Changes in precipitation extremes over arid to semiarid and subhumid Punjab,Pakistan

Asymmetrical monsoons during the recent past have resulted into spatially variable and devastating floods in South Asia. Analysis of historic precipitation extremes record may help in formulating mitigation strategies at local level. Eleven indices of precipitation extremes were evaluated using RClimDex and daily time series data for analysis period of 1981–2010 from five representative cities across Punjab province of Pakistan. The indices include consecutive dry days, consecutive wet days, number of days above daily average precipitation, number of days with precipitation ≥10 mm, number of days with precipitation ≥20 mm, very wet days, extremely wet days, simple daily intensity index, maximum 1-day precipitation quantity, maximum 5 consecutive day precipitation quantity, and annual total wet-day precipitation. Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s slope extremes were used to detect trends in indices. Droughts and excessive precipitation were dictated by elevation from mean sea level with prolonged dry spells in southern Punjab and vice versa confirming spatial trends for precipitation extremes. However, no temporal trend was observed for any of the indices. Summer in the region is the wettest season depicting contribution of monsoons during June through August toward devastating floods in the region.     

Geochronologic investigations of the Sudbury Nickel Irruptive and the Superior Province granites north of Sudbury

RbSr ($\text{λ}\text{Rb}\text{= 1.39 × 10}{}^{\mathrm{?11}}\text{yr}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{)}$ and U-Pb ($\text{λ 238 = 1.54 × 10}{}^{\mathrm{?10}}\text{yr}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{, λ235 = 9.72 × 10}{}^{\mathrm{?10}}\text{yr}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$) measurements were undertaken in the Sudbury area, Sudbury, Ontario to determine the ages of the Sudbury Nickel Irruptive, Superior Province granites north of Sudbury, Sudbury Breccia and subsequent metamorphism. The Sudbury Nickel Irruptive norite whole rock Rb-Sr data yield an age of $\text{1883 ± 136}\text{Myr}$ ($\text{I.R}\text{. = 0.7071 ± 0.0005}$; all results quoted at 2π level) while the Nickel Irruptive micropegmatite Rb-Sr system has been disturbed and does not yield an isochron. A plagioclase-whole rock pair from the norite near the norite-micropegmatite transition yields an age of 1866 Myr, which when taken in conjunction with field (Stevenson and Colgrove, 1968) and geochemical (Naldrettet al., 1970, 1972) data does not support the conclusion of gibbins and McNurr (1972) that the micropegmatite is a later intrusion rather than a differentiate of the magma which produced the norite. Rb-Sr studies of the Superior Province granites north of Sudbury yield an age of $\text{2698 ± 162}\text{Myr}$ ($\text{I.R.}\text{= 0.7019 ± 0.0012}$). U-Pb zircon studies of these granites and granitic clasts within the Sudbury Breccia yield an age of $\text{2.71 ± 0.05}$ Byr and suggest the breccia granitic clasts were derived from the Superior Province granites. The granitic rocks ~150 km north of Sudbury have been undisturbed for ~ 2.6 Byr based on Rb-Sr mineral studies, whereas the granites and Sudbury Breccia within ~ 15 km of the Nickel Irruptive, as well as the Sudbury norite at the perimeter of the Irruptive have been disturbed by the Penokean Orogeny 1.7–1.75 Byr ago. The Penokean event appears to have overprinted isotopic evidence of the Sudbury impact event at least in the area studied.     

Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Uraniferous Sandstones in Fault Zone,Wadi El Sahu Area,Southwestern Sinai,Egypt: Implications for Provenance,Weathering and Tectonic Setting

Paleozoic rocks in the Wadi El Sahu area are affected by many major faults in different directions. A reverse fault trending NE-SW is exposed for about 300 m of its length as it cuts through the Abu Hamata and Adedia formations on the south side of Wadi El Sahu. A secondary ascending hydrothermal solution carrying heavy metals and radioactive minerals passed through the fault plain and the surrounding fractures, forming mineralized and radioactive zone. The mineralized zone thickness ranges from 60 cm to 200 cm along the fault plain. These rocks were analyzed radiometrically using a portable gamma-ray spectrometer, chemically by employing ICP-ES and ICP-MS, as well as mineralogically by both binocular and Environmental Scanning Electron microscope. Gold content was also determined by fire assay. REE and U contents reached up to 2682 and 1216 ppm, respectively. Mineralogical investigations indicated the presence of uraninite, torbernite, autunite, sklodowskite, kasolite as uranium minerals, thorite as a thorium mineral, monazite, allanite and xenotime as REE-bearing minerals, zircon and columbite as accessory minerals, gold and nickel as precious and base metals, in addition to cassiterite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite and chrysocolla. High REE and U contents are attributed to the circulation of epigenetic U and REE-bearing hydrothermal solutions along the fault plain and its surrounding fractures. Hydrothermal alteration processes could then be confirmed by the presence of the M-type tetrad effect in the REE-patterns of the ferruginous sandstone. The non-chondritic ratio of Nb/Ta, Zr/Hf and Y/Ho in the studied sandstone may be attributed to the tetrad effect. The Ce and Eu anomaly with unusual REE-patterns was represented by the presence of conjugated M-W tetrad effects, indicating either the dual effect of hydrothermal solutions or groundwater with seawater. The results clarify that the tetrad-effects could be used as evidence for the environment of deposition and as an indication for gold mineralization.     

Characterization and Source History Modeling Using Low‐k Zone Profiles at Two Source Areas

Like tree rings, high‐resolution soil sampling of low‐permeability (low‐k) zones can be used to evaluate the style of source history at contaminated sites (i.e., historical pattern of concentration and composition vs. time since releases occurred at the interface with the low‐k zone). This is valuable for the development of conceptual site model (CSM) and can serve as an important line of evidence supporting monitored natural attenuation (MNA) as a long‐term remedy. Source histories were successfully reconstructed at two sites at Naval Air Station Jacksonville using a simple one‐dimensional (1D) model. The plume arrival time and historical composition were reconstructed from the time initial releases that were suspected to occur decades earlier. At the first site (Building 106), the source reconstructions showed relatively constant source concentrations, but significant attenuation over time in the downgradient plume in the transmissive zone, suggesting MNA may not be an appropriate remedy if source control is a requirement, but attenuation processes are clearly helping to maintain plume stability and reduce risk. At the second site (Building 780), source concentrations in the transmissive zone showed an approximately a one order of magnitude over time, but apparently less attenuation in the downgradient plume. The source reconstruction method appeared to reflect site remediation efforts (excavation, soil vapor extraction) implemented in the 1990s. Finally, a detailed analysis using molecular biological tools, carbon isotopes, and by‐products suggests that most degradation activity is associated with high‐k zones but not with low‐k zones at these source areas. Overall, the source reconstruction methodology provided insight into historical concentration trends not obtainable otherwise given the limited long‐term monitoring data.     

Treatment of secondary effluents by infiltration-percolation process using sand fortified with activated charcoal

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of sand/granular activated charcoal mixture medium to treat urban wastewater effluents. Several laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the best combination ratio of sand/activated charcoal which would allow the optimum water purification. A comparative study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of the addition of activated charcoal on infiltration-percolation efficiency. Experiments demonstrated that fortifying sand medium with granular activated charcoal improved the pollutants removal efficiencies. Results showed that a combination ratio of 3:1 (by volume) of sand and granular activated charcoal gave the best depuration efficiency regarding organic matter, nitrogen and orthophosphorous. The mean removal rates of COD, NH₄–N and PO₄–P were 83.29, 95.85 and 65.21%, respectively. Furthermore, experiments demonstrated that a mixture of sand/activated charcoal in a 3:1 ratio resulted in the optimum oxidation capacity.     

GIS技术在城市地下水重金属浓度识别与分级中的应用（英文）

Groundwater is the most appropriate and widely used source of drinking water,which is increasingly threatened by pollution from industrial and agricultural activities.To check the severity of the problem,156 groundwater samples were collected from various depths(60-110 ft) of 52 different localities in Faisalabad city,the third largest metropolis in Pakistan,and analyzed for the metals(Zn,Cu,Cd,Ni,Pb,Mn and Fe) concentration in 2009.Quantification was done by using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer technique and the results were compared with WHO standards for drinking water quality.Results showed that the levels of Cu,Mn and Fe were below the WHO standards while the concentrations of Zn,Cd,Ni and Pb were above the recommended levels of safe drinking water.Correlation analysis among the occurrence of these heavy metals revealed a highly significant and positive correlation of Mn with Zn and Fe.A significant and positive correlation of Cd was also found with Cu and groundwater depth showing that there is strong association between Cu-Cd pair and that the Cd concentration varies with depth of groundwater in the study area.Regional patterns of heavy metals occurrence were mapped using Geographical Information System(GIS) for the identification and demarcation of risk areas.The concentration maps may be used by policymakers of the city to mitigate groundwater pollution.     

Phosphorus and nitrogen losses associated with runoff and erosion on an Aridisol in northern Iraq

Abstract

Runoff and soil erosion are known to cause a degradation in soil and water quality. Six natural runoff plots (three 10 m long and three 30 m long) were established on 6% uniform slope area for the study of P and N losses associated with runoff and soil erosion in northern Iraq. The soil at the site belongs to the Calciorthid suborder which dominates in the low rainfall zone of northern Iraq. Runoff, erosion, and associated P and N losses, were recorded from these plots for three rainfall seasons. Results illustrated that eroded sediment is always rich in available P and inorganic N compared to the original soil. Concentrations of soluble P and soluble N in runoff illustrated significant variability both between storms and between seasons. Both sediment-bound P and soluble P were significantly correlated with the ratio of runoff to rainfall.     

Contaminant plume classification system based on mass discharge

Estimation of mass discharge has become an increasingly valuable analysis technique at sites with contaminated groundwater plumes. We propose a simple plume magnitude classification system based on mass discharge comprised of 10 separate magnitude categories, such as a "Mag 7 plume." This system can be a useful tool for scientists, engineers, regulators, and stakeholders to better communicate site conceptual models, prioritize sites, evaluate plumes both spatially and temporally, and determine potential impacts.     

An assessment of the potential impact of climate change on flood risk in Mumbai

Managing risks from extreme events will be a crucial component of climate change adaptation. In this study, we demonstrate an approach to assess future risks and quantify the benefits of adaptation options at a city-scale, with application to flood risk in Mumbai. In 2005, Mumbai experienced unprecedented flooding, causing direct economic damages estimated at almost two billion USD and 500 fatalities. Our findings suggest that by the 2080s, in a SRES A2 scenario, an ??upper bound?? climate scenario could see the likelihood of a 2005-like event more than double. We estimate that total losses (direct plus indirect) associated with a 1-in-100 year event could triple compared with current situation (to $690?C$1,890 million USD), due to climate change alone. Continued rapid urbanisation could further increase the risk level. The analysis also demonstrates that adaptation could significantly reduce future losses; for example, estimates suggest that by improving the drainage system in Mumbai, losses associated with a 1-in-100 year flood event today could be reduced by as much as 70%.,We show that assessing the indirect costs of extreme events is an important component of an adaptation assessment, both in ensuring the analysis captures the full economic benefits of adaptation and also identifying options that can help to manage indirect risks of disasters. For example, we show that by extending insurance to 100% penetration, the indirect effects of flooding could be almost halved. We conclude that, while this study explores only the upper-bound climate scenario, the risk-assessment core demonstrated in this study could form an important quantitative tool in developing city-scale adaptation strategies. We provide a discussion of sources of uncertainty and risk-based tools could be linked with decision-making approaches to inform adaptation plans that are robust to climate change.