Measuring the effect of an ongoing urbanization process on biodiversity conservation suitability index: integrating scenario-based urban growth modelling with Conservation Assessment and Prioritization System (CAPS)

The present study adopts an integrative modelling methodology, which combines the strengths of the SLEUTH model and the Conservation Assessment and Prioritization System (CAPS) method. By developing a scenario-based geographic information system simulation environment for Hashtpar City, Iran, the manageability of the landscape under each urban growth scenario is analysed. In addition, the CAPS approach was used for biodiversity conservation suitability mapping. The SLEUTH model was implemented to generate predictive urban layers of the years 2020, 2030, 2040 and 2050 for each scenario (dynamic factors for conservation suitability mapping). Accordingly, conservation suitability surface of the area is updated for each time point and under each urban development storyline. Two-way analysis of variance and Duncan’s new multiple range tests were employed to compare the functionality of the three scenarios. Based on results, the managed urban growth scenario depicted better results for manageability of the landscape and less negative impact on conservation suitability values.     

Metals and polyaromatic hydrocarbons in the drinking water of the Sydney Basin, Nova Scotia, Canada: a preliminary assessment of their source

Twenty-five drinking water samples collected from the household property and from the Sydney Regional Municipality well bores and lakes were analyzed to evaluate the various inorganic parameters, level of concentrations of the priority elements and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The pH of the majority of the water samples was below the guidelines adopted by Health and Welfare Canada (1996), although the drinking waters supplied by the Sydney Regional Municipality were within the guidelines. Only three water samples (13 and 14: Point Aconi area and 16: Port Morien fish plant) have elevated concentrations of various PAHs compared to the detection limit. Eight samples have higher concentrations of manganese and two samples (number 7: Sydney Airport and number 1: RCMP Office; Reserve Mines) have higher concentrations of priority elements (especially lead) than the recommended guidelines (>0.05 mg/l). These priority elements and the PAHs in the drinking water samples may have originated from the leaching of the individual coal seams within that part of the Sydney Basin. Other potential sources of these elements and PAHs (Power Plant disposal, Sydney Tar Pond, metalliferous rocks, hydrocarbon reservoir rocks) are not located close enough to the sampling sites of the water samples. Therefore, they are not considered the source of these elements and PAHs.     

Kinetic and equilibrium study of Ni(II) sorption from aqueous solutions onto Peganum harmala-L

In this study, the adsorption behavior of Ni(II) in an aqueous solution system using natural adsorbent Peganum harmala-L was measured via batch mode. The prepared sorbent was characterized by scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, N₂ adsorption–desorption and pH_zpc. Adsorption experiments were carried out by varying several conditions such as contact time, metal ion concentration and pH to assess kinetic and equilibrium parameters. The equilibrium data were analyzed based on the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms. Kinetic data were analyzed using the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intra-particular diffusion models. Experimental data showed that at contact time 60 min, metal ion concentration 50 mg/L and pH 6, a maximum amount of Ni(II) ions can be removed. The experimental data were best described by the Langmuir isotherm model as is evident from the high R ² value of 0.988. The adsorption capacity (q _m) obtained was 68.02 mg/g at an initial pH of 6 and a temperature of 25 °C. Kinetic studies of the adsorption showed that equilibrium was reached within 60 min of contact and the adsorption process followed the pseudo-first-order model. The obtained results show that P. harmala-L can be used as an effective and a natural low-cost adsorbent for the removal of Ni(II) from aqueous solutions.     

Reflected light microscopy of chitinozoan fragments

Certain optical properties of some Silurian-Ordovician chitinozoans have been measured and their morphology described, using polished, block-mounted samples and polished thin sections. The chitinozoans were found to be optically isotropic and many fine details of their morphology were observed using reflected light microscopy. It has also proved possible to recognize chitinozoan fragments in sections made from kerogen concentrates and whole rock samples from early Palaeozoic sediments using reflected light microscopy, reflectance studies indicate their potential use as maturity indicators.     

Analysis of spalling failure in marble rock slope: a case study of Neyriz marble mine,Iran

The expansion of the Neyriz marble mine into deeper levels caused an unexpected failure particularly in the toes of lower benches. This phenomenon can impact the overall stability of the quarry and results in undesirable environmental and technical consequences. To understand the failure mechanism, a comprehensive study including—laboratory testing, in situ field testing and theoretical analyses are carried out. The theory of the brittle failure which was mainly developed based on the experiences gained during excavation in granite rocks is adopted and augmented in this study to explain the governing mechanism of failure. Mechanical properties of the marble are determined using conventional rock mechanics tests, and the in situ stress field was evaluated using a modified under coring test. Analyzing the laboratory and field data with the available empirical criteria for brittle failure shows that the level of stress in the lower bench is high enough to initiate the brittle failure. Finally, constitutive models developed for this failure mode are adopted in conjunction with numerical modeling to investigate the observed failure in the quarry. Two modeling strategies, based on elastic and elastic–plastic analyses, are considered. Comparing the predicted failure surface with the observed failure profile, it can be concluded that the brittle failure criteria can very well capture the failure mechanism in this marble quarry. This shows that the criteria proposed to describe spalling failure around underground excavation in granite can be effectively employed for assessing the brittle failure in deep open cast and quarry mines in good quality rocks such as marble.     

Assessing thermal maturity of Palaeozoic rocks from reflectance of chitinozoa as constrained by geochemical indicators: an example from southern Ontario, Canada

The reflectance of chitinozoa (%ChR₀) was investigated as an alternative technique of determining the level of thermal maturity of organic-rich Palaeozoic rocks in southern Ontario. These sedimentary strata, which include the Ordovician Collingwood Member and the Blue Mountain Formation, as well as the Devonian Marcellus Formation, lack vitrinite precluding the application of a standard vitrinite reflectance (%VR₀) technique. ChR₀ shows a proportional increase at marginal to moderate maturities, being on average 20 to 25% higher than expected vitrinite reflectance. The reflectance data fall into a very narrow range showing a high degree of consistency for each lithostratigraphic unit. The average ChR₀ are as follows: Collingwood Mbr 0.63% (Georgian Bay area) and 0.88% (Toronto area), Blue Mountain Fm 0.92%, Marcellus Fm 0.68%. Correlation with more conventional optical and geochemical maturity parameters obtained from the same set of samples (fluorescence of Tasmanites, Leiosphaeridia and Gloeocapsomorpha alginite, Rock-Eval Tmax, extract data, distribution of terpanes and steranes in extracts) indicates that, within the area of study, the beginning of the catagenetic stage corresponds to ChR₀=0.65% (equivalent VR=0.50%) whereas the threshold of significant oil generation is reached at ChR₀=0.9% (equivalent VR=0.70%). Therefore the Blue Mountain Formation is thermally mature with respect to hydrocarbon generation throughout the whole area of study. The Collingwood shales are mature only in the Toronto area while those occurring in the Georgian Bay area as well as the Marcellus shales have yet to enter the main stage of hydrocarbon generation. This integrated approach of assessing thermal maturity shows that ChR₀, when constrained with other maturity parameters, is a very reliable indicator of thermal maturity in Lower to Middle Palaeozoic sedimentary rocks.     

Distribution of major, minor and trace elements in Hat Creek Deposit No. 2, British Columbia, Canada

The major-, minor- and trace-element contents of coals from Hat Creek No. 2 deposit, British Columbia, are determined using INAA and inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (boron only).

Al, Cr, Fe, Mn and Na were found to be inorganically bound in the coal while As, B and S are associated with the organic fraction of the coal. The rare-earth element concentrations in the coal are variable, however, the LREE/HREE ratio decreases from base to the top of the deposits. Many elements show little variation in concentration with depth; however, the gradual increase of As and S with depth appears to be rank related and indicative of progressive decrease in porosity with increasing rank.

Concentrations of B and Cr are sensitive to the environment of coal deposition, with coal deposited in a freshwater environment (Hat Creek No. 2 deposit), having low B and high Cr compared with more brackish coals.     

Organic petrology of Hat Creek coal deposit No. 1, British Columbia

Gell preserved monocotyledon and peeridophyta remains were found in natural bitumen frrm Iranian, tar pit and oil seeps, using reflected and fluorescence light microscopy. The plant tissue are impregnated or partially replaced by bitumens the extent of this replacement is noted.