Earth Sciences Pakistan (ESP)

Two hundred and twenty-seven Maastrichtian-Early Paleogene benthic foraminiferal species were recorded from three widely separated surface Jordanian sections: Wadi Arab in the north, Muwaqqar in the center, and Tell Burma in the south. Forty-two species and subspecies were listed. Fifteen diagnostic species of them are treated by him as new species, which recorded and illustrated in this study. The paleogeographic distribution of them in some other countries in the Southern Tethys are recorded: United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Tunisia, Tanzania and Angola. One of the original species of Futyan: Siphogenerinoides elnaggari is considered here as a junior synonym of another species Orthokarstenia higazyi (Nakkady). The paratype of the recorded species Vaginulinopsis wadiarabensis Futyan is considered recently, by the present author, as a new genus and species: Lenticuzonaria hodae, while the holotype of it was regarded to be the holotype of the new genus Percultalina. As a token of appreciation of his outstanding career and faunal contributions, one species was recently erected: Pseudoclavulina futyani. Most of the recorded species (10 species) are endemic to Jordan, while others were recorded in other countries in the Southern Tethys. Most of these species are used to introduce an evolutionary trend marked by changes in the morphology and other characters of these benthic foraminiferal test. The Jordanian assemblage indicates an open marine environment, which represents middle-outer neritic environment (100 m ~ 200 m depth) and shows an affinity with Midway-Type Fauna (MTF).

Geoelectrical investigation was carried out in Otuo Community of Edo State, Southern Nigeria, with the aim of delineating the best aquifer bearing zone, and as well the vertical and lateral variation of subsurface lithology with depth and distance respectively. Schlumberger electrode configuration was employed in obtaining four (4) VES data. In determining the capacity bearing rating and groundwater potential of the area, the Dar Zarruk Parameters were tools used in characterizing the aquifer viz: Resistivity Contrast (RC), Resistivity Reflection Coefficient (RRC), Total Transverse Resistance (T) and Total Longitudinal Conductance (S). From the results obtained, VES 3 is the showed high potential source for groundwater compared to other VES points. It has the highest T value of 73,050.27 Ωm2 (showing a very good transmissivity of the layer), RC (3.045) and RRC (0.500), however, all parameters fell within good prospect for groundwater development. VES 1, 2 and 4 having values of 4787.22, 4003.95 and 28106.1005 (ohm-m2) respectively. The results obtained also show that VES 3 had the highest fracture thickness of 61.26 m meaning it has the highest groundwater potential, since VES 1, 2 and 4 having values of 22.02 m, 27.34 m, 48.91 m respectively.

This study utilized the interpretation of the airborne magnetic and radiometric data to delineate the potential structures that are associated with gold mineralization of the Minna and its environs, Northcentral Nigeria. The total field anomaly data was reduced to pole and upward continued in a bid to well positioned and enhanced the shallow (high pass) magnetic structures. The high pass structural lineaments were extracted and the resulting prominent E-W and NE-SW tectonic trends were revealed which are perhaps related to Eburnean (D1) and Pan-African (D2) deformation events respectively. Subsequently, numerous regions with relatively high degree of faulting and shearing effects were unraveled from the line density analysis of the high pass lineaments. The 3-D Euler deconvolution technique provides a synonymous trend pattern with the HP lineaments as well as estimate the depth extents to the potential structures with values varying between 82.7 and 211.9 m. It was found that the mineralized structures associated with gold over the study area interact with the hydrothermal fluids alongside/adjacent to the structurally deformed (relatively high degree of faulting and shearing effects) regions. The observed regions with coincident, of the hydrothermally altered and structurally deformed are therefore marked as the resourceful, structures for gold mineralization. Hence, the derived evidence from this study has updated the information on the structures that are associated with gold mineralization and also acts a mitigation major against the indiscriminate excavations of the studied region.

A geophysical study comprising vertical electrical soundings was carried out in four (4) locations (Udi 1, Udi 2, Udi 3 and Udi 4) in Udi L.G.A. to assess groundwater potentials. The method involves the use of resistivity equipment (ABEM Terrameter), the field data were obtained utilizing Schlumberger configuration. The WINRESIST software was utilized in the data processing. According to the study’s findings, the geological formations present in these locations contain five to seven layers. Layers 1 has resistivity values ranging from 158.1 – 418.1 m at depths of 0.6 – 1.6 m, layer 2 has resistivity values ranging from 1103.9 – 41387.3  m at depths of 0.8 – 8.9 m, layer 3 has resistivity values ranging from 313.0 – 4782.9 m at depths of 6.9 – 28.2 m, layer 4 has resistivity values ranging from 1847.9 – 6956.8 m at depths of 11.8 – 154.6 m, layer 5 has resistivity values ranging from 115.0 – 2838.4 m at depths of 101.2 – 219.2 m, layer 6 has resistivity values ranging from 51.1 – 261.7 m at a depth 190.6 m, and layer 7 have a resistivity value of 47.1 m at an unknown depth. Layer 4 from all locations shows a prolific aquifer where enormous groundwater can be explored due to its high resistivity values, depth and thickness. The aquifer is estimated to be at the depths of 90.0 – 120.0 m. The results of this geophysical examination revealed that the studied region has good groundwater potential, which if properly utilized, will go a long way toward alleviating the effects of water insufficiency in Udi L.G.A.

In developing nations like Pakistan, the dumping of untreated industrial effluents into drains is a major source of subsurface pollution. This research was carried out at the area of Chokera, Faisalabad and focused on the Paharrang drain to examine its impact on groundwater quality since companies in the area discharge untreated sewage into the drain at various points along its length. It was primarily concerned with determining the impact of the outflow on groundwater quality and observing discharge rate fluctuations. The goal of this study was to assess the toxicity of the drain’s effluent and treatment plant on groundwater quality. Physio-chemical parameters such as pH, EC, TDS, TSS, DO, Carbonates, Bicarbonates, Cl, Arsenic, Lead, Chromium, Copper, Cadmium, and Zinc were measured in the collected samples. The findings of these samples were compared to WHO recommendations. The values of these data were represented using ArcView GIS v10.2 and a mapping of quality parameters. None of the values in the wastewater samples were determined to be within the WHO acceptable limit. Similarly, groundwater investigation revealed that all samples were unsuitable for human consumption. Drinking groundwater directly might be hazardous to one’s health.

Percultalina n. gen. is introduced here to include the Early Paleogene benthic Lagenid foraminiferids from Jordan and Egypt (Southern Tethys) that characterized by its large lenticular initial portion followed by two or more uniserial elongate erected or inclined inflated rounded chambers, ornamented surface by elevated sutures with a row of tubercles or nodes along the sutures, and spinose surface. This new genus has been previously assigned to different genera: Vaginulinopsis Reuss, or Percultazonaria Loeblich & Tappan, or Marginulinopsis Silvestri. Three Early Paleogene species of the new genus are described here from two countries in Jordan: Percultalina wadiarabensis (Futyan) with rectilinear uniserial portion of the test (the genotype of the new genus), and Egypt: Percultalina misrensis Anan (n. sp.), and P. sinaensis with inclined uniserial portion of the test. Moreover, varied and diverse genera of the Lagenid benthic foraminifera are attempted here to study the holotypes of seven diagnostic genera of this group: Lenticulina Lamarck, Cribrolenticulina Haman, Marginulinopsis Silvestri, Percultazonaria Anan, Leticuzonaria Anan, Lenticubella Anan and Percultalina Anan. The taxonomic revision of these seven genera will greatly aid paleontologists and biostratigraphers to helpfully understanding.

Seismic refraction data was acquired in the Middle Benue Trough which is located in the north central Nigeria with latitude 07.5-08.5oN and longitude 08.00-09.30oE. The aim was to find out how velocity vary in the near-surface layers in the area using seismic refraction data. The seismic survey was investigated at 14 acquisition stations. Two overlapping reversed profiles were shot into 14 stations. Each acquisition station was primed with 0.20kg dynamite loaded at 1.5m below the surface. The recording equipment was McSeis-160MXTM, and monitor record was processed with Microsoft Excel software to determine the velocities from both the forward and reversed shot-points. The results show two distinct layers cases. The thickness of the topmost layer varies between 2.75m and 5.45m with a mean of 4.1m. The velocity of this topmost layer varies between 399.0 ms-1 and 767.0ms-1 with a mean of 604.8ms-1. The velocity of the underlying layer (V1) varies between 1212.5ms-1 and 3257.0ms-1 with a mean of 1757.9ms-1. The velocity increases with depth into the subsurface. The results are useful in locating groundwater aquifer, and in the design of source-receiver arrays for reflection seismic.

Lenticubella n. gen. is introduced here to include the Paleocene benthic Lagenid Foraminiferids from some Tethyan localities (Poland and Egypt) that characterized by symmetrical planispirally enrolled hyaline calcareous test in the early stage, followed by later uniserial stage, moderately involute chambers, smooth surface, radiate aperture, with periphery keeled in some individuals. Some representatives of the new genus have been previously assigned to the genus Darbyella, or Lenticulina, or Robulus. The new genus has a compiled characters between its lenticular test (as the genus Lenticulina Lamarck (with its symmetrical planispirally enrolled test, and smooth surface), and also another genus Darbyella Howe and Wallace (which has planispiral-uniserial test with inclined positon on the uniserial part on the early planispiral direction). Two Paleocene species of the new genus are described from Poland in the Northern Tethys (L. irregularis and L. polonica), and another two species from Egypt in the Southern Tethys (L. kurkurensis and L. misrensis). The Polonian species have flush or slightly depressed sutures, while the Egyptian species have raised sutures, mainly in the planispiral stage, but slightly depressed sutures in the uniserial stage.

Groundwater is a major source of water supply throughout the world. Its dependence is at the increase, so is highly necessary to ensure that there is a significant supply of potable water with high quality. On the verge of seeing these problems, we investigated shallow aquifer in Rumuohia community in Emohua local government area, Rivers State, Nigeria which aimed at utilizing seismic refraction method to delineate depth to shallow aquifer and geological structure of the terrain at five selected locations. The analysis of the result shows two layers with the presence of sand-gravel and clay lithologies. Layer 1 in all five locations is made up of clay with an average velocity of 274.83m/s with a thickness range of 4.88m to 9.98m at an average of 7m. Layer 2 in two locations is made up of sandy clay. In one location, it is clay while in the remaining two locations they are sand with gravel (dry), which infers a potential aquifer with an average velocity of 422.63m/s. The sand being present indicates a good aquifer, and clay serves as a stopper for the sand since it tends to go through compaction by overburden pressure. The study area is generally a good site for a borehole with a high tendency for potable water supply.

Field and petrographic studies of the Makenene area in the Central African Fold Belt in Cameroon reveals several features testifying the mafic and felsic magmas interactions and their coeval nature. They are: (1) the Mafic Magmatic Enclaves (MMEs) scattered throughout the Makenene granitoid pluton and displaying sub-rounded shape and back veining, (2) flow structures consisting of schlierens at the tails of MMEs, folded MMEs along with felsic host granitoids with hinge indicating the flow direction, (3) irregular or cuspate boundary between MMEs and host granitoids, (4) quenching of apatite and biotites minerals, (5) MMEs enclosing other MMEs or felsic host granitoids. The mafic magma injection operated during at least four stages (from early to late crystallization state of the host magma) leading respectively to the formation of homogenized granitoid; sub-spherical MMEs scattered in the pluton; dismembered dyke and undisturbed synplutonic mafic dyke. The Makenene area registered four deformation phases (D1 to D4). The first two deformation phases occurred before the magmatism and migmatization events. The third phase is coeval to the magmatism and the migmatization period (at the Eburnean orogeny (2.08-2.07 Ga)). The fourth phase is related to the Panafrican orogeny.