Numerical simulation of the quicksand phenomenon by a 3D coupled Discrete Element ‐ Lattice Boltzmann hydromechanical model

This paper deals with the numerical simulation of the quicksand phenomenon using a coupled Discrete Elements – Lattice Boltzmann hydromechanical model. After the presentation of the developed numerical model, simulations of ascending fluid flow through granular deposits are performed. The simulations show that the quicksand actually triggers for a hydraulic gradient very close to the critical hydraulic gradient calculated from the global analysis of classical soil mechanics, that is, when the resultant of the applied external pressure balances submerged weight of the deposit. Moreover, they point out that the quicksand phenomenon does not occur only for hydraulic gradients above the critical hydraulic gradient, but also in some cases with slightly lower gradients. In such cases, a more permeable zone is first gradually built at the bottom of the deposit through a grain rearrangement, which increases the hydraulic gradient in the upper zones and triggers the phenomenon. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exploratory analysis of statistical post‐processing methods for hydrological ensemble forecasts

Despite many recent improvements, ensemble forecast systems for streamflow often produce under‐dispersed predictive distributions. This situation is problematic for their operational use in water resources management. Many options exist for post‐processing of raw forecasts. However, most of these have been developed using meteorological variables such as temperature, which displays characteristics very different from streamflow. In addition, streamflow data series are often very short or contain numerous gaps, thus compromising the estimation of post‐processing statistical parameters. For operational use, a post‐processing method has to be effective while remaining as simple as possible. We compared existing post‐processing methods using normally distributed and gamma‐distributed synthetic datasets. To reflect situations encountered with ensemble forecasts of daily streamflow, four normal distribution parameterizations and six gamma distribution parameterizations were used. Three kernel‐based approaches were tested, namely, the ‘best member’ method and two improvements thereof, and one regression‐based approach. Additional tests were performed to assess the ability of post‐processing methods to cope with short calibration series, missing values or small numbers of ensemble members. We thus found that over‐dispersion is best corrected by the regression method, while under‐dispersion is best corrected by kernel‐based methods. This work also shows key limitations associated with short data series, missing values, asymmetry and bias. One of the improved best member methods required longer series for the estimation of post‐processing parameters, but if provided with adequate information, yielded the best improvement of the continuous ranked probability score. These results suggest guidelines for future studies involving real operational datasets. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermal stresses in borehole heat exchangers

The backfilling materials of borehole heat exchangers (BHE), particularly the grout material, must provide a suitable thermal contact and ensure durability to the induced thermal stresses because of the heat loading. In this paper, the thermal stresses that occurred in BHEs because of heat injection or extraction is investigated with an analytical solution of a hollow cylinder model that is adapted for time‐dependent heat loading, the geometry of a BHE, and the thermo‐mechanical properties of surrounding ground conditions. Firstly, the hollow cylinder model is solved with the considered boundary conditions in 2D plane stress. Secondly, the temperature differences at the inner and outer circles of the cylinder are evaluated with the heat line source models for continuous and discontinuous loading to observe the impact of the heat loading schedule. The developed analytical solution for thermal stress investigation is validated with numerical models. It is demonstrated that the analytical solutions agree well with numerical results for two types of BHE configurations (co‐axial and single U‐shaped pipes). Furthermore, the calculated maximum stresses are compared with the tensile strength of grout materials obtained from Brazilian tests. It is predicted that the thermal contraction of the grout, partially constrained by the surrounding rock, generates tensile stresses that may lead to cracking in the BHE. According to the results, the stiffness of rock has a primary role on the developed tensile stresses, and the relationship between the thermal conductivity of the ground and of the grout induces a proportional impact on the magnitude of thermal stresses. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Paragenesis of magma chamber internal wall discovered in Oman ophiolite gabbros

A detailed study in Wadi Farah reveals a singular point in Jebel Dihm (southern Oman ophiolite). Here, we investigated some primitive features of accretion at a fast‐spreading ridge that has exceptionally been exempt from hydrous alteration while crossing the TBL (thermal boundary layer). The conjunction of two factors has made this possible in the Farah area: its location at the point of sharp foliation rotation from the upper to the transitional gabbros and a locally twisted TBL. These factors may have favoured the intrusion within the TBL of hydrous wedges transverse to the ridge. Deeper into the TBL, near the active ridge, the wedges merge and are covered by veneers of totally fresh gabbros bearing glittering acicular clinopyroxene. These gabbros are interpreted as relics of the crystallizing internal wall of the magma chamber that have interacted with hydrous fluids. This internal TBL has anisotropic thermal properties and acts as a thermal blanket, maintaining high magma‐chamber temperatures.     

What shapes mesoscale wind anomalies in coastal upwelling zones?

Observational studies have shown that mesoscale variations in sea surface temperature may induce mesoscale variations in wind. In eastern subtropical upwelling regions such as the California coast, this mechanism could be of great importance for the mean state and variability of the climate system. In coastal regions orography also creates mesoscale variations in wind, and the orographic effect may extend more than 100?km offshore. The respective roles of SST/wind links and coastal orography in shaping mesoscale wind variations in nearshore regions is not clear. We address this question in the context of the California Upwelling System, using a high-resolution regional numerical modeling system coupling the WRF atmospheric model to the ROMS oceanic model, as well as additional uncoupled experiments to quantify and separate the effects of SST/wind links and coastal orography on mesoscale wind variations. After taking into account potential biases in the representation of the strength of SST/wind links by the model, our results suggest that the magnitude of mesoscale wind variations arising from the orographic effects is roughly twice that of wind variations associated with mesoscale SST anomalies. This indicates that even in this region where coastal orography is complex and leaves a strong imprint on coastal winds, the role of SST/winds links in shaping coastal circulation and climate cannot be neglected.     

Conflicts over industrial tree plantations in the South: Who, how and why?

Industrial tree plantations for wood, palm oil and rubber production are among the fastest growing monocultures and are currently being promoted as carbon sinks and energy producers. Such plantations are causing a large number of conflicts between companies and local populations, mostly in the tropics and subtropics. Within a political ecology framework, the present paper investigates the nature of such conflicts as related to the alleged impacts of the plantations, the protesters involved, and the modalities of the conflicts with a special emphasis on their outcomes. Relying on the most comprehensive literature review to date, corresponding to 58 conflict cases, I find that the prominent cause of resistance is related to corporate control over land resulting in displacements and the end of local uses of ecosystems as they are replaced by monocultures. Resistance includes the “weapons of the weak” and ranges from dialogue to direct confrontation and from local to international. It often involves NGOs, especially for legal issues. Demonstrations, lawsuits, road blockades and tree uprooting have been reported in several countries. Authorities have responded by repression in about half of the cases analysed, while popular struggles have been able to stop plantations in about one fifth, mainly through winning lawsuits or massive social unrest. While these movements can be regarded as classical land conflicts, they usually also have an ecological content, corresponding to forms of the “environmentalism of the poor”. The documented large number of such conflicts suggests that policies promoting large-scale tree plantations should be reappraised.     

A recent history of metal accumulation in the sediments of Rijeka harbor, Adriatic Sea, Croatia

We studied metal pollution in the sediments of Rijeka harbor, including anthropogenic influence during recent decades and at the present time. Sediment profiles were collected at ten sampling points. The concentrations of 63 elements in bulk sediment were obtained using ICP-MS, and the concentrations of selected elements were evaluated by statistical factor analyses. We also calculated metal-enrichment factors and geoaccumulation indices and constructed spatial-distribution maps.Mercury (Hg) was the heaviest pollutant, with concentrations exceeding 4 mg/kg. Silver (Ag) was the second most important pollutant, with constantly increasing values. The average concentrations of the most toxic elements were comparable to those found in sediments of other ports throughout the world, and their toxicity ranged from threshold values [chromium (Cr), arsenic (As)] and midrange-effect values [cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni)] to extreme-effect values (Hg). Metal pollution has decreased during recent decades, except for Ag and barium (Ba).     

Antifouling activity of commercial biocides vs. natural and natural-derived products assessed by marine bacteria adhesion bioassay

Biofilm formation is a key step during marine biofouling, the natural colonization of immersed substrata, leading to major economic and ecological consequences. Consequently, bacteria have been used for the screening of new non-toxic antifoulants: the adhesion of five strains isolated on three French locations was monitored using a fluorescence-based assay and toxicity was also evaluated. Nine biocides including commercial, natural and natural-derived products were tested. The commercial antifoulants, TBTO and Sea Nine showed low EC₅₀ but high toxicity. The non-commercial products TFA-Z showed significant anti-adhesion activities and appeared to be non-toxic, suggesting a specific anti-adhesion mechanism. In addition, the strains could be classified depending on their sensitivity to the molecules used even if strain sensitivity also depended on the molecules tested. In conclusion, TFA-Z would be a promising candidate as non-toxic antifoulant and our results strengthen the need to perform antifouling bioassays with a panel of strains showing different response profiles.