Experimental analysis of different software packages for orientation and digital surface modelling from UAV images

The use of UAVs finds application in a variety of fields, among which are the small scale surveys for environmental protection application. In this frame some experimental tests were carried out at Politecnico di Milano to assess metric accuracies of images acquired by UAVs and derived photogrammetric products. A block of 5 strips and 49 photos was taken by fixed wing system SenseFly, carrying a camera Canon Ixus 220HS on a rural area included in an Italian Park. Images are processed through bundle adjustment, automatic DEM extraction and orthoimages production steps with several software packages, with the aim to evaluate their characteristics, capabilities and weaknesses. The software packages tested were Erdas-LPS, EyeDEA (University of Parma), Agisoft Photoscan, Pix4UAV, PhotoModeler Scanner. For the georeferencing of the block 16 pre-signalized ground control points were surveyed in the area through GPS (NRTK survey). Comparison of results is given in terms of differences among orientation parameters and their accuracies. Moreover, comparisons among different digital surface models are evaluated. Furthermore, exterior orientation parameters, image points and ground points coordinates, obtained by the various software packages, were used as initial values in a comparative adjustment made by scientific in-house software. Paper confirms that computer vision software are faster in computation and, even if their main goal is not to pursue high accuracy in points coordinates determination, they seems to produce results comparable to those obtainable with standard photogrammetric approach. Agisoft Photoscan seems in this case to yield the best results in terms of quality of photogrammetric products.     

Seabed sediments and foraminifera over the Lido Inlet: Comparison between 1983 and 2006 distribution patterns

Extensive sampling in the Lagoon and Gulf of Venice during the 1980s provided material to establish ‘base’ conditions for subsequent studies of distributions of benthic foraminiferal biotopes and sediments.     

Cement stratigraphy: image probes of cathodoluminescent facies

Cement stratigraphy of carbonates aims to establish the chronology of processes involved in the rock diagenesis. Regional cement stratigraphy allows correlations and understanding of the petrological heterogeneities in reservoirs and aquifers, but is a long and rigorous approach. This article exposes a methodology of image analysis that facilitates the spatial correlation of diagenetic events in carbonate rocks. Based on the statistical comparison of signals extracted from the red spectrum emission of cathodoluminescence digital images, it gives via crosscorrelation a measure of similarity (values scaled from minimum −1 to maximum 1) between two cathodoluminescence facies. Cementation events and diagenetic chronologies can thus be quickly correlated without the support of a full chronology, the model normally established on cement morphologies, petrological analyses and cathodoluminescence zonation sequences. A case study from two Upper Kimmeridgian Mount Salève outcrops (France) illustrates this methodology. Their diagenetic sequences recorded in cathodoluminescent cements are presented and being compared. The final statistical similarity between the two outcrops reaches an index of R = 0.78. This result is sustained by petrological and geochemical analyses such as alizarine–ferricyanure stained thin sections, X microfluorescence mapping of elements, and microthermometry of fluid inclusions.     

Stratigraphic architecture and anthropic impacts on subsoil to assess the intrinsic potential vulnerability of groundwater: the northeastern Campania Plain case study, southern Italy

This study attempts to assess the aquifer vulnerability in the northeastern sector of the Campania Plain (southern Italy). The area is a highly populated region with anthropic impacts caused by rapid urban growth, quarrying, agricultural and industrial activities and uncontrolled waste storage. The main geologic feature of this plain is the alternation of alluvial/transitional and volcaniclastic deposits of Late Pleistocene–Holocene age. The study was performed integrating different sets of geologic and environmental data to restore the stratigraphic architecture and to assess anthropic impacts on subsoil. The reconstruction of stratigraphic subsurface architecture was based on remarkable geodatabase, concerning well log stratigraphies. Specific insights have been delineated on the volcaniclastic lithofacies heteropies across the entire area of study to highlight the differences in lithification degree and permeability. The contribution of pedogenesis on the reconstruction of the stratigraphic setting was also considered for the relative implications on groundwater quality concerns, as paleosols are usually regarded as aquitards. All of this information has been managed into a GIS project to produce a detailed 3D geological reconstruction, integrated with hydrogeological information to provide a model of the aquifer under study, highlighting sites of greater vulnerability to pollution. The anthropic impacts on subsoil were assessed by evaluating land-uses and overlaying the ANHI (Agricultural Nitrate Hazard Index) Map. The integration of the above datasets has allowed to check the reliability of the previsional empirical model with respect to the hydrostratigraphic model based on a thorough stratigraphic model and to verify the real potential of contamination.     

Mie elastic scattering generated by cracks

Some numerical experiments are designed to elucidate geometrical details of fractures by studying scattering of elastic waves. The response in the time domain does not seem to provide much information. In the frequency domain, geometrical features of diffractors stamp a signature on reflected and diffracted wave fields. Results show that radiation patterns in the Mie regime are a promising device to infer some aspects such as shape and connectivity of the fractures. A combination of the direct and the indirect boundary element methods is used to compute numerical results. The numerical method is validated with analytic solutions for canonical problems.     

Aquatic resources in arid lands: Issues and opportunities

No Abstract.  .     

Révision stratigraphique de l’Ile de Timor (Indonésie orientale)

Resume. De nombreuses échelles stratigraphiques de l’?le de Timor ont vu le jour car les corrélations stratigraphiques étaient rendues difficiles par la complexité tectonique de l’?le et par la variété des faciès. Dès les premiers travaux, plusieurs séries ont été distinguées, regroupées en trois unités litho-structurales principales: unité allochtone, sub-autochtone et autochtone. Les données stratigraphiques et géodynamiques récentes montrent que l’?le de Timor est en fait constituée par six unités litho-structurales, chacune témoignant d’un épisode majeur de l’histoire géologique de l’Ile. Cette histoire consiste d’abord à la séparation, au Jurassique, d’un bloc issu du continent de Gondwana (unité para-allochtone) qui est entré en collision avec l’arc volcanique asiatique à l’Oligo-Miocène (unités allochtone et sub-allochtone). Cet ensemble a ensuite été séparé de l’Asie lors de l’ouverture de la mer de Banda sud, au Miocène supérieur (unité sub-autochtone) pour finalement entrer en collision avec la marge nord australienne au cours du Pliocène moyen (plateforme australienne et groupe de Kolbano). Timor est depuis incorporée à la marge nord australienne (unité autochtone). Ce travail présente les différentes échelles stratigraphiques de chaque nouvelle unité, des propositions de corrélations et une comparaison avec les ?les voisines de Sumba et de Sulawesi pour aboutir à une proposition d’évolution géodynamique. Manuscrit re?u le 13 février 2004 Révision acceptée le 14 février 2005     

Nouvelle hypothèse sur l'origine des formations géologiques de l'île de Timor (Sud-Est asiatique)

Similar lithological and tectonic features indicate that Timor and Sulawesi islands were part of the same continental block. Timor was in the southern part of Sulawesi, then separated during Late Miocene time during the opening of the South Banda Sea basin. At this time Timor evolved as a part of an Upper Miocene volcanic arc that collided the Australian plate at the end of the Lower Pliocene (3.5 Ma). To cite this article: M. Villeneuve et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Triassic stratigraphy,facies and evolution of the Arabian shelf in the northern United Arab Emirates

This study provides a reconstruction of the Late Permian and Triassic depositional history of the Arabian shelf in the northern United Arab Emirates based on facies analysis and foraminiferal biostratigraphy. The presented data show that sedimentation occurred in three major sequences. From the Late Permian to Olenekian carbonates and evaporites were deposited in restricted lagoons and tidal flats. After a hiatus, sedimentation resumed and continued until the Late Ladinian/Carnian, leading to the deposition of a carbonate platform dominated by peritidal dolostones. A period of shelf exposure and erosion, spanning from the Carnian to Norian, was followed by the third major sequence with sedimentation into the Early Jurassic. During this third depositional sequence sedimentation changed from pure carbonate into mixed carbonate–siliciclastic deposits. This transition reflects the global regression of the sea in the Late Triassic (Triasina hantkeni Zone) and the increased erosion of large parts of the Arabian hinterland. A comparison of the evolution of the Arabian shelf in the study area with chronostratigraphic reference schemes for the Arabian Plate reveals remarkable differences in the distribution of Middle and Upper Triassic sequences. These are most likely the result of poor biostratigraphic control on previously studied formations in the region.