Probabilistic GIS-based method for delineation of urban flooding risk hotspots

Identifying urban flooding risk hotspots is one of the first steps in an integrated methodology for urban flood risk assessment and mitigation. This work employs three GIS-based frameworks for identifying urban flooding risk hotspots for residential buildings and urban corridors. This is done by overlaying a map of potentially flood-prone areas [estimated through the topographic wetness index (TWI)], a map of residential areas and urban corridors [extracted from a city-wide assessment of urban morphology types (UMT)], and a geo-spatial census dataset. A maximum likelihood method (MLE) is employed for estimating the threshold used for identifying the flood-prone areas (the TWI threshold) based on the inundation profiles calculated for various return periods within a given spatial window. Furthermore, Bayesian parameter estimation is employed in order to estimate the TWI threshold based on inundation profiles calculated for more than one spatial window. For different statistics of the TWI threshold (e.g. MLE estimate, 16th percentile, 50th percentile), the map of the potentially flood-prone areas is overlaid with the map of urban morphology units, identified as residential and urban corridors, in order to delineate the urban hotspots for both UMT. Moreover, information related to population density is integrated by overlaying geo-spatial census datasets in order to estimate the number of people affected by flooding. Differences in exposure characteristics have been assessed for a range of different residential types. As a demonstration, urban flooding risk hotspots are delineated for different percentiles of the TWI value for the city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.     

Asbestos and other fibrous minerals contained in the serpentinites of the Gimigliano-Mount Reventino Unit (Calabria,S-Italy)

Serpentinites are metamorphic rocks with good technological properties and valuable ornamental characteristics, which have been exploited since ancient times. Actually, their use is limited and monitored in several countries worldwide because they can contain fibrous asbestos minerals that may be carcinogenic. Furthermore, certain types of fibrous minerals can be confused with asbestos, and must therefore be carefully investigated. We have investigated the possible presence of the asbestos and non-asbestos fibrous phases contained in serpentinitic rocks in a meta-ophiolitic sequence from the Gimigliano-Mount Reventino Unit (Southern Italy), which had not been previously assessed. The detection and quantification of asbestos and the correct distinction of the fibrous non-asbestos minerals are very important not only from a scientific point of view, but also from a legislative one. This is especially the case for the administrative agencies that have to take decisions with regards to the implementation of public and occupational health protection measures (e.g., in road yards and quarry excavations). As a consequence of this, serpentinitic rock samples have been characterized in detail through X-ray powder diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive spectrometry, analytical electron microscopy (SEM–EDS and TEM–AEM), differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry and micro-Raman spectroscopy. Two kinds of asbestos and four kinds of non-asbestos fibrous silicates have been detected in the examined samples. In order of decreasing abundance these are polygonal serpentine, chrysotile, fibrous antigorite, tremolite, gedrite and magnesiohornblende. The size, morphology, crystallinity and chemical composition of the fibres were also discussed, in the light of the possible role these properties could play in the carcinogenic effect on human health.     

Comparative Analysis of Stability—Genetic Diversity in Seagrass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Posidonia oceanica</Emphasis>) Meadows Yields Unexpected Results

The diversity–stability relationship is the subject of a long-standing debate in ecology, but the genetic component of diversity has seldom been explored. In this study, we analyzed the interplay between genetic diversity and demographic responses to environmental pressures. This analysis included 30 meadows formed by the Mediterranean endemic seagrass, Posidonia oceanica, showing a wide range of population dynamics ranging from a near equilibrium state to steep decline due to strong environmental pressures close to aquaculture installations. Our results show that sedimentation rates are much better predictors of mortality than clonal or genetic components. An unexpected positive trend was observed between genotypic diversity and mortality, along with a negative relationship between allelic richness and net population growth. Yet such trends disappeared when excluding the most extreme cases of disturbance and mortality, suggesting the occurrence of a threshold below which no relationship exists. These results contrast with the positive relationship between genotypic diversity and resistance or resilience observed in previous manipulative experiments on seagrass. We discuss the reasons for this discrepancy, including the difficulties in designing experiments reflecting the complexity of natural meadows.     

Determination of REE, Y, Nb, Zr, Hf, Ta, Th and U in Geological Reference Materials LSHC-1 and Amf-1 by Solution and Laser Ablation ICP-MS

This paper presents data on REE and Y, Nb, Zr, Hf, Ta, Th and U abundances for two candidate reference materials (RMs), spinel lherzolite LSHC-1 and amphibole Amf-1, being currently developed at the Institute of Geochemistry SB RAS, Irkutsk. To determine the contents of these elements inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry was applied with: (i) solution nebulisation (solution ICP-MS) and (ii) laser ablation (LA-ICP-MS) of fused glass disks. The precision of results obtained by both techniques was better than 6% RSD for most elements. Accuracy was assessed by using the geochemical RMs JB-2, JGb-1 (GSJ) and MAG-1 (USGS). The trace element results by solution ICP-MS for JGb-1 and JB-2 agree with reference values presented by Imai et al. (1995, this Journal) within 1–10%. Significant differences were found for Nb and Ta determinations. The accuracy of LA-ICP-MS results evaluated by RM MAG-1 was within 4%, except for Eu (about 10%). The analytical results obtained for LSHC-1 and Amf-1 by solution ICP-MS and LA-ICP-MS were in good agreement with each other and with INAA and XRF data presented for the certification of these RMs. They can be considered as the indicative values for assigning certified values to the above-mentioned RMs.     

Soil and landscape geochemical factors which contribute to iodine spatial distribution in the main environmental components and food chain in the central Russian plain

The distribution of iodine (Ι) has been studied in the main environmental components (soils and soil microorganisms, ground water and dominating plant species) and in the food chain (drinking water, forage and cow's milk) in the geochemically different areas of the non-chernozem zone of the Russian plain.     

Uranium minerals from the San Marcos District, Chihuahua, Mexico

The mineralogy of the two uranium deposits (Victorino and San Marcos I) of Sierra San Marcos, located 30 km northwest of Chihuahua City, Mexico, was studied by optical microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction with Rietveld analysis, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, inductively coupled plasma spectrometry, and gamma spectrometry. At the San Marcos I deposit, uranophane Ca(UO₂)₂Si₂O₇·6(H₂O) (the dominant mineral at both deposits) and metatyuyamunite Ca(UO₂)(V₂O₈)·3(H₂O) were observed. Uranophane, uraninite (UO_2+x), masuyite Pb(UO₂)₃O₃(OH)·3(H₂O), and becquerelite Ca(UO₂)₆O₄(OH)₆ ·(8H₂O) are present at the Victorino deposit. Field observations, coupled with analytical data, suggest the following sequence of mineralization: (1) deposition of uraninite, (2) alteration of uraninite to masuyite, (3) deposition of uranophane, (4) micro-fracturing, (5) calcite deposition in the micro-fractures, and (6) formation of becquerelite. The investigated deposits were formed by high-to low-temperature hydrothermal activity during post-orogenic evolution of Sierra San Marcos. The secondary mineralization occurred through a combination of hydrothermal and supergene alteration events. Becquerelite was formed in situ by reaction of uraninite with geothermal carbonated solutions, which led to almost complete dissolution of the precursor uraninite. The Victorino deposit represents the second known occurrence of becquerelite in Mexico, the other being the uranium deposits at Peña Blanca in Chihuahua State.     

Geology of the Murcia Valley and Flood Plain Modifications in the Construction of the Circus Maximus,Rome, Italy

This paper presents a morphological and hydrogeological reconstruction of the Murcia Valley at the location of the great Roman stadium Circus Maximus in Rome. We reconstruct a valley segment using ERT (electrical resistivity tomography) and geoarchaeological drilling data that identified three main layers. The basal layer, with high resistivity values and convex shapes, is correlated to alluvial gravel and lithified silt‐clay sediments. The middle layer shows low‐to‐medium resistivity values extending to concavities between the basal convex shapes. The very low resistivity values of this middle layer characterize elliptical to circular morphologies and have been ascribed to the presence of water‐saturated clay‐silt and peaty sediments. The surface layer is characterized by widespread lateral inhomogeneity interpreted as anthropogenic fill. The data indicate a pre‐Roman anastomosed alluvial plain subsequently modified by human intervention. In an effort to reclaim the valley for construction of the Circus, the Romans utilized the natural topography and created a central embankment, later becoming the Spina, by filling depressions with sand taken from adjacent bars. Our study contributes to (1) knowledge of the pre‐Roman landscape, (2) understanding anthropogenic modification of the Murcia Valley flood plain, and (3) archaeological interpretation of the monument.