Selected Studies in Environmental Geosciences and Hydrogeosciences - Proceedings of the 3rd Conference of the Arabian Journal of Geosciences (CAJG-3)

This book gives a general overview on current research focusing on geoenvironmental issues and challenges in hydrogeosciences in the Middle East and Mediterranean region and surrounding areas. The book is based on the accepted papers for oral/poster presentations at the 3rd Springer Conference of the Arabian Journal of Geosciences (CAJG-3). Studies discuss the latest advances in geoenvironmental and hydrogeosciences from diverse backgrounds including climate change, geoecology, biogeochemistry, water resources management, and environmental monitoring and assessment. It shares insights on how the understanding of ecological, climatological, oceanic, and hydrological processes is the key for improving practices in environment management. It is of interest to scientists, engineers, practitioners, and policymakers in the field of environmental sciences including climatology, oceanography, ecology, biogeochemistry, environmental management, hydrology, hydrogeology, and geosciences in general. In particular, this book is of great value to students and environment-related professionals for further investigations on the state of earth systems.



Amjad Kallel:
ENIS, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
 
Dr. Amjad Kallel is currently Associate Professor of Environmental Geology in the Sfax National School of Engineers at the University of Sfax, Tunisia. He holds a B.Eng. in Georesources and Environment (1998) from the University of Sfax (Tunisia) and a M.Sc. degree and a Ph.D. degree in Georesources and Environment (2004) from Hokkaido University (Japan). He joined Venture Business Laboratory (VBL) at Akita University, Japan (2005-2006), as Researcher focusing on refining and recycling technologies for the recovery of rare elements from natural and secondary sources. On his return to Tunisia, he worked at the University of Gabes from 2006 to 2011, where he contributed to the elaboration of teaching programs at the Higher Institute of Water Sciences and Technologies of Gabes. Since 2011, he has joined the Sfax National School of Engineers. There, he has also been involved in various research projects related to Environmental Geology and Environmental Geotechnics. Dr. Kallel has co-organized many prestigious workshops, seminars, and international conferences. In 2016, Dr. Kallel joined the Arabian Journal of Geosciences (Springer) and the Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration (Springer) as Chief Editor and Managing Editor, respectively.
 
Maurizio Barbieri:
Department of Chemical Engineering Materials Environment, Faculty of Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, Italy
 
Prof. Barbieri holds a degree in Geological Sciences (1994) and a Ph.D. degree in Earth Sciences (1998) from Sapienza University of Rome, (Italy). He is currently Full Professor of Environmental Geochemistry and Hydrogeochemistry at Sapienza University of Rome (Italy). Job-related skills: Geochemical tracers in hydrological studies; interactions between water and the geological and chemical environment; quantitative understanding of chemically based processes in hydrogeochemical environments and complementary physical and biological processes and conditions; kinetics and equilibria of geochemical reactions; the movement of isotopes and soil chemistry; freshwater-seawater interactions in coastal aquifers; basic and applied research on speciation and transformation of trace metals and metalloids during biogeochemical processes in both natural and anthropogenic environments; and radiogenic and stable isotope geochemistry. Other fields of expertise are Ion chromatography, ICP-MS, water, soil, and geological mapping, univariate and multivariate analysis of geochemical
 
Jesus Rodrigo-Comino:
University of Granada, Granada, Germany
 
Dr. Jesús Rodrigo-Comino, graduated in Geography, currently works as Assistant Professor at the University of Granada. He carried out a thesis with an extraordinary degree award with the work: 'The soils of the province of Malaga: Revision according to the classification criteria of FAO-WRB (2006)'. He holds a master's degree in Territorial Planning and Geographic Information Systems (2013) from the University of Granada, whose final work was divided into 3 national publications and a monograph. During his predoc stage, he obtained three scholarships for doctoral studies: DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), La Caixa Foundation, and FPU (Ministry of Education, Spain). During this period, he completed his doctoral thesis between the University of Trier (Germany-2 years) and Malaga (2 years) and Doctor in Geography (2018) from the University of Malaga with a doctoral thesis consisting of 8 international publications, international mention, and outstanding cum laude: 'Actual geomorphological processes in sloping vineyards. A comparison between Ruwer-Mosel Valley (Trier, Germany) and Montes de Málaga (Málaga, Spain)'. Currently, he is also preparing a second doctorate in Geomatics engineering at the Polytechnic University of Valencia. His research career consists of four full monographs (Nova, Springer, etc.) and one edited alone (Elsevier), 171 indexed publications (Scopus)/130 JCR, leading international collaborations with research teams from Iran, China, Kazakhstan, Sudan, India, Brazil, Croatia, Iraq, or the USA. He was Regular Reviewer in more than 140 international indexed journals (e.g., Scientific Reports, Science of the Total Environment, PlosOne, Catena, Geoderma, Agriculture, Ecosystem, and Environment or Earth Science Review), Member of the panel of 2 doctoral theses, Evaluator of projects for the Ministries of Science of Chile, Peru, the USA, Serbia, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, or Poland, and postgraduate scholarships for DAAD.
 
He has taught regulated and certified teaching at the Universities of Granada, Valencia, Malaga, León, Oviedo and Trier (in German) on development, geomorphology, Geographic Information Systems, remote sensing, and statistical techniques. He was recently awarded with a Leonardo Grant (BBVA Foundation).
 
Helder I. Chaminé:
School of Engineering (ISEP), Polytechnic of Porto, Portugal
 
Helder I. Chaminé is Skilled Geologist and Professor of engineering geosciences at the School of Engineering (ISEP) of the Polytechnic of Porto, with over 32 years' experience in multidisciplinary geosciences research, consultancy, and practice. He studied geological engineering and geology (B.Sc., 1990) at the Universities of Aveiro and Porto (Portugal), respectively. He received his Ph.D. in geology at the University of Porto in 2000 and spent his postdoctoral research in applied geosciences at the University of Aveiro (2001-2003). In 2011, he received his Habilitation (D.Sc.) in geosciences from the University of Aveiro. Before joining the academy, he worked for over a decade on international projects for mining, geotechnics, groundwater industry, and/or academia related to geodynamics and regional geology, hard rock hydrogeology and water resources, engineering geosciences and applied geomorphology, rock engineering, and georesources. His research interests span fundamental to applied fields: GIS mapping techniques for applied geology, structural geology and regional geology, engineering geosciences and rock engineering, slope geotechnics, mining geology and hydrogeomechanics, hard rock hydrogeology, exploration hydrogeology, urban groundwater, and hydromineral resources. He is interested in mining geoheritage, history of cartography, military geosciences, and higher-education dissemination, skills, and core values. Presently, he is Head of the Laboratory of Cartography and Applied Geology (LABCARGA | ISEP), Senior Researcher at Centre GeoBioTec | U.Aveiro and Centre IDL | U.Lisbon, as well as belongs to the executive board of the M.Sc.+B.Sc. Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering Programs (OE+EUR-ACE Label) and the Department of Geotechnical Engineering (ISEP). He currently belongs to the board of the Technical Commission of Environmental Geotechnics from SPG. He was Board Member of APGeom-Portuguese Association of Geomorphologists (2009-2013), SPG-Portuguese Geotechnical Society (2016-2020), APG -Portuguese Association of Geologists (2020-2021), and AIH-GP-Portuguese Chapter of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (2019-2022). He was Consultant and or responsible for over 75 projects of applied geology, hydrogeomechanics, slope geotechnics, mining geology, exploration hydrogeology, hard rock hydrogeology, water resources, urban groundwater, and applied mapping (Mozambique, Portugal, and Spain). He has co-authored over 210 publications in indexed journal articles, conference proceedings/full papers, chapters, technical, and professional papers.
 
Broder Merkel:
TUBAF, Freiberg, Germany
 
• Dissertation (Ph.D.) Dr. rer.nat. as Hydrogeologist (TU München) • Habilitation (Dr. habil) Christian-Albrechts Universität Kiel • Full Professor for Hydrogeology at TUBAF (1993-2015) Hydrogeology, hydrochemistry, modeling chemical thermodynamics and reactive transport, geo-statistics, GIS, and remote sensing • Dean of the Faculty Geoscience, Geotechnics, and Mining • DFG Liaison Officer of TUBAF • Vice Rector of TUBAF • Head of the Scientific Diving Center of TUBAF • Field work in Bolivia, China, Chile, Czech Republic, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Hungary, Mexico, Mozambique, Namibia, Palestine, Russia, Spain, USA • Organization of 7 International Conferences Uranium Mining and Hydrogeology.
 
Haroun Chenchouni:
Higher National School of Forests, Khenchela, Algeria
 
Dr. Haroun Chenchouni is Associate Professor and Research Scientist (Ecologist) at the Higher National School of Forests (Khenchela, Algeria). He is Former Associate Professor at the University of Tebessa (Algeria). He holds a M.Sc. (Magister) in Dryland Ecology from the University of Ouargla (Algeria) and a doctorate degree in Ecology and Environment from the University of Batna. He graduated as Engineer in Plant Ecology and Forest Ecosystems from the Department of Biological Sciences (University of Batna, Algeria). His research interests are fairly broad; he uses statistical modeling approaches to understand how natural environments, mainly climatic and edaphic factors, and anthropogenic perturbations influence biological interactions, shape trends in population dynamics, and influence community diversity. He uses various biological models to investigate biological interactions and community ecology of arid and semiarid ecosystems of North Africa. At various universities in Algeria, he teaches forest ecology, biostatistics, and ecological modeling. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and internationally recognized research papers. He is also involved in national and international research projects. In 2017, he joined the Arabian Journal of Geosciences (AJGS) as Associate Editor. Then in 2019, he was assigned as Chief Editor of Topic 2 (biogeochemistry, geobiology, geoecology, geoagronomy) to handle submissions dealing with various fields of biogeosciences, geoecology, climate change, plant and soil science, agricultural and forest environment, and environmental sciences.
 
Jasper Knight:
University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
Professor of Physical Geography, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
 
I am a geoscientist with research interests in the spatial and temporal variability in landscape system responses to climate and environmental changes during the late Pleistocene and Holocene, looking at sediments and geomorphology. I focus thematically on glaciers, rivers, coasts, and mountains. I focus geographically on the UK and Ireland, northwest USA, Australia, European Alps, and various locations in Asia, and across both southern and northern (Saharan) Africa. I am Editor of three major international journals (Sedimentary Geology, Journal of Maps, Land Degradation & Development). My teaching and student supervision focus on the interconnections between the physical and human environments, landscape change, and environmental resources of the past, present, and future.
 
Sandeep Panda:
Dr. Panda is currently working as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Gujarat Biotechnology University, Gujarat, India. His main research areas include (Bio) hydrometallurgical approaches for metal extraction from primary and secondary resources, Bio-desulphurization of Coal, Bio & Chemical approaches for Mine Water treatment and application of eco-friendly approaches for sustainable mineral-metal waste recycling and management. He has been involved as Principal/Co-Principal Investigator and as Team Member in several R&D and Industrial research projects (at both National and International level) since 2009. As of 2023, he has published 55 International journal papers; 4 book chapters & 5 Editorial books of high quality and impact that have received nearly 1950 citations (h-index - 25). One of his articles published in the journal NATURE related to Tech-Metal supply is receiving much attention and appreciation from global leaders working in his area. His research works have invited the attention of several press and media. He has been featured in the WORLD RANKING OF THE TOP 2% SCIENTISTS in the Domain of Mining & Metallurgy (Sub Domain - Environmental Sciences) as per the Standford University list of top-cited scientists in 2020, 2021, 2022. He is an active member of several prestigious professional bodies and technical/scientific committee member in several reputed international conferences. He has served as a reviewer in over 40 reputed International Journals and is currently serving as: (1) Associate Editor of the Arabian Journal of Geosciences & Euro-Mediterranean Journal of Environmental Integration (Springer Nature) and Editorial Board Member of: (2) Frontiers in Microbiology & Frontiers in Environmental Sciences (Frontiers Publications), (3) Mineral Processing & Extractive Metallurgy Review Journal (Taylor & Francis Group) and (4) Editorial Advisory Board of Detritus Journal (IWWG).

 
Nabil Khélifi:
Springer, a part of Springer Nature, Heidelberg, Germany
 
Dr. Nabil Khélifi undertook fellowships at the System for Analysis, Research and Training (START) in 2005 and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), as part of his Ph.D. studies in Marine Geosciences at the University of Kiel in Germany (2006 to 2010). After his Ph.D., he received a research grant from the German Science Foundation (DFG) to conduct research projects at the GEOMAR Ocean Research Centre in Kiel, Germany, on oceanography and climate reconstructions in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean (2010 to 2013). His research findings have been presented at many conferences and published in esteemed journals. He co-organized workshops on the Pliocene climate in Bordeaux, France (2009), and Bristol, UK (2013), funded by the European Science Foundation (ESF). In late 2013, he received the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship (SGES). In 2014, he joined Springer in Heidelberg, Germany, as Editor and was promoted to Senior Editor in 2017 responsible for developing their publishing program in the MENA region. He is active in educational seminars for authors, reviewers, and editors to help improve publication output and quality. He is Visiting Lecturer at King Saud University, KSA where he gives M.Sc. lectures on scientific presentations and publishing techniques, as well as career development workshops. Dr. Khélifi has launched two Springer conferences (more details at www.emcei.net and www.cajg.org). In 2016, he was awarded the Africa Green Future Leadership Award for his promotion of publications from Africa. In 2020, he received the Saudi Society for Geosciences Award for successful management of the Arabian Journal of Geosciences.
 
Ali Cemal Benim:
Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences, Düsseldorf, Germany
 
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Ali Cemal Benim received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Mechanical Engineering at the Bogazi?i University, Istanbul, Turkey. He received his Ph.D. degree at the University of Stuttgart, Germany, in 1988, on the topic 'Finite Element Modeling of Turbulent Diffusion Flames' with 'Degree of Distinction'. Following a postdoctoral period at the University of Stuttgart, in 1990 he joined ABB Turbo Systems Ltd. in Baden, Switzerland, where he was Manager of the 'Computational Flow and Combustion Modeling' group. Since January 1996, he is Professor for Energy Technology and Head of Center of Flow Simulation at the Duesseldorf University of Applied Sciences, Duesseldorf, Germany.
 
Stefan Grab:
School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
 
He was born in Swiss but grew up in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. He studied geomorphology at the University of Natal with specialization in periglacial geomorphology. Today, he works in both geomorphology and historical climate change sectors. His research regions include southern and eastern Africa, the mid-Atlantic, and Iran (Middle East).
 
Hesham El-Askary:
Chapman University, USA
 
Prof. El-Askary received his Ph.D. in Computational Sciences and Informatics from George Mason University in 2004. He is the 2015 recipient of the Chapman University's elite Senior Wang-Fradkin Professorship Award. In 2016, he was named as Regional Coordinator on a $3 million Euro grant from the European Union's (EU) Horizon 2020. The three-year project, known as GEO-CRADLE, deals with coordinating and integrating state-of-the-art earth observation activities in the regions of North Africa, Middle East, and Balkans and developing links with GEO related initiatives toward GEOSS. Through this work, he and his research team were able to deliver the first analytical solar Atlas of Egypt that is now considered to be the official document of the government for solar investment. This work was recently presented at Planet Earth Institute at the Royal Society in London during a seminar that discussed the future of solar energy in Africa. His research interests include dust storms monitoring and detection using different remote sensing technologies as well as studying other extreme events. He is also involved in studying air pollution problems over mega cities due to natural and man-made effects as well as climate change and its impacts on sea level rise and coral reefs for coastal areas.
 
Santanu Banerjee:
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
 
Santanu Banerjee currently works as Professor at the Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. Santanu does research in sedimentology and petroleum geology. His research areas include authigenic iron silicates, microbially induced sedimentary structures, basin analysis, provenance interpretations, and alternate potash fertilizer. He is on the editorial board of Journal of Palaeogeography, Minerals, Arabian Journal of Geosciences, and Journal of Earth Systems Science.
 
Riheb Hadji:
University of Sétif 1, Setif, Algeria
 
Prof. Riheb Hadji is Professor in Geological Sciences in the Department of Earth Sciences, Institute of Architecture and Earth Sciences, Setif 1 University, Algeria. Specialized in Applied Geology, Geomatics, and Environment, Prof. Hadji does research in geomorphology, hydrogeology, and natural hazards. His current project is about Risk management in North Africa. He is Head of the Laboratory of Applied Research in Engineering Geology, Geotechnics, Water Sciences, and Environment, Setif 1, University, Algeria, and Co-chairman of the International Association of Water Resources in the Southern Mediterranean Basin. Prof. Hadji has published more than 100 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, edited 2 books on soil mechanics, and has an RG-score of 23.21, an H-index of 24, and an i10 of 34. Prof. Hadji has also been involved in four international collaboration projects and several national projects. HE is Editorial Board Member in peer-reviewed journals, he is an internationally known Expert in RS-GIS, Natural Hazard, and Environmental Issues.
 
Mehdi Eshagh:
University West, Sweden
 
Mehdi Eshagh, 1977, born in Tehran, Iran, completed his M.Sc. degree in Geodesy from KNToosi University of Technology in Iran and Ph.D. in Geodesy at Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) under supervision of Professor Lars E. Sjöberg in 2009. He became docent (habilitation) in Physical Geodesy and Space Geodesy at KTH and worked there as Senior Researcher until 2016 and since September 2013 as Professor of Geodesy at University West in the western part of Sweden. He have about 22 years of activities in teaching diversity of courses in Surveying Engineering and Geodesy, research, and supervision of students at all levels of educations. He is Author of 120 articles in peer-reviewed international journals and the book 'Satellite Gravimetry and the Solid Earth, mathematical foundations', published by Elsevier in 2020; Founder of Journal of Geodetic Science in 2010; and its Editor-in-Chief since 2018. He is interested in collaboration in teaching and research internationally, e.g., Affiliated Professor at the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute, Adjunct Professor at KNToosi University of Technology, and habilitated with University of Sherbrooke.