Web GIS-Based Temporal Analysis of Climatic Factors Impacting Heat Stroke in Karachi

This study focuses on the impact of climate change, specifically the increasing threat of heatwaves, in Pakistan, with a particular emphasis on the city of Karachi. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) analysed a century of climatic data to reveal warming trends, attributing them to human-induced factors. The vulnerability of Pakistan to climate change is highlighted, given its warm climate and location in a region where temperature increases are expected to surpass global averages. The study examines the past three decades, noting a significant rise in the frequency of hot days, especially in Karachi, where heatwaves have become more prevalent. The aims and objectives of the study involve identifying temporal changes in temperature, rainfall, humidity, and wind speed from 1984 to 2014 in Karachi. The literature review emphasizes the health implications of heatwaves, citing increased mortality during such events globally. The study incorporates a comprehensive temporal analysis, addressing gaps in previous research by considering multiple climate indicators responsible for heatwaves. The methodology involves statistical analyses, including linear regression and Pearson correlation, applied to temperature data and urbanization parameters. Results indicate an increasing trend in heat index temperature, with heatwave vulnerability peaking in the last three decades. Heat Index Temperature Anomalies show a clear surge, emphasizing the need for new indices to control critical heat stress conditions. The study concludes that tropical climate variability, particularly heat index, is linked to extreme hot days, urging measures to reduce population vulnerability. The findings underscore the importance of policy strategies, such as integrated coastal zone management, to mitigate the adverse health effects of heatwaves in Karachi’s vulnerable population.

Comparison of DSHA-based response spectrum with design response spectrum of building code of Pakistan(BCP-SP-2007)for a site in Muzaffargarh area,Pakistan

The building code of any country is considered to be a basic technical guidance document for the seismic design of structures.However,building codes are typically developed for the whole country,without considering site specific models that incorporate detailed site-specific data.Therefore,the adequacy of the design spectrum for building codes may sometimes be questionable.To study the sufficiency of the building codes of Pakistan(BCP-SP-2007),a deterministic seismic hazard analysis(DSHA)based spectrum was developed for a site in the Muzaffargarh area,Pakistan,using an updated earthquake catalogue,seismic source model,and a next generation attenuation model(NGA-WEST-2).Further,an International Building Code(IBC-2000)spectrum was developed for the study area to compare the results.The DSHA-based response spectrum resulted in a peak ground acceleration(PGA)value of 0.21 g for the Chaudwan fault.The evaluation of BCP-SP-2007 and IBC-2000 spectra provided a critical assessment for analyzing the associated margins.A comparison with the DSHA-based response spectrum showed that the BCP-SP-2007 design spectrum mostly overlapped with the DSHA spectrum unlike IBC-2000.However,special attention is needed for designing buildings in the study area when considering earthquake periods longer than 1 s,and the BCP-SP-2007 spectrum can be enhanced when considering a period range of 0.12-0.64 s.Finally,BCP-SP-2007 is based on a probabilistic approach and its comparison with deterministic results showed the significance of both methods in terms of design.

Depositional facies and reservoir characteristics of the Early Cretaceous Lower Goru Formation,Lower Indus Basin Pakistan:Integration of petrographic and gamma-ray log analysis

The sand intervals of the Early Cretaceous Lower Goru Formation are a conventional reservoir,generally distributed in the Middle and Lower Indus Basin of Pakistan.Lithostratigraphically formation is classified into two parts;the upper parts are predominantly composed of shale,siltstone,and thin layers of alternate shale and sandstone,while the lower parts are composed of sandstone with interlayering of shale and limestone.The sandstone of the Lower Goru Formation has been further divided into A,B,C,and D sand intervals based on reservoir quality.Detailed depositional facies and reservoir characteristics are essential for the evaluation of hydrocarbon exploration and development.This paper aims to evaluate the depositional environment and reservoir characterization of the siliciclastic reservoir of the Early Cretaceous Lower Goru Formation by integrating the gamma-ray log patterns and petrographic analysis and scanning electron microscopic(SEM)analysis.Petrographic characterization of the sand intervals and Gamma-ray log signatures were used for the interpretation of the depositional environment of the reservoir intervals.Petrographic analysis reveals that the sandstone of the Lower Goru Formation is fine-to medium-grained,well-sorted,arkose or feldspathic arenite.Primary intergranular macroporosity,secondary intragranular macropores,and Intercrystalline micropores were identified within the sandstone by the SEM analysis.The diagenetic analysis suggests that the sandstone possesses high porosity,low permeability,and has undergone significant alterations such as compaction,quartz cementation,feldspar dissolution,and clay minerals alteration.Five electrofacies are interpreted based on gamma-ray log patterns including(1)funnel shape(FA);(2)bell shape(FB);(3)cylindrical shape(FC);(4)bow shape(FD);and(5)serrated shape(FE)patterns.The interpreted facies results reveal shoreface environment for A-sand,Tidal flat for B-sand,mixed tidal flat for C sand,Tide dominated mixed for D-sand,and transgressive shelf for Esand.The present study will be helpful for the assessment of the reservoir quality of the Early Cretaceous Lower Goru Formation for further exploration and development in the Indus Basin of Pakistan.