009545   Mathur S K;Mathur S C;Loyal R S (Department of Geology, J.N.V. University, Jodhpur-342 001) : First microvertebrate assemblage from the Fatehgarh formation (Cretaceous), Barmer district, Western Rajasthan. J Geol Soc India 2006, 67(6), 759-69.

Microvertebrate assemblage for the first time from the Fatehgarh Formation exposed in district Barmer, western Rajasthan. The vertebrate fauna represented by well preserved isolated bones, teeth and other skeletal materials, is associated stratigraphically with multiple layers of bedded phosphate and a diverse assemblage of marine benthic gastropods. The vertebrate assemblage comprises cf. Igdabatis sp., Semionotiformes indet., Lepisosteus indicus., ?Enchodontidae indet.. Albuloidei indet. and ?Stephanodus sp. Besides, fragmentary pectoral and dorsal spines of Siluriformes indet, are also present. A Late Cretaceous age is suggested from close faunistic affinities of Fatehgarh vertebrates with those from Lameta and Intertrappean sequences. A nearshore marine palaeoenvironment is reconstructed from close stratigraphic and taphonomic association of microvertebrate assemblage with phosphorite and sand complex.

2 illus, 61 ref, 1 plate

009544   Marathe A (NO, Deccan College Postgraduate and Research Institute, Pune-411 006, Email: pranav@ps2.vsnl.net.in) : Acheulian cave at Susrondi, Konkan Maharashtra. Curr Sci 2006, 90(11), 1538-44.

Discovery of a Late Acheulian cave occupation at Susrondi in Palshet near Guhagar, on the banks of a small perennial stream, near a waterfall, at a height of 85 m amsl and 2 km inland is the first of its kind on the more than 7500 km long coastline or on the Dec can plateau. On the basis of observations made on tool typology, geomorphology and lithostratigraphy, it is shown that early man occupied the cave during early Late Pleistocene.

7 illus, 37 ref

009543   K Vinod Kumar;Bhattacharya A (Department of Space, National Remote Sensing Agency, , Balanagar, Hyderabad-500 037, Email: vinodkumar_k@nrsa.gov.in) : Comparative study of two Meander loops for their planform in Hooghly river, West Bengal-Remote sensing based approach. J Geol Soc India 2006, 67(6), 777-82.

Comparative study on the planimetric changes of two meander loops in Hooghly river, West Bengal was carried out using remote sensing techniques. Multi date and multi sensor satellite data were used to map the changes. The lineament analysis of the basin was carried out to understand the morpho-tectonics relationship. The planimetric meander geometry was measured from the satellite data in GIS environment. Change detection study was carried out to understand the changes. It was seen that the Charchakundi Bisnupur meander loop behaved differently in comparison to the Diar-Balagachi meander loop in the same river system. The changes were attributed to the meander geometry controlled by lineaments. The latest data of 1991-time period was taken since the oldest data of 1975-time period had comparable spatial resolution with 1991 satellite data. Landsat MSS of 1975-time period had 80-meter spatial resolution whereas Indian Remote Sensing data of 1991 time period (IRS-1A/1B) had 72-meter resolution.

4 illus, 1 table, 10 ref

009542   Gopalakrishna G S;Harinarayanan P; Balasubramanian A (Department of Studies in Geology, University of Mysore, Mysore-560 006, Email: gopiganjam@yahoo.co.in) : Groundwater quality in twin microwatersheds near Keralapura, Hassan district, Karnataka. J Geol Soc India 2006, 67(6), 802-8.

Quality of groundwater in a hard rock terrain is more controlled by the rock-water interaction and the residence time of water in aquifers. The residence time in turn depends on the groundwater systems within a larger hydrological unit. The hydrogeochemical facies of groundwater in the twin watersheds of Cauvery basins near Keralapura of Hassan district in Karnataka has been determined. Based on water samples collected and analyzed from 32 locations during pre- and post-monsoon seasons, the hydrogeochemical facies in the area are found to be dominated by sodium-bicarbonate type.

8 illus, 1 table, 21 ref

009541   Garg R;Ateequzzaman K;Prasad V (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53, University Road, Lucknow-226 007) : Singnificant dinoflagellate cyst biohorizons in the Upper Cretaceous-Palaeocene succession of the Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. J Geol Soc India 2006, 67(6), 737-47.

Upper Cretaceous-Palaeocene rocks of the Khasi Hills. Meghalaya have yielded rich dinoflagellate cysts assemblages recovered from the Mahadeo Formation, the Langpar Formation, lower part of the Therria Formation and lower part of the Sylhet Limestone Formation. Occurrence of several globally recognized marker dinoflagellate cyst taxa, having well-established First Appearance Datum (FAD) and Last Appearance Datum (LAD), is noted in these assemblages. A succession of cosmopolitan dinoflagellate cyst biohorizons (based on comparisons with global records) are summarized, highlighting their potential in precise age determination and demarcation of time boundaries within Late Campanian-Late Thanetian interval. The dinoflagellate cyst evidence demonstrates that the succession is not older than Late Campanian in age.

7 illus, 46 ref

009540   Dayal A M;Murthy D S N (NO, National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: dayalisotope@yahoo.com) : Geochemistry of Pakhal shales. J Geol Soc India 2006, 67(6), 770-6.

Geochemistry of Lower Pakhal shales shows higher content of SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ and negligible amount of CaO and Na₂O. The Cr/Ni, Ti/Zr and Zr/Y ratios and chondrite normalized REE fractionation pattern in these shales are comparable to the Post-Archaean Australian shale (PAAS). Distribution of La-Th-Sc, Th-Sc-Zr/10 and Ti/Zr vs La/Sc ratios and association of these shales with quartzites and dolomites indicate that they were deposited in an intracratonic basin. The study reveals that the source rocks for these sediments were granitic in composition and the adjoining Archaean gneissic terrain is the predictable provenance. The fractionated LREE and negative Eu anomaly indicates either cratonic basin or a shallow water passive continental environment during deposition.

11 illus, 4 tables, 16 ref

009539   Chaujar R K (NO, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehra Dun-248 001, Email: r_chaujar@hotmail.com) : Lichenometry of yellow Rhizocarpon geographicum as database for the recent geological activities in Himachal Pradesh. Curr Sci 2006, 90(11), 1552-4.

Growth rate and colonization delay of yellow Rhizocarpon geographicum species of lichen are recorded to date recent geological activities at four different localities in Himachal Pradesh. The study involved the measurement of the largest sized specimen growing on the well-dated monuments. Correlation of size with age, by plotting the measurements on a graph and finding the best fit line, gives the rate of growth of lichens (per year) and colonization delay, the time taken by the lichen to grow on a surface after its exposure to the atmosphere. It has been found that colonization delay and growth rate in the four localities namely Sanjoli, Kanlog (both in Shimla), Dharamshala and Dalhousie are 24, 68, 50, 86 yrs and 0.73, 0.79, 0.56, and 0.54 mm/yr respectively. Colonization period was also confirmed by the absence of lichens on the recent monuments prior to the calculated dates. The database will be useful to date the recent geological activities in the region.

2 illus, 14 ref

009538   Chakraborty D;Chakraborty A;Santra P;Tomar R K;Garg R N;Sahoo R N;Ghosal Choudhury S;Bhavanarayana M;Kalra N (Division of Agricultural Physics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012, Email: cdebashis@rediffmail.com) : Prediction of hydraulic conductivity of soils from particle size distribution. Curr Sci 2006, 90(11), 1526-31.

Study deals with the prediction of hydraulic conductivity, K, as a function of water content (θ) of 12 soils of Andaman Islands, India, three each in clay loam, sandy clay loam, sandy clay and clay textures, from their particle-size distribution (PSD) data using the Arya-Paris model. Pore-size distribution of soils was derived from PSD data using the model and K(6) was determined by the horizontal infiltration method. Twenty soils, five each with the above-mentioned textural classes were used to relate the pore flow rate (q) and the pore radius (r) using the parameters c and x as obtained from the Hagen-Poiseuille equation for an idealized porous medium, log(c) varied from -5.58 to 0.17 and x varied from 2.41 to 3.95, but no systematic trends were observed for the textural classes, except the value of x approaching 4 as the sand content in the samples increased. The model predicted unsaturated hydraulic conductivity with reasonable accuracy. The root mean square residuals (RMSR) of the log-trans-formed K(θ) for all textures ranged from 0.107 to 0.879. The intra- and inter-textural uncertainties in the prediction could be attributed to the heterogeneity in the observed (experimental) data, which originated from the difference in hydrophysical behaviour of the soils.

4 illus, 2 tables, 19 ref

009537   Bamwerinde W;Bashaasha B;Ssembajjwe W;Place F (NO, Forestry Research Resources Institute of the National Agricultural Res, P.O Box 311, Kabale, Uganda, Email: bashaasha@agric.mak.ac.urg) : The puzzle of idle land in the densely populated Kigezi highlands of Soutwestern Uganda. Int J Envir Dev 2006, 3(1), 1-13.

Characterises land use at the household level and identify two types of long-term uncultivated lands-those that are intentional fallows and those that are neglected or abandoned. Then use a multinominal logit model to examine the determinants of plot abandonment and long fallows in order to propose policy interventions that lead to optimal and sustainable management of land use systems in Kigezi highlands. Household factors such as age, and formal education positively influenced farmers decision to abandon plots. However, farm size and household type had no significant influence on abandonment of plots. Plot variables such as slope and distance between the homestead and the plot had the expected positive signs while soil fertility had a significant negative sign as predicted. From the analysis different typologies of uncultivated lands were defined depending on their inherent characteristics and distance to the homestead. Farmers then provided technological and policy options as to how these types of plots could be made more productive.

3 table, 12 ref

008519   Yadav S T;Dixit J (Agronomy Dep, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli-415 712) : Minimum temperature variation at Dapoli in Konkan region of Maharashtra. J Agrometeorol 2006, 8(1), 100-3.

Twenty years daily (1985-2004) data on minimum temperature of Dapoli, located in the Konkan region of Maharahstra at an altitude of 174 m above msl for the month December to January were collected and classified into various groups for interpretation. Result shows that the record of minimum temperature below 10°C occurred 93 times in the month of February and the minimum number (81) in December for the period of the study from 1985-2004. Among the extreme values, the lowest and highest minimum temperature were 3.4°C and 21.4°C recorded in January and February respectively. The CV varied from 22 to 44 per cent. Persistence in minimum temperature for one day was found to be maximum varied from 59.4 to 64.0 per cent. Analysis indicated that maximum numbers of cold wave occurred during December.

4 tables, 7 ref

008518   Vijith H;Satheesh R (Centralized Remote Sensing and GIS Facility, School of Environmental S, Mahatama Gandhi University, Kottayam-686 008, Email: drrsatheesh@yahoo.com) : GIS based morphometric analysis of two major upland sub-watersheds of Meenachil river in Kerala. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 2006, 34(2), 181-5.

^ssc1 illus, 2 tables, 8 ref

008517   Velmurugan A;Swarnam T P;Ravisankar N (NO, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Dehradun-248 001, Email: vels@iirs.gov.in) : Tsunami impact in South Andaman using remote sensing and GIS. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 2006, 34(2), 193-202.

4 illus, 6 tables, 14 ref

008516   Tripathy B (Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, , Bangalore) : Sea turtle research, biology and conservation in India. J Indian ocean Stud 2006, 14(1), 114-28.

Although sea turtle research in India and in particularly along the Orissa coast is three to five decades old, there is not much scientific information available on the finer aspects of their life history, migration and mating behaviour. Literature search on an array of studies on the biology and behaviour of the olive ridley turtles along the Orissa coast suggests that more authentic research on the olive ridley species and its habitat is essential and substantial information is required for formulating conservation and management plans for the olive ridley sea turtles in Orissa.

61 ref

008515   Sudhishri S (NO, Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Research Centre, PB NO. 12, Sunabeda-763 002) : Development of station nomograph and intensity-duration-frequency relations in Eastern Ghat High Land Zone of Orissa. J Agrometeorol 2006, 8(1), 72-76.

Rainfall data of 9 years of Semiliguda, Koraput (Orissa) of various durations were analyzed to develop rainfall intensity-duration-return period equation and nomograph for Eastern Ghat High Land Zone and discussed. The values of "a" and "b" were determined by using graphical method and those of "K" and "d" by least square method. The constants for this zone K, a, band d were found to be 8.133, 0.1323, 0.54 and 1.2421 respectively.

3 illus, 1 table, 13 ref

008514   Subrahmanyam V;Murthy K S R;Mohanrao K;Sarma K V L N S;Reddy N P C;Murty G P S;Kamleshwari Devi D (NO, , ) : Imprints of Chilika Lake in the offshore region-a geomorphologic evidence. Curr Sci 2006, 90(9), 1180-2.

3 illus, 15 ref

008513   Srivastava G S;Singh I B;Kulshrestha A K (Department of Geology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow-226 007) : Late quaternary geomorphic evolution of Yamuna Sutlej interfluve: significance of terminal fan. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 2006, 34(2), 123-30.

Haryana-Punjab plain (Yamuna-Sutlej interfluve) is part of the Indo-Gangetic foreland basin and makes the eastern part of the Indus River system. It is characterized by southwestern regional slope and is made up of sediments derived from the Himalayan front. The southern part of the Haryana-Punjab plain has a narrow northeast sloping surface, made up of sediments derived from the Rajasthan craton, making the peripheral bulge of the basin. The area of interaction of these two opposing slopes is marked by a rather flat region of poor drainage with a number of water bodies. This interactive zone of the two slopes has a constricted belt of westerly outlet merging in the Indus alluvial plain. The excessive sediments derived from the Himalayan front formed mega-fans, which in Late Pleistocene, extended down to 200 m altitude close to the southern limit of Haryana-Punjab plain. There are geomorphic evidence of punctuations in reduction in fan building activity during Late Quaternary with terminations at 225 and 300 m altitude, prominently seen in satellite imagery and Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The Haryana-Punjab plain also exhibits undulations with prominent highgrounds around Bhatinda, Hissar, and Sonipat-Jind. During the Late Quaternary, the streams of Yamuna-Sutlej interfluve region, viz., Dangri (sometimes referred as Tangri), Ghaggar-Saraswati, Markanda and Chautang, drastically reduced their carrying capacity due to reduced monsoon activity and neotectonic block movements. These streams abort within their terminal fans. Yamuna River is confined within its valley having prominent flood plain (T₀) and well-developed Newer Alluvial plain (T₁); as such it has not been a part of Indus system, at least during Holocene.

3 illus, 35 ref

008512   Sinha D K;Navneet Kumar (Department of Chemistry, , Moradabad-244 001) : Monitoring of trace metals in Gagan river water at Moradabad. Indian J envir Prot 2006, 26(6), 516-20.

Ten different trace metals in Gagan river water at thirteen different sites in and around Moradabad were estimated by ICP-AES technique and the data was compared with water quality standards prescribed by W.H.O. River was found to be excessively contaminated for copper, iron, lead concentrations and moderately contaminated for nickel and cadmium. Chromium and manganese concentrations were within desirable limits, whereas, silver was absent at all the sites. River water was found to be encriched with zinc; micro-nutrient. Downstream samples after the mixing up of effluents indicated a marked decrease in river water quality for trace metals studied. People exposed to river water might be suffering from the toxicity of trace metals.

10 illus, 2 tables, 8 ref

008511   Singh S K (Planetary and Geosciences Division, Physical Research Laboratory, , Navrangpura, Ahmedabad-380 009, Email: sunil@prl.res.in) : Spatial variability in erosion in the Brahmaputra basin: causes and impacts. Curr Sci 2006, 90(9), 1272-6.

The rivers from the Himalaya supply large quantities of particulate and dissolved materials to the oceans. Among the various rivers, the Brahmaputra ranks highest in contributing to the sediment budget of the Bay of Bengal. The erosion rates among the sub-basins of the Brahmaputra vary over 1-2 orders of magnitude, the highest being in the Eastern Syntaxis basin which is eroding at an enormously high rate of <126> 14 mm yr^-1, caused by the high stream power of the Siang river. These contemporary erosion rates are consistent with the time-averaged erosion and exhumation rates derived for <126>100 ka based on cosmogenic isotopes and geophysical methods. Both the Eastern and the Western syntaxes experience rapid erosion suggesting that the syntaxes, a characteristic feature of the collision belt, undergo rapid erosion under favourable conditions. The rapid erosion of the Eastern Syntaxis has caused important tectonic and geomorphological changes, such as the rapid uplift of this region resulting in the great peaks of Namche Barwa and Gyala Peri, and the nickpoint in the Tsangpo river bed prior to its entrance to the gorge. Further, the rapid erosion makes up about half of the particulate material transported by the Brahmaputra to the Bay of Bengal, an order of magnitude higher than its areal coverage. The high sedimentation rate in the Bay of Bengal over the past <126>1 Ma can be due to the high erosion rate of the Eastern Syntaxis. The minerological and isotopic compostion of the sediments seems to suggest this inference.

4 illus, 1 table, 26 ref

008510   Sankaran A V (No. 10, P&T Colony, First Cross, Second Block, RT Nagar, Bangalore-560, , , Email: av.sankaran@gmail.com) : When did plate tectonics being. Curr Sci 2006, 90(12), 1596-7.

^ssc17 ref

008509   Sahu V K;Gahalaut V K;Rajput S;Chadha R K; Laishram S;Arun Kumar (NO, National Geophysical Research Institute, Uppal, Road, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: vkgahalaut@yahoo.com) : Crustal deformation in the indo-burmese arc region: implications from the Myanmar and southeast Asia GPS measurements. Curr Sci 2006, 90(12), 1688-93.

Several models of plate boundary and convergence between the Indian and South China plate across the Indo-Burmese arc (IBA) region have been proposed, which include active subduction, transform, oblique and no plate boundary. We theoretically compute the displacement fields corresponding to each model and compare them with the results of GPS measurements in Myanmar and Southeast Asia. Available GPS observations are consistent with the model in which relative plate motion of about 36 mm/yr between India and Sundaland is partitioned almost equally between the Sagaing fault and the IBA through episodic dextral motion. Eastward motion of the Indian plante is generallhy compensated by eastward motion of the South China plate. Thus almost no subduction occurs along the indo-burmese arc. The GPA data are consistent with strain accumulation in both regions.

3 illus, 36 ref

008508   Sahu G;Mohanty A K;Panigrahy R C (Department of Marine Sciences, Berhampur University, Orissa) : Marine resources and their utilisation in Orissa. J Indian ocean Stud 2006, 14(1), 79-98.

Orissa is a maritime State along the Indian East Coast. It is bestowed with many types of complex coastal ecosystems supporting rich floral and faunal diversity. Considering the importance of marine resources to the socio-economic related developmental processes, several institutions have diverted their research to estimate the availability of different biotic and non-biotic resources of the state, and the impact of different natural and anthropogenic pressure leading to their decline. The information generated by different researchers working at various organizations are available in a wide scattered form, which requires to be reviewed and presented in a consolidated form that can provide at glance information to the planners and executives to workout suitable management strategies for their sustainable use. Paper elucidates the available sea based resources of the state and their status of exploitation. Majority of the living resources such as mangroves, seaweeds and nearshore fisheries in this state seems to have been overexploited due to their irrational and mindless harvest. Environmental alterations and chemical pollution found to have greatly threatened the health and wealth of the marine milieu, which requires immediate management efforts to ensure sustainable utilization.

2 illus, 3 tables, 17 ref

008507   Saha R;Mishra V K (Water Management Div, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya-793 103) : Estimation of profile moisture status from surface moisture in hilly slopes of Meghalaya. J Agrometeorol 2006, 8(1), 81-6.

Water surplus and deficit periods were detected based on climatic water balance for 1993-2002 in upland terrain soil of Meghalaya state, India. Results indicated that June to October were the major part of water surplus periods contributing to 90.5 per cent of annual water surplus. The mean monthly water surplus (1016.6 mm) and deficit periods (311.8 mm) indicated that water surplus in this region is too high as compared to water deficit. The linear relationship between surface (0-15 cm) and profile (0-90 cm) water content has been drawn based on their differential behaviours under water surplus and deficit periods with high correlation coefficients (0.905 and 0.921, respectively.

2 illus, 1 table, 4 ref

008506   Rao G V;Beebi S K;Rao P M (Department of Civil Engineering, A.U. College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam) : Water quality studies of Kolleru Lake, Upputeru river and Enamaduru drain. Indian J envir Prot 2006, 26(6), 537-45.

Lakes are usually an integral part of a drainage basin. Lakes are either fresh water or saltwater lakes. Kolleru lake is the largest freshwater lake in south India. Various physical and chemical in-puts manifested through the hydrology of the catchment area will affect the quality and quantity of lake Water. In the study, an attempt was made to analyse the physical and chemical load of Kolleru lake, Upputeru river and Enamaduru drain joining into Upputeru. Emphasis was laid on studying the some of the important chemical parameters, which are deemed to influence and have adverse impact on the biota of the lake. In author's opinion, this study is the first of its kind covering quality aspects of this fragile Kolleru lake, Upputeru river and Enamaduru drain.

1 illus, 6 tables, 10 ref

008505   Ramadass G;Himabindu D;Veeraiah B (Department of Geophysics, Osmania University, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: dhimabindu_g@rediffmail.com) : Morphostructural prognostication of kimberlites in parts of Eastern Dharwar Craton: inferences from remote sensing and gravity signatures. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 2006, 34(2), 111-21.

The varied nature of geophysical signatures encountered in the identification of blocks with favorable setting for emplacement of kimberlites, the major geological hosts of diamonds, has resulted in the development of different criteria for their prognostication. Attempts to bring out the association of domal morpho-structural features with kimberlite occurrences. From analysis of an IRS-ID LISS-III satellite image of the Maddur-Narayanpet-Mahboobnagar-Gadwal-Raichur region (latitudes 16° N to 17°15' N and longitudes 77° E to 78°15' E) in the eastern Dharwar craton, the surface morphology and structural configuration were obtained. From observed surface correlation of reported kimberlite occurrences with intersecting lineaments within regions of domal morphology, regions with such configuration were delineated as potential kimberlite bearing zones. Using this observation as a criterion, six potential kimberlite zones were delineated: near Sedam, around Maddur, north of Mahbubnagar, north of Raichur, between Raichur and Gadwal and around Gadwal. Subsequently, from reanalysis of available gravity data in a part of the Maddur area, the structural features inferred from image analysis were corroborated. The crustal configuration along a representative profile across a region associated with kimberlite emplacement was obtained to understand the subsurface pattern of its occurrence. Occurrences of kimberlites were found to be localized at intersections of lineaments in regions characterized by upwarps in the Moho and corresponding lows in the gneissic basement.

4 illus, 30 ref

008504   Raju K;Anil Kumar R (NO, Centre for Earth Science Studies, Thiruvananthapuram-695 031, Email: raju_cess@rediffmail.com) : Land use changes in Udumbanchola taluk, Idukki district-Kerala: an analysis with the application of remote sensing data. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 2006, 34(2), 161-9.

Udumbanchola Taluk, located in the fragile zone of Western Ghats in the Idukki District of Kerala has undergone severe land use changes in the past century. The changing land use scenario of Udumbanchola Taluk was assessed using remote sensing technique. The historic land use map was derived from topographic maps of Survey of India, surveyed in 1910 and published during 1912-14. The land use map of 1997 was generated through the visual interpretation of IRS - 1 C LISS III images supported by ground truths and was observed that the original land use system was highly modified. The comparative study shows that the settlement areas that occupied hardly 0.73% in 1910 were increased to 30.57% in 1997 by transferring forest lands, grassland and cardamom plantations. Due to the depletion of natural vegetation and grassland system by the establishment of houses, cash crops and infrastructure facilities, combined with the absence of sufficient land management measures in the side slopes resulted severe land degradation and the present status of degraded lands is about 14.12% of the total geographical area. It is also observed that the prevailing agro-climatic conditions favorable for the sustenance of sensitive crops like cardamom has undergone changes mainly due to the impact of large-scale land use modifications.

3 illus, 2 tables, 12 ref

008503   Raja Mohan C (Strategic Affairs Indian Express, , New Delhi) : Policy of engagement in Indian Ocean. J Indian ocean Stud 2006, 14(1), 48-53.

Maritime security of India has been discussed in the light of certain issues like (i) changing of Indian policy towards the Indian Ocean from an isolationist one to one of engagement, (ii) the Indo-US defence framework agreement signed in June 2005, (iii) balancing the increased Chinese maritime presence in India's neighbourhood, (iv) security co-operation amongst India, US, Japan and Australia, (v) removal of misperceptions about India's policy towards Indian Ocean among ASEAN countries, Australia, and the neighbours [Bangladesh, Myanmar (Burma) and Sri Lanka], (vi) Indian Navy, its recognition and importance in maritime security, (viii) protection of sea-lanes stretching from the Gulf to Japan in view of the fact that East Asia has become almost completely dependent on the Middle East oil, (viii) role of India in Malacca Straits, and (ix) firmly dealing with terrorism and proliferation of the weapons of mass destruction.

illus, tables, ref

008502   Philip G;Virdi N S (NO, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, 33-Gen, Mahadeo Singh Road, Dehra Dun-248 001, Email: gphilip@wihg.res.in) : Co-existing, compressional and extensional regimes along the Himalayan front vis-a-vis active faults near Singhauli, Haryana, India. Curr Sci 2006, 90(9), 1267-71.

Demonstrates the significance of morpho-structural analysis using remotely sensed data along with selected field investigations in delineating traces of active faults, which are oblique to the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT) in the northwestern Frontal Himalaya. Topographic features indicate movement along a normal fault with upthrown southern block. This extensional behaviour of faulting is in contrast with the ongoing southward thrusting along the HFT with Siwalik sediments in the hanging wall over-riding the alluvial fans in the footwall. Various tectonic landforms and relative positions of Quaternary deposits in the area corroborate that the Frontal Himalayan region has ruptured repeatedly in the recent past.

6 illus, 23 ref

008501   Phani Kumar A M V S K;Somasekhara Rao K;Ravi M;Vani K N K (Department of Chemistry, Acharya Nagarjuna University, P.G. Centre, Nuzvid-521 201) : Activated palmyra endocarp carbon-An adsorbent in defluoridation studies of potable water of Vemsoor mandal. Indian J envir Prot 2006, 26(6), 559-61.

Activated carbon was prepared from palmyra endocarp. The prepared carbon was activated with acids, alkali and sodium carbonate. Activation of these carbons was tested with defluoridation studies. The activated carbon was used in defluoridation of ground water of Vemsoor Mandal, Khammam. This method is useful in defluoridation of potable water and the cost is very low and it can be done at the household level.

3 tables, 7 ref

008500   Pandey V K;Panda S N;Raghuwanshi N S;Sudhakar S (Department of Soil and Water Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engi, Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur-492 006, Email: vkp12@yahoo.co.in) : Delineation and parameterization of Banikdih watershed using remote sensing and Avswat model. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 2006, 34(2), 143-52.

Delineation of Banikdih Agricultural watershed in Eastern India was carried out and various watershed parameters were extracted using Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing. Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was developed with a contour interval of 10 m in the scale of 1:25000 using ARC/INFO modules. Sub watershed, drainage, slope, aspect, flow direction, soil series, soil texture, and soil class maps were independently generated and they were properly registered and integrated for analysis. The watershed was digitally delineated using AVSWAT model that couples hydrological model and GIS with appropriate threshold value of cell size. Subsequently, stream characteristics through the interface were generated. Indian Remote Sensing Satellite IRS-1D L1SS-III data pertaining to the period of October 29, 1998 and October 23, 2000 was used to develop land use/land cover thematic map using ERDAS- 8.4 version image processing software. Eight major land use/land cover classes namely water body, lowland paddy, upland paddy, fallow land, upland crop (non-paddy crops), settlement, open mixed forest, and wasteland were segregated through digital image processing techniques using maximum likelihood algorithm. The information generated would be of immense help in hydrological modeling of watershed for prediction of runoff and sediment yield, thereby providing necessary inputs for developing suitable developmental management plans with sound scientific basis.

5 illus, 3 tables, 20 ref

008499   Narendra K;Nageswara Rao K (Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, GITAM, Visakhapatnam-530 045, Email: narendra@gitam.edu) : Morphometry of the Meghadrigedda watershed, Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh using GIS and resourcesat data. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 2006, 34(2), 101-10.

Resourcesat-I data is to provide continuity in operational remote sensing with its enhanced capabilities in the field of land and water resources management. Using GIS tools and image processing techniques are to identify the morphological features and water resources of the Meghadrigedda watershed. The morphometric parameters such as linear aspects and aerial aspects of six sub-watersheds of the watershed were determined and are computed. The drainage pattern is mainly dendritic type. The six sub-watersheds are elongated in shape. The Meghadrigedda reservoir supplies around 8 million gallon/day of water to the needs of Visakhapatnam city for domestic and industrial purpose. Most of the water tanks of the area have been silted and subjected to unauthorized occupations. Twelve recharge pits were located to excavate silted water tanks. To improve the ground water levels, thirteen suitable sites were identified for the construction of check dams in the Meghadrigedda watershed.

6 illus, 2 tables, 15 ref

008498   Mohapatra M;Mohanty U C (Indian Meteorological Department, , Guwahati-781 015, Email: mohanty@cas.iitd.ernet.in) : Interannual variability of summer monsoon rainfall over Orissa in relation to tropospheric circulation features. Curr Sci 2006, 90(9), 1218-29.

The summer monsoon rainfall over Orissa shows large-scale interannual variability due to variation in the characteristics of meteorological parameters like temperature, pressure/geopotential height and wind at surface and in the troposphere. A study was therefore undertaken to find out the characteristic features of surface and upper air meteorological parameters in the troposphere and their relationship with summer monsoon rainfall over Orissa. For this purpose, rainfall data over 31 uniformly distributed stations in Orissa along with the surface meteorological parameters at seven stations and upper air parameters at different standard isobaric levels up to 200 hPa over four stations in Orissa and its neighbourhood during summer monsoon season over a period of 19 years (1980-98) have been considered. The principal objective of this study is to find out the contribution of different meteorological parameters in the spatiotemporal variability of summer monsoon rainfall over Orissa. The interannual variability of rainfall mostly depends on the interannual variation of wind over Orissa and its neighbourhood. Strong northeasterlies over north coastal Orissa along with the southeasterly winds over Gangetic West Bengal and northwesterlies over north west Orissa, south Orissa and north coastal Andhra Pradesh at the lower and mid-tropospheric levels are favourable for good rainfall over the western side of the Eastern Ghats and over the central zone, extending form the central part of coastal Orissa to western Orissa. This pattern of wind is also associated with the synoptic disturbances over the NW Bay causes excess/deficient rainfall over Orissa. The stronger gradient of mean sea-level pressure and geopotential over the region to the south of the monsoon trough passing through north coastal Orissa at lower and mid-tropospheric level, is favourable for good rainfall over Orissa. Divergene at the upper troposphere (200hPa) due to a trough in the upper tropospheric westerlies to the right of Visakhapatnam and an east-west ridge to the south of Visakhapatnam and over the NW Bay is favourable for rainfall over Orissa. There is no significant trend in both zonal and meridional winds at the upper troposphere (200hPa) over the region, supporting insignificant trend in summer monsoon seasonal rainfall over Orissa during 1980-98.

11 illus, 4 tables, 29 ref

008497   Mathur A K;Asthana R;Rasik Ravindra (Geological Survey of India, , Sector E, Aliganj, Lucknow 226 024, Email: antgsi@vsnl.net) : Arcellaceans (Thecamoebians) from core sediments of Priyadarshini lake, Scirmacher Oasis, Eastern Antarctica. Curr Sci 2006, 90(12), 1603-5.

^ssc4 illus, 15 ref

008496   Mascarenhas A (NO, National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa-403 004, Email: antmas@nio.org) : Extreme events, intrinsic landforms and humankind: post-tsunami scenario along Nagore-Velankanni coast, Tamil Nadu, India. Curr Sci 2006, 90(9), 1195-1201.

Extreme oceanographic episodes have regularly afflicted the east coast of India. Storm surges strike annually, devastating for a period of 24-36 h, and inducing a run-up of 9 m and inundations reaching 35 km. Comparatively, the December 2004 tsunami appeared after 63 years, lasted for 1 h and caused a run-up of 6.5 m, with flooding up to 0.8 km inland. Whereas storm surges devastate vast areas, the tsunami destroyed areas within 80 m from the dune. Major impacts are: erosion and breaching of dunes, destruction of shorefront dwellings, formation of inlets and new water bodies. Extreme events confirmed that sand dunes and dense forests possess an innate capacity of attenuating wave up-rush, evidenced respectively by negligible overwash, and by modest damage only to a narrow frontal casuarina strip of 10 m average width. Recurring storm surges are of greater societal concern than an occasional tsunami.

4 illus, 1 table, 23 ref

008495   Manimegalai S;Muthulakshmi L (Department of Chemistry, V.P. Muthaiah Pillai Meenakshi Ammal Engineering College for Women, Krishnankovil-626 190) : A study on the levels of fluoride in ground water and prevalence of dental fluorosis in certain areas of Virudhunagar district. Indian J envir Prot 2006, 26(6), 546-9.

t aims to study the level of fluoride in bore well, open well, and in handpump water samples of different places of Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu, and also to analyse other water quality parameters, like pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, acidity, alkalinity, total solids, chlorides, iron, sodium, potassium, fluorides and total hardness. The analysis shows a low fluoride level of 0.2 mg/L and high level of 1.8 mg/L in Virudhunagar district.

1 illus, 3 tables, 5 ref

008494   Mall R K;Gupta A;Ranjeet Singh;Singh R S; Rathore L S (NO, , Central Ground Water Board, K. G. Marg, New Delhi-110 001, Email: rkmall@bhu.ac.in) : Water resources and climate change: an Indian Perspective. Curr Sci 2006, 90(12), 1610-26.

In recent times, several studies around the globe show that climatic change is likely to impact significantly upon freshwater resources availability. In India, demand for water has already increased manifold over the years due to urbanization, agriculture expansion, increasing population, rapid industrialization and economic development. At preset, changes in cropping pattern and land-use pattern, over-exploitation of water storage and changes in irrigation and drainage are modifying the hydrological cycle in many climate regions and river basins of India. An assessment of the availability of water resources in the context of future national requirements and expected impacts of climate change ad its variability is critical for relevant national and regional long-term development strategies and sustainable development. This article examines the potential for sustainable development of surface water and groundwater resources within the constraints imposed by climate change and future research needs in India.

^iia7 illus, 9 tables, 96 ref

008493   Khare N;Nigam R (Nagtional Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, , Headland Sada, Caswco-da-Gama, Goa 403 804, Email: nkhare@ncaor.org) : Can the possibilithy of some linkage of monsoonal precipitation with solar variability be ignored? indications from foraminiferal proxy records. Curr Sci 2006, 90(12), 1685-8.

Foraminiferal studies on a shallow water sediment core off Karwar, central west coast of India have revealed significant changes in the monsoonal precipitation during the last around 720 years. The results hint towards some possibility of linkage of monsoonal precipitation with solar variability during this period.

2 illus, 28 ref

008492   Khan M A;Narain P;Moharana P C (NO, Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur-342 003, Email: makhan@cazri.res.in ) : Prospecting ground water resources using RS-GIS-a case study from arid western Rajasthan of India. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 2006, 34(2), 171-9.

In arid regions, inherent climatic conditions and adverse terrain condition pose perpetual shortage of water. The dominant aeolian topography conceals older geological formations making it difficult to infer prospects of ground water and tapping the same. A ground water prospect map has been prepared for a part of Jodhpur district in western Rajasthan through integrated analysis of four major controlling factors: geology, geomorphology, structure and hydrology. Through visual interpretation of satellite data and using Geographical Information System, twenty-five hydro-geomorphic units (prospect units) have been delineated and mapped. Potential of each prospect unit have been discussed in reference to hydro-geomorphic units, their influence and well inventory like well yield, water table level and quality of drinking water. Thirty Four percent of the area was classified to have high groundwater potential and 5.8% area was classified into low potential categories. Most of the area (60.2%) is of moderate ground water potential.

4 illus 2 tables, 12 ref

008491   Kar G;Martha M (NO, Water Technology Centre for Eastern Region, Bhubaneswar-23) : Climate risk sensitivity livelihood matrix in Bay of Bengal coast of India. J Agrometeorol 2006, 8(1), 7-18.

Climatic risk sensitivity livelihood matrix was prepared for Bay of Bengal codst of India to appraise the exposure of extreme events on ecosystem and livelihoods of the region based on exposure and impact scores. The frequency of different extreme events of the study area viz., drought, flood, cyclone, heat waves etc. was computed from historical meteorological data and prevalence of major livelihoods was surveyed through structured questionnaire. A computer based dynamic tool 'CLlMM' was developed which will be useful for preparing climate risk sensitivity livelihood matrix in any parts of the world. The exposure and impact scores were determined after performing climate risk sensitivity analysis. The drought frequency was analyzed with the Standardised Precipitation lndex (SPI) and the study revealed that three types of agriculture droughts viz., initial drought/delayed monsoon, midseason drought/dry spells and late season drought occurred in the study area with their frequency of 7%,16% and 9%, respectively. The other two extreme events were cyclone (September to December) and flood (June to September), which occurred with the frequency of 16% and 33%, respectively. Six major livelihood groups viz., wage earner, crop farmers, services, rural artisans, livestock rearers and fishing were prevalent in the study area. The sum of the weighted exposure scores for the livelihoods was computed as 23.0 and sum of the weighted impact scores for the climatic hazards was 59.5. These aggregate values will be useful in comparing different regions or scenarios with respect to climate induced natural disaster (CIND) in any parts of the world.

1 illus, 3 tables, 16 ref

008490   Kalaivani D;Lalitha S;Kasthuri R;Selvameena R;Babykala R (Department of Chemistry, Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College, Tiruchirappalli-620) : Physico-chemical studies on ground and surface water of Manchankoppu, Tiruchirappalli. Indian J envir Prot 2006, 26(6), 521-5.

Ground and well water samples were collected from Manchankoppu, Tiruchirappalli district. Physical parameters, such as temperature, odour, taste, turbidity, pH and conductivity, and chemical parameters, such as total hardness, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness and alkalinity were determined and compared with ISI, WHO and USPHS. Sulphate, silicate, phosphate, nitrite and nitrate contents were also analysed. The results revealed high degree of hardness, chloride and dissolved solids in some samples, which could be removed by boiling for half an hour filtering the sample to become potable. Phosphate content has been observed to be high in a few samples, which requires special treatment.

2 tables, 5 ref

008489   Jain S;Verma P K (School of Studies in Geology, Vikram University, Ujjain-456 010, Email: drpkverma@rediffmail.com) : Mapping of active tectonics intensity zones using remote sensing and GIS. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 2006, 34(2), 131-42.

The Bundi-Indergarh sector in southeast Rajasthan is characterized by folded and faulted Vindhyan rocks that are exposed as NE-SW trending long parallel ridges. The sector is separated from older rocks by the Great Boundary Thrust and is traversed by younger cross faults at several localities. The thematic maps of geomorphology, slope, vegetation index and morphotectonic parameters of Bundi-Indergarh sector have been prepared using IRS 1 D LISS III and WiFS and, Landsat ETM digital data. These theme are integrated in GIS environment to assess the neotectonic potential in the area. The neotectonic potential map of the sector has been generated that indicates relative potential values as high (55-85), medium (35-55) and low (5-35) on 100-point scale. The observed four high potential zones in the area are located at the intersection of NE-SW and NW-SE lineaments. Brings out methodology for assessing active tectonic potential of the area.

5 illus, 4 tables, 19 ref

008488   Desilva J C (Centre for Marine Conservation & Ocean Studies, , Goa) : Marine pollution and ecologically sustainable development. J Indian ocean Stud 2006, 14(1), 99-113.

Into the new millennium, the concept of national security is changing. It is broadening while at the same time becoming ever more complex and inter-connected. In many ways, it is a reflection of globalisation of the 21^st century economy. Globalisation inter alia involves largely maritime trade and transportation. Hence, maritime security will be of vital importance in the next few decades, and particularly for the maritime nations. The oceans have always been important, but now there is an additional focus on them. They are and will remain a key source of food, energy, transportation, trade, communications and leisure. It will be a continual challenge to ensure that the oceans remain a safe and stable source of these needs.

008487   Desa E;Madhan R;Maurya P (NO, National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa-403 004, Email: elgar@darya.nio.org) : Potential of autonomous underwater vehicles as new generation ocean data platforms. Curr Sci 2006, 90(9), 1202-9.

Introduces a new generation of ocean data platforms known as Autonomous Under-water Vehicles (or AUVs) brought about by promising technology developments in new sensors, memories, embedded controllers and materials. There has been a growing interest by oil and gas exploration industry in using deep water AUVs to map bathymetry around an oil well head, by the navy in mine surveillance or intelligence gathering, and abundant activity by the scientific and engineering communities scattered in several dozen universities and research establishments around the globe in building their own versions of AUVs for scientific data collection. In order to demystify the notion, that AUVs are complex, high technology devices, includes a description of the main building blocks that go into the design of an AUV. This is followed by a brief look at the current scenario in AUV developments, but narrowing attention to three noteworthy operational AUVs, and to on going development of a small AUV at the National institute of Oceanography, Goa. The ultimate aim in AUV research and development is to reach the stage of unescorted missions that will see AUVs leaving and entering the world's harbours autonomously or agoing the same from the shore. Implies the implementation of safety standards of a high degree in a stable, well-tested and reliable vehicle architecture.

^iia3 illus, 1 table, 17 ref

008486   Dash J R;Dash P C;Patra H K (State Pollution Control Board, Orrisa, Bhubaneswar-751 012, ) : A correlation and regression study on the ground water quality in rural areas around Angul-Talcher industrial zone. Indian J envir Prot 2006, 26(6), 550-8.

The quality of ground water samples collected from 7 representatives tubewells in rural areas around Angul-Talcher industrial zone, Orissa was assessed in the rainy, winter and summer from July-2001 to June 2003. A total of 20 physico-chemical characteristics were analysed. Some parameters were found within and some parameters beyond the desirable limit for drinking purpose. A systematic correlation and regression study showed significant linear relationship among different pairs of water quality parameters.

9 tables, 15 ref

008485   Bohra A K;Basu S;Rajagopal E N;Iyengar G R; Das Gupta M;Ashrit R;Athiyaman B (National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, , A-50, Sector 62, Noida-201 307, Email: akbohra@ncmrwf.gov.in) : Heavy rainfall episode over Mumbai on 26 July 2005: assessment of NWP guidance. Curr Sci 2006, 90(9), 1188-94.

Qualitative assessment of guidance from NCMRWF operational global and regional Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) systems in the episode of unprecedented rainfall over Mumbai has been attempted. This also consolidates and examines the predictions that were provided by some of the leading global operational centres. Some hindcast runs were also made with different initial conditions. It reveals that the use of very high resolution global and regional models with advanced data assimilation techniques (4D Var), that optimally utilizes information from satellite observations, could significantly enhance the usefulness of NWP guidance.

12 illus, 1 table, 1 ref

008484   Bhagat S N;Verma P K (Geological Survey of India, Operation Gujarat, , Sector 10 A, Gandhinagar-382 011, Email: drpkverma@rediffmail.com) : Relation between lineaments and tectonics in parts of the Vindhyan basin, Madhya Pradesh. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 2006, 34(2), 203-7.

3 illus, 1 table, 7 ref

007485   Talib A;Gaur K N (Dep of Geol, A.M.U., Aligarh-202 002) : Foraminiferal palaeoecology, microfacies and palaeoenvironment of middle-upper Jurassic sequence, Jumara Hills, Western Kutch, Gujarat. Indian J Petrol Geol 2005, 14(2), 9-21.

Marine Patcham-Chari sequence (Bathonian-Oxfordian0 exposed at Jumara Hills, Kutch, comrising nine sampling units (JM-1 to JM-9) was found to be composed chiefly of Limemudstones, bioclastic wackestones, packstones and Grainstone. These rock types have yielded a rich foraminiferal assemblage including fifty-one species. The Jumara foraminiferal assemblage is dominated by the vaginulinids and nodosariids with some arenaceous forms which exhibit high frequncy in JM-6. Based on foraminiferal and microfacies evidences and supported by megafossils, it has been possible to divide the studied sequence in to five broad palaeoecological units, unit-I to Unit-V in an ascending order. The deposition of patcham sediments (unit-I) began with a calm, open marine environment having a normalsalinity conditions in the deep shelf region. It extended finally up to shoaling marine environment where salinity conditions in the deep shelf region. It extended finally up to shoaling marine environment where salinity was normal but due to much agitation benthic life cold not flourish (Unit-V). This condition persisted till the end f the accumulation of Chari sediments in this area. The area also witnessed, for a considerable time, lagoonal or marshy conditions having a low pH and low salinity values (Unit-III). The study reveals that the overall deposition of the entire sequence took place in a shell zone, which was tectonically unstable as exhibited by periodic fluctuations in the environmental conditions.

3 illus, 33 ref

007484   Somvanshi V K;Pandey O P;Agrawal P K;Kalanker N V;Ravi Prakesh M;Ramesh Chand (NO, Natn Geophys Res Inst, Hyderabad-500 007) : Modelling and prediction of rainfall using artificial neural network and ARIMA techniques. J Indian Geophys Union 2006, 10(2), 141-51.

Climate and rainfall are highly non-linear and complicated phenomena, which require sophisticated computer modelling and simulation for accurate prediction. An artificial intelligence technology allows knowledge processing and can be used as forecasting tool. For example, the application of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), to predict the behaviors of nonlinear systems has become an attractive alternative to traditional statistical methods. In the paper, tools for modeling and predicting the behavioral pattern in rainfall phenomena based on past observations has been presented. The paper introduces two fundamentally different approaches for designing a model, the statistical method based on autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and the emerging computationally powerful techniques based on ANN. In order to evaluate the prediction efficiency, 104 years of mean annual rainfall data from year 1901 to 2003 of Hyderabad region (India) was used. The models were trained with 93 years of mean annual rainfall data. The ANN and the ARIMA approaches are applied to the data to derive the weights and the regression coefficients respectively. The performance of the model was evaluated by using remaining 10 years of data. The study reveals that ANN model can be used as an appropriate forecasting tool to predict the rainfall, which out performs the ARIMA model.

9 illus, 1 table, 15 ref

007483   Sircar A;Chauhan S (NO, Jubilant Oil & Gas pvt. Ltd., Sector 16 A, Noida-201 301) : Hydrocarbon estimation using lognormal evolutionary programing technique. Indian J Petrol Geol 2005, 14(2), 1-7.

Estimation of oil and gas reserve is not an exact science. There is always uncertainty in making these predictions, with the magnitude of uncertainty dependent upon the quantity and quality of data and on the experience and knowledge of the evaluator. The uncertainty of reserve estimation decrease with time, until the economic limit is reached and ultimate recovery is realized. Reserve can be estimated using deterministic and probabilistic method. The probabilistic method is more rigorous and less commonly used. A new technique called risklognormal, which reduces the uncertainty in calculating mean value of probabilistic hydrocarbon reserve estimation. The algorithm is demonstrated using a case study involving five paramenters normally used for reserveestimation.

^ccr2 illus, 4 tables, 3 ref

007482   Singh B P;Mithila;Pawar J S (Postgrad Dep of Geol, Postgrad Universtiy of Jammu, Jammu-180 006, Email: bpsingh_in@yahoo.com) : Lithofacies of a small Himalayan braided river, Tawi river, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Himalayan Geol 2006, 27(1), 1-13.

Many big and small rivers flow out from the Himalaya forming geomorphic features such as braid-bars, point-bars and floodplains. The braid-bars formed in the course of the Tawi River are prominent, and their geomorphic and sedimentary characteristics can be utilized as a model for the small braided river deposits. Analyzes facies of the braid-bars forming the bar platform in the proximal part, and ridges and chute channel in the distal part. The bar platform contains clast-supported massive gravel (Gcm), matrix-supported gravel (Gmm), graded matrix-supported gravel (Gmg) and massive sandstone lithofacies (Sm). The Gcm facies occurring in tabular geometry is deposited as channel lag in high-energy conditions. The Gmm facies deposited by low strength pseudo-plastic debris flow and Gmg deposited during decelerating flows. The overlying massive sand facies (Sm) was either deposited through suspension fall out or the sedimentary structures were later destroyed as a result of surface weathering and burrowing activities. The chute channel and ridge facies on the distal part of the braid-bar contains similar facies except scour and fill facies that occur only in the chute channel. The common facies are planar cross-bedded sand (Sp), horizontally-stratified sand (Sh), massive sand (Sm), laminated fine-grained sand-mud alternation (Fl) and laminated silt-mud facies (Fsm). The moderate discharge of the Tawi River modify the distal part of the bar by making scours in earlier deposited sandy facies and forming rippled bed forms mainly during monsoons. The gravelly facies deposited on the bars in the upper-flow regime when the velocity of the flow and the Froude numbers were high (<62>1.0) and the other facies deposited either in lower-stage of the upper-flow regime (exceptionally <62>1.0 Froude number) or in the lower-flow regime (Froude number being <60>1.0). Particularly, the fine-grained facies of the Tawi River braid-bars can be taken as an example for interpreting the occurrence of fine-grained facies in ancient braided river deposits.

11 illus, 3 tables, 39 ref

007481   Shibu S;Ritakumari S D;Nair N B (Dep of Aqu Biology&Fisheries, Univ of Kerala Karyavattom Campus, Thiruvananthapuram-695 581) : Occurrence and distribution of macrozoobenthos in the riverine and estuarine zones of the Paravur lake, Kerala. J Aquatic Biol 2006, 21(1), 60-63.

Community structure and distribution of macrozoobenthos in the riverine and estuarine zones of the Paravur lake was evaluated in relation to the prevailing environmental factors. A total of 23 and 29 species of benthic organisms were recorded at the riverine and estuarine zones respectively. Crustaceans dominated at both the sites followed by polychaetes and molluscs. The wide fluctuations in the number of benthic species observed in the study were mainly due to the unstable nature of the bottom sediment and the salinity. The higher benthic production was associated with salty sand substratum and higher % of organic matter in the sediment.

1 illus, 3 tables, 14 ref