Unnoticed but important: revealing the hidden contribution of community-based religious institution of the mosque in disasters

The role of community-based religious institutions has been largely undocumented, underestimated and overshadowed in the disaster studies literature. This paper explores the role of the mosque, a community-based religious institution, in disaster management by documenting and analysing its role in rural settings in the aftermath of the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan. The study examines the role of the mosque in relation to key actors from the state, civil society and private sector during response, relief, recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation phases of the Pakistan earthquake. Using qualitative research methods and a case study design, this article analyses primary data collected through 5 months of fieldwork (in 2009 and 2010). The findings demonstrate the multifaceted and distinct contribution of the mosque in cultural, economic, social and political aspects of the lives of the earthquake-affected communities. Possible challenges to engagement with the mosque, both gender inclusiveness and political controversy around its role, are also raised. This research suggests that state, civil society and private sector actors involved in disaster management need to understand complex relationships involving people and their religious institutions, and their impact on the social dimension of recovery. The findings of the study contribute to the scarce knowledge about the role of community-based religious institutions including churches, mosques, synagogues and temples and call for engagement: that is, acknowledging and valuing their role for building a synergy between secular and religious efforts for disaster risk reduction and post-disaster recovery.     

Drift of icebergs in the grand banks

Canada's eastern continental shelf has been the focal point of an extensive search for hydrocarbons in recent years. International petroleum companies have spent millions of dollars in explorations during this time. Off the Newfoundland and Labrador coasts, 42 wildcat wells have been drilled. One of the major hostile elements to the oil drilling rig operators in this region is the threat of drifting icebergs.     

Spatial Quantification of Groundwater Abstraction in the Irrigated Indus Basin

Groundwater abstraction and depletion were assessed at a 1‐km resolution in the irrigated areas of the Indus Basin using remotely sensed evapotranspiration (ET) and precipitation; a process‐based hydrological model and spatial information on canal water supplies. A calibrated Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was used to derive total annual irrigation applied in the irrigated areas of the basin during the year 2007. The SWAT model was parameterized by station corrected precipitation data (R) from the Tropical Rainfall Monitoring Mission, land use, soil type, and outlet locations. The model was calibrated using a new approach based on spatially distributed ET fields derived from different satellite sensors. The calibration results were satisfactory and strong improvements were obtained in the Nash‐Sutcliffe criterion (0.52 to 0.93), bias (?17.3% to ?0.4%), and the Pearson correlation coefficient (0.78 to 0.93). Satellite information on R and ET was then combined with model results of surface runoff, drainage, and percolation to derive groundwater abstraction and depletion at a nominal resolution of 1 km. It was estimated that in 2007, 68 km³ (262 mm) of groundwater was abstracted in the Indus Basin while 31 km³ (121 mm) was depleted. The mean error was 41 mm/year and 62 mm/year at 50% and 70% probability of exceedance, respectively. Pakistani and Indian Punjab and Haryana were the most vulnerable areas to groundwater depletion and strong measures are required to maintain aquifer sustainability.     

Induced mutation and in vitro techniques as a method to induce salt tolerance in Basmati rice (Oryza sauva L.)

Embryogenie callus of indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. Basmati 370 induced on MS medium containing 9.05 μM2,4-D was irradiated at 50 Gy of gamma rays of ⁶⁰Co for creating genetic variability against salinity. Irradiated and non-irradiated calluses were screened in vitro through three consecutive proliferation phases at 4.0, 6.0, 8.0 and 10.0 d/Sm electrical conductivity of NaCl. Growth value and number of adapted mutagenized callus was more than that of non-mutagenized callus. Salinity levels beyond 6 d/Sm and 8 d/Sm were lethal to growth and adaptation of non-irradiated and irradiated callus respectively. NaCl adapted irradiated callus showed 2.0%–4.75% regeneration frequency on MS regeneration medium containing 5.37 MNAA and 9.29 μMKinetin. Non-mutagenized salt adapted callus did not show any regeneration. From gamma ray mutagenized cultures, 2 putative lines (M₂ generation) with moderate salt tolerance were obtained at seedling stage. The results suggest that in vitro technique in connection with gamma rays may be used as a versatile approach to improve the level of salt tolerance in Basmati rice for saline environment.     

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     

Characterization and prediction of stormwater runoff quality in sub-tropical rural catchments

Due to scarcity of local data on stormwater pollution levels and rainfall-runoff generation process, very few attempts have been made towards the management of stormwater in sub-tropical rural catchments. An attempt has been made in the present study to characterize and predict the stormwater runoff characteristics using regression modeling from five rural catchments in north-west India. Stormwater samples and flow data were collected from 75 storm events. Samples were analyzed for pH, total suspended solids (TSS), 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total kjeldhal nitrogen (TKN), total phosphorous (TP), nitrate-nitrogen (NO ₃ ^- –N), total coliform count (TC), fecal coliform count (FC), Zn, Cu and Fe. It was found that size of the catchment and the land use practices influenced the stormwater quality even in predominantly rural areas, otherwise thought to be homogeneous. The results obtained were related with the antecedent dry days (ADD) and average rainfall. ADD was found to be positively correlated with pollutant loads whereas average rainfall showed negative correlation. The study highlights the importance of ADD in causing greater mean pollutant concentrations except for TKN, TP and NO ₃ ^- –N. Regression models were developed for the studied catchments to estimate mean pollutant concentrations as a function of rainfall variables. Results revealed that measured pollutant concentrations demonstrated high variability with ADD and average rainfall in small rural catchments, whereas in large catchments, factors like land use, extent of imperviousness etc. resulted in low predictability of measured parameters.