3,364 research outputs found
Arabian Journal of Geosciences
No full textThe official journal of the Saudi Society for Geosciences, the Arabian Journal of Geosciences examines the entire range of earth science topics focused on, but not limited, to those that have regional significance to the Middle East and the Euro-Mediterranean Zone.
The journal features peer-reviewed original and review articles on such topics as: geology, hydrogeology, earth system science, petroleum sciences, geophysics, seismology and crustal structures, tectonics, sedimentology, palaeontology, metamorphic and igneous petrology, natural hazards, environmental sciences and sustainable development, geoarchaeology, geomorphology, paleo-environment studies, oceanography, atmospheric sciences, GIS and remote sensing, geodesy, mineralogy, volcanology, geochemistry and metallogenesis
Impact of Population Growth and Climate Change on the Freshwater Resources of Lamu Island, Kenya
No full textDemand for freshwater is rising with factors, such as population growth, land
use change and climate variations, rendering water availability in the future uncertain.
Groundwater resources are being increasingly exploited to meet this growing demand.
The aim of this study is to identify the influence of population growth induced by land use
change and climate change on the future state of freshwater resources of Lamu Island in
Kenya where a major port facility is under construction. The results of this study show that
the “no industrial development” population scenario (assuming the port was not constructed)
would be expected to reach ~50,000 people by 2050, while the projected population upon
completion is expected to reach 1.25 million in the same year when the Lamu Port-South
Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor Program (LAPSSET) port reaches its full cargo-handling
capacity. The groundwater abstraction in 2009 was 0.06 m3 daily per capita, while the demand
is expected to raise to 0.1 m3 by 2050 according to the “LAPSSET development” projection.
The modelling results show that the Shela aquifer in Lamu, which is the main source of water
on the island, will not experience stress by 2065 for the “no industrial development”population scenario, whereas for the “LAPSSET development projection” population
scenario, it will occur sooner (between 2020 and 2028). The modelling results show that the
Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) climate change scenarios will have a smaller
impact on the effective water volume reserves than Special Report on Emissions Scenarios
(SRES) for the “no industrial development”, while the impact is expected to be similar for the
“LAPSSET development”, suggesting that population growth exacerbated by land use change
will be a more significant driving force than climate change in affecting freshwater availabilit
Dati ASTER per la valutazione dello stato di salute di aree costiere vegetate interessate da salinizzazione
No full textSeveral studies showed that the pine forests of Ravenna (Emilia-Romagna, Italy), as well as the entire coastal system to which they belong, are subject to a salt water intrusion in the aquifer below, caused by natural and human factors. Changes in groundwater salinity induce variations of the leaves properties and vegetation cover, recognizable by satellite sensors as response on different spectral bands. Therefore a procedure to identify stressed areas from remote sensing data, reducing the expensive and time consuming ground monitoring campaign, was developed. Multispectral ASTER data, acquired between May 2005 and August 2005, were used to calculate NDVI and its subsequent statistical analysis. Finally, the validation of the method was allowed from simultaneous ground measurement campaign. This methodology was tested in Classe pine forest and then in San Vitale pinewood. Although, from geological and morphological large scale point of view, these pinewoods have the same origin and structures, in last centuries different human activities and natural settings have led to a diverse situation
Seawater intrusion in the southern Po Plain, Italy: managing a geologic and historical heritage
No full textIrrigation in low-lying coastal plains may enhance the formation of fresh groundwater lenses
and counteract salinization of groundwater and soil. This is discussed for the unconfined
aquifer in the coastal plain near Ravenna, Italy. In this study area for example, a freshwater
lens originates from an infiltration ditch used as a water reservoir for spray irrigation. Such
incidental aquifer recharge practice from irrigation currently provides the only active
freshening of an overall saline to brackish aquifer. The extend of the freshwater lens is
controlled by the presence of drainage ditches, water level in ditches and rate of sea level
rise. An integrated planning of irrigation within the water management of the coastal zone is
necessary to have maximum benefits for freshening of the aquifer and making optimal use of
the existing water and irrigation infrastructure
Development and application of an Integrated Beach Quality Index (BQI)
No full textThe quality of beaches is a very important factor for attracting tourists. Continuous improvement of beach quality is an important goal for coastal countries such as Italy, where “beach and sun” tourism is a prominent contributor to the economy. The challenge for beach managers is both to protect the environmental quality of beaches and improve the quality of tourist experience. An integrated Beach Quality Index (BQI) to evaluate “Environmental Quality” and “Human Welfare & Health” was designed. It was applied to three different types of beaches, (urban, semi-urban and semi-rural), on the Adriatic coast. The BQI allowed an assessment of (i) the overall beach quality; (ii) individual aspects of beach quality on three types of beaches; (iii) the main strengths and weaknesses of the study beaches; and (iv) priorities for future management. The overall quality was evaluated as “Excellent” at the Cesenatico Levante – Porto Canale Sud (urban) and Marina di Ravenna (semi-urban) beaches and as “Good” at Bellocchio (semi-rural) beach. However, some of the individual aspects of beach quality had lower values, which show a potential for improvement through onsite management. The composite index is a useful tool for evaluating beach quality and to support the decision making process. It identified possible management responses for improving the beach quality of the study sites to propose to the responsible authorities. Moreover, it can significantly contribute to the development of Beach Management Framework aimed to support an effective management of individual beaches, enhance beach tourism, boost income, and in long term, to support a sustainable development of coastal areas
Modelling soil carbon sequestration with biochar using RothC
No full textThe aim of this work was to assess and predict how biochar influences the soil C dynamics, by modifying the RothC model to simulate the findings of a long-term field experiment on biochar application to a short coppice rotation in Italy. We first modified the model to include two stocks of C input into the soil: the labile and the recalcitrant biochar pools. We also included a parametrized function to account for the priming effect on SOC dynamics in the soil. Secondly, we calibrated the model parameters with the data obtained from the field experiment. Finally, we validated the model results by estimating the remaining biochar amount in the site after 10 years from application, using an isotopic mass balance.
The results confirm that biochar degradation can be faster in field conditions in comparison to laboratory experiments; nevertheless, it can contribute to substantially increase the C stock in the long-term. Moreover, the modified RothC model allowed to assess the SCS potential of biochar application in soils, at least in the specific conditions examined, and could represent a flexible tool to assess the effect biochar as a SCS strategy in the long-term. We are exploring the possibility to use data from other long-term field experiment to move in that direction. The results of this study could be added to the Italian biochar database, providing new knowledge about a topic that needs to be explored
Exploitable fish waste and stranded beach debris in the Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy)
No full textAbstract Within Circular Economy principles, this paper analyses and estimates exploitable marine residues, such as fish waste and stranded debris in beaches and their potential valorisation scenarios. The Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy) has been chosen as a case study. Based on the sold fish, about 200 Mg/year of fish waste are produced at the five major fish markets of the Region. Including all regional fish processing plants and retail trade, the estimated availability of fish waste increases up to 30,000 Mg/year. Stranded beach debris collected by mechanical cleaning operations are currently deposited in landfill. About 63,000 Mg/year of sieved debris are collected each year, out of which the recoverable fractions consist of 19,000 Mg/year of organic material, 8,000 Mg/year of shells and 5,200 Mg/year of stones. Classification and valorisation routes for these residual biomasses are proposed and their applicability to other regions discussed. In order to investigate the possible use in anaerobic digestion plants and the effects on biogas production, Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) assays have been carried out with fish waste samples and with organic material found in marine debris. Salt content in driftwood has been quantified to assess its potential use in Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants. Proposed valorisation routes for shells and stones include the production of calcium carbonate (cement industry, wastewater treatment and mulching) and the application in building industry, respectively
Seasonal dynamic of a shallow freshwater lens due to irrigation in the coastal plain of Ravenna, Italy
No full textIrrigation in low-lying coastal plains may enhance the formation of fresh groundwater lenses, which counteract salinization of groundwater and soil. This study presents seasonal dynamics of such a freshwater lens and discusses its influence on the salinity distribution of the unconfined aquifer in the coastal plain of Ravenna, Italy, combining field observations with numerical modeling (SEAWAT). The lens originates from an irrigation ditch used as a water reservoir for spray irrigation. The geometry of the freshwater lens shows seasonal differences because of freshwater infiltration during the irrigation season and upconing of deeper saltwater for the remainder of the year. The extent of the freshwater lens is controlled by the presence of nearby drainage ditches. Irrigation also results in a temperature anomaly in the aquifer because of the infiltration of warm water during the irrigation season. The surficial zone in the vicinity of the irrigation ditch is increased considerably in thickness. Finally, different irrigation alternatives and the influence of sea-level rise are simulated. This shows that it is necessary to integrate irrigation planning into the water management strategy of the coastal zone to have maximum benefits for freshening of the aquifer and to make optimal use of the existing infrastructure
The North is another country. by Nicolas Rothwell
No full texttag=1 data=The North is another country. by Nicolas Rothwell
tag=2 data=Rothwell, Nicolas
tag=3 data=Australian Magazine,
tag=6 data=16/17 November 1996
tag=7 data=20-33.
tag=8 data=NT%TOURISM
tag=10 data=Worse, better, stranger, wilder, but above all different from the rest of the country. Continuing his journey of discovery across Australia's Top half the author stops over in Darwin to hear all the truths and whispers about the North.
tag=11 data=1996/2/8
tag=12 data=96/0316
tag=13 data=CABWorse, better, stranger, wilder, but above all different from the rest of the country. Continuing his journey of discovery across Australia's Top half the author stops over in Darwin to hear all the truths and whispers about the North
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