Processes of water movement through a chalk coombe deposit in Southeast England

The processes of water movement through the Coombe Deposit in a chalk dry valley near Eastbourne in Southeast England were investigated using simple methods based on regular weekly measurements of rainfall, soil water content, and soil water potential. The drainage flux (recharge) through the soil was determined using the water balance method during the winter and the zero flux plane (ZFP) method after the appearance of the ZFP in the spring. The unsaturated hydraulic conductivity was derived applying Darcy's Law in a novel way using the measured potential gradients and weekly drainage fluxes. The derived conductivity characteristics were adequate to identify the flow mechanisms, to illustrate the difference in behaviour between the horizons of the soil profile, and to give some indication of pore water velocities. The mean daily drainage flux at 2.85 m depth during the recharge period from 10 October 1980 to 29 May 1981 was 1.6 mm d^?1. Weekly mean rates of up to 3.7 mm d^?1 were observed, but peak short term rates must have considerably exceeded this figure. It was shown that, in the lower part of the Coombe Deposit, when drainage fluxes are large, much of the flux passes through a very small proportion of the wetted cross-sectional area of the soil. This gives rise to pore water velocities of at least 3 m d^?1 at a depth of 2.85 m and 0.5 m d^?1 between 0.5 m and 2.5 m depth. These results show that pollutants may be moved very rapidly through the profile in this, and similar, material. The core sampling techniques normally used to monitor pollutant movement in the chalk are unlikely to succeed in detecting this movement, not only because it is transient but also because it occupies only a very small proportion of the water filled pores.     

SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS OF HYDRAULIC GEOMETRY

I.INTRODUCTIONThehydraulicgeometryofstablenaturalriversisdeterminedbyceftaincontrolfactors.suchassizeandgradationofboundarymaterial-sorting,transportandarmoring.planformofchannel.ballkstability.amongstothers.Ageometricmodelfornonuniformboundarymaterialhasbeenproposed(Cao,1996).Theentropy-basedthresholdbankprofiletheory(CaoandKnight,1996).thenext'solutionofthestablechannelparadox,basedonShionoandKnight's(1991)solutionofthedepthmean-averagedmomentumequationatthejunctionpointsareemployedto…     

Secondary welding of submarine,pumice-lithic breccia at Mount Chalmers,Queensland, Australia

Very thick units of massive pumice and lithic clast-rich breccia in the Early Permian Berserker beds at Mount Chalmers, Queensland, are deposits from cold, water-supported, volcaniclastic mass flows emplaced in a below-wave base submarine setting. Adjacent to syn-volcanic andesitic and rhyolitic sills and dykes, the pumice-lithic breccia shows a well-developed eutaxitic texture. The eutaxitic foliation is parallel to intrusive contacts and extends as far as a few metres away from the contact. At these sites, pumice clasts are strongly flattened and tube vesicles within the pumice clasts are compacted and aligned parallel to the direction of flattening. Some lenticular pumice clasts contain small (2 mm), round, quartz-filled amygdales and spherulites. Further away from the sills and dykes, the pumice clasts have randomly oriented, delicate tube vesicle structure and are blocky or lensoid in shape. Round amygdales were generated by re-vesiculation of the glass and the spherulites indicate devitrification of the glass at relatively high temperatures. The eutaxitic texture is therefore attributed to re-heating and welding compaction of glassy pumice-lithic breccia close to contacts with intrusions. In cases involving sills, secondary welding along the contacts formed extensive, conformable, eutaxitic zones in the pumice-lithic breccia that could be mistaken for primary welding compaction in a hot, primary pyroclastic deposit.     

On the meaning of the transmissivity values obtained from recovery tests

Recovery tests are based on estimating transmissivity, T, from the heads that rebound after pumping has stopped. Recovery tests can be performed in wells where conventional constant-rate pumping tests would not be possible. Test interpretation is based on the simple Theis recovery method, related to late time drawdown in an infinite homogeneous aquifer. Yet, field data often cannot be explained by the homogeneous theory. Because T is heterogeneous over an evolving range of scales, it is important to evaluate the support scale of hydraulic tests. Numerical simulations are performed to show that heterogeneity in T can explain these field observations. It is also shown that the local T value around the well can be inferred from early time-recovery data, assuming ideal conditions, whereas late time data yield a large-scale (regional) representative value. Even when recovery is observed for a short time, indirect information about the regional value can also be obtained. A method for the interpretation of recovery tests is proposed based on the Theis recovery method that takes into account the heterogeneity of aquifers. Finally, some guidelines are provided for best test performance depending on the scale of the problem.

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Resumen Las pruebas de recuperación se basan en estimar la transmisividad, T, a partir de las cabezas que se recuperan después que el bombeo se ha detenido. Las pruebas de recuperación pueden realizarse en pozos dónde las pruebas de bombeo convencionales, a caudal constante, no son posibles. La interpretación de la prueba se basa en el método simple de recuperación de Theis, relacionado a los últimos valores del abatimiento, en un acuífero homogéneo infinito. No obstante, los datos del campo no pueden ser explicados a menudo por la teoría homogénea. Debido a que T es heterogéneo, por encima de un rango creciente de escalas, es importante evaluar la escala de apoyo de las pruebas hidráulicas. Se realizan las simulaciones numéricas, para mostrar que esa heterogeneidad en T puede explicar las observaciones de campo. También se muestra que los valores de T locales, alrededor del pozo, pueden inferirse a partir de los datos de recuperación iniciales, asumiendo condiciones ideales, mientras que los datos finales entregan un valor representativo de escala grande (regional). Aún cuando la recuperación se observe durante un tiempo corto, también puede obtenerse una información indirecta sobre el valor regional. Se propone un método, que tiene en cuenta la heterogeneidad de los acuíferos, para la interpretación de pruebas de la recuperación, con base en el método de recuperación de Theis. Finalmente, se dan algunas pautas, para la mejor ejecución de la prueba, que dependen de la escala del problema.

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Résumé Les tests de remontée sont basés sur l’estimation de la transmissivité, T, d’après les niveaux piézométriques qui se redressent suite à l’arrêt du pompage. Les tests de remontée peuvent être réalisés dans des puits où les tests conventionnels à pompage constant ne pourraient pas être possible. L’interprétation du test est basé sur la simple méthode de Theis à la remontée, relative aux dernières données de rabattement dans un aquifère infini homogène. Cependant, les données de terrain ne peuvent pas souvent être expliquées par la théorie homogène. Parce que T est hétérogène sur une échelle évolutive d’échelles, il est important d’évaluer l’échelle qui s’accommode aux tests hydrauliques. Des simulations numériques sont réalisées pour montrer que l’hétérogénéité de T peut expliquer ces observations de terrain. Il est également montré que la valeur de T autour du puits peut être interprétée grace aux premières données du tests en supposant les conditions idéales à cette interprétation, tandis que les derniers rabattement représentent une valeur de T à une échelle plus large (régional). Même lorsque la remontée est observée sur une courte durée, une information indirecte sur la valeur régionale peut également être obtenue. Une méthode pour l’interprétation des tests de remontée est proposée basée sur la méthode de la remontée de Theis qui prend en compte l’hétérogénéité des aquifères. Finalement, des règles générales sont apportées pour améliorer la performance du test en fonction de l’échelle du problème.

     

Evaluation of methods for determination of hydraulic properties in an aquifer–aquitard system hydrologically connected to a river

Field and laboratory methods have been used to determine the hydraulic properties in a multiple-layer aquifer–aquitard system that is hydrologically connected to a river. First, hypothetical pumping tests in aquifer–aquitard systems were performed to evaluate the feasibility of MODFLOW-PEST in determining these parameters. Sensitivity analyses showed that: the horizontal hydraulic conductivity in the aquifer has the highest composite sensitivity; the vertical hydraulic conductivity has higher composite sensitivity than the horizontal hydraulic conductivity in the aquitard; and a partial penetration pumping well in an aquifer layer can improve the quality of the estimated parameters. This inverse approach was then used to analyze a pumping-recovery test conducted near the Platte River in southeastern Nebraska, USA. The hydraulic conductivities and specific yield were calculated for the aquitard and aquifer. The direct-push technique was used to generate sediment columns; permeameter tests on these columns produced the vertical hydraulic conductivities that are compatible with those obtained from the pumping-recovery test. Thus, the combination of the direct-push technique with permeameter tests provides a new method for estimation of vertical hydraulic conductivity. The hydraulic conductivity, determined from grain-size analysis, is smaller than the horizontal one but larger than the vertical one determined by the pumping-recovery test.     

Deposits related to degradation processes on Piton des Neiges Volcano (Reunion Island): overview and geological hazard

Piton des Neiges (PN) Volcano on Reunion Island offers a rare opportunity to study deposits related to degradation processes in a deeply eroded oceanic shield volcano. Both the inner parts and flanks reveal a large amount of resedimented volcaniclastic material, including extensive debris avalanche deposits. PN litho–structural units, first studied by Upton and Wadsworth [1965, Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond., A 271, pp. 105–130], are re-examined. This review highlights the importance of long volcanic repose periods and erosion processes during PN history. volcaniclastic deposits have been studied in the field in order to evaluate the spatial and temporal distribution of the three main types of PN degradation processes. The deposits of these processes have been classified into: (1) talus, (2) mudflow and debris flow, and (3) debris avalanche. Lithology, frequency and estimated volumes of each deposit type imply that the structural evolution of PN can be considered in terms of the competition between the volcanic productivity and the degradation and erosion processes. The occurrence of huge catastrophic avalanches produced by flank failure is convincingly linked to the basaltic activity of PN, which implies a very low risk at present. On the contrary, mudflows and debris flows pose an important risk due to the high population density focussed around the basin outlets. Moreover, if smaller debris avalanches can occur in the cirques of PN, another major risk must be evaluated.     

Theoretical regime equations for mobile gravel-bed rivers with stable banks

A system of rational regime equations is developed for gravel-bed rivers with stable banks using the optimality theory (OT). The optimality theory is based on the premise that equilibrium river geometry is characterised by an optimum configuration, defined here as maximum sediment-transport efficiency. Theoretical dimensionless equations are derived for width, depth, slope, width/depth ratio, and meandering–braiding transition. Independent dimensionless variables comprise discharge, sediment concentration, and relative bank strength, μ′, which is defined as the ratio of the critical shear stresses for the bank and bed sediments. Discharge exponents and general form of the equations agree well with previously developed empirical relations. Relative bank strength, μ′, is used to parameterise the influence of riparian vegetation on bank strength and is evaluated by calibrating against observed width/depth ratio. Once calibrated, the hydraulic geometry of natural gravel rivers is well described by the theoretical equations, including discrimination between meandering and braiding channels. The results provide strong support for the assumption that equilibrium or regime river behavior is equivalent to an optimal state and underline the importance of bank strength and sediment load as controls on hydraulic geometry.     

再论长英质隐爆角砾岩的气热流体溶浸成矿机制——隐爆角砾岩型铀矿床的稳定同位素地球化学证据

为进一步阐明长英质隐爆角砾岩的成因及其气热溶浸成矿流体和成矿物质的来源，文章对闽北570有赣南6722隐爆角砾岩型铀矿床的矿石矿物，蚀变围岩，基底岩石的氧，氢，硫，碳，铅同位素地球化学特征进行了综合研究，并得出以下结论：（1）在主成矿期和矿后期有大气降水成分的外来水混合加入成矿流体；（2）蚀变流纹岩和蚀变花岗岩的水－岩氧原子质量比值（分别为0．21和0．26）为隐爆角砾碉的岩浆－外来水混合爆发模式提供了佐证；（3）成矿流体中的矿化剂组分（CO3^-2 ,HCO3^-,HS^-等）主要来自壳幔深部。（4）成矿物质不仅与赋矿主岩（火山岩）有关，而且部分来自基底岩石（花岗岩和变质岩）。     

Geometric adjustment of pools to changes in slope and discharge: a flume experiment

To characterize the factors controlling pool shape, 30 different forced pools were created utilizing a 50% triangular constriction in a 0.5-m wide, 6-m long recirculating flume. Pools were scoured from an initial plane bed of sand with a d₅₀ of 0.25 mm. Pool depth and length were measured and used as dependent variables in least-squares, multiple-regression analyses. Discharge, channel-bed gradient and energy slope were the independent variables. Additional linear-regression analyses were conducted with either pool depth or length and stream power. Results indicate that both pool depth and length are primarily a function of discharge. Channel-bed and energy slopes are also significantly related to pool length but are not significantly related to pool depth. Stream power is significantly related to both pool depth and length, but R² values for pool depth versus discharge indicate stronger relations than those between pool depth and stream power. Observations on the type of geometric adjustment indicate that pools may minimize their rate of energy expenditure primarily through elongation. In contrast, pool depth appears to be more sensitive to the characteristics of the constrictions that create the forced pools. The results suggest that many field studies may suffer from cross-correlation problems. In particular, channel erodibility may exert a more dominant influence on pool geometry than hydraulic controls in many constriction-influenced channels.     

设有液压质量控制系统(HMS)的底层柔性结构动力特性及其地震反应的振型分解法

本文对设有液压质量控制系统(HMS)的底层柔性结构体系的动力特性进行了试验研究和分析,通过对试验结果的分析,证明了设有液压质量控制系统(HMS)的底层柔性结构控制体系近似存在经典振型,其阻尼阵满足正交性条件,所以,可用振型分解法计算受控结构的地震反应。