Volume 12, Issue 1

Archival aerial photographs obtained in the 20th century play a special role in the process of upgrading the register of land and buildings. These photographs are the only resource presenting credible information on the coverage and use of land in a high degree of detail. In this article, particular attention is paid to the aspect of the spectral resolution of archival aerial photographs. Preliminary research was conducted into the assessment of the impact of simulations of new spectral bands with high spatial resolution for archival photographs upon the interpretation process of such data. The proposed simulation method of new bands is based on the integration of archival monochromatic aerial images with archival multispectral satellite imagery. Visual and quantitative comparative analysis of monochromatic imagery and of enhanced images obtained by application of the simulation process was performed. The results of this research unanimously confirmed the improved interpretation possibilities of archival aerial photographs, associated not only with the assignment of colours but also with the reconstruction of spectral information for the arable and afforested land photographed.

Soil erosion is one of the largest global problems of environmental protection and sustainable development, causing serious land degradation and environmental deterioration. The need for fast and accurate soil rate assessment of erosion and deposition favors the application of alternative methods based on the radionuclide measurement technique contrary to long-term conventional methods. In this paper, we used gamma spectrometry measurements of 137 Cs and unsupported 210 Pb ex in order to quantify the erosion on the Titel Loess Plateau near the Tisa (Tisza) River in the Vojvodina province of Serbia. Along the slope of the study area and in the immediate vicinity eight representative soil depth profiles were taken and the radioactivity content in 1 cm thick soil layers was analyzed. Soil erosion rates were estimated according to the profile distribution model and the diffusion and migration model for undisturbed soil. The net soil erosion rates, estimated by 137 Cs method range from −2.3 t ha −1 yr −1 to −2.7 t ha −1 yr −1 , related to the used conversion model which is comparable to published results of similar studies of soil erosion in the region. Vertical distribution of natural radionuclides in soil profiles was also discussed and compared with the profile distribution of unsupported 210 Pb ex measurements. The use of diffusion and migration model to convert the results of 210 Pb ex activities to soil redistribution rates indicates a slightly higher net erosion of −3.7 t ha −1 yr −1 with 98% of the sediment delivery ratio.

The Zhongwunongshan Structural Belt (ZWSB) locates between the Olongbruk Microblock of North Qaidam and the South Qilian Block in China, and it has important implication for understanding the tectonic significance of North Qaidam. Nowadays, there are few discussion on the Caledonian tectonothermal events of the Zhongwunongshan Structural Belt, and there exist different opinions on provenance and tectonic environment of the Zhongwunongshan Group in the ZWSB and its adjacent North Qaidam. In this study, a comprehensive analysis of the detrital zircon geochronological research was carried out on the Zhongwunongshan Group. The detrital zircon U-Pb dating results showed two major populations. The first was Neoproterozoic (966-725 Ma) with a ∈ Hf(t) = −15.9 to 9.5, and the other was late Early Paleozoic (460-434Ma) with a ∈ Hf(t) = −9.6 to −3.1. In combination with previous research, the dominated provenances were found to be the Neoproterozoic granitic gneiss of the Yuqia-Shaliuhe HP-UHP metamorphic belt and the late Early Paleozoic granite of the Tanjianshan ophiolite-volcanic arc belt in North Qaidam. The Zhongwunongshan Group was deposited in the back-arc sedimentary basin related to the Caledonian collisional orogeny during Middle Silurian-Early Devonian (434-407.9 Ma).

China–Nepal Highway is an important international passage connecting China and Nepal. Owing to its location in a complex mountainous area in the Qinghai– Tibet Plateau, the Shigatse section of the China–Nepal Highway is often impacted and troubled by mudflow. In order to effectively conduct road construction and maintenance and improve early disaster-warning capability, the relationship between various hazard factors and disaster points was analysed. It is found that four factors such as slope, precipitation, soil type and digital elevation have the strongest correlation with the occurrence of the disasters. From the distribution of disaster points, it is observed that the disaster point is closely related to the slope, its local correlation with precipitation is good and the its local correlation with the soil type and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data is significant. In order to quantitatively evaluate the susceptibility of mudflow disasters in the Shigatse region, this paper uses the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) as the main analysis method supplemented by the fuzzy clustering method. The results show that the slope, when accompanied by heavy rainfall, is the most important factor among four factors. In this paper, the neural network method is used to establish the identification and early warning model of mudflow susceptibility. When the recognition rate reaches 66% or above, it can be used as an early-warning threshold for mudflow disasters. This study has conducted a useful exploration of the research, assessment and early warning of mudflow disasters along the Shigatse section of the China–Nepal Highway.

The present is the key to the past. Based on the dissection of modern beach-bars in the Qinghai Lake, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China, including two profiles parallelly to the shoreline, two profiles vertically to the shoreline and one plane-view profile, the sedimentary succession and recognition marks of lacustrine gravel beach-bars have been summarized. Vertically, the lacustrine gravel beach-bars develop with the “ABC” succession. The A interval, the B interval, and the C interval respectively correspond with the gravelly sand facies, the well-sorted gravel facies, and the graded sand facies. The lacustrine gravel beach-bars is composed of several combinations of the “ABC” succession, such as “ABAB”, “ABCABC”, “BCBC”. The main recognition marks of lacustrine gravel beach-bars is the following: the bottom contact is distinct and with the “ABC” succession; and the lacustrine beach-bars develop the swash bedding and sheet-like parallelly to the lakeshore. These viewpoints have significant contributions to the reconstruction of paleoenvironments and paleoshorelines and to the reservoir interpretation within lacustrine beach-bar clastic bodies.

Watershed area and a bunch of relief, land use, and wastewater characteristics for 32 upland and 33 lowland small river courses are generated. Based on these characteristics, logistic binary regression models are trained to predict if the river achieves the good physico-chemical status, and discriminant analysis models are trained to predict the physico-chemical status class on a five-class scale. Univariate models revealed that elevation (for upland rivers), the share of artificial surfaces (for lowland rivers) along with forests, and wastewater quality variables such as biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, and phosphorus are the most significant predictors. Discriminant analysis models performed better on upland than on lowland rivers. Achievement of good status could be predicted with an accuracy of ~90% (with 2 to 4 variable logit models), whereas the status class with an accuracy of 63/48% (with 2 to 4 variable discriminant analysis models) for upland and lowland rivers, respectively. This contribution uses Hungary as a case study.

Carbonatites are carbonate-rich rocks of igneous origin. They form the magmas of their own that are generated in the deep mantle by low degrees of partial melting of carbonated peridotite or eclogite source rocks. They are known to occur since the Archaean times till recent, the activity showing gradual increase from older to younger times. They are commonly associated with alkaline rocks and be genetically related with them. They often induce metasomatic alteration in the country rocks forming an aureole of fenitization around them. They are host for economically important mineral deposits including rare metals and REE. They are commonly associated with the continental rifts, but are also common in the orogenic belts; but not known to occur in the intra-plate regions. The carbonatites are known to occur all over the globe, majority of the occurrences located in Africa, Fenno-Scandinavia, Karelian-Kola, Mongolia, China, Australia, South America and India. In the Indian Subcontinent carbonatites occur in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka; but so far not known to occur in Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. This paper takes an overview of the carbonatite occurrences in the Indian Subcontinent in the light of recent data. The localities being discussed in detail cover a considerable time range (>2400 Ma to <0.6 Ma) from India (Hogenakal, Newania, Sevathur, Sung Valley, Sarnu-Dandali and Mundwara, and Amba Dongar), Pakistan (Permian Koga and Tertiary Pehsawar Plain Alkaline Complex which includes Loe Shilman, Sillai Patti, Jambil and Jawar), Afghanistan (Khanneshin) and Sri Lanka (Eppawala). This review provide the comprehensive information about geochemical characteristics and evolution of carbonatites in Indian Subcontinent with respect to space and time.

The ultra-alkaline rocks have exotic features that frustrated many attempts to group them in a single classification diagram. A consistent classification would be very useful to define a possible consanguinity, an argument that feed a living debate. This paper investigates the petrologic characteristics of the Cenozoic Italian ultra-alkaline rock-suite using -Rank Entropy Anentropy (RHA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA)-. The RHA formula is the succession of component’s symbols arranged according to the diminishing of their elemental content in the analysis (whole rock composition). Other two parameters considered are an expression of the anentropy and entropy of the system. The PCA allows the definition of new latent variables based on geochemical compositions through linear combinations of the major oxides. Using both statistical methods was possible to create discrete groups of rock-types, associated by genetic relationship. The groups plotted in the Mg-Ca-Al ternary diagram depicts two main evolutionary arrays. We interpret the chemical variance in term of a general magmatic processes based on immiscibility and crystal fractionation. A comparison with similar association worldwide give a more general prospective to the magmato-tectonic assignment of these rocks, which is highly controversial in Italy.

Karst terrains have varied abiotic and biotic values. However, due to their unfavourable conditions for human settling, they are relatively sparsely populated areas. Thus, karst terrains merit and are suitable for nature protection. In this paper, partly or mostly karstic European national parks (NP) and geoparks (GP) are studied. We compiled a dataset based on official information and internet sources, and analysed NPs and GPs by location, morphology and timeline. Nowadays, there are 106 partly or mostly karstic NPs in Europe, that means 23% of all NPs. Many of the karst terrains became protected before the terms of geotourism and geopark came into being. 49% of all GPs contain karst terrains, which means that karsts are key issues in the study of geoheritage and geotourism. Tourism into karstic NPs and GPs can be considered sensu lato geotourism, since tourists travelling to these locations generally visit caves, gorges, travertine lakes and other karst features. Adventure tourism is also significant in karstic NPs and GPs. The most popular NPs host several millions of visitors a year, that implies economic benefits, but also poses environmental problems, thus certain parks already reached their carrying capacity, while other parks plan to increase their visitor numbers.

In this study, zircon grains are applied for U–Pb dating, Hf isotopes and trace elements to reveal the origin of magmatism and tectonic evolution of Late Paleozoic rocks of the Indian plate, Northern Pakistan. Most of the zircons are characterized by oscillatory zoning, depletion of light rare earth elements (LREE) and enrichment of heavy rare earth elements (HREE) with Ce and Eu anomalies. The yielded ages for these rocks are 256 ± 1.9 Ma and are plotted in the zones defined for the continental setting with few deviated toward the mid-oceanic ridge and the oceanic arc setting. Deviated zircons are recognized as inherited zircons by displaying a high concentration of normalized primitive La and Pr values, while others are plotted in the continental zones. Rare earth elements (REE) and trace elements including Th, Hf, U, Nb, Sc and Ti discriminate Swat orthogneisses into the within plate setting and the inherited zircons are plotted in the orogenic or the arc-related setting. The LREE discriminated these zircons into a magmatic zone with inherited zircons deviated toward the hydrothermal zone. The temperature calculated for these rocks based on the Ti content in zircon ranges from 679 to 942°C. The ε Hf ( t ) ranging from −11.1 to +1.4 reveals that the origin is the continental crust with the minute input of the juvenile mantle.

Drought has a significant impact on agricultural, ecological, and socioeconomic spheres. Although many drought indices have been proposed until now, the detection of droughts at regional scales still needs to be further studied. The Standardized Vegetation Index (SVI) that represents vegetation growing condition, the Standardized Water Index (SWI) that represents canopy water content, and the Evaporative Stress Index (ESI) that quantifies anomalies in the ratio of actual to potential evapotranspiration were calculated based on the Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data. A new remote sensing-based Vegetation Drought Monitor Synthesized Index (VDSI) was proposed by integrating the SVI, SWI, and ESI in the northeast China. When tested against the in situ Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), VDSI with proper weights of three variables outperformed individual remote sensing drought indices. The county-level yields of the main crops in the study area from 2001 to 2010 were also used to validate the VDSI. The correlation analysis between the yield data and the VDSI data during the crop growing season was performed, and its results showed that VDSI during the crop reproductive growth period was strongly correlated with the variation of crop yield. It was proved that this index is a potential indicator for assessment of the spatial pattern of drought severity in northeast China.

Pingwu County, which is located at the northern end of the Longmenshan fault structural belt, has an active regional geological structure. For a long time, the Longmenshan fault tectonic belt has become intensely active with frequent earthquakes. According to the existing geological data, the Pingwu–Qingchuan fault passes through the urban area of Pingwu. However, because of the great changes in the original landform of Pingwu caused by the construction activities in this urban area, a precise judgment of the location of the Pingwu–Qingchuan fault according to the new landform characteristics is difficult. Here, the seismic reflection method, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), and drilling method were used to determine the accurate location of the buried active faults in Pingwu County. The seismic reflection method and ERT are used to determine the location of faults, the thickness of overlying strata of the fault, and the basic characteristics of faults. The drilling data can be used to divide the bedrock lithology and confirm the geophysical results. The geological model of the faults can be constructed by 3D inversion of ERT, and the structural characteristics of the faults can be viewed intuitively. The results of this study can provide a basis for earthquake prevention and construction work in Pingwu. The finding also shows that seismic reflection method and ERT can effectively explore buried active faults in urban areas, where many sources of interferences may exist.

There is no doubt that the tremendous development of information technology was one of the driving factors behind the great growth of surveying and geodesy science. This has spawned modern geospatial techniques for data capturing, acquisition, and visualization tools. Digital elevation model (DEM) is the 3D depiction of continuous elevation data over the Earth’s surface that is produced through many procedures such as remote sensing, photogrammetry, and land surveying. DEMs are essential for various surveying and civil engineering applications to generate topographic maps for construction projects at a scale that varies from 1:500 to 1:2,000. GIS offers a powerful tool to create a DEM with high resolution from accurate land survey measurements using interpolation methods. The aim of this research is to investigate the impact of estimation techniques on generating a reliable and accurate DEM suitable for large-scale mapping. As a part of this study, the deterministic interpolation algorithms such as ANUDEM (Topo to Raster), inverse distance weighted (IDW), and triangulated irregular network (TIN) were tested using the ArcGIS desktop for elevation data obtained from real total station readings, with different landforms to show the effect of terrain roughness, data density, and interpolation process on DEM accuracy. Furthermore, comparison and validation of each interpolator were carried out through the cross-validation method and numerous graphical representations of the DEM. Finally, the results of the investigations showed that ANUDEM and TIN models are similar and significantly better than those attained from IDW.

Groundwater chemical evolution is the key to ensuring the sustainability of local society and economy development. In this study, four river sections and 59 groundwater wells are investigated in the Longgang River (L.R.) basin in South China. Comprehensive hydrochemical analysis methods are adopted to determine the dominant factors controlling the chemical evolution of the local phreatic groundwater and the potential impact of human activities on groundwater quality. The results indicate that the ionic composition of the local phreatic groundwater is dominated by Ca 2+ (0.9–93.8 mg/L), HCO 3 − (4.4–280.0 mg/L), and SO 4 2− (1.0–91.0 mg/L). Ca–Mg–HCO 3 , Ca–Na–HCO 3 , and Na–Ca–HCO 3 are the major groundwater hydrochemical facies. Water–rock interactions, such as the dissolution of calcite and dolomite, are the primary source of the major ions in the local groundwater. Cation-exchange reaction has its effects on the contents of Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , and Na + . Ammonia concentration of the sampling sections in the L.R. increases from 0.03 to 2.01 mg/L along the flow direction. Groundwater nitrate in the regions of the farmland is attributed to the lowest level of the groundwater quality standards of China, while the same test results are obtained for heavy metals in the industrial park and landfill, suggesting a negative impact of the anthropogenic activities on the local phreatic groundwater quality.

The land use and land cover (LULC) changes and the implications of soil and irrigation water salinity have adverse effects on crop production and the ecosystems of arid and semiarid regions. In this study, an attempt has been made to analyze and monitor the LULC changes using multitemporal Landsat data for years 1986, 1998, 2007, and 2016 in Al-Ahsa Oasis, Saudi Arabia. In addition, efforts were made to measure the spatial distribution of soil and irrigation water salinity along the oasis. The supervised maximum likelihood classification method was applied to classify the individual images independently. Moreover, soil samples were collected at surface soil depth from the selected LULC types, namely, date palm, croplands, and bare land. Also, groundwater samples were collected from bore wells located in agricultural farms. The spatial distribution of the soil salinity (Ec e ) and irrigation water salinity (EC iw ) was classified based on the Food and Agriculture Organization guidelines. The results showed that significant changes in LULC patterns have occurred during 1986–2016 in the study area. The EC e was found higher in date palm compared with cropland and bare land. However, the spatial distribution of the EC iw over the oasis indicated that 94% of irrigation water ranged between moderate and severe salinity risk. The study concludes that salinity management practices need to be developed in the study area aiming to sustain crop yields, improve soil properties, and minimize the environmental impacts of LULC changes on the ecosystem of Al-Ahsa Oasis.

Tillage and slope will influence soil surface roughness that changes during rainfall events. This study tests this effect under controlled conditions quantified by geostatistical and fractal indices. When four commonly adopted tillage practices, namely, artificial backhoe (AB), artificial digging (AD), contour tillage (CT), and linear slope (CK), were prepared on soil surfaces at 2 × 1 × 0.5 m soil pans at 5°, 10°, or 20° slope gradients, artificial rainfall with an intensity of 60 or 90 mm h −1 was applied to it. Measurements of the difference in elevation points of the surface profiles were taken before rainfall and after rainfall events for sheet erosion. Tillage practices had a relationship with fractal indices that the surface treated with CT exhibited the biggest fractal dimension D value, followed by the surfaces AD, AB, and CK. Surfaces under a stronger rainfall tended to have a greater D value. Tillage treatments affected anisotropy differently and the surface CT had the strongest effect on anisotropy, followed by the surfaces AD, AB, and CK. A steeper surface would have less effect on anisotropy. Since the surface CT had the strongest effect on spatial variability or the weakest spatial autocorrelation, it had the smallest effect on runoff and sediment yield. Therefore, tillage CT could make a better tillage practice of conserving water and soil. Simultaneously, changes in semivariogram and fractal parameters for surface roughness were examined and evaluated. Fractal parameter – crossover length l  – is more sensitive than fractal dimension D to rainfall action to describe vertical differences in soil surface roughness evolution.

The systems belonging to the European Position Determination System (EUPOS) are obliged to have a sub-service for automatic post-processing (APPS) of static satellite user observations based on observations registered by reference stations. The optimization of the number of tie vectors to reference stations is determined by the authors of APPS algorithms and is a key issue. The study validates the determination of the position of a point based on a smaller number of tie vectors than for the standard solution provided by a sub-service on an example of APPS of the Polish Active Geodetic Network (ASG-EUPOS). It was shown that the reduction of the number of tie vectors by one does not result in a significant deterioration of the accuracy of the obtained coordinates. The other objective of this study is to propose a method for comparing 3D sets. This method is based on 3D figures of assessment and a modification of a method for comparing text sets. The proposed method was validated by comparison with the Spearman correlation coefficient and Mahalanobis distance. The usefulness of the method for similarity and dissimilarity analyses of 3D sets has been demonstrated with an example of comparing the combination of reference vectors with a standard solution of APPS of ASG-EUPOS.

The main reservoir in Huizhou sub-basin is Zhujiang Formation of early Miocene age. The petrophysical analysis shows that the Zhujiang Formation contains thin carbonate intervals, which have good hydrocarbon potential. However, the accurate interpretation of thin carbonate intervals is always challenging as conventional seismic interpretation techniques do not provide much success in such cases. In this study, well logs, three-layer forward amplitude versus offset (AVO) model and the wedge model are integrated to analyze the effect of tuning thickness on AVO responses. It is observed that zones having a thickness greater than or equal to 15 m can be delineated with seismic data having a dominant frequency of more than 45 Hz. The results are also successfully verified by analyzing AVO attributes, i.e., intercept and gradient. The study will be helpful to enhance the characterization of thin reservoir intervals and minimize the risk of exploration in the Huizhou sub-basin, China.

The borehole electrical imaging log offers general visual borehole wall, leaving no doubt that the conductivity contrast is sufficient to obtain a qualitative gain-size distribution of rocks. In this study, an automatic grain-size classification method is proposed using gray values of borehole electrical images from Baikouquan Formation in Mahu Depression. The first stage is comparing electrical images with cores. Gravels, sands, silts and clays are all discovered in the cores. The gravels are “mottled” in electrical images, and the bigger the spots, the coarser the gravels. The images of sands are homogeneous bright colored, and the coarser the sandy grains, the brighter the images. The electrical images of silts and clays are homogeneous brown and dark-brown colored. The second stage is auto-discriminating four categories of grain sizes roughly using averages and variances of gray values. The variances of gray values of gravels are high, whereas those of sands are medium. The gray averages of silts are between 160 and 220, whereas those of clays are larger than 200. The third stage is auto-classifying three kinds of gravels or sands finely using frequency distribution of gray values. The gray values of frequency peaks of cobbles are less than 50 and frequencies are larger than 15%, whereas those of pebbles are less than 50 or larger than 200 and frequencies are between 10% and 20%; almost gray frequencies of granules are less than 10%. The dominated gray values of coarse sandstones, medium sandstones and fine sandstones are less than 50, between 50 and 160 and ranged from 160 to 240, respectively. The proposed method is demonstrated to be useful and fast to auto-classify grain size of various rocks in conglomeratic environments.

The investigation focused on the non-migrating mid-channel bars that emerged in the river channel as a consequence of river engineering. A reach of around 280 km of Middle Vistula River (Poland) was taken into account as the study site. The most vivid examples of the river engineering works potentially influencing the river channel are the ferry crossings. Along the Middle Vistula River reach, there are 17 ferry crossings that were constructed from 1970s to 1990s. A cartographic analysis was carried out to determine the influence of the ferry crossing construction over the river channel. It was performed on the basis of aerial photographs (traditional aerial photography and UAV photography). In 3 out of 17 potential localizations, the emergence of large non-migrating mid-channel bars was observed. A study of cartographic materials (from 1950s to 2000s) allowed determination of the dynamics of those bars, including time of emergence and the changes of their size.

Low-frequency resistivity logging plays an important role in the field of petroleum exploration, but the complex resistivity spectrum of rock also contains a large amount of information about reservoir parameters. The complex resistivity spectra of 15 natural sandstone cores from western China, with different water saturations, were measured with an impedance analyzer. The pore space of each core was saturated with NaCl solution, and measurements were collected at a frequency range of 40–15 MHz. The results showed a linear relationship between the real resistivity at 1 kHz and the maximum values of imaginary resistivity for each core with different water saturations. The slopes of the linear best-fit lines had good linear relationships with the porosity and the permeability of cores. Based on this, a permeability estimation model was proposed and tested. In addition, the maxima of imaginary resistivity had power exponential relationships with the porosity and the water saturation of the cores. A saturation evaluation model based on the maxima of imaginary resistivity was established by imitating Archie’s formula. The new models were found to be feasible for determining the permeability and saturation of sandstone based on complex resistivity spectrum measurements. These models advance the application of complex resistivity spectrum in petrophysics.

The Western Sichuan Plateau (WSP), located in the eastern margin of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, is the most strongly deformed region of the continental crust in China. Frequent tectonic movements shape the unique topography and landform of the WSP and have also produced abundant geological heritage resources. Based on the existing geological heritage survey data in Sichuan Province, the nearest index analysis method of employing a regional spatial point model was used to reveal the distribution rules and the genetic mechanism of typical geological relics in the WSP for the first time. Results indicate that the formation and distribution of geological relics in the WSP are generally controlled by tectonic movement and supplemented by the comprehensive action of external forces such as flowing water. Their distribution shows a condensed spatial distribution pattern and extends along the strike of a fault zone and river strike strip. Finally, based on the characteristics of geological relics in the WSP, some suggestions on the protection and development of regional geological relics were put forward.

Analyzing consistency of different land-cover data is significant to reasonably select land-cover data for regional development and resource survey. Existing consistency analysis of different datasets mainly focused on the phenomena of spatial consistency regional distribution or accuracy comparison to provide guidelines for choosing the land-cover data. However, few studies focused on the hidden inconsistency distribution rules of different datasets, which can provide guidelines not only for users to properly choose them but also for producers to improve their mapping strategies. Here, we zoned the Sindh province of Pakistan by the Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World as a case to analyze the inconsistency patterns of the following three datasets: GlobeLand30, FROM-GLC, and regional land cover (RLC). We found that the inconsistency of the three datasets was relatively low in areas having a dominant type and also showing homogeneity characteristics in remote sensing images. For example, cropland of the three datasets in the ecological zoning of Northwestern thorn scrub forests showed high consistency. In contrast, the inconsistency was high in areas with strong heterogeneity. For example, in the southeast of the Thar desert ecological zone where cropland, grassland, shrubland, and bareland were interleaved and the surface cover complexity was relatively high, the inconsistency of the three datasets was relatively high. We also found that definitions of some types in different classification systems are different, which also increased the inconsistency. For example, the definitions of grassland and bareland in GlobeLand30 and RLC were different, which seriously affects the consistency of these datasets. Hence, producers can use the existing land-cover products as reference in ecological zones with dominant types and strong homogeneity. It is necessary to pay more attention on ecological zoning with complex land types and strong heterogeneity. An effective way is standardizing the definitions of complex land types, such as forest, shrubland, and grassland in these areas.

This article presents in detail the methodology dedicated strictly to loess mineralogical investigation by automated mineralogy system QEMSCAN ® (quantitative evaluation of minerals by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)), which couples SEM and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry to automatically deliver mineral and phase mapping. The present study provides guidelines for further loess investigation in Poland, in order to maintain the complete comparability of results which will be obtained. The methodology is then used to obtain the data on complex mineralogical composition (heavy, light, transparent and opaque phases). In total 1,159,107 particles have been measured for five bulk loess samples and 4–6% of them were heavy minerals (c.a. 10,000 per sample). The bulk samples are dominated by quartz (57.3–62.9%) and contain plagioclase (7.8–9.2%), K-feldspar (7.9–8.7%), carbonates (5.0–7.8%), muscovite (3.2–6.2%), biotite (4.2–7.5%), heavy minerals (4.3–5.8%) and clay minerals (0.9–1.6%). The heavy minerals (as a group recalculated to 100%) are mainly represented by phases such as clinopyroxene (38–51%), garnets (14–21%), TiO 2 polymorphs (8–12%), Al2SiO5 polymorphs (3–7%), ilmenite (3–6%), iron oxides, e.g., hematite and magnetite (2–5%) and zircon (∼2%). Nearly 50% of the heavy minerals is classified in the 16–31 µm fraction, which determine the changes in the current research procedure traditionally used for Polish loess.

Modern measuring technologies give the means to perform tasks previously impossible with conventional methods. Their main advantages include reduced time consumption and higher measurement precision. Contemporary displacement and deformation studies of engineering structures often involve application of laser technologies, which are characterised by high precision of measurements. This article presents an analysis of results obtained from measurements of changes in the geometry of an engineering structure in which two complementary measuring technologies were used, i.e. tachymetric measurement with a Leica TDRA6000 laser station and laser scanning with a 3D FARO Focus S150 scanner. The utilised laser station enabled determination of 3D displacements in the local control point network installed on the studied structure as well as transfer of point clouds obtained from laser scans into a uniform coordinate system. The hybrid technology employed and the measurement method used ensured that the accuracy of the determined displacements and deformations of the structural components of the structure was high. The described measurement and result processing technology makes it possible to comprehensively analyse the geometric performance of structures, which consequently leads to the development of more complete conclusions concerning prevention of adverse effects of displacements and deformations in engineering structures.

Virtual resolution enhancement (VRE) is a new poststack cosmetic tool that can be applied to different types of seismic data. VRE emphasizes major reflections, enhances temporal resolution of seismic events, and suppresses reverberation noise, leading to better visualization of the entire seismic data. VRE is based on simple mathematical rule, and its parameters can be tweaked to suite the vast variety of seismic data available today. Although VRE does not reveal new or hidden features on seismic section, it significantly enhances the existing ones, which improves the interpretation and assists automatic horizon picking process. The only disadvantage of VRE is the long computational time. However, given the giant advances in the computational power and speed expected in the near future, this problem should be negligible. Tests conducted on seismic sections, collected from different regions in the world and went through different data acquisition and processing routines, prove the effectiveness of the VRE procedure. Graphical Abstract

A seismic wave is released when there is sudden displacement on a fault plane. The passage of this wave along the fault plane or within the lithosphere could result in ground shaking or vibration at the surface of the Earth. To provide a geophysical explanation to this phenomenon, the high-resolution aeromagnetic data of the sedimentary terrain and part of the Basement Complex of Southwestern Nigeria were processed and interpreted to provide fault architecture of the area, which could serve as conduit for the passage of seismic energy in the study area. High-resolution aeromagnetic data along the Lagos–Ore axis are processed for fault mapping in the study area. The reduced-to-equator (RTE) residual aeromagnetic data used were enhanced using the total horizontal derivative (THD) and upward continuation (UC) filtering techniques on Oasis Montaj 6.4.2 (HJ) software. The resultant maps were overlaid and compared with the plotted RTE residual maps for relevant interpretations. Varying signatures of magnetic anomalies are grouped into high (57.9–89.1 nT), intermediate (38.2–57.9 nT), and low (4.0–38.2 nT) magnetic intensities, which are associated with contracting basement rocks features. The obtained lineaments from the THD reveal areas of various deformations such as brittle, which is associated with faults/fractures, and ductile deformation, which is associated with folds of geological features. The faults, as depict by the UC map, reveal different depth ranges of 500–2250 m at the western side and 1,500–1,250 m at the northwestern area of the study. Since it has been on record that September 11, 2009, earth tremor of magnitude 4.4, with the epicenter at Allada, Bennin Republic, 128 km west of Lagos, Nigeria occurred within the study area, it can be inferred that the established geologic fault architecture could be responsible for the hazard and be part or synthetic to the Ifewara-Zungeru fault in Nigeria.

In order to effectively predict and control the rib spalling and roof leakage, it is necessary to reveal the deformation and failure mechanism of the chamber and propose the corresponding surrounding rock control technology. Based on uniaxial compression experiments and numerical simulations, it is concluded that coal body damage is dominated by shear failure during uniaxial compression, which indicates to some extent the main form of damage of the surrounding rock in the chamber. Then the combined finite and discrete element method is used to establish a numerical model to reveal the evolution law of fracture in the surrounding rock. The simulation results show that after the excavation of the chamber, a large amount of shear failure occurred in the ribs and the roof. Then those cracks further developed, expanded, penetrated, and finally connected with the surface of the chamber. Under the effect of the mine pressure, the coal body is separated from the surface of the chamber, leading to the occurrence of rib spalling and roof leakage. So it was given that support method by controlling crack development. The grouting and high-strength anchor bolt and anchor cable are proposed to improve the shear strength of the surrounding rock, which helps to reduce the occurrence of cracks, and inhibit the cracks from interpenetrating. An industrial test was carried out in the chamber of Tashan Coal Mine, which showed good control effect of the surrounding rock in the chamber.

In order to explore the effective support method for deep broken roadway, based on the in situ stress test results, the analytical and numerical solutions of the stress and the range of plastic failure zone (PFZ) in a circular roadway subjected to non-uniform loads were obtained using analytical and finite difference numerical methods based on the elastoplastic theory, respectively. Their comparison results show that the analytical and numerical methods are correct and reasonable. Furthermore, the high geostress causes the stress and range of PFZ in roadway roof and floor to increase sharply while those in roadway ribs decrease. Moreover, the greater the difference of horizontal geostress in different horizontal directions is, the larger the range of PFZ in roadway roof and floor is. The shape of PFZ in roadway varies with the ratio of horizontal lateral pressure coefficient in x -direction and y -direction. Finally, according to the distribution characteristics of PFZ and range of PFZ under the non-uniformly high geostress, this paper has proposed a combined support scheme, and refined and optimized supporting parameters. The field monitoring results prove that the roadway deformation and fracture have been effectively controlled. The research results of this paper can provide theoretical foundation as well as technical reference for the stability control of deep broken roadway under non-uniformly high geostress.

Swarm intelligence algorithms have been widely used in the dimensional reduction of hyperspectral remote sensing imagery. The ant colony algorithm (ACA), the clone selection algorithm (CSA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and the genetic algorithm (GA) are the most representative swarm intelligence algorithms and have often been used as subset generation procedures in the selection of optimal band subsets. However, studies on their comparative performance for band selection have been rare. For this paper, we employed ACA, CSA, PSO, GA, and a typical greedy algorithm (namely, sequential floating forward selection (SFFS)) as subset generation procedures and used the average Jeffreys–Matusita distance (JM) as the objective function. In this way, the band selection algorithm based on ACA (BS-ACA), band selection algorithm based on CSA (BS-CSA), band selection algorithm based on PSO (BS-PSO), band selection algorithm based on GA (BS-GA), and band selection algorithm based on SFFS (BS-SFFS) were tested and evaluated using two public datasets (the Indian Pines and Pavia University datasets). To evaluate the algorithms’ performance, the overall classification accuracy of maximum likelihood classifier and the average runtimes were calculated for band subsets of different sizes and were compared. The results show that the band subset selected by BS-PSO provides higher overall classification accuracy than the others and that its runtime is approximately equal to BS-GA’s, higher than those of BS-ACA, BS-CSA, and BS-SFFS. However, the premature characteristic of BS-ACA makes it unacceptable, and its average JM is lower than those of other algorithms. Furthermore, BS-PSO converged in 500 generations, whereas the other three swarm-intelligence based algorithms either ran into local optima or took more than 500 generations to converge. BS-PSO was thus proved to be an excellent band selection method for a hyperspectral image.

We report soil carbon stock (SCS) and nutrient characteristics of a pure stand of Senna siamea grove in comparison with adjacent cropland using t -test. This study was conducted in 2018 at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. Soil sampling up to 50 cm depth was carried out from five subplots in each ecosystem. The SCS of the grove at 0–15 cm depth was over 100% greater (30.78 Mg/ha) than that of the cropland (15.16 Mg/ha). Soil pH and total N content of the grove were 5.75 ± 1.22 and 0.10 ± 0.03% in the topsoil (0–15 cm) and 5.52 ± 0.80, 0.06 ± 0.01% and 5.03 ± 1.22, 0.04 ± 0.01% in the 15–30 and 30–50 cm depths, respectively. Although these values were greater in the grove than the cropland, the available phosphorus content was 3–4 fold greater in the latter soil. The two ecosystems affected soil organic carbon and total nitrogen contents significantly ( p < 0.05) only in the topsoil, but had a significant influence on soil available phosphorus in both the topsoil and the subsoil. Sand content of the grove seemed to explain greater variability in its SCS ( R 2 = 0.81) than clay content. The greater SCS of the Senna grove demonstrates its role in soil carbon storage in tropical climate in the era of climate change.

We present a comprehensive overview of the geochemical characteristics and evolution of the carbonatites from the southern Brazilian Platform (Paraná Basin). The carbonatites from different complexes display large compositional variability in terms of abundances of incompatible and rare earth elements. This is in agreement with an origin from heterogeneous lithospheric sources, as confirmed by isotopic data (see Speziale et al., this issue). The characteristic major and trace element abundances of these carbonatites present compelling evidence for invoking liquid unmixing as the main mechanism of their formation and evolution albeit few exceptions. We propose an evolutionary trend for the Brazilian carbonatites, which can be summarized as following: exsolution of the primary Ca- or Mg-carbonatitic liquids systematically takes place at the phonolite-peralkaline phonolite stage of magma differentiation; this is followed by progressive Fe-enrichment and by final emplacement of fluorocarbonatites associated with hydrothermal fluids.

This study focuses on the seismicity and stress inversion analysis of the Simav region in western Turkey. The latest moderate-size earthquake was recorded on May 19, 2011 ( M w 5.9), with a dense aftershock sequence of more than 5,000 earthquakes in 6 months. Between 2004 and 2018, data from earthquake events with magnitudes greater than 0.7 were compiled from 86 seismic stations. The source mechanism of 54 earthquakes with moment magnitudes greater than 3.5 was derived by using a moment tensor inversion. Normal faults with oblique-slip motions are dominant being compatible with the NE-SW extension direction of western Turkey. The regional stress field is assessed from focal mechanisms. Vertically oriented maximum compressional stress ( σ 1) is consistent with the extensional regime in the region. The σ 1 and σ 3 stress axes suggest the WNW-ESE compression and the NNE-SSW dilatation. The principal stress orientations support the movement direction of the NE-SW extension consistent with the mainly observed normal faulting motions.

Transformation of spatial coordinates (3D) is a common computational task in photogrammetry, engineering geodesy, geographical information systems or computer vision. In the most frequently used variant, transformation of point coordinates requires knowledge of seven transformation parameters, of which three determine translation, another three rotation and one change in scale. As these parameters are commonly determined through iterative methods, it is essential to know their initial approximation. While determining approximate values of the parameters describing translation or scale change is relatively easy, determination of rotation requires more advanced methods. This study proposes an original, two-step procedure of estimating transformation parameters. In the initial step, a modified version of simulated annealing algorithm is used for identifying the approximate value of the rotation parameter. In the second stage, traditional least squares method is applied to obtain the most probable values of transformation parameters. The way the algorithm works was checked on two numerical examples. The computational experiments proved that proposed algorithm is efficient even in cases characterised by very disadvantageous configuration of common points.

Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) assists in the detection of the unsafe behaviour of slopes and scarps. It also facilitates the assessment of the stability of earthworks. Earth structures are those that are usually made of qualified ground material. One may distinguish between point structures such as mounds, forts and dams, and linear structures such as roads, railways and flood embankments. This article concerns the problem of monitoring and analysing of the effects associated with the unstable behaviour of selected earth structures. TLS enables remote sensing of surface changes in a simple and automated manner. Regular, multiple measurements with the laser scanner are applied in long-term monitoring of the behaviour of the selected objects. The discrete numerical models using, for example, the finite element method (FEM) take into account geotechnical properties of substrate and allow for the risk assessment and stability testing of such structures. The numerical model of the structure along with the parameters of the substrate are introduced into the FEM package. This allows for the analysis of stresses, strains and displacements, along with different loading cases. The work here presents a few selected earth structures for which the aforementioned analyses have been undertaken.

Southeastern Guangxi is located in the southwestern South China Block and to the northwest of the South China Sea (SCS), with abundant records of the Cretaceous magmatism. A detailed study of igneous rocks will contribute to a better understanding of the late Mesozoic tectonic environment. Zircon U–Pb dating yields ages of 93.37 ± 0.43 Ma for Yulin andesites and 107.6 ± 1.2 Ma for Luchuan granites. Yulin andesites are hornblende andesites, of which w (MgO) is between 7.72% and 8.42%, and Mg# is between 66.7 and 68.0, belonging to high magnesian andesites (HMAs) from peridotite sources. Luchuan granites are medium- to fine-grained monzogranites. Monzogranites and clastoporphyritic lava are high-K calc-alkaline series and metaluminum to weakly peraluminous series, which belong to the I-type granites. Those are enriched in Rb, Th, K and LREEs and depleted in Nb, Ta, P and Eu, showing the geochemical characteristics related to subduction. Unlike the contemporary “bimodal igneous rock assemblages” in Zhejiang and Fujian, the intermediate-acid magmatites in the southeastern Guangxi imply the compressive tectonic environment. The assemblage of HMAs and adakitic rocks indicates that the southwestern South China Block was under the Neo-Tethyan subduction during Cretaceous, and slab melting contributed to the magma in this area.

The characteristics of pore-scale two-phase flow are of significance to the effective development of oil and gas resources, and visualization has gradually become one of the hot spots in the research of pore-scale two-phase flow. Based on the pore structure of rock, this research proposed a microscopic glass etching displacement experiment and a Navier–Stokes equation based finite element simulation to study the pore-scale gas–water two-phase flow. Then, this research conducted the proposed methods on the type I, type II and type III tight sandstone reservoirs in the Penglaizhen Formation of western Sichuan Basin, China. Results show that the outcomes of both the microscopic glass etching displacement experiment and the finite element simulation are by and large consistent. The water distributed in the large pores is displaced, and the trapped water mainly exists in the area induced by flow around high-permeability pores, perpendicular pores and disconnected ends of pores. The microscopic glass etching displacement experiment is conducive to better observing the phenomenon of a viscous finger-like breakthrough and air jumps in migration flows in narrow throats, while the finite element simulation has the advantages of cost effectiveness, easy operation and strong experimental reproducibility.

This article presents in situ research on the side surface of Vor der Wand (VDW) foundation piles using 3D laser scanning and close-range photogrammetry to assess the morphology of pile concrete surface. Contemporary analytical methods for estimation of the bearing capacity of the foundation pile surface require determination of the parameters of the concrete roughness and the model of the surface being formed, which corresponds to the pile technology used. Acquiring these data is difficult due to the formation of piles in the ground and their subsequent work as a structure buried in the ground. The VDW pile technology is one of the widespread technologies of foundation pile used in practice. These piles exhibit a specific configuration of the lateral surface, which is related to the simultaneous use of auger drilling and casing that rotates in opposite directions. Two geodetic techniques most often used to measure the geometry of buildings are terrestrial laser scanning and close-range photogrammetry. To empirically verify the suitability of these two techniques for describing the VDW pile surface parameters, a two-stage field study was performed. In the first stage, the measurements of concrete test surfaces were conducted. This surface was formed in a smooth formwork and its roughness parameters (in accordance with ISO 25178-2: 2012) were calculated and compared with the reference surface. In the second stage, measurements of the secant VDW sheet pile wall protecting the deep excavation were carried out. The roughness parameters of the pile surface were calculated for the selected areas in diverse geotechnical conditions. The original procedure for processing data (obtained using the above techniques) for assessment of roughness parameters of unique concrete surfaces was presented. The conducted research demonstrates that a pulse scanner has very limited usefulness for determination of roughness parameters for very smooth concrete surface; however, the photogrammetry techniques give acceptable results. In regard to the VDW pile surface, the results obtained from both measurement techniques give satisfactory consistency of the roughness parameters. The relative errors of calculated roughness parameters do not exceed 29% (average 12%). The proposed procedure may improve the accuracy of the assumed friction factor between pile surface and soil for assessment of the pile shaft bearing capacity for various pile technologies and soil conditions.

Sihui city (South China) is much affected by nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). To investigate the relationships between the toxic metals in soil and NPC incidence in Sihui, 119 surface soil samples were collected from agricultural fields and analyzed. The soil As–Cr contents in Longjiang (high-incidence area) are significantly lower than those in Weizheng and Jianglin (low-incidence areas), whereas the soil Pb content in Longjiang is significantly higher than that in Weizheng. The Nemerow pollution indices (PI N ) of soils decrease in the order of Jianglin > Weizheng > Longjiang. The enrichment factor (EF) of Cd indicates that the Cd enrichment is contributed by human activities. Potential toxic metal-related ecological risk values decrease in the order of Jianglin > Weizheng > Longjiang. The mean hazard index (HI) value of Longjiang was lower than those of Weizheng and Jianglin. There are no adverse noncarcinogenic health effects of soil toxic metals to adults in the study areas. Carcinogenic risks of As and Cr via ingestion and dermal contact and total carcinogenic risk are within the warning range, from 10 −6 to 10 −4 . Hence, we suggest that toxic metals in the soil may not be major geochemical carcinogenic factors of high NPC incidence in Sihui.

An inevitable aspect of modern petroleum exploration is the simultaneous consideration of large, complex, and disparate spatial data sets. In this context, the present article proposes the optimized fuzzy ELECTRE (OFE) approach based on combining the artificial bee colony (ABC) optimization algorithm, fuzzy logic, and an outranking method to assess petroleum potential at the petroleum system level in a spatial framework using experts’ knowledge and the information available in the discovered petroleum accumulations simultaneously. It uses the characteristics of the essential elements of a petroleum system as key criteria. To demonstrate the approach, a case study was conducted on the Red River petroleum system of the Williston Basin. Having completed the assorted preprocessing steps, eight spatial data sets associated with the criteria were integrated using the OFE to produce a map that makes it possible to delineate the areas with the highest petroleum potential and the lowest risk for further exploratory investigations. The success and prediction rate curves were used to measure the performance of the model. Both success and prediction accuracies lie in the range of 80–90%, indicating an excellent model performance. Considering the five-class petroleum potential, the proposed approach outperforms the spatial models used in the previous studies. In addition, comparing the results of the FE and OFE indicated that the optimization of the weights by the ABC algorithm has improved accuracy by approximately 15%, namely, a relatively higher success rate and lower risk in petroleum exploration.

The macroscopic engineering properties of sandstone are dominated primarily by mineral features in a microscopic scale. This study will investigate the microscopic physical and mechanical properties of the main minerals (quartz, K-feldspar, Na-feldspar and kaolinite) in Yungang Grottoes sandstone, using the molecular mechanics and the molecular dynamics simulations. The microscopic physical properties were represented by density and volume. The microscopic mechanical properties were represented by Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio. The microscopic mechanical properties of the minerals in various directions were then explored. The influences of water molecules and the surrounding temperature on the microscopic physical and mechanical properties of the minerals were furthermore investigated. It is found that the differences in the microscopic densities between the simulated results and those from the open data set are, respectively, 0.37%, 1.15% and 9.16%, for the quartz, Na-feldspar and kaolinite cells; the microscopic mechanical properties of various minerals have a significant anisotropy; the Young’s modulus of halloysite decreases by 75.86% compared with that of kaolinite; as the water molecule number increased from 0 to 5, the Young’s moduli of K-feldspar, Na-feldspar and kaolinite cells decreases by 31.31%, 55.05% and 42.60%, respectively; for each mineral, as the temperature increases from 243.15 to 303.15 K under one atmospheric pressure, the volume increases and the density decreases. Those results may have a theoretical significance for the analysis of microscopic mechanism of hydration in the Yungang Grottoes sandstone.

Maintenance of traditional cultural landscapes largely depends on traditional agricultural practices, which are nowadays in decline as a result of increasingly intensive and mechanised land use. Losing traditional practices may result in impoverishing of picturesque mosaic landscape and biodiversity. This research focuses on land-use changes in two time periods (2002–2008; 2013–2016) and effects of changes reflecting on populations of critically endangered butterfly. False Ringlet, Coenonympha oedippus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), is a habitat specialist, which in Slovenia inhabits two geographically distinct contrasting habitats – dry meadows in south-western and wetlands in central Slovenia. We compared nine environmental parameters to assess environmental differences, which shape species habitat; seven parameters significantly differ among the four geographical regions and five among the two habitat types. Four parameters significantly differ (i.e. at least in two regions) when tested for homogeneity, while in dry habitat type all (except slope) were significant and none in wet habitat. Changes in land use in two studied periods lit up two processes: transformation of meadows into agricultural land and overgrowing of the meadows, both processes affecting species severely. We believe that maintaining of traditional landscapes in future could serve as a good conservation practice for this endangered species.

Understanding and modeling of land use change is of great significance to environmental protection and land use planning. The cellular automata-Markov chain (CA-Markov) model is a powerful tool to predict the change of land use, and the prediction accuracy is limited by many factors. To explore the impact of land use and socio-economic factors on the prediction of CA-Markov model on county scale, this paper uses the CA-Markov model to simulate the land use of Anren County in 2016, based on the land use of 1996 and 2006. Then, the correlation between the land use, socio-economic data and the prediction accuracy was analyzed. The results show that Shannon’s evenness index and population density having an important impact on the accuracy of model predictions, negatively correlate with kappa coefficient. The research not only provides a reference for correct use of the model but also helps us to understand the driving mechanism of landscape changes.

The channels of the main rivers in the Kłodzko County, South West Poland, have been strongly influenced by human activities since the end of the nineteenth century. The reasons, type, and time frame of these changes are very similar to those which occurred in other European mountain regions but the magnitude is different. Kłodzko County is an area with a well-developed river network. Since the Middle Ages, human activities were noticed in the river valleys of this region. The main cause of the most anthropogenic transformations of the river channels was changes in the volume of sediment supply and, thus, the channel load and its erosive and transport capacities. The ultimate effects of human impact are manifested in the changes of channel pattern, depth and sinuosity, and the location of erosion and accumulation zones. Morphological transformations are most intensive immediately after the regulation works. The influence of channel training is noticeable; however, there is no clear correlation between the occurrence of engineering structures and the development of channel forms. The channel changes are mostly local. The highest efficiency of channel processes is observed in the direct vicinity of the damming objects and in the peripheral fragments of bank-protection structures. Below the damming structures, the rate of channel downcutting increases because of sediment retention in dam and weir reservoirs, and above the transversal structures bed aggradation takes place; lateral erosion intensifies below the bank reinforcements, and sediment shadows are common below the transversal structures. The types of morphological changes observed in the regulated channels of the Kłodzko County are in most cases similar to the effects of training works in other mountain river systems in Poland and around the world; however, the scale of morphological influence is much smaller, which indicates greater stability of the river channels of the Sudetes than the Carpathian and Alpine river channels.

The development of measurement technologies allows for acquiring various data. The Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) technology is frequently combined with classic geodetic measurements – tacheometry or levelling. This article presents a process of the diaphragm wall monitoring during excavation supported with a top-down method. The construction technology applied required proper planning and performance of measurements in difficult construction site conditions in the city centre. TLS allowed for limiting works at daytime and performing monitoring during the night break in works at the construction site as well as limiting the impact of the subsoil process vibrations on the values of displacements and deformations determined. The authors present a comparison of the results of displacement and deformation measurements with a terrestrial laser scanning and tacheometric measurement method. The possibilities of using the data acquired, among others, for the indication of filtration areas, spatial surface deformation analyses and assessment of the wall execution compliance with the design are presented. The analyses carried out show that the TLS may be used in the investment process from the very beginning, being a component of the Building Information Modelling (BIM).

Horizontal control networks established with monuments are functional if the conditions related to the number of control points, their density, condition and stability of coordinates are met. For functionality defined in those terms, deterministic accuracy characteristics are of little use. The subject matter discussed herein includes the two key features of geodetic control points, i.e., usability and stability. Due to the varying properties of those variables and the impact of the operating time of the system, there is no alternative to reliability-based approach in developing the functionality model. The measures of functionality and the procedures of data acquisition for developing the model of the control network destruction process have been defined. The solution presented herein is relevant for geodetic practice, providing a standard procedure for defining the time frame and the scope of the control network upgrading. The identified destruction process model optimizes this task assuming critical states expressed by the functionality probability. The applied approach is an example of the reliability theory-based approach typical for engineering. The issue of simulating the destruction process is illustrated with the results of the tests of class 3 control networks conducted in Kielce and Lodz regions in Poland. As a result of the tests, the characteristic properties of the control network destruction process have been identified. It was also shown how the patterns of usability and accuracy of the geodetic control points are relevant on the stage of implementing investment project tasks.

This article analyzes the technical difficulties in full-section backfill mining and briefly introduces the technical principle and advantages of backfilling combined with caving fully mechanized mining (BCCFM). To reveal the strata behavior law of the BCCFM workface, this work establishes a three-dimensional numerical model and designs a simulation method by dynamically updating the modulus parameter of the filling body. By the analysis of numerical simulation, the following conclusions about strata behavior of the BCCFM workface were drawn. (1) The strata behavior of the BCCFM workface shows significant nonsymmetrical characteristics, and the pressure in the caving section is higher than that in the backfilling section. φ has the greatest influence on the backfilling section and the least influence on the caving section. C has a significant influence on the range of abutment pressure in the backfilling section. (2) There exits the transition area with strong mine pressure of the BCCFM workface. φ and C have significant effect on the degree of pressure concentration but little effect on the influence range of strong mine pressure in the transition area. (3) Under different conditions, the influence range of strong mine pressure is all less than 6 m. This article puts forward a control strategy of mine pressure in the transition area, which is appropriately improving the strength of the transition hydraulic support within the influence range (6 m) in the transition area according to the pressure concentration coefficient. The field measurement value of Ji15-31010 workface was consistent with numerical simulation, which verifies the reliability of control strategy of the BCCFM workface.

Objects’ measurements often boil down to the determination of changes due to external factors affecting on their structure. The estimation of changes in a tested object, in addition to proper measuring equipment, requires the use of appropriate measuring methods and experimental data result processing methods. This study presents a statement of results of geometrical measurements of a steel cylinder that constitutes the main structural component of the historical weir Czersko Polskie in Bydgoszcz. In the initial stage, the estimation of reliable changes taking place in the cylinder structure involved the selection of measuring points essential for mapping its geometry. Due to the continuous operation of the weir, the points covered only about one-third of the cylinder area. The set of points allowed us to determine the position of the cylinder axis as well as skews and deformations of the cylinder surface. In the next stage, the use of methods based on artificial neural networks allowed us to predict the changes in the tested object. Artificial neural networks have proved to be useful in determining displacements of building structures, particularly hydro-technical objects. The above-mentioned methods supplement classical measurements that create the opportunity for carrying out additional analyses of changes in a spatial position of such structures. The purpose of the tests is to confirm the suitability of artificial neural networks for predicting displacements of building structures, particularly hydro-technical objects.

Glacial sediments in the eastern part of the Głubczyce Plateau, at the Krowiarki site, were studied. Two units were distinguished within the sedimentary succession. The lower unit is composed of mainly sandy sediments with diamicton interbeds, the upper unit of very fine silt and clay sediments that exhibit rhythmic lamination in parts. Based on the textural and structural features of deposits, local deformations and palaeoflow directions, it was found that the sediments had been deposited within an ice crevasse, which was initially open and functioned as an ablation flow artery. The sediments were deposited in the form of a small fan dominated by sheetflows. Glacial tills were also redeposited on its surface. In a later phase, the crevasse was blocked. As a result, it was filled with water, leading to the development of a crevasse lake in which low-energy deposition dominated. The crevasse style of deposition indicates that, in the final stage of glaciation, the marginal part of the ice sheet was in a stagnant phase. This conclusion applies to the part located on the southern side of the watershed of the eastern Głubczyce Plateau. The probable reason for the stagnation of the ice sheet was the distinct loss of ice supply above the local topography barrier due to the decreasing thickness of the ice sheet in the studied area.

The occurrence of end moraines reflects the dynamics of an ice sheet, and their inner structure is determined by processes taking place in marginal zones. In the southern part of the Kłodawa Upland of Central Poland, such moraines were formed, but opinions conflict as to their origin, including the influence of local transgression of the ice sheet, as well as its areal and frontal recession. The primary aim of this article is to analyse the inner structure of forms to define the dynamic state of the Warta Stadial ice sheet of the Odra Glaciation (Saalian). The conducted research includes fieldwork at four key sites, where lithofacial analysis was performed, as well as a geomorphological and geological mapping that included two cross-sections in greater detail. In exposures, the work focused on deformed structures of sediments. Description of key sites was extended by the creation and the analysis of general geological cross-sections. Considering the results of the research, the Kutno end moraines should not be classified as push moraines – they were revealed to be accumulative in character.

The Sungun copper–molybdenum porphyry deposit is located in the north of Varzaghan, northwestern Iran. The Sungun quartz-monzonite is the oldest mineralized intrusive body in the region and was emplaced during the Early Miocene. Eight categories of the late and unmineralized dykes, which include quartz diorite, gabbrodiorite, diorite, dacite, microdiorite and lamprophyre (LAM), intrude the ore deposit. The main mineral phases in the dykes include plagioclase, amphibole and biotite, with minor quartz and apatite and secondary chlorite, epidote, muscovite and sericite. The composition of plagioclase in the quartz diorite dykes (DK1a, DK1b and DK1c) varies from albite-oligoclase to andesine and oligoclase to andesine; in the diorite, it varies from andesine to labradorite; in the LAM, from albite to oligoclase; and in the microdiorite (MDI), it occurs as albite. Amphibole compositions are consistent with classification as hornblende or calcic amphibole. Based on their Al IV value (less than 1.5), amphibole compositions are consistent with an active continental margin affinity. The average percentage of pistacite ( P s ) in epidotes formed from alteration of plagioclase and ferromagnesian minerals is 27–23% and 25–30%, respectively. Thermobarometric studies based on amphibole and biotite indicate approximate dyke crystallization temperature of 850–750℃, pressure of 231–336 MPa and high f O 2 (>nickel-nickel-oxide buffer). The range of mineral compositions in the postmineralization dyke suite is consistent with a genetic relationship with the subduction of the Neotethys oceanic crust beneath the continental crust of the northwest part of the Central Iranian Structural Zone. Despite the change from calc-alkaline to alkaline magmatism, the dykes are likely related to the late stages of magmatic activity in the subduction system that also generated the porphyry deposit.

The article presents the results of the Palaeolithic loess sites studies in the Halych-Dnister region. It is an area in the Dnister River basin (Ukraine) with a large number of Middle and Upper Palaeolithic sites (Yezupil I, Halych I, Halych II, Mariampil I, Mariampil V, Mezhyhirtsi, Kolodiiv, Hannusivka, etc.), which have been discovered and studied including multilayered ones. It is open-air Palaeolithic sites related to widespread distribution in the region Pleistocene loess-palaeosol sequence reaching up to 30 m thickness, sometimes even more. Palaeolithic sites have been investigated using various field and laboratory archaeological and natural science research methods. Defined cultural horizons of the sites are stratified and dated by luminescent and radiocarbon methods, and their cultural identity is characterized. In the Halych-Dnister region, the most developed are the Middle Palaeolithic (Levallois, Micoquian) cultural horizons as well as the Gravettian techno-complexes of the Upper Palaeolithic. During our research, some scientific problems have been identified in studying the Palaeolithic sites of Halych-Dnister region. They are described in the article. As our practice has shown, issues such as the interpretation of the taphonomy and chronology of archaeological artefacts, the determination of the cultural identity of the archaeological site or particular cultural horizons, the underestimation of the redeposition of cultural layers, the role of palaeorelief and the deluvial–solifluction processes in it, the incompleteness of geological sections of archaeological sites are often debatable among researchers. In the light of the increasing anthropogenic impact on the environment, the issue of rationale, certification and protection of Palaeolithic sites is becoming more urgent. The main purpose of the article is to analyse these issues and find ways to resolve them.

Production of prefabricated pipe spools for the needs of the oil and gas industry requires precise determination of their shape and dimensions. The crucial moment of production is to measure the spool being built, compare it with the design and define the geometry corrections that should be applied at the construction stage. At present, the comparison of spools is usually done in a manual manner in a CAD program or other software dedicated for this purpose and is implemented by combining variously defined translations and rotations. This approach is time-consuming and the results strongly depend on the survey engineer’s experience. In this article, a method of comparing the shape of two spools, based on isometric transformation and robust estimation, has been proposed. This method can be used to automate the comparison process. In standard approach, applied by both design engineers and assemblers, spools are described by a set of coordinates and, in the case of flanges, by sets of appropriately defined angular values. A method of flange description suitable for use in the isometric transformation process has been proposed, and potential problems that may appear at the implementation stage of the algorithm have been discussed. The proposed method makes it possible to determine the elements of a spool that do not fit into the design project in a way that allows minimizing the number of corrections at the construction stage.

Machine learning-based data-driven models have achieved great success since their invention. Nowadays, the artificial neural network (ANN)-based machine learning methods have made great progress than ever before, such as the deep learning and reinforcement learning, etc. In this study, we coupled the ANN with the K-nearest neighbor method to propose a novel hybrid machine learning (HML) hydrological model for flood forecast purpose. The advantage of the proposed model over traditional neural network models is that it can predict discharge continuously without accuracy loss owed to its specially designed model structure. In order to overcome the local minimum issue of the traditional neural network training, a genetic algorithm and Levenberg–Marquardt-based multi-objective training method was also proposed. Real-world applications of the HML hydrological model indicated its satisfactory performance and reliable stability, which enlightened the possibility of further applications of the HML hydrological model in flood forecast problems.

Rainfall is a critical factor inducing landslides, and thus the study of rainfall thresholds is of great significance for the prediction and prevention of landslides. In June 2017, infrastructures such as electric power pylons and roads were threatened by group-occurring landslides due to continuous heavy rainfall in Wuyuan County, Jiangxi Province of China. Based on the analysis of the rainfall data from March to September in this region, the lower (92.4 mm/d) and the upper (217.1 mm/d) empirical rainfall thresholds were determined. The soil water characteristic parameters of a typical landslide were determined by laboratory tests and back-analysis. Then, the factor of safety (FOS) versus time and the mechanical response of failure process with rainfall infiltration were examined. The results showed that during rainfall infiltration, the pore-water pressure increased, while the matrix suction and the stability decreased gradually. After the rain, the FOS increased slowly to a constant value, which was smaller than the initial. The physical rainfall threshold (200 mm/d), determined using 18 numerical simulation tests considering different rainfall intensities and amounts, was consistent with the empirical rainfall threshold. The methods developed in this work provide a useful tool for the prediction of landslides under extreme rainfall conditions.

Under the background of the ecological civilization era, rapidly obtaining coal mining information, timely assessing the ecological environmental impacts, and drafting different management and protection measures in advance to enhance the capacity of green mine construction have become the urgent technical problems to be solved at present. Simulating and analyzing mining subsidence is the foundation for a land reclamation plan. The Cellular Automata (CA) model provides a new tool for simulating the evolution of mining subsidence. This paper takes a mine in East China as a research area, analyses the methods and measures for developing a model of mining subsidence based on the theories of CA and mining technology, then discusses the results of simulation from different aspects. Through comparative analysis, it can be found that the predicted result is well consonant with the observation data. The CA model can simulate complex systems. The system of mining subsidence evolution CA is developed with the support of ArcGIS and Python, which can help to realize data management, visualization, and spatial analysis. The dynamic evolution of subsidence provides a basis for constructing a reclamation program. The research results show that the research methods and techniques adopted in this paper are feasible for the dynamic mining subsidence, and the work will continue to do in the future to help the construction of ecological civilization in mining areas.

Habitat fragmentation and loss of landscape connectivity have resulted in the degradation of natural ecosystem services. Identifying international transboundary ecological network is an integrated approach to maintain regional ecological sustainability. In this study, taking Altai Mountains as a case study area, we suggested a set of procedures to construct an ecological network. First, we identified ecological patches by evaluating the values of the protected area. Second, we generated resistance surfaces based on the land cover characteristics. Third, we integrated habitat patches and resistance surfaces to identify potential corridors using the least-cost path analysis. The ecological network we introduced consists of 22 patches, 65 potential ecological corridors, and 5 stepping-stones. Furthermore, 26 ecological fragmentation points were marked. We proposed to carry out efficient and effective international cooperation between China, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia. In addition, the installation of road-crossing structures should be taken into consideration to minimize the negative impacts of the road-related disturbances.

A well-developed multi-tier polygonal fault system is located in the Great South Basin offshore New Zealand’s South Island. The system has been characterised using a high-quality three-dimensional seismic survey tied to available exploration boreholes using regional two-dimensional seismic data. In this study area, two polygonal fault intervals are identified and analysed, Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 1 coincides with the Tucker Cove Formation (Late Eocene) with small polygonal faults. Tier 2 is restricted to the Paleocene-to-Late Eocene interval with a great number of large faults. In map view, polygonal fault cells are outlined by a series of conjugate pairs of normal faults. The polygonal faults are demonstrated to be controlled by depositional facies, specifically offshore bathyal deposits characterised by fine-grained clays, marls and muds. Fault throw analysis is used to understand the propagation history of the polygonal faults in this area. Tier 1 and Tier 2 initiate at about Late Eocene and Early Eocene, respectively, based on their maximum fault throws. A set of three-dimensional fault throw images within Tier 2 shows that maximum fault throws of the inner polygonal fault cell occurs at the same age, while the outer polygonal fault cell exhibits maximum fault throws at shallower levels of different ages. The polygonal fault systems are believed to be related to the dewatering of sedimentary formation during the diagenesis process. Interpretation of the polygonal fault in this area is useful in assessing the migration pathway and seal ability of the Eocene mudstone sequence in the Great South Basin.

The results of grain size distribution of loess units are suitable for the study of past climate change. There are many methods for the analysis of the grain size, but clustering methods have not been used before. In this article, a new approach in the sediment research, the k -median method was used. This method separates the grain size classes of the youngest loess units of three loess-soil profiles in Poland: Biały Kościół, Złota and Tyszowce. In the analysis, only the content for the loess silt fraction (range from 4 to 63 µm) was used. This allowed eliminating the admixtures of sandy and clay fraction, considered as secondary material. For the purposes of this analysis, silt fractions were divided into smaller units using a 1/4 phi interval, resulting in 16 new subfractions. The grain size data from three profiles were combined into one data set. As a result, four classes with a similar internal of grain structure were obtained. The separated classes showed the sedimentological variability of the sediment well. It has been shown that the k -median method can be used to classify loess in a fast and objective way.

The concept of obtaining uniform and high-precision 3D models of large and complex engineering structures based on terrestrial laser scanning surveys highly depends on the accuracy of registering a series of adjacent scans. If it is not possible to place the required number of reference points in the observation scene, and there are no identifiable structural elements that could serve as such reference points, the issue can be solved by using the virtual reference points. The virtual reference points are not marked, but their position can be re-created in the post-processing of the scans on the basis of the geometrical features of the object. In the case of an industrial chimney, these can be the structural axis points determined at arbitrarily selected altitudes. In the solution presented herein, the coordinates of the reference points were independently determined twice: in the geodetic coordinate system using traditional method, in the local system of the scanner using the bisector of the chord of the circle, and by approximation of the circular arc shape of the chimney shell. Both procedures are preceded by the filtration of outliers. The concept of virtual reference points was verified by the measurement of the verticality of the axis and the structural geometry of a steel industrial chimney, which was accessible only on the foundation level.

The Benxi area in Liaoning Province is one of the most important iron-ore districts in China. This study uses nonseismic geophysical data (in the form of gravity–magnetic–magnetotelluric data) and based on the section modeling method to model the deep, three-dimensional geological structure of the Benxi area. Based on the modeling results and deep geological structure characteristics, the Benxi area can be divided into three first-order deep geological tectonic units. A close relationship is between tectonic unit and iron-ore concentrations. First, high-quality iron-ore deposits occur within the tectonic boundary and sedimentary boundary zone of the Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt, reflects the protective effect of sedimentary cover on the iron-bearing formation. Second, enriched iron-ore deposits are mainly developed in Mesozoic granitic intrusion zone, reflects the hydrothermal leaching of silicon in host iron-bearing formations during magma intrusion. Thus, the findings of this study have important implications for future prospecting in the Benxi iron-ore district.

Coal mining with partial gangue backfilling (CMPGB) method has the advantages of both high filling efficiency and excellent workface capacity, which breaks through the technical bottleneck of full-section backfilling mining. In order to reveal the fracture mechanism and characteristics in CMPGB workface, this paper presents a comparative analysis of the filling ratio of different filling patterns in CMPGB. A local composite elastic foundation mechanical model of basic roof in CMPGB was established using thin elastic plate theory. Then, Galerkin’s semi-analytic solution process was designed according to local composite elastic foundation characteristics. A deflection equation of the basic roof was derived, and a critical condition of the basic roof breakage was given. Based on engineering calculation example of Ji 15 -31010 workface of Pingdingshan No. 12 Coal Mine, the following conclusions are drawn. (1) At the basic roof of caving section, tensile-shear failure occurred in workface, cutoff position, and transition section, while compressive-shear failure occurred in the central part of the goaf. The basic roof showed a typical local “C–X” failure characteristic. (2) The value of first caving span decreased from 32.7 to 31.4 m as the elastic foundation coefficient of backfilling body increased from 70 × 10 6 to 120 × 10 6  N/m 3 , with a decreasing amplitude of only 4.1%. The increase of density of backfilling body only changed the support structure of backfilling section and had an insignificant effect on the first caving span. (3) The value of the first caving span decreased from 59.1 to 21.68 m as the length of caving section increased from 40 to 140 m, indicating that the first caving span was mainly influenced by the length of caving section. The measured value of the first caving span of Ji 15 -31010 CMPGB workface was 29.8 m, which was close to the theoretical value of mechanical model.

An Ms7.0 earthquake occurred in Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan Province, China, on August 8, 2017. In this study, we used the vertical component data from 31 seismic stations near the epicenter from May 1 to August 20, 2017, to calculate the amplitude spectrum hourly using the fast Fourier transform method. Furthermore, the spectral area of the low frequency band (0.02–1 Hz), which represents the energy of low frequency motion, was calculated. In this way, the temporal and spatial variations in the vertical ground motion in this region were determined. Four high-value processes occurred in mid-June, mid-July, late July, and early August (the last three are discussed in this article). Based on a comparison with the local meteorological data, the meteorological factors had no influence, local geological factors did not affect the results, and typhoon factors did not show obvious correlation. Combined with the results of previous studies, we believe that the increase in the spectral area reflects the intense movement of deep material in the region related to the Jiuzhaigou earthquake. The spatial distribution of the spectral area (energy) reveals that the deep material moved eastward rapidly, was obstructed by the Sichuan Basin, and expanded to the northwest in a U-shaped channel, which may be the main dynamic factor for the formation or triggering of the earthquake.

Landslides are a frequently occurring threat to human settlements. Along with global climate change, the occurrence of landslides is the forecast to be even more frequent than before. Among numerous factors, topography has been identified as a correlated subject and from which hillslope landslide-prone areas could be analyzed. Geometric signatures, including statistical descriptors, topographic grains, etc., provide an analytical way to quantify terrain. Various published literature, fast Fourier transform, fractals, wavelets, and other mathematical tools were applied for this parameterization. This study adopts the Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT) method to identify the geomorphological features of a landslide from topographic profiles. The sites of the study are four “large-scale potential landslide areas” registered in the government database located in Meinong, Shanlin, and Jiasian in southern Taiwan. The topographic mapping was conducted with an airborne light detection and ranging instrument. The resolution of the digital elevation model is 1 m. Each topographic profile was decomposed into a number of intrinsic mode function (IMF) components. Terrain characterization was then performed with the spectrum resulting from IMF decomposition. This research found that the features of landslides, including main scarp-head, minor scarp, gully, and flank, have strong correspondence to the features in the IMF spectrum, mainly from the first and the second IMF components. The geometric signatures derived with HHT could contribute to the delineation of the landslide area in addition to other signatures in the terrain analysis process. Graphical abstract

The inability to conduct hydrological simulations in areas that lack historical meteorological data is an important factor limiting the development of watershed models, understanding of watershed water resources, and ultimate development of effective sustainability policies. This study focuses on the Manas River Basin (MRB), which is a high-altitude area with no meteorological stations and is located on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains, northern China. The hydrological processes were simulated using the China Meteorological Assimilation Driving Datasets for the SWAT model (CMADS) using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. Simulated runoff was corrected using calibration/uncertainty and sensitivity program for the SWAT. Through parameter sensitivity analysis, parameter calibration, and verification, the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), adjusted R -square (Radj2{R}_{\text{adj}}^{2}), and percentage bias (PBIAS\text{PBIAS}) were selected for evaluation. The results were compared with statistics obtained from Kenswat Hydrological Station, where the monthly runoff simulation efficiency was NSE=0.64\text{NSE}\hspace{.25em}=0.64, Radj2=0.69{R}_{\text{adj}}^{2}\hspace{.25em}=0.69, and PBIAS=–0.9\text{PBIAS}\hspace{.25em}=\mbox{--}0.9, and the daily runoff simulation efficiency was NSE=0.75\text{NSE}\hspace{.25em}=0.75, Radj2{R}_{\text{adj}}^{2} = 0.75, PBIAS\text{PBIAS} = −1.5. These results indicate that by employing CMADS data, hydrological processes within the MRB can be adequately simulated. This finding is significant, as CMADS provide continuous temporal, detailed, and high-spatial-resolution meteorological data that can be used to build a hydrological model with adequate accuracy in areas that lack historical meteorological data.

In order to determine the tectonic regime change of the early Mesozoic in the South China Block, this study analyzed sedimentary rocks in the Middle Jurassic of southwestern Fujian by modal analysis of sandstones, elemental geochemical analysis of mudstones, and detrital zircons U–Pb dating. The results show that the detrital zircons in Southwestern Fujian mainly consist of Paleoproterozoic to early Mesozoic zircons in the Middle Jurassic. Within the Dongkeng profile of the Zhangping Formation, DK5 sample (lower part) showed a major age peak at ca. 1,848 Ma and two secondary age peaks at ca. 235 and 180 Ma, while DK15 sample (middle part) showed a major age peak at ca. 1,876 Ma and two secondary age peaks at ca. 233 and 190 Ma; the age compositions of these two samples’ were similar. Modal analysis of sandstones indicated that sediments of Zhangping Formation might source from arc orogen and recycled orogen, and element geochemical analysis showed that source rocks of Zhangping Formation might be sedimentary rocks and granites. The Indosinian zircons were mainly derived from the Wuyi region, and the Yanshanian zircons were mainly derived from the Nanling region. The major age group changes from ca. 230 to 220 Ma of the Late Triassic – Early Jurassic to ca. 190 to 180 Ma of the Middle Jurassic in Southwestern Fujian, and main sources changed from Indosinian magmatic rocks in the Late Triassic – Early Jurassic to early Yanshanian magmatic rocks in the Middle Jurassic.

The characterization of pore throat structure in tight reservoirs is the basis for the effective development of tight oil. In order to effectively characterize the pore -throat structure of tight sandstone in E Basin, China, this study used high-pressure mercury intrusion (HPMI) testing technology and thin section (TS) technology to jointly explore the characteristics of tight oil pore throat structure. The results of the TS test show that there are many types of pores in the tight sandstone, mainly the primary intergranular pores, dissolved pores, and microfractures. Based on the pore throat parameters obtained by HPMI experiments, the pore throat radius of tight sandstone is between 0.0035 and 2.6158 µm. There are two peaks in the pore throat distribution curve, indicating that the tight sandstone contains at least two types of pores. This is consistent with the results of the TS experiments. In addition, based on the fractal theory and obtained capillary pressure curve by HPMI experiments, the fractal characteristics of tight sandstone pore throat are quantitatively characterized. The results show that the tight sandstones in E Basin have piecewise fractal (multifractal) features. The segmentation fractal feature occurs at a pore throat radius of approximately 0.06 µm. Therefore, according to the fractal characteristics, the tight sandstone pore throat of the study block is divided into macropores (pore throat radius > 0.06 µm) and micropores (pore throat radius < 0.06 µm). The fractal dimension D L of the macropores is larger than the fractal dimension D S of the micropores, indicating that the surface of the macropores is rough and the pores are irregular. This study cannot only provide certain support for characterizing the size of tight oil pore throat, but also plays an inspiring role in understanding the tight pore structure of tight sandstone.

Mesozoic intrusive bodies play an important role in the temperature history and hydrocarbon maturation of the Jinyang Basin in northeastern China. The Beipiao Formation, which is the main source rock in Jinyang Basin, was intruded by numerous igneous bodies and dykes in many areas. The effects of igneous intrusive bodies on thermal evolution and hydrocarbon generation and migration in the Beipiao Formation were investigated. A series of samples from the outcrop near the intrusive body were analyzed for vitrinite reflectance ( R 0 %) and other organic geochemical parameters to evaluate the lateral extension of the thermal aureole. The R 0 values of the samples increase from a background value of ∼0.9% at a distance above 200 m from the intrusive body to more than 2.0% at the vicinity of the contact zone. The width of the altered zone is equal to the thickness of the intrusive body outcropped in the field. Organic geochemical proxies also indicate the intrusive body plays a positive and beneficial role in the formation of regional oil and gas resources. Due to the influence of the anomalous heat from the intrusive body, the hydrocarbon conversion rate of the source rocks of the Beipiao Formation was significantly improved. The accumulation properties and the storage capacity of the shales also greatly improved due to the intrusive body as indicated by the free hydrocarbon migration in the shales. This new understanding not only provides a reliable scientific basis for the accurate assessment of oil and gas genesis and resources in the Jinyang Basin but also provides guidance and reference for oil and gas exploration in the similar type of basin.

Using remote sensing extended on geological and topographical maps and verified by the field work, we present the flood management and study the geomorphic features of the floodplain of a large, sand bed, untrained but embanked river in order to determine the flood hazard and to predict future flood scenarios. In geomorphological mapping, we focus on the landforms: crevasse channels and splays, flood basin, chute channels, side arms, floodplain channels, dunes and fields of aeolian sand. We base the flood risk assessment on consultations with environmental engineers who design new technical structures that control inundation (cut-off walls and lattice levees). We describe a levee breach as a result of piping (inner erosion) in a high hydraulic gradient condition and its effect (scour hole) as an erosional landform consistent with the repetitive pattern of erosion and deposition formed by an overbank flow on a floodplain. We reveal an existence of homogenous morphodynamic reaches in the river valley.

Remotely piloted aerial systems (RPASs) are gaining fast and wide application around the world due to its relative low-cost advantage in the acquisition of high-resolution imagery. However, standardized protocols for the construction of cartographic products are needed. The aim of this paper is to optimize the generation of digital terrain models (DTMs) by using different RPAS flight parameters. An orthogonal design L18 was used to measure the effect of photogrammetric flight parameters on the DTM generated. The image data were acquired using a DJI Phantom 4 Pro drone and six flight parameters were evaluated: flight mode, altitude, flight speed, camera tilt, longitudinal overlap and transversal overlap. Fifty-one ground control points were established using a global positioning system. Multivision algorithms were used to obtain ultra-high resolution point clouds, orthophotos and 3D models from the photos acquired. Root mean square error was used to measure the geometric accuracy of DTMs generated. The effect of photogrammetric flight parameters was carried out by using analysis of variance statistical analysis. Altimetric and planimetric accuracies of 0.38 and 0.11 m were achieved, respectively. Based on these results, high-precision cartographic material was generated using low-cost technology.

The influence of morphodynamics of individual river valley zones on the anthropogenically induced distribution of heavy metals in the Małopolska Gorge of the Vistula River near Kępa Gostecka was studied. Based on the analysis of cartographic and geological mapping data, several floodplain features were distinguished. For each feature, lithological analysis of the deposits was carried out. It comprised determination of clay content, organic matter, carbonates and iron oxides and hydroxides, as well as analysis of heavy metal concentration. The investigations show that the concentration of heavy metals in floodplain surface deposits is strictly linked with the variability of depositional environments, which reflected in the intricate feature pattern. The highest contents of heavy metals have been found in the deposits of the contemporary floodplain, stagnation zones of floodwaters, oxbow lakes buried under floodplain or organic deposits and escarpment foot back swamps, while the lowest in deposits of the Pleistocene terrace and slope wash zones. Variability of floodwater dynamics modelling the floodplain surface is associated with the specific geological setting of the Vistula River valley stretch analysed.

Safe exploitation of a building requires constant monitoring of both the object itself as well as its surrounding through the monitoring system. These tasks find particular applications when operating large construction projects, especially in urbanised areas. Besides the warning function and undertaking reactions, the monitoring system allows for recording changes in object geometries to assess their stability. To conduct monitoring, various sensors and instruments that work within the applied measuring systems can be used. As an example, one can mention precise inclinometers (‘electronic bubbles’) allowing for accurate determination of inclination angles. The paper discusses the precision and functional aspect of the original inclinometer developed and improved by the authors. The working principle of the device is based on optical fibres, light projection and its detection on a CCD camera objective. The presented issue is a low-cost solution offering high measurement accuracy, which may be used in structural monitoring of objects located in the impact zone of a deep excavation or other nearby ongoing investments.

The impact of diagenetic minerals and the characteristics of pore structures on reservoir qualities has been studied separately in the past years. However, the difference in the reservoir quality with different pore structures and having same or similar content of diagenesis minerals has not been ascertained. In this study, based on the core samples derived from Chang 6 member in the Ordos basin, various tests were performed to examine the sandstone diagenesis and investigate the pore structure. The results showed that there were five diagenetic facies by diagenetic and pore structure analyses, and the best reservoir quality rocks were found to have relatively low percentage of illite, carbonate cement, pore-filling chlorite, authigenic quartz, and relatively high proportion of intergranular pores. Smectite-to-illite reaction and chemical compaction were main sources for quartz cementation at 60–120°C, and carbonate content was found to increase toward source rocks. The porosity depth trends significantly affected the diagenetic facies. The diagenetic and the pore structure pathways of various diagenetic facies were reconstructed by integrated petrographic, mineralogical, and pore system data. This study provides insights into the porosity evolution and diagenetic pathways of various diagenetic facies of tight sandstones, and the influence of diagenesis minerals and pore structures on their reservoir quality.

Locating concealed geological structures in coal seams on both sides of a coal mine excavation roadway is of vital importance for safe production. Conventional electrical resistivity imaging methods mostly arrange observation systems on the roadway roof and floor, so they are inevitably deficient when it comes to detecting concealed geological structures in coal seams. According to the electric field distribution characteristics of artificial field sources for electrical resistivity imaging methods and utilizing the shielding of current by roadway cavities, this paper proposes the parallel coal seam detection method that arranges observation systems in coal seams on the roadway side to detect concealed geological structures in coal seams. On the basis of introducing the principles of consequent detection methods, this paper investigates the influence of roadway cavities on observation results and offers a method of correcting the influence of roadway cavities. In view of the geoelectric characteristics of typical concealed geological structures in working faces, this paper establishes numerical models to verify the feasibility of the parallel coal seam detection method. As indicated by the calculation results, the consequent pole–dipole (A-MN) observation system is the most ideal in terms of dividing the geoelectric interfaces of concealed geological structures in working faces, and its detection effect is influenced significantly by the coal seam thickness and the electric differences between surrounding rock and anomalous bodies. Coal seam resistivity slightly influences detection of the consequent pole–dipole system. According to practical application effects, the parallel coal seam detection method can solve the problem of detecting concealed geological structures in “single-roadway” working faces.

In deep tunnels with hydro-geological conditions, it is paramount to investigate the geological structure of the region before excavating a tunnel; otherwise, unanticipated accidents may cause serious damage and delay the project. The purpose of this study is to investigate the geological properties ahead of a tunnel face using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and tunnel seismic prediction (TSP) methods. During construction of the Nosoud Tunnel located in western Iran, ERT and TSP 303 methods were employed to predict geological conditions ahead of the tunnel face. In this article, the results of applying these methods are discussed. In this case, we have compared the results of the ERT method with those of the TSP 303 method. This work utilizes seismic methods and electrical tomography as two geophysical techniques are able to detect rock properties ahead of a tunnel face. This study shows that although the results of these two methods are in good agreement with each other, the results of TSP 303 are more accurate and higher quality. Also, we believe that using another geophysical method, in addition to TSP 303, could be helpful in making decisions in support of excavation, especially in complicated geological conditions.

Carbonate cementation is one of the significant tightness factors in Chang 6 reservoir of the western Jiyuan (WJY) area. Based on the observation of core and thin sections, connecting-well profile analysis as well as carbon and oxygen isotope analysis, it is found that ferrocalcite is the main carbonate cements in the Chang 6 reservoir of the WJY area. The single sand body controls the development of carbonate cements macroscopically. Both carbonate cements and calcite veins hold similar diagenetic conditions: the dissolution of plagioclase is the main calcium source and the de-acidification of organic acids is the main carbon source. The diagenetic stage is identified as the mesogenetic A stage. The sedimentary environment is of low salinity. Accordingly, the development model of carbonate cementation in Chang 6 reservoir is summarized into three types: “eggshell pattern,” “cutting pattern,” and “favorable reservoir pattern.” The development degree of carbonate cementation affects the physical properties of reservoir.

The climate is a significant factor affecting the collapsing gully in weathered granite areas, and most of the surface layers of the collapsed area comprise granite residual soil. Granite residual soil has complex disintegration characteristics under different initial water content conditions. Besides, its disintegration characteristic is an essential factor for collapsing gully. Therefore, disintegration tests, triaxial shear tests, nuclear magnetic resonance tests, and hydraulic conductivity tests are conducted under torridity and rainstorm conditions in order to study the disintegration characteristics of granite residual soil. The results of disintegration test showed that the initial disintegration rate of granite residual soil increased rapidly with the decrease in water content, while the relationship between disintegration rate and water content in the later stage of disintegration is unclear. When soaked, the maximum decrease in cohesion was 44.48%, the hydraulic conductivity became six times larger, and the amplitude of the T 2 curve increased by about 40%, which reduced the strength of the soil and provided better access for rainwater infiltration to deeper stratum. The results show that the microstructure of granite residual soil would be damaged and the disintegration would occur after a rainstorm at low water content. Micropores would be formed inside the sample after soaking, resulting in destroying the continuity of the material.

Surface deformation has become an important factor affecting urban development. Lanzhou is an important location in the Belt and Road Initiative, an international development policy implemented by the Chinese government. Because of rapid urbanization in Lanzhou, surface deformation occurs easily. However, the spatial-temporal characteristics of surface deformation and the interaction of driving forces behind surface deformation in Lanzhou are unclear. This paper uses small baseline subset InSAR (SBAS-InSAR) technology to obtain the spatial-temporal characteristics of surface deformation in Lanzhou based on 32 Sentinel-1A data from March 2015 to January 2017. We further employ a geographical detector (geo-detector) to analyze the driving forces (single-factor effects and multifactor interactions) of surface deformation. The results show that the central urban area of Lanzhou was stable, while there was surface deformation around Nanhuan road, Dongfanghong Square, Jiuzhou, Country Garden, Dachaiping, Yujiaping, Lanzhou North Freight Yard, and Liuquan Town. The maximum deformation rate was −26.50 mm year −1 , and the maximum rate of increase was 9.80 mm year −1 . The influence factors of surface deformation in Lanzhou was a complex superposition relationship among various influencing factors, not a result of the single factor. The interaction between the built-up area and land cover types was the most important factor behind surface deformation in Lanzhou. This paper provides the reference data and scientific foundation for disaster prevention in Lanzhou.

The water produced from the coalbed methane (CBM) wells contains abundant geochemical information, which is of great significance in evaluating the productivity of these wells. Based on the data of water produced from five CBM wells, geochemical characteristics of the produced water and its influence on the productivity of the wells are analyzed in Laochang Block. The results show that with the increase in the produced water of the five wells, δD and δ 18 O show a downward trend in general, reflecting that the influence of coal seams and surrounding rock on the produced water is weak, while the water–rock interaction of the Y-3 and Y-5 wells is more stable than that of the Y-1, Y-2, and Y-4 wells. Combining the water production characteristics of the Y-3 and Y-5 wells with better drainage and recovery effects, it is proposed that 0 ≤ σ M < 0.3 and 0 ≤ σ Y < 600 or 0.7 < σ M < 0.8 and 1,200 < σ Y < 1,300, and the fluctuation ranges of Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , HCO 3 − and SO 4 2− can provide a basis for quantitative characterization and evaluation of CBM well production.

The reported occurrence of Albian- and Cenomanian-aged braided fluvio-deltaic channels in the Orange Basin, South Africa, opens a window of exploration activities to characterize these channels as they are renowned to form some of the world’s giant oil field. In this study, a seismic acoustic impedance inversion and seismic attributes (instantaneous frequency and iso-frequency) analysis is used to investigate potential Albian and Cenomanian fluvio-deltaic channels in offshore, northern Orange Basin. Reservoirs were mapped using a well and 3D seismic volume (8-bit) after initial dip-steering coherency filtering had been performed on the seismic volume to remove incoherent noise and improve data resolution. Model-based acoustic impedance inversion was applied on the seismic volume to delineate fluvio-deltaic channels in addition to using the RMS (root mean square) amplitude attribute. Iso-frequency using the cosine correlative transform (CCT) method was equally applied to delineate these channels. Instantaneous frequency attribute was analyzed for potential hydrocarbon-charged sediments. This was achieved by utilizing thirty-three seismic traces as an input in the Hilbert transform window, after which trace envelope and instantaneous phase were transformed into instantaneous frequency. Acoustic impedance inversion results reveal the presence of two channels within the Cenomanian sequence, which shows high porosity (∼40%) along its geometry. The CCT method shows that the 8 Hz frequency window resolved the presence of a channel within the Albian sequence. A meandering channel within the Albian sequence was equally delineated by the RMS, while the application of instantaneous frequency (IF) attribute indicates the presence of hydrocarbon-charged sediments of Cenomanian age in proximity to a listric normal fault because of the attenuation of frequency observed close to the fault. This study demonstrates a case study of the application of seismic impedance inversion and seismic attributes for the delineation of potential reservoirs and hydrocarbon-charged sediments in a basin.

Nighttime light remote sensing images show significant application potential in marine ship monitoring, but in areas where ships are densely distributed, the detection accuracy of the current methods is still limited. This article considered the LJ1-01 data as an example, compared with the National Polar-orbiting Partnership (NPP)/Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) data, and explored the application of high-resolution nighttime light images in marine ship detection. The radiation values of the aforementioned two images were corrected to achieve consistency, and the interference light sources of the ship light were filtered. Then, when the threshold segmentation and two-parameter constant false alarm rate methods are combined, the ships’ location information was with obtained, and the reliability of the results was analyzed. The results show that the LJ1-01 data can not only record more potential ship light but also distinguish the ship light and background noise in the data. The detection accuracy of the LJ1-01 data in both ship detection methods is significantly higher than that of the NPP/VIIRS data. This study analyzes the characteristics, performance, and application potential of the high-resolution nighttime light data in the detection of marine vessels. The relevant results can provide a reference for the high-precision monitoring of nighttime marine ships.

The research area is located on the boundary between two Paleozoic structural units: the Radom–Kraśnik Block and the Mazovian–Lublin Basin in the southeastern Poland. The tectonic structures are separated by the Ursynów–Kazimierz Dolny fault zone. The digital terrain model obtained by the ALS (Airborne Laser Scanning) method was used. Classification and filtration of an elevation point cloud were performed. Then, from the elevation points representing only surfaces, a digital terrain model was generated. The model was used to visually interpret the course of topolineaments and their automatic extraction from DTM. Two topolineament systems, trending NE–SW and NW–SE, were interpreted. Using the kernel density algorithm, topolineament density models were generated. Using the Empirical Bayesian Kriging, a thickness model of quaternary deposits was generated. A relationship was observed between the course of topolineaments and the distribution and thickness of Quaternary formations. The topolineaments were compared with fault directions marked on tectonic maps of the Paleozoic and Mesozoic. Data validation showed consistency between topolineaments and tectonic faults. The obtained results are encouraging for further research.

Lakes are important indicators of climate change. The change in lake water level objectively reflects the availability of regional water resources. Analyzing the changes in water level and climate response of major lakes in countries along the “Belt and Road” is essential for sustainable water use and ecological protection. Based on the water level datasets of 39 large lakes (>400 km 2 ) in China, Mongolia, and Russia (CMR) from 2002 to 2016, this study analyzed the spatiotemporal characteristics of water levels in major lakes of CMR, and their responses to climatic factors containing temperature, precipitation, and evapotranspiration. The results showed that (1) the water level of main lakes in CMR slightly increased with change rates ranged from −0.36 to 0.48 m/a, and the trends varied in lakes, (2) the water level of most lakes was sensitive to temperature with sensitivity value ranged from −2.14 m/°C to 5.59 m/°C, (3) changes of annual cumulative precipitation and evapotranspiration contributed most to the change of lake water level, but key factors affecting water level varied in lakes. Human activity is an important driving factor for the change in water levels and its impacts need further study.

The Cretaceous nonmarine sedimentary strata are widespread in Songliao Basin, Northeast China. As the largest oil producer in China, an abundance of data has been generated by the petroleum industry, including sedimentology, seismology, geochemistry, and geochronology in the Songliao Basin. This article reviews the achievements in China Cretaceous Continental Scientific Drilling SK and presents the new results of the China Continental Geothermal Drilling SR1 in stratigraphy and geophysics. The results allow us to establish the relationships among SK-1, SK-2, and SR1, provide some constrains on the tectonic setting of Songliao Basin, and interpret the sedimentary facies and environmental evolution. After stratigraphic correlation of SK and SR boreholes, the result indicates that the geological boundary between the late Cretaceous Mingshui formation and the Paleogene Yi’an formation is at the depth of 115 m. The magnetotelluric sounding anomaly areas are corresponding with the unconformities, which are equivalent to seismic horizon T03, T1, T2, and T3, respectively. In addition, the typical “steer’s-head” geometry in the magnetotellurics indicates that the SLB has experienced five evolution stages.

This article is based on a combination of anthropological and geographic approaches to seascape as an aspect of the cultural landscape. Following McCall Howard, Wickham-Jones, Ingold, and Arnason, we understand the term seascape as a “holistic term to describe the depth and complexity of human relations with the sea, the modes of human habitation of the sea, the importance of the sea to maintaining livelihoods, and the connections between land and sea.” We analyze the cartographic materials chronologically from the Franziscean Cadaster to present day and determine how the use of the Canal of St. Bartholomew has changed through time. Once a part of saltpans, providing salt water for salt production and a transport route, it is now a scenic place for leisure and a protected area. As a part of the Sečovlje Salina Nature Park, the canal was poorly managed and is now a liminal site of nonregulated berths for pleasure vessels. For these reasons, this contested seascape is represented as “Texas,” an ecological disgrace, and a boat cemetery. This area is used for many contested activities, which at the same time contribute to environmental vulnerabilities and the destruction of natural and cultural heritage.

The mechanism of fracture propagation, interaction and coalescence inside rock masses is a highly concerned issue in geotechnical engineering. But as it is difficult to manufacture 3D internal pre-fractures and observe directly the failure evolution process inside real rocks or their opaque similar materials, most previous studies have been limited to 2D conditions. The experiment investigation on 3D rock failure is still in a preliminary stage. In this study, a resin material has been developed by extensive formula tries. It is absolutely transparent and the ratio of tension–compression strength (brittleness value) can be 1/6.6 at −10 to −15℃. It is much more brittle and rock-like than analogous materials used by former scholars. A set of preparation, casting mould, and post-processing technologies were established and specimen-making with multiple pre-fractures is enabled. In the designed scheme, specimens are made with two parallel internal fracture surfaces yet of four different stagger separations. Uniaxial tests were carried out and the stress–strain relationship is analysed. It is shown that the specimen has gone through four stages as the traditional rock test before failure. Many diverse forms of secondary fractures, such as wrapping wing crack, petaloid crack, and giant quasi-wrapping fracture surface, which were not found in 2D conditions have appeared and their evolutions were clearly seen in each stage.

With the increasing population, the limited natural sources are decreasing and environmental pollution is increasing. In recent years, the increase in industrial wastes and the high cost of disposal methods of these wastes have necessitated the evaluation of industrial wastes in industrials businesses. Truck tires, blast furnace slag, fly ash, waste concrete, and dismantled asphalt coverings can be listed as industrial wastes. If these wastes are used, environmental pollution is reduced, and contributions are made to the country’s economy. In this study, an evaluation of marble waste as base material was performed. In this scope of work, physical tests, a modified Proctor test, a dry/wet California bearing ratio test, and density of soil in place by the sand cone test were conducted. Also, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, and mercury intrusion porosimetry analyses were performed on these marble waste. As a result, the physical and mechanical properties of marble waste were determined. In conclusion, marble waste has been found suitable as a base material according to the Technical Specifications of Turkish Highways.

Slope stability assessment is a critical concern in construction projects. This study explores the use of multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) to capture the intrinsic nonlinear and multidimensional relationship among the parameters that are associated with the evaluation of slope stability. A comparative study of machine learning solutions for slope stability assessment that relied on backpropagation neural network (BPNN) and MARS was conducted. One data set with actual slope collapse events was utilized for model development and to compare the performance of BPNN and MARS. Research results suggest that BPNN and MARS models can model the relationship between the safety factor and the slope parameters. Also, the MARS model has the advantages of computational efficiency and easy interpretation.

The character of morphogenetic processes occurring within river valleys depends on the mechanical and hydrogeological properties of deposits that build up such landforms. In the case of the Polish Lowlands, a series of Pliocene clay lake sediments (so-called Poznań mottled clays) plays a special role. Their current locations and properties are associated with specific sedimentation conditions and glacitectonic deformations, which the soils have been subjected to many times in Pleistocene. Their presence in the lithological profile influences dynamics of slope processes in valleys’ escarpment zones and channel erosion stabilization. In this article, the “Warsaw clay” from the Poznań Series Formation is presented in comparison with other cohesive Quaternary sediments, which are mostly building neighboring outcrops. This article analyzes the Seismic Dilatometer (SDMT) results and a method of interpretation to determine I R , plasticity index, and liquid limit (LL) parameters. The undrained shear strength S u was determined based on the Cone Penetration Test (CPT), SDMT, and laboratory test results. Spatial variability of the strength and deformation parameters in the study area were determined using dilatometer test (SDMT) results. Finally, the nomogram chart is proposed to obtain the rigidity index ( I R ) of the preconsolidated Pliocene clays, depending on both p 0 and p 1 pressures from SDMT and effective vertical stress σv0′{\sigma }_{\text{v0}}^{^{\prime} } and pore water pressure u 0 .

Currently, the sedimentation process concerning the formation of the morphological changes of deltas under the action of waves has received little attention. Two numerical simulations were carried out in this study to explore the sedimentary morphological changes of deltas under wave action. In the first experiment, the morphological characteristics of river-dominated deltas and wave-dominated deltas were compared. Results showed that a wave-dominated delta was more likely to produce slender and stable rivers relative to a river-dominated delta. In the second experiment, the morphologies of wave-dominated deltas with sediments of different grain sizes were compared. Results indicated that delta morphology was not significantly correlated with the median grain size (ϕ50{\phi }_{50}) of the sediment, and the average grain size of the coarser sediments (ϕ25{\phi }_{25}) was an important factor affecting delta morphology. Moreover, a delta with a larger ϕ25{\phi }_{25} value of the input sediment, a smaller topset gradient, and a smaller number of active river channels had a more arcuate shape. The results showed that the hydrodynamic numerical simulation method has the ability to reveal the evolution of deltas under the action of waves. The final simulation results were consistent with the actual delta data.

This paper introduced the development of tourism and its impact on the water environment. Then, taking the West Lake Basin as an example, the change of water quality in the basin between 2007 and 2018 and the changes of tourism population, tourism economic income, and tourism garbage between 2007 and 2018 through Hangzhou Tourism Bureau were investigated to analyze the impact of human tourism activities on the water environment of the West Lake Basin. The results showed that the change in curve trends of the comprehensive pollution index, number of tourists, tourism economic income, and tourism garbage in the West Lake Basin was similar, all rising; reasons for the increase of water pollution in the basin are that the increase in the number of tourists led to the increase of garbage and the government pursued the tourism economic benefits unilaterally and neglected the pollution brought by the tourism activities. Finally, we put forward three measures to reduce pollution.

The target Oil-Shale Member (TOSM) in the Upper Triassic Tanzhuang Formation in the Jiyuan Basin is about 140 m thick and its burial depth is generally between 3,000 and 7,000 m. This paper presents a study of fractures in outcrop analogs for the TOSM based on outcrop observations and experimental measurements. The role of fractures in gas accumulation in the Jiyuan Basin was also analyzed. Also, a workflow used in building discrete fracture models based on the outcrop observed data is described. Results show that the average total organic carbon content and vitrinite reflectance of the oil shale are 4.13 and 1.33%, respectively, with the organic matter type dominated by sapropel-humics (II 1 ), indicating high potential for shale gas generation. Fracture characteristics showing mostly vertical or intersect the bedding at high angles, and partially unfilled. The fracture lengths and widths range from a few centimeters to several hundred meters, and 0.05 to 0.5 cm, respectively, and the average linear fracture density is 6.3 m. In addition, the average brittle-mineral content of the oil shale is 53.7%, indicating that the oil shale in the TOSM has strong fracability. The hydrocarbon generation occurred twice in the TOSM. The primary reservoir formed by the first hydrocarbon generation was destroyed by fractures and tectonic uplift, and partial hydrocarbon migrated to the Paleogene along the second-phase fractures to form a secondary reservoir. The gas formed by the second hydrocarbon generation was mainly migrated into the fracture network of the TOSM.

Evaluating the quality of rural human (RH) settlements and clarifying its spatial differentiation characteristics have the most direct guiding role for the formulation of regional construction policies and the optimization of RH settlements. In this study, the index model of environmental quality of RH settlement was established. ImPACT and trade-off analysis methods were used to quantitatively identify the spatial differentiation of RH settlement and dominant impact human factors of it in Gansu Province in 2017. Then, the driving type of RH settlement environment was identified. Results are as follows. (1) The overall environmental quality of RH settlement in Gansu Province shows a decreasing trend from “west to east.” (2) The environmental quality of RH settlement is mainly affected by eight factors, of which the effect of quantity index per capita is more significant. (3) The trade-off relationship between the environmental quality index and these eight dominant factors is mainly low–low, which indicates that the human factors are the main reason for the environmental quality of the RH settlement. (4) Based on the dominant human factors, Gansu Province is classified into four driving types, of which the proportion of comprehensive type accounts for 77.01%.

A total of 54 surface dust samples were gathered from Korla in NW China, and the concentrations of six heavy metal elements, such as Hg, Cd, As, Pb, Cr, and Cu, were determined by standard methods. The geostatistical analysis, multivariate statistical analysis, pollution load index (PLI), and the US EPA health risk assessment model were used to analyze the spatial distribution, pollution, and its potential health risk of heavy metals in surface dusts, and the main sources of heavy metals were also identified. The obtained results indicate that the average concentrations of As in surface dust of Korla is lower than the background values determined in Xinjiang soil, whereas the average concentrations of Hg, Cd, Pb, Cr, and Cu elements exceeded the corresponding background values by factors of 3.71, 1.87, 1.96, 1.14, and 1.29, respectively. The higher concentration of analyzed heavy metals is observed in the northeastern and northern parts in the study area. The pollution level of heavy metals decreased in the following order: Hg > Pb > Cd > Cu > Cr > As. Based on the identified concentrations, the collected dust samples are found to be heavily polluted by Hg and slightly polluted by As, and the remaining elements, Pb, Cd, Cu, and Cr, are found to be low polluted. Furthermore, the PLI values of heavy metals in surface dust vary between 0.74 and 2.74, with an average value of 1.40, at the low pollution level. In addition, As in surface dust in the study area is mainly natural source, while Hg, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb are mainly anthropogenic sources. Overall, the carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic health risks of the analyzed elements, instigated mainly by oral ingestion of surface dust, are found to be within the acceptable range for both children and adults. As and Cr are the main noncarcinogenic elements, whereas Cr is the major carcinogenic element among the investigated dust-bound heavy metals in Korla.

The Daqingshan area is located in the Khondalite belt in the northern margin of the North China Craton. It has the best-preserved Mesozoic basin and is an ideal area for research on Jurassic strata. Sandstones mainly contain quartz and feldspar, with significantly less debris content. In addition, petrography and geochemical classifications have revealed the presence of arkose and wacke. Chondrite-normalized rare earth element patterns of samples are characterized by the enrichment of light rare elements and the flat trend toward heavy rare earth elements. Petrography and source rock discrimination diagrams of geochemical data suggest the presence of felsic rock and Precambrian basement in the northern and southern parts of the basin, which are crucial source areas; however, few mafic materials occur in the Wudanggou Formation. Tectonic discrimination diagrams of geochemical data show that the source materials were deposited on an active continental margin and/or continental island arc. Petrological and geochemical data from the Wudanggou Formation and Changhangou Formation samples suggest that the Yanshan movement influenced the formation of the Changhangou Formation.

The digital elevation model (DEM) is an important basic data tool applied in geoscience applications. Because of its high cost and long development cycle of enhancing hardware performance, designing the related models and algorithms to improve the resolution of DEM is of considerable significance. At present, there is little research on DEM super-resolution based on deep learning, and the results of the reconstructed DEMs obtained by existing methods are inaccurate. Therefore, deepening of the network layers is utilized to improve the accuracy of a reconstructed DEM. This paper designs a neutral network model with 30 convolutional layers to learn the feature mapping relationship between a low- and high-resolution DEM. To avoid the problem of network degradation caused by increasing the number of convolutional layers, residual learning is introduced to accelerate the convergence speed of the model, thereby preferably realizing the DEM super-resolution process. The results show that DEM super-resolution based on a deep residual network is better than that obtained using a neural network with fewer convolutional layers, and the reconstructed result of the DEM based on a deep residual network is remarkably improved in terms of the peak signal to noise ratio and visual effect.

Shale lithofacies identification and prediction are of great importance for the successful shale gas and oil exploration. Based on the well and seismic fine calibration, extraction, and optimization of seismic attributes, root mean square (RMS) amplitude analysis is used to predict the spatial–temporal distribution of various lithofacies in the fifth organic-matter-rich interval, and the prediction results are confirmed by the logging data and geological background. The results indicate that in the early expansion system tract, dolomitic shale and calcareous shale were widely developed and argillaceous shale, silty shale, and argillaceous siltstone only developed in the periphery of deep depression. With the lake level rising, argillaceous shale and calcareous shale were well-developed, and argillaceous shale interbedded with silty shale or argillaceous siltstone developed in deep or semi-deep lake. In the late expansion system tract, argillaceous shale was widely deposited in the deepest sag; calcareous shale presented in eastern sag with belt distribution.

The Gorica Hills (Slovene Goriška brda and also Brda) represent a part of the hilly cultural landscapes in the northern Mediterranean. Because of the historical development of the states, the Gorica Hills are situated on the Slovenian western border. The Gorica Hills have been a synonym for a cultivated landscape since the Middle Ages. New studies have changed the pre-existing belief that the cultivation method and crop types have not changed through the centuries, except for the introduction of corn and potatoes. However, detailed descriptions of the cultivation methods and the types of predominant crops in the cadastre show that during the nineteenth century, and especially in the period after World War I, the cultivation method of the vine and the types of crops, in fact, changed significantly. At this point, the nineteenth century can be seen as the period of the final introduction of corn and potatoes. Thus, the cultural landscape of the Gorica Hills is the result of the responses to inside and outside economic and cultural pulses. The paper will point out the advantages of the land cadastre reports that were used in the reconstruction of the cultural landscape. It will also present the questions that have remained unanswered and are left open for further research.

Land use/cover change plays an important role in human development and environmental health and stability. Markov chain and a future land use simulation model were used to predict future change and simulate the spatial distribution of land use in the Huang-Huai-Hai river basin. The results show that cultivated land and grassland are the main land-use types in the basin, accounting for about 40% and 30%, respectively. The area of cultivated land decreased and artificial surfaces increased from 1980 to 2010. The degree of dynamic change of land use after the 1990s was greater than that before the 1990s. There is a high probability of exchange among cultivate land, forest and grassland. The area of forest decreased before 2000 and increased after 2000. Under the three emission scenarios (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5) of IPSL-CM5A-LR climate model, the area of cultivated land will decrease and that of grassland will increase in the upstream area while it will decrease in the downstream area. The above methods and rules will be of great help to future land use planning.

Understanding hydrological process of surface water and groundwater is significant for the management of urban water resources. In this study, a total of thirty-seven water samples have been collected from the river (RW, 15 samples), shallow aquifer (SG, 12 samples), and deep aquifer (DG, 10 samples) in Suzhou, Northern Anhui Province, China, and their major ion concentrations and stable H–O isotopes have been measured. The results revealed that Na + and HCO 3 − were the dominant cation and anion, respectively, and most of the water samples are classified to be Na-HCO 3 type, to a lesser extent, Mg-HCO 3 type. K-mean and Q-type clustering analyses ruled out the hydrological relationship between river and groundwater, but there was a significant connectivity between shallow and deep groundwater, which was further confirmed by the hydrogen and oxygen isotopes. The relationship between δ 2 H and δ 18 O has shown that precipitation was the main source of the groundwater in the study area. Furthermore, the values of deuterium excess (d-excess) in different water bodies suggested that the groundwater has not been affected by evaporation, which was the main process controlling the isotopic composition of river water.

This study aims to analyze the complex relationship between heat flow and seismicity in tectonically active zones worldwide. The problem was quantitatively analyzed by using a geographic detector method, which is well suited for analyzing nonlinear relationships in geography. Moreover, β -value that describes the frequency-magnitude distribution is used to represent the seismicity. The results showed that heat flow (HF) = 84 mW/m 2 is a critical point for the relevant mechanisms of heat flow with seismicity in these zones. When HF < 84 mW/m 2 , the heat flow correlates negatively with the β -value, with a correlation degree of 0.394. Within this interval, buoyant is a primary control on the stress state and earthquake size distribution. Large earthquakes occur more frequently in subduction zones with younger slabs that are more buoyant. Due to zones with a high ratio of large earthquake corresponds to low β -values, high heat flow values correspond to low β -values. When HF > 84 mW/m 2 , the heat flow correlates positively with the β -value, with a correlation degree of 0.463. Within this interval, the increased heat flow decreases the viscosity of the rock plate and then reduces the stress. Lower stress would correspond to a smaller earthquake and then a higher β -value. Therefore, high heat flow values correspond to high β -values. This research would be conducive to understand the geologic activity and be helpful to determine the accuracy and timeliness of seismic hazard assessment.

The study area in northwestern Ethiopia is one of the most landslide-prone regions, which is characterized by frequent high landslide occurrences. To predict future landslide occurrence, preparing a landslide susceptibility mapping is imperative to manage the landslide hazard and reduce damages of properties and loss of lives. Geographic information system (GIS)-based frequency ratio (FR), information value (IV), certainty factor (CF), and logistic regression (LR) methods were applied. The landslide inventory map is prepared from historical records and Google Earth imagery interpretation. Thus, 717 landslides were mapped, of which 502 (70%) landslides were used to build landslide susceptibility models, and the remaining 215 (30%) landslides were used to model validation. Eleven factors such as lithology, land use/cover, distance to drainage, distance to lineament, normalized difference vegetation index, drainage density, rainfall, soil type, slope, aspect, and curvature were evaluated and their relationship with landslide occurrence was analyzed using the GIS tool. Then, landslide susceptibility maps of the study area are categorized into very low, low, moderate, high, and very high susceptibility classes. The four models were validated by the area under the curve (AUC) and landslide density. The results for the AUC are 93.9% for the CF model, which is better than 93.2% using IV, 92.7% using the FR model, and 87.9% using the LR model. Moreover, the statistical significance test between the models was performed using LR analysis by SPSS software. The result showed that the LR and CF models have higher statistical significance than the FR and IV methods. Although all statistical models indicated higher prediction accuracy, based on their statistical significance analysis result (Table 5), the LR model is relatively better followed by the CF model for regional land use planning, landslide hazard mitigation, and prevention purposes.

The Sokobanja basin is an area in Eastern Serbia with diverse geological and geomorphological features. Also, it is an area with developed spa tourism. The Sokobanja basin has numerous geoheritage features, which tourist potential has not been discovered yet. In this article, several geosites were analyzed, which present significant geoheritage formations. Geosites were selected by authors of this article based on the degree of their attractiveness for the geotourism development. The main goal of this article is to emphasize the geotourism potential of the Sokobanja basin and to determine the current state and geotourism potential of evaluated geosites by applying the modified geosite assessment model (M-GAM). A total of seven geosites were evaluated throughout the basin. The values of the investigated parameters were entered into the matrix of the M-GAM based on the number of points. Based on the research and the results obtained, it can be concluded that the Sokobanja basin has the potential for the development of geotourism, but it is necessary to improve additional values to become a true geotourism destination.

An improved Lamoureux method for subsampling of unconsolidated laminated sediment is described. Here, we describe a new methodological approach that changes the Lamoureux method in four steps of which the most important change concerns dehydration and stabilization. In this step, we adopted gypsum embedding of the subsample, which took about 1 h to harden and keeps the sediment partially moist. After drying of the gypsum, the subsamples are impregnated with Epoxy 2000 resin under room temperature. This method requires commonly available equipment and can be implemented cost-effectively within 3–4 days.

Despite harsh climate, agriculture on the northern margins of Russia still remains the backbone of food security. Historically, in both regions studied in this article – the Republic of Karelia and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) – agricultural activities as dairy farming and even cropping were well adapted to local conditions including traditional activities such as horse breeding typical for Yakutia. Using three different sources of information – official statistics, expert interviews, and field observations – allowed us to draw a conclusion that there are both similarities and differences in agricultural development and land use of these two studied regions. The differences arise from agro-climate conditions, settlement history, specialization, and spatial pattern of economy. In both regions, farming is concentrated within the areas with most suitable natural conditions. Yet, even there, agricultural land use is shrinking, especially in Karelia. Both regions are prone to being affected by seasonality, but vary in the degree of its influence. Geographical location plays special role, and weaknesses caused by remoteness to some extent become advantage as in Yakutia. Proximity effect is controversial. In Karelia, impact of neighboring Finland is insignificant compared with the nearby second Russian city – Saint Petersburg.

A total of 92 representative sandstone samples of the Bredasdorp Basin in boreholes E-AH1, E-AJ1, E-BA1, E-BB1 and E-D3 have been investigated for their grain size characteristics. Grain size textural parameters and their cross plots, linear discriminate functions (LDFs), C–M (C = first percentile and M = median) diagram and log–probability plots were calculated and interpreted to understand the mode of transportation and hydrodynamic conditions and also to unravel the depositional environments of the sediments. The grain size textural parameters revealed that the Bredasdorp sandstones are unimodal, predominantly fine-grained, moderately well-sorted, mesokurtic and near symmetrical. The bivariate plots of grain size textural parameters indicate that the depositional environments had been influenced mainly by river/beach/coastal dune conditions. The LDF plots show that the sediments are turbidity current deposits in a shallow marine environment. The C–M diagram revealed that the studied sandstones were mainly deposited by traction currents and beach process. In addition, the grain size log–probability curves and C–M diagram show the predominance of suspension and saltation modes of sediment transportation. Based on the inter-relationship of the various statistical parameters, it is deduced that the Bredasdorp Basin are mainly shallow marine deposits with signature of beach and coastal river processes.

Transient electromagnetic method (TEM) is often used in urban underground space exploration and field geological resource detection. Inversion is the most important step in data interpretation. Because of the volume effect of the TEM, the inversion results are usually multi-solvable. To reduce the multi-solvability of inversion, the constrained inversion of TEM has been studied using the least squares method. The inversion trials were performed using two three-layer theoretical geological models and one four-layer theoretical geological model. The results show that one-dimensional least squares constrained inversion is faster and more effective than unconstrained inversion. The induced electromotive force attenuation curves of the inversion model indicate that the same attenuation curve may be used for different geological conditions. Therefore, constrained inversion using known geological information can more accurately reflect the underground geological information.

Studies on the distribution of retail outlets are crucial for optimizing urban resource allocation, and their rationalized layout plays an important role in developing urban economies and meeting consumer demand. However, the literature on the subject has been limited by data collection. In the era of big data, there has been an emergence of geo-referenced data that are more accurate and convenient and thus more able to be applied in the retail analysis. This study addresses this lacuna by exploring the spatial distribution of various retail outlets with the application of points of interest. Our study demonstrates that (1) the retail outlets in Urumqi are concentrated in the inner city. The inner-city area has a higher density distribution of retail outlets, and the development of the retail function is more mature. (2) Various categories of retail outlets display dissimilar agglomeration characteristics and hot spots. Specialty stores, clothing and footwear stores, convenience stores, and home-building material markets have lower average nearest-neighbor distances. (3) The retail outlets in the subject area are directionally distributed in the northwest–southeast direction, which is the result of both the topographical condition and government intervention in Urumqi. (4) Various categories of retail outlets tend to agglomerate at different scales. These results are conducive to the exploration of the location rules and layout preferences of retail locations, and they provide a reference for guiding the adjustment and optimization of retail layouts.

This sedimentological and palaeontological analysis of the Aptian–Albian sedimentary succession of the Ait Ourir basin in the High Atlas Mountains of Marrakesh in Morocco provides new data from a previously poorly understood basin. The palaeoenvironmental evolution is deduced based on a facies analysis allowing the restoring of depositional environments and their stratigraphic architecture. Within the Aptian–Albian succession, we distinguish two sedimentary sequences separated by a major discontinuity. The first sequence is composed of calcareous and dolomitic marls with the rudist Pseudotoucasia catalaunica of the Tadhart formation (upper Aptian in age) and of strongly dolomitized limestones with corals ( Eugyra sp., Thalamocaeniopsis sp., and Holocystis sp.) of the Lemgo formation (uppermost Aptian in age). These two formations were formed in an internal carbonate platform (the intertidal zone to the subtidal zone). The second sequence, Albian in age, is composed of sandy limestones of the Oued Tidzi formation and is represented by sediments showing terrigenous influence, with deposits of silt, sandstone, dolomitic sandstone, and limestone.

This article discusses changing trends in agricultural land use in Uskopaljska valley. Quite a large number of agricultural land exploitation orientations indicate that the geographical benefits for the development of certain types of agricultural production are very different. Detailed analysis of the exploitation orientations of land use leads to the opinion that they are determined mainly by social movements. The depopulation areas are numerous in the periphery of Uskopaljska valley, resulting in abandonment of agricultural land and an increase in unused areas. Large extensive production areas were abandoned after 1991, leaving uncultivated ploughlands and grass cover to be used occasionally by herders. In 2018, there were only 7.4 acres of ploughlands, I–IV class quality, per person that were mainly being cultivated, which was not enough to ensure sufficient food production. According to the analysis of available data and based on the practices, and among others a survey among the farmers, the general perception of basic conditions and main problems of agricultural land use and agricultural development is revealed.

Owing to the effects of camera, illumination, extraction algorithm defect, and other reasons, vector data for reservoir waterbodies extracted from remote sensing data may have quality issues, impacting the efficiency of data utilization in areas such as water resource management and reservoir monitoring. To efficiently detect abnormal data from massive vector products of reservoir waterbodies, a semi-automatic detection method for reservoir waterbody vector data is presented. The method has three phases. First, the original reservoir vector data are preprocessed to obtain the time series of the area of reservoir waterbodies. Second, data modeling with time series of reservoir waterbodies area data is done using the extensible generic anomaly detection system (EGADS) plug-in framework and time series modeling is conducted using the Olympic model. Third, data that have quality problems are identified with KσK\sigma model was used to determine the outliers; thereby, the date of the outliers is detected. Results of accuracy verification show that the sensitivity and specificity of the method were 94.44 and 83.87%, respectively, showing its feasibility for use in anomaly detection in polygonal reservoir waterbody vector data with far greater efficiency than traditional manual inspection.

In December 2019, the virus SARS-CoV-2 responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic was detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan. The virus started to spread from China and dispersed over the rest of the world. In March 2020, WHO (World Health Organization) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The transmission path of the pandemic was accelerated by different types of transportation. With complete analysis of spatial data, population density, types of traffic networks, and their properties, the spatial distribution of COVID-19 was estimated. GIS (Geographical Information System), numerical methods, and software for network analysis were used in this research to model scenarios of virus distribution on a global scale. The analyzed data included air, railway, marine, and road traffic. In the pandemic research, numerous models of possible trajectory of viruses can be created. Many have a stochastic character. This study includes all countries in the world affected by the COVID-19 up to date. In this study, GIS methods such as buffer, interpolations, and numerical analysis were used in order to estimate and visualize ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation. According to the availability of new data, trajectory of virus paths was estimated. On the other hand, sparsely populated areas with poorly developed and small traffic networks (and isolated island territories) tend to be less or not affected as shown by the model. This low-cost approach can be used in order to define important measures that need to be addressed and implemented in order to successfully mitigate the implications of COVID-19 not only on global, but local and regional scales as well.

The marine shale in southern China has undergone complex tectonic evolution with a high thermal evolution degree. Excessive thermal evolution brings certain risks to shale gas exploration and development. With the advancement of experimental methods, the evolution process of shale reservoirs can be better understood from the micro-nanoscale. This work takes the Ordovician-Silurian Wufeng and the first member of Longmaxi Formation in the Sichuan Basin and Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation in Outer Margin of the Sichuan Basin to study the impact of maturity upon the genesis of shale gas and development features of the reservoir. A series of geochemical research methods, including TOC, gas component and gas isotope, were adopted to study the impact of different thermal evolution stages of organic matter upon the genesis of shale gas. The nanoscale micro-imaging technique, such as FIB-SEM and FIB-HIM, was used to analyze the development of OM-hosted pores. As shown from the results, when R o = 1.2–3.5%, the marine shale gas is dominated by methane and other hydrocarbon gases, since the mixture of cracking gas from liquid hydrocarbons and kerogen-cracking gas cause the carbon isotope reversal. Besides, the pyrobitumen pores characterized by the strong connectivity and storage capacity were primarily developed. When R o > 3.5%, the organic matter is at the graphitization stage. The shale gas is mainly composed of nitrogen at this stage. The nitrogen is originated from the atmosphere and the thermal evolution process, and the OM-hosted pores (pyrobitumen and kerogen pores) characterized by the bad connectivity and storage capacity are developed. Finally, the main component of shale gas, the genesis of shale gas and the pattern of OM-hosted pores under different thermal evolution stages of organic matter are summarized, which provide technical support for the exploration and development of shale gas.

Gravel roundness is one of the simple but crucial parameters in particle shape, which is related to the transportation and deposition of sediments. Based on the digital images of underground drilling cores, this study attempted to characterize and distinguish sedimentary microfacies by quantitatively test gravel roundness trends in the fan delta deposition of the Early Triassic Baikouquan Formation in Mahu Depression, Juggar Basin of China. By the new proposed de-flat roundness measurement, two major parameters are recorded to manifest the rounding degree, which is de-flat roundness value (Rd n ) and the corresponding variance value. In the case study, roundness characteristics of four microfacies in the fan delta deposits are displayed and compared. Results show that braided channels and submerged distributary channels are characterized by better rounding (Rd n 0.379 to 0.603, and 0.366 to 0.591, respectively) and smaller variance, while debris flow and submerged debris flow are characterized by worse rounding (Rd n 0.333 to 0.405 and 0.256 to 0.391, respectively) and larger variance. In vertical of the roundness curves, channels deposits and gravity flow deposits reveal notable distinction in terms of the numeric ranges, fluctuation amplitude, and fluctuate frequency. It is interpreted to represent the different sedimentary processes during particle transport and deposit, as well as new clastics mixed in from other sources. Therefore, roundness could be a useful complementary data to provide quantitative sedimentological evidence and theoretical support for the study of coarse clastic depositional system.

Along the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, scattered alluvium sections appear on T 1 and T 2 terraces. The alluvial deposits on the T 1 terrace in Linduo and Ximogou and the T 2 terrace in Guoguotang are composed principally of coarse-grained sand particles and rock fragments, with no observable fine-grained components. The T 1 terrace alluvium section is dominated by clay and silt and occurs near the town of Dexing, and optically stimulated luminescence dating of sample from this site revealed an age of 18.2 kyear, which indicates that the incision rate of the Yarlung Zangbo River has been 4.7 mm/year since the formation of this section. On the basis of the component characteristics of terraces in Motuo County, the provenance for the terraces is probably related to the breaking of the palaeo-dammed lakes in the middle reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River. A 430 m elevation difference still exists between the study area and the local base level downstream of the Yalung Zangbo River (Assam Plain), although this river has a strong incision capability (4.7 mm/year), which suggests that tectonic uplift remains very intense east of the Namche Barwa syntaxis.

One of the basic conditions guaranteeing safe and collision-free operation of rail vehicles is maintaining the structure gauge. Verification of the location of rail infrastructure components is carried out using various measurement techniques. This article describes the accuracy of the gauge measurement with the use of a scanning tachymeter. Tachymetric measurements and laser scanning technology were used in the experimental study of the tram loop area. The analysis covered the possibility of using a point cloud to determine geometrical relationships among the track, traction poles and the overhead line. The quality of the laser scanning data in terms of the measurement frequency, the laser beam angle of incidence per object and the average reflection intensity was examined. Performed verification was based on the data from tachymetric measurements. In the tested area, the track consists of straight sections and several circular arcs of small radii and variable curvature. The specific geometry of the track required calculation of the gauge extension parameters depending on the curve radius. In addition, a horizontal track alignment design was prepared. The designed location of the track and extended dimensions of the structure gauge were used to verify the correct spatial position of the current track in relation to the infrastructure elements.

Rabigh is a thriving coastal city located at the eastern bank of the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia. The city has suffered from shoreline destruction because of the invasive tidal action powered principally by the wind speed and direction over shallow waters. This study was carried out to calibrate the water column depth in the vicinity of Rabigh. Optical and microwave remote sensing data from the European Space Agency were collected over 2 years (2017–2018) along with the analog daily monitoring of tidal data collected from the marine station of Rabigh. Depth invariant index (DII) was implemented utilizing the optical data, while the Wind Field Estimation algorithm was implemented utilizing the microwave data. The findings of the current research emphasis on the oscillation behavior of the depth invariant mean values and the mean astronomical tides resulted in R 2 of 0.75 and 0.79, respectively. Robust linear regression was established between the astronomical tide and the mean values of the normalized DII ( R 2 = 0.81). The findings also indicated that January had the strongest wind speed solidly correlated with the depth invariant values ( R 2 = 0.92). Therefore, decision-makers can depend on remote sensing data as an efficient tool to monitor natural phenomena and also to regulate human activities in fragile ecosystems.

The article depicts the problem of river system development during the Middle Pleistocene Interglacial in the Bystrzyca River Valley (Sudetic Foreland, south-western Poland). Ten research sites located within the Świdnica Plain are presented, in which the structural, grain size (granulometry), petrographic, quartz grain morphoscopy, and heavy mineral analyses were carried out. The study results show the formation of piedmont fan deposits 2–8 km to the NE of the Sudetic Marginal Fault. The location of the fluvial deposits between the Sanian and Odranian tills indicates that they were deposited during the Holsteinian Interglacial (Krzczonów Formation, Mazovian; see Table 1). According toxthe lithofacies analysis, vast alluvial plains, composed of angular gravel grains in the south and of sands in the north, were deposited in the Sudetic Foreland in the environment of a very dynamic river. They are covered with a discontinuous layer of Odranian till. The petrographic spectrum shows 90–99% of local rocks, namely, Sudetic porphyry, Sowie Mts Gneiss and milky quartz, and 1–10% of Scandinavian rocks. In the proto-Bystrzyca river system, the existence of an oxbow lake in the distal part of the Krzczonów fan has been proved, which was developing at the end of the Holsteinian Interglacial. The continuity of the alluvial deposits is interrupted in the vicinity of Świdnica due to both the tectonic movements and the formation of the narrow tectonic graben of Roztoka–Mokrzeszów.

Soil is weak in tension but strong in compression. The resistance to tensile deformation of soil is given by the tensile force of the reinforcement in the reinforced soil, and the tensile force of the reinforcement is generated by the frictional force at the soil-reinforcement interface. When the soil-reinforcement is effectively interacted by the compaction, the deformation of the soil becomes equal to the tensile deformation of the reinforcement material, which means that the soil is bound to the tensile force of the reinforcement material and thus has a great resistance to the tensile deformation. Therefore, compaction is one of the major parameters affecting the behavior of the mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall. In this study, a series of numerical analyses was performed to investigate the compaction effect on the behavior of the MSE walls. The results showed that the horizontal displacement of the MSE wall significantly increased during the construction and decreased because of surcharge load application after the construction. In addition, the strains of reinforcement increased significantly during the construction and decreased slightly because of surcharge load application after the construction. Therefore, it is important to consider the compaction loads when modeling the MSE walls, so that the lateral displacement at wall facing will not be underestimated during construction and will not be overestimated because of surcharge load application after the construction.

This study presents the results of an in-depth study on landscape changes over the last two centuries in the region of Bela krajina, south-eastern Slovenia. Since this region is situated along the Slovenian–Croatian border, immigration and emigration are permanent fixtures in the region. Due to historical reasons, population structure and land use changes occurred. With regard to these processes, two case studies were selected: settlements of Adlešiči and Bojanci. Adlešiči is a village mainly inhabited by farmers of catholic religion. Bojanci was colonized by Orthodox Uskoki, i.e. refugees from Ottoman Empire who become Habsburg soldiers who lived a military life and had different attitude towards land cultivation. Landscapes in these two settlements have its own distinctive patterns contrasting to each other in the land use, showing historically distinctive cultural landscapes. The study aimed to interpret the development of cultural landscapes in these settlements by analysing the land use changes and identifying the factors that influenced it. Even though these sites have different management regimes, they are both affected by difficult karst terrain and isolation. The results confirmed the land abandonment and overgrowth of agricultural land in both case studies, however, at different rates.

After a sandstone oilfield enters the high water-cut period, the viscosity of crude oil has an important influence on remaining oil distribution and waterflooding characteristics under the same factors of, e.g., reservoir quality and development methods. Based on a comprehensive interpretation of the waterflooded layers in new oil wells, physical simulation experiments, and reservoir numerical simulations, we analyzed the waterflooding laws of a high water-cut sandstone reservoir with different oil viscosities in Kazakhstan under the same oil production speed, and we clarified the remaining oil potential of reservoirs with different viscosities and proposed corresponding development measures. The results show that low-viscosity oil reservoirs (1 mPa s) have uniform waterflooding, thick streamlines, small waterflooding areas, and low overall waterflooding degrees because of their homogeneous oil–water viscosities. However, within waterflooded areas, the reservoirs have high oil displacement efficiencies and high waterflooding degrees, and the remaining oil is mainly concentrated in the unwaterflooded areas; therefore, the initial production and water cut in new oil wells vary significantly. High-viscosity oil reservoirs (200 mPa s) have severe waterflooding fingering, large waterflooding areas, and high overall waterflooded degrees because of their high oil–water mobility ratios. However, within waterflooded areas, the reservoirs have low oil displacement efficiencies and low waterflooding degrees, and the remaining oil is mainly concentrated in both the waterflooded areas and the unwaterflooded areas; therefore, the differences in the initial production and water cut of new oil wells are small. Moderate-viscosity oil reservoirs (20 mPa s) are characterized by remaining oil distributions that are somewhere in between those of the former two reservoirs. Therefore, in the high water-cut period, as the viscosity of crude oil increases, the efficiency of waterflooding gradually deteriorates and the remaining oil potential increases. In the later development, it is suggested to implement the local well pattern thickening in the remaining oil enrichment area for reservoirs with low viscosity, whereas a gradual overall well pattern thickening strategy is recommended for whole reservoirs with moderate and high viscosity. The findings of this study can aid better understanding of waterflooding law and the remaining oil potential of reservoirs with different viscosities and proposed corresponding development measures. The research results have important guidance and reference significance for the secondary development of high water-cut sandstone oilfields.

Early and Late Cretaceous alkaline and alkaline–carbonatitic complexes from southern Brazil are located along the main tectonic lineaments of the South America Platform. Calcium-, magnesium-, and ferrocarbonatites are well represented and frequently associated even in the same complex. Primary carbonates present significant variations in C–O isotopic compositions, which are mainly due to isotope exchange with H 2 O–CO 2 -rich hydrothermal fluids, whereas fractional crystallization or liquid immiscibility probably affects the δ 18 O and δ 13 C values by no more than 2δ‰. Our isotope exchange model implies that the most significant isotopic variations took place in a hydrothermal environment, e.g., in the range 400–80°C, involving fluids with the CO 2 /H 2 O ratio ranging from 0.8 to 1. Sr–Nd–Pb isotope systematics highlight heterogeneous mixtures between HIMU and EMI mantle components, similar to the associated alkaline rocks and the flood tholeiites from southern Brazil. In spite of the strong variation shown by C–O isotopes, Sr–Nd–Pb–Os isotopic systematics could be related to an isotopically enriched source where the chemical heterogeneities reflect a depleted mantle “metasomatized” by small-volume melts and fluids rich in incompatible elements. These fluids are expected to have promoted crystallization of K-rich phases in the mantle, which produced a veined network variously enriched in LILE and LREE. The newly formed veins (enriched component) and peridotite matrix (depleted component) underwent a different isotopic evolution with time as reflected by the carbonatites. These conclusions may be extended to the whole Paraná–Etendeka system, where isotopically distinct parent magmas were generated following two main enrichment events of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle at 2.0–1.4 and 1.0–0.5 Ga, respectively, as also supported by Re–Os systematics. The mantle sources preserved the isotopic heterogeneities over a long time, suggesting a nonconvective lithospheric mantle beneath different cratons or intercratonic regions. Overall, the data indicate that the alkaline–carbonatitic magmatism originated from a locally heterogeneous subcontinental mantle.

This study aims to carry out a systematic review of the literature on the impact of technology in the tourism industry and its application in rural tourism research to serve the objective of socio-economic development. Research articles were selected from journals indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, or those that are listed in the Australian Business Deans Council or University Grants Commission – Consortium for Academic & Research Ethics list. This study provides a summarized conclusion of research trends undergoing rural tourisms area while simultaneously highlighting the themes and areas that could be addressed through the tourism industry. This study tries to establish a link between the use of technology and the development of the rural tourism industry. Also, it concludes that the use of technology has evolved the way that rural tourism could be conducted. Furthermore, it has opened up ways to use rural tourism as a means to solve existing socio-economic challenges in society. This study is new and it certainly adds to the value of researchers and academicians working in this domain by providing them with research areas that require a thought to ponder upon.