Geochemical stream sediment survey in Winder Valley, Balochistan, Pakistan

A pilot scale geochemical survey of sediments from the Winder Stream (SW Pakistan) and its tributaries was carried out. The Winder Stream mainly receives sediment from the southern extensions of the Mor and Pab Ranges in the District of Lasbela (Balochistan). In these two mountain ranges, rocks from Jurassic to Cretaceous age are exposed. Rocks of the Ferozabad Group comprise of carbonates and siliciclastics of Lower–Middle Jurassic age and occupy the dominant part of the Mor Range. These strata host syngenetic and epigenetic Zn–Pb–Ba mineralizations of Stratiform Sediment-Hosted (SSH) and Mississippi Valley Type (MVT) deposits.Quantitative estimates of mobile and immobile elements were made from active stream sediments of the Winder stream and its tributaries. The samples were analyzed for Ag, Zn, Pb, Cu, Ni, Co, V, Mn, Fe and Ba using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The abundance of these elements is discussed in relation to local geological conditions such as bedrock, climate, weathering, mobility and pH of the dispersing waters. A number of Zn anomalies have been distinguished in the study area. Kharrari (Zn, 360 ppm), Sand (Zn, 340 ppm) and Draber (Zn, 210 ppm) are demarcated as new areas for Zn mineralization. The present study also indicates prospects of Ag, Cu and V in the rocks of the Mor Range.Relationships between various elements have been identified from scattergrams and reflect genetic associations. Whereby the positive correlation between Cu–Zn (0.55, n=18) and Cu–Pb (0.63) is related to possible sulphide mineralization.     

Biogeochemical evaluation of Nannorrhops ritchiana： A Mg-flora from Khuzdar, Balochistan, Pakistan

Nannorrhops ritchiana （ Mazari Palm） is a distinctive flora growing in the Saharo-Sindian region. It is well distributed on the ultramafic soil, derived from the Bela Ophiolite in the Khuzdar District, Balochistan, Pakistan. Quantitative estimation of Ca, Mg, Fe and Ni in soil and plant ash has been carried out. The constituents of plant ash have been discussed in relation to soil chemistry, pH, climate, mobility, average abundance in plant ash and exclusion mechanism of the flora. Relationship among Ca, Mg, Fe and Ni has been established using scattergrams to evaluate the biogeochemistry of the plant. High contents of Mg and high coefficient of biological absorption allow it to be classed as Mg-flora. Both Ca and Fe appeared to be antagonistic to Mg. The metal assemblage of N. ritchiana nicely reflected the nature of the bed rock as being serpentinized ultramafic, and its corresponding soils. Good exclusion mechanism of N. ritchiana did not allow it to absorb high Ni from the soil. Relatively high concentrations of Ni in N. ritchiana from the Baran Lak area can be used to localize Ni-mineralization in the study area. Statistical analyses, such as minimum, maximum, mean, mode, median, standard deviations, and coefficient of correlation, were also made to improve raw geochemical data and interpretations.     

Geochemistry and Depositional Setting of Fort Munro Formation, Middle and Lower Indus Basins, Pakistan

INTRODUCTION Theinteractionofcomplextectonicphasesinthe IndusbasinduringtheCretaceoushasimpartedascal lopedoutlineinthesedimentarysequences.Thedevel opmentofdiversifiedsedimentaryformationsduringthe Cretaceousensuresexcellentsources(SembarandGoru formations)andreservoirs(MoghalKotandPabfor mations)forhydrocarbons.Numerousplaysandpros pectsofhydrocarbonareassociatedwiththeCretaceous system,consequentlytheIndusbasinisattractiveto petroleumexplorationcompaniesinPakistan(Sheikh andNa…     

Biogeochemical evaluation of Nannorrhops ritchiana : A Mg-flora from Khuzdar, Balochistan, Pakistan

Nannorrhops ritchiana (Mazari Palm) is a distinctive flora growing in the Saharo-Sindian region. It is well distributed on the ultramafic soil, derived from the Bela Ophiolite in the Khuzdar District, Balochistan, Pakistan. Quantitative estimation of Ca, Mg, Fe and Ni in soil and plant ash has been carried out. The constituents of plant ash have been discussed in relation to soil chemistry, pH, climate, mobility, average abundance in plant ash and exclusion mechanism of the flora. Relationship among Ca, Mg, Fe and Ni has been established using scattergrams to evaluate the biogeochemistry of the plant. High contents of Mg and high coefficient of biological absorption allow it to be classed as Mg-flora. Both Ca and Fe appeared to be antagonistic to Mg. The metal assemblage ofN. ritchiana nicely reflected the nature of the bed rock as being serpentinized ultramafic, and its corresponding soils. Good exclusion mechanism ofN. ritchiana did not allow it to absorb high Ni from the soil. Relatively high concentrations of Ni inN. ritchiana from the Baran Lak area can be used to localize Ni-mineralization in the study area. Statistical analyses, such as minimum, maximum, mean, mode, median, standard deviations, and coefficient of correlation, were also made to improve raw geochemical data and interpretations.     

Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater in Kashmir Valley,India

Groundwater samples (n = 163) were collected across Kashmir Valley in 2010 to assess the hydrogeochemistry of the groundwater in shallow and deep aquifers and its suitability for domestic, agriculture, horticulture, and livestock purposes. The groundwater is generally alkaline in nature. The electrical conductivity (EC) which is an index to represent the total concentration of soluble salts in water was used to measure the salinity hazard to crops as it reflects the TDS in groundwater ranging from 97 to 1385 μS/cm, except one well in Sopore. The average concentration of major ions was higher in shallow aquifers than in deeper aquifers. In general, Ca²⁺ is the dominant cation and HCO \(_{3}^{-}\) the dominant anion. Ca–HCO₃, Mg–HCO₃, Ca–Mg–HCO₃, Na–HCO₃ were the dominant hydrogeochemical facies. High concentration of HCO₃ and pH less than 8.8 clearly indicated that intense chemical weathering processes have taken place in the study area. The groundwater flow pattern in the area follows the local surface topography which not only modifies the hydrogeochemical facies but also controls their distribution. The groundwater in valley flows into four directions, i.e., SW–NE, NE–W, SE-NW and SE–NE directions. The results suggest that carbonate dissolution is the dominant source of major ions followed by silicate weathering and ion-exchange processes. The concentrations of all the major ions determined in the present study are within the permissible limits of WHO and BIS standards. The results of Total Hardness, SAR, Na%, Kelly Index, USDA classification, Magnesium absorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate, and PI suggested that groundwater is good for drinking, livestock, and irrigation purposes.     

Understanding hydrological processes of glacierized catchments in the western Himalayas by a multi-year tracer-based hydrograph separation analysis

Snow and glacier melt are significant contributors to streamflow in Himalayan catchments, and their increasing contributions serve as key indicators of climate change. Consequently, the quantification of these streamflow components holds significant importance for effective water resource management. In this study, we utilized the spatio-temporal variability of isotopic signatures in stream water, rainfall, winter fresh snow, snowpack, glaciers, springs, and wells, in conjunction with hydrometeorological observations and Snow Cover Area (SCA) data, to identify water sources and develop a conceptual understanding of streamflow dynamics in three catchments (Lidder, Sindh, and Vishow) within the western Himalayas. The following results were obtained: (a) endmember contributions to the streamflow exhibit significant spatial and seasonal variability across the three catchments during 2018–2020; (b) snowmelt dominates streamflow, with average contributions across the entire catchment varying: 59% ± 9%, 55% ± 4%, 56% ± 6%, and 55% ± 9% in Lidder, 43% ± 6%, 38% ± 6%, 32% ± 4%, and 33% ± 5% in Sindh and 45% ± 8%, 40% ± 6%, 39% ± 6%, and 32% ± 5% in Vishow during spring, summer, autumn, and winter seasons, respectively; (c) glacier melt contributions can reach ~30% to streamflow near the source regions during peak summer; (d) The primary uncertainties in streamflow components are attributed to the spatiotemporal variability of tracer signatures of winter fresh snow/snowpack (±1.9% to ±20%); (e)regarding future streamflow components, if the glacier contribution were to disappear completely, the annual average streamflow in Lidder and Sindh could decrease up to ~20%. The depletion of the cryosphere in the region has led to a rapid increase in runoff (1980–1900), but it has also resulted in a significant streamflow reduction due to glacier mass loss and changes in peak streamflow over the past three decades (1990–2020). The findings highlight the significance of environmental isotope analysis, which provides insights into water resources and offers a critical indication of the streamflow response to glacier loss under a changing climate.     

Landslide susceptibility assessment of national highway 1D from Sonamarg to Kargil,Jammu and Kashmir,India using frequency ratio method

GeoJournal - This study is an attempt to carry landslide susceptibility assessment along national highway 1D a lifeline to the Ladakh region using Frequency Ratio Method in GIS environment. The...     

Stratigraphy and structure of Sarda, Manil, Changpur and Naghal areas, district Kotli, Jammu & Kashmir

The Chauki, Mandi, Manil colony, Changpur, Khawas and Naghal areas are situated in between the limbs of Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis (HKS). HKS is the part of Himalayan fold and thrust belt that lies in sub-Himalayan domain. Seismically, this is an active zone. Early Miocene to Recent sedimentary rocks are exposed in the area. The stratigraphic units in Kashmir basin are the cover sequence of the Indian plate. These non-marine lithostratigraphic units are molasse deposits formed by the deposition of sediments coming from north carried by the rivers originated from higher Himalayas. Murree Formation of early Miocene age is the oldest rock unit in the studied area. Siwalik Group; Chinji, Nagri, Dhok Pathan and Soan formations of early Miocene to Pliocene and Mirpur Formation of Pleistocene age is exposed. The area is structurally deformed into folds and faults. The Sarda Sarhota syncline, Mandi syncline and Fagosh anticline are major folds in the area. These folds are isoclinal to open in nature, southwest or northeast verging and thrust direction is southwest or northeast. Major reverse faults are Riasi fault and Fagosh fault. The Changpur fault is a normal fault. Primary sedimentary structures present in the area are load cast, ripups and cross bedding. The facing of beds have been marked on the basis of these sedimentary structures.     

Geochemistry of Cd in groundwater of Winder,Balochistan and suspected health problems

Sedimentary rocks of Jurassic age (Ferozabad group) and igneous rocks (Bela Ophiolite) of Cretaceous age are widely exposed in the east of Winder Town, Balochistan. Representative 48 water and soil samples were collected and analyzed for Cd and other elements. The present study showed that water samples were contaminated by the Cd ion and most of the samples have higher concentration than prescribed WHO standards (3 μg/l) for drinking purpose. The concentration of Cd ions ranged between 1 and 30 with mean values of 10 μg/l and was found high in the vicinity of outcrops. The alkaline pH (av. 7.42) was mainly responsible for elevated Cd content in the water, having near equal molar proportions of Ca and HCO₃ ions. Computed relative mobility values appeared as 0.23, indicating poor leaching from rocks and metal load in the groundwater is also measured low. The estimated values of mobility reflect fairly high mobility of Cd in the study area, decreases with distance from outcrops. The health hazard indices of drinking water was high (av. 1.33) with respect to safe average daily intake of Cd. The consumption of high Cd-bearing water may induce many disorders in the human health.