Journal of Mountain Area Research

ASSESSING THE CUMULATIVE EFFECTS OF HEAVY METAL EXPOSURE FROM COSMETIC PRODUCTS ON LOCAL CONSUMERS

Umair Habib — 2024-07-14

This study investigates the comprehensive impact of heavy metals (HMs) on individuals who use cosmetic products daily compared to non-users (controlled group), encompassing both male and female subjects. Utilizing Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, concentrations of HMs in diverse cosmetic products were determined, with results from samples of both user and controlled groups analyzed and compared. The range of HM concentrations in blood samples was assessed, revealing varied levels across Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), Arsenic (As). Results revealed a wide range of HM concentrations, including Cd (0.4-5.1 Âµg/l in males, 1.8-8.1Âµg/l in females), Hg (60.7-85.5 Âµg/l in males, 78.5-99.3 Âµg/l in females), Pb (48.7-99.5 Âµg/l in males, 83.3-99.5 Âµg/l in females), and As. Some samples exceeded safety limits, emphasizing the need for stringent regulation and improved manufacturing practices to ensure safer cosmetic products and protect consumer health. The incorporation of survey methodologies enhances the study's depth, providing comprehensive insights into the potential health risks associated with HM exposure from cosmetic use.

THE COMPARATIVE DEPOSITIONAL HETEROGENEITY OF MANCHHAR FORMATION (SIWALIK GROUP), SOUTHERN INDUS BASIN, PAKISTAN

Asghar A. A. D. Hakro — 2024-01-13

Present study is carried out for detailed description, distribution and interpretation of lithofacies and textural analysis of Manchhar Formation from Gaj River, Manchhar Lake and Lal Bagh Sections of Southern Indus Basin Pakistan. Four different clastic lithofacies are identified during present study, which are conglomeratic sandstone (Gt), shale (Fm), fine to coarse grain flat bedded sandstone (Sh) and fine to coarse grain trough cross-bedded sandstone (St). These Facies suggest that Manchhar Formation is deposited in the Beach to shallow agitated water and fluvial system. Twenty-nine (29) unconsolidated loose and friable sandstone samples were selected for textural analysis. Grain-size parameters such as mean, median, standard deviation, Skewness and Kurtosis were used for transport history, mode and hydrodynamic energy condition to recognize the depositional environment. Stewart Diagram shows deltaic/wave water process takes active role under the influence of wave process. Linear discriminant functions analysis show that the fluvial environment of deposition dominates and influences shallows water and beach environment. Passega diagram reveals that transport mode was rolling and suspension by the tractive current that shows the fluvio-deltaic to deltaic wave with the influence of wave depositional environment of Miocene-Pliocene (Neogene) Manchhar Formation.

STRATIGRAPHY, PETROLOGY AND FACIES ASSOCIATIONS OF THE QUATERNARY SPIN KAREZ GROUP, HANNA-SPIN KAREZ AREA, QUETTA DISTRICT, PAKISTAN

Muhammed Iqbal Kasi — 2024-02-11

The Hanna-Spin Karez area which comprises the Quaternary succession of the Spin Karez Group is located adjacent to the junction of Sulaiman and Kirthar Fold-Thrust Belts (Quetta Syntaxes), southwest of the Zarghun Trough in the northwestern Balochistan, Pakistan. The area comprises over 800 m thick conformable succession of the Quaternary age, covering surface area of ~30 km². The succession has been named as the Spin Karez Group, which are further subdivide from base to top into three distinct lithostratigraphic units as: Hanna Lake Conglomerate, Hanna Red Clays and Spin Karez Conglomerate. The Hanna Lake Conglomerate comprises 200 m thick succession of boulder-pebble conglomerate. The Hanna Red Clays comprise over 500 m thick succession of dominantly red claystone rarely interbedded with siltstone and very fine-grained sandstone. The Spin Karez Conglomerate is composed of over 100 m thick succession of well-stratified and moderately- to well-sorted cobble/pebble conglomerate with occasional sandstone/siltstone lenses. The Triassic to Pliocene age older successions from the region's north and west provided the polymictic conglomerate, boulder to pebble size limestone, sandstone, chert, and conglomerate fragments. The Spin Karez Group comprises 15 types of gravel, sandstone and mudstone facies, which were grouped into 5 facies associations. The facies associations include braided channel deposits (FA-1), sheet-flood deposits (FA-2), floodplain deposits (FA-3), marginal lacustrine deposits (FA-4) and open-water lacustrine deposits (FA-5). The Spin Karez group evolved in three phases: i) Deposition of the Hanna Lake conglomerate started with the proximal and distal braided channel systems in the northern and southern parts of the study area respectively; ii) Deposition of the Hanna Red clays deposited in shallow lake with episodic sub-aerial exposure, providing reddish colour to the mud-dominant facies; iii) The depositional basin, once again, transformed to braided channel system, of the Spin Karez conglomerate, which evolved over the shallow water lake deposits of the Hanna Red clays. The Spin Karez group was mainly controlled by continued subsidence and regional tectonics during the Quaternary period that accommodated the space for the small shallow basin (~30 km²) that stacked depositional systems.

INVESTIGATING SHEAR STRENGTH CHARACTERISTICS OF COHESIVE SOILS: STATISTICAL ANALYSIS IN KPK, PAKISTAN

Fazle Ghafar — 2024-05-07

It is crucial to determine the shear strength parameters (Cohesion (C) and Angle of internal friction (Î¦) ) in order to encounter soil stability issues such as slope stability, bearing capacity and lateral earth pressure on retaining structures. The shear strength of cohesive soils is an essential parameter in Geotechnical Engineering design and construction. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan, the soil is predominantly cohesive. it is essential to evaluate these parameters accurately to ensure safety and stability in civil engineering structures. In this research an effort has been made to evaluate statistically shear strength parameters of cohesive soils in KPK Pakistan. Engineers and construction experts can use the study's findings to influence judgments about the design and building of structures in the area. It highlights the importance of conducting proper soil testing and analysis before designing and constructing any engineering structure in the region. The study was conducted by collecting soil samples from different locations in KPK including Peshawar, Charsadda, Bannu, Swabi, Nowshera, Swat, Abbottabad, Haripur, Lakki Marwat, Tribal Areas, DI Khan, Mardan, and Kohat. The results of the statistical analysis indicate that the Cohesion(C) and Angle of Internal Friction (Î¦) in KPK vary significantly across different locations, they are also presented in map of KPK showing values of Cohesion and Angle of Internal Friction using QGIS software. The average values of Cohesion (C) range from 12-47 kPa while mean values of Angle of Internal Friction (Î¦) range from 16.2 â€“ 41.1 degrees. The Standard Deviation & Coefficient of Variation was relatively high, indicating significant variation within each location.

AN ASSESSMENT OF STEMMING TECHNIQUES AND THE PERFORMANCE OF STEMMING PLUGS IN BENCH BLASTING OPERATIONS IN PAKISTAN

Sami Ullah — 2024-05-08

This research article presents a comparative analysis of stemming techniques and the performance of stemming plugs in bench blasting operations, based on a case study carried out in cement quarries of Pakistan. For Image analysis, the Wip-Frag software is utilized in order to demonstrates the benefits of stemming plugs over traditional methods. Real time images captured during blasting at various cement quarries reveal a substantial presence of boulders within the muck pile when using conventional stemming materials such as drill cuttings and clay. This typically requires additional time and costs for secondary drilling and blasting or hydraulic hammering. Blast tests results indicate that stemming plugs improved the throw and shape of the muck pile, and significantly decreased the boulders percentage. This study also compares the results of Wip-Frag software with sieve analysis of drill cuttings, indicating potential limitations in the software's reliability for particle size distribution. These results contribute to improve blasting operations and emphasize the importance of proper stemming techniques. improving blasting efficiency, the use of stemming plugs can potentially minimize the operational costs and improve overall performance.

The COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MECHANICAL STRENGTH AND PETROGRAPHIC FEATURES OF ANDESITE AND BASALT FROM SAWABI AREA, N-W PAKISTAN: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING

bilal jan Haji Muhammad — 2024-05-08

This study delves into a comparative analysis of the mechanical properties and petrographic characteristics of andesite and basalt from the Sawabi area in North-West Pakistan, with a focus on uniaxial tensile strength (UTS) and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS). Mega-porphyritic and badinage textures, as well as a huge, fine-grained structure, define the basaltic rocks of Swabi. These rocks are mostly composed of ferro-magnesium minerals such as olivine, pyroxene, and amphibole; as accessory minerals, they also include quartz, plagioclase, and alkali feldspar. On the other hand, the andesitic rocks in the area have anhedral structures that are extremely fine-grained and have a variety of textures, including trachytic, porphyritic, dendritic, and graphic. These rocks are mostly composed of orthoclase and fine- to medium-grained amphibole, with other features including quartz phenocrysts and altered perthitic alkali feldspar. A thorough examination of the samples' mechanical and physical characteristics, such as their porosity, specific gravity, and water absorption, was conducted. The results showed that andesite, with its better mechanical strength and good petrographic features, was the better option than basalt for construction. When choosing suitable rock materials for regional infrastructure projects, engineers and construction professionals can benefit greatly from the insights provided by this research.

OCCURRENCES OF SOLID INCLUSIONS OF SILICATE AND BASE METAL SULFIDE MINERALS IN CHROMITITE OF KHANOZAI OPHIOLITE, PAKISTAN: EVIDENCE FROM MELT EVALUATIONS

Muhammad Ayoub Khan — 2024-05-20

Chromitite bodies occur in the wide mantle portion of Khanozai ophiolite. This peridotite is largely composed of harzburgite, dunite and minor lherzolite. Chromitite occurs in Khanozai ophiolite mainly in massive, disseminated, banded and nodular forms. The Khanozai chromitites contains a variety of silicate and BMS mineral inclusions. They include anhydrous silicates like olivine, clinopyroxene, hydrous silicate inclusions of amphibole, and BMS mineral inclusions such as millerite, chalcopyrite, stibnite, and occasional pyrite and linnaeite. The silicate mineral inclusions occur as monomineralic as well as polymineralic phases. The shapes of these inclusions tend to follow the growth plane of host chromite. Textures and forms of these inclusions reveal that some inclusions were trapped during magmatic stage, whereas many inclusions were trapped during recrystallization of chromite. BMS inclusions are millerite, chalcopyrite, and stibnite. They occur isolated inclusions and at some places associated with silicate mineral inclusions. It is suggested that these BMS inclusions were generated due to the separation of sulfide-bearing liquid from silicate magma.

GEOCHEMISTRY OF PAB SANDSTONE EXPOSED IN LAKI RANGE LOWER INDUS BASIN: PROVENANCE AND TECTONIC IMPLICATIONS

Ghulam Mustafa Thebo — 2024-05-20

Geochemistry of the late Cretaceous Pab Sandstone deposited at the Laki Range, Southern Indus basin, was carried out in order to acquire a better knowledge of the source rock and paleoclimate. The unit in the studied region comprise predominantly sandstone, with some mudstone. The major element geochemistry of Pab Sandstone suggests that the samples were composed of abundant SiO₂, Al₂O₃, CaO, and Fe₂O₃. Other major oxides comprises less than 2 wt. %. Major element discriminatory diagrams additionally imply that Pab sediments originated from a granitic source. The idea that the Pab sediments were generated by a granitic source is further supported by the rich concentration of trace elements including Zr, La Th, Ba, and Sr, in contrast to V, Ni, Cr, Co, and their ratio. It is conceivable that the Pab Sandstone was formed by sediments from granitic rocks, as indicated by the La/Sc and Th/Co model, as well as the TiO₂ and Zr plots. The measured Plagioclase Index of Alteration (PIA) values, which range from 59.94 to 89.44, and the Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA), which ranges from 61.12 to 83.75, indicate that the studied sediments experienced moderate to strong weathering under warm, humid climate conditions. Geochemical findings indicate that the Pab Sandstone sediments originated from the vast Indian Shield (Craton); probably from the Malani Igneous Suite in India and the Nagar Parkar Igneous Complex in Pakistan.

NAVIGATING SUSTAINABILITY: A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF EIA PROCESS AND MITIGATION MEASURES AT THE KARORA HYDROPOWER PROJECT, SHANGLA, PAKISTAN

Asim Qayyum Butt — 2024-05-21

More than 16% of the total electricity used worldwide is met by hydropower, having local to regional environmental consequences. Pakistan's Environmental Protection Ordinance (PEPO) 1983 mandated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). In the Shangla District, the village of Kuz Kana is located about 300 meters upstream of the run-of-river project known as the Karora Hydropower project. The study reviewed the Environmental Impact Assessment and mitigating methods for the Karora hydropower project, Shangla, Pakistan. The authors analyzed the impact area, land resources, water resources, flora and fauna, and the Socio-Economic setup of district Shangla. They also consulted with stakeholders to address potential impacts, issues raised, and compensations according to regulations. According to the survey, the cumulative negative effect of acquiring 64.321 kanals of land will impact around 18 landowners. Only 0.14% and 0.11% of the land in the villages of Kuz Kana and Ranial, respectively, needs to be acquired compared to the proposed area with the complete community. The affected individuals and communities received complete compensation for their losses following the Land Acquisition Act (1984), KPK practice, and ADB policy on â€œInvoluntary Resettlement.â€ The study concluded that the project has no adverse environmental effects, and the minor potential impacts and compensation were done smoothly per the regulations. The lack of meaningful involvement by the public in the dam construction process is a key critique, which is especially essential for local communities directly impacted by hydropower projects. The study recommended implementing the environmental impact assessment for all hydropower projects in Pakistan.

MATHEMATICAL APPROACH TO FORECAST THE ELECTRICITY CRISES IN PAKISTAN AND ITS MITIGATION

Muhammad Iqbal — 2024-05-08

Electricity is widely recognized as the backbone of economic success and progress, playing a vital role in driving socioeconomic development. This comprehensive study conducted an in-depth analysis of Pakistan's electricity consumption and aimed to develop a suitable model for forecasting the country's future electricity consumption (E.C.). Due to the strong positive correlation between E.C. of different sectors with Population and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), multiple linear regressions were employed for the analysis of electricity consumption. To predict population and GDP different mathematical model such as linear, Exponential, Polynomial and logarithmic models were applied on population and GDP data. In order to get the best fitted model a number of goodness-of-fit tests Coefficient of Determination, Sum of Square Errors, Sums of Square Regression, Mean Square Error, Root Mean Square Error, And F- Statistics (Adj-R², SSE, SSR, MSE, RMSE and F Statistics) applied and got the polynomial model to be the most effective one for population and GDP. According to the goodness-of-fit test-based models, Pakistan's population is on track for steady growth, with projections reaching approximately 244428310 in 2025 and further increasing to 319825879 in 2040. This indicates significant demographic changes on the horizon. At the same time, Pakistan's GDP per capita is expected to rise, starting at 1958.3 $ in 2025 and potentially reaching 3,210.9 $ in 2040, signifying a positive trajectory towards economic development and prosperity in the country. Based on the selected models suggested by goodness of fit tests, the study throws light on the expected future electricity consumption in Pakistan. According to these projections, the expected electricity consumption of Pakistan may reach 121,121.1 GWh in 2025, 138,861.8 GWh in 2030, 157,716.8 GWh in 2035, and 177,686.3 GWh in 2040 respectively.

PREDICTIVE MODEL TO MINIMIZE THE EFFECT OF EXTREME TEMPERATURE IN SKARDU AND ASTORE, GILGIT BALTISTAN

Nasir Ali — 2024-06-29

Climate is a fundamental factor of the natural environment that has a role in both natural and human existence. Temperature is an important climatic element that influences snow melting, evaporation, and frost directly. Current study has used Mean Monthly Minimum Temperature (MMMT) of Skardu from 1972 to 2021 and of Astore from 1993 to 2021 based on the availability of data. In this work; we have used SARIMA (Seasonal Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average Model) to forecast mean monthly minimum temperature. Skardu data is stationary at level form, which suggests SARMA model for Skardu station and Astore data is stationary at first difference so SARIMA time series is appropriate for mean monthly minimum temperature of Astore. Using Box Jenkinsâ€™s approach it is found that the most appropriate model for Skardu is SARMA(1,0)(1,0)₁₂ and Astore is SARIMA (0,1,1)(4,1,4)₁₂ respectively. These models have been utilized to forecast MMMT from 2022 to 2036. Yearly mean minimum temperature forecasts show that the mean minimum temperature at Skardu and Astore stations is slightly decreasing. The yearly mean minimum temperature at Skardu station is 4.0 Â°C in 2022 and will decrease to 2.3 Â°C till 2036, while at Astore station it is 4.0 Â°C in 2022 and will fall to 2.6 Â°C in 2036. Our results will be useful for decision makers and insurance companies for better future planning to minimize the effect of lowest temperature.

ANALYSIS OF COVID-19 DATA USING ARIMA-NEURAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Muhammad Ilyas — 2024-05-15

An Auto Regressive Integrating Moving Average (ARIMA) - Neural Artificial Intelligence (Neural AI) are employed the nature and sustainability of the COVID-19 (2019-nCoV/SARS-CoV-2), pandemics, through the four different waves in the country Pakistan (from 26 Feb 2020 to 21 October 2020, first wave of epidemic, 22 October 2020 to 16 March 2021 second wave, 17 March 2021 to 10 July 2021 the third wave and 11 July 2021 to 30 September 2021respectively). the appropriate ARIMA (1, 1, 8) and (1,1,7) models for the 1^st wave (26 Feb 2020 to 21 October 2020) to 4^th wave (11 July 2021 to 30 September 2021) over to Pakistan are obtained on basis of small value of sum of square error (SSE), mean absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) and higher value of AIC/BIC. Afterwards, the Neural AI is also applied, which has one output neuron and many input neuron, inputs neurons for infectious cases reported in different regions of Pakistan (i.e., Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Baluchistan, Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and capital city Islamabad). At this stage, the neural network is performed smoothly when which is delivered by only one predictor. Therefore, it is concluded that Neural AI results are more effective (with lower values of the sum of square error for both trained and testing data, along with related errors) compared to fitted ARIMA models. ARIMA models require a higher number of predictors and exhibit slightly higher error values. This conclusion is drawn to acquire univariate predictions for daily infected COVID-19 data series.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SOME ITERATIVE METHODS FOR NONLINEAR EQUATIONS FROM A DYNAMICAL POINT OF VIEW

Moin-ud-Din Junjua — 2024-08-14

In this paper, we investigate and compare several optimal fourth and eighth-order iterative methods for solving nonlinear equations, examining their basins of attraction through lower and higher-degree polynomials. The programming package MATLAB is used to plot basins of attraction for each of the iterative method. Through dynamical analysis using basins of attraction, we identify the most stable and effective optimal eighth-order method, which has wider region of convergence in comparison to existing root-finding methods of similar nature.

HOMOGENEITY TEST AND NON-PARAMETRIC ANALYSES OF TENDENCIES: APPLICATION OF 22ND-24TH SUNSPOTS CYCLES WITH ITS INFLUENCE ON MEAN MONTHLY LAND SURFACE TEMPERATURE

Muhammad Ilyas — 2024-11-05

This study highlights the significance of testing Pettittâ€™s homogeneity and non-parametric trend scrutiny for the monthly sunspot cycles 22^nd to 24^th in the duration of 1986 to 2018, and any stimulus on climate parameters e.g. mean monthly land surface temperature of Karachi city in same manner of sunspot cycles. We are examined Pettittâ€™s test of homogeneity to spot any change points in the time series records. Although no break points are spotted in the sunspot data series, a significant downward trend of 0.15 per month are emphasized by applying the auto-correlated Mann-Kendall trend test. The results indicate a reduction in the number of sunspots during the cycle 24. Therefore, an average temperature rise from solar cycle 23rd to solar cycle 24th an inverse relation for referring to the temperature and sunspots, no significant relationship between sunspot cycles and temperature trends was found. It is therefore, the sunspots numbers are generally declined from 22nd to 24th, which is a direct influence on Karachiâ€™s temperature patterns. Although, the decreasing in sunspots activity could not relate to a cooling effect on temperatures. As, this study is concluded that other climate parameters are included anthropogenic influences, which is play a vital role in the observed earth temperature increase. This research is contributed to the appreciative of solar-terrestrial interactions and their influence on earth climate.