Distribution and feeding modes of macrobenthos within three oceanographic feature areas of the KwaZulu-Natal Bight,South Africa

The composition and distribution of macrobenthic communities was investigated in three areas in the KwaZulu- Natal Bight, a section of shelf off the east coast of South Africa. Areas were pre-selected on the basis of three known oceanographic features, posited to deliver land- or Agulhas Current-derived nutrients onto the shelf and to drive ecosystem functioning in this region. Replicate sediment samples were collected with a 0.2 m² van Veen grab, during two surveys (A, B) corresponding with normal periods of high and low rainfall, respectively. A subset of the full station array was selected across the shelf in an arrangement of increasing depths (inner-, mid- and outer shelf) through each feature area to investigate the spatial distribution and feeding modes of macrobenthic taxa. The two periods showed some differences in abundance and numbers of macrobenthic taxa, but were not statistically different. Total macrobenthic abundance from Survey A was 20 215 individuals from 642 taxa, decreasing to 18 000 individuals from 503 taxa during Survey B. Polychaeta and Crustacea were the dominant taxa sampled; abundance of the latter was attributed largely to a proliferation of Paguristes sp.1 at inner-shelf samples in the midbight (Thukela) region during Survey B. Similarity classification distinguished seven sample groups reflecting differences in feature areas and shelf positions under investigation. The Thukela River midshelf community supported the highest macrobenthic abundance, while the midshelf off the southern bight (Durban region) was most species rich. Findings were attributed to the habitat complexity of the midshelf which includes a palaeo-dune cordon at the 60 m isobath. Functionally, the community was dominated by interface- and deposit-feeding fauna, emphasising the importance of trophic plasticity in an environmentally variable and heterogeneous shelf environment.     

Is Ziarat a Potential Site for Conventional or Unconventional Energy Resources?

A structural interpretation of the Ziarat block in the Balochistan region (a part of the Suleiman Fold and Thrust Belt) has been carried out using seismic and seismological data. Seismic data consists of nine 2.5D pre‐stack migrated seismic lines, whereas the seismological data covers the Fault Plane Solution and source parameters. Structural interpretation describes two broad fault sets of fore and back thrusts in the study area that have resulted in the development of pop‐up structures, accountable for the structural traps and seismicity pattern in terms of seismic hazard. Seismic interpretation includes time and depth contour maps of the Dungan Formation and Ranikot group, while seismological interpretation includes Fault Plane Solution, that is correlated with a geological and structural map of the area for the interpretation of the nature of the subsurface faults. Principal stresses are also estimated for the Ranikot group and Dungan Formation. In order to calculate anisotropic elastic properties, the parameters of the rock strength of the formations are first determined from seismic data, along with the dominant stresses (vertical, minimum horizontal, and maximum horizontal). The differential ratio of the maximum and minimum horizontal stresses is obtained to indicate optimal zones for hydraulic fracturing, and to assess the potential for geothermal energy reservoir prospect generation. The stress maps indicate high values towards the deeper part of the horizon, and low towards the shallower part, attributed to the lithological and structural variation in the area. Outcomes of structural interpretation indicate a good correlation of structure and tectonics from both seismological and seismic methods.     

软岩隧道中双层初期支护的应力情况分析

两水隧道穿越的地层主要岩性为炭质千枚岩,地质情况较差,围岩破碎度高,节理发育。自2009年两水隧道开工建设以来,隧道工程问题层出不穷,出现了初期支护开裂、破坏,甚至出现二衬开裂、掉块,仰拱隆起等严重的隧道结构破坏现象,施工进度缓慢。在进口桩号为DK359+712～ DK359+742段采用双层初期支护和单层二次衬砌的支护方式,取得了良好的效果。通过应力情况分析为炭质千枚岩隧道的支护选型提供了依据。     

美国声波钻进规程ASTM D6914/D6914M—16浅析

声波钻进技术具有速度快、岩心保真好、适用地层广等优点,广泛应用于工程勘察、环境调查、浅源地热、基础工程、矿山治理等领域。为了提高声波钻进施工质量和过程控制,美国材料与实验协会于2004年制定了第一部声波钻进规程D6914—04,后经多次修订完善,形成最新声波钻进规程D6914/D6914M—16。本文根据该版规程内容,从技术原理、钻进设备、成孔工艺等方面展开了阐述。当振动器与钻柱谐振频率重叠时,声波钻头受到的能量达到峰值。钻机和取心钻具是声波钻进的核心设备。成孔工艺主要以双管高频振动、低速回转为主,实现多种目的层的原位取心作业。标准相关内容对声波钻进技术在我国的持续推广具有参考意义。     

三峡库岸滑坡变形特征及影响因素分析

三峡库区涉水滑坡主要影响因素是水位和降雨量,也是库区滑坡体失稳的主要影响因素和诱发因素。库区每年重复着水位升降不利于滑坡的稳定,而降雨特别是大强度的降雨也诱发产生滑坡。当水位波动遇到降雨,出现工况叠加,滑坡将加剧。因此,有必要对影响滑坡变形的主导因素进行了解分析。2016年6月三峡库区全面展开了自动化监测,使得数据统计方便可靠。本文采用滑坡变形速率、降雨量、库水位变化、最大水位变化速率、淹没程度,运用灰色关联度分析法对涉水滑坡进行了计算分析。水位下降阶段,文中土质滑坡变形受库水位影响最大。水位上升阶段,该土质滑坡上部变形受降雨影响最大,下部受水位影响最大。文中岩质滑坡总是受库水位影响最大。     

重度石漠化区不同土地利用方式下土壤养分特征

本文以云南省蒙自市西北勒乡碧色寨村石漠化土地为研究对象,基于主成分分析法（PCA）研究岩溶石漠化区不同土地利用方式下的土壤养分特征。结果表明:（1）研究区土壤各养分指标变异系数介于0.14~1.76,不同土地利用方式下,土壤养分状况有较大差异;（2）研究区土壤12项养分指标可归结为3个主成分,所提供的信息占全部信息的90.69%,其中PC1主要包含了全磷、有效磷、速效钾和有效锰,PC2主要综合了有机碳、全氮、全钙和有效锌,有效铁对PC3具有较大的贡献。（3）对不同用地类型土壤养分的主成分得分进行排序,由大到小依次为火龙果地>林地>封育草地>玉米地,表明植树造林及火龙果种植等方式能有效改善石漠化区的土壤养分状况。建议对样区的石漠化治理应以封山育土为前提,以生态恢复为目的,通过种植火龙果与修复林地改善样区土壤状况,逐步形成生态环境与社会经济协调发展的石漠化综合治理体系。      

西南地区2001-2014年植被变化时空格局

时序植被动态变化研究一直是全球变化研究的热点之一,对地区生态治理有重要意义。基于西南地区2001至 2014年的MODIS植被指数数据集以及DEM数据和土地利用数据,进行季节合成植被指数（SINDVI）的趋势模拟、空间统计和相关分析,探讨西南地区植被变化趋势和空间分异特征,研究结果表明:（1）74.52%的区域SINDVI变化不显著,显著改善的区域占22.07%,而显著退化的区域占3.41%,改善面积远远大于退化面积。（2）从地形因子结果来看,中低海拔地区和缓坡地区植被变化趋势最明显,海拔3 500 m以下植被变化趋势比海拔3 500 m以上明显。随着坡度的增加,改善趋势和退化趋势都在变小。（3）从土地利用分析结果来看,SINDVI变化趋势在人工表面最明显,改善和退化趋势都相对较大。（4）受人类活动的影响,人工表面和裸地的增多、林地的减少是植被呈退化趋势的主要原因。      

Statistical analyses of Global U-Pb Database 2017

The method of obtaining zircon samples affects estimation of the global U-Pb age distribution.Researchers typically collect zircons via convenience sampling and cluster sampling.When using these techniques,weight adjustments proportional to the areas of the sampled regions improve upon unweighted estimates.Here,grid-area and modern sediment methods are used to weight the samples from a new database of 418,967 U-Pb ages.Preliminary tests involve two age models.Model-1 uses the most precise U-Pb ages as the best ages.Model-2 uses the~(206)Pb/~(238)U age as the best age if it is less than a1000 Ma cutoff,otherwise it uses the~(207)Pb/~(206)Pb age as the best age.A correlation analysis between the Model-1 and Model-2 ages indicates nearly identical distributions for both models.However,after applying acceptance criteria to include only the most precise analyses with minimal discordance,a histogram of the rejected samples shows excessive rejection of the Model-2 analyses around the1000 Ma cutoff point.Because of the excessive rejection rate for Model-2,we select Model-1 as the preferred model.After eliminating all rejected samples,the remaining analyses use only Model-1 ages for five rock-type subsets of the database:igneous,meta-igneous,sedimentary,meta-sedimentary,and modern sediments.Next,time-series plots,cross-correlation analyses,and spectral analyses determine the degree of alignment among the time-series and their periodicity.For all rock types,the U-Pb age distributions are similar for ages older than 500 Ma,but align poorly for ages younger than 500 Ma.The similarities(500 Ma)and differences(500 Ma)highlight how reductionism from a detailed database enhances understanding of time-dependent sequences,such as erosion,detrital transport mechanisms,lithification,and metamorphism.Time-series analyses and spectral analyses of the age distributions predominantly indicate a synchronous period-tripling sequence of~91-Myr,~273-Myr,and~819-Myr among the various rock types.     

Interstratified illite-smectite phases: formation mechanisms and practical applications

Secondary micas after smectite, including mix illite-smectite phases, can form in sediments by three mechanisms, each being specific to particular environments. As the process develops, the newly formed phases undergo structure ordering. Two mechanisms involve transformation of 2:1 mixed-layer structures, and the third is the growth of screw dislocations, with formation of ordered mix phases having a Reichweite parameter of R = 1 or R = 2. We propose methods for identifying such phases when they are present in small amounts or when their XRD patterns lack well-pronounced superperiodic reflections, as well as mathematical formalism for illitization modeling. The theoretical issues are illustrated with field examples, and the illitization mechanisms are discussed in terms of their possible practical applications.     

Probabilistic stability analyses of undrained slopes by 3D random fields and finite element methods

A long slope consisting of spatially random soils is a common geographical feature. This paper examined the necessity of three-dimensional(3 D) analysis when dealing with slope with full randomness in soil properties. Although 3 D random finite element analysis can well reflect the spatial variability of soil properties, it is often time-consuming for probabilistic stability analysis. For this reason, we also examined the least advantageous(or most pessimistic) cross-section of the studied slope. The concept of"most pessimistic" refers to the minimal cross-sectional average of undrained shear strength. The selection of the most pessimistic section is achievable by simulating the undrained shear strength as a 3 D random field. Random finite element analysis results suggest that two-dimensional(2 D) plane strain analysis based the most pessimistic cross-section generally provides a more conservative result than the corresponding full 3 D analysis. The level of conservativeness is around 15% on average. This result may have engineering implications for slope design where computationally tractable 2 D analyses based on the procedure proposed in this study could ensure conservative results.