Pore fluid viscosity effects on P‐ and S‐wave anisotropy in synthetic silica‐cemented sandstone with aligned fractures

Ultrasonic (500 kHz) P‐ and S‐wave velocity and attenuation anisotropy were measured in the laboratory on synthetic, octagonal‐shaped, silica‐cemented sandstone samples with aligned penny‐shaped voids as a function of pore fluid viscosity. One control (blank) sample was manufactured without fractures, another sample with a known fracture density (measured from X‐ray CT images). Velocity and attenuation were measured in four directions relative to the bedding fabric (introduced during packing of successive layers of sand grains during sample construction) and the coincident penny‐shaped voids (fractures). Both samples were measured when saturated with air, water (viscosity 1 cP) and glycerin (100 cP) to reveal poro‐visco‐elastic effects on velocity and attenuation, and their anisotropy. The blank sample was used to estimate the background anisotropy of the host rock in the fractured sample; the bedding fabric was found to show transverse isotropy with shear wave splitting (SWS) of 1.45 ± 1.18% (i.e. for S‐wave propagation along the bedding planes). In the fractured rock, maximum velocity and minimum attenuation of P‐waves was seen at 90° to the fracture normal. After correction for the background anisotropy, the fractured sample velocity anisotropy was expressed in terms of Thomsen's weak anisotropy parameters ε, γ & δ. A theory of frequency‐dependent seismic anisotropy in porous, fractured, media was able to predict the observed effect of viscosity and bulk modulus on ε and δ in water‐ and glycerin‐saturated samples, and the higher ε and δ values in air‐saturated samples. Theoretical predictions of fluid independent γ are also in agreement with the laboratory observations. We also observed the predicted polarisation cross‐over in shear‐wave splitting for wave propagation at 45° to the fracture normal as fluid viscosity and bulk modulus increases.     

一种基于单元局部坐标系求解二维孔隙渗流问题的数值方法

将数值计算区域用三角形单元进行离散,并为每个单元构建局部坐标系。局部坐标系的X轴为三角形单元某一条边的方向,局部坐标系的原点为该边的其中一个端点。在局部坐标系下,基于“格林公式”及达西定律推导了单元压力梯度及单元流速的解析表达式,给出了流经单元各棱及各节点的流量计算方法。形成了类似固体弹簧系统的渗流管道网络,建立了管道压差与流量的函数关系。将各单元局部坐标系下求得的流速及流量转换至整体坐标系,并在节点上进行凝聚。通过引入流体体积模量实现了节点渗透压力的显式求解,通过引入节点饱和度实现了非饱和问题的求解。基于局部坐标系的方法具有物理意义明确、求解过程简单等特点。通过在局部坐标系下构建管道压差与管道流量的对应关系,将有限元的渗透刚度矩阵简化为两个管道的渗透刚度值,从而节省了内存,提高了计算效率。4个数值算例的计算结果与理论解基本一致,表明了该方法在求解稳态、非稳态、饱和、非饱和渗流问题时的精度。     

Soil saturation patterns in steep,convergent hill-slopes under forest and pasture vegetation

The relationships between hillslope form and the development of zones of hillslope saturation are central to studies of process hydrology. These relationships are examined in two small, steep (30°) first-order basins under forest and pasture vegetation. Hillslope saturation patterns are described using a probability analysis of observations of peak water table elevations made at individual sites in each basin. In both first-order basins, the effects of topographic convergence on the spatial variability of hillslope saturation zones are most pronounced on shallow slopes and in steeper areas where hillslope form is strongly concave. The implications of vegetation type on the formation and variation of hillslope saturation are also examined. The differences in hillslope saturation patterns in each vegetation type are attributed primarily to differences in net rainfall and not soil physical properties or other features of topography.     

Hydrogeological and geochemical assessments of the Gediz Graben geothermal areas, western Anatolia, Turkey

Gediz Graben is an important area for geothermal activity in Turkey. Menderes Massif rocks consisting of gneisses, schists, marbles and granodiorite, comprise the aquifers of the geothermal systems. Neogene terrestrial sediments made up mainly of sandy and clayey conglomerates cap the systems. Gediz Graben geothermal areas are physically divided into seven main groups: Turgutlu-Urganl, Sart-Çamur, Caferbeyli, Üfürük, Kurunlu, Kavakldere-Sazdere and Alaehir geothermal areas. The third highest aquifer in Turkey temperature (182 ^°C) after Kzldere (242 ^°C) and Germencik (232 ^°C) was discovered in the Kavakldere-Sazdere area. The thermomineral waters of the Gediz Graben geothermal areas have outlet temperatures of 25^–95 ^°C and an electrical conductivity of 874–6020 S/cm. Mineralization is mostly dominated by Na⁺ (188–2027 ppm) and HCO₃^– (544–2950 ppm). Kavakldere-Sazdere area shows the highest boron content among the entire geothermal aquifers of Turkey. Major geochemical processes for thermomineral waters are carbonate and silicate dissolution and mixing.     

Thermo-hydro-mechanical behaviour of two heavily overconsolidated clays

An experimental study on the thermo-hydro-mechanical behaviour of two heavily overconsolidated clays is presented. Laboratory tests have been conducted on a Spanish bentonite (FEBEX bentonite) and a Belgian kaolinitic/illitic clay (Boom clay), statically compacted at different initial dry densities and water contents. Volume change behaviour of the soils during suction reduction paths at different temperatures and during heating-cooling cycles at constant water content or suction have been investigated through the use of suction and temperature controlled oedometer cells. In addition, the volume change response under unconfined conditions and constant water content has been measured to determine thermal expansion coefficients. The results show similarities and differences between the observed behaviour of the two types of clays that have been interpreted on the basis of their different structures and regarding their proportion of intra-aggregate water.     

Activation energy for diffusion of helium in water-saturated, compacted Na-montmorillonite

It is important to clarify the migration behavior of hydrogen gas dissolved in water-saturated, compacted bentonite, which is a promising material for geologic disposal of high-level waste and TRU waste disposal. The diffusion coefficients of helium, which can be detected under extremely low background conditions, in water-saturated, compacted Na-montmorillonite were determined as a function of temperature by a transient diffusion method. The activation energies for diffusion of helium were then obtained. The activation energies were from 6.9 ± 4.8 to 19 ± 2.8 kJ mol^− 1 and were regarded to be independent of dry density. The activation energies of helium in water-saturated Na-montmorillonite were roughly equal to those in bulk water, 14.9 kJ mol^− 1, and in ice, from 11 to 13 kJ mol^− 1. It is possible that helium diffuses not only in pore water but also in interlayer water.     

反应条件指数及其与饱和指数的关系初步探讨

反应条件指数(RCI)和饱和指数(SI)都是建立在热力学基础上说明水中物质溶解与沉淀作用的水文地球化学参数。饱和指数能够客观地反映水文地球化学作用发生的方向和状态,反应条件指数综合了水文地球化学状态条件和水文地球化学作用边界条件的信息,它不仅能反映水文地球化学作用发生的方向和状态,而且可以反映其发生的条件及原因。根据反应条件指数和反应条件边界值的概念,运用热力学基本原理和质量作用定律对反应条件指数与饱和指数的关系进行了论证,结果表明两者呈线性函数关系。这对认识和解决生产、科研中存在的水文地球化学问题具有重要指导意义。     

Small-scale heterogeneity in the geochemistry of seagrass vegetated and non-vegetated estuarine sediments: causes and consequences

In addition to nutrient and light availability, sedimentary biogeochemical processes can play an essential role in seagrass productivity. Previous investigations of the interactions between seagrasses and their underlying sediments have failed to clearly identify the spatio-temporal variability of the major geochemical parameters involved. Dissolved and solid phase chemical parameters in eelgrass vegetated and nearby non-vegetated sediments were investigated in this study to determine their vertical, lateral, and temporal distributions. Solid-state microelectrodes were used to investigate dissolved O₂, ΣH₂S, Fe²⁺, and Mn²⁺ on mm space scales. In this study, spatial heterogeneity was assessed and diurnal “ventilation” by seagrass productivity (i.e., the translocation of photosynthetically produced oxygen to the anoxic sedimentary environment) was not observed probably because benthic infaunal activity (bioturabation and bioirrigation) and microzones established by microbial processes led to highly heterogeneous sediment geochemistry where temporal variability was obscured by small-scale spatial variability. Non-vegetated sediments were less geochemically variable laterally than vegetated sediments, however, in some cases, they had similar vertical variability, possibly because they had been vegetated at an earlier time. This study demonstrates that in vegetated sediments where there is also substantial benthic macrofaunal activity it is difficult to separate the impacts of the two types of biota on sediment geochemistry and their spatial patterns, and it also raises the question of the applicability of traditional one-dimensional diagenetic models for such spatially–temporally complex sediments.     

Synthesis of PGE sulfide standards for laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)

Sulfide compositions with known Re, Os, Ir, Ru, Rh, Pt, and Pd contents are synthesized to be used as standards for noble metal analysis in solid solution in sulfides. Major elements were added as metals and elemental S. The noble metals, i.e. 35 and 60 ppm each, were added as solutions by micro syringe. Following synthesis at 1 atm the sulfides were sintered at 1.5 to 2 GPa to obtain pellets with theoretical density. Aliquots of the pellets were analysed by isotope dilution ICP-MS for bulk Re and platinum-group elements (PGE). The spatial noble metal distribution was investigated with an ArF excimer laser coupled to a single collector ICP mass spectrometer. Sample homogeneity is shown to depend on the metal/S spectrum and the major element composition of the sulfide, as well as on more subtle factors like oxygen partial pressure during synthesis, run temperature, and degree of partial melting. The most homogeneous sulfide composition is a (Fe,Ni)_{1 − x} S monosulfide with 5 wt % Ni and 1-sigma variations in ³⁴S-normalized noble metal count rates of <3.6%. Nearly as homogeneous is a pure Fe_{1 − x} S monosulfide with 1-sigma variations in ³⁴S-normalized noble metal count rates of <5.8 %. A Cu-bearing Fe_{1 − x} S monosulfide with 2 wt % Cu was found to be considerably more heterogeneous, suggesting that Cu in solid solution in monosulfides promotes noble metal heterogeneity. The sulfide composition least suitable for the synthesis of noble metal sulfide standards is NiS.     

Factors Controlling the Hydrothermal Sulphur Ore Deposition in Keciborlu Mine Area (SW Turkey)

Abstract. Replacement-type subsurface sulphur ores of Keciborlu are situated in fault controlled and metasomatically altered fragmental ophiolite media between alkaline Pliocene volcanics of Isparta and Afyon regions, SW Turkey. Subsurface volcanic sulphur-mineralising fluids and gases were brought up along the sulphur-hosting oblique slip fault zone into the oxidising meteoric water-saturated media and the sulphur-ore bodies were developed at more porous, cross-fault locations.
Chemically the sulphotaric alteration of the parent rock and sulphur ore formation is characterised by outward volcanic gas and sulphuric acid leaching and oxidation to sulphur from the crushed porous centres. Consequently, concentric pyritiferous, opaline and argillaceous zones developed adjacent to the sulphur ores. The inner alteration zones progressed and widened toward the outer zones through time and the central sulphur ore developed during a single, continuous phase of mineralisation in the water saturation zone such that the alteration zones do not cross each other.