Estimation of an upper limit on prehistoric peak ground acceleration using the parameters of intact speleothems in Hungarian caves

The examination of speleothems in the Hajnóczy and Baradla caves (northeastern Hungary) allows estimating an upper limit for horizontal peak ground acceleration generated by paleoearthquakes. The density, the Young’s modulus and the tensile failure stress of the samples originating from a broken speleothem have been measured in a laboratory, whereas the natural frequency of intact speleothems was determined by in situ observations. The value of horizontal ground acceleration resulting in failure, the natural frequency and the inner friction coefficient of speleothems were assessed by theoretical calculations. The ages of the samples taken from a stalagmite 5.1 m in height (Baradla cave) have been determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis and alpha spectrometry. The measured ages fall between 140,000 and 70,000 years; therefore, we assume the speleothem has not been changed since the end of this time interval. According to our modeling results, this speleothem has not been excited by a horizontal acceleration higher than 0.05 g during the last 70,000 years.     

Study of large-scale deformation induced by gravity on the La Clapière landslide (Saint-Etienne de Tinée,France) using numerical and geophysical approaches

The large-scale deformation of high mountain slopes finds its origin in many phenomena with very different time-constants. Gravitational effect, tectonic forces, and water infiltration are generally the principal causes. However, it is always very difficult to distinguish which cause is dominant and which are their respective effects. A two-dimensional numerical experiment coupled with geophysical approach was carried out to determine (1) the effect of gravitational force on the mechanical behaviour of the “la Clapière” area, (2) a 2D-depth structure of this landslide. The results show that gravitational instability is possible and leads to destabilisation of the massif by a regressive evolution of the landslide from the bottom at 1100 m up to a height of 1800 m, which is actually the top of the La Clapière landslide. This deformation progression only concerns a depth of around 150 ± 50 m, which can be correlated to the sliding surface, as suggested by our electrical data obtained by resistivity investigations and previous studies. Our numerical results suggest that changes of the slope topography “drive” the diffusion of the plastic deformation in the mass, possibly through a channel which could be then the privileged zone along which the fracture is initiated.     

Three-dimensional numerical modelling of the behaviour of a pile subjected to cyclic lateral loading

This paper presents a finite element simulation of the behaviour of a vertical pile subjected to a cyclic lateral loading. First, the choice of a suitable constitutive model is discussed. The analytical solution of the model equations for a monotonic triaxial compression is given, and the model is compared with monotonic and cyclic triaxial tests on dry Fontainebleau sand. Simulations of tests carried out on a model pile with the geotechnical centrifuge of the French Public Works Research Laboratory (LCPC) were then performed with the model parameters derived from the triaxial tests. Results are in good agreement with experiments.     

Soil porosity resulting from the assemblage of silt grains with a clay phase: New perspectives related to utilization of X-ray synchrotron computed microtomography

Understanding the assemblage of basic grains is essential for predicting many soil properties. X-ray synchrotron microtomography with a high resolution was used for visualisation and quantification of the assemblage of silt grains with a clay phase containing 20% of clays. The 3D computed image was analysed after appropriate segmentation by using: (i) autocorrelation functions which enables anisotropy discussion of the assemblage; (ii) chord distribution which gives information on the size distribution of the void and solid phases; and (iii) the Hoshen-Kopelman algorithm (6-connectivity) in order to label each void with a unique number and thus enabling discussion of the connectivity. Our results show that X-ray synchrotron microtomography enables a more accurate analysis of the assemblage of silt grains with a clay phase than with conventional methods. Thus, it showed the isotropy of the silt-clay assemblage in the studied soil material. The void and solid phase volumes were smaller than 80 and 120 μm in all directions, respectively. The mean distance between two interfaces was 6.9 and 13.4 μm for the void and solid phase, respectively. X-ray synchrotron microtomography of the soil material studied also showed that the voids resulting from the assemblage of the silt grains with the clay phase can be considered as fully connected in the studied dried materials.     

渐缩渐扩洞塞消能和空化特性

建立了三维RNG k-ε紊流数学模型和突缩突扩洞塞泄流的物理模型试验,利用实验结果对数学模型进行了验证,利用验证后的数学模型对突缩突扩洞塞和渐缩渐扩洞塞的水头损失系数和空化数进行了计算。结果表明,洞塞渐缩(或渐扩)段相对长度一定时,随着渐扩(或渐缩)段相对长度的增加,水头损失系数减小,最小空化数增加。当渐缩段和渐扩段几何尺寸互换时,水头损失系数和最小空化数的变化不大;其他几何参数一定的情况下,随着横断面半径收缩比的减小,水头损失系数增加,最小空化数降低。圆弧连接情况下,随着圆弧夹角的增加,水头损失系数呈现先降低后增加的趋势;而最小空化数呈现先增加后降低的趋势。其他几何参数一定的情况下,圆弧连接的水头损失系数小于斜线连接的对应值,最小空化数则相反。在水头损失系数和最小空化数权重相等的假定条件下,初步探讨了渐缩渐扩洞塞几何体型参数的优化方法,给出了渐缩渐扩洞塞的最优几何体型参数。     

Microbial diversity in contaminated soils along the T22 trench of the Chernobyl experimental platform

The diversity of bacterial communities exposed to radioactive contamination in Chernobyl soils was examined by a combination of molecular and culture-based approaches. A set of six radioactive soil samples, exhibiting high levels of ¹³⁷Cs contamination, were collected from the T22 trench. Three samples were also collected in nearby soils with low contamination. Complex bacterial community structures were observed in both highly and weakly contaminated samples, using a molecular approach targeting the 16S rRNA gene. However, the presence of specific populations within samples from highly contaminated soils could not be revealed by statistical analysis of the DGGE profiles. More than 200 culturable isolates, representative of dominant morphotypes, were grouped into 83 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) and affiliated to Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Alpha-, Beta-, Gamma-Proteobacteria and Bacteroïdetes. No specific pattern linked to contamination was observed for these culturable bacteria. The results show that both highly and weakly contaminated soils host a wide diversity of bacteria, suggesting that long term exposure to radionuclides does not lead to the extinction of bacterial diversity.     

Urban impacts analysis on hydrochemical and hydrogeological evolution of groundwater in shallow aquifer Linares,Mexico

In northeast Mexico is Linares City, which has an extensive agricultural area and many industrial activities. Near this city is the Cerro-Prieto Dam (~12 km NE direction); this drinking water reservoir captures the water of the Pablillo River catchment area and constitutes an important source of potable water for the metropolitan area of Monterrey, the largest urban center of this region. Groundwater sources in this area provide drinking water to Linares inhabitants. A hydrogeological and hydrochemical study was conducted on the shallow aquifers surrounding the urban centers (Linares and Hualahuises) to determine the evolution of the water quality between 1981 and 2009. The hydrochemistry was assessed upgradient and downgradient from the potential contamination sources in Linares city. Groundwater showed a chemical evolution from calcium-bicarbonate type to calcium–sodium-sulfate type. The water qualities in the downstream area after Linares are inferior compared to the upstream area before the city. Nitrate concentrations in groundwater increased significantly after 28 years indicating an important pollutant process in this period of time over the study area. The possible pollution sources could be the agricultural and farm activities, industrial development, landfills leachate, septic tanks and wastewater of municipal and domestic consumption. If the present scenario continues, an aquifer vulnerability assessment would be important for the sustainable water management.     

Groundwater resources of Uzbekistan: an environmental and operational overview

As a result of the massive irrigation development during the Soviet Union era and intensive chemization of agriculture, the surface runoff quality has been degraded in this arid and endorheic region. Moreover hydraulically related groundwater has also been affected. Excessive irrigation has lead to land salinization, which now threatens the soil quality of significant areas where crop yields would be at risk in the future. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, institutional changes have been undertaken for the management of natural resources and water infrastructure. At present, underdeveloped and inadequate systems have been practiced with respect to groundwater use and management. This paper analyzes the present extent of groundwater resources with consideration to their reserves, quality evolution, and to technical, institutional and transboundary management practices in Uzbekistan.