Precambrian fluvial deposits: Enigmatic palaeohydrological data from the c. 2–1.9 Ga Waterberg Group, South Africa

Precambrian fluvial systems, lacking the influence of rooted vegetation, probably were characterised by flashy surface runoff, low bank stability, broad channels with abundant bedload, and faster rates of channel migration; consequently, a braided fluvial style is generally accepted. Pre-vegetational braided river systems, active under highly variable palaeoclimatic conditions, may have been more widespread than are modern, ephemeral dry-land braided systems. Aeolian deflation of fine fluvial detritus does not appear to have been prevalent. With the onset of large cratons by the Neoarchaean–Palaeoproterozoic, very large, perennial braided river systems became typical. The c. 2.06–1.88 Ga Waterberg Group, preserved within a Main and a smaller Middelburg basin on the Kaapvaal craton, was deposited largely by alluvial/braided-fluvial and subordinate palaeo-desert environments, within fault-bounded, possibly pull-apart type depositories.

Palaeohydrological data obtained from earlier work in the Middelburg basin (Wilgerivier Formation) are compared to such data derived from the correlated Blouberg Formation, situated along the NE margin of the Main basin. Within the preserved Blouberg depository, palaeohydrological parameters estimated from clast size and cross-bed set thickness data, exhibit rational changes in their values, either in a down-palaeocurrent direction, or from inferred basin margin to palaeo-basin centre. In both the Wilgerivier and Blouberg Formations, calculated palaeoslope values (derived from two separate formulae) plot within the gap separating typical alluvial fan gradients from those which characterise rivers (cf. [Blair, T.C., McPherson, J.G., 1994. Alluvial fans and their natural distinction from rivers based on morphology, hydraulic processes, sedimentary processes, and facies assemblages. J. Sediment. Res. A64, 450–489.]). Although it may be argued that such data support possibly unique fluvial styles within the Precambrian, perhaps related to a combination of major global-scale tectono-thermal and atmospheric–palaeoclimatic events, a simpler explanation of these apparently enigmatic palaeoslope values may be pertinent. Of the two possible palaeohydrological formulae for calculating palaeoslope, one provides results close to typical fluvial gradients; the other formula relies on preserved channel-width data. We suggest that the latter will not be reliable due to problematic preservation of original channel-widths within an active braided fluvial system. We thus find no unequivocal support for a unique fluvial style for the Precambrian, beyond that generally accepted for that period and discussed briefly in the first paragraph.     

长江九江段40年来河道演变的DEM研究

利用地理信息系统(GIS)与数字高程模型(DEM)技术,模拟了40年来长江九江段的冲淤过程,结果表明:1963-1972年,总体表现为淤积,淤积量为650.5万m3,平均淤积速率为65万m3/a。1972-2002年,总体表现为冲刷,冲刷量为2072万m3,平均年冲刷率为103.6万m3/a。1963-2002年,九江河床总体表现为冲刷,冲刷量为1497.7万m3。2003年与1963年比较,河床淤积区域主要在长江九江上段的近南岸区域、中下段的中间区域;冲刷区域主要在长江九江上段的中间及近北岸区域、中下段两岸的近岸区域。长江九江河段40年的演变是河床的边界条件、上下游来水来沙及人类活动耦合的结果。中下段南岸的不断刷深和南偏对九江的防洪带来更大的压力。     

Analysis of flood propagation changes in the Kienstock—Bratislava reach of the Danube River/Analyse des changements de propagation des crues dans le tronçon Kienstock—Bratislava du Fleuve Danube

Abstract

In the first part of this study, a flood wave transformation analysis for the largest historical floods in the Danube River reach Kienstock–Bratislava was carried out. For the simulation of the historical (1899 and 1954) flood propagation, the nonlinear river model NLN-Danube (calibrated on the recent river reach conditions) was used. It was shown that the simulated peak discharges were not changed significantly when compared to their historical counterparts. However, the simulated hydrographs exhibit a significant acceleration of the flood wave movement at discharges of between 5000 and 9000 m³ s^-1. In the second part, the travel time-water level relationships between Kienstock and Bratislava were analysed on a dataset of the flood peak water levels for the period 1991–2002. An empirical regression routing scheme for the Danube short-term water level forecast at Bratislava station was derived. This is based on the measured water level at Kienstock gauging station.     

Late Glacial fluvial response of the Niers‐Rhine (western Germany) to climate and vegetation change

The Niers valley was part of the Rhine system that came into existence during the maximum Saalian glaciation and was abandoned at the end of the Weichselian. The aim of the study was to explain the Late Pleniglacial and Late Glacial fluvial dynamics and to explore the external forcing factors: climate change, tectonics and sea level. The sedimentary units have been investigated by large‐scale coring transects and detailed cross‐sections over abandoned channels. The temporal fluvial development has been reconstructed by means of geomorphological relationships, pollen analysis and ¹⁴C dating. The Niers‐Rhine experienced a channel pattern change from braided, via a transformational phase, to meandering in the early Late Glacial. This change in fluvial style is explained by climate amelioration at the Late Pleniglacial to Late Glacial transition (at ca. 12.5 k ¹⁴C yr BP) and climate‐related hydrological, lithological and vegetation changes. A delayed fluvial response of ca. 400 ¹⁴C yr (transitional phase) was established. The channel transformations are not related to tectonic effects and sea‐level changes. Successive river systems have similar gradients of ca. 35–40 cm km^?1. A meandering river system dominated the Allerød and Younger Dryas periods. The threshold towards braiding was not crossed during the Younger Dryas, but increased aeolian activity has been observed on the Younger Dryas point bars. The final abandonment of the Niers‐Rhine was dated shortly after the Younger Dryas to Holocene transition. Traces of Laacher See pumice have been found in the Niers valley, indicating that the Niers‐Rhine was still in use during the Younger Dryas. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Factors controlling the chemical evolution of travertine‐depositing rivers of the Barkly karst,northern Australia

Groundwaters feeding travertine‐depositing rivers of the northeastern segment of the Barkly karst (NW Queensland, Australia) are of comparable chemical composition, allowing a detailed investigation of how the rate of downstream chemical evolution varies from river to river. The discharge, pH, temperature, conductivity and major‐ion concentrations of five rivers were determined by standard field and laboratory techniques. The results show that each river experiences similar patterns of downstream chemical evolution, with CO₂ outgassing driving the waters to high levels of calcite supersaturation, which in turn leads to widespread calcium carbonate deposition. However, the rate at which the waters evolve, measured as the loss of CaCO₃ per kilometre, varies from river to river, and depends primarily upon discharge at the time of sampling and stream gradient. For example, Louie Creek (Q = 0·11 m³ s^?1) and Carl Creek (Q = 0·50 m³ s^?1) have identical stream gradients, but the loss of CaCO₃ per kilometre for Louie Creek is twice that of Carl Creek. The Gregory River (Q = 3·07 m³ s^?1), O'Shanassy River (Q = 0·57 m³ s^?1) and Lawn Hill Creek (Q = 0·72 m³ s^?1) have very similar gradients, but the rate of hydrochemical evolution of the Gregory River is significantly less than either of the other two systems. The results have major implications for travertine deposition: the stream reach required for waters to evolve to critical levels of calcite supersaturation will, all others things being equal, increase with increasing discharge, and the length of reach over which travertine is deposited will also increase with increasing discharge. This implies that fossil travertine deposits preserved well downstream of modern deposition limits are likely to have been formed under higher discharge regimes. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tectonic control of accommodation space and sediment supply within the Mata Amarilla Formation (lower Upper Cretaceous) Patagonia,Argentina

The Mata Amarilla Formation dates from the early Upper Cretaceous and was deposited during a transition in tectonic regime from the extensional Rocas Verdes Basin to the Austral Foreland Basin. Detailed sedimentological logs and architectural parameters were used to define 13 facies associations. The distribution of facies associations and associated variations in fluvial architecture have enabled large‐scale changes in accommodation space/sediment supply ratios (A/S ratio) to be defined for the three component sections of the Mata Amarilla Formation. The lower and upper sections are characterized by a high A/S ratio, whereas the middle section corresponds to a low A/S ratio. In the western part of the study area, small‐scale variations in the A/S ratio were recognized in the middle section. The strong west to east trend in evolution of the fluvial systems coincides with the direction of propagation of the Patagonian fold and thrust belt, which is located to the west of the study area. Intervals of high A/S ratio (i.e. lower and upper sections) are interpreted to have developed during periods of increased loading by the fold and thrust belt caused by tectonic uplift. In contrast, intervals of low A/S ratio (i.e. middle section) were developed during periods of tectonic quiescence. This article suggests that the large‐scale variations in A/S ratios are related to different rates of migration and growth of the Patagonian fold and thrust belt, whereas the small‐scale variation occurred in response to specific periods of thrusting and folding in the Patagonian fold and thrust belt (i.e. local loads). This field example of the effects of different scales of variation in A/S ratios across the Austral Foreland Basin could be used to recognize similar tectonically forced variations in stratigraphic architecture in other foreland basins throughout the world, as well as to understand the response of fluvial systems to such changes.     

秦皇岛A油田河流相储层展布特征

秦皇岛A油田位于渤海中部海域,区内油气藏主要发育在新近系的明化镇组。明化镇组下段为曲流河沉积地层,具有很强的非均质性,使得注水开发收效不均匀,平面矛盾突出。选取Ⅲ2砂体为研究对象,利用40余口钻井资料和覆盖油田的三维地震资料对储层内部结构和平面展布特征进行了系统的分析。研究认为,Ⅲ2砂体是由两期点坝砂体叠置而成,每一期砂体在平面上由4~5个单一点坝顺向组合而成,点坝之间的溢岸沉积是导致储层非均质性强的主要因素,控制了剩余油的分布。油田的生产动态证实,注入水流动规律与点坝砂体的平面展布具有良好的对应关系,部分井区水驱效果不均衡,个别单井产能低下都能从中找到原因。     

基于DEM的内蒙古狼山地貌参数提取及其构造抬升的差异性分析

基于30 m分辨率DEM数据, 利用ArcGIS10.0对内蒙古狼山东南坡河流流域地貌参数进行提取, 精确计算了其中15条规模较大的北西—南东向河流的面积-高程积分值(HI), 并据此对河流发育阶段以及构造运动进行分析。研究结果显示有8条河流的HI值处于0.3~0.6之间, 属于河流发展的壮年阶段; 7条河流的HI值大于0.6, 为幼年期, 未出现老年期河流。狼山西南部河流河谷V1—V14的HI值变化平缓, 波动幅度不大, 构造运动呈现出先增强后减弱的态势; 中北部河流V14—V22的HI值变化较剧烈, 尤其是V14—V19, 呈明显上升趋势, 河流受侵蚀后残存体积增多, 构造运动活跃性下降; V19以北HI值持续下降, 其构造运动的活跃性增加。由此认为狼山从西南到东北总体呈现增强—减弱—增强的差异性运动状态, 该结论与前人所做山前构造地貌研究结果较为一致。      

三角洲平原上网结河的发育与聚煤作用

龙潭组上段（２４＃煤顶板到１２＃煤）是盘县地区含煤最好的层段，对该区西北部本段地层的研究表明其中发育有网结河体系。河道沉积由多层叠置的鞋带状砂体组成，湿地沉积主要由菱铁质泥质岩夹薄层板状细砂岩（决口扇沉积）和煤组成。河流的发育和聚煤作用都显示幕式性，可能主要受海平面变化的控制。网结状河道被认为是海侵期对低位下切河谷充填过程中经侧向冲裂水道并相互连通形成的；稳定、连续的厚煤层发育于河道大范围废弃后的海侵晚期，其次是高水位早期。     

Role of hydrological regime and floodplain sediments in channel instability of the Bhagirathi River,Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta,India

Abstract

This research deals with the surface dynamics and key factors – hydrological regime, sediment load, and erodibility of floodplain facies – of frequent channel shifting, intensive meandering, and lateral instability of the Bhagirathi River in the western part of the Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta (GBD). At present, the floodplain of the Bhagirathi is categorized as a medium energy (specific stream power of 10–300 W m^?2), non-cohesive floodplain, which exhibits a mixed-load and a meandering channel, an entrenchment ratio >2.2, width–depth ratio >12, sinuosity >1.4, and channel slope <0.02. In the study area, since 1975, four meander cutoffs have been shaped at an average rate of one in every 9–10 years. In the active meander belt and sand-silt dominated floodplains of GBD, frequent shifting of the channel and meander migration escalate severe bank erosion (e.g. 2.5 × 10⁶ m³ of land lost between 1999 and 2004) throughout the year. Remote sensing based spatio-temporal analysis and stratigraphic analysis reveal that the impact of the Farakka barrage, completed in 1975, is not the sole factor of downstream channel oscillation; rather, hydrogeomorphic instability induced by the Ajay–Mayurakshi fluvial system and the erodibility of floodplain sediments control the channel dynamics of the study area.