Tschermak fractionation in calc-alkaline magmas: the Eocene Sabzevar volcanism (NE Iran)

Calc-alkaline arc magmatism at convergent plate margins is volumetrically dominated by metaluminous andesites. Many studies highlighted the importance of differentiation via fractionation processes of arc magmas, but only in the last decades, it has been demonstrated that not all rock-forming minerals may affect the evolution of calc-alkaline suites. In particular, a major role exerted by Al-rich hornblende amphibole as fractionating mineral phase has been documented in many volcanic arc settings. The aim of this work is to understand the role of the Tschermak molecule (CaAlAlSiO₆) hosted in the hornblende and plagioclase fractionation assemblage in driving magma differentiation in calc-alkaline magmatic suites. We explore this issue by applying replenishment–fractional crystallization (RFC) and rare earth element–Rayleigh fractional crystallization (REE-FC) modeling to the Sabzevar Eocene (ca. 45–47 Ma) calc-alkaline volcanism of NE Central Iran, where hornblende-controlled fractionation has been demonstrated. Major element mass balance modeling indicates RFC dominated by a fractionating assemblage made of Hbl_52.0–52.5 + Pl_44.1–44.2 + Ttn_3.3–3.9 (phases are expressed on total crystallized assemblage). REE-FC modeling shows, instead, a lower degree of fractionation with respect to RFC models that is interpreted as due to hornblende and plagioclase resorption by the residual melt. Calculations demonstrate that fractionation of the Tschermak molecule can readily produce dacite and rhyolite magmas starting from a calc-alkaline andesite source (FC = ca. 30 %). In particular, the Tschermak molecule controls both the heavy rare earth elements (HREE) and light rare earth element (LREE) budgets in calc-alkaline differentiation trends.     

Quantifying the uncertainty of semiarid flash floods using generalized likelihood uncertainty estimation

This paper aims to address the question of how the parameter uncertainty associated with a mixed conceptual and physical based rainfall-runoff model (AFFDEF) has influences on flood simulation of the semiarid Abolabbas catchment (284 km²), in Iran. AFFDEF was modified and coupled with the generalized likelihood uncertainty estimation (GLUE) algorithm to simulate four flash flood events. Analysis suggests that AFFDEF parameters showed non-unique posterior distributions depending on the magnitudes and duration of flash flood events. Model predictive uncertainty was heavily dominated by error and bias in soil antecedent moisture condition that led to large storage effect in simulation. Overall, multiplying parameter for the infiltration reservoir capacity and multiplying parameter for the interception reservoir capacity along with potential runoff contributing areas were identified the key model parameters and more influential on flood simulation. Results further revealed that uncertainty was satisfactorily quantified for the event with low to moderate flood magnitudes while high magnitude event exhibited unsatisfactory result.     

Teleconnections between oceanic–atmospheric indices and drought over Iran using quantile regressions

ABSTRACT

In this research, the Bayesian quantile regression model is applied to investigate the teleconnections between large oceanic–atmospheric indices and drought standardized precipitation index (SPI) in Iran. The 12-month SPI time series from 138 synoptic stations for 1952–2014 were selected as the drought index. Three oceanic–atmospheric indices, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and the Multivariate El Niño/Southern Oscillation Index (MEI), were selected as covariates. The results show that NAO has the weakest impact on drought in different quantiles and different regions in Iran. La Niña conditions amplified droughts through all SPI quantiles in western, Caspian Sea coastal regions and southern regions. The positive phase of MEI significantly modulates low SPI quantiles (i.e. drought conditions) throughout the Zagros region, Caspian Sea coastal regions and southern regions. The study shows that the effect of large oceanic–atmospheric indices have heterogeneous impacts on extreme dry and wet conditions.     

Large-scale replenishment of groundwater depletion by long-lived extreme rainstorms in arid regions: case study of the 2019 floods in Iran

The Dena rainstorm in Iran in March and April 2019 caused about US$ 8.3?×?10⁹ damage in the country; however, it resulted in the replenishment of half of the dam reservoirs and 35% of ponds and lakes. Also, it increased the volume of groundwater stored in aquifers by 3.6?×?10⁹ m³. In arid and semiarid regions such as most parts of Iran, which usually face water scarcity, getting water from rainstorms is essential for replenishing water resources. This research aims to quantify the direct and indirect effects of the Dena rainstorm on the replenishment of Iran’s groundwater storage using the groundwater balance method and water-table fluctuation method. Studies showed that the main mechanisms for replenishment of groundwater storage due to the rainstorm included increases in precipitation recharge, surface runoff recharge, and artificial recharge, and reductions in irrigation withdrawal and evapotranspiration, while the contribution of each factor is estimated to be about 23, 28, 2, 15, and 32%, respectively.

     

Metal fractionation and pollution risk assessment of different sediment sizes in three major southwestern rivers of Caspian Sea

To assess the risk of release and percentage of heavy metals in river sediment, nine stations were set up to sample surface sediments from three important rivers situated southwest of the Caspian Sea (the Shafaroud, Karaganroud, and Choubar Rivers). Chemical analyses were conducted on sediment with particle sizes of >38, 63–38, 63–125, 125–250, 250–500 and 500–1000 µm using metal fractionation to determine the degree of risk release and the heavy metal pollution. Common risk indices were used including the cumulative indices of pollution intensity assessment and risk release standards (the modified pollution degree and ecological risk). Generally, when sediment sizes are decreased, the concentration of heavy metals is both larger and greater than the mean concentration of global sediments and earth crust. However, in this research, the concentration of all the metals did not necessarily increase with a decrease in the size of particles. In fact, concentration of cobalt, vanadium, cadmium, and chromium was greater in sediment particle sizes over 63 μm. The results of chemical fractionation analyses indicated that the release risk of metals has two initial phases for: (1) exchangeable bond (F1) and (2) carbonated bond (F2). When compared with other metals, nickel had the greatest tendency to bond within the loose exchangeable phase (F1) across all the stations. Furthermore, with changes in the size of particles, the percentage of heavy metal changes across different bond phases, but will be the greatest in the loose exchangeable phase (F1). This was observed with cobalt, nickel, and chromium at particle sizes larger than 63 μm. The results of ecological risk and modified pollution degree indices indicated that the highest level of pollution was related to sediments with sizes between 63 and 250 μm. Eventually, in order to assess the risk extent of metals present in sediment, a cumulative index referred to as the modified risk assessment code was utilized. It suggested that the greatest risk of toxicity in some stations has been related to particles larger than 63 μm.     

Geochemistry and Radioactive Potentiality of Um Naggat Apogranite, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract: The northern part of Um Naggat granite massif (UNGM) has suffered extensive post-magmatic metasomatic reworking which results into the development of (Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, U, Th, F)– and albite-enriched and greisenized apogranite body (UNAP) of 600 m thick, and more than 3 km in the strike length.
Albitization produced an enrichment in Zr (av. 2384 ppm), Hf (61), Nb (419), and U (43). The Th/U ratio ranges between 1. 33 and 1. 90. Extreme albitization (i. e. the albitite rock) is characterized by sharp decrease in the rare metals contents. However, extreme greisenization (i. e. endogreisen bodies) is characterized by a considerable enrichment in Zr (av. 5464 ppm), Hf (143), Nb (2329), Ta (152), U (66) and Th (178). The Th/U ratio ranges between 1. 57 and 3. 60. In contrast to extreme greisenization, it seems that extreme albitization does not apparently change the fluid pH and therefore poor amounts of rare metals are localized in the albitites.
It is suggested that the presence of Na⁺, H⁺ and F^- in the ore fluids was essential to stablize complexes of Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, U, Th, and HREE during extraction and transportation. In contrast, contemporaneous decrease of temperature and increasing pH due to decreasing pressure are considered the essential factors for localization of disseminated mineralization of Zr and Nb in the apical parts of the UNAP. The enhanced uranium content in the alteration facies of UNAP coupled with the absence of significant uranium mineralization may indicate the metalliferous rather than mineralized nature for the UNAP. The high uranium contents are stabilized in refractory accessory minerals. However, with repect to Zr and Nb, the UNAP especially the albitized and greisen facies, can be categorized as a mineralized productive granite.     

Evaluation of energy balance closure adjustment methods by independent evapotranspiration estimates from lysimeters and hydrological simulations

Non‐closure of the surface energy balance is a frequently observed phenomenon of hydrometeorological field measurements, when using the eddy‐covariance method, which can be ascribed to an underestimation of the turbulent fluxes. Several approaches have been proposed in order to adjust the measured fluxes for this apparent systematic error. However, there are uncertainties about partitioning of the energy balance residual between the sensible and latent heat flux and whether such a correction should be applied on 30‐min data or longer time scales. The data for this study originate from two grassland sites in southern Germany, where measurements from weighable lysimeters are available as reference. The adjusted evapotranspiration rates are also compared with joint energy and water balance simulations using a physically based distributed hydrological model. We evaluate two adjustment methods: the first one preserves the Bowen ratio and the correction factor is determined on a daily basis. The second one attributes a smaller portion of the residual energy to the latent heat flux than to the sensible heat flux for closing the energy balance for every 30‐min flux integration interval. Both methods lead to an improved agreement of the eddy‐covariance based fluxes with the independent lysimeter estimates and the physically based model simulations. The first method results in a better comparability of evapotranspiration rates, and the second method leads to a smaller overall bias. These results are similar between both sites despite considerable differences in terrain complexity and grassland management. Moreover, we found that a daily adjustment factor leads to less scatter than a complete partitioning of the residual for every half‐hour time interval. The vertical temperature gradient in the surface layer and friction velocity were identified as important predictors for a potential future parameterisation of the energy balance residual.     

A new solution to estimate the time delay on the topographic site using time domain 3D boundary element method

This study focuses on investigating spatial variation of ground motion that has great influence on the dynamic behavior of the large structures located on the surface topography. One of the most effective parameters on the spatial variation of ground motion is the difference between the arrival time of seismic waves in different points located on the abutments. In this research, a three-dimensional model of the Pacoima Dam site is prepared. The time domain 3 D boundary element method is used to apply non-uniform excitation at the dam supports. This model is subjected to vertically propagating incident SH and P waves. The time delay can be characterized by calculating the value of the time delay for which the cross-correlation between two records is maximized. Finally, to obtain the time delay in a topographic site, a function considering effective parameters such as the height from the canyon base, wave velocity and predominant frequency, is presented. Furthermore, a code was developed for generating the spatially variation of seismic ground motions. The results show that the proposed functions have an acceptable accuracy in estimating the time delay to generate non-uniform ground motion.     

Monitoring hawksbill turtle nesting sites in some protected areas from the Persian Gulf

Iranian nesting populations of the critically endangered hawksbill turtle(Eretmochelys imbricate) are some of the most important in the Indian Ocean. In this study, four of the most important hawksbill nesting grounds in the Persian Gulf, situated within three Iranian marine protected areas, were surveyed during nesting season,including Nakhiloo, Ommolgorm and Kharko Islands and the mainland beaches of the Naiband Marine-Coastal National Park(NMCNP). We present GIS maps of these key nesting grounds and describe sand texture of key nesting zones, along with conservation recommendations. About 9.2(28.3%) out of 32.5 km of all shores surveyed in this study were used by nesting hawksbill turtles follows: Nakhiloo: 1.4 km(52% of potential nesting area);Ommolgorm: 1.94 km(40%); Kharko: 3.4 km(28%), and NMCNP: 2.46 km(18.9%). The average nesting density was calculated as 131 nests/km at Nakhiloo, 76 nests/km at Ommolgorm, 7 nests/km at Kharko, and 15 nests per km at NMCNP. Highest nesting density was observed in Nakhiloo and Ommolgorm. It is thought that high hawksbill nesting density in these islands seems likely a result of limiting adequate nesting shores rather than the size of population, and also low density in Kharko and NMCNP more related to past and current pressures and low population density. With the exception of Ommolgorm Island, sands at the nesting grounds were well sorted.Grain size indicated that female hawksbill turtles in the Iranian Persian Gulf nest in sands that are generally mixed, with mean grain size ranging from coarse sands(0.4Φ;～0.5–1 mm) to fine sands(2Φ;～0.25 mm). We provide and discuss conservation recommendations and suggestions for future.