Lack of mitochondrial genetic structure in the endangered giant clam populations of Tridacna maxima (Bivalvia: Cardiidae: Tridacninae) across the Saudi Arabian coast

The present investigation focuses on population genetic structure analysis of the endangered giant clam species Tridacna maxima across part of the Red Sea,with the main aim of assessing the influence of postulated potential barriers to gene flow(i.e.,particular oceanographic features and marked environmental heterogeneity)on genetic connectivity among populations of this poorly dispersive bivalve species.For this purpose,a total of 44 specimens of T.maxima were collected from five sampling locations along the Saudi Arabian coast and examined for genetic variability at the considerably variable mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase I(COI).Our results revealed lack of population subdivision and phylogeographic structure across the surveyed geographic spectrum,suggesting that neither the short pelagic larval dispersal nor the various postulated barriers to gene flow in the Red Sea can trigger the onset of marked genetic differentiation in T.maxima.Furthermore,the discerned shallow COI haplotype genealogy(exhibiting high haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity),associated with recent demographic and spatial expansion events,can be considered as residual effect of a recent evolutionary history of the species in the Red Sea.     

Inversion of residual gravity anomalies using neural network

A new approach is presented in order to interpret residual gravity anomalies from simple geometrically shaped bodies such as horizontal cylinder, vertical cylinder, and sphere. This approach is mainly based on using modular neural network (MNN) inversion for estimating the shape factor, the depth, and the amplitude coefficient. The sigmoid function has been used as an activation function in the MNN inversion. The new approach has been tested first on synthetic data from different models using only one well-trained network. The results of this approach show that the parameter values estimated by the modular inversion are almost identical to the true parameters. Furthermore, the noise analysis has been examined where the results of the inversion produce satisfactory results up to 10% of white Gaussian noise. The reliability of this approach is demonstrated through two published real gravity field anomalies taken over a chromite deposit in Camaguey province, Cuba and over sulfide ore body, Nornada, Quebec, Canada. A comparable and acceptable agreement is obtained between the results derived by the MNN inversion method and those deduced by other interpretation methods. Furthermore, the depth obtained by the proposed technique is found to be very close to that obtained by drilling information.     

Geophysical survey for geological hazards assessment of Wadi Thuwal area, KSA: a case history

Magnetic and seismic methods have been used in this study as complementary methods to each other to construct a geologic hazard map for Wadi Thuwal area. Magnetic interpretation for deep-seated geologic structures has involved reduction to pole algorithm and downward continuation techniques. It showed that there are three major fault trends: NE-SW and NNE-SSW, NW-SE, and N-S. Furthermore, shear zone has been found close to Harrat Thuwal, which was confirmed by the seismic method. Seismic method revealed three lithologic layers where the depth of the bedrock was found to be ranging between 9?m at the southeastern part of the study area and 24?m at its northern part. It showed also five major fault trends: NW-SE, ENE-WSW, NE-SW, and nearly E-W. Supported by the surface geology, magnetic and seismic results showed that the Wadi Thuwal area can be divided into three zones on the basis of geologic hazards, depending on the presence of geologic features such as faults. It is recommended that before any development plan in Wadi Thuwal area, the delineated hazard zonation should be taken into account.     

Hartley spectral analysis of self-potential anomalies caused by a 2-D horizontal circular cylinder

The real spectral analysis of SP anomalies due to 2-D horizontal circular cylinder is carried out using Hartley transform. The Hartley transform is an alternate means of realizing spectral analysis in real domain unlike the Fourier spectral analysis. The Hartley transform yields a straightforward interpretation of SP anomalies caused by horizontal circular cylinder wherein all the parameters are derived independently as a function of frequency. A theoretical example illustrates the procedure. The effect of random noise, up to 10% of white Gaussian noise, on the interpretation scheme was also studied and found to be of negligible. The field example of the ??Sulleymonkey?? anomaly in the Ergoni copper district, Turkey exemplifies the applicability of the proposed method.     

An improvement in mass flux convective parameterizations and its impact on seasonal simulations using a coupled model

A new closure and a modified detrainment for the simplified Arakawa–Schubert (SAS) cumulus parameterization scheme are proposed. In the modified convective scheme which is named as King Abdulaziz University (KAU) scheme, the closure depends on both the buoyancy force and the environment mean relative humidity. A lateral entrainment rate varying with environment relative humidity is proposed and tends to suppress convection in a dry atmosphere. The detrainment rate also varies with environment relative humidity. The KAU scheme has been tested in a single column model (SCM) and implemented in a coupled global climate model (CGCM). Increased coupling between environment and clouds in the KAU scheme results in improved sensitivity of the depth and strength of convection to environmental humidity compared to the original SAS scheme. The new scheme improves precipitation simulation with better representations of moisture and temperature especially during suppressed convection periods. The KAU scheme implemented in the Seoul National University (SNU) CGCM shows improved precipitation over the tropics. The simulated precipitation pattern over the Arabian Peninsula and Northeast African region is also improved.

     

Geology and Mineral Chemistry of Gold Mineralization in Mirge‐Naqshineh Occurrence (Saqez,NW Iran): Implications for Transportation and Precipitation of Gold

The Mirge-Naqshineh gold district is situated at northwest of Iran with a NW-trending brittleductile shear zone. It is hosted by Precambrian meta-sedimentary and meta-volcanic units traversed by mineralized quartz veins. In terms of cross-cutting relationships and sulfide content three types of quartz veins are identified in the region. Among those, parallel to bedding quartz vein(type Ⅰ) is the main host for gold mineralization. Gold is found in three different forms: 1) submicrometer-size inclusions of gold in arsenian pyrite, 2) as electrum and 3) in the crystal lattice of sulfides(pyrite, galena and chalcopyrite). Six types of pyrite(Py1-Py6) were identified in this ore reserve. Py3 coexists with arsenopyrite and contains the greatest As-Au concentrations. There is a negative correlation between the As and S contents in Py2 and Py3, implying the substitution of sulfur by arsenic. Pyrites and mineralized quartz veins were formed via metamorphic-hydrothermal fluid and reflect the gold-transportation as Au(HS)_2~- under reducing and acidic conditions. The gold precipitation mainly controlled by crystallization of arsenian pyrite during fluid/rock interactions and variation of fO_2. The volcanic host rock has played an important role in gold concentration, as Py3 in this rock contains inclusion of gold particles, but gold is within the lattice of pyrite in phyllite or other units.     

Aeromagnetic data interpretation of east Qattara Depression,Northwest Desert,Egypt

The study area is located at the east of Qattara Depression at the north of the Western Desert of Egypt. The study area contains Abu Gharadig basin, which is the most petroliferous basin in the Egyptian Western Desert. Only three exploratory wells are presented in the study area, showing a thick sediment section overlying basement rocks. Magnetic data have been frequently used in geophysical exploration. Aeromagnetic data are mainly utilized to estimate the depth to the magnetic basement as well as to delineate the possible structures of the study area. The depth to magnetic basement has been estimated using the analytical solution of exponential equations obtained from the Fourier transformation of magnetic data, assuming multi-prisms. The depths obtained from this technique vary from 0.70 to 2.91 km with an average depth of 2.08 km. Local phase filters have been mainly used as edges detector where the possible occurrences structures can be delineated. Hyperbolic tilt angle, second-order tilt angle, and normalized total horizontal derivative (TDX) provide the best results for delineating the possible structures, showing the possible contacts within the basement of the study area. The edge enhancement filters show that the study area has been affected by different structural trends taking E-W, NE-SW, NNE-SSW, N-S, and ENE-WSW directions.     

CAD-DRASTIC: chloride application density combined with DRASTIC for assessing groundwater vulnerability to road salt application

Road salt is pervasively used throughout Canada and in other cold regions during winter. For cities relying exclusively on groundwater, it is important to plan and minimize the application of salt accordingly to mitigate the adverse effects of high chloride concentrations in water supply aquifers. The use of geospatial data (road network, land use, Quaternary and bedrock geology, average annual recharge, water-table depth, soil distribution, topography) in the DRASTIC methodology provides an efficient way of distinguishing salt-vulnerable areas associated with groundwater supply wells, to aid in the implementation of appropriate management practices for road salt application in urban areas. This research presents a GIS-based methodology to accomplish a vulnerability analysis for 12 municipal water supply wells within the City of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. The chloride application density (CAD) value at each supply well is calculated and related to the measured groundwater chloride concentrations and further combined with soil media and aquifer vadose- and saturated-zone properties used in DRASTIC. This combined approach, CAD-DRASTIC, is more accurate than existing groundwater vulnerability mapping methods and can be used by municipalities and other water managers to further improve groundwater protection related to road salt application.