Variability of East Asian Winter Monsoon in Quaternary Climatic Extremes in North China

In order to examine high-frequency variations of East Asian winter monsoon in Quaternary climatic extremes, two typical loess–paleosol sequences in the Chinese Loess Plateau were investigated. Sandy layers in the loess deposits, the “Upper sand” and “Lower sand” (layers L9 and L15, respectively), which represent a high-resolution record of paleomonsoon changes, have been sampled at intervals of 5–6 cm from sections at Luochuan and Xifeng. The grain size and magnetic susceptibility was measured for all samples. The grain-size results (a proxy of winter monsoon strength) indicate that the winter monsoon strength fluctuated on a millennial timescale during cold climatic extremes, with climatic events of a few hundred to a few thousand years. However, the winter monsoon was relatively stable during warm periods. The magnetic susceptibility signal (a proxy of summer monsoon intensity) is practically constant over the same period. This is tentatively explained by the assumption that the summer monsoon intensity was too low to be recorded in the magnetic susceptibility signal. The intensified winter monsoon events show periodicities in a range of 1000 to 2770 yr, with a dominant cycle of approximately 1450 yr. The detection of this oscillation in older glacial stages strongly suggests that it may be a pervasive cycle of the cold climatic phases of the Quaternary. Millennial-scale variations of the winter monsoon may be caused by instability of the westerly jet, which is determined by temperature differences between the polar and the equatorial regions.     

Faulting, fracturing and in situ stress prediction in the Ahnet Basin, Algeria — a finite element approach

Many low-efficiency hydrocarbon reservoirs are productive largely because effective reservoir permeability is controlled by faults and natural fractures. Accurate and low-cost information on basic fault and fracture properties, orientation in particular, is critical in reducing well costs and increasing well recoveries. This paper describes how we used an advanced numerical modelling technique, the finite element method (FEM), to compute site-specific in situ stresses and rock deformation and to predict fracture attributes as a function of material properties, structural position and tectonic stress. Presented are the numerical results of two-dimensional, plane-strain end-member FEM models of a hydrocarbon-bearing fault-propagation-fold structure. Interpretation of the modelling results remains qualitative because of the intrinsic limitations of numerical modelling; however, it still allows comparisons with (the little available) geological and geophysical data.

In all models, the weak mechanical strength and flow properties of a thick shale layer (the main seal) leads to a decoupling of the structural deformation of the shallower sediments from the underlying sediments and basement, and results in flexural slip across the shale layer. All models predict rock fracturing to initiate at the surface and to expand with depth under increasing horizontal tectonic compression. The stress regime for the formation of new fractures changes from compressional to shear with depth. If pre-existing fractures exist, only (sub)horizontal fractures are predicted to open, thus defining the principal orientation of effective reservoir permeability. In models that do not include a blind thrust fault in the basement, flexural amplification of the initial fold structure generates additional fracturing in the crest of the anticline controlled by the material properties of the rocks. The folding-induced fracturing expands laterally along the stratigraphic boundaries under enhanced tectonic loading. Models incorporating a blind thrust fault correctly predict the formation of secondary syn- and anti-thetic mesoscale faults in the basement and sediments of the hanging wall. Some of these faults cut reservoir and/or seal layers, and thus may influence effective reservoir permeability and affect seal integrity. The predicted faults divide the sediments across the anticline in several compartments with different stress levels and different rock failure (and proximity to failure). These numerical model outcomes can assist classic interpretation of seismic and well bore data in search of fractured and overpressured hydrocarbon reservoirs.     

大别山双河和碧溪岭超高压变质岩流体包裹体研究

对大别山双河和碧溪岭含柯石英榴岩和硬玉石英岩进行了详细的流体包裹体研究。根据流体包裹体的成分和盐度的不同,可以划分出至少五种类型不同的气液包裹体;（１）Ｎ２包裹体;（３）高盐度流体包裹体;（３）ＣＯ２包裹体;（４）ＣＯ２－Ｈ２Ｏ包裹体;（５）低盐度流体包裹体。本仅见于含柯石英榴辉岩,而高盐度流体包裹体则几乎存在于所有的榴辉岩和硬玉石英岩中。ＣＯ２包裹体沿榴辉岩中微剪切带分布,或存在于强变形的硬玉石     

Comparative petrology and metamorphic evolution of the Limpopo (South Africa) and Lapland (Fennoscandia) high-grade terrains

Summary ?Detailed studies of rocks from the Limpopo (South Africa) and Lapland (Kola-Fennoscandia) high-grade terrains were carried out in order to reveal similar geological and thermodynamic conditions in their formation. Both complexes (1) are situated between Archean greenstone belts, (2) are younger than the belts, (3) are bounded by crustal-scale shear zones, (4) have a similar intrusive-like (harpolith) geometry, and (5) show similar reaction textures that reflect both breakdown and growth of garnet in each high-grade terrain. Local mineral equilibria within the textures indicate their successive formation with cooling of the granulite facies rocks. Some of the textures in the metapelites must have resulted from the following reverse reactions: Grt + Qtz ⇌Opx + Crd and/or Grt + Sil + Qtz ⇌ Crd. Based on these data, both the decompression cooling P-T path and the near-isobaric cooling P-T path were deduced for each HGT. However the near-isobaric cooling P-T path is not a characteristic of the central zones of both complexes studied. Similar structural framework of the high-grade terrains, similar morphologies (shapes of granulitic bodies), similar reaction textures developed in metapelites, and similar shapes of P-T paths suggest similarity in geodynamic history of both complexes.

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Zusammenfassung ?Vergleichende Petrologie und metamorphe Entwicklung der hochgradig metamorphen Terrains von Limpopo (Südafrika) und Lappland (Fennoscandia) Eingehende Untersuchungen an Gesteinen aus den hochgradig metamorphen Terrains von Limpopo (Südafrika) und Lappland (Kola-Fennoscania) sollen m?gliche ?hnlichkeiten in den geologischen und thermodynamischen Bildungsbedingungen aufzeigen. Beide Komplexe sind Lokale Mineralgleichgewichte innerhalb der Texturen weisen auf ihre schrittweise Bildung w?hrend der Abkühlung der granulitfaziellen Gesteine hin. Einige der Texturen in den Metapeliten gehen auf folgende reversible Reaktionen zurück: Grt + Qtz ⇌Opx + Crd und/oder Grt + Sil + Qtz ⇌ Crd. Diese Daten erm?glichten es, sowohl den P-T Pfad der Abkühlung bei Druckentlastung sowie den fast-isobaren P-T Pfad der Abkühlung für jedes HGT zu ermitteln. Der fast-isobare P-T Pfad der Abkühlung ist jedoch kein Charakteristikum der Zentralzonen beider Komplexe. Ein ?hnlicher struktureller Rahmen der hochgradigen Terrains, ?hnliche Morphologien (Ausbildung der Granulitk?rper), ?hnliche Reaktionstexturen in Metapeliten und ?hnliche P-T Pfade weisen auf ?hnlichkeiten der geodynamischen Entwicklungsgeschichte beider Komplexe hin.

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Received March 8, 1999; revised version accepted September 17, 1999     

In situ bioremediation of 1,2-dichloroethane under anaerobic conditions

Historic spillages of chlorinated hydrocarbons at a vinyl chloride plant in the Rotterdam–Botlek area in The Netherlands has lead to deep-seated pollution of the underlying aquifer. The principal pollutant is 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA). As a temporary measure, the contamination is being contained using a pump and treat system. In the long term, in-situ bioremediation has been proposed using a biologically active zone where pollutants would be dechlorinated by microorganisms that simultaneously degrade other carbon sources. In order to investigate the suitability of this new technology, a programme of laboratory tests was carried out. The laboratory programme involved a series of anaerobic soil column tests, where the selection and delivery of different carbon substrates that stimulated 1,2-DCA dechlorination were investigated. The soil columns were prepared using soil and groundwater samples from boreholes. Groundwater was flushed through the columns under anaerobic conditions. A comparison was made between the transformation of 1,2-DCA without a carbon substrate and in the presence of sugars (molasses) and alcohol (methanol) respectively. In addition, different modes of delivery were investigated. In the case of molasses, the material was injected into the column as a plug to simulate grout injection in the field, whereas methanol was delivered as a constant flow dissolved in the influent. Both carbon substrates resulted in the biotransformation of 1,2-DCA. However, fermentation of molasses produced secondary effects that led to a drop in pH and an excessive production of carbon dioxide, which temporarily blocked the flow of groundwater.     

An inventory of factors that affect polysaccharide production by Phaeocystis globosa

Phaeocystis material contains polysaccharides that are built from at least eight different monosaccharides. Differences have been reported between the carbohydrate composition of different Phaeocystis species, and also between samples taken from Phaeocystis globosa blooms in different areas. In order to elucidate factors that could play a role in determining variation in carbohydrate composition and production, a number of Phaeocystis globosa strains were studied under laboratory conditions. Although there was a clear distinction of a northern and a southern cluster in the Phaeocystis globosa strains based on RAPD analysis, the differences in the composition of the mucopolysaccharides were relatively small. The contribution of glucose, however, ranged from 7–85% of total sugars. A strain that was cultured in seawaters of diverse origin produced polysaccharides of a different composition, suggesting the effect of environmental factors. The presence of bacteria affected neither the amount, nor the composition of the carbohydrates that were produced by Phaeocystis globosa. Glucose is part of both the intracellular polysaccharide pool and of the mucopolysaccharides in the colony matrix. Using specific digestion of the intracellular chrysolaminaran by laminarinase, the distribution of polysaccharides over different pools could be assessed. During growth of an axenic, mucus-producing strain, the portion of glucose present as chrysolaminaran appeared to increase. The polyglucose that was not digested by laminarinase remains unidentified. This study shows that environmental factors rather than strain differences determine differences in the sugar composition of Phaeocystis globosa, especially with respect to the glucose content of the material. A difference in the contribution of glucose could be correlated to the portion of cells in the culture that are not in the colonies. Our study emphasises that for studying polysaccharide dynamics in Phaeocystis globosa it is important to be able to discriminate between the different polysaccharide pools. Preliminary results of an enzymatic approach were promising     

The evolution of the Dutch and Belgian coasts and the role of sand supply from the North Sea

During the Holocene, the Dutch and Belgian coasts evolved, controlled by post-glacial eustatic sea-level rise, spatially varying vertical subsurface motions (glacio-isostatic crustal rebound, compaction, tectonics) and spatially varying sediment supply (mainly marine sand). The marine sand supply changed as the tidal dynamics and the wave climate changed due to the changing geometry and depth of the North Sea during the Holocene transgression. These changes influenced the coastal evolution. This study compares the results of separate numerical model calculations of the large-scale Holocene tide- and wave-induced sand transport in the southern North Sea with existing geological data of the Dutch and Belgian large-scale coastal evolution, resulting in a qualitatively good correlation. The large-scale coastal evolution is interpreted in terms of the oceanographical forcing, and an integrated conceptual model of the Holocene evolution of the Dutch and Belgian coasts is proposed. The large-scale wave-driven bed-load transport was an order of magnitude smaller than the tidal transports. The modelled tidal transport direction changed from onshore before 6 ka BP to along shore at present for the Zeeland and Holland coasts; the influence that waves may have had on the tidal transport by suspending sand gradually decreased. This change in direction caused the modelled tidal sand supply to the coast to decrease for the Belgian, Zeeland and Holland coasts. While the offshore area of the Holland coast remained a zone of (small) deposition due to decreasing northward sand transports, the offshore area of the Zeeland coast became increasingly erosional after 6 ka BP due to the encroaching divergence of the tidal transports. Due to uncertainty in the magnitude of the modelled sand transports, but robustness in the transport patterns, the focus is on the qualitative rather than the quantitative model results. When compared with the trend of closure, expansion and later erosion and reopening of the coast, the above decrease in sand supply must have been slow enough compared with the decrease in sea-level rise to cause a temporary sand surplus which decayed to a slight deficit as the decrease in supply and the rise in sea level continued. The Wadden Sea coast exchanged little or no sand with the adjacent deeper North Sea throughout the Holocene.     

Surface motion in the pulsating DA white dwarf G29‐38

We present time-resolved spectrophotometry of the pulsating DA white dwarf G29-38. As in previous broad-band photometry, the light curve shows the presence of a large number of periodicities. Many of these are combination frequencies, i.e. periodicities occurring at frequencies that are sums or differences of frequencies of stronger, real modes. We identify at least six real modes, and at least five combination frequencies. We measure line-of-sight velocities for our spectra and detect periodic variations at the frequencies of five of the six real modes, with amplitudes of up to 5 km s⁻¹. We argue that these variations reflect the horizontal surface motion associated with the g-mode pulsations. No velocity signals are detected at any of the combination frequencies, confirming that the flux variations at these frequencies do not reflect physical pulsation, but rather reflect mixing of frequencies owing to a non-linear transformation in the outer layers of the star. We discuss the amplitude ratios and phase differences found for the velocity and light variations, as well as those found for the real modes and their combination frequencies, both in a model-independent way and in the context of models based on the convective-driving mechanism. In a companion paper, we use the wavelength dependence of the amplitudes of the modes to infer their spherical degree.     

基于生态水文学的黄河口湿地生态需水评价

根据生态系统保护的要求,以提高生态系统承载力、保护河口生态系统完整性和稳定性为原则,以促进区域生态系统的良性维持为目标,从生物多样性保护的角度,研究确定了23600hm^2的黄河三角洲应补水的湿地恢复和保护规模。在此基础上,采用景观生态学的原理和方法,在湿地植物生理学、生态学、水文学研究基础上及遥感和GIS技术的支持下,研究水分—生态耦合作用机理,建立基于生态水文学的黄河口湿地生态需水及评价模型,并运用预案研究方法和景观生态决策支持系统的规划评价思想,预测和评价了黄河口湿地不同补水方案产生的生态效果,重点研究了丹顶鹤、东方白鹳、黑嘴鸥等指示性物种适宜生境条件与湿地补水后的生态格局变化。评价结果表明,黄河三角洲湿地具备东方白鹳及丹顶鹤等保护性鸟类的繁殖和越冬的潜在生境条件,但其生境质量并不十分理想,通过湿地补水,作为珍稀鸟类重要栖息地芦苇湿地面积从现状的10000hm^2增加至22000hm^2,生态承载力大幅提高;研究在统筹黄河水资源条件、水资源配置工程措施和湿地生态系统综合保护需求后,推荐提出了黄河三角洲湿地恢复和保护的3.5亿m^3黄河补水量及补水时期。     

Geochemical and electron paramagnetic characteristics of quartz from a multi-stage vein environment, Cowarra gold deposit, New South Wales

The characterisation of quartz using trace element geochemistry and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements has been tested for different generations of quartz veining in the multi-stage hydrothermal vein system at Cowarra. Quartz closely associated with gold mineralisation can be distinguished from earlier and later quartz generations in the mineralised environment, and both types can be distinguished from regional, barren quartz veins. These separate stages of quartz veins are also recognised from their fluid inclusion characteristics. Geochemical differences in the quartz partly reflect the presence of minor mineral inclusions, particularly sulfides and arsenopyrite.The study highlights the importance of understanding the paragenetic sequence of quartz vein development in a mineralised environment and the need for careful, thorough sampling before attempting geochemical and EPR characterisation of quartz as an exploration technique.