10th annual report on the international status of engineering geology—year 2004-2005; encompassing hydrogeology, environmental geology and the applied geosciences

The year was particularly eventful in terms of the recognition of improved technologies impinging on the duties of the Engineering Geologist. National economies were strained to the limit under the pressure of the new world terrorist attacks and burgeoning populations. much of which stemmed from escapes from oppressive national regimes to the free world. The impacts of terrorism range from increased danger and costs of field work, to special design considerations and postponed and delayed project work.On the positive side, continued progress has been made in the means of recognition and professional development of our practitioners and in the general call for their work. Competent engineering geologists are in consistent demand, but the working conditions are not improved. A general deterioration of university funding, aggravated by bureaucratic excesses among administrators, have tended to make life miserable for dedicated faculty and a general move is afoot to cut back on the number of funded geology departments in North America and Europe. This situation has also been worsened by the general withdrawal of the mineral industries and by retraction of the petroleum companies from all but their most favored campuses.     

Ion microprobe U–Pb dating of zircon with a 15 micrometer spatial resolution using NanoSIMS

We developed a ²³⁸U–²⁰⁶Pb and ²⁰⁷Pb–²⁰⁶Pb zircon dating method using a Cameca NanoSIMS NS50 ion microprobe. A 7-to 9-nA O⁻ primary beam was used to sputter a 15-μm crater, and secondary positive ions were extracted for mass analysis using the Mattauch–Herzog geometry. The multicollector system was modified to detect ⁹⁰Zr⁺, ²⁰⁴Pb⁺, ²⁰⁶Pb⁺, ²³⁸U¹⁶O⁺, and ²³⁸U¹⁶O₂⁺ ions simultaneously. A mass resolution of about 4000 at 10% peak height and with a flat peak top was attained, and the sensitivity of Pb was about 4 cps·nA^− 1·ppm^− 1. A multicrystal zircon standard (QGNG) from South Australia with a U–Pb age of 1842 Ma was used as a reference for Pb⁺/UO⁺–UO₂⁺/UO⁺ calibration, and on the basis of the positive correlation between these ratios, we determined the sample ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ratios. ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ratios were measured by magnetic scanning in single-collector mode. The standard zircons 91500, from Canada, and SL13, from Sri Lanka, were analyzed against QGNG. Observed ²³⁸U–²⁰⁶Pb and ²⁰⁷Pb–²⁰⁶Pb ages agreed well with published ages within experimental error. Then, 16 zircon grains in a metamorphic rock from Nagasaki, Japan, were analyzed. Observed ages were compatible with SHRIMP ages, suggesting that the NanoSIMS with a 15-μm probe diameter is suitable for ion microprobe U–Pb zircon dating.     

Fracturing mode analysis and relative age dating of faults by surface textures of quartz grains from fault gouges

Surface textures of quartz grains taken from about 250 samples of fault gouges in faults ranging in length from several metres to several tens of metres with the faults extending several tens to several hundreds of kilometres in length, are examined by means of the scanning electron microscope and are categorized into four groups from I to IV, based on the smoothness of the surface, degree of undulation and development of cavities, as mentioned in a previous paper. Based on surface features of quartz grains from faults the geological age of movement of which is known, the groups I to IV are tentatively related to the age of formation of quartz grains and the period of formation of surface textures. This correlation makes it clear that quartz-grain surface textures are an important clue to dating a relative age of faulting. River patterns, striations, granular fracture surfaces, and dimple-like textures are observed to appear on less corroded surfaces of quartz grains from fault gouges. Fractographic analysis of these surfaces of quartz grains should be a clue to revealing the mode of fracture of the fault movement which released the quartz grains into the fault gouge.     

Noble gas elemental and isotopic abundances in deep-sea trenches in the western Pacific

Noble gas elemental and isotopic abundances were measured in seven deep-sea water samples from five different sampling sites in the Nankai Trough, the Japan Trench and the Kuril Trench. The samples were obtained by the manned submersible “Nautile”. Most of the sampling sites are associated with clam colonies and/or fluid venting. Excesses both in³He/⁴He ratio and He concentration are observed in a seawater sample collected a few kilometers off the clam colonies which were found at a depth of 3830 m at the mouth of the Tenryu Canyon. Concentrations of noble gases (Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe) in this sample show progressive depletion from Ne to Xe relative to those in 1°C air-saturated seawater, which can be attributed to mixing of hot water ( 15°C) with cold ambient water ( 1°C). Isotopic compositions of Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe in this sample are atmospheric. These observations may reflect venting of hot pore water around the Tenryu Canyon. All the other samples show a significant excess in concentration of all noble gases relative to 1°C air-saturated seawater and the isotopic compositions are atmospheric. This excess of noble gas concentrations may appear to be air contamination in the samples. However, results of hydrocarbon analyses of the Kaiko samples imply that such large amount of air contamination is improbable. Decomposition of gas hydrate in deep-sea sediments is a more likely explanation for the observed excess of noble gas concentration.     

Precise temperature measurement of groundwater for earthquake-prediction study

Precise measurements of groundwater temperature, with a resolution of 0.0001°C, have been made for the purpose of earthquake prediction at four water wells in the Tokai district in Japan. The characteristics of temporal variations in groundwater temperature differ from well to well. From records of a well located in an area where use of groundwater is heavy, movement of groundwater was sensed by temperature variations. By contrast, water temperatures in a 500 m well far from cultural areas were extremely steady, with fluctuations of less than 0.0005°C. This well appears to be suitable for monitoring possible temperature changes related to the occurrence of an impending large earthquake.     

自然资源定义、分类，观测监测及其在国土规划治理中的应用

【研究目的】为摸清中国资源家底、认清资源变化规律、管好国土用途，解决现有自然资源内涵不一、分类上存在差异、在数据获取上不统一、资源管理分属不同部门导致的资源在空间管理上交叉重叠等问题。【研究方法】本文采用文献综述法对自然资源的定义、分类及有关资源观测监测指标的相关文献进行梳理。【研究结果】（1）明确了观测监测体系下的自然资源是自然状态或未被加工的状态下通过生产能够产生价值的资源，可将其分为气候资源、地表覆盖资源及地下水资源3类开展研究；（2）总结得到自然资源综合观测与监测的对象、内容及观测方法；（3）分析自然资源观测监测在资源间及资源与环境间、资源资产管理、生态环境修复上的具体作用。【结论】文章最后指出自然资源观测监测是研究资源间、资源与环境间作用，资源资产管理以及生态环境修复中不可缺少的技术手段。创新点：（1）明确了自然资源的定义，解决自然资源在部门管理上、分类上以及数据获取上不统一的问题；（2）分析自然资源观测与监测的内容和指标，结合系统调查、观测实验、预测模拟、监测评价“四位一体”的探测技术，有效掌握自然资源家底、进行资源资产管理，研究资源间、资源与环境的相互关系，在国土规划治理中发挥作用。     

黑海西北部多瑙河峡谷北侧陆坡沉积特征及其与古气候的关系

【研究目的】在末次冰期，全球气候变化以千年尺度的快速、大幅度温度波动旋回为特征，这种波动变化在两极冰芯、深海沉积、中国黄土和洞穴石笋等诸多地质样品中均有记录。黑海位于北大西洋与东亚季风区过渡带，具有极有代表性的沉积记录。本文旨在通过对黑海沉积序列的研究，建立起其区域环境变化与北大西洋及东亚季风气候域气候变化的联系。【研究方法】研究对取自黑海西北部罗马尼亚陆坡区多瑙河峡谷北侧GAS-CS12钻孔的长22.0 m的岩芯样品，进行了粒度、矿物成分、主量元素、有机碳、总氮及碳氮同位素等分析。【研究结果】揭示出该段岩芯沉积于末次冰期中后期“Neoeuxine”湖相阶段，可划分为5个沉积单元，对应于北大西洋H4、H3、H1气候变化事件、末次冰盛期（LGM）及Bolling-Allerod气候变暖事件。【结论】建立起了其沉积序列及区域环境变化与北大西洋及东亚季风气候域气候变化的联系，印证了末次冰期千年尺度的气候变化事件在北大西洋、东亚季风区及两者过渡带上具有高度的一致性。创新点：建立了黑海西北沉积序列与区域环境变化的关系；补充了北大西洋与东亚季风区两者过渡带上气候波动事件的可靠时标。