An analytical study on three‐dimensional versus two‐dimensional water table‐induced flow patterns in a Tóthian basin

Although it has been increasingly acknowledged that groundwater flow pattern is complicated in the three‐dimensional (3‐D) domain, two‐dimensional (2‐D) water table‐induced flow models are still widely used to delineate basin‐scale groundwater circulation. However, the validity of 2‐D cross‐sectional flow field induced by water table has been seldom examined. Here, we derive the analytical solution of 3‐D water table‐induced hydraulic head in a Tóthian basin and then examine the validity of 2‐D cross‐sectional models by comparing the flow fields of selected cross sections calculated by the 2‐D cross‐sectional model with those by the 3‐D model, which represents the “true” cases. For cross sections in the recharge or discharge area of the 3‐D basin, even if head difference is not significant, the 2‐D cross‐sectional models result in flow patterns absolutely different from the true ones. For the cross section following the principal direction of groundwater flow, although 2‐D cross‐sectional models would overestimate the penetrating depth of local flow systems and underestimate the recharge/discharge flux, the flow pattern from the cross‐sectional model is similar to the true one and could be close enough to the true one by adjusting the decay exponent and anisotropy ratio of permeability. Consequently, to determine whether a 2‐D cross‐sectional model is applicable, a comparison of hydraulic head difference between 2‐D and 3‐D solutions is not enough. Instead, the similarity of flow pattern should be considered to determine whether a cross‐sectional model is applicable. This study improves understanding of groundwater flow induced by more natural water table undulations in the 3‐D domain and the limitations of 2‐D models accounting for cross‐sectional water table undulation only.     

Flow processes and sedimentation in unidirectionally migrating deep‐water channels: From a three‐dimensional seismic perspective

Three‐dimensional seismic data were used to infer how bottom currents control unidirectional channel migration. Bottom currents flowing towards the steep bank would deflect the upper part of sediment gravity flows at an orientation of 1° to 11° to the steep bank, yielding a helical flow circulation consisting of a faster near‐surface flow towards the steep bank and a slower basal return flow towards the gentle bank. This helical flow model is evidenced by the occurrence of bigger, muddier (suggested by low‐amplitude seismic reflections) lateral accretion deposits and gentle channel wall with downlap terminations on the gentle bank and by smaller, sandier (indicated by high‐amplitude seismic reflectors) channel fills and steep channel walls with truncation terminations on the steep bank. This helical flow circulation promotes asymmetrical depositional patterns with dipping accretion sets restricted to the gentle bank, which restricts the development of sinuosity and yields unidirectional channel migration. These results aid in obtaining a complete picture of flow processes and sedimentation in submarine channels.     

Thresholds of intrabed flow and other interactions of turbidity currents with soft muddy substrates

Controlled laboratory experiments reveal that the lower part of turbidity currents has the ability to enter fluid mud substrates, if the bed shear stress is higher than the yield stress of the fluid mud and the density of the turbidity current is higher than the density of the substrate. Upon entering the substrate, the turbidity current either induces mixing between flow‐derived sediment and substrate sediment, or it forms a stable horizontal flow front inside the fluid mud. Such ‘intrabed’ flow is surrounded by plastically deformed mud; otherwise it resembles the front of a ‘bottom‐hugging’ turbidity current. The ‘suprabed’ portion of the turbidity current, i.e. the upper part of the flow that does not enter the substrate, is typically separated from the intrabed flow by a long horizontal layer of mud which originates from the mud that is swept over the top of the intrabed flow and then incorporated into the flow. The intrabed flow and the mixing mechanism are specific types of interaction between turbidity currents and muddy substrates that are part of a larger group of interactions, which also include bypass, deposition, erosion and soft sediment deformation. A classification scheme for these types of interactions is proposed, based on an excess bed shear stress parameter, which includes the difference in the bed shear stress imposed by the flow and the yield stress of the substrate and an excess density parameter, which relies on the density difference between the flow and the substrate. Based on this classification scheme, as well as on the sedimentological properties of the laboratory deposits, an existing facies model for intrabed turbidites is extended to the other types of interaction involving soft muddy substrates. The physical threshold of flow‐substrate mixing versus stable intrabed flow is defined using the gradient Richardson number, and this method is validated successfully with the laboratory data. The gradient Richardson number is also used to verify that stable intrabed flow is possible in natural turbidity currents, and to determine under which conditions intrabed flow is likely to be unstable. It appears that intrabed flow is likely only in natural turbidity currents with flow velocities well below ca 3·5 m s^?1, although a wider range of flows is capable of entering fluid muds. Below this threshold velocity, intrabed flow is stable only at high‐density gradients and low‐velocity gradients across the upper boundary of the turbidity current. Finally, the gradient Richardson number is used as a scaling parameter to set the flow velocity limits of a natural turbidity current that formed an inferred intrabed turbidite in the deep‐marine Aberystwyth Grits Group, West Wales, United Kingdom.     

Contained density currents with high volume of release

Contained density currents with high volume of release reflect against the boundaries of the reception environment commonly leading to oscillatory flow. These flows exist in sediment clarifiers, compromising their operations, and deposited signatures of contained turbidity currents are found as part of the infill of sedimentary basins; for operation of the former and interpretation of the latter it is essential to understand the dynamic processes of these flows. Six lock‐exchange experiments with different initial densities were made in a horizontal flume, where the volume of the saline mixture in the lock was equivalent to the volume of the ambient fluid. A further two tests, with a repeated initial density, were made: one with high volume of release and very long duration; and another with low volume of release. Firstly, the movement of the current is discussed, including the oscillations within the experimental tank involving the density current and an upper layer counter‐current. It is shown that the cyclic behaviour is self‐similar with the reduced gravity of the initial density in the lock. Secondly, entrainment and water mixing processes are characterized. The time evolution of mixing is characterized qualitatively by analysing the background potential energy of the density distributions to show that mixing occurs even in the earlier stages of the current, and mainly within the first cycle of the oscillation. Quantified analysis reveals that, in currents with high volume of release, entrainment discharge is one order of magnitude higher, mainly due to the larger interface between the ambient fluid and the current. A model for the evolution of the mixing process is proposed for density currents with high volume of release. Finally, the dynamics of the head of the current is analysed. The entrainment in the head, when compared to the entrainment in the remainder body of the flows, is less important for the configuration with a larger lock.     

基于LLS的雷电流波头时间分布特征

利用湖北省2007—2013年雷电定位系统(Lightning Location System,LLS)监测的雷电流相关参数资料,采用数理统计方法,对雷电流波头时间的年、季、月、日变化以及累积概率和概率密度分布进行了统计分析。结果表明,正闪电平均波头时间为4.8μs,负闪和总闪电为3.6μs;一年中,正闪电7月波头时间最短,月变化特征大致呈"V"形;负闪和总闪电5—7月波头时间比其他月份短,月变化特征大致呈"U"形。正闪电波头时间季节、日变化明显,负闪和总闪电季节、日变化不明显。波头时间小于等于10μs时,正闪、负闪和总闪电的波头时间累积概率分别为95.5%、99.7%和99.6%,总闪电95%的波头时间大于1.5μs,50%的大于3.1μs,5%的大于6.0μs。波头时间在2~3μs时,正闪、负闪和总闪电的概率密度最大。气温较低月份,波头时间相对较长,反之,波头时间相对较短,其原因可能与雷电流幅值大小有关,具体原因有待进一步研究。     

Landsat 8热红外数据定标参数的变化及其对地表温度反演的影响

Landsat系列卫星上的TIRS热红外传感器数据已被大量应用,针对TIRS数据的地表温度反演也相继开发出一些算法,并有一些研究对TIRS数据的定标及其地表温度反演算法的精度进行了对比。本文主要就TIRS热红外传感器定标参数的变化,结合这些定标参数变化的时间点对有关地表温度反演算法的适用性和有效性进行分析,特别是对劈窗算法是否适合当前的TIRS数据进行了讨论,以使用户能够对Landsat 8 TIRS热红外数据的正确使用有进一步的认识。总的看来,由于视域外杂散光的影响,TIRS数据的定标精度仍达不到设计目标,TIRS第11波段的不确定性仍成倍大于TIRS 10波段。因此,在Landsat团队未彻底解决这一问题之前,同时用TIRS第10、第11这两个差距较大的波段构成的劈窗算法来反演地表温度,其精度存在较大的不确定性,US6-S团队仍在致力于改进第11波段的精度,改进后的波段可以用劈窗策法。目前应以TIRS第10单波段的方式来反演地表温度为宜。     

广西凭祥盆地深水底流沉积类型及其研究意义

内波、内潮汐沉积和复合流沉积是二十余年来在古代深水环境中新发现的一种具牵引流性质的沉积相类型,由于地层沉积记录十分有限,制约了深水底流沉积的沉积学研究。大比例尺实测地质剖面和精细露头测量表明,底流沉积发育于凭祥盆地深水沉积之中,通过对其沉积构造精细剖析和古水流测量,识别出内波、内潮汐沉积和复合流沉积,其中内波、内潮汐沉积以双向交错层理、单向交错层理、透镜状层理为特征,复合流沉积以复合流层理、丘状交错层理和较陡的爬升波纹层理为特征,进一步表明存在浊流和底流的交互作用,为古代地层中的深水底流沉积提供了又一研究实例。     

辽河油田东部凹陷玄武岩测井特征分析

针对辽河油田东部凹陷地区复杂火成岩岩性中玄武岩的测井特征,根据东部凹陷的测井数据及取芯段的薄片识别,共找到4种不同类型的玄武岩地层,分两组进行对比分析。第一组:气孔玄武岩、角砾化玄武岩;第二组:玄武岩、含油水层的玄武岩。利用玄武岩地层对应数据制作测井响应统计表,对比不同类型测井参数的差别制作交会图,得到角砾化玄武岩相对气孔玄武岩有较高的自然电位值,含油水层的玄武岩相对玄武岩有较高自然伽马值及中子值等特征。分析原因为气孔玄武岩及角砾化玄武岩孔隙裂缝发育,密度较低,黏土矿物充填角砾化玄武岩孔隙使自然电位值相对较高;含油水层的玄武岩中大量氢元素使中子值及自然伽马值相对玄武岩有所增加。     

基于小波分析的抚松县降水量变化对矿泉水资源量的响应研究

大气降水是抚松县矿泉水资源的重要补给来源,探究其变化规律及极值概率对泉流量是否能够得到持续补给具有重要意义。为此,首先利用1960~2013年的降水资料和1981~2008年部分泉流量观测数据,对抚松县降水量的年内分配、年际变化和不同年代降水量均值变化进行降水特征分析;之后,运用皮尔逊Ⅲ型模型分析最大年降水量的概率分布;接着,利用1981年7月~2008年11月期间降水量和部分泉的泉流量监测数据,采用连续小波分析法对二者周期进行分析;最后,运用交叉小波变换法对同一时段内降水量和泉流量多时间尺度变化的相关性进行分析。结果表明:1960~2013年的54间,研究区内年降水量呈现周期性变化,变差系数为1.017×10-17,降水稳定,未发生异常变化。降水量和泉流量均存在约11个月的主震荡周期,二者属于同相位(即泉流量对降水量的变化产生即刻反应),降水量作为本区矿泉水补给的重要影响因素,可为矿泉水资源得到有效补给提供保证。     

The effects of yawing motion with different frequencies on the hydrodynamic performance of floating vertical-axis tidal current turbines

Under real sea conditions, the hydrodynamic performance of floating vertical-axis tidal current turbines is affected by waves and currents. The wave circular frequency is a significant factor in determining the frequencies of the wave-induced motion responses of turbines. In this study, the ANSYS-CFX software (manufacturer: ANSYS Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States) is used to analyse the hydrodynamic performance of a vertical-axis turbine for different yawing frequencies and to study how the yawing frequencies affect the main hydrodynamic coefficients of the turbine, including the power coefficient, thrust coefficient, lateral force coefficient, and yawing moment coefficient. The time-varying curves obtained from the CFX software are fitted using the least-squares method; the damping and added mass coefficients are then calculated to analyse the influence of different yawing frequencies. The simulation results demonstrate that when analysing non-yawing turbines rotating under constant inflow, the main hydrodynamic coefficient time-varying curves of yawing turbines exhibit an additional fluctuation. Furthermore, the amplitude is positively correlated with the yawing frequency, and the oscillation amplitudes also increase with increasing yawing frequency; however, the average values of the hydrodynamic coefficients (except the power coefficient) are only weakly influenced by yawing motion. The power coefficient under yawing motion is lower than that under non-yawing motion, which means that yawing motion will cause the annual energy production of a turbine to decrease. The fitting results show that the damping term and the added mass term exert effects of the same level on the loads and moments of vertical-axis turbines under yawing motion. The results of this study can facilitate the study of the motion response of floating vertical-axis tidal current turbine systems in waves.