The status of geological dredging techniques

Scientific sea-floor dredging is currently used in marine geology primarily by the hard-rock community interested in the recovery of basement rock samples from the unsedimented deep ocean floor. The technique has generally been eclipsed by ocean drilling for recovery of sedimentary rocks, because of perceived uncertainties in the location of sampling and in the representativeness of recovered material. This contribution reviews dredging equipment currently in use by marine geological institutions and refers to pinger attachments that allow precise information on the behaviour of the dredge to be telemetered back to the ship. We argue that improvements in ship navigation and transponder navigation at the seafloor, when used in conjunction with surface and/or deeply towed sidescan and swathemapping surveys, now allow for considerably less uncertainty on the location of dredge sampling. Refined sorting criteria for dredge hauls are now also available. Recent comparisons of regional sample recovery by ocean drilling and by dredge sampling indicate that the dredge hauls can usefully supplement the drilling data in the construction of sedimentary and tectonic histories of seafloor areas.     

Structural modeling and testing of a concrete canoe

A finite element model is set up and experimental tests are performed to help understand the behavior of a concrete canoe and subsequently optimize its design. First, the performance criteria that must be satisfied to participate at the annual ASCE/Master Builders competition are described. Then, the finite element model and the different loading cases that were studied are presented. Results from these loading cases are discussed and used to optimize the material properties as well as the thickness of the hull and the dimensions of the gunwale and reinforcing ribs. Static and dynamic experimental tests were also conducted to validate the results of the finite element analyses. The results indicate that the main stresses and strains are caused by the static load cases. The additional stresses caused during races are small.     

An evaluation of systems for the integrated assessment of capture fisheries

Integrated fishery assessments are intended to take an integrated and wholistic view of fisheries management, to provide comprehensive systems-based evaluations of the sustainability of individual fisheries and their products. Using guidance derived from decision theory and management science, we develop 18 criteria to evaluate the likely effectiveness of nine integrated fishery assessment systems. The assessment systems do not consistently consider four key criteria: the socio-economic impacts of fisheries, the provision of food security, the local relevance of the assessment to the fishery under assessment, and the independent peer review of assessment outcomes. Other important areas of weakness include the lack of appropriate consultation processes relating to both the design of the assessment system and the outcomes of fishery assessments, and limitations in the quality of data and information used in assessments. Improvements will be needed in these areas across all the systems we evaluated if fishers, consumers, managers and other stakeholders are to be provided with consistently reliable assessment outcomes, and an assurance of the sustainability of capture fisheries.     

Examination of empirical formulas for wave shoaling and breaking on steep slopes

Estimation of the wave height transformation of shoaling and breaking is essential for the nearshore hydrodynamics and the design of coastal structures. Many empirical formulas have been well recognized to the wave height transformation, but most of them were only applicable for gentle slopes. This paper reports the experimental results of wave shoaling and breaking over the steep slopes to examine the applicability of the previous empirical formulas. Two steep bottom slopes of 1/3 and 1/5, and one gentle slope of 1/10 were conducted in the present experiments. Experimental results show that the shoaling distance of steep slopes become short and the surface waves may be partially reflected from the steep bottom, thus the estimation of wave shoaling using the well-known previous formula did not conform completely to the experimental results. The previous empirical formulas for the wave breaking criteria were also examined, and the modified equations to the steep beaches were proposed in this work. A numerical model was finally adopted to calculate the wave height transformation in the surf zone by introducing the modified breaking index.     

火山热液型铅锌矿床岩石地球化学特征及预测指标

火山热液型铅锌矿床赋矿围岩、后期脉岩和蚀变岩石中成矿元素铅锌银含量高,矿体元素组合复杂,原生异常发育,并存在着原生分带现象。矿体前缘元素为I、Hg、As、Sb、B、Ba;近矿指示元素是Pb、Zn、Ag、Au、Cd、Mn、Cu;尾部或矿下指示元素为Cu、Mo、W、Sn。根据矿床指示元素的分布规律和原生晕的分带性,研制了判别矿床剥蚀程度和评价异常的地球化学指标,建立了该类矿床的地球化学找矿预测标志。     

商城县汤家坪钼矿地球化学特征及找矿远景

矿区地质、地球化学特征研究入手,总结了综合找矿标志,指出了进一步找矿方向。研究表明该矿床成矿组分单一,异常元素组合主要为Mo、Bi、Ag,次为W、Sn、Zn、Cu、Pb,仅有钼能形成较大规模的异常;矿床元素水平分带序列为(Mo-Bi-Ag)-(W-Sn)-(Pb-Zn-Cu),垂向分带序列为(Mo-Ag-Pb-Zn)-Cu-(Bi-W-Sn),并以w(Mo)/[w(Bi)×100]≥65,[w(Pb)×w(Zn)/w(W)×w(Sn)]≥25为判别标志,来预测深部盲矿体的存在。     

我国西部特殊景观区化探方法研究进展

西部特殊景观区的化探方法研究一直是中国化探界的一个研究热点和难点.在岩石出露、水系发育地区可以沿用传统的水系沉积物化探方法,但在覆盖景观区,常规化探方法效果并不理想.目前,谢学锦和王学求所提出的深穿透地球化学方法,经过一系列的实验研究,证明其能在覆盖区达到快速有效地圈定战略靶区的作用,具有广泛的应用前景.要做好西部特殊景观区的化探工作,化探科研人员必需采取新方法、新思路,继续系统地开展化探方法技术研究,通过不懈的努力最终找到一套适合中国西部特殊景观区特别是覆盖区的行之有效的化探方法.     

安徽池州铜山铜矿深部找矿实践与启示

铜山铜矿资源储量日益枯竭。危机矿山接替资源勘查中,采用地质、物探综合手段圈定异常区,经深部钻探验证,取得突破。     

主砂体及其构造改造样式的盆地产铀远景评价判据

本文在介绍并分析美国和前苏联总结的砂岩型铀矿区域评价判据的基础上, 引入当今碎屑岩沉积学和盆地地球动力学方面的若干新进展, 提出以主砂体及其随后经历的构造改造样式相结合的盆地产铀远景评价判据和以分析区域构造活动史和原型盆地演化相结合的盆地产铀远景评价模式。最后以潮水盆地为例, 具体分析了盆地各个时代盖层容存后生铀矿化的可能性, 指出盆地中的主要找矿目标层位和远景成矿地段。     

西藏俄卡地银多金属异常区地球化学

异常形态、分布严格受推覆断裂控制,范围大、浓集中心明显,浓度变化及因子载荷表明。区内找Ag、Pb有利,而Sb又为其最佳指示元素。