Acoustic monitoring using bamboo set net in the Southern Sea of Korea

High-temporal resolution profiles of acoustic backscatter were collected from a traditional bamboo set net along the coast of the Southern Sea, Korea, using sideward-looking multi-beam imaging sonar. These data were used to examine the impact of variations in tidal cycles and current speeds on the bamboo set net. The relatively high influx of fish during the nighttime compared to the low influx and high outflux of fish during the daytime suggests visual avoidance of the net by the fish during the daytime. The observed diel variation in the captured fish flux was significantly correlated with the current speed (day: r = 0.35, p = 0.002, night: r = 0.60, p < 0.001). The ratio of influx and outflux of fish, and current speed were correlated in a linear relationship (day: r = 0.45, p < 0.001; night: r = 0.56, p < 0.001). The fish activity of those inhabiting the bamboo set nets appears to be greatly influenced by day-night differences and current speed. The present study enhances understanding of fish behavior via utilization of a bamboo set net in the coastal zone.     

Study on the natural radioactivity level of stone coal-bearing strata in East China

Based on γ-radiation dose rate and radon concentration measurements and ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra, and ⁴⁰K radionuclide testing, this study identifies the radioactive anomalies of stone coal-bearing strata in East China and evaluates the natural radioactivity levels in the air, solid, water and plant media in the typical area of the regional stone coal-bearing layers. The stone coal-bearing strata in East China occur in the lower Cambrian system along the margin of the Yangtze block; additionally, the radioactive anomaly area is sporadically distributed in the stone coal-bearing layers. The background values of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra, and ⁴⁰K are higher in the stone coal-bearing areas, and the spatial distribution of these natural radionuclides shows significant variability. ²³⁸U and ²²⁶Ra clearly accumulate in the coal, coal gangue and soil and are the main sources of the environmental radiation in coal mines. The γ-radiation shows a higher background value in the stone coal-bearing area, and this radioactive pollution cannot be ignored. Typically, the effective dose of γ-radiation exceeds the limit value of 5 mSv/a, and the total α and total β concentrations of the groundwater are 10–30 times the limit value at some points. The residents near the mining area are subjected to a higher radiation dose, and the groundwater, building materials, and plants have been contaminated by the radioactive pollution sporadically through time. It is necessary to strengthen the monitoring work of radioactive environments and to take appropriate control measures.     

Weathering characterization for landslides modeling in granitoid rock masses of the Capo Vaticano promontory (Calabria,Italy)

This work focuses on developing multidisciplinary researches concerning weathering profiles related to landscape evolution of the Capo Vaticano promontory on the Calabria Tyrrhenian side (southern Italy). In this area, the tectonic uplift, occurred at least since Pleistocene, together with the Mediterranean climatic conditions, is the main cause of deep weathering and denudation processes. The latter occurred on the outcropping rocks of the crystalline-metamorphic basement, made up of weathered granitoids, in turn belonging to the Monte Poro granitoid complex (intermediate to felsic plutonic rocks covered by Cenozoic sedimentary successions). Field observations coupled to borehole explorations, geophysical surveys, and minero-petrographical analyses allowed the characterization of the granitoid outcrops typical of the studied area in terms of kind and degree of slope instability. This characterization was based on suitable correlations verified between several factors as weathering degree, elastic properties of rocks, and discontinuity features. Weathering profiles are mainly composed by rock masses varying from completely weathered rock with corestones of highly weathered rock (classes IV–V) to slightly weathered rocks (class II). The weathered rocks are involved in several landslide typologies such as debris flow (frequency 48.5%), translational slide (frequency 33.3%), and minor rock fall and rotational slide (frequency 9%). The achieved data allowed the establishment of a general correlation between weathering degree and type of slope instability. Debris flow-type instabilities are predominant on the steeper slopes, involving very poor rock masses ascribed to the shallowest portions of the weathering class IV. Translational slides are less widespread than the previous ones and often involve a mixture of soil and highly weathered rocks. Rotational slides are more frequently close to the top of the slopes, where the thicknesses of more weathered rocks increase, and involve mainly rock masses belonging to the weathering classes IV and V. Rock falls mostly occur on the vertical escarpments of the road cuts and are controlled by the characteristics of the main discontinuities. The assessment of rock mass rating and slope mass rating, based on the application of the discontinuity data, allowed respectively an evaluation of the quality of rock masses and of the susceptibility of rock slopes to failure. The comparison between the last one and the real stability conditions along the cut slopes shows a good correspondence. Finally, the geological strength index system was also applied for the estimation of rock mass properties. The achieved results give a worthy support for a better understanding of the relationship between the distribution of landslides and the geological features related to different weathering degrees. Therefore, they can provide a reliable tool to evaluate the potential stability conditions of the rock slopes in the studied area and a general reference framework for the study of weathering processes in other regions with similar geological features.     

Palaeozoic tectonics of the south-western Chinese Tianshan: new insights from a structural study of the high-pressure/low-temperature metamorphic belt

The south-western Chinese Tianshan orogenic belt is famous for its omphacite-bearing blueschists and associated eclogite-facies metavolcanic rocks. Although numerous petrologic, geochemical and geochronological studies are available, structural data and interpretations are still rare. This paper provides new structural data, including bulk geometry of structures and kinematic analyses, based on field and laboratory studies along the Akyazhi, Keburt and Muzaert Rivers. The study area is divided into three tectonic units, namely (1) a Southern Unit composed of weakly metamorphosed sedimentary rocks of Silurian age; (2) a Central HP/LT Unit composed of blueschist-eclogite-facies metamorphic rocks derived from basalts, pelites and volcaniclastic rocks; (3) a Northern Unit, which consists of a Carboniferous magmatic arc developed upon an amphibolite-facies metamorphic continental basement. Our structural analysis documents a polyphase deformation. The main event (D₁) is reflected by Devonian to Carboniferous top-to-the northwest ductile shearing, coeval with HP/LT metamorphism. This is followed by north-directed thrusting (D₂) of the Southern Unit over the Central HP/LT Unit, coeval with retrogression of the high-pressure rocks. A top-to-the-S (SE) deformation (D₃) overprints the earliest events and is observed in the Northern and Central Units. Lastly, Permian dextral ductile-brittle wrenching (D₄) overprints the older flat-lying fabrics. D₄ is conspicuous along the Nalati Fault that separates the Northern Unit from the Central HP/LT Unit. The absolute timing of these deformation events is discussed in the light of available radiometric dating. The structural, metamorphic and geochronological data are integrated into a geodynamic model of the south-western Chinese Tianshan that emphasizes south-directed subduction of microcontinents located between Tarim and Junggar.     

Characterization,dissolution and solubility of the hydroxypyromorphite–hydroxyapatite solid solution [(Pb<Subscript>x</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>)<Subscript>5</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>OH] at 25 °C and pH 2–9

Background

The interaction between Ca-HAP and Pb²⁺ solution can result in the formation of a hydroxyapatite–hydroxypyromorphite solid solution [(Pb_xCa_1?x)₅(PO₄)₃(OH)], which can greatly affect the transport and distribution of toxic Pb in water, rock and soil. Therefore, it’s necessary to know the physicochemical properties of (Pb_xCa_1?x)₅(PO₄)₃(OH), predominantly its thermodynamic solubility and stability in aqueous solution. Nevertheless, no experiment on the dissolution and related thermodynamic data has been reported.

Results

Dissolution of the hydroxypyromorphite–hydroxyapatite solid solution [(Pb_xCa_1?x)₅(PO₄)₃(OH)] in aqueous solution at 25 °C was experimentally studied. The aqueous concentrations were greatly affected by the Pb/(Pb + Ca) molar ratios (X_Pb) of the solids. For the solids with high X_Pb [(Pb_0.89Ca_0.11)₅(PO₄)₃OH], the aqueous Pb²⁺ concentrations increased rapidly with time and reached a peak value after 240–720 h dissolution, and then decreased gradually and reached a stable state after 5040 h dissolution. For the solids with low X_Pb (0.00–0.80), the aqueous Pb²⁺ concentrations increased quickly with time and reached a peak value after 1–12 h dissolution, and then decreased gradually and attained a stable state after 720–2160 h dissolution.

Conclusions

The dissolution process of the solids with high X_Pb (0.89–1.00) was different from that of the solids with low X_Pb (0.00–0.80). The average K _sp values were estimated to be 10^?80.77±0.20 (10^?80.57–10^?80.96) for hydroxypyromorphite [Pb₅(PO₄)₃OH] and 10^?58.38±0.07 (10^?58.31–10^?58.46) for calcium hydroxyapatite [Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH]. The Gibbs free energies of formation (ΔG _f ^o ) were determined to be ?3796.71 and ?6314.63 kJ/mol, respectively. The solubility decreased with the increasing Pb/(Pb + Ca) molar ratios (X_Pb) of (Pb_xCa_1?x)₅(PO₄)₃(OH). For the dissolution at 25 °C with an initial pH of 2.00, the experimental data plotted on the Lippmann diagram showed that the solid solution (Pb_xCa_1?x)₅(PO₄)₃(OH) dissolved stoichiometrically at the early stage of dissolution and moved gradually up to the Lippmann solutus curve and the saturation curve for Pb₅(PO₄)₃OH, and then the data points moved along the Lippmann solutus curve from right to left. The Pb-rich (Pb_xCa_1?x)₅(PO₄)₃(OH) was in equilibrium with the Ca-rich aqueous solution.

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Graphical abstractLippmann diagrams for dissolution of the hydroxypyromorphite–hydroxyapatite solid solution [(Pb_xCa_1?x)₅(PO₄)₃OH] at 25??C and an initial pH of 2.00.

     

Linear Elastic and Cohesive Fracture Analysis to Model Hydraulic Fracture in Brittle and Ductile Rocks

Hydraulic fracturing technology is being widely used within the oil and gas industry for both waste injection and unconventional gas production wells. It is essential to predict the behavior of hydraulic fractures accurately based on understanding the fundamental mechanism(s). The prevailing approach for hydraulic fracture modeling continues to rely on computational methods based on Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM). Generally, these methods give reasonable predictions for hard rock hydraulic fracture processes, but still have inherent limitations, especially when fluid injection is performed in soft rock/sand or other non-conventional formations. These methods typically give very conservative predictions on fracture geometry and inaccurate estimation of required fracture pressure. One of the reasons the LEFM-based methods fail to give accurate predictions for these materials is that the fracture process zone ahead of the crack tip and softening effect should not be neglected in ductile rock fracture analysis. A 3D pore pressure cohesive zone model has been developed and applied to predict hydraulic fracturing under fluid injection. The cohesive zone method is a numerical tool developed to model crack initiation and growth in quasi-brittle materials considering the material softening effect. The pore pressure cohesive zone model has been applied to investigate the hydraulic fracture with different rock properties. The hydraulic fracture predictions of a three-layer water injection case have been compared using the pore pressure cohesive zone model with revised parameters, LEFM-based pseudo 3D model, a Perkins-Kern–Nordgren (PKN) model, and an analytical solution. Based on the size of the fracture process zone and its effect on crack extension in ductile rock, the fundamental mechanical difference of LEFM and cohesive fracture mechanics-based methods is discussed. An effective fracture toughness method has been proposed to consider the fracture process zone effect on the ductile rock fracture.     

Sub-micron scale distributions of trace elements in zircon

Sub-micron scale zoning of Ti concentrations and correlations between concentrations of Ti and other trace elements (P, Ce, and Y) and cathodoluminescent (CL) banding is observed in natural zircons. Ion images were made using the Caltech Microanalysis Center’s CAMECA NanoSIMS 50L with an O⁻ primary beam focused to ~300 nm on the sample surface. The high spatial resolution of this technique allows for interrogation of chemical variations at or below the scale of CL banding in natural zircons. Images produced in this manner display two types of correlations among Ti, P, Ce, and Y (which appears to be a proxy for CL intensity): strong (correlation coefficients >0.8) and subtle (correlation coefficients ~0.15–0.4). Strongly correlated images, which display Ti variations of ca. a factor of 3 between adjacent CL bands and overall elevated trace element concentrations in CL-dark bands, were found within an oscillatory-zoned, trace element enriched sector of a CL sector-zoned zircon. Three possible causes for such correlations include: temperature-dependent equilibrium partitioning, trace element partitioning limited by diffusion in the host melt and surface-controlled, non-equilibrium growth. Comparison of our data with the expected results of these processes suggests that: (1) Ti partitioning in zircon is dependent upon non-equilibrium effects in addition to temperature and/or (2) the incorporation of elements that co-vary with Ti in zircon (e.g., Y, P and Ce) is also temperature-dependent. Sub-micron scale, high-Ti regions are also found within Proterozoic Adirondack and >4 Ga Jack Hills zircons as well as trace element enrichments (including Ti) along cracks within Jack Hills zircons.     

Petrology and geochemistry of orthoamphibolites from the Variscan metamorphic sequences of the South Tisia in Croatia – an overview with geodynamic implications

In the southern Pannonian Basin, the Variscan Barrovian- and overprinted Abukuma-type progressive metamorphic sequences of the South Tisia in Slavonian Mts. (SM) and Mt. Moslava)ka Gora (MG) are interlayered with orthoamphibolites. These sequences represent part of a disrupted Variscan belt that extends southeastwards of the Bohemian Massif through the Carpathians to the Caucasus. Orthoamphibolites contain hornblende (Mg-hornblende, tschermakite, pargasite, and edenite), plagioclase An_48-98 (MG) and An_26-35 (SM), biotite, grossular (MG) and almandine (SM) enriched garnet, diopside (MG), with accessory ilmenite, titanite, and clinozoisite. Based on major and trace element analyses and CIPW norms, these orthoamphibolites, which originally were olivine tholeiites to slightly alkalic basalts, can be correlated with tholeiites of consuming plate margins. '¹⁸O of orthoamphibolites varies from 5.8 to 7.1‰, the measured ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio from 0.70435 to 0.70665, which indicates slight continental crust contamination, and the calculated ratio from 0.70262 to 0.70535, indicating an upper mantle origin of the original basaltic melts. For associated penecontemporaneous I-type granitoids, the calculated initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio also have upper mantle values ranging between 0.70293 and 0.70368. Geochemical data for orthoamphibolites and the associated penecontemporaneous I-type granites, and the occurrence of alpine-type ultramafic bodies within the Barrovian sequence, indicate that they have many features in common with orogenic associations related to recent subduction-related settings. Some characteristic element ratios suggest back-arc basin environments and the Ce/K vs. Ce diagram suggests a pargasite-lherzolite source. Its partial melting gave primitive basaltic melts of olivine tholeiite to slight alkalic affinities that produced at first differentiated mafic rocks by olivine fractionation (future orthoamphibolites) and, afterwards, a strongly differentiated suite of I-type granitoids by amphibole fractionation. Magma emplacement and subsequent AFC processes took place in subduction environments preceding the main Variscan deformational metamorphic event during which orthoamphibolites were generated. This interpretation is compatible with geodynamic modeling of this part of the Paleotethys.     

Estimation of peak relative velocity and peak absolute acceleration of linear SDOF systems

In the seismic analysis and design of structures, the true velocity and absolute acceleration are usually approximated by their corresponding pseudo-values. This approach is simple and works well for structures with small damping (say, less than 15%). When the damping of a structure is enhanced for the purpose of response reduction, it may result in large analysis and design errors. Based on theory of random vibration and the established mechanism of seismic response spectra analysis, a method is developed (1) to predict the relative velocity spectra with any damping ratio level directly from the 5% standard pseudo-acceleration spectrum; and (2) to estimate the peak absolute acceleration. The accuracy of both is validated by using two selected ensembles of ground motion records.     

Hydrogeochemistry of the Koyna River basin,India

Hydrogeochemistry of the Koyna River basin, famous for the Koyna earthquake (magnitude 7) of 1967, has been studied. Basalt is the primary aquifer; laterites, alluvium, and talus deposits form aquifers of secondary importance. Groundwater generally occurs under water table conditions in shallow aquifers. Deeper aquifers are associated only with basalts. One hundred and 87 water samples were collected from various sources, such as dugwells, borewells, springs, and surface water, including 40 samples for analysis of iron. Only major constituents were analyzed. Analyses show that the concentrations of Ca²⁺ exceed that of Mg²⁺ in almost all water samples; the concentrations of Na⁺ are generally next to Ca²⁺ and are always higher than that of K⁺; and CO₃ ^2– and SO₄ ^2– are very low and are often negligible. Groundwater in borewells tapping deeper aquifers has higher mineralization compared to that in dugwells representing shallow aquifers. Majority of the water samples are dominated by alkaline earths (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) and weak acids (HCO₃ ⁻, CO₃ ^2–). Groundwater from shallow aquifers is generally calcium-bicarbonate type (53%) and calcium-magnesium-bicarbonate type (27%). In case of deeper aquifer, it is mostly calcium-magnesium-bicarbonate type (29%), sodium-bicarbonate type (24%), calcium-bicarbonate type (19%), calcium-magnesium-sodium-bicarbonate type (19%) and sodium-calcium-bicarbonate type (9%). Groundwater water is generally fit for drinking and irrigation purposes, except in the lower reaches of the Koyna River basin, which is affected by near water logging conditions.