Mineral Chemistry, Trace Elements, Isotopic Analysis and Zircon U-Pb Dating in the Hesar Pluton, Northern UDMA, Iran: Implications for Pre-Collisional Magma Mixing

The Hesar pluton in the northern Urumieh–Dokhtar magmatic arc hosts numerous mafic-microgranular enclaves (MMEs). Whole rock geochemistry, mineral chemistry, zircon U-Pb and Sr-Nd isotopes were measured. It is suggested that the rocks are metaluminous (A/CNK = 1.32–1.45), subduction-related I-type calc-alkaline gabbro to diorite with similar mineral assemblages and geochemical signatures. The host rocks yielded an U-Pb crystallization age of 37.3 ± 0.4 Ma for gabbro-diorite. MMEs have relatively low SiO2 contents (52.9–56.6 wt%) and high Mg# (49.8–58.7), probably reflecting a mantle-derived origin. Chondrite- and mantle-normalized trace element patterns are characterized by LREE and LILE enrichment, HREE and HFSE depletion with slight negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.86–1.03). The host rocks yield (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.70492–0.70510, positive εNd(t) values of +1.55–+2.06 and TDM2 of 707–736 Ma, which is consistent with the associated mafic microgranular enclaves ((87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.705014, εNd(t) = +1.75, TDM2 = 729 Ma). All data suggest magma-mixing for enclave and host rock formation, showing a complete equilibration between mixed-mafic and felsic magmas, followed by rapid diffusion. The TDM1(Nd) and TDM2(Nd) model ages and U-Pb dating indicate that the host pluton was produced by partial melting of the lower continental crust and subsequent mixing with injected lithospheric mantle-derived magmas in a pre-collisional setting of Arabian–Eurasian plates. Clinopyroxene composition indicates a crystallization temperature of ~1000°C and a depth of ~9 km.     

The inner ramp facies of the Thanetian Lockhart Formation,western Salt Range,Indus Basin,Pakistan

The Lockhart Formation from a major carbonate unit of the Paleocene Charrat Group in Upper Indus Basin, Pakistan represents a larger foraminiferal–algal build up deposited in a cyclic sequence of the carbonate ramp. The foraminiferal–algal assemblages of the Lockhart Formation are correlated here to larger foraminiferal biostratigraphic zone, i.e. Shallow Benthic Zone (SBZ3) of the Thanetian Age. Inner ramp lagoon, shoal and fore shoal open marine are three main facies associations represented by wackstone and packstone foraminiferal–algal deposits. These facies are present in a cyclic order and displayed a retrograding carbonate ramp indicating the Thanetian transgressive deposits associated with eustatic sea level rise. The correlation of the microfacies of the Lockhart Formation (Upper Indus Basin) and facies of the Dungan Formation (Lower Indus Basin) provide detailed configuration of the depositional setting of the Indus Basin during the time interval represented by the Thanetian Zone SBZ3.     

Inelastic displacement ratios for soil–structure systems allowed to uplift

The simultaneous effects of soil–structure interaction, foundation uplift and inelastic behavior of the superstructure on total displacement response of soil–structure systems are investigated. The superstructure is modeled as an equivalent single‐degree‐of‐freedom system with bilinear behavior mounted on a rigid foundation resting on distributed tensionless Winkler springs and dampers. It is well known that the behavior of soil–structure systems can be well described using a limited number of nondimensional parameters. Here, by introducing two new parameters, the concept is extended to inelastic soil–structure systems in which the foundation is allowed to uplift. An extensive parametric study is conducted for a wide range of the key parameters through nonlinear time history analyses. It is shown that while uplifting soil–structure systems experience excessive displacements, in comparison with systems that are not allowed to uplift, ductility demand in the superstructure generally decreases owing to foundation uplift. A new inelastic displacement ratio (IDR) is proposed in conjunction with a nonlinear static analysis of uplifting soil–structure systems. Simplified expressions are also provided to estimate the proposed IDR. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of Ground Vibration due to Surface Blasting at a Celestite Open-pit Mine

In bench blast design, not only the technical and economical aspects, such as block size, uniformity and cost, but also the elimination of environmental problems resulting from ground vibration and air blast should be taken into consideration. Prediction of ground vibration components is of great importance when responding to and avoiding environmentally-related complaints. This paper presents the results of ground vibration measurements carried out in a celestite open-pit mine during blast optimisation studies. The particle velocity components (longitudinal, transversal, vertical and peak) and the airblast measurement results were evaluated considering the scaled distance relationship. The statistical analysis of 47 data sets yielded an empirical relationship between peak particle velocity and scaled distance. This approach which is suggested for the present site gives the 50% line and the upper bound 95% prediction limit with reasonable correlation.     

Shaking table tests on dome‐roof adobe houses

This paper presents the results of an experimental work in order to evaluate the performance of a novel proposed retrofitting technique on a typical dome‐roof adobe building by shaking table tests. For this purpose, two specimens, scaled 2:3, were subjected to a total of nine shaking table tests. The unretrofitted specimen, constructed by common practice, is designed to evaluate seismic performance and vulnerability of dome‐roof adobe houses. The retrofitted specimen, exactly duplicating the first specimen, is retrofitted based on the results obtained from unretrofitted specimen tests, and the improvement in seismic behavior of the structure is investigated. Zarand earthquake (2005) Chatrood Station is selected as the input ground motion that was applied consecutively at 25, 100, 125, 150 and 175% of the design‐level excitation. At 125% excitation level, the roof of the unretofitted specimen collapsed due to the walls' out‐of‐plane action and imbalanced forces. The retrofitting elements consist of eight horizontal steel rods drilled into the walls, passed through the specimen and bolted on the opposite wall surfaces. To improve walls in‐plane seismic performance, welded steel mesh without using mortar, covered less than half area of walls on the external face of the walls, is used. In addition to strain gauges for recording steel rod responses, several instrumentations including acceleration and displacement transducers are implemented to capture response time histories of different parts of the specimens. The corresponding full‐scaled retrofitted prototype tolerated peak acceleration of 0.62 g almost without any serious damage. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Damage and management of cyclone Sidr-affected homestead tree plantations: a case study from Patuakhali, Bangladesh

Geographically, Bangladesh is considered to be one of the most cyclone-prone areas in the world. The super cyclone Sidr in 2007 was one of the most devastating disasters to have ever occurred in Bangladesh, having wind speeds of 223?km/h with a tidal surge of 6.1?C7.6?m high. In order to draw a pre- and post-Sidr damage and management scenario, a survey was conducted at Dumki upazila, Patuakhali district in Bangladesh with a pretested questionnaire. Primary data were collected through a questionnaire, while secondary data were collected from pertinent offices as well as academic journals. The major focus of this study was to assess the state of pre-Sidr tree plantations (woody and fruit trees), the devastation caused by Sidr on these tree plantations, and post-Sidr recovery and further sustainable management initiatives to counteract a possible future neo-Sidr. The post-Sidr study showed that about 16.84 million woody and fruit trees were uprooted by Sidr. A total of 3,120 rain tree (Samanea saman L.), 7,548 mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni L.), 1,444 royal siris (Albizzia richardiana L.), 702 white siris (Albizzia procera L.), 1,214 mango (Mangifera indica L.), 1,092 coconut (Cocos nucifera L.), 1,380 jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.), and 7,640 betel nut (Areca catechu L.) trees were sampled among which 922, 1,662, 382, 210, 106, 38, 362, and 1,652 trees, respectively, were markedly damaged by Sidr. Sexually propagated woody trees with a damaged taproot were vulnerable to heavy wind during the cyclone. Fruit trees were more resistant to the cyclone than other types of trees, and the lack of proper tree training and pruning was one of the principal causes of the severe damage to woody trees. Hence, plantations of woody tree saplings with damaged taproots are strongly discouraged. However, proper training and pruning of homestead trees together with plantation of fruit trees rather than woody trees is suggested as a possible effective management strategy to protect the homestead ecosystem from devastation by future cyclones in Bangladesh.     

Depositional systems and sequence stratigraphy analysis of the Upper Callovian to Tithonian sediments in the Central and Western Kopet‐Dagh Basin,Northeast Iran

Upper Callovian to Tithonian (late Jurassic) sediments represent an important hydrocarbon reservoir in the Kopet‐Dagh Basin, NE Iran. These deposits consist mainly of limestone, dolostone, and calcareous mudstone with subordinate siliciclastic interbeds. Detailed field surveys, lithofacies and facies analyses at three outcrop sections were used to investigate the depositional environments and sequence stratigraphy of the Middle to Upper Jurassic interval in the central and western areas of the basin. Vertical and lateral facies changes, sedimentary fabrics and structures, and geometry of carbonate bodies resulted in recognition of various carbonate facies related to tidal flats, back‐barrier lagoon, shelf‐margin/shelf‐margin reef, slope and deep‐marine facies belts. These facies were accompanied by interbedded beach and deep marine siliciclastic petrofacies. Field surveys, facies analysis, parasequences stacking patterns, discontinuity surfaces, and geometries coupled with relative depth variation, led to the recognition of six third‐order depositional sequences. The depositional history of the study areas can be divided into two main phases. These indicate platform evolution from a rimmed‐shelf to a carbonate ramp during the late Callovian–Oxfordian and Kimmeridgian–Tithonian intervals, respectively. Significant lateral and vertical facies and thickness changes, and results obtained from regional correlation of the depositional sequences, can be attributed to the combined effect of antecedent topography and differential subsidence related to local tectonics. Moreover, sea‐level changes must be regarded as a major factor during the late Callovian–Tithonian interval. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimization of water allocation in the Shatt al-Arab River under different salinity regimes and tide impact

Wastewater effluents from irrigation and the domestic and industrial sectors have serious impacts in deteriorating water quality in many rivers, particularly in areas under tidal influence. There is a need to develop an approach that considers the impact of human and natural causes of salinization. This study uses a multi-objective optimization–simulation model to investigate and describe the interactions of such impacts in the Shatt al-Arab River, Iraq. The developed model is able to reproduce the salinity distribution in the river given varying conditions. The salinity regime in the river varies according to different hydrological conditions and anthropogenic activities. Due to tidal effects, salinity caused by drainage water is seen to intrude further upstream into the river. The applied approach provides a way to obtain optimal solutions where both river salinity and deficit in water supply can be minimized. The approach is used for exploring the trade-off between these two objectives.     

Analysis of hydrological seasonality across northern catchments using monthly precipitation–runoff polygon metrics

Abstract

Seasonality is an important hydrological signature for catchment comparison. Here, the relevance of monthly precipitation–runoff polygons (defined as scatter points of 12 monthly average precipitation–runoff value pairs connected in the chronological monthly sequence) for characterizing seasonality patterns was investigated to describe the hydrological behaviour of 10 catchments spanning a climatic gradient across the northern temperate region. Specifically, the research objectives were to: (a) discuss the extent to which monthly precipitation–runoff polygons can be used to infer active hydrological processes in contrasting catchments; (b) test the ability of quantitative metrics describing the shape, orientation and surface area of monthly precipitation–runoff polygons to discriminate between different seasonality patterns; and (c) examine the value of precipitation–runoff polygons as a basis for catchment grouping and comparison. This study showed that some polygon metrics were as effective as monthly average runoff coefficients for illustrating differences between the 10 catchments. The use of precipitation–runoff polygons was especially helpful to look at the dynamics prevailing in specific months and better assess the coupling between precipitation and runoff and their relative degree of seasonality. This polygon methodology, linked with a range of quantitative metrics, could therefore provide a new simple tool for understanding and comparing seasonality among catchments.

Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz; Associate editor K. Heal

Citation Ali, G., Tetzlaff, D., Kruitbos, L., Soulsby, C., Carey, S., McDonnell, J., Buttle, J., Laudon, H., Seibert, J., McGuire, K., and Shanley, J., 2013. Analysis of hydrological seasonality across northern catchments using monthly precipitation–runoff polygon metrics. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 59 (1), 56–72.     

Evidence for Mountain Glacier Changes in Semi-arid Environments based on Remote Sensing Data

Countries like Iran, which are geographically situated in a rather arid and warm regions, will suffer more from global warming than countries located in humid and semi-humid regions. In such environments, analyzing the variations of mountain glaciers can reveal several aspects of climate change patterns more efficiently in comparison to the other geo-indicators. The present study reports some evidence of changes for Alamkouh glacier between 1955 and 2010 based on several mediums to high-resolution satellite images. Considering that most part of the Alamkouh glacier is covered by debris and delineating its actual area is not possible, planimetric change analysis was restricted to the clean-ice regions. The object-oriented classification approach was used to estimate the clean ice areas. This technique takes into account the shapes of the features along with their spectral patterns. Results revealed that clean ice regions of Alamkouh glacier shrank since 1955 with an overall area reduction of about 59 %. Although the general observed trend is a clean ice area reduction, some advancement was detected over the period from 2000 to 2010. During 1992–2000, the maximum reduction in the clean ice area was observed (0.08 km².a^?1). However, clean ice area of the case study has partially increased about 0.028 km².a^?1 from 2000 to 2010. Supra-glacial lake change analysis illustrated that at the surface of the glacier, lakes have been enlarged remarkably in the past 55 years (about 4.75 times greater). In addition, clean ice area and the surface area of supra-glacial lakes oscillated in compliance with each other. The findings revealed that the maximum expansion of supra-glacial lake occurred during 1992–2000, which demonstrate the glacier maximum reduction during this period. This shrinkage in the Alamkouh glacier caused an extensive glacial lake outburst flood in Jun 2011. The results of this study agree with documented changes in other mountain glaciers located in arid and semi-arid environments and they also confirm the application of mountain glaciers in climate variations monitoring over such regions.