An integral-free expression for short-term changes in fault stability due to pore pressure induced when a point load is placed on the pervious boundary of a porous elastic half space containing a fault

A concentrated load with step-function time behaviour is placed normal to the planar, pervious boundary of a porous elastic half space (PEHS) with compressible constituents. A planar fault exists in the PEHS in such a way that the poroelastic behaviour of the medium is unhindered. We derive an approximate but integral-free expression for CFSCPP, i.e., changes in fault stability due to changes in pore pressure, at a point not too far off the line along which the load acts. But, in the interest of simplicity, the main discussion is focussed on a consideration of CFSCPP at a point P located on the fault at depth z directly beneath the load. It is convenient to introduce dimensionless time t _D directly proportional to real time t. The constant of proportionality is 4c/z ², where c is hydraulic diffusivity. The derived approximate expression gives results with an accuracy of greater than 99% for limited values of t _D after the load is imposed. We learn from the derived expression that, for a given z, fault stability undergoes an initial sudden decrease commensurate with the undrained pore pressure induced in the PEHS. This is followed by a more gradual decrease in fault stability with increasing t _D until a minimum is reached. The real time t to minimum fault stability increases with z. The magnitude of CFSCPP decreases with z as z ^?2 for a given t _D in the permissible range. The derived expression and the inferences based on it should be useful during earth science investigations of the possible hazards due to reactivation of a pre-existing shallow fault when a civil engineering project involving imposition of a heavy load on the earth’s surface is to be executed nearby. They should be useful also for investigations if a shallow earthquake occurs near such a project soon after its execution.     

On a model simulating lack of hydraulic connection between a man-made reservoir and the volume of poroelastic rock hosting the focus of a post-impoundment earthquake

The idea that a direct hydraulic connection between a man-made reservoir and the foci of post-impoundment earthquakes may not exist at all sites is eminently credible on geological grounds. Our aim is to provide a simple earth model and related theory for use during investigations of earthquakes near new man-made reservoirs. We consider a uniform circular reservoir which rests on the top surface of a no-hydraulic-connection earth model (NHCEM). The model comprises a top elastic (E) layer, an intermediate poroelastic (P) layer, and a bottom elastic half space. The focus of a potential earthquake in the P layer is located directly under the reservoir. The E layer disrupts the hydraulic connection between the reservoir and the focus. Depth of water in the reservoir varies as H ^′ + hcos(ω t). Expressions for reservoir-induced stresses and pore pressure in different layers of the NHCEM are obtained by solving the boundary-value problem invoking full coupling between mean normal stress and pore pressure in the P layer. As an application of the derived mathematical results, we have examined and found that earthquakes on 60^° normal faults may occur in the P-layer of a selected NHCEM at epochs of low reservoir level if the reservoir lies mostly in the footwall of the fault. The exercise was motivated by observations of such earthquakes under the man-made Lake Mead after it was impounded.     

Prevalence and genetic profiles of Escherichia coli from mangroves and mangrove associated foods off Goa,India

A total of 120 samples comprising of water (45), sediment (45) and mangrove originated food (30) collected from mangrove ecosystems of Goa were screened for Escherichia coli employing ISO-16654 method. Seventy-one (59.16%) samples were positive for E. coli. The E. coli isolates were further characterized by serotyping, virulence gene profiling and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Water and sediment samples were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters. The serotypes reported were O1, O10, O13, O17, O36, O41, O50, O68, O105, O116, O141, O148, O159, O162 and rough types while, 23 strains could not be typed. The stx1 and stx2 genes were detected in 33(46.47%) and 16(22.53%) isolates, respectively. The XbaI restriction digestion patterns of the stx positive strains were diverse. Interestingly, few strains isolated from diarrheal patients and from water, sediment and food from mangrove sources were genetically similar. The study showed that the mangrove ecosystem could be a potential reservoir for pathogenic E. coli.     

Statistical approach to triple systems in three-dimensional motion

This paper considers disruption of triple close approaches with low initial velocities and equal masses in the framework of statistical escape theory in a three-dimensional space. The statistical escape theory is based on the assumption that the phase trajectory of a triple system is quasi-ergodic. This system is described by allowing for both energy and angular momentum conservation in the phase space. In this paper, “possibility of escape” is derived with the formation of a binary on the basis of relative distances of the participating bodies. The complete statistical solutions (i.e. the semi-major axis \(a\), the distributions of eccentricity \(e\) of the binary, binary energy \({E}_{{b}}\), escape energy \({E}_{{s}}\) of escaper, and its escape velocity \({v}_{{s}}\)) of the system are derived from the allowable phase space volumes and are in good agreement with the numerical results in the range of perturbing velocities \({v}_{{i}}\)(\(10^{ - 1} \le {v}_{{i}} \le 10^{ - 10}\)) and directions of \({v}_{{i}}(0 \le \alpha _{{i}},\beta _{{i}},\gamma _{{i}} \le \pi )\), \({i} = 1,2,3\). In this paper, the double limit process has been applied to approximate the escape probability. Through this process, it is observed that the perturbing velocity \({v}_{{i}} \to 0^{ +} \), as the product of the semi-major axis \(a\) of the final binary and the square of the escape velocity \({v}_{{s}}\) approach 2/3, i.e. \({a} {v}_{{s}}^{2} \to 2 / 3\), whatever direction of \(\mathbf{v}_{{i}}\) may be.     

Sub‐sample time shift and horizontal displacement measurements using phase‐correlation method in time‐lapse seismic

Hydrocarbon production and fluid injection affect the level of subsurface stress and physical properties of the subsurface, and can cause reservoir‐related issues, such as compaction and subsidence. Monitoring of oil and gas reservoirs is therefore crucial. Time‐lapse seismic is used to monitor reservoirs and provide evidence of saturation and pressure changes within the reservoir. However, relative to background velocities and reflector depths, the time‐lapse changes in velocity and geomechanical properties are typically small between consecutive surveys. These changes can be measured by using apparent displacement between migrated images obtained from recorded data of multiple time‐lapse surveys. Apparent displacement measurements by using the classical cross‐correlation method are poorly resolved. Here, we propose the use of a phase‐correlation method, which has been developed in satellite imaging for sub‐pixel registration of the images, to overcome the limitations of cross‐correlation. Phase correlation provides both vertical and horizontal displacements with a much better resolution. After testing the method on synthetic data, we apply it to a real dataset from the Norne oil field and show that the phase‐correlation method can indeed provide better resolution.     

Ambient iron concentration regulates the sulfate reducing activity in the mangrove swamps of Diwar,Goa, India

In order to test the hypothesis that the ambient iron concentrations could regulate sulfate reducing activity (SRA) in mangrove areas, 10 cm cores were examined from test and reference sites. The test site at Diwar mangrove ecosystem is highly influenced by iron released by the movement of barges carrying iron ore during the non-monsoon seasons and the reference site at Tuvem is relatively pristine. The average iron concentrations were 17.9% (±8.06) at Diwar and 6.3% (±1.5) at Tuvem. Sulfate reducing rates (SRR) ranged from 50.21 to 698.66 nM cm⁻³ d⁻¹ at Tuvem, and from 23.32 to 294.49 nM cm⁻³d⁻¹ in Diwar. Pearson’s correlation coefficients between SRR and environmental parameters showed that at Tuvem, the SRR was controlled by SO₄⁻² (r = 0.498, p < 0.001, n = 60) more than organic carbon (r = 0.316 p < 0.05, n = 60). At Diwar, the SRR was governed by the iron concentrations at an r-value of −0.761 (p < 0.001, n = 60), suggesting that ca.58% of the variation in SRR was influenced negatively by variations in ambient iron concentrations. This influence was more than the positive influence of TOC (r = 0.615, p < 0.001, n = 60). Laboratory experiments to check the influence of iron on SRR also supported our field observations. At an experimental manipulation of 50 ppm Fe³⁺ there was an increase in SRR but at 100 ppm an inhibitory effect was observed. At 1000 ppm Fe³⁺ there was a decrease in the SRR up to 93% of the control. Thus, our study showed that ambient iron concentrations influence SRR negatively at Diwar and counters the positive influence of organic carbon. Consequently, the influence could cascade to other biogeochemical processes in these mangrove swamps, especially the mineralization of organic matter to carbon dioxide by sulfate respiration.     

Physical Habitat Assessment of River Denwa Using GIS Techniques

Physical habitat of any aquatic ecosystem is an integral part upon which the biological structures of resident communities are built. Degradation of the physical habitat has serious consequences on aquatic communities and is among the leading causes of stream impairment worldwide. Therefore, a sound habitat assessment approach is necessary to assess the condition of running water and to determine if habitat degradation is responsible for any degradation in biological condition. The present study was focused on Physical Habitat Assessment of Denwa River, a sub tributary of river Narmada in central India, for generating a Habitat Suitability map. The Denwa River originates from Satpura ranges in central India and flows through entire Pachmarhi plateau supporting a diversity of habitats for aquatic flora and fauna. A survey was carried out to assess the physical characteristic of Denwa river (84 kms) from its origin to the confluence point of Tawa Denwa river. Six reaches have been identified in study area on the basis of their physiographic conditions. For Habitat Assessment measurement, Rapid Bioassessment Protocols for Stream and Wadeable rivers by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA, 841-B-99-002) have been used. Seven parameters from this protocol have been chosen for physical characterization. GIS techniques have been used to develop a Habitat Suitability Map of the study area based on scores to illustrate its suitability to support aquatic life. The present paper discusses in detail the suitability of the different reaches of the River Denwa for supporting the aquatic biodiversity.     

Plane SH‐waves at a corrugated interface between two dissimilar perfectly conducting self‐reinforced elastic half‐spaces

In this paper, we have attempted a problem of reflection and refraction of plane harmonic SH‐wave at a corrugated interface between two different perfectly conducting self‐reinforced elastic half‐spaces. Rayleigh's method is employed to find out the expressions of reflection and refraction coefficients for first‐ and second‐order approximation of the corrugation. The expressions of these coefficients show that they depend on the properties of half‐spaces, angle of incidence, frequency of the incident wave and are strongly influenced by the corrugation of the interface. Numerical computations are performed for a particular model having special type of interface and the variation of these coefficients are depicted graphically against the angles of incidence, frequency parameter, corrugation parameter at different values of reinforcement parameters. Results of some earlier works are reduced as a particular case of this formulation. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Convective boundary layer in the region of the Monsoon Trough—A case study

A case study of the convectively driven monsoon boundary layer has been carried out using the aerological ob-servations at four stations in the region of monsoon trough during Monsoon Trough Boundary Layer Experiment (MONTBLEX) 1988. The Convective Boundary Layer (CBL) in the region of monsoon trough did not show double mixing line structure. A single mixing line representing the CBL with different stabilities with respect to the convective activities was observed.