Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of Estuarine Sediment as a Proposed Reference Material for Environmental Studies

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Marine Environmental Studies Laboratory (MEL) organised an intercomparison exercise, through its Analytical Quality Control Services (AQCS), for the determination of trace elements in estuarine sediment IAEA-405, well suited for the characterisation of sediments. The instrumental neutron activation analysis technique (INAA) was developed using a 27 kW low power research reactor. Forty elements in the sediment were determined with a measurement precision varying from 1.8% to 12.3%. IAEA reference materials SL-1 and SD-M-2/TM were analysed throughout this work as quality assurance samples.     

The paragenesis leucite-Na feldspar

Veins in a basanite from Central France show the hitherto unrecorded paragenesis of leucite-Na feldspar. These veins frequently occur in association with lherzolite nodules but are not restricted to the vicinity of the nodules. This assemblage may be stable at higher temperature in preference to nepheline-K feldspar.     

Ecology of Karez irrigation: a case of Pakistan

Though hard to construct, difficult to maintain, and yet limited in scope, the karez irrigation system has been an integral part of agricultural landscape in Baluchistan province of Pakistan for the last 2500 years, if not earlier. The irrigation system is well adjusted with the social and political institutions in Baluchistan and synchronizes with the local economies.Archaeology indicates that the idea of karez irrigation originated in the Indus Valley Civilization of Pakistan, while philology, method of construction, migration of karez technocrats support the view that the technology was introduced from Afghanistan and not from Iran as is generally accepted. An attempt has been made in this paper to examine the ecology of karez irrigation in Pakistan in terms of its nature, origin, diffusion and persistence including the recent changes in the system wherein tunnels are being replaced by cement pipes and Delay Action Dams.. The delay action dams are being introduced to augment the subsurface water supply. The tube-wells and modern electric-powered pumps are impinging on the karezes and may ultimately destroy the fragile ecosystem of Baluchistan, including the age-old karez irrigation system.     

Geophysical data integration,stochastic simulation and significance analysis of groundwater responses using ANOVA in the Chicot Aquifer system,Louisiana, USA

Data integration is challenging where there are different levels of support between primary and secondary data that need to be correlated in various ways. A geostatistical method is described, which integrates the hydraulic conductivity (K) measurements and electrical resistivity data to better estimate the K distribution in the Upper Chicot Aquifer of southwestern Louisiana, USA. The K measurements were obtained from pumping tests and represent the primary (hard) data. Borehole electrical resistivity data from electrical logs were regarded as the secondary (soft) data, and were used to infer K values through Archie’s law and the Kozeny-Carman equation. A pseudo cross-semivariogram was developed to cope with the resistivity data non-collocation. Uncertainties in the auto-semivariograms and pseudo cross-semivariogram were quantified. The groundwater flow model responses by the regionalized and coregionalized models of K were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results indicate that non-collocated secondary data may improve estimates of K and affect groundwater flow responses of practical interest, including specific capacity and drawdown.

---

Résumé  L’intégration de données entre en jeu lorsque plusieurs niveaux intermédiaires d’assistance sont nécessaires pour corréler données primaires et secondaires de diverses manières. Le présent article décrit une méthode géostatistique qui intègre les mesures de conductivité hydraulique (K) et les données de résistivité électrique, afin d’estimer plus efficacement la distribution de K dans l’Aquifère Supérieur de Chicot, au sud-ouest de la Louisiane (Etats-Unis). Les mesures de K sont issues des pompages d’essai et représentent les données primaires (“dures”). Les données des diagraphies de résistivité électrique ont été considérées comme des données secondaires (“molles”), à partir desquelles les valeurs de K ont été déduites, par la loi d’Archie et l’équation de Kozeny-Carman. Un pseudo semi-variogramme croisé a été développé afin de pallier à l’absence de colocalisation des données de résistivité. Les incertitudes sur les semi-variogrammes automatiques et sur les pseudo semi-variogrammes croisés ont été quantifiées. Les réponses du modèle d’écoulement des eaux souterraines aux modèles régionalisés et co-régionalisés de K ont été comparés, par les analyses de variance (ANOVA). Les résultats montrent que les données secondaires non-colocalisées peuvent améliorer les estimations de K, et affecter efficacement les réponses des écoulements souterrains, y compris les débits spécifiques et les rabattements.

---

Resumen  La integración de datos es un gran desafío cuando existen diferentes niveles de apoyo entre datos primarios y secundarios que es necesario correlacionar de varias maneras. Se describe un método geoestadístico el cual integra mediciones de conductividad hidráulica (K) y datos de resistividad eléctrica para tener una mejor estimación de la distribución de K en el Acuífero Chicot Superior del suroeste de Luisiana, Estados Unidos de América. Las mediciones de K se obtuvieron de pruebas de bombeo y representan los datos primarios (duros). Los datos de sondeos de resistividad eléctrica se consideraron como datos secundarios (suaves) y se usaron para inferir valores de K a través de la ley de Archie y la ecuación de Carman-Kozeny. Se desarrolló un pseudo semivariograma cruzado para enfrentar la falta de colocación de datos de resistividad. Se cuantificaron las incertidumbres en los auto-semivariogramas y en los semivariogramas cruzados. Las respuestas del modelo de flujo de agua subterránea por los modelos coregionalizados y regionalizados de K se compararon usando el análisis de varianza (ANOVA). Los resultados indican que los datos secundarios no colocados pueden mejorar los estimados de K y afectar las respuestas de flujo de agua subterránea de interés práctico, incluyendo capacidad específica y descenso.

     

Prediction of homogeneous region over Bangladesh based on temperature: a non-hierarchical clustering approach

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - Bangladesh is one of the countries in the north-eastern part of South Asia, and it covers an area of about one hundred forty-eight thousand (1.48 × 105)...     

Changes in monsoon precipitation patterns over Bangladesh and its teleconnections with global climate

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - Understanding changes in monsoon precipitation patterns is crucial as it determines the occurrence, intensity, and duration of floods and droughts in...