Evaluation of Liquefaction Potential Index Along Western Coast of South Korea Using SPT and CPT

For South Korea, liquefaction potential along the western coast has not been widely assessed because South Korea is considered to be a low seismic hazard. However, recent earthquake events and historical records indicate that the seismic hazard of South Korea should not be ignored. Moreover, as artificial fills are extensively used along the western coast for development, liquefaction evaluation of the soils in this area is necessary. In this paper, we present: (1) the seismic characteristics of the study area; (2) procedures for evaluating liquefaction potential, focusing on the liquefaction potential index (LPI) approach; and (3) LPI distributions at several representative locations along the western coast of South Korea under various seismic scenarios. The liquefaction potential index represents the liquefaction potential over the upper 20 m of a boring or sounding. Using cone penetration test (CPT) and standard penetration test (SPT) data from two coastal sites, we compare and discuss CPT-based and SPT-based LPI values, particularly values computed in nonplastic, silt-rich soils. In these soils, it appears that the CPT yields lower liquefaction resistance, resulting in large LPI values. Finally, discussion and suggestions are provided for CPT- and SPT-based liquefaction assessment of low plasticity and high fines content soils.     

Influence of Seawater on the Suction and Swelling Behavior of Clayey Soils

The present study examines the suction characteristics and swelling behavior of clayey soils when exposed to natural seawater with respect to distilled water. The effects of saline waters on the engineering behavior of soils need to be determined since the salinity of the pore fluid of soils near coastal areas increases continuously. Six clayey soil samples with different mineralogy and characteristics were gathered and tested to determine the suction and swelling characteristics in the presence of natural seawater and distilled water. The results show that the total suction values of the samples are higher in the presence of seawater than in distilled water. The samples with high swelling potential have lower matric suction values than nonswelling soils. Moreover, in contrast to swelling-type soils, the matric suction values of the nonswelling soils remain similar in the presence both distilled water and seawater. The modified free swell index (MFSI) of the samples is well correlated with the liquid limit (LL), plasticity index (PI), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) in distilled water. However, coefficients of determination decreased in the presence of seawater. Also, there is no significant correlation existing between total and matric suction values and the MFSI values of the samples.     

New Zealand estuary benthic health indicators summarised nationally and by estuary type

ABSTRACT

Ecological data are often collected at small geographic scales. However, analysing data collectively over wider scales can reveal results and patterns not shown in the smaller-scale data. We summarised data for intertidal benthic ecological (physico-chemical and biological) health indicators from New Zealand estuaries and compared the results against thresholds above which ecological impacts are expected to occur. Values for the sediment physico-chemical indicators mud and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus collectively) were above thresholds for at least 50% and at 31% of sites measured respectively. Sediment organic content and metal concentrations were generally low, with only maximum values exceeding the thresholds. Scores for biological indicators were within (or better than) the moderate health category for either at least 50%, or at least 75%, of sites. When compared across estuary types (based on a geomorphic classification system) we found statistically significant differences for thirteen of the sixteen indicators. Differences (among mean values) for highly significant results were relatively large compared to the range of values observed nationally for those indicators. However, the differences, except those for mud, were smaller than their respective ecological health threshold values. Our summary provides a reference for future comparisons of estuary indicators nationally and across estuary types.     

急性低氧胁迫对卵形鲳鲹选育群体血液生化指标的影响

本文研究了水环境急性低氧胁迫对卵形鲳鲹Trachinotus ovatus选育群体血液生化指标的影响。实验设计了急性低氧试验组和对照组,每组3个平行。结果显示,急性低氧胁迫后选育群体的血清离子含量与对照组相比都有不同程度的升高,其中钠、氯、钙浓度与对照组相比差异显著(p0.05),铁浓度极显著高于对照组(p0.01);血清蛋白、尿酸、肌酐、血脂、血糖等指标的差异较大,其中尿酸、肌酐极显著高于对照组(p0.01),总蛋白、总胆固醇显著低于对照组(p0.05);血清中肌酸激酶含量极显著高于对照组(p0.01),肌酸激酶同工酶显著高于对照组(p0.05),γ-谷氨酰转肽酶含量显著低于对照组(p0.05);其他指标均有不同程度的升高或降低,但差异不显著。研究表明,急性低氧胁迫造成卵形鲳鲹鳃、肾、心脏和肝脏损伤,免疫力下降。     

Evaluation of the “fishing down marine food web” process in the north-west of Persian Gulf(Khuzestan Province) during the period of 2002–2011

The worldwide increase in commercial fisheries and its impact on ecosystems as well as inefficient fishery management have led to overfishing and frequent breakdown of traditional fish stocks.In this context,an analysis of Khuzestan inshore fisheries data covering the years 2002–2011,was conducted in reliance on testing for occurrence of the fishing down marine food webs(FDMFW) phenomenon in the North of Persian Gulf Large Marine Ecosystem(LME).In this study,the mean trophic level(m TL) and the fishing-in-balance(FIB)-index of Khuzestan landings during this period of time were estimated using the trophic level of 47 fishery resources.Increase in total landings(Y) was observed,which explained the high fishing yield in major fishery resources(especially demersal).Moreover,the moderates decreasing trend in m TL per decade,and the increasing trend in FIB-index were observed.The status of fishery resources in Khuzestan inshore waters(under exploited but not overexploited),the rise in Y,FIB and slightly drop in m TL can be considered as indirect indicators of the fishing impacts on the trophic structure of marine communities.Based on this result,probability occurrence of FDMFW process in Khuzestan inshore waters is low to some extent.However,we suggest that the goal of management programs in Khuzestan inshore waters should prevent the continuance of this trend in the long-term using an ecosystem-based approach.     

华东地区测震学指标异常配套和中强震对应关系初探

本文分析了部分地震学指标的物理意义。通过对华东地区1970年以来14个指标的全时间扫描,并使用华东地区Ms≥5.0地震进行对应,结果表明,选取Rm值、b值和AC值进行同步异常分析,能显著提高华东地区的有震报震率,但有漏报。对目前华东地区异常集中区(南黄海及其沿岸地区)进行时间扫描,结果显示该异常集中区未出现同步异常,认为该区域短期内发生中强地震的可能性不大。     

淤泥质、粉沙质及沙质海岸航道回淤统一计算方法

根据20世纪80年代初提出的淤泥质海岸航道回淤计算方法的基础上,开展了拓展研究,使之统一适用于淤泥质海岸、粉沙质海岸及沙质海岸。主要研究内容有,在波浪和潮流综合作用下挟沙力含沙量研究中引入了特定的泥沙因子F1/F,从而挟沙力含沙量公式不仅适用于淤泥质泥沙,也适用于非淤泥质泥沙;在动力因素方面,除了一般寻常潮和波浪动力外,进一步考虑了风暴潮和破波的巨大掀沙能力造成航道骤淤的可能性。并结合连云港30万吨级主航道扩建及徐圩港区10万吨级航道的回淤问题(包括骤淤可能性问题),京唐港外航道和黄骅港外航道的骤淤问题,进行预测计算及校验计算,结果都是良好的。此外,对杭州湾强潮和涌潮情况下的挟沙力含沙量也进行了校验计算,结果也非常满意。     

A minimalistic approach for evapotranspiration estimation using the Prophet model

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of the recently introduced Prophet model for estimating reference evapotranspiration (ETo). A comparative study was conducted for benchmarking the model results with support vector regression (SVR) and temperature-based empirical models (Thornthwaite and Hargreaves) in southern Japan. The performance of the Prophet, SVR and temperature-based empirical models was evaluated by Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) and coefficient of determination (R²). The results indicate that temperature-based Prophet and SVR models have greater accuracy than the empirical models. The Prophet model with sole input of relative humidity, sunshine hours or windspeed showed acceptable accuracy (NSE > 0.80; R² > 0.80), while SVR models with similar inputs showed greater errors. Accuracy improved with increasing number of input parameters, giving excellent performance (NSE > 0.95; R² > 0.95) with all input parameters. Hence, the Prophet model is a new promising approach for modelling ETo with limited input variables.     

Sectoral targets for developing countries: combining ‘common but differentiated re-sponsibilities’ with ‘meaningful participation’

Although a global cap-and-trade system is seen by many researchers as the most cost-efficient solution to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the governments of developing countries refuse to enter into such a system in the short term. Many scholars and stakeholders, including the European Commission, have thus proposed various types of commitments for developing countries that appear less stringent, such as sectoral approaches. A macroeconomic assessment of such a sectoral approach is provided for developing countries. Two policy scenarios in particular are assessed, in which developed countries continue with Kyoto-type absolute commitments, while developing countries adopt an emissions trading system limited to electricity generation and linked to developed countries' cap-and-trade systems. In the first scenario, CO₂ allowances are auctioned by the government, which distributes its revenues as a lump sum to households. In a second scenario, the auction revenues are used to reduce taxes on, or to give subsidies to, electricity generation. The quantitative analysis, conducted with a hybrid general equilibrium model, shows that such options provide almost as much emissions reduction as a global cap-and-trade system. Moreover, in the second sectoral scenario, GDP losses in developing countries are much lower than with a global cap-and-trade system, as is also the effect on the electricity price.     

滑坡危险性预测模型的设计与实现

滑坡灾害的发生严重影响人类社会的生产生活,因此对滑坡灾害的预警预测工作一直是地质灾害监测和防治的重点,国内外众多学者都对此进行了相应研究。本文在前人的研究基础上把信息量模型和降雨诱发指数应用在滑坡预测研究中,充分考虑两者的耦合影响,建立了滑坡危险性预测模型,并完成了模型的开发工作。该模型实现了滑坡灾害危险性预测的快速化、自动化,并且已集成到江西省地质灾害预警预报分析决策系统中,得到了成功应用。