Modelling peak accelerations from earthquakes

This paper deals with the prediction of peak horizontal accelerations with emphasis on seismic risk and insurance concerns. Non‐linear mixed effects models are used to analyse well‐known earthquake data and the consequences of mis‐specifying assumptions on the error term are quantified. A robust fit of the usual model, using recently developed robust weighted maximum likelihood estimators, is presented. Outlying data are automatically identified and subsequently investigated. A more appropriate model accounting for the extreme value nature of the responses, is also developed and implemented. The implication on acceleration predictions is demonstrated. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A data‐based mechanistic modelling (DBM) approach to understanding dynamic sediment transmission through Wyresdale Park Reservoir,Lancashire, UK

This paper outlines the application of a new data‐based mechanistic (DBM) modelling methodology to the characterization of the sediment transmission dynamics in a small upland reservoir, Wyresdale Park, Lancashire. The DBM modelling strategy exploits advanced statistical procedures to infer the dynamic model structure and its associated parameters directly from the instrumented data, producing a parametrically efficient, continuous time, transfer function model which relates suspended sediment load at the reservoir inflow to the outflow at the event scale. The associated differential equation model parameters have physical attributes which can be interpreted in terms of sediment transmission processes and associated reservoir trap efficiency. Sedigraph analysis suggests that wind‐induced resuspension episodically supplies an additional load to the reservoir outlet. The stochastic nature of the DBM model makes it ideal for evaluating the effects of uncertainty through Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) for discharge and sediment transmission. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

黄土高原中东部沙尘与非沙尘天气花粉组成及来源范围

通过黄土高原两个不同地区(浑源、洛川)沙尘与非沙尘天气花粉组合的对比来探讨主要花粉类型最大传播距离。结果表明：沙尘天气花粉汇集量明显高于非沙尘天气,特别是蒿属和藜科花粉,沙尘天气平均是非沙尘天气的3倍以上。随风速增大,花粉可能的最大源区范围明显增大。风速低于3.3 m/s时,蒿属和藜科花粉多来自100 km范围内,其他类型花粉来源范围不超过20 km;风速大于5.9 m/s时,蒿属和藜科花粉源区范围增至300 km以上;其他类型花粉不超过100 km。风速达到12.5 m/s时,蒿属及藜科最大花粉源区范围可达1000 km,其他类型花粉不超过300 km。浑源地区不论平均风速还是最大风速均明显高于洛川地区,因此,主要花粉类型可能的最大源区范围达200 km,大于洛川地区(低于100 km)。     

Estimation of Scalar Source/Sink Distributions in Plant Canopies Using Lagrangian Dispersion Analysis: Corrections for Atmospheric Stability and Comparison with a Multilayer Canopy Model

Source/sink distributions of heat, water vapour andCO₂ within a rice canopy were inferred using aninverse Lagrangian dispersion analysis and measuredmean profiles of temperature, specific humidity andCO₂ mixing ratio. Monin–Obukhov similarity theorywas used to account for the effects of atmosphericstability on _w(z), the standard deviation ofvertical velocity and _L(z), the Lagrangian timescale of the turbulence. Classical surface layer scaling was applied in the inertial sublayer (z > z_ruf)using the similarity parameter = (z - d)/L, where z is height above ground, d is the zero plane displacementheight for momentum, L is the Obukhov length,and z_ruf 2.3h_c, where h_c iscanopy height. A single length scale h_c, was usedfor the stability parameter 3 = h_c/L in the height range 0.25 < z/h_c < 2.5. This choice is justified by mixing layer theory, which shows that within the roughness sublayer there is one dominant turbulence length scaledetermined by the degree of inflection in the windprofile at the canopy top. In the absence of theoretical or experimental evidence for guidance,standard Monin–Obukhov similarity functions, with = h_c/L, were used to calculate the stabilitydependence of _w(z) and _L(z) in the roughness sublayer. For z/h_c < 0.25 the turbulence length and time scales are influenced by the presence of the lowersurface, and stability effects are minimal. With theseassumptions there was excellent agreement between eddycovariance flux measurements and deductions from theinverse Lagrangian analysis. Stability correctionswere particularly necessary for night time fluxes whenthe atmosphere was stably stratified.The inverse Lagrangian analysis provides a useful toolfor testing and refining multilayer canopy models usedto predict radiation absorption, energy partitioningand CO₂ exchanges within the canopy and at thesoil surface. Comparison of model predictions withsource strengths deduced from the inverse analysisgave good results. Observed discrepancies may be dueto incorrect specification of the turbulent timescales and vertical velocity fluctuations close to theground. Further investigation of turbulencecharacteristics within plant canopies is required toresolve these issues.     

δ~(18)O, δD and d-excess signatures of ground ice in permafrost in the Beiluhe Basin on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China

In this paper, stable isotope(δ~(18)O, δD) investigations were completed in ground ice from a deep borehole in the Beiluhe Basin on northern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to unravel the isotopic variations of ground ice and their possible source water. The δ~(18)O and δD of ground ice show distinctive characteristics compared with precipitation and surface water. The near-surface ground ice is highly enriched in heavier isotopes(δ~(18)O and δD), which were gradually depleted from top to bottom along the profile. It is suggestive of different origin and ice formation process. According to isotopic variations, the ice profile was divided into three sections: the near-surface ground ice at 2.5 m is frozen by the active-layer water which suffered evaporation. It is possible that ground ice between 3 and 4.2 m is recharged by the infiltration of snowmelt. From 5 to 6 m, the ground ice show complex origin and formation processes. Isotopic variations from 6 to 11.1 m and 20.55 m indicate different replenishment water. The calculated slope of freezing line(S=6.4) is larger than the experimental value(5.76), and is suggestive of complex origin and formation process of ground ice.     

Baseline determination,pollution source and ecological risk of heavy metals in surface sediments of the Amu Darya Basin,Central Asia

Central Asia(CA) is one of the most fragile regions worldwide owing to arid climate and accumulated human activities, and is a global hotspot due to gradually deteriorating ecological environment. The Amu Darya Basin(ADB), as the most economically and demographically important region in CA, is of particular concern. To determine the concentration,source and pollution status of heavy metals(HMs) in surface sediments of the ADB, 154samples were collected and analyzed for metals across the basin. C...     

Characteristics of high arsenic groundwater in Hetao Basin, Inner Mongolia, northern China

It is well known that the Hetao Basin is one of the most seriously arsenic-affected groundwater areas in China. In order to understand the characteristics of high arsenic(As) groundwater in the Basin, a brief overview of arsenic in groundwater follows. High arsenic in the Basin commonly occurs in shallow groundwater and the total arsenic concentrations range from 0.58 to 572 μg/L(average 99.73 μg/L), exceeding the maximum mandated value of 10 μg/L for drinking water in China; As(Ш) is the predominant species. The regional distribution pattern of arsenic in the groundwater increases from south/southeast to north/northwest. Hangjinhouqi and Wuyuan counties are considered as the most seriously affected areas, with high incidences of endemic arsenicosic diseases in the Hetao Basin. High groundwater arsenic correlates with the increase of well depth. Previous studies proposed that groundwater arsenic in the Basin is mainly originated from desorption of some natural solid materials in the sediments, under reducing condition. Generally, reducing condition is believed to be the primary factor for arsenic releasing from the sediment to groundwater in the region. Under inorganic or bacterial processes, Fe2O3 changes to Fe S and arsenic adsorbed to Fe(OH)3 dissolves into groundwater, and As(V) is reduced to As(Ш). Besides, reducing environments, groundwater hydraulic gradients, organic matter, p H, evapotranspiration, and soil texture are presumed to be the predominant factors that control arsenic mobilization.     

灌溉对甘肃中部黄土台塬区地面塌陷及生态环境影响研究

甘肃中部黄土台塬地面塌陷实质上是由水利灌溉引起的新的生态环境问题。文章在深入调查、勘测和试验研究的基础上，综合分析了地面塌陷变形的成因机制，认为黄土台塬地面塌陷变形除了黄土母质理化性质和人类活动等因素外，主要是不合理灌溉引起的。过量大水漫灌使大量渗入的水体将土壤中起固结作用的盐分和粘粒矿物淋溶殆尽，使原始结构破坏，进而崩解、湿陷。随下渗水量的增加，犁底层及以下隔水层孔洞进一步发展为洞穴和陷缝，大面积塌陷变形随之出现，同时也成为台塬滑坡的诱导因素。研究为黄土台塬灌区突出的水利环境问题治理和生态重建方案提供了基础依据。