International Journal of Economic and Environmental Geology
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Using the Theory of Plan Behavior and Norm Activation Model to Understand Individual Energy Conservation Behavior in Karachi, Pakistan: Using the Theory of Plan Behavior and Norm Activation Model to Understand Individual Energy Conservation Behavior in Karachi, Pakistan
No full textThe environmental problems are considered as a serious threat to the future of humanity. The adoption of sustainable behaviors is considered a necessary step to deal with the environmental challenges. Energy conservation behavior is an environment friendly behavior that has been promoted in many societies. Researchers have been studying the determinants of energy conservation behavior for many years, in western countries. However, energy conservation behavior of individuals in the house has not received attention of researchers in Pakistan. In this study, theory of planned behavior and norm activation model are used to study energy conservation behavior of 1250 college and university students in Karachi. Our results show that attitudes, subjective norms, awareness of consequences, ascription of responsibility and personal norm, all have a positive relation with energy conservation behavior. Socio-demographic variables had no statistically significant relation with energy conservation. It is believed that electronic and social media and religious scholars can play a key role in raising awareness of environmental issues and encouraging the adoption of environment friendly behaviors in Pakistan
Analyzing Land Cover Change Using Remote Sensing and GIS: A Case Study of Gilgit River Basin, North Pakistan: Analyzing Land Cover Change Using Remote Sensing and GIS: A Case Study of Gilgit River Basin, North Pakistan
No full textMountainous areas of northern Pakistan are rich in biodiversity, glaciers and key watershed of Indus River system which provide ecosystem services for their inhabitants. These regions have experienced extensive deforestation and are presently vulnerable by rapid land cover changes, therefore an effective assessment and monitoring is essential to capture such changes. The aim of this study is to analyze the observed changes in land cover over a period of thirty-nine years, divided into three stages (1976-1999, 1999-2008 and 2008-2015). Four images from Landsat 2 Multispectral Scanner System (MSS), Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM), Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper and Landsat 8 Operation Land Imager data were obtained to detect land cover change. This study used supervised classification-maximum likelihood algorithm in ERDAS imagine to identify land cover changes perceived in Gilgit River Basin, Pakistan. The result showed that the range land, glaciers, water bodies, built-up/agricultural cover are the major categories that have been altered by the natural and anthropogenic actions. In 1976, built up/agriculture, range land, water bodies and glacier cover was 1.13%, 45.3%, 0.66% and 13.2%, respectively. Whereas in 2015, built up/agriculture, range land, water bodies and glacier cover was 3.25%, 12.7%, 0.91% and 8.2%, respectively. Theses land cover shifts posed acute threat to watershed resources. Therefore, a comprehensive watershed resource management is essential or otherwise, these resources will deplete rapidly and no longer be capable of playing their role in socioeconomic and sustainable environmental development of the area
Potential Seismogenic Source Model for the Red Sea and Coastal areas of Western Saudi Arabia: Potential Seismogenic Source Model for the Red Sea and Coastal areas of Western Saudi Arabia
No full textSeismogenic source models are unavoidable and a crucial element in seismic hazard studies. A seismogenic source model for Red sea and surrounding areas was constructed. The source model was built up taking into consideration various scientific data sources and logical opinions. A comprehensive model for Red sea and coastal regions of western Saudi Arabia was generated. In our model, we started with regional geological and tectonics studies, already published seismogenic source models, historical seismicity, recent seismicity, and finally by adding up gravity and magnetic studies to construct the final layout of our model. The evaluation of the resources available led to a conclusion for dividing the study area into 23 seismogenic source zones
Reservoir Characterization and Modelling with Diagenetic Trends of Carbonates of the Kawagarh Formation: A Section Exposed in the Kala-Chitta Range, Pakistan: Reservoir Characterization and Modelling with Diagenetic Trends of Carbonates of the Kawagarh Formation: A Section Exposed in the Kala-Chitta Range, Pakistan
No full textPresent study is focused on the diagenetic studies and reservoir characterization of the Cretaceous Kawagarh Formation exposed in the Gandab village, Kala-Chitta range, north-western Himalayan Fold-and-Thrust belt, Pakistan. The formation is composed of argillaceous limestone and dark grey marls. A total of thirty-three representative carbonate rock samples were collected at equal intervals of three meters. Various diagenetic features including cementation, micritization, pyrite precipitation, neomorphism, fracturing, sparitization and stylolitization were observed in the studied rocks which occur in the marine, meteoric and deep burial diagenetic environments respectively. Such diagenetic features control the reservoir quality of the rock unit. Porosity types include mostly vuggy and fracture, while minor stylolitic porosity were noted with quantity ranging from 2.66% to 3.88%. The carbonates of Kawagarh Formation are highly fractured, but the filling of these fractures due to precipitation of calcite or micritic mud has greatly reduced its reservoir potential, while some unfilled fractures, stylolites and vuggs are the dominant factors that enhance the reservoir potentiality of the Kawagarh Formation. However, the porosity values still do not mark the level of reservoir rock. These diagenetic studies revealed very less chances for hydrocarbon accumulation as no significant porosity values have been observed and overall reservoir potential is characterized as poor
Use and Quality of Bottled Water in Bahawalpur City, Pakistan: An Overview: Use and Quality of Bottled Water in Bahawalpur City, Pakistan: An Overview
No full textAs a basic need of human life, the place of safe potable water cannot be ignored elsewhere. Therefore, the main objective of the current study was to take an overview of the main source of water, expenditure on water purchasing and use quality of bottled water in Bahawalpur city. Primary data were gathered through a structured questionnaire during a field survey in selected five residential areas as sample sites i.e. Model town A, Model town B, Shahdrah, Satellite town, and Islami colony, while the secondary data were collected from PCRWR and a few web sources. Data were gathered from 150 respondents (30 from each study site) and analyzed in SPSS 17 software by applying descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) to get a generalized picture regarding the main source of water, use and quality of bottled water in the study area. Findings make it clear that majority of the respondents were fetching water from government filtration plants following the electric pumps. Moreover, various local water companies (e.g. Pineo, Piyas, Aquafina, Kinley, Al-Shiffa, Life Water) were also supplying water in the study area. Particularly, the use and demand for bottled water are increasing day by day as people have serious concerns on quality related issues of water. Bottled water was available in different quantities from 0.5 liters to 19 liters with respective prices that were purchased from various departmental and medical stores or via home delivery service. But the quality of the bottled water was not satisfactory and up to the standards. The PCRWR laboratory analysis of bottled water samples show significant variations and alarmingly different brands i.e. Blue water, Kalash pure water and Pan Pura were found chemically and microbiologically unfit for drinking purposes. So, it is suggested that regular monitoring and quality control steps by local government in the private sector would ensure the effective and secure potable water deliverance
Sustainability Analysis of Marble Sector in Buner: Sustainability Analysis of Marble Sector in Buner
No full textMarble is an ornamental stone, extremely popular for use as architectural and sculptural purposes. Non-renewable marble resources in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan are mostly mined by conventional mining methods (producing irregular shaped blocks) instead of using mechanized mining producing regular shaped blocks. Conventional mining methods are more economical but are less environment friendly due to more quantity of waste produced. While, mechanized marble mining has a better recovery, reduces mining cost (processing and transportation) and is less environmentally hazardous. In this study a situation and sustainability analysis of marble mining operations at Buner, the most productive marble mining cluster in KP, Pakistan, is carried out. Buner has about 1.4 billion tons of marble resources and contributes around 51 percent of total country’s marble production. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is used on the basis of key sustainability factors (economic, technical, social, environmental and safety) for selection of most sustainable mining methods. The analysis revealed that conventional mining is least sustainable and produces maximum waste, cracks, irregular shaped blocks, high working faces, back break, rock falls and accidents. It was concluded and recommended that these conventional mining methods should be replaced with the more sustainable mining methods i.e. semi-mechanized (controlled blasting / expansion material) at sunny grey and get black marble deposits and mechanized mining (rope cutting) at Bampokha No.1 and Chagharzai white marble deposits
Analyzing Geospatial Trends of Groundwater Quality in Sargodha City, Punjab, Pakistan: Analyzing Geospatial Trends of Groundwater Quality in Sargodha City, Punjab, PakistanAnalyzing Geospatial Trends of Groundwater Quality in Sargodha City, Punjab, Pakistan
No full textGroundwater is a primary source for drinking and domestic use in urban centers of Pakistan. The continuing process of urbanization and the recent rising trend in urban population is leading to overexploitation of groundwater in the study area. Present research explains the groundwater quality status in Sargodha city, Punjab. In this area, the urban population has almost doubled since 2000. Present study focuses on physicochemical parameters of groundwater samples collected from pre-determined boreholes in Sargodha city. One hundred water samples were collected through random proportionate sampling method from the city. The standard laboratory water sample analysis was performed to determine water quality parameters like TDS, EC, PH, alkalinity, turbidity, taste, odor, drinkability, hardness, iron sulfate, nitrate, calcium, magnesium and chloride. The analysis results revealed that the values of turbidity, EC, chloride, sulfate alkalinity, hardness, TDS are higher than the permissible limits of WHO while the magnesium and pH concentrations are below the permissible range for drinking water. The amount of nitrate and iron were found in traces. Geospatial maps for different elements were generated using GIS software in order to delineate zones of high concentrations of these parameters in groundwater of the study area
Climate Classification of Pakistan: Climate Classification of Pakistan
No full textThe research covenants amid the evaluation and analysis of the weather data in regards to mean monthly temperature, precipitation, rainy days, relative humidity, wind direction, atmospheric pressure, evaporation, solar radiation and with the literature cited. The components getting fluctuation in the atmospheric condition comprise of global location, vicinity to ocean, geomorphic reliefs and continental extent, maritime affects, forests and landuse. Based on the daily and monthly temperature, the study area has divided into five localities consisting of hot, warm, mild, cool, and cold. Besides, the five precipitation zones namely arid, semi-arid, sub-humid, humid and undifferentiated highlands have been distinguished during course of work. Generally, eastern longitudes of the country get substantial downpours amid summers (monsoon season). Though the western areas in winters excluding Gilgit Baltistan, where it is from local thunderstorms. Pakistan encounters four precipitation seasons namely winter, pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post monsoon rainfall. Because of sub-tropical vicinity, the country has experienced two fundamental seasons explicitly winter and summer. Generally, the summer period goes on for five months in mountains and seven months in plains, whilst the winter period differs for seven months in mountains and five months in plains. The stated two essential rainy periods are auxiliary sub-isolated into four sub-spells to be precisely hot, warm, monsoon and cold season. Based on appropriation and fluctuation of climate variables, Pakistan is classified in five macro areas that auxiliary sub-curved up into 18 meso and 46 micro scale climate regions
The Evaluation of Geotechnical Properties of Precambrian Hazara Slates, Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan: The Evaluation of Geotechnical Properties of Precambrian Hazara Slates, Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan
No full textThe fold and thrust belt of the eastern Hazara division characterised the sedimentary rocks of Precambrian to Paleocene age. The sequence and formation of Precambrian signify the oldest rock unit as Hazara Slate. Geological map of the study area was prepared at the scale of 1:75,000 for about 140 square kilometre area located in Muzaffarabad (Azad Kashmir) district and Lohargali of Abbottabad (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) district. The lab analysis shows that it is not rational to use Hazara slates as aggregate material due to its mineral accumulation and composition. Los Angele’s Abrasion Value, Impact Value, Crushing Value, Specific Gravity, Water Absorption, Flakiness Index, Elongation Index, Porosity Value, California Bearing Ratio test and Grain Size Analysis were done and co-related with B.S standards and the parameters were deduced. It was observed that the mineral composition of Hazara Slates ranges for illite, kaolinite, quartz and carbonate. Kaolinite and illite are clay minerals which have swelling potential to cause construction material damage the material. The presence of Carbonate and Quartz gives strength to the material, but its percentage is low. Reserves calculation of different localities was also done for the quarry development
An Economic Value of Waste for Informal Garbage Collectors and Community’s Perception Regarding Environmental Sustainability; A Case Study of Faisalabad-Pakistan: An Economic Value of Waste for Informal Garbage Collectors and Community’s Perception Regarding Environmental Sustainability; A Case Study of Faisalabad-Pakistan
No full textThis study analyzed economic value of solid waste for informal garbage collectors. It also evaluates community’s perception for better environment. Although waste management and environmental sustainability is a worldwide problem, but Faisalabad’s residents also face problems regarding solid waste, environment, clean water and clean air. The main objectives of this paper, which has been explored; to study the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, to evaluates the resident’s perception regarding better environment and also estimate the income level of garbage collectors and significant determinants of income which they generate through waste collection. Data were collected from 125 households and 125 informal garbage collectors from different parts of (7 districts) Faisalabad in the month of January and February 2019 through well-developed questionnaire. The results of the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents were drawn through SPSS and adult males, females having low level of education were in the majority in waste collectors. Five categories (Waste collectors, (W. Cs), call on scavengers (CSs), transfer point pickers (TPPs), Street pickers (SPs) and dumpsite pickers (DPs) were studied. They were generating reasonable income; most of them were generating income above 20,000 rupees per month by working on average 7 to 8 hours per day. The garbage was being collected from streets, households, institutions, factories, hospitals and markets through different instruments and sold to middle man or factories. Garbage collectors face many social problems like sexual harassment for female garbage collectors and chances of occurrence of diseases during their work much likely to happen. Informal garbage collectors were uneducated as compared to residents who give their perception regarding environment. Majority of the residents blamed themselves for poor management of solid waste which leads to low level of environmental sustainability. Lack of awareness of the residents was the critical factor for better environment. In the second part; Ordinary least square (OLS) method was used to check the impact of different factors affecting their income level. Working hours has significant impact on income level except others (gender, age and equipment of collection). The policy makers should increase the awareness among masses regarding the improvement of environment by better management. There should also be awareness program for garbage collectors regarding health hazards by involving NGOs and others volunteers