Evaluation of Air Pollution Trend Using GIS and RS Applications in South West of Iran

In this paper, remote sensing and GIS have been used to assess the status of NO₂ at the south west of Iran. 221 data about concentration of NO₂ was extracted from Ozone Monitoring Instrument. Ordinary kriging and inverse distance weighting interpolation methods was used to interpolate data. Results showed that ordinary kriging method using cross-validation have had less error. North east of the study area has the highest concentration of NO₂ (329 molecule/cm²) and the concentration of NO₂ decreases from north east to South west of the study area. On the other hand, data trend results showed that the data seems to exhibit a fairly strong trend in the east west direction and a weaker one in the north–south direction.     

Neoproterozoic calc‐alkaline peraluminous granitoids of the Deleihimmi pluton,Central Eastern Desert,Egypt: implications for transition from late‐ to post‐collisional tectonomagmatic evolution in the northern Arabian–Nubian Shield

The widely distributed late‐collisional calc‐alkaline granitoids in the northern Arabian–Nubian Shield (ANS) have a geodynamic interest as they represent significant addition of material into the ANS juvenile crust in a short time interval (∼630–590 Ma). The Deleihimmi granitoids in the Egyptian Central Eastern Desert are, therefore, particularly interesting since they form a multiphase pluton composed largely of late‐collisional biotite granitoids enclosing granodiorite microgranular enclaves and intruded by leuco‐ and muscovite granites. Geochemically, different granitoid phases share some features and distinctly vary in others. They display slightly peraluminous (ASI = 1–1.16), non‐alkaline (calc‐alkaline and highly fractionated calc‐alkaline), I‐type affinities. Both biotite granitoids and leucogranites show similar rare earth element (REE) patterns [(La/Lu)_N = 3.04–2.92 and 1.9–1.14; Eu/Eu* = 0.26–0.19 and 0.11–0.08, respectively) and related most likely by closed system crystal fractionation of a common parent. On the other hand, the late phase muscovite granites have distinctive geochemical features typical of rare‐metal granites. They are remarkably depleted in Sr and Ba (4–35 and 13–18 ppm, respectively), and enriched in Rb (381–473 ppm) and many rare metals. Moreover, their REE patterns show a tetrad effect (TE_1,3 = 1.13 and 1.29) and pronounced negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.07 and 0.08), implying extensive open system fractionation via fluid–rock interaction during the magmatic stage. Origin of the calc‐alkaline granitoids by high degree of partial melting of mafic lower crust with subsequent crystal fractionation is advocated. The broad distribution of late‐collisional calc‐alkaline granitoids in the northern ANS is related most likely to large areal and intensive lithospheric delamination subsequent to slab break‐off and crustal/mantle thickening. Such delamination caused both crustal uplift and partial melting of the remaining mantle lithosphere in response to asthenospheric uprise. The melts produced underplate the lower crust to promote its melting. The presence of microgranular enclaves, resulting from mingling of mantle‐derived mafic magma with felsic crustal‐derived liquid, favours this process. The derivation of the late‐phase rare‐metal granites by open system fractionation via fluid interaction is almost related to the onset of extension above the rising asthenosphere that results in mantle degassing during the switch to post‐collisional stage. Consequently, the switch from late‐ to post‐collisional stage of crustal evolution in the northern ANS could be potentially significant not only geodynamically but also economically. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of Surface Heterogeneity on the Boundary-Layer Height: A Case Study at a Semi-Arid Forest

We investigate the effects of an isolated meso-\(\gamma \)-scale surface heterogeneity for roughness and albedo on the atmospheric boundary-layer (ABL) height, with a case study at a semi-arid forest surrounded by sparse shrubland (forest area: \(28~\text{ km }^2\), forest length in the main wind direction: 7 km). Doppler lidar and ceilometer measurements at this semi-arid forest show an increase in the ABL height over the forest compared with the shrubland on four out of eight days. The differences in the ABL height between shrubland and forest are explained for all days with a model that assumes a linear growth of the internal boundary layer of the forest through the convective ABL upwind of the forest followed by a square-root growth into the stable free atmosphere. For the environmental conditions that existed during our measurements, the increase in ABL height due to large sensible heat fluxes from the forest (\(600~\text {W~m}^{-2}\) in summer) is subdued by stable stratification in the free atmosphere above the ABL, or reduced by high wind speeds in the mixed layer.     

Experimental Study of the Effect of Clay and Oil Polarity on Oil Recovery by Low Salinity Water Flooding Using Glass Micromodel

Natural Resources Research - Low salinity water flooding (LSWF) has been recognized as one of the promising methods for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in sandstone reservoirs. Both the positive...     

Impact of the geomorphology and soil management on the development of waterlogging in closed drainage basins of Egypt and Saudi Arabia

This paper investigates the interplay of the catchment geomorphology, hydrology and soil properties on the development of waterlogging and land degradation within different dry land catchments in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Multi-temporal remote sensing data of the Landsat Thematic Mapper and Enhanced Thematic Mapper were collected and processed to detect the land cover changes and development of cultivations within the two areas. The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission Digital Elevation Model were hydrologically processed to delineate the catchment morphometrical parameters and to examine the spatial distribution of cultivated fields and their relation to the extracted drainage networks. The fluvial channels of the Farafra Oasis have largely been obliterated by the prevailing aridity and often buried under aeolian deposits. The soil of these areas are mainly lithic with a high calcium carbonate content, thus limiting the downward percolation of excess irrigation water and therefore develop perched water table and seepage through the buried fluvial channels. On the other hand, the cultivations of Tabuk catchment (which has similar geomorphologic setting to the Farafra Oasis) have shown no signs for waterlogging. This situation is could be related to the different soil properties; the spatial distribution of cultivated areas and the adopted irrigation methods via pivots. The inactive alluvial channels, landforms and irrigation methods have to be considered when planning for a new cultivation in dry land catchments to better control waterlogging hazard. The ‘dry-drainage’ concept can be implemented as the drainage and seepage water, which can be conveyed into certain abandoned playas for evaporation.     

The use of GIS and remote sensing for the assessment of waterlogging in the dryland irrigated catchments of Farafra Oasis,Egypt

This paper investigates the interplay of the hydrogeological characteristics, soil properties and recent land reclamation projects on the distribution of waterlogging and salinization within the Farafra Oasis. The multi‐temporal remote sensing data and field observations show that new reclaimed areas have been recently cultivated in distant areas from the old agricultural land. These new cultivations have developed widespread waterlogging, seepage channels and soil salinization. Analyses of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission digital elevation model (DEM) showed that both old and new agricultural areas are located within same closed drainage basin. The fluvial channels of these catchments, which were developed during wet climatic pluvial, have largely been obliterated by the prevailing aridity and often buried under aeolian deposits. However, the new cultivations have been developed on the fingertips of these fluvial channels, while the old fields occupy the low‐level playas. The soil of the new cultivated areas is mainly lithic with a high calcium carbonate content, thus limiting the downward percolation of excess irrigation water and therefore developing perched water table and seepage through the palaeo‐channels. The automatically extracted drainage networks from DEM resemble fluvial patterns and coincide with the seepage channels slowly heading toward old cultivation. The inactive alluvial channels and landforms have to be considered when planning for new cultivation in dryland catchments to better control waterlogging and salinization hazard. It is highly recommended that newly developed seepage channels have to be detected and intercepted before reaching old agriculture areas. Therefore, the ‘dry‐drainage’ concept can be implemented as the seepage water can be conveyed into nearby playas reserved for evaporation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Gamma radiation measurements of naturally occurring radioactive samples from commercial Egyptian granites

Due to the widespread use of granites as building and ornamental materials, measurements of natural radioactivity for a total 27 selected samples of commercial granites used in Egypt were carried out by using a high pure germanium detector. The activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K of commercial granites ranged from 25 to 356, 5 to 161, and 100 to 1,796?(Bq?kg^?1), respectively. The concentrations of these radionuclides are compared with the international recommended values. To evaluate the radiological hazard of the natural radioactivity, the radium equivalent activity, the absorbed dose rate, the effective dose rate, and the hazard index have been calculated. The radium equivalent activity Ra_eq varied from 41 to 669?(Bq?kg^?1) which exceeds the permitted value (370?Bq?kg^?1) and the internal hazard index H _in varied from 0.2 to 2.8 which is higher than 1. The absorbed dose rate due to the natural radioactivity in the samples under investigation ranged from 19 to 310?(nGy?h^?1). The total effective dose rates per person indoors were determined to be 0.09 to 1.5?(mSv?year^?1).     

Environmental and Health Impacts of Successive Mineral Fertilization in Egypt

Excessive amounts of mineral fertilizers are unnecessarily applied to agricultural soils in Egypt to increase crop yield. The current study aims at assessing the impacts of fertilization with different mineral fertilizers for different cultivation periods on the accumulation of heavy metals in soils and plants grown thereon. In addition, human risks resulted due to the exposure to these metal ions through ingestion, and dermal routes were evaluated. Soil and plant samples were collected from several locations in El‐Behira Governorate, Egypt and their heavy metal contents were measured. The result indicated that there is a continuous accumulation of heavy metals in the soils and the plants grown thereon. Calculation of the hazard index (HI) revealed that humans, especially children, have a potential health risk for both Pb and Cd, which have levels greater than the safe level (1). Finally, the obtained results showed that the continuous application of mineral fertilizers containing high levels of heavy metals pose a potential health threat.     

Empirically Derived California Vapor Intrusion Attenuation Factors

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) gathered empirical data from sites contaminated with chlorinated volatile organic compounds and generated a vapor intrusion database. The database includes 52 sites across California with 213 buildings, of which, 53% are residential, and 47% are commercial/industrial (nonresidential). DTSC's objective is to improve its knowledge and understanding of vapor intrusion and derive empirical attenuation factors that are representative of the climatic conditions and types of buildings commonly found in the state. Filtering was applied to remove data of suspect quality that were potentially affected by background sources. After filtering to 600 pairs from 32 sites across California, a subslab attenuation factor (AF) was calculated yielding a 95th percentile of 0.005. After filtering to 2926 paired measurements from 39 sites across California, a soil vapor AF was calculated yielding a 95th percentile of 0.0009. The groundwater data was not analyzed due to the small size of the dataset. The AFs from this study are similar to AFs in a California-specific study by Lahvis and Ettinger (2021). Accordingly, converging lines of evidence suggest that vapor attenuation in California is different from what is observed nationwide by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), where an AF of 0.03 was empirically derived and later recommended for initial screening of buildings for potential vapor intrusion exposure (USEPA, 2015).     

Infestation and morphological identification of the stalked epizoic barnacle Octolasmis on the blue crab Portunus pelagicus from the Red Sea

The intensity of infestation of the epizoic stalked barnacle Octolasmis on the blue crab was calculated for a total of 180 individuals collected around Jeddah, the western Red Sea Saudi coast. More than 90% of the crabs were found bearing the Octolasmis at a prevalence rate of 92% and mean intensity of 18.5 ? 18.6(0–127 epibiont per host). The intensity of infestation increased with host size in the range 90–135 mm. Generally, females were more infested(69%) than the males(31%). Octolasmis angulata occurred mostly on the gills, and the lower side of the gill chambers was more infested(84%) than the upper side(16%) and the left side of gills was also more infested than the right side in both males and females. Further studies are still needed to examine the commensal relationship and its impact on the fishery market of the Red Sea blue crab populations.