A study on geology,geomorphology, hydrology,groundwater, and physical resources of the desertified Badia environment in Jordan towards sustainable development

This paper summarizes information on geomorphology and physical resources as a part of the Jordan Badia Research and Development Program. The research focused on the issue of the environment in arid lands as an aid to providing practical options for sustainable development, for the benefit not only of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan but of other arid regions of the world. The research is significant in that there is a need to identify usable natural resources and establish a framework for their effective exploitation and management in a marginal, fragile environment, which is sensitive to change. Pressure for development of the Badia stems from the fact that the great majority of the population in Jordan is compressed into less than 10% of the country by environmental constraints. It is hoped that the Jordan Badia Research and Development Program will provide the required framework to ease current environmental pressures, encourage migration to the Badia, a sparsely populated region, and establish economically and ecologically self-supporting communities. This paper discusses the following areas that are related to the sustainable development of the Jordan Badia with special emphasis on the Safawi area in the northern Jordan Badia; geomorphology, including landform, processes, and hazards; geology and physical resources; hydrology; surface water and water engineering; and groundwater.     

Geology,geomorphology, hydrology,groundwater and physical resources of the desertified Badia environment in Jordan

This paper summarizes the information on the geomorphology and physical resources component of the Jordan Badia Research and Development Programme. The research focuses on the issue of the environment in arid lands and aims to provide practical options for sustainable development, for the benefit not only of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan but for other arid regions of the world. The research is significantly development driven because there is a need to identify useable natural resources and establish a framework for their effective exploitation and management in a marginal, fragile environment, which is sensitive to change.Pressure for development of the Badia stems from the fact that the great majority of the population in Jordan is compressed into less than 10% of the country by environmental constraits. It is hoped that the Jordan Badia Research and Development Programme will provide the required framework to ease current environmental pressures, encourage migration to the Badia, a sparsely populated region, and establish economically and ecologically self-supporting communities.This paper discusses the following areas that are related to the sustainable development of the Jordan Badia with special emphasis on the Safawi area in the Northern Jordan Badia; geomorphology including landform, processes and hazards, geology and physical resources, hydrology, surface water and water engineering, groundwater, soils and vegetation, sediment erosion and mobility and environmental management.     

Geological and hydrological investigation of a water collection system in arid Jordanian lands

With the increase in population of developing and under developed countries, and with the availability of water resources strained and in many areas deficient, it is quite evident that water conservation and distribution programs need to be adopted on a scale far greater than any yet in use. This requires a more detailed evaluation and development of any water resource. In this study, the geology and geomorphology of the Safawi area northeast of Jordan and the climatic conditions were evaluated as an aid in determining the potential for the collection of surface water. The runoff coefficient, flood frequency, and runoff volumes from some selected valleys were determined through the use of the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) method and other known techniques. The results of this study indicated that the collection of surface water in this arid region is feasible. Estimates were made for the runoff coefficient and annual runoff volumes through the application of the accepted hydraulic engineering methods.     

Economic potentials of industrial rocks and minerals in the Azraq basin,NE Jordan

The Azraq basin (the Badia region in NE-Jordan) is rich in its industrial rocks and minerals. Most of the commodities are concentrated in one area, which is the Azraq depression (El-Qa’). The climatic changes (wet and dry) of Azraq closed lake contributed in the formation of industrial rocks and minerals in the El-Qa’. Basalt, pyroclastics, zeolites, diatomaceous earth, bentonite, palgorskite, porcelanite, saline brines, chalk, limestone, and gypsum are the potential industrial commodities. The basaltic rocks are of high alkalis content and good homogeneity and are of good potential use in constructions and cast basalt. The scoriaceous pyroclastic material proved to be of excellent properties for use as lightweight aggregates, cultivation purposes, and for the production of pozzolanic cement. Smectite-rich beds (bentonite) from Ein El Badia could be used as binder, absorbent, and additives for feeding farm animals. Palygorskite is potential for use in drilling mud, paint, pharmaceuticals, and as a filtering medium. The diatomaceous earth deposits are Moler type and could be used as filter aid and absorbent. Zeolites are efficient for agricultural purposes, animal waste, and wastewater treatment plants. Saline brine is exploited in the Azraq mudflat area for table salt. Porcelanite could be used as an absorbent of hazardous elements, abrasive, and filler. The softness and high purity of chalk enable its use as filler and in the lime production. The large limestone concretions are of high quality for use as a building stone. Gypsum (gypcrete) could be used after the removal of the undesired chert impurities. The Badia region is a highly potential area for future exploration and mining industry in a manner that achieves the required outcomes and minimizes impacts on ecosystems.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987111001265

Landscapes in tectonically active Hindu Kush（NW Pakistan and NE Afghanistan） result from a complex integration of the effects of vertical and horizontal crustal block motions as well as erosion and deposition processes.Active tectonics in this region have greatly influenced the drainage system and geomorphic expressions.The study area is a junction of three important mountain ranges （Hindu Kush-Karakorum-Himalayas） and is thus an ideal natural laboratory to investigate the relative tectonic activity resulting from the India-Eurasia collision.We evaluate active tectonics using DEM derived drainage network and geomorphic indices hypsometric integral（HI）,stream-length gradient （SL）.fractal dimension（FD）.basin asymmetry factor（AF）.basin shape index（B_s）,valley floor width to valley height ratio（Vf） and mountain front sinuosity(S_mf). The results obtained from these indices were combined to yield an index of relative active tectonics （IRAT） using CIS.The average of the seven measured geomorphic indices was used to evaluate the distribution of relative tectonic activity in the study area.We defined four classes to define the degree of relative tectonic activity:class 1 very high（1.0≤IRAT 1.3）;class 2-high（1.3≥IRAT<1.3）:class 3—moderate（1.5≥IRAT<1.8）;and class 4—low（l.8≥1RAT）.In view of the results.we conclude that this combinetl approach allows the identification of the highly deformed areas related to active tectonics.Landsat imagery and held observations also evidence the presence of active tectonics based on the dellected streams,deformed landforms.active mountain fronts and triangular facets.The indicative values of IRAT are consistent with the areas of known relative uplift rates,landforms and geology.     

长白山玄武岩区地热异常区遥感识别

利用Landsat TM5遥感影像多光谱和热红外数据,对长白山玄武岩区地表温度场进行了反演。在此基础上,综合分析了研究区地表温度场、温泉和地热井分布特征、布格重力场及磁场4个因子,采用判别分析方法建立并验证了判别函数,对研究区地热异常区进行了识别。研究结果表明:研究区地表温度异常区主要分布在长白山天池火山口周围,此外,在区内3个中生代沉积盆地(抚松盆地、松江盆地和长白盆地)也有孤立状的高温区域分布,地表温度异常像素所占比例为2.993%;研究区潜在地热资源异常区可分为环长白山天池火山口区域、松江河—抚松县及二道白河—松江镇一带的抚松盆地和松江盆区、仙人桥地区以及长白县—十四道沟一带的长白盆地区,其中环长白山天池火山口区域地热潜在概率值均大于0.9,最大值达到1.0。该研究为地热异常区的识别提供了一条新的思路。     

Predicting stream channel erosion in the lacustrine core of the upper Nemadji River, Minnesota (USA) using stream geomorphology metrics

The USA Clean Water Act requires the development of a total maximum daily load (TMDL) when Minnesota’s water quality standard for turbidity is exceeded; however, regions underlain with fine-grained lacustrine deposits yield large natural background loads of suspended inorganic sediment. A review of hydrogeologic pathways was conducted along with the statistical analysis of geomorphic metrics, collected at 15 sites with varying drainage areas in the upper Nemadji River basin, northeastern Minnesota. Regression analysis indicated a strong linkage between bankfull cross-sectional area and drainage area. Dimensionless geomorphic metric ratios were developed to predict channel evolution potential and associated channel erosion risk. Sites located in drainage areas less than 2 km² had low erosion risk and showed a correlation between channel slope and relative roughness (D ₈₄/mean bankfull channel depth, 88%). A principal components analysis explained over 98% of the variance between sites and indicated five important channel shape metrics to predict channel erosion: bankfull width, bankfull depth, maximum depth, cross-sectional area, and valley beltwidth. Mass wasting of cohesive stream channel sediment was influenced by groundwater discharge and produced turbid waters in the upper Nemadji River.     

太行山中段羊角玄武岩形态特征及其地质意义

太行山中段左权羊角镇发育新生代玄武岩, 记录了太行山新生代以来的构造隆升事件。在详细的野外调查和研究的基础上, 通过与玄武岩发育相关的地貌面及其上的地层特征分析, 初步确定该玄武岩是上新世末期到早更新世初期的喷发产物, 初步揭示了太行山中段区域上晚上新世以来地貌发育历史, 主要存在6次构造隆升与剥蚀期: 在唐县期宽谷面形成的基础上, 于上新世晚期存在一次隆升和一次稳定侵蚀期, 并侵蚀形成“U”形谷; 早更新世初, 玄武岩开始间歇性喷发, 同时发生以西武家坪为中心的地区上拱, “U”形谷为玄武岩充填, 之后经剥蚀堆积形成第四级阶地面; 早更新世末, 该区再次发生隆升, 并形成第四级阶地; 中更新世末, 该区发生隆升, 形成第三级阶地; 晚更新世以来, 太行山中段又连续发生两次抬升, 从而在玄武岩体上形成了4级阶地, 形成太行山现今地貌。研究同时表明, 太行山中段上新世晚期以来的隆升主要发生于上新世末到早更新世时期。这一认识为探讨太行山中段晚上新世以来的构造隆升提供了具体证据。     

Predictive landslide susceptibility mapping using spatial information in the Pechabun area of Thailand

For predictive landslide susceptibility mapping, this study applied and verified probability model, the frequency ratio and statistical model, logistic regression at Pechabun, Thailand, using a geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing. Landslide locations were identified in the study area from interpretation of aerial photographs and field surveys, and maps of the topography, geology and land cover were constructed to spatial database. The factors that influence landslide occurrence, such as slope gradient, slope aspect and curvature of topography and distance from drainage were calculated from the topographic database. Lithology and distance from fault were extracted and calculated from the geology database. Land cover was classified from Landsat TM satellite image. The frequency ratio and logistic regression coefficient were overlaid for landslide susceptibility mapping as each factor’s ratings. Then the landslide susceptibility map was verified and compared using the existing landslide location. As the verification results, the frequency ratio model showed 76.39% and logistic regression model showed 70.42% in prediction accuracy. The method can be used to reduce hazards associated with landslides and to plan land cover.     

Assessing the impacts of land use changes on watershed hydrology using MIKE SHE

A fully distributed, physically-based hydrologic modeling system, MIKE SHE, was used in this study to investigate whole-watershed hydrologic response to land use changes within the Gyeongancheon watershed in Korea. A grid of 200 × 200 m was established to represent spatial variations in geology, soil, and land use. Initial model performance was evaluated by comparing observed and simulated streamflow from 1988 to 1991. Results indicated that the calibrated MIKE SHE model was able to predict streamflow well during the calibration and validation periods. Proportional changes in five classes of land use within the watershed were derived from multi-temporal Landsat TM imageries taken in 1980, 1990 and 2000. These imageries revealed that the watershed experienced conversion of approximately 10% non-urban area to urban area between 1980 and 2000. The calibrated MIKE SHE model was then programmed to repeatedly analyze an artificial dataset under the various land use proportions identified in the Landsat TM imageries. The analysis was made to quantitatively assess the impact of land use changes (predominantly urbanization) on watershed hydrology. There were increases in total runoff (5.5%) and overland flow (24.8%) as a response to the land use change.     

Hyperpycnal-fed turbidite lobe architecture and recent sedimentary processes: A case study from the Al Batha turbidite system, Oman margin

The main sediment depocenter along the Oman margin is the Al Batha turbidite system that develops in the Gulf of Oman basin. It is directly connected to the wadi Al Batha, and forms a typical sand and mud rich point source system that acts as regional sediment conduit and feeds a ~ 1000 km² sandy lobe.The Al Batha lobe depositional architecture has been investigated in detail using very high-resolution seismic, multibeam echosounder data and sediment cores. Several scales of depositional architecture can be observed. The Al Batha lobe is composed of several depositional units, made of stacked elementary sediment bodies (thinner than 5 m) that are each related to a single flow event. The lobe is connected to the feeder system through a channel-lobe transition zone (CLTZ) that extends on more than 25 km. The lobe can be divided into proximal, middle and distal lobe areas. The proximal lobe is an area of erosion and by-pass with small axial feeder channels that rapidly splay into several small distributaries. They disappear in the mid-lobe area where deposits consist of vertically stacked tabular to lens-shaped sediment bodies, with a lateral continuity that can exceed 10 km. The distal lobe fringe shows a classical facies transition towards thin-bedded basin plain deposits.Sub-surface deposits consist of sandy turbidites and hyperpycnites, interbedded with fine-grained deposits (thin turbidites, hyperpycnites, or hemipelagites). Although these distal deposits are mainly related to flow transformations and concentration evolution, they highlight the importance of flooding of the wadi Al Batha on the sediment transfer to the deep basin. The thick sandy hyperpycnites recovered in such a distal area are also possibly related to the initial properties of gravity flows, in relation to the flooding characteristics of mountainous desert streams.Finally, the Al Batha lobe depositional architecture is typical of sand-rich lobes found within “small”, sand and mud rich turbidite systems fed by mountainous “dirty” rivers. Turbidite sedimentation in the Al Batha system appears to be primarily controlled by the strong climatic and geomorphic forcing parameters (i.e. semi-arid environment with ephemeral, mountainous rivers subjected to flash-flooding).     

通过遥感对矿产资源开采中环境影响的研究--以阜新煤矿和排山楼金矿为例

阜新地区地处华北地台,富含煤和金矿床.呈东西向分布的太古宙和元古宙变质地层在华力西期、印支期和燕山期的变形和岩浆活动中发生隆起.金矿赋存于隆起的前寒武纪变质岩石中.成煤期为晚石炭-早二叠纪、早中侏罗纪、晚侏罗-早白垩纪.阜新煤矿和排山楼金矿是辽宁省的主要煤、金产地.
由于开采物中的有用物质只占很小的比例,因此提取有用物质的方式不可避免地要破坏当地的环境.矿山开采的每一步骤都对环境产生着负面影响.应用遥感资料进行矿山管理,是采用基于地表物体光谱反射的可视近红外(VNIR)遥感和短波红外(SWIR)遥感,以及基于物体热发光的热红外(TIR)遥感,利用不同的地表光谱反射,将相似的物体区分、分类、填图,并进行土地资源分析.野外工作包括在阜新煤矿和排山楼金矿确定岩石蚀变类型,采集标本,构造测量,对矿山环境进行数码拍照.陆地卫星MSS、TM和ETM+数据是分析研究的基础.应用ERDAS IMAGING软件处理卫星数据.并用ERDAS MapSheets和ViewFinder软件划图.应用各种图像处理技术进行图像增强和物体分辨.从卫星图像上直接测量排山楼金矿和阜新煤矿露天采场的多边形周长和面积.从卫星图像上可以看出,阜新煤矿从1980年到2000年环境的恶化.矿山开采产生的废矿堆不仅对矿区造成破坏,由于它们邻近市区,也通过视觉污染和噪音污染构成了潜在的环境污染源.开采活动对环境影响的另一个方面就是地面下沉,这是由地下开采造成的.它对地表的影响是明显的.本研究的重点是煤矿开采造成的地面下沉.与金矿脉的开采不同,煤矿的开采要移去数米厚的整个煤层.其结果不可避免地导致上覆地层的垮塌.排山楼金矿和阜新煤矿的另一个环境污染源来自矿石的处理(提纯和浓缩).金矿和煤矿都采用重力分离和浮选的方法.排山楼金矿目前采用先进的氰化-碳吸附选矿方法.作为补救措施,现在对用于浮选的化学剂的选择不仅要考虑其效益,而且要将其对环境的损害降到最低.尾矿处理也是影响环境的一个重要问题.阜新煤矿和排山楼金矿通常将尾矿倾倒地附近的人工坑内.这些区域虽然不至于对景观造成严重破坏,但很难在其表面恢复植被.而且,从该区域排出的水含有强酸和有毒的金属离子,一旦流入自然水系,将给水生生物造成大面积损害.堆放尾矿的区域一旦干燥,将产生另一个环境问题——粉尘污染.基于这些发现,提出如下建议：
（ 1）采矿过程中环境不断恶化的事实说明,两个矿山在控制露天开采方面仍有不足.虽然移动矿体上覆岩石或盖层是矿山开采的必要前提,但矿产资源的采掘必须对自然的保护给予更多的重视.应更加注重盖层的回填,植被、湿地、沼泽的恢复,控制溢出物,合理利用废物.
（2）地方政府应参与地区内矿产资源开发项目的立项、审批工作.政府在法律框架内干预、控制矿山开采行为中的环境和土地利用问题.     

内蒙古乌兰德勒钼铜多金属矿区细粒二长花岗岩SHRIMP锆石U-Pb年龄及意义

中蒙边境内蒙古苏尼特左旗乌兰德勒钼铜多金属矿床是内蒙古二连-东乌旗成矿带上新发现的一个规模较大的矿床。矿床地质特征研究表明,区内发育的隐伏细粒二长花岗岩与钼铜多金属矿床的形成有密切的时空、成因联系。为了揭示本区成矿规律,对细粒二长花岗岩进行了单颗粒SHRIMP锆石U-Pb测年,获得~(206)Pb/~(238)U年龄加权平均值为131.3±1.6Ma(MSWD=1.7),该年龄与矿石中的辉钼矿Re-Os同位素年龄134.1±3.3Ma基本一致,表明其形成时代为早白垩世。地质勘查成果表明,矿床的形成主要与隐伏的燕山期细粒二长花岗岩有着密切关系。上述同位素年龄的获得,为本区成矿规律的研究提供了重要依据。     

Seismic assessment in southern Baromura hill,northeast India,considering geophysical aspects

This paper aims to assess the geophysical signatures like morphology and structure of a fault line, which is situated in a part of southern Baromura hill of Tripura, northeast India. In this work manual observations and technical applications were adopted for understanding the morphological and structural characters of the fault line. As tectonic mapping is one of the main objectives of this study, the remote sensing technique was used to prepare a tectonic map of the study area. Geothermal range of the area was measured by unsupervised classification of Landsat TM thermal infrared band (band 6). The classified thermal band was overlaid by another classified shortwave infrared band (band 7 of Landsat TM), which explains the structural evidences of the study area. In addition, an automated digital elevation model (DEM) was prepared to assess the morphological characters of the study area particularly near the confluence of R. Maharani and R. Gumti. To analyse the structural condition of the faulted zone, resistivity characters of the rocks were measured by “vertical electrical sounding” (VES) method. The electrical resistivity character of this area strongly supports that a displacement occurred in this place. Finally an attempt was made to explain the character of faulting on the basis of morphological signatures and structural evidences for future disaster management planning.     

利用卫星数据建立排山楼热液石英脉型金矿模型

航天矿床标志模型(SDS)是遥感技术在矿床勘探中应用的结果.在遥感数据(陆地卫星MSS、TM和ETM+图像)解译、地质特征及金矿化类型研究的基础上,总结了不同控矿因素及其鉴别特征.通过如下步骤建立模型:1)选择适当的图像处理技术;2)研究主要控矿因素(构造、地层、蚀变);3)确定鉴别标志,建立矿床图像模型,优化找矿靶区.应用该模型优化靶区已获得成功.卫星影像处理显示,在3个区域(南带、中带、北带)具有反映金成矿的强烈蚀变特征.实地调查证明,这3个预测区具有金矿化,它们与常规勘探方法(地球物理、地球化学)发现的其他矿化相似.该模型在排山楼地区的应用结果表明,卫星数据在金矿普查中可以发挥重要作用.     

The lower paleolithic landscape of 'Ayoun Qedim,al‐Jafr Basin,Jordan

The 'Ayoun Qedim locality includes seven deflated Acheulian sites within and around a limestone box canyon, Juwit el Ghuweir, in the northern al‐Jafr Basin, Jordan. Survey of these sites identified dense scatters of Acheulian bifaces ( _ 1650) along with debris, cores, and reduction material from their production and maintenance. Although there is a clear Levallois component in the assemblages, reflecting a Late Acheulian occupation, strictly Middle and Upper Paleolithic sites are uncommon in this locality. Analysis of the geology and geomorphology of the northern al‐Jafr Basin indicates the area is strongly influenced by shallow subsurface groundwater flow and discharge, and Juwit el Ghuweir displays classic features of a canyon formed by groundwater seepage and sapping, except for the lack of a perennial spring within the modern canyon. The authors suggest that the extreme density of Lower Paleolithic material at 'Ayoun Qedim is associated with perennial groundwater discharge at Juwit el Ghuweir during the Middle Pleistocene and that the dearth of later Paleolithic material is attributable to the cessation of perennial spring discharge. The cause of the spring's cessation is unknown, but may have been related to local geomorphic factors, such as head migration of adjacent streams, or to more regional geomorphic factors, such as the lowering of theregional water table in the area of al‐Jafr Basin. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Change trends for desertified lands in the Horqin Sandy Land at the beginning of the twenty-first century

The dynamics of desertification in the Horqin Sandy Land between 2000 and 2005 were analyzed using Landsat TM/ETM images and the data-processing function of geographical information software. The results showed that the extent of desertified land decreased at a rate of slightly more than 0.1 km² year⁻¹, from 22,423.1 km² in 2000 to 22,422.4 km² in 2005, indicating that desertification has been controlled in this area and that desert areas may be approaching a steady state. The dynamics of desertification differed among land types. Desertification decreased most obviously in areas of previous desert land. The area in which desertification was ameliorated was higher than the area that underwent further degradation, but non-desertified land (113.3 km²) deteriorated at a rate of 22.7 km² year⁻¹ during this period. This significant change requires careful attention by managers in the study area.     

Study of Sand Dunes and Their Effect on Desertification of Cultivated Lands in Shaanxi Province, China Using Remote Sensing Techniques

About half of the arid and semi-arid lands in the world are deserts that comprise various types of aeolian sand dunes deposits. In Shaanxi Province, aeolian sand dunes cover considerable areas of the Yulin desert and northern Jinbian. Sand dunes are moving in the main wind direction and converting some agricultural area to wasteland. Remote sensing of sand dunes helps in the understanding of aeolian process and desertification. Remote sensing data combined with field studies are valuable in studying sand dunes, regional aeolian depositional history. In particular, active and inactive sand dunes of the north Shaanxi Province were studied using remote sensing and geographic information system. In this study, we describe the Landsat thematic mapper (TM) images, covering north Shaanxi Province, which were used to study the distribution, shape, size, trends, density and movement of sand dunes and their effect on desertification of cultivated lands. Estimation was made depending on soil erodibility factor (Ⅰ) and local climatic factor (C) during the period (June to September). The result indicates that soil erosion caused sand drift of 8.957 5, 7.03 ton for Yulin and Jinbian, respectively. The mean sand dunes movement rate were 4.37, 3.11 m, whereas, monthly sand dune advance rate were 1.092 5, 0.777 5 m, for the two locations, respectively. The study reveals that cultivated lands extended obliquely to the direction of sand dune movement are extremely affected, while other segments that extend parallel to the direction of the movement are not affected. Accordingly the north Shaanxi Province was divided into areas of different classes of potential risk. Moreover, blown sands and sand movement from neighboring highlands also affect the area of western desert.     

Application of ASTER and Landsat TM Data for Geological Mapping of Esfandagheh Ophiolite Complex,Southern Iran

This research developed an approach to enable the discrimination of lithological units and detection of host rock of chromitite bodies within ophiolitic complexes using the advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer (ASTER) and Landsat thematic mapper (TM) satellite data. Three main ophiolite complexes located in southern Iran were selected for the study. A specialized band ratio (4/1, 4/5, 4/7) of ASTER, minimum noise fraction (MNF) components and spectral angle mapper (SAM) on ASTER and Landsat TM data were used to distinguish ophiolitic rock units. Results show that the specialized band ratio was able to identify different rock units and serpentinized dunite as host rock of chromitites within ophiolitic complexes. Minimum noise fraction components of ASTER and Landsat TM data are suitable for distinguishing ophiolitic rock complexes at a regional scale. The integration of SAM and feature level fusion used in this investigation discriminated the ophiolitic rock units and provided geological map for the study area, including identification of high potential areas (serpentinite dunite) for chromite exploration targets.