Topographic characteristics of laboratory induced shear fractures

The topography of laboratory induced shear fracture surfaces of Westerly granite was studied. Three types of fracture surfaces were examined: (1) a fresh fracture from the shear failure of an intact sample under polyaxial loading (₂ = 40 MPa > ₃ = 15 MPa); (2) a shear fracture subjected to frictional sliding of 100 m under polyaxial loading; (3) a shear fracture subjected to frictional sliding of 800 m under conventional triaxial loading (₁ > ₂ = ₃ = 40 MPa). Both sliding distances are within the range of the grain size of Westerly granite. The results are represented by a power spectral method.Similar to the power spectra from natural rock surfaces, the power spectra of the induced shear fracture surfaces fall off about 2 orders of magnitude per decade increase in spatial frequency. No corner frequency exists in the power spectra over a spatial frequency range from that corresponding to the profile length to the Nyquist frequency. A slope break in the power spectrum was identified, however. It separates a steeper low frequency segment from a less steep high frequency segment. The spatial frequency at the slope break corresponds to a wavelength of several hundred microns which is on the scale of the microcracking and contact breaking on the fractures. Upon re-examining power spectra of natural fault traces and fault surfaces obtained in previous studies, we noted similar slope breaks. We suggest that this slope break may have significant implications in the scaling problem. Both the induced fracture surfaces and natural faults exhibit topographic characteristics different from those of sawcut surfaces, which have been widely used in laboratory rock friction experiments. In the present study, we observed that even a small amount of sliding (less than a grain size) already results in significant mismatches between the paired sliding surfaces in the direction normal to sliding.     

Chemical characteristics of some basaltic rocks of India

An analysis of the chemical characteristics of about 200 basaltic rocks of India indicate that the rocks of Pavagarh, Girnar, Rajmahal, Mundwara, Cuddapah and Panjal Trap form independent magmatic series of mixed type having entirely different chemical characteristics relative to the Deccan basalt. The tholeiitic and olivine or alkaline basalts do not seem to form independent magma types. The present study indicates that the rocks belonging to the above magma types coexist together and may represent differentiates of a single magma series.     

Hydrological characteristics of vegetated river flows: a laboratory flume study

Abstract

Laboratory flume experiments were undertaken to measure the vertical profiles of mean flow velocity for three different flow discharges and four different stem densities of Hydrilla verticillata. The data were used to calculate three parameters, namely Manning's roughness coefficient, the Reynolds number and the Froude number. In addition, empirical equations were obtained for the vertical distribution of measured flow velocity within the transitional zone and above the plant canopy. The results show that: (a) the vertical distribution of measured flow velocity exhibits three zone profiles; (b) Manning's roughness coefficient decreases with increasing depth-averaged flow velocity; (c) the relationship between Manning's roughness coefficient and the depth-averaged flow velocity is within the smooth left inverse curve; (d) Manning's roughness coefficient significantly changes with increasing density of Hydrilla; (e) the Froude number is independent of the density of Hydrilla; and (f) both the Reynolds number and the Froude number increase with increasing depth-averaged flow velocity.

Citation Shi, J.Z., Li, Y.-H., Hughes, J.M.R., and Zhao, M., 2013. Hydrological characteristics of vegetated river flows: a laboratory flume study. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 58 (5), 1047–1058.

Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz     

Chemical composition and acute toxicity in the water after in situ burning--a laboratory experiment

The chemical composition and toxicity of a water soluble fraction (WSF) of oil versus the underlying water after in situ burning (ISB), has been studied in a laboratory experiment. A system for allowing water sampling after ISB was developed. Seawater samples and oil were collected prior to and immediately after ISB, and chemical analysis was conducted. The chemical characterization of the water showed that the disappearance of water soluble oil components during ISB was insignificant. Acute toxicity tests with the marine copepod Calanus finmarchicus and Microtox® bioassay was performed to establish LC₅₀/EC₅₀ values of the water. The results were compared with regular WAF systems with unburned weathered oil, and indicated no increase in toxicity in the underlying water after ISB.     

Chemical evolution of Macondo crude oil during laboratory degradation as characterized by fluorescence EEMs and hydrocarbon composition

The fluorescence EEM technique, PARAFAC modeling, and hydrocarbon composition were used to characterize oil components and to examine the chemical evolution and degradation pathways of Macondo crude oil under controlled laboratory conditions. Three major fluorescent oil components were identified, with Ex/Em maxima at 226/328, 262/315, and 244/366 nm, respectively. An average degradation half-life of ～20 d was determined for the oil components based on fluorescence EEM and hydrocarbon composition measurements, showing a dynamic chemical evolution and transformation of the oil during degradation. Dispersants appeared to change the chemical characteristics of oil, to shift the fluorescence EEM spectra, and to enhance the degradation of low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons. Photochemical degradation played a dominant role in the transformation of oil components, likely an effective degradation pathway of oil in the water column. Results from laboratory experiments should facilitate the interpretation of field-data and provide insights for understanding the fate and transport of oil components in the Gulf of Mexico.     

The impact of aquifer stratification on saltwater intrusion characteristics. Comprehensive laboratory and numerical study

Laboratory experiments and numerical simulations were utilized in this study to assess the impact of aquifer stratification on saltwater intrusion. Three homogeneous and six layered aquifers were investigated. Image processing algorithms facilitated the precise calculation of saltwater wedge toe length, width of the mixing zone, and angle of intrusion. It was concluded that the length of intrusion in stratified aquifers is predominantly a function of permeability contrast, total aquifer transmissivity and the number of heterogeneous layers, being positively correlated to all three. When a lower permeability layer overlays or underlays more permeable zones its mixing zone widens, while it becomes thinner for the higher permeability strata. The change in the width of the mixing zone (WMZ) is positively correlated to permeability contrast, while it applies to all strata irrespectively of their relative vertical position in the aquifer. Variations in the applied hydraulic head causes the transient widening of WMZ. These peak WMZ values are larger during saltwater retreat and are negatively correlated to the layer's permeability and distance from the aquifer's bottom. Moreover, steeper angles of intrusion are observed in cases where low permeability layers overlay more permeable strata, and milder ones in the inverse aquifer setups. The presence of a low permeability upper layer results in the confinement of the saltwater wedge in the lower part of the stratified aquifer. This occurs until a critical hydraulic head difference is applied to the system. This hydraulic gradient value was found to be a function of layer width and permeability contrast alike.     

微囊藻胶鞘多糖和水溶性胞外多糖的化学特性

微囊藻(Microcystis)产生大量胞外多糖(EPS),包括包裹在细胞外的胶鞘多糖(CPS)和释放到周围环境中的水溶性多糖(RPS).为探究EPS在蓝藻水华发生中的生理生态学意义,迫切需要了解微囊藻EPS的化学特性.本文从太湖分离群体微囊藻,经过大约18个月实验室培养后,其中一些藻株转变为单细胞形态.选择5株群体藻和4株单细胞藻,比较分析这些藻株EPS的化学特性发现:(1)所有9株藻的EPS均为含有脱氧己糖的酸性杂多糖;(2)所有9株藻的CPS的糖醛酸含量(1.2%~2.1%)均低于RPS的糖醛酸含量(2.4%~6.2%);(3)所有9株藻的EPS均含有乙酰基和硫酸基,其中,每一株藻CPS的乙酰基含量均高于RPS的乙酰基含量,所有群体藻CPS的乙酰基含量(4.1%~6.6%)高于所有单细胞藻CPS的乙酰基含量(2.0%~3.2%).本文进而讨论了EPS化学特性对EPS水溶性和微囊藻群体形成的影响,以及对其生态学作用的影响.在这些化学特性中,乙酰取代基团被认为可能是影响微囊藻EPS生理生态学作用的重要因素.     

Chemical characteristics of rainwater in karst rural areas,Guizhou Province,Southwest China

The chemical composition of rainwater has been studied in a karst rural area from September 2012 to August 2013 in Guizhou Province,Southwest China.The results indicated that the VWM value of p H was 5.4,varied from 4.6 to 6.9.Ca~(2+)and NH_4~+were the major cations,and SO_4~(2-)was the dominant anion.Neutralization factors show that the acid was mainly neutralized by Ca~(2+),NH_4~+and Mg~(2+).Investigations of correlation coefficients and enrichment factors revealed that Ca~(2+)and Mg~(2+)were mainly crust origins,and NH_4~+was from agriculture and livestock manure.SO_4~(2-)and NO_3~-were mainly from anthropogenic sources.     

Chemical and toxicological characteristics of sewage sludge ocean dumped in the New York Bight

This paper compares and contrasts data on the chemical characteristics and acute toxicities of the waste from nine applicants (representing 20 sewage treatment facilities) currently disposing of municipal sewage sludge at the 12-Mile dumpsite located in the New York Bight Apex. Each of the chemical analytes examined for the 20 facilities was highly variable, both within and among facilities. Toxicity tests conducted by the applicants revealed that, in the majority of tests, Mysidopsis bahia was the most sensitive of the three species tested. Five facilities that receive large volumes of industrial waste were found to contribute over 75% of the total toxic load to the dumpsite.     

Dissolved/dispersed hydrocarbons,tarballs and the surface microlayer: Experiences from an IOC/UNEP Workshop in Bermuda,December, 1984

An intercomparison exercise was conducted at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research, Inc, Bermuda on 1–15 December 1984. It primarily involved the testing of the IOC Manual for monitoring oil and dissolved/dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons (DDPH) in marine waters and on beaches (IOC, Manuals and Guides, No. 13). An additional exercise sought to intercompare methodologies for the collection of sea surface microlayer samples.DDPH measurements in the inshore waters of Bermuda resulted in a mean concentration of 0.057 μg l⁻¹ of (n = 30) chrysene equivalents with a 60% relative standard deviation (RSD). Open ocean samples yielded a mean concentration of 0.011 μg l⁻¹ (n = 44) with a 65% RSD. These concentrations are extremely low and the results indicate that the method described in the Manual is sufficiently sensitive for the detection of ‘hot spots’The collection of beach tar using the method outlined in the Manual indicated that the data, when expresed as per metre of linear beach length, are an extremely good measure of oil contamination. The mean of 42 collections was 23.1 ± 14.4 g m⁻¹ in the first sampling period and the mean of 39 transects was 40.6 ± 17.7 g m⁻¹ on the second sampling period. Although 14 individuals took part in the sampling the results of individuals were consistent enough to demonstrate that beach tar collections are indeed valuable tools for monitoring contamination by petroleum in the marine environment.The operational manual for the sampling of the sea surface microlayer (IOC Manuals and Guides, No. 15), was also tested. The results indicated that this method collects reproduceable volumes of elevated concentrations of materials from the sea surface suitable at least for qualitative analyses. However, the spatial distribution and stability of surface films may render quantitative analyses less meaningful.     

Development of a laboratory exposure system using marine fish to carry out realistic effect studies with produced water discharged from offshore oil production

A biotest system for environmentally realistic exposure of fish to produced water (PW) was developed and tested. Authentic PW was collected at an oil production platform in the North Sea and preserved by freezing in multiple aliquots a 25 L. After transport to the test laboratory onshore, daily PW aliquots were thawed, homogenised and administered to the test fish, Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), in two diluted exposure concentrations, 0.1% and 0.5%, during a 15 d period, using a continuous flow-through exposure setup. Positive control groups were exposed to two crude oil treatments for comparison. Chemical analyses showed that alkylphenol (AP) and PAH concentrations in PW exposure waters were very low. Observations of significantly increased AP and PAH metabolite levels in PW exposed fish demonstrated the suitability of the biotest system for its use in biological exposure/effect studies of PW, and it also demonstrated the sensitivity of bile metabolites as PW exposure markers in fish. The relevance of the biotest system for PW effect studies and for validating modelled environmental risk estimates of PW dischargers from offshore oil production is discussed.     

淮南深地地磁总场连续观测与时变特征

深地实验室具有电磁干扰小的"超净"地磁观测优势,已成为地磁观测的新平台和研究热点.为了评估淮南深地实验室地磁环境、认识地磁总场时变特征及地下与地面耦合性,我们于2022年在地下巷道（-848 m）和地表（+22 m）同步实施了地磁总场长期连续观测,对观测数据进行了功率谱、小波谱、地磁总场变化特征的分析及与附近的蒙城地磁台比对.研究结果表明：（1）地下无（或弱）磁干扰点位的地磁环境较优越,与蒙城地磁台相媲美,适用于地磁场变化的高精度、长期连续观测;（2）地下地磁观测可有效过滤地表上由工业与人类活动等的电磁干扰,其记录的地磁总场变化与蒙城地磁台具有较好的耦合性;（3）地下磁测可清晰记录地磁总场的平静变化、不同周期磁暴、地磁脉冲等丰富的时变信息,可为地球系统科学研究提供地磁学依据.     

Biomarker responses in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) exposed to produced water from a North Sea oil field: laboratory and field assessments

Biological markers of produced water (PW) exposure were studied in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in both laboratory and field experiments, using authentic PW from a North Sea oil field. In the laboratory study, the PW exposure yielded significantly elevated levels of metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkylphenols (APs) in bile even at the lowest exposure dose (0.125% PW). Other biomarkers (hepatic CYP1A induction and DNA adduct formation) responded at 0.25% and 0.5% PW concentrations. In the field study, bile metabolite markers and hepatic CYP1A were clearly increased in fish caged close to the PW outfall. Induction of plasma vitellogenin was not found in laboratory or field exposures, suggesting that the levels of oestrogen agonists (such as APs) might not have been sufficient to elicit induction, under the present conditions. The applicability of the biomarkers for use in water column biomonitoring programs is discussed.     

Chemical characteristics of chromian spinel in plutonic rocks: Implications for deep magma processes and discrimination of tectonic setting

We summarize chemical characteristics of chromian spinels from ultramafic to mafic plutonic rocks (lherzolites, harzburgites, dunites, wehrlites, troctolites, olivine gabbros) with regard to three tectonic settings (mid‐ocean ridge, arc, oceanic hotspot). The chemical range of spinels is distinguishable between the three settings in terms of Cr# (= Cr/(Cr + Al) atomic ratio) and Ti content. The relationships are almost parallel with those of chromian spinels in volcanic rocks, but the Ti content is slightly lower in plutonics than in volcanics at a given tectonic environment. The Cr# of spinels in plutonic rocks is highly diverse; its ranges overlap between the three settings, but extend to higher values (up to 0.8) in arc and oceanic hotspot environments. The Ti content of spinels in plutonics increases, for a given lithology, from the arc to oceanic hotspot settings by mid‐ocean ridge on average. This chemical diversity is consistent with that of erupted magmas from the three settings. If we systematically know the chemistry of chromian spinels from a series of plutonic rocks, we can estimate their tectonic environments of formation. The spinel chemistry is especially useful in dunitic rocks, in which chromian spinel is the only discriminating mineral. Applying this, discordant dunites cutting mantle peridotites were possibly precipitated from arc‐related magmas in the Oman ophiolite, and from an intraplate tholeiite in the Lizard ophiolite, Cornwall.     

Chemical characteristics of the crater lakes of Popocatetetl, El Chichon, and Nevado de Toluca volcanoes, Mexico

Three crater lakes from Mexican volcanoes were sampled and analyzed at various dates to determine their chemical characteristics. Strong differences were observed in the chemistry among the three lakes: Nevado de Toluca, considered as dormant, El Chichón at a post-eruptive stage, and Popocatépetl at a pre-eruptive stage. Not surprisingly, no influence of volcanic activity was found at the Nevado de Toluca volcano, while the other volcanoes showed a correlation between the changing level of activity and the evolution of chemical trends. Low pHs (<3.0) were measured in the water from the active volcanoes, while a pH of 5.6 was measured at the Nevado de Toluca Sun lake. Changes with time were observed at Popocatépetl and El Chichón. Concentrations of volcanic-gas derived species like Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻ and F⁻ decreased irregularly at El Chichón from 1983 until 1997. Major cations concentrations also diminished at El Chichón. A 100% increase in the SO₄²⁻ content was measured at Popocatépetl between 1985 and 1994. An increase in the Mg/Cl ratio between 1992 (Mg/Cl=0.085) and 1994 (Mg/Cl=0.177) was observed at Popocatépetl, before the disappearance of the crater lake in 1994. It is concluded that chemical analysis of crater lakes may provide a useful additional tool for active-volcano monitoring.     

Trace element characteristics of partial melts produced by melting of metabasalts at high pressures: Constraints on the formation condition of adakitic melts

Modern adakite, Archean tonalite-trondhjemite- granodiorite (TTG) and adakitic rocks derived from lower continental crust are high Na and Al felsic rocks and are characterized by strong heavy REE and Y de- pletion and high Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios, which sug…     

PAH body burden and biomarker responses in mussels (Mytilus edulis) exposed to produced water from a North Sea oil field: laboratory and field assessments

In order to study the impact of produced water (PW) from a North Sea oil field on blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), chemical and biological markers were selected. A laboratory exposure (0.125%, 0.25% and 0.5% of PW) and a field study (6 stations 0.2-2 km from a PW discharge point) were conducted. In the laboratory study, PAH bioaccumulation increased in mussel soft tissue even at the lowest exposure dose. Micronuclei frequency demonstrated a dose-response pattern, whereas lysosomal membrane stability showed tendency towards a dose-response pattern. The same markers were assessed in the field study, biomarker analyses were consistent with the contamination level, as evaluated by mussel polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons body burden. Overall, obtained results confirmed the value of an ecotoxicological approach for a scientifically sound characterisation of biological effects induced by offshore oilfield operational discharges.     

A laboratory study of baroclinic instability

Abstract

Experimental and theoretical results are presented for a simple system which exhibits baroclinic instability. We consider the motion of two immiscible fluids with densities ρ ₁ and ρ ₂ contained in a cylinder rotating with angular frequency ω. The motion is driven by a contact lid rotating with frequency ω + ω. In this paper ω, ω, 2(ρ ₂ – ρ ₁)/(ρ ₂ + ρ ₁), and the geometry are such that the interface does not intersect the “ground” (e.g. an almost horizontal boundary). The motions are described by two-layer quasi-geostrophic equations which are identical, except perhaps for the presence of interfacial friction and tension, with those used in meteorology and oceanography. For small enough internal Froude number F = 4ω² L ²/(g(Δρ/ρ)H) or small enough Rossby number ? = ω/2ω the flow is steady and axisymmetric, the velocity field in each layer being determined primarily by frictional effects in top, bottom, and interfacial Ekman layers. For certain (F, ?) the flow becomes non-axisymmetric. The transition points for the case where the basic potential vorticity gradient is due to interface slope alone have been carefully measured and are in very good agreement with a linear instability theory which neglects sidewall effects. Some preliminary observations of supercritical motion, which include repeatable amplitude and wavenumber vacillation, are reported.     

新型冠状病毒肺炎流行病学特征分析

胸部CT对新型冠状病毒感染（COVID-19）早期发现和精准诊断及鉴别诊断是最佳影像学方法,对明确临床分型、选择治疗方法、动态观察病变进展、评判风险因素和患者预后具有重要意义。本文对其流行病学、病理改变、临床表现和CT特征等进行述评,旨在提高临床和影像医师对该病的认知和诊治水平。     

In-channel surficial fine-grained sediment laminae. Part II: Chemical characteristics and implications for contaminant transport in fluvial systems

Samples of surficial fine-grained laminae (SFGL) were collected in three south-western Ontario rivers. Each sediment sample was subjected to a sequential extraction procedure designed to partition particulate metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn) into five operationally defined fractions: (1) exchangeable; (2) bound to carbonates; (3) bound to Fe-Mn oxides; (4) bound to organic matter; and (5) residual. Particulate phosphus was sequentially extracted from the sediment samples into three fractions: (1) non-apatite inorganic P; (2) apatite P; and (3) organic P. The major accumulate phases of trace metals in SFGL are carbonates, Fe-Mn oxides and organic matter. The content of NAIP in SFGL ranged from 17 to 38% of total particulate P. Compared with suspended and bed sediments, levels of P and trace metals in SFGL were lower at the study sites. A conceptual overview of physical, chemical and biological processes influencing formation of SFGL and the potential role of this fine-grained sediment for contaminant transport in fluvial systems is presented.