Geochemistry and zircon U-Pb geochronology of Aligoodarz granitoid complex, Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone, Iran

The Aligoodarz granitoid complex (AGC) is located in the Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone (SSZ), western Iran and consists of quartz-diorites, granodiorites and subordinate granites. Whole rock major and trace element data mostly define linear trends on Harker diagrams suggesting a cogenetic origin of the different rock types. (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i and εNd_t ratios are in the ranges 0.7074-0.7110 and −3.56 to −5.50, respectively. The trace elements and Sr-Nd isotopic composition suggest that the granitoids from the AGC are similar to crustal derived I-type granitoids of continental arcs. The whole rock suite was produced by assimilation and fractional crystallization starting from a melt with intermediate composition likely possessing a mantle component. In situ zircon U-Pb data on the granites with LA-ICP-MS yield a crystallization age of ∼165 Ma. Inherited grains spanning in age from ∼180 Ma up to 2027 Ma were also found and confirm that assimilation of country rock has occurred.Chemical and chronological data on the AGC were compared with those available for other granitoid complexes of the central SSZ (e.g., Dehno, Boroujerd and Alvand). The comparison reveals that in spite of the different origins that have been proposed, all these granitoid complexes are likely genetically related. They share many chemical features and are derived from crustal melts with minor differences. Alvand granites have the most peculiar compositions most likely related to the presence of abundant pelitic component. All these intrusions are coeval and reveal the presence of an extensive magmatic activity in the central sector of the SSZ during middle Jurassic.     

Empirical modeling of plate load test moduli of soil via gene expression programming

New empirical models were developed to predict the soil deformation moduli using gene expression programming (GEP). The principal soil deformation parameters formulated were secant (E_s) and reloading (E_r) moduli. The proposed models relate E_s and E_r obtained from plate load-settlement curves to the basic soil physical properties. The best GEP models were selected after developing and controlling several models with different combinations of the influencing parameters. The experimental database used for developing the models was established upon a series of plate load tests conducted on different soil types at depths of 1–24 m. To verify the applicability of the derived models, they were employed to estimate the soil moduli of a part of test results that were not included in the analysis. The external validation of the models was further verified using several statistical criteria recommended by researchers. A sensitivity analysis was carried out to determine the contributions of the parameters affecting E_s and E_r. The proposed models give precise estimates of the soil deformation moduli. The E_s prediction model provides considerably better results in comparison with the model developed for E_r. The simplified formulation for E_s significantly outperforms the empirical equations found in the literature. The derived models can reliably be employed for pre-design purposes.     

Sinkhole characterization in the Dead Sea area using airborne laser scanning

Since the early 1980s, the Dead Sea coast has undergone a near catastrophic land deterioration as a result of a rapid lake-level drop. One conspicuous expression of this deterioration is the formation of sinkholes fields that puncture the coastal plains. The evolution of sinkholes along nearly 70-km strip has brought to a halt the regional development in this well-known and toured area and destroyed existing infrastructures. Great efforts are being invested in understanding the phenomena and in development of monitoring techniques. We report in this paper the application of airborne laser scanning for characterization of sinkholes. We demonstrate first the appropriateness of laser scanning for this task and its ability to provide detailed 3D information on this phenomenon. We describe then an autonomous means for their extraction over large regions and with high level of accuracy. Extraction is followed by their detailed geometric characterization. Using this high-resolution data, we show how sinkholes of 0.5 m radius and 25 cm depth can be detected from airborne platforms as well as the geomorphic features surrounding them. These sinkhole measures account for their embryonic stage, allowing tracking them at an early phase of their creation.     

A hybrid computational approach to formulate soil deformation moduli obtained from PLT

In this study, new empirical equations were developed to predict the soil deformation moduli utilizing a hybrid method coupling genetic programming and simulated annealing, called GP/SA. The proposed models relate secant (E_s), unloading (E_u) and reloading (E_r) moduli obtained from plate load–settlement curves to the basic soil physical properties. Several models with different combinations of the influencing parameters were developed and checked to select the best GP/SA models. The database used for developing the models was established upon a series of plate load tests (PLT) conducted on different soil types at various depths. The validity of the models was tested using parts of the test results that were not included in the analysis. The validation of the models was further verified using several statistical criteria. A traditional GP analysis was performed to benchmark the GP/SA models. The contributions of the parameters affecting E_s, E_u and E_r were analyzed through a sensitivity analysis. The proposed models are able to estimate the soil deformation moduli with an acceptable degree of accuracy. The E_s prediction model has a remarkably better performance than the models developed for predicting E_u and E_r. The simplified formulations for E_s, E_u and E_r provide significantly better results than the GP-based models and empirical models found in the literature.     

Application of spectrum–area fractal model to identify of geochemical anomalies based on soil data in Kahang porphyry-type Cu deposit,Iran

The aim of this study is to identify geochemical anomalies using power spectrum–area (S–A) method based on the grade values of Cu, Mo and Au in 2709 soil samples collected from Kahang porphyry-type Cu deposit, Central Iran. S–A log–log plots indicated that there are three stages of Cu, Mo and Au enrichment. The third enrichment was considered as the main stage for the presence of Cu, Mo and Au at the concentrations above 416 ppm, 23 ppm and 71 ppb, respectively. Elemental anomalies are positively associated with monzo–granite–diorite and breccias units which are in the central and western parts of the deposit. The anomalies are located within the potassic, phyllic and argillic alteration types and also there is the positive correlation between the anomalies and nearing faults in the studied area. The results obtained via fractal model were interpreted accordingly to incorporate the information for the mineralized areas including detailed geological map, structural analysis and alterations. The results show that S–A multifractal modeling is applicable for anomalies delineation based on soil data.     

Detecting recent changes in the demographic parameters of drosophilid populations from western and central Africa

Previous genetic studies showing evidence of past demographic changes in African drosophilids suggested that these populations had strongly responded to Quaternary climate changes. We surveyed nine species of Zaprionus, a drosophilid genus mostly present in Africa, in forests located between southern Senegal and Gabon. The mitochondrial COI gene showed contrasted levels of sequence variation across species. Populations of the only cosmopolitan species of the genus, Z. indianus, and of its closely related sibling species, Z. africanus, are highly polymorphic and appear to have undergone a continuous population expansion beginning about 130,000 years ago. Five less variable species probably underwent a population expansion beginning only about 20,000–30,000 years ago. One of them, Z. taronus, was significantly structured between forest blocks. The last two species were nearly monomorphic, probably due to infection by Wolbachia. These results are similar to those obtained in three species from the melanogaster subgroup, and may be typical of the responses of African drosophilid populations to glacial cycles.     

Incorporation of chitosan and glass substrate for improvement in adsorption,separation, and stability of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> photodegradation

It is demonstrated that single titanium dioxide (TiO₂) has high potential for photodegradation of pollutants. However, it is still far from becoming an effective photocatalyst system, due to issues of adsorption process, separation, as well as dissolution. Therefore, this study highlights the high adsorption capacity, simplified separation, and the promising stability of TiO_2(SY) (synthesized via sol–gel method) photocatalyst, fabricated using chitosan–TiO_2(SY) and supported by glass substrate (Cs–TiO_2(SY)/glass substrate) photocatalysts. Chitosan (Cs), with abundant –R–NH and NH₂ groups, promotes the adsorption sites of methyl orange (MO) and OH groups for major attachment to TiO_2(SY). Meanwhile, the glass substrate increases stability and assists separation of the photocatalysts. Initially, nano-TiO_2(SY) has been characterized using high-resolution transmission electron microscope. Cs–TiO_2(SY)/glass substrate was fabricated via dip-coating. The distribution and interface between the photocatalytic components were characterized by Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectrometer. UV–Vis analysis of the multilayer photocatalyst (2, 4, 6, and 8 layers) was further carried out by the adsorption–photodegradation, with MO as model of pollutant. Seventy percent of the total removal of MO via optimized eight layers of photocatalyst was achieved within 1 h of UV irradiation. The adsorption photocatalyst achieved 50 % with no exposure to UV light for 15 min of irradiation. It is concluded that suitable photocatalytic conditions and sample parameters possessing the multilayer photocatalyst of Cs–TiO_2(SY) are beneficial toward the adsorption–photodegradation process in wastewater treatment.     

Role of construction of large dams on river morphology (case study: the Karkheh dam in Iran)

Unfortunately in developing countries, human activities without attention to the environmental aspects damage to nature. For example, construction of large dams dries wetlands in southwest of Iran. Also, construction of dams is a very important factor for morphological changes. The case study of this research is downstream of the Karkheh dam. This dam is the largest Earth dam in Iran and locates in southwest of Iran. It was constructed in 1999. Small sinuosity coefficient of zone near to dam has been illustrated by satellite images in 2002 and 2014. This subject shows instability of this part of reach; also, the results of Shulits equation illustrate that this part is instable. But, increasing of morphological characteristics (sinuosity coefficient, central angle, and relative radius) show that stability of this reach is increasing. Surveying confirm this matter and shows that severe erosion in upstream and sedimentation in downstream of reach is finishing. Also, it is observed that flow discharge reduced (?56 %) after construction of dam and average width of river reduced (?21 %) from 2002 to 2014. In the early years after the construction of the dam, sediment discharge reduced considerably (?14 %) from Pay-e-Pol to Abdol Khan hydrometric stations. Increasing of morphological characteristics (especially at zones near to dam) and decreasing changes of bed level (sedimentation and erosion) prove that effects of dam are overcoming on effects of other factors, and these effects are permanent in long term.