Geological Fluid Mapping in the Tongling Area:Implications for the Paleozoic Submarine Hydrothermal System in the Middle-Lower Yangtze Metallogenic Belt,East China

The Tongling area is one of the 7 ore-cluster areas in the Middle-Lower Yangtze metallogenic belt, East China, and has tectonically undergone a long-term geologic history from the late Paleozoic continental rifting, through the Middle Triassic continent-continent collision to the Jurassic-Cretaceous intracontinental tectono-magmatic activation. The Carboniferous sedimentary-exhalative processes in the area produced widespread massive sulfides with ages of 303-321 Ma, which partly formed massive pyrite-Cu deposits, but mostly provided significant sulfur and metals to the skarn Cu mineralization associated with the Yanshanian felsic intrusions.To understand the Carboniferous submarine hydrothermal system, an area of about 1046 km^2 was chosen to carry out the geological fluid mapping. Associated with massive sulfide formation, footwall sequences 948 m to 1146 m thick, composed of the Lower Silurian-Upper Devonian sandstone, siltstone and thin-layered shale, were widely altered. This hydrothermal alteration is interpreted to reflect largescale hydrothermal fluid flow associated with the late Paleozoic crustal rifting and subsidence. Three hydrothermal alteration types, i.e., deep-level semiconformable siliclfication （S1）, fracture-controlled quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration （S2-3）, and upper-level sub-discordant quartz-sericite-chlorite alteration （D3）, were developed to form distinct zones in the mapped area. About 50-m thick semiconformable silicification zones are located at -1-km depth below massive sulfides and developed between an impermeable shale caprock （S1） and the underlying Ordovician unaltered limestone. Comparisons with modern geothermal systems suggest that the alteration zones record a sub-seafioor aquifer with the most productive hydrothermal fluid flow. Fracture-controlled quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration formed transgressive zones, which downward crosscut the semiconformable alteration zones, and upwards grade into sub-discordant alteration zones that enveloped no economic stringer- stockwork zones beneath massive sulfides. This transgressive zone likely marks an upfiow path of high- flux fluids from the hydrothermal aquifer. Lateral zonation of the sub-discordant alteration zones and their relationship to overlying massive sulfide lenses suggest lateral flows and diffusive discharging of the hydrothermal fluids in a permeable sandstone sequence. Three large-sized, 14 middle-small massive sulfide deposits, and 40 massive sulfide sites have been mapped in detail. They show regional strata- bound characters and two major styles, i.e., the layered sheet plus strata-bound stringer-style and the mound-style. Associated exhalite and chemical sedimentary rock suites include （1） anhydrite-barite, （2） jasper-chert, （3） Mg-rich mudstone-pyrite shale, （4） barite lens, （5） siderite-Fe-bearing dolomite, and （6） Mn-rich shale-mudstone, which usually comprise three sulfide-exhalite cyclic units in the area.The spatial distribution of these alteration zones （minerals） and associated massive sulfdes and exhalites, and regional variation in δ^34S of hydrothermal pyrite and in δ^18O-δ^34C of hanging wall carbonates, suggest three WNW-extending domains of fluid flow, controlled by the basement faults and syn-depositional faults. Each fluid domain appears to have at least two upflow zones, with estimated even spacing of about 5-8 km in the mapped area. The repeated appearance of sulfide-sulfate or sulfide-carbonate rhythmic units in the area suggests episodically venting of fluids through the upfiow conduits by breaking the overlying seals of the hydrothermal aquifer.

Framework system and research flow of uncertainty in 3D geological structure models

Uncertainty in 3D geological structure models has become a bottleneck that restricts the development and application of 3D geological modeling.In order to solve this problem during periods of accuracy assessment,error detection and dynamic correction in 3D geological structure models,we have reviewed the current situation and development trends in 3D geological modeling.The main context of uncertainty in 3D geological structure models is discussed.Major research issues and a general framework system of uncertainty in 3D geological structure models are proposed.We have described in detail the integration of development practices of 3D geological modeling systems,as well as the implementation process for uncertainty evaluation in 3D geological structure models.This study has laid the basis to build theoretical and methodological systems for accuracy assessment and error correction in 3D geological models and can assist in improving 3D modeling techniques under complex geological conditions.

Geological evolution of offshore pollution and its long-term potential impacts on marine ecosystems

Populations and metropolitan centers are accumulated in coastal areas around the world.In view of the fact that they are geographically adjacent to coasts and intense anthropogenic activities,increasing global offshore pollution has been an important worldwide concern over the past several decades and has become a very serious problem that needs to be addressed urgently.Due to offshore pollution,various geological disasters occur in high frequency,including intensified erosion and salinization of coastal soils,frequent geological collapses and landslides and increasing seismic activities.Moreover,offshore pollution shows increasingly serious impacts on the topography and geomorphology of offshore and coastal areas,including coastal degradation,retreating coastlines and estuary delta erosion.Offshore sedimentation processes are strongly influenced by the pH changes of terrestrial discharges,and sedimentary dynamics have become extremely acute and complex due to offshore pollution.The seabed topography and hydrodynamic environment determine the fate and transport of pollutants entering offshore regions.Coastal estuaries,port basins and lagoons that have relatively moderate ocean currents and winds are more likely to accumulate pollutants.Offshore regions and undersea canyons can be used as conduits for transporting pollutants from the continent to the seabed.It is particularly noteworthy that the spatial/temporal distribution of species,community structures,and ecological functions in offshore areas have undergone unprecedented changes in recent decades.Due to increasing offshore pollution,the stable succession and development trend of marine ecosystems has been broken.It is thus important to identify and regulate the quantity,composition and transportation of pollutants in offshore regions and their behavior in marine ecosystems.In particular,crucial actions for stabilizing marine ecosystems,including increasing species and biodiversity,should be implemented to enhance their anti-interference capabilities.This review provides an overview of the current situation of offshore pollution,as well as major trends of pollutant fate and transportation from continent to marine ecosystems,transformation of pollutants in sediments,and their bioaccumulation and diffusion.This study retrospectively reviews the long-term geological evolution of offshore pollution from the perspective of marine geology,and analyses their long-term potential impacts on marine ecosystems.Due to ecological risks associated with pollutants released from offshore sediments,more research on the influence of global offshore pollution based on marine geology is undoubtedly needed.

Implications of safety requirements for the treatment of THMC processes in geological disposal systems for radioactive waste

The mission of nuclear safety authorities in national radioactive waste disposal programmes is to ensure that people and the environment are protected against the hazards of ionising radiations emitted by the waste.It implies the establishment of safety requirements and the oversight of the activities of the waste management organisation in charge of implementing the programme.In Belgium,the safety requirements for geological disposal rest on the following principles:defence-in-depth,demonstrability and the radiation protection principles elaborated by the International Commission on Radiological Protection(ICRP).Applying these principles requires notably an appropriate identification and characterisation of the processes upon which the safety functions fulfilled by the disposal system rely and of the processes that may affect the system performance.Therefore,research and development(R&D)on safety-relevant thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical(THMC)issues is important to build confidence in the safety assessment.This paper points out the key THMC processes that might influence radionuclide transport in a disposal system and its surrounding environment,considering the dynamic nature of these processes.Their nature and significance are expected to change according to prevailing internal and external conditions,which evolve from the repository construction phase to the whole heatingecooling cycle of decaying waste after closure.As these processes have a potential impact on safety,it is essential to identify and to understand them properly when developing a disposal concept to ensure compliance with relevant safety requirements.In particular,the investigation of THMC processes is needed to manage uncertainties.This includes the identification and characterisation of uncertainties as well as for the understanding of their safety-relevance.R&D may also be necessary to reduce uncertainties of which the magnitude does not allow demonstrating the safety of the disposal system.

Spatial Database Management System of China Geological Survey Extent

The spatial database management system of China geological survey extent is a social service system. Its aim is to help the government and the whole social public to expediently use the spatial database, such as querying, indexing, mapping and product outputting. The management system has been developed based on MAPGIS6.x SDK and Visual C++, considering the spatial database contents and structure and the requirements of users. This paper introduces the software structure, the data flow chart and some key techniques of software development.

Marine Engineering Geological Exploration Information System(MEGEIS):A GIS-based Application to Marine Resources Exploitation

Based on the ArcGIS geographic information system and the ORACLE database management system,this paper reports our studies on the technology of Marine Engineering Geological Exploration Information System(MEGEIS). By analyzing system structure,designing function modules and discussing data management,this paper systematically proposes a framework of technol-ogy to integrate,manage,and analyze the seabed information comprehensively. Then,the technology is applied to the design and development of the Bohai Sea Oilfield Paradigm Area Information System. The system can not only meet the practical demands of marine resources exploration and exploitation in the Bohai Sea oilfield,but also serve as a preparatory work in theory and technology for the realization of the 'Digital Seabed'.

Application of highwall mining system in weak geological condition

Almost all the coal is produced from open cut mines in Indonesia. As a consequence of open cut mine application, a great deal of coal is left out in the highwalls of the mined-out pits. Highwall mining systems can be used to recover this coal. The use of highwall mining systems has increasingly come into play in the US and Australia. However, it is not common in Indonesia. Moreover, Indonesia coal measure is categorized as weak geological condition. Some problems are likely to arise during the application of the highwall mining system for example instability of openings and highwalls due to the roof and pillar failures. Therefore, study of highwall mining system application in Indonesia is needed in order to increase the recovery rate of coal mining in Indonesia. This paper described the characteristics of the highwa!l mining system and discussed the appropriate highwall mining system application in weak geological condition, Indonesia. From the results of a series of laboratory tests and numerical analyses, it can be concluded that the stability of pillars and mine openings in auger mining systems is much higher than that in CHM and an auger mining system is suitable for such as very weak/poor strata conditions. Moreover, the application of backfilling system is very effective for improvement of the stability of pillar and openings.

Accessing Multi-Source Geological Data through Network in MORPAS Software System

MORPAS is a special GIS (geographic information system) software system, based on the MAPGIS platform whose aim is to prospect and evaluate mineral resources quantificationally by synthesizing geological, geophysical, geochemical and remote sensing data. It overlays geological database management, geological background and geological abnormality analysis, image processing of remote sensing and comprehensive abnormality analysis, etc.. It puts forward an integrative solution for the application of GIS in basic-level units and the construction of information engineering in the geological field. As the popularization of computer networks and the request of data sharing, it is necessary to extend its functions in data management so that all its data files can be accessed in the network server. This paper utilizes some MAPGIS functions for the second development and ADO (access data object) technique to access multi-source geological data in SQL Server databases. Then remote visiting and congruous management will be realized in the MORPAS system.

Study on the Analysis System of Meteorological and Geological Disaster Grades Early Warning of WebGIS

The method of realizing meteorological and geological disaster forecast and early warning information system in Qixian County of Shanxi Province was studied. According to meteorological factor parameter of the geological disasters for many years in Qixian County Land Bureau, and data of average meteorological element parameters that corresponded by evolution of geological disaster region each year, evaluation algorithm model of the forecast and eady warning of geological disasters in Qixian County was obtained, and the database of meteorological factor of geological disaster was established. On this basis, WebGIS geographic information system based on C/S and B/S which could real-time monitor geological disaster region was studied and designed. After data analysis system could evaluate the geological disaster forecast and early warning and make the real-time and accurate early warning, which greatly improved the timeliness of meteorological geological disasters forecast and early warning in Qixian County. System set of data processing and forecast and early warning issued in one, to realize the dynamic information release function of grade of geological disaster early warning, and had the characteristics of easy sharing, real-time dynamic update.

Developing a Geological Management Information System: National Important Mining Zone Database

Geo-data is a foundation for the prediction and assessment of ore resources, so managing and making full use of those data, including geography database, geology database, mineral deposits database, aeromagnetics database, gravity database, geochemistry database and remote sensing database, is very significant. We developed national important mining zone database （NIMZDB） to manage 14 national important mining zone databases to support a new round prediction of ore deposit. We found that attention should be paid to the following issues： ① data accuracy： integrity, logic consistency, attribute, spatial and time accuracy; ② management of both attribute and spatial data in the same system;③ transforming data between MapGIS and ArcGIS; ④ data sharing and security; ⑤ data searches that can query both attribute and spatial data. Accuracy of input data is guaranteed and the search, analysis and translation of data between MapGIS and ArcGIS has been made convenient via the development of a checking data module and a managing data module based on MapGIS and ArcGIS. Using AreSDE, we based data sharing on a client/server system, and attribute and spatial data are also managed in the same system.

GIS-Based Highway Geological Hazard Information Management and Decision Support System

Based on the practical application of Geology Information System（GIS） throughout the world, combined with the characters of road＇s geological hazard and it＇s supervision, the paper introduces on the importance of the research on road＇s geological hazards information management and decision-making support system. The paper also analyzes the system＇s target, the principles and key techniques in developing the system. In the research, we developed the GIS-based road＇s geological hazard information management and decision-making support system and applied it to one speedway in the west of China where contains typical geological hazards. The system based on the database of road＇s geological hazard on the grounds of spatial graphic information and attribute information. By virtue of the scientific assessment and prediction mathematical model, integrating the GIS＇s strongpoint on spatial analyzing, the system is capable of visualizing the regionalization of road according to the geological hazards it contains, and accurately assessing and predicting geological hazards, thus efficiently assists the road construction and management units in the decision making on controlling the geological hazards and reducing the related loss.

Construction of Forecast and Early Warning System of Meteorological and Geological Disasters in Qinghai Province

Based on the meteorological and geological disaster data, ground observation data set, CLDAS grid point data set, and EC, BJ and other model product data during 2008-2020, the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of meteorological and geological disasters and precipitation were analyzed, and the causes of the occurrence of meteorological geological disasters and the deviation of model precipitation forecast were revealed. Besides, an objective precipitation forecast system and a forecast and early warning system of meteorological and geological disasters were established. The results show that meteorological and geological disasters and precipitation were mainly concentrated from May to October, of which continuous precipitation appeared frequently in June and September, and convective precipitation was mainly distributed in July-August;the occurrence frequency of meteorological and geological disasters was basically consistent with the distribution of accumulated precipitation and short-term heavy precipitation, and they were mainly concentrated in the southern and eastern parts of Qinghai. Meteorological and geological disasters were basically caused by heavy rain and above, and meteorological and geological disasters were divided into three types: continuous precipitation(type I), short-term heavy precipitation(type II) and mixed precipitation(type III). For type I, the early warning conditions of meteorological and geological disasters in Qinghai are as follows: if the soil volumetric water content difference between 0-10 and 10-40 cm is ≤0.03 mm^(3)/mm^(3), or the soil volumetric water content at one of the depths is ≥0.25 mm^(3)/mm^(3), the future effective precipitation reaches 8.4 mm in 1 h, 10.2 mm in 2 h, 11.5 mm in 3 h, 14.2 mm in 6 h, 17.7 mm in 12 h, and 18.2 mm in 24 h, and such warning conditions are mainly used in Yushu, Guoluo, southern Hainan, southern Huangnan and other places. For type II, when the future effective precipitation is up to 11.5 mm in 1 h, 14.9 mm in 2 h, 16.2 mm in 3 h, 19.9 mm in 6 h, 25.3 mm in 12 h, and 26.3 mm in 24 h, such precipitation thresholds are mainly used in Hainan, Huangnan, and eastern Guoluo;as it is up to 13.3 mm in 1 h, 15.5 mm in 2 h, 16.6 mm in 3 h, 19.9 mm in 6 h, 31.1 mm in 12 h, and 34.0 mm in 24 h, such precipitation thresholds are mainly used in Hehuang valley. The precipitation thresholds of type III are between type I and type II, and closer to that of type II;such precipitation thresholds are mainly used in Hainan, Huangnan, and northern Guoluo. The forecasting ability of global models for heavy rain and above was not as good as that of mesoscale numerical prediction model, and global models had a wet bias for small-scale precipitation and a dry bias for large-scale precipitation;meso-scale models had a significantly larger precipitation bias. The forecast ability of precipitation objective forecast system constructed by frequency matching and multi-model integration has improved. At the same time, the constructed grid forecast and early warning system of meteorological and geological disasters is more precise and accurate, and is of instructive significance for the forecast and early warning of meteorological and geological disasters.

Estimation of the anisotropy of hydraulic conductivity through 3D fracture networks using the directional geological entropy

With an extension of the geological entropy concept in porous media,the approach called directional entrogram is applied to link hydraulic behavior to the anisotropy of the 3D fracture networks.A metric called directional entropic scale is used to measure the anisotropy of spatial order in different directions.Compared with the traditional connectivity indexes based on the statistics of fracture geometry,the directional entropic scale is capable to quantify the anisotropy of connectivity and hydraulic conductivity in heterogeneous 3D fracture networks.According to the numerical analysis of directional entrogram and fluid flow in a number of the 3D fracture networks,the hydraulic conductivities and entropic scales in different directions both increase with spatial order(i.e.,trace length decreasing and spacing increasing)and are independent of the dip angle.As a result,the nonlinear correlation between the hydraulic conductivities and entropic scales from different directions can be unified as quadratic polynomial function,which can shed light on the anisotropic effect of spatial order and global entropy on the heterogeneous hydraulic behaviors.

Method for evaluation of geological strength index of carbonate cliff rocks:Coupled hyperspectral-digital borehole image technique

The deterioration of unstable rock mass raised interest in evaluating rock mass quality.However,the traditional evaluation method for the geological strength index(GSI)primarily emphasizes the rock structure and characteristics of discontinuities.It ignores the influence of mineral composition and shows a deficiency in assessing the integrity coefficient.In this context,hyperspectral imaging and digital panoramic borehole camera technologies are applied to analyze the mineral content and integrity of rock mass.Based on the carbonate mineral content and fissure area ratio,the strength reduction factor and integrity coefficient are calculated to improve the GSI evaluation method.According to the results of mineral classification and fissure identification,the strength reduction factor and integrity coefficient increase with the depth of rock mass.The rock mass GSI calculated by the improved method is mainly concentrated between 40 and 60,which is close to the calculation results of the traditional method.The GSI error rates obtained by the two methods are mostly less than 10%,indicating the rationality of the hyperspectral-digital borehole image coupled evaluation method.Moreover,the sensitivity of the fissure area ratio(Sr)to GSI is greater than that of the strength reduction factor(a),which means the proposed GSI is suitable for rocks with significant fissure development.The improved method reduces the influence of subjective factors and provides a reliable index for the deterioration evaluation of rock mass.

The Design and Implementation of Qinghai Province Geological Hazards Management Information System

The formation and development of geological hazards are extremely complex,depending on factors such as the topography,geology,meteorology, project,human activity,and so on;the geological hazards data include remarkable spatial characteristics and complex attribute information.As the amount of geological hazards data is rapidly growing,it has become an urgent demand for geologists to

Chinese public participation monitoring and warning system for geological hazards

In China,many geological hazards occurred in remote mountainous regions,and it was time-consuming to disseminate disaster information for the responsible parties to make timely judgements.Besides,only relying on professionals to monitor and manage disasters was demanding and costly.The Chinese government created a system to engage residents in the process of disaster risk management,namely’Public Participation Monitoring and Warning’(PPMW),to disseminate timely disaster information and bring down management costs.The objective of this system was to reduce casualties with minimum cost by organizing residents to evacuate from disasters in advance.This paper introduced the PPMW system,including its structure,operation mechanism by reviewing government documents and research articles,and its implementation by a case study of a landslide at Boli village(E 101°01’,N 27°29’),Yanyuan County,Sichuan Province,China on July 19th 2018.Further,this paper analyzed the strengths and limitations of the system and discussed its future development.It had the potential to become an affordable disaster risk management tool for other countries facing similar situations to China.

Geological structure and dynamic mechanism of the Termit rift basin in West African rift system

Based on seismic and drilling data in the study area,the geological structure and kinematic process of the Termit rift basin were studied using seismic profile interpretation and balanced restoration to find out the dynamic mechanism of the basin.(1)The geological structure of the Termit Basin is represented as a narrow rift basin,with development of series of structural styles in extensional,extensional strike-slip and compressional stress setting.On plane,it is narrow in the north and wide in the south,and transitions from graben to half-graben from north to south;it features a graben controlled by the boundary faults in the north and a fault-overlapped half-graben in the south.(2)Before the Cretaceous,a series of hidden faults developed in the West African rift system,which laid the foundation for the development location and distribution direction of the Termit Basin;during the Cretaceous to Paleogene periods,the basin experienced two phases of rifting in Early Cretaceous and Paleogene,which controlled the initial structure and current structural shape of the basin respectively;during the Neogene to Quaternary,the basin was subjected to weak transformation.(3)In the Precambrian,the Pan-African movement gave rise to a narrow and long weak zone within the African plate,which provided the pre-existing structural conditions for the formation of the Termit Basin.In the Early Cretaceous,affected by the South Atlantic rifting,the Pan African weak zone was reactivated,resulting in the first stage of rifting and the basic structural framework of the Termit Basin.In the Paleogene,affected by the subduction and convergence of the Neo-Tethys Ocean,the African-Arabian plate extended in near E-W trending,and the Termit Basin experienced the second stage of rifting.The oblique extension in this period caused intense structural differentiation,and the current structural pattern of alternate uplifts and depressions took shape gradually.

Possible Effect of Pressure Solution on the Movement of a Canister in the Buffer of Geological Disposal System

One of the major concepts of the geological disposal of high level radioactive waste is to enclose a metallic container with bentonite buffer which is considered to be impermeable and chemically stable. Since the average density of the container is around 6 to 7 and very heavy compared to bentonite, the scenario of container sinking has been evaluated because excess sinking makes short the pathway of nuclide migration in the bentonite and is detrimental to the safety of the disposal system. Previous considerations on container sinking have been made from the viewpoint of mechanical deformation of the bentonite. In this paper, a chemical deformation process is presented as another mechanism of container sinking, which has not been previously considered for the container sinking in the field of radioactive waste disposal. The chemical deformation mentioned in this paper is the deformation through the process of pressure solution of minerals constituting the buffer, transportation by diffusion and precipitation. That such chemical deformation is a ubiquitous phenomenon occurring in various scales in the crust of the earth will be shown through the review of previous works. Then, some future research topics will be suggested which would be required in order to evaluate the container sinking in the safety case for radioactive waste disposal.

Application of Electronic Sand Table System in Geological Disasters Meteorological Service Based on GIS

With complex terrain and developed economy, Zhejiang Province has suffered a lot from the frequent geological disasters, which have done great damages to the construction and development of the whole province. Therefore, it is particularly important to improve the geological disasters meteorological service. Electronic sand table system, a high-tech product of three-dimensional visualization, can provide the geological disaster meteorological service with the intuitive and visual application environment. In this study, we developed electronic sand table system based on GIS and established the geological disasters meteorological service database. In addition, we also analyzed and discussed the applications of meteorological service in online weather forecast, meteorological warning message, and multimedia meteorological electronic display. The application of electronic sand table system in geological disaster meteorological services for disaster prevention and mitigation is of great importance that it provides intuitive terrain analysis data for the forecast of geological disasters warning, which greatly enhances the ability of geological disasters meteorological service.

Geological Analogy Expert System of Oil-Generating Depressions

The geologic analogy expert system of oil-generating depressions (GAESOD) constructed on IBM 386 by using GCLISP language is a tool-type expert system for geologic analogy .GAESOD consists of eight parts: (1) illustrating module of system; (2) general controlling module; (3) knowledge base; (4 (reasoning module; (5 )data base; (6)explanation module; (7)gaining and managing module of knowledge; (8) managing module of data base .There are 36 known models of oil-generating depressions of the eastern part and the continental shelf of China in the knowledge base .Three values,such as resemblance coefficient ,certainty factor and fine-poor coefficient ,will be acquired if this system is applied to any two on-generating depressions .Finally,GAESOD are applied to the analysis of some data from Xichang depression ,Hepu basin and the conclusions from this system are consistent with the results from geologic experts.