Atténuation de l'intensité macrosismique pour la France métropolitaine : importance de l'intensité épicentrale

The main result of this work is to show that macroseismic intensity decay with distance strongly depends on the epicentral intensity. An attenuation law that takes this parameter into account is proposed for Metropolitan France, from the analysis of SISFRANCE macroseismic database. Such a model significantly reduces the difference between observed and theoretical intensities. A map of the attenuation variations is also set up for Metropolitan France. No major site effects are observed, but at a broad scale, young Alpine regions display a stronger attenuation than old Hercynian regions. To cite this article: P. Arroucau et al., C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

Inverse magnetic fabric in carbonate-bearing rocks

The observation of a magnetic susceptibility ellipsoid whose maximum axis corresponds to the minimum axis of petrofabric (pole of bedding or schistosity) is referred to as an inverse magnetic fabric. The investigation of the magnetic properties of some ferroan carbonate monocrystals and paramagnetic limestones demonstrates thatc-axis preferred orientation of paramagnetic carbonates results in a maximum susceptibility parallel to the flattening direction.Inverse magnetic fabrics due to magnetite are also encountered in weakly deformed limestones. A mineralogical model based on the property of single-domain grains to have a zero susceptibility parallel to their long axis is proposed. However, more complex cases are also encountered.     

Etude des Déformations et Inclinaisons du Sous-sol: Développements Instrumentaux et Applications dans la Région Sismique d’Arette,France

We present a modified version of a tilt and strain meter conceived to have great sensibility and good stability. These instruments were deployed in a cave at the seismic Pyrenean region of Arette (France). We set in evidence several types of phenomena, of which deformations brought about by water recharge filling up fissures on the massif are of importance. Owing to the redundance in the data, the study of the co-seismic deformations allows one to separate instrumental displacements and local readjustments from regional motions.     

Structure,diversity and stability of two oligochaete communities according to sedimentary inputs in Lake Geneva (Switzerland)

Two oligochaete communities were sampled monthly during one year in two 35 m deep locations of Lake Geneva (Switzerland). Organic sedimentation was lower and less variable in station 1 than in station 2 (157 versus 214 g C m⁻²yr⁻¹). The oligochaete community in station 1 was more diverse and more stable (persistent over time) than in station 2, as long as the organic sedimentation was low. Diversity and stability decreased in station 1 when the organic sedimentation increased, and during anOscillatoria bloom. The less diverse community in station 2 was more resistent to these changes. Diversity was associated with environmental stability, but resistance to perturbation was greater in the simpler community which is adapted to changing environmental conditions. The value of oligochaete communities as an indicator of the level of eutrophication was reassessed according to our present data. Changes in the structure of oligochaete communities were related to changes in sedimentation processes.     

Simultaneous identification of a single pollution point-source location and contamination time under known flow field conditions

A theoretical framework is presented that allows direct identification of a single point-source pollution location and time in heterogeneous multidimensional systems under known flow field conditions. Based on the concept of the transfer function theory, it is shown that an observed pollution plume contains all the necessary information to predict the concentration at the unknown pollution source when a reversed flow field transport simulation is performed. This target concentration C₀ is obtained from a quadratic integral of the observed pollution plume itself. Backwards simulation of the pollution plume leads to shrinkage of the C₀-contour due to dispersion. When the C₀-contour reduces to a singular point, i.e. becomes a concentration maximum, the position of the pollution source is identified and the backward simulation time indicates the time elapsed since the contaminant release. The theoretical basis of the method is first developed for the ideal case that the pollution plume is entirely known and is illustrated using a synthetic heterogeneous 2D example where all the hydro-dispersive parameters are known. The same example is then used to illustrate the procedure for a more realistic case, i.e. where only few observation points exist.     

SPECIFIC DEGRADATION OF WATERSHEDS

An extensive database of reservoir sedimentation surveys throughout continental United States is compiled and analyzed to determine specific degradation SD relationships as function of mean annual rainfall R, drainage area A, and watershed slope S. The database contains 1463 field measurements and specific degradation relationships are defined as function of A, R and S. Weak trends and significant variability in the data are noticeable. Specific degradation measurements are log normally distributed with respect to R, A, and S and 95% confidence intervals are determined accordingly. The accuracy of the predictions does not significantly increase as more independent variables are added to the regression analyses.     

Osmium-strontium-neodymium-lead isotopic covariations in mid-ocean ridge basalt glasses and the heterogeneity of the upper mantle

Osmium, strontium, neodymium, and lead isotopic data have been obtained for 30 hand picked samples of basaltic glass from the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian mid-oceanic ridges. Large variations in Os isotopic ratios exist in the glasses, from abyssal peridotite-like values to radiogenic compositions similar to oceanic island basalts (¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁶Os and ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios range from 1.06 to 1.36 and from 0.128 to 0.163, respectively). Os isotopic and elemental data suggest the existence of mixing correlations. This relationship might be ascribed to secondary contamination processes; however, such a hypothesis cannot account for the negative correlation observed between Os and Nd isotopes and the existence of complementary covariations between Os and SrPb isotopes. In this case, OsSrNdPb isotopic variations are unrelated to late post-eruption or shallow level contamination. These relationships provide strong evidence that the Os isotopic composition of the samples are derived from the mantle and thus implies a global chemical heterogeneity of the oceanic upper mantle. The results are consistent with the presence of recycled oceanic crust in the mantle sources of mid-ocean ridge basalts, and indicate that the unique composition of the upper mantle below the Indian ocean results from its contamination by a mantle component characterized by radiogenic Os and particularly unradiogenic Nd and Pb isotopic compositions.