Microscale analysis to characterize effects of water content on the strength of cement-stabilized sand–clay mixtures

Acta Geotechnica - Cement stabilization is a useful and widely adopted method to improve the engineering properties of soils. However, characterization of the unconfined compressive strength, a...     

北京石花洞石笋500年来的δ￣（13）C记录与古气候变化及大气CO2浓度变化的关系

通过对采自北京石花洞石笋近５００年来分辨率为３～５年的δ１３Ｃ记录的研究,我们发现水动力条件的改变和近代大气ＣＯ２浓度的改变均对石笋的δ１３Ｃ值有影响,当气候湿润,降雨量增加时,洞穴包气带水的下渗速度加快,在石灰岩裂隙中滞留的时间缩短,ＣａＣＯ３的溶解量减少,造成渗出δ１３Ｃ水的值变轻。包气带水的补给速度增加,也可能使得溶液的ＣＯ２分压降低,造成石灰岩ＣａＣＯ３溶解减少。另外,洞内滴水和渗出水中ＣＯ２的逸出量与供水速度呈反比。滴水速度加快,ＣＯ２逸出量相对降低,沉淀出来的ＣａＣＯ３的δ１３Ｃ值偏轻。通过与δ１８Ｏ记录的对比,δ１３Ｃ记录也反映３０～４０年降雨量变化的周期,为这一地区夏风变化的规律提供佐证。近５０年来的δ１３Ｃ记录,反映了人类活动造成大气ＣＯ２浓度升高的现象。从１９４０年到现今,石笋的δ１３Ｃ值从－６．７‰降低到－８．１‰,降低速率每年为－０．０２８‰,直接反映了这一时期大气ＣＯ２的δ１３Ｃ值的变化。这一结果与其它研究相吻合。利用精细的、分辨率高达几年的δ１３Ｃ记录可以为岩溶作用与碳循环的研究提供有效手段。      

Estimating the maximum possible earthquake magnitude using extreme value methodology: the Groningen case

Natural Hazards - Both the river network and the regions outside the estuary mouths in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) of China experienced significant changes from 1999 to 2014. A validated...     

Investigation of array-derived rotation in TAIPEI 101

We investigate rotational motions derived from measurements by arrays of translational seismometers??hereafter called array-derived rotations (ADRs)??and compare these to measurements made by a commercially available point rotation sensor (eentec? R-1?). We focus on two aspects of the array problem: (1) the requisite conditions for calculating an ADR well and (2) the effect of array configuration on the result. Our data set consists of translational accelerations and rotation rates recorded by an array of Kinemetrics? EpiSensor? accelerometers and two R-1? rotational sensors in the TAIPEI 101 building in Taipei, Taiwan. Our results indicate that (1) array configuration affects the accuracy of ADRs about orthogonal components in horizontal plane, (2) coherence between two point rotation measurements (two R-1?) can determine the maximum frequency of translations viably used for the calculating ADRs, and (3) the performance of the R-1? is adequate, at least above a frequency of 0.12?Hz (periods shorter than 8?s). We also discuss deriving strain from the same array.     

Pollution Source Investigation and Water Quality Management in the Carp Lake Watershed,Taiwan

In this study, a full survey of pollutant sources and water quality was conducted, followed by the application of a water quality model (Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program, WASP) to establish strategies of water quality control in Carp Lake, Taiwan. Results of the field investigation show that both point and non‐point source (NPS) pollutants were responsible for the poor water quality. The contributions of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) from point source and NPS pollution were 45.9 and 55.1%, respectively. About 80% of total phosphorus (TP) were contributed by NPS. Additionally, point source and NPS pollution discharged 55.5 and 44.5% of NH₃–N load, respectively. The Carlson's Trophic State Index ranged from 61.9 to 69.2 showing serious eutrophic problems in Carp Lake. The calculated BOD, NH₃–N, and TP carrying capacity were approximately 2.8, 0.42, and 0.15 kg per day, respectively. However, the current pollutant loadings are approximately 3.0–5.5 times the calculated carrying capacity. With the help of the calibrated WASP model, remedial strategies for the lake water from short‐term to long‐term were developed. The completion of the small local sewer system to remove 80% of the point source pollution can serve as a short‐term goal while 40–60% of NPS removal by natural treatment systems may serve as a mid‐term goal. Furthermore, 80% of both source point and NPS pollution removal can be considered as a long‐term strategy. Results of heavy metal analysis show that the enriched sediment would be safe for agricultural applications.     

A GIS tool for spatiotemporal modeling under a knowledge synthesis framework

In recent years, there has been a fast growing interest in the space–time data processing capacity of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). In this paper we present a new GIS-based tool for advanced geostatistical analysis of space–time data; it combines stochastic analysis, prediction, and GIS visualization technology. The proposed toolbox is based on the Bayesian Maximum Entropy theory that formulates its approach under a mature knowledge synthesis framework. We exhibit the toolbox features and use it for particulate matter spatiotemporal mapping in Taipei, in a proof-of-concept study where the serious preferential sampling issue is present. The proposed toolbox enables tight coupling of advanced spatiotemporal analysis functions with a GIS environment, i.e. QGIS. As a result, our contribution leads to a more seamless interaction between spatiotemporal analysis tools and GIS built-in functions; and utterly enhances the functionality of GIS software as a comprehensive knowledge processing and dissemination platform.     

Seismic imaging of the Formosa Ridge cold seep site offshore of southwestern Taiwan

Multi-scale reflection seismic data, from deep-penetration to high-resolution, have been analyzed and integrated with near-surface geophysical and geochemical data to investigate the structures and gas hydrate system of the Formosa Ridge offshore of southwestern Taiwan. In 2007, dense and large chemosynthetic communities were discovered on top of the Formosa Ridge at water depth of 1125 m by the ROV Hyper-Dolphin. A continuous and strong BSR has been observed on seismic profiles from 300 to 500 ms two-way-travel-time below the seafloor of this ridge. Sedimentary strata of the Formosa Ridge are generally flat lying which suggests that this ridge was formed by submarine erosion processes of down-slope canyon development. In addition, some sediment waves and mass wasting features are present on the ridge. Beneath the cold seep site, a vertical blanking zone, or seismic chimney, is clearly observed on seismic profiles, and it is interpreted to be a fluid conduit. A thick low velocity zone beneath BSR suggests the presence of a gas reservoir there. This “gas reservoir” is shallower than the surrounding canyon floors along the ridge; therefore as warm methane-rich fluids inside the ridge migrate upward, sulfate carried by cold sea water can flow into the fluid system from both flanks of the ridge. This process may drive a fluid circulation system and the active cold seep site which emits both hydrogen sulfide and methane to feed the chemosynthetic communities.     

Behavior of Uranium in the Yellow River Plume (Yellow River Estuary)

The Yellow River (Huanghe) is the second largest river in China and is known for its high turbidity. It also has remarkably high levels of dissolved uranium (U) concentrations (up to 38 nmol 1^-1). To examine the mixing behavior of dissolved U between river water and seawater, surface water samples were collected along a salinity gradient from the Yellow River plume during September 2004 and were measured for dissolved U concentration,²³⁴U:²³⁸U activity ratio, phosphate (PO₄ ^3–), and suspended particulate matter. Laboratory experiments were also conducted to simulate the mixing process in the Yellow River plume using unfiltered Yellow River water and filtered seawater. The results showed a nonconservative behavior for dissolved U at salinities < 20 with an addition of U to the plume waters estimated at about 1.4 X 10⁵ mol yr^–1. A similarity between variations in dissolved U and PO₄ ^3– with salinity was also found. There are two major mechanisms, desorption from suspended sediments and diffusion from interstitial waters of bottom sediments, that may cause the elevated concentrations of dissolved U and PO₄ ^3– in mid-salinity waters. Mixing experiments indicate that desorption seems more responsible for the elevated dissolved U concentrations, whereas diffusion influences more the enrichment of PO₄ ^3–.