Stratigraphic hierarchy and three-dimensional evolution of an exhumed submarine slope channel system

Submarine slope channel systems have complicated three-dimensional geometries and facies distributions, which are challenging to resolve using subsurface data. Outcrop analogues can provide sub-seismic-scale detail, although most exhumed systems only afford two-dimensional constraints on the depositional architecture. A rare example of an accessible fine-grained slope channel complex set situated in a tectonically quiescent basin that offers seismic-scale, down-dip and across-strike exposures is the Klein Hangklip area, Tanqua-Karoo Basin, South Africa. This study investigates the three-dimensional architecture of this channel complex set to characterise the stratigraphic evolution of a submarine channel-fill and the implications this has for both sediment transport to the deep-oceans and reservoir quality distribution. Correlated sedimentary logs and mapping of key surfaces across a 3 km² area reveal that: (i) the oldest channel elements in channel complexes infill relatively deep channel cuts and have low aspect-ratios. Later channel elements are bound by comparatively flat erosion surfaces and have high aspect-ratios; (ii) facies changes across depositional strike are consistent and predictable; conversely, facies change in successive down depositional dip positions indicating longitudinal variability in depositional processes; (iii) stratigraphic architecture is consistent and predictable at seismic-scale both down-dip and across-strike in three-dimensions; (iv) channel-base-deposits exhibit spatial heterogeneity on one to hundreds of metres length-scales, which can inhibit accurate recognition and interpretations drawn from one-dimensional or limited two-dimensional datasets; and (v) channel-base-deposit character is linked to sediment bypass magnitude and longevity, which suggests that time-partitioning is biased towards conduit excavation and maintenance rather than the fill-phase. The data provide insights into the stratigraphic evolution and architecture of slope channel-fills on fine-grained continental margins and can be utilised to improve predictions derived from lower resolution and one-dimensional well data.     

单个裂隙中油运移实验及特征分析

利用狭窄平行板裂隙模型来模拟和分析单个裂隙内油运移的过程。实验中采用表面起伏的玻璃板制作平行板裂隙模型,通过改变水中蔗糖的浓度控制两相流体间的密度差,来分析不同密度差和注入速率条件下油的运移过程和特征。观察发现,油在饱含水的狭窄裂隙空间内的运移特征与在孔隙介质中的运移有相似之处:运移的路径只占通道的一部分,都具有不规则的分形特征,也可形成活塞式、指进式和路径式等模式。而这些模式的形成也同样受各种因素的影响。利用孔隙介质中油运移实验结果总结出来的、以Bo数和Ca数为纵横坐标运移相图完全可以用来表征单个裂隙中油的运移模式。     

Numerical simulation of dynamic soil–structure interaction in shaking table testing

This paper provides an insight into the numerical simulation of soil–structure interaction (SSI) phenomena studied in a shaking table facility. The shaking table test is purposely designed to confirm the ability of the numerical substructure technique to simulate the SSI phenomenon. A model foundation–structure system with strong SSI potential is embedded in a dry bed of sand deposited within a purpose designed shaking-table soil container. The experimental system is subjected to a strong ground motion. The numerical simulation of the complete soil–foundation–structure system is conducted in the linear viscoelastic domain using the substructure approach. The matching of the experimental and numerical responses in both frequency and in time domain is satisfying. Many important aspects of SSI that are apparent in the experiment are captured by the numerical simulation. Furthermore, the numerical modelling is shown to be adequate for practical engineering design purposes.     

Thermal and exhumation histories of the northern subalpine chains (Bauges and Bornes—France): Evidence from forward thermal modeling coupling clay mineral diagenesis,organic maturity and carbonate clumped isotope (Δ47) data

Assessing the thermal evolution of sedimentary basins over time is a major aspect of modern integrated basin analysis. While the behavior of clay minerals and organic matter with increasing burial is well documented in different geological and thermal settings, these methods are often limited by the temperature ranges over which they can be precisely applied and by the available material. Here, we explore the emergent Δ₄₇ clumped isotope geospeedometry (based on the diffusional redistribution of carbon and oxygen isotopes in the carbonate lattice at elevated temperatures) to refine time‐temperature paths of carbonate rocks during their burial evolution. This study provides a reconstruction of the thermal and exhumation history of the Upper Cretaceous thrust belt series in the western subalpine massifs (Bauges and Bornes, French Alps) by a new approach combining for the first time available data from three independent geothermometers. The investigated area presents two zones affected by contrasting thermal histories. The most external zone has undergone a relatively mild thermal history (T < 70°C) and does not record any significant clay mineral diagenetic transformation. By contrast, the internal zone has experienced tectonic burial (prealpine nappes) in response to thrusting, resulting in overheating (T > 160–180°C) that induced widespread clay mineral diagenetic transformations (progressive illitization from R0 to R1 and R3 illite‐smectite mixed‐layers), organic matter maturation (oil window) and Δ₄₇ thermal resetting with apparent equilibrium temperatures above 160°C. The three employed geothermal indicators conjointly reveal that the investigated Upper Cretaceous rocks have suffered a wide range of burial temperatures since their deposition, with a thermal maximum locally up to 160–180°C. High temperatures are associated with the tectonic emplacement of up to 4 km of prealpine nappes in the northern part of the studied area. Finally, a forward thermal modeling using Δ₄₇, vitrinite reflectance and clay mineral data, is attempted to precisely refine the burial and exhumation histories of this area.     

Northwest Africa 10414, a pigeonite cumulate shergottite

Northwest Africa (NWA) 10414 is an unusual shergottite with a cumulate texture. It contains 73% coarse prismatic pigeonite, plus 18% interstitial maskelynite, 2% Si‐rich mesostasis, 2% merrillite, and minor chromite‐ulvöspinel. It contains no olivine, and only ~3% augite. Phase compositions are pigeonite (En_68‐43Fs_27‐48Wo_5‐15) and maskelynite An_~54‐36, more sodic than most maskelynite in shergottites. Chromite‐ulvöspinel composition plots between the earliest and most fractionated spinel‐group minerals in olivine‐phyric shergottites. NWA 10414 mineralogically resembles the contact facies between Elephant Moraine 79001 lithologic units A and B, with abundant pigeonite phenocrysts, though it is coarser grained. Its most Mg‐rich pigeonite also has a similar composition to the earliest crystallized pyroxenes in several other shergottites, including Shergotty. The Shergotty intercumulus liquid composition crystallizes pigeonite with a similar composition range to NWA 10414 pigeonite, using PETROLOG. Olivine‐phyric shergottite NWA 6234, with a pure magma composition, produces an even better match to this pigeonite composition range, after olivine crystallization. These observations suggest that after the accumulation of olivine from an olivine‐phyric shergottite magma, the daughter liquid could precipitate pigeonite locally to form this pigeonite cumulate, before the crystallization of overlying liquid as a normal basaltic shergottite.     

TEM and FESEM characterization of asbestiform and non-asbestiform actinolite fibers in hydrothermally altered dolerites (France)

This paper provides new mineralogical and morphological characterizations of calcic amphiboles from hydrothermally altered dolerites from France to discuss their potential to contain naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) and to release elongated mineral particles corresponding to asbestos fibers, or asbestos-like fibers, into the air. The calcic amphiboles were characterized using electron microprobe analysis, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The results underline that fibrous occurrences of actinolite and ferro-actinolite regularly occur in hydrothermally altered dolerites, both in the groundmass and in quartz veins. In the groundmass, actinolitic amphiboles crystallize at the expense of magmatic clinopyroxenes and are rarely fibrous. Conversely, actinolite and ferro-actinolite fibers from quartz veins are potentially asbestiform to clearly asbestiform. The identification of quartz veins in hydrothermally altered dolerites is, therefore, an important parameter which should draw attention to the possible presence of asbestiform actinolite fibers. The mineralogical characterization of such veins as well as the estimation of their thickness and density is an important point to consider during studies involving NOA issues. Moreover, the degree of weathering of the dolerites, which directly affects the ability of non-asbestiform actinolite crystals to dissociate into very thin fibers, regarded as cleavage fragments instead of as asbestos, is also a key parameter to consider. Hydrothermally altered dolerites are common rocks likely to be exploited by the quarrying industry to produce aggregates or to be affected by construction works. Due to the abundance of actinolite fibers that they may contain locally, these rocks become priority targets to be monitored in terms of geological characterization and airborne fiber emission to ensure the protection of populations and workers.     

基于WRF和CFD软件结合的风能资源数值模拟试验研究

运用中尺度数值模式WRF与法国CFD软件MeteodynwT相结合的方法（WRF／WT）,进行了广东省海陵岛地区的水平分辨率100m×100m的风能资源数值模拟试验,采用海陵岛上7座测风塔观测资料对WRF／WT模式的模拟风场进行误差检验,并与WRF／WAsP模式系统对单点风能参数模拟误差进行对比,研究WRF／WT模式系统在风电场微观选址和分散式风电开发利用中应用的可行性。结果表明：中尺度模式与CFD软件结合的数值模拟方法对区域风能资源分布趋势的模拟比单纯应用CFD软件更准确;WRF／WT模式系统应用于复杂地形风能资源数值模拟评估是可行的,其对区域风能资源参数分布模拟的准确率与WRF／WAsP对2km范围内风能资源参数模拟的准确率相当;WRF／WT模式系统在风速频率分布不满足Weibull分布的情况下和陡峭地形条件下有较好的模拟效果,相对WRF／wAsP有明显优势。今后需进一步研究中尺度模式与CFD软件的衔接方法,以及对中尺度模式模拟结果的误差订正。     

Groundwater and surface water connectivity within the recharge area of Guarani aquifer system during El Niño 2014–2016

Recharge areas of the Guarani Aquifer System (GAS) are particularly sensitive and vulnerable to climate variability; therefore, the understanding of infiltration mechanisms for aquifer recharge and surface run‐off generation represent a relevant issue for water resources management in the southeastern portion of the Brazilian territory, particularly in the Jacaré‐Pepira River watershed. The main purpose of this study is to understand the interactions between precipitation, surface water, and groundwater using stable isotopes during the strong 2014–2016 El Niño Southern Oscillation event. The large variation in the isotopic composition of precipitation (from ?9.26‰ to +0.02‰ for δ¹⁸O and from ?63.3‰ to +17.6‰ for δ²H), mainly associated with regional climatic features, was not reflected in the isotopic composition of surface water (from ?7.84‰ to ?5.83‰ for δ¹⁸O and from ?49.7‰ to +33.6‰ for δ²H), mainly due to the monthly sampling frequency, and groundwater (from ?7.04‰ to ?7.76‰ for δ¹⁸O and from ?49.5‰ to ?44.7‰ for δ²H), which exhibited less variation throughout the year. However, variations in deuterium excess (d‐excess) in groundwater and surface water suggest the occurrence of strong secondary evaporation during the infiltration process, corresponding with groundwater level recovery. Similar isotopic composition in groundwater and surface water, as well as the same temporal variations in d‐excess and line‐conditioned excess denote the strong connectivity between these two reservoirs during baseflow recession periods. Isotopic mass balance modelling and hydrograph separation estimate that the groundwater contribution varied between 70% and 80%, however, during peak flows, the isotopic mass balance tends to overestimate the groundwater contribution when compared with the other hydrograph separation methods. Our findings indicate that the application of isotopic mass balance methods for ungauged rivers draining large groundwater reservoirs, such as the GAS outcrop, could provide a powerful tool for hydrological studies in the future, helping in the identification of flow contributions to river discharge draining these areas.