Migration of female construction labourers to Dhaka City,Bangladesh

The author analyzes migration patterns and processes of female construction workers in Dhaka City, Bangladesh, and considers the impact of this migration. "Interviews...reveal that the major goal of these female migrants, whose mobility and employment have traditionally been restricted, is to take responsibility in the struggle for livelihood.... Success of many migrations is linked with participation in construction work in the city. Employment in such activities is largely by women from male-headed households, indicating male support in the work, followed by females heading their own households."     

Geological controls on groundwater chemistry and arsenic mobilization: Hydrogeochemical study along an E–W transect in the Meghna basin, Bangladesh

Hydrogeochemical investigations along an E–W transect in the middle Meghna basin show groundwater chemistry and redox condition vary considerably with the change in geology. Groundwater in the Holocene shallow (<150 m bgl) alluvial aquifer in western part of the transect is affected by high arsenic concentration (As > 10 μg/l) and salinity. On the other hand, groundwater from the Pliocene Dupi Tila sandy aquifer in the eastern part is fresh and low in As (<10 μg/l). The Holocene shallow aquifers are high in dissolved As, , Fe and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), but generally low in and . High concentrations (250–716 mg/l) together with high DOC concentrations (1.4–21.7 mg/l) in these aquifers reflect active sources of degradable natural organic matter that drives the biogeochemical process. There is generally de-coupling of As from other redox-sensitive elements. In contrast, the Pliocene aquifers are low in As, and DOC. Molar ratio of /H₄SiO₄ suggests that silicate weathering is dominant in the deeper Holocene aquifers and in the Pliocene aquifers. Molar ratios of Cl⁻/ and Na⁺/Cl⁻ suggest mixing of relict seawater with the fresh water as the origin of groundwater salinity. Speciation calculations show that saturation indices for siderite and rhodochrosite vary significantly between the Holocene and Pliocene aquifers. Stable isotopes (δ²H and δ¹⁸O) in groundwater indicate rapid infiltration without significant effects of evaporation. The isotopic data also indicates groundwater recharge from monsoonal precipitation with some impact of altitude effect at the base of the Tripura Hills in the east. The results of the study clearly indicate geological control (i.e. change in lithofacies) on groundwater chemistry and distribution of redox-sensitive elements such as As along the transect.     

Late Quaternary tectono-geomorphological investigations of Zanskar Basin,NW Himalaya,India, using geospatial techniques

Geospatial techniques play a crucial role in geomorphic studies, particularly in the challenging terrains like mountainous regions, inaccessible areas and densely vegetated landscapes, where geomorphic features cannot be recorded easily. Tectono-geomorphologic observations provide important clues regarding the landscape evolution, morpho-dynamics and ongoing tectonism of the region. The present study has been carried out in the Zanskar Basin (ZB), located to the south of the Indus Tsangpo Suture Zone (ITSZ), in the hinterland of the NW Himalaya. This study has been carried out to assess and evaluate active tectonics by employing tectono-geomorphic analysis, dynamics in drainage networks, geomorphological field observations and the Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. High-resolution satellite images, topographic maps and the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) Digital Elevation Model (DEM) were used to generate primary data sets, which were corroborated with field investigations for valid inferences. The geometry of the ZB suggests that continuous tectonic activity exerts first-order control on the overall shape, size and structure of the ZB. This first-order response is clearly reflected in the landforms modified by tectonic processes, namely, linear mountain fronts, elongated shape and tilting of the basin, braided and meandering river courses and lower stream length gradient index values in hard rock terrain. The ZB exhibits several eye-catching geomorphic features, such as well-defined triangular facets with wide base lengths and wine-glass valleys with small outlets along the footwall block of the Zanskar Shear Zone/South Tibetan Detachment System (ZSZ/STDS), as well as the presence of wind gaps, water gaps, bedrock incision, incised and entrenched valleys, narrow gorges and a high incision rate inferring active tectonics and recent uplift in the region. In addition, the existence of uplifted river terraces, as well as the stepped morphology of fans and strath terraces, suggests that the region is experiencing recent activity and ongoing tectonic uplift. These modified geomorphic characteristics suggest that the hinterland, which is part of the NW Himalaya, is tectonically quite active and has experienced a differential rate of tectonics during its evolution. The quantified geomorphic indices and their relations with the tectonics, climate and erosion activity infer that the basin geometry is mostly controlled by the ZSZ/STDS that dips 20°–70° NE, the south-dipping Zanskar Counter Thrust (ZCT) and other local tectonic elements like the Choksti Thrust (CT), Stondgey Thrust, Zangla Thrust and tectonic structures. The synergised results of quantified geomorphic indices and tectono-geomorphic evidence in the ZB strongly indicate that both the past and ongoing tectonism have significantly shaped and modified geomorphology of the ZB.     

Municipal Solid Waste Management in Moradabad City,India

The paper tries to estimate the rate of waste generation per head/per day, to identify suitable sites for waste disposal, to find out optimal route for collection vehicles and to analyze the financial aspects of solid waste management in Moradabad City, India.The study is based on sample of 2,500 households and secondary data. The City generates about 318 tones of solid waste with an average per capita rate of 460 gram per day. Collection and disposal efficiency is nearly 64%. Sensitivity analysis of the present disposal site as per the norms of Central Pollution Control Board indicates that it is moderately suitable. Subsequently two new disposal sites were identified. Redefined routes and related issues were evaluated in financial terms. It is estimated that by adopting the proposed plan, the expenditure on waste management will increase by about 52%, but at the same time about 90% of city area and 95% of city population will be served.     

Hydrochemistry and origin of salinity in groundwater in parts of Lower Tista Floodplain,northwest Bangladesh

Hydrochemistry in parts of the Lower Tista Floodplain in northwest Bangladesh is dominated by alkalies and weakly acid, having highest concentration of sodium cations and bicarbonate anions respectively. Groundwater is characterized by sodium-calcium and sodium-potassium cation and bicarbonate-chloride-sulphate anion facies, and genetically ‘normal chloride’, ‘normal sulphate’, and ‘normal carbonated’ type, and soft to saline. Based on electrical conductivity values, the area is divided into northern fresh and southern saline groundwater zone, and values like salinity, Na%, SAR, and RSC and a good correlation between Na⁺ and Cl^?, and Cl^? and salinity reveals increasing salinity with depth indicating a mixing of fresh and saline bodies due to marine transgression (?) during Holocene period in the Bengal delta. The rock weathering is likely to affect the groundwater quality by dolomite dissolution and calcium precipitation, representing reverse softening process and is brine seawater. Water extracted from shallow zone (from 20 to 30 m) has suitability for drinking purpose, livestock consumption and irrigation purposes, and partially suitable for industrial use, but that from deeper zone (from 30 to 50 m) is generally poor and unsuitable especially for irrigation purposes with low alkali and moderate to high salinity hazard. So groundwater can be used for irrigation in the area of fine textured soil with proper management practices.     

A review of socio-economic and nutritional issues of Bihari Camp Dwellers in Bangladesh: a micro study

The living conditions of the Bihari camp dwellers of Bangladesh are an embarrassment to the country's social environment. An investigation was made about the socio-economic condition of the Biharis living in the Khalishpur camp, Khulna. A comparison has been made between the Biharis and equivalent Bengali slum dwellers in Khalishpur. The data were collected from primary sources. A 10% systematic sampling was undertaken to collect a total of 150 Bihari households and through a 20% systematic sampling 150 Bengali households were surveyed by questionnaires. Data analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively indicate that the Biharis are leading an extremely substandard life when food consumption, medical expenditure, schooling, income and employment pattern were considered. The condition as prevalent in the camp has led to a high rate of infectious diseases which is likely to aggrevate creating environmental hazards. The country then may face serious social problems which should be prevented through gearing up the process of repatriation and through encouraging community participation in improving their economic and social environment.The study was sponsored by CONCERN a voluntary Irish Organization in Bangladesh.     

On the possible mechanism of the first ground level enhancement in cosmic ray intensity of solar cycle 24

We have carried out this work to comprehend the possible mechanisms of the first ground level enhancement (GLE71 17 May 2012 01:50 UT) in cosmic ray intensity of the solar cycle 24. For this, the cosmic ray intensities registered by neutron monitors at several sites have been analyzed and studied with concurrent solar flares of different energy channels. To assess empirically whether the GLE might have been caused by the energy released from solar flare or CME-driven shock, we identify the possible time line in terms of the lowest spectral index determined from proton fluxes. If the GLE is caused by the energy released from particle acceleration in solar flare, the intensive phase of the flare representing the extreme emission should exist within/around the possible time line. In this respect, it is observed that the possible time line lies within the prominent phase of CME-driven shock. For better understanding, we have checked the possible relativistic energy with respect to solar flare as well as CME-driven shock. As witnessed, if the extreme emission phase of the flare is considered as the reason for the causation of GLE peak, the flare components procured insufficient amount of energy (≤～0.085 GeV) to produce a GLE. If the extreme emission phase of the flare is also considered as the dominator along GLE onset, the possible energy procurement (≤～0.414 GeV) is still not adequate to produce a GLE. In contrast, the CME-driven shock is capable of procuring enough possible relativistic energy (≥～1.21 GeV) that is sufficient amount of the energy for a GLE production. Any amount of the energy (<0.414 GeV) released from preceding flare components is supposed to have been contributed to the shock process. Thus, it is assumed that the GLE71 was possibly caused by the energy released from the shock acceleration, which might have been boosted by the energy emanated from preceding flare.     

The Impact of the Degree of Aquifer Confinement and Anisotropy on Tidal Pulse Propagation

Oceanic tidal fluctuations which propagate long distances up coastal rivers can be exploited to constrain hydraulic properties of riverbank aquifers. These estimates, however, may be sensitive to degree of aquifer confinement and aquifer anisotropy. We analyzed the hydraulic properties of a tidally influenced aquifer along the Meghna River in Bangladesh using: (1) slug tests combined with drilling logs and surface resistivity to estimate Transmissivity (T); (2) a pumping test to estimate T and Storativity (S) and thus Aquifer Diffusivity (D_PT); and (3) the observed reduction in the amplitude and velocity of a tidal pulse to calculate D using the Jacob‐Ferris analytical solution. Average Hydraulic Conductivity (K) and T estimated with slug tests and borehole lithology were 27.3 m/d and 564 m²/d, respectively. Values of T and S determined from the pumping test ranged from 400 to 500 m²/d and 1 to 5 × 10^?4, respectively with D_PT ranging from 9 to 40 × 10⁵ m²/d. In contrast, D estimated from the Jacob‐Ferris model ranged from 0.5 to 9 × 10⁴ m²/d. We hypothesized this error resulted from deviations of the real aquifer conditions from those assumed by the Jacob‐Ferris model. Using a 2D numerical model tidal pulses were simulated across a range of conditions and D was calculated with the Jacob‐Ferris model. Moderately confined (K_top/K_aquifer < 0.01) or anisotropic aquifers (K_x/K_z > 10) yield D within a factor of 2 of the actual value. The order of magnitude difference in D between pumping test and Jacob‐Ferris model at our site argues for little confinement or anisotropy.