Stress deformation properties of rock and rock discontinuities

The results of an extensive literature survey on the stress deformation properties of rock materials and rock discontinuities are summarized. The results show that: (1) for rock tested under uniaxial conditions, the range of modulus is from about 1 to 100 GN/m², and the Poisson's ratio range is from 0.02 to 0.73 (0.46 if dilatant values are excluded) with an average value of 0.20; (2) for rock tested under triaxial conditions, the effects of nonlinearity and stress-dependency of the rock modulus are minor with hard, crystalline or homogeneous rock of low porosity, but are significant in porous, clastic or closely jointed rock; (3) anisotropy of the rock modulus is demonstrated mainly by variations in the modulus number or initial stiffness, while the nonlinearity and stress-dependency parameters are fairly constant with sample orientation; (4) nonlinearity and stress-dependency of the rock Poisson's ratio may be significant depending upon the magnitude of stress changes imposed, with the nonlinearity being more significant; and (5) limited data on rock discontinuities indicate that nonlinearity and stress-dependency effects may be quite large.     

Removal of chromium (VI) from aqueous solutions using Lewatit FO36 nano ion exchange resin

The removal of the chromium (VI) ion from aqueous solutions with the Lewatit FO36 ion-exchange resin is described at different conditions. The effects of adsorbent dose, initial metal concentration, contact time and pH on the removal of chromium (VI) were investigated. The batch ion exchange process was relatively fast and it reached equilibrium after about 90 min of contact. The ion exchange process, which is pH dependent showed maximum removal of chromium (VI) in the pH range 5.0–8.0 for an initial chromium (VI) concentration of 0.5 mg/dm³. The equilibrium related to Lewatit FO36 ion- exchange capacity and the amounts of the ion exchange were obtained using the plots of the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. It was observed that the maximum ion exchange capacity of 0.29 mmol of chromium (VLVg for Lewatit FO36 was achieved at optimum pH value of 6.0. The ion exchange of chromium (VI) on this cation-exchange resin followed first-order reversible kinetics.     

Granulite and pyroxenite xenoliths from the Deccan Trap: insight into the nature and composition of the lower lithosphere beneath cratonic India

Granulite and pyroxenite xenoliths in lamprophyre dykes intruded during the waning stage of Deccan Trap volcanism are derived from the lower crust beneath the Dharwar craton of Western India. The xenolith suite consists of plagioclase-poor mafic granulites (55% of the total volume of xenoliths), plagioclase-rich felsic granulites (25%), and ultramafic pyroxenites and websterites (20%) with subordinate wehrlites. Rare spinel peridotite xenoliths are also present, representing mantle lithosphere. The high Mg #, low SiO₂/Al₂O₃ and low Nb/La (<1) ratios suggest that the protoliths of the mafic granulites broadly represent cumulates of sub-alkaline magmas. All of the granulites are peraluminous and light rare-earth element-enriched. The felsic granulites may have resulted from anatexis of the mafic lower crustal rocks; thus, the mafic granulites are enriched in Sr whereas the felsic ones are depleted. Composite xenoliths consisting of mafic granulites traversed by veins of pyroxenite indicate intrusion of the granulitic lower crust by younger pyroxenites. Petrography and geochemistry of the latter (e.g. presence of phlogopite) indicate the metasomatised nature of the deep crust in this region.Thermobarometric estimates from phase equilibria indicate equilibration conditions between 650 and 1200 °C, 0.7-1.2 GPa suggestive of lower crustal environments. These estimates provide a spatial context for the sampled lithologies thereby placing constraints on the interpretation of geophysical data. Integration of xenolith-derived P-T results with Deep Seismic Soundings (DSS) data suggests that the pyroxenites and websterites are transitional between the lower crust and the upper mantle. A three-layer model for the crust in western India, derived from the xenoliths, is consistent with DSS data. The mafic nature of this hybrid lower crust contrasts with the felsic lower crustal composition of the south Indian granulite terrain.     

Investigation of ammonia removal from polluted waters by Clinoptilolite zeolite

Ammonia nitrogen compounds in the wastewaters and effluents have harmful effects on water resources. Ion exchange with zeolites is a separation process for ammonia removal from effluents. The objective of this research was to study the efficiency of an ammonia removal and the factor affecting to this process. The Clinoptilolite was obtained from Semnan mines at the north part of Iran. The samples were grounded and sieved based on the U.S. standard mesh number 20, 30, 40 and conditioned by ammonia sulfate and sodium chloride solutions. The characteristics of samples for ammonia removal and the selectivity sequence for adsorbing interfering cations were then determined. Results shown that the average ion exchange capacity of zeolite in batch and continuous systems were 6.65–16 and 16.31–19.5 mg NH₄ ⁺ /g zeolite weight, respectively. In study on the zeolite for selective cations showed the ranking of K⁺, NH₄ ⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ respectively. Results indicated that high level of regeneration (95–98%) might be achieved with NaCl solution. Based on the results, Clinoptilolite may be effective applied in wastewater treatment, both from technical and economical aspects.     

Potential of natural bed soil in adsorption of heavy metals in industrial waste landfill

Development of higher welfare could not be realized unless by energy consumption and other natural resources. Growth of industrial complexes has shown an unprecedented trend during recent years. Many of these towns have no treatment systems for the industrial wastes leachates. Besides, the chemical composition of wastes in such complexes varies considerably due to the different kinds of industries. It is endeavored in the present work to study the natural potential of soil to treat leachate of such industrial wastes. For this purpose, the Aliabad industrial complex in Tehran — Garmsar road was selected as the study area. The potential of adsorption of elements such as nickel, copper, cadmium, zinc, chromium, lead and manganese was investigated. The results indicated that the soil potential to adsorb heavy metals (except for manganese) was very high (95 %) in the adsorption of heavy metals (except for manganese). Further, chemical partitioning studies revealed that heavy metals are associated with various soil phases such as loosely bonded ions, sulfide and organics to various extents. Among the mentioned soil phases, one can deduce that major portion of metal contaminants is absorbed as loosely bonded ions. Organic bond and sulfide bond are in the 2^nd and 3^rd positions of metal contaminants adsorption, respectively. The results of the present study apparently showed that soil column had ample capacity to adsorb metal contaminants. Thus, determination of soil potential in adsorption of heavy metals during site selection is as important criteria.     

生态地球化学预测预警若干问题探讨

回顾了生态地球化学危害效应的作用机理,提出了区域地球化学调查-地球化学环境监测-机理研究相结合的生态地球化学预测预警基本思路。根据当前中国多目标区域地球化学调查和生态地球化学评价工作的现状,举例说明了土壤重金属元素累积、土壤环境变化、生态效应机理的若干研究方法,提出了预测预警成果体现的若干建议。     

Numerical analysis of stone column supported foundations

In this paper, settlement and failure load of rafts resting on stone column reinforced soft clays are analyzed. The influence of the stone columns is assumed to be uniformly and homogeneously distributed throughout the reinforced region. It is also assumed that both columns and surrounding soil undergo the same total strains i.e. no slip occurs on the soil-column interface. A constitutive model is presented for an equivalent material. It combines different elasto-plastic laws, namely the Critical State model for clay and the Mohr-Coulomb criterion for gravel. Continuity of radial stresses is ensured by an additional pseudo-yield criterion. The model is incorporated in a finite element code and results for a circular footing are presented. The influence of dilatancy of the columns is highlighted together with the differences in the behaviour for columns situated at the centre or at the outer boundary of the footing. Flexible as well as rigid foundations are considered. It is emphasized that the finite element mesh is independent of the column spacing leading to considerable advantages in carrying out parametric studies.     

Spinel peridotite xenoliths from the Tariat Depression, Mongolia. II: Geochemistry and Nd and Sr isotopic composition and their implications for the evolution of the subcontinental lithosphere

A suite of spinel peridotite xenoliths from the Shavaryn-Tsaram volcano, Tariat Depression (central Mongolia) represents (for major elements) fertile to moderately depleted subcontinental lithosphere. Part of the variation of moderately incompatible trace elements is ascribed to small-scale mineralogical heterogeneities caused by processes like metamorphic differentiation accompanying partial melting or by mechanical segregation. Several bulk lherzolites show a high relative enrichment of the LREE over HREE which can be traced to a grain boundary phase genetically linked to, but not directly representing, the host basanitoid. In Nd and Sr isotopic composition the anhydrous peridotites cover the field of oceanic basalts (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0.5128-0.5133, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.7020-0.7039). In contrast, a phlogopite peridotite has a high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and also a less radiogenic ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd. The majority of “dry” lherzolites have Nd and Sr “bulk earth” model ages around 2 Ga. They may be interpreted as dating a small-degree (< ˜5%) melting event which would not have severely affected the major element chemistry of the xenoliths. The ˜2 Ga model ages may indicate a genetic relation between the lithospheric mantle and the stabilization of the continental crust in Mongolia at that time. Alternatively, if the peridotites are unrelated to the overlying crust, they may be pieces of a young asthenospheric diapir. Coexisting ortho-and clinopyroxenes are in Nd isotopic equilibrium for Iherzolites having equilibrated at temperatures around 950°C at mantle pressures. Disequilibrium melting models of mantle rocks are not supported by our data because for medium to coarse-grained mantle spinel peridotite the Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isotopic systems close with respect to diffusional exchange at temperatures around 900°C, as indicated by recently published diffusion experiment results and supported by our data.     

Sensitivity studies on vortex development over a polynya

Summary The development of a cyclonic vortex over a polynya is investigated with the primitive equation mesoscale model METRAS. The impact of different atmospheric processes on vortex development is determined by calculating the terms of the vorticity tendency equation. Sensitivity studies are performed for different large-scale situations (geostrophic winds 1 ms⁻¹, 3 ms⁻¹, 20 ms⁻¹, initial ice-water temperature difference of 35 K or 17.5 K) and for different polynya sizes and shapes. In general, the vortex develops within a few hours. It is intensified by buoyancy, mainly resulting from latent heat release. Advective and diffusive processes hinder the vortex development. The intensification depends on the actual situation and is faster over small polynyas and heterogeneous ice cover. These situations result in intensification periods of only 12 to 18 hours for the vortex, but create very strong vortices. Halved horizontal temperature gradients also about halve the vortex intensity. The lifetime and intensification of a vortex increases with the time the air mass spends over the water. Thus, weak winds show a slower development of the vortex but the vortex intensifies for more than 24 hours. Over big polynyas several vortices develop, a long polynya results in a longer and narrower vortex which intensifies over a longer period.     

Intelligent urban forms (IUF) a new climate-concerned,urban planning strategy

Summary Adaptive geometrical configurations are presented, which aim to create intelligent urban forms, and which include screening methods applicable to the linear- and grid-type building layouts. They are especially suitable for mid-latitude cities characterized by seasonally swinging climates which necessitate heating in winter and cooling in summer. The screens are envisaged as shading devices in the summer blocking the incoming solar radiation during day-time (that is, on-position), while being removed at night to enhance nocturnal radiative cooling (that is, off-position). In winter they are assumed to be in off-position during sunshine hours to promote the access of solar radiation and in on-position at night to obstruct the sky energy sink and reduce radiant heat losses. Their implications for the urban street canyon climate and the thermal performance of the built environment are simulated using the cluster thermal time constant (CTTC) model. The diurnal variation of both the ambient air temperature and net radiant flux within the urban canopy layer serve as criteria by which the climatetempering effectiveness of the screens is assessed.With 9 Figures