Modelling floodplain sedimentation using particle tracking

Both climate change and river rehabilitation projects induce changes in floodplain sedimentation. Notably along the lower River Rhine, the sediment deposition patterns and rates are subject to change. To assess the magnitude of these changes, we developed the MoCSED model, a floodplain sedimentation model within a geographical information system for the lower Rhine River. We based MoCSED on the ‘method of characteristics’ (MoC), a particle tracking method that minimizes numerical dispersion. We implemented the MoCSED model in the PCRaster dynamic modelling language. The model input comprises initial suspended sediment concentrations, water levels, flow velocities, and longitudinal and transverse dispersivities. We used a combination of the Krone and Chen concepts to calculate the subsequent sedimentation (SED routine). We compared the model results with sediment trap data for the Bemmel floodplain along the Dutch Waal River during the 2003 inundation. This comparison showed that MoCSED was able to simulate the pattern of sediment deposition. In addition, the model proved to be an improvement in comparison with a conventional raster‐based floodplain sedimentation model for the lower River Rhine. In future, MoCSED may serve well to study the impact of a changing discharge regime due to climate change and floodplain rehabilitation plans on deposition of sediments. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Neue stratigraphische Erforschungen im mittelböhmischen Devon

Zusammenfassung Neue stratigraphische Erforschungen im mittelböhmischen Devon haben in den letzten Jahren eine Reihe neuer Kenntnisse gebracht, welche die bisherige Ansicht über die Stratigraphie der Devonschichten im Barrandium in beträchtlichem Maße ändern. Die Grenze zwischen Silur und Devon wurde neu bestimmt und die fazielle Entwicklung des Unterdevons neu ausgewertet (der Konprusykalk ist ein Äquivalent des unteren Teiles des Bránikkalkes u. a.). Die Grenze zwischen dem Unter- und Mitteldevon wird nun viel höher gelegt als es der älteren Auffassung entspricht. Bei allen Schichtgruppen wurden reiche fazielle Unterschiede festgestellt und biostratigraphische Untersuchungen durchgeführt.     

Influence of earthquake spatial variability on differential soil displacements and SDF system response

The aim of this study is to develop design criteria, which account for the effects of earthquakes spatial variability. The two simplest forms of this problem are dealt with: differential ground displacements and differential structural displacements, for points and structures separated in space. The structures considered are linear elastic single degree of freedom oscillators. These problems may seem trivial, but some of the codes considered appear improvable on this aspect. First, the mathematical model is set up using basic random vibration theory and the code provisions critically examined. Then, the sensitivity of the ground and structural differential response is assessed. The differential displacements can be mathematically expressed in a straightforward fashion, both for the ground and the structures. These expressions are simple enough to be used as design rules. Comparison with the European and Italian Civil Protection codes shows that these can be improved on this aspect; and, for this reason, the Italian draft code for bridges has been mainly drafted following the results of this study. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A crucial role for slab break-off in the generation of major mineral deposits: insights from central and eastern Australia

In the Lachlan Fold Belt of southeastern Australia, major orogenic gold and porphyry gold–copper deposits formed simultaneously within distinct tectonic settings during a very short time interval at ca. 440 Ma. The driving mechanism that controlled the temporal coincidence of these deposits remains largely unexplained. A review of contemporaneous metallogenic, tectonic, magmatic and sedimentological events in central and eastern Australia reveals that a change in subduction dynamics along the Australian sector of the Early Palaeozoic circum–Gondwana mega-subduction system could have influenced lithospheric stress conditions far inboard of the subduction margin. The magnitude of ore formation and the spatial extent of related events are proposed in this paper to have been controlled by the interplay of mantle processes and lithospheric changes that followed slab break-off along a portion of the mega-subduction system surrounding Gondwana at that time. Slab break-off after subduction lock-up caused mantle upwelling that, in turn, provided an instantaneous heat supply for magmatic and hydrothermal events. Coincident reorganisation of lithospheric stress conditions far inboard of the proto-Pacific margin of Australia controlled reactivation of deep-lithospheric fault structures. These fault systems provided a pathway for fluids and heat fuelled by mantle upwelling into the upper lithosphere and caused the deposition of ~440 Ma gold deposits in the Lachlan Fold Belt, as well as a range of metallogenic, tectonic and sedimentary changes elsewhere in central and eastern Australia.     

FE-studies on the influence of initial void ratio,pressure level and mean grain diameter on shear localization

The paper is concerned with shear localization in the form of a spontaneous shear zone inside a granular material during a plane strain compression test. The influence of an initial void ratio, pressure and a mean grain diameter on the thickness of a shear zone is investigated. A plane strain compression test with dry sand is numerically modelled with a finite element method taking into account a polar hypoplastic constitutive relation which was laid down within a polar (Cosserat) continuum. The relation was obtained through an extension of a non-polar hypoplastic constitutive law according to Gudehus and Bauer by polar quantities: rotations, curvatures, couple stresses and a characteristic length. It can reproduce the essential features of granular bodies during shear localization. The material constants can be easily calibrated. The FE-calculations demonstrate an increase in the thickness of the shear zone with increasing initial void ratio, pressure level and mean grain diameter. Polar effects manifested by the appearance of grain rotations and couple stresses are only significant in the shear zone. A comparison between numerical calculations and experimental results shows a satisfying agreement. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Slow growth and early sexual maturity: Bane and boon for the red coral Corallium rubrum

This study investigates the size, age and growth of Corallium rubrum which is a key species of the only large reef-like structure in the Mediterranean Sea, the coralligéne. Two populations were studied in the Ligurian Sea at a depth between 36 and 42 m. Basal diameter, colony height and numbers of branches of 230 colonies were measured, and age and growth rates were assessed from 25 colonies. Mean growth rate was 0.2 mm yr⁻¹ of basal diameter growth, corresponding to a mean annual total branch length increase of 5 mm. These results point to a coral growth much slower than assumed in many earlier studies. Additionally, age and size at first reproduction were analysed. Male colonies were shown to become sexually mature at a minimum age of six years (1.2 mm of basal diameter), while female colonies reached maturity when at least 10 years old (2 mm of basal diameter). We further discuss the implications of slow growth and early sexual maturity for red coral management and conservation.     

Investigation of ship hydroelasticity

The importance of hydroelastic analysis of large and flexible container ships of today is pointed out. A methodology for investigation of this challenging phenomenon is drawn up and a mathematical model is worked out. It includes definition of ship geometry, mass distribution, structure stiffness, and combines ship hydrostatics, hydrodynamics, wave load, ship motion and vibrations. Based on the presented theory, a computer program is developed and applied for hydroelastic analysis of a flexible segmented barge for which model test results of motion and distortion in waves have been available. A correlation analysis of numerical simulation and measured response shows quite good agreement of the transfer functions for heave, pitch, roll, vertical and horizontal bending and torsion. The tool checked in such a way can be further used for reliable hydroelastic analysis of ship-like structures.     

Hydrology of Blue Lake in the Dinaric karst

The aim of this paper is to analyse hydrological measurements obtained from Blue Lake located near the town of Imotski (Croatia), during the period from 6 November 2009 at 10:26 h to 4 September 2010 at 03:26 h (7230 h or 302 days). The water depth, water temperature and electrical conductivity of the water were continuously measured during this period. The measurements were obtained with a CTD DIVER (Schlumberger Water Services). The instrument was fixed at the bottom of Blue Lake, which means that all the measured data refer to a single point of measurement. The data represent the first systematic and continuous monitoring of the hydrological parameters of this fascinating karst phenomenon. The hydrological analysis also involved daily rainfall data and daily mean air temperatures recorded at the nearby Imotski meteorological station. The rate of water level rise and fall and the hourly and daily average inflow and outflow into and from the lake were calculated using the available data. The analysis led to the conclusion that Blue Lake is mainly recharged by water coming from the karst aquifer, the dimensions and the characteristics of which have not yet been adequately studied. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.