High resolution facies architecture and digital outcrop modeling of the Sandakan formation sandstone reservoir,Borneo:Implications for reservoir characterization and flow simulation

Advances in photogrammetry have eased the acquisition of high-resolution digital information from outcrops, enabling faster, non-destructive data capturing and improved reservoir modeling. Geocellular models for flow dynamics with in the virtual outcrop in siliciclastic deposits at different sets of sandstone facies architecture remain, however, a challenge. Digital maps of bedding, lithological contrast, spatial-temporal variations of bedding and permeability characteristics make it more easy to understand flow tortuosity in a particular architecture. An ability to precisely model these properties can improve reservoir characterization and flow modeling at different scales. Here we demonstrate the construction of realistic 2 D sandstone facies based models for a pragmatic simulation of flow dynamics using a combination of digital point clouds dataset acquired from LiDAR and field investigation of the Sandakan Formation, Sabah, Borneo.Additionally, we present methods for enhancing the accuracy of outcrop digital datasets for producing high resolution flow simulation. A well-exposed outcrop from the Sandakan Formation, Sabah, northwest Borneo having a lateral extent of 750 m was chosen in order to implement our research approach. Sandstone facies and its connectivity are well constrained by outcrop observations, data from air-permeability measurements, bilinear interpolation of permeability, grid construction and water vector analysis for flow dynamics.These proportions were then enumerated in terms of static digital outcrop model(DOM) and facies model based on sandstone facies bedding characteristics. Flow simulation of water vector analysis through each of the four sandstone facies types show persistent spatial correlation of permeability that align with either cross-bedded orientation or straight with more dispersion high quality sandstone(porosity 21.25%-41.2%and permeability 1265.20-5986.25 mD) and moderate quality sandstone(porosity 10.44%-28.75% and permeability 21.44-1023.33 mD). Whereas, in more heterolithic sandstone(wavy-to flaser-bedded and bioturbated sandstone), lateral variations in permeability show spatially non-correlated patterns over centimeters to tens of meters with mostly of low quality sandstone(porosity 3.4%-12.31% and permeability < 1 mD to 3.21 mD). These variations reflect the lateral juxtaposition in flow dynamics. It has also been resulted that the vertical connectivity and heterogeneities in terms of flow are mostly pragmatic due to the interconnected sandstone rather than the quality of sandstone.     

Optimization of spatial statistical approaches to identify land use/land cover change hot spots of Pune region of Maharashtra using remote sensing and GIS techniques

This study investigated land use/land cover change (LULCC) dynamics using temporal satellite images and spatial statistical cluster analysis approaches in order to identify potential LULCC hot spots in the Pune region. LULCC hot spot classes defined as new, progressive and non-progressive were derived from Gi* scores. Results indicate that progressive hot spots have experienced high growth in terms of urban built-up areas (20.67% in 1972–1992 and 19.44% in 1992–2012), industrial areas (0.73% in 1972–1992 and 3.46% in 1992–2012) and fallow lands (4.35% in 1972–1992 and ?6.38% in 1992–2012). It was also noticed that about 28.26% of areas near the city were identified as new hot spots after 1992. Hence, non-significant change areas were identified as non-progressive after 1992. The study demonstrated that LULCC hot spot mapping through the integrated spatial statistical approach was an effective approach for analysing the direction, rate, spatial pattern and spatial relationship of LULCC.     

Soft classification for sub-pixel land cover extraction

With increasing resolution of the remotely sensed data the problems of images contaminated by mixed pixels arc frequent. Conventional classification techniques often produce erroneous results when applied to images dominated by mixed pixels. This may load to unrealistic representation of land cover, thereby, affecting efficient planning, management and monitoring of natural resources. Consequently, soft classification techniques providing sub-pixel land cover information may have to be utilised. From a range of soft classification techniques, the present study focuses on the utility of conventional maximum likelihood classifier and linear mixture modelling for sub-pixel. land cover classifications. The accuracy of the soft classifications has been assessed using distance measures and correlation co-efficient. The results show that linear mixture modelling has produced accuracies comparable to maximum likelihood classifier. Besides this the correlations between actual land cover proportions and proportions from linear mixture modelling, though not strong, arc statistically significant at 95% level of confidence. It has also been observed that the normalised likelihoods of maximum likelihood classifier also show strong correlations with the actual land cover proportions on ground and therefore has the potential to be used as a soft classification technique.     

Mudbank regime off the Kerala coast during monsoon and non-monsoon seasons

Field experiments conducted in the nearshore ocean to understand the dynamics of mudbank off Kerala, south-west coast of India, are highlighted. Real time monitoring of the nearshore ocean off Purakkad, Kerala was accomplished using pressure transducers for nearshore surface wave measurements, and current sensors for nearshore velocity measurements. Comprehensive information on the spatial structure of mudbank was obtained from aerial surveys. Extensive data collected on surface waves and currents in the nearshore ocean, indicate that the infra-gravity (IG) waves (leaky modes and trapped edge wave modes), and far infra-gravity (FIG) waves coupled with strong shoreline reflections and undertow play an important role in the dynamics associated with the mudbanks off Kerala during the monsoon season. During the non-monsoon season evidence for progressive edge waves in the infragravity frequency band, an energetic gravity wave band and a strong undertow with weak reflections was observed.     

Hydrogeochemical assessment of surface and groundwater resources of Korba coalfield,Central India: environmental implications

The present study assesses the impact of coal mining on surface and groundwater resources of Korba Coalfield, Central India. Accordingly, water samples collected from various sources are analyzed for major ions, trace elements, and other mine effluent parameters. Results show that the groundwater samples are slightly acidic, whereas river water and mine water samples are mildly alkaline. Elevated concentrations of Ca²⁺, Na⁺, HCO₃ ^?, and SO₄ ^2? alongside the molar ratios (Ca²⁺+Mg²⁺)/(SO₄ ^2?+HCO₃ ^?) <1 and Na⁺/Cl^? >1 suggest that silicate weathering (water-rock interaction) coupled with ion exchange are dominant solute acquisition processes controlling the chemistry of groundwater in the study area. The overall hydrogeochemistry of the area is dominated by two major hydrogeochemical facies (i.e., Ca–Cl–SO₄ and Ca–HCO₃). Analysis of groundwater and river water quality index (GRWQI) elucidates that majority (82%) of samples are of “excellent” to “good” category, and the remaining 12% are of “poor” quality. Similarly, the effluent water quality index (EWQI) indicates that 6 out of 8 samples belong to excellent quality. Concentration of trace element constituents such as As, Zn, Cu, Cr, and Cd is found to be well within the stipulated limits for potable use, except for Fe, Mn, and Pb. Suitability of water samples for irrigation purpose, established using standard tools like Wilcox and USSL diagrams, reveal “excellent to permissible” category for majority of the samples. The present study also substantiates the effectiveness of the measures implemented for the treatment of mine effluent water.     

Extent and nature of hydrocarbon occurrence in the groundwater of Kuwait

A study, aimed at characterizing the nature of anthropogenic and biogenic hydrocarbon contamination in the groundwater of Kuwait, was carried out using fluorescence spectroscopy and other analytical techniques. The results of these analyses have demonstrated that the groundwater in certain areas of northern Kuwait has been significantly impacted by contamination originating from the oil-contaminated surface soils. The study revealed that a water-soluble fraction (WSF) of the crude oil surface contamination appeared to be slowly leaching into the freshwater lenses located in the area. The study also showed that hydrocarbon pollutants were practically absent in the brackish water areas of central and southern Kuwait, except for a few isolated sites. However, nonpetroleum hydrocarbons, with ultraviolet-visible absorption characteristics and fluorescence characteristics typically associated with humic substances, were observed at a few sites in the brackish water fields.     

Estimates of motion and strain rates across active faults in the frontal part of eastern Himalayas in North Bengal from GPS measurements

Within the 2500 km stretch of the Himalayas, a narrow window between longitudes 88.185°E and 88.936°E in the frontal Himalayas in North Bengal, crisscrossed by several active fault traces, presents an interesting region for crustal deformation study. We have estimated velocities of 8 GPS stations located in this area and the accumulating strain rate by two different methods. A total shortening of 11.1 ±1.5 mm yr⁻¹ is occurring across a set of four E–W running faults: Gorubathan, Matiali, Chalsa and Baradighi. The strain rate becomes higher in the NE part of the network, reaching −(0.25 ± 0.12) μstrain yr⁻¹ with azimuth 21°. A statistically significant extension of 10.9 ± 1.6 mm yr⁻¹ is estimated across the Gish transverse fault with a maximum strain rate of 0.36 ± 0.08 μstrain yr⁻¹ with azimuth 103°. The accumulating strain will be probably released through future earthquakes.     

Liquefaction behaviour of loose and compacted pond ash

Most of the ash produced all over the world is primarily disposed off by wet disposal method onto the ash ponds, which are occupying huge valuable lands. This disposal problem can be minimized by utilizing ash in large geotechnical earthworks. However, its use in earthquake prone areas requires thorough understanding of its liquefaction resistance and nature of development of excess pore pressures under dynamic loading conditions. Investigations have been carried out in this paper on the liquefaction behaviour of pond ash by conducting cyclic triaxial tests on inflow and outflow ash samples collected from two different ash ponds. Distinctly different liquefaction phenomenon was observed for the ash samples from inflow and outflow points of the same ash pond. Inflow samples exhibited higher cyclic resistance than outflow samples and their strengths were comparable with the natural sands. Further studies revealed that the influence of various factors on liquefaction susceptibility of both the types of ashes is similar to that of natural sands.     

Attenuation characteristics of Garwhal–Kumaun Himalayas from analysis of coda of local earthquakes

Coda of local earthquakes that occurred during 2006–2007 are used to study the attenuation characteristics of the Garhwal–Kumaun Himalayas. The coda attenuation characteristics are represented in terms of coda Q or Q _c . It is observed that Q _c increases with frequency. Q _c also varies with increase in lapse time of coda waves. Q _c increases up to an 85-s average lapse time. This is similar to observations around the world reported by many workers who have interpreted this as a manifestation of the fact that heterogeneity decreases with depth. However, around a 90-s average lapse time Q _c is lower than its values for lower and higher average lapse times. This is interpreted as an indication of possible presence of a fluid-filled medium or a medium having partial melts at around a 160-km depth. Q ₀, i.e., Q _c at 1 Hz, increases, and frequency parameter n decreases with increasing lapse time, barring around a 90-s lapse time. This again shows that in general, heterogeneity decreases with increasing depth. The Q ₀ and n values for smaller lapse times are similar to those for tectonically active areas. By comparing Q _c values obtained in this study with those obtained by us using the 1999 Chamoli earthquake aftershocks, it is concluded that the crust is turbid and the mantle is more transparent. However, whether the variation in Q _c values between 1999 and 2006–2007 is temporal or not cannot be definitely established from the available data set.