An operational multiscale system for hazards prediction, mapping, and response

By definition, a crisis is a situation that requires assistance to be managed. Hence, response to a crisis involves the merging of local and non-local emergency response personnel. In this situation, it is critical that each participant: (1) know the roles and responsibilities of each of the other participants; (2) know the capabilities of each of the participants; and (3) have a common basis for action. For many types of natural disasters, this entails having a common operational picture of the unfolding events, including detailed information on the weather, both current and forecasted, that may impact on either the emergency itself or on response activities. The Consequences Assessment Tool Set (CATS) is a comprehensive package of hazard prediction models and casualty and damage assessment tools that provides a linkage between a modeled or observed effect and the attendant consequences for populations, infrastructure, and resources, and, hence, provides the common operational picture for emergency response. The Operational Multiscale Environment model with Grid Adaptivity (OMEGA) is an atmospheric simulation system that links the latest methods in computational fluid dynamics and high-resolution gridding technologies with numerical weather prediction to provide specific weather analysis and forecast capability that can be merged into the geographic information system framework of CATS. This paper documents the problem of emergency response as an end-to-end system and presents the integrated CATS–OMEGA system as a prototype of such a system that has been used successfully in a number of different situations.     

In situ strength measurements on natural upper-mantle minerals

Using in situ strength measurements at pressures up to 10 GPa and at room temperature, 400, 600, and 700°C, we examined rheological properties of olivine, orthopyroxene, and chromian-spinel contained in a mantle-derived xenolith. Mineral strengths were estimated using widths of X-ray diffraction peaks as a function of pressure, temperature, and time. Differential stresses of all minerals increase with increasing pressure, but they decrease with increasing temperature because of elastic strain on compression and stress relaxation during heating. During compression at room temperature, all minerals deform plastically at differential stress of 4–6 GPa. During subsequent heating, thermally induced yielding is observed in olivine at 600°C. Neither orthopyroxene nor spinel shows complete stress relaxation, but both retain some stress even at 700°C. The strength of the minerals decreases in the order of chromian-spinel ≈ orthopyroxene > olivine for these conditions. This order of strength is consistent with the residual pressure of fluid inclusions in mantle xenoliths.     

Methodology for preliminary assessment of Natech risk in urban areas

Concern for natural hazard-triggered technological disasters (Natech disasters) in densely populated and industrialized areas is growing. Residents living in urban areas subject to high natural hazard risk are often unaware of the potential for secondary disasters such as hazardous materials releases from neighboring industrial facilities, chemical storage warehouses or other establishments housing hazardous materials. Lessons from previous disasters, such as the Natech disaster during the Kocaeli earthquake in Turkey in 1999 call for the need to manage low frequency/high consequence events, particularly in today’s densely populated areas. However, there is little guidance available on how local governments and communities can assess Natech risk. To add to the problem, local governments often do not have the human or economic resources or expertise to carry out detailed risk assessments. In this article, we propose a methodology for preliminary assessment of Natech risk in urban areas. The proposed methodology is intended for use by local government officials in consultation with the public. The methodology considers possible interactions between the various systems in the urban environment: the physical infrastructure (e.g., industrial plants, lifeline systems, critical facilities), the community (e.g., population exposed), the natural environment (e.g., delicate ecosystems, river basins), and the risk and emergency management systems (e.g., structural and nonstructural measures). Factors related to vulnerability and hazard are analyzed and qualitative measures are recommended. Data from hazardous materials releases during the Kocaeli, Turkey earthquake of August 17, 1999 are used as a case study to demonstrate the applicability of the methodology. Limitations of the proposed methodology are discussed as well as future research needs.

无机盐类对天然矿物低温催化混合酯生烃反应的影响

脂肪酸酯是一类重要的生烃母质。选择了十四烷酸甲酯、十六烷酸甲酯和十八烷酸甲酯的混合酯为模型反应物,以方解石、白云石、伊利石、钙蒙脱石和黄铁矿为催化剂,分别考察了氯化钾、氯化镁、氯化钠、硫酸钠以及混合盐对天然矿物低温催化混合酯生烃反应的影响。结果表明,无机盐类对矿物催化下混合酯的生烃反应均有不同程度的影响,硫酸钠具有反催化作用,其它盐类具有正催化作用。且在各无机盐存在下,不同的矿物表现出不同的催化活性。     

PVC-U塑料管在浅层地热能地下水资源开发工程中应用与研究

PVC-U塑料管具有耐腐蚀、不结垢、质量轻、使用寿命长等特点。将其应用于浅层地热能开发和供水管井工程中,不但可以解决金属井管腐蚀破裂、结垢和水源热泵回灌难等问题,而且还减少了水井维修费用、延长其使用寿命。结合河南郑州实施的437、400 m两眼浅层地热能开发和供水管井示范工程实践,详细论述了PVC-U塑料管成井工艺、存在问题及解决方法的研究成果。     

海拉尔盆地贝尔凹陷兴安岭群储层粘土矿物组成及成因研究

油田注水开发是保持地层能量,提高采收率的有效手段.海拉尔地区由于粘土矿物含量高,在开发过程中储层遇水易泥化、坍塌,严重影响油气的有效开采.通过X射线衍射、偏光显微镜观察和扫描电镜分析,确定了海拉尔盆地贝16断块兴安岭群储层自上而下存在三种粘土矿物组合:蒙脱石 高岭石 (绿泥石)→高岭石 伊/蒙间层 伊利石 (绿泥石)→伊利石 绿泥石 绿/蒙间层 伊/蒙间层.粘土总量在9.1%～69.1%之间,由地层浅部到深部呈现由高到低的变化规律.详细研究了水敏性极强的钠蒙脱石及其间层矿物,认为凝灰物质的水解蚀变以及长石和中、酸性岩屑在成岩过程中的次生变化是造成海拉尔地区粘土含量高的主要因素.     

矿物数字博物馆的建设构想与实现

在基于互联网的应用、信息数字化、多种技术发展较为成熟及适应公众需求的基础上,对矿物数字博物馆的建设做了简要的分析,将矿物按矿物一结晶学分类方案将馆藏矿物进行合理的分类,设计了七大功能结构和相应的子结构,并对矿物所要展示的内容设定了标准.建设矿物数字博物馆旨在利用三维技术、多媒体技术、文字信息等,将矿物从宏观的外形到抽象的晶体形态和微观的晶体结构及其最小单位结构通过网络的形式具体展现给观众.矿物数字博物馆的建设可以为人们认知整个矿物世界搭建一个良好的平台,在科研教学、推动国民科学普及教育、培养创新人才方面发挥重要作用.     

东菲律宾海深水铁锰结壳发育站位沉积物的粒度及黏土矿物学特征

大洋铁锰结壳是潜在的重要海洋资源,多年来世界各国对此已作了大量调查.传统意义上的铁锰结壳均分布于3000m水深以浅的海山基岩上.中国科学院海洋研究所在对东菲律宾海的地质调查中采集到大量褐黑色深水铁锰结壳.在300多个站位的取样中,在44个站位采集到结壳样品,可见结壳在研究区的分布较为广泛.该结壳发育于4000~5000m水深的致密至半固结沉积物的表层,厚度一般为2~3cm,最厚可达7cm.结壳为板(层)状.     

The role of marine spatial planning in sea use management: The Belgian case

The expansion of offshore activities and the increasing need to meet international and national commitments to biodiversity conservation have led to an enhanced interest in marine spatial planning (MSP) as a tool for sea use management. Several European countries, on their own initiative or driven by European legislation and policy, have taken global leadership in implementing MSP. This article will discuss the Belgian experiences with MSP. It will give a short historical overview based on legal developments and review the implementation process of a ‘Master Plan’ as a spatial management policy for the Belgian Part of the North Sea. Additionally, this article will reflect on the research that has been done in Belgium to apply a land-use planning approach to the marine environment. The MSP process in Belgium shows that a spatial approach to sea use management is possible despite the lack of a legal zoning framework. However, it concludes that a legal basis for MSP, in addition to the current permit system, would provide a more strategic and integrated framework for ecosystem-based, sea use management.