Geosciences, Volume 10, Issue 10 (October 2020) – 40 articles

Broken or deformed speleothems have been used as indicators of paleo-earthquakes since the 1990s; however, a causal link is difficult to prove except for some thin speleothems. In contrast, the presence of intact speleothems permits estimating an upper limit of the level of horizontal ground motions of past seismicity in the area. The natural frequencies of speleothems are fundamental parameters for their response to earthquakes. This study proposes a new method of in situ characterization of these natural frequencies. Tested in the Han-sur-Lesse cave (Belgian Ardennes), the method is based on recording the ambient seismic noise using three-component sensors on a stalagmite and a 3D laser scan of its shape. The ambient seismic noise records allow a precise determination of the eigenfrequencies of the stalagmite. In addition, numerical models based on the 3D scan show good consistency between measured and modeled data. The joint analysis of these two techniques concludes that the shape of the stalagmite (elliptical cross-section and shape irregularities) influence the eigenfrequencies and polarization of the modes while also causing a near-orthogonal split of natural frequencies. The motions recorded on the stalagmite show significant amplification compared to those recorded at the free surface outside the cave, which has a strong impact on seismic hazard assessment based on speleothems. Full article

The ground magnetic field of the Lonar impact crater (Maharashtra State, India) and its surrounding area was measured and studied utilizing 2.5-dimensional potential field modelling. Field data showed the crater depression is associated with a strong circular negative anomaly with an amplitude of more than 1000 nT. The negative anomaly, however, decreases smoothly while moving from south to north. Most of the crater rim exhibits anomalous positive values. Negative anomalies at the rim are seen in the south–southwestern sections and coinciding in the northeastern section with the Dhar valley. Our study shows that most of the anomaly is caused by the topographic effect and a strong SE directed natural remanent magnetization of Deccan Trap basalts, which are the target of the Lonar-creating projectile. The magnetic anomaly of the relatively weakly magnetized impact-produced allochthonous breccia and post-impact sediments is small, being less than 150 nT. Full article

Although drillholes in modern and ancient ostracods are known, the record is relatively scarce when compared to other taxa, and mainly exist with reference to the marine environment. Moreover, less is known about perforated ostracods, and more generally, about bioerosion in freshwater environments. Traces of predation on freshwater ostracods are reported for the first time in deep-lake deposits belonging to the early Pleistocene Fosso Bianco Unit, and outcropping in the Cava Nuova section (Umbria, central Italy). Deposits are mainly clay to silty clay and sand; the fossil record is sparse, and is mainly comprised of very rare gastropods and bivalves, ostracods and plant remains (leaves, seeds and wood’s fragments). The association of ostracods consists of Candona (Neglecandona) neglecta, Caspiocypris basilicii, Caspiocypris tiberina, Caspiocypris perusia, Caspiocypris tuderis, Caspiocypris posteroacuta, and Cyprideis torosa. The Caspiocypris group, considered to be endemic to the grey clays of the Fosso Bianco Unit, present the majority of specimens affected by predation, with a prevalence of predated female valves and a comparable number of right and left predated valves, while only a few of Candona(N.) neglecta (adult and juvenile) valves are perforated. Traces of predation for nourishment, represented by microborings of different types, were abscribed to the ichnospecies Oichnus paraboloides Bromley 1981, Oichnus simplex Bromley 1981, Oichnus gradatus Nielsen and Nielsen 2001, Oichnus ovalis Bromley 1993, and Dipatulichnus rotundus Nielsen and Nielsen 2001. Microboring affected both adult and juvenile specimens, evidencing prey–predator coexistence in the same environment over a long period of time. This report makes a fundamental contribution to the knowledge of predation in this peculiar confined environment, also suggesting prey–predator relations over a relatively short time interval (80–160 ka). Full article

Virginia is a state in the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States of America that offers spectacular sceneries and varied geologic history that covers about 1.5 billion years. A rock garden was developed at the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum in Harrisonburg, VA. The rock garden at the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum is a place where rocks look as they did when they were part of an outcrop on the side of a mountain or a creek in the Shenandoah National Park. Rock slabs were collected along the existing trails of the Arboretum and classified based on the mineralogy and physiographic province. The rock garden offers a place to observe Earth materials from Virginia without potentially travelling long distances. The goal is to educate the community on the local resources and promote sustainable geotourism. This paper illustrates a method for rapid and accurate quantitative mineralogical analysis of complex mixtures using X-ray powder diffraction. Correctly classifying a fine-grained sample such as a sedimentary rock using primarily the identification of minerals in a thin section or in hand specimens could not be accurate; thus, X-ray diffraction was used to confirm hand sample analyses. The samples are mostly sedimentary rocks from the Appalachian Mountains. Three different lithological types (dolostone, limestone, and shale) play the most important role in the geological context of the Rockingham county. The mineralogical features shown in this paper provide a detailed picture of the geological significance of the resources that shape the Appalachian Mountains in the Shenandoah National Park. Full article

Hydrogen gas seeping from Proterozoic basins worldwide is a potential non-carbon energy resource, and the vents are consequently receiving research attention. A curious feature of H₂ venting in the Sao Francisco Basin in Brazil is that the venting displays a very regular daily cycle. It has been shown that atmospheric pressure tides could explain this cycle, but solid earth tides might be an alternative explanation. We show here that it is unlikely that solid earth tides are a dominant control because they have two equally strong peaks per day whereas the H₂ venting has only one. Full article

Foraminifers and ostracods were studied in a gravity-core recovered near Cape Adare (Ross Sea, Antarctica) with the aim of identifying the climatic and oceanographic variations during the last 30 ka. The sedimentary sequence represents conditions of a cool-water carbonate factory, which evidences that during the Marine Isotope Stage 2 (MIS2) the area was ice-free and very productive. The overall preservation of delicate skeletal remains such as bryozoans and molluscs indicated moderate bottom currents. This carbonate factory was interrupted by some terrigenous levels, representing conditions of instability/retreat of the ice shelves southward. The younger levels were referred to the meltwater pulse (MWP)-1A and 1B events. The Holocene sequence comprised more terrigenous sediments, reflecting high bottom-currents similar to the present-day conditions. Very abundant and well preserved foraminifers and ostracods, representative of shelf-upper slope paleoenvironments, were recovered. Epistominella exigua, among the foraminifers, suggested the influence of the Circumpolar Deep Water during some periods of the late Quaternary. Heavy-test taxa, such as Cibicides refulgens, indicated strengthening bottom hydrodynamics. As for the ostracods, peaks in the presence of Australicythere devexa, Bairdoppilata simplex and Pseudocythere aff. caudata together with significant values of Polycope spp. allowed us to identify environments rich in nutrients with the influence of cold and deep water upwelling phenomena. Full article

We present the results of studies of the methane content in soils of the active layer and underlying permafrost, as well as data on the emission of methane into the atmosphere in the dominant landscapes of typical tundra of the western coast of the Yamal Peninsula. A detailed landscape map of the study area was compiled, the dominant types of landscapes were determined, and vegetation cover was described. We determined that a high methane content is characteristic of the wet landscapes: peat bogs within the floodplains, water tracks, and lake basins. Average values of the methane content in the active layer for such landscapes varied from 2.4 to 3.5 mL (CH₄)/kg, with a maximum of 9.0 mL (CH₄)/kg. The distribution of methane in studied sections is characterized by an increase in its concentration with depth. This confirms the diffuse mechanism of methane transport in the active layer and emission of methane into the atmosphere. The transition zone of the upper permafrost contains 2.5–5-times more methane than the active layer and may become a significant source of methane during the anticipated permafrost degradation. Significant fluxes of methane into the atmosphere of 2.6 mg (CH₄) * m⁻² * h⁻¹ are characteristic of the flooded landscapes of peat bogs, water tracks, and lake basins, which occupy approximately 45% of the typical tundra area. Full article

Seeps found offshore in the East Siberian Arctic Shelf may mark zones of degrading subsea permafrost and related destabilization of gas hydrates. Sonar surveys provide an effective tool for mapping seabed methane fluxes and monitoring subsea Arctic permafrost seepage. The paper presents an overview of existing approaches to sonar estimation of methane bubble flux from the sea floor to the water column and a new method for quantifying CH₄ ebullition. In the suggested method, the flux of methane bubbles is estimated from its response to insonification using the backscattering cross section. The method has demonstrated its efficiency in the case study of single- and multi-beam acoustic surveys of a large seep field on the Laptev Sea shelf. Full article

The Pacific coast of the Shimokita Peninsula, Northeast Japan, is occupied by one of the larger dune complexes in Japan. This coastal aeolian dune complex developed during the Holocene in a monsoon-influenced temperate climatic belt. The stratigraphic and sedimentological characteristics of outcrops, exposures and cores indicate that four generation of aeolian dunes are presented. These dunes developed during eustatic regression following the post-glacial sea-level highstand. Seaward shoreline movement, combined with strong winds from the Pacific Ocean, enhanced aeolian grain transport on the beach, resulting in the onset of dune growth and the consequent shrinkage of the coastal forest. Northeast Japan is located in a transitional zone affected largely by monsoonal circulation from Siberia and Southeast Asia. Thus, the regional climate is responsible for atmospheric changes on a hemispheric scale. Intensified monsoons contributed to flooding produced by rains and snow-melt. Steep increases in annual precipitation at 7200–6300, 4700–3600, 3050–2500, 1850–1100, and 550–200 calendar years before present (cal. yr. BP) increased the amount of surface erosion, causing a large volume of sediment discharge toward the coast. Shimokita has experienced frequent earthquakes and tsunamis, which have reduced dune landform relief by sediment displacement. Full article

Monitoring changes in soil saturation is important for slope stability analyses. Soil moisture capacitive sensors have recently been developed; their response time is extremely fast, they require little maintenance, and they are relatively inexpensive. The use of low-cost sensors in landslide areas can allow the monitoring of large territories, but appropriate calibration is required. Installation in the field and the setting up of the monitoring network also require attention. In the ALCOTRA AD-VITAM project, the University of Genoa is involved in the development of a system, called LAMP, for the monitoring, analysis and forecasting of slides triggered by rainfalls. Multiple installations (along vertical alignments) of WaterScout sensors are placed in the nodes of the monitoring network. They provide real-time water content profiles in the shallow layers (typically in the upper meter) of a slope. With particular reference to these measurements, the present paper describes the reliability analysis of the instruments, the operations related to the sensor calibration and the installation phases for the monitoring networks. Finally, some of the data coming from a node, belonging to one of the five monitoring networks, are reported. Full article

This study presents a generic model for constructing shear-wave velocity (V_S) profiles for various conditions that can be used for modeling the upper-crustal modification effects in ground motion simulations for seismic hazard analysis. The piecewise P-wave velocity (V_P) profiling model is adopted in the first place, and the V_S profile model is obtained by combining the V_P profiling model and V_S/V_P model. The used V_S/V_P model is constructed from various field measurements, experimental data, or CRUST1.0 data collected worldwide. By making the best use of the regionally/locally geological information, including the thickness of sedimentary and crystalline layers and reference V_S values at specific depths, the V_S profile can be constructed, and thus the amplification behavior of V_S for a given earthquake scenario can be predicted. The generic model has been validated by four case studies of different target regions world around. The constructed profiles are found to be in fair agreement with field recordings. The frequency-dependent upper-crustal amplification factors are provided for use in stochastic ground motion simulations for each respective region. The proposed V_S profiling model is proposed for region-specific use and can thus make the ground motion predictions to be partially non-ergodic. Full article

We describe Earth2Class, a professional development model that connects classroom teachers with research investigators so that they and their students can learn about cutting-edge discoveries, long before mention is included in textbooks. Teachers and students attending “live” programs at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University or Zoom equivalents necessitated during the pandemic benefit through interactions that bring out the excitement of making new geoscience discoveries. Evidence of the effectiveness of Earth2Class (E2C) workshops is provided through reflections of the impact of E2C on student career choices, expanding teacher content knowledge, and attitudes provided by teachers, students, parents, and scientists. Full article

Having in mind uncertainties linked with the nature of rock masses, it is a challenge for geotechnical engineers to characterize them in a credible manner, especially if the rock mass in question is a notoriously complex karst with its distinctive features such as voids and discontinuities. A large range of geophysical methods are useful tools in the characterization efforts and their utilization in karst environments nowadays is a non-negotiable requirement, even though near-surface scattering significantly affects the acquired data. This paper demonstrates the versatile applications of seismic geophysical methods for geotechnical engineering in karst, from mapping of near-surface karstic features to the application of elastic wave velocities in determination of small to large strain stiffness of karst. The highlighted practical examples offer a step forward from the traditional interpretation of seismic surveys, making them a prosperous tool in geotechnical engineering investigation works, design and quality control campaign. Full article

We present a structural study on the tectonic windows of Giffoni and Campagna, located in the western sector of the southern Apennines (Italy). We analyzed thrusts, folds, and related minor deformation structures. Here, a major in-sequence E-verging thrust fault juxtaposes Meso-Cenozoic successions of the Apennine Platform (Picentini Mts unit) and the Lagonegro-Molise Basin (Frigento unit). However, out-of-sequence thrusts duplicated the tectonic pile with the interposition of the upper Miocene wedge-top basin deposits of the Castelvetere Group. We reconstructed the orogenic evolution of these two tectonic windows, including five deformation phases. The first (D1) was related to the in-sequence thrusting with minor thrusts and folds, widespread both in the footwall and the hanging wall. A subsequent extension (D2) has formed normal faults crosscutting the D1 thrusts and folds. All structures were subsequently affected by two shortening stages (D3 and D4), which also deformed the upper Miocene wedge top basin deposits of the Castelvetere Group. We interpreted the D3–D4 structures as related to an out-of-sequence thrust system defined by a main frontal E-verging thrust and lateral ramps characterized by N and S vergences. Low-angle normal faults were formed in the hanging wall of the major thrusts. Out-of-sequence thrusts are observed in the whole southern Apennines, recording a crustal shortening event that occurred in the late Messinian–early Pliocene. Finally, we suggest that the two tectonic windows are the result of the formation of an E–W trending regional antiform, associated with a late S-verging back-thrust, that has been eroded and crosscut by normal faults (D5) in the Early Pleistocene. Full article

Despite the fact that streamflow occurs mainly due to depletion of storage, our knowledge on how a drainage basin stores and releases water is very limited due to measurement limitations. A window of opportunity, however, is provided to us by GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) satellite mission that provides storage anomaly (${\mathrm{S}}_{\mathrm{an}}$) data. Many studies have explored a range of potential applications of ${\mathrm{S}}_{\mathrm{an}}$ data such as flood forecasting. Here we argue that the capability of GRACE satellite mission has not been fully explored as most of the studies in the past have performed analysis using monthly ${\mathrm{S}}_{\mathrm{an}}$ data for large river basins. In this study, we use daily ${\mathrm{S}}_{\mathrm{an}}$ data for several mid-sized catchments to perform storage–discharge analysis. Our results support the earlier notion that storage–discharge relationship is highly dynamic. Furthermore, we demonstrate that ${\mathrm{S}}_{\mathrm{an}}$ data can be exploited for prediction of $\mathrm{k}$ of the Brutsaet–Nieber equation $-\mathrm{dQ}/\mathrm{dt}=\mathrm{k}{\mathrm{Q}}^{\mathsf{\alpha }}$ ($\mathrm{Q}$ is discharge at time $t$). For comparison we also use storage information provided by Catchment Land Surface Model (CLSM) as well as past discharge information to predict $\mathrm{k}$. Our results suggest that GRACE based storage information can be used to predict $\mathrm{k}$ reasonably well in gauged as well as ungauged basins. Full article

Rockfall is one of the main phenomena in mountainous environments due to its fast and high speed of movement, its unpredictability, and, therefore, the difficulty of identifying signs of instability and detachment of the blocks. Compared to other types of sliding, the proportion of rockfall research is smaller and sometimes little known, but, in the last five years, rapid growth in this area has been shown. Therefore, this research aimed to review the intellectual structure of rockfall, through analysis of scientific production using bibliometric techniques that allow its analysis, knowledge, global evolution, and future trends in rockfall. The research methodology consists of three steps: (1) data compilation, (2) software and data cleaning, and (3) analysis, interpretation, and visualization. This analysis focuses on the period from 1975 to 2019. For the data, a total of 811 academic publications were retrieved from the Scopus database. The results indicate an increasing trend of annual publications on rockfall. This analysis reveals the main topics, countries, and most influential institutions in the world that have carried out relevant research in scientific publications; it also shows the journals that have the most publications. VOSviewer software was adopted to evaluate the co-occurrence of author keywords. Currently, the hotspots rockfall issues mainly include: hazard-risk assessment, remote sensing, and rockfall monitoring. Finally, this article analyzes the limitations of current research and proposes a future direction for the development of new research. Full article

Urban floods have adverse effects on the population and the economy, and they are increasing in frequency and magnitude. The State of Veracruz is the region of Mexico with the highest number of disasters, more than 50% of the total number nationwide, in the 1970–2015 period. During the 1990s, disasters in this region increased from 5 to 10 events per year, mostly in relation to intense rains and floods. This study analyzes the factors that increase the risk of urban floods in the regions: (i) the Pánuco River, (ii) the Papaloapan River, and (iii) the Coatzacoalcos River regions, combining hazard data and estimates of vulnerability factors. The 95th percentile of daily precipitation (P95) is used as a threshold of heavy rain, i.e., the natural hazard. Vulnerability is estimated in terms of the percentage of natural vegetation loss due to changes in land cover and land use in the hydrological basins and the expansion of the urban areas in the regions under study. The risk of flood was compared with records of flood events focusing on the low-frequency variations of risks and disaster activity. The trends in urban flood activity are related to the loss of natural vegetation and deterioration of the basins leading to a loss of infiltration, i.e., larger runoffs. Even when the intensity of precipitation in recent decades remains without clear trends, or shows negative tendencies in the number of intense events, the number of floods is higher mostly because of the deterioration of hydrologic basins. Therefore, the risk of flooding in the state of Veracruz is mainly related to environmental factors that result in vulnerability rather than changes in the trends of extreme precipitation activity. This result means that disaster risk reduction actions should be mainly related to rehabilitation of the basins. Full article

The Arctic region is the most sensitive region to climate change. Hydrological models are fundamental tools for climate change impact assessment. However, due to the extreme weather conditions, specific hydrological process, and data acquisition challenges in the Arctic, it is crucial to select suitable hydrological model(s) for this region. In this paper, a comprehensive review and comparison of different models is conducted based on recently available studies. The functionality, limitations, and suitability of the potential hydrological models for the Arctic hydrological process are analyzed, including: (1) The surface hydrological models Topoflow, DMHS (deterministic modeling hydrological system), HBV (Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavdelning), SWAT (soil and water assessment tool), WaSiM (water balance simulation model), ECOMAG (ecological model for applied geophysics), and CRHM (cold regions hydrological model); and (2) the cryo-hydrogeological models ATS (arctic terrestrial simulator), CryoGrid 3, GEOtop, SUTRA-ICE (ice variant of the existing saturated/unsaturated transport model), and PFLOTRAN-ICE (ice variant of the existing massively parallel subsurface flow and reactive transport model). The review finds that Topoflow, HBV, SWAT, ECOMAG, and CRHM are suitable for studying surface hydrology rather than other processes in permafrost environments, whereas DMHS, WaSiM, and the cryo-hydrogeological models have higher capacities for subsurface hydrology, since they take into account the three phase changes of water in the near-surface soil. Of the cryo-hydrogeological models reviewed here, GEOtop, SUTRA-ICE, and PFLOTRAN-ICE are found to be suitable for small-scale catchments, whereas ATS and CryoGrid 3 are potentially suitable for large-scale catchments. Especially, ATS and GEOtop are the first tools that couple surface/subsurface permafrost thermal hydrology. If the accuracy of simulating the active layer dynamics is targeted, DMHS, ATS, GEOtop, and PFLOTRAN-ICE are potential tools compared to the other models. Further, data acquisition is a challenging task for cryo-hydrogeological models due to the complex boundary conditions when compared to the surface hydrological models HBV, SWAT, and CRHM, and the cryo-hydrogeological models are more difficult for non-expert users and more expensive to run compared to other models. Full article

The Żonqor coastline, southeast Malta, displays an exceptional range of geomorphic signatures of extreme coastal events. This paper brings together evidence acquired from a field survey, analysis of time-sequential imagery, and hydrodynamic modelling to investigate the histories of boulder groups identified by their intrinsic and contextual characteristics. Clear differences are revealed between the distribution of boulders recently moved and those of considerable age. Tracking the movement of boulders since 1957 confirms that storms of surprisingly frequent interval are capable of complex boulder movements, including lifting of megaclasts. Scrutiny of the ancient boulders, including weathering features and fascinating landward-facing (reverse) imbrication, cautiously suggests tsunami as the agent for their emplacement. A novel method is developed for depicting the velocity decay profiles of hypothetical waves, which overcomes some of the limitations of the Nott approach. Applied here, the wave run-up context further sets the ancient movers apart from their recent mover companions. The combined evidence implies a palimpsestic landscape where storm waves are regular geomorphic agents that add to and rework the distribution of boulders close to the shoreline, but over long time periods the landscape becomes reset by tsunami—a concept that is of value to agencies in Malta responsible for coastal safety, planning and management. Full article

The reconstruction of the polymetamorphic history of basement rocks in orogens is crucial for deciphering past geodynamic evolution. However, the current petrographic features are usually interpreted as the results of the metamorphic recrystallization of primary sedimentary and/or magmatic features. In contrast, metamorphic rocks derived by protoliths affected by pre-metamorphic hydrothermal alterations are rarely recognized. This work reports textural, mineralogical and geochemical data of metasedimentary and metaigneous rocks from the Paleozoic succession of the Sant’Anna tectonic window (Alpi Apuane, Tuscany, Italy). These rocks were recrystallized and reworked during the Alpine tectono-metamorphic event, but the bulk composition and some refractory minerals (e.g., tourmaline) are largely preserved. Our data show that the Paleozoic rocks from the Alpi Apuane were locally altered by hydrothermal fluids prior to Alpine metamorphism, and that the Permian magmatic cycle was likely responsible for this hydrothermal alteration. Finally, the Ishikawa Alteration Index, initially developed for magmatic rocks, was applied to metasedimentary rocks, providing a useful geochemical tool for unravelling the hydrothermal history of Paleozoic rocks, as well as a potential guide to the localization of hidden ore deposits in metamorphic terranes. Full article

The solid-phase speciation of contaminants in soil plays a major role in regulating both the environmental mobility of contaminants and their bioavailability in biological receptors such as humans. With the increasing prevalence of urban agriculture, in tandem with growing evidence of the negative health impacts of even low levels of exposure to Pb, there is a pressing need to provide regulators with a relevant evidence base on which to build human health risk assessments and construct sustainable site management plans. We detail how the solid-phase fractionation of Pb from selected urban agricultural soil samples, using sequential extraction, can be utilised to interpret the bioaccessible fraction of Pb and ultimately inform sustainable site management plans. Our sequential extraction data shows that the Pb in our urban soils is primarily associated with Al oxide phases, with the second most important phase associated with either Fe oxyhydroxide or crystalline FeO, and only to a limited extent with Ca carbonates. We interpret the co-presence of a P component with the Al oxide cluster to indicate the soils contain Pb phosphate type minerals, such as plumbogummite (PbAl₃(PO₄)₂(OH)₅·H₂O), as a consequence of natural “soil aging” processes. The presence of Pb phosphates, in conjunction with our biomonitoring data, which indicates the lack of elevated blood Pb levels in our gardeners compared to their non-gardening neighbours, suggests the (legacy) Pb in these soils has been rendered relatively immobile. This study has given confidence to the local authority regulators, and the gardeners, that these urban gardens can be safe to use, even where soil Pb levels are up to ten times above the UK’s recommended lead screening level. The advice to our urban gardeners, based on our findings, is to carry on gardening but follow recommended good land management and hygiene practices. Full article

The paper is an attempt to reconstruct the mode of life of Pholadomya bivalves, very common in the fossil record, particularly that of the Jurassic. The only extant representative of the genus is extremely rare and very poorly known. Materials from the Polish Jurassic deposits (Bajocian–Kimmeridgian; Western Pomerania and Polish Jura) and literature data were used for the reconstruction. Specifically, observations on the anatomy, taphonomy, and diagenesis of the specimens examined as well as lithology of the deposits housing the specimens were used. Shell anatomy characteristics are known for their particular utility in mode of life reconstructions, although the extremely thin-shelled and coarsely sculpted bivalves, such as the Pholadomya examined, have not been studied so far. The reconstruction suggest a diversity of the mode of life, coincident with the morphological differences between the Pholadomya species. At least the adults of anteriorly flattened species are inferred to have lived extremely deeply buried in the sediment, and were hardly mobile. The smaller, more oval in shape, species were more mobile, and some of them are thought to have preferred life in shelters, should those be available. In addition, the function of the cruciform muscle, other than that considered so far, is suggested. Full article

The sedimentary record of aeolian deposits and geomorphic features of the aeolian landforms of Northern Eurasia contain important information that allows us to better understand the climate and environments of the Late Glacial and Early Holocene periods. At the same time, the degree of scientific knowledge about the timing of aeolian activity, as well as the landscapes that existed during these periods, differs significantly for different parts of this vast territory. Data on the sedimentological record and age estimations of aeolian phases are practically absent for the periglacial zone of Western Siberia, in contrast to that of Europe. This paper presents the first data on the Late Quaternary fluvio-aeolian environments of the southwestern part of Western Siberia, using two sections as examples. Our methods included field investigations, analysis of grain-size and chemical composition, quartz grain morphoscopy and infrared optically stimulated luminescence (IR-OSL) and AMS dating. The obtained results show that aeolian sands are common covering deposits within the study area. Two stages of aeolian activity were identified: the first during the Boreal period (9.2–10.2 ka BP), and the second during the Atlantic period, beginning near 7 ka BP. Full article

Soil and groundwater salinization are very important environmental issues of global concern. They threaten mainly the arid and semiarid regions characterized by dry climate conditions and an increase of irrigation practices. Among these regions, the south of Tunisia is considered, on the one hand, to be a salt-affected zone facing a twofold problem: The scarcity of water resources and the degradation of their quality due to the overexploitation of the aquifers for irrigation needs. On the other hand, this Tunisian landform is the only adequate area for planting date palm trees which provide the country with the first and most important exportation product. In order to maintain the existence of these oases and develop the date production, a good understanding of the salinization problem threatening this region, and the ability to predict its distribution and evolution, should not be underestimated. The work presented in this paper deals with the Oasis of Segdoud in southern Tunisia, with the objective of modeling the evaporation-driven salt precipitation processes at the soil profile scale and under real climatic conditions. The model used is based on the one developed and presented in a previous work. In order to fulfil the real field conditions, a further extension of the geochemical system of the existing model was required. The precipitated salts considered in this work were halite (NaCl), gypsum (CaSO${}_4$) and thenardite (Na${}_2$SO${}_4$). The extended model reproduces very well the same tendencies of the physico-chemical processes of the natural system in terms of the spatio-temporal distribution and evolution of the evaporation and multiple-salt precipitation. It sheds new lights on the simulation of sequences of salt precipitation in arid regions. The simulation results provide an analysis of the influence of salt precipitation on hydrodynamic properties of the porous medium (porosity and permeability). Moreover, the sensitivity analysis done here reveals the influence of the water table level on the evaporation rate. Full article

Four main unconformities (1–4) were recognized in the sedimentary record of the Cenozoic basins of the eastern External Betic Zone (SE, Spain). They are located at different stratigraphic levels, as follows: (1) Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary, even if this unconformity was also recorded at the early Paleocene (Murcia sector) and early Eocene (Alicante sector), (2) Eocene-Oligocene boundary, quite synchronous, in the whole considered area, (3) early Burdigalian, quite synchronous (recognized in the Murcia sector) and (4) Middle Tortonian (recognized in Murcia and Alicante sectors). These unconformities correspond to stratigraphic gaps of different temporal extensions and with different controls (tectonic or eustatic), which allowed recognizing minor sedimentary cycles in the Paleocene–Miocene time span. The Cenozoic marine sedimentation started over the oldest unconformity (i.e., the principal one), above the Mesozoic marine deposits. Paleocene-Eocene sedimentation shows numerous tectofacies (such as: turbidites, slumps, olistostromes, mega-olistostromes and pillow-beds) interpreted as related to an early, blind and deep-seated tectonic activity, acting in the more internal subdomains of the External Betic Zone as a result of the geodynamic processes related to the evolution of the westernmost branch of the Tethys. The second unconformity resulted from an Oligocene to Aquitanian sedimentary evolution in the Murcia Sector from marine realms to continental environments. This last time interval is characterized as the previous one by a gentle tectonic activity. On the other hand, the Miocene sedimentation was totally controlled by the development of superficial thrusts and/or strike-slip faults zones, both related to the regional geodynamic evolutionary framework linked to the Mediterranean opening. These strike-slip faults zones created subsidence areas (pull-apart basin-type) and affected the sedimentation lying above the third unconformity. By contrast, the subsidence areas were bounded by structural highs affected by thrusts and folds. After the third unconformity, the Burdigalian-Serravallian sedimentation occurred mainly in shallow- to deep-water marine environments (Tap Fm). During the Late Miocene, after the fourth unconformity, the activation of the strike-slip faults zones caused a shallow marine environment sedimentation in the Murcia sector and a continental (lacustrine and fluvial) deposition in the Alicante sector represented the latter, resulting in alluvial fan deposits. Furthermore, the location of these fans changed over time according to the activation of faults responsible for the tectonic rising of Triassic salt deposits, which fed the fan themselves. Full article

Predictive models able to provide a reliable estimate of hydraulic conductivity can be useful in various geotechnical applications. Since most of the existing predictive methods for saturated hydraulic conductivity estimation are valid only for a limited range of soils or can be applied under certain restrictive conditions, a new method applicable to clayey soils and clayey or silty sands having a wide range of values of soil index properties is proposed in this study. For this purpose, 329 saturated hydraulic conductivity values, obtained by laboratory tests carried out on different soils, were collected in a database and used to develop five equations using a multiple regression approach. Each equation correlates the hydraulic conductivity with one or more geotechnical parameters. An equation was developed that predicts, within an order of magnitude, the saturated hydraulic conductivity in the range from 1.2 × 10⁻¹¹ to 3.9 × 10⁻⁶ m/s, based on simple geotechnical parameters (i.e., clay content, void ratio, plastic limit, and silt content). Full article

The main objectives of the present study were to (i) investigate the effects of mineralogy and solid-phase distribution on element bioaccessibility and (ii) perform a risk assessment to calculate the risks to human health via the ingestion pathway. Multiple discriminant analysis showed that the dust chemistry discriminates between indoor and outdoor samples. The solid-phase distribution of the elements in indoor dust indicated that a large proportion of zinc, nickel, lead, copper, and cobalt is associated with an aluminum oxy-hydroxides component, formed by the weathering of aluminum silicates. This component, which seems to influence the mobility of many trace elements, was identified for a group of indoor dust samples that probably had a considerable contribution from outdoor dust. An iron oxide component consisted of the highest percentage of chromium, arsenic, antimony, and tin, indicating low mobility for these elements. The bioaccessible fraction in the stomach phase from the unified BARGE method was generally high in zinc, cadmium, and lead and low in nickel, cobalt, copper, chromium, and antimony. Unlike other potentially toxic elements, copper and nickel associated with aluminum oxy-hydroxides and calcium carbonates were not extracted by the stomach solutions. These trace elements possibly form stable complexes with gastric fluid constituents such as pepsin and amino acid. Lead had a hazard quotient >1, which indicates the risk of non-carcinogenic health effects, especially for children. Full article

This study analyses the distribution of the total metal(loid)s content accumulated in the sediments of the Grande River, the most important river course that runs through the old mining district of La Carolina (Jaén, Spain), whose waters are collected in an urban supply reservoir. In total, 102 sediments samples were taken along the river, 51 in the live-bed channel and another 51 in the floodplain. The samples analysed have high metal(loid)s content, sometimes much higher than the reference levels established by European and regional legislation for soils, especially Pb, As and Ba, with average values of 5452 mg/kg, 116 mg/kg and 2622 mg/kg, respectively. The statistical analysis of the values obtained allows the distribution of the contents of the different elements along the river to be characterized and the associations and dispersion patterns in the sediments of the metal(loid)s coming from the environmental liabilities of the numerous dumpsites and tailings dams generated by mining activity to be defined. In both cases, the high metal(loid)s content identified as well as the resulting values of various environmental indices (the enrichment factor, contamination factor, geoaccumulation index, potential ecological risk index and pollution load index), confirmed that the sediment samples were moderately to highly contaminated over extensive areas of the basin studied, with the greatest intensity and extent in the floodplain sediments. Full article

Volcanic areas create spectacular landscapes that contain a great diversity of geoheritage. The study of this geoheritage enables us to inventory, characterise, protect and manage its geodiversity. The Canary Islands are a group of subtropical active volcanic oceanic islands with a great variety of magma types and eruption dynamics that give rise to a wide diversity of volcanic features and processes. The aim of this paper is to identify, for the first time, the diversity of volcanic geoheritage of the Canary Islands and to appraise the protection thereof. To this end, a geomorphological classification is proposed, taking into account the features and processes directly related to volcanism, such as those resulting from erosion and sedimentary processes. The main findings demonstrate that the volcanic geoheritage of the Canary Islands is extremely varied and that this geodiversity is safeguarded by regional, national and, international protection and management frameworks. Even so, and given the enormous pressure of coastal tourism on the coastlines of the islands, we believe that continuing efforts should be made to conserve and manage their volcanic and non-volcanic geoheritage, so that these places can continue to be enjoyed in the form of geotourism. Full article

Rockfall consists one of the most harmful geological phenomena for the man-made environment. In order to evaluate the rockfall hazard, a variety of engineering geological studies should be realized, starting from conducting a detailed field survey and ending with simulating the trajectory of likely to fail blocks in order to evaluate the kinetic energy and the runout distance. The last decade, new technologies, i.e., remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) are frequently used in order to obtain and analyze the characteristics of the rock mass based on a semi-automatic or manual approach. Aiming to evaluate the rockfall hazard in the area of Nestos, Greece, we applied both traditional and structure from motion (SfM)-oriented approaches and compared the results. As an outcome, it was shown that the semi-automated approaches can accurately detect the discontinuities and define their orientation, and thus can be used in inaccessible areas. Considering the rockfall risk, it was shown that the railway line in the study area is threaten by a rockfall and consequently the construction of a rockfall netting mesh or a rock shed is recommended. Full article