A determination of secular terms in first-order planetary theory

The secular terms of the first-order planetary Hamiltonian is determined, by two methods, in terms of the variables of H. Poincaré, neglecting powers higher than the second in the eccentricity-inclination.     

The construction of a third order secular analytical J-S-U-N theory by Hori-Lie technique

We construct the outline of a third order secular theory for the four major planets. We apply the Hori-Lie technique to solve the problem. We take into consideration both parts of the perturbing function. Our canonical variables are those of H. Poincaré. Our periodic terms are the only 2:5 and 1:2 critical terms of J-S and U-N respectively. Terms of degree higher than the second in the Poincaré canonical variables H, K, P, Q are neglected.     

New system for the assessment of annual groundwater recharge from rainfall in the United Arab Emirates

In this study, the first groundwater recharge map for United Arab Emirates (UAE) was developed using the recharge potential and water table fluctuation methods. Recharge potential estimates were made using information about infiltration rate, soil type, ground slope, geological and hydrogeological factors, and the availability of rainfall harvesting infrastructure and were validated by measurements of water table rise in alluvial aquifers in wadis. Based on this information, the total recharge in the UAE is estimated to be about 133 million cubic meters per year (MCM/year). Annual recharge rates are calculated to vary between 1 and 28% of precipitation in the different regions of UAE depending on several natural and manmade parameters including, among others, recharge enhancing infrastructure. Estimates from the two methods are 98% in agreement; which suggests that the recharge potential method is suitable for estimating aquifer’s recharge in UAE and arid regions. The water table fluctuation method was found to be more suitable for assessing recharge through gravel plains and wadis in mountainous areas.     

Application des outils chimiques et isotopiques à l'étude de la relation hydrodynamique entre les aquifères profonds de Sfax et de la Djeffara de Gabès Nord (Sud-Est tunisien)

Résumé

L'étude des bassins côtiers de Sfax et de la Djeffara de Gabès Nord, basée sur l'interprétation des données hydrochimiques (éléments majeurs) et isotopiques (¹⁸O, ²H et ¹⁴C), a permis une meilleure compréhension du fonctionnement hydrodynamique de l'aquifère Miocène le long de la frange côtière. En effet, d'après les données géochimiques, apparaît la présence de deux types de faciès chimiques: chloruré sodique dans le bassin de Sfax et mixte à chloruré sodique dans le bassin de Gabès Nord. Cette transition d'un faciès à un autre souligne la variabilité des origines de minéralisation des eaux. L'utilisation des outils isotopiques a permis l'identification d'une eau relativement ancienne à l'exception de quelques poches de recharge récente matérialisées à partir du relief de Zemlet El Beida en amont du bassin de Gabès Nord. Ceci a été vérifié par les fortes activités en¹⁴C des eaux dans cette région. Par conséquent, on peut noter que le passage du Sud au Nord le long de la côte est marqué par une grande variation latérale de lithologie et d'épaisseur de la formation aquifère, soulignant ainsi l'indépendance de chacun des deux réservoirs de Sfax et de la Djeffara de Gabès en absence de toute continuité hydrodynamique entre les deux bassins.

Editeur Z.W. Kundzewicz; Editeur associé S. Faye

Citation Ben Cheikh, N., Zouari, K., et Abidi, B., 2012. Application des outils chimiques et isotopiques à l'étude de la relation hydrodynamique entre les aquifères profonds de Sfax et de la Djeffara de Gabès Nord (Sud-Est tunisien). Hydrological Sciences Journal, 57 (8), 1662–1671.     

Facies associations of the Bathonian Hamam Formation from Northwestern Jordan

Two stratigraphic sections of the Hamam Formation (Bathonian Stage, Middle Jurassic) exposed in the western part of Wadi Zarqa region, northwestern Jordan, are described and interpreted on the basis of palynoflora and facies analysis in order to reconstruct their depositional environments and sequence stratigraphic framework, which not discussed before. Five facies associations have been identified in the Hamam Formation characterized by a mixed carbonate–siliciclastic ramp setting, ranging from incised fluvial valley fill facies, beach foreshore restricted inner ramp to high-energy shoals and mid-ramp settings. The palynoflora includes well-preserved miospore assemblages which are recorded only from the incised fluvial valley fill facies for the first time and yielded 64 miospore species belonging to 40 genera. Most of these taxa are long-ranging and have been reported from Jurassic and Cretaceous rocks worldwide, except Callialasporites dampieri, Murospora florida, Granulatisporites jurassicus, Piceites expositus, Pityosporites parvisaccatus, Leptolepidites verrucatus, and Protopinus scanicus which have short ranges in the Middle Jurassic. Furthermore, these rocks are rich in shallow-marine Neo-Tethys macro-invertebrates supporting a Bathonian age. Two third-order depositional sequences bounded by three regional unconformities at the Bajocian–Bathonian and Bathonian–Callovian stage boundaries as well as within the Bathonian are defined based upon facies characteristics and stratal geometries. A regional correlation of sequence boundaries of similar age indicates that they are eustatic in origin.     

Probabilistic model to forecast earthquakes in the Zemmouri (Algeria) seismoactive area on the basis of moment magnitude scale distribution functions

Based on the moment magnitude scale, a probabilistic model was developed to predict the occurrences of strong earthquakes in the seismoactive area of Zemmouri, Algeria. Firstly, the distributions of earthquake magnitudes M _i were described using the distribution function F ₀(m), which adjusts the magnitudes considered as independent random variables. Secondly, the obtained result, i.e., the distribution function F ₀(m) of the variables M _i was used to deduce the distribution functions G(x) and H(y) of the variables Y _i = Log M _0,i and Z _i = M _0,i , where (Y _i ) _i and (Z _i ) _i are independent. Thirdly, some forecast for moments of the future earthquakes in the studied area is given.     

Determination of the interstitial velocity field in the swash zone by Ultrasonic Doppler Velocimetry (UDV)

The experimental study of the hydrodynamics of the sediments and the physical analysis of the process of exchange at the water-sediment interface in a zone of swash are essential for the understanding of the sedimentary transport processes in coastal environments, in particular to control and forecast the evolution of the coastline. The objective of this study was to exploit the technique of Ultrasonic Doppler Velocimetry (UDV) to examine the evolution of the velocity field at the water-sediment interface in a zone of swash in various conditions of incidental regular waves in a wave flume. The velocities were measured in different conditions of the swash within the sediment bed, and in the fluid vein at the swash edge. These measurements show: an exponential distribution of velocities inside the sediment bed; a difference in the velocity gradient at the water-sediment interface, between the velocity in the water vein at the swash edge and the interstitial flow in the swash. The measurements obtained in the wave flume made it possible to observe an evolution of the velocity profiles according to the phases of the swash, which are characterized by a phase shift between the free flow at the swash edge and the interstitial flow during the two phases of the swash: uprush and backwash.     

Natural and artificial recharge investigation in the Zéroud Basin,Central Tunisia: impact of Sidi Saad Dam storage

Hydrochemical and isotopic data of waters from the Zéroud aquifer have been used to potentially provide a means for locating occurrences and to trace movements of a variety of natural and anthropogenic recharge waters in the Zéroud Basin, Central Tunisia. Geochemical data have been measured during the dam water release, from May to September 2005, with a sampling time step of 15 days. An implication of dam water has been demonstrated that is noticeable up along the main flow path to a distance of 10 km far from the injection site. Environmental isotopes ²H, ¹⁸O and ³H of water molecule were studied to investigate the effect of dam water on the hydrological system, and an isotope balance was established to compute the contribution of water storage component in groundwater. Based on isotopic mass balance, we assess that an average of 13% of total groundwater in the upper aquifer came from dam water storage. Three distinctive recharge waters in the aquifer can be determined. Water from local rainfall (pre-dam Zéroud River) that infiltrated into the boundaries of the Draa Affane Mountain was easily distinguished from the water influenced by anthropogenic recharge located in the Zéroud right rivulet. Distinguishable isotopic signatures of native wadi Zéroud recharge due to “recent lineal recharge” through the riverbed were also identified.     

Impacts of Seawater Rise on Seawater Intrusion in the Nile Delta Aquifer,Egypt

Several investigations have recently considered the possible impacts of climate change and seawater level rise on seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers. All have revealed the severity of the problem and the significance of the landward movement of the dispersion zone under the condition of seawater level rise. Most of the studies did not consider the possible effects of the seawater rise on the inland movement of the shoreline and the associate changes in the boundary conditions at the seaside and the domain geometry. Such effects become more evident in flat, low land, coastal alluvial plans where large areas might be submerged with seawater under a relatively small increase in the seawater level. None of the studies combined the effect of increased groundwater pumping, due to the possible decline in precipitation and shortage in surface water resources, with the expected landward shift of the shore line. In this article, the possible effects of seawater level rise in the Mediterranean Sea on the seawater intrusion problem in the Nile Delta Aquifer are investigated using FEFLOW. The simulations are conducted in horizontal view while considering the effect of the shoreline landward shift using digital elevation models. In addition to the basic run (current conditions), six different scenarios are considered. Scenarios one, two, and three assume a 0.5 m seawater rise while the total pumping is reduced by 50%, maintained as per the current conditions and doubled, respectively. Scenarios four, five, and six assume a 1.0 m seawater rise and the total pumping is changed as in the first three scenarios. The shoreline is moved to account for the seawater rise and hence the study domain and the seaside boundary are modified accordingly. It is concluded that, large areas in the coastal zone of the Nile Delta will be submerged by seawater and the coast line will shift landward by several kilometers in the eastern and western sides of the Delta. Scenario six represents the worst case under which the volume of freshwater will be reduced to about 513 km³ (billion m³).     

Experimental Investigation on Spray Cooling Using Saline Water

Mathematical Geosciences - Natural draft dry cooling towers (NDDCTs) are a type of cooling technology used in thermal power plants, including geothermal power plants. Interest from industry in this...