Cooling effect of ballast revetment on the roadbed of Qinghai-Tibetan Railway

The data obtained through the roadbed surface thermal regime experiment (ROBSTREX), which was carried out at Beiluhe test section of Qinghai-Tibetan Railway from October to December in 2002, were used to estimate the cooling effect of ballast revetment on the roadbed. The results show that both riprap rock ballast revetment and crushed stone ballast revetment can reduce the temperature of the roadbed. But the cooling effect of riprap rock ballast revetment is better than that of crushed stone ballast revetment when the temperature of roadbed is higher. The cooling effect of crushed stone ballast revetment is better than that of riprap rock ballast revetment when the temperature of the roadbed is lower, especially at deeper roadbed layers. In the frozen season, the heat release from the roadbed also shows that the cooling effect of ballast revetment on the roadbed is obvious, and the cooling effect of crushed stone-ballast revetment on the roadbed is much evident than that of riprap rock ballast revetment.     

Numerical analysis for cooling effect of open boundary ripped-rock embankment on Qinghai-Tibetan railway

At present, the Qinghai-Tibetan railway is being built, and it will pass across more than 550-km perma-frost regions. Therefore, the key to the stability of therailway embankment lies in solving the permafrost problem. Because global warming and existence of railway tend to degrade the permafrost in these re-gions[1], more difficulties and problems are induced in the construction and maintenance of railway. In the area where the mean annual air temperature is higher than a certain value, the …     

Characterizing the dynamics of soil organic carbon in grasslands on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Carbon dynamics of grasslands on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau may play an important role in regional and global carbon cycles. The CENTURY model (Version 4.5) is used to examine temporal and spatial variations of soil organic carbon (SOC) in grasslands on the Plateau for the period from 1960 to 2002. The model successfully simulates the dynamics of aboveground carbon and soil surface SOC at the soil depth of 0-20 cm and the simulated results agree well to the measurements. Examination of SOC for eight typical grasslands shows different patterns of temporal variation in different ecosystems in 1960-2002. The extent of temporal variation increases with the increase of SOC of ecosystem. SOC increases first and decreases quickly then during the period from 1990 to 2000. Spatially, SOC density obtained for the equilibrium condition declines gradually from the southeast to the northwest on the plateau and showed a high heterogeneity in the eastern plateau. The results suggest that (i) SOC den-sity in the alpine grasslands shows remarkable response to climate change during the 42 years, and (ii) the net carbon exchange rate between the alpine grassland ecosystems and the atmosphere increases from 1990 to 2000 as compared with that before 1990.     

行车速度对桥路过渡段路基动应力的影响

通过对秦沈客运专线一路桥过渡段路基动应力的现场实测，得到了行车速度对无缝线路桥路过渡段路基动应力的影响特征，同时，定义了速度动力系数的概念，并得到了过渡段路基中速度动力系数变化规律。同时提出随行车速度的提高，必存在一个临界车速使得列车在通过路桥过渡段时，其动响应(动应力、动应变、动位移、振动加速度等)变化总趋势发生改变。研究结果对铁路客运专线过渡段的设计和施工有参考意义。     

人工质量在砖混结构振动台试验中的作用

通过组合墙片的拟静力试验和模型房屋的振动台试验，分析研究了人工质量模拟对砖混结构振动台试验的作用和影响。研究表明，重力对结构的弯曲刚度有较大影响，但不影响结构的剪切刚度。在主拉应力破坏的条件下，结构的破坏荷载随重力的增加而增大。提出了不完全模拟的人工质量模型应满足的相似条件及如何根据模型试验结果估计原型结构的抗震能力。     

多年冻土场地路基地震响应动应力性状研究

以青藏铁路工程抗震设计与地震加固为应用背景,基于冻土场地路基的若干典型工况,开展多年冻土场地路基地震响应动应力性状的研究工作。研究表明,与不同的场地地形条件相比,冻土层对路基地震响应动应力的影响更加突出,尤其是含冻土层路基的地震动应力幅值、频率较不含冻土层路基的地震动应力幅值、频率大得多,因而冻土层的存在可能加剧了路基的震害响应。     

Fungal spore record of pastoralism on the NE Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau since the middle Holocene

Pastoralism is considered a crucial factor in the eventual year-round occupation of high-altitude regions(3000 m asl) of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, and the northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau(NE-QTP) was an important corridor for early human occupation. We analyzed fossil fungal spore records for the last 8500 years from a high resolution aeolian section at Langgeri(LGR) on the NE-QTP. Thirty-two fungal spore types were identified in the LGR section, including seven coprophilous types. We combined analysis of coprophilous fungal spores, Cyperaceae, Artemisia, and Hippophae pollen, and the charcoal50 μm fraction to explore the timing and controls of pastoralism on the NE-QTP since the middle Holocene. Pastoralism commenced at LGR shortly before ca. 5.5 ka and gradually increased between ca. 5.5–3.5 ka, but markedly intensified after ca.2.2 ka, with three periods of growth at ca. 2.1–1.9, 1.4–1.2, and 0.6–0 ka, and a decline at ca. 1.1–0.6 ka. The timing of changes in pastoral activity on the NE-QTP based on the coprophilous fungal spore record is supported by regional archeology and historical documents. Technological and political developments, rather than climate change, played key roles in the long-term fluctuations of regional pastoralism on the NE-QTP in the late Holocene.     

EU shipping in the dawn of managing the ballast water issue

After almost two decades of intensified research, regulatory and political activities focussed on the prevention of harmful organisms and pathogen transfers around the world in 2004 the International Convention on the Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) was adopted to provide a common and globally uniform ballast water management (BWM) approach. Nevertheless, regionally different BWM approaches are developing. By now, many countries around the world seem to be aware of the ballast water issue and its management limitations. In the EU, different approaches have been identified at regional and national scales. The first voluntary BWM requirements at the regional level have been introduced by the HELCOM and OSPAR countries, Adriatic countries have prepared a common approach considering a new legal framework for implementation, and some national level requirements have also been identified. However, a common EU wide BWM approach has not yet clearly emerged. In this paper the authors review the BWM approaches developing in Europe, and describe the EU response on BWM. The authors further provide recommendations which may be considered when developing BWM measures in the EU. This contribution focuses on the BWM issue in European seas in light of the EU Maritime Policy and EU Marine Strategy. The Caspian Sea was also considered.     

多年冻土场地路基地震动位移性状研究

直接针对目前多年冻土场地道路工程抗震问题研究尚很薄弱这一事实，以在建的青藏铁路工程的抗震设计与地震加固为应用背景，基于若干种较为典型的多年冻土场地路基工况，开展多年冻土场地路基地震动位移性状的研究工作。研究表明，与不同的场地地形条件相比，场地冻土层厚度对路基地震位移响应的影响更加突出，尤其是含冻土融层路基的地震动位移值较不含冻土融层路基的地震动位移值大，因而冻土融层的存在无疑加剧了多年冻土场地路基的震害响应。     

青藏高原东北缘深地震测深研究成果回顾

本文回顾了在青藏高原东北缘(32°-40°N,100°-108°E)地区深地震测深研究的主要成果,给出了这一地区地壳中地震波速度结构的特征和莫霍面的形态。     

The Paleogene to Neogene climate evolution and driving factors on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Science China Earth Sciences - The growth of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) during the Cenozoic drove dramatic climate and environmental change in this region. However, there has been limited...     

Variability in invasion risk for ballast water exchange on the Scotian Shelf of eastern Canada

A semi-quantitative risk assessment model for dispersion of ballast water organisms in shelf seas is applied to the Scotian Shelf region of eastern Canada. The ballast water exchange process is simulated as the dispersion of tracer released into the surface layer of an ocean circulation model of the region. Circulation model variability is driven by wind stress from a cyclical year of forcing representing climatological storminess. Dispersion metrics related to invasion risk are developed and incorporated into a risk equation that computes the relative overall risk of invasion for ballast water exchange segments along vessel tracks crossing the shelf. Three hundred and sixty dispersion simulations are done for each segment of each of six tracks. Because the flow fields represent climatological variability in shelf circulation, the application of the risk assessment model captures the expected variability in invasion risk. Model results indicate that more than an order of magnitude variation in risk can exist along a given vessel track, and that tracks with offshelf segments provide a lower risk option compared to onshelf tracks. The model provides quantitative guidance to regulators regarding what is an acceptable trip diversion and can aid in numerous other management decisions.     

青藏高原陆相介形类的分布特征及其对生态环境的响应

统计分析了青藏高原不同区域水体环境表层沉积物陆相介形类的属种分布特征,探讨了介形类在不同水环境下（盐度、pH值及水深）对生态环境的响应.结果显示,青藏高原现生介形类共计21属67种,其中Candona candida、Ilyocypris bradyi、Eucypris inflata、Limnocythere dubiosa、Limnocythere inopinata、Paracypricerus angulata、Leucocytherella sinensis和Leucocythere mirabilis为青藏高原地区的常见种.湖泊、河流、洼地和湿地4类水体环境中,湖泊中介形类最为丰富,达19属62种;青藏高原东北部（祁连山和柴达木盆地）、北部（昆仑山）、西部和南部不同区域的介形类常见种存在较大差异,可能是区域海拔、pH值和盐度综合作用的结果.淡水和微咸水环境介形类属种数量较咸水及盐湖中丰富,分别有17属41种和13属42种,Limnocythere dubiosa （0.52~90.6 g/L）和Leucocythere mirabilis（0.51~174.63 g/L）在淡水、咸水及盐湖中均有出现,适应盐度范围较广;pH值在8.0~10.0范围内介形类属种多样性最丰富,表明大部分介形类具有嗜碱性的特征;青藏高原陆相介形类属种多样性随水深的增加而降低,浅湖（0~15 m）中介形类属种最为丰富,达到17属52种,其中Candona candida（0.2~80 m）和Leucocythere dorsotuberosa（0.3~110 m）从滨湖至深湖区均有分布,二者均具有较大的水深适应范围.     

Effects of the Nepal MS8.1 Earthquake in 2015 on Seismic Activity in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

We obtained the displacement and deformation caused by the 2015 Nepal M_S8.1 earthquake adopting the finite element method, and analyzed the displacement and deformation characteristics and effect of three large earthquakes on seismic activity in the Qinghai-Tibetan block. Our primary results suggest southward movement of the Qinghai-Tibetan block is caused by a large earthquake occurring on thrust fault in the Himalayan zone, the displacement direction is reverse to the background displacement. The occurrence of these large earthquakes will result in stress unloading and earthquake activity will be weakened in stress unloading areas. Through the simulation results, we can detect the distribution area of stress loading and unloading caused by large earthquakes. Simultaneously, it provides a fundamental evidence for determination of earthquake activity trend.     

Management and environmental risk study of the physicochemical parameters of ballast water

Shipping is a vital industry for the global economy. Stability of ships, provided by ballast water, is a crucial factor for cargo loading and unloading processes. Ballast water treatment has practical significance in terms of environmental issues, ecosystem, and human health, because ships discharge this water into the environment before loading their cargos. This study reviews the common methods for ballast water management – exchange, heating, filtration, ultrasonic treatment, ultraviolet irradiation, chemicals, and gas supersaturation – to select the best one. This study compares water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals (Co, Cr, Ni, Pb) for ballast tanks of selected ships with the recipient port environment in the Persian Gulf as a case study. The exchange of ballast water in the ocean and/or its treatment on board to prevent inadvertent effects on the environment's physicochemical conditions is related to vessel characteristics, legislation, and the environmental condition. Ecological risk study showed that the salt content in ballast water is close to that of seawater, but the values of Cr (2.1 mg/l) and Ni (0.029 mg/l) in ballast water are higher than those in seawater (1 and 0.004 mg/l, respectively).     

Variations of methane stable isotopic values from an Alpine peatland on the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Isotopic signature is a powerful tool to discriminate methane(CH_4) source types and constrain regional and global scale CH_4 budgets.Peatlands on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are poorly understood about the isotopic signature of CH_4 due to the limited experimental conditions.In this study,three campaigns of diurnal air samples spacing 2-3 h were taken from an alpine peatland on the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau to investigate its source signal characteristics.Both CH_4 concentration and its stable carbon isotope(δ~(13)C-CH_4) were measured to derive the carbon isotopic signature of the CH_4 source using the Keeling plot technique.Diurnal variation patterns in CH_4 concentration and δ~(13)C-CH_4 were observed during summertime,with depleted δ~(13)C-CH_4 signals and high CH_4 concentration appearing at nighttime.The δ~(13)C-CH4 signature during summer was calculated to be-71 % ± 1.3%,which falls within the range of other wetland studies and close to high-latitude peatlands.The boundary layer dynamic and CH_4 source were supposed to influence the measured CH_4 concentration and δ~(13)C-CH_(4.)Further investigations of CH_4 isotopic signals into the nongrowing season are still needed to constrain the δ~(13)C-CH_4 signature and its environmental controls in this region.     

青藏高原东北缘地壳三维速度结构

本文用1980—2000年M≥1.5的2 032个天然地震事件的38 052个〖AKP-〗、〖AKS-〗、Pm、Sm、Pn和Sn震相到时及人工地震测深给出的Moho面形态资料,利用地震层析技术反演了32°~40°N, 100°~108°E区域内地壳地震波速度结构.从层析成像图象中可以得到,本区的地壳可分成4个层位.第1层（埋深约在0~3 km）为沉积层, 速度梯度约为0.2 s-1;第2层（埋深约在3~17 km）为上地壳, 其顶部速度梯度约为0.1 s-1, 下部速度横向变化较大且存在低速块体;第3层（埋深约在17~36 km）为中地壳, 速度梯度约为0.03 s-1;第4层（埋深约在36 km—Moho）为下地壳, 是一个契形层,总的趋势是西厚东薄,青藏高原较厚逐渐向鄂尔多斯地块和扬子准地台方向变薄,各处的地震波速度梯度不尽相同.     

The Qingzang Movement: The major uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Thirty-five years ago, the idea of a young Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau was proposed based on a comprehensive investigation on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. This hypothesis suggested that the plateau began to rise from a planation surface(relict surface) that was less than 1000 m high formed during the Miocene to Pliocene. The fast uplift, i.e., the Qingzang Movement, began since ~3.6 Ma, evidenced by massive molasse deposits around the plateau margin and the synchronous occurrence of faulted basins within the plateau. However, later studies challenged this idea and suggested earlier(8, 14 or 35 Ma) formation of the huge plateau topography. Here we reevaluate the Qingzang Movement on the basis of our previous results and in light of new studies in the recent decades. The plateau margin has been subjected to intensive incision by very large drainages and shows the landscape characteristics of an "infant" stage of the geomorphological cycle. However, these drainages were not formed until 1.7–1.9 Ma; headwater erosion has not yet reached the hinterland of the plateau, so the interior of Tibet is free of significant erosion despite its lofty elevation, and remains an "old stage" landform. If the mean erosion rate is equivalent to the sum of clastic and soluble discharges of the modern rivers draining the Tibetan Plateau, it should have been worn down to a lowland within 8.6 Ma, ignoring tectonic uplift and isostasy. The massive conglomerate around the plateau margin began to deposit at about 3.6 Ma, indicating an increased relief after that time. Furthermore, the Hipparion fauna sites were widely distributed, and elephants, giraffes, and rhinos were abundant in the Qaidam Basin until the early Pliocene. Cenozoic climate change alone is not able to account for the dense occurrence of Hipparion fauna, unless the paleo-elevation of Tibet was lowered. The rise of Tibet since the Qingzang Movement has had a great influence on the Asian interior aridification.     

Distribution of fatty acids in the alpine grassland soils of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

As an important biomarker, fatty acids(FAs) have been extensively used to trace the origin of organic matter in sediments and soils. However, studies of the distribution and abundance of FAs in alpine grassland soils are still rare, especially on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau(QTP), the highest plateau in the world, which contributes sediments to many large rivers in Asia. This study investigates the composition, distribution and source of FAs with increasing soil depths from 17 typical alpine grassland sites in the QTP. The most abundant FAs included the ubiquitous C16 FA and even-numbered long-chain FAs(C20–C30), indicating mixed inputs from microbial and higher plant sources. Source apportionment showed that higher plants were the dominant contributor of FAs(approximately 40%) in QTP soils. The abundance of FAs decreased with soil depth, with the highest value(1.08±0.09 mg/g C) at a 0–10 cm depth and the lowest value(0.46±0.12 mg/g C) at a 50–70 cm depth, due to much lower plant inputs into the deeper horizons. The total concentration of FAs was negatively correlated to the mean annual temperature(MAT; P0.05) and soil p H(P0.01), suggesting that the preservation of FAs was favored in low-MAT and low-p H soils on the QTP. The abundance of fresh C source FAs increased significantly with the mean annual precipitation(MAP; P0.05), indicating that high MAP facilitates the accumulation of fresh FAs in QTP soils. Other environmental parameters, such as the soil mineral content(aluminum and iron oxide), microbial community composition as well as litter quality and quantity, may also exert a strong control on the preservation of FAs in QTP soils and warrant further research to better understand the mechanisms responsible for the preservation of FAs in QTP soils.     

基于合成速率法的青藏块体东北缘断裂活动分析

基于合成速率法、趋势累积率法与跨断层资料等的结合,从时空的不同角度分析了青藏块体东北缘主要断裂应变积累的运动特征。结果显示:(1)2010～2016年,祁连山断裂带呈微弱拉张的运动态势,海原断裂带由张转压,六盘山断裂带在门源地震前显示张性运动,震后发生转折;(2)长期来看,基于趋势累积率D_c的计算结果显示了祁连山断裂带中、西段累积应变略高于东段,从量值上看整个青藏块体东北缘D_c高值区位于六盘山断裂带附近。