Application of HVSR to estimating thickness of laterite weathering profiles in basalt

Lateritic weathering profiles (LWPs) are widespread in the tropics and comprise an important component of the Critical Zone (CZ). The Hawaiian Islands make an excellent natural laboratory for examining the tropical CZ, where the bedrock composition (basalt) is nearly uniform and rainfall varies greatly. This natural laboratory is employed to assess the utility of the HVSR (horizontal/vertical spectral ratio) method to characterize the shear-wave velocity (V_s) structure of LWPs, particularly the depth to the contact between saprolite and basalt bedrock. LWP thicknesses determined from HVSR provide good agreement with multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW) profiles, well logs and outcrop. LWP thicknesses may be estimated from the fundamental mode equation or through forward models. Prior knowledge about the subsurface from well, outcrop, and MASW profiles may greatly aid modeling in some cases. For the 3.2 to 1.8 Ma Koolau Volcano on Oahu, the downward rate of advance of the weathering front varies from 0.004 to 0.041 m/ka. For the 0.44 to 0.10 Ma Kohala Volcano (Big Island of Hawaii) rates vary from 0.013 to 0.047 m/ka. Simple H/V spectra develop in areas where the combined effects of time and elevated rainfall produce thick LWPs with a flat base and a general absence of core stones with an ideal layered geometry. Abundant buried core stones violate the assumption of simple layered geometries and scatter acoustic energy, leading to uninterpretable results. This is common where low rainfall and a young basaltic substrate leave abundant core stones as well as an undulating contact between saprolite and bedrock. Velocity inversions (high V_s intervals within low V_s saprolite) may also be present and originate from relatively intact bedrock horizons or mineralogical changes within saprolite. At Kohala, a gibbsite-rich horizon produces such a velocity inversion due to enhanced weathering and subsequent collapse of saprolite in a discrete horizon. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ecohydrologic feedbacks controlling sizes of cypress wetlands in a patterned karst landscape

Many landforms on Earth are profoundly influenced by biota. In particular, biota play a significant role in creating karst biogeomorphology, through biogenic CO₂ accelerating calcite weathering. In this study, we explore the ecohydrologic feedback mechanisms that have created isolated depressional wetlands on exposed limestone bedrock in South Florida – Big Cypress National Preserve –as a case study for karst biogeomorphic processes giving rise to regularly patterned landscapes. Specifically, we are interested in: (1) whether cypress depressions on the landscape have reached (or will reach) equilibrium size; (2) if so, what feedback mechanisms stabilize the size of depressions; and (3) what distal interactions among depressions give rise to the even distribution of depressions in the landscape. We hypothesize three feedback mechanisms controlling the evolution of depressions and build a numerical model to evaluate the relative importance of each mechanism. We show that a soil cover feedback (i.e. a smaller fraction of CO₂ reaches the bedrock surface for weathering as soil cover thickens) is the major feedback stabilizing depressions, followed by a biomass feedback (i.e. inhibited biomass growth with deepening standing water and extended inundation period as depressions expand in volume). Strong local positive feedback between the volume of depressions and rate of volume expansion and distal negative feedback between depressions competing for water likely lead to the regular patterning at the landscape scale. The individual depressions, however, are not yet in steady state but would be in ~0.2–0.4 million years. This represents the first study to demonstrate the decoupling of landscape-scale self-organization and the self-organization of its constituent agents. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spatiotemporal variations of dissolved inorganic carbon and controlling factors in a small karstic catchment,Southwestern China

Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) is the most important carbon component in karst aquatic system where fluid is highly transmissive, but has rarely been examined in the subtropical karst critical zone (K-CZ). In this study, concentrations of dissolved solutes and isotopic compositions of DIC (δ¹³C_DIC) at 11 sites of a 73.4 km² karstic catchment in Southwestern China were analysed monthly in order to uncover the spatiotemporal variations of both DIC and its dominant sources, and to identify relevant controlling factors. Both DIC concentrations and δ¹³C_DIC were highly variable, ranging from 2.52 to 5.85 mmol l⁻¹ and from −15.7 to −4.5‰, respectively. DIC in underground water (UGW) was higher in concentration and more depleted in ¹³C compared to surface water (SFS). DIC concentrations showed an inconsistent seasonal trend with other solutes, with higher values in the wet season at some sites. δ¹³C_DIC values were lower in the wet season than in the dry season. The results of mixing model IsoSource revealed spatiotemporal patterns of DIC sources. During the dry season, carbonate weathering was the primary contributor to DIC in UGW (excluding in the middle reaches). However, during the wet season, soil CO₂ was the dominant source of DIC in both UGW and SFS, and it was higher than in the dry season. Overall, there are significant spatiotemporal disparities and highly transmissive characteristics of both DIC and its sources in the K-CZ, which are controlled by multiple factors. This study also highlights that rainfall may play a crucial role in accelerating carbon dynamics in the K-CZ. High-frequency sampling campaigns in high-flow periods and deep analyses are needed in future work to elucidate the related processes and mechanisms. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

湖泊沉积物中元素相态的连续提取分析—以岱海为例

如何利用湖泊/海洋沉积物地球化学代用指标有效地指示环境很大程度取决于元素的来源及其在沉积物中赋存形态的确定.对位于半干旱区的内蒙古岱海14个沉积物样品的连续提取实验及18个元素在水可溶态、可交换态、碳酸盐结合态、铁锰氧化物结合态、有机物结合态及残留态等六种赋存相态中含量变化进行了测试和研究,结合沉积物的矿物组成,结果表明在岱海流域内只经历了较弱的化学风化过程,除了Ca和Sr外,其他元素主要赋存于残留态中,只发生了很小程度的活化溶解.受元素亲合性和湖水物理化学状态的制约,出溶的Sr与Ca的赋存相态基本一致,而出溶的Pb、Be、Co、Cu、K、Mn、Fe等元素则与自生碳酸盐、有机质表现出一定的亲合性.元素在不同赋存相态中分布为地球化学环境代用指标的提取和解释提供了机理性的实验依据.     

Chemical weathering associated with tafoni at Papago Park,central Arizona

Papago Park, Arizona, is a pediment-inselberg complex that hosts a variety of well developed tafoni and alveolar weathering forms. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the nature of chemical weathering associated with the tafoni using backscatter electron microscopy (BSE) and quantitative wavelength dispersive X-ray analysis (WDS). Calcium-rich and iron-rich coatings occur on the outer shells of the tafoni. Calcium carbonate precipitation within mineral microfractures occurs on the underside of the tafoni. Chemical weathering of primary mineral grains provides a source of material found in the coatings. The WDS analyses show a near-complete lack of salt-forming elements. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A small-scale field check on the Fisher–Lehmann and Bakker–Le Heux cliff degradation models

The paper considers the development of initially straight, steep rock cliffs, bounded above and below by horizontal surfaces, in which basal debris removal is zero and degradation occurs by the weathering away of fine debris from the cliff face to form a scree at its foot. Of the slope degradation models available, the two earliest and simplest, namely the Fisher–Lehmann and the Bakker–Le Heux models, are regarded as most relevant and are briefly summarized. The main purpose of the paper is to check the predictions of these models, particularly with regard to the shape of the rock surface buried beneath the scree, against field data. Such data are sparse. It is concluded that the best field case currently available, despite its small scale, is that provided by the 1·75 m deep ditch which forms part of the experimental earthwork in the chalk on Overton Down, Wiltshire. The predictions of the two models are checked against field measurements made of the stage of degradation reached on each face of the ditch by July 1968, eight years after its excavation. These stages were influenced to different degrees by the presence of a surface turf layer. For the NE face, where this influence was least, the agreement of the predictions of the Fisher–Lehmann model with the actual rock profile is excellent and that of the Bakker–Le Heux model only marginally less so. For the SW face, as expected, the agreements are somewhat less close. These results may be to some extent fortuitous because of the influence of the turves and because the scree slopes tend to be concave rather than rectilinear, as assumed. Also, the free faces decline with time in a manner intermediate between those assumed in the two models. Larger scale field checks are clearly desirable before firm general conclusions can be drawn. Rates of crest recession for the Overton Down ditch are logarithmic with time after a very rapid initial phase. Extrapolation from the early phase of this logarithmic behaviour leads to a close estimate of the time needed for the slope to develop fully. The associated ultimate crest recession is also closely predicted by equations derived from both models. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

遗址土劣化进程中微观结构变化的类比研究

长期的风化会使遗址土体劣化,进而威胁到遗址本体的安全,但在自然条件下这一演化过程尚不明确。遗址土体微观结构的变化是该过程的重要体现,研究选取风化条件近似而暴露时间不同的黄土质边坡作为类比对象,采用扫描电镜法（SEM）和压汞法（MIP）分别对表部以及内部土样的微观孔隙结构进行观察和量测。试验结果表明,表部土体微观结构的变化程度大于内部土体,并呈现一定的规律性;与内部土体相比,表部土体的土颗粒排列为致密的叠片状;其孔径分布为双峰模式,团聚体内孔隙占比较大;随着风化时间的增长,表部土体的孔隙总体积和表面分形维数逐渐减小,导致孔壁粗糙程度降低,减小了颗粒间的摩擦,在宏观上容易诱发土体表层的剥离损耗或其他病害。     

湖北郧县辽瓦店黄土剖面风化特征及其对气候变化的响应

对湖北郧县辽瓦店剖面的沉积学特征及磁化率、粒度、Rb、Sr含量等理化指标进行了研究。结果表明:辽瓦店剖面自下而上具有马兰黄土(L₁)-过渡层(L_t)-古土壤(S₀)-全新世黄土(L₀)-表土(TS)地层序列;不同地层单元的风化成壤差异明显,其成壤强弱顺序为古土壤S₀成壤最强、全新世黄土L₀和过渡层L_t次之、马兰黄土L₁最弱。成壤强弱的变化揭示出该区晚更新世末期(11 500 a BP以前)气候干冷,全新世早期(11 500~8 500 a BP)气候处于晚更新世干冷向全新世中期暖湿的过渡阶段,全新世中期(8 500~3 100 a BP)气候最为温暖湿润,全新世晚期(3 100 a BP以来)气候转为干冷且逐渐恶化的变化过程。     

常量元素氧化物含量及其比值揭示的中晚全新世以来玛曲高原的环境演变

对玛曲高原具有代表性的黄土-古土壤-风成砂剖面(OL剖面)常量元素氧化物含量及其比值的地球化学特征分析表明:(1)常量元素氧化物总含量为91.93%且SiO₂(67.93%) >Al₂O₃(11.2%) >Fe₂O₃(3.97%) >CaO(3.76%)>K₂O(2.16%) >Na₂O(1.81%) >MgO(1.1%);(2)玛曲高原处于较弱的脱Ca、Na初级风化阶段,并伴有碳酸盐的淋失;(3)玛曲高原的气候经历了冷干-凉润-温湿-凉干的冷暖旋回。依据常量元素氧化物含量及其比值揭示的环境特征并结合¹⁴C测年将玛曲高原中晚全新世以来的环境演变划分为4.6 ka BP以前的风沙活动强烈期、4.6～4.3 ka BP的风沙活动较弱期、4.3～0.3 ka BP的固结成壤期和0.3 ka BP至今的风沙活动增强期4个阶段。     

古建筑风化石质构件力学参数的确定方法

针对目前常规确定岩石力学参数的方法只能得出岩块的整体强度,不能反映古建筑石质构件风化层内力学参数逐渐变化,无法很好地满足石质古建筑稳定性、耐久性研究的不足,提出了综合运用现场穿透波CT测试、表面回弹测试和室内试验确定风化石质构件力学参数的方法。方法的实施主要包括：通过现场穿透波CT测试,获得纵波波速在石质构件深度剖面上的分布;现场选取与欲研究的石质构件类似的岩石做室内力学试验和波速测试,得出力学参数与波速的统计关系;上述两者结合得出力学参数在石质构件深度剖面上的分布,在此基础上分析风化层内力学参数随深度的变化关系;对不同风化分区代表性石构件进行风化深度研究和表面回弹测试,得出构件表面强度比与风化深度的关系。以义乌宋代古月桥为例,对其方法进行了系统的介绍,并对古月桥承载条石风化层内力学参数随深度的变化关系以及表面强度与风化深度的关系进行了研究。研究表明：义乌宋代古月桥承载条石风化层内的抗压强度比、弹性模量比随深度呈负指数关系变化;表面强度比与风化深度呈2次多项式关系。