Correction to: Imagery of the metamorphic bedrock roof of the Sahel active fault in the Sablettes (Algiers) reclaimed area by ambient vibration HVSR

The original version of this paper was published with incomplete affiliation. Given in this article are the complete affiliations.     

Development of a model for analysis of slope stability for circular mode failure using genetic algorithm

Slope stability estimation is an engineering problem that involves several parameters. The interactions between factors that affect slope instability are complex and multi-factorial, so often it is difficult to describe the slope stability mathematically. This paper, proposes the use of a genetic algorithm (GA) as a heuristic search method to find a regression model for analyzing the slope stability. For this purpose, an evolutionary algorithm based on GA was used to develop a regression model for prediction of factor of safety (FS) for circular mode failure. The proposed GA uses the root mean squared error as the fitness function and searches among a large number of possible regression models to choose the best for estimation of FS from six geotechnical and geometrical parameters. For validation of the model and checking its efficiency, a validation dataset was used to evaluate FS using the proposed model and a previously developed mathematical GA based model in the literature. Results have shown that the presented model in this study was capable of evaluating FS at a higher level of confidence regarding the other model (R = 0.89 for presented model in this study comparing R = 0.78 for the other model) and can be efficient enough to be used as a simple mathematical tool for evaluation of factor of safety for circular mode failure especially in preliminary stages of the designing phase.     

Hydrocarbon source potential of the Jurassic sediments of Salam-3X borehole,Khalda Concession,Northern Western Desert,Egypt

A total of 51 samples, collected from the Jurassic sediments (Ras Qattara, Yakout, Khatatba, Masajid, and Alam El Bueib (member 6) formations) of Salam-3X well, were subjected to organic geochemical analysis. Of the samples, nine have been subjected to palynofacies investigation. Based on the sedimentary organic matter, these sediments show only one palynofacies type, indicating the presence of gas- and oil-prone source rocks and reflecting deposition under marginal dysoxic–anoxic to shelf-to-basin transition conditions. The total organic content of the samples analyzed is characterized by a wide range of content, including fair, good, very good, and excellent. The organic matter quality of these samples is concentrated around types III (gas prone), III–II (gas and oil prone), and II (oil prone), reflecting gas- and oil-prone sediments, with a tendency to generate gas rather than oil; the result matches with the palynological analysis data. The temperature of maximum pyrolytic hydrocarbon generation of analyzed samples are ranging between 440 and 457 °C, reflecting thermally mature organic matter.     

Relationship between geological structures and groundwater flow and groundwater salinity in Al Jaaw Plain,United Arab Emirates; mapping and analysis by means of remote sensing and GIS

Geological structures can be of great influence groundwater movement and accumulation in the surface and subsurface, and should therefore be taken into consideration in studies related to groundwater contamination impact. This study attempts to investigate the influence of geological structures on groundwater flow and groundwater salinity in Al Jaaw Plain, United Arab Emirates. A set of thematic maps derived from digital elevation model (DEM), LANDSAT, and Spaceborn Imagine Radar-C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar were enhanced by applying Soble filter with 10 % threshold and equalization enhancement to reveal and map geological structures crosscut the entire region. Drainage pattern was derived from DEM automatically using D8 algorithm. The algorithm determines in which neighboring pixel any water in a central pixel will flow naturally. The trends of geological structures and drainage pattern extracted from remote sensing data were correlated with the spatial variation of hydraulic head, thickness aquifer, and groundwater salinity in the region. The results of the study reveal that the wadi courses, thickness of the aquifer, and topography are structural controlled by NNW–SSE, NE–SW, and ENE–WSW trending fault zones, significantly influencing the groundwater flow and groundwater contamination in Al Jaaw Plain.     

Parameters controlling the quality of the Hamra Quartzite reservoir,southern Hassi Messaoud,Algeria: insights from a petrographic,geochemical, and provenance study

Petrographic and geochemical analysis of the Hamra Quartzite reservoir in the southern periphery of the Hassi Messaoud field has been undertaken. The aim is to identify the quality of these sandstones as well as their tectonic setting and possible provenance. Petrographic analysis reveals that the studied reservoir is constituted of fine- to coarse-grained sandstones in which quartz forms the principal framework mineral. The main cement phases identified in this reservoir are quartz, illite, and carbonate, precipitated in that order. The principal diagenetic factors controlling the reservoir quality are quartz overgrowths, formation of authigenic clays, and the precipitation of carbonate cement. The Hamra Quartzite reservoir is considered mature from a compositional point of view as it consists predominantly of quartz arenites. Geochemically, these sandstones have a high SiO₂ content (93.28–98.79 wt%). The Hamra Quartzite deposits appear to be derived from deeply weathered (under warm–humid climate conditions) granitic–gneissic terrains or recycled sedimentary source areas. A passive margin origin is the most likely tectonic setting for the depositional environment of these arenites. The reservoir quality is strongly influenced by the relationship between the clay content and mineralogy. The combined effect of quartz overgrowth and the plugging of pores by illite have reduced both porosity and permeability. As a result, economically viable oil production in this area will depend most strongly on the combination of matrix and fracture porosity.     

Numerical study of power production from tidal energy in the Khuran Channel and its feedback on background hydrodynamics

This study focuses on the development of a farm of tidal turbines in the Khuran Channel. The important factors include the location of turbines and their hydrodynamic effects on the environment. A three-dimensional circulation model for the Persian Gulf is employed for the comprehensive evaluation of the tidal energy potential throughout the study area. The model is validated by using in situ observations of water level and current data.The appropriate potential points for extracting the tidal e...     

The Translational–Rotational Motion of an Earth Spheroid Satellite

In this paper we consider the translational–rotational motion of a spheroid satellite in the gravitational field, taking into account the asphericity of the earth. The harmonic coefficients of the earth’s gravitational field are taken up to J ₄. The equations of motion are obtained in terms of the canonical elements of Delaunay-Andoyer. A first order solution is obtained using the perturbing technique of Lie series.     

Application of the honey-bees mating programming (HBMP) algorithm to sediment concentration modelling

Abstract

The honey-bees mating programming (HBMP) algorithm is introduced as a novel tool for predicting suspended sediment concentration for the Mad River catchment near Arcata, USA. The paper also applies gene expression programming (GEP) as a comparison and shows that these two approaches can the produce transparent, nonlinear relationships between the independent and dependent variables. Some modifications have been made to the HBMP algorithm to improve its capability and efficiency. The results achieved from this method and GEP are compared with two different sediment rating curves based on regression techniques. The findings show that the results from both the HBMP and GEP methods are promising and outperform the results obtained from the sediment rating curves.

Editor D. Koutsoyiannis; Associate editor L. See     

Magnetic Removal of Reactive Black 5 from Wastewater Using Ionic Liquid Grafted‐Magnetic Nanoparticles

Due to the unique chemical properties and therefore wide range of applications, significant amounts of reactive dyes often end up in waste waters and this issue raises the need for more efficient treatment technologies. This work investigates the ability of magnetite nanoparticles functionalized with imidazolium based ionic liquid (IL) as an efficient sorbent for the removal of the Reactive black 5 from wastewater. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, thermo‐gravimetric analysis, and zeta potential measurement were used to characterize the synthesized nanosorbent. The results showed that under optimal conditions, the dye removal efficiency of the grafted IL is 98.5% after a single run. Regeneration of the used sorbent could be possible and the modified magnetic nanoparticles exhibited good reusability. The isothermal data of RB5 sorption conformed well to the Langmuir model and the maximum sorption capacity of IL@Fe₃O₄ for RB5 was 161.29 mg g^?1. Thermodynamic study indicated that the adsorption is endothermic and spontaneous. The use of such a system can provide fast and efficient removal of the reactive dyes from wastewater by using an external magnetic field.     

Identifying geological hazards related to tunneling in carbonate karstic rocks - Zagros, Iran

The construction of tunnels in carbonate karstic rocks has always been the most hazardous and problematic task in civil and mining engineering, as it can threaten tunneling project from safety, time and economic aspects. Therefore, it is essential to identify hazards resulting from construction in early stages of a project. The present paper is aimed to identify main geological hazards related to tunneling in carbonate karstic rocks in the Zagros Mountains. The process of identification relies upon a review of construction experiences obtained from several projects with a focus on the Kuhrang Tunnels. Obviously, groundwater inrush and tunnel flooding, ground inflow and fill-back of the tunnel, instability of weak fill materials, and TBM jamming are the main potential hazards of tunneling in the Zagros Mountains, imposing huge problems during construction. Inadequate understanding of hazards and not being prepared enough to take appropriate countermeasures are the main sources of the problems. In addition, the investigation of the present study provides guidelines to reduce the risks of tunneling in the carbonate karstic rocks with similar geological condition.