On the recent global mean sea level changes: Trend extraction and El Niño's impact

The spatial sampling offered by TOPEX and Jason series of satellite radar altimeters and its continuity during the last twenty years are major assets to provide an improved vision of the global mean sea level (GMSL). The objective of this paper is to examine the recent GMSL variations (1993–2012) and to investigate the correlation between the GMSL and ENSO (El Niño-southern oscillation) episodes. For this purpose, a mean sea level anomalies time series, obtained from TOPEX, Jason-1 and Jason-2 measurements, is used to determine the trend of GMSL changes by using a simplified form of an unobserved components model (namely UCM). Then, to investigate the impact of the ENSO phenomenon on the GMSL changes, we considered the sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) index over the Niño3 region (5N–5S 150W–90W). Cross wavelet transform and wavelet coherence analysis are performed to expose common power between the GMSL changes and the SSTA index and their relative phase in the time–frequency space. The results indicate that there are in the estimated GMSL's trend a number of fluctuations over short periods that are least partly related to the El Niño/La Niña episodes. Cross wavelet transform and wavelet coherence analysis indicate that a significant correlation between GMSL and ENSO occurred during 1997–1998, 2006–2007, 2009–2010 El Niño events and 2007–2008 and 2010–2011 La Niña ones. All these areas show in-phase relationship, suggesting that GMSL and SSTA index vary synchronously.     

Trends in global and regional sea level from satellite altimetry within the framework of auto-SSA

The sea level change is a crucial indicator of our climate. The spatial sampling offered by satellite altimetry and its continuity during the last 18 years are major assets to provide an improved vision of the sea level changes. In this paper, we analyze the University of Colorado database of sea level time series to determine the trends for 18 large ocean regions by means of the automatic trend extraction approach in the framework of the singular spectrum analysis technique. Our global sea level trend estimate of 3.19 mm/year for the period from 1993 to 2010 is comparable with the 3.20-mm/year sea level rise since 1993 calculated by AVISO Altimetry. However, the trends from the different ocean regions show dissimilar patterns. The major contributions to the global sea level rise during 1993–2010 are from the Indian Ocean (3.78?±?0.08 mm/year).     

Variogram Identification Aided by a Structural Framework for Improved Geometric Modeling of Faulted Reservoirs: Jeffara Basin, Southeastern Tunisia

This article describes a proposed work-sequence to generate accurate reservoir-architecture models, describing the geometry of bounding surfaces (i.e., fault locations and extents), of a structurally complex geologic setting in the Jeffara Basin (South East Tunisia) by means of geostatistical modeling. This uses the variogram as the main tool to measure the spatial variability of the studied geologic medium before making any estimation or simulation. However, it is not always easy to fit complex experimental variograms to theoretical models. Thus, our primary purpose was to establish a relationship between the geology and the components of the variograms to fit a mathematically consistent and geologically interpretable variogram model for improved predictions of surface geometries. We used a three-step approach based on available well data and seismic information. First, we determined the structural framework: a seismo-tectonic data analysis was carried out, and we showed that the study area is cut mainly by NW–SE-trending normal faults, which were classified according to geometric criteria (strike, throw magnitude, dip, and dip direction). We showed that these normal faults are at the origin of a large-scale trend structure (surfaces tilted toward the north-east). At a smaller scale, the normal faults create a distinct compartmentalization of the reservoirs. Then, a model of the reservoir system architecture was built by geostatistical methods. An efficient methodology was developed, to estimate the bounding faulted surfaces of the reservoir units. Emphasis was placed on (i) elaborating a methodology for variogram interpretation and modeling, whereby the importance of each variogram component is assessed in terms of probably geologic factor controlling the behavior of each structure; (ii) integrating the relevant fault characteristics, which were deduced from the previous fault classification analysis, as constraints in the kriging estimation of bounding surfaces to best reflect the geologic structure of the study area. Finally, the estimated bounding surfaces together with seismic data and variogram interpretations were used to obtain further insights into the tectonic evolution of the study area that has induced the current reservoirs configuration.     

Impact of long-term wastewater irrigation on variability of soil attributes along a landscape in semi-arid region of Iran

Twelve soil profiles and 62 soil cores were described from two neighboring landscapes in the northwest of Iran to understand whether long-term wastewater irrigation has caused variations in morphological, physicochemical, and DTPA-heavy metals contents in soils. Along a gradual slope, different positions reflected heterogeneous response to flooding wastewater irrigation. Upper slope and mainly midslope were subject to gradual soil loss as characterized by thin Ap-horizons and shallow soil depth, whereas periodic cycles of soil accumulation and sediment along with local reducing condition were highlighted in lower slope. Compared to different positions of control land, wastewater irrigation increased significantly (P????0.05) soil fertility attributes (N, P, K, and organic matter) along with electrical conductivity. Significant correlations were observed between soil fine particles fraction and available P and also with available K, indicating that spatial distribution pattern of these elements is mainly dependent on distribution of the <0.002?mm fractions along the landscape as it is affected by wastewater irrigation. Midslope position was found to be more degraded compared to the other position regarding soil loss and available nutrients (N, P, and K) as a result of the processes of soil redistribution and soil transport in wastewater irrigation system. Mean concentrations of DTPA-extractable Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb in the different geomorphological positions were 3.8?C7.8, 2.5?C3, 3?C4, and 1.7?C3.5 times greater, respectively, when compared to the adjacent control soil. With the exception of lower slope position, which indicated a remarkable increasing pattern of smectite in response to wastewater irrigation and unfavorable drainage condition, the relative abundances of clay minerals in view of the peak position and intensity followed almost the same pattern in both wastewater-irrigated and control landscape.     

Population and food of the pufferfish Uranostoma richei (Plectognathi: Lagocephalidae) from Lyttelton Harbour

By relating catches to area trawled, the population of Uranostoma richei (Freminville, 1813) in 1969–70 in Lyttelton Harbour, South Island, New Zealand, was estimated at 120 000–900 000.

Analysis of 1 5S8 stomachs showed that Uranostoma fed on 58 species from 7 phyla. Arthropods constituted three‐quarters of the food, with the crab Macro‐phthalmus hirtipes contributing over 60%. The remaining food items included polychaetes, brachiopods, chordates, coelenterates, echinoderms, molluscs, debris, and digested matter. Analysis of a further 10 465 stomachs showed that feeding intensity was highest in summer.     

Experimental Study of Tunis Soft Soil Improved by Deep Mixing Column

Tunis soft clay belongs to the category of problematic soils because of its weak strength characteristics, high compressibility and high content of organic matter (22%). Deep mixing column (DM) presents a well-developed technique to improve the properties of Tunis soft soils by increasing its bearing capacity and reducing settlements. This paper describes a laboratory experimental program performed to assess the effectiveness in improving the shear strength of Tunis soft clay. The two mains objectives of this research are to evaluate the effect of reinforcement by DM on the behaviour of the Tunis soft clay and to investigate parameters of influence on its strength characteristics. Five parameters are studied from the performed tests: (1) curing time: CT = 7, 14, 21 and 28 days; (2) injection pressure: IP = 50, 100 and 150 kPa; (3) water–cement ratio w/C = 0.7, 1 and 1.2; (4) rotation rate V = 15, 30 and 40 rpm and (5) consolidation pressure: б₃ = 100, 150 and 200 kPa.     

Coda <Emphasis Type="Italic">Q</Emphasis> in Qeshm Island,south of Iran,using aftershocks of the Qeshm earthquake of November 27, 2005

Coda wave attenuation is estimated for Qeshm Island which is located in the southeastern part of Zagros. For this purpose, the aftershocks of Qeshm earthquake in November 27, 2005, recorded within an epicentral distance less than 100 km, have been used. More than 829 earthquakes were recorded by a local temporary network consisting of 16 short period stations installed after a week after the main shock for ～10 weeks. The coda quality factor, Q _c, was estimated using the single-backscattering model in frequency bands of 0.5–24 Hz. In this research, lateral and vertical variations of coda Q in Qeshm Island are explored. In Qeshm Island, absence of significant lateral variation of coda Q is observed. To investigate the attenuation variation with depth, the coda Q value was calculated for coda time windows with different lengths (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 s). It is observed that coda Q increases with depth. However, in our study area, the rate of increase of coda Q with depth is not uniform. Beneath Qeshm Island, the rate of increase of coda Q is greater at depths less than ～40 km compared with those of larger depths. This is indicating the existence of a low attenuation anomalous structure under the ～40-km depth which may be correlated with the Moho depth in this region. The average frequency relation for this region is Q _c = 36 ± 1.2f ^{0.94 ± 0.039} at a 5 s-lapse time window length and Q _c = 110 ± 1.8f ^{0.88 ± 0.09} at a 30-s lapse time window length.     

Biochemical adaptation of phytoplankton to salinity and nutrient gradients in a coastal solar saltern,Tunisia

The distribution of protein and carbohydrate concentrations of the particulate matter (size fraction: 0.45–160 μm) was studied, from 22 January 2003 to 02 December 2003, in three ponds of increasing salinity in the Sfax solar saltern (Tunisia). The coupling of N/P: DIN (DIN = NO₂⁻ + NO₃⁻ + NH₄⁺) to DIP (DIP = PO₄³⁻) with P/C: protein/carbohydrates ratios along salinity gradient allowed the discrimination of three types of ecosystems. Pond A1 (mean salinity: 45.0 ± 5.4) having marine characteristics showed enhanced P/C ratios during a diatom bloom. N/P and P/C ratios were closely coupled throughout the sampling period, suggesting that the nutritional status is important in determining the seasonal change in the phytoplankton community in pond A1. In pond A16 (mean salinity: 78.7 ± 8.8), despite the high nitrate load, P/C ratios were overall lower than in pond A1. This may be explained by the fact that dinoflagellates, which were the most abundant phytoplankton in pond A16 might be strict heterotrophs and/or mixotrophs, and so they may have not contributed strongly to anabolic processes. Also, N/P and P/C ratios were uncoupled, suggesting that cells in pond A16 were stressed due to the increased salinity caused by water evaporation, and so cells synthesized reserve products such as carbohydrates. In pond M2 (mean salinity: 189.0 ± 13.8), P/C levels were higher than those recorded in either pond A1 or A16. N/P and P/C were more coupled than in pond A16. Species in the hypersaline pond seemed paradoxally less stressed than in pond A16, suggesting that salt-tolerant extremophile species overcome hypersaline constraints and react metabolically by synthesizing carbohydrates and proteins.     

Investigation on the Local Scour Beneath Piggyback Pipelines Under Clear-Water Conditions

A piggyback pipeline consists of two pipes such that the secondary line rides on the main pipe with a fixed distance between two pipes in length. The novel strategy is utilized in offshore areas instead of a single flow line. In this regard, there are only a handful of experimental and numerical studies investigating the effect of scour below a piggyback pipeline under steady current. Hence, this study focuses on examining the influential factors on scouring due to steady current including the pipe diameter and the gap between pipes through numerical simulations and experimental tests. Accordingly, at the first phase of the research, a single pipe was established and tested in laboratory to compare the results with those of an empirical equation. After finishing experimental verifications,piggyback pipelines were also assembled to study the scouring under steady current conditions. It was concluded that by increasing the gap distance between the pipes, the maximum scour depth decreases; however, an increase in the small pipe's diameter results in a larger maximum scour depth. Secondly, numerical simulations were carried out using the FLOW-3D software which was found to be a suitable tool for the numerical investigation of this study.Finally, the numerical results have been compared with the corresponding experimental data and a relatively good agreement was achieved between them.     

Identification of pulse-like ground motions using artificial neural network

For more than 20 years, the concept of near-fault pulse-like ground motion has been a topic of great interest due to its distinct characteristics, particularly due to directivity or fling effects, which are hugely influenced by the rupture mechanism. These unexpected characteristics, along with their effective frequency, energy rate, and damage indices, create a near-fault, pulse-like ground motion capable of causing severe damage to structures. One of the most common approaches for identifying ...