Stratigraphy and correlation of Carboniferous ignimbrites,Rocky Creek region,Tamworth Belt,Southern New England Orogen,New South Wales

Carboniferous (Visean to Westphalian) pyroclastics and lava flows in the Rocky Creek region, used to redefine the base of the Kiaman reversal, are formally defined or redefined and the status of the main formations clarified. These units include the Caroda Formation, containing the Kooringal Dacite, Boomi Rhyolite and Barney Springs Andesite Members; the Clifden Formation with the Wanganui Andesite, Glen Idle Rhyolite, Appleogue Dacite, Bexley Rhyolite, Pine Cliffs Rhyolite and Downs Rhyodacite Members; Rocky Creek Conglomerate with the Hazelvale Rhyodacite, Mt Hook Rhyolite, Darthula Rhyodacite and Pound Rock Rhyodacite Members; and Lark Hill Formation with the Eulowrie Pyroclastic, Tycannah Rhyodacite and The Tops Rhyolite Members; a number of informal units are also described. The restriction of most volcanic units to one of the three thrust blocks (Boomi, Kathrose and Darthula blocks) of the Rocky Creek region, suggests their current relationships reflect either shortening due to overthrusting or an original distribution affected by depositional or erosional processes. A westerly increase in the proportion of ignimbrites indicates nearness to sources in that direction. Intermediate volcanism, largely confined to southern and central parts of the Boomi block in the east, began in the Visean and ended in the early Namurian. Acid volcanism also began in the Visean in the northern Boomi block but, with the exception of the Peri Rhyolite Member of the Clifden Formation, did not become widespread until later in the Namurian and Westphalian. In contrast, only acid volcanism took place during the early Namurian to Westphalian in the Kathrose and Darthula blocks. Correlations based on AS3 and SL13 SHRIMP dates illustrate a discordance of about 3% when compared with the most likely location for the base of the Kiaman reversal. The bases of both the Rocky Creek Conglomerate and Lark Hill Formation appear to be slightly diachronous.     

EU corporate action as a driver for global emissions abatement: A structural analysis of EU international supply chain carbon dioxide emissions

Global greenhouse gas emissions driven by European consumption increasingly occur outside European borders. These non-European sources of emissions remain linked to Europe via the international supply chains of European companies. Leading companies are now measuring their supply chain emissions and taking tentative steps to reduce them. If such activities were to become widespread, then an opportunity may exist for European industry to drive significant emissions abatement beyond European borders. This paper provides the first analysis into the maximum potential influence European industry has over its non-European supply chain emissions. The analysis is performed at the level of aggregate industry sectors using a global Multi-Regional Input–Output model. The Total Consumption Attribution method is used to estimate the potential influence of different European industries with detailed decompositions carried out using Structural Path Analysis techniques. The potential influence of European industry over non-European supply chain emissions is found to be greater than one gigatonne of carbon dioxide. The European manufacturing sector is found to have the greatest potential influence over non-European emissions via relatively short supply chains that entail few international border crossings. The results presented in this paper provide initial evidence in support of the development of European climate policies aimed at stimulating supply chain emissions reductions activities within European companies     

The social–ecological system framework as a knowledge classificatory system for benthic small-scale fisheries

Ostrom proposed the underpinnings of a framework for the systematic study of the governance of complex social–ecological systems. Here we hypothesize that Ostrom's social–ecological system framework can be useful to build a classification system for small-scale benthic fisheries, regarding their governance processes and outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to knowledge accumulation of benthic fisheries. To tailor the framework, we relied on discussions among experts and a systematic literature review of benthic fisheries from 1980 to 2010. This literature review helped us refine variable definitions and provide readers with illustrative reference papers. We then illustrate the approach and its potential contributions through two studies of the emergence of self-organization in Mexico and Chile. We highlight synthetic lessons from the cases and the overall approach as well as reflect on remaining challenges to the development of a social–ecological system framework as a diagnostic tool for knowledge accumulation and synthesis.     

A Modified Neural Network for Improving River Flow Prediction/Un Réseau de Neurones Modifié pour Améliorer la Prévision de L'Écoulement Fluvial

Abstract

Artificial neural network (ANN) models provide huge potential for simulating nonlinear behaviour of hydrological systems. However, the potential of ANN is yet to be fully exploited due to the problems associated with improving the model generalization performance. Generalization refers to the ability of a neural network to correctly process input data that have not been used for calibrating the neural network model. In the hydrological context, better generalization performance implies higher precision of forecasting. The primary objectives of this study are to explore new measures for improving the generalization performance of an ANN-based rainfall–runoff model, and to evaluate the applicability of the new measures. A modified neural network model (entitled goal programming (GP) neural network) for modelling the rainfall–runoff process has been developed, in which three enhancements are made as compared to the widely-used backpropagation (BP) network. The three enhancements are (a) explicit integration of hydrological prior knowledge into the neural network learning; (b) incorporation of a modified training objective function; and (c) reduction of network sensitivity to input errors. Seven watersheds across a range of climatic conditions and watershed areas in China were selected for examining the alternative networks. The results demonstrate that the GP consistently outperformed the BP both in the calibration and verification periods and three proposed measures yielded improvement of performance.     

Floor response spectra of a partially embedded seismically isolated nuclear plant

This paper deals with the effects of foundation embedment on the floor response spectra of big base isolated structures such as nuclear power plants. Analyses of a finite element model, representative of a real nuclear power plant, have been carried out. It has been demonstrated that, in agreement with previous work, base rocking excitation, induced by soil–structure interaction, may amplify the non-isolated modes׳ response and thus it must not be overlooked.     

A thermo-chemo-electro-mechanical framework of unsaturated expansive clays

Prediction of the coupled chemo-mechanical behaviours of porous media is an important problem in many areas, i.e., expansive clays in geotechnical and petroleum engineering, engineered barriers in the underground storage of nuclear wastes, and biological tissues in biological engineering. A further complex condition occurs when the voids are not fully saturated by liquid, such that capillary effects cannot be neglected a priori and might play an important role. Focusing on the modelling of expansive clays in the geotechnical field and based on the modified mixture theory, the work presented in this paper contributes to the construction of a theoretical framework used to model such complex coupling behaviours. The Clausius–Duhem inequality, which governs the dissipation associated with mechanical work, phase transformation, mass transport and thermal transport, is rigorously derived. Based on this theoretical framework, a chemo-poro-elastic unsaturated model is developed. The model is subsequently used to simulate the salt solution infiltration process through an unsaturated expansive clayey soil that induces changes in the mechanical and hydraulic field quantities. The logical tendencies are obtained and provide a preliminary demonstration of the capabilities of the newly developed theoretical framework.     

Multiple criteria rainfall–runoff model calibration using a parallel genetic algorithm in a cluster of computers / Calage multi-critères en modélisation pluie–débit par un algorithme génétique parallèle mis en œuvre par une grappe d'ordinateurs

Abstract

Genetic algorithms are among of the global optimization schemes that have gained popularity as a means to calibrate rainfall–runoff models. However, a conceptual rainfall–runoff model usually includes 10 or more parameters and these are interdependent, which makes the optimization procedure very time-consuming. This may result in the premature termination of the optimization process which will prejudice the quality of the results. Therefore, the speed of optimization procedure is crucial in order to improve the calibration quality and efficiency. A hybrid method that combines a parallel genetic algorithm with a fuzzy optimal model in a cluster of computers is proposed. The method uses the fuzzy optimal model to evaluate multiple alternatives with multiple criteria where chromosomes are the alternatives, whilst the criteria are flood performance measures. In order to easily distinguish the performance of different alternatives and to address the problem of non-uniqueness of optimum, two fuzzy ratios are defined. The new approach has been tested and compared with results obtained by using a two-stage calibration procedure. The current single procedure produces similar results, but is simpler and automatic. Comparison of results between the serial and parallel genetic algorithms showed that the current methodology can significantly reduce the overall optimization time and simultaneously improve the solution quality.     

Closure to “performance of a transparent Flexible Shear Beam container for geotechnical centrifuge modelling of dynamic problems” by Ghayoomi M., Dashti S., and McCartney J.S.

In response to the discussion, this closure presents a new set of analyses to confirm the satisfactory performance of the recently-developed transparent Flexible Shear Beam (FSB) container and its limitations. The lateral deformations of the box estimated using Finite Element analyses and measured during centrifuge experiments were compared. The maximum deformation to height ratio was sufficiently small to retain at-rest lateral earth pressures for loose to medium-dense cohesionless soils and all cohesive materials. In addition, higher frequency modes of vibration were estimated for the container, and were found to occur where the earthquake energy is less significant. Further, the box is expected to approximately replicate free field conditions under 1-D horizontal shaking for the range of soil properties under investigation. Overall, the deformation and vibration analyses indicate that the selection of appropriate rubber material properties and boundary conditions are critical when analyzing the performance of the container.     

Clark's and Espey's unit hydrographs vs the gamma unit hydrograph / Les hydrogrammes unitaires de Clark et de Espey vs l'hydrogramme unitaire de forme loi gamma

Abstract

A two-parameter gamma distribution for synthetic unit hydrographs (SUH) is compared with the Clark's and Espey's SUHs. A critical comparison of Clark's and gamma UHs, in terms of recession characteristics and time–area curve, is presented. It is observed that, in principle, a gamma UH can represent the hydrograph recession better than the Clark's UH does. Selection of a time–area curve is needed for obtaining the Clark's UH. The main problem in developing a SUH using the Clark's method is identified as the non-availability of a parametric form of the time–area curve. The time–area curve as represented in the hydrological model HEC-1, for the use in Clark's method, is found inadequate and unjustified. Gamma UHs obtained without optimization, for several examples, are found consistent with their physical meanings and better than the respective Clark's UH in reproducing runoff obtained with optimization. The parameters of Clark's UH (i.e. time of concentration and recession constant), as optimized through the HEC-1 program, are found inconsistent with their empirical origins and physical meanings; these lose their physical meaning and serve only as fitting parameters. This is due to the inappropriate time–area curve. A gamma UH has also the advantage of having fewer parameters than Clark's UH, which makes it more identifiable while still maintaining a connection with the physics of the problem. Espey's SUH for urban watersheds is transmuted to a gamma distribution using the empirical equations for the peak and time to peak of the UH. A numerical UH for a gauged catchment, generally obtained through linear programming or a least-squares approach, can be easily transmuted to a gamma UH and, hence, can be given a conceptual interpretation. Thus, these can also be used for developing a SUH.     

The impacts of human activities on the water–land environment of the Shiyang River basin,an arid region in northwest China / Les impacts des activités humaines sur l’environnement pédo-hydrologique du bassin de la Rivière Shiyang,une région aride du nord-ouest de la Chine

Abstract

Abstract The Shiyang River basin is a typical interior river basin that faces water shortage and environmental deterioration in the arid northwest of China. Due to its arid climate, limited water resources and some inappropriate water-related human activities, the area has developed serious loss of vegetation, and gradual soil salinization and desertification, which have greatly impeded the sustainable development of agriculture and life in this region. In this paper, the impacts of human activities on the water–soil environment in Shiyang River basin are analysed in terms of precipitation, runoff in branches of the river, inflow into lower reaches, water conveyance efficiency of the canal system and irrigation water use efficiency in the field, replenishment and exploitation of groundwater resources, soil salinization, vegetation cover and the speed of desertification. The results show that human activities and global climate change have no significant influence on the precipitation, but the total annual runoff in eight branch rivers showed a significant decrease over the years. The proportion of water use in the upper and middle reaches compared to the lower reach was increased from 1:0.57 in the 1960s, to 1:0.27 in the 1970s and 1:0.09 in the 1990s. A reduction of about 74% in the river inflow to the lower reaches and a 15-m drop in the groundwater table have occurred during the last four decades. Strategies for improving the water–soil environment of the basin, such as the protection of the water resources of the Qilian Mountains, sustainable use of water resources, maintenance of the balance between land and water resources, development of water-saving agriculture, diverting of water from other rivers and control of soil desertification, are proposed. The objective of this paper is to provide guidelines for reconstruction of the sustainable water management and development of agriculture in this region.