Parallel 3-D Simulation of a Fault Gouge Using the Lattice Solid Model

Despite the insight gained from 2-D particle models, and given that the dynamics of crustal faults occur in 3-D space, the question remains, how do the 3-D fault gouge dynamics differ from those in 2-D? Traditionally, 2-D modeling has been preferred over 3-D simulations because of the computational cost of solving 3-D problems. However, modern high performance computing architectures, combined with a parallel implementation of the Lattice Solid Model (LSM), provide the opportunity to explore 3-D fault micro-mechanics and to advance understanding of effective constitutive relations of fault gouge layers. In this paper, macroscopic friction values from 2-D and 3-D LSM simulations, performed on an SGI Altix 3700 super-cluster, are compared. Two rectangular elastic blocks of bonded particles, with a rough fault plane and separated by a region of randomly sized non-bonded gouge particles, are sheared in opposite directions by normally-loaded driving plates. The results demonstrate that the gouge particles in the 3-D models undergo significant out-of-plane motion during shear. The 3-D models also exhibit a higher mean macroscopic friction than the 2-D models for varying values of interparticle friction. 2-D LSM gouge models have previously been shown to exhibit accelerating energy release in simulated earthquake cycles, supporting the Critical Point hypothesis. The 3-D models are shown to also display accelerating energy release, and good fits of power law time-to-failure functions to the cumulative energy release are obtained.     

An ostracod-conductivity transfer function for Tibetan lakes

About 145 freshwater to hypersaline lakes of the eastern Tibetan Plateau were investigated to develop a transfer function for quantitative palaeoenvironmental reconstructions using ostracods. A total of 100 lakes provided sufficient numbers of ostracod shells. Multivariate statistical techniques were used to analyse the influence of a number of environmental variables on the distributions of surface sediment ostracod assemblages. Of 23 variables determined for each site, 19 were included in the statistical analysis. Lake water electrical conductivity (8.2%), Ca% (7.6%) and Fe% (4.8%, ion concentrations as % of the cations) explained the greatest amounts of variation in the distribution of ostracod taxa among the 100 lakes. Electrical conductivity optima and tolerances were calculated for abundant taxa. A transfer function, based on weighted averaging partial least squares regression (WA-PLS), was developed for electrical conductivity (r ² = 0.71, root-mean-square-error of prediction [RMSEP] = 0.35 [12.4% of gradient length], maximum bias = 0.64 [22.4% of gradient length], as assessed by leave-one-out cross-validation) based on 96 lakes. Our results show that ostracods provide reliable estimates of electrical conductivity and can be used for quantitative palaeoenvironmental reconstructions similarly to more commonly used diatom, chironomid or pollen data.     

Measuring whether municipal climate networks make a difference: the case of utility-scale solar PV investment in large global cities

With cities being responsible for up to 70% of energy-related carbon emissions, municipal governments worldwide are becoming increasingly aware of their responsibility to act. Many large cities have committed to mitigation by becoming member of a municipal climate network, such as the C40 or the Compact of Mayors. However, there is no consistent assessment of whether membership of such networks translates into measurable outcomes. To fill this gap, we propose the use of novel outcome variables, combining financial data with geospatial information. As a starting point, this paper compares utility-scale investment in photovoltaics (PV) within the administrative boundaries of large global cities, combining the Bloomberg New Energy Finance database with information from Google Maps. We analyse 512 global cities with a population of above 1 million, and consider the impact of 5 networks and 2 reporting platforms. The results suggest that membership of the C40 network has a positive effect on utility-scale solar PV investment, while no such evidence is found for any of the other networks or reporting platforms under study. Based on our findings, we recommend that municipal climate networks increase their efforts to trigger city regulation that is conducive to solar PV investment. More generally, measuring early indicators, such as low-carbon investment, can help municipal climate networks in their role as ‘commitment brokers’ for climate action on the ever-more important city level.

Key policy insights

• Cities have considerable policy space to foster utility-scale solar PV investment within their administrative boundaries.

• While some large global cities exhibited significant growth in utility-scale solar PV, many others with good solar potential did not have a single project by the end of 2016.

• Outside of China (where city boundaries often include rural areas), Tokyo tops the list with utility-scale solar PV projects by far, followed by San Diego and Rome.

• Membership of the C40 network appears to make a positive difference to PV investment, unlike other networks or reporting platforms.

• Outcome measures like low-carbon investment can be used more generally to assess the climate action performance of cities.

     

A Meta‐Analysis on the Return on Investment of Geospatial Data and Systems: A Multi‐Country Perspective

The availability, quality and accessibility of Geographic Information (GI) have significant socio‐economic and environmental benefits, but the collection and maintenance of GI require substantial investments. Cost‐benefit assessments (CBAs) attempt to justify the costs of geospatial data investments, applying different methodologies and focusing on diverse areas. Therefore, the Returns on Investment (ROI) vary considerably across studies, regions and sectors. The objective of this study is to explain some of the variation in the average ROI of GI by conducting a meta‐analysis of 82 cost‐benefit assessments between 1994 and 2013. In a first step, CBAs are systematically reviewed and relevant information is extracted. Particular emphasis is given to investment conditions and study characteristics. In a second step, multivariate regression methods are used to assess the size, significance and direction of individual effects. The results suggest that regional factors have the largest impact on the profitability of GI. Returns in Australia and New Zealand, for example, are four times larger than in Europe. In addition, small‐scale regional investments have a 2.5 times lower return than large‐scale international investments. Overall, the expected benefits of GI investments are approximately 3.2 times larger than the costs.     

DNA based association and description of the larval stage of Drusus melanchaetes McLachlan, 1876 (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae: Drusinae) with notes on ecology and zoogeography

At three alpine locations in Switzerland adults of Drusus melanchaetes and unknown Drusinae larvae which could not be identified with existing keys were sampled. Based on DNA association with adults, we identified the unknown larvae as D. melanchaetes. To further support the association of specimens a phylogeny was estimated with the putative closest relatives of D. melanchaetes – D. monticola and D. nigrescens – and five other species of Drusus (D. chrysotus, destitutus, discolor, muelleri and romanicus). A highly supported monophyletic clade groups unknown larvae and D. melanchaetes specimens from the central Alps and Austria (Vorarlberg), confirming the association.Based on morphology, larvae of D. melanchaetes key out together with D. destitutus in existing keys. D. melanchaetes is separated from the latter species by the shape of the lateral head profile which is almost straight and shows a small step at the height of the antenna, whereas in D. destitutus the lateral head profile is evenly rounded. In addition, in frontal view, the shape of the lateral head outline is straight in D. melanchaetes and rounded in D. destititus. There are also differences in the shape of the pronotum and in the number of the posterodorsal setae at the eighth abdominal dorsum.     

Geophysical greenfield exploration in the permo‐carboniferous Saar–Nahe basin—The Wiesbaden Geothermal Project,Germany

Structurally bound upwelling and outflowing hot fluids in the city of Wiesbaden suggest an interesting geothermal potential at the northern margin of the permo‐carboniferous Saar–Nahe basin, Germany. The Saar–Nahe basin in the Wiesbaden area was previously not a target for intensive geophysical prospecting of the deep underground. We present an exploration concept to investigate potential geothermal reservoirs near Wiesbaden for heat and power production. The acquired geophysical exploration data give new insights into the local geometry and internal structure of the Saar–Nahe basin. The exploration combines a wide range of methods, including the analysis of data, a dense grid gravity survey, as well as two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional seismic surveys. The resulting data, which for the first time reveal the deep structure of the Mainz and Saar–Nahe basins near Wiesbaden down to a depth of c. 4,000 m, show that the Saar–Nahe basin is strongly segmented and contains deep‐reaching active faults. Combining these information with numerical models of the stresses in the fault system and of the temperature distribution in the exploration area, a promising drilling target has been identified, which promise high permeability at a low risk of induced or triggered seismicity.     

An assessment of monitoring requirements and costs of 'Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation'

Background  

Negotiations on a future climate policy framework addressing Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) are ongoing. Regardless of how such a framework will be designed, many technical solutions of estimating forest cover and forest carbon stock change exist to support policy in monitoring and accounting. These technologies typically combine remotely sensed data with ground-based inventories. In this article we assess the costs of monitoring REDD based on available technologies and requirements associated with key elements of REDD policy.     

地下水人工回灌堵塞问题研究进展

地下水人工回灌堵塞问题的产生与回灌水质、入渗介质的矿物成分及颗粒组成特征等多种因素有关,通常根据成因将堵塞分为物理堵塞、化学堵塞和生物堵塞3种类型。大颗粒悬浮物的物理堵塞效应与机理的研究比较成熟,但对于中间颗粒,尤其是胶体颗粒物的堵塞作用机制的研究还相对比较薄弱;化学堵塞的机理复杂,影响因素众多,水文地球化学模拟技术在化学堵塞机理的研究中显示了良好的应用前景;生物堵塞主要由回灌水中细菌和藻类等微生物的繁殖和代谢导致,大量的研究集中在细菌方面,对藻类引起的堵塞问题研究尚不深入;多种堵塞的相互作用过程和作用机理是目前研究的难点问题。堵塞预测的方法主要包括3种:①指标法(如MFI、悬浮物浓度、浊度、AOC、BFR等),简单实用,但不能对堵塞演化过程进行描述或对堵塞程度进行定量表达;②经验公式法,受特定场地的条件限制,难以直接推广和利用;③解析公式法,对堵塞机理的表达更加科学、合理,但模型的建立与求解难度较大。通过合理的水质预处理技术和合理的回灌工艺,可以有效延迟堵塞发生的时间、减缓堵塞累积的程度。开发快速、高效、简单的堵塞处理技术对于延长工程使用寿命和降低经济成本具有重要的现实意义。     

Development of a long-term wellbore sealing concept based on numerical simulations and in situ-testing in the Altmark natural gas field

This paper presents an innovative well abandonment concept developed for the long-term containment of CO₂ in depleted Rotliegend gas reservoirs. The new concept aims at amending the conventional standard well abandonment procedure, taking advantage of the natural creeping ability of the thick, homogeneous Zechstein rock salt formation located around 3,000?m in depth (Altmark area) and consists of four main sealing units: (1) a standard sealing element with cement from the reservoir to the impermeable caprock, (2) a salt plug created in the formerly reamed section of casing within the plastic Zechstein (Upper Permian) rock salt formation, (3) two bridge plugs at the bottom and top of the salt plug and (4) a standard sealing element with cement from the top bridge plug until the ground surface. This site-specific study mainly lays emphasis on the development and field testing of the naturally created salt plug, as a key component of the long-term wellbore sealing concept. Comprehensive numerical simulations conducted prior to and during the field test in 2010 and 2011 successfully predicted the evolution of convergence using downhole measurement data. Preliminary results comprise (1) proven convergence of the rock salt formation, (2) a successful coring and (3) restored integrity of Zechstein salt formation, as proven by the formation integrity test. Based on these results, the new long-term sealing concept has been successfully tested at the Altmark natural gas field and successful application of the concept on other sites with similar geological conditions is foreseen to be likely.