International Journal of Economic and Environmental Geology
Not a member yet
352 research outputs found
Sort by
Analysis of Physical, Chemical and Biological Aspects of Drinking Water at University of Sindh Jamshoro: Short Communication
No full textSafe drinking water is a basic need for good health. It is critically needed to characterize drinking water, by measuring its pH and electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and analysing for biological contamination. Drinking water quality standards are set with some parameters and that harmful constituents should not exveed (WHO guidelines (2011)
Physical Risks in terms of Occupational Health and Safety in Underground Coal Mines
Full text linkMining is one of the oldest professions in history. Along with the development of human life, mines also give direction to civilization and the economy. Mining activities carry various risks in terms of occupational health and safety (OHS). These risks can be examined under the main headings of work accidents and occupational diseases. As a result, thousands of workers face illness and death every year. Additionally, economic losses occur as a result of production interruption and stopping. Despite all the efforts to reduce mining accidents, statistics show that underground mining is one of the riskiest among all working industries. It is seen that the physical risk factors encountered in the mining sector line are remarkable in terms of risk factors. Physical risk factors that may be encountered in mines are dust, noise, vibration, lighting problems, and thermal conditions. It is essential to take measures to assess these risks and ensure the comfort of employees where each physical risk factor needs to be examined separately. In this study, physical risks being frequently encountered in underground coal mines are taken into account with recommendations for the risks.
Keywords: Underground coal mining, work accidents, occupational disease, occupational health, and safety
Synthesis of Zeolites from Coal Fly Ash and Their Environmental Application
Full text linkThis study aims to make adsorption-capable zeolite from coal fly ash, a waste product from coal-fired power plants (CFA). When it comes to commercializing sorbent, the total cost and efficiency of the adsorbent material are critical. This work used tap water instead of distilled water (DW) to synthesis zeolite from fly ashes at 90°C crystallization temperatures. The discovery lays the door for a cost-effective but easy technique of synthesizing viable zeolitic materials for adsorption applications using waste products like coal fly ash. According to the comprehensive characterization, the support for the use of TP to make zeolites is based on its larger particle size, and lower carbon impurities. The generated zeolite was homogenous and A-type, and applied as an adsorbent to remove traces of heavy metals contaminants. During a 25-minute agitation period, the zeolites produced with TP had a greater adsorption capacity. In principle, the proposed approach permits the synthesis of low-cost, high-efficiency zeolite-based adsorbent materials for environmental remediation without the use of harmful or expensive chemicals.
Keywords: Synthesis zeolite, adsorption, coal fly ash, tap water
Seismic Characterization to Identify Geological Structures and Petroleum Play in Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan
Full text linkThe Cretaceous shale intervals of Talhar and Sembar Formations – distributed in the Lower Indus Basin of Pakistan – are organic-rich shales that can act as shale gas plays. Two-dimensional seismic using synthetic modeling has been carried out in Khewari oil field to identify petroleum plays. This work was completed with the help of eight seismic processed and migrated lines. Based on structural interpretation different geological structures were marked. The seismic character, continuity, and coherency in seismic reflection patterns indicate that the area is under an extensional regime with normal faults pattern associated with horst and graben structure. This structure is favorable for the accumulation of hydrocarbon. The shales of Talhar and Sembar formations are overlying Chilton limestone, which is a proven reservoir. The isopach maps show that Talhar Shales and Sembar Formation are dipping towards the northeast. Precisely to characterize the reflector, a synthetic seismogram was employed to tie well tops and seismic profiles.
Keywords: Seismic section, interpretation, synthetic seismogram, hydrocarbon, horst, graben
Modeling and Forecasting of Rainfall Time Series. A Case Study for Pakistan
Full text linkThe change of weather conditions is considered as the major problem, particularly for developing country like Pakistan. Machine learning and artificial neural network models have become attractive forecast techniques for rainfall as compared to traditional statistical methods in the last few years. The behavioral pattern in rainfall (mm) annually by 1901 to 2020 is studied. Moreover, forecasts of three models based on past observations are evaluated. Fundamentally, different techniques are used for model development. Three modeling techniques include a traditional linear time series ARMA model, an emerging nonlinear threshold technique SETAR model, and influential machine learning technique NAR model. Evaluation of forecast performance is based on three forecast error criteria namely MSE, RMSE, and MAPE. Results indicate that the rainfall (mm) will slightly increase in the coming ten years i.e. 2021 to 2030. Furthermore, the findings also reveal that the NAR model is a suitable and appropriate model to forecast the rainfall which outperforms the ARMA as well as the SETAR model.
Keywords: Rainfall, forecasts, nonlinear, threshold, machine learning
Climate Change Impact and Frequency of Cyclone Surge in Bangladesh Coast: Proper Plan to Address Sustainably
Full text linkThe Bay of Bengal (BoB) is a familiar ground for tropical cyclones. Consequently, cyclone surge and tidal inundation are very common in the Bangladesh coast which causes massive loss of human lives and properties. The present paper is an attempt to delineate the frequency of cyclones in the BoB, and loss of human lives and properties of Bangladesh coast on the basis of published reports, open source data and field checking, and finally to propose an effective way out to protect the area from cyclone surge. This study exposes that the frequency of cyclones in the area increased recently due to rise of global temperature. It further reveals that though the frequency of cyclones is increased, the loss of human lives is significantly decreased. Death toll in the last two decades decreased a lot for similar strength of cyclones comparing to the toll in last thirty or fifty years. Improvement in the early warning system, evacuation plan with proper training and construction of good number of cyclone shelter all over the coastal region are the main reason for this improvement. Though the loss of human lives is significantly reduced, the loss of economic resources in the coastal areas of the country is enormous as in earlier episodes. Therefore, adaptation for the Climate Change effect is needed to expedite with afforestation in the coastal region. Economic loss might also be reduced obstructing the cyclonic surge in the coastal region. Considering the cyclone path and tidal amplitude of cyclonic surge, upgradation or reconstruction of the coastal embankments all along the coast is essential. In this process, it is important to ensure that the tidal channels act as an inlet and outlets all over the coast to keep the natural processes active. An integrated approach including geoscientists, engineers, planners, policy makers, etc. is required to protect the resources as well as proper management of the coastal areas of the country.
Keywords: Bay of Bengal; tropical cyclone; sustainable management
Formation Evaluation of Lower Goru Sands of Khipro Block, Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan
Full text linkFormation evaluation is widely used in exploration and production in order to minimize the risk, uncertainty, and understanding of the detailed characteristics of potential reservoir rocks. This study is aimed to evaluate the Petrophysical characteristics of upper and lower basal sands of the Cretaceous lower Goru Formation in Niamat-01 and Siraj-01 wells and to focus on hydrocarbon exploration potential. These wells have been drilled in the Khipro block, lower Indus basin, which is the least explored for the reservoir quality evaluation. Present study characterized the lower Goru sands of the Khipro block. It is interpreted that the thickness of upper and lower Basal sands are 13m and 10m, respectively in Naimat Basal 01, whereas 9m and 17m, respectively, are reported in SirajSouth-01. The average effective porosity is 11% in upper Basal sands while 26% is interpreted for lower Basal sand in Naimat Basal-01. An average porosity of 11% is found for upper Basal sands in Siraj South-01 and 11% for lower Basal sand. Water saturation (Sw) calculated for upper and lower Basal sands are 22% and 19%, respectively. The hydrocarbon saturation (Sh) of 78% is interpreted for upper Basal sands and 81% hydrocarbon saturation reported for lower Basal sands in Naimat basal-01. However, 36% and 45% Sw have been recognized for upper and lower Basal sands, respectively. Whereas hydrocarbon saturations of 64% and 55% are reported for the upper and lower basal sands, respectively, in SirajSouth-01. Crossover effects in front of targeted formations confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons in the zone of interest. Lower sands of the lower Goru Formation in the Khipro block are favorable for hydrocarbon production and have potential for future hydrocarbon exploration activities.
Keywords: Formation evaluatrion, Goru Formation, well log data, lower Indus, Paksitan
Appraisement of the Pernicious Status of Drinking Water Exposed to Precambrian Rocks of Chenab Nagar Area, Punjab, Pakistan
Full text linkNatural and anthropogenic indulgence in the form of industrialization, urban sprawl, and population increase deplete the water resources that entails immediate consideration. So, contemplating this need for eco-rehabilitation, drinking water quality predicted in contemporary research for surface and groundwater in proximity of Precambrian rocks (Chenab Nagar, Punjab) revealed poor water quality status. Physical parameters (EC, TDS, and temperature), chemical (pH, carbonates, bicarbonates, chlorides, and heavy metals) and microbiological (total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and the absence or occurrence of E. coli) distinctiveness of water were determined in forty-two samples, collected from study area. The mean values of pH, EC, TDS, carbonates, bicarbonates, chlorides, and temperature for water samples fluctuated discretely in all months. Likewise, heavy metals depicted an increasing trend as the concentration of cadmium and lead was high among all analyzed metals. Microbiological study shows that large number of the samples had elevated concentration of fecal coliforms and E. coli bacteria thus making water harmful for human consumption.
Keywords: Groundwater, surface water, microbiological, WHO standard, drinking water
Rainfall forecast using SARIMA model along the coastal areas of Sindh Province
Full text linkRainfall forecasting is critical for economic activities such as agriculture, watershed management, and flood control. It requires mathematical modelling and simulation. This paper investigates the time series analysis and forecasting of the monthly rainfall for the Sindh coastline, Pakistan. The seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model was used for the last three decades (1991-2020) and forecasting was done for the next two years. The model is based on the Box Jenkins methodology. The decomposition of time series plots into trend, seasonal and random components showed a seasonal effect. The Augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) and Mann–Kendall (MK) tests showed the inherent stationarity of the rainfall data. The best SARIMA models for monthly rainfall were SARIMA (1,0,1)(3,1,1)12 and SARIMA (1,0,1)(1,1,1)12 with Akaike information criterion corrected (AICC) values of 1507 and 1387, respectively. The model predictions indicate that, in the years 2021/22, July will likely have the most rainfall, followed by August and June. The diagnostic statistical test values directed that the adequacy of the models is consistent for projected monthly rainfall forecasts.
Keywords: SARIMA, forecast, rainfall, seasonal, coastlin
Tidal River Siltation and its Impact in the Coastal Parts of Bangladesh
Full text linkThe study area is located in the south-western coastal part of Bangladesh and belongs to the lower deltaic plain of the Ganges delta system, which lies in the Rampal upazila of Bagherhat district. The area is more or less flat with elevation ranges from 1.0 to 2.0 m above mean sea level (MSL) and is blanketed with fluvio-tidal deposits of sandy silt, clayey silt and clay. Right now, water logging is one of the major problems in the area. The present paper is an attempt to expose the causes of water logging as well as its consequences. The satellite images of the last few decades, existing statistical records and simultaneous field checking were employed in this study, which reveals that natural as well as anthropogenic factors are responsible for water logging problem. The rivers and their link channels in the areas are influenced by tidal water regularly. The Water Development Board (WDB) was built embankments along the river courses as well as constructed sluice gates on the head of the tidal creeks to protect the area from regular tidal flooding and sea water intrusion. During monsoon, when rivers carry huge amount of water and sediments due to torrential rain, and these rising waters overtop the natural levees which were artificially modified and raised by coastal embankments. Consequently, the sediments drop down inside the channel and near channel bank rather in the nearby tidal plain. As a result, channels are gradually congested due to siltation, whereas tidal plain areas gradually lower due to subsidence and lack of sedimentation. Moreover, many sluice gates were constructed on the river courses in the coastal areas which also aggravate the situation. Daudkhali river is one of the main rivers in the study area. Image interpretation depicts that in 1977 the width of this river was nearly about 200 m all through its course and the river maintained this width up to 1990. But due to embankments the river starts to squeeze and the width of the river reached about 100 m in 2000. But in 2014, the river was nearly abandoned. A sluice gate was constructed on the course of the river about 30 years ago near Foila Bazar. The sediments carried by the river started to deposit in the mouth of the sluice gate which gradually choked the opening of the gate and now the gate is nearly blocked. During the rainy season, the river cannot carry excess water resulting flooding and water logging for long time. The presence of thick finer sediments in the subsurface as well as climate change further prolongates the situations. Finally, for sustainable development of the area,it is necessary to carry out different development activities with consideration of delta building processes.
Keywords: Ganges delta, tidal river, sustainable development