Characterizing hydrological processes within kettle holes using stable water isotopes in the Uckermark of northern Brandenburg,Germany

Understanding the hydrologic connectivity between kettle holes and shallow groundwater, particularly in reaction to the highly variable local meteorological conditions, is of paramount importance for tracing water in a hydro(geo)logically complex landscape and thus for integrated water resource management. This article is aimed at identifying the dominant hydrological processes affecting the kettle holes' water balance and their interactions with the shallow groundwater domain in the Uckermark region, located in the north-east of Germany. For this reason, based on the stable isotopes of oxygen (δ¹⁸O ) and hydrogen (δ²H ), an isotopic mass balance model was employed to compute the evaporative loss of water from the kettle holes from February to August 2017. Results demonstrated that shallow groundwater inflow may play the pivotal role in the processes taking part in the hydrology of the kettle holes in the Uckermark region. Based on the calculated evaporation/inflow (E/I) ratios, most of the kettle holes (86.7%) were ascertained to have a partially open, flow-through-dominated system. Moreover, we identified an inverse correlation between E/I ratios and the altitudes of the kettle holes. The same holds for electrical conductivity (EC) and the altitudes of the kettle holes. In accordance with the findings obtained from this study, a conceptual model explaining the interaction between the shallow groundwater and the kettle holes of Uckermark was developed. The model exhibited that across the highest altitudes, the recharge kettle holes are dominant, where a lower ratio of E/I and a lower EC was detected. By contrast, the lowest topographical depressions represent the discharge kettle holes, where a higher ratio of E/I and EC could be identified. The kettle holes existing in between were categorized as flow-through kettle holes through which the recharge takes place from one side and discharge from the other side.     

Coherence algorithm with a high-resolution time–time transform and feature matrix for seismic data

Traditional coherence algorithms are often based on the assumption that seismic traces are stationary and Gaussian. However, seismic traces are actually non-stationary and non-Gaussian. A constant time window and the canonical correlation analysis in traditional coherence algorithms are not optimal for non-stationary seismic traces and cannot describe the similarity between adjacent seismic traces in detail. To overcome this problem, a new coherence algorithm using the high-resolution time–time transform and the feature matrix is designed. The high-resolution time–time transform used to replace the constant time window can produce a frequency-dependent time local series to analyse non-stationary seismic traces. The feature matrix, constructed by the frequency-dependent time local series and the related local gradients, defines a new correlation metric that enhances more details of the geological discontinuities in seismic images than does the canonical correlation analysis. Additionally, the Riemannian metric is introduced for related calculations because the feature matrices are not defined in a Euclidean space but rather in a manifold space. Application to field data illustrates that the proposed method reveals more details of structural and stratigraphic features.     

Application of a cascading filter implemented using morphological filtering and time–frequency peak filtering for seismic signal enhancement

Inspired by the idea of the iterative time–frequency peak filtering, which applies time–frequency peak filtering several times to improve the ability of random noise reduction, this article proposes a new cascading filter implemented using mathematic morphological filtering and the time–frequency peak filtering, which we call here morphological time–frequency peak filtering for convenience. This new method will be used mainly for seismic signal enhancement and random noise reduction in which the advantages of the morphological algorithm in processing nonlinear signals and the time–frequency peak filtering in processing nonstationary signals are utilized. Structurally, the scheme of the proposed method adopts mathematic morphological operation to first preprocess the signal and then applies the time–frequency peak filtering method to ultimately extract the valid signal. Through experiments on synthetic seismic signals and field seismic data, this paper demonstrates that the morphological time–frequency peak filtering method is superior to the time–frequency peak filtering method and its iterative form in terms of valid signal enhancement and random noise reduction.     

Laboratory investigations of the role of biofilms on stream-bed surfaces in debris-flow runout

Debris-flow runout is a fascinating process to understand due to its implications for downstream alluvial fans. Based on the propagation-deposition behaviors of the Dongyuege (DYG) debris flow, in Yunnan, the effect of biofilms on channel surfaces on debris-flow runout is investigated in laboratory flumes with two different internal surfaces: surfaces are lined with granite slabs (Model I) and gravel (Model II), respectively. Our results show that biofilms can significantly reduce frictional resistance to flows. They increase flow velocities, slow down the deceleration of the snouts, prolong runout distances, and subsequently extend the areas covered with resulting deposits, thus greatly assisting the propagation of experimental debris flows. Slippery biofilms consisting mainly of diatoms and their extracellular mucus (ECM) reduce the contact friction between the flume-beds and the overlying fluids, and greatly promote the propagation of tested flows. Well-developed biofilms are found on the underwater channel surfaces of the DYG Creek. Acting as lubricating layers, they likely played a key role in the DYG debris-flow runout. Most of the debris transported during the DYG event was deposited on overbanks, and the sediment that caused the disaster was transported to the populated fan region through the stream-bed clad in the thick biofilms. Owing to their impacts on the development and width of the temporary debris dam breach, the stream-bed covered with biofilms became a direct contributor to the debris-flow hazard. Because of the ubiquitous presence of biofilms on mountain stream-bed surfaces, the development of perennial streamflows can be viewed as an indicator of gully susceptibility to debris flows threatening creek fans. The underwater areas of pre-event channel cross-sections should be regarded as slip or low-friction boundaries, and the parts above stream-levels can be viewed as no-slip boundaries. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Morphological and sedimentary features of sandy-muddy transitional beaches in estuaries and bays along mesotidal to macrotidal coasts

Sandy-muddy transitional beaches (SMT-Beaches), representing the transition from sandy beaches to tidal mudflats, should theoretically develop very different morphological and sedimentological characteristics in river estuaries and in semi-enclosed bays due to their contrasting dynamic sedimentary environments. Evidence, however, is rare in the scientific literature. To reveal these morphological and sedimentary differences, the sand–mud transition (SMT) boundary distribution, beach profiles, and surface and downcore sediment grain-size compositions of 27 SMT-Beaches located along mesotidal to macrotidal coasts of the western Taiwan Strait, southeastern China, were investigated. The results show that typical estuarine SMT-Beaches are mainly characterized by an ambiguous SMT, a long distance between the SMT and the coastline (31–302 m), lower SMT and inflection point altitudes (average –0.76 m and –0.04 m), and lower upper beach gradients (~0.068) with fine sand. Estuarine SMT-Beach sediments display clear interbedded mud and sand layers, implying potential SMT migrations over various timescales. By contrast, typical bay SMT-Beaches are characterized by distinct SMT, a short distance between the SMT and the coastline (11–52 m), higher SMT and inflection point altitudes (~0.24 m and ~0.35 m), and narrower upper beaches with higher gradients (~0.095) and coarse sand. Bay SMT-Beaches present relatively stable sedimentary sequences and a narrow gravel belt surrounding the inflection point and/or SMT. These morphological and sedimentary differences between the two SMT-Beach types are initially constrained by sediment supply and transport and are further affected by tide conditions and wave climate. Sediment supply and transport predominately control the sediment structures, while the tidal range strongly influences spatial variations in SMT distances. Wave climate normally drives SMT altitude variations. This study highlights the morphological and sedimentary differences in SMT-Beaches in estuaries and bays, providing important knowledge for further revealing their morphodynamic processes and potential future nourishment. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assessment of calanchi and rill–interrill erosion susceptibilities using terrain analysis and geostochastics: A case study in the Oltrepo Pavese,Northern Apennines,Italy

Soil erosion is one of the most important environmental problems distributed worldwide. In the last decades, numerous studies have been published on the assessment of soil erosion and the related processes and forms using empirical, conceptual and physically based models. For the prediction of the spatial distribution, more and more sophisticated stochastic modelling approaches have been proposed – especially on smaller spatial scales such as river basins. In this work, we apply a maximum entropy model (MaxEnt) to evaluate badlands (calanchi) and rill–interrill (sheet erosion) areas in the Oltrepo Pavese (Northern Apennines, Italy). The aim of the work is to assess the important environmental predictors that influence calanchi and rill–interrill erosion at the regional scale. We used 13 topographic parameters derived from a 12 m digital elevation model (TanDEM-X) and data on the lithology and land use. Additional information about the vegetation is introduced through the normalized difference vegetation index based on remotely sensed data (ASTER images). The results are presented in the form of susceptibility maps showing the spatial distribution of the occurrence probability for calanchi and rill–interrill erosion. For the validation of the MaxEnt model results, a support vector machine approach was applied. The models show reliable results and highlight several locations of the study area that are potentially prone to future soil erosion. Thus, coping and mitigation strategies may be developed to prevent or fight the soil erosion phenomenon under consideration. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

大规模群桩基础水平承载力效应系数计算研究

桩基础在水平荷载或地震作用下的承载力计算一直是工程界的一个研究难点,近年来随着建筑、桥梁桩基础的规模大幅增加,基于小规模、小比例尺群桩基础水平承载力试验得出来的结论和计算方法可能会不适应新的计算要求,相关的认识和计算方法需要重新论证和更新。本文针对大规模群桩基础水平承载力效应系数的计算问题,首先对国内外研究进展进行调研,发现现有的规范计算方法可能会高估群桩基础的水平承载力。针对这些问题,对大规模群桩基础的水平承载力效应系数进行有限元数值计算分析,探讨水平承载力效应系数的规律,给出相应的计算方法,并与规范计算方法结果进行对比。本文的研究结果可为相应的工程设计问题提供依据,结果的适用性需要今后进一步的检验。     

基于桩间土滑动特性的合理桩间距研究

为研究抗滑桩合理桩间距以及荷载传递机制,首先以桩侧摩阻力为拱脚时的破裂面推导出以桩身为拱脚时的破裂角计算公式;然后引入对数螺旋线法确定桩间土体的滑移深度,以土拱效应为基础建立计算模型,求解考虑桩间土体滑移深度的合理桩间距表达式;最后对桩间净距的主要影响因素进行分析,包括滑坡推力、黏聚力、桩截面宽度以及高度。研究结果表明：由桩身和桩侧摩阻力同时作为土拱拱脚更符合实际受力状态,同时求得的土拱拱圈厚度和矢高小于以桩身为拱脚条件下相应值而大于以桩侧摩阻力为拱脚条件下的相应值,并且随桩埋深的增加而增大。     

复杂地震激励下隔震结构地震响应研究进展

隔震技术作为当前最有效的结构减震控制技术之一,在世界各国高烈度地区广泛建造。随着隔震技术的大范围推广,建造工况更为复杂的隔震工程随之不断涌现。系统深入研究复杂地震激励下隔震结构地震响应,是隔震工程长期安全服役的重要保障,也是隔震技术能够不断完善和推广的坚实基础。本文从复杂地震激励涵盖的多维地震、近场和近断层地震、行波效应以及土与结构相互作用四个主要方面入手,依据国内外相关文献开展综述,探讨了复杂地震激励下隔震结构研究存在的问题,并对此进行展望。     

Identification of factors influencing hydrologic model performance using a top-down approach in a large number of U.S. catchments

Investigating the performance that can be achieved with different hydrological models across catchments with varying characteristics is a requirement for identifying an adequate model for any catchment, gauged or ungauged, just based on information about its climate and catchment properties. As parameter uncertainty increases with the number of model parameters, it is important not only to identify a model achieving good results but also to aim at the simplest model still able to provide acceptable results. The main objective of this study is to identify the climate and catchment properties determining the minimal required complexity of a hydrological model. As previous studies indicate that the required model complexity varies with the temporal scale, the study considers the performance at the daily, monthly, and annual timescales. In agreement with previous studies, the results show that catchments located in arid areas tend to be more difficult to model. They therefore require more complex models for achieving an acceptable performance. For determining which other factors influence model performance, an analysis was carried out for four catchment groups (snowy, arid, and eastern and western catchments). The results show that the baseflow and aridity indices are the most consistent predictors of model performance across catchment groups and timescales. Both properties are negatively correlated with model performance. Other relevant predictors are the fraction of snow in the annual precipitation (negative correlation with model performance), soil depth (negative correlation with model performance), and some other soil properties. It was observed that the sign of the correlation between the catchment characteristics and model performance varies between clusters in some cases, stressing the difficulties encountered in large sample analyses. Regarding the impact of the timescale, the study confirmed previous results indicating that more complex models are needed for shorter timescales.