Benthic indicators: analysis of the threshold values of ecological quality classifications for transitional waters

The effect of the modifications of the threshold values generally adopted for the five EcoQ (Ecological Quality) classes recognized by the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) for the most used benthic indicators and diversity indicators (AMBI, BENTIX, BOPA, BQI, H', ITI and M-AMBI) were studied to test whether it is possible to obtain the same or similar ecological classifications for transitional waters using these different indicators, and determine whether the current classifications can be improved. The analysis included: (i) the use of indicator equations, (ii) the use of reference indicators, and (iii) the use of indicator distribution laws. These investigations demonstrated that it was impossible to obtain an exact intercalibration of the ecological classifications with the selected indicators. However, some propositions to improve the actual classification were suggested.     

Undrained Monotonic Response and Instability of Medium-Dense Sandy Soil

A series of undrained monotonic triaxial compression tests were performed on natural, medium-dense (relative density (RD) = 50%) Chlef sand containing 0.5% of non-plastic fines, under different confining pressures of 50 kPa, 100 kPa, and 200 kPa. This article focuses on distinctive states of the monotonic undrained response of sands, namely the critical state, the phase transformation state, the quasi-steady state, and the state of undrained instability (onset of flow liquefaction). Specimens were prepared using dry funnel pluviation and wet deposition to investigate the effect of the initial sand fabric on these states. The present data suggest that the initial fabric of the sand appears to have a significant effect on the undrained behavior in the early stages of shearing, with its influence vanishing at large strains. Wet deposition specimens demonstrate considerably larger undrained instability state strength than their dry funnel pluviation counterparts, and a unique critical state locus is reached by both dry funnel pluviation and wet deposition.     

Computational Fluid Dynamical Modelling of Concentration Fluctuations in an Idealized Urban Area

Turbulent mixing induces variability in concentration that is important in many applications, such as reactive plumes, risk assessments or odour impact analyses (when the effects can have time scales on the order of a second). In urban canopies, the variability may be modified by the presence of buildings. Our purpose is to study concentration fluctuation variance in built-up areas using an Eulerian approach. We performed numerical simulations with the computational fluid dynamics model Mercure_Saturne, which is a three-dimensional model adapted to atmospheric flow and pollutant dispersion. We use a k − ϵ turbulence closure and predict the concentration variance with a transport equation model. The model performance is evaluated with the near-full scale experiment MUST (Mock Urban Setting Test), a field experiment conducted in Utah’s West Desert Test Center. The modelled root-mean-square of the concentration fluctuations is compared to measurements for 20 of the MUST trials. The model shows good agreement with the measurements, with the fraction of predictions within a factor of two of observations of 60.1%, with better results for horizontal lines of detectors than for the detectors on vertical masts (with fractions of predictions within a factor of two of observations of respectively 66.4% and 52.6%). The influence of different parameters on the fluctuation variance is also studied and we show the importance of taking into account the stability of the stratification when modelling the turbulent kinetic energy.     

Isostasy of the Northern Bay of Biscay Continental Margin

Summary. Spectral analysis of eight marine gravity profiles and seven SEASAT profiles, combined with corresponding bathymetric data over the Northern Bay of Biscay origin, yield identical admittance functions for wavelengths greater than 120 km. the resulting admittance function has been interpreted in terms of an Airy model of compensation for wavelengths greater than 250 km and in terms of an elastic plate model of compensation for shorter wavelengths. the Airy model corresponds to a crustal thickness variation across the margin. the plate model with an elastic thickness of 8 km is associated with the regional compensation of a sedimentary load which was probably emplaced during and just after rifting.     

Caractérisation des variations lithologiques saisonnières des sédiments de la baie de Seine orientale ; impact des crues de la Seine (France)Characterisation of seasonal lithological variations of the superficial sediment in the eastern part of the Bay of Seine: impact of floods Seine River (France)

This paper presents the first results obtained during cruises since 1995 in the southeastern part of the Bay of Seine. New sedimentological data concerning sediment samples, box cores and water column measurements have been obtained recently in the framework of the Research Programme PNEC (French National Coastal Environment Programme). Fine sediments are deposited on form of temporary veneers of fluid-to-soft mud formed during high floods episodes. In the subtidal area (<10 m water depth), mobility of fine sediments is important and temporary mud deposited during high discharge period composes part of the distal estuarine system of the Seine River. To cite this article: S. Garnaud et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 323–330.     

Peut-on évaluer le rôle de la sédimentation sur l'effet de serre à l'échelle de temps des cycles orbitaux ?Can the role of sedimentation in the greenhouse effect at the time scale of orbital cycles be evaluated?

The evolution of the atmospheric CO₂ content is partly a response to the lack of balance between oceanic sedimentation and continental weathering, because the oceanic C reservoir tends to balance net inputs or losses from slow processes by rapid exchanges with the atmospheric reservoir. This response strongly depends on both amplitudes and time scales of the related processes. At Milankovitch or lower time scales, global models generally do neglect organic matter fossilisation, but such an assumption is only valid for oligotrophic systems. In eutrophic or mesotrophic systems, organic matter is not negligible and should be considered relatively to the carbonate sedimentation in order to know whether the impact of the sedimentation was a source or a sink for atmospheric CO₂. To cite this article: P. Bertrand, C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 521–528.     

Les ensembles fluviatiles néogènes du bassin subandin d'Équateur et implications dynamiquesThe Neogene fluvial systems of the Ecuadorian foreland basin and dynamic inferences

A sedimentological study of the Neogene continental infill of the Subandean foreland basin of Ecuador led us to define an evolution of the fluvial system from an alluvial plain to an alluvial fan with an increasing slope in the same time as the drainage changed from mostly longitudinal to transverse. Combined with the data presently available on palaeotopography, exhumation, tectonic evolution and geomorphology, these results enable us to infer that, in contrast with the other Subandean foreland basins of Bolivia and Peru, the progradation of the Neogene alluvial fans proceeded by an overall expansion, associated with a relatively small tectonic shortening and not as a result of the development of successive thrust-related depocentres. This also indicates that the surrection of the Cordillera progressed in Ecuador throughout the Neogene. To cite this article: F. Christophoul et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 1029–1037.     

East Asia plate tectonics since 15 Ma: constraints from the Taiwan region

15 Ma ago, a major plate reorganization occurred in East Asia. Seafloor spreading ceased in the South China Sea, Japan Sea, Taiwan Sea, Sulu Sea, and Shikoku and Parece Vela basins. Simultaneously, shear motions also ceased along the Taiwan–Sinzi zone, the Gagua ridge and the Luzon–Ryukyu transform plate boundary. The complex system of thirteen plates suddenly evolved in a simple three-plate system (EU, PH and PA). Beneath the Manila accretionary prism and in the Huatung basin, we have determined magnetic lineation patterns as well as spreading rates deduced from the identification of magnetic lineations. These two patterns are rotated by 15°. They were formed by seafloor spreading before 15 Ma and belonged to the same ocean named the Taiwan Sea. Half-spreading rate in the Taiwan Sea was 2 cm/year from chron 23 to 20 (51 to 43 Ma) and 1 cm/year from chron 20 (43 Ma) to 5b (15 Ma). Five-plate kinematic reconstructions spanning from 15 Ma to Present show implications concerning the geodynamic evolution of East Asia. Amongst them, the 1000-km-long linear Gagua ridge was a major plate boundary which accommodated the northwestward shear motion of the PH Sea plate; the formation of Taiwan was driven by two simple lithospheric motions: (i) the subduction of the PH Sea plate beneath Eurasia with a relative westward motion of the western end (A) of the Ryukyu subduction zone; (ii) the subduction of Eurasia beneath the Philippine Sea plate with a relative southwestward motion of the northern end (B) of the Manila subduction zone. The Luzon arc only formed south of B. The collision of the Luzon arc with Eurasia occurred between A and B. East of A, the Luzon arc probably accreted against the Ryukyu forearc.