ALBERT

Description: This research is focused on the dolines of Dobrá Voda Karst, which is situated in the Brezovské Karpaty Mts. (north-eastern part of the Malé Karpaty Mts) near the villages of Chtelnica and Dobrá Voda. 263 dolines were identified here and measured in the field, which is presumably the final count. The measured parameters of the dolines were used for morphometric analyses, as well as for finding out the relationships with the geology of the area. The karst is formed in Triassic carbonates of the Považie and Dobrá Voda nappes of the Hronic Unit. Dolines were identified in Neogene basal carbonatic conglomerates (Dobrá Voda Formation) as well. The area of karst rocks is approximately 87.2 km2. Dolines often tend to be formed in lines with tectonical or lithological predisposition. The most significant lines in the Dobrá Voda Karst are Hlboký Dol, Chtelnické Uhliská, and Cínovec. The origin of dolines can be assumed to the Quaternary Period and related to neotectonics, the development of the relief, and the formation of the river network. This is also confirmed by the trends of the maximum axes of the extension of dolines in the direction N-S, NE-SW and WNW-ESE, which partially correspond to the regional faults. New faults (Hlboký Dol, Cínovec, Bzová) were also identified on the basis of dolines in the lines.

Description: 〈div〉〈p〉〈em〉A Geographic Information System (GIS) includes of a hardware and software which are used for purposes such as to capture, store, evaluate, administer and distribute spatial data. GIS has a vast array of spatial analysis tools such as GIS viewer, Geodatabase, mapping tools, modelling tools etc. At present GIS is broadly used in conjunction with multi criteria decision analysis method to perform infrastructure studies and transportation studies such as road and rail. Multi criteria decision analysis can be applied in vehicle routing, site selection, scenario evaluation, land suitability, impact assessment, and location allocation for different sectors. According to majority of the literature, main factors considered in designing railway with GIS are land use, slope, drainage and soil. When multi criteria decision analysis is combined with GIS, it considers different geographical data models, spatial dimension of the evaluating criteria and decision alternatives in those criteria. The best route out of various alternate alignments has been designed using GIS thematic maps and network analysis in ArcGIS as a base. As a conclusion, this review study proves that multi criteria decision analysis combined with GIS plays a major role in modern railroad construction. 〈strong〉 〈/strong〉〈/em〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉〈em〉Air pollution is mainly due to the release of pollutants into the atmosphere which are detrimental to the planet and human health in particular〈/em〉〈em〉.〈/em〉〈em〉 Monitoring for the air quality parameters is important because it may lead to the adverse effects on the environment. The quantitative analysis of the air pollution spreads over the Bangalore city is carried out using two different data sources, one from ground monitoring stations and the other from the satellite derived data. Ambient Air Quality data for Bangalore region recorded by Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) for 2018–2020 were analysed in the open source GIS platform. Air quality parameters like aerosol optical depth (AOD), Nitrogen di-oxide (NO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉) etc. were collected from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) and Ozone monitoring instruments for spatial analysis. Data were analysed and compared and found that satellite based data of NO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 from the sensors provide a reliable values in ground-level exposure for a larger urban region.〈/em〉〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉〈em〉〈span〉The focus of this research is to distinguish between shifting land-use patterns and their geo-environmental implications in Simhadripuram Mandal, YSR Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, India. While the terms Landuse and Landcover (LULC) are sometimes used interchangeably, they have distinct natural meanings. Landuse refers to the function of a piece of land, such as mining, agriculture, or habitation. Landcover refers to the ground's surface cover, which might include vegetation, water, barren soil, and so on. Landuse is a notion that has a lot of qualities. It refers to people's actions on land that are directly related to the land. Landcover, on the other hand, refers to the vegetation that covers the surface of the land. The changes in LULC in Simhadripuram Mandal during the last ten years were studied using satellite imageries. LULC changes have been mapped using remote sensing and GIS modeling. The study is characterized in to five classifications, they are vegetation, fallow land, barren land, waterbodies, and built-up-land. The results reveal from 2009–10 to 2019–20, waterbodies are slightly increased from 2010 to 2020, is 9.29 km〈sup〉2〈/sup〉. Vegetation is increased positively for the past decade to 25.16 Km〈sup〉2〈/sup〉. The unirrigated land has been decreased to 27.1 km〈sup〉2〈/sup〉. Built-up-land is increased from the last decade; it is noted as 22.77 km〈sup〉2〈/sup〉. Fallow land has been decreased to 30.12 km〈sup〉2〈/sup〉.〈/span〉〈/em〉〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉〈em〉B〈/em〉〈em〉iodiversity, or the vast diversity of life on Earth, is rapidly vanishing. In the last few decades, there has been a massive loss. Several animal and plant species have declined in recent decades. At an alarming rate, hundreds of thousands of acres of forests have been devastated. Several blue whales, polar bears, pandas, and other well-known animals starved to death. Many yet-to-be-discovered species are also in jeopardy. In recent years, there has been a significant decrease in the number of forests. Surviving species on the planet have a wide range of options for living in diverse settings, each with its own set of behaviors. So, biodiversity is crucial for us. We must preserve it. Humans should find ways to restore balance to our environment. We've identified several contributing factors to the decline in biodiversity, which we can divide into five categories: - land and sea use, pollution, overexploitation of species, changes in the climate, and diseases caused by invasive species. Conservation of diversity is a method for preserving species richness, species diversity, habitat diversity, ecological diversity, and genetic diversity. It maintains our health, prosperity, food, fuel, and services. It shows its vitality in supporting many aspects of development. Here are some innovative and creative ways to aid in the fight against biodiversity loss.〈/em〉〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉〈em〉The present study was carried out to identify of the groundwater potential zones (GWPZ) in the Mahanadi River delta of Odisha, India using Remote Sensing (RS), Geographical information system (GIS) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) approaches. In this study, various thematic maps categorized viz. geology, geomorphology (GM), lineament density (LD), slope, landuse/landcover (LULC), and soils for assessment of GWPZs, which is generated using RS and GIS approach. Further, the relative weights were allocated to various thematic maps using the AHP matrix method and the relative rank 〈/em〉〈em〉assigned to each sub-criterion based on expert advice. Finally, the GWPZ map was prepared by integrating into all these parameters and their respective weights in the GIS software and the study〈/em〉〈em〉 area were categorized into four GWPZs types, i.e. poor, moderate, good, and very good. 〈/em〉〈em〉About 7.12% of area is categorised in the class ‘poor’, 75.66% in ‘moderate’, 9.03% in ‘good’ and 8.19% in ‘very good’ category. The acquired outcomes were validated with the area under well data. The results show that there is a strong positive correlation between the GWPZs with 82% validation high performance and decreases to the low yield potential with poor areas. This study concludes that the AHP model will be a more reliable for the assessment of the GWP. 〈/em〉〈em〉Any groundwater management project carried out in these favourable regions would benefit the stack holders. 〈/em〉〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉〈em〉Drainage basin characteristics depends on various factors like geology of the area, soil type, hydrological setting of the area etc. Study of morphometric characters is helpful to know more about lithological structures, geomorphological features and conditions, lineaments and hydrological characteristics of the area which in turn throws light on ground water conditions and movement of the area. Study area is Pattankodoli Nala Basin, 〈/em〉〈em〉bounded by latitude 16°36'31'' N to 16°40'44'' N and longitude 74°18'37'' E to 74°22'39'' E in Survey of India (SIO) Toposheet numbers 47L/6 on the scale 1:50000. Morphometric analysis has been carried out and various morphometric aspects have been studied. On the basis of quantitative analysis of morphometric parameters, it found that the Pattankadoli Nala is 4〈sup〉th〈/sup〉 ordered and the whole river contains 50 streams. The low drainage density and low stream frequency indicates that the drainage nala has less runoff in the channel. The basin is having elongated shape and gentle slope. Both relief and drainage density are low to moderate. It is found that 〈/em〉〈em〉the South Western part of the basin has moderate to good ground water potential and is favorable for artificial recharge site construction.〈/em〉〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉〈em〉The applications of Hyper spectral images (HSI) are many, which include agriculture, food quality, remote sensing, medical diagnostics and safety assessment. Hyper spectral image analysis has been used for detecting contaminants and identifying defects in food. It also utilizes advanced software and hardware tools hence allowing users to diagnose and detect pathologies. In this paper an avant-garde investigation about hyper spectral image compression and classification techniques which can be used in various applications like broadcasting of television, remote sensing via satellite, storage and classification of medical images, pictures and documents has been made. Significant increase in multimedia products has created a need to enhance, extract, store and interpret the information received in the most effective manner. The size of a hyper spectral image comprises approximately 138.81 megabytes and hence requires large space for storage. Hence, hyper spectral image compression is of great importance as it reduces the data redundancy and also the hardware space required for storage. Hyper spectral image classification has gained great research attention due to the increasing demand of feature information extraction. This survey focuses on describing the recent advances in spectral–spatial classification of hyperspectral images and various recent advancements in compression techniques for input HSIs.  〈/em〉〈/p〉 〈p〉〈em〉 〈/em〉〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉〈em〉Land use and landcover (LULC) change has become a critical component of current methods for not just urban planning but also managing a region's natural resources. The focus of this research is to evaluate the LULC scenario that occurred in Yellanuru Mandal of Anantapur district, AP, India between 2010 and 2020 using Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). This study was conducted by gathering Landsat data over a decade, from 2010 to 2020, using ERDAS Imagine 2014 and Arc GIS software, and generating a LULC map using a supervised classification approach. The research region's LULC is divided into five types: vegetation, fallow land, agricultural land, developed land, and water bodies/river. Our findings suggest that satellite data are well adapted to classifying land use/land cover at the subpixel level, where land use categories are linked with homogenous land cover.〈/em〉〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉〈em〉Geo-Cells are three dimensional Structures Orthogonally Designed. These are made using Polymers, we have Experimented and Designed Geo-Cells using Recycled High Density Polypropylene (HDPE), to get a Cost Effective Result. These Geo-Cells are then installed under Weak and Soft Soil to create a Low Density Unpaved Road. These Roads help us continue the work of shifting the Blocks from the Manufacturing Site to the Storage Place with Minimum Losses. This Internal Shifting is carried out inside the Casting Yard, where the Soil becomes Quite Soft and Marshy due to Water Absorption. The test conducted for physical properties are grain size distribution and for Engineering properties modified proctor test, atterberg’s limit, CBR test are done for Red Soil. Then the result are tabulated. During the Monsoon Season with the Installation of Recycled HDPE Geo-Cell. We were successfully able to reduce the Cost of the Project and also Increase the Time Efficiency of this Project.〈/em〉〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉〈em〉Disasters caused by climate change have wreaked havoc on the environment around the world in recent decades, to the point that even deserts have been flooded. Considering floods as a major disaster across various countries, this research has accumulated different methodologies and techniques to analyze flood mapping according to geography of many regions across the world. This paper discusses about flood plain mapping and analysis of the past two decades. Recently with the help of satellite images and the application of remote sensing and GIS this concept is widely used by various researchers. To simulate these flood plain areas, software such as HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS and ArcGIS are quite popular and widely used. The purpose of this review article is to divide the research into four primary sections: floodplain mapping, analytic method, digital elevation model, and software used.. It was observed that globally according to site and climate conditions the effect of floods changes geographically and as a result, the approaches and techniques employed by various researchers differ from one location to the next and according to their research goals. As a consequence, gaps have been identified, and the authors have applied strategies to tackle their problem. This document serves as an overview of the research's important literature review〈/em〉〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉〈em〉Adi is a rural region in India's Karnataka state's Belgaum district.〈/em〉〈em〉 The Co-ordinates are 16.4962° N and 74.3727° E. The area is underlain by basaltic lava flows, known as Deccan Trap. Plagioclase and pyroxene make up the majority of the fine-grained volcanic rock known as basalt, which also contains biotite, olivine, and quartz. Basalt is composed of calcic plagioclase and pyroxene. Plagioclase is seen in the form of laths. Common pyroxene found in basalts is augite. Along with this modal analysis of these rock samples has been carried out. From this it is evident that plagioclase is most abundant mineral followed by augite. Iron oxide and glassy material is also present in considerable amount followed by biotite. Olivine has been found exceptionally. Basalt samples from different flows show different textures, like porphyritic, intergranular and sub ophitic. Laterite covers the uppermost basaltic flow. The flows are equivalent to Panhala Formations of Wai Subgroup. 〈/em〉〈/p〉

Description: This research is focused on the dolines of Dobrá Voda Karst, which is situated in the Brezovské Karpaty Mts. (north-eastern part of the Malé Karpaty Mts) near the villages of Chtelnica and Dobrá Voda. 263 dolines were identified here and measured in the field, which is presumably the final count. The measured parameters of the dolines were used for morphometric analyses, as well as for finding out the relationships with the geology of the area. The karst is formed in Triassic carbonates of the Považie and Dobrá Voda nappes of the Hronic Unit. Dolines were identified in Neogene basal carbonatic conglomerates (Dobrá Voda Formation) as well. The area of karst rocks is approximately 87.2 km2. Dolines often tend to be formed in lines with tectonical or lithological predisposition. The most significant lines in the Dobrá Voda Karst are Hlboký Dol, Chtelnické Uhliská, and Cínovec. The origin of dolines can be assumed to the Quaternary Period and related to neotectonics, the development of the relief, and the formation of the river network. This is also confirmed by the trends of the maximum axes of the extension of dolines in the direction N-S, NE-SW and WNW-ESE, which partially correspond to the regional faults. New faults (Hlboký Dol, Cínovec, Bzová) were also identified on the basis of dolines in the lines.

Description: 〈p〉〈em〉By now, the world is shifting its energy source from nonrenewable energy to renewable energy in need of sustainable energy source, mitigating environmental and climatic problems. Renewable energy sources are sufficient and environmentally friendly. Ethiopia has a significant potential in hydro, solar, wind, and geothermal energy source. Particularly, in the study area, Somali region, there is significant amount of solar energy potential ranging from a minimum of 1,772.557983 Wh/m〈sup〉2 〈/sup〉(approximately 1,772 Kwh/m〈sup〉2〈/sup〉) and maximum of 2,476.39502 Wh/m〈sup〉2〈/sup〉 (approximately 2,476 Kwh/m〈sup〉2〈/sup〉) per year. Even though, the zone has not given sufficient consideration to its opportunities. But, currently, in the country’s ten year strategic plan, the government gives significant attention to invest on this abundant energy source. To make this abundant amount of solar energy useful and functional, identifying and selecting suitable site/s for the development of solar power plants are very crucial. This paper focuses on suitability analysis for identifying and selecting suitable site/s using〈/em〉〈em〉 Geographic Information System (GIS) and multi criteria based Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)〈/em〉〈em〉 by taking into account factors like solar energy potential〈/em〉〈em〉, 〈/em〉〈em〉slope, aspect, land use land cover, proximity to road, proximity to electric main grid and distribution lines, proximity to river/streams, technical and socio economic aspects. 〈/em〉〈em〉AHP method was adopted to determine the weight of each criterion.〈/em〉〈em〉 〈/em〉〈em〉Suitable areas were identified through a linear overlay of spatially distributed weighted criteria using a GIS solution. Criteria GIS layers were converted into rated value layers using four grades and by combining the rating value layers with the weightings, a site suitability map was developed, in 〈/em〉〈em〉high〈/em〉〈em〉, 〈/em〉〈em〉moderate, 〈/em〉〈em〉low and unsuitable. Accordingly, 〈/em〉〈em〉in the study area, nearly about 11.51% highly suitable for solar farm development and about 77.63% of the study area is moderately suitable. Thus, with some modifications and investment 89.14% of the study area is suitable to deploy solar farm. Contrary to this 10.85% is less or unsuitable for the development of solar farm in the region because of some restrictive factors which are not suitable for solar farm installation and development. 〈/em〉〈em〉〈/em〉〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉〈em〉This study was objectively conducted to explore the tree diversity of Langtang National Park (LNP), Nepal and show the correlation between spectral variables and tree biodiversity. Sentinel-2 MSI of LNP in Nepal was acquired from https://scihub.copernicus.eu/. Total 60 samples were collected from forest. Pearson correlation was established to show relationship between tree species diversity and reflectance values. Bagging LASSO algorithm was used to validate the model. Result shows that Shannon-Weiner index was ranging from 2.9 to 3 and it was the highest in dense forest. Altogether, there was 18 tree species in LNP. The highest importance value index was 79.64 of 〈/em〉〈em〉Rhoderndron arborum and it was the least around 3.44 of Prunus cornuta. 〈/em〉〈em〉Classified map of tree species of LNP showed high Kappa statistics with 0.7. The NIR band B6, B7, B8 and B8A performed high separability for tree species. High reflectance values were recorded of Betula alnoides, Qurecus semicarpofolia and Castonopsis hystrix but it was the lowest of Querus lamellose. The higher reflectance value was recorded of Juniperus indica and Sorbus cuspidate in case of shortwave-infrared spectrum (SWIR, Band 11) and SWIR2 (Band 12). The highest negative correlation was recorded between Simpson’s index and B7 with 〈/em〉〈em〉-0.386 and it was the highest positive correlation between Shannon-Weiner Index (H’) and B8 of 〈/em〉〈em〉Sentinel-2 with 0.361. The highest correlation was found between Simpson index and B8A_Entrophy with 〈/em〉〈em〉-0.365. 〈/em〉〈em〉Bagging LASSO model performed better prediction to show correlation between biophysical characteristics and reflectance value of remotely sensed data. 〈/em〉〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉〈em〉The purpose of this study was to assess the potability of groundwater resources in some parts of the Anantapur district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The water quality index, a spatial evaluation of groundwater using a GIS-based interpolation method, and the polluting groundwater index are some of the methods used to analyze water quality and explain the water quality of the studied area. A total of 22 groundwater samples were obtained during the post-monsoon period. The samples were tested for pH, EC, TDS, TH, and the major cations and anions. PIG levels between 0.98 and 1.98, with an average of 1.36, categorize low contamination in 5% of the research area and groundwater that is fit for human consumption. Additionally, 77% of the groundwater samples have drinking qualities that are only slightly acceptable. WQI values ranged from 85.97 to 113.52 mg/L, indicating that 55% and 45% of the samples are safe for drinking, respectively, while the other 45% are not. Groundwater samples are found in the field of rock dominance, according to the Gibbs plot. GIS techniques are being used to analyze the spatial variation of groundwater quality, and the results show that the majority of groundwater samples marginally meet standards for potable water, necessitating prior treatment before use. 〈/em〉〈strong〉〈em〉〈/em〉〈/strong〉〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉〈em〉Around the world, disasters are becoming a growing concern. Natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, severe storms and tropical cyclones, droughts, wild land fires, and man-made disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes have damaged the environment as well as destroyed economic and social infrastructure over the previous five decades. The Geographical Information System and Remote Sensing have been used as potential tools for disaster management and monitoring, particularly in the pre, during, and post-disaster stages. Utilizing electromagnetic radiation (EMR) wavelengths and sensors, multi-temporal spatial information can be obtained to simulate the disaster's nature in GIS which can aid to identify and predict the probability of upcoming disasters. For microclimate analysis and damage detection during large-scale natural disasters, the satellite covers a larger area than any other platform. Remote sensing technology for disaster management tasks has been broadened by compact aerial drones. UAVs can be utilitarian for mapping features of disaster impacted related in urban areas in real time.〈/em〉〈/p〉

Description: We would like to announce that the latest issue of the Acta Geologica Slovaca Journal (Volume 14, Issue 2) has already been released at 21th December 2022.

Description: We would like to announce that the latest issue of the Acta Geologica Slovaca Journal (Volume 13, Issue 2) has already been released at 19th December 2021.

Description: The presented comparative study evaluates the sensitivity of selected computational procedures to chosen parameters of solute transport and source geometry in homogeneous conditions. The computation procedures include three numerical schemes with FDI (finite difference implicit), MOC (method of characteristics), and a TVD (total variation diminishing) advection solver, while the other terms of the governing equation are computed by the FDI method. Furthermore, two analytical solutions were used: the exact solution of Newille (2005) and the approximate solution of Domenico (1987). Finally, a simplified, so-called Step-method, which is still being used in the practice, was used. The sensitivities of the individual procedures to selected physical-chemical parameters and to the geometric characteristics of the solute source were evaluated and compared. The obtained results show considerable differences between the particular procedures used. In most test cases, the numerical procedures with a TVD and MOC advection solver produced higher concentrations and were more sensitive to the transport parameters in comparison with the other methods used. Applied variations of individual parameter values caused a change of the calculated solute concentrations up to 7.1 %, whereas the substitution of calculation methods caused up to 7.7 % of C0 (the concentration in solute source). The simultaneous changes of all the examined parameter values with a synergistic effect caused the maximal change of calculated concentration up to 15.3 % of C0. A significant effect of the solute source geometry on the match between the results obtained by the selected numerical and analytical methods was also found (difference up to 57.9 % of C0). The achieved results indicate a need to solve the solute transport in homogeneous conditions using both types of calculation methods, the numerical and analytical, in order to cover possible variability of resulting concentrations. The simplified Step-method predominantly yields the lowest concentrations. At the same time, it is the least sensitive procedure to the selected parameters and can be used only for a reference point situated on the plume centerline. From a cautious point of view, it is the least suitable method for solute transport modelling among the compared methods.

Description: Presented research investigate the phenomenom of karstic area remarkable with specific karst landform, so-called covered karst. So far, not much attention has been paid to this particular type of karst in Slovakia, so the aim of the research is to bring new informations about it, especially about dolines formation and their origin. Study was focused on 50 dolines following the distinctive NE–SW line in the study area - the Cajla Karst located in the Malé Karpaty Mts., Slovakia. To understand the process of the formation of dolines in the covered karst and to distinguish the dolines from the pits resulted from anthropogenic processing via mining, several geophysical methods were adopted to prove the doline origin (soil radon emanometry, electric resistivity tomography and seismic refraction tomography). For identification of dolines and subsequent processing, the lidar data were used. The formation of studied dolines was controlled by lithological-tectonic properties of the bedrock, especially along the contact zone of karstic (Triassic carbonates) and non-karstic rocks composed of quartzite and crystalline basement. The resulting shape was also influenced by infiltration of surface water into the underground.

Description: An unusual assemblage of Pb-Cu-(Sb)-(Mn) supergene minerals, represented by mottramite, phosphohedyphane, mimetite, segnitite-beudantite series, anglesite, cerussite, oxyplumboroméite, brochantite, devilline, gypsum and coronadite was recently identified at the Priečna, Johan de Deo and Anna-Zubau epithermal ore veins near Rudno nad Hronom, Štiavnické vrchy Mts., Slovak Republic. Mottramite is a rare mineral at the Rudno deposit and this is the first reported occurrence in the Western Carpathians. Also phosphohedyphane occurs only rarely at the deposit. The localized Pb2+ -- Ca2+ substitution between phosphohedyphane and pyromorphite was observed. A large substitution between As and S was recognized on the T site in the beudantite – segnitite. Anglesite and cerussite are relatively abundant supergene minerals, especially in the proximity of primary galena relicts. Secondary Cu sulphates (brochantite and devilline) are only secondary minerals found also in macroscopic size. Brochantite forms dark green tabular crystals up to 0.1 mm. Devilline occurs as a light green-blue acicular crystals grown on brochantite. Gypsum was found with this assemblage. This is also first occurrence of coronadite in Western Carpathians.

Description: Assessment of hazard and disaster risk is critical for urban resilience. Given that earthquake hazard assessments will often have limitations and uncertainty, it is essential to understand the worst-case scenario of hazard possibility. Palu City is located in a disaster-prone area because it is traversed by the Palu-Koro fault, an active fault in Indonesia. In preparing the latest risk assessment for earthquakes as consideration for potential land use planning in Palu, an earthquake hazard risk assessment was carried out, including estimating earthquake hazard, vulnerability, risk, and the integration of disaster risk into land-use planning documents. This study employed the applied methods with quantitative and quantitative approaches, and the data were processed with ArcGIS tools; field observations supported primary and secondary data. The results showed that 70% of the Palu area is under high earthquake threat as located in an active tectonic area. The findings of the earthquake hazard and risk assessments were then integrated into a land-use planning document that can be used as a foundation for creating a community development plan document for the Palu City Government, known as the Palu City Spatial Plan. The spatial plan of Palu City will support the resilience of Palu in carrying out its functions as a city to eliminate impacts and risks of hazards occur. Thus, strict land-use implementation as means for disaster mitigation is urgently needed.

Description: This study aims to understand the effect of frost weathering of travertines from Spišské Podhradie in Slovakia. The application of travertine as a natural building and facing stone shows a gradually increasing trend in construction sector around the world. Travertines are commonly seen in tile sizes as façade material, wall cladding or flooring and are naturally exposed to the freeze–thaw processes. Methods of frost damage assessment in rocks are commonly based on parameters acquired mainly by destructive testing of samples, such as the uniaxial compressive strength test or Young’s modulus test. In the presented research, a nondestructive method taking advantage of selected petrophysical properties compared before and after 100 freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles, as well as recorded length change behavior and temperature development by a specially- constructed thermodilatometer (VLAP 04) with two induced linear variable differential transformer sensors (HIRT- LVDT) on vacuum-saturated samples has been conducted. Results demonstrate that travertine from Spišské Podhradie is quite heterogeneous in term of petrophysical properties. This heterogeneity can significantly affect the nature and intensity of the processes which take place during the ice crystallization within the pore space of the rock. While crystallization pressures in the macropores and the hydraulic pressure induced by the migration of water towards the advancing freeze front cause the specimen to expand, they are not sufficient to overcome the reduction of pore pressures in micro and mesopores and thus the total contraction of the specimen occurs after 100 freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles. The changes in the microstructure of the pore space of the travertine from Spišské Podhradie are not significant and so we can state that this travertine is a resistant material to the effects of frost weathering.

Description: Slovakia is rich in the Pliocene, Pleistocene travertines and Holocene tufas and travertines, which were studied in 82 localities. Travertines are developed in the spring mounds (49 %) with central orifices frequently in crater-like forms. Fissure ridges (6 %) with vertical veins were identified. A few mounds and ridges were connected to large coalesced mounds (2 %). Many tufas and travertines were formed in perched springline deposits (21 %). The mounds, ridges, and perched springline deposits have the slopes with prograding cascades, fewer included waterfalls. The dams on slopes were very rare. Most tufas were formed in dams along streams (20 %), usually with waterfalls and caves. The upper Miocene freshwater limestones in 5 localities were originated in lakes and marshes (2 %). The Slovak travertines are usually related to regionally important faults such as the N–S striking Central Slovak Fault System (17 sites). Westwards, the faults related to the travertine occurrences the NE–SW striking faults prevailed (3 sites). In northern and eastern Slovakia, the faults have generally W–E to NW–SE direction (15 sites). The travertines are often formed on the fault intersections and they are related to the extensional tectonics.

Description: We analysed the surface microtextures well-preserved on stable to ultra-stable heavy minerals such as zircon, tourmaline and rutile from the Devonian siliciclastic rocks which are cropping in northeastern and northwestern Iran by a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) techniques to provide useful provenance information on various sedimentary stages, and to reconstruct their sedimentary history. Different surface mechanical and chemical corrosive features point to more detritus sources, and above all on few evolution stages in different environments. The microtexture similarity between the studied Ilanqareh and Padeha deposits indicates that they could have experienced the resembled environmental conditions – from aeolian to subaqueous (fluvial and/or marine) processes. Nature of heavy minerals points to a multi-cyclic character of the sediments, and in addition to previously published ideas about the Arabian-Nubian Shield source, the presence of local source(s) partly supplied the Ilanqareh basin may be assumed.

Description: The study focuses on the upper Miocene colluvial to alluvial fan deposits of the Modrová Mb., which accumulated on the marginal blocks of the Považský Inovec Mts., transitional to surrounding depressions of the Danube Basin. These blocks are delimited tectonically according to the geophysical evidence, and the late Miocene normal faulting produced fault scarps causing rapid sediment supply. However, the supply of coarse clastics composed mostly of Mesozoic dolomites was of intensity sufficient only to fill the accommodation of the marginal blocks. The sediment input to the surrounding Danube Basin is on the both sides of the Považský Inovec Mts. not traceable, probably due to an overwhelming alluvial redistribution. Facies analysis of the Modrová Mb. implies an environment of colluvial fans with prevalence of cohesive debris flow deposition, associated with less frequent rockfall, grain flow and sheetwash processes on the western side of the mountains in the area of Modrová village. In contrary, the easterly situated area of Tesáre village exhibits dominance of debris flow deposition with more than one third of the succession deposited by channelized and unchannelized shallow traction currents, indicating sedimentary environment of an alluvial fan close to its transition to colluvial sediment-feeder system. Petrographical and geochemical study showed extremely low content of siliciclastic component in the colluvial deposits of the Modrová area. Dolomite clasts form a major part of the sediment and are covered by a coating of clay minerals. The coatings and sediment matrix contain iron oxides possibly derived by fersiallitic weathering and by oxidation of pyrite scattered within the matrix. Geochemistry of muddy layers in the Tesáre succession implies either cold or dry weathering conditions. However, weathering proxies are considered to be biased due to the rapid denudation in the colluvial to alluvial fan environment, since observed facies and published regional studies imply rather warm and humid climate. Several examples of simultaneous comparable depositional settings in the broader region imply, that these colluvial to alluvial fan successions could be related to a mild phase of regional tectonic activity at ~8 Ma.

Description: The application of protective coatings can significantly influence the essential physical properties of rocks used in building and decorative industries. This paper presents the results of laboratory tests demonstrating the positive effect of the protective coating Antipluviol S applied on a tuff from Tuscany in Italy, which is a weak volcanic rock of a very low strength and very high porosity. The efficiency of the coating was measured by absorption tests, standard uniaxial compressive strength tests and cyclic frost resistance tests. After the coating application, the water absorption decreased from 39.1% to 31.3% by total rock immersion at atmospheric pressure conditions. The water absorption only by capillary suction showed much higher efficiency of the coating. The change in the rock strength, resulting from the coating application, was less pronounced; the mean values rose from 5.8 to 6.8 MPa (17.2% increase). For all strength values are quite similar in both treated and untreated groups, as well as scattered within the groups, no relevance to the coating impact could be confirmed. But, even such a slight improvement of the monitored physical parameters has the effect of slowing down the rock's weathering. This was proven by the results of the frost resistance test. Coated samples withstood all the standard 25 freeze-thaw cycles, whereas untreated samples began to disintegrate after the 17th test cycle. These findings can help the maintenance of the famous historic architecture of picturesque tuff towns of Tuscany suffering from weathering, and contribute to the preservation of the cultural heritage. On the other hand, they showed how important such tests are when considering building stone import.

Description: Petroleum hydrocarbons are one of the most common contaminants. Paper presents current theoretical approaches in identification and evaluation of sites with LNAPL (Light Non-Aquaeous Phase Liquids). To compare them with field results outputs from the ongoing remediation in a former railyard are utilized. New information from drilling and sampling is evaluated, with focus on the spatial distribution and migration of total petroleum hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater. Samples of LNAPL (diesel) were collected and analyzed by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry, to obtain more information about the quality, degree of weathering and the approximate age of the spill. It’s a common problem to distinguish between old and new contamination, and the observation of weathering rate can help to evaluate all possible contamination sources. Weathering degree of analyzed diesel samples ranged from almost none (even light n-alkanes abundant) to complete removal of all n-alkanes, though the railyard is more than 10 years out of operation. Based on the results, new LNAPL sources were identified, possible migration pathways were discussed and the age of LNAPL in different parts if the railyard was estimated.

Description: We would like to announce that the latest issue of the Acta Geologica Slovaca Journal (Volume 14, Issue 1) has already been released at 19th December 2021.

Description: We would like to announce that the latest issue of the Acta Geologica Slovaca Journal (Volume 12, Issue 2) has already been released at 11th December 2020.

Description: We would like to announce that the latest issue of the Acta Geologica Slovaca Journal (Volume 13, Issue 1) has already been released at 30th June 2021.