Prediction of pore-water pressure response to rainfall using support vector regression

Nonlinear complex behavior of pore-water pressure responses to rainfall was modelled using support vector regression (SVR). Pore-water pressure can rise to disturbing levels that may result in slope failure during or after rainfall. Traditionally, monitoring slope pore-water pressure responses to rainfall is tedious and expensive, in that the slope must be instrumented with necessary monitors. Data on rainfall and corresponding responses of pore-water pressure were collected from such a monitoring program at a slope site in Malaysia and used to develop SVR models to predict pore-water pressure fluctuations. Three models, based on their different input configurations, were developed. SVR optimum meta-parameters were obtained using k-fold cross validation and a grid search. Model type 3 was adjudged the best among the models and was used to predict three other points on the slope. For each point, lag intervals of 30 min, 1 h and 2 h were used to make the predictions. The SVR model predictions were compared with predictions made by an artificial neural network model; overall, the SVR model showed slightly better results. Uncertainty quantification analysis was also performed for further model assessment. The uncertainty components were found to be low and tolerable, with d-factor of 0.14 and 74 % of observed data falling within the 95 % confidence bound. The study demonstrated that the SVR model is effective in providing an accurate and quick means of obtaining pore-water pressure response, which may be vital in systems where response information is urgently needed.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Spatial Variability of Some Chemical and Physical Soil Properties in Bandipora District of Lesser Himalayas

Soil is a suitable place for vegetation and plant growth. When this valuable resource is not preserved, shortage of food, erosion and damage of natural resources will be respected. Soil is a heterogeneous, diverse and dynamic system and investigation of its temporal and spatial changes is essential. In this paper spatial variability of some chemical and physical soil were investigated. Three hundred fifty eight soil samples were collected by systematic sampling strategy at 20 cm depth on a regular grid spacing of 500 × 500 m² under different vegetation cover and processed for analysis in the laboratory. Soil chemical and physical parameters including pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, available phosphorus, available nitrogen, available potassium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium and sodium were measured. After data normalization, classical statistical analysis was used to describe soil properties and geo-statistical analysis was used to illustrate spatial correlation of soil characteristics. By using interpolating techniques, spatial distribution of these properties were prepared. Results indicated that calcium and phosphorus had strong and weak spatial dependence, respectively.     

Palaeoclimate,stratigraphy and prehistory in north and west Rajasthan

Quaternary formations in western Rajasthan are of fluvial, locustrinal and aeolian origins. Fossil gravel ridge of Jayal in Nagaur District is one of the earliest quaternary formations so far recorded in the region. A rich lower palaeolithic habitation-cum-workshop site has been discovered in association with the gravel ridge. Multiple evidence for climatic change in the area during the quaternary period is discussed.     

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.     

Plate-plume-accretion tectonics in Proterozoic terrain of northeastern Rajasthan, India: Evidence from mafic volcanic rocks of north Delhi fold belt

Abstract   The northern part of the Aravalli mountain belt of northwestern Indian shield is broadly composed of three Proterozoic volcano-sedimentary domains, i.e. the Bayana, the Alwar and the Khetri basins, comprising collectively the north Delhi fold belt. Major, trace and rare earth element concentrations of mafic volcanic rocks of the three basins exhibit considerable diversity. Bayana and Alwar volcanics are typical tholeiites showing close similarity with low Ti–continental flood basalts (CFB) with the difference that the former shows enriched and the latter flat incompatible trace element and rare earth element (REE) patterns. However, the Khetri volcanics exhibit a transitional composition between tholeiite and calc-alkaline basalts. It appears that the melts of Bayana and Alwar tholeiites were generated by partial melting of a common source within the spinel stability field possibly in the presence of mantle plume. During ascent to the surface the Bayana tholeiites suffered crustal contamination but the Alwar tholeiites erupted unaffected. Geochemically, the Khetri volcanics are arc-like basalts which were generated in a segment of mantle overlying a Proterozoic subduction zone. It is suggested that at about 1800 Ma the continental lithosphere in northeastern Rajasthan stretched, attenuated and fractured in response to a rising plume. The produced rifts have undergone variable degrees of crustal extension. The extension and attenuation of the crust facilitated shallowing of the asthenosphere which suffered variable degree of melting to produce tholeiitic melts – different batches of which underwent different degrees of lithospheric contamination depending upon the thickness of the crust in different rifted basins. The occurrence of subduction-related basaltic rocks of Khetri Belt suggests that a basin on the western margin of the craton developed into a mature oceanic basin.     

Velocity and Structural Modeling of Mesozoic Chiltan Limestone and Goru Formation for Hydrocarbon Evaluation in the Bitrisim Area, Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan

The present study focuses on building a workflow for structural interpretation and velocity modeling and implementing to Jurassic-Cretaceous succession (Chiltan Limestone and Massive sand of the Lower Goru Formation). 2D-Migrated seismic sections of the area are used as data set and in order to confirm the presence of hydrocarbons in the study area, P and S-wave seismic velocities are estimated from single-component seismic data. Some specific issues in the use of seismic data for modeling and hydrocarbon evaluation need to deal with including distinguishing the reservoir and cap rocks, and the effects of faults, folds and presence of hydrocarbons on these rocks. This study has carried out the structural interpretation and modeling of the seismic data for the identification of traps. The results demonstrate existence of appropriate structural traps in the form of horst and grabens in the area. 2D and 3D velocity modeling of the horizons indicates the presence of high velocity zones in the eastern half of the study while relatively low velocity zones are encountered in the western half of the area. Two wells were drilled in the study area (i.e. Fateh-01 and Ichhri-01) and both are dry. Immature hydrocarbons migration is considered as a failure reason for Fateh-01 and Ichhri-01 well.