A shallow water event-driven approach to simulate turbidity currents at stratigraphic scale

We present a new event-driven approach that combines a shallow water flow model with a practical sedimentation technique to simulate the formation of turbidite depositional systems at a stratigraphic scale. The equations that govern turbidity currents dynamics are solved using a new finite element flux-corrected transport scheme. In this sense, the low-order formulation is built by adding a novel Rusanov-like scalar dissipation scaled by a shock-capturing operator to standard Galerkin equations. From it, the high-order system is obtained by including antidiffusive fluxes linearized around the low-order solution and limited with the Zalesak's algorithm, following a minmod prelimiter. Implicit time integration with adaptive time steps is performed with an iterative nonlinear scheme that linearizes source terms. Sedimentation is implemented by carrying five granulometric fractions (clay, silt, and fine, medium, and coarse sands) along evolved streaklines and radially scattering sediments that deposit filling the available depositional space and compacting the underneath sediment layers. The flow is computed while an event discharge into an area of interest is active, or the inflow current has not reached an equilibrium state. Afterward, the event deposition step is executed. Numerical results of our flow solver presented a good agreement with available exact and literature solutions, and the simulated sediment deposits suggest that our approach is well suited for stratigraphic scale simulations.     

Characterization of Wall Paintings of the Harem Court in the Alhambra Monumental Ensemble: Advantages and Limitations of In Situ Analysis

Non-invasive techniques (X-ray fluorescence, XRF, and Raman spectroscopy) were used for the study of the Hispano Muslim wall paintings. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on the semi-quantitative XRF results directly provided by the in-built factory calibrations with minimum user manipulation. The results obtained were satisfactory and highlighted differences and similarities among the measurement points. In this way, it was possible to differentiate the decorations carried out on gypsum plasterwork and the wall paintings over lime plaster. The color palette, revealed by combining the results from XRF and Raman spectroscopies, comprised the pigments hematite, lapis lazuli, cinnabar (in poor conservation state), and possibly, carbon. Evidence of past interventions was also provided by PCA on XRF data, which detected the presence of Pb, Ba, and Zn in some areas. Furthermore, the preparation layers have been studied in detail on cross-sections of two microsamples. Several layers of lime plaster with a compact microstructure have been observed. The characteristic of the pictorial layer and the identification of calcium oxalate point to the use of a secco-technique. The main alteration identified was a gypsum surface layer covering the painting and signs of plaster deterioration due to gypsum migration to more internal areas. Finally, the comparison with the observations made by restorers in previous interventions on these paintings revealed the importance of the representativeness gained with the in situ study, which enabled the analysis of a high number of areas.     

A Quantitative Conodont Biostratigraphy for Permian and Triassic and Their Mutual Boundaries in China

The character of the definition of the Permian-Triassic boundary is discussed in detail. Based on the research on conodonts and other fossils, graphic correlation is used to determine the relationship between the Shangsi, Maoertang, Chaotian, Huaying, Hechuan, Liangfenya, Xixiang, Selong and Changxing sections, in which the Changxing section is selected as a Standard Reference Section. The reason of rational definition (the base of Ophiceras bed) is expounded.     

CHEMICAL SPECIES OF IRIDIUM AND OTHER TRACE ELEMENTS AT K-T BOUNDARY CLAY LAYER, STEVNS KLINT, DENMARK, AND ITS IMPLICATION

The chemical species of anomalous Ir in the Fish Clay K-T boundary at Stevns Klint, Denmark, was studied by using a newly-developed chemical stepwise dissolution procedure and neutron activation analysis. The experimental results indicate that the anomalous Ir mostly exists in the acid-insoluble residue phase. The Ir pattern of the K-T boundary resembles that of the Ningqiang carbonaceous chondrite, while remarkably different from those of the ultrabasic rock and volcanic lava. Thus, we deduce that the Ir anomaly at K-T boundary is mainly extraterrestrial, instead of volcanogenic or geochemical enrichment origin. The patterns of other trace elements in various phases also confirm the above conclusion.     

一种适用于高分辨分子地层学研究的有机质分离及定量方法

研究全球变化的手段多种多样，高分辨分子地层学是最有力的工具之一，进行此项研究工作要分析的样品大且溶量小，因此建立一种合适的有机质分离及定量方法十分重要。本文采用冷抽提法的方法抽提出这类样品的有机质，衍生化合利用ＧＣ／ＭＳ对化合物进行定性、定量分析。利用本方法分析的空白加标（地质体中最常见化合物）回收率结果为：烷烃９５．８％，脂肪酸９２．３％，胆甾醇９９．７％；脂肪醇９３．７％；基质加标加收率结果为     

Identification of complex structures of paintings on canvas by NMR: Correlation between NMR profile and stratigraphy

Paintings on canvas are complex structures created by superimposing layers of different composition. Investigations on the structure of these artworks can provide essential information on their state of conservation, pictorial technique, possible overpaintings, and in planning a proper conservation plan. Standard methods of investigation consist in sampling a limited number of fragments for stratigraphic analyses. Despite the recognized validity of these methods, they are affected by evident limitations. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) profiling, often named NMR stratigraphy, is an NMR relaxometry technique applied by single-sided portable devices developed to overcome the disadvantages of microinvasive stratigraphic analyses. The potential of this approach on artworks, including wall paintings and a few examples of painted canvas, is described in the literature. In this study, NMR profiles of painting on canvas were examined by analyzing transverse relaxation time data by T₂ quasi-continuous distributions and the results compared with standard stratigraphic cross-sections analysis. Combining signal intensity and T₂ quasi-continuous distributions, the identification of textile, preparatory, and paint layers was enhanced. The diction “NMR stratigraphy” for these inhomogeneous layered artworks is also discussed. Indeed, unlike the stratigraphic cross-sections, NMR profiles provide information on a volume (flat slice), rather than on a surface, and the collected signal can derive from nonuniform and partially overlapping layers. This study paves the way for extensive investigations on relaxation time quasi-continuous distributions in various binder/pigment mixtures in order to improve the reliability of NMR profile as an innovative, non–invasive, and nondestructive method for analyzing paintings on canvas.     

铁磁共振实验中值得注意的几个问题

与顺磁样品相比铁磁样品的磁共振信号不仅是强得多,铁磁样品的许多特点都会在铁磁共振(FMR)谱中反映出来.诸如,起始磁化过程的FMR谱线与有剩余磁化强度Mr的FMR谱是不同的,起始磁化过程中的巴克豪森跳跃也会在FMR谱中反映出来.样品的磁晶各向异性、形状各向异性,铁磁高温顺磁的磁性相变等等都能用FMR方法加以研究.     

THE FORMATION, EVOLUTION AND CAUSE OF THE Mu Us DESERT IN CHINA

Comprehensive correlation and analysis on the stratigraphic structure of the Quaternaryeolian sand in the Mu Us Desert comfirm that the Desert has been in existenceintermittently since the initial stage of the Quaternary at latest. The Desert is asteppe type sandy desert characterized by mosaic distribution of shifting, semi-shifting, semi-fixed and fixed dune and areas of loess grass land. It did not evolve toward uniform shift-ing sand, but underwent a series of normal and reverse development processes from the occur-rence of shifting sand to the spread, fixation and reduction of the sandy desert to grassland.Climatic fluctuation since the Quaternary is the primary factor for the formation and evolutionof the Desert, while neotectonics and human activities are the secondary factors.     

THE STUDY ON FEATURES OF PALEOCLIMATIC VARIATION OF DRY AND COLD AREAS (Ⅱ)——PRELIMINARY STUDY ON FLUCTUATING MODEL OF PALEOCLIMATE OF QARHAN SALT LAKE REGION IN QAIDAM BASIN

Depositing ages of sediment in core CK6 of Qarhan Salt Lake were determined by usingmethods of ~(14)C, ~(230)Th and paleo-terrestrial-magnetism. Based on synthetic analyses for thevariation of the content of organic carbon, sporo-pollen composition and lithofacies, the fluc-tuating model of paleo-climate since 750 ka B.P. was set up. It is divided into 21 fluctua-ting epochs of climate, among them, 11 are warm and humid epochs, and 10 are dry andcold epochs.