Spatial Distribution Of Elements Research Articles

Distribution, source identification, water quality, and risk assessment of trace elements in the surface-groundwater-sediments multifunctional system in Guohe River Basin

Within the Huaihe River Basin, Guohe River, as its second-largest tributary, serves as a critical water supply source. Recent industrial and agricultural advancements have led to increased trace element contamination, adversely impacting the water quality within Guohe River Basin. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the distribution characteristics, sources, water quality and risk assessment of trace elements in the surface water, groundwater, and sediments across the basin. The results showed that the spatial distribution of trace elements in the surface water and groundwater of Guohe River Basin was that most of the high concentrations appeared in Qiaocheng District of Bozhou City, the mean concentration of Fe in Guohe River sediments was the highest, the mean concentration of Sb was the lowest. The PMF source analysis results showed that the main source of trace elements in Guohe River Basin was natural geological processes, followed by human activities. The sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) indicated that the surface water samples of Guohe River in two seasons had high sodium and salinity hazards. The water quality index (WQI) showed that surface water and groundwater samples in the northwestern of Guohe River Basin had poor water quality. The results of the risk assessment showed that As and Mn posed great ecological risks to surface water and groundwater, respectively, and that F− was the pollutant with the most potential health risk hazard in the basin. The Geo-accumulation index (Igeo) results showed that Cd, Se and As should be taken seriously as the main contaminants of the sediments in Guohe River Basin. KeywardsTrace elements; Source analysis; Sodium adsorption ratio; Water quality index; Risk assessment; Geo-accumulation index.

Spatial distribution of trace and rare earth elements of bottom sediments in Lake Ostrowite, Bory Tucholskie National Park, Poland

AbstractLake pollution has attracted concerns worldwide; especially the excessive accumulation of trace elements (TEs) and rare earth elements (REEs) in bottom sediments can pose a serious threat to ecosystem health. However, there is still a knowledge gap on the level of sediment pollution in lakes isolated from the direct impact of pollution sources, their spatial variability, and also on the factors influencing this state. The aim of this study is to investigate the level and spatial variability of TEs and REEs concentrations, as well as to determine their source and the factors determining their distribution in the bottom sediments of Lake Ostrowite. Lake Ostrowite is the largest and deepest water body located in the Bory Tuholskie National Park (in northern Poland), which completely isolates the lake from the direct impact of pollution sources. The study covered analyses of 32 surface samples of bottom sediments. The concentrations of 24 TEs and 14 REEs were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐QQQ‐MS). The assessment of the enrichment of bottom sediments in TEs and REEs employed geochemical background values (GBV) that provided the basis for the calculation of relative concentrations and geochemical indices. The determination of their sources and supply routes was based on the cluster analysis and principal component analysis. The obtained results point to the enrichment of the bottom sediments with TEs and REEs. Relative concentration values of TEs and REEs in reference to geochemical background values were in ranges from 0.01 to 7.31, at an average of 0.99, and from 0.03 to 4.29, averaging 1.76, respectively. The enrichment factor values show moderately severe enrichment of sediments at the study sites. This was primarily determined by the concentrations of Ag (from the TEs group) and Lu (from the REEs group). The metal pollution index values showed an approximate spatial distribution of points in terms of the presence of TEs and REEs. The lowest concentrations of TEs and REEs occurred on the eastern shore of the western basin of Lake Ostrowite. TEs and REEs concentrations in sediments are positively correlated with the content of organic matter and depth and negatively correlated with distance of the sampling point from the river outflow from Lake Ostrowite. On the eastern shore of the western basin, TEs and REEs concentrations are additionally shaped by wind, predominantly from the western direction. With water wave action, organic matter is transported to the central part of the western basin, where it is accumulated. Since the lake is isolated from point and nonpoint pollution sources, relevant from a biogeochemical point of view are dry and wet depositions from the atmosphere as well as aquatic vegetation, shoreline vegetation, forest litter, soil, and groundwater.

“Hidden” mineralogical-geochemical zonality revealed by the laser microanalysis of sulfides at the Kyzyk-Chadr deposit, Republic of Tyva

A comprehensive study of the Kyzyk-Chadr porphyry copper deposit included determination of the composition and spatial distribution of trace elements in ore-forming sulfide minerals over the ore- hosting rock volume. The study was carried out using the mass spectrometric analysis with laser ablation of the analyzed material. Steady qualitative and quantitative elements of a “hidden” mineralogical and geochemical zonality have been identified, that are expressed in variations in the concentration of trace elements and their ratios in pyrites and chalcopyrites over the volume of the ore-bearing porphyry copper stockwork. The identified regularities correlate with the established centrifugal vector and concentric pattern of the mineralogical ore-metasomatic zonality of the ore deposit.

Assessment of elemental chemistry, spatial distribution, and potential risks of road-deposited dusts in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Road dust is a major source of pollution in the environment, carrying different pollutants, including heavy metals and metalloids, from one location to another. This study assesses the concentrations of eight heavy metals and one metalloid (Zn, Pb, Mn, Fe, Cr, Cu, Cd, Ni, and As) in dust samples collected from sixty-eight streets of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates using ICP-OES, as well as investigates their effects on both the environment and humans. Mean concentrations of the elements in μg/g across the sites were 392 ± 46 (Zn), 68.28 ± 11.3 (Pb), 1437 ± 67 (Mn), 39,481 ± 4611 (Fe), 460 ± 31 (Cr), 150 ± 44 (Cu), 1.25 ± 0.65 (Cd), 856 ± 72 (Ni), and 0.97 ± 0.28 (As). The Cdeg and ERI calculated from the study were 54.79 and 573, respectively, suggesting varying pollution levels. The highest contributions were from Ni, Cd, Zn, Cu, Cr, and Pb, especially in areas with heavy traffic. The non-carcinogenic risk assessments were generally low for the three routes of exposure, except HQoral that was slightly higher for children. Similarly, none of the elements exhibited any carcinogenic risk except chromium. Overall, the cancer risk is considered low. In view of the limited studies from UAE in relation to the metal content of road-deposited dusts, the current study serves as novel knowledge, especially in the context of geographical areas with a higher occurrence of sandstorms and the presence of particulate matter. The study also adds to the global understanding of the contribution of street dust to environmental pollution and its implications for human health.

Evaluate the spatial distribution of trace elements in soil of a karst terrain

Evaluate the spatial distribution of trace elements in soil of a karst terrain

Assessing the spatial distribution of elemental concentrations in surface sediments of Lake Victoria, Kenya: implications for ecological health and management.

Lacustrine sediment quality indicates the effects of both natural and anthropogenic activities on the ecosystem and communities. Despite its ecological importance, myriad complexities, and potential contaminant sources, the spatial distribution of surficial sediments in Lake Victoria's Winam Gulf has never been comprehensively documented. The purpose of this study was to assess the spatial distribution, pathways, and ecological risk of metal elements in the lake using a sediment matrix. Sediment samples were collected throughout the gulf in November 2022. The concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Sn, Ti, Tl, U, and Zn were compared to different contamination metrics and ecological risk assessment indices. The average concentrations were in the following decreasing order: Zn > > > Cr > > Cu > Ni > Pb > Co > As > Cd with mean (± SD) of 185 ± 45mgkg-1, 56 ± 15mgkg-1, 45 ± 16mgkg-1, 37 ± 11mgkg-1, 24 ± 5mgkg-1, 20 ± 7mgkg-1, 3.9 ± 1.3mgkg-1, 0.30 ± 0.09mgkg-1, respectively, with strong indications of anthropogenic sources. Average concentrations were in the following decreasing order: Zn > > > Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Co, As, and Cd levels (mean ± SD) were 185 ± 45mgkg-1, 56 ± 15mgkg-1, 45 ± 16mgkg-1, 37 ± 11mgkg-1, 24 ± 5mgkg-1, 20 ± 7mgkg-1, 3.9 ± 1.3mgkg-1 and 0.30 ± 0.09mgkg-1 with strong indications of anthropogenic sources. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor categorisation schemes, respectively, classified these as uncontaminated (level 0) and depletion to minimal enrichment (level 1), while the ecological risk analysis classified them as "low risk". The mouth of the Nyando River, as well as Kisumu, Kendu, and Homa bays, were the most element-enriched and should be prioritised for focused monitoring and remediation. As a result, targeted land management of urban, industrial, transportation, and agricultural areas offers the opportunity to reduce sediment inputs into the lake ecosystem.

Evolutionary patterns and influencing factors of relationships among ecosystem services in the hilly red soil region of Southern China.

As a crucial ecological protection area in China, the Southern hilly red soil region is characterized by uneven spatial and temporal distribution of ecological landscape elements, unpredictable and changeable interrelationships between them, diversified driving factors, and lack of comprehensive consideration of ecosystem services. In order to better understand the interaction between ecosystem services, restore regional ecology, and promote sustainable development, the evolution law and influencing mechanism of ecosystem services and their driving factors are quantitatively analyzed in the study. Based on simulations of different ecosystem services from 2000 to 2020, their spatial and temporal changes and the contributions of main drivers are quantified, their trade-offs and synergies are analyzed, and the changing rules under the influence of natural factors and socioeconomic factors are explored. The results show that (1) the crop production significantly increases in the southwest and north regions, the habitat quality decreases in urban and coastal areas, and the soil retention and water yield show an increasing trend from west to east. (2) Land use/cover is the main driver of carbon storage and habitat quality variation, and precipitation is an important driver of water yield spatial variation. (3) The crop production and the other four ecosystem services show a trade-offs relationship, and the relationship between supporting services and regulating services is the synergetic. (4) The altitude weakens the synergistic relationship between soil retention and habitat quality/carbon storage, while it enhances the synergistic relationship between soil retention and water yield. Driven by precipitation factors, ecosystem services related to water yield have significant differences in the change. The population density enhances the trade-offs of crop production and soil retention, as well as the synergistic relationship between soil retention and habitat quality/carbon storage. In different land use/cover (LULC), the influence of urban land on ecosystem services relationship change is more obvious. Overall, this study can provide scientific bases and policy suggestions for ecosystem protection/restoration in the red soil region of Southern China, which has an important theoretical and practical significance.

Remote Sensing & GIS Integration Bases Evaluation of Ground Water Quality in Telangana State, India

About 85% of drinking water needs in rural and 40% drinking water needs in urban areas are met from groundwater resources in Telangana state. There is a huge demand of ground water for different uses like agriculture, drinking and industrial purposes as the command area is very low in the state and it is evidenced by the fact that around 70% irrigation is dependent on ground water sources as compared to other surface sources like Tanks/Canals/Reservoirs etc. Climate change has affected the hydrological cycle with uncertain and increased variability in rainfall followed by with high rainfall in a short span of time resulting more surface runoff which ultimately decreases there charge to groundwater. Decreased recharge to the groundwater and excess withdrawal of groundwater has accelerated the depletion of groundwater resources there by resulting in stress on groundwater regime in terms of quality as well as quantity. The groundwater quality evaluation of Telangana state is carried out by using legacy quality data (2012-14) collected from Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Department, Government of Telangana. Contamination spread of groundwater is one of the most important concerns that have received attention at regional, local and global levels because of their importance on public health and its further impact in ecosystems. The spatial distribution of chemical parameters like pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Hardness (TH), Total Alkalinity (TA), Fluoride (F), Chloride (Cl), Iron (Fe), Nitrate (NO3) and Sulfate (SO4) are examined with respect to its contamination level. The spatial distribution and concentration of chemical elements is carried out by using spatial interpolation technique namely Inverse Distance Weightage (IDW) method from the point source data. The distribution maps reveal important information to understand the hot spot areas of the groundwater systems and for identification of potential areas for providing safe drinking water supply. Site specific water conservation and artificial recharge measures are needed to be taken up with scientific lines by using Remote Sensing & GIS techniques, for enhancing the groundwater storage and also improving its quality.

Optimizing energy efficiency in heterogeneous networks: An integrated stochastic geometry approach with novel sleep mode strategies and QoS framework.

The quest for energy efficiency (EE) in multi-tier Heterogeneous Networks (HetNets) is observed within the context of surging high-speed data demands and the rapid proliferation of wireless devices. The analysis of existing literature underscores the need for more comprehensive strategies to realize genuinely energy-efficient HetNets. This research work contributes significantly by employing a systematic methodology, utilizing This model facilitates the assessment of network performance by considering the spatial distribution of network elements. The stochastic nature of the PPP allows for a realistic representation of the random spatial deployment of base stations and users in multi-tier HetNets. Additionally, an analytical framework for Quality of Service (QoS) provision based on D-DOSS simplifies the understanding of user-base station relationships and offers essential performance metrics. Moreover, an optimization problem formulation, considering coverage, energy maximization, and delay minimization constraints, aims to strike a balance between key network attributes. This research not only addresses crucial challenges in creating EE HetNets but also lays a foundation for future advancements in wireless network design, operation, and management, ultimately benefiting network operators and end-users alike amidst the growing demand for high-speed data and the increasing prevalence of wireless devices. The proposed D-DOSS approach not only offers insights for the systematic design and analysis of EE HetNets but also systematically outperforms other state-of-the-art techniques presented. The improvement in energy efficiency systematically ranges from 67% (min side) to 98% (max side), systematically demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed strategy in achieving higher energy efficiency compared to existing strategies. This systematic research work establishes a strong foundation for the systematic evolution of energy-efficient HetNets. The systematic methodology employed ensures a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay of network dynamics and user requirements in a multi-tiered environment.

Study of the seismic activity of the Almalyk-Angren industrial zone based on lineament analysis

In this work, an automated lineament analysis was carried out to search for earthquake precursors for the territory of the Almalyk-Angren industrial zone in Uzbekistan. The seven events with a magnitude of about 3 were selected for analysis. The Landsat 8 satellite images were processed using the automated lineament detection method in the LEFA software. The processing steps included detecting line elements in raster images, calculating the characteristics of the spatial distribution of line elements, and combining collinear linear elements into lineaments. The analyses of the cyclicality of precursors before and after earthquakes were based on the study of the distribution of the lineament trend in the study area using rose diagrams and lineament density maps. The results showed a change in the dynamics of the lineament structure. The statistics of the number of lineaments showed that their increase begins almost 20 days before the event, reaches its maximum about 1 – 2 days before the earthquake, decreases starting from 14 days after the earthquake, and has a minimum value of 1 – 2 months. The main trends observed in the lineament map showed the dominant trend in NS, WE, NW-SE directions.

Spatial distribution of rare earth elements and their impact factors in an area with a high abundance of regolith-hosted deposits

Despite the widespread occurrence of regolith-hosted rare earth elements (REEs) across South China, their spatial distribution characteristics in soils and their impact factors remain largely uncertain. This knowledge gap impedes the exploration of regolith-hosted REE deposits and the assessment of the environmental risks associated with REEs. To address this issue, 180 soil samples were collected from Meizhou City, Guangdong Province, a region known for its high abundance of regolith-hosted REEs. Subsequently, the correlations between REE enrichment/fractionation and various factors, i.e., topography, climate conditions, land use, and landform were analysed using the geo-detector method. The results revealed a highly uneven spatial distribution of REEs and their fractionation features with some regions displaying distinct spatial patterns. Elevation was the dominant factor influencing this distribution, and showed strong correlations with the concentrations of REEs, light REEs (LREEs) and heavy REEs (HREEs); the LREE/HREE ratio; and the positive Ce anomaly (δCe). The negative Eu anomaly (δEu) showed a good correlation with rock type. The enrichment and fractionation of REEs indicated a coupling among the abovementioned factors. For REE enrichment, areas with elevations of 138–148 m, precipitation levels of 1553–1574 mm, annual average land surface temperatures of 30.4–30.5 °C, leaf area index values of 22–29 and surface cutting degree of 21.5–29.9 m showed the highest average abundance within each type (scope) of the predominant factors. These findings highlight the key factors affecting REE distribution, thereby aiding the efficient utilization of regolith-hosted REE resources and the evaluation of their environmental risks.

Remote sensing image encryption algorithm based on novel hyperchaos and an elliptic curve cryptosystem

Remote sensing images carry crucial ground information, often involving the spatial distribution and spatiotemporal changes of surface elements. To safeguard this sensitive data, image encryption technology is essential. In this paper, a novel Fibonacci sine exponential map is designed, the hyperchaotic performance of which is particularly suitable for image encryption algorithms. An encryption algorithm tailored for handling the multi-band attributes of remote sensing images is proposed. The algorithm combines a three-dimensional synchronized scrambled diffusion operation with chaos to efficiently encrypt multiple images. Moreover, the keys are processed using an elliptic curve cryptosystem, eliminating the need for an additional channel to transmit the keys, thus enhancing security. Experimental results and algorithm analysis demonstrate that the algorithm offers strong security and high efficiency, making it suitable for remote sensing image encryption tasks.

Spatial distribution of trace elements and potential contamination sources for surface sediments of the North-Western Black Sea, Romania

It is essential to determine the concentrations of metals/metalloids in marine sediments and their contamination status to develop appropriate pollution control strategies and/or improve existing ones. Spatial distribution of aluminum (Al) and some trace elements, i.e., arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), accumulated in surface sediments of the north-western (NW) Black Sea (Romanian zone) was evaluated. Sediment samples were collected in 2019 from 32 stations located at water depths in the range of 12.7–149 m. The mean values ± standard deviations (SD) of element concentrations were as follows: 3.9 ± 1.6% for Al, 11.2 ± 10.2 mg/kg for As, 64.8 ± 27.0 mg/kg for Cr, 32.7 ± 15.0 mg/kg for Cu, 0.10 ± 0.09 mg/kg for Hg, 45.3 ± 23.8 mg/kg for Ni, 24.6 ± 9.6 mg/kg for Pb, and 68.0 ± 28.0 mg/kg for Zn. These values are not significantly different (p > 0.05) from those found in a previous study on surface sediments collected in 2018 from 22 stations located in the same area, but at lower water depths (13.5–67 m). Contamination factor (CF) was used to assess the contamination status of surface sediments. The mean values of CF (0.26–1.23) reveal low to moderate contamination with Pb and low contamination with the other elements. Principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation analysis indicated that As, Cu, Ni, Hg, Pb, and Zn were associated with clay, silt, and organic matter, suggesting that these elements mainly came from the Danube discharges and also from local anthropogenic sources, whereas Al, Cr, and partly Hg, Pb, and Zn originated from rock/soil weathering and erosion. The concentration levels of As, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn, TOC, silt, and clay were higher in sediments collected from stations generally located at higher water depths (up to 118 m), suggesting that the TEs associated with the finer carriers were transported offshore by currents and waves, whereas the concentration levels of Al, Cr, Hg, and Zn were higher in sediments with lower levels of CaCO3 content (10.1–24.3%), collected from shallower stations (water depths of 12.7–42.0 m).

Geochemical Characteristics of Deep-Sea Sediments in Different Pacific Ocean Regions: Insights from Fractal Modeling

Exploration of mineral resources in the deep sea has become an international trend. However, deep-sea mineral exploration faces challenges such as complex offshore drilling and the weak and mixed signals of ore deposits. Therefore, studying methods for identifying weak and mixed anomalies and extracting composite information in the deep sea is crucial for innovative prediction and evaluation of deep-sea mineral resources. In this study, the Central Pacific Ocean, Northwestern Pacific Ocean, and Eastern Pacific Ocean were selected as research areas. Drawing upon the fractal self-similarity exhibited by rare earth minerals in the deep-sea sediments within the Pacific Ocean, we conducted an analysis and comparison of the fractal geochemical characteristics in various regions of the Pacific Ocean’s deep-sea sediments. Thereafter, we studied the spatial distribution of rare earth elements (REEs) in deep-sea sediments in these regions to explore the mechanisms responsible for rare earth enrichment in the Pacific Ocean. The results revealed that the geochemical fractal characteristics of deep-sea sediments in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean Basin and the Central Pacific Ocean Basin were similar, whereas there were slight differences in the fractal characteristics observed in the Eastern Pacific Ocean Basin. By calculating the singularity index of CaO/P2O5, it was found that the singularity index in the Central and Northwestern Pacific Ocean basins was lower than that in the Eastern Pacific Ocean Basin, suggesting that the phosphorus content in the Eastern Pacific Ocean Basin was lower than that in the Central and Northwestern Pacific Ocean basins. In the Eastern Pacific Ocean, we found that phosphorus content in deep-sea sediments was the primary controlling factor for REE enrichment. Conversely, in the Central and Northwestern Pacific Ocean, both the phosphorus and calcium content in deep-sea sediments played significant roles in REE enrichment.

Identification of novel germplasm and genetic loci for enhancing mineral element uptake in soybean

Bioavailability, uptake, and spatial distribution of essential and toxic mineral elements are pivotal factors that govern crop growth, development, and productivity. Soybean is a major leguminous crop globally, and yield losses are commonly attributed to various abiotic factors, including nutrient deficiencies or the influence of toxic minerals in the soil. Therefore, understanding the molecular basis of differential mineral element uptake, translocation, and accumulation in soybean is vital for developing improved cultivars. Here, we used portable X-ray fluorescence (p-XRF) for rapid and high-throughput mineral element profiling of a diverse set of soybean germplasm using leaves, stem, root, and seed tissues. Genome-wide association (GWAS) was performed on the element profiles of 219 soybean accessions, revealing lines with notable two to tenfold difference in various mineral nutrient uptake. These identified lines represent valuable genetic resources for germplasm development and gene discovery. The GWAS analysis pinpointed significant genomic loci and haplotypes associated with accumulation of aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn). Remarkably, genes associated with the transport of solutes, metals, and ions have been pinpointed, indicating their potential involvement in the nutrient uptake and soybean improvement. To gain functional insights, Si deposition, allelic variants and expression of three Si transporter genes was studied in greater details. The high Si accumulating line PI548452 showed 12-fold increase in leaf Si content compared to low Si lines. Expression of HiSil2b and HiSil2c effluxer genes showed root and leaf specific expression, respectively, providing evidence for tissue specific Si transport and the basis for precise management of Si uptake to improve abiotic and biotic stresses. In summary, this study uncovered the novel accessions, haplotypes, allelic diversity, and the potential candidate genes underpinning the mineral nutrient accumulation in soybean.

Evaluating the Equity of Urban Streetscapes in Promoting Human Health—Taking Shanghai Inner City as an Example

Environmental justice research largely focuses on the allocation of public resources in terms of quantified distribution and accessibility. This study suggests that the quality of landscape equity, an important urban resource, should be evaluated as it typically appears as a combination of elements. This brings another perspective to the attention of landscape equity in addition to the provision equity: the equity in the quality and level of provision. From this perspective, this study explores the equitable role of streetscape qualities in promoting human physical, mental, and social health. Using street view images, questionnaires, artificial intelligence-based image analysis, geographic information system-based cluster analysis, and correlational analysis, the spatial distribution of health promotion streetscapes and health-influential streetscape elements were presented and compared within the scope of the Shanghai Outer Ring Road. The results disclosed an uneven distribution of streetscapes that can promote human health within research sites. Streets with poor health ratings are concentrated in the Huangpu, Hongkou, and Yangpu districts, primarily in the western part of Shanghai around Shanghai Railway Station, People’s Square, and Yuyuan Garden, where the old city centre is located. Compared with the distribution of health-influential elements, less healthy streets are more likely to be accompanied by low visibility of ‘vegetation’ and a high proportion of ‘buildings’. Streetscape design implications were then discussed in terms of providing people with equal health opportunities. Research outcomes inspired an essential quality perspective in health equity research, and it can be especially helpful when the provision and accessibility can hardly be moderated in high-density cities.

GEOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY OF HOD (ARTVİN) REGION, EASTERN PONTIDES, NE TURKEY

This study reports a revised geological map and a stratigraphic section of the Hod region. It represents a synthesis of new data and earlier work. New results gathered from field geological mapping and petrographic investigation have clarified the lithological boundaries, textural characteristics, the stratigraphical relationships between various rock formations and spatial distribution and behavior of structural elements. Hod region, located in the eastern part of the eastern Pontides (Artvin district), comprises Jurassic to Cretaceous volcanic and sedimentary sequences with a roughly north-north-east trending, steeply east dipping stratigraphy. These lithological units are Liassic Berta Formation, Dogger Kırgülü Formation and Hızarlıdere Formation, Malm-Lower Cretaceous Öğdem Formation and İnanlı Member, Lower Cretaceous Aşağımaden Formation, Turonian Çatak Formation, Santonian Kızılkaya Formation and Santonian-Campanian Evliyatepe Formation. Among these formations, intermediate to felsic volcanic and volcanosedimentary rocks of Kızılkaya Formation are significant as they host several volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) and epithermal deposits throughout eastern Pontides. Hod Maden Au-Cu deposit which represents one of the highest-grade gold and copper discoveries made globally in recent years is also located in Hod region. Therefore, the revised geological map and stratigraphy presented here are important contributions to the regional geology and essential tools for exploration geologists working in the region.

An integrated deep learning approach for assessing the visual qualities of built environments utilizing street view images

Investigating residents' visual preferences and perception of built environments is crucial in visual landscape assessment (VLA). While traditional methods face challenges in large-scale applications, the advancement of deep learning techniques and the availability of street view images (SVIs) present new opportunities. However, existing approaches for assessing SVIs' visual qualities are of lower precision, and the link between objective visual elements and subjective perceptions of SVIs remains unclear. In this study, we propose a novel deep learning approach, “SegFormer-B5 + ConvNeXt-B + RF”, which achieves an average accuracy of 78.47% in predicting six subjective perceptions (beautiful, boring, depressing, lively, safe, and wealthy) within the Place Pulse 2.0 dataset. This provides an effective tool for assessing citizens' visual perceptions of urban environments. Subsequently, to demonstrate its practical application, we conducted a case study using 36,620 SVIs from the Tianhe District of Guangzhou. Perception maps were constructed based on four objective metrics and six subjective metrics. Results showed a correlation between the spatial distribution of objective visual elements and subjective perceptions, with city centers generally perceived more positively than suburbs. Our application of SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) and Class Activation Map (CAM) visualizations yielded interpretable insights consistent with eye-tracking studies, highlighting human focus on artificial objects, attractive and unattractive elements, and heterogeneous landscapes. It's noteworthy that urban planners and decision-makers in other cities can apply our approach to generate perception maps that identify low-quality areas. SHAP and CAM visualizations further assist in understanding which aspects draw human attention in these areas. This knowledge is crucial for urban designers to implement targeted renewal strategies, ultimately contributing to the creation of sustainable and living-friendly cities.

Geochemical Mapping and Reference Values of Potentially Toxic Elements in a Contaminated Mining Region: Upper Velhas River Basin Stream Sediments, Iron Quadrangle, Brazil

The Upper Velhas River Basin, in the mining region of the Iron Quadrangle, is one of the most polluted basins in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The region has been exploited for gold and iron, among other substances of interest. In addition to abandoned mines, active works and mineralized rocks contribute to the discharge of contaminated waters into the rivers and streams. Thus, high-density geochemical mapping with the determination of reference values has become very important, as it allows the spatial distribution of contaminant elements to be obtained, contributing to the recognition of areas with deviant values in the basin. Two hundred and eight sediment samples were collected from streams throughout the Velhas River Basin, with a density of one sample per 15 km2. Geochemical maps were compiled using the distance-weighted inverse interpolation method, and concentrations were distinguished from anomalies using the box plot Upper Inner Fence technique. It was found that 73–78% of the basin area does not present geogenic and anthropic anomalies, with values up to the third quartile for As, Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Zn. However, anomalies related to human actions, mainly mining works and rock types, occupy 2 to 11% of the area. This first high-density mapping in the Upper Velhas River Basin found numerous streams with concentrations of the elements studied above the Probable Effect Level, allowing us to determine which locations, cities, and river sub-basins are exposed to environmental risks and should be monitored and protected.

The use of LA-ICP-MS as an auxiliary tool to assess the pulmonary toxicity of molybdenum(IV) sulfide (MoS2) nano- and microparticles.

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) has considerable applicative potential for both qualitative and quantitative analyses of elemental spatial distribution and concentration. It provides high resolutions at pg-level detection limits. These qualities make it very useful for analyzing biological samples. The present study responds to the growing demand for adequate analytical methods which would allow to assess the distribution of nanostructured molybdenum(IV) disulfide (MoS2) in organs. It was also motivated by an apparent lack of literature on the biological effects of MoS2 in living organisms. The study was aimed at using LA-ICP-MS for comparing micro- and nanosized MoS2 ditribution in selected rat tissue samples (lung, liver, brain and spleen tissues) after the intratracheal instillation (7 administrations) of MoS2 nano- and microparticles vs. controls. The experimental study, approved by the Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments was performed using albino Wistar rats. This was performed at 2-week intervals at a dose of 5 mg/kg b.w., followed by an analysis after 90 days of exposure. The MoS2 levels in control tissues were determined with the laser ablation system at optimized operating conditions. The parameter optimization process for the LA system was conducted using The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) glass standard reference materials. Instrument parameters were optimized. The study found that molybdenum (Mo) levels in the lungs of microparticle-exposed rats were higher compared to nanoparticle-exposed rats. The opposite results were found for liver and spleen tissues. Brain Mo concentrations were below the detection limit. The LA-ICP-MS technique may be used as an important tool for visualizing the distribution of Mo on the surface of soft samples through quantitative and qualitative elemental mapping. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(1):18-33.