Earth Sciences Pakistan (ESP)

A continuation of this study of Uvigerina and its related genera has resulted in numerous studies which may be of general interest. Thirty-two Paleogene small Rotaliid benthic foraminiferal species of this genus and other related genera are common in eighteen localities in the Northern and Southern Tethys (USA, Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, Cuba, Caribbean, Chile, Argentina, France, Germany, Italy, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Nigeria, Jordan, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Pakistan). The taxonomy of the genus Uvigerina d’Orbigny with the other three related genera (i.e. Rectuvigerina Mathews, Euuvigerina Thalmann and Uvigerinella Cushman are presented and discussed.

The study used various indices of pollution to assess the level of soil contamination from Irasa Abattoir in Ado-Ekiti, Southwestern Nigeria. Samples of soil were collected at the surface, 15cm and 30cm depths from effluent, roasting and bone waste areas, so as to evaluate the influence of abattoir activities on the soil quality. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) indicates uncontaminated to moderate contamination for the studied heavy metals, while the PLI ˃ 1 revealed continuous deterioration of the studied sites. The potential ecological risk factor and risk index (RI) of the metals revealed low risk level. However, the study exposed the effect of wastes and other activities on the status of the soils. Therefore, there is need to monitor the deterioration level of the abattoir site.

Climate change is a universal phenomenon which has impacted several aspects of farming such as seasons, crop production, land fertility as well as trees health. The climate change has been observed overtime, reportedly affecting agricultural production in various regions in several countries. The impact of climate change has been more widespread in Pakistan and the country has proved to be more vulnerable. The economy of Pakistan is mainly driven by agriculture-related activities. Pakistan is among the top exporter countries of Citrus fruit and the demand of this product is higher across the world. However, there has been an increasing concern of low Citrus production in Pakistan, as compared to the neighboring countries, an aspect which necessitates the salience of studying Citrus production in Pakistan. To this end, this study examines the effects of rainfall, temperature, humidity and wind speed on Citrus production to identify the Citrus orchards change as a result of climate change. To achieve this goal, this study makes use of various data collection techniques, data sources and different statistical analysis tools such as SPSS to investigate the impact of climate change on Citrus production in the selected area. The findings suggest that there exists a significant correlation between Citrus production and change in temperature (p=0.039), rainfall (p=0.048) and wind speed (p=0.001). In addition, the correlation coefficient between rainfall and Citrus production is positive with a value of 0.341. Mitigating the impacts of climate change has never been so simple and thus a holistic approach is always needed to attain the sustainability status. This study offers recommendations for policymakers to formulate the future policies of the country.

The study investigated the levels of specific heavy metals in water, tilapia, and vegetables grown in abandoned mining pits in Bukuru, Jos South. Control point was set up in Riyom while five sampling points were chosen throughout Bukuru town. 32 water samples as well as 8 samples of fish and cabbage were gathered. Eight (8) heavy metals, including cadmium, manganese, mercury, copper, nickel, lead, uranium, and zinc, were examined in the samples. The findings demonstrated that the dry season comparison with control did not reveal a statistical difference at ρ > 0.05, d = 0.06, but the comparison of mean seasonal levels of heavy metal levels in water samples with control shows a statistical difference in concentration levels between mean concentration and trend observed at control point at ρ < 0.05, d = 0.02. Nevertheless, compared to the control sample, Cd, Mn, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn was higher in cabbage. For both seasons, the maximum allowable limit for fish consumption was exceeded by all investigated heavy metals except for Ur, which was not found. The seasonal distributions of heavy metals in water and cabbage samples were compared, and the results indicated that there was no statistically significant difference at ρ > 0.05, d = 0.32 during the rainy season and ρ > 0.05, d = 0.13 during the dry season. This suggests that heavy metals bioaccumulate in cabbage from water contaminated with heavy metals and there is the need to reclaim the pit to prevent further pollution.

This study aimed at mapping the lithological formations and hydrothermally altered zones that are fruitful for the mineral potential in parts of the north-central basement complex of Nigeria using aeroradiometric data. The resulting radioelement of uranium (eU), thorium (eTh) and potassium (K%) anomaly data were subsequently used to depict the lithologies and hydrothermal alteration zones using ternary and potassium to thorium ratio imageries respectively. The abundance of K, eTh and eU varies in proportion of 0.12 to 4.37 %, 5.49 to 29.41 ppm and 0.49 to 8.29 ppm. The potassium to thorium ratio ranges from 0.01 to 0.38 %ppm revealing the hydrothermally altered zones to be around Dadabiri, Pai, Kwali, Gao and Tagwai. Hence, the prominent minerals identified in the study include albite (feldspar), granite, dolerite, gold and muscovite. The distribution and extent of these mineralized zones fall within a broad northeast-southwest trending axis.

Water is crucial for human survival, food production, and economic growth. However, many poor nations, including Nigeria, lack access to potable water. Untreated natural sources, such as ponds, rivers, and streams, are the only viable source for domestic use. In Oboguru, a community in Delta State, rainwater harvesting is not possible due to acid rain. The only viable option of water supply is through boreholes which have high iron content. This study is aimed to enhance Borehole water quality in rural areas with simple treatment methods. The treatment plant consists of a multiple-tray aeration tower in a hopper-shaped sedimentation tank constructed to provide a chamber of undisturbed body of water allowing for sedimentation. Draw off of the clear water from the sedimentation tank is by a 100mm diameter pipe that takes the water by gravity to a containerized rapid gravity filter. The filter media consists of graded sand, gravel, and activated carbon for effective iron removal. The filtered water flows by gravity into the 4.5 m3-capacity clear-water/chemical contact ground tank of steel construction. Filter backwashing is accomplished by 45 m3 of treated water in the elevated tank. The results revealed that the removal of iron content of 3.5mg/l was 100%. while the maximum removal of CO2 was 77.4%. The Water Quality Index (WQI) of the treated water improved from 514.74 to 23.28 indicating excellent water quality. With decreases in acidity, hardness, turbidity, alkalinity, and total dissolved solids, there is evidence that aeration, sedimentation, and filtration have greatly enhanced the water’s quality. This low-cost treatment method has achieved better water quality that is safe and free from contamination

Charnockitic and associated rocks outcropping around Ikare were investigated for their rare earth element concentration and distribution patterns. REE data on these rocks are scanty due to lack of geochemical data. Hence, this study was designed to determine the rare earth element distribution patterns and infer the nature of their protoliths. A total of 40 rock samples were subjected to geochemical analyses using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Results showed that igneous charnockites are more enrinched in average total REE of 278.75, while the granite had the least of 151.52. All the rock samples showed a strong compositional similarity with pronounced enrichment in light rare earth elements in relative to heavy rare earth elements. La/YbN ratios for all rock types are above 5 with the metapelites having average ratio of 40.6. The Gd/YbN ratios are below 2.0 for the charnockitic rocks. The rocks generally showed significant europium anomalies due to previous segregation of Ca-rich phases such as Ca-rich plagioclase for a magmatic origin or Ca-poor protolith in case of metasedimentary. Eu/Eu*anomalies are below 1.0 for charnockitic and gneissic rocks except for the granites. It is evident that the precursors of these rocks evolved through magmatic differentiation processes and signaled partial melting of the lower crust which was later got contaminated at the upper crustal level.

The study area is located at Owan East Local Government of Edo state (Figure 1.1). Igue is located in the South Western part of Igarra (it runs between latitudes 7̊ 12′ 40″N to 7̊ 13′ 22″N and longitudes 6̊ 5′ 21″E to 6̊ 5′ 38.5″ on Auchi Sheet 266. A total of five (5) marble samples from Igue and environs in Southern Nigeria were obtained with the aim of qualifying the marble using XRF as well as XRD techniques and determining its economic importance. The major element composition of the marble deposit shows it has a mean chemical composition of CaO (91.14 wt. %), MgO (0.64 wt. %), SiO2 (4.17 wt. %), K2O (0.16 wt. %), Al2O3 (2.57 wt. %) and Fe2O3 (0.40 wt. %), respectively. The modal composition of the marble is, Calcite (65.1 %), Quartz (14.74 %), Orthoclase (7.66 %), Lime (6.5 %) and Illite (5.96 %). The results of the analysis revealed that the Igue marble is highly calcitic in composition. The ternary plot tends towards CaO and CaCO3 which confirms the former. Subject to beneficiation, Igue marble can be used for cement production. The marble can also be used for sculpture, tiles, chips and decorative purposes.

Gamma-ray log interpretation is an exploration technique that provides significant information about lithology, mineral constituents, pore size, and water content during oil and gas exploration. This study uses gamma-ray log analysis to identify lithology, discriminate faults and fractures, and estimate water saturation and porosity in the Nigerian petroleum region. We acquired gamma-ray logs using specialized logging equipment fitted with scintillation detectors. The raw data was processed and calibrated to obtain gamma-ray values in API units. Interpretation involved comparing measured values to standard shale and sandstone references, identifying lithological changes, and identifying potential reservoir locations. Gamma-ray logs were combined with other well logs, such as resistivity, neutron, and density, for comprehensive formation evaluation. The analysis of gamma-ray logs in Nigerian oil fields revealed promising results. Higher gamma-ray readings effectively distinguished shale-rich intervals (up to 96.234 API units at 143.123 meters depth) from potential hydrocarbon-bearing zones. Clean sandy areas with low gamma-ray values (65.432 API units at 100.234 meters depth) indicated high porosity and permeability reservoirs. Variability in gamma-ray trends across depth intervals (ranging from 4.567 to 9.567 API units) suggested lithological changes and stratigraphic boundaries. Gamma-ray log analysis has proven invaluable in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. It contributes to well depth identification, defining zones with shale potential, exploring hydrocarbon reservoirs and mapping stratigraphic layers, as well as optimizing post-well development plans. The fusion of gamma-ray logs with other well logs will help one have a deeper understanding of the subsurface geological characteristics. Determining how to manage resources for development and sustainability requires this understanding.

Bioenergy is generated from biomass by anaerobic digestion, and it is considered a sustainable solution for the globe to overcome energy demands. In Anaerobic digestion the organic material breaks in the absence of oxygen and produces biogas, initially, it produces methane and CO2. The Neocallimastix frontalis anaerobic fungi are used to break down complex organic material, helping to enhance anaerobic digestion. Neocallimastix frontalis is present in the herbivore’s rumen enhances the enzyme activity and enables the breakdown of lignocellulosic biomass. The structure of lignocellulosic is complex so it becomes a challenge for enzymatic degradation. The steam explosion pretreatment method is used for making the lignocellulosic substrates digestible. It makes the structure of lignocellulosic biomass more accessible for enzymatic breakdown and enhances microbial fermentation that helps to lead the biogas production. Anaerobic digestion produces digestate, which is a nutrient-rich fertilizer that promotes sustainable agriculture practices that produce biogas. In future, more studies are required to use Neocallimastix frontalis in anaerobic digestion process improvement. This may help not only in improving the mode of biogas production, it also used in addressing strengthening global energy and environmental issues. This involves the identification and implementation of genetic engineering technologies and advanced biotechnology techniques that promote the development, and commercialization of enzymatic profiles and biogas generation systems. Moreover, the evolution of bioreactor design, process optimization, as well as microbial engineering, are some of the developments of these technologies as such, deployment of such technologies in diverse industries. Agriculture will further complement climate change mitigation efforts and the accomplishment of sustainable development goals.