An analytical solution for rainfall infiltration into an unsaturated infinite slope and its application to slope stability analysis

Surficial slope failures in residual soils are common in tropical and subtropical regions as a result of rainfall infiltration. This study develops an analytical solution for simulating rainfall infiltration into an infinite unsaturated soil slope. The analytical solution is based on the general partial differential equation for water flow through unsaturated soils. It can accept soil–water characteristic curve and unsaturated permeability function of the exponential form into account. Numerical simulations are conducted to verify the assumptions of the analytical solution and demonstrate that the proposed analytical solution is acceptable for the coarse soils with low air entry values. The pore‐water pressure (pwp) distributions obtained from the analytical solution can be incorporated into a limit equilibrium method to do infinite slope stability analysis for a rain‐induced shallow slip. The analysis method takes into account the influence of the water content change on unit weight and hence on factor of safety. A series of analytical parametric analyses have been performed using the developed model. The analyses indicate that when the residual soil slope, consisting of a completely decomposed granite layer underlain by a less permeable layer, is subjected to a continuous heavy rainfall, the loss of negative pwp and the reduction in factor of safety were found to be most significant for the shallow soil layer and during the first 12 h. The antecedent and subsequent rainfall intensity, depth of a less permeable layer and slope angle all have a significant influence on the pwp response and hence the slope stability. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparative assessment of nitrogen fixation rate by 15N2 tracer assays in the South China Sea

Nitrogen fixation is one of the most important sources of new nitrogen in the ocean and thus profoundly affects the nitrogen and carbon biogeochemical processes. The distribution, controlling factors, and flux of N₂ fixation in the global ocean remain uncertain, partly because of the lack of methodological uniformity. The 15N₂ tracer assay (the original bubble method → the 15N₂-enriched seawater method → the modified bubble method) is the mainstream method for field measurements of N₂ fixation rates (NFRs), among which the original bubble method is the most frequently used. However, accumulating evidence has suggested an underestimation of NFRs when using this method. To improve the availability of previous data, we compared NFRs measured by three 15N₂ tracer assays in the South China Sea. Our results indicate that the relationship between NFRs measured by the original bubble method and the 15N₂-enriched seawater method varies obviously with area and season, which may be influenced by incubation time, diazotrophic composition, and environmental factors. In comparison, the relationship between NFRs measured by the original bubble method and the modified bubble method is more stable, indicating that the N₂ fixation rates based on the original bubble methods may be underestimated by approximately 50%. Based on this result, we revised the flux of N₂ fixation in the South China Sea to 40 mmol/(m2·a). Our results improve the availability and comparability of literature NFR data in the South China Sea. The comparison of the 15N₂ tracer assay for NFRs measurements on a larger scale is urgently necessary over the global ocean for a more robust understanding of the role of N₂ fixation in the marine nitrogen cycle.     

南海西北部水域斑节对虾资源的调查研究

1989－1991年对南海西北部水域进行斑节对虾Penaeusmonodon资源专项调查。结果表明,斑节对虾的密集分布区在海南岛东部和南部海区,其现存资源量为82．6万尾,周年有体长30mm以下的幼虾出现。主要产卵期在9－12月。产卵场在海南岛东部和南部水深30-60m的海区。     

Mapping QTLs of caudal fin length in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) exhibits significant morphological variability in the shape and size of the caudal fin. In this study, we used 190 progeny from two F₁ parents to identify and map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that influence caudal fin length (CFL) and the ratio (RCS) between caudal fin length and standard length (SL) based on a microsatellite genetic map of common carp. A total of 15 QTLs were detected in seven different linkage groups. One significant and eight suggestive QTLs affecting CFL were identified on LG8, LG14, LG29, LG32 and LG44, which explained 8.0%–22.1% of the phenotypic variation; six suggestive QTLs affecting RCS were detected on LG8, LG32, LG46 and LG48, which explained 7.0%–15.4% of the phenotypic variation. The QTLs for caudal fin length detected in this study may serve as a starting point for identification of genes involved in caudal fin development in common carp.     

白芍(Radix paeoniae alba)提取物对中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)造血组织发育及造血因子Astakine的影响

血淋巴细胞在甲壳动物免疫反应中起着非常重要的作用,其主要由造血组织(Hematopoietic tissue, HPT)生成并随着开管式循环分布到身体各处。到目前为止,还没有相关研究表明甲壳动物造血组织是否受草本植物的影响。本研究以中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)为对象,利用荧光定量PCR、免疫荧光和组织化学等技术,初步探索了白芍(Radix paeoniae alba)提取物对中华绒螯蟹造血组织和造血因子Astakine的影响。结果显示,在原代培养的造血组织细胞中添加终浓度为0.85mg/mL的白芍提取物后,造血因子Astakine mRNA的表达量显著上调(P0.05)。进一步制备含1%白芍提取物的中华绒螯蟹饲料并进行饲喂实验,结果显示饲喂含白芍提取物饲料的中华绒螯蟹造血组织的Astakine mRNA的表达量较饲喂前上调了10.5倍,要高于对照组。免疫荧光结果同样表明,饲喂含白芍提取物饲料后中华绒螯蟹造血组织的Astakine蛋白荧光信号也要强于对照组。通过造血组织的形态学观察和造血组织体重百分比的检测,我们发现白芍组中华绒螯蟹造血组织含有较多卵形小叶,且造血组织体重百分比较饲喂前增加了6.64%,而对照组仅增加1.6%。免疫保护率实验显示,在脂多糖急性刺激下,白芍添加组的中华绒螯蟹的存活率(77.5%)要高于对照组(57.5%)。综上所述,白芍提取物可以促进中华绒螯蟹造血因子的表达和造血组织的发育,从而提高中华绒螯蟹的免疫调节功能。     

An experimental study on microscopic characteristics of gas-bearing sediments under different gas reservoir pressures

Gas-bearing sediments are widely distributed in five continents all over the world. Most of the gases exist in the soil skeleton in the form of discrete large bubbles. The existence of gas-phase may increase or decrease the strength of the soil skeleton. So far, bubbles’ structural morphology and evolution characteristics in soil skeleton lack research, and the influence of different gas reservoir pressures on bubbles are still unclear. The micro characteristics of bubbles in the same sediment sample were studied using an industrial CT scanning test system to solve these problems. Using the image processing software, the micro variation characteristics of gas-bearing sediments in gas reservoir pressure change are obtained. The results show that the number and volume of bubbles in different equivalent radius ranges will change regularly under different gas reservoir pressure. With the increase of gas reservoir pressure, the number and volume of tiny bubbles decrease. In contrast, the number and volume of large bubbles increase, and the gas content in different positions increases and occupies a dominant position, driving the reduction of pore water and soil skeleton movement.     

Characteristics and origins of middle Miocene mounds and channels in the northern South China Sea

Numerous elongated mounds and channels were found at the top of the middle Miocene strata using 2D/3D seismic data in the Liwan Sag of Zhujiang River Mouth Basin(ZRMB) and the Beijiao Sag of Qiongdongnan Basin(QDNB). They occur at intervals and are rarely revealed by drilling wells in the deepwater areas. Origins of the mounds and channels are controversial and poorly understood. Based on an integrated analysis of the seismic attribute, palaeotectonics and palaeogeography, and drilling well enco...     

Storm surge induced flux through multiple tidal passes of Lake Pontchartrain estuary during Hurricanes Gustav and Ike

In September 2008, Hurricanes Gustav and Ike generated major storm surges which impacted the Lake Pontchartrain estuary in Louisiana. This paper presents analyses of in situ measurements acquired during these storm events. The main data used in the analyses were from three bottom mounted moorings equipped with conductivity, temperature, and depth sensors, acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs), and a semi-permanent laterally mounted horizontal acoustic Doppler profiler (ADP). These moorings were deployed in the three major tidal channels that connect Lake Pontchartrain with the coastal ocean. A process similar to tidal straining was observed: the vertical shear of the horizontal velocity was negligible during the inundation stage, but a shear of 0.8 m/s over a less than 5 m water column was recorded during the receding stage, 2–3 times the normal tidal oscillations. The surge reached its peak in the Industrial Canal 1.4–2.1 h before those in the other two channels. The inward flux of water lasted for a shorter time period than that of the outward flux. The inward flux was also observed to have much smaller magnitude than the outward flux (∼960–1200 vs. 2100–3100 million m³). The imbalance was believed to have been caused by the additional water into Lake Pontchartrain through some small rivers and inundation over the land plus rainfall from the hurricanes. The flux through the Industrial Canal was 8–12%, while the flux through the other two tidal passes ranged between 17% and 70% of the total, but mostly split roughly half-half of the remaining (∼88–92% of the total).     

Compact and tunable mid-infrared source based on a 2 μm dual-wavelength KTiOPO4 intracavity optical parametric oscillator

Using a double resonant KTiOPO₄ (KTP) intracavity optical parametric oscillator operating at degenerated point of 2 μm, we demonstrate a unique mid-infrared source based on difference frequency generation in GaSe crystal. The output tuning range is 8.42-19.52 μm, and a peak power of 834 W for type-I phase matching scheme and 730 W for type-II phase matching scheme are achieved. Experimental results show that this oscillator is a good alternative to the generator of a compact and tabletop mid-infrared radiation with a widely tunable range.