Geophysical Investigation of Dewatering in Lolo Creek, Southwest Missoula, Montana, USA

Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), Spontaneous Potential (SP), Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) and Seismic Refraction Tomography methods have been used to provide valuable information on the seepage pathways leading to dewatering of Lolo Creek and the subsurface lithology of the area. Results from the MASW and seismic refraction tomography studies show a bedrock elevation of about 35 m close to Highway 93 and about 27 m at the end of the 288 m East-West seismic line running through Lewis and Clark Drive. ERT results show a shallow high resistive geolectric layer underlain by low resistive layers. The Eocene bedrock (mylonite) was found to have low resistivity between 180-400 Ωm. A geologic fault was inferred in a 360 m East-West ERT profile. SP measurements around the inferred fault indicate a zone of infiltration, with SP values between -18 mV to -2 mV. A 1D depth velocity profile obtained from MASW survey located close to East-West ERT profile, indicates a low velocity subsurface between 0-39 m, which is interpreted to be fractured bedrock. This fractured shallow bedrock and associated fault work as a seepage path from the shallow to deep aquifer and could possibly account for dewatering of the Creek during low flow periods in the late-summer

On Developing Human Centric Digital Twins in Industry 4.0 and Beyond

The use of smart devices has increased greatly in the last ten years with users reaching out to the possibility to do more with them especially in the networking front. In this context there is a need to understand the connection between users’ social demographic factors, their way to related to their smart devices, and the increasing adoption smart technologies in the industry 4.0 domains. This study was designed to evaluate the senso of belonging of a community using smart devices. In this way we evaluate intangible benefits that employees may gain from a more immerse relationship with their devices. We used a dataset of 586 anonymous respondent of an existing survey designed for capturing the relationships that humans develop with their smart devices. In particular, we investigate the relationships with smart device and particular background variables of the respondents using a chi-square test. The study showed that there is a significant relationship between users’ sex and smart device type and their dependency on smart device. Both male and females, tends to think that smart device enables them to connect with a larger community and smart phone users connect more to large community than other smart devices users. This study provided several significant findings that strengthen the previous literature works on subject matter. Certain socio demographics variables like age, sex and smart device type showed a correlation between smart device users and their tendency to stay in touch with a larger community via their smart device.</p

Palynomorph Assemblage and Palaeoecological Interpretation of Ajali Sandstone in Western Anambra Basin of Nigeria

The study presents the lithology, palynomorph assemblage and palaeoecological interpretation of outcrops of Ajali Sandstone in Ayogwiri, Fugar and Orame in the western Anambra basin of Nigeria. The outcrops were logged and sampled. The textures range from fine sand to pebbly sand in places. Thin clay beds were also observed occurring between the basal heterolithic and sandy beds. 24 samples from selective beds were taken for foraminifera micropaleontology and palynological analysis. All samples were found to be barren of foraminifera, thus precluding age determination, but yielded few palynomorphs. Terrestrial palynomorphs dominate in the three locations with few marine dinoflagellates and acritarch occurring in Orame. The inferred palaeoecology range from humid to tropical mangrove swamps with infiltration of fresh water and marine waters. Corroborating both lithology and palynology, the depositional environment is shallower at Ayogwiri and Fugar (marginal marine) and deeper in Orame (shallow marine). Keywords: Palynomorph, Lithology, Palaeoecology, Mangrove swamp, Pollen, Spore, Dinoflagellates

Grain Size Analysis of Sediments From Okpoama – Brass Beach in the Niger Delta

Granulometric analysis was carried out on sixty – three sediment samples collected from the Okpoama – Brass Beach, in the Niger Delta, to determine the particle size distribution, the nature of the sediments and transport mode of the sediments. The sediment population is predominantly unimodal, with the 0.25 – 0.125 mm (fine sand) as the modal class, though, a significant population are polymodal. Sorting ranges from 0.1 (very well sorted for the unimodal samples) to 1.01 (poorly sorted for the polymodal samples). The average sorting value for the entire sampled population is 0.89 (Moderately sorted). The skewness of the population range from symmetrical to negatively skewed. The average values for the kurtosis is 1.2 (Leptokurtic). The average value for the Median (φ) is 1.92 which represents the medium sand size grade, while the average Mean value is 1.95 φ. The predominant mode of transport is by saltation for the modal class, and suspension and traction for the finer and coarser sediments respectively. The sediment load from Okpoama – Brass beach are dominantly fine sands, indicative of distant source rock and a gentle depositional slope. Keywords: Beach. Grain size analysis, Unimodal, Mean value, Cumulative curve, Saltation. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-3-09 Publication date:March 31st 201

Composition and Textural Characteristics of Turonian Ezeaku Formation: Implication for Depositional Environment

The depositional environment of the Ezeaku Sandstone outcropping as Amasiri Sandstone in Afikpo Basin in the southeastern part of the Benue Trough was studied using the composition and textural characteristics of the Sandstone. Samples were collected from the Ibii, Ozara-Ukwu, Akpoha, Amasiri-Akpoeze ridges for petrographic and chemical analyses. The results show that the sandstones are feldspathic arenites with matric content less than 15%. Quartz is the most ubiquitous mineral with micro fractures; also, grain margins and surfaces are corroded and altered by calcite. Euhedral quartz overgrowth is seen with dust rim.  The grains are angular to sub rounded, elongate grains were also common. Sorting is poor. Plagioclase and alkaline feldspars were observed, they have a modal composition of about 10 – 12%. Rock fragments were not common in the Ezeaku Formation. The grains were seen to be cemented mainly by calcite cement, silica cement also occur as quartz overgrowth and microcrystalline aggregates. Clay minerals and iron oxides are seen coating grains. The sandstone is compositionally and texturally sub mature. The chemical analysis shows the depletion of silica as a result of calcite replacement in the calcareous sandstone and concretions. Al2O3 value is high and it ranges from 9.766% to 23.55%. The sandstone is richer in K2O than in N2O, which is typical of arkoses. The results show that the Amasiri Sandstone was deposited in a shallow marine environment under humid conditions that allowed the segregation of calcite minerals into concretions within the Sandstone. Keywords: Petrography, Calcareous sandstone, Calcareous concretions, Diagenesis, Paragenetic sequence, Sandstone composition, Plate Tectonic

Application of Remote Sensing and GIS in Sinuosity and River Migration Analysis of the Lower Parts of River Niger in the Niger Delta

This research is financed by the African Union in collaboration with Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences (including health and Agriculture), Ibadan, Nigeria and University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria. Abstract Sinuosity and river migration analysis of the lower parts of the River Niger in Niger Delta from Onitsha to the coast has been done using various Landsat images during 1985 to 2015. The transect method was used for the river shifting measurement. The study area consists of a stretch characterized by uneven meandering and migration. Consequently, the adjacent areas are susceptible to flooding that causes significant losses of crops, property, livestock, and human lives. During the study period, the channel pattern moved from a sinuous-straight to straight-sinuous pattern with sinuosity reducing in the upper portions of the channel.  It was found that in the upper portions of River Niger, the west bank of the channel was subjected to more erosion and that the river is migrating towards the west. In the lower portions of the River Niger, the east bank is subjected to more erosion and thus the channel is migrating towards the east. The width of the meander belt ranged from less than 1km to 4.9 km with an average of about 2km. Based on the findings of this study, it is suggested that the flood protection structures are crucial for the west bank in the upper reaches and the east bank in the lower portions of the channel in the study area. It is further suggested that these structures be constructed outside the meander belt of the river. Keywords: Sinuosity. Channel migration. Meander belt. Channel pattern. GIS. Landsat images. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-4-08 Publication date: April 30th 201

Urban solid waste management: the role of strategic communication

In Nigeria, the challenges of urban solid waste management are palpable. The volume of solid waste that is visible at the urban centres is a measure of the failure of the current practices. The declaration of one of the Saturdays of every month by various state governments as environmental sanitation day and the use of radiojungles has notyielded the expected results. It is on this basis that this paper proposed a methodological shift from conventional approaches of mere radiol television announcement to strategic communications planning. The study pointed out the role of strategic communication in addressing the challenges posed by urban solid waste management. Thesix-step pyramid of strategic communication plan (communication infrastructure, establishment ofgoals, target audience. frame the issue, crafting ofmessage and media tactics) was proposed

GIS & Remote Sensing Based Morphometric Parameters and Topographic Changes of the Lower Orashi River in Niger Delta

In watershed hydrology, the morphometric features of a river basin are vital to examine the lower Orashi River basin morphological and hydrological aspects, as well as its flood potential, based on their morphometric characteristics using remotely sensed SRTM data that was analyzed with ArcGIS software. The areal, linear, and relief aspects of the Orashi River basin were examined as morphometric parameters. The lower Orashi river basin, according to the findings, has a total size of 625.61 km2 and a perimeter of 307.98 km, with a 5th order river network based on Strahler categorization and a dendritic drainage pattern. Because of low drainage density, the drainage texture is very fine, the relief is low, and the slope is very low. Bifurcation ratio, circularity ratio, drainage density aspect ratio, form factor, and stream frequency values indicate that the basin is less elongated and would produce surface runoff for a longer period, while topographic changes show that the river is decreasing with depth in the land area at about the same elevation as a result of sand deposited due to lack of maintenance by dredging, which implies that the basin is morphometrically elevated and sensitive to erosion and flooding. To understand geohydrological features and to plan and manage watersheds, morphometric analysis based on geographic information systems and remote sensing techniques is beneficial

Electricity consumers attitudes, knowledge and behaviour towards the use of energy saving bulbs in Warri, Nigeria: Implications for governmental action

This paper studies the electricity consumers attitudes, knowledge and behaviour towards the use of energy saving bulbs in Warri, Nigeria using the survey method. The survey randomly selected 400 respondents for the study, and information on their energy consumption and willingness to use energy saving bulbs were solicited using a well structured questionnaire. Results indicate a large majority (77%) of respondents agree that they do not practice any energy saving behaviour in their homes whilst 23% agreed that they practice energy saving in their homes. With respect to their willingness to use energy saving bulbs, 51% of the respondents are extremely willing to consume the product, and 49% were extremely unwilling to use energy saving bulbs. If energy saving bulbs costs consumers 10% more than candescent bulbs, 91% of respondents indicated they are extremely unwilling to consume it, while 53% were willing to consume same. Thus, it appears that respondents will respond to a price differential between energy saving bulbs and non-energy saving bulbs. The findings of this paper spells out the implications for governmental policy and action

Petrography of Ajali Sandstone in Ayogwiri – Fugar – Orame Area of Western Anambra Basin: Implication for Diagenetic and Depositional History.

The friability of the Ajali Sandstone was studied with photomicrographs of thin sections made from samples collected from the Formation in Ayogwiri, Fugar and Orame in the Western Anambra Basin in order to understand its diagenetic and depositional implications. This study shows that the Ajali Sandstone is a quartz arenite consisting of subangular to subrounded grains of quartz which were either monocrystalline or polycrystalline. Diagenetic fabrics of compaction, dissolution, alteration and corrosion were common features. Straition marks, fracture lines, some of which show filling, stress zonation were major compaction fabrics in the Sandstone. Authigenic quartz formed from the dissolution and recrystallization of quartz grains as well as quartz overgrowth occur. Reaction rims around grain margins indicating severe alteration and corrosion were seen growing from grain margins inward, leaving the Sandstone, which may have been indurated with little or no cementing material. Thus leading to the friability of the Sandstone and it’s susceptibility to erosion. Keywords: Petrography, Diagenesis, Authigenesis, Decementation, Cementation, Dissolution, Alteration, Corrosion