Spatial variation of the intertidal sediments and macrozoo-benthic assemblages along Eighty-mile Beach, North-western Australia

The extensive intertidal flats along Eighty-mile Beach in North-western Australia appear to be monotonous and homogeneous and seem ideally suited to study tidal zonation in macrozoo-benthic communities and their possible correlates with characteristics of the sediment. In October 1999, we sampled benthic invertebrates and sediments at a total of 895 sampling stations distributed over six different locations, each location separated by 15 km of unsampled foreshore along Eighty-mile Beach. To test for the presence or absence of patterns of tidal zonation (distinct height-related zones of specific sediment grain sizes or zoobenthic taxonomic groups) or patchiness (distinct patches of specific sediment grain sizes or zoobenthic taxonomic groups not related to tidal height) each location was divided into three along-shore sections and each section (transect) was examined at two or three tidal heights. Zonation was observed for sediment grain sizes. Sediments were coarser at the highest intertidal level and finer towards the low water line. Benthic assemblages also differed among tidal heights, but in terms of species-composition the differences were not consistent among the locations. Each location supported a unique collection of benthic invertebrates. Therefore the hypothesis of the presence of distinct zones of specific species or zoobenthic taxonomic groups was rejected; the presence of benthic patches was confirmed. The distribution of sediments and the composition of benthic assemblages were surprisingly poorly correlated compared to those reported in 12 previous quantitative studies around the world. One possible explanation might be that super-cyclone Vance, which hit the study-area only six months before this study, contributed to this poor correlation. Alternatively, the poor correlation may indicate that biotic interactions are more important than the assumed abiotic structuring.     

潜源划分进展及我国海域和邻近海域区划潜源划分问题研究

对于陆域地区,我国已进行5次全国范围大面积地震区划研究工作,获得了丰富研究成果.但对于海域地区地震区划的研究较薄弱,较少涉及海域潜源划分模型.随着经济发展,涉及海域地区的经济活动日益频繁,对海域地区潜源划分研究及进一步地震区划研究工作的需求越来越强烈.为此,详细介绍代表性国家在潜源划分方面采取的原则和方法,总结我国海域...     

Nonmarine Cretaceous palynology of northern Kordofan,Sudan, with notes on fossil Salviniales (water ferns)

A palynological investigation of 164 samples from 18 water wells in northern Kordofan, Sudan, enabled the recognition of five informal zones based on pollen and spore assemblages ranging in age from Albian to Maastrichtian. The youngest (late Campanian-Maastrichtian) assemblages are restricted to the Bagbag Basin, whereas Albian-Cenomanian (to Turonian) sediments are widespread to the east and west of the Bagbag area. Impressions of Salvinia floating leaves from outcrops of the upper Hamrat el Wuz Formation, western part of the study area, are among the oldest occurrences of this water fern and indicate a Campanian-Maastrichtian age for these sediments.The vertical distribution of hygrophilous (pteridophytic spores) versus xerophilous (ephedroids and possibly small, weakly sculptured tricolporates) elements in the palynofloras suggests widespread moist or even aquatic habitats in the Albian-Cenomanian and Campanian-Maastrichtian. A shift towards drier conditions occurred in the late Cenomanian-Turonian. Throughout the Cretaceous, however, there may have been extensive arid/semiarid areas of non-deposition and seasonally dry periods. Some characteristics of the local palynofloras are attributed to its inner continental position. Rare Albian-Cenomanian and Campanian-Maastrichtian dinoflagellates could be interpreted as lacustrine phytoplankton rather than as evidence for marine influence.     

GIS-based hazard mapping and zonation of debris flows in Xiaojiang Basin,southwestern China

Debris flow sites were identified at 140 locations in the Xiaojiang Basin in Yunnan province, southwestern China. Their spatial distribution and catchment characteristics are described in detail on the basis of previous research, air photo interpretation, field investigation and mapping using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Using a statistical approach, a quantitative model of hazards assessment and zonation was developed through synthesis analysis of basin areas, gradients, and the relative reliefs of these debris flow sites. In terms of debris flow hazard assessment, areas within the Xiaojiang Basin can be classified as severe, heavy and light hazard regions.     

Dinoflagellate cyst biostratigraphy of the Upper Albian to Lower Maastrichtian in the southwestern Barents Sea

The present study of five wells from Upper Albian to Lower Maastrichtian succession in the southwestern Barents Sea yields the first dinoflagellate cyst-based palynological event biostratigraphy for the area. The research focuses on the Upper Cretaceous Kveite and Kviting formations due to the lack of formal palynological documentation, and enables the formation of a biozonation of greater resolution than currently achievable by micropalaeontology. Four new interval zones and one abundance subzone are described, from base upward: Palaeohystrichophora infusorioides and Palaeohystrichophora palaeoinfusa Interval Zone (intra Early Cenomanian–intra Late Cenomanian), Dinopterygium alatum Interval Zone (?intra Early Coniacian–Late Santonian), Palaeoglenodinium cretaceum Interval Zone (Early Campanian), and the Chatangiella bondarenkoi Interval Zone (Late Campanian) encompassing the Heterosphaeridium bellii Abundance Subzone (intra-Late Campanian). The zones are well correlated to existing palynological zonations from the Norwegian–Greenland Sea, where the previously described Subtilisphaera kalaalliti Interval Zone (intra Late Albian–?intra Early Cenomanian), Heterosphaeridium difficile Interval Zone (Middle Turonian to ?intra Early Coniacian) and Cerodinium diebelii Interval Zone (Early Maastrichtian) are recognised. These data also reveal the presence of three significant unconformities of Late Cenomanian–Early Turonian, Middle Campanian and Late Maastrichtian–Paleocene age.     

江西九瑞矿集区南港成矿远景区煌斑岩中辉石矿物成分特征与岩浆演化过程

九瑞矿集区隶属于长江中下游铜-铁-金成矿带,该矿集区内主要发育有武山、城门山、洋鸡山、丁家山等大中型铜金多金属矿床。区内的南港成矿远景预测区位于横立山-黄桥向斜的南翼,地质条件与该向斜北翼的武山铜矿基本一致。本文以南港地区发现的煌斑岩为研究对象,对其中的辉石进行了详细的岩相学和电子探针成分分析工作,来探讨煌斑岩的演化过程及岩石成因。测试结果显示,南港煌斑岩中的辉石,具有高Ca、高Mg,低Ti,贫Al、贫Fe的特点。斑晶中的辉石属于透辉石和普通辉石,基质中的辉石则属于普通辉石。辉石斑晶的viAl和Na2O含量很低,指示其形成压力较小。由早到晚从斑晶到基质,辉石向着富铁富钙的方向演化。辉石发育有反环带及韵律环带,显示在岩浆房中可能受到过岩浆混合作用的影响。辉石的矿物化学特征指示南港煌斑岩属碱性岩石系列。     

秦皇岛市青龙县城工程场地动力特征及分区评价

工程场地动力分区评价（即地震影响小区划），是在工程场地地震危险性分析的基础上，根据场地岩土动力特征及地形地貌、地质构造条件等对地震动影响的反应程度，从而对不同类型场地的地震效应作出评价．其成果可做为建筑抗震设计、工程加固、震害预测与对策的制定及土地合理利用和总体规划布局的依据．本文以秦皇岛市青龙县城工程场地为例，进行了工程场地动力特征研究与分区评价及震害预测（即工程场地地震影响小区划）。     

新疆精河莱历斯高尔铜钼矿床原生地球化学异常

矿区处于博罗霍洛山主脊,属斑岩型铜钼矿床。斑岩体本身为矿体,钼矿在岩体内,铜矿在外接触带。通过矿区北部勘查地球化学工作表明,Mo、Cu、Pb、Ag、As原生地球化学异常规模大、连续性好,形态规则,梯度大。As、Sb、Ag具前缘特征。除Mo、Cu外,Pb、Ag具主成矿元素特征。原生异常纵向分带具轴向分带特征,分带序列有一定的典型意义。从地质、地球化学异常特征、小岩体地球化学特征以及金属预测资源初步计算认为该矿床很有远景。     

Selection of spectrum- and seismo-compatible accelerograms for the Tuscany region in Central Italy

This article illustrates the results of a study aimed at developing a methodology for the automatic identification of the seismic input at outcropping rock sites and flat topographic conditions necessary to carry out non-linear dynamic analysis of structures and geotechnical systems. The seismic input is provided in terms of a set of 7 natural accelerograms recorded on outcropping rock and satisfying the average spectral compatibility requirements prescribed by the Italian seismic code (NTC08).The study focuses on the territory encompassing Tuscany region in Central Italy and it has been carried out for six return periods, which are 50, 75, 101, 475, 712 and 949 years. The procedure involved four main steps: (1) grouping of the response spectra with similar features; (2) definition of the reference response spectrum for each group; (3) selection of spectrum-compatible accelerograms using the reference response spectrum of each group; and (4) linear scaling of the accelerograms to satisfy the compatibility requirement with respect to other response spectra of the group. The last step is implemented through an interactive, user-friendly program named SCALCONA 2.0, which provides the seismic input in agreement with the site location and return period specified by the user. The program is freely available at the following web site: http://www.rete.toscana.it/sett/pta/sismica/01informazione/banchedati/input_sismici/progettazione/index.htm.     

An indication of the soil topmost layer response in Quito (Ecuador) using noise H/V spectral ratio

H/V noise spectral ratio (HVSR), standard spectral ratio (SSR), and receiver functions (RF) techniques have been used in the Quito (Ecuador) urban area to estimate the frequency dependence of soil response. Two amplified frequencies obtained by the HVSR method appear on about 60 sites. Taking into account the most amplified frequency rather than considering only the first amplified frequency, generally associated with the fundamental frequency, we find that iso-frequency curves tightly fit the surface geology. The second amplified frequency is interpreted as the fundamental frequency of the soft thin topmost layer, which in some cases amplifies the surface ground motion more than the rest of the soil column. This hypothesis is further supported by the results provided from the SSR and RF studies at a station located on top of a solid waste landfill, and by a study of known thickness of a waste landfill, using the HVSR method.