真三轴压机刚度对岩石破裂声发射的影响及与地震活动性的联系.

本文叙述了岩石特征刚度与压机刚度比R对岩石破裂及声发射的影响.结果表明:当R>0.20时,岩样产生突发断裂;当R1.50时,断裂前没有平静期.缓裂时,声发射率的变化形式为(应力增至大于50％破裂应力后)平稳低(高)值——上升(下降)至极大(极小)值并持续之——破裂.      

滇西试验场六种岩石主破裂前声发射 m 值和 h 值的变化(英文)

本文叙述滇西试验场六种岩石在主破裂前声发射 m 值的变化。它们除了与华北岩石声发射 m 值有类似的形态外,我们还首次发现:m 值与杨氏模量 E 有关系式 m=C+dE。本文所得结果为 m=1.25+8.51×10~(-8)E。同时,我们定义了声发射事件数随应变的增长系数 h_1(h_2),并研究了它们随应力的变化。在达到破裂应力70%以前,h_1、h_2都在各自的正常范围内波动。h_1从6.0至7.2,h_2从0.4至1.2。随着应力增加,h_1、h_2都逐步上升,达到破裂应力95%以后,它们都急剧升至极大值。随着应力略有降低,h_1、h_2又迅速下降,主破裂来临。而对同种岩石,h_2比 h_1的变化更突出。     

脆性材料强破裂前兆的初步研究

本文依据现有的实验结果初步研究脆性材料在破坏孕育过程中发生的强破裂的前兆特征.以应变(形变)突变、破裂弹性波限幅等物理变化特征确定强破裂;研究总结了不同试样、两种加载方式的破坏试验中的多个强破裂的前兆特征变化:一类为包括定点和场的应变变化特征,另一类为包括声发射率(破裂频度)、b值、波谱及微破裂时空分布等的声发射变化....     

粘滑过程中声发射序列的时间分布及前兆特征

用声发射波形采集分析系统记录的完整花岗岩在固体围压下破裂及粘滑过程中产生的声发射波形,研究了声发射和粘滑时间序列与天然地震序列的关系,讨论了粘滑过程的时间分布,发现粘滑事件的累积频度曲线随时间的变化受围压和应变率影响,大致呈现指数函数和线性关系两种形式。总事件(包括粘滑和声发射)的累积频度随时间的变化在不同的实验条件下呈现出对数函数形式,粘滑序列中的声发射随时间减少。本文的结果对于研究不同应变速率及不同震源深度的地区的地震活动时间分布特征,以及在判别地震活跃期内不同阶段强震序列类型和前兆特征有一定参考作用。     

岩石在破裂孕育过程中声发射变化特征的物理机制研究

根据声发射原理，并假设岩石中颗粒断裂的总几率符合Ｗｅｉｂｕｌｌ型极值函数，由此导出声发射总数Ｎ与应变能Ｗ，材料断裂构造形状参数ｍ，试样几何尺寸Ｂ及颗粒总数Ｌ的关系。对同一材料的同一试件而言，ｍ对Ｎ的变化形态有显著影响，而应变能的大小则对Ｎ的大小有显著影响，并同时导出声发射率与上述变量及能率的关系。同样，的变化形态受ｍ的制约，的大小则与应变能的大小及能率大小有关。进一步推导还表明，在岩石主破裂前，前兆时间ｔ和的变化不仅与极值应力前后的应变硬化及应变软化程度有关，且与环境刚度（压机刚度）及岩石自身的力学性质有关。摸拟了几条理论曲线，它与实验结果非常一致。     

滇西地震实验场岩石的摩擦滑动实验研究(英文)

应用双剪法对滇西地震实验场岩石的摩擦滑动特性进行了研究。实验的岩石有花岗岩、玄武岩、正长岩和片麻岩。实验的正应力为10—40MPa。实验表明,花岗岩、玄武岩和正长岩三种岩石,当正应力为10MPa时发生稳滑,当正应力超过10MPa时发生粘滑。稳滑与粘滑过程均出现位移强化现象。片麻岩当正应力为10MPa时发生稳滑,当正应力超过10MPa时样品未滑动而发生破裂。摩擦强度值比Byerlee定律的值稍低。与济南辉长岩相比,滇西三种岩石粘滑发生时的平均应力降较低,平均错距较小,平均重复周期较短。花岗岩粘滑前声发射率明显增加,玄武岩与正长岩粘滑前声发射率变化不明显。     

单轴实验时的加载速率与声发射特征

通过单轴压缩云南大理县大理岩试验发现:岩石主破裂前,若加载速率太高或太低,且为完全脆性破裂时,则几乎没有声发射事件,即很少有前破裂发生。主破裂前若加载速率适当且有延性变化时,则有众多声发射事件,对这些声发射事件用类似于余震频度衰减公式分别求出事件率随时间和事件率随轴向应变的衰减系数(h_t、h_ε),结果表明随应力增大衰减系数有个低值阶段。同时指出了声发射仪记录事件的不确定性对分析实验结果可能有的重要影响。     

不同结构岩石标本声发射b值和频谱的时间扫描及其物理意义

对几种不同结构的岩石标本在变形过程中声发射b值和频谱随时间的变化特征进行了对比研究 ,其中包括完整花岗岩标本、含有天然愈合节理的花岗岩标本、含有拉张型和挤压型雁列式断层以及平直断层的标本等。研究表明 ,声发射b值和频谱的特征不仅会受标本结构的影响 ,而且在同一标本的不同变形阶段也可能表现出不同的特征 ,其机制与变形方式以破裂为主或以摩擦为主有关。当变形以破裂为主时 ,声发射b值和频谱在失稳前会出现明显的下降 ;当变形以摩擦为主时 ,声发射b值和频谱在失稳前变化相对较小 ,且上升或下降均可能出现。实验结果意味着b值和频谱特征作为失稳前兆 ,在不同的构造环境下可能会有不同的特征 ,而强震孕震区内不同断裂构造的存在会造成前兆时空分布的非均匀性     

结构岩体变形、破坏与地震前兆关系的实验研究

本文主要以岩石试件切口在单轴压缩条件下的扩张来模拟大陆内部断层端部扩张型地震的孕育过程。在实验中观测了试件在外力作用下的应力-应变关系、张裂纹和剪切破坏在时间和空间上的扩展顺序,以及由此引起的声发射和纵波走时变化特征。根据实验结果讨论了由断层端部扩展引起地震的前兆——如断层蠕滑、前震迁移路径、地下水和地形变等各类地震前兆上显示的差异性,对于观测前兆和前震区与主震区的相对位置,具有一定的指导意义     

不同围压条件下花岗岩变形破坏过程中的声发射时序特征

在室温、围压 50— 60 0MPa范围内 ,采用以Pb为围压介质的三轴实验装置 ,对花岗岩变形破坏过程中的声发射序列特征进行的研究表明 ,花岗岩强度随围压增加而增大 .低围压下 ,样品破坏时系统不失稳 ,破裂前后声发射稀少且时间分布较为随机 .随围压的增高 ,样品破坏时系统失稳 ,随后出现粘滑 ;声发射出现时间随围压增加而提前 .以破坏时应力降发生时间为界 ,一个显著的特征是破前声发射累积数随时间指数增长 ,增长速率随围压增加而加快 ;而破后各粘滑段的声发射累积数随时间却呈线性增长 .声发射b值随围压增加有减小的趋势 .声发射序列时间结构的 f(α) α谱研究表明 ,其多分形性质主要决定于时间密集特征 ,标度指数α的分布范围随围压增加有减小的趋势 .粘滑过程中 ,应力降幅度、应力降释放率及粘滑事件时间间隔均随围压增加而增大。     

Information for authors

正SCIENCE CHINA Earth Sciences,an academic journal cosponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the National Natural Science Foundation of China,and published by Science China Press and Springer,is committed to publishing high-quality,original results in both basic and applied research.     

Information for authors

正SCIENCE CHINA Earth Sciences,an academic journal cosponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the National Natural Science Foundation of China,and published by Science China Press and Springer,is committed to publishing high-quality,original results in     

Arsenic — a Review. Part I: Occurrence,Toxicity, Speciation,Mobility

In natural waters arsenic concentrations up to a few milligrams per litre were measured. The natural content of arsenic found in soils varies between 0.01 mg/kg and a few hundred milligrams per kilogram. Anthropogenic sources of arsenic in the environment are the smelting of ores, the burning of coal, and the use of arsenic compounds in many products and production processes in the past. A lot of arsenic compounds are toxic and cause acute and chronic poisoning. In aqueous environment the inorganic arsenic species arsenite (As(III)) and arsenate (As(V)) are the most abundant species. The mobility of these species is influenced by the pH value, the redox potential, and the presence of adsorbents such as oxides and hydroxides of Fe(III), Al(III), Mn(III/IV), humic substances, and clay minerals.     

A survey of antifoulants in sediments from Ports and Marinas along the French Mediterranean coast

Due to deleterious effects on non-target organisms, the use of organotin compounds on boat hulls of small vessels (<25 m) has been widely prohibited. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) resolved that the complete prohibition on organotin compounds acting as biocides in antifouling systems should commence in 2008. As a result of restrictions on the use of organotin based paints, other antifouling formulations containing organic biocides have been utilised. This survey was conducted to assess the contamination of replacement biocides in the marine environment following the ban of TBT-based paints. Surface sediments samples were collected in the major ports and marinas along the France Mediterranean coastline (Cote d’Azur) and analysed for organotin compounds, Irgarol 1051, Sea-nine 211^TM, Chlorothalonil, Dichlofluanid and Folpet. Every port and marina exhibited high levels of organotin compounds, with concentrations in sediments ranging from 37 ng Sn g⁻¹dry wt in Menton Garavan to over 4000 ng Sn g⁻¹dry wt close to the ship chandler within the port of Villefranche-sur-Mer. TBT degradation indexes suggested that fresh inputs are still made. Among the other antifoulants monitored, only Irgarol 1051 exhibited measurable concentrations in almost every port, with concentrations ranging from 40 ng g⁻¹dry wt (Cannes) to almost 700 ng g⁻¹dry wt (Villefranche-sur-Mer, ship chandler).     

Is there a Human Health Hazard from Microcystins in the Drinking Water Supply?

Microcystins are cyclic heptapeptide toxins produced by a range of cyanobacterial genera. These cyanobacteria occur naturally in drinking water reservoirs subject to eutrophication, and in rivers and natural lakes. Because of the diversity of organisms, the toxins occur, from oligo‐mesotrophic lakes in North Temperate latitudes, to hypertrophic tropical ponds. The toxins are responsible for numerous cases of injury and death of domestic animals, and human poisoning from drinking water. The initial poisoning includes hepatic cell death. This leads to secondary effects from liver deficiency, including jaundice and photosensitisation. The toxic effects are largely due to inhibition of phosphatase enzymes, acting to regulate protein phosphorylation. The consequences include structural damage, apoptosis and, at lower concentrations, cell cycle effects and tumour promotion. As there is no clear evidence for direct carcinogenesis by microcystins, they are classed as non‐carcinogenic toxins in drinking water. Guideline Values for safe drinking water are derived from data for subchronic rodent toxicity, using the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (the highest dose giving no toxicity). To this dose are applied uncertainty factors, to calculate a Tolerable Daily Intake. On the basis of a standard bodyweight and water consumption the Guideline Value is determined for drinking water. For microcystin‐LR the WHO have set a provisional Guideline Value of 1 μg/L for drinking water.     

Detecting thermal boundary control in surface flows from numerical dynamos

The geomagnetic field and secular variation exhibit asymmetrical spatial features which are possibly originating from an heterogeneous thermal control of the Earth's lower mantle on the core. The identification of this control in magnetic data is subject to several difficulties, some of which can be alleviated by the use of core surface flow models. Using numerical dynamos driven by heterogeneous boundary heat flux, we confirm that within the parameter space accessible to simulations, time average surface flows obey a simple thermal wind equilibrium between the Coriolis and buoyancy forces, the Lorentz, inertial and viscous forces playing only a secondary role, even for Elsasser numbers significantly larger than 1. Furthermore, we average the models over the duration of three vortex turnovers, and correlate them with a longer time average which fully reveals the signature of boundary heterogeneity. This allows us to quantify the possibility of observing mantle control in core surface flows averaged over a short time period. A scaling analysis is performed in order to apply the results to the Earth's core. We find that three vortex turnovers could represent between 100 and 360 years of Earth time, and that the heat flux heterogeneity at the core-mantle boundary could be large enough to yield an observable signature of thermal mantle control in a time average core surface flow within reach of the available geomagnetic data.     

Results from microseismic monitoring,conventional instrumentation,and tomography surveys in the creation and thinning of a burst-prone sill pillar

Located in northern Québec, the Lac Shortt Mine was a small gold mine consisting of a thin subvertical orebody which was mined in three main phases. High stress and rockbursting conditions were experienced when ore was extracted in the upper zone between the surface and a depth of 500 metres during the first two phases of mining. Severe rockbursts were experienced in late 1989 near the shaft and in the footwall development following a deepening of the mine shaft to a depth of 830 m and partial development of footwall drift access for the third phase of mining (the mining of the lower zone starting at a depth of 830 m moving upward toward a depth of 500 m). A 16-channel Electrolab MP250 microseismic system, with a Queen's University Full-Waveform piggy-back system, was installed underground at the site due to these problems.It was expected that the thinning sill would be subjected to an ever-increasing load as the thickness of the 500 m sill pillar decreased in the face of the mining excavation from below. A monitoring program consisting of the microseismic monitoring system, a range of conventional geomechanics monitoring tools as well as the undertaking of periodic seismic tomography surveys to assess the ongoing state of stress and rock mass condition within the sill was therefore warranted.The anomalously high-magnitude stress field and the brittle rockmass created a situation in which rockmass failure was common and violent. In the creation and thinning of the sill pillar, the location of banded microseismic activity was crucial in tracing rockmass failure and the associated ground control problems. Reliable source-location determination enabled the identification of areas of stress increase. The movement of the rockmass failure front could be followed, and was responsible for stope dilution, footwall and orebody development deterioration, and caving.Source-mechanism analyses gave accurate double-couple solutions for approximately forty percent of these events having at least ten recognizable polarities. Results suggested movement along vertical north-south striking or vertical east-west striking features. Underground observation of damaged access points showed that vertical north-south striking joints were experiencing failure.The microseismic activity, which was consistently concentrated close to the southwest and northeast corners of current production stopes, could be explained by a stress field oriented obliquely to the strike of the orebody, as measured prior to shrinkage of the sill pillar byin situ stress measurements and observed borehole overbreaks. The orientations of theP andT axes for the microseismic activity further confirmed that the stress field oriented obliquely to strike.While an increase in compressional-wave velocity of 2.3 percent, corresponding to a measured stress increase of approximately 10 MPa could be measured by repeated tomographic surveys, it was relatively small and only a factor of two or so above the velocity measured uncertainty. The relative insensitivity of thein situ rock mass modulus to the applied stress is believed to be largely due to the rockmass discontinuities being relatively closed prior to stress increase, as substantiated by the small deformations seen by the extensometer and borehole camera. This situation existed because of the very high pre-mining stress level.The experimental demonstration that the rock could not absorb substantially increased load through the mechanism of discontinuity closure or tightening (which would be reflected in the modulus) may be evidence in itself of potentially burst-prone ground, such as encountered at Lac Shortt.     

Surface/groundwater interactions in the Bani and Nakambe rivers,tributaries of the Niger and Volta basins,West Africa

Abstract

The upper Niger and Volta rivers exhibit a great and highly contrasting variability of inter-annual runoff. The Bani River, the largest tributary to the Niger River in Mali, shows a dramatic decrease in runoff after the 1970s, with the result that many boreholes in the region have dried up since the drought began. In contrast, the Nakambe River (Upper Volta basin, in Burkina Faso) shows an increase in runoff for the same period, leading to unexpected flood peaks that damaged infrastructures. The contribution that the groundwater and its variability make to surface runoff variability is assessed in this study by comparing the data of the national groundwater monitoring networks of Mali and Burkina Faso to surface runoff. Several variables are compared at the basin scale: the date of the maximum level of the water table, the annual rainfall, discharge, low flows and depletion coefficients. Variability in the low flows of the Bani River is well correlated to a decrease in the water table. Since 1970, the greater decrease in runoff in comparison to the rainfall decrease is due to a reduction in the baseflow, related to the cumulated rainfall deficit. Concerning the Nakambe River, the runoff increase is not supported by a water table increase, but is due to the increase in runoff coefficient related to land degradation.     

A Method To Detect Viable Helicobacter pylori Bacteria in Groundwater

The inability to detect the presence of viable Helicobacter pylori bacteria in environmental waters has hindered the public health community in assessing the role water may play in the transmission of this pathogen. This work describes a cultural enrichment method coupled with an H. pylori‐specific PCR to identify these bacteria in water. While far from perfected at the present time, this represents an exciting new approach to studying the significance of water as a transmission mechanism for H. pylori. Evidence is presented that indicates culturable H. pylori bacteria were found using this enrichment/PCR method in a local groundwater source.     

Response spectrum predictions for potential near-field and far-field earthquakes affecting Hong Kong: rock sites

To realistically assess the seismic risk relating to built infrastructures in Hong Kong and in the neighbouring coastal cities of southern Guangdong province, it is necessary to predict ground shaking induced by different earthquake scenarios with good accuracy. A companion paper has described the modelling of the spatial and temporal distribution of the diffused seismic activities in the region, based on the newly-developed ‘Expanding Circular Disc’ (ECD) method. Representative Magnitude–Distance (M–R) combinations for both near-field and far-field earthquakes (in relation to Hong Kong) have been derived using the ECD method. The present paper describes the modelling of the response spectrum on rock sites associated with the predicted M–R combinations, using the Component Attenuation Model (CAM) that was also developed recently by the authors, based on stochastic simulations of the seismological model. The significant effects of soil resonance on the response spectrum are described in a separate publication.The accuracy of CAM in modelling ground motion properties on rock sites has been tested here by comparisons with (i) strong motions recorded in Taiwan and South China from the 1999 ‘Chi-Chi’ earthquake in Taiwan (M=7.6), (ii) motions recorded in South China from another earthquake occurring in the southern Taiwan Strait in the same year (M=5.1), and (iii) historical seismic intensity data obtained within South China. The overall capability of CAM in modelling both near-field and far-field attenuation has been shown to be unmatched by existing empirical models. Results of the comparison studies confirm the accuracy of CAM, particularly within an epicentral distance of 300–400 km.This study shows that the developed serviceability response spectra (i.e. at short return periods) are controlled mainly by the earthquake recurrence behaviour of major distant seismic sources. In contrast, the ultimate response spectra (i.e. at long return periods) relate to events with magnitudes close to the maximum credible earthquake (MCE) limit, the effect of which may also be represented by the Characteristic Response Spectrum (CRS). Both types of earthquake scenario can be significantly affected by the regional crustal properties. The proposed response spectrum envelopes have been compared with previously developed recommendations, and a critical review has been conducted. The intrinsic advantages of the ECD–CAM modelling approach have been highlighted, emphasising its directness and transparency when compared with the more complex process required to implement traditional Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment (PSHA).