A mixture spatial point pattern model for the quasar luminosity function

Consider the problem of estimating the Quasar Luminosity Function (QLF). In a 2007 Ph.D. dissertation, Hugeback considers the QLF as a nonhomogeneous poisson process and estimates the intensity function under SDSS DR3 data (The University of Chicago, AAT 3273021). The present study follows Hugeback’s approach but introduces a mixture component which improves Hugeback’s model in several respects. Namely, the database is partitioned into two groups according to redshift: z < 2.75 and z ? 2.75. Next, a mixture model for the QLF was derived using the concept of pseudolikelihood, the addition of a K function to allow for inter-point interaction, and evaluation of residuals diagnostic plots. This mixture model (i) improves the deviance of Hugeback’s model, and (ii) satisfies residual assumptions that are violated under Hugeback’s model. Moreover, this study confirms Hugeback’s finding of inhomogeneity in the QLF, and provides stronger evidence for the existence of an interaction between redshift and absolute magnitude.     

Hydrodynamic behavior of Kangan gas-capped deep confined aquifer in Iran

The Kangan aquifer (KA) is located beneath the Kangan gas reservoir (KGR), 2,885 m below the ground surface. The gas reservoir formations are classified into nine non-gas reservoir units and eight gas reservoir units based on the porosity, water and gas saturation, lithology, and gas production potential using the logs of 36 production wells. The gas reservoir units are composed of limestone and dolomite, whereas the non-gas reservoir units consist of compacted limestone and dolomite, gypsum and shale. The lithology of KA is the same as KGR with a total dissolved solid of 333,000 mg/l. The source of aquifer water is evaporated seawater. The static pressure on the Gas–Water Contact (GWC) was 244 atm before gas production, but it has continuously decreased during 15 years of gas production, resulting in a 50 m uprising of the GWC and the expansion of KA water and intergranular water inside the gas reservoir. The general flow direction of the KA is toward the northern coast of the Persian Gulf due to the migration of water to the overlying formations via a trust fault. The KA is a gas-capped deep confined aquifer (GCDCA) with special characteristics differing from a shallow confined aquifer. The main characteristics of a GCDCA are unsaturated intergranular water below the confining layers, no direct contact of the water table (GWC) with the confining layers, no vertical flow via the cap rock, permanent uprising of the GWC during gas production, and permanent descend of GWC during water exploitation.     

An appropriate multiple criteria decision making method for solving electricity planning problems, addressing sustainability issue

In the past, decision making within the energy sector, especially in Iran, was limited to economic analysis. Lately, multiple criteria decision making has gained great popularity. However, this is not enough to make a right decision by considering sustainability. This paper deals with designing an appropriate multiple criteria decision making method to address the multifaceted nature of such problems. This task is the second precondition to make a decision which meets the sustainability criterion. This is done by revealing new facts about quantitative and qualitative data and the degree of compensation between the criteria. Moreover, this paper illustrates the capability of different methods with regard to sustainable energy planning and management in two steps: 1) comparison of two main approaches in the strategic energy planning context; 2) evaluation of multi attribute decision making methods and combining them. Combining four methods including Analytical hierarchy process, Preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluation II, geometric mean and weighted sum seems to result in designing an appropriate method which meets the sustainability criterion. These contributions are proposed for comparing the renewable energy technologies with non-renewable ones. Nevertheless, these seem to be applicable in any comparison between discrete alternatives in the energy sector.     

Origin of groundwater salinity in the Fasa Plain,southern Iran,hydrogeochemical and isotopic approaches

The study area, the Fasa Plain, is situated in the semiarid region of Fars Province in the south of Iran. The Salloo diapir is a salt dome that crops out in the northwest of the study area. Isotopic and hydrochemical analyses were used to examine the water and how the origin of salinity and the diapir affect the quality of the groundwater quality in the study area. Groundwater was sampled from 31 representative pumping wells in alluvial aquifer and five springs in order to measure their stable isotope compositions, bromide ion concentration, and physical and chemical parameters. The alluvial aquifer was organized into two main groups based on the chemistry, with Group 1 consisting of low-salinity well samples (544–1744 µS/cm) with water type Ca–Mg–HCO₃–SO₄ which were taken in the center and north of the area, and Group 2 consisting of high-salinity samples (2550–4620 µS/cm) with water type Ca–Mg–Cl–SO₄ which were taken from the wells in the south and southwest of the area. A saline spring near the salt dome with an EC of 10,280 µS/cm has water type Na–Cl, while the compositions of the water in the other karstic springs is comparable to the fresh groundwater samples. All groundwater samples are undersaturated with respect to gypsum, anhydrite, and halite and are supersaturated with respect to calcite and dolomite. Stable isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) differentiated four water types: saline springs, freshwater spring, fresh groundwater, and saline groundwater. The results indicate that meteoric water is the main origin of these water resources. Halite dissolution from the salt dome was identified as the origin of salinity. The Na/Cl and Cl/Br ratios confirmed the results. Groundwater compositions in the southwestern part of the area are affected by the intrusion of saltwater from the salt dome. The average saltwater fraction in the some water wells is about 0.2%. In the south and southwestern part of the area, the saltwater fraction is positive in mixed freshwater/saltwater (Group 2). Different processes interact together to change the hydrochemical properties of Fasa’s alluvial aquifer. The main processes that occur in the aquifer are mixing, gypsum dissolution, and calcite precipitation.     

Nannostratigraphy and investigation of sedimentation conditions of the lower boundary and the upper boundary of the Aitamir Formation in the east and west Kopet Dagh,northeast of Iran

By attention to the stratigraphic value of calcareous nannoplanktons for the age determination of sedimentary beds, for the first time Late Cretaceous calcareous nannofossil taxa, their distributions and relative abundances were recorded from the lower and the upper boundary of Aitamir Formation located in northeast Iran. In the present study, biostratigraphy and paleoecological conditions were reconstructed. The Aitamir Formation comprises glauconitic sandstones and olive-green shales. In this work, samples were prepared with smear slides, and nannofossils of these boundaries are listed and figured. They were photographed under a light microscope. Based on nannoplanktons and as a result of biostratigraphic studies, the age of the lower boundary of the Aitamir Formation in the east Kopet Dagh is Early/Middle Turonian, the age of the lower boundary in the west Kopet Dagh is Late Turonian/Early Coniacian, the age of the upper boundary of the Aitamir Formation in the east Kopet Dagh is Late Santonian, and the age of the upper boundary of this Formation in the west Kopet Dagh is Early Campanian. Based on paleoecological interpretation, the Aitamir Formation was deposited in a shallow marine environment, at relatively low latitude. A deepening trend of the sedimentary basin is recognized passing from Aitamir Formation to the overlying Abderaz Formation while in the lower boundary from Sanganeh to Aitamir Formation depth decreased.     

Assessment of eight reference evapotranspiration (ETo) methods considering Köppen climate class in Iran

ABSTRACT

The performance of eight empirical equations for estimating ET_o at 80 weather stations in Iran is evaluated. The equations assessed are Hargreaves (HGS), Trajkovic (TKC), Berti (BTI), Ravazzani (RZI), Irmak (IMK), Turc (TRC) and two Valiantzas methods (VTS1 and VTS2). The FAO56 reference crop Penman-Monteith (PM) equation is used as a baseline to evaluate their performance. Also, a Köppen climate classification map for Iran is developed and the best ET_o method for each climate type identified. The updated Köppen climate map shows six climate sub-classes; BWh, BWk, BSh, BSk, Csa and Dsa in Iran with a percentage of land area covered by each sub-class of 43, 17, 7, 9, 11 and 13%, respectively. The best performing ET_o equation for each climate class in Iran was HGS for BSh, VTS1 for BWk, and VTS2 for BSk, BWh, Csa and Dsa.     

Nannostratigraphy and palaeoecology of uppermost Mozduran Formation in the Kopeh-Dagh range (NE Iran)

The Mozduran Formation includes light-coloured, thick-bedded to massive limestone and porous dolomitic limestone and dolomite. In this study, 13 samples from the uppermost Mozduran Formation were taken from two localities and examined for calcareous nannofossils. A total of 19 species and 12 genera were identified in the Mozduran section and19 species and 13 genera for the Taherabad section. Based on these assemblages, the uppermost Mozduran Formation is assignable to Sissingh's (1977) biozone CC1 (Early Berriasian) at the Mozduran section and to biozone CC3 (Late Valanginian) at the Taherabad section. Thus, the formation is younger from east to west across the basin.     

Ground improvement and foundation practice for Persian Gulf Bridge (causeway); Bandar Abbas Harbor–Qeshm Island

National Persian Gulf Bridge is a communication route between Bandar Abbas port and Qeshm Island located on the southern border of Iran. This causeway has important role for facilitating the transportation system between Qeshm Island and mainland, i.e., Bandar Abbas. Based on geotechnical and geological site investigation records, the bridge is located on the deposits with high seismic possibility and subsequently significant dynamic loading. Therefore, adequate substructure design of this bridge as an offshore project is realized as a major requirement. The geophysical and geotechnical investigations have been done to obtain the subsoil characteristics of the project site. For this purpose, 18 boreholes have been performed to do in situ tests and extract samples for laboratory testings. Data synthesis indicates that in the zones close to Qeshm Island and in the deeper parts of the sea, the strata is made of clay with loose sands and some depths, with silty sands. Hence, instability issues, including the low bearing capacity and the high differential settlement, are significant aspects in analysis and design of substructure for this project. Also, in this paper, the subsoil conditions have been studied from in situ tests such as standard penetration test (SPT) and cone penetration test (CPT) results in order to achieve an appropriate foundation system. Moreover, the necessity of the ground improvement of the site has been investigated to propose an efficient technique for safe and secure construction. Based on the analysis and methods screened, the vibro-replacement method is considered as a suitable and efficient ground improvement method for this project.     

Biological copper extraction from melting furnaces dust of Sarcheshmeh copper mine

This paper deals with bacterial leaching of copper dust emanating from furnaces at Sarcheshmeh copper complex. Regarding the considerable amount of acid leachable copper, a sulphuric acid leaching process was performed prior to bacterial leaching. Some shake flask and then bioreactor tests were conducted using a mixed culture of Acidithiobacilli and the effect of significant parameters such as culture medium, pulp density and bacterial inoculation rate were investigated. By increasing the pulp density because of higher toxicity and shear stress much more microorganisms and richer nutrient medium were needed. Favoured conditions that governed the agitated bioreactors caused a remarkable promotion in metal dissolution rate in comparison with shake flask. Copper recovery by bacterial leaching in shaking flasks and chemical leaching after 22 d were 87% and 38%, respectively. At the same condition, the maximum copper recovery in bioreactor was 91% within 6.5 d.     

New evidence for Jurassic continental rifting in the northern Sanandaj Sirjan Zone,western Iran: the Ghalaylan seamount,southwest Ghorveh

ABSTRACT

We address the growing controversy about the tectonic setting in which Jurassic magmatism of Iran occurred: arc or continental rift. In the Ghorveh area of the northern Sanandaj Sirjan zone (SaSZ), the Ghalayan metabasites are interlayered with marble and schist and locally cut by acidic dikes. Zircon U-Pb dating of the metabasitic rocks shows that these crystallized at ca. 145–144 Ma ago in the Late Jurassic (Tithonian). This complex was metamorphosed in the lower greenschist facies, however, some protolithic structures such as pillow lava and primary minerals are preserved. The metabasites are tholeiites with low SiO₂ (45.6–50.5 wt.%), moderate Al₂O₃ (11.3–17.0 wt.%), and high TiO₂ (0.7–2.9 wt.%) and Fe₂O₃ (9.4–14.1 wt.%). The Ghalayan metabasites are enriched in Light rare earth elements (LREEs) without significant Nb, Ta, Pb, Sr and Ba anomalies, similar to modern continental intra-plate tholeiitic basalts such as Afar and East African rifts. The Ghalaylan metabasites show wide ranges for ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_(i) (0.7039–0.7077) and positive ε_Nd(t) values (+0.1 to +4.6). These isotopic compositions are similar to those expected for slightly depleted subcontinental lithospheric mantle sources. Independently built discrimination diagrams indicate an intra-continental rifting regime for the source of Jurassic metabasites in the northern SaSZ. Geochemical and tectonic evidence suggests that rifting or a mantle plume was responsible for volcanic activity in the Upper Jurassic SaSZ. Considering the variation of ages of basaltic volcanism along the SaSZ, we suggest that Ghalayan basaltic magmatism reflected a submarine volcano that formed as part of the late stage continental rift, similar to Afar in the East African Rift system. Our results indicate that an extensional tectonic regime dominated SaSZ tectonics in the Middle to Late Jurassic.