Scientific field training for human planetary exploration

Forthcoming human planetary exploration will require increased scientific return (both in real time and post-mission), longer surface stays, greater geographical coverage, longer and more frequent EVAs, and more operational complexities than during the Apollo missions. As such, there is a need to shift the nature of astronauts’ scientific capabilities to something akin to an experienced terrestrial field scientist. To achieve this aim, the authors present a case that astronaut training should include an Apollo-style curriculum based on traditional field school experiences, as well as full immersion in field science programs. Herein we propose four Learning Design Principles (LDPs) focused on optimizing astronaut learning in field science settings. The LDPs are as follows:

(1)

LDP#1: Provide multiple experiences: varied field science activities will hone astronauts’ abilities to adapt to novel scientific opportunities

(2)

LDP#2: Focus on the learner: fostering intrinsic motivation will orient astronauts towards continuous informal learning and a quest for mastery

(3)

LDP#3: Provide a relevant experience—the field site: field sites that share features with future planetary missions will increase the likelihood that astronauts will successfully transfer learning

(4)

LDP#4: Provide a social learning experience—the field science team and their activities: ensuring the field team includes members of varying levels of experience engaged in opportunities for discourse and joint problem solving will facilitate astronauts’ abilities to think and perform like a field scientist.

The proposed training program focuses on the intellectual and technical aspects of field science, as well as the cognitive manner in which field scientists experience, observe and synthesize their environment. The goal of the latter is to help astronauts develop the thought patterns and mechanics of an effective field scientist, thereby providing a broader base of experience and expertise than could be achieved from field school alone. This will enhance their ability to execute, explore and adapt as in-field situations require.     

热带风暴过程中珊瑚礁坪示踪砂运移的现场实验研究

１９９５年１０月在小东海珊瑚礁海岸的礁坪上进行了示踪砂运动的现场实验。本次实验对浪,流以及示踪砂采样作了同步观测。根据所获的实验数据,分析在９５１６号热带风暴天气过程礁坪上示踪砂运移的基本规律。在一级近似下,测定并计算了泥沙在波生流作用下的漂移速度与流速比因子０．００２,混合深度小于２ｃｍ。这一结果与其它已往结果相比明显小得多。     

塔里木巴什托油气田巴楚组顶部油气层录井特征分析

详细分析了巴什托油气田BK2、BK3H、BK4H以及BK5H等6口井的地质录井资料,显示巴楚组顶部油气层自上而下见到的含油气级别一般为油斑、油迹、气测异常等,上好下差,油气主要集中于顶部油气层之顶上,反映出油气向上运移储集比较好。巴楚组及以上地层纵、横向上的稳定性较好,深度、厚度均变化不大,且以M4井为中心向各方向均呈现增厚—减薄有规律的交替变化。巴什托油气田巴楚组油藏具有较好的开采价值,但还应不断钻探寻找新的含油气构造,发现新的油气田。     

磁暴期间极光椭圆与极盖区电离层效应比较研究--F区负暴

联合利用EISCAT和E-Svalbard非相干散射雷达数据,研究l997年5月强磁暴期间向阳侧极盖与极光椭圆区电离层F区负暴.发现在磁暴主相和恢复相初期,极光椭圆和极盖区电离层都在大约l90km高度出现类似F1的峰,F2主峰完全消失,F区电子密度大幅度下降.但离子温度的变化在两个区域很不相同,在极光椭圆区大幅度升高,而在极盖区没有显著变化,反映出引起F区负暴的主要机制在两个区域不尽相同.强对流电场引起大气焦耳加热与离子增温而使O+离子消失的化学反应速率增大所导致的电离损失,对极光椭圆区负暴起主要作用;而输运过程,特别是持续长达数小时的沿场上行离子流,对极盖区负暴起重要作用.磁暴主相期间,当EISCAT雷达位于等离子体对流涡旋转换区下方时,在无焦耳加热与离子摩擦增温的情况下,观测到由顶部电离层O+离子沿场高速外流引起的F区电子密度耗空.     

野外露头沉积学描述计算机辅助系统模型设计

野外露头沉积学描述计算机辅助系统的任务是要帮助地质工作者实现野外露头沉积学描述信息的数字化处理,即利用计算机实现方便的数据录入、存储、管理、输出、辅助分析等。从地质模型分析入手,给出了系统的功能模型、模块划分和数据库模型。本系统的特点是实现了有关地质信息标准化采集、管理和处理分析,可为盆地分析、成岩成矿分析和区域地质调查工作提供技术支持。     

Gas generation and expulsion characteristics of Middle–Upper Triassic source rocks,eastern Kuqa Depression,Tarim Basin,China: implications for shale gas resource potential

Frontier exploration in the Kuqa Depression, western China, has identified the continuous tight-sand gas accumulation in the Lower Cretaceous and Lower Jurassic as a major unconventional gas pool. However, assessment of the shale gas resource in the Kuqa Depression is new. The shale succession in the Middle–Upper Triassic comprises the Taliqike Formation (T₃t), the Huangshanjie Formation (T₃h) and the middle–upper Karamay Formation (T_2–3k), with an average accumulated thickness of 260 m. The high-quality shale is dominated by type III kerogen with high maturity and an average original total organic carbon (TOC) of about 2.68 wt%. An improved hydrocarbon generation and expulsion model was applied to this self-contained source–reservoir system to reveal the gas generation and expulsion (intensity, efficiency and volume) characteristics of Middle–Upper Triassic source rocks. The maximum volume of shale gas in the source rocks was obtained by determining the difference between generation and expulsion volumes. The results indicate that source rocks reached the hydrocarbon expulsion threshold of 1.1% VR and the hydrocarbon generation and expulsion reached their peak at 1.0% VR and 1.28% VR, with the maximum rate of 56 mg HC/0.1% TOC and 62.8 mg HC/0.1% TOC, respectively. The volumes of gas generation and expulsion from Middle–Upper Triassic source rocks were 12.02 × 10¹² m³ and 5.98 × 10¹² m³, respectively, with the residual volume of 6.04 × 10¹² m³, giving an average gas expulsion efficiency of 44.38% and retention efficiency of 55.62%. Based on the gas generation and expulsion characteristics, the predicted shale gas potential volume is 6.04 × 10¹² m³, indicating a significant shale gas resource in the Middle–Upper Triassic in the eastern Kuqa Depression.     

古新世—始新世最热事件对地球表层循环的影响及其触发机制

古新世—始新世最热事件（PETM, Paleocene Eocene Thermal Maximum）是发生在古新世—始新世交界时的一次全球性的气候突变事件。它造成了大洋环流模式的突然倒转和海水盐度、大气湿度的迅速上升。海洋表层生态系统和陆地生态系统生产力迅速上升,许多属种的植物、动物、微生物生活范围向高纬区扩大;大洋底栖微生物发生集群灭绝。现代哺乳动物的主要属种（灵长类、奇蹄类及偶蹄类）产生,哺乳动物演化进程发生重大改变。地球表层碳循环系统发生不同程度的碳同位素负偏移,全球碳循环系统发生大规模搅动。对于PETM的触发机制,主流的观点认为是海底天然气水合物突然释放造成巨量甲烷迅速进入表层系统引发的碳循环系统内部反馈。而对于甲烷释放的原因,又存在着减压释放和热释放两种解释;此外还有科学家用岩浆作用和地外星体撞击来解释PETM的发生。     

沉积物粒度对水合物形成的制约：来自IODP 311航次证据

对取自IODP 311航次（东北太平洋Cascadia大陆边缘）所有5个站位、采样间距约为1.5 m的614件沉积物样品，利用Beckman Coulter LS 230激光粒度仪进行了沉积物粒度分析，获得了沉积物粒度随深度变化特征，进而与水合物层位的替代指标进行了位置对比，这些指标包括特殊沉积构造（soupy和mousse like构造）、测井数据（LWD）推算出来的水合物饱和度（Sh）、岩芯红外图像和实际钻取的含水合物沉积物等。发现沉积物粒度分别为31~63 μm和63~125 μm的2组较粗粒径的沉积物数量变化增多的位置与水合物出现层位之间存在较好的位置对应关系。如在U1326站位海底以下5~8 m、21~26 m、50~123 m、132~140 m、167~180 m、195~206 m、220~240 m深度位置出现了沉积物粒度明显偏向粗粒的趋势，而这些位置正好对应于大多数特殊沉积构造出现的深度，也对应于水合物饱和度（Sh）值相对较高的深度，并与一些实际钻取的赋含水合物的浊积沙层观察结果一致。因此，初步研究后认为，沉积物粒度在水合物形成过程中扮演了重要角色，天然气水合物可能偏向形成于粒度大于31 μm的粗粒沉积物中。       

云南省煤层气资源勘探开发对外合作

滇东地区有较丰富的煤炭和煤层气资源。中美合作项目"云南恩洪和老厂地区煤层气资源开采对外合作",属我国煤层气勘探开发对外合作项目之一。开展二年来,取得丰硕成果。本文介绍我省的煤层气资源,我国煤层气开发鼓励政策及相关法规,我国煤层气对外合作的基本原则和合作模式,我省煤层气勘探开发合作项目的进展及取得的成果。     

A field evaluation of enhanced reductive dechlorination of chlorinated solvents in groundwater,New York Metropolitan Area

An initial assessment of an old manufacturing site with groundwater impacted by trichloroethene (TCE) contamination in the metropolitan New York area showed that the TCE was being removed naturally by reductive dechlorination. However, complete dechlorination was not expected at the site because the process was progressing too slowly under transitional to aerobic conditions at a degradation constant of –0.0013 and a TCE half life of 533 days. A pilot test was conducted at the site in which a carbohydrate substrate (molasses) was injected into the groundwater to create an In-Situ Reactive Zone (IRZ). Post-pilot test groundwater sampling and analysis indicated that an IRZ was created successfully as the total organic carbon (TOC) content and conductivity increased significantly while oxidation-reduction (REDOX) potential and dissolved oxygen (DO) decreased. The created IRZ caused enhanced reductive dechlorination of TCE at the site, found to proceed with a degradation constant of –0.0158 and a TCE half life of 44 days.