Integrated geophysical methods for determining geometry of the Kahrizak Fault,Tehran, Iran

Historical studies and geologic investigations show that the Kahrizak fault located at the southern foot of the central Alborz Mountains poses a high seismic risk for the Tehran region. However, little is known about the geometry and mechanism of movement along this seismogenic fault. This paper uses three different geophysical methods namely, seismic refraction, electrical resistivity and magnetic techniques to investigate geometry and sense of motion across the Kahrizak fault in southern Tehran. Although the geoelectric measurements do not show clear anomaly across the fault deep down into the ground, it reveals an obvious anomaly in shallow depths. However, looking at the seismic refraction and magnetic profiles across the Kahrizak scarp, we identified a high angle fault dipping south. This result in conjunction with the local relief across the fault scarp would suggest that the southern block is downthrown with respect to the northern block across a normal fault. Such knowledge can contribute to better evaluate the seismic hazard potential of one of the main seismogenic faults in the Tehran area.     

Neoproterozoic SHRIMP U–Pb zircon ages of silica-rich Dokhan Volcanics in the North Eastern Desert,Egypt

Chronology of Neoproterozoic volcanosedimentary successions remains controversial for many regions of the Arabian–Nubian Shield, including the Dokhan Volcanics of NE Egypt. New U–Pb zircon SHRIMP ages have been obtained for 10 silica-rich ignimbrites and two subvolcanic dacitic bodies, mapped as Dokhan Volcanics, from the North Eastern Desert of Egypt. Crystallization ages range between 592 ± 5 and 630 ± 6 Ma (Early Ediacaran). Apparently, the late consolidation of the Arabian–Nubian Shield was accompanied by the evolution of isolated volcanic centres and basin systems which developed during a period of approx. 40 Ma, independently in space and time and probably under changing tectonic regimes. The obtained age data together with other previously published reliable ages for Dokhan Volcanics suggest two main pulses of volcanic activity: 630–623 Ma and 618–592 Ma. Five samples contain inherited zircons, with ages of 669, 715–746, 847 and 1530 Ma, supporting models that North Eastern Desert crust is mainly juvenile Neoproterozoic crust.     

Groundwater vulnerability and risk mapping of the Hajeb-jelma aquifer (Central Tunisia) using a GIS-based DRASTIC model

The aim of this study is to elaborate a synthetic document for the assessment of groundwater vulnerability to pollution in the Hajeb-Jelma aquifer. The specific object is to incorporate the Geographical Information System (GIS) to generate groundwater vulnerability and risk maps with DRASTIC model. Indeed, GIS could help to make the results of a complicated model more clear through visual representation, providing an applicable tool for decision makers. The vulnerability map of Hajeb-Jelma watershed shows three classes: moderate, high and very high depending on the intrinsic properties. The risk map shows a very high risk dependant on hydrogeological characteristics, land use and human impacts in major part of the Hajeb-Jelma region. These maps could serve as a scientific basis for sustainable land use planning and groundwater management in the Hajeb-Jelma region.     

Active tectonics and strain partitioning along dextral fault system in Central Iran: Analysis of geomorphological observations and geophysical data in the Kashan region

This paper uses high-resolution images and field investigations, in conjunction with seismic reflection data, to constrain active structural deformation in the Kashan region of Central Iran. Offset stream beds and Qanats indicate right-lateral strike slip motion at a rate of about 2 mm/yr along the NW–SE trending Qom-Zefreh fault zone which has long been recognized as one of the major faults in Central Iran. However, the pattern of drainage systems across the active growing folds including deep incision of stream beds and deflected streams indicate uplift at depth on thrust faults dipping SW beneath the anticlines. Therefore, our studies in the Kashan region indicate that deformation occurs within Central Iran which is often considered to behave as a non-deforming block within the Arabia–Eurasia collision zone. The fact that the active Qom-Zefreh strike-slip fault runs parallel to the active folds, which overlie blind thrust faults, suggests that oblique motion of Arabia with respect to Eurasia is partitioned in this part of Central Iran.     

Assessing mariculture water quality with the structural and functional characteristics of a ciliate community

Ciliated protozoa play important roles in micro-ecosystems, especially in marine biotopes. However, few studies have been carried out on the periphytic, or aufwuch, forms in mariculture waters so far. In this study, we sampled periphytic ciliate communities in two closed mariculture ponds (ponds CP1 and CP2) and a natural seawater reservoir (pond RP) using a glass slide method to evaluate their colonizing processes and general ecological features, as well as their application as water quality indicators. We analyzed species compositions, structural parameters (species number, richness, diversity, evenness, abundance and dBP) and functional parameters (G, Seq and T90%). Pond RP was characterized by higher levels of structural parameters (except for abundance and dBP) and more equal proportion of the major taxonomic groups. The values of Seq were significantly higher in pond RP and similar in both pond CP1 and CP2. It was also demonstrated that environmental factors, including NO2-H, NO3-H, NH3-H, soluble reactive phosphate, temperature and pH, were the first principal factors affecting the communities. Among them, temperature and chemical factors were all significantly and negatively correlated with species number (P<0.01), richness (P<0.01), diversity (P<0.01), and positive correlated with abundance (P<0.01). Opposite correlations between pH and structural parameters were observed. This study showed that there were significant differences in species composition, structural parameters and functional parameters of the periphytic ciliate communities among the ponds, which were in agreement with the water quality. Results of this study confirmed the periphytic ciliate communities to be useful bioindicators of water quality in intensive mariculture waters.     

Population dynamics of marine ciliate Euplotes vannus (Protozoa, Ciliophora) in different artificial seawaters

To study population dynamics of marine ciliates in different artificial seawaters (ASW), the population growth dynamics of a common marine ciliate Euplotes vannus were investigated using beef extract media and rice media for five types of ASW and natural seawater (NSW). The results show that: (1) the population growth rate was in the order of NSW>Flack ASW>Nakamula ASW>Schmadz ASW>Oshima ASW>Subow ASW and was considerably higher in rice media than in beef extract media (apart from Subow ASW); (2) the maximum density of E. vannus in stationary phase in each treatment was ranked as Flack ASW>Nakamula ASW>Schmadz ASW>NSW>Oshima ASW>Subow ASW, and was again higher in rice media than in beef extract media (except for Subow ASW); (3) the exponential and stationary phases were longer in rice media than in beef extract media; (4) strains of E. vannus that had been domesticated for >1 year in ASW grew significantly slower, with lower maximum density and longer stationary phase than those isolated and maintained in NSW. It was demonstrated that: (1) E. vannus may grow well in Flack, Nakamula and Schmads ASW compared with NSW (mainly in terms of growth rate); and (2) Oshima ASW is the preferred choice for stock cultures of E. vannus, but the ASWs Flack, Nakamula and Schmadz are preferred for mass culture. These findings suggest that these three ASWs are effective for the cultivation of marine protozoa for experimental studies on ecology, toxicology and molecular biology.     

Phylogenetic relationships within the genus Aspidisca (Protozoa, Ciliophora, Euplotida) revealed by ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region sequences

The internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1 and ITS2) and 5.8S rRNA genes were sequenced in six populations of four Aspidisca species, namely A. leptaspis, A. orthopogon, A. magna and A. aculeata. Phylogenetic trees were constructed by means of Bayesian inference (BI), Maximum Parsimony (MP), Neighbor-Joining (NJ), and Maximum Likelihood (ML) to assess the inter- and intra-species relationships within the genus Aspidisca. All trees show similar topologies with stable supports and indicate that: (1) four well known groups, i.e., Oligotrichia, Stichotrichia, Choreotrichia and Hypotrichia, are distinctly outlined within the class Spirotrichea, and all are monophyletic other than Hypotrichia; (2) members of Aspidisca can be distinguished well, based on the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region sequences, and A. leptaspis and A. magna shared a closer relationship than other species; (3) Aspidisca and Euplotes branch early in the subclass Hypotrichia. To compare the phylogenetic relationships based on different genes, SSU rRNA trees were also constructed with nearly the same species inclusion, which revealed different topologies of inter-species, inter-genera and inter-subclasses.     

Structural Setting of Northern Tunisia Insights from Gravity Data Analysis Jendouba Case Study

Detailed gravity data in conjunction with available surface geology are analyzed to infer the organization of the underlying structures in Jendouba area. Gravity data analysis benefits from the gravity Bouguer anomaly, upward continuations, residual distribution, derivatives and Euler deconvolved maps. The main results display a positive amplitude gravity anomaly as the response of Triassic evaporitic bodies and important NE trending features at the boundaries between the Triassic outcrops and their enveloping strata. Integration of gravity, geological and structural maps let to the identification of major structural directions and trends of the study area. It confirms some structural elements gathered from outcrops. It defines also new ones.     

Selection of the best fit flood frequency distribution and parameter estimation procedure: a case study for Tasmania in Australia

Selection of a flood frequency distribution and associated parameter estimation procedure is an important step in flood frequency analysis. This is however a difficult task due to problems in selecting the best fit distribution from a large number of candidate distributions and parameter estimation procedures available in the literature. This paper presents a case study with flood data from Tasmania in Australia, which examines four model selection criteria: Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), Akaike Information Criterion—second order variant (AIC_c), Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) and a modified Anderson–Darling Criterion (ADC). It has been found from the Monte Carlo simulation that ADC is more successful in recognizing the parent distribution correctly than the AIC and BIC when the parent is a three-parameter distribution. On the other hand, AIC and BIC are better in recognizing the parent distribution correctly when the parent is a two-parameter distribution. From the seven different probability distributions examined for Tasmania, it has been found that two-parameter distributions are preferable to three-parameter ones for Tasmania, with Log Normal appears to be the best selection. The paper also evaluates three most widely used parameter estimation procedures for the Log Normal distribution: method of moments (MOM), method of maximum likelihood (MLE) and Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo method (BAY). It has been found that the BAY procedure provides better parameter estimates for the Log Normal distribution, which results in flood quantile estimates with smaller bias and standard error as compared to the MOM and MLE. The findings from this study would be useful in flood frequency analyses in other Australian states and other countries in particular, when selecting an appropriate probability distribution from a number of alternatives.