Sensitivity study of pulsed neutron-gamma saturation monitoring at the Altmark site in the context of CO2 storage

The injection of CO₂ into depleted natural gas reservoirs has been proposed as a promising new technology for combining enhanced gas recovery and geological storage of CO₂. During the injection, application of suitable techniques for monitoring of the induced changes in the subsurface is required. Observing the movement and the changes in saturation of the fluids contained in the reservoir and the confining strata is among the primary aims here. It is shown that under conditions similar to the Altmark site, Germany, pulsed neutron-gamma logging can be applied with limitations. The pulsed neutron-gamma method can be applied for detection and quantification of changes in brine saturation and water content, whereas changes in the gas composition are below the detection limit. A method to account for the effects of salt precipitation resulting from evaporation of residual brine is presented.     

Sequence architecture and carbonate platform configuration (Late Cenomanian–Santonian), Sinai, Egypt

Abstract Relative sea‐level changes on the mixed carbonate–siliciclastic platform of Sinai are manifested in shifts of distinct facies belts (deep‐water facies, high‐energy subtidal, shallow subtidal, lagoon, shallow shoreface siliciclastics, supratidal) and are interpreted in terms of sequence stratigraphy. Eight sedimentary sequences are recognized for the Upper Cenomanian to Santonian. Their correlation along a north–south transect reveals distinct changes in lithofacies and progradation/retrogradation patterns within the individual systems tracts. The number and stratigraphy of the sequence boundaries of Sinai correlate well with those from adjacent areas. Patterns of increased subsidence are documented for the Central Sinai Basin since the Late Cenomanian by increased thickness of the stratal packages (post‐CeSin 7 HST, post‐TuSin 1 LST and HST, post‐TuSin 2 LST) and are balanced by varying accumulation rates. Based on new sedimentological and biostratigraphic data, large‐scale palaeogeographic maps and cross‐sections show the: (1) temporal and spatial evolution of the Central Sinai Basin, e.g. its latest Cenomanian initial formation, Lower Turonian deep‐water facies, Middle Turonian to Coniacian synsedimentary subsidence; (2) drowning of the Cenomanian platform coinciding with the latest Cenomanian to Early Turonian relative sea‐level rise; (3) re‐establishment of the platform in Middle–Late Turonian times; and (4) a Coniacian basin and swell morphology.     

Quantitative high resolution cathodoluminescence spectroscopy of diagenetic and hydrothermal dolomites

A combination of high resolution cathodoluminescence-spectroscopy (HRS-CL=high resolution spectroscopy of cathodoluminescence emission) with spatial resolving trace element analyses (PIXE=proton induced X-ray emission) is used to establish a method for the quantitative determination of the Mn-content of diagenetic and hydrothermal dolomites using the measurements of peak areas of Mn-activated CL emission bands. This method takes into account the overlap of the CL broad bands of Mn²⁺ in the Mg- and the Ca-lattice-position of dolomite. There is a linear correlation between the peak areas and Mn concentration up to approx. 1000–1500 ppm. Thus, CL spectroscopy allows a determination of Mn concentrations below the abilities of PIXE (10–15 ppm) to less than 1 ppm by extrapolation of this linear relation.

Up to an Fe-content of approx. 2000 ppm, no quenching effect of Fe on this linear relationship occurs. However, Fe-contents above 2000 ppm result in a decrease of Mn-induced luminescence. Even at Fe-concentration >25,000 ppm spectroscopy reveals that Mn-activated CL of dolomite is not entirely extinguished.     

Modelling rating curves using remotely sensed LiDAR data

Accurate stream discharge measurements are important for many hydrological studies. In remote locations, however, it is often difficult to obtain stream flow information because of the difficulty in making the discharge measurements necessary to define stage‐discharge relationships (rating curves). This study investigates the feasibility of defining rating curves by using a fluid mechanics‐based model constrained with topographic data from an airborne LiDAR scanning. The study was carried out for an 8m‐wide channel in the boreal landscape of northern Sweden. LiDAR data were used to define channel geometry above a low flow water surface along the 90‐m surveyed reach. The channel topography below the water surface was estimated using the simple assumption of a flat streambed. The roughness for the modelled reach was back calculated from a single measurment of discharge. The topographic and roughness information was then used to model a rating curve. To isolate the potential influence of the flat bed assumption, a ‘hybrid model’ rating curve was developed on the basis of data combined from the LiDAR scan and a detailed ground survey. Whereas this hybrid model rating curve was in agreement with the direct measurements of discharge, the LiDAR model rating curve was equally in agreement with the medium and high flow measurements based on confidence intervals calculated from the direct measurements. The discrepancy between the LiDAR model rating curve and the low flow measurements was likely due to reduced roughness associated with unresolved submerged bed topography. Scanning during periods of low flow can help minimize this deficiency. These results suggest that combined ground surveys and LiDAR scans or multifrequency LiDAR scans that see ‘below’ the water surface (bathymetric LiDAR) could be useful in generating data needed to run such a fluid mechanics‐based model. This opens a realm of possibility to remotely sense and monitor stream flows in channels in remote locations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

新疆天山西部三个云杉上树线树轮最大密度年表的研制、相关性及其气候信号分析

针对新疆天山西部伊犁、博尔塔拉蒙古自治区州三大山体北坡云杉上树线树木年轮最大密度资料,采用区域曲线、负指数曲线、样条函数三种不同生长去趋势方法,研制树轮最大密度年表,分析不同采点和树轮去趋势方法对树轮最大密度年表在不同频域的相关性及气候信号的影响发现:①三个采点间的最大树轮密度变化,在高频变化方面最为相似,低频变化存在着较大差异;②天山西部山脉北坡上树线的树轮最大密度年表对年表研制的三种不同去趋势方法不敏感,而采点间的距离和是否位于同一气候区是影响上树线树轮最大密度年表间相关性的重要因子;③天山西部山脉北坡上树线的树轮最大密度年表对当年的温度具有显著的相关性,年降水量越多的山区,其上树线最大密度年表对温度的相关性越好,且显著相关平均温度涉及的月数也不断增多.     

The ecology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pediastrum</Emphasis> (Chlorophyceae) in subarctic lakes and their potential as paleobioindicators

Subarctic and arctic lakes are the focus of many paleolimnological studies, as they are still among the least impacted lakes by humans. Hence they provide an excellent setting for studies on long-term climatic variability without the overriding effects of direct anthropogenic perturbation. On the other hand, these ecosystems are highly vulnerable to even moderate anthropogenic influence like long-distance airborne transport of nutrients and pollutants. The paleolimnological studies conducted in these areas usually include a multitude of different proxies, but so far only few have used the green algal group of Pediastrum Meyen. These algae, however, preserve well in sediments and can be identified to species level, which lends them potential as a paleo-proxy. In this study we analysed the present Pediastrum assemblages from surface-sediments of 16 subarctic lakes in Finnish Lapland as well as bottom samples from the same sediment cores, which are “spot” samples from the recent past. We found a total of 14 Pediastrum taxa, five of which occurred at moderate to high relative abundances. The majority of the taxa showed distinct relationships to environmental variables measured. Of these, pH and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) explained most of the variance in the distribution of Pediastrum and generally summarised the main environmental gradients in our data set well. Five of the studied lakes lacked Pediastrum taxa altogether, and Pediastrum occurred at low abundances in four additional lakes. All of these nine lakes have extremely low nutrient concentrations and generally lowest pH and DOC in the data set and were defined by barren catchment areas and scarce lake macrophyte growth. According to a top–bottom analysis of sediment cores, the Pediastrum assemblages of the study lakes have changed moderately, suggesting changed environmental conditions in the lakes. Although these changes appear to be climate-related, more studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.     

Tidal friction — on the phase lag of body tides

Summary Oceanography, seismology, gravimetry, lunar laser ranging (LLR) and satellite observations yield various values of the amplitude of the phase lag of body (solid) tides. These results are discussed, the probable value of is lower than 0.3 deg, but a sufficiently accurate value is not yet known.Dedicated to the 75th Birthday of Professor Academician Tibor Kolbenheyer