New urban map of Eurasia using MODIS and multi-source geospatial data

Urban areas are of paramount significance to both the individuals and communities at local and regional scales. However, the rapid growth of urban areas exerts effects on climate, biodiversity, hydrology, and natural ecosystems worldwide. Therefore, regular and up-to-date information related to urban extent is necessary to monitor the impacts of urban areas at local, regional, and potentially global scales. This study presents a new urban map of Eurasia at 500 m resolution using multi-source geospatial data, including Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data of 2013, population density of 2012, the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program’s Operational Linescan System (DMSP-OLS) nighttime lights of 2012, and constructed Impervious Surface Area (ISA) data of 2010. The Eurasian urban map was created using the threshold method for these data, combined with references of fine resolution Landsat and Google Earth imagery. The resultant map was compared with nine global urban maps and was validated using random sampling method. Results of the accuracy assessment showed high overall accuracy of the new urban map of 94%. This urban map is one product of the 20 land cover classes of the next version of Global Land Cover by National Mapping Organizations.     

Impact of intense exploitation on the groundwater balance and flow within Mullusi aquifer (arid zone, west Iraq)

The main results that derived from this study is the quantitative determination of subsurface water balance and the water loses along flow line during drought decade (before 2000–2009), with intense exploitation of groundwater from water wells. The hydrogeological data are presented as spatial distribution maps and three dimensional models. The results are correlated with the main hydrogeologic control points including (storage and transmissivity coefficients, groundwater depths, aquifers thickness, lateral extensions, well productivity) to determine the preferable hydrogeologic districts for development and exploitations, avoiding groundwater depletion as captured zone flow. Based on the isotope analysis of deuterium, oxygen-18, tritium, carbon-13, and carbon-14, the recharge of the aquifer is originated to direct infiltration of atmospheric water through exposure outcrops within Hauran catchments area. The isotope compositions also show that the groundwater is a mixture of an old groundwater with modern recharge in the areas adjacent to Rutba. The fact that the Mullusi aquifer is of major importance as the water supply of people in Rutba region, particularly, for increasing demand of water resources and sustainability assessment in the future, this study developed a reliable strategic suggested plan in groundwater supply, based on groundwater exploitation and amount of safe yield within Dhabaa basin.     

白云鄂博矿床东矿段深部及白云向斜核部探矿的可行性探讨

白云鄂博东矿（铁矿石）已属于轻度危机矿山,解决白云鄂博东矿的资源接续问题已迫在眉睫。依据老地质资料和生产过程中的新发现,参考多位矿床成因研究专家的成果,笔者等认为在白云鄂博东矿体深部及白云向斜核部探矿是可行的。     

Multi-criteria technique for mapping of debris-covered and clean-ice glaciers in the Shaksgam valley using Landsat TM and ASTER GDEM

Glaciers in the Shaksgam valley provide important fresh water resources to neighbourhood livelihood. Repeated creation of the glacier inventories is important to assess glacier–climate interactions and to predict future runoff from glacierized catchments. For this study, we applied a multi-criteria technique to map the glaciers of the Shaksgam valley of China, using Landsat Thematic Mapper(Landsat TM)(2009) and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer Global Digital Elevation Model version two(ASTER GDEM V2) data. The geomorphometric parameters slope, plan, and profile curvature were generated from ASTER GDEM. Then they were organized in similar surface groups using cluster analysis. For accurate mapping of supraglacial debris area, clustering results were combined with a thermal mask generated from the Landsat TM thermal band. The debris-free glaciers were identified using the band ratio(TM band 4/TM band 5) technique. Final vector maps of the glaciers were created using overlay tools in a geographic information system(GIS).Accuracy of the generated glacier outlines was assessed through comparison with glacier outlines based on the Second Chinese Glacier Inventory(SCGI) data and glacier outlines created from high-resolution Google Earth? images of 2009. Glacier areas derived using the proposed approach were 3% less than in the reference datasets. Furthermore, final glacier maps show satisfactory mapping results, but identification of the debris-cover glacier terminus(covered by thick debris layer) is still problematic. Therefore, manual editing was necessary to improve the final glacier maps.     

Atomic layer deposition surface functionalized biochar for adsorption of organic pollutants: improved hydrophilia and adsorption capacity

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) thin film coating was applied to improve the hydrophilia of biochar derived from black willow. 2 (2Al, 0.82 wt% Al₂O₃), 5 (5Al, 1.40 wt% Al₂O₃), and 10 (10Al, 2.36 wt% Al₂O₃) cycles of alumina ALD were applied. The biochars were characterized by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption and desorption, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The adsorbents were utilized for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from an aqueous solution to evaluate their adsorption capacities. The 5Al biochar showed the highest adsorption capacity, compared to the uncoated biochar and other Al₂O₃ coated biochars, due to its improved hydrophilia. The amount of MB adsorbed onto the 5Al biochar was almost three times that adsorbed onto the uncoated biochar during the first hour of adsorption experiments. Adsorption isotherms were modeled with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The data fit well with the Langmuir isotherm, and the maximum adsorption capacities were found to be 26.8 and 35.0 mg/g at 25 °C for the uncoated biochar and 5Al biochar, respectively. The adsorbed MB amount per square meter achieved 1.3 mg/m² onto the 5Al biochar, and it was twice the amount on the uncoated biochar. The experimental data were analyzed by pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetics models of adsorption. The pseudo-second-order model better describes adsorption kinetic data for the uncoated biochar and 5Al biochar than the pseudo-first-order model does.     

Balneological study based on the hydrogeochemical aspects of the sulfate springs water (Hit–Kubaiysa region), Iraq

This research examined the balneological characteristics of spring waters within the area of Abu-Jir Fault Zone throughout the hydrogeologic aspects explained by the setting of the hydrogeologic units including the water-bearing horizons of Euphrates, Ana, and Baba Formations. The groundwater flow in the hydrogeologic system correlated with the trends of enrichment or depletion case processes of mineralization (spatial distribution maps of TDS and other components) show different phenomena of groundwater source and interconnection, which helps in the classification springs into two potential site. The physicochemical characteristics of the water flow from springs indicate a hydrochemical approach throughout the spatial variation of important parameters (using Rockware software) related to the balneological study. The monitoring network of the spring waters performed by seven field measurements and 33 variables (totaling to 720 detected measurements) in 18 springs approved the after desk study and water point inventory using a GPS apparatus (GARMIN SUMMIT-e TREX). The study examined the integrated hydrogeological aspects and spring water properties for evolutions and the classification of minero-medicinal water. The traditional hydrochemical information of the spring waters and their sediment properties correlated with balneological limits (standards and definitions) are used in the selection of springs characterized by balneotherapeutic applications. A suggested screening and ranking technique has been developed for evaluating preferable springs selected for natural therapy. The application of ranking technique indicates four graded consequent preferable springs for balneotherapeutic investment: first grade spring represented by Kubaiysa spring (S-4); second grade springs represented by Tawila spring (S-12); third grade springs represented by Mamora spring (S-15), Arnab spring (S-10), Zazoe spring (S-5), and Maqtoom spring (S-13); and fourth grade springs represented by Khalidiya spring (S-16) and Layeg spring (S-7).     

白云鄂博矿床白云石型矿石中独居石单颗粒U-Th-Pb-Sm-Nd定年

使用交换树脂TRU Spec同时分离REE、U、Th、Pb及其他的元素,然后用阴离子交换树脂纯化Pb并用萃淋树脂分离纯化Sm和Nd,Sm、Nd、U和Pb的定量测定借助同位素稀释法,Th的定量测定则用ICP-MS分析,Nd和Pb同位素组成分析用质谱法(TIMS),从而实现独居石U-Th-Pb-Sm-Nd联合定年。用这种方法可以在同一样品上,同时得到U-Th-Pb和Sm-Nd同位素年龄记录。白云鄂博矿床白云石型稀土矿石中12个单颗粒独居石的U-Th-Pb-Sm-Nd同位素联合定年给出Sm-Nd等时线年龄为1008±320 Ma,其中8个独居石的Th-Pb等时线年龄为1231±200 Ma,此二年龄在误差范围内相似。在同一组独居石样品上得到一致的Th-Pb与Sm-Nd的中元古年龄,表明白云鄂博在中元古代的稀土成矿作用是可能的。本文独居石的Th-Pb 和Sm-Nd年龄与以前报道的独居石加里东期Th-Pb年龄差别很大,此问题尚需进一步研究。     

Modeling the impact of groundwater depletion on the hydrochemical characteristic of groundwater within Mullusi carbonate aquifer-west Iraq

The study of groundwater impact on the hydrochemical characteristic of groundwater within Mullusi aquifer, west Iraq was conducted using the chemical analysis results in 14 production wells and groundwater levels observation in 17 water wells. The interpretation of hydrochemical phenomena related to ions sources was determined based on spatial analysis maps of various hydrochemical ratios using ArcGis software. The study also determined the relation of groundwater velocity and static water levels with the hydrochemical ratios using statistical application of Curve expert v1.3 program. The variations of ion concentration were examined using the statistical significant differences for chemical constituents of water within Mullusi aquifer. The impact of dewatering due to high exploitation was explained by increasing the magnesium and chloride concentrations and lowering static water levels. Magnesium and chloride concentration may reach their maximum limits for drinking at a groundwater level of 485 m asl. Accordingly, any decline in the water level of Mullusi aquifer that occurs from 4.5 to 30.5 m may cause deterioration in groundwater quality. This study modeled the effect of groundwater depletion on the groundwater quality in a theoretical equations approach.     

Hydrochemical model and probable pollution in the water of Euphrates River (Qaem–Falluja)

The study of hydrochemical models and probable pollution in Euphrates River from Qaem–Al-Falluja was performed through regime observation in ten water points. The hydrochemical properties of Euphrates River waters are determined by using the analysis results of 21 physico-chemical variables during the water year (2008). The interpretation of the hydrochemical phenomena is achieved in accordance with the statistical results of Polynomial Regression Statistic, calculating the coefficient of variation among the physico-chemical components of the water terminating by 14 models. The results of monitoring during the water year 2008 indicate a pollution case by SO₄ and Cd in Ramadi and downstream stations; TDS, Mg, Na, Cl, Mn, and CO₂ in Ramadi station; TDS, Ca, Na, Cl, and Fe in Baghdadi station; and Ca and H _T in Qaem station and Mg in Obaydi station. The research suggests the best locations for hydrochemical monitoring as continuous hydrologic stations used for the long-term monitoring. These stations are in Qaem city as inlet location and Al-Baghdadi and Ramadi cities terminating in Falluja city as outlet location. Furthermore, daily record system is recommended for the other stations in each city to complete the regime observation of Euphrates water type. From the configuration approach of hydrochemical models with the pollution phenomena, there are potential point sources of pollution such as municipal effluent pipes and reused water from mining process for building materials in the first sector of river, which extends between Qaem and Haditha dam. Also groundwater seepages and springs discharge of mineralized water mixed with sewage water from cities act as potential point sources of pollution on the river water in the second sector extended between Haditha and Ramadi scheme. The third sector of the river is affected by all reasons in the first and second sectors as well as the effectiveness of agricultural activities throughout drainage canals and irrigation projects extended between Ramadi and Falluja cities.