Non-linear channel–shoal dynamics in long tidal embayments

The dynamics of finite-amplitude bed forms in a tidal channel is studied with the use of an idealized morphodynamic model. The latter is based on depth-averaged equations for the tidal flow over a sandy bottom. The model considers phenomena on spatial scales of the order of the tidal excursion length. Transport of sediment mainly takes place as suspended load. The reference state of this model is characterized by a spatially uniform M₂ tidal current over a fixed horizontal bed. The temporal evolution of deviations from this reference state is governed by amplitude equations: these are a set of non-linear equations that describe the temporal evolution of bed forms. These equations are used to obtain new morphodynamic equilibria which may be either static or time-periodic. Several of these bottom profiles show strong similarity with the tidal bars that are observed in natural estuaries. The dependence of the equilibrium solutions on the value of bottom friction and channel width is investigated systematically. For narrow channels (width small compared to the tidal excursion length) stable static equilibria exist if bottom friction is slightly larger than r_cr. For channel widths more comparable to the tidal excursion length, multiple stable steady states may exist for bottom friction parameter values below r_cr. Regardless of channel width, stable time-periodic equilibria seem to emerge as the bottom friction is increased.Responsible Editor: Jens Kappenberg     

深部地质钻探钻柱失效行为分析

国家的“三深一土”规划确定全面开展深地探测,而在深地探测中钻柱是最重要的连接纽带,其长期在充满钻井液的井眼内工作,受力十分复杂,且受腐蚀、磨损、温度等影响,极易发生钻柱失效事故,造成重大经济损失。研究发现,振动是引起钻柱失效的主要原因,但是深部地质钻探中除了振动引起钻柱失效外,还包括钻柱质量因素、人为因素、钻井质量、套管下入因素、测斜因素以及钻井液因素引起的钻柱失效,本文针对这些影响因素提出了对应的预防措施。同时随着地质钻探井深的不断加深,地质钻探钻柱动力学研究会变得越来越重要,这就需要地质钻探人员在充分考虑地质钻探钻柱失效影响因素的前提下,加大对地质钻探钻柱动力学的研究,以更好地保证深部地质钻探的顺利进行。     

江南造山带北缘鄣公山地区新元古代地层构造变形特征及其动力学机制

鄣公山地区位处皖赣交界地带,区内广泛分布一套浅变质的陆缘细碎屑岩为主含少量火山物质的复理石建造体,大量高精度同位素测年数据显示,该浅变质地层形成于820～840Ma新元古代。经系统野外调查,在该地层中首次解析出5期褶皱变形,其中F1以原始层理(S0)为形变面形成的紧闭同斜、平卧等形态的露头尺度级片内无根褶皱;F2以早期构造面理(S1∥S0)为形变面的轴向近东西向开阔斜歪及同斜褶皱;F3属与大规模逆冲推覆构造相关的紧闭同斜或斜歪褶皱;F4为与燕山期花岗质岩浆热隆升有关的轴面北倾的透入性不对称紧闭下滑褶皱群;F5为分布于区域脆性平移走滑断裂带附近的倾竖褶皱,上述褶皱分别对应不同的构造变形旋回。本文重点阐述褶皱变形的几何学、叠加样式、变形序次、运动学特征,并对变形机制及大陆动力学等进行分析。     

东海陆架盆地南部中生代演化与动力学转换过程

东海陆架盆地处于欧亚板块东南缘,其构造演化、动力学机制转换同太平洋板块与欧亚板块碰撞及印度-澳大利亚板块远程推挤效应有关。中生代以来,该盆地形成和演化过程受到古太平洋板块多期俯冲及多构造体系的叠加改造,地质构造和地球物理场复杂,盆地演化及动力学过程等一直是争论的焦点。本文利用最新调查资料,通过构造物理模拟实验、构造解析和平衡地质复原剖面等方法,结合区域构造背景,系统分析了东海陆架盆地中生代演化过程,探讨了其构造动力学转换过程。研究认为东海陆架盆地自中生代以来经历了晚三叠世前的被动大陆边缘和晚三叠世-中侏罗世活动大陆边缘挤压坳陷型盆地阶段,挤压应力来源于伊泽奈崎板块向欧亚大陆板块的低角度俯冲;早白垩世晚期-晚白垩世活动陆缘伸展断陷型盆地阶段,应力来源于太平洋板块向欧亚大陆板块俯冲后撤导致的岩石圈减薄作用;古近纪为弧后伸展断陷型盆地阶段。同时认为东海陆架盆地古特提斯构造域向古太平洋构造域转换的时间应该发生在中三叠世末期,古太平洋板块低角度俯冲和俯冲后撤代表华南中生代深部地质过程。     

我国高寒草甸植被生产力及其影响因子

生物量是重要的植物群落数量特征，直接反映生态系统生产者的物质生产量，是生态系统生产力的重要体现。高寒草甸广泛分布于青藏高原，是高寒生态系统的主要植被类型。回顾了高寒草甸生物量的研究成果。高寒草甸生物量呈典型的金字塔式垂直分布格局，地上生物量主要集中于0—10cm的冠层，地下生物量也集中分布于0—10cm的土层内。增温和多雨会降低生物量，叶面积和物种丰富度与地上生物量成正相关关系，氮素的增加有助于植被生物量的增长，而放牧率与生物量成显著负相关。     

高压超高压变质岩抬升—剥露的一种动力学机制分析

综述了高压超高压变质岩带的基本构造特征，认为运用体粘滞性流变学理论可以很好地解释高压超高压变质岩的发育过程及其抬升－剥露动力学机制。     

Prediction of hydrodynamic loading on a mini TLP with free surface effects

This paper describes the extension of a fluid-flow simulations method to capture the free surface evolution around a full-scale Tension Leg Platform (TLP). The focus is on the prediction of the resulting hydrodynamic loading on the various elements of the TLP in turbulent flow conditions and, in particular, on quantifying the effects of the free surface distortion on this loading. The basic method uses finite-volume techniques to discretize the differential equations governing conservation of mass and momentum in three dimensions. The time-averaged forms of the equations are used, and the effects of turbulence are accounted for by using a two-equation, eddy-viscosity closure. The method is extended here via the incorporation of surface-tracking algorithm on a moving grid to predict the free-surface shape. The algorithm was checked against experimental measurements from two benchmark flows: the flow over a submerged semi-circular cylinder and the flow around a floating parabolic hull. Predictions of forces on a model TLP were then obtained both with and without allowing for the deformation of the free surface. The results suggest that the free surface effects on the hydrodynamic loads are small for the values of Froude number typically encountered in offshore engineering practice.     

Radio observations of NGC 2808 and other globular clusters: constraints on intermediate-mass black holes

We present the results of a deep radio observation of the globular cluster NGC 2808. We show that there are no sources detected within the core of the cluster, placing constraints on both the pulsar population of the cluster and the mass of a possible intermediate-mass black hole in NGC 2808. We compare the results for this cluster with other constraints on intermediate-mass black holes derived from accretion measures. With the exception of G1 in M 31 which has previously shown radio emission, even with considerably more conservative assumptions, only the clusters with the poorest of observational constraints are consistent with falling on the   M _BH–σ  relation. This result is interpreted in terms of the fundamental differences between galaxies and globular clusters.     

Meteorological causes of Harmattan dust in West Africa

We investigated the temporal dynamics of dust entrainment in the Bodélé Depression, Central Sahara, to better understand the intra-annual variability of aerosol emission in the world's largest dust source. The linkages between dust entrainment and large-scale meteorological factors were examined by correlating several meteorological variables in the Mediterranean and Africa north of the equator with the aerosol concentrations in the Bodélé Depression separately for winter and summer. The methodological tools applied are NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data and the aerosol index of the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS-AI), available for 15 years from 1978 to 1993. We found that dust mobilisation during the Harmattan season is highly dependent on air pressure variability in the Mediterranean area. High pressure to the north of the Bodélé intensifies the NE trade winds, leading to an increased entrainment of dust in the Bodélé Depression. In summer, dust mobilization cannot be explained by the large scale meteorological conditions. This highlights the importance of local to regional wind systems linked to the northernmost position of the intertropical convection zone (ITCZ) during this time.     

Neptune Trojans: a Revisit and a New Membertwo

Up to now, 17 Neptune Trojan asteroids have been detected with their orbits being well determined by continuous observations. This paper analyzes systematically their orbital dynamics. Our results show that except for two temporary members with relatively short lifespans on Trojan orbits, the vast majority of Neptune Trojans located within their orbital uncertainties may survive in the solar system age. The escaping probability of Neptune Trojans, through slow diffusion in the orbital element space in 4.5 billion years, is estimated to be ～50%. The asteroid 2012 UW177 classified as a Centaur asteroid by the IAU Minor Planet Center currently is in fact a Neptune Trojan. Numerical simulations indicate that it is librating on the tadpole-shaped orbit around the Neptune's L₄ point. It was captured into the current orbit approximately 0.23 million years ago, and will stay there for at least another 1.3 million years in the future. Its high inclination of i ≈ 54^° not only makes it the most inclined Neptune Trojan, but also makes it exhibit the complicated and interesting co-orbital transitions between the leading and trailing Trojans via the quasi-satellite orbit phase.