Influence of the roots of mixed-planting species on the shear strength of saline loess soil

In order to improve our knowledge of the mechanical effect of the roots of mixed-plantings on soil reinforcement and slope protection,the influence of roots of a mixed-planting with four herb species(Medicago sativa L.,Elymus nutans Griseb.,Puccinellia distanx(L.),and Poa pratensis L.)and one shrub species(Caragana korshinskii Kom.)were investigated on the shear strength characteristics of saline loess soil.The root distribution characteristics were assessed via a survey when the plants grew for one year.The effects of the root biomass density,the root mass ratio(RMR)of the fine roots to the coarse roots,the moisture content,and the salt content on the shear strength index of the rooted soil were analyzed via a triaxial compression test,and the mechanism of these effects was discussed.The results indicate that the biomass density decreased linearly with increasing depth.The RMR initially decreased with depth and then increased,exhibiting in a quadratic relationship.The cohesion of the rooted soil increased linearly as the biomass density increased.The cohesion of the rooted soil initially increased with increasing RMR and salt content,and then it decreased.The turning point of the cohesion occurred when the RMR was 0.6 and the salt content was 1.18%.The internal friction angle of the rooted soil initially increased with biomass density and then decreased,and the turning point of the internal friction angle occurred when the biomass density was 0.015 g/cm3.The relationships between the internal friction angle of the rooted soil and the RMR and salt content were exponential incremental and linear subtractive relationship,respectively.Both the cohesion and the internal friction angle of the rooted soil linearly decreased with increasing moisture content.     

Influence of principal stress rotation of unequal tensile and compressive stress amplitudes on characteristics of soft clay

Soil behavior can reflect the characteristics of principal stress rotation under dynamic wave and traffic loads. Unequal amplitudes of tensile and compressive stresses applied to soils have complex effects on foundation soils in comparison with the pure principal stress rotation path. A series of undrained cyclic hollow torsional shear tests were performed on typical remolded soft clay from the Hexi area of Nanjing, China. The main control parameters were the tensile and compressive stress amplitude ratio(α) and the cyclic dynamic stress ratio(η). It was found that the critical η tended to remain constant at 0.13, when the value of the compressive stress amplitude was higher than the tensile stress amplitude. However, the influence of the tensile stress was limited by the dynamic stress level when α= 1.For obvious structural change in the soil, the corresponding numbers of cyclic vibration cycles were found to be independent of α at low stress levels and were only related to η. Finally, a new method for evaluating the failure of remolded soft clay was presented. It considers the influence of the tensile and compressive stresses which caused by complex stress paths of the principal stress rotation. This criterion can distinguish stable, critical, and destructive states based on the pore-water-pressure-strain coupling curve while also providing a range of failure strain and vibration cycles. These results provide the theoretical support for systematic studies of principal stress rotation using constitutive models.     

Structure of mitochondrial DNA control region of Pholis fangi and its phylogenetic implication

In this study, the entire mitochondrial DNA （mtDNA） control region （CR） of Pholis fangi was amplified via polymerase chain reaction followed by direct sequencing. The length of the mtDNA CR consensus sequence of P. fangi was 853 bp in length. In accordance with the recognition sites as were previously reported in fish species, the mtDNA CR sequence of P. fangi can be divided into 3 domains, i.e., the extended terminal associated sequence （ETAS）, the central conserved sequence block （CSB）, and the CSB domain. In addition, the following structures were identified in the mtDNA CR sequence of P. fangi：2 ETASs in the ETAS domain （TAS and cTAS）, 6 CSBs in the central CSB domain （CSB-F to CSB-A）, and 3 CSBs in the CSB domain （CSB-1 to CSB-3）. These demonstrated that the structure of the mtDNA CR of P. fangi was substantially different from those of most other fish species. The mtDNA CR sequence of P. fangi contained one conserved region from 656 bp to 815 bp. Similar to most other fish species, P. fangi has no tandem repeat sequences in its mtDNA CR sequence. Phylogenetic analysis based on the complete mtDNA CR sequences showed that there were no genetic differences within P. fangi populations of the same geographical origin and between P. fangi populations of different geographical origins.     

Influence of non-dimensional strength parameters on the seismic stability of cracked slopes

Cracks in rock or soil slopes influence the stability and durability of the slopes. Seismic forces can trigger slope disasters, particularly in the cracked slopes. Considering the nonlinear characteristics of materials, the more generalized nonlinear failure criterion proposed by Baker is adopted. The influence of non-dimensional strength parameters on the stability of cracked slopes under earthquakes is performed using the upper bound limit analysis. The seismic displacement is calculated by adopting the logarithmic spiral failure surface according to the sliding rigid block model. Based on the existing studies, two methods for the stability analysis of cracked slopes under earthquakes are introduced: the pseudo-static method(with the factor of safety(Fs) as an evaluation index), and the displacement-based method(with the seismic displacement as an evaluation index). The pseudo-static method can only determine the instantaneous stability state of the cracked slope, yet the displacement-based methodreflects the stability variation of cracked slopes during earthquakes. The results indicate that the nondimensional strength parameters affect the factor of safety and seismic displacement of slopes significantly. The non-dimensional strength parameter(n) controlling the curvature of strength function shapes on the slope stability is affected by other parameters. Owing to cracks, the effect of non-dimensional strength parameters on seismic displacement becomes more significant.     

Influence of limited soil on the root distribution and anchorage of Vitex negundo L.

Field pull-out and laboratory tests were applied to investigate the effect of metal bolts and wire netting on plant root distribution and anchorage characteristics of 9-year-old Vitex negundo L. growing on a weakly weathered rocky slope (38°). Root number, length and diameter were recorded and single root specimens were classified and tested for tensile strength. The results show that root anchorage is different between the two constructions by bolts and wire. Under limited soil condition, root anchorage ability is 80% lower than when there is sufficient soil due to the reduction of the diameter and number of all second-order lateral roots, as well as the reduction of the tensile strength of the embedded second-order and first-order lateral roots on limited soil. We conclude that the distribution and anchorage of Vitex negundo L. is affected by limited soil availability on rocky slopes.     

Characteristics of helium isotopes in natural gas and its tectonic implication in Bohai Bay Basin

1 INTRODUCTION Helium is a trace element in natural gas and the lightest element of all rare gases. It is formed during natural nuclear processes and it is chemi- cally stable. Because of its strong diffusibility and permeability, it is used as a very sen…     

Vulnerability of large city and its implication in urban planning: A perspective of intra-urban structure

Vulnerability is a new field and analytical tool in the study of urban safety. Analysis and assessment of vulnerability provide a new basis for urban planning. This study constructed a quantitative index system for assessing vulnerability, based on the city’s sensitivity and emergency response capacity. City size, density, and spatial form influence a city’s sensitivity to crises and risks, to which vulnerability is positively related. Levels of socio-economic development, infrastructures, and emergency management contribute to a city’s emergency response capacity, with which vulnerability is inversely associated. Vulnerability of 19 large Chinese cities was assessed. Harbin and Shenzhen demonstrated the highest and lowest vulnerability among 19 cities, while Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou ranked the 5th, the 9th and the 12th. Spatially, northern cities tended to be more vulnerable than southern cities. And the differences in vulnerability among cities were explored based on cities’ physical geography conditions, level of socio-economic development, infrastructures, regional status, history of disaster, history of urban planning and development, government policies, etc.     

块石定向性特征对土-石混合体强度影响的数值模拟

为了探讨土-石混合体的力学强度受块石定向性特征的影响,开发了二维椭圆块石集合体随机模型(2D Elliptic Block Collection Stochastic Model,简称EBCS2D),并在此基础上进行了双轴压缩数值模拟。模拟结果显示土-石混合体的强度受块石定向性特征的影响,该影响规律与含石量显著关联。通过对各向异性屈服面曲线方程和数值模拟结果的拟合分析,验证了该屈服面曲线方程在表达土-石混合体强度方面的适应性。通过引入土-石相互作用单元的概念,阐明了在低、中、高3种含石量下,块石孤立作用和团簇作用交替主导,造成了块石定向性特征对土-石混合体力学强度的不同规律的影响。      

New paleomagnetic evidences of paleogene tectonic rotation of the Qaidam Basin and adjacent region： mechanism and its tectonic implication

In order to better understand the tectonic evolution of the Qaidam Basin. The authors carried out a paleomagnetic study on 39 samples of 7 sites from Hongsanhan section, northwest Qaidam Basin. Stepwise thermo-demagnefizafion isolated a high-temperature component （HTC）, which passes the fold and reversal tests at 95 % confidence level. It suggests that the HTC should be primary. Unblocking temperature （about 685℃ ） and the experiment of isothermal remanence indicate that hematite is the mainly carrier of the remanence. A tilt-corrected mean direction is： Ds= 7.1°, Is= 38.5°, α95 = 7.4°. Corresponding to a palaeopole at, φ= 250. 1°E, λ= 72.0°N, A95 = 6.8°, Compared with the reference APWP of Eurasia, the sampling area occurred a non-significant rotation （3.4° ± 5.5°） relative to Eurasia since Eocene due to the affect of left-lateral Altyn fault, Based on the paleomagnetic results of early Cretaceous and Teritary within the Qaidam block, we can obtained the mean clockwise rotations from the samples deposited from 160 Ma to 45 Ma is 24.5° ± 9.0°, and from 38 Ma to present is - 0.5° ± 7.5° relative to present geomagnetism respectively. During the Mid Eocene （45 -38 Ma） rotation phase, there should existing an important early tectonic event in northern part of the present-day Tibetan Plateau, which probably represents one of large-scale strike-slip events of the Altyn strike-slip fault.     

New paleomagnetic evidences of paleogene tectonic rotation of the Qaidam Basin and adjacent region: mechanism and its tectonic implication

In order to better understand the tectonic evolution of the Qaidam Basin. The authors carried out a paleomagnetic study on 39 samples of 7 sites from Hongsanhan section, northwest Qaidam Basin. Stepwise thermo-demagnetization isolated a high-temperature component (HTC), which passes the fold and reversal tests at 95% confidence level. It suggests that the HTC should be primary. Unblocking temperature (about 685℃) and the experiment of isothermal remanence indicate that hematite is the mainly carrier of the remanence. A tilt-corrected mean direction is: Ds=7.1°, Is=38.5°, α95=7.4°. Corresponding to a palaeopole at, φ＝250.1°E, λ＝72.0°N, A95=6.8°, Compared with the reference APWP of Eurasia, the sampling area occurred a non-significant rotation (3.4°±5.5°) relative to Eurasia since Eocene due to the affect of left-lateral Altyn fault, Based on the paleomagnetic results of early Cretaceous and Teritary within the Qaidam block, we can obtained the mean clockwise rotations from the samples deposited from 160 Ma to 45 Ma is 24.5°±9.0°, and from 38 Ma to present is -0.5°±7.5° relative to present geomagnetism respectively. During the Mid Eocene (45～38 Ma) rotation phase, there should existing an important early tectonic event in northern part of the present-day Tibetan Plateau, which probably represents one of large-scale strike-slip events of the Altyn strike-slip fault.     

Red Clay Sediment in the Central Chinese Loess Plateau and Its Implication for the Uplift of the Tibetan Plateau

Introduction A set of reddish clay-silt-sized sediments named red clay underlying the Quaternary loess-paleosol sequence widely distribute in the Chinese Loess Plateau. The thickness of the red clay sediments ranges from decades of meters to over 100 m (Evan et al.1991,Mo and Derbyshire 1991, SUN et al. 1997&1998, DING et al. 1999, GUO et al. 2001, QIANG et al. 2001). Previous studies show that not only loess-paleosol (e.g.LIU et al.1985,AN et al.1990,DING et al.1992),but also red …     

SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating of a small tonalite intrusion in metamorphic belt of Chinese Altai orogen and its geological implication

Small granitic intrusions occur in the progressive metamorphic belts of the Chinese Ahai orogen. SHRIMP U-Pb analyses were performed on zircons separated from a tonalite intrusion and yielded a concordant age of 409.6±3.7 Ma （ MSWD = 0.93 ）, restricting the emplacement and crystallization of the tonalite intru- sion to the Early Devonian. Combined with the existing geological data of the contemporary large granitic plutons in the Chinese Altai orogen, the tonalite is considered to be formed together with other granitic rocks in a continental arc setting. The tonalite intrusion has consistent foliation with its country rocks, indicating the strain resuiting in the regional deformation should be very strong during or after the early Devonian.     

Geochronology,geochemistry and Hf isotopic study of Early Carboniferous granodiorites in Taerqi region,central Daxing'anling and its tectonic implication

Zircon U-Pb age,whole rock geochemical and zircon Hf isotopic data are presented for Late Paleozoic granodiorites from the Taerqi region,central Daxing'anling to constrain its petrogenesis and tectonic implication.LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb age data indicates that the Late Paleozoic granodiorites were emplaced with age of333.4 ± 2.2 Ma(Early Carboniferous).Geochemically,the granodiorite samples have Si O2= 60.54%-71.40%,Na2 O = 4.04%--4.66%,K2 O = 1.65%--4.27% and Mg O = 0.96%--3.53%,belonging to medium-K to high-K calc-alkaline I-type granites.They are slightly enriched in large ion lithophile elements(e.g.Rb,Th,U and K) and light rare earth elements,and depleted in high field strength elements(e.g.Nb,Ta and Ti),with εHf(t) values of 8.0--11.8 and Hf two-stage model ages of 586-829 Ma.All these geochemical features suggest that the primary magma was derived from partial melting of Neoproterozoic to Phanerozoic newly accreted lower crust.According to the geochemical data and regional geological investigations,the Early Carboniferous granodiorites formed in an island arc setting linked to the subduction of the Paleo-Asian Oceanic Plate beneath the Xing'an Terrane.This also implies that the Xing'an and Songliao terranes have not amalgamated before the Early Carboniferous.     

大气CO2浓度非均匀分布及其对地表升温影响的研究进展与展望

在气候变化和全球治理挑战日益严峻的背景下,CO2排放及代价评估日益受到学术界和决策者的关注.当前全球范围包括联合国政府间气候变化专门委员会(IPCC)评估在内的几乎所有研究都是基于全球平均CO2浓度来驱动气候模式的,但基于全球CO2平均分布设定开展模拟影响评估在学术界多有争议.首先,综述了大气CO2非均匀分布的证据,评...     

北半球环状模变化特征及其对中国冬季气温的影响

平流层异常对于对流层的影响研究,尤其是与中国天气气候的关系已成为近年来的研究热点。首先利用1951~2010年逐月NAM指数(NAMI)序列,采用小波方法分析了北半球环状模的时间变化特征。结果表明,近60年来,尤其是自1970年以来,北半球环状模NAM指数一直呈现持续增长趋势,并存在15a的年代际振荡周期,在1970s前8a的年际振荡明显。进一步挑出9个NAM指数强值年和8个NAM指数弱值年,结合中国160台站的气温资料和NCEP/NCAR再分析资料,探讨NAM指数变化对中国冬季气温的影响。结果发现,在NAM指数强值年,相对于NAM指数弱值年,中国北方、东部地区尤其在东北南部和华北地区气温偏高,西南的大部分地区气温偏低;NAM指数与中国东北冬季气温呈明显的正相关,同期相关性最好。     

The environmental implication of diatom fossils in the surface sediment of the Changjiang River estuary(CRE) and its adjacent area

In order to depict the distribution of diatom fossils in surface sediments and to establish a reliable reference data for further paleoenvironmental study in the Changjiang(Yangtze) River estuary and its adjacent waters, the diatom fossils from 34 surface sediment samples and their relationship with environmental variables were analyzed by principal component analysis and redundancy correspondence analysis. The diversity and abundance of diatom fossils were analyzed. Some annual average parameters of the overlying water(salinity, temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, depth, dissolved inorganic nitrogen,dissolved inorganic phosphate and dissolved inorganic silicate) were measured at each sampling site. A total of 113 diatom taxa and one silicoflagellate species were identified in the investigation area. Diatom fossils were better preserved in fine sediments. The absolute abundance of diatom fossils did not significantly dif fer between inshore and of fshore areas, the species diversity decreased from inshore to of fshore. This may be because high nutrients and low salinity promoted the growth of more brackish species in coastal waters. The diatom taxa were divided into three groups, on the basis of their response and indication to environmental changes. For example, Actinocyclus ehrenbergii and Cyclotella stylorum were dominant in coastal waters(Group 1 and Group 3) with high nutrients and low salinity; the relative abundances of Paralia sulcata and Podosira stelliger were significantly higher in of fshore sites(Group 2, average 39.5%),which were characterized by high salinity and deep water. Four environmental variables(salinity, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, temperature and water depth) explained the composition and distribution of diatom taxa independently( P 0.05), this finding can be applied in further paleoenvironmental reconstruction research in this area.     

Episodic orogeny deduced from coeval sedimentary sequences in the foreland basin and its implication for uplift process of Longmen Mountain, China

Longmen Mountain located at the boundary between the Sichuan Basin and Tibetan Plateau,representing the steepest gradient of any edges of the plateau.Three endmember models of uplift process and mechanism have been proposed,including crustal thickening,crustal flow,and crustal isostatic rebound.Here we use coeval sedimentary sequences in the foreland basin to restraint uplift process and mechanism in the Longmen Mountain.The more than 10,000 m thick Late TriassicQuaternary strata filled in this foreland basin and can be divided into six megasequences that are distinguished as two distinct types.The first type is the wedge-shaped megasequences which are sedimentary response of strong active thrust loading events,characterized by a high rate of subsidence and sediment accumulation,coarsening-upward succession and a dual-sourced sediment supply.This type includes Late Triassic,Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous and Late Cretaceous to Paleogene megasequences.The second type is the tabular megasequences,characterized by the low rate of subsidence and sediment accumulation,finingupward succession,and a single-sourced sediment supply,which is sedimentary response of isostatic rebound and erosion unloading.This type includes the Early to Middle Jurassic,Middle Cretaceous and Neogene to Quaternary megasequences.Basing on sedimentary,active tectonic,geomorphic evidence,we infer that the direction has been reversed from SSWdirected sinistral strike-slip to NNE-directed dextral strike-slip during 40-3.6 Ma,and since 3.6 Ma,the Longmen Mountain thrust belt belong to times of isostatic rebound and erosional unloading with NNEdirected dextral strike-slip.This suggests that crustal isostatic rebound is a primary driver for uplift and topography of the present Longmen Mountain.The Wenchuan(Ms8.0) earthquake,which ruptured a large thrust fault with NNE-directed dextral strikeslip along the range front,is an active manifestation of this crustal isostatic rebound process with dextral strike-slipping and shortening.This process may be the cause for the Wenchuan Earthquake and the apparent paradox of high relief,little shortening,the relative dearth of historical seismicity in the region.     

Impact of polymer mixtures on the stabilization and erosion control of silty sand slope

Silty sand can be prone to erosion because it is short of stability cementation materials. In recent years, various emerging soil stabilizers, especially natural organic substance and polymer, have been used to improve soil strength, water stability and ability of erosion resistance. In this study, a new type of soil stabilization additive modified carboxymethyl cellulose(M-CMC), consisting of carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC) and polyacrylamide(PAM), was developed for stabilization treatment of silty sand. A series of laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of M-CMC application on shear strength, permeability, water susceptibility and microstructure of the silty sand soil treated with additive concentration range of 0%-1.3%. Moreover, rainfall simulation experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of M-CMC on the erosion control of silty sand which compacted soil in a large-sized runoff(1 m~2) plots. Test plot which treated with 1.1% concentration of soil stabilizer and control plot which treated with same amount of water were cured outdoor for 50 days before rainfall simulation test. Rainfall intensity was applied at 120 mm·h-1 for 60 min. Finally, a field test is performed in order to assess the practical application effect of silty sand with 1.1% M-CMC. In general, the results showed that an increase of the concentration of M-CMC resulted in an improvement in water susceptibility and shear strength but a decrease in the infiltration rate. Internal friction angle of the treated soil remarkably increased under a low M-CMC concentration(less than 0.7%), while cohesion of them sharply increased under a relatively high M-CMC concentration(larger than 0.7%). Water susceptibility of the treated samples was improved remarkably under a relatively high M-CMC concentration(larger than 0.7%). Permeability coefficient of them decreased significantly when the M-CMC concentration was increased from 0 to 0.5% and, then, from 0.9% to 1.3%. Based on the images obtained from a scanning electron microscopy(SEM), the "coating" and "netting" effects were attributable to the observed improvement of the treated soil. When a plot was protected by a thin layer of soil treated with 1.1% MCMC, its erosion resistance was greatly improved, infiltration rate of water and soil loss yield of plot decreased greatly and even though under a rainfall intensity of 120 mm·h-1. The field test with long-term monitoring(three years) confirmed the M-CMC can effectively control erosion of silty sand slopes for a prolonged period of time.