The R-approximation method and its application to the interpretation of detailed gravity and magnetic data

The application of the R-approximation method based on the use of the Radon integral transform within the framework of the method of linear integral representations to the interpretation of detailed gravity and magnetic data is considered in this paper. The results are presented for some research areas located in Russia and in the Crimea (Ukraine). The method determines the distribution of anomalous field elements, construction of the analytical continuation of fields, and their linear transformations with a sufficiently high degree of accuracy.     

Rock magnetism and magnetostratigraphy of the loess-sol series of Ukraine (Roksolany,Boyanychi, and Korshev sections)

The results of the rock magnetic and paleomagnetic studies for the Quaternary loess-sol deposits of Ukraine are reported. The magnetic properties of the rocks composing the sections in the Pre-Black-Sea Depression (Roksolany) and Volyn Upland (Boyanychi and Korshev) are compared. Based on the highly precise measurements by modern instruments, the primary magnetization component is isolated in the rocks and its polarity is reliably determined in both the loess and soil horizons. The position of the Matuyama–Brunhes boundary in the Roksolany section is determined at a depth of 46.6 m at the contact of the Lubenskii and Martonoshskii soil horizons. This is consistent with the present-day notions of the group of Ukrainian scientists about the Quaternary stratigraphy of the south of Ukraine and inconsistent with the previous results that placed this boundary at a depth of 34 m in loesses above the PK₇ level.     

Joint principal component: wavelet analysis of atmospheric teleconnection: the North Atlantic Oscillation case

The impact of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) on synoptic conditions in Ukraine can not be considered as fully defined as the territory of Ukraine is located at the transitional boundary of processes associated with the NAO. As a rule, common methods based on the principal component analysis (PCA) can not reveal the impact of the NAO. Moreover, the analysis of synoptic-scale processes based on the data with the one-day (or lesser) discreteness is affected by noise. In this paper, the wavelet analysis is used jointly with the PCA to determine time intervals when a linkage between the NAO and processes over Ukraine was significant. Such an approach allowed revealing the time intervals during the cold seasons, when simultaneous variations of synoptic conditions in North Atlantic and Eastern Europe occurred at quasi-synoptic time scales. Usually, that process is observed not very often, but simultaneous variations can be in progress during a few weeks. The coherent changes of synoptic conditions do not depend on the strength and phase of the NAO and can be both in-phase and anti-phase. The significant wavelet coherence is probably registered when two intensive synoptic processes different from general synoptic situation are observed.     

Deep Geoelectrical Structure of the Central and Western Ukraine

The results of deep induction sounding in Ukraine made in the twenty-first century with the participation of the author have been summarized, including also a number of data obtained in the previous decades. The apparent resistivity and magnetic transfer function on the territories of western Ukraine and eastern Poland have been analyzed. The articulation of these data with the regional magnetic variation soundings allowed taking into account the influence of a static shift of areal interpretation of magnetotelluric resistivity results, which increased the reliability of interpretation. The analysis of induction sounding performed with 1D, 2D, and 3D inversions of magnetic transfer functions allowed localizing the crustal anomalies. The results are discussed.     

Seismicity in the platform regions of Ukraine in the zones of anomalous electrical conductivity

It is established for the first time that there are several regions in Ukraine, in which the earthquakes occurring within platform territory are correlated to the anomalous conductive structures in the Earth’s crust and upper mantle. These regions are identified as (1) Donbass and the eastern part of the Dnieper-Donetsk Depression (DDD); (2) eastern margin of the Ingulets-Krivoi Rog suture zone in the area of the Krivoi Rog-Kremenchug fault zone; (3) the western part of the Cis-Azov megablock; (4) the western boundary of the Ukrainian Shield and its slope; (5) North Dobruja and Pre-Dobrujan Depression. The reconstructed tree-dimensional (3D) geoelectrical models of the Earth’s crust and upper mantle feature anomalously low values of electric resistivity. The earthquake sources in the platform areas of Ukraine are localized above the top and in the upper parts of the crustal anomalies of electrical conductivity.     

Water Resources of the Crimea

Crimean water resources are limited, failing to fully meet the drinking and economic needs of the region. Over 50 years, the problems of water resources in Crimea were solved by using Dnieper water supplied through North-Crimean Canal; however, after the integration of Crimea into Russia, Ukraine suspended water supply. At the aggravation of political situation between Russia and Ukraine, the situation in the water-management sphere in the Republic of Crimea looks very complicated. The water-management problems of Crimea should be solved based on its own potential. Groundwater resources are the leading factor of sustainable development of Crimean Region at the present stage.     

Electric conductance of the consolidated crust and graphitization

The influence of inclusions of fluids, ore minerals, and graphite on the electric conductance of rocks of the consolidated crust is considered by using geoelectric investigations in the Ukraine as an example. The abundance of graphite and fluid inclusions is shown, and the anomalies associated with them are estimated.     

太湖湖区有机物流失模拟

研究了１９９２－１９９４年女山湖大面积围栏养蟹利用与保护沉水植物资源的效果结果表明：围栏内河蟹的食物组成中,主要有菹草、苦草、金鱼藻、马来眼子菜、黄丝草和黑藻等沉水植物．其中菹草、黑藻的出现频率和概念生物量,分别在４、６、７、８和９月为最高;围栏内沉水植物的种类和生物量的变化与河蟹的放养密度关系密切,当河蟹的放养密度不超过３０只·ｈｍ~（－２）时,围栏内沉水植物的生物量与对照组均有明显的增加趋势,由此可证,女山湖大面积的围栏养蟹和适宜的放养密度,有效地利用和保护了围栏区内的沉水植物资源     

Concentrations,coexisting forms,and features of silicon distribution and migration in surface waters of Ukraine

The results of studying silicon concentrations and coexisting forms in surface water bodies of Ukraine with different hydrological regime, hydrophysical and hydrochemical characteristics are presented. Silicon distribution between its dissolved and suspended forms, as well as the relationship between the concentration of suspended silicon and the weight of suspended matter and its nature are discussed. The dominating form of silicon migration is shown to be its dissolved form (70.1–99.4% of its total content), while suspended form of silicon dominates in river waters with higher concentration of suspended matter of mineral origin, (56.1–81.5%). The results of studying silicon distribution between abiotic and biotic components of suspended matter, as well as between its dissolved forms with different charge signs are given. Dissolved silicon in the water bodies under study is shown to account for 93.0–99.0% of neutral fraction, where its compounds with molecular weight <0.2 kDa dominate.     

Latitude dependency of solar flare index–temperature relation occuring over middle and high latitudes of Atlantic–Eurasian region

By applying multitaper methods and Pearson test on the surface air temperature and flare index used as a proxy data for possible solar sources of climate-forcing, we investigated the signature of these variables on middle and high latitudes of the Atlantic–Eurasian region (Turkey, Finland, Romania, Ukraine, Cyprus, Israel, Lithuania, and European part of Russia). We considered the temperature and flare index data for the period ranging from January 1975 to the end of December 2005, which covers almost three solar cycles, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd.We found significant correlations between solar activity and surface air temperature over the 50–60° and 60–70° zones for cycle 22, and for cycle 23, over the 30–40°, 40–50°, and 50–60° zones.The most pronounced power peaks for surface air temperature found by multitaper method are around 1.2, 1.7, and 2.5 years which were reported earlier for some solar activity indicators. These results support the suggestion that there is signature of solar activity effect on surface air temperature of mid-latitudes.     

Effects of the Lipetsk Meteoroid in the Geomagnetic Field

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - Observational data from the Kiev (Ukraine), Borok, St. Petersburg, Hel (Poland), Arti, Novosibirsk, Almaty (Kazakhstan), and Irkutsk magnetic observatories are used to...     

Status of Water Quality in King Talal Reservoir Dam,Jordan

This work intends to monitor and assess the current water quality conditions at King Talal Dam (KTD), Jordan, based on vertical profiles and longitudinal surveys. While the surface distribution of water quality parameters in KTD varied spatially, their variations showed no distinct trends. Lateral and horizontal variations in water quality in KTD are probably linked with photosynthesis, sampling period, closeness to Zarqa River and Wadi Rmemeen, and water depths, among other factors. The vast majority of water quality parameters in KTD dammed reservoir showed vertical profiles that either decrease slightly with increasing depth from the surface (temperature and dissolved oxygen) or remain relatively unchanged (major ions, trace elements). These results suggest that water has probably been vertically mixed. Data also demonstrated rock weathering as a dominant process governing the water chemistry of KTD reservoir water. Based on chlorophyll- a classification of Forsberg and Ryding [19], KTD reservoir is in a mesotrophic-eutrophic condition. Evaluation of water quality for irrigation use revealed that KTD reservoir water is suitable for irrigation purposes, except for Na% and total hardness.     

Evaluating ecological quality in the north-eastern Black Sea coastal zone

Anthropogenic pressures have resulted in measurable impacts on the coastal ecosystems of the northern (Sevastopol Bay, Ukraine) and eastern (Batumi aquatoria, Georgia) Black Sea. Indices suggest that major impacts are relatively localized and are comparable to similar situations in the northern Atlantic. In contrast, biodiversity was appreciably lower than from comparable north Atlantic waters. The number of macrobenthic species was typically round 50, less than half the number that might be expected from similar exercises in US or European waters. Site-specific indices likewise indicated a somewhat lower diversity within communities, yielding metrics which would indicate a measure of stress in N. Atlantic situations. Microbial status was generally good, although regions close to urbanisation did not comply with standards laid down in the current EC Bathing Water Directive (76/EC/160). Likewise viruses were more commonly, although not exclusively, associated with urban locations, as were phages. Microbial investigation of the sediments confirmed the presence of heterotrophic and oil-oxidising bacteria. Abundance of the latter was closely correlated to the degree of oil contamination of the sediments, and to temperature, although for both, the results showed that the increase in bacterial abundance did level off beyond a certain point. Numbers of oil-oxidising bacteria in the water column displayed a classical response to temperature, with abundance doubling over a 10-degree C rise in temperature. Overall the results suggest that while indices in current use are useful in evaluating coastal quality in the Black Sea, some adjustments would be necessary especially in the establishment of baseline or reference values.     

Legal Aspects of Natural Resources Management in the Basin of the Sea of Azov

Legal aspects of natural resources management in the basin of the Sea of Azov are investigated. The available legal documents and agreements are carefully analyzed. Measures to be taken both to eliminate the uncertainty of the Sea of Azov legal status and to promote cooperation in the natural conservation zone between Russia and Ukraine at the international level are suggested. The experience of Mediterranean countries succeeding in marine environment protection is analyzed.     

Thermal field and electric conductors in the crust and upper mantle of Ukraine

The paper presents data on the distribution of the deep heat flow in Ukraine, thermal models of the tectonosphere, and electric conductors in the crust and mantle that are mostly related to partial melting and dehydration of rocks.     

Crustal and upper mantle velocity model along the DOBRE-4 profile from North Dobruja to the central region of the Ukrainian Shield: 2. geotectonic interpretation

This part of the paper addresses the geotectonic interpretation of the velocity model obtained from the results of seismic studies under the DOBRE-4 project in Ukraine. The velocity field does not show distinct lateral changes from the Precambrian platform towards the younger tectonic structures in the southwest. Hence, based on the seismic data alone, it is not possible to recognize the tectonic units that are known on the surface. The Moho has an undulating pattern over an interval with a length of ~150 km. The amplitude of the undulations reaches 8 to 17 km. The similar wavelike behavior, although on a shorter spatial scale and lower amplitude, is also typical of the upper crust and upper mantle. The presence of several separate horizons in the folded crust revealed by the velocity model is consistent with the presence of the folded systems which have different extensions on the different depth levels in the Earth’s crust. This situation is believed to be typical of folding on the lithospheric scale and to reflect the rheological stratification of the crust. The DOBRE-4 velocity section of the crust and adjacent part of the mantle promotes a clearer view of the geodynamical model describing the formation of the southwestern part of East European Platform in the Early Precambrian from the plate’s tectonic standpoint.     

Direction and relative paleointensity of the geomagnetic field in the middle and later pleistocene from paleomagnetic data of the Roxolany section (Ukraine)

The lower part of the Roxolany section (Ukraine) is studied, and paleomagnetic and petromagnetic characteristics of rock samples are obtained for the time interval 300-75 ka. Detailed curves of variations in angular parameters of the geomagnetic field are constructed in the entire time interval, and curves of variations in the relative paleointensity are obtained for the interval 300-180 ka. Using the values of the angular parameters and the deviations of the virtual geomagnetic pole from the position of the stationary field, anomalous directions compatible with the Jamaica excursion are identified in the intervals 250-249 and 221-220 ka. The geomagnetic field evolution is studied by methods of wavelet analysis, and the field generation process is shown to vary in the interval 300-180 ka.     

Compartmentalisation and groundwater–surface water interactions in a prospective shale gas basin: Assessment using variance analysis and multivariate statistics on water quality data

An environmental concern with hydraulic fracturing for shale gas is the risk of groundwater and surface water contamination. Assessing this risk partly involves the identification and understanding of groundwater–surface water interactions because potentially contaminating fluids could move from one water body to the other along hydraulic pathways. In this study, we use water quality data from a prospective shale gas basin to determine: if surface water sampling could identify groundwater compartmentalisation by low-permeability faults; and if surface waters interact with groundwater in underlying bedrock formations, thereby indicating hydraulic pathways. Variance analysis showed that bedrock geology was a significant factor influencing surface water quality, indicating regional-scale groundwater–surface water interactions despite the presence of an overlying region-wide layer of superficial deposits averaging 30–40 m thickness. We propose that surface waters interact with a weathered bedrock layer through the complex distribution of glaciofluvial sands and gravels. Principal component analysis showed that surface water compositions were constrained within groundwater end-member compositions. Surface water quality data showed no relationship with groundwater compartmentalisation known to be caused by a major basin fault. Therefore, there was no chemical evidence to suggest that deeper groundwater in this particular area of the prospective basin was reaching the surface in response to compartmentalisation. Consequently, in this case compartmentalisation does not appear to increase the risk of fracking-related contaminants reaching surface waters, although this may differ under different hydrogeological scenarios.     

Assessing effects of model complexity and structure on predictions of hydrological responses using serial and parallel model design

By utilizing functional relationships based on observations at plot or field scales, water quality models first compute surface runoff and then use it as the primary governing variable to estimate sediment and nutrient transport. When these models are applied at watershed scales, this serial model structure, coupling a surface runoff sub-model with a water quality sub-model, may be inappropriate because dominant hydrological processes differ among scales. A parallel modeling approach is proposed to evaluate how best to combine dominant hydrological processes for predicting water quality at watershed scales. In the parallel scheme, dominant variables of water quality models are identified based entirely on their statistical significance using time series analysis. Four surface runoff models of different model complexity were assessed using both the serial and parallel approaches to quantify the uncertainty on forcing variables used to predict water quality. The eight alternative model structures were tested against a 25-year high-resolution data set of streamflow, suspended sediment discharge, and phosphorous discharge at weekly time steps. Models using the parallel approach consistently performed better than serial-based models, by having less error in predictions of watershed scale streamflow, sediment and phosphorus, which suggests model structures of water quantity and quality models at watershed scales should be reformulated by incorporating the dominant variables. The implication is that hydrological models should be constructed in a way that avoids stacking one sub-model with one set of scale assumptions onto the front end of another sub-model with a different set of scale assumptions.     

Changing Land Use a Threat to Surface Water Quality: a Vulnerability Assessment Approach in Zanjanroud Watershed,Central Iran

Maintaining the quality of surface water resources as one of the most vital water supplies has always been at the center of global concerns. A set of manifest and latent factors have yet been identified by researchers worldwide that are subject to affect the quality of surface water. Among which, the effect of land use change, due to a spatial and temporal complexity, is often not easily verifiable. The present study attempts to offer an index-based model to quantify vulnerability of surface water resources in a semi arid basin in central Iran against land use changes. For this, water quality data including Na, K, Mg, Ca, Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), total anions (Sum. A), SO₄, Cl, HCO₃, EC, TDS, and pH were collected from hydrometric stations over a period of 26 years (1987?2013). In order to detect land use changes, the land use maps of the years 1987, 1998, 2002, 2009, and 2013 were prepared from TM satellite images using supervised classification method. At next step, changing patterns of different land uses were traced by Shanon’s Diversity Index (SHDI) as a metric of patch diversity indicating diversity and heterogeneity of a landscape over time. Relationship between the SHDI values and water quality indicators revealed the impact of land use changes on quality of surface water resources. Statistical analysis confirmed a significant relationship between nine water quality factors and water discharge in the basin during the study period. From 1998 to 2009, the greatest changes were visible in the total anions, Ca, SO₄, and HCO₃. These parameters along with salinity were increasing in almost all sub-basins. According to the results, conversion of poor rangelands to rain fed agriculture fields is the most apparent land use change occurred in the study area over the study period. In 1987, SHDI as an indicator of the diversity and changes in the basin, showed a significant relationship with good rangelands (R² =–0.835). This indicates that fragmentation of the entire watershed area was initiated in 1987, which reached its peak in 2013. Generally speaking, urbanization, poor rangeland, and irrigated agriculture were recognized as three influential land uses adversely affect the water quality in the study area.