A three-dimensional multi-level turbulence model for tidal motion

A three-dimensional multi-level turbulence model is developed to simulate tide induced circulation in coastal waters. Based on the bathymetry data, the coastal waters are divided into a number of layers. In every layer, the velocities are integrated along the layer depth. The eddy viscosity and diffusivity are computed from the Prandtl mixing length turbulence model. This multi-level model solves for the water surface elevations and currents in different water depths. Comparison of numerical results with the measured data shows good conformity.     

The effect of weathering on optically stimulated luminescence dating

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating was applied to quartz samples recovered from the gravel sediments of deformed marine terrace at the Suryum site, southeastern Korea, but has yielded stratigraphically inconsistent ages. Micromorphological, chemical, and mineralogical analyses of the gravels indicate the possible influence of chemical weathering on the apparent OSL ages. In the course of weathering after emerging from beach environments, originally permeable gravels underwent infilling by halloysite-rich clays in their voids, export and import of radioactive elements, and loss of mechanical strength with the creation of a porosity within pebbles. Calculation based on the evolution of the weathering profile showed a severe fluctuation of dose rate caused by the change of water content and radioactive element concentrations. Samples recovered from the weathering profile inevitably include quartz grains derived from mechanically weakened pebbles or illuviated from the upper layer, making it difficult to determine the equivalent dose (D_e) values of exclusively depositional quartz sands. Quantitative evaluation of the change of fabric and chemistry of the sediments on the basis of pedologic insight significantly aids in the derivation of OSL ages consistent with geomorphology and other independent age controls.     

Evaluating the impact of visualization of wildfire hazard upon decision-making under uncertainty

The paper investigates whether the methods chosen for representing uncertain geographic information aid or impair decision-making in the context of wildfire hazard. Through a series of three human subject experiments, utilizing 180 subjects and employing increasingly difficult tasks, this research evaluates the effect of five different visualizations and a text-based representation on decision-making under uncertainty. Our quantitative experiments focus specifically on the task of decision-making under uncertainty, rather than the task of reading levels of uncertainty from the map. To guard against the potential for generosity and risk seeking in decision-making under uncertainty, the experimental design uses performance-based incentives. The experiments showed that the choice of representation makes little difference to performance in cases where subjects are allowed the time and focus to consider their decisions. However, with the increasing difficulty of time pressure, subjects performed best using a spectral color hue-based representation, rather than more carefully designed cartographic representations. Text-based and simplified boundary encodings were among the worst performers. The results have implications for the performance of decision-making under uncertainty using static maps, especially in the stressful environments surrounding an emergency.     

Wave forces on submarine pipelines near a plane boundary

Forces induced by regular waves on submarine pipelines resting on as well as near a plane boundary and aligned parallel to wave fronts of the oncoming waves are investigated experimentally. The inline hydrodynamic coefficients of drag and inertia are evaluated through the use of Morison equation and the least squares method. The transverse force is analysed in terms of maximum transverse force and transverse root mean square (r.m.s.) coefficients. The resulting inline and transverse hydrodynamic coefficients are correlated with the period parameter or Keulegan-Carpenter number and relative clearance of the pipeline from the plane boundary. The effect of depth parameter on these coefficients and the correlation between maximum transverse force and transverse r.m.s. coefficients are also reported.     

The geochemistry of uranium occurrences and speciation in groundwater of Chinnar sub basin,South India

An attempt has been made in Chinnar sub basin of Dharmapuri district, South India to isolate the geochemistry of uranium occurrences in groundwater. The geology of the area is mainly of charnockite and granite gneiss. Groundwater samples were collected for two different seasons post and pre monsoon in two different litho units (granite gneiss and charnockite) and analysed for major, minor and uranium concentrations. Higher uranium (18.45 μg L^?1) has been recorded during pre monsoon season in granite gneiss with increasing pH. The saturation index calculation for the groundwater isolated minerals like uaraninite, coffinite, haiweeite and soddyite to be precipitating and uranium oxides like UO_2.25, UO_2.25beta, UO_2.33beta as oversaturated. The Eh-pH diagram attempted represents solubility of uraninite within the pH range of 6.0 to 8.0. The study isolate uranium in groundwater of the study area is controlled by the presence of (U₄O₉) uranium oxide.     

Synmetamorphic granitoids (~ 490 Ma) as accretion indicators in the evolution of the Ol’khon terrane (western Cisbaikalia)

We present geological, structural, and geochemical data on synmetamorphic granitoids from the Tutai and South Ol’khon plutons of the Ol’khon terrane (Central Asian Fold Belt) with an estimation of the U–Pb zircon age of the Tutai granites. The structural and petrological data suggest the synfolding and synmetamorphic origin of the granitoids. The U–Pb zircon age of the Tutai granites (488.6 ± 8.0 Ma) almost coincides with the previously estimated age of quartz syenites from the South Ol’khon pluton (495 ± 6 Ma). The plutons occupy the same position in the regional structure. The granitoids underwent final deformations and metamorphism at 464 ± 11 Ma. The Tutai pluton consists of moderately potassic granites, whereas the South Ol’khon pluton is made up of quartz syenites and granites. The geochemical characteristics of the granites from both plutons (low Y and Yb contents, fractionated REE patterns) indicate their formation under conditions of garnet crystallization in deep crustal restite. The higher Y and Yb contents of the South Ol’khon quartz syenites as compared with those of the granites suggest the lack of equilibrium between the quartz syenite magmas and garnet parageneses during their formation or evolution. The Tutai and South Ol’khon granites were derived from quartz-feldspar crustal rocks, whereas the South Ol’khon quartz syenites might have originated from a mixed (crust-mantle) source. It is presumed that the granitoids formed within accretion-thickened crust. Early accretion, which has been first identified in the region, affected not only the Pribrezhnaya zone (the zone of the Tutai and South Ol’khon plutons) but also the entire Anga–Satyurty megazone of the Ol’khon terrane. The accretion ended with the convergence and oblique collision of the Ol’khon terrane and Siberian continent, when strike-slip tectonics became ubiquitous.