Earth Science

The unwise use of the natural environment due to ignorance and greed of man amongst others has led to the degradation of the environment. An approximately total area of 25.58km2 of Obosi land were surveyed and examined. Based on the morphology and the relief of the surveyed area, three mapping units, MU1-lowland areas, MU11-upland areas and MU111- gullied area were established. Profile pit samples collected from these three mapping units were used to study the impact of land degradation on the physicochemical properties of Obosi land. The findings from the study showed that the texture of the soils varied from sandy loam to loamy sand. The soils reaction (pH) is extremely acidic through moderate acidity to alkaline, ranging from 4.8-8.0. The organic matter content of the soils is very low, 0.32-1.34gkg-1, the nitrogen content and exchangeable acidity of the soils were observed to be low, while exchangeable A13+ was found to be totally absent in all the horizons of profile C except 35-65cm, AB horizon with a record value of 0.2cmlkg-1. The C/N of the soils were observed to vary from 2.14-29.29 with an exceptional high value of 54.06 at profile pit B, horizon AB 35-90cm. The available phosphorous (P) of the soils was observed to be completely absent in profile pit A and B and some horizons of profile pit C and D. In those horizons where values were obtained the recorded value was low and range from 0.94-14.93mgkg-1. Generally the findings from the study revealed that the impact of land degradation was great on the soils of Obosi as the nutrient element studied were below their critical level. The causes of the prevailing land degradation processes in Obosi land were found to include massive de-vegetation of the entire area, industrialization, undulating topography and relief of the area and the high erodibility of the soils.

The physico-chemical characteristics of Otamiri River were investigated using digital meters and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). The aim of the study was to provide information that will be useful in the sustainable development of the River. The results indicates that the mean pH concentrations of the Otamiri river obtained at four strategic gauge stations designated SSWS1 - Egbu, SSWS2 –Timber Market, SSWS3 – FUTO and Downstream-Mbirichi were 6.45, 6.58, 6.45 and 6.50 respectively for the mean pH while the mean values for Pb2+ were 0.02, 0.02, 1.67 and 0.02 mg/l respectively, that of Cd2+ was 0.004, 0.0036, 0.004 and 0.002 mg/l respectively while the mean concentrations for Fe+ were 0.01, 0.016, 0.23 and 0.10 mg/l. The result of stream sediment samples indicates that the concentrations of pH were 5.8, 5.90, 6.30 and 4.45 respectively while mean concentrations values for Pb2+ were 0.08, 0.07, 0.06 and 0.05 mg/kg respectively while the values for Cd2+ were 0.32, 0.28, 0.30 and 0.25 mg/kg respectively. The values for Hg were 0.10, 0.13, 0.15 and 0.18 mg/kg. The results for both water and sediment samples with respect to pH and some heavy metal concentrations were not in conformity with World Health Organisation (2011) standard for safe drinking water as well as Federal Ministry of Environment (2006) standard for soil respectively thus, constitute a threat to the River; these are attributed to waste dumps and anthropogenic activities around the four stations The Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) of the river indicates that it is excellent for irrigation purposes even though correction of the pH needed to be done. The pollution index (PI) of the river shows that it is tending towards its critical value of 1. The pH of the water can be treated using sodium bicarbonate while the sediment by liming method while the excessive concentrations of heavy metals can be treated using acornic acid.

The present study was the suitability and quality of groundwater for irrigation and domestic purposes in premonsoon and postmonsoon. Groundwater samples were collected in seventy locations in both the seasons in the year of 2016. Various physicochemical tests were carried out and WQI was calculated based on pH, TDS, Ec, TH, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, So4, HCo3and F. The comparison between the premonsoon and postmonsoon reveals that very good range 27% and 6%, and good to permissible range in premonsoon 73% and in postmonsoon 94% of the water samples were fit for drinking.

This geophysical investigation of groundwater is aimed at delineating the aquiferous units around the western part of the Lower Imo River Basin by determining their depths, thicknesses, resistivities and the potential borehole depth at various locations within the area employing the technique of Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) using the Schlumberger array. Twenty two sounding stations were established. Four to six geo-electric layers comprising the top soil, clayey sand, dry sandstone, saturated sandstone, shaley sand and sandy shale were delineated with the later usually occurring as the last layer. The third and fourth layers underlying dry sandstone form the aquiferous unit. This unit was found to have an average resistivity value range of 10.7–6060?m and an average thickness of 32 m. Longitudinal Conductance increases towards the Southeast with a high closure around Umuduru Egbe Aguru. Conversely, Transverse Resistance increases towards the Northwest with a very high closure around Dikenafai and Mgbee axis. These confirm the difficulties often experienced during ground water exploitation in these localities. The Northern part of the study area has high thickness of aquifer units ranging from 50-80m. Similarly too, high depth to water table and consequent high possible Total Drill Depth (TDD) were mapped within the Northern part of the area. The reverse is the case for the South being dominated by the highly prolific Benin Formation. It was advised that care ought to be taken in drilling and casing at shallow aquiferous areas to maintain proper sanitary condition so as to reduce the risk of groundwater contamination.

Uzeeba Shale is investigated for the first time for palynological content in order to determine its geological age and suggest its lithological equivalent. This is based on the recovery of miospores through laboratory processes that involved digestion, maceral floatation and mounting of the organic matter on slides for analysis under the microscope. However, the occurrences of index fossils that are stratigraphically important were used for dating of the Uzeeba sequence. The shale is generally light to dark grey in color and fissile in nature. An informal zone Milfordia jardinei/Foveotriletes margaritae assemblage zone is established for the studied section. The lower part of the outcrop section is dated Campanian based on the co-occurrence of Milfordia jardinei, Milfordia sp, Cupanieidites reticularis, Tetradites sp and quantitative occurrence of monocolpate pollen; while the upper lithofacies segment is assigned Lowermost Maastrichtian age based on the co-occurrence of Proteacidites sp, Retidiporites magdalenensis, low frequency of Monocolpites marginatus, Ctenolophonidites costatus, Longapertites marginatus, Periretisyncolpiyes sp, Syncolporites sp, Proxapertites cursus, and Constructipollenites ineffectus. Some of the forms that are diagnostic of Maastrichtian are found to have evolved in Campanian time. The Uzeeba Shale is laterally equivalent to Nkporo Shale lying in the adjacent Anambra Basin based on lithology, palynofacies and age. Thus, the Uzeeba Shale is here dated Campanian–Lowermost Maastrichtian age. The paleoenvironment of deposition of the Uzeeba Shale is mainly marginal marine characterized by co-occurrence of dinoflagellate cysts such as Phelodinium bolonienae, Senegalinium sp, Paleocysttodinium golzownse, microforaminiferal wall lining and Botryococcus braunii which are known to be environmentally significant for transitional environment.

A main part of Iran is considered as arid and semi-arid regions as well as water is one of the limited factors for these areas. Controlling the destructive floods is an important activity due to destructive floods and water shortages. In this regard, flood spreading is an effective strategy to control and use floods. To determine suitable areas for flood spreading and direct water into a permeable formation is one of the most important factors in determining the success of flood spreading projects. The present study was conducted to combine and compare the Delphi and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for flood spreading in Ivar watershed, NE Iran. For this purpose, 4 main criteria, 8 sub-criteria and 24 indices were selected. Percentage and degree of importance for criteria, sub-criteria and indices of flood spreading was determined by AHP in Expert Choice. Questionnaire forms were filled in by experts so that those which have high degree and percentage of importance are more important. After that, the maps were prepared by geographic information system (GIS). Based on the results of AHP and Expert Choice, the highest and lowest relative importance was recorded for sediment volume and Unemployment rate, respectively. According to Delphi technique, indices of soil permeability, flood quality, soil texture, slope, aqueduct, and sub-criteria of water, aquifer, topography, as well as criteria of permeability and flood are important in order in locating flood spreading for Ivar watershed. According to the results of the techniques used in this study, it is revealed that criteria, sub-criteria and indices in Delphi and AHP have approximate results. Hence, using these techniques interchangeably in location of flood spreading can be effective and practical.

This paper is aimed at evaluating the prospecting potential of the reservoir sands of D-field onshore Niger Delta located around 23km west of Uyo, Nigeria. The field covers an area of approximately 6.9km2, located around latitudes 6o 13’N and 6o 14’N and longitudes 7o18’E and 7o20’E. Well logs from eight wells were used – together with the seismic section, to evaluate these potentials from two reservoirs (D-A and D-B) in the field. D-A revealed average porosity and permeability of 0.22 and 7,390md respectively while D-B revealed average porosity and permeability of 0.21 and 3,714md respectively. D-A has 23MBO of oil while D-B has 80MBO. Both reservoirs will yield their oil at irreducible water saturation condition.

For the last two decades, the government strategy in most developing countries has been focusing on the development policy of rural areas. This is caused by the slower socioeconomic development in these areas compared to that of the urban areas. The flaw in the previous development policy, which concentrated more on the development of rural areas, has resulted in the regression of the rural areas. For that reason, rural development concept has become the government strategy in improving the standard of living and socio-economic of the rural community, particularly for the poor people. Most of the rural community members are less active and hardly become involved in the government development programmes. Moreover, their economic activities are concentrated on agricultural based activities which provide low proceeds and unprofitable. Therefore, new policy has been legislated to ensure that the rural community will be free from poverty and regression through active involvement in the development of the rural tourism sector. The government anticipates that the development in the rural tourism sector particularly in homestay tourism will be able to boost the socioeconomic development of the community in the areas involved. It is for the reason that, the homestay tourism is able to make the most of nature’s beauty as well as the community’s idyllic customs and cultures as appealing strategies to attract tourists to come to their village, which in turn will heighten the tourism activities in the area. Ever since it was introduced, the homestay tourism has gained encouraging responses that it is utilized as the strategy to overcome poverty in rural areas. Since then, the homestay tourism has attracted tourists, particularly international tourists. Through homestay tourism, participants are given the opportunity to experience the difference in the way of living and customs of the local community as well as given accommodation package throughout their stay in the chosen village. The implementation of the homestay programme offers opportunity to the tourists to be aware of and understand the cultures and the way of life of the local community as they, themselves will be experiencing the village life. This research uses questionnaire distributed to 70 homestay proprietors in Banghuris, Selangor. Based on the fieldwork carried out in Banghuris, it is evident that the homestay tourism has been able to bring in socio-economic changes ever since it was implemented. Therefore, this research proves that the homestay tourism is able to be a medium of the strategy to overcome poverty in rural areas, and above all in improving the community’s income rate as well as receiving outside influence for the betterment of their lives.

This research investigates and reports the mineralogy, geochemistry, industrial implications and protolith of a marble deposit in the basement complex of Owan-East, Edo-State, Southwestern Nigeria. Field geology revealed the marble is interbedded with calc-silicate gneiss, quartz-biotite schist, polygenetic metaconglomerate, mica schist and quartzite. The marble occurs as lenses within the gneiss and overlain by a thin gritty tropical soil. The fine-grained marble occurs in three colour varieties (white, grey, and banded). The banded type exhibits strong axial foliation which is concordant with NNE-SSW regional strike with westerly dip ranging between 68° and 82°. Petrographic investigation revealed that calcite and dolomite account for over 85% of the marble. X-ray diffraction showed the marble is composed of calcite (52%), dolomite (35%), accessory quartz (6%), biotite (4%) and feldspar (2%). Optical and X-ray results indicate the bands in the banded variety represents clay impurities in the original limestone protolith.The marble is calcitic (CaO, 51.7-60.76%; MgO, 1.42 – 2.57%) with average Mg2+/Ca2+ ratio of 3:100. Average alkali (Na2O + K2O) contents (1.13%) suggest deep water, low saline (estuarine, brackish to paralic) environment of deposition for the ancient limestone. Alumina content of the marble (white, 0.5 %; grey 0.35 % and foliated 3.49 %) (total average: 1.45 %) and that of Fe2O3 (white, 0.19 %; grey 0.5 % and foliated 1.78) (total average: 0.82 %) exceed those of other marble deposits in southwestern Nigeria. Silica Ratio (SR) (1.28), Alumina Ratio (AR) (3.54), and Lime Saturation Factor (LSF) (537.75) suggest the marble is useful in the manufacture of cement. The marble also meets industrial specifications for fertilizer production and as refractory lime.

The study was carried out to characterize selected conglomerates of the Banket Series of the Tarkwaian at Tarkwa area and related the textures and mineralogy to gold grade and recovery. The conglomerates contain 60-90% quartz pebbles, with the matrix being fine to medium and rarely composed of coarse-grained quartz. The gold ore also comprises of minor fine-grained ore minerals, sericite, and chlorite. The quartz pebbles were glassy, milky and partially recrystallized into sugary varieties. Primary sedimentary textural characteristics of sub-rounded to rounded pebbles of about 0.5 cm to 3.0 cm diameter are common. The quartz pebbles are moderately sorted and well packed. Gold in the ore ranges from 0.78 - 3.86 g/t such that high-grade ores had glassy quartz pebbles whiles medium to low-grade ores had sugary varieties. Gold recovery (38.66 - 95.08%), generally increased with increase in the percentage of the matrix volume. It is also higher in ore containing grey quartz and containing much ore minerals; lowest recoveries have high quartz, low matrix volume, and richer in quartz. Also, associated with lower recovery was higher chlorite content which may require more metallurgical treatment for efficient recovery.

Beekeeping is among the livelihood diversification strategies likely affected by climate variability. The variation in temperature and rainfall influence forage phenology impacting on honey production in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) in Kenya. The study focused on the relationship between rainfall variability on honey production among the pastoral communities. Rainfall variability was exhibited in the study area in some circumstances drought was experienced annually. On average, 19 plant species were recorded that the bees prefer in the study area. Rainfall variability has significant positive correlation (r=0.423;p=0.00) on the effect on plant phenology thus altering flowering periods of many of the forage plants, changing the foraging behaviour of bees resulting to decrease in honey production. The findings of this study indicate that variation in rainfall has had an adverse effect on honey production and therefore there is need to incorporate land management strategies that will improve honey production in ASALs for sustainable livelihoods among pastoral communities in the context of climate variability.

This study is aimed at estimating the sedimentary thickness of the Upper Benue Trough (Nigeria) as revealed by the Aeromagnetic data using the Spectral Analysis and Euler Deconvolution techniques. The area investigated covers from 090 00’ - 100 00’N and from 110 30’ - 120 30’E. An average sediment thickness of 3.98km was estimated which could favour hydrocarbon accumulation and maturation. There is a NE-SW increase in sedimentary thickness which varied from 2.2km to around 5.2km; it is thickest in the NE region. Verification was performed using the Euler deconvolution method which revealed clusters of Euler depth solutions within the low magnetic zones of interest (between 2km and above 3km). Combining both methods implies that a sedimentary depth of up to 4km (to 5km) could be possible especially in the Yola, Mayo Balewa and Bubila regions which thus increase the probability of hydrocarbon maturation and entrapment in these areas.

Etu field is located along the proximal margin of the Coastal Swamp I depobelt, a subbasin within the Niger Delta clastic wedge formed by margin collapse into underlying undercompacted shale. A Petrophysical framework evaluation for Etu field was constructed by combining data from Seven (7) Well Logs within hundreds of meters thick, define layers of reservoirs and sealing strata formed during episodic progradational and retrogradation of deltaic shorelines. The quality of the reservoirs are moderate to good and in some distal reservoirs, they are excellent. The average porosity values are approximately the same, but have variation in permeability which could be as a result of compaction of older reservoirs on the proximal part of the field. A total of thirty seven (37) reservoirs between 3000-4500 (m) were demonstrated. Sixteen (16) of the reservoirs are oil bearing, Six (6) are gas bearing while Fourteen (14) are water saturated

The removal of hydrocarbons from contaminated soil is an essential practice because of environmental and health concerns, and in order to avoid further contamination of surface and groundwater. A variety of oil-contaminated soil remediation methods, categorized as physiochemical, biological and thermal remediation were compiled and summarized. However, the efficiency of these methods depends on several factors, such as the amount of spilled oil and the penetration depth of the oil into the soil, the type of oil and polluted soil, and the age and degree of contamination. With respect to remediation in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, it has been shown by studies that bioremediation and phytoremediation are the best methods that have been used in the area for the remediation of petroleum in soil due to the fact that it is cheap, easy to manage (even by the community), proved to be effective in enhancing biodegradation and environmentally safe. Finally, as there is no universal method that can be generally applied to completely remove the oil from contaminated sites, thus, the prevention of oil spills or leakages should be the first concern. However, if oil spills or leakages occur, a response should be taken immediately to minimize the potential environmental consequences. Furthermore, constant environmental monitoring, assessment, and evaluation to determine the level of damage that is caused by oil spills on the environment.

The effect of fly ash additions on the mechanical properties of ceramic tile composition has been investigated. Fly ash addition in the range of 0-30wt% (Class-A) and 0-30wt% (Class-B) have been added into the tile body composition, wet milled, spray dried,shaped and fired at different temperatures (900, 1000,1050 and 1100 C). The MOR strength improved with increasing fly ash content and reached maximum when 30wt% (Class-A) and 20wt% (Class-B) fly ash used, and with greater additions it decreased. A linear correlation between strength development and Mullite formation was found. The tile with 30wt% fly ash (Class-A) and 20wt% (Class-B) have improved bending strength and have lowest porosities. The effects of fly ash incorporation on the mechanical properties of ceramic tiles and found that a small amount of fly ash addition improves the strength of the ceramic tiles.

This paper estimated the Overpressure magnitudes as well as the resulting “required mud weights” for safe drilling in three Niger Delta Wells (PNW1, WSW2, and WSE1) .PNW1 revealed maximum overpressure magnitude at the depth of 16,000ft with pressure value of 13,120psig. WSW2 showed maximum overpressure magnitude at the depth of 11,600ft with pressure value of 14,500psig while WSE1 revealed an overpressure value of 12,050psig at the depth of 10,700ft considered as depth of maximum pressure. These were all derived based on plots of dc-exponent versus depth; the required mud weight for safe drilling especially at the maximum overpressure were as well computed. PNW1 is located at about 77.2km, N31.6oW of Port Harcourt, WSW2 is located at about 65.2km, S61oW of Warri, while WSE1 is located around 30.3km, S14.6oE of Warri; these towns are all in Nigeria. This method can stand alone as an Overpressure prediction and estimation tool since the parameters it requires are obtained while drilling.

The protection of environment and natural resources has high importance in achieving sustainable development. Desertification is one of the major issues threatening human communities. This phenomenon threatens about 40% of the global land surface and has influenced the life of 785 million people. In recent years, desertification control and reduction have been the most important projects in national and international organizations. Many methods have been developed for assessment and mapping of desertification hazards. Decision making problem is the process of finding the best option from all of the feasible alternatives. In almost all such problems the multiplicity of criteria for judging the alternatives is pervasive. That is, for many such problems, the decision maker wants to solve a multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) problem. Purpose of this study is ranking of plant species in order to stabilize sand dunes in dealing with the spread of desertification.according this research Haloxlylon Species with (0/943) point promotes in first rank among 7 studied Species and thus it is the most appropriate Species for stabilize sand dunes in dealing with the spread of desertification and Alhagi maurorum with (0/020) point goes down to the last rank and so it isn`t suitable for stabilize sand dunes and Species (Salsola Kali, Peganum harmala, Seidlitzia rosmarinus, Astragalus, Tamarix hispida) with (0/629, 0/559, 0/485, 0/394, 0/329) points are located in next ranks.

The level of trace elements in groundwater from the southernwestern periphery of the Volta Lake (Manya Krobo area) was determined and their origin assessed by estimating pH, TDS, saturated index (SI), hardness, alkalinity, hardness alkalinity ratio (HAR), groundwater acidification (Aci) and acid neutralizing capacity (ANC). Aluminum, manganese, iron and vanadium concentrations in groundwater at most areas were higher than originally anticipated (i.e. in excess of the WHO recommended guideline values) of a non-mining area. Dissolution of aquifer materials probably enhanced by moderately acidic waters is responsible for mobilization of trace elements in the groundwater in the area. The groundwater samples are generally undersaturated with respect to most of carbonate phases. Though pH showed slightly acidic waters, calculated groundwater acidification (Aci) was low (in fact, negative) and hardness alkalinity ratios (HAR) were consistently less than unity suggesting influence of weak acid probably of natural origin. The positive acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) values recorded throughout indicated a long-lasting superfluous in the acid-buffering capacity of the groundwater in the Manya Krobo area along the Volta Lake. Therefore, it is necessary to incorporate other trace metals removal techniques into borehole operations beyond removal of iron.

The unresolved land issue in Chepyuk ward for decades had adversely affected farming competitiveness in spite of the region being fertile and viable for competitive farm production. Lack of security of tenure on the untitled land had a direct bearing on investment (farm inputs) and therefore to a large extends affected farm output. Despite many researches that had been undertaken on Chepyuk land issue, land and conflict had been widely studied rather than farming competitiveness. The studies on farming competitiveness in Chepyuk ward remains scanty and therefore justify more research on the aspect of farming competitiveness. The main objective of this study was to assess the influence of the local culture on land administration and its effects on farming competitiveness in Chepyuk Ward of Bungoma County. A descriptive survey research design was used in this study. The study was guided by theory of land ownership in a free society advanced by Ingalls (2012). The target population was 3120, households, 10 land officers and 10 agricultural officers located at the county level. Multistage sampling technique was used in this study where Simple random sampling was employed when selecting 312 respondents among the households. Five Land officers and Five Agricultural officers were respectively and purposefully sampled for this study. The researcher used questionnaires, interviews and document analysis as the main tools for collecting data. The data from the questionnaires, interviews and document analysis was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The researcher used frequencies and percentages in summarizing data. Information obtained through interviews was discussed to support or dispute the findings from the questionnaires. Tables were used to present the data for purposes of interpretation. The study informs Ministry of lands on the existing gaps in the fight against irregular allocation of land. The study also enables land policy experts in the government review existing mechanisms and systems set to support the Chepyuk area residents in dealing with cases that bring about land conflicts in the area and entire nation. Cultural norms of the community also denied women land ownership rights. The Land officers and Agricultural officers gave similar opinion. Lack of land documentation denied people opportunity to seriously venture into farming with sole aim of attaining food security and profit negatively affecting livelihood of the residents. The government should reposes illegally acquired plots and re-issue to the rightful owners, it should also process land titles for the scheme. The community should also be sensitized to embrace gender equity on land allocations. This will enable residents to actively engage in farming activities hence enhance farming competitiveness in Chepyuk ward. 

An assessment of the quality of Lessel and Korinya baryte deposits was carried out by analyzing their geochemical properties using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results shows that the mean concentrations of BaO, FeO, Cao, MgO, Al2O3, Fe2O3 and SiO2 of Lessel baryte were 77.22, 0.07,1.03, , 0.03, 0.03, 2.25 and 19.08% respectively while at Korinya, the mean concentrations of these parameters were 83.96, 0.04, 2.24, 0.02, 0.03, 2.35 and 11.25% respectively. The result also show that the mean specific gravity of Lessel and Korinya barite depositswere 4.25 and 4.31 respectively. Although the two baryte deposits exhibits close chemical relationship, the Korinya baryte is relatively better in quality in terms of BaO, FeO , SiO2 and specific gravity values. On the basis of BaO,FeO and specific gravity, the two baryte deposits can be used as a weighting material in oil and natural gas drilling. The two barytes are also suitable for glass, paint, and paper production on the basis of their Bao and Al2O3 contents. However, in terms of FeO and SiO2, the two baryte deposits would require beneficiation before being used for glass production. The two barytes would also require beneficiation in terms of FeO contents before being used forfor paint and paper production. The results also indicates that the Lessel and Korinya barytes can be used in the cosmetics, construction and pharmaceutical industries as well as filling materials in the ceramics industry.

This paper deals with the geotechnical investigation of Geopathic Stress Zone. The energy from the earth at specific locations that have the ability to change the normal functioning of human system is called Geopathic Stress. In Structures, soil is an important component; change in Geotechnical Properties of the soil affects the stability of the structure. Experimental investigations on soil at Geopathic Stress Zone reveal that there is change in the properties of soil, due to such energies emitted by the earth, 30% of accidents take place. Investigations carried out by the researchers at mysterious accidental spots on Mumbai-Pune expressway has confirmed accidents occur due to existence of Geopathic stress, but there is no geotechnical investigations carried out on such accidental spots. This paper aims at finding out the change in soil properties due to presence of Geopathic Stress Zone. The conclusions are justified by carrying out different tests on soil such as, “determination of water-content, specific gravity, density, plastic and liquid limits, conductivity, electrical Resistivity and pH value.” The variation in the values of the Geotechnical Properties of soil at Geopathic stress zone is remarkable.

The Bibiani government hospital over the years has recorded high cases of hypertension, anaemia and muscoskeletal pain. Analysis of data acquired from the Bibiani government hospital showed that, cases of hypertension increased in the years 2015, 2016 and 2017. Similar trend was observed for the other diseases. Using the World Health Organisation standard age categorisation to know the age distribution of the reported cases, of the total number of cases reported for the respective diseases, the adult age group recorded higher percentages. The infant age group, recorded an abnormal percentage for anaemia cases. However, the high percentages recorded for the adult and infant age category needs to be investigated. The groundwater quality parameters were compared with the World Health Organisation WHO and Burae of Indian Standard (BIS). Essential trace elements namely Iron, Zinc, Copper and Magnesium were found to be deficient in the drinking water of the inhabitants of Bibiani. The deficiency of the above-mentioned trace elements can be assessed as a possible source to health problems in Bibiani.

The structural complexity within the basement complex of Zaria batholith makes refraction survey and interpretation a very difficult task. Assignment of picked travel time into different layers which is critical for refraction tomography inversion is almost impossible, because it is very difficult to determine when the refraction event becomes the first break in a processed seismic data. Therefore, this research work is aimed at designing a technique that will help in establishing the time at which the refraction event becomes the first break in such situation. The procedure involves conventional travel time plots, identification of the time at which the refraction energy arrives with the aid of the conventional time plot, assignment of layers to the various travel time picks and the tomography inversion process. The results of the conventional travel time plots revealed that average time at which the refraction event becomes the first break was determined to be 33 ms. This was used to assign layers to the travel time picks that were used for tomography inversion that generated a tomography model that correlated very well with a borehole log sited at the centre of the profile. It was concluded that conventional refraction travel time plot will serve as a viable tool for estimating the time at which the refraction event becomes the first break necessary for refraction tomography inversion in regions of substantial complexity or for seismic refraction data that has very low signal to noise ratio.

Physiochemical parameters of river water and groundwater samples from Morang and Gumani river basin, Jharkhand was assessed to find out their suitability for domestic and irrigation use. Water samples were categorized as Ca2+ – Mg2+ – HCO3- hydro-geochemical facies and cation and anions are mainly derived from the rock. Individual concentration of Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ , Cl-, F- and SO42+ are within the prescribed limit of WHO and BIS standards. However, NO3- of one groundwater is higher than the permissible limit. River and groundwater is safe for irrigation as per the Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP) or %Na, Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) and salinity hazard parameter. Magnesium hazard (MH) river water is not suitable for the irrigation and special care needs prior to use.

Hydrostratigraphic mapping and results of pumping test analysis were used to investigate groundwater occurrence and the hydraulic properties of the aquifer systems in the Wuro Juli well field, near Gombe Metropolis, Gombe Sub Basin. The well field is comprised of a set of 13 deep boreholes developed to improve public water supply to Gombe Township. The delineated aquifers have several formation boundaries that inhibited lateral continuity of groundwater flow. At a discharge rate of between 43.20 m3/day and 613.44m3/day, the specific discharge (q) and Hydraulic Conductivity (K) values varied in the range of 1.17-2.03m3/day and 2.75 x 10-2 - 2.06 x 100 m2/day, respectively. The Application of both Chow’s method of Drawdown Analysis and Jacob’s Residual Drawdown Method to drawdown measured during multiple pumping tests in the well field yielded very low Transmissivity (T) and Storativity (S) values. T and S varied in the range of 3.13 x 10-5 - 3.50 x 10-4 m2/sec and 4.40 x 10-8 - 4.00 x 10-7, respectively. The analysis of the distance-drawdown data indicated that a resultant drawdown due to simultaneous pumping of two wells for about 200 minutes ranged from about 30m near the pumping wells to 0.50m over the more distant segments of the radius of influence. The low Transmissivity (T) and Storativity (S) values of the water supply aquifers in the well field caused very low range of cone of depression, culminating in huge drawdown values within some of the pumped wells. This tight cone of depression would limit the actualization of the projected abstraction rate of 4492.80m3/day (187.20m3/hr) required to temporary solve water supply problems in Gombe Town. Structural discontinuities and in particular very low aquifer recharge through rainfall were other important parameters that contributed to the limitation of the groundwater potentials of Wuro Juli well field.

A substantial part of Nigeria is part of semi-arid areas of the world, underlain by basement complex (hard) rocks which are very poor in both transmission and storage of appreciable quantity of water. Recently, a growing attention is being paid on the need to develop water resources in these areas largely due to concerns about increasing droughts and the need to maintain water security challenges. While there is ample body of knowledge that captures the hydrological behaviours of the sedimentary part, reported research which unambiguously illustrates water distribution in the basement complex of the Sokoto basin remains sparse. Considering the growing need to meet the water requirements of those living in this region necessitated the call for accurate water balance estimations that can inform a sustainable planning and development to address water security challenges for the area. To meet this task, a one-dimensional soil water balance model was developed and utilised to assess the state of water distribution within the Sokoto basin basement complex using measured meteorological variables and information about different landscapes within the complex. The model simulated the soil water storage and rates of input and output of water in response to climate and irrigation where applicable using data from 2001 to 2010 inclusive. The results revealed areas within the Sokoto basin basement complex that are rich and deficient in groundwater resource. The high potential areas identified includes the fadama, the fractured rocks and the cultivated lands, while the low potential areas are the sealed surfaces and non-fractured rocks. This study concludes that the modelling approach is a useful tool for assessing the hydrological behaviour and for better understanding the water resource availability within a basement complex.

The groundwater of Igbokoda Coastal Area of Nigeria is characterized by high iron concentrations. Excess iron (Fe) at concentrations above 0.3mg/L in water can give an unpleasant metallic taste and its health effects may include warding off fatigue and anemia. This study therefore assessed the implications of excess Fe in Igbokoda coastal groundwater. The research was carried out using the WHO recommended guideline values, the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) and Larson Index (LI). Hydrochemical results revealed that the pH ranged from 6.8 – 9.8, EC from 67 – 2440(µS/cm), TDS from 43.55 – 1586 (mg/L) and TH from 66.36 – 369.22mg/L. In addition, the selected anions (mg/L) including HCO3, SO4 and Cl ranged from 15.25 – 152.50, 0.00 – 5.32 and 72.00 – 2592.00 respectively. Calcium varied from19.21 – 104.32mg/L and Mg from 3.36 – 75.01mg/L. Iron ranged between 0.01 and 13.74(mg/L) with Mn from 0.00 – 1.00(mg/L). The hydrochemical contents are within approved WHO standard values for potable water except for EC, TH, Cl, Fe and Mn concentrations that exceeded the standard values in some locations. About 97% of the groundwater samples for this research have TH>80mg/L and may not be suitable for domestic purposes as it coagulates soap lather. The chloride values were higher than approved WHO standard of 250mg/L in twenty one locations representing 54% of the groundwater samples. The high chloride values were attributed to saltwater intrusion in the area and could accelerate corrosion of stainless steel even at values as low as 50mg/L. In this research, all LI values in all groundwater samples were greater than 0.5 while 78% have negative LSI values indicating corrosive water. Both LI and LSI revealed significantly that the groundwater of Igbokoda coastal area is corrosive. High levels of Fe and Mn in the groundwater of the study area can result in discoloured water, stain plumbing fixtures and inflict unpleasant metallic taste on the water. In addition, it could result into diseases of aging (Alzheimer’s disease, other neurodegenerative diseases, arteriosclerosis, diabetes mellitus). The groundwater in the coastal area of Igbokoda must be treated by aeration or chlorination which should be followed by physical filtration to allay the health risks of excess iron in the groundwater of the study area.

The concentration of lead, nickel, magnesium, copper and chromium in ground water resources across sapele local government area were assessed in other to ascertain if their concentration show conformity to world health organization (WHO) stipulated standard. In this study, fifty ground water samples were collected randomly across the study area. The result obtained shows that nickel, chromium, copper ranges from 0.90 – 1.00, BDL – 0.06, 0.30 – 1.40, BDL – 0.15GML-1 respectively while lead was below detection limits. The result when matched with world health organization standard revealed that the water are portable.

Sand is an important mineral for the construction industry in the Kenyan society at large. However, protecting the environment in areas where this practice of sand mining takes place has become an environmental concern, given that the demand for sand increases with the growth of industry and construction. Sand mining though sustains the economy of the locals, can lead to considerable environmental damage which varies from pit formation to soil erosion. There is therefore need to put in place measures that can promote the economy of the locals and at the same time conserving the rich and diversified flora and fauna. The objectives of the study were: to identify effects of sand harvesting on land cover, flora and fauna; and to establish sustainable measures of land cover, flora and fauna along riparian land in Kisumu County.It was an experimental research design carried out usingmixed method approaches. A sample size study population of 384 was involved, which comprised of NGO staffs, County Council staffs, local area authority staffs, sand harvesters and the local community. The local communities were randomly sampled while purposive sampling was used to select respondents from the sand harvesters, area chiefs, NGOs and the County Council staffs. Data were collected by means ofself-administered questionnaires, guided interview schedules and observation check list by the researcher. The results indicated that there was negative impact of sand harvesting on land cover, flora and fauna on the riparian land along rivers. It also established the sustainable measures of land cover, flora and fauna in the study area.The research indicated that indeed the harvesting of sand is affecting the land cover, flora and faunaalong riparian land negatively. The vegetation, the wildlife and the land cover are destroyed as the top soil is harvested as sand. Further, the land for agriculture is turned into waste land due to sand harvesting by formation of pits. This has resulted in the loss of the natural beauty of the environment. Because there are also economic gains in sand harvesting, sustainable measures of land cover, flora and fauna along riparian land are recommended. These should include; regulating the harvesting periods or controlled harvesting, re-shaping of the land where sand has been harvested, advocating for continuousawareness and positive education programmes on conservation measures of land cover, flora and fauna and enacting necessary legislative laws aimed at conserving land cover, flora and fauna.

This paper examined some features of informal land market especially in the provision of services in Janruwa. The head of households served as the sample of the study. Simple random sampling technique was used in administering the questionnaires, while in analyzing the data obtained from the respondents descriptive statistics is employed. Most of the information gathered was from the residents of the study area. Informal interviews were also held with some staff of state Urban Development Board and Ministry of Lands and environment. It was found that, since the market operated outside any regulatory framework of the government, transactions in the markets were unrecorded; land purchases were exclusively funded through personal savings; plots were subdivided which were below official standards set for even the low density residential areas; proliferation of informal settlements and there are little or even non provision of basic services. A machinery for recording transaction in the market for the purpose of creating a cadastral data base for the area was recommended; activities of the informal land market should be regulated by government to check the dubious activities of land agents, formal lending institutions should be encouraged to fund the market, Bauchi State Urban Development Board should re-enforce planning and building regulations in Janruwa and Bauchi metropolis in general. Bauchi state government should also provide basic services in the study area.

Extensive field and site investigations were conducted to assess and evaluate the situation in the presently exploited quarries of cement raw materials in Yemen. These quarries have several geological complications represented mainly by high elevations, steep slopes, rugged topography, heterogeneity in bed thickness, lithologic composition and quality, presence of igneous sills and dykes, intensive fracturing and jointing and abundance of karstification features. Moreover, the processes of quarrying and related operations have several negative environmental impacts the most important of which are soil failure, overburden and land sliding, toppling and rock falls (which result in considerable mass wasting) and emission of dust and noise. Generally, quarrying operations are more hazardous in quarries of gypsum and basement rocks than in those of carbonates and volcanics. Furthermore, the quarries have problems related to the conservation of natural resources. These are represented primarily by the excavation of the valuable agricultural and reclaimed lands and improper exploitation of the cement raw materials and the fresh and underground waters the reserves of which decreased drastically. To deal with the above-mentioned problems, a number of recommendations are outlined. They comprise mitigation measures which must be strictly implemented. Also, it is of almost importance to conduct prospecting for new occurrences of the presently exploited cement raw materials and their possible substitutes as well as additional groundwater resources.

Major ion geochemistry was used to characterize the chemical composition of the groundwater in the Accra Plains and to understand its geochemical evolution. Sodium and chloride were the dominant ions in the groundwater. The TDS values increase south eastwards through the central part of the Plains towards the coast. Three hydrochemicsl facies which evolves from Na-Mg-Ca-Cl-HCO3 to Na-Ca-Cl was identified using the Piper diagram and Chadha proposed rectangular plot. The R-mode factor analysis result show that three factors account for 83.65% of the total variance in the hydrochemistry. Interpretation of the hydrochemical data suggested that mineral (silicate) weathering, cation-exchange and reverse ion–exchange control the chemical composition of the groundwater. The thermodynamic plots indicate that the groundwater is in equilibrium with kaolinite and montmorillonite minerals. The saturation index also indicated that about 47% of the groundwater samples were oversaturated with respect to calcite and dolomite.

Geoelectrical sounding technique has been used to determine the groundwater potential zones in Anambra state, Nigeria. The study area is underlain by four main geological formations. A total of four hundred and fifty-two (452) vertical electrical sounding (VES) was acquired over one hundred (100) locations, employing the Schlumberger array configurations. Static water level (SWL) and yield of the aquiferous layer at various observation points were determined by pumping test fifty (50) borehole sites. The depth, thickness, lateral extent and resistivity of aquiferous horizon were determined by the electrical survey. Aquifer hydraulic properties were inferred using the empirical relationships. Interpreted VES data show predominance of A and K curve type, indicating dry overburden, underlain by wet/saturated horizon. Comparisons of geoelectric sections and borehole logs in a SW-NE direction show fairly good match, while correlation of geoelectric sections along SW-NE direction show variation in depth for the suspected aquiferous horizon. 2D maps of resistivity, depth, thickness, transverse resistance, longitudinal conductance, coefficient of anisotropy, aquifer transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity were constructed. High values of estimated aquifer transmissivity predominate, thus suggesting thick and prolific aquiferous zone. Groundwater flow direction is variable in the study area. Two potential groundwater zones were identified based on aquifer transmissivity potentials, interplay of apparent resistivity, thickness and coefficient of anisotropy. They are the moderate and high potential zones. The various contour maps and the groundwater potential zones map will serve as a useful guide for groundwater exploration and development in the study area. The developed physical transforms can be adapted to other areas with similar geologic setting.

The concentration and distribution of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cr, As, Ni, Zn, Fe and Cu) lead, in soils of Warri and environs were examined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, in the rainy and dry seasons. A total of forty-eight soil samples were collected from parks, commercial areas, main roadside, from residential areas, and from industrial areas, as well as from control sites. The range of mean heavy metal concentrations during the rainy season were: Pb: >0.01 – 0.21mg/kg, Cd: >0.01 – 0.01, Cr: >0.01 - 2.61, As: >0.01, Ni: >0.01 – 0.17, Cu: >0.01 – 7.21, Fe: 0.44 – 1348.66, and Zn: >0.01 – 21.12. The range of mean heavy metal concentrations during the dry season were: Pb: >0.01 – 1.11mg/kg, Cd: >0.01 – 5.92, Cr: >0.05 – 6.12, As: 0.001- 0.01, Ni: >0.01 – 0.34, Cu: >0.01 – 8.12, Fe: 0.87 – 1451.02, and Zn: >0.01 – 19.58.The mean concentrations of heavy metals obtained in all the soil samples in the study area showed an increasing order of As>Cd>Pb>Ni>Cr>Zn>Cu>Fe in both rainy and dry season. The concentrations of heavy metals studied in soil of all sites in dry season were slightly higher than those in the rainy season. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was employed in order to further ascertain the sources of heavy metal in soils of the study area, and it revealed that the heavy metals in all the sampled media had a common origin and were associated with anthropogenic activities in the study area. Pearson’s correlation of heavy metals in the samples showed strong relationships among metals suggesting a similar distribution pattern and a combination of natural and anthropogenic sources. Spatial distribution maps of the study area showed that patterns of heavy metals were associated with several factors which include industrial activities such as gas flaring, high traffic density, and the geology of the study area. While measured concentrations are within international limits, there is cause for concern since metal concentrations in the sediment and surface water samples were elevated near some indusrial areas. Therefore, regular monitoring of the soils is essential to prevent excessive build-up of the toxic heavy metals in the soils and water resources of the study area.

A palynological study of forty ditch-cutting samples from CHEV-2 well drilled offshore in the Niger Delta showed that the sediments were mainly deposited during the Miocene age. Palynological assemblage was dominated by pollen and spores with rare occurrence of dinoflagellate cysts. The stratigraphic ranges of Retitricolporites irregularis, Psilatricolporites crassus, Echitritricolporites spinosus, Zonocostites ramonae, Foveotricolporites crassiexius, Monoporites annulatus, Psilatricolporites operculatus, Multiareolites formosus, Podocarpus milanjianus and some other marker species were used to demarcate five informal palynogical zones in the study area.

This work employs geoelectrical method to evaluate the resistivity of subsurface materials, characterize the aquifer hydraulic properties and delineate potential groundwater zones at Mpu town and its environs, Enugu state, Nigeria. Mpu lies within latitudes 050 57’ 0’’ and 060 02’ 0’’ N and longitude 0070 40’ 0’’ and 0070 45’ 0’’E with area extent of 55.37square km. The study area is underlain by Awgu Shale, with its lateral arenaceous facie; Owelli Sandstone outcropping north of Oduma. Fifteen (15) vertical electrical soundings (VES) were carried out within the study area, using the Schlumberger electrode configuration. Interpreted VES data shows predominance of Q and H curve type, indicating a fractured – clay/shale subsurface. Georesistivity layers show a clay/shale - sandy shale - dry shale - fractured shale sequence. Contour maps of resistivity, thickness, overburden depth, transverse resistance, longitudinal conductance, aquifer transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity were constructed. Computed aquifer transmissivity show trends with good signals and recorded transmissivity value of 135m2/day. Thus, indicating moderate yield. Low yield areas correspond to high hydraulic conductivity zone. Low and moderate groundwater potential zones were delineated. Comparisons of georesistivity sections and various contour maps show fairly good match in analysis. The study will serve as a useful guide for groundwater development in the study area.

The activity concentrations of natural occurring radionuclides, uranium (²³⁸U), thorium (²³²Th), radium (²²⁶Ra) and potassium (⁴⁰K) were measured in geological samples collected from the Accra Plains using a high resolution hyper pure germanium (HPGe) detector. Their radiological parameters were also calculated. ²³⁸U concentration was found to vary from below detection limit to 363.5 Bq/kg. Activity concentration of ²³²Th varied from below detection limit to 370.41 Bq/kg. The activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra ranged from 4.04 Bq/kg to 295.01Bq/kg, whereas, the ⁴⁰K activity concentration varied from 145 Bq/kg to 2274.3 Bq/kg. The absorbed dose rates varied from 18.27 to 479.26 nGy/h. The annual external effective dose rates ranged from 0.02 to 0.51 mSv/y. The radium equivalent activity (Raeq) varied from 29.15 to 986.42 Bq/kg. Value of external hazard index (Hex) varied from 0.11 to 2.66. Good correlations existed between ²³²Th and ²²⁶Ra activity concentrations and the total activity concentration. The Th/U ratios obtained indicated metasomatic activity of the analyzed radionuclides. The gamma ray radiation hazards due to the radionuclides increased with depth. 

In this paper, to see the climate change on monsoon variability, the analysis of aerosol concentration, Global and surface air temperature over central Indian region and South West (SW) Monsoon season rainfall (June-September) variability have been study. For the study different set of data have been consider. The trend analysis of aerosol concentration and rainfall over different regions of India has been carried out for recent period 1981 to 2002. The analysis reveals that there is decreasing trend in aerosols concentrations and decreasing trend in West central monsoon rainfall goes hand in hand. To see the temperature effect in pre-monsoon months on monsoon variability the Principal component Analysis (PCA) technique is used. By using PCA the monthly temperature gradient series have been prepared. For analysis, the grid (1°*1°) point surface air temperature data taken from the Climate Research Unit (CRU) at the University of East Anglia is used. The analysis is carried out for 105 years 1901-2006. From the analysis it seen that the North South surface air temperature gradient in month of May over the central India can be useful for seasonal prediction of monsoon rainfall over the North East India. To see the global warming effect on rainfall, the analysis of global surface air temperature 125 (1880-2004) years of data have been used. It is found that during warming or cooling episodes, there is a general below-normal rainfall activity over almost all the homogeneous regions expects the CNEI and NEI.

Though major earthquake of large magnitude has not occurred in Nigeria from previous records, however, the incessant earth tremor currently being experienced within the central northern Nigeria basement complex whose cause is yet to be ascertained calls for concern. Hence, the need for site seismological evaluation and characterization becomes paramount before putting up structures. The aim of this research therefore is to carry out a detail seismic survey of the site under investigation, and determine among other factors, the velocity distribution, the overburden thickness, depth to aquifer, depth to weathered and fresh basement, which will be used to infer and evaluate the nature of Geological Hazards, Seismic shaking hazard, surface fault rupture hazard, ground lurching, liquefaction Hazard, water inundation and shrink swell potential of near-surface soil of the site. The results of the investigation revealed that the seismic wave velocity registered a general increase of velocity with depth, with velocity range of 990 m/s to 3340 m/s. The velocity distribution gave an indication that the site is majorly characterized by hard rocks which are of low elevation thereby ruling out the possibility of landslide in the event of seismic shaking from a remote earthquake. The seismic survey did not detect any obvious fracture or fault that will constitute geological hazard by acting as pathway for contaminant to move into the underground water, or that could engender major earthquake that will cause surface fault rupture hazard. The investigation also reveals that the soil is not predominantly loose sand and the groundwater is restricted to isolated aquifers, therefore the structure sited within this site will not heave or lurch in the event of any shaking because, the possibility of soil liquefaction is ruled out. It was also observed that since the near surface material is not predominantly clay but laterite, therefore the swell potential of the near surface soil will be infinitesimally small. The geological hazard analysis have revealed that the site under investigation is not prone to any geological hazards that could be induced by earthquake, faults, elevation depth to aquifer, and nature of soil.

A total of 60 composited ditch cutting samples from Koda-1 and Mar-1 wells from onshore and offshore areas of the western Niger Delta Basin were processed and analysed for the lithological, microfauna and microflora contents. Based on the microfaunal analysis, one informal planktonic foraminiferal namely Orbulina universa zone which corresponds to the N9 zone (Middle Miocene) and one informal benthonic biozone Amphistegina radiata zone with Bolivina striatula, Spiroloculina antilarum, Quinqueloculina stelligera and Bulimina elongata sub zones were established for Koda–1 well. An informal planktonic foraminiferal named Globorotalia margaritae zone which corresponds to N17-N19 (Late Miocene–Early Pliocene) was established for Mar-1 well while one informal benthonic biozone Cibicides refulgens zone with Lagena cantenulata, Quinqueloculina costata, Nonionina orbicularis and Planulina wuellerstorfi sub zones were established. The recovered benthonic foraminiferal assemblages and other microfauna accessories indicated that the sediments of the two wells were deposited in marginal to coastal marine (inner neritic, inner to middle neritic and middle neritic) environments. The paleotemperature of the sea was warm with normal salinity, based on the presence of tropical marine indicator species of Orbulina universa.

This study assesses the impact of urbanization on the Jakara stream channel - a semi arid area that has received little attention. The proportion of the catchment under impervious cover was determined along the Jakara catchment using black and white air photographs taken in 1961and 1981 satellite imagery of 1987, 1995 and 2006. These were used together with land use maps, road maps and layout plans and ground truthing. Consistent and significant differences in the sites were demonstrated in bankfull width, depth, cross section and wetted perimeter. Channel density increased by 28.6% due to storm sewers, culverts and other runoff removal. About 99 percent of the Jakara channel banks in the urban reach and 30 percent n the semi urban reach are artificially reinforced to prevent channel widening by bank erosion. In addition, residential and commercial landowners filled the channel margins to increase property acreage. Physical channel structure has changed from a pool/riffle sequence to a uniform pattern. Results obtained here show that there are major alterations to the morphology of drainage systems. They need to be taken into account to better understand the hydrologic response of anthropogenic basins, and to improve the modeling, planning and design of sub-urban and urban areas. Finally, a series of advantages of this approach are also discussed.

This paper investigates Curie point depth and heat flow over parts of Bida Basin Nigeria using Aeromagnetic data. The study area is between Latitudes 8.5oN and 9.5oN and Longitudes 5.5oE and 6.5oE being represented by four aeromagnetic maps in 16 overlapping blocks involving towns like; Pateji, Baro, Bida and Agbaje. Depth Estimations were made using Spectral Analysis from which estimates of Curie point depth, geothermal gradient and heat flow were made. Heat flow estimated from spectral inversion revealed seven geothermally active areas with the following values; 60.45mWm-2 (Pategi), 60.91mWm-2 (Baro), 60.99mWm-2 (Baro), 65.87mWm-2 (Bida), 67.67mWm-2 (Agbaje) and 64.00mWm-2 (Agbaje).These areas (Agbaje for instance) are recommended for further geothermal exploration.

The granites of part of Nalgonda district is a metaluminous, high K-calc alkaline,I-type granite emplaced into the gneissic rock of the Peninsular Gneissic Complex of the Eastern Dharwar Craton. The thin section study clearly evidence that the granite is of pure magmatic origin. The deformation signatures were also noticed of brittle-ductile shear both in field and thin section studies in laboratory. Geochemically, the granite is rich in K2O+Na2O, suggesting it is an alkali granite with calc-alkaline magma. On a Yb vs Ta discrimination plot, the granites are falling mostly in the volcanic arc granite field. The REE pattern shows strong Eu negative anomaly, suggesting early separation of plagioclase. The enhance level of LL element relative to HFS element point to the subduction zone enrichment and/or crustal comtamination of the source region.

This paper presents the structural analysis of Afikpo sub-basin using aeromagnetic and Landsat imagery. It was carried out to determine depth to the magnetic basement, delineate the basement morphology and relief, delineate the structural features associated with the basin and to infer the effects of such structures to the general tectonic history and basin geodynamics of the study area. The aeromagnetic and Landsat data were subjected to various image and data enhancement and transformation routines. Results of the study revealed that the dominant structural trend direction of the study area is in the NE-SW direction. Other lineament trend directions are in the N-S and E-W directions. The lineament density map revealed the presence of high density fracture zone around Afikpo and Ezi-Alayi, 8km SW of Afikpo. Results of the 2-D spectral analysis revealed a two layer depth model. The shallower magnetic source (d1) has an average depth of 1.195km while the deeper magnetic source bodies (d2) have an average depth of 2.660km.The shallower magnetic anomalies is as a result of basement rocks which intruded into the sedimentary rocks while, the deeper magnetic anomalies is associated with intra-basement discontinuities like faults. Finally, the average sedimentary thickness of 2.660km estimated in the study area is unfavourable for hydrocarbon generation. The study area is rather favourable for quarrying and Pb/Zn exploration based on the presence of Dolerite Sill which has galena as an associated ore.

This paper investigates the possibility of expansion of Nekede Mechanic-Village gully located in Imo State Nigeria using two Resistivity Survey methods (VES and ARS). The gully site is located on longitude 7o 2’ 6”E and latitude 5o 27’ 46”N. The analysis of the VES measurements showed that VES 3 and 4 are structurally week and susceptible to erosion due to their thick sand layers in their top sections while ARS measurements and analysis showed possibility of fractures and or major cracks in the NE – SW axis rooted to the depth of about 30m.These factors endangers the structural stability of the NE-SW region with reference to the ARS point and adjoining the VES 3 and 4 areas.

Remote sensing data is used for mapping on regional scale and to delineate the structure of various tectonic belts, lineaments and fracture patterns. Lineaments and their intersections and contacts are favourable sites for localization of Kimberlite bodies, which are the main host rocks of Diamonds. The Eastern Dharwar Craton(EDC) is known for its Kimberilte pipes around Wajrakarur, Raichur, Maddur, Narayanpet etc. An IRS LISS-III image covering an area of 1440 sq.km west of Mahabubnagar town, which is located south east of Narayanpet Kimberlite field was processed and interpreted to bring out possible emplacement of Kimberlites. Kimberlite of Narayanpet is associated with ENE-WSW and E-W lineaments. By analyzing structure, geomorphology, drainage patterns derived from satellite imageries, structural zones favourable zones for Kimberlite rocks are demarcated.

This research estimated the Well and Formation parameters of a Niger Delta Oil Well using pressure draw- down data. The well is located at longitude 050 53’ 19” and latitude 040 20’ 24”. The time to end strong wellbore storage effect (t*) was obtained to be 0.0025hrs and the time for the wellbore effect to end completely (50t*) was also determined as 0.125hrs. The wellbore storage constant (CS) value was obtained as 9.3x10-3 rb/psi, while the skin factor (S) was also obtained to be 23.4. The permeability to oil value (K) was obtained to be 954.4md and the Reservoir Pore Volume (Vp) value of 8.45 x 106 res bbl was also obtained.

Geophysical methods widely used in oil and gas exploration. Modeling of gravity data is used extensively to illustrate the geometry and interface between the sediments and bedrock. Which can help the salt dome, anticline folds, dome-shaped uplift of the continental platform and reef masses to be identified. There are various methods to illustrate the bedrock topography, and we will describe one of these methods in present paper. Using the upward continuation, we extract the residual gravity anomaly which in fact shows the local effect of bedrock gravity on the observed gravity. Then, according to the Oldenburg – Parker method, the residual gravity data are inversed and finally the 3D geometry the bedrock is illustrated. It should be noted that some software’s like Surfer and Excel are used in this research but the program main code is written using Matlab programming.

Lack of good research proposal and its presentation is a growing concern in academics researches worldwide. This has been linked to increased poor research writing skills and unavailability of relevant materials including presentation and interpretations of researches. What makes a good research proposal and the basic ideas and steps of the research proposal in scientific investigations were lacking also. The nature, scope and role of research proposal was conceived with the mind to attempt to overcome this non-unique approaches into researches but from different disciplines by providing a-one-stop article for good research proposal writing and presentation. In order to get the above fulfilled, the concept and procedures of good research proposal writing were examined and explained. The basic steps and the importance of research proposal were equally outlined. Good examples were used in illustrations and recommendations were also advanced.

The Electrical Resistivity investigation was carried out around, Kandili Panchayat union, Vellore District, to identified the moderate and deep depth of groundwater potential zone and understand the subsurface geologic layer, the maximum electrode separation 360m by schlumberger configuration. Geologically, denoted metamorphic rock, basement of Precambrian age. The field data obtained have been analyzed using IPI2WIN software, Inverse slope which gives an automatic interpretation of the apparent resistivity data was interpreted. The investigation data from groundwater potential zone divided as priority vies minimum to maximum resistivity value, (I- Kannalapatti 0.010 to 0.805), (II-Koratti0.042 to 1.077), (III-Thokkium 0.054 to 3.651), (IV –Natham 0.045 to 4.124), (V-S.Pallipattu0.195 to 6.108). Key Words: Vertical Electrical Sounding, Groundwater Potential Zone, Kandili Panchayat Union.

This paper analysed the possibility of expansion of Nekede Mechanic-Village gully located in Imo State Nigeria using Geotechnical tests method. The gully site is located on longitude 7o 2’ 6”E and latitude 5o 27’ 46”N. The analysis of the Geotechnical tests showed that Site Areas 3 and 4 are structurally week and susceptible to erosion due to their poor Shear Strength and Bulk Density values – in addition to being Non-Plastic. In contrast, site areas 1 and 2 are relatively stable. Sites 3 and 4 are located close to residential areas thus demanding desperate attention from government agencies before the expanding gully wreaks havoc.

In the present study, investigation of the chemical quality of water at the Qareh sou catchment has been carried out to evaluate the suitability of water for irrigation purpose. Water quality of the area has been studied based on physico- chemical analysis of six hydrometer stations during 2010. Various parameters, such as pH, EC, chloride, sulfate, bicarbonate, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium have been determined to evaluate this purpose. Irrigation water quality on the basis of Doneen’s permeability index, residual sodium carbonate, sodium adsorption ratio, Magnesium adsorption ratio, Kelley’s ratio, Corrosivity Ratio, potential soil salinity and Chadha’s diagram have been computed. Results showed that the water was suitable for irrigation purpose. According to Chadha’s diagram, the type of water is determined as Ca–Mg–HCO3. Also, according to the Wilcox diagram water classified as ‘excellent’ and ‘good’, except for the Siah ab and Naharkhoran stations, but Corrosivity Ratio suggests that the Qareh sou water is not safe for Water Transmission. In shastkola and pol ordgogah stations, the value of MAR is harmfully over 50%.

Radiation and radioactive isotopes constitute a natural part of our environment. High concentrations of these radioactive isotopes in the environment can be a threat to our health. The largest fraction of the natural radiation we receive comes from the radioactive gas radon, which disintegrates by emitting alpha particles. Although it cannot be detected by human senses, radon and its radioactive by-products are a health concern because they can cause lung cancer when inhaled over many years. Radon is present everywhere in the rock, soil, water and air because of the ubiquitous nature of its parent radioactive element uranium in geological terrain. In this paper, we highlight the need for measurement of radon in the environment, and the possible health hazards due to radon gas, especially from building materials and water in Ghana. We present preliminary results from our recent work and suggest remedial measures to avoid high intake of radon. In the preliminary results, using the BEIR III model to calculate the distribution of lung cancer cases per year in Dome in 2009 between the different age groups from radon exposure of 2.03 WLM per year gave a total of 5 cases per year.

The Eastern Dahomey Basin is a rift basin located in the Southwestern part of Nigeria with formations spanning from the Cretaceous to Tertiary ages which are well defined in their lithology types ranging from sand, silt, carbonates, and shale. Shale is now considered as a reservoir rock in the unconventional petroleum system unlike its previous characterisation as only a source rock and/or seal in the conventional petroleum play. The hydrocarbon field operators in the Dahomey basin have reported higher percentage of gas production up to 20% LPG and 52% gas and also identified the syn-rift to contain light oil and condensate-rich gas. The increasing demand of natural gas as a cleaner energy compared to other fossil fuels and the several commercialization strategies of the Federal Government of Nigeria has necessitated the exploration possibility of more gas, even unconventional gas. This paper reviewed the geological and geochemical properties of the Dahomey basin from previous authors and selected some producing plays in the USA as possible analogues for its shale gas potential.

This work entails a palynostratigraphy and palynoclimatic study of Ochigbo – 1 well, offshore Niger Delta. A total of Sixty-two (62) ditch samples were composited at intervals at an average of 100ft. The well covered total depth of 3,405-10,640ft. These samples were subjected to standard procedure for palynological study. Recovered palynomorph were rich, diverse and well preserved. The recovered palynomorphs were used for identifying four main palynological zones. These are: Crassoretitriletes vanraadshooveni/P700 Zone characterized by the quantitative base occurrence of Crassoretitriletes vanraadshooveni and co-occurrence of Belskipollis elegans, Crassoretitriletes vanraadshooveni, Echiperiporites estalae, and Verrutricolporites rotundiporus; dated Middle Miocene; Magnastriatites howardii/P600 Zone characterized by quantitative base occurrence of Peregrinipollis nigericus and co-occurrence of Praedapollis flexibilis, Magnastriatites howardii and Monoporites annulatus; dated Early Miocene – Late Oligocene; Retibrevitricolporite obodoensis/protudens/P500 Zone characterized by the co-occurrence of Arecipitesexili muratus, Retibrevitricolporite obodoensis/protudens, Verrucatosporite susmensis and Gemmamonoporite ssp dated Late – Early Oligocene and Racemonocolpite shians/P400 Zone characterized by the base occurrence of Racemonocolpite shians. The palaeoclimatic investigation showed that the sediments were deposited predominantly under wet climate in a mangrove setting and the palaeoenvironment ranges from brackish to deep marine environments.

With the consideration of sustainable development, three major objectives of watershed management in Iran are to lessen disaster, to secure local residents and their properties, and to conserve natural resources. Many single-objective management projects have applied to Iran’s watersheds for the last several decades to achieve those objectives, including soil conservation projects. However, conventional planning methods are not capable to handle the complexity and conflicts of mutli-objective watershed management projects. In this study, an integrated model combining Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing (RS), soil erosion model, and multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) is developed and applied for the planning of reservoir watershed management in Joneqan watershed, Iran. Performance of individual objective for each alternative is first estimated with the aid of GIS, RS, and soil erosion model. After the procedures of MCDM, a compromising solution is suggested based on the identified preferences on project objectives and their performances of all objectives. Besides, a list of alternatives with their priorities can provide further information on the trade off relationships among our objectives.

Common field practice for electrical surveying relies on directly placing an electrical current into the ground (direct current electrical resistivity surveying) and measuring the response (the electrical potential drop) to that current over a set distance. Resistivity analysis was conducted at a site earmarked for a radioactive waste disposal facility known as the Borehole Disposal Concept (BDC) at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission’s site located at Kwabenya, in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Both resistivity profiling also known as electric trenching and vertical electrical sounding also known as electric drilling were employed in this study. The results from both techniques were processed and discussed. Medium to very low apparent resistivity were measured at certain stations/points on the survey lines which suggest the presence of geological structures/contacts such as faults and fractures at or around these stations. With the aid of the electrical sounding data the site was characterized as a four layer formation with the bedrock lying at depth of 17 m and beyond.

Detailed structural interpretation was carried out on the three fields within Block-X with the aim of better understanding the structural evolution, trapping styles and the influence of the fault system on the facies distribution within the Block. Well correlation was carried out on six wells to map potential reservoir intervals, which in turn were tied with seismic for horizon and structural interpretation. Structures interpreted include listric growth faults, roll-overs, synthetic and antithetic faults. The faults showed a dominant NW-SE trend, and the variance attribute also validated the interpreted fault trend. Impact of a mobile clay substratum was more noticeable around ‘FLO’ and ‘A’ Fields around the Upper Eocene to Lower Oligocene strata of the Agbada Formation. Four-way closures dominate ‘OGEY’ Field, the traps on ‘FLO’ Field are fault assisted while ‘A’ Field at best have some good leads which given some more control on the seismic acreage and possibility of good prospects. The facies model showed minor shale content localised at the western part of the Block with good reservoirs and and some silty sand making up the remaining Block. The fault system of the Block was not observed to have any significant effect on the facies and property distribution. The fluid contact model revealed communication across the fields and that the reservoir is not compartmentalised. This integrated approach in determining the hydrocarbon potential of Block – X, Northern Depobelt of Niger Delta reduces the effect of under estimation and over estimation of hydrocarbon –in – place volume, thus assisting in well planning and input into running Petroleum economics.

The impacts of waste-stream from aluminium plant on the Inyishi River was investigated by analyzing the physical and chemical contents of the river using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and digital meters. The results shows that the pH of the river varies from 5.80 to 6.10 while the total dissolved solids (TDS) varies from 13.50 to 20.50mg/l. The electrical conductivity varies from 22.50 to 34.17µS/cm while total alkalinity range from 9.80 to 12.50mg/l. The concentrations of Ca2+ varies from 2.80 to 3.10mg/l while Mg2+ range from 2.60 to 2.86mg/l. Na+ concentrations varies from 5.85 to 7.10mg/l while K+ varies from 9.00 to 11.00mg/l. The concentrations of HCO3- varies from 20.50 to 21.90mg/l while that of SO42- range from 3.29 to 4.90mg/l. Al3+ concentrations varies from 0.22 to 0.29mg/l while total iron concentrations range from 0.50 to 0.64mg/l. F- concentrations varies from 0.30 to 0.80mg/l while that of BOD range from 3.60 to 5.40mg/l. Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations varies from 6.50 to 7.10mg/l while the total coli form range from 50 to 80 cfu/100ml. The results also show that the Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) of the river varies from 0.58 to 0.74 while the Pollution Index (PI) varies from 0.68 to 0.72. Except for the pH, total coli form and Al3+ , the concentrations of other measured parameters conformed to World Health Organization (WHO) 2006 and Nigerian Water (2008) safe standards f0r drinking water. The acidic nature of the river, high concentrations of Al3+ and significant concentrations of total iron, F- and BOD are attributed to the waste-stream which is discharged into it from the Aluminium Extrusion plants in the study area. The impacts of the waste-stream on the river and its watershed include damage of coconut (cocos nucifera) trees and raffia palms (raphia ruffia) resulting in the decline of coconut, rope, local gin and palm wine production as well as decline in the cultivation of certain varieties of vegetables such as fluted pumpkin (telfairia occidentalis), water leaf (talonum tiangulare), garden eggs (salomum macrocarpum) and green (amarantus hybridias) near the river; it has also resulted in the decline in fishing activities and use of the water for drinking purposes. About 1,000 persons who live at a distance of 0.5km away from the river were observed to be at very high risk to the impacts of the waste-stream on the river. Pre-disposal treatment of the waste-stream and well programmed monitoring of the physical and bio-chemical characteristics of the Inyishi River is the best approach to maintain is resource status and usefulness.

The study evaluated the effect of anthropogenic activities on the physico-chemical properties of soils of Awka South, LGA, Anambra state, Southeastern Nigeria. Triplicate soil samples were collected from different soil depths (0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm) in four land use types: sand mining, play ground, arable land and forest land of Agu Awka, Amawbia, Okpuno and Ifite respectively. Physico-chemical properties of the soils were analyzed using standard methods. Analysis of variance and correlation analysis were performed using Genstat Statistical Package Version 18. Results showed that soil properties were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the different anthropogenic activities and were not uniformly distributed down the depths. Soils were dominated by loamy sand and were moderately compacted with low moisture content. The soils were generally acidic (4.47-.5.83) irrespective of depth and landuse.Organic carbon (0.263-0667 %) and total nitrogen (0.028-0.069 %) were low and were seriously reduced by human activities. Available phosphorus (6.12-8.91 ppm) was seriously increased in sand mining compared to other land use types, moreover, sand mining activities had impacts on the levels of Ca (5.32-1.99 cmolkg-1) and Na (0.020-0.32 cmolkg-1). Total exchangeable acidity was reduced in all the land use types apart from playground where there was slight increase (1.57-1.70 cmolkg-1). Total exchangeable bases and ECEC followed decreasing pattern of forest > arable land > sand mining > playground. Soil pH had significantly positive association with OC, TN, Ca, Mg, TEB, EEC, %BS, TP and MC. To improve the fertility status of these soils especially arable land, the use of organic and/or inorganic fertilizer is required. The regulation of mining activities in the study area was also recommended to protect the soil from further degradation.

Climate change is attributed directly or indirectly to human activities rhesulting in the alteration of the composition of global atmosphere in addition to natural climate variability observed over a comparable time periods. Climate change has adversely affected agriculture and food security in Nigeria and other West African Countries. It is estimated that by 2100 Nigeria and other West African Countries would have agriculture losses of up to 4% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) due to climate change. Agricultural experts has also observed that parts of the Country that experience soil erosion and operate rain-fed agriculture would have decline in agriculture yield of up to 5% between 2000 and 2020. In 2012, most states (Balyasae, Rivers, Bauchi, Kogi, Adamawa and Imo) in Nigeria witnessed serious floodind which affected adversely humans, farm lands and livestocks. Te flood which resulted from excessive rainfall attributed to climate change constituted a threat to agriculture and food security in all the geo-political zones of the Country. Desertification in the Northern part of Nigeria has also dealt a great blow to agriculture. The ravaging impacts of climate change on agriculture and food security calls for coping or adaptable measures such as construction of gas re-injection plants, public awareness campaigns, forest conservation, Taungaya and agrosiliviculture. However, the ultimate remediation is drastic reduction of the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

This study aimed to assess how markets affect smallholders’ decision-making about their arecanut, pepper and banana smallholders cropping systems in Sri Lanka. An economic assessment of the markets available for different crops was made using data obtained from a market survey and village study. Study found that farmers selected different crops based on market accessibility. Majority of farmers reluctant to grow banana as smallholdings in Pannila, whilst it was a popular choice on smallholdings in Pallekiruwa . Farmers faced high risk with perishables as their price variation was higher than that of storable crops. Study recommend to improve the market infrastructure for enabling farmers’ income.

The present study deals about to assess the rainfall variation during 1999 to 2014 in Salem district, South India, which makes to understand the rainfall fluctuation over a period of 16 years differences. Precipitation pattern analysis is very essential for the forecasting of any regions like agriculture or hazards. The analysis results shows that the mean winter season has contributed only 1%, summer season 19%, SW season 41% and NE season 39% of rainfall. The average rainfall in the study area is 829mm from 1999 to 2014. IDW has been used for prepare the spatial distribution maps.

This study was designed to evaluate the facies and petrophysical models of a reservoir interval, R700, within the Sigma Field, Onshore Niger Delta with a view to understanding the reservoir property distribution which could help in in-fill well placement. Well tops from well logs were interpreted by variations in depositional characteristics and were tied to seismic surfaces in order to construct the stratigraphic framework. Well data including facies, porosity, volume of shale and hydrocarbon saturation were scaled-up to geological grids. The pixel-based facies model was built based on normal distribution of the facies using Sequential Indicator Simulation algorithm. Petrophysical models were constrained to the facies models using Sequential Gaussian simulation algorithm. The average petrophysical parameters of the three reservoir intervals penetrated by the wells revealed the reservoirs to be of good quality with porosity ranging from 22.2-32.4%, net-to-gross; 51.9-80.3% and water saturation; 23.3-27.1%. The generated fault model of the field showed a dominant East-West trend with good connectivity/linkage. From the analysis of the structural maps and positions of existing wells, the faults can be said to play a major role in aiding accumulation and as such can be used as a guide/control in delineating other areas where accumulation can be favoured. The facies interpretation from well log and analysis of the isochore maps helped in delineating the direction of sand development and helped in constraining the facies model. The facies model captured the heterogeneity in the reservoir interval. Cross section drawn across positions of existing wells showed the location of the wells on structural highs while those drawn across other areas of the field away from existing wells but through areas of structural high revealed areas of good reservoir quality for sitting new wells for optimum recovery of hydrocarbon from the field.

Ground water is an important resource of water. However, over exploitation has affected the groundwater quality and quantity. Assessing the ground water potential zone is very important for the protection of water and management of groundwater system. Recent trends are showing the systematic planning to stop the over exploitation of groundwater and shrinking natural resources. Geo-spatial technology is very useful to study about the groundwater in detail. In the present study delineate the possible groundwater potential zones in the Salem district using geo-spatial technology. The thematic layers considered in this present study, which are geomorphology, drainage density, lineament density. These thematic layers are integrated for identify the groundwater potential zone. Therefore, five different groundwater potential zones were identified, which are very good, good, moderate, poor and very poor. Finally, it concluded that the Geo-spatial technology is very efficient and useful for the identification of groundwater potential zones.

The release of chlorophenolics in pulp bleaching wastewater is a threat to the aquatic ecosystems. The chlorophenolics can migrate throughout the biosphere and pose serious health hazard. The work is aimed to detect chlorophenolics using GC-MS and evaluate the effectiveness of TiO2 photocatalysis for their degradation in the paper mill wastewaters. Four type of chlorophenolics i.e. chlorophenols (CP), chloroguaiacols (CG), chlorocatechols (CC), and chlorosyringaldehyde (CSA) are detected in the wastewaters. The wastewaters are subjected to photocatalysis with UV radiation under optimum conditions (TiO2 = 0.50 g/L, pH = 7.0, time = 4 hr, and H2O2 = 15 mM/L). UV/TiO2/H2O2 process has been found to be more efficient for the degradation of chlorophenolics with 68% and 75% removal of chlorophenolics for primary clarified (PC) and biotreated (BT) wastewaters, respectively, as compared to UV/TiO2 process. The Monochlorophenols (MCP) are removed to the maximum extent followed by di- (DCP) and trichlorophenols (TCP).

Desertification is considered as an important problem facing arid and semi-arid regions, as Iran. These processes are resulted either from human activities or adverse natural conditions. However, the combination of both is often applicable. The aim of this study is the identification of areas sensitive to desertification in the southeastern coast of Iran. In this study we used from IMDPA model for quantitative of this problem and we used from GIS for mapping of desertification. Three main benchmarks of desertification, including: soil, wind erosion and climate were considered. The results show that the weight of soil is 1.7 that it is the most effective benchmark in region. On the other hand with analysis of indicators we know that the most important is annual precipitation. After obtain each weigh of benchmarks we understand that the weight of desertification intensity (DS) in region is 1.61 and located in very high class. We know more that 1321.74 (Ha) is in medium class and 2639.30(Ha) of area is in very high class. After soli benchmark, wind erosion with 1.64 value and climate with 1.51 value are effective in desertification.

A regional geoelectrical study was embarked upon covering some major towns within the Niger Delta and Anambra basin. Some of the towns include; Owerri, Umuahia, Ohafia, Aba, Umuosu, Ngwa, Mbaise, Okigwe, Lekwesi, etc. About 100 Vertical Electrical Sounding points were established along two long profiles running perpendicularly to each other at North-South and East-West directions covering a distance of about 110km in each traverse. The maximum electrode spread was 500metres, AB/2. The schlumberger array was adopted on the field. The ABEM Terrameter SAS 4000 was used for the data acquisition. The purpose of the study is to examine the variability in lithological units both vertically and horizontally from the North to South and East to West along these profiles because there have been reported cases about land degradation like; gully erosion, landslide, minor subsidence, road failure, etc within the study area. The field data were processed with computer softwares. Iso-resistivity values at AB/2 equals 1m, 4m, 8m, 15m, 50m, 150m, 250m and 350m at surface electrode spacings were plotted and processed for each VES point in order to reveal the variation in resistivity with depth and variability changes in lithological units with depth. This procedure was repeated for all the VES stations on the East-West profile and North-South profile. Results show that the top soil contour has resistivities between 200?m and 9000?m while at AB/2 = 4m, resistivities are 500 - 1000?m (Aba), 1000 - 5000?m (Owerri), 2000 - 2500?m (Afikpo). Results were also obtained for AB/2 = 8m, 15m, 50m up to 250m. These resistivity values were interpreted as clay, shale, sand, etc, accordingly. From the correlation of the VES points, other geologic structures like faults, boundaries, flood plains, landsides are identified. Other environmental implications are highlighted.

The present study was carried out in order to study about the textural characteristics of sediments, trace metal concentration (Cu, Zn), and their seasonal changes along with the influence of organic matter and physico-chemical parameter like pH, temperature, salinity and rainfall. Samplings were done at 3 different stations during 4 seasons starting from premonsoon-2009 to summer-2010. The changes in the phi mean grain size are due to selective winnowing of the finer grain size population by waves and currents acting in that environment. The sediments were well sorted to moderately well sorted in nature, skewness of the sediment samples were nearly symmetrical to coarse skewed and kurtosis ranged from mesokurtic to extremely leptokurtic in nature. The organic matter concentration range from 3.2% to 9.7% as minimum and maximum respectively. Concentration of reactive copper ranged from12.8ppm to 34.16ppm and the zinc concentration ranged from 39.3ppm to 228.2ppm.Thus in the present study the concentration of trace metals (copper & zinc), organic matter, grain size distribution and the interaction of Physico chemical parameters during different seasons were discussed.

The aim of the study is to determine the morphodynamic changes based on beach profile, and grain size distribution of sediments along the beaches between Mandapam to Valinokkam of Ramanathapuram district southern Tamilnadu. Morphodynamic condition and changes along the coastal length of 50km are recorded, and the granulometric study is done by dry sieving methods. Two seasonal both summer and winter sediment's samples were collected from the four main geomorphologic units (water level, slope, berm, and dune) during field observation periods. Grain characteristics are estimated by using GRADISTAT software, and the results are revealed. The sediments are mainly of course to fine grained, moderately sorted to poorly sorted, nearly-symmetrical skewed to find skewed, and leptokurtic to mesokurtic in nature. The majority of the sediment shows the bimodal nature of the interrelation ship of various parameters in sediment having the dominance of course to fine sand. Grain size characteristics varied from beach orientation foreshore, slope and wave action. The study area shows that sediment environment in high wave action compared to Ramanathapuram district in Mandapam to Valinokkam beaches were under erosion or deposition with a strong winnowing process.

Sequence stratigraphic analysis carried out on the XP field, Greater Ughelli Depobelt, Niger Delta, revealed three sedimentary sequences within the intervals penetrated by three wells studied in the field. Well logs and biostratigraphic data integrated helped in the identification of three major Maximum Flooding Surfaces (MFS1, MFS2, MFS3) recognized between the intervals of 3840- 3080m (aged 31.3- 26.2Ma) and three sequence boundaries designated SB1, SB2 and SB3, between 4232m and 3140m (aged 32.4 – 27.3Ma). The Maximum Flooding Surfaces were recognized using intervals containing high abundance and diversities of three index fossils (Uvigerinella 8, Bolivina 27 and Alabamina 1) which represent the three regional marker shales identified in the field. The erosional surface coincides with intervals that are barren in faunal activity and also corresponds with the coastal deltaic paleobathymetric depth interpreted as Sequence Boundaries. The sequences depict sediments that were deposited between Early to Late Oligocene period in water depth ranging from coastal deltaic to neritic environments. Three depositional patterns resulting from regression and transgression recognized include progradation, retrogradation and aggradational packages with associated systems tracts. The systems tracts form good reservoirs with prospects in the field.

Disease causing pathogens have a strong relationship with the environment wherein the animal as well as the microorganisms lives. The present study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the meteorological data and the disease prevalence in cattle in Tamilnadu. The data revealed a closer relationship between the climatic factors (temperature, rainfall and relative humidity) and infectious diseases (Anthrax, Black Quarter, Hemorrhagic Septicemia and Foot and Mouth Disease). Hence, the incidence of infectious diseases were found to be significantly (P<0.05) associated with the season and microclimatic factors.

Deck- drain samples obtained from five oil wells in the Niger Delta Basin of Nigeria were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), digital meters , American Standard and Testing Materials. The results shows that the pH of the deck-drain samples varies from 5, 10 to 5.4 while the total dissolved solids(TDS) varies from 4,585 to 27,170 mg/l. The electrical conductivity varies from 7,054 to 21,277µS/cm while the chloride content varies from 4 ,000 to 4,400mg/l. The H2S concentration ranges from 1.10 mg/l. These values do not conform with the Nigerian Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) effluent water standard and thus constitute a threat to the environment. The result also show that the deck-drain samples are hard and contains high concentrations of calcium and sodium. The concentrations of the major cations in decreasing order is: Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ >. K+ while that of the anions is: Cl- > HCO3- > SO42- > NO3- implying that the fluid type is NaCl. The pollution index (PI) of the samples varies from 17.81 to 42.47; this is in excess of the PI critical value of 1 and thus confirms high rate of degradation of the deck-drain samples.. The Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) values of the samples ranges from 28.04 to 28.97 indicating that the deck-drains are poor for irrigation purposes. Piper and Stiff diagrams shows that the deck-drain samples exhibits the same chemical trend and model. Although, the deck-drain samples contains high concentrations of pH, TDS, electrical conductivity, H2S, Cl-, Ca2+ and Na+ ; these parameters can be treated and reduced to tolerable levels using soda ash, reverse osmosis , electro dialysis and aeration methods thus preventing soil and water pollution which can arise from the discharge of untreated deck-drains into these environments.

The facies architecture and depositional environments of the ‘X’ Field reservoirs have been studied in Wells NDI-A10, A12, A11, A7, A2P2 and A2, using wireline log data. The logs were examined and analyzed for reservoir identification, thickness distribution, continuity, and connectivity. The depositional environments were determined by closely comparing the log shapes of interest with the standard log motifs of Schlumberger (1985) and Emery (1999). Three deltaic sub-environments of deposition were recognized: beach-barrier, river mouth bar and shoreface. The sequence stratigraphic concept has been applied to these sub-environments. Six reservoirs: I, J, K, L, M and N, and five stratigraphic sequences: SEQ.I, SEQ.II, SEQ.III, SEQ.IV and SEQ.V, were identified. The reservoirs were deposited as progradational parasequences during a high-frequency highstand systems tract, while the shale units underlying and overlying the reservoirs were deposited as retrogradational parasequences. The consistent alternation of progradational sand units and retrogradational shale units have been interpreted as a tripartite union of source rock, reservoir and seal, essential for hydrocarbon generation, accumulation, and trapping in the ‘X’ Field. Well-to-well correlation across the entire field allowed a reconstruction of the depositional history of the reservoirs and delineation of the reservoir geometry. There was more development of the reservoirs in the northeastern part of the field which has been interpreted as the direction of sediment supply, but the overall depositional trend is similar to that of the present-day Niger Delta.

The results of the first for Bulgaria ecomonitoring researches, carried out during three seasons (spring, summer and autumn) of 2011 in 4 biotopes of the Vit River valley in the direction middle – lower course trough tests performed to find chemical pollution, are presented; analysis of the biological diversity of bioindicative groups of organisms (bioindicative macroinvertebrate fauna), occupying different trophical levels in the researched freshwater ecosystems. The physicochemical monitoring was made on the basis of indicators of: acidity, insoluble substances, conductivity, biological oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrate ions, sulphate ions, copper, lead, etc.

A geo-electric survey involving vertical electric sounding (VES) was carried out at the Nigeria Mining Corporation‘s quarry at Omi-adio near Ibadan Southwestern Nigeria, with a view to determinning the thickness and spatial variation of the clay deposit in the study area. Twenty VES were carried out in four traverses using a Geopulse Tigre terrameter within the vicinity of the study area with each traverse having four to six VES points. Quantitative interpretation of the data involved partial curve matching and computer assisted iteration method. A 3D contour map showing the variation of clay resistivity and thickness was also plotted. The results show that the deposit is made up of four lithological layers namely top soil, sandy clay, clay and weathered/fresh basement. The resistivity curves fall into five categories HA type (i.e. > < < ) KH type (i.e. < > < ), QH type (i.e. > > < ), A type (i.e. < < ), H type (i.e. > < ) with KH type dominant. Also the Geoelectric section shows that the top soil has resistivity between 11.5 and 155.6 and thickness between 0.7m and 3.8m. The sandy clay layer has thickness between 0.2m and 4.0m and resistivity between 71.5 and 278.8 . The clay layer has resistivity between 7.7 and 33.5 and thickness between 4.8 and 31.0 while the fresh/weathered basement has resistivity between 46.3 and 871.7 .The depth to bedrock is between 6.2m and 32.9m.The coefficients of anisotropy fall between 1.01 and 1.76 suggesting the presence of good quality clay.

Lithostratigraphic, foraminiferal and calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphic studies have been carried out on ditch cutting samples from KR-1 well located in the offshore area of the Niger delta. The Agbada Formation sediments are made up of shales and sandy shales which are grey in colour with intercalations of medium to fine grained sandstone beds. The shales are fissile and slightly calcareous while the sandy shales are light grey, ferruginous and sub-fissile. The sediments yielded rare planktonic but relatively rich benthonic foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils with significant variations in abundance and diversity. The important foraminifera recovered are Globigerina ciporoensis angustiumblicata, Globigerinoides praebulloides, Lenticulina inornata, Epistominella vitrea, Hanzawaia concentrica, Poroeponides lateralis, Quiqueloculina lamarckiana, and Brizalina mandoroveensis while Helicosphaera truempyi, Calcidiscus leptoporus, Cyclicargolithus abisectus, Cyclicargolithus floridanus, Discoaster and Helicosphaera euphrati constitute the principal nannofossils. Early Miocene age was assigned to the section using the top occurrences of some of these taxa while a marginal marine environment of deposition was suggested due to the low diversity of nannofossils and very low planktonic/bentonic ratio.

A surface geophysical investigation involving ground magnetic technique was carried out in Ikogosi warm spring situated in Ekiti South-western Nigeria using a high resolution Proton-precession Geometric Magnetometer model G-856 AX to measure total components of magnetic intensity of the area with the aim of giving details of the subsurface geological structure and evaluating the structural setting beneath the warm spring for probable geothermal energy exploration. Total field magnetic measurements data were acquired along twelve (12) N-S profiles. The Magnetic data interpretation applied was able to depict fractured and faulted areas within fresh massive Quartzite at varying depths beneath all the profiles. Profile 12 has the highest amplitude of 748 nT while profile 3 has the lowest amplitude of 81.1 nT. The magnetic anomaly obtained varied between a minimum negative peak value of -235.9 nT and a maximum positive value of 748 nT. The approximate depth to basement rocks ranges between 8 to 14 m. The magnetic contour, 3-D surface, 1-Grid, Image Maps showed that the magnetic anomalies are as a result of Hot dry rocks present in the study area which contributes to the temperature of the spring. Also the highly mineralized area is between profile 1 and 4. It was deduced that the fractured/faulted quartzite may have acted as channel for the movement of warm groundwater from high depths to the surface.

Water has been a precious resource for human life. The extent of utility of water resource for any purpose is dependent on a variety of factors like economic development, standard of living, industrialization and agriculture practices in a particular region. The ground water is a major source of domestic and agricultural activities in the present study area. The study area is classified into two divisions, the northern Command area and the southern Non-command area both lying in the same climatic region. The Command area is occupied by limestones and the Non-command area by hills of Quartzites, Phyllites and Shales. The results revealed that ground waters in the study area are slightly alkaline in nature. In terms of potability, although, concentrations of many parameters are within the limits of dirnking water quality standards (WHO (1993), ISI(1991) the ground water of the area is effected by the excess of salinity content, the excess of which can cause gastrointestinal problems to the local population.

The development of the field was considered by running the cashflow analysis and establishing the economic indications. The one-well scenario was only able to produce 50% of EUR (2.8MMbbl) while the two-well scenario gave up to 80% EUR (4.7MMbbl) before abandonment rate for a field life of about 15 years. The cashflow analysis showed an attractive marginal project with positive Net Present Value for the $50/bbl base oil price scenario and the contractor’s take was estimated to be about 22% of the total share. The greatest effect on the NPV was seen from the Petroleum Profit Tax and the oil price in the sensitivity analysis which is negative and positive respectively. OWA marginal field reflects a typical low reserve development category and with effective cost management even at extreme low crude oil prices, a marginal profit can be ascertained and eventually fostering the Nigeria economy.

This paper presents structural and tectonic analysis of Udi and Okigwe part of the Anambra basin using aeromagnetic data and Landsat imagery. The study targets to achieve the following objectives: to delineate major surface and subsurface structural lineaments and their trends, to determine the influence of structure on the sedimentation in the area as well the delineation of the basement topography. The aeromagnetic data processing was carried out by subjecting it to low pass filtering and the use of some analytical methods such as reduction to pole, upward continuation, trend surface analysis and first vertical derivative. Similarly, the Landsat imagery processing involves enhancement and transformation routines. Result of the study revealed that the dominant structural trend directionof the study area is in the NE-SW direction. The NE-SW trend is suspected as a continental extension of the Chain and Charcot Oceanic fracture system. Other structural trends are in the NW-SE, NNE-SSW and N-S directions. Lineament density map revealed a suspected megafracture zone around Lokpaukwu and environs. The 3-D basement map revealed a folded topography which reflects the level of tectonism within the study area. The residual polynomial surfaces revealed deep seated anomalies around Lokpaukwu. Finally, the abundance of pyroclastics within part of the study area makes the area viable for ore mineral and quarrying explorations.

Geophysical investigations are increasingly applied to urban planning development for mapping and monitoring. Vertical electric sounding method and seismic refraction technique were used in Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKIA) Iran, in an attempt to define the subsurface structure, variation in thickness and strength of layers and also, determine the earthquake prone zones in the area. Distribution of electrical resistivity indicated that the study area can be divided into two parts of northern-southern or northeast-southwest. The fine grain silt, clay, marble and chalk deposits with low resistivity are created thick layers in southern and southwest parts of area. In depths 30, 50, 100 and 150 m we are faced to change in soil materials, in the other word change in layer composition mainly occurred at these depths. Also, the real and vast aquifer cannot be considered for this site and just local small mounding of groundwater in some positions such as northern part of area, in deep old alluvial deposits can be guessed. It seems that fault or discontinuity is passed from northwest to the southeast of the study area and is caused the change in geology and sedimentary conditions. According to Iranian Seismic Code (Standard 2800), most of the land around the airport are in class 2 and 3 and the future construction in this region will be required to comply with the standard design principles.

Geophysical exploration using electrical resistivity surveys have been taken up as method to delineate the thickness and resistivities of different layers and identification of potential zones for groundwater development in Naguleru Sub-Basin of Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is part of Cuddapah Basin of Peninsular India. Vertical Electrical Sounding were carried out up to 100 meters with 1/2 meter electrode spacing. The absolute resistivity values in the first layer of these formations range from 2 to 160 ohm-meters. and thickness ranges from 1.2 to 29meters, second layer ranges from 4 to 1160 ohm-meters and thickness ranges from 1.3 to 38.4 meters. The third layer commonly represents hard rock displaying the resistivity values ranging from 7 to 1621 ohm-meters to as high as infinite. The co-efficient of anisotropy varies from 1 to 2.59 and the spatial distribution of anisotropy values correlate with the water table fluctuation data. Groundwater potential zones have been demarcated by using interpreted geophysical analysis.

In this study, we compare the mineralogical properties of two different kind of Peat and Swamp. To achieve this goal, Samples from a highland peat and a peat swamp forest in Golestan Province, have been considered. These studies were carried out using thin sections, XRF, and XRD. Quartz, muscovite, biotite, pyroxene, and Fe in forest swamp and Fe–Mn component, Quartz, aluminum and clay in high land peat are composed mainly mineral. Result shows the concentration of aluminum and quartz in highland peat swamp and the concentration of sodium, sulphur, calcium and L.O.I in peat swamp forest is more.

Helwan named one of the important cities of the Sassanian period (652-226 AD) the building is attributed to G. Sasanian. The provincial capital city called "Shazfyrvz" It has been five Tasoojs to "win Quazi" "Mountains," "Symr", "Erbil" and "Khanaqin" has taken on. In this study, some of the specification gay nature and the source of ancient city located at the Bridge drainage analysis and the study of their nature and characteristics of the formation of the bridge, drainage, and religious minorities in the city explains the result religious formation and location of the city is reached.

In the present study, an attempt was made to evaluate and identify hydrogeochemistry of water and the involved chemical processes using Durov and Piper diagrams. The prominent hydrochemical facies was Ca2+-Mg2+-Cl--SO42- in both methods although slight variation in terms of Ca2+-Mg2+-HCO3- was also observed in few water samples. Piper diagrams indicated the dominance of mixed water type (70.84%) having no one cation-anion pair exceeds 50%, while Durov specified the dominance of simple dissolution or mixing (83.34 %) with no dominant major anion or cation. Thus, both the diagrams signify non-identification of the water types with neither anions dominant nor cations dominant. Piper diagram, Durov plot and chloroalkaline indices indicated the abundance and dominance of alkaline earth elements were over alkalies in majority of samples due to direct exchange of Ca2+ and Mg2+ from the Aquifer matrix with Na+ and K+ from the groundwater. Further, SAR (0.41>SAR< 2.78), percent sodium (7.3 > %Na < 42.4) and WQI (13.56 >WQI < 112.99) values recommended the suitability of 100, 91.67 and 62.5% of samples for domestic and irrigation purposes.

A 222Rn survey was carried out in order to explore the pattern of geographical and seasonal changes of 222Rn activity in soil-gas at different locations in Chitradurga district of Karnataka State using RAD7 radon detector coupled with special accessories, without dilution by outside air technique. Radon activity in the soil gas varied from 0.5 to 812.9 (mean: 93.78 Bq/m3) and 0.8 to 810.4 Bq/m3 (mean: 92.84 Bq/m3) during pre- and post-monsoon seasons respectively, with an annual mean of 0.65 to 811.65 Bq/m3 (mean: 93.31 Bq/m3). A significant spatial and insignificant temporal variation in soil radon activity has been observed in the study area, which is in the order of Hosadurga taluk (346.56 Bq/m3)> Hiriyur taluk (95.10 Bq/m3) > Challakere taluk (36.45 Bq/m3) > Chitradurga taluk (20.40 Bq/m3) > Holalkere taluk (2.87 Bq/m3). The results showed the radon values in the soil-gas of Chitradurga district are low (< 0.8 kBq/m3) enough to categorize them under low radon risk areas (viz., 10 kBq/m3).

Field study of Basaanga and Fugar Sandstone was embarked upon in order to determine lithostratigraphy profile, their relationship and laboratory studies including granulometric, heavy mineral, and petrographic analysis. The research studies were aimed towards understudying stratigraphic stacking pattern, textural parameters such as grain size, sorting, transportation history, paleoenvironment of deposition and provenance. The Bassanga Sandstone revealed angular grained basal conglomerate deposited on basement rock by flash flood (fluvial) processes deposited close to the source; overlain by fining-upward sequence in cyclic manner with azimuth of ~2500 paleocurrent direction. Laboratory data deductions show that the average grain size (-0.05 to 2.67 ?) vary from fine to coarse; sorting (0.18 to 0.86) varies from moderately sorted through moderately well sorted to very well sorted; skewness (0.16 to 4.15) varies from fine to strongly fine skewed. ZTR index (10.0 to 43.2%) from heavy mineral study suggests submature to matured sediment while thin section analysis shows texturally and compositionally mature to sub-mature sublitharenite tending strongly to quartzarenitic rock. The Bassanga sediments were transported by southwest paleocurrent and deposited in fluvial setting. However, Fugar Sandstone is fine grained (2.14-2.98?), herringbone structured, fairly bioturbated unit deposited in marginal marine environment; very well sorted (0.18 to 0.28), and strongly fine skewed (2.78-4.5). ZTR index varies from 35.9-50.0% suggestive of mineralogically immature sediments sourced from metamorphic rock (NW) and deposited by paleocurrent in southeasterly direction.

The relationship between p wave and s wave is dynamic, and it is majorly a function of terrain. Knowing the relationship between p wave and s waves for any particular terrain is of vital important for both seismic exploration and geotechnical analysis. The aim of this research work is to establish an absolute relationship between the p waves and s wave seismic velocities within the basement complex. This factor (ratio) will be a guide to a better estimate of shear wave velocity during data analysis that will enhance exploration and site characterization in areas where vertical geophones will be exclusively used for data acquisition. With a bid to achieving this aim, seismic survey was carried out within some locations in the basement complex. The data was processed to generate the p wave velocity models and s wave velocity models independently. The result revealed that both the p waves and s waves from the tomographic model generally increase with depth. The ratio of these p waves and s waves velocities ranges between 1.767981 to 1.999435347. The average representative value for these p waves and s waves velocities ratio was determined to be 1.794860218. The result also revealed that the ratio of p waves and s waves does not genially increase with depth. Therefore, a value of 1.8 approximated to one decimal place, can be taken as a representative value for the ratio between p waves and s waves down to a depth of 40 m within the basement complex. However a value of 1.9 to 2.0 can be adopted as a ratio between p and s wave velocity within the basement complex beyond the depth of 40 m.

Desertification is a complex phenomenon which reduces the soil fertility involving ecological and economic processes that characterise the environment at different geographic scale. The MEDALUS model identifies regions that are environmentally sensitive area (ESAs). In this model, different types of ESAs to desertification can be analyzed in terms of various parameters such as landforms, soil, geology, vegetation, climate, and human actions. About 80% of IRAN is located in arid and semi-arid region and third of its area is exposed to the threat of desertification with attention turning to the increasing area of deserts on IRAN, it is necessary to first identify areas liable to desertification before identifying mitigation and control measures. For this purpose it is necessary to prepare a desertification map as a guide for planners. In this study to evaluate the desertification condition regarding to local conditions of the study area, six indices of water, climate, soil, vegitation, management and wind erosion erosion were selected and assessment of desertification condition was conducted Based on these indices, weightening and MEDALUS model. The results showed that climate with average of 1.9 and wind erosion with 1.68 have the highest effects. Soil with average of 1.28 and Water with average of 1.31 have the lowest effect on the desertification process in the study area. almost 32.86% of study area was located in the very high class, 65.9% was located in high class and 1.24% was located in moderate class of desertification.

Different soil erosion types including water and wind erosion which result in soil degradation and reducing fertility potential of soil, cause desertification in the region. "Gully Erosion" is one of water erosion types that with progressive trend results in soil degradation, and on the other hand, produces a lot of sediments. Determination of effective factors on gully erosion and its hazard zonation is one of substantial approaches in order to manage and control this phenomenon, and select the most appropriate and applied effective option. Hence this study is performed to classify effective factors on gully erosion, and identify regions with high potential in gully erosion using analytical hierarchy process method in Neyzar region, Qom. The most effective factors in gully erosion including slope degree, slope aspect, lithology, land use, and land suitability, were collected and digitized in geographical information systems. Then, gullies inventory map prepared using 1:20000 aerial photos (1372), and field studies was carried out by GPS. In the next step, effective factors were compared in pairs, and the weight of each factor was calculated that illustrates their contribution. Next, scaled map of each factor in respect to their quantities was prepared, and finally, gully erosion was zoned using scaled layers and scale index related to each factor. Results indicate that lithology (0.4978), and land use (0.2227) are the most important factors in gully initiation, respectively. For the assessment of zonation map, gullies inventory map shows that about 91% of gullies are located in zones of high and very high risk in this region. Therefore, due to the fact that AHP is based on dual comparision of factors, results in easy and accurate necessery calculations and it includes many effective factors, it is a suitable and efficient method for gully erosion hazard zonation.

The World cannot exist without Water. It is an important component to human survival. Water should be purified for a better life style. It is the basic duty of every individual to conserve water resources. Nagavati watershed is located in a part of Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu in South India. It lies between latitudes 11°45’N to 12°15’ N and 77°30’ E to 78°30 E longitudes. It covers within the Survey of India toposheet nos. 57H/16, 57L/4, 58E/13, and 58I/1 covering an area of about 500 sq.km. Fourty six representative groundwater samples were collected from pre-monsoon season during 2015 and those water samples were analysed by standard analytic methods and physical and chemical parameters such as pH, Electrical Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids, Alkalinity, Hardness, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2, Cl , HCO3, CO3 , SO4, NO3 and F. Correlation study indicates that different parameters are strongly interrelated. The correlation and regression provide an excellent tool for the prediction of parameter values within a reasonable degree of accuracy.

Estimation of Aquifer Hydraulic properties and protective capacity of overburden units in groundwater aquifers of Nkanu-West local government area, Enugu state has been carried out. The project area lies within latitude 060 25I 00IIN to 060 38I 00IIN and longitudes 0070 13I 00IIE to 0070 24I 00IIE with an area extent of about 489.4sqkm, over two main geological formations. A total of seventy-eight Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) were acquired within the study area, employing the Schlumberger configuration. Resistivity and thickness of aquiferous layers were obtained from the interpreted VES data, using the INTERPEX resistivity software. The resistivity and depth to aquiferous layer varied from 50 to 1250?m and 40 to 180m respectively across the study area. Knowing resistivity and thickness, it was possible to compute transverse resistance and the longitudinal conductance. Using the relationship between transverse resistance and transmissivity, it was possible to estimate the aquifer hydraulics (transmissivity and the hydraulic conductivity) and the protective capacity of overburden units from VES data. Transmissivity ranges from 15m2/day to 140m2/day while hydraulic conductivity ranges from 0.5m/day to 8.0m/day. Based on transmissivity classifications, the study area is rated low to moderate groundwater potentials. The longitudinal conductance (ranging from 0.01?-1 to 20?-1) of the area enabled the protective capacity of the aquifer to be classified as moderate to good. Contour variation maps of apparent resistivity, overburden depth, transverse resistance, longitudinal conductance, aquifer transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity were constructed. The various constructed contour maps, the estimated aquifer hydraulics and overburden protective capacity, will serve as a useful guide for groundwater exploration and development in the study area.

Flood has today become a major disaster ravaging communities in different parts of the world, especially those lying around the banks of rivers. But most importantly, flooding occurs when the natural waterways are obstructed due to human quest for “development”. However, Physical Planning Agencies as well as many communities are now becoming more aware of the need to embrace best environmental management practices in order to avert the recurring colossal damages of flooding. Therefore, this paper set out to evaluate the physical planning measures adopted in controlling flooding in Kubwa town of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. In order to achieve this, a direct interview session was held with the representative of the Development Control Department (DCD) of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and also, a total of 100 questionnaires were administered on household heads or their representatives-representing 20% of the about 500 houses that were affected by the 2009 flooding. The primary data obtained was subsequently analysed using the descriptive statistical methods and the result revealed that the FCDA is to blame for granting legal titles for developers to build on the flood plain of river Usuma; this is because 60% of the houses submerged by the 2009 flooding have either C of Os or statutory right of occupancy. Owing to this therefore, the paper recommended that the FCDA should take a major step in addressing the situation through the enforcement of physical planning policies and the sensitization of the members of the public on how best to ensure a flood-free society by embracing environmental best practices.

Radiation that coming from the natural radionuclides such as 226Ra (238U), 228Ra (232Th) and 40K can cause health risks if exposed for longer terms. The activity and radiological effect parameters of these natural radionuclides were determined in rock samples from Bukit Bunuh. The results of measurements showed that the average activity concentration of 226Ra varied from 22.5 to 42.3 Bq kg-1, for 228Ra, it varied from 1.2 to 3.5 Bq kg-1 and for 40K, it varied from 274.3 to 438.2 Bq kg-1. Based on the available data, the radiation hazard parameter is calculated. The external gamma dose rate calculated from the concentration of the three radionuclides ranged from 29.8 to 38.7 nGy h-1. Three calculated parameters from the activity concentration values, i.e. the radium equivalent activity (Raeq) range between 59.3 and 78.6 Bq kg-1 (mean 68.1 Bq kg-1), the representative level index (I?r) range between 0.46 and 0.59 (mean 0.50) and the external hazard index (Hex) range between 0.17 and 0.21 (mean 0.20). This is well below the recommended value of 370 Bq kg-1 (for Raeq) and unity (for Hex). The annual effective dose rate of the areas was determined to be between 0.037 and 0.048 mSv y-1. The results show that there are no significant health hazards to humans.

A seismological investigation for earthquake hazard in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area was undertaken. The research was aimed at employing a mathematical model to estimate the seismic stress for the study area by generating a complete, unified and harmonized earthquake catalogue spanning 1615 to 2012. Seismic events were sourced from Amponsah, P., Leydecker, G. and Muff R. (2012) based on Ambraseys and Adams, (1986), Geological Survey Department (GSD), Ghana Atomic Energy Commission’s National Data Center (NDC), National Earthquake Information Service (NEIS), United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the International Seismological Centre (ISC).The least square estimation method and the maximum likelihood estimation method were employed to evaluate b-values of 0.6 and 0.9 respectively for the study area. A thematic map of epicentral intensity was developed to help relate the distribution of events with respect to the virtually fractured, jointed and sheared geology of the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA). The results obtained are indicative of the fact that the stress level of GAMA has a telling effect on its seismicity and also the events are prevalent at fractured, jointed and sheared zones of weakness.

The paper focused on assessment of perception on climate change associated disasters, adaptations and resources for future opportunities based on human perceptions. Stratified random sampling was used for selecting respondents between north and southern Gashua. Fifty (50) respondents from the south and thirty eight (38) from the North were selected. The data was collected via field observation and structured interviews at the onset of the rainy season of 2011. The result revealed that, drought, wind storm, heat wave, hamattan dust, tree biodiversity reduction, flood and out-break of some heat related meningitis are among the major disasters aggravating the social well-beings of the populace. Among the reasons perceived for the disasters were massive deforestation, overgrazing due to communal resource feeling, nearness to desert, poverty, and societal immorality .Field observation revealed that, the inhabitants have adapted to the environmental challenges by practicing irrigation, fishing, rearing livestock, seasonal regional and local migration to southern Nigeria, reverting to traditional architectures, planting exotic tree species, civil service and intensive prayers for Devine intervention in their various religious gatherings. The study recommends among others, Agro- forestry intensification practice using draught- resistant tree species and massive participatory rural- integrated projects towards improvement of social amenities, economic diversifications through collaboration of NGOS, CBOS and local authorities, for the ample dry land resources-based opportunities witnessed in the study area.

The study area is a part of the Mid Ganga Basin that lies in Patna district, Bihar state. It is made up of thick (>300 m) pile of sediments comprising layered sequences of sand, silt and clay deposits. Within the layered sequences, medium to coarse sand beds are embedded which form aquifers. The annual normal rainfall of the area is 1200 mm, 86% of which takes place during monsoon period spanning between June and September. High Arsenic concentrations (> 50 ppb) have been reported from the several blocks of the Patna districts including Maner. The present work deals with the study of hydrogeological aspects arsenic contamination of the Maner Block of the Patna district. The present study is an attempt to decipher relationship between arsenic occurrences and its relation with other major elements present in the area. Relation between different elements is understood by preparing graphs. It is seen that Fe, HCO3 and Arsenic (As) generally indicates the increase of concentrations towards Ganga River. Higher concentrations of arsenic (> 50 ppb) were encountered mainly in the newer alluvium (T0), whereas the Older Alluvium appears to be arsenic free.

Sedimento logical analysis methods to study historical events and environmental sections of these dimentary basins of the natural sciences is common. Analysis of sedimentary sections particularly Quaternaryse dements can be revealed climatic and environmental conditions of the area and uncover favorable view of the environmental conditions. The purpose of this study is Analysis of Bayazeh sediments and Chopanan sediments and explanation of their formation environment. In this study the physical properties of these diments containing Granulometry, Analysis, Calcimetry, Transparent rate, rounding rate and chemical properties, including the amount of lime, pH, EC were compared and the results indicated that Chopanan sediments were aeolian sediments and deposited in dry environment and Bayazeh sediments deposits in an aquatic environment. This causes indicate that in the past era there was a local pond in the Bayazeh.