High-resolution climate variability of southwest China during 57-70 ka reflected in a stalagmite δ18O record from Xinya Cave

A 26-cm-long stalagmite (XY2) from Xinya Cave in northeastern Chongqing of China has been ICP-MS ²³⁰Th/U dated, showing a depositional hiatus at 2.3 cm depth from the top. The growth of the 2.3–26 cm interval determined by four dates was between 57 ka and 70 ka, with a linear growth rate of 0.023 mm/a. We have analyzed 190 samples for δ ¹⁸O and δ ¹³C, mostly in the 2.3–26 cm part. The δ ¹⁸O and δ ¹³C values between 57 ka and 70 ka reveal decadal-to-centennial climatic variability during the glacial interval of Marine Isotope Stage 4 (MIS4), exhibiting much higher resolution than that of the published Hulu and Dongge records during this interval. Speleothem δ ¹⁸O in eastern China, including our study area can be used as a proxy of summer monsoon strength, with lighter values pointing to stronger summer monsoon and higher precipitation, and vice versa. Two decreases in the δ ¹⁸O signature of XY2 record around 59.5 and 64.5 Ka are argued to correspond to the Dansgaard-Oeschger (D-O) events 17 and 18 respectively. The Heinrich event 6 (H6) can be identified in the record as a heavy δ ¹⁸O peak around 60 ka, indicating significant weakening of the monsoon in Chongqing during the cold period. The XY2 δ ¹⁸O record shows very rapid change toward to the interstadial condition of the D-O event, but more gradual change toward to the cold stadial condition. This phenomenon found in the Greenland ice core records is rarely observed so clearly in previously published speleothem records. According to SPECMAP δ ¹⁸O record, the glacial maximum of MIS 4 was around 64.5 ka with the boundary of MIS 3/4 around 60 ka. Unlike the marine record, the speleothem record of XY2, China, exhibits much high frequency variations without an apparent glacial maximum during MIS 4. However, the timing of MIS 3/4 boundary seems to be around 60 ka when the H6 terminated, in agreement with the marine chronology. The growth period of sample XY2 during glacial times probably reflects a local karstic routing of water, rather than having climatic significance. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40672165, 90511004, 40672202) and the Academician Special Project of Chongqing Science Committee (Grant No. 2003-7835)     

Hazard degree identification and coupling analysis of the influencing factors on goafs

In China, there are a large number of mined-out area which bring a great hidden danger to the mine enterprise’s safety production and people’s life and property. Therefore, the stability evaluation and the mechanism analysis of goafs have become a hot issue in the study on sustainable development of mining industry. To solve the complexity, concealment, and uncertainty of goaf influencing factors, 14 factors, i.e., rock mass structure, goaf span, exposed area, and so on, were selected as the evaluation indexes according to an iron ore. Then, the hazard evaluation model of goaf was established by using the information entropy and the unascertained measurement (UM) theory to identify the hazard degree, and the hazard importance degree index was put forward by changing the influencing factors and its index value to quantitatively analyze the coupling degree of influencing factors. This paper takes the BFZ-8 goaf as an example to evaluate and analyze the goaf stability. The results show that the evaluation model about UM and the experimental schemes are feasible and practicability, and the UM evaluation grades are consistent with the fuzzy evaluation grades and the actual risk grades in the case of multi-factor coupling. And the experimental results quantitatively reflect the coupling degree of the influencing factors by comparing the relative change rate of the importance degree, and the coupling results are consistent with the actual situation. So, the method can guide the production safety of mine, protect life and property safety of miners, and provide technical support and a new method for hazard degree identification of the goaf.     

Ecotourism and mass tourism in Southern Thailand: Spatial interdependence,structural connections,and staged authenticity

The desire to spend leisure time in natural settings represents a key factor behind the recent and rapid growth of ecotourism. A search by ecotourists for remote landscapes and locations has shaped the way in which geographers have defined ecotourism, but few scholars have explored, in detail, the mechanics of the spatial relationship between ecotourism and mass tourism, two forms of travel usually considered mutually exclusive in spatial terms. Using the island of Phuket — southern Thailands premier resort destination — as a case study, this paper investigates the spatial overlaps and connections between ecotourism and mass tourism and tests the assumption that ecotourism and mass tourism must exist spatially apart in order for the former to succeed. Despite Phukets association with mass tourism, and the small physical distances between built-up mass tourist areas and natural ecotourism settings, the communicative staging of natural authenticity allows ecotourism companies to convey geographical remoteness to tourists. Although ecotourism in Phuket must struggle constantly to overcome the perceptual impact of spatial proximity to resort locations, the tourist markets and business networks of the existing mass tourism industry remain crucial to the survival of ecotourism in this region. Thus, contrary to conventional notions that ecotourism and mass tourism must exist as separate entities, this paper argues that an interconnected, symbiotic, and spatially-contiguous relationship between the two is necessary in the case of Phuket.     

Interference of Multiple Strip Footings on Sand Using Small Scale Model Tests

By using small scale model tests, the interference effect on the vertical load-deformation behavior of a number of equally spaced strip footings, placed on the surface of dry sand, was investigated. At any stage, all the footings were assumed to (i) carry exactly equal magnitude of load, and (ii) settle to the same extent. No tilt of the footing was permitted. The effect of clear spacing (s) among footings on the results was explored. A new experimental setup was proposed in which only one footing needs to be employed rather than a number of footings. The bearing capacity increases continuously with decrease in spacing among the footings. The interference effect becomes further prominent with increase in soil friction angle. In contrast to an increase in the bearing capacity, with decrease in spacing of footings, an increase in the footing settlement associated with the ultimate state of shear failure was observed. The present experimental observations were similar to those predicted by the available theory, based on the method of characteristics. As compared to the theory, the present experimental data, however, indicates much greater effect of interference especially for larger spacing among footings.     

基于多源数据约束的成矿动力学模拟——以宁芜盆地钟姑矿田典型矿床为例

数据驱动是大数据分析的特点之一。成矿过程的数值模拟即采用数据驱动方式,在基本的物理化学方程及地质模型基础上,通过定量的手段,模拟不同阶段、不同条件下成矿系统的演化过程,从而能够更深入、直观的讨论各种地质要素对成矿系统的影响,验证已有的成矿理论,获得新的认识。姑山铁矿床和杨庄铁矿床是宁芜火山岩盆地钟姑矿田内的典型矿床。前人研究显示,杨庄铁矿床为典型的充填-接触交代型热液矿床,而姑山铁矿床目前在成因上仍存在争议,存在岩浆成因和热液成因等多种观点。为了更好的对比和了解姑山铁矿床和杨庄铁矿床的成因及成矿过程,本文基于多源数据的综合解译剖面,采用力-热耦合数值模拟方法对与热液矿床密切相关的扩容空间的形成机制和特点开展研究。模拟结果显示,姑山铁矿床和杨庄铁矿床可能分属不同的成因类型;随着岩体的逐渐冷却,杨庄铁矿床内岩体和地层接触带会出现明显的扩容空间,可为成矿流体的汇聚及矿质的沉淀提供良好的条件,有利于热液矿床的形成;而姑山铁矿床内岩体和地层接触带只有局部区域出现扩容空间,同时体应变数值较小且形态变化大,并不利于大规模的流体汇聚及矿质的沉淀,姑山铁矿床可能主要为岩浆成因,并受少量热液的叠加改造。     

潮汐测量中异常“震颤”信号的综合观测试验与挖掘

潮汐测量包含倾斜、应变和重力固体潮等,与地震观测具有共同的物理本质,观测量都与地壳运动有直接力学关系.两者的观测信号在频率域相互重叠、自然衔接,覆盖了从地震波至固体潮频段的所有地动信息.     

夏季南海北部微型浮游动物群落

根据2014年8月至9月于珠江口至南海中部断面(18°00'~22°00'N,114°00'~116°00'E)的南海北部海域进行采样调查,并进行了微型浮游动物群落分析。共发现微型浮游动物142种,隶属于2门44属,其中砂壳纤毛虫28属78种,占所有发现物种数的54.93%;寡毛类纤毛虫14属59种,占所有发现物种数的41.55%。优势类群为:拟卡金斯急游虫(Strombidium paracalkinsi)、具沟急游虫(Strombidium sulcatum)、维尔伯特急游虫(Strombidium wilberti)和无节幼体(nauplii)。调查区微型浮游动物的丰度介于11.43~959.35 ind/L之间,平均值为264.99 ind/L。微型浮游动物垂直分布总体特点是密集区位于50 m水层,50 m水层之下丰度逐渐减少。表层微型浮游动物丰度高值区位于J5-I1站位之间。断面的香农-威纳指数范围在0.92~4.18之间,平均值为2.77;均匀度指数在0.63~1之间,平均值为0.87。应用典范对应分析(CCA)发现温度和盐度是影响微型浮游动物群落的重要因素。通过对连续追踪站位的调查发现,上层水体微型浮游动物群落丰度随着时间而发生一定的变化,下层水体相对较平缓。微型浮游动物昼夜的垂直丰度变化与叶绿素浓度昼夜变化大致相符。     

含油气盆地成藏期分析理论和新方法

传统的成藏期分析主要从生、储、盖、运、聚、保各项参数有效配置，根据构造演化史、圈闭形成史与烃源岩生排烃史作出推断，常用的 3个方法是根据油源岩的主生油期、圈闭形成期、油藏饱和压力分析油气藏形成期。近10年来成藏期分析是在构造发展史、埋藏史、热演化史、沉积成岩史 4个方面地质历史分析基础上，更多地依靠成藏化石记录的地球化学和岩石学分析结果，获得成藏期定量数据。评述了成藏期定量分析的理论与方法：包括储层成岩作用与烃类流体充注序次、自生矿物同位素地质年代学、流体包裹体、储层磁性矿物古地磁学、生烃期精确分析等，并讨论了它们在叠合盆地成藏年代学分析中实际应用及存在问题。     

Exploiting historical rainfall and landslide data in a spatial database for the derivation of critical rainfall thresholds

Critical rainfall thresholds for landslides are powerful tools for preventing landslide hazard. The thresholds are commonly estimated empirically starting from rainfall events that triggered landslides in the past. The creation of the appropriate rainfall–landslide database is one of the main efforts in this approach. In fact, an accurate agreement between the landslide and rainfall information, in terms of location and timing, is essential in order to correctly estimate the rainfall–landslide relationships. A further issue is taking into account the average moisture conditions prior the triggering event, which reasonably may be crucial in determining the sufficient amount of precipitation. In this context, the aim of this paper is exploiting historical landslide and rainfall data in a spatial database for the derivation of critical rainfall thresholds for landslide occurrence in Sicily, southern Italy. The hourly rainfall events that caused landslides occurred in the twentieth century were specifically identified and reconstructed. A procedure was proposed to automatically convert rain guages charts recorded on paper tape into digital format and then to provide the cumulative rainfall hyetograph in digital format. This procedure is based on a segmentation followed by signal recognition techniques which allow to digitalize and to recognize the hyetograph automatically. The role of rainfall prior to the landslide events was taken into account by including in the analysis the rainfall occurred 5, 15 and 30 days before each landslide. Finally, cumulated rainfall duration thresholds for different exceedance probability levels were determined. The obtained thresholds resulted in agreement with the regional curves proposed by other authors for the same area; antecedent rainfall turned out to be particularly important in triggering landslides.     

Detrital subsidy to the supratidal zone provides feeding habitat for intertidal crabs

Beach-cast wrack of marine origin is considered a spatial subsidy to the marine-terrestrial transition zone. We found that the wrack line on sand and gravel beaches of Vancouver Island was frequented by intertidal purple shore crabs,Hemigrapsus nudus (Dana 1851) and densely colonized by detritivorous talitrid amphipods. Amphipods spend the day buried in sand and forage on beach wrack during the night.H. nudus were found in supratidal wrack putches immediately after nightly high tides in field censuses, but spent most of the day and ebb tides either submerged subtidally or hidden underneath intertidal rocks and boulders. In feeding trials, intertidal shore crabs were capable of preying on talitrid amphipods. We considerH. nudus an omnivore feeding on both fresh and decaying macroalgae as well as animal prey. Although living supratidally, amphipods were significantly preferred over intertidal littorine snails by foraging shore crabs. Handling time of amphipods was significantly shorter than for littorine snails. While amphipods had a reduced risk of predation byH. nudus when buried in the sand, foraging undern eath wrack patches did not reduce predation pressure on amphipods by shore crabs. Rates of amphipod consumption by shore crabs were higher at darkness than daylight. In addition to an apparent day-night rhythm, tidal height and time elapsed since previous high tide had a significant influence on shore crab density wrack. We conclude that beach-cast wrack acts as a spatial subsidy by virtue of providing a valuable food source to talitrid amphipods, which are in turn consumed by shore crabs that ride the nightly high tide into supratidal wrack patches to reduce the risk of passing bare sand on theiry way to a feeding habitat rich in valuable prey.