Acquiring high-resolution topography and performing spatial analysis of loess landslides by using low-cost UAVs

The Loess Plateau is a region in China prone to frequent geological disasters, where thousands of loess landslides can be found. Conventional field survey methods are inadequate for the requirements of fine spatial analysis of landslides. Due to its numerous advantages (fast, efficient, low cost, safe, and able to acquire high-resolution data), structure from motion (SfM) technique to photogrammetric orientation of flights and modeling applied to photographs taken by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with a camera has become a powerful new tool for the generation of high-resolution topography that has emerged in recent years, which has become a powerful new technique for acquiring high-resolution topographic data. In this study, we conducted nearly two months of field UAV surveys of loess landslides on the Loess Plateau, eventually established 3D digital models for 11 loess landslides, and produced high-resolution digital orthophoto maps (DOMs) and digital elevation models (DEMs). High-resolution spatial analysis of the loess landslides (mainly including characteristic parameter extraction, topography profile analysis, surface feature analysis, and hydrologic analysis) was performed using Agisoft PhotoScan, ArcGIS 10.2, Global Mapper 17, and Origin Pro 9.0. The UAV technique allows us to further understand the micro-level internal spatial and structural characteristics of loess landslides. Moreover, not only does it allow us to accurately measure the characteristic geometric parameters but also enables us to detect the surface details of loess landslides (e.g., textures, fissures, and micro-landforms). Manifestly, we can also deduce the original structural characteristics and possible inducement mechanism of landslides based on a combination of high-resolution data acquired by UAVs, proper ground surveys, and theoretical knowledge. In summary, the low-cost UAVs are highly and especially suitable for surveys and digital terrain analysis of landslides on the Loess Plateau with sparse vegetation.     

A simple approach to evaluating leakage through thin impervious element of high embankment dams

Internal erosion is the most common reason which induces failure of embankment dams besides overtopping. Relatively large leakage is frequently concentrated at defects of impervious element, and this will lead to eventual failure. The amount of leakage depends not only on integrity of impervious element, but also on dam height, shape of valley, shape of impervious element and water level in reservoir. The integrity of impervious element, which represents the relative level of seepage safety, is not easy to be determined quantitatively. A simple method for generalization of steady seepage state of embankment dams with thin impervious element is proposed in this paper. The apparent overall value of permeability coefficient for impervious element can be obtained by this method with reasonable accuracy and efficiency. A defect parameter of impervious element is defined as an index to characterize seepage safety of embankment dams. It equals the ratio of the apparent overall value of permeability coefficient to the measured value in laboratory for intact materials. Subsequently, seepage safety of three dams is evaluated and the evolution of defect level of impervious element of dams is investigated. It is proved that the newly proposed method in this paper is feasible in the evaluation of relative seepage safety level of embankment dams with thin impervious element.     

Soil column infiltration tests on biomediated capillary barrier systems for mitigating rainfall-induced landslides

Rainfall-induced landslide is a common geohazard in tropical and humid regions. Capillary barrier system (CBS) is a popular and widely studied mitigating measure for rainfall-induced landslides. However, several previous studies have shown that the performance of the conventional CBS under intense rainfalls has not been particularly convincing. This paper aims to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of a newly proposed system, known as “biomediated capillary barrier system” (B-CBS) in minimizing water infiltration into soil. A one-dimensional soil column was used to investigate the infiltration characteristics of the proposed system. The results showed that the B-CBS of biomediated residual soil overlying original residual soil (Test IV) could effectively control the infiltration into soil by taking advantage of the less-permeable biomediated soil cover. The B-CBS of biomediated residual soil overlying gravelly sand (Test V) and the three-layered B-CBS of fine sand overlying gravelly sand and biomediated residual soil (Test VI) showed the best performance in terms of minimizing the water infiltration. A suction of about 5 kPa still remained in the soil column after 60 min of infiltration from the ponded water on the soil surface.     

Spatial and temporal variations of suspended solid concentrations from 2000 to 2013 in Poyang Lake,China

Concentrations of suspended solids in lakes can affect the latter’s primary productivity and reflect changes in sediment deposition. Determining the temporal and spatial distribution of suspended solid concentrations has important significance in lake water environmental management; this is particularly urgent for Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China. In this study, suspended solid concentration inversion models for Poyang Lake were created using a semi-empirical method with regression analysis between continuously measured suspended solid concentration data and multi-band moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer images for spring, summer, autumn, and winter from 2009 to 2012. The coefficient of determination (R²) is from 0.6 to 0.9 and the average relative error for the accuracy verification was between 10 and 30%. The seasonal distributions of suspended solid concentrations in Poyang Lake from 2000 to 2013 were then obtained using optimal reversal models. The results showed that the seasonal variation in suspended solid concentrations had a “W” shape in which high spring and autumn and low summer and winter values. The suspended solid concentrations increased annually from 2000 to 2013 and were mainly distributed in the northern and central portions of the lake, with lower values along the shorelines. Further analysis indicated that the large difference in water level between the wet and dry seasons is an important factor in explaining these seasonal variations. Moreover, the suspended solid concentrations were poorly correlated with water temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration but more highly correlated with the deferred chlorophyll-a concentration.     

Characterization of shale matrix pore structure via experiment and model

Shale gas reservoirs develop multi-scale pores ranging in size from nanometer to micrometer, the characteristics of gas transport involve the multi-scale pore space which divided into organic and inorganic matrix pores. This paper reveals the shale pore structure with large amounts of organic mesoporous based on the techniques of focused ion beam scanning electron microscopes (FIB-SEM), high-pressure mercury intrusion (MICP), and low-pressure adsorption (LPA), which also shows the size and distribution of these pores. Then the research characterizes effective pore scale via circular tube bundle model with due regard for gas adsorption layer thickness on the walls of organic pores and water film thickness on the walls of inorganic pores, and the investigation of shale pore geometry is significant for designing and developing shale gas reservoirs. This work shows that the widely existing shale mesoporous volume with diameter of 2~50 nm accounts for 81% based on experimental testing, then it reduces to about 76% via effective diameter model calculation.     

Effect of climate change on water resources in the Yuanshui River Basin: a SWAT model assessment

The Yuanshui River Basin is one of the most important river basins ensuring food production and livelihoods in the Hunan and Guizhou Provinces of China. Based on digital elevation model, land use, soil, and meteorological data, the soil and water assessment tool was used to analyze the response of water resources in the basin to climate change. Specifically, the monthly runoff from the Yuanshui River Basin was simulated. Runoff measurements from the 1961–1990 series were used to calibrate model parameters, and measurements from the 1991–2010 series were used for model validation. The Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient, correlation coefficient, and water balance error were used to evaluate the simulation results; the values obtained for these parameters were 0.925, 0.929, and 2.0%, respectively, indicating that the established model can be applied successfully to runoff simulations. To evaluate the effects of climate change and human activities on runoff, 24 different climate scenarios were modeled. By comparing the model simulation results with the baseline scenario, the effects of climate change were analyzed by year, during the dry season, and during extremely dry conditions. The results showed that runoff decreased with increasing air temperature and decreasing precipitation, and that the effects of rainfall on runoff were greater than those of air temperature. Under the same baseline conditions, the effects of climate change on runoff were most pronounced during extremely dry months.     

Research on mining-induced deformation and stress,insights from physical modeling and theoretical analysis

The dynamic change of mining-induced stress is the main reason for large deformation of surrounding rock. To investigate the influence of mining-induced stress and deformation is important for appropriate supportive design. It also helps to raise the safety and productivity of longwall mining operations. In this paper, Weijiagou Coal Mine in Southwest China was selected as the case study. In order to research on the deformation and breakage of overlying strata, physical modeling test was carried out on the self-developed rotatable physical similar test system. By using digital image correlation (DIC) technique, the deformation of strata and development of cracks in the process of coal seam excavation were acquired, meanwhile, mining-induced stress was also monitored by pressure cell and strainmeter. According to the mechanical structure of stope, the height of the destressed zone has a significant influence on stress distribution. In order to minimize the discrepancy between the physical model test and theoretical analysis, the dimension of the plastic zone of roadway was added into the mining panel width, and the gap between the experimental and theoretical results reduced.     

粉色水晶内针状包裹体的成分与分布特征研究

粉色水晶内部的针状包裹体常被认为是三组呈三方对称的金红石或蓝线石,至今未有定论。本文选取含有针状包裹体的4颗星光粉晶,利用宝石学显微镜、激光拉曼光谱仪及紫外可见分光光度计对样品进行观察与测试,以确定包裹体的分布特征及矿物种类。无损拉曼测试发现包裹体的特征振动峰949 cm-1、999 cm-1与蓝线石标准峰相匹配,可确定针状包裹体为蓝线石或与其极为相近的矿物。放大检查发现,包裹体直径约0.5μm,长度可达毫米级,近定向分布,整体上呈汇聚状,在某些位置可粗略分为三组,同组针状包裹体近似平行分布。造成六射星光的三组蓝线石立体相交,未观察到明显的三方对称关系,与水晶的结晶习性无直接关系,故认为蓝线石为先成包裹体,在水晶的生长过程中被捕获。紫外可见分光光谱仅显示粉色蓝线石的特征吸收,表明大量的粉色蓝线石包裹体对粉色水晶的粉色有一定贡献。     

鄂尔多斯盆地中部马五7亚段颗粒滩沉积特征及空间分布

鄂尔多斯盆地中部马家沟组地层蕴含丰富的油气资源,以马五₇亚段为主要储集层位的盐下碳酸盐岩油气勘探近期取得了重要突破。基于钻井、测录井、岩芯及薄片等资料,对盆地中部马五₇亚段颗粒滩沉积特征、纵横向展布规律进行综合分析,进而探讨了研究区沉积古地理格局及其颗粒滩发育控制因素。结果表明:研究区马五₇亚段主要由晶粒白云岩及各类型颗粒白云岩构成,纵向上发育潟湖-颗粒滩-灰泥丘-台坪、潟湖-颗粒滩-滩间海-颗粒滩、潟湖-颗粒滩-灰泥丘三种沉积相序,颗粒滩位于向上变浅旋回的中上部,且常与微生物丘构成丘滩复合体建造,具有良好的储集意义。横向上,马五₇亚段发育两套较大规模的颗粒滩,层位稳定且连续性较好,整体表现为中西部厚而东部较薄的特征,平面上则呈南北向发育并沿东部凹陷环带状分布。研究区沉积规律表明马五₇亚段相对缺乏潮坪相沉积特征,推测其沉积环境更符合局限-蒸发台地。沉积期海平面的频繁变化控制了滩体发育规模及其垂向叠置样式,区内西高东底的古构造格局及其内部的微地貌起伏则决定了马五₇颗粒滩平面分布的差异性。     

中国铝土岩系中伴生钪资源富集规律及富集机制初探

钪(Sc)作为新世纪的重要资源,广泛分布于自然界中,但其分布极为稀散,钪的独立矿物稀少,独立矿床几乎没有。铝土岩系中的钪资源储量巨大,本文统计了中国各铝土矿成矿带Sc数据,在对比山西(断隆)成铝区、华北陆块南缘成铝区、渝南—黔北成铝带、黔中成铝区和滇东南—桂西成铝区的数据基础上,发现滇东南—桂西成铝区的Sc含量最高,含钪铝土岩系形成时代主要为石炭纪和二叠纪。通过对比分析A/S与钪的关系,在A/S小于2.5,钪的含量总体较高,且与A/S正相关,大于2.5后,与A/S负相关。从而得出在铝土岩系中,Sc分布在顶层的黏土岩、中部的铁质铝土矿以及底部的铁质黏土岩、铁质岩,尤其是在含铁铝土岩系中高度富集。通过对比分析铝土岩系各元素含量,发现钪与铁、铌、钒、铬元素成正相关,综合铝土岩系中其他元素的矿物表现形式,推测钪在铝土岩系中的赋存形式可能为：类质同象、离子吸附、和超显微非结构混入物。本文初步探讨总结钪在铝土岩系中可能的赋存形式、时空分布规律及钪的迁移转化机制,为铝土矿中伴生钪资源的综合利用开发提供理论支撑。