Sub‐fossil Chironomidae as indicators of palaeoflow regimes: integration into the PalaeoLIFE flow index

The sub‐fossil head capsules of larval Chironomidae have been widely exploited as palaeoecological indicators of lentic ecosystems but their value in the interpretation of the evolution of lotic systems has been underutilised by comparison. Recent research has demonstrated that the remains of Chironomidae are abundant within fluvial sequences and that they offer a valuable record of channel change and floodplain evolution that may complement that derived from existing biological and sedimentological techniques. This paper demonstrates the use of Chironomidae in characterising the palaeoflow regime of a large mid–late Holocene floodplain palaeochannel (5470–4960 to 1530–1350 cal. a BP) of the River Trent (Derbyshire, UK). Using expert knowledge and published information regarding flow preferences, larval Chironomidae were incorporated into the PalaeoLIFE (Lotic‐invertebrate Index for Flow Evaluation) methodology. The results clearly demonstrate that the sub‐fossil record provided by Chironomidae can be used to characterise changes in the flow regime within palaeochannel sections. At the scale of the channel section, species‐ and generic‐level ecological associations can provide useful information regarding habitat characteristics, including the presence of instream vegetation, mineral substrates and woody debris. The ability to undertake environmental reconstruction and channel evolution history was significantly enhanced through the application of a multi‐proxy approach, by incorporating other aquatic insect groups (Trichoptera and Coleoptera) into the PalaeoLIFE metric, together with sedimentological data. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Geocomputational Heuristic for Coverage Maximization in Service Facility Siting

Siting service facilities in order to maximize regional coverage is important when budget resources are limited. Various approaches exist for addressing this particular planning problem for discrete or continuous representations of potential facility sites and demand to be served. In cases where both candidate facility sites and service demand are continuous, approaches for maximizing regional coverage have only examined the siting of a single facility. In this article, a geocomputational approach is proposed for addressing multiple facility siting when demand is continuously distributed and facilities may be located anywhere in the region. Emergency warning siren location is used to highlight the developed approach.     

Multiple flow direction algorithms for runoff modelling in grid based elevation models: An empirical evaluation

When pathways for groundwater flow are defined in grid based elevation models, the grid structure creates some obstacles as it only allows for eight flow directions. Earlier algorithms have used arbitrarily designed flow distributions, which have resulted in either too diverging or too converging flow patterns. This study defines a computationally simple distribution function, where the converging nature (x) can be altered. A material of reference flow distributions was produced through simulation in four elevation models. The distribution function was tested for different values on x, against the reference. The results show a stable correlation pattern between the tested function and the reference. Optimum values on x were found, which suggest that the flow distribution from a grid cell should be weighted with the slope gradient raised to the power of 4–6.     

A Tidal Flow Model for the Gulf of Kachchh,India

A vertically integrated model has been used to study the tidal circulation and currents in the Gulf of Kachchh along the west coast of India. The model is fully nonlinear and uses a semiexplicit finite difference scheme to solve the basic hydrodynamic equations on a staggered grid. The model is forced by prescribing the tides along the open boundary of the model domain. The flow is simulated both with and without the presence of the proposed tidal barrage across the Hansthal Creek in the Gulf of Kachchh. The results show a considerable change in the behavior of the tidal flow in the presence of the barrage.     

斜向逆冲断层相关褶皱的正演模型与实例分析

斜向逆冲作用在自然界普遍存在,研究斜向逆冲断层相关褶皱的构造几何学特征,识别断层相关褶皱是否存在斜向逆冲有重要意义。文章采用Trishear 4.5、Gocad以及Trishear3D软件构建一系列不同滑移量的断层转折褶皱和断层传播褶皱的二维正演剖面,通过连接一系列不同排列方式的二维剖面建立了三种不同逆冲滑移方向的断层转折褶皱和断层传播褶皱的假三维模型,通过不同假三维模型的比较分析来探讨斜向逆冲断层相关褶皱的构造几何学特征。研究发现,斜向逆冲断层相关褶皱区别于正向逆冲断层相关褶皱的特征主要有两点：① 正向逆冲断层相关褶皱层面等高线图上的最高点与后翼等高线中点的连线以及水平切面上的核心点与后翼中点的连线方向均与断层走向垂直,而斜向逆冲断层相关褶皱的最高点以及核心点与后翼中点的连线方向均与断层走向斜交,并且最高点与后翼等高线中点的连线方向或者核心点与后翼中点的连线方向均与逆冲滑移方向一致;② 在褶皱平行断层走向纵剖面上,正向逆冲断层相关褶皱各个层面最高点的连线是直立的,而斜向逆冲断层相关褶皱各个层面最高点的连线发生倾斜。通过这两个特征可以判别褶皱是否存在斜向逆冲以及逆冲的方向。将模型分析结果运用到四川盆地西南部三维地震勘探资料所覆盖的邛西背斜和大兴西背斜的实例中。研究结果表明,两个背斜均存在右旋斜向逆冲,逆冲方向与各自断层走向的夹角均为70°左右,邛西背斜和大兴西背斜的逆冲方向分别是NE79°和NE77°左右,这与龙门山南段晚上新世以来的主应力方向以及反演的汶川地震最大主应力方向一致。     

Dolomitization of the Latemar platform: Fluid flow and dolomite evolution

The Anisian–Ladinian Latemar platform, northern Italy, presents a spectacularly exposed outcrop analogue for dolomitized carbonate reservoirs in relation to fracture-controlled igneous intrusions. Although the Latemar is one of the best studied carbonate platforms worldwide, timing and evolution of dolomitization and the link to fractures and dikes have not been explored in detail. Previous dolomite observations are based on a stratigraphically limited portion of the platform. This study extends observations to the complete exposed interval in which dolomite bodies occur, including those within the less accessible Valsorda valley.Numerous parallel mafic dikes crosscut the Latemar platform and border several of its large dolomite bodies (50 m wide, 100 m high). Within dikes and along dike-carbonate contacts, there are abundant dolomite veins that are geochemically related to surrounding dolomite bodies. Dolomitization is the result of limestone interaction with hydrothermal fluids delivered along these dikes. At dike boundaries, impermeable marble aureoles exist derived from contact metamorphism. The marble aureoles have locally shielded surrounding limestone from dolomitizing fluid. Dolomite occurs only where the ‘protective’ marble is missing or crosscut by fractures. Based on geometric relationships, we conclude that dikes and their damage zones formed the pathways for the dolomitizing fluids and functioned as boundaries for dolomite bodies.From field observations and petrography, we established a detailed paragenesis. Dolomitization started shortly after dike emplacement. There is an evolution in the Fe content of matrix dolomite and dolomite veins, from highly ferroan dolomite to non-ferroan (saddle) dolomite, alternating with episodes of silica cementation. Non-ferroan calcite precipitation followed dolomitization, possibly indicating concurrent depletion in Mg. This stage likely resulted in further limestone recrystallization rather than dolomitization. Stable and radiogenic isotopes suggest that the dolomitizing fluid comprised Carnian seawater with elevated Fe and Mg from interaction with other lithologies (possibly the nearby Predazzo intrusion).     

Detecting repetitive structures on building footprints for the purposes of 3D modeling and reconstruction

ABSTRACT

Repetitive structures of a building share features in terms of geometries and appearance and, therefore, the 3D information for these structures can be transferred from one specification to another for the purpose of 3D modeling and reconstruction once they are identified as repetitive structures. In this paper, a novel approach is proposed for the detection of the repetitive structures specified by the polygons of a building’s footprints. Instead of directly operating on the polygon in 2D space, the polygon is converted into a bend angle function representation in 1D space, whereby an extrusion is represented as a closed polygon intersected by the x-axis and located above it, while an intrusion is represented as a closed polygon below the x-axis. In this way, a polygon of a footprint is decomposed into a number of extrusions and intrusions which can in turn be processed. The task of detecting any repetitive structures specified in a building’s footprints then becomes the task of clustering the intersected polygons in the bend angle function space. The extrusions/intrusions which can be placed in the same clusters can be regarded as repetitive structures. Experiments show that this proposed approach can detect repetitive structures with different sizes, orientations and complexities.