Conceptualization and Calibration of Anisotropic Alluvial Systems: Pitfalls and Biases

Physical properties of alluvial environments typically feature a high degree of anisotropy and are characterized by dynamic interactions between the surface and the subsurface. Hydrogeological models are often calibrated under the assumptions of isotropic hydraulic conductivity fields and steady-state conditions. We aim at understanding how these simplifications affect predictions of the water table using physically based models and advanced calibration and uncertainty analysis approaches based on singular value decomposition and Bayesian analysis. Specifically, we present an analysis of the information content provided by steady-state hydraulic data compared to transient data with respect to the estimation of aquifer and riverbed hydraulic properties. We show that assuming isotropy or fixed anisotropy may generate biases both in the estimation of aquifer and riverbed parameters as well as in the predictive uncertainty of the water table. We further demonstrate that the information content provided by steady-state hydraulic heads is insufficient to jointly estimate the aquifer anisotropy together with the aquifer and riverbed hydraulic conductivities and that transient data can help to reduce the predictive uncertainty to a greater extent. The outcomes of the synthetic analysis are applied to the calibration of a dynamic and anisotropic alluvial aquifer in Switzerland (The Rhône River). The results of the synthetic and real world modeling and calibration exercises documented herein provide insight on future data acquisition as well as modeling and calibration strategies for these environments. They also provide an incentive for evaluation and estimation of commonly made simplifying assumptions in order to prevent underestimation of the predictive uncertainty.     

Distinct element modelling of the in-plane cyclic response of URM walls subjected to shear-compression

The in-plane capacity of unreinforced masonry (URM) elements may vary considerably depending on several factors, including boundary conditions, aspect ratio, vertical overburden, and masonry texture. Since the overall system resistance mainly relies on the in-plane lateral capacity of URM components when out-of-plane modes are adequately prevented, the structural assessment of URM structures could benefit from advanced numerical approaches able to account for these factors simultaneously. This paper aims at enhancing and optimising the employment of the distinct element method, currently confined to the analysis of local mechanisms of reduced-scale dry-joint blocky assemblies, with a view to simulate the experimentally observed responses of a series of URM full-scale specimens with mortared joints subjected to quasi-static in-plane cyclic loading. To this end, a mesoscale modelling approach is proposed that employs a simplified microscale modelling approach to effectively capture macroscale behaviour. Dynamic relaxation schemes are employed, in combination with time, size, and mass-scaling procedures, to decrease computational demand. A new methodology for numerically describing both unit, mortar and hybrid failure modes, also including masonry crushing due to high-compression stresses, is proposed. Empirical and homogenisation formulae for inferring the elastic properties of interface between elements are also verified, enabling the proposed approach to be applied more broadly. Using this modelling strategy, the interaction between stiffness degradation and energy dissipation rate was accounted for numerically. Although the models marginally underestimate the energy dissipation in the case of slender piers, a good agreement was obtained in terms of lateral strength, hysteretic response, and crack pattern.     

The role of structural inheritance in continental break-up and exhumation of Alpine Tethyan mantle(Canavese Zone,Western Alps)

The Canavese Zone(CZ)in the Western Alps represents the remnant of the distal passive margin of the Adria microplate,which was stretched and thinned during the Jurassic opening of the Alpine Tethys.Through detailed geological mapping,stratigraphic and structural analyses,we document that the continental break-up of Pangea and tectonic dismemberment of the Adria distal margin,up to mantle rocks exhumation and oceanization,did not simply result from the syn-rift Jurassic extension but was strongly favored by older structu ral inheritances(the Proto-Canavese Shear Zone),which controlled earlier lithospheric weakness.Our findings allowed to redefine in detail(i)the tectono-stratigraphic setting of the Variscan metamorphic basement and the Late Carbonife rous to Early Cretaceous CZ succession,(ii)the role played by inherited Late Carboniferous to Early Triassic structures and(iii)the significance of the CZ in the geodynamic evolution of the Alpine Tethys.The large amount of extensional displacement and crustal thinning occurred during different pulses of Late Carbonife rous-Early Triassic strike-slip tectonics is wellconsistent with the role played by long-lived regional-scale wrench faults(e.g.,the East-Variscan Shear Zone),suggesting a re-discussion of models of mantle exhumation driven by low-angle detachment faults as unique efficient mechanism in stretching and thinning continental crust.     

Motions about a fixed point by hypergeometric functions: new non-complex analytical solutions and integration of the herpolhode

The present study highlights the dynamics of a body moving about a fixed point and provides analytical closed form solutions. Firstly, for the symmetrical heavy body, that is the Lagrange–Poisson case, we compute the second (precession, \(\psi \)) and third (spin, \(\varphi \)) Euler angles in explicit and real form by means of multiple hypergeometric (Lauricella) functions. Secondly, releasing the weight assumption but adding the complication of the asymmetry, by means of elliptic integrals of third kind, we provide the precession angle \(\psi \) completing the treatment of the Euler–Poinsot case. Thirdly, by integrating the relevant differential equation, we reach the finite polar equation of a special motion trajectory named the herpolhode. Finally, we keep the symmetry of the first problem, but without weight, and take into account a viscous dissipation. The use of motion first integrals—adopted for the first two problems—is no longer practicable in this situation; therefore, the Euler equations, faced directly, are driving to particular occurrences of Bessel functions of order \(-\,1/2\).     

Calibration shifts in a LaCoste-and-Romberg gravimeter: comparison with a Scintrex CG-3M

The reliability and ruggedness of LaCoste-and-Romberg gravity meters has meant that their use has extended over recent years from gravity mapping to the investigation of small gravity changes (> 10 μGal) with time. When using the instrument at the limit of its capability, limitations become apparent. Some instruments drift more than others and some are prone to excessive tares. However, with regular servicing these problems are minimized. Here we demonstrate clear evidence for calibration changes of the order of 1000 ppm for LaCoste-and-Romberg meter G513, which, for gravity differences of over 50 mGal, represents a highly significant induced error of over 50 μGal. Data collected over 15 years using nearly 4000 mGal of the 7000 mGal range of the instrument illustrates that long periods of stability may be interspersed with periods lasting several months while the calibration changes by up to 0.1%. This is comparable with the calibration drift of a new Scintrex CG-3M instrument, although the process causing the change may not be the same.     

Oxygen-isotope variations in sulfate ions in the water of some Italian lakes

The results obtained by measuring the sulfate content and its $\text{O}{}^{18}\text{O}{}^{16}$ ratios through time in some volcanic, tectonic and dam Italian lakes are reported here. The variations with time of the oxygen isotopic composition of the lake waters are also reported. The measurements refer mainly to surface water; however, a few deep samples were also studied.In the case of all the lakes examined, the variations with time of the oxygen isotopic composition and of the concentration of the dissolved sulfate cannot be explained in terms of the addition and of seasonal variations of the O¹⁸ content of rainwater sulfate. Biological redox processes involving bacterial reduction of sulfate and sulfide oxidation can reasonably account for the results obtained.According to Lloyd (1967), when sulfate is formed by bacterial sulfide oxidation, 68 per cent of the sulfate oxygen is water oxygen, while 32 per cent is dissolved molecular oxygen. The isotopic enrichment of the dissolved molecular oxygen in the lake waters relative to the isotope content of the atmospheric oxygen is mainly related to the biological activity in the waters.Assuming that a stagnation period takes place during summer and fall while a period of strong bio-respiratory activity takes place during winter and spring, it follows that a small isotope fractionation effect on molecular dissolved oxygen can be expected during stagnation while a high isotope fractionation can be expected during winter and spring. The O¹⁸ content of the sulfate dissolved in volcanic and tectonic lakes varies according to this hypothesis. The fact that similar O¹⁸ contents of the dissolved sulfate are or are not found in the same period of different years is probably related to similarities or differences in the climatic conditions.The bio-physical behaviour of the Corbara dam lake is different from that of other lakes. However, because of the continuous feeding by the Tiber River, variations of the sulfate concentration and its oxygen isotopic composition can be caused by the contribution of polluted water.     

Identification of a magma chamber in the Ghoubbet-Asal rift (Djibouti) from a magnetotelluric experiment

A very broad band (10^?3 to 10⁴ Hz) magnetotelluric investigation of the axial zone of the Ghoubbet-Asal rift (Djibouti) has revealed a shallow (2–4 km) magma chamber which can be mapped in some detail. The suggested roof of the chamber is shallowest very close to the Ardoukoba volcano which was built during the November 1978 rifting episode.     

Benthic Fluxes of Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen in a Coastal Lagoon of the Northern Adriatic Sea: an Interpretation of Spatial Variability Based on Sediment Features and Infauna Activity

Abstract. Dark respiration rates, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) fluxes and nitrification rates were measured at two sites in the microtidal Sacca di Goro lagoon in September 2000. DIN fluxes correlated with the biomass of the dominant macrofauna species (the amphipod Corophium spp. at station Giralda and the polychaete Neanthes spp. at station Faro). Respiration (> 6 mmol O₂ m⁻²h⁻¹) and ammonium fluxes (> 80μmol N m⁻²h⁻¹) were higher at station Giralda despite the lower organic matter content (4.5 %) and lower macrofauna biomass (4 g AFDW m⁻²). At both sites ammonium fluxes were significantly correlated with the biomass of the benthic infauna, but Corophium stimulated ammonium NH₄⁺ fluxes 3-fold compared to Neanthes. The amphipod also enhanced nitrification rates (> 300 μmol N m⁻²h⁻¹) due to the high density of its burrows, the higher NH₄⁺ regeneration rates and the enhanced oxygen supply to the bacteria.     

The Crati Submarine Fan,Ionian Sea

The Crati Fan is located in the tectonically active submerged extension of the Apennines chain and foretrough. The small fan system is growing in a relatively shallow (200 to 450 m), elongate nearshore basin receiving abundant input from the Crati River. The fan is characterized by a short, steep, channelized section (inner or upper fan) and a smooth, slightly bulging distal section (outer or lower fan). The numerous subparallel channels head in the shelf or littoral zone and do not form branching distributary patterns. Sand and mud depositional lobes of the outer fan stretch over more than 60% of fan length.