Lower Permian stems as fluvial paleocurrent indicators of the Parnaíba Basin,northern Brazil

A comprehensive biostratinomic study was carried out with abundant stems from the Lower Permian Motuca Formation of the intracratonic Parnaíba Basin, central-north Brazil. The fossils represent a rare tropical to subtropical paleofloristic record in north Gondwana. Tree ferns dominate the assemblages (mainly Tietea, secondarily Psaronius), followed by gymnosperms, sphenophytes, other ferns and rare lycophytes. They are silica-permineralized, commonly reach 4 m length (exceptionally more than 10 m), lie loosely on the ground or are embedded in the original sandstone or siltstone matrix, and attract particular attention because of their frequent parallel attitudes. Many tree fern stems present the original straight cylindrical to slightly conical forms, other are somewhat flattened, and the gymnosperm stems are usually more irregular. Measurements of stem orientations and dimensions were made in three sites approximately aligned in a W–E direction in a distance of 27.3 km at the conservation unit “Tocantins Fossil Trees Natural Monument”. In the eastern site, rose diagrams for 54 stems indicate a relatively narrow azimuthal range to SE. These stems commonly present attached basal bulbous root mantles and thin cylindrical sandstone envelopes, which sometimes hold, almost adjacent to the lateral stem surface, permineralized fern pinnae and other small plant fragments. In the more central site, 82 measured stems are preferentially oriented in the SW–NE direction, the proportion of gymnosperms is higher and cross-stratification sets of sandstones indicate paleocurrents mainly to NE and secondarily to SE. In the western site, most of the 42 measured stems lie in E–W positions. The predominantly sandy succession, where the fossil stems are best represented, evidences a braided fluvial system under semiarid conditions. The low plant diversity, some xeromorphic features and the supposedly almost syndepositional silica impregnation of the plants are coherent with marked dry seasons. Thick mudstones and some coquinites below and above the sandy interval may represent lacustrine facies formed in probably more humid conditions. The taphonomic history of the preserved plants began with exceptional storms that caused fast-flowing high water in channels and far into the floodplains. In the eastern site region, many tree ferns only fell, thus sometimes covering and protecting plant litter and leaves from further fragmentation. Assemblages of the central and western sites suggest that the trees were uprooted and transported in suspension (floating) parallel to the flow. Heavier ends of stems (according to their form or because of attached basal bulbous root mantle or large apical fronds) were oriented to upstream because of inertial forces. During falling water stage, the stems were stranded on riverbanks, usually maintaining the previous transport orientation, and were slightly buried. The perpendicular or oblique positions of some stems may have been caused by interference with other stems or shallow bars. Rare observed stems were apparently waterlogged before the final depositional process and transported as bedload. The differences of interpreted channel orientations between the three sites are expected in a braided fluvial system, considering the very low gradients of the basin and the work scale in the order of tens of kilometers. The mean direction of the drainage probably was to east and the flows apparently became weaker downstream. This study seems to provide reliable data for paleocurrent interpretations, especially considering areas with scarce preserved sedimentary structures.     

Fractionation of rare-earth elements in plants during experimental growth in varied clay substrates

The distribution and content of rare-earth elements (REEs) were determined in two radish species, the cultivated Raphanus sativus and the wild Raphanus raphanistrum, that were grown under laboratory-controlled conditions, in three substrates consisting of illite for one and two smectite substrates for the others, with the two smectite substrates being characterised by different porosities. The plants were split into leaves and stems + roots for analysis. The results indicate that both species take up systematically higher amounts of REEs when grown in the illite substrate, even considering that the smectite equivalent contains about three times more REEs. The REE uptake is also more plant species than mineral composition dependent: R. raphanistrum takes up 3.5–6.7 times more REEs than R. sativus, depending on the substrate, its porosity and the considered plant segments. Increased substrate porosity favours the take up of the REEs, but no specific uptake is observed in leaves relative to that in the combined stems and roots. The transfer of the REEs from minerals to plant organs does not appear to induce systematically identical patterns: (1) in the case of R. sativus, a positive Eu anomaly is visible in all patterns from both segment groups grown in both substrates. When grown in illite, the heavy REEs are also enriched in the stems and roots, which has not been observed in any other organ or in the other substrate and (2) in the case of R. raphanistrum, a very significant positive Gd anomaly, which is not expected to fractionate relative to the other REEs as do Ce and Eu, is observed in all segments of the plants grown in both substrates. A slight negative Ce anomaly is also visible in some of the REE patterns, suggesting some changes in the oxidation–reduction conditions in the substrates near the roots during plant growth. The comparison of the REE patterns from leaves relative to those of the roots + stems shows that those of R. raphanistrum grown in illite provide a spectrum that is very specific with significant deficits in La, Ce, Gd, Tm, Yb and Lu in the leaves. In the other cases, the patterns do not outline significant differences except for R. sativus grown in illite, in which the leaves are enriched in light and medium REEs from La to Gd relative to the stems + roots.     

Use of salt marshes by meadow voles

The behavioral adaptations of the meadow vole,Microtus pennsylvanicus, to tidal salt marshes were examined during a mark-recapture study and snap-trap survey of three tidal salt marshes and four inland sites. Voles were captured throughout the marsh profile in all months except February, and 60 to 70% of the marked population was considered resident to the marsh from June through December. Stomach analysis indicated that the stems of halophytes are the largest component of the marsh voles' diet. During the driest summer months seeds of the halophytes became an important alternate food. Upland voles showed no seasonal dietary alteration, and the pattern of seasonal changes in body weight differed between the two habitats. A body fat index used to measure general nutrition was found to vary seasonally but not between habitats. The selective cropping of only grass stems may result in increased formation of detritus and acceleration of nutrient turnover in the marsh-estuary ecosystem.     

风积沙轻骨料混凝土冻融损伤及寿命预测研究

基于浮石轻骨料混凝土为基础, 将不同质量的风积沙作为细骨料替代部分河砂, 研究风积沙轻骨料混凝土冻融损伤机理及服役寿命. 通过室内快速冻融循环试验, 定量分析风积沙轻骨料混凝土的抗冻耐久性能. 在整个冻融循环期内, 相对动弹性模量的变化规律可分为直线下降阶段、 直线+曲线下降阶段、 曲线下降阶段. 以此为基础, 建立轻骨料混凝土直线和曲线双段式相对动弹性模量衰减方程, 依据5组混凝土的抗冻试验结果对方程进行了验证, 并预测其在西部地区的服役寿命. 结果表明: 直线和曲线双段式的相对动弹性模量衰减方程能够准确的反应混凝土冻融损伤劣化规律. 风积沙最优替代率为20%, 可以满足25 a的使用寿命. 损伤模型可为沙漠地区混凝土使用提供一定的理论依据.     

Further evidence supporting high diversity of cyathealean tree ferns in the Early Cretaceous of Antarctica

Two new specimens of a cyathealean fern stems collected from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) Cerro Negro Formation, which crops out at the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, are described in detail. The specimens are dictyostelic stems with U-shaped meristeles without sclerenchyma sheaths and petiole bases with numerous, small, vascular strands, and a mantle of adventitious roots. The anatomy of the stems show similarities with Cibotiaceae, but given they are not well preserved, some critical features that would allow a conclusive referral to this family are lacking. Preserved in the surrounding matrix, fragmentary pinnules were found, showing sori with bivalvate indusia, and sporangia with more than 20 spores, attached to an elongate receptacle. The features observed in these fertile remains suggest cyathealean affinities, but are difficult to refer to a particular family. These findings increase the diversity of cyathealean tree ferns in the Cerro Negro Formation, supporting previously suggested warm climatic conditions for this region of Antarctica during the Aptian.     

Horizontal Quaternary shorelines of the Mediterranean

The high-level Quaternary shorelines of the Mediterranean are now in a fragmentary condition, but on some parts of the coast it has been possible to reconstruct one or more over a distance of many kilometers. A few of these reconstructed segments of shoreline are tilted or otherwise deformed, but the great majority appear to be virtually horizontal. The horizontal segments show no clear preference for any particular level or levels, from which it is concluded that all have been vertically displaced by earth movements.     

地质条件不确定性下TBM管片结构失事概率计算

不良地质条件是影响TBM施工隧洞管片结构安全的重要因素。综合考虑围岩地质条件和衬砌结构的不确定性,提出了一种定量分析TBM管片结构失事概率的新方法。在基于Markov过程估计隧洞沿程地质岩性变化概率的基础上,建立了隧洞任意位置处管片选型不匹配的概率模型;考虑围岩和管片参数的不确定性,采用随机有限元方法计算某一类型管片在不同围岩下的失事概率;由此,采用全概率公式,可计算隧洞沿程任意位置处管片结构的失事概率。结合实际工程,针对施工期工况,确定了该隧洞管片沿程的失事概率、最大失事概率及其所对应的位置等,为管片选型、优化设计及TBM施工期的风险防范提供了依据。     

贵州关岭上三叠统瓦窑组中碳酸盐岩结核形成的生物作用

贵州省关岭县新铺乡附近的晚三叠世早期地层瓦窑组底部产具重大科学意义的关岭生物群。关岭生物群产出地层中伴有大量大型碳酸盐岩结核。这些结核中部都有植物茎干,结核内的海百合、双壳、菊石、牙形刺等生物化石含量明显高于结核周围的岩石,且有许多生物化石直接附着在植物茎干上。这类结核的形成,除化学沉积作用外,还有生物作用的影响。海百合、双壳类和菊石类栖息在植物茎干上营假浮游生活,随着栖息生物量和化学沉积物灰泥的增加,逐渐沉积在海底形成结核。     

Factors influencing nitrate within a low-gradient agricultural stream

In low-gradient agricultural streams, the proportion of land use devoted to agriculture, the sinuosity of the stream and the time of year influence the concentration of nitrate in the stream waters. Land use influences the source of nitrate and also the morphology of the stream. Greater agricultural land use weakly correlated (r = 0.67) to higher nitrate concentrations. Streams in agricultural areas have been straightened, which decreases the sinuosity. As a stream meanders and becomes more sinuous, the potential for lateral hyporheic flow increases, which can enhance a stream system’s ability to remove nitrate. Logically, higher sinuous streams should remove more nitrate and likely sulfate as there is a greater potential for lateral hyporheic flows. To test this hypothesis, nitrate and sulfate were monitored. Mass fluxes of nitrate along six stream segments with varying sinuosity values were calculated and statistically analyzed to assess if differences in mass fluxes along the segments existed. Along the segments, there are statistically significant differences in the mass fluxes of nitrate [F(5,174) = 4.777; p = 0.001]. Stream segments with higher sinuosity index values exhibited a loss or lower gain in nitrate and sulfate than lower sinuosity index segments. The data suggest that stream segments with high sinuosity indices provide greater stream distance and increased hyporheic interaction within the streambed. Additionally, the more sinuous segments provide for an increase in lateral hyporheic flow beneath meander lobes. These additional hyporheic flows lead to enhanced denitrification in low-gradient agricultural streams. Seasonal differences were also noted. August through October experienced the lower nitrate concentrations as compared to June and July which exhibited the highest nitrate concentrations.     

青藏铁路沱沱河取土场草本植物固土力学强度与化学元素含量特征

以青藏铁路沱沱河取土场草本植物种植区为例, 在野外和室内分别对生长期为5 a的6种草本做了原位拉拔试验、 室内拉伸试验和剪切试验, 分别得到了试验区梭罗草、 碱茅、 冷地早熟禾、 赖草、 垂穗披碱草、 星星草等6种草本根系抗拔力为187.34~57.89 N、 抗拉力为4.44~2.99 N, 抗剪力为4.33~3.85 N. 同时, 对取土场试验区6种草本地上茎叶、 地下根系15种化学元素进行了分析. 结果表明, 地上茎叶和地下根系主要含有Al、 Ca、 Mg、 K、 Fe、 Sr、 Zn、 Mn等8种元素, 其中Al、 Ca、 Mg、 K等4种元素较其余元素含量显著; 此外, 6种草本其根系所含Ca、 Fe、 Zn、 Sr、 Ni、 Cu等6种元素含量均显著大于相应草本种的茎叶部分. 试验区6种草本抗拔力由大至小依次为梭罗草、 赖草、 冷地早熟禾、 垂穗披碱草、 碱茅、 星星草, 6种草本其根系所含的其中前8种主要化学元素依次为Al、 Ca、 Mg、 K、 Fe 、 Zn、 Mn、 Sr等元素, 这说明了取土场试验区6种草本根系固土力学强度与根系所含化学元素具有一定的关系.     

考虑黏度时变性的水泥浆液盾构壁后注浆扩散规律及管片压力模型的试验研究

对水泥浆液黏度时变性进行了试验研究,证实了工程常用水灰比范围内水泥浆液服从宾汉姆流体特性;不同水灰比浆液黏度均随注浆时间增大而大幅度增加。根据试验结果,考虑注浆过程中水泥浆液黏度随时间的变化,对盾构壁后注浆水泥浆液的扩散规律及因注浆而造成的管片压力进行了推导及分析。计算表明：相同注浆时间条件下,水泥浆液扩散半径及注浆对管片产生的压力值均随注浆压力的增大而增大。考虑浆液黏度时变性后,扩散半径、注浆对管片压力值等均较不考虑浆液时变性时减小,且随注浆压力的增大,浆液黏度变化对管片压力值的影响更加明显。相同注浆压力条件下,浆液扩散半径及对管片产生的压力值均随注浆时间的增长而增加,但注浆前期增长速度较快,而后逐渐减缓。研究成果对于盾构壁后注浆工艺选择及参数设计具有较大的指导意义。     

Possible Concepts for Waterproofing of Norwegian TBM Railway Tunnels

The aim of this paper is to evaluate and compare the durability, life expectancy and maintenance needs of traditional Norwegian waterproofing concepts to the generally more rigid waterproofing concepts seen in other European countries. The focus will be on solutions for future Norwegian tunnel boring machine railway tunnels. Experiences from operation of newer and older tunnels with different waterproofing concepts have been gathered and analyzed. In the light of functional requirements for Norwegian rail tunnels, some preliminary conclusions about suitable concepts are drawn. Norwegian concepts such as polyethylene panels and lightweight concrete segments with membrane are ruled out. European concepts involving double shell draining systems (inner shell of cast concrete with membrane) and single shell undrained systems (waterproof concrete segments) are generally evaluated as favorable. Sprayable membranes and waterproof/insulating shotcrete are welcomed innovations, but more research is needed to verify their reliability and cost effectiveness compared to the typical European concepts. Increasing traffic and reliance on public transport systems in Norway result in high demand for durable and cost effective solutions.     

基于OLHS随机模拟的地下水源地保护区划分

为解决确定性模型可能为地下水源地划分带来的保护不足或过保护问题,探索采用基于正交拉丁超立方抽样法的地下水模型研究,并结合粒子反向追踪技术,进行地下水流随机模拟和对应保护区的概率统计分析,最终得到具有分布概率的保护区范围。为验证该方法的实用性与可靠性,选取北京市平谷区王都庄应急水源地进行实例应用研究。在考虑渗透系数和降雨补给量随机抽样组合基础上进行地下水流动随机模拟,并完成对应保护区划分和加权统计。与确定性模拟划分结果相对比:一级保护区中,确定性模拟划分结果仅相当于随机模拟结果中统计概率70%以上的范围;对于二级保护区,确定法对应保护面积相当于随机模拟结果中50%概率以上的范围。实例研究表明,基于正交拉丁超立方抽样的随机模拟法可完成多个不确定性输入变量条件下的随机模拟,且在小样本数的基础上获得理想结果,适用于复杂水文地质条件下的地下水源地保护区划分研究。     

阿尔金活断层的古地震与分段

活断层的破裂过程往往是通过多个独立破裂段落的组合而进行的。活断层的分段就是对断层上各个稳定的独立破裂单元的识别。这是深入认识断层的活动习性特征和进行潜在地震危险性评估的重要途径。古地震资料是识别破裂单元最直接的依据。本文在根据障碍构造对阿尔金活断层进行几何结构分段的基础上，结合古地震资料的分析进行了破裂分段的识别，划分了１１个破裂段。在约２００００年来各个段落活动时段、强度、古地震复发间隔都有所不同。总趋势是由西向东逐渐减弱。在约４５００—２０００ａＢ．Ｐ．存在一个各个段落都比较活跃的阶段。这与沿青藏高原边缘的一些活动带上揭露出的情况很相似，看来这是与整个高原的构造活动在这个时段曾有所加强有关。     

Field experiments of aeolian dust accumulation on rock fragment substrata

The effect of rock fragments and rock fragment cover on the accumulation of airborne dust was examined in a long-term field experiment in the Negev desert of Israel. Four parameters were studied: pebble eccentricity, pebble size, pebble flattening and cover density. The effect of these parameters on the accumulation of dust on the pebbles, on the accumulation of dust between and underneath the pebbles, and on total dust accumulation (pebbles+interpebble space) was measured separately. Accumulation on the pebbles increased as the pebbles became larger, less flattened and more elongated, and as cover density increased. Accumulation between and underneath the pebbles increased as the pebbles became smaller, more flattened and more elongated, and as cover density increased (although the accumulation area available became smaller). Total dust accumulation increased as the pebbles became smaller, more flattened and more elongated, and as cover density increased. Rock fragments act as a dust trap as dust accumulation on pebble-covered surfaces is several tens of times larger than dust accumulation on similar but pebble-free surfaces. However, less than 20% of the initially settled dust is protected from further erosion. In the Negev desert, dust erosion by wind is of the order of 10 times larger than dust erosion by water. The rate of long-term dust accumulation in the Negev is of the order of 15–30 g.m^?2.yr^?1. This is considerably lower than the rates proposed elsewhere in the literature, which are based upon over optimistic dust retainment percentages.     

Application of River Longitudinal Profile Morphometrics to Reveal the Uplift of Lushan Mountain

The stream power model was applied to Lushan Mt. in South China in order to verify its capability of interpreting the uplift of a small block mountain. On a log-log plot, the longitudinal profiles of 9 rivers derived from a 30m DEM exhibit primary characteristics similar to those derived from a 5m DEM; however, the 5m DEM clearly reveals more minor knickpoints, and the positions of knickpoints are pinpointed more accurately. All of the studied rivers on the block mountain are in a transient state due to geological perturbations. Some of them exhibit two segments in steady state separated by a slope-break knickpoint. Such rivers generally develop in a longitudinal valley, which are less perturbed by substrate inhomogeneities. The similar heights of the slope-break knickpoints and the similar uplift rate indicated by the ksn values demonstrate an almost simultaneous headward erosion induced by the fall in base level. This modelling result is consistent with the mode of formation of this particular block mountain. Our study demonstrates that the stream power model is applicable to a small tectonically-active massif only if the channel segments are in a steady state.     

Exposure of main critical facilities to natural and man-made hazards in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

The level of exposure to the impact of natural and man-made hazards of the main critical facilities at Grand Cayman (GC), Cayman Islands, was determined using the methodology developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coastal Services Center. Previous studies identified hurricanes as the most important natural hazard for GC. However, other hazards include earthquakes, tsunamis and explosions or leaks of fuel storage tanks. Our results indicate that: (1) About 82% of the emergency response infrastructure, 95% of the government facilities, and 85% of the utilities have a level of exposure from low to moderate; (2) only 12% of all identified critical facilities at GC are highly exposed; (3) large explosions or leaks of the Airport Texaco Fuel Depot, the local fuel pipeline, and the Home Gas Terminal could impact nearby critical infrastructure. The facilities identified with a high level of exposure are as follows: the Bodden Town Clinic and Police Station, the West Bay Fire Station, the Georgetown Dock and Port, and the Esso and Texaco Fuel terminals. Most portions of the coastal roads are moderately exposed to natural and man-made hazards. The most exposed sections are four short segments of the road system located along the North Sound, Little Sound and Eastern West Bay area. In some cases, the high exposure of critical facilities stems from their location on the coastline. In other cases, however, adequate policies to either protect or to relocate these facilities would help to reduce their level of exposure to both natural and man-made hazards.     

Growth of the marsh elder<Emphasis Type="Italic">Iva frutescens</Emphasis> in relation to duration of tidal flooding

Iva frutescens is a common shrub at the upland fringe of salt marshes throughout the East and Gulf Coasts of North America. Within a marsh, its location and relative size are governed largely by the degree of flooding by seawater.Iva’s wide distribution and restricted location within salt marshes may make it a useful indicator of overall conditions of the marshes. This work was designed to provide basic information on the age and growth ofI. frutescens, especially as they relate to the degree of flooding that is needed in order to investigateIva’s potential as an indicator. Cross-sections of older stems (living and standing dead) from salt marshes in Rhode Island, United States, were examined in order to age stems and estimate their growth rate from cumulative increase in woody tissue. Most stems were six yr old or less, suggesting that aboveground structures live for only a few years. Stem diameter correlated with growth rate and aboveground biomass. Elevation at the root zone was used to estimate the duration that plants were flooded, which was negatively correlated with stem diameter. The most robust plants came from sites that were flooded only up to 6–7% of the total time during the growing season. No plants were found in areas flooded more than 30% of the time.     

营口—潍坊断裂带对辽东湾坳陷东部凸起的形成及构造分段的控制作用——来自物理模拟实验和断层几何学特征的证据

辽东湾坳陷是渤海湾盆地的重要组成部分,其发育受营口—潍坊断裂带控制。其东支的两条分支断层大体沿其次级构造单元辽东湾东部凸起的两侧延伸。本文应用大量地震测线的构造几何学特征分析,结合构造物理模拟试验,认为辽东湾坳陷东部凸起是在先期存在的低凸起的基础上,在渐新世东营组沉积期因营口—潍坊断裂带的右行走滑形成的。以Lz205测线和Lz185测线之间为界可分为类似的两段,各自经历了一个自南而北的右旋走滑伸展—剪切走滑—右旋走滑挤压的变化过程。这种变化由北东向的基底断裂与由之派生的新生代内的北北东内断裂间的关系造成,在两者的交汇点(如Lz151)或走向发生转折处(如Lz255)右旋走滑作用发生变换,其南侧拉张下沉,正断层发育,表现为右旋走滑伸展,北侧则挤压隆升,表现为右旋走滑挤压。南、北两侧相反的力学性质是走滑活动派生的局部差异应力场造成的。构造物理模拟试验证实了右旋走滑伸展—剪切走滑—右旋走滑挤压的变化过程。     

Late Holocene coastal-plain evolution of the Netherlands: the role of natural preconditions in human-induced sea ingressions

This paper demonstrates the decisive role of natural preconditions on the formation of large late Holocene sea ingressions in peaty coastal plains along the North Sea’s southern shores. Geological and archaeological evidence shows that these sea ingressions (expansion of new tidal systems) were mainly caused by land subsidence, which occurred due to intensified agricultural use of artificially drained peatlands since the Late Iron Age (250–12 BC). This made the coastal plain sensitive to storm-surge ingression through weak spots, e.g., at the location of existing creeks, in the coastline.Using The Netherlands as a case study, we show that natural preconditions (i.e., the geological setting at the time of ingression) played a key role in the pacing and extent of tidal area expansion. Ingressive tidal systems eventually reached most far inland in coastal segments with wide peaty back-barrier plains. In contrast, sea ingression formation was hampered in coastal segments with well-developed natural ingression-protecting geomorphic features (e.g., beach-barriers, supratidal levees). Feedback mechanisms, such as additional peat subsidence by loading of sediment imported into the new tidal area, caused further tidal volume increase and created accommodation space for tidal deposits. These combined effects caused irreversible sea ingression over large areas that consequently became unsuitable for habitation for many centuries.Improved understanding of such sea-ingression mechanisms and their facilitating conditions are essential for the assessment of the sensitivity of many densely populated coastal plains, which experience major human-induced subsidence, eventually leading to coastal plain drowning.