Fully coupled free‐surface flow and sediment transport modelling of flash floods in a desert stream in the Mojave Desert,California

For most of the year, a dry‐bed desert wash is void of water flow. Intensive rain events, however, could trigger significant flash floods that bring about highly complicated hydrodynamics and morphodynamics processes within a desert stream. We present a fully coupled three‐phase flow model of air, water, and sediment to simulate numerically the propagation of a flash flood in a field‐scale fluvial desert stream, the so‐called Tex Wash located in the Mojave Desert, California, United States. The turbulent flow of the flash flood is computed using the three‐dimensional unsteady Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes equations closed with the shear stress transport k ? ω model. The free surface of the flash flood at the interface of air and water phases is computed with the level‐set method, which enables instantaneous tracking of the water surface as the flash flood propagates over the dry bed of the desert stream. The evolution of the desert fluvial stream's morphology, due to the action of the propagating flash flood on the mobile bed, is calculated using a Eulerian morphodynamics model based on the curvilinear immersed boundary method. The capabilities of the proposed numerical framework are demonstrated by applying it to simulate a flash flood event in a 0.65‐km ‐long reach of the Tex Wash, the intricate channel morphology of which is obtained using light imaging detection and ranging technology. The simulated region of the stream includes a number of bridge foundations. The simulation results of the model for the flash flood event revealed the formation of a highly complex flow field and scour patterns within the stream. Moreover, our simulation results showed that most scour processes take place during the steady phase of the flash flood, that is, after the flash flood fills the stream. The transient phase of the flash flood is rather short and contributes to a very limited amount of erosion within the desert stream.     

Early Eocene planktonic and benthic foraminifera from the Khangiran formation (northeast of Iran)

The Kopet-Dagh sedimentary basin is located in northeast of Iran and southeast of Turkmenistan in the Middle East. The Khangiran formation represents the last marine deposition in the Kopet-Dagh sedimentary basin. The early Eocene planktonic and benthic foraminifera from the Khangiran formation which belongs to the lower 376 m thickness of this formation are identified and biostratigraphically evaluated. Due to rarity of Morozovella species, planktonic foraminiferal zonation was difficult to determine in this formation. The determination of upper part of the late Paleocene for the lower 124 m of this formation is according to the lowest occurrence of Acarinina sibaiyaensis species. From E₅ to near middle of E₇ biozone, increasing trend of Acarinina frequency and a peak in Morozovella species and decreasing trend of frequency of Subbotina and Pseudohastigerina species indicate the warm and oligotrophic condition of the seawater during sedimentation of the studied interval. Toward the Ypresian-Lutetian boundary, the increasing trend of Pseudohastigerina and Subbotina species and decreasing in frequency of Acarinina species suggest the low-oxygen level, eutrophic and intermediate condition of the seawater. In this formation, the high abundance of the epifaunal taxa such as Anomalinoides spp., Cibicidoides spp., Gyroidinoides spp., and Lenticulina spp. from the base (late Paleocene sediments) up to E₆ biozone reflects oligotrophic and oxic shallow water conditions. The occurrence of several peaks in abundance of Bulimina and Uvigerina species at the Ypresian/Lutetian boundary suggests eutrophic condition. These paleoecological conditions could be correlated with fluctuations in the numbers of the planktonic foraminifera.     

Surveying general prospects and challenges of GIS implementation in developing countries: a SWOT–AHP approach

We propose a combined method based on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to investigate the challenges and prospects of adopting geographic information systems (GIS) in developing countries. In this context, we identify, group, and analyse SWOT indicators in relation to the main GIS components: data, people, and technology. The relative significance of each SWOT indicator and its related SWOT groups in each GIS component is quantified. The method is then applied in a situation assessment of GIS adoption in the governmental organisations and strategic planning. The SWOT–AHP approach proves to be very useful in identifying and quantifying the relative significance of the major factors affecting GIS implementation, and effectively facilitates GIS strategic planning.      

Landscape evolution in The V1ndhyan Basin of Rajasthan

The basic geomorphic units in Parsoli surface of the Vindhyan Basin of Rajasthan have been photo-geomorphologically mapped. The paper presents morphology and controls of landscape genesis in structurally deformed cratonic regime.     

The source of fluoride toxicity in Muteh area,Isfahan, Iran

Endemic dental fluorosis has been observed in most inhabitants of three villages of Muteh area, located in northwest of Isfahan province, with mottled enamel related to high levels of fluoride in drinking water (1.8–2.2 ppm). Forty-seven groundwater samples from six villages were collected and fluoride concentrations along with physico-chemical parameters were analyzed. Fluoride concentration in this area varies from 0.2 to 9.2 mg/l with highest fluoride level at Muteh gold mine (Chahkhatun mine). Fluoride concentration positively correlates with pH and HCO₃ ⁻ indicating that alkaline pH provides a suitable condition for leaching of fluoride from surrounding rocks. The district is mainly covered by three lithological units, namely, metamorphic and granite rocks, alluvial sediments, and carbonate rocks. Factor analysis shows that parameters can be classified into four components: electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), Cl⁻, Na⁺ and K⁺, pH and F⁻, SO₄ ²⁻and Mg²⁺, HCO₃ ⁻ and Ca₂ ⁺. The groundwaters from the three geological units were compared using Mann–Whitney U test. The order of median fluoride concentration is: metamorphic and granite rocks > alluvial sediments > carbonate rocks. Hence, the fluoride content is most probably related to fluoride-bearing minerals such as amphibole and mica group minerals in metamorphic and granitic rocks. The concentration of fluoride in drinking water wells located near the metamorphic complex in Muteh area is above 2 ppm.     

Adsorption of BTEX on Surfactant Modified Granulated Natural Zeolite Nanoparticles: Parameters Optimizing by Applying Taguchi Experimental Design Method

In this paper, a novel adsorbent developed by means of granulating of natural zeolite nanoparticles (i.e., clinoptilolite) was evaluated for possible removal of the petroleum monoaromatics (i.e., benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene, BTEX). To do this, the natural zeolite was ground to produce nanosized particulate, then modified by two cationic surfactants and granulated. The effect of various parameters including temperature, initial pH of the solution, total dissolved solids (TDS), and concentration of a competitive substance (i.e., methyl tert‐butyl ether, MTBE) were studied and optimized using a Taguchi statistical approach. The results ascertained that initial pH of the solution was the most effective parameter. However, the low pH (acidic) was favorable for BTEX adsorption onto the developed adsorbents. In this study, the experimental parameters were optimized and the best adsorption condition by determination of effective factors was chosen. Based on the S/N ratio, the optimized conditions for BTEX removal were temperature of 40°C, initial pH of 3, TDS of 0 mg/L, and MTBE concentration of 100 µg/L. At the optimized conditions, the uptake of each BTEX compounds reached to more than 1.5 mg/g of adsorbents.     

Water infiltration characteristics of unsaturated soil slope and its effect on suction and stability

Rainfall has been considered the cause of the majority of slope failures and landslides that happened in regions experiencing high seasonal rainfalls. The mechanism of the failures was mainly due to the lost of matric suction of soils by rainwater. This paper presents the results of a laboratory model study on the effect of slope angle and surface cover on water infiltration into soil and soil matric suction. A field infiltration test is carried out for comparison. A parametric study is also done to examine the effect of permeability ratio, development of perched water table and rainfall intensity on the factor of safety against instability of a soil slope. Results of the model study show that different surface covers on slopes have an effect on the water infiltration. Generally the covered surface (grass or geosynthetic net) has a lower infiltration rate compared with the bare (no cover) surface. On the effect of slope angle, it was observed that water infiltration decrease with increase in the slope steepness. With regards to the movement of the wetting front, it appears that water infiltration is more at the toe compared with the top of the model slope. Based on the parametric study, it is found factor of safety of the slope against instability drops for slope with higher ratio of permeability for the permeable and impermeable stratum. As the perched water table is formed, the factor of safety decreased. The rainfall intensity also has a marked effect on the slope factor of safety. The higher the intensity of the rainfall, the higher is the infiltration rate into the soil, hence the lower is the factor of safety against slope instability.     

Environmental assessment of soil,groundwater, and surface water quality in the south of the Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

To understand the impact of the influence of treated wastewater, a study was undertaken in the downstream side of Wadi Hanifa in the southern part of Riyadh City in Saudi Arabia. Chemical elements from 17 groundwater samples, 9 surface water samples (treated wastewater), and 14 soil samples were analyzed. Water facies analyses showed that both groundwater and surface water belong to the SO₄-Cl class. However, the groundwater is characterized by high salinity (average value of 3547 mg/l), which may be result of the greater rock-water interaction and limited rainfall recharge. The NO₃ values are also high in the groundwater samples (average value of 40 mg/l) and are mainly attributed to the agricultural practices in the study area. The surface water samples (treated wastewater from the plant) shows an average salinity value of 1232 mg/l and is better suited for irrigation purposes. Heavy elements analyzed in the soil samples show high concentrations of all the elements except Mn and Ni as compared to their background concentration. Enrichment factor and index of geoaccumulation calculated from the soil samples indicate that they are severely enriched with respect to Cd and Se. The spatial distribution maps were prepared based on kriging interpolation technique to estimate the concentrations of the analyzed elements at unknown locations. The treated wastewater in the study area is better suited for agricultural and domestic activities as compared to groundwater.     

Development trajectories and impacts on coral reef use in Lingayen Gulf,Philippines

Management interventions to reduce pressures on coral reefs often include attracting fishers to non-extractive non-fishery supplemental livelihoods. We look at the case of coral reefs in Lingayen Gulf, Philippines to understand the impacts of local (i.e., aquaculture and tourism), regional, and national development on the artisanal fisheries sector. Using household surveys and a coral reef interaction index (CRII), we obtained relative levels of dependency and impacts of fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism on coral reefs for livelihood. Results show that overall dependency on coral reefs remains high despite its decreasing quality. Socio-economic profiles reveal steep hurdles in shifting fishers to aquaculture. Both aquaculture and fisheries will continue to grow and eventually compete for space if left unmanaged further resulting in reduced reef quality. Shifts of fishers to tourism-based and other low-capital requirement mariculture (e.g., sea ranching) are more realistic than the expectation of absorbing fishers into current aquaculture businesses. Strengthening local coastal governance capacity to improve proactive responses for micro–macro development interactive synergy will also help reduce the impacts of development on reefs. Improving safety nets for coastal communities through skills enhancement and supplemental livelihood options that facilitate stewardship and reef recovery is an imperative. Transforming the lessons learned at village level actions to sustain municipal scale programs and institutional cooperation among stakeholders such as through marine protected area networks remain a challenge. Sharing forums and joint financing of coastal resource management remain to be realized through public and private partnerships and expansion of development for investments in social enterprises.