Implicit Structural Modeling by Minimization of the Bending Energy with Moving Least Squares Functions

Mathematical Geosciences - In this paper, an implicit structural modeling method using locally defined moving least squares shape functions is proposed. The continuous bending energy is minimized...     

Teacher's Aide Variogram Interpretation and Modeling

The variogram is a critical input to geostatistical studies: (1) it is a tool to investigate and quantify the spatial variability of the phenomenon under study, and (2) most geostatistical estimation or simulation algorithms require an analytical variogram model, which they will reproduce with statistical fluctuations. In the construction of numerical models, the variogram reflects some of our understanding of the geometry and continuity of the variable, and can have a very important impact on predictions from such numerical models. The principles of variogram modeling are developed and illustrated with a number of practical examples. A three-dimensional interpretation of the variogram is necessary to fully describe geologic continuity. Directional continuity must be described simultaneously to be consistent with principles of geological deposition and for a legitimate measure of spatial variability for geostatistical modeling algorithms. Interpretation principles are discussed in detail. Variograms are modeled with particular functions for reasons of mathematical consistency. Used correctly, such variogram models account for the experimental data, geological interpretation, and analogue information. The steps in this essential data integration exercise are described in detail through the introduction of a rigorous methodology.     

Human impact and soil erosion during the last 5000 yrs as recorded in lacustrine sedimentary organic matter at Lac d'Annecy, the French Alps

Sedimentary organic matter has been systematically studied in an eight-metre long core from the centre of the Petit Lac (Annecy, French Alps). The palynofacies composition identifies different terrestrial organic sources including forest floors, soil-horizons and geological substratum. The amount of recycled organic matter derived from the geological substratum is estimated and subtracted from the other contributions from the catchment area. The palynological record indicates that the relative variations in organic sources are directly dependent on human land-use. From ca. 5000 to 1700 BP, the human impact on soil cohesion is very low and organic matter is mainly exported from the surficial forest floor. The Roman invasion (ca. 1700 BP) marks the most important ecological and hydrological change. From 1700 to 900 BP, the clearing of forests released deeper-soil components. This trend is increased after 900 BP with agriculture intensification, which resulted in a higher sedimentation rate. In all the periods, extreme events such as flood or intensive run-off are characterised by notable increases of organic matter from surface (5000 to 1700 BP) and deep (1700 BP to now) soils.     

3-D geometric description of fractured reservoirs

Traditional stochastic modeling of fracture networks usually failed because it required unaccessible statistics and may not be able to honor available local data. This paper presents an algorithm for the 3D geometric simulation of fractured reservoirs. It is based on geological rules of fracture propagation and interaction. It is part of a methodology which aims at integrating diverse data about the fracture system in the subsurface. This information can come from well cores and logs, analog outcrops, geomechanical stress studies, seismic surveys; it may be quantitative or qualitative, and have different degrees of reliability.     

Newly Discovered Scheelite in Quartz Vein-type Gold Deposits, Xiaoqinling Gold District, and its Geological Significance

正Objective The Xiaoqinling district is the second largest goldbearing province in China after the Jiaodong region located in the eastern North China Craton. At present, seven large, 20 medium-sized and 28 small gold deposits have been discovered, and more than 1200 gold-bearing quartz veins have been identified within the metamorphic rocks of the Taihua Group. The total gold reserves are over 800 tons. Our research comprises a systematic study     

Bonding of methyl mercury to reduced sulfur groups in soil and stream organic matter as determined by x-ray absorption spectroscopy and binding affinity studies

We combined synchrotron-based X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy, extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy and binding affinity studies to determine the coordination, geometry, and strength of methyl mercury, CH₃Hg (II), bonding in soil and stream organic matter. Samples of organic soil (OS), potentially soluble organic substances (PSOS) from the soil, and organic substances from a stream (SOS) draining the soil were taken along a short “hydrological transect.” We determined the sum of concentrations of highly reduced organic S groups (designated Org-S_RED), such as thiol (RSH), disulfane (RSSH), sulfide (RSR), and disulfide (RSSR), using sulfur K-edge XANES. Org-S_RED varied between 27% and 64% of total S in our samples. Hg L_III-edge EXAFS analysis were determined on samples added CH₃Hg (II) to yield CH₃Hg (II)/Org-S_RED ratios in the range 0.01-1.62. At low ratios, Hg was associated to one C atom (the methyl group) at an average distance of 2.03 ± 0.02 Å and to one S atom at an average distance of 2.34 ± 0.03 Å, in the first coordination shell. At calculated CH₃Hg(II)/Org-S_RED ratios above 0.37 in OS, 0.32 in PSOS, and 0.24 in SOS, the organic S sites were saturated by CH₃Hg⁺, and O (and/or N) atoms were found in the first coordination shell of Hg at an average distance of 2.09 ± 0.01 Å. Based on the assumption that RSH (and possibly RSSH) groups take part in the complexation of CH₃Hg⁺, whereas RSSR and RSR groups do not, approximately 17% of total organic S consisted of RSH (+ RSSH) functionalities in the organic soil. Corresponding figures for samples PSOS and SOS were 14% and 9%, respectively. Competitive complexation of CH₃Hg⁺ by halide ions was used to determine the average binding strength of native concentrations of CH₃Hg (II) in the OS sample. Using data for Org-S_RED, calculated surface complexation constants were in the range from 10^16.3 to 10^16.7 for a model RSH site having an acidity constant of mercaptoacetic acid. These values compare favorably with identically defined stability constants (log K₁) for the binding of methyl mercury to thiol groups in well-defined organic compounds.     

Mineralogical indicators of volatile loss and alkali metasomatism in roof zones of the biotite granite in the Kwandonkaya Complex, Nigeria

The plutonic rocks in the Kwandonkaya complex, located within the NYG province of Nigeria, have some hypersolvus granites composed mainly of orthoclase microperthite and interstitial annite. These are inferred to have formed from a relatively F-poor, and relatively dry felsic melt. During cooling, Al–Si order was not completely achieved when the inversion of sanidiness to orthoclase and exsolution occurred. A majority of the granites contain intermediate to low microcline with annite to siderophyllite. The samples were incipiently modified in the subsolidus at very low fluid–rock ratios. Drusy granites result from resurgent boiling and volatile loss, which produced orthoclase-dominant feldspar and zoned zinnwaldite, with microcline lining cavities, whereas late loss of volatiles resulted in low microcline and zinnwaldite and metasomatism associated with cassiterite-topaz mineralization. Mica composition in both types of drusy granite is similar and seems to have been fluid-buffered. Albitization was rock-buffered and resulted in variable degree of Al–Si order in K-feldspar and mild modification of mica composition. Key factors affecting both the degree of Al–Si order of K-feldspar and mica compositions at Kwandonkaya seem to be the degree of volatile build-up and loss, and extent of fluid–rock interactions.     

Experimental sorption of Ni, Cs and Ln onto a montmorillonite up to 150°C

The effect of temperature on the sorption of cations onto a dioctahedral smectite was investigated by running batch experiments at 25, 40, 80 and 150°C. We measured the distribution coefficient (Kd) of Cs⁺, Ni²⁺ and 14 lanthanides (Ln³⁺) between solutions and the montmorillonite fraction of the MX80 bentonite at various pH and ionic strengths. Up to 80°C we used a conventional experimental protocol derived from Coppin et al. (2002). At 150°C, the experiments were conducted in a PTFE reactor equipped with an internal filter allowing the sampling of clear aliquots of solution.The results show a weak but measurable influence of the temperature on the elements sorption. Kd’s for Ni²⁺ and Ln³⁺ increase by a factor 2 to 5 whereas temperature raises from 25 to 150°C. This effect seems higher at high ionic strength. The estimated apparent endothermic sorption enthalpies are 33 ± 10 kJ.mol⁻¹ and 39 ± 15 kJ.mol⁻¹ for Ni²⁺ and Eu³⁺, respectively. On the other hand, the temperature effect on Cs⁺ sorption is only evidenced at low ionic strength and under neutral conditions where the Kd decreases by a factor 3 between 25 and 150°C. Apparent exothermic sorption enthalpy for Cs⁺ on the montmorillonite is −19 ± 5 kJ.mol⁻¹.Experiments conducted at the four temperatures with the coexistence of all of the cations in the reacting solution (100 ppb of each element in the starting solution) or only one of them, produced similar values of Kd. This suggests the absence of competition between the sorbed cations, and consequently a low degree of saturation of the available sites. A fractionation of the lanthanides spectrum is also observed at high pH and high ionic strength whatever the temperature.The conclusion of this study is that the temperature dependence on sorption reflects, as the fractionation of REE or the pH and ionic strength effects, the chemical process which controls the overall reaction. In the case of an exchange dominated reaction (low pH and low ionic strength), the temperature effect is negligible. In the case of surface complexation (high pH and high ionic strength), the observed increase of Kd with temperature reflects either an increase of the sorption equilibrium constant with temperature or an endothermic property for reactions describing the montmorillonite surface chemistry.     

Determining past atmospheric HCl mixing ratios from ice core analyses

Laboratory and field measurements have been performed in order to improve our understanding of the HCl air-snow transfer function. The solubility and diffusion of HCl in laboratory grown single crystals of ice have been measured as a function of HCl partial pressure,P _HCl, between –8 and –25 °C. Measurements ofP _HCl and of the mole fraction of HCl in snow,X'_HCl, have been measured at Summit, Greenland. Comparison of the field and laboratory measurements show that theX'_HCl values are well below equilibrium values. The major processes involved in the formation of snow crystals and in their evolution after deposition are discussed in order to attempt to understand theX'_HCl values and their variations. The discussion is focussed on a few well identified snow layers. It is concluded that sublimation and recrystallization of snow probably play a major role in the evolution ofX'_HCl, but that our understanding of the HCl transfer function is very incomplete. Laboratory and field measurements are suggested to improve this situation.