A grain-size record from Beijing region in Northern China: Late Quaternary paleoclimate oscillation in response to global change

Numerous samples taken from one core at the Beijing plain were utilized to characterize the paleoclimatic configuration of the study area and its possible relation to global control since the last interglaciation. We presented here a detailed grain-size record for the full length of Late Pleistocene, along with the optical simulated luminescence (OSL) dating. Our findings revealed that Late Pleistocene of the study area started approximately at 110 ka B.P. represented by the thick sediments of 31 m in Changping depression. Four sedimentary cycles were outlined in the core during Late Pleistocene, corresponding to marine isotope stage (MIS) 5 to 2. Controlled by regional geology and global climatic setting, eight paleoclimatic periods were identified simultaneously in the study area on the time scale of 10⁴ year, with the warm and moist climate being found at 110 — 96, 92 — 76, 67 — 56, and 28 — 18 ka B.P.. The climatic instabilities on a millennial scale in Late Pleistocene were characterized largely by the occurrence of 6 strong Heinrich events shown by comparatively coarse groups. These variations correlate well with those documented in the GRIP Greenland and in the Northern Atlantic Ocean, though more complex features may exist on the long time scale.     

鲁北平原地下水同位素年龄及可更新能力评价

笔者采用大量的地下水环境同位素数据, 利用天然放射性氚和14C的通用测年技术, 分别估算浅、深层地下水的形成年龄, 评价地下水的可更新能力。研究结果表明, 鲁北平原浅层地下水的主要补给来自当地的大气降水和引黄河灌溉水, 循环速度较快, 循环时间20～50 a, 更新能力较强。深层地下水主要起源于古代大气降水, 是在比现在寒冷的气候条件下由大气降水入渗形成, 循环速度较慢, 循环时间8～20 ka, 更新能力较弱。     

Hydrogeochemistry and groundwater salinization in an ephemeral coastal flood plain: Cap Bon,Tunisia

Abstract

The Wadi Al Ayn plain is a coastal system on the eastern coast of Cap Bon in northeastern Tunisia. The area is known for its intensive agriculture, which is based mainly on groundwater exploitation. The aim of this study is to identify the sources of groundwater salinization in the Wadi Al Ayn aquifer system and deduce the processes that drive the mineralization. Surface water and groundwater samples were taken and analysed for major ions and stable isotopes. The geochemical data were used to characterize and classify the water samples based on a variety of ion plots and diagrams. Stable isotopes are useful tools to help us understand recharge processes and to differentiate between salinity origins. The oilfield brines infiltrated from the sandy bed of Wadi Al Ayn comprise the main source of groundwater salinization in the central part of the plain, while seawater intrusion is mainly responsible for the increased salinity in the groundwater of the coastal part of the plain (at Daroufa).

Citation Chekirbane, A., Tsujimura, M., Kawachi, A., Isoda, H., Tarhouni, J., and Benalaya, A., 2013. Hydrogeochemistry and groundwater salinization in an ephemeral coastal flood plain: Cap Bon, Tunisia. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 58 (5), 1097–1110.     

Historical aspects of soil erosion in the Mejerda catchment,Tunisia

Abstract

Agricultural use and related water erosion may lead to significant changes in the sedimentological and hydrological characteristics of watersheds, and therefore negative consequences for rural development. This research aimed to put present-day soil erosion of the important Mejerda catchment into a historical context. The catchment of Wadi Mejerda in northern Tunisia has experienced soil erosion due to weather and human impacts for thousands of years. We used historical texts and results from archaeological research that go back to 1000 BC, as well as data collected during the last century. Soil erosion from different types of agricultural landscape management was analysed together with information on the soils' production potential, the hydrographic network and flood frequency. The results showed that water erosion has increased the hydrographic network by 65 km and increased the deltaic plain by as much as 15 km²/century. However, soil productivity has decreased significantly. Moreover, due to in channel sedimentation and river choking, the number of flooding occurrences has multiplied over the last century. Finally, it is shown that water erosion follows a specific cycle of degradation throughout the watershed. These findings should be considered for better water and soil management in the context of semi-arid areas.

Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz

Citation Jebari, S., Berndtsson, R., Lebdi, F., and Bahri, A., 2012. Historical aspects of soil erosion in the Mejerda catchment. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 57 (5), 901–912.     

Point dilution tests to calculate groundwater velocity: an example in a porous aquifer in northeast Italy

ABSTRACT

The point dilution test is a single-well technique for estimating horizontal flow velocity in the aquifer surrounding a well. The test is conducted by introducing a tracer into a well section and monitoring its decreasing concentration over time. When using a salt tracer, the method is easy and inexpensive. Traditionally, the horizontal Darcy velocity is calculated as a function of the rate of dilution and is based on the simple assumption that the decreasing tracer concentration is proportional both to the apparent velocity into the test section and to the Darcy velocity in the aquifer. In this article, an alternative approach to analyse the results of point dilution tests is proposed and verified using data acquired at a test site in the middle Venetian plain, northeast Italy. In this approach, the one-dimensional equilibrium advection–dispersion equation is inverted using the CXTFIT model to estimate the apparent velocity inside the test section. Analysis of the field data obtained by the two approaches shows good agreement between the methods and suggests that it is possible to use the equilibrium advection–dispersion equation to estimate apparent velocity over a wide range of velocities.

Editor D. Koutsoyiannis; Associate editor K. Heal     

Two-dimensional numerical assessment of the hydrodynamics of the Nile swamps in southern Sudan

Abstract

A two-dimensional (2D) hydrodynamic assessment of the Nile swamps in southern Sudan has been carried out using DHI MIKE 21 software based on a ground referenced and corrected Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation model. The model was set up and calibrated using available historical information as well as newly measured data. The results show the model capable of representing the hydraulic conditions in the swamps, allowing the assessment of different flow conditions and their effects on the swamp. The study has established water-level gradients, flow directions and velocities in the swamp, as well as on the seasonal flood plains, and describes the importance of evapotranspiration for losses in the system.

Citation Petersen, G. & Fohrer, N. (2010) Two-dimensional numerical assessment of the hydrodynamics of the Nile swamps in southern Sudan. Hydrol. Sci. J. 55(1), 17–26.     

安徽淮河流域平原区地下水水温分布特征

介绍了安徽淮河流域平原区第四纪地质与水文地质概况,通过对所采集的1362组地下水水温数据空间分布特征的分析,认为本地区地下水水温西高东低;蒙城、凤台—寿县—长丰一带和界首—亳州、砀山等地是寻找面源型地热资源的有利地区.     

成都平原土壤中Cd的空间分布与第四纪单元响应分析

通过样品采集和室内分析,研究了成都平原区土壤中Cd高含量区的区域分布特征和第四纪分布的空间响应关联。在绵远河、石亭江流域冲积物中存在Cd含量高值区。在同一流域Ⅰ、Ⅱ级阶地→Ⅲ级阶地→Ⅳ级或Ⅴ级阶地冲积物中Cd含量逐渐降低。发育于龙门山的河流(绵远河、石亭江)沉积物Cd含量显著高于其他水系沉积物。Cd高含量分布区与不同级次的阶地相吻合的特征表明其控制因素显著,属于地质作用的产物。这一结论与多数研究者认为的人为因素引起的具有根本区别。     

湖沼相富硒土壤的发现及其生态学意义

通过对浙北平原土壤调查与研究,发现一种新类型富硒土壤,其特征为环太湖周边断续出现。土壤硒全量为(0.084~1.296)×10^-6,平均值为0.399×10^-6,标准离差为0.037,变异系数为0.094;土壤有效硒与有机质关系密切,与土壤pH不相关;在土壤有机质丰富和氧化条件下,稻米、玉米、豆类和叶菜类等农产品富硒效果较好。进一步研究表明,该富硒土壤的形成与湖沼相沉积有关,据此提出湖沼相富硒土壤新类型。     

冀中南平原土壤氟地球化学特征及其控制因素

详细研究了冀中南平原土壤氟的地球化学特征,并探讨其控制因素。冀中南平原整体氟含量较高,且分布不均匀,具有明显分带性,分别出现4个高氟带和4个低氟带。氟在该区的分布明显受自然地理、地质因素和人为因素控制,且以自然地理、地质因素为主。在自然地理、地质因素中地貌起主导作用,而在人为因素中化肥为主导因素。