Geology, Geophysics & Environment
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ISSN 2299-8004
e-ISSN: 2353-0790
Issue Date
2016
Volume
Vol. 42
Number
No. 4
Description
Journal Volume
Geology, Geophysics & Environment
Vol. 42 (2016)
Projects
Pages
Articles
Petrogeothermal energy resources within low-temperature areas of Iceland
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2016) Sowiżdżał, Anna; Chmielowska, Anna
Iceland remains one of the leading countries in the field of the utilization of geothermal energy worldwide. Despite its knowledge and tremendous experience in the exploitation of mostly high-temperature geothermal energy resources (water and steam), it has been interested in the possibility of harnessing heat from hot rock formations with the implementation of the Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS). This paper presents the main outcomes of the feasibility study of EGS technology within the low-temperature area of the country. It includes broad geological research that constitutes the background for finding a suitable site for an EGS installation and to determine the local thermal parameters together with rock characteristics. To calculate the amount of heat stored within the preordained HDR formation and ascertain that the deployment of the EGS within the lowtemperature area of Hólmavík town (NW Iceland) is plausible, the term of static resources of energy was applied. Considering the geological issue, it emerged that within the low-temperature areas of Iceland, there are excellent lithological (mainly porous lava layers) as well as thermal conditions (relatively high heat flow and geothermal gradient values) for the implementation of EGS technology for providing heat for small district heating networks. The amount of energy stored within the designed rock formation turned out to be significant and more than sufficient to cover the energy demands of Hólmavík town. The authors also emphasize the importance of running several exchange programs between Polish and Icelandic research and academic centers, with the indication of possible benefits for the Polish geothermal energy sector.
An analysis of solar energy conversion systems based on photon and thermal processes
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2016) Fieducik, Jolanta; Godlewski, Jan
Solar spectral irradiance covers a fairly broad wavelength range. Solar radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum which is described by the concept of wave-particle duality. The corpuscular theory of electromagnetic radiation states that energy is transmitted by photons. Photons carry specific amounts of energy which can be used to convert solar energy into other types of energy, in particular electricity. The internal photoelectric effect is important for the conversion of solar energy to electricity because the efficiency of the external photoelectric effect is too low. Every quantum of solar energy also carries a certain amount of energy which can be converted into heat energy. The objective of the paper is to analyze and compare the efficiency of solar energy conversion in photon and thermal processes, to review the technological advances made in this field, and to indicate potential directions for the development of systems converting solar energy to electricity.
Structural and textural response to dynamics of fluvioglacial processes of the Rzymsko esker sediments, Central Poland
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2016) Frydrych, Małgorzata
The study was conducted in the Rzymsko esker, in the Eastern part of the Turek Upland Plain, within the range of the Warta Glaciation (Saalian II). The form was accumulated in a tunnel valley, which was partially filled with esker sediments. Lithofacies analysis, extended by a detailed analysis of clasts, made it possible to identify a considerable variability of sedimentation conditions. At the initial stage, transport and accumulation of sediments took place in the conditions of high energy hydraulic flows or hyperconcentrated flows. The flow energy rose cyclically, which was recorded as sediments coarsening. Deposits of boulders as well as massive and cross-bedded gravels were identified, a record of catastrophic glacial floods. During the later stage of esker formation, sandy and gravelly sediments were accumulated in an open crevasse. The strong erosional force of subglacial water is confirmed by an extremely high content of local rocks in the gravelly fraction (30–87%) and its very good roundness. Zingg shape analysis (1935) revealed a clear predominance of oblate forms among local clasts and equant fennoscandian erratics. A dependency was also found between the processing method and petrographic characteristics.
The mineralogy, geochemistry and health risk assessment of deposited particulate matter (PM) in Kraków, Poland
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2016) Gruszecka-Kosowska, Agnieszka; Wdowin, Magdalena
One of the most important air contaminants in Krakow is particulate matter (PM), especially during winter months. Deposited PM was sampled between November 2014 and January 2015 and November 2015 and January 2016. The PM deposition amounted to 0.0646 g/m$^{2}$ per day in the centre of Krakow and 0.0328 g/m$^{2}$ in the northern district of the city. The allowed value of annual dust deposits (0.547 g/m$^{2}$ per day) was not exceeded. The XRD and SEM-EDS analysis showed that quartz, calcite, potassium feldspar, plagioclase, kaolinite, and gypsum were the main mineralogical components of the deposited PM. Only in a few samples were illite, dolomite, and apatite observed. Significant concentrations were measured (ICP-MS) for Ca, Fe, Mg, Al, K, Si, Na, and Mn, and high concentrations for Ti, Cu, Zn, As, Pb, Cr, Ti, V, Li, Sr and Ni. The highest estimated daily intakes (EDI) for resuspended PM, were stated for ingestion exposure pathway than for dermal contact, and finally for inhalation, both for children and adults, as well as, for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic elements. The mean hazard quotient (HQ) values for all three exposure pathways decreased in the following order: Fe > Al > Zn > Mn > Sr > Cu > Ba > Cr > Pb > V > Ni > Li > As > Sn > Zr > Co > Cd > Be, for children and adults. The hazard index values for all elements in each exposure pathway (HI$_{elem}$) and for single elements in all exposure pathways (HI$_{path}$) were <1, both for children and adults. The risk values from all three exposure pathways were unacceptable in the case of Cr, both for children and adults, and in the case of As for children. The total non-carcinogenic risk (HI$_{total}$) values in all three exposure pathways for all elements were <1, however in case of children the risk value pointed to a low risk level. The total carcinogenic risk (R$_{total}$) values in all three exposure pathways for As and Cr exceeded the acceptable level, both for children and adults.
3-dimensional surface magnetic susceptibility distributions with depth to investigate anthropogenic pollutants boundary in Abuja Metropolis
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2016) Jatto, Solomon Sunday; Sule, Peter Ojo; Ahmed, Lawal Aminu
Changes in the magnetic susceptibility of topsoil, especially in urban areas, are greatly affected by the deposition of anthropogenic metallic dust arising from industrial activities, the burning of fossil fuels, car wear, and tyre abrasion. In this study, magnetic susceptibility measurements were carried out in vertical soil profiles of 30.0 cm depth from the surface at 10.0 cm intervals in about 431 locations within the Abuja metropolis with a view to investigate the penetration ability of magnetic pollutants in the ground. From the obtained data, 3-D surface contour maps were plotted for different depths. The results show a magnetic susceptibility decrease from the surface down the ground to the depth of 30.0cm, most of the recorded susceptibilities were of an anthropogenic origin rather than pedogenic activities. This indicates that the anthropogenic dust depositions are mostly a surface phenomenon and may therefore not pose a risk to groundwater aquifers and near surface wells.