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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2006. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 162-173). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

Ash-flow tuff (ignimbrite) is a general term indicating consolidated deposits of volcanic ash flow; a flow of a mixture of gas and pyroclastic materials as products of explosive volcano eruptions (Smith, 1960). Two different ash-flow tuffs are studied in this research: 1. Topopah Spring Tuff at Yucca Mountain, Nevada and 2. the Bandelier Tuff at Pajarito Plateau, New Mexico. Various dynamic test parameters (e.g. confining pressure, shearing strain, etc) were studied with two existing devices: (1) the combined resonant column and torsional shear (RCTS) device, and (2) the free-free, unconfined, resonant column (URC) device. The effects of these parameters are evaluated for two different types of ash-flow tuffs. In addition, a Large Resonant Column (LgRC) device was developed and used to test the some tuffs from Yucca Mountain at larger strain amplitudes than possible with the RCTS and URC devices. Relationships between the linear and nonlinear dynamic properties and lithostratigraphic features were further investigated. Finally, potential problems related to sample disturbance and specimen size are considered based on comparisons of small-strain shear wave velocity (VS) values measured in the laboratory and in the field. / text

A three-dimensional stochastic numerical inverse model has been developed for characterizing the properties of unsaturated fractured medium through analysis of singleand cross-hole pneumatic tests. Over 270 single-hole [Guzman et al., 1996] and 44 cross-hole pneumatic tests [Illman et al., 1998; Inman, 1999] were conducted in 16 shallow vertical and slanted boreholes in unsaturated fractured tuffs at the Apache Leap Research Site (ALRS), Arizona. The single-hole tests were interpreted through steady-state [Guzman et al., 1996] and transient [Illman and Neuman, 2000b] analytical methods. The cross-hole tests were interpreted by analytical type-curves [Illman and Neuman, 2000a]. I describe a geostatistical analysis of the steady-state single-hole data, and numerical inversion of transient single-hole and cross-hole data. The geostatistical analysis of single-hole steady-state data yields information about the spatial structure of air permeabilities on a nominal scale of 1 m. The numerical inverse analysis of transient pneumatic test data is based on the assumption of isothermal single-phase airflow through a locally isotropic, uniform or non-uniform continuum. The stochastic inverse model is based on the geostatistical pilot point method of parameterization [de Marsily, 1978], coupled with a maximum likelihood definition of the inverse problem [Carrera and Neuman, 1986a]. The model combines a finite-volume flow simulator, FEHM [Zyvoloski et al., 1997], an automatic mesh generator, X3D [Trease et al., 1996], a parallelized version of an automatic parameter estimator, PEST [Doherty et al., 1994], and a geostatistical code, GSTAT [Pebesma and Wesseling, 1998]. The model accounts directly for the ability of all borehole intervals to store and conduct air through the system; solves the airflow equations in their original nonlinear form accounting for the dependence of air compressibility on absolute air pressure; can, in principle, account for atmospheric pressure fluctuations at the soil surface; provides kriged estimates of spatial variations in air permeability and air-filled porosity throughout the tested fractured rock volume; and is applied simultaneously to pressure data from multiple borehole intervals as well as to multiple cross-hole tests. The latter amounts to three-dimensional stochastic imaging, or pneumatic tomography, of the rock as proposed by Neuman [1987] in connection with cross-hole hydraulic tests in fractured crystalline rocks near Oracle, Arizona. The model is run in parallel on a supercomputer using 32 processors. Numerical inversion of single-hole pneumatic tests allows interpreting multiple injection-step and recovery data simultaneously, and yields information about air permeability, air-filled porosity, and dimensionless borehole storage coefficient. Some of this cannot be accomplished with type-curves [Inman and Neuman, 2000b]. Air permeability values obtained by my inverse method agree well with those obtained by steady-state and type-curve analyses. Both stochastic inverse analysis of cross-hole data and geostatistical analysis of single-hole data, yield similar geometric mean and similar spatial pattern of air permeability. However, I observe a scale effect in both air permeability and air-filled porosity when I analyze cross-hole pressure records from individual monitoring intervals one by one, while treating the medium as being uniform; both pneumatic parameters have a geometric mean that is larger, and a variance that is smaller, than those obtained by simultaneous stochastic analysis of multiple pressure records. Overall, my analysis suggests that (a) pneumatic pressure behavior of unsaturated fractured tuffs at the ALRS can be interpreted by treating the rock as a continuum on scales ranging from meters to tens of meters; (b) this continuum is representative primarily of interconnected fractures; (c) its pneumatic properties nevertheless correlate poorly with fracture density; and (d) air permeability and air-filled porosity exhibit multiscale random variations in space.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 174-181).

Theoretical and experimental studies of the chemical and physical factors which affect molecular diffusion of dissolved substances from fractures into a tuffaceous rock matrix have been made on rocks from G Tunnel and Yucca Mountain at the Nevada Test Site (NT8). Although a number of physical/chemical processes may cause nonadvective transport of dissolved species from fractures into the tuff matrix, diffusion in these rocks is controlled by the composition of the groundwater through multicomponent effects and several rock properties. The effective molecular diffusion coefficient of a particular species in the tuff can be related to its free aqueous diffusion coefficient by Dₑ = θ(m)(α/τ²)D₀ where bm is matrix porosity, α is the constrictivity, and τ is the tortuosity. The porosities of the samples studied ranged from 0.1 to 0.4. The parameter (α/τ²) ranged from 0.1 to 0.3, and effective matrix dif— fusion coefficients were measured to be between 2 to 17. x 10⁻⁷ cm²/s for sodium halides and sodium pentafluorobenzoate. Total porosity was found to be the principle factor accounting for the variation in effective diffusion coefficients. The constrictivity— tortuosity factor was found to have a fair correlation with the median pore diameters measured by mercury intrusion. Measurements of bulk rock electrical impedance changes with frequency indicate that the constrictivity factor, a, has a maximum value of 0.8 to 1, but may be smaller. If the larger values are correct, then the diffusion paths in tuff are more tortuous than in granular media. The diffusion coefficient matrix computed for various tracers in J-13 well water from the NTS indicates coupling of the diffusion fluxes of all ionic species. Multicomponent diffusion is a second order effect, however, which does not significantly affect experimental results. The results of a bench—scale fracture flow experiment revealed that the transport of ionic tracers (SCN ⁻ and pentafluorobenzoate) was affected by diffusion into the tuff matrix. The transport of a particulate tracer did not appear to be affected by diffusion.

Air pollution has adverse effects on human health. The respiratory system is the most exposed and short-term changes in air pollution levels have been associated with worsening of asthma symptoms and increased rates of heart attacks and stroke. Air pollution in cities due to traffic is the major concern, as many people are exposed. However, natural sources of air pollution such as natural dust storms and ash from volcanic eruptions can also compromise human health. Exposure to volcanic eruptions and other natural hazards can also threaten mental health. Air pollution has not been extensively studied in Iceland, in spite of the presence of several natural pollution sources and a sizeable car fleet in the capital area. The aim of this thesis was to determine if there was a measurable effect on health which could be attributed to air pollution in Iceland. This aim was pursued along two paths; time series studies using register data aimed to determine the short-term association between daily variation in air pollution and on one hand daily dispensing of anti-asthma medication or the daily number of emergency room visits and emergency admissions for cardiopulmonary causes and stroke. The other method was to investigate if exposure to the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption was associated with adverse health outcomes, either at the end of the eruption, or 6 months later. In paper I time series regression was used to investigate the association between the daily number of individuals who were dispensed anti-asthma medication and levels of the air pollutants particle matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) during the preceding days. For the study period 2006-9, there were significant associations between the daily mean of PM10 and H2S and the sales of anti-asthma medication 3 to 5 days later. Giving the exposure as the highest daily one-hour mean gave more significant results. Air pollution negatively affected the respiratory health of asthma medication users, prompting them to refill their prescriptions before they had originally intended to. In paper II the main outcome was the number of individuals seeking help at Landspitali University Hospital emergency room for cardiopulmonary disease or stroke. Time series regression was used to identify the lag that gave the best predictive power, and models were run for data for 2003-9 pollutants PM10, NO2, and O3. O3 was significantly associated with the number of emergency hospital visits the same day and two days later in all models, and both for men, women and the elderly. Only emergency hospital visits of the elderly were associated with NO2, and there were no associations with PM10. In paper III the aim was to investigate if the health effects of PM10 were affected by the addition of volcanic ash from the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull and 2011 eruption of Grímsvötn to PM10 in the capital area. Time series regression of emergency hospital visits and PM10 before and after the Eyjafjallajökull eruption showed that the effect tended to be higher after the eruption, but the results were not significant. Analysis with a binary indicator for high levels of PM10 from volcanic ash and other sources showed that volcanic ash was associated with increased emergency hospital visits. There were no associations with high levels of PM10 from other sources. In paper IV, the health of the population exposed to the ongoing eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010 was investigated thoroughly. Lung function in adults was better than in a reference group from the capital area, though many reported sensory organ irritation symptoms and symptoms of stress and mental unhealth, especially those with underlying diseases. Paper V report the results from a questionnaire study which was carried out six months after the Eyjafjallajökull eruption. The study population comprised a cohort of south Icelanders exposed to the eruption to varying degrees and a reference group from north Iceland. Respiratory and eye symptoms were much more common in south Icelanders than in the reference group, after adjusting for demographic characteristics. Mental unhealth rates had declined considerably. In the studies, we found that urban air pollution and natural particles have short-term effects on anti-asthma medication dispensing and emergency room visits and hospital admissions. Exposure to natural particles in the form of volcanic dust was associated with increased respiratory symptoms in a very exposed population. There were indications that volcanic ash particles were associated with increased emergency hospital visits in the following days. / <p>Statement of collaboration</p><p>This thesis and the work in it have been produced in collaboration between University of Iceland and Umeå University. The thesis was issued and defended at both institutions. Responsible</p>

Reconnaissance work and high-density sampling of volcanic rocks at the Quaternary Tatara-San Pedro complex (TSPC) in the Southern Volcanic Zone (SVZ) of Chile has yielded one of the most complete eruptive chrono-stratigraphies and comprehensive geochemical datasets of any arc volcano on Earth. The TSPC is a large frontal arc stratovolcano within the SVZ that exhibits a wide compositional diversity of lavas from basalt to rhyolite, covering most of the ranges in major and trace element contents across the SVZ. The TSPC occupies a pivotal position within the SVZ, where it is "intermediate" in terms of geophysical and geochemical characteristics between northern and southern SVZ volcanoes. The large TSPC dataset and stratigraphic control provides a unique opportunity to elucidate magma source heterogeneity and distinguish between contributions from upper mantle, subducted slab, and crust in a volcanic complex overlying relatively thick continental crust. Furthermore, the results of this investigation provide important constraints about the role of various recycled materials in generating the SVZ mantle and implications for along-arc magmatism and geochemical variability. TSPC magmas least impacted by crustal contamination (evolved lavas are filtered out on the basis of > 56 wt.% SiO2 and Rb/Y >1.75) have compositions bounded by three chemically and isotopically distinct mantle-derived end-members. The `prevalent TSPC mantle' end-member, which includes the largest number of analyzed lavas, is interpreted to represent melts of the upper mantle below TSPC that has been modified by long-term subduction. A second end-member shows extreme depletions in incompatible high field strength elements (HFSE) and the lowest concentrations of fluid-immobile incompatible elements, but has the highest aqueous fluid-mobile/immobile element ratios at the volcano (e.g., Sr/Nd and Pb/Ce). The source of these `low HFSE' magmas is `prevalent TSPC mantle' that experienced previous melt extraction, followed by more recent melting due to infiltration of solute-rich fluid from the subducting basaltic Nazca oceanic crust. A third end-member is enriched in incompatible elements and has the lowest Nd-Hf and highest Sr isotope ratios. This `TE enriched' end-member has common chemical characteristics with behind-the-arc basalts, indicating derivation from trace element-enriched behind-the-arc South American mantle that has been advected trenchward into the convecting mantle wedge. Determining the composition and relative input of slab-derived components to the SVZ mantle wedge has remained elusive for the last 2+ decades because of inadequate datasets and the controversial role of crustal contamination within the thick Andean continental crust. The `prevalent TSPC mantle' magmas, which best represent melts of the subduction-modified mantle wedge composition beneath the TSPC, provide important constraints on both the composition of the "pre-subduction" mantle and geochemical modifications by way of subduction. Mass-balance modeling suggests that the source of `prevalent TSPC mantle' magmas has been generated by a two-stage, three component mixing process. Isotopic and trace element evidence indicate that ~7-11% bulk subducted Chilean trench sediment has been added to an `E-MORB-like' pre-subduction mantle composition. This mantle mixture is further infiltrated by ~4% solute-rich fluid derived from the subducted Nazca basaltic oceanic crust. Trace element patterns of end-member `prevalent TSPC mantle' magmas are best fit by a two-stage partial melting model whereby the residual mantle, after a small degree melt extraction (F = 0.1%), undergoes F = 22% partial melting. The high melt fraction appears to potentially correspond with large volumes of solute-rich fluid released from the subducted Mocha Fracture Zone (MFZ). Although geochemical attributes of mafic TSPC magmas suggest that they are all derived from the same general mantle framework operating below the complex, one lava sequence appears to deviate. The mantle origins of the Upper Placeta San Pedro Sequence (UPSPS) have remained elusive since first being studied. It is a well-characterized basaltic lava series that erupted over a short interval at ~235-240 ka with highly variable incompatible element abundances and a large xenocrystic cargo. The new comprehensive chemical and radiogenic isotope (Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf) dataset, along with stratigraphic control and understanding of the larger-scale geochemical variability at the TSPC, provides fresh perspectives about the mantle sources and evolution of UPSPS magmas. While the UPSPS magmas are derived from the same sources as other TSPC magmas, they have undergone a unique petrogenetic evolution. This is evident from decoupled trace element-isotopic trends that are difficult to reconcile with other mafic TSPC magmas. Based on the Nd-Hf isotope ratios and trace element ratios, the two UPSPS unit magmas are derived from depleted-`TE enriched' and `prevalent TSPC mantle' sources. High ratios of aqueous fluid-mobile/immobile elements, such as high Pb/Ce and Sr/Nd, as well distinctive Sr and Pb isotope ratios, indicate that the UPSPS magmas were generated through fluxing of the mantle wedge, already depleted by melt removal by an solute-rich fluid derived from the subducted Pacific oceanic crust as well as the overlying trench sediment, which caused it to melt.

Deuterium ratios (δD) of hydrated volcanic glass have been used to reconstruct paleoenvironments, although the reliability and proper sample preparation protocol have been debated. In this study, hydrated volcanic ash samples from the lee of the Cascades were prepared using two separate methods. Method 1 involves sonicating and rinsing samples with hydrochloric acid (HCl) followed by hand-selection of glass shards (125-212µm). Method 2 requires hydrochloric acid (HCl) and hydrofluoric acid (HF) abrasion as well as heavy liquid separation of shards (70-150µm). Method 2 produced more consistent results with decreased intra-replicate variability in both water content (-0.92 wt. %) and deuterium values (-2.5‰ δD). Method 2 δD values of ≥99% isotropic glass were also 2.5-10 % more negative relative to Method 1 values, with an increasing discrepancy with age (3.68-32.66 Ma). Method 2 results suggest volcanic glass did not re-equilibrate with modern water, based on 1) < 2‰ discrepancies between samples of the same ash flow taken from unique sample localities and 2) a ~20‰ difference between samples of different ages (~8 Ma apart) from the same locality. These results support the specified use of HF abrasion and heavy liquid separation on 70-150 µm glass shards to minimize the impact of contaminants on reconstructed paleowater δD values.