Mechanical aspects of thrust faulting driven by far-field compression and their implications for fold geometry

In this paper we present a mechanical model that intends to captures the kinematical aspects of thrust fault related folds induced by regional-scale far-field contraction. Fold shapes may be the only surface evidence of the geometry of underlying faults, so complex fault interactions are assessed in terms of how they influence fold geometry. We use the finite element method to model the fold and finite deformation frictional contact to model the activation and evolution of slip throughout preexisting faults. From several simulated 2D fault patterns we infer how one may form an anticline similar to that observed at Sheep Mountain Anticline, Wyoming.     

Persistence of lutetium disilicate

RE₂Si₂O₇ is one of the final products of the chemical interaction of radioactive cation simulators and the silicates used in the engineered barrier of deep geological repositories. The aim of this paper is to study the chemical and structural behaviour of Lu₂Si₂O₇ (Lu as actinide tripositive state simulator) in several different chemical systems. The conditions expected at the repositories are simulated in the laboratory with solutions of different compositions and pH. Both the solid products and remnant solutions were analyzed using techniques that give information on the short- and long-range structural order. The results show good stability of Lu₂Si₂O₇, under the studied conditions, and, therefore, encapsulation of the radioactive actinide cations as a disilicate phase could be considered a viable method to ensure the long-term safety of the repositories.     

Testing the applicability of a Marine Biotic Index (AMBI) to assessing the ecological quality of soft-bottom benthic communities, in the South America Atlantic region

Recently, several monitoring programmes have been undertaken to evaluate the impact of different anthropogenic activities, upon a range of coastal ecosystems located in the South-western Atlantic. In the present contribution, the applicability of the AZTI's Marine Biotic Index (AMBI) is tested, to establish the benthic health of the ecosystem using these data sets. As the AMBI was created previously for use in European estuarine and coastal environments, its general applicability to new geographical locations is discussed. In general, the results are in agreement with those obtained using traditional univariate and multivariate methods. Some inconsistent results are observed, when low abundances and/or number of taxa are recorded in the samples. Moreover, when the macrofauna samples are dominated by large nematodes, the classification of the benthic ecosystem health using AMBI is not consistent with previous results achieved applying other statistical techniques. Thus, parallel to the application of this index to a wider extend, the complementary use of different indices and/or methods is recommended to assess confidently the environmental quality of a coastal area.     

Un exemple de volcanisme calco-alcalin de type orogénique mis en place en contexte de rifting (Cambrien de l'oued Rhebar,Meseta occidentale,Maroc)

The Middle Cambrian calc-alkaline Oued Rhebar volcanic complex (western Meseta, Morocco) compares with rocks originated in orogenic contexts. The La/Nb ratios are relatively high (5.2), suggesting a lithospheric mantle origin. The La/Ta ratios, higher than 26, and the negative Nb anomaly indicate a lithospheric source contaminated by the continental crust. These rocks were generated in the Mesetian Mid-Cambrian rift and would have inherited their orogenic signature from the partial melting of a previously metasomatized mantle. To cite this article: H. El Hadi et al., C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

High-frequency multi-solute calibration using an in situ UV–visible sensor

Monitoring the temporal variation of solute concentrations in streams at high temporal frequency can play an important role in understanding the hydrological and biogeochemical behaviour of catchments. UV–visible spectrometry is a relatively inexpensive and easily used tool to infer those concentrations in streams at high temporal resolution. However, it is not yet clear which solutes can be modelled with such an in-situ sensor. Here, we installed a UV–visible spectrometer probe (200–750 nm) in a high-altitude tropical Páramo stream to record the wavelength absorbance at a 5-min temporal resolution. For calibration, we simultaneously sampled stream water at a 4-h frequency from February 2018 to March 2019 for subsequent laboratory analysis. Absorbance spectra and laboratory-determined solute concentrations were used to identify the best calibration method and to determine which solute concentrations can be effectively inferred using in situ spectrometry through the evaluation of six calibration methods of different mathematical complexity. Based on the Nash – Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) and Akaike information criterion metrics, our results suggest that multivariate methods always outperformed simpler strategies to infer solute concentrations. Eleven out of 21 studied solutes (Al, DOC, Ca, Cu, K, Mg, N, Na, Rb, Si and Sr) were successfully calibrated (NSE >0.50) and could be inferred using UV–visible spectrometry even with a reduced daily sampling frequency. It is worth noting that most calibrated solutes were correlated with wavelengths (WLs) in the low range of the spectra (i.e., UV range) and showed relatively good correlation with DOC. The latter suggests that estimation of metal concentrations could be possible in other streams with a high organic load (e.g., peat dominated catchments). In situ operation of spectrometers to monitor water quality parameters at high temporal frequency (sub-hourly) can enhance the protection of human water supplies and aquatic ecosystems as well as providing information for assessing catchment hydrological functioning.     

Effects of afforestation on groundwater recharge and water budgets in the western region of Uruguay

Uruguay has stimulated the development of its forest sector since the promulgation of Forest Law N° 15 939 in December of 1987. Nevertheless, the substitution of natural grasslands with forest plantations for industrial use has raised concerns regarding hydrological processes of groundwater recharge and water consumption involving evapotranspiration. The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of this substitution approach on water resources. Input data were collected from two small experimental watersheds of roughly 100–200 hectares located in western Uruguay. The watersheds are characterized by Eucalyptus Globulus ssp. Maidenni and natural grasslands for cattle use. Total rainfall, stream discharge, rainfall redistribution, soil water content and groundwater level data were collected. Groundwater recharge was estimated from water table fluctuations and from groundwater contributions to base flows. Seasonal and annual water budgets were computed from October of 2006 to September of 2014 to evaluate changes in the hydrological processes. The data show a decrease in annual specific discharge of roughly 17% for mean hydrological years and no conclusive effects on annual groundwater recharge in the forested watershed relative to the reference pasture watershed. Reduced annual specific discharge is equivalent to the mean annual interception. The computed actual annual evapotranspiration is consistent with international catchment measurements. Reduction rates vary seasonally and according to accumulated rainfall and its temporary distribution. The degree of specific discharge decline is particularly high for drier autumns and winters (32 to 28%) when the corresponding rainfall varies from 275 to 400 mm. These results are of relevance for water resources management efforts, as water uses downstream can be affected. These findings, based on a study period dominated by anomalous wet springs and summers and by dry autumns and winters, oppose earlier results based on 34 years of rainfall and discharge data drawn from Uruguayan large basins. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Methodology for applying the Limits of Acceptable Change process to the management of recreational boating in the Balearic Islands, Spain (Western Mediterranean)

The objective of this study is to propose a simple methodological approach, based on the Limits of Acceptable Change process, to support the formulation of management measures for recreational boating in bays. Management measures have been determined using statistical and geospatial analyses of data of biophysical characteristics, use, and user perceptions in a bay on the island of Mallorca. The results suggest that the optimal use level of the study site is being surpassed and a range of potential management options is provided. This methodology is applicable to additional management scenarios where balancing social and environmental needs is necessary and should be implemented as part of a broader Integrated Coastal Zone Management framework.     

Production and respiration control the marine microbial metabolic balance in the eastern North Atlantic subtropical gyre

Two main contrasted hypotheses have arisen during the last decades about the factors controlling the planktonic net metabolic balance in oligotrophic waters: gross primary production controls net community production vs. variability of net community production is also influenced by changes in microbial respiration. This work discusses both hypotheses analyzing the variability of metabolic rates along a gradient from the margin to the centre of the North Atlantic oligotrophic gyre, i.e. from relatively productive to more oligotrophic conditions. Net community production (NCP) was close to zero (between −3.34 and −11.77 mmol O₂ m⁻² d⁻¹) at the margin of the gyre and tended towards net heterotrophy (−44.03 mmol O₂ m⁻² d⁻¹) to the centre of the gyre as both gross primary production (GPP) and community respiration (CR) decreased. The strong relationships found between nutrient availability and both NCP and GPP suggest that factors controlling GPP are prevalent in determining NCP variability in this biogeographic region. However implementation of existing models to predict NCP from the measured GPP indicates that the precise estimation of NCP in different oligotrophic systems requires consideration of the magnitude and variability of microbial respiration rates.