Geological Research Research Articles

Computer modeling of the interaction of the building underground part with the soil foundation during the karst cavity formation on the example of the administrative and business center construction

In restrained urban conditions of Moscow, the accomplishment of complex urban construction projects is complicated by the choice of construction sites, as well as by lack of methods for computer modeling of the interaction of high-rise and unique buildings and structures with the probable formation of karst cavities in the current regulatory documents. The overall profitability of the project is under the great impact of it, therefore a reliable accounting of karts-suffusion processes is a priority issue in designing buildings and structures, especially if it concerns the unique and high-rise ones. The authors analyze the results of the calculations of the forecast assessment of the impact of a karst cavity probable formation on the subsurface parts of building of the administrative and business center construction in flat and spatial formulation. In spatial formulation different positions of the potential karst cavities are considered; their locations were chosen according to standard procedures and were guided by the results of geological and geophysical research. It has been reviewed the formation of arch over a karst cavity in a 2D and 3D formulation in the condition of different location of the karst cavities in plan and by depth of occurrence. It has been made methodological recommendations for determining the predicted bore of the karst cavity, for taking into account the frame stiffness of the aboveground part of the building, for defining the principles of a karst cavity modeling, as well as for the choice of assessment criteria of stability of cover mass above the potential cavity. The discovered differences in the results of 2D and 3D settings permit to make a conclusion that solving the problem in a flat formulation contributes to the overestimation of karst processes danger and, therefore, to the excess in anti-karst measures included in the project.

International experience in institutional support for geological study and use of subsoil

Relevance. Mineral resource management is key to the mining industry’s contribution to the sustainable development of countries by ensuring that citizens receive maximum benefits from mineral development and extraction. The transformation of scarce resources into economic growth and social development is best achieved through their sustainable extraction and processing within the framework of effective policies set by the government and proper institutional support. On the other hand, ineffective management of mineral development, inflexible institutions and organizations that are not responsive to the needs of society can lead to a huge number of negative consequences. The need for a more in-depth study of the institutional basis that ensures efficient subsoil use determined the choice of the topic of this article. The purpose of the work is to analyze international experience in institutional support for geological study and use of subsoil. Methods. In the process of research, general scientific and special methods of scientific knowledge were used, namely: analysis and synthesis, comparison, systematization, generalization, grouping, abstraction. Results of work and its scope. In the course of the study, the theoretical essence of the concept of “institutional support for subsoil use” was considered. Based on the study of international experience, two types of models for organizing the institutional environment in the field of study and use of natural resources have been identified: active and passive. The article pays detailed attention to the active model, considers its subject composition and highlights its distinctive features. Using the examples of Romania, Sweden and Mexico, the features of the implementation of the active model in practice are analyzed. The results obtained can be used by the country’s government agencies to improve management institutions in the field of subsoil use. Conclusion. The variety of public subsoil management systems used by different countries of the world makes it possible to enrich knowledge in this industry and identify the best practices in the application of methods and mechanisms for managing the institutional support of geological subsoil research with a view to their possible adaptation to use in the Russian Federation.

Extract and analysis of surface deformation caused by Mengyuan earthquake in Qinghai using ascending and descending tracks D-InSAR technology

Precision in uncovering the seismic source mechanism and conducting a thorough monitoring of deformation characteristics resulting from surface rupture is of paramount importance for geological comprehension, disaster management, and emergency response. This study employs both ascending and descending orbit Sentinel-1 data to capture the horizontal and vertical deformation traits of the Ms6.9 earthquake in Menyuan, Qinghai, on January 8, 2022, consequently exposing its seismogenic structure. The research outcomes suggest: the Menyuan earthquake generated an elliptical deformation zone measuring 30 × 20 km, with the maximum line-of-sight seismic displacement reaching 6.8 cm. And then, the vertical deformation field exhibited a range between -0.28 m and 0.42 m, while the horizontal deformation field ranged from -0.89 m to 0.94 m. This indicates that the earthquake's deformation is primarily oriented in the east-west direction. The left plate exhibited an upward trend with a NWW orientation, while the right plate displayed a downward trend with a SEE orientation, suggesting that the Menyuan earthquake can be classified as a "NWW-SEE" type. Furthermore, the seismic epicenter of this earthquake was predominantly concentrated in the western segment of the Lenglongling Fault. Two powerful earthquakes sequentially struck along this fault zone, intensifying the imperative for seismic geological research in the region. Additionally, this instance can serve as a benchmark for monitoring deformations and elucidating the seismic source mechanism in earthquakes with comparable seismogenic structures.

3d model of Medova cave, Lviv

The purpose of this article is to present and provide a detailed analysis of the 3D model of the Medova Cave in Lviv, created using laser scanning technology. The main objectives include revealing the accuracy and detailing the obtained model, as well as determining its potential applications in various fields such as geological research, scientific exploration, cultural heritage, and tourism. Additionally, the article aims to emphasize the importance and advantages of using laser scanning for creating precise and realistic 3D cave models, opening new possibilities for the study and preservation of natural unique formations. Method. The article describes the methodology used to create a 3D model of the Medova Cave, which involves several key steps. Firstly, a thorough reconnaissance of the cave is conducted to identify technical and logistical aspects such as temperature, humidity, movement restrictions, and lighting that are necessary for the scan. Next, ground-based laser scanning is employed, proving effective in conditions of complete darkness and limited space, to ensure accurate data collection regarding the cave's geometry. Reflective markers are strategically placed inside the cave before scanning, facilitating efficient scanning and alignment of scans. Specialized equipment such as GNSS receivers (Trimble R7) and ground-based laser scanners (Faro Focus 3D 120) are utilized for data collection. Software tools like Faro Scene are used for stitching together scans into a unified 3D point cloud model during data processing. Finally, the accuracy of marker connections is analyzed to ensure high-quality registration, and the 3D model is constructed. Detailed 3D models, including textured models and cross-sections for visualizing the internal structure of the cave, were constructed using software such as Move. Results. The research on the Medova Cave, employing ground-based laser scanning, yielded an accurate and detailed 3D model of the cave. This model opens new perspectives for geological and geomorphological studies, tourism development, and cultural heritage preservation. The use of advanced scanning technologies allowed for a comprehensive representation of the cave's geometric features, considering its complex structure and varied dimensions. Scientific novelty and practical significance. The creation of the 3D model of the Medova cave using laser scanning signifies progress in cave geometry studies. The innovation lies in the utilization of advanced laser scanning technologies to ensure a detailed representation of the cave's geometric features, accounting for its complex structure and diverse dimensions. The novelty also lies in the development of a data collection and processing strategy in conditions of complete darkness and limited cave space, resulting in an accurate and realistic 3D model. Practically, the 3D model of the Medova Cave serves as a crucial tool for geological and geomorphological research and the exploration of unique natural formations. The model opens new opportunities for tourism development, where virtual cave exploration can provide a unique experience for visitors. Creating this 3D model is a significant step in preserving and documenting cultural heritage, contributing to the scientific and cultural development of the region, and providing access to unique objects for researchers and the public.

Sedimentation Processes and the Holocene Evolution of the Indigirka Paleovalley (Coastal Shelf Area of the East Siberian Sea)

Problems of the paleogeographical evolution and changes in sedimentation environment within the Indigirka River paleovalley (the East Siberian Sea) are discussed. Based on the results of geophysical and geological research and a high-resolution study of sediment cores (grain size analysis, geochemistry, macro- and micropaleontology, pollen analysis, radiocarbon dating) the development of the Holocene marine transgression has been reconstructed, sedimentation rates have been calculated, and the basic principles of changes in sedimentation processes have been established.

Readings on Evolution and the Nature of Science: One Christian’s Perspective

Readings on Evolution and the Nature of Science: One Christian’s Perspective

Mercury in geological materials from Bulgaria: Significance, applications, new analytical capabilities, and initial results

The chemical properties of mercury (Hg) such as volatility, organic affinity, multiple oxidation states and extreme biotoxicity, determine its various industrial applications, but also health hazard concerns. Mercury data on geologic materials are important for characterizing the main sources and sinks of Hg, for tracking volcanic activity in the geology past, for refining regional and global stratigraphic correlations, and for minimizing anthropogenic mercury emissions. Newly obtained Hg and CHNS analyzers available at the Geological Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, facilitate new geologic and environmental research in Bulgaria. Here we show initial results for the accuracy and precision of our Hg analyses based on repeated measurements of certified reference material NIST 2702 and identify avenues for further analytical improvements. The encouraging results allow for the initiation of diverse geological and ecological studies that are needed, but currently lacking in Bulgaria.

Study of a Low-Cost Method for Estimating Energy Fuel Resources in Anthropogenic Sediments

Abstract In 2021, at the request of PJSC “Dnepropetrovsk Coke Plant”, city Kamianske, we conducted research at the facility where coke-chemical waste is stored on one of the coal waste collectors. The study area was 9.37 ha. The research subject was anthropogenic formations, which were formed due to the storage of coal-floated sediments on the company’s premises. The research aimed to determine the characteristics and analysis of the quantity and quality of coal accumulations, determine the retention of the insulating layer and its composition, and create maps of the quality and capacity of accumulated anthropogenic sediments. The ordering company decided to use both – the latest ground penetration technology and the traditional methods of drilling and laboratory, thanks to which an unusually large number of parameters were obtained and processed during the research process. Similar research was conducted on other industrial facilities, but to a much lesser extent; since we have implemented a combined, comprehensive methodology for the assessment of anthropogenic deposits, because of which the effectiveness of geological research and economic assessment increased, the time of conducting research shortened to 40-45 calendar days, and the cost of such tests decreased five times. At this stage, some things could be improved in the methodology, such as imperfection of the mathematical model and methodology of statistical data processing. These errors will be eliminated during further modelling work under the prepared implementation plan for the tested methodology.

Monitoring of recent crustal movements in the region of western Bulgaria. Results from 2023

The region of west Bulgaria and especially southwest Bulgaria is geodynamically active region due to the large number of active faults. The observation of geodynamic processes using GNSS measurements in the area has been going on for more than 26 years involving 38 stations. This article shows the latest results of the monitoring of modern crustal movements in the area. Presently, 26 points are measured, 10 of them newly added. GNSS data obtained from periodic campaign measurements between 1997 and 2023 are processed and analyzed to obtain the result of points movements geodynamic network and deformation accumulation. As a result of many years of periodic measurements, much more accurate and reliable results for point velocities are obtained. The velocity rates are between 1–2 mm/y in the north and 3–4 mm/y in the southernmost part of the area. The new results clearly confirm this as well as the extensive movement of southwestern Bulgaria to the south. The results obtained from the addition of 10 new points and the expansion of the network provide better and more detailed information and can be used for detailed geodynamic and geological research of the active tectonics in the area.

Foraminifera: A Proxy for Ecology, Climate Change and Its Associated Hydro−Environment

Paleocanography, the study of ancient oceans, relies heavily on a wide range of proxies and methodologies to reconstruct past oceanic conditions. Among these tools, foraminifera, microscopic marine organisms with calcium carbonate shells, have played a pivotal role. Over the years, researchers have harnessed the insights provided by foraminifera to unlock the secrets of Earth's oceans throughout geological history. This comprehensive review explores the various ways in which foraminifera have been employed in paleocanography, shedding light on past climate, ocean circulation, ecology, and more. The application of foraminifera represents a sustainable approach with far-reaching implications for environmental, ecological, and geological research. Foraminifera, microscopic marine protists characterized by calcium carbonate shells, serve as valuable indicators of past and present environmental conditions. They are instrumental in the fields of paleoecology, stratigraphy, environmental impact studies, and ocean acidification research. This abstract highlights the sustainable aspect of using foraminifera as bioindicators to assess the health of marine ecosystems, monitor climate change, and investigate the impact of human activities. By providing insights into the past and present, foraminifera contribute to informed decision-making in conservation, resource management, and addressing critical environmental challenges. Their application stands as a testament to the enduring value of these microorganisms in understanding and safeguarding our planet's natural resources and ecosystems, exemplifying the sustainability of scientific research driven by a profound respect for the Earth's history and future well-being.

Research on a High-Performance Rock Image Classification Method

Efficient and convenient rock image classification methods are important for geological research. They help in identifying and categorizing rocks based on their physical and chemical properties, which can provide insights into their geological history, origin, and potential uses in various applications. The classification and identification of rocks often rely on experienced and knowledgeable professionals and are less efficient. Fine-grained rock image classification is a challenging task because of the inherent subtle differences between highly confusing categories, which require a large number of data samples and computational resources, resulting in low recognition accuracy, and are difficult to apply in mobile scenarios, requiring the design of a high-performance image processing classification architecture. In this paper we design a knowledge distillation and high-accuracy feature localization comparison network (FPCN)-based learning architecture for generating small high-performance rock image classification models. Specifically, for a pair of images, we interact with the feature vectors generated from the localized feature maps to capture common and unique features, let the network focus on more complementary information according to the different scales of the objects, and then the important features of the images learned in this way are made available for the micro-model to learn the critical information for discrimination via model distillation. The proposed method improves the accuracy of the micro-model by 3%.

Editorial for Advances in Geological and Geotechnical Engineering Research: Vol. 5 Issue 4 (2023)

Editorial for Advances in Geological and Geotechnical Engineering Research: Vol. 5 Issue 4 (2023)

Towards a combined human-natural system approach in the Northern Red Sea Region: Ecological challenges, sustainable development, and community engagement

The northern Red Sea coastal ecosystem is one of the most diverse coastal ecosystems in the world. Fortunately, it has shown extraordinary resilience against climate change and is predicted to survive global warming during the coming decades. However, with warming waters, increased sediment and pollutants, and other human impacts, the ecosystem and consequently thriving reef tourism which forms a pillar of the ongoing economic diversification policies of the northern Red Sea region are under threat. A variety of evidence indicates significant damage has already been done to terrestrial and ocean ecosystems on both sides of the northern Red Sea. Expenditures on ecosystem protection and research lag behind Egypt’s billions in USD revenue from tourism. Unfortunately, the economic drive to generate profit has resulted in sprawling touristic, industrial, and mixed development without careful planning or assessment of the fragility and sustainability of the natural ecosystem. As a result, the future of coastal urban growth is murky. Given its natural, social, and touristic value, the northern Red Sea system requires a special ecological security system with detailed analysis, inclusive development, and proactive governance across coastal cities and their adjacent inland secondary cities. This study identifies the geological research gaps, human-ecological interactions, inclusive urban development challenges, and related literature pertaining to the northern Red Sea. We propose immediate, targeted, multidisciplinary research trajectories and provide policy recommendations to ensure that the region's existing and future developmental pursuits are undertaken in an environmentally sustainable and inclusive approach.

Numerical simulation of ore formation within skarn-type Pb-Zn deposits: Implications for mineral exploration and the duration of ore-forming processes

Skarn-type deposits are typical hydrothermal mineral deposits distributed throughout the world with multiple metal resources and huge economic value. However, their extremely complex forming processes hinder us from further understanding their forming mechanism and exploring their economic potential. This study builds an integrated and simplified model of skarn-type Pb-Zn deposits and applies numerical simulation approach to quantitatively describe the formation of mineralization, analyzing the continuous dynamic changes of the concentrations of generated garnet, diopside and galena/sphalerite within the system. This numerical model includes chemical reactions, heat conduction, fluid-flow, materials migration and diffusion and their complex coupled relationships. The results show that the alterations at the contact of wall rocks and intrusions have clear zoning of garnet and diopside, and the amount of diopside exceeds that of garnet at the distal end of the generated alteration zone; the generation processes of garnet, diopside and galena/sphalerite follows a strict chronological order, controlling the variation of rock porosity; the cooling process of P3 (Fig. 4b) from 700 °C to 170 °C costs 55,000 years, within which the formation of galena/sphalerite merely lasts 30,000 years, meaning that the effective lifespan of Pb/Zn mineralization takes up only 54.54 % of the whole 55,000 years. All these results provide useful information for metallogenic research of skarn-type Pb-Zn deposits as well as magmatic-hydrothermal system. However, the method applied in this research still has limitations, such as the restriction from the single-period magmatic activity, the law of mass action, and the simplified chemical equations. Future development into both mathematical geosciences and geological analytical tests will definitely provide more appropriate calculation models and testing data with higher precision, improving the accuracy and practical significance of numerical simulation of ore formation, and providing more detailed quantitative answers for remaining hot issues related to economic geology research.

Long-term performance of simultaneous measurement of stable isotopes of oxygen and carbon in cellulose with a high-temperature pyrolysis/gas chromatography/isotope ratio mass spectrometry system at the Institute for Geological and Geochemical Research

AbstractA high-temperature pyrolysis/gas chromatography/isotope ratio mass spectrometry system was established at the Institute for Geological and Geochemical Research in 2013. A dedicated field of application of the system is the simultaneous measurement of stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios in the cellulose of modern, relict and subfossil plant tissues and sediments. The measurement protocol was fine-tuned during the first year of operation and documented in detail in this report. To quantify the long-term reproducibility of the simultaneous measurement of stable isotopes of oxygen and carbon in cellulose, a 2σ range inferred from repeated measurements of a Quality Assurance standard can be recommended: 0.16 and 0.20‰, for δ13C and δ18O, respectively. An extensive set of samples with known pyrolysis-based δ13C data was analyzed in combustion mode and the paired results were used to assess the necessity of adjustment of the pyrolysis-based δ13C measurements. The variances of the two datasets were not significantly different; the slope (intercept) of the regression was indistinguishable from unity (zero), suggesting that probably owing to the relatively frequent cleaning of the pyrolysis furnace, pyrolysis-based δ13C data neither suffer from a variance bias nor require a specific adjustment.

Chinese mineral question and answering system based on knowledge graph

Mineral knowledge acquisition is indispensable in geological research. Currently, mineral knowledge can be acquired though a search engine like Google, or though some mineral databases. But usually, the answers from the search engines are not professional enough, and the mineral databases cannot answer the questions input in natural language. In this paper, a Chinese mineral question and answering system based on knowledge graph is proposed with the aim of answering the mineral questions in Chinese natural language professionally, accurately and efficiently. Two deep learning models based on BERT are built to obtain mineral entities and relationships to construct the mineral knowledge graph. After the mineral knowledge graph is constructed, accordingly question templates are defined and another deep learning model based on BERT is built to recognize the intent and the entity/attribute of the input question. The query statement is generated according to the question template pre-defined and is input to the mineral knowledge graph constructed. Then the answer to the question is returned by the knowledge graph. The knowledge graph we constructed has 22,568 entities and 91,699 relationships, which is richer than most of the geological knowledge graph. The question and answering system achieve a 91.2% accuracy on the 2,000 test questions.

NEW DATA ON GEOLOGY AND PALAEOGEOGRAPHICAL EVOLUTION OF THE SOUTHERN EAST SIBERIAN SEA

The paper deals with the results of geological and geophysical research of shallow-water areas of the East Siberian Sea, started in 2018 in the frame of State Geological Mapping project (Geological Map of 1 : 1 000 000 scale) and continued in 2022 under support of the Russian Science Foundation project. The seismostratigraphic scheme of the Quaternary sediment sequence is compiled, and the conception of the palaeogeographical evolution in the Late Pleistocene-Holocene is proposed.

Characteristics of Stratigraphy and sedimentation of the Phu Khanh Basin and adjacent area

The Phu Khanh Sedimentary Basin is situated in the deep-water offshore area, east of the continental shelf of Central Vietnam. This area is said to have quite good oil and gas potential, but very few geological and petroleum research projects have been carried out in the past. In this article, the authors update new research results based on new seismic interpretation and well data conducted in recent years. The obtained results show that: Stratigraphy of the Phu Khanh Basin was subdivided into 5 large sequences, including: a. Eocene(?)/Oligocene unit is mainly clastic sediments of fluvial/lacustrine, delta plain and marine environments, b. Lower Miocene stratigraphy: Includes deltaic clastic sediments and shelfal carbonates; c. Middle Miocene stratigraphy: includes delta-plain, shallow marine terrigenous sediments and shelfal carbonate, d. Upper Miocene and Pliocene - Quaternary units include continental shelf and deep-sea terrigenous sediments. Each unit of stratigraphy and corresponding sedimentary environment is related to each stage of the geological and tectonic evolution of the basin. In general, the trend changes from the fluvial/lacustrine environment to the deltaic, shelfal and deep marine environments upward. Establishing the names of the formations and the presence of the Eocene sedimentary rocks in the Phu Khanh Basin is still an open issue. More detailed data, especially well data, are needed to obtain a more convincing interpretation.

Intelligent Lithology Identification Methods for Rock Images Based on Object Detection

Lithology identification is a crucial step in geological research. In recent years, the development of artificial intelligence technologies has provided new insights into solving problems associated with subjectivity and labor intensity of traditional manual identification. However, when rocks are identified in situ, existing algorithms cannot accurately identify them if the image features of different types of rocks are similar or the rock textures are varied. In this regard, the study of lithology identification for the rock images captured from the field was carried out. First, the object detection algorithm of single shot multibox detector was improved by adding residual net and adaptive moment estimation, and a lithology identification model was constructed. Second, based on the above improved algorithm, the technologies of database and geographic information system were combined to develop an integrated identification method. Third, the proposed methods were applied to 12 types of rocks in Xingcheng area, China, for testing their validity, and feasibility in field geological surveys. Finally, the effects of learning rate and batch size on the identification were discussed, as the epoch number was increased. We found that the average accuracies of the improved single shot multibox detector and integrated method were 89.4% and 98.4%, respectively. The maximum accuracy could even reach 100%. The identification results were evaluated based on accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and mean average precision. It was demonstrated that the integrated method has a strong identification ability compared with other neural network methods. Generally, a small learning rate can lead to low loss and high accuracy, whereas a small batch size can lead to high loss and high accuracy. Moreover, the newly proposed methods helped to improve the lithology identification accuracy in the field and support the study of intelligent in situ identification for rock images.

Assessment of uranium-235 distribution in soil samples from Anbar province, Western Iraq

Uranium is a radioactive element that can pose a risk to human health if ingested or inhaled. Exposure to high levels of uranium can increase the risk of cancer. Measuring uranium concentration in soil can help identify areas where there may be a risk of exposure to high levels of uranium and take appropriate measures to protect public health. In this study, uranium concentration in soil samples collected from Anbar province in Iraq was measured using CR-39 detectors irradiated with an Am-Be neutron source. The results showed that the highest concentration of uranium-specific activity (12.029 ± 0.0016 Bq kg−1) was found in Al Fallujah district, while the lowest concentration (0.531 ± 0.0007 Bq kg−1) was found in Al Sagra district. Interestingly, the data suggest that uranium concentrations increase as we move southeast towards Baghdad, where the city’s climate is reportedly polluted. Despite this, the average uranium-specific activity level in Anbar (7.668 Bq kg−1) is relatively low, and it falls below the global average of 35 Bq kg−1 recommended by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. This study concludes that there is no evidence of uranium pollution in Anbar. Although uranium concentrations are considered low, low levels of uranium concentration in soil can have important implications for environmental risk, resource exploration, agricultural productivity, and geological research.