Abstract: Foraminiferal investigation of the Kolmani River -1 well yielded a total of forty two (42) species. The foraminiferal assemblages comprise 86% arenaceous benthonics, 4% calcareous benthonics and 8% planktonic foraminifera. Few ostracod and gastropods shells were recovered and they make up the remaining 2% of the assemblages. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of the recovered foraminifers were used to interpret the age, paleoecology, paleobathymetry and paleoenvironment of the sediments penetrated by the well. Three foramineferal assemblage zones consisting of Agathamina sp.2, Haplophragmoides bauchensis and Heterohelix moremani-Haplophragmoides talokensis Assemblage Zones were identified in the drilled interval of Kolmani River -1 Well. These zones are dated Campanian-early Santonian, early Coniacian-early Turonian and early Turonian-late Cenomanian respectively. The paleobathymetry ranges from Inner to Outer neritic suggesting water depths of less than 200 m. The overall depositional environments varies between coastal plain/estuarine to open marine setting. The dominance of agglutinated foraminiferal species such as Ammobaculites sp, Haplophragmoides sp, Miliammina sp and Trochamina sp suggest restricted, low oxygen bottom water conditions for most of the paleoenvironments.

Abstract: During these last years, considerable attention has been given to Jurassic oil and gas shale in the middle and high latitudes of the northern hemisphere such as the west Europe and Russian platform where the most attractive Jurassic basins are located (e.g. Cleaveland basin, UK; Boulonnais, northern France; Pechora Basin, Moscow Basin, etc). In most petroleum systems which characterize these basins, the Jurassic (mainly the early Toarcian) played the major role in hydrocarbon generation which constitutes 25% of the global reserve of hydrocarbon. Tunisian basins represented by the northern Tunisian trough, the Dorsale and the North South Axis (NOSA) belong to the southern Tethyan margin where northern and central area have recorded the early Toarcian oceanic anoxic event (T-OAE). This short lived (c. 2 Ma) period of anoxia ranges within the whole Harpoceras serpentinum Zone which corresponds to deep water environments marked by black shale accumulation. Interestingly, towards the south, the dysaerobic conditions in the Chott basin appear to have begun largely later where the oxygen depletion is assumed to have prevailed during the Callovian, whereas it was limited to the early Toarcian in the Central and Northern Tunisia only a few hundreds of kilometers away. In addition, biostratigraphic and complete geochemical review has been undertaken from published papers and unpublished internal reports to better assess these important source intervals.

Abstract: This paper emphasizes on investigating the suitability of using low cost DeskTop Publishing (DTP) scanners for aerial photogrammetric applications. The paper involves calibrating the scanner geometric errors. Mathematical and actual photogrammetric data were used during this investigation. The mathematical data shows that calibration of DTP scanners improves the root mean square error (RMSE) values of the photogrammetric solution by about 81% and 83% in horizontal and vertical directions respectively. The actual data proofs that the use of low cost DTP scanner as opposed to the use of Leica BC2 analytical plotter increases the horizontal and vertical RMSE values of about 35% and 43% respectively. The obtained accuracies allow the generation of planimetric maps at a scale of 1:500 or smaller and topographic maps with a contour interval of around 1 m or larger. This methodology is of great interest to small engineering firms for the generation of local area maps.

Abstract: The environmental and health impact associated with over 50 years of oil exploration and exploitation in Eastern Niger Delta region of Nigeria is of great concern. Flaring is the controlled burning of the natural gas associated with oil production. This study has clearly shown that gas-flaring constitutes a major source of water pollution in the oil producing region of Eastern Niger Delta. The results of the laboratory analysis of the water samples revealed that the water sources in the area have been negatively impacted acid-rain and NO₂, SO₂ and CO₂ from the burning gas. The sulphate, bicarbonate and nitrate content of rain water samples within the radius of 20 km from the gas-flaring station are high but the concentration decreases away from the gas-flaring stations. It was ascertained that the acidity and hence the nitrate, sulphate and bicarbonate content of rain water is a function of the frequency and duration of the rainfall as well as the direction of the prevailing wind prior to the rainfall and it gives rise to the formation of acid-rain. Corrosion of buildings, the dominance of respiratory problems and skin diseases are some of the signatures of gas flaring on the host communities. However, there may be a serious long term effect on the water resources in region in terms of quality if gas-flaring in the area does not stop.

Abstract: The Mobarak Formation in the Vali-Abad section (Central Alborz-South of Chalus) was studied at the central Alborz. The stratigraphical section show regressive sequences from Tournaisian to Namurian?. Three main environments containing rugosa and tabulate corals were identified: open shelf, oolitic shoals and lagoon. Up to 25 species of rugosa and tabulate corals belonging to 16 genera have been identified: Zaphrentites parallela, Zaphrentites delanouei, Ampelexizaphrentis iraniense, Ampelexizaphrentis sp., Siphonophyllia cylindrica cylindrica, Siphonophyllia iranica, Siphonophyllia cf. dorlodoti, Kueichophyllum alborsense minor, Kueichophyllum alborsense major, Caninia aff. irinae, Dibonophyllum bipartitum, Quinghaiphyllum pygmaeum, Aullophyllidae sp. Kailingophyllum sp., Marzanophyllum chalusense, Marzanophyllum crassiseptum, Hapsiphyllum sp.1, Hapsiphyllum sp.2, Zaphrentoides sp.A, Zaphrentoides sp. B, Ufimia sp., Hapsiphyllidae indet., Syringopora sp., Michelinia sp. and Favosittidae indet. Coral assemblages allow us to distinguish three biozones, with local value. Lowermost assemblage is composed of small, solitary, undissepimented corals and it is typical open and deep platform. Corals at assemblage II are must diverse and abundant. This assemblage developed at shallow areas of the open shelf. Assemblage III proceed from lagoon and it is composed of small, solitary, undissepimented corals. Iranian Lower Carboniferous corals belong to shallow areas of open shelf-lagoon of unique oceans. Tournaisian- Namurian? platform are well-developed in the Alborz, Central Alborz and Baluchestan and rich in fossil corals. They are extended from southeast to northwest in the area of Lower Carboniferous deposition.

Abstract: Gully erosion, the most impressive and striking erosion type, has been recognized as one of the major global environmental problems. Many States in Nigeria are currently under the threats of this phenomenal process, south-eastern part of the country being the most affected. It has numerous causes; and these causes can be both naturally and artificially-induced, but the underlying geology and the severity of accompany surface processes play a key role. Observations have shown clearly that gully erosion is more prevalent in sedimentary terrain than in the basement complex of Nigeria. This erosion activity at various scales has resulted in the loss of lives and properties almost on a yearly basis. Solutions that have been proffered include public awareness campaign, improved farming techniques, cultural method of gully control, enactment of laws against any activities that favour gully growth, and thorough implementation of suggested solutions.

Abstract: Support Vector Machine (SVM) optimization technique is rapidly gaining attractiveness in the area of geophysics, mining and geomechanics. This paper discusses the importance of SVM for prediction of longitudinal pressure-wave velocity and its advantages over other conventional methods of computing. Pressure-wave measurement, an indicator of peak particle velocity (PPV) during blasting in a mine is an important parameter to be determined to minimize the damage caused by ground vibrations. A number of previous researchers have tried to use different empirical methods to predict pressure-wave. But these empirical methods are less versatile in their applications. The fracture propagation is not only influenced by the physico-mechanical parameters of rock, but they are also affected by the dynamic wave velocity of rock (e.g. compressional wave velocity). Wave velocity measurements have wide applications in the different fields of geophysics. A Support Vector Machine (SVM) model is designed to predict the pressure wave velocity of different rocks. To avoid the blindness in man-made choices of parameters of SVM, we use the chaos optimization algorithm to find the optimal parameters which can help the model to enhance the learning efficiency and capability of prediction. The fracture roughness coefficient and physico-mechanical properties are taken as input parameters and pressure wave velocity as output parameters. The mean absolute percentage error for the pressure wave velocity (PrV) predicted value has been found to be the least (0.258%) as compared to values obtained by Multivariate Regression Analysis (MVRA), Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) and generalization capability of the SVM model is found to be very useful for such type of geophysical problems.

Abstract: In the Lower Carboniferous, the Iranian Platform represented the area of marine sedimentation. Carboniferous sequences of the Baluchestan Basin, Central Iran and Alborz are correlated. Distribution of corals in the Lower Carboniferous of Iran is influenced by both regional and world transgression and regression episodes. Tournaisian- Middle Serpukhovian marine deposits are well-developed and rich in fossil corals in the Alborz, and Baluchestan. They are extended from southeast to northwest in the area of Lower Carboniferous deposition. In the Middle Serpukhovian-Gzhelian marine sedimentation was restricted to the East Iran (Tabas area). However, fossil evidence suggests Late Carboniferous age only for part of the Tabas area sequence.

Abstract: The study area selected for the present research work was Kaunia upazila of northern part of Rangpur district, Bangladesh located between 8918′0′′E to 8930′0′′E longitude and 2542′0′′N to 2550′0′′N latitude. The aim of the study was to identified geomorphic unit and prepare geomorphic and land use map with the help of remotely sensed data. Remotely sense data provide a synoptic view of landscape on images. Geomorphic units were identified on the basis of tone, texture, size, shape, color and extract the precise information from the Landsat TM (FCC) images. Landforms were mainly active channel deposits, abandon channel deposits, natural levee deposits, flood plain deposits and flood basin deposits in the study area. From these geomorphic units together with land use were mapped using SPOT (band 4) panchromatic satellite image with visual interpretation technique along with field observation. The land use mapping will help to provide geo-scientific information for future development plan. Remotely sense data recommend identifying, evaluating and time-costing effective technique to fulfill the study objectives.

Abstract: The magnesian high-K calc-alkaline intrusive of the Tamkoro-Bossangoa Massif, North Western Central African Republic, were synkinematically emplaced in a sinistral strike-slip shear zone of Paleoproterozoic age. The rock sequences consist of orthogneisses with abundant coarse- to medium-grained quartz monzodiorite, quartz diorite and medium- to fine-grained biotite granite composition and cover a range of about 55 to 76 wt.-% SiO₂. They display characteristics of shoshonitic and high-K calc-alkaline series. Quartz monzodiorite and quartz diorite are metaluminous, whereas granite is moderately peraluminous (1≤ A/CNK ≤ 1.1) and plot in the field of I-type granitoids. Major and trace element composition of the granitoids indicate that the source materials were derived from different crustal protoliths. Major and trace element composition are consistent with the magmatism which may have involved remelting of (1) a composite metagreywackes protolith in the upper crust and (2) amphibolitised high-K calc-alkaline basaltic andesites in the central domain of the NEFB (North Equatorial Fold Belt). SHRIMP zircon and titanite dating of granitic rocks gives a magmatic zircon and titanite age of 2069 ± 9.6 Ma and 2063 ± 28 Ma respectively, a metamorphic age of 500 Ma and 597 Ma. The plutonic rocks of Tamkoro-Bossangoa area resemble other Paleoproterozoic high-K calc-alkaline syntectonic plutons in western and central . They also display strong similarities with high-K calc-alkaline plutons of eastern and of the in NE Brazil.