Spectral Ratio Estimates for Site Effects on the Horst–Graben System in West Turkey

Recordings of micro- and moderate-size local earthquakes have been used to quantify site effects in the central-west Turkey which contains one of the world’s best examples of a rapid intra-continental extension with its high population and industrial potential. We analyzed 436 earthquakes with local magnitudes ranging between 2.0 and 5.6 using three component digital recordings from 32 stations. Site functions were obtained using two different spectral ratio approaches (horizontal to vertical spectral ratio, HVSR, and standard spectral ratio, SSR). HVSR estimates of transverse and radial S-waves were compared with one another. Epicentral distance, magnitude and back-azimuth dependencies of site functions were also evaluated. In general, HVSR values from transverse and radial S-waves are similar within a factor of 2. The back-azimuth dependencies of transverse S-wave HVSR results are more significant than distance and magnitude dependencies. On the other hand, averaging of transverse and radial S-wave HVSR results eliminates systematic back-azimuth dependencies caused by source radiation effects. Distributions of HVSR estimates along ~N–S linear array, which traversed main grabens in the region with a station spacing of 3–4 km, reflect subsurface geological complexities in the region. The sites located near the basin edges are characterized by broader HVSR curves. Broad HVSR peaks could be attributed to the complexity of wave propagation related to significant 2D/3D velocity variations at the sediment–bedrock interface near the basin edges. The results also show that, even if the site is located on a horst, the presence of weathered zones along the surface could cause moderate frequency dependent site effects. Comparison of HVSR and SSR estimates for the stations on the graben sites showed that SSR estimates give larger values at lower frequencies which could be attributed to lateral variations in regional velocity and attenuation values caused by basin geometry and edge effects.     

An alternative method for estimating densification point velocity based on back propagation artificial neural networks

The establishment of Turkish National Fundamental GPS Network (TNFGN) was completed in 2001 and Large Scale Map and Map Information Production Regulation (LSMMIPR) came into force in 2005 in parallel with the establishment of TNFGN and the increase in the use of GPS applications. TNFGN has been designed as first order GPS network and it comprises second-, third- and fourth-order GPS densification networks. LSMMIPR has required determining the positions of first-, second- and third-order GPS densification (C1, C2 and C3) points with the reference epoch besides the measurement epoch. Therefore, it is necessary to estimate the velocity vectors of the densification points. In practise, the velocity vectors of C1, C2 and C3 points are estimated from TNFGN points or higher-order densification points velocity vectors by interpolation methods but LSMMIPR did not specify the interpolation method for this procedure. The objective of this study is to use a back propagation artificial neural network (BPANN) that has been more widely applied in engineering among all other neural network models for estimating the velocity of the densification point as an alternative to the interpolation methods. BPANN and selected ten interpolation methods are evaluated over a test area, in terms of root mean square error (RMSE). The results showed that the employment of BPANN estimated the densification point velocity (V_X,Y,Z) with a better accuracy (±5.0 mm, ±4.0 mm, ±3.9 mm, respectively) than the interpolation methods in the test area and indicated that BPANN can be a useful tool for estimating point velocity in the densification networks as a real alternative to the interpolation methods.     

CO2 degassing and trapping during hydrothermal cycles related to Gondwana rifting in eastern Australia

Intensive carbonate and clay mineral authigenesis took place throughout the Late Permian Bowen-Gunnedah-Sydney basin system in eastern Australia. We conducted isotopic and trace element analyses of carbonate and clay minerals from clastic sedimentary rocks of the Gunnedah Basin and the Denison Trough in the Bowen Basin. Rb-Sr isochron age data of the illitic clays are consistent with episodic hydrothermal fluid flow events that occurred in association with Gondwana rifting accompanied by alkaline magmatism at ∼85 Ma and ∼95 Ma. Stable isotope data of carbonate and clay minerals from the Gunnedah Basin are indicative of meteoric waters from a high-latitude environment as the main fluid source, whereas trace element, Sr and Nd isotope data highlight mixing of meteoric fluids with magmatic and/or crustal components, with a possible input from marine carbonates for some samples. Trace metals, oxygen and strontium isotopes of dawsonites from the Denison Trough are interpreted to have been mobilised by fluids that interacted with evolved clastic sedimentary and marine carbonate end members. According to the carbon isotope data, CO₂ for calcite and ankerite precipitation was sourced mainly from thermal degradation of organic matter and magmatism, whereas the CO₂ used for dawsonite formation is inferred to have been derived from magmatic and marine sources. In the low permeability environments (particularly in coal seams), the increasing accumulation and oversaturation of CO₂ particularly promote the precipitation of dawsonite.     

Trace element composition of near-surface silica deposits—A powerful tool for detecting hydrothermal mineral and energy resources

Extensive Paleozoic sinter deposits occur at the surface associated with sub-surface quartz veining and epithermal Au mineralisation in the Drummond Basin, Australia. We investigated the trace element composition of the sinter deposits and quartz veins in an attempt to develop a new geochemical exploration guide for geological resources. The Drummond Basin hydrothermal silica deposits are unique in having anomalously enriched incompatible element (Cs, Li, Be, U, Th and REE) concentrations in comparison to hydrothermal quartz veins from various granitic-pegmatitic systems elsewhere. The development of relative Ce deficiencies (Ce/Ce*_norm < 1) in silica deposits indicate preferential mobilisation of REE over Ce from source rocks by oxidised hydrothermal fluids, leading to relative Ce enrichment in the source material (e.g., rhyolite intrusions). Sinters and quartz veins and some volcanic source rocks show a conspicuous positive Y anomaly relative to REE. This is interpreted in terms of Y fractionation due to fluorine complexation with REE during hydrothermal activity. The majority of sinter and quartz samples within or near the Au mineralisation zone are more enriched in mobile elements (Cs, Li, Rb and Be) than the silica deposits from areas distal to the mineralised area. Normalised Y–REE patterns of the sinter deposits, quartz veins, and wall rocks provide important information on the physico-chemical environment of epithermal mineral deposition in geothermal systems. Trace element systematics as revealed in the current study, particularly in relation to the alkali element mobility, have significant implications for finding new prospect areas and evaluating the potential of existing prospect areas for epithermal metal deposits and active geothermal fields.     

Petrochemical evidence of magma mingling and mixing in the Tertiary monzogabbroic stocks around the Bafra (Samsun) area in Turkey: implications of coeval mafic and felsic magma interactions

Miocene aged calc-alkaline mafic host stocks (monzogabbro) and felsic microgranular enclaves (monzosyenite) around the Bafra (Samsun) area within Tertiary volcanic and sedimentary units of the Eastern Pontides, Northeast Turkey are described for the first time in this paper. The felsic enclaves are medium to fine grained, and occur in various shapes such as, elongated, spherical to ellipsoidal, flame and/or rounded. Most enclaves show sharp and gradational contacts with the host monzogabbro, and also show distinct chilled margins in the small enclaves, indicating rapid cooling. In the host rocks, disequilibrium textures indicating mingling or mixing of coeval mafic and felsic magmas are common, such as, poikilitic and antirapakivi textures in feldspar phenocrysts, sieve textured-patchy-rounded and corroded plagioclases, clinopyroxene megacrysts mantled by bladed biotites, clinopyroxene rimmed by green hornblendes, dissolution in clinopyroxene, bladed biotite, and acicular apatite. The petrographical and geochemical contrasts between the felsic enclaves and host monzogabbros may partly be due to a consequence of extended interaction between coeval felsic and mafic magmas by mixing/mingling and diffusion. Whole-rock and Sr-Nd isotopic data suggests that the mafic host rocks and felsic enclaves are products of modified mantle-derived magmas. Moreover, the felsic magma was at near liquidus conditions when injected into the mafic host magma, and that the mafic intrusion reflects a hybrid product formed due to the mingling and partial (incomplete) mixing of these two magmas.     

Spatial and temporal variation of suspended sediment concentration versus turbidity in the stream Harşit Watershed,NE Turkey

Suspended sediment related studies based on direct measurements for Turkish rivers and streams are very few for various reasons such as cost, time, or fewer operational sediment gauging stations, and thus the researchers tend to look for indirect methods. Turkey is a developing country and in need of many investments, which resulted in engineering and management modifications in its river and stream systems. This paper investigates the spatial and temporal variations of suspended sediment concentration (SSC, mg/L) versus turbidity (NTU) in the stream Har?it watershed having a length of the main branch at 143 km and catchment area of 3,280 km², Eastern Black Sea Basin of Turkey. Subsequently, the effect of the all kinds of anthropogenic activities was evaluated, namely, dam operation, levee construction, municipal wastewater discharge, sand–gravel mining on SSC, and turbidity in the watershed. In situ turbidity monitoring and water sampling studies were semimonthly conducted at ten stations from March 2009 to February 2010. On a semimonthly basis, it was revealed that SSC and turbidity values having significant correlation varied spatially and temporarily. The municipal wastewater discharge from the city of Gümü?hane together with the decreasing flow rate revealed itself with a significant increase in the turbidity and SSC, especially in the summer months. Torul Dam having a reservoir volume of 168 hm³ could trap 78.6 % of the SSC and could remove 66.6 % of the turbidity, thanks to its long hydraulic residence time; however, Kürtün Dam released the suspended sediment as a result of its sluiceway tunnel operation. Sand–gravel mining activities between the last two stations severely affected the water quality by increasing the SSC and turbidity.     

Evaluation of rock falls in an urban area: the case of Boğaziçi (Erzincan/Turkey)

Disasters caused by events such as earthquake, flooding, rock falls, landslides are often encountered. However, generally, the reasons for the destructive and devastating effects of these nature events are that settlement locations were chosen without site investigation studies, or that available studies were inadequate. Such inadequacies in the field are related to inappropriate settlement location and the resulting damage caused by rock falls. This study evaluated rockfall risk in a settlement that developed in a similar manner. The study was carried out in Bo?aziçi village of Kemah (Erzincan/Turkey), which is located in a very important tectonic zone. The study site is located on the lower sections of an area with very steep cliffs and 50–75° slopes. This cliff, which is the source of rockfalls, has a slope dip of approximately 90°. The cliff comprises 25–30 m high, fractured and cracked basaltic volcanic mass. To determine block size in the study area, scanline survey measurements and block size measurements were performed on blocks that loosened and fell from the cliff face. It was found that block sizes reached 6 m³. Rockfall analyses were performed along the selected profiles using the Rockfall V.4.0 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 were used to produce distribution maps for each profile and the settlement was evaluated in terms of rockfall risk. The results indicate that the study area was at risk of future rockfalls and that it would be appropriate to relocate one part of the settlement.     

The Effect of Oxygen on Anaerobic Color Removal of Azo Dye in a Sequencing Batch Reactor

In this study, various amounts of oxygen were added to the anaerobic phase of an anaerobic‐aerobic sequencing batch reactor (SBR) receiving azo dye remazol brilliant violet 5R to mimic the input of oxygen into the anaerobic zones of biological textile wastewater treatment plants. The effect of oxygen on the anaerobic biodegradative capability of the mixed microbial culture for remazol brilliant violet 5R was investigated. To investigate the effect of oxygen on anaerobic azo dye biodegradation, the anaerobic phase of the SBR cultures were exposed to a very low limited amount of oxygen for various air flow rates. Initially, an air flow rate of 20 mL/min was applied, further on the air flow rate in the anaerobic phase was increased up to 40 mL/min. System performance was determined by monitoring chemical oxygen demand, color removal rate, activities of anaerobic (azo reductase) and aerobic enzymes (catechol 2,3‐dioxygenase, catechol 1,2‐dioxygenase). The results of percentage COD reduction at each stage were similar for all runs, giving an overall reduction of 96%. Anaerobic color removal efficiency and azo reductase activity of anaerobic microorganisms were adversely affected by the addition of oxygen. Color removal efficiencies of the anaerobic phases decreased from 80% down to 42 and 38% for the limited oxygen conditions of 20 mL/min and 40 mL/min, respectively. It was observed that the activity of catechol 2,3‐dioxygenase and catechol 1,2‐dioxygenase, involved in breakage of aromatic rings, increased after they are exposed to oxygen limited conditions compared to fully anaerobic conditions. It was also observed that catechol 1,2‐dioxygenase enzyme activity increased by increasing the oxygen level on oxygen limited conditions in the anaerobic zone.