Oil dispersal modelling: reanalysis of the Rena oil spill using open-source modelling tools

ABSTRACT

Oil spill forecast modelling is typically used immediately after a spill to predict oil dispersal and promote mobilisation of more effective response operations. The aim of this work was to map oil dispersal after the grounding of the MV Rena on Astrolabe Reef and to verify the results against observations. Model predictions were broadly consistent with observed distribution of oil contamination. However, some hot spots of oil accumulation, likely due to surf-zone and rip current circulation, were not well represented. Additionally, the model was run with 81 differing wind conditions to show that the events occurring during the grounding represented the typical likely behaviour of an oil spill on Astrolabe Reef. Oil dispersal was highly dependent on prevailing wind patterns; more accurate prediction would require better observations of local wind patterns. However, comparison of predictions with observations indicated that the GNOME model was an effective low-cost approach.     

高等级海况条件下移动式海上基地动力响应分析

针对半潜式超大型浮式结构中典型的移动式海上基地(Mobile Offshore Base,MOB)在高等级海况下的动力响应问题展开研究。在MOB结构"刚性模块-柔性连接构件(Rigid Modules and Flexible Connectors,RMFC)"模型的前提下,根据动力学基本原理,经理论推导并计算得到MOB分别在6、7、8级海况的随机波激励下,其上各模块的动力响应位移结果。详细分析了MOB结构同一模块在不同海况条件下的动力响应位移随浪向角及连接构件刚度的变化规律。研究成果可为半潜式超大型浮式结构动力响应研究及结构优化设计提供一定的技术支撑。     

Effects of linear and exponential heterogeneity on the dynamic response of a moving load in an irregular isotropic half-space: a comparative study

Heterogeneity, being a trivial feature inside the earth or in a geostructure, makes a strong basis for its consideration in the study of geomechanics. Inclusion of the concept of heterogeneity along with irregularity in the medium brings a novelty to the existing literature related to the study of the moving load. The present study investigates the effects of linear and exponential heterogeneity on the dynamic response due to a normal load moving with constant velocity on a rough irregular heterogeneous isotropic half-space in a comparative approach. Expressions for both normal and shear stresses for either case of heterogeneity have been established in closed form. Substantial effects of the affecting parameters such as depth, irregularity factor, maximum depth of irregularity, frictional coefficient, linear heterogeneity parameter and exponential heterogeneity parameter on normal and shear stresses for both the cases of heterogeneity have been observed. Numerical computation has been carried out and the effects of said parameters have been meticulously examined by means of graphs. Moreover, different cases of heterogeneity and homogeneity along with various types of irregularity namely rectangular, parabolic and no irregularity are compared which serve as a focal theme of the study.     

An Analytical Solution for Dynamic Response of the Plate with Different Impedances Subjected to Underwater Explosion

In this paper, the transmitted part of the incident wave is considered to revise Taylor’s solution, which is used to extend its application for analytical models to predict the response of the plate with different material properties. The influence of the material properties and the boundary condition of the plate on fluid and structural dynamics is systematically investigated. The analytical results are compared with those of detailed dynamic FE simulations and the two are in good agreement. The results indicate that the analytical method is valid and suitable for the plates with different material properties subjected to underwater explosion. It is found that Taylor’s results of the plate with small impedance are invalid, which indicates a potential application field for the analytical method.     

Coupled Dynamic Response Analysis of A Multi-Column Tension-Leg-Type Floating Wind Turbine

This paper presents a coupled dynamic response analysis of a multi-column tension-leg-type floating wind turbine (WindStar TLP system) under normal operation and parked conditions. Wind-only load cases, wave-only load cases and combined wind and wave load cases were analyzed separately for the WindStar TLP system to identify the dominant excitation loads. Comparisons between an NREL offshore 5-MW baseline wind turbine installed on land and the WindStar TLP system were performed. Statistics of selected response variables in specified design load cases (DLCs) were obtained and analyzed. It is found that the proposed WindStar TLP system has small dynamic responses to environmental loads and it thus has almost the same mean generator power output under operating conditions as the land-based system. The tension mooring system has a sufficient safety factor, and the minimum tendon tension is always positive in all selected DLCs. The ratio of ultimate load of the tower base fore-aft bending moment for the WindStar TLP system versus the land-based system can be as high as 1.9 in all of the DLCs considered. These results will help elucidate the dynamic characteristics of the proposed WindStar TLP system, identify the difference in load effect between it and land-based systems, and thus make relevant modifications to the initial design for the WindStar TLP system.     

黄河口清水沟河道的冲淤过程与模拟

为揭示黄河口清水沟河道长时段的冲淤演变规律并建立其冲淤计算方法,分析了清水沟1976—2015年的时空冲淤演变过程,采用河床演变的滞后响应模型,考虑河口来水来沙及河道延伸与蚀退的影响,建立了清水沟累计冲淤量的计算方法。结果表明:1976—1980年改道初期清水沟改道点上游先冲后淤,改道点下游淤滩塑槽,淤积量随着下游河道展宽而增加,1980年后改道点上、下游河道冲淤过程趋于一致;受水沙条件等因素影响,1980—1986年清水沟主槽冲刷展宽,之后主槽淤积萎缩;1996年清八改汊和2002年小浪底水库"调水调沙"原型试验以来,河道转淤为冲,2002年后河道冲刷速率随时间指数衰减;河床演变的滞后响应模型可计算清水沟长时段的冲淤过程,该方法可为预测未来清水沟冲淤演变趋势提供科学参考。     

IPCC AR6报告解读：气候系统对太阳辐射干预响应

IPCC第六次评估报告（AR6）第一工作组报告评估了太阳辐射干预（Solar radiation modification,SRM）对气候系统和碳循环的影响。在大幅度减排基础上,太阳辐射干预有潜力作为应对气候变化的备用措施。目前,对于太阳辐射干预气候影响的评估都是基于模式模拟结果。评估主要结论如下：太阳辐射干预可以在全球和区域尺度上抵消一部分温室气体增加造成的气候变化（高信度);但是太阳辐射干预无法在全球和区域尺度上完全抵消温室气体增加引起的气候变化（几乎确定);有可能通过适当的太阳辐射干预设计,同时实现多个温度变化减缓目标（中等信度);在高强度温室气体排放情景下,如果太阳辐射干预实施后突然终止,并且这种终止长时间持续,将会造成快速的气候变化（高信度);如果在减排和CO₂移除的情况下,太阳辐射干预的实施强度逐渐减小至零,将显著降低太阳辐射干预突然终止产生的快速气候变化风险（中等信度);太阳辐射干预会通过降温作用,促进陆地和海洋对大气CO₂的吸收（中等信度),但是太阳辐射干预无法缓解海洋酸化（高信度);太阳辐射干预对其他生物化学循环影响的不确定性大。由于对云-气溶胶-辐射过程的相互作用和微物理过程认知有限,目前对平流层气溶胶注入、海洋低云亮化、高层卷云变薄等太阳辐射干预方法的冷却潜力和气候效应的认知还有很大的不确定性。     

高山区雪堆储雪的实验和模拟计算

随着全球气候变暖,滑雪运动呈现出对气候变化高度的敏感性和依赖性,各地滑雪季将不同程度地缩短。储雪作为一种应对气候变化的方法在雪务保障中逐渐得到研究和应用。在新疆阿勒泰地区吉木乃县开展储雪实验,应用谐波反应法研究了雪堆融化量与外界空气温度、太阳辐射和绝热保温结构热学性能之间的定量关系。实验中,覆盖两层绝热保温材料雪堆1的平均融化量为18.0 kg·d^-1（相当于初始质量的0.85%）,未覆盖绝热保温材料雪堆2的平均融化量为120.8 kg·d^-1（相当于初始质量的6.67%）。模拟期间观测到的雪堆1质量减少了1 438.0 kg,对应的模拟值为1 520.8 kg。谐波反应法可以为评价绝热保温结构的热学性能和提前确定储雪量提供重要的参考依据。由于许多物理过程都未考虑,导致模拟的雪堆融化量与实际融化量之间存在不确定性。雪堆所用绝热保温结构的性能可以用反射率、总传热系数、衰减度和延迟时间来衡量。     

粤港澳大湾区地下水资源特征及开发潜力

粤港澳大湾区是中国开放程度最高、经济活力最强的区域之一,在国家发展大局中具有重要的战略地位,大湾区未来的发展离不开水资源的支撑和良好的水生态环境。近年来,随着大湾区经济的快速发展,人口激增,需水量上升,水资源环境问题也日益突出,水安全保障程度不足;地下水是水资源的重要组成部分,具有水量稳定、水质较好的特点,可作为重要的应急备用水源。本文从地下水资源着手,系统梳理了大湾区水资源环境条件、地下水资源状况、特征和开发利用潜力,并提出了应急后备水源地建议,得到以下认识:(1)地下水可划分为松散岩类孔隙水、碳酸盐岩岩溶水、基岩裂隙水三大类,其中松散岩类孔隙水和基岩裂隙水分布最广;(2)湾区内地下水水化学类型较为复杂,丘陵山区以HCO_3-Na型、HCO_3-Ca型及HCO_3-Na+Ca型为主,冲积平原及山间盆地以HCO_3+Cl-Na型及HCO_3+Cl-Na+Ca型为主,三角洲地区以Cl-Na型微咸-咸水为主;(3)西江、北江及东江干流构成湾区内地下水排泄的总渠道,各支流为地下水的局部排泄基准面,地下水动态变化具季节性特征;(4)地下水整体水质较好,Ⅰ-Ⅲ类水占比高达66.25%,从丘陵山区到三角洲平原,水质呈变差趋势,尤其在广州、江门、中山、东莞等城市周边水质较差,超标因子主要为氨氮、氯化物、氟化物、硫酸盐等,三角洲地区发育大量"铁质水"和"氨氮水",水质性缺水问题突出;(5)地下水开发利用程度很低,东莞及中山等城市基本未开发利用地下水,在各类地下水中,碳酸盐岩岩溶裂隙水具有规模开采的开发利用潜力;(6)综合分析相关资料,提出将广花盆地等10处富水块段作为应急水源地备选,经初步计算每年可为大湾区提供约4.18亿m~3的应急水源保障。为应对突发性水质污染及极端干旱气候等大规模供水危机,保障粤港澳大湾区用水安全,促进大湾区高质量发展,建议加强大湾区的基础水文地质调查工作,掌握地下水的水位、水质、水量的动态变化特征,精准计算可用于应急备用开采的地下水储存量。     

Sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy of the mixed clastic-carbonate deposits in the Late Paleozoic icehouse period: A case study from the northern Qaidam Basin

The widely-developed, mixed clastic-carbonate succession in the northern Qaidam Basin records the paleo-environment changes under the glacial activity during the Late Paleozoic icehouse period in the context of regional tectonic stability, however, the depositional environment and sequence stratigraphy characteristics of the mixed deposits is rarely reported and still not clear. Combined the latest drilling wells data, we analyzed the sedimentary and stratigraphic characterization of the mixed strata via detailed field outcrops and core observations and thin section microscopic observations and recognized three depositional systems, including progradational coastal system, incised valley system, and carbonate-dominated marine shelf system, and identified four third-order sequences, SQ1, SQ2, SQ3 and SQ4, consisting of LST, TST, and HST. The depositional environment is overall belonged to marine-continental transition context and shifted from marine to continental environment frequently, showing an evolutionary pattern from marine towards terrestrial-marine transition and then back into the marine environment again in the long-term, which was controlled by the regional tectonic subsidence and the high-frequency and large-amplitude sea-level changes due to the Late Paleozoic glacial activity. The result is of significance in understanding the evolution of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the sedimentation-climate response.©2021 China Geology Editorial Office.