A System for Monitoring of the State of Damming Hydraulic Structures

Methods for diagnostics of the state of hydraulic structures are considered. The control equipment is shown to be applicable to earthquake prediction, and the role that monitoring of hydraulic structures constructed in the permafrost zone can play in the improvement of normative documents and the development of the theory and practice of hydraulic construction in northern regions is assessed. The experience in studying the environmental effect of Sayano–Shushenskaya Hydropower Plant (HPP) is characterized. The major tasks of the improvement of monitoring system are formulated.     

A study of suspended particulate matter in Lahore (Pakistan)

The results obtained from an investigation of suspended particulate matter in the metropolitan city of Lahore (Pakistan) are reported and analysed in this paper. X-ray diffraction studies of the airborne matter collected from va-rious urban and suburban sites show that non-clay minerals such as quartz, calcite and albite are contained in most of the samples in almost comparable amounts. Chemical analysis of some samples was carried out for complementing the x-ray diffraction data. The amount of quartz in the samples of dusty areas was found to be an order of magnitude more than in the samples of relatively cleaner areas. As the dust particles of these compounds are poor substrate for promoting nucleation of ice in the atmospheric clouds, they are liable to stay steadily in the atmosphere as pollutants.A comparison of the results of the airborne particulates and the soil samples collected from various sites show that the sources of quartz, calcite and albite in the airborne matter are both local and remote.     

An In‐Depth Characterization of Urban Aerosols Using Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X‐Ray Analysis

The physical and chemical characterization of aerosols from three large cities, Karachi and Islamabad, Pakistan, and New York City (NYC), USA, was investigated. A scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) was used to determine particle morphology and elemental composition of the samples. A Bruker Spirit system in combination with a Sahara detector provided both computer controlled Automated Chemical Classification (ACC) and digital mapping features for analysis purposes. The use of these two features to characterize the elemental composition, particle size, and to determine specific classes or source types is described in this paper. Filters were analyzed for the following elements; Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Br, Sr, Y, Zr, Mo, Pd, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Ba, La, Au, Hg, Tl, Pb, and U. The EDS work was qualitative not quantitative. Seven source types (mobile, cement, soil, steel mill, fossil fuel, sea salt and biological) contributed to particulate matter in the ambient air of both cities in Pakistan, whereas there were eight source types (diesel, road dust, automobile, iron, residual fuel oil, sea salt, ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate) for NYC. For all three urban centers, vehicular traffic emissions were the main contributor to particle number. Diesel emissions from trucks and buses were relatively more prominent in NYC aerosols, while gasoline emission from automotive exhaust was dominant in the two cities of Pakistan. The cement/limestone component from local cement industries was very evident in both particle surface characteristics and number for both Karachi and Islamabad, but not in NYC air. Sea salt aerosols were seen in the two coastal cities, Karachi and NYC. It was also witnessed in Islamabad aerosols and was attributable to the mining of rock salt at the world's richest salt mine, Khewra, situated upwind from the city.     

The active volcanoes of Kamchatka and Paramushir Island, North Kurils in 2007

Eight strong eruptions of four Kamchatka volcanoes (Bezymyannyi, Klyuchevskoi, Shiveluch, and Karymskii) and Chikurachki Volcano on Paramushir Island, North Kurils took place in 2007. In addition, an explosive event occurred on Mutnovskii Volcano and increased fumarole activity was recorded on Avacha and Gorelyi volcanoes in Kamchatka and Ebeko Volcano on Paramushir Island, North Kurils. Thanks to close cooperation with colleagues involved in the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) project from the Elizovo Airport Meteorological Center and volcanic ash advisory centers in Tokyo, Anchorage, and Washington (Tokyo VAAC, Anchorage VAAC, and Washington VAAC), all necessary precautions were taken for flight safety near Kamchatka.     

Daily and seasonal dynamics of suspended particles in the Rhône River plume based on remote sensing and field optical measurements

Satellite ocean colour remote sensing can serve as a powerful tool to assess river plume characteristics because it provides daily mapping of surface suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentration at high spatial resolution. This study’s ultimate objective was to better understand daily and seasonal particle dynamics in a coastal area strongly influenced by freshwater discharge and wind—the Rhône River (France), this being the major source of terrestrial input to the Mediterranean Sea. SPM concentrations and biogenic composition (chlorophyll a, organic carbon) were investigated during several bio-optical field campaigns conducted in spring–autumn of 2010 both from aboard a research vessel and by means of an autonomous profiling float. Freshwater discharge and wind velocities varied significantly during the year, associated with marked fluctuations in surface SPM (upper 1 m), even within hours and not restricted to any specific season. Thus, the range was ca. 12–25 g m^–3 (dry mass basis) on 9 April (spring), and ca. 3–39 g m^–3 on 4–5 November (late autumn). Short-term variations were observed also in SPM composition in terms of POC (albeit not chl a), with POC/SPM ratios ranging between ca. 3 and 11% over ca. 3 weeks in spring. Nevertheless, the particulate backscattering coefficient (b _bp) proved to be a robust proxy of SPM concentration in the river plume (b _bp(770)?=?0.0076?×?SPM, R²?=?0.80, N?=?56). It has recently been demonstrated that 80% of the Rhône’s terrestrial discharge occurs during flood events. The results of the present study revealed that, under these conditions, SPM is constrained largely within surface waters (i.e. at depths <5 m), with only weak daily vertical variability. By implication, ocean colour satellite data are highly suitable in meaningfully estimating the overall SPM load exported by the Rhône River to the Mediterranean. These findings make a solid contribution to future improvements of three-dimensional sediment transport models for the region and similar settings.     

Nonlinear Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in hydromagnetics

By taking into account the temporal as well as the spatial effects, a weakly nonlinear theory of the propagation of wave packets in the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability problem in the presence of uniform magnetic fields, acting along the surface of separation of two moving superposed fluids, is presented. With the use of the method of multiple scaling, the evolution of the amplitude of the two-dimensional wave packets, which is governed by a nonlinear Klein-Gordon equation, is derived. The various stability criteria arising out of this equation are examined. The nonlinear cut-off wavenumber, which separates the region of stability from that of instability, is determined.     

Dynamics of energy sector and GHG emissions in Saudi Arabia

The energy sector is the main contributor to GHG emissions in Saudi Arabia. The tremendous growth of GHG emissions poses serious challenges for the Kingdom in terms of their reduction targets, and also the mitigation of the associated climate changes. The rising trend of population and urbanization affects the energy demand, which results in a faster rate of increase in GHG emissions. The major energy sector sources that contribute to GHG emissions include the electricity generation, road transport, desalination plants, petroleum refining, petrochemical, cement, iron and steel, and fertilizer industries. In recent years, the energy sector has become the major source, accounting for more than 90% of national CO₂ emissions. Although a substantial amount of research has been conducted on renewable energy resources, a sustainable shift from petroleum resources is yet to be achieved. Public awareness, access to energy-efficient technology, and the development and implementation of a legislative framework, energy pricing policies, and renewable and alternative energy policies are not mature enough to ensure a significant reduction in GHG emissions from the energy sector. An innovative and integrated solution that best serves the Kingdom's long-term needs and exploits potential indigenous, renewable, and alternative energy resources while maintaining its sustainable development stride is essential.

Policy relevance

The main contributor to GHG emissions in Saudi Arabia is the energy sector that accounts for more than 90% of the national CO₂ emissions. Tremendous growth of GHG emissions poses serious challenges for the Kingdom in their reduction and mitigating the associated climate changes. This study examines the changing patterns of different activities associated with energy sector, the pertinent challenges, and the opportunities that promise reduction of GHG emissions while providing national energy and economic security. The importance of achieving timely, sustained, and increasing reductions in GHG emissions means that a combination of policies may be needed. This study points to the long-term importance of making near- and medium-term policy choices on a well-informed, strategic basis. This analytical paper is expected to provide useful information to the national policy makers and other decision makers. It may also contribute to the GHG emission inventories and the climate change negotiations.     

Characteristics,modification and environmental application of Yemen’s natural bentonite

The bentonite deposit of Lahij Province, Yemen, has very promising commercial applications due to its mineralogy and physical and chemical properties. It was examined to determine its mineralogical composition, chemical and physical properties of the bentonite deposit, purity and sodium-exchanged bentonite. Modified bentonite was synthesized by exchanging cetyltrimethylammonium cations for inorganic ions on the bentonite and its adsorption properties for ammonium were characterized in batch experiments. Analytical methods were carried out to study the bentonite comprising X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy, chemical analysis and kinetic and isotherm models were also tested. The results have shown that the purification of bentonite resulted in a bentonite fractions of the total sample composed of montmorillonite and <5 % quartz. The XRD data showed that the interlayer spacing (d ₀₀₁) of bentonite decreased from 15.3 to 12.5 Å and then increased to 19.7 Å. Moreover, high cation exchange capacity, good water absorption and high swelling capacity were also obtained. The results have shown that the modified bentonite was more effective than the natural bentonite for ammonium removal. In addition to that, pseudo-second-order kinetic model, Freundlich and the Langmuir models described the adsorption kinetics and isotherm well. It was concluded that Yemen (Alaslef) bentonite can be potential adsorbents for ammonium removal.