Geochemistry of Sandstones from the Silurian Hanxia Formation,North Qilian Belt,China: Implication for Provenance,Weathering and Tectonic Setting

The North Qilian orogenic belt is the key to figure out the evolution and assembly of Asia. The Upper Silurian Hanxia Formation which is deposited in the north area of North Qilian Orogenic Belt is of utmost important to reveal the architecture and orogenic process of the North Qilian belt. So provenance analysis of the Hanxia Formation is of significance to reveal not only that the tectonic evolution of the central orogenic belt China, but also that Paleozoic Asia plate reconstruction. The ratios of elements and some discrimination diagrams based on geochemistry indicate that felsic rocks constitute their main source rocks. The chemical index of alteration is less than 80, indicating that the source rocks are relatively fresh and of low maturity. On the Th/Sc versus Zr/Sc scatter plot, samples from Hanxia Formation occur along the magmatic compositional variation trend of rocks, indicating that the rocks did not undergo obvious sedimentary sorting and recycling. The major and trace elements discrimination diagrams imply that Hanxia Formation rocks were derived from continental island arc. Recent studies show that the North China plate subducted southwards and produced subduction-related arc magmatism along the southern margin of the North Qilian Terrane during the Silurian. Therefore, we infer that in the late Silurian period the subduction-related arc became accreted to the Central Qilian terrane to the south, forming a composite continental arc, and the North Qilian belt accumulated in a fore-arc basin.     

Seasonal statistical analysis of the impact of meteorological factors on fine particle pollution in China in 2013–2017

Based on long-term PM_2.5 data observed at high temporal and spatial resolution, the relationships between PM_2.5, primary emission, and weather factors in China during four seasons were examined using statistical analysis. The results reveal that primary emission plays a decisive role in the spatial distribution and seasonal variability of PM_2.5, except in western China, where PM_2.5 is controlled by dust weather. In addition to the accumulation of primary emissions, unfavorable meteorological conditions for the diffusion of air pollution lead to the occurrence of PM_2.5 pollution. The significant dynamic factors affecting PM_2.5 concentration are surface wind speed, planet boundary layer height, and ventilation coefficient, especially in winter. The ventilation coefficient is inversely correlated with PM_2.5. Better ventilation is more favorable for the dilution and outflow of local PM_2.5. However, in spring and autumn, ventilation coefficient and PM_2.5 are positively correlated over the southern regions with low emission, indicating that ventilation also affects the inflow of PM_2.5 from outside the region. Wind shear, 850 hPa divergence, and vertical velocity have insignificant effects on the long-term variations in PM_2.5. The significant thermal factor is 850 hPa temperature in winter, except in the Pearl River Delta and Xinjiang regions. In spring, the influence of each thermal factor is weak. In summer, the influences of temperature and humidity are more significant than in spring. In autumn, the influence of humidity is relatively obvious, compared with other thermal factors. The correlation coefficients between multi-factors regressed and observed PM_2.5 concentrations pass the 95% confidence test, and are higher than that of single-factor regression over most regions. The observed data from December 2016 to February 2017 were chosen to test the regression equation. The test result reveals that the regression equation is effective for predicting PM_2.5 concentrations over regions with high primary emission.     

In situ X-ray micro-CT for investigation of damage evolution in black shale under uniaxial compression

Crack damage evolution of shale is crucial to the hydraulic fracturing treatment and engineering stability. Although many effects have been done on the macroscopic characteristics of shale, yet the microscopic failure mechanism is not well understood. A uniaxial compressive test on black shale was conducted under topographic monitoring using in situ X-ray micro-tomography (µCT). A series of high-resolution reconstruction images were obtained by carrying out CT scans at six key points throughout the test to obtain the internal structure of shale sample. In addition, the CT values for the purpose of crack damage evolution in shale were identified. Clear 2D/3D CT images, CT value analysis and image segmentation analysis reveal that the sample experiences compression, damage, cracking, crack propagation, and collapse stages. Crack geometry and distribution in the shale sample is visualized by rendered CT images, and a combined tension and shear failure mode is observed from the fracture rose diagram. This work suggests that formation and propagation of fractures are influenced by the stratified structure and weak cementation medium between layers.     

Bioacoustic application on fisheries management in an artificial reefs’ ecological reserve of Bohai Gulf China

Various techniques have been used in marine fishery resources assessment. Among those, acoustic techniques have high efficiency and wide adaptability, and are environment friendly. Therefore, acoustic techniques played a key/indispensable role in the field of ecosystem-based fishery management. Acoustic surveys were conducted during the wet (May) and dry (November) seasons in 2016 in the artificial reefs ecological reserve of Bohai Gulf and a nearby control region to understand the current situation of fishery resources and explore the effectiveness of underwater artificial constructions by a dual-frequency identification sonar (DIDSON) and a scientific split-beam echosounder (120 KHz, Simrad EY60). Fish densities in various seasons and regions showed significant differences and interaction, with a maximum value of 358020.34 ind/n.mile² in the artificial reefs’ region and a minimum value of 71898.35 ind/n.mile² in the control region during the wet season. Fish densities in defined parallel transects revealed a roughly southward migration trend of small-size individuals from wet season to dry season. Single echo detections in the artificial reefs region demonstrated a wider target strength (TS) range (? 60 ~ ? 30 dB vs ? 60 ~ ? 51 dB) and higher mean TS values (? 55.87 dB vs ? 58.31 dB) than the control region both in the wet and dry seasons, which indicated a more complicated and stable fish community structure in the artificial reefs area. The vertical distribution of single echo detections tracked by the echoview post-processing system showed an apparent downward gathering effect. A positive correlation between TS and water depth was discovered from Pearson correlation analysis in the artificial reefs region during the dry season.     

Light transmission method to explore the migration and distribution of Cr(VI) in a sandy aquifer

The migration and distribution of contaminants in heterogeneous aquifers are mostly investigated through numerical simulations. They are rarely examined through experimental simulations because of sampling difficulties. In this study, we used the light transmission method (LTM) to explore the migration and distribution of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] in homogeneous sandy aquifers with or without a low-permeability bottom and lens (heterogeneous aquifer). Experimental phenomena were observed via images obtained with a high-power light source. The migration distances of pollution plume were also monitored. Under heterogeneous conditions, low-permeability aquifer materials considerably inhibited the migration of Cr(VI) and altered the Cr(VI) migration rate of horizontal and vertical plumes spread to a certain extent. Common horizontal and vertical migration curve equations in all three conditions were also obtained through distance–time curve fitting. The difference between high- and low-concentration zones was accurately revealed, and the experimental phenomenon was further explained. The proposed method could be used for the qualitative investigation and visualization of the migration and distribution of Cr(VI).     

Detection of leakage paths at the Wanyao dam body in Southwest China by hydrochemical analysis and tracer testing

Leakage at the Wanyao dam body was studied using a combined approach of field exploration, hydrochemical analysis and tracer testing. The objective of study was to determine the location of the water leakage paths at the dam. A hydraulic connection was observed between exploration boreholes of dam crest and drain holes at drainage gallery during the period of drilling. This connection shows that there were some defects in the dam. The hydrochemical compositions and characteristics of the water samples involved the main anions and cations, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, pH and water temperature which were analyzed and evaluated by correlation and cluster analysis. The results indicated that a close hydraulic connection existed between water from the dam body and reservoir water, particularly reservoir water from Sections III and IX. Tracer testing results demonstrated further existence of leakage paths between reservoir water and Sections III and IX. Also, there were multiple leakage paths in Section IX compared with a single path of Section III. Furthermore, the leakage location of upstream concrete faces in the vertical and horizontal directions was determined accurately with the measured electrical conductivity of receiving points. The experimental data provide a strong foundation and basis for maintaining and reinforcing the dam.     

Geochemical characteristics and analysis of crude-oil source in the deep-water area of the Baiyun Sag,South China Sea

In the Baiyun Sag, the oil relationship with possible source rocks is complicated, and little research on oil sources in the area has been performed. In this paper, geochemical studies of carbon isotopes, biomarkers, paleoenvironmental deposition, and crude oil maturity, carried out with the use of oil samples from the Baiyun Sag, demonstrate that the organic matter in crude oil has an oxidizing depositional environment and primarily lacustrine facies conditions, with a significantly higher plant input. The oil samples used are mature to highly mature. Crude oil in the northern area of the Baiyun Sag is more mature than samples in the eastern part of the sag. Despite limited source rock data, we were able to conclude that the crude oil samples were derived mainly from the Enping Formation; other potential source rocks of the Wenchang and Zhuhai Formations may also have contributed to the reservoirs in different parts of the sag. Furthermore, the source of crude oil in each structure in the Baiyun Sag was analyzed; for example, crude oil in the LH19-5 structure was generated from the organic matter of the Enping Formation, and crude oil in the LW3-1 structure was derived from the mixed organic matter of the Enping, Wenchang, and Zhuhai Formations. © 2018, V.S. Sobolev IGM, Siberian Branch of the RAS. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.     

Comparative study of surrogate models for groundwater contamination source identification at DNAPL-contaminated sites

Knowledge of groundwater contamination sources is critical for effectively protecting groundwater resources, estimating risks, mitigating disaster, and designing remediation strategies. Many methods for groundwater contamination source identification (GCSI) have been developed in recent years, including the simulation–optimization technique. This study proposes utilizing a support vector regression (SVR) model and a kernel extreme learning machine (KELM) model to enrich the content of the surrogate model. The surrogate model was itself key in replacing the simulation model, reducing the huge computational burden of iterations in the simulation–optimization technique to solve GCSI problems, especially in GCSI problems of aquifers contaminated by dense nonaqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs). A comparative study between the Kriging, SVR, and KELM models is reported. Additionally, there is analysis of the influence of parameter optimization and the structure of the training sample dataset on the approximation accuracy of the surrogate model. It was found that the KELM model was the most accurate surrogate model, and its performance was significantly improved after parameter optimization. The approximation accuracy of the surrogate model to the simulation model did not always improve with increasing numbers of training samples. Using the appropriate number of training samples was critical for improving the performance of the surrogate model and avoiding unnecessary computational workload. It was concluded that the KELM model developed in this work could reasonably predict system responses in given operation conditions. Replacing the simulation model with a KELM model considerably reduced the computational burden of the simulation–optimization process and also maintained high computation accuracy.     

历史文化商业街经营者的地方感研究——基于黄山市屯溪老街案例

历史文化商业街若能凸显地方性特征将更具吸引力,经营者的地方感不仅是商业街地方性水平的重要标志,更是地方性建构的主体基础。对屯溪老街经营者地方感进行了实地调研,初步探讨了经营者地方感的形成机制,并为历史文化商业街的优化发展提出了建议。研究结果表明:经营者地方感不仅受到地方文化景观和经营活动绩效的影响,更与经营者同游客的互动交流相关,而这也将影响到历史文化商业街的吸引力。老街商业开发的模糊定位一定程度上削弱了其地方性,但丰富的历史文化景观以及经营者与游客的频繁互动,则有助于增进经营者地方感。由此,历史文化商业街的发展不仅要重视保护特色文化景观,更要优化商业活动品质,促进经营者与游客的互动,这是增进经营者地方感和商业街吸引力的基本保障。