Effects of geological structures on rainfall-runoff responses in headwater catchments in a sedimentary rock mountain

Clarifying rainfall-runoff responses in mountainous areas is essential for disaster prediction as well as water resource management. Although runoff is considered to be significantly affected by topography, some previous studies have reported that geological structures also have significant effects on rainfall-runoff characteristics. Particularly in headwater catchments located in sedimentary rock mountains, dips and strikes may significantly affect rainwater discharge. In this study, the effects of geological structures on rainfall-runoff characteristics were investigated based on observed discharge hydrographs from 12 catchments, which lie radially from the summit of a sedimentary rock mountain. The results obtained were as follows: (1) Even though the topographic wetness index (TWI) distributions of the 12 catchments were similar, there were significant differences in their runoff characteristics; (2) Catchments with average flow direction oriented towards the strike direction (strike-oriented catchments) are characterized by large baseflows; (3) Catchments with average flow direction oriented towards the opposite dip direction (opposite dip-oriented catchments) are steep, and this results in quick storm runoff generation; (4) Catchments with average flow direction oriented toward the dip direction (dip-oriented catchments) are gentle, and this results in delayed storm runoff generation. It was presumed that in strike-oriented catchments, large quantities of groundwater flowing along the bedding planes owing to hydraulic anisotropy, exfiltrate and sustain the large amount of the observed baseflow, that is, in strike-oriented catchments, runoff is directly controlled by geological structures. Conversely, in opposite dip-oriented and dip-oriented catchments, runoff is indirectly controlled by geological structures, that is, geological structures affect slope gradients, which result in differences in storm runoff generation. Thus, this study clearly illustrates that geological structures significantly affect rainfall-runoff responses in headwater catchments located in sedimentary rock mountains.     

Metamorphic patterns and SHRIMP zircon ages of medium‐to‐high grade rocks from the Tongbai orogen,central China: implications for multiple accretion/collision processes prior to terminal continental collision

The Qinling‐Tongbai‐Dabie‐Sulu orogenic belt comprises a Palaeozoic accretion‐dominated system in the north and a Mesozoic collision‐dominated system in the south. A combined petrological and geochronological study of the medium‐to‐high grade metamorphic rocks from the diverse Palaeozoic tectonic units in the Tongbai orogen was undertaken to help elucidate the origins of Triassic ultrahigh‐pressure metamorphism and collision dynamics between the Sino‐Korean and Yangtze cratons. Peak metamorphic conditions are 570–610 °C and 9.3–11.2 kbar for the lower unit of the Kuanping Group, 630–650 °C and 6.6–8.9 kbar for the upper unit of the Kuanping Group, 550–600 °C and 6.3–7.7 kbar for the Erlangping Group, 770–830 °C and 6.9–8.5 kbar for the Qinling Group and 660–720 °C and 9.1–11.5 kbar for the Guishan complex. Reaction textures and garnet compositions indicate clockwise P–T paths for the amphibolite facies rocks of the Kuanping Group and Guishan complex, and an anticlockwise P–T path for the granulite facies rocks of the Qinling Group. Sensitive high‐resolution ion microprobe U–Pb zircon dating on metamorphic rocks and deformed granite/pegmatites revealed two major Palaeozoic tectonometamorphic events. (i) During the Silurian‐Devonian (c. 440–400 Ma), the Qinling continental arc and Erlangping intra‐oceanic arc collided with the Sino‐Korean craton. The emplacement of the Huanggang diorite complex resulted in an inverted thermal gradient in the underlying Kuanping Group and subsequent thermal relaxation during the exhumation. Meanwhile, the oceanic subduction beneath the Qinling continental arc produced magmatic underplating and intrusion, leading to granulite facies metamorphism followed by a near‐isobaric cooling path. (ii) During the Carboniferous (c. 340–310 Ma), the northward subduction of the Palaeo‐Tethyan ocean generated a medium P/T Guishan complex in the hangingwall and a high P/T Xiongdian eclogite belt in the footwall. The Guishan complex and Xiongdian eclogite belt are therefore considered to be paired metamorphic belts. Subsequent separation of the paired belts is inferred to be related to the juxtaposition of the Carboniferous eclogites with the Triassic HP metamorphic complex during continental subduction and exhumation.     

Source and genesis of sulphate and phosphate–sulphate minerals in a quartz‐sandstone cave environment

Gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O), alunite (KAl₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆), and rare phosphate–sulphate sanjuanite Al₂(PO₄)(SO₄)(OH) 9(H₂O) and rossiantonite (Al₃(PO₄)(SO₄) 2(OH)₂(H₂O)₁₄) have recently been identified as secondary mineral deposits in different quartz‐sandstone caves in the Gran Sabana region, Venezuela. Due to the extended time scale required for speleogenesis in the hard and barely soluble quartz‐sandstone lithology, these caves are considered to be as old as 20 to 30 My. The study of these peculiar secondary mineral deposits potentially reveals important insights for understanding the interaction between deep, superficial and atmospheric processes over thousands to perhaps millions of years. In this study, chemical and petrographic analyses of potential host rock sources, sulphur and oxygen isotope ratios, and meteorological, hydrological and geographical data are used to investigate the origin of sulphates and phospho–sulphates. The results suggest that the deposition of sulphates in these caves is not linked to the quartz‐sandstone host rock. Rather, these mineral deposits originate from an external atmospheric sulphate source, with potential contributions of marine non‐sea salt sulphates, terrestrial dimethyl sulphide and microbially reduced H₂S from the forests or peatbogs within the watershed. Air currents within the caves are the most plausible means of transport for aerosols, driving the accumulation of sulphates and other secondary minerals in specific locations. Moreover, the studied sulphate minerals often co‐occur with silica speleothems of biological origin. Although this association would suggest a possible biogenic origin for the sulphates as well, direct evidence proving that microbes are involved in their formation is absent. Nonetheless, this study demonstrates that these quartz‐sandstone caves accumulate and preserve allogenic sulphates, playing a yet unrecognized role in the sulphur cycle of tropical environments.     

Linking hydrological variations at local scales to regional climate teleconnection patterns

Climate patterns over preceding years affect seasonal water and moisture conditions. The linkage between regional climate and local hydrology is challenging due to scale differences, both spatially and temporally. In this study, variance, correlation, and singular spectrum analyses were conducted to identify multiple hydroclimatic phases during which climate teleconnection patterns were related to hydrology of a small headwater basin in Idaho, USA. Combined field observations and simulations from a physically based hydrological model were used for this purpose. Results showed statistically significant relations between climate teleconnection patterns and hydrological fluxes in the basin, and climate indices explained up to 58% of hydrological variations. Antarctic Oscillation (AAO), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and Pacific North America (PNA) patterns affected mountain hydrology, in that order, by decreasing annual runoff and rain on snow (ROS) runoff by 43% and 26% during a positive phase of NAO and 25% and 9% during a positive phase of PNA. AAO showed a significant association with the rainfall-to-precipitation ratio and explained 49% of its interannual variation. The runoff response was affected by the phase of climate variability indices and the legacy of past atmospheric conditions. Specifically, a switch in the phase of the teleconnection patterns of NAO and PNA caused a transition from wet to dry conditions in the basin. Positive AAO showed no relation with peak snow water equivalent and ROS runoff in the same year, but AAO in the preceding year explained 24 and 25% (p < 0.05) of their variations, suggesting that the past atmospheric patterns are equally important as the present conditions in affecting local hydrology. Areas sheltered from the wind and acted as a source for snow transport showed the lowest (40% below normal) ROS runoff generation, which was associated with positive NAO that explained 33% (p < 0.01) of its variation. The findings of this research highlighted the importance of hydroclimatic phases and multiple year variations that must be considered in hydrological forecasts, climate projections, and water resources planning.     

略论陕西省国家地质公园之特色

保护地质遗迹,建设地质公园,是地质工作服务社会和经济发展的新方向,因而从地质学、地理学、旅游学、景观学等多学科角度,论证分析了陕西省境内3个国家地质公园的基本特色、科研及科普教育价值以及旅游开发利用价值等。同时还提出了在陕西省境内另建国家地质公园的基本构想。     

哀牢山北段地区气候特征及变化趋势

以哀牢山北段地区不同位置的景东（西侧盆地）、徐家坝（山顶）和楚雄（东侧盆地）为研究对象,利用三地1980～2005年同期气候观测资料,通过统计分析,探讨了哀牢山东、西侧盆地及山顶气温和降雨特征及长期变化趋势。结果表明：哀牢山北段地区最热月均出现在6月;最冷月,西侧盆地和山顶为1月,东侧盆地最冷月为12月;降雨的季节差异十分显著,雨季降雨量占全年的85％以上,以7月降雨量最多。从气候的长期变化趋势来看,年、季和月平均气温均呈现显著的升高趋势,气温的显著升高主要发生在干季,增温率为干季〉年〉雨季。最冷月均温增温率最大,最热月均温没有显著增加,气温年较差呈减小趋势。研究表明,哀牢山北段地区山顶及两侧盆地均呈现显著的变暖趋势,与植物生存直接相关的∑t≥0℃有效积温和∑t≥10℃活动积温也显著增加。气温的变化具有显著的空间差异,增温速率为东侧盆地〉山顶〉西侧盆地。山地迎风坡面（西坡）气温垂直递减率显著减小,背风坡面（东坡）气温垂直递减率整体呈增大趋势。降雨整体呈增加趋势,不同季节间降雨的变化差异显著,年降雨量的增加主要由于雨季降雨的增加,干季降雨呈微弱上升或下降趋势,降雨的增加率为东侧盆地〉山顶〉西侧盆地。哀牢山北段地区干季的干热气候特征进一步加剧,这种变化趋势在山地的背风坡面（东坡）表现得更加剧烈。     

新疆西昆仑特格里曼苏砂岩型铜矿地质特征及成因探讨

特格里曼苏铜矿产于库山河群(C1k)砂岩中,矿体呈层状、似层状产出,受地层控制,浅色砂岩与紫色砂岩的交互带是铜矿体产出的最有利层位.通过对含矿砂岩胶结物的研究,认为赋矿砂岩中胶结物类型主要有碳酸盐胶结、硅质胶结、泥质胶结和铁质胶结4种,常见的胶结物组合类型有碳酸盐—硅质胶结组合、碳酸盐—泥质胶结组合、硅质—泥质胶结组合、铁质—泥质—碳酸盐胶结组合;矿化常发生于具碳酸盐—硅质胶结组合的砂岩中,铜矿物与硅质胶结物伴生.通过对含矿砂岩胶结物中流体包裹体研究,得到成矿流体为低温、低盐度流体.认为矿床成因为沉积成岩成因,古陆的风化剥蚀提供了基本的成矿物质,沉积物的搬运沉积形成了矿源层,成岩作用时期由于有机质及细菌的作用、氧化还原条件的改变,在成岩流体的迁移下造成了铜质的局部再富集,形成具有工业意义的铜矿体.     

云南省玉龙雪山表土花粉垂直散布与植被关系研究

对云南省玉龙雪山地区8个垂直植被带下采集的49个表土样品进行表土孢粉的垂直散布研究,同时选择43个受人类活动干扰较少的样品和20个主要木本花粉类型进行了降维对应分析(DCA)。结果表明,玉龙雪山地区不同垂直植被带的孢粉组合具有不同的代表性成分与变化特征,能够较好地反映相应的植被带类型。在植物稀疏、花粉产量低的高山杜鹃灌丛植被带中,孢粉组合以外来的松属、冷杉属、落叶松属、云杉属和铁杉属等为主;   冷杉林、落叶松林、云杉林和铁杉林等植被带孢粉组合的指示性成分分别是冷杉属、落叶松属、云杉属和铁杉属花粉,它们对应的峰值分别为13.6％,4.7％,39.4％和11.5％;   针阔混交林、中山湿性常绿阔叶林的孢粉组合分别以高含量的常绿栎类、栲/石栎属为特征,并都含有多种落叶阔叶乔木和灌木的花粉,但后者比前者所包含的阔叶乔木与灌木成分更多,且蕨类孢子的峰值也出现在中山湿性常绿阔叶林中;   云南松林的孢粉组合中除松属外很少有木本花粉出现。DCA排序结果较好地反映了现代植被与环境之间的相互关系,认为温度是决定不同植被带样点分布的最重要因素,这与垂直植被带随着海拔升高、温度逐渐降低而发生更替的规律是一致的。     

新疆阿拉套山成矿作用：区域背景、矿源和模式

本文研究了新疆阿拉套山地区成矿作用的区域地质背景、成矿物质来源、成矿的物理化学条件和矿质的迁移富集,据此建立了该区的成矿模式,提供了一个在较小范围内研究和对比两类花岗岩对应两套成矿系列的典型范例.     

桐柏地区高压变质地体在地壳中的抬升机制

桐柏杂岩位于秦岭与大别造山带之间,南北两侧为NWW-SEE向延伸的含榴辉岩高压变质地体,其构造就位过程及其与高压变质地体的构造关系为地质学家们所关注.本文研究表明,所谓的桐柏杂岩实际上是一个早白垩世花岗质片麻岩杂岩体,其内包裹一定数量的三叠纪中高级变质岩石.桐柏杂岩南北两条边界韧性剪切带具有相反的运动学指向,分别为大型右行和左行韧性剪切带,其形成时代为131Ma.这两条韧性剪切带中的剪切面理分别朝SSW和NNE向倾斜,韧性剪切带及杂岩体内部发育的拉伸线理均稳定地朝SEE方向缓倾伏.而在杂岩体的东端发育低角度近南北向韧性剪切变形带,其糜棱面理朝SEE方向低角度缓倾斜,矿物拉伸线理也朝SEE方向低角度缓倾伏,运动学标志指示东侧地质体朝295°～310°的方向逆冲.因此,桐柏杂岩实际上被一个顺造山带的韧性剪切带所围限,这个韧性剪切带及杂岩体内部韧性变形运动学指示了一个早白垩世由东向西的低角度抬升过程,而这一过程直接导致了含榴辉岩高压变质地体沿着造山带的方向从地壳深部抬升到近地表.这一研究结果对理解和认识桐柏-大别-苏鲁地区高压一超高压变质地体的晚期抬升过程具有重要意义.