Stochastic Analysis of Core Discing for Estimation of In Situ Stress

Extraction of diamond-drilled core from high stress environments can result in the core breaking into discs. Through four decades of research, a variety of computational tools and experimental approaches have been used to analyze the details of the failure processes leading to core-discing-type breakage of diamond-drilled cores. One motivation for this research is to use these calculations for stress estimation based on, for example, the disc length (i.e., thickness) measured in a particular core. This application requires that the core discs lengths do not deviate much from an average or typical value. This paper presents a stochastic approach, based on analyzis of the entire distribution of disc lengths, that provides a basis for application of existing core discing models even when it is unclear how to define a typical disc length, for example when the disc length distribution is highly non-Gaussian. The viability of the stochastic approach is demonstrated by comparison with data collected from 900 m of core extracted from a South Australian granite formation.     

High-temperature deformation during continental-margin subduction & exhumation: The ultrahigh-pressure Western Gneiss Region of Norway

A new dataset for the high-pressure to ultrahigh-pressure Western Gneiss Region allows the definition of distinct structural and petrological domains. Much of the study area is an E-dipping homocline with E-plunging lineations that exposes progressively deeper, more strongly deformed, more eclogite-rich structural levels westward. Although eclogites crop out across the WGR, Scandian deformation is weak and earlier structures are well preserved in the southeastern half of the study area. The Scandian reworking increases westward, culminating in strong Scandian fabrics with only isolated pockets of older structures; the dominant Scandian deformation was coaxial E–W stretching. The sinistrally sheared Møre–Trøndelag Fault Complex and Nordfjord Mylonitic Shear Zone bound these rocks to the north and south. There was moderate top-E, amphibolite-facies deformation associated with translation of the allochthons over the basement along its eastern edge, and the Nordfjord–Sogn Detachment Zone underwent strong lower amphibolite-facies to greenschist-facies top-W shearing. A northwestward increase in exhumation-related melting is indicated by leucosomes with hornblende, plagioclase, and Scandian sphene. In the western 2/3 of the study area, exhumation-related, amphibolite-facies symplectite formation in quartzofeldspathic gneiss postdated most Scandian deformation; further deformation was restricted to slip along biotite-rich foliation planes and minor local folding. That the Western Gneiss Region quartzofeldspathic gneiss exhibits a strong gradient in degree of deformation, implies that continental crust in general need not undergo pervasive deformation during subduction.     

Uptake of platinum group elements by the marine macroalga, Ulva lactuca

Uptake of environmentally relevant platinum group elements (PGE) by the marine macroalga, Ulva lactuca, has been studied. Removal of nM concentrations of Rh(III), Pd(II) and Pt(IV) added to filtered sea water appeared to proceed via pseudo-first-order kinetics, with respective forward rate constants of either 0.0039 or 0.0042 h^− 1, 0.0058 or 0.0096 h^− 1 and 0.0017 or 0.0032 h^− 1, depending on whether an irreversible or reversible reaction was invoked. The (quasi-) equilibrium distribution coefficients, derived from linear fits to uptake (sorption) isotherms, were about 1400, 900 and 350 mL g^− 1 on a dry mass basis for Rh, Pd and Pt, respectively. With increasing sea water pH, over the range 7.9 to 8.4, uptake of Rh by Ulva increased considerably, whereas a small increase in Pt removal was observed; in contrast, uptake of Pd exhibited no clear dependence on pH. The percentage of metal taken up that was internalised within cells, evaluated by washing selected algal samples in 3 mM EDTA, was about 40% for Rh, 80% for Pd and 95% for Pt. Results of this study were interpreted in terms of what is known about the aqueous speciation of PGE in sea water. Thus, Rh exists as cationic hydrated chloride complexes which are readily adsorbed at the algal surface. Palladium has an exceptional affinity for organic ligands, and uptake (and internalisation) appears to be governed by competition for Pd²⁺ from aqueous and algal binding sites. Platinum (IV) exists predominantly as a series of (mainly) negatively charged chloride and mixed hydroxychloride complexes that have little propensity to interact with the algal surface; however, its high degree of internalisation requires at least some interaction with specific and perhaps physiologically active sites.     

Shape,metal abundance,chemistry, and origin of chondrules in the Renazzo (CR) chondrite

Abstract— We used synchrotron X‐ray microtomography to image in 3‐dimensions (3D) eight whole chondrules in a ?1 cm³piece of the Renazzo (CR) chondrite at ?17 μm per volume element (voxel) edge. We report the first volumetric (3D) measurement of metal/silicate ratios in chondrules and quantify indices of chondrule sphericity. Volumetric metal abundances in whole chondrules range from 1 to 37 volume % in 8 measured chondrules and by inspection in tomography data. We show that metal abundances and metal grain locations in individual chondrules cannot be reliably obtained from single random 2D sections. Samples were physically cut to intersect representative chondrules multiple times and to verify 3D data. Detailed 2D chemical analysis combined with 3D data yield highly variable whole‐chondrule Mg/Si ratios with a supra‐chondritic mean value, yet the chemically diverse, independently formed chondrules are mutually complementary in preserving chondritic (solar) Fe/Si ratios in the aggregate CR chondrite. These results are consistent with localized chondrule formation and rapid accretion resulting in chondrule + matrix aggregates (meteorite parent bodies) that preserve the bulk chondritic composition of source regions.     

Airflow and aeolian sediment transport patterns within a coastal trough blowout during lateral wind conditions

Blowouts are depressions that occur on coastal dunes, deserts and grasslands. The absence of vegetation in blowouts permits high speed winds to entrain and remove sediment. Whereas much research has examined patterns of wind flow and sediment transport on the stoss slopes and lee of sand dunes, no study has yet investigated the connections between secondary air‐flow structures and sediment transport in a blowout where zones of streamline compression, expansion and steering are less clearly delineated. In this study we investigated the variability of sediment flux and its relation to near‐surface wind speed and turbulence within a trough blowout during wind flow that was oblique to the axis of the blowout. Wind flow was measured using six, three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasonic anemometers while sediment flux by eight sand traps, all operating at 25 Hz. Results demonstrated that sediment flux rates were highly variable throughout the blowout deflation basin, even over short distances (< 0.5 m). Where flow was steadiest, flux was greatest. Consequently the highest rates of sediment transport were recorded on the erosional wall crest where flow was compressed and accelerated. The strength of correlation between sediment flux and wind parameter improved with an increase in averaging interval, from 10 seconds to 1 minute. At an interval of 10 seconds, however, wind speed correlated best with flux at seven of eight traps, whereas at an interval of one minute Turbulent Kinetic Energy (TKE) provided the best correlation with flux at six of the eight traps. Correlation between sediment flux and wind parameters was best in the centre of the blowout and poorest on the erosional wall crest. The evidence from this paper suggests, for the first time, that TKE may be a better predictor of sediment transport at minute scale averaging intervals, particularly over landforms where wind flow is highly turbulent. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Correction to: The contributions of fronts,lows and thunderstorms to southern Australian rainfall

Climate Dynamics - In the original published version of the paper, the figures reported in Sect.&nbsp;4 relating the proportion of rainfall in southern Australia that is due to each of the...     

Holocene records of eolian dust deposition from high-elevation lakes in the Uinta Mountains,Utah, USA

Radiocarbon-dated sediment cores from subalpine lakes were used to investigate post-glacial dust deposition in the Uinta Mountains (Utah, USA). Lake sediments were geochemically characterized with ICP-OES, ICP-MS and XRF core scanning. Collections from passive samplers constrain the properties of modern dust, and samples of regolith constrain properties of the local material within the watershed. Ca and Eu are more abundant in dust, whereas Ti and Zr are more abundant in local regolith. As a result, the Ca/Ti and Eu/Zr ratios are indices for the dust content of lake sediment. In all records, the dust index rises in the early Holocene as watersheds became stabilized with vegetation, reducing the influx of local material. After this point, values remained above average through the middle Holocene, consistent with an increased dust content in the sediment. Dust index values drop in the late Holocene in most lakes, suggesting a decrease in dust abundance. Generally synchronous shifts in dust index values in cores from lakes in different parts of this mountain range are evidence of enhanced dust deposition in this region during the middle Holocene, and are consistent with a variety of records for increased aridity in the south-western USA at this time.     

Towards estimating root‐zone soil moisture using surface multispectral and thermal sensing: A spectral and hydrometeorological dataset from the Dookie experiment site,Victoria, Australia

This paper describes surface hydrometeorological and spectral datasets collected from two tower sites located in the University of Melbourne's Dookie experimental farm, Victoria, Australia. The datasets were collected from different vegetation types including wheat, canola, and grazed pasture during the 2012, 2013, and 2014 cropping seasons. The dataset includes 30‐min frequency latent and sensible heat flux measurements and layer‐average soil moisture data at profile depths of 0–5, 0–30, 30–60, 60–90, and 90–120 cm. Air temperature, wind speed, wind direction, relative humidity, precipitation, and incoming and outgoing longwave and shortwave radiation data were also collected from two locations in the study area. The dataset described in this paper is available online.     

Uniform and lateral preferential flows under flood irrigation at field scale

Flood irrigation is globally one of the most used irrigation methods. Typically, not all water that is applied during flood irrigation is consumed by plants or lost to evaporation. Return flow, the portion of applied water from flood irrigation that returns back to streams either via surface or subsurface flow, can constitute a large part of the water balance. Few studies have addressed the connection between vertical and lateral subsurface flows and its potential role in determining return flow pathways due to the difficulty in observing and quantifying these processes at plot or field scale. We employed a novel approach, combining induced polarization, time‐lapse electrical resistivity tomography, and time‐lapse borehole nuclear magnetic resonance, to identify flow paths and quantify changes in soil hydrological conditions under nonuniform application of flood irrigation water. We developed and tested a new method to track the wetting front in the subsurface using the full range of inverted resistivity values. Antecedent soil moisture conditions did not play an important role in preferential flow path activation. More importantly, boundaries between lithological zones in the soil profile were observed to control preferential flow pathways with subsurface run‐off occurring at these boundaries when saturation occurred. Using the new method to analyse time‐lapse resistivity measurements, we were able to track the wetting front and identify subsurface flow paths. Both uniform infiltration and preferential lateral flows were observed. Combining three geophysical methods, we documented the influence of lithology on subsurface flow processes. This study highlights the importance of characterizing the subsurface when the objective is to identify and quantify subsurface return flow pathways under flood irrigation.