Effective porosity and longitudinal dispersivity of sedimentary rocks determined by laboratory and field tracer tests

We performed two field tracer tests in Tertiary sedimentary rocks and laboratory tracer tests using core samples of the sedimentary rock and bentonite and quartz sand mixtures. We have estimated effective porosity and longitudinal dispersivity, which are essential to the evaluation of mass transport in groundwater. The results of these tests indicate that test scale should be considered in the evaluation of effective porosity and longitudinal dispersivity. As the test scale increases, effective porosity decreases and longitudinal dispersivity increases. The relationship may be useful for estimating mass transport in groundwater. From the laboratory scale to the field scale, the decrease in effective porosity and increase in longitudinal dispersivity may be due to the existence of cracks or fissures. At the laboratory scale, the decrease in effective porosity is probably due to a loss of connectivity of continuous pores.     

Holocene palaeoflood events recorded by slackwater deposits along the middle Beiluohe River valley,middle Yellow River basin,China

Palaeohydrological investigations were carried out in the middle Beiluohe River valley in the middle Yellow River basin. Palaeoflood slackwater deposits (SWDs) are natural records of overbank flooding and are often identified in the Holocene aeolian loess–soil profiles along the river valley. Three bedsets of palaeoflood SWDs were found within the mid‐Holocene Climatic Optimum palaeosol (S₀) on the right riverbank. Both the sedimentary and the analytical results, including magnetic susceptibility, grain‐size distribution and concentrations of chemical elements, indicate that these palaeoflood SWDs were deposited from the suspended sediment load of overbank flooding. We identified three episodes of extraordinary overbank flooding events. These hydro‐climatic events were dated to 7600–7400, 5800–5000 and 4200–4000 a BP, from optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating and pedostratigraphical correlation. The minimum flood peak discharges were estimated to have been between 12 600 and 14 100 m³ s^?1 using the slope–area method. These hydro‐climatic events are considered to be a regional expression of known climatic events and demonstrate that the mid‐Holocene climate was far from stable. These results show that the magnitudes of floods are highly sensitive to climate change in semi‐arid and sub‐humid regions with a monsoonal climate.     

Holocene palaeoflood events recorded by slackwater deposits along the lower Jinghe River valley,middle Yellow River basin,China

Palaeoflood slackwater deposits (SWDs), are the natural record of overbank flooding and are often found within aeolian loess‐soil profiles along the river valleys of the middle Yellow River basin. These pedo‐stratigraphic sequences are studied using a multi‐disciplinarily approach to reconstruct Holocene hydro‐climatic variations. Our field investigations along the lower Jinghe River valley have identified palaeoflood SWDs at several sites along the riverbanks based on sedimentological criteria. Analytical results, including magnetic susceptibility, particle‐size distribution and concentrations of chemical elements, indicate that these well‐sorted palaeoflood SWD beds were deposited from the suspended sediment load in floodwaters. We identify two episodes of extraordinary palaeoflood events along the Jinghe River valley. These hydro‐climatic events were dated to 4200–4000 and 3200–2800 a BP, by using the optically stimulated luminescence method in combination with archaeological dating of retrieved anthropogenic remains, and with pedo‐stratigraphic correlations with the previously studied Holocene pedo‐stratigraphy in the Jinghe River drainage basin. The flooding events are therefore considered to be a regional expression of known climatic events in the northern hemisphere and demonstrate Holocene climate was far from stable. This study provides important data in understanding the interactions between regional hydro‐climatic systems and global change in semi‐arid and sub‐humid regions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

根据试验视频确定石灰岩中的位移场

根据室内石灰岩抗压强度试验拍摄得到的彩色视频图像与试验数据,使用数字图像相关分析技术,在对原始彩色视频图像进行可读格式转换、灰度变换、傅里叶变换基础上,利用最大相关匹配技术与小变形假设实现了石灰岩视频图像中不同位置相对位移的计算,通过循环计算得到整个石灰岩试样中的位移场与试样中各点位置的变化过程。本文方法对分析岩石变形和破坏机理具有一定的参考价值。     

Phosphorus distribution in sediments of the Delaware River estuary

In order to determine the primary factors related to the accumulation of phosphorus in estuarine sediments, a study of phosphorus fractions in sediments of the Delaware River Estuary was undertaken. A correlation matrix between the phosphorus fractions, determined by serial extraction, and 14 sediment variables was computed. Total phosphorus and total inorganic phosphorus in the sediment-phosphorus reservoir decreases with increasing salinity. This variation is correlated with decreasing iron oxyhydroxide content in the sediment. Neither clay content nor calcium carbonate content appear to be significantly correlated with variation in total inorganic phosphorus content in the fine-grained sediments of this estuary. Although calcium phosphate is concluded to be a major constituent of the sediment-phosphorus reservoir, there was no evidence found that it is authigenic in this environment.     

Trace element speciation and behavior in the tidal Delaware River

Measurements of dissolved As, Cr, Cu, and Se using species-selective techniques were made in the tidal freshwater Delaware River at four sites in July 1991, January 1992, and March 1992. Concentrations of dissolved As, Cr, and Se were generally higher in July than in March or January. Copper concentrations were relatively constant. Both As and Cu increased in concentration in the region of Philadelphia. Measurements of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Se, and Zn in seston were made during the July 1991 and March 1992 sampling using both a total digest and a series of sequential leaches. A large fraction of most of the elements, in the order Cd>Zn>Pb≥Cu>Ni≥As>Cr>Se, was solubilized by weak acid. The remainding fraction, for elements where the acid leach was not complete, was released by a rigorous digestion with concentrated acids. Based on estimates of similar rivers, Pb and Zn appear to be substantially enriched in Delaware River seston compared to other rivers draining the same geological provinces. Arsenic, Se, and Cd in seston may be moderately enriched.     

Distribution of phosphorus along the Delaware,an urbanized coastal plain estuary

The Delaware Estuary is heavily urbanized with elevated concentrations of phosphorus from industrial and municipal inputs. For 24 research cruises during 1986–1988, total phosphorus (TP) concentration was highest near maximum inputs in the tidal river and at low salinity where turbidity was maximal. In these contiguous regions, average TP concentration over the study period was 5.3–6.1 μM. Downstream of the TP peak in the high turbidity zone of the estuary, TP decreased to minimum concentrations (1.3–1.5 μM) near the mouth of Delaware Bay. Distributions of dissolved reactive (DRP), dissolved organic (DOP), and particulate (PP) phosphorus along the estuary reflected spatial and temporal patterns in phosphorus inputs, turbidity, river flow, and biological production. In the river, DRP was 2–4 μM (51–65% of TP) and inversely related to river flow. PP, although enriched in the river (1–3 μM), was highest (>4 μM) in the turbidity maximum at low salinity. In the bay, distributions of DRP, PP, and DOP were all linked, in different ways, to biological production. The dependence of DOP on production was, however, complex and affected by DRP concentrations. During the past 30 yr, there has been a fourfold decrease in TP concentrations in the tidal river of the Delaware Estuary. This dramatic decrease in TP, however, is contrasted by an apparent increase in DRP concentration over the past 12 yr. This apparent increase in DRP may be linked to improved water quality (e.g., higher pH) in the river over the past decade.     

Predicting surf zone injuries along the Delaware coast using a Bayesian network

Natural Hazards - More than 2000 surf zone injury (SZI) events, including 196 spinal injuries and 6 fatalities, were recorded at the five most populated beaches along the 25 miles of...     

Temporal trends in abundance of fish in the tidal Delaware River

Water quality in the tidal Delaware River has improved dramatically over the last several decades. Areas near Philadelphia that were once anoxic and formed a pollution block to migratory fish passage now rarely experience dissolved oxygen concentrations less than 3 ppm. To assess whether these improvements in water quality led to increased abundance of juvenile fishes, data from a beach seine survey conducted annually since 1980 were examined. The number of species captured increased throughout the tidal river, but the increase was greatest in the areas downstream of Philadelphia, wheare water quality has improved the most. Abundance of juvenile striped bass and American shad, two important game species in the river whose migratory patterns make them susceptible to water quality problems, both increased more than, 1,000-fold during the last decade. Correlatations between the temporal abundance patterns of these species in the tidal Delaware River and in other East Coast systems were poor, suggesting that increases in their numbers were related more closely to improving conditions within the Delaware than to factors affecting coastal stocks.     

皖赣沿江地区中生代壳幔相互作用与多成因夕卡岩成矿过程研究综述

在皖赣沿江地区分布着大量中生代侵入岩体及其岩石包体和相关的夕卡岩矿床。本文在综合整理作者研究团队近30年来所获得的区内大部分侵入岩体及其岩石包体和夕卡岩矿床研究资料的基础上,聚焦区域中生代壳幔相互作用与多成因夕卡岩成矿过程分析,为发展壳幔成矿学打下一定基础。基性侵入岩和镁铁质岩石包体的同位素年代学和岩石地球化学资料表明,皖赣沿江地区在中生代发生了碰撞后(145~135 Ma)富铜金和造山后(130~120 Ma)富铁金幔源岩浆底侵作用和相应的壳幔混源岩浆作用。壳幔混源岩浆作用主要包括结晶分异作用、同化混染作用、岩浆混合作用和岩浆熔离作用。夕卡岩矿床地质调研和镜下观察结果显示,两期壳幔混源岩浆侵入晚古生代到早中生代围岩地层后引发了多成因夕卡岩成矿作用,形成了接触交代、层控、岩浆和复合叠加等多成因夕卡岩矿床。接触交代、层控、岩浆和复合叠加夕卡岩矿床分别以热液交代、沉积+热液交代、岩浆结晶+热液交代和沉积+岩浆结晶+热液交代矿物组合和结构构造为特征。在碰撞后酸性-中酸性侵入岩体中产有富Cu和Zn等成矿物质的元古宙变质岩包体,表明碰撞后富铜金的底侵玄武岩浆或其演化岩浆在浅位岩浆房中同化了元古宙变质基底成矿物质(铜锌等)储库导致铜进一步富集,从而形成更富铜的酸性-中酸性岩浆。在碰撞后中基性-基性侵入岩体中产有含大量Cu-Fe硫化物(黄铜矿和磁黄铁矿)和氧化物包裹体的深位和浅位堆积岩,表明碰撞后富铜金的底侵玄武岩浆在深位岩浆房中和其演化岩浆在浅位岩浆房中发生了强烈的结晶分异作用导致铜铁亏损,形成更富金的中基性-基性岩浆。酸性-中酸性侵入岩体中夕卡岩包体和夕卡岩中辉长岩-夕卡岩过渡包体的存在表明,碰撞后富铜金的底侵玄武岩浆在侵位处同化晚古生代含铜铁矿源层的碳酸盐地层导致铜进一步富集,形成更富铜的夕卡岩岩浆。更富铜的酸性-中酸性岩浆、更富金的中基性-基性岩浆和更富铜的夕卡岩岩浆是形成碰撞后时期接触交代和层控夕卡岩铜矿、接触交代夕卡岩金矿和岩浆夕卡岩铜矿的最重要控制因素。在造山后中基性-基性侵入岩体中产有含大量Cu-Fe硫化物(黄铜矿和磁黄铁矿)和氧化物包裹体的堆积岩,表明造山后富铁金的底侵玄武岩浆在深位岩浆房中发生了强烈的结晶分异作用导致铜铁亏损,从而形成更富金的中基性-基性岩浆。造山后富铁金的底侵玄武岩浆在侵位处同化晚古生代含铜铁矿源层的碳酸盐地层、早中生代铁矿源层或者早中生代铁硅矿源层,导致铁、铁和铁硅的进一步富集,分别形成更富铁的夕卡岩岩浆、基性岩浆和中基性岩浆。更富金的中基性-基性岩浆及更富铁的夕卡岩岩浆、基性岩浆和中基性岩浆是形成造山后时期接触交代夕卡岩金矿、岩浆夕卡岩铁矿、矿浆型铁矿和接触交代夕卡岩铁矿的关键控制因素。     

利用室内和现场水压致裂试验联合确定地应力与岩石抗拉强度

钻杆式水压致裂原地应力测试系统的柔性会影响最大水平主应力的计算精度。利用空心岩柱液压致裂试验获得的岩石抗拉强度来取代重张压力计算最大水平主应力是降低钻杆式测试系统柔性的负面影响的重要途径。在福建某隧道深度为65 m的钻孔内开展了8段的高质量水压致裂原地应力测试,随后利用钻孔所揭露的完整岩芯开展了17个岩样的空心岩柱液压致裂试验。利用空心岩柱液压致裂所得的抗拉强度平均值为8.40 MPa,与经典水压致裂法确定的岩体抗拉强度8.22 MPa接近。对于20 m的范围内8个测段的原地应力量值,最小水平主应力平均值为8.41 MPa,基于重张压力P_r的最大水平主应力平均值为16.70 MPa;基于空心岩柱抗拉强度的最大水平主应力量值平均值为16.88 MPa,两种方法获得的最大水平主应力平均值基本一致。最大最小水平主应力与垂直主应力之间的关系表现为σ_H > σ_V > σ_h,这种应力状态有利于区域走滑断层活动。通过对比分析可知,对于钻杆式水压致裂原地应力测试系统,当测试深度小且测试系统柔性小时,基于重张压力和基于空心岩柱抗拉强度得到的最大水平主应力量值差别不大,这说明基于空心岩柱的岩石抗拉强度完全可以用于水压致裂最大水平主应力的计算,同时基于微小系统柔性的水压致裂测试系统获得的现场岩体强度也是可靠的。      

Movements of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) in the Delaware River

Data from sonic tracking during the period 1983–1987 enabled us to define the areas used and the seasonal pattern of movement by adult shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) in the Delaware River. Tagged adults (n=28) ranged from 544 mm to 871 mm fork length and 1,510 g to 7,125 g. Twenty-six tags were carried for 7–225 d. Most of the tagged sturgeon were relocated in the tidal portion of the river. Sturgeon that overwintered in the upper tidal river near Trenton, New Jersey, began traveling upstream in late March to the nontidal river above Trenton where spawning presumably occurred from late March through April. After spawning, sturgeon traveled rapidly downstream into the tidal portion of the river near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where they remained through the end of May. Before the end of June, most sturgeon returned upstream and re-entered the upper tidal river near Trenton, where most apparently remained for the summer and winter. In general, the same pattern was apparent for both sexes. As a result of the intensive use of the river between Philadelphia to just above Trenton, any alterations or additional insults to the river should consider the impact on this endangered species.     

垃圾填土压缩特性的室内试验研究

在调查分析了典型生活垃圾填埋场成分组成的基础上,配制了9组具有不同初始物理力学性质的垃圾土,共54个试样,进行室内常规固结试验。试样有两种尺寸,用来对比试样尺寸的影响;着重分析了初始含水量W、初始孔隙比e0及易降解有机物含量B0对垃圾填土压缩性的影响。试样的初始孔隙比变化范围为：e0 为2.5～4.6;初始含水量w的变化为50 %～100 %;易降解有机物含量B0 为10.1 %～45.1 %。分析结果表明,压缩指数Cc为0.824 2～1.234 6;修正压缩指数 为0.165 9～0.243 6,与国内外相似研究的取值基本一致。提出了考虑垃圾填土初始物理参数的压缩参数建议取值方法,为指导工程实践提供参考。     

Correction to: Predicting surf zone injuries along the Delaware coast using a Bayesian network

Natural Hazards - The article was published with errors.     

Evaluation of the impact of pyrite oxidation on rock characteristics and environment by laboratory tests

Pyrite is a common and abundant sulfidic mineral subject to oxidation. The weathering characteristics of rock-bearing pyrite sometimes impose serious influences on the surrounding environment as the oxidation of pyrite (FeS₂) generates acid drainage that results in the acceleration of rock weathering and the discharge of heavy metals into the environment. Such an accelerated weathering of rocks can reduce its mechanical properties and therefore menace the stability of rock structures, such as excavated slopes and tunnels. The evolution of physical properties of rocks and the chemical composition of drainage were evaluated in this study by a weathering test using a double Soxhlet extractor for 1 month in a laboratory setting. Three groups of biotite gneiss classified according to their pyrite content were used for the Soxhlet extraction experiment (group A with less than 0.1 wt% of pyrite; group B with about 3.3 wt% of disseminated pyrite; group C with about 5.65 wt% of vein type pyrite). The massive groups A and B had limited weathering on the surface; however, group C with the pyrite vein experienced weathering on the surface as well as along the pyrite vein. The weathering type regulated by the occurrence of pyrite apparently controlled the mechanical properties of the rock samples and the chemistry of the drainage. Groups A and B showed no significant quick absorption ratio after the 1-month experiment; however, group C had about 10 % increase in value. The uniaxial compressive strength of the three groups decreased about 20, 10 and 45 % for groups A, B and C, respectively. The mechanical properties of the samples and the chemical compositions of the drainage indicate that the oxidation of pyrite contained in the samples accelerated weathering, resulting in deterioration of mechanical properties of the rocks, and could result in the discharge of heavy metals and acid into the environment with the drainage.     

Overbank and channelfill deposits of the modern Yellow River delta

The Huanghe is noted for its high transport rate of silt and clay, which may reach depth-averaged values of 200 kg m⁻³ during peak discharge. The sediment load transported through the river on entering the delta plain, amounts to 10¹² kg per year. In contrast to most other large deltas only one distributary channel is active at any one time. The high sediment load causes the rivermouth to prograde at a yearly rate of 1–4 km into the shallow (less than 20 m deep) Bohai gulf. The vertical aggradation of the channel belt and mouth bar complex is also rapid (decimetres per year on average), so that after a normal average of twelve years increasing channel instability and avulsion create the start of a new delta lobe.

A series of satellite images covering the last fifteen years has provided insight in the evolution of the river pattern as well as the progradation of the delta front. A newly developed distributary passes from a multichannel to a single, straight channel system, and ends with the formation of meanders. The protruding mature delta lobe shows a radiating pattern of crevasse channels.

Overbank/ crevasse deposits are made of vertically stacked dm-scale waning flow sequences, structurally characterized by (from bottom to top) small scour-and-fills, even (parallel) lamination, and climbing-ripple crosslamination. Accumulation rates on crevasse splays can be predicted on the basis of estimated river sediment discharge. It can be concluded that each sequence has been deposited within a few hours, and that tidal waterlevel fluctuations may have played a role in the generation of a single sequence.     

土工合成材料界面摩擦特性的室内剪切试验研究

采用自行研制的直剪仪和斜板仪研究了3种粗糙程度的HDPE（高密度聚乙烯）膜分别与砂土、土工布及土工复合材料之间的界面摩擦特性,进行了高垂直应力的直剪试验和低垂直应力下的斜板试验。通过对试验数据进行分析比较,认识了一些HDPE膜界面摩擦特性的变化规律及其影响因素,并对直剪试验结果与斜板试验结果之间的差异进行了初步的研究。     

砂性土成拱应力释放特性的模型试验及数值模拟研究

通过室内模型试验研究了卸荷尺度及孔隙率对砂性土成拱应力释放特性的影响,并应用离散元分析软件PFC2D进一步对颗粒摩擦性质影响、成拱后应力场以及位移场变化规律和应力释放分区进行了细观研究。研究发现：（1）数值模拟对卸荷尺度影响因素的研究结果与室内试验一致,应用PFC2D研究砂性土应力释放特性是可行的。（2）应力释放区内竖向应力释放大于应力加载区,而水平应力释放小于应力加载区;侧压力系数在应力释放区内距离卸荷位置越近增量越大,而在应力加载区距离卸荷位置越近增量越小。（3）砂性土摩擦性质会减小土体成拱对应力释放以及侧压力系数变化的影响。（4）应力释放随着卸荷尺度及孔隙率的增大而增大;对于侧压力系数,在应力释放区内随着卸荷尺度或孔隙率的增大而增大,而在应力加载区随着卸荷尺度或孔隙率的增大而减小。     

Occurrence of the endangered shortnose sturgeon,Acipenser brevirostrum,in the Delaware River estuary

All available capture records of the endangered shortnose sturgeon,Acipenser brevirostrum, for the Delaware River Estuary from the early nineteeth century to the present were compiled. During 1817 through 1913 some 1,949 captures were reported, most as a bycatch of the shad gill net fishery. No documented captures during 1913 to 1954 were reported in the literature. Thirty-seven shortnose sturgeon were reported captured from 1954 through 1979, mostly incidental to fishery and ecological studies. Most specimens were taken in the upper tidal freshwater portion of the estuary (rkm 200–214). Seasonal-spatial distribution appeared similar to that observed for northern shortnose sturgeon populations. Taxonomic data obtained from seven specimens generally agreed with those from other drainages.