Radiation patterns of point sources situated close to structural interfaces and to the earth's surface

The seismic wave field is considerably influenced by local structures close to the source and to the receiver. This applies to sources and receivers situated close to localized inhomogeneities, to structural interfaces, to the earth's surface, etc. In this paper we concentrate our attention mainly to the ray-theoretical radiation patterns of point sources situated close to the structural interfaces and to the earth's surface. In numerical modeling of high-frequency seismic wave fields by the ray method, the interaction of the source with the earth's surface has not usually been taken into account.The proposed procedure of the computation of the radiation patterns of point sources situated directly on structural interfaces and on the earth's surface is based on the zero-order approximation of the ray method, assuming that the length of the ray between the source and the receiver is long. The derived equations are extended to point sources located close to structural interface, to the earth's surface and to thin transition layers using the hybrid ray-reflectivity method, seeervený (1989). The thin layer need not be homogeneous; it may include an arbitrary inner layering (transition layers, laminas, etc.) The only requirement is for the layer to be thin. Roughly speaking, we require its thickness to be less than one quarter of the prevailing wavelength. The hybrid ray-reflectivity method describes well even certain non-ray effects (tunneling.S ^* waves, etc.). Explicit analytical expressions for radiation patterns for all above listed point sources are found. These expression have a local character and may be easily implemented into computer codes designed for the routine computation of ray amplitudes and synthetic ray seismograms in 2-D and 3-D, laterally varying isotropic layered and block structures by the ray method.Numerical examples of radiation patterns ofP andS waves of point sources situated close to the earth's surface and to a thin low-velocity surface layer are presented and discussed. The explosive point source (center of dilatation) and the vertical and horizontal single force point sources are considered. It has been ascertained that the radiation patterns of point sources depend drastically on the depth of the source below the surface even if the depths vary within one quarter of the prevailing wavelength.     

Soft gamma-ray bursts from the superluminal source GRS 1915+105?

The power required to eject relativistic plasma clouds in the hard X-ray transient GRS 1915+105 is at least 100 times the luminosity of the soft-ray bursts (SGRs) that were observed by BATSE from the same region of the sky in the year 1992. We show that there are spatial, time, and spectral coincidences between GRS 1915+105 and the SGRs observed by BATSE which suggest that they are one and the same source. However, the position of the SGRs is rather uncertain and until better positions are obtained, the question on the association of GRS 1915+105 with the SGRs must remain open.     

Mechanism of Hg(II) immobilization in sediments by sulfate-cement amendment

Reactive amendments such as Portland and super-sulfate cements offer a promising technology for immobilizing metalloid contaminants such as mercury (Hg) in soils and sediments through sequestration in less bioavailable solid forms. Tidal marsh sediments were reacted with dissolved Hg(II) in synthetic seawater and fresh water solutions, treated with Portland cement and FeSO₄ amendment, and aged for up to 90 days. Reacted solids were analyzed with bulk sequential extraction methods and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy, and synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Hg L_III- and S K-edge. In amended sediments, XRD, SEM and sulfur K-edge XANES indicated formation of gypsum in seawater experiments or ettringite-type (Ca₆Al₂(SO₄)₃(OH)₁₂^.26H₂O) phases in fresh water experiments, depending on the final solution pH (seawater ∼8.5; freshwater ∼10.5). Analysis of Hg EXAFS spectra showed Cl and Hg ligands in the first- and second-coordination shells at distances characteristic of a polynuclear chloromercury(II) salt, perhaps as a nanoparticulate phase, in both seawater and fresh water experiments. In addition to the chloromercury species, a smaller fraction (∼20–25%) of Hg was bonded to O atoms in fresh water sample spectra, suggesting the presence of a minor sorbed Hg fraction. In the absence of amendment treatment, Hg sorption and resistance to extraction can be accounted for by relatively strong binding by reduced S species present in the marsh sediment detected by S XANES. Thermodynamic calculations predict stable aqueous Hg–Cl species at seawater final pH, but higher final pH in fresh water favors aqueous Hg-hydroxide species. The difference in Hg coordination between aqueous and solid phases suggests that the initial Hg–Cl coordination was stabilized in the cement hydration products and did not re-equilibrate with the bulk solution with aging. Collectively, results suggest physical encapsulation of Hg as a polynuclear chloromercury(II) salt as the primary immobilization mechanism.     

Inflorescences of Mauldinia sp. (Lauraceae) and associated fruits from the Cenomanian of Languedoc Roussillon,France

Inflorescences of Mauldinia (Lauraceae) are described from the middle Cenomanian Pauletian facies of Gard, Languedoc-Roussillon, south-eastern France. This is the first record of the genus from this part of Europe. Mauldinia sp. is described based on peduncles and lateral units. Isolated, slender peduncles show spirally arranged scars or rarely attached lateral units. Isolated lateral units consist of cladode-like structures showing up to seven flower/fruit scars. Some isolated fruits were found associated with peduncles and lateral units. Fruits are ovoid fruits contain a single, elongated seed. The pericarp consists of epicarp, mesocarp and endocarp. The seed consists of two cotyledons containing well-developed reserve cells. Mauldinia sp. from Gard differs from known Mauldinia species by having longer internodes along the peduncle and by the shape of the lateral units. Sedimentological and palaeontological evidence suggests that Mauldinia sp. from Gard grew in a protected, littoral environment with limited marine influence. This report provides new information to the relatively poorly known Cretaceous record of angiosperms in France. The occurrence of Mauldinia in the lower Upper Cretaceous of Gard corroborates the widespread occurrence of the genus in marginal littoral environments during the mid-Cretaceous.     

Immobilization of Cu and As in two contaminated soils with zero-valent iron – Long-term performance and mechanisms

Immobilization of trace elements in contaminated soils by zero-valent iron (ZVI) is a promising remediation method, but questions about its long-term performance remain unanswered. To quantify immobilization and predict possible contaminant remobilization on long timescales detailed knowledge about immobilization mechanisms is needed. This study aimed at assessing the long-term effect of ZVI amendments on dissolved copper and arsenic in contaminated soils, at exploring the immobilization mechanism(s), and at setting up a geochemical model able to estimate dissolved copper and arsenic under different scenarios. Samples from untreated and ZVI-treated plots in two field experiments where ZVI had been added 6 and 15 years ago were investigated by a combination of batch experiments, geochemical modeling and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. Dissolved copper and arsenic concentrations were described by a multisurface geochemical model with surface complexation reactions, verified by EXAFS. The ZVI remained “reactive” after 6–15 years, i.e. the dissolved concentrations of copper and arsenic were lower in the ZVI-treated than in the untreated soils. There was a shift in copper speciation from organic matter complexes in the untreated soil to surface complexes with iron (hydr)oxides in the ZVI-treated soil. The pH value was important for copper immobilization and ZVI did not have a stabilizing effect if pH was lower than about 6. Immobilization of arsenic was slightly pH-dependent and sensitive to the competition with phosphate. If phosphate was ignored in the modeling, the dissolution of arsenate was greatly underestimated.     

Identifying calcium-containing mineral species in the JEB Tailings Management Facility at McClean Lake,Saskatchewan

The JEB Tailings Management Facility (TMF) is central to reducing the environmental impact of the McClean Lake uranium mill facility that is operated by AREVA Resources Canada. This facility has been designed around the idea that elements of concern (e.g., U, As, Ni, Se, Mo) will be controlled through equilibrium with precipitants. Confirming the presence of calcium-containing carbonates in the JEB TMF is the first step in determining if gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O) controls the concentration of HCO₃⁻ (aq), limiting the formation of soluble uranyl bicarbonate complexes. A combination of X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES), and microprobe X-ray fluorescence (XRF) mapping was used to analyze a series of tailings samples from the JEB TMF. Calcium carbonate in the form of calcite (CaCO₃), aragonite (CaCO₃), and dolomite (CaMg(CO₃)₂) were identified by analysing Ca K-edge μ-XANES spectra coupled with microprobe XRF mapping. This is the first observation of these phases in the JEB TMF. The combination of μ-XANES and XRF mapping provided a greater sensitivity to low concentration calcium species compared to the other techniques used, which were only sensitive to the major species present (e.g., gypsum).     

纳米比亚欢乐谷地区白岗岩型铀矿成矿物质来源分析

本文对纳米比亚欢乐谷地区与铀成矿关系密切的白岗岩进行了系统的主量元素、微量元素及Sr-Nd同位素研究。结果表明,矿化白岗岩具有较高的SiO_2(68.81%~76.02%,平均值73.11%),富钾,A/CNK为0.96~1.07,平均值1.01,为亚碱性系列的准铝质-弱过铝质岩石。岩石富集轻稀土[LREE/HREE=2.53~7.71;(La/Yb)_N=2.14~10.40],Eu亏损中等,高Rb/Sr比值(2.03~5.50,平均值4.36),岩石同时富集Rb、Th、U、K及Pb等大离子亲石元素,亏损Ba、Nb、Ta及Sr等元素。岩石的初始~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr比值为0.73035~0.79345,ε_(Nd)(t)值为-13.5~-17.4,晶质铀矿的ε_(Nd)(t)值为-14.8~-16.5,两阶段Nd模式年龄为2.43~2.56Ga。元素和Sr-Nd同位素地球化学特征表明矿化白岗岩是在碰撞后的伸展构造环境中形成的,主成矿期的成矿物质来源于富铀的前达马拉基底;热液叠加改造期的铀可能来源于原生铀矿物本身。     

渤海表层沉积物中有机碳的分布和来源

大河影响下的陆架边缘海沉积有机碳的分布和来源是全球碳循环研究的重要内容。本研究于2012年5月采集了渤海海域的29个表层沉积物样品,分析了粒度组成、总有机碳(TOC)、总氮(TN)、木质素含量和稳定碳同位素丰度(δ13C)等参数,结合基于蒙特卡洛模拟的三端元混合模型,定量研究了沉积物中有机碳的分布和来源情况,并讨论了其影响因素。结果表明,研究区域表层沉积物中TOC含量为0.19%~0.81%,渤海中部泥质区站位(大于0.65%)明显高于其周围砂质区域站位(小于0.40%);TOC与黏土含量也有显著的正相关性,说明细颗粒沉积物容易富集有机碳。沉积有机碳的δ13C范围为-23.7‰~-21.8‰,显示沉积有机碳是海源和陆源有机碳的混合输入。木质素参数,如C/V、S/V和LPVI的数值范围显示研究区域表层沉积物中木质素主要来源于被子植物草本组织与木本组织的混合,同时有少量裸子植物的贡献。基于蒙特卡洛模拟的三端元混合模型显示研究区域沉积物中有机碳主要来源于海洋浮游植物,平均为64%,陆源有机碳中来自土壤的贡献最高(平均为27%),C₃维管植物的贡献较少(平均为9%)。海洋浮游植物有机碳主要分布在渤海中部泥质区及离岸较远的区域,而土壤有机碳和C₃维管植物有机碳则主要沉积在河口附近及近岸区,并可以离岸输运到较远的地方。     

长螺旋钻机在粘性坚硬地层中的应用探讨

以许昌市三国大剧院桩基工程为例,从普通长螺旋钻机、液压动力头钻机、利用变频技术的高自重大扭矩动力头钻机在坚硬地层钻进中遇到的问题和应对措施等几方面,论述了各款型长螺旋钻机对地层的适应性,为以后类似工程施工选择施工机械提供参考。     

强渗漏与坚硬岩层组合条件下旋挖钻机施工工法研究

通过对强渗漏与坚硬岩层组合条件下桩基工程旋挖钻机施工技术的探索,总结出高压旋喷防渗漏与旋挖钻机牙轮筒钻和截齿取心筒钻交叉钻进入岩联合成孔施工工法,并在工程中成功应用。在处理大直径入坚硬岩层钻孔灌注桩方面效果明显,技术先进,有明显的社会效益和经济效益。