Probabilistic analyses of soil consolidation by prefabricated vertical drains for single‐drain and multi‐drain systems

Natural soils are one of the most inherently variables in the ground. Although the significance of inherent soil variability in relation to reliable predictions of consolidation rates of soil deposits has long been realized, there have been few studies that addressed the issue of soil variability for the problem of ground improvement by prefabricated vertical drains. Despite showing valuable insights into the impact of soil spatial variability on soil consolidation by prefabricated vertical drains, available stochastic works on this subject are based on a single‐drain (or unit cell) analyses. However, how the idealized unit cell solution can be a supplement to the complex multi‐drain systems for spatially variable soils has never been addressed in the literature. In this study, a rigorous stochastic finite elements modeling approach that allows the true nature of soil spatial variability to be considered in a reliable and quantifiable manner, both for the single‐drain and multi‐drain systems, is presented. The feasibility of performing an analysis based on the unit cell concept as compared with the multi‐drain analysis is assessed in a probabilistic context. It is shown that with proper input statistics representative of a particular domain of interest, both the single‐drain and multi‐drain analyses yield almost identical results. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ion acoustic solitary waves in plasma with nonthermal electron,positron and warm ion

In this paper, the characteristics of ion acoustic solitary waves are studied in plasmas containing warm ion fluid, non-thermally distributed electron and positron. We study the effects of non-thermal electrons and ion temperature on solitons by Pseudo-potential method and show that the parametric region where ion acoustic solitons can exist is modified. We also obtain linear dispersion relation by using the standard normal-modes analysis.     

Optimal set of photometric elements of the eclipsing variable TZ Bootis

The eclipsing system of W UMa-type TZ Bootis has been examined on the basis of six light curves analyzed by the means of the Fourier techniques. An optimal resulting set of geometric elements for the system is obtained from both minima, through there magnitudes variations during the periods 1967, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1978, and 1980.The intrinsic variability of the system has been discussed in the light of the behaviour of the light curves.     

Declustering of Iran earthquake catalog (1983–2017) using the epidemic-type aftershock sequence (ETAS) model

The main goal of this article is to decluster Iranian plateau seismic catalog by the epidemic-type aftershock sequence (ETAS) model and compare the results with some older methods. For this purpose, Iranian plateau bounded in 24°–42°N and 43°–66°E is subdivided into three major tectonic zones: (1) North of Iran (2) Zagros (3) East of Iran. The extracted earthquake catalog had a total of 6034 earthquakes (Mw?>?4) in the time span 1983–2017. The ETAS model is an accepted stochastic approach for seismic evaluation and declustering earthquake catalogs. However, this model has not yet been used to decluster the seismic catalog of Iran. Until now, traditional methods like the Gardner and Knopoff space–time window method and the Reasenberg link-based method have been used in most studies for declustering Iran earthquake catalog. Finally, the results of declustering by the ETAS model are compared with result of Gardner and Knopoff (Bull Seismol Soc Am 64(5):1363–1367, 1974), Uhrhammer (Earthq Notes 57(1):21, 1986), Gruenthal (pers. comm.) and Reasenberg (Geophys Res 90:5479–5495, 1985) declustering methods. The overall conclusion is difficult, but the results confirm the high ability of the ETAS model for declustering Iranian earthquake catalog. Use of the ETAS model is still in its early steps in Iranian seismological researches, and more parametric studies are needed.     

Geochemical and geochronological evidence for a Middle Permian oceanic plateau fragment in the Paleo-Tethyan suture zone of NE Iran

The mafic–ultramafic Fariman complex in northeastern Iran has been interpreted as a Paleo-Tethyan ophiolitic fragment with subduction- and plume-related characteristics as well as a basin deposit on an active continental margin. Contributing to this issue, we present geochemical, geochronological, and mineralogical data for transitional and tholeiitic basalts. Thermodynamic modeling suggests picritic parental magmas with 16–21 wt% MgO formed at plume-like mantle potential temperatures of ca. 1460–1600 °C. Rare pyroxene spinifex textures and skeletal to feather-like clinopyroxene attest to crystallization from undercooled magma and high cooling rates. Chromium numbers and TiO₂ concentrations in spinel are similar to those in intraplate basalts. ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar dating of magmatic hornblende yielded a plateau age of 276?±?4 Ma (2σ). Transitional basalt with OIB-like trace element characteristics is the predominant rock-type; less frequent are tholeiitic basalts with mildly LREE depleted patterns and picrites with intermediate trace element characteristics. All samples show MORB-OIB like Pb/Ce, Th/La, and Th/Nb ratios which preclude subduction-modified mantle sources and felsic crustal material. Tholeiitic basalts and related olivine cumulate rocks show MORB-like initial ε_Nd values of +?9.4 to +?6.2 which define a mixing line with the data for the transitional basalts (ε_Nd ca. +?2.6). Initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios of 0.124–0.293 support mixed sources with a high proportion of recycled mafic crust in the transitional basalts. High concentrations of highly siderophile elements are in agreement with the high mantle potential temperatures and inferred high-melting degrees. It is argued that the Fariman complex originated by melting of a mantle plume component as represented by the OIB-like transitional basalt and entrained asthenosphere predominant in the MORB-like tholeiites. Two lines of evidence such as association of the Fariman complex with pelagic to neritic sedimentary rocks and the tectonic position at the boundary of two continental blocks defined by ophiolites and accretionary complexes of different ages suggest formation in an oceanic domain. Thus, we interpret it as a fragment of an oceanic plateau, which escaped subduction and was accreted as exotic block in the Paleo-Tethyan suture zone.     

Petrology and Mineral Chemistry of Lower Crustal Intrusions: the Chilas Complex, Kohistan (NW Pakistan)

Mineral major and trace element data are presented for the mainrock units of the Chilas Complex, a series of lower crustalintrusions emplaced during initial rifting within the MesozoicKohistan (paleo)-island arc (NW Pakistan). Detailed field observationsand petrological analysis, together with geochemical data, indicatethat the two principal units, ultramafic rocks and gabbronoritesequences, originate from a common parental magma, but evolvedalong different mineral fractionation trends. Phase petrologyand mineral trace element data indicate that the fractionationsequence of the ultramafic rocks is dominated by the crystallizationof olivine and clinopyroxene prior to plagioclase, whereas plagioclaseprecedes clinopyroxene in the gabbronorites. Clinopyroxene inthe ultramafic rocks (with Mg-number [Mg/(Fe_tot + Mg] up to0·95) displays increasing Al₂O₃ with decreasing Mg-number.The light rare earth element depleted trace element pattern(Ce_N/Gd_N 0·5–0·3) of primitive clinopyroxenesdisplays no Eu anomaly. In contrast, clinopyroxenes from thegabbronorites contain plagioclase inclusions, and the traceelement pattern shows pronounced negative anomalies for Sr,Pb and Eu. Trace element modeling indicates that in situ crystallizationmay account for major and trace element variations in the gabbronoritesequence, whereas the olivine-dominated ultramafic rocks showcovariations between olivine Mg-number and Ni and Mn contents,pointing to the importance of crystal fractionation during theirformation. A modeled parental liquid for the Chilas Complexis explained in terms of mantle- and slab-derived components,where the latter component accounts for 99% of the highly incompatibleelements and between 30 and 80% of the middle rare earth elements.The geochemical characteristics of this component are similarto those of a low percentage melt or supercritical liquid derivedfrom subducted mafic crust. However, elevated Pb/Ce ratios arebest explained by additional involvement of hydrous fluids.In accordance with the crystallization sequence, the subsolidusmetamorphic reactions indicate pressures of 0·5–0·7GPa. Our data support a model of combined flux and decompressionmelting in the back-arc. KEY WORDS: Kohistan; Island arc; gabbro; trace element modelling; lower crustal intrusion     

Simulating the interactions between the water and the socio-economic system in a stressed endorheic basin

ABSTRACT

The endorheic basin of Zayandehrud in Iran suffers from environmental problems, social tensions, and economic instability. Lack of understanding how the water system and the socio-economic system interact may explain these challenges. A system dynamics model, being a holistic simulation tool, was developed for the Zayandehrud basin and used to evaluate several policy scenarios. The indices of employment, gross regional product, the volume of groundwater and surface water stored, flow into the basin’s end lake, and the water flow in the river were used to evaluate the scenarios. The findings demonstrate that focusing on supply-based activities or water demand management cannot solely improve the condition of the Zayandehrud basin. It is required to reconsider the development policies of the region in a broader context. Reducing the irrigated area by 15% and developing new industries up to a certain limit may make the combined water and socio-economic system sustainable.     

Numerical simulation of groundwater flow and contamination transport in Nahavand plain aquifer,west of Iran

Numerical simulation of groundwater flow used for the estimation of hydraulic and hydrologic parameters which is an important tool for the management of aquifers. This study presents the results of a mathematical model developed for the simulation of groundwater flow in Nahavand plain aquifer in the southwest Hamadan province. For this purpose Groundwater Modeling Software (GMS) was used which supports the MODFLOW-2000 code. After gathering required data such as the hydrological, hydrogeological and topography maps, a 3D hydrogeological model of plain was constructed with borehole and surface elevation data. Then MODFLOW was used for simulation of flow. After initial simulation of the flow, the model was calibrated in steady state with trial-and-error and parameter estimation methods the observed head of groundwater table monitoring data of 1997. Results of calibration show that error between observed head and computed head is in allowable range. Also results of computed head with model show that groundwater flow is in the direction of the dominate slope (southeast to northwest). Finally MODPATH code which simulates advective transport of particles was used for estimation of flow path and source of contaminants.     

Evolution of gold mineralization in the Ashanti Gold Belt,Ghana: Evidence from carbonate compositions and parageneses

Summary Ankerite, siderite, calcite and magnesite occur in variable proportions within all host and mineralized rocks of the Bogosu and Prestea mining districts of the Ashanti Gold Belt, Ghana. The compositions of coexisting ankerite-siderite grains establish that complex rhythmically zoned growth banding and replacement textures are present. This compositional variation is attributed to episodic fluctuation in the temperature and composition of fluids in the Bogosu-Prestea mesothermal gold system. Temperatures derived from the ankerite-siderite composition geothermometer are generally consistent with those from calcite-dolomite, arsenopyrite, carbon and oxygen stable isotope, and fluid inclusion geothermometers, and are about 360°C for the metamorphic peak, 400 to 350°C for carbonate alteration of mafic dikes, and 340 to 140°C for gold deposition. The latter range occurs on a thin-section scale and represents separate pulses of fluid in the ore conduit.

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Entstehung der Goldvererzung im Ashanti Gold Belt, Ghana: Rückschlüsse aus Karbonat zusammensetzungen und Paragenesen

Zusammenfassung In allen Wirtsgesteinen und mineralisierten Gesteinen der Bergbaureviere von Bogosu und Prestea im Ashanti Gold Belt, Ghana treten Ankerit, Siderit, Calcit und Magnesit in unterschiedlichen Verhältnissen auf. Die Zusammensetzung von koexistierenden Ankerit-Siderit-Körnern zeigt eine komplexe, rhythmisch zonierte Wachstumsstreifung und Verärdngungsstrukturen. Diese Änderungen in der Zusammensetzung sind auf episodische Fluktuationen der Temperatur und der Zusammensetzung der Fluide im mesothermalen Goldsystem von Bogosu-Prestea zurückzuführen. Temperaturen nach dem Ankerit-Siderit-Geothermometer stimmen im allgerneinen mit jenen aus Geothermometern, die auf Calcit-Dolomit, Arsenopyrit, den stabilen Isotopen von Kohlenstoff and Sauerstoff und auf Flüssigkeitseinschlüssen beruhen, überein. Sie liegen bei rund 360°C für den Höhepunkt der Metamorphose, bei 400 bis 350°C für die Karbonat Alteration der matischen Gänge and bei 340 bis 140°C für die Gold-Fällung. Der letztgenannte Bereich tritt in Dünnschlif Maßstab auf and repräsentiert einzelne Schübe von Fluid in den Erzgängen.

     

Scleractinian coral communities of Hormuz Island in the Persian Gulf

The abundance and health of scleractinian coral communities of Hormuz Island were investigated. For this purpose, we employed 20 m line intercept transects—12 in the intertidal zone and 15 subtidally to evaluate coral cover and community composition. The estimated dead coral coverage was 6.21%±0.81%, while live coral coverage was 16.93%±1.81%, considered as very poor. Totally, 12 genera were recorded, of which Porites with 11.9%±1.4% live cover was the dominant, while Goniopora had the least cover (0.07%±0.08%). Based on Mann-Whitney U-test, live coral coverage, dead coral coverage, algal coverage, cover of other benthic organisms and abiotic components showed significant univariate differences between zones (p<0.05). The Spearman correlation test between the abundance of biotic and abiotic components indicated significant negative correlation of live coral and sand with zoantharian and significant positive correlation of algae and other benthic organisms with rubble. The reef health indices used for the corals indicated that, in general, the environmental conditions were not suitable, which could be attributed to both natural and anthropogenic factors, the most important of which was zoantharian’ overgrowth on the scleractinian corals in this region.