The effect of grain size on the viscosity and yield stress of fine-grained sediments

In debris flow modelling,the viscosity and yield stress of fine-grained sediments should be determined in order to better characterize sediment flow.In particular,it is important to understand the effect of grain size on the rheology of fine-grained sediments associated with yielding.When looking at the relationship between shear stress and shear rate before yielding,a high-viscosity zone（called pseudoNewtonian viscosity） towards the apparent yield stress exists.After yielding,plastic viscosity（called Bingham viscosity） governs the flow.To examine the effect of grain size on the rheological characteristics of fine-grained sediments,clay-rich materials（from the Adriatic Sea,Italy; Cambridge Fjord,Canada; and the Mediterranean Sea,Spain）,silt-rich debris flow materials（from La Valette,France） and silt-rich materials（iron tailings from Canada） were compared.Rheological characteristics were examined using a modified Bingham model.The materials examined,including the Canadian inorganic and sensitive clays,exhibit typical shear thinning behavior and strong thixotropy.In the relationships between the liquidity index and rheological values（viscosity and apparent yield stress）,the effect of grain size on viscosity and yield stress is significant at a given liquidity index.The viscosity and yield stress of debris flow materials are higher than those of low-activity clays at the same liquid state.However the viscosity and yield stress of the tailings,which are mainly composed of silt-sized particles,are slightly lower than those of low-activity clays.     

Three‐dimensional responses of buried corrugated pipes and ANN‐based method for predicting pipe deflections

This study investigated localized responses, such as circumferential stresses, on corrugation and pipe deflections. Also, this study examined the effect of corrugation geometry on the overall and localized response of corrugated pipes with refined three‐dimensional modeling of the entire soil–pipe interaction system, including corrugation. To investigate the availability of the traditional two‐dimensional method, the results from the three‐dimensional finite element method (FEM) were compared with those from the two‐dimensional FEM. The soil–pipe modeling techniques of this study were verified by comparing the FEM results by Utah State University and analytical results. An artificial neural network (ANN)‐based model to predict vertical deflections of buried corrugated pipes was developed to overcome the shortcomings of existing methods and obtain results that are close to the level of accuracy of FEM results. In order to train an ANN, analyses on a large amount of data were executed with various standardized pipe geometries and burial depths regulated by the Korea Highway Corporation using the two‐dimensional FEM verified in this study. The widely used back propagation algorithm was adopted. The ANN‐based model developed in this study was shown to be an effective tool by comparing the results with test data and sensitivity analyses were executed based on the data from the developed ANN. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hebei Spirit oil spill monitored on site by fluorometric detection of residual oil in coastal waters off Taean, Korea

The spatiotemporal distributions of dissolved and/or dispersed oil in seawater and pore water were monitored on site by fluorometric detection method after the Hebei Spirit oil spill. The oil concentrations in intertidal seawater, 15 days after the spill, were as high as 16,600 μg/L and appeared to decrease below the Korean marine water quality standard of 10 μg/L at most sites 10 months after the spill. Fluorometric detection of oil in pore water was introduced to eliminate the effects of grain size for the quantification of oil in sediments and to better explain spatial and temporal distribution of oil pollution at sandy beaches. The fluorescence detection method was compared with the conventional laboratory technique of total petroleum hydrocarbon analysis using gas chromatography. The method of fluorescence detection of oil was capable of generating results much faster and more cost-effectively than the traditional GC technique.     

Routing procedures for observed dispersion coefficients in two-dimensional river mixing

Routing procedures have been used for determining the observed values of the dispersion coefficient in river mixing studies. In order to overcome the shortcomings of the existing routing procedures, we developed a new routing procedure capable of being applied under a transient concentration situation while accounting for river irregularities. The proposed routing procedure is based on the exact solution of the depth-averaged, two-dimensional, mass transport equation combined with the stream-tube concept and was verified through the tracer data acquired from field tests conducted in natural rivers located in Korea. The observed dispersion coefficients evaluated by the routing procedure exhibited a stream-wise variation along the rivers, in that a minimum value was seen in the straight region and a maximum value downstream of the apex of the bend. This variation was attributed to the flow dynamics of secondary currents induced by the meandering of the rivers. The dispersion coefficients obtained by the new method over the reach were in the same range of those calculated by other methods.     

Spatial variability of biochemical responses in resident fish after the M/V Hebei Spirit Oil Spill (Taean, Korea)

This study describes the spatial variation and the duration of the impacts from the Hebei Spirit oil spill using specific biochemical indices in resident benthic fish. Enzymatic activities and biliary PAHs metabolites were higher at the site closer to the spill area in four months after spill incident. Regarding our results of detoxification response, markers of Phase I followed a similar trend in accordance with levels of biliary metabolites, while markers of phase II and GST appeared relatively unchanged.     

韩国的乡村林木与农业生物多样性(英文)

韩国的乡村林木处于偏远村庄附近,单独的树木或一片树林,往往构成风水因素。乡村林木也有野生动物生境的功能,有益于农业生物多样性。本文中,乡村林木分为4种类型(天然林、半天然林、半人工林、人工林)23个主要树种(优势种或次优势种)。赤松(Pinus densiflora)在50个地点是优势种,光叶榉(Zelkova serrata)在45个地点为优势种。乡村林木立地植物共分125科、519属、1081种。尽管乡村林木占地面积极小,占100 000 km2韩国国土面积的0.00278%,但这种生态系统具有重要的生物多样性和生境保护功能。乡村林木不仅是保育生物多样性的一个基础,还能为韩国提供生态系统服务。     

Fluidization Process in Submarine Landslides: Physical and Numerical Considerations

Fluidization processes in submarine landslides were studied by physical and numerical means. To examine soil-water interactions in the fluidization process, the computer axial tomography (CAT)-scan imaging techniques and laboratory vanes were utilized with a focus on the transition from failure to post-failure. Based on the results that were obtained from the scanning images and laboratory vane tests after the process of water infiltration into the soil sample, it appears that a gradual decrease in shear strength is unavoidable with increasing water content in a shear zone. From the numerical results, which were based on the dam-break problem using the transport equation coupled with the Navier-Stokes equation, if the slide is assumed to be initially unstable, a possible transition of fluidization processes that are dependent upon a change in density occurs. The density of the mud decreases with time during the flow at the interface between mud and water. The upper part of the mud pushes the lower part of the mud and then induces a rotation of mud that moves substantial distances. These results emphasize the importance of the soil-water interaction, the need for sediment rheology and the influence of the water circulation on the motion of the landslide.     

Fossil diatom assemblages as paleoecological indicators of paleo-water environmental change in the Ulleung Basin,East Sea,Republic of Korea

The fossil diatom assemblage record from two sediment cores obtained from the Ulleung Basin, East Sea, Republic of Korea, revealed changes in the diatom assemblage zones in PG1 and PD3 core samples. The two sediment cores were δC¹⁴ dated and approximately represented the late Pleistocene–Holocene. The analysis of age zones in the PG1 core and PD3 core was assessed based on the frequency of variations, and occurrences of biostratigraphical fossil diatom species. During the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), the sea level was lower than that at present and the Ulleung Basin became isolated from the Pacific Ocean. As a result, there would have been a limited Tsushima Warm Current (TWC) influence, and salinity would have decreased resulting in increased freshwater and coastal diatoms. The distribution pattern of diatoms presented in the cores was associated with changes in water temperature and salinity and the adding of terrigenous material brought about by the input of freshwater. Changes in the abundance of a tychopelagic diatom, Paralia sulcata, reflected the effect of the water currents. Diatom temperature (Td) values and the ratio of centric/pennate diatoms provided evidence of limited influences of the TWC and freshwater inflow. It is thought that all assemblage zones were influenced by the TWC, which had an important effect on the distribution and composition of fossil diatoms.     

Inversion of two-phase extensional basin systems during subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate in the SW Korean Peninsula:Implication for the Mesozoic “Laramide-style” orogeny along East Asian continental margin

During subduction, continental margins experience shortening along with inversion of extensional sedimentary basins. Here we explore a tectonic scenario for the inversion of two-phase extensional basin systems, where the Early-Middle Jurassic intra-arc volcano-sedimentary Oseosan Volcanic Complex was developed on top of the Late Triassic-Early Jurassic post-collisional sequences, namely the Chungnam Basin. The basin shortening was accommodated mostly by contractional faults and related folds. In the basement, regional high-angle reverse faults as well as low-angle thrusts accommodate the overall shortening, and are compatible with those preserved in the cover. This suggests that their spatial and temporal development is strongly dependent on the initial basin geometry and inherited structures.Changes in transport direction observed along the basement-sedimentary cover interface is a characteristic structural feature, reflecting sequential kinematic evolution during basin inversion. Propagation of basement faults also enhanced shortening of the overlying sedimentary cover sequences. We constrain timing of the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous(ca. 158-110 Ma) inversion from altered K-feldspar 40 Ar/39 Ar ages in stacked thrust sheets and K-Ar illite ages of fault gouges, along with previously reported geochronological data from the area. This "non-magmatic phase" of the Daebo Orogeny is contemporaneous with the timing of magmatic quiescence across the Korean Peninsula. We propose the role of flat/low-angle subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate for the development of the "Laramide-style" basement-involved orogenic event along East Asian continental margin.     

Storm-influenced siliciclastic and carbonate ramp deposits, the Lower Ordovician Dumugol Formation, South Korea

The Dumugol Formation (Lower Ordovician) in the southern part of the Baegunsan syncline, South Korea, contains mixed siliciclastic and carbonate ramp deposits. The ramp sediments were frequently influenced by storm events resulting in tempestites of sandstone-mudstone couplets, bioclastic grainstones to packstones, flat-pebble conglomerates, a skeletal lag layer and laminated calcisiltites. All tempestites are characterized by an erosive to sharp base, poor grading and a transitional upper boundary. The difference in lithology of tempestites appears to have been controlled by the nature of substrates and by proximality. For example, laminated calcisiltites have developed on the shallow carbonate ramp, flat-pebble conglomerates are closely associated with nodular limestones on shallow and deep ramps, and thin skeletal lag layers from fossiliferous argillaceous sediments formed in a basinal setting. The stratigraphic succession of the Dumugol Formation represents an initial transgression followed by a regression. The vertical facies change records the transition from a shallow siliciclastic ramp to a deep carbonate ramp, to a basin, shallowing to a deep carbonate ramp, and to a shallow carbonate ramp. Storm effects are mostly well preserved in shallow to deep ramp deposits.