MI-ECku: A novel methodology for estimating unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of porous media

Acta Geotechnica - Numerous applications of hydraulic conductivity of porous media (e.g., soils, clay liners, rocks, concrete, ceramic filters, etc.) in their unsaturated state are well established...     

Balkanforschungen des geologischen Instituts der UniversitÄt Leipzig

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Die Beweise für eine mehrfache Vereisung Norddeutschlands in diluvialer Zeit

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COMPUTER MODELING OF VERTICAL SEISMIC PROFILING*

There are numerous modeling techniques commonly employed for the computer simulation of seismic wave propagation. The capabilities of these techniques vary according to the theoretical foundations and subsequent approximations upon which the algorithms are based. This paper constitutes a comparative review of seven modeling methods: geometric ray theory, asymptotic ray theory, generalized ray theory, Kirchhoff wave theory, Fourier synthesis, finite differences, and finite elements. These methods can be categorized as ray or wave, acoustic or elastic, and can be contrasted according to their relative abilities to simulate such behavior as wave interference effects, diffractions, and mode conversions. As is implied by their names, geometric ray theory and asymptotic ray theory are both ray methods. The other five methods provide wave theory simulations. Geometric ray theory and Kirchhoff wave theory are normally implemented in acoustic form, while the other methods are readily adapted for computing elastic theory solutions. Generalized ray theory and Fourier synthesis are more limited in the complexity of geological model they can accommodate than are the other techniques. The methods which typically demand the greatest computer resources are the finite-difference and the finite-element techniques. All methods can incorporate at least some multiple events. Diffractions, however, are only inherent in the solutions computed by Kirchhoff wave theory, finite differences and finite elements. Attenuation is readily incorporated in both the Fourier synthesis and the finite-element methods. As an example of the application of seismic modeling, a geological model representative of a typical petroleum exploration target is used to compare vertical seismic profiles calculated by different modeling methods.     

Weathering of ilmenite from Chavara deposit and its comparison with Manavalakurichi placer ilmenite,southwestern India

The magnetic fractions of ilmenite from the beach placer deposit of Chavara, southwest India have been studied for mineralogical and chemical composition to assess the range of their physical and chemical variations with weathering. Chavara deposit represents a highly weathered and relatively homogenous concentration. Significant variation in composition has been documented with alteration. The most magnetic of the fractions of ilmenite, separated at 0.15 Å, and with a susceptibility of 3.2 × 10^?6 m³ kg^?1, indicates the presence of haematite–ilmenite intergrowth. An iron-poor, titanium-rich component of the ilmenite ore has been identified from among the magnetic fractions of the Chavara ilmenite albeit with an undesirably high Nb₂O₅ (0.28%), Cr₂O₃ (0.23%) and Th (149 ppm) contents. The ilmenite from Chavara is compared with that from the nearby Manavalakurichi deposit of similar geological setting and provenance. The lower ferrous iron oxide (2.32–14.22%) and higher TiO₂ (56.31–66.45%) contents highlight the advanced state of alteration of Chavara. This is also evidenced by the relatively higher Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ ratio compared to Manavalakurichi ilmenite. In fact, the ilmenite has significantly been converted to pseudorutile/leucoxene.     

Comparative phylogeography of African rain forest trees: A review of genetic signatures of vegetation history in the Guineo-Congolian region

The biogeographic history of the African rain forests has been contentious. Phylogeography, the study of the geographic distribution of genetic lineages within species, can highlight the signatures of historical events affecting the demography and distribution of species (i.e. population fragmentation or size changes, range expansion/contraction) and, thereby, the ecosystems they belong to. The accumulation of recent data for African rain forests now enables a first biogeographic synthesis for the region. In this review, we explain which phylogeographic patterns are expected under different scenarios of past demographic change, and we give an overview of the patterns detected in African rain forest trees to discuss whether they support alternative hypotheses regarding the history of the African rain forest cover. The major genetic discontinuities in the region support the role of refugia during climatic oscillations, though not necessarily following the classically proposed scenarios. We identify in particular a genetic split between the North and the South of the Lower Guinean region. Finally we provide some perspectives for future study.     

3d transition metal L-edge X-ray absorption studies of the dichalcogenides of Fe, Co and Ni

The X-ray absorption spectra of the transition metal L_3,2-edges of the dichalcogenides FeS₂ (pyrite), FeSe₂, FeTe₂, CoS₂, CoSe₂, CoTe₂, NiS₂, NiSe₂ and NiTe₂ have been studied. These spectra are compared with theoretical simulations make using the atomic multiplet approach assuming on octahedral site for the metal atoms. The Ni spectra can be closely simulated using this approach but the Fe and Co spectra show less good fits to the experimental data. The reasons for this and its implications for the use of L-edge spectra in the study of such minerals are discussed in terms of the covalency and the ground states of the compounds; these results indicate the mixing of the ground states increases in the order Ni<Co<Fe.