Digital Commons Network^™

Spatiotemporal Variations And Their Influencing Factors For Vegetation Net Primary Productivity In The Shendong Coal Base, Yang Fei, Cui Kuankuan, Zhang Chengye, Li Jun, Dong Qiulin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The Shendong coal base, located within the arid and semi-arid regions in western China, is identified as the region with the most pronounced contradiction between coal resource development and ecological conservation in the country. Analyzing the spatiotemporal variations in the ecosystem and their influencing factors at the base scale provides a necessary foundation for green mine construction while also offering critical support for regional sustainable development.Methods In this study, the vegetation net primary productivity (NPP) was selected as an indicator for the ecological evaluation of mining areas. By integrating data on terrain, weather and climate, socio-economy, and human …

A Model For Predicting Coal Mining-Induced Surface Subsidence During Theinitial, Active, And Decline Stages, Zhang Liangliang, Liu Xiya, Cheng Hua, Du Shaoneng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objectives and Methods Presently, there remains a lack of theoretical models for predicting the coal mining-induced surface subsidence during the initial, active, and decline stages. Given this, this study derived the time-varying exponential function of the ratio of maximum to dynamic surface subsidence first using measured data from seven coal mines. Accordingly, an improved Knothe time function model was established. Then, the impacts of the model parameters on dynamic surface subsidence W(t), subsidence velocity v(t), and subsidence acceleration a(t) were analyzed. Subsequently, based on the improved Knothe model and the critical …

Soil Microbial Biomass And Organic Carbon Fractions Under Different Natural Restoration Years In Arid Coal Mining Subsidence Areas In Xinjiang, China, Xiao Li, Bi Yinli, Wang Dongdong, Li Jianfeng, Gong Hanlin, Deng Aojuan, Hou Wensheng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective This study aims to elucidate the influence of the natural restoration process on changes in soil microbial biomass and organic carbon fractions in coal mining subsidence areas. This effort will provide a crucial scientific foundation for understanding the natural ecological restoration process and carbon accumulation dynamics in arid coal mining subsidence areas.Methods Arid coal mining subsidence areas in Xinjiang, China were investigated in this study. Using the space-for-time substitution approach, sample plots were selected from an unmined area and areas having undergone natural restoration for one, three, eight, and 12 years. Subsequently, systematic analyses were conducted on the …

A Method For Fine-Scale Identification Of Collapse Columns Based On Offset Vector Tile Domain Seismic Data, Zhang Guangzhong, Liu Song, Shan Rui, Cai Wenrui

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objectives and Methods The YQ mining area in the Qinshui Basin is characterized by complex seismic and geological conditions, as well as well-developed collapse columns and flexure structures. Consequently, conventional three-dimensional (3D) seismic exploration fails to meet the precision requirements for safe coal mining. By constructing a physical model based on the actual geological conditions of the study area, this study conducted forward modeling for the seismic responses of collapse columns under varying azimuths. Accordingly, the azimuthal anisotropy of the collapse columns were systematically analyzed. By employing a regular noise suppression technique based on curvelet transform, combined with prestack migration …

Application Of A Generative Adversarial Network To Super-Resolution Reconstruction Of Fracture Images In Logging-While-Drilling Electrical Resistivity Imaging, Han Sen, Shen Chuanhai, Xu Chen, Tian Yimeng, Zhao Biao, Wang Ze, Liu Yongkang, Kang Zhengming

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Logging-while-drilling electrical resistivity imaging (LWD-ERI) enables the intuitive presentation of geobodies near wellbores in images, representing an important approach to the fine-scale evaluation of stratigraphic parameters while also providing significant geological guidance during the drilling of fractured reservoirs. However, this technique faces the challenge of low image resolution in real-time data processing due to its limited well-to-surface data transmission rates, exerting adverse impacts on the qualitative identification of wellbore fractures and the quantitative evaluation of their parameters. To address this issue, this study proposed a super-resolution image reconstruction method based on a generative adversarial network (GAN), aiming to achieve …

A Surface Wave Inversion Method Incorporating Interface Constraints And Its Application In The Assessment Of Ground Vibrations Caused By Mining-Induced Seismicity, Li Cheng, Qian Changbao, Liu Ying, Cheng Yi, Ni Shengjun, Yao Huajian

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective In mining areas of western China, underlying interfaces with significant fluctuations affect seismic exploration accuracy while also posing challenges to the assessment of ground vibrations triggered by dynamic hazards such as mining-induced seismicity. To enhance the characterization of shallow velocity structures and to provide support for dynamic hazard prevention and control in mining areas, this study developed an inversion method incorporating prior information about geological interfaces.Methods A dense array consisting of 489 single-component and 108 three-component seismometers was deployed within a mining area in Longkou Town, Junggar Banner, Inner Mongolia. Accordingly, continuous ambient noise data for about one …

Drone Based Operational Cloud Seeding, Jared Smith

Spring Runoff Conference

Cloud Seeding: Next Generation Operations and Validation

What is Winter Cloud Seeding? 

• The act of introducing favorable dust particles into a cloud to promote ice crystal nucleation 
• Requires naturally occurring clouds and cold temperatures 
• Aimed at enhancing winter snowpack

Great Salt Lake Basin Integrated Plan – Longterm Actions, Jake M. Serago

Spring Runoff Conference

GSL’s water level is in long-term decline. Water users face shortages and challenges. Increased temperatures, greater precipitation extremes and population changes are stressing water supplies in the basin. 84% of Utah residents think the Government is accountable for resolving issues facing GSL.

Agricultural Water Leasing Opportunities & Updates, Hannah Freeze

Spring Runoff Conference

The framework for this leasing program is based on depletion savings from conservation practices not surplus or tailwater

Pheasant Forever Loan Program, Will Benkelman

Spring Runoff Conference

Bear River Watershed Community Conservation Program

Our Mission: Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever’s (QF) mission is to conserve pheasants, quail, and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public access, education, and conservation advocacy.

Logan River Watershed Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Zan Murray

Spring Runoff Conference

Agenda:

Program Overview: PL-566 & NEPA

Project Need and Purpose

Project Alternatives

Preferred Alternative Costs and Benefits

NEPA Timeline/Current Schedule

Questions

Cache Water District Conservation Program, Autumn Matthews

Spring Runoff Conference

Conservation and Education Programs.

Conservation Goals:

Increase community awareness through outreach, workshops, and community programs that support water conservation.

Expand and improve programs that encourage water savings and more efficient water use across the community.

Help residents save money by promoting water efficiency and reducing unnecessary water use.

Water Supply Update, Jordan Clayton

Spring Runoff Conference

Snowpack and Water Supply Conditions.

>95% of the water we use in Northern Utah comes from snow. Therefore, it’s critically important to quantify how much water is stored in our snowpack.

Legislative Summary Panel, Brian Steed, Scott Sandall, Jill Koford, Joel Ferry

Spring Runoff Conference

Legislative updates provided at the Spring Runoff Conference 2026.

Water In 2026, Spencer Cox

Spring Runoff Conference

Presentation by Utah Governor Cox.

How Do Water Utilities Meet Growing Demand And Maintain Resilience Through Water Reuse? A Systems Thinking Approach, Elizabeth F. Vicario

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Water and wastewater utility management is becoming increasingly complex due to factors like urbanization, climate change, new regulations, and rising costs. Utility leaders must balance competing political and financial pressures while managing aging infrastructure, rising demand, climate resilience planning, and customer concerns about affordability. Reuse of treated wastewater has emerged as a promising solution to address scarcity, declining source water quality, and new regulations on wastewater discharge in the United States. However, water reuse is not one-size-fits-all, and bespoke solutions are needed to optimize economic, environmental, and social returns from this finite resource. Despite growing interest, little is known about …

Survival Politics On A Working Waterfront: Rules Change Faster Than Prices In The South Texas Shrimp Fishery, Owen Temby, Anthony R. Lima

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

In 2024–2025, the U.S. and Texas governments raced to save Gulf shrimp. Texas passed a truth-in labeling law for food service in restaurants. Federal agencies added antidumping and countervailing duty orders and new tariffs. This case follows Brownsville and Port Isabel, where dock prices slid while boats and crews aged. We frame the response as survival politics: urgent and improvised moves to keep a livelihood going even when imports set the price. Using legislative hearings, agency notices, local reporting, and port records, we show that rules reset faster than prices. Inventories, contracts, and supplier substitution delay any lift at the …

Bioclimatic Reorganization Of Carbon–Water–Energy Coupling Revealed By Eddy Covariance And Interpretable Machine Learning, Koong Yi, Margaret S. Torn, Gabriel B. Senay, Lixin Wang, Kosana Suvočarev, Joshua B. Fisher, Arman Ahmadi, Housen Chu, Gil Bohrer, Georgianne W. Moore, Stephen P. Good, Steven A. Kannenberg, Justine E. C. Missik, Kanishka Mallick, Kul Khand, Youngryel Ryu, Kuno Kasak, A. Christopher Oishi, David E. Reed, Xiangzhong Luo, Carl J. Bernacchi, Dennis Baldocchi

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Ecosystem exchanges of carbon, water, and energy are central to Earth system functioning, yet their sensitivities to environmental variability remain poorly constrained across biomes and climates. Here, we analyzed ≥ 5 years of eddy covariance data from 87 AmeriFlux sites (964 site-years) spanning six vegetation types and a broad range of climatic conditions to examine the controls and multi-year trends of gross primary productivity (GPP), evapotranspiration (ET), water-use efficiency (WUE), and the Bowen ratio. We trained boosted regression tree ensembles with environmental (air temperature, vapor pressure deficit, soil water content, atmospheric CO2, radiation, wind speed) and temporal (month, year) variables …

Riverbank Erosion In The Ganges Reach Of Bangladesh: Influence Of Geotechnical Factors And Seasonal Water Level Fluctuations, Sumiaya Amin Preota, Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Fazle Rabbi Joy, Md. Bodruddoza Mia, Farhad Hossain, Shariful Islam, Saba Karim

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

This study aims to characterize the erosional behaviour of the Ganges riverbanks by investigating the geotechnical properties and seasonal hydrological fluctuation in Bangladesh. Multi-temporal satellite images (1973–2020) were analysed using Geographic Information System (GIS) to select study locations for detailed analysis. The GIS-based analysis identified erosion-accretion patterns and highlighted erosion-prone and stable riverbank locations. Further, field investigation, geotechnical laboratory analyses, and slope stability model using SLIDE software were used to assess the targeted study factors from the selected locations. Field investigation and geotechnical assessments revealed that bank material cohesion and composition strongly influence erosion. River flow at the outer bends …

Geochemistry Of The Upper Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous Limestone Of The Bilecik Formation In The Dümrek Area (Eskişehir, Western Central Anatolia): Implications For Depositional Environment And Paleotemperature, Asuman Kahya, Meti̇n Bağci

Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences

Upper Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous limestones of the Bilecik Formation are exposed near the village of Dümrek (Eskişehir Province) within the Sakarya Zone. Mineralogical analyses reveal that these limestones are predominantly composed of calcite and include intraclasts, fossil shell fragments, ooids, and peloids, cemented by sparry and micritic calcite. The U/Th, Ni/Co, V/(V+Ni), V/Cr, and Ce/Ce* ratios indicate that these carbonates were deposited in an oxic environment. Furthermore, the Mn/Sr ratios imply no diagenetic alteration, indicating preservation of the original geochemical signature. The PAAS-normalized REE+Y patterns of these limestones display depletion in light rare earth elements, a pronounced positive La anomaly (La/La* …

Neotectonics Of The Malatya Basin, Se Türkiye; Implications Of The Reactivations Of The Faults Of The Basin During 6 February 2023 Earthquakes Of The East Anatolian Fault System, Yaşar Ergun Gökten, Doğan Kalafat

Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences

The Malatya Basin (MB) is a fault-controlled superimposed sedimentary basin situated in the SE of Anatolia, near and to the north of the East Anatolian Fault System (EAFS). The rock units ranging from the Permo–Carboniferous to the Upper Miocene form the basin’s basement. The thickening of the Upper Cretaceous–Upper Miocene sequence toward the Malatya Fault (MF), the basin’s northwestern boundary, indicates a dip-slip-dominated character for the MF and its control on the first-step sedimentation of the basin. The MF changes its character from dip-slip normal to the strike-slip in the Late Pliocene, and today presents a 1700-m left lateral offset, …

Numerical Study Of Porosity Effects On Temperature And Fluid Flow In Black Sea Gas Hydrates, Bahar Güvem, Doğa Doğan

Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences

Numerical temperature and fluid flow simulations were conducted using ANSYS Fluent to investigate the influence of porosity variations on the temperature distribution within the gas hydrate layer. The study was carried out in the Black Sea region, where the gas hydrate deposits are of particular interest due to their potential for energy resources. The simulations explored various porosity levels within the hydrate layer to observe their effect on thermal behavior and fluid dynamics. The results revealed that porosity plays a significant role in modulating the temperature distribution within the gas hydrate layer, with lower porosity models exhibiting higher temperatures compared …

Effects Of Seismic Filters On Pretrained Cnn Models For Fault Detection: Application To The Delft 3d Seismic Volume, The Netherlands, Süleyman Alemdar, Ertan Pekşen

Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences

Accurate mapping of faults from 3D seismic volumes is critical for identifying structural traps, assessing reservoir compartmentalization, and guiding drilling decisions. This study evaluates how common seismic conditioning filters affect both the visual quality of a production Delft 3D poststack time-migrated volume and the outputs of two pretrained 3D CNN fault detectors: UNet3D and FaultNet. Seven filters were applied independently—AJAX, DeSmile, SimpleDenoise, Dip-Steered Median Filter (DSMF), Edge-Preserving Smoother (EPS), Fault Enhancement, and Ridge Enhancement—and results were inspected across inline, crossline, time-slice, and full-cube perspectives. The analysis is image-driven, supported by high-resolution comparison figures and view-specific interpretations.Filters that suppress incoherent noise …

Integrated Dinsar And Hvsr Microtremor Analysis For Understanding Ground Deformation And Site Effects: Case Study Of The Bawean Earthquake (M6.5), Joshua Purba, Muhammad Fikri Hayqal Hiola, Ramadhan Priadi, Riska Yulinda, Iham Ilham, Rosa Amelia

Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences

This study investigates the seismic hazards of Bawean Island following a recent M6.5 earthquake using an integrated approach combining differential interferometric synthetic aperture radar (DInSAR) and horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) methodologies. The DInSAR analysis revealed ground deformation characterized by subsidence up to 10 cm and uplift up to 8 cm, correlating with the region’s strike-slip fault dynamics. HVSR analysis provided insights into site amplification effects, identifying zones with low Vs30 values (153.77–454.72 m/s), high amplification factors (A0), and elevated seismic vulnerability index values (Kg). The dominant frequency (f0) on Bawean Island ranges from 0.64 to 17.76 Hz, with most areas …

Burdigalian–Langhian Flora Of The Çan–Etili (Çanakkale) Basin, Compared With Those Of Western Türkiye, Sari̇ye Duygu Durak, Mehmet Serkan Akki̇raz

Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences

A palaeofloristic study was carried out on Lower–Middle Miocene deposits of western Türkiye (Çan–Etili Basin). The sediments of the Çan–Etili Basin, which were obtained from measured sections, were deposited in a continental environment. The palaeovegetation of the Çan–Etili Basin (Kazım Oğlak and Keçiağılı successions) during the Early–Middle Miocene was mainly made up of evergreen and deciduous mixed forests (Castanea–Castanopsis, Cyrillaceae–Clethraceae, Engelhardia, Quercus evergreen-type, Quercus deciduous-type), riparian vegetation with high quantities of Alnus and conifers such as Pinus haploxylon-type, Pinus diploxylon-type, and undifferentiated Pinaceae. The reconstructed palaeoclimate data from the palaeoflora (pollen and leaves) imply a warm and temperate climate, with …

Biogeochemical Controls On Phosphorus Transport And Legacy Storage Across A Coastal Watershed, Lee Potter

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Excess phosphorus (P) loading is a key driver of eutrophication and harmful algal blooms (HABs) in aquatic systems worldwide. This relationship is of increasing concern in coastal Louisiana, where climate variability, altered hydrology, and land-use change converge, resulting in increased hydrologic and nutrient loading into coastal systems. This dissertation examines controls on P cycling in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin through a multi-scale framework linking estuarine processes, watershed loading, climate and weather patterns, and sediment dynamics. The dissertation begins with an overview of the study region, P dynamics, and changes in hydrology and nutrient loading patterns. Chapter 2 presents a spatial …

Super-Resolution Remote Sensing Datasets For Application To Caral–Supe Archeological Sites Employing Sar And Dems, Jungrack Kim, Ramesh P. Singh

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Publicly accessible spaceborne remote sensing datasets often lack the spatial resolution required to reliably distinguish archeological features from their surrounding geomorphological contexts. In this study, we assess the potential of super-resolution (SR) products derived from multiple public-domain remote sensing datasets for a systematic archeological survey in the Caral–Supe region. We focus on Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and topographic datasets—including Sentinel-1, Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR), and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs)—because of their capacity to detect subtle surface expressions and shallow subsurface structures obscured by vegetation or sediment cover. Using state-of-the-art deep learning algorithms, …

Soil Re-Engineering In Western Australia, Part I: A Novel Approach For Rapid And Lasting Improvement Of Soil Physical And Chemical Properties, Gaus Azam, Chad Reynolds

Natural Resources Research Articles

Context

Soil acidity, high soil strength, and poor subsoil structure are major constraints to crop productivity in coarse-textured and texture-contrast soils of southern Australia. These interacting limitations restrict root growth, reduce access to subsoil water and nutrients, and constrain yield potential in water-limited environments. While deep tillage and surface liming have been used to address individual constraints, their benefits are often short-lived and insufficient to overcome multiple subsoil limitations simultaneously. Aims

This study aimed to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of soil profile re-engineering on soil physical, chemical, and hydrological properties, and to determine the persistence of these changes …

Development Potential Of The Ucg-Eg Industry In Guizhou Province, China, Wang Lingxia, Zhou Ze, Yi Tongsheng, Qin Yong, Yang Lei, Kong Weimin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Methods This study aims to promote the sustainable development of the underground coal gasification (UCG) industry and to extend the industrial chain of syngas development and utilization. To this end, this study analyzed the UCG-electricity generation (UCG-EG) potential of Guizhou Province based on the evaluation results of resources allowing UCG and the current status of energy and electric power structures of this province. A 3D analytical principle model for UCG-EG industry scenarios in Guizhou was constructed through scenario modelling. Using this model, the prospects of the UCG industry under low, medium, high, and ultra-high scenarios were quantitatively depicted. …

Factors Influencing Productivity And Production System Optimization For Deep Coalbed Methane In The Daning-Jixian Block, Ordos Basin, Zhao Haifeng, Jia Zhaojie, Chen Mengqi, Yang Ziyi, Wang Bin, Lin Hongliang, Yang Yanfeng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Deep coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs are characterized by ultra-low porosity, ultra-low permeability, and super saturation, rendering it impractical to copy the productivity models of shallow coalbed methane and shale gas. Furthermore, the production performance of deep CBM varies significantly across different well sections. However, the impacts of different factors on the productivity of deep CBM remain poorly understood. This study conducted a numerical simulation analysis of the productivity of deep CBM in the Daning-Jixian block along the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin based on the geological characteristics of the block, aiming to explore the impacts of various key …