Fully coupled poromechanical back analysis of the pulse test by inverse method

In this paper, we investigate the pulse test, which is usually considered as efficient for measuring the permeability of weakly permeable porous media. The pulse is first analyzed and we show that it is a fully poromechanical coupled problem. Owing to those couplings, the problem is 2D‐axisymmetrical, rather than 1D as is usually considered to be the case. As a consequence, the 1D solutions, for example under constant mean stress hypothesis, although giving good approximates of permeability and storage coefficient, are not rigorous and an enhanced back analysis of the test requires 2D solutions. Therefore, no analytical solution exists, and the problem has to be solved using 2D‐axisymmetrical numerical modelings of the pulse test. The finite element method is considered in this paper. We then proceed to formulate the pulse test back analysis as a parameter identification problem, and we focus on intrinsic permeability, Biot coefficient, drained Young's modulus and reservoir compressibility levels. This parameter identification problem is solved by an inverse method consisting of the minimization of a cost‐functional, through a gradient‐based algorithm. This new method of interpretation of the pulse test is finally applied to laboratory tests on Meuse/Haute–Marne argillite and is shown to give encouraging results. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assessing the use of global land cover data for guiding large area population distribution modelling

Gridded population distribution data are finding increasing use in a wide range of fields, including resource allocation, disease burden estimation and climate change impact assessment. Land cover information can be used in combination with detailed settlement extents to redistribute aggregated census counts to improve the accuracy of national-scale gridded population data. In East Africa, such analyses have been done using regional land cover data, thus restricting application of the approach to this region. If gridded population data are to be improved across Africa, an alternative, consistent and comparable source of land cover data is required. Here these analyses were repeated for Kenya using four continent-wide land cover datasets combined with detailed settlement extents and accuracies were assessed against detailed census data. The aim was to identify the large area land cover dataset that, combined with detailed settlement extents, produce the most accurate population distribution data. The effectiveness of the population distribution modelling procedures in the absence of high resolution census data was evaluated, as was the extrapolation ability of population densities between different regions. Results showed that the use of the GlobCover dataset refined with detailed settlement extents provided significantly more accurate gridded population data compared to the use of refined AVHRR-derived, MODIS-derived and GLC2000 land cover datasets. This study supports the hypothesis that land cover information is important for improving population distribution model accuracies, particularly in countries where only coarse resolution census data are available. Obtaining high resolution census data must however remain the priority. With its higher spatial resolution and its more recent data acquisition, the GlobCover dataset was found as the most valuable resource to use in combination with detailed settlement extents for the production of gridded population datasets across large areas.     

The evidence for clumpy accretion in the Herbig Ae star HR 5999

Analysis of IUE high- and low-dispersion spectra of the young Herbig Ae star HR 5999 (HD 144668) covering 1978–1992 has revealed dramatic changes in the Mg II h and k (2795.5, 2802.7 Å) emission profiles, changes in the column density and distribution in radial velocity of accreting gas, and flux in the Ly, OI and CIV emission lines, which are correlated with the UV excess luminosity. We also observe variability in the spectral type inferred from the UV spectral energy distribution, ranging from A5 IV-III in high state to A7 III in the low state. The trend of earlier inferred spectral type with decreasing wavelength and with increasing UV continuum flux has previously been noted as a signature of accretion disks in lower mass pre-main sequence stars (PMS) and in systems undergoing FU Orionis-type outbursts. Our data represent the first detection of similar phenomena in an intermediate mass (M 2M ) PMS star. Recent IUE spectra show gas accreting toward the star with velocities as high as +300 km s^–1, much as is seen toward Pic, and suggest that we also view this system through the debris disk. The absence of UV lines with the rotational broadening expected given the optical data (A7 IV,v sini = 180 ± 20 km s^–1) for this system also suggests that most of the UV light originates in the disk, even in the low continuum state. The dramatic variability in the column density of accreting gas, consistent with clumpy accretion, such as has been observed toward Pic, is a hallmark of accretion onto young stars, and is not restricted to the clearing phase, since detectable amounts of accretion are present for stars with 0.5 <t _age < 2.8 Myr. The implications for models of Pic and similar systems are briefly discussed.Paper presented at the Conference onPlanetary Systems: Formation, Evolution, and Detection held 7–10 December, 1992 at CalTech, Pasadena, California, U.S.A.     

Protoplanetary dust clouds in disks of Herbig Ae/Be stars

The very large brightness decrease of late-type Herbig Ae/Be stars is believed to be caused by obscuring dust clouds orbiting in the outer parts of their circumstellar disks. The distances of the dust clouds to the central stars have been estimated using the wavelength at maximum flux of the excess near-IR radiation, Wien's displacement law, and a formula derived by Rowan-Robinson (1980). The critical masses of these clouds were calculated employing Chandrasekhar's (1943) formula. The minimum size of the dust grains in the obscuring clouds was estimated using Aumannet al.'s (1984) formula they had applied to the star Lyr. However, it can be about ten times smaller if the dust grains are situated at the back of the cloud. The average size of these grains has been determined by assuming a size distribution similar to that in the asteroidal belt (Dohnanyi, 1969) and in the interstellar medium (Mathiset al., 1977). Their number density was determined by means of the extinction power of the dust cloud at theV pass-band. The results of our calculations show that above parameters are similar to those in our solar system. Therefore, we believe that most probably (a) the formation of planetesimals in the circumstellar disks of Herbig Ae/Be stars is on-going; and (b) the obscuring clouds will, in the long run, become planet-like objects.Paper presented at the Conference onPlanetary Systems: Formation, Evolution, and Detection held 7–10 December, 1992 at CalTech, Pasadena, California, U.S.A.     

MSS93A: A new stationary sea surface combining one year upgraded ERS-1 fast delivery data and 1987 GEOSAT altimeter data

Summary At the German Processing and Archiving Facility (D-PAF) an off-line altimeter data processing system has been developed with the capability to handle different satellite missions. For combining data from different missions an algorithm has been implemented that processes a reference sea surface from altimeter data of one mission while other mission data is taken to improve the spatial resolution of this reference model. In this way a stationary sea surface (MSS93A) was computed by compiling upgraded ERS-1 fast delivery data of the first year of the 35 day repeat cycle together with Geosat T2 GDRs of 1987.MSS93A was validated by means of comparisons to external models, gradient method and visualization techniques.     

Analysis of input data and seismic hazard assessment for the low seismicity area ‘Belgium,The Netherlands and NW Germany’

From the earthquake catalogue of the region of interest 2–8°E, 49–52°N, only events with intensity > 3 are considered. The fore/aftershocks and the induced seismicity are removed. The completeness and other properties of the remaining data set are investigated. The seismic data, as well as the geological, tectonic, and other geophysical data of the area are used for the determination of the seismotectonic zones. For each zone, the cumulative intensity-frequency relation (taking into account the completeness of the catalogue), the attenuation depending on the direction, the upper bound of intensity and the average depth are calculated. When the seismic activity is changing within a zone, this zone is divided into subzones with an almost constant activity and a b value equal to the value of the whole zone. When necessary for each subzone, a different attenuation coefficient can be used, to take into account more regional effects. Then the seismic hazard is assessed with the modified McGuire program. Annual probability versus intensity for several sites and hazard intensity and probability maps are calculated. Finally, an error discussion of the whole procedure for one test site is given.     

Dynamik des Phytoplanktons der Oberwarnow 1984–1986

The development of the phytoplankton was observed from 1984 to 1986 in the Warnow-River (GDR, Mecklenburg). The dominant algae throughout the year were the Bacillariophyceae with their maximum in spring (1984: 36.1 mm³/1, 1986: 32.3 mm³/1) or in autumn (1985: 48.3 mm³/1). There is not any limitation of phytoplankton by inorganic nutritation (N, P) throughout the year. The phytoplankton production was most influenced by the turbulance of water. Classification of banked-up rivers with the help of the plankton-quotients of Thunmark and Nygaard is impossible.     

From plate tectonics to the design of the Dul Hasti hydroelectric project in Kashmir (India)

The Dul Hasti hydroelectric scheme, which consists of a 65-m high gravity dam, a 10.6-kin long headrace tunnel and an underground powerhouse, is being built on the Chenab River, a tributary of the Indus River, within the Himalayan Range of Kashmir, India. This paper shows how the geological knowledge at the time of signature of the contracts between the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation and a French consortium in September 1989 was radically modified through successive on-site investigations, geological field surveys and seismotectonic analyses carried out at various scales. The actual geological, tectonic, geotechnical and hydrogeological conditions discovered in the last three years (active faulting, deep infilled graben, sheath folds, general mylonitisation of the rockmass, confined aquifers with very high heads of water, widespread opening along joints filled with silty material highly susceptible to untamping and piping under even low heads of water) have led the designer to modify the tunnel layout, the tunnel design, and the construction methods. In particular, the assessment of tunnelling conditions requires modifying the Tunnel Boring Machine and installing additional equipment for frequent advance investigations ahead of the tunnel face,and special treatments of zones of low mechanical properties. An identified joint filled with silty material under a high head of water will be crosscut by (a) drilling a complete ring of pressure relief holes crossing the jointaround the tunnel, (b) a special grouting treatment under very high pressure including cement grouts and silica gels or in some cases resins, and (c) increasing the final lining of the tunnel using a high strength concrete to bear the full ground-water pressure. On crossing rock formations with reduced mechanical properties, (a) long and numerous rock bolts(or full-length adhesive anchors) will have to be implemented near the tunnel head to prevent further softening of the rock during radial plastic deformation and (b) the external diameter of the tunnel will have to be increased to maintain the final internal diameter and the minimum foreseen concrete lining thickness. The sequence of investigations performed since 1960 highlights the fact that the acquisition of such an extremely complex geological and tectonic database is a long, difficult and ongoing process. Moreover, it shows that a reliable estimation of geological tunnelling conditions (geology, hydrogeology, old and active tectonics and geotechnics) depends on an understanding of the present and past geodynamics of a given region at different scales: from plate tectonics to fault scarps and microtectonics.     

Occurrence of an exceptional carbonate dissolution episode during early glacial isotope stage 6 in the Southeastern Atlantic

Concentration and mass accumulation rate profiles from Southeastern Atlantic sediment cores located off Namibia show that an exceptional episode in benthic carbonate dissolution occurred during early glacial isotope stage 6 (substages 6.6 and 6.5) between about 186 000 and 170 000 yr BP. Although this episode is restricted to or is more pronounced in this region than in other areas of the Atlantic Ocean, its exceptional character with respect to older and younger climatic episodes at the same site cannot be fully explained by local factors alone, but requires a combination of local and global influences. The onset of the carbonate dissolution episode is related to a more efficient transfer of organic matter from surface eutrophic areas to the lower and is due to low sea level, while its termination relates to a change in either global ocean alkalinity or bottom water circulation. An evaluation of the magnitude of this local carbonate dissolution episode suggests that its contribution to a global alkalinity change may have been significant. Carbonate dissolution was probably amplified by stronger upwelling activity of the Benguela System linked to an exceptional northern excursion of the boreal summer ITCZ during early glacial isotope stage 6. This low latitude global linkage may explain how this carbonate dissolution event as well as other ‘anomalies’ observed for early stage 6, like an important Dole effect minimum or a ‘cold’ Mediterranean sapropel, are related.     

Petrological and geochemical study of serpentinised peridotites from the southern part of Manipur Ophiolitic Complex, Northeast India

The southern Manipur Ophiolitic Complex in the Indo-Myanmar Orogenic Belt, Northeast India comprises a set of serpentinised peridotites, pelagic sediments, podiform chromitites with minor mafic and felsic intrusives. Peridotites in the study area suffered various degrees of serpentinisation and also have been highly deformed and metamorphosed. Striations and slickenside surfaces are common features seen in these rocks indicating the effect of faulting or shearing due to tectonic movement. On the basis of mineralogy and modal composition these peridotites have been identified as serpentinised harzburgite, lherzolite, serpentinite with minor wehrlite. The serpentine minerals are mainly lizardite and chrysotile with sub-ordinate antigorite, whereas, pyroxenes are enstatite and diopside. The primary composition of Cr-spinels in these serpentinised peridotites are characterized by low SiO₂ (<0.11 wt.%), Fe₂O₃ (0.02 to 2.32 wt.%), TiO₂ (<0.15 wt.%), Cr# (0.13 to 0.23) and high Al# (0.74 to 0.86), Mg# (0.68 to 0.73). Olivine is relatively uniform in composition, ranges from Fo_89.64 to Fo_90.1. The mineralogical compositions and primary Cr-spinel chemistry of these peridotites are similar to Abyssal peridotites that formed in a mid-ocean ridge setting after low degree of partial melting. Thus, it supports that the mantle peridotites of the Manipur Ophiolitic Complex initially formed in a spreading regime.