Facies analysis and depositional environment of the Jurassic, Jumara Dome sediments, Kachchh, western India

The study deals with the depositional environment of Jumara Dome sediments. The Jumara Dome is an important outcrop of Bathonian to Oxfordian sediments amongst the Kachchh Mainland exposures. On the basis of facies analysis three associations have been documented, namely, G-1 consisting of low energy facies comprising of cross-bedded sandstone, massive sandstone, grey shale and thin bedded sandstone, bioclastic — lithoclastic grainstone, bioclastic — lithoclastic packstone, microbioclastic packstone/wackestone, bioturbated laminated wackestone to mudstone and pelagic lime mudstone; G-II consisting of moderate energy facies comprising of laminated sandstone and grapestone or agglutinated grainstone; G-III consisting of high energy facies comprising of interbedded gypsiferous shale and sandstone/siltstone, oolitic grainstone to conglomerate and bioclastic grainstone. The facies associations reflect an ideal shallowing upward sequence representing slope, bioclast bar, lagoon and inner shelf. Presence of wide range of facies indicates that the rocks of the studied area were deposited during the fluctuating sea level, interrupted by the storms, in the shallow marine environment.     

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of Estuarine Sediment as a Proposed Reference Material for Environmental Studies

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Marine Environmental Studies Laboratory (MEL) organised an intercomparison exercise, through its Analytical Quality Control Services (AQCS), for the determination of trace elements in estuarine sediment IAEA-405, well suited for the characterisation of sediments. The instrumental neutron activation analysis technique (INAA) was developed using a 27 kW low power research reactor. Forty elements in the sediment were determined with a measurement precision varying from 1.8% to 12.3%. IAEA reference materials SL-1 and SD-M-2/TM were analysed throughout this work as quality assurance samples.     

Farmers’ perceptions of and adaptations to drought in Herat Province,Afghanistan

Drought is a significant natural hazard in Herat Province, Afghanistan. The objective of this study was to explore farmers’ perceptions of the drought’s prevalence and characteristics, its socioeconomic and environmental impacts, their strategies for coping with and mitigating it, and types of conflicts and resolution mechanisms. A questionnaire was completed by 147 farming households. The results indicate that farmers' perceptions regarding drought are in line with the results obtained using the precipitation data. Even though the respondents have religious belief in interpreting the weather related issues, they also perceived drought as the climatic and environmental factors such as increased temperature, decreased precipitation, and other factors like war, financial weakness, deforestation, over-exploitation of groundwater, lack of electricity supply etc. The results show that drought has had serious economic impacts, including loss of employment and reduction in crop yield and livestock production, which have reduced farmers’ livelihood options and weakened their financial situation. Social impacts have included migration, a sense of hopelessness and loss, conflicts over water, health problems, impacts on the schooling of children, malnutrition, and limits to food options. Significant environmental impacts such as an increase in temperature, pasture and forest degradation, deterioration of water quality, damage to fish and wildlife habitats, and groundwater depletion were also reported. Farmers used local techniques to adapt to drought and lessen its effects. Farmers perceived irrigation water to be a major source of conflict. Local elders, water-user associations, and formal courts were reported to be the most successful conflict resolution methods. It is expected that the results of this study will support policy makers within government and development agencies in Afghanistan to develop future drought adaptation policies.     

Some foraminiferal taxa in the middle to Late Jurassic Sediments of Kaiya Dome,Kutch

The Chari Formation exposed at Kaiya Dome, Kutch yielded a foraminiferal assemblage comprising 41 species dominated by the family Vaginulinidae. A systematic account of 11 species, reported for the first time form the Indian subcontinent, is presented. The foraminiferal assemblage is employed for preliminary interpretations regarding age, palaeoecology, and palaeobiogeography. The assemblage suggests a Callovian to Oxfordian age for the exposed sequence at Kaiya Dome. A near shore, open marine environment ranging from mid to outer shelf with fluctuating strandline is interpreted on the basis of the recovered foraminiferal assemblage. The Kaiya Dome foraminiferal assemblage exhibits a Tethyan affinity and suggests that the Kutch region, along with neighbouring regions, was engulfed by a shallow southwestern arm of Tethys during Middle to Late Jurassic times.     

A survey-based analysis of the public’s willingness for disaster relief in China

Natural Hazards - Meteorological disasters frequently occur in China and around the world. These natural hazards can cause huge economic losses and threaten the personal safety of citizens. The...