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Abstracts
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Tuesday, 02 February 2010 12:26 |
Impact of Structural Deformation on Uranium in Groundwater of Kamlial Formaton, Southern Potwar, Pakistan.
A total of 390 groundwater samples were collected from wells, hand pumps, bore holes, springs and seepages associated with sandstones of Kamlial Formation of Miocene age of southern Potwar covering 900 km2 of the area. The physiochemical parameters such as pH, Eh, TDS and temperature were recorded at the sampling sites. The samples were chemically analyzed for uranium, principal cations, anions and trace elements. The hydrochemical data was statistically treated with DAS and SPSS softwares.
The sandstones of the Kamlial Formation are uniformly well to very well cemented by calcite, argillaceous and iron cement. The groundwater circulation in the Formation is associated with secondary porosity and permeability, which is created by structural deformations. Diljaba, Kallar Kahar and Vasnal faults have played a key role to create secondary porosity and permeability and local change in water chemistry. Due to thrusting, the salt, marl and gypsum have enhanced the TDS concentration in the groundwater. Based on statistical treatment of hydrogeochemical data, Dhariala-Khokh Bala, Chhumbi-Kallarar Kahar, Phadial-Choa Ganj Ali Shah, Dhaeri Jabba, Sakhrah-Tandal and Dhok Awan areas contain hydrogeochemical anomalies. These hydrogeochemical anomalies are associated with secondary porosity and permeability induced by structural deformations, which enhanced water circulation and water rock interaction in Kamlial Formation.
Author(s):
Zafar Iqbal, Khursheed Alam Butt, Naseer Ali Qamar, Farrukh Mahmood and Ahmad Nabi, AEMC Lahore.
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Tuesday, 02 February 2010 12:20 |
Hydraulics of Groundwater related to Quality and Waste Management
The primary source of drinking water in Pakistan is Groundwater. In the past, the quality of groundwater was not of major concern. But with the passage of time, it is becoming apparent that the quality of groundwater is gradually deteriorating. Most of the contaminating compounds are known to be carcinogenic or mutagenic; therefore it is a serious threat to the groundwater resource. Following points are introduced in this paper: a) the sources of contamination, b) the hydraulics of groundwater movement, c) the movement of reactive/non-reactive contaminants in groundwater and, d) practical considerations related to groundwater quality management.
In Pakistan, the main source of contamination is fertilizers, pesticides and saline water present in deeper layers of the groundwater aquifers. The movement of groundwater is itself a complex phenomenon. Further complications arise due to due to presence of contaminants. The movement of contaminants depends on their chemical nature, physical properties of the aquifers like adsorption, hydraulic conductivity, rate of groundwater movement, boundary and initial concentrations, etc.
The contaminant transport in groundwater is a multi-disciplinary subject. The hydraulics of contaminant transport can be modeled using mathematical techniques. The reliability depends on the quality of available data. In addition to simplified mathematical solutions, computer models are also used for the purpose. These models provide greater flexibility to simulate complex field conditions.
Special control measures are required for prevention and control of contamination of groundwater aquifers. These measures are site specific. Main steps can be divided into containment, Removal and Treatment.
Author(s):
M.Nadeem, Centre of Excellence in Water resource Engineering, UET, Lahore.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 02 February 2010 12:23 |
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Tuesday, 02 February 2010 09:57 |
The Alluvial Aquifer of the Indus Basin: Its systematic degradation threatens desertification and eventual extinction
The Indus drainage basin covers an area of about 360,000 sq. miles in the eastern part of Pakistan. It comprises the mountainous catchment in its northern and western part, a desert tract in the eastern part, and a vast alluvial plain in its southern and central part. The Indus plain is underlain by a vast alluvial aquifer, the Indus alluvial aquifer. In Punjab it covers 25 m. acres. In Sindh it forms a relatively narrow groundwater artery about 350 miles long. The entire aquifer constitutes one unified hydrological entity.
This paper briefly summarizes the hydrogeology, groundwater potential, water quality of the aquifer and its Impact on the prosperity and future of Pakistan. Presently more than 90% of the aquifer is saturated with approximately 3500 MAF of water with an exploitable potential of about 700 MAF. This is about 50 times greater than the existing surface storage of about 14-15 MAF. However, the crux of the problem is that the aquifer contains large bodies of saline groundwater underlying nearly 50 % of the areal extent of the aquifer. Presently on an average 145-149 MAF of surface water enters the Indus plain annually and about 6% (6.36 MAF) is estimated to provide recharge to the aquifer. On the other hand annual ground water extraction from the aquifer is estimated at about 45 MAF. Extensive groundwater mining is thus taking place in many areas.
The present irrigation system has resulted in extensive water logging and salinisation. Reclamation activities have once again altered the hydrologic trend and through vast areas were reclaimed through tube wells, but it resulted in depletion of groundwater storage, extensive saline water encroachment and creation of serious problems of salt dispersal and concentration.
Spread over more than fifty years, our efforts to contain the water logging and salinity have not succeeded. New problems such as salt water encroachment, increase in soil and water salinity and rapidly falling water table have occurred. In other areas water logging is spreading fast and the net result is that despite reclamation of vast areas in upper Indus plain, we still have 38% of the area water logged and 14% of area severely salinised. Thus in effect the process of desertification has become effective.
Urgency of prompt action is highlighted by the fact that over the past 20 years available water supply has fallen for short of the requirements. We have survived mainly though enhanced groundwater extraction (presently 45 MAF annually). With growing population, a water shortage of about 40 MAF by 2005, 107 MAF by 2013, and 202 MAF by 2025 is expected. With insufficient surface water, groundwater was our only hope. But in view of above fact, it is difficult to foresee how the Indus alluvial aquifer can meet a short fall of 200 MAF by the year 2025. This picture is so gruesome that it warrants immediate attention of all concerned and action at a iwar footingi.
Author(s):
A.H.Kazmi, FF2, Block 59, Seaview Township, DHA, Karachi.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 02 February 2010 12:22 |
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Thursday, 24 December 2009 13:47 |
Geochemical Dispersion of Copper in Lake Bottom Sediments of Lokken Area, Norway.
Bottom sediments and water were sampled from the desired sites of lakes to study the dispersion of copper in contaminated and virgin lakes of Lokken area, Central Norway. This study was an effort to use the information as a tool for geochemical exploration of ore deposits in glaciated terrain with higher density of lakes and poor rock exposures. For the above objective frozen lake sediments and water were collected by designing and fabricating new samples in the workshop of Geological Survey of Norway at Trondheim. The results of the present work are encouraging both in the field of instrumentation and the study of dispersion of copper to be used as a tool in the geochemical exploration of ore deposits.
Author(s):
Khalil A. Mallick, S.M.Hasnain, E.A.Khan & M.A.Farooqui
Department of Geology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
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Thursday, 24 December 2009 10:29 |
Titanium Content of a Chloritoid-Quartz-Ilmenit Band in Ophiolitic Melange near Prang Ghar, NW Pakistan.
Titanium is a valuable engineering metal and has many uses. In the greenstone of the Indus Suture mélange near Prang Ghar, a 200m long and 1 to 3.5 m thick band consists essentially of chloritoid (31 to 59 vol. %) quartz (10 to 27%), and ilmenite+Fe-oxide (8 to 25%). The rocks contain very high Al2O3, total Fe2O3 and TiO2, and low SiO2, CaO, MgO and alkalis. The unusual composition may have formed from basaltic precursors of the greenstone by weathering (laterization) or alteration, followed by greenschist facies metamorphism. Chemical analysis of three samples, containing 5 to 10 wt. TiO2 % warrant further investigation of the area.
Author(s):
M. Rafiq, Department of Geology, University of Peshawar. Peshawar.
Qasim Jan, NCE Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar.
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Last Updated on Thursday, 24 December 2009 10:37 |
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