Use of seasonal trend decomposition to understand groundwater behaviour in the Permo-Triassic Sandstone aquifer,Eden Valley,UK

The daily groundwater level (GWL) response in the Permo-Triassic Sandstone aquifers in the Eden Valley, England (UK), has been studied using the seasonal trend decomposition by LOESS (STL) technique. The hydrographs from 18 boreholes in the Permo-Triassic Sandstone were decomposed into three components: seasonality, general trend and remainder. The decomposition was analysed first visually, then using tools involving a variance ratio, time-series hierarchical clustering and correlation analysis. Differences and similarities in decomposition pattern were explained using the physical and hydrogeological information associated with each borehole. The Penrith Sandstone exhibits vertical and horizontal heterogeneity, whereas the more homogeneous St Bees Sandstone groundwater hydrographs characterize a well-identified seasonality; however, exceptions can be identified. A stronger trend component is obtained in the silicified parts of the northern Penrith Sandstone, while the southern Penrith, containing Brockram (breccias) Formation, shows a greater relative variability of the seasonal component. Other boreholes drilled as shallow/deep pairs show differences in responses, revealing the potential vertical heterogeneities within the Penrith Sandstone. The differences in bedrock characteristics between and within the Penrith and St Bees Sandstone formations appear to influence the GWL response. The de-seasonalized and de-trended GWL time series were then used to characterize the response, for example in terms of memory effect (autocorrelation analysis). By applying the STL method, it is possible to analyse GWL hydrographs leading to better conceptual understanding of the groundwater flow. Thus, variation in groundwater response can be used to gain insight into the aquifer physical properties and understand differences in groundwater behaviour.     

Spatial optimization for regionalization problems with spatial interaction: a heuristic approach

Spatial optimization techniques are commonly used for regionalization problems, often represented as p-regions problems. Although various spatial optimization approaches have been proposed for finding exact solutions to p-regions problems, these approaches are not practical when applied to large-size problems. Alternatively, various heuristics provide effective ways to find near-optimal solutions for p-regions problem. However, most heuristic approaches are specifically designed for particular geographic settings. This paper proposes a new heuristic approach named Automated Zoning Procedure-Center Interchange (AZP-CI) to solve the p-functional regions problem (PFRP), which constructs regions by combining small areas that share common characteristics with predefined functional centers and have tight connections among themselves through spatial interaction. The AZP-CI consists of two subprocesses. First, the dissolving/splitting process enhances diversification and thereby produces an extensive exploration of the solution space. Second, the standard AZP locally improves the objective value. The AZP-CI was tested using randomly simulated datasets and two empirical datasets with different sizes. These evaluations indicate that AZP-CI outperforms two established heuristic algorithms: the AZP and simulated annealing, in terms of both solution quality and consistency of producing reliable solutions regardless of initial conditions. It is also noted that AZP-CI, as a general heuristic method, can be easily extended to other regionalization problems. Furthermore, the AZP-CI could be a more scalable algorithm to solve computational intensive spatial optimization problems when it is combined with cyberinfrastructure.     

Systematization of features and requirements for geological survey of railroad subgrades functioning in cold regions

The operation of a railway track in cold regions results in the premature deformation of subgrade soils caused by significant temperature fluctuations and ecological imbalance. Identification and calculation of the thawing degree of permafrost soils, frost heaving of clays, and groundwater flooding require careful engineering and geological surveying. The paper describes the unique, long-standing experience of the university scientists connected with maintaining the Russian East-Siberian and Trans-Baikal Railways'' facilities. Specific features of and requirements for the surveying, depending on the geological and climatic conditions, are identified.     

Complementary Entropy and Wavelet Analysis of Drilling-Ability Data

The paper combines wavelet and entropy analysis of nonstationary drilling-ability data in order to obtain optimum information on the mechanical behavior of different geological formations. Both methods are multiscale in nature, and while entropy analysis provides information on stationary subdomains, wavelet analysis identifies dominant scales or range of scales at which the entropy analysis is most useful. The combination of the techniques yields relatively simple results that can aid the drilling process by providing information on delays to be expected.     

Stress measurements in soft rocks

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate that accurate and reliable in situ stress measurements can be performed in soft rocks. A quick overview of the mechanical behaviour of soft rocks is presented. After reviewing stress measurement techniques that have been used in soft rocks, the modified doorstopper technique is presented and the advantages it has over other techniques in soft rocks are underlined. Results from laboratory simulations in controlled conditions show that the technique is reliable and accurate. It is then shown, through field applications in a potash mine in Brazil, in an underwater tunnel in shales in Canada and in an exploratory drift in molassic rocks of the French Alps, how the technique yields results that can sometimes be confirmed by field observations.     

Induced Calcite Precipitation by Cyanobacterium Synechococcus

This study investigated the role of the solution composition on calcite precipitation induced by cyanobacteria. The precipitation of calcium carbonate was induced by addition of cyanobacterium cells Synechococcus strain PCC 7942 in two artificial solutions with a different composition at similar saturation states in respect to calcite. Ion‐selective electrodes for pH, Ca²⁺, and COequation/tex2gif-stack-1.gif monitored the experiments, and the morphology of precipitated crystals was analysed by scanning electron microscopy. The calcite precipitation was observed in all experiments after the addition of the cells. The composition of solution (the ratio of dissolved inorganic carbon to dissolved calcium) strongly influenced the calcite precipitation. Based on laboratory experiment results, a possible mechanism for precipitation induced by Synechococcus is proposed linking precipitation with the conditions near to cell walls rather than with the saturation conditions in the bulk solution.