Groundwater Exploration in the Granitic Rock Formation of Komenda/ Edina/ Eguafo/ Abirem District Using Integrated Geophysical Techniques

Geophysical investigations were carried out in six communities in the granitic rock formation of Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abirem (KEEA) District of the Central Region of Ghana with the aim of delineating groundwater potential zones, drilling the selected sites and subsequently compar-ing the geophysical results with those of the drilling and subsequently to provide potable water for the beneficiary communities of the district. The geophysical methods employed included elec-tromagnetic profiling, short resistivity profiling and resistivity sounding using the Schlumberger Array. The findings of the survey indicates apparent conductivity ranging between 7 mS/m and 30 mS/m with a mean value of 10.00 mS/m ±0.02% and the apparent resistivity of the crystalline basement granitic rock is between 287.5 Ωm at Saaman and 2198.4 Ωm at Anwewmu-Kissi with a mean value of 1317.4 Ωm ±0.4%. Out of the five (5) boreholes drilled, three(3) were success-ful with a success rate of 60% which indicates moderate groundwater potential as it depends largely on fractures to enhance groundwater development. Only two sites produced dry wells at drilled depths of 69.0 and 76.0 m as predicted by the geophysical results. The results revealed a lithology that consists of laterite, clay, sandy-clay and slightly-to-highly weathered granite or gneiss as the regolith. Groundwater was generally found at the depth of 20.0-55.0 m. The sur-face geophysical results were correctly validated by the drilling results which confirms geophysi-cal exploration technique as a vital scientific tool required for borehole siting

Geophysical investigations for groundwater in the middle Precambrian province of upper Denkyira district using electromagnectic and electrical resistivity methods

In this study, geophysical investigations were carried out in twelve (12) communities in the Up-per Denkyira District located in the Birimian and the Tarkwaian Formations of the Central Re-gion of Ghana with the aim of delineating groundwater potential zones, drilling the selected sites, and subsequently comparing the geophysical results with those of the drilling. The geo-physical methods employed included electromagnetic profiling and resistivity sounding using the Schlumberger array. Six (6) boreholes were drilled and the results revealed a lithology that con-sists of laterite, clay, sandy-clay and slightly-to-highly weathered sap-rock including phyllite as the regolith which determines the groundwater potential. Groundwater was generally found at the depth of 20.0-38.0m in the Birimian Formation and 17.0-40.0m in the Tarkwaian Forma-tion. It was found that boreholes drilled within the Tarkwaian and Birimian Formations were successful in producing groundwater, thus indicating that the area has a relatively high ground-water potential since the characteristic geological structures of the basement rocks favour groundwater transmissivity and storativity. The surface geophysical results were correctly vali-dated by the drilling results thus confirming the geophysical exploration technique as a para-mount and a pre-requisite tool for borehole siting

Landfill site investigation in the Tema metropolis using 2-dimensional resistivity technique

Two-dimensional (2-D) resistivity survey was conducted at a site near Kpone in the Terna metropolis to investigate its suitability for a proposed solid waste disposal site. The resulting sub-surface resistivity pseudo-sections provided information about the overburden thickness, degree of rock fracturing, depth to fresh bedrock and an estimate of the excavation depth. Even though the hardness of the underlying geological formation was observed to increase with depth, the upper 25 m comprised stable argillaceous overburden mixed with isolated pockets oflateritic hardpan or iron stone of resistivity values ranging from 12-1,500 Q-m. This layer was underlain by east-west gently-dipping massive bedrock with little <>r no discontinuities with resistivity values ranging from 2,000-4,200 n-m. The total excavation depth was estimated to be 30 m below ground level. The site is considered geologically suitable for the intended purpose due to the absence of bedrock discontinuities to enhance contaminant transport to pollute the groundwater resources

Application of integrated geophysical techniques for monitoring wells site selection in the White Volta river basin

The CSIR-Water Research Institute has established thirteen (13) borehole monitoring stations in the White Volta River Basin of the three northern regions since 2005. Eight (8) of the monitoring boreholes are located in the Upper East and Upper West Regions, whilst the remaining five(5) are sited in the Northern Region of the basin, including Wa, Tumu, Bawku and Bugya-Pala near Walewale. The objective, among others, is to generate groundwater levels and temperature fluctuations data as well as obtain information on water quality trends for the effective managementof the groundwater resources of the basin. Crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks as well as consolidated sedimentary formations underlie the basin. The drilling sites were selected using integrated geophysical survey techniques. Inductive electro-magnetic (EM) profiling and electrical resistivity methods including 2-D profiling/sounding and vertical electrical sounding (VES) were used in areas underlain by sandstone, igneous and metamorphic rocks. However, in areas underlain by sedimentary shale and mudstone rocks, where conductivity contrast between their fractured portions and the fresh rock is known to be lacking, only resistivity siting methods were employed. The results of the integrated geophysical methods showed strong correlation indelineating potential anomalies (fractures) in sandstone, igneous and metamorphic rocks, confirming the aquifer depths of existing boreholes in these rocks, which ranged from 15 m to 40 m deep. Unlike crystalline basement rocks (igneous and metamorphic) and sandstone, where lowbedrock resistivity response values

A Rare Presentation of Isolated Congenital Splenic Hemangioma With Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome

Splenic hemangiomas (SHs) are the most common benign neoplasms of the spleen. However, they are rare in the newborn period. We present an extremely rare case of congenital SH complicated by Kasabach-Merritt syndrome. A 2.93 kg male infant was delivered at term with a prenatal diagnosis of a left infrarenal mass diagnosed by ultrasound at 35 weeks of gestation. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a well-defined splenic mass with multiple flow voids and scattered areas of high intensity suggestive of hemorrhage. He developed anemia, thrombocytopenia, and coagulopathy which required transfusion with packed red cells, platelets, cryoprecipitate, and fresh frozen plasma. Excision biopsy of the spleen led to resolution of anemia, thrombocytopenia, and coagulopathy. The diagnosis of SH was confirmed by histopathology. At 2 months outpatient follow-up, the patient was growing well without any evidence of tumor recurrence. Congenital SH is a rare entity that can be fatal if the potential complication of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome is not anticipated, evaluated, and promptly treated. Our patient had a favorable outcome with early surgical excision of the SH

Supplementary Material for: Inhibition of Rac1 Signaling Downregulates Inflammasome Activation and Attenuates Lung Injury in Neonatal Rats Exposed to Hyperoxia

<p><b><i>Background:</i></b> Inflammatory injury, particularly the production of active interleukin (IL)-1β plays a major role in the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants. The release of active IL-1β is controlled by posttranscriptional modifications of its proform (pro-IL-1β) through the inflammasome. Rac1 is a member of the Rho family of GTPases that regulate the inflammatory process. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> This study tested the hypothesis that Rac1 signaling increases inflammasome activation that results in damaging inflammation, and that the inhibition of Rac1 signaling prevents lung injury, by inhibiting inflammasome activation in a newborn rat model of BPD induced by hyperoxia. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Newborn rat pups were exposed to room air or hyperoxia (85% O₂) and received daily intraperitoneal injections of placebo (normal saline) or NSC23766, a specific Rac1 inhibitor, for 10 days. The effects on lung inflammation, alveolarization, vascular development, vascular remodeling, right ventricular systolic pressure, and right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) were then assessed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Hyperoxia exposure upregulated Rac1 and increased the production of active IL-1β, which was accompanied by increasing expression of the inflammasome. In addition, hyperoxia induced the pathological hallmarks of BPD. However, treatment with NSC23766 significantly decreased inflammasome activation and macrophage infiltration, improved alveolar and vascular development, and reduced pulmonary vascular remodeling and RVH. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> These results indicate that Rac1 signaling regulates the expression of the inflammasome and plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of hyperoxia-induced neonatal lung injury. Therefore, targeting Rac1 signaling may provide a novel strategy to prevent and treat BPD in preterm infants.</p