Facies Analysis, Sequence Stratigraphy and Diagenetic Studies of the Jurassic Carbonates of the Kohat Basin, Northwest Pakistan: Reservoir Implications

The present study deals with the depositional facies, diagenetic processes and sequence stratigraphy of the shallow marine carbonates of the Samana Suk Formation, Kohat Basin, in order to elucidate its reservoir quality. The Samana Suk Formation consists of thin to thick-bedded, oolitic, bioclastic, dolomitic and fractured limestone. Based on the integration of outcrop, petrographic and biofacies analyses, the unit is thought to have been deposited on a gentle homoclinal ramp in peritidal, lagoonal and carbonate shoal settings. Frequent variations in microfacies based sea-level curve have revealed seven Transgressive Systems Tracts (TSTs) and six Regressive Systems Tracts (RSTs). The unit has undergone various stages of diagenetic processes, including mechanical and chemical compaction, cementation, micritization, dissolution and dolomitization. The petrographic analyses show the evolution of porosity in various depositional and diagenetic phases. The fenestral porosity was mainly developed in peritidal carbonates during deposition, while the burial dissolution and diagenetic dolomitization have greatly enhanced the reservoir potential of the rock unit, as is further confirmed by the plug porosity and permeability analyses. The porosities and permeabilities were higher in shoal facies deposited in TSTs, as compared to lagoonal and peritidal facies, except for the dolomite in mudstone, deposited during RSTs. Hence good, moderate and poor reservoir potential is suggested for shoal, lagoonal and peritidal facies, respectively.     

Calibration of local magnitude scale for Hindukush continental subduction zone

Hindukush is an active subduction zone where at least one earthquake occurs on daily basis. For seismic hazard studies, it is important to develop a local magnitude scale using the data of local seismic network. We have computed local magnitude scale for Hindukush earthquakes using data from local network belonging to Center for Earthquake Studies (CES) for a period of three years, i.e. 2015–2017. A total of 26,365 seismic records pertaining to 2,683 earthquakes with magnitude 2.0 and greater, was used with hypocentral distance less than 600 km. Magnitude scale developed by using this data comes to be M_L = logA + 0.929logr + 0.00298r – 1.84. The magnitude determined through formulated relation was compared with that of standard relation for Southern California and relation developed by the same authors for local network for Northern Punjab. It was observed that Hindukush region has high attenuation as compared to that of Southern California and Northern Punjab which implies that Hindukush is tectonically more disturbed as compared to the said regions, hence, seismically more active as well. We have calculated station correction factors for our network. Station correction factors do not show any pattern which probably owes to the geological and tectonic complexity of this structure. Standard deviation and variance of magnitude residuals for CES network determined using Hutton and Boore scale and scale developed in this study were compared, it showed that a variance reduction of 44.1% was achieved. Average of magnitude residuals for different distance ranges was almost zero which showed that our magnitude scale was stable for all distances up to 600 km. Newly developed magnitude scale will help in homogenization of earthquake catalog. It has been observed that b-value of CES catalog decreases when magnitude is calculated by using newly developed magnitude scale.     

Lead isotope signatures of Pb-Zn sulfide mineralization in the Reshian-Lamnian area of Azad Jammu and Kashmir,Pakistan

The Reshian-Lamnian area within the Hazara-Kashmir syntaxis in Pakistan is composed mainly of the rocks of the Salkhala, Panjal and Murree formations. Base metal sulfide mineralization in the form of sphalerite and galena with lesser amounts of chalcopyrite and pyrite is present within the Salkhala Formation of the study area. Chemically all these ore phases are homogeneous in composition. The Pb isotopic composition of galena from the area suggests that there is very little or negligible variation in the ratios of ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb. Modal ages ranging from 509 to 562 Ma and the μ values of 10.71 to 10.93 have been calculated for the studied Pb-Zn mineralization. On the basis of field features, mineralogy and Pb-isotope signatures, it is concluded that the Pb-Zn sulfide mineralization in the Reshian-Lamnia area is pre-Himalayan in age and can be correlated with the Cambro-Ordovician (Pan-African) orogenic event.     

Intelligent Prediction of Blasting-Induced Ground Vibration Using ANFIS Optimized by GA and PSO

Ground vibration induced by rock blasting is one of the most crucial problems in surface mines and tunneling projects. Hence, accurate prediction of ground vibration is an important prerequisite in the minimization of its environmental impacts. This study proposes hybrid intelligent models to predict ground vibration using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) optimized by particle swarm optimization (PSO) and genetic algorithms (GAs). To build prediction models using ANFIS, ANFIS–GA, and ANFIS–PSO, a database was established, consisting of 86 data samples gathered from two quarries in Iran. The input parameters of the proposed models were the burden, spacing, stemming, powder factor, maximum charge per delay (MCD), and distance from the blast points, while peak particle velocity (PPV) was considered as the output parameter. Based on the sensitivity analysis results, MCD was found as the most effective parameter of PPV. To check the applicability and efficiency of the proposed models, several traditional performance indices such as determination coefficient (R²) and root-mean-square error (RMSE) were computed. The obtained results showed that the proposed ANFIS–GA and ANFIS–PSO models were capable of statistically predicting ground vibration with excellent levels of accuracy. Compared to the ANFIS, the ANFIS–GA model showed an approximately 61% decrease in RMSE and 10% increase in R². Also, the ANFIS–PSO model showed an approximately 53% decrease in RMSE and 9% increase in R² compared to ANFIS. In other words, the ANFIS performance was optimized with the use of GA and PSO.

     

Malaysia's Three Major Ethnic Group Preferences in Creating a Malaysian Garden Identity

Malaysia has a complex multiracial population, predominantly defined by three major ethnic groups: Malay, Chinese and Indian races, with diverse cultural backgrounds. Despite this, the country has a vision to be the most beautiful garden nation, and its National Landscape Policy (NLP) puts emphasis on creating a unique landscape and garden identity. Because of ethnic and cultural differences, there are differences between preferences for developing a garden identity for Malaysia. Hence, this study focused on the visual quality of gardens. Representative images of four well-established gardens of the world including Persian-Islamic, English, Japanese and Chinese gardens were presented to the study's respondents through preference photo surveys. Respondents from the three major ethnic groups in Malaysia were asked to rate their preferred garden types, elements and scenes that they would like to see in Malaysian gardens. The results pinpointed expectations of the visual quality of gardens. These highlighted some similarities and differences between the three major ethnic groups in their preferences for the scenes and elements that they sought in gardens. Diverse factors must be considered when creating Malaysian gardens that will be accepted by Malaysians of different ethnic groups. Garden development reveals preferences attached to visual qualities and emphasises cultural differences between garden users.     

The GEF/UNDP/IMO Malacca Straits Demonstration Project: Sources of Pollution

The Straits of Malacca is subjected to a great variety of environmental stresses due to its strategic location as a major international shipping lane and the concentration of agriculture, industry and urbanisation which predominate on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This paper gives an overview of the study conducted in the Malacca Straits as part of the GEF/UNDP/IMO Regional Programme on the Prevention and Management of Marine Pollution in the East Asian Seas, in particular pertaining to the identification of land and sea-based sources of pollution in Malaysia which contributes to the pollution load in the Straits, as well as the assessment of the relative contribution of each source.     

Health risk profile for terrestrial radionuclides in soil around artisanal gold mining area at Alsopag,Sudan

This study shows the assessment of radiation hazard parameters due to terrestrial radionuclides in the soil around artisanal gold mining for addressing the issue of natural radioactivity in mining areas. Hence, the levels ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K and ²²⁶Ra in soil (using gamma spectrometry), ²²²Rn in soil and ²²²Rn in air were determined. Radiation hazard parameters were then computed. These include absorbed dose D, annual effective dose E, radium equivalent activity Ra_eq, external hazard H_ex, annual gonadal dose equivalent hazard index AGDE and excess lifetime cancer risk ELCR due to the inhalation of radon (²²²Rn) and consumption of radium (²²⁶Ra) in vegetation. Uranium (²³⁸U), thorium (²³²Th) and potassium (⁴⁰K) averages were, respectively, 26, 36 and 685 Becquerel per kilogram (Bq kg^?1). Soil radon (4671 Bq m^?3) and radon in air (14.77 Bq m^?3) were found to be less than worldwide data. Nevertheless, the average ⁴⁰K concentration was 685 Bq kg^?1. This is slightly higher than the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation average value of 412 Bq kg^?1. The obtained result indicates that some of the radiation hazard parameters seem unsavory. The mean value of absorbed dose rate (62.49 nGy h^?1) was slightly higher than average value of 57 nGy h^?1 (~?45% from ⁴⁰K), and that of AGDE (444 μSv year^?1) was higher than worldwide average reported value (300 μSv year^?1). This study highlights the necessity to launch extensive nationwide radiation protection program in the mining areas for regulatory control.