Hybridization of the probability perturbation method with gradient information

Geostatistically based history-matching methods make it possible to devise history-matching strategies that will honor geologic knowledge about the reservoir. However, the performance of these methods is known to be impeded by slow convergence rates resulting from the stochastic nature of the algorithm. It is the purpose of this paper to introduce a method that integrates qualitative gradient information into the probability perturbation method to improve convergence. The potential of the proposed method is demonstrated on a synthetic history-matching example. The results indicate that inclusion of qualitative gradient information improves the performance of the probability perturbation method.     

A coupling of mixed and continuous Galerkin finite element methods for poroelasticity II: the discrete-in-time case

In this paper, we formulate a finite element procedure for approximating the coupled fluid and mechanics in Biot’s consolidation model of poroelasticity. Here, we approximate the pressure by a mixed finite element method and the displacements by a Galerkin method. Theoretical convergence error estimates are derived in a discrete-in-time setting. Of particular interest is the case when the lowest-order Raviart–Thomas approximating space or cell-centered finite differences are used in the mixed formulation and continuous piecewise linear approximations are used for displacements. This approach appears to be the one most frequently applied to existing reservoir engineering simulators.     

Geology, petrography and geochemistry of rhyolite-hosted uranium mineralization at Mohar, Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh

In the westernmost part of the Bundelkhand Granitoid Complex (BGC), a mesa structure represents a unique outlier, surrounded by brecciated granite and filled with Vindhyan sedimentary rocks locally known as the Dhala Formation near Mohar village of Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh. Uranium mineralisation located in the area is mostly associated with rhyolite of peralkaline to peraluminous in nature, that has a high average uranium concentration (30 ppm). The mineralization is in or adjacent to caldera and is hydrothermal vein-type. Radioactivity is mainly due to coffinite with limited radioactivity due to U-Ti complex, uranium adsorbed in clay and labile uranium along fracture. Coffinite occurs in association with pyrite and chalcopyrite or chlorite with presence of fluorite. Features such as chloritisation, clay formation and sulfide mineralisation manifest hydrothermal alteration. Chemical analysis indicates the aluminous nature of the rock and their high K₂O/Na₂O (3.81–12.84) ratios are suggestive of predominance of potash feldspar over sodic. The alteration index varies from 49.88–92.40, which, reflects high intensity of hydrothermal alteration. Chlorite-carbonatepyrite index (CCPI), a measure of the intensity of replacement of sodic feldspars and glass by sericite, chlorite, carbonate, and pyrite associated with hydrothermal alteration proximal to the ore bodies varies from 3.84–49.66. On the basis of core study, geochemistry and mineralogy, it is envisaged that epigenetic hydrothermal solutions were responsible for concentration of uranium as coffinite, radioactive carbonaceous matter and adsorbed uranium phases in rhyolite with sulfide confined to weak planes.     

Provenance evolution of collapse graben fill in the Himalaya—The Miocene to Quaternary Thakkhola-Mustang Graben (Nepal)

This study focuses on the detailed provenance evolution of young, syn- to post-orogenic extensional grabens in orogens like the Himalaya to trace the tectonic history of such late-stage basins, using the Neogene Thakkhola-Mustang Graben as a case study. The graben is situated within the Tibetan-Tethys zone and is filled with > 870 m of continental deposits of Miocene to Holocene age-. Based on logged sections within the predominantly alluvial to coarse-grained fluvial fill of the graben we investigated paleocurrent data and the petrology of sandstones and conglomerates including heavy minerals studies to interpret provenance and source areas in detail. Significant changes are recorded by slight differences in heavy mineral and pebble compositions.The sandstones can be classified as lithic greywackes, lithic arkoses and feldspathic litharenites. Sandstone, mudstone, quartzite and some granite clasts are dominant in conglomerates of the central part of the graben. Tetang Formation conglomerates of Miocene age comprise mostly clasts of Mesozoic rocks with an eastern provenance, consistent with measured paleocurrent directions. All paleocurrent data and compositional analyses of imbricated conglomerates of the Miocene–Pliocene Thakkhola Formation in the northeast of the graben suggest that clasts were derived from eastern source areas comprising mainly Mesozoic rocks whereas Paleozoic clasts of a western to northern source area predominate in the centre of the graben.Heavy mineral analysis indicates that tourmaline, staurolite, zircon, garnet and apatite constitute a significant proportion of the assemblages of all formations through time whereas epidote, andalusite, kyanite, chloritoid, hornblende, chrome-spinel, rutile and amphiboles are less common. These assemblages reflect in general stable minerals and low to high-grade metamorphic source rocks, and are principally controlled by reworking of older, passive margin sediments of the Tibetan-Tethys zone as indicated by provenance discrimination diagrams.Three successive stages in provenance evolution were recognized: (1) The Miocene Tetang Formation, characterized by higher kyanite values, corresponding to the Himalayan foreland evolution; (2) the Thakkhola Formation, characterized by granite clasts and significantly higher amounts of andalusite, indicating source area expansion and erosion of the Mustang-Mugu granites to the northwest; (3) the Upper Pleistocene/Holocene Kaligandaki Formation, bearing higher amounts of epidote/klinozoisite and ophiolite and high-pressure/low temperature detritus as indicated by chrome spinel and blue amphiboles, derived from the north-lying Indus-Tsangpo suture zone. The change in source areas from the Miocene/Pliocene to the Late Pleistocene/Holocene is interpreted as a result of the evolution from an initial stage of high-angle normal faulting and collapse basin formation to a low-angle extensional detachment basin system.     

Chemical and Strontium Isotopic Compositions of the Hanjiang Basin Rivers in China: Anthropogenic Impacts and Chemical Weathering

The Hanjiang River, the largest tributaries of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River, is the water source area of the Middle Route of China’s South-to-North Water Transfer Project. The chemical and strontium isotopic compositions of the river waters are determined with the main purpose of understanding the contribution of chemical weathering processes and anthropogenic inputs on river solutes, as well as the associated CO₂ consumption in the carbonate-dominated basin. The major ion compositions of the Hanjiang River waters are characterized by the dominance of Ca²⁺ and HCO₃ ⁻, followed by Mg²⁺ and SO₄ ²⁻. The increase in TDS and major anions (Cl⁻, NO₃ ⁻, and SO₄ ²⁻) concentrations from upstream to downstream is ascribed to both extensive influences from agriculture and domestic activities over the Hanjiang basin. The chemical and Sr isotopic analyses indicate that three major weathering sources (dolomite, limestone, and silicates) contribute to the total dissolved loads. The contributions of the different end-members to the dissolved load are calculated with the mass balance approach. The calculated results show that the dissolved load is dominated by carbonates weathering, the contribution of which accounts for about 79.4% for the Hanjiang River. The silicate weathering and anthropogenic contributions are approximately 12.3 and 6.87%, respectively. The total TDS fluxes from chemical weathering calculated for the water source area (the upper Hanjiang basin) and the whole Hanjiang basin are approximately 3.8 × 10⁶ and 6.1 × 10⁶ ton/year, respectively. The total chemical weathering (carbonate and silicate) rate for the Hanjiang basin is approximately 38.5 ton/km²/year or 18.6 mm/k year, which is higher than global mean values. The fluxes of CO₂ consumption by carbonate and silicate weathering are estimated to be 56.4 × 10⁹ and 12.9 × 10⁹ mol/year, respectively.     

Characteristics of winter mass balance of Glacier No.1 at the headwaters of the Urumqi River,Tianshan Mountains

This study analyzes the response of glacier to climate change during the past 49 years in Urumqi River source region, the Tianshan Mountains of China. The temporal and spatial variations of winter mass balance (bn-w) at different time scales were analyzed to identify their response to climate change during 1988–2006 (The observation of winter mass balance observation began in 1988) on the Glacier No.1 at the headwaters of the Urumqi River, Tianshan Mountains, China. The winter accumulation shows a significantly decreasing trend. The results show that the cumulative values on Glacier No.1 is 2,202 mm water equivalent during 1988–2006 and the mean values is 116 mm a⁻¹. Furthermore, the trend analysis of the winter mass balance indicates a rapid decrease since 1990, and the mean mass balance is only 79 mm a⁻¹ during 1997–2006. Winter mass balance correlates well negatively with the total evaporation from September to April (r = −0.68, α = 0.01), and positively with the total precipitation from September to April (r = 0.74, α = 0.01). However, winter mass balance shows a weak correlation with mean minimum air temperature during September to April (r = −0.35), and runoff on September (r = −0.13).     

Quantifying the spatio-temporal patterns of settlement growth in a metropolitan region of Ghana

Retrospective understanding of the magnitude and pace of urban expansion is necessary for effective growth management in metropolitan regions. The objective of this paper is to quantify the spatial–temporal patterns of urban expansion in the Greater Kumasi Sub-Region (GKSR)—a functional region comprising eight administrative districts in Ghana, West Africa. The analysis is based on Landsat remote sensing images from 1986, 2001 and 2014 which were classified using supervised maximum likelihood algorithm in ERDAS IMAGINE. We computed three complementary growth indexes namely; Average Annual Urban Expansion Rate, Urban Expansion Intensity Index (UEII) and Urban Expansion Differentiation Index to estimate the amount and intensity of expansion over the 28-year period. Overall, urban expansion in the GKSR has been occurring at an average annual rate of 5.6 %. Consequently, the sub-region’s built-up land increased by 313 km² from 88 km² in 1986 to 400 km² in 2014. The analysis further show that about 72 % of the total built-up land increase occurred in the last 13 years alone, with UEII value of 0.605 indicating a moderate intensity of urban expansion. Moreover, the metropolitan-core of the sub-region, being the focal point of urban development and the historical origins of expansion, accounted for more than half of the total built-up land increase over the 28-year period. Over the last decade and half however, urban expansion has spilled into the neighbouring peripheral districts, with the highest intensity and fastest rate of expansion occurring in districts located north and north east of the sub-regional core. We recommend a comprehensive regional growth management strategy grounded in effective strategic partnerships among the respective administrative districts to curb unsustainable urban expansion.     

Particle shape effect on thermal conductivity and shear wave velocity in sands

This study presents the correlations between quantified shape parameters and geotechnical properties for nine sand specimens. Four shape parameters, sphericity, convexity, elongation and slenderness, were quantified with two-dimensional microscopic images with the aid of image processing techniques. An instrumented oedometer cell is used to measure compressibility, thermal conductivity and shear wave velocity during loading, unloading and reloading stages. As the particle shape inherently determines the initial loose packing condition, initial void ratio and shape parameters are well correlated with compressibility. The applied stress in soils increases the interparticle contact area and contact quality; round particles tend to achieve higher thermal conductivity and shear wave velocity during stress-induced volume change. Multiple linear regression is implemented to capture the relative contributions of involved variables, revealing that the thermal evolution is governed by the initial packing density and particle shape. The experimental observations underscore the predominant effect that particle shape has on the geomechanical and physical properties upon stress-induced soil behavior.     

3-D GRACE gravity model for the 2011 Japan earthquake

The GRACE mission has contributed to the seismic characterization of major earthquakes in offshore regions of the world. Here, we isolate satellite gravity signal (μGal range) for the Japan Earthquake of 2011 using a difference method. Contrary to the existing gravity models, we propose a unit vertical pyramid based five-layer 3-D thrust fault model, which extends to the hypocenter and honors the ocean water layer and sea floor upheaval also. Our model partly uses existing seismological information (hypocenter depth of 32 km, rupture length of 300 km and vertical slip of 4 m), provides a snapshot of episodic subduction of the Pacific Plate below the Atlantic Plate and its gravity response closely matches the observed gravity (RMS error of 3.4012×10^?13μGal), fully accounting for co-seismic mass redistribution including sea surface deformation. Our inferred rupture length, rupture velocity, average seismic moment magnitude and momentum, respectively, are 300 km, 4.49 km/s, 1.152×10²¹?1.8816×10²¹ N m and 2.319×10⁶ GNs, which fairly agree with the literature. Further, our model inferred momentum at the sea floor corresponds to an area pulse that led to Tsunami generation.     

Effects of climate change on spring wheat phenophase and water requirement in Heihe River basin,China

Climate change has significantly altered the temperature rhythm which is a key factor for the growth and phenophase of the crop. And temperature change further affects crop water requirement and irrigation system. In the north-west of China, one of the most important crop production bases is Heihe River basin where the observed phenological data is scarce. This study thus first adopted accumulated temperature threshold (ATT) method to define the phenological stages of the crop, and analysed the effect of climate change on phenological stages and water requirement of the crop during growing season. The results indicated the ATT was available for the determination of spring wheat phenological stages. The start dates of all phenological stages became earlier and the growing season length (days) was reduced by 7 days under climate change. During the growing season, water requirement without consideration of phenophase change has been increased by 26.1 mm, while that with consideration of phenophase change was featured in the decrease of water requirement by 50 mm. When temperature increased by 1°C on average, the changes were featured in the 2 days early start date of growing season, 2 days decrease of growing season length, and the 1.4 mm increase of water requirement, respectively.