Raw mix designing, clinkerization and manufacturing of high-strength Portland cement from the limestone and clay of Darukhula Nizampur, Nowshera District, North-West Frontier Province （N.W.F.P.）, Pakistan

This paper covers the detailed version of the potential raw material deposits at Darukhula and the adjacent areas of Nizampur, the manufacturing of high-strength Portland cement samples from the same material and comparison of the physical and chemical parameters for resulting cement with British and Pakistan standard specifications, which include compressive strength, setting time, consistency, lechatelier expansion, Blaine and insoluble residue. It was found that the raw material available in the study area meets the standard specifications and the area is feasible for the cement plant installation. The area can provide raw material which is quite sufficient for the running of a cement plant.     

Assessment of spatial variations of particulate matter (PM<Subscript>10</Subscript> and PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript>) in Bahrain identified by air quality index (AQI)

The rapid urbanization, industrialization, modernization, and the frequent Middle Eastern dust storms have negatively impacted the ambient air quality in Bahrain. The objective of this study is to identify the most critical atmospheric air pollutants with emphasis on their potential risk to health based on calculated AQI (air quality index) values using EPA approach. The air quality datasets of particulate matters (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5), ozone (O₃), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO) were measured in January 2012 and August 2012 using five mobile air quality monitoring stations located at different governorates. The results of this study demonstrated that PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 are the most critical air pollutants in Bahrain with PM_2.5 prevailing during January 2012 and PM₁₀ prevailing during August 2012. The corresponding AQI categories were utilized to evaluate spatial variability of particulate matters in five governorates. The impact of meteorological factors such as ambient air temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, and total precipitation on ambient air quality were discussed. The analysis demonstrated that the highest PM₁₀ concentrations were observed in the Northern Governorate while the highest PM_2.5 concentrations were observed in the Capital, Central, and Northern Governorates during August 2012. It was observed that the levels of PM_2.5 pollution were higher within proximity of the industrial zone. The results suggested that the average PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratio in August 2012 was lower than in January 2012 due to the Aeolian processes. This study concludes that higher wind speed, total precipitation, relative humidity rates, and lower ambient air temperature in January 2012 assisted with the dissipation of particulate matter thus lowering the pollution levels of both PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 in comparison to August 2012.     

Complexation and reduction as factors in the link between metal ion concentrations and organic matter in the Indian River

Complexation of metal ions by organic matter is frequently considered to play a part in metal ion dissolution in natural waters. A field study of a relatively unperturbed stream, high in organics, associates this with the fraction related to soil organic acids (humic acids). The association might have two origins. The first is complexation. However, well known sequences of complexing tendency do not predict the behaviour. A better theory uses the additional factor of the reducing capacity of dissolved organic matter toward Fe(III) and Mn(IV).     

Mineral grains and the 10 and 20 μm spectral features in the Trapezium nebula

The infrared emission observed for dust in the Trapezium nebula over the waveband 8–40 m cannot be explained on the basis of a simple silicate model involving either terrestrial or lunar silicates. Laboratory measurements were carried out to determine the opacity coefficient of finely crushed Murchison meteorite material. Murchison material (including organics within it) provides a better fit to the Trapezium data than any known silicate, but the agreement is inferior to that obtained for a diatom model.     

Improvement in Engineering Properties of Expansive Soils using Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag

Improvement in engineering properties of expansive soils by mixing ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) is the main focus of this research. For this purpose two expansive soil samples were collected from DG Khan and Sialkot areas (Pakistan). Classification tests revealed that DG Khan sample belonged to fat clay (CH) while Sialkot soil was lean clay (CL) as classified by Unified Soil Classification System. GGBFS has been added in varying proportions between 0 and 55% in these soil samples to study its role in stabilizing these expansive soils. Based on the laboratory test performed on composite soil samples, it was observed that maximum dry unit weight increased up to 10 % by adding 50% GGBFS in both samples. California bearing ratio (CBR) value showed an increase from 3.2 % to 11.5% for DG Khan soil while CBR values varied from 2.4% to 10.7% for Sialkot soil by mixing 50% GGBFS. Addition of 30 % GGBFS to DG Khan soil reduced swell potential from 8 % to 2 % while in Sialkot soil, 20 % addition of GGBFS reduced swell potential from 5 % to 2 %. Unconfined compressive strength of remoulded sample cured for 28 days increased by about 35% with the addition of 30%GGBFS. The results indicated that mixing of GGBFS in the expansive soil samples have a marked increase in their engineering properties. Also, it is an affective and environmental friendly means to dispose waste of steel industry.     

Gas and fluid venting at the Makran accretionary wedge off Pakistan

The Makran accretionary complex shows a distinct bottom-simulating reflector, indicating a thick gas-hydrate-bearing horizon between the deformational front and about 1350 m water depth which seals off the upward flow of gas-charged fluids. A field of presently inactive mud diapirs with elevations up to 65 m was discovered in the abyssal plain seawards of the deformation front, suggesting that in the past conditions were favorable for periodic but localized vigorous mud diapirism. Regional destabilization of the gas hydrate leading to focused flow was observed where deep-penetrating, active faults reach the base of the gas-hydrate layer, as in a deeply incised submarine canyon (2100–2500 m water depth). At this location we discovered seeps of methane and H₂S-rich fluids associated with chemoautotrophic vent faunas (e.g., Calyptogena sp.). Driven by the accretionary wedge dynamics, the landward part of the gas-hydrate layer below the Makran margin is being progressively uplifted. Due to reduced hydrostatic pressure and rising ocean bottom-water temperatures, gas hydrates are progressively destabilized and dissociated into hydrate water, methane and H₂S. Sediment temperatures lie outside the methane stability field wherever water depth is less than 800 m. Above this depth, upward migration of fluids to the seafloor is unimpeded, thus explaining the abundance of randomly distributed gas seeps observed at water depths of 350 to 800 m. Received: 14 June 1999 / Revision accepted: 6 February 2000     

GIS技术在城市地下水重金属浓度识别与分级中的应用（英文）

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.     

Random Forest and Bayesian Network Techniques for Probabilistic Prediction of Flyrock Induced by Blasting in Quarry Sites

Natural Resources Research - Flyrock is one of the most important environmental and hazardous issues in mine blasting, which can affect equipment and people, and may lead to fatal accidents....     

Composition of selected heavy metals in road dust from Kuala Lumpur city centre

This study was carried out in order to determine the concentration of heavy metals, e.g., lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) in road dust in Kuala Lumpur’s city centre. Samples were collected from four sampling locations, each of which had four sampling points and three replications. Heavy metals from different fractions of particles separated by different diameter sizes: d < 63 μm (Fraction A), 63 < d < 125 μm (Fraction B) and 125 < d < 250 μm (Fraction C) were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results from this study showed that concentration of heavy metals was dominated by the smallest particle size: <63 μm and that Fe was the most abundant heavy metal overall, followed by Cu > Mn > Zn > Pb > Ni > Cr > Cd. The fact that Cd had the highest enrichment factor value (EF) for all particle sizes indicates that anthropogenic activities contributed to the presence of this metal. There was also a higher EF value for heavy metals in small particle (Fraction A), compared to Fraction B and C, which suggests that fine particles were being produced through anthropogenic activities. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis demonstrated the likelihood of the heavy metals detected in the road dust, originating from road traffic and industrial activities.