Using climate to relate water discharge and area in modern and ancient catchments

Models relating sediment supply to catchment properties are important in order to use the geological record to deduce landscape evolution and interplay between tectonics and climate. Water discharge (Q _w) is an important factor in the widely used ‘BQART ’ model, which relates sediment load to a set of measurable catchment parameters. Although many of the factors in this equation may be independently estimated with some degree of certainty in ancient systems, water discharge (Q _w) certainly cannot. An analysis of a world database of modern catchments with 1255 entries shows that the commonly applied equation relating catchment area (A ) to water discharge (Q _w = 0·075A^0·8) does not predict water discharge from catchment area well in many cases (R ² = 0·5 and an error spanning about three orders of magnitude). This is because the method does not incorporate the effect of arid and wet climate on river water discharge. The inclusion of climate data into such estimations is an opportunity to refine these estimates, because generalized estimates of palaeoclimate can often be deduced on the basis of sedimentological data such as palaeosol types, mineralogy and palaeohydraulics. This paper investigates how the relationship between catchment area and river discharge varies with four runoff categories (arid, semi‐arid, humid and wet), which are recognizable in the geological record, and modifies the coefficient and exponent of the above‐mentioned equation according to these classes. This modified model yields improved results in relating discharge to catchment area (R ² = 0·95 and error spanning one order of magnitude) when core, outcrop or regional palaeoclimate reconstruction data are available in non‐arid systems. Arid systems have an inherently variable water discharge, and catchment area is less important as a control due to downstream losses. The model here is sufficient for many geological applications and makes it possible to include variations in catchment humidity in mass‐flux estimates in ancient settings.     

Down‐slope facies variability within deep‐water channel systems: Insights from the Upper Cretaceous Cerro Toro Formation,southern Patagonia

In southern Patagonia, outcrops of the Upper Cretaceous Cerro Toro Formation preserve a >150 km long deep‐water axial channel belt in the Magallanes–Austral Basin, providing a unique opportunity to investigate longitudinal variations in the depositional characteristics of a deep‐water channel system. This study documents sedimentological, stratigraphical and geochronological data from the Cerro Toro Formation in the Argentine sector of the basin. New results are integrated with previous work from the Chilean basin sector to conduct a basin‐scale comparison of the timing of deposition, provenance and lithofacies proportions. The Cerro Toro channel belt includes a nearly 1000 m thick section characterized by high‐density turbidites and mass‐wasting deposits. Two ash beds from the base of the section yield U–Pb zircon ages of 90·4 ± 2 Ma and 88·0 ± 3 Ma, indicating similar initiation ages as documented in the Chilean sector. The U–Pb detrital zircon age spectra from samples in the study area reveal similar provenance trends to samples from the Chilean basin sector, with peak age populations at 310 to 260 Ma, 160 to 135 Ma and 110 to 82 Ma. The maximum depositional age of the channel belt in the Argentine sector is 87·8 ± 1·5 Ma and all new geochronology data corroborate an 86 to 80 Ma depositional age for the main Cerro Toro channel belt. Statistical analyses of 7370 beds from nearly 8000 m of new and previously published stratigraphic sections along the entire outcrop belt suggest progressive variations in the down‐system proportion of lithofacies. In the up‐slope region, lithofacies representing mass wasting processes (for example, debris‐flow and mass‐transport deposits) account for ca 29% of the stratigraphic thickness, as opposed to 5% in the down‐slope region of the channel belt, where turbidity current deposits are more prevalent. The proportion of beds >1 m thick also decreases systematically down slope, particularly for conglomeratic turbidite deposits. This work highlights that: (i) the proportion of thick beds and distribution of lithofacies are key down‐system changes in the stratigraphic fill of this deep‐water channel belt; (ii) detrital zircon trends suggest a relatively well‐mixed longitudinal depositional system; and (iii) geochronology of the main Cerro Toro outcrop belt supports but does not necessitate the model of a single, roughly age‐equivalent, channel system. This study has implications for understanding the downslope variability in depositional processes, stratigraphic architecture and reservoir quality of submarine channel systems.     

First report of gastroliths in the Early Cretaceous basal bird Jeholornis

Seeds preserved in association with the holotype of Jeholornis prima provided the first direct evidence of granivory in any Mesozoic bird. Although this long boney-tailed bird also displays several morphological indicators correlated with herbivory such as reduced dentition and a deep mandible, Jeholornis has not been previously reported to possess a gastric mill. However, this feature is commonly linked to herbivory in theropod dinosaurs and present in at least one sympatric ornithuromorph and the basal pygostylian Sapeornis, which also preserve direct evidence of granivory. Here we describe gastrolith masses preserved in five specimens of Jeholornis. The cluster of gizzard stones is nearly identical in each specimen, consisting of a tightly associated mass of proportionately small stones. Three previously undescribed specimens preserving seeds are also identified. Unlike in Sapeornis and a previously described ornithuromorph, no specimen of Jeholornis preserves both seeds and gastroliths. This may be due to the fact that, unlike in other Early Cretaceous birds, the seeds preserved in specimens of Jeholornis are found in the abdomen, suggesting that Jeholornis may have resembled extant ratites in lacking an esophageal crop. Consistent differences in the preservation and morphology of the gastrolith mass between Jeholornis and other early birds hint at subtle variations in alimentary function among basal lineages. Differences in ingested seed morphology among taxa in turn suggest these functional variations may be at least partially related to differences in diet.     

内蒙古兴和县曹四夭超大型斑岩钼铅锌金成矿系统年代学及其地质意义

曹四夭斑岩钼矿床位于内蒙古兴和县,是华北克拉通北缘最大的钼矿床。该矿床中部发育斑岩型钼矿体,外围和上部产出热液脉型铅锌金矿体。文章选取1件与斑岩钼矿化共生的绢云母样品进行了40Ar-39Ar定年,获得40Ar-39Ar坪年龄为(144.4±1.2)Ma,相应的39Ar/36Ar-40Ar/39Ar等时线年龄为(146.4±2.2)Ma(MSWD=0.31),将等时线年龄认作绢云母的Ar封闭年龄,表明曹四夭斑岩钼矿化发生在约146 Ma前。选取14件脉型铅锌矿石中的闪锌矿、黄铁矿和磁黄铁矿样品开展了Rb-Sr定年,获得4件闪锌矿的Rb-Sr等时线年龄为(145.1±3.0)Ma(MSWD=0.63);5件黄铁矿的Rb-Sr等时线年龄为(145.2±1.3)Ma(MSWD=0.53);4件闪锌矿、5件黄铁矿和1件磁黄铁矿的Rb-Sr等时线年龄为(145.3±1.0)Ma(MSWD=0.43)。硫化物Rb-Sr定年结果表明曹四夭矿床脉型铅锌矿化形成于约145 Ma前。本次绢云母40Ar-39Ar和硫化物Rb-Sr定年结果表明,曹四夭矿床斑岩型钼矿化和脉型铅锌金矿化为同期产物,两者均形成于晚侏罗世末期,属于同一个斑岩成矿系统。曹四夭矿床硫化物的w(Rb)和w(Sr)分别为0.1867×10~(-6)~1.305×10~(-6)和0.3175×10~(-6)~6.935×10~(-6),Sr同位素初始比值(87Sr/86Sr)i介于0.709 919~0.711 951之间,平均值0.710 952,结合前人获得的辉钼矿Re含量,认为曹四夭矿床的成矿物质主要来源于地壳。     

基于突变级数法的页岩气探采综合环境影响评价研究

为缓解能源紧张,页岩气作为储量丰富的非常规能源在我国正大力开发,而我国页岩气开发起步较晚,受管理与技术限制,页岩气开发造成的综合环境影响问题还得不到有效解决。针对页岩气开发存在的环境问题,本文基于我国页岩气开发现状,借鉴美国页岩气开发的成功经验,从自然环境与人文环境两方面对页岩气开发综合环境影响因素进行分析,建立了页岩气开发综合环境影响评价指标体系;同时为降低评价过程主观因素的影响,简化评估过程,本文引入突变级数法建立了页岩气开发综合环境影响评估模型,运用数值替换方法区分页岩气开发综合环境影响等级。最后将评价体系与评估模型应用到实际案例中,得到的评价结果与实际情况基本符合,为页岩气开发项目的综合环境评价提供了很好的理论依据。     

3D打印技术在矿床学中的应用研究——以内蒙古乌力吉敖包萤石矿Ⅲ号矿体为例

3D打印(3D printing)是一种以三维模型为样本的快速成形技术,它通过逐层打印或粉末熔铸的方式来构造需要的立体图形。本文从3D打印技术的原理及其发展现状入手,重点列举内蒙古乌力吉敖包萤石矿,利用3D打印机打印具有现实可观性的地质体实体,探讨3D打印技术作为新兴的科技手段应用于矿床学教学与研究的应用价值和发展前景。研究发现,3D打印技术在矿体三维可视化中的应用符合地质图件立体化和3D打印技术多领域化的趋势,未来3D打印技术在地质领域的应用也有助于开拓矿床学教学和研究的新方式与新思路。     

四川盆地：周缘活动主控下形成的叠合盆地

四川盆地位于扬子板块西缘和青藏高原东缘,地震勘探资料等揭示盆地前寒武纪基底保存完整的古俯冲带和地堑-地垒结构,说明盆地基底后期构造活动非常稳定;显生宙以来经历晚震旦世-石炭纪、二叠纪-中三叠世两幕克拉通边缘强拉张-强挤压,而克拉通内弱拉张-弱挤压的构造演化过程,体现出盆地内部稳定性结构沉积演化特征。克拉通内弱拉张初期以海相碳酸盐岩大面积稳定沉积（即震旦系灯影组和二叠系栖霞-茅口组）和随后的风化壳岩溶作用（即桐湾期、东吴期等不整合面）为特征,弱拉张期以拉张槽（如：绵阳-长宁拉张槽和开江-梁平拉张槽等）的形成为典型特征;弱挤压则以古隆起（如：加里东期乐山-龙女寺古隆起、印支期泸州古隆起等）的发育为典型特征。四川盆地晚三叠世后的前陆盆地演化阶段受控于其周缘造山带逆冲推覆构造活动,是现今地貌和构造盆地的主要建造期,形成了四川盆地周缘突变（线型）和渐变（弥散型）两种盆山结构。盆地西边界（龙门山）和北边界（米仓山-大巴山）即是线型突变边界,也是扬子地块（板块）的边界,边界几何形状和扬子板块刚性特征对盆山系统结构-构造特征等有较大的控制作用;四川盆地的东边界（齐岳山-大娄山）和西南边界（大凉山）即是渐变弥散型边界,同时也是板（陆）块内部的边界,它们受控于邻区（盆外）的构造变形和盆内沉积盖层中滑脱层的分布特征。受控于盆地（克拉通）周缘活动,四川盆地垂向上前寒武纪基底与盖层、盖层内早期和晚期构造具解耦特征。基底与盖层构造的解耦有利于盆地内部前寒武纪基底结构构造的保存和盖层内大型隆-坳结构的形成演化;盖层内早期和晚期构造的解耦有利于早期构造免遭后期破环,对深层油气藏的保存意义重大。总之,四川盆地可能是具独特形成过程和特征的叠合盆地新类型,其突出特征表现为周缘活动、内部稳定及早期和晚期构造解耦。     

FY-3 A/MERS I积雪制图中NDS I指标建立及积雪判识模型研究 ——以祁连山区为例

我国新型自主的极轨气象卫星风云3号A星（简称FY-3A）上搭载的中分辨率光谱成像仪（MERSI）为大面积雪监测提供了新的遥感数据源。以中国西北祁连山区为例,分析FY-3A/MERSI传感器积雪与其它地物的图谱特征差异,建立了适用于FY-3A/MERSI的归一化差分积雪指数（NDSI）,以此为基础,构建了综合利用多光谱判别指标及土地覆盖类型（LULC）定类辅助的积雪判识模型,生成250 m分辨率的日积雪制图产品。模型通过逐步逼近的树状判别结构,去除了易和积雪混淆的部分乔木林、云、云阴影、水体、湖冰、沙（盐）地等地物,并提出应考虑积雪下覆地表特性的影响,调整设定不同LULC类型的积雪判别阈值约束,实时结合区域LULC影像进行积雪的最终判定与优化。对祁连山区2010-2011年积雪季FY-3A/MERSI影像的积雪制图应用结果表明,该资料能够客观精细地反映积雪的空间分布与动态发展过程。同时利用气象台站积雪观测记录及Terra/MODIS积雪判识结果进行对比验证,结果表明基于FY-3A/MERSI建立的积雪判识模型具有较高的精度和稳定性,特别是提高了云雪区分的效能。     

黑龙江省两次温带气旋暴雪过程对比分析

利用多种资料对黑龙江省两次由江淮气旋和蒙古气旋合并引发的暴雪过程的水汽、热动力条件和中尺度特征进行了对比分析。结果表明：（1）两次暴雪过程都发生在北支槽和短波槽合并、北支槽北部有冷涡的背景下,850 hPa上低涡合并促使江淮气旋和蒙古气旋合并;气旋合并后,低空急流为降雪提供了充足水汽,强暖平流使气旋爆发性发展,导致降雪加强。（2）两次降雪过程都表现出逗点云系的合并发展,"1211 "暴雪过程中高层形成涡旋偏西,700 hPa低涡东部偏南风引导气旋北上西折,低空急流和地形共同作用使暖湿空气强烈辐合上升,产生对流云,暴雪发生在A类逗点云系的头部,降雪强度大,范围广;"1412"暴雪过程高空槽低涡位置偏东,700 hPa低涡东部西南风始终引导气旋向东北方向移动,近地面层具有冷垫,暴雪主要发生在B类气旋逗点云系头部西侧中低云团中,降雪范围和强度较"1211"过程小。（3）低层（0.3 km）冷空气侵入和中高层（5.5 km）转为偏北风对判断降雪开始和结束有很好的表征意义。（4）冷涡前部强高压脊使冷涡移动缓慢,从而延长了降水的持续时间,气旋移动路径与高压脊伸展方向密切相关。     

北方集中供热系统气象风险评估初探

供热管网爆裂、跑冒滴漏是北方集中供热城市面临的常见问题,供热管网出现大型故障往往是在室外寒冷的隆冬时节,如果间断或限额供热时间过长,将会造成严重的社会和经济影响。同时在极端低温情况下,可能会造成热源供应不足,出现限额供热现象,不能保证室内舒适度,影响人们的正常生活。本文提出了能源供应气象风险评估和热网维修寒冷风险评估方法,并进行了案例评估,以期为未来进行相关风险评估提供参考。