嫩江组二段底部标志层岩石矿物学特征与成片套损因素新认识

大庆油田嫩江组二段底部与嫩江组一段顶部成片套损严重，从前一直认为泥岩吸水膨胀、蠕变是导致成片套损的主要因素。成片套损位置研究发现，嫩江组二段底部与嫩江组一段顶部成片套损实际集中于嫩江组二段底部标志层内，而嫩江组二段底部标志层岩石矿物学特征综合研究结果表明，其不含遇水膨胀的蒙脱石，且粘土矿物含量也低于其上下相邻岩石，表明其遇水膨胀与蠕变较弱，岩石遇水膨胀与蠕变不会构成成片套损的主要原因。嫩江组二段底部标志层岩石岩心观察描述、镜下鉴定、矿物成分综合测试和岩石强度性质研究发现，嫩江组二段底部标志层泥岩为富含长英质的质地坚硬岩石，含粘土矿物较少，不含蒙脱石，岩石吸水能力差、膨胀与蠕变能力弱；标志层中存在多个化石富集带，化石沿岩石层理分布形成沿层理方向的区域性力学薄弱面；沿化石层层理的抗张强度与抗剪强度远低于其他层位和垂直于层理方向的强度性质。因此，一旦注入水进入嫩江组二段底部标志层，富含化石的岩石沿岩石层理优先发生破坏，并迅速扩展，形成成片套损现象。     

A roadmap for a dedicated Earth Science Grid platform

Due to its intensive data processing and highly distributed organization, the multidisciplinary Earth Science applications community is uniquely positioned for the uptake and exploitation of Grid technologies. Currently Enabling Grids for E-sciencE, and other large Grid infrastructures are already deployed and capable of operational services. So far however, the adoption and exploitation of Grid technology throughout the Earth Science community has been slower than expected. The Dissemination and Exploitation of GRids in Earth sciencE project, proposed by the European Commission to assist and accelerate this process in a number of different ways, had between its main goals the creation of a roadmap towards Earth Science Grid platform. This paper presents the resulting roadmap.     

Uncertainty assessment in river flow projections for Ethiopia’s Upper Awash Basin using multiple GCMs and hydrological models

ABSTRACT

Uncertainty in climate change impacts on river discharge in the Upper Awash Basin, Ethiopia, is assessed using five MIKE SHE hydrological models, six CMIP5 general circulation models (GCMs) and two representative concentration pathways (RCP) scenarios for the period 2071–2100. Hydrological models vary in their spatial distribution and process representations of unsaturated and saturated zones. Very good performance is achieved for 1975–1999 (NSE: 0.65–0.8; r: 0.79–0.93). GCM-related uncertainty dominates variability in projections of high and mean discharges (mean: –34% to +55% for RCP4.5, – 2% to +195% for RCP8.5). Although GCMs dominate uncertainty in projected low flows, inter-hydrological model uncertainty is considerable (RCP4.5: –60% to +228%, RCP8.5: –86% to +337%). Analysis of variance uncertainty attribution reveals that GCM-related uncertainty occupies, on average, 68% of total uncertainty for median and high flows and hydrological models no more than 1%. For low flows, hydrological model uncertainty occupies, on average, 18% of total uncertainty; GCM-related uncertainty remains substantial (average: 28%).     

Information infrastructure for Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System

Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS, imos.org.au) is research infrastructure to establish an enduring observing program for Australian oceanic waters and shelf seas. The observations cover physical, biological, and chemical variables to address themes of multi-decadal ocean change, climate variability and weather extremes, boundary currents and inter-basin flows, continental shelf processes and ecosystem responses.IMOS observations are collected by national facilities based on various platform types and operated by partner institutions around the country. In this paper we describe the infrastructure and workflows developed to manage and distribute the data to the public. We highlight the existing standards and open-source software we have adopted, and the contributions we have made. To demonstrate the value of this infrastructure we provide some illustrations of use and uptake.All IMOS data are freely and openly available to the public via the Ocean Portal (https://imos.aodn.org.au). All IMOS-developed software is open-source and accessible at https://github.com/aodn.     

An investigation into the efficiency of particle size separation using Stokes’ Law

The accuracy of gravimetric fractionation as a means of obtaining size fractions from marine sediments has been explored. Analysis of the particle size distribution and sediment properties of fractions obtained using this method was undertaken. This has highlighted the extent to which experimental artefacts rather than variations in sediment characteristics may adversely affect the efficiency of the fractionation process. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The most-cited works in Geomorphology

We conducted a review and analysis of the references cited in articles published (1995–2004) in the journal Geomorphology and also solicited comments from the authors of the most-cited works on their major influences. Of the 31,696 unique works cited in the journal, only 22 were referenced at least 20 times, with the vast majority (92%) cited only once or twice. We divided the citations into the 10 most-cited books (i.e., complete volumes) and 10 most-cited papers (i.e., journal articles, book chapters, reports). A total of 23 different researchers were responsible for the 20 works, with one (Wolman) being an author or co-author of a quarter of them. Seven of the ten most-cited papers were based on work in the USGS in the mid-twentieth century, indicating a particularly fruitful time of geomorphic research and a particularly important cohort of scientists. Based on our citation analysis and author commentaries, we suggest that classic works in geomorphology are most likely to be those that provide useful knowledge and those that incorporate interdisciplinary perspectives.     

Aragonite crystallization from strained calcite at reduced pressures and its bearing on aragonite in low-grade metamorphism

Aragonite, the dense form of CaCO₃, grew hydrothermally at 100–300° C and dry at 300–400° C at very low pressures from calcite strained by grinding. Nearly complete inversion to aragonite occurred in some runs with Ca-Mg chloride solutions at 0–2.4 kb and 100–200° C on strained calcite having a (10¯14) reflection with a half-width of 0.48° 2 Cu K. A little aragonite grew dry at one atm. from the ground calcite at 300–400° C in a few hrs. Simultaneous shear during recrystallization of calcite in a rotating squeezer resulted in significant aragonite at 300–400° C several kb. below the stability field. No inversion occurred in any ground calcite when previously annealed in CO₂ at 500° C for a few hrs. Thermochemical data show that at least 200 cal/mole of strain energy can be produced in calcite by mild deformation. This much stored energy would lower the pressure requirements of aragonite, relative to the strained calcite by more than 3 kb, and our observation that aragonite growth was faster than strain recovery of calcite indicates that aragonite can grow in nature at reduced pressures from strained calcite.Some experiments were also carried out on highly magnesian calcites with the thought that aragonite might also form at the expense of this metastable material. No aragonite was produced, but the possibility that this mechanism could be operative in nature cannot be discounted.The microtexture of aragonitic deformed marbles from NW Washington (prehnite-pumpellyite facies rocks, courtesy of J. A. Vance) as well as electron probe microanalysis of these rocks indicates that aragonite selectively replaced highly strained calcite. The calcite-aragonite transition is thus a questionable indicator of high-pressure in certain metamorphic rocks.     

A surge of Perseibreen, Svalbard, examined using aerial photography and ASTER high resolution satellite imagery

The identification of surge activity is important in assessing the duration of the active and quiescent phases of the surge cycle of Svalbard glaciers. Satellite and aerial photographic images are used to identify and describe the form and flow of Perseibreen, a valley glacier of 59 km² on the east coast of Spitsbergen. Heavy surface crevassing and a steep ice front, indicative of surge activity, were first observed on Perseibreen in April 2002. Examination of high resolution (15 m) Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) satellite imagery confirmed this surge activity. Perseibreen retreated by almost 750 m between 1961 and 1990. Between 1990 and the summer of 2000, Perseibreen switched from retreat and its front began to advance. Rapid advance was underway during the period June 2000 to May 2001, with terminus advance at over 400 m yr⁻¹. Between May and August 2001 the rate increased to over 750 m yr⁻¹. The observed crevasse orientation indicates that ice was in longitudinal tension, suggesting the down-glacier transfer of mass. Ice surface velocities, derived from image correlation between ASTER images, were 2-2.5 m d⁻¹ between May and August 2001. The glacier was flowing at a relatively uniform speed with sharp velocity gradients located close to its lateral margins, a velocity structure typical of ice masses in the active phase of the surge cycle. The stress regime is extensional throughout and the surge appears to be initiated low on the glacier. This is similar to the active-phase dynamics of other Svalbard tidewater glaciers. Perseibreen has probably been inactive since at least 1870, a period of about 130 years to the present surge which defines a minimum length for the quiescent phase.