The present study discusses the results of geological and geoarchaeological research at Manaqi in Al-Rustaq, the new Iron Age (1300-300 BC) complex in north-central Oman. The regional relief attests to pronounced geo-environmental dynamics, largely linked to orogeny of the central Jabal Akhdar Range, as well as climate change. The investigated prehistoric site provides evidence of multiple phases of occupation, the earliest being represented by numerous stone tools, documenting a sequenced presence of Palaeolithic people in the vicinity of an ancient fluvial channel. The principal Iron Age site with residential buildings, tombs and other architectural elements (defensive, irrigation, stone-mining) bear witness to a well-organised settlement with distinct areas, suggesting specific functions. The size and layout of households and funerary structures built from local bedrock and alluvial boulders point to social complexity of a semi-sedentary society. The spatial organisation and internal arrangement of the Manaqi Site suggest that its economic significance was likely linked to an ancient trade route along the present Wadi Al-Fara, connecting the Al-Hajar Mountains with the coast of the Sea of Oman. The synthesized field and analytical data provide a geo-contextual background for the regional pre-Islamic settlements within the South Batinah Governorate. The Manaqi locality also represents a most interesting geo-site, illustrating a multi-facetted geological and palaeoenvironmental history of the present rocky desert subjected to active geomorphic modelling with an ancient anthropogenic imprint. Climate was a key factor in controlling the rise of pre-Islamic civilisation in the Oman Sultanate.
In the Lubusz region (western Poland), lignite was already mined in the first half of the 19th century. German exploitation of the lignite proceeded on an industrial scale and continued until the end of World War II. After the war, Poland took up excavations in this area, but exclusively at the Sieniawa Lignite Mine (SLM). This mine, the smallest in Poland, was state-owned for over half a century; since 2002 it has been a private company. Annual lignite production at SLM rarely exceeded 0.1-0.2 million tonnes (Mt), although, in recent years, it has increased significantly, reaching a record level of over 1 Mt. These mining achievements are particularly impressive within the context of the highly complex geological structure of the study area. For over 150 years, SLM has been exploiting one of the most glaciotectonically disturbed lignite seams in the world, first underground and later in opencast. This lignite belongs to the 2nd Lusatian group of seams, is of late Early-early Middle Miocene age, having formed under the conditions of the Miocene Climatic Optimum. The wetland vegetation (swamp forests and shrub bogs) in the warm, near-subtropical climate produced large amounts of peat, which ultimately led to lignite formation. Detritic lignite dominates (followed by xylodetritic lignite) and is characteristically weathered in its upper part, containing numerous traces of wildfires. Finally, despite the energy transformation, SLM has a chance to continue operating for at least several more decades, this being the longest amongst all Polish lignite mines.
The present paper summarises results of studies into fungal microremains (non-pollen palynomorphs) encountered during palynological studies of Miocene lignite-bearing deposits in the Adam & oacute;w-Konin Basin, the Be & lstrok;chat & oacute;w Lignite Mine, the Ruja lignite deposit and the lignite seam at Ch & lstrok;apowo. The Adam & oacute;w-Konin lignite deposits turn out to be the richest site for fossil fungi within Neogene lignite-bearing strata in Poland. Fungal ecological groups (e.g., epiphyllous fungi, rhizosphere fungi and indigenous wetland fungi) and fungal taxa as environmental proxies were examined alongside plant pollen/spores in order to reconstruct ancient peat-forming environments. Fossil fungi are valuable palaeoclimatic indicators seeing that fungi are generally sensitive to environmental conditions. Fungal non-pollen palynomorphs found in lignite-bearing deposits can provide information on ancient wetland hydrology and conditions, vegetation structure and density, temperature and humidity, and even plant-fungal interactions. Coupled with other proxies, fungal remains can complement the palaeoenvironmental picture obtained from classic pollen analysis, creating a detailed picture of Miocene coal-forming environments.
Climate Change and Geodynamics in Polar Regions, by Neloy Khare, 2022. CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group, 272 pages. Paperback: price €46.74, VitalSource eBook: price €30.25. ISBN 9781003284413.
Fundamentals of geomorphology (5th edition), by R.J. Huggett & E. Shuttleworth, 2023. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 624 pages. Paperback: price $ 39.42, ISBN 978-1032169637.
Groundwater is a vital resource sustaining domestic supply, agriculture, and industry, particularly in arid regions where water scarcity severely limits development. Identifying potential groundwater recharge zones is therefore essential for the sustainable management of this resource. This study assesses the spatial distribution of groundwater recharge potential in the Upper-Middle Drâa Basin, southeastern Morocco, which extends over approximately 23,000 km2. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied within a Geographic Information System (GIS) framework using multi-source geospatial data, including Sentinel-2 imagery and the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) Digital Elevation Model. The results indicate that high-recharge zones are mainly concentrated in low-slope alluvial plains and along major drainage networks, whereas the surrounding highlands exhibit moderate to low recharge potential. Validation using field data from borehole discharge measurements confirms this spatial pattern, with flow rates ranging from about 1.5 L/s in peripheral sectors to over 6 L/s in central parts of the basin. The strong agreement between model outputs and field observations demonstrates the reliability of the adopted approach and enhances understanding of the basin’s hydrogeological functioning. Overall, this work provides an effective decision-support tool for regional water resource planning and sustainable groundwater management in arid and semi-arid environments.
This study investigates the geochemical distribution of rare earth elements (REEs) in stream sediments from the Aceh Tamiang Regency, Aceh Province, Indonesia, an area characterized by a complex geological framework and potential lanthanide-bearing source rocks. Rare earth elements such as lanthanum (La), scandium (Sc), and yttrium (Y) are essential to modern high-technology and clean-energy applications, yet baseline data from this region remain limited. A total of forty stream sediment samples were collected from the Simpang Kanan, Simpang Kiri, Tamiang, and Tenggulun rivers to determine the spatial distribution and concentration levels of La, Sc, and Y. All three elements were detected in the riverbed sediments in the study area, with La showing higher concentrations (average 11 ppm) compared to Sc (2 ppm) and Y (3 ppm). Higher values are observed in upstream sediments underlain by igneous and metamorphic rocks, while lower values occur in downstream sedimentary zones. This distribution pattern indicates that the enrichment of REEs is primarily derived from the weathering of upstream source rocks. Additionally, the presence of active tectonic structures in the region may have contributed to the mobilization and accumulation of these elements. This study establishes a baseline of REE distribution in stream sediments of Tamiang and provides valuable data that may support broader regional geochemical investigations.
Aeolian dune fields of the European Sand Belt extend across Poland, yet their southern limit coincides with the Sandomierz Basin, where potential sand sources from the Ma & lstrok;opolska Upland and the Carpathians converge. This study uses quartz-grain morphology to constrain the provenance of dune sands in the western Sandomierz Basin and to assess Late Pleniglacial (MIS 2) aeolian-fluvial interactions. Sediments were sampled from aeolian dunes, fluvial terraces and outwash plains across c. 2,500 km(2), including the Vistula and its tributaries (Dunajec, Raba, Rudawa and Przemsza) and adjacent uplands. Stratigraphic ages were assigned using the Detailed Geological Map series (1:50,000). Grain roundness was measured on the 0.8-1.0 mm fraction using Krumbein's scale, and grain-surface textures were classified with the Cailleux morphoscopic approach (NU, EL, RM, EM). Carpathian-river alluvia (Raba, Dunajec) show predominantly subangular to subrounded grains in Early Pleniglacial deposits, indicating limited aeolian abrasion despite long fluvial transport. In Late Pleniglacial alluvia, RM proportions increase markedly and roundness distributions become bimodal, reflecting enhanced aeolian reworking during the coldest MIS 2 phases. In contrast, Vistula and upland-tributary alluvia contain higher RM contents and more rounded grains, consistent with recycling of sands previously modified by long-distance aeolian transport on the Ma & lstrok;opolska Upland. Dune deposits display strong spatial variability: the northern dune zone adjacent to the Vistula is dominated by Vistula-like, well-rounded RM grains, whereas southern dune clusters (Raba Fan, Raba-Dunajec interfluve, Tarn & oacute;w Plateau) record mixed contributions, locally modulated by river corridors and topographic barriers that constrained aeolian pathways. Quartz-grain morphology thus provides an effective, low-cost proxy for distinguishing upland versus Carpathian sand sources and for reconstructing short-range transport pathways and sediment mixing within coupled aeolian-fluvial systems during the Late Pleniglacial.
Urban mining increasingly concentrates on secondary raw materials derived from waste streams, among which municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) residues are of growing importance. Fly ash, in particular, contains a wide range of trace and critical elements, yet its variability and internal associations remain insufficiently characterised. In the present study, 30 fly ash samples were collected in 2021 on a weekly basis from an MSWI facility in southern Poland. Eighteen elements (Ag, Al, Au, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Pt, Sb, Sr, V and Zn) were quantified using ICPMS and ICP-OES, producing a robust dataset suitable for multivariate analysis. Data exploration comprised descriptive statistics, normality assessment with the Shapiro-Wilk test, outlier detection via Rosner’s test, correlation analysis using Pearson’s and Spearman’s coefficients, and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). Results show that most elements display moderate concentrations (10–1000 ppm), while Al, Fe, and Zn exceed 1000 ppm, and noble metals remain below 10 ppm. Strong positive correlations were observed between Sr and Li, as well as Fe, Ni, and Mo, while HCA consistently grouped Cr, Fe, Mo, and Ni into a stable cluster across methods. The most accurate dendrogram structure was achieved with average linkage (Euclidean or Manhattan), whereas Pearson-based distances produced sharper cluster boundaries. Importantly, the elemental concentrations determined in fly ash were systematically compared with both the geochemical background of the Earth’s crust and typical grades in natural ore deposits. This comparison revealed substantial enrichment in Zn, Pb, Sb, Ag, Au, and Pt relative to crustal averages, while only Zn (and occasionally Cu and Ag) reached concentrations approaching the lower thresholds of economically exploited ore deposits. These findings demonstrate the internal geochemical structure of MSWI fly ash and underscore its significance as a potential source of valuable elements within the framework of urban mining.
Sequence stratigraphic units are defined in terms of changes in relative sea level, and not on the compositional similarity of the lithology of the rock units. Sequence boundaries were used to support the formal definitions of the Gordón Member and the Millar Member of the Frasnian Nocedo Formation (Cantabrian Mountains). Therefore, each member consists of a broad range of lithologies. In this study each sequence of the Nocedo Formation is subdivided into formal lithological units and from each unit the stratigraphic characteristics and spatial distribution pattern is presented. Within one sequence the lithological units have gradational contacts, and their lateral distribution is consistent and complementary, allowing the understanding of the palaeogeographic picture of the region.
Indonesia’s Great Sumatran Fault (GSF) is well known for its destructive capability, having generated many moderate to strong earthquakes, causing damage. A better understanding of GSF characteristics is needed to mitigate future geological hazards in Sumatra and prevent unnecessary loss and damages. The present research aims to map the fault structure in West Pasaman, Indonesia, using the Topex satellite and global gravity model plus (GGM+). Residual anomalies from Bouguer data (50–80 mGal) show a continuous pattern between the confluence of the Angkola, Sumpur and Sianok fault segments in the Pasaman. The vertical and horizontal derivatives were also applied in order to clarify fault structure, which is demonstrated by high derivative anomalies (0.05–0.08 mGal/m) in the horizontal and 0.1 mGal/m in the vertical. Moreover, a cross sectional model from the 3D algorithm (Occam and Singular Value Decomposition) may show the presence of several segments/faults in the Pasaman region, such as the Angkola, Barumun and Sumpur faults with high-density values of ρ = 2.3–2.4 g/cm3. Based on results obtained, the use of Topex and GGM+ has provided an overview of the effectiveness of global gravity in mapping faults in the Pasaman region. It is a time-consuming, yet inexpensive method that can be applied to other areas, especially those that are difficult to reach.
This study evaluates the effectiveness of ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) satellite data for lithological discrimination and mineralogical mapping in the east-central Jebilet region, Morocco. ASTER data offer considerable potential for detecting spectral signatures of mineral zones and determining their composition. The main objective is to apply image processing techniques, such as band ratios (BR), principal component analysis (PCA) and minimum noise fraction (MNF), in order to identify and map characteristic minerals in the region. The application of various band ratios effectively mapped the distribution of key minerals and alteration zones in the study area. The band ratio (band7/band5) was used to identify kaolinite, while the ratio (band4+band6)/band5 highlighted the presence of a mineral group constisting of alunite, kaolinite and pyrophyllite. The ratio (band7+band9)/ band8 revealed a set of a carbonate mineral, chlorite and epidote, whereas endoskarns composed of epidote, chlorite and amphibole were mapped using the ratio (band6+band9)/(band7+band8). The ratio (band5+band7)/band6 characterised phyllic alteration by detecting phyllosilicate minerals such as sericite, muscovite or illite. Phengite was mapped using the band5/band6 ratio. The distribution of these minerals was closely linked to the lithological variability of previously mapped geological units, highlighting the relevance and effectiveness of band ratios for geological mapping using remote sensing. The PCA and MNF components with the highest eigenvalues significantly improved lithological discrimination by reducing noise and refining the delineation of mineral zones. The results obtained have enabled the creation of a detailed map of mineral distribution, highlighting the alteration zones and lithological formations in the eastern Jebilet region of Morocco.time-consuming, yet inexpensive method that can be applied to other areas, especially those that are difficult to reach.
The rising global energy demand has driven researchers to locate new uranium deposits, with sandstone types contributing nearly 40 per cent of uranium production. The present review provides a comprehensive understanding of the genesis and classification and mentions some global examples of sandstone-type uranium deposits, the focus being on the geological settings of each type. Understanding these factors helps locate similar deposits, especially in North-East India, where research is limited. There, uranium enrichment is controlled by numerous factors such as source rocks, sedimentary structures, permeability barriers, reductants and cap rocks. The present study underscores the need for integrated methods for exploration of sandstone-type deposits where remote sensing can be combined with geophysical and geochemical techniques.
Most studies on the behavior of pollutants in the groundwater environment are carried out in laboratories, and the results are then implemented at local and regional levels using model simulations or analytical solutions. Column experiments are used to determine the transport characteristics of inorganic and organic chemicals in the soil and water environment. Although column experiments have been conducted regularly for many years, there is currently no established standard protocol for setting up and conducting them to ensure consistent results. The repeatability of column experiments was evaluated for soils, which differ primarily in the silt and clay content, using a conservative tracer susceptible only to advection and dispersion processes to reduce the number of variables affecting the results of the study which arise in a case of using reactive contaminants. The column experiments performed according to the adopted methodology are characterized by high repeatability of the obtained test results for the transport parameters, regardless of the type of injection or the chosen column length (only a small-scale effect is visible). Based on the results, it can be noticed that for the same soil the values of the pore–water velocity for different types of injections and column lengths are very similar. The percentage difference between the values of pore–water velocity obtained for both tested soils does not exceed 5% and for individual pairs of parallel column experiments it does not exceed 3%.
In a recent paper entitled, “Depositional palaeoenvironments in a tide-influenced delta plain with amphibian and Cycadophyta remains – the Triassic Zarzaitine Formation (Algerian eastern Sahara)” (Mazrou et al., 2024), we have demonstrated a prograding delta in an intertidal zone, on the basis of fieldwork yielding new sedimentological and palaeontological descriptions and interpretations. These are completely contrary to those of previous authors, who proposed rivers, lakes, sabkha, etc., as we shall demonstrate in the present note. However, in their comment, Dahoumane et al. (2025, in this issue) have accused us, without any valid argument, of having borrowed the work of other authors without citing them, claiming everything presented in our paper to be erroneous, and not based on work by Dahoumane herself or Dahoumane et al., but on so-called references cited. We shall provide proof in the present paper that not a single line has been borrowed from anyone, and also demonstrate that Dahoumane and Dahoumane et al. are not familiar with the basics of sedimentology, which makes them poor judges of sedimentary geology in any objective way. In addition, they do not know the Triassic terrains of Zarzaitine, confuse Triassic formations with those of Jurassic age that outcrop in the study region, and cite false bibliographic references to support their ‘claims’. We shall illustrate below that no information, detail or anything else was presented by Dahoumane et al. concerning the Triassic terrain studied, except for a plate presenting photographs, interpretations of which are all erroneous. We would have appreciated academic critique that could have helped us improve our work, instead of wasting our time responding to false allegations and nonsensical comments.
