Prospecting for geothermal energy through satellite based thermal data: Review and the way forward

© 2015 Iran Solid Waste Association. Geothermal investors need to be confident with the methods and results of exploration programs. Also cutting the upfront cost of geothermal exploration will further encourage investors to consider investment in this emerging clean energy field. Hence, it is of paramount importance to improve prospecting techniques in order to explore where economic concentrations of geothermal energy are to be expected. The current study evaluates different approaches for downscaling thermal data from remote sensing images together with factors in surface and subsurface environment. The paper discusses case studies, the challenge and the way forward for geothermal prospecting as well as practical solutions to discrepancy that faces the mapping and documentation of spatial geothermal anomalies. It also discusses main criteria that should be considered while prospecting for geothermal energy

Hydrochemical evaluation of Rio Grande water transport options from Elephant Butte, New Mexico to El Paso, Texas, US–Mexico border

© 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. The quantity of water from the Rio Grande is important to the socio-economic sectors and development of the United States of America and Mexico border. Degrading the quality and quantity of the main groundwater aquifers in the study area raised the need for alternative water sources like the Rio Grande. This study evaluated the hydrochemistry and management options to convey water from the main dam on the Rio Grande, Elephant Butte Dam, to El Paso del Norte Region. The study used hydrogeochemical approach to: (1) describe the behavior of ions concentrations and flux in the Rio Grande, and (2) assess the quality of water conveyed by three proposed water-conveying scenarios. EXTEND visualization environment and JMP-SAS software packages were the main tools of this study. The reported results indicate that the measured value of the majority of the studied ions increase from the upper to the lower reaches. The study also found that delivering water from the Elephant Butte Dam through the river canal itself and narrows engineering conveyance are amomg the proper methods. The study demonstrated that the presented simple method is useful for scoping the conveying and routing options for water along the Rio Grande

Calculating three thermal coefficients from one data set

© 2019 Academic Publications. We study the problem of determining three thermal coefficients from one set data of a model problem rising in thermodynamics. This is an inverse problem, that is to coincide the solution of the differential equation with actual experimental results. The used method is based on minimizing the solution of the problem with the experimental data. Both the direct and inverse problems are described and numerical results are given

Climate Change and Weather Extremes in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East

Observation‐based and modeling studies have identified the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) region as a prominent climate change hotspot. While several initiatives have addressed the impacts of climate change in parts of the EMME, here we present an updated assessment, covering a wide range of timescales, phenomena and future pathways. Our assessment is based on a revised analysis of recent observations and projections and an extensive overview of the recent scientific literature on the causes and effects of regional climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions in the EMME are growing rapidly, surpassing those of the European Union, hence contributing significantly to climate change. Over the past half‐century and especially during recent decades, the EMME has warmed significantly faster than other inhabited regions. At the same time, changes in the hydrological cycle have become evident. The observed recent temperature increase of about 0.45°C per decade is projected to continue, although strong global greenhouse gas emission reductions could moderate this trend. In addition to projected changes in mean climate conditions, we call attention to extreme weather events with potentially disruptive societal impacts. These include the strongly increasing severity and duration of heatwaves, droughts and dust storms, as well as torrential rain events that can trigger flash floods. Our review is complemented by a discussion of atmospheric pollution and land‐use change in the region, including urbanization, desertification and forest fires. Finally, we identify sectors that may be critically affected and formulate adaptation and research recommendations toward greater resilience of the EMME region to climate change. The Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East is warming almost two times faster than the global average and other inhabited parts of the world Climate projections indicate a future warming, strongest in summers. Precipitation will likely decrease, particularly in the Mediterranean Virtually all socio‐economic sectors will be critically affected by the projected changes The Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East is warming almost two times faster than the global average and other inhabited parts of the world Climate projections indicate a future warming, strongest in summers. Precipitation will likely decrease, particularly in the Mediterranean Virtually all socio‐economic sectors will be critically affected by the projected change

Climate Change and Weather Extremes in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East

Observation-based and modeling studies have identified the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) region as a prominent climate change hotspot. While several initiatives have addressed the impacts of climate change in parts of the EMME, here we present an updated assessment, covering a wide range of timescales, phenomena and future pathways. Our assessment is based on a revised analysis of recent observations and projections and an extensive overview of the recent scientific literature on the causes and effects of regional climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions in the EMME are growing rapidly, surpassing those of the European Union, hence contributing significantly to climate change. Over the past half-century and especially during recent decades, the EMME has warmed significantly faster than other inhabited regions. At the same time, changes in the hydrological cycle have become evident. The observed recent temperature increase of about 0.45 degrees C per decade is projected to continue, although strong global greenhouse gas emission reductions could moderate this trend. In addition to projected changes in mean climate conditions, we call attention to extreme weather events with potentially disruptive societal impacts. These include the strongly increasing severity and duration of heatwaves, droughts and dust storms, as well as torrential rain events that can trigger flash floods. Our review is complemented by a discussion of atmospheric pollution and land-use change in the region, including urbanization, desertification and forest fires. Finally, we identify sectors that may be critically affected and formulate adaptation and research recommendations toward greater resilience of the EMME region to climate change.Peer reviewe

Evaluation of metals that are potentially toxic to agricultural surface soils, using statistical analysis, in northwestern Saudi Arabia

© 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Heavy metals in agricultural soils enter the food chain when taken up by plants. The main purpose of this work is to determine metal contamination in agricultural farms in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Fifty surface soil samples were collected from agricultural areas. The study focuses on the geochemical behavior of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn, and determines the enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index. Multivariate statistical analysis, including principle component analysis and cluster analysis, is also applied to the acquired data. The study shows considerable variation in the concentrations of the analyzed metals in the studied soil samples. This variation in concentration is attributed to the intensity of agricultural activities and, possibly, to nearby fossil fuel combustion activities, as well as to traffic flows from highways and local roads. Multivariate analysis suggests that As, Cd, Hg and Pb are associated with anthropogenic activities, whereas Co, Cr, Cu and Zn are mainly controlled by geogenic activities. Hg and Pb show the maximum concentration in the analyzed samples as compared to the background concentration

Hydrochemical characteristics of the Jordan and Yarmouk River waters: Effects of natural and human activities

Water chemistry was used to assist in understanding the effect of human and natural activities on the Jordan and Yarmouk Rivers. Eighty-eight water samples were collected from different locations along both rivers and analyzed for major ions. The Yarmouk River samples were predominantly alkaline, with prevailing chloride and sodium, and low TDS values. The Jordan river samples are alkaline earth, with prevailing chloride, increased alkalies, and high TDS. The sampling took place in different time periods between April and July 1996 to determine the effect of changing seasons on the water chemistry. From the upper to lower reaches of both the Jordan and Yarmouk rivers, a systematic increase of most of the measured major ions concentrations is reported in July 1996. Strong variations were observed in the water chemistry between the different locations. As the distance increased from the mouth of the rivers, so did the salinity of the water. The study found that the Jordan River is affected by groundwater and the related anthropogenic activities on both sides of the Jordan Valley. The saline groundwater is from ancient trapped sea water or brine of deep seated origin. The water which dilutes the Yarmouk river is a Ca +2 HCO 3 -type. The increase in the ion concentrations in 1996 compared to 1969 is due to the increase of the anthropogenic effects

Assessment of water bodies of united arab emirates coastal sabkhas as potential sites for natural salinity gradient solar ponds

Increasing population and growing demands from both agriculture and industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) necessitate the need to provide inexpensive fresh water. The only feasible source of such water is desalination. The coastal area of the United Arab Emirates especially in Abu Dhabi is formed of a series of hypersaline (47%°) lagoons surrounded by salt-encrusted flat sabkhas. Such water bodies may be used as salinity gradient solar ponds (SGSPs) to generate clean electricity that can be used in desalination plants. The geologic and climatic conditions of this region are compared with El Paso, Texas, USA where there is a well-established SGSP technology. It is concluded that the water and air temperature, solar radiation, and geologic setting support the possibility of using this technology in the UAE and especially in Abu Dhabi. Cost analyses also suggest that the generation of electricity and its use in desalination plants are economically feasible. © 2008 ASCE