The Natural Hazards Theme of the International Year of Planet Earth

The United Nations has declared 2008 to be the International Year of Planet Earth. It is being organised under the auspices of the International Union of Geological Sciences and UNESCO. Planning for the International Year of Planet Earth has consisted of establishing 10 major science themes including Hazards. The Hazards Theme is centred around the following key questions: (1) How have humans altered the geosphere, the biosphere and the landscape, thereby creating long-term changes detrimental to life and the environment and triggering certain hazards, while increasing societal vulnerability to geophysical (geological and hydrometeorological) hazards? (2) What technologies and methodologies are required to assess the vulnerability of people and places to hazards and how might these be used at a variety of spatial scales? (3) How do geophysical hazards compare relative to each other regarding current capabilities for monitoring, prediction and mitigation and what can be done in the short-term to improve these capabilities (4) What barriers exist to the utilisation of risk and vulnerability information by governments (and other entities) for risk and vulnerability reduction policies and planning (including mitigation) from each of the geophysical hazards? Following the 26 December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and the UN World Conference on Disaster Reduction held in Kobe, Japan in January 2005, the International Council for Science (ICSU) decided to establish a major research programme and initiative on Natural and Human Induced Environmental Hazards and Disasters that will co-operate with the Hazards theme of the International Year and continue through to 2011.     

Analysis of radial movement of an unconfined leaky aquifer due to well pumping and injection

Radial movement of an unconfined leaky aquifer was studied with respect to hydraulic forces that are induced by well recharge and discharge. New analytic solutions in the velocity and displacement fields were found and applied to describe transient movement in an unconfined leaky aquifer. Linear momentum and mass balance of saturated porous sediments, the Darcy-Gersevanov law, and the analytic solution of hydraulic drawdown for unsteady flow within the unconfined leaky aquifer were introduced to find the new solutions. Analytic results indicate that the nonlinear relation between the initial hydraulic head (h₀) and the well function has an insignificant effect on the aquifer transient movement when the drawdown s<0.02h ₀. When the well function is simplified with different assumptions and pumping conditions, the new solutions correspondingly reduce to cases that are similar to the Hantush-Jacob, Muskat, and Theis transient movement of a confined leaky aquifer. It was found that large leakance is important in slowing radial movement and reducing aquifer deformation. Flow velocity in the aquifer is more responsive to leakance than to cumulative displacement within the aquifer. The zones and boundary with tensile stress can be located using the same approach applied to a confined aquifer for risk assessment of earth fissuring.

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Résumé Le mouvement radial dans un aquifère semi-perméable libre a été étudié en considérant les forces hydrauliques induites par la recharge et le prélèvement au niveau d’un puits. De nouvelles solutions analytiques des champs de vitesse et de déplacement ont été trouvées et appliquées pour décrire le mouvement transitoire dans un aquifère semi-perméable libre. Pour trouver les nouvelles solutions, le moment linéaire et le bilan de masse dans les sédiments poreux saturés, la loi de Darcy-Gersevanov, et la solution analytique du rabattement hydraulique pour un écoulement transitoire dans un aquifère semi-perméable libre sont pris en compte. Les résultats analytiques montrent que la relation non-linéaire entre le potentiel hydraulique initial (h₀) et la fonction de puits a un effet insignifiant sur le mouvement transitoire de l’aquifère quand le rabattements s <0.02h₀. Si la fonction de puits est simplifiée en tenant compte de différentes hypothèses et conditions de pompage, les nouvelles solutions se réduisent en conséquence à des cas similaires au mouvement transitoire dans un aquifère semi-perméable captif selon Hantush-Jacob, Muskat, et Theis. Il s’est avéré qu’une drainance élevée est importante pour le ralentissement du mouvement radial et la réduction de la déformation de l’aquifère. La vitesse d’écoulement dans l’aquifère est plus sensible à la drainance qu’au déplacement cumulé dans l’aquifère. Les zones et la frontière présentant des contraintes de traction peuvent être localisées en utilisant la même approche appliquée à un aquifère captif pour l’évaluation des risques de fissuration du sol.

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Resumen Se ha estudiado el movimiento radial en un acuífero no confinado con fuga en relación a las fuerzas hidráulicas que son inducidas por la descarga y recarga del pozo. Se encontraron nuevas soluciones analíticas en los campos de desplazamiento y velocidad, las cuales se aplicaron para describir el movimiento transitorio en un acuífero no confinado con fuga. Se han introducido cálculos de balance de masa y momentum lineal de los sedimentos porosos saturados, la Ley Darcy-Gersevanov, y la solución analítica de descenso hidráulico para flujo sin régimen permanente dentro del acuífero no confinado con goteo para encontrar las nuevas soluciones. Los resultados analíticos indican que la relación no lineal entre la presión hidráulica inicial (h₀) y la función del pozo tiene efecto insignificante en el movimiento transitorio del acuífero cuando el descenso s < 0.02h₀. Cuando se simplifica la función del pozo en base a diferentes supuestos y condiciones de bombeo se reducen las nuevas soluciones a casos que son similares a el movimiento transitorio Hantush-Jacob, Muskat, y Theis de un acuífero confinado con goteo. Se encontró que las fugas grandes son importantes en la disminución del movimiento radial y en la reducción de la deformación del acuífero. La velocidad de flujo en el acuífero responde más a las fugas que al desplazamiento acumulativo dentro del acuífero. Pueden localizarse zonas y límites con esfuerzos tensionales usando el mismo enfoque aplicado a acuíferos confinados para evaluación de riesgo de generación de fracturas en el terreno.

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东亚地区水汽输送与重庆夏季旱涝的联系

利用NCEP/NCAR(1960—2006年)的全球再分析格点资料,研究了东亚地区水汽输送异常与重庆夏季旱涝的关系。结果表明:当重庆夏季(7~8月)降水偏多(涝)时,欧亚地区中高纬维持"两脊一槽"的"双阻"型:乌拉尔山和鄂霍茨克海地区分别存在阻高,贝加尔湖地区为一槽区。冷空气沿着贝加尔湖槽后偏北风和乌拉尔山阻塞高压的南支西风南下进入中国。热带太平洋地区为显著的高度距平正异常区。副热带地区是高度距平负异常区,西太平洋副热带高压脊线位置偏南、强度偏强。来自热带海洋地区的暖湿气流分别沿西太平洋副热带高压西南侧和经印度、孟加拉湾两条主要路径进入中国。当来自高、低纬地区的冷、暖空气在长江流域中上游相遇,就会造成重庆等长江中上游地区降水异常偏多,发生洪涝。反之,降水偏少(旱)年,在欧亚中高纬地区存在"一槽一脊"的环流形势:乌拉尔山附近为一深厚的槽区;鄂霍茨克海阻塞高压异常发展,一直延伸到贝加尔湖附近;西欧地区维持着深厚的高压脊。西太平洋副热带高压位置偏北、偏东,主体基本退出中国大陆地区。整个热带为高度距平负异常区。这样环流形势致使东亚地区中高纬地区受乌拉尔山大槽影响盛行偏南风,不利于冷空气南下。低纬地区的暖湿气流沿着西太平洋副热带高压南面的东南气流从华南进入中国。这样的环流配置易造成南下的冷空气偏弱,同时使来自热带地区的暖空气向北推进到中国华北和东北地区,致使冷、暖空气无法在长江中上游地区交汇,该区域降水显著减少,形成干旱。     

Structural control of groundwater flow regimes and groundwater chemistry along the lower reaches of the Zerka River,West Jordan,using remote sensing,GIS, and field methods

A hydrogeological study was completed within a sub-catchment of the Zerka River drainage basin, in western Jordan. The system is characterized by anticlinal bending with an axis trending SSW–NNE and plunging a few degrees in the SSW direction. The anticlinal structure diverts groundwater flow towards the SSW while the strike-slipe faults cause the groundwater to diverge where the fault is perpendicular to the groundwater flow lines, and to converge where the fault is parallel to the groundwater flow lines. A direct relationship was found between the location of springs and the type of groundwater flow with regard to the amount of discharge wherein large spring discharges are located in zones of converging groundwater flow lines. In areas where faults are not abundant, the groundwater retention time in the aquifers is long and a zonation of the electrical conductivity was detected due to mineral dissolution. By controlling groundwater flow, the anticlinal setting produces three genetic groups of groundwater flow systems: (1) alkaline–earth alkaline water which is predominately a bicarbonate-type composition, (2) alkaline–earth alkaline water which is predominately bicarbonate–sulfate, and (3) alkaline–earth alkaline water with a high alkaline component.     

Coastal erosion in the south-eastern Mediterranean: case of beaches in North Tunisia

This research is conducted as part of a Spanish International Cooperation Agency project with the aim to investigate the sustainable protection of Tunisian coastal zones, as in the case of Beni Khiar and Dar Chaabane coasts (Hammamet Gulf) separated by Oued El Kebir river. The sedimentary dynamic of these beaches is studied in order to identify the main causes responsible for their erosion by the use of different approaches of in situ measurements and numerical methods. Geophysical surveys and sedimentary analyses have demonstrated that sediments are finer and less carbonated from Beni Khiar to Dar Chaabane. Then, the shoreline mapping of several missions of aerial photos has illustrated a mean shoreline retreat between 3 and 4 m/year. In terms of sand volume, a sediment loss more than 30,000 m³/year at Dar Chaabane has been observed since the hill lake structures were built within Oued El Kebir river in 1996. Finally, modelled hydrodynamic and sedimentary patterns have illustrated the refraction of waves in deep water close to shoals and a high-energy concentration along Dar Chaabane coast. The sediment transport direction is mainly of NE-SW induced by ESE-SE wave-driven alongshore current. Results provided by these approaches have shown the importance of Oued El Kebir sediment yield in supplying the neighbouring beaches. Changes in sedimentary dynamics are affected by the modification of hydrodynamic patters caused by the presence of hydrological dams and the implementations of hotels close to the shoreline. This finding underlines the key role of Oued El Kebir fluvial activity in controlling the equilibrium of beaches and their sensitivity to coastal managements induced by man activities, as in the case of the most Mediterranean beaches.     

利用雷电定位系统进行电网雷击故障快速查询

At present, lightning is one of the 10 natural disasters, and it is also the top environmental factor of power interruption. It often causes huge losses to the electric system. The Wuhan High Voltage Institute of the State Grid Corporation of China and Huazhong University of Science and Technology have been researching and developing lightning location systems （LLSs） since the late 1980s. In the mid-1990s, a lightning detection network was created in 29 provinces and cities in China. It is primarily applied to rapidly find lightning accidents, which greatly reduces power interruption. Also, it ensures high efficiency and safe operation of the electricity system. Remarkable benefit is achieved. China＇s LLS went through an ＂orientation positioning - time difference positioning - integrated positioning＂ development process. The positioning precision, detection efficiency, degree of automation, practicability and applied range are improved. Also, a lightning information system plan of the national network has been implemented, which services the whole society.     

Petroleum Electromagnetic Prospecting Advances and Case Studies in China

Remarkable progress has been made in electromagnetic (EM) techniques as applied to the petroleum industry in instruments, data acquisition, and processing and interpretation in China. Included here is equipment, such as high-power Controlled Source EM (CSEM) acquisition systems, acquisition methods, such as the three dimensional small-bin Continuous Electromagnetic Array acquisition method, Time and Frequency Domain Controlled Source Electromagnetic, Borehole-to-surface Electromagnetic technique and marine magnetotelluric method. Data processing methods, such as fast three dimensional inversion using nonlinear conjugate gradients, and data interpretation methods, like Induced Polarization and Resistivity anomalies for hydrocarbon detection, are also included. These new techniques have been applied in petroleum survey and many cases are in complicated areas. They have successfully served the investigation of deep igneous rock reservoirs, and prediction of potential hydrocarbon targets. The cases indicate that electromagnetic techniques can help seismic survey to effectively detect hydrocarbon reservoir and remarkably improve drilling successes.     

一次层状云降雨过程多源遥感特征参量演变分析

利用河北省邢台市皇寺国家观测站布设的Ka波段云雷达、微波辐射计和微雨雷达以及地面雨量计等观测资料,对2017年5月3日一次西南涡天气过程的降水云系进行了综合分析,结果表明:本次降水过程为稳定性层状云过程,云内粒子下落速度由高空向地面逐渐增大,第一轮降水出现在云的发展阶段,第二轮降水出现在云的成熟阶段,每次降水开始前云内的相对湿度、水汽含量、液态水含量和温度曲线同时出现跃增和峰值,各指标在降水结束后出现较明显下降,之后得到恢复,出现第二三次峰值并产生降水;利用微波辐射计资料在时间和空间上连续反演计算云中水汽压和冰面饱和水汽压差值场("e—E_i"差值场),当云中过冷水和过冷水汽大值区与"e—E_i"差值场的正值区重合时,冷云中贝吉龙过程较强,有利于精细化定量判断强降水出现和人工增雨潜力区位置,综合以上遥感探测资料分析结果,可以认为本次天气过程有利的人工增雨作业时机出现两次,第一次在13:45降水刚刚开始至云顶下降到6 km前;第二次时间较长,云层条件更为有利,即17:40—21:15云顶高度维持在8~10 km的时段;作业适宜高度为4~8 km(-20~0℃)。     

皱纹盘鲍(Haliotis discus hannai Ino)和杂色鲍(Haliotis diversicolor Reeve)遗传多样性的RAPD研究

于 2 0 0 1年 8月— 2 0 0 2年 7月 ,选用 2 0条能产生清晰可重复扩增产物的随机引物 ,对皱纹盘鲍 (HaliotisdiscushannaiIno)、杂色鲍 (HaliotisdiversicolorReeve)进行了RAPD分析 ,共检测到 2 1 3个位点 ,在群体之间和个体之间都存在差异。利用PopGen32软件计算各群体扩增位点的多态性比例、群体遗传杂和度和群体间的遗传距离 ,多态比例分别为 43.66%、5 3 0 5 % ,2个群体的平均杂合度为 0 .1 5 5 7、0 .1 686。结果表明皱纹盘鲍与杂色鲍的亲缘关系较远。     

Ingestion of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brachionus plicatilis</Emphasis> under different microalgae conditions

The effects of four microalgae,Chlorella vulgaris,Platymonas helgolandicavar,Isochrysis galbana,and Nitzschia closterium on the grazing and filtering rates of the marine rotifer,Brachionus plicatilis,were evaluated under laboratory conditions.The grazing rates in separate cultures of the four microalga were as follows:C.vulgaris > P.helgolandicavar > I.galbana > N.closterium.However,the filtering rates occurred in the following order:P.helgolandicavar > N.closterium > C.vulgaris > I.galbana.A mixed diets ex...