Hydrogeochemistry and pollution assessment of quaternary–tertiary aquifer in the Liwa area,United Arab Emirates

This study presents the data on the hydrochemical characteristics and isotope chemistry of Liwa aquifer, which could be useful to clarify the hydrochemical facies and hydrogeological regime in the study area. Electric conductivity and total dissolved solid values show that the investigated water is slightly brackish, due to the effect of evaporation and the occurrences of evaporite rocks in the adjacent Sabkhas of Abu Dhabi. Major cations and anions arranged according to their decreasing concentrations are: Na⁺ > Ca⁺² > K⁺ > Mg⁺² and Cl⁻ > HCO₃ ⁻ > SO₄⁻², respectively. As sodium is the dominate cation and chloride is the prevailing anion, hydrochemically the groundwater of Liwa can be classified as Na–Cl rich, predominantly chloridic. Ion concentrations increase towards the northeast and presumably coincide with the lithological sources of ions. Factors affecting the hydrochemistry of the groundwater of the investigated area include the effect of weathering of soil and rocks, evaporation and agricultural activities. Stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen show that the shallow aquifers contain a single water type that originated in a distinct climatic regime. This water type deviates from the local meteoric water line, as well as from the Eastern Mediterranean Meteoric Water Line, suggesting potential evaporation of recharged water prior to infiltration. The waters are poor in tritium, and thus can be considered generally as indication for recharge prior to 1952. The degradation of groundwater quality can be attributed to evaporation and agricultural practices in most cases.     

Spatial distribution of soil shear-wave velocity and the fundamental period of vibration – a case study of the Saguenay region,Canada

The spatial distribution of soil shear-wave velocity and the fundamental period of vibration were selected as input parameters for the determination of potential seismic site effects in the Saguenay region, Canada. The methodology used in this study involved three clear steps. First, a 3D geological model of the surficial deposits was built taking into consideration the type, spatial distribution and thickness of the deposits. Second, representative average V_s values were determined for each of the major soil units. Finally, the average shear-wave velocity from the ground surface to bedrock (V_sav), the shear-wave velocity of the upper 30 m (V_s30) and the fundamental site resonance period (T₀) were calculated over a regular grid for the study area. The results include the spatial distribution of the fundamental site resonance period, the average shear-wave velocity in the first 30 m of the ground and the spatial distribution of National Building Code of Canada seismic soil classes for the Saguenay region.     

Structural and tectonostratigraphic evolution of the Upper Cretaceous–Eocene sequence in Malaqet–Mundassah–El Saah Range,Oman Mountains,United Arab Emirates and Oman

The Malaqet–Mundassah area lies on the western flank of the Northern Oman Mountains in the UAE and Oman. This area is a well-exposed example of Alpine thrusted and folded Ophiolitic assemblage and post-obduction autochthonous sequences. The hinge zones of the thrust propagation folds accommodated stronger deformation compared with the weaker deformation that occurred in the other parts of these folds. In this area, there have been three main tectonic shortening events, two associated with the formation of unconformities (pre-Late Campanian and Cretaceous/Tertiary) and one during the deposition of megabreccia and conglomerates units (Early–Middle Eocene). Each event continued mildly during the deposition of sediments above. Tectonism was accompanied by sea level changes so that the Malaqet–Mundassah area experienced two marine regressions and two transgressions between the Late Cretaceous and the Oligocene times. Activity of northwest striking (NE-dipping) thrust faults and similarly trending thrust-propagation folds is responsible for the formation of a local basin, the Malaqet–El Saah basin in which the Simsima, Muthaymimah, Saah, and Tawi Uwayyir formations of the area were deposited. The syn-sedimentary activity of thrusts, folds and strike-slip faults is documented in thickness variations, stratigraphic onlapping of formations towards the fold hinges, and the presence of megabreccia and conglomerate deposits not found elsewhere in the foreland basin.     

Stability analysis and remedial measures of a landslip at Keifang,Mizoram – a case study

Landslips are often triggered due to non-engineered excavation of potential unstable slopes. Such slips can be stabilized by implementing suitable remedial measures.A landslip occurred at a drilling site of Oil India Limited in Mizoram State due to slope excavation. There was an immediate concern to protect the slope as the drilling platform and the highway at the top of the slope are at risk if further landslide occurs in future. Slope stability analysis of the failed slope was carried out to design suitable control measures for the protection of the slope from further sliding. Slope stability using various methods indicated that the slope is marginally stable. To improve the stability of the slope, suitable retaining structure at the toe of the slope was suggested and designed. Stability analysis performed with inclusion of retaining wall showed a significant increase in factor of safety of the slope. The suggested remedial measure has been implemented at the site and there is no landslip reported since then. The paper presents the results of the slope stability analysis and the design details of the retaining structure prescribed as the protection measure.     

Application of cathodoluminescence to magmatic quartz in a tin granite – case study from the Schellerhau Granite Complex, Eastern Erzgebirge, Germany

A model of the cooling history of tin-bearing granitic magma forming the Schellerhau granites (Eastern Erzgebirge, Germany) is shown on the basis of quartz textures. Similar grain size, similar grain habit and correlatable growth textures of phenocrysts in different granite varieties give proof of a common crystallization history before the melts of the Schellerhau granite varieties were intruded. Four nucleation events occurred during crystallization in different crustal levels between about 20 and 1 km depth. The parental melt of the Schellerhau granites is interpreted to have contained<2.5 wt% H₂O originally. The water content of the melt during the subvolcanic intrusion stage amounted to more than 5 wt% and characterizes highly evolved residual melts that enable the formation of tin deposits. This study contributes to a better understanding of the development and behaviour of fractionated tin-bearing granitic melts, and links quartz cathodoluminescence (CL) with microanalytical studies. Received: 28 October 1998 / Accepted: 18 August 1999     

Distribution of heavy metals in urban soils – a case study of Danang-Hoian Area (Vietnam)

 This work is part of a research study which is intended to study the degree of anthropogenic influences of the trace metal distribution of soils from Danang-Hoian area (Vietnam). Cu, Ni, Zn and Zr show significant effects in most of the cultivated soil categories, especially in the industrial soils. Extremely high levels of Pb (up to 742 μg/g) are observed in the industrial soil category, which shows an enrichment factor 114 as compared to rural soils. Cd shows only a relative local enrichment with the maximum level of 4.6 μg/g in urban soils. Sequential extraction was performed in selected samples to evaluate the geochemical trace metals. The result indicates that Zn and Cr are mainly found in the crystal and amorphous Fe oxide bounded forms. The contents of Cr in these fractions comprise more than 94% of total extractable Cr. In the case of Zn, 85% of total extractable Zn is in fractions F_V and F_VI. Cu is mainly found in the organic fraction at an average of 39.3% of total extractable content. On the other hand, heavy metal contents show an increasing tendency in the fine fraction (silt and clay). Received: 4 February 1998 · Accepted: 26 November 1998     

The study of land desertification in transitional zones between the MU US Desert and the Loess Plateau using RS and GIS—a case study of the Yulin region

In this study, the land desertification of transitional zones of desert loess in the Yulin region (China) is studied from TM images in a geographical information system (GIS). It is found that the desertification in Yulin is still severe. The desertified land accounts for 67.7% of the total land areas. The distribution of desertified land shows obvious spatial imbalance, with severe desertification in northwestern regions and slight desertification in southeastern regions. This imbalance is related to the difference in physical factors and land-use pattern. The process of desertification in Yulin areas shows a steady and even reversed trend between 1987 and 1999, as a result of positive efforts. At the end of the paper the cause of desertification is discussed. It is believed that the interaction and confliction between the natural process and human activities may lead to the development of desertification.     

Retrograde alterations of phyllosilicates in low-grade metapelite: a case study from the Szendr? Paleozoic, NE-Hungary

Frequently, at temperatures lower than the metamorphic peak conditions, slates undergo mineral transformations, usually mediated by fluids. We have studied core material of an epizonal slate series (Szendr? Mountains, NE-Hungary) to reconstruct the post-metamorphic lower-T hydrothermal alterations using petrographic, X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe methods, and transmission electron microscopy. The borehole crosscuts an upper part of the ca. 600?C800?m Lower-Carboniferous flysch-like Szendr? Phyllite Formation. The samples were metamorphosed reaching epizonal conditions with a mineral assemblage characterized by quartz, muscovite, chlorite and albite. Even in the freshest samples, break-up and loosening of the regional metamorphic structure was observed, with cracks parallel to or crossing the cleavage. In the upper part, chlorite and albite are almost absent, while the presence of paragonite, mixed Na?CK mica, and mixed-layered minerals with smectitic component are characteristic. Goethite, halloysite, and subordinate kaolinite are present in the most altered sample (13.0?m in the profile) which may indicate the position of the fissures in which the circulation of the post-metamorphic fluids was the most intense. Muscovite is the only mica from the lower part of the profile and chlorite becomes a significant constituent, whereas paragonite, halloysite, and kaolinite are missing. Discrete smectite is present in all the samples in spite of being incompatible with the prograde evolution of the sequence. The interleaved smectite layers in chlorite and muscovite/chlorite mixed-layers show at the lattice level textural characteristics indicative of a later alteration process. After the metamorphic peak at epizonal conditions, the introduction of hot fluids through the fractures gave rise to the crystallization of Na?CK white micas and muscovite/chlorite under anchizonal conditions. In a final stage of the hydrothermal process, the cooling of the circulating fluids favored the formation of halloysite and kaolinite in the areas near to the fissures, smectites in the samples far away from the fractures, and locally, goethite. The Fe₂O₃ content increasing upwards indicates oxidizing conditions in the late stage of hydrothermal activity and/or eventually, an influence of a younger near-surface weathering.     

Landfill site selection based on reliability concepts using the DRASTIC method and AHP integrated with GIS – a case study of Bengaluru city,India

The selection of landfill sites for municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal involves consideration of geological, hydrological and environmental parameters which exhibit large spatial variability. Therefore, it is necessary to define, to what extent the chosen sites are reliable such that the probability of environmental pollution and health risks to population is minimal. In the present study, groundwater vulnerability to contamination has been assessed using the standard DRASTIC method. The results showed that the study region has 9.45% of very less, 32.94% of less, 25.47% of moderate, 22.79% of high and 9.35% of very high vulnerable zones. The study also revealed that none of the landfills are located in safe zones. This suggests that it requires proper remedial measures to avoid environmental pollution. A landfill site selection process has been carried out using the Analytical Hierarchy Process integrated with Geographical Information System tools. The obtained results showed that only 3.59?km² (0.08%) of the total area is suitable for landfills. The reliability analysis of the site suitability revealed that landfills are located at unreliable locations where the probability of risk to environmental pollution is high. The presented approach assists decision-makers in selecting reliable locations for the safe disposal of MSW.     

Geobotany of red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) – a case study from the southeastern portion of Andhra Pradesh

 RedSanders in their natural distribution occur almost exclusively in quartzites and shales. This indicates the geobotanical response to these rock types in the semi-arid tract of the southeastern portion of Andhra Pradesh in the tropical dry deciduous forests of Chittoor, Cuddapah and Nellore districts. Thus Red Sanders are important from a commercial point of view and also a useful tool to demarcate stratigraphic formations. Received: 27 April 1998 · Accepted: 21 July 1998     

An evaluation of residents’ perceptions of the creation of a geopark: a case study on the geopark in Mt. Huaying Grand Canyon, Sichuan Province, China

In recent years, geoparks (a geoheritage effort to protect geological features) have been vigorously promoted in China and abroad. The evaluation of a geopark is important for geopark development. However, current evaluation methods focus on geoheritage and their values, and often ignore residents’ situations, even though community participation is essential to the sustainable development of geoparks. In this paper, the Mt. Huaying Grand Canyon Geological Park was selected as a study area to evaluate resident’s perceptions of the park. Perception impact factors were selected from the perspective of the park residents. Quantitative evaluation models, based on data from questionnaires, were created using the hierarchy process model and expert evaluation method. The results showed that the following factors influenced residents’ perceptions, listed from the most significant to the least: residents’ understanding of geoheritage, participation level in commercial activities, participation level in planning decisions, satisfaction level regarding benefit distribution and level of participation willingness. It was found that residents’ level of understanding of geoheritage and their participation level in planning decisions were the main reasons for poorer perceptions of geoheritage. The keys to improving residents’ perceptions of geoheritage are to change the management system, implement people-centered policies and to establish a government-led management mode that encourages community participation and involves private business contracts.     

Assessing climate change impacts on river hydrology – A case study in the Western Ghats of India

The objective of this study is to evaluate the hydrological impacts of climate change on rainfall, temperature and streamflow in a west flowing river originating in the Western Ghats of India. The long-term trend analysis for 110 yr of meteorological variables (rainfall and temperature) was carried out using the modified Mann–Kendall trend test and the magnitude of the trend was quantified using the Sen’s slope estimator. The Regional Climate Model (RCM), COordinated Regional climate Downscaling EXperiment (CORDEX) simulated daily weather data of baseline (1951–2005) and future RCP 4.5 scenarios (2006–2060) were used to run the hydrological model, Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), in order to evaluate the effect of climate change on rainfall, temperature and streamflow. Significant changes were observed with regard to rainfall, which have shown decreasing trend at the rate of 2.63 mm per year for the historical and 8.85 mm per year for RCP 4.5 future scenarios. The average temperature was found to be increasing at \(0.10\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}\) per decade for both historical and future scenarios. The impact of climate change on the annual streamflow yielded a decreasing trend at the rate of \(1.2\,\hbox {Mm}^{3}\) per year and 2.56 \(\hbox {Mm}^{3},\) respectively for the past and future scenarios. The present work also investigates the capability of SWAT to simulate the groundwater flow. The simulated results are compared with the recession limb of the hydrograph and were found to be reasonably accurate.     

Mesozoic and Cenozoic structural deformation in the NW Tarim Basin,China: a case study of the Piqiang–Selibuya Fault

The Piqiang–Selibuya Fault is the most significant fault in the NW Tarim Basin, China. It has attracted increasing attention because of the discovery of a series of oil (gas) fields in and around the fault zone. The structural characteristics and evolution of the Piqiang–Selibuya Fault remain controversial. Field geological surveys and seismic data interpretation reveal that the fault has experienced three stages of activity. The thicknesses of the Permian and Miocene strata on opposing sides of the fault are clearly different, and these reveal that the fault has experienced two stages of significant thrusting. The first stage took place at the end of the Triassic and was associated with the Qiangtang Block amalgamated to the south margin of Eurasia. The second stage occurred at the end of the Miocene and might have been caused by the northwards overthrusting of the Pamir. These two stages of thrusting led to the lower–middle Cambrian detachment layer in the eastern part of the Keping thrust belt being 2 km shallower than in the western part. Since the Pliocene, the southern Tien Shan orogenic belt has been reactivated and thrust towards the interior of the Tarim Basin, and a series of ENE–WSW-trending thrust sheets have formed in the Keping thrust belt. Because of the different depth of the detachment layer on the opposing sides of the Piqiang–Selibuya Fault, the number and spacing of thrust sheets formed to the east of the fault differ from those to the west. This dissimilar deformation led to the strike–slip displacement on the Piqiang–Selibuya Fault. The three stages of fault activity record three important tectonic events in the NW Tarim Basin. Qualitative analysis of this activity helps us better understand the influence of the far-field effect of the collisions that occurred on the southern margin of the Eurasia plate on the structural deformation of the NW Tarim Basin.     

Supporting youth-led community geography on the impacts of neighbourhood social infrastructure on young people’s lives: a case study from East Scarborough,Canada

This paper is a reflection on 3 years of youth engagement in neighbourhood-based geographic research on the state of social infrastructure in East Scarborough, Toronto, Canada. It revolves around the evolution of LIFT, a youth-led advocacy group with the mandate to engage youth in community-based research to identify gaps in resources and inform local organizations about youth priorities. Using critical reflection as research method, we explore how community geography can be a responsive approach to the needs of youth to analyze their lived experience and collect data to influence decision-making in their communities. We articulate a series of propositions and core assumptions to inform a non-adultist, youth-focused community geography, highlight the ethical dimensions of this work, as well as discuss the often-complicated institutional and interpersonal dynamics that shape the success and sustainability of youth-led community geography.

     

Analysis of urban growth using Landsat TM/ETM data and GIS—a case study of Hyderabad, India

Hyderabad is one of the fastest growing mega cities in India and it is facing many economic, social and environmental problems due to rapid urban growth. For the better planning of resources and to provide basic amenities to its residents, it is necessary to have sufficient knowledge about its urban growth activities. Also, it is necessary to monitor the changes in land use over time and to detect growth activities in different parts of the city. To accomplish these tasks with greater accuracy and easiest way, remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) tools proved to be very advantageous. This study makes an attempt towards the mapping of land use classes for different time periods and analysis of apparent changes in land use using the Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM) data for the urban agglomeration of Hyderabad, India. In this study, three different time periods viz. 1989–2000, 2000–2005 and 2005–2011 are chosen for the analysis. The results have shown that high-density urban area had grown during 1989–2011 by encroaching into other land use classes. The urban growth has also affected water resources both, qualitatively and quantitatively in the region. The transformation of other land use types into urban area dynamically continued in the North-East and Southern parts of the city. In the North-East direction, the urban growth was mostly due to growth in industrial and residential area and in Southern part, mostly due to residential growth.     

Geoelectrical mapping of contamination in the cemeteries: the case study in Piracicaba,São Paulo/Brazil

This paper presents the results of electrical resistivity methods in the area delineation that was potentially contaminated by liquefaction products, which are also called putrefactive liquids in Vila Rezende municipal cemetery, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. The results indicate a depth of water table between 3.1 and 5.1 m, with two groundwater direction flows, one to the SW and another to the SE. Due to the contamination plumes, which have the same groundwater direction flow, as well the conductive anomalies observed in the geoelectric sections, the contamination suspicions in the area were confirmed. The probable plume to the SE extends beyond the limits of the cemetery. The location of the conductive anomalies and the probable contamination plumes showed that the contamination is linked with the depth of the water table and the burial time. Mapping using the geostatistical method of ordinary kriging applied to the work drew structural characteristics of the regional phenomenon and spatial behavior of the electrical resistivity data, resulting in continued surfaces. Thus, this method has proved to be an important tool for mapping contamination plumes in cemeteries.     

Environmental pollution control through geo – botanical means – a case study of Manikpur block, Korba coalfield, M.P., India

 In the present paper, an environmental analysis of Manikpur area, Korba coalfield, Bilaspur, M.P., India is undertaken. The area lies in the Geological Survey of India Toposheet no. 64J/11 Latitude 82°42′54″–82°45′10″ North; Longitude 22°18′46″–22°19′46″ East. The paper deals with pollution and its control measures through the natural plants found in the vicinity of the coalmines, namely Mangifera indica, Eucalyptus spp., Cassia siamea, Delbergia sissoo, etc. The plants control the Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), Nitrous Oxides (NOx), Sulphur Oxides (SOx) of the mines and mining site. Therefore, plantation in the mining site should be encouraged. Received: 12 May 1998 · Accepted: 6 October 1998