MS(ES) (BUES)

Trends of Climatic Extremes and Their Correlation with Wildfire Occurences in Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad

2026-10-27T10:40:38Z

Trends of Climatic Extremes and Their Correlation with Wildfire Occurences in Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad Mir Khizar Rafique, 01-262242-039 Climate change, fuel load, and human activities are the three major components of wildfire, but the relationship between long-term change in climatic extremes and fire activity is yet to be tested in the protected mountain landscapes of Pakistan. This study compared the climatic changes of the last 30 years in Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) near Islamabad with the fire record of the park during 1996 to 2025. The daily maximum and minimum temperature, precipitation, relative humidity and wind speed were analysed, and 27 core Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices for temperature and precipitation extreme were computed using ClimPACT2 Package in RStudio. The Modified Mann-Kendall test, Sen's slope estimator and Innovative Trend Analysis were applied to examine trends at monthly, seasonal and annual scales; associations between fire frequency and burned area were quantified using Spearman's rank correlation. While warming was reported in Islamabad and the Potohar Plateau, both maximum and minimum temperature decreased (slope −0.0279°C/yr and −0.027°C/yr respectively) with ITA showing significant cooling in later years, while precipitation and humidity increased and winds were mostly calm. Fire frequency and burned area both decreased significantly, with burned area decreasing at a higher rate than fire frequency, meaning that fire size has decreased but not necessarily the number of fires; the number of fires increased significantly in the summer with Sen’s slope of 0.048 recently from July to September. The strongest relationships were at the lower end of the temperature spectrum, with more burned area being correlated with warmer coldest nights (rho = 0.49, p < 0.01), and fewer frost days being correlated with less burned area, while winter heavy-rainfall days and June rainfall totals were both correlated with reduced burned area, and the heat index was not significantly correlated. Because climate affects fire primarily through fuel dryness, rather than ignition, which remains predominantly human-driven, MHNP serves as a cooler microclimate than its warmer surroundings. This study thus contributes to a deeper understanding of the climate wildfire nexus and provides an essential baseline for evidence-based forest management, climate adaptation, and disaster risk reduction. Future efforts must prioritize early resource deployment and strict access controls, supported by future research to develop a locally calibrated Pakistan’s fire-weather index. Supervised by Dr. Asma Jamil

Duckweed-Derived Adsorbent for Efficient Methylene Blue Removal from Synthetic Wastewater

2026-09-03T08:36:48Z

Duckweed-Derived Adsorbent for Efficient Methylene Blue Removal from Synthetic Wastewater Aimen Rasheed, 09-262242-001 The main problem is the untreated azo-reactive pollutants and textile dyes, such as methylene blue, which are toxic to both the environment and human health. Chemical and physical treatment methods are not only expensive but also have subordinate environmental weaknesses. Duckweed was used as an economical, sustainable, and costeffective adsorbent to remove methylene blue from synthetic wastewater. The main objectives of the study include isolation and conversion of DW into an eco-friendly adsorbent, to evaluate the effect of physical parameters, including pH, adsorbent dose, time, and contaminant concentration, and to apply reaction kinetics and reaction isotherm models. The adsorbent was prepared and then examined using various methods, including scanning electron microscopy, X-Ray diffraction spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Different concentrations of methylene blue were prepared, and batch experiments were performed involving various conditions of pH, adsorbent dose, time, and contaminant concentration to evaluate the optimal removal efficiency of MB by the prepared adsorbent. Citric acid was used as an activator that increases the efficiency of duckweed and reduces the leaching of chlorophyll color. The results were analyzed based on absorbance using a UV spectrophotometer at 580 nm, and the maximum removal efficiency of 93.3 % was achieved at a pH of 10, MB concentration of 50 mg/L, an adsorbent dose of 50mg, and in 30 minutes. Desorption studies were done to verify the removal efficiency, which decreases after two to three uses, so it is suitable for a particular use. Duckweed acts as a favorable substance for regulating methylene blue dye pollution in industrial wastewater Supervised by Dr. Syed Umair Ullah Jamil

Particulate Matter Exposure and Lung Function Assessment of Dairy Farm and Cattle Feed Manufacturing Workforce in Sahiwal, Pakistan

2026-10-06T12:03:49Z

Particulate Matter Exposure and Lung Function Assessment of Dairy Farm and Cattle Feed Manufacturing Workforce in Sahiwal, Pakistan Ramsha Qadir, 09-262242-010 The air quality within livestock facilities is adversely affected by elevated levels of dust, particulate matter, and microorganisms, posing significant health risks to both animals and farm workers. Studies show that exposure to bioaerosols, particulate matter (PM), and harmful gases raises the risk of respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD in individuals in these environments. The present study was carried out to investigate the pulmonic health effect of air borne particulate matter in Dairy Farm and Animal feed Manufacturing industry in Sahiwal, Pakistan. The air samples were collected using Potable low-volume Air sampler. The selected particulate matter includes PM2.5 and PM10. The highest PM concentrations were recorded in the Feed Manufacturing department (PM₂.₅ 149 ± 27 µg/m³; PM₁₀ 191 ± 23 µg/m³), while the lowest concentrations were observed in the Goat Pen (PM₂.₅ 27 ± 9 µg/m³) and Feed Dispatch (PM₁₀ 53 ± 22 µg/m³) departments. PM concentrations in all departments exceeded the threshold limit values (TLV) of 5 µg/m³ for PM₂.₅ and 15 µg/m³ for PM₁₀. Heavy Metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu) in collected Particulate Matter samples were analyzed through Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The maximum concentrations detected were Pb 2.90 ppm, Cu 0.83 ppm, Zn 4.42 ppm, and Cd 0.016 ppm, all of which remained below the Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) of Cu 200 ppm, Pb 50 ppm, Zn 2000 ppm, and Cd 2 ppm. For the evaluation of lung’s function test, among workers in dairy farm and Animal feed manufacturing industry, a digital handheld spirometer was used to conduct the test in 70 subject group and 30 control group and demographic data was also collected through questionnaire. Smokers are present in both the groups, but COPD patients were identified only in subject group where 21% of workers exhibited obstructive lung disease, 13% restrictive lung disease, 16% mixed lung disease, and 50% normal lung function, whereas the control group showed 20% obstructive lung disease, 10% restrictive lung disease, no mixed lung disease, and 70% normal lung function. The lung function test results were based on FEV1, FVC, FVC/FEV1, PEF. The maximum values observed were in sites of Cow Byre>Goat Pen>Feed Manufacturing sites. Obstructive lung diseases were prevailing in both the group. The mix-lung disease was only present in subject group. No HQ value exceeds the permissible limit set by US EPA. The Pearson correlation was conducted between heavy metals concentration and human lung function. A strong negative correlation occurred between zinc and FVC. Correlation analysis of heavyiii metals vs PM concentration indicated that Pb and Zn were moderately associated with PM2.5 concentrations, whereas PM 10 showed weak relationship with most heavy metals. A significant inverse correlation was observed between Pb and Zn in PM10 samples, indicating distinct emission sources Supervised by Dr. Fiza sarwar

Analyzing the Impact of Beverages Industries on the Air Quality and Climate Change

2026-10-06T12:14:09Z

Analyzing the Impact of Beverages Industries on the Air Quality and Climate Change Raja Arsalan Iftikhar, 01-262221-008 The study evaluated the stack emissions and ambient air quality of five beverage industries across five cities in Pakistan. High volume air sampler, LANCOM gas analyzer and HORIBA AQMS were utilized to measure and assess key parameters in the ambient air and stack emissions from boilers and generators at the industries. The results of ambient air quality at five beverage industries revealed that all assessed parameters were within the recommended limit given Pak NEQs. Noise levels were high but within WHO guidelines. All five industries had different wind speed, direction, humidity, and temperature. Faisalabad's diesel-powered boilers and generators exceeded Pak NEQs in stack emissions, with boiler 1 emitting the maximum CO and SO2, boiler 2, generator 2 and 3 generating NO, NOx, and PM under stipulated load conditions. Boiler 1 in Lahore released more CO, NO, NOx, and PM than Pak NEQs (natural gas boilers). NO2 and SO2 met Pak NEQs. Generators 1 and 3 exceeded Pak NEQ limits for CO, SO2, NO, NOx, and PM (dieselfueled, fully loaded). Fully loaded natural gas boilers and diesel generators served Rawalpindi. SO2 and NO2 met Pak NEQs, but CO, NO, NOx, and PM exceeded. Generators 2 and 3 released higher CO and NOx. Diesel generators and natural gas boilers were completely loaded in Haripur. CO and NO2 met Pak NEQs, whereas CO, SO2, NO, NOx, PM exceeded. Generators released the most CO and NOx. NO was greater in boiler 1 (167±23.06) µg/m3 and generator 3 (190±10.0) µg/m3. Overall, emissions were minimal. Sheikhupura boiler 2 emitted more than boiler 1. CO (334.3±30.2)%, SO2, NO (423.0±13.0) µg/m3, NOx (458.0±18.0) µg/m3, and PM (89.6±0.1) µg/m3 exceeded Pak NEQs. Diesel emissions peaked at generator 3. CO, SO2, NO, NOx, PM exceeded limits; NO2 and CO2 were within. Both machines were fully loaded. Comparative investigation showed that boiler 1 in Lahore was above the safe PM level (62.2 µg/m3), while boiler 2 was below the 35 µg/m3 limit. PM emissions from Sheikhupura boiler 2 were high (89.4 µg/m3). Haripur and Rawalpindi boilers had tolerable PM levels. Inefficient fuel combustion, fuel quality, and pollution management can cause boiler PM. All beverage boilers exceeded Pak NEQs' CO limitations (232.6 µg/m3). Improper fuel ratios and combustion temperatures increase CO emissions. Maintenance issues with furnaces and controls might increase emissions.iii Boilers in Faisalabad have higher SO2 levels (409.3 µg/m3). All boiler NO2 emissions were fine. Generators disregarded Pak EPA PM Emission’s regulations (76.8 µg/m3). Diesel combustion with low air-fuel mixing ratios creates particles. The NO2 emissions were safe. SO2 levels in Lahore, Sheikhupura, and Faisalabad (161.6 µg/m3) surpassed Pak NEQs due to diesel generators. Rawalpindi and Haripur had safe SO2 levels. Additionally, generators surpassed CO (284.8 µg/m3) Pak NEQ emission limits. Poor diesel generator maintenance and control increase CO emissions. Faisalabad and Rawalpindi have the largest CO2 equivalent emission potentials, followed by Lahore, Haripur, and Sheikhupura. Boilers have greater CO2 percentages and equivalents than generators. CO2 percentages range from 9.47% to 9.57%, or 0.17 kg/m³. The C02 Eq results of GWP showed that emission management and mitigation activities should target boilers and generators in facilities with greater emissions, improving efficiency, using cleaner fuels like natural gas, optimizing processes, and cleaner technology. Supervised by Dr. Aansa Rukya Saleem