Geochemistry of sedimentary rocks from Permian–Triassic boundary sections of Tethys Himalaya: implications for paleo-weathering,provenance, and tectonic setting

The geochemical characteristics of two sections—the Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB) Guryul Ravine section, Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Kashmir, India; and the Attargoo section, Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India—have been studied in the context of provenance, paleo-weathering, and plate tectonic setting. These sections represent the siliciclastic sedimentary sequence from the Tethys Himalaya. The PTB siliciclastic sedimentary sequence in these regions primarily consists of sandstones and shales with variable thickness. Present studied sandstones and shales of both sections had chemical index of alteration values between 65 and 74; such values reveal low-to-moderate degree of chemical weathering. The chemical index of weathering in studied samples ranged from 71 to 94, suggesting a minor K-metasomatism effect on these samples. Plagioclase index of alteration in studied sections ranged from 68 to 92, indicating a moderate degree of weathering of plagioclase feldspars. The provenance discriminant function diagram suggests that the detritus involved in the formation of present studied siliciclastic sedimentary rocks fall in quartzose sedimentary and felsic igneous provenances. These sediments were deposited in a passive continental margin plate tectonic setting according to their location on a Si₂O versus K₂O/Na₂O tectonic setting diagram.     

Geospatial assessment of soil erosion intensity and sediment yield: a case study of Potohar Region,Pakistan

Estimation of spatial extent of soil erosion, one of the most serious forms of land degradation, is critical because soil erosion has serious implications on soil fertility, water ecosystem, crop productivity and landscape beauty. The primary objective of the current study was to assess and map the soil erosion intensity and sedimentation yield of Potohar region of Pakistan. Potohar is the rainfed region with truncated and complex topography lying at the top of the Indus Basin, the world’s largest irrigation networks of canals and barrages. Spatially explicit Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) Model integrated with Remote Sensing-GIS techniques was used for detecting/mapping of erosion prone areas and quantification of soil losses. The results show that the Potohar region is highly susceptible to soil erosion with an average annual soil loss of 19 tons ha^?1 year^?1 of which the maximum erosion (70–208 tons ha^?1 year^?1) was near the river channels and hilly areas. The sediment yield due to the erosion is as high as 148 tons ha^?1 year^?1 with an average of 4.3 tons ha^?1 year^?1. It was found that 2.06% of the total area falls under severe soil erosion, 13.34% under high erosion, 15.35% under moderate soil erosion while 69.25% of the area lies in the low (tolerable) soil erosion. Chakwal and Jhelum districts of the region are seriously affected by erosion owing to their topography and soil properties. The information generated in this study is a step forward towards proper planning and implementation of strategies to control the erosion and for protection of natural resources. It is, hence, necessary that suitable water harvesting structures be made to control water to prevent soil erosion and provision of water in the lean season in this region. Tree plantation and other erosion control practices such as strip cropping can also minimize soil erosion in this region.     

Weathering and anthropogenic influences on the water and sediment chemistry of Wular Lake,Kashmir Himalaya

This paper presents a study on the Wular Lake which is the largest fresh water tectonic lake of Kashmir Valley, India. One hundred and ninety-six (196) water samples and hundred (100) sediment samples (n = 296) have been collected to assess the weathering and Anthropogenic impact on water and sediment chemistry of the lake. The results showed a significant seasonal variability in average concentration of major ions being highest in summer and spring and lower in winter and autumn seasons. The study revealed that lake water is alkaline in nature characterised by medium total dissolved solids and electrical conductivity. The concentration of the major ion towards the lake central showed a decreasing trend from the shore line. The order of major cations and anions was Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺ and HCO₃ ^? > SO₄ ^2? > Cl^?, respectively. The geochemical processes suggested that the chemical composition lake water is mostly influenced by the lithology of the basin (carbonates, silicates and sulphates) which had played a significant role in modifying the hydrogeochemical facies in the form of Ca–HCO₃, Mg–HCO₃ and hybrid type. Chemical index of alteration values of Wular Lake sediments reflect moderate weathering of the catchment area. Compared to upper continental crust and the post-Archean Shale, the sediments have higher Si, Ti, Mg and Ca contents and lower Al, Fe, Na, K, P, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cu content. Geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and US Environmental Protection Agency sediment quality standards indicated that there is no pollution effect of heavy metals (Zn, Mn, Pb, Ni and Co).The study also suggested that Wular Lake is characterised by both natural and anthropogenic influences.     

Shear Wave Splitting Analysis to Estimate Fracture Orientation and Frequency Dependent Anisotropy

Shear wave splitting is a well-known method for indication of orientation, radius, and length of fractures in subsurface layers. In this paper, a three component near offset VSP data acquired from a fractured sandstone reservoir in southern part of Iran was used to analyse shear wave splitting and frequency-dependent anisotropy assessment. Polarization angle obtained by performing rotation on radial and transverse components of VSP data was used to determine the direction of polarization of fast shear wave which corresponds to direction of fractures. It was shown that correct implementation of shear wave splitting analysis can be used for determination of fracture direction. During frequencydependent anisotropy analysis, it was found that the time delays in shearwaves decrease as the frequency increases. It was clearly demonstrated throughout this study that anisotropy may have an inverse relationship with frequency. The analysis presented in this paper complements the studied conducted by other researchers in this field of research.     

Investigation of lake drying attributed to climate change

In recent decades, climate change has been of great concern due to its effect on water level and its impact on aquatic ecosystems. Urmia Lake, the largest inland wetland in Iran, has been shrinking. There is a great concern whether it will dry up like the Aral Sea. Therefore, a hydrodynamic model has been developed to simulate the condition of Urmia Lake. The model has been validated using the known annual data on precipitation, evaporation, run off, river discharges and water level which are available for the last 35?years. Different hydrological conditions regarding lake input and output data were tested and water depth was calculated using bathymetry to predict water-level fluctuations in the future. The results predict that the water level will decrease continuously. The lake will be dried up in about 10?years if very dry conditions continue in the region. The drought speed cannot be reduced and there is no potential to develop a water-usage program. Besides, the lake water depth decrease is more slightly, applying alternate wet and dry-period conditions. In some hydrological conditions there is a good potential to consider water development projects. The sensitivity analysis of different parameters indicates that the lake is highly sensitive to river discharges, which implies that the water development project plans will disturb the lake ecosystem if implemented up to 2021 and integrated watershed management plan for the lake can change the condition by regulating the dam output.     

Comparison of fast elimination of Cr(VI) by alumina nanofiber and alumina nanoporous

The goal of this study is examination of the mixture between adsorption and permeation process for removing chromium (VI) from the water. Two types of supported membranes are developed: The first one which was made by sol–gel method is called nanoporous and the second one which was made by electrospinning is called nanofiber. The sorption capacity of nanoporous and nanofiber is examined in single batch experiments at various pH values, and it is found that maximum chromium removal is observed for both nanoporous and nanofiber at pH 3.5. Adsorption studies illustrated that the Cr(VI) adsorption onto alumina nanoporous and nanofiber is affected by changes in pH, contact time, dosage of adsorbent, concentration of chromium and solution volume. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms can be used to explain the adsorption equilibria of Cr(VI) onto alumina nanoporous and nanofiber. It was found that balance adsorption data adequate Langmuir isotherm more than Freundlich model. Adsorption kinetics was found to be fitted to pseudo-second order and Weber and Morris model. The output of multiple linear regressions was run for the second-order response surface model implied that the linear agents of pH, sorbent dosage and Cr(VI) concentration are more significant factors. Manufacturing electrospun alumina nanofiber and sol–gel nanoporous with these cheap materials, renewable and fast methods are so important although the removal percentage is significant.     

The Equation of State for Caspian Sea Waters

The density ρ of Caspian Sea waters was measured as a function of temperature (273.15–343.15) K at conductivity salinities of 7.8 and 11.3 using the Anton-Paar Densitometer. Measurements were also made on one of the samples (S = 11.38) diluted with water as a function of temperature (T = 273.15–338.15 K) and salinity (2.5–11.3). These latter results have been used to develop an equation of state for the Caspian Sea (σ = ±0.007 kg m⁻³)