Subgrid modeling of salt marsh hydrodynamics with effects of vegetation and vegetation zonation

Vegetation plays a critical role in modifying inundation and flow patterns in salt marshes. In this study, the effects of vegetation are derived and implemented in a high‐resolution, subgrid model recently developed for simulating salt marsh hydrodynamics. Vegetation‐induced drag forces are taken into account as momentum sink terms. The model is then applied to simulate the flooding and draining processes in a meso‐tidal salt marsh, both with and without vegetation effects. Marsh inundation and flow patterns are significantly changed with the presence of vegetation. A smaller area of inundation occurs when vegetation is considered. Tides propagate both on the platform and through the channels when vegetation is absent, whereas flows concentrate mainly in channels when vegetation is present. Local inundation on vegetated platforms is caused mainly by water flux spilled from nearby channels, with a flow direction perpendicular to the channel edges, whereas inundation on bare platforms has contributions from both local spilled‐over water flux and remote advection from adjacent platforms. The flooding characteristics predicted by the model showed a significant difference between higher marsh and lower marsh, which is consistent with the wetlands classification by the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI). The flooding characteristics and spatial distribution of hydroperiod are also highly correlated with the vegetation zonation patterns observed in Google Earth imagery. Regarding the strong interaction between flow, vegetation and geomorphology, the conclusion highlights the importance of including vegetation in the modeling of salt marsh dynamics. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluating simplified models in predicting global seismic responses of a shake table–test building isolated by triple friction pendulum bearings

This paper evaluates the ability of simplified superstructure models, including two shear frame models and a single-story model, in predicting global responses of a full-scale five-story steel moment-frame buildings isolated by triple friction pendulum bearings subjected to earthquake motions. The investigated responses include displacement of the isolation system, roof drift, story drift, and floor acceleration. Mechanical properties of the simplified superstructure models were derived from the modal information of a verified full 3-D model. The comparison between the analytical responses and experimental responses shows that the simplified models can well predict the displacement of the isolation system. Furthermore, the shear-frame models are adequate for predicting floor acceleration when the specimen is subjected to horizontal ground motions. However, when the specimen is subjected to 3-D motions, the shear-frame models un-conservatively predict floor acceleration. The full 3-D model improves the prediction of story drift compared with the simplified models for both horizontal and 3-D motions.     

Non-stationary Geostatistical Modeling: A Case Study Comparing LVA Estimation Frameworks

Incorporating locally varying anisotropy (LVA) in geostatistical modeling improves estimates for structurally complex domains where a single set of anisotropic parameters modeled globally do not account for all geological features. In this work, the properties of two LVA-geostatistical modeling frameworks are explored through application to a complexly folded gold deposit in Ghana. The inference of necessary parameters is a significant requirement of geostatistical modeling with LVA; this work focuses on the case where LVA orientations, derived from expert geological interpretation, are used to improve the grade estimates. The different methodologies for inferring the required parameters in this context are explored. The results of considering different estimation frameworks and alternate methods of parameterization are evaluated with a cross-validation study, as well as visual inspection of grade continuity along select cross sections. Results show that stationary methodologies are outperformed by all LVA techniques, even when the LVA framework has minimal guidance on parameterization. Findings also show that additional improvements are gained by considering parameter inference where the LVA orientations and point data are used to infer the local range of anisotropy. Considering LVA for geostatistical modeling of the deposit considered in this work results in better reproduction of curvilinear geological features.

     

气候变化背景下青藏高原地区游客决策与体验分析

青藏高原地区生态环境脆弱,其特殊的自然地理环境使其旅游活动对气候变化的反应更为敏感。本文基于545位入藏游客的问卷调查,实证分析青藏高原地区游客对气候变化因子的认知和体验状况,探究气候变化对青藏高原地区旅游活动的影响机理。得出以下主要结论：① 入藏前游客对天气和气候状况的关注度并不高,但是在旅行中这一因素却是旅游体验的最大影响因素;② 优美的高原自然风光是游客对西藏的核心认知之一,直接影响游客的决策与体验;③ 不同地理区域的游客对高原气候因子的关注度和自然环境要素的重视度并不存在显著差异,动机类型才是显著影响这二者的重要因素。研究进一步表明,青藏高原气候的暖湿化趋势对提升该地区的游客体验有积极作用,但气候变化带来的优势并不能够直接转化为潜在游客的出游活动。     

Amphitheatre-headed canyons of Southern Utah: Stratigraphic control of canyon morphology

Amphitheatre-headed canyons are common on Earth and Mars and researchers have long sought to draw inferences about canyon-forming processes from the morphology of canyon heads and associated knickpoints, often suggesting that amphitheatre heads indicate erosion by groundwater seepage erosion. However, the conditions and processes that lead to amphitheatre-headed canyon formation have been debated for many years. We consider two hypotheses that attribute the amphitheatre-headed canyon formation to fluvial erosion of strong-over-weak stratigraphy or, alternatively, groundwater spring discharge and seepage erosion. A spatial analysis of canyon-form distribution with respect to local stratigraphy along the Escalante River and on Tarantula Mesa, Utah indicates that canyon form is most closely related to variations in local sedimentary rock strata, rather than inferred groundwater spring intensity. Lateral facies variations that affect the continuity of strong layers can induce or disrupt the formation of amphitheatres. Furthermore, we find that amphitheatre retreat rate is dictated by the interaction of fluvial processes downstream of the amphitheatre headwalls and stratigraphy, rather than waterfall and groundwater processes that likely importantly influence headwall form. We conclude that fluvial erosion of strong-over-weak stratigraphic layering alone is sufficient to form amphitheatres at knickpoints and canyon heads. Thus, we re-affirm that formation process should not be inferred from canyon-head morphology, particularly where a strong-over-weak layering is known or plausible. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reuse of Drinking Water Treatment Waste for Remediation of Heavy Metal Contaminated Groundwater

Lime softening produces an estimated 10,000 metric tons of dry drinking water treatment wastes (DWTW) per year, costing an estimated one billion dollars annually for disposal worldwide. Lime softening wastes have been investigated for reuse as internal curing agents or supplementary cementitious materials in concrete as well as a high-capacity sorbent for heavy metal removal. Lead, cadmium, and zinc are common heavy metals in groundwater contaminated by mine tailings. Cement-based filter media (CBFM) are a novel material-class for heavy metal remediation in groundwater. This study investigated the incorporation of DWTW as a recycled, low-cost additive to CBFM for the removal of lead, cadmium, and zinc. Jar testing at three different metal concentrations and breakthrough column testing using synthetic groundwater were performed to measure removal capacity and reaction kinetics. Jar testing results show as DWTW content increases at low concentrations, removal approaches 100% but at high metal concentrations removal decreases due to saturation or exhaustion of the removal mechanisms. Removal occurs through the formation of metal carbonate precipitates, surface sorption, and ion exchange with calcium according to the preferential series Pb⁺² > Zn⁺² > Cd²⁺. Removal kinetics were also measured through column testing and exceeded estimated calculations derived from batch jar testing isotherms due to the large formation of oolitic metal carbonates. Lead, cadmium, and zinc was concentrated in the column precipitates from 0.29, 0.23, and 20.0 μg/g in the influent solution to approximately 200, 130, 14,000 μg/g in the reacted DWTW-CBFM. The control and DWTW-CBFM columns had statically similar removal for zinc and lead. In the DWTW-CBFM, cadmium had decreased removal of approximately 25% due to proportionately decreased hydroxide content from cement replacement with 25% DWTW. This study shows the potential for DWTW as an enhancement to CBFM, thereby valorizing an otherwise waste material. Furthermore, the concentrative abilities of CBFM through precipitate and oolitic mineral formation could provide a minable waste product and close the waste-product cycle for DWTW.     

The host stars of extrasolar planets have normal lithium abundances

The lithium abundances of planet-harbouring stars have been compared with the lithium abundances of open clusters and field stars. Young (chromospherically active) and subgiant stars have been eliminated from the comparison because they are at different stages of evolution and Li processing than the planet-harbouring stars, and hence have systematically higher Li abundances. The analysis showed that the Li abundances of the planet-harbouring stars are indistinguishable from those of non-planet-harbouring stars of the same age, temperature and composition. This conclusion is opposite to that arrived at by Gonzalez & Laws; it is believed that the field-star sample used by them contained too wide a range of ages, evolutionary types and temperatures to be accommodated by the model that they adopted to describe the dependence of Li on the parameters. The Li abundance does not appear set to provide key insights into the formation and evolution of planetary systems.     

Automated material balance and assay data adjustment around a piece of mineral processing equipment

This paper describes an algorithm for calculating the minimum adjustment required to make a set of assays, measured around a single piece of processing equipment, consistent with the mass flows present in that system. This algorithm is then applied to the problem of hydrocyclone size data reconciliation.     

Noble-gas evidence for geothermal activity in a karstic terrain: Rocky Mountains,Canada.

Geothermally heated fluids are identified as a component in warm (up to 54°C) springs in the southern Canadian Rocky Mountains. High concentrations of radiogenic He (10^?3 ccSTP/cc gas) and atmospheric Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe in the gases that vigorously bubble at the Fairmont Hot Spring, assign the latter to be a “drowned” fumarole, fed by geothermal steam. Up to 75% depletions in the atmospheric noble gases in several warm springs indicate contributions of residual geothermal water. On the other hand, in a few cases noble gases were found in excess (W) over the expected concentrations in airequilibrated recharge water. The observed “reversed” pattern of w_nc >W_Ar >W_kr >W_xe is interpreted as excess air, incorporated during recharge through karstic conduits. The mixing ratios of geothermal and karstic waters can be deduced.