2D multiscale non-linear velocity inversion

An efficient and robust non-linear inversion method for velocity optimization combining a global random search followed by a simplex technique is presented. The background velocity field is estimated at different spatial scales by analysing image gathers after iterative prestack depth migrations. First, the global random search is used to determine the main features/trends of the velocity model (large-scale component). Then, the simplex technique improves the resolution of the velocity field by estimating smaller-scale features. A measure of the quality of the velocity model (objective function) is based on flattening offset events in depth-migrated image gathers. To help constrain the solution, the algorithm can incorporate a priori information about the model and a smoothness condition. This 2D velocity estimation offers the benefit of being semi-automatic (requiring minimal human intervention) as well as providing a global and objective solution (which is a useful approach to an interpretation-derived velocity-estimation technique). The method is applied to a real data set where AVO analysis is carried out after prestack depth migration, as structural effects are non-negligible. It is demonstrated that the method can successfully estimate a laterally inhomogeneous velocity model at a computational cost modest compared with an interpretation-based iterative prestack depth velocity-analysis technique.     

Range of validity of seismic ray and beam methods in general inhomogeneous media – II. A canonical problem

Summary. The Green's function, in a constant gradient medium, is derived for an explosive point source, in the frequency and the time domains. The analytical dynamic ray tracing (DRT) solution is rederived with conditions stated in Part I. The Gaussian beam (GB) solution is investigated. New beam parameters and conditions are defined. Comparisons between exact and approximate solutions are undertaken.
For both methods, DRT and GB, conditions of validity are explicit and quantitative. An accuracy criterion is defined in the time domain, and measures a global relative error. The range of validity is expressed in the form of two inequalities for the dynamic ray tracing method and of five inequalities for the Gaussian beam method. Results remain accurate at ray turning points. For the types of medium considered, the breakdown of the dynamic ray tracing method is smoother and better behaved than that of Gaussian beams. As examples, a vertical seismic profiling configuration, and a shallow earthquake are modelled, using Gaussian beams.     

Oil spill sorption using carbonized pith bagasse: trial for practical application

In the present work, an attempt was made to provide an efficient, easily deployable method of cleaning up oil spills and recovering of the oil. Carbonized pith bagasse, a relatively abundant and inexpensive material is currently being investigated as an adsorbent to remove contaminants “oil” from water. Fibers extracted from bagasse and carbonized at 300 °C were found to have a high performance for sorption and recovery of light, heavy oils and even the viscous ones. The physical properties of pith bagasse were investigated using scanning electronic microscope to show the inner and the outer surface and the cross section area of the pith bagasse and thermo gravimetric analyzer to investigate the degradation profile of the pith bagasse. The carbonized pith bagasse was packed into a polypropylene bag and its sorption behavior was studied. A comparison was made between the prepared pad and the commercial sorbents show that the pad containing carbonized pith bagasse has higher sorption capacity in comparison to the commercial sorbents. The pad exhibited high oil retention ability and a high selectivity for the oils over the water. The pad showed a possibility of reuse for eight times. The sorption capacity of the pads containing carbonized pith bagasse was found to increase with increasing the time of sorption till it reaches the maximum value at the time of sorption equal to 60 min.     

Spatial variability of soil erodibility and its correlation with soil properties in semi-arid mountainous watershed,Saudi Arabia

Soil erodibility values are best estimated from long-term direct measurements on runoff-plots; however, in lack of field tests, these values can be estimated using relationships based on physico-chemical soil properties. The study objective was to assess the erodibility and its correlation with soil properties. The average erodibility value was estimated 0.043 t ha h ha^?1 MJ^?1 mm^?1. The areas with heavy textured soil and low organic matter content had the lowest values of erodibility. The erodibility decreases as the sand content increases, whereas silt showed a positive correlation. The erodibility factors and its relation to soil properties were evaluated using multiple regression analysis. Results revealed that sand and organic matter content of soil combinedly explained 78% of variation. Altitudinal increases also seem to affect the soil texture. This study has demonstrated that soil properties and erodibility values can be used as assistance for soil conservation practices and modelling of landscape processes.     

Influence of diaphragm wall installation on the numerical analysis of deep excavation

This paper presents a numerical analysis of the influence of initial stress state on the response of deep excavation supported by retaining wall. Indeed, the influence of diaphragm wall installation prior to excavation works may affect the soil response and lateral wall deflection induced by excavation process. The first part of this paper gives a short review of the numerical methods aimed to reproduce the retaining wall installation. Numerical analysis of a deep excavation in two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional conditions is then performed according to the methods previously presented. In three‐dimensional conditions, diaphragm wall installation is performed considering a sequence of panels, described by their number and length. Results of three‐dimensional calculations confirm that stress state is disturbed by wall installation, which has a sensitive effect on the ground response induced by soil excavation. It is also noted that these results are not easily reproduced in two‐dimensional conditions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of groundwater quality in the Dibdibba aquifer using hydrogeochemical and isotope techniques (Basrah Province,Iraq)

Acta Geochimica - The Dibdibba aquifer is considered to be the main source in the Al-Zubair area because agriculture depends on it to provide grazing water in the area. The groundwater well samples...     

Source parameters and ground motion of the Suez-Cairo shear zone earthquakes,Eastern Desert,Egypt

Three felt earthquakes with local magnitudes 4.0 (June 29th, 2000), 4.2 (July 07th, 2005) and 3.7 (October 30th, 2007) occurred to the southeast of Cairo along the Suez-Cairo shear zone. Being the most well recorded events by the Egyptian National Seismic Network (ENSN) in this area, they provide us an excellent opportunity to study the tectonics, the stress field, the source parameters, and the expected ground motion at Cairo. The focal mechanisms of the three events based on the first motion P-wave polarities indicate mainly normal faulting with a slight strike-slip component along nodal planes trending nearly EW and NW–SE. The three focal solutions imply a rejuvenation of the pre-existing EW and NW–SE faults due to a partly transfer of rifting deformation from the Red Sea-Gulf of Suez along these trends. Dynamic source parameters of these events are estimated from the P-wave spectra of the closest ENSN stations. The average values of the seismic moment, stress drop, rupture radius, and fault dislocation are estimated from six stations and interpreted in the context of the tectonic setting. These parameters in addition to the effects of site and path are used to synthesize the ground motion seismograms using stochastic modeling technique at the recorded stations and at some strategic sites.     

Attraction of the topographic masses

The attraction of a topographic mass element on a spherical earth is derived. The case of a distant mass element is treated. The procedure of calculating the attraction of the topographic masses from a combination of digital models of different grid sizes is studied. The limitation of using the point mass formula of the distant mass elements is illustrated. The results show that using an artificial very fine DHM (made by dividing each cell of the fine DHM into a very fine sub-cells having the same height as the original cell) in the neighbourhood of the computational point (about 2.5 km) reduces the errors on calculating the attraction of the topographic masses.     

Comparison of polynomial and similarity transformation based datum-shifts for Egypt

An alternative datum transformation approach, which belongs essentially to the well known polynomial methods, is presented. Problems associated with datum transformation are mentioned. The concept of the developed approach is discussed. A comparison between the developed approach and similarity transformation based datum-shifts for Egypt is carried out. The results show that the developed approach gives significantly better accuracy.