Journal of Spatial Analysis

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Despite extensive studies on the relationship between land subsidence and groundwater level, less research were focused on the impacts of distance to pumping wells on variation of land subsidence area. This study presented the linkage between the ground surface displacement rate and groundwater pumping area and the associated geomorphic consequences. The land subsidence rate was extracted from Sentinel-1A images. Then, to evaluate the relationship between the ground surface displacement extent and distance from the pumping wells, 30 pumping wells were identified within the study area. Different buffers at specified distances (500, 700, 1,000, 1,300, 1,500, 2,000 m) were created around each well. To test the effect of the distance to the pumping wells on the spatial extent of critical and slight subsidence areas, average annual images of land subsidence were classified into two classes, including areas with a maximum subsidence rate and a minimum subsidence rate. Further, earth fissure identified by GPS were transformed to the land subsidence classification map. The results showed that there is a significant relationship between the distances to pumping wells and displacement extent. The spatial extent of areas with the maximum subsidence rates decreased as the distance from the pumping wells increased. By contrast, the spatial extent of areas occupied by the minimum subsidence rates increased with increasing the distance from the pumping wells. Also, the density distribution of the earth fissures increased in areas with the maximum subsidence rate.

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The sedimentation, sediment transport, erosion and sedimentation problems are important discussions in the planning of wisdom and macro watershed strategies and management of watershed basins. The sediment collection in lower areas causes regional damage, the destruction of the pathway of the waterways, the flow of water pollution, the accumulation of streams of sediment and reducing the capacity of reservoirs of dams and environmental bottlenecks. The sediment resulting from the watersheds erosion, in addition to soil loss and its degradation results in a decrease in water quality and endangers the useful life of dams due to the accumulation of deposits in their reservoirs. In this research, Spatiotemporal variations of suspended sediment load were investigated at three hydrometric stations of Sefidchah, Gelevard and Ablou located on the main channel of the Nakaroud Basin using sediment rating curves and linear regression model through applying MINITAB and EXCEL softwares. In order to determine the best model, determination coefficient (R2) was used. The results of this study showed that in seasonal variations of spring season in all three stations with a determination coefficient of at least 82% and a maximum of 89% as the most suitable model for estimating suspended sediment load among the models studied. In spatial studies, the Ablou station located at the outlet of the watershed has the highest determination coefficient (0.934) between sediment discharge and streamflow discharge.
 

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This research employs a systematic review approach to comprehensively evaluate environmental inequalities in Middle East cities. The Middle East, due to rapid urbanization and unsustainable development, faces complex environmental challenges that disproportionately affect low-income and marginalized populations. In this study, 60 scientific articles published between 2013 and 2023 from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were examined. Statistical analyses revealed that environmental inequalities in this region have been exacerbated by weaknesses in coordinated policymaking and cultural-geographical differences. Temporal patterns indicated an increasing trend in these inequalities over the past decade, while thematic analyses uncovered detrimental impacts on public health, air quality, and access to water resources.Geographical assessments demonstrated that specific areas are more vulnerable to environmental hazards due to climatic and economic conditions. By identifying gaps in existing scientific literature and current policies, this research proposes strategies to enhance environmental justice and improve conditions in Middle Eastern cities. The results of this study can serve as a foundation for developing effective policy strategies and future research in the field of environmental justice in the region. By presenting a comprehensive analytical framework, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of environmental inequalities in the Middle East and paves the way for targeted interventions