An efficient Co-ZSM-5 catalyst for the abatement of volatile organics in air: effect of the synthesis protocol

Co supported on ZSM-5 (Co-ZSM-5) catalysts was synthesized by wet ion exchange (WIE), impregnation (IM), and in situ hydrothermal (IHT) methods. Their adsorptive catalytic activities for the removal of VOC’s [Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Toluene (BTEX)] in air were tested. The physicochemical properties were investigated by XRD, FTIR, SEM, XPS, and low-temperature N₂ adsorption. The results indicate that the catalytic performance of Co-ZSM-5 for VOC’s abatement is effective and the synthesis methods reasonably influence the catalytic activity of Co-ZSM-5. Among three samples prepared by three different methods, the catalyst synthesized by the hydrothermal method possesses the highest adsorptive catalytic activity for BTEX oxidation. The optimized contact time was 60 min. The catalytic activities of the prepared catalysts are varied in the order of IHT > IM > WIE based on the combined removal capacity 59.24 > 34.46 > 23.82 (mg/g). For the Co-ZSM-5 WIE catalysts, the procedure has an evident effect on their catalytic performance. For example, the WIE catalysts prepared with cobalt chloride (II) by ion exchange have a higher acidity and surface area than the catalyst prepared with cobalt chloride (II) by impregnation method but less cobalt content. The excellent performance of IHT catalysts may be endorsed to the better availability of the oxidized form (Co³⁺), due to high content, higher surface area and acidity. Moreover, the Co-ZSM-5 catalyst synthesized by the IHT method shows high stability after being used.     

Development of a flood forecasting system using IFAS: a case study of scarcely gauged Jhelum and Chenab river basins

Development of a well-calibrated, distributed hydrological model for flood forecasting based on rainfall and snowmelt is quite challenging, especially when in situ data is limited or unavailable. This paper presents the study carried out to parameterise the Integrated Flood Analysis System (IFAS) model for the trans-boundary, scarcely gauged catchments of Jhelum and Chenab rivers in Pakistan. Rainfall-runoff analysis was performed with a two-layered tank configuration, integrating snowmelt and dam and barrage operation from the very upstream in India to Trimmu Barrage in Pakistan. A grid size of 5?×?5 km was considered. Global map topography, land cover and soil data was utilised. The model was tested considering different magnitudes of floods of the years 2014, 2015 and 2017. The results showed that the satellite rainfall product, i.e. Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation (GSMaP-NRT), underestimated the rainfall volume, compared to the ground-gauged rainfall. The GSMaP-IF correction method showed poor performance owing to the lack of ground observatory rainfall data for correcting the trans-boundary part of the basin. The GSMaP-Type1 correction method showed good results, except for the confluence point where complex flow conditions were not properly reproduced by the model. In addition, the incorporation of dam and barrages in the model improved the simulated flow results. It is concluded that the satellite rainfall estimates must be corrected to improve the results. Snowmelt module estimated the snowmelt contribution as 3 to 7% and 4 to 23% of the average daily discharge during the monsoon season at Mangla Dam and Marala Barrage, respectively, during 2014 and 2015. This study assessed various correction methods and concluded that the model and methodology used in the study functioned well with suitable precipitation.     

Mineralogy,microchemistry and fluid inclusion studies of the Besshi-type Nudeh Cu-Zn VMS deposit,Iran

The southwestern Sabzevar basin is the north of Central Iranian Microcontinent hosts abundant mineral deposits, including exhalative Mn mineralization and Cu-Zn volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits. Amongst them, the Nudeh Besshi-type Cu–Zn volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit is hosted within the lower part of a Late Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary sequence composed of alkali olivine basalt flows and tuffaceous silty sandstone. Based on investigations into the ore geometry, mineralogy, and texture, we recognized three different ore facies: (1) a stockwork of sulfide-bearing quartz veins cutting across the footwall volcano-sedimentary rocks and representing the stringer zone; (2) a massive ore type, displaying replacement texture with pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, friedrichite, and minor magnetite; and (3) a bedded ore type, with laminated to disseminated pyrite and chalcopyrite. EPMA studies indicate a distinctive minor element distribution between the different ore types of the Nudeh deposit. The Fe content in the sphalerite ranges from 0.65–1.80?wt.%, indicating the Fe-poor nature of the sphalerite. However, the Cd content in sphalerite ranged between 0.164–0.278?wt.%. According to the mineral compositions, Zn, Se, and Ag are found in bornite as minor elements. In the bedded ore facies, the pyrite contains higher levels of Se (up to 0.35?wt.%). The Zn content in the friedrichite in all of the ore samples is low. The Co/Ni ratios in pyrite from the Nudeh ore are lower than those of most magmatic deposits, but are similar to those from volcanogenic deposits, and hence support the proposed hydrothermal origin of the deposit. Two generations of quartz, Q1 and Q2 in the stockwork veins, contain primary fluid inclusions and these contain two phases (liquid and vapor). The lack of vapor-rich inclusions or variable liquid/vapor ratios indicate that the fluids did not boil at the site of trapping. Salinity for both Q1 and Q2 fluid inclusions ranges between 2.2–6.8?wt.% eq. NaCl. Homogenization temperatures for inclusions in the Q1 and Q2 veins average at about 296?°C and are similar to the temperatures of hydrothermal fluids discharged through vents in many modern seafloor VMS deposit. The Nudeh Besshi-type VMS deposit appears to have formed on the seafloor and based on the salinity and temperature constraints from the underlying stockwork, a buoyancy plume model is proposed as a mechanism for precipitation.     

Land suitability assessment for sugarcane cultivation in Bijnor district,India using geographic information system and fuzzy analytical hierarchy process

Land suitability evaluation is prerequisite for assessing the limitations for sustainable land use planning. We used ten site specific criteria (rainfall, texture, drainage, soil depth, slope, distance to major road, distance to nearest sugar mill, erosion hazard, risk of flooding and pH) and applied weighted multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) technique in a geographic information system (GIS) environment to evaluate land suitability for sugarcane cultivation in Bijnor district, India. The weightage of all the parameters was calculated through fuzzy analytical hierarchy process. Sugarcane suitability map was prepared integrating various parameters through weighted overlay analysis. The map was categorized as highly suitable (S1), moderately suitable (S2), marginally suitable (S3) and unsuitable (N). The analysis revealed that of the total cultivable land of the district, largest area (61%) was highly suitable followed by moderately suitable (24%), marginally suitable (7%) and unsuitable (8%) for sugarcane cultivation. Nagina, Najibabad and Bijnor sub-districts need attention of land managers and policy makers to remove the limitations and increase the suitability of sugarcane in such areas. Only 7% area was unsuitable for sugarcane cultivation. Slope, soil depth and erosion hazard were the major limiting factors making the land unsuitable for sugarcane cultivation. Therefore, these areas should be given priority for land and soil restoration efforts. The study showed effectiveness of integrated GIS and MCE approach for land suitability analysis of sugarcane.     

Assessing coastal landscape vulnerability using geospatial techniques along Vizianagaram–Srikakulam coast of Andhra Pradesh,India

Vizianagaram–Srikakulam coastal shoreline consisting of beaches, mangrove swamps, tidal channel and mudflats is one of the vulnerable coasts in Andhra Pradesh, India. Five site-specific parameters, namely rate of geomorphology, coastal elevation, coastal slope, shoreline change and mean significant wave height, were chosen for constructing coastal vulnerability index and assessing coastal landscape vulnerability. The findings revealed a shift of 2.5 km in shoreline towards the land surface because of constant erosion and that of 1.82 km towards the sea due to accretion during 1997–2017. The rate of high erosion was found in zones IV and V, and high accretion was found in zones II and III. Coastal vulnerability index analysis revealed constant erosion along shoreline and sea level rise in the study area. Most of the coast in zone V has recorded very high vulnerability due to erosion, high slope, significant wave height and sea level rise. Erosion and accretion, significant wave height, sea level rise and slope are attributed to high vulnerability in zones III and IV. Zone II recorded moderate vulnerability. Relatively lower slope, mean sea wave height and sea level rise have made this zone moderately vulnerable. Very low vulnerability was found in zone I, and low vulnerability was recorded in zone II. Accretion, low slope and low sea level rise were found to be causative factors of lower vulnerability. Thus, zones III, IV and V should be accorded higher priorities for coastal management. The findings can be helpful in coastal land planning and management and preparing emergency plans of the coastal ecosystems.     

Elemental characterization of black shales of Khyber Pakthunkhawa (KPK) region of Pakistan using AAS

Black shale samples were collected from Chimiari Khyber Pakthunkhawa region of Pakistan and were analyzed for elemental compositions. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) was utilized for the determination of elements in the digested solutions. The analysis of black shale was performed precisely with relative standard deviation (RSD) lower than 2%. Results showed that the samples contained high concentrations of Ca (11.98 %), Al (7.09%), Fe (3.03%), Mg (0.59%) and Ti (0.58%).     

Monthly karstic spring flow forecasting using a sequential gaussian simulation technique

Analyzing groundwater hydrologic equations related to karstic aquifers and spring hydrograph simulation have become the focus of many researches. Having double or triple porosity structure, mixed flow nature, and varying conduit permeability have made these formations become complex heterogenic systems with great temporal and spatial hydrodynamic variability. In this paper, a conditional sequential gaussian simulation (SGS) is used to simulate monthly flow data of five karstic springs with different hydrogeological properties, located in Zagros Mountain Chain, in western Iran. To evaluate the performance of the SGS algorithm, the results are compared with those of an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model. The results demonstrate the efficiency of the SGS model in simulation of monthly flows compared to the ARIMA model. They also show the suitability of this model for handling uncertainty associated with karstic spring flows through generation of several equally probable stochastic realizations.     

SAR-based Subsidence Monitoring and Assessment of the Factors Involved in the Occurrence of Subsidence,Lahore City

The judicious use and management of natural resources is vital to achieve sustainable development. Land and water are prime natural resources, and their depletion and degradation can lead to serious threats like land subsidence. Land subsidence is a phenomenon of the alteration of elevation at a point on the earth through the sinking of the surface. It occurs when the earth’s surface loses its support. The major causes of land subsidence include groundwater extraction, mining, construction overload, and other similar factors that increase pressure on the surface and eventually subsidize the land. Urban centers with excessive groundwater extraction and infrastructure development are at a high risk of subsidence. Lahore, the second-largest city in Pakistan, is undergoing an enormous increase in population density, uncontrolled urbanization with very large-scale construction projects, and intensive groundwater extraction which are responsible for subsidence directly or indirectly. Therefore, studies on groundwater status and unplanned urban appraisals have seriously urged monitoring of the subsidence in Lahore. Herein, we used freely available Sentinel-1 data for one year (from August 2018 to August 2019), with a high spatial and temporal resolution, to monitor subsidence in Lahore. The data were processed using the SNAP/StaMPS approach for Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PSI) analysis, which is an advanced InSAR technique. The displacement velocity map from InSAR processing shows a significant land deformation in the area with values ranging from -114 to 15 mm yr^-1. Along with the Sentinel-1 data, we also used supplementary data obtained from various government agencies of Pakistan to study the land cover map, transportation network and waterways of Lahore, soil types, population density, and field points for assessing the results and understanding the roles of various factors in the occurrence of uplift or subsidence. A strong correlation was established between subsidence and various parameters such as groundwater extraction and lowering of the water table, soil type variations, land cover changes, surface water channels, and population density. The deformation map confirms the greatest subsidence in the central part of Lahore, while the uplift is observed in the less populated and rural areas situated near Ravi River. The land subsidence and uplift could be attributed to groundwater extraction and recharge through the canal system and the river, respectively.     

Investigation of microrubbers,microplastics and heavy metals in street dust: a study in Bushehr city,Iran

This study aimed to (1) investigate microrubbers (MRs) for the first time and identify microplastics (MPs) in street dust, (2) determine the physicochemical and mineralogical characteristics and morphology of dust particles, (3) understand the concentration and the possible source(s) of heavy metals/metalloids, (4) identify the chemical speciation and mobility potential of trace metals in urban street dusts, and (5) determine adverse health effects of street dust on children and adults living in the city of Bushehr in southwestern Iran. Generally, twenty four street dust samples were collected and analyzed. Calculated enrichment factors indicate high levels of contamination. Statistical analysis reveals that the two main sources of trace elements include road traffic emissions (Cu, Zn, Sb, Hg, Pb, Mo) and re-suspended soil particles (Al, Mn, Ni, Ti, Cd, Co). BCR sequential extraction results indicated that As, Zn, Cu, and Pb mainly occur in the exchangeable fraction and hence are highly bioavailable. X-ray powder diffraction analysis revealed the presence of calcite, dolomite, quartz, and magnetite. The size distribution of dust particles was also investigated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), while elemental distribution was analyzed using an attached energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM–EDS) unit. Dust particles from heavy traffic areas are much finer compared with other investigated areas. MPs and MRs, mostly fibers and fragments, were detected in all samples [ranging from 210 to 1658 (MPs) and 44 to 782 (MRs) items/10 g dust] using fluorescence microscopy. The hazard index for As is higher than 10^?4 for children and adults indicative of high risk. According to the calculated potential ecological risk index, Hg indicated moderate ecological risk in the street dust of the study area.