Missing Data Imputations for Upper Air Temperature at 24 Standard Pressure Levels over Pakistan Collected from Aqua Satellite

This research was an effort to select best imputation method for missing upper air temperature data over 24 standard pressure levels. We have implemented four imputation techniques like inverse distance weighting, Bilinear, Natural and Nearest interpolation for missing data imputations. Performance indicators for these techniques were the root mean square error (RMSE), absolute mean error (AME), correlation coefficient and coefficient of determination ( R2 ) adopted in this research. We randomly make 30% of total samples (total samples was 324) predictable from 70% remaining data. Although four interpolation methods seem good (producing <1 RMSE, AME) for imputations of air temperature data, but bilinear method was the most accurate with least errors for missing data imputations. RMSE for bilinear method remains <0.01 on all pressure levels except 1000 hPa where this value was 0.6. The low value of AME (<0.1) came at all pressure levels through bilinear imputations. Very strong correlation (>0.99) found between actual and predicted air temperature data through this method. The high value of the coefficient of determination (0.99) through bilinear interpolation method, tells us best fit to the surface. We have also found similar results for imputation with natural interpolation method in this research, but after investigating scatter plots over each month, imputations with this method seem to little obtuse in certain months than bilinear method.

Statistical Investigation and Mapping of Monthly Modified Refractivity Gradient over Pakistan at the 700 Hectopascal Level

This study is an effort to investigate the spatial-temporal variability of the modified refractivity gradient at the 700 hPa pressure level over Pakistan and its neighbouring regions of Afghanistan, India, Iran and the Arabian Sea using the remote sensing data of the AQUA (AIRX3STM) satellite from 2008 to 2012. Trapping conditions only found in December were spread over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan) with an average value of -182.042 M/Km and showing Leptokurtic distributions. The lowest monthly average value super-refractive conditions existed in the autumn season with a strong monthly correlation (>0.91 M/Km). A very high monthly correlation (0.9 M/Km) was found for the super-refractive conditions over the whole time period. The largest spatial and temporal normal conditions appeared in January with the average value for normal conditions being 132.72 M/Km (found over Zabul, Afghanistan) with Leptokurtic distributions. During May normal conditions were the smallest in spatial extent over Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, showing Platykurtic distributions. Sub-refractive conditions mostly prevailed at all times. The probability for extreme sub-refractive conditions was very high in 2008-2012. The highest average sub-refractive conditions appeared in the winter and autumn seasons (spread around Quetta and Kalam, Pakistan). The highest monthly average sub-refractive conditions with a value of 1,265,188 M/Km were found in January and spread around the Sarbaz River Iran. Correlations for the existence of sub-refractive conditions varied from 0.8 M/Km (moderate strong) to 0.4 M/Km during the autumn to winter season. Permanent super-refractive conditions existed over Baluchistan from February to September.

Role of Canal Lining on Groundwater Fluctuations: A Modeling Simulation Approach for Jaalwala Distributary, Bahawalnagar

Jaalwala Distributary was selected to see the consequences of concrete lining on the underlying saline groundwater table. Its middle and tail portions were concrete lined whereas the head portion was still unlined. Visual MODFLOW 2011.1 was used to simulate the effects of concrete lining on saline groundwater in two-dimensional format. Simulation results showed a gradual rise of electrical conductivity (EC) up to 7000 μS/cm and decline in water table depth to nine feet (2.74 m). It observed negligible inflows from the distributary through its western boundary due to formation of a permanent barrier in the way of seepage of any kind. Results have further predicted that freshwater layer available beneath the Jaalwala Distributary (before its lining) will finish ultimately and the below present saline water also move upward to take this vacated place. Hence it was concluded to line the canals of saline water areas from their sides which will not only protect them from erosion but canal water theft as well.

Gnomon Assessment for Geographic Coordinate, Solar Horizontal &Equatorial Coordinates, Time of Local Sunrise, Noon, Sunset, Direction of Qibla, Size of Earth &Sun for Lahore Pakistan

This study was an effort to calculate geographic coordinates, solar horizontal and equatorial cooridnates, direction of Qibla, sizes of Earth and Sun through gnomon (a vertical stick casting shadow). Gnomon has been used in history for remote navigations, astronomical and geodetic measurements. Geographic coordinates were found out with accuracy of less than 0.19 decimal degree from gnomon. Sun’s horizontal and equatorial coordinates were calculated and analyzed with US Navy Observatory and NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory. These coordinates were less than 0.01 decimal degree different from coordinates provided by US Navy and following same daily trend with time. Through spherical triangle, direction of Qibla was found out. And it came out less than 0.18 decimal degree different from its value, used in Lahore. Radius of the earth measured from gnomon using concepts of Al Buruni was 1.45 km different from its true value. Using geometrical technique of similar and concurrent triangles, size of the sun was calculated and it was 1,651,088.776 km. Investigation of systematic and random errors in each calculation was the part of this research.