Earth Science Malaysia (ESMY)

Lineament plays major role in stability and strength of rock mass. The presence of lineaments will decrease the strength of rock mass. Lineament can be identified or trace using topographic map, aerial photographs or satellite images. In this research, strength the slope-forming rock mass strength which are affected and non-effected by lineaments was determined by using scan line method. The purpose of this study was to determine the difference of rock mass strength in two difference conditions. A total of 5 rock slopes for each condition were determined. The studied rock slope is located in a former quarry site in Kajang and Sg Long, Selangor, Malaysia. Analysis were done using rock mass rating (RMR). Result of the study show strength of the rock mass which are affected by the lineament is lower compared to those that are not affected by lineament.

Water treatment plants (WTP) produce copious quantities of solid waste in the form of sludge that is deteriorating water resources, agriculture lands and human health. It should be discarded properly but a grave issue is finding ecological solution for its ultimate disposal. This study will provide an idea of incorporating sludge into soil-cement bricks that are used for construction providing dual benefits: reducing amounts of sludge and introducing cheaper bricks. A sample of sludge was analyzed for chemical constituents, plasticity value, particle size and content of organic matter. Sludge bricks incorporating 10 % of waste material by weight were prepared. The quality of sludge bricks was evaluated in terms of mechanical and physical properties (compressive strength test, water absorption test and apparent density test). The obtained results have revealed that waste material is mostly composed of plastic and could be utilized for manufacturing of sludge bricks. The compressive strength and density of bricks reduced with increasing amounts of sludge. However, the compressive strength of the bricks could even meet the standard requirement.

Geoelectrical method is proven as an efficient method to identify and locate water bearing formation at Kg. Gana, Kota Marudu, Sabah. This study used Terrameter SAS 4000 to acquire the resistivity value. The study area is underlain by the Oligocene turbidite sequence, the Crocker Formation.

A study of effect of weathering grade on mechanical properties of rocks have been conducted on selected rock samples from Crocker Formation, Trusmadi Formation and peridotite on weathering grade II to V. The objective is to study on how weathering grade does able to alter the microfabric of rocks which affect to its mechanical properties. The increment of weathering grade does increase the percentage of microfractures, porosity and clay minerals formation which became the factor of rock weakness through the reduction of density, hardness and strength of the rock. By understanding this, it is easier to predict and estimate the strength of rock slope and slope failure occurrences. As conclusion, sandstones from Trusmadi Formation is the strongest compared to sandstones from Crocker Formation and peridotite with 187.06 – 2.48 MPa, 83.15 – 0.43 MPa and 125.27 – 20.92 MPa throughout weathering grade II to V, respectively.

The rocks exposed in the study area are carbonates of Lockhart Limestone. The carbonates are nodular, thin to thick bedded, fossiliferous with minor intercalcations of marl. The microfacies investigation was carried out in two different geological field sections based on field and petrographic data in the area. The carbonate microfacies are, Micritic Crystalline Carbonate Mudstone-Wackstone Micrifacie (LMF-1), Mixed Bioclastic Mudstone-Packstone Microfacies (LMF-2) and Benthic Foraminiferal wacke-Packstonet Microfacies (LMF-3). The recognized fossils are Algaes, Texularia, Tokhartia sp, Opperculina, Assilina sp, Nimmulites sp, Ranikothalia sp, Mascellena sp, Nodosaria and Milliolid. The deposition of limestone with larger benthic foraminifer took place. The large Foraminifera’s and dasycladacean algae in the rocks indicate shallow marine shelf environment. The carbonate microfacies suggested limestone deposition under clastic free shallow shelf conditions. The predominantly wackstone to packstone fabric nodularity in limestone and presence of fossils suggest deposition in shallow marine environment.

The Neogene sediments were interpreted to understand the clay mineral paragenesis in rocks using x-ray differaction technique. The process was conducted with an x-ray diffractometer, Anode = Cu (Cu Kᾳ = 1.541871 A? ), Filter = Ni, Current = 15 mA and Voltage = 35 kv. The clay mineral assemblages in the rocks indicates that the neogene sediments were derived from the preexisting sedimentary, metasedimentary, metamorphics and igneous rocks and formed in different climes in the continental environment. The illite crystallinity (IC) value (0.2165 Δ°2θ CuKα) in the area correspond exactly with the epizonal metamorphic conditions.

Rocks exposed in the study area are Kuldana Formation which is comprised of variegated color shale and sandstone. The model data of Kuldana sandstone exhibit average quartz 35%, feldspars 3%, rock fragments 20% and heavy minerals. The quartz grains are of igneous and metamorphic origin. Mineral quartz, feldspar, and rock fragments in the sandstone suggested an acidic plutonic and metamorphic provenance. Rock fragments are of sedimentary, volcanic and metamorphic rocks. The sedimentary grains include limestone, dolomite, quartzite, sandstone and siltstone. The volcanic rock fragments are of fine grained basalts. The metamorphic rock fragments are of slates and schists.
Heavy minerals include tourmaline, zircon, garnet, epidote, sphene and apatite. Hematite and calcite are the dominating cementing material with minor chlorite. The sandstone is classified as graywacke. The low modal proportion of quartz and high content of rock fragments indicates low degree of mineralogical maturity of the sandstone. The poor degree of sorting, angular to sub-angular framework constituents and abundance of matrix suggested that sandstone is texturally immature. The sutured quartz grains contacts, alteration of plagioclase to clay minerals and deformed muscovite indicate diagenetic changes in the sandstone at depth under pressure. The XRD analysis of shale show minerals chlorite thuringite, orthoclase, corrensite mica, illite, albite, smectite, saponite, montmorillonite, goethite, kaolinite, vermiculite, aragonite, calcite, quartz, siderite, muscovite, hematite, pyrite and dolomite. Recalculated value of quartz, clay and carbonates on ternary diagram shows that the clays are argillaceous. Quartz, orthoclase, albite and muscovite in the shale suggest acidic plutonic and metamorphic provenance.

The project area lies along the western limb of the Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis. The Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis is an antiformal structure. The project area includes Dadyal, Bihari, Ratta, Sammorthala, Samlotha, Dhingar, Panwar and Karara Saiyidan. The Late Miocene to Recent Himalayan Neogene rocks are exposed in the core of the syntaxis. These Neogene rocks include the Kamlial Formation, Chinji Formation, Nagri Formation, Dhok Pathan Formation, Soan Formation and Recent alluvium. The major folds in the project area include the Mirpur syncline, Pheran Dinpur anticline and Sadaqabad Syncline. The folds are northwest-southeast trending and southwest or northeast vergent, asymmetric and open. The only fault in the project area is Ratta Fault. The Ratta Fault is a reverse fault. The northwest southeast trending folds and faults are the result of northeast southwest Himalayan compression in the area.

A research work was embarked in the area in order to understand the sedimentary geology, remote sensing, geomorphology and petrology of the district Sudhunhoti and Poonch, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. For this purpose the Khirik, Muttail Maira, Thandi Kassi, Kothian, Hill, Maidan, Rhera, Dar, Sairhan, Afsar Market, Gorah, Nakkar bazaar, Gui Nala, Bandia, Mang, Jassa Pir and Thorar areas were mapped and interpreted on Digital Elevtion Model (DEM) in the sub-Himalayas of Pakistan. The area has been mutilated by folding and faulting governed by orogenic forces. The clastic rocks exposed in the area are sandstone, siltstone, claystone and conglomerates. The sedimentary structures include planner bedding, ripple marks and pebble imbrications. The rip ups of siltstone and clay occur at the base of sandstone. The sandstone of Nagri Formation is well exposed in the area. The sandstone contains clasts of volcanics, quartzites, schist and chert. The sandstone of Dhok Pathan Formation is medium to coarse grained. It contains clasts of gneiss, schists, quartzites, granite, carbonate and marble. The sandstone is comprised of mineral quartz (23% to 45%), feldspar (3% to 13%) and the rock fragments of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. The accessory minerals in the Nagri Formation sandstone are biotite (1% to 3%), muscovite (up to 2%), tourmaline (few traces) and zircon (1%). The cementing material in the rock is calcite (6% to 18%) and silica (2% to 3%). The modal mineralogical data of the sandstone shows that the sandstone is lithic arenite and lithic graywacke. The modal data reveal that the detritus was derived from the rising Himalayas in north of the area. The sedimentary structure and the conglomeration is the prima facie for the fluviatile origin of rocks.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of sewage pollution on the fish assemblages found in the Klang River. Samples were collected between July 2012 and April 2013 with a total of 102 specimens belonging to 5 freshwater fish species, Puntius hexazona, Betta livida, Neohomaloptera johorensis, Parosphromenus harveyi and the dominant species, Rasbora sumatrana, with the highest dominance value (Di%=36.66). Multiregression revealed a statistically insignificant relationship among the physical, chemical and biochemical parameters of water and sediment and Puntius hexazona, Betta livida, Neohomaloptera johorensis and Parosphromenus harveyi. Based on multiple regression tests, a significant relationship with R2 = 92.2% and F= 7.876 (p= 0.000) was found between six water and sediment quality constituents and the numbers of Rasbora sumatrana this species at the stations studied at Site 8. On the other hand, water temperature (β= -0.114; t= -2.811 (p= 0.016)); sediment organic matter (β= -0.011; t= -2.406 (p= 0.033)) and water phosphorus (PO4) (β= 0.323; t= 3.444 (p= 0.005)) were found to be the most important water and sediment parameters effecting Rasbora sumatrana.