Glacio-lacustrine stratigraphy,aquifer characterization and contaminant transport: a case study in South Lake Tahoe,California, USA

A hydrogeologic model that has been used by many researchers and consultants to describe an area of South Lake Tahoe, California, USA impacted by MTBE contamination describes a relatively homogeneous unconfined aquifer comprised of poorly sorted glacial outwash deposits, within which water-supply wells are able to exert significant alteration in natural groundwater flow. A re-examination of the area’s hydrogeology is presented, which supports a layered heterogeneous aquifer system constructed of alternating fine and coarser-grained glacio-lacustrine depositional units. This re-evaluation was accomplished through a review of lithologic logs across an area of approximately 1 km², combined with observations of significant hydraulic head differences and knowledge of the depositional environments controlled by Pleistocene Lake Tahoe high stands. Many of the fine-grained units observed at depths from 6 to 15 m, although relatively thin, are generally continuous and serve as significant barriers to groundwater flow. The vertical migration of contamination across these fine-grained units to deeper groundwaters was facilitated by cross-screened monitoring wells installed as part of site investigation activities. This conclusion highlights the importance of geologic characterization and proper monitoring well construction at contaminated site investigations.

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Accurate local upscaling with variable compact multipoint transmissibility calculations

We propose a new single-phase local upscaling method that uses spatially varying multipoint transmissibility calculations. The method is demonstrated on two-dimensional Cartesian and adaptive Cartesian grids. For each cell face in the coarse upscaled grid, we create a local fine grid region surrounding the face on which we solve two generic local flow problems. The multipoint stencils used to calculate the fluxes across coarse grid cell faces involve the six neighboring pressure values. They are required to honor the two generic flow problems. The remaining degrees of freedom are used to maximize compactness and to ensure that the flux approximation is as close as possible to being two-point. The resulting multipoint flux approximations are spatially varying (a subset of the six neighbors is adaptively chosen) and reduce to two-point expressions in cases without full-tensor anisotropy. Numerical tests show that the method significantly improves upscaling accuracy as compared to commonly used local methods and also compares favorably with a local–global upscaling method.     

Two-dimensional modelling of contaminant transport through saturated porous media using the radial point interpolation method (RPIM)

A new numerical tool is presented which models the two-dimensional contaminant transport through saturated porous media using a meshfree method called the radial point interpolation method (RPIM) with polynomial reproduction. In RPIM, an approximate solution is constructed entirely in terms of a set of nodes and no characterisation of the interrelationship of the nodes is needed. An advection-dispersion equation with sorption is considered to illustrate the applicability of the RPIM. The Galerkin weak form of the governing equation is formulated using two-dimensional meshfree shape functions constructed using thin plate spline radial basis functions. A computer program is developed for the implementation of the RPIM procedure. Three numerical examples are presented and the results are compared with those obtained from the analytical solution and finite element method. The experimental results are also used to validate the approach. The proposed RPIM has generated results with no oscillations and they are insensitive to Peclet constraints.     

Debris-flow event in the Frangerello Stream-Susa Valley (Italy)—calibration of numerical models for the back analysis of the 16 October, 2000 rainstorm

Three debris-flow simulation model software have been applied to the back analysis of a typical alpine debris flow that caused significant deposition on an urbanized alluvial fan. Parameters used in the models were at first retrieved from the literature and then adjusted to fit field evidence. In the case where different codes adopted the same parameters, the same input values were used, and comparable outputs were obtained. Results of the constitutive laws used (Bingham rheology, Voellmy fluid rheology and a quadratic rheology formulation which adds collisional and turbulent stresses to the Bingham law) indicate that no single rheological model appears to be valid for all debris flows. The three applied models appear to be capable of reasonable reproduction of debris-flow events, although with different levels of detail. The study shows how different software can be used to predict the debris-flow motion for various purposes from a first screening, to predict the runout distance and deposition of the solid material and to the different behaviour of the mixtures of flows with variation of maximum solid concentration.     

Coalification in Carboniferous sediments from the Lötschberg base tunnel

Vitrinite reflectance (Rr), proximate analysis and carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C) have been used to characterise coal samples from two zones of Late Carboniferous sediments (Gastern and Ferden) in the Aar massif where they are penetrated by the Lötschberg base tunnel (constructed between 1999 and 2005). Samples are characterised by variable ash yields (21.7–93.9%; dry basis); those with ash yields of less than ~50% and with volatile matter content (V;dry ash-free basis) within the limits 2 < V% ≤ 8 are anthracite. Values of Rr range from 3.89% to 5.17% and indicate coalification to the rank of anthracite and meta-anthracite in both Gastern and Ferden Carboniferous zones. Samples of anthracite and shale from the Gastern Carboniferous exhibit a relatively small range in δ¹³C values (–24.52‰ to –23.38‰; mean: –23.86‰) and are lighter than anthracite samples from the Ferden Carboniferous (mean: –22.20‰). The degree of coalification in the Gastern and Ferden Carboniferous zones primarily depends on the maximum rock temperature (T) attained as a result of burial heating. Vitrinite reflectance based estimates of T range from ~290° –360 °C. For a proposed palaeogeothemal gradient of 25 ° C/km at the time of maximum coalification the required overburden is attributable to relatively thin autochtonous Mesozoic/Cenozoic sedimentary cover of the Aar massif and Gastern granite and deep tectonic burial beneath advancing Helvetic, Ultrahelvetic and Prealpine (Penninic) nappes in Early Oligocene to Miocene.     

Zircon M257 ‐ a Homogeneous Natural Reference Material for the Ion Microprobe U‐Pb Analysis of Zircon

We introduce and propose zircon M257 as a future reference material for the determination of zircon U‐Pb ages by means of secondary ion mass spectrometry. This light brownish, flawless, cut gemstone specimen from Sri Lanka weighed 5.14 g (25.7 carats). Zircon M257 has TIMS‐determined, mean isotopic ratios (2s uncertainties) of 0.09100 ± 0.00003 for ²⁰⁶pb/²³⁸U and 0.7392 ± 0.0003 for ²⁰⁷pb/²³⁵U. Its ²⁰⁶pb/²³⁸U age is 561.3 ± 0.3 Ma (unweighted mean, uncertainty quoted at the 95% confidence level); the U‐Pb system is concordant within uncertainty of decay constants. Zircon M257 contains ～ 840 μg g^?1 U (Th/U ～ 0.27). The material exhibits remarkably low heterogeneity, with a virtual absence of any internal textures even in cathodoluminescence images. The uniform, moderate degree of radiation damage (estimated from the expansion of unit‐cell parameters, broadening of Raman spectral parameters and density) corresponds well, within the “Sri Lankan trends”, with actinide concentrations, U‐Pb age, and the calculated alpha fluence of 1.66 × 10¹⁸ g^?1. This, and a (U+Th)/He age of 419 ± 9 Ma (2s), enables us to exclude any unusual thermal history or heat treatment, which could potentially have affected the retention of radiogenic Pb. The oxygen isotope ratio of this zircon is 13.9%o VSMOW suggesting a metamorphic genesis in a marble or calc‐silicate skarn.     

黄骅坳陷北大港构造带沙河街组沉积体系定量研究

针对陆相湖盆沉积特征,以T A Cross高分辨率层序地层学理论为指导,在大量岩心、测井和地震资料研究的基础上,定量研究了黄骅坳陷北大港构造带沙河街组沉积体系和沉积物源特征,确定了沙河街组沉积时期总体发育近岸水下扇、滩坝、深水重力流水道、扇三角洲前缘和滑塌浊积扇等主要沉积相类型。中期基准面旋回A-D层序沉积时期发育近岸水下扇和扇三角洲前缘—前扇三角洲—滑塌浊积扇沉积体系;中期基准面旋回E-F层序沉积期间发育有利于油气储集的近岸水下扇和滩坝砂体;中期基准面旋回G层序沉积时期主要发育重力流主水道—重力流水道侧缘以及近岸水下扇沉积砂体;中期基准面旋回H层序沉积时期主要发育重力流主水道—重力流水道侧缘沉积体系。最后,预测了有利岩性圈闭发育的沉积相带和地区。     

塔里木盆地塔中低凸起地层水化学特征对不整合的响应

对塔中低凸起地层水化学特征与不整合之间关系的研究结果表明,地层水化学特征对不整合具有很好的响应。在遭受强烈抬升和剥蚀、之间形成不整合的奥陶系和志留系,以及紧靠不整合面附近的石炭系CⅢ油组,其地层水具有矿化度、Cl-含量、K Na 含量和r(Cl-Na)/rMg值相对较小,而HCO3-含量、rNa/rCl值和rSO42-×100/rCl值相对较大的特点,反映出地质历史时期大气降水的影响。在志留系与石炭系之间以及志留系与奥陶系之间的不整合面附近,地层水的矿化度、r(Cl-Na)/rMg值和B3 含量变小,而rNa/rCl值和rSO24-×100/rCl值变大,具有典型的遭受大气淋滤的地层水化学基本特征。     

黄骅坳陷埕北断坡不整合特征与油气成藏

黄骅坳陷埕北断坡处于歧口凹陷向埕宁隆起过渡的斜坡带上,发育多个不整合,这些不整合对该区的油气成藏起重要作用。利用地震资料,在剖面上将不整合划分为5种类型：褶皱不整合、断褶不整合、削截不整合、超覆不整合、平行不整合。其中平行不整合分布在凹陷区,褶皱不整合分布在基底,断褶不整合分布在大断裂下降盘,削截不整合分布在大断裂上升盘,而超覆不整合多分布在隆起斜坡区;利用测井资料,在纵向上将不整合划分为3层结构：不整合面之上岩石、风化粘土层及半风化岩石,由于每层结构的岩性与厚度不同,形成ACE型、ADE型、BCE型和BDF型4种岩性配置模式。不整合构成埕北断坡油气侧向运移的重要通道,同时在其之上形成超覆不整合油气藏,在其之下依靠风化粘土层遮挡形成削截不整合与褶皱不整合油气藏。勘探证实,研究区众多油气显示或油气藏均位于不整合面上、下50 m范围内。开展不整合与油气成藏关系研究,将拓宽黄骅坳陷隐蔽油气藏的勘探空间,对我国东部油气资源挖潜具有重要的理论与实践意义。     

山东莒南地质公园发现小型兽脚类恐龙 足迹化石Minisauripus

在山东省莒南地质公园内发现6个小型恐龙足迹化石,被归入足迹属Minisauripus。化石产于下白垩统大盛群田家楼组．时代为早白垩世巴列姆（Barremian）-阿普特期（Apdan）。5个较大,长约6cm,产于下部“主”层面上,其中4个组成2节行迹：1个较小,长约3cm,位于“主”层面30cm之上的上部层面上。山东Minisauripus的特征是：足迹个体小（长3．1～5．6cm,宽2．0～3．7cm）,三趾型,略不对称;足迹纵长,各趾近平行,趾垫较清晰;趾末端较钝,但爪迹较尖。Ⅲ趾比Ⅳ趾略长,而Ⅳ趾比Ⅱ趾略长且窄。此外,步幅较长,足长与步长之比约为10：1。与四川、韩国Minisau却淞不同之处是：足迹个体较大,长约是它们的2倍。继中国四川和韩国之后,山东是Minisau而淞在全球的第三个发现点。