A porosity-gradient replacement approach for computational simulation of chemical-dissolution front propagation in fluid-saturated porous media including pore-fluid compressibility

In dealing with chemical-dissolution-front propagation problems in fluid-saturated porous media, the chemical dissolution front represented by the porosity of the medium may have a very steep slope (i.e., a very large porosity gradient) at the dissolution front, depending on the mineral dissolution ratio that is defined as the equilibrium concentration of the dissolved minerals in the pore-fluid to the solid molar density of the dissolvable minerals in the solid matrix. When the mineral dissolution ratio approaches zero, the theoretical value of the porosity gradient tends to infinity at the chemical dissolution front. Even for a very small value of the mineral dissolution ratio, which is very common in geochemical systems, the porosity gradient can be large enough to cause the solution hard to converge when the conventional finite element method is used to solve a chemical dissolution problem in a fluid-saturated porous medium where the pore-fluid is compressible. To improve the convergent speed of solution, a porosity-gradient replacement approach, in which the term involving porosity-gradient computation is replaced by a new term consisting of pore-fluid density-gradient and pressure-gradient computation, is first proposed and then incorporated into the finite element method in this study. Through comparing the numerical results obtained from the proposed approach with the theoretical solutions for a benchmark problem, it has been demonstrated that not only can the solution divergence be avoid, but also the accurate simulation results can be obtained when the proposed porosity-gradient replacement approach is used to solve chemical-dissolution-front propagation problems in fluid-saturated porous media including pore-fluid compressibility.     

流体饱和两相多孔介质动力反应计算分析

基于流体饱和两相多孔介质的弹性波动方程组,运用显式逐步积分格式与局部透射人工边界相结合的时域显式有限元方法对该波动方程组进行求解,对两相介质在输入地震波作用下的弹性动力反应进行计算和分析;对在是否考虑孔隙流体渗流的两种情况下计算得到的两相介质弹性动力反应结果的差异进行对比研究,从而揭示孔隙流体渗流对两相介质动力反应性质的影响。计算结果表明：两相介质弹性动力反应时程的波形与入射地震波的波形相同,且弹性动力反应的峰值出现的时刻对应于入射地震波的峰值出现的时刻;孔隙流体的渗流将对两相介质的弹性动力反应性质产生显著的影响。数值计算同时表明,时域显式有限元方法是进行流体饱和两相多孔介质弹性动力反应计算分析的一种有效的方法。     

A semianalytical approach for solving first-order perturbation equations of dissolution-timescale reactive infiltration instability problems in fluid-saturated rocks

This paper presents a semianalytical approach for solving first-order perturbation (FOP) equations, which are used to describe dissolution-timescale reactive infiltration instability (RII) problems in fluid-saturated rocks. The proposed approach contains two parts because the chemical dissolution reaction divides the whole problem domain into two subdomains. In the first part, the interface-condition substitution strategy is used to derive the analytical expressions of purely mathematical solutions for the FOP equations in the upstream subdomain, where the dissolution chemical reaction is ceased and the FOP equations are weakly coupled. In the second part, the finite element method (FEM) is used to derive the analytical expressions of numerical solutions for the FOP equations in the downstream subdomain, where the dissolution chemical reaction needs to be considered and the FOP equations are strongly coupled so that it is impossible to derive purely mathematical solutions for them. Particular attention is paid to the development of the element-by-element forward marching strategy, which is associated with the use of the FEM for solving this new kind of scientific problem. The related analytical results demonstrated that (1) both the dynamic characteristic of a reactive infiltration system and the dimensionless wavenumber can have pronounced influences on the distribution of the FOP dimensionless acid concentration within the entire domain of the dissolution-timescale RII problems in fluid-saturated rocks and (2) the FOP dimensionless acid concentration distribution exhibits two significantly different patterns in the upstream and downstream subdomains of the dissolution-timescale RII system.     

Geochemistry of red residua underlying dolomites in karst terrains of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau: II. The mobility of rare earth elements during weathering

The aim of this study is to characterize the evolution of the rare earth elements (REE) in the Pingba red residua on karst terrain of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The in-situ weathering and the two-stage development of the profile had been inferred from REE criterions. The REE were significantly fractionated, and Ce was less mobilized and separated from the other REEs at the highly enriched top of the profile. This is consistent with the increase of oxidation degree in the regolith. And it is also suggested that the wet/dry climate change during chemical weathering caused Ce alternative change between enrichment and invariance in the upper regolith. Chondrite-normalized REE distribution patterns for samples from dolomites and the lower regolith are characteristic of MREE enrichment and remarkable negative Ce-anomalies patterns (similar to the convex-up REE patterns). The following processes are interpreted for the patterns in this study: (1) the accumulation of MRRE-rich minerals in dolomite dissolution, (2) water–rock interaction in the weathering front, and (3) more leaching MREE from the upper part of the profile. The latter two explanations are considered as the dominant process for the formation of the REE patterns. Samples from the soil horizon exhibit typical REE distribution patterns of the upper crust, i.e., La_N/Yb_N=10 and Eu/Eu*=0.65. All data indicate that the leaching process is very important for pedogenesis in this region. The experiments demonstrating that abnormal enrichment of REE at the upper regolith–bedrock interface is caused by a combination of volume change, accumulation of REE-bearing minerals, leaching of REE from the upper regolith, and water–rock interaction during rock–soil alteration processes. Our results support the conclusion that the weathering profile represents a large, continental elemental storage reservoir, whereas REE enrichment occurs under favorable conditions in terms of stable tectonics, low erosion and rapid weathering over sufficiently long time.     

Concentration mechanisms of iron oxides and alumina in deep weathering crusts (Goshikidai, Kagawa, Western Japan)

Concentration of Fe-oxides and alumina in weathering processes are main geological reactions for lateritization and bauxitization, respectively. In western Japan, red-coloured soil formed by weathering processes developed in many places. This soil is composed of hydrous Fe-oxide minerals, hydrous alumina minerals and other minerals. It was formed in the upper part of deep weathering crust by weathering processes under some kind of sub-tropical climate, probably in the Pliocene. One of these occurrences is observed in the upper part of Goshikidai and Konodai, west part of Takamatsu city, northeast Shikoku Island, west Japan. A deep weathering crust is distributed on wide hilly plains ranging from 250 to 400 m a.m.s.l. in the northwestern region of Takamatsu city. Original rock of the weathering crust is bronzite andesite and glassy bronzite andesite, so-called ‘sanukite’. The andesites had been weathered under some special climate, and the geological age of the weathering is the same as above. The mineral assemblage and formation mechanism are similar to those of laterite and bauxite. The weathering crust developing in this region are subdivided into the three following zones: (1) A zone, composed of hydrous Fe-oxides and metahalloysite with small amounts of gibbsite and it is associated with white veins of metahalloysite; (2) B zone, composed of hydrous Fe-oxides and metahalloysite (some material is associated with -cristobalite); and C zone, composed of metahalloysite or halloysite and -cristobalite with relict crystals of feldspar and quartz, and some material is associated with montmorillonite. Chemical analyses of the materials of the three zones show the formation mechanisms of the weathering crust.     

Analytical Solutions for Pore-Fluid Flow Focusing Within Inclined Elliptic Inclusions in Pore-Fluid-Saturated Porous Rocks: Solutions Derived in an Elliptical Coordinate System

Exact analytical solutions have been derived rigorously for the pore-fluid velocity, pore-fluid-flow focusing factor, stream function and excess pore-fluid pressure around and within a buried inclined elliptic inclusion in pore-fluid-saturated porous rocks. The geometric characteristics of the buried inclined elliptic inclusion are represented by the aspect ratio and dip angle of the inclusion, while the hydrodynamic characteristic is represented by the permeability ratio of the elliptic inclusion to its surrounding rock. Since an elliptic inclusion of any aspect ratio can be used to approximately represent geological faults and cracks, the present analytical solutions can be used to investigate the pore-fluid-flow patterns around buried faults and cracks within the crust of the Earth. Therefore, the present analytical solution not only provides a better understanding of the physics behind the pore-fluid-flow focusing problem around and within buried faults and cracks, but also provides a valuable benchmark solution for validating any numerical method in dealing with this kind of pore-fluid-flow focusing problem. The pore-fluid-flow focusing factor of a buried elliptic inclusion is demonstrated to be dependent on the aspect ratio, the permeability ratio and the dip angle.     

The age of the Earth and the oldest rocks

The ages of rocks and minerals can be determined by measuring the accumulation of the products of radioactive decay within them. The results provide a time–scale for the Earth and for the major geological events which have shaped the Earth's continental crust since it first started to separate from the mantle at least 3700 million years ago. The Earth itself is about 4600 million years old.     

Area balancing as a test of models for the deep structure of mountain belts,with specific reference to the Alps

Basic concepts of structural restoration are applied to crustal cross-sections through mountain belts to explore large-scale tectonic models and deep structure. However, restored sections should account for variations in pre-orogenic crustal thicknesses. Crustal balancing approaches are reviewed and applied to two Alpine sections, coinciding with deep seismic experiments: NRP-20 East (Central Alps) and ECORS-CROP (Western Alps). Existing studies assume large (>300 km) orogenic contraction and only moderately thinned pre-orogenic crust. The resulting restored sections contain more crust than is imaged beneath the present-day Alps, the missing crust generally assumed to be subducted. Two kinematic modifications reduce the requirement for subduction: thinning and buoyancy-driven return flow of ultra-high-pressure metamorphic rocks during orogenesis; and pre-orogenic hyperextension. Using large stretching factors for the pre-orogenic crust negates crustal subduction on both Alpine transects. If the lower crust was approximately rigid, restorations of the Central Alps require strongly depth-heterogeneous stretching of upper and lower crust during Mesozoic rifting. Relaxing this requirement allows uniform lithospheric stretching, a corollary consistent with published subsidence estimates. Restorations make implicit statements on the form of pre-orogenic basins and the structure of continental margins incorporated into mountain belts that can in turn provide tests of tectonic models.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987111000478

Convective heat transfer associated with the circulation of pore-fluid in porous rocks and fractures within the upper crust of the Earth is substantial when the temperature gradient is sufficiently high.In order to understand the process of Sn-polymetallic mineralization in the Dachang ore district of Guangxi,a finite element method has been used in this study to simulate both pore-fluid flow and heat transfer in this district.On the basis of related geological,tectonic and geophysical constraints,a computational model was established.It enables a computational simulation and sensitivity analysis to be carried out for investigating ore-forming pore-fluid flow and other key factors that may affect hydrothermal ore genesis in the district.The related simulation results have indicated that:(1) permeable fault zones in the Dachang ore district can serve as preferential pathways for pore-fluid flow on a regional-scale;and(2) the pore-fluid flow can affect the salinity distribution.This latter factor is part of the reason why Sn-polymetallic mineralization has taken place in this district.     

Intracratonic geodynamics

Geodynamic concepts of deformation and metamorphism of continental lithosphere are dominated by the effects of subduction, accretion or collision along the margins of continental lithospheric blocks. Yet it is becoming increasingly apparent that suture zones, presumably representing fossil subduction zones, but occurring far from ambient continent boundaries, play a key role in intra-cratonic deformation. In such zones the crust is strongly sheared and mantle lithosphere metasomatised. Reworking of such settings reveals a surprisingly large range of instabilities that develop in compressed/extended lithosphere with lateral heterogeneities inherited from fossil subduction settings. Structural complexity arises which is quite sensitive to the pre-existing geometry and tectonic setting. This influences localization of deformation, topographic evolution, melt generation and fluid flow patterns. We recognise a class of instabilities, labelled acceleration instabilities, of which the classical Rayleigh–Taylor instability is one example. In many cases shown in this paper such instabilities are responsible for triggering most of the response of the lithosphere. In an elastic-plastic material a necessary condition for instability is that the material reaches the yield point; thus not only density contrasts between media drive instability but also processes induced by other forces normal to the interface. As a geological example the Petermann orogeny in central Australia is given.     

地壳上部构造的球壳失稳模拟实验及力学分析

李四光早年曾提到过,在构造模拟实验中把曲率考虑进去,对大区域构造研究可能具有某些重要性。但这种实验的作法及意义,五十年来少有研究。当地壳曲率的实际重要性不明确时,由局部平面模拟结果无限制地外推到全球构造体系,无疑会产生误差。我国秦岭-昆仑纬向构造体系横跨40°左右,显然这里地壳不是弹性平板梁的受力状况,而是更接近于弹性薄壳。 实验表明这种推断是合理的。     

映秀—卧龙公路沿线汶川地震地质灾害研究

映秀—卧龙公路是汶川地震灾区距震中最近、震害最为严重的一条公路,本文对沿线地震地质灾害进行了详细的调查研究。依据震害特征,将沿线震害划分为斜坡中上部强风化岩体及土层失稳、结构面切割岩体崩滑失稳、滑坡、泥石流等4类,并分析了沿线震害发育规律。调查表明:龙门山后山断裂两侧地震地质灾害呈现显著的差异性,主要是由深大断裂的消震隔震效应,地貌放大效应,地质结构等三方面因素决定的。通过134条实测剖面分析,研究了地震失稳斜坡坡度和失稳部位。地震诱发失稳斜坡坡度在33°~84°之间,主要分布在41°~65°之间,可以认为地震诱发斜坡失稳灾害主要发生在40°以上的斜坡。斜坡失稳部位主要分布在斜坡中上部以及地貌突出部位,主要失稳部位在0.4坡高以上。从研究斜坡动力失稳的角度,将沿线斜坡划分为基岩-土层及强风化层斜坡地质结构、不利外倾结构面基岩斜坡地质结构、块状构造基岩斜坡地质结构、块碎石土层斜坡地质结构等几种地质结构模型,分析论述了各种地质结构相应的地震地质灾害类型及特点。     

地球的原始不均一性起源及其对超大型矿床分布的制约

本文从太阳星云演变模式入手,着重介绍地球的非均一堆积起源模式.指出地球的化学成分具有原始的不均一性;这种不均一性起源于前地球阶段堆积星子的不均一性.地球的星子吸积过程具有明显的两阶段性,即原地球吸积阶段和晚期吸积阶段,而后期的吸积过程对上地幔及地壳的化学成分不均一性的影响尤为显著.最后指出地球化学不均一性对超大型矿床分布的制约.     

云南大平掌铜多金属矿床成矿作用

云南大平掌矿床位于澜沧江火山岩带的中南段,左侧是澜沧江和酒房深大断裂。矿区内发育一套形成于岛弧环境的上石炭统细碧-石英角斑岩系,矿体产于流纹质火山岩中,产状与火山岩一致。矿体分2类,上部为块状矿体,下部为细脉-浸染状矿体。矿床内热液蚀变发育,特别是浸染状矿体中更强,并从矿体中心向外侧形成分带。具工业意义的Cu、Pb、Zn等元素以硫化物形式产出。S、Pb、Sr、Nd等同位素成分表明,成矿物质来源于地幔-下地壳。尽管矿体受后期构造破坏强烈,但综合研究表明,该矿床仍具有世界上绝大多数火山成因块状硫化物矿床的共同性。它与区内类似矿床的差异性,为在该区寻找火山成因块状硫化物矿床开辟了新方向。     

不同渗流边界条件下粉砂边坡失稳模型试验研究

研究不同渗流边界条件下粉砂边坡的稳定特性对滑坡安全评价及防灾减灾具有重要意义。开发研制了室内边坡模型试验系统,分别进行了在上部边界入渗、侧向边界入渗和底部边界入渗的边坡失稳模型试验。分析了各试验中边坡内部不同位置体积含水率、孔隙水压力和基质吸力的变化规律以及坡体破坏过程。结果表明,不同入渗边界条件下边坡土体局部由非饱和变为饱和状态,基质吸力消失,最后在坡面形成不稳定区域塌落破坏。上部边界入渗、侧向边界入渗和底部边界入渗所引起的破坏模式根据其特点可分为局部浅层破坏、多级后退式破坏和坡面滑动破坏。通过监测边坡不同位置的体积含水率,可以为渗流引发的边坡失稳预警机制提供参考依据。     

Abundances of chemical elements in the Earth’s crust

The evaluation of the abundances of chemical elements in the Earth’s crust is a pivotal geochemical problem. Its first solutions in the early 20th century formed the empirical groundwork for geochemistry and justified concepts about the unity of the material of the Universe, the genesis of the chemical elements, and the geochemical differentiation of the Earth. The accumulation of newly obtained data called for the revision of this problem, and a series of papers by A.P. Vinogradov, which were published in Geokhimiya in 1956–1962, presented reevaluated contents of elements in the continental crust. In these papers, A.P. Vinogradov relied on the classic idea of the geochemical balance of the sedimentary process. These generalizations provided the foundation for the quantitative characterization of the geochemical background of the biosphere and allowed Vinogradov to formulate the principles of the melting and degassing of material in the outer Earth’s shells during the geologic history, a concept that became universally acknowledged in modern geochemistry and geology. The composition of the Earth’s crust can also be evaluated based not on the principle of geochemical balance in the sedimentary process but on data on the actual abundances of major magmatic, metamorphic, and sedimentary rock types. The possibility of this solution was provided after the extensive research of A.B. Ronov, who managed to develop a quantitative model for the structure of the Earth’s sedimentary shell. Based on these data, A.B. Ronov, A.A. Yaroshevsky, and A.A. Migdisov published a series of papers in Geokhimiya in 1967–1985 that presented a model for the chemical structure of the Earth’s crust with regard for the material composing not only the upper part of the continental crust but also its deep-seated granulite-basite layer and the oceanic crust. The quantitative estimates thus obtained led the authors to important conclusions: first, it was demonstrated that the estimated abundances of elements in the granite-metamorphic layer of the continental crust presented in the classic works by A.P. Vinogradov are confirmed by independent materials, which are based on data on the actual abundance of rocks. Second, incredible as it was, the principle of geochemical balance in the sedimentary process in application to Ca and carbonates appeared to be invalid. This problem remains unsettled as of yet and awaits its resolution.     

豫西矿集区幔枝构造约束下的小岩体成大矿

文章通过分析豫西地区的大量地质矿产资料后发现,区内存在"小岩体成大矿"的规律。认为豫西地区自燕山期以来,随着地幔热柱的演化,区内地壳运动转为伸展活动,地壳减薄、地幔不均衡上隆和中酸性岩浆脉动式上侵;中酸性岩浆脉动式上侵过程打通了深部成矿物质上升的通道,使得含矿流体能够到达地壳上部,并在幔枝构造外围主次级拆离带、岩体内外接触带、构造裂隙等适宜部位集聚成矿。     

水对名义无水矿物变形的影响

在固体地球中,水虽微量,但对众多地质过程(例如,岩石部分熔融与火山喷发、地震活动等)和岩石的物理化学性质(例如,电导率、滞弹性、地震波性质、相变动力学等)影响重大。更为重要的是,水能通过影响矿物的变形机制来控制岩石的流变强度,进而制约着地球动力学的过程。名义无水矿物(NAMs:Nominal anhydrous minerals)即为分子式中不含氢的矿物,其晶格的容水量远小于正常含水矿物(如,角闪石,蛇纹石等)的容水量,但由于NAMs在固体地球中体积比例甚大,仅上地幔的橄榄石中所能溶解的水可能比全部地表水还多。因此了解水对NAMs(尤其是分别作为地壳和上地幔主要组成矿物的石英和橄榄石)变形的影响对于精确地构建岩石圈强度剖面和深刻理解构造地质学与地球动力学过程至关重要。本文将系统地回顾水对NAMs变形的影响,首先通过回顾水在固体地球内部的存在形式提出了NAMs是固体地球中的重要水库,接着阐述了NAMs中水的存在形式、溶解机制、溶解度影响因素及扩散动力学,最后着重论证了水致弱化在石英和富镁石榴石中最强,然后依次是单斜辉石、长石、橄榄石,瓦德利石和林伍徳石。     

On the formation of the vein-type uranium „Yellow Ores“ from the Schwarzach Area (NE-Bavaria,Germany) and on the behaviour of P,As, V and Se during supergene processes

Most of the U occurrences situated at the western edge of the Bohemian Massif show in their upper parts secondary U minerals. The immigration (P, V, As and Se) from the country rocks and the ore body, via saprolite and paleosoils into the secondary ore minerals is investigated. The P content is suggested to be closely related to hydromorphic paleosoils. From those intermediate stages it may have been brought into the upper parts of the vein structures. No laterogenic impoverishment in the wall rocks with respect to phosphorus or apatite could be determined. The arsenic distributions is also governed as at other sulfide deposits by underlying sulfides and reducing conditions of a primary hypogene ore zone, whereas vanadium content in U secondary minerals is closely related to the enclosing country rocks. Granites, on account of their low content in mafic minerals, have low V contents in U secondary minerals. Besides the Schwarzach Area, U ore mineralisations from other U occurrences have been investigated. Some of the U deposits are certainly of “per ascensum” origin and their secondary U mineralisation can well be interpreted as having been derived from the underlying primary “black ores”. However, some mineralisations cannot be classified with certainty as being “per ascensum”. They include some properties pointing to “per ascensum” (e. g. sulfide association) as well as characteristics typical for “per descensum” (small depth, large amounts of U-VI minerals). The mode of formation may in some cases be as follows: Variscan or Alpine ore mineralisations of no economic significance may have formed a reducing environment and caused U to be concentrated. Younger redistribution processes influenced by modern tectonics (uplifting) and the fluviatile drainage pattern have taken place and in some cases destroyed the primary deposits or enhanced the ore mineralisation. These processes roughly resemble those described from sandstone — hosted roll front deposits.     

论藏东玉龙斑岩铜矿带成岩成矿物质来源

本文在对玉龙矿带花岗斑岩类微量元素和锶、铅、硫、氢氧同位素地球化学研究的基础上,论证了成岩与成矿物质的同源性关系,以及两者和初始岩浆水的下地壳和上地幔来源,提出斑岩型铜矿床的规模在一定程度上有随含矿岩浆中幔源与壳源成分的比例减小而减小的趋势。