A new high-stress undrained ring-shear apparatus and its application to the 1792 Unzen–Mayuyama megaslide in Japan

Sassa and others in the Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University, developed a series of undrained ring-shear apparatus to physically simulate landslide initiation and motion, from DPRI-3 (Sassa 1992) to DPRI-7 (Sassa et al., Landslides 1(1):7–19, 2004). The maximum undrained capacities in the DPRI series ranged from 300 to 650 kPa. Sassa and others in the International Consortium on Landslides (ICL) have developed a new series of undrained ring-shear apparatus (ICL-1and ICL-2) for two projects of the International Programme on Landslides (IPL-161 and IPL-175). Both projects are supported by the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development Program (SATREPS) of Japan. ICL-1 was developed to create a compact and transportable apparatus for practical use in Croatia; one set was donated to Croatia in 2012. ICL-2 was developed in 2012–2013 to simulate the initiation and motion of megaslides of more than 100 m in thickness. The successful undrained capacity of ICL-2 is 3 MPa. This apparatus was applied to simulate possible conditions for the initiation and motion of the 1792 Unzen–Mayuyama megaslide (volume, 3.4?×?10⁸ m³; maximum depth, 400 m) triggered by an earthquake. The megaslide and resulting tsunami killed about 15,000 people. The Unzen Restoration Office of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) of Japan systematically collected various papers and reports and published two summary leaflets: one in English in 2002 and an extended version in Japanese in 2003. Samples were taken from the source area (for initiation) and the moving area (for motion). The hazard area was estimated by the integrated landslide simulation model LS-RAPID, using parameters obtained with the ICL-2 undrained ring-shear apparatus. The estimated hazard area agrees reasonably with the landslide moving area reported in the Ministry leaflets.     

Effect of fines content and void ratio on the saturated hydraulic conductivity and undrained shear strength of sand–silt mixtures

The hydraulic conductivity represents an important indicator parameter in the generation and redistribution of excess pore pressure of sand–silt mixture soil deposits during earthquakes. This paper aims to determine the relationship between the undrained shear strength (liquefaction resistance) and the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the sand–silt mixtures and how much they are affected by the percentage of low plastic fines (finer than 0.074 mm) and void ratio of the soil. The results of flexible wall permeameter and undrained monotonic triaxial tests carried out on samples reconstituted from Chlef river sand with 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 % non-plastic silt at an effective confining pressure of 100 kPa and two initial relative densities (D _r = 20, 91 %) are presented and discussed. It was found that the undrained shear strength (liquefaction resistance) can be correlated to the fines content, intergranular void ratio and saturated hydraulic conductivity. The results obtained from this study reveal that the saturated hydraulic conductivity (k _sat) of the sand mixed with 50 % low plastic fines can be, in average, four orders of magnitude smaller than that of the clean sand. The results show also that the global void ratio could not be used as a pertinent parameter to explain the undrained shear strength and saturated hydraulic conductivity response of the sand–silt mixtures.     

Distribution of Rare—earth Elements in the Shenzhen Bay and Dapeng Bay Modern Sediments

The aim of this paper is to study the REE geochemistry of the Shenzhen Bay (SZB) and Dapeng Bay(DPB) modern sediments, discuss their REE distribution patterns, reveal the REE geochemical difference between the two bays which share the same material source but are deposited in different sedimentary environments, and expound their dynamic changes.It can be concluded that the SZB and DPB sediments are essentially of continental source.Their REE distribution patterns are quite different from those of Pacific pelagic sediments, but are very similar to those of South Chi-na granites.Because of different sedimentary environments prevailing in the SZB and DPB, some REE fractionation would have taken place in the sediments of the two bays.     

A Comprehensive Investigation of an Offshore Active Fault in the Western Sagami Bay, Central Japan

Offshore active faults, especially those in the deep sea, are very difficult to study because of the water and sedimentary cover. To characterize the nature and geometry of offshore active faults, a combination of methods must be employed. Generally, seismic profiling is used to map these faults, but often only fault-related folds rather than fracture planes are imaged. Multi-beam swath bathymetry provides information on the structure and growth history of a fault because movements of an active fault are reflected in the bottom morphology. Submersible and deep-tow surveys allow direct observations of deformations on the seafloor (including fracture zones and microstructures). In the deep sea, linearly aligned cold seep communities provide indirect evidence for active faults and the spatial migration of their activities.The Western Sagami Bay fault (WSBF) in the western Sagami Bay off central Japan is an active fault that has been studied in detail using the above methods. The bottom morphology, fracture     

Reactive transport simulation study of geochemical CO2 trapping on the Tokyo Bay model – With focus on the behavior of dawsonite

A long-term (up to 10 ka) geochemical change in saline aquifer CO₂ storage was studied using the TOUGHREACT simulator, on a 2-dimensional, 2-layered model representing the underground geologic and hydrogeologic conditions of the Tokyo Bay area that is one of the areas of the largest CO₂ emissions in the world. In the storage system characterized by low permeability of reservoir and cap rock, the dominant storage mechanism is found to be solubility trapping that includes the dissolution and dissociation of injected CO₂ in the aqueous phase followed by geochemical reactions to dissolve minerals in the rocks. The CO₂–water–rock interaction in the storage system (mainly in the reservoir) changes the properties of water in a mushroom-like CO₂ plume, which eventually leads to convective mixing driven by gravitational instability. The geochemically evolved aqueous phase precipitates carbonates in the plume front due to a local rise in pH with mixing of unaffected reservoir water. The carbonate precipitation occurs extensively within the plume after the end of its enlargement, fixing injected CO₂ in a long, geologic period.Dawsonite, a Na–Al carbonate, is initially formed throughout the plume from consumption of plagioclase in the reservoir rock, but is found to be a transient phase finally disappearing from most of the CO₂-affected part of the system. The mineral is unstable relative to more common types of carbonates in the geochemical evolution of the CO₂ storage system initially having formation water of relatively low salinity. The exception is the reservoir-cap rock boundary where CO₂ saturation remains very high throughout the simulation period.     

Major ion composition and carbonate equilibrium in the sediment pore water of the Razdol’naya River estuary of Amur Bay,the Sea of Japan

The complex study of the river water and pore solutions from the bottom sediments in the lower reaches of the Razdol’naya River was conducted in February 2010. The major ion composition of the waters indicates the submarine origin of the near-bottom and pore waters in the lower reaches of the Razdol’naya River in the winter. The river estuary extends upstream for more than 20 km. It was established that the studied sediments are reduced oozes containing pyrite, hydrotroilite, and iron monosulfide, which is direct evidence for sulfate-reduction in the sediments. The diagenesis of organic matter is the main reason for the considerable decrease in the amount of sulfates and the increase in the alkalinity of the sediment pore water. The sedimentary pore water sampled from the deep river pits is characterized by excess alkalinity that cannot be explained by sulfate-reduction and methane genesis. It was suggested that the chemical weathering of silicate minerals and the bacterial mineralization of salts of organic acids could result in the excess alkalinity of the sediment pore water.     

Chemical origin of acid mine drainage and its computer simulation with Phreeqc—A case study of Zibo coal mining district

Research on the origin of acid mine drainage(AMD)is helpful to find a way to avoid and remediate AMD and its pollution.AMD is mainly from pyrite(FeS2)-containing minerals(such as coal and ore)during mining process and reproduction,and is common and danger…     

The solution of the double-sphere model and experimental research of the longterm shear strength of frozen sand based on spherical template indenter test北大核心CSCD

The distribution of frozen soil in our country is very broad, and the area of permafrost alone accounts for 22. 4% of the total land area. As a special kind of soil, frozen soil has many properties that thawing soil does not have due to the influence of ice cement in the soil. Among the many properties of frozen soil, the deformation and strength of frozen soil are the basic problems affecting engineering construction in frozen soil areas. The spherical template indenter test is widely used in the test of the mechanical properties of frozen soil because of its simple test process and relatively accurate test results. Compared with the conventional triaxial test or direct shear test, the test process of the spherical template indenter test is simple and easy to implement, the test period is short, and the sample preparation requirements are low. The advantage of effective cohesion is more significant. Therefore, based on the spherical template indenter test of the frozen soil, this paper estimates the strength and mechanical index of the soil through the indentation depth of the spherical template indenter test, and establishes the relationship between the force of the sample and the indentation depth of the indenter test. The specific test method is as follows:take the water-saturated frozen sandy soil made of different particle size groups(the moisture content of the sample is affected by the particle size in the saturated state)as the research object, study the variation law of the depth of the frozen soil sample pressed into the soil by the spherical indenter with time under the conditions of different fixed loads. By comparing and referring to the frozen sands of each particle size group, the long-term equivalent cohesion of the frozen sands of different particle size groups is summarized. The change law of force(long-term shear strength)with time, and the research method of elastic mechanics to solve space problems, summed up the mutual conversion between the depth St of spherical template indenters pressed into frozen sand samples under different fixed load test conditions relation. The research results show that the long-term shear strength of frozen sand based on the spherical mold test is positively correlated with its particle size. At the same time, since the ice content of frozen soil samples is proportional to its particle size, the long-term shear strength of frozen sand is also proportional to the test. The ice content of the sample increases year-on-year;the long-term shear strength of the frozen sand is related to the maximum contact pressure on the contact surface between the frozen soil and the indenter during the test, which can be expressed as Ct = γq0. The size of the relationship coefficient γ is inversely proportional to the diameter of the spherical indenter. In this paper, the spherical indenter is selected as 22 mm, and γ=3. 82×10-3. By establishing the relationship between the maximum contact pressure q0 and the long-term shear strength Ct When the maximum contact pressure q0 is the same under different fixed loads, the long-term shear strength Ct is also the same. According to this, the depth curve and the freezing depth of the frozen sand pressed into the soil by the spherical indenter over time under different fixed loads can be converted. Long-term shear strength curve of frozen sandy soil with time. It has been verified by experiments that the conversion curve of the depth of the indenter pressed into the soil with time under a fixed load of 7. 0 kg is highly consistent with the measured curve of the depth of the indenter pressed into the soil with time under a fixed load of 5. 1 kg and 7. 0 kg. © 2022 Nanjing Forestry University. All rights reserved.     

A perusal on the correlation of pesticide application on tobacco growing in the districts of NWFP-Pakistan and cancers incidence

Tobacco is an important cash crop in Pakistan. It is a sensitive plant prone to many bacterial, fungal, and viral diseases. It is also attacked by several species of worms, beetles and moths. Therefore high levels of pesticides are used to grow tobacco. The obvious benefits from the use of the pesticides are so spectacular that some of the problems associated with their use are not recognized. However, many of these pesticides are highly toxic and have impacts on tobacco workers, especially occupational exposures, which are the direct victims of pesticides poisoning. The victims include many children, pregnant women and elders who all participate in tobacco production. Pesticides either cause or exacerbate a number of illnesses in farmers and farm workers when they are exposed to them. So, occupational exposure is probably one of the most important impacts on tobacco farmers, since they and their families are exposed constantly to a large amount of pesticides. This exposure can lead to many serious problems. No study has been done to identify the effects of tobacco pesticides on human health especially on farmers health in Pakistan. The objective of this paper is to establish a correlation of pesticides application on tobacco crop with cancer incidence in the tobacco growing districts of NWFP- Pakistan.     

Current trends in formats and coordinate transformations of geospatial data — based on MyGeoData Converter

With the rise in the number of applications using geospatial data and the number of GIS applications, the number of people who come into contact with geospatial data is increasing, too. Despite many attempts to introduce standardized formats in this area, they are often ignored by software developers as well as the users themselves for various reasons. When creating or exporting geographical data, users choose the format with regard to the software they use, or for which the data are intended. Users then have to deal with conversion of data formats, and considering its use also the issue of their transformation to the appropriate spatial reference system. This work presents findings related to this issue, obtained from several years of operation of an online service for the conversion and transformation of geographical data which is heavily used by users from all over the world. It presents statistics of individual formats use and spatial reference systems of geospatial data use from the point of view of both input and output data. The results, besides other things, are shown in the form of a pie chart map in which various needs of users from a variety of countries can be seen. The results of this work can be used especially by developers of applications which use geospatial data; it will allow them to quickly understand current user needs.     

A Study on the Relationship between the Color and paramagnetic Impurities in Dolomite—Marble

Dolomite-marble is widely used as a high-grade building material.The color caused by impurities and its stability are important criteria to judge the quality of dolomite-marble and its value in the market.Therefore,the study of the relation between the color and the impurities is of important commercial significance.Up to now,no detailed study on dolomite-marble color has been reported.In this work the relation beween the color of dolomite-marble and the trace paramagnetic ions is studied in detail using electron paramagnetic resonance(EPR),X-ray diffraction,polished section identification and chemical analysis.     

Study on the plastic deformation and dynamic condition of Hatugou-Qingshuiquan-Gouli ductile shear zone in the eastern section of East KunlunEI北大核心CSCD

The Hatugou-Qingshuiquan-Gouli ductile shear zone recorded multiple cycles of orogeny in the eastern section of East Kunlun. The quartz c-axis fabric and microstructure of samples from the ductile shear zone were analyzed. We discussed the formation mechanism of subducted and crust extension-thinning of continental blocks in the eastern section of East Kunlun. Analysis results show that the deformation temperature of the ductile shear zone was between 380℃ and 650℃, which can be analogue with metamorphisms of middle-high greenschist facies to lower amphibolite facies. The differential stress and strain rate of the ductile shear zone are estimated at 173-509 MPa, 6.93×10-14-1.43×10-8 s-1, respectively, which suggest a possible origin of rapid subduction. Moreover, the deformation temperature, differential stress and strain increase toward the middle of East Kunlun fault zone, which is consistent with the fact that the middle part of the East Kunlun experienced the most intensive ductile shear deformation. The calculations of the kinematic vorticity values of the ductile shear belt show that the early transient kinematic vorticity (0.56-1.00) of ductile shear zone corresponds to the initial stage of the northward subducted southern parts of East Kunlun. In the middle to later stage, the kinematic vorticity (0.25-0.91) should correspond to the collision between southern and northern parts of East Kunlun. The latest C' instantaneous kinematic vorticity (0.19-0.51) corresponds to extensional stage in the post-orogenic setting. The quartz c-axis fabric and the structural characteristics show that the middle part of East Kunlun tectonic belt experienced at least 3 stages of tectonic movements, including the late Caledonian thrusting and left lateral strike slip shearing, the late Hercynian Indosinian thrusting and dextral strike slip shearing and the brittle ductile brittle-left lateral strike slip shearing in the early and later Yanshanian. ©, 2015, Science Press. All right reserved.     

Chemical origin of acid mine drainage and its computer simulation with Phreeqc——-A case study of Zibo coal mining district

Research on the origin of acid mine drainage （AMD） is helpful to find a way to avoid and remediate AMD and its pollution. AMD is mainly from pyrite （FeS2）-containing minerals （such as coal and ore） during mining process and reproduction, and is common and dangerous to water environment in the world. The results of research showed that ions of calcium and magnesium in AMD came mainly from calcite and dolomite. To my knowledge, other sources （such as chlorite） for the ions and their chemical origin were not studied. In this paper, the AMD in the Zibo coal-mining district as a case, its chemical characteristics and its origin were determined. And based on the analysis of the regional geological conditions, Phreeqc was used to stimulate the AMD＇s chemical origin. The results showed that acidification and neutralization are two processes, and the characteristics depended upon chemical reactions that occurred in the two processes. In the AMD, sulfate ion came from FeS2 and is an indicator of acid process, and ions of calcium and magnesium originated from calcite and chlorite and were indicators of neutral process.     

Saraswati Nadi in Haryana and its linkage with the Vedic Saraswati River — Integrated study based on satellite images and ground based information

Detailed studies on the status of Saraswati Nadi of northern Haryana have been carried out using multi date and multi resolution satellite images, GIS techniques and ground data. Palaeochannels have been delineated using remote sensing techniques and validated using discovered archaeological sites, sedimentological data from drilled wells and water quality data. Detailed analysis of hydrological data (rainfall and stream discharge), catchment area and petrographic analysis of rock samples have been done to decipher the dwindling state of Saraswati Nadi. Likelihood of Adi Badri as the place of origin of Saraswati Nadi and its possible linkage with the Vedic Saraswati River is discussed. Suggestions have been given for safeguarding and revival of Saraswati Nadi as a national heritage.     

Physical and chemical changes of water in the deep interior of the Earth—Decrepitation-style mud-volcano-earthquake—A bright lamp to shed light on the mysteries of the deep interior of the Earth

The 2008-05-12 Wenchuan mud-volcano-earthquake was accompanied with eruption of a huge volume of gas and stone, revealing that earthquakes generally result from instant reverse phase explosion of supercritical water (SCW) at the supercritical point. In the deep parts of the crust and mantle there still exists a large amount of supercritical water equivalent in order of magnitude to that of the Earth’s hydrosphere. Soft fluids which exist in the MOHO at the top of the upper mantle are the so-called deep supercritical fluids (SCWD). Supercritical water (SCW) has n×10³ times strong capability to dissolve gas. Its viscosity is extremely low and its diffusivity is extremely strong. Therefore, it can naturally migrate toward a region with relatively negative pressure. In the steep break zone of the MOHO at the 57–65 km depth beneath the earthquake belt, due to mutation of overburden pressure, SCWD can automatically separate out CaSiO₃ and other inorganic salts, evolving into the SCW (H₂O-CO₂-CH₄O system. In going upwards to the 10–20-km depth of the crust SCW will be accumulated as an earthquake-pregnant reservoir in the broken terrain. The phase-transition heat of SCW is estimated at 606.62 kJ/kg and the reverse phasing kinetic energy is 2350.8 kJ/kg. When automatic exhaust at the time of decompression reaches the critical pressure (Pc), the instant explosion reverse phase will be normal-state air water. It will release a huge volume of energy and high-kinetic-energy gas which has been expanded by a factor of 1000, leading to the breaking of the country rocks overlying the earthquake-pregnant reservoir, thus giving rise to a Ms 8.0 earthquake. As a result, there were formed eruptive and air-driven (pneumatic) debris flows whose volumatric flow rate reaches n×10¹⁴ m³/s, and their force greatly exceeds the power of INT explosive of the same equivalent value.     

Long-Term Variability of Nutrients and Chlorophyll in the Chesapeake Bay: A Retrospective Analysis, 1985–2008

A retrospective analysis of freshwater discharge, riverine dissolved nutrient loads, dissolved nutrients, and chlorophyll in the Chesapeake Bay from 1985 to 2008 is presented. It is evident that each field displays an interannual variability averaged over the Bay. The N and P loads peaked in 1997 and have fluctuated with a decreasing trend since early 2004. Dissolved nutrient concentrations in the Bay appear to be largely controlled by riverine nutrient loads. The temporal variability of chlorophyll is positively correlated with nutrient loads and concentrations. Over the study period, N:P (DIN:DIP) molar ratios were consistently higher than the Redfield ratio (N:P?=?16:1) and strongly correlated with river discharge (R ²?=?0.68, p??16:1), and N is the limiting nutrient in summer and early autumn (N:P?4 from anoxic sediments. Long-term climate indices, such as El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), appear to exert only a moderate control over the riverine discharge to the Bay or over the ecosystem response in terms of chlorophyll in the Bay. While not all related mechanisms can be inferred from available data, this analysis should help in determining future data needs for monitoring water quality and human and climate influence on the health of the Bay.     

Impact of irrigation in Barind Area,NW Bangladesh — An evaluation based on the meteorological parameters and fluctuation trend in groundwater table

The Barind Integrated Area Development Project (BIADP), NW Bangladesh launched in late eighties of last century boosted cropping intensity from 117% in pre-BIADP to about 200% at present. Increasing trend of rainfall for the period 1980–2006 in the southern portion had a positive impact on BIADP, but in the northeastern part, reverse trend is indicated. The groundwater outflow from the central part following the surface gradient is indicative of effluent drainage characteristics. Although rainfall has increased in the southern part, there has been progressive decline in groundwater level due to increase in irrigation demand. In the northern part there has been decline in groundwater level due to less resource potential. The PET, ET_crops and net irrigation requirement generally has decreased from pre- to post-Project implementation stages and rainwater has been the supplementary irrigation resource and thus dependency on groundwater has been reduced with exception in northwestern part. While the southern part is marching towards humid condition, north is creeping towards semi-aridity. Proper groundwater resource management with ecological balance is warranted for the sustainability of BIADP.     

A compression model for sand–silt mixtures based on the concept of active and inactive voids

A compression model for sand–silt mixtures is needed in geotechnical engineering, for example in the analysis and prediction of deformation of levees and embankments due to internal erosion. In this paper, we introduce a novel concept of dividing the voids of a granular material into two hypothetical fractions: active and inactive voids. The active voids are kinematically available to the compression process. The inactive voids are kinematically unavailable to the compression process. The volume of active voids is dependent on the initial density and effective stress level. The volume of inactive voids is dependent on the amount of fines in the mixture. The current paper considers 1-D and isotropic compression behavior of sand–silt mixtures at stress levels lower than 2 MPa, so no substantial particle breakage is expected to occur. To successfully predict the void ratio for a sand–silt mixture during compression loading, we need (1) a mathematical expression for the evolution of the active void ratio during compression and (2) a relationship between the inactive void ratio and fines content of the mixture. For sand–silt mixtures with any amount of fines, the proposed model requires five material parameters, which are determined from two compression tests, and four minimum void ratio tests on sand–silt mixtures with different fines content. The performance of the proposed model is verified for six different types of sand–silt mixture with various fines contents, by comparing the predicted void ratios with the measured data from the experiments. The comparisons show a good agreement between the predictions and the measured data and prove the suitability of the proposed model for the prediction of compressibility of sand–silt mixtures with any amount of fines.     

A study on the geochemical characteristics of natural gas and gas sources in the Bozhong sag

Natural gas is composed largely of hydrocarbon gas, especially wet gas in the Bozhong sag. The carbon isotopic composition shows that the gas is of organic origin. The carbon isotopic values of ethane indicate that the natural gas is dominated by mixed gas with minor coal-generated gas and oil-type gas. A gas-source correlation study showed that the source rocks of natural gas are those of the Lower Dongying Formation, the Shahejie Formation and the pre-Tertiary. The natural gas is characterized by multi-source and continuous generation in the study area, indicating that gas exploration potential is good in the Bozhong sag.     

A numerical simulation of landslide-prone slope in Himalayan region—a case study

Stability of slope will always a problem due to its geodynamic nature of Himalayan region. The area investigated belongs to the Lower Siwalik formation, which is prone to failure due to presence of various weak planes or structures present in the rock mass. Frequent landslides causing loss of life, property, disturbance of morphological, surface and subsurface water flow pattern. A huge landslide in the Amiyan area occurred in 1999 and blocked the Gaula River which caused loss of agricultural land and other properties as well as waterlogged upstream side. The debris of Amiyan slope contains soil and sandstones of various types. This article deals with instability analysis of slopes of the Amiyan area, near Kathgodam, Nainital, Uttarakhand. This area experiences a number of local as well as regional slides. Extensive field surveys have been carried out to understand the geological detail. Laboratory experiments have been conducted to determine the various physicomechanical properties of rock mass. These properties have been used as input parameters for the numerical simulation. A number of researchers have used two-dimensional numerical models to simulate the slide area. Three-dimensional slope stability studies provide a better understanding of the mechanism of failure as well as zone of influence. The computed deformations and stress distribution, along the failure surface, have been compared with the field measurements and found to be in good agreement with field observations. In this case, finite difference method has been applied on the stability analysis of Amiyan slope. The study indicates that the slope is vulnerable and needs proper protection.