Geology, Geophysics & Environment
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ISSN 2299-8004
e-ISSN: 2353-0790
Issue Date
2025
Volume
Vol. 51
Number
No. 3
Description
Journal Volume
Geology, Geophysics & Environment
Vol. 51 (2025)
Projects
Pages
Articles
Variability factors of 40K radionuclide origin in meteorites
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2025) Długosz-Lisiecka, Magdalena; Przylibski, Tadeusz A.; Łuszczek, Katarzyna
This study confirms the theory of the variability of the origin of radioactive potassium in various meteorite classes, generated from the dynamic nucleosynthesis (primordial) process, and other processes induced by the solar/cosmic-radiation activation or fractionation caused by the impact vaporization mechanism. Highprecision radioactive 40K analysis confirms the differences between various types of meteorites. The concentrations of potassium change from 0.50 ±0.02 Bq/kg (NWA 15015, mesosiderite) to 26.2 ±1.2 Bq/kg (Chelyabinsk, LL chondrite) i.e. three orders of magnitude. All radiometric measurements have been made using a lowbackground gamma spectrometry system. Additionally, a set of common minerals – Fa (fayalite in olivine), Fs (ferrosilite), and Wo (wollastonite in pyroxenes) – was applied (MetBase n.d.). For the radionuclides factor variability, the principal component analysis (PCA) for the chemometric analysis has been applied. Two factors of the 40K variability have been identified, described, and explained. In this study, PCA was applied for the interpretation of the 40K potassium origin sources in 32 meteorite specimens, represent various groups and classes of meteorites. Two significant PCA factors of variability have been identified, PC1 (51.04%) and PC2 (30.68%), assigned as an activation process by cosmic radiation exposure and a nucleosynthesis mechanism (primordial), respectively.
Surface water runoff estimation: a review of methods incorporating terrain shape
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2025) Ramirez-Yara, Yessica; Malinowska, Agnieszka A.; Hejmanowski, Ryszard
Surface runoff is a key variable in the water balance, representing excess water that exceeds soil infiltration capacity and is not absorbed by drains. Accurate estimation of surface runoff is crucial for flood prevention, optimizing agricultural water use, and detecting irregular water capture. Various computational approaches, including machine learning, deep learning, statistical models, and hydraulic simulations, have been developed to estimate runoff. However, despite extensive research, many models overlook the influence of terrain characteristics – such as topography, slope, and surface roughness – leading to potential inaccuracies in runoff prediction. This study conducts a comprehensive bibliographic review of state-of-the-art research on surface runoff estimation, with a focus on methods that integrate digital terrain models (DTMs), remote sensing, and computational modeling techniques. Through this analysis, a specific research niche was identified and verified, highlighting the need for terrain-sensitive runoff models that better incorporate topographic variables into hydrological modeling. By evaluating and comparing existing methodologies, this review provides insights into the most effective approaches for runoff estimation and offers recommendations for selecting the appropriate models based on landscape and hydrological conditions. It also presents potential solutions that may pave the way for a better understanding of runoff processes.
Non-history-based DEM model for predictions of numerical earthquakes
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2025) Klejment, Piotr
Stick-slip phenomena roughly describe the behavior of a tectonic fault. A simplified model of stick-slip events is often assumed in laboratory experiments and numerical simulations of laboratory earthquakes. This work proposes a more advanced approach. The Discrete Element Method (DEM) was used to generate a numerical model for simulating the laboratory earthquakes in which the granular layer was taken into account. The proposed model takes into account an irregular, random pattern of stress increase and decrease in such a system. At 5,000 selected, regularly spaced time points, the so-called “checkpoints”, 25 parameters were measured, describing the average state of all particles forming the numerical fault at a given moment. The created dataset was used to train the Random Forest algorithm, and then, as part of the tests, this algorithm was used to predict subsequent stick-slip events. The algorithm made predictions solely on the basis of information about the current parameters of the particles. Importantly, the predictions made did not use the history of previous stick-slip events. Feature Importance and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) were used to assess the contribution of individual particle physical parameters to the prediction results.
Interaction of silty loam soil on the change of soil retention capacity and soil compaction following subsoiling
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2025) Borek, Łukasz
The subsoiling of arable soils as part of a strategy against excessive compaction and the resulting plow pan can be successfully used as a pro-retention treatment. The study of changes in the physical and water properties of soil as a result of subsoiling was carried out on three sites: Wojnowice, Strzybnik, and Owsiszcze, located in the Racibórz district, Śląskie Voivodeship (Poland), in a silty-loam soil. A total of five soil profiles (0–150 cm) were analyzed before and after subsoiling. The experiment used a seven-tine Maschio subsoiler at a depth of 50–60 cm between 2012–2014. The physical (e.g., soil bulk density, soil organic matter) and water (e.g., maximum water capacity, field water capacity, permanent wilting point, total plant available water) properties of the soil were determined before and after subsoiling, taking into account the division into layers: 0–25 cm, 25–50 cm, and 50–150 cm. Statistical analyses were used to check changes in soil physical and water parameters. The results show that the subsoiling treatment caused a statistically significant decrease in soil compaction (bulk density) at all three layers and increased moisture in the range of total plant available water in the subsoil layer (25–50 cm). Subsoiling in silty-loam soil will enable the soil’s retention potential to be used, especially in dry years.
Hydrogeochemistry of brines on the example of selected water phenomena in the Kłodawa Salt Mine (central Poland)
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2025) Trałka-Błachowicz, Marta; Modelska, Magdalena; Buczyński, Sebastian
Chemical and isotopic studies of brines in salt mines are a key element in identifying their origins. This, in turn, is applied in determining the degree of water hazard. Studies of the chemical and isotopic composition of eight brine samples in two measurement series were carried out at the Kłodawa Inc. Salt Mine in 2022 for pH, electrolytical conductivity of water (EC), mineral alkalinity, total alkalinity, total hardness, carbonate hardness, non-carbonate hardness, $HCO_3^-$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Na^+$, $K^+$, $Ba^{2+}$, $Li^+$, Sr^{2+}$, $NH_4^+$, ^Cl^-$, $SO_4^{2-}$, $NO_3^-$, $NO_2^-$, $Br^-$, $F^-$, $I^-$, $CO_3^{2-}$ ions as well as $\delta^{18}O$ and $\delta^2H$ in $H_2O$. Analysed water phenomena were selected based on archival data which indicated their various chemical compositions. Using analyses based on hydrochemical indices and isotopic composition, it was found that the studied brines represented the isotopic composition of O and H in $H_2O$ typical of Zechstein brines, Paleo-infiltration waters, pre-Pleistocene infiltration waters and waters of mixed origin. Their salinity was mainly primary (inherent) in nature. The dominant processes affecting chemical transformations were ion exchange, precipitation and dissolution of sulphate minerals and halite, redox processes and, to a lesser extent, mixing of waters. The possible influence of inclusions on water chemistry was also found. Additionally, the analysis showed limitations in the applicability of selected hydrochemical indices.