Sampling Strategies for Uncertainty Reduction in Categorical Random Fields: Formulation,Mathematical Analysis and Application to Multiple-Point Simulations

Mathematical Geosciences - The task of optimal sampling for the statistical simulation of a discrete random field is addressed from the perspective of minimizing the posterior uncertainty of...     

Comparative analysis of four stem taper models for Quercus glauca in Mount Halla,Jeju Island,South Korea

This study was conducted to fit the diameter-height data of Quercusglaucain Jeju Island, South Korea to the four commonly used stem taper equations andto evaluate the performance of the four stem taper models using four statistical criteria： Fit index （FI）, root mean square error （RMSE）, bias （）,and absolute mean difference （AMD）. Results showed that the Kozak02stem taper equation provided the best FI（0.9847）, RMSE（1.5745）,（-0.0030 cm） and AMD （1.0990 cm） whileMax and Burkhart model had the poorest performance among the four stem taper models based on the four evaluation statistics （FI ： 0.9793,RMSE ： 1.8272, ： 0.3040 cm and AMD ： 1.3060 cm）. These stem taper equations can serve as a useful tool for forest managers in estimating the diameter outside bark at any given height, merchantable stem volumes and total stem volumesof the standing trees of Quercusglaucain theGotjawal forests located in Mount Halla, Jeju Island, South Korea.     

Geologic evolution of the Serrinha nucleus granite–greenstone terrane (NE Bahia, Brazil) constrained by U–Pb single zircon geochronology

U–Pb single zircon crystallization ages were determined using TIMS and sensitive high resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) on samples of granitoid rocks exposed in the Serrinha nucleus granite–greenstone terrane, in NE Brazil. Our data show that the granitoid plutons can be divided into three distinct groups. Group 1 consists of Mesoarchaean (3.2–2.9 Ga) gneisses and N-S elongated TTG (Tonalite-Trondhjemite-Granodiorite) plutons with gneissic borders. Group 2 is represented by ca. 2.15 Ga pretectonic calc-alkaline plutons that are less deformed than group 1. Group 3 is ca. 2.11–2.07 Ga, late to post-tectonic plutons (shoshonite, syenite, K-rich granite and lamprophyre). Groups 2 and 3 are associated with the Transamazonian orogeny. Xenocryst ages of 3.6 Ga, the oldest zircon yet recorded within the São Francisco craton, are found in the group 3 Euclides shoshonite within the Uauá complex and in the group 2 Quijingue trondhjemite, indicating the presence of Paleoarchaean sialic basement.Group 1 gneiss-migmatitic rocks (ca. 3200 Ma) of the Uauá complex constitute the oldest known unit. Shortly afterwards, partial melting of mafic material produced a medium-K calc-alkaline melt, the younger Santa Luz complex (ca. 3100 Ma) to the south. Subsequent TTG melts intruded in different phases now exposed as N-S elongated plutons such as Ambrósio (3162 ± 26 Ma), Araci (3072 ± 2 Ma), Requeijão (2989 ± 11 Ma) and others, which together form a major part of the Archaean nucleus. Some of these plutons have what appear to be intrusive, but are probably remobilized, contacts with the Transamazonian Itapicuru greenstone belt. The older gneissic rocks occur as enclaves within younger Archaean plutons. Thus, serial additions of juvenile material over a period of several hundred m.y. led to the formation of a stable micro-continent by 2.9 Ga. Evidence for Neoarchaean activity is found in the inheritance pattern of only one sample, the group 2 Euclides pluton.Group 2 granitoid plutons were emplaced at 2.16–2.13 Ga in a continental arc environment floored by Mesoarchaean crust. These plutons were subsequently deformed and intruded by late to post-tectonic group 3 alkaline plutons. This period of Transamazonian orogeny can be explained as a consequence of ocean closure followed by collision and slab break-off. The only subsequent magmatism was kimberlitic, probably emplaced during the Neoproterozoic Braziliano event, which sampled older zircon from the basement.     

Unusual Carbonatite Lavas from Active Volcano, Oldoinyo Lengai

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Unusual Carbonatite Lavas from Active Volcano, Oldoinyo Lengai     

X-ray Computed Tomography study of the influence of consolidants on the hydric properties of sandstones for stone conservation studies

X-ray Computed Tomography (X-ray CT) has been used to study the petrophysical characteristics of a Jurassic sandstone from Asturias (Northern Spain) used as building stone in several monuments in the region. CT monitoring of water capillarity tests has made it possible to visualize the movement of water inside the samples, to relate this movement with texture characteristics, and to measure the height reached in successive images, thereby determining the capillary penetration coefficient; based on this coefficient, the effective capillary pore radius has also been estimated. An advantage of the use of CT is that, as the information comes from the sample interior, border effects that can be generated in the external faces can be avoided.The CT was also used to visualize how a commercial organosilicon consolidant penetrates inside the rock by means of capillarity, a usual way of consolidant application in stone restoration processes. The coefficient of capillary penetration of the product, determined on the basis of the measurements made on the tomographic images, is 53% less than that of water. The influence of rock texture characteristics on the capillarity both of the consolidant and the water was also observed.The samples underwent CT water capillarity studies before and after the consolidant application, proving that the treatment improves the rock's hydric properties. The coefficient of capillary penetration decreased by 24% following the application of the consolidant, whereas the effective pore radius decreased by more than 40%.     

Latin American and Caribbean earthquakes in the GEM’s Earthquake Consequences Database (GEMECD)

Among the activities developed under the framework of the Global Earthquake Model, the development of a global consequences database was included. This was defined with the objective of serving as public repository of damages and losses, occurred on different types of elements because of a selected list of earthquakes with epicentres at varying locations around the globe, but also to be used as a benchmark for the development of vulnerability models that capture specific characteristics of the building typologies in each country. The online earthquakes consequences’ database has information on 71 events where 16 of them occurred in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region. A complete and comprehensive review and data gathering process were developed for these selected earthquakes accounting for different aspects and dimensions that were considered of interest, besides the physical damage, such as casualties, socio-economic implications, damages and disruptions in critical facilities and infrastructures, together with the occurrence of secondary events triggered by the ground shaking such as landslides and tsunamis. When possible, the damage and casualties were geo-located using a standardized approach and included in the database. The contributions of the Latin America and Caribbean Region to the database were at the same time a challenge and an opportunity to collect, review, put together and standardize, up to a certain point, damage data of previous earthquakes additionally of being a step forward in the field of open data.

     

Valorization of olive stone as adsorbent of chromium(VI): comparison between laboratory- and pilot-scale fixed-bed columns

The main aim of this work is to study the effect of scaling in the biosorption of chromium(VI) onto olive stone in two different fixed-bed columns. Firstly, the effect of flow rate, bed depth and inlet concentration of Cr(VI) in both columns was analyzed. The results revealed a better operation for lower flow rates, higher bed heights and lower inlet concentrations of metal. When decreasing flow rate, the operation time of the column increases. Therefore, as the solution flow rate increased the breakthrough and the exhaustion times decreased. An increase in bed depth increases the quantity of chromium eliminated and thus, the higher sorption capacity of the system. A decrease in the inlet concentration of chromium produces a delay in exhaustion time, and larger volumes of solution could be treated. The results were fitted to the BDST model, obtaining that the adsorptive capacity of the bed depth is similar in laboratory- and pilot-scale fixed-bed columns, considering the biosorption capacity as a biosorption-coupled reduction process. Results also could indicate that scaling affects more to the reduction process than properly biosorption process. The experimental data were also fitted to Adams–Bohart, Thomas, Yoon–Nelson and dose–response models. A good fit of the biosorption process of Cr(VI) was found for dose–response and Adams–Bohart models.     

Heavy metal pollution in the soil surrounding a thermal power plant in Playas de Rosarito,Mexico

The generation of electricity has been identified as one of the main pollutant activities, and some studies have established an increment of heavy metals in soil in the areas surrounding these plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the soil concentrations of heavy metals in the zone surrounding a thermoelectric power in Mexico. Thirty-two top soil samples (0–5 cm) were collected; additionally, four depth profiles (1 m) were investigated. Median concentrations for chromium, vanadium, nickel, mercury, and cadmium were 47, 47, 73, 0.02, and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively. Higher Cr, Ni, and V concentrations were observed in the soil depth profiles located closer to the plant in comparison with the concentrations found in the soil depth profile located further away from the plant; these results may indicate a possible accumulation of these metals. The geoaccumulation index results indicated that most of the sites were in the classifications of unpolluted and unpolluted to moderately polluted (classes 1 and 2). The statistical results showed that downwind of the plant in relation to the prevailing winds, there was a strong correlation between soil concentrations of chromium, copper, nickel, and vanadium. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that the use of fuel oil at the thermoelectric plant contributed to the accumulation of vanadium and nickel in the soil of the surrounding areas, as well as chromium and copper.     

Mercury bioaccumulation in the spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) from the Atlantic Ocean

The annual and life-cycle mercury bioaccumulation pattern in selected tissues of the economically relevant Elasmobranchii species Scyliorhinus canicula was studied, and the risks associated with its consumption evaluated.Preferential mercury bioaccumulation occurred in muscle tissue, and followed the order muscle > heart > liver > gills > pancreas. Total mercury in muscle tissue ranged from 0.13 mg kg⁻¹ (wwt) in 1+ year old males to 0.8 mg kg⁻¹ (wwt) in 8+ year old mature females, with no significant differences found between genders, and no clear lifespan bioaccumulation pattern observed, except for mature females. Organic mercury in the muscle ranged from 0.05 mg kg⁻¹ (wwt) to 0.52 mg kg⁻¹ (wwt), corresponding to an average of 70% of total mercury content. In mature females, a significant correlation (R = 0.99, P = 0.01) was found between size and organic mercury fraction, suggesting reproduction as an important factor controlling organic mercury bioaccumulation in the spotted dogfish.     

Tidal changes in estuarine systems induced by local geomorphologic modifications

Although rising global sea levels will affect the estuarine flooded areas over the coming decades, the local and regional-scale processes will also induce important changes in these coastal systems. The main aim of this work is to investigate possible tidal changes in estuarine systems induced by local geomorphologic modifications, analysing the particular case of Ria de Aveiro which is in risk of inundation. Located in the Portuguese west coast, this tidally driven lagoon has a large area of mostly abandoned salt pans, which are in progressive degradation caused by the lack of maintenance and by the strong currents which erode their protective walls.