Multivariate analysis of flood characteristics in a climate change context of the watershed of the Baskatong reservoir,Province of Québec,Canada

The analysis of the impact of climate change (CC) on flood peaks has been the subject of several studies. However, a flood is characterized not only by its peak, but also by other characteristics such as its volume and duration. Little effort has been directed towards the study of the impact of CC on these characteristics. The aim of the present study is to evaluate and compare flood characteristics in a CC context, in the watershed of the Baskatong reservoir (Province of Québec, Canada). Comparisons are based on observed flow data and simulated flow series obtained from hydrological models using meteorological data from a regional climate model for a reference period (1971–2000) and a future period (2041–2070). To this end, two hydrological models HSAMI and HYDROTEL are considered. Correlations, stationarity, change‐points, and the multivariate behaviour of flood series were studied. The results show that, at various levels, all flood characteristics could be affected by CC. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

黑龙江伊春红星地区碱性花岗岩的地球化学及其构造指示意义

黑龙江省伊春红星地区大地构造上位于布列亚-佳木斯地块和张广才岭造山带结合部位,区内出露晚三叠世碱性花岗岩,其岩石组合为正长花岗岩、碱长花岗岩、含钠闪石、霓石碱性花岗岩。地球化学上,该套岩石具有富硅、富碱,铁镁比值较高,CaO、MgO含量低,富含F、Zr、Nb、Ce、Ga、稀土元素（REE）、Y和Zn等元素,贫Sr、P、Ti,镓铝比值高,轻重稀土分馏显著,具有强的Eu负异常等特点。在花岗岩成因类型判别图解中,它们均投影在A型花岗岩区,结合岩石具有过碱和相对贫铝的化学组成特征,表明它们应属过碱性A型花岗岩。在微量元素蛛网图上,这套岩石表现出较明显的Ba、Sr、P、Ti的负异常,保留有先期“弧”岩浆作用的地球化学印记,其Y／Nb和Y／Ta比值也较高,分别为1．55—3.27和13．5～44．00,在A型花岗岩岩石学亚类判别图解中,它们均投影在产于后造山环境的A2花岗岩区。根据对岩石地球化学的组成及产出地质背景的分析,表明这套岩石应形成于造山期后的张性构造环境。     

Modeling of soil penetration resistance using multiple linear regression (MLR)

In agricultural areas, the use of machinery leads to improved yields. Nevertheless, its inadequate implementation and excessive utilization can seriously affect the soil efficiency. In fact, latter can be generated by increasing the penetration resistance and subsequently, it results in the compaction phenomenon. This problem becomes considerable with the increasing report wheel/soil. The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficiency through the prediction of soil penetration resistance (Rp) using a statistical model based on moisture content, density, tractor weight, number of passes, and the wheel inflation pressure. Experimental works (211 measurements) were analyzed and the penetration resistance was modeled using multiple linear regressions (MLR). Besides, the developed model elucidates the variables affecting the accentuation of soil Rp and allows the investigation of equations for novel sampled soils. Our results showed that the parameters related to soil and tractors were significant to explain Rp. The adopted model in the MLR analysis emphasizes that the mechanical parameters of ground measurements are statistically significant in estimating and evaluating Rp. The statistical calculation of the R ² expresses 83% of the variance in Rp generated by the various parameters related to soil and tractor. In view of the importance of estimating the penetration resistance (Rp), the regression equation shows that the weight of the tractor and the number of passages contributed the most to the proposed model for the soil.     

Burial history determination of the Triassic succession of Central and Northern Tunisia using clay minerals

The Oued Belif 48 and Koudiat El Halfa 5 borehole samples have been analysed in order to reveal the mineralogical composition of the Triassic successions and their burial history within the geological evolution of the Tethysian southern margin. Oued Belif 48 borehole belongs to Nefza district which is a part of the “Nappe zone” (Tellian unit, north-western Tunisia). Koudiat El Halfa 5 borehole crosses the Koudiat El Halfa diapir (north–west of the north–south axis, Central Atlas). In this paper, the burial degree of evaporitic Triassic samples was determined by the “illite crystallinity” index and by the evolution of the other phyllosilicates, essentially chlorite, talc and illite/chlorite and illite/smectite mixed layers. The studied samples of the two boreholes are characterized by the presence of abundant clay minerals. The <2-μm grain-size fraction of the samples is mostly composed of illite, chlorite and smectite and may contain a slight percentage of swelling layers (illite/smectite and illite/chlorite). The illite crystallinity value measured on ethylene glycol solvated oriented mounts of the Oued Belif 48 samples oscillates globally between 1 and 2.5 characterizing the epizonal zone with a range of 300–400 °C temperatures. The measures of Koudiat El Halfa 5 samples crystallinity index show a value ranging from 2 to 4, which indicates the anchizone and early epizone burial stage (temperatures around 200 °C). These data can be explained by Miocene magmatic activities characterizing the Triassic material of Nefza district and also by burial phenomena effects.     

Growth of bultfonteinite and hydrogarnet in metasomatized basalt xenoliths in the B/K9 kimberlite, Damtshaa, Botswana: insights into hydrothermal metamorphism in kimberlite pipes

Metamorphic assemblages within Karoo basalt xenoliths, found within volcaniclastic kimberlite of the B/K9 pipe, Damtshaa, Botswana, constrain conditions of kimberlite alteration. Bultfonteinite and chlorite partially replace the original augite-plagioclase assemblage, driven by the serpentinisation of the kimberlite creating strong chemical potential gradients for Si and Mg. Hydrogarnet and serpentine replace these earlier metamorphic assemblages as the deposits cool. The bultfonteinite (ideally Ca₂SiO₂[OH,F]₄) and hydrogarnet assemblages require a water-rich fluid containing F⁻, and imply hydrothermal alteration dominated by external fluids rather than autometamorphism from deuteric fluids. Bultfonteinite and hydrogarnet are estimated to form at temperatures of ca. 350–250°C, which are similar to those for serpentinisation. Alteration within the B/K9 kimberlite predominantly occurs between 250 and 400°C. We attribute these conditions to increased efficiency of mass transfer and chemical reactions below the critical point of water and a consequence of volume-increasing serpentinisation and metasomatic reactions that take place over this temperature range. A comparison of the B/K9 kimberlite with kimberlites from Venetia, South Africa suggests that the composition and mineralogy of included xenoliths affects the alteration assemblages within kimberlite deposits.     

Hydrogeological investigations of thermal waters in the Sfax Basin (Tunisia)

The Sfax Basin in eastern Tunisia is bounded to the east by the Mediterranean Sea. Thermal waters of the Sfax area have measured temperatures of 23–36°C, and electrical conductivities of 3,200 and 14,980 μS/cm. Most of the thermal waters are characterized as Na–Cl type although there are a few Na–SO₄–Cl waters. They issue from Miocene units which are made up sands and sandstones interbedded with clay. The Quaternary sediments cap the system. The heat source is high geothermal gradient which are determined downhole temperature measurements caused by graben tectonics of the area. The results of mineral equilibrium modeling indicate that the thermal waters of the Sfax Basin are undersaturated with respect to gypsum, anhydrite and fluorite, oversaturated with respect to kaolinite, dolomite, calcite, microcline, quartz, chalcedony, and muscovite. Assessments from various chemical geothermometers, Na–K–Mg ternary and mineral equilibrium diagrams suggest that the reservoir temperature of the Sfax area can reach up to 120°C. According to δ¹⁸O and δ²H values, all thermal and cold groundwater is of meteoric origin.     

Nature minéralogique et rôle nutritionnel des argiles de sols céréaliers en région subhumide à semi-aride (Tunisie)

The cereal soils of the Northwest of Tunisia derive most of the time, from alluvial deposits or altered remains of carbonated and clayey rocks. Extraction of the clayey fraction permitted to reveal the presence of the following clayey minerals: kaolinite, illite, smectite, chlorite, as well as an illite–smectite interstratified layer, which is present in the deep horizons of the vertisol and in the isohumic soil. The presence of such types of clays shows that the evolution mechanism of soils is weathering of primary minerals inherited from the sedimentary rocks of the Northwest of Tunisia. These clays ensure to soils most of their cationic exchange capacity. Thanks to these clays, which have Ca⁺⁺, Mg⁺⁺ and K⁺ as exchangeable cations, the chemical fertility of these soils is ensured. It may be improved by increasing contents of organic matter, which is naturally few abundant in these soils. To cite this article: H. Ben Hassine, C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

山东海阳断裂东石兰沟段晚更新世以来地表断错特征与最大潜在地震估计

海阳断裂是胶东半岛NE向牟平 -即墨断裂带东部一条规模较大的断裂 ,尽管晚更新世以来该断裂的地表断错活动总体上已基本停息 ,但东石兰沟段在晚更新世晚期以来仍有断错地表的活动。最后一次断错地表的活动发生在距今 3 7～ 1 2万年 ,但接近 1 2万年。地表破裂长度约6 5km ,活动段长度 8km。地表断错以走滑活动为主 ,可见最大倾滑位移 0 2m ;根据断层擦痕侧伏角推测最大水平位移 1 13m。最后一次断错地表的活动若以距今 1 2万年计算 ,则最大平均倾滑速率为 0 0 17mm/a ;最大平均右旋走滑速率为 0 0 94mm/a。野外观测到该活动段的断错活动表现为突发断错 ,根据地震地表破裂参数、活动段长度与地震的关系 ,估计其最大潜在地震为 6 级