Faculty of Geosciences

Legal framework on protecting coral reefs of bay of bengal with special references to global practices

2025-11-27T05:58:07Z

Legal framework on protecting coral reefs of bay of bengal with special references to global practices Shovon, Khan Md. Arman Coral reefs are most diverse and valuable ecosystems on the planet, supporting a wide range of marine biodiversity and providing important benefits to coastal communities. Human activities such as pollution, overfishing, and climate change pose a significant threat to these delicate ecosystems. As a result, many countries around the world have developed legal frameworks to protect their coral reefs and ensure their long-term sustainability. In Bangladesh, corals grow exclusively in Saint Martin Island, located in the north-east region of the Bay of Bengal. These reefs provide essential habitats for a variety of marine species, support local fishing communities, and offer valuable tourism opportunities. However, they are also under threat from a range of human activities, including pollution from land-based sources, overfishing, and the effects of climate change. Coral reefs are known as the "rainforests of the sea" due to their high levels of biodiversity. Coral reefs act as a natural barrier that protects coastlines from the impact of storms, waves, and erosion. They absorb and dissipate the energy of incoming waves, reducing their destructive force on the shorelines. Coral reefs are major attractions for tourists, drawing visitors from around the world to places like Saint Martin Island. Coral reefs play a role in mitigating climate change by acting as carbon sinks. Coral polyps absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases. The purpose of this research examines the legal framework in place to protect coral reefs in Bangladesh, with a particular focus on global practices. The research begins by analyzing the current legal protections for coral reefs in Bangladesh and assessing their effectiveness in preserving these ecosystems. This involves an examination of any laws, regulations, or policies that exist at the national or local level, as well as assessing the enforcement mechanisms in place to ensure compliance. In addition to this, the research conducts a comparative analysis of legal frameworks for coral reef protection in other countries or regions. This helps identify potential best practices that could be adapted to the context of Bangladesh and provides insights into the effectiveness of different legal approaches to coral reef protection. The research also considers the role of international agreements or organizations in coral reef protection, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity or the International Coral Reef Initiative. This helps identify opportunities for Bangladesh to collaborate with other countries and organizations in the region and around the world to strengthen its legal framework for coral reef protection. Finally, this research considers the perspectives of various stakeholders in coral reef protection, including government agencies, environmental NGOs, local communities, and businesses that rely on coral reefs. This helps identify potential conflicts or challenges in implementing a legal framework for coral reef protection and provides insights into ways to address these challenges. This Thesis is Submitted to the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies , University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh for The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Petrogenesis of Iron ORE Deposits in Hakimpur, Dinajpur District, Bangladesh

2025-11-27T05:50:55Z

Petrogenesis of Iron ORE Deposits in Hakimpur, Dinajpur District, Bangladesh Hasan, A.S.M. Mehedi In Bangladesh, Hakimpur iron deposits has just primarily discovered in Rangpur saddle. In this research, for understanding the tectonogenesis with different rock types and geochronology, the data were obtained from thin section petrography, XRF (X-ray fluorescence), ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry), EPMA (Electron Microprobe Analyzer), FE-SEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope), XRD (X-ray Diffraction), petrography and Raman spectroscopy of fluid inclusion. The Fe-rich deposits in Hakimpur (Bangladesh) are characteristically superior-type banded iron formation (BIF) that shows alternating quartz-rich light and magnetite-rich dark bands, constituting chiefly of opaque minerals (i.e., magnetite, hematite and/or limonite) (35–45 %) and quartz (20–23 %). The BIF bands are found interleaved with amphibolite, biotite schist, and quartzite. The average concentrations of Al2O3, TiO2 and ∑REE in the Hakimpur BIFs are 0.95 wt.%, 0.11 wt.% and 133.75 ppm, respectively. These values indicate that the Hakimpur iron deposits primarily originate from iron-rich chemical sediments, possibly influenced by the addition of terrestrial or volcanic materials. However, markedly low content of trace element compositions such as Cr (<20–110 ppm), Ni (<20–70 ppm), Co (1–43 ppm), V (<5–292 ppm) and Sc (5–54 ppm) clearly indicate the incorporation of terrigenous sediments with passively volcanic materials. REE–Y signatures, Eu/Eu*PAAS, Y/Ho, Eu/Sm and Sm/Yb ratios also suggest the Hakimpur BIFs formed through the precipitation of a blend of low-temperature hydrothermal fluids and seawater, accompanied by a notable detrital contribution. The presence of negative CePAAS anomalies indicates the impact of the global 'Great Oxidation Event' during the depositional period. The combination of geochemical analysis and petrographic investigations reveals that the BIF and rocks associated with BIF originate from chemically precipitated sedimentary origin or sedimentary protoliths. The evidence of isotope (δ18O) and fluid inclusion reflect clay minerals were altered during diagenesis and metamorphism in the sediments as- clay (illite) → chlorite → biotite → amphibole, which is also evident in petrographic results by biotitization, chloritization, silicification, epidotization and saussuritization. The U-Th-Pb geochronological analysis of monazite chemistry provides evidence suggesting that the deposit underwent a solitary medium- grade metamorphic event at 1728±28 Ma (1.73 Ga), coinciding with the magmatic event in the basement rocks of Bangladesh at that time. The metamorphism was took place by the hydrothermal action in orogenic system during concurrent magmatism of Palaeoproterozoic basement complex. Minerals chemistry of amphiboles and biotites of the BIF-hosted rocks also supported this view of the calc-alkaline subduction related orogenic system as demonstrated in the tectonogenetic model. Furthermore, thermobarometric analysis and assessment of oxygen fugacity based on studied minerals such as amphibole (T= 591‒621 °C and P= 6‒8 kbar), biotite (T= 511–582 °C), zircon (T= 677–692 °C), and coexisting magnetite and ilmenite assemblages (T= 522–809 °C and fo2= 10-23.9 to 10-11.9) indicate that the rocks associated with BIF experienced a medium to high-grade metamorphism. This aligns largely with the crystalline temperature characteristics of the basement rock in Bangladesh. This Thesis is Submitted to the Department of Geology and Mining, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh for The Degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil).

Impacts of Trace Metal Pollution in the Ship Breaking Areas, Chattagram, Bangladesh

2025-11-27T05:49:05Z

Impacts of Trace Metal Pollution in the Ship Breaking Areas, Chattagram, Bangladesh Hasan, Mst. Asma Binta The current investigation indicates possible trace metal accumulation in groundwater, sea water and sediments due to ship breaking activity along the coast of Bay of Bengal in Sitakund Upazilla, Chattogram, Bangladesh. Sediment were collected from the ship-breaking industrial region of Bangladesh, and eleven trace metals (Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, Zn, As, Pb, and Ag) were measured by an atomic absorption spectrometer. The goal was to determine origin, the extent of sediment contamination, their regional distributions, and associated ecological and human health hazards. This study found considerable quantities of Pb, Cd, Mn, Zn, and Cu when compared the analyzed trace metals with standards. The results of indices e.g. enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF) and nemerow integrated pollution index (NIPI) showed nearly all of the sediment samples had high levels of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, As, and Ag contamination. The pollution load index (PLI) and total toxic unit (TU) values divulged that most of the sediments were highly polluted. Spatial distribution maps indicate that trace metals were predominantly deposited in the northern and southern parts of the region rather than the central part. While the highest health index (HI) values for Mn, Pb, Cr, As, Fe, Cu, Ni, and Co for children were close to the threshold value and the HI values of Zn for both adults and children were higher than the safe limit, all other HI values for adults, with the exception of Zn, were below this limit. For children, the mean total carcinogenic risk (TCR) values of Cr, As, and Ni exceeded the permissible threshold, whereas for adults, the mean TCR values of Ni above the permissible level. The cancer risk possibilities in three pathways were further assessed using Monte Carlo simulation which demonstrated long term exposure of these metals escalated the probabilities of carcinogenic risk. The majority of trace metals have anthropogenic origins, which was attributed to ship breaking activities, based on Pearson correlation matrix, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis. Moreover, the concentrations of eleven trace metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, As and Ag) were assessed in both groundwater and seawater collected from the ship breaking industrial area of Bangladesh using an atomic absorption spectrometer. The investigation aimed to estimate the water quality and pollution level employing several indices, and its associated health risks for the first time in that area. This study found that Cd, Cr, Fe, Pb, Mn, and Ni were higher in both groundwater and seawater compared with WHO standards. Based on the WQI (Water Quality Index) and EWQI (Entropy Water Quality Index) classifications, the quality of most of the groundwater is extremely poor or unsuitable for drinking purposes. Furthermore, the HPI (Heavy Metal Pollution Index), HEI (Heavy Metal Evaluation Index), and CD (Degree of Contamination) values of most groundwater and all seawater samples exhibit a higher degree of pollution. In addition, the results of NI (Nemerow Pollution Index) come to an end that both groundwater and seawater in the study area are mostly polluted by Fe, Mn, Pb, Cr and Cd. Although the HI (Hazard Quotient Index) values of almost all studied trace metals in both cases of adults and children are within the safe limit, the HI value of Cr for an adult is near the threshold limit and the maximum HI value of Cr for children exceeds this limit. The carcinogenic risk reveals that Cr, Pb, As and Cd produce detrimental effects on local people through the direct ingestion of groundwater. The pollution source is identified using principal component analysis and a Pearson correlation matrix as being primarily anthropogenic and attributed to intensive ship breaking activities or other industries in the area. In addition, the study examined the amounts of trace metals in human bodies and their geographical distribution by analyzing hair and nails samples from individuals who either live near the ship breaking industrial region or are involved in ship breaking operations. Comparing hair and nail samples to other researchs, high concentrations of trace metals were found. Male participants showed considerably greater amount of Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Co, Fe, and Zn in their hair and Cd, Cr, Ni, Fe, Zn, and Mn in their nail samples than female participants. This suggests that males are more exposed to these metals because they work in the ship breaking industry more frequently and intensely. Additionally, hair samples and nail samples from ship breaking workers had much greater concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu, Fe, and Zn than those detected in the local population. While the mean concentrations of several hazardous metals, including Pb, Cd, As, Co, and Be, in nail samples show a positive correlation with age, there is no apparent connection between the trace metal contents in hair samples and age. The spatial distribution maps demonstrate that the unions of Bhatiari, Sonaichhari, and Banshbaria have the highest amounts of the majority of the trace metals. The findings for the Se/trace metal molar ratio indicate the potential of toxicity for each trace metal under study. Yet, Se has the ability to detoxicated most of the human body's Cd. The bulk of these trace metals have anthropogenic origins mostly related to ship breaking activities, according to observations from principal component analysis and Pearson correlation matrix. This Thesis is Submitted to the Department of Geology and Mining, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi for the Degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

Vulnerability to Water-Logging and Livelihood Security in South-Western Region of Bangladesh

2023-09-18T07:11:57Z

Vulnerability to Water-Logging and Livelihood Security in South-Western Region of Bangladesh Rahman, Md. Mahmudur Water logging constitutes the main hazard in the South-West region of Bangladesh. The severity of this hazard turns into a disaster and creates vulnerability due to existence of high population density with poor socio-economic status. Thus, this study examines the present status of the vulnerability situation of the affected households by water logging with the reference of Jessore district, the worst affected area by water logging. Moreover, this study looks into the livelihood security status and tries to sort out its significant determinants. The study uses field survey data and several mathematical and statistical methods to obtain the objective and total sample size are 377 out of 20576 households for measuring vulnerability, the study firstly uses Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for giving weights to each variable. Secondly, it adopts Leon's matrix for calculating vulnerability score for each factors. Thirdly, the overall vulnerability level of the study area is calculated by aggregating the vulnerability scores of each factor. Livelihood security status is measured by using Household Livelihood Security Index. Moreover, the study applies econometric technique (2SLS) for determining the factors that influence the livelihood security of affected people by water logging. The study results reveal that rural people in the study area face the problems of social disruption in terms of school, housing, health, sanitation and market facilities. It is found that 40. 34 percent households are in very high vulnerable condition and on an average; overall livelihood security is lower in the study area. The estimation of econometric model finds that all the security variables (economic, food, education and health) positively influence the economic security in the study area whereas family size and dependency ratio are significantly negatively associated with economic security as expected. Therefore, the study recommends facilitating financial and capital supports and livestock/fisheries based livelihoods may be encouraged. Trial and error based education enhancing programs are also marked as suitable policy of improving livelihood security status. This Thesis is Submitted to the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh for The Degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil)