Metasomatism of the peridotites from southern Mariana fore-arc:Trace element characteristics of clinopyroxene and amphibole

Modal composition and mineral composition of harzburgites from the southern Mariana fore-arc show that they are highly refractory. There are a few modals of clinopyroxene (0.7 vol %) in harzburgites. Two types of amphibole are found in these harzburgites: magnesiohornblende accompanied by clinopy-roxene with higher Al2O3 content (>7%) and lower Mg#; tremolite around orthopyroxene with lower Al2O3 content (< 2%) and higher Mg#. Trace element of clinopyroxene and two types of amphibole are ana-lyzed. Primitive mantle-normalised REE patterns for clinopyroxene and magnesio hornblende are very similar and both show HREE enrichment relative to LREE,while magnesiohornblende has higher con-tent of trace element than clinopyroxene. The contents of trace element of tremolite are much lower than those of magnesiohornblende. Clinopyroxene shows enrichment of most of the trace element except HREE and Ti relative to clinopyroxene in abyssal peridotites. Petrology and trace element characteristic of clinopyroxene and two types of amphibole indicate that southern Mariana fore-arc harzburgites underwent two stages of metasomatism. The percolation of a hydrous melt led to mobility of Al,Ca,Fe,Mg,Na,and large amounts of trace element. LILE and LREE can be more active in hydrous melt than HREE and Ti,and the activities of most of the trace element except some of LILE are influ-enced by temperature and pressure.     

Ant mounds as a source of sediment in a tropical rainforest?

In Lutzito catchment on Barro Colorado Island, Panama, extraordinarily high suspended‐sediment yields of 1–2 Mg ha^?1 year^?1 were generated despite the dense forest cover coinciding with erosion‐resistant soils. We hypothesized that ant mounding activity is an important zoogeomorphological mechanism in this area, providing relevant quantities of easily transportable material at the soil surface. To test this hypothesis, all ant mound material was collected collected for dry mass determination from thirty 4 m² plots installed in the study area every 1–3 days during the 39‐day sampling period. Additionally, three ground‐nesting ant species responsible for mounds in the study area, Ectatomma ruidum, Trachymyrmex cornetzi and Strumigenys marginiventris, were identified. On the basis of the total of 1.38 kg of material collected in the wet season of 2011, the estimate for the whole 8 months wet season amounts to 725 kg ha^?1. As this value is in the same order of magnitude as sediment output, it shows that ants may act as important ecosystem engineers and contribute to sediment production here by providing large quantities of fine‐grained, readily erodible material at the soil surface for subsequent transport to the streambed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Trace element characteristics of partial melts produced by melting of metabasalts at high pressures: Constraints on the formation condition of adakitic melts

Modern adakite, Archean tonalite-trondhjemite- granodiorite (TTG) and adakitic rocks derived from lower continental crust are high Na and Al felsic rocks and are characterized by strong heavy REE and Y de- pletion and high Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios, which sug…     

Cold water anomalies in the middle layer of the northern Taiwan Strait in spring—a numerical approach

Ocean Dynamics - Cold water anomalies were found in the middle layer in the northern Taiwan Strait in the spring of 2015. The cold water was located at a depth of approximately...     

Trace element contamination in the estuarine sediments along Tuticorin coast – Gulf of Mannar,southeast coast of India

Sediment samples were collected from Kallar, Korampallam creek and Punnakayal estuaries of Tuticorin coast for assessing the level of contamination by trace elements in these estuarine sediments. The trace element concentration, calcium carbonate, organic carbon and mercury level were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometer, Titrimetric method and SnCl₂ reduction method. The results reveals that the enrichment factor, metal pollution index and geo-accumulation index of these estuarine sediments were predominantly polluted by Cd, As, Zn, Hg and Pb. The factor analysis revealed the source of trace element accumulation in the estuarine sediments particularly Mn and Fe are from riverine inputs and As and Hg from untreated industrial effluents. Among the selected estuaries, Korampallam creek was found to be highly contaminated by trace elements due to the discharge of effluents from thermal power plant, Tuticorin alkali chemicals, copper smelting, Petrochemical industries and shipping activities.     

Spatial-temporal characteristics of epidemic spread in-out flow——Using SARS epidemic in Beijing as a case study

For better detecting the spatial-temporal change mode of individual susceptible-infected-symptomatic-treated-recovered epidemic progress and the characteristics of information/material flow in the epidemic spread network between regions,the epidemic spread mechanism of virus input and output was explored based on individuals and spatial regions.Three typical spatial information parameters including working unit/address,onset location and reporting unit were selected and SARS epidemic spread in-out flow in Beijing was defined based on the SARS epidemiological investigation data in China from 2002 to 2003 while its epidemiological characteristics were discussed.Furthermore,by the methods of spatial-temporal statistical analysis and network characteristic analysis,spatial-temporal high-risk hotspots and network structure characteristics of Beijing outer in-out flow were explored,and spatial autocorrelation/heterogeneity,spatial-temporal evolutive rules and structure characteristics of the spread network of Beijing inner in-out flow were comprehensively analyzed.The results show that(1)The outer input flow of SARS epidemic in Beijing concentrated on Shanxi and Guangdong provinces,but the outer output flow was disperse and mainly includes several north provinces such as Guangdong and Shandong.And the control measurement should focus on the early and interim progress of SARS breakout.(2)The inner output cases had significant positive autocorrelative characteristics in the whole studied region,and the high-risk population was young and middle-aged people with ages from 20 to 60 and occupations of medicine and civilian labourer.(3)The downtown districts were main high-risk hotspots of SARS epidemic in Beijing,the northwest suburban districts/counties were secondary high-risk hotspots,and northeast suburban areas were relatively safe.(4)The district/county nodes in inner spread network showed small-world characteristics and information/material flow had notable heterogeneity.The suburban Tongzhou and Changping districts were the underlying high-risk regions,and several suburban districts such as Shunyi and Huairou were the relatively low-risk safe regions as they carried out minority information/material flow.The exploration and analysis based on epidemic spread in-out flow help better detect and discover the potential spatial-temporal evolutive rules and characteristics of SARS epidemic,and provide a more effective theoretical basis for emergency/control measurements and decision-making.     

Empirical approaches in prediction of reservoir sediment distribution——An experience of 57 reservoirs in the USA and India

An accurate prediction of sediment distribution may minimize economic losses through proper and timely planning of the functional activities of a reservoir.This study assesses different temporal and spatial factors that affect for sediment deposition in a reservoir and its distribution.This study also focuses on evaluation of two popular distribution prediction methodologies,Area Increment and Empirical Area Reduction,based on experience with sediment distribution in 57 reservoirs in the USA and India.A non-iterative processed empirical distribution model(NPEDM) and a linear regression trend model(LRTM) are proposed to predict sediment distribution.Silt contributing area and inflow entering a reservoir are found to be the most significant factors affecting in reservoir sediment deposition.Compared to the Empirical Area Reduction method,the Area Increment method provided better prediction.The reservoir classification approach and empirical design distribution type curves given by Borland and Miller(1960) are found to be rational.Shape factor values for different periods indicate that reservoir shape(type) changes with time.Thus,long term prediction is not desirable in Type-Ⅱ Ⅲ reservoirs using the Empirical Area Reduction method.Newly developed the NPEDM shows reasonably good prediction of sediment distribution.The NPEDM is very easy to apply and can be used in any reservoir of any size.Extrapolation of the trend of sediment distribution obtained from the LRTM indicates an accurate short term prediction in a few reservoirs as causes of temporal and spatial variations of sediment distribution including the factors of uncertainties of sediment deposition are implicit within the methodology.     

Hydrodynamic characteristics of Wujiangdu Reservoir during the dry season—a case study of a canyon reservoir

With the development of hydropower in the karst area of Southwest China, a series of cascade canyon reservoirs have been formed through the construction of dams. Given that hydrodynamic conditions in canyon reservoirs play a pivotal role in controlling the spatiotemporal distribution of physical and chemical properties of the stored water, hydrodynamic characteristics are of great importance in understanding biogeochemical cycles in those reservoirs. To further this understanding, a field campaign was conducted in the Wujiangdu Reservoir of Guizhou Province. It was found that from the reservoir inlet to the front of the dam, velocity(v) was negativelycorrelated and had a logarithmic relationship with distance along the ship track(s) under dry-season flow conditions[v =-0.104 ln(s) + 0.4756]. Analysis showed that dryseason flow velocity had no significant correlation with water temperature, p H, or dissolved oxygen(DO). However, when velocity decreased to 0.061 m/s, water depth increased abruptly. In addition, DO displayed a sudden drop and the trend in p H changed from increasing to decreasing, while water temperature showed an opposite trend, indicating the existence of a transition zone from the river to the reservoir.     

Experimental study on the effect of bottomless structure in front of a bottom outlet on a sediment ?ushing cone

One of the main problems in reservoirs is sedimentation which reduces the operating life of dams if a proper plan and analysis method are not in place.The techniques to manage sediment in reservoirs include several sustainable management techniques that route sediment through or around the reservoir.One of the main economical methods in arid and semi-arid regions is pressurized flushing using moderate drawdown of the water level of the reservoir to evacuate sediment deposited behind dams.In the current study,the effect of a new structure called a dendritic bottomless extended (DBE) outlet structure at three angles of 30°,45°,and 60° on pressurized flushing efficiency was investigated.Consequently,45 experiments were designed for three discharge rates (Q_o) ,three sediment levels (H_s),four types of structure,and a no-structure condition (reference test).The results indicated that the DBE structure with a 30° angle between the branches,a sedimentary dimensionless index of ■,and a flow dimensionless index of ■(where g is the acceleration of gravity and Do is the diameter of the bottom outlet) lead to 10-fold increase in the sediment flushing cone dimensions and sediment removal efficiency compared to the results of the reference test.Finally,according to a statistical analysis of the results,a dimensionless equation for calculating the sediment flushing cone dimensions was developed for the tested sediment characteristics.     

Distribution characteristics of inertial sediment particles in the turbulent boundary layer of an open channel flow determined using Vorono? analysis

This paper presents the numerical investigation of the distribution of inertial sediment particles in the turbulent boundary layer of an open channel flow with the particle Stokes number ranging from 0.6 to 20.4. The methodology is a combination of three numerical approaches, i.e. direct numerical simulation of turbulent flow, the point-particle immersed boundary method, and the discrete particle method. By applying the Vorono? analysis, the preferential concentration characteristics of sediment particles were investigated quantitatively. It was found that the normalized area of the Vorono? cells follows a log-normal particle distribution. The inertial sediment particles distributed unevenly in the turbulent boundary layer and the unevenness, governed by the particle Stokes number, was more significant as the particle Stokes number approaches unity. The inertial sediment particles in the turbulent boundary layer accumulated preferentially in streamwise-aligned streaky structures and this pattern was less significant with increasing particle Stokes number.     

Can channel banks be the dominant source of fine sediment in a UK river?: an example using 137Cs to interpret sediment yield and sediment source

Cultivated fields have been shown to be the dominant sources of sediment in almost all investigated UK catchments, typically contributing 85 to 95% of sediment inputs. As a result, most catchment management strategies are directed towards mitigating these sediment inputs. However, in many regions of the UK such as the Nene basin there is a paucity of sediment provenance data. This study used the caesium‐137 (¹³⁷Cs) inventories of lake and floodplain cores as well as the ¹³⁷Cs activities of present day sediment to determine sediment provenance. Sediment yields were also reconstructed in a small lake catchment. Low ¹³⁷Cs inventories were present in the lake and floodplain cores in comparison to the reference inventory and inventories in cores from other UK catchments. Caesium‐137 activities in the present day sediments were low; falling close to those found in the channel bank catchment samples. It was estimated that 60 to 100% of the sediment in the Nene originated from channel banks. Pre‐1963 sediment yields were approximately 11.2 t km^?2 yr^?1 and post‐1963 was approximately 11.9 t km^?2 yr^?1. The lack of increased sediment yield post‐1963 and low sediment yield is unusual for a UK catchment (where a yield of 28 to 51 t km^?2 yr^?1 is typical for a lowland agricultural catchment), but is explained by the low predicted contribution of sediment from agricultural topsoils. The high channel bank contribution is likely caused by the river being starved of sediment from topsoils, increasing its capacity to entrain bank material. The good agreement between the results derived using cores and recently transported sediments, highlight the reliability of ¹³⁷Cs when tracing sediment sources. However, care should be taken to assess the potential impacts of sediment particle size, sediment focusing in lakes and the possible remobilization of ¹³⁷Cs from sedimentary deposits. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mineralogical characteristics of airborne particles collected in Beijing during a severe Asian dust storm period in spring 2002

Asian dust storm (ADS) samples were collected on March 20,2002 in Beijing,China. High-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray detector (FESEM-EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to study the morphology,chemical compositions,number-size dis-tributions and mineralogical compositions of ADS particles. The mineral particles were major compo-nents in the ADS samples,accounting for 94% by number. The XRD analysis indicated that the dust particles were dominated by clay (40.3%),and quartz (19.5%),followed by plagioclase (8.4%),calcite (7.5%),K-feldspar (1.5%),hematite (0.9%),pyrite (0.9%),hornblende (0.4%) and gypsum (0.3%),with a certain amount of noncrystalline materials (20.3%). Clay minerals were mainly illite/smectite mixed lay-ers (78%),followed by illite (9%),kaolinite (6%),and chlorite (7%). In addition to these main minerals,FESEM-EDX also detected some trace minerals,such as dolomite,pyrite,thenardite,as well as heavy minerals represented by rutile,ilmenite and apatite. The mineralogical compositions of the 2002-03-20 Asian dust storm and the Saharan dust plumes were similar but the clay mineralogy showed a great distinction,with the illite/smectite mixed layers being common in the Asian dust storm but illite being common in the Saharan dust plumes.     

Finite element equations and numerical simulation of elastic wave propagation in two—phase anisotropic media

Based on Biot theory of two-phase anisotropic media and Hamilton theory about dynamic problem,finite element equations of elastic wave propagation in two-phase anisotopic media are derived in this paper.Numerical solution of finite element equations is given.Finally,properties of elastic wave propagation are observed and analyzed through FEM modeling.     

Major and trace element and Sr–Nd isotope signatures of lavas from the Central Lau Basin: Implications for the nature and influence of subduction components in the back-arc mantle

New major and trace element and Sr–Nd isotope data are presented for basaltic glasses from active spreading centers (Central Lau Spreading Center (CLSC), Relay Zone (RZ) and Eastern Lau Spreading Center (ELSC)) in the Central Lau Basin, SW Pacific. Basaltic lavas from the Central Lau Basin are mainly tholeiitic and are broadly similar in composition to mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB). Their generally high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios, combined with relatively low ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios are more akin to MORB from the Indian rather than Pacific Ocean. In detail, the CLSC, RZ and ELSC lavas are generally more enriched in large ion lithophile elements (Rb, Ba, Sr, and K) than average normal-MORB, which suggests that the mantle beneath the Central Lau Basin was modified by subducted slab-derived components. Fluid mobile/immobile trace element and Sr – Nd isotope ratios suggest that the subduction components were essentially transferred into the mantle via hydrous fluids derived from the subducted oceanic crust; contributions coming from the subducted sediments are minor. Compared to CLSC lavas, ELSC and RZ lavas show greater enrichment in fluid mobile elements and depletion in high field strength elements, especially Nb. Thus, with increasing distance away from the arc, the influence of subduction components in the mantle source of Lau Basin lavas diminishes. The amount of hydrous fluids also influences the degree of partial melting of the mantle beneath the Central Lau Basin, and hence the degree of melting also decreases with increasing distance from the arc.     

Role of reservoirs in sustained seismicity of Koyna-Warna region—a statistical analysis

Koyna-Warna region in western India is a globally recognized site of reservoir-triggered seismicity near the Koyna and Warna reservoirs. The region has been reported with several M?>?5 earthquakes in the last five decades including M6.3 Koyna earthquake which is considered as the largest triggered earthquake worldwide. In the present study, a detailed statistical analysis has been done for long period earthquake catalogues during 1968–2004 of MERI and 2005–2012 of CSIR-NGRI to find out the spatio-temporal influence of the Koyna and Warna reservoirs impoundment on the seismicity of the region. Depending upon the earthquake clusters, we divided the region into three different zones and performed power spectrum and singular spectrum analysis (SSA) on them. For the time period 1983–1995, the earthquake zone near the Warna reservoir; for 1996–2004, the earthquake zone near the Koyna reservoir; and for 2005–2012, the earthquake zone near the Warna reservoir found to be influenced by the annual water level variations in the reservoirs that confirm the continuous role of both the reservoirs in the seismicity of the Koyna-Warna region.     

Liquefaction susceptibility and deformation characteristics of saturated coral sandy soils subjected to cyclic loadings——a critical review

Coral sandy soils widely exist in coral island reefs and seashores in tropical and subtropical regions. Due to the unique marine depositional environment of coral sandy soils, the engineering characteristics and responses of these soils subjected to monotonic and cyclic loadings have been a subject of intense interest among the geotechnical and earthquake engineering communities. This paper critically reviews the progress of experimental investigations on the undrained behavior of coral sandy so...     

Scenarios of the spread of a waste heat discharge in a river — Vistula River case study

The problem of two-dimensional mathematical modelling of heated cooling water discharges into running waters is considered in the paper. Two models — one for the evaluation of 2D turbulent velocity field and the other, developed by authors of the study, for 2D heat transport in open-channels — were used in the calculations. Relevant scenarios of the spread of heated water discharged from a designed gas-stem power plant to be constructed at the Vistula River were presented. Environmentally most friendly variant of the discharge of the thermal pollution was selected from among four various variants.