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Volume XXI |

International migration and its impact on the spatial dynamics of Guercif city (Morocco)

Abstract: This study is based on the field survey, one methodological tool among others used mainly in the social sciences. The aim is to determine the impact of international migration on the spatial dynamics of the city of Guercif. A phase of reconnaissance of the field, followed by a qualitative stage marked by interviews with the respondents, allowed us to verify the results and exploit them quantitatively via questionnaire. The analysis of the responses from 230 valid questionnaires indicate a strong involvement of migrants from the city of Guercif in speculation and the animation of the land market, thanks to the funds transferred.

Volume XXI |

The relationship between net migration and financial inclusion in Romania

Abstract: Romania has been going through a unique demographic transition resulting in depopulation, partially due to consistently high emigration and low immigration rates. The population leaving has been predominantly those of working age. At the same time, Romania has also seen a stagnated financial inclusion growth rate between 2011 and 2017. This research explores the relationship between the age-group-specific net migration rates and age-group-specific financial inclusion rates provided by Findex. These age groups, which have a significantly strong relationship between net migration and financial inclusion, illustrate the impact of migration on financial inclusion rates. Age groups 25-29, 35-39, 40-44, and 45-49 have shown significantly strong inverse correlations between net migration and financial inclusion.

Volume XXI |

Correlation between precipitation and orography – key element of the Spatial Decision Support System for Prevention and Management of Floods in the Firiza Basin (Northwest Romanian Carpathians)

Abstract: Research on the influence of relief on precipitation has been identified in many studies conducted locally, regionally or globally. However, the research on the area analyzed in the present paper is comparatively lacking. The surrounding mountain area we refer to is represented by the Someș and the Tisa watersheds. The present study focuses on analyzing the influence of the relief, i.e. of the altitude, slope orientation relative to the position of the Sun and the movement of air mass as a factor on precipitation and rainfall gradient. For that, datasets of daily precipitation recorded at 62 rainfall stations were used, as follows: 36 rainfall stations in Maramureş County, 19 rainfall stations in Satu Mare County, and 7 rainfall stations in Bistrița-Năsăud County. Precipitation data from rainfall stations located in the neighborhood of the study area were used in order to determine the influence of relief on frontal precipitation. The second purpose of the research was to determine if there is a correlation between precipitation and altitude. To this end, ArcGIS and Microsoft Office software were used. The results seem to confirm the major influence of the relief over the dynamic convection imposed to the air masses on ascending slopes, various average vertical precipitation gradients and differentiated distribution of rainfall. The present analysis and its results will highly contribute as an input element in a Spatial Decision Support System for Prevention and Management of Floods in Firiza Basin (North-Western Carpathians).

Volume XXI |

Geodiversity Assessment by Application of Geoinformation Approach (on the Example of Golo Bardo Mountain, Western Bulgaria)

Abstract: Geodiversity is considered as a complex indicator of the abiotic environment. On the example of information about Golo Bardo Mountain (Western Bulgaria), the article emphasizes the need to develop methods for quantitative assessment of the geodiversity of an area to minimize the subjective nature of the assessment by defining clear criteria that can be quantified. The complex geodiversity assessment of the investigated area was made based on the analysis of lithology, soils, topographic features and drainage network. The analysis is done in a GIS environment. Topographic settings are analysed on the base of digital elevation model with a cell size of 30 m using Spatial Analyst Tools. The elevation model is used for calculating the terrain roughness, slope gradients and aspects of the slopes. Geological component is evaluated considering the petrographic composition of the area. The variety of the abiotic components is calculated by application of grid method (cell size 1000 x 1000 m), using Focal statistics tool, neighborhood type “Variety”. Fuzzy logic is suggested to be used for comparison of areas located in different regions and with different landscape conditions.The results of the geodiversity assessment show that most of the area of the Golo Bardo mountain has moderate geodiversity index. The method used in the article gives reliable results with minimal subjectivity, that can be used for assessment of the distribution of the geodiversity on a particular area and allow to compare different territorial units. The results obtained in the current study show good correlation between areas with high and moderate geodiversity index, and areas with high biodiversity values. The applied methodology and the visualization of the geodiversity index allow for easy understanding of geodiversity by a wide range of stakeholders, even non-geoscientists, and can be successfully applied in the planning of geotourism activities.

Volume XXI |

Usage of zeolite raw materials as natural barrier for conservation of nuclear waste

Abstract: The presence of manganese oxides and hydroxides forming thin crusts up to 4-5 mm thick, deposits and impregnations with black color was found in the pink-reddish clinoptilolite zeolites from the field works in the area of the Most deposit, Bulgaria. The aim of the present research is to study the zeolite raw material in the area of the deposit in order to determine the manganese mineralization. The presence of certain microporous minerals, referred to as octahedral molecular sieves (OMS) and octahedral layered materials (OL) will increase the value of the zeolite raw material from the deposit in order to use them as a sorbent of heavy metals and radionuclides to solve some ecological problems.