Earth Science Malaysia (ESMY)

The “CZ” field refers to a promising hydrocarbon reservoir situated inside the Niger Delta region in Nigeria. The field is characterised by the presence of three distinct reservoir zones, namely the Agbada, Benin, and Akata formations. The research employed a multidisciplinary methodology to assess the hydrocarbon potential of the field, using techniques such as well log analysis, seismic interpretation, and petrophysical modelling. The findings of the research indicate that the “CZ” region has noteworthy potential for hydrocarbon resources. The aggregate assessed in-situ reserves of oil and gas amount to 1.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) and 8.0 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas, correspondingly. The expected recovery factor for oil in the field is 20%, while for petrol it is predicted to be 80%. The study has identified a number of issues that want attention in order to advance the subject of “CZ.” The problems encompass several factors, namely the existence of water and gas within the reservoir, the intricate structural geology of the field, and the field’s distant geographical position. Notwithstanding these obstacles, the “CZ” sector exhibits the capacity to emerge as a significant hydrocarbon producer. The research offers a significant foundation for subsequent assessment and advancement of the discipline.

Riverbank migration is a common phenomenon in the floodplains of Bangladesh. The continuous changes in river morphology affect its surrounding land-use patterns which pose threats to the life and property of people living near the rivers. The present study utilized thirty-one (1989-2020) years of satellite data to track the erosion-accretion and its influence on land-use and land-cover (LULC) change of Hizla Upazila using GIS-based Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI) and Google Earth Engine (GEE) respectively. Statistical analysis revealed the average erosion rate (5.03 km2) is lower than accretion (5.72 km2), resulting in a net land gain of 24.93 Km2. The spatial distribution of erosional activity suggests that the central and western parts of Hizla Upazila are mostly affected, compared to the eastern part, where new deltas are forming. This phenomenon is attributed to the westward movement of the Lower Meghna River (LMR), making the central and western parts of Hizla more vulnerable. The pattern of land-use change manifests that nearby settlements and vegetation are primarily at risk due to channel migration. A significant decrease in total water area (2.1%) and an increase in bare land area (5.1%) between 1997-2010 indicates substantial deposition. Concurrently, there was a decrease in the total settlement (1.53 km2) and vegetation area (9.8 Km2), indicating natural hazards like floods and high-intensity rainfall. The overall kappa accuracy for LULC is over 85% demonstrating its suitability for forecasting. The outcomes of this study will aid the local community, policymakers, and researchers in mitigating risk and ensuring sustainability.

A thorough understanding of a rock formation’s structure and sedimentology is crucial before engaging in hydrological exploration or any development project. Islamabad is going through rapid development, so it’s crucial to update the subsurface studies for the benefit of the citizens. This research aims to study the Sedimentological characteristics of the Murree Formation through lithofacies analysis and to know the hydrological characteristics through Fracture analysis. Fracture analysis was conducted using the circle inventory method to calculate fractured porosity and permeability within the Murree Formation in the Islamabad region, and the lithofacies analysis was performed by observing the Sedimentological characteristics of each rock bed. Fracture analysis indicates that the rock formation in the Shah Alla Ditta region is not suitable enough to be classified as an aquifer. At the same time, the lithofacies study shows that the Murree Formation was deposited in a fluvial environment.

The study of groundwater and surface water in the Ayanfuri area of the Central Region of Ghana has been carried out using hydrochemical analysis and geochemical modelling to determine its suitability for human consumption and irrigation purposes. A total of 77 samples were collected from community boreholes, observation boreholes, Tailing Storage Facility (TSF) boreholes, and streams and analyzed for geochemical parameters. Sodium is the dominant cation for all the sampling sites except for TSF boreholes which are calcium-dominated. Also, the dominant anion is bicarbonate for all sampling sites, except for streams that are sulphate-dominated. The hydrochemical facies in the sampling sites are Na-Mg-HCO3 (54.55%), Na-Mg-HCO3-Cl (23.08%), Na-Mg-HCO3 (22.22%), Na-Mg-HCO3-Cl (22.86%) representing community boreholes, observation boreholes, TSF borehole, and streams, respectively. Water-rock interaction, atmospheric precipitation patterns, ion exchange reactions, and breath dissolution/erosion of plagioclase feldspars serve as the mechanisms influencing the chemical composition of the various water sampling sites. The geochemical modelling reveals the signatures of calcite, dolomite, and gypsum as the main mineral phases. From the water quality guidelines of WHO and WQI classifications, the water is suitable for consumption purposes. Also, the results of the sodium adsorption ratio, sodium percentage, and magnesium hazard indicate that the water in the study area is suitable for irrigation purposes.

This study uses the Frequency analysis of the maximum daily and annual rainfall recorded during the period 1976-2020 at eight rain-measuring stations in the Ha’il region: Jubbah (106H-196), Baqa’a (103H-193), Simirah (105H-793), Uqlah Ibn Jibrin (208H-508) and Faydat Ibn Suwaylim (108H-198), Al Ha’it (111H-797), Al Ghazalah (215H-812) and Ha’il (101H-191), currently supervised by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA). These stations were selected due to their locations in the Hail region, which is in great urban development causing an increase in demand for water resources to meet the growing population in urban centers. This paper compares four probability distributions (Normal, Log Normal, Gumbel and Exponential) using the rainfall data recorded in eight rain stations located in Ha’il area. Sets of data cover a period of about 45 years. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the maximum daily and annual rainfall by applying 4-four probability distributions, which are the Normal, the Log-Normal, the Exponential, and the Extreme Values-type 1, using the (Chow) model estimation. Results showed that Gumbel (EV 1) distribution has the least critical values in the tests. Hence, it is considered the best fit distribution for annual rainfall in Simirah and Baq’a. Furthermore, based on the results, it is evident that the exponential distribution is the best in Al Ha’it, Faydat Ibn Suwaylim, Al Ghazalah, Ha’il, and Jubbah. Whilst, the log normal distribution is the best in Al Uqlat. The results also showed that Gumbel (EV 1) distribution has the least critical values in the tests. Thus, it is regarded as the best-fit distribution for the maximum daily rainfall in Simirah and Ha’il, and the normal distribution is considered the best for the rest of the rain stations.

In this research, the Early Jurassic Datta Formation from three outcrop sections of the western Salt Range has been extensively studied to elucidate facies architecture, sedimentary features, diagenetic features, sequence stratigraphy, and depositional model. Datta Formation is well exposed with massive thickness in the western Salt Range and the Trans Indus Ranges, while tapering in the central Salt Range further eastward, it dies out. Its mainly dominated by variegated sandstone, siltstone, shale, fire clays, laterites, and carbonates. Seven lithofacies has been identified and interpreted in the Datta Formation, i.e., (i). Fluvial Meandering Lithofacies (JDL-01), (ii). Braided Fluvial Lithofacies (JDL-02), (iii). Lateritic Lithofacies (JDL-03), (iv). Flood Plain Lithofacies (JDL-04), (v). Siliciclastic Lagoon Lithofacies (JDL-05), (vi). Carbonates dominant Lagoon Lithofacies (JDL-06), (vii). Swamps related Deltaic Lithofacies (JDL-07). Sequence stratigraphic analysis is primarily based on recognizing sequence surfaces, finning-coarsening upward trends, and types of facies. Two transgressive-regressive cycles are identified in the south-eastern section (Kassan Nala and Kaowali sections), while four sequences are identified in the Nammal Gorge section. These sequences are started with the underlying sequence boundary of LST and ended with the sequence bounding surface after HST. Datta Formation is possibly deposited in fluvial to deltaic environments in the study area, revealing a prograding delta with a shoreline oriented in the SW-NE direction and the siliciclastic detritus fed the fluvial system running over the Indian cratonic basement in the direction of N-NW. The lower part of the formation is deposited in fluvial settings, probably in the incised valley. The point bar sequences result from meandering channel facies and show association with overlying flood plain/overbank facies. Moreover, the lagoonal facies mainly covered the upper part of the formation and displayed mixed lithologies of delta plain to delta front setting. However, the repetition of these lithofacies in the study area at several points indicates the recurrence of depositional phases. The carbonaceous shales and coal streaks are evident by the presence of swamp or marshy lands. These conditions meet the criteria of deltaic settings. Furthermore, several laterites and fire clay horizons are also argue periodic sub-aerial exposure of the depositional area. Thus it is concluded that the depositional area lies in a fluvial to deltaic setting with major distributary channels and their flood plain in the adjoining delta plain to delta front part.

The high resolution of radioactive measurements acquired by the spectrometric gamma-ray technique were applied in the research area and subjected to statistical analysis, in order to draw valid conclusion, regarding the nature and significance of the distribution of the radioelements, that it represents each input element individually. The qualitative interpretation showed seven anomalous parts in Roseita branch and four anomalous parts in Damietta branch. The quantitative interpretation used traditional statistical treatment the calculated arithmetic mean, standard deviation, range difference (between the minimum and maximum values), standard error, Coefficient of Variation (CV%) and 95% Confidence Interval for the Mean (lower bound and upper bound). Meanwhile, the advanced statistical treatment, such as test of homogeneity Levene’s Statistic, ANOVA test, K mean clustering and post Hoc of the multi comparison among the separated eleven groups. As well as they help to define their original source behaviors.

This study presents the analysis of soil compaction properties relationship over Gbaramatu subsurface of Niger Delta region. It is employed to determine the soil suitability for a wide range of Engineering needs, such as the development of foundations, roadways, and other facilities. The study aims to investigate the relationship between compaction properties on soil samples from Gbaramatu different locations. Ten (10) boreholes disturbed soil samples were collected for this investigation. Laboratory tests were conducted to obtain moisture contents, Particles Size Distribution, Specific Gravity and Consolidated Drained Shear results. Geotechnical analysis was equally conducted on the obtained laboratory parameters, to further obtain the Coefficient of curvature (Cc) and uniformity coefficient (Cu). Standardize statistical correlation tests were presented. Our findings indicate a positive relationship between the optimum moisture content and the coefficient of uniformity corresponding to higher optimum moisture concentrations. This discovery has far-reaching consequences for soil management and irrigation techniques. The results support the assumption that, the physical geology of the location is attributed to swamp reclamation and landfills. This research finally provides useful information about the engineering properties of Gbaramatu soils, and the correlation equations generated will be helpful in predicting values or modeling the correlated properties for soils within the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Studies on precipitation Chemistry were carried out with the aim to understand the nature and sources of rainwater at Utaewa (Location 1), a coastal village and Ikpetim, near Ibom Power Station (Location 2), all in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, southern, Nigeria. These locations respectively represent the coastal and industrial regions. The rainwater samples, collected at these locations, were analyzed for major cations, anions, electrical conductivity and pH with the aim of identification of variation in the physiochemical compositions of the rainwater samples. The analysis of the rainwater samples gave a pH at locations 1 and 2 as 5.62 ± 0.26 and 5.77± 0.25 respectively during the wet season, while the pH of the rainwater at locations 1 and 2 during dry season were 5.41 ± 0.14 and 5.84 ± 0.21 respectively. The pH values indicated acidic water and were below the World Health Organisation (WHO) Standard of 6.5 to 8.5, but close to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) optimum pH value of 5.6 for rainwater from unpolluted continental areas. The predominance of 𝐶𝑙−and𝑁𝑎+ were observed in the coastal environment whereas, calcium, sulphate, nitrate and ammonium ions predominate in industrial environment where there are power generating plants, Aluminium smelting company and gas station. The total anion (37.9%) at Utaewa is less influenced by anthropogenic activities whereas total anion (72.5%) at Ikpetim, near Power Plant is influenced by pollutants emitted by anthropogenic activities. The ratio:𝐻+/(NO3- + SO42-) was observed as 0.04 and 0.008 for Utaewa and Ikpetim respectively, which are close to zero, indicating that 99 % of acidity in the rainwater is neutralized in the study area with no consequence of acidity impact on the soil, surface waters and groundwater in the study area. Ca2+ , K+ and Na+ play important roles in neutralization of acidic ions in rainwater. For source identification, correlation matrix analysis was established, which showed that at locations 1 and 2,strong correlation exists between the acidic ions SO42- and NO3-, indicating their origin from anthropogenic activities. This is viewed to be attributed to the similarity in their behaviour in precipitation and the co-emissions of their precursors, which are SO2 and NO2. The major ion enrichment factors (EF) followed the order at location 1 during the dry season;𝐶𝑎2+𝑁𝑎+⁄ (8.58) >𝐾+𝑁𝑎+⁄ (4.32) >𝑆𝑂42−𝑁𝑎+⁄ (0.68) >𝐶𝑙−𝑁𝑎+⁄ (0.11), while the enrichment factor (EF ) during the wet season at location 1 followed the order , 𝐶𝑎2+𝑁𝑎+⁄ (11.92 )>𝐾+𝑁𝑎+⁄ (3.78) >𝑆𝑂42−𝑁𝑎+⁄ (0.88) >𝐶𝑙−𝑁𝑎+⁄ (0.11).

The impact of storage vessels on stored water quality changes and how it can influence plant growth, and human health through irrigation and domestic uses has been evaluated. The water was collected from the same borehole source at Ebonyi State University and stored in vessels made of plastic, metal, calabash, and clay pot. The samples were tested in the laboratory to ascertain the physiochemical quality of the water. The following ions Cd, Pb, Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+, K+, and Cl- were identified in each of the storage vessels which vary from the values of the controlled sample and were below their respective WHO permissible limits, except Cd which is significantly higher than WHO limit (>0.0003mg/l). The variation in qualities (odour, taste, colour, and metal concentration) of stored samples implies a significant influence of storage vessels on water quality. The pH range changed to slight alkali and hardness ranges from 160 to 330 mg/l after storage. The non-uniformity of each of the tested parameters among the samples indicated that each vessel had a different degree of impact on water quality during storage. The irrigation parameter and domestic use assessment showed some level of the potential risk to crops and humans mostly indicated by the MAR of calabash and Cd concentration respectively. The significant decrease in Cl- after storage suggests Cl decay, this enhances quality deterioration as microbial growth can be accelerated. The research conclusively noted that water quality deterioration is not an isotropic result of storage vessel influence but an integral impact of storage culture and geogenic factors’ influence on the water before and during storage and varying environmental constraints.