Mosaic desert pavement influences water infiltration and vegetation distribution on fluvial fan surfaces

Desert pavements (DPs) are critical for maintaining ecological stability and promoting near-surface hydrological cycling in arid regions. However, few studies have focused on eco-hydrological processes of DPs in the ecological systems of fluvial fans. Although DP surfaces appear to be barren and flat, we found that the surfaces are characterized by surface mosaic patterns of desert pavement (mosaic DP) and bare ground (mosaic BG). We investigated the effects of mosaic DP on water infiltration and vegetation distribution at six sites in fluvial fans (one on a hillside and five within the sectors of fans) along a southwest belt transect in northern Linze County, in the central Hexi Corridor (China). We found significant differences in mosaic DP between the hillside and sector sites in terms of pavement thickness and vesicular horizon thickness (Av thickness), particle composition, and bulk density, although significant differences were absent for mass soil water content, gravel coverage, and surface gravel size. The mosaic DP inhibited water infiltration by the pavement layer, where the sorptivity (S), initial infiltration rate (i_int), steady-state infiltration rate (i_sat) and infiltration time (T) averaged 1.19 cm/min^-0.5, 0.64 cm/min, 0.13 cm/min and 12.76 min, respectively. Where the pavement layer was scalped, the S, i_int, and i_sat increased by 0.27 cm/min^-0.5, 0.52 cm/min, and 0.40 cm/min, respectively, and the T reduced by 7.42 min. Water infiltration was mainly controlled by the pavement layer thickness (+), Av thickness (−), surface gravel coverage (−), fine earth (+) and fine gravel (−) in the pavement layer. The DP surfaces only had a sparse covering of shrubs, but an abundance of herbs. Few shrubs were present on the mosaic DP, but a greater number of shrubs and herbs grew on the mosaic BG. It can be concluded that DPs can maintain vegetation stability for different surface mosaic patterns. This study deepens our understanding of the eco-hydrological cycle of DP landscapes in arid regions.     

Garnet crystal plasticity in the continental crust,new example from south Madagascar

Garnet (10 vol.%; pyrope contents 34–44 mol.%) hosted in quartzofeldspathic rocks within a large vertical shear zone of south Madagascar shows a strong grain‐size reduction (from a few cm to ～300 μm). Electron back‐scattered diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscope imaging coupled with quantitative analysis of digitized images (PolyLX software) have been used in order to understand the deformation mechanisms associated with this grain‐size evolution. The garnet grain‐size reduction trend has been summarized in a typological evolution (from Type I to Type IV). Type I, the original porphyroblasts, form cm‐sized elongated grains that crystallized upon multiple nucleation and coalescence following biotite breakdown: biotite + sillimanite + quartz = garnet + alkali feldspar + rutile + melt. These large garnet grains contain quartz ribbons and sillimanite inclusions. Type I garnet is sheared along preferential planes (sillimanite layers, quartz ribbons and/or suitably oriented garnet crystallographic planes) producing highly elongated Type II garnet grains marked by a single crystallographic orientation. Further deformation leads to the development of a crystallographic misorientation, subgrains and new grains resulting in Type III garnet. Associated grain‐size reduction occurs via subgrain rotation recrystallization accompanied by fast diffusion‐assisted dislocation glide. This plastic deformation of garnet is associated with efficient recovery as shown by the very low dislocation densities (10¹⁰ m^?3 or lower). The rounded Type III garnet experiences rigid body rotation in fine‐grained matrix. In the highly deformed samples, the deformation mechanisms in garnet are grain‐size‐ and shape‐dependent: dislocation creep is dominant for the few large grains left (>1 mm; Type II garnet), rigid body rotation is typical for the smaller rounded grains (300 μm or less; Type III garnet) whereas diffusion creep may affect more elliptic garnet (Type IV garnet). The P–T conditions of garnet plasticity in the continental crust (≥950 °C; 11 kbar) have been identified using two‐feldspar thermometry and GASP conventional barometry. The garnet microstructural and deformation mechanisms evolution, coupled with grain‐size decrease in a fine‐grained steady‐state microstructure of quartz, alkali feldspar and plagioclase, suggests a separate mechanical evolution of garnet with respect to felsic minerals within the shear zone.     

A mixing-length model for predicting vertical velocity distribution in flows through emergent vegetation

Abstract

The vertical profiles of streamwise velocities are computed on flood plains vegetated with trees. The calculations were made based on a newly developed one-dimensional model, taking into account the relevant forces acting on the volumetric element surrounding the considered vegetation elements. A modified mixing length concept was used in the model. An important by-product of the model is the method for evaluating the friction velocities, and consequently bed shear stresses, in a vegetated channel. The model results were compared with the relevant experimental results obtained in a laboratory flume in which flood plains were covered by simulated vegetation.     

宽窄相间河道水流紊动特性试验研究

为了探索宽窄相间河道的水流紊动特性，以西南地区宝兴河上游宽窄相间河段为研究对象，基于室内概化模型试验，采用多普勒声学流速仪（ADV）测量了室内模型典型断面上的三维瞬时流速，分析典型断面上的纵向时均流速、紊动强度、雷诺切应力和紊动能的分布规律。试验结果显示：宽窄相间水槽中，扩散段边壁的紊动强度大于中心区域的紊动强度，最大值位于0.2倍水深处；扩散段两侧坡脚处紊动能最大；侧壁区的平面和立面雷诺切应力最大值出现在扩散段内，中心区域最大雷诺切应力位于两槽间的中间断面处；扩散段内水流紊乱，两侧出现旋涡和涡脱，易造成侧壁侵蚀加强，引起河道拓宽。深入分析了宽窄相间河道水流的紊动特性，可为山区河流治理和自然灾害防治提供参考。     

Application of the threshold method to air quality data

A new threshold method is explained in a manner suitable for workers in the general scientific area. Its application to the prediction of extreme pollutant concentrations is described and the results are compared with those of a conventional procedure, using a set of published data. A discussion concerning the difficulties of the presently used statistical technique is also included.     

Fractographic determination of joint length distribution in chalk

Summary Measurements of fracture joint distribution combined with determinations of plume length and orientation on a vertical section of a single chalk layer near Beer Sheva, Israel, reveal that joints marked by unilateral and circular plumes are skewed towards the shorter sizes while joints decorated by bilateral plumes are skewed towards the longer sizes. The mean lengths of the unilateral and bilateral joints are 66.5 cm and 155.6 cm, with standard deviations of 30 cm and 60.6 cm, respectively. These results as well as joint length observations from other areas seem to suggest a bimodal length distribution. However, since the minor maximum is generally very weak, and due to some additional uncertainties, further confirmation of the present observations is needed.     

Estimating the crush zone size under a cutting tool in coal

Summary As part of an effort to understand the mechanics of fine fragment formation in coal, which is important in studies of respirable dust due to mining, fracture toughness measurements and the strain energy density (SED) theory were applied to calculate the crush zone size under a cutting tool in coal. This zone is the major source of fine fragments in the 1 to 10 µm size range. The model used in these calculations is a boundary element program containing a failure criterion based on the SED theory. The boundary element program calculates linear elastic stresses at numerous points in the coal material ahead of a cutting bit. These stresses are then input to a subroutine called critical flaw length and orientation (CFLO) which uses the SED theory to determine the CFLO for a small crack at the boundary element stress computation point. The extent of crushing is based on earlier postulates about the role of inherent flaws in a fragmentation process. To form 1 to 10 µm fragments requires firstly a local stress strong enough to activate flaws with a characteristic length less than 1 to 10 µm and secondly, a flaw density sufficient to provide an average spacing between flaws also on the order of 1 to 10 µm. The locus of active 10 µm flaws represents the maximum possible extent of fine fragmentation in the 10 µm or less size range assuming that a sufficient inherent flaw density exists. The approach offers a first order approximation to the extent of crushing under a tool tip. The size and shape of the crush zone volume is affected by the attack angle and geometry of the tool.     

岩浆包裹体化学成分研究

岩浆包裹体化学成分研究难度较大,为了获得可信的数据,应当注意:1.非演化型岩浆包裹体的化学成分可以代表其初始成分。演化型岩浆包裹体应先均一、淬火后再行测定。2.均一演化型岩浆包裹体应严格遵守加热规则,否则过热作用会使包裹体壁部分熔化,造成淬火后所测包裹体成分与其真正的初始成分并不相当。3.实测资料证明,“边界层效应”对于岩浆包裹体化学成分影响微不足道。4.岩浆包裹体的化学成分只能代表其主矿物结晶时周围岩浆的成分,即仅相当于岩浆液相线上的一个点。5。把显微冷热台测温、激光喇曼探针和电子探针分析技术结合使用,对查明单个包裹体中挥发组分的性状和浓度具有很大的潜力和前途。     

青海湖沉积物中的粘土矿物

本文对青海湖沉积物中的粘土矿物和沉积环境进行了初步研究。沉积物的粒度成分一般以粉砂级为主,湖周沉积物较粗,湖内沉积物较细。湖中粘土矿物以伊利石-绿泥石为主,含少量蒙脱石和高岭石等。沉积物表层未见蒙脱石,粘土中Al₂O₃、K₂O和MgO的相对百分含量的特征与海粘土的化学成分特征相似。