Automatic Feature Extraction Module for Change Detection in Al Ain,UAE: Analysis by Means of Multi-temporal Remote Sensing Data

Monitoring new changes in cities adjacent to dynamic sand dunes requires precise classifier technique. Unlike traditional techniques of supervised classification which use training sites, the integration of image transformation tasseled cap and automatic feature extraction module based on spectral signatures has provided to be sensitive and realistic techniques with time and cost effective. The proposed module was applied to Al Ain district, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The module consists of four steps in terms of segmentation, thresholding and clustering and computing attributes. The obtained greenness and classified maps were then enhanced by applying a 3?×?3 Sobel filter. The new changes were detected by combining the multi-temporal greenness and classification maps. Accuracy assessment and quantitative analysis were performed using confusion matrix and ground truthing. The results showed significant increasing in urban and agricultural areas from the year from 1990 to 2000 compared with the period of time from the year 2000 to 2006. The image difference showed that the vegetation and building classes had increased 7.58 and 20.28 km² respectively. This study showed that image difference and fuzzy logic approach are the most sensitive techniques for detecting new changes in areas adjacent to dynamic sand dunes.     

Comparing the passive sampler and biomonitoring of organic pollutants in water: A laboratory study

Passive sampling could provide the solution to problems associated with costly and time consuming sampling programmes and biomonitoring. Mussels (Mytilus edulis) and Chemcatcher passive sampler were simultaneously analyzed for sequestered pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MSD). The Chemcatcher passive sampler based on a solid phase extraction disc with two types of diffusion-limiting membranes (polyethelene and polysulphone), were also compared. Diuron, atrazine, irgarol and lindane were accumulated in the polysulphone passive sampler in greater concentration than in the mussels or in the other passive samplers with polyethelene limiting-membrane. Mussels can accumulate in their tissue high concentration of non polar compounds such as PCB 52, dieldren and PCB 153; more than the passive sampler with polysulphone membrane. The device with polyethelene limiting membrane has high affinity capacity to concentrate high amount of phenenthrene, dieldrin, PCB 153 and PCB 52, so it acts as a sampler for non-polar compounds. The highest uptake rate of hydrophobic compounds by Chemcatcher was observed for analytes with log octanol-water partition coefficient (K_OW) between 4.5 and 7.5. Laboratory-based studies using passive samplers to assess the potential for bioaccumulation could provide robust and reliable information at relatively low cost compared to biomonitoring data. Laboratory data obtained using passive samplers could be related to accumulation under field conditions where field assessments are required.     

Scaling and self‐similarity in one‐dimensional unsteady open channel flow

The conditions under which the Saint Venant equations system for unsteady open channel flow, as an initial–boundary value problem, becomes self‐similar are investigated by utilizing one‐parameter Lie group of point scaling transformations. One of the advantages of this methodology is that the self‐similarity conditions due to the initial and boundary conditions can also be investigated thoroughly in addition to the conditions due to the governing equation. The obtained self‐similarity conditions are compared with the scaling relationships that are derived through the Froude similitude. It is shown that the initial–boundary value problem of a one‐dimensional unsteady open channel flow process in a prototype domain can be self‐similar with that of several different scaled domains. However, the values of all the flow variables (at specified time and space) under different scaled domains can be upscaled to the same values in the prototype domain (at the corresponding time and space), as shown in this study. Distortion in scales of different space dimensions has been implemented extensively in physical hydraulic modelling, mainly because of cost, space and time limitations. Unlike the traditional approach, the distinction is made between the longitudinal–horizontal and transverse–horizontal length scales in this study. The scaled domain obtained by the proposed approach, when scaling ratios of channel width and water depth are equal, is particularly important for the similarity of flow characteristics in a cross‐section because the width‐to‐depth ratio and the inclination angles of the banks are conserved in a cross‐section. It is also shown that the scaling ratio of the roughness coefficient under distorted channel conditions depends on that of hydraulic radius and longitudinal length. The proposed scaling relations obtained by the Lie group scaling approach may provide additional spatial, temporal and economical flexibility in setting up physical hydraulic models. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mapping and classification of hydrological parameters from digital terrain data in the Musandam Peninsula,UAE and Oman

Groundwater exploration and modelling requires hydrological parameters and a large volume of hydrologic database. This study integrates remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) to map and classify hydrological parameters indicates areas of groundwater recharge and discharge. Bivariate quadratic surfaces with moving window size of 5 × 5 were fitted to the digital elevation model and drainage basins, drainage network, topographic wetness index (TWI) and hydroforms were derived. The eight-direction algorithm (D8) that determines in which neighbouring pixel any water in a central pixel will flow naturally was used to delineate drainage basin and drainage network in the study area. The TWI was used to quantify the effect of local topography on hydrological processes and for modelling soil moisture. The results indicate the presence of intensive of stream network (1336 km²), wettest zones and accumulation zones (63.99 km²) within Wadi Bih, the UAE and Wadi Khasb, Oman, suggesting regional recharge.     

Automatic detection of near surface geological and hydrological features and investigating their influence on groundwater accumulation and salinity in southwest Egypt using remote sensing and GIS

This study employs two automated algorithms, the topographic fabric and the deterministic eight-node (D8), to reveal near surface geological fractures and their associated paleodrainages network from a 90?m DEM of the Shuttle Topographic Radar Mission sensor. The topographic fabric algorithm, which calculates the slope and aspect which define a vector normal to the earth’s surface and then compute direction cosines of normal vector at each point, was used to auto-detect fault zones. The deterministic eight-node (D8) algorithm, which determines in which neighbouring pixel any water in a central pixel will flow naturally, was used to delineate paleodrainages concealed beneath sand sheets. Seven sets of geological structures were recognized. Their major trends were found to be in the S46°W, S58°W, S81°W, N107°W, N–S, E–W and N152°W and share similar trends of the revealed paleodrainages. The results suggest a strong spatial relationship between the features extracted from DEM and groundwater potential.     

Influence of geomagnetic field on the motion of low satellites

The first aim of the present work is to compute a more accurate and recent model for the Earth’s magnetic field. The second aim is to determine the effects of the Earth’s magnetic field on the motion of a charged artificial satellite to evaluate the variations of the orbital elements of the satellite due to these effects. The magnetic field and its variation with time have been studied at different heights, longitudes and latitudes. The geomagnetic field is considered as a multiple potential field and the electrical charge of the satellite is assumed to be constant. A new computer code has been constructed to follow the components of the magnetic field in spherical harmonic models. The Gauss equations are solved numerically. The results concentrate on the computation of the numerical values of orbital perturbation for the case of a low Earth satellite. RS-1 satellite and space craft gravity probe B (GPB) are chosen as cases of studies for a detailed numerical analysis.     

Groundwater Chemistry of the Mornag Aquifer System in NE Tunisia

The present paper investigates hydrochemical processes and water quality in the Mornag aquifer in NE Tunisia. Groundwater samples were collected during a field campaign, and were analysed for major and trace elements. The collected waters have a chemical facies rich in Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and Cl^-. Piper diagram shows a progressive increase in chloride ions along with increasing salinity. Saturation indexes calculated by using PHREEQC (USGS) show that the Mornag waters are slightly saturated with respect to carbonates (calcite and dolomite), while undersaturated with respect to gypsum, halite and other evaporitic minerals. The current composition of waters takes place via dissolution of halite and Ca-sulfates, where the increase in calcium is partially balanced by possible calcite precipitation. The relevant recorded pollutant is nitrate, which was likely dispersed from agricultural soils, while heavy metals were generally far below values of pollution thresholds, indicating no influence by mining activity.