3D geologic framework models for regional hydrogeology and land-use management: a case study from a Quaternary basin of southwestern Quebec, Canada

During a regional hydrogeologic survey in the St. Lawrence Lowlands, Canada, a computer-based 3D Geologic Framework Model (GFM) was constructed to obtain a consistent representation of this typical Quaternary glaciated basin over a 1,400 km² area. Such a detailed stratigraphic reconstruction was needed because the Quaternary sediments control the recharge to the underlying regional fractured rock aquifer and also because buried granular aquifers are partly connected to the regional system. The objectives of this geomodeling effort are 1) to improve understanding of subsurface conditions above the regional aquifer and; 2) to provide a common stratigraphic framework for hydrogeologic applications. The method draws on knowledge-driven discrete modeling using gOcad, as well as standardization and quality control procedures to maximize the use of a multisource database. The resulting model represents the bedrock topography and the complex stratigraphic architecture of overlying sediments. The regional till aquitard, the marine clay aquiclude and the buried granular aquifers have been modeled with unprecedented details thus providing a well-constrained 3D hydrostratigraphic framework. The recharge zones of the rock aquifer represent about 35% of the study area. Buried granular aquifers are directly connected to the regional aquifer system over about 10% of the area. The model allows several applications such as assessing aquifer vulnerability and areal groundwater recharge rates; improving the GFM inter-operability with groundwater modeling systems would be the next logical step.

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Resumen Se construyó un Modelo del Marco Geológico (GFM) 3D basado en computadora durante un levantamiento hidrogeológico regional en las Tierras Bajas de St. Lawrence, Canada para obtener una representación consistente de esta cuenca glaciar Cuaternaria típica en un área de 1,400 km². Se necesitó tal grado de reconstrucción estratigráfica debido a que los sedimentos Cuaternarios controlan la recarga del acuífero rocoso fracturado regional subyacente y también porque los acuíferos granulares enterrados están parcialmente conectados con el sistema regional. Los objetivos de este esfuerzo de modelizado geológico son: 1) mejorar el entendimiento de las condiciones subsuperficiales por encima del acuífero regional y; 2) aportar un marco estratigráfico común para aplicaciones hidrogeológicas. El método se basa en el conocimiento de modelizado discreto utilizando gOcad, así como también en estandarización y procedimientos de control de calidad para maximizar el uso de bancos de datos de fuentes múltiples. El modelo obtenido representa la topografía del macizo rocoso y la arquitectura de la compleja estratigrafía de los sedimentos sobreyacentes. El acuitardo regional de tillita, el acuicludo arcilloso marino y los acuíferos granulares enterrados se han modelizado con detalles sin precedentes aportando de este modo un marco hidroestratigráfico 3D bien definido. Las zonas de recarga del acuífero rocoso representan casi el 35% del área de estudio. Los acuíferos granulares enterrados están conectados directamente al sistema acuífero regional sobre aproximadamente el 10% del área. El modelo permite varias aplicaciones tal como evaluar la vulnerabilidad de acuíferos y ritmos de recarga areales de agua subterránea; el paso lógico siguiente sería mejorar la inter-operabilidad del GFM con los sistemas de modelizado de agua subterránea.

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Résumé Dans le cadre dune étude dhydrogéologie régionale dans les basses terres du Saint-Laurent (Canada), un Modèle surfacique géologique en 3D (MSG) a été développé pour obtenir une représentation cohérente par ordinateur de ce bassin quaternaire sur une superficie de plus de 1,400 km². Une telle reconstitution stratigraphique était nécessaire en raison du contrôle quexercent les sédiments quaternaires sur la recharge de laquifère régional fracturé sous-jacent et aussi parce que les aquifères granulaires enfouis sont partiellement connectés au système régional. Les objectifs de cet effort de géomodélisation sont: 1) daméliorer la compréhension des conditions de sous-surface au-dessus de laquifère régional et; 2) de fournir un cadre stratigraphique commun à des fins de caractérisation hydrogéologique. La méthode repose sur lintégration de linterprétation géologique dans la modélisation discrète effectuée à laide du logiciel gOcad, ainsi que sur des procédures duniformisation et de contrôle de la qualité des données afin doptimiser lutilisation dune base de données multisources. Le MSG représente la topographie du roc et larchitecture stratigraphique des sédiments sus-jacents. Laquitard régional (till), laquiclude dargile marine et les aquifères granulaires ont été modélisés à un niveau de détail sans précédent, fournissant ainsi un cadre hydrostratigraphique solidement établi. Les zones de recharge de laquifère rocheux représentent environ 35% de la zone détude. Les aquifères granulaires enfouis sont connectés directement au système aquifère régional sur au moins 10% du territoire. Le MSG permet de multiples usages tels lévaluation de la vulnérabilité des aquifères et lestimation de la distribution de la recharge; la prochaine étape logique serait lamélioration de linteropérabilité avec les systèmes de modélisation numérique de lécoulement.

     

Structural geology of the Dugald River ZnPbAg deposit, Mount Isa Inlier, Australia

The sediment-hosted ZnPbAg deposit at Dugald River is situated 87 km northeast of Mount Isa, NW Queensland. It is a mid-scale base metal accumulation restricted to a black slate sequence of low metamorphic grade. The orebody is tabular and consists of fine- to medium-grained sulphides with a dominant mineralogy of sphalerite, pyrrhotite, pyrite, galena, quartz and muscovite. Three different ore types have been recognized based on mineralization textures; laminated, banded and brecciated. The present reserve stands at 38 million tons of ore averaging 13.0% Zn, 2.1% Pb and 42 g/t Ag. A structural investigation has revealed that six stages of deformation have affected the metasediments in the Dugald River area. The first four (D₁, D₂, D₃ and D₄) are characterized by the extensive development of folds and associated axial plane cleavage. They were all generated in a ductile regime and are of considerable significance for the structural evolution of this region as well as for the emplacement and localization of the sulphide mineralization. D₅ provides a transition towards brittle deformation developing strong kink folds with subhorizontal axial planes. D₆ was a brittle event, producing E-W-trending open folds and major NE and NW strike-slip faults crosscutting all the pre-existing structural elements plus segmenting the orebody. Correlation between the development of deformation and the formation of mineralization can be observed from macro- to microscales. Relationships of mineralization with folds and cleavage indicate a post-D₂ (dominant deformation event) and probably syn-D₄ deformation timing for the ZnPbAg mineralization at Dugald River, as suggested by the ubiquitous truncations of D₂ fabrics by ore mineral assemblages throughout the deposit.     

Stability of supraglacial debris

Rock debris on the surface of ablating glaciers is not static, and is often transported across the ice surface as relief evolves during melt. This supraglacial debris transport has a strong influence on the spatial distribution of melt, and is implicated in the formation of hummocky glacial topography in deglaciated terrain. Furthermore, as ice‐dammed lakes and ice‐cored slopes become increasingly common in deglaciating watersheds, there is rising concern about hazards to humans and infrastructure posed by mass‐wasting of ice‐cored debris. The existing quantitative framework for describing these debris transport processes is limited, making it difficult to account for transport in mass balance, hazard assessment, and landscape development models. This paper develops a theoretical framework for assessing slope stability and gravitational mass transport in a debris‐covered ice setting. Excess water pressure at the interface between ablating ice and lowering debris is computed by combining Darcy's law with a meltwater balance. A limit‐equilibrium slope stability analysis is then applied to hypothetical debris layers with end‐member moisture conditions derived from a downslope meltwater balance that includes production and seepage. The resulting model system constrains maximum stable slope angles and lengths that vary with debris texture, thickness, and the rate of meltwater production. Model predictions are compared with field observations and with digital elevation model (DEM)‐derived terrain metrics from two modern debris‐covered glaciers on Mount Rainier, USA. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CHANNEL ADJUSTMENT OF AN UNSTABLE COARSE-GRAINED STREAM: OPPOSING TRENDS OF BOUNDARY AND CRITICAL SHEAR STRESS,AND THE APPLICABILITY OF EXTREMAL HYPOTHESES

Channel adjustments in the North Fork Toutle River and the Toutle River main stem were initiated by deposition of a 2.5 km³ debris avalanche and associated lahars that accompanied the catastrophic eruption of Mount St. Helens, Washington on 18 May 1980. Channel widening was the dominant process. In combination, adjustments caused average boundary shear stress to decrease non-linearly with time and critical shear stress to increase non-linearly with time. At the discharge that is equalled or exceeded 1 per cent of the time, these trends converged by 1991–1992 so that excess shear stress approached minimum values. Extremal hypotheses, such as minimization of unit stream power and minimization of the rate of energy dissipation (minimum stream power), are shown to be applicable to dynamic adjustments of the Toutle River system. Maximization of the Darcy–Weisbach friction factor did not occur, but increases in relative bed roughness, caused by the concomitant reduction in hydraulic depths and bed-material coarsening, were documented. Predictions of stable channel geometries using the minimum stream power approach were unsuccessful when compared to the 1991–1992 geometries and bed-material characteristics measured in the field. It is concluded that the predictions are not applicable because the study reaches are not truly stable and cannot become so until a new floodplain has been formed by renewed channel incision, retreat of stream-side hummocks, and establishment of riparian vegetation to limit the destabilizing effects of large floods. Further, prediction of energy slope (and consequently stream power) by the sediment transport equations is inaccurate because of the inability of the equations to account for significant contributions of finer grained (sand and gravel) bank materials (relative to the coarsened channel bed) from bank retreat and from upstream terrace erosion.     

Optically stimulated luminescence age of the Old Cedar midden, St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Florida

We report optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating results from the Old Cedar midden in St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, located between the Gulf of Mexico and St. Joseph Bay near Port St. Joe, FL, USA. The Old Cedar site (8GU85) is located on top of a relict beach ridge which is actively eroding into St. Joseph Bay. Old Cedar is noted for its conch shell tool assemblage, otherwise rare at northwest Florida archaeological sites, and is believed to have been utilized during the Late Woodland Weeden Island and possibly the Fort Walton periods [Benchley, E.D., Bense, J.A., 2001. Archaeology and history of St. Joseph Peninsula State Park: Phase I investigations. Report of Investigations, No. 89, University of West Florida Archaeology Institute]. After removing surficial erosion deposits, we extracted OSL core samples from both the midden layer and the underlying beach ridge. The resulting OSL age is compared with the age of another beach ridge on St. Joseph Peninsula. We hope that this study will aid in the investigation and conservation of Old Cedar specifically and other Weeden Island sites in the St. Joseph Bay area.     

Paleo-environmental and volcano-tectonic evolution of the southeastern flank of Mt. Etna during the last 225 ka inferred from the volcanic succession of the ‘Timpe’, Acireale, Sicily

The tectonic escarpments locally known as ‘Timpe’ cut a large sector of the eastern flank of Etna, and allow an ancient volcanic succession dating back to 225 ka to be exposed. Geological and volcanological investigations carried out on this succession have allowed us to recognize relevant angular unconformities and volcanic features which are the remnants of eruptive fissures, as well as important changes in the nature, composition and magmatic affinity of the exposed volcanics. In particular, the recognition in the lower part of the succession of important and unequivocal evidence of ancient eruptive fissures led us to propose a local origin for these volcanics and to revise previous interpretations which attributed their westward-dipping to the progressive tectonic tilting of strata. These elements led us to reinterpret the main features of the volcanic activity occurring since 250 ka BP and their relationship with tectonic structures active in the eastern flank of Etna. We propose a complex paleo-environmental and volcano-tectonic evolution of the southeastern flank of Mt. Etna, in which the Timpe fault system played the role of the crustal structure that allowed the rise and eruption of magmas in the above considered time span.     

青岛崂山海岸带野生木本果树资源

本文主要介绍了青岛崂山海岸带野生木本果树的种类、分布状况、用途及开花结果日期,为变野生为家养提供科学依据。     

Bacterial contribution to manganese oxidation in a deep coastal sediment

The characteristics of Mn(II) removal from sediment porewater and the potential role of manganese-oxidizing bacteria in this process were examined in sediments from a 335-m deep station in the Laurentian Trough of the St. Lawrence estuary. Manganese-oxidizing bacteria were most abundant in the thin layer of oxidized surface sediment, where Mn(II) removal rates were also fastest. The first-order rate constants for Mn(II) removal decreased from 1·2 × 10³ day⁻¹ to 6·6 day⁻¹ over the first 30-mm depth. In experimental slurries, sediments removed Mn(II) from reduced zone porewater by a two-step process: a rapid saturation of Mn(II) binding sites was followed by a slower O₂-enhanced removal rate which paralleled the apparent rate of Mn(II) oxidation. Sodium azide and mercuric chloride were tested specifically for their usefulness as bacterial poisons in sediment slurry systems. Sodium azide interfered with Mn(II) removal at low concentrations and was not an effective poison. Mercuric chloride inhibited bacterial activity at concentrations far lower than those at which significant interference of Mn(II) removal occurred. The response of sediment slurries treated with mercuric chloride indicated that the initial oxidation of sorbed Mn(II) was not bacterially-mediated under the experimental conditions tested.     

Temporal geochemical variations in volatile emissions from Mount St. Helens, USA, 1980–1994

Fumarole discharges (95–560°C) collected from the dacite dome inside Mount St. Helens crater show temporal changes in their isotopic and chemical compositions. A δD vs. δ¹⁸O plot shows that condensed waters from the gases are mixtures of meteoric and magmatic components, but that the apparent magmatic end-member in 1994 was depleted by about 7‰ in δD relative to the apparent end-member in 1980. Based on δD modeling, approximately 63% of shallow, post-1980 magma has yet to degas. Surprisingly, Cl and F contents in the 1994 samples were only 0.47 and 3.8%, respectively, of the concentrations determined for end-member magmatic fluid in 1980. The data indicate that Cl (and F and B) is degassed from magma relatively quickly compared to water and/or that most of the Cl degassed in later years is dissolved into the shallow Mount St. Helens hydrothermal system. Because metals are often transported in magmatic and hydrothermal fluids as Cl complexes, rapid changes in surface volatile compositions may have implications for the timing and location of metals transport and deposition in some volcanoes.