Diversity patterns of free‐living marine nematodes in the southwest continental shelf off Bay of Bengal and their link to abiotic variables

Marine sediments in continental shelf ecosystems harbor a rich biodiversity of benthic communities. In this study, the spatial and temporal diversity and community assemblages of free‐living marine nematodes were studied by sampling at six depths and over 3 years from the southwest continental shelf off Bay of Bengal, one of the least explored tropical shelf ecosystems. The dominant marine nematode species were related with abiotic variables as part of this study. The effects of sediment granulometry generally decreased with increasing depth and the highest nematode density and species diversity were recorded on coarse sand (shallower depths). Multivariate analysis of the nematode community data showed that community structure differed significantly among depths as well as among years. Statistical analyses showed significant correlations between the nematode community and abiotic variables. Sediment texture, organic matter, water pressure and depth profile were crucial factors for determining diversity, vertical profile and feeding types of the nematode community. Other environmental factors, including anthropogenic pressure, did not have an effect on nematode diversity except for the presence of some tolerant species (Metachromadora spp., Sabatieria spp. and Siplophorella sp.). This study represents a baseline of knowledge of free‐living marine nematode communities that can be used in the future to compare nematode assemblages from temperate shelf ecosystems.     

Seismic stratigraphy of the Mianwali and Bannu depressions,north-western Indus foreland basin

International Journal of Earth Sciences - Regional seismic reflection profiles, deep exploratory wells, and outcrop data have been used to study the structure and stratigraphic architecture of the...     

Comparison of two alluvial aquifers shows the probable role of river sediments on the release of arsenic in the groundwater of district Vehari,Punjab, Pakistan

The study was done to assess the effect of the river Sutlej on arsenic (As) contamination. Sampling was done from the alluvial plain with increasing distance from the river Sutlej in district Vehari and compared with the study done in the proximity of River Sutlej. Sixty (60) groundwater samples mostly from shallow depths were collected and analyzed for As concentrations. Multivariate statistical tools (PCA and CA), saturation index, piper plots and Gibbs diagrams were used to detect evidence about the interrelationship and sources of As and other water quality variables responsible for groundwater contamination. Results revealed that As concentration ranged from below detection limit to 156 µg/L indicating that 50% samples exceeding the WHO guidelines (10 µg/L) and 17% exceeding the Pakistan National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) limits (50 µg/L) Sutlej. The piper plot revealed that water chemistry of the study area was Ca–HCO₃^?, Ca–Mg–Cl, type. Correlations between As and HCO₃^? (r²?=?0.433) was positive, while negative correlations were observed between As–Mn²⁺ and As–Fe²⁺ (r²?=???0.102), (r²?=?0.107) respectively. Geochemical signatures of the groundwater in the study area showed that the As could be released by oxidative dissolution to some extent and elevated evaporation in the arid environment of the study area under the stimulus of alkaline water and high pH (range 7.1–8.4). Although the concentrations are exceeding the WHO limit in 50% of the water samples but, are less than the previous study done in Mailsi near River Sutlej. Further, the concentrations decreased as the distance from the River increased which shows the probable role of sediments deposited by the River Sutlej.     

The Red Sea depositional architecture: insights from 3D modeling

More than half a century of geological and exploration studies have taken place in the Red Sea area, and still very limited information is available to the geological community in regard to the lithological distribution and the stratigraphic architecture. In this study, extensive well data was used to build the first lithologic and stratigraphic 3D models of the entire Red Sea to better understand the lithological distribution. The potential models have been constrained by bathymetric and geophysical data. Studied data demonstrate that up to 5 km of sediments were deposited in the Red Sea. It is mainly comprised of limestones, evaporites, and shales. Our models show that the evaporite body represents more than 70% of the Red Sea succession. In particular, the evaporite succession seems to be well developed in the southern region. Salt dome features are present and developed close to the margins. The models suggest that domal formation did not enable thick carbonate accumulation in some parts of the basin but the carbonate generally follows the evaporite trend. The models help to identify the main controls leading to salt diapir by highlighting the distribution of this body and the geometry of geological structures. Syn-rift faulting and rifting has been one of the most prominent structural features. Complex interplay of tectono-stratigraphic events played a significant role in shaping the stratigraphic evolution of the Red Sea basin with multiple evolution phases of paleoenvironment and paleogeographic were recognized based on the models. Our synthesis and interpretation support that moderately deep marine conditions dominated in the Miocene, whereas shallow seas dominated the whole basin during the Plio-Pleistocene period as a result of episodic marine invasion. However, lacustrine environment may have prevailed at the Oligocene time in isolated half grabens.     

Geotechnical investigation of the El-Elb dam site,northwest Riyadh,Saudi Arabia,using 2D resistivity and ground-penetrating radar techniques

In the present study, the existence of cavities, voids, and fractures was verified at the site of the El-Elb Dam, which is located to the northwest of Riyadh City across Wadi Hanifa, using 2D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) techniques. For this purpose, four ERT profiles were measured on the downstream side of the El-Elb Dam using the Syscal Pro Switch-72 resistivity meter. In addition, a GPR survey using a 400-MHz antenna and a SIR-3000 instrument was conducted along five profiles above the stilling basins on the downstream side of the dam and one radar profile was measured outside the stilling basins area across the course of the wadi. The resultant geophysical data were interpreted with the aid of information from a field-based structural and stratigraphic evaluation of the outcropped bedrock on the banks of the wadi course. The analysis of the inverted ERT and filtered radar sections revealed several resistivity and electromagnetic reflection anomalies that are identified laterally and vertically across the measured sections. These anomalies indicate the presence of fractures and karst features affected the limestone bedrock in the dam site. These near-surface karstified and fractured strata represent a critical hazard to the structural safety of the dam.     

Synthesis of biochar from sugarcane filter-cake and its impacts on physiological performance of lettuce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lettuce sativa</Emphasis>) grown on cadmium contaminated soil

Soil contamination with cadmium has become major concern all over the world because of its adverse impacts on ecosystem health and agricultural land. Soil amendment with biochar may have varied effects on physical and chemical properties of soil. The objective of the study was to explore the impact of sugarcane filter-cake biochar on physiological performance and growth of lettuce in an aged soil. Four different doses (0, 1.5%, 3%, and 5%) of biochar were used in the soil and conditioned for 1 month. After this, lettuce seedlings were grown in the soil. The results showed that the biochar treatment improved the fresh and dry biomass of leaves and roots as well as plant height while diminished the bioavailability of cadmium from the soil. As compared to control, biochar significantly enhanced the chlorophyll content in lettuce leaves. Due to the biochar amendment, the oxidative stress decreased in lettuce shoots over the control. As compared to control, concentration of cadmium in lettuce significantly decreased after the application of biochar. It was concluded that biochar could mitigate the toxicity of cadmium in lettuce by altering the biochemical and physiological processes in cadmium contaminated soil.     

Climate change-induced hazards and local adaptations in agriculture: a study from Koshi River Basin,Nepal

Natural Hazards - Changes in climate, associated hazards, local adaptations in agriculture, and socioeconomic factors affecting adaptation were investigated using data from a large survey of 2310...