Utilizing image processing techniques in lithologic discrimination of Buwatah area, Western Arabian Shield

The main task of this article is the evaluation of the IHS color transformation fusion, color composite ratios, and principal component analysis techniques for lithologic discrimination of the basement rocks exposed at Buwatah area, Western Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia. Landsat ETM+ images were prepared and used to perform this task using PCI Geomatica software. IHS fusion technique was conducted through four main processing steps: (1) registration of the multispectral image (7, 4, and 2 in RGB) to the panchromatic image and then resample it to the same spatial resolution as that of the panchromatic image; (2) transformation of the three multispectral bands from RGB to IHS space; (3) substitution of the intensity value from the high spatial resolution panchromatic band; and finally (4) back transformation to RGB. The band ratios 5/7, 3/1, and 4/3 displayed in RGB, respectively, were used to produce the color composite ratio image. The first principal component (PC1), the second principal component (PC2), and the third principal component (PC3), displayed in RGB, respectively, were used to construct the color composite principal component image. The resultant images successfully discriminated the exposed rock units in the study area and a lithologic map has been constructed that is subjected to precise field verification. The stratigraphy of the area under consideration starts with metavolcanics and associated volcaniclastics as an oldest rock unit, followed by granodiorite–diorite, pink granite, biotite granite, acidic and basic dykes, and Cenozoic volcanics. A new rock unit (biotite granite) has been introduced that was not represented in previous mapping of the considered sector. The biotite granite is verified by field and petrographical studies.     

Temporal shoreline change and infrastructure influences along the southern Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia

Jizan is one of the Saudi Arabian coastal cities endowed with diverse natural settings, which includes Ash Shuqayq in the north, Turfah in the centre and Jizan in the South. This work analysed specific environmental characteristics, such as spits, sabkhas and wadis. Assessments used Landsat imagery to examine coastal change between 1973 and 2011. The cumulative temporal change identified regression trends given by coefficients of determination that explained a significant percentage of data variation for Jizan (R ² = 69%) and Turfah (R ² = 72%), while Ash Shuqayq was insignificant (R ² = 14%). Inter-survey results predicted future change, although trends were not significant, i.e. Jizan (R ² = 22%), Turfah (R ² = 14%) and Ash Shuqayq (R ² = 3 and 61% with outlying value removed). Aerial photos showed regional coastal changes, which included a maximum accretion of 36.4 m and maximum erosion of 12.9 m. These are scientifically effective techniques to monitor regional coastal change, i.e. erosion and accretion and identified rates of 0.59, 1.80 and 3.53 myr^?1 for Ash Shuqayq, Turfah and Jizan. Changes were linked to infrastructure developments, e.g. tourism, port development and natural causes, e.g. spit formations and wadi outfalls.     

The Badia programme:: defining and overcoming constraints on sustainable development

Since 1992 research on the Badia Programme, in north-east Jordan, has begun the process of identifying constraints on development and is suggesting where developmental potential still exists. Still, there are no proven development options to set alongside the traditional pastoralism. Perhaps in the future, service industries will provide the main additional employment opportunities, especially those serving the needs of international trade to and from Iraq and further east.     

The Quaternary development of tributary channels to the Nile River at Kom Ombo area,Eastern Desert of Egypt,and their implication for groundwater resources

The dry wadis ‘ephemeral channel’ constituting the main tributaries to the Nile River in Kom Ombo are structurally and tectonically controlled and exhibit complex drainage pattern. This complicated drainage pattern is inherited from the morpho‐tectonic evolution of the ancestral Nile River (‘Protonile’), which drained the Eastern Desert during the Middle Pleistocene. A digital elevation model derived from Shuttle Radar Topography Mission data is used to delineate the contemporary drainage networks and their catchments. Satellite images acquired during a flash flood event were used to validate the delineated watershed divides and flow pathways, particularly where the courses of dry wadis are interlocked. Currently, the westward flow of Wadi Abu‐Suberah is derived from a small area in the Eastern Desert, as the palaeo‐upper reaches of this wadi were captured due to tectonic movements along NW/SE and N/S faults by wadis in the Kharit and Elewa areas. The influence of these tectonic movements on groundwater distribution is also shown where the deep Nubian aquifer discharges its water into the Quaternary aquifer through fault planes. The northward flowing ‘Protonile’ main course has tectonically shifted from the Gallaba plain in the Western Desert, eastward to the current Nile River course. This shift has produced several cut‐off segments of the palaeo‐tributary drainage that was originally flowing westward towards the old ‘Protonile’ main course in the Gallaba plain. However, these segments have reversed their surface run‐off flow directions eastward towards the current Nile course; they could include potential groundwater resources, as their alluvium may be still recharged by the Nile River. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Growth trends and changes in small towns in Saudi Arabia (1974–1993)

This study examines some of the factors affecting growth and change in small towns in Saudi Arabia (1974–1993), namely, their relative location and population size. The study hypothesizes that small town's rate of growth increases with distance from the nearest large city and that small towns' having larger population in 1974 will likely be the ones to grow more in 1993. The research data were obtained from population censuses of 1974 and 1993. Findings indicate that there is a positive but low association between small towns population growth rate and distance from the nearest large city and a strong negative relationship between growth rate and town population size.     

Comment on Gazi et al. (2020): Detecting Coral Reef Degradation on St. Martin’s Island,Bangladesh?

Ocean Science Journal - St. Martin’s Island is a small sedimentary island situated at the southernmost part of Bangladesh (20°37.6′ N and 92°19.3′ E). The island is...     

Research on experiment and calculation of foam bursting device

This research presents experimental data on mechanical foam bursting device,based on the high speed of air fluid impinging insidethe foam bursting device,foam bubbles disrupted as a consequence of pressures changed very quickly as shear force and their impact forces.Experimental data on foam-bursting capacity have been presented.Designed device can provide effective foam bursting on collapse foam.