Soil erosion susceptibility assessment and validation using a geostatistical multivariate approach: a test in Southern Sicily

A certain number of studies have been carried out in recent years that aim at developing and applying a model capable of assessing water erosion of soil. Some of these have tried to quantitatively evaluate the volumes of soil loss, while others have focused their efforts on the recognition of the areas most prone to water erosion processes. This article presents the results of a research whose objective was that of evaluating water erosion susceptibility in a Sicilian watershed: the Naro river basin. A geomorphological study was carried out to recognize the water erosion landforms and define a set of parameters expressing both the intensity of hydraulic forces and the resistance of rocks/soils. The landforms were mapped and classified according to the dominant process in landsurfaces affected by diffuse or linear water erosion. A GIS layer was obtained by combining six determining factors (bedrock lithology, land use, soil texture, plan curvature, stream power index and slope-length factor) in unique conditions units. A geostatistical multivariate approach was applied by analysing the relationships between the spatial distributions of the erosion landforms and the unique condition units. Particularly, the density of eroded area for each combination of determining factors has been calculated: such function corresponds, in fact, to the conditional probability of erosion landforms to develop, under the same geoenvironmental conditions. In light of the obtained results, a general geomorphologic model for water erosion in the Naro river basin can be depicted: cultivated areas in clayey slopes, having fine-medium soil texture, are the most prone to be eroded; linear or diffuse water erosion processes dominate where the topography is favourable to a convergent or divergent runoff, respectively. For each of the two erosion process types, a susceptibility map was produced and submitted to a validation procedure based on a spatial random partition strategy. Both the success of the validation procedure of the susceptibility models and the geomorphological coherence of the relationships between factors and process that such models suggest, confirm the reliability of the method and the goodness of the predictions.     

Environmental hydrogeology of the southern sector of the Samborombon Bay wetland,Argentina

The Samborombon Bay wetland is located on the west margin of the Rio de la Plata estuary, in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. This paper analyses the geological, geomorphologic, soil and vegetation characteristics of the southernmost sector of this wetland and their influence on surface water and groundwater. The study area presents three hydrologic units: coastal dunes, sand sheets and coastal plain. Coastal dunes and sand sheets are recharge zones of high permeability with well-drained, non-saline soils, and a few surface water flows. Changes in the water table are related to rainfall. Groundwater in coastal dunes is Ca–Mg–HCO₃ to Na–HCO₃, and of low salinity (590 mg/l). Groundwater in sand sheets is mainly Na–HCO₃ with a salinity of about 1,020 mg/l. The coastal plain exhibits medium to low permeability sediments, with submerged saline soils poorly drained. Groundwater is Na–Cl with a mean salinity of 16,502 mg/l. A surface hydrological network develops in the coastal plain. Surface water levels near the shoreline are affected by tidal fluctuations; far from the shoreline water accumulates because of poor drainage. Both sectors have Na–Cl water, but the former is more saline. Human intervention and sea level rise may affect the wetland severely.     

Interference of Multiple Strip Footings on Sand Using Small Scale Model Tests

By using small scale model tests, the interference effect on the vertical load-deformation behavior of a number of equally spaced strip footings, placed on the surface of dry sand, was investigated. At any stage, all the footings were assumed to (i) carry exactly equal magnitude of load, and (ii) settle to the same extent. No tilt of the footing was permitted. The effect of clear spacing (s) among footings on the results was explored. A new experimental setup was proposed in which only one footing needs to be employed rather than a number of footings. The bearing capacity increases continuously with decrease in spacing among the footings. The interference effect becomes further prominent with increase in soil friction angle. In contrast to an increase in the bearing capacity, with decrease in spacing of footings, an increase in the footing settlement associated with the ultimate state of shear failure was observed. The present experimental observations were similar to those predicted by the available theory, based on the method of characteristics. As compared to the theory, the present experimental data, however, indicates much greater effect of interference especially for larger spacing among footings.     

Analysis of the 2003 Varunawat Landslide,Uttarkashi, India using Earth Observation data

Mass movements such as landslides in mountainous terrains are natural degradation processes and one of the most important landscape-building factors. Varunawat Parbat overlooking Uttarkashi town witnessed a series of landslides on 23 September 2003 and the debris slides and rock falls continued for 2 weeks. This landslide complex was triggered due to the incessant rainfall prior to the event, and its occurrence led to the blockage of the pilgrim route to Gangotri (source of the Ganges river) and evacuation of thousands of people to safer places. Though there was no loss of lives due to timely evacuation, heavy losses to the property were reported. High-resolution stereoscopic earth observation data were acquired after the incidence to study the landslide in detail with emphasis on the cause of the landslide and mode of failure. Areas along the road and below the Varunawat foothill region are mapped for landslide risk. It was found that the foothill region of the Varunawat Parbat was highly disturbed by man-made activities and houses are dangerously located below steep slopes. The potential zones for landslides along with the existing active and old landslides are mapped. These areas are critical and their treatment with priority is required in order to minimise further landslide occurrences.     

Finite Element Modeling of Swelling Soil Pressures Using Joint/Interface Elements

There could be some discontinuities in a soil media such as layers, earth structures, cracks, and fissures so that estimation of stresses and deformations in these types of soil masses are somewhat different from continuous masses. The discontinuities in a soil mass could be considered as a special link between two blocks. Transmitted swelling pressures affected by the soil properties of the backfill especially at the interface between the backfill and retaining wall. In order to estimate the transmitted swelling pressure distribution behind a retaining wall, using with interface element, a new finite element model and a code (SWELPRES) have been developed. To evaluate the effect of backfill characteristics and interface element from the transmitted lateral swelling pressures, four cases of thickness of backfills with or without interface elements are investigated.     

Monitoring Large-Scale Tests for Nuclear Waste Disposal

Two large-scale “in situ” demonstration experiments and their instrumentation are described. The first test (FEBEX Experiment) involves the hydration of a compacted bentonite barrier under the combined effect of an inner source of heat and an outer water flow from the confining saturated granite rock. In the second case, the progressive de-saturation of Opalinus clay induced by maintained ventilation of an unlined tunnel is analyzed. The paper shows the performance of different sensors (capacitive cells, psychrometers, TDR’s) and a comparison of fill behaviour with modelling results. The long term performance of some instruments could also be evaluated specially in the case of FEBEX test. Capacitive sensors provide relative humidity data during long transient periods characterised by very large variations of suction within the bentonite.     

河南洛宁段河金矿流体包裹体研究和矿床成因

河南省洛宁县段河石英脉型金矿主要包括石寨沟和岭东两个矿区,分别由3～4条含金石英脉构成。矿化过程从早到晚包括石英-黄铁矿、石英-多金属硫化物和石英-碳酸盐等3个阶段．其中中阶段金矿化最强,次为早阶段。各阶段石英中流体包裹体以气液两相包裹体为主．次为纯液体包裹体。激光拉曼测试表明,气液两相包裹体的液相为H2O,气相主要为Ho和CO2混合、纯H2O,次为纯CO2;纯液体包裹体为纯H2O。石寨沟矿区包裹体均一温度从早到晚依次为240．9～315．9℃．188．7～304．5℃,137．3～259．3℃：流体盐度变化依次为（6．74～12．85）wt%NaCl．eq,（2．41～8．68）wt％NaCl．eq,（2．24-7．86）wt%NaCl．eq。岭东矿区均一温度从早到晚依次为303．7-343．1℃,251．8-325．4℃,305．7～355．0℃：流体盐度变化依次为（5．11～11．70）wt％NaCl．eq,（2．74-10．11）wt％NaCl．eq,（0．53-6．74）wt％NaCl．eq。两矿区主成矿期流体均为中温、低盐度,早阶段流体为改造热液和变质热液的混合体,含一定量CO2,且流体CO2含量和盐度从早到晚逐渐降低。石寨沟矿区包裹体均一温度逐渐降低,而岭东矿区包裹体均一温度先降后升,加之岭东矿区各阶段成矿温度均高于石寨沟矿区．表明成矿流体系统主要受岩浆热驱动,岭东矿区更靠近岩体,且在晚阶段又有脉动性的岩浆加热．段河金矿区南部存在隐伏岩体。     

鉴江河口底泥盐度释放规律研究

底泥盐度释放是河口水资源利用的主要限制因子。本文以鉴江为例,基于野外实测与室内实验,系统分析了鉴江河口底泥盐度及水体氯离子的分布特征;通过振荡、换水及静态等实验。定量研究了河口底泥盐度释放规律。结果表明：（1）潮泛河口底泥盐度主要受上溯潮水的影响。有较为明显的梯度性;（2）底泥盐度释放量在初期较大,随着换水周期的累加,则逐步降低;在同一换水周期。底泥盐度释放强度与其本底盐度浓度成正指数关系;（3）静态释放时间越长,上覆水盐度越大。静置30d。三组样品上覆水的浓度分别达2626mg·L-1、932mg·L-1、533mg·L-1。远远超过用水水质的要求。     

区域水资源总量计算方法分析

目前应用的基于"重复量"或"不重复量"的两种区域水资源总量计算思路和方法,均建立在地表水与地下水资源单独分离评价的评价体系基础上.简评现行两种水资源总量计算方法后,讨论了"重复量"和"不重复量"的问题.提出了条件判断前题下分3种不同地貌类型区,基于不重复量的区域水资源总量计算方法,以及平原区降水入渗补给量的平衡检查计算式.并在陕西省水资源评价中进行了应用.     

基于分布式水文模拟的三峡区间洪水预报(Ⅰ)——模型构建及验证

长江三峡区间因暴雨形成的洪水峰高量大,对三峡水库的防洪安全和运行调度的影响很大.本论文依据三峡地区的地形地貌特征,采用基于GIS的机理性分布式水文模型,来模拟三峡区间入库洪水,以尽量减少洪水预报中的不确定性.利用近期建成的78个自动雨量站网监测的小时降雨信息作为模型的输入,对模型参数进行了率定和验证,结果表明:大多数洪水过程的模拟精度较好,但也有的模拟结果较差,其中降雨信息缺失是洪水预报不确定性的主要来源.