Geographic Information Analysis Research Articles

Chlorophyl-a Distribution and Sea Surface Temprature Using Modis Aqua Image Data in Bone Bay Waters

ABSTRACTOne of the parameters determining productivity in the sea is chlorophyll-a. The fertility level of chlorophyll-a is closely related to the concentration of chlorophyll-a. The higher the concentration of chlorophyll-a, the higher the water fertility level, conversely, if chlorophyll-a is low, the water fertility level will also be low. One factor influencing growth rate and chlorophyll-a production is temperature. This research aimed to determine the distribution of chlorophyll-a and sea surface temperature based on season in 2022 in the waters of Bone Bay using quantitative descriptive method and geographic information analysis (GIS) procedure in the form of analysis of Aqua MODIS remote sensing image data. The research results showed that the highest distribution of chlorophyll-a occurred in the east season with a concentration of 0.06-2.04 mg/m³, while the lowest distribution of chlorophyll-a occurred in the west season with a concentration of 0.07-1.76 mg/m³. Meanwhile, the highest intensity sea surface temperature distribution occurred in the west season, which was 28.76-37.09 °C and the lowest sea surface temperature distribution fell in the east season, which was 27.13-33.62 °C. Spatial temperature variability and sea surface chlorophyll-a can be used as information about potential areas for fishing grounds.Key words: chlorophyll-a distribution, sea surface temperature, Bone Bay, Aqua MODIS

Assessing storm surge risk under future sea-level rise scenarios: a case study in the North Adriatic coast

Low-lying coastal areas are often prone to storm surge flooding that can render severe damages to properties, destruction of habitats, threat to human safety and the environment. The impacts of coastal flooding are also expected to increase in the future as a consequence of global climate change and sea-level rise. This paper presents a comprehensive assessment of the potential risks raised by storm surge and sea-level rise on multiple coastal targets (i.e., population, buildings, infrastructures, agriculture, natural and semi-natural environments and cultural heritage) in the Northern Adriatic coast in Italy. Through the assessment of hazard, exposure, vulnerability and risk, a Regional Risk Assessment (RRA) methodology allowed identifying and prioritizing hot-spot risk areas and targets requiring particular attention for the definition of adaptation strategies. Hazard scenarios were based on the analysis of tide gauge data (elaborated with the Joint Probability Method) and of different sea-level rise projections for the year 2100. Geographical-information analysis was then used to characterize vulnerability patterns of exposed natural and human systems and to make a spatial ranking of risks. Maps produced for the worst scenario showed that beaches are the target at higher risk (with more than 90% of the surface in the higher relative risk class) due to the low elevation and high proximity to the coastline. Also cultural heritage (i.e., villas, historical buildings and roads) and wetlands are highly threatened by storm surge flooding. The relative risks will be lower (i.e., between 25% and 40% of their surface/length in the higher relative risk class) for most of the other receptors (i.e., local roads, railways, natural and semi-natural environments and agricultural areas), including population and buildings that are mostly classified in lower risk classes. The overall results of the assessment, including maps and risk metrics, can be useful to rise the attention of coastal managers about the need to adapt to climate change, developing climate-proof policies and programs for the sustainable management of coastal zones.

Evaluating impacts of recharging partially treated wastewater on groundwater aquifer in semi-arid region by integration of monitoring program and GIS technique.

The current study investigates the impact of recharging of partially treated wastewater through an infiltration basin on the groundwater aquifer quality parameters. A monitoring program supported by a geographic information analysis (GIS) tool was used to conduct this study. Groundwater samples from the entire surrounding boreholes located downstream the infiltration basin, in addition to samples from the recharged wastewater coming from the Beit Lahia wastewater treatment (BLWWTP), were monitored and analysed between 2011 and 2014. The analysis was then compared with the available historical data since 2008. Results revealed a groundwater replenishment with the groundwater level increased by 1.0-2.0m during the study period. It also showed a slight improvement in the groundwater quality parameters, mainly a decrease in TDS, Cl- and NO3- levels by 5.5, 17.1 and 20%, respectively, resulting from the relatively better quality of the recharged wastewater. Nevertheless, the level of boron and ammonium in the groundwater wells showed a significant increase over time by 96 and 100%, respectively. Moreover, the infiltration rate was slowed down in time due to the relatively high level of total suspended solid (TSS) in the infiltrated wastewater.

The Influence of Culture and Values on Policy-Making and Teenage Pregnancy Rates in the United States, Canada, and Italy

Ignoring the heated morality debates and millions of dollars invested in educational programs, the teenage pregnancy rate (and consequently the adolescent birth rate) in the United States remains the highest among the developed countries, even though it had decreased during the 1990s. Adolescent birth rates are 2.5 times higher than Canada's, and 7.2 times the rate reported by Italy. To account for the differences in teenage pregnancy outcomes among the three developed countries – United States, Canada, and Italy – a complex theoretical model of attitudes, beliefs, values, and policy decisions was constructed. Departing from the rational model approach, the present analysis emphasizes culture and values, and the way in which they influence the political process, and are ultimately reflected in the policy-making decisions.Data used to assess attitudes and beliefs prevalent in each of the three countries were obtained from the most recent release of the World Value Survey. Teenage pregnancy rates and other demographic data were drawn mostly from the World Bank's 2001 World Development Indicators. For the geographical analysis of the variations within the United States, data was obtained from the Center for Disease Control. The methodology combines cross-tabular and logistic regression analysis of individual attitudes and beliefs; a comparative table of social and economic indicators for a country-level analysis; a geographical information analysis (GIS) of the United States data; and a political analysis of the differences observed.