Environmental and depositional characteristics of diatomite deposit, Alayunt Neogene Basin (Kutahya), West Anatolia, Turkey

This paper describes the geological-depositional and environmental characteristics of diatomite. The diatomite deposit is situated in the southern part of the Alayunt (Kutahya) Basin. Samples of 18 diatomites and 12 host rocks were collected from four sedimentary profiles in the spring season. Basement rocks are Paleozoic-aged metamorphic rocks (schist, phyllite, quartzite, etc.) and Mesozoic-aged ophiolitic and complex rocks. Host rocks are rhyodacitic–rhyolitic tuffite, volcanic glass. Diatomite is composed of Upper Miocene–Upper Pliocene-aged diatom species. Diatomite shows layer morphology and lies on volcanic glass layer. XRD characteristic peaks of diatomite show that it comprises dominantly of Opal-A silica, whereas volcanic glass has Opal-CT constituent. SEM and NPM photomicrographs indicate that diatomites are dominantly composed of benthic freshwater diatom species, such as Pinnularia microstauron, Pinnularia lundii, Pinnularia subrostrata, Pinnularia brevicostata, Pinnularia tenuis, Pinnularia sp., Navicula eligensis, Fragilaria construens, Mastogloia braunii Grunow, Melosira varians Agardh, Surirella capronii Brébisson, Cymbella lanceoloata, Amphora venata, Gomphonema germainii, Gomphonema angustatum and Rhapalodia gibba. These species are general indicators of shallow paleolake environment and cool climate conditions. Due to the fluvial currents and climatic conditions; lake water levels, temperature and nutrient content fluctuated through the time. Chemical data obtained from 18 diatomite samples show that while silica is the bodybuilding material for diatomite (over 89 % SiO₂), Al, Mg and Fe contents of diatomite samples might be derived from clastic materials. The concentration of Al, Mg and Fe decreases toward the lake center. Diatom genera, sedimentary profile sections and mineralogic data suggest that diatomite deposited in lacustrine-type freshwater shallow lake is associated with Upper Miocene-aged extension tectonics. Physical and filtration tests along with environmental characteristics of diatomite suggest that calcined diatomite can be used for waste treatment processes in the filter aid industry.     

Geochemistry,geochronology, and zircon Hf isotopes of Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous granitoids in the Xing'an Massif,NE China: Implication for the Late Mesozoic tectonic evolution and crustal growth

This paper presents new zircon U–Pb geochronological, Hf isotopic and whole-rock geochemical data for the granitic plutons in the Xing'an Massif, Northeast China, to constrain the Late Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean and the Paleo-Pacific Ocean. The zircon U–Pb ages indicate that the granitoids emplaced during the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous. The granodiorites show an adakitic affinity with high Sr/Y ratios and low Yb (< 1.30 μg/g) contents. The monzogranites exhibit high SiO₂, low MgO contents, enrichment in LILEs (Rb, K, and Th), and depletion in HSFEs (Ta, Nb, Zr, P, and Ti). Petrological and geochemical features of these monzogranites suggest that they are highly fractionated I-type granitoids. In addition, the zircon ε_Hf(t) values and two-stage model ages (T_DM2 ) are in the range of +2.6 to +8.1 and 669–1011 Ma, respectively, indicating that primary magma was generated by partial melting of juvenile lower-crustal materials, and there was a significant crustal growth in the Phanerozoic in the Northeast China. Combined with the coeval granitoids widely exposed in the Xing'an Massif, we conclude that the Late Jurassic magma in Northeast China was generated in an extensional setting related to the closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean, but the Early Cretaceous magma was related to the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate.     

Coupling of remote sensing data and environmental-related parameters for dengue transmission risk assessment in Subang Jaya,Malaysia

In Malaysia, the endemic level of dengue fever (DF) has already changed morbidity indicators, and the magnitude of these incidences in the last few years has surpassed the incidences of all other diseases of compulsory notification. The reasons for the dramatic emergence of DF are complex and not well understood. There are many factors that contribute to the epidemiological conditions that favour viral transmission by the main mosquito vector. This study, therefore, is filling this gap by analysing the impact of dengue incidence at a local (Subang Jaya) scale using environmental factors. Meteorological data and land-use pattern were consolidated using geographic information system (GIS) and its components as an analytical tool. We have shown that weather variables (relative humidity, temperature and precipitation) have significant correlation with DF incidence with seasonal variation. Besides land-use pattern, DF incidence shows the higher distribution in the residential area, followed by commercial and industrial area. This is due to the higher population density in residential area as well as favourable places for the breeding of dengue-carrying Aedes mosquitos created by humans in the residential area, especially one-storey houses. The analysis on the trends of DF incidence towards various housing types indicate that most of the victims’ houses fall into interconnection houses and mixed houses types compared to the independent houses area. The outcome driven from this analysis suggested that each character of the environmental factors has their own risk towards dengue incidence. In line with that, it is possible to develop a dynamic model of DF transmission using the knowledge produced by this comprehensive time series data and the results provided by the different analyses.     

Examining the utility of random forest and AISA Eagle hyperspectral image data to predict Pinus patula age in KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa

High-data dimensionality is a common problem in hyperspectral data processing. Consequently, remote sensing techniques that reduce the number of bands are considered essential tools for most hyperspectral applications. The aim of this study was to examine the utility of the random forest ensemble to select the optimal subset of hyperspectral bands to predict the age of Pinus patula stands. Airborne AISA Eagle hyperspectral image data were collected over the study area. The random forest ensemble was used to test whether the forward or backward variable selection methods could identify the optimal subset of bands. Results indicate that both the selection methods produced high-predictive accuracies (root mean square error = 3.097 years). However, the backward variable selection method utilized 206 bands for the final model, while the forward variable selection utilized only a small subset of non-redundant bands (n = 9) while preserving the highest model accuracy (R ² = 0.6).     

Comparative Evaluation for Characterization of Produced Water Generated from Oil,Gas, and Oil–Gas Production Fields

A reliable wastewater characterization is a prerequisite for the selection of an acceptable treatment strategy for produced water which exhibits significant differences due to the varied kinds of wells, seasonal changes, and formation types. A complete characterization of produced water generated from oil, gas, and oil–gas fields in Turkey was performed based on seasonal and locational variations. The results showed that the produced water generated from oil field wells was highly polluted and wastewater volume was higher in comparison to gas and oil–gas field wells. Besides, the characterization of produced water was varying in a wide range based on seasonal and locational variations. Useful relationships were observed between chloride, sodium, bromide, and total dissolved solids concentrations. The results can be used in the design, operation, and optimization of wastewater treatment systems of petroleum and oil industries for future studies.     

Probabilistic model to forecast earthquakes in the Zemmouri (Algeria) seismoactive area on the basis of moment magnitude scale distribution functions

Based on the moment magnitude scale, a probabilistic model was developed to predict the occurrences of strong earthquakes in the seismoactive area of Zemmouri, Algeria. Firstly, the distributions of earthquake magnitudes M _i were described using the distribution function F ₀(m), which adjusts the magnitudes considered as independent random variables. Secondly, the obtained result, i.e., the distribution function F ₀(m) of the variables M _i was used to deduce the distribution functions G(x) and H(y) of the variables Y _i = Log M _0,i and Z _i = M _0,i , where (Y _i ) _i and (Z _i ) _i are independent. Thirdly, some forecast for moments of the future earthquakes in the studied area is given.     

Structural geologic control with the limestone bedrock associated with piling problems using remote sensing and GIS: a modified geomorphological method

Geotechnical engineering and unpredictable piling problems of highly urbanized areas underlain by intensive geological fracture zones require a better understanding of their spatial pattern and developments. Unlike traditional techniques which use geophysical survey and visual interpretation of optical satellite images, this study presents a modified approach to revealing the buried geological fractures in karst terrain, which incorporates Wood??s algorithm. The algorithm binary maps were modified by applying additional Soble filter with 10% threshold and equalization enhancement. These modifications have proven good discrimination for morphological linear and curvilinear derived from DEM. Results of the modified method were compared to the existing geological map and validated by conducting field observations. The analysis of the results and corresponding geological and topographical maps showed the effectiveness of the method to recognize the pattern of buried geological fractures. The results obtained demonstrated that maps of the modified method can be used as a reference map prior to any site investigation.     

Strain analysis and microstructural evolution characteristic of neoproterozoic rocks associations of Wadi El Falek,centre Eastern Desert,Egypt

The estimation of finite strain in rocks is fundamental to a meaningful understanding of deformational processes and products on all scales from microscopic fabric development to regional structural analyses. The R_f/φ and Fry methods on feldspar porphyroclasts and mafic grains from 5 granite, 1 metavolcanic, 3 metasedimentary and 1 granodiorite samples were used in Wadi El Falek region. Finite-strain data shows that a high to moderate range of deformation of the granitic to metavolcano-sedimentary samples and axial ratios in the XZ section range from 1.60 to 4.10 for the R_f/φ method and from 2.80 to 4.90 for the Fry method. Furthermore, the short axes are subvertical associated with a subhorizontal foliation. We conclude that finite strain in the deformed granite rocks is of the same order of magnitude as that from metavolcano-sedimentary rocks. Furthermore, contacts formed during intrusion of plutons with some faults in the Wadi El Falek area under brittle to semi-ductile deformation conditions. In this case, finite strain accumulated during superimposed deformation on the already assembled nappe structure. It indicates that the nappe contacts formed during the accumulation of finite strain.     

Sampling oxygenated Archean hydrosphere: Implications from fractionations of Th/U and Ce/Ce* in hydrothermally altered volcanic sequences

Hydrothermally altered Archean igneous suites erupted in the submarine environment record variable excursions of Ce/Ce* and Th/U from primary magmatic values of 1 and ~ 4 respectively. Rhyolites of the 2.96 Ga bimodal basalt–rhyolite sequence of the Murchison Domain, Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia, hosting the Golden Grove VMS deposit, are enriched in MnO up to ten fold over primary values. Th/U ratios span 2.6–4.7, Ce/Ce* = 2.5–16, and Eu/Eu* = 1.3–3. The 2.8 Ga Lady Alma ultramafic–mafic subvolcanic complex of the same domain features highly dispersed MREE and LREE due to intense hydrothermal alteration. Th/U ratios span 0.005–0.16 from preferential addition of U, with Ce/Ce* = 0.6–2.2, and Eu/Eu* = 1–1.4. The eastern Dharwar Craton, India, includes greenstone terranes dominantly 2.7–2.6 Ga. Adakites of the Gadwal terrane preserve near primary magmatic Th/U, Ce/Ce*, and Eu/Eu*. In contrast, igneous lithologies of the Hutti greenstone terrane are characterized by total ranges of Th/U = 2–5.8, Ce/Ce* = 1.01–1.28, and Eu/Eu* = 0.82–1.26, and counterparts of the Sandur terrane have Th/U = 0.4–6.0, Ce/Ce* = 0.9–1.25, and Eu/Eu* = 0.8–1.8. Coexistence of Ce and Eu anomalies may reflect a two-stage process: low-temperature hydrothermal alteration at high water–rock ratios by oxidizing fluids, with evolution of the hydrothermal systems to high temperature, low water–rock ratios, under reducing conditions. Uranium is dominantly added to these lithologies over Th in common with Recent altered ocean crust. Iron-rich shales in the Sandur terrane record U-enrichment where Th/U = 2–4. Three shales record true negative Ce anomalies and Eu/Eu* = 0.8–2.4: true negative Ce anomalies, present in some other Archean iron formations, are interpreted as a signature of precipitates from the ocean water column whereas Eu anomalies are hydrothermal in origin. Volcanic flows of the 2.7 Ga Blake River Group, Abitibi greenstone terrane, Canada, preserve Th/U = 1.5–8.5, the conjunction of low Th/U values with Ce/Ce* = 1.4 in two samples, and Eu/Eu* = 0.15–1.3. Mobility of U and Ce in these hydrothermally altered Archean lithologies is in common with their mobility in Phanerozoic counterparts by oxygenated fluids.