Groundwater potential modelling using remote sensing and GIS: a case study of the Al Dhaid area,United Arab Emirates

The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) DEM and LANDSAT images of spatial resolution 30?m were used to construct groundwater potential zones (GPZ) map by integrating geological fractures, drainage network, slope and relief, and convergence index maps of the study area. Weight and score of each map were developed according to their level of contribution toward groundwater accumulation and spatial distribution of groundwater wells. The area that has very high potential for groundwater is located at the foot of Oman Mountains and Al Dhaid Depression covering an area of about 59.33?km², which is 4.40% of the study area. Further hydrological map and data on hydraulic properties of shallow aquifer, as recorded from observation wells in the regions, have been used to validate the produced GPZ map. The validation result showed sufficient agreement between the produced GPZ map.     

Biosorption of Cd(II) and Zn(II) by Nostoc commune: Isotherm and Kinetics Studies

In this study, Nostoc commune (cyanobacterium) was used as an inexpensive and efficient biosorbent for Cd(II) and Zn(II) removal from aqueous solutions. The effect of various physicochemical factors on Cd(II) and Zn(II) biosorption such as pH 2.0–7.0, initial metal concentration 0.0–300 mg/L and contact time 0–120 min were studied. Optimum pH for removal of Cd(II) and Zn(II) was 6.0, while the contact time was 30 min at room temperature. The nature of biosorbent and metal ion interaction was evaluated by infrared (IR) technique. IR analysis of bacterial biomass revealed the presence of amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl, and carbonyl groups, which are responsible for biosorption of Cd(II) and Zn (II). The maximum biosorption capacities for Cd(II) and Zn(II) biosorption by N. commune calculated from Langmuir biosorption isotherm were 126.32 and 115.41 mg/g, respectively. The biosorption isotherm for two biosorbents fitted well with Freundlich isotherm than Langmuir model with correlation coefficient (r² < 0.99). The biosorption kinetic data were fitted well with the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. Thus, this study indicated that the N. commune is an efficient biosorbent for the removal of Cd(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous solutions.     

Paving the Way for Social Learning When Governance Is Weak: Supporting Dialogue Between Stakeholders to Face a Groundwater Crisis in Morocco

Approaches to improve the governance of social–ecological systems are difficult to define in situations where governance is weak, that is, involving limited interactions between the actors and weak management of natural resources. This article analyzes an action research process implemented in the Chaouia coastal region of Morocco, where weak governance of the social–ecological system led to a groundwater and agricultural crisis. A dialogue between local actors was set up with the aim of identifying strategies to address the crisis. First separately and then together, farmers’ groups and staff members of public organizations analyzed the existing situation, scenarios for the future of the area, and strategies to cope with the crisis. Contrary to the expectations of the participants, farmers and staff members of public organizations had productive discussions. This approach clarified how social learning can be achieved and governance improved in this situation of weak governance.     

Depositional evolution of the Middle-Upper Eocene rocks, Fayum area, Egypt

The Middle-Upper Eocene rocks of the Fayum District are represented by Gehannam, Birket Qarun and Qasr El-Sagha formations. Both field studies and laboratory analyses on the concerned rocks have enabled to distinguish six lithofacies: (1) sheet-like grey silt-shale, (2) large-scale trough cross-bedded sandstone, (3) successive varicolored mud-shale/siltstone intercalation, (4) dark grey to black mud-shale/sandstone intercalation, (5) thinly bedded sandstone-shale intercalation and (6) very large-scale cross-stratified sandstone. These lithofacies proved that the present rocks were deposited in transitional paralic environment of active northward-prograding deltaic subenvironments contemporaneous with rabid but gradual sea level drop. The depositional system started with the delta front silt-shale (Gehannam Formation) of 20 m thickness, followed by distributary mouth bars of cross-bedded sandstone (Birket Qarun Formation, 50 m thick). Both the lower and upper delta plains attain thicknesses of 99 and 38 m, respectively, and are represented by the lower part of Qasr El-Sagha Formation. The deltaic sequence is topped with 45-m-thick eolian sandstones representing the upper part of Qasr El-Sagha Formation. This unit represents an extensive desertification phase that closes the depositional history of the succession examined.     

Influence of rock mass properties on tunnel inflow using hydromechanical numerical study

One of the primary geotechnical problems encountered during tunnel construction involves the inflow of groundwater into the tunnel. Heavy inflows make tunnel construction difficult and result in higher costs and delays in construction period. Therefore, it is essential to estimate the volume and rate of water inflow that is likely to appear in the tunnel. In this research, water inflow to the tunnel was calculated using numerical hydromechanical analysis. Effect of rock mass properties including fracture characteristics (normal and shear stiffness, hydraulic aperture, dilation angle, and fracture nonlinear behavior) on inflow was studied using a two-dimensional distinct element method. Results show that fracture properties play important role in inflow to the tunnel and must be considered in prediction of inflow to the tunnel. Based on numerical analysis results, inflow of groundwater into the tunnel increases with the increasing of normal and shear stiffness, dilation angle, and hydraulic aperture of rock mass fractures. The measured inflow with considering nonlinear fracture behavior was more than the calculated inflow with linear constitutive behavior.     

Probabilistic frequency ratio model for groundwater potential mapping in Al Jaww plain,UAE

Arabian Journal of Geosciences - The United Arab Emirates, as a part of the Arabian Peninsula, is among the driest countries on earth. This study aims to map and explore new groundwater reservoirs...     

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.