Geological Systems Research Articles

ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATIONS OF AN INNATE INTERCONNECTION IN THE SPACE-TIME

In the given article, in the light of the physical reality of the World of events (space-time), we discuss the main result of our several years observations of a reaction of definite geological systems (minerals and mineral aggregates) to the special exposure in the Solar Tower Telescope BST-1 in the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory - phenomenon of the mass reaction to a projection (on the Sun’s parallel of declination) of four-dimensional solar events, of which temporal coordinate coincides with a moment of observations. This projection is located ahead of the Sun by 4 solar diameters. New practical possibilities for experimental investigations are briefly discussed in conclusion.

INNATE INTERCONNECTION IN THE SPACE-TIME: EXAMPLES OF SHIELDS

The mass reaction of the ground-based complex systems (i. e. the ones with an internal structure that can stay in different inner states) (1) to total solar eclipse and (2) to Sun shielding by a tower located in the neighborhood of the observation is invited to consider. This reaction has revealed the basic factor of observed natural dynamics of mass - the Sun. These observations data were collected by a special geophysical monitoring which every ten seconds synchronously records mass of some definite geological systems (minerals/mineral aggregates), atmospheric electric field strength, and six physical characteristics of the observation conditions at three geographical points: Dubna, Nauchny (the Crimea), and Novosibirsk. Due to significance for modern experiments and technologies, a physical phenomenon associated with the role of the Sun in the mass dynamics is briefly discussed in conclusion.

Linear thermal expansion behavior of compacted bentonite buffer materials

In a geological repository system, buffer is indispensable to ensure the safe disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW). Because heat generated from spent nuclear fuel in a canister is released to the surrounding buffers, thermal properties of such materials are fundamental in determining the overall disposal safety. Specifically, given that thermal expansion causes thermal stress to canisters and intact rock masses in the near-field location, it is imperative to evaluate the thermal expansion characteristics of the buffer, particularly when bentonite is used. This study investigates the linear thermal expansion properties of Kyeongju bentonite buffer, a type of Ca-bentonite produced in South Korea. The linear thermal expansion coefficient of dried bentonite was measured considering the heating rate, dry density, and temperature variation using dilatometer equipment. The linear thermal expansion coefficient values of the KJ bentonite buffers were found to be 4.0–6.2 × 10⁻⁶/°C. Based on test results, a numerical analysis was conducted, and the thermal strain values were similar between the test and numerical analysis. The overall linear thermal expansion coefficient of the KJ bentonite, considering radially confined or unconfined conditions and dried or saturated states, was predicted to be between 3.2 × 10⁻6/°C and 1.0 × 10⁻5/°C.

The Development of a General Classification of Continental Ecological–Geological Systems

The Development of a General Classification of Continental Ecological–Geological Systems

METHOD OF LABORATORY ANALYSIS FOR OIL SHALE ASSAY

Oil shale is much commoner than is generally realized, occuring on every continent and in every geological system. They are misnamed, but it is unlikely that any more appropriate name will be acceptable either to geologists. Few important deposits actually consist of shales and even fewer have yielded any oil. In the conventional sense most "oil shale" is actually bituminous, nonmarine limestones or marlstones containing kerogen. Only a few marine examples can be properly described as shales. The common composition involves about 50 percent of mineral carbonates by weight. A variety of silicates may also be present, possibly derived from the reaction of circulating alkaline waters with volcanic debris.

Early Warning of Regional Landslide Disaster and Development of Rural Ecological Industrialization Based on IoT Sensor

Regional landslide disaster is actually the instability caused by the movement of ground or slopes, etc. If a landslide occurs in a habitat area where people live, it can cause a great deal of damage. So, in order to improve the early warning effect of regional geological landslide disaster, the study abandoned the conventional geological probe data, directly used the tilt photography data provided by the fixed camera, introduced the camera clock synchronization control system supported by the high-sensitivity atomic clock timing function, and used the data warehouse hardware and computing host hardware. Combined with the spatial convolution neural network, fuzzy neural network (logarithmic depth iterative regression neural network, polynomial depth iterative regression neural network, transfinite learning machine, and binary neural network) and other technologies finally realize high geological disaster early warning sensitivity and long early warning advance. The system will become an alternative to the previous geological disaster early warning system based on the direct data of geological embedded probes.

Experimental and analytical studies on the influence of weathering degree and ground-environment analog conditions on the tribological behavior of granite

Weathering is a geological/geo-environmental process that degrades and transforms rocks, contributing to landslides and instability of geo-systems and infrastructures. The effects of weathering on rock characteristics at the grain scale is crucial for understanding the impact of geological environment-processes on the physical and mechanical behavior of rocks, as well as how these processes are linked to the large-scale behavior of geological systems. In the present study, an investigation on the tribological behavior of highly and completely decomposed granitic rock (termed HDG and CDG, respectively) is presented using micromechanical-based experimental and analytical methods on miniature specimens. Emphasis is placed on examining the influence of the weathering degree and by taking into account analog ground-environment interaction effects on the constitutive (contact) behavior and interface friction of the weathered rocks. The high roughness and coating exposed on the surfaces of the tested samples because of the decomposition of feldspars and micas had important influences on the tribological behavior of the rock. Significant differences were also observed based on the state of the specimens, i.e., nominally dry, immersed in water, or by removing the surface coating from a washing process. An attempt was made to understand the differences between variously weathered materials and provide some basic modeling that can be useful in discrete-based analyses of geomechanics and engineering geology problems. Comparing a broad range of geological materials, including granite of grade I-II revealed that the transportation-sedimentation process and in-situ chemical weathering or rock crushing resulted in significant variabilities in the surface morphological characteristics of the grains. In some aspects of their tribological behavior, HDG grains (grade IV) were rather similar to grade I-II compared with the observed response of grade V. Analog wetting-drying cycles, simulated based on cyclic normal contact tests revealed significant accumulation of plastic displacements for the weathered rocks compared with sedimentary type materials, which implies higher sensitivity of weathered rocks to stress state changes caused by various geo-environmental influences. This is crucial to be considered in the constitutive modeling of ground-environment interaction.

Detecting Water Constituents Unique to Septic Tanks as a Wastewater Source in the Environment by Nontarget Analysis: South Florida's Deering Estate Rehydration Project Case Study.

The present study has generated a workflow based on nontarget analysis (NTA) with Compound Discoverer Ver 3.1 to characterize a set of source-discriminating compounds identified in water samples from locations in South Florida (USA), particularly those describing a freshwater environment (Everglades based), urban impacted areas (septic tank driven), and coastal (Biscayne Bay) endmembers in and around the Charles Deering Estate property in the Village of Palmetto Bay. Waters from an interconnected managed canal system were assessed to evaluate the influence of localized emissions. Septic tank effluents influence the water in many Southeast Florida environments due to their diminished onsite treatment capacity based on the limestone-dominated geology and canal systems providing a relatively unobstructed connection pathway. Through a combination of high-resolution mass spectrometry and statistical analyses, a set of tracers and indicators was determined (azelaic acid, decanophenone, galaxolidone, methyl violet, monoolein, metoprolol, and 1-stearoylglycerol). Tentatively identified compounds were generally assigned to various categories such as dyes, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals. The NTA Compound Discoverer Ver 3.1 compound data (presented as principal component analysis and Kendrick mass defect plots) showed apparent differences between wastewater-influenced sites and non-wastewater-influenced sites along with the ranked "Top10" compounds found at each location. Waters from different locations were also compared using the presence of sucralose to further inform the NTA. The most septic-influenced site contained 3594 ± 94 ng/L of sucralose with concentrations declining steadily and reaching the lowest concentrations in Biscayne Bay of 122 ± 94 ng/L. The sucralose concentrations provided further evidence of septic influence on this system. Sucralose was determined to be a conservative tracer between the freshwater and coastal sources and complementary to other probable unique tracers of septic tank effluent identified by the NTA. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1165-1178. © 2022 SETAC.

A new methodology for thermal analysis of geological disposal of spent nuclear fuel using integrated simulations of gamma heating and finite element modeling

A new methodology is illustrated, where the evolution of temperature in a geological disposal system for spent nuclear fuel is estimated by integrated calculations of a spatially distributed gamma heating source with conventional finite element thermal transport modeling. A case with one canister loaded with fuel assemblies with a cooling time of 30 years in a KBS-3 type repository illustrates the methodology. For this particular case, the effect of including distributed gamma heating rate in the modeling has a small impact on the temperature distribution compared to the conventional case of heat generated locally in the canister, resulting in a small decrease of the maximum temperature in the canister. A large proportion of gamma heating occurs inside the outer boundary of the copper canister for this case. Other potential consequences of radiation escaping the canister are discussed.

Совершенствование методов рудоподготовки минерального сырья при освоении сложноструктурных месторождений

The article assesses available methods of managing mineral grades in mining and possible ways to improve the mining efficiency. Assessment criteria for the ore masses are given depending on mineral and chemical composition, structural and other features. The outcomes are presented of developing a methodology of zoning technological types of ores within an open pit with account of complex evaluation of qualitative characteristics of minerals using modern geoinformation technologies. Two main methods, i.e. express and detailed, are proposed for data interpretation in geoinformation systems, which require preliminary creation of a geological database and allow to make reliable assessment and zoning of ores within an open pit based on qualitative indicators. The methods are different in terms of labour intensity, level of detail and the possibility of adjusting the resulting models depending on established or changed requirements towards the mineral grade. An enhanced mining and geological information system allows zoning of technological types and grades of ores within an open-pit with a high degree of reliability, which contributes to the selection of the most effective ore treatment method as part of the ore grade management for specific mining and geological conditions at the planning stage of mining operations. Examples of zoning technological types of ores within an open pit as well as methodological approaches to selecting effective methods of ore grade management are presented for deteriorating mining and geological conditions of deposits and increasing requirements towards the quality of products.

Site specific probabilistic seismic hazard model for Isfahan, Iran: estimates and uncertainties

We present a seismic source characterization model for the probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA) of the Isfahan urban area, Iran. We compiled the required datasets including the earthquake catalogue and the geological and seismotectonic structure and faults systems within the study region to delineate and characterize seismic source models. We identified 7 relatively large zones that bound each region with similar seismotectonic characteristics and catalogue completeness periods. These regions were used for calculating the b-value of the Gutenberg–Richter magnitude recurrence relationship and for estimating the maximum magnitude value within each region. The earthquake recurrence parameters were then used to build a spatially varying distributed earthquake rate model using a smoothed kernel. Additionally, based on a fault database developed in this study and on a local expert’s opinion supported by tenable constraints about their slip velocity, a fault-based model is also created. We further performed sets of sensitivity analyses to find stable estimates of the ground motion intensity and to define alternative branches for both the seismogenic source and ground motion prediction models. Site amplification is considered based on a Vs30 map for Isfahan compiled within this study. The alternative source and ground motion prediction models considered in the logic tree are then implemented in the software OpenQuake to generate hazard maps and uniform hazard spectra for return periods of interest. Finally, we provide a detailed comparison of these PSHA outcomes with both those presented in the 2014 Earthquake Model of Middle East (EMME14) and with the national seismic design spectrum to further discuss the discrepancies between hazard estimates from site-specific and regional PSHA studies.

TBM Construction Tunnel Forward-to-cross-hole Radar Transmission Imaging Leading Potential Rockburst Geological Forecast Safety Monitoring System and Method

TBM Construction Tunnel Forward-to-cross-hole Radar Transmission Imaging Leading Potential Rockburst Geological Forecast Safety Monitoring System and Method

Coupled hydro-mechanical analysis of seasonal underground hydrogen storage in a saline aquifer

Hydrogen is promising an efficient and viable solution for low-carbon fuel for different purposes, such as transportation, manufacturing, and electricity. Fluctuating renewable energy production, however, can lead to a temporary imbalance between demand and supply. Nonetheless, it is feasible to mitigate this mismatch by converting the surplus wind power to hydrogen and storing it in geological (subsurface) systems. This work investigates the applicability of underground hydrogen storage in a saline aquifer at the Powder River Basin of Wyoming State. Thus, a 3D coupled hydro-mechanical simulation is presented to evaluate the hydraulic and geomechanical effects during three annual injection-reproduction cycles. A fully calibrated one-dimensional mechanical model has been constructed to characterize the 3D geomechanical model. The simulated results show that the designed storage scenario can be operated with reasonable recovery efficiency such that 78% of injected hydrogen can be extracted to meet 16.7% of household summer electricity consumption for the considered scenario in this study. The surface uplift is highly correlated with the cumulative amount of hydrogen injection and production, and a maximum magnitude of 1.6 cm has been estimated. Integrity analysis of subsurface rock and caprock based on the Mohr-Coulomb criterion demonstrates the safety of underground hydrogen storage at the selected site.

A modularized numerical framework for the process-based total system performance assessment of geological disposal systems

This study developed a safety assessment tool for geological disposal systems called APro, a systemically integrated modeling system based on modularizing and coupling the processes which need to be considered in a geological disposal system. Thermal, hydraulic, chemical, canister failure, radionuclide release and transport processes were considered in the current version of APro. Each of the unit processes in APro consists of a single Default Module, and several Alternative Modules which can increase the flexibility of the model. As an initial stage of developing the modularization concept and modeling interface, the Default Modules of each unit process were described, with one Alternative Module of chemical process. The computation part of APro is mainly a MATLAB workspace controlling COMSOL and PHREEQC, which are coupled by an operator splitting scheme. The APro model domain is a stylized geological disposal system employing the Swedish disposal concept (KBS-3 type), but the repository layout can be freely adjusted. In order to show the applicability of APro to the total system performance assessment of geological disposal system, some sample simulations were conducted. From the results, it was confirmed that coupling of the thermal and hydraulic processes and coupling of the canister failure and the radionuclide release processes were well reflected in APro. In addition, the technical connectivity between COMSOL and PHREEQC was also confirmed.

Numerical simulation of bioconvective Darcy Forchhemier nanofluid flow with energy transition over a permeable vertical plate

In biological systems, the MHD boundary layer bioconvection flow through permeable surface has several applications, including electronic gadgets, heating systems, building thermal insulation, geological systems, renewable energy, electromagnetism and nuclear waste. The bioconvection caused by the hydromagnetic flow of a special form of water-based nanoliquid including motile microorganisms and nanoparticles across a porous upright moving surface is investigated in this report. The combination of motile microbes and nanoparticles causes nanofluid bioconvection is studied under the cumulative impact of magnetic fields and buoyancy forces. The Brownian motion, thermophoresis effects, heat absorption/generation, chemical reaction and Darcy Forchhemier impact are also unified into the nonlinear model of differential equations. The modeled boundary value problem is numerically computed by employing a suitable similarity operation and the parametric continuation procedure. The parametric study of the flow physical parameters is evaluated versus the velocity, energy, volume fraction of nanoparticles, motile microorganisms’ density, skin friction, Sherwood number and Nusselt number. It has been observed that the velocity profile reduces with the effect of porosity parameter k1, inertial parameter k2, Hartmann number and buoyancy ratio. While the energy transition profile significantly enhances with the flourishing values of Eckert number Ec, heat absorption/generation Q and Hartmann number respectively.

Inverted volcanic relief: Its importance in illustrating geological change and its geoheritage potential

We describe volcanic inverted relief sites around the world, making a comparative analysis of those most significant sites found from literature and our own search on imagery and global topographic maps. Over fifty significant areas of volcanic inverted relief were found. The comparative analysis is based on geoscience values defined by the main geological and landscape elements that define inverted relief. This subjective analysis is open and can be verified and extended if other significant sites emerge, thus forming the basis of a future, exhaustive global comparison of this important geomorphological feature. Inverted relief occurs when valleys transform to ridges due to differential erosion of relatively resistant valley-fill, and weaker slope lithologies. It is found in various geological settings, and it is very common in volcanic terrains, especially monogenetic volcanic fields, where most examples are inverted lava flows. Relief inversion provides a clear indication of slow geological changes and landscape evolution through erosion and can be thought of in popular terms as a geological clock. Volcanic inverted relief was recognised in the 18th - 19th centuries in the Chaîne des Puys (Auvergne, France), and used as evidence to first support plutonism by Nicolas Desmarest and then support uniformitarianism by George Poulett Scrope. We review the geological and geomorphological features of volcanic inverted relief world-wide, with an emphasis on the classical Auvergne. We explore how volcanic relief inversion chart geological changes, and their value for studying geological systems and landscape evolution. With our comparative analysis we can propose sites with the greatest geoheritage potential for representing inverted relief globally and suggest how this can be valued as geoheritage. As volcanic inverted relief is an important sub-set of all inverted relief, and is generally associated with important surface, volcanic and tectonic processes, and is often ongoing, it can be an important geoheritage component in natural sites. We suggest that it should should be present in the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) Global Geosite list, can be a component of geosites in UNESCO Global Geoparks. It is also a feature for geological criteria (viii) in UNESCO World Heritage sites, where it fulfils all the requirements being both a major geomorphological feature and a fingerprint of significant geological processes in Earth evolution.

Effect of damage zones around fault core on failure development during fluid injection into porous reservoirs

Fault zones (FZ) in porous reservoirs used for diverse underground activities are complex and heterogeneous geological systems generally constituted of one (or several) fault cores (FC) surrounded by damage zones (DZ). The latter compartment is characterized by a distribution of fractures, which can strongly affect the sustainable injection pressure, especially when the injection operation is performed in the vicinity of a FZ. This study aims at considering the effect of a realistic FZ structure on shear failure initiation and tendency during fluid injection into porous reservoirs, under extensional and compressional stress regimes. Fracture networks observed from the outcrops at the Cirques de Navacelles, were incorporated in the analysis to compute the distribution of hydro-poro-mechanical properties within the FZ. A hydromechanical simulation for geological model containing the FZ is proposed to study the reservoir behavior. Comparisons between homogeneous (HO-without DZ) and heterogeneous (HE-with DZ) cases for the most critically fracture orientation, were made in terms of the initiation and development of shear failure. We show that taking into account the DZ generally leads to higher sustainable injection pressure (more than twice in compressional and about 30% in the extensional regime). Under compressional, shear failure initiates and grows from the FC/DZ interface in HE, whereas it preferably develops in the injection zone in HO. Under extensional regime, the HE exhibits shear failure development in the DZ adjacent to the FC. Further investigations on shear failure integrating the orientations of the FC and pre-existing fractures in the DZ confirm that FC/DZ interface is the reservoir compartment where failure first occurs when DZ with realistic hydro-poro-mechanical properties are taken into account. Finally, we show through an extensive parametric study that our conclusions remain valid when considering uncertainty in the hydro-poro-mechanical properties as well as when the ratio of horizontal-to-vertical initial stress field remains small (+/-10%).

Petrified Wood as a Paleontological Artifact, a Museum Object, Stone-Cutting Raw Materials in the Collections of Museum of Karst and Speleology of the Mining Institute of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences

The article tells about the collection of fossil mineralized wood kept in the Museum of Karst and Speleology of the Mining Institute of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It was formed from 2004 to 2020. The collection includes specimens of mineralized woods from eleven localities (five of them are located in the Perm Krai) belonging to four geological systems - Permian, Triassic, Jurassic and Paleogene. Despite the small volume (35 storage units), our collection is quite representative both geographically and chronologically.

Metal-organic framework-derived iron oxide modified carbon cloth as a high-power density microbial fuel cell anode

Microbial fuel cells have become a research topic of considerable interest in bioelectrochemistry, considering their potential to replace fossil energy sources. However, the main factor limiting their commercial application is poor anode performance, which leads to a lower power density. Herein, based on the interaction between iron minerals and electroactive microorganisms in geological systems, metal-organic framework-derived iron oxide-modified carbon cloth was prepared using a simple hydrothermal roasting method to enhance the extracellular electron transfer function of electricity-producing microorganisms, and was evaluated in two-chamber microbial fuel cells. Electrochemical tests showed that MIL-Fe2O3 and MIL-Fe3O4 nanoparticles effectively enhanced the electrochemical performance and biocompatibility of the anode. The microbial fuel cell equipped with MIL-Fe3O4/CC achieved an output power density of 4305 mW/m2. This excellent performance can be attributed to the fact that MIL-88(Fe)-derived iron oxide facilitates the adhesion of electricity-producing microorganisms to the anode and the secretion of proteins related to extracellular electron transfer, realizing the synergistic promotion of c-type cytochrome and flavin. This study provides a strategy for preparing high-performance microbial fuel cell anode materials, thus sustaining the promise for the eventual commercialization of microbial fuel cells.

Near‐Surface Geomechanical Properties and Weathering Characteristics Across a Tectonic and Climatic Gradient in the Central Nepal Himalaya

AbstractShallow bedrock strength controls both landslide hazard and the rate and form of erosion, yet regional patterns in near‐surface mechanical properties are rarely known quantitatively due to the challenge in collecting in situ measurements. Here we present seismic and geomechanical characterizations of the shallow subsurface across the central Himalayan Range in Nepal. By pairing widely distributed 1D shear wave velocity surveys and engineering outcrop descriptions per the Geological Strength Index classification system, we evaluate landscape‐scale patterns in near‐surface mechanical characteristics and their relation to environmental factors known to affect rock strength. We find that shallow bedrock strength is more dependent on the degree of chemical and physical weathering, rather than the mineral and textural differences between the metamorphic lithologies found in the central Himalaya. Furthermore, weathering varies systematically with topography. Bedrock ridge top sites are highly weathered and have S‐wave seismic velocities and shear strength characteristics that are more typical of soils, whereas sites near valley bottoms tend to be less weathered and characterized by high S‐wave velocities and shear strength estimates typical of rock. Weathering on hillslopes is significantly more variable, resulting in S‐wave velocities that range between the ridge and channel endmembers. We speculate that variability in the hillslope environment may be partly explained by the episodic nature of mass wasting, which clears away weathered material where landslide scars are recent. These results underscore the mechanical heterogeneity in the shallow subsurface and highlight the need to account for variable bedrock weathering when estimating strength parameters for regional landslide hazard analysis.