Index Map Research Articles

Digital mapping of soil quality index to evaluate orchard fields using random forest models

Digital mapping of soil quality index to evaluate orchard fields using random forest models

Integrating GEE and IWQI for sustainable irrigation: A geospatial water quality assessment

The surface and sub-surface water quality is one of the decisive parameters for sustainable agriculture and water resources management. Deteriorating water quality impacts the irrigation, crop production, and human health. Therefore, the present work made an attempt to identify the water suitability for irrigation using the contemporary approach i.e. Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI) and Zone mapping using GIS techniques, and demonstrated for case of Wadhwan, Gujarat India. Three indices i.e., NDVI, NDWI, and LSWI were mapped using Landsat satellite imagery, whereas, Watermask index was mapped using Sentinel II satellite imagery for the assessment of the availability of water in different forms. The IWQI has applied to categorize the water quality as severe, high, moderate, low, and no restriction. The IWQI in the study area ranges from 6.4 to 62.5. The overall the water quality of study area shows that the 13.64 % of the region in severe restriction range, 56.82% in high restriction range, and 29.54% in moderate restriction range, which is in alarming for farmers and policy makers. The GIS zoning map effectively visualized the spatial distribution of IWQI, helping decision-makers to identify severity zones. Furthermore, the Piper diagram analysis has been performed, which shows that the water quality of the study area falls under mixed Ca2+-Mg2+-Cl-, mixed Ca2+-Na+-HCO3-, and Na-HCO3 types. The results revealed that major areas are in moderate to severe restriction zones, lying under deteriorated water quality, and need immediate attention for improvement before use. The IWQI advances SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by optimizing water quality for crop production and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by ensuring sustainable water resource management, while indirectly supporting SDG 15 (Life on Land) through improved soil health and land management practices.

Delineating groundwater potential zones using integrated remote sensing and GIS in Lahore, Pakistan.

Groundwater depletion and water scarcity are pressing issues in water-limited regions worldwide, including Pakistan, where it ranks as the third-largest user of groundwater. Lahore, Pakistan, grapples with severe groundwater depletion due to factors like population growth and increased agricultural land use. This study aims to address the lack of comprehensive groundwater availability data in Lahore's semi-arid region by employing GIS techniques and remote sensing data. Various parameters, including Land Use and Land Cover (LULC), Rainfall, Drainage Density(DD), Water Depth, Soil Type, Slope, Population Density, Road Density, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Built-Up Index (NDBI), Moisture Stress Index (MSI), Water Vegetation Water Index (WVWI), and Land Surface Temperature (LST), are considered. Thematic layers of these parameters are assigned different weights based on previous literature, reclassified, and superimposed in weighted overlay tool to develop a groundwater potential zones index map for Lahore. The groundwater recharge potential zones are categorized into five classes: Extremely Bad, Bad, Mediocre, Good, and Extremely Good. The groundwater potential zone index (GWPZI) map of Lahore reveals that the majority falls within the Bad to Mediocre recharge potential zones, covering 33% and 28% of the total land area in Lahore, respectively. Additionally, 14% of the total area falls under the category of Extremely Bad recharge potential zones, while Good to Extremely Good areas cover 19% and 6%, respectively. By providing policymakers and water supply authorities with valuable insights, this study underscores the significance of GIS techniques in groundwater management. Implementing the findings can aid in addressing Lahore's groundwater challenges and formulating sustainable water management strategies for the city's future.

Spatial multi-criteria approaches for estimating geogenic radon hazard index

The geogenic radon hazard index (GRHI) map plays a crucial role in evaluating radon exposure risks. The construction of this map requires a comprehensive analysis of radon levels in soil gas and some critical factors, such as uranium content in bedrock, soil permeability, and geological inhomogeneities. In this context, the spatial multi-criteria decision analysis is proposed to integrate the GRHI-based criteria for identifying the high-potential radon areas. In particular, the multivariate integration involves the fuzzy gamma operator and a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making technique, namely AHP-TOPSIS, which represents a novel approach in GRHI mapping. Thus, a comparison is provided through the definition of the GRHI map of an unexplored study area, that is the Apulia region, located in Southern Italy. In order to evaluate the output maps, high radon potential areas are identified based on some available indoor radon measurement data. The success-rate curve, as a valid evaluation metric, is employed for the performance assessment and comparison of these two methods. The results demonstrate that although both generated GRHI maps are closely correlated with high-potential radon zones in Apulia, the hybrid AHP-TOPSIS method is preferable in identifying areas with elevated radon potential.

CHANG-ES. XXXII. Spatially Resolved Thermal–Nonthermal Separation from Radio Data Alone—New Probes into NGC 3044 and NGC 5775

We have carried out spatially resolved thermal–nonthermal separation on two edge-on galaxies, NGC 3044 and NGC 5775, using only radio data. Narrowband imaging within a frequency band that is almost contiguous from 1.25 to 7.02 GHz (L band, S band, and C band) has allowed us to fit spectra and construct thermal, nonthermal, and nonthermal spectral index maps. This method does not require any ancillary Hα and IR data or rely on dust corrections that are challenging in edge-on galaxies. For NGC 3044, at 15″ resolution, we find a median thermal fraction of ∼13% with an estimated uncertainty in this fraction of ∼50% at 4.13 GHz. This compares well with the Hα mixture method results. We uncovered evidence for a vertical outflow feature reaching at least z ∼ 3.5 kpc in projection above the plane, reminiscent of M82's starburst wind. For the higher star formation rate galaxy, NGC 5775, at 12″ resolution, we find a median thermal fraction of 44% at 4.13 GHz with an estimated error on this fraction of 17%. Both galaxies show a change of slope (flattening) in L band. These results suggest that a radio-only method for separating thermal from nonthermal emission is not only feasible, but able to reveal new features that might otherwise be obscured in edge-on disks.

Petroleum source-rock characterization and the depositional environment of Kimmeridgian–Tithonian sequences, Jaisalmer Basin, western Rajasthan, India

In hydrocarbon exploration, total organic carbon (TOC) content and Rock-Eval pyrolysis are commonly employed geochemical techniques that offer concise insights into kerogen type, effective source-rock identification and thermal maturity. In the current study, the data obtained from Rock-Eval pyrolysis has been used to define the source-rock quality, generative potential, kerogen type, maturity of the source sediments and kerogen kinetics of the Baisakhi–Bhadesar Formation of Kimmeridgian–Tithonian (154.7–145.6 Ma) age. Basinal level hydrogen index (HI), TOC content, source-rock maturity, transformation ratio and heat-flow maps have been generated by integrating the data from pyrolysis with previously available data from wells drilled in the basin. The TOC content of the Kimmeridgian–Tithonian sequence ranges from 0.03 to 12.71% in the studied samples, with an average TOC content of 1.28%, indicating good source-rock quality. The HI, in collaboration with T max and vitrinite reflectance (VR o ) data, demonstrates that the Baisakhi–Bhadesar Formation is characterized by type II, a mixture of type II/III and type III kerogen facies and exhibits good source-rock quality and poor to good generative potential in the basin. The studied samples are marginally mature to mature in nature ( T max , 430–450°C; VR o , 0.52–0.72%). A maturity analysis of the basin suggests that during the Late Jurassic most areas were under the oil window zone, except for the Bhakhari Tibba and Miajlar areas. The transformation ratio overlay for the Kimmeridgian–Tithonian source sequences shows better transformations of the source rock in the area of the Shagarh Sub-basin. Kerogen kinetics of the studied Baisakhi–Bhadesar Formation demonstrate that the activation energy ranges between 46 and 74 kcal mol −1 with the significant distribution of activation energy being 54 kcal mol −1 (42.07%), representing a strong heterogeneous type of organic matter in the sediments. Based on lithological, palaeontological and electrolog studies, a shallow-marine to nearshore environment of deposition with a sediment-input direction from the SE has been inferred for the Kimmeridgian–Tithonian sequences. The results of this study quantitatively establish the role of the Kimmeridgian–Tithonian sequence as a source rock, ultimately contributing to the generation of hydrocarbons in the basin along with spatial changes in the quality of source sediments in different parts of the basin.

Interpretation of Microtremor Data Through Analysis Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) for Microzonation of Seismic Earthquake Hazards in Baubau City

Research has been carried out on seismic hazard microzonation in the city of Bau – bau using microtremor data. The aim of this research is to determine the seismic vulnerability index based on horizontal to vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) analysis and create a dominant frequency microzonation map (F0), dominant period map (T0), amplification factor map (A0), and seismic vulnerability index map (Kg) from microtremor data which can describe the level of vulnerability of an area to seismic hazards. Microtremor measurements were carried out using a portable three-component seismograph (TDS. 303), the data was analyzed with gepsy software via the HVSR method. The research results show that the distribution of dominant frequency values ​​(F0), ranges from 0.4795 Hz to 16.6383 Hz, dominant period values ​​(T0), ranges from 0.0601 seconds to 2.0854 seconds, amplification factor values ​​(A0), ranges from 1.2285 to 4.9043, and the seismic vulnerability index (Kg) value ranges from 0.1043 to 11.0276. The values ​​(F0), (T0), (A0), and (Kg) are interpreted by referring to literature data and surface geological maps of the research area. The results show that the study area has a small portion of sediment layers that are vulnerable to seismic hazards.

Composite Accessibility Index: A Novel and Holistic Measure for Evaluating Transit Accessibility

The accessibility of public transport is a vital factor for the overall success of transit operations. It determines whether people choose to use and rely on public transport by assessing the ease of accessing opportunities. Accessibility, as a measure of the system’s performance, encompasses various travel segments and can be evaluated from different perspectives. Evaluating transit accessibility in data-constrained environments, particularly in developing countries, requires an optimal framework. The present study proposed a framework by modifying available accessibility measurement indices and trying to encompass all affecting variables in a single composite index. The integrated transit system comprising the bus rapid transit system and city bus in Surat city, India, is selected to demonstrate the proposed framework. The results of the ranked-based correlation coefficient test exhibit the comprehensive assessment capabilities of the proposed composite index in evaluating transit performance. Surat city’s transit network shows better coverage based on the gravity model theory, that is, moderate performance in local coverage offered capacity per population. However, it exhibits poor accessibility with respect to reaching destinations, resulting in below-average transit accessibility. Except for the city center and eastern part, 65% of the city area experiences inadequate accessibility of public transport. These findings align with the city’s low transit mode share of 2.5% and stagnant daily ridership of 0.25–0.28 million passengers in the last half decade. The composite index map serves as a planning tool for optimizing the utilization of available resources and guiding future policy implementations.

A multi-disciplinary approach for uranium exploration using remote sensing and airborne gamma-ray spectrometry data in the Gebel Duwi area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

Uranium exploration plays a pivotal role in meeting global energy demands and advancing nuclear technology. This study presents a comprehensive approach to uranium exploration in the Gebel Duwi area of the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt, utilizing remote sensing and airborne gamma-ray spectrometric data. Multispectral remote sensing techniques, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF), and Band Ratioing (BR), are employed to identify lithological units and hydrothermal alteration zones associated with uranium deposition, such as iron oxides, argillic, propylitic, and phyllic alterations. Additionally, airborne gamma-ray spectrometry data provide insights into the spatial distribution of radioelements, including uranium (eU), thorium (eTh), and potassium (K), as well as radioelement ratios (eU/eTh, eU/K, and eTh/K). The uranium migration index map (eU-(eTh/3.5)) and the F-parameter map (K*(eU/eTh)) have been generated to investigate the movement of uranium within various geological zones and characterize anomalous uranium concentrations. Statistical analyses, including mean (X), standard deviation (S), and coefficient of variability (C.V.), are conducted to identify uranium-rich zones. The integration of these datasets enables the generation of a uranium potential map highlighting areas of elevated concentrations indicative of uranium mineralization. Field observations and mineralogical analyses of collected samples validate our findings, confirming the presence of minerals associated with uranium mineralization in mapped high-potential areas. The significance of minerals like Fe-Chlorite, Fe-Mg-Chlorite, ferrihydrite, goethite, calcite, muscovite, dolomite, actinolite, vermiculite, and gypsum in indicating potential uranium mineralization processes underscores the importance of our results.

Land suitability analysis for blue-green infrastructure implementation in an urban stormwater management system in Surabaya, Indonesia

ABSTRACT In low-lying areas, pluvial, fluvial, and coastal flooding can combine to form complex flood events. In this context, integrated blue-green infrastructure (BGI) has emerged as a viable approach to environmentally friendly stormwater management. This study concentrated on two primary objectives: i) the development of a geospatial technology-based land suitability map for BGI implementation and ii) the identification of optimal BGI nodes and corridors. Surabaya City in the Delta Brantas region of Indonesia was selected as the location for a pilot study. The land suitability analysis considered five criteria (slope, potential drainage density, land use/land cover, soil types, and proximity to roads), and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was employed to assign weights to these criteria before calculating a BGI index using the raster calculator tool in GIS. A BGI index map was then employed to identify potential BGI nodes on public land and priority corridors. The eastern and western regions of Surabaya, which are characterized by agriculture, fishponds, salt ponds, and mangrove forests, were identified as prime candidates for BGI implementation. Areas of public land under the jurisdiction of the city government, such as government offices, police stations, and educational zones, also offered the opportunity for BGI initiatives.

Assessment of groundwater vulnerability and risk to pollution in Con Dao island, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Vietnam

Abstract The assessment of groundwater vulnerability has been widely used to manage and prevent groundwater from contamination risk. This study applied the model of GIS-based GALDIT was for groundwater vulnerability and risk assessment in a coastal district of Con Dao island, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Vietnam. The Groundwater Risk Assessment Model (GRAM) was used to assess the risk of groundwater pollution in the study region. The GALDIT model used six hydrogeological components to generate a GALDIT Index map, which illustrates how vulnerable the local groundwater is to contamination. The platform of GIS-based GRAM was exploited to construct risk maps related to salinity intrusion, hazard release, and hazard consequences. According to the findings, more than 80% of the groundwater in Con Dao district is vulnerable to saltwater intrusion, with the greatest concentration in the district’s central section. Only 18.12% of the district, in the Co Ong region to the northeast of the Con Dao district, has low or very low susceptibility. However, after accounting for contamination barriers and the capacity to identify and detect risks, it was shown that most areas, or around 87% of the study area, had transitioned to a low-risk level of groundwater pollution. The groundwater vulnerability and risk maps created serve as baseline information for decision-makers in governance and planning to effectively monitor and protect groundwater resources from pollution.

A causal effect study of cortical morphology and related covariate networks in classical trigeminal neuralgia patients.

Structural covariance networks and causal effects within can provide critical information on gray matter reorganization and disease-related hierarchical changes. Based on the T1WI data of 43 classical trigeminal neuralgia patients and 45 controls, we constructed morphological similarity networks of cortical thickness, sulcal depth, fractal dimension, and gyrification index. Moreover, causal structural covariance network analyses were conducted in regions with morphological abnormalities or altered nodal properties, respectively. We found that patients showed reduced sulcal depth, gyrification index, and fractal dimension, especially in the salience network and the default mode network. Additionally, the integration of the fractal dimension and sulcal depth networks was significantly reduced, accompanied by decreased nodal efficiency of the bilateral temporal poles, and right pericalcarine cortex within the sulcal depth network. Negative causal effects existed from the left insula to the right caudal anterior cingulate cortex in the gyrification index map, also from bilateral temporal poles to right pericalcarine cortex within the sulcal depth network. Collectively, patients exhibited impaired integrity of the covariance networks in addition to the abnormal gray matter morphology in the salience network and default mode network. Furthermore, the patients may experience progressive impairment in the salience network and from the limbic system to the sensory system in network topology, respectively.

Clinical feasibility of deep learning based synthetic contrast enhanced abdominal CT in patients undergoing non enhanced CT scans

Our objective was to develop and evaluate the clinical feasibility of deep-learning-based synthetic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (DL-SynCCT) in patients designated for nonenhanced CT (NECT). We proposed a weakly supervised learning with the utilization of virtual non-contrast CT (VNC) for the development of DL-SynCCT. Training and internal validations were performed with 2202 pairs of retrospectively collected contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) images with the corresponding VNC images acquired from dual-energy CT. Clinical validation was performed using an external validation set including 398 patients designated for true nonenhanced CT (NECT), from multiple vendors at three institutes. Detection of lesions was performed by three radiologists with only NECT in the first session and an additionally provided DL-SynCCT in the second session. The mean peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity index map (SSIM) of the DL-SynCCT compared to CECT were 43.25 ± 0.41 and 0.92 ± 0.01, respectively. With DL-SynCCT, the pooled sensitivity for lesion detection (72.0% to 76.4%, P < 0.001) and level of diagnostic confidence (3.0 to 3.6, P < 0.001) significantly increased. In conclusion, DL-SynCCT generated by weakly supervised learning showed significant benefit in terms of sensitivity in detecting abnormal findings when added to NECT in patients designated for nonenhanced CT scans.

Evaluating Daily Water Stress Index (DWSI) Using Thermal Imaging of Neem Tree Canopies under Bare Soil and Mulching Conditions

Water stress on crops can severely disrupt crop growth and reduce yields, requiring the accurate and prompt diagnosis of crop water stress, especially in semiarid regions. Infrared thermal imaging cameras are effective tools to monitor the spatial distribution of canopy temperature (Tc), which is the basis of the daily water stress index (DWSI) calculation. This research aimed to evaluate the variability of plant water stress under different soil cover conditions through geostatistical techniques, using detailed thermographic images of Neem canopies in the Brazilian northeastern semiarid region. Two experimental plots were established with Neem cropped under mulch and bare soil conditions. Thermal images of the leaves were taken with a portable thermographic camera and processed using Python language and the OpenCV database. The application of the geostatistical technique enabled stress indicator mapping at the leaf scale, with the spherical and exponential models providing the best fit for both soil cover conditions. The results showed that the highest levels of water stress were observed during the months with the highest air temperatures and no rainfall, especially at the apex of the leaf and close to the central veins, due to a negative water balance. Even under extreme drought conditions, mulching reduced Neem physiological water stress, leading to lower plant water stress, associated with a higher soil moisture content and a negative skewness of temperature distribution. Regarding the mapping of the stress index, the sequential Gaussian simulation method reduced the temperature uncertainty and the variation on the leaf surface. Our findings highlight that mapping the Water Stress Index offers a robust framework to precisely detect stress for agricultural management, as well as soil cover management in semiarid regions. These findings underscore the impact of meteorological and planting conditions on leaf temperature and baseline water stress, which can be valuable for regional water resource managers in diagnosing crop water status more accurately.

Proposal for a managed aquifer recharge feasibility index for southern Portugal using multi-criteria decision analysis

Water scarcity in the Mediterranean region requires the adoption of new and optimized water resources management tools that allow a progressive climate change adaptation, being one of the main drivers for the employment of alternative water storage measures such as Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR). To promote the implementation of these measures, this study evaluates the application of a MAR feasibility index mapping to southern Portugal, employing Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). A participatory approach – developed within the AGREEMAR project – aims for the characterization of the intrinsic site suitability, water availability and demand, where the stakeholder inputs are embedded in the weighting computation process.The results obtained demonstrate prevalent moderate MAR feasibility across the entire region (78% of the area) with an increased percentage of the area corresponding to high MAR feasibility (22%) strongly related to highly suitable geological features. A comparative analysis with the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) showed minor high MAR feasibility areas (7%), and feasibility class transitions between the directly above or below classes.A sensitivity analysis, conducted based on a one-at-a-time (OAT) variation of the criteria weights, assessed the impact of the weighting methods on feasibility class changes. For the AGREEMAR method, changes in the weight of 10 of the 28 considered criteria resulted in negligible changes when compared to the original feasibility map, while for AHP 3 out of 28 produced minor changes. The remaining criteria showed important modifications in the feasibility maps, which underlined AGREEMAR method weights provided higher stability in the results.The study provides information about a MAR site selection process procedures, allowing replication. The dissemination of the results is expected to raise awareness of MAR among stakeholders and support scientifically-based water resources management decision-making.

Aerial Remote Sensing Archaeology—A Short Review and Applications

Aerial and remote sensing archaeology are tools for identifying marks on images of archaeological remains covered by soil. In other words, they are archaeological prospection tools that fall into the category of non-destructive research methods. In this paper, a short review of these valuable research tools is carried out, presenting the way marks appear, and also the categories of aerial and remote sensing archaeology, depending on the medium of storage of images and the type of platform of transfer of sensors. The timing of the emergence of each category is determined and examples of relevant surveys are presented. Focusing on the use of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) with a multispectral sensor (aerial remote sensing archaeology), their partial utilization is revealed for collecting images in areas outside of the visible spectrum, aiming at the identification of covered archaeological remains. To this end, examples of the use of UAS with different sensors are presented and indexes that have been used so far in respective applications are gathered. Aerial remote sensing archaeology took place in two areas of particular interest in Northern Greece. UAS WingtraOne GEN II was used to collect multispectral images. In both study areas, soil and vegetation or crop marks were detected, possibly covered archaeological remains, initially in RGB orthophotomosaics and then more clearly in the index maps, such as the normalized difference vegetation index, simple ratio, brightness index, second brightness index, and anthocyanin reflectance index 2b.

Effect of inlet flow turbulence on hydro–acoustic coupling and flame–vortex interactions in a premixed dump combustor

The present work examines the effect of inlet flow turbulence on the flame–vortex modulations, hydro–acoustic coupling and recirculation zone dynamics at the onset of instability. The flow turbulence intensity varied using a custom-designed turbulence generator with different slot-width blockage plates placed upstream to the nominal flame-stabilization zone. The high-speed recordings of the CH*/OH* chemiluminescence and particle image velocimetry are used to deduce the relation between the flame–acoustic, flame–vortex and hydrodynamic–acoustic features during the unsteady combustion. The bifurcation analysis map revealed the effect of high inlet flow turbulence on postponing the onset of instability to higher inlet flow parameters. The initial observations showed potential changes in the acoustic behaviour and dynamical state of premixed turbulent combustion with an increase in inlet flow turbulence. The spatial Rayleigh index map illustrates a significant change in the acoustic driving region at high inlet flow turbulence based on the flame stabilization, heat release zone and flame–acoustic modulation in the shear layer and recirculation zone. The velocity spectral analysis and dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) spectrum suggested a correlation between the acoustic modulation and hydrodynamic instabilities, resulting in higher heat release rate oscillations. The high inlet flow turbulence modulates the vertical flapping motion of the flame front and flame roll-up in the recirculation region as evident by DMD spectrum and spatial modes. The flame–vortex dynamics during the dynamic transition events showed that the high inlet flow turbulence influenced the vortex shedding along the shear layer and recirculation zone dynamics. At low turbulence intensity, the vortex, in turn, supports the bulk flame movement through the induced velocity, which interacts with the free stream to create regions of low velocity. In contrast, the vortex in the shear layer and flame resides along the shear layer at higher turbulence. The paper concludes that at higher inlet flow turbulence, the recirculating flame reduces the hydro–acoustically modulated flow velocity fluctuations, which significantly affect the upstream flame propagation propensity.

Evaluation of potential human health risks arising from nitrate and fluoride in the groundwater of Aurangabad, Bihar using GIS and chemometric analysis.

This study employed the groundwater pollution index to assess the appropriateness of groundwater for human consumption. Additionally, the hazard index was utilized to evaluate the potential non-carcinogenic risks associated with fluoride and nitrate exposure among children, women, and men in the study region. A total of 103 samples were collected from the Aurangabad district of Bihar. The analyzed samples were assessed using several physicochemical parameters. Major cations in the groundwater are Ca2+ > Mg2+ and major anions are HCO3- > Cl- > SO42- > NO3- > F- > PO43-. Around 17% of the collected groundwater samples surpassed the allowable BIS concentration limits for Nitrate, while approximately 11% surpassed the allowed limits for fluoride concentration. Principal component analysis was utilized for its efficacy and efficiency in the analytical procedure. Four principal components were recovered that explained 69.06% of the total variance. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) of nitrate varies between 0.03-1.74, 0.02-1.47, and 0.03-1.99 for females, males, and children, respectively. The HQ of fluoride varies between 0.04-1.59, 0.04-1.34, and 0.05-1.82 for females, males, and children, respectively. The central part of the district was at high risk according to the spatial distribution maps of the total hazard index (THI). Noncarcinogenic risks due to THI are 47%, 37%, and 28% for children, females, and males, respectively. According to the human health risk assessment, children are more prone to getting affected by polluted water than adults. The groundwater pollution index (GPI) value ranges from 0.46 to 2.27 in the study area. Seventy-five percent of the samples fell under minor pollution and only one fell under high pollution. The spatial distribution of GPI in the research area shows that the central region is highly affected, which means that this water is unsuitable for drinking purposes.

Geospatial based groundwater resources susceptibility and contamination risk mapping for Yeşilköy aquifer, Cyprus

In rural areas where the goals of sustainable agriculture are intertwined with the availability and supply of groundwater resources, it becomes imperative to perceive and search the status of groundwater resource’s susceptibility to contamination. A well-known overlay & index method, the DRASTIC model that assesses the state of susceptibility to contamination using vulnerability index map has been applied to the Yeşilköy aquifer. The seven different hydro-geologic parameters; aquifer media, vadose zone, and soil media, surface topography, recharge capacity, water table depth, and the hydraulic conductivity maps were overlaid to find the vulnerability of the aquifer. Results depicted that the aquifer is categorized into two vulnerability zones; low and moderate. The available susceptibility of the aquifer due to ongoing anthropogenic activities like agriculture was also studied by implementing the Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WQI) method. The aquifer’s overall water quality was “poor water quality”. Hence, there was no significant relationship between WQI and the vulnerability of the aquifer. A modification of the DRASTIC to enhance the relationship with WQI is proposed by utilizing the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), as one of the successful multi-criteria decision-making models. The modification of the DRASTIC model with AHP revealed that the performance of the DRASTIC model was improved and the correlation between WQI and the DRASTIC vulnerability index was significantly enhanced. The results also show that the effective contributing parameters for groundwater vulnerability in the Yeşilköy aquifer were the aquifer media and the vadose zone. On the other hand, the water table’s depth and topography were almost independent of the aquifer’s vulnerability.

Evaluation of deforestation, climate change and CO2 emissions in the Amazon biome using the Moran Index

Since the 1990s, the Amazon has been undergoing a severe occupation process, causing a significant increase in deforestation. This occupation occurs for various reasons, such as the expansion of agricultural areas and the extraction of raw materials, mainly through predatory logging. These factors are responsible for causing various impacts, such as an increase in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and changes in climate variables. In this context, the main objective of this work is to evaluate deforestation in the Amazon, verifying whether this problem is correlated with CO2 emission data and temperature increase, for the municipalities belonging to the biome. To this end, Moran's Index was calculated for the variables studied, and subsequently Moran's scatter diagram, significance map (LISA MAP) and Local Moran's Index map (LISA Cluster map) were generated to verify the correlations between these variables over the years. The results visualized by processing the Moran Index show that there is a high positive correlation between deforestation and CO2 emissions, especially in the municipalities located in the “arc of deforestation". With regard to the temperature variable, Moran's Index indicated that municipalities with high rates of deforested area are the same municipalities that have above-average temperature values. Finally, the work shows that the Moran's Index tool is efficient and satisfactory for data analysis and that the methodology and information provided through it can be applied to other studies and different databases, and can help decision-makers create strategies to combat and control deforestation and other problems in various regions of the country and the world.