Turbulence structure in the upper ocean: a comparative study of observations and modeling

Observations of turbulent dissipation rates measured by two independent instruments are compared with numerical model runs to investigate the injection of turbulence generated by sea surface gravity waves. The near-surface observations are made by a moored autonomous instrument, fixed at approximately 8 m below the sea surface. The instrument is equipped with shear probes, a high-resolution pressure sensor, and an inertial motion package to measure time series of dissipation rate and nondirectional surface wave energy spectrum. A free-falling profiler is used additionally to collect vertical microstructure profiles in the upper ocean. For the model simulations, we use a one-dimensional mixed layer model based on a k–ε type second moment turbulence closure, which is modified to include the effects of wave breaking and Langmuir cells. The dissipation rates obtained using the modified k–ε model are elevated near the sea surface and in the upper water column, consistent with the measurements, mainly as a result of wave breaking at the surface, and energy drawn from wave field to the mean flow by Stokes drift. The agreement between observed and simulated turbulent quantities is fairly good, especially when the Stokes production is taken into account.     

Indoor activity size distribution of the short-lived radon progeny

Activity size distribution of the short-lived radon progeny in indoor air was measured continuously over several weeks. Two different measurement techniques were used: a direct measurement with a low-pressure Berner cascade impactor for attached fraction of ²¹⁴Pb and ²¹⁴Bi (≥100 nm) and an indirect determination based on measurement with a wire screen diffusion battery (unattached fraction 0.5–5 nm, ²¹⁸Po, ²¹⁴Pb). In parallel, the meteorological parameters like temperature, humidity were registered. Measured activity size distribution of radon progeny can be approximated by a sum of three log-normal distributions modes (nucleation, accumulation and coarse). The greatest activity fraction was adsorbed on aerosol particles in the accumulation size range (100–1000 nm) with activity median aerodynamic diameters (AMAD_a) and geometric standard deviations (GSD _a ) values of 250–500 nm, and 1.5–3.5, respectively. The influence of the weather conditions on the activity of the accumulation particles was not significant. In contrast to the results of measurements a small but significant fraction of the radon progeny (average value 5 %) was attached to coarse particles (>1000 nm). This fraction varied between 0 and 10 %. On the other hand, although the amount of unattached activities not more 10 % of the total activity, but is considered to yield about 50 % of the total radiation dose. The mean thermodynamic equivalent diameters of ²¹⁸Po and ²¹⁴Pb were determined to be 1.28 and 1.30 nm with relative mean geometric standard deviations of 1.30 and 1.24, respectively. Based on the obtained results of radon progeny size distributions (attached and unattached), the total deposition fractions of the human lung were evaluated by using a lung deposition model.     

Analogue modeling of the role of multi-level decollement layers on the geometry of orogenic wedge: an application to the Zagros Fold–Thrust Belt,SW Iran

International Journal of Earth Sciences - The presence of evaporate and incompetent formations (i.e., decollement horizons) within the sedimentary sequence of fold-thrust belts can control their...     

Application of quantitative mineralogy on the neutralization–acid potential calculations within µm-scale stratified mine tailings

Estimation of the long-term environmental impact of mining wastes is of socio-economic interest. Bulk analytical approaches of the neutralizing (NP) and acid potentials (AP) provide in general worst-case scenarios for acid rock drainage (ARD) predictions and long-term evaluation. Taking individual graded layers with variable reactive mineral ratios into consideration, alternating zones, highly contrasting in their neutralizing and acid potential, can be identified and quantified using scanning electron microscope–mineral liberation analyzer (SEM–MLA) and μ-energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF)–petrographic analyst (PA) for the first time. The bulk NP and AP values increased by a factor of 2.13 and 1.37, respectively, compared to the average values of the mineralogical NP/AP. At the contrasting boundaries, precipitation of pore-clogging secondary phases might be enhanced. These new information can be used as input parameters to model the future behavior of a non-homogeneous multiplied laminated body with reactive transport modeling.     

Geochemical evaluation and environmental application of Yemeni natural zeolite as sorbent for Cd<Superscript>2+</Superscript> from solution: kinetic modeling,equilibrium studies,and statistical optimization

Yemeni natural zeolite was characterized by XRD, SEM, FTIR and XRF as well as its applicability as a sorbent material for Cd²⁺ ions in aqueous solutions. The zeolitic sample is clinoptilolite-K of heulandite group with intermediate Si/Al ratio. The removal% of Cd²⁺ by natural clinoptilolite was investigated as a function of contact time, zeolite dose, pH and initial concentration of Cd²⁺ ions. Kinetic experiments indicated that sorption of Cd²⁺ follows two steps: rapid ion exchange process on the outer surface is followed by slow adsorption process on the inner surface of clinoptilolite. The equilibrium was attained after 120 min, and the results were fitted well with pseudo-second order and Elovich kinetic models. The Cd²⁺ removal% is strongly dependent on pH value and increases with the increasing pH value. Equilibrium sorption isotherm of Cd²⁺ by clinoptilolite was described well using the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherms models. However, the data relatively well fitted with Freundlich model (R ² = 0.97) rather than by the other models. Response surface methodology in conjunction with central composite rotatable statistical design was used to optimize the sorption process. The model F-value indicated the high significance of second-order polynomial model to represent the interaction between the operating parameters. From the Design Expert’s optimization function, the predicted optimum conditions for maximum removal% of Cd²⁺ (80.77%) are 116 min contact time, 0.27 gm dose, and pH 7 at an initial Cd²⁺ concentration of 25 mg/L.     

A comparative assessment between linear and quadratic discriminant analyses (LDA-QDA) with frequency ratio and weights-of-evidence models for forest fire susceptibility mapping in China

Forest fire is known as an important natural hazard in many countries which causes financial damages and human losses; thus, it is necessary to investigate different aspects of this phenomenon. In this study, performance of four models of linear and quadratic discriminant analysis (LDA and QDA), frequency ratio (FR), and weights-of-evidence (WofE) was investigated to model forest fire susceptibility in the Yihuang area, China. For this purpose, firstly, a forest fire locations map was prepared implementing MODIS satellite images and field surveys. Then, it was classified into two groups including training (70%) and validation (30%) by a random algorithm. In addition, 13 forest fire effective factors were prepared and used such as slope degree, slope aspect, altitude, Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), plan curvature, land use, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), annual rainfall, distance from roads and rivers, wind effect, annual temperature, and soil texture. Using the training dataset and effective factors, LDA, QDA, FR, and WofE models were applied and forest fire susceptibility maps were prepared. Finally, area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) was implemented for investigating the performance of the models. The results depicted that WofE had the best performance (AUC = 82.2%), followed by FR (AUC = 80.9%), QDA (AUC = 78.3%), and LDA (AUC = 78%), respectively. The results of this study showed the high contribution of altitude, slope degree, and temperature. On the other hand, it was seen that slope aspect and soil had the lowest importance in forest fire susceptibility mapping. From the AUC results, it can be concluded that FR, WofE, LDA, and QDA had acceptable performance and could be used for forest fire susceptibility mapping at the regional scale.     

Groundwater hydrochemistry and origin in the south-eastern part of Wadi El Natrun,Egypt

The demand for water is rapidly increasing in Egypt, because of high population and agriculture production growth rate, which makes research of water resources necessary. The regional multi-aquifer system of the Miocene–Pleistocene age is discharged in Wadi El Natrun area. Intensive aquifer overexploitation and agricultural development in the area are related to groundwater quality deterioration. Hydrochemical and hydrogeological data was evaluated to determine the groundwater origin and quality in the south-eastern part of wadi, which appears to be more significant for water supply owing to lower groundwater salinity. The dominance of the high mineralised Cl groundwater type was found; however, also less mineralised SO₄ and HCO₃ types were identified there. Based on the ion relations, halite and gypsum dissolution and ion exchange are the most important hydrochemical processes forming the groundwater chemical composition. The Cl dominated groundwater matches the discharge part of the regional hydrogeological system. Contrary, the presence of HCO₃ and SO₄ hydrochemical types corresponds to the infiltration and transferring parts of the hydrogeological system indicating the presence of zones conducting low mineralised groundwater. The discharge area of the over-pumped aquifer in Wadi El-Natrun lies 23 m beneath the sea level with the shoreline being at the distance of 100 km, thus there is a real risk of seawater intrusion. Using the hydrochemical facies evolution diagram, four samples in the centre of the discharge area indicate advanced seawater intrusion. The zones of the highest demand for groundwater quality protection were indicated based on a spatial pattern of hydrogeochemical composition.     

Fractures network mapping using remote sensing in the Paleozoic massif of Tichka (Western High Atlas,Morocco)

The Paleozoic massif of Tichka in the southern part of the Western High Atlas of Morocco constitutes a structural transition between the Meseta and the Anti-Atlas domains. It was affected by a complex network of fractures noticeable at different scales. Using Landsat ETM+ imagery permits detecting the main fracture directions. Various techniques of lineament’s extraction were applied, including the colored compositions, spectral band ratios, and directional filters applied to the principal component analysis. Lineament’s extraction is based on visual interpretation and completed by field observations. The resulted map allows recognizing at least four trending fracture system, with average N-S, NE-SW, E-W, and NW-SE orientations. The surrounding rocks of the granitic massif show a high fracture density. Tectonic indicators show that this massif is initially affected by NW-SE Variscan tectonic extension, followed by NW-SE Variscan compression. This regime is being maintained until the late Variscan period corresponding to the relaxation of the NW-SE major Variscan stress. A clockwise rotation of the latter stress, which became N-S to NNE-SSW, related to the late Variscan deformation, is responsible for reworking preexisting faults.     

Unique desert caves as a valuable geological resource: first detailed geological heritage assessment of the Sannur Cave,Egypt

Arabian Journal of Geosciences - Surface albedo is a key parameter in earth energy budget and global climate change studies. In this aspect, variation in vegetation covers is one of the most...