LITHOLOGIC CONSTRAINTS ON THE HYDROLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF REGIONAL AQUIFERS IN THE IBB PROVINCE, WEST-CENTRAL REGION OF YEMEN (MIDDLE EAST)

The lithology of the Ibb Province Yemen (Middle East) consists of Precambrian gneissic bedrocks with post-tectonic intrusions of granite and granodiorite. The overall topography is dominated by extensive volcanic extrusions that randomly surround Ibb Province with minimal Mesozoic sedimentary outcrops. According to the Yemen Geological Survey and Mineral Resource Board (YGSMRB), the origin and age of such extrusive bodies that manifest on the surface as dikes, lava flows, and small (currently passive) cinder-cone volcanoes are of Cenozoic age associated with the rifting episode of the Arabian Peninsula and subsequent opening of the Red Sea. The overall aerial extension of the volcanic extrusions diminishes further east towards Hammam-Damt (Al’Dali Province) with a noticeable shift in magma composition from basaltic to rhyolitic. The regional aquifer, a vital source of drinking water, seems to possess similar hydrogeological properties across the Province. However, physical surveys of watersheds, stream patterns, passive pumping stations, and active freshwater wells suggest that unlike rhyolitic rocks, Basaltic rocks are non-vesicular type, dense and having no apparent hydraulic conductivity and in view of these unique lithological characteristics, do not promote groundwater recharge. Also considering extensional geomorphic control on the drainage pattern, it is possible that investigated drainages are fault or structure-controlled and provide a significant constraint on groundwater flow. Therefore, an assessment of such a geomorphological disadvantage was conducted by correlating with terrain geomorphology, bedrock composition, stream patterns, and hydrologic conductivity observed in water wells

THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT AND ITS IMPACT ON THE CLIMATE AND LANDSCAPE OF PHOENIX, ARIZONA

This paper examines the impact of the urban heat island effect on the climate and landscape of Phoenix, Arizona. Urbanization is quickly becoming the most influential environmental factor because of the exponential growth in the human population coupled with industrialization, modernization, and commercialization, which has become the allure of urban centers worldwide. While urbanization offers numerous advantages, it comes at the cost of altering the environment by replacing permeable natural soils and vegetation with impermeable urban surfaces, such as pavements, buildings, and other such structures. This impervious modification results in absorption of solar energy that is taken up by the surfaces, resulting in an “island” of higher temperatures that distinguish the urban centers from the surrounding, cooler rural areas, aptly named the urban heat island effect. In Phoenix, there has been an increase in the annual mean average temperatures while rural Sedona (Arizona) has seen stable temperatures. Additionally, the Phoenix area has low annual precipitation rates accompanied by high evaporation rates. Apart from a few localities within the Phoenix area, there is a general trend of decreasing groundwater levels. Increasing temperatures and decreasing groundwater levels have a few consequences, including increased danger of land subsidence, increased demand and consumption of energy, and intensifying the effects of the existing desert climate. To mitigate the consequences of the urban heat island, Phoenix’s urban policies must be modified to: (1) increase green infrastructures and recreational areas, (2) increase albedo on urban surfaces, (3) increase multi-storied buildings equipped with green roofs, and (4) reduce dependence on private transportation

PROVENANCE OF A GARNET-RICH BEACH PLACER DEPOSIT, MONTAUK POINT, LONG ISLAND, NY

Garnet and magnetite rich sand, also enriched in monazite and zircon, has been observed and sampled near Montauk Point, Long Island. The sediment is derived from the glacial till and stratified drift of the Ronkonkoma Moraine by mechanical weathering and erosion due to wave action at Montauk Point, the headland on the eastern tip of Long Island. Sand sized sediment is moved westward along the southern shore of Long Island by longshore transport. The garnet and magnetite components of this sediment are significantly denser than the quartzo-feldspathic components. This allows for hydraulic segregation of these components, by wave action, producing a placer deposit of sand enriched in garnet and magnetite. Although the proximal source of the sediment is obviously the Ronkonkoma Moraine, the ultimate source remains to be determined. The chemical composition of selected minerals in the placer deposit is compared that of the same minerals in the rocks of the till. Preliminary results indicate similar garnet compositions, for the most part, in the placer deposit and the rocks of the glacial debris. However the possibility of a mixed provenance for some of the beach sand minerals exists. For example, stratified drift in the Montauk Point area may, in part, be derived from the Harbor Hill Moraine as well as from the Ronkonkoma Moraine. Rocks belonging to the till may come from different source areas as well

AN UPDATE ON GROUNDWATER CONDITIONS AT THE SITE OF THE YORK COLLEGE CUNY CAMPUS IN SOUTHEASTERN QUEENS COUNTY, NEW YORK CITY

The wells operated by the Jamaica Water Supply Company in Queens represent the only large scale utilization of groundwater for public water supply in New York City in recent years. These wells were shut down, for the most part, beginning in 1996. Since that time, water table elevations in the area, which had been drawn down by the withdrawal activity of the Jamaica Water Supply Company, have risen significantly causing some high groundwater problems, including flooding of basements. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) has held public hearings on a contemplated resumption of ground water withdrawal in Southeast Queens, presumably to supplement surface reservoir water supply during drought years and to drawdown the water table, thus alleviating some of the difficulties due to high water table levels. One possible problem with the planned resumption of withdrawal is the existence of a site in the area contaminated with chlorinated hydrocarbons, (PERC), due to a chemical spill. The NYCDEP is contemplating a recovery well, or wells, to isolate the contaminated area from the proposed supply wells. Monitoring wells have been installed on the campus of York College (CUNY). These are being used to establish baseline ground water quality conditions, as well as changes in water table elevation, groundwater flow direction and hydraulic gradient at the York College site. This data will aid in the setup of a groundwater recovery program and help monitor its effectiveness once it begins. The wells will also serve as an on-campus hydrogeological laboratory facility for undergraduate students taking Groundwater Hydrology, Pollution Control Technology, Water Quality Analysis and Management Courses

UTILIZING DPLOT, SEDLOG, AND ARCGIS PRO TO ENHANCE GEOLOGIC FIELD SKILLS: ROSENDALE, ULSTER COUNTY NEW YORK

Capstone geologic field mapping courses in undergraduate geoscience programs aim to compliment the academic knowledge with technical field skills. As a pilot study, these tools were used to collect field data using folded lower Paleozoic to mid-Paleozoic sedimentary outcrops consisting of clastic, non-clastic and occasional mixed siliciclastics in Rosendale, Ulster County, New York. Rosendale is known for its classic geological outcrops with variable structural, stratigraphic, paleontological and sedimentological complexities – ideal for a field mapping course. Traditionally, students’ data acquisition in the field and its subsequent laboratory analysis to produce a final geologic field report utilized acetate overlays to produce geologic maps, stratigraphic sections, and cross sections. However, the transition into digital mapping has been a challenge due to the limited resources, software access, and adequate technical training. Nevertheless, a recent experiment in utilizing simple-interface softwares such as sedlog, Dplot, and ArcGIS Pro result in additional techniques that enhance data acquisition, graphic representation, and geological interpretation. Employing ArcGIS Pro to initiate geologic field layouts and digital geologic maps enabled students to optimize the accuracy of measurements and geologic correlation of both limited and well-spaced outcrops. Dplot capability of constructing geomorphic profiles to project folding and faulting has provided students with an opportunity to reconstruct the past geological settings and draw conclusions pertaining to the development of the sedimentary basin over time. Constructing stratigraphic type sections via Sedlog generated digital data projections with paleocurrents, sedimentary facies, and stratal thickness. In addition to generating maps and reports suitable for undergraduate research presentation, integrating this software spiked students’ enthusiasm and readiness for conducting geologic fieldwork and, ultimately to pursue higher education and training in geospatial technologies

MULTI-FACETED GEOSCIENCE RESEARCH USING OPEN ACCESS RESOURCES: THE SUCCESSFUL PARTICIPATION OF K9-16 STUDENTS

Students interested in geosciences, for the most part, missed out their traditional field- based research activities due to strict social distancing, travel restrictions and/or lacking financial support. An absence of physical laboratory opportunities forced students to choose topics deemed doable through online research. Available data from online sources on extreme weather related case studies, flooding, droughts, groundwater depletion in urban and suburban areas, coastal erosion rate, sealevel rise, landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and atmospheric pollution became quite handy and lucrative. Readily available pertinent data sources enabled K9-16 students to conduct summer research at “stay home” situations. Selective peer mentoring was also available remotely to representative students, mostly led by geology faculty. It certainly facilitated both individual and group-based learning of geoscience- related research. Group projects were very effective in promoting team dynamics by encouraging participating students to engage in discussions during breakout sessions. This aspect is very significant for students, considering geoscience-related research often requires close collaboration between multiple individuals. The retrieval of online data mostly became available to students from regularly posted information by the NASA Earth Observatory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, American Meteorological Society, European Space Agency, United States Geological Survey, and Environmental Protection Agency. Filtering of critical data and establishing their relevance to a chosen topic often required patience and proper time management. Once the data were selected, students needed to run basic statistical investigations and come up with graphical representations, document trends, and signify their bearing on the overarching research question. The outcome is that COVID 19 opened up a new dimension and pedagogical approach to engage K9-16 students in geoscience-related research. Engaged students became proficient in data collection techniques, acquired scientific communication skills, and learnt about time management. Overall, the K9-16 students involved became self- motivated and were highly successful in reaching their research goals

THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT AND ITS IMPACT ON THE CLIMATE AND LANDSCAPE OF PHOENIX, ARIZONA

This paper examines the impact of the urban heat island effect on the climate and landscape of Phoenix, Arizona. Urbanization is quickly becoming the most influential environmental factor because of the exponential growth in the human population coupled with industrialization, modernization, and commercialization, which has become the allure of urban centers worldwide. While urbanization offers numerous advantages, it comes at the cost of altering the environment by replacing permeable natural soils and vegetation with impermeable urban surfaces, such as pavements, buildings, and other such structures. This impervious modification results in absorption of solar energy that is taken up by the surfaces, resulting in an “island” of higher temperatures that distinguish the urban centers from the surrounding, cooler rural areas, aptly named the urban heat island effect. In Phoenix, there has been an increase in the annual mean average temperatures while rural Sedona (Arizona) has seen stable temperatures. Additionally, the Phoenix area has low annual precipitation rates accompanied by high evaporation rates. Apart from a few localities within the Phoenix area, there is a general trend of decreasing groundwater levels. Increasing temperatures and decreasing groundwater levels have a few consequences, including increased danger of land subsidence, increased demand and consumption of energy, and intensifying the effects of the existing desert climate. To mitigate the consequences of the urban heat island, Phoenix’s urban policies must be modified to: (1) increase green infrastructures and recreational areas, (2) increase albedo on urban surfaces, (3) increase multi-storied buildings equipped with green roofs, and (4) reduce dependence on private transportation

LITHOLOGIC CONSTRAINTS ON THE HYDROLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF REGIONAL AQUIFERS IN THE IBB PROVINCE, WEST-CENTRAL REGION OF YEMEN (MIDDLE EAST)

The lithology of the Ibb Province Yemen (Middle East) consists of Precambrian gneissic bedrocks with post-tectonic intrusions of granite and granodiorite. The overall topography is dominated by extensive volcanic extrusions that randomly surround Ibb Province with minimal Mesozoic sedimentary outcrops. According to the Yemen Geological Survey and Mineral Resource Board (YGSMRB), the origin and age of such extrusive bodies that manifest on the surface as dikes, lava flows, and small (currently passive) cinder-cone volcanoes are of Cenozoic age associated with the rifting episode of the Arabian Peninsula and subsequent opening of the Red Sea. The overall aerial extension of the volcanic extrusions diminishes further east towards Hammam-Damt (Al’Dali Province) with a noticeable shift in magma composition from basaltic to rhyolitic. The regional aquifer, a vital source of drinking water, seems to possess similar hydrogeological properties across the Province. However, physical surveys of watersheds, stream patterns, passive pumping stations, and active freshwater wells suggest that unlike rhyolitic rocks, Basaltic rocks are non-vesicular type, dense and having no apparent hydraulic conductivity and in view of these unique lithological characteristics, do not promote groundwater recharge. Also considering extensional geomorphic control on the drainage pattern, it is possible that investigated drainages are fault or structure-controlled and provide a significant constraint on groundwater flow. Therefore, an assessment of such a geomorphological disadvantage was conducted by correlating with terrain geomorphology, bedrock composition, stream patterns, and hydrologic conductivity observed in water wells