Inverse modeling to estimate LNAPL plume release timing

Methodologies are presented for dating releases of light nonaqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) using an inverse modeling approach with simple analytical models. Models for LNAPL plume migration are presented to predict LNAPL plume velocity in the unsaturated and saturated zones as a function of basic soil and fluid properties. A relative mobility factor is introduced for LNAPL movement at the water table that depends primarily on the van Genuchten n parameter (related to the breadth of the soil pore size distribution) and the magnitude of water table fluctuations. Estimated LNAPL plume velocities compare reasonably with more rigorous numerical models, which may be used in cases where data availability warrant the greater effort entailed.Two methods of estimating release timing and its uncertainty are investigated. A direct estimation method is described that determines travel time for a single observed travel distance based on estimated soil and fluid properties. Release date uncertainty may be determined using the first order (FO) or Monte Carlo (MC) methods. The second method for estimating release date involves nonlinear parameter estimation utilizing distance vs. time measurements and other data.A case study is presented for a field site where independent estimates of release timing were obtained from a numerical modeling analysis. Release timing estimates based on direct inversion of the analytical timing model agree well with the numerical analysis. Results for a second field site indicate that release date confidence limits estimated by the FO method, assuming log-normally distributed travel times, are close to values determined by the MC method, which makes no assumption regarding the form of the travel time probability distribution.Results for a hypothetical problem indicate that LNAPL velocity and travel time may be accurately estimated if sufficient data on travel distance vs. time are available. Incorporating prior information on relevant soil and fluid properties into the objective function reduces the uncertainty in release date if prior estimates are accurate. However, biased prior estimates may lead to over- or underestimation of release date uncertainty. Simultaneous estimation of soil and fluid properties and release date is possible if prior information is available to condition the parameter estimates.     

陕西五曲湾滑坡发育特征和~(14)C测龄

在陕西省凤翔县五曲湾滑坡的滑带土中发现一段树根,表面被炭化,并且发生了强烈的剪切变形,分析认为此乃滑坡滑动所致。经过14C测龄,年龄为462±45年B.P,这一年龄与地质分析获取的认识基本吻合,与1556年"华县大地震"发生的年份非常接近,从而为研究五曲湾滑坡的触发机制提供了重要依据。最后提出,如果在滑带土中发现可用于定年的样品,采用14C法测定滑坡年龄,是对滑坡进行定年的有效途径。     

释光测年技术在陶器定年研究中的应用进展

陶器释光测年一直是环境考古领域重要的时间界定方法之一。本文通过系统整理释光技术在陶器定年上的主要研究成果，分别从技术方法和应用实践两个方面进行总结和梳理，以阐明其在相应领域的适用性、面临的问题和未来应用潜力。在陶器定年的技术方法上，热释光技术最早应用于陶器测年，但也存在矿物热释光晒退效率较慢、不可重复测试和反映信息较少等问题；光释光测年技术的不断发展拓展了陶器释光测年的技术和方法，近年来相应研究比例也不断提高，但也存在部分年轻样品石英信号较弱、石英光释光信号组分比例影响等效剂量测定等问题。在实践应用上，陶器释光测年技术在世界各地遗址均表现出良好的适用性，能为遗址提供绝对年代测定，以及在多学科交叉的背景下，更多地反映古人地关系演化和文化区域交流。未来需要进一步加强释光技术尤其是光释光技术在陶器测年领域的应用力度，从而更好地服务于环境考古学研究；这对于进一步揭示区域古人地关系演化、文明发展历程和文化区域交流等方面有着重要意义。