Fluage du sel gemme sous très faibles charges

Long-term creep tests have been performed under very small uniaxial loadings ($\sigma =0.02$ to 0.1 MPa). Testing devices were set in an underground gallery, where temperature fluctuations are in the order of one hundredth of a Celsius degree. The mechanical loading was provided by dead weights. The displacements were measured through special sensors whose resolution is $\mathrm{\Delta }?={10}^{\mathrm{?8}}$. Strain rates as small as $\dot{?}={10}^{\mathrm{?12}}{\text{s}}^{\mathrm{?1}}$ were measured. The tests prove that constitutive laws deduced from tests performed on rock salt samples under standard mechanical loadings cannot be extrapolated to very small loadings. To cite this article: P. Bérest et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Rôle des héritages latéritiques et du niveau des nappes dans l'évolution des modelés et des sols en zone intertropicale forestière humide

Analysis of landscapes and soil covers from the outer to the inner part of a $75\text{km}\times 60\text{km}$ watershed in the South-Cameroon rainforest zone, characterized by important remnants of inherited ferricretes and stable hydrostatic base levels, indicates that the development of present landforms has not involved significant erosion by slope retreat because of the relative preservation of downslope residual ferricrete and that soil covers have vertically decayed under in situ geochemical process. To cite this article: D. Bitom et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Isotopic tracing of perchlorate sources in groundwater from Pomona,California

The groundwater of Pomona, California, is contaminated with perchlorate (${\text{ClO}}_4^{-}$). This water is treated to reduce the ${\text{ClO}}_4^{-}$ concentration to less than 6 μg L⁻¹ for compliance with California Department of Public Health drinking water regulations. A study of the isotopic composition of oxygen and chlorine in ${\text{ClO}}_4^{-}$ has been conducted to determine the source of the contamination. Isotopic compositions were measured for ${\text{ClO}}_4^{-}$ samples extracted from 14 wells, yielding ranges of δ¹⁸O values from −10.8‰ to −8.0‰, Δ¹⁷O values from +4.6‰ to +7.5‰, and δ³⁷Cl values from −12.8‰ to −8.9‰. Evaluation of mixing proportions using published isotopic data for three ${\text{ClO}}_4^{-}$ end-members (synthetic, Atacama, and indigenous natural ${\text{ClO}}_4^{-}$) indicates that contamination is dominantly (85–89%) Atacama ${\text{ClO}}_4^{-}$ derived from past use of imported Chilean nitrate fertilizer in citrus cultivation. This interpretation is consistent with (1) aerial photography archives showing extensive citrus fields surrounding Pomona in the early- to mid-20th century, (2) mass-balance estimates for ${\text{ClO}}_4^{-}$, and (3) numerical hydrologic models yielding travel-times for ${\text{ClO}}_4^{-}$ from fields to wells that are in the range of 15 to >100 years. The hydrologic models predict that ${\text{ClO}}_4^{-}$ contamination of Pomona groundwater will persist for decades into the future.     

Surface chemistry and reactivity of plant phytoliths in aqueous solutions

In order to better understand the reactivity of plant phytoliths in soil solutions, we determined the solubility, surface properties (electrophoretic mobilities and surface charge) and dissolution kinetics of phytoliths extracted from fresh biomass of representative plant species (larch tree and elm, horsetail, fern, and four grasses) containing significant amount of biogenic silica. The solubility product of larch, horsetail, elm and fern phytoliths is close to that of amorphous silica and soil bamboo phytoliths. Electrophoretic measurements yield isoelectric point pH_IEP = 0.9, 1.1, 2.0 and 2.2 for four grasses, elm, larch and horsetail phytoliths respectively, which is very close to that of quartz or amorphous silica. Surface acid–base titrations allowed generation of a 2-pK surface complexation model (SCM) for larch, elm and horsetail phytoliths. Phytoliths dissolution rates, measured in mixed-flow reactors at far from equilibrium conditions at 1 ≤ pH ≤ 8, were found to be very similar among the species, and close to those of soil bamboo phytoliths. Mechanistic treatment of all plant phytoliths dissolution rates provided three-parameters equation sufficient to describe phytoliths reactivity in aqueous solutions:$R(\text{mol}/{\text{cm}}^2/\text{s})=6?{10}^{?16}?a_{\text{H+}}+5.0?{10}^{?18}+3.5?{10}^{?13}?a_{\text{OH}?}^{0.33}$Alternatively, the dissolution rate dependence on pH can be modeled within the concept of surface coordination theory assuming the rate proportional to concentration of > SiOH₂⁺, > SiOH⁰ and > SiO^? species. In the range of Al concentration from 20 to 5000 ppm in the phytoliths, we have not observed any correlation between their Al content and solubility, surface acid–base properties and dissolution kinetics.It follows from the results of this study that phytoliths dissolution rates exhibit a minimum at pH ～ 3. Mass-normalized dissolution rates are similar among all four types of plant species studied and these rates are an order of magnitude higher than those of typical soil clay minerals. The minimal half life time of larch and horsetail phytoliths in the interstitial soil solution ranges from 10–12 years at pH = 2–3 to < 1 year at pH above 6, comparable with mean residence time of phytoliths in soil from natural observations.     

Geochemistry of surface and ground water in Guiyang,China: Water/rock interaction and pollution in a karst hydrological system

The chemical compositions of the surface/ground water of Guiyang, the capital city of Guizhou Province, China are dominated by Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, ${\text{HCO}}_3^{-}\text{and}{\text{SO}}_4^{2-}$, which have been derived largely from chemical weathering of carbonate rocks (limestone and dolomite). The production of ${\text{SO}}_4^{2-}$ has multiple origins, mainly from dissolution of sulfate evaporites, oxidation of sulfide minerals and organic S in the strata, and anthropogenic sources. Most ground water is exposed to soil CO₂ and, therefore, the H₂CO₃ which attacks minerals contains much soil C. In addition, the H₂SO₄ produced as a result of the oxidation of sulfides in S-rich coal seams and/or organic S, is believed to be associated with the chemical weathering of rocks. The major anthropogenic components in the surface and ground water include K⁺, Na⁺, Cl⁻, ${\text{SO}}_4^{2-}\text{and}{\text{NO}}_3^{-}$, with Cl⁻ and ${\text{NO}}_3^{-}$ being the main contributors to ground water pollution in Guiyang and its adjacent areas. The seasonal variations in concentrations of anthropogenic components demonstrate that the karst ground water system is liable to pollution by human activities. The higher content of ${\text{NO}}_3^{-}$ in ground water compared to surface water during the summer and winter seasons, indicates that the karstic ground water system is not capable of denitrification and therefore does not easily recover once contaminated with nitrates.     

Une dépression piézométrique naturelle en hausse au Sahel (Sud-Ouest du Niger)A rising piezometric depression in the Sahel (southwestern Niger)

In southwest Niger, the Continental Terminal water table displays a natural hollow shape about 10 m in depth over an area of 4000 km². A 10-year survey of this hollow aquifer has shown that current recharge is above $\text{20 }\text{mm}\text{yr}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$. The water table has risen continuously since the 1950–1960s as a result of land clearance. This shows a disequilibrium in the aquifer balance. The long-term recharge rate is estimated by radioisotopes to be around $\text{1 }\text{mm}\text{yr}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$. This figure fits with the only possible origin of the piezometric depression, i.e. evapotranspiration losses in its centre. To cite this article: G. Favreau et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 395–401.     

The measurement of D/H ratio in alkenones and their isotopic heterogeneity

Previous paleoenvironmental studies reported the δD values of a mixture of coeluting alkenones. Here, we present a semi-preparative normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (NP-HPLC–MS) method for purifying long chain (C₃₇ and C₃₈) unsaturated methyl and ethyl ketones (alkenones) on the basis of chain length and degree of unsaturation.The method was applied to purify alkenones in suspended particles and surface sediments from a site in Chesapeake Bay, eastern USA. The hydrogen isotopic composition of di- and triunsaturated C₃₇ and C₃₈ alkenones differed significantly on the basis of chain length and the degree of unsaturation, demonstrating the importance of gas chromatography–isotope ratio-mass spectrometry (GC–irMS) analysis of individual alkenones for accurate paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Constant fractionation factors between alkenones with different chain length but the same degree of unsaturation (${\alpha }_{{\text{C}}_{37:2}''–''{\text{C}}_{38:2}}\text{and}{\alpha }_{{\text{C}}_{37:3}''–''{\text{C}}_{38:3}}=1.01$) and those with the same chain length but different degree of unsaturation (${\alpha }_{{\text{C}}_{37:2}''–''{\text{C}}_{37:3}}\text{and}{\alpha }_{{\text{C}}_{38:2}''–''{\text{C}}_{38:3}}=0.97$) in all samples suggest that the values may represent hydrogen isotope fractionation associated with elongation and desaturation during alkenone biosynthesis.     

Evidence for a differentiated ignimbritic activity ending the building-stage of Tahiti-Nui (French Polynesia)

A thick columnar-jointed ignimbrite-like formation occupies the upper part of the Orohena Massif on Tahiti-Nui. Differentiated products related to the ignimbrite were sampled at the base of the Orohena cliff and have been dated using the unspiked K/Ar Cassignol technique at $502\pm 7\text{ka}$. These pyroclastic volcanic rocks show chemical similarities with Ne-syenitic rocks from a shallow magma reservoir presently exposed farther south because of the dissection of the island by deep erosion. The presence of less-evolved magma blebs in the ignimbrite products suggests an incomplete magma mixing process. This likely indicates a late injection of a more basic magma into the reservoir, probably triggering the ignimbritic eruption, unique in the generally non-explosive eruptive history of Tahiti-Nui. To cite this article: A. Hildenbrand, P.-Y. Gillot, C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

Model reconstruction of nitrate pollution of riverbank filtration using 15N and 18O data,Karany, Czech Republic

Stable isotopes of O (δ¹⁸O) in water and N (δ¹⁵N) in ${\text{NO}}_3^{-}$ have been used as natural indigenous groundwater tracers for sources of water and of ${\text{NO}}_3^{-}$ at two riverbank filtration (RBF) water supply systems. Both RBF systems (Skorkov and Sojovice) have wells in unconsolidated Quaternary sediments close to the Jizera River (Czech Republic) that have been affected by increasing ${\text{NO}}_3^{-}$ concentrations. The area is underlain by Turonian sandstones and marls that form a deeper bedrock aquifer. Sources of ${\text{NO}}_3^{-}$ are local sewerage systems and landfills (point sources) and seasonal application of manure and inorganic fertilizers (diffuse sources).At RBF Skorkov recharge to wells can be modelled using a two-component model with 60% river water contribution and 40% of very shallow groundwater with an average residence time of one month. During periods of abundant precipitation, groundwater originates entirely from the unsaturated zone of the Quaternary aquifer; extensive pumping for over 40 a has created new, bypassing flow paths that preferentially drain the contaminated unsaturated zone. During dry periods, wells are recharged by longer residence time groundwater from the Quaternary aquifer.At RBF Sojovice there is an additional recharge component of groundwater from the Turonian aquifer, which is sandier at this locality; this contains denitrified ${\text{NO}}_3^{-}$ with highly positive δ¹⁵N values.     

Neotectonics and seismic hazard assessment in Hengchun Peninsula,southern Taiwan

Neotectonic data may indicate whether stored elastic energy will be dissipated or released destructively. The Hengchun Peninsula of Taiwan is the southern extremity of the Central Range of Taiwan and thus an emergent part of the accretionary wedge resulting from subduction of Eurasia beneath the Philippine Sea plate at the Manila Trench. Radiocarbon dating of fossil shorelines on the peninsula shows that it has been uplifted at an average rate of 3.8 mm/yr during the Holocene. About $1/3$ of the uplift is due to deformation along the Hengchun reverse fault but, in contrast with the Chelungpu and other low angle reverse faults west of the Central Range, it accommodates strain principally by aseismic creep. To cite this article: C. Vita-Finzi, J.-C. Lin, C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).     

Single planet formation regime in the high-ionization environment:Possible origin of hot Jupiters and super-Earths

We studied the particle growth in a protoplanetary disk in a high-ionization environment and found that icy planet formation is inactive for a disk with an ionization rate 100 times higher than that of the present Solar System. In particular, in the case of M 10~(-7.4)M_☉yr~(-1), only rocky planet formation occurs. In such a case, all the solid materials in the disk drift inward, eventually reach the inner MRI front,and accumulate there. They form a dense, thin sub-disk of solid particles, which undergoes gravitational instability to form rocky planetesimals. The planetesimals rapidly grow into a planet through pebble accretion. Consequently, rocky planets tend to be much larger than planets formed through other regimes(tandem planet formation regime and dispersed planet formation regime), in which icy planet formation actively takes place. These rocky planets may evolve into hot Jupiters if they grow fast enough to the critical core mass of the runaway gas accretion before the dispersal of the disk gas, or they may evolve into super-Earths if the gas dispersed sufficiently early.     

Kinetics of oil group-type generation and expulsion: An integrated application to Dongying Depression,Bohai Bay Basin,China

Pyrolysis of two kerogens isolated from the ${\text{E}}_{2\text{-}3}{\text{s}}_3^3$ and ${\text{E}}_{2\text{-}3}{\text{s}}_4^1$ source rocks in the Niuzhuang sag, Dongying Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, China, was performed in a confined system. The products were extracted with solvent and separated using micro-column chromatography into group-type fractions (saturates, aromatics, resins and asphaltenes) with the kerogen residue in each case undergoing swelling with a variety of solvents. The kinetics for generation and retention of crude oil and its group-type fractions from the kerogens were studied and the kinetic parameters applied to modeling generation and retention of crude oil and its fractions from the ${\text{E}}_{2\text{-}3}{\text{s}}_3^3$ and ${\text{E}}_{2\text{-}3}{\text{s}}_4^1$ source rocks on the basis of burial and thermal history of the Niuzhuang sag. The results show that the “normal oil” was generated at about 4.26 Ma and 24.85 Ma ago, but expelled at about 3.96 Ma and 17.46 Ma ago, respectively, from ${\text{E}}_{2\text{-}3}{\text{s}}_3^3$ and ${\text{E}}_{2\text{-}3}{\text{s}}_4^1$ source rocks. The current proportions of the expelled saturates, aromatics and NSOs are about 60%, 15% and 25%, respectively.