Reclamation of calcareous saline–sodic soil using different amendments: Time changes of soluble cations in leachate

Soil salinity and sodicity are escalating problems worldwide, especially in arid and semiarid regions. A laboratory experiment was conducted using soil column to investigate leaching of soluble cations during reclamation process of a calcareous saline–sodic soil (CaCO₃?=?20.7%, electrical conductivity (EC)?=?19.8 dS m^?1, sodium absorption ratio (SAR)?=?32.2[meq L^?1]^0.5). The amendments consisted of control, cattle manure (50 g kg^?1), pistachio residue (50 g kg^?1), gypsum (5.2 g kg^?1; equivalent of gypsum requirement), manure + gypsum and pistachio residue + gypsum, in three replicates which were mixed thoroughly with the soil, while sulfuric acid as an amendment was added to irrigation water. To reflect natural conditions, after incubation period, an intermittent irrigation method was employed every 30 days. The results showed that EC, SAR, and soluble cations of leachate for the first irrigation step were significantly higher than those of the subsequent leaching runs. Moreover, the concentration of removed soluble cations was lower for the control and gypsum-treated soils. It was found that among applied amendments, treatments containing cattle manure showed higher concentrations of sodium, calcium, and magnesium in the leachate, while due to pistachio residue application, further amount of potassium was removed out of soil column. The addition of pistachio residue resulted in the highest reduction in soil salinity and sodicity since the final EC and exchangeable sodium percentage dropped to 18.0% and 11.6% of their respective initial values, respectively. In the calcareous soil, solubility of gypsum found to be limited, in contrast, when it was added in conjunction with organic amendments, greater amounts of sodium were leached.     

Non-equilibrium interphase heat and mass transfer during two-phase flow in porous media—Theoretical considerations and modeling

Mass and heat transfer occurring across phase-interfaces in multi-phase flow in porous media are mostly approximated using equilibrium relationships or empirical kinetic models. However, when the characteristic time of flow is smaller than that of mass or heat transfer, non-equilibrium situations may arise. Commonly, empirical approaches are used in such cases. There are only few works in the literature that use physically-based models for these transfer terms. In fact, one would expect physical approaches to modeling kinetic interphase mass and heat transfer to contain the interfacial area between the phases as a variable. Recently, a two-phase flow and solute transport model was developed that included interfacial area as a state variable [36]. In that model, interphase mass transfer was modeled as a kinetic process.     

Application of multivariate statistical methods to indicate the origin and geochemical behavior of potentially hazardous elements in sediment around the Sarcheshmeh copper mine,SE Iran

Multivariate statistical techniques, i.e., correlation coefficient analysis, principal components analysis (PCA), and hierarchical cluster analysis (CA), were applied to the total and water-soluble concentrations of potentially hazardous metals in sediments associated with the Sarcheshmeh mine, one of the largest Oligo-Miocene porphyry copper deposits in the world. The samples were analyzed for hazardous metal concentration levels by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method. Results indicate that the contaminant metals As, Cd, Cu, Mo, S, Sb, Sn, Se, Pb, and Zn were positively correlated with the total concentrations. These hazardous metals also have strong association in the PCA and CA results. Different anthropic versus natural sources of contaminant metals were distinguished by using CA method. Water-soluble fraction of hazardous metals showed that the hydro-geochemical behavior of these metals in sediments is different considerably. Elements such as Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, S, and Zn are readily water soluble from contaminated samples, especially from evaporative mineral phases, while the release of As, Mo, Sb, and Pb into the water is limited by adsorption processes. Results obtained from the application of multivariate techniques on the water-soluble fraction data set show that the hazardous metals are categorized into three groups including (1) Ni, S, Co, Cu, Cr, and Fe; (2) Se, Mn, Cd, and Zn; and (3) Sb, As, Mo, and Sn. This classification describes the hydro-geochemical behavior of hazardous metals in water–sediment environments of the Sarcheshmeh porphyry copper mine and can be used as a basis in remedial and treatment strategies.     

Integration of ASTER and landsat TM remote sensing data for chromite prospecting and lithological mapping in Neyriz ophiolite zone,south Iran

Chromite deposits in Iran are located in the ophiolite complexes, which have mostly podiform types and irregular in their settings. Exploration for podiform chromite deposits associated with ophiolite complexes has been a challenge for the prospectors due to tectonic disturbance and their distribution patterns. Most of Iranian ophiolitic zones are located in mountainous and inaccessible regions. Remote sensing approach could be applicable tool for choromite prospecting in Iranian ophiolitic zones with intensely rugged topography, where systematic sampling and conventional geological mapping are limited. In this study, Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) satellite data were used for chromite prospecting and lithological mapping in the Neyriz ophiolitic zone in the south of Iran. Image transformation techniques, namely decorrelation stretch, band ratio and principal component analysis (PCA) were applied to Landsat TM and ASTER data sets for lithological mapping at regional scale. The RGB decorrelated image of Landsat TM spectral bands 7, 5, and 4, and the principal components PC1, PC2 and PC3 image of ASTER SWIR spectral bands efficiently showed the occurrence of major lithological units in the study area at regional scale. The band ratios of 5/3, 5/1, 7/5 applied on ASTER VNIR‐SWIR bands were very useful for discriminating most of rock units in the study area and delineation of the transition zone and mantle harzburgite in the Neyriz ophiolitic complex. Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) technique was implemented to ASTER VNIR‐SWIR spectral bands for detecting minerals of rock units and especially delineation of the transition zone and mantle harzburgite as potential zones with high chromite mineralization in the Neyriz ophiolitic complex. The integration of information extracted from the image processing algorithms used in this study mapped most of lithological units of the Neyriz ophiolitic complex and identified potential areas of high chromite mineralization (transition zone and mantle harzburgite) for chromite prospecting targets in the future. Furthermore, image processing results were verified by comprehensive fieldwork and laboratory analysis in the study area. Accordingly, result of this investigation indicate that the integration of information extracted from the image processing algorithms using Landsat TM and ASTER data sets could be broadly applicable tool for chromite prospecting and lithological mapping in mountainous and inaccessible regions such Iranian ophiolitic zones.     

Particle size distribution and dissolution properties of metals in cyclone fly ash

The particles in the examined cyclone fly ash were all smaller than 0.25 mm. in diameter, and particles smaller than 0.075 mm. in diameter accounted for 88.4 % of the ash weight. This result indicates that cyclone fly ash consists of particles with a small diameter. The metals in the cyclone fly ash were enriched in small particles. The highest concentrations for zinc, copper, lead, cadmium and molybdenum in the cyclone fly ash were found in the smallest particle size fraction (< 0.075 mm.) and for Barium, chromium, nickel, Vanadium and Cobalt in the second to smallest particle size fraction (0.075-0.125 mm.). From an environmental and toxicological standpoint, the smallest particles are of the greatest concern when ash is handed at landfill disposal sites (transport and disposal especially in stormy weather conditions), and some studies have reported risks to workers from prolonged exposure to ash. The results of the comparison of various dissolution methods for metals showed that the digestion procedures with nitric acid alone (USEPA 3051) or with a mixture of nitric acid + hydrogen peroxide (USEPA 3050B) slightly underestimated the metal concentrations in the cyclone fly ash. Although the use of hydrofluoric acid is often necessary for the determination of a number of elements associated with siliceous minerals, its use can result in loss of trace elements during dissolution.     

Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of Flexible Marine-Risers

A nonlinear dynamic analysis model is estabilished on the basis of "lumped mass" approach, which takes the influence of the fluid flow within the pipe into consideration. Numerical results are compared with the published works, and the effects of internal fluid flow, internal pressure, dyanmics as well as the nonlinear characteristics on the behavior of flexible risers are discussed. From this work, some useful conclusions are drawn.