Muhammad Zahir | University of BALOCHISTAN (original) (raw)
Papers by Muhammad Zahir
Journal of Geography and Social Sciences, 2021
Background: Quetta is the most populated city of Balochistan, situated in a valley, called Quetta... more Background: Quetta is the most populated city of Balochistan, situated in a valley, called Quetta Sub-basin, apart of the Pishin Sub-basin, situated in northern part of the Kirthar Belt, comprising formations of Lower Jurassic through Holocene age. The Baleli River, along with its ephemeral streams, flows generally northwards, drains out of the Quetta Sub-basin near Baleli and joins the Pishin Sub-basin. It comprises two types of aquifers; 1) Alluvial aquifer, comprising horizontally-lying Quaternary alluvial succession, composed of siltstone, mudstone, sandstone and conglomerate, having primary porosity; 2) Limestone aquifer, composed mostly of Jurassic limestone, having secondary porosity. Decline of water level is detected in Sub-basin, which needs proper attention by the concerned authorities. Objectives: The main objective was to estimate decline in the static water level in the alluvial and limestone aquifers of the Quetta Sub-basin. Methods: Out of 430 tube wells of Quetta Water and Sanitation Authority (Q-WASA), 40 were randomly selected for monitoring for a period from April 2019 to March 2020. We selected 9 tube wells from the Limestone and 31 from the Alluvial aquifer. Decline in static water levels was estimated by taking average static water levels of both aquifers and estimating decline through formula of well-level data method. Water levels were measured by Sonic Water Level Meter and Water Level Meter Model-102 Manual. Results: The findings show that a decline of the static water level was detected both in Limestone and Alluvial aquifers, during the period from April 2019 to March 2020, which is estimated as 0.2 m in the Limestone aquifer, and 0.99 m in the Alluvial aquifer. Conclusions: Our results confirm that decline of the static water level dangerously continues and drastic steps are needed regarding groundwater recharge and appropriate management, in order to cope with the critical situation of water shortages in Quetta.
Acta Geologica Sinica - English Edition, 2021
The late-Permian succession of the Upper-Indus Basin is represented by carbonate dominated Zaluch... more The late-Permian succession of the Upper-Indus Basin is represented by carbonate dominated Zaluch Group, which consists of Amb, Wargal and Chhidru Formations. These formations accumulated on the southwestern shelf of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean, north of hydrocarbon-producing Permian strata of the Arabian Peninsula. The reservoir properties of mixed clasticcarbonate Chhidru Formation are evaluated based on Petrography, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Xrays-Spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques. The diagenetic features, ranging from marine (isopachous fibrous calcite, micrite), through meteoric (blocky calcite-I, neomorphism and dissolution) to burial (poikilotopic cement, blocky calcite-II-III, fractures, fracture-filling and stylolites) are recognized. Major porosity types included fracture and moldic, while inter-and intra-particle porosities also existed. The visual porosity from 1.5-7.14% with an average of 5.15% was recognized. The sandstone facies (CMF-4) had the highest average porosity of 10.7%, while siliciclastic grainstone microfacies (CMF-3) showed average porosity of 5.3%. The siliciclastic mudstone microfacies (CMF-1) and siliciclastic wacke-packestone microfacies (CMF-2) showed the lowest porosity of 4.8% and 5.0%, respectively. Diagenetic processes like cementation, neomorphism, stylolitization and compaction have reduced the primary porosities. However, processes of dissolution and fracturing have produced secondary porosity. On average, the Chhidru Formation in Nammal Gorge (Salt Range) showed promising and at Gula Khel Gorge (Trans-Indus) lowest porosity.
acta geologica sinica English Edition, 2021
The late-Permian succession of the Upper-Indus Basin is represented by carbonate dominated Zaluch... more The late-Permian succession of the Upper-Indus Basin is represented by carbonate dominated Zaluch Group, which consists of Amb, Wargal and Chhidru Formations. These formations accumulated on the southwestern shelf of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean, north of hydrocarbon-producing Permian strata of the Arabian Peninsula. The reservoir properties of mixed clasticcarbonate Chhidru Formation are evaluated based on Petrography, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Xrays-Spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques. The diagenetic features, ranging from marine (isopachous fibrous calcite, micrite), through meteoric (blocky calcite-I, neomorphism and dissolution) to burial (poikilotopic cement, blocky calcite-II-III, fractures, fracture-filling and stylolites) are recognized. Major porosity types included fracture and moldic, while inter-and intra-particle porosities also existed. The visual porosity from 1.5-7.14% with an average of 5.15% was recognized. The sandstone facies (CMF-4) had the highest average porosity of 10.7%, while siliciclastic grainstone microfacies (CMF-3) showed average porosity of 5.3%. The siliciclastic mudstone microfacies (CMF-1) and siliciclastic wacke-packestone microfacies (CMF-2) showed the lowest porosity of 4.8% and 5.0%, respectively. Diagenetic processes like cementation, neomorphism, stylolitization and compaction have reduced the primary porosities. However, processes of dissolution and fracturing have produced secondary porosity. On average, the Chhidru Formation in Nammal Gorge (Salt Range) showed promising and at Gula Khel Gorge (Trans-Indus) lowest porosity.
JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHY AND SOCIAL SCIENCES, 2020
Background: The hydrological cycle has been disturbed because of global climate change. The risin... more Background: The hydrological cycle has been disturbed because of global climate change. The rising global ocean level due to melting of ice with substantial increment in temperature led to climate warming. These circumstances have a negative influence on water resources, especially groundwater. The groundwater is one of the extraordinary natural resources used in maintaining life on the earth. It has a direct relationship with the population. The population growth, along with climate factor, has raised the demand for freshwater. Hence, there is an ultimate need to search for the location of new wells that can be utilized to fulfil population needs. Objectives: The primary purpose of research is to carry out an electrical resistivity survey to determine potential aquifer capacity, properties and propose the location of the new wells in sector G-14/3, Islamabad. Methods: Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) was used with the Schlumberger configuration. ABEM Terameter SAS4000 was employed to perform 2D geoelectrical resistivity imaging surveys to obtain resistivity values. IX1D software was utilized for the data interpretation and the development of different geological layers. Results: Results from the VES models shows that the subsurface is divided into different lithological layers. The depth and thickness of these layers vary due to tectonic activities and depositional environments. Clay is the dominant lithology along with sandy gravel layers. The Dar-Zarrouk parameters result specifies that VES-3 and VES-5 have an excellent protective capacity, moderate transmissivity, and a high coefficient of anisotropy Conclusions: Due to variations in lithology and thickness, a single layer cannot be described as an aquifer. At depth >35 meters, only two points, i.e., VES-3 and VES-5, are marked as the zone of probable exploitable well locations. The higher values of the anisotropy coefficient indicate that the groundwater is highly polluted. ARTICLE HISTORY
Journal of Geography and Social Sciences, 2021
Background: Quetta is the most populated city of Balochistan, situated in a valley, called Quetta... more Background: Quetta is the most populated city of Balochistan, situated in a valley, called Quetta Sub-basin, apart of the Pishin Sub-basin, situated in northern part of the Kirthar Belt, comprising formations of Lower Jurassic through Holocene age. The Baleli River, along with its ephemeral streams, flows generally northwards, drains out of the Quetta Sub-basin near Baleli and joins the Pishin Sub-basin. It comprises two types of aquifers; 1) Alluvial aquifer, comprising horizontally-lying Quaternary alluvial succession, composed of siltstone, mudstone, sandstone and conglomerate, having primary porosity; 2) Limestone aquifer, composed mostly of Jurassic limestone, having secondary porosity. Decline of water level is detected in Sub-basin, which needs proper attention by the concerned authorities. Objectives: The main objective was to estimate decline in the static water level in the alluvial and limestone aquifers of the Quetta Sub-basin. Methods: Out of 430 tube wells of Quetta Water and Sanitation Authority (Q-WASA), 40 were randomly selected for monitoring for a period from April 2019 to March 2020. We selected 9 tube wells from the Limestone and 31 from the Alluvial aquifer. Decline in static water levels was estimated by taking average static water levels of both aquifers and estimating decline through formula of well-level data method. Water levels were measured by Sonic Water Level Meter and Water Level Meter Model-102 Manual. Results: The findings show that a decline of the static water level was detected both in Limestone and Alluvial aquifers, during the period from April 2019 to March 2020, which is estimated as 0.2 m in the Limestone aquifer, and 0.99 m in the Alluvial aquifer. Conclusions: Our results confirm that decline of the static water level dangerously continues and drastic steps are needed regarding groundwater recharge and appropriate management, in order to cope with the critical situation of water shortages in Quetta.
Acta Geologica Sinica - English Edition, 2021
The late-Permian succession of the Upper-Indus Basin is represented by carbonate dominated Zaluch... more The late-Permian succession of the Upper-Indus Basin is represented by carbonate dominated Zaluch Group, which consists of Amb, Wargal and Chhidru Formations. These formations accumulated on the southwestern shelf of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean, north of hydrocarbon-producing Permian strata of the Arabian Peninsula. The reservoir properties of mixed clasticcarbonate Chhidru Formation are evaluated based on Petrography, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Xrays-Spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques. The diagenetic features, ranging from marine (isopachous fibrous calcite, micrite), through meteoric (blocky calcite-I, neomorphism and dissolution) to burial (poikilotopic cement, blocky calcite-II-III, fractures, fracture-filling and stylolites) are recognized. Major porosity types included fracture and moldic, while inter-and intra-particle porosities also existed. The visual porosity from 1.5-7.14% with an average of 5.15% was recognized. The sandstone facies (CMF-4) had the highest average porosity of 10.7%, while siliciclastic grainstone microfacies (CMF-3) showed average porosity of 5.3%. The siliciclastic mudstone microfacies (CMF-1) and siliciclastic wacke-packestone microfacies (CMF-2) showed the lowest porosity of 4.8% and 5.0%, respectively. Diagenetic processes like cementation, neomorphism, stylolitization and compaction have reduced the primary porosities. However, processes of dissolution and fracturing have produced secondary porosity. On average, the Chhidru Formation in Nammal Gorge (Salt Range) showed promising and at Gula Khel Gorge (Trans-Indus) lowest porosity.
acta geologica sinica English Edition, 2021
The late-Permian succession of the Upper-Indus Basin is represented by carbonate dominated Zaluch... more The late-Permian succession of the Upper-Indus Basin is represented by carbonate dominated Zaluch Group, which consists of Amb, Wargal and Chhidru Formations. These formations accumulated on the southwestern shelf of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean, north of hydrocarbon-producing Permian strata of the Arabian Peninsula. The reservoir properties of mixed clasticcarbonate Chhidru Formation are evaluated based on Petrography, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Xrays-Spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques. The diagenetic features, ranging from marine (isopachous fibrous calcite, micrite), through meteoric (blocky calcite-I, neomorphism and dissolution) to burial (poikilotopic cement, blocky calcite-II-III, fractures, fracture-filling and stylolites) are recognized. Major porosity types included fracture and moldic, while inter-and intra-particle porosities also existed. The visual porosity from 1.5-7.14% with an average of 5.15% was recognized. The sandstone facies (CMF-4) had the highest average porosity of 10.7%, while siliciclastic grainstone microfacies (CMF-3) showed average porosity of 5.3%. The siliciclastic mudstone microfacies (CMF-1) and siliciclastic wacke-packestone microfacies (CMF-2) showed the lowest porosity of 4.8% and 5.0%, respectively. Diagenetic processes like cementation, neomorphism, stylolitization and compaction have reduced the primary porosities. However, processes of dissolution and fracturing have produced secondary porosity. On average, the Chhidru Formation in Nammal Gorge (Salt Range) showed promising and at Gula Khel Gorge (Trans-Indus) lowest porosity.
JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHY AND SOCIAL SCIENCES, 2020
Background: The hydrological cycle has been disturbed because of global climate change. The risin... more Background: The hydrological cycle has been disturbed because of global climate change. The rising global ocean level due to melting of ice with substantial increment in temperature led to climate warming. These circumstances have a negative influence on water resources, especially groundwater. The groundwater is one of the extraordinary natural resources used in maintaining life on the earth. It has a direct relationship with the population. The population growth, along with climate factor, has raised the demand for freshwater. Hence, there is an ultimate need to search for the location of new wells that can be utilized to fulfil population needs. Objectives: The primary purpose of research is to carry out an electrical resistivity survey to determine potential aquifer capacity, properties and propose the location of the new wells in sector G-14/3, Islamabad. Methods: Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) was used with the Schlumberger configuration. ABEM Terameter SAS4000 was employed to perform 2D geoelectrical resistivity imaging surveys to obtain resistivity values. IX1D software was utilized for the data interpretation and the development of different geological layers. Results: Results from the VES models shows that the subsurface is divided into different lithological layers. The depth and thickness of these layers vary due to tectonic activities and depositional environments. Clay is the dominant lithology along with sandy gravel layers. The Dar-Zarrouk parameters result specifies that VES-3 and VES-5 have an excellent protective capacity, moderate transmissivity, and a high coefficient of anisotropy Conclusions: Due to variations in lithology and thickness, a single layer cannot be described as an aquifer. At depth >35 meters, only two points, i.e., VES-3 and VES-5, are marked as the zone of probable exploitable well locations. The higher values of the anisotropy coefficient indicate that the groundwater is highly polluted. ARTICLE HISTORY