Geomechanical modelling to assess fault integrity at the CO2CRC Otway Project,Australia

This paper presents the first published 3D geomechanical modelling study of the CO2CRC Otway Project, located in the state of Victoria, Australia. The results of this work contribute to one of the main objectives of the CO2CRC, which is to demonstrate the feasibility of CO₂ storage in a depleted gas reservoir. With this aim in mind, a one-way coupled flow and geomechanics model is presented, with the capability of predicting changes to the in situ stress field caused by changes in reservoir pressure owing to CO₂ production and injection. A parametric study investigating the pore pressures required to reactivate key, reservoir-bounding faults has been conducted, and the results from the numerical simulation and analytical analysis are compared. The numerical simulation indicates that the critical pore fluid pressure to cause fault reactivation is 1.15 times the original pressure as opposed to 1.5 times for the comparable analytical model. Possible reasons for the differences between the numerical and analytical models can be ascribed to the higher degree of complexity incorporated in the numerical model. Heterogeneity in terms of lateral variations of hydrological and mechanical parameters, effect of topography, presence of faults and interaction between cells are considered to be the main sources for the different estimation of critical pore pressure. The numerical model, which incorporates this greater complexity, is able then to better describe the state of stress that acts in the subsurface compared with a simple 1D analytical model. Moreover, the reactivation pressures depend mainly on the state of stress described; therefore we suggest that numerical models be performed when possible.     

Hydrologic factors controlling groundwater salinity in northwestern coastal zone,Egypt

The aim of this article is to assess the main factors influencing salinity of groundwater in the coastal area between El Dabaa and Sidi Barani, Egypt. The types and ages of the main aquifers in this area are the fractured limestone of Middle Miocene, the calcareous sandstone of Pliocene and the Oolitic Limestone of Pleistocene age. The aquifers in the area are recharged by seasonal rainfall of the order of 150 mm/year. The relationship of groundwater salinity against the absolute water level, the well drilling depth, and the ability of aquifer to recharge has been discussed in the present work. The ability of aquifer to locally recharge by direct rainfall is a measure of the vertical permeability due to lithological and structural factors that control groundwater salinity in the investigated aquifers. On the other hand, the fracturing system as well as the attitude of the surface water divide has a prime role in changing both the mode of occurrence and the salinity of groundwater in the area. Directly to the west of Matrouh, where the coastal plain is the narrowest, and east of Barrani, where the coastal plain is the widest, are good examples of this concept, where the water salinity attains its maximum and minimum limits respectively. Accordingly, well drilling in the Miocene aquifer, in the area between El Negila and Barrani to get groundwater of salinities less than 5000 mg/l is recommended in this area, at flow rate less than 10 m³/hr/well. In other words, one can expect that the brackish water is probably found where the surface water divide is far from the shore line, where the Wadi fill deposits dominate (Quaternary aquifer), acting as a possible water salinity by direct rainfall and runoff.     

Refractory metal nuggets within presolar graphite: First condensates from a circumstellar environment

Transmission electron microscope (TEM) investigations have revealed Os, Ru, Mo‐rich refractory metal nuggets within four different presolar graphites, from both the high‐density (HD) Murchison (MUR) and low‐density (LD) Orgueil (ORG) fractions. Microstructural and chemical data suggest that these are direct condensates from the gas, rather than forming later by exsolution. The presolar refractory metal nugget (pRMN) compositions are variable (e.g., from 8 < Os atom% < 77), but follow the same chemical fractionation trends as isolated refractory metal nuggets (mRMNs) previously found in meteorites (Berg et al. 2009). From these compositions one can infer a temperature of last equilibration with the gas of 1405–1810 K (e.g., Berg et al. 2009 at approximately 100 dyne cm^?2 pressure), which implies that the host graphites form over roughly the same range (in agreement with predictions) and that the pRMNs are chemically isolated from the gas when captured by graphite. Further, the pRMN compositions give evidence that HD graphites form at a higher T than LD ones. Chemical and phase similarities with the isolated mRMNs suggest that the mRMNs also condense directly from a gas, although from the early solar nebula rather than a presolar environment. Although the pRMNs themselves are too small for detection of isotopic anomalies, NanoSIMS isotopic measurements of their host graphites confirm a presolar origin for the assemblages. The two pRMN‐containing LD graphites show evidence of a supernova (SN) origin, whereas the stellar origins of the pRMNs in HD graphite are unclear, because only less‐diagnostic ¹²C enrichments are detectable (as is commonly true for HD graphites).     

Laboratory and case studies of thermal cycling and stored strain on the stability of selected marbles

Studies of marble panels from the exterior of two buildings document the processes leading to bowing of the material. Bowing of panels is most extensive in those areas that are exposed to direct or reflected thermal energy. The thermal anisotropic behavior of calcite results in grain-boundary separation, grain sliding and microfracturing. The resulting loss of strength is one factor leading to bowing. The development of bows further reduces the panel strength as the outer portions elongate by inelastic deformation mechanisms. Laboratory experiments cycling marble samples for over 200 cycles at three temperatures up to 107°C above room conditions show similar strength losses as the natural situation. The second factor contributing to the bowing process is the release of residual elastic strain. The strain is in part stored in the marble from its geologic history, but may also be accumulated during thermal cycling due to the properties of calcite. Marble panels have been found to bow when stored outside, but not attached to any framework, indicating that the release of residual strain is a critical factor in producing the bows.     

Integration of the shallow water equations in a plane geometry using semi-Lagrangian and Eulerian schemes

Summary Extended integrations of semi-Lagrangian and Eulerian shallow water primitive equation models are performed. The semi-Lagrangian model used the semi-implicit two-time-level scheme. The Eulerian model used a conserving nonlinear advection scheme.For low resolution and longer integrations, difficulties were encountered with the semi-Lagrangian model which were absent in the Eulerian model. These difficulties are discussed.With 14 Figures     

Relation of stratospheric-tropospheric mass exchange mechanisms to surface radioactivity peaks

The atmospheric origin of the debris which produced a sudden increase of surface radioactivity is studied. Because all the radioactivity measurements show the mean debris ages to be greater than one hundred days for the entire sequence, the air is inferred to have been of recent stratospheric origin in view of an assumed mean tropospheric debris residence time of one month.The trajectories of the layer which caused the sudden increase in debris concentration were traced isentropically backward from the point of the fallout increase. The computed trajectory is seen to originate in the region traditionally considered to be the jet stream front and is shown definitely to be stratospheric air through potential vorticity considerations. The sinking motion is associated with upper air cyclogenesis and takes place to the rear of this high level cyclone. The air appears to cross the jet axis as viewed on an isobaric surface; but viewed isentropically, the trajectory is seen to slip under the jet core in such manner that no appreciable lateral shears are observed.

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Zusammenfassung Es wird der atmosphärische Ursprung der Ausfallprodukte, die einen plötzlichen Anstieg der Radioaktivität in Bodennähe verursachten, untersucht. Da alle Radioaktivitätsmessungen zeigten, daß das mittlere Alter der Ausfallprodukte in der Meßreihe größer als 100 Tage war, wird geschlossen, daß, im Hinblick auf eine angenommene mittlere Aufenthaltszeit der Ausfallprodukte in der Troposphäre von einem Monat, die Luft nicht lange vorher aus der Stratosphäre zugeströmt sein kann.Die Trajektorien der Schicht, die den plötzlichen Anstieg der Konzentration der Ausfallprodukte verursachte, wurden isentropisch vom Punkt des Anstiegs der Radioaktivität an zurückverfolgt. Die berechnete Trajektorie entspringt in der Region, die gewöhnlich als Jet Stream Front bezeichnet wird. Die Betrachtung der potentiellen Vorticity zeigt, daß die Luft eindeutig stratosphärischen Ursprungs war. Die absinkende Bewegung ist mit einer Zyklogenese in hohen Schichten in Verbindung, sie tritt an der Rückseite dieser Höhenzyklone auf. Bei Betrachtung auf einer Isobarenfläche scheint es, daß die Luft die Jetachse kreuzt; bei isentroper Betrachtung jedoch sieht man, daß die Trajektorie unter dem Jetkern durchschlüpft wobei keine größeren seitlichen Scherungen zu beobachten sind.

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Résumé On recherche l'origine atmosphérique des résidus provoquant un accroissement brusque de la radioactivité au voisinage du sol. Comme toutes les mesures de la radioactivité ont montré que l'âge moyen des produits résiduels des différentes séries de mesure dépassait toujours 100 jours, on en conclut que, en admettant que ces particules se maintiennent en moyenne 1 mois dans la trophosphère, l'air ne parvient pas longtemps auparavant de la stratosphère.On a recherché la trajectoire inverse des masses d'air provoquant un accroissement subit de la retombée radioactive. Pour ce faire, on est parti du point où la dite recrudescence avait été constatée et, par des méthodes isentropiques, on a reconstitué la trajectoire présumée des produits résiduels. Les trajectoires ainsi calculées prennent naissance dans la région dénommée ordinairement Jet Stream Front. L'examen de la vorticity potentielle a montré que l'air a une origine stratosphérique indéniable. Le mouvement subsident est lié à une cyclogénèse à très haute altitude et se produit à l'arrière de la dite dépression. En considérant une surface isobarique, il semble que l'air traverse l'axe du courant. En considérant les choses de manière isentropique, on constate cependant que la trajectoire passe sous le noyau du courant de telle sorte qu'il n'y ait pas de cisaillement latérial appréciable.

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With 11 Figures     

Buchbesprechungen

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Computer-composite mapping for geologists

A computer program for overlaying maps has been tested and evaluated as a means for producing geologic derivative maps. Four maps of the Sugar House Quadrangle, Utah, were combined, using the Multi-Scale Data Analysis and Mapping Program, in a single composite map that shows the relative stability of the land surface during earthquakes. Computer-composite mapping can provide geologists with a powerful analytical tool and a flexible graphic display technique. Digitized map units can be shown singly, grouped with different units from the same map, or combined with units from other source maps to produce composite maps. The mapping program permits the user to assign various values to the map units and to specify symbology for the final map. Because of its flexible storage, easy manipulation, and capabilities of graphic output, the composite-mapping technique can readily be applied to mapping projects in sedimentary and crystalline terranes, as well as to maps showing mineral resource potential.     

Potassium‐argon dates from the Arltunga Nappe complex,northern territory

Twenty‐four mineral separates from the Arunta Complex, four from the metamorphosed Heavitree Quartzite (White Range Quartzite), and one whole rock sample of metamorphosed Bitter Springs Formation, all from the western part of the White Range Nappe of the Arltunga Nappe Complex, and two samples from the autochthonous basement west of the nappe have been dated by the K‐Ar method. The samples from the basement rocks form two groups. Those in the southern or frontal part of the nappe are of Middle Proterozoic (Carpentarian) age (1660–1368 m.y.), determined on hornblende, biotite, and muscovite. In the northern or rear part of the nappe, all but one of the muscovite samples and two biotites are of Middle Silurian to Early Carboniferous age (431–345 m.y.); the remainder of the biotite dates range from 1775 to 548 m.y. (including the two samples from the autochthon), and two hornblendes gave dates of 1639 and 2132 m.y. respectively. All the muscovite samples from the Heavitree Quartzite, and the whole rock sample from the Bitter Springs Formation gave Early to Middle Carboniferous dates (358–322 m.y.). The findings support the identification of the White Range Quartzite as the metamorphosed part of the Heavitree Quartzite, which in turn supports the interpretation of the structure of the area as a large, basement‐cored fold nappe. In addition, they date the time of the Alice Springs Orogeny as pre‐Late Carboniferous, which agrees with fossil evidence from elsewhere in the area. The Alice Springs Orogeny was accompanied by widespread greenschist facies meta‐morphism that progressively metamorphosed the Heavitree Quartzite and Bitter Springs Formation, and retrogressively metamorphosed the Arunta Complex. However, the basement rocks in the southern part of the nappe escaped this metamorphism and retain a Middle Proterozoic age, thus dating the time of the Arunta Orogeny in this region as Carpentarian or older.     

The use of MODIS data to derive acreage estimations for larger fields: A case study in the south-western Rostov region of Russia

Recent developments in remote sensing technology, in particular improved spatial and temporal resolution, open new possibilities for estimating crop acreage over larger areas. Remotely sensed data allow in some cases the estimation of crop acreage statistics independently of sub-national survey statistics, which are sometimes biased and incomplete. This work focuses on the use of MODIS data acquired in 2001/2002 over the Rostov Oblast in Russia, by the Azov Sea. The region is characterised by large agricultural fields of around 75 ha on average. This paper presents a methodology to estimate crop acreage using the MODIS 16-day composite NDVI product. Particular emphasis is placed on a good quality crop mask and a good quality validation dataset. In order to have a second dataset which can be used for cross-checking the MODIS classification a Landsat ETM time series for four different dates in the season of 2002 was acquired and classified. We attempted to distinguish five different crop types and achieved satisfactory and good results for winter crops. Three hundred and sixty fields were identified to be suitable for the training and validation of the MODIS classification using a maximum likelihood classification. A novel method based on a pure pixel field sampling is introduced. This novel method is compared with the traditional hard classification of mixed pixels and was found to be superior.