A discrete space continuous time modeling approach to nonsteady flow in a leaky aquifer system of finite configuration

Existing analytical procedures for nonsteady flow in a leaky confined aquifer assume that the aquifer system is areally infinite. A technique is presented that treats a leaky confined aquifer system of finite configuration. By means of a discrete space continuous time (DSCT) modeling approach, the partial differential equation governing the flow system is transformed into a set of ordinary differential equations that can be easily integrated numerically on a high speed digital computer using available scientific subroutines. The finite difference formulation is in effect an explicit scheme. A criterion is developed for which the scheme is computationally stable. A numerical example is presented.     

Discussion of “Geopolymers Based on Recycled Glass Powder for Soil Stabilization” Jair de Jesús Arrieta Baldovino; Ronaldo dos Santos Izzo; Juliana Lundgren Rose; Mônica Angélica Avanci

Geotechnical and Geological Engineering - Discussers offered comments to enhance results analysis. An alternative evaluation was proposed using the η/Biv index, where the Biv parameter, named...     

Bayesian inversion of synthetic AVO data to assess fluid and shale content in sand-shale media

Reservoir characterization of sand-shale sequences has always challenged geoscientists due to the presence of anisotropy in the form of shale lenses or shale layers. Water saturation and volume of shale are among the fundamental reservoir properties of interest for sand-shale intervals, and relate to the amount of fluid content and accumulating potentials of such media. This paper suggests an integrated workflow using synthetic data for the characterization of shaley-sand media based on anisotropic rock physics (T-matrix approximation) and seismic reflectivity modelling. A Bayesian inversion scheme for estimating reservoir parameters from amplitude vs. offset (AVO) data was used to obtain the information about uncertainties as well as their most likely values. The results from our workflow give reliable estimates of water saturation from AVO data at small uncertainties, provided background sand porosity values and isotropic overburden properties are known. For volume of shale, the proposed workflow provides reasonable estimates even when larger uncertainties are present in AVO data.     

Seasonal changes in the biochemical composition of females and offspring of red squat lobster,Pleuroncodes monodon (Decapoda,Munididae), from the Southeastern Pacific

Pleuroncodes monodon is an important fishery resource and key species from the Southeastern Pacific. During its prolonged reproductive period (from February to December), ovigerous females are exposed to seasonal variation in environmental factors (e.g. temperature and food availability), with higher levels of these environmental parameters during summer and lower in winter, and must adjust their biochemistry to ensure their own survival and that of their embryos. The aim of this study was to analyse seasonal changes in the biochemical composition of ovigerous females and their eggs. The data show that the content of lipids, proteins and organic matter in the hepatopancreases of females was significantly higher in winter than in summer. Similarly, the lipid content of the eggs was significantly higher in winter than in summer, yet the protein content of the eggs had the opposite pattern with greater values found in summer. Consistent with the ‘reproductive energetic model’, the initial and final energy produced by the hepatopancreas showed significant seasonal variations, whereas female investment in egg production (in absolute values) did not show significant seasonal differences. The seasonal differences observed in the biochemistry, organic matter and energy content of the female hepatopancreases may be related to the storage of energy for growth and reproduction. Furthermore, the seasonal variation in the content of lipids, proteins and energy in eggs is likely related to embryogenesis and larval hatching in function with environmental conditions. Seasonal variation in the biochemical composition of P. monodon has direct effects on the marine food web and also upon fisheries.     

Acceleration strategies for elastic full waveform inversion workflows in 2D and 3D

Full waveform inversion (FWI) is one of the most challenging procedures to obtain quantitative information of the subsurface. For elastic inversions, when both compressional and shear velocities have to be inverted, the algorithmic issue becomes also a computational challenge due to the high cost related to modelling elastic rather than acoustic waves. This shortcoming has been moderately mitigated by using high-performance computing to accelerate 3D elastic FWI kernels. Nevertheless, there is room in the FWI workflows for obtaining large speedups at the cost of proper grid pre-processing and data decimation techniques. In the present work, we show how by making full use of frequency-adapted grids, composite shot lists and a novel dynamic offset control strategy, we can reduce by several orders of magnitude the compute time while improving the convergence of the method in the studied cases, regardless of the forward and adjoint compute kernels used.     

The hydrogeological and paleoclimatic factors in the Bronze Age Motillas Culture of La Mancha (Spain): the first hydraulic culture in Europe

Recent studies indicate that the motillas (Chalcolithic and Bronze Age settlements in La Mancha, Spain) could have constituted the most ancient groundwater collection system at regional scale in Europe. This paper presents the first hydrogeoarchaeological study at the regional level in La Mancha. The research includes borehole drilling and hydrogeological analysis of the territory on which the motillas are settled. The resulting data confirm a relationship between the geological substrate and the spatial distribution of the motillas, sited where groundwater was accessible by means of prehistoric technology. The motillas were built during the climatic event known as 4.2 ka cal BP, in a time of environmental stress after a period of severe and prolonged drought. In these environmental conditions, the construction of these wells was a successful solution that lived on for nearly a millennium and played a major part in the processes of change towards a more complex, hierarchical society.     

Modeling flood dynamics in a temporary river draining to an eutrophic reservoir in southeast Portugal

Enxoé is a small temporary river with a flushy regime, which flash floods carry significant loads to the reservoir. As a result, the reservoir, which supplies 25,000 inhabitants, exhibits a high trophic state and cyanobacteria blooms since its construction in 1998, with water abstractions requiring extensive treatment. This study aimed to understand the contribution of flash floods to the Enxoé’s reservoir high trophic state using a modeling approach. This was the first time the river was monitored and that a modeling study was carried out. The MOHID-Land model was implemented to assess the water path in the catchment, and was integrated with field data to compute river loads. Results confirmed the importance of flash events. During flash floods, water properties were determined by soil surface and river bottom wash out, and depended mostly on the flush sequence and intensity. Model simulations showed that soil surface permeability reduction was an important factor regulating surface runoff while soil moisture was low. The first flood after the dry period contributed to 2% of the yearly discharge, 3% of yearly N load, and 7% of the yearly P loads. Winter floods contribution differed, producing 10% of both yearly discharge and loads. However, concentration of particulate matter and organic compounds in the first flood were one order of magnitude higher than in winter floods. This was due to river bottom resuspension and erosion of riparian areas, representative dynamics of a flushy regime. During subsequent winter floods, nutrient concentrations tended to remain constant as the watershed surface and respective soils were washed. Further work should link a watershed model to a reservoir model to depict the flood impact in the reservoir, and test management strategies to reduce the reservoir trophic state.     

Accumulation and phytostabilization of As,Pb and Cd in plants growing inside mine tailings reforested in Zacatecas,Mexico

The aim of this research was to identify plant species with potential to accumulate and stabilize arsenic (As), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in mine tailings reforested and naturally recolonized locations in a semiarid region of Zacatecas, Mexico. Plant shoots from 44 species and their rhizospheric soils were analyzed for As, Pb and Cd concentration using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Most represented plant families were Asteraceae, Poaceae, Fabaceae and Cactaceae. The highest concentrations in shoots were As, followed by Pb and Cd. Among herbaceous species, Bouteloua gracilis showed the highest bioconcentration factor (BCF) of As, while Plantago lanceolata showed the highest bioconcentration factor of Pb. The shrub species with highest concentration of As in the rhizospheric soil were Opuntia robusta, Melilotus alba, Baccharis neglecta and Arundo donax (near BCF to 1.0). Similar results were observed in trees Casuarina equisetifolia, Prosopis laevigata, Fraxinus uhdei and Eucalyptus globulus. In addition, Tillandsia recurvata showed a suitable indicator of atmospheric deposition to As. In general, the results suggest that these species can be effective for tailings reforestation with the possibility to enclose potentially toxic elements. Specially, C. equisetifolia which is abundant, having the potential for future applications in other contaminated sites with different types of mine tailings or abandoned mines from arid and semiarid zones.