International Journal of Economic and Environmental Geology
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Soil Characterization: An Indicator of Soil Pollution and Base for Soil Restoration: Soil Characterization: An Indicator of Soil Pollution and Base for Soil Restoration
No full textSoil is considered as the major source of nutrients for plants and micro-organisms. It acts as a sink for the deposition of minerals and metal ions from weathering and anthropogenic activities. Some of these metal ions and minerals are beneficial for the plants and their dependents, while some of the metal ions and minerals are extremely toxic in higher concentrations. Therefore, the soil characterization as a source for the detection of metal ions in the soil of disturbed and un-disturbed areas of Peshawar was considered for the present study. Soil samples were collected randomly and digested for the extraction of metal ions. Higher concentration of metal ions was observed in soil samples of disturbed sites as compared to undisturbed. The results indicated that human activities are the main cause of soil pollution. It was recommended that environmental protection and urban development agencies should focus before these toxics adversely affect the local population
Gems and Jewels: Passing Down Specialized Knowledge and Skills in Pakistan’s Mineral-Rich Province of Balochistan: Gems and Jewels: Passing Down Specialized Knowledge and Skills in Pakistan’s Mineral-Rich Province of Balochistan
No full textGemology and jewelry training are at the core of what the Gems and Jewelry Training and Manufacturing Centre in Baluchistan’s mineral rich province in the southwest of Pakistan does and stands for. Widespread poverty, illiteracy and resistance against foreign influence set a stark contrast to what is happening within the circuit of artisans whose surface this descriptive social analysis is an attempt to enter more deeply into this world hidden from the outside gaze. For this study, mixed research methods were used like participant observations, focused group discussions and household questionnaires for a tool for data collection. Contradicting, what one may expect the data revealed that the vast majority (95 percent) of this study participant were young and educated. In addition, 55 percent of their income comes from applying the acquired specialized knowledge and skills. On average, they saved Pakistani Rupees 266,311/- a year, which is a commendable amount considering the local circumstances. Nearly all of the respondents had received practice-oriented education from the Gems and Jewelry Training and Manufacturing Centre. Faceting is, besides knowing the qualities of precious and semi-precious stones, a core focus of the training program. The program’s alumni had originally learnt of the Centre’s existence through sign boards, the Internet, and print media. Their savings, interestingly, are spent on education, with their children going to private schools. About two thirds of the interviewed men and women confirmed that on completion of their training, they purchased raw materials/gems. They also bought mobile phones and motorbikes, which they considered to be part of the ‘tool kit’ required to be successful in their business. Importantly, about half of the respondents regretted not having been able to set up their own business, partly because they lacked the requisite business skills. Hence, based on this field-based survey, we a comprehensive study program is required at the college-level that combines gemology, gem cutting and faceting and fine and fashion jewelry, with business administration and marketing. Ideally, this would be carried out in collaboration with professional schools and colleges from China, The United Arab Emirates, and Thailand in order to give greater importance to this sector with its high development potential
Examination of Temperature Variability over Lahore (Pakistan) and Dhaka (Bangladesh): A Comparative Study: Examination of Temperature Variability over Lahore (Pakistan) and Dhaka (Bangladesh): A Comparative Study
No full text Lahore and Dhaka are rapid expanding and over populated cities of South Asia located in Pakistan and Bangladesh respectively. The present study focuses on the evaluation of temperature variability in comparison of both cities. This study primarily aims at the assessment and examination of temperature variations in both mega cities of South Asia which are seasonal as well as the annual. The time series data were analysed by using statistical techniques Autoregressive Moving Average Model (ARMA) and Autoregressive Integrated Average Model (ARIMA). The results reveal that the minimum temperature is increasing much faster than that of the maximum temperature of both cities. However, the temperature rise(in maximum and minimum) has been observed highest during the spring seasons in both cities
Climate Change and Hazards Risk Management, Community Capability, Resilience and Vulnerability in Swat, Shangla, and Kohistan District, Northwest Pakistan: Climate Change and Hazards Risk Management, Community Capability, Resilience and Vulnerability in Swat, Shangla, and Kohistan District, Northwest Pakistan
No full textThe study area comprises of humid and undifferentiated highland climates having total precipitation of 52inches (1320mm) and fluctuation of -5.3inches or -134millimeters (1961-2014). The study area was a highly humid climate in 1961, while recently it seems on the porch of sub-humid ambiance. The annual trends show depletion in the precipitation concentration since 1980. Based on temperature, there are three types of temperature zones that are cool, cold and highlands. The maximum temperature recorded in June as well as July and reversed in January. The average temperature indicates a rise of 0.20C, which is higher during winters and converse in summers. The swell in the degree of hotness enhanced the water anxiety as well as the recoil of glaciers and increased the rate of natural hazards. The hydrology of the area is highly susceptible to the alteration in weather conditions in terms of glaciers retreat; fall in river flow, sub-surface water, natural disasters, desiccation of ponds and water springs. The yearly runoff of the Swat river reveals a decrease of -0.03 m3/Sec, while it is 12.4 m3/Sec in the Ghurband river (Shangla). It is concluded, that the yearly inclination of water runoff is contrary to mean temperature and directly proportional to precipitation. The most frequent natural disasters of the study area comprise of earthquakes, floods, landslides, snow avalanches, forest fires and epidemics (hepatitis, stomachache, and cholera). These hazards can be minimized using well planning (top to bottom) for risk management, preparedness, vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies at the community level in the area
Monthly Variations of Physico-Chemical Factors of Keenjhar Lake, Sindh, Pakistan: Monthly Variations of Physico-Chemical Factors of Keenjhar Lake, Sindh, Pakistan
No full textThe present study was carried out with the aim to assess water quality using physico-chemical factors of Keenjhar lake. For this purpose, lake water was analyzed with regular intervals. The air temperature ranged between 21 °C to 38 °C, water temperature between 19 °C to 36 °C , pH 5.5 to 8, dissolved oxygen 2.26 mg/L to 6.81 mg/L, salinity 0.16 mg/L to 1.13 mg/L, alkalinity from 30 mg/L to 165 mg/L, acidity 8 to 110 mg/L, sulphate 2.6 mg/L to 310 mg/L, phosphate from 1 mg/L to 31 mg/L and nitrates 16 mg/L to 180 mg/L during 2006, 2007 and 2008. It was concluded that various parameters lie within the permissible range except in a few months and suitable for drinking, irrigation and fish culture purposes
Drought Risk Assessment in the Khushab Region of Pakistan Using Satellite Remote Sensing and Geospatial Methods: Drought Risk Assessment in the Khushab Region of Pakistan Using Satellite Remote Sensing and Geospatial Methods
No full textDrought is a harmful and slow natural phenomenon that has significant effects on the economy, social life, agriculture and environment of the country. Due to its slow process it is difficult to study this phenomenon. Remote Sensing and GIS tools play a key role in studying different hazards like droughts. The main objective of the study was to investigate drought risk by using GIS and Remote Sensing techniques in district Khushab, Pakistan. Landsat ETM images for the year 2003, 2009 and 2015 were utilized for spatial and temporal analysis of agricultural and meteorological drought. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and rainfall anomaly indices were calculated to identify the drought prone areas in the study area. To monitor meteorological drought SPI values were used and NDVI was calculated for agricultural drought. These indices were integrated to compute the spatial and temporal drought maps. Three zones; no drought, slight drought and moderate drought were identified. Final drought map shows that 30.21% of the area faces moderate drought, 28.36% faces slight drought while nearly 41.3% faces no drought situation. Drought prevalence and severity is present more in the southern part of Khushab district than the northern part. Most of the northern part is not under any type of drought. Thus, an overall outcome of this study shows that risk areas can be assessed appropriately by integration of various data sources and thereby management plans can be prepared to deal with the hazard
Seasonal Variability of Atmospheric Aerosols in Karachi, Pakistan: Seasonal Variability of Atmospheric Aerosols in Karachi, Pakistan
No full textA variety of in situ and satellite-derived data of aerosols like atmospheric black carbon concentrations were used to probe the seasonal differences of aerosol concentration in Karachi, Pakistan for one year. Daily [black carbon] varied from about 4000 to 50,000 ng/m3 with the mean maximum of 14700 ng/m3 in February, primarily during mornings and evenings. The [black carbon] concentrations were at a maximum during winter months of November to February i.e. around 12000 ng/m3 and were at minimum value during summer from June to September (3000 ng/m3). Short term and long-term variabilities were mostly affected by meteorological parameters. Apart from industrial and indiscriminate solid waste burning, most important source of BC emissions in Karachi was vehicular traffic, since over a million vehicles were registered in the city. Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) from multi-band AOD, AERONET, and MODIS satellites showed a similar trend of its concentrations similar to BC. Aeronet 500 nm AODs were at a maximum for July (0.95 monsoons) and minimum (around 0.4) in November-February. Seasonal variation of AOD (Aeronet) was matching at other wavelengths, while the deviation in the spectral dependency of AOD was uncertain. It implied that a columnar spectral optical depth represented different aerosol type association having advection from various directions and sources. Relevant stakeholders should play their role to reduce BC emissions to mitigate ill health impacts in this metropolitan city
Sorptive Interactions of Fungicidal 2-(4'-Thiazolyl) Benzimidazole with Soils of Divergent Physicochemical Composition: Sorptive Interactions of Fungicidal 2-(4'-Thiazolyl) Benzimidazole with Soils of Divergent Physicochemical Composition
No full textThiabendazole, 2-(4'-thiazolyl) Benzimidazole fungicide is rampantly used in Pakistan for controlling fungal growth in addition to combating various fungus driven diseases. Thiabendazole leaching and mobility patterns can be easily predicted through investigation of Thiabendazole adsorption and desorption behavior in soils. Present work is carried out by conducting a batch equilibration experiment for evaluation of Thiabendazole adsorption and desorption in soils from four diverse Pakistani climatological regions. Data revealed Thiabendazole had moderate to weak adsorption in selected soils with distribution co-efficient Kd(ads) ranging from 13.33 to 24.04 µg/ml in selected soils. The TBZ adsorption in soils best fitted with Freundlich model (R2>0.87). The Freundlich adsorption coefficient (Kf(ads)) values ranged from 4.51 to 8.90 µg/ml. Thiabendazole adsorption trends in the selected soils were positively influenced by the clay content and soil organic matter while it was negatively influenced by soils’ pH. The Freundlich desorption coefficient (Kf(des)) values spanned over a range of 1.03 to 6.43 µg/ml indicating decreased desorption from soils with creditable affinities for Thiabendazole adsorption. The adsorptive interactions between Thiabendazole and selected soils were primarily physical confirmed through lower values of Gibbs free energy ∆G ≤ - 40kJ/mol. Thiabendazole desorption was highly hysterical in all soils with profound irreversibility. Thiabendazole possessed medium mobility patterns in selected soils. The lower adsorptive capability of Thiabendazole in selected soils points towards its lower application rates for combating long term environmentally perilous implications
Determination of Yearly Wind Energy Potential and Extraction of Wind Energy Using Wind Turbine for Coastal Cities of Baluchistan, Pakistan: Determination of Yearly Wind Energy Potential and Extraction of Wind Energy Using Wind Turbine for Coastal Cities of Baluchistan, Pakistan
No full textWind energy assessment of Ormara, Gwadar and Lasbela wind sites which are located in province Baluchistan is presented. The daily averaged wind speed data for the three sites is recorded for a period of four years from 2010-2013 at mast heights 7 m, 9.6 m and 23 m. Measured wind data are extrapolated to heights 60 m (Ormara), 80 m (Gwadar) and 60 m (Lasbela). Yearly averaged wind speeds are modeled using a two parameters Weibull function whose shape (k) and scale (c) parameters are computed using seven well known numerical iterative methods. Reliability of the fitting process is assessed by employing three goodness-of-fit test statistics, namely, RMSE, R2 and c2 tests. Tests indicate that MLE, MLM and EPFM outperformed other Weibull parameter estimation methods for a better fit behavior. Yearly Weibull pdf and cdf are obtained and Weibull wind characteristics are determined. Wind turbines Ecotecnia 60/1.67 MW and Nordex S77 1500 kW are used to extract wind energy on yearly basis. Estimated yearly Weibull power densities are in the range 623.00 - 700.13 W/m2, 276.04 – 307.55 W/m2 and 66.85 – 75.93 W/m2 for Ormara, Gwadar and Lasbela respectively. Extracted wind energy values for Ormara and Gwadar using wind turbines are reported as ca. 8623 kWh and ca. 4622 kWh, respectively
Perception and Response to Climate Change by Small Farmers: The Case of Mareko District, Southern Ethiopia: Perception and Response to Climate Change by Small Farmers: The Case of Mareko District, Southern Ethiopia
No full textClimate change and variability is one of the common challenges of rainfall dependent economic activities like agriculture. In this study, we assessed the perception of small landholders on the impact of climate change and their adaptation strategies in Mareko district in southern Ethiopia. Data were collected from a total of 120 small farmers from two villages in Elala Gebiba and Hobe Jare Dembeka. The results obtained from meteorological data of three decades (1986-2015) show an increase in temperature by 0.39oC and rainfall fluctuations over the last 30 years. Perceptions of these farmers on climate change depend on the level of vulnerability to the extreme events like drought and flooding. The perception of local communities on climate change indicated that there was an increase in temperature (98.3%) in the study area that had a potential impact on their livelihoods. Local people perceived that, the hazards induced by climate change like drought, extreme heat, livestock disease and floods affected their livelihood. The results of this study indicate that changing cropping date, practicing soil and water conservation, shifting from cattle to goats and sheep, income source diversification, growing drought tolerant crops like false banana, millet, sorghum and quicker-maturing crops like haricot bean and vegetables are the major adaptation options in the study area. Thus, this research contributes to the knowledge gaps on potential existing climate change adaptation strategies for those dependent on rain-fed agriculture for their food and livelihoods