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Articles 31 - 60 of 208

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Preliminary Summary Of Water Resource Investigations During 2012 At Timpanogos Cave National Monument, Utah, Lee J. Florea, Chelsie R. Dugan, Camille Mckinney Nov 2013

Preliminary Summary Of Water Resource Investigations During 2012 At Timpanogos Cave National Monument, Utah, Lee J. Florea, Chelsie R. Dugan, Camille Mckinney

Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.

This manuscript considers the hydrology and geochemistry of water resources within Timpanogos Cave National Monument in American Fork, Utah. In particular, data are presented for five cave pools within the Monument and the American Fork River that flows through the Monument. Two independent dye trace attempts in this study have not established a connection between the surface near the canyon rim at the south border of the Monument and the cave pools or the river. Ion chemistry of the pools reveals elevated sulfate concentrations. Analysis of sulfate and other reaction products suggests the possibility of combined carbonic and sulfuric acids …


Climate Change And Hydrological Risks Related To Railway Infrastructure In Northern Regions, Barry A. Palynchuk Phd Oct 2013

Climate Change And Hydrological Risks Related To Railway Infrastructure In Northern Regions, Barry A. Palynchuk Phd

Barry A. Palynchuk PhD

In this paper, the authors discuss the possible consequences of global warming on northern hydrology and their impacts on railway drainage infrastructure. How can we change actual design approaches, methods and standards to adapt, to reduce vulnerability and to improve resilience to climate change? Under current climate conditions, snow, ice and permafrost play a dominant role in the water balance in cold regions. Three areas can be distinguished: regions of continuous permafrost, regions of discontinuous permafrost and permafrost-free regions. To predict the potential climate change impacts on each region, the spatial analog and the climate variability analog approaches can be …


Investigations Into The Potential For Hypogene Speleogenesis In The Cumberland Plateau Of Southeast Kentucky, U.S.A., Lee J. Florea Jul 2013

Investigations Into The Potential For Hypogene Speleogenesis In The Cumberland Plateau Of Southeast Kentucky, U.S.A., Lee J. Florea

Lee J Florea, PhD, P.G.

This manuscript offers preliminary geochemical evidence that investigates the potential for hypogene speleogenesis in the Cumberland Plateau of southeastern Kentucky, U.S.A. The region was traditionally considered a classic example of epigenic karst, but new insights have uncovered tantalizing observations that suggest alternatives to simple carbonic acid speleogenesis. Such first-order observations have included natural petroleum seeps at the surface and in caves, occasional cave morphologies consistent with action of hypogene fluids, and prolific gypsum within cave passages. To this point, geochemical data from caves and springs verify carbonic acid as the primary dissolutional agent; however, these same analyses cannot rule out …


Will Hubbard Brook Soils Be A Source Or Sink Of Carbon In A Changing Climate?, Chris E. Johnson Jul 2013

Will Hubbard Brook Soils Be A Source Or Sink Of Carbon In A Changing Climate?, Chris E. Johnson

Chris E Johnson

No abstract provided.


The Contribution Of Fe (Iii) And Humic Acid Reduction To Ecosystem Respiration In Drained Thaw Lake Basins Of The Arctic Coastal Plain, David A. Lipson, Ted K. Raab, Dominic Goria, Jaime Zlamal May 2013

The Contribution Of Fe (Iii) And Humic Acid Reduction To Ecosystem Respiration In Drained Thaw Lake Basins Of The Arctic Coastal Plain, David A. Lipson, Ted K. Raab, Dominic Goria, Jaime Zlamal

Ted K. Raab

Previous research showed that anaerobic respiration using iron (Fe) oxides as terminal electron acceptor contributed substantially to ecosystem respiration (ER) in a drained thaw lake basin (DTLB) on the Arctic coastal plain. As DTLB age, the surface organic layer thickens, progressively burying the Fe-rich mineral layers. We therefore hypothesized that Fe (III) availability and Fe reduction would decline with basin age. We studied four DTLB across an age gradient, comparing seasonal changes in the oxidation state of dissolved and extractable Fe pools and the estimated contribution of Fe reduction to ER. The organic layer thickness did not strictly increase with …


Distinction Of Lakes And Rivers On Satellite Images Using Mathematical Morphology, Przemysław Kupidura Jan 2013

Distinction Of Lakes And Rivers On Satellite Images Using Mathematical Morphology, Przemysław Kupidura

Przemysław Kupidura

This paper concerns the application of mathematical morphology for object-oriented classification of satellite images. The example of distinguishing different bodies of water using the author-made algorithm will be presented. Different types of water bodies like lakes and rivers are easy to differentiate when visually interpreted. However, it is much more difficult to differentiate using a traditional, pixel-based classification process. Mathematical morphology operations, which take into account such important features of objects like shape and size, allow these two types of water bodies to be distinguished in object classification. The proposed algorithm allows one practically error-free classification. The results show, that …


Cyfrowe Przetwarzanie Zdjęć Satelitarnych, Przemysław Kupidura, Piotr Podlasiak Jan 2013

Cyfrowe Przetwarzanie Zdjęć Satelitarnych, Przemysław Kupidura, Piotr Podlasiak

Przemysław Kupidura

No abstract provided.


Frequency-Magnitude Distribution Of Debris Flows Compiled From Global Data, And Comparison With Post-Fire Debris Flows In The Western U.S., Rebecca Bendick Jan 2013

Frequency-Magnitude Distribution Of Debris Flows Compiled From Global Data, And Comparison With Post-Fire Debris Flows In The Western U.S., Rebecca Bendick

Rebecca Bendick

No abstract provided.


Kinematics Of The Pamir And Hindu Kush Regions From Gps Geodesy, Rebecca Bendick Jan 2013

Kinematics Of The Pamir And Hindu Kush Regions From Gps Geodesy, Rebecca Bendick

Rebecca Bendick

No abstract provided.


A Review Of The Mechanics Of Heterogeneous Materials And Their Implications For Relationships Between Kinematics And Dynamics In Contients, Rebecca Bendick Jan 2013

A Review Of The Mechanics Of Heterogeneous Materials And Their Implications For Relationships Between Kinematics And Dynamics In Contients, Rebecca Bendick

Rebecca Bendick

No abstract provided.


Classification Of The Alterations Of Beaver Dams To Headwater Streams In Northeastern Connecticut, U.S.A., Denise Burchsted, Melinda D. Daniels Jan 2013

Classification Of The Alterations Of Beaver Dams To Headwater Streams In Northeastern Connecticut, U.S.A., Denise Burchsted, Melinda D. Daniels

Denise Burchsted

Of the many types of barriers to water flow, beaver dams are among the smallest, typically lasting less than a decade and rarely exceeding 1.5 m in height. They are also among the most frequent and common obstructions in rivers, with a density often exceeding ten dams per km, a frequency of construction within a given network on a time scale of years, and a historic extent covering most of North America. Past quantification of the geomorphologic impact of beaver dams has primarily been limited to local impacts within individual impoundments and is of limited geographic scope. To assess the …


Sea-Cliff Erosion With Rising Sea-Level Along Shores Exposing Glacial Material In Atlantic Canada, Eric R. Force Jan 2013

Sea-Cliff Erosion With Rising Sea-Level Along Shores Exposing Glacial Material In Atlantic Canada, Eric R. Force

Eric R Force

Rapid retreat rates of sea cliffs exposing glacial material are a widespread problem, especially in Atlantic Canada, and one that will continue. Prediction of retreat rates at specific sites involves many variables, but a factor that has commonly been overlooked in such prediction is the slope of the bedrock surface under the glacial material. A glaciated bedrock platform is generally necessary to establish a stable situation of temporary equilibrium, and as sea- level rises, the bedrock slope determines the location of the new equilib- rium position. An example from Nova Scotia shows that bedrock slope is so low on some …


An Assessment Of The Effects Of Desertification In Yobe State, Nigeria, Jibril Musa Phd Dec 2012

An Assessment Of The Effects Of Desertification In Yobe State, Nigeria, Jibril Musa Phd

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Desertification is one of the most serious environmental and socio-economic problems of our time. Desertification describes circumstances of land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid regions resulting from the climatic variation and human activities. The fundamental goal of this thesis was to assess the effects of desertification in Yobe State, Nigeria. The present threat of desertification in the sahel has reached an alarming stage where crops cultivation and animal rearing/grazing are no more productive, soil has lost its nutrient/fertility, various infrastructure had given way because of windstorm from the neighbouring Niger Republic and sand dunes had taken over. The …


Using Remote Sensing Data To Improve Rice Production In Kutigi, Niger State, Nigeria, Jibril Musa Phd, M B. Yunusa Dec 2012

Using Remote Sensing Data To Improve Rice Production In Kutigi, Niger State, Nigeria, Jibril Musa Phd, M B. Yunusa

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

This research work looked in the used of Remote Sensing to improve Agricultural production in Kutigi, Niger State. The aim of the study is to use remote sensing to improve rice farming activities in Kutigi, Niger State. It is very important to identify such methods to improve Agricultural production because experts are always interested in new researches and findings to better the standard of living in any environment. In view of this, Remotely-sensed data could be used or employed to elevate most of these agricultural problems in Kutigi through the following objectives: Using Landsat imagery to assess the present landuse …


Modelling Three-Phase Flow In Metallurgical Processes, Christoph Goniva, Gijsbert Wierink, Kari Heiskanen, Stefan Pirker, Christoph Kloss Dec 2012

Modelling Three-Phase Flow In Metallurgical Processes, Christoph Goniva, Gijsbert Wierink, Kari Heiskanen, Stefan Pirker, Christoph Kloss

Gijsbert Wierink

The interaction between gasses, liquids, and solids plays a critical role in many processes, such as coating, granulation and the blast furnace process. In this paper we present a comprehensive numerical model for three phase flow including droplets, particles and gas. By means of a coupled Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) - Discrete Element Method (DEM) approach the physical core phenomena are pictured at a detailed level. Sub-models for droplet deformation, breakup and coalescence as well as droplet-particle and wet particle-particle interaction are applied. The feasibility of this model approach is demonstrated by its application to a rotating drum coater. The …


Mapping The Surface Characteristics Of The Mojave With Remote Sensing For Terrestrial Habitat Modeling, Scott A. Nowicki Dec 2012

Mapping The Surface Characteristics Of The Mojave With Remote Sensing For Terrestrial Habitat Modeling, Scott A. Nowicki

Scott A Nowicki

High-resolution ecological and climate modeling requires quantification of surface characteristics such as rock abundance, soil induration and surface roughness at fine-scale, since these features can affect the micro and macro habitat of a given area and ultimately determine the assemblage of plant and animal species that may occur there. Our objective is to develop quantitative data layers of thermophysical properties of the entire Mojave Desert Ecoregion for applications to habitat modeling being conducted by the USGS Western Ecological Research Center. These research efforts are focused on developing habitat models and a better physical understanding of the Mojave Desert, which have …


Variations In Climatic Parameters And Food Crop Yields: Implications On Food Security In Benue State, Nigeria., Emmanuel Adamgbe, Fanan Ujoh Oct 2012

Variations In Climatic Parameters And Food Crop Yields: Implications On Food Security In Benue State, Nigeria., Emmanuel Adamgbe, Fanan Ujoh

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Agricultural production in Nigeria like in other developing countries is highly vulnerable to variations in climatic parameters which may have inverse or direct effect on the performance of food crops. This paper examines the patterns and trends of the variations in the climatic parameters and the implications of such variations on efficient yield rates of some food crops in Benue State using data on climatic variables (rainfall, temperature, sunshine) and the yield of some crops per hectare for 25 years (1986-2010). Data on the climatic variables were collected from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, AirForce Base, Makurdi while the data on …


Identifying The Retention Mechanisms Of (Bio)Colloids In Single, Saturated, Variable-Aperture Fractures, Sandrina Rodrigues Oct 2012

Identifying The Retention Mechanisms Of (Bio)Colloids In Single, Saturated, Variable-Aperture Fractures, Sandrina Rodrigues

Sarah E Dickson

No abstract provided.


Evidence That Glucose Is The Major Transferred Metabolite In Dinoflagellate–Cnidarian Symbiosis, Matthew S. Burriesci, Ted K. Raab, John R. Pringle Oct 2012

Evidence That Glucose Is The Major Transferred Metabolite In Dinoflagellate–Cnidarian Symbiosis, Matthew S. Burriesci, Ted K. Raab, John R. Pringle

Ted K. Raab

Reef-building corals and many other cnidarians are symbiotic with dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium. It has long been known that the endosymbiotic algae transfer much of their photosynthetically fixed carbon to the host and that this can provide much of the hostʼs total energy. However, it has remained unclear which metabolite(s) are directly translocated from the algae into the host tissue. We reexamined this question in the small sea anemone Aiptasia using labeling of intact animals in the light with 13C-bicarbonate, rapid homogenization and separation of animal and algal fractions, and analysis of metabolite labeling by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We …


Libraries At The University Of Massachusetts Amherst: Seeking An International Perspective, Maxine G. Schmidt Oct 2012

Libraries At The University Of Massachusetts Amherst: Seeking An International Perspective, Maxine G. Schmidt

Maxine G Schmidt

Presentation delivered to librarians in China, Japan and South Korea as part of my sabbatical research on the use of libraries by Asian students in their home countries.


Sediment Geochemistry Of River Okura: Implication To Weathering And Transport, Y B. Gideon, F B. Fatoye Aug 2012

Sediment Geochemistry Of River Okura: Implication To Weathering And Transport, Y B. Gideon, F B. Fatoye

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Rocks, soils and bed sediments of River Okura catchment area in Anambra basin have been analysed for major oxides using minipal 4 ED version of XRF machine. A total number of five (5) rocks and twenty (20) samples of soil, river bed sediments for each were collected from the study area. These results have been used to characterize and deduce the effect of weathering and transport in the study area. Chemical composition and field studies assessment of the rock(s) in the study area indicated lithic arenite type of sandstone. Results of soils analyses shows a compositional enrichment of Fe2O3 (12.54%) …


Environmental Impacts Of Stover Removal In The Corn Belt, Alicia English, Wallace E. Tyner, Juan Sesmero, Phillip Owens, David J. Muth Jr. Aug 2012

Environmental Impacts Of Stover Removal In The Corn Belt, Alicia English, Wallace E. Tyner, Juan Sesmero, Phillip Owens, David J. Muth Jr.

David J. Muth

When considering the market for biomass from corn stover resources erosion and soil quality issues are important to consider. Removal of stover can be beneficial in some areas, especially when coordinated with other conservation practices, such as vegetative barrier strips and cover crops. However, benefits are highly dependent on several factors, namely if farmers see costs and benefits associated with erosion and the tradeoffs with the removal of biomass. This paper uses results from an integrated RUSLE2/WEPS model to incorporate six different regime choices, covering management, harvest and conservation, into a simple profit maximization model to show these tradeoffs.


Preliminary Lineament Analysis Within The Vicinity Of Kainji Dam, Nigeria Using Ers-1 Sar Image, M S. Kolawole, E G. Ameh, A Daniel Jul 2012

Preliminary Lineament Analysis Within The Vicinity Of Kainji Dam, Nigeria Using Ers-1 Sar Image, M S. Kolawole, E G. Ameh, A Daniel

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Various affordable, operational technologies such as remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can significantly contribute to improved efficiency. The main focus of the project has been directed to the use of remote sensing to gain geological and geohazard information. This study examines the use of Remote Sensing (RS) technology in geological studies of Kainji area. Radar SAR images were used to classify the various geological fractures found in the area located in the Northern part of Nigeria. A wide variety of digital image processing techniques were applied such as the Principal Components (PC) analysis and ratioing. ERS-1 SAR image that …


Dynamics Of Land Use/Land Cover Changes And Its Implication On Food Security In Anyigba, North Central, Nigeria, Tokula E. Arome, Sunday P. Ejaro (Phd) May 2012

Dynamics Of Land Use/Land Cover Changes And Its Implication On Food Security In Anyigba, North Central, Nigeria, Tokula E. Arome, Sunday P. Ejaro (Phd)

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

This study assessed land use/land cover changes and its effect on Agricultural land in Anyigba. The objectives were to identify and delineate different land use / land cover categories, assess the rate of change that occurred and examine the impact of land use/land cover change on food security using satellite remote sensing data collected at three different years (1987 Land sat TM, 2001 Land Sat TM and 2011 Land Sat ETM). The study utilized GIS software such as Idrisi Andes academic and ArcGIS 9.3. The study area covers approximately 31.8km2, and four major land use/cover classes were utilized (built up, …


Using Marine Snails To Teach Biogeography And Macroevolution: The Role Of Larvae And Dispersal Ability In The Evolution And Persistence Of Species, Jonathan R. Hendricks Apr 2012

Using Marine Snails To Teach Biogeography And Macroevolution: The Role Of Larvae And Dispersal Ability In The Evolution And Persistence Of Species, Jonathan R. Hendricks

Jonathan R. Hendricks

While some marine animals are capable of traveling great distances, many have limited mobility as adults and spend the majority of their lifetimes in a small geographical area or may even be cemented to a single place. While it might be expected that species with limited mobility would have small geographic distributions, some nevertheless occur over very large areas. This is the case for some marine snails (gastropods). A key factor that impacts the geographic distribution of marine snails is the type of larvae they have during the phase of their life history that follows hatching from an egg. Because …


Socio-Economic Effects Of Demolishing Squatter Settlements And Illegal Structures In Abuja Metropolis, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, Ishaku Iy Mallo Phd, Victor G. Obasanya Jan 2012

Socio-Economic Effects Of Demolishing Squatter Settlements And Illegal Structures In Abuja Metropolis, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, Ishaku Iy Mallo Phd, Victor G. Obasanya

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Abuja the Federal Capital Territory and study area is located between latitudes 8o25’ and 9o25’ North of the Equator and longitudes 6o45’ and 7o45’ East of the Greenwich Meridian. The study was carried out in Abuja Phase 1, and it is aimed at highlighting various socioeconomic effects of demolition of illegal structures and informal or squatter settlements on the people within the study area. Data was collected through reconnaissance survey, personal interviews with respondents, and a well laid out questionnaire. The results indicate that the demolition exercise embarked upon by the authorities in the Federal Capital Territory was a response …


Rainfall Variability And Crop Zones Classification For The Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, Shaibu M. Hassan Phd Jan 2012

Rainfall Variability And Crop Zones Classification For The Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, Shaibu M. Hassan Phd

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

This study aims at analyzing agro-climatological parameters and establishing a link between some selected agro-climatological indices and sustainability of agricultural production in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Two sets of data, climatic and crop yield data were collected and subjected to various agro-climatological analyses. Agro-climatological analyses include the derivation of Onset, Cessation and Length of Rainy Season (LRS), Seasonality Index, Drought Index and Precipitation Periodicity Index. The statistical analyses include monthly and annual means, deviation from the mean, trend line. The result of moisture index in line with crops optimum moisture requirement was used to classify the Territory into agro-climatic …


Mapping Lava Flows From Nyamuragira Volcano (1967-2011) With Satellite Data And Automated Classification Methods, Elisabet Head, Ann L. Maclean, Simon A. Carn Jan 2012

Mapping Lava Flows From Nyamuragira Volcano (1967-2011) With Satellite Data And Automated Classification Methods, Elisabet Head, Ann L. Maclean, Simon A. Carn

Elisabet Head

The volume, location and extent of historical lava flows are important when assessing volcanic hazards, as well as the productivity or longevity of a volcanic system. We use a Landsat/Hyperion/ALI dataset and automated classification methods to map lava flows at Nyamuragira volcano (1967-2011) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The humid tropical climate ofNyamuragira is advantageous because its lava flows are emplaced onto heavily forested flanks, resulting in strong contrast between lava and vegetation, which contributes to efficient flow mapping. With increasing age, there is an increase in Landsat band-4 reflectance, suggesting lava flow revegetation with time. This results …


A Comparison Of Three Terrain Parameters That May Be Used To Identify Denudation Surfaces Within A Gis: A Case Study From Wales, United Kingdom., Matt D. Rowberry Jan 2012

A Comparison Of Three Terrain Parameters That May Be Used To Identify Denudation Surfaces Within A Gis: A Case Study From Wales, United Kingdom., Matt D. Rowberry

Matt D Rowberry

The study of denudation surfaces has long formed a major theme within geomorphic and tectonic research. This paper describes the computational methods used to identify these surfaces through three terrain parameters within a GIS. The investigated parameters are slope angle, relative relief, and the elevation-relief ratio. The study area under consideration is that of Wales, United Kingdom. The SRTM DEM forms the basis of this investigation, with all data interrogation undertaken in ArcMap 9.3. The computational methods are described in detail and then the results relating to each terrain parameter are compared. The denudation surface maps based on slope angle …


The Monitoring Of Slow Moving Landslides And Assessment Of Stabilisation Measures Using An Optical-Mechanical Crack Gauge, Jan Klimeš, Matt D. Rowberry, Jan Blahůt, Miloš Briestenský, Filip Hartvich, Blahoslav Košťák, Jan Rybář, Josef Stemberk, Petra Štěpančíková Jan 2012

The Monitoring Of Slow Moving Landslides And Assessment Of Stabilisation Measures Using An Optical-Mechanical Crack Gauge, Jan Klimeš, Matt D. Rowberry, Jan Blahůt, Miloš Briestenský, Filip Hartvich, Blahoslav Košťák, Jan Rybář, Josef Stemberk, Petra Štěpančíková

Matt D Rowberry

It is possible to monitor slow moving landslides and assess landslide stabilisation measures over protracted periods using an optical-mechanical crack gauge, called a TM-71. This technical note outlines the theoretical background to the gauge and illustrates its practical application through a number of case studies. These studies are drawn from a range of landslide types and stabilisation measures. In terms of monitoring slow moving landslides, three studies of deep-seated deformations are presented. The Taukliman coastal landslide on the Black Sea Coast is characterised by vertical and horizontal displacements of up to 0.2 mm.yr-1 and sudden earthquake-induced dilations of up to …