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Arc GIS Based Interpretation of Surface Sediment Heavy Metals Near Coastal Area of District Badin, Sindh, Pakistan
Mohammad Amin Qureshi,
Ghulam Murtaza Mastoi,
Mushtaque Ahmed Baloch,
Muhammad Ali Bhatti,
Sarfaraz Ali Mallah,
Muhammad Waseem Junejo,
Rashid Ali Malukhani,
Imran Ali Abbasi
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3, June 2015
Pages:
110-119
Received:
7 April 2015
Accepted:
17 April 2015
Published:
28 April 2015
Abstract: The present study investigates heavy metal contamination of sediments of the surface drains, lakes and lagoons of coastal district Badin. The accumulation of industrial, municipal waste water, pumped saline water and agricultural runoff through left bank outfall drain (LBOD) and other linking drains in the coastal lines of Badin, Sindh, Pakistan, have disturbed the environmental ecology of the area. The heavy metal characteristics of sediments were analyzed, i.e. ionic and molecular species of Hg,Ni, Fe, Cd, Pb, Cr, Co, Cu, Mn, and Zn. Arc GIS application was used for mapping of the studied area. The obtained results were represented by GIS based maps, with graduated colored circles. A total of 31 sediment samples were taken from drains, lakes and lagoons of coastal areas. The average results, analyzed for heavy metals, were found as Hg(mg/kg) 0.2032 ±0.173, Ni (mg/kg)1.455 ±1.449,Cd (Not Detected), Zn(mg/kg)2.789 ± 0.865, Cu(mg/kg)0.3050 ±0.3355, Fe(mg/kg)71.175±1.610, Mn (mg/kg)7.375±1.848, Co (mg/kg) 0.0548 ±0.0634,Pb(mg/kg)0.216 ± .114,Cr(mg/kg)0.7054 ±0.6949.The obtained results indicated that pollution of heavy metal concentration in surface sediments of lakes , lagoons, and drains near coastal lines of Badin Sindh, posed a serious question . The main contaminating sources in the area are LBOD and other link drains, carrier of industrial effluents of different districts. Poor infrastructure of LBOD facilitates backward flow of contaminated sea tidal water towards coastal saline lakes, also adds in sediment pollution.
Abstract: The present study investigates heavy metal contamination of sediments of the surface drains, lakes and lagoons of coastal district Badin. The accumulation of industrial, municipal waste water, pumped saline water and agricultural runoff through left bank outfall drain (LBOD) and other linking drains in the coastal lines of Badin, Sindh, Pakistan, h...
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Involvement in Tourism Activities and Perceived Benefits in Communities around Udzungwa Mountain National Park in Tanzania
John Safari,
Vicent Gowele,
James Lwelamira
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3, June 2015
Pages:
120-126
Received:
8 April 2015
Accepted:
17 April 2015
Published:
28 April 2015
Abstract: Tourism constitutes one of the fastest growing sectors in Tanzania. The industry is placed as one of the major means through which development of local communities can be achieved. There is, however, paucity of information on how local communities living close to the national parks are involved in tourism. A cross-sectional study was carried out in February 2013 in six villages adjacent to Udzungwa Mountain National Park (UMNP). The objectives of the study were (i) to examine the extent to which people living close to UMNP participate in tourism, (ii) to identify the determinants of individual involvement in tourism activities, and (iii) to assess the benefits accrued from tourism by local communities. Data were collected from 150 households using a semi-structured questionnaire. A 3-point Likert scale was used to obtain information on residents’ involvement and perceived benefits in tourism activities. Data were then analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program version 20. Results show that almost all respondents (97%) were involved in at least one activity related to tourism. The activities include hotel and local restaurant services, agro-tourism, environmental protection, transport services, adventure tourism, local handcrafting, revenue sharing and walking safari. In most of these activities, residents’ involvement was rather moderate. Overall, findings show that tourism provides array of benefits that contribute to the wellbeing of people. However, lack of transparency on revenues from UMNP was identified as ingrained challenge that affected cooperation and trust between residents and leaders. These results underline the need for the Local Government Authority to contextualize governance challenges taking into account the social-political environment. These results underline the need for changes in social-political environment with emphasis on increased accountability and transparency. Addressing these challenges will build greater trust between community members, village leaders and UMNP authority in pursuit of economic development, conservation requirements and sustainability in tourism industry.
Abstract: Tourism constitutes one of the fastest growing sectors in Tanzania. The industry is placed as one of the major means through which development of local communities can be achieved. There is, however, paucity of information on how local communities living close to the national parks are involved in tourism. A cross-sectional study was carried out in...
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Simulation of Potassium Transport in Carbonate Aquifer
Omar Chaalal,
Ahmed Murad,
Ahmed M. Soliman,
Rafiq Islam,
Ismail A. El Haty,
D. Hank
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3, June 2015
Pages:
127-133
Received:
21 March 2015
Accepted:
12 April 2015
Published:
30 April 2015
Abstract: Sophisticated prediction of aquifer performance requires numerical simulation. To date, no comprehensive simulation has been reported on groundwater modeling. Most available simulators are not applicable for fractured aquifer, and do not account for contaminant leaching and degradation, particularly in the vadose zone. Consequently, studying contaminant transport in a fractured or vuggy formation offers a forthidable challenge. This paper addresses the problem of contaminant transport in carbonate aquifer, in the presence of fractures. Most of aquifers in UAE are of limestone or carbonate origins. A series of experiments was conducted using potassium nitrate as the contaminant. Dynamic adsorption and desorption tests were carried out using both homogeneous and fractured formation models. Initial modeling and experiments were carried out for a range of initial concentration values. The concentration at the outlet was measured with the Flame Ionization technique. A numerical model was developed using the surface excess theory, combined with a non-Fickian dispersion coefficient. Numerical results agreed favorably with experimental results. It was found that the non-Fickian model was necessary for modeling fracture flow results and with this version, there was no need to use the dual porosity/dual permeability formulation. Strong dependence of adsorption on initial concentration was observed and was justified with the numerical model.
Abstract: Sophisticated prediction of aquifer performance requires numerical simulation. To date, no comprehensive simulation has been reported on groundwater modeling. Most available simulators are not applicable for fractured aquifer, and do not account for contaminant leaching and degradation, particularly in the vadose zone. Consequently, studying contam...
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Valorization of Grape by-Products
Cristina Damian,
Ana Olteanu,
Mircea Oroian,
Ana Leahu,
Sorina Ropciuc
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3, June 2015
Pages:
134-138
Received:
10 April 2015
Accepted:
20 April 2015
Published:
11 May 2015
Abstract: The by-products of processed grape (grape seeds and grape peels) can be recovered for further food applications. Extracts of grape by-products were obtained with solvents of different polarity (aqueous acetone, methanol and ethanol) and assayed for their total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The high amount of total phenols was found in grape seeds. Higher yields of phenolic antioxidants were recovered with acetone. The recovery of phenolic antioxidants from the peels and seeds of processed grape could be a valuable alternative to traditional disposal routes (including landfill), in particular for cooking grape varieties. The recycling process could enhance the growth of traditional culinary markets thanks to the new business opportunities for the peel-derived and seed-derived materials.
Abstract: The by-products of processed grape (grape seeds and grape peels) can be recovered for further food applications. Extracts of grape by-products were obtained with solvents of different polarity (aqueous acetone, methanol and ethanol) and assayed for their total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The high amount of total phenols was found in ...
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Radon, Thoron and Progeny Measured in Urban Health Centres and the Resulting Radiation Doses to Doctors, Nurses and Patients from the Inhalation of Air
M. A. Misdaq,
A. Matrane,
J. Ouguidi
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3, June 2015
Pages:
139-151
Received:
18 April 2015
Accepted:
29 April 2015
Published:
11 May 2015
Abstract: Doctors and nurses spent about 8 hours a day inside urban health centres examining a large number of patients. To assess radiation dose due to the attached and unattached fractions of the short-lived alpha-emitting radon decay products from the inhalation of air by working personnel and patients, concentrations of these radionuclides as well as those of radon and thoron gases were measured in indoor air of different health centres in the city of Marrakech (Morocco) by means of CR-39 and LR-115 type II solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs). Committed equivalent doses per hour of exposure due to the attached and unattached fractions of 218Po and 214Po radon short-lived progeny were evaluated in different tissues of the respiratory tract of individuals from the inhalation of air inside the studied health centres. The influence of the activity of the attached and unattached fractions of 218Po and 214Po and mass of the tissue on the committed equivalent doses per hour of exposure was investigated. Annual committed effective doses due to the attached and unattached fractions of218Po and 214Po radon short-lived progeny from the inhalation of air by doctors, nurses and patients inside the studied hospitals were determined. A maximum value of 7.1 mSv y-1 was found for doctors working 40 hours per week.
Abstract: Doctors and nurses spent about 8 hours a day inside urban health centres examining a large number of patients. To assess radiation dose due to the attached and unattached fractions of the short-lived alpha-emitting radon decay products from the inhalation of air by working personnel and patients, concentrations of these radionuclides as well as tho...
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Physicochemical Assay of Water of Kashmir Lakes: A Preliminary Comparative Study
Muhammad Aslam Mirza,
Muhammad Aziz Choudhary,
Muhammad Yar Khuhawar,
Rafee Arain,
Asima Naz,
Kauser Yasmeen
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3, June 2015
Pages:
152-162
Received:
16 April 2015
Accepted:
29 April 2015
Published:
12 May 2015
Abstract: The lakes of Kashmir are generally shallow and situated in flood plans of the river Jhelum. In most of the lakes, thermal stratification is uncommon, and stable stratification occurs only in deeper lakes such as Manabal and Mangla lakes having depth within the range 12-30 m. Anthropogenic contamination of lakes water is one of the concerns that have received attention at local, regional and global levels due to their toxicological impacts and importance in ecosystems. This preliminary study was designed to investigate the comparative physicochemical profile of the water of Mangla, Baghsar and Benjosa lakes of Kashmir. Twenty six parameters including alkalinity, salinity, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total hardness (TH), chloride, sulphate, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Pb, Cd, Ni, Co, Zn, and Cu were recorded. Suitability of lakes water for irrigation was checked by using US Salinity diagram, permeability index (PI) and Wilcox diagram. Cluster analysis was carried out to investigate the similarity levels among the selected parameters. Piper’s diagram, sodium percentage and residual sodium carbonate (RSC) data served as information tool to understand the ecological status of the water of lakes. COD and BOD patterns in Mangla and Baghsar lakes indicated dual anoxic conditions of the water-rock soil interface and anthropogenic impact while Banjosa showed aerobic activity at the interface. Increasing rate of tourist traffic and greater habitational influence seems to be a major factor contributing towards raising trophic levels of these lakes.
Abstract: The lakes of Kashmir are generally shallow and situated in flood plans of the river Jhelum. In most of the lakes, thermal stratification is uncommon, and stable stratification occurs only in deeper lakes such as Manabal and Mangla lakes having depth within the range 12-30 m. Anthropogenic contamination of lakes water is one of the concerns that hav...
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Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Spring and Well Water in Bamenda III (NW Region, Cameroon)
Alice Magha,
Margaret Tita Awah,
Gus Djibril Kouankap Nono,
Pierre Wotchoko,
Mispa Ayuk Tabot,
Veronique Kamgang Kabeyene
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3, June 2015
Pages:
163-173
Received:
16 April 2015
Accepted:
22 April 2015
Published:
16 May 2015
Abstract: Bamenda is a major town in the NW Region of Cameroon and constitutes part of the Cameroon Volcanic line. In the frame of this work, four springs and three wells in the Bamenda III council area were investigated to evaluate the physico-chemical and bacteriological characteristics of their waters. All the water points yielded pH values below 6.5 and were classified as acidic water. Electrical conductivity ranged between 0.04-2.38μm/cm. The relative abundance of major ions (meq/l) was Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+>Na+ for cations and HCO3ˉ > SO42ˉ > NO3ˉ > PO43ˉ for anions. Major ion concentrations were within the WHO guidelines for drinking water, but Ca2+ (110-1770mg/l) and Mg2+ (97.05-236.85mg/l) concentrations were much higher and above WHO limits. Main water types in the dry season were Ca-Mg-HCO3 while in rainy season the main water types were Ca-Mg-HCO3 and a mixed Ca-Mg-SO4. Bacterial analysis revealed that the water samples were highly polluted and classified B, C and D according to Cheesbrough classification. The spring and well waters analysed are not suitable for drinking and domestic purposes therefore the population of Bamenda III which depends on the mentioned water for drinking and domestic purposes may face serious health problems if appropriate actions are not taken to prevent and mitigate the problems.
Abstract: Bamenda is a major town in the NW Region of Cameroon and constitutes part of the Cameroon Volcanic line. In the frame of this work, four springs and three wells in the Bamenda III council area were investigated to evaluate the physico-chemical and bacteriological characteristics of their waters. All the water points yielded pH values below 6.5 and ...
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