Pesticide Health Risk Mapping and Sensitivity Analysis of Parameters in Groundwater Vulnerability Assessment

The extensive use of pesticides for increasing the agricultural production is affecting the quality of groundwater. The objectives of this article are to (i) develop pesticide relative leaching ranks for well sites, (ii) develop maps for human health risks due to pesticide applications, and (iii) identify the most significant parameters in pesticide simulations for groundwater vulnerability assessment. The methods include (i) development of acifluorfen relative leaching ranks for 25 well sites using ArcPRZM‐3, (ii) development of health risk maps using model simulated maximum dissolved bentazon concentrations on the basis of USA drinking water quality guidelines, (iii) sensitivity analysis for 14 ArcPRZM‐3 input parameters using the Plackett–Burman method. ArcPRZM‐3 is a user‐friendly system for spatial modeling of pesticide leaching from surface to groundwater. Thirteen acifluorfen relative leaching potential ranks were developed in which the pesticide leaching decrease from 1 to 13. The model predicted ranks for well 34 and well 9 were 2nd and 3rd, respectively, and acifluorfen was detected in both wells during the physical monitoring. The percentages of high health risks in the agricultural areas were 48.38 and 72.72% for Randolph and Independence Counties, respectively. The most significant parameters were thickness of horizon compartment, runoff curve number of antecedent moisture condition II for cropping, soil bulk density, and total application of pesticide. The irrigation, soil permeability, and numerical dispersion could impact the pesticide leaching in soils toward groundwater. The ArcPRZM‐3 system could be efficiently applied for spatial modeling and mapping of pesticide concentrations for groundwater vulnerability assessment on a large scale.     

Statefinder parameter for varying G in three fluid system

In this work, we have considered variable G in flat FRW universe filled with the mixture of dark energy, dark matter and radiation. If there is no interaction between the three fluids, the deceleration parameter and statefinder parameters have been calculated in terms of dimensionless density parameters which can be fixed by observational data. Also the interaction between three fluids has been analyzed due to constant G. The statefinder parameters also calculated in two cases: pressure is constant and pressure is variable.     

Evaluating the impact of classification algorithms and spatial resolution on the accuracy of land cover mapping in a mountain environment in Pakistan

Satellite images of various spatial resolutions and different image classification techniques have been utilized for land cover (LC) mapping at local and regional scale studies. Mapping capabilities and achievable accuracies of LC classification in a mountain environment are, however, influenced by the spatial resolution of the utilized images and applied classification techniques. Hence, developing and characterizing regionally optimized methods are essential for the planning and monitoring of natural resources. In this study, the potential of four non-parametric image classification techniques, i.e., k-nearest neighbor (k-NN), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and neural network (NN) on the accuracy of LC classification was evaluated in the Hindu Kush mountains ranges of northern Pakistan. Moreover, we have assessed the impact of the spatial resolution of the utilized satellite imagery, i.e., SPOT-5 with 2.5 m and Landsat-8 with 30 m on the accuracy of the derived LC classification. For the classification of LC based on SPOT-5, we have achieved the highest overall classification accuracy (OCA) = 89% with kappa coefficient (KC = 0.86) using SVM followed by k-NN, RF, and NN. However, for LC classification derived from Landsat-8 imagery, we achieved the highest OCA = 71% with KC = 0.59 using RF and SVM followed by k-NN and NN. The higher accuracy derived from SPOT-5 versus Landsat-8 indicated that the results of LC classification based on SPOT-5 are more accurate and reliable than Landsat-8. The findings of the present study will be useful for the classification and mapping task of LC in a mountain environment using SPOT-5 and Landsat-8 at local and regional scale studies.     

Evaluating thermal history models for the Otway Basin, southeastern Australia, using (U-Th)/He and fission-track data from borehole apatites

New apatite helium and fission-track data from the Otway Basin are consistent with previously published borehole ages, confirming earlier suggestions that existing thermal models for basin evolution should be reevaluated. Analysis of the relationship between helium ages and grain size in newly analyzed samples, as well as in samples previously reported, reveals that grain size variations may contribute to the previously reported scatter in helium ages among aliquots of the same sample. In addition, systematic variations in apatite grain size with borehole depth or temperature may also have a significant effect on the interpretation of borehole helium age data. Incorporation of the observed grain size variations in Otway borehole apatites into forward models based on published thermal histories, principally based on vitrinite reflectance and fission-track data, suggests that existing models for the eastern Otway Basin are broadly consistent with the helium data. In contrast, thermal histories for western basin boreholes, now thought to be at maximum temperatures, predict helium ages that are generally older than the observed ages, implying that basin temperatures were hotter than indicated by the models. This discrepancy is consistent with a Cenozoic heating event in parts of the western Otway Basin similar to that documented for the eastern basin. The relatively wide spread of apparent apatite fission-track (AFT) ages and compositions compared to the restricted age range of helium measurements on coexisting grains, although not conclusive, supports previous suggestions that composition does not appear to affect the sensitivity of the He closure temperature in apatite.     

Participatory action research: working beyond disaster toward prevention

Drawing on qualitative analyses of post-disaster effects on vulnerable rural communities in Pakistan, this paper puts forward a participatory action research stance as a next step or approach toward prevention. This approach stands in contrast to the current post-disaster relief model commonly practiced by many non-government organizations (NGOs). The participatory action research perspective was used to examine the qualitative evidence and provide a framework to effectively work with rural vulnerable communities. Qualitative analyses documented community wisdom and ideas toward prevention which, when potentially partnered with resources offered by NGOs, could dramatically reduce their vulnerability to natural disasters.     

Seismic based characterization of total organic content from the marine Sembar shale,Lower Indus Basin,Pakistan

The exploration and production of unconventional resources has increased significantly over the past few years around the globe to fulfill growing energy demands. Hydrocarbon potential of these unconventional petroleum systems depends on the presence of significant organic matter; their thermal maturity and the quality of present hydrocarbons i.e. gas or oil shale. In this work, we present a workflow for estimating Total Organic Content (TOC) from seismic reflection data. To achieve the objective of this study, we have chosen a classic potential candidate for exploration of unconventional reserves, the shale of the Sembar Formation, Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan. Our method includes the estimation of TOC from the well data using the Passey’s ΔlogR and Schwarzkofp’s methods. From seismic data, maps of Relative Acoustic Impedance (RAI) are extracted at maximum and minimum TOC zones within the Sembar Formation. A geostatistical trend with good correlation coefficient (R²) for cross-plots between TOC and RAI at well locations is used for estimation of seismic based TOC at the reservoir scale. Our results suggest a good calibration of TOC values from seismic at well locations. The estimated TOC values range from 1 to 4% showing that the shale of the Sembar Formation lies in the range of good to excellent unconventional oil/gas play within the context of TOC. This methodology of source rock evaluation provides a spatial distribution of TOC at the reservoir scale as compared to the conventional distribution generated from samples collected over sparse wells. The approach presented in this work has wider applications for source rock evaluation in other similar petroliferous basins worldwide.     

Comparative study on three-dimensional statistical damage constitutive modified model of rock based on power function and Weibull distribution

According to the characteristics of the microscopic unit strength of rock with random distribution, the power function distribution, and the Weibull distribution which is widely used in the past as the distribution function of the strength of the rock. Based on the theory of rock damage and statistical strength theory, two damage constitutive models established under three different confining pressures are modified. Then, the damage constitutive modified model of two kinds of distribution is verified and compared with the existing three axis test data. The results show that: (1) In the stage of elastic deformation of rock, the two theoretical damage constitutive model curves are in high agreement with the three axis test curve; (2) The rock at the plastic stage (hardening and softening), damage constitutive model established by Weibull probability distribution and experimental curve fits better than the damage constitutive model established by power function distribution. Especially in high confining pressure, damage constitutive model based on Weibull distribution can well describe the rock deformation from brittle to ductile transition process and power function is not; (3) In the residual strength in rock, damage variable D of damage constitutive model based on power function distribution appeared more than 1, which is deviation from the actual one and damage constitutive model based on Weibull distribution is not deviating. To summarize, using Weibull distribution statistical probability model to describe the microscopic unit strength of rock is more reasonable.     

Acoustic evidence of a submarine slide in the deepest part of the Arctic,the Molloy Hole

The western Svalbard continental margin contains thick sediment sequences with areas known to contain gas hydrates. Together with a dynamic tectonic environment, this makes the region prone to submarine slides. This paper presents results from geophysical mapping of the deepest part of the high Arctic environment, the Molloy Hole. The mapping includes multibeam bathymetry, acoustic backscatter and sub-bottom profiling. The geophysical data reveal seabed features indicative of sediment transport and larger-scale mass wasting. The large slide scar is here referred to as the Molloy Slide. It is located adjacent to the prominent Molloy Hole and Ridge system. The slide is estimated to have transported >65 km³ of sediments over the deep axial valley of the Molloy Ridge, and further into the Molloy Hole. A unique feature of this slide is that, although its run-out distance is relatively short (<5 km), it extends over an enormous vertical depth (>2,000 m) as a result of its position in a complex bathymetric setting. The slide was most likely triggered by seismic activity caused by seafloor spreading processes along the adjacent Molloy Ridge. However, gas-hydrate destabilization may also have played a role in the ensuing slide event.     

Application of GIS for the identification and demarcation of selective heavy metal concentrations in the urban groundwater

Groundwater is the most appropriate and widely used source of drinking water, which is increasingly threatened by pollution from industrial and agricultural activities. To check the severity of the problem, 156 groundwater samples were collected from various depths (60-110 ft) of 52 different localities in Faisalabad city, the third largest metropolis in Pakistan, and analyzed for the metals (Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, Mn and Fe) concentration in 2009. Quantification was done by using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer technique and the results were compared with WHO standards for drinking water quality. Results showed that the levels of Cu, Mn and Fe were below the WHO standards while the concentrations of Zn, Cd, Ni and Pb were above the recommended levels of safe drinking water. Correlation analysis among the occurrence of these heavy metals revealed a highly significant and positive correlation of Mn with Zn and Fe. A significant and positive correlation of Cd was also found with Cu and groundwater depth showing that there is strong association between Cu-Cd pair and that the Cd concentration varies with depth of groundwater in the study area. Regional patterns of heavy metals occurrence were mapped using Geographical Information System (GIS) for the identification and demarcation of risk areas. The concentration maps may be used by policymakers of the city to mitigate groundwater pollution.