4D analogue modelling of transtensional pull-apart basins

Scaled sandbox models were used to investigate the 4D evolution of pull-apart basins formed above underlapping releasing stepovers in both pure strike-slip and transtensional basement fault systems. Serial sectioning and 3D volume reconstruction permitted analysis of the full 3D fault geometries. Results show that very different pull-apart basins are developed in transtension compared to pure strike-slip. Both types of models produced elongate, sigmoidal to rhomboidal pull-apart systems, but the transtensional pull-apart basins were significantly wider and uniquely developed a basin margin of en-echelon oblique-extensional faults. Dual, opposing depocentres formed in the transtensional model whereas a single, central depocentre formed in pure strike-slip. In transtension, a distinct narrow graben system formed above the principal displacement zones (PDZs). Cross-basin fault systems that linked the offset PDZs formed earlier in the transtensional models.Sequential model runs to higher PDZ displacements allowed the progressive evolution of the fault systems to be evaluated. In cross-section, transtensional pull-aparts initiated as asymmetric grabens bounded by planar oblique-extensional faults. With increasing displacement on the PDZs, basin subsidence caused these faults to become concave-upwards and lower in dip angle due to fault block collapse towards the interior of the basin. In addition, strain partitioning caused fault slip to become either predominantly extensional or strike-slip. The models compare closely with the geometries of natural pull-apart basins including the southern Dead Sea fault system and the Vienna Basin, Austria.     

Lateral Bearing Capacity of Multi-Bucket Foundation in Soft Ground

The bucket foundation is a new type of foundation for offshore application to intermediate-depth waters. It has advantages over conventional ones. However, there is no consensus in the analysis and design of this type of foundation. In this paper, the lateral bearing capacity and the failure mechanism of multi-bucket foundations are studied with different connection stiffness and bucket spacing by use of a three-dimensional finite element method. Based on the numerical analysis results, a limit analysis method of plasticity for evaluating the lateral bearing capacity of large-spacing multi-bucket foundation with rigid connection in soft ground is proposed. This method provides a simple procedure that gives results comparable to those from the finite element analyses.     

Arctic versus temperate comparison of risk assessment metrics for 2-methyl-naphthalene

Reliable risk assessment approaches for Arctic environments are requested to manage potential impacts associated with increased activities in Arctic regions. We performed toxicity tests on Arctic and temperate species exposed to the narcotic acting oil component, 2-methyl naphthalene. The experimental results were used to quantify concentration causing lethality to 50% of exposed individuals and no-effect concentration (individual level). For estimates at community level, the hazardous concentrations affecting 5% and 50% of the species were calculated from sensitivity distribution curves. These survival metrics were then used to elucidate whether temperate toxicity data used in risk assessment are sufficiently representative for the Arctic. Taking data uncertainty into consideration, we found no regional difference in tolerances to 2-methyl naphthalene either at the species level or at the community level. Hence these data support a conclusion that values of survival metrics for temperate regions are transferrable to the Arctic for the chemical 2-methyl naphthalene, as long as extrapolation techniques are properly applied and uncertainties are taken into consideration.     

An investigation into intersex amphipods and a possible association with aquaculture

The amphipod, Echinogammarus marinus, is common in sheltered coastal inlets, such as estuaries and sea lochs, in Scotland and exhibits increased levels of intersex in some contaminated areas. Sea lochs are commonly the location for coastal aquaculture development, and some chemicals used in fish-farming are specifically designed to target the crustacean nervous system. Therefore it was hypothesised that these chemicals may also affect neuro-endocrine pathways, causing morphological and reproductive abnormalities in non-target Crustacea. Based upon this hypothesis, Echinogammarus marinus amphipods from two different Scottish sea lochs containing salmon farms were investigated. Morphology, intersexuality, and the incidence of microsporidian parasites were recorded at sites close and at distance from fish-farms. Results suggest a higher incidence of intersexuality at sites within sea lochs, comparable to that observed in industrially contaminated sites elsewhere in Scotland. The data suggest that fish farming activity may influence the observed distributions of intersexuality within lochs. Intersex specimens were more likely to be infected by microsporidian parasites than non-intersex specimens. Normal females were found more likely to be infected by microsporidian parasites at sites associated with high intersexuality, suggesting the parasite as the probable feminiser. The cause(s) for the observed patterns of intersexuality are unclear, although suggestions relating to discharges from fish farms are discussed.     

溶解作用对南海北部沉积物捕获器碳、氮通量估算的影响

由于化学溶出、物理溶解以及胞外酶等作用,沉积物捕获器中颗粒物在锚系布放期间会发生一定程度的溶解,从而引起沉积物捕获器中碳、氮颗粒物通量的低估。本文对于1987—1988年南海北部中深层沉积物捕获器中碳、氮颗粒物的溶解作用进行了研究。溶解作用对于碳、氮通量估算的影响大致随着深度的增加而减小。总体而言,颗粒有机碳通量低估约3.8%~40.3%,平均值为26.6%。颗粒氮通量低估约4.2%~76.4%,平均值为43.7%。碳、氮颗粒物的溶出量与颗粒物通量大小关系不明显,但是样品储存时间对于碳、氮颗粒物溶解作用的影响较显著,储存时间较长的样品中颗粒物溶出量更大。     

Lack of significant change in epiphyte biomass with increasing extent of measurement within seagrass meadows

A significant consideration in defining patterns of ecological interest is determining at what spatial scales these patterns are apparent. We performed a mensurative experiment to determine the effect of how changing the extent of sampling, using a fixed grain (panning up), changed our measurements of seagrass epiphyte biomass at a variety of hierarchical spatial scales, ranging from approximately 0.1 m to 2.5 × 10⁵ m. The experiment was performed twice at two sets of nested locations, also capturing an element of seasonality within the spatial extents. While the two regions and their nested locations differed in terms of epiphyte biomass, and values did change over time, mean epiphyte values were invariant at the local scale. This indicates that at the local scale (≤100 m extent), we expect seagrass epiphyte biomass to be relatively homogenous. Contrary to theoretical predictions, we did not detect predictable changes in mean values of epiphyte biomass as sampling extent increased. The results of this study highlight the importance of recognizing the spatial dependence of patterns in heterogeneous environments.     

季节内振荡对热带印度洋SST日变化的调制——一维混合层模式的诊断结果

热带印度洋SST的日变化幅度受到大气季节内振荡(Madden-Julian Oscillation,MJO)的调制,其在MJO对流最强(弱)位相达到极小(大)值,并且在MJO对流增强位相显著强于其对流减弱位相。本文利用逐时的再分析海表通量强迫一维海洋混合层模式,定量地诊断了MJO事件中SST日变化的差异成因。结果表明,SST日变化在MJO对流最强与最弱位相的显著差异主要是由短波辐射的季节内变化所致(40%),其次是风应力(38%)和潜热通量(14%),其他要素的影响较小。而SST日变化在MJO对流增强与减弱位相所呈现的不对称特征,主要是由纬向风应力的不对称性所致,这是MJO扰动结构与背景环流相互作用的结果。     

Contact metamorphism in the Los Santos W skarn (NW Spain)

Summary The intrusion of the Lower Permian Los Santos-Valdelacasa granitoids in the Los Santos area caused contact metamorphism of Later Vendian-Lower Cambrian metasediments. High grade mineral assemblages are confined to a 7 km wide contact aureole. Contact metamorphism was accompanied by intense metasomatism and development of skarns, and it generated the following mineral assemblages: diopside, forsterite, phlogopite (±clintonite) and humites and spinel-bearing assemblages or diopside, grossular, vesuvianite ± wollastonite in the marbles, depending on the bulk rock composition. Cordierite, K-feldspar, andalusite and, locally, sillimanite appear in the metapelitic rocks. Mineral assemblages of marbles and hornfelses indicate pressure conditions ranging from 0.2 to 0.25 GPa and maximum temperatures between 630 and 640 °C. ¹³C and ¹⁸O depletions in calcite marbles are consistent with hydrothermal fluid–rock interaction during metamorphism. Calcites are depleted in both ¹⁸O (δ¹⁸O = 12.74‰) and ¹³C (δ¹³C = −5.47‰) relative to dolomite of unmetamorphosed dolostone (δ¹⁸O = 20.79‰ and δ¹³C = −1.52‰). The δ¹³C variation can be interpreted in terms of Rayleigh distillation during continuous CO₂ fluid removal from the carbonates. The δ¹⁸O values reflect hydrothermal exchange with an externally derived fluid. Microthermometric analyses of fluid inclusions from vesuvianite indicate that the fluid was water dominated with minor contents of CO₂ (±CH₄ ± N₂) suggesting a metamorphic origin. Fluorine-bearing minerals such as chondrodite, norbergite and F-rich phlogopite indicate that contact metamorphism was accompanied by fluorine metasomatism. Metasomatism was more intense in the inner-central portion of the contact aureole, where access to fluids was extensive. The irregular geometry of the contact with small aplitic intrusives between the metasediments and the Variscan granitoids probably served as pathways for fluid circulation.     

Successive Holocene rock avalanches at Lake Coleridge, Canterbury, New Zealand

At Lake Coleridge, Canterbury, New Zealand, at least three rock avalanches have been released from a single source area during the Holocene. The first of these was of 10⁷ m³ volume and dates to about 9,750 BP, and two with volumes 5 × 10⁵ and 4 × 10⁴ m³ occurred about 700 BP. All three crossed the course of the Ryton River; the latter two were emplaced within the part of the first that had subsequently been eroded by the Ryton River. All three were most likely triggered by, or related to, seismicity. The first rock avalanche formed a long-lived landslide dam, and no evidence remains to indicate whether its eventual failure was catastrophic. The second formed a correspondingly smaller dam, but there is no evidence that its lake was long-lived; however, a set of anomalously steep outwash terraces downstream of the landslide deposits show that it failed catastrophically. A camping ground is sited about 1 km downstream of the landslide deposits, and proposals to develop it further risk potentially severe hazards from future rock avalanche activity at the site.