International Journal of Economic and Environmental Geology
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Spatial Wind Speed Forecasting Using Artificial Neural Networks: Spatial Wind Speed Forecasting Using Artificial Neural Networks
No full textSpatial interpolation is a commonly used technique to simulate wind speeds in areas which are devoid of such measuring devices. In this paper authors examine the applicability and efficiency of Artificial-Neural- Network (ANN) formalism aimed at interpolating wind speeds in space domain. Additionally, the effect of the correlation between the wind speed at target site and its correlated neighboring site is also examined in the present paper. Hourly wind speed data set comprising of wind speeds recorded from April 2016 to August 2018 provided by Energy Sector Management Assistance Program of World Bank is used for the study. The study is supported by including four different wind speed measuring stations in Pakistan, namely, Tando Ghulam Ali, Umer Kot, Sujawal and Sanghar. Best estimates from ANN model are obtained for Tando Ghulam Ali (MAPE= 7.37%) and worst estimates are observed forSanghar site (MAPE= 10.61%
Seasonal and Regional Variations in Rainfall Distribution Over the Punjab-Pakistan: Seasonal and Regional Variations in Rainfall Distribution Over the Punjab-Pakistan
No full textThe purpose of present study is to investigate district and division wise annual rainfall variations over the province of Punjab, which is the largest in terms of population size as well important contributor in agricultural produce in Pakistan. The results revealed that the rainfall trend has shifted from upper and lower Punjab towards the south, west, north and east respectively. The statistical analysis has inferred an overall increasing trend for the period 1990 to 2000 and a decreasing trend during period 2001 to 2010 in Punjab province. The Z test value differences in the average rainfall for each district level meteorological station have detected three increasing and two decreasing trends during summers of 1981-2015.The data revealed a significant changed seasonal trend observed in Murree and Sialkot (northern Punjab), Faisalabad and Lahore (central Punjab). Particularly, the changes have been observed in the south Punjab and over the central Punjab, while the same rainfall variations have shown a southward shift. The trend of the rainfall had shifted in the Faisalabad division with the significant positive trend. In the Central Punjab, the positive trend has also been found in all the districts. In the lower Punjab, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan districts has shown an increasing trend of rainfall. The findings are significant in changing agro-climatic zones in the Punjab and consequent shifting patterns of agriculture therefore can have net impact on the food security situation in the Punjab-Pakistan
Factors Affecting the Rate of Breast Cancer; Role of Heavy Metals: Factors Affecting the Rate of Breast Cancer; Role of Heavy Metals
No full text Breast cancer is caused by uncontrolled growth of breast cells. It is more common in women as compared to that in men. The breast cancer may be interlinked with the drinking of alcohol, smoking, sex, hormonal therapy, obesity, family history and age. Various epidemiologic studies suggest the role of metals e.g., nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), selenium (Se)and cadmium (Cd)as potential risk factors in breast cancer. Humans are exposed to these metals by means of drinking water, food and air. The oxidative theory suspects that the complexes formed from these metals in vivo, near the location of DNA, catalyze the redox reactions which results in oxidation of DNA. The metals like arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr)which exist in trace amount are considered as carcinogens for organisms by IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer). The carcinogenicity of these metals mainly depends upon their chemical structure and oxidation states
Impact of China Pakistan Economic Corridor on Local Economy and Tourism Development: Case of Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan: Impact of China Pakistan Economic Corridor on Local Economy and Tourism Development: Case of Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
No full textThis study is aimed to analyze the role of tourism in affecting the local economy of Hunza. The Structural Equation Modeling was applied for knowing the local people perception about CPEC projects and their effect on tourism economy development. In addition, descriptive statistics tools using STAT 12 have been used for the data analysis and prior to analysis, Cronbach’s alpha test was used to check reliability of various items of the questionnaire. The data were collected from students, retailers, hotel owners, tour operators and travel agents. Results reveal that according to the respondents, CPEC is a game changer for the economy. In addition, there is significant effect of CPEC projects on the tourism development in Hunza. Results of the study also revealed that CPEC projects have negative effect on environment and local culture
Evaluation of Hardness of Ground Drinking Water in Vehari, Pakistan: Evaluation of Hardness of Ground Drinking Water in Vehari, Pakistan
No full textGround water contamination has become a major concern in recent years. Hard water is considered a primary cause of many health-relating issues due to its unsuitability for drinking, domestic, industrial and agricultural purposes. Current studies were performed to explore the degree of hardness in drinking water of the selected areas of Vehari city, Pakistan. For this purpose, ten water samples were collected and analyzed. This research involves present practices and easy approaches to evaluate the quality of drinking water. The tested samples have shown pH 7.3-7.7, temperature 27-320C and TDS value of 545-1155 mg/L. The hardness of tested water samples was found in the range of 110-530 mg/L by titration method. The soap solution method demonstrated the degree of hardness (dᵒTH) in the range of 19.8-35.41. The obtained results were compared with the national and international standards worldwide. The drinking water of investigated areas was found hard, contaminated and unsuitable
Landslide Susceptibility Assessment Using Bivariate Method: A Case Study from River Neelum and Jehlum Catchment Area: Landslide Susceptibility Assessment Using Bivariate Method: A Case Study from River Neelum and Jehlum Catchment Area
No full textLandslide is a frequently occurring natural calamity in the northern areas of Pakistan. The current study is aimed to assess the susceptibility of landslide hazard to highlight the vulnerable areas for the purpose of risk reduction along Neelum and Jehlum rivers in district Muzaffarabad. A data-driven predictive approach was adopted to conduct this study by using Weight of Evidence (WOE) model along with eleven conditioning factors. A spatial distribution map of landslides was prepared using orthophoto, previous records, and derivatives (hill shad, topographic openness, slope, aspect, curvature) of Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The results show that the roads, lithology, and rivers are the most important triggering factors for landslides in both valleys. Approximately 30% of the area is under low susceptibility zone in Jhelum valley while only 13% of the area falls under low susceptibility zone in Neelum river valley. In Jhelum river valley the medium susceptibility zone covers 35% of the total area whereas, Neelam river valley has 26% of the total area under medium susceptibility zone. Around 61% of the land in the Neelam river valley and 35% of the land in the Jhelum river valley are under high susceptibility zone. The area under high hazard lies in the north-east of the district due to multiple conducive factors to trigger landslides including weak lithology (mudstone, sandstone, shales, and clays), high altitude along steep slopes and excessive precipitation (1800 mm/ year). Furthermore, the high hazard zone in study area is not suitable for construction purpose but was suitable for plantation. The validation result (89.41%) is justifying the performance of this model
Microfacies Analysis and Depositional Environment of Middle Jurassic Samana Suk Formation, Chichali Nala Section, Surghar Range, Pakistan.: Microfacies Analysis and Depositional Environment of Middle Jurassic Samana Suk Formation, Chichali Nala Section, Surghar Range, Pakistan.
No full textThe Middle Jurassic age Samana Suk Formation, exposed in Chichali Nala section of Surghar ranges has been investigated by field work, petrographic study and XRD analysis to understand the microfacies, depositional environment and fault related dolomitization of the Samana Suk Formation. This formation is widely distributed in the upper Indus basin of Pakistan and considered the most prominent stratigraphic unit of the Jurassic period. The project area lies in the Chichali Nala Section of Surghar range (Trans Indus Salt Ranges). In this section, Samana Suk Formation constitutes the lithology of carbonate having CaCo3 as a major mineral, where dolomite is present in minor amount, which is restricted to fluids along fault zone. During the study two major microfacies have been identified including the Grainstone microfacies and Mudstone-Wackestone microfacies. Samana Suk. Formation was formed under stormy influence in the environment of deposition of Formation. Its depositional environment is the inner-middle shelf which suggests the marine shelf depositional environment
Textural Implications in Assessment of Physico-Mechanical behaviour of Metavolcanic Rocks from Dir Upper, north western Pakistan: Textural Implications in Assessment of Physico-Mechanical behaviour of Metavolcanic Rocks from Dir Upper, north western Pakistan
No full textThe Dir-Utror meta-volcanics from the south western portion of the Kohistan arc in northern Pakistan are analyzed in term of their petrography, physico-mechanical properties. Field observations and petrography show the collected representative samples to be fine-grained meta-andesites (FMA), coarse-grained meta-andesites (CMA) and agglomerate (AG). The relationship between petrography and physico-mechanical properties has been investigated which inferred the grain size to be the major factor, alongside grains’ shape, arrangement and size distribution as well as degree of mineral alteration significantly affecting the mechanical behavior of rocks. The CMA yield more strength (98 MPa) than FMA (93 MPa) due to its lesser degree of mineral alteration, inequigranular texture, lack of preferred mineral alignment, relatively low porosity and water absorption. The lower strength of agglomerate (57 MPa) corresponds to abundance of soft minerals (calcite), exotic rock fragments and coarse-grained texture. Based on physico-mechanical properties including specific gravity, bulk density, aggregate impact value, Los Angeles abrasion value and unconfined compressive strength (UCS), these rocks fall within permissible range to be utilized for multiple engineering purposes including dimension stones and foundation materials for other civil structures. However, petrographic investigations reveal excessive amount of reactive silica in these rocks making them prone to alkali-silica reactivity in concrete works with ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Hence these rocks are not recommended for use as sole aggregate material or low-alkali cement is recommended, if used
Assessment and Quantification of Risks Associated with Small Scale Mining, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: Assessment and Quantification of Risks Associated with Small Scale Mining, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
No full textSmall scale mining industry is considered more hazardous than other industries worldwide. Large number of workers receive minor and major injuries leading to disabilities or loss of lives due to frequent accidents in mines. Main causes of accidents in mines are fall of roof, improper ventilation system, gases, fires and mine explosions. Beside these hazards, violation of rules and regulations for mine workers are common, which also cause accidents. This paper is focused on issues associated with the health and safety of workers of Cherat Coal Mines (CCM), Abbottabad Coal Mine (ACM) and Abbottabad Soapstone Mine (ASM), Pakistan. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS computer statistics software. The data analyses indicated that the lack of education and violation of safety laws cause accidents in mines. Results show that problems that were rated higher by more than 60% of workers included slide and fall, dust, roof fall and explosive related hazards. In survey more than 50% of the workers admitted the existence of gases, fire and low height mines are common hazards in their workplace. The results also indicated that not only workers but management are also affected by accidents. More than 17% of worker in CCM faced serious accidents up to 3 times during one year. Up to 26% of workers in CCM, 13% in ACM and 15% in ASM suffered accidents for which they had 3 workdays off. It has been concluded that training should be arranged, especially the safety related training on regular basis to reduce the risk of accidents
Evaluation of Free Radical Scavenging Activities Against Multiple Heavy Metals Stress in Avicennia marina (Forsk.) and Rhizophora mucronata Lamk: Evaluation of Free Radical Scavenging Activities Against Multiple Heavy Metals Stress in Avicennia marina (Forsk.) and Rhizophora mucronata Lamk
No full textThe tolerance mechanism of mangrove species (Avicennia marina (Forsk.) and Rhizophora mucronata Lamk) was studied by inducing multiple heavy metal stress in roots and leaves of the plants. Mangrove seedlings were treated with different concentrations of heavy metal solution (Cr, Cd, Pb and Hg) for a period of 2 months. Scavenging antioxidant enzymes like Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO), Glutathione-S-transferase (GSTs) and Guaiacol Peroxidase (POD) were analyzed in both species after appropriate intervals of 15 days. Results revealed that activities of these antioxidative enzymes were altered due to multiple heavy metals exposure in both mangrove species, whereas leaves exhibited the higher values as compared to the roots. In the leaves of both mangrove plants GSTs exhibited an increased trend throughout the investigated period whereas, PPO activity initially showed an increasing trend, but gradually decreased with the passage of time in response to heavy metal stress. Furthermore, an increased level of antioxidants was also observed in A. marina than R. mucronata which proves that the former is a strong candidate for heavy metals phyto-remediation with its viable survival strategies