The applications of the machine learning and programming approaches in cartography has been increasing in recent years. This paper presents a case study of the scripting techniques used for cartographic mapping using Generic Mapping Tools (GMT) and R language (raster and tmaps packages). The aim of the study is environmental mapping of Ghana. The materials include high-resolution raster grids: topography by the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO), climate and environmental datasets (TerraClimate) and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for geomorphometric analysis (slope, aspect, hillshade and elevations). The methodology includes code snippets commented and explained with details of scripts. It is argued that using consolebased scripting tools for mapping is effective for cartographic workflow due to the logical structure and repeatability of scripts. The results include eight new thematic maps of Ghana performed using scripting approach inGMTscripting toolset and R language for quantitative and qualitative environmental assessment. Maps show correlations between the landforms of Ghana and certain environmental variables (drought index and soil moisture) showing the effects of the topographic relief on the distribution of the continuous geographic fields. These varied in several geographically distinct regions of Ghana: Ashanti (Kumasi), Volta, Savannah, coastal and northern regions. Demonstrated maps show that scripting method works effectively on a wide range of geosciences including environmental, topographic and climate studies. In such a way, this paper contributes both to the regional studies of Ghana and development of cartographic techniques.

This paper presents an experimental study on the leaching of heavy metals, toxic chemicals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) – PAH, PCB and HCB – from soil dredged from the coastal area of Västernorrland in northern Sweden. The soil was stabilized with cement/slag. Samples were subjected to modified surface leaching and shake tests using technical standards of the Swedish Geotechnical Institute (SGI). The experiments were performed using different blends of binding agents (30/70, 50/50, 70/30) and binder quantities (120 and 150 kg/m3) to analyze their effects on leaching. Soil properties, tools, and workflow are described. Binders included Portland cement and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS). Samples were tested to evaluate the min/max contents of pollutants (μg/l) for heavy metals (As, Ba, Pb, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, S, V, Zn) and the hydrocarbon fraction index in the excess water. The leaching of heavy metals and POPs was assessed in sediments after the addition of the binder. The comparison was made against the two mixes (cement/slag in 30/70% and high/low binder with low/high water ratio). The results showed that 70% slag decreases the leaching of heavy metals and POPs. The equilibrium concentrations of DOC and heavy metals at L/S 10 (μg/l) were measured during the shake experiments to compare their levels in the groundwater that was used as a leachate. The leached content was assessed at L/S 10 in the upscaling experiments using four samples for PAH, PCB and various fractions of hydrocarbons: C10–C40, C10–C12, C12–C16 and C35–C40. The shake test showed a decrease in the leaching of heavy metals and POP substances from the soil subjected to stabilization by a higher amount of slag added as a binder. A binder blend with 30% cement and 70% of GGBFS showed the best performance.