An intercomparison of remotely sensed soil moisture products at various spatial scales over the Iberian Peninsula

Soil moisture (SM) can be retrieved from active microwave (AM), passive microwave (PM) and thermal infrared (TIR) observations, each having unique spatial and temporal coverages. A limitation of TIR‐based retrievals is a dependence on cloud‐free conditions, whereas microwave retrievals are almost all weather proof. A downside of SM retrievals from PM is the coarse spatial resolution. Although SM retrievals at coarse spatial resolution proved to be valuable for global‐scale and continental‐scale studies, their value for regional‐scale studies remains limited. To increase the use of SM retrievals from PM observations, an existing method to enhance their spatial resolution was applied. We present an intercomparison study over the Iberian Peninsula for three SM products on two different spatial sampling grids. The remotely sensed SM products were also compared with in situ observations from the Remedhus network. Variations between ground data and satellite‐based SM are observed; all three remotely sensed SM products show good agreement to the ground observations. The comparison shows that these ground observations and satellite data are consistent, based on the correlation coefficient (R) and root mean square error (RMSE). The remotely sensed products were intercompared after sampling at 25 × 25 km² and after applying the smoothing filter‐based intensity modulation (SFIM) downscaling technique at 10 × 10 km² grids. After the application of the SFIM technique, the SM retrievals from PM observations show better agreement with the other remotely sensed SM products for approximately 40% of the study area. For another 40% of the study area, we found a similar agreement between these product combinations, whereas in extreme environments, both arid and densely vegetated regions, the agreement decreases after the application of the SFIM technique. Agreement between retrievals of absolute SM content from PM and TIR observations is generally high (R = 0.77 for semi‐arid areas). This study enhances our understanding of the remotely sensed SM products for improvements of SM retrieval and merging strategies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modeling Monthly Mean Flow in a Poorly Gauged Basin by Fuzzy Logic

The estimation of the monthly mean flow is a critical issue in many water resource development projects. However, in practice the mean flow is not easily determined in ungauged and poorly gauged basins. Therefore, in the literature, various flow estimation methods have been developed recently for mountainous regions which are generally ungauged or poorly gauged basins. In this study a fuzzy logic model based on the Mamdani approach was developed to estimate the flow for poorly gauged mountainous basins. This model was applied to the Solakli Basin which is located in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey. Limited rainfall and flow data are available for this basin. In addition to these variables, the stream and time coefficients were introduced and used as variables for modeling. The data was divided into training and testing phases. The model results were compared with the measured data. The comparison depends on seven statistical characteristics, four different error modes and the contour map method. It was observed that the fuzzy model developed in this study yielded reliable results.     

Trace Element Levels in the Groundwater of Mediterranean Coastal Plains – The Case of Silifke,Turkey

The Silifke plain is located near the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in Turkey. The delta in the plain is a highly fertile land that supports the agriculture of more than twenty types of crop. Some trace element content of the groundwater samples taken from the existing wells in this area are analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES). The mean levels (ppm) of boron (B), barium (Ba), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), total chromium (TCr), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), and nickel (Ni) were obtained for the sampling points in the area for four seasons. Groundwater samples taken in the study area don't exhibit significantly elevated levels of these elements during a period of twelve months between December 2007 and November 2008. Furthermore, all of the elements exhibit values lower than 0.005 ppm, with the exception of B, Ba, and Fe. The results demonstrate that although these three elements produce the highest values, most are found to be appropriate for activities such as irrigation and human consumption in terms of trace elements.     

Correlation between Cerchar abrasivity index,rock properties,and drill bit lifetime

The Cerchar abrasivity index (CAI) is one of the most widely known index method for identification of rock abrasivity. It is a simple and fast testing method providing reliable information on rock abrasiveness. In this study, the relationships between the CAI and some rock properties such as uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), point load strength, Brazilian tensile strength and Schmidt rebound hardness, and equivalent quartz content (EQC) are examined. The relationships between the CAI and drill bit lifetime is also investigated and the type of drill bit wear observed is mentioned. Additionally, the CAI is modeled using simple and multiple linear regression analysis based on the rock properties. Drill bit lifetime is also modeled based on the CAI. The results show that the CAI increases with the increase of the UCS, point load strength, Brazilian tensile strength, L-type and N-type Schmidt rebound hardness, and the EQC. It is concluded that the higher and the lower bit lifetime are obtained for marl and andesitic-basaltic formation, respectively. Moreover, flushing holes, inserted button, button removal, and failures of button on the bits are determined as the type of drill bit wear. The modeling results show that the models based on the UCS and the EQC give the better forecasting performances for the CAI.     

Liquefaction potential and susceptibility mapping in the city of Yalova, Turkey

This study presents results of both field and laboratory tests that have been used to asses liquefaction susceptibilities of the soils in Yalova city, located in the well-known seismically active North Anatolian Fault Zone. Liquefaction potentials of the sub-surface materials in Yalova city were estimated by using the standard penetration test (SPT) method of field testing. The data obtained have been mapped according to susceptibility, and the susceptibility maps based on the geotechnical data indicated a moderate to high susceptibility to liquefaction for the magnitude of earthquake of M=7.4. Both the high groundwater level and the grain size of the soils, in conjunction with the active seismic features of the region, result in conditions favourable to the occurrence of liquefaction. When the surface and near surface geological conditions were taken under consideration, it was seen that the study areas geology is prone to liquefaction having a moderate liquefaction susceptibility. If geologic and geomorphological criteria are considered, it should be understood that the study area as discussed under the regions geology is susceptible to liquefaction. The geotechnical data largely support the geologic-based liquefaction susceptibility of the study area.     

Indirect estimation of the swelling percent and a new classification of soils depending on liquid limit and cation exchange capacity

This paper describes the dependence of the swell percent (%S) on the soil properties, namely, liquid limit (LL) and cation exchange capacity (CEC). This study provides the statistical model that can be used to obtain an indirect estimation of %S due to CEC and LL. According to the coefficient of correlation (R² = 0.91), VAF (91.5%) and RMSE (0.727) indices, multiple regression model has a high prediction performance. Although CEC values play an important role in the swelling behaviour of clayey soils, there is no universally accepted simple quantitative swelling potential classification at present. In this paper, a new swelling potential classification and graph, having four respective zones indicating the low, moderate, high, very high swelling potential, was also developed and proposed. This classification will serve to the engineers in order to evaluate the expansivity of the soils, in practice.     

Landslide hazard and risk assessment: a?case study from the Hlohovec–Sered’ landslide area in south-west Slovakia

Landslide hazard or susceptibility assessment is based on the selection of relevant factors which play a role on the slope instability, and it is assumed that landslides will occur at similar conditions to those in the past. The selected statistical method compares parametric maps with the landslide inventory map, and results are then extrapolated to the entire evaluated territory with a final product of landslide hazard or susceptibility map. Elements at risk are defined and analyzed in relation with landslide hazard, and their vulnerability is thus established. The landslide risk map presents risk scenarios and expected financial losses caused by landslides, and it utilizes prognoses and analyses arising from the landslide hazard map. However, especially the risk scenarios for future in a selected area have a significant importance, the literature generally consists of the landslide susceptibility assessment and papers which attempt to assess and construct the map of the landslide risk are not prevail. In the paper presented herein, landslide hazard and risk assessment using bivariate statistical analysis was applied in the landslide area between Hlohovec and Sered?? cities in the south-western Slovakia, and methodology for the risk assessment was explained in detail.     

Evaluation of engineering-geological conditions for conurbation of Ostrava (Czech Republic) within GIS environment

The main aim of the presented study was to create a new type of engineering-geological maps for relative costs for foundation engineering. The newly proposed map in this paper can replace the formerly used maps of the suitability for foundation engineering which shows only the suitable and/or unsuitable sites and suggests the use of suitable areas for construction only. However, there are developed technologies that they can overcome the potential problems in unsuitable areas by relatively high costs. It means that unsuitable areas can also be used as construction areas. Therefore, the use of the newly proposed map of relative costs, which reflects the complexity of geo-factors by proportional category of larger, or smaller relative costs is satisfactory. Another part of this research was to assess various geo-factors (engineering-geological zones, workability of rocks, pre-Quaternary bedrock, flood land, radon hazard, mining subsidence and slope movements), which affect the foundation of future buildings. This study was carried out in the large industrial city of Ostrava in the Czech Republic with complicated engineering geological conditions and high anthropogenic influence factors including undermining. The use of complicated relationships is also generally difficult to be taken into account by the planners. Therefore, the use of the newly created synthetic map by planners is simple; even planners who are not geologists will be able to apply it easily.     

Potential pollution risk in natural environment of golf courses: an example from Rusovce (Slovakia)

The objective of the article presented herein is to highlight the specific issue of the protection of water sources in the vicinity of golf courses. Currently we have experienced the construction of a large number of golf courses, which are often found in areas where the protection of natural groundwater resources is needed. In this article, limit conditions are specified, which could be used in construction of other golf courses in the world, where there is a potential threat of contamination of groundwater resources. The issue is demonstrated on a case study in the area of a water resource, Rusovce. A major concern of golf courses is the fact that in an apparently clean environment of these anthropogenic structures contamination occurs, resulting from the maintenance, and the current legislation does not address this specific group of areas. These are particularly dangerous substances derived from fertilizer and turf protection, in particular the use of pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, acaricides, e.g. nematocides, and related products, such as growth regulators used for plant protection). The results of the modelling at the water source, Rusovce, show that the combination of negative factors (for example, the groundwater table level close to the surface along with extremely high precipitation totals or the areas flooding and the lack of a golf course bedrock sealing) the limit value of 0.100 μg/l of pesticides concentration in groundwater was exceeded up to 0.880 μg/l. Similarly, such excess may occur in the case of an emergency situation (for example, the spilling of the barrel with the pesticide), where the concentration of pesticides in groundwater may be increased up to 0.874 μg/l in standard conditions (without flooding with an average depth of groundwater table level beneath the terrain). But even under a standard level of security for the establishment and operation of a golf course and standard procedures for the maintenance of the lawn, the concentration of pesticides in the wells reached 0.0001 μg/l.