湖沼学是研究内陆水体的多学科整合科学——兼论我国湖沼学发展面临的挑战与机遇

湖沼学是研究内陆水体的多学科交叉综合性科学,自从Forel F.A.于1892年首次对湖沼学做出定义以来已有近130年历史.湖沼学的主要分支学科包括地质湖沼学(包括古湖沼学)、物理湖沼学、化学(生物地球化学)湖沼学和生物湖沼学.湖沼学的关键自然属性是通过跨学科的整合,从水生态系统水平综合分析相关过程与机理,并对生态系统变化进行预测.因此,湖泊学也是支撑水资源与生态系统保护、管理与修复的核心科学.然而,目前我国湖沼学发展面临分支学科发展不平衡、研究碎片化等问题,而人类活动加剧和气候变化对内陆水体生态系统的影响及管理对策是湖沼学研究面临的挑战与机遇.我国湖沼学研究亟需围绕人类活动、气候变化的影响,重点开展以下几个方面的工作:1)水动力与水文地貌特征变化及其环境生态效应; 2)营养盐和有机质生物地球化学循环及其环境生态效应; 3)食物网结构与功能; 4)外来入侵物种的影响与控制对策; 5)与水环境有关的传染病防治; 6)地表水生态评价; 7)生态系统演变机理与退化生态系统修复等.     

流域生态学与太湖流域防洪、治污及可持续发展

在评述流域生态学中的水文、湖沼、生态系统、景观、生态经济和生态管理等主要研究内容和复合生态系统、河流连续统、生态交错带、等级系统、格局－尺度－过程、信息系统等概念理论以及流域自然过程、生物功能、系统结构、生态环境、流域生态管理等流域生态学热点问题的基础上,总结分析了太湖流域防洪、治污及可持续发展与流域生态学的关系,指出流域生态学在太湖流域的流域开发、环境治理、区域可持续发展等实践方面起着越来越重要的指导作用,有必要开发深入研究。     

Infrared imagery of ‘breaking’ internal waves

Airborne infrared imagery is shown to provide preliminary evidence of surface thermal expressions associated with internal waves that become unstable and break over the continental shelf. These expressions include a narrow wave front that is warmer than the ambient; a wide, spatially intermittent ‘wake’ that is colder than the ambient; and ∼O (10 m) diameter surface-renewal ‘boils’ that populate the wake. These thermal signatures might be useful in assessing the spatial distribution and structure of breaking internal waves.     

Translational Ecology for Hydrogeology

Translational ecology—a special discipline aimed to improve the accessibility of science to policy makers—will help hydrogeologists contribute to the solution of pressing environmental problems. Patterned after translational medicine, translational ecology is a partnership to ensure that the right science gets done in a timely fashion, so that it can be communicated to those who need it.     

The ‘small-world’ nature of fracture/conduit networks: Possible implications for disequilibrium transport of magmas beneath mid-ocean ridges

In this contribution we show that natural fracture/conduit networks can be studied by using a new method based on Graph Theory. A number of natural networks at different length scales (from the meter to the millimeter) are analysed and results show that they have typical attributes of ‘small-world’ networks, a special class of networks characterized by high global and local transport efficiency. To our knowledge, this topological feature of natural fracture networks is recognized here for the first time. By starting from results on natural fracture/conduit networks, the possible implications are discussed by focusing on disequilibrium transport of magmas in the upper mantle beneath mid-ocean ridges. Results indicate that the ‘small-world’ topology of natural fracture/conduit networks is an important characteristic to ensure disequilibrium delivery of melts through the upper mantle, thus offering a good explanation of geochemical features of magmas. The remarkable point here is that the modelling of melt migration has been constrained by using real fracture network systems. The results presented in this work may contribute to a better understanding of melt migration in fracture network systems and of the way geochemical features of magmas may be influenced by their transport history.     

地动仪研究中的五个地震学基本概念

地动仪的研究涉及历史和科学的统一。古籍文字的主要部分是对测震现象的描述,研究的学术观点和模型尽可不同,但地震学基本概念和原则是需要遵循和坚持的,方能正确把握和解读史料。针对一些专业认识上的误解,本文以地震学的基本概念和学科发展史实为依据作了必要的澄清和纠正,诸如地动仪的反应方向、对地震和非地震的不同反应、陇西地震的量化分析、地震学的实验检验、在地震科学史上的作用等。还对个别的脱离实际却被媒体高调宣传的模型实验,指出了其原则性失误。地动仪研究的重点并不局限于重建一个模型,更要探寻古人如何发现和利用了自然规律,学习和掌握地震学的基本知识。     

Social studies of volcanology: knowledge generation and expert advice on active volcanoes

This paper examines the philosophy and evolution of volcanological science in recent years, particularly in relation to the growth of volcanic hazard and risk science. It uses the lens of Science and Technology Studies to examine the ways in which knowledge generation is controlled and directed by social forces, particularly during eruptions, which constitute landmarks in the development of new technologies and models. It also presents data from a survey of volcanologists carried out during late 2008 and early 2009. These data concern the felt purpose of the science according to the volcanologists who participated and their impressions of the most important eruptions in historical time. It demonstrates that volcanologists are motivated both by the academic science environment and by a social concern for managing the impact of volcanic hazards on populations. Also discussed are the eruptions that have most influenced the discipline and the role of scientists in policymaking on active volcanoes. Expertise in volcanology can become the primary driver of public policy very suddenly when a volcano erupts, placing immense pressure on volcanologists. In response, the epistemological foundations of volcanology are on the move, with an increasing volume of research into risk assessment and management. This requires new, integrated methodologies for knowledge collection that transcend scientific disciplinary boundaries.     

The significance of landforms – the contribution of geomorphology to the World Heritage Programme of UNESCO

This discussion paper addresses the role of geomorphology in designating UNESCO World Heritage properties. Two of the defined criteria employed in the process are explicitly relevant to geomorphology. Criterion (vii) emphasizes the occurrence of superlative natural phenomena, while criterion (viii) directly refers to landforms and on‐going surface processes, along with historical geological values. Superlative natural phenomena may be singular features, but in recent nominations the focus has tended to be on geomorphic diversity over limited areas. Overall, this is a criterion significantly influenced by subjective judgement. The significance of landforms, as included in the wording of criterion (viii), may be considered in three ways. Landforms may be significant for the science of geomorphology itself, and/or for other natural science disciplines, particularly biology and ecology, and/or be of wider cultural significance, including for history, architecture, general landscape aesthetics, art, or religion, underpinning cultural developments. To better determine the conditions to be fulfilled by a property to be considered as geomorphologically significant at the highest global level required for World Heritage listing seems a timely and useful exercise. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nanoscience and technology: the next revolution in the Earth sciences

Nanoscience and technology are not exactly new, but nevertheless rapidly expanding fields that are providing revolutions in all sciences on the scale of what genomics and proteomics have done in recent years for the biological sciences. Nanoscience is based on the fact that properties of materials change as a function of the physical dimension of that material, and nanotechnology takes advantage of this by applying selected property modifications of this nature to some beneficial endeavor. The prefix ‘nano’ is used because the property dependence on physical size is generally observed close to the nanoscale, somewhere around 10⁻⁹ m. The dimensions at which changes are observed depend on the specific material and the property in question, as well as which of the three dimensions are restricted in real space (e.g. small particles vs. thin films vs. ‘one-dimensional’ phases). Properties change in these confined spaces because the electronic structure (i.e. the distribution of electron energies) of the material is modified here in the gray area between the bulk and atomistic/molecular realms, or equivalently between the continuum and strictly quantum domains. Earth materials with at least one dimension in the nanorange are essentially ubiquitous. Many have been known for several decades and more are being discovered all the time. But the scientific emphasis has now shifted to that of measuring, understanding and ultimately predicting the property changes from the bulk to nanodomains, and to the understanding of the significant ways that Earth processes are affected by these changes. In addition, where possible, Earth scientists are using nanoscience to develop nanotechnology that should play important roles in Earth sustainability issues of the future.     

Volcanic seismicity at Montserrat,a comparison between the 2005 dome growth episode and earlier dome growth

In 2005 Soufrière Hills Volcano on Montserrat started its third major episode of dome growth since the current eruption started in 1995. The style of seismicity associated with dome growth has changed, in particular the events known as ‘hybrid’ earthquakes have reduced in numbers by an order of magnitude compared to previous dome growth episodes. In the past, hybrid earthquakes have been associated with magma ascent and so it is surprising to observe prolonged periods of rapid dome growth during which very few hybrid earthquakes are recorded. In addition, the frequency of the codas of hybrid earthquakes, as well as of some of the so called ‘long-period’ events, has changed. The changes in recorded seismicity have had a marked effect on the techniques used to monitor the state of the volcano and those events that continue to be recorded in large numbers (‘rockfall events’) have been used to assess the state of activity at the volcano.     

Growing new generations of critical zone scientists

Critical zone (CZ) science is entering its second decade. A new generation of scientists is emerging trained specifically in CZ science and are contributing to advances in environmental science across disciplines. Concurrently, the global scope of CZ science is being elevated as new countries invest in CZ observatories. Global CZ science has great potential to address a diverse array of questions beyond any single discipline. In this commentary we discuss a series of CZ science grand challenges that should be targeted by early‐career researchers: understanding water availability in the CZ; expanding CZ science into new environments; communicating the societal relevance of CZ science including earthcasting to the public; seamlessly integrating biological sciences within the CZ framework; and scaling CZ processes over large spatial and temporal gradients. Targeting these grand challenges will push CZ science well into the future. We also highlight mechanisms for increased leadership within the CZ community. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Towards adopting open and data-driven science practices in bed form dynamics research,and some steps to this end

In recent years, open and data-driven science has fostered very important scientific breakthroughs. This study describes the challenges and opportunities for the scientific community devoted to bed form dynamics research in adopting such scientific paradigms through, for example, engineered data sharing, formal recognition of scientists who collect the data, and collaborative development of free accessible software. It highlights that once these actions are completed, the potential application of deep learning techniques could substantially improve bed form models and the scientific understanding of bed form dynamics. Likewise, it discusses the potential of Bedforms-ATM, a free available software, to standardize some bed form data analysis techniques. We propose that the technical challenges be tackled by following scholarly accepted/proposed standards (e.g. FAIR Guiding Principles, Geoscience Papers of the Future), using the body of knowledge being built on the matter by some institutions (e.g. Federation of Earth Science Information Partners), and through technical discussions at scientific meetings such as MARID. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Volcanic-sedimentary features in the Serra Geral Fm., Paraná Basin,southern Brazil: Examples of dynamic lava-sediment interactions in an arid setting

The formation of volcanic–sedimentary interaction features in extreme arid environments is not a commonly described process. Specifically the occurrence of dynamically mixed sediments and juvenile igneous clasts as peperites, for water has been considered one major important factor in the processes of magma dismantling and mingling with unconsolidated sediment to form such deposits. The study area, located in south Brazil, shows a sequence of lava flows and intertrapic sandstone layers from the Paraná Basin, associated with the formation of clastic dykes, flow striations, peperite and ‘peperite-like’ breccias. Four processes are suggested for the genesis of the peperites: (a) fragmentation of the flow front and base; (b) sand injection; (c) dune collapse; (d) magma cascade downhill. The continued flow of a lava, while its outer crust is already cooling, causes it to break, especially in the front and base, fragments falling in the sand and getting mixed with it, generating the flow front ‘peperite-like’ breccia. The weight of the lava flow associated to shear stress at the base cause sand to be injected inwards the flow, forming injection clastic dykes in the cooled parts and injection peperite in the more plastic portions. The lava flow may partially erode the dune, causing the dune to collapse and forming the collapse ‘peperite-like’ breccia. The shear stress at the base of a flowing lava striates the unconsolidated sand, forming the flow striations. The sand that migrates over a cooled, jointed lava flow may get caught in the cavities and joints, forming the filling clastic dykes. These deposits are analogous to those found in the Etendeka, NW Namibia, and show that sediment–lava interactions in arid settings are widespread throughout the Paraná-Etendeka province during the onset of flood volcanism.     

Selection of earthquake ground motion records: A state-of-the-art review from a structural engineering perspective

This paper reviews alternative selection procedures based on established methods for incorporating strong ground motion records within the framework of seismic design of structures. Given the fact that time history signals recorded at a given site constitute a random process which is practically impossible to reproduce, considerable effort has been expended in recent years on processing actual records so as to become ‘representative’ of future input histories to existing as well as planned construction in earthquake-prone regions. Moreover, considerable effort has been expended to ensure that dispersion in the structural response due to usage of different earthquake records is minimized. Along these lines, the aim of this paper is to present the most recent methods developed for selecting an ‘appropriate’ set of records that can be used for dynamic analysis of structural systems in the context of performance-based design. A comparative evaluation of the various alternatives available indicates that the current seismic code framework is rather simplified compared to what has actually been observed, thus highlighting both the uncertainties and challenges related to the selection of earthquake records.     

Comment on: ‘‘K-Ar evidence from illitic clays of a Late Devonian age for the 120 km diameter Woodleigh impact structure, Southern Carnarvon Basin, Western Australia’’, by I.T. Uysal, S.D. Golding, A.Y. Glikson, A.J. Mory and M. Glikson [Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 192 (2001) 218-289]

K-Ar isotopic ages presented by Uysal et al. for illitic clay minerals from drill core samples were interpreted to date the Woodleigh impact event at 359±4 Ma, allegedly implicating Woodleigh in the Late Devonian mass extinction. However, only very equivocal evidence is presented by Uysal et al. to support a link between clay mineral paragenesis and impact-related features, and the K-Ar ages reveal a distribution that is essentially a continuum between 308 and 364 Ma. The ‘age’ computed by Uysal et al. is based on an average of the five oldest ages within this group, which has no geological or statistical basis. The stratigraphic age constraints considered by Uysal et al. to be consistent with this age are much weaker than acknowledged, and the impact could have been much older than mid-Devonian. The size of the Woodleigh crater is poorly constrained (and the subject of an ongoing controversy); Uysal et al.’s suggestion of 120 km diameter is probably overestimated by a factor of two, in which case a link to any mass extinction is unlikely.     

地震科技发展战略之思考

防震减灾事业的长期可持续发展取决于地震科技进步,而制定好地震科技发展规划是推动地震科技进步的重要保障。本文建议了地震科技发展战略制定应考虑的5个原则,提出当前和今后一段时期地震科技发展战略的构想,从11个方面提出了“十一五”地震科技项目建议,同时,对其中地震预报科学实验场的选择提出了原则建议,进而从科学意义与必要性、已具备的条件、科学目标、监测与研究内容和运行机制与模式等5个方面论述了祁连山大震机理与预报科学实验场建设的可行性。     

An interactive multi-objective optimization framework for groundwater inverse modeling

The groundwater inverse problem of estimating heterogeneous groundwater model parameters (hydraulic conductivity in this case) given measurements of aquifer response (such as hydraulic heads) is known to be an ill-posed problem, with multiple parameter values giving similar fits to the aquifer response measurements. This problem is further exacerbated due to the lack of extensive data, typical of most real-world problems. In such cases, it is desirable to incorporate expert knowledge in the estimation process to generate more reasonable estimates. This work presents a novel interactive framework, called the ‘Interactive Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm’ (IMOGA), to solve the groundwater inverse problem considering different sources of quantitative data as well as qualitative expert knowledge about the site. The IMOGA is unique in that it looks at groundwater model calibration as a multi-objective problem consisting of quantitative objectives – calibration error and regularization – and a ‘qualitative’ objective based on the preference of the geological expert for different spatial characteristics of the conductivity field. All these objectives are then included within a multi-objective genetic algorithm to find multiple solutions that represent the best combination of all quantitative and qualitative objectives. A hypothetical aquifer case-study (based on the test case presented by Freyberg [Freyberg DL. An exercise in ground-water model calibration and prediction. Ground Water 1988;26(3)], for which the ‘true’ parameter values are known, is used as a test case to demonstrate the applicability of this method. It is shown that using automated calibration techniques without using expert interaction leads to parameter values that are not consistent with site-knowledge. Adding expert interaction is shown to not only improve the plausibility of the estimated conductivity fields but also the predictive accuracy of the calibrated model.     

地震科学数据共享工程

地震科学数据共享工程是在国家科技基础条件平台统一规划和管理下, 应用现代信息技术, 整合离散的地震科学数据资源, 构建面向全社会的网络化、 智能化的管理与共享服务体系, 实现数据采集、 加工、 保存的标准化、 规范化。 文中分析地震科学数据资源的现状, 介绍了地震科学数据共享工程的概况、 技术思路、 建设目标和实施步骤。     

On Chinese earthquake history — An attempt to model an incomplete data set by point process analysis

Since the 1950s, the Academia Sinica in Peking, People's Republic of China, has carried out extensive research on the Chinese earthquake history. With a historical record dating back some 3000 years, a wealth of information on Chinese earthquakes exists. Despite this monumental undertaking by the Academia Sinica, much work is still necessary to correct the existing earthquake data for historical changes in population, customs, modes of communication, and dynasties. In this paper we report on the status of our investigation of Chinese earthquake history and present some preliminary results. By applying point process analysis of earthquakes in Central China, we found suggestions of (1) lower earthquake activity at intervals of about 175 years and 375 years, and (2) higher earthquake activity at an interval of about 300 years.     

Experimentation at the interface of fluvial geomorphology,stream ecology and hydraulic engineering and the development of an effective,interdisciplinary river science

One ‘2020 vision’ for fluvial geomorphology is that it sits alongside stream ecology and hydraulic engineering as a key element of an integrated, interdisciplinary river science. A challenge to this vision is that scientists from these three communities may approach problems from different perspectives with different questions and have different methodological outlooks. Refining interdisciplinary methodology is important in this context, but raises a number of issues for geomorphologists, ecologists and engineers alike. In particular, we believe that it is important that there is greater dialogue about the nature of mutually‐valued questions and the adoption of mutually‐acceptable methods. As a contribution to this dialogue we examine the benefits and challenges of using physical experimentation in flume laboratories to ask interdisciplinary questions. Working in this arena presents the same challenges that experimental geomorphologists and engineers are familiar with (scaling up results, technical difficulties, realism) and some new ones including recognizing the importance of biological processes, identifying hydraulically meaningful biological groups, accommodating the singular behaviour of individuals and species, understanding biological as well as physical stimuli, and the husbandry and welfare of live organisms. These issues are illustrated using two examples from flume experiments designed (1) to understand how the movement behaviours of aquatic insects through the near‐bed flow field of gravelly river beds may allow them to survive flood events, and (2) how an understanding of the way in which fish behaviours and swimming capability are affected by flow conditions around artificial structures can lead to the design of effective fish passages. In each case, an interdisciplinary approach has been of substantial mutual benefit and led to greater insights than discipline‐specific work would have produced. Looking forward to 2020, several key challenges for experimentalists working on the interface of fluvial geomorphology, stream ecology and hydraulic engineering are identified. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.