Inverse modeling of natural tracer transport in a granite massif with lumped-parameter and physically based models: case study of a tunnel in Czechia

This study deals with numerical modelling of hydraulic and transport phenomena in granite of the Bohemian massif in Bedrichov, Czechia (Czech Republic). Natural tracers represented by stable isotopes δ¹⁸O and δ²H were collected at the tunnel outflow points and nearby catchment and their concentrations were monitored for seven years. The study compared transport simulations by a two-dimensional (2D) physically based model (advection-dispersion) developed in Flow123d software and a simpler lumped-parameter model, calculated with FLOWPC. Both variants were calibrated with UCODE software, either fitting the concentration data alone, or including the tunnel inflow rates in the case of the 2D model calibration (either in separate steps or within a single optimization problem). Since each of the models describes the tracer transport with different parameters, the models were compared based on the mean transit time as a postprocessed quantity. Besides this, two different options for processing the recharge data (input for both models) were evaluated. Calibration and data interpretation were possible for three of the four observed places in the tunnel, thus determining the depth limit of applicability of the stable isotopes. The estimates for discharge sampling at 25–35 m depth based on inverse modelling provide reasonable values of mean transit time (20–40 months) for the lumped parameter models, little revising the results of previous studies at the site. The resulting transport parameters of the advection-dispersion model (porosity and dispersivity) are in accordance with the hydrogeological structures present at the sampling sites.

     

Comparison of the anisotropic-ray-theory rays and anisotropic common S-wave rays with the SH and SV reference rays in a velocity model with a split intersection singularity

We describe the behaviour of the anisotropic–ray–theory S–wave rays in a velocity model with a split intersection singularity. The anisotropic–ray–theory S–wave rays crossing the split intersection singularity are smoothly but very sharply bent. While the initial–value rays can be safely traced by solving Hamilton’s equations of rays, it is often impossible to determine the coefficients of the equations of geodesic deviation (paraxial ray equations, dynamic ray tracing equations) and to solve them numerically. As a result, we often know neither the matrix of geometrical spreading, nor the phase shift due to caustics. We demonstrate the abrupt changes of the geometrical spreading and wavefront curvature of the fast anisotropic–ray–theory S wave. We also demonstrate the formation of caustics and wavefront triplication of the slow anisotropic–ray–theory S wave.Since the actual S waves propagate approximately along the SH and SV reference rays in this velocity model, we compare the anisotropic–ray–theory S–wave rays with the SH and SV reference rays. Since the coupling ray theory is usually calculated along the anisotropic common S–wave rays, we also compare the anisotropic common S–wave rays with the SH and SV reference rays.     

Interpolation of the coupling-ray-theory Green function within ray cells

The coupling–ray–theory tensor Green function for electromagnetic waves or elastic S waves is frequency dependent, and is usually calculated for many frequencies. This frequency dependence represents no problem in calculating the Green function, but may pose a significant challenge in storing the Green function at the nodes of dense grids, typical for applications such as the Born approximation or non–linear source determination. Storing the Green function at the nodes of dense grids for too many frequencies may be impractical or even unrealistic. We have already proposed the approximation of the coupling–ray–theory tensor Green function, in the vicinity of a given prevailing frequency, by two coupling–ray–theory dyadic Green functions described by their coupling–ray–theory travel times and their coupling–ray–theory amplitudes. The above mentioned prevailing–frequency approximation of the coupling ray theory enables us to interpolate the coupling–ray–theory dyadic Green functions within ray cells, and to calculate them at the nodes of dense grids. For the interpolation within ray cells, we need to separate the pairs of prevailing–frequency coupling–ray–theory dyadic Green functions so that both the first Green function and the second Green function are continuous along rays and within ray cells. We describe the current progress in this field and outline the basic algorithms. The proposed method is equally applicable to both electromagnetic waves and elastic S waves. We demonstrate the preliminary numerical results using the coupling–ray–theory travel times of elastic S waves.     

The Impact of Global/Local Bias on Task-Solving in Map-Related Tasks Employing Extrinsic and Intrinsic Visualization of Risk Uncertainty Maps

The form of visual representation affects both the way in which the visual representation is processed and the effectiveness of this processing. Different forms of visual representation may require the employment of different cognitive strategies in order to solve a particular task; at the same time, the different representations vary as to the extent to which they correspond with an individual’s preferred cognitive style. The present study employed a Navon-type task to learn about the occurrence of global/local bias. The research was based on close interdisciplinary cooperation between the domains of both psychology and cartography. Several different types of tasks were made involving avalanche hazard maps with intrinsic/extrinsic visual representations, each of them employing different types of graphic variables representing the level of avalanche hazard and avalanche hazard uncertainty. The research sample consisted of two groups of participants, each of which was provided with a different form of visual representation of identical geographical data, such that the representations could be regarded as ‘informationally equivalent’. The first phase of the research consisted of two correlation studies, the first involving subjects with a high degree of map literacy (students of cartography) (intrinsic method: N?=?35; extrinsic method: N?=?37). The second study was performed after the results of the first study were analyzed. The second group of participants consisted of subjects with a low expected degree of map literacy (students of psychology; intrinsic method: N?=?35; extrinsic method: N?=?27).The first study revealed a statistically significant moderate correlation between the students’ response times in extrinsic visualization tasks and their response times in a global subtest (r?=?0.384, p?<?0.05); likewise, a statistically significant moderate correlation was found between the students’ response times in intrinsic visualization tasks and their response times in the local subtest (r?=?0.387, p?<?0.05). At the same time, no correlation was found between the students’ performance in the local subtest and their performance in extrinsic visualization tasks, or between their scores in the global subtest and their performance in intrinsic visualization tasks. The second correlation study did not confirm the results of the first correlation study (intrinsic visualization/‘small figures test’: r?=?0.221; extrinsic visualization/‘large figures test’: r?=?0.135). The first phase of the research, where the data was subjected to statistical analysis, was followed by a comparative eye-tracking study, whose aim was to provide more detailed insight into the cognitive strategies employed when solving map-related tasks. More specifically, the eye-tracking study was expected to be able to detect possible differences between the cognitive patterns employed when solving extrinsic- as opposed to intrinsic visualization tasks. The results of an exploratory eye-tracking data analysis support the hypothesis of different strategies of visual information processing being used in reaction to different types of visualization.     

Temporary Array Data for Studying Seismic Anisotropy of Variscan Massifs – The Armorican Massif,French Massif Central And Bohemian Massif

We present the first results of a comparison of deep lithosphere structure of three Variscan massifs - the Armorican Massif, French Massif Central and Bohemian Massif, as revealed by recent tomographic studies of seismic anisotropy. The data originate from several field measurements made in temporary arrays of stations equipped with both short-period and broadband seismometers with digital recording. The study is based on teleseismic body waves and a joint inversion of anisotropic data (P-residual spheres, the fast shear-wave polarizations and split times) and demonstrates that the three Variscan massifs appear to consist of at least two parts with different orientation of large-scale fabric derived from seismic anisotropy. The boundaries of anisotropic lithospheric domains are related to prominent tectonic features recognised on the surface as sutures, shear zones or transfer fault zones, as well as grabens, thus indicating that some of them extend deep through the entire lithosphere.     

Removal of trace elements from landfill leachate by calcite precipitation

Spontaneous precipitation of secondary calcite (CaCO₃) has been observed in 25 samples of landfill leachate-polluted stream waters. During the 6-month precipitation experiment, the formation of calcite acts as a principal trace-element scavenging process. The concentrations of Fe, Sr, Ba and Mn and other trace elements in solution significantly decreased as calcite formed during the experiments. The PHREEQC-2 geochemical code indicated high supersaturation of the initial leachate-polluted waters with respect to calcite. The chemical/mineralogical study (SEM/EDS, XRD, ICP MS) revealed that this newly formed calcite contains considerable amounts of metals and metalloids removed from solution. Such a geochemical process can be considered to be important for spontaneous decontamination in landfill-affected environments (stream sediments, soils) or landfill technical facilities (settling basins). This removal takes place especially during dry periods with low rain precipitation, when the landfill waters exhibit both higher alkalinity and higher trace element concentrations.     

Agricolaite, a new mineral of uranium from J��chymov, Czech Republic

The new mineral agricolaite, a potassium uranyl carbonate with ideal formula K₄(UO₂)(CO₃)₃, occurs in vugs of ankerite gangue in gneisses in the abandoned Giftkiesstollen adit at Jáchymov, Czech Republic. The name is after Georgius Agricola (1494?C1555), German scholar and scientist. Agricolaite occurs as isolated equant irregular translucent grains to 0.3?mm with yellow color, pale yellow streak, and vitreous luster. It is brittle with uneven fracture and displays neither cleavage nor parting. Agricolaite is non-fluorescent. Mohs hardness is ~4. It is associated with aragonite, brochantite, posnjakite, malachite, rutherfordine, and ??pseudo-voglite??. Experimental density is higher than 3.3?g.cm^?3, Dcalc is 3.531?g.?cm^?3. The mineral is monoclinic, space group C2/c, with a 10.2380(2), b 9.1930(2), c 12.2110(3) ?, ?? 95.108(2)°, V 1144.71(4) ?³, Z?=?4. The strongest lines in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern are d(I)(hkl): 6.061(55)(002), 5.087(57)(200), 3.740(100)(202), 3.393(43)(113), 2.281(52)(402). Average composition based on ten electron microprobe analyses corresponds to (in wt.%) UO₃ 48.53, K₂O 31.49, CO₂(calc) 22.04 which gives the empirical formula K_3.98(UO₂)_1.01(CO₃)_3.00. The crystal structure was solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and refined to R ₁?=?0.0184 on the basis of the 1,308 unique reflections with F _o?>?4??F _o. The structure of agricolaite is identical to that of synthetic K₄(UO₂)(CO₃)₃ and consists of separate UO₂(CO₃)₃ groups organized into layers parallel to (100) and two crystallographically non-equivalent sites occupied by K⁺ cations. Both the mineral and its name were approved by the IMA-CNMNC.     

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute's severe storm nowcasting system

To satisfy requirements for operational severe weather monitoring and prediction, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI) has developed a severe storm nowcasting system which uses weather radar data as its primary data source. Previous CHMI studies identified two methods of radar echo prediction, which were then implemented during 2003 into the Czech weather radar network operational weather processor. The applications put into operations were the Continuity Tracking Radar Echoes by Correlation (COTREC) algorithm, and an application that predicts future radar fields using the wind field derived from the geopotential at 700 hPa calculated from a local numerical weather prediction model (ALADIN).To ensure timely delivery of the prediction products to the users, the forecasts are implemented into a web-based viewer (JSMeteoView) that has been developed by the CHMI Radar Department. At present, this viewer is used by all CHMI forecast offices for versatile visualization of radar and other meteorological data (Meteosat, lightning detection, NWP LAM output, SYNOP data) in the Internet/Intranet environment, and the viewer has detailed geographical navigation capabilities.