Quantitative analysis for maritime delimitation: Reassessing the Bay of Bengal delimitation between Bangladesh and Myanmar

This article examines technical aspects of the maritime boundary dispute between Bangladesh and Myanmar (the ‘Bay of Bengal case’). This dispute was the first maritime delimitation determined by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). The 2012 decision was also the first time that a maritime boundary for the seabed and subsoil of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the extended continental shelf (ECS) was determined by international adjudication. This was also therefore the first time that detailed technical quantification of seabed areas within the EEZ and ECS was needed for achieving an equitable division of these maritime zones in an international forum. Following review of the principles of maritime delimitation on which the ITLOS reached its determination, this article analyzes the legal status and delimitation effect of St. Martin's Island. Concerning the question of whether the legal regimes of the EEZ and continental shelf should be treated differently in a single delimitation line, although the ITLOS determined that the legal regimes should not be distinguished in the present case, a different approach is proposed for future cases. The article identifies how quantitative modelling can be used to achieve an equitable boundary and proposes a model to adjust provisional equidistance lines in accordance with the complex geophysical rules prescribed for the outer limits of the ECS in Article 76 of the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention (LOSC).     

广东南澳岛大型海藻龙须菜与浮游植物对营养盐的竞争利用

广东南澳岛近海是我国龙须菜养殖的重要基地。为了探究龙须菜养殖对藻华防治的贡献,分别于2016年3月、5月和6月在广东南澳岛北部海域不同养殖功能海区进行采样,研究龙须菜养殖前后海水中营养盐含量和结构的变化,分析不同粒径的浮游生物对有机营养盐的水解利用,探讨龙须菜养殖对浮游植物竞争利用营养盐和生长产生的影响。结果表明,研究海区水质较清洁,无机氮磷含量较低,春季至夏季,随着龙须菜和浮游植物生物量增加,溶解无机磷(dissolved inorganic phosphorus,DIP)浓度不断下降,至6月南澳海区成为磷限制海域。在5月龙须菜生长高峰期,龙须菜养殖区和龙须菜鲍鱼混养区的DIP浓度显著低于鲍鱼区和非养殖区,龙须菜养殖区的叶绿素a浓度明显低于其他区域,亮氨酸氨肽酶(leucine amino peptide,LAP)和碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphatase,AP)活性显著升高,表明龙须菜养殖区浮游植物受到较为明显的营养胁迫。而龙须菜收割后,该养殖区的叶绿素a含量则显著上升,甚至高于其他区域。该结果表明在南澳岛海域,龙须菜养殖通过营养竞争关系(尤其是磷)抑制浮游植物的生长,大规模龙须菜养殖可能有助于抑制有害藻华的发生。     

Simulation of paleotectonic stress fields and quantitative prediction of multi-period fractures in shale reservoirs: A case study of the Niutitang Formation in the Lower Cambrian in the Cen'gong block,South China

Reservoirs where tectonic fractures significantly impact fluid flow are widespread. Industrial-level shale gas production has been established from the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation in the Cen'gong block, South China; the practice of exploration and development of shale gas in the Cen'gong block shows that the abundance of gas in different layers and wells is closely related to the degree of development of fractures. In this study, the data obtained from outcrop, cores, and logs were used to determine the developmental characteristics of such tectonic fractures. By doing an analysis of structural evolution, acoustic emission, burial history, logging evaluation, seismic inversion, and rock mechanics tests, 3-D heterogeneous geomechanical models were established by using a finite element method (FEM) stress analysis approach to simulate paleotectonic stress fields during the Late Hercynian—Early Indo-Chinese and Middle-Late Yanshanian periods. The effects of faulting, folding, and variations of mechanical parameters on the development of fractures could then be identified. A fracture density calculation model was established to determine the quantitative development of fractures in different stages and layers. Favorable areas for shale gas exploration were determined by examining the relationship between fracture density and gas content of three wells. The simulation results indicate the magnitude of minimum principal stress during the Late Hercynian — Early Indo-Chinese period within the Cen'gong block is −100 ∼ −110 MPa with a direction of SE-NW (140°–320°), and the magnitude of the maximum principal stress during the Middle-Late Yanshanian period within the Cen'gong block is 150–170 MPa with a direction of NNW-SSE (345°–165°). During the Late Hercynian — Early Indo-Chinese period, the mechanical parameters and faults play an important role in the development of fractures, and fractures at the downthrown side of the fault are more developed than those at the uplifted side; folding plays an important role in the development of fractures in the Middle-Late Yanshanian period, and faulting is a secondary control. This 3-D heterogeneous geomechanical modelling method and fracture density calculation modelling are not only significant for prediction of shale fractures in complex structural areas, but also have a practical significance for the prediction of other reservoir fractures.     

The validity of generic trends on multiple scales in rock-physical and rock-mechanical properties of the Whitby Mudstone,United Kingdom

Finding generic trends in mechanical and physical rock properties will help to make predictions of the rock-mechanical behaviour of shales. Understanding the rock-mechanical behaviour of shales is important for the successful development of unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs.This paper presents the effect of heterogeneities in mineralogy and petrophysical properties on the validity of generic trends on multiple scales in rock-mechanical and rock-physical properties of the Whitby Mudstone. Rock-mechanical laboratory experiments have been performed on Whitby Mudstone samples from multiple outcrops within five kilometres laterally in order to investigate the heterogeneity and possible trends on an outcrop scale. Unconfined compression tests and acoustic measurements have been conducted to obtain the rock-mechanical properties, including rock strength, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, and velocity anisotropy. The rock-physical properties, including mineralogy, porosity, and matrix density, were measured using X-ray fluorescence and helium pycnometry. Various methodologies have been applied to the resultant data in order to derive different brittleness indices.Significant heterogeneity in rock-mechanical and rock-physical properties is present on an outcrop scale. There is no obvious correlation between mineral content and rock-mechanical properties on an outcrop scale in the Whitby Mudstone. Comparison with shales from different basins show, however, correlations between composition and elastic properties. The presence of significant heterogeneities on an outcrop scale and between shales from different basins make it difficult to find generic trends in rock-physical and rock-mechanical properties.     

Instrumentation Development for In Situ 40Ar/39Ar Planetary Geochronology

The chronology of the Solar System, particularly the timing of formation of extra‐terrestrial bodies and their features, is an outstanding problem in planetary science. Although various chronological methods for in situ geochronology have been proposed (e.g., Rb‐Sr, K‐Ar), and even applied (K‐Ar), the reliability, accuracy, and applicability of the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar method makes it by far the most desirable chronometer for dating extra‐terrestrial bodies. The method however relies on the neutron irradiation of samples, and thus a neutron source. Herein, we discuss the challenges and feasibility of deploying a passive neutron source to planetary surfaces for the in situ application of the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar chronometer. Requirements in generating and shielding neutrons, as well as analysing samples are described, along with an exploration of limitations such as mass, power and cost. Two potential solutions for the in situ extra‐terrestrial deployment of the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar method are presented. Although this represents a challenging task, developing the technology to apply the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar method on planetary surfaces would represent a major advance towards constraining the timescale of solar system formation and evolution.     

Winkler弹性地基板梁的自由振动分析

中短型轨道板的几何构型介于梁、板之间,属于宽梁结构。从Mindlin板理论出发,退化得到适用于宽梁的Mindlin板梁控制方程;引入Winkler地基刚度系数,推导得到位移和转角的模态函数表达式。考虑两端简支的边界条件,得到弹性地基板梁的自由振动特征方程。通过无量纲数值算例求解出弹性地基板梁的自振频率,并与Timoshenko梁理论和Mindlin板理论进行对比。研究高跨比、泊松比和弹性地基刚度等参数对结构自振特性的影响,总结出弹性地基板梁方程的特点及适用范围,即宽度效应显著且泊松比较大的宽梁结构。     

地基半空间等效集总体系的比拟法与实测分析

先略述莱斯默比拟法的形成;再由半空间理论等效为质弹体系,得出辐射阻尼比、刚度及参振土质量,并论述两体系的结合;最后经实测、分析和使用,考虑土体非匀质性折减阻尼比以作修正,使其更为实用。这有助于消除在我国长期认为阻尼比大而不安全、不便使用的疑虑,以便推动半空间理论在我国的实用化。     

Triassic warm subduction in northeast Turkey: Evidence from the Ağvanis metamorphic rocks

Within the Tethyan realm, data for the subduction history of the Permo–Triassic Tethys in the form of accretionary complexes are scarce, coming mainly from northwest Turkey and Tibet. Herein we present field geological, petrological and geochronological data on a Triassic accretionary complex, the A?vanis metamorphic rocks, from northeast Turkey. The A?vanis metamorphic rocks form a SSE–NNW trending lozenge‐shaped horst, ～20 km long and ～6 km across, bounded by the strands of the active North Anatolian Fault close to the collision zone between the Eastern Pontides and the Menderes–Taurus Block. The rocks consist mainly of greenschist‐ to epidote‐amphibolite‐facies metabasite, phyllite, marble and minor metachert and serpentinite, interpreted as a metamorphic accretionary complex based on the oceanic rock types and ocean island basaltic, mid‐ocean ridge basaltic and island‐arc tholeiitic affinities of the metabasites. This rock assemblage was intruded by stocks and dikes of Early Eocene quartz diorite, leucogranodiorite and dacite porphyry. Metamorphic conditions are estimated to be 470–540°C and ～0.60–0.90 GPa. Stepwise ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of phengite–muscovite separates sampled outside the contact metamorphic aureoles yielded steadily increasing age spectra with the highest incremental stage corresponding to age values ranging from ～180 to 209 Ma, suggesting that the metamorphism occurred at ≥ 209 Ma. Thus, the A?vanis metamorphic rocks represent the vestiges of the Late Triassic or slightly older subduction in northeast Turkey. Estimated P–T conditions indicate higher temperatures than those predicted by steady state thermal models for average subduction zones, and can best be accounted for by a hot subduction zone, similar to the present‐day Cascadia. Contact metamorphic mineral assemblages around an Early Eocene quartz diorite stock, on the other hand, suggest that the present‐day erosion level was at depths of ～14 km during the Early Eocene, indicative of reburial of the metamorphic rocks. Partial disturbance of white‐mica Ar–Ar age spectra was probably caused by the reburial coupled with heat input by igneous activity, which is probably related to thrusting due to the continental collision between Eastern Pontides and the Menderes–Taurus Block.     

陕西柞山地区穆家庄铜矿床成矿流体来源的氦氩氢氧同位素示踪

最近,在秦岭柞山地区泥盆系中又发现了穆家庄铜矿,矿体明显受层间破碎带控制,矿石主要产在铁白云石-石英脉中,其后生成矿现象非常明显.文章利用的黄铁矿流体包裹体He-Ar同位素和氢氧同位素,来探讨这类矿床的成矿流体的来源.穆家庄铜矿床矿石矿物黄铁矿流体包裹体的3He/4He比值为0.322～0.889R/Ra,小于1.0R/Ra.3He/4He比值远远低于地幔流体的比值,与地壳流体的比值在相同的数量级上.穆家庄铜矿成矿流体的40Ar/36Ar比值为377～569,平均470,显然偏离大气氩的同位素组成.穆家庄铜矿成矿流体的40Ar/4He比值为0.09～0.23,平均值为0.164.很显然,该矿床的成矿流体的40Ar/4He比值接近地壳.根据以上分析,柞山地区的穆家庄铜矿床的成矿流体是壳源的.氢氧同位素分析表明穆家庄铜矿的氢氧同位素则落入原生岩浆水范围内,表明穆家庄铜矿的成矿流体为岩浆水.综合对比分析后认为,穆家庄铜矿的成矿流体是由壳源岩浆驱动并参与的岩浆流体提供的.