Modelling wave-current interactions in rough turbulent bottom boundary layers

The aim of the present paper is to explain some of the differences between previously published analytical and numerical models of combined wave and current bottom boundary layer flow. To this end, the Grant and Madsen (1979) model for wave-current, rough turbulent flow is modified to include both first and second harmonic time variations in the eddy viscosity (K). The functional form of the coefficients controlling the amount of time variation is established by analysing the numerical model results of Davies (1990). The addition of time variation in K reduces the strong non-linearity exhibited by the mean stress in the original Grant and Madsen model for current dominated cases, and reproduces the veering of the current predicted by numerical turbulence closure models.     

A precipiton‐based approach to model hydro‐sedimentary hazards induced by large sediment supplies in alluvial fans

Mountain ranges are frequently subjected to mass wasting events triggered by storms or earthquakes and supply large volumes of sediment into river networks. Besides altering river dynamics, large sediment deliveries to alluvial fans are known to cause hydro‐sedimentary hazards such as flooding and river avulsion. Here we explore how the sediment supply history affects hydro‐sedimentary river and fan hazards, and how well can it be predicted given the uncertainties on boundary conditions. We use the 2D morphodynamic model Eros with a new 2D hydrodynamic model driven by a sequence of flood, a sediment entrainment/transport/deposition model and a bank erosion law. We first evaluate the model against a natural case: the 1999 Mount Adams rock avalanche and subsequent avulsion on the Poerua river fan (West Coast, New Zealand). By adjusting for the unknown sediment supply history, Eros predicts the evolution of the alluvial riverbed during the first post‐landslide stages within 30 cm. The model is subsequently used to infer how the sediment supply volume and rate control the fan aggradation patterns and associated hazards. Our results show that the total injected volume controls the overall levels of aggradation, but supply rates have a major control on the location of preferential deposition, avulsion and increased flooding risk. Fan re‐incision following exhaustion of the landslide‐derived sediment supply leads to sediment transfer and deposition downstream and poses similar, but delayed, hydro‐sedimentary hazards. Our results demonstrate that 2D morphodynamics models are able to capture the full range of hazards occurring in alluvial fans including river avulsion aggradation and floods. However, only ensemble simulations accounting for uncertainties in boundary conditions (e.g., discharge history, initial topography, grain size) as well as model realization (e.g., non‐linearities in hydro‐sedimentary processes) can be used to produce probabilistic hazards maps relevant for decision making. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Component flow processes at four streams in the Catskill Mountains,New York,analysed using episodic concentration/discharge relationships

Plots of solute concentration against discharge have been used to relate stream hydrochemical variations to processes of flow generation, using data collected at four streams in the Catskill Mountains, New York, during the Episodic Response Project of the US Environmental Protection Agency. Results suggest that a two‐component system of shallow and deep saturated subsurface flow, in which the two components respond simultaneously during hydrologic events, may be applicable to the study basins. Using a large natural sea‐salt sodium input as a tracer for precipitation, it is argued that an additional distinction can be made between pre‐event and event water travelling along the shallow subsurface flow path. Pre‐event water is thought to be displaced by infiltrating event water, which becomes dominant on the falling limb of the hydrograph. Where, as appears to be the case for sulfate, a solute equilibrates rapidly within the soil, the pre‐event–event water distinction is unimportant. However, for some solutes there are clear and consistent compositional differences between water from the two sources, evident as a hysteresis loop in concentration–discharge plots. Nitrate and acidity, in particular, appear to be elevated in event water following percolation through the organic horizon. Consequently, the most acidic, high nitrate conditions during an episode generally occur after peak discharge. A simple conceptual model of episode runoff generation is presented on the basis of these results. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Predicting porosity reduction due to silica diagenesis using seismic reflection data

A dramatic reduction in porosity, generally as much as 15–35%, is frequently associated with fine-grained sediment within which the transition of biogenic silica (opal-A) to cryptocrystalline opal-CT (cristobalite and tridymite) occurs. Many of these silica diagenetic boundaries imaged on seismic reflection data, in several basins worldwide, show a variety of undulating morphologies, often with a regular wavelength, where the diagenetic boundaries have variable relief, deformation of the overburden has been identified. Unusual stratal patterns are the result and these have recently been accounted for as a result of differential advancement of the boundary, differential compaction and subsidence of the overburden. The hypothesis developed is that differential advancement of the diagenetic fronts simply causes differential compaction and folding of the strata above the opal-A to opal-CT boundary.We test this hypothesis and then use knowledge of the relief of the diagenetic boundary and the folding above it, to make estimations of the magnitude of the porosity drop. We apply this forward modelling technique to examples of boundaries from the North Sakhalin Basin, Russian Far East and from the Faeroe-Shetland, Vøring and Møre Basins from the Northeast Atlantic margin. This is the first documented case of using seismic data to predict porosity reduction on the basis of seismic geometry alone and should have applicability in some siliceous successions.     

Crustal structure of the deepwater west Niger Delta passive margin from the interpretation of seismic reflection data

The interpretation of 2D and 3D seismic reflection data complemented with gravity data allows the crustal architecture of the deepwater west Niger Delta passive margin to be defined. The data show that the area is underlain by oceanic crust that is characterised by a thickness of 5–7 km and by internal reflectivity consisting of both dipping and sub-horizontal reflectors. Some of the dipping reflections can be traced up to the top of the basement where they offset it across a series of minor to major thrust faults. Other internal reflections are attributed to extensional shear zones and possibly due to intrusions in the lower crust. The Moho can be correlated as a discrete reflection over >70% of the study area. It is generally smooth, but localised relief of up to 1 km is observed. The southeastern part of the study area is dominated by a zone of SW–NE striking basement thrusts.     

The limited suitability of silica diagenetic boundaries as isothermal markers: Insights from seismic reflection imaging,Offshore Sakhalin,Russian Far East

In many sedimentary basins the seismic reflections that mark the conversion of opal-A to opal-CT and the subsequent conversion of opal-CT to quartz, are parallel to the present-day seabed. As the reactions are in part thermally activated these boundaries have been proposed as potential isothermal markers and could have utility for hydrocarbon exploration. We describe opal-A to opal-CT and opal-CT to quartz diagenetic boundaries using 2D seismic data from the North Sakhalin Basin (NSB). These are not parallel to the present-day seabed, but for 80% of the area of the basin are parallel to an unconformity of Late Miocene age and may represent palaeo-isotherms that were parallel to the Late Miocene seabed. This characteristic has been identified in other basins and may indicate silica diagenetic boundaries do not make reliable present-day isothermal boundaries. We propose diagenetic boundaries, which are not parallel to the seabed, are not present-day isothermal boundaries. This characteristic could result from: (1) temperature decrease, such as through a declining geothermal gradient or erosion of the overburden, which will cause the rate of conversion to slow; (2) variations in the burial rate that would cause changes to the rate of conversion; and (3) a change in the rate of conversion as a result of variation in the physico-chemical factors influencing the silica diagenetic reactions.     

Contrasting Pliocene fluvial depositional systems within the rapidly subsiding South Caspian Basin; a case study of the palaeo-Volga and palaeo-Kura river systems in the Surakhany Suite,Upper Productive Series,onshore Azerbaijan

The South Caspian Basin contains major hydrocarbon reservoirs within the largely Early Pliocene Productive Series. This paper describes and contrasts outcrops of the uppermost ∼500 m of the series (the Surakhany Suite) deposited by two of the main fluvial systems that supplied the Azeri margin of the basin. Sedimentary facies and, for the first time from the Productive Series, palynological analyses document fluvial channel belt complexes, sheetflood overbank and flood plain to flood plain lake environments. The Productive Series on the Apsheron Peninsula, Azerbaijan, was supplied predominantly from the north by the palaeo-Volga river system. It displays an overall fining-upward trend, such that the Surakhany Suite at Lokbatan is dominated by mudstone. Siltstone and coarser-grained sediments make up 28% of the section. Channel bodies are on average 1.5 m thick and form 13% of the succession. In the sub-surface of the Apsheron Peninsula, ratty wireline log responses also indicate that siltstone and sandstone bodies are predominantly thin bedded, with SP-derived net-to-gross sand ratios of ∼0.35–0.40. The succession in the Kura Basin was sourced predominantly from the west by the palaeo-Kura river system. It displays a coarsening-upward trend, such that in the middle and upper Surakhany Suite at Babazanan siltstone and coarser sediments make up 52% of the section. It is characterised by numerous stacked and laterally continuous channel sandstone bodies that are on average 5.8 m thick and comprise 42% of the outcrop. In the sub-surface of the Kura Basin, wireline log responses of the Surakhany Suite have a blocky character and indicate SP-derived net-to-gross sand ratios of 0.26–0.38. These values are similar to calculated sandstone volumes at outcrop (44%). The palynological data, including multivariate analyses, show that the main controls on palynomorph distribution are the degree of fluvial or lacustrine influence, subaerial exposure and salinity. Despite their more lithic nature, Surakhany Suite sandstones derived from the palaeo-Kura river system along the Kurovdag-Babazanan-Neftchala trend have similar or better petrophysical properties than those derived from the palaeo-Volga river on the Apsheron Peninsula and its offshore continuation. This is probably due to their coarser-grain size. This, combined with their greater sandstone body thickness, would suggest that the axis of the Kura Basin forms the most promising part of the Azeri sector of the South Caspian Basin for exploration within the uppermost part of the Productive Series.     

Banking on cod: Exploring economic incentives for recovering Grand Banks and North Sea cod fisheries

Demand for wild (non-farmed) seafood is increasingly reliant upon a natural capital base that is rapidly diminishing. Despite this, studies show that changes in management could increase fisheries’ profitability whilst also protecting fish stocks. This premise is approached by looking specifically at north Atlantic cod—a species that has collapsed in many regions but with evidence to suggest it has the biological potential to recover, despite concerns about altered ecological niches and changing oceanic conditions. The key issue is how the potential economic benefits of cod recovery can provide the fishing sector with incentives for change and how these can be translated into a case for investment, given the financially difficult transition period that currently inhibits fisheries reform. In examining this, the paper concludes that repayable financial investments and rights-based management, tailored to local situations, are required to create resilient and diverse ecosystems that underpin improved seafood economies. It is essential, however, that management and policy solutions adopt a holistic ecosystem-based management approach.     

Holocene carbon storage and testate amoeba community structure in treed peatlands of the western Hudson Bay Lowlands margin,Canada

The Hudson Bay Lowlands (HBL) stores a significant proportion of the northern peatland carbon pool, and constraints on the factors controlling local-scale variation are needed to better predict soil carbon stocks. We investigated two treed peatland sites, a fen and a bog, to understand how local ecohydrological factors impacted long-term carbon storage. Ecohydrological conditions were reconstructed using quantitative water table depth reconstructions from testate amoebae (TA) and broad peat type classifications. We also linked these factors and carbon storage to changes in TA community structure through the investigation of morphological and functional traits. Both sites have high rates of peat vertical accretion during the warmer Middle Holocene. A shift to a drier, Sphagnum-dominated habitat after 7400 cal a bp at the bog site, however, led to lower apparent carbon accumulation rates (aCARs) than at the fen site. aCARs decreased with the transition to a cooler Late Holocene climate at both sites. Both sites have higher total carbon masses (kg m⁻²) than other more open and younger HBL localities, demonstrating the potential importance of treed peatlands in regional carbon storage. Shifts in the frequency of TA traits corresponded to changing ecohydrological conditions and provided insights into the role of TA in carbon storage.