Multifractality as a Measure of Spatial Distribution of Geochemical Patterns

To quantify the spatial distribution of geochemical elements, the multifractality indices for Zn, Cu, Pt, Pd, Cr, Ni, Co, Pb, and As in lake-sediment samples in the Shining Tree area in the Abitibi area of Ontario are determined. The characterization of multifractal distribution patterns is based on the box-counting moment method and involves three functions: a mass exponent function (q); Coarse Hölder Exponent (q); and fractal dimension spectrum f( (q)). Properties of these functions at different values of q, characterize the spatial distribution of the variable under study. It is shown that the degree of multifractality defined by (1) can be used as a measure of irregularity of geochemical spatial dispersion patterns. The variations of Zn and Cu in the study area are characterized by relatively low degree of multifractality, whereas those for Pt, Pd, Cr, Ni, and Co; and particularly for As and Pb are characterized by higher multifractality indices.In the case of Zn and Cu, singularity spectra are close to a monofractal compared to the ones for As an Pb. The determination of multifractality indices allows us, in a quantitative way, to study the pattern of metal dispersions and link them to different physical processes, such as metal adsorption by organic material or glaciogenic processes.     

Dynamic mechanism of turbulent flow in meandering channels: considerations for deflection angle

To find turbulent flow structure inside meandering channels, three physical models of river meanders representing strongly curved bend, mild bend and elongated symmetrical meander loop were tested in this paper. Instantaneous velocity data in three dimensions were measured using Micro-ADV at different cross sections of these models. Depth averaged velocity vectors, streamwise velocity, secondary currents, turbulent and mean flow kinetic energy were investigated with respect to the sediment deposition pattern. In order to gain more regarding the force acting the sediment particles, three dimensional velocity fluctuations were analyzed in detailed inside the elongated symmetrical meander loop. Occurrence frequency, transition probability and angle of attack for different events were also computed for the points close to the bed. Of the present results, the importance of sweeps and ejections on sediment deposition can be detected. Further, distribution of bursting events is presented through the water column and compared the results with the previous works. Importantly, occurrence of fluctuating velocities in three dimensions at different locations inside the river meanders in addition to the effect of mean flow and turbulent components is responsible for sediment transport. Streamwise velocity distribution through the depth is also compared with some previous mathematical models. Researchers seeking the better control over the river morphology can apply this method without sacrificing much time and cost. This study is also included some insights to be pursued by future works.     

Modelling of infiltration using artificial intelligence techniques in semi-arid Iran

ABSTRACT

Infiltration plays a fundamental role in streamflow, groundwater recharge, subsurface flow, and surface and subsurface water quality and quantity. In this study, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), support vector machine (SVM) and random forest (RF) models were used to determine cumulative infiltration and infiltration rate in arid areas in Iran. The input data were sand, clay, silt, density of soil and soil moisture, while the output data were cumulative infiltration and infiltration rate, the latter measured using a double-ring infiltrometer at 16 locations. The results show that SVM with radial basis kernel function better estimated cumulative infiltration (RMSE = 0.2791 cm) compared to the other models. Also, SVM with M4 radial basis kernel function better estimated the infiltration rate (RMSE = 0.0633 cm/h) than the ANFIS and RF models. Thus, SVM was found to be the most suitable model for modelling infiltration in the study area.     

Characteristics of Mineralizing Fluids of the Darreh‐Zerreshk and Ali‐Abad Porphyry Copper Deposits,Central Iran,Determined by Fluid Inclusion Microthermometry

The Darreh‐Zereshk (DZ) and Ali‐Abad (AB) porphyry copper deposits are located in southwest of the Yazd city, central Iran. These deposits occur in granitoid intrusions, ranging in composition from quartz monzodiorite through granodiorite to granite. The ore‐hosting intrusions exhibit intense hydrofracturing that lead to the formation of quartz‐sulfide veinlets. Fluid inclusions in hydrothermal quartz in these deposits are classified as a mono‐phase vapor type (Type I), liquid‐rich two phase (liquid + vapor) type (Type IIA), vapor‐rich two phase (vapor + liquid) type (Type IIB), and multi‐phase (liquid + vapor + halite + sylvite + hematite + chalcopyrite and pyrite) type (Types III). Homogenization temperatures (Th) and salinity data are presented for fluid inclusions from hydrothermal quartz veinlets associated with potassic alteration and other varieties of hypogene mineralization. Ore precipitation occurred between 150° to >600°C from low to very high salinity (1.1–73.9 wt% NaCl equivalent) aqueous fluids. Two stages of hydrothermal activity characterized are recognized; one which shows relatively high Th and lower salinity fluid (Type IIIa; Th_(L‐V) > Tm_(NaCl)); and one which shows lower Th and higher salinity (Type IIIb; Th_(L‐V) < Tm_(NaCl)). The high Th_(L‐V) and salinities of Type IIIa inclusions are interpreted to represent the initial existence of a dense fluid of magmatic origin. The coexistence of Type IIIb, Type I and Type IIB fluid inclusions suggest that these inclusions resulted either from trapping of boiling fluids and/or represent two immiscible fluids. These processes probably occurred as the result of pressure fluctuations from lithostatic to hydrostatic conditions under a pressure of 200 to 300 bar. Dilution of these early fluids by meteoritic water resulted in lower temperatures and low to moderate salinity (<20 wt% NaCl equiv.) fluids (Type IIA). Fluid inclusion analysis reveals that the hydrothermal fluid, which formed mineralized quartz veinlets in the rocks with potassic alteration, had temperatures of ～500°C and salinity ～50 wt% NaCl equiv. Cryogenic SEM‐EDS analyses of frozen and decrepitated ore‐bearing fluids trapped in the inclusions indicate the fluids were dominated with NaCl, and KCl with minor CaCl₂.     

Improved target illumination at Ludvika mines of Sweden through seismic-interferometric surface-wave suppression

In mineral exploration, new methods to improve the delineation of ore deposits at depth are in demand. For this purpose, increasing the signal-to-noise ratio through suitable data processing is an important requirement. Seismic reflection methods have proven to be useful to image mineral deposits. However, in most hard rock environments, surface waves constitute the most undesirable source-generated or ambient noise in the data that, especially given their typical broadband nature, often mask the events of interest like body-wave reflections and diffractions. In this study, we show the efficacy of a two-step procedure to suppress surface waves in an active-source reflection seismic dataset acquired in the Ludvika mining area of Sweden. First, we use seismic interferometry to estimate the surface-wave energy between receivers, given that they are the most energetic arrivals in the dataset. Second, we adaptively subtract the retrieved surface waves from the original shot gathers, checking the quality of the unveiled reflections. We see that several reflections, judged to be from the mineralization zone, are enhanced and better visualized after this two-step procedure. Our comparison with results from frequency-wavenumber filtering verifies the effectiveness of our scheme, since the presence of linear artefacts is reduced. The results are encouraging, as they open up new possibilities for denoising hard rock seismic data and, in particular, for imaging of deep mineral deposits using seismic reflections. This approach is purely data driven and does not require significant judgment on the dip and frequency content of present surface waves, which often vary from place to place.     

Chemical weathering and gully erosion causing land degradation in a complex river basin of Eastern India: an integrated field,analytical and artificial intelligence approach

Hot and humid subtropical plateau regions are susceptible to land degradation in the form of weathering and gully erosion. Here, we investigate chemical weathering, gully erosion and cohesiveness through field-based measurements with a view to understand the controlling factors of potential land degradation, in complex river basin of the Chotanagpur plateau region in Eastern India. The layers of controlling factors of gully erosion were developed and prioritized considering boosted regression tree (BRT), alternative decision tree (ADT), particle swarm optimization (PSO) and random forest (RF) algorithms in the R software, and the results of these methods were also validated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The spectroscopic analysis was carried out of collected soil samples to measure the degree of chemical weathering and cohesiveness. Furthermore, the climatic elements like temperature and rainfall were also considered for estimating the chemical weathering. The results of the gully erosion models (i.e., BRT, ADT, PSO and RF) show remarkable accuracy with ROC values of 0.93, 0.89, 0.91 and 0.84, respectively. An advanced decision tree model was integrated with the results of degree of chemical weathering and cohesiveness in geographical information system platform. The land degradation map developed from this approach shows that 10.53% of the study area is highly affected, whereas 17.36% area is moderately affected and the rest of the 73.85% area is less affected by land degradation. Our results provide essential information for policy makers in adopting measures for minimizing and controlling the land degradation. Our novel approach is significant to assess land degradation to a large scale.

     

Application of number–size (N-S) fractal model for separation of mineralized zones in Dareh-Ashki gold deposit, Muteh Complex, Central Iran

The goal of this study is to separate different mineralized zones in Dareh-Ashki gold deposit located in Muteh Complex, Central Iran, by using number–size (N-S) fractal model. The N-S log–log plot shows seven geochemical populations and four Au-mineralized zones. Based on obtained results, Au thresholds are 0.17, 0.32, 6.3, and 12.6 ppm which represent weakly, moderately, highly, and extremely mineralized zones in terms of Au grades, respectively. Au values lower than 0.17 ppm illustrate wall rocks. Main mineralization stage of gold commences from 6.3 ppm in this deposit. The moderately mineralized zone with Au values between 0.32 and 6.3 ppm has occupied the biggest part of the studied deposit. However, highly (with Au values between 6.3 and 12.6 ppm) and extremely (higher than 12.6 ppm) mineralized zones have small extension. Correlation between geological model and results from N-S fractal model reveals that the gold mineralized zones specifically the moderately mineralized zone are situated in green schist units.     

Using hydrologic and hydraulically derived geometric parameters of perennial rivers to determine minimum water requirements of ecological habitats (case study: Mazandaran Sea Basin—Iran)

This paper studies one of the most important problems of dry countries that are confronted with water deficit and the competition of rivals to allocate water. Some common methods have been investigated for computing the minimum water requirement to save a river's biological activity. After a discussion of the currently used method in Iran (the Tenant Method), the application of some other methods, which are known as Hydraulic and Hydrological Methods, is illustrated. The case study is a river in the northern part of Iran and this research addresses the critical situation of this river in near future regarding the planned anthropogenic alteration and its consequences. It has been shown that the application of environmental water allocation methods that have no background in a region could be misleading. The first proposed method is the Texas Method, in which flexibility in water allocation helps to develop an integrated river management paradigm in the study area. The second preferred method is a Hydraulic Method, by which the implementation of morphological parameters or flow geometrical properties could sustain physical habitat within an acceptable range in terms of depth, width, velocity, and bed shear stress. In the case study, the Maximum Curvature Method was superior to the Slope Method. The investigation revealed that using a widely recommended slope of 1 for the discharge‐wetted perimeter function can lead to an overestimated and unacceptable discharge. The Tenant Method in respect to minimum environmental flow requirement yielded the weakest result, and it has been illustrated that its application might impose irrecoverable shock to the ecosystem. The Flow Duration Curve Method (the Q₉₅ Method), in spite of its subjectivity, showed more compatibility with the river's condition in comparison with the Tenant Method. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geological and Geophysical Studies of Sulfide Copper Mineralization in the Dochileh Area: An Example of Manto‐Type Deposit in the Sabzevar Zone,Iran

The Dochileh stratiform copper deposit in the Sabzevar Zone of northeastern Iran is hosted in the basaltic sequence of the Upper Eocene age. The host rock displays two hydrothermal events: zeolite–carbonate alteration that is a stratigraphic–lithologic feature and chlorite and chlorite/ferruginous alterations in the local mineralized structures. Ore formation is related to both hydrothermal events and occurs in both stratiform and vein mineralization types. Mineralization consists of main chalcocite with variable amounts of bornite, chalcopyrite, native copper, malachite, and cuprite minerals, which occur as hydrothermal breccias, and disseminated, vein, and veinlet forms. Geophysical field studies using resistivity and induction polarization (IP) methods were conducted along nine survey lines in the area. As a result of modeling and interpretation of the acquired geophysical data, high values of IP and resistivity corresponding to mineralization were observed at two depth levels: 0–20 m and more than 40 m. Based on these geological and geophysical investigations, six locations for drilling exploration boreholes were proposed. Drilling data confirmed the mineralization containing high copper values in the two depth levels: the vein‐type mineralization in the surface and shallow depth level, and the stratiform mineralization at the deeper level. Fluid inclusion studies in calcite and quartz from stratiform‐ and vein‐type mineralization show the evidence of mixing, and a linear dilution trend during the ore formation occurred at a wide range of temperatures: 121–308°C and 80–284°C, respectively, and varying salinities of between 3.2–16.8 and 0.8–22 wt% NaCl equivalents. The stable isotope composition of δ³⁴S that falls in a range of ?2.4 to +25.0‰ could be considered biogenetic sulfur from bacterial sulfate reduction and leaching of sulfur from hosting basalt. The δ¹³C values of calcite vary between ?0.6 and ?7.6‰, suggesting a major contribution of marine carbonates associated with igneous carbonates, and the δ¹⁸O_SMOW values of calcite are between +15.2 and +19.9‰, suggesting a contribution of δ¹⁸O‐rich sedimentary rocks and δ¹⁸O‐poor meteoric water. Copper and sulfide‐rich hydrothermal fluid have flowed upward through the local faults and permeable interbeds within the Eocene volcanic sequence and have formed the mineralized veins and horizons. The geophysical results have detected the local faults as the channel ways for mineralization.     

Titanium‐in‐biotite thermometry in porphyry copper systems: Challenges to application of the thermometer

Empirical geothermometer dealing with Ti solubility in the Fe‐Mg biotites was originally proposed for biotites in graphitic, peraluminous metapelites containing ilmenite or rutile that equilibrated roughly at 4–6 kbar. Given that biotites are abundant in the porphyry copper systems, this geothermometer has frequently been used for the determination of magmatic–hydrothermal temperatures in the porphyry copper systems. Common associations of porphyry copper deposits (PCDs), that is, low Al content of biotite, biotite chloritization (causes the biotite to become more magnesian and to lose Ti), and biotite formation by amphibole replacement, as well as disequilibrium, local equilibrium, or re‐equilibration of biotites, especially through potassic alteration, may provide significant uncertainty in the temperatures estimated a by Ti‐in‐biotite geothermometer. In addition, besides the calibration range of thermometer for pressure (400–600 MPa), the temperatures of major sulfide precipitation in PCDs (>~400°C) does not fit with the temperature range of thermometer calibration (480–800°C). Worth noting, as confirmed by fluid inclusion data in the Sarkuh PCD, regardless of presence of mineralogical requirements, obtained temperatures of sulfide mineralization using Ti in biotite thermometer could be overestimated. This may be due to the difference between general conditions of sulfide mineralization and calibration range of Ti in the biotite thermometer for pressure and temperature, as well as the metaluminous nature of biotites in PCDs.