Georeferenced Maps Research Articles

A Deep Learning Based Framework to Identify Undocumented Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells from Historical Maps: A Case Study for California and Oklahoma.

Undocumented Orphaned Wells (UOWs) are wells without an operator that have limited or no documentation with regulatory authorities. An estimated 310,000 to 800,000 UOWs exist in the United States (US), whose locations are largely unknown. These wells can potentially leak methane and other volatile organic compounds to the atmosphere, and contaminate groundwater. In this study, we developed a novel framework utilizing a state-of-the-art computer vision neural network model to identify the precise locations of potential UOWs. The U-Net model is trained to detect oil and gas well symbols in georeferenced historical topographic maps, and potential UOWs are identified as symbols that are further than 100 m from any documented well. A custom tool was developed to rapidly validate the potential UOW locations. We applied this framework to four counties in California and Oklahoma, leading to the discovery of 1301 potential UOWs across >40,000 km2. We confirmed the presence of 29 UOWs from satellite images and 15 UOWs from magnetic surveys in the field with a spatial accuracy on the order of 10 m. This framework can be scaled to identify potential UOWs across the US since the historical maps are available for the entire nation.

Near-Time Digital Mapping for Geoforensic Searches

Inadequate base maps with poor scale or low resolution demonstrate the need for contemporary topographic maps when conducting geological mapping. In neotectonic regimes and areas of dynamic geomorphology, archival or large-scale maps require time-consuming, on-site manual updating while mapping bedrock and superficial geology. In contrast, stable ground conditions may have suitable legacy maps in some locations but not in others, such as where surveying is absent, incomplete or subject to legal restrictions. The geologist tasked with mapping may have to do this on short notice at their first site visit with no time to search for or create digital or physical copies of background maps on a suitable scale. The field mapper may encounter any of the above scenarios, especially the Geoforensic specialist tasked with Search and Rescue, hazard assessment or preparation and desktop study for subsequent search teams or law enforcement. Drone-derived orthoimagery and digital surface modelling can be conducted on-site in near real time to provide high resolution georeferenced maps for direct input of geological information, thus bypassing either non-existent or unsuitable base maps.

Drone Technology for Crop Disease Resistance: Innovations and Challenges

Drones have been used for diverse application purposes in precision agriculture and new ways of using them are being explored. Many drone applications have been developed for different purposes such as pest detection, crop yield prediction, crop spraying, yield estimation, water stress detection, land mapping, identifying nutrient deficiency in plants, weed detection, livestock control, protection of agricultural products and soil analysis. Drones can create georeferenced maps that pinpoint the exact location of disease outbreaks within a field. These maps help farmers and agronomists monitor disease progression and plan targeted interventions. Drone operations are highly dependent on weather conditions. High winds, rain, and fog can hinder drone flights and affect the quality of images captured. Addressing technical limitations, regulatory and safety concerns, economic barriers, and data management issues will be crucial for the widespread adoption of drones in agriculture. By overcoming these challenges, drone technology can become a vital tool in sustainable and effective crop disease management.

Solid Waste in Urban Areas: A Multidimensional Statistical Approach on Irregular Disposal and Burning in the Municipality of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais

The improper disposal of urban waste is a global concern, especially in large cities considering aspects of environmental and visual pollution. This study provides a detailed analysis of the municipality of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, identifying local nuances and a better understanding of this issue to support decisions for corrective actions. It assesses the persistence and incidence of waste burning at irregular disposal sites in the municipality, emphasizing its environmental and health impacts. This work utilized a combined approach of georeferenced mapping with Google Earth Pro images, complemented by in-situ checks with GPS devices. The statistical analysis of the collected data was performed using the PSPP software. Statistical analyses were supported by contingency tables, the application of the chi-square test, Phi, Cramer's V, and Odds Ratio, evaluating the characteristics of the associations. A strong association was identified between the persistent disposal of solid waste in undeveloped areas and the presence of tree pruning and gardening waste. The research also demonstrated a significant association of areas with signs of burning that were located in public spaces. Additionally, a significant statistical association was confirmed at sites where paper and plastic disposals and burning were identified. This research expands the understanding of disposal practices in urban contexts and provides a replicable model of combined georeferenced analysis with physical checks, in addition to the risks to public health and the environment. The results obtained demonstrate direct implications for waste management policies, raising awareness of the consequences of improper disposal and burning.

Technological innovations in vineyard spraying: assessment of PWM technology and future prospects

The Institut Français de la Vigne et du Vin and INRAE have worked with the companies OPTIMA Concept and Berthoud to develop a high-precision digitally controlled sprayer that automatically adjusts the volume of spray delivered by each nozzle according to geo-referenced guidance maps. This paper describes the technical characteristics and performance of the solutions studied, and outlines the prospects for deploying these technologies in viticulture.

Accuracy Evaluation for Plan-Reliefs and Historical Maps Created during WWI in Northern Italy

The availability of digital copies of historical artifacts modeling the territory through the so-called “plan-reliefs” is important for many reasons: the preservation of the artifact if the physical object is damaged or destroyed, the possibility of creating virtual showrooms and providing researchers a tool to study the object combining information from different sources. For these reasons, a set of plan-reliefs created during World War I on the Italian front and kept by the Italian Historical War Museum of Rovereto (Italy) was surveyed to create digital models of the surfaces, which were georeferenced in the ETRS89 datum. A set of historical military maps of the same period was georeferenced to overlay the sets to the surface in the digital representation and to try to infer clues about the cartographic sources used in the historical artifact creation. The best transformation for georeferencing the maps is different depending on the map scale, map origin, conservation status and number of Ground Control Points. The georeferencing process precision and accuracy were evaluated. The digital models created in this study were compared to the official Digital Terrain Model (DTM) provided by the Regions or the autonomous provinces. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the approach, and the combination of the models with the georeferenced maps is used by historians to describe the process used in the creation of plan-reliefs.

Crossing the Caucasus hunting for plants: the collection itinerary of the botanists Stéphen Sommier and Émile Levier in the summer of 1890

ABSTRACT Stéphen Sommier and Émile Levier were eminent botanists and plant collectors (but also ethno-anthropologists, geographers and photographers), best known for their scientific travels in Italy and abroad. This study accurately reconstructs the travel and collection itineraries of a trip through the Caucasus in 1890. The botanical importance of this journey is significant, with over 10,000 specimens collected, more than 1600 taxa identified, and over 250 newly described taxa based on the collected samples. The locations visited are placed in a time sequence on up-to-date georeferenced topographic maps. Furthermore, using dedicated heatmaps, we show the sites where the two explorers collected specimens that were later identified as taxa new to science. These maps will also be useful to botanists, historians, scholars and curators of natural history museums, who work with Caucasian flora and vegetation, ethno-anthropology, history of photography, and landscape.

FOREST FEATURE LIDAR SLAM (F2-LSLAM) AND INTEGRATED SCAN SIMULTANEOUS TRAJECTORY ENHANCEMENT AND MAPPING (IS2-TEAM) FOR ACCURATE FOREST INVENTORY USING BACKPACK SYSTEMS

Abstract. Under-canopy mapping is desired to derive critical forest biometrics, such as diameter at breast height (DBH), merchantable height, and debris volume. The main challenge of such under-canopy mapping is the intermittent access to the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signal, which is crucial to deriving accurately georeferenced mapping products. In this study, we propose two frameworks – Forest Feature LiDAR Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (F2-LSLAM) and Integrated Scan Simultaneous Trajectory Enhancement and mapping (IS2-TEAM) – for 3D LiDAR unit mounted on backpack systems to achieve accurate forest inventory. In the F2-LSLAM strategy, ground/tree trunk features are extracted from individual LiDAR scans. On the other hand, when trajectory information provided by navigation sensors is available, these semantic features are derived from LiDAR points within several scans (i.e., integrated scan) for the IS2-TEAM strategy. Then, local/global least squares adjustment (LSA) using derived features is performed to register LiDAR scans to a common reference frame for both strategies. To evaluate the performance of the proposed strategies, three in-house developed backpack systems with varying specifications were used to collect data in complicated forest environments. Through the comparison with point clouds acquired by a commercial backpack LiDAR system, the proposed frameworks are capable of generating point clouds with satisfactory intra-dataset alignment quality (in the range of 2–4 cm) for all backpack systems in natural forest areas with relatively flat terrain. However, for more challenging areas with dense undergrowth vegetation and/or large height differences, F2-LSLAM framework cannot extract sufficient features, while IS2-TEAM still exhibits good performance.

STRATEGY ON HIGH-DEFINITION POINT CLOUD MAP CREATION FOR AUTONOMOUS DRIVING IN HIGHWAY ENVIRONMENTS

Abstract. In recent years, a lot of researchers have been trying the development of efficient ways to create HD maps with centimeter-level precision. Mobile mapping system (MMS) produce 3D HD point cloud map of the surrounding by integrating navigation (i.e., direct georeferencing or DG process) and high-resolution imaging sensor data. Unfortunately, in partially environments, the provided accuracy of the GNSS system degrades dramatically. In order to constraint the drift and correct the georeferenced point cloud map, ground control points (GCPs) are placed along the road. Moreover, there are approaches which use laser-based point cloud registration techniques to construct the point cloud map. However, all promising mapping techniques which currently use the laser as the core sensor for mapping the high-definition point cloud map may not be promised to construct the point cloud map in partially or unfriendly environments. As a literature review and result, a suitable approach for creating the promising point cloud map is to combine the INS/GNSS navigation solution, LiDAR matching techniques, and GCPs. Thus, this study introduces the HD point cloud map generation method that can potentially help researchers create personalized and globalized HD point cloud maps and develop new HD point cloud map generation methodologies.

PRACTICAL EXPLORATION OF LOW-COST YET HIGHLY ACCURATE 3D MAPPING TECHNIQUES FOR DOCUMENTATION AND CONSERVATION OF AN EGYPTIAN TOMB (THEBAN TOMB 45)

Abstract. This research presents the initial endeavour to perform geo-referenced 3D reconstruction of an ancient Egyptian tomb located on the West Bank of the Nile in Luxor, evaluating low-cost techniques. This study uses low-cost equipment in conjunction with simple geodetical principles to accurately map a tomb in 3D to empower archaeological teams with limited budgets to efficiently and effectively map their projects. Emphasizing the project goals of both high detail and high accuracy, one of our chosen techniques is photogrammetry with a standard system camera. Additionally, 3D mapping with a modern smartphone was explored in the tomb and was compared with results from the photogrammetry process. Geo-referencing the underground map in a global grid was also part of the project goals. This research shows that, within certain reasonable constraints, the chosen low-cost techniques successfully achieved all goals of producing a highly detailed, highly accurate, and georeferenced 3D map of the selected tomb (Theban Tomb 45). In this first season of mapping the tomb in 3D, various mapping methods were used and tried and where possible compared. Digitally mapping an ancient, underground Egyptian tomb requires a planned approach. In order to better plan when using low-cost scanning equipment, preliminary research was done for mapping a mostly underground, relatively small but complex to survey ancient Egyptian tomb. Data have been collected with the use of both devices and also with a total station, a laser distance meter and a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) datalogger.

Examining the informal urban growth trends in a Port city

Rapid urban developmental growth is a heated debate worldwide due to environmental challenges. This research has examined the spatiotemporal trend of informal built-up growth in Karachi city. Using a geo-information system, the past twenty years (2000–2020) trends of informal built-up growth are examined. For attaining the research objectives, geo-referenced high-resolution maps and satellite images are used for accuracy based spatial data. Karachi is divided into five different land use and land cover (LULC): formal built-up, informal built-up, vacant, water bodies, and green spaces. Spatial data of informal built-up growth change of five different years, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 are generated through acquired maps digitization using ArcMap. Subsequently, the gains and transfers of Karachi's informal built-up growth based on five years 2000–2005, 2005–2010, 2010–2015, and 2015–2020 are analyzed using the Land Change Modeler (LCM) in IDRISI software. Also, land use land cover changes (LULCC) are predicted for the next 40 years (2020–2060) using the integrated Cellular Automata Markov (CA-Markov) simulation model in IDRISI. The results revealed that Karachi's built-up is expanding rapidly. Land conversion into the informal built-up area is alarming, as it has changed from 144.31 km2 to 217.19 km2 with 72.88 km2 in the past twenty years (2000–2020) and has occupied green and agricultural land. Most informal built-up areas have transitioned from vacant (71.01 km2) land use land cover (LULC). The informal built-up area could expand from 217.19 km2 to 317.63 km2, with about 100.44 km2 up to 2060. The planned and unplanned development will be towards the city's East (E) direction and will convert and ruin agriculture and vacant land. The present study provides suggestions to urban planners, administrative authorities, and policymakers to control informal growth and achieve sustainable development goals in developing countries.

Heat vulnerability digital mapping at neighbourhood level in the compact city

This paper analyses the impact of urban form and vegetation on one of the most significant parameters that affect people’s thermal comfort and an indicator of urban heat vulnerability: the mean radiant temperature (MRT). To obtain spatialized results and understand in detail the current thermal situation of different public spaces that are part of the city, we combined the SOLWEIG calculation model included in the UMEP tool for QGIS with Urban Weather Generator for Rhino. Six neighbourhoods of Rome (IT) and the associated areas with typical compact urban forms, ranging from historical centre to modern suburbs, have been analysed in the warmest week of the year (August 03-09) during the most critical hours of the day (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.). Georeferenced maps with the mean values of MRT for the studied period allow us to analyse the thermal behaviour of each public square and neighbourhood and locate possible urban havens during heatwaves. This study is part of a larger work that seeks to define a more accurate approach to quantify heat vulnerability within the urban vulnerability indexes, in light of the climate crisis facing cities.

Photogrammetric survey and spatial recording of settlement features at al-Jumayil (Jordan). 3D terrain model, DEM, orthographic map, and ground plan

This paper discusses the modality of the digital surface documentation of the archaeological site of al-Jumayil during the 2021 excavation campaign organised by the Institute of Classical Archaeology of the University of Vienna. A digital terrain model encompassing an area of 23,783.4 m2 was created using the photogrammetric range imaging technique SfM (Structure from Motion). It is based on 12,983 orthographic photographs. The resulting high-resolution 3D model – a snapshot in time displaying the current condition of the visible structures related to historic al-Jumayil – laid the foundation for further off-site data processing. In addition to the three-dimensional model, a digital elevation model (DEM), a georeferenced orthographic map, and a ground plan containing all visible wall structures of the settlement was produced from the collected data. This case study aims to present the in-field application of a systematic photogrammetric approach used as a fast and accurate tool for mapping an archaeological site step-by-step in two and three dimensions within a topographic survey.

Analysis of the Potential for Reusing Sanitary Effluents in the Hydrographic Basin of the Ipojuca River

Objective: This study aims to present an assessment of the potential for reusing effluents from domestic sewage treatment plants in the Hydrographic Basin of the Ipojuca River. Theoretical Framework: In regions facing water scarcity, effluent reuse emerges as an alternative to alleviate pressures and reduce contamination of water sources. In this regard, the choice of the Ipojuca River Watershed is justified due to the susceptibility of its constituent municipalities to water scarcity and pollution, as well as the fact that the Ipojuca River has been classified as the third most polluted in the country. Methodology: The methodology involved basin characterization, data collection from the sanitation services provider to perform quantitative and qualitative evaluation of reclaimed water supply, identification of demands based on consumptive uses (industry and irrigation), existing water use permits, and the provider's customer database. Additionally, georeferenced maps were generated for spatial analysis of the water balance. Results and Conclusion: Twelve Sewage Treatment Plants were identified, four of which are still under construction, with nominal treatment capacities exceeding the identified irrigation and industrial demands, except for two of them. In terms of quality, for the analyzed parameters, the treatment plants demonstrated satisfactory performance, suggesting that the effluent could be utilized for restricted purposes without the need for further treatment. Lastly, geospatially, the demands are located within a radius of 10km from the analyzed plants, in most cases. Research Implications: It can be inferred that the basin holds a significant reuse potential to be explored as an alternative for enhancing water availability and reducing effluent discharge into the Ipojuca River. Originality/Value: The results obtained through this unprecedented analysis in the watershed serve as a reference for policymakers and implementers of water resources management policies, as well as an encouragement for potential producers and consumers of reclaimed water.

Enhancing Research Outcomes through Drone-Generated Imagery and Photogrammetry Software Analysis

Drones have gained popularity in numerous fields, including education, where they are employed as valuable tools for enhancing students' knowledge. In particular, the use of drones in land surveying and mapping has revolutionized the industry, replacing manual and time-consuming methods from the 19th century. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) enable surveyors to cover vast areas easily, even in challenging terrains, while producing high-resolution maps and collecting extensive data efficiently. With the aid of automated software, quality control can be achieved with minimal training. The benefits of drone surveying encompass terrain modeling, surveying, and 3D mapping for GIS purposes, such as topography and volume measurements. The return on investment (ROI) from utilizing drones in mapping and surveying is substantial. Furthermore, UAVs find practical application in close-range mapping, particularly in engineering survey works that traditionally incur significant costs, labor, and time. Low-cost UAVs offer reliable information for various applications, including road design, bridges, and land surveys, matching the accuracy of conventional engineering surveys and policies, particularly for small-scale mapping. UAVs present a stable and rapidly advancing technology, positioning them as competitive alternatives to other surveying methods. This study consists of five phases: preliminary study, data collection, data processing, post-processing, and analysis, with a focus on UAVs as a data processing tool. The project demonstrates the utilization of UAV images and photogrammetry software, which involve capturing overlapping images of the Earth's surface using cameras mounted on drones or airplanes. These images are then processed with photogrammetry software to generate geo-referenced maps, ortho mosaic images, and other valuable outputs. The software is capable of processing both images and lidar points, offering versatility in its applications, including artistic modeling and surveying. The increasing popularity of UAV images and photogrammetry software extends to various fields, such as agriculture, military operations, disaster management, and artistic modeling. As UAVs become more affordable, their accessibility expands to a broader range of users. Aerial mapping with UAVs necessitates mission planning and ground control points, making drones valuable in mapping, search and rescue missions, transportation, and other disaster management applications. Multiple photogrammetry software options are available, each with distinct features and advantages. By leveraging UAV images and photogrammetry software, previously challenging images can be acquired, opening new possibilities for diverse applications.

Digitizing Early Postwar Canadian Census Tract Maps: Sources, Methods and Challenges

ABSTRACT At present, Canadian census tract boundaries are available in digital form for 1951 and at 5-year intervals for the 1976–2021 period; the 1956–66 census boundary files have not been digitized and associated data are not readily available for the pre-1971 period. This inhibits the mapping and analysis of neighbourhood change for a period of rapid urban and social transformation. To fill this gap, we digitized 1956–66 census tract boundaries from paper maps for all cities for which such data were disseminated. We adjusted 2006 boundaries to match georeferenced historical maps in concert with ancillary data, including topographic and cadastral maps. All decisions are documented in the files. Finally, printed profile tables for 1951 and 1956 were digitized for joining the boundary files. Researchers may use these datasets to explore, analyse and map geospatial trends in the Canadian population at the neighbourhood scale back to 1951.

Wave Energy Generation in Brazil: A Georeferenced Oscillating Water Column Inventory

Seas and oceans offer great potential as a widely available source of clean and renewable energy near high energy consumption centers. This source of energy is a valuable option in the energy transition and in energy matrix decarbonization. Wave energy and an oscillating water column (OWC) device stand out as the types of ocean energy with the most potential. An onshore OWC requires locations with rocky outcrops and steeper slopes as the device needs to be physically installed and has lower energy dissipation due to friction with the seabed. However, Brazil has approximately 7490 km of coastlines, with various shoreline geometries and geomorphologies, some of which are very suitable for OWC implementation. Some authors have estimated that the Brazilian coast has a total potential of 114 GW, distributed between wave and tidal energy, with a great possibility of contributing to global decarbonization efforts. This study aimed to identify and quantify the potential of locations suitable for implementing wave energy farms equipped with onshore OWC. For this, a prospect was carried out using the georeferencing software QGIS, resulting in a georeferenced map with a dataset of 319 locations, and determining a power capacity of exploitation of 9.84 GW and an estimated energy of 83,689 GWh/year in ten of the seventeen coastal states. This energy corresponds to twice the energy consumption of the state of Rio de Janeiro, which has a population of approximately 17.5 million people. If the same amount of wave energy as gas-fired thermal generation energy were to be consumed, the use of wave energy would reduce emissions by approximately 44.52 million tons of CO2 annually. This result suggests that wave energy generation should be included in future studies on the expansion of Brazilian electric systems as an accelerating factor in the energy transition.

Experimental Pharmacology for COVID-19 Treatment: A Geoanalytical Bibliometric Analysis.

The objective of this study is to produce a geo-referenced map of the status of R&D in COVID-related studies in the world. Spatial mapping of bibliometric data of Cortellis Drug Discovery Intelligence through a spatial bibliometric model with the aid of a GIS (Geographic Information System) called ArcGIS and the software. We show the countries that have the most studies related to COV ID-19 and their degree of collaboration. No drug discovery-related activity was found in South America and Africa. A geo-referenced map of the most active countries in COVID research was constructed as well as conceptual maps of the 11 most representative drugs employed for COVID treatment. The georeferenced conceptual maps produced in the present report allow not only to better understand the leading institutions in R&D in COVID-19 related drugs but also to visualize their interactions and research relationships. This could offer, in addition to a coherent, organized multinational effort, the possibility of searching for other drugs that have been employed for other diseases and that, in terms of their conceptual relations, could represent some possibilities for treating the coronavirus SARS-2.

Micro-scale UHI risk assessment on the heat-health nexus within cities by looking at socio-economic factors and built environment characteristics: The Turin case study (Italy)

Today the most substantial threats facing cities relate to the impacts of climate change. Extreme temperature such as heat waves and the occurrence of Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomena, present the main challenges for urban planning and design. Climate deterioration exacerbates the already existing weaknesses in social systems, which have been created by changes such as population increases and urban sprawl. Despite numerous attempts by researchers to assess the risks associated with the heat-health nexus in urban areas, no common metrics have yet been defined yet. The objective of this study, therefore, is to provide an empirical example of a flexible and replicable methodology to estimate the micro-scale UHI risks within an urban context which takes into account all the relevant elements regarding the heat-health nexus. For this purpose, the city of Turin has been used as a case study. The methodological approach adopted is based on risk assessment guidelines suggested and approved by the most recent scientific literature. The risk framework presented here used a quantitative estimate per each census tract within the city based on the interaction of three main factors: hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. Corresponding georeferenced maps for each indicator have been provided to increase the local knowledge on the spatial distribution of vulnerability drivers. The proposed methodology and the related findings represent an initial stage of the urban risk investigation within the case study. This will include participatory processes with local policymakers and health-stakeholders with a view to guiding the local planning agenda of climate change adaptation and resilience strategies in the City of Turin.

Composite Index for Assessment of Sanitation and Environmental Health in Municipalities of the Baixo Pardo/Grande Watershed

The management of services for environmental health can be achieved through the use of indicators as a practice to improve urban infrastructure. The goal was to analyze the sanitary and environmental conditions in 14 municipalities in the Baixo Pardo/Grande watershed. The following steps were carried out: i) identification of indicators, ii) structuring of an evaluation model on a scale from 0 (zero) to 100, iii) consultation with specialists using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, iv) elaboration of the index in georeferenced maps in QGIS, version 3.22. The model generated 18 sub-indicators grouped into 7 indicators. The index ranged from 21.55 to 66.72%, with 8 municipalities deemed medium health level, 5 deemed low and 1 unhealthy. In most municipalities, solid waste indicators stood out with high condition, while vegetation cover and urban drainage reached the lowest values. It is essential to establish measures and public policies to guarantee the evolution of these indicators in the basin.