Interpretation of moment measures derived from water-lain sediments

ABSTRACT Although mean size provides a useful value for characterizing sediments, it is an inadequate expression of the interaction between sediments and hydraulic regimes and many authors have explored the significance of other statistical moment measures in different parts of the particle size spectrum. Few publications, however, have described such relationships over a very wide range of particle sizes. Using a combined data base (of marine and lacustrine sediments) we have been able to demonstrate the following: The distributions of standard deviation (and entropy) values are repeated in similar form on either side of the sand size class, describing mixtures between sands and gravel and sands and clay. Skewness is modified by the hydraulic response of the sediment and a skewness divide is present at about 2.7 φ, where it coincides with the minimum shear velocity required to initiate particle motion. This divide may be used to distinguish between high and low energy regimes. Kurtosis, like standard deviation, is a measure of the mixing of end member populations but it is more sensitive to changes in the tails of distribution curves. The maximum positive peak of kurtosis, at about 2.5 φ, lies close to the skewness divide (in our data). By using skewness/kurtosis plots it is possible to define separate field distribution for sediments which, to a greater or lesser degree, appear to conform to hydraulic equilibrium. By using sediments which are close to equilibrium (and lie at or close to our skewness/kurtosis boundary curves, it should be possible to define hydraulic shear velocities, at the time of formation. Values may be established by empirical relationships or by defining the break-point (traction and intermittent suspension) between linear components of individual sample φ size/probability distribution plots. Such relationships should be enhanced by using hydraulic equivalent diameters instead of sieve diameters. In fine sediments, the use of fractional (silt: clay) ratios offers sensitivity at a level comparable to that of skewness/kurtosis plots and may be more easily computed.     

INVERSION OF FIRST-BREAK TRAVELTIME DATA OF DEEP SEISMIC REFLECTION PROFILES1

First breaks of 2D deep reflection data were used to construct velocity-depth models for improved static corrections to a deeper datum level and for geological interpretations. The highly redundant traveltime data were automatically picked and transformed directly into a velocity-depth model by maximum depth methods such as the Giese- and the Slichter-method. Comparisons with the results of synthetic calculations and a tomographic approach using iterative inversion methods (ART, SIRT) showed that maximum depth methods provide reliable velocity models as a basis for the computation of static corrections. These methods can economically be applied during data acquisition in the field. They provide particularly long-period static anomalies, which are of the order of 20–40 ms (0.5-1 wavelength) within CMP gathers of an example of a deep reflection profile in SW-Germany sited on crystalline basement. Reprocessing of this profile, which was aimed at the comparison between the effects of the originally used and the new statics, did not result in dramatically improved stacking quality but showed a subtle influence on the detailed appearance of deep crustal events.     

THE TRANSIENT ELECTROMAGNETIC RESPONSE OF A POLARIZABLE SPHERE IN A CONDUCTING HALF SPACE1

A polarizable sphere embedded in a conducting half-space can give rise to negative voltage transients in a coincident-loop time-domain electromagnetic system. Such transients have been observed in field situations. Our results are obtained from a model in which the contributions of the host rock, the currents in the sphere, and the interaction between the sphere and the host rock are separated and superposed. This model uses approximations to the integral equation solutions rather than finite-element or finite-difference approximations, and so allows very rapid computation. The theoretical demonstration suggests that interpretation of the negative voltage transients as a polarization response is valid, but more detailed interpretation of polarization properties may not be possible, because the superposition of the polarization response on the normal response depends strongly on the position of the target.     

Sedimentary architecture and 3D ground-penetrating radar analysis of gravelly meandering river deposits (Neckar Valley, SW Germany)

Sedimentological outcrop analysis and sub‐surface ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) surveys are combined to characterize the three‐dimensional sedimentary architecture of Quaternary coarse‐grained fluvial deposits in the Neckar Valley (SW Germany). Two units characterized by different architectural styles are distinguished within the upper part of the gravel body, separated by an erosional unconformity: (i) a lower unit dominated by trough‐shaped depositional elements with erosional, concave‐up bounding surfaces that are filled by cross‐bedded sets of mainly openwork and filled framework gravel; and (ii) an upper unit characterized by gently inclined sheets of massive and openwork gravels with thin, sandy interlayers that show lateral accretion on a lower erosional unconformity. The former is interpreted as confluence scour pool elements formed in a multi‐channel, possibly braided river system, the latter as extensive point bar deposits formed by the lateral migration of a meandering river channel. The lateral accretion elements are locally cut by chute channels mainly filled by gravels rich in fines, and by fine‐grained abandoned channel fills. The lateral accretion elements are associated with gravel dune deposits characterized by steeply inclined cross‐beds of alternating open and filled framework gravel. Floodplain fines with a cutbank and point bar morphology cover the gravel deposits. The GPR images, revealing the three‐dimensional geometries of the depositional elements and their stacking patterns, confirm a change in sedimentary style between the two stratigraphic units. The change occurred at the onset of the Holocene, as indicated by ¹⁴C‐dating of wood fragments, and is related to a re‐organization of the fluvial system that probably was driven by climatic changes. The integration of sedimentological and GPR results highlights the heterogeneity of the fluvial deposits, a factor that is important for modelling groundwater flow in valley‐fill aquifers.     

ESSAI DE DETERMINATION AUTOMATIQUE DES VITESSES SISMIQUES PAR MESURES ENTRE PUITS*

Large memory computers create new possibilities for seismic interpretation in well-drilled areas, and more generally in problems involving deep sources. Records obtained by well-to-surface, surface-to-well and/or well-to-well propagation contain a large amount of information, owing to the great number of seismic rays travelling throughout the subsurface. This paper considers two successive steps: — direct case: computation of the first arrival times of seismic rays propagating through a two-dimensional subsurface with given vertical and horizontal velocity variations; — inverse case: computation of a two-dimensional velocity distribution, knowing the travel times of seismic rays through the subsurface. A computer program has been elaborated to solve both direct and inverse problems. There are no difficulties with the direct case; a certain number of uncertainties remain with the inverse case.     

Lithified carbonate sediment and zeolitic tuff in basalts, Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Basaltic boulders dredged from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge contain lithified coccolith-foraminiferal ooze in fractures and small pockets. Textural and isotopic studies of this sediment provide no evidence for high temperature metamorphism. The lithified carbonate sediment occurs together with palagonitized basaltic glass and zeolitic tuff, and appears to have been squeezed into cracks and other voids within the congealed margins of partly-cooled basalt pillows which intruded soft carbonate ooze. Thermal metamorphism probably was precluded by rapid heat dissipation in convecting pore waters and by the thermal stability of calcareous microplankton. Low temperature alteration of basaltic glass appears to have provided the chemical milieu for precipitation of calcite cement as well as zeolites in the sediment.     

Short-wave aerosol radiative efficiency over the global oceans derived from satellite data

Using 5 yr (December 2000–November 2005) of satellite data from the clouds and the earths radiant energy system (CERES) and moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS), we examine the instantaneous short-wave radiative efficiency ( E_τ ) of aerosols during the morning Terra satellite overpass time over the global oceans (60°N–60°S). We calculate E_τ using two commonly used methods. The first method uses the MODIS aerosol optical thickness (AOT) at 0.55 μm with radiative transfer calculations, whereas the second method utilizes the same AOT values along with a new generation of aerosol angular distribution models to convert the CERES-measured broad-band radiances to fluxes. Over the 5 yr, the global mean instantaneous E_τ between the methods is remarkably consistent and within 5 W m⁻²τ⁻¹ with a mean value of –70 W m⁻²τ⁻¹. The largest differences between the methods occur in high-latitude regions, primarily in the Southern Hemisphere, where AOT is low. In dust dominated regions, there is an excellent agreement between the methods with differences of <3 W m⁻²τ⁻¹. These differences are largely due to assumptions in aerosol models and definition of clear sky backgrounds. Independent assessments of aerosol radiative effects from different satellite sensors and methods are extremely valuable and should be used to verify numerical modelling simulations.     

The Holocene history of the southwestern Baltic Sea as reflected in a sediment core from the Bornholm Basin

A study of changes in siliceous microfossil assemblages and chemical analyses in a well-dated offshore sediment core from the Bornholm Basin, southwestern Baltic Sea, is carried out with the objective of increasing knowledge of the Holocene history of the area. The core covers about 11 300 calendar years from the brackish phase of the Yoldia Sea stage to the present. The first weak marine influence in the Ancylus Lake stage is recorded about 10 100 cal. yr BP (c. 8900 ¹⁴C BP), indicating a complex transition to the Litorina Sea with different phases of brackish-water inflow. The lithology, organic carbon content and C/N and C/S ratios indicate no major changes in the sedimentary environment during the Litorina-Post-Litorina Sea stages. A high productivity event recorded in the Post-Litorina Sea stage around 950 cal. yr BP correlates with the Medieval warm event. A biostratigraphical change indicating a colder climate is recorded in the sediment at about 800 cal. yr BP, which might mark the beginning of the Little Ice Age.