δD values from environments that may have experienced salinity variations. On the other, hand our results can be used to establish a paleo-salinity proxy based on lipid δD, if additional constraints on source water δD values can be made.     

A review of conventional techniques for subsurface characterization of landslides

Naturally occurring landslides can be difficult to characterize and often exhibit anomalies in controlling geometry and consistency. The characterization of landslides in engineering geology practice is usually based on program of subsurface exploration; focused on identifying subsurface materials, structure and stratigraphy, hydrologic conditions, and appropriate strength parameters. On native slopes bereft of anthropogenic modification (excavation), geomorphic evidence of previous movement and its relative depth and scale are often discernible to the experienced eye. This paper seeks to describe the various techniques that have been successfully employed in site-specific subsurface investigations of prehistoric landslides. These include considerations of limiting geometry (for planning subsurface exploration and sampling), overcoming problems with site access, exploratory trenches, small diameter borings, downhole logging of large diameter borings, and geophysical techniques. These procedures can be combined to develop more realistic cross sections along the vector of maximum landslide movement, so the displaced mass can be realistically analyzed. The respective advantages and disadvantages of these techniques are discussed, with baseline references on subsurface exploration.     

Nucleic-acid characterization of the identity and activity of subsurface microorganisms

Received, March 1999/Revised, May 1999/Accepted, June 1999     

西北内陆河流域水资源特点初析

依据西北各省 (自治区)的有关资料,对西北内陆河流域的水资源特点进行了综合分析,提出了西北内陆河流域水资源的四大特点:①内陆河流域径流主要形成于山区,散失于山前平原盆地,径流的补给源主要是降水、冰雪与地下水;②冰雪资源对内陆河地表水资源有较大的调节作用;③降水、地表水与地下水转化关系特征明显;④内陆河区水平衡状态,易受人类活动影响等。     

Gravity-induced stresses near axisymmetric topography of small slope

An approximate, analytical solution is found for the gravity-induced stresses in the neighbourhood of an axisymmetric topographic feature on an elastic half-space. The solution is in the form of a perturbation expansion in powers of the characteristic slope, ?. The leading order problem, at O(1), is for a distributed normal load on a plane half-space. The O(?) correction is due to a distributed shear traction. The vertical variation of the near-surface stress perturbation and the rotation of the principal stress directions are O(?) effects, and thus include contribution s of like order from both the normal and shear loads. The method requires general solutions for axisymmetric, normal and shear tractions of arbitrary radial distribution, and these are found in terms of Hankel transforms.     

Review: Some low-frequency electrical methods for subsurface characterization and monitoring in hydrogeology

Low-frequency geoelectrical methods include mainly self-potential, resistivity, and induced polarization techniques, which have potential in many environmental and hydrogeological applications. They provide complementary information to each other and to in-situ measurements. The self-potential method is a passive measurement of the electrical response associated with the in-situ generation of electrical current due to the flow of pore water in porous media, a salinity gradient, and/or the concentration of redox-active species. Under some conditions, this method can be used to visualize groundwater flow, to determine permeability, and to detect preferential flow paths. Electrical resistivity is dependent on the water content, the temperature, the salinity of the pore water, and the clay content and mineralogy. Time-lapse resistivity can be used to assess the permeability and dispersivity distributions and to monitor contaminant plumes. Induced polarization characterizes the ability of rocks to reversibly store electrical energy. It can be used to image permeability and to monitor chemistry of the pore water–minerals interface. These geophysical methods, reviewed in this paper, should always be used in concert with additional in-situ measurements (e.g. in-situ pumping tests, chemical measurements of the pore water), for instance through joint inversion schemes, which is an area of fertile on-going research.     

基于VSF的非饱和-饱和带耦合过程的三维水流数值模拟

包气带作为"四水转化"的关键带,在地下水流与溶质运移模拟中起着重要作用。VSF是一款基于MODFLOW-2000开发的用于模拟非饱和-饱和带水分变化和运移过程的数值模拟程序。本文首先介绍了VSF程序的设计原理与结构,并重点介绍了VSF区别于MODFLOW-2000的用以概化非饱和带水分运移和边界条件设置的子程序包模块,包括Richards方程渗流(REF)、浸润面(SPF)、地表滞水(PND)、地表蒸发(SEV)和植物根区蒸散发(RZE)等子程序包。本文以REF、SPF、PND和SEV等子程序包为例,将VSF与MODFLOW-2000耦合应用于一个非饱和-饱和带水流运移过程的模拟算例。结果表明,VSF可与MODFLOW耦合实现饱和带水位与非饱和带饱和度的同步计算,并能刻画模型中单元格饱和状态的变化过程,其多种实用的边界条件可提供较为全面的模拟条件,是模拟实际包气带-饱和带耦合问题的有效工具。     

Autogenic dynamics of alluvial fans in endorheic basins: Outcrop examples and stratigraphic significance

Alluvial fans are relatively simple depositional systems, due to the direct coupling of sediment sources and adjacent accumulation areas. Nonetheless, general models of alluvial‐fan evolution and stratigraphy remain elusive, due to the great sensitivity of such systems to allogenic controls and their strongly case‐specific responses. Autogenic processes intrinsic to alluvial‐fan dynamics can complicate stratigraphic architectures, with effects not easily distinguishable from those of allogenic forcing. A distinction is made here between lateral autogenic dynamics, tied to spatial sediment distribution over fan surfaces, and vertical autogenic dynamics, related to independent incision‐aggradation cycles. Autogenic mechanisms have been highlighted recently by modelling studies, but remain poorly constrained in field‐based studies. Examples are presented here from the margins of the Cenozoic Teruel and Ebro basins (Spain), where alluvial fans accumulated thick successions during phases of basin topographic closure and endorheic drainage which promoted forced aggradation. Fan successions consist of conformable architectures of stacked clastic sheets, laterally continuous and with no evidence of internal unconformities, inset architectures, fan segmentation or preserved incised channels. Continuous aggradation in these closed basins strongly inhibited ‘vertical’ autogenic dynamics in the form of fan head and through fan incision, due to the forced rise in geomorphic base level and the creation of positive accommodation. Furthermore, the lack of incised channels favoured widespread sediment transport and aggradation over broad fan sectors in relatively short time spans, in contrast to the typical occurrence of active lobes and abandoned fan surfaces caused by ‘lateral’ autogenic dynamics. Stratigraphic records of alluvial fans developed in endorheic basins are essentially complete and largely unaffected by autogenic processes. The latter characteristic implies that they can be more unambiguously interpreted in terms of allogenic forcing, because stratigraphic signatures are not complicated by the effects of complex fan autodynamics.     

Ichnofabric characterization of a deep‐marine clastic system: a subsurface study of the Middle Eocene Ainsa System,Spanish Pyrenees

This paper documents a subsurface trace fossil and ichnofabric study of the proximal parts of a structurally confined and channelized sand‐rich, lower slope and proximal basin‐floor deep‐marine system in the Middle Eocene Ainsa basin, Spanish Pyrenees. Five depositional environments are recognized based on sedimentary facies associations, depositional architecture and stratigraphic context (channel axis, channel off‐axis, channel margin, leveé‐overbank and interfan), as well as a channel abandonment phase. Each environment is characterized by distinct and recurring ichnofabrics. Ichnological measurements and observations were recorded from six cores recovered from six wells drilled at a spacing of between 400 m and 500 m at outcrop, and totalling 1213 m in length. From channel axis to levée‐overbank environments, there is a trend of increasing bioturbation intensity and ichnodiversity. Ichnofabrics in channel axis and channel off‐axis environments are characterized by low bioturbation intensity and low ichnodiversity. Thalassinoides‐dominated firmground ichnofabrics associated with erosive sediment gravity flows are common in these environments. In contrast, channel margin and levée‐overbank environments are characterized by ichnofabrics associated with high bioturbation intensity and ichnodiversity. Sediments of the interfan are characterized by the highest bioturbation intensity, associated with burrow mottling and an absence of primary sedimentary structures. This paper demonstrates that in core‐based studies, ichnofabric analysis is an important and valuable tool in discriminating between different environments in channelized deep‐marine siliciclastic systems. The results of this study should find wide applicability in reservoir characterization studies in the petroleum industry, in field‐based analogue ichnofabric studies and other core‐based studies in deep‐water siliciclastic systems worldwide such as the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program.     

Late Cenozoic basalt and gabbro in the subsurface in the Phetchabun Basin,Thailand: Implications for the Southeast Asian Volcanic Province

Fragments of basaltic and gabbroic rocks were obtained in cuttings from 15 exploration wells in the Na Sanun area of the Wichian Buri Sub-basin of the Phetchabun Basin in central Thailand. The samples represent flows and sills in lacustrine and fluvial sedimentary rocks of the Lower to mid-Miocene Wichian Buri Group. Mafic igneous units were identified in the sections based on their typically high-amplitude seismic reflections, confirmed by the examination of several hundred well cuttings and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Cross-sections of the sub-basin were constructed on the basis of previously published subsurface interpretations, seismic and well data, and petrological observations. Basaltic flows A, B, E, and F have ages of ca. 2 Ma, 16 Ma, 24 Ma and 18 Ma, based on inferred stratigraphic position. Gabbroic sill C and dioritic sill G are inferred to be correlative at ca. 11.6 Ma, and differ petrologically from ca. 12.8 Ma gabbroic sill D. Major minerals in both basaltic and gabbroic samples are plagioclase (ca. An₅₀), anorthoclase, and augite, with pervasive alteration to Na- and Ca- zeolite minerals and analcime. Leucodioritic sill G also contains amphibole and high Ti-phlogopite. Overall, the rocks show within-plate tholeiitic to alkalic characteristics, and show similarities to basaltic surface outcrops of similar ages in the Wichian Buri-Lop Buri area. No evidence was seen in the subsurface for the andesitic to rhyolitic rocks of similar ages that occur at surface, but their presence cannot be precluded based on our limited data.     

Limnology of a small forest lake near Hanau,FR Germany

Lake Seeloch is a wind-protected, small and shallow forest lake near Hanau, Rhine-Main area, that has neither surface inflow nor outflow. Wet and dry deposition of atmospheric pollutants and groundwater, but primarily the biochemical degradation of organic matter in the lake generates the bulk of dissolved constituents. Forest derived organic materials (pollen; debris; autumn-shed leaves) are the main sources of supply. Except for nitrate-nitrogen, all essential plant nutrients are available in very high, almost excessively high concentrations. Temporal and spatial distribution patterns of elements are established as a continuous recharge/release system at the water/sediment interface and in the lake water column, where processes related to organic matter decay play a dominant role.     

柴达木盆地咸湖相生油岩正构烷烃分布特征及其成因

柴达木盆地西部第三系咸水湖相生油岩样品分析资料表明，不同沉积相带生油岩正构烷烃系列有三种碳数分布模式。深湖相生油岩在C18－C28范围呈明显的偶碳数优势，而＞C28范围无碳数优势；滨浅湖相样品在整个碳数范围内呈奇碳数优势分布；过渡相带地层正构烷烃在中碳数范围呈偶碳数优势分布，而高碳数（＞C23）部分为奇碳数优势分布。经不同沉积相带样品之间的沉积环境地球化学指标和碳酸盐含量比较发现，本区咸湖相生油岩正构烷烃的分布不取决于沉积环境的氧化还原性和岩石的矿物组成，而主要与沉积相带中的有机质生源组成有关。偶碳数优势分布的正构烷烃成因并非如常规观点解释的那样，由正构脂肪酸、醇类的还原作用或经碳酸盐催化发生β断裂而来，而可能来源于咸化湖泊中的某种嗜盐细菌或其他微生物。     

An investigation on arsenic contamination near small factories of metal smelter in Zhejiang Province

To investigate arsenic contamination in soil-groundwater-food-human hairs system around metal smelters in Zhejiang Province, China, totally 52 paddy soil, 20 groundwater, 52 rice and 30 residents＇ hair samples were collected. Arsenic contents in the sampled materials were determined by Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometer （AFS-930, Beijing Vital）. The results showed that arsenic contents in the groundwater ranged from 0.29 to 6.67 μg/L, with a mean value of 1.14 μg/L （n=20）. In the paddy soils, arsenic contents ranged from 3.8 to 162.7 mg/kg, averaging at 14.7 mg/kg （n=52）. In the rice grain samples arsenic contents varied from 87 to 531 μg/kg （with a mean of 280 μg/kg）, but arsenic content in the rice bran was 2 times higher. In resident hairs from polluted area, arsenic contents ranged from 150 to 10080 μg/kg, averaging 1070 μg/kg, significantly higher than those in non-polluted area around and showed strong age dependence. The arsenic contents in hairs of age over 40 years old （1580 μg/kg, n= 12） were 2 times higher than those of age below 40 （740 μg/kg, n= 18）. Male and female appear also to have much different accumulations of 1370 μg/kg and 560 μg/kg, respectively.     

雨季苏打盐渍土地区土壤水-地下水转化规律研究

通过野外定位观测,分析了苏打碱土土壤水和地下水的转化规律。微地貌格局是制约水分迁移的主要因素,并由此形成了土壤水-地下水转化的特殊模式。雨季,坡地土壤(苏打碱土)的整个土层含水率变化不显著,地表径流为水分迁移的关键环节;洼地土壤(盐化草甸土)成为地表水和地下水转化的通道,大量洼地积水垂直下渗,补给地下水。运用Vensim对土壤水-地下水的转化过程进行了模拟,结果与观测数据基本一致。     

Numerical analysis of subsurface deformation induced by groundwater level changes in the Bangkok aquifer system

Acta Geotechnica - Subsurface deformation due to long terms of groundwater drawdown from 1960 to 1997 and groundwater recovery from 1997 to 2016 in the upper part of the Bangkok multi-aquifer...