The Anuário do Instituto de Geociências is a peer-reviewed Brazilian Journal published since 1977 by the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Center for Mathematical and Natural Sciences (CCMN), Institute of Geosciences (IGEO). The Anuário do Instituto de Geociências publishes continually online articles covering various fields within the scope of Earth Sciences, such as geological, paleontological, archaeological, geophysical, geographic, geodetic, meteorological, oceanographic, and other environmental geosciences-related issues. Print version: ISSN 0101-9759 Electronic version: e-ISSN 1982-3908
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Geociências
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Sustainability Dimensions of Gedong Gincu Mango Farming: a Case Study in Majalengka Regency, West Java Province, Indonesia
This study aims to analyze the sustainability status of the gedong gincu mango agribusiness in Majalengka Regency and identify the factors that influence it. Using a quantitative descriptive method with Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) analysis, this study involved a survey of farmer groups, academics, government, and extension workers. The results of the analysis showed that overall, the status of agribusiness sustainability in the village was classified as moderately sustainable with an average index value of 70.9%. The ecological dimension has the highest index value (78.3%), while the technological dimension has the lowest index value (57.8%). It indicates that the environmental aspect is well maintained, but there is a need for improvement in the application of agricultural technology. The sustainability of the gedong gincu mango agribusiness is influenced by various complex interrelated factors, including social, economic, institutional, technological and environmental factors. To achieve optimal sustainability, a comprehensive approach involving all stakeholders is required. Monte carlo analysis result has shown that the model is good enough, also stress and R-square.
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Estrogenic Sediment Activity and Toxicity at the Cunha Channel Watershed, a Major Micropollutant Contributor to Guanabara Bay, the Most Polluted Estuarine System in Southeastern Brazil
Disruptors cause hormonal function disturbances and adverse effects in animals and humans, even at low concentrations in the micro and nanogram range, and have become a serious environmental concern. In this sense, this study aimed to determine the estrogenic activity and toxicity of sediment samples from the Cunha Channel watershed, a major contributor of micropollutants to Guanabara Bay, the most polluted but most productive estuarine system in Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. Estrogenic activities were determined by the in vitro Yeast Assay Estrogen Screen (YES) and acute toxicity was determined using the Vibrio fischeri bacteria assay, in samples processed with protocols for wet and dry sediments. The wet test was the most efficient, with values ranging from 3.4 to 17 ng.g-1,while sample drying led to no detectable estrogenic activity and with toxicity in all samples except one (0.16 ng.g-1). All samples were categorized as very toxic or toxic in the acute toxicity assessment, suggesting high Ethylene Dichloride contamination in the Cunha Channel. This is due to anthropogenic and Vibrio fischeri the lack of local sanitation policies, indicating major environmental concerns in one of the most productive estuarine sites in the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. This assessment contributes to studies in estuaries estrogenic compounds, which are still extremely scarce worldwide.
Performance Evaluation and Scientific Mapping in Sustainability-Focused Green Finance and Literacy
This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis along with a systematic literature review to explore climate finance by addressing two critical challenges of contemporary society: environmental improvement and subjective well-being from a cluster view. This study exported articles from Scopus from 1993 to 2023. Based on Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA), 310 articles were carefully analyzed or selected to use advanced bibliometric tools and techniques, such as biblioshiny (R software), to explore this study and verified using Vos viewer software. The results of the performance analysis and scientific mapping reveal that publications on green investment and financial literacy have risen dramatically in the few years since 2020, which can be seen as the effect of COVID-2019 and the Paris Climate Agreement. The scientific publication of word clouds has depicted a significant impact on literacy in the financial market, reducing biases and making sound financial decisions by considering the environment. This study examines green finance, financial systems, and financial literacy to demonstrate the interdisciplinary nature of climate finance research. This holistic approach emphasizes how economic, environmental, and social variables affect sustainability goals. This study informs policymakers and strategic planners to underline green finance for a robust and sustainable economy while making investment decisions. This study focused on the Scopus database up to 2023. Relevant publications from other databases or external factors that influence trends might have been excluded from the analysis.
Soil Moisture Estimation by GNSS-IR from Active Stations: Case Study – RBMC/IBGE, UFPR Station
The Earth is a dynamic planet subject to numerous natural phenomena and processes that human activities have intensified. Monitoring variables associated with these phenomena is essential. Soil moisture, for example, plays a crucial role in climate systems, agriculture, and the hydrological cycle. The Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) is one of the Geodesy tools used for monitoring the Earth, through which the GNSS Interferometric Reflectometry (GNSS-IR) technique can be employed to estimate soil moisture. In this study, the UFPR station, part of the Brazilian Continuous Monitoring Network of GNSS Systems (RBMC) was selected for investigation. A Python script was developed to automate the preparation of GNSS data from any RBMC station. Different processing configurations of a reflectometric algorithm were evaluated, resulting in a set of time series of soil moisture for 2022. Results indicate that configurations adapted to the station’s local conditions contribute to the enhancement of the results. The best signal among the 24 evaluated was the precise signal from the L2 frequency of GLONASS (RS2P). Peaks in precipitation were aligned with peaks in soil moisture, with soil moisture ranging from 0 to 0.35 m³/m³. The results support the development of a methodology for monitoring soil moisture in the vicinity of GNSS-RBMC stations that meet GNSS-IR requirements, expanding the potential applications of this network.
The Western South Atlantic Sea Surface Temperature and Brazil Current Volume Transport at 30°S: a Study Based on the Brazilian Earth System Model 2.5 Historical Simulations
The analyses of sea surface temperature (SST) in the western portion of the South Atlantic and the integrated volume transport of the Brazil Current (BCVT) at 30°S were conducted using historical results (Jan/1993-Nov/2005) from the Brazilian Earth System Model version 2.5 (BESM-OA2.5) and comparing them with those from the 2M version of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Earth System Model (GFDL-ESM2M) and the Global Ocean Physics Reanalysis 12V1 (GLORYS12V1). The GHRSST Level 4 AVHRR_OI Global Blended Sea Surface Temperature Analysis (GHRSSTL4) product was used to validate these results. A tendency of overestimation of SST values by the Brazilian model was observed by approximately 1.07°C compared to GHRSSTL4. The BCVT results at 30°S indicated an average value of 10.54±4.68, 6.79±1.40, and 11.99±4.16 Sv for BESM-OA2.5, GFDL-ESM2M, and GLORYS12V1, respectively. For the Brazil-Malvinas Confluence region, the authors found a mean Bias of 3.76 °C with a maximum of 10.38 °C according to BESM-OA2.5 results in relation to GHRSSTL4. Compared to other studies, the BCVT values obtained were lower due to the use of more direct observational data, such as current meters and buoys by other authors. Additionally, the low spatial resolution of the models used may limit the detailed representation of the Brazil Current.
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Technical Analysis Applied in the Inspection of Distress on the Surface of Asphalt Pavement using Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)
The transport sector can be considered one of the most important in promoting urban mobility in Brazil. The lack of efficient road planning and transport greatly affects people's daily journeys. Another important factor is the increase in the number of vehicles in Brazilian municipalities, which also contributes to the negative outlook regarding traffic in Brazil. This work aimed to use Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) to obtain images that enable analyzes of the surface conditions of the asphalt pavement. The place where the study was carried out was the BRT TransOeste corridor in Rio de Janeiro, which connects the Barra da Tijuca region to Santa Cruz and Campo Grande, passing through Guaratiba and Recreio dos Bandeirantes. The following procedures were adopted: flight planning with RPA, observing the Ground Sample Distance (GSD) recommended by scientific literature, field support using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Networked Transport of Radio Technical Committee for Maritime Service (RTCM) via Internet Protocol (NTRIP) technology, processing of images obtained using Agisoft software, generation of orthophoto orthorectified and assessment of distress on the asphalt surface based on the analysis of images obtained with RPA using the Pavement Condition Index (PCI).
Transport of Particulate Matter in the Pampas/Peru District During August and September 2024
This contribution evaluates the transport of particulate matter in the district of Pampas during August and September 2024, located in the department of Huancavelica - Peru. To estimate the air quality, the Ministerio do Ambiente methodology is used for particles in fine and coarse mode. Results from August to September 2024 demonstrated the air quality was poor for fine mode particulate matter. Therefore, it is concluded that the environment for the months of August and September was harmful to people’s health, and underlines the importance of addressing air quality not only as a public health problem, but also as a critical factor in sustainable development.
Spatial-Temporal Distribution of Hot Spots in the Municipality of Nova Timboteua, Pará, Brazil
Remote sensing is a tool that enables monitoring forest fires in extensive territories because it allows locating more and less vulnerable regions using satellites, reducing the costs and time for the perception of hot spots. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the distribution of hot spots in the municipality of Nova Timboteua, Pa between the years 2015 and 2020. For this we used data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) burns program that was processed in spreadsheets, where graphs were produced, and in QGIS 3.28.1, which generated the Kernel density map using the function of Kartic estimation. In the municipality, 1,026 hot spots were recorded in the studied period, with higher occurrences observed in the years 2015 (250) and 2017 (215), periods with average rainfall below 200 mm. In addition, a seasonal variation of hot spots was observed in the municipality, where the months of November and December are the months that presented the highest number of hot spots. The southwestern and northeastern regions of the municipality were the ones that registered the highest number of hot spots, except for the year 2018. Furthermore, the hot spots were concentrated in PA-324 and PA-242. Thus, it is noted that the hot spots occur more frequently in periods of lower rainfall and that the northeastern and southeastern regions of the municipality are the most vulnerable to the occurrence of hot spots.
The Use Remotely Piloted Aircraft in Counting Agricultural and Forestry Plants: a Systematic Review
In recent years, plant counting using data collected by sensors embedded in remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), combined with machine learning algorithms, has become popular in the agroforestry sector, especially in crop planning, crop production estimation, among other applications. This study aimed to perform a systematic review of the literature on plant counting in the agricultural and forestry sector that uses data from sensors embedded in RPAS. We sought to identify the principal bibliometric indicators of scientific production and, through content analysis, the main characteristics and trends of the studies. A total of 33 scientific articles obtained on the Scopus and Web of Science platforms were used. Then, a content qualitative analysis of each article was conducted to identify the main thematic categories: agricultural and forest species, platform and sensors, software, and algorithm. There was an increase in scientific publications as of 2017. The USA presented the higher number of researches performed, with eight publications. There was a significant presence of RGB (Red, Green and Blue) sensors followed by multispectral. The algorithms Convoluctional Neural Network (CNN), Structure from Motion (SfM), and K-means stood out for the recurrence of use, either singularly or associated. Studies with this purpose drive new research development, where this technology utilization is revealed as a potential instrument to understand the usage trends, subsidize and encourage the information acquisition, promoting improvements and progress for research in the agroforestry scope.
Geospatial Technology for Agricultural Land Site Suitability Assessment in Upper Vellar River Basin, South India
Agriculture is one of the oldest and prime activities of the human being. It has remained an important source of food. In spite of growing industrialization and urbanization in the world, nearly fifty per cent working population still engaged in agriculture. To make an in depth and comprehensive study, the main objectives present research is to analyze the changes in agricultural land use in the study region, to demarcate and to analyze the agricultural cropping land suitability and methods of cultivation, and to suggest remedial measures for the better agricultural planning and development of Upper Vellar River basin, Tamil Nadu, India using geospatial technology. Depending on their significance and importance in the agriculture seven different constraints and criteria were selected. The identification of different criteria depended on maximum limitation method that influences the product yield of agriculture which includes topographic wetness index (TWI), land use and land cover (LULC), soil, drainage density, slope, aspect and geology. The derived land suitability zones were classified into five classes i.e., not suitable, poor suitable, moderately suitable, highly suitable, and very high suitable zones. The not suitable zone cover 35 sq.km (1%) found in Belur, and Valapadi, poorly suitable zone covers 688 sq. km (8%) found in near Tammpampatti, Moderately suitable zone covers 976 sq.km (36%) found in northern part of study area, southern parts of the study area, highly suitable zone covers 1092 sq.km (43%) found in northern and central part of the study area and Very high suitable zone covers 152 sq.km (17%) found in Central and southern part of the total study area. Paddy crop is useful for developing in the highly suitable zone. The oilseed is the better decision to develop in the moderately suitable zone of the study area. In the low suitable region of study area, it is preferable to grow wheat. Examining the agricultural management plan of the study area shows that only 17% of the area is currently used for agricultural activities. Highly suitable lands for agriculture are the most suitable lands for agricultural production. These lands have the highest potential for agricultural production.
Multi-GNSS Data Processing and Analysis in Point Positioning for Brazilian Stations in Months of High and Low Ionospheric Activity
The Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have been increasingly used in positioning-related activities. The term GNSS includes the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS), the Russian GLObal’naya NAvigationnaya Sputnikowaya Sistema (GLONASS), initially developed by the Soviet Union, the European Union’s Galileo, the Chinese BeiDou, and Satellite and Ground Based Augmentation System (SBAS and GBAS). With the large number of satellites available, the trend today is to combine the systems at the user level, improving availability and positioning accuracy. The objective of this study is to process and analyze GNSS data from Brazilian monitoring stations using point positioning (PP), correlating with the ionosphere activity and the multipath around each station. Four systems were considered individually and combined, under different atmospheric conditions. The results were evaluated in terms of the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), considering the horizontal and vertical bias, as well as the respective uncertainties, given by the Least Squares Method (LSM). The multi-GNSS positioning presented the best results, mainly due to the redundancy in the number of observations (average of 29 satellites per epoch), with a root-mean-square error of 1.5 m. GPS and Galileo showed the best performance among the individual results.
Impact of ZTD Estimation and Tropospheric Gradients on Kinematic PPP Accuracy in the Amazon and Southern Regions of Brazil
The study investigated the influence of tropospheric gradients on the accuracy of Precise Point Positioning (PPP), using data from Brazilian Network for Continuous Monitoring of the GNSS Systems (RBMC) in the Amazon and southern regions of Brazil. The research was conducted due to the need to better understand how tropospheric gradients affect the accuracy of kinematic PPP. Understanding these effects is crucial to improving the accuracy of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning, especially in regions with variable atmospheric conditions. The study used RBMC data and tropospheric delay modeling based on Numerical Weather Prediction (PNT) data. The results showed significant improvements in the planimetric accuracy of kinematic PPP with the inclusion of tropospheric gradients. The improvements were observed on the order of millimeters, with increases of up to 3% in horizontal accuracy and 7% in vertical accuracy. The analysis also revealed that estimating tropospheric gradients was more significant in the vertical component and regions with higher humidity tropospheric scenarios. It was concluded that including tropospheric gradients is crucial to improving the accuracy of kinematic PPP, especially in the Amazon region, where tropospheric scenarios are more humid. Additionally, estimating tropospheric gradients was considered as or even more significant in planimetric accuracy than using a Mapping Function based on PNT data. This research highlights the importance of considering tropospheric gradients in GNSS positioning and provides valuable insights for future studies and practical applications in the field of geodesy and satellite navigation.
Geotechnical Cartography Applied to Territorial Planning: A Pedo-Geotechnical Approach
Occupying territories without prior knowledge of the physical environment often leads to problems arising from inadequate planning. On April 10, 2012, Law No. 12,608 was enacted, establishing the National Policy on Protection and Civil Defense (PNPDEC). Article 3° of this law outlines territorial planning policies, highlighting that geotechnical mapping is fundamental for risk mapping and territorial planning. This study aimed to develop a methodology applicable to physical environment planning at a 1:50,000 scale, specifically for urbanization purposes. The proposed method involves creating a pedogeotechnical map, combined with physical indices, providing subsidies for creating of the geotechnical map. A practical application of this methodology was conducted in the municipality of Guapimirim, located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. The choice of this test area is justified by its diverse physiographic and environmental conditions, allowing validation of the method in various environmental contexts. The results suggest that developing a pedogeotechnical map, with its pedogeotechnical units and including physical indices as a precursor to the geotechnical map, is a practical and straightforward approach. This methodology enables the identification of suitable and unsuitable areas for urban expansion and indicates potentials and limitations related to their use. Ultimately, implementing this approach contributes to more sustainable urban planning, considering the characteristics of the physical environment, promoting risk prevention, and ensuring community safety.
Experience in the Use of Petroleum Emulsion of Сhlorine-Potassium Thermostabilised Inhibited Drilling Solution NEHKT
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the inhibited Neftyanaya Emulsiya Hlorno-Kalievogo Termostabilizirovannogo - inhibited drilling solution - (NEHKT) drilling solution when drilling unstable rocks in red-colour sediments in a certain range of occurrence at a particular well. The study includes preparation of the solution, laboratory tests to determine the optimal components and their proportions, and conducting controlled experiments during which the solution was used in practice. During these tests, the inhibited NEHKT drilling fluid was used in real drilling conditions to evaluate its effectiveness. Conducting controlled experiments allowed evaluating of its ability to prevent complications during the drilling process and the success of the descent and cementing of the production column. The effectiveness of the inhibited NEHKT drilling solution was confirmed under conditions of drilling unstable rocks in red-coloured sediments in the range of 2000-2600 m at well No. 810 of the Nebitdag area. Drilling was also successfully conducted without complications when using the solution, which confirms its ability to ensure the stability of the drilling process and prevent possible problems associated with unstable rocks. The ability of the inhibited NEHKT solution to maintain its structural and mechanical properties in conditions of high mineralisation, penetrate the interplane space of clays, preventing their hydration and swelling, and bind all the water in the solution into persistent hydrates, which contributes to the stability and safety of the drilling process, is identified. Thus, the results of this study indicate the prospects and effectiveness of the inhibited NEHKT drilling solution in the context of ensuring a safe and stable drilling process for unstable rocks in red-coloured sediments.
First Record of Miocene Polychaete Cirratulids in the Atlantic Ocean from the Pirabas Formation of Brazil: A MicroCT Approach
A new record of the cirratulid polychaete Diplochaetetes mexicanus Wilson, 1986 from the of Miocene Pirabas Formation outcrops (Burdigalian to Langhian) is documented in the context of the paleodiversity of the equatorial margin of Brazil and represents the first record for the equatorial shelf of South America. D. mexicanus, previously known from the Oligocene–Miocene interface of the Pacific in Mexico and from the Miocene of the Pacific in Peru, shows an amphi-American paleodistribution (Eastern Pacific and Western Atlantic) and a wide tropical to subtropical latitudinal range. The stratigraphic fidelity observed in the two studied outcrops (Praia do Atalaia and Fazenda on Fortaleza Island in north Brazil) is indicative of the species’ resilience under different paleoenvironmental conditions. MicroCT analyses and 3D reconstructions allowed for greater accuracy in the study of the colony.
In Brazilian territory many occurrences do not have their gemological and optical properties documented or made public. This research aimed to analyze the mineralogical and gemological aspects of emeralds from the city of Tauá (Brazil), utilizing gemological instruments such as a refractometer, dichroscope, spectroscope, polariscope, hydrostatic balance, ultraviolet lamp, and gemological microscope. The examined emeralds exhibit typical features found in emeralds worldwide, except for an above-average birefringence, similar to certain beryls from the state of Ceará. This highlights the significance of gemological characterization not only at the regional levels but also on a localized scale. Additionally, studying occurrences in varied geological settings is essential, as the formation environment influences mineral properties.
Mapping Potential Targets for Gold Mineralization: a Methodological Approach Based on Score Balances of Soil geochemical Data in the Amapari area, Amapá State, Brazil
Geochemical exploration in deeply weathered tropical terrains is often hampered by a strong modification of the primary geochemical signals on the surface, making it difficult to locate potential targets for gold mineralization relying on geochemical assays for Au in soil samples. This problem is particularly relevant in rain forest equatorial regions such as the Amapari area, Amapá state, Brazil, where the gold ore is hosted in a hydrothermally altered banded iron formation and where the prevailing humid tropical conditions contributed to developing regolith profiles that may be several tens of meters thick, topped by lateritic crusts or highly leached colluvial soils. In this study, we apply an innovative methodology based on score balances and data mining. The data set is composed of a vast soil geochemical survey conducted in the region. A training step based on mineralized and non-mineralized samples is essential to select the best variables to be adopted in a balanced formula whose score will be calculated over a validation area. The proposed method was successfully applied to highlight a mineralized trend in the Amapari region, which was not previously detected considering only Au grade or any other potential pathfinder metal alone. The method may be used in other regions and even for other valuable metals.
Geological and Industrial Characterization of the Mylonite Belonging to the Granja Complex, Morrinhos - CE
Considering that establishing an ornamental stone deposit requires various preliminary studies, this research aimed to identify the potential of a mylonite belonging to the Granja Metamorphic Complex in the Médio Coreaú Domain. To this end, geological mapping, technological characterization, and reuse studies were conducted. The technological characterization considered both national standards, developed by ABNT, and European and American standards. For determining the reuse options for the cutting and dismantling waste of the material, tests were conducted for its use as a partial replacement for coarse aggregate in concrete, as eco-filler, and for the production of artificial agglomerated stone. In the end, in addition to understanding the geological history of the rock, it was possible to determine its safe use as an ornamental stone and the best ways to utilize the waste.
Biostratigraphy and Paleoenvironmental Characterization of the Lower Cretaceous Codó and Itapecuru Formations (Aptian–Albian, Parnaíba Basin, Brazil)
The Parnaíba Basin is a Brazilian intracratonic basin located in the North and Northeastern regions of the country. Its Cretaceous succession holds significant scientific and economic importance, as it is correlated with the Aptian Pre-Salt deposits of Brazil and contains early records of marine incursions associated with the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean. This study aims to identify ostracods and organic matter constituents recovered from samples of a fully cored geological section recently drilled in the Parnaíba Basin (2-CO-1-MA borehole, within the interval corresponding to the Codó and Itapecuru formations). The objectives are to establish an ostracod-based biostratigraphic framework for this section, and to infer paleoenvironmental conditions through the integrated analysis of ostracods and palynofacies. Species of the ostracod genera Damonella and Pattersoncypris were identified, alongside megaspores, termite coprolites, fish fragments, gastropoda and foraminifera, characterizing a low diversity fauna and flora assemblage. In addition, the palynofacies revealed the presence of phytoclasts, amorphous organic matter, and palynomorphs within the studied samples. Four microfossil associations and three palynofacies were identified in the studied section, which is constrained to the upper Aptian. The evolution of the sedimentary succession is marked by a range of paleoenvironments, including lacustrine, brackish lacustrine, evaporitic-sabkha, fluvial, lagoonal, and fluvio-deltaic settings.
Unveiling Sedimentation Hiatuses: Key Factors in Hydrocarbon Reservoir Formation in Azerbaijan
In recent decades, the decline of oil and gas reserves in traditional anticline traps has become a pressing issue for many hydrocarbon-producing regions worldwide, including Azerbaijan. This situation has directed the focus of geologists and geophysicists toward identifying alternative hydrocarbon sources, particularly in non-anticlinal traps. This paper aims to explore the geological and geophysical characteristics of sedimentation hiatuses, which manifest as surfaces and play a crucial role in the formation of hydrocarbon traps by significantly influencing hydrocarbon accumulation and migration processes. The study emphasizes the essential methodologies employed in seismic exploration to investigate sedimentation hiatuses. It establishes that these hiatuses are predominantly associated with strong seismic horizons that lack weak boundaries, facilitating their identification in seismic data. The research elaborates on the impact of sedimentation hiatuses on the acoustic properties of reservoirs, underscoring their influence on filtration and capacity characteristics. The analysis also highlights the independence of phase and lithological components within the wave field, indicating that while lithological components are well-studied, the phase components associated with sedimentation breaks require further exploration. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the complex geological features that influence hydrocarbon reservoirs, underscoring the necessity for advanced techniques in seismic interpretation and exploration.
The Effectiveness of Different Fossil Preparation Methods for Fossil Shrimp from The Crato Formation, Araripe Basin
This research presents the mechanical and chemical preparation techniques of a shrimp fossil from the Crato Formation, Araripe Basin. The mechanical preparation used precision tools to remove the rock matrix, whereas the chemical preparation applied acetic acid contained in vinegar to selectively dissolve the carbonate matrix and preserve the morphological details. Ultraviolet light revealed structures that were not visible under conventional light, and detailed scientific illustrations helped document diagnostic features. The integration of these methods ensured structural preservation and enhanced the taxonomic and paleoecological understanding of the sample. This study provides a methodological basis for future research on invertebrates in the Araripe Basin.
Petrographic and Lithogeochemical Characterization of the Tanguá Alkaline Suite, Poços de Caldas-Cabo Frio Alignment, Rio de Janeiro State
The Tanguá Alkaline Suite (RJ) consists of nepheline syenites, syenites, alkaline magmatic breccias, and phonolites, and it is inserted in the magmatic alignment of Poços de Caldas-Cabo Frio (ca. 84-49 Ma) that extends in the WNW-ESE direction, in the center portion of the Ribeira Belt (ca. 620-520 Ma). The Tanguá intrusion exhibits a concentric zoning characterized by the variation in the proportions of orthoclase, nepheline, and pseudoleucite. This variation is due to the association with the embedding rock. The contact occurs between an unsaturated phase in silica (nepheline syenite magma) and a supersaturated phase in silica (metamorphic rocks of the basement). The project aims to present analytical studies applied to the geological interpretation of the Alkaline Tanguá Suite, using petrographic, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and geochemistry data. The petrographic analysis demonstrated that the main lithotype is nepheline syenite, composed mainly of alkali feldspar and nepheline, with three distinct textures: medium, coarse, and porphyritic. These textural variations suggest different conditions of temperature, pressure and depth during the magma crystallization. X-ray diffraction data suggest the occurrence of orthoclase, fluorine-arfvedsonite, and hedenbergite. Geochemical data show a lithotype undersaturated in silica and rich in potassium and sodium.
Poços de Caldas – Cabo Frio Alignment: a Petrochronological Review of an Unconventional Plume Model
This work reviews the Poços de Caldas – Cabo Frio Alignment (PCCFA), one of Brazil's alkaline igneous provinces, comprising syenites, phonolites, and trachytes, as well as magmatic breccias. TAS and Harker (for major and trace elements) diagrams suggest two groups based on the silica content. From the TAS diagram, it is noted that the less evolved rocks plot mainly in the tephrite/basanite and foidite fields, while the more evolved rocks predominantly fall in the phonolite and trachyte fields. In the Harker diagrams, correlations with silica can be observed for some oxides/elements, such as TiO2, CaO, Rb, Sr, Zr, Y, and Nb. From the normalized diagrams, it is evident that the less evolved rocks exhibit low variability, indicating similar sources and petrogenetic processes. In contrast, the more evolved ones present several anomalies (Ba, Sr, Ti, Rb, Zr, and Eu), suggesting different mineral fractionations. In addition, a wide range of normalized values is observed for certain elements, such as Ba, Sr, and Pb, which may indicate distinct evolutionary processes. Sr and Nd isotopic data show show similar trends, suggesting a mixture of DMM and EMI or DMM and EMII sources for the PCCFA complexes. Two new 40Ar/39Ar ages (71.55 ± 0.49 Ma and 67.31 ± 0.78 Ma) are presented for the Tinguá and Itatiaia massifs, respectively. In addition, two new U-Pb ages (69.3 ± 2.2 Ma for Tinguá and 70.4 ± 2.6 Ma for Itatiaia) are presented along with a third U-Pb age of 65 ± 2 Ma obtained for Gatos Hill, which is the first published age for this massif. The compilation of geochronological data, along with these new ages, indicates that the decrease in ages from west to east is not regular. For example, the oldest age (Itatiaia – 90.5 Ma) and the youngest age (Tinguá – 39.1 Ma) are found in more central massifs of the magmatic alignment. This feature prevents the genesis of this alignment from being attributed to a conventional plume model. In this regard, the authors suggest the presence of a plume with widespread conduits that have used preexisting structures for the intrusion the alkaline rocks, a hypothesis supported by the orientation of these magmatic bodys (massifs and dikes).
Petroleum Geochemical Assessment of Shale Samples from Well D, Southern Offshore Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria
This study evaluates the organic matter richness, hydrocarbon generative potential, and thermal maturity of sediments from Well D, located in the southern offshore Niger Delta Basin, using Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, and kerogen classification. The TOC content of the analyzed samples ranges from 1.75 to 6.62 wt.%, with an average of 2.74 wt.%, indicating good to excellent source rock potential. S1 and S2 values, averaging 5.37 mg HC/g rock and 6.91 mg HC/g rock, respectively, further highlight the organic richness and hydrocarbon potential of these sediments. The S1/TOC ratio (average 1.97) suggests significant free oil presence and active hydrocarbon expulsion. Kerogen classification, based on a modified Van Krevelen diagram and Hydrogen Index (HI) versus Tmax plots, reveals predominantly Type II kerogen (oil-prone) with a minor mix of Type II/III (oil and gas-prone). Approximately 91% of the samples exhibit sufficient thermal maturity to generate hydrocarbons, while 9% remain immature. Genetic potential values ranging from 6.16 to 31.06 mg HC/g rock underscore the significant hydrocarbon potential of key intervals, especially those within the optimal oil window. The findings confirm that Well D sediments possess substantial potential for hydrocarbon generation, driven by favorable TOC levels, kerogen quality, and thermal maturity. These results align with previous studies of Niger Delta source rocks, providing valuable insights for future exploration and development in the region.
The Middle Cretaceous Shallow to Deep Carbonates of the Sarvak Formation, Zagros Basin, Southwest Iran: Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction and Sequence Stratigraphy
The main purpose of this study is to investigate the sedimentary environment conditions and sedimentary characteristics of Sarvak Formation and therefore, due to the importance of Sarvak Formation in the Zagros Basin, in the present study, facies features, sedimentary environment and sequence stratigraphy of the mentioned formation were identified. In the present study, one stratigraphic section located in Bangestan Anticline (Tang-e-Sarvak) was studied to determine and analyze the facies types, depositional environment, and sequence stratigraphy characteristics of the Sarvak Formation in northwest of Behbahan city. This section is mainly composed of medium to thick-bedded and massive limestone. Facies analysis led to the recognition of 11 microfacies related to the pelagic, outerramp, middle-ramp, and inner-ramp environments. Facies frequency analysis of the microfacies and facies belt demonstrated that the most frequency was related to the MF2 belonging to the pelagic environment and the lowest frequency was related to the MF8 belonging to the inner ramp environment. Studying the changes of vertical facies and their comparison with their modern and ancient counterparts indicated that the Sarvak Formation has been deposited in a shallow carbonate ramp platform. The sequence stratigraphic assessments indicated that the Sarvak Formation consists of three third-order depositional sequences, each consisting of transgressive and highstand system tracts. Typical intervals, such as sequence boundaries, maximum flooding surfaces, stacking patterns, and system tracts were also distinguished.
Middle Tropospheric Cyclonic Vortex Formation
The short-term forecast is based on atmospheric synoptic systems analysis such as the Middle Tropospheric Cyclonic Vortices (MTCV). This research was aimed at analyzing and determining the formation processes of these vortices. Reanalysis data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) with spatial resolution of 0.25º × 0.25º for nine vertical levels were used to identify the main features of MTCVs over Northeast Brazil and the Equatorial Atlantic Ocean. During 2010, 62 MTCVs were identified over these regions. Most MTCVs were short-lived events compared to similar systems as the South American Upper Tropospheric Cyclonic Vortex (UTCVs) and MTCVs over the Indian continent; 19 MTCVs lasted from 12 to 20 hours, while 15 of them were active from 30 to 42 hours, the other MTCVs (28) lasted for more than 48 hours. More frequently MTCV centers (55% of events, 34 cases) were observed at the level of 700 hPa. Three types of formation processes were identified: 1) Type I, trough in the air current from the west, 2) Type II, trough in the air current from the east, and 3) Type III in the meridional current from both hemispheres. Ten subtypes were distinguished depending on the position of the trough axis before the MTCV formation: meridional, NW - SE and SW – N. The most frequent subtype of Type I (17 events) were formations on troughs with an axis from northwest to southeast. Type II MTCVs developed frequently (13 events) on troughs with an axis from southeast to northwest. Low vorticity (-3 and -4×10-5 s-1) dominated in all MTCVs events. Only weak convergence was present in 16 events, while weak divergence and convergence were observed in the rest of the MTCVs. Only 36 out of 62 MTCVs presented both lifting and sinking during the vortex core formation. Prior to the MTCV formation, only sinking motion was observed in half of the events, while in the other half were lifting and sinking. Thus, MTCV study is important for improving short-term weather forecasting.
Partitioned Variance Analysis of Dengue Incidence in Rio de Janeiro City: Exploring the Impact of Urban Thermal Structure and Neighborhood Clustering
This study investigates the spatial distribution of dengue cases in the city of Rio de Janeiro by employing neighborhood-level partitioned variance analysis, k-means clustering, and multivariate linear regression modeling. By analyzing weekly dengue case reports from the Brazilian Ministry of Health alongside meteorological data from AlertaRio mesonet stations, we reveal a significant correlation between urban thermal structures—specifically the Urban Heat Island (UHI)—and dengue incidence. Notably, increases in daily maximum and minimum temperatures precede peaks in dengue cases by up to one week, indicating a potential influence of urban heat on dengue transmission and severity. The variance analysis identifies four distinct neighborhood clusters, each accounting for a substantial portion of the total variance in dengue incidence, with a confidence level exceeding 90%. These findings highlight the intricate interplay between urban environments, local climate patterns, and the proliferation of vector-borne diseases such as dengue. Furthermore, they underscore how critical socio-economic factors, such as inadequate infrastructure and limited access to healthcare, exacerbate community vulnerability. This study emphasizes the need for integrated urban planning and public health strategies to mitigate health risks associated with UHI, ultimately enhancing resilience against vector-borne diseases in densely populated urban areas.
Assessing the Moist and Dry Static Energies in the Atmosphere as a Van Der Waals Gas in 2015 and 2017 over the Metropolitan Region of Natal-RN, Brazil
This study evaluated the monthly average of the enthalpy, geopotential, latent heat content, moist static energy, and dry static energy at several levels of the atmosphere as a Van Der Waals gas from radiosonde data at 00:00 UTC and 12:00 UTC over the metropolitan region of Natal-RN-Brazil. The years 2015 and 2017 were considered because they presented more than 70% of complete data, with days coinciding at both times. To construct the vertical profiles of the variables, the density, specific humidity, and geopotential were calculated at each level through a mathematical approximation based on the Calculus. The Van der Waals-like atmosphere results showed that the latent heat content compensated for any change in enthalpy and potential energy from the surface to the mid-troposphere. Energy was exchanged among enthalpy, geopotential, and latent heat content, showing a roughly constant moist static energy. The moist static energy was a conserved quantity under adiabatic and hydrostatic transformations, although the dry static energy was not conserved. The results of the atmosphere as a Van Der Waals gas and the atmosphere as an ideal gas were compared, proving to be similar.
A Comparative Study between the 7 and 9 Transformation Models. Case Study: the Algerian North-Sahara System
One of the preoccupations of geodetic sciences is the transformation of coordinates between reference systems (datum). The link between two datum can be the transformation parameters if we use a similarity transformation model such as the Bursa-Wolf model, known also in the literature as the Helmert transformation. In this paper, the simplified and linearized forms of the 7 and 9 parameters transformation models between geodetic datum are compared. The objective of this comparison is the selection of the best form and model for transformation between the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84), the reference of the Global Positioning System (GPS), and the Algerian North Sahara 1959 (NS59) local datum. To attain this objective, eleven support points distributed in the north of Algeria between -2.22° to 8.24° in longitude and 27.23° to 36.49° in latitude are used. In order to examine the performance of these parameters, a transformation test is carried out at seven control points located in the Oran region. The results obtained show almost similar values between the simplified and linearized forms of the 7 and 9 transformation models; the simplified form is easy to use and to implement in software but the linearized form is effective when there is a large rotation between geodetic reference systems. Additionally, there are no significant differences between the transformation results obtained by the 7 and 9 transformation models.
Identification of Tangible and Intangible Management Conservation in Historical Mosque
Tangible and intangible management conservation is needed to conservator historical places, this research prioritizing tangible heritage implies that the mosque is managed as a heritage building. This research is a comprehensive analysis of the management and conservation of tangible and intangible heritage in historical mosques, focusing on examples from Japan and Indonesia. It highlights the challenges of balancing functionality and authenticity in managing historical mosques and emphasizes the importance of professional and transparent mosque management. The research explores the changes in the authenticity of tangible and intangible attributes in historical mosques and the different needs and values associated with them. It also discusses the history and changes in design, materials, and function of four historical mosques, including the assessment of their authenticity at the architectural level. The role and management of the mosques are identified as crucial factors in preserving tangible and intangible heritage. The paper offers valuable insights into the preservation and management of historical mosques and their tangible and intangible heritage.
Assessment of Water Quality: A Study of Godavari and Krishna River Basin in Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra, India
This study focuses on the assessment of water quality in the Godavari and Krishna rivers in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, India. Water pollution is a critical global problem with serious consequences arising from contamination of water bodies. Major contributors to water pollution include domestic sewage, agricultural waste, population growth, and urbanization. Natural processes such as soil weathering, rainfall, and erosion also affect water quality. In Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, an investigation of the Godavari and Krishna rivers revealed significant contamination, mainly due to domestic wastewater. The main parameters indicating pollution include HCO, Ca, Cl, F, K, Mg, Na, NO3- and SO42- ions, in addition to electrical conductivity (EC), pH, sodium adsorption rate (SAR), total hardness, and total alkalinity. According to the Brown classification method, water quality is categorized into five classes: Excellent, Good, Poor, Very Poor, and Unfit for consumption. The study found that water quality at sampling stations such as Arangaon, Bhitkewadi, Ghodegaon, Ghogaraonkari, Ghotan, Jakhangaon and Takalikazi was excellent. Stations such as Ambikhalsa, Bote, Devlali, Jamkhed, Rahata, Shirasgaon and Shrigonda had good water quality. However, stations at Banpimpri, Chandanpuri, Ghargaon, Jamkhed, Khosepuri, Kokangaon, LoniPravarnagar, Rassin and Takalibhan had poor water quality. Notably, water quality at Supe was very poor and Dahigaon was unfit for drinking, containing heavy metals, pesticides and faecal matter. This study highlights the immediate need for an action plan to reduce pollution and safeguard water quality in these vital rivers. These findings emphasize the importance of continuous monitoring and intervention strategies to ensure the sustainability of the Godavari and Krishna Rivers.
Economic Globalization and Environmental Quality: a Spatial Analysis of Spillover Effects in Indonesia
Sustainable development is where development is implemented based on economic, social, and environmental principles. However, in the era of globalization, environmental principles are often neglected. The aim of this research is to measure the spatial impact of the economic globalization process on environmental quality in various regions in Indonesia. This involves identifying spillover patterns or cross-regional impacts of global economic activity. The variables used are environmental quality, globalization as seen in terms of economic openness, foreign direct investment, industry’s share of GDP, population growth, and the quality of human resources. This research uses a spatial econometric approach through a comparison between the Spatial Lag Model, Spatial Lag of X Model, and Spatial Error Model. Data are sourced from 33 provinces in Indonesia during the 2011-2022 period. The data in this research are secondary data taken from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and also the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency. The research results show that environmental quality is affected by openness to trade, industry’s share of GDP, and the quality of human resources. Spillover effects on adjacent areas occur if there are changes in openness to trade, industry’s share of GDP, and the quality of human resources. Regional government policies are needed that are based on coordination between neighboring regions to minimize negative externalities.
Accuracy of High Resolution Digital Cartographic Products with Elevation Control Points
The use of Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as a tool for image acquisition has been applied in several fields, some applications require cartographic products with high accuracy. With this comes the need for planning the acquisition of images and distribution of control points (GCP) so that digital products meet the required level of accuracy. The aim of this work was to investigate whether the quantity of control points as well as their distribution in different altitude planes in elevated ground can improve the accuracy of the generated cartographic products. RGB images captured by an onboard camera with a resolution of 20 MP were used. Images were captured by a multirotor UAV with an overlap of 80% (front and side) and estimated GSD of 0.017 m. The surveyed area of 5.5 ha overflown area had 31 targets surveyed with GNSS RTK, 21 defined as checkpoints (CP) and 12 as ground control points (GCP), which were used in image processing to generate orthomosaic. We evaluated the accuracy of the generated products based on the PEC-PCD. The results showed that when using only 2 GCPs the altimetric errors are high, being the single configuration that did not fit the PEC-PCD scale 1: 1,000 class A. With 5 GCPs we obtained the best RMSE in altimetry (0.026 m). With 6 GCPs we obtained the best RMSE in planimetry (0.046 m). Altimetry is the most sensitive aspect in generating cartographic products, and the use of GCPs in elevation improves altimetric accuracy.
Urban Forest Fires in Copacabana (Rio de Janeiro): Remote Sensing and Social Analysis
Fires aggravate the ecological imbalance by destroying fauna and flora, particularly when they occur in urban forest. In this environmental has the vegetation distinguished by environmental stress and the remnants fragmentation. Urban forest fires also affect society, which is touched and reacts in different ways. In light of the legally protected forest remnants vulnerability that are frequently targeted by fires, the environmental preservation units and forest fragments in the Copacabana neighborhood (Rio de Janeiro) were the subject of this study. Newspapers and social media reseach was performed in order to describe the fire cases occurred and their social repercussions. Forest fires were identified in four areas: São João Hill, Cabritos Hill, Arpoador and Pavão-Pavãozinho Hill. The first three are legally protected. The events ocurred in 2010, 2012, 2021, 2022 and 2024, some years with more than one fire episode. Satellite images from Sentinel 2, Landsat 8 and 9, Amazônia 1 and CBERS S4A and the satellites of the BDQueimadas geoportal of the National Institute for Space Research were consulted, but none succeeded in capturing the occurrence of the fires. Patterns of social response and behavior were identified and described. It is expected that this study will provide information to decision makers regarding the conservation of urban forests and social management in the Copacabana neighborhood.
The Challenge of Pricing Georeferencing Services for Rural Properties: A Critical Review
This article reflects on the barriers faced in determining prices for georeferencing services for rural properties in Brazil. The lack of widely accepted objective criteria creates difficulties for both professionals in the field and landowners. Throughout the text, a review of the Georeferencing of Rural Properties and its evolution over the years is conducted, analyzing conventional pricing methodologies and their limitations. It highlights that the time required for service execution is a fundamental element in defining fair values to be charged or paid. The research suggests that the predictability of work time should be the primary factor in formulating more accurate prices, recommending the viability of a geospatial model, which will be addressed in a future article.
Natural Regeneration of the Caatinga Detected Through NDVI in the Pedra da Andorinha Conservation Unit, Sobral - Ceará
The removal of native vegetation for human occupation and development of agropastoral activities end up making the local soil degraded. The Conservation Unit Refúgio De Vida Silvestre Pedra da Andorinha, located in the district of Taperuaba, municipality of Sobral, state of Ceará, is inserted in the Caatinga Biome, and due to the anthropic actions and the great importance of the biodiversity existing there was established as a protection area. This case study aimed to observe the process of natural regeneration in REVIS Pedra da Andorinha in the period from 1999 to 2019, with images from the Landsat series and using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Five classes of land use were established in order to obtain a visualization of land use both qualitatively and quantitatively and thus measure, in percentage terms, the gains and losses of vegetation within the space-time studied. The accuracy of the land cover classification was measured using the Kappa index. The results obtained showed that the study site presented a successful vegetative regeneration between the years 1999 and 2019. With a Kappa value of 1.0 and a Global Efficiency of 100%, the validation of the results showed equally excellent quality for both years, ensuring the reliability of the study. The present work highlighted the importance of the application of geoprocessing, performed through remote sensing, to be a tool of great potential for environmental analysis. The use of orbital images presents as advantages its ease and simplicity in obtaining the results, thus offering a better direction in the decision making of recovery and/or plant protection. REVIS Pedra da Andorinha presents few publications of studies, even with its landscape distinction. In view of this, this work is of fundamental importance for a source of research on the area.