A model for daily flows of intermittent streams

A stochastic model for synthetic data generation is not available in the literature for daily flows of intermittent streams. Such a model is required in the planning and operation of structures on an intermittent stream for purposes where short time flow fluctuations are important. In this study a model is developed for such a case. The model consists of four steps: determination of the days on which flow occurs, determination of the days on which a flow increment occurs, determination of the magnitude of the flow increment, and calculation of the flow decrement on days when the flow is reduced. The first two steps are modelled by a three‐state Markov chain. In the third step, flow increments on the rising limb of the hydrograph are assumed to be gamma distributed. In the last step an exponential recession is used with two different coefficients. Parameters of the model are estimated from the observed daily stream flow data for each month of the year. The model is applied to a daily flow series of 35 years' length. It is seen that the model can preserve the short‐term characteristics (the ascension and recession curves and peaks) of the hydrograph in addition to the long‐term characteristics (mean, variance, skewness, lag‐one and higher lag autocorrelation coefficients, and zero flow percentage). The number of parameters of the model can be decreased by fitting Fourier series to their annual variation. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental determination of three-dimensional dispersivities in homogeneous porous medium

Laboratory tracer experiments were conducted to investigate longitudinal dispersivity (α _x ) as well as the transversal (α _y ) and vertical (α _z ) dispersivities in homogeneous 3–5 mm sandy aquifer. The experiments were carried out in a channel 12-m long, 1.35-m wide and 0.60-m high which was built in the Hydraulics Laboratory of Civil Engineering Department in Dokuz Eylul University. NaCl was used as a tracer and conductivity values were measured at 220 measurement points. Mass Transport 3 Dimensional (Zheng and Wang in SERDP-99-1, US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS, 1999; MT3DMS code) which is a three-dimensional solute transport simulation model incorporating finite differences solution option was used to solve the three-dimensional advective–dispersive transport equation. The estimated dispersivity values were modified until an acceptable compatibility between the observed and calculated concentrations at measurement points was reached. The best match was obtained for α _x  = 12 cm, α _y /α _x  = 0.2 and α _z /α _x  = 0.05. These values are compatible with those encountered in the literature.     

Hydrogeochemical factors effecting the scaling problem in Balçova geothermal field,İzmir, Turkey

Reservoir fluid compositions have been assessed from analytical data on water samples collected from thermal and cold waters in Balçova geothermal field. The results of mineral equilibrium modelling indicate that the waters, with some exceptions, are systematically supersaturated with respect to calcite, aragonite, dolomite, chalcedony and quartz, but undersaturated with respect to amorphous silica, celestite, anhydrite and gypsum and undersaturated or supersaturated with respect to barite, low-albite, K-feldspar, gibbsite and Fe(OH)₃(a). Calculation of mineral saturation states and geochemical analyses of scale and field observations show that carbonate minerals (calcite, aragonite and dolomite) are most likely to be precipitated as a scale type. Besides carbonates, scale formation risk of amorphous silica, Fe(OH)₃(a), anhydrite, barite and celestite minerals should be taken into account in some wells and surface equipment. Most of the waters, with some exceptions, have carbonate scaling risk at all temperatures, whereas the other scaling risks only exist over a limited temperature range. While silica, Fe(OH)₃(a) and barite show a scaling tendency at low temperatures, anhydrite and celestite scaling occurs at higher temperatures.     

Biomonitoring of heavy metals by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudevernia furfuracea</Emphasis> (L.) Zopf in Ankara (Turkey)

The objective of this study was to determine the air pollution level of Ankara and to generate the air pollution map of this city by using Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf as a biomonitor. Lichen samples were collected from unpolluted area at Yaprakli Mountains, Cankiri in November 2002 and transplanted to 27 localities in Ankara. Lichen samples were retrieved following an exposure of 3 and 6 months. Heavy metal, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, contents were determined by using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP). The chlorophyll a and b contents were determined by using DMSO method. The increase in Ni, Pb, Zn and chlorophyll a content of the specimens were statistically important. All the increases and decreases in the variables could be explained by the environmental stress like pollution, but it is hard to say that this is the only reason of these changes, also climatic conditions, seasons, strength of the light and the physiological status of the plant itself effective on these changes. According to the results of heavy metal analysis Pseudevernia furfuracea continued to accumulate heavy metals and worked well as a biomonitor. The air pollution level of Ankara shows great variations because of the great area of the city.     

Spatial and temporal characterization of standard duration-maximum precipitation over Black Sea Region in Turkey

Natural Hazards - This study characterises the spatial and temporal behaviours of maximum precipitation over the Black Sea Region in northern Turkey. Maximum precipitation data of 14 standard...     

A new approach to time-load-deformation-stress hypersurface of rocks to stability analysis of underground openings

The most important developments in rock engineering are about time-dependent deformation behavior of rocks under different loads. Many studies have been done for the purpose of identifying mathematically time-load-deformation (TLD) characteristics of the rocks. These studies have made an important contribution to the research on the stability of constructions built in rock masses, and rock material is the main part of the rock mass in which the engineering constructions. When considered from this point of view, the time-dependent deformation behavior of the rocks under different loads is important to determine unstable conditions of the rock constructions in the long term. Researches in rock masses use surfaces based on TLD data. On the other hand, the strength of the rock is also part of these analyzes. The new model developed in this study has four variables such as time, load, deformation, and strength. Therefore, TLD surfaces developed for time-load-deformation has been associated with another variable and three-component (TLD) surfaces eventually transformed into four-component (time-load-deformation-strength; TLDS) hypersurfaces. Hypersurfaces, which illustrate new TLDS behaviors of the rocks, developed in underground openings in different rock constructions in different areas. It is thought that the TLDS hypersurfaces will especially be contributed to the numerical modeling studies of rock construction analysis.     

Prediction of soil loss differences and sediment accumulation at the Nilufer creek watershed,Turkey, using multiyear satellite data in a GIS

This study integrates the RUSLE, remote sensing and GIS to assess soil loss and identify sensitive areas to soil erosion in the Nilufer creek watershed in Bursa province, Turkey. The annual average soil loss was generated separately for years 1984 and 2011, in order to expose possible soil loss differences occurred in 27 years. In addition, sediment accumulation and sediment yield of the studied watershed was also predicted and discussed. The results indicated that very severe erosion risk areas in 1984 was 13.4% of the area, but it was increased to 15.3% by the year 2011, which needs immediate attention from soil conservation point of view. Furthermore, the estimated annual sediment yield of the Nilufer creek watershed was increased from 903 to 979 Mg km^?2 y^?1 in 27 years period. The study also provides useful information for decision-makers and planners to take appropriate land management practices in the area.