Left Bank Of River Research Articles

Control of EPB TBM tunneling parameters to mitigate the effects on Dambovita river structures

This paper presents an assessment of the impact of tunnelling of the M5 Metro line in Bucharest, and its associated risks on Dambovita river development located in the influence zone of tunnelling operation. During the metro performance the undercrossing of the hydraulic works related to the Dambovita River was required. The Dambovita River hydraulic development is made of 2 main components – the upper clean water channel and the sewage/drainage system cassette, placed below (the base slab of the channel representing the roof of the cassette). On the left river bank, the B0 collector is an old structure with uncertain technical condition Tunnelling in proximity of existing development introduces deformations in both structures and in turn induces additional axial and bending forces. In modern mechanized tunnelling, ground convergence is controlled through balancing the earth pressure at the tunnel face. Reducing ground deformation can consequently lower the additional deformations and forces and lessen the associated construction risk. In this paper, a detailed finite element modelling was performed to simulate the sequence of construction works. The model was calibrated based on the measured settlements behind the face. Based on model results the undercrossing area of influence is revealed. Recommendations regarding the tunnelling works are made in order to avoid any damages to the existing facilities.

Tologoi key section: A unique archive for pliocene-pleistocene paleoenvironment dynamics of Transbaikalia, Bikal rift zone

The multi-layered key section of Tologoi is situated on the Selenga River left bank, 15 km southwest of Ulan-Ude city (51º45′ N, 107º29’ E), in the Western Transbaikal region. It holds a long record of Quaternary sedimentation since early Late Pliocene through Holocene, with the only minor gap in the beginning of Early Pleistocene. Comprehensive studies have been carried out on the lithology, geochemistry, fauna succession and paleoenvironment reconstructions. This paper summarizes the data acquired on the geology and stratigraphy of the Tologoi section. The authors investigated the composition, structure and formation conditions of the section, as well as the intensity of weathering, rock geochemistry, grain size and biostratigraphy.

APPLICATION OF REMOTE SENSING, GIS AND DIGITAL SHORELINE ANALYSIS SYSTEM (DSAS) TO ASSESS THE CHANGES OF THE RED RIVER BANK IN THE AREA FROM SON TAY TO GIA LAM (HANOI)

In recent years, some geological hazards relating to the change of channel such as accretion, erosion and landslide of river bank on the Red River bank have occurred more frequently. In this paper, the trend and rate of the change of the Red River bank in the area from Son Tay to Gia Lam (Hanoi) were shown by using remote sensing images of the period 2007–2016, geographic information system (GIS) and Digital shoreline analysis system. The results indicate that bank erosion mainly occurred along the both sides of the Red River bank with the average erosion rate ranging from 1.5 m/yr to 3m/yr. The strongest erosion was along the left river bank in Me Linh commune, Dong Anh district. In Son Tay commune, Phuc Tho district, Vinh Phuc province, some signals of erosion process were also recorded. The accretion process had been occurring in the middle part of the river slowly with the accretion rate of 0.8–1.4 m/yr. In the result, accretion zones were formed and they were aggregated into alluvial flats. In the future, the Red river bank will continue to be changed, erosion and landslide of the channel would be considered as the major hazards in this area.

The geomorphic features of the landslide on Kuprin St. in Khmelnytskyi City

The landslide in Quaternary loess sediments occurs a balka at the Samets River left bank and is limited by Metropolitan Sheptytsky St. in the West, Kuprin St. in the North, Kuprin lane in the East (the last locates 140–250 m to the East of the plot), two ponds in the South. The elevation between Kuprin St. and ponds distinguish 42 m, the length from North to South 820 m, and the width 390 m. The exact dates of landslide shift, as well as geological, cartographic or other materials like that at the time of sliding (the end of the 1950s for the first shift and the first half of the 1970s for the second one) were not found, this research bases on reconstruction of terrain morphology by large-scale maps, plans from the late nineteenth till early twenty-first centuries. Balka’s slopes and the adjacent areas of the loess plateau undergone significant morphological changes after the landslide, modern terrain is allocated to anthropogenic surfaces, such as plane watershed, built-up without significant vertical planning; built-up terraced slopes of plateau, balkas and riverbank; three artificial terraces on the main body, as well as steep and very steep ledges and outcrops (maximum height 9 m), surfaces with mosaic combination of small terraces, flattering slopes and steep ledges, hilled surface. The landslide toe came to the flood terrace; this part of the landslide was later completely changed after construction of the dam, ponds and channel in the late 1980s. There is a connection between earlier anthropogenic terrain changes and landslide: first of all, the eastern and western scarps were connected to the ledges of quarries. The modern lower terrace has approximately the same absolute heights as level of the western quarry area before sliding. The north scarp mostly repeated the contour shape of balka but smoothed out smaller bends. In the Northeast, the landslide captured part of the plateau, the present level of the middle terrace is close to the eastern quarry level. Because of landsliding and repeated redevelopment of the territory, the situation with the slope exposures was simplified: except for the scarps, southern exposures dominate. In 2015 curved tree trunks, tilted poles, cracks and other destruction of buildings indicate the slow earthflow within the area. Key words: urban landslides, loess landslides, terrain morphology, Khmelnytskyi City.

Effect of irrigation water quality on some physiological processes and the concentrationof heavy elements in five types of cultivated plants in Nineveh province

This study was carryout at the department of Biology ,College of Education ,Mosul University .Five Plants species Eggplant (Solanum melongena ) ,Green bean (Viana radiate ) ,Green pepper (Capsicum grossum),Squash (Cucurbita moschata ), Okra (Abeiomoschus esculentus ). was taken from six different farms sites in around the left riverbank of Nineveh province .These sites are Al-Jmasa,Vally of Al-hamedea ,Uarmga , Al-mazara, Al-entesar,and Al-whda The Plants in these sites are irrigated by different sources of water like artisan wells, domestic influent and combined domestic influent and industrial wastes water. The results of current revealed that there was a significant decrease in the relative water content and the degree of stability of cytoplasmic membrane and significant increase in proline in the plants leaf tissues. As well an increase in the concentrations of heavy metals (cu, zn) in the different parts of plants at the farms of Uarmga , Al-mazara, Al-entesar,and Al-whda, Which were irrigated by the domestic, or domestic and industrial wastes water. where significant increase in the relative water content and the degree of stability of cytoplasmic membrane and significant decrease in proline in the plants leaf tissues and in the concentrations of (cu, zn) in the 2 parts in plants of the Al-Jmasa and Vally Al-hamedea farms that were irrigated by the wall water in comparison with other areas irrigated by other water sources.

Dynamics and sources of pharmaceutically active compounds in a coastal Mediterranean river during heavy rains.

Concentrations of pharmaceutically active compounds (PACs) in freshwater systems depend on numerous factors such as land use and hydrometeorological conditions. In the Mediterranean, heavy rain events are of particular importance as they highly influence the concentration of micropollutants found in freshwater and are a source of recurrent first foul flushes due to combined sewer overflows (CSOs). In this study, we seek to assess the dynamics of pharmaceuticals during storm events in coastal Mediterranean rivers at a fine scale and to determine their contribution to multicontamination phenomena owing to CSOs. Our results showed that, while dissolved PACs followed the same trend as other contaminants, i.e., they increased significantly during CSOs, PACs in the total fraction did not peak yet maintained their already high concentrations for slightly longer due to their release via CSOs. Pharmaceutical concentrations for both the dissolved and the total fraction were dramatically diluted during the peak river flow. A fine-scale follow-up of PACs dynamics in the total fraction, including the differentiation of sewer overflows from both the right and left river banks, as well as the analyses of a large amount of PACs molecules, allowed us to clearly identify their major sources. While domestic inputs were dominated by nicotine and caffeine, the use of gadolinium (an MRI contrast agent) as a marker, attributed the main source of medical drugs such as tramadol, ibuprofen, and diclofenac to the major public hospital of the region. Thus, identifying major sources of PACs and implementing adapted water treatments directly at those sources would be the most cost-efficient alternative to cope with pharmaceutical drugs in coastal Mediterranean aquatic environments. Moreover, PACs behavior differed depending on the molecules considered and the source of these molecules, but we could not establish a direct link between their behavior and their chemical or physical properties. Our study highlights the importance of monitoring at strategic locations and with a high frequency sampling in order to better understand fate, sources, and behavior of pharmaceuticals in aquatic environments.

Peculiarities of Scythian Women’s Costumes at Sula River Lands

Scythia was inhabited by multi-ethnic tribes, as both written documents, and archaeological research evidence. Ethnographic peculiarities of the population in various regions are reflected in costumes, namely in women’s costumes. Adornments of various categories played a significant role. Aesthetic and symbolic stress was put on them, as permanent combinations of decorative elements show chronological, ethno-local, social, and age peculiarities of costumes. Dresses of Archaic period, based on findings from the 6th century BC burials, contained neck decorations made of semiprecious stones or glassy substance, as well as bracelets, anklets, and pins made mostly of bronze. There are two variants of costume assemblages in the 5th century BC: 1) earrings, necklaces, bracelets-bonds; 2) earrings, beads of glassy substance, pins, and anklets. The latter, or anklets, together with «turbinate» earrings, massive pins with reticulated ornament, ring-shaped pendants with pendants and «microstrobiles» on outer surface, as well as figure-of-eight buckles are peculiar exactly for the Sula River region. The 4th century BC adornments combinations include: 1) earrings, necklaces, and bracelets; 2) earrings, necklaces, and pins. The sets remind of the assemblages of the nomad Scythian aristocratic women. Namely, women were not wearing anklets any more, rings are found rarely in jewellery assemblages, and Hellenic adornments became of fashion. Because the written materials are not available for the researchers and art pieces are few, the reconstruction of all components of the women’s costumes in the Dnipro River left bank forest-steppe region can be made with certain hypothetic tolerances. The main source for the dresses’ reconstruction are golden applications and other costume accessories. Comprehensive and comparative research methods of decorative elements and fragments of headdresses, clothes, and shoes allowed the author to present the versions of their reconstructions.

13th—14th Century Forge Shop in Vorskla River Region

The article presents the remains of production facilities discovered during excavations on the territory of Hlynske archaeological assemblage. The object is interpreted as the 13th—14th centuries smithy. This is indicated by the construction features of a structure, the heating facilities, traces of a craftsman’s place, as well as findings of finished, half-finished, and waste products. The conclusions on the objects’ function resulting from the excavations are also confirmed by the analysis of charcoal. On a whole, the assemblage contained about 60 different items and workpieces, as well as 90 units of production waste. Building features and findings’ specificity indicate a workplace of a universal blacksmith. An assemblage studied extends and complements the database for the study the blacksmith in the post-Mongolian period on the Dnipro River left bank region.

The dynamics of mercury near Idrija mercury mine, Slovenia: Horizontal and vertical distributions of total, methyl, and ethyl mercury concentrations in soils

The distributions of the total mercury (T-Hg), methylmercury (MeHg), and ethylmercury (EtHg) concentrations in soil and their relationship to chemical composition of the soil and total organic carbon content (TOC, %) were investigated. Core samples were collected from hill slope on the right and left riverbanks of the Idrija River. Former smelting plant is located on the right bank. The T-Hg average in each of the core samples ranged from 0.25 to 1650 mg kg−1. The vertical T-Hg variations in the samples from the left bank showed no significant change with depth. Conversely, the T-Hg varied with depth, with the surface, or layers several centimeters from the surface, tending to show the highest values in the samples from the right bank. Since the right and left bank soils have different chemical compositions, different pathways of mercury delivery into soils were suggested. The MeHg and EtHg concentrations ranged from n.d. (not detected) to 444 μg kg−1 and n.d. to 17.4 μg kg−1, respectively. The vertical variations of MeHg and EtHg were similar to those of TOC, except for the near-surface layers containing TOC greater than 20%. These results suggest that the decomposition of organic matter is closely related to organic mercury formation.

The mitochondrial ancestor of bonobos and the origin of their major haplogroups.

We report here where the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of bonobos (Pan paniscus) ranged and how they dispersed throughout their current habitat. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecular dating to analyze the time to MRCA (TMRCA) and the major mtDNA haplogroups of wild bonobos were performed using new estimations of divergence time of bonobos from other Pan species to investigate the dispersal routes of bonobos over the forest area of the Congo River’s left bank. The TMRCA of bonobos was estimated to be 0.64 or 0.95 million years ago (Ma). Six major haplogroups had very old origins of 0.38 Ma or older. The reconstruction of the ancestral area revealed the mitochondrial ancestor of the bonobo populations ranged in the eastern area of the current bonobos’ habitat. The haplogroups may have been formed from either the riparian forests along the Congo River or the center of the southern Congo Basin. Fragmentation of the forest refugia during the cooler periods may have greatly affected the formation of the genetic structure of bonobo populations.

New data on microbiota of the Middle Volgian substage in the Loino Section (Kirov oblast)

The calcareous nannoplankton was established for the first time in Upper Volgian deposits of the Loino Section (Kirov oblast). Here, single coccolites of representatives of genus Watznaueria of wide stratigraphic and geographic distributions dominate. Representatives of genus Zuegrhabdotus are less common, whereas species of genus Polypodorhabdus are rare. The taxonomic composition of the calcareous nannoplankton assemblage does not allow us to distinguish the nannoplankton zone in the Loino Section, but it gives us an idea about its distribution at the Volgian Stage in the Russian Plate. As corresponding microfauna, foraminifers, assigned to the Lenticulina infravolgaensis–Saracenaria pravoslavlevi Zone, and ostracods were identified to substantiate the age of host deposits. The ostracod assemblage is assigned to the Macrodentina (Polydentina) subtriangularis Beds established on the Volga River left bank in deposits corresponding to the ammonite zones Panderi and Virgatus assigned to the middle Volgian substage. On the basis of ostracods, the warm-water well-aerating environment of the upper sublittoral (as deep as 50 m) was reconstructed.

Ландшафтне різноманіття та різноманіття ландшафтної структури мішанолісових комплексів лівобережної території України (на прикладі тестової ділянки дослідження)

The purpose of this article is directed to the characterization of the key features and results of the landscape diversity and diversity of the landscape genetic-morphological structure metrization within the mixed-forest complexes of the Dnipro River left bank territory of Ukraine on the example of the tested research area for the needs of future landscape-planning tools elaboration and implementation in the region. The definition of “landscape diversity” and its initial concept are briefly depictured in this article. For the reason of solving the key goal, much emphasis has been placed on the mathematical notations according to which the landscape diversity was established. The metrization of the landscape diversity was done on the example of the tested area situated in the north part of Novgorod-Siversk physiographic region by using the proposed algorithm, and a group of methodical approaches and principles that helped to distinguish the specific features, and by using the group of structural block parameters. Much of the efforts have been tailored to specify the landscape diversity of the tested area by using such parameters as taxonomic and typological, horologic and topologic, individual topologic diversity, integral level of structure complicacy, taxonomic presentation, taxonomic dispersion, and entropy; their development specificity. The results of analysis are visualized in a form of mapping model and graphical models. Also, an emphasis is placed on the opportunity of using obtained results for the landscape planning tools vali-dation. Key words: landscape diversity, landscape structure, mixed-forest complex, mathematical notation, parameter.

Assessment of groundwater impact on water quality in the built-up areas at the Lower Don

The impact is assessed that the groundwater flow from the built-up areas on the left bank of the Don River in the Rostov oblast produces on the chemical composition and quality of surface water in the lower river reaches. It is demonstrated that the total average annual groundwater flow from the built-up areas on the left river bank is very small and equals 0.002 km3/year on average or 0.01% of the average annual water flow in the estuarine outlet. Despite the rather high degree of contamination of groundwater and the high content of principal ions, this causes the insignificant impact of groundwater runoff on water quality in the Lower Don. The average total mass of substances that annually come from the left-bank urbanized areas in the groundwater flow is about 4.9 x 103 t or 0.04% of total mass of substances transported by the Don River to the Taganrog Bay.

Soil, bark and leaf trace metal loads related to the war legacy (The Prašnik rainforest, Croatia)

As a special forest vegetation reserve, the Prašnik rain forest is a highly protected area which owes its protection not only to a unique composition of trees, but also to its geographical position and, to an extent, historical events. It is situated on the Sava River left bank, north of the city of Stara Gradiška (cca. 3 km). The study area belongs to the southwestern part of Pannonian Basin, specifically the Sava Depression. The aim of this study was to assess a possible impact of war activities in Croatia (23 years ago) when numerous mines were laid in this region and to establish a major and trace metal baseline concentrations for future investigations. Ten topsoil (S) samples were taken randomly with adjacent vegetation (bark and leaves) at each site. Major and trace metal concentrations were measured for all three types of samples using the ICP method. Analysed soils are composed of quartz, micaceous mineral, 14Å mineral, plagioclase and mixed layer minerals. All metal values in the sample taken from an ex-mine crater are 2-4 times higher compared to other. Generally, positive statistically significant Kendall’s Tau correlation coefficients of trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn) were found for all combinations of the S (soil), B (bark), and L (leaf) groups. Such results indicate that the war activity have played a certain role in a distribution pattern of soil as well as vegetative trace metal levels.

Permafrost and groundwater settings at the site of “Kraton-3” peaceful underground nuclear explosion (Yakutia), from TEM data

Geological and geophysical interpretation of TEM data has revealed changes to the subsurface from the “Kraton-3” peaceful underground nuclear explosion (PUNE). The explosion was conducted on 24 August 1978 at a depth of 577 m in Middle Cambrian limestone on the eastern periphery of the Tunguska basin (Western Yakutia). The site is located in an area of 100 to 300 m thick permafrost and pressurized aquifers with Na-Ca-Cl brines (up to 400 g/l TDS) and cryopegs. The “Kraton-3” epicenter is only 160 m away from a fault emerging along the Markha River.TEM responses collected at 22 stations along three profiles image a layered-earth background resistivity pattern. The highly resistive uppermost layer, ~150–200 m thick, consists of perennially frozen ice-rich rocks. Dry permafrost on watersheds of the Markha right side reaches 1200 ohm⋅m, while the hypsometrically lower frozen ground along the fault is 10 to 40 times less resistive. That is exactly the place of the PUNE epicenter, and the resistivity lows may record permafrost degradation and taliks (unfrozen layers).The layers below are conductive and correspond to Upper Cambrian and Middle Cambrian (I) aquifers with brines. The top of the Upper Cambrian aquifer along the central profile is highly variable in depth, especially along the fault on the river left bank. The data indicate a local groundwater anomaly above the explosion: the Middle Cambrian I brines, which show up as a conductor in the resistivity pattern, become ~300 m shallower, most likely rising along the rubble chimney above the UNE containment cavity; the lateral extent of the anomaly reaches 400 m. There may exist paths for mass and heat transport maintained by pressurized brines in the system “containment cavity–rubble chimney–fault zone–ground surface”.

Restricted natural hybridization between two species of litter frogs on a threatened landscape in southwestern Brazilian Amazonia

Natural hybridization between allopatric species following secondary contact has been poorly documented for Neotropical anurans inhabiting the Amazonian lowlands. We conducted a genetic survey across a contact zone between two species of litter frogs, Allobates hodli and Allobates femoralis (family Dendrobatidae), located on the left riverbank of the upper Madeira River, State of Rondonia, Brazil. We obtained tissue samples from 11 sampling sites on both riverbanks, covering approximately a 400 km long transect. We evaluated the genetic relationships between samples using haplotype networks and a distance-based phylogenetic tree obtained from a dataset of 16S rRNA mtDNA sequences. Estimates of genetic diversity, population structure, and the identification of sites where genetic admixture occurred were carried out by means of frequency-based methods and Bayesian inference on mtDNA and a set of four microsatellite loci, including samples collected throughout the study area. A reduced dataset including only microsatellite loci genotyped from samples on the left riverbank was applied in assignment tests for detecting levels of admixture at the contact zone and adjacent sampling sites, and for detecting and quantifying hybrid individuals. Our results suggest that genetic introgression between A. hodli and A. femoralis is restricted to the core area of the contact zone, where potential hybrids are less frequent than parental genotypes. Effects on the genetic variability of adjacent populations are only detected at sites located 1.5 km downstream and upstream of the core area, suggesting the existence of selection against hybrids, possibly mediated by postzygotic isolation mechanisms. The contact zone between A. femoralis and A. hodli is the first well delimited suture line between anuran species ever documented in the Brazilian Amazon. The settlement of two dams along the upper Madeira River poses an immediate threat to the gene flow and hybridization balance observed between the populations studied. Our results provided guidelines for a current monitoring program, aiming at the impacts of dams on this evolutionary system’s dynamics.

Evaluation of boron loading to soil profile for basin-scale by using TETrans in irrigated areas

The research study was carried out in an area of 1500 ha located in Ankara-Kesikkopru Plain left river bank irrigation area. TETrans computer model which is a one dimensional solution transfer model was used in order to determine boron content of the soil profile and groundwater. Boron content which has accumulated in the soil profile between in 2000 to 2002 was estimated in order to determine the potential risk that may occur in the next 10 years. Measured soil boron levels and boron levels estimated from the model were statistically compared. It was seen that the relationship between the estimated levels and measured levels is significant. Results obtained were used as a database in Geographical Information System and alteration maps were prepared for soils that may be formed in time. According to research study results, it was seen that, as long as the present conditions throughout the plain continue, there would be a boron problem to a significant level in the future. Pollution maps that are obtained will help executive and decision-making units in displaying more clearly the problem which may occur in the future and preparing action plans. Key words: Trace element transport computer, geographical information system, soil and water resources, socio-economical development.

Network analysis of container barge transport in the port of Antwerp by means of simulation

Inland navigation plays an important role in the hinterland access of the port of Antwerp. In this paper alternative bundling strategies for container barge transport in the port of Antwerp are analyzed. Four alternative hub scenarios are simulated and compared with the current situation with respect to the operational characteristics of the network. Discrete event simulation is used to analyze the impact on waiting times and capacity utilization at potential hubs and at sea terminals. The hub scenarios under investigation are the organization of an intermodal barge hub on the right river bank, an intermodal hub on the left river bank, a first multihub scenario with a local collection/distribution network and a potentially improved multihub scenario taking into account the specific structure of the port of Antwerp. The second multihub scenario offers most opportunities for reducing the turnaround time of all inland terminals. All hub scenarios lead to important efficiency improvements in the handling of barges at sea terminals.

Quantitative Post-Release Evaluation of Biological Control of Floating Fern,Salvinia molestaD.S. Mitchell (Salviniaceae), withCyrtobagous salviniaeCalder and Sands (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on the Senegal River and Senegal River Delta

The floating aquatic fern, Salvinia molesta D.S Mitchell (Salviniaceae) was first recorded in Senegal in 1999 and by 2000 it covered an estimated area of 18 000 ha on the Senegal River Left Bank and tributaries (Senegal) and 7840 ha on the Senegal River Right Bank (Mauritania). The weevil, Cyrtobagous salviniae Calder and Sands (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was considered the best option for control and some 48 953 weevils were released at 270 sites during 2002. Within one year, weevils had established and were recovered up to 50 km from the release sites. At most of the release sites, the S. molesta infestation was reduced from 100% to less than 5% within 24 months of release. These results are discussed in the context of the weed's negative impact on aquatic systems.

DEPÓSITOS DE ARGILA ORGÂNICA MOLE – UM EXEMPLO EXTREMO NA BACIA DO RIO BARIGUI

The Barigui River is a tributary of the Iguaçu River, located at Parana State, Brazil. This river is the main waterstream of the Metropolitan Area of Curitiba, Southern Brazil. In the flood plain of the Barigui River final stretch,nearby its delta at the Iguaçu River, very soft organic clay deposits are found. The region suffered until someyears ago predatory mining activities of both clay and sand, for construction material purposes. Consequently,a degradation process took place resulting in lack of vegetation, excavation open pits and random materialsdump areas. Simultaneously several engineering activities have been installed along the river banks such as thePetrobras Oil Refinery (located at the right bank), the Santa Rita Rural Subdivision, the CIC Sewage TreatmentPlant of the State owned company Sanepar, the Bolívia-Brazil Gas Pipeline (Gasbol) and the Rio Bonito HousingDevelopment (all located along the left bank). The flood plain area considered herein is located on the river leftbank, encompassing approximately an area of 500 m wide by 1000 m long. This paper describes the geologicaland geotechnical characteristics of the flood plain area, presenting results of several soil tests. A discussion aboutsome practical experiences, including engineering difficulties and solutions implemented during the constructionof the facilities above described, are shown. This paper concludes that even though the local organic clay depositsare very soft and compressible, this natural material of the Barigui River flood plain area presents uniqueengineering behavior, much more complex than well known problematic soils.