Volume Height Estimation based on Fusion of Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) and Least Square (LS) in a Tomographic SAR Application

Tomographic-SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a 3D Radar imaging technique, based on spectral estimation tools. This technique is used to estimate the distribution of the backscattering signal in the elevation axis, for each azimuth-range resolution cell of the SAR image. Spectral estimation algorithms belong to two families, non parametric estimation algorithms which include DFT (Discrete Fourier Transform), SVD (Single Value Decomposition), MUSIC (Multiple Signal Classification), CAPON and parametric estimation algorithms such as LS (Least Square) and ESPRIT (Estimation of signal parameters via rotation invariance techniques). In this paper we present an inversion algorithm based on the fusion of DFT and LS for the estimation of the reflectivity signal along the elevation axis. With an appropriate combination of these two algorithms and a realistic modeling of the signal distribution, we obtain a high resolution estimate of the reflectivity signal with medium computational effort. The inversion algorithm is tested on a forested area (Västerbotten in northern Sweden), with multibaseline data set acquired in L-band (BioSAR-2008 project). Results are promising with the proposed algorithm. We used MUSIC and RVoG (Random Volume over Ground) inversions for comparison and LIDAR (Laser Imaging Detection And Ranging) image as datasets for validation of the results.     

Salinization of groundwater in the Nefzawa oases region,Tunisia: results of a regional-scale hydrogeologic approach

Groundwater pumped from the semi-confined Complexe Terminal (CT) aquifer is an important production factor in irrigated oases agriculture in southern Tunisia. A rise in the groundwater salinity has been observed as a consequence of increasing abstraction from the aquifer during the last few decades. All sources of contamination were investigated using hydrochemical data available from the 1980s. Water samples were taken from drains and observation wells tapping both the CT and the phreatic aquifers and analyzed with regard to chemistry, temperature, isotopes and other environmental tracers. Local salinization mechanisms are suggested, i.e. the upwelling of saline water from the underlying, confined Continental Intercalaire (CI) aquifer, as well as backflow of agricultural drainage water. At this stage, the main salt pan, the Chott el Djerid, is not a contamination source. A finite difference model was also developed to simulate groundwater flow and contaminant transport in the oases. Calibration for the period 1950–2000 was carried out in order to adjust geological and chemical system parameters. The simulation of planned extraction projects predicts a worsening of the present situation. Maintenance of the present abstraction regime will not reduce or stop the salinity increase.

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Résumé L’eau souterraine pompée dans l’aquifère semi-captif du Complexe Terminal (CT) est un facteur de production important pour l’agriculture des oasis irriguées du sud de la Tunisie. Une augmentation de la salinité de l’eau souterraine a été considérée comme la conséquence de l’augmentation des prélèvements dans l’aquifère au cours des dernières décades. Toutes les sources de contamination ont été étudiées à l’aide de données hydro-chimiques disponibles depuis les années 80. Des échantillons d’eau ont été prélevés dans des drains et des puits d’observation qui captent à la fois le CT et les aquifères phréatiques; la chimie, la température, les isotopes ainsi que d’autres traceurs environnementaux ont été analysés. Des processus locaux de salinisation sont proposés, comme par exemple la remontée d’eau salée en provenance de l’aquifère captif du Continental Intercalaire (CI) sous-jacent, ainsi que le reflux des eaux du drainage agricole. A ce stade, le principal marais salé, le Chott el Djerid, n’est pas une source de contamination. Un modèle aux différences finies a également été élaboré pour simuler les écoulements souterrains et le transport de contaminants dans les oasis. Une calibration pour la période 1950–2000 a été effectuée afin d’ajuster les paramètres des systèmes géologique et chimique. La simulation de projets planifiés d’extraction prédit une aggravation de la situation actuelle. La conservation du régime d’extraction actuel ne réduira ou ne stoppera pas l’augmentation de la salinité.

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Resumen El agua subterránea que se bombea del acuífero semi-confinado Terminal Complejo (CT) es un importante factor de producción en la agricultura de riego con oasis en el sur de Túnez. Se ha observado un incremento en la salinidad del agua subterránea como consecuencia de la abstracción creciente del acuífero durante las últimas décadas. Se investigaron todas las fuentes de contaminación usando datos hidroquímicos disponibles de la década de 1980s. Las muestras de agua se tomaron de drenajes y pozos de observación alojados tanto en el CT como los acuíferos freáticos y se analizaron en relación con química, temperatura, isótopos y otros trazadores ambientales. Se sugieren mecanismos de salinización local, i.e. el ascenso de agua salada a partir del acuífero confinado subyacente Intercalado Continental (CI), así como también retorno de flujo de agua de drenaje agrícola. En esta etapa, el pan salado principal, el Chott el Djerid, no es una fuente de contaminación. También se desarrolló un modelo de diferencia finita para simular el flujo de agua subterránea y el transporte de contaminantes en los oasis. Se calibró el modelo para el periodo 1950–2000 para de este modo ajustar parámetros del sistema químico y geológico. La simulación de los proyectos de extracción que se han planeado predice un empeoramiento de la situación actual. El mantenimiento del régimen de extracción actual no reducirá o detendrá el incremento de salinidad.

     

An experimental study of dispersion of an interactive tracer in chemically heterogeneous medium at a column scale

This paper aims at examining the increase of phenol adsorption breakthrough curves spreading caused by the chemical heterogeneity of granular activated carbon fixed beds. The local and the thermodynamic equilibrium assumption, as well as the nonlinear adsorption obeying to Langmuir isotherm, are considered. This study particularly tempts to link the reduced variance of phenol breakthrough curves to a measurable quantifying parameter of the chemical heterogeneity. The investigated artificial heterogeneous media are prepared by alternating layers of two types of granular activated carbon, active and non-active ones, that have similar physical properties. On the one hand, the chemical heterogeneity is quantified by the active layer relative thickness of the column length, l₁/L. On the other hand, it is quantified by the mean value of the probability distribution γ. The latter also represents the mean active grains mass ratio of the total medium mass, hence the medium mean capacity. The obtained results show an increase in the reduced variance and thus the effective global dispersion with the heterogeneity; the increase is as important as the medium capacity decreases. However, the dispersion increase achieves a limit value, even when the heterogeneity increases. The results are statistically modelled using a regression equation function of the capacity variation in terms of γ and the chemical heterogeneity in terms of l₁/L. The relationship combining the medium capacity and the chemical heterogeneity is obtained. The relationship implicitly takes into account the effect of the column length.     

GIS based DRASTIC model for groundwater vulnerability assessment: Case study of the shallow mio-plio-quaternary aquifer (Southeastern Tunisia)

Groundwater is the main source of water in arid regions. Thus, groundwater pollution becomes a major issue due to the increasing contamination, which poses serious and harmful risk to the environment. Groundwater vulnerability maps can be used as a tool to help decision makers to protect groundwater resources from contamination. The vulnerability of the Mio-Plio-Quaternary shallow aquifer (Southeast Tunisia) has been assessed using a DRASTIC model based on Geographic Information System (GIS). The different parameters of the model were collected from several sources and converted into thematic maps using ArcGis©. Each DRASTIC parameter was assigned a weight and rating based on a range of information within the parameter. Groundwater vulnerability map shows a large area (48%) with high risk of pollution. It indicates that the Southern part of the aquifer and the wadi beds are the most susceptible to contamination. The measured nitrate concentration is coherent with the DRASTIC model results.     

A new genetic model for the North African metasomatic siderite deposits

Based on published accounts of the diagenetic evolution of evaporite diapirs and geological, preliminary geochemical, and fluid inclusion data a new genetic model is presented for the North African metasomatic siderite deposits.Essentially, hot brines from the buried evaporites, gypsum-derived and/or other formation waters are thought to have reacted with their host rocks during early diagenesis becoming acid and reducing, thus allowing solution and transport of Fe and other cations. They were channeled toward the apical parts of diapirs where they deposited their solute by metasomatic processes in fractured roof carbonates. Other depositional modes by pressure and temperature drop as well as by mixing with near-surface waters are indicated by the occasional vein-type iron ores and very minor barite and fluorite. The model is quite comparable to recently published thoughts on the origin of the Pb-Zn deposits of the same area. Obviously, both groups of deposits share not only temporal and spatial but also causal metallogenic characteristics.

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Résumé Basée sur les notes publiées sur l'évolution diagénétique des diapirs évaporitiques, et sur les données géologiques et les résultats préliminaires concernant la géochimie et les inclusions fluides, un nouveau modèle génétique est présenté pour les minerais sidéritiques métasomatiques du Maghreb.Dans l'ensemble, des saumures chaudes, issues des évaporites enfouies, et/ou des eaux derivées du gypse et d'autres sediments, semblent avoir réagi avec leurs roches hôtes durant la diagenèse précoce, devenant ainsi acides et réductrices. Ceci entraine la mise en solution et le transport du fer et d'autres cations. Ces saumures sont canalisées vers les parties apicales des diapirs, où elles déposent leurs solutés par processus métasomatiques dans les fractures du toit carbonaté. D'autres modes de dépôt, aussi bien par chute de température et de pression que par mélange avec les eaux de subsurface, sont marqués par des filons occasionels minéralisés en fer et très rarement en barytine et fluorine.Le modèle est tout à fait comparable à ce publié récemment sur l'origine des minéralisations à Pb-Zn de la même région. Il est évident que les deux groupes de minéralisation partagent des caractéristiques métallogéniques non seulement spatiotemporelles mais aussi causales.

     

The vein-type barite mineralization of the Draïssa ore field,Ougarta; SW- Algeria: mineralogy,trace elements and halogens

The Draïssa barite vein system in the Ougarta district is located in southwestern Algeria. It is the principal mineral deposit of economic interest of the area. The mineralization is hosted by Cambrian sedimentary rocks that unconformably overlie Precambrian formations. The mineralized structures consist mostly of barite and quartz with minor sulfide minerals and trend dominantly NE-SW, NW-SE, and E-W. Siliceous alteration zones are associated with the vein system. Samples of barite ore are characterized by low total REE contents ranging from 9 to 50 ppm and positive Eu (2–2.15 ppm) and Y (1.2–11.1 ppm) anomalies, indicating hydrothermal activity during mineralization. Halogen data of the barite show that the Cl/Br molar ratio is 189:571 and the Na/Br ratio is 34:376, indicating that the sulfur was derived from seawater. The Ba-enrichment trend in the volcanic rocks of Draïssa is interpreted as possible probable source of the Ba (424–3039 ppm Ba). It appears that the barite-quartz deposits were formed in two stages. Endogenous fluids deposited the primary vein materials, consisting of quartz associated with copper sulfides. Exogenous fluids (cold seawater) became heated during ascendant fluid movement. Mineralization was governed by convective motions and the barite and galena fillings were deposited in openings created by normal faulting.     

Assessment of the effect of a planned marina on groundwater quality in Enfida plain (Tunisia)

The Enfida aquifer system is of importance to the economic activity of the eastern center of Tunisia. The planning of a marina is likely to present a significant risk on groundwater. Classical physically based modeling is used to better understand salty water intrusion in the aquifers. The transport model (MT3DMS) is coupled with the groundwater model (Modflow). Model calibration was carried out over the period 1972–2005. Four scenarios were then simulated for a 50-year period, to assess the effects of both planned marina and future abstraction regime. We predict a rise in the groundwater salinity generated by the planned pumping infrastructure. The impact of the planned project will be observed only near the marina. However, limited measurements of transmissivity may affect the model’s results. Thus, the second part of the paper is aimed to assess the models output error due to the uncertainty in transmissivity, using a stochastic approach. Hundred realizations of a log-normal random transmissivity field had been performed. According to the most pessimistic realizations, the uncertainty may reach 49 % in the sector of an important pumping field. Accordingly, the calculated concentration may reach 6.5 g/l in 2055 instead of 3.2 g/l.     

Assessment of urban heat island effect for different land use–land cover from micrometeorological measurements and remote sensing data for megacity Delhi

Urban heat island intensities (UHI) have been assessed based on in situ measurements and satellite-derived observations for the megacity Delhi during a selected period in March 2010. A network of micrometeorological observational stations was set up across the city. Site selection for stations was based on dominant land use–land cover (LULC) classification. Observed UHI intensities could be classified into high, medium and low categories which overall correlated well with the LULC categories viz. dense built-up, medium dense built-up and green/open areas, respectively. Dense urban areas and highly commercial areas were observed to have highest UHI with maximum hourly magnitude peaking up to 10.7 °C and average daily maximum UHI reaching 8.3 °C. UHI obtained in the study was also compared with satellite-derived land surface temperatures (LST). UHI based on in situ ambient temperatures and satellite-derived land surface temperatures show reasonable comparison during nighttime in terms of UHI magnitude and hotspots. However, the relation was found to be poor during daytime. Further, MODIS-derived LSTs showed overestimation during daytime and underestimation during nighttime when compared with in situ skin temperature measurements. Impact of LULC was also reflected in the difference between ambient temperature and skin temperature at the observation stations as built-up canopies reported largest gradient between air and skin temperature. Also, a comparison of intra-city spatial temperature variations based UHI vis-à-vis a reference rural site temperature-based UHI indicated that UHI can be computed with respect to the station measuring lowest temperature within the urban area in the absence of a reference station in the rural area close to the study area. Comparison with maximum and average UHI of other cities of the world revealed that UHI in Delhi is comparable to other major cities of the world such as London, Tokyo and Beijing and calls for mitigation action plans.