Dynamic stress variations due to shear faults in a plane-layered medium

A complete set of expressions is presented for the computation of elastic dynamic stress in plane-layered media. We use a discrete-wavenumber reflectivity method to compute the stress field radiated by arbitrary moment-tensor sources. The expressions derived here represent an interesting tool for both-the observational and theoretical analysis of dynamic stress changes associated with earthquake phenomena. Dynamic stress changes associated with a strike-slip fault having unilateral rupture are shown. This modelling, which is similar to the 1992 Landers California earthquake, illustrates the effects of distance, directivity and depth on transient stress changes.     

Characterization of contact properties in biocemented sand using 3D X-ray micro-tomography

The mechanical efficiency of the biocementation process is directly related to the microstructural properties of the biocemented sand, such as the volume fraction of calcite, its distribution within the pore space (localized at the contact between grains, over the grain surfaces) and the contact properties: coordination number, contact surface area, contacts orientation and types of contact. In the present work, all these micromechanical properties are computed, for the first time, from 3D images obtained by X-ray tomography of intact biocemented sand samples. The evolution of all these properties with respect to the volume fraction of calcite is analyzed and compared between each other (from untreated sand to highly cemented sand). Whatever the volume fraction of calcite, it is shown that the precipitation of the calcite is localized at the contacts between grains. These results are confirmed by comparing our numerical results with analytical estimates assuming that the granular medium is made of periodic simple cubic arrangements of grains and by considering two extreme cases of precipitation: (1) The calcite is localized at the contact, and (2) the grains are covered by a uniform layer of calcite. In overall, the obtained results show that a small percentage of calcite is sufficient to get a large amount of cohesive contacts.

     

SIMS analyses of oxygen isotopes: Matrix effects in Fe-Mg-Ca garnets

Large instrumental mass fractionation (IMF) may occur during measurements of oxygen isotope ratios by SIMS. Part of this fractionation depends on crystal structure and mineral composition. In order to improve the accuracy of SIMS measurements, we gathered 6 commonly used garnet standards and prepared 6 others to adequately cover the composition range Alm_0-73, Prp_0-99, Grs_0-20. Electron microprobe analyses were performed at UBP-Clermont to check the chemical homogeneity of these standards. Oxygen isotope compositions were determined by laser fluorination and mass spectrometry at UW-Madison. Ten SIMS sessions and 336 δ¹⁸O measurements at CRPG-Nancy, on a Cameca IMS1270 instrument, demonstrate that the standards are homogeneous with external reproducibility of 0.3‰ (1σ). In terms of δ¹⁸O, SIMS measurements indicate that, during a single session, IMF can vary up to 6.3‰ from one garnet standard to another. In most of the sessions, IMF can be correlated with the grossular content. However, for a satisfactory correction scheme, we suggest the combination of the 3 main components (Ca, Fe, Mg). This is done using a simple least square calculation routine. The correction coefficients determined for each session can be used to calculate the IMF and correct the measured isotopic ratio of a garnet of known chemical composition. This way, we were able to reproduce the δ¹⁸O values of most of the Fe-Mg-Ca garnet standards within ± 0.6‰. Interestingly, the use of only 3 end-member standards (AlmCMG, PrpMM, GrsSE) plus a standard of intermediate composition (e.g. UWG-2) is sufficient to reproduce δ¹⁸O within the same precision. Thus, linear interpolation among end-member standards is satisfactory in the case of the garnet solid-solutions. Two studies carried out on zoned garnets from the Alps and the Pyrenees indicate that matrix effects become significant when variations in grossular contents are important (> 10%). In order to obtain reliable isotope ratio measurements on Fe-Mg-Ca garnets using a SIMS, we suggest a correction scheme using at least 3 reliable end-member standards plus a standard of intermediate composition (a garnet standard closest to the average composition of the analysed garnet). This allows cross-checking and incorporates a correction based on the variations in composition of zoned crystals.     

Interactions climat-eustatisme-tectonique. Les enseignements et perspectives du Crétacé supérieur (Cénomanien-Coniacien)

Résumé

Une analyse de séries sédimentaires d’âge Crétacé supérieur dans le Sud-Est de la France a été entreprise et intégrée dans un cadre de stratigraphie séquentielle. Les limites Cénomanien–Turonien et la limite Turonien–Coniacien sont marquées par des variations rapides et de fortes amplitudes du niveau marin relatif. La comparaison effectuée avec d’autres bassins mondiaux nous amène à envisager le problème dans un cadre global. On constate : (1) le synchronisme d’événements à haute fréquence dans des contextes géodynamiques différents. (2) les effets de la superposition de cycles eustatiques hiérarchiquement différents, c’est-à-dire la superposition d’oscillations à haute fréquence sur une composante de 3^e ordre. Ces observations sont confrontées à deux hypothèses : le glacio-eustatisme et la tectonique à haute fréquence. © Elsevier, Paris.     

Characterising groundwater and surface-water interconnections using hydrogeology,hydrochemistry and stable isotopes in the Ouémé Delta,southern Benin

The Mio-Pliocene aquifer of the coastal sedimentary basin of Benin is the most exploited aquifer for water supply to the urbanised region in the southern part of the country. The population explosion is putting increasing pressure on quantitative and qualitative aspects of the groundwater resources. Preventing groundwater contamination caused by surface waters requires a thorough understanding of surface-water/groundwater interactions, especially the interactions between the Mio-Pliocene aquifer and surface waters. This study aimed to investigate the interactions between groundwater and surface waters along the major rivers (Sô River and Ouémé Stream) and brooks in the Ouémé Delta. Field campaigns identified 75 springs located in the valleys which feed the rivers, and thus maintain their base flow. The piezometric results indicated, through flow direction assessment, that the Mio-Pliocene aquifer feeds Ouémé Stream and Sô River. Chemical analyses of groundwater and surface waters show similar chemical facies, and changes in the chemical composition in groundwater are also observed in the surface waters. Moreover, the isotopic signatures of surface waters are similar to those of the groundwater and springs, which led to the identification of potential groundwater discharge areas. As a result of groundwater discharge into surface waters, the fraction of groundwater in the surface water is more than 66% in the brooks, regardless of the season. In the Ouémé Stream and Sô River, the fraction of groundwater is 0–21% between June and September, while from October to March it is 47–100%.

     

Denudation rates of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero (Minas Gerais, Brazil): Preliminary results from measurements of solute fluxes in rivers and in situ-produced cosmogenic Be

This paper investigates the denudation rates in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Minas Gerais State (Brazil). The aim is to compare chemical weathering rates from measurements of solute fluxes in rivers and long-term mean erosion rates deduced from in situ-produced cosmogenic ¹⁰Be concentrations measured in fluvial sediments. Both water samples and sediments were collected in fifteen stations (checkpoints) located in four hydrographic basins with low anthropogenic perturbations.Depending of the type of substratum, three degrees of chemical denudation rates from water samples are observed: (i) high rates in marbles; (ii) medium rates in schists, phyllites, granites, gneisses and migmatites; (iii) low rates in quartzites and itabirites. Preliminary results of long-term erosion rates deduced from in situ-produced ¹⁰Be are comparable with those of chemical rates.     

Impact of the configuration of stretching and ocean–atmosphere coupling on tropical cyclone activity in the variable-resolution GCM ARPEGE

This study starts by investigating the impact of the configuration of the variable-resolution atmospheric grid on tropical cyclone (TC) activity. The French atmospheric general circulation model ARPEGE, the grid of which is rotated and stretched over the North Atlantic basin, was used with prescribed sea surface temperatures. The study clearly shows that changing the position of the stretching pole strongly modifies the representation of TC activity over the North Atlantic basin. A pole in the centre of the North Atlantic basin provides the best representation of the TC activity for this region. In a second part, the variable-resolution climate model ARPEGE is coupled with the European oceanic global climate model NEMO in order to study the impact of ocean–atmosphere coupling on TC activity over the North Atlantic basin. Two pre-industrial runs, a coupled simulation and a simulation forced by the sea surface temperatures from the coupled one, are compared. The results show that the coupled simulation is more active in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico while the forced simulation is more active over eastern Florida and the eastern Atlantic. The difference in the distribution of TC activity is certainly linked with the location of TC genesis. In the forced simulation, tropical cyclogenesis is closer to the west African coast than in the coupled simulation. Moreover, the difference in TC activity over the eastern Atlantic seems to be related to two different mechanisms: the difference in African easterly wave activity over the west of Africa and the cooling produced, in the coupled simulation, by African easterly waves over the eastern Atlantic. Finally, the last part studies the impact of changing the frequency of ocean–atmosphere coupling on Atlantic TC activity. Increasing the frequency of coupling decreases the density of TC activity over the North Atlantic basin. However, it does not modify the spatial distribution of the TC activity. TC rainfalls are decreased by 8?% in the high frequency coupled run.     

Segregated ice structures in various heaved permafrost landforms through CT Scan

The growth of segregated ice lenses in frost susceptible sediments in the discontinuous permafrost zone is the dominant mechanism for the formation of permafrost mounds, such as palsas, lithalsas and permafrost plateaus. Thawing of these mounds creates thermokarst lakes, which are particularly abundant in Nunavik, east of the Hudson Bay area. The inception of the permafrost in mounds and their growth are regulated by climate conditions, by local Quaternary geology and by environmental factors such as topography, vegetation, snow cover and surface humidity. Variable sizes and morphology of the permafrost mounds can be attributed to local factors that affect the ice segregation process, particularly the supply of water needed for ice‐lens growth and grain‐size composition of the soil into which aggradation takes place. Computer image analysis of CT scans on high quality cores obtained from permafrost mounds and plateaus of various shapes reveal that the ice layer sequences and permafrost internal structure vary with landform types. A relationship therefore exists between different morphological type within a family of landforms and their microscale internal structure. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparison of catchment and network delineation approaches in complex suburban environments: application to the Chaudanne catchment,France

Suburban areas are subject to strong anthropogenic modifications, which can influence hydrological processes. Sewer systems, ditches, sewer overflow devices and retention basins are introduced and large surface areas are sealed off. The knowledge of accurate flow paths and watershed boundaries in these suburban areas is important for storm water management, hydrological modelling and hydrological data analysis. This study proposes a new method for the determination of the drainage network based on time efficient field investigations and integration of sewer system maps into the drainage network for small catchments of up to 10 km². A new method is also proposed for the delineation of subcatchments and thus the catchment area. The subcatchments are delineated using a combination of an object‐oriented approach in the urban zone and geographical information system–based terrain analysis with flow direction forcing in the rural zone. The method is applied to the Chaudanne catchment, which belongs to the Yzeron river network and is located in the suburban area of Lyon, France. The resulting subcatchment map gives information about subcatchment response and contribution. The method is compared with six other automatic catchment delineation methods based on stream burning, flow direction forcing and calculation of subcatchments for inlet points. None of the automatic methods could correctly represent the catchment area and flow paths observed in the field. The watershed area calculated with these methods differs by as much as 25% from the area computed with the new method. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Significance of a combined approach for replacement stones in the heritage buildings’ conservation frame

Stone substitution is a conventional operation during heritage buildings’ restoration, but becomes problematic for architects and restorers when the quarry is mined out. The compatibility of the substitution stones with the original ones has been for long mainly based on the aesthetical aspect, this resulting too often in a patchwork of original and substitution stones with different patina after several years because of differences of properties. In this study, the objective is to show how substitution stones can be selected by combining aesthetic criteria and stones properties that are relevant for analyzing their compatibility. A couple of French limestones with their potential substitution stones were selected for the study. Our results showed that potential substitution stones selected on their aesthetic criteria require to be rejected because of their differences of physical properties. On the other hand, our results showed also the possibility to select substitution stones with satisfactory aesthetic aspect and properties that enable to expect a satisfactory compatibility with the original stone.