Artificial neural network study of observed pattern of scour depth around bridge piers

An artificial neural networks (ANN) model is developed to study the observed pattern of local scour at bridge piers using an FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) data set composed of 380 measurements at 56 bridges in 13 states. Various ANN estimates of observed pier scour depth on different choices of input variables are examined. Reducing the number of variables from 14 to 9 has negligible effect on the coefficient of determination, R², (0.73 vs. 0.72). Further sensitivity analysis indicates that pier scour depth can be estimated using only four variables: pier shape and skew, flow depth and velocity with a coefficient of determination of 0.81, suggesting that inclusion of some variables actually diminishes the quality of ANN predictions of short term observed pattern of scour. The ANN estimates indicate that flow depth and flow velocity make up 66% of the coefficient of determination.     

The δ18O in the Guliya shallow ice core during the prevailing summer monsoons and sea-air interactions

The correlations of the δ18Omax in the shallow ice core from the Guliya ice cap on the Tibetan Plateau with the global sea surface temperatures (SST) and height at the 500 hPa over the Northern Hemisphere were analyzed. The correlated regions on oceans that have a significant influence on the δ18Omax in the Guliya ice core are all located in ocean currents, or convergent regions of currents. They are the eastern Equatorial Pacific, the Northern Pacific Current, the Hot Pool in the eastern Indian Ocean, the Mozambique Current, the Northern Atlantic Current, the Canary Current and the Atlantic Equatorial Current. The δ18Omax in the Guliya ice core has negative correlations with the SST located in the lower latitudes, and positive correlations with the SST in the middle latitudes. The correlated areas at the 500 hPa that have a great impact on the δ18Omax are located in the subtropical highs over the mid-low-latitude oceans and the long-wave trough area over Balkhash Lake, where there are marked negative correlations between the heights in those areas and the δ18Omax. The influencing mechanism is displayed by the diversity of the vapor origins transported to the Guliya region. The strengths of the European ridge and the ridge over Baikal Lake have notable positive correlations with the δ18Omax. The two systems indirectly influence the vapor transportation towards the Guliya region by the adjustment of long-wave trough and ridge.     

Climatic significance of δ18O records from an 80.36 m ice core in the East Rongbuk Glacier, Mount Qomolangma (Everest)

The δ18O variations in an 80.36 m ice core retrieved in the accumulation zone of the East Rongbuk Glacier, Mount Qomolangma (Everest), is not consistent with changes of air temperature from both southern and northern slopes of Himalayas, as well as these of the temperature anomalies over the Northern Hemisphere. The negative relationship between the δ18O and the net accumulation records of the ice core suggests the "amount effect" of summer precipitation on the δ18O values in the region. Therefore, the δ18O records of the East Rongbuk ice core should be a proxy of Indian Summer Monsoon intensity, which shows lower δ18O values during strong monsoon phases and higher values during weak phases.     

A study of the chemistry of pore fluids and authigenic carbonates in methane seep environments: Kodiak Trench, Hydrate Ridge, Monterey Bay, and Eel River Basin

Analyses of the chemical and isotopic composition of carbonates rocks recovered from methane seepage areas of the Kodiak Trench, Hydrate Ridge, Monterey Bay Clam Flats, and the Eel River Basin, coupled with the studies of the chemistry of the pore fluids, have shown that these carbonates have grown within the sediment column. Geochemical profiles of pore fluids show that, in deep water seeps (Kodiak Trench—4450 m; Monterey Bay—1000 m; Hydrate Ridge—650 m), δ¹³C (DIC) values are low (isotopically light), whereas in the Eel River area ( 350–500 m), δ¹³C (DIC) values are much higher (isotopically heavier). In all cases, the δ¹³C values indicate that processes of methane oxidation, associated with sulfate reduction, are dominant in the shallow sediments. Data on the isotopic composition of authigenic carbonates found at sites in Kodiak Trench, Eel River Basin South, and Eel River Basin North indicate a variable composition and origin in different geochemical environments. Some of the authigenic carbonates from the study sites show a trend in their δ¹³C values similar to those of the pore fluids obtained in their vicinity, suggesting formation at relatively shallow depths, but others indicate formation at greater sediment depths. The latter usually consist of high magnesium calcite or dolomite, which, from their high values of δ¹³C (up to 23‰;) and δ¹⁸O (up to 7.5‰), suggest formation in the deeper horizons of the sediments, in the zone of methanogenesis. These observations are in agreement with observations by other workers at Hydrate Ridge, in Monterey Bay, and in the Eel River Basin.     

Isotopic characteristics of precipitation in Slovenia and Croatia: Comparison of continental and maritime stations

The stable isotopic composition of hydrogen and oxygen (δ²H and δ¹⁸O) and tritium activity (³H) were monitored in monthly precipitation at two continental stations (Ljubljana, Zagreb) and six stations along the eastern Adriatic coasts of Slovenia and Croatia in the period 2001–2003. Mean air temperatures and amount of precipitation were also recorded.

Distinct differences in both meteorological and isotopic data between the continental and maritime stations were observed. Seasonal variations in δ¹⁸O are smaller at the maritime stations than at the continental ones due to smaller seasonal temperature variations. A good correlation between δ¹⁸O and δ²H was obtained for each station, and the local meteoric water lines are close to the Global Meteoric Water Line, with a decreasing trend of slope for the south-Adriatic stations. Good correlations between δ¹⁸O in monthly precipitation and mean monthly air temperature were observed at all stations. The slope of δ¹⁸O vs. T varied between 0.37‰ °C⁻¹ and 0.15‰ °C⁻¹. Mean ³H activity and seasonal variation of ³H activity are smaller at maritime stations than at continental ones. Additionally, ³H activity decreases in the NW–SE direction of the Adriatic coast.

The study of spatial variations over this relatively small area rich in geographical and climatic diversities showed the complexity of the isotopic composition of precipitation and the isotopic data obtained for eight stations, most of them in the karstic area along the Adriatic coast, and gave valuable information for regional hydrological investigations and modelling of isotope variability over the Mediterranean basin.     

Relationships between δ18O in summer precipitation and temperature and moisture trajectories at Muztagata, western China

Based on summer observations of stable isotope of precipitation at Muztagata, western China, during 2002-2003, this paper presents the relationship between δ ¹⁸O in precipitation and air temperature, and discusses the effect of moisture transport on δ ¹⁸O in precipitation. Results show that air temperature correlates positively with δ ¹⁸O in precipitation, and the temperature effect controls the δ ¹⁸O of precipitation in this area. The Muztagata region exhibits high δ ¹⁸O values in summer precipitation, similar to those shown at stations in adjacent regions. According to the results of our model set up to trace the moisture trajectories, the westerlies and local moisture circulation contribute to variations of oxygen isotopes in precipitation. In addition, the impacts of the moisture transport distance, the moisture transport level, and the incursion of the polar air mass also influence the variations of δ ¹⁸O in precipitation. The moisture origins and transport mechanisms also contribute to the variation of δ ¹⁸O in precipitation at Muztagata.     

冰芯中所记录的气候异常与ENSO事件

通过对３００ＢＰ以来记录于中国古里雅冰芯中的降水和δ１８Ｏ等环境气候信息记录及ＥＮ－ＳＯ事件的分析,发现ＥＮＳＯ的发生与古里雅降水异常显著相关。在厄尔尼诺年,古里雅冰芯中的降水与δ１８Ｏ均负异常,即ＥＮＳＯ与古里雅的降水偏少,温度偏低相联系。     

Theoretical Modelling of Water—Rock δD—δ18O Isotopic Exchange System and Source of OreForming Fluid：A Case Study on Jinduicheng Superlarge—Scale Molybdenum Deposti,Central China

Based on the theoretical modelling of water-rock δD-δ¹⁸O isotopic exchange process, the evolution and sources of ore-forming fluid in four metallogenic epochs of the Jinduicheng superlarge-scale porphyry-type molybdenum deposit were investigated. It was revealed that in the pre-metallogenic and early-metallogenic epochs, the ore-forming fluid was a residual fluid derived from magmatic water-wall rock interaction at middle to high temperatures (T = 250–500°C) and lower W/R ratios (0.1> = W/R>0.001), while in the metallogenic and postmetallogenic epochs, the ore-forming fluid was a residual fluid derived from meteoric water-wall rock interaction at middle to lower temperatures (T = 150–310°C) and relatively high W/R ratios (0.5>W/R≥0.1). The meteoric water played an important role in molybdenum mineralization, and at the main metallogenic epoch the W/R ratio reached its maximum value. This project was financially supported by both the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Key Research Project of the Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources of China.     

河北平原地下水氢、氧、碳、氯同位素组成的环境意义

地下水是古气候信息的载体，它的化学成分和同位素组成可以反映古气候的演变。应用３Ｈ、１４Ｃ和３６Ｃｌ资料计算的河北平原地下水的年龄如下：第１含水组（Ｑ４）０～３ｋａ，第２含水组（Ｑ３）３～１００ｋａ，第３含水组（Ｑ２）１００～３００ｋａ，第４含水组（Ｑ１）３００～７００ｋａ。根据δ１８Ｏ和δＤ计算的地下水补给期的地面平均气温表明，第四纪以来河北平原气候环境是逐渐变暖的。根据第４至第１含水组（Ｑ１～Ｑ４）地下水δＤ＝－７０‰的等值线变化，认为第四纪以来，渤海海岸线逐渐由东向西移动。     

层序界面及其附近的地质特征与地质过程的表现

本文探讨了层序界面及其附近的地质特征及其构型,建立了三型(Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ型)八类层序界面分类方案;Ⅰ型界面包括暴露侵蚀削截面、古土壤面、古喀斯特面和暴露侵蚀界面;Ⅱ型界面包括海平面下降结构转换面和海侵上超界面;Ⅲ型界面包括海底侵蚀成岩间断面和事件界面。运用岩石地层学、生物地层学、磁性地层学及碳氧同位素等多学科,对二叠纪和三叠纪中,二叠与前二叠系之间、二叠与三叠系之间和中下三叠统之间3个主要层序界面进行了探讨,这3个界面分别属于Ⅰ型、Ⅲ型和Ⅰ型界面。提出了层序界面及其附近的地质特征及其地质过程的表现。