A framework for automatic modeling of underground excavations and optimizing three‐dimensional boundary and finite element meshes derived from them—framework

Many problems in mining and civil engineering require using numerical stress analysis methods to repeatedly solve large models. Widespread acceptance of tunneling methods, such as New Austrian Tunneling Method, which depend heavily on numerical stress analysis tools and the fact that the effects of excavation at the face of a tunnel are distinctively three–dimensional (3D), necessitates the use of 3D numerical analysis for these problems. Stress analysis of a practical mining problem can be very lengthy, and the processing time can be measured in days or weeks at times. A framework is developed to facilitate efficient modeling of underground excavations and to create an optimal 3D mesh by reducing the number of surface and volume elements while keeping the result of stress analysis accurate enough at the region of interest, where a solution is sought. Fewer surface and volume elements mean fewer degrees of freedom in the numerical model, which directly translates into savings in computational time and resources. The mesh refinement algorithm is driven by a set of criteria that are functions of distance and visibility of points from the region of interest, and the framework can be easily extended by adding new types of criteria. This paper defines the framework, whereas a second companion paper will investigate its efficiency, accuracy and application to a number of practical mining problems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Multi‐slicing strategy for the three‐dimensional discontinuity layout optimization (3D DLO)

Discontinuity layout optimization (DLO) is a recently presented topology optimization method for determining the critical layout of discontinuities and the associated upper bound limit load for plane two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional (3D) problems. The modelling process (pre‐processing) for DLO includes defining the discontinuities inside a specified domain and building the target function and the global constraint matrix for the optimization solver, which has great influence on the the efficiency of the computation processes and the reliability of the final results. This paper focuses on efficient and reliable pre‐processing of the discontinuities within the 3D DLO and presents a multi‐slicing strategy, which naturally avoids the overlapping and crossing of different discontinuities. Furthermore, the formulation of the 3D discontinuity considering a shape of an arbitrary convex polygon is introduced, permitting the efficient assembly of the global constraint matrix. The proposed method eliminates unnecessary discontinuities in 3D DLO, making it possible to apply 3D DLO for solving large‐scale engineering problems such as those involving landslides. Numerical examples including a footing test, a 3D landslide and a punch indentation are considered, illustrating the effectiveness of the presented method. © 2016 The Authors. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

Interaction of deformation and metamorphism during subduction and exhumation of hydrated oceanic mantle: Insights from the Western Alps

Petrological investigations supported by multi‐scale structural analysis of eclogitized serpentinite in the Zermatt–Saas Zone of the Western Alps allows for the determination of mineral assemblages related to successive fabrics, upon which the P–T–d–t path of these hydrated mantle rocks can be inferred. Serpentinites of the upper Valtournanche, with lenses and dykes of metagabbro and meta‐rodingite, display an Alpine polyphase metamorphic evolution from eclogite to epidote‐amphibolite facies conditions associated with three successive foliations having different parageneses in these rocks. Serpentinite mainly consists of serpentine with minor magnetite; however, where S1 and S2 foliations are pervasive, metamorphic olivine, together with Ti‐clinohumite and clinopyroxene, are also found. The mineral assemblage associated with D1 includes serpentine1, clinopyroxene1, opaque minerals, titanite ± olivine1, Ti‐clinohumite1 and ilmenite; the D2 assemblage is the same (±chlorite) but minerals have different compositions. The assemblage associated with D3 comprises serpentine3, opaque minerals, ±chlorite3, ilmenite and amphibole3. Ti‐clinohumite is associated with veins that are older than D2 and pre‐date D3. Veins that post‐date D3 are characterized by amphibole + chlorite or by serpentine. P–T conditions for S2 parageneses evaluated using two pseudosections for different bulk compositions suggest that these rocks experienced pressures >2.5 ± 0.3 GPa at temperatures slightly higher than 600 °C. The late epidote–amphibolite facies re‐equilibration associated with D3 and D4 developed during late syn‐exhumation deformation related to folding and testifies to a small temperature decrease. These results, which were integrated in the regional framework, suggest that different portions of the Zermatt–Saas Zone registered different P–T peak conditions and underwent different exhumation paths. In addition, the inferred P–T–d–t path suggests that the Valtournanche serpentinites re‐equilibrated close to the UHP conditions registered by the Cignana meta‐cherts. These results imply that tectonic slices exhumed after UHP metamorphism might be wider than previously reported or that small‐size UHP units, tectonically sampled during the Alpine convergence, are more abundant than those that have been detected to date.     

Evolutionary Stages of the Earliest Skeletal Fauna and Division and Correlation of the Precambrian-Cambrian Boundary Strata

Through an analysis of the earliest fossils in the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary beds in various parts ofthe world, especially in the Yangtze and Siberia platforms, the author has found that the evolution of the ea-rliest skeletal animals may be divided from older to younger into three stages. The first stage (theAnabarites-Protohertzina fauna) is represented by the Anabarites-Protohertzina zone of the Meishucunian Stagein the Yangtze platform and the A. trisulcatus and P. cristata zones of the Manykayn Stage in Siberia. The sec-ond stage (the earliest orthothecimorphid and mollusc fauna) is represented by the Paragloborilus-Siphogonuchites zone of the Meishucunian Stage and the Aldanocyathus sunnaginicus zone of the TommotianStage. The third stage (the earliest hyolithimorphid and lapworthellid fauna) is represented by the Sinosachiteszone of the Meishucunian Stage and the D.regularis and D.lenaicus zones of the Tommotian Stage. The threeevolutionary stages can be used as a criterion for worldwide correlation.     

Bifurcation modeling in geomaterials: From the second‐order work criterion to spectral analyses

The present paper investigates bifurcation analysis based on the second‐order work criterion, in the framework of rate‐independent constitutive models and rate‐independent boundary‐value problems. The approach applies mainly to nonassociated materials such as soils, rocks, and concretes. The bifurcation analysis usually performed at the material point level is extended to quasi‐static boundary‐value problems, by considering the stiffness matrix arising from finite element discretization. Lyapunov's definition of stability (Annales de la faculté des sciences de Toulouse 1907; 9 :203–274), as well as definitions of bifurcation criteria (Rice's localization criterion (Theoretical and Applied Mechanics. Fourteenth IUTAM Congress, Amsterdam, 1976; 207–220) and the plasticity limit criterion are revived in order to clarify the application field of the second‐order work criterion and to contrast these criteria. The first part of this paper analyses the second‐order work criterion at the material point level. The bifurcation domain is presented in the 3D stress space as well as 3D cones of unstable loading directions for an incrementally nonlinear constitutive model. The relevance of this criterion, when the nonlinear constitutive model is expressed in the classical form (dσ = Mdε) or in the dual form (dε = Ndσ), is discussed. In the second part, the analysis is extended to the boundary‐value problems in quasi‐static conditions. Nonlinear finite element computations are performed and the global tangent stiffness matrix is analyzed. For several examples, the eigenvector associated with the first vanishing eigenvalue of the symmetrical part of the stiffness matrix gives an accurate estimation of the failure mode in the homogeneous and nonhomogeneous boundary‐value problem. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Palynology of Upper Cretaceous (uppermost Campanian–Maastrichtian) deposits in the South Yellow Sea Basin, offshore Korea

Forty-seven samples from Upper Cretaceous sections penetrated by the Kachi-1 and Inga-1 wells in the South Yellow Sea Basin have been analysed for their spore and pollen content. Thirty-five species of 18 spore genera and 54 species of 28 pollen genera are documented. One new monotypic genus, Diporocolpopollenites, and its type species, D. kachiensis sp. nov., are erected, and Dilwynites Harris, 1965, and its type species, D. granulatus Harris, 1965, are emended. There are also three new combinations: Ephedripites eocaenicus (Selling, 1944), E. praeclarus (Chlonova, 1961), and Retitricolpites anguloluminosus (Anderson, 1960). Two palynological zones are erected: anAquilapollenites attenuatus Assemblage Zone, which encompasses deposits that are considered to be latest Campanian–Early Maastrichtian in age, and an Aquilapollenites eurypteronus Assemblage Zone for sections that have been dated as Late Maastrichtian. The assemblages are typical of the Yenisey-Amur Subprovince of the Aquilapollenites (floral) Province. Lowland floodplain to shallow, commonly mesotrophic, lacustrine environments of deposition are indicated. The climate was probably wet subtropical, with rainfall being somewhat higher during the Late Maastrichtian than through the latest Campanian–Early Maastrichtian.     

Impact of desalination plants brine injection wells on coastal aquifers

A new methodology is developed in assessing environmental impacts of desalination plants discharging brine into the ground. The main environmental problem of the desalination of seawater is the brine disposal. The brine is commonly discharged into the sea or injected into a saline aquifer. In the case of injection into the ground, it is necessary to design a disposal system in a way that respects the environment and is sustainable. Laboratory and computational methods have been utilized to simulate the unsteady three-dimensional (3D) phenomena of subsurface brine disposal. The computational software used is SEAWAT, which is a 3D unsteady variable-density flow simulation model. The model is first used to simulate the laboratory results, and good agreement is achieved. Then, hypothetical problems are designed and simulated of groundwater extraction and brine disposal by desalination stations. The major purpose of these hypothetical problems is to delineate a methodology and to create design charts for design and management of production and injection well fields for coastal desalination plants. Several design charts have been developed with 36 scenarios for two well configurations created by four design parameters: relative salt concentration (RSC), production and injection rates (Q _d , Q _r ), well spacing (S), and simulation period (T).     

Estimating fractal dimension of profiles: A comparison of methods

This paper examines the characteristics of four different methods of estimating the fractal dimension of profiles. The semi-variogram, roughness-length, and two spectral methods are compared using synthetic 1024-point profiles generated by three methods, and using two profiles derived from a gridded DEM and two profiles from a laser-scanned soil surface. The analysis concentrates on the Hurst exponent H,which is linearly related to fractal dimension D,and considers both the accuracy and the variability of the estimates of H.The estimation methods are found to be quite consistent for Hnear 0.5, but the semivariogram method appears to be biased for Happroaching 0 and 1, and the roughness-length method for Happroaching 0. The roughness-length or the maximum entropy spectral methods are recommended as the most suitable methods for estimating the fractal dimension of topographic profiles. The fractal model fitted the soil surface data at fine scales but not at broad scales, and did not appear to fit the DEM profiles well at any scale.     

In situ neutron diffraction study of deuterated portlandite Ca(OD)2 at high pressure and temperature

The structure of deuterated portlandite, Ca(OD)₂, has been investigated using time-of-flight neutron diffraction at pressures up to ∼4.5 GPa and temperatures up to ∼823 K. Rietveld analysis of the data reveals that with increasing pressure, unit-cell parameter c decreases at a rate about 4.5 times larger than that for a, which is largely due to rapid contraction of the interlayer spacing in this pressure range. Fitting of the determined cell volumes to the third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state yields a bulk modulus (K ₀) of 32.2 ± 1.0 GPa and its first derivative (K ₀′) of 4.4 ± 0.6. Moreover, on compression, hydrogen-mediated interatomic interactions within the interlayer become strengthened, as reflected by decreases in interlayer D···O and D···D distances with increasing pressure. Correspondingly, D–D, the distance between the three equivalent sites over which D is disordered, increases, suggesting a pressure-induced hydrogen disorder. This behavior is similar to that reported in brucite at elevated pressure. On heating at ∼2.1 GPa, cell parameter c increases more rapidly than a, as expected. However, because of the pressure effect, the thermal expansion coefficients, particularly along c, are much smaller than those at ambient pressure. With increasing temperature, the three partially occupied D sites become further apart, and the D-mediated interactions, mainly the interlayer D···D repulsion, become weakened.     

Bartonian orthophragminids with new endemic species from the Pirkoh and Drazinda formations in the Sulaiman Range,Indus Basin,Pakistan

The Pirkoh and Drazinda formations in the Sulaiman Range, central Pakistan, yielded assemblages of (early) Bartonian orthophragminids, characterized predominantly by discocyclinids with a significant number of species probably endemic to Indian Subcontinent. The rarity of Asterocyclina and the absence of Orbitoclypeus and Nemkovella are noteworthy. Ten species of Discocyclina Gümbel and two species of Asterocyclina Gümbel, referable to the Shallow Benthics Zone (SBZ) 17 are described for the first time from Pakistan. The discocyclinids, i.e. Discocyclina praeomphalus, D. sulaimanensis, D. kutchensis, along with the new taxa established here, D. zindapirensis sp. nov., D. rakhinalaensis sp. nov., and D. pseudodispansa sp. nov., seem to be confined to the Indo-Pakistani region (Eastern Tethys). The Discocyclina dispansa, D. discus, D. nandori, and D. augustae lineages known from Western Tethys are also common in the Indian Subcontinent, as are asterocyclinids, such as Asterocyclina sireli and A. stellata. The upper part of the Drazinda Formation (‘Pellatispira beds’), referable to latest Bartonian and/or the early Priabonian, is poor in orthophragminids and is characterized by the occurrence of reticulate Nummulites, Heterostegina, Pellatispira and Silvestriella. The records of ‘Lepidocyclina of Caribbean affinity’ with large embryons from the Eocene of the Indian Subcontinent correspond to misidentified Discocyclina discus.     

The curved translation path of the Parpaillon Nappe (French Alps)

The Parpaillon Nappe is one of the two Helminthoid Flysch nappes emplaced on the external Dauphinois zone of the Western Alps. A structural analysis of the nappe is presented. Two superposed deformations D1 and D2 are described, that are mainly characterized by large-scale recumbent folds whose axes are quasi-orthogonal: NE-SW for D1 and NW-SE for D2. Their vergence is northwestward for D1 and southwestward for D2. During the D2 deformation, the nappe was separated into two units, one of these being thrusted over the other. An analysis of incremental strain using quartz and calcite fibre growth indicates that D2 follows D1 without discontinuity. Therefore the superposition of D1 and D2 structures is interpreted as a progressive deformation instead of two distinct phases of deformation. The emplacement of the nappe is discussed under two aspects, the relations between displacement and strain and the role of gravity. It is concluded that the translation has been twofold, first towards the NW and then towards the SW, and that the displacement result essentially from gravity forces. Kinematic implications for the Alpine collision are suggested.     

Late-Pleistocene tidewater glaciers and glaciomarine sequences from north County Mayo,Republic of Ireland

Late-Pleistocene deposits in north County Mayo were deposited in three main glacigenic environments. 1. Drumlins and basal tills were formed when ice moved from the Irish lowlands and local mountain catchments into Donegal Bay. 2. Gilbert-type deltas accumulated up to 80m I.O.D. on the lowlands and subaqueous moraines formed across minor valleys when marine-based ice grounded inland. 3. A thick drape of fossiliferous glaciomarine mud along the coastal fringe was deposited from meltwater plumes and by ice-rafting immediately outside of these ice limits. The muds contain an Elphidium clavatum-dominated, low-diversity microfauna which is characteristic of cold-water conditions adjacent to glacier termini. Valves of Macoma calcarea from the mud have been ¹⁴C dated at 16940 ± 120 and 17300 ± 100 BP. The high-level delta complex was deposited from tidewater glaciers in a peripheral depression adjacent to the drumlin ice limits of north County Mayo. Although the field evidence cannot be used to determine former sea level history with any accuracy, it poses general problems for sea level history and isostatic effects of the last major ice sheet in the west of Ireland. Raised glaciomarine sequences commonly occur in close association with drumlin ice limits elsewhere in Ireland and represent marine transgressions prior to glacial unloading. It is suggested that the magnitudes and patterns of crustal depression are greater and geometrically more complex at the margins of ice sheets in Ireland than hitherto realised.     

Discrete numerical modelling of rockfill dams

The aim of this study is to obtain quantitative information on the behaviour of rockfill used in embankment dams, and particularly on the influence of block breakage on the displacement field, from a numerical analysis using the Distinct element method. A methodology is set up to define the resistance of the 2D particles so that the same probability of breaking blocks may be reproduced as in a 3D material. The model uses the discrete element code PFC^2D (Itasca Consulting Group Inc., PFC2D (Particle Flow Code in Two Dimensions), Version 3.0, 2002) and considers breakable clusters of 2D balls. The different parameters are determined from experimental data obtained from laboratory tests performed on rock blocks. The model is validated by comparing the results of the simulation of shearing tests with actual triaxial tests on rockfill material published in the literature. The numerical analysis of block crushing in an actual dam is proposed in the last part of this paper. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Microstructure,metamorphism, thermochronology and P-T-t-deformation history of the Port aux Basques gneisses,south-west Newfoundland,Canada*

Abstract The Port aux Basques gneisses comprise three lithostratigraphic units separated by major fault zones: the Grand Bay Complex; the Port aux Basques Complex; and the Harbor le Cou Group. A similar regionally developed polyphase history of penetrative deformation characterizes each of these units. Thickening during D1 produced rare recumbent folds (F1) and an axial planar schistosity (S1), overprinted by D2 recumbent folds (F2), and transposed during development of a locally penetrative, differentiated crenulation cleavage (S2). In western sectors of the area, D2 was associated with NW-directed reverse shearing. The NE-trending structural grain reflects D3 transpression, partitioned into dextral transcurrent movement along major shear zones and development of upright-to-steeply inclined, periclinal folds (F3) and a variably penetrative schistosity (S3). Amphibolite facies metamorphism increases in grade from west to east across the area. Microstructures, including porphyroblast-matrix foliation relations and internal textural unconformities in garnet, indicate episodic porphyroblast nucleation and growth, which reflect a prograde traverse sequentially across univariant reactions during syntectonic metamorphism. Garnet, kyanite and staurolite porphyroblasts are wrapped by the S2 foliation, but each may contain trails of inclusions that define S1; commonly these trails preserve early stages of S2 crenulation cleavage development. Progressive and sequential reaction out of kyanite, staurolite and muscovite in favour of sillimanite, garnet, biotite and K-feldspar, and the development of an increasing volume of anatectic migmatite in south-eastern sectors of the area record syn- to late-D2 peak metamorphic conditions. Microstructural relationships and petrogenetic grid considerations indicate clockwise trajectories in P-T space for units of the Port aux Basques gneisses. Peak metamorphic conditions are estimated to have been 620–650° C at ≤8kbar in the west and 700–750° C at ≤8 kbar in the east. Titanite from an upper amphibolite facies calc-silicate gneiss yields U-Pb ages of c. 420 Ma, interpreted to date cooling shortly after the thermal peak in these gneisses. Variable D3 strain was associated with some recrystallization of hornblende and micas. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar hornblende plateau isotope correlation ages range from c. 419 to c. 393 Ma, from east to west across the area, and are interpreted to record cooling through c. 500° C coeval with or soon after D3 deformation. The range in ages may record the effects of heterogeneous D3 deformation and differential uplift from south-east to north-west associated with displacement on major shear zones. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar muscovite plateau ages cluster at c. 390 Ma, and date cooling through c. 375° C during regional exhumation. Cooling rates are moderate to fast and may indicate a component of tectonic exhumation. The Port aux Basques gneisses are a product of Silurian collisional tectonics. The higher grade of metamorphism in comparison with adjacent areas of the Canadian Appalachians is interpreted to reflect greater thickening due to juxtaposition of the St Lawrence promontory (Laurentian margin) with the Cabot promontory (Avalonian margin) during closure of the Iapetus Ocean.     

An anisotropically elastoplastic solution to excavation responses of a circular opening considering three-dimensional strength

Circular opening is commonly encountered in wellbore drilling of petroleum engineering, boring for cast-in situ pile installation, and tunneling excavation. This paper presents a rigorous solution for the elastoplastic responses of the anisotropic soft soil mass around a circular opening excavated under undrained and drained conditions. Both the anisotropic elastoplastic behavior and the 3D strength of the soft clay are incorporated in the present solutions. The well-established anisotropic critical state elastoplastic model S-CLAY1, which can represent the initial fabric anisotropy and stress-induced anisotropy of soft soil, is further modified by the Spatially Mobilized Plane criterion to consider the 3D strength of geomaterials. Then, the investigated problems, excavation of a circular opening under both short-term (undrained) and long-term (drained) conditions, are formulated as a system of first-order differential equations and are solved as initial value problems. The distributions of stress components and anisotropy parameters around the opening, the stress trajectory of a soil particle at the opening wall, as well as the stress–displacement curve at the opening wall are presented to investigate the elastoplastic responses of the opening. Extensive parameters show that the overconsolidated ratio and coefficient of earth pressure at rest (K₀) have remarkable effects on the elastoplastic responses around a circular opening.

     

Uphill diffusion,zero-flux planes and transient chemical solitary waves in garnet

Diffusion profiles in minerals are increasingly used to determine the duration of geological events. For this purpose, the distinction between growth and diffusion zoning is critical; it requires the understanding of complex features associated with multicomponent diffusion. Seed-overgrowth interdiffusion experiments carried out in the range 1,050–1,250°C at 1.3 GPa have been designed to quantify and better understand Fe–Mg–Ca interdiffusion in garnet. Some of the diffusion profiles measured by analytical transmission electron microscope show characteristic features of multicomponent diffusion such as uphill diffusion, chemical solitary waves, zero-flux planes and complex diffusion paths. We implemented three different methods to calculate the interdiffusion coefficients of the D matrix from the experimental penetration curves and determined that with Ca as the dependent component, the crossed coefficients of the D matrix are negative. Experiments and numerical simulations indicate that: (1) uphill diffusion in garnet can be observed indifferently on the three components Fe, Mg and Ca, (2) it takes the form of complementary depletion/repletion waves and (3) chemical waves occur preferentially on initially flat concentration profiles. Derived D matrices are used to simulate the fate of chemical waves in time, in finite crystals. These examples show that the flow of atoms in multicomponent systems is not necessarily unidirectional for all components; it can change both in space along the diffusion profile and in time. Moving zero-flux planes in finite crystals are transitory features that allow flux reversals of atoms in the diffusion zone. Interdiffusion coefficients of the D matrices are also analyzed in terms of eigenvalues and eigenvectors. This analysis and the experimental results show that depending on the composition of the diffusion couple, (1) the shape of chemical waves and diffusion paths changes; (2) the width of the diffusion zone for each component may or may not be identical; and (3) the width of diffusion calculated at a given D and duration may greatly vary. D matrices were retrieved from thirteen sets of diffusion profiles. Data were cast in Arrhenius relations. Linear regressions of the data yield activation energies equal to 368, 148, 394, 152 kJ mol⁻¹ at 1 bar and frequency factors D_o equal to 2.37 × 10⁻⁶, −4.46 × 10⁻¹⁶, −1.31 × 10⁻⁵, 9.85 × 10⁻¹⁵ m² s⁻¹ for [(D)\tilde]_FeFe^Ca \tilde{D}_{FeFe}^{Ca} , [(D)\tilde]_FeMg^Ca \tilde{D}_{FeMg}^{Ca} , [(D)\tilde]_MgFe^Ca \tilde{D}_{MgFe}^{Ca} , [(D)\tilde]_MgMg^Ca \tilde{D}_{MgMg}^{Ca} , respectively. These values can be used to calculate interdiffusion coefficients in Fe–Mg–Ca garnets and determine the duration of geological events in high temperature metamorphic or magmatic garnets.     

Comparison of numerical methods for simulating strongly nonlinear and heterogeneous reactive transport problems—the MoMaS benchmark case

Although multicomponent reactive transport modeling is gaining wider application in various geoscience fields, it continues to present significant mathematical and computational challenges. There is a need to solve and compare the solutions to complex benchmark problems, using a variety of codes, because such intercomparisons can reveal promising numerical solution approaches and increase confidence in the application of reactive transport codes. In this contribution, the results and performance of five current reactive transport codes are compared for the 1D and 2D subproblems of the so-called easy test case of the MoMaS benchmark (Carrayrou et al., Comput Geosci, 2009, this issue). This benchmark presents a simple fictitious reactive transport problem that highlights the main numerical difficulties encountered in real reactive transport problems. As a group, the codes include iterative and noniterative operator splitting and global implicit solution approaches. The 1D easy advective and 1D easy diffusive scenarios were solved using all codes, and, in general, there was a good agreement, with solution discrepancies limited to regions with rapid concentration changes. Computational demands were typically consistent with what was expected for the various solution approaches. The differences between solutions given by the three codes solving the 2D problem are more important. The very high computing effort required by the 2D problem illustrates the importance of parallel computations. The most important outcome of the benchmark exercise is that all codes are able to generate comparable results for problems of significant complexity and computational difficulty.     

A revised evolutionary history of armadillos (Dasypus) in North America based on ancient mitochondrial DNA

The large, beautiful armadillo, Dasypus bellus, first appeared in North America about 2.5 million years ago, and was extinct across its southeastern US range by 11 thousand years ago (ka). Within the last 150 years, the much smaller nine‐banded armadillo, D. novemcinctus, has expanded rapidly out of Mexico and colonized much of the former range of the beautiful armadillo. The high degree of morphological similarity between these two species has led to speculation that they might be a single, highly adaptable species with phenotypical responses and geographical range fluctuations resulting from environmental changes. If this is correct, then the biology and tolerance limits for D. novemcinctus could be directly applied to the Pleistocene species, D. bellus. To investigate this, we isolated ancient mitochondrial DNA from late Pleistocene‐age specimens of Dasypus from Missouri and Florida. We identified two genetically distinct mitochondrial lineages, which most likely correspond to D. bellus (Missouri) and D. novemcinctus (Florida). Surprisingly, both lineages were isolated from large specimens that were identified previously as D. bellus. Our results suggest that D. novemcinctus, which is currently classified as an invasive species, was already present in central Florida around 10 ka, significantly earlier than previously believed.     

A Geostatistical Simulation Approach to a Pollution Case in Northeastern Italy

The study zone is located in the city of Padova (the Veneto region, NE Italy). The industrial activities present in this area since 1950 have produced very high concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, Pcb and oils until a depth of 7 m. The unsaturated and the saturated zones are both polluted. Because of the abundance of Pb values it was decided to analyze the lead distribution in the studied zone. In many studies of the polluted sites, the geometry of the investigated volume is highly anisotropic. Generally we have an extension of some hectares in the horizontal plane and of a few meters in depth. It is likely that different horizontal spatial continuity structures in pollution distribution are found at different depths both for the layered nature of the medium and for the transition between unsaturated and saturated conditions. In such conditions the decision to divide a 3D problem into 1D and 2D problems can be useful. Initially the studied volume was divided into seven layers up to 5 m in depth; the study was then approached in two phases. First, the Pb values in the vertical direction were analyzed, considering a derive along z, and estimating the values using the Kriging with Trend (KT) method. Thus it was possible to increase the data in the z direction, especially in the deeper layers. Second, 500 realizations of the Pb distribution for each of the seven layers were simulated using the simulated annealing procedure. Finally, results were presented and discussed for each layer in terms of median and probability maps.     

Cation diffusion in aluminosilicate garnets: experimental determination in pyrope-almandine diffusion couples

Diffusion couples made from homogeneous gem quality natural pyrope and almandine garnets were annealed within graphite capsules under anhydrous conditions at 22–40 kbar, 1057–1400 °C in a piston-cylinder apparatus. The concentration profiles that developed in each couple were modeled to retrieve the self diffusion coefficients [D(I)] of the divalent cations Fe, Mg, Mn and Ca. Because of their usually low concentrations and lack of sufficient compositional change across the interface of the diffusion couples, only a few reliable data can be obtained for D(Ca) and D(Mn) from these experiments. However, nine sets of D(Fe) and D(Mg) data were retrieved in the above P-T range, and cast in the form of Arrhenian relation, D=D ₀exp{−[Q(1 bar)+PΔV ⁺]/RT}. The values of the activation energy (Q) and activation volume (ΔV ⁺) depend on whether f _O2 is constrained by graphite in the system C-O or held constant. For the first case, we have for Fe:Q(1 bar)=65,532±10,111 cal/mol, D ₀=3.50 (±2.30)×10⁻⁵ cm²/s, ΔV ⁺=5.6(±2.9) cm³/mol, and for Mg:Q(1 bar)=60,760±8,257 cal/mol, D ₀=4.66 (±2.48)×10⁻⁵ cm²/s, ΔV ⁺=5.3(±3.0) cm³/mol. Here the ΔV ⁺ values have been taken from Chakraborty and Ganguly (1992). For the condition of constant f _O2, the Q values are ∼9 kcal lower and ΔV ⁺ values are ∼4.9 cm³/mol larger than the above values. Lower temperature extrapolation of the Arrhenian relation for D(Mg) is in good agreement with the Mg tracer diffusion data (D ^* _Mg) of Chakraborty and Rubie (1996) and Cygan and Lasaga (1985) at 1 bar, 750–900 °C, when all data are normalized to the same pressure and to f _O2 defined by graphite in the system C-O. The D ^* _Mg data of Schwandt et al. (1995), on the other hand, are lower by more than an order of magnitude than the low temperature extrapolation of the present data, when all data are normalized to the same pressure and to f _O2 defined by the graphite buffer. Comparison of the D(Fe), D(Mg) and D(Mn) data in the pyrope-almandine diffusion couple with those in the spessartine-almandine diffusion couple of Chakraborty and Ganguly (1992) shows that the self diffusion of Fe and Mn are significantly enhanced with the increase in Mn/Mg ratio; the enhancement effect on D(Mg) is, however, relatively small. Proper application of the self diffusion data to calculate interdiffusion coefficient or D matrix elements for the purpose of modeling of diffusion processes in natural garnets must take into account these compositional effects on D(I) along with the effects of thermodynamic nonideality, f _O2, and pressure. Received: 8 May 1997 / Accepted: 2 October 1997