Polymorphic phase transition in Superhydrous Phase B

We synthesized superhydrous phase B (shy-B) at 22 GPa and two different temperatures: 1200°C (LT) and 1400°C (HT) using a multi-anvil apparatus. The samples were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), single crystal X-ray diffraction, Raman and IR spectroscopy. The IR spectra were collected on polycrystalline thin-films and single crystals using synchrotron radiation, as well as a conventional IR source at ambient conditions and in situ at various pressures (up to 15 GPa) and temperatures (down to −180°C). Our studies show that shy-B exists in two polymorphic forms. As expected from crystal chemistry, the LT polymorph crystallizes in a lower symmetry space group (Pnn2), whereas the HT polymorph assumes a higher symmetry space group (Pnnm). TEM shows that both modifications consist of nearly perfect crystals with almost no lattice defects or inclusions of additional phases. IR spectra taken on polycrystalline thin films exhibit just one symmetric OH band and 29 lattice modes for the HT polymorph in contrast to two intense but asymmetric OH stretching bands and at least 48 lattice modes for the LT sample. The IR spectra differ not only in the number of bands, but also in the response of the bands to changes in pressure. The pressure derivatives for the IR bands are higher for the HT polymorph indicating that the high symmetry form is more compressible than the low symmetry form. Polarized, low-temperature single-crystal IR spectra indicate that in the LT-polymorph extensive ordering occurs not only at the Mg sites but also at the hydrogen sites.     

A Decision Support System for the Evaluation of Eco-engineering Strategies for Slope Protection

A decision support system (DSS) has been developed to assist expert and non-expert users in the evaluation and selection of eco-engineering strategies for slope protection. This DSS combines a qualitative hazard assessment of erosion and mass movements with a detailed catalogue of eco-engineering strategies for slope protection of which the suitability is evaluated in relation to the data entered. The slope decision support system (SDSS) is a knowledge based DSS in which knowledge is stored in frames containing rules that can evaluate the available information for a project, stored as project specific information (PSI) in a data file. The advantages of such a system are that it accepts incomplete information and that the qualitative nature of the information does not instil the user with a sense of unjustified exactitude. By its multidisciplinary and progressive nature, the DSS will be of value during the initial stages of an eco-engineering project when data collection and the potential of different eco-engineering strategies are considered. The accent of the output of the DSS is on the application of eco-engineering strategies for slope protection as an environmentally-friendly solution aiding sustainable development. For its acceptance within the engineering community, the DSS needs to prove its predictive capacity. Therefore, its performance has been benchmarked against successful and unsuccessful cases of slope stabilisation using eco-engineering. The target audience and the areas of application of this DSS are reviewed and the strategies for further development in this area suggested.     

Two-dimensional modeling of fine sediment transport with mixed sediment and consolidation: Application to the Gironde Estuary,France

In order to optimize ship navigation in the macrotidal Gironde Estuary, a recent project funded by the port of Bordeaux aims at better understand and forecast hydrodynamic and fine sediment transport within the estuary. In the framework of this project, a two-dimensional hydro-sedimentary model is built. The model includes hydrodynamic forcings, mixed-sediment transport, and consolidation processes. The harmonic analysis of the astronomical tides reveals a strong distortion of the tidal wave inducing the growth of overtide constituents and the non-significant effect of tide-surge interactions in annual-scale prediction. Depending on hydrological conditions, river discharge can considerably alter the model accuracy due to the migration of the turbidity maximum zone modifying the bottom roughness. Comparison with measurements shows the ability of the model to reproduce suspended-sediment concentrations in the central Estuary. Sensitivity of the model to sediment features has also been discussed in regard of suspended-sediment concentrations and fluid mud deposits. The model will be further coupled with ship squat predictions and a morphodynamic model.     

The role of biophysical interactions within the ijzermonding tidal flat sediment dynamics

This paper focuses on the importance of biophysical interactions on short-term and long-term sediment dynamics. Therefore, various biological (macrobenthos, photopigments, colloidal EPS) and physical parameters (grain size, water content, sediment stability, bed level) were determined (bi)monthly in nine sampling plots on the IJzermonding tidal flat (Belgium, 51°08′N, 2°44′E) during three consecutive years (July 2005–June 2008). Results showed that sediment stability varied on the short timescale and was directly influenced by biota, while bed level varied mainly on the long-term due to interannual variability. The short-term dynamic relationships between mud content, water content, fucoxanthin and macrobenthos density resulted in a seasonal mud deposition and erosion cycle, and directly influenced sediment stability. Moreover, macrobenthos was proven to be the most important parameter determining sediment stability. On the long-term, a shift was observed from high fucoxanthin/chla concentration, high mud content and zero to moderate densities of Corophium volutator towards low fucoxanthin/chl a and mud content and high Corophium densities, which resulted in a transition from net accretion to net erosion. However, most measured variables proved to be poor predictors for these long-term bed level changes, indicating that external physical forces, such as waves and storminess, probably were the most important factors triggering long-term sediment dynamics. Nevertheless, biota indirectly influenced bed level changes by mediating short-term changes in sediment stability, thereby influencing the erodability of the sediment. The macrobenthos, and especially the mud shrimp Corophium, was suggested as the (indirect) driving destabilising factor for the sampling plots in the IIzermonding when considering the long-term evolution.     

Biomarker distributions in asphaltenes and kerogens analysed by flash pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Biomarker distributions in a suite of asphaltenes and kerogens have been analysed by flash pyrolysis directly coupled to a GCMS system. Attention has been focussed on biomarkers of the sterane and triterpane types. The sample suite under investigation consists of sediments with different kerogen types and some crude oils. Biomarker distributions in the pyrolysates have been compared with the “free” biomarkers in the corresponding saturated hydrocarbon fractions.The analyses show significant differences between the distributions of the free biomarkers and those in the pyrolysates. The latter have lower amounts of steranes while diasteranes are absent or present at low concentrations only. In the triterpane traces a shift of maximum intensity from C₃₀ (free compounds) to C₂₇/C₂₉ is observed. Furthermore, the pyrolysates contain a set of triterpenes (not present among the free compounds), and there is a selective loss of “non-regular” triterpanes that are present in the saturated hydrocarbon fractions. The observed differences between pyrolysates and free hydrocarbons can be explained partly by the processes occurring during pyrolysis such as bond rupture and subsequent stabilisation of primary pyrolysis products. To a certain extent these differences also show that maturation processes occurring in sediments have effects on free biomarker molecules different from those on molecules that are enclosed in a macromolecular matrix (kerogen or asphaltenes).Differences between biomarker distributions of asphaltene and kerogen pyrolysates are relatively small. A comparison with the pyrolysates from extracted whole sediments suggests that these differences are mainly caused by interactions between the organic material and the mineral matrix during pyrolysis.Oil asphaltenes behave differently from sediment asphaltenes as their pyrolysates are more similar to the corresponding saturated hydrocarbon fractions, i.e. the differences described above are observed to a much smaller extent. This different behaviour appears to be the result of coprecipitation of a part of the maltene fraction with the oil asphaltenes.     

Geochemical studies in the drainage basin of the Rio Vouga,Portugal. IV. Impact of land use on the hydrogeochemistry of natural waters in the Vouzela region

A hydrogeochemical study of the impact of land use on the composition of natural waters in the Vouzela region in northern Portugal was carried out during the summer of 1983. Water samples were collected from spring and major streams in the area and analyzed for major constituents and some trace elements. Analysis of variance and subsequent pairwise contrast tests demonstrated that waters from agricultural areas are significantly enriched in constiluents such as Na, K, Ca, Mg, Sr, Cl, SO₄, and NO₃. High concentrations of these ions in agricultural areas are the result of both the application of fertilizers and enhanced evaporation by the intensive irrigation of agricultural lands. Constitutents such as H₄SiO₄, HCO₃, F, and probably Li, which are typically related to mineral weathering, were not affected by land use. In waters from forested areas the concentration of most constituents was about 20% higher than in waters from uncultivated areas with mainly a grass cover. This reflects the difference in the evapotranspiration of these two vegetation types. The chemistry of the Rio Zela clearly reflects differences in land use in the Rio Zela valley.     

The Cretaceous and younger thermal history of the KTB site (Germany): apatite fission-track data from the Vorbohrung

A detailed fission-track analysis was carried out on 41 apatite samples from the 4001-m-deep pilot hole of the German Continental Deep Drilling Program (KTB). The investigations include dating by the population method and length measurements of horizontal confined tracks. Age and length information indicate that all samples above the present-day partial annealing zone cooled from temperatures above 120?°C in the Cretaceous. The top two kilometres of the profile show less variation of age with depth than was expected. Modelling of the profile indicates that the distribution of fission track ages with depth requires that the profile was disturbed during or after cooling through the partial annealing zone. Modelling of individual samples reveals that at least the upper 2?km experienced reverse faulting, effectively thickening the upper part of the rock column by up to 1000?m in the Tertiary. A present-day partial annealing zone for apatite was observed between 2000 and 4000?m (～60–110?°C). This confirms earlier in situ observations of the position of the partial annealing zone.