Fluid geochemistry of the Mondragone hydrothermal systems (southern Italy): water and gas compositions vs. geostructural setting

International Journal of Earth Sciences - The geochemistry of natural thermal fluids discharging in the Mondragone Plain has been investigated. Thermal spring emergences are located along the...     

Landscape mapping of the Russian Black Sea coast

The purpose of this investigation is to study structure, evolution and present ecological state of background and anthropogenically modified landscapes of the Abrau Peninsula. This region has been recommended as one of the main conservation sites on the Russian Black Sea coast due to its relatively low anthropogenic transformation and its historical importance. The ecological situation is aggravated today by the construction of a pipe-line and oil terminal near Novorossiysk and by an increase in unregulated recreation activity within the peninsula's narrow coastal zone. A special landscape-ecological map has been compiled for the model area. All ecosystems shown on the map can be grouped into four main categories based on changes of landscape structure resulting from direct impact of human activity and indirect impact mainly from chemical pollution. Ecosystems exhibiting a high degree of transformation are more typical for regions characterized by settlements, vineyards and the coastal recreation zone. Ecosystems with moderate changes also exist in the coastal area, including, for example, some unique ecosystems with pine-tree forests, pistachio-juniper and juniper open-lands. Nearly 50% of pine-tree (Pinus pithyusa) forests are in the fourth and fifth stages of recreation degradation. Some protection measures are suggested to maintain biodiversity and sustainable development of these coastal landscapes and to improve their current condition.     

Vertical Dynamics of the Energy Release Process in a Simple two-Ribbon Flare

Observations of the quiescent filament eruption and the spotless two-ribbon flare of 12 September 2000 are presented. A simple flare morphology, large spatial scales, and a suitable viewing angle provide insight into characteristics of the energy release process which is attributed to the reconnection process in the current sheet formed below the eruptive filament. The flare ribbons appeared and started to expand laterally while the filament was still recognizable, enabling simultaneous measurements of the ribbon separation w and the height of the lower edge of the filament, h. The ratio w/h estimated for the expanding portions of ribbons indicates that the width-to-length ratio of the current sheet at the onset of the fast reconnection ranges between and . The ribbon elements characterized by w/h> remained stationary. The Nançay radioheliograph data in the decimeter–meter wavelengths show one group of radio bursts ahead of the filament (moving type IV burst) and another group behind the filament. The centroids of the radio sources behind the filament were confined to the region outlined by the lower edge of the filament and the magnetic inversion line, suggestive of emission from the current sheet. Sources were preferably located close to the lower edge of the filament and some appeared close to the magnetic inversion line. Two possible explanations are discussed: one in terms of the fast-mode bow shocks in the reconnection outflow jets, and another in terms of a multiple tearing of the current sheet and subsequent coalescence of plasmoids.     

Contemporary runoff trends in some highland stream basins in Bulgaria

Hydrological changes in four stream basins situated on the northern slopes of the Stara Planina range (North Bulgaria) and in the Rodopi massif (South Bulgaria) have been investigated during the 1951–1989 time period. Parallel analysis of runoff and precipitation mean annual values have been made, calculating the respective annual ratios compared to the mean of the entire range mean value. Curves of runoff and precipitation frequencies have been developed and analyzed. This investigation establishes that during the 1980s a consistent trend towards significant humidity reduction has occurred. Mean annual deviation values of the last decade compared to the entire period mean annual figure amount to 5–20% and 10–25% for the precipitation and runoff, respectively, with humidity reduction of greater amplitude in the North Bulgarian stream basins. Annual Mean deviations are due to significant moisture reduction during the warm half of the year in North Bulgaria and in the cold half in South Bulgaria. Both regions reflect zonal differences caused by climatic patterns of European if not planetary scale.     

Limnological studies on a shallow reservoir in western Venezuela (Tulé Reservoir)

Limnological features of Tulé Reservoir, a large and shallow reservoir in western Venezuela were studied from May 1992 to December 1993. This reservoir is polymictic, with a low water transparency. Levels of nitrogen were high and phytoplankton productivity was low. The phytoplankton productivity values may be explained by the low concentrations of orthophosphate during the larger part of the sampling period and the frequent mixing and resuspension of sediments. Heterotrophic bacteria were between 1651.67 and 4365.00 Colony-forming Units/ml. Species composition of the crustacean zooplankton community was similar to other neotropical eutrophic reservoirs.     

Controls on basalt terrace formation in the eastern Lesotho highlands

The objective of this study is to ascertain the relative importance of lithological controls and geomorphological processes in the development of Drakensberg basalt terraces. Various hypotheses for terrace formation are considered, including geological controls, macroscale geomorphology, and climatic–geomorphological controls. The variations in strength and relative age differences for scarp surface exposures on two slopes of varying aspect are determined, so that a comparison can be made between various scarp outcrops and relative rates of weathering. Scarp outcrops were measured for their rock mass strength, rock surface roughness, and percentage lichen cover. The ethylene glycol test was performed on prepared rock samples to determine susceptibility to tensional breakup. A satellite image depicting the distribution of late-lying contemporary snow was used to assist in the construction of topo-climatic linkages with scarp terrace localities. Findings show that terraces are most common on southeast-facing aspects, and coincide with the major joint strike direction. Lithological factors are thus considered the primary control to such terrace development. It is suggested that a different set of geomorphological processes operates on various slope-altitudinal and slope-orientational positions at any given time.     

Estimate of the Eutrophication Process in the Gruža Reservoir (Serbia and Montenegro)

The Gru?a Reservoir (located at 238…269 m a. s. l., volume 64.6 · 10⁶ m³, surface 934 ha, drainage area 318 km², max. depth 31 m, mean theoretical retention time 22 months) was investigated during the years 1996 to 2001. The obtained values of trophic state parameters (9…200 μg L^?1 total phosphorus, 3…99 μg L^?1 chlorophyll‐a, and 0.5…2 m transparency) indicate that water of the Gru?a Reservoir is eutrophic according to three types of classification: Carlson, OECD, and Jones and Lee. It was noticed that values of average biomass abundance are large in the Gru?a Reservoir, and they could indicate a richer trophic state. When these indices are cited in connection with parameters of the trophic state, it is apparent that the Gru?a Reservoir can be classified as a eutrophic water on the basis of total phosphorus content of chlorophyll‐a and hypertrophic water with respect to transparency.     

Universities and knowledge-based economic growth: the case of Delft (NL)

Knowledge about new technology is a main determinant of the competitiveness of cities and regions nowadays. It reduces the amount of uncertainty of companies in their daily operations. In addition, it is a basis for the establishment of new companies and the restructuring of old ones. The availability and use of knowledge has thus a major influence on the development of urban and regional economies. An amazingly small amount of research has been done on the knowledge capacity of cities to date, i.e. urban potentials to generate, store, transfer and use knowledge. This article explores therefore, the urban knowledge capacity in a theoretical and empirical sense. Attention will be given to essential urban knowledge activities, and to the comprehensive and complex nature of the phenomena involved. In addition, various planning tools aimed at knowledge-based economic growth will be considered, with a focus on differences between the actors involved, and opportunities and constraints for success. In the empirical part, the city of Delft in the Netherlands will serve as an example, particularly regarding local policies for knowledge-based growth. Delft is an interesting case given the abundant availability of new technology and the relatively low level of local new firm formation.