Geomorphology,hydrology, and aquatic vegetation drive seasonal hyporheic flow patterns across a gravel‐dominated floodplain

Across 1·7 km² of the Umatilla River floodplain (Oregon, USA), we investigated the influences of an ephemeral tributary and perennial ‘spring channel’ (fed only by upwelling groundwater) on hyporheic hydrology. We derived maps of winter and summer water‐table elevations from data collected at 46 monitoring wells and 19 stage gauges and used resulting maps to infer groundwater flow direction. Groundwater flow direction varied seasonally across the floodplain and was influenced by main channel stage, flooding, the tributary creek, and the location and direction of hyporheic exchange in the spring channel. Hyporheic exchange in the spring channel was evaluated with a geochemical mixing model, which confirmed patterns of floodplain groundwater movement inferred from water‐table maps and showed that the spring channel was fed predominantly by hyporheic water from the floodplain aquifer (87% during winter, 80% during summer), with its remaining flow supplied by upslope groundwater from the adjacent catchment aquifer. Summertime growth of aquatic macrophytes in the spring channel also influenced patterns of hyporheic exchange and groundwater flow direction in the alluvial aquifer by increasing flow resistance in the spring channel, locally raising surface water stage and adjacent water‐table elevation, and thereby altering the slope of the water‐table in the hyporheic zone. The Umatilla River floodplain is larger than most sites where hyporheic hydrology has been investigated in detail. Yet, our results corroborate other research that has identified off‐channel geomorphic features as important drivers of hyporheic hydrology, including previously published modeling efforts from a similar river and field observations from smaller streams. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrogeological interactions between fault zones and alluvial aquifers in regional flow systems

The hydrological influence of fault zones in tectonic areas is usually difficult to depict from field data. Numerical simulation allows representation of such flow systems and an estimation of flow lines and rates. This paper reports on simulations of the groundwater flow in a range‐and‐basin area affected by a regional fault zone, which may drain or recharge an overlaying alluvial aquifer. Different hydraulic conductivity values for the range rocks, the fault‐zone, and the sedimentary infill of the basin are considered, as well as different fault‐zone widths and boundary conditions. Results show that upward and downward fluxes develop in the upper part of the fault zone, controlled by the action of the alluvial aquifer, influencing the recharge of the sedimentary basin. This paper shows the hydrological efficiency of fault zones as preferential flow; it also analyses the constraints that determine groundwater recharge to the surrounding basins. These results contribute to the understanding of hydrogeological dynamics in tectonic areas. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Platform Evolution in an Oligo–Miocene Back-arc Basin: An Example from the Central Iran Basin

The Qom Formation is the most important hydrocarbon reservoir target in Central Iran. The Qom platform developed in a back-arc basin during the Oligo–Miocene due to the closing of the Tethyan Seaway. This formation consists of a variety of carbonate and non-carbonate facies deposited on a platform ranging from supratidal to basin. A combination of tectonic and eustatic events led to some lateral and vertical facies variations in the study area. Six third-order depositional sequences and related surfaces were identified regarding vertical facies changes in the studied sections of this Oligo–Miocene succession. According to all results and data, this succession was initially deposited during the Chattian upon a distally steepened ramp of siliciclastic-carbonate composition, including the Bouma sequence. Then, from the late Chattian to the Aquitanian, the platform changed into a homoclinal carbonate ramp with a gentle profile. With respect to tectonic activity, this phase was a calm period during the deposition of the Qom Formation. Finally, a drowned carbonate platform and a rimmed shelf emerged during the Burdigalian, terminated by the continental deposits of the Upper Red Formation. Regarding all geological characteristics, three main tectono-eustatic evolutionary phases have been recognized in the Qom back-arc basin.     

复杂断块油田高分辨率层序地层学及砂体几何学特征——以海塔盆地贝尔凹陷呼和诺仁油田贝301区块南屯组二段为例

准确刻画扇三角洲单期扇体几何形态是破解海塔油田开发的关键地质技术,以高分辨率层序地层学和现代沉积学理论为指导,在海塔盆地贝尔凹陷呼和诺仁油田贝301区块南屯组二段识别出3个长期（LSC）、4个中期（MSC）、6个短期（SSC）、53个超短期（相当于单砂体）基准面旋回,首次建立了海塔盆地已加密开发区块单砂体级高分辨率层序地层格架。沉积微相研究表明,优势砂体发育的水下分流河道、河口坝微相主要发育于可容纳空间较小的SSC3、SSC4及SSC5与SSC6的转换面附近。单期水下分流河道宽厚比为50∶1～200∶1,平均为85∶1;随着基准面的下降,水下分流河道的宽度增大、厚度增厚、宽厚比增大,随着基准面的上升,水下分流河道的宽度变窄、厚度减小、宽厚比减小。河口坝展布面积与其厚度有一定正相关性,一般半径与厚度的比值为60∶1～120∶1,平均为90∶1。本次研究首次实现海塔盆地单砂体级沉积微相工业化制图,精细刻画了主要砂体几何学特征,为综合挖潜提供了一定的地质依据。     

准噶尔盆地南缘四棵树剖面八道湾组扇三角洲沉积特征

在野外露头观察与实测的基础上,运用沉积学与层序地层的相关理论,对准噶尔盆地南缘四棵树剖面八道湾组沉积特征进行了详细研究。该剖面八道湾组为扇三角洲沉积,扇三角洲平原与扇三角洲前缘亚相均比较发育。运用层序地层学中基准面变化的原理,将八道湾组划分为2个长期旋回,并细分为3个中期旋回以及若干短期旋回。总结了露头区八道湾组A/S比值与地层叠加样式之间的响应关系：低A/S比值条件下,易形成连通性好的厚层叠加砂体,沉积微相类型较单一;中A/S比值条件下,易形成单层厚度较薄的、似毯状的、垂向上紧凑叠加的多层状砂体;高A/S比值条件下,泥岩更为发育,而砂体多呈孤立状,呈现厚层泥与薄层砂的沉积特点。通过详细解剖露头剖面八道湾组的沉积特征,最终建立了该区八道湾组扇三角洲沉积模式,为准噶尔盆地南缘扇三角洲油气储层的研究提供了借鉴。     

1∶25万玉门镇幅区调修测主要进展及成果

1∶25万玉门镇幅(K47C004001)区域地质调查项目的主要进展如下:敦煌岩群总体为一套孔兹岩系组合,时代厘定为古元古代,从中新解体出了一套浅变质火山岩组合和浅变质细碎屑岩及碳酸盐岩组合,获得了大量微古化石,分别厘定为长城纪铅炉子沟群和蓟县纪平头山组、野马街组。对区内韧性剪切带进行了详细剖析,创新了有限应变测量的技术方法,识别出了敦煌岩群的5次变形事件。通过对昌马洪积扇不同沉积物粒度的统计分析,识别出7次粒度变粗事件,结合大量ESR测年数据,揭示了沉积物粒度突变事件与高原隆升期的必然联系。查明了区内侵入岩的时空分布和演化序列,将侵入岩划分为同源、异源、构造混杂、变质混杂4种类型。     

Hyperconcentrated flows on a forested alluvial fan of eastern Canada: geomorphic characteristics,return period,and triggering scenarios

The assessment of the dominant flow type on alluvial fans usually refers to two categories: debris‐flow fans (i.e. sediment gravity flows) and fluvial fans (i.e. fluid gravity flows). Here we report the results of combined morphometric, stratigraphic and sedimentological approaches which suggest that hyperconcentrated flows, a transitional process rheologically distinct from debris flows and floods and sometimes referred to as debris floods, mud floods, or transitional debris flows, are the dominant fan building process in eastern Canada. These flows produce transitional facies between those of debris flows which consist of a cohesive matrix‐supported diamicton, and those of river flows which display more distinct stratification. The size of the blocks in the channels and the abrasion scars at the base of several trees attest to the high transport capacity of these flows. The fan channels are routed according to various obstacles comprised primarily of woody debris that impede sediment transit. However, these conditions of sediment storage are combined with readily available sediment due to the friable nature of the local lithology. Tree‐ring analysis allowed the reconstruction of eight hydrogeomorphic events which are characterized by a return period of 9.25 years for the period 1934–2008, although most of the analyzed events occurred after 1970. Historical weather data analysis indicates that they were related to rare hydrometeorological events at regional and local scales. This evidence led to the elaboration of weather scenarios likely responsible for triggering flows on the fan. According to these scenarios, two distinct hydrologic regimes emerge: the torrential rainfall regime and the nival regime related to snowmelt processes. Hydrogeomorphic processes occurring in a cold‐temperate climate, and particularly on small forested alluvial fans of north‐eastern North America, should receive more attention from land managers given the hazard they represent, as well as because of their sensitivity to various meteorological parameters. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Deep-water Fan Systems and Petroleum Resources on the NorthernSlope of the South China Sea

The shallow shelf delta/strand arenaceous-pelitic deposit region in the north of the Pearl River mouth basin, sitting on the northern continental shelf of the South China Sea, has already become an important oil production base in China. Recent researched has revealed that a great deal of deep-water fans of great petroleum potentiality exist on the Baiyun deep-water slope below the big paleo Pearl River and its large delta. Based on a     

Emergent geomorphic–vegetation interactions on a subalpine alluvial fan

Following perturbation, an ecosystem (flora, fauna, soil) should evolve as a function of time at a rate conditioned by external variables (relief, climate, geology). More recently, biogeomorphologists have focused upon the notion of co‐development of geomorphic processes with ecosystems over very short through to very long (evolutionary) timescales. Alpine environments have been a particular focus of this co‐development. However, work in this field has tended to adopt a simplified view of the relationship between perturbation and succession, including: how the landform and ecosystem itself conditions the impact of a perturbation to create a complex spatial response impact; and how perturbations are not simply ecosystem destroyers but can be a significant source of ecosystem resources. What this means is that at the within landform scale, there may well be a complex and dynamic topographic and sedimentological template that co‐develops with soil, flora and fauna. Here, we present and test a conceptual model of this template for a subalpine alluvial fan. We combine detailed floristic inventory with soil inventory, determination of edaphic variables and analysis of historical aerial imagery. Spatial variation in the probability of perturbation of sites on the fan surface was associated with down fan variability in the across‐fan distribution of fan ages, fan surface channel characteristics and fan surface sedimentology. Floristic survey confirmed that these edaphic factors distinguished site floristic richness and plant communities up until the point that the soil–vegetation system was sufficiently developed to sustain plant communities regardless of edaphic conditions. Thus, the primary explanatory variable was the estimated age of each site, which could be tied back into perturbation history and its spatial expression due to the geometry of the fan: distinct plant communities were emergent both across fan and down fan, a distribution maintained by the way in which the fan dissipates potentially perturbing events. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Could alluvial knickpoint retreat rather than fire drive the loss of alluvial wet monsoon forest,tropical northern Australia?

Drainage rejuvenation through headward migration of alluvial knickpoints is common in ephemeral semi‐arid streams, but has not yet been described for tropical rivers. In the Australian monsoon tropics (AMT), wet monsoon forests have an important ecological function, and are present along many alluvial valleys and springs within a eucalypt‐savanna dominated landscape. Using a combination of LiDAR, remote sensing and field evidence, we observe the ongoing destruction of wet monsoon forest through hydro‐geomorphic feedbacks, along with the headward retreat of an alluvial knickpoint at Wangi Creek in Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory. Due to the highly transmissive shallow aquifer along the lower Wangi Creek, this knickpoint retreat leads to a downstream drop in in‐channel water level, which in turn drives a decrease in the local groundwater table. The lowered groundwater level causes the shallow anabranches and formerly water saturated peaty floodplain soil to desiccate, which results in a reduction of vegetation density. The resulting dry surface conditions allow annual to bi‐annual high frequency low‐intensity fires to affect the monsoon forest, while wet rainforest upstream of the knickpoint remains intact. In this paper, we argue that such hydro‐geomorphic feedbacks may cause the initial destabilization of the forest, which then provides the necessary conditions for the impact of fire. This scenario thus challenges the prevalent view that fire is a first‐order control on the spatial extent of wet monsoonal rainforest in the study area, and provides a new and testable hypothesis for further studies in the AMT. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.