Changes in hydrogeological properties of the River Choushui alluvial fan aquifer due to the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake, Taiwan

Changes in hydrogeological properties of the River Choushui alluvial fan aquifer before and after the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake, Taiwan, have been identified using pumping tests. Three wells, SH2, YL2 and SC2, located in a compressional zone with high coseismic groundwater levels, were tested. The threshold of the aquifer deformation with respect to transmissivity (T) is greater than that with respect to storage coefficient (S). Decreases in the post-earthquake S are approximately 60% at SH2 and SC2, indicating aquifer compression after the Chi-Chi earthquake. Changes in the post-earthquake T range from 61% increase to 0.8% decrease. Moreover, results from anisotropy analysis of T at SC2 further illustrate that normal stresses induced by the Chi-Chi earthquake have consolidated soil particles. Soil particles dilated laterally after the earthquake, resulting in an increase of the equivalent T. The changes in hydrogeological properties have a considerable influence on spatiotemporal fluid pressure and horizontal groundwater movement, resulting in different amounts of drawdown during post-earthquake pumping.     

Characterization of land subsidence in the Choshui River alluvial fan,Taiwan

Land subsidence in Taiwan has increased rapidly over the past four decades, owing to heavy withdrawal of groundwater. Leveling surveys, layer compressions and groundwater level in individual layers were continuously monitored in the Choshui alluvial fan, western Taiwan. It was found that ground subsidence and layer compression were consistent with the variation of groundwater level. From multi-level compression monitoring, the layers with major compression deformation were identified. Clayey and sandy layers exhibited significant compression deformation. Conceptual models of compression behavior for clays and sands were studied based on the field data. The compression behavior of clays agreed with the Terzaghi consolidation theory. Notable, irrecoverable volumetric strains were also observed in sandy layers. They exhibited obvious elasto-plastic mechanical behavior. The high compressibility of the sand layer in the alluvial fan was attributed to the flaky sand grains in this geological region.     

台湾浊水溪冲积扇地下水位变化及地面沉降对高铁之影响

浊水溪冲积扇是台湾水资源最为丰富但也是地面沉降最严重地区。近年来该区域的地面沉降因有可能威胁高铁行车安全而备受关注。本文整合历年累积的地下水位及地面沉降等相关监测数据,验证了地下水位变化与含水层补给之机制,探讨了地下水周期性波降条件下土层压缩特性以及高铁路堤与桩基础工程结构的沉降行为。认为对于设置桩基础的线型高架结构而言,区域性地下水位波降不致增加桥墩间的差异沉降,但桩基础若承受邻近局部的额外载重,则可能伴随地下水位波降产生持续性的差异沉降,其长期效应将对线型交通结构物的平整度及安全性造成负面影响。     

Monitoring severe aquifer-system compaction and land subsidence in Taiwan using multiple sensors: Yunlin,the southern Choushui River Alluvial Fan

During 1992–2007, excessive pumping of groundwater caused large-scale aquifer-system compaction and land subsidence in the Choshui River Alluvial Fan, especially in the area of Yunlin county. The subsidence impedes surface-water runoff and endangers the operation of Taiwan High Speed Rail. Leveling, Global Positioning System (GPS), multi-level compaction monitoring well, and Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) are used to study the extent of subsidence in Yunlin and its mechanism. These sensors complement each other in spatial and temporal resolutions. A leveling network totaling 434 km in length was deployed to derive subsidence at every 1.5 km along the routes, and the result is accurate to few mm and shows a basin-like subsidence pattern centering at Tuku Township. Four multi-level compaction monitoring wells, co-located with GPS pillars, detect compactions at different depths, showing that the aquifer-system compaction (the cause of subsidence) occurs mostly below depths >200 m, where reduction of groundwater pumping is most needed. The vertical displacements from GPS and leveling agree to within 1 cm, and are larger than the cumulative compaction detected by the compaction-monitoring wells, suggesting that compaction also occurs below 300 m (the depth of the wells). The vertical displacements derived using DInSAR and 8 ENVISAT SAR images agree with the leveling result to 1–2 cm.     

Simulation experiment of sedimentary process and sedimentary architecture of alluvial fan under the control of normal faults

Normal fault structures are widely developed in basins and orogenic belts,which control the accommodation space and the distribution of sediments and thus affecting the morphology of alluvial fans. A flume tank experiment was carried to simulate and clarify the control of normal faults on the sedimentary process and internal architecture of alluvial fans.The results show that the large amount of sediments carried by debris flow tend to be unloaded near the hanging wall of faults and are subsequently reworked by traction current,which result in a triangular distributary gravel bar grows vertically on fault plane with the tip pointing to the source area. When the hydrodynamic force is strong,debris flow goes across distributary gravel bar and forms over-bar lobe at the tail of the distributary gravel bar. When the hydrodynamic force is weak,debris flow forms fault plane-dominated lobe along fault plane and is located on both sides of the distributary gravel bar. Under the control of normal faults and the barrier of distributary gravel bar,the unloading process of sediments varies greatly at different positions on the surface of alluvial fan. The particle size varies greatly among different facies,with coarsest grains developed on the fans of hanging wall,finer grained on over-bar lobe and finest sediments on fault plane-dominated lobe. The development process of alluvial fan can be divided into three stages,according to the sandbody thickness and fault throw of distributary gravel bar. The fault throw also affects the sedimentary architecture of alluvial fan,with larger the fault throw generating larger the accommodation space of hanging wall,longer development time of distributary gravel bar and more complex of the superposition pattern of the sand bodies inside the fan. The internal architecture of alluvial fan that is controlled by normal faults includes longitudinal sandbar,distributary gravel bar and debris flow lobe in the profile vertical perpendicular to the sediment source direction from the proximal to the distal end. Along sediment longitudinal section,composite channel,superimposed distributary gravel bar complex and superimposed bodies of multi-phased lobes are dominant facies.     

正断层控制下冲积扇沉积过程与沉积构型模拟实验

正断层构造广泛发育于盆地内和造山带中,其对可容空间分配及沉积物分布具有明显的控制作用,从而影响了冲积扇形态。为进一步探究正断层构造对冲积扇沉积过程及其内部构型的控制作用,利用水槽实验对正断层构造发育背景下的冲积扇发育过程进行模拟再现。研究表明,携带大量沉积物的碎屑流优先在上盘近断层处泄载,后经牵引流的改造,形成沿断面垂向生长、尖端指向物源的三角形分水滩。水动力较强时碎屑流越过分水滩并在分水滩尾部发育越滩朵体,水动力较弱时碎屑流遇分水滩尖端分流后沿断面在分水滩两侧发育断面朵体。受控于断面及分水滩的阻挡,冲积扇表面不同位置的沉积物泄载过程差异较大,粒度差异明显,上盘扇体中分水滩沉积物偏粗,越滩朵体次之,断面朵体最细。冲积扇的发育过程依据分水滩砂体厚度和断距大小之间的差异,共分为3个阶段。断距大小还会影响冲积扇沉积构型,断距越大,上盘可容空间越大,分水滩发育时间越长,扇体内部砂体叠置样式越复杂。受控于正断层的冲积扇内部构型在垂直物源剖面上从近端至远端,分别发育纵向沙坝、分水滩及碎屑流朵体,在平行物源剖面上以复合水道主控、分水滩叠复体主控、多期朵体叠复体主控为主。     

Vertical distribution and mobilization of arsenic in shallow alluvial aquifers of Chapai-Nawabganj district, Northwestern Bangladesh

Core sediments from two boreholes and groundwater from fifty four As-contaminated well waters were collected in the Chapai-Nawabganj area of northwestern Bangladesh for geochemical analysis. Groundwater arsenic concentrations in the uppermost aquifer (10 to 40 m of depth) range from 2.76?C315.15 mg/l (average 48.81 mg/l). Arsenic concentration in sediments ranges from 3.26?C10 mg/kg. Vertical distribution of arsenic in both groundwater and sediments shows that maximum As concentration (462 mg/l in groundwater and 10 mg/kg in sediments) occurs at a depth of 24 m. In January 2008, 2009 and 2010, maximum As concentration occurs at the same depth. Environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) with EDAX was used to investigate the presence of major and trace elements in the sediments. The dominant groundwater type is Ca-HCO₃ with high concentrations of As and Fe, but with low levels of NO₃ ^? and SO₃ ^?2. Statistical analysis clearly shows that As is closely associated with Fe (R² = 0.64) and Mn (R² = 0.91) in sediments while As is not correlated with Fe and Mn in groundwater samples. Comparatively low Fe and Mn concentrations in some groundwater, suggest that probably siderite and/or rhodochrosite precipitated as secondary mineral on the surface of the sediment particles. The correlations along with results of sequential leaching experiments suggest that reductive dissolution of FeOOH and MnOOH mediated by anaerobic bacteria represents mechanism for releasing arsenic into the groundwater.     

砾质辫状河型冲积扇沉积微相及沉积模式:以准噶尔盆地西北缘现代白杨河冲积扇为例*

冲积扇砂砾岩储集层具有相变快、连续性差等特点,显示冲积扇内部沉积环境的复杂性。本次研究以准噶尔盆地西北缘现代白杨河冲积扇为例,在丰富的野外露头资料基础上,结合区域水文资料以及冲积扇文献资料,对白杨河冲积扇沉积演化特征及沉积模式进行探讨。按其沉积机制,白杨河冲积扇属于辫状河型冲积扇,具有规模大(扇体总面积约327.6km²)、坡度平缓(约4‰~7‰)、沉积粒度粗和漫洪细粒沉积物不发育的典型特征。在白杨河冲积扇内共可识别出16种岩相类型,并根据岩相形成的流体动力差异划归为5类成因,即重力流成因、高流态牵引流成因、低流态牵引流成因、静水沉积成因以及风成沉积成因。白杨河冲积扇扇体建造过程可划分为洪水期和间洪期2个时期,洪水期以沉积作用为主,从扇根至扇缘依次发育扇根补给水道沉积、扇根片流沉积、扇中片流沉积、扇中辫状水道沉积、扇缘径流水道沉积和扇缘湿地沉积6种沉积微相类型;间洪期以改造作用为主,从扇根至扇缘依次发育扇根主槽沉积、扇中辫状沟槽沉积和扇缘湿地沉积3种沉积微相类型。最后,依据白杨河冲积扇建立了砾质辫状河型冲积扇洪水期和间洪期的沉积模式。     

The sources of geogenic arsenic in aquifers at Datong basin,northern China: Constraints from isotopic and geochemical data

Mineralogical, geochemical and zircon U–Pb dating studies were carried out to identify the sources of arsenic in the shallow aquifers of Datong Basin in northern China. A sediment sample from 18 m depth containing 10.3 mg/kg arsenic showed a Zircon U–Pb concordant age of 2528 ± 20 to 271 ± 4 Ma that can be divided into two groups (2528 ± 20 to 1628 ± 21 Ma and 327 ± 4 to 271 ± 4 Ma) and is comparable to that of the sedimentary rocks of Taiyuan (upper Carboniferous) and Shanxi Formation (lower Permian) outcropping to the west of Datong Basin. In contrast, a sediment sample from 22.5 m depth containing 5.7 mg/kg arsenic displayed a Zircon U–Pb concordant age ranging from 2561 ± 21 to 1824 ± 26 Ma that is comparable to that of the Hengshan Complex (Ne-Archaean Precambrian) outcropping to the east of .     

Groundwater pollution by arsenic concentration in sedimentary aquifers in the Indo-Gangetic Basin of Nepal

Naturally occurring arsenic （As） in groundwater of sedimentary aquifers has emerged as a global problem, and the Indo-Gangetic Basin of Nepal is no exception. In the sedimentary aquifers of the Indo-Gangetic Basin, arsenic enrichment and mobilization in groundwater by natural processes is considered an issue of major environmental health concern. About 11 million people, 47% of Nepali＇s total population living in the region and approximately 90% of them are relying on groundwater as their major source of drinking water. Moreover, 205555 ha of agricultural land in the basin are irrigated by groundwater through large numbers of deep and shallow irrigation tubewells for extensive cultivation of crops which has lead to creation of other pathways for arsenic ingestion among the people living in the region. It is estimated that around 0.5 million people in the basin are living at risk of arsenic poisoning In addition, some recent research shows the prevalence of dermatosis related to arsenicosis from 1.3% to 5.2 % and the accumulation of arsenic in biological samples like hair and nails much higher than the acceptance level. In these circumstances, the source of the natural arsenic concentration in groundwater of the Indo-Gangetic Basin is quite essential to explore. Therefore, to investigate the source of arsenic and management of arseniferious groundwater used for human consumption and irrigation, along with treatment or avoidance, is clearly an issue of research concern. Present research is carried out to understand the source of natural arsenic and its mobilization in groundwater of the Indo-Gangetic Basin. For this, we have collected bedrock, aquifer sediments and water samples from the study area. Sediment samples were taken from different lithofacies viz. clay, silt, sand and sandy gravels from groundwater aquifer where arsenic concentration is high. Water samples were taken from domestic shallow and deep tubewells in grid pattern. Bedrock samples were collected from source of the aquifer sediment, northern part of the Indo-Gangetic Basin, especially from the Siwalik and Lesser Himalaya. This paper particularly focuses on geology, mineralogy, hydro-geochemistry and sedimentary analysis of the high arsenic affected districts; Rautahat, Sarlahi, Parsa, and Kailali of Nepal.     

冲积扇沉积机制研究进展及其成因分类方案探讨

冲积扇是盆地边缘一类重要的沉积体系类型。相较于其他沉积体系,冲积扇的研究程度仍相对较低,但研究热度不断增加。由于冲积扇极其复杂的沉积机制和演化过程使其研究目前在国际上仍处于探索和发展阶段,并且冲积扇的分类方案仍存在争议。据此,本文在大量文献调研基础上,对冲积扇的沉积地貌要素、沉积作用类型、沉积机制、沉积模式、控制因素及相关概念进行了系统的梳理和总结,并从成因机理出发提出新的冲积扇成因分类方案。研究认为冲积扇可划分为基岩型、阵发型、河流型及特殊型4大类。其中阵发型冲积扇可进一步区分出泥石流型、片流型、非限制性河泛洪流型、阵发性河道型及过渡型5亚类;河流型冲积扇可进一步划分为单体系河流型、多体系河流型冲积扇及末端扇3亚类。但随着研究的不断深入,冲积扇成因类型也将得到不断补充和完善。希望通过本文对冲积扇沉积机制研究进展的介绍和成因分类方案的探讨,能为冲积扇沉积学的发展提供借鉴和参考。     

Electrical resistivity investigation of the arsenic affected alluvial aquifers in West Bengal,India: usefulness in identifying the areas of low and high groundwater arsenic

This study aims at finding out possible relation between lithology and spatial pattern of dissolved arsenic (As) in groundwater around Chakdaha municipality, West Bengal, India. Satellite image, coupled with electrical resistivity survey and borehole drilling helps to delineate surface and sub-surface lithological framework of the As affected alluvial aquifers. The satellite imagery demonstrate that the high As area are presumably under active flood plain environment (low-lying areas), that constantly receive organics due to periodic flooding. Thick low resistive (fine-grained) layer was observed at the top around the high As areas, which, however, not found in low As areas. The result suggests that hydraulic properties of the surface/sub-surface soil/sediment have an important control on the fate and transport of As in the aquifer. This study demonstrates that electrical resistivity tools can be effectively used for the reconnaissance survey in characterizing the plausible lithological framework of an alluvial aquifer containing As.     

北京西部永定河第四纪冲积扇基坑边坡稳定性分析

北京舞蹈学院综合楼地基开挖工程,揭示了北京西部永定河冲积扇全新世和晚更新世地层的垂向分布特征和工程地质特性。该地区工程地质特性满足一般高层建筑（高度小于100m）所需的承载力,建筑的持力层多位于全新世和晚更新世地层的第五层或第七层,不需要进行地基处理,直接采用天然地基即可。该地区一般高层建筑的主要工程地质问题为开挖深基坑的边坡稳定性问题,采用桩锚支护体系进行基坑支护,并配合必要的监测手段,可使基坑周围建筑物的沉降、边坡位移和边坡稳定性满足规范要求。     

永定河冲积平原南部第四纪年代地层划分及沉积速率特征

依据磁性地层和14C年代结果,结合岩性分层特征,对永定河冲积平原南部QYJ01年代地层进行划分,并综合QGJ01和QHJ01钻孔年代地层划分成果讨论沉积速率特征。将QYJ01钻孔的年代地层划分为上新统、下更新统、中更新统、上更新统和全新统,其对应孔深分别为198.1~450.9 m、111.5~198.1 m、88.65~111.5 m、23.7~88.65 m和0~23.7 m。综合分析永定河冲积平原南部第四纪代表钻孔QYJ01、QGJ01和QHJ01的沉积速率特征,发现永定河冲积平原南部晚新生代地层沉积中心经历了2次偏移,第1次是始于早更新世、在中更新世完成的沉积中心由中东部向南部偏移,第2次是在全新世完成的沉积中心由南部向中东部回迁。研究结果为永定河冲积平原区新构造运动的活动强度和时限研究及深覆盖区第四纪地层对比提供参考。     

Stratigraphy and age of a Neoglacial sedimentary succession of proglacial outwash and an alluvial fan in Langedalen,Veitastrond, western Norway

This study presents the sedimentary succession of an outwash plain and an alluvial fan located along the valley Langedalen at the south-eastern side of the Jostedalsbreen ice cap in inner Sogn, western Norway. A newly exposed ~2.8-m-high section along the southern riverbank of Langedøla river shows alternating layers of minerogenic sediments and peat layers with tree logs, identified as Salix sp. The section is situated in the distal part of an alluvial fan built out from the southern slope of Langedalen. Six AMS radiocarbon dates of tree fragments indicate that the accumulation of the fine-grained sediments in the lower part of the section was initiated earlier than the basal radiocarbon date of 914–976 calibrated years CE (1σ age range). These basal, fine-grained sediments are interpreted as proglacial outwash deposited in a floodplain depression or abandoned river channel in a low-energy glaciofluvial environment. Periods of low glacier cover, low river discharge or low-water stands over the floodplain allowed peat formation and the growth of trees and shrubs in the valley. The radiocarbon dates further indicate relatively rapid sediment accretion (~2.7–3 cm a⁻¹) between 190 and 125 cm below the sediment surface, equivalent to approximately 1220 to 1250 cal. a CE (1σ age range). At ~60 cm depth below the surface, dated to approximately 1590 to 1620 cal. a CE (1σ age range), a transition to more coarse-grained, sandy and gravelly sediments indicates increased sediment supply and distal expansion of the alluvial fan. This occurred most likely as a consequence of increased sediment yield from expanding glaciers along the southern valley side of Langedalen as a response to the initial Little Ice Age glacier growth. Based on these results, the accretion and progradation of glacier-fed alluvial fans mainly occur during periods of glacier advance rather than during glacier recession.     

Vertical geochemical variations and arsenic mobilization in the shallow alluvial aquifers of the Chapai-Nawabganj District, northwestern Bangladesh: implication of siderite precipitation

Core sediments from three disturbed boreholes (JOR, GHAT, and RAJ) and two undisturbed boreholes (DW1 and DW2) were collected in the study area of the Chapai-Nawabganj district of northwestern Bangladesh for geochemical analyses. In the study area, groundwater samples from fourteen As-contained private wells and five nested piezometers at both the DW1 and DW2 boreholes were also collected and analyzed. The groundwater arsenic concentrations in the uppermost aquifer (10–40 m of depth) range from 3 to 315 μg/L (mean 47.73 ± 73.41 μg/L), while the arsenic content in sediments range from 2 to 14 mg/kg (mean 4.36 ± 3.34 mg/kg). An environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer was used to investigate the presence of major and trace elements in the sediments. Groundwaters in the study area are generally the Ca–HCO₃ type with high concentrations of As, but low levels of Fe, Mn, NO₃ ^? and SO ₄ ^?2 . The concentrations of As, Fe, Mn decrease with depth in the groundwater, showing vertical geochemical variations in the study area. Statistical analysis clearly shows that As is closely associated with Fe and Mn in the sediments of the JOR core (r = 0.87, p < 0.05 for Fe and r = 0.78, p < 0.05 for Mn) and GHAT core (r = 0.95, p < 0.05 for Fe and r = 0.93, p < 0.05 for Mn), while As is not correlated with Fe and Mn in groundwater. The comparatively low Fe and Mn concentrations in some groundwater and the ESEM image revealed that siderite precipitated as a secondary mineral on the surface of the sediment particles. The correlations along with results of sequential extraction experiments indicated that reductive dissolution of FeOOH and MnOOH represents a mechanism for releasing arsenic into the groundwater.     

The formation and evolution of a coastal alluvial fan in eastern Taiwan caused by rainfall-induced landslides

The formation and evolution of a coastal fan in eastern Taiwan associated with a sequence of rainfall-induced landslides during the 2009–2013 period are explored in this study. The evolution of these landslides is mainly attributed to the head-cutting process initiated by Typhoon Parma in October 2009. During the attack of Typhoon Megi in October, 2010, a subaerial coastal fan with a surface slope of 8.9° was formed after the mobilization of the rainfall-induced landslides. The geomorphic features both in the steep gully and on the coastal fan were categorized as the sequence of granular debris flows and sheet floods. Severe fan toe erosion occurred thereafter due to the wind-wave forcing. Even if the variations of both the cumulative rainfalls and the drainage areas are one or two orders of magnitude among devastating fan-forming landslides worldwide, the mean annual precipitation and the basin ruggedness index (Melton ratio) are effective indicators to normalize the rainfall threshold and to characterize the fan surface slope, respectively. Severe catastrophic landslides generally occur when the normalized cumulative rainfalls with respect to mean annual precipitation are greater than 0.1. The fan slope generally increases with the increasing Melton ratio for the catchment. Uchiogi’s empirical model is applicable for predicting the rainfall-induced area ratio of newly generated landslides. In this case study, the relationship of the fan area to the total landslide area follows a linear regressive curve when the ratio of landslide area with respect to the drainage area exceeds 0.0056.     

Geostatistical method to delineate anomalies of multi-scale spatial variation in hydrogeological changes due to the ChiChi earthquake in the ChouShui River alluvial fan in Taiwan

This study uses Ordinary Kriging (OK), Sequential Gaussian Simulation (SGS) and Simulated Annealing Simulation (SAS) to relocate the completely heterotopic dataset from the locations of the Standardized Satellite Oriented Control Point System (SSOCPS) stations to the Groundwater Monitoring Networks (GMNS) stations and factorial kriging to analyze and map relationships among seven variables, including the hydraulic conductivities of three aquifers, the vertical displacements of the ground and groundwater level changes in the wells of three aquifers, and also to delineate the anomalies of multi-scale spatial variation of hydrogeological properties associated with the ChiChi earthquake, measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale, in the ChouShui River alluvial fan in Taiwan. In this study, the anomalies of spatial variation of hydrogeological properties associated with the earthquake are illustrated at micro, local and regional scales of 9, 12 and 36 km, respectively. In the study area, regionalization components associated with variation at local and regional scales are obtained and mapped by factorial kriging. Factorial Kriging Analysis (FKA) also demonstrated that the main effects of the ChiChi earthquake on the spatial variations of groundwater hydrological changes include porous media compression at micro scale, hydrogeological heterogeneousness of the sediments within the aquifer at local scale and the cyclic loading of deviatoric stress at regional scale. Finally, maps of spatial variations of regional components fully depicted all of the anomalies of spatial variation of hydrogeological changes due to the ChiChi earthquake and can be used to identify, confirm and monitor the hydrogeological properties in this study area.