Testing linear models of sea-floor topography

Stochastic models can generate profiles that resemble topography by taking uncorrelated, zero-average noise as input, introducing some correlation in the time series of noise, and integrating the resulting correlated noise. The output profile will depict a nonstationary, randomly rough surface. Two models have been chosen for comparison: a fractal model, in which the noise is correlated even at large distances, and an autoregressive model of order 1, in which the correlation of the noise decays rapidly. Both models have as an end-member a random walk, which is the integration of uncorrelated noise. The models have been fitted to profiles of submarine topography, and the sample autocorrelation, power spectrum and variogram have been compared to the theoretical predictions. The results suggest that a linear system approach is a viable method to model and classify sea-floor topography. The comparison does not show substantial disagreement of the data with either the autoregressive or the fractal model, although a fractal model seems to give a better fit. However, the amplitudes predicted by a nonstationary fractal model for long wavelengths (of the order of 1000 km) are unreasonably large. When viewed through a large window, ocean floor topography is likely to have an expected value determined by isostasy, and to be stationary. Nonstationary models are best applied to wavelengths of the order of 100 km or less.     

Tidal circulation and energy dissipation in a shallow, sinuous estuary

The tidal dynamics in a pristine, mesotidal (>2 m range), marsh-dominated estuary are examined using moored and moving vessel field observations. Analysis focuses on the structure of the M ₂ tide that accounts for approximately 80% of the observed tidal energy, and indicates a transition in character from a near standing wave on the continental shelf to a more progressive wave within the estuary. A slight maximum in water level (WL) occurs in the estuary 10–20 km from the mouth. M ₂ WL amplitude decreases at 0.015 m/km landward of this point, implying head of tide approximately 75 km from the mouth. In contrast, tidal currents in the main channel 25 km inland are twice those at the estuary mouth. Analysis suggests the tidal character is consistent with a strongly convergent estuarine geometry controlling the tidal response in the estuary. First harmonic (M ₄) current amplitude follows the M ₂ WL distribution, peaking at mid-estuary, whereas M ₄ WL is greatest farther inland. The major axis current amplitude is strongly influenced by local bathymetry and topography. On most bends a momentum core shifts from the inside to outside of the bend moving seaward, similar to that seen in unidirectional river flow but with point bars shifted seaward of the bends. Dissipation rate estimates, based on changes in energy flux, are 0.18–1.65 W m⁻² or 40–175 μW kg^–1. A strong (0.1 m/s), depth-averaged residual flow is produced at the bends, which resembles flow around headlands, forming counter-rotating eddies that meet at the apex of the bends. A large sub-basin in the estuary exhibits remarkably different tidal characteristics and may be resonant at a harmonic of the M ₂ tide.     

On the interrelations between topography,soil depth,soil moisture,transpiration rates and species distribution at the hillslope scale

Relations between the spatial patterns of soil moisture, soil depth, and transpiration and their influence on the hillslope water balance are not well understood. When determining a water balance for a hillslope, small scale variations in soil depth are often ignored. In this study we found that these variations in soil depth can lead to distinct patterns in transpiration rates across a hillslope. We measured soil moisture content at 0.05 and 0.10 m depth intervals between the soil surface and the soil–bedrock boundary on 64 locations across the trenched hillslope in the Panola Mountain Research Watershed, Georgia, USA. We related these soil moisture data to transpiration rates measured in 14 trees across the hillslope using 28 constant heat sapflow sensors. Results showed a lack of spatial structure in soil moisture across the hillslope and with depth when the hillslope was in either the wet or the dry state. However, during the short transition period between the wet and dry state, soil moisture did become spatially organized with depth and across the hillslope. Variations in soil depth and thus total soil water stored in the soil profile at the end of the wet season caused differences in soil moisture content and transpiration rates between upslope and midslope sections at the end of the summer. In the upslope section, which has shallower soils, transpiration became limited by soil moisture while in the midslope section with deeper soils, transpiration was not limited by soil moisture. These spatial differences in soil depth, total water available at the end of the wet season and soil moisture content during the summer appear responsible for the observed spatial differences in basal area and species distribution between the upslope and midslope sections of the hillslope.     

Modelling Internal Solitary Waves in the Coastal Ocean

In the coastal oceans, the interaction of currents (such as the barotropic tide) with topography can generate large-amplitude, horizontally propagating internal solitary waves. These waves often occur in regions where the waveguide properties vary in the direction of propagation. We consider the modelling of these waves by nonlinear evolution equations of the Korteweg–de Vries type with variable coefficients, and we describe how these models are used to describe the shoaling of internal solitary waves over the continental shelf and slope. The theories are compared with various numerical simulations.     

Wave equation analyses of tapered FRP–concrete piles in dense sand

Fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP)–concrete composites provide an attractive alternative to conventional pile materials such as steel, concrete and wood by improving the durability of deep foundations. In the current study, FRP tubes with different taper angles are filled with self-consolidating concrete (SCC) and driven into dense sand that is enclosed in a large pressurized soil chamber. Driving tests are conducted on FRP–SCC composite piles to determine how the pile material and geometric configuration affect its driving performance. Dynamic data is employed to determine the soil parameters in the TNO model (i.e., soil quake and damping constant) using the DLTWAVE signal-matching program. The driveability of FRP–SCC and traditional pile materials is compared using the wave equation analysis program PDPWAVE. The experimental data and the wave equation analyses indicate that the taper shape has a favourable effect on the driveability and static resistance of piles. It is also found that the driveability of FRP–SCC composite piles is similar to that of conventional prestressed concrete and steel piles. However, empty FRP tubes required a much higher driving energy. Their low flexural resistance along with risk of buckling can hinder their driveability in different soil conditions.     

测绘卫星的发展及技术现状

本文从卫星摄影测量应用的角度出发，针对国内外以光学传感器为有效载荷的遥感测绘卫星的起源、发展、现状和技术特点进行了较详细的叙述，重点对我国测绘卫星的发展进行了介绍，最后分析了不同类型测绘卫星的技术特点，提出了发展以三线阵相机为传感器的测绘卫星的建议。     

电性源短偏移距瞬变电磁地形影响特征分析

电性源短偏移距瞬变电磁法是进行山区矿产资源勘探的一种有效手段,然而地形起伏对观测数据影响严重,给瞬变电磁数据精细化解释带来很大困难。为此,本文基于三维非结构时间域有限元正演模拟方法开展电性源短偏移距瞬变电磁地形影响特征分析。首先利用非结构网格对起伏地形进行精细剖分,结合矢量有限元和后退欧拉离散技术实现复杂地质模型快速正演。然后通过模拟大量典型起伏地表模型,系统分析了三维地形响应的空间分布特征,结果表明地形对电性源短偏移距瞬变电磁响应影响严重,而且影响特征十分复杂。在此基础上,我们进一步分析了复杂地形对地下目标体探测的影响,结果发现复杂地形与地下目标体相互耦合导致无法对地下目标体进行有效分辨,这给地下目标体的准确探测带来了巨大困难。     

地形地貌对半山区土地利用动态变化影响分析——以天津市蓟县为例

以2001年和2011年2期TM图像为数据源,采用分类后比较法提取了10 a间天津市蓟县土地利用动态变化信息;利用空间分析算法生成地形起伏度和坡度2个地形因子,分析了不同地形特征上的土地利用类型分布及变化特征;从类型转换和动态度2个方面定量分析土地利用变化情况,并分析土地利用变化与地形起伏度和坡度的相关关系以及土地利用变化的影响因素。结果表明:地形地貌对土地利用的动态变化有显著的影响,在微缓起伏地形上,居民地增加最多,其次是水域,而林地减少最多;在低起伏和中起伏地形上,居民地增加最多;在山地起伏地形上,居民地有所增加;在高山起伏地形上,只有林地和未利用地有少量变化。该结果可以为天津市蓟县的生态保护以及半山区县土地利用规划提供科学依据。