Correction to: Geochemical Prospectivity Mapping Through a Feature Extraction–Selection Classification Scheme

Natural Resources Research - The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake in the second part of Table 3. The data in last four rows of Table 3, i.e.,...     

A reappraisal of active faults in central-east Iran (Kerman province)

Fault lineaments are the main input data in earthquake engineering and seismology studies. This study presents a digitally-based active fault map of the Kerman region in central-east Iran which experienced several devastating earthquakes on poorly exposed and/or not identified active faults. Using Landsat 8 data, we have carried out the image-based procedures of fault mapping, which include applying the contrast stretching technique, the principal component analysis, the color composite technique, the spectral rationing, and creating the false-color composite images. Besides, we have cross-checked the resulting map with the geological maps provided by the Geological Survey of Iran to decrease the associated uncertainties. The resulting map includes 123 fault segments, still, a part of which has been expressed in the previously compiled active-fault maps of Iran. Indeed, the new one is mapping the poorly exposed active faults, so-called secondary faults, which are able to produce strong events. These faults are primarily associated with poorly defined areas that accommodate low levels of seismicity; however, sporadic strong events are likely to occur. It has also been investigated that these kinds of faults are seismogenic and are able to produce destructive events. In total, the outcome of this study can also be jointed with seismic studies for investigating parts of the earthquake activity in central-east Iran, in particular for the fault-based approaches in impending earthquake-resistant buildings.     

Experimental study of the grading characteristic effect on the liquefaction resistance of various graded sands and gravelly sands

The liquefaction vulnerability of fine- to coarse-graded saturated sand and gravelly sand is evaluated by stress control cyclic triaxial laboratory tests. Cyclic triaxial test on reconstituted specimens is carried out with relative density of 45 %. Cyclic triaxial tests performed by sinusoidal wave form with 1-Hz frequency and with the effective consolidation pressure equal to 100 kPa. Cyclic stress ratio which caused initial liquefaction in 15 cycles recognized as the liquefaction resistance in cyclic triaxial test of present study. The result had been used to find a relationship between liquefaction resistance and the grading characteristics (e.g., coefficient of curvature and coefficient of uniformity) of various graded sands and gravelly sands. Then, it is realized that a relationship between liquefaction resistance and any of the sizes (i.e., D ₁₀, D ₃₀, D ₅₀, D ₆₀) appears to be more practical.     

Evaluation of spatial and seasonal variations in surface water quality using multivariate statistical techniques

In this study, spatial and seasonal variations of water quality in Haraz River Basin were evaluated using multivariate statistical techniques, such as cluster analysis, principal component analysis and factor analysis. Water quality data collected from 8 sampling stations in river during 4 seasons (Summer and Autumn of 2007, Winter and Spring of 2008) were analyzed for 10 parameters (dissolved oxygen, Fecal Coliform, pH, water temperature, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrate, total phosphate, turbidity, total solid and discharge). Cluster analysis grouped eight sampling stations into three clusters of similar water quality features and thereupon the whole river basin may be categorized into three zones, i.e. low, moderate and high pollution. The principle component analysis/factor analysis assisted to extract and recognize the factors or origins responsible for water quality variations in four seasons of the year. The natural parameters (temperature and discharge), the inorganic parameter (total solid) and the organic nutrients (nitrate) were the most significant parameters contributing to water quality variations for all seasons. Result of principal component analysis and factor analysis evinced that, a parameter that can be significant in contribution to water quality variations in river for one season, may less or not be significant for another one.     

Dynamic response of double beam rested on stochastic foundation under harmonic moving load

This paper deals with the dynamic response of infinite double Euler–Bernoulli beam supported by elastic foundation with stochastic stiffness subjected to an oscillating moving load, which is the first research in relevant literature review. In this matter, equations of motion for double beam are formulated in a moving frame of reference. Moreover, by employing the first order perturbation theory and calculating contour integration, the response of double beam is obtained analytically and validated by a stochastic finite element model. Sensitivity analyses on the various parameters of closed form solution such as velocity, load frequency, coefficient of variation of soil foundation and rail and slab bending stiffness show the significant effect of load frequency on the dynamic response of the doubled beam. From practical point of view, the obtained results of the present study can be utilized efficiently in analysis and design of slab track systems. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimization and design of a continuous biosorption process using brown algae and chitosan/PVA nano-fiber membrane for removal of nickel by a new biosorbent

In this study, nickel ions adsorption from zinc ingot factory wastewater by brown algae (Sargassum glaucescens) and chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol nano-fiber membrane at continuous system was studied. The continuous process included a biosorption reactor and fixed-bed reactor that were optimized by predicting two batch steps with response surface modeling, based on the Box–Behnken in the novel approach. Nano-biosorbent characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer analysis. Maximum biosorption in this continuous system was at pH 6, biosorbent doses 8 g L^?1 S. glaucescens and 0.48 g L^?1 nano-fiber. The study of the reaction rate showed kinetic data best fitted by pseudo-first-order model with R ² > 0.95 than pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion models. Biosorption equilibrium data were performed using Langmuir isotherm and Freundlich isotherm, Langmuir isotherm fit better with equilibrium data.     

Matrilineal evidence for genetic structure and Late Pleistocene demographic expansion of the Ornate goby Istigobius ornatus (Teleostei: Gobiidae) in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea

The Persian Gulf and Oman Sea are characterized by an interesting paleoclimatic history and different ecological settings, and offer a unique study area to investigate the genetic structure of marine organisms including fishes. The Ornate goby Istigobius ornatus is widely distributed throughout the tropical Indo‐West Pacific including the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. Here, we present the population structure, genetic diversity, and demographic history of four populations of I. ornatus from the latter two regions using the D‐loop marker of mitochondrial DNA. The results reveal a shallow genealogy, a star‐like haplotype network, significance of neutrality tests, and unimodal mismatch distribution. This is concordant with a recent demographic expansion of I. ornatus in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea at about 63,000–14,000 years ago, which appears to be related to Late Pleistocene sea level fall and rise. The results of the pairwise Fst estimates imply high gene flow along the coast of the Persian Gulf, which is probably due to larval dispersion, whereas the Oman Sea population clearly differs from all Persian Gulf populations. The AMOVA result indicates that 7.74% of the variation is related to differences among ecoregions, while inter‐ and intra‐population differences explained ?3.20% and 95.47% of the variation, respectively. The haplotype network depicts two groups of haplotypes, most of them were specific to the Persian Gulf. No further evidence for geographic lineage substructuring was evident. The Mantel test result indicates that isolation by distance is not the main mechanism that promoted the genetic differentiation among the studied populations of I. ornatus. We suggest that cumulative effects of ecological and geographic barriers such as salinity, oceanographic conditions, and the presence of the Strait of Hormuz have shaped the genetic structure of I. ornatus in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea.     

Experimental investigating on the reflected waves from the caisson-type vertical porous seawalls

The hydrodynamic efficiencies of caisson-type vertical porous seawalls used for protecting coastal areas were calculated in this study. Physical models were developed to compare the wave reflection from vertical plane, semi-porous, and porous seawalls caused by both regular and random waves. Tests were carried out for a wide range of wave heights, wave periods, and different water depths (d=0.165, 0.270 and 0.375 m). The performance regarding the reflected waves from porous and semi-porous seawalls showed improvement when compared with those from the plane seawall. The reflection coefficients of the porous and semi-porous seawalls were calculated as 0.6 and 0.75, respectively, while the coefficient for the fully reflecting plane vertical wall was significantly higher (0.9). It was also observed that the reflection coefficient decreases with increase in wave steepness and relative water depth. In addition, the reduction in the reflection coefficient of porous and semi-porous seawalls, as compared to that of a plane seawall, was observed for both regular and random waves. New equations were also proposed to calculate the reflection coefficient of different types of seawalls with the aid of laboratory experiments. By verifying the developed equations using some other experimental data, it was validated that the equations could be used for practical situations. The results of the present study can be applied to optimize the design of vertical seawalls and for coastal protecting schemes.     

Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater in Isfahan province, Iran

Groundwater quality in five catchment areas in Isfahan province of Iran is assessed by measuring physicochemical parameters including major cation and anion compositions, pH, total dissolved solid, electrical conductivity and total hardness. For this purpose, 567 piezometric well samples were collected in October 2007. The abundance of major ions in four of the catchment areas including Gavkhuni, Ardestan, Salt lake and Central Iran desert basins is similar and follows Cl^??>?SO₄ ^2??>?Na⁺?>?HCO₃ ^??>?Ca²⁺?>?Mg²⁺?>?K⁺?>?CO₃ ^2? trend, while in the fifth basin (Karoon), the trend changes into HCO₃ ^??>?Ca²⁺?>?Cl^??>?SO₄ ^2??>?Mg²⁺?>?Na⁺?>?K⁺?>CO₃ ^2?. In general, four water facies are determined and it is shown that alkali elements and strong acids are dominating over alkaline earth and weak acids. Statistical analysis including Mann?CWhitney U test indicate that physicochemical parameters in three of the five investigated basins [Gavkhuni, Ardestan and Central Iran desert (CID)] are similar, while Karoon and salt lake basins display different characteristics. The result indicate that groundwater west of the province is suitable for irrigation, while in the central and eastern parts of the province the groundwater loses its quality for this purpose. It is concluded that mineral dissolution and evapotranspiration are the main processes that determine major ion compositions.