Strength and stability of frictional sliding of gabbro gouge at elevated temperatures

To investigate the strength of frictional sliding and stability of mafic lower crust, we conducted experiments on oven-dried gabbro gouge of 1 mm thick sandwiched between country rock pieces (with gouge inclined 35° to the sample axis) at slip rates of 1.22 × 10^− 3 mm/s and 1.22 × 10^− 4 mm/s and elevated temperatures up to 615 °C. Special attention has been paid to whether transition from velocity weakening to velocity strengthening occurs due to the elevation of temperature.Two series of experiments were conducted with normal stresses of 200 MPa and 300 MPa, respectively. For both normal stresses, the friction strengths are comparable at least up to 510 °C, with no significant weakening effect of increasing temperature. Comparison of our results with Byerlee's rule on a strike slip fault with a specific temperature profile in the Zhangbei region of North China shows that the strength given by experiments are around that given by Byerlee's rule and a little greater in the high temperature range.At 200 MPa normal stress, the steady-state rate dependence a − b shows only positive values, probably still in the “run-in” process where velocity strengthening is a common feature. With a normal stress of 300 MPa, the values of steady-state rate dependence decreases systematically with increasing temperature, and stick-slip occurred at 615 °C. Considering the limited displacement, limited normal stress applied and the effect of normal stress for the temperatures above 420 °C, it is inferred here that velocity weakening may be the typical behaviour at higher normal stress for temperature above 420 °C and at least up to 615 °C, which covers most of the temperature range in the lower crust of geologically stable continental interior. For a dry mafic lower crust in cool continental interiors where frictional sliding prevails over plastic flow, unstable slip nucleation may occur to generate earthquakes.     

Effect of some additives on synthesis of zeolite from coal fly ash

Hydrothermal conversion of fly ash into zeolites was conducted and the effects of the addition of sodium halide and waste solutions produced after zeolitization of fly ash, as well as the adjustment of the Si/Al ratio prior to synthesis process on the formation and cation exchange capacity (CEC) of zeolite product were evaluated. Both the addition of NaCl and NaF ameliorated the crystallinity and CEC of synthesized zeolite, but NaF had a better improvement effect. Na⁺ was considered to enhance the crystallization of zeolite, while F⁻ favored the dissolution of fly ash. The type of zeolite formed depended on the Si/Al ratio of the starting material prior to the nucleation and crystallization of zeolite. The adjustment of the Si/Al ratio of fly ash by addition of Na₂SiO₄ and Al(OH)₃ changed the type and CEC of zeolite. Waste solutions contained large amount of Si and little Al due to the formation of a zeolite named NaP1 in zeolite terminology with the Joint Committee of Powder Diffraction Standard (JCPDS) code of 39-0219. The alkalinity decreased largely. As a result, the CEC value of zeolite products synthesized with waste solution as alkali source decreased. The supplementation of new alkali to adjust the alkalinity of waste solution could enhance the CEC of synthesized product. It was concluded that: (1) addition of sodium halide and adjustment of the Si/Al ratio prior to synthesis can improve the quality of zeolite; (2) waste solutions produced following the zeolitization of fly ash can be reused as an alkali source in the activation of fly ash; zero-emission of waste solution in the synthesis of zeolite from fly ash is possible.     

The Wuchiapingian–Changhsingian boundary (Upper Permian) at Meishan of Changxing County, South China

Section D at Meishan, Changxing County in the Zhejiang Province, China, has been extensively studied in various aspects of the stratigraphy during the past 20 years. It was ratified by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) as the Global Standard Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the Permian–Triassic boundary in 2000, and is also a potential stratotype for the Wuchiapingian–Changhsingian boundary. However, the contact relationship between the Longtan (Wuchiapingian) and Changxing (Chainghsingian) formations has been a controversial subject for years. Recent studies on Section C, about 300 m west of Section D, at Meishan confirm a complete depositional succession around the boundary and suggest that the proposed boundary level, the FAD of Clarkina wangi within the lineage from C. longicuspidata to C. wangi, is consistent with the first appearance of the index Changhsingian fusulinid Palaeofusulina sinensis and tapashanitid ammonoids.     

Production of carbonate and silica nano-particles in stirred bead milling

This paper presents the experimental results of the mechanical production of silica and carbonate colloidal particles below 100 nm using two types of stirred bead mills (i.e., DCP Superflow 12 and PML H/V). It is shown that the stirred bead mill with very small beads can be used as an efficient equipment for the production of the colloidal particles in nanoscale from the feed materials of several microns in sizes at high energy consumptions. The DCP Superflow mill with high power densities is superior for the effective size reduction and production rate, compared to the conventional PML H/V mill with lower power densities. The smaller particles could be produced by the DCP Superflow mill at the same level of high energy inputs as from the PML H/V mill. The “grinding limit” for the processes in the mills has been discussed.     

Modeling the seismic response of basin-edge structure by a sequential waveform method

A sequential waveform method is developed to simulate the seismic response of basin-edge structure excited by a plane incident P-wave. The full procedure involves: (a) a previous parameterization of the investigated model using the seismic wave velocities and depths of the sedimentary stratifications; (b) an input motion determined from the records at stations installed on hard rock; (c) forward computation of the P-SV elastic wave field by means of a two-dimensional finite difference (FD) method; (d) the optimization of the model vector using simulated annealing technique and comparing the simulated seismic response of the tested structure with the observed wave field; (e) the correction of the initial model by trial-and-error by testing the differences between synthetics and observed data, and (f) the final solution obtained by iteration using the conjugate gradient algorithm. The search of an optimal basin-edge model has been parallel processed by varying the shapes and velocities of strata on the basis of the fitting of relative timing, amplitude and phase between the output and the observed data. The input motion and sensitivity have been checked and the validity of the method has been demonstrated by numeric analysis. Using the teleseismic records generated by 7 earthquakes recorded at 26 broadband seismic stations, we have studied the seismic velocity structure of the southern edge of the Jiyang depression located in the Bohai Bay basin, northern China. Two cross sections show an agreement between the velocity results and the geological sections available in the region. In addition, we obtain evidence of three hidden faults under the sections and features that suggest major extensions at the Paleogene.     

Characterization of water bursting and discharge into underground mines with multilayered groundwater flow systems in the North China coal basin

A conceptual framework for characterization of water bursting and discharge into underground mines with multilayered groundwater flow systems is presented, based on the features of the site conditions and analyses of the water bursting and mine inundation events of the North China coal basin. Comprehensive analyses of the hydrogeological conditions for establishment of the three-dimensional groundwater flow systems of the North China coal basin revealed different vertical hydraulic connection paths or channels. These connections include karst collapse columns, fault or fracture zones, buried weathering zones, and fracture networks in aquitards, within the multilayered groundwater flow systems. Also examined, was the effect of the primary features of the flow system and those different connection paths on water bursting and discharge into the underground coal mines. It was demonstrated that appropriately identifying and adequately understanding the three-dimensional multilayered groundwater flow systems and those various vertical hydraulic connection mechanisms are critical for appropriately preventing water bursting hazards and predicting water discharge into underground mines. A valuable guideline is presented on characterization of water bursting and discharge into underground mines with multilayered groundwater flow systems.

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Resumen Un cadre de travail conceptuel pour la caractérisation du jaillissement et de la vidange des eaux dans les mines à plusieurs niveaux d'écoulement est présenté, basé sur les conditions et l'analyse sur site du jaillissement des eaux et des inondations dans les bassins charbonneux du Nord de la Chine. L'analyse compréhensive des conditions hydrogéologiques des systèmes d'écoulement tridimensionnel de ces bassins, révèle des trajets ou des chenaux qui sont autant de connections hydrauliques verticales. Ces connections comprennent des effondrement karstiques en colonne, des zones de fractures et de failles, des zones d'altération, des réseaux de fractures dans les aquitards, dans le système hydrogéologique multicouche. L'influence des caractéristiques primaires du système d'écoulement et de ces différentes connections sur le jaillissement et la vidange dans les mines, est également examiné. Il a été démontré que l'identification appropriée et la compréhension adéquate du système d'écoulement souterrain multicouche et tridimensionnel, et des mécanismes variés de connection hydraulique verticale est critiquée pour prévenir de manière appropriée les risques de jaillissement et de vidange dans les mines. Des guidelines valorisables sont présentées, pour la caractérisation du jaillissement et de la vidange dans de tels systèmes.

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Résumé Se presenta un marco conceptual para la de caracterización de la despresurización y descarga de agua a minas subterráneas con sistemas de acuíferos de múltiples niveles, el cual se basa en las condiciones del sitio, análisis de la despresurización de agua e inundaciones de minas en la cuenca de carbón del norte de la China.Un análisis comprehensivo de las condiciones hidrogeológicas para el establecimiento de los sistemas de flujo de agua de tri-dimensionales en la cuenca de carbón del norte de la China ha revelado diferentes canales hidráulicos verticales. Estas conexiones incluyen columnas de karst colapsadas, fallas o zonas de fracturas, zonas de regalita hundida y redes de fracturas en zonas de poca permeabilidad dentro de los sistemas de flujo de múltiples niveles.También se investigó el efecto de los rasgos primarios del sistema de flujo y los diferentes canales conectivos sobre la despresurización y descarga de agua a minas subterráneas. Se demostró que el entendimiento e identificación adecuada de los sistemas de acuíferos de múltiples niveles en tres dimensiones es crítico para prevenir apropiadamente la despresurización y descarga de agua a minas subterráneas. Se presentan lineamientos valiosos en relación con la despresurización y descarga de agua a minas subterráneas en sistemas de flujo de múltiple nivel.

     

Threshold velocity for wind erosion: the effects of porous fences

Porous fence is a kind of artificial windbreak that has many practical applications. The threshold wind velocities at different distances downwind from porous fences were measured and the corresponding characteristics of particle movement observed to assess their shelter effect. It is found that the fence’s porosity is the key factor that determines the resulting shelter effect. The area near a fence can be typically classified into five regions, each with a different mode of particle movement. Dense fences, and especially solid fences, favor the accumulation of sand upwind of the fences. Fences with porosities of 0.3–0.4 produce the maximum threshold wind velocity; those with porosities of 0.3–0.6 (depending on the fence height) provide the maximum effective shelter distance. It is confirmed that the fence porosities of 0.3–0.4 that have been proposed for practical application in previous research are the most effective for abating wind erosion.     

Study of stable isotopes for highly deformed aquifers in the Hsinchu-Miaoli area, Taiwan

This study was based on the analysis of isotopic compositions of hydrogen and oxygen in samples from precipitation, groundwater and stream water. In addition, parts of groundwater samples were dated by carbon-14 and tritium. These data are integrated to provide other views of the hydrologic cycle in the Hsinchu-Miaoli groundwater district. The groundwater district is principally composed of Pleistocene and Holocene aquifers. The Pleistocene aquifers are highly deformed by folding and faults into small sub-districts with areas of only tens of square kilometers. These aquifers are exclusively recharged by local precipitation. The Holocene aquifers cover narrow creek valleys, only tens of meters in thickness. The local meteoric water line (LMWL), constructed from rainfall samples in the Hsinchu Science Park, is described by the equation δD=8.02δ¹⁸O+10.16, which agrees with the global meteoric water line. In addition, the precipitation isotopic compositions can be categorized into two distinct end members: typhoon type and monsoon type. The groundwater isotopic compositions are perfectly located on an LMWL and can be considered a mixture of precipitations. Based on the mass balance of isotopic compositions of oxygen and hydrogen, infiltration is more active in the rainy season with depleted isotopic compositions. The amount of infiltration during May–September is roughly estimated to comprise at least 55% of the whole year’s recharge. The isotopic compositions of stream water are expressed by a regression equation: δD=7.61δ¹⁸O+9.62, which is similar to the LMWL. Although precipitation isotopic compositions are depleted during summer time, the isotopic compositions contrarily show an enriched trend in the upstream area. This is explained by the opposite altitude effect on isotopic compositions for typhoon-related precipitations.     

The Spačice eclogite: constraints on the P–T–t history of the Gföhl granulite terrane, Moldanubian Zone, Bohemian Massif

Summary In the Kutná Hora Complex, the Běstvina Formation, which is similar to Gf?hl granulite, contains eclogite that has escaped widespread retrograde recrystallization. The eclogite assemblage, garnet + omphacite + quartz + rutile ± plagioclase, yields an estimate for peak metamorphic conditions of 18–20 kbar and 835–935 °C, which is comparable to that determined from felsic granulite, 14–20 kbar and 900–1000 °C. Garnet in eclogite exhibits both prograde and retrograde compositional zoning, from which constraints on thermal history of the Gf?hl terrane can be derived by diffusion modelling. At 900 °C, a garnet grain of 800–1000 μm radius would homogenize in 7.5–11.7 million years, but the existence of compositional gradients on a length scale of 100–200 μm suggests that the duration of peak metamorphism may have been limited to ∼500,000 years. Diffusion modelling of retrograde zoning in garnet yields a cooling rate of 150–100 °C/m.y. for a radius of 800–1000 μm and initial temperature of 900 °C. The relatively brief duration of high-pressure/high-temperature metamorphism and rapid cooling and exhumation of the Gf?hl terrane may be a consequence of lithospheric delamination during Early Carboniferous collision of Bohemia (Teplá-Barrandia) and Moldanubia (Franke, 2000).     

Control of dust emissions by geomorphic conditions, wind environments and land use in northern China: An examination based on dust storm frequency from 1960 to 2003

The degree to which dust emissions are controlled by geomorphic conditions, wind environments and land use was investigated using the dust storm frequency (DSF) and data from more than 300 meteorological stations throughout northern China. Our analysis showed that most dust emissions originated in gobi deserts that developed in piedmont alluvial fans of the Kunlun, Qilian and Helan mountains. Dust emissions are low from other gobi desert regions, such as the northern Gurbantunggut and eastern Taklimakan, where high vegetation coverage restrained dust emissions or where dust-size particles are not abundant after a long period of strong wind erosion. Sandy deserts with relatively high vegetation coverage or an extensive cover by mobile sands are not a major dust source. Although the highest dust emissions did not appear in regions with the highest wind energy, DSF trends in each region from 1960 to 2003 were closely related to local wind activity. DSF was low in regions with high levels of human activity, where the mean DSF from 1960 to 2003 did not exceed 4 days/year; even from the 1960s to the early 1970s, the period with the greatest DSF, frequency did not exceed 8 days/year, which indicates that extensive land use did not contribute to DSF. The low DSF in these areas might result from the fact that although land use could produce abundant fine soil fractions, vegetation coverage and soil moisture remained higher than in the gobi deserts of arid China, thereby decreasing dust-storm occurrence.