Carboniferous integrative stratigraphy and timescale of China

The Carboniferous period lasted about 60 Myr, from ～358.9 Ma to ～298.9 Ma. According to the International Commission on Stratigraphy, the Carboniferous System is subdivided into two subsystems, i.e., Mississippian and Pennsylvanian, including 6 series and 7 stages. The Global Stratotype Sections and Points(GSSPs) of three stages have been ratified, the Tournaisian, Visean, and Bashkirian stages. The GSSPs of the remaining four stages(i.e., the Serpukhovian, Moscovian,Kasimovian, and Gzhelian) have not been ratified so far. This paper outlines Carboniferous stratigraphic subdivision and correlation on the basis of detailed biostratigraphy mainly from South China, and summarizes the Carboniferous chronostratigraphic framework of China. High-resolution biostratigraphic study reveals 37 conodont zones, 24 foraminiferal(including fusulinid) zones, 13 ammonoid zones, 10 brachiopod zones, and 10 rugose coral zones in the Carboniferous of China. The biostratigraphic framework based on these biozones warrants the precise correlation of regional stratigraphy of China(including2 subsystems, 4 series, and 8 stages) to that of the other regions globally. Meanwhile, the Carboniferous chemo-, sequence-,cyclo-, and event-stratigraphy of China have been intensively studied and can also be correlated worldwide. Future studies on the Carboniferous in China should focus on(1) the correlation between shallow-and deep-water facies and between marine and continental facies,(2) high-resolution astronomical cyclostratigraphy, and(3) paleoenvironment and paleoclimate analysis based on geochemical proxies such as strontium and oxygen isotopes, as well as stomatal indices of fossil plants.     

藻型湖区氧化亚氮排放特征及其影响因素

湖泊等内陆水体是大气N₂O潜在的重要排放源,也是全球N₂O收支估算的重要组成部分。目前全球湖泊普遍面临富营养化和蓝藻暴发等问题,明晰藻型湖泊N₂O排放强度及其环境影响因子对准确估算湖泊N₂O排放和预测其未来变化至关重要。本研究选择太湖藻型湖区为研究对象,同时选取人为活动影响较小的湖心区作为对比区域,基于2011年8月至2013年8月为期2年的逐月连续观测,探讨藻型湖区N₂O排放特征及其影响因素。结果表明,藻型湖区呈现极强的N₂O排放,其排放通量为(4.88±3.05) mmol/(m²·d),是参考区域(湖心:(2.10±4.31) mmol/(m²·d))的2倍多。此外,在藻型湖区中不同点位N₂O排放差异显著,受河流外源输入影响,近岸区是N₂O的热点排放区,其年均排放通量高达10.93 mmol/(m²·d)。连续观测表明N₂     

Elastic solutions for a transversely isotropic half-space subjected to buried asymmetric-loads

Elastic closed-form solutions for the displacements and stresses in a transversely isotropic half-space subjected to various buried loading types are presented. The loading types include finite line loads and asymmetric loads (such as uniform and linearly varying rectangular loads, or trapezoidal loads). The planes of transverse isotropy are assumed to be parallel to its horizontal surface. These solutions are directly obtained from integrating the point load solutions in a transversely isotropic half-space, which were derived using the principle of superposition, Fourier and Hankel transformation techniques. The solutions for the displacements and stresses in transversely isotropic half-spaces subjected to linearly variable loads on a rectangular region are never mentioned in literature. These exact solutions indicate that the displacements and stresses are influenced by several factors, such as the buried depth, the loading types, and the degree and type of rock anisotropy. Two illustrative examples, a vertical uniform and a vertical linearly varying rectangular load acting on the surface of transversely isotropic rock masses, are presented to show the effect of various parameters on the vertical surface displacement and vertical stress. The results indicate that the displacement and stress distributions accounted for rock anisotropy are quite different for those calculated from isotropic solutions. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

THE INTERACTION BETWEEN EDDY FLUX AND ZONAL AVERAGED FLOW IN“JUNE SUDDEN CHANGE”

In this paper,Eliassen-Palm theory and associated diagnostic method are used to discuss the dynamicalmechanism of the interaction between eddy flux and zonal averaged flow in the sudden change of the generalcirculation in the Northern Hemisphere in early summer of 1982,which indicates that the northward jump ofsubtropic jet stream is closely related to the enhanced transport of mid-latitude eddy energy to the subtropic tro-popause.However,the direction of the transport is conditioned by the structure of zonal averaged flow.It isevident that the adjustment of zonal averaged flow responses quickly to the eddy transport during this episode.As regard to the suddenness of the change of circulation,the critical role is played by the eddy forcing,     

利用应力场预测热液区域——以TAG区为例

本文根据TAG区的钻探资料及岩心测试结果,建立了双层地质模型,在此基础上利用ANSYS应力软件并结合TAG热液区的地形数据对该区进行应力模拟。结果表明:热液喷口区域与最大水平应力低值区有较好的对应关系。其中仍处于活动状态的TAG丘状体区呈现明显的局部最大水平应力低值;而已经停止活动并且不具有典型喷口地形的MIR丘状体区域则处于最大水平应力的非封闭低值区域。据此,本文在TAG丘状体区域圈定了5个喷口可能区域,钻探结果揭示区内存在较好的矿化和蚀变现象,表明应力场预测法可能是一种有效的成矿预测方法。     

Investigating a reservoir bank slope displacement history with multi-frequency satellite SAR data

Slope instability arisen along with dam construction is a common problem of great concern in reservoir areas. Thus, displacement monitoring of active slopes is of great importance for the safety of dam operation. The unstable Guobu slope is located only about 1.5 km away from Laxiwa hydropower station in upstream Yellow River. In this study, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) datasets acquired by C-band Environmental Satellite (ENVISAT) Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR), L-band Advanced Land Observing Satellite 2 (ALOS-2) Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar 2 (PALSAR-2), and X-band TerraSAR-X covering different evolution stages of Guobu slope were collected to investigate the displacement history so as to facilitate understanding of its deformation and failure mechanisms. The displacements occurred during the past decade were quantitatively identified for the first time by SAR pixel offset tracking analyses. The results show that before the reservoir impoundment, the maximum accumulative displacements on the slope were more than 7 m from 2003 to 2008, while the post-impoundment displacements also exceeded 7 m in just 1 year from September 2009 to September 2010. Furthermore, this slope is still in active deformation up to now. Nevertheless, the displacement rates seem decreased recently according to the interferometric results of TerraSAR-X data pairs from September 2015 to March 2016.     

Lithofacies paleogeography mapping and reservoir prediction in tight sandstone strata: A case study from central Sichuan Basin,China

Sand-rich tight sandstone reservoirs are potential areas for oil and gas exploration. However, the high ratio of sandstone thickness to that of the strata in the formation poses many challenges and uncertainties to traditional lithofacies paleogeography mapping. Therefore, the prediction of reservoir sweet spots has remained problematic in the field of petroleum exploration. This study provides new insight into resolving this problem, based on the analyses of depositional characteristics of a typical modern sand-rich formation in a shallow braided river delta of the central Sichuan Basin, China. The varieties of sand-rich strata in the braided river delta environment include primary braided channels, secondary distributary channels and the distribution of sediments is controlled by the successive superposed strata deposited in paleogeomorphic valleys. The primary distributary channels have stronger hydrodynamic forces with higher proportions of coarse sand deposits than the secondary distributary channels. Therefore, lithofacies paleogeography mapping is controlled by the geomorphology, valley locations, and the migration of channels. We reconstructed the paleogeomorphology and valley systems that existed prior to the deposition of the Xujiahe Formation. Following this, rock-electro identification model for coarse skeletal sand bodies was constructed based on coring data. The results suggest that skeletal sand bodies in primary distributary channels occur mainly in the valleys and low-lying areas, whereas secondary distributary channels and fine deposits generally occur in the highland areas. The thickness distribution of skeletal sand bodies and lithofacies paleogeography map indicate a positive correlation in primary distributary channels and reservoir thickness. A significant correlation exists between different sedimentary facies and petrophysical properties. In addition, the degree of reservoir development in different sedimentary facies indicates that the mapping method reliably predicts the distribution of sweet spots. The application and understanding of the mapping method provide a reference for exploring tight sandstone reservoirs on a regional basis.     

Hydrothermal plume mapping as a prospecting tool for seafloor sulfide deposits: a case study at the Zouyu-1 and Zouyu-2 hydrothermal fields in the southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Seafloor hydrothermal polymetallic sulfide deposits are a new type of resource, with great potential economic value and good prospect development. This paper discusses turbidity, oxidation–reduction potential, and temperature anomalies of hydrothermal plumes from the Zouyu-1 and Zouyu-2 hydrothermal fields on the southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge. We use the known location of these vent fields and plume data collected in multiple years (2009, 2011, 2013) to demonstrate how real-time plume exploration can be used to locate active vent fields, and thus associated sulfide deposits. Turbidity anomalies can be detected 10 s of km from an active source, but the location precision is no better than a few kilometers because fine-grained particles are quasi-conservative over periods of many days. Temperature and oxidation–reduction potential anomalies provide location precision of a few hundred meters. Temperature anomalies are generally weak and difficult to reliably detect, except by chance encounters of a buoyant plume. Oxidation–reduction potential is highly sensitive (nmol concentrations of reduced hydrothermal chemicals) to discharges of all temperatures and responds immediately to a plume encounter. Real-time surveys using continuous tows of turbidity and oxidation–reduction potential sensors offer the most efficient and precise surface ship exploration presently possible.     

<Superscript>230</Superscript>Th/<Superscript>238</Superscript>U dating of hydrothermal sulfides from Duanqiao hydrothermal field,Southwest Indian Ridge

Duanqiao hydrothermal field is located between the Indomed and Gallieni fracture zones at the central volcano, at 50°28′E in the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR). Twenty-eight subsamples from a relict chimney and massive sulfides were dated using the ²³⁰Th/²³⁸U method. Four main episodes of hydrothermal activity were determined according to the restricted results: 68.9–84.3, 43.9–48.4, 25.3–34.8, and 0.7–17.3 kyrs. Hydrothermal activity of Duanqiao probably started about 84.3 (±0.5) kyrs ago and ceased about 0.737 (±0.023) kyrs ago. The periodic character of hydrothermal activity may be related to the heat source provided by the interaction of local magmatism and tectonism. The estimated mean growth rate of the sulfide chimney is <0.02 mm/yr. This study is the first to estimate the growth rate of chimneys in the SWIR. The maximum age of the relict chimney in Duanqiao hydrothermal filed is close to that of the chimneys from Mt. Jourdanne (70 kyrs). The hydrothermal activity in Dragon Flag field is much more recent than that of Duanqiao or Mt. Jourdanne fields. The massive sulfides are younger than the sulfides from other hydrothermal fields such as Rainbow, Sonne and Ashadze-2. The preliminarily estimated reserves of sulfide ores of Duanqiao are approximately 0.5–2.9 million tons.     

Common‐shot Fresnel beam migration based on wave‐field approximation in effective vicinity under complex topographic conditions

Gaussian beam migration is a versatile imaging method for geologically complex land areas, which overcomes the limitation of Kirchhoff migration in imaging multiple arrivals and has no steep‐dip limits of one‐way wave‐equation migration. However, its imaging accuracy depends on the geometry of Gaussian beam that is determined by the initial parameter of dynamic ray tracing. As a result, its applications in exploration areas with strong variations in topography and near‐surface velocity are limited. Combined with the concept of Fresnel zone and the theory of wave‐field approximation in effective vicinity, we present a more robust common‐shot Fresnel beam imaging method for complex topographic land areas in this paper. Compared with the conventional Gaussian beam migration for irregular topography, our method improves the beam geometry by limiting its effective half‐width with Fresnel zone radius. Moreover, through a quadratic travel‐time correction and an amplitude correction that is based on the wave‐field approximation in effective vicinity, it gives an accurate method for plane‐wave decomposition at complex topography, which produces good imaging results in both shallow and deep zones. Trials of two typical models and its application in field data demonstrated the validity and robustness of our method.