International Journal of Economic and Environmental Geology
Not a member yet
352 research outputs found
Sort by
Estimation of Calorific Value of Lignite Field in Kütahya-Gürağaç (Turkey) by means of Artificial Neural Network
Full text linkArtificial neural networks are generally information processing systems that mimic the working principles of the human brain or central nervous system. Artificial neural networks are a method that gives successful results in solving many daily life problems such as classification, modeling and prediction. Artificial neural networks accomplish this by adjusting the connection weights between neurons. It can solve prediction and classification problems with back propagation algorithm, which is widely used in artificial neural networks with multilayer perceptron. In this study, unknown calorific values were tried to be estimated by using the analysis values (depth, ash, moisture, sulfur, calorific value) of the drillings realized in the Kütahya -Gürağaç lignite field. An artificial neural network was created for this purpose. First, 8 neurons were used in the hidden layer of the network, and 10 neurons were used secondarily. In the artificial neural network, the learning function is sigma, the learning rate is 95%, and the network is trained using Levenberg-Marquardt as the training algorithm. The network with 10 neurons converged at the desired margin of error (1e-07) and was completed after 271 iterations. The relationship between actual calorie values and predicted calorie values with network training reached a high ratio of R2=0.97. After the training of the network is completed, the network is simulated for the estimation of seams with unknown caloric values. As a result, caloric values were determined with an average of 97% confidence interval for the unknown coal seams of the field.
Keywords: Artificial neural networks, calorific value, coal seam
Groundwater Quality Assessment for Drinking Purpose of Taluka Chachro, Thar Desert, Pakistan; Using Water Quality Indices, and Geospatial Techniques
Full text linkGroundwater quality of taluka Chachro was investigated by analyzing thirty-two groundwater samples for drinking purpose. Multivariate statistical approaches with GIS interpolations (IDW) were applied for the identification of significant geochemical processes governing the groundwater quality.. Results showed the concentrations of physiochemical parameter in the study area exceeded the prescribed level of WHO guidelines. The EC and TDS varied from 2593-18950 μS/cm and 1659-12128 mg/l, respectively. The Ca, Mg, Na, and K range from 36-288, 17-272, 420-3280, and 9.5-101 mg/l, respectively. While, Cl, HCO3, SO4, and NO3 varied from 539-5738, 210-1150, 79-870, and 6.66-17.13 mg/l respectively. The mean values of EC, TDS, Na, Cl, HCO3, SO4, and NO3 were higher than the prescribed level of WHO 2011. Higher concentrations above the acceptable limits were recorded for K 96.15%, SO4 88.46%, and HCO3 82.16% of analysed samples. Multivariate statistical analysis suggested that the input of natural processes have influenced groundwater quality which resulted in changing the groundwater chemistry of taluka Chachro. The results revealed the dominant trend among the cations was Na>Ca>Mg>K while among the anions it was Cl>HCO3>SO4. Based on the drinking water quality index 50% were unsuitable for drinking.
Keywords: Thar desert, groundwater, WQI, GIS interpolation, geochemical processes.
Seismic Hazardand Spectral Acceleration For Hydro Power Project in Gilgit Baltistan Pakistan
Full text linkPeak ground acceleration is the maximum ground shaking intensity parameter in geophysics. To prevent the big loss of infrastructure, dam site or multistorey buildings as well as power project due to any seismic hazard, it is essential to mitigate the damages. Seismic hazard analysis for peak ground acceleration was carried out for hydropower project in Gilgit Baltistan to mitigate the effect of seismic hazard. Seismicity and tectonic map was drawn for distribution of seismic events.Study region was divided into seven source zones to rectify the seismic risk reduction assessmement of the region. Regression analysis for freqeuncy magnitude was also carried out using seismicity catalogue. Three distinct ground motion equations were used to predict the value of g with their return period. The actitvity rate analysis of seismic source zones was also done drawn to determine the source contribution. Maximum credible earhquake, operational based earthquake and maximum design earthquake were detremined. According to the ICOLD and seismic risk reduction policy, the values of peak ground acceleration for Phandar hydro power project was 0.59g for maximum credible earthquake, for design basis earthquake g value was 0.311g for and 0.231g foroperational basis earthquake with 475 years of return period at 50% probability of exceedence. Spectral acceleration for 0.1s, 0.2s, 0.5s, 1s and 2s was also computed for horizontal and vertical components. The values of spectral accleeration varied from 0.19g to 1.250g for maximum credible earthquake, 0.019g to 0.700g for design based earthquake and 0.050g to 0.480g for operational based earthquake. The results reveal that the maximum credible earthquake is to ensure safety level and for reliability level, operational based and design based earthquakes can be utilized.
Keywords: Peak ground acceleration, annual rate of exceedence, rate of activity, design operational and credible earthquakes, response spectra
Assessment of Willingness to Pay for Sustainable Ecotourism Development in the Salt Range Wetlands, Punjab Pakistan
Full text linkWetlands are the source of vital ecosystems which provide human societies with essential and extremely valuable life-supporting functions. The rapid population growth and resultant exploitation of lands, water bodies, and forests have badly influenced wetland resources. Wetlands are non-market goods as they do not have market value. So, it is important to evaluate these resources economically to identify their significance. Therefore, this study aims to identify the visitors’ willingness to pay for the economic valuation of Salt Range wetlands comprised of Kalar Kahar, Uchali, Jhalar, Khabeki, and Namal Lakes. A qualitative method was used to gather relevant information from the respondents by using a questionnaire. By applying the willingness to pay (WTP) technique it was found that about 85.34% of tourists were agreed to visit these lakes because of their naturalness. Similarly, the mean WTP in Kalar Kahar lake was PKR. 1808, in Uchali lakes was PKR.1820 while in Namal lake it was PKR. 1848. It is concluded that all the lakes are equally important and economically valuable for the tourists as there was a frictional difference in mean WTP. It is suggested that these lakes should be conserved for future generations to sustain the long-term economic benefits for the concerned stakeholders through the initiation of ecotourism.
Keywords: Willingness to pay, ecotourism, sustainable development, conservation
Clay-Iron Nanocomposite for the Removal of Sulfur as Toxic Pollutant from Fuel by Catalytic Oxidative Desulfurization
Full text linkThe current environmental pollution has great impact on climate change and the present study was aimed at removal of sulfur as a pollutant for environment on combustion of kerosene fuel using clay, namely attapulgite and magnetic iron (ATP)-Fe3O4 nanocomposite. To lower the toxic sulfur and to enhance the property of reduced sulfur fuel specifically the electrical conductivity (EC) was also improved by the addition of quality improver additives. The (ATP)-Fe3O4 nanocomposite was synthesized by co-precipitation method and the structure, and morphology were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The average size of Fe-NPs which helps in the oxidative desulfurization was found to be <100 nm, and the toxic sulfur content in fuel was reduced up to 71% from its original using 05mg/mL of nanocomposite at 150°C for 30 min along with CH3COOH and H2O2 proceed with water washing. The EC of the oxidative desulfurized (ODS) fuel was enhanced by the addition of (0.5, 0.7 and 1.0ppm) STADIS 450 additive as compared to MEROX kerosene fuel (untreated). The ODS kerosene showed greater stability of EC over MEROX kerosene.
Keywords: Magnetic nanoparticles, attapulgite-iron oxide nano-composite, oxidative desulfurization, electrical conductivity, kerosene
Land Degradation Due to Jamuna Riverbank Erosion: A Case Study at Shahjadpur, Sirajganj District, Bangladesh
Full text linkClimate Change in Bangladesh is an extremely crucial issue. Bangladesh is one of the worstly affected countries by the impacts of Climate Change in coming decades. The climate change in Bangladesh causes the degradation of land resources. High intensity and recurrence of floods are due to irregular rainfall and glacier melting of the Himalayas intensified river bank erosion throughout the year. High yielding land resources on the river bank are degraded each year. This study was conducted for riverbank shifting detection, morphodynamics assessment, and estimation of eroded and accreted land by the Jamuna river at Shahjadpurupazila, Sirajganj district, Bangladesh. The investigation is based on multispectral satellite imagery interpretations using ArcGIS software, followed by a field check. Interpretations show that the Jamuna river in the study area has continuously shifted its path from east to west from 1956 to 2020, resulting in a total loss of 51.68 km2 of landmass. The rate of engulfment was 0.95km2/year whereas the accretion rate was 0.15km2/year. The maximum rate of river shifting on the right bank of Jamuna river in the ShahjadpurUpazila is 84.38 meters/year and the minimum shifting is 31.25 meters/year. This study will help to understand the scenario of land degradation by river erosion in the study area. It may be also helpful to the decision-makers to take the proper mitigation measures regarding riverbank erosion and protection.
Keywords: Degradation, climate change, ArcGIS, river shifting
Petrophysics based Reservoir Evaluation of the Cretaceous Lower Goru “C” Sands, Middle Indus Basin, Sindh, Pakistan
Full text linkThis study demonstrates the reservoir investigation of the Cretaceous Lower Goru “C” sand interval using exploratory well data from the middle Indus basin of Sindh. The petrophysical parameters including volume of shale, effective porosity, and water saturation of the investigated reservoir interval were calculated. The shale volume calculation results in 30–35% of non-clean (shale) lithology, which is high as compared to Sawan-01 and Sawan-08 wells. The effective porosity ranges from 12–16%, while the average value of water saturation in the complete interval of “C” sand falls in the range of 50–60%. However, certain zones with relatively lower water saturation values of around 30-50% are also observed. These zones are considered better pay zones in comparison to the other intervals. A “gas effect” phenomenon observed on cross plots represents the area of neutron-density cross-over indicating the presence of lighter hydrocarbons in this reservoir zone interval.
Keywords: Petrophysical parameters; hydrocarbon prospect; reservoir; middle Indus basin
Spatial-Temporal Re-Analysis of Seasonal Air Quality Data in Karachi City for Future Prospects
Full text linkAir quality in Karachi, Pakistan appears to be deteriorating in the world due to rapid increase in population, economic growth and subsequent increase in urbanization and energy demand. This study Re-is about the cumulative effects of anthropogenic activities on air chemistry of the study area atmosphere with ground base concentration measurements of gaseous air pollutants (SO2, NO2, CO, CO2 and O3), particulates (PM10 and TSP), Methane, Lead and Noise with temperature and seasonal influences on Karachi city. The primary goal of this study was to define spatial and temporal distribution of air pollutants with ArcGIS, seasonal behavior of airborne contaminants, convert the five major pollutants termed as criteria pollutants into Air Quality Index (AQI) and their temperature association for future prospects. The maximum average values of four seasons concentrations of air pollutants were found SO2=64.5 ug/m3 (GR), NO2=55.5 ug/m3 (FB), CO= 8.00 mg/m3 (CC), CO2=645 ug/m3 (NZ), O3=56.7 ug/m3 (ST), PM10=225 μg/m3 (CC), TSP=402 ug/m3 (CC), Methane=1.65 m/gm3 (CC), Lead=5.1 ug/m3 (ST), and Noise=85 dB (GR). The minimum four seasons average concentration values with monitoring location as {SO2=48.2 ug/m3 (FB), NO2=44.6 ug/m3 (NZ), CO=4.1 mg/m3 (BC), CO2=601 ug/m3 (JH), O3=42.4 ug/m3 (GR), PM10=150 ug/m3 (BC), TSP=226 ug/m3 (JH), Methane=0.68 mg/m3 (BC), Lead=32 ug/m3 (GZ), and Noise=81 dB (BC). The spatial-temporal analysis of air quality revealed that the pollutants in the summer are higher in industrial and high-density traffic junctions. In this study, temperature and air quality are significantly associated, while rainfall and relatively high humidity days are negatively correlated. High temperature months have highest air pollution values, whereas the washout impact of precipitation and relative humidity have the lowest levels. The analysis of air quality index parameters demonstrated a high coherence among NO2, CO and O3 with variation in temperature. The higher levels of air pollution in hot days are related to the local climate and anthropogenic activities.
Keywords: Spatial-temporal, ArcGIS, gaseous pollutants, Air quality index (AQI)
Legal Framework to Control at Disposal Point Source Urban and Industrial Effluents of Hyderabad City into Pinyari (Old Phulleli) Canal off-taking from Kotri Barrage, Sindh
Full text linkPinyari (old Phulleli) canal off-takes from left bank of Kotri barrage is last Hydraulic structure on Indus river. This canal is passing from periphery of Hyderabad city and its design discharge is 13,636 cusecs which supplies fresh water not only for agricultural, industrial purpose and drinking purpose for the several towns and villages because groundwater in its command area is highly saline and not drinkable. The cottage factories and Hyderabad industrial area are located on nearby banks of canal. Hence, effluents from city and industrial SITE area are directly disposed off into the canal. The disposal of untreated wastewater created health and environmental safety problem. This paper presents that the analyzed results of water quality parameter ie pH, TDS, EC, Na, hardness, K, Mg, Mn, DO and BOD of collacted samples exhibit TDS 6%, K 20%, DO 67% and BOD 54%, respectively exceeded permissible limit. While pH, Na, hardness and Mn found within prescribed limits. Total coliform /E.coli (MPN/100ml) were found positive. Furthermore, the result of Water Quality Index (WQI) model reveals that water quality of canal of collected samples varies from excellent to very poor that reveals canal water is unsuitable for drinking purpose and aquatic life and also causes various waterborne diseases. Therefore, the local people are facing serious health problem by consuming water canal. With an attempt to ensure enforcement of environmental water laws in Sindh province of Pakistan for preventing degrading clean water. These environmental water laws have already been framed, but due to lake of enforcement, water pollution problems are increasing day by day. The enforcement of environmental water laws are very essential to control water pollution for safety of human health, and ecology in Sindh, Pakistan.
Keywords: Environmental water laws, water quality assessment, water quality index, canal water, wastewater
Work Accidents and Coal Mining in Turkey
Full text linkoai:ojs_temp.localhost:article/6In this study, an up-to-date evaluation of work accidents and occupational diseases in hard coal and lignitemining in Turkey has been made using the Social Security Institution (SSI) of Turkey statistics between 2013-and2020. For this purpose, the number of insured employees who had work accidents and occupational diseases, thenumber of insured people who lost their lives as a result of work accidents, and the total temporary incapacity for work(standing + inpatient) were examined. Although the number of people who had work accidents, the number of deathsafter work accidents, and the total duration of temporary incapacity in the lignite mining field of activity are higher thanin the field of activity in hard coal mining, it is seen that the number of occupational diseases is lower.
Keywords: Coal mining, work accidents, occupational disease, occupational health, and safety