The analysis of existing methods to determine optimal fire station locations in order to respond to fires in natural ecosystems shows that this problem is not sufficiently studied. Thus, the main focus is put on the placement of fire stations in the cities. Rapid response to fires in natural ecosystems is an important task, because in addition to negative factors of fires (pollution of air, water and soil), they are a threat to large-scale forest fires, the elimination of which requires considerable material costs. The solution to this problem is possible considering the fire risk in these areas, the time of response to fires, the cost minimization for their elimination. Therefore, we have examined the statistics of fires on the territory of Lviv Oblast (Ukraine), the location of existing fire stations and using the Voronoi diagrams to determine the areas where additional fire stations are needed.

Radioactivity and major oxides are investigated by using HPGe and XRF to understand the geological provenience on subsurface structures at Dei-Dei and Kubwa area of Abuja. The activity concentrations at Dei-Dei borehole varies from 18.5 ± 1.7 to 37.1 ± 3.6 Bq kg‒1, 44.6 ± 4.1 to 97.4 ± 8.1 Bq kg‒1 and 253.5 ± 31.3 to 1195.6 ±151.2 Bq kg‒1 for 238U, 232Th and 40K respectively and their major oxide contents such as SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2, K2O to SiO2, Al2O3, K2O and P2O5 for 238U, SiO2, Fe2O3, Al2O3, FeO, K2O to SiO2, Al2O3, and K2O for 232Th and SiO2, Fe2O3, Al2O3, Na2O to SiO2, Fe2O3, Al2O3, FeO, K2O for 40K. Kubwa lithologic layers activity concentrations for 238U, 232Th and 40K rangesbetween 14.7 ± 1.2 to 51.8 ± 4.9 Bq kg‒1, 32.5 ± 4.1 to 85.3 ± 8.1 Bq kg‒1 and 118.9 ± 15.7 to 751.2 ± 93.9 Bq kg‒1 with oxides contents of SiO2, CaO, Al2O3, MnO, K2O to SiO2, Fe2O3 and Al2O3 for 238U, SiO2, CaO , Fe2O3, Al2O3 , FeO, MnO,, K2O to SiO2, Fe2O3 ,Al2O3 for 232Th and SiO2, Fe2O3 , Al2O3 to SiO2, CaO, Al2O3 , Na2O, K2O for 40K respectively. It revealed that the increase in 232Th activity decreases the activity of 238U in the presence of SiO2, CaO, Al2O3, Na2O, and K2O. This study provides useful information on the zones to drill unpolluted boreholes through low radioactive contents in the lithological sequence within the coastal basement terrain groundwater.

The Nigerian forest estate has been shrinking due to varieties of drivers of deforestation and degradation. Forest encroachment for agricultural expansion is the root of gradual loss of forest resources, besides firewood and timber cutting. Only few experiences exist in Nigeria on the option to fully integrate at local level those who drive forest degradation and deforestation into options to maintain and restore forests, under a joint land and forest management scheme. In this study, we identified potential success factors that will aid the adoption of joint forest management (JFM) for restoring degraded forest reserves in the study area. The study was carried out in Cross River South and Ikrigon Forest Reserves, Cross River State, Nigeria. Three forest communities used were: Alok in Ikrigon Forest Reserve, Isabang and Odonget in Cross River South Forest Reserve. Key informant interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and household survey were used for data collection. The result showed that presence of traditional rules and norms guiding the people, consensus on forest importance and people’s willingness to be involved in restoring and managing these degraded forest reserves were the factors that can aid the adoption and success of JFM. The incentives identified by the local communities that would trigger their interest and full engagement to participate in JFM schemes include equitable benefit sharing, employment of local work force from the villages and provision of basic amenities. JFM can be a viable option for restoring degraded forest reserves in Nigeria. Policy schemes as the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) can have a role in the setup of JFM initiatives.

Potwar sub-basin is famous for its structural style and hydrocarbon exploration and production activities from Cambrian to Pliocene rocks. Continent-continent collision related subsurface structures, in the presence of source and seal rocks offer a variety of traps to host hydrocarbons. Meyal Oil field, situated in the NW Potwar sub-basin, is a major hydrocarbons resource for the country. Subsurface structures of Meyal area were outlined the by interpreting two strike and four dip lines in Kingdom Suite 8.6. Borehole data of MYL-10, MYL-12 and MYL-13 exploratory wells was incorporated to improve the subsurface understanding. A total five prominent reflectors of Permian, Triassic, Jurassic, Paleocene and Eocene rocks were marked on the seismic cross sections. The seismic interpretation shows a post Eocene pop-up structure flanked by a back thrust and a fore thrust. Moreover, the time structure maps for Meyal area display a doubly plunging and faulted anticline as a result of south directed compression. Four Isopach maps show thickness variation in Permian to Eocene sediments in the study area.

Borates at the Igdekoy-Doganlar locality were deposited in the Miocene lacustrine environment during the periods of the Paleogene to early Quaternary volcanic activity. The mineral paragenesis consists of probertite (NaCaB5O7(OH)4.3H2O), ulexite (NaCa[B5O6(OH)6].5H2O), hydroboracite (CaMg[B3O4(OH)3]2.3H2O), colemanite (Ca[B3O4(OH)3].H2O), halite, anhydrite, glauberite, smectite and illite. The mineralization is characterized by an enrichment in Ca. In addition, Li, Se, As, Sb, Sr and Cs have been detected. Lithium and Se occur in sufficient concentrations to be considered as economically valuable by-products. B and Sr anomalies can be used as an important marker in the exploration of boron deposits. Y/Ho ratio of Igdekoy-Doganlar borates is close to chondritic rates. The negative Ce anomaly in borates from the Igdekoy-Doganlar deposit suggests that deposition occurred under oxidative conditions. The recorded Eu and Ce anomalies reflect a hydrothermal contribution of REE. Geochemical and geological data suggest that Igdekoy-Doganlar borate deposits were formed in high-pH playa lakes that were discharged from volcanic and terrestrial environments under evaporative conditions due to the effect of arid-semi arid climate.

Crab meal has been used as a valuable alternative animal protein source in diets for several cultured fish. The brachyuran crab Halimede tyche occurs in huge quantities among the crustacean species constituting the by-catch of Lake Timsah, Egypt. In this study, a rearing experiment was carried out to test the possibility of using the crab H. tyche meal as an alternative protein source for fish meal in the diet of Oreochromis niloticus fry. Crab meal was used in comparison with shrimp meal to feed the fry at 5% body weight. The experiment lasted for 90 days, with an average fish initial weight of 0.035 ± 0.004 g. The experimental diets composed of 28.5% crude protein and 4.73% ash for shrimp meal and 24.1% crude and 6.81% for the crab meal. The results showed no significant difference in the growth performance parameters of the fry fed on the two different protein sources. Final body weight, weight gain, daily weight gain and specific growth rate showed relatively similar values for the fry fed on the two diets. Survival rate were 79 and 81 % for fish fed on shrimp and crab diets, respectively. On the other hand, crude protein of the whole fish body was higher (48%) in fish fed on the shrimp meal than those (44.4%) fed on the crab meal. This study demonstrates the possibility of using this brachyuran crab as a suitable partial replacement for fish meal in the diet of farmed tilapia as it can improve growth, feed conversion rate as well as protein efficiency. It also introduces an approach to benefit from the enormous amounts of this non-commercial by-catch species inhabiting the Suez Canal.