Improving MODIS Spatial Resolution for Snow Mapping Using Wavelet Fusion and ARSIS Concept

We propose to fuse the high spatial content of two 250-m spectral bands of the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) into its five 500-m bands using wavelet-based multiresolution analysis. Our objective was to test the effectiveness of this technique to increase the accuracy of snow mapping in mountainous environments. To assess the performance of this approach, we took advantage of the simultaneity between the advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer (ASTER) and MODIS sensors. With a 15-m spatial resolution, the ASTER sensor provided reference snow maps, which were then compared to MODIS-derived snow maps. The benefit of the method was assessed through the investigation of various metrics, which showed an improvement from 3% to 20%. Therefore, the enhanced snow map is of great benefit for environmental and hydrological applications in steep terrain.     

Modeling level change in Lake Urmia using hybrid artificial intelligence approaches

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - The investigation of water level fluctuations in lakes for protecting them regarding the importance of these water complexes in national and regional scales...     

Moderate to heavy cold-weather precipitation occurrences in Tehran and the associated circulation types

Large-scale atmospheric circulations associated with 133 moderate to heavy cold-weather precipitation events recorded at Mehrabad station in Tehran, Iran, during the period 1951–2013 are analysed. To this end, the performance of un-rotated, orthogonally rotated and obliquely rotated solutions of T-mode principal component analysis (PCA) is examined in classifying the atmospheric circulations into a few representative circulation types (CTs). The T-mode PCAs were applied to the 500-hPa geopotential height for the events in a domain from 10^°E to 70^°E and from 20^°N to 50^°N. The first six leading principal components were retained and then orthogonally and obliquely rotated using varimax and promax solutions, respectively. Statistical inter-comparison of the CTs obtained using the three solutions suggests that the obliquely rotated solution is the better choice for circulation classification in the present study. The six CTs obtained using the oblique rotation were then linked to the daily total precipitation and daily mean temperature variability at Tehran station as well as to the standardized anomalies of the daily total precipitation and mean daily temperature of a dense network of stations distributed across Iran. It is found that the CTs identified, though generally comparable in producing significant precipitation in Tehran, vary in their potential to bring cold weather and generate snowfall in Tehran specifically and in the country in general. While the first three CTs give rise to regional patterns of standardized precipitation anomalies centred in Tehran, the next three CTs leave a pronounced precipitation signature almost across the whole country. As regards the standardized temperature anomalies, with the exception of one CT that causes deep and widespread negative standardized anomalies over most parts of the country, the other CTs are characterized with a dipolar structure of a deep intrusion of cold weather to the west and prevailing warm weather to the east of the country.     

Prevailing trends of climatic extremes across Indus-Delta of Sindh-Pakistan

This study examines the variability and change in the patterns of climatic extremes experienced in Indus-Delta of Sindh province of Pakistan, comprising regions of Karachi, Badin, Mohenjodaro, and Rohri. The homogenized daily minimum and maximum temperature and precipitation data for a 36-year period were used to calculate 13 and 11 indices of temperature and precipitation extremes with the help of RClimDex, a program written in the statistical software package R. A non-parametric Mann–Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimates were used to determine the statistical significance and magnitude of the calculated trend. Temperatures of summer days and tropical nights increased in the region with overall significant warming trends for monthly maximum temperature as well as for warm days and nights reflecting dry conditions in the study area. The warm extremes and nighttime temperature indices showed greater trends than cold extremes and daytime indices depicting an overall warming trends in the Delta. Historic decrease in the acreage of major crops and over 33% decrease in agriculture credit for Sindh are the indicators of adverse impacts of warmer and drier weather on Sindh agriculture. Trends reported for Karachi and Badin are expected to decrease rice cultivation, hatching of fisheries, and mangroves forest surrounding these cities. Increase in the prevailing temperature trends will lead to increasingly hotter and drier summers resulting to constraints on cotton, wheat, and rice yield in Rohri and Mohenjodaro areas due to increased crop water requirements that may be met with additional groundwater pumping; nonetheless, the depleted groundwater resources would have a direct impact on the region’s economy.     

塔克拉玛干沙漠塔中与巴丹吉林沙漠拐子湖地表辐射特征对比

利用塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地塔中和巴丹吉林沙漠北缘拐子湖两个陆气通量监测站2013年2月-2014年1月地面辐射观测数据及相应气象资料,对比分析塔中和拐子湖两地的太阳辐射通量和地表反照率差异特征,同时也探究了两地太阳辐射通量和地表反照率与太阳高度角之间的关系。结果表明：（1）塔中和拐子湖两地各辐射通量均呈较为同步的季节变化特征;具有太阳辐射优势的塔中地区因沙尘天气的影响在部分月份地表总辐射小于拐子湖地区;拐子湖由于地表沙粒相对较粗且包含大量透明度较高的石英颗粒,地表反照率和反射辐射均大于塔中地区;两地各辐射通量月平均日变化均呈现出标准倒"U"型结构;（2）拐子湖较粗的地表沙粒导致沙尘天气过后不易形成浮尘,沙尘天气过后各辐射通量恢复至发生之前的状态较塔中地区迅速;（3）两地太阳高度角夏季最大,冬季最小,最大值均可达75°左右,最小值塔中和拐子湖地区分别为45°和40°;各辐射通量随着太阳高度角的升高而增加,地表反照率随之减小,但受多种因素影响各辐射通量最大值并未出现在太阳高度角最大的时候。     

Photometry and discussion of the classical Algol systems U Sge and U Cep

The (in many respects, similar) classical Algol-type eclipsing binary systems U Sge and U Cep are studied and compared against a background of photometric evidence, both broadhand and narrowband. Broadband photometry of the primary minimum of U Sge over a four year period fails clearly to confirm Olson's (1982b) finding of radial variations.On the other hand, the W-type pattern of variation indicated in Olson's (1976) H photometry of the primary eclipse of U Cep is also noticed for U Sge. These effects are analysed in terms of an emitting accretion disk, surrounding the primary components. Electron densities in these highly ionized structures are derived to be in the range 10¹⁰–10¹¹, for the H emitting region, with that of U Cep being 3 times greater than that of U Sge, though since the volume of the structure is 3 times bigger for U Sge, the overall masses are comparable.These findings can be placed in a Case B-type interacting binary context, which shows the studied accretion structures to be relatively tenuous; and, since the mean mass loss rate for U Cep is likely to be high than that of U Sge by more than an order of magnitude, suggests they are not so directly dependent on this mass-loss rate.     

Influence of saturation on rainfall generated landslides in shale along Murree-Kohala road,Pakistan

On August 10, 2010 a series of landslides of more than 90,000 m³ occurred along the Muree-Kohala road in the northern area of Pakistan. A study was undertaken to evaluate the likely impacts of percent saturation and bulk density on mobilized shear strength along the basal rupture surface of the landslide. A series of unconfined compression test and unconsolidated undrained triaxial tests were performed on remolded samples of different densities with varied percentages of saturation. The results of these tests suggest that soil cohesion and friction decreases with increasing saturation. The tests also showed that the shear strength parameters tend to increase with increasing dry density; however, all the samples exhibited a noticeable loss of shear strength with increasing degree of saturation, independent of soil density.Limit equilibrium slope stability analyses were performed along the most probable failure planes, based on shear strength parameters corresponding to degrees of saturation, which varied between 30% to about 100%. This resulted in drop of factor of safety from FS = 1.64 down to 0.51 as the degree of saturation approaches unity.These results suggest that the causative factor in triggering the landslide along Murree-Kohala was the partial saturation of the zone that developed the basal rupture plane. As rain infiltrated the slope, the bulk unit weight of the soil increased, while the shear strength along the developing plane of rupture decreased sufficiently to concentrate shear strain when the material became more than 60% saturation (FS < 1.0).     

Preventing and analysis of falling rocks: A case of Sarica village (Gürün,Turkey)

Rock fall is a common natural hazard causing significant damage to infrastructure and loss of life and property. This paper describes selection of prevention method, construction processes and the results of a rockfall hazard assessment for the village of Sarica (Gürün region, Turkey) based on an engineering-geological model. The study area is located on the lower parts of an area with very steep cliffs and 40-50⁰ slopes with fractured sedimentary and volcanic rocks. Detailed studies have been conducted in the region to prevent the risk of any rockfalls. Maps and charts are prepared including the rock blocks that are likely to fall and the related housing area under the risk. It was found that block sizes reached 3 m³. Rockfall analyses were performed along the selected profiles using the Rocfall V.5.0 software. Kinetic energy, bounce height, horizontal location of rock end-points and velocity of the rocks along each section were evaluated separately for each profile. This data was used to select design and construction of rockfall preventing system. In this study professional type rock fall barrier (catchment fence) was used. This method was chosen because it was cheaper, more practical and reliable than others.     

3D geostatistical modelling and uncertainty analysis of clay minerals distribution in reservoir rocks

Drilling through shale layers is associated with many problems such as wellbore instability, hole wash out, pipe stuck, etc. Reactive shale with swelling potential can lead to such problems. Reactive shale is a shale that has high swelling clay mineral like montmorillonite although there was a little amount of this clay mineral. So determine the type of clay mineral in shale formation and obtain the distribution of swellable clay mineral can help us in the selection of stable well path and determination of well location that has least instability problem, prevention and prediction of problem associated with swelling clay mineral such as pipe stuck, hole wash out, bit balling, etc. In this paper, we used thorium and potassium from corrected gamma ray (CGR) log to obtain the type and percentage of clay mineral. Then used X-ray diffraction for more detail analysis of clay mineral constitute. Finally, geostatistical modelling is used to obtain the continuity of clay mineral in the reservoir and estimate the amount of desire clay mineral along the reservoir.