Mid-Mountain Clouds at Whistler During the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

A comprehensive study of mid-mountain clouds and their impacts on the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics is presented. Mid-mountain clouds were frequently present on the Whistler alpine venue, as identified in an extensive archive of webcam images over a 45-day period from February 5 to March 21, 2010. These clouds posed serious forecast challenges and had significant impacts on some Olympic and Paralympic alpine skiing competitions. Under fair weather conditions, a diurnal upslope (anabatic) flow can work in concert with a diurnal temperature inversion aloft to produce a localized phenomenon known as “Harvey’s Cloud” at Whistler. Two detailed case studies in this paper suggest that mid-mountain clouds can also develop in the area as a result of a moist valley flow interacting with a downslope flow descending from the mountaintop. A southerly inflow through the Sea-to-Sky corridor can be channeled by the local topography into a westerly upslope flow toward Whistler Mountain, resulting in orographic clouds on the alpine venue. Under favorable circumstances, these clouds are trapped to the mid-mountain zone by the leeward subsidence of an elevated southerly flow. The presence of the downslope subsidence was manifested by a distinguished dry layer observed on the top of the mid-mountain clouds in both cases. It is the subsidence-induced adiabatic warming that imposes a strong buoyant suppression to trap the mid-mountain cloud. On the other hand, the subsidence-induced dry layer has the potential to trigger evaporative instability to periodically breakup the mid-mountain cloud.     

Performance evaluation of active wireline heave compensation systems in marine well logging environments

The basic functionality and performance of a new Schlumberger active wireline heave compensation system on the JOIDES Resolution was evaluated during the sea trial and a 3-year period of the IODP Phase II operations. A suite of software programs was developed to enable real-time monitoring of the dynamics of logging tools, and assess the efficiency of wireline heave compensation during downhole operations. The evaluation of the system effectiveness was performed under normal logging conditions as well as during stationary tests. Logging data were analyzed for their overall quality and repeatability, and to assess the reliability of high-resolution data such as formation microscanner (FMS) electrical images. This revealed that the system reduces 65–80 % of displacement or 88–98 % variance of downhole tool motion in stationary mode under heave conditions of ±0.2–1.5 m and water depths of 300–4,500 m in open holes. Under similar water/heave conditions, the compensator system reduces tool displacement by 50–60 %, or 75–84 % variance in downhole tool motion during normal logging operations. Such compensation efficiency (CE) is comparable to previous compensation systems, but using advanced and upgradeable technologies, and provides 50–85 % heave motion and heave variance attenuation. Moreover, logging down/up at low speeds (300–600 m/h) reduces the system’s CE values by 15–20 %, and logging down at higher speeds (1,000–1,200 m/h) eliminates CE values by 55–65 %. Considering the high quality of the logging data collected, it is concluded that the new system can provide an improved level of compensation over previous systems. Also, if practically feasible, future integration of downhole cable dynamics as an input feedback into the current system could further improve its compensation efficiency during logging operations.     

Baseline and distribution of organic pollutants and heavy metals in tidal creek sediments after Hurricane Sandy in the Meadowlands of New Jersey

The relatively low cost of lands along with a privileged location near an urban center attracted industry to the Meadowlands of New Jersey and the absence of regulations resulted in vast amounts of industrial waste emitted into the air and dumped to nearby estuaries and marshlands. Hurricane Sandy created an unprecedented sea surge that overtopped berms and tide gates and extensively flooded approximately 22.8 km² of a low lying basin that includes Berry’s Creek, a tributary to the Hackensack River and well known for its legacy of high levels of contamination. The sea surge connected Berry’s Creek with eastern creeks that flow into the Hackensack River for several tidal cycles. The objectives of this study were to establish a baseline for organic pollutants and heavy metals post Superstorm Sandy, determine whether contaminants from highly contaminated areas moved to the eastern creeks during the surge and measure contaminant gradients around tide gates. Cadmium, mercury and chromium were the most abundant contaminants in sediments, and pollutants responsible for the highest ecological risk were Hg and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Concentrations of PCBs were higher in the western creeks and contrary to metals did not show concentration gradients from either side of tide gates. Massive export of contaminants from western to eastern creeks due to the surge was not apparent. The abundance of heavy metals in the vicinity of tide gates shows that they play a role in their distribution across the estuary.     

3D seismic interpretation of slump complexes: examples from the continental margin of Israel

This paper uses three‐dimensional (3D) seismic data from the continental margin of Israel (Eastern Mediterranean) to describe a series of slump deposits within the Pliocene and Holocene succession. These slumps are linked to the dynamics of subsidence and deformation of the transform margin of the eastern Mediterranean. Repeated slope failure occurred during the post‐Messinian, when a clay‐dominated progradational succession was forming. This resulted in large‐scale slump deposits accumulating in the mid‐lower slope region of the basin at different stratigraphic levels. It is probable that the slumps were triggered by a combination of slope oversteepening, seismic activity and gas migration. The high spatial resolution provided by the 3D seismic data has been used to define a spectrum of internal and external geometries within slump deposits. Importantly, we recognise two main zones for many of the slumps on this margin: a depletion zone and an accumulation zone. The former is characterised by extension and translation, and the latter by complex imbricate thrusts and fold systems. Volume‐based seismic attribute analysis reveals transport directions within the slump deposits, which are predominately downslope, but with subtle variations particularly at the lateral margins. Basal shear surfaces are observed to ramp both up and down stratigraphy. Slump evolution occurs both by retrogressive upslope failure, and by downslope propagation (out‐of‐sequence) failure. Slump anatomy and the combination of factors responsible for slump failure and transport are relatively poorly understood, mainly because of the limited 3D of outcrop control; hence, this subsurface study is an example of how improved understanding of the mechanisms and products can be obtained using this 3D seismic methodology in unstable margin areas.     

Assessment of groundwater chemistry in a coastal region (Kunsan, Korea) having complex contaminant sources: a stoichiometric approach

Groundwater chemistry in a coastal region (Kunsan, Korea) having complex contaminant sources was investigated. Water analysis data for 197 groundwater samples collected from the uniformly distributed sixty-six wells were used. Chemical analysis results indicate that groundwaters show wide concentration ranges in major inorganic ions, reflecting complex hydrochemical processes. Due to the complexity of groundwater chemistry, the samples were classified into four groups based on Cl and NO₃ concentrations and the processes controlling water chemistry were evaluated based on the reaction stoichiometry. The results explained the importance of mineral weathering, anthropogenic activities (nitrification and oxidation of organic matters), and Cl-salt inputs (seawater, deicer, NaCl, etc.) on groundwater chemistry. It was revealed that mineral dissolution is the major process controlling the water chemistry of the low Cl and NO₃ group (Group 1). Groundwaters high in NO₃ (Groups 2 and 4) are acidic in nature, and their chemistry is largely influenced by nitrification, oxidation of organic matters and mineral dissolution. In the case of chloride rich waters (Group 3), groundwater chemistry is highly influenced by mineral weathering and seawater intrusion associated with cation-exchange reactions.     

Constructed wetland technology and mosquito populations in Arizona

Constructed wetlands and other aquatic habitat creation or restoration efforts offer both potential benefits and problems for arid areas. An unintentional consequence of these efforts has been the potential for an increase in local adult mosquito populations. Shallow water-emergent plant zones may provide ideal conditions for mosquito larval growth, and areas of high humidity, dense vegetation, and abundant birds and other wildlife may provide ideal conditions for adult mosquitoes. Three constructed wetlands in southern Arizona were studied over a period of years before and after they were constructed and operational. Mosquito populations were sampled using a variety of methods, primarily trapping of adults with CO₂-baited traps. Populations apparently increased, sometimes by several orders of magnitude, after wetlands became operational. Several methods of mosquito abatement were initiated and their results are discussed. However, no definitive conclusions can be drawn because no untreated areas were available for comparison and many factors that may have affected mosquito populations also changed. Based on the experience gained at these three sites, mosquito control is an especially important design and management component for constructed wetlands in arid environments with low background populations of mosquitoes.     

Multiple detachment levels and their control on fold styles in the compressional domain of the deepwater west Niger Delta

We interpret recently acquired two‐dimensional (2D) and 3D seismic data from the contractional domain of the Tertiary deepwater west Niger Delta, which is an area of current hydrocarbon exploration and development to show that during its gravitational collapse, multiple detachments were active. Detachments are located within (1) what we herein refer to as the ‘Dahomey unit’, (2) the transition between the Agbada and Akata formations (Top Akata) and (3) the Akata formation. Seismic interpretation and quantitative measurements of fault displacements show that the utilisation of different detachments results in contrasting styles of thrust propagation and fold growth. Two geographical zones are defined. In zone A (NW sector of the study area), the stratigraphically shallowest Dahomey detachment is dominant and is associated with thrust truncated folds. In zone B (SE sector of the study area), a stratigraphically lower detachment approximately at the Agbada–Akata formation boundary is associated with thrust propagation folds. A third detachment, within the Akata formation, is locally developed and is also associated with thrust propagation folds. The different deformational histories are probably related to the mechanical stratigraphy and the pore‐pressure characteristics of the succession.     

Origin and variability of a terminal Proterozoic primary silica precipitate,Athel Silicilyte,South Oman Salt Basin,Sultanate of Oman

The Precambrian–Cambrian Athel Silicilyte is a 400 m thick, salt‐encased siliceous succession in the South Oman Salt Basin. It is a self‐sourcing hydrocarbon reservoir and comprises up to 95% microcrystalline quartz and exhibits wavy discontinuous lamination, comprising thin, alternating organic‐rich and silica‐rich layers. Textures and geochemical fingerprinting indicate that it is a primary precipitate formed by microbially mediated precipitation of silica from sea water, within the water column at the sulphidic/oxic interface. The unique occurrence of the Athel Silicilyte in the terminal Proterozoic implies that optimal conditions for this style of silica precipitation occurred only briefly. Basin anoxia, coupled with the growth of microbial mats, low pH and high silica pore water saturations, created optimal chemical conditions for silica precipitation. Volumes of microcrystalline quartz are highest within the transgressive and early highstand systems tract and towards the centre of the Athel Basin. At the basin margins, and within the late highstand systems tract, volumes of microcrystalline quartz decreased as the volume of detrital sediment increased. Mass‐balance calculations indicate that silica‐enriched sea water would have been supplied to the basin by infrequent marine incursions that replenished ambient sea water in the upper part of the water column. In conclusion, precipitation of the Athel Silicilyte was driven by the coincidence of basin restriction, limited clastic input, availability of organic matter and water column anoxia. The observation that there are few documented examples of chert deposits younger than ca 700 Ma, prior to the Cambrian explosion, suggests that although silica budgets within marine basins probably remained high prior to the evolution of silica‐secreting organisms, direct precipitation from sea water was restricted. This is tentatively related to the gradual increase in alkalinity of sea water through the Palaeo‐Proterozoic and Meso‐Proterozoic, such that silica precipitation could only occur through the coincidence of basin anoxia and low siliciclastic input.