Pressuremeter Modulus and Limit Pressure of Clayey Soils Using <Emphasis Type="Italic">GMDH</Emphasis>-Type Neural Network and Genetic Algorithms

Pressuremeter modulus (\(E_{M}\)) and limit pressure (\(P_{L}\)) are used for the calculation of the settlement and bearing capacity of foundation respectively. As the determination of these parameters from pressuremeter test (PMT) is relatively time-consuming and expensive, various empirical correlations have been proposed to correlate the \(E_{M}\) and \(P_{L}\) to other soil parameters. For the existing equations are incapable of estimating these PMT parameters well, in present research group method of data handling type neural network is used to estimate the \(E_{M}\) and \(P_{L}\) of clayey soils. The \(E_{M}\) and \(P_{L}\) were modeled as a function of three variables including the moisture content (\(\omega\)), plasticity index and corrected SPT blow counts (\(N_{60}\)). A database containing 51 data sets have been used for training and testing of the models. The performances of proposed models are compared with those of existing empirical equations. The results demonstrate that appreciable improvement with respect to the other correlations has been achieved. At the end, sensitivity analysis of the obtained models has been performed to study the influence of input parameters on model outputs and shows that the \(N_{60}\) is the most influential parameter on the PMT parameters.     

Trend analysis of evapotranspiration over India: Observed from long-term satellite measurements

Owing to the lack of consistent spatial time series data on actual evapotranspiration (ET), very few studies have been conducted on the long-term trend and variability in ET at a national scale over the Indian subcontinent. The present study uses biome specific ET data derived from NOAA satellite’s advanced very high resolution radiometer to investigate the trends and variability in ET over India from 1983 to 2006. Trend analysis using the non-parametric Mann–Kendall test showed that the domain average ET decreased during the period at a rate of \(0.22\,\hbox {mm year}^{-1}\). A strong decreasing trend (\(m = -1.75\, \hbox {mm year}^{-1}\), \(F = 17.41\), \(P\) 0.01) was observed in forest regions. Seasonal analyses indicated a decreasing trend during southwest summer monsoon (\(m= -0.320\, \hbox {mm season}^{-1}\,\hbox {year}^{-1})\) and post-monsoon period (\(m= -0.188\, \hbox {mm season}^{-1 }\,\hbox {year}^{-1})\). In contrast, an increasing trend was observed during northeast winter monsoon (\(m = 0.156 \,\hbox {mm season}^{-1 }\,\hbox {year}^{-1})\) and pre-monsoon (\(m = 0.068\, \hbox {mm season}^{-1 }\,\hbox {year}^{-1})\) periods. Despite an overall net decline in the country, a considerable increase ( \(4 \,\hbox {mm year}^{-1}\)) was observed over arid and semi-arid regions. Grid level correlation with various climatic parameters exhibited a strong positive correlation (\(r \!>\!0.5\)) of ET with soil moisture and precipitation over semi-arid and arid regions, whereas a negative correlation (\(r\) \(-0.5\)) occurred with temperature and insolation in dry regions of western India. The results of this analysis are useful for understanding regional ET dynamics and its relationship with various climatic parameters over India. Future studies on the effects of ET changes on the hydrological cycle, carbon cycle, and energy partitioning are needed to account for the feedbacks to the climate.     

Comparison of earthquake source characteristics in the Kachchh Rift Basin and Saurashtra horst,Deccan Volcanic Province,western India

Seismic source parameters of small to moderate sized intraplate earthquakes that occurred during 2002–2009 in the tectonic blocks of Kachchh Rift Basin (KRB) and the Saurashtra Horst (SH), in the stable continental region of western peninsular India, are studied through spectral analysis of shear waves. The data of aftershock sequence of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake (\(M_{w}\) 7.7) in the KRB and the 2007 Talala earthquake (\(M_{w}\) 5.0) in the SH are used for this study. In the SH, the seismic moment (\(M_{o})\), corner frequency \((f_{c})\), stress drop (\(\varDelta \sigma \)) and source radius (r) vary from \(7.8\times 10^{11}\) to \(4.0\times \)10\(^{16}\) N-m, 1.0–8.9 Hz, 4.8–10.2 MPa and 195–1480 m, respectively. While in the KRB, these parameters vary from \(M_{o} \sim 1.24 \,\times \, 10^{11}\) to \(4.1 \times 10^{16}\) N-m, \(f_{c }\sim \) 1.6 to 13.1 Hz, \(\varDelta \sigma \sim 0.06\) to 16.62 MPa and \(r \sim 100\) to 840 m. The kappa (K) value in the KRB (0.025–0.03) is slightly larger than that in the SH region (0.02), probably due to thick sedimentary layers. The estimated stress drops of earthquakes in the KRB are relatively higher than those in SH, due to large crustal stress concentration associated with mafic/ultramafic rocks at the hypocentral depths. The results also suggest that the stress drop value of intraplate earthquakes is larger than the interplate earthquakes. In addition, it is observed that the strike-slip events in the SH have lower stress drops, compared to the thrust and strike-slip events.     

Laboratory parallel-beam transmission X-ray powder diffraction investigation of the thermal behavior of nitratine NaNO<Subscript>3</Subscript>: spontaneous strain and structure evolution

Present work provides in-situ structural data at a fine temperature scale from RT to the melting point of nitratine, NaNO₃. From the analysis of log e ₃₃ versus log t plots, it is possible to prove that an univocal indication on the R \( \overline{3} \) c (low temperature, LT) → R \( \overline{3} \) m (high temperature, HT) transition mechanism cannot be obtained because of the relevant role played by the arbitrary assumptions required for defining the c ₀ dependence from temperature of the HT phase. This is due to the occurrence of excess thermal expansion for the HT phase. A significantly better fit for an Ising-spin structural model over a non-Ising rigid-body one has been obtained for the LT phase. Moreover, the Ising model led to a smooth variation of the oxygen site x fractional coordinate throughout the transition. The structure of the HT polymorph has been successfully refined considering an oxygen site at x, 0, ½, with 50% occupancy. Such model was the only acceptable one from the crystal chemical point of view as the alternative model (oxygen site at x, y, z with 25% occupancy) led to unrealistically aplanar \( {\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - } \) groups.     

Correlation analyses of effects of temperature on physical and mechanical properties of clay

In determining the physical and mechanical parameters of clay, it is sometimes necessary to determine them indirectly from other parameters since they cannot be measured directly from laboratory or field tests. In order to determine the effect of temperature on the behavior of clay, an indirect approach is used here by analyzing the changes of mass (\(\Delta m\)), density (\(\rho\)), porosity (\(\phi\)), P-wave velocity (\({v_p}\)), thermal conductivity (\(\lambda\)), specific heat capacity (c), resistivity (R) and uniaxial compressive strength (f) of clay from eastern China for a temperature range between 20 and 800 °C. The results indicate that temperature has a significant effect on these parameters. Comparisons between \(\Delta m\) and \(\rho\), \(\Delta m\) and \({v_p}\), \(\rho\) and \({v_p}\), \(\phi\) and \(\lambda\), \({v_p}\) and f, R and f show a linear change among these parameters,whereas the relationships among \(\Delta m\) and \(\phi\), \(\phi\) and \({v_p}\), \(\phi\) and R, \({v_p}\) and \(\lambda\), \(\phi\) and f are exponential. It is difficult to obtain these relationships by using regression analysis with high levels of accuracy. Further refinement is therefore required.     

Rethinking communication in risk interpretation and action

We have studied the attenuation characteristics of eastern Himalaya and southern Tibet by using local earthquake data set that consists of 123 well-located events, recorded by the Himalayan Nepal Tibet Seismic Experiment operated during 2001–2003. We have used single backscattering model to calculate frequency-dependent values of coda Q (\(Q_\mathrm{c}\)). The estimation of \(Q_\mathrm{c}\) is made at central frequencies 2, 4, 8 and 12 Hz through five lapse time windows from 10 to 50 s starting at double the travel time of the S-wave. The observed \(Q_\mathrm{c}\) is found to be strongly frequency-dependent and follows a similar trend as observed in other tectonically active parts of the Himalaya. The trend of variation of \(Q_\mathrm{c}\) with lapse time and the corresponding apparent depths is also studied. Increase in \(Q_\mathrm{c}\) values with the lapse time suggests that the deeper part of the study region is less heterogeneous than the shallower part. The observed values of \(Q_0\) (\(Q_\mathrm{c}\) at 1 Hz) and frequency parameter n indicate that the medium beneath the study area is highly heterogeneous and tectonically very active. A regionalization of the estimated \(Q_0\) is carried out, and a contour map is prepared for the whole region. Some segments of Lesser Himalaya and Sub-Himalaya exhibit very low \(Q_0\) , while the whole Tethyan Himalaya and some parts of Greater Himalaya are characterized by low \(Q_0\) values. Our results are comparable with those obtained from tectonically active regions in the world.     

Spatial and decadal variations in satellite-based terrestrial evapotranspiration and drought over Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China during 1982–2009

Evapotranspiration (ET) plays an important role in exchange of water budget and carbon cycles over the Inner Mongolia autonomous region of China (IMARC). However, the spatial and decadal variations in terrestrial ET and drought over the IMARC in the past was calculated by only using sparse meteorological point-based data which remain quite uncertain. In this study, by combining satellite and meteorology datasets, a satellite-based semi-empirical Penman ET (SEMI-PM) algorithm is used to estimate regional ET and evaporative wet index (EWI) calculated by the ratio of ET and potential ET (PET) over the IMARC. Validation result shows that the square of the correlation coefficients \((R^{2})\) for the four sites varies from 0.45 to 0.84 and the root-mean-square error (RMSE) is  \(0.78\) mm. We found that the ET has decreased on an average of 4.8 mm per decade (\(p=0.10\)) over the entire IMARC during 1982–2009 and the EWI has decreased on an average of 1.1% per decade (\(p=0.08\)) during the study period. Importantly, the patterns of monthly EWI anomalies have a good spatial and temporal correlation with the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) anomalies from 1982 to 2009, indicating EWI can be used to monitor regional surface drought with high spatial resolution. In high-latitude ecosystems of northeast region of the IMARC, both air temperature \((T_{a})\) and incident solar radiation \((R_{s})\) are the most important parameters in determining ET. However, in semiarid and arid areas of the central and southwest regions of the IMARC, both relative humidity (RH) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) are the most important factors controlling annual variation of ET.     

Mendigite,Mn2Mn2MnCa(Si3O9)2, a new mineral species of the bustamite group from the Eifel volcanic region,Germany

A new mineral, mendigite (IMA no. 2014-007), isostructural with bustamite, has been found in the In den Dellen pumice quarry near Mendig, Laacher Lake area, Eifel Mountains, Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz), Germany. Associated minerals are sanidine, nosean, rhodonite, tephroite, magnetite, and a pyrochlore-group mineral. Mendigite occurs as clusters of long-prismatic crystals (up to 0.1 × 0.2 × 2.5 mm in size) in cavities within sanidinite. The color is dark brown with a brown streak. Perfect cleavage is parallel to (001). D _calc = 3.56 g/cm³. The IR spectrum shows the absence of H₂O and OH groups. Mendigite is biaxial (–), α = 1.722 (calc), β = 1.782(5), γ = 1.796(5), 2V _meas = 50(10)°. The chemical composition (electron microprobe, mean of 4 point analyses, the Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺ ratio determined from structural data and charge-balance constraints) is as follows (wt %): 0.36 MgO, 10.78 CaO, 37.47 MnO, 2.91 Mn₂O₃, 4.42 Fe₂O₃, 1.08 Al₂O₃, 43.80 SiO₂, total 100.82. The empirical formula is Mn_2.00(Mn_1.33Ca_0.67) (Mn_0.50 ²⁺ Mn_0.28 ³⁺ Fe_0.15 ³⁺ Mg_0.07)(Ca_0.80 (Mn_0.20 ²⁺)(Si_5.57 Fe_0.27 ³⁺ Al_0.16O₁₈). The idealized formula is Mn₂Mn₂MnCa(Si₃O₉)₂. The crystal structure has been refined for a single crystal. Mendigite is triclinic, space group \(P\bar 1\); the unit-cell parameters are a = 7.0993(4), b = 7.6370(5), c = 7.7037(4) Å, α = 79.58(1)°, β = 62.62(1)°, γ = 76.47(1)°; V = 359.29(4) ų, Z = 1. The strongest reflections on the X-ray powder diffraction pattern [d, Å (I, %) (hkl)] are: 3.72 (32) (020), 3.40 (20) (002, 021), 3.199 (25) (012), 3.000 (26), (\(01\bar 2\), \(1\bar 20\)), 2.885 (100) (221, \(2\bar 11\), \(1\bar 21\)), 2.691 (21) (222, \(2\bar 10\)), 2.397 (21) (\(02\bar 2\), \(21\bar 1\), 203, 031), 1.774 (37) (412, \(3\bar 21\)). The type specimen is deposited in the Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, registration number 4420/1.     

Mineral CuFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>4</Subscript> from sulfide Copper–Nickel ores of the Lovnoozero deposit,Kola Peninsula

The unnamed mineral CuFe₂S₄ has been found from sulfide Cu–Ni ores of the Lovnoozero deposit in the Kola Peninsula, Russia. It occurs in norite composed of orthopyroxene (bronzite), Ca-rich plagioclase (66% An), pargasite, and phlogopite. The last two minerals are replaced by talc, chlorite and carbonates. Monoclinic pyrrhotite, pentlandite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite are associated ore minerals. Phase CuFe₂S₄ is enclosed predominantly in chalcopyrite, probably replacing it, and occurs in later carbonate veinlets together with redeposited sulfides. It is light yellow with a brownish tint and metallic luster. The Mohs hardness is 5–5.5; VHN 654 ± 86 kgs/mm². Density (calc.) = 4.524 g/cm³. The mineral is anisotropic, internal reflections are absent. Reflectance values (λ, nm R′ _g and R′ _p %) are: 440 30.3 29.5, 500 43.7 42.8, 560 50.9 49.6, 620 52.4 51.2, 640 52.6 51.4, 680 52.8 51.6, 700 52.7 51.4. CuFe₂S₄ is monoclinic, a = 6.260(4), b = 5.39(1), c = 13.19(1) Å, β = 94.88(7)°, V = 443(1) ų, Z = 4. The strongest reflections in the powder diffraction pattern are [d, Å (I) (hkl)]: 4.150 (10) (012), 3.559 (4) (\(11\bar 2\)), 3.020 (4) (\(10\bar 4\)), 2.560 (3) (\(21\bar 2\)), 2.500 (3) (\(10\bar 5\)), 2.340 (3) (\(12\bar 2\)), 1.817 (3) (215), 1.489 (3) (402). The chemical composition is as follows, wt %: 20.44 Cu, 35.85 Fe, 0.65 Ni, 0.14 Co, 43.15 S, total is 100.23. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of 7 atoms is Cu_0.969(Fe_1.934Ni_0.034Co_0.007)_1.975S_4.056. According to its mode of occurrence, the mineral was formed as a result of low temperature processes involving metamorphic hydrothermal solutions.     

Effect of solar flare on the equatorial electrojet in eastern Brazil region

The effect of solar flare, sudden commencement of magnetic storm and of the disturbances ring current on the equatorial electrojet in the Eastern Brazil region, where the ground magnetic declination is as large as \(20^{^{\circ }}\hbox {W}\) is studied based on geomagnetic data with one minute resolution from Bacabal during November–December 1990. It is shown that the mean diurnal vector of the horizontal field was aligned along \(2{^{\circ }}\hbox {E}\) of north at Huancayo and \(30{^{\circ }}\hbox {W}\) of north at Bacabal during the month of December 1990. Number of solar flares that occurred on 30 December 1990 indicated the direction of solar flare related \(\Delta H\) vector to be aligned along \(5{^{\circ }}\hbox {E}\) of north at Huancayo and \(28{^{\circ }}\hbox {W}\) of north at Bacabal. This is expected as the solar flare effects are due to the enhanced conductivity in the ionosphere. The SC at 2230 UT on 26 November 1990 produced a positive impulse in \(\Delta X\) and negative impulse in \(\Delta Y\) at Bacabal with \(\Delta H\) vector aligned along \(27{^{\circ }}\hbox {W}\) of north. At Huancayo the \(\Delta H\) vector associated with SC is aligned along \(8{^{\circ }}\hbox {E}\) of north, few degrees east to the alignment of the diurnal vector of H. The magnetic storm that followed the SC had a minimum Dst index of –150 nT. The corresponding storm time disturbance in \(\Delta X\) at Huancayo as well as at Bacabal were about –250 nT but \(\Delta Y\) at Bacabal was about +70 nT and very small at Huancayo, that give the alignment of the H vector due to ring current about \(16{^{\circ }}\hbox {W}\) of north at Bacabal and almost along N–S at Huancayo. Thus alignment of the \(\Delta H\) vector due to ring current at Bacabal is \(14{^{\circ }}\hbox {E}\) of the mean direction of \(\Delta H\) vector during December 1990. This is consistent with the direction of ring current dependent on the dipole declination at the ring current altitude which is about \(5{^{\circ }}\hbox {W}\) of north over Bacabal and the deviation of declination due to the ring current during disturbed period given by the angle (\(\psi \)-D).     

Linear regression models for estimating true subsurface resistivity from apparent resistivity data

Simple linear regression (SLR) models for rapid estimation of true subsurface resistivity from apparent resistivity measurements are developed and assessed in this study. The objective is to minimize the processing time and computer memory required to carry out inversion with conventional algorithms. The arrays considered are Wenner, Wenner–Schlumberger and dipole–dipole. The parameters investigated are apparent resistivity (\(\rho _a \)) and true resistivity (\(\rho _t\)) as independent and dependent variables, respectively. For the fact that subsurface resistivity is nonlinear, the datasets were first transformed into logarithmic scale to satisfy the basic regression assumptions. Three models, one each for the three array types, are thus developed based on simple linear relationships between the dependent and independent variables. The generated SLR coefficients were used to estimate \(\rho _t\) for different \(\rho _a\) datasets for validation. Accuracy of the models was assessed using coefficient of determination (\(R^{2})\), F-test, standard error (SE) and weighted mean absolute percentage error (wMAPE). The model calibration \(R^{2}\) and F-value are obtained as 0.75 and 2286, 0.63 and 1097, and 0.47 and 446 for the Wenner, Wenner–Schlumberger and dipole–dipole array models, respectively. The SE for calibration and validation are obtained as 0.12 and 0.13, 0.16 and 0.25, and 0.21 and 0.24 for the Wenner, Wenner–Schlumberger and dipole–dipole array models, respectively. Similarly, the wMAPE for calibration and validation are estimated as 3.27 and 3.49%, 3.88 and 5.72%, and 5.35 and 6.07% for the three array models, respectively. When compared with standard constraint least-squares (SCLS) inversion and Incomplete Gauss–Newton (IGN) algorithms, the SLR models were found to reduce about 80–96.5% of the processing time and memory space required to carry out the inversion with the SCLS algorithm. It is concluded that the SLR models can rapidly estimate \(\rho _t\) for the various arrays accurately.     

Thermal equation of state of CaIrO<Subscript>3</Subscript> post-perovskite

The pressure–volume–temperature (P–V–T) relation of CaIrO₃ post-perovskite (ppv) was measured at pressures and temperatures up to 8.6 GPa and 1,273 K, respectively, with energy-dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction using a DIA-type, cubic-anvil apparatus (SAM85). Unit-cell dimensions were derived from the Le Bail full profile refinement technique, and the results were fitted using the third-order Birth-Murnaghan equation of state. The derived bulk modulus \( K_{T0} \) at ambient pressure and temperature is 168.3 ± 7.1 GPa with a pressure derivative \( K_{T0}^{\prime } \) = 5.4 ± 0.7. All of the high temperature data, combined with previous experimental data, are fitted using the high-temperature Birch-Murnaghan equation of state, the thermal pressure approach, and the Mie-Grüneisen-Debye formalism. The refined thermoelastic parameters for CaIrO₃ ppv are: temperature derivative of bulk modulus \( (\partial K_{T} /\partial T)_{P} \) = ?0.038 ± 0.011 GPa K^?1, \( \alpha K_{T} \) = 0.0039 ± 0.0001 GPa K^?1, \( \left( {\partial K_{T} /\partial T} \right)_{V} \) = ?0.012 ± 0.002 GPa K^?1, and \( \left( {\partial^{2} P/\partial T^{2} } \right)_{V} \) = 1.9 ± 0.3 × 10^?6 GPa² K^?2. Using the Mie-Grüneisen-Debye formalism, we obtain Grüneisen parameter \( \gamma_{0} \) = 0.92 ± 0.01 and its volume dependence q = 3.4 ± 0.6. The systematic variation of bulk moduli for several oxide post-perovskites can be described approximately by the relationship K _T0  = 5406.0/V(molar) + 5.9 GPa.     

Effect of uncertainty in $$V_{\mathrm{S}}{-}N$$ correlations on seismic site response analysis

This paper studies the reliability of the calculated shear-wave velocity (\(V_{\mathrm{S}}\)) from different available \(V_{\mathrm{S}}\) and SPT-N correlations in terms of seismic site response analysis. In the present study, various \(V_{\mathrm{S}}\)–N correlations developed for different regions around the globe have been used to calculate the bound of \(V_{\mathrm{S}}\) variations with depth at three different sites in Kolkata city. This bound has later been used to generate the random \(V_{\mathrm{S}}\) profiles using the Monte Carlo simulation. Equivalent linear site response analysis has been performed to study the response of those generated profiles under different input motion excitations. Strong-to-weak ground motion records have been used for this purpose. The amplification spectra of the generated \(V_{\mathrm{S}}\) profiles using all soil types and specific soil-type \(V_{\mathrm{S}}\)–N correlations show significant variations. The study also shows that the \(V_{\mathrm{S}}\)–N correlation may result in quite different \(V_{\mathrm{S},30}\) values and subsequently it may lead to the different site classes according to the NEHRP 2003 classification. So, the random choice of the \(V_{\mathrm{S}}\)–N correlation, where the direct measurement of \(V_{\mathrm{S}}\) is not available, may affect the outcome of seismic hazard analysis significantly. The study points out the need for accurate estimation of the \(V_{\mathrm{S}}\) profile either from in-situ determination or using site-specific correlation.     

Physico-chemical conditions of four calc-alkaline granitoid plutons of Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex,eastern India: Tectonic implications

Petrography and mineralogy of four calc-alkaline granitoid plutons Agarpur, Sindurpur, Raghunathpur and Sarpahari located from west to east of northern Purulia of Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex, eastern India, are investigated. The plutons, as a whole, are composed of varying proportions of Qtz–Pl–Kfs–Bt–Hbl±Px–Ttn–Mag–Ap–Zrn±Ep. The composition of biotite is consistent with those of calc-alkaline granitoids. Hornblende–plagioclase thermometry, aluminium-in-hornblende barometry and the assemblage sphene–magnetite–quartz were used to determine the P, T and \(f_{\mathrm{O}_2}\) during the crystallisation of the parent magmas in different plutons. The plutons are crystallised under varying pressures (6.2–2.4 kbar) and a wide range of temperatures (896–\(718{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}\)) from highly oxidised magmas (log \(f_{\mathrm{O}_2}\) \(-11.2\) to \(-15.4\) bar). The water content of the magma of different plutons varied from 5.0 to 6.5 wt%, consistent with the calc-alkaline nature of the magma. Calc-alkaline nature, high oxygen fugacity and high \(\hbox {H}_{2}\hbox {O}_{{\mathrm{melt}}}\) suggest that these plutons were emplaced in subduction zone environment. The depths of emplacement of these plutons seem to increase from west to east. Petrologic compositions of these granitoids continuously change from enderbite (opx-tonalite: Sarpahari) in the east to monzogranite (Raghunathpur) to syenogranite (Sindurpur) to alkali feldspar granite (Agarpur) in the west. The water contents of the parental magmas of different plutons also increase systematically from east to west. No substantial increase in the depth of emplacement is found in these plutons lying south and north of the major shear zone passing through the study area suggesting the strike-slip nature of the east–west shear zone.     

Soil erosion assessment on hillslope of GCE using RUSLE model

A new method for obtaining the C factor (i.e., vegetation cover and management factor) of the RUSLE model is proposed. The method focuses on the derivation of the C factor based on the vegetation density to obtain a more reliable erosion prediction. Soil erosion that occurs on the hillslope along the highway is one of the major problems in Malaysia, which is exposed to a relatively high amount of annual rainfall due to the two different monsoon seasons. As vegetation cover is one of the important factors in the RUSLE model, a new method that accounts for a vegetation density is proposed in this study. A hillslope near the Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE), Malaysia, is chosen as an experimental site whereby eight square plots with the size of \(8\times 8\) and \(5\times 5\) m are set up. A vegetation density available on these plots is measured by analyzing the taken image followed by linking the C factor with the measured vegetation density using several established formulas. Finally, erosion prediction is computed based on the RUSLE model in the Geographical Information System (GIS) platform. The C factor obtained by the proposed method is compared with that of the soil erosion guideline Malaysia, thereby predicted erosion is determined by both the C values. Result shows that the C value from the proposed method varies from 0.0162 to 0.125, which is lower compared to the C value from the soil erosion guideline, i.e., 0.8. Meanwhile predicted erosion computed from the proposed C value is between 0.410 and \(3.925\, \hbox {t ha}^{-1 }\,\hbox {yr}^{-1}\) compared to 9.367 to \(34.496\, \hbox {t ha}^{-1}\,\hbox {yr}^{-1 }\) range based on the C value of 0.8. It can be concluded that the proposed method of obtaining a reasonable C value is acceptable as the computed predicted erosion is found to be classified as a very low zone, i.e. less than \(10\, \hbox {t ha}^{-1 }\,\hbox {yr}^{-1}\) whereas the predicted erosion based on the guideline has classified the study area as a low zone of erosion, i.e., between 10 and \(50\, \hbox {t ha}^{-1 }\,\hbox {yr}^{-1}\).     

Metal contamination of agricultural soils in the copper mining areas of Singhbhum shear zone in India

The study was intended to investigate the heavy metal contamination in the agricultural soils of the copper mining areas in Singhbhum shear zone, India. The total concentrations of the metals were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICPMS). Pollution levels were assessed by calculating enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (\(I_\mathrm{geo}\)), contamination factors (CF), pollution load index (PLI), Nemerow index and ecological risk index (\(R_{I}\)). The metal concentrations in the soil samples exceeded the average shale values for almost all the metals. Principal component analysis resulted in extraction of three factors explaining 82.6% of the data variability and indicated anthropogenic contribution of Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, Mn and Pb. The EF and \(I_\mathrm{geo}\) values indicated very high contamination with respect to Cu followed by As and Zn in the agricultural soils. The values of PLI, \(R_{I}\) and Nemerow index, which considered the overall effect of all the studied metals on the soils, revealed that 50% of the locations were highly polluted with respect to metals. The pollution levels varied with the proximity to the copper mining and processing units. Consequently, the results advocate the necessity of periodic monitoring of the agricultural soils of the area and development of proper management strategies to reduce the metal pollution.     

Particle Retention in a Submerged Meadow and Its Variation Near the Leading Edge

The retention of particles within meadows of submerged aquatic vegetation impacts the fate of organic matter, pollen, and larvae. Because flow conditions near the leading edge differ from those over the bulk of the canopy, particle retention is likely to differ as well. In particular, near the leading edge of a wide meadow, flow deceleration generates a vertical updraft, which impacts particle fate. In the fully developed region of the meadow, shear layer vortices at the top of the meadow may also influence particle fate. In this study, the retention of particles was measured along the length of a 10-m model meadow (height h?=?0.1 m) and was connected to the evolving flow field. Two particle sizes, with settling velocity w _s50?=?0.00075?,?0.018 m s^?1, were released at two heights within the model meadow \( \left(\frac{Z_{rel}}{h}=0.31,0.81\right). \) The retention of particles was measured using microscope slides distributed along the flume bed. Retention increased with distance from the leading edge, associated with the decrease in vertical updraft. Retention was also greater for the particles with higher settling velocity. In the fully developed region of the meadow, particle retention was lower for particles influenced by the shear layer vortices at the top of the meadow (\( \frac{Z_{rel}}{h}=0.81 \)).     

Short-temporal variation of soil organic carbon in different land use systems in the Ramsar site 2027 ‘Presa Manuel Ávila Camacho’ Puebla

The soil organic carbon (SOC) was determined in 40 sites at two depths (0–10 and 10–20 cm) for different uses of soil during one year (February 2014–February 2015). The total SOC stored in the analysed soil from the Ramsar site was \(9{,}67 \times 10^{5}\) t, from which 40% was stored in induced pasture, followed by the red oak forest with shrubbery secondary vegetation, rain-fed agriculture and human settlements (24%, 23%, and 13%, respectively); the last was evaluated to determine how the proximity of the city impacts the SOC. The SOC concentrations present significant differences with respect to soil depth (\(p=0.0\)) and land use (\(p=0.0\)). The temporal distribution maps showed that SOC did not present significant variations in the short-term. A relation between SOC and bulk density was found (\(r = -0.654\), \(p=0.00\)), with respect to other physicochemical properties. Moreover, a significant relation between SOC and stored total nitrogen (\(r = 0.585\); \(p = 0.00\)) was found. This work represents the first study that analyses the current condition of the soils in the Ramsar site ‘Presa Manuel Ávila Camacho’.     

Electrical conductivity of NaCl-bearing aqueous fluids to 600 °C and 1 GPa

The electrical conductivity of aqueous fluids containing 0.01, 0.1, and 1 M NaCl was measured in an externally heated diamond cell to 600 °C and 1 GPa. These measurements therefore more than double the pressure range of previous data and extend it to higher NaCl concentrations relevant for crustal and mantle fluids. Electrical conductivity was generally found to increase with pressure and fluid salinity. The conductivity increase observed upon variation of NaCl concentration from 0.1 to 1 M was smaller than from 0.01 to 0.1 M, which reflects the reduced degree of dissociation at high NaCl concentration. Measured conductivities can be reproduced (R ² = 0.96) by a numerical model with log \(\sigma\) = ?1.7060– 93.78/T + 0.8075 log c + 3.0781 log \(\rho\) + log \(\varLambda\) ₀(T, \(\rho\)), where \(\sigma\) is the conductivity in S m^?1, T is temperature in K, c is NaCl concentration in wt%, \(\rho\) is the density of pure water (in g/cm³) at given pressure and temperature, and \(\varLambda\) ₀ (T, \(\rho\)) is the molar conductivity of NaCl in water at infinite dilution (in S cm² mol^?1), \(\varLambda\) ₀ = 1573–1212 \(\rho\) + 537 062/T–208 122 721/T ². This model allows accurate predictions of the conductivity of saline fluids throughout most of the crust and upper mantle; it should not be used at temperatures below 100 °C. In general, the data show that already a very small fraction of NaCl-bearing aqueous fluid in the deep crust is sufficient to enhance bulk conductivities to values that would be expected for a high degree of partial melting. Accordingly, aqueous fluids may be distinguished from hydrous melts by comparing magnetotelluric and seismic data. H₂O–NaCl fluids may enhance electrical conductivities in the deep crust with little disturbance of v _p or v _p/v _s ratios. However, at the high temperatures in the mantle wedge above subduction zones, the conductivity of hydrous basaltic melts and saline aqueous fluids is rather similar, so that distinguishing these two phases from conductivity data alone is difficult. Observed conductivities in forearc regions, where temperatures are too low to allow melting, may be accounted for by not more than 1 wt% of an aqueous fluid with 5 wt% NaCl, if this fluid forms a continuous film or fills interconnected tubes.