000216   Thong G T;Rao B V (Geology Dep, Nagaland University, Kohima-797 002, Email: glen2t03@yahoo.com) : Geochemical investigations of the Disang sandstones of Bosta, Nagaland, NE India. J Geol Soc India 2006, 68(10), 715-22.

Disang sediments of Botsa constitute a flysch facies of Upper Cretaceous - Eocene age. They comprise a thick sequence of splintery shales with intercalations of thin, flaggy sandstones/siltstones of greywacke composition. These are recycled sediments of a mixed source, including igneous and low rank metamorphics, where semi-humid climatic conditions prevailed and moderate intracrustal differentiation processes took place. These chemically mature sediments were deposited at plate interiors, in an exogeosynclinal setup, along a passive continental margin. This was a marine environment where low ventilation and Eh conditions prevailed.

8 illus, 3 tables, 43 ref

000215   Sundararajan N;Srinivas Y;Narasimha Chary M; Unnikrishnan K R (Centre of Exploration Geophysics, Osmanai University, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: sundararajan_n@yahoo.com) : Groundwater occurrence in the outlier zone - a case study from Tiruvuru, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh. J Geol Soc India 2006, 68(10), 610-14.

Groundwater occurrence along the contacts of sandstone outlier in biotite gneiss near Tiruvuru. Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, was investigated by electrical resistivity survey. The depth and width of such contacts were established from geoelectrical sections drawn based on vertical electrical sounding (VES). Results obtained are correlated with the geology and the bore well data of the area.

8 illus, 7 ref

000214   Sudan F K;Reena Rani (Economics Dep, Jammu Univ, Jammu ad Kashmir, India-180 006) : Sustainable livestock development in semi-arid watersheds of Shivaliks, Jammu and Kashmir. Int J Envir Dev 2006, 3(2), 192-216.

Watershed development programmes while exhibiting significant impacts in terms of increased crop production and productivity, appear to have accentuated the inter-household inequities, by ignoring or sometimes negatively affecting landless and livestock, owners especially small-ruminant owning households. Enhancing the production potential of a watershed for sustainable livestock production, would contribute to livelihood- and equity-enhancing impacts of the programmes. Appropriate policy and investment decisions are crucial to making this plausible.

13 tables, 26 ref

000213   Subba Rao D V;Mukherjee A;Khan M W Y;Sridhar D N (NO, National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad-500 007) : New occurrence of intrabansinal ignimbrites and welded tuffs from NE part of the Meso- to neoproterozoic Chattisgarh basin, Bastar craton: implications for petrogenesis. J Geol Soc India 2006, 68(10), 589-92.

New occurrence of within-basin pyroclastic flow rocks (welded felsic tuffs and ignimbrites) is reported for the first time from Sukda area in the NE part of the Chhattisgarh basin. The flows are characterized by the presence of microporphyritic textures, feldspars, quartz, glass shards, volcanic rock fragments and magmatic garnet. High concentrations of Na₂O (<126>6.61 wt%), low K₂O (0.01 to 1.0 wt%) and high Sr contents (416 ppm) are found in these rocks. REE show a well-fractionated trend with high LREE enrichment, sloping HREE patterns and absence of Eu anomalies. Major, trace and REE geochemistry of the Chhattisgarh welded tuffs indicate that they are Na-Rhyolites. The characteristic high Sr/Y and La/Yb_N ratios and low HREE contents suggest that the parental magmas of these rocks were produced by extensive partial melting of a mafic source in deeper crustal levels (lower crust) where garnet and/or hornblende are residual phases.

4 illus, 10 ref

000212   Srinivas C V;Venkatesan R;Somayaji K M; Bagavath Singh A (Radiological Safety Div, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam-603 102, Email: cvsri@igcar.ernet.in) : Numerical study of sea breeze circulation observed at a tropical site Kalpakkamon on the east coast of India, under different synoptic flow situations. J Earth Syst Sci 2006, 115(5), 557-74.

Simulation study of the sea breeze circulation and thermal internal boundary layer (TIBL) charª acteristics has been carried out at the tropical site Kalpakkam on the east coast of India, for operational atmospheric dispersion prediction. The community based PSU/NCAR MM5 Mesoscale meteorological model is used for the study. Three cases on typical days in summer (24 May 2003), southwest (SW) monsoon (1 July 2001) winter season (2 February 2003) with different largeªscale flow pattern are studied. The MM5 model is used with 3 nested domains with horizontal grid resolutions 18 km, 6 km and 2 km and 26 vertical levels. The model is integrated for 24 hours in the above cases with initial and boundary conditions taken from NCEP-FNL analyses data. Observations of 10 meteorological stations and coastal boundary layer experiments conducted at Kalpakkam are used for comparison and validation of the simulation. The characteristics of simªulated sea breeze and TIBL at Kalpakkam are seen to vary in the above cases according to the prevailing large-scale winds and surface fluxes. The sea breeze circulation is seen to develop early with larger strength and inland propagation in the summer case under the influence of moderate synoptic wind and strong heating conditions than in the SW monsoon and winter cases. The horizontal and vertical extents of TIBL are found to be larger in the summer case than in other cases. Although model parameters agree in general with observations, all the fine features are not dearly captured and some slowness in model sea breeze development is also seen. The results indicate the need to improve the initial conditions by assimilation of available surface/upper air observations to reduce model bias and surface net radiation parameterisation. The model could predict the essential features of the local circulation and further improvement is expected with better initial condition data and incorporation of more realistic surface data.

16 illus, 2 tables, 39 ref

000211   Sinha S;Islam R;Ghosh S K;Rohtash Kumar; Sangode S J (NO, Sedimentology Group, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehra Dun-248 001, Email: sinha_subho@rediffmail.com) : Geochemistry of Neogene Siwalik mudstones along Punjab re-entrant, India: implications for source-area weathering, provenance and tectonic setting. Curr Sci 2007, 92(8), 1103-13.

Mudstones from the Neogene Siwalik succession, east of Ravi River, Punjab re-entrant have been analysed for major, trace and rare earth elements (REEs) used as a reliable proxy to evaluate lithological composition, source-area weathering, provenance and tectonic setting of the basin. Chemical Index of Alteration value of 75 (average) indicates moderate to high weathering condition at the source area. Concentration of transition trace elements, e.g. Cr, Ni and Co in the sediments tends to support metamorphic source area. Plot of Th/Sc and Zr/Sc indicates sediment recycling along with addition of zircon from a weathered source, probably low grade metamorphics apart from first cycle grains from igneous acidic sources. Positive correlaªtion between AI₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃, TiO₂, MgO, K₂O, P₂O₅ is evident. High correlation coefficient between AI₂O₃ and K₂O suggests clay mineral control on the major oxides. Higher concentration of ΣREE and Zr in the sediments suggests heavy minerals as host for the REEs. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns, negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.61-0.75), ratios of (La_N/Sm_N) = 3.35-4.61; (Ce_N/Yb_N) = 7.39-11.83; (La_N/Yb_N) = 9.31-13.91 and (Gd_N/Yb_N) = 1.30-2.08 collectively suggest that the mudstones are LREE enriched and HREE depleted and derived dominantly from felsic igneous rock and/or reworked metasedimentary/sedimentary source. The geochemical behaviour of the Siwalik mudstones indicates that they are largely derived from a mixed source of granite-gneiss, basic, metamorphic and sedimentary terrain, although upper continental crustal source rocks remained dominant.

12 illus, 3 tables, 43 ref

000210   Singh A K (NO, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Northeast Unit, Itanagar-791 113, Email: kk_luwang@rediffmail.com) : Dolerite dykes of Kundal area in Neoproterozoic Malani igneous suite, Western Rajasthan. J Geol Soc India 2006, 68(10), 695-704.

Dolerite dykes trending NW-SE, NE-SW cut across the acid volcanic rocks and are essentially composed of labradorite and augite with characteristic ophitic, sub-ophitic, intergranular and variolitic textures. Petrographic features and the chemistry between the two types of dolerite suggest that they might have formed from geochemically similar magmas. Dykes show high SiO₂, Fe₂O₃, TiO₂, CaO, MgO, LIL, HFS and low K₂O, MnO, P₂ O₅. The Al-(Fe+ Ti)-Mg values and incompatible trace element ratios indicate their calc-alkaline nature. They are emplaced in an anorogenic rift environment in the Trans-Aravalli block of the Indian Shield. Petrogenetic studies suggest that the parental source magma from which the dykes are derived could be of gabbroic composition at moderate degree of partial melting.

7 illus, 3 tables, 44 ref

000209   Siddaiah N S;Kishore Kumar (NO, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, 33, General Mahadeo Singh Road, Dehradun-248 001, Email: nssiddaiah@rediffmail.com) : Discovery of volcanic ash bed from the basal subathu formation (late palaeocene-middle eocene) near Kalka, Solan District (Himachal Pradesh), Northwest sub-Himalaya, India. Curr Sci 2007, 92(1), 118-19.

Discovery of 1.5 m thick volcanic ash bed is reported from the basal part of the Late Palaeocene-Middle Eocene Subathu Formation exposed along the Koshaliya river near Kalka (Solan District) in the foothills of Himachal Pradesh. The ash bed represents the oldest volcanic ash horizon from this part of the Himalayan Foreland Basin. The ash is fine-grained and consists mostly of kaolinite with trace quantities of glass shards, euhedral and angular β-quartz, sanidine, zircon, biotite and anatase. It has high concentrations of Al₂O₃ as well as incompatible elements (Zr, Nb, Th and Y), and high loss on ignition. Based on lithological association, field characters, mineralogy and geochemistry, the ash bed has been identified as tonsteins of a volcanic origin. The stratigraphic position and thickness of the ash bed indicate a significant volcanic event during the Early Eocene.

7 illus, 1 table, 38 ref

000208   Sharma C;Chatterjee S (Geology Dep, University of Lucknow, Lucknow-226 007) : Past 26,000 years evolutionary history of Keoladeo National Park (Ghana), Rajasthan. Curr Sci 2007, 92(8), 1161-5.

Pollen analysis of a 4.4 m trench dug out from the Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur district, Rajasthan) situated on the western edge of the Gangetic Plains has revealed that around 26,000 yrs BP, the area was a thick forest dominated by Holoptelea under moist climate and good monsoon, reflecting an interstadial period. The next phase between 20,000 and 14,000 yrs BP had witnessed a barren zone with no trace of any pollen deposition. This could be attributed to poor preservation of pollen during the course of sedimentation, most likely due to the drying of the lake during the Last Glacial Maximum period. This was followed by favourable humid conditions and good vegetation cover in the region. Gradually this huge lake turned into a wetland.

^ssc2 illus, 2 tables, 27 ref

000207   Sengupta H P;Yadav R N (Geology Dep, Banaras Hindu Univ, Varanasi-221 005, Email: sengupta_hari@yahoo.com) : Diagenetic talc of Jhiroli, Kumaun Himalaya. Curr Sci 2007, 92(1), 99-103.

Talc/soapstone deposit of Kumaun Lesser Himalaya is mainly associated with magnesite. It occurs in small, irregular patches and pockets within the magnesite and sometimes with dolomite. Talc in the interstitial spaces of magnesite occurs as fillings of stylolitic veins, as well as in patches heavily corroding the magnesite grains lying in contact. Tremolite, chlorite and other low grade metamorphic minerals are absent while chalcedony is sometimes present in intimate association with talc in the stylolitic veins and in the patches. Talc is extremely fine-grained, sometimes scaly and at times fibrous. These features indicate that talc is neither hydrothermal in origin nor is produced by stresses acting on the carbonate rock. Presence of pyrite grains in talc and host magnesite is indicative of a reducing environment. X-ray diffraction and infrared studies reveal that there is no other metamorphic mineral present. Fluid-inclusion study of host magnesite suggests that the minimum temperature of homogenization (Th) ranges between 220 and 300°C. The antipathic relationship between silica and talc suggests that the latter is a product of diagenetic processes, being formed by reaction of magnesite and silica at temperature less than 300°C.

7 illus, 17 ref

000206   Saraswat R;Nigam R;Weldeab S;Mackensen A (Micropaleontology Lab, National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa-403 004) : Tropical warm pool in the Indian Ocean and its influence on ENSO over the past 137,000 yrs BP. Curr Sci 2007, 92(8), 1153-6.

Tropical sea surface temperature (SST) is one of the important factors that regulates the amount and duration of rainfall in the tropical region, the world's most densely populated region. The tropical oceanic warm pool today extends across the Pacific and Indian oceans. The geographic extent of warm pool shows annual variability, leading to changing east-west gradients in tropical SST that contribute to EI-Nino Southern Oscillation (EN SO) and other related processes of the tropical circulation. From the magnesium-calcium analysis of planktic foraminifera, reconstructed SST in the Indian Ocean over the past 137,000 years, providing a new reconstruction of the changing extent of the warm pool, the east-west gradients and their influence on ENSO through time. Comparison of the results with those from the Pacific Ocean, shows that throughout the larger part of the last <126>137 ka BP, equatorial Indian Ocean (EIO) was the warmest part of the tropics. However, the eastern Pacific Ocean (EEP) was warmer than both the western Pacific Ocean (WEP) and EIO for a brief period during penultimate glacial-interglacial transition. The SST difference between EIO and EEP as well as between WEP and EEP shows strong positive correlation over the entire period of <126>137 ka BP, suggesting that during the large part of the past glacial period, more intense and frequent EI-Nino-like conditions persisted and influenced the tropical Indian and Pacific oceans.

^ssc4 illus, 32 ref

000205   Santosh Kumar;Brajesh Singh;Joshi C C;Pandey A (Geology Dep, Kumaun University, Nainital-263 002, Email: skyadavan@yahoo.com) : Magnetic susceptibility and biotite composition of granitoids of Amritpur region, Kumaun Lesser Himalaya: implication on granite sereis evaluation and nature of felsic magma. J Geol Soc India 2006, 68(10), 666-74.

Felsic magmatism in Amritpur and adjoining localities of Kumaun Lesser Himalaya is represented by Palaeoproterozoic (ca 1890 Ma) Bt-Ms granitoids and quartz feldspar porphyries, referred to as Amritpur granitoids (AG) and Amritpur porphyry (AP) respectively. Magnetic susceptibility (MS) values (range of average _χ = 0.062 to 0.522x10^-3 SI) measured for various types of AG correspond to ilmenite-series (reduced type) granites which are consistent with their peraluminous nature. The MS of AP ranges from 0.399 to 0.912xl0^-3 SI with an average MS of 0.528x10^-3 SI, which are typical to ilmenite series granite, although AP represents both metaluminous and peraluminous types. Compositions of biotite from medium-grained. leucocratic equigranular variety of AG. referred to as Amritpur leucogranite (ALG) are primary in nature, and can be classified as Fe²⁺ (ferri) biotite enriched in siderophyllite component. FeO¹/MgO of biotites from ALG varies from 2.93 to 4.94 which typically crystallized into crustally derived, peraluminous (S-type) felsic magma, with probable 3Fe ⇔. 2Al substitution in biotites during ALG melt evolution but 3Mg ⇔ 2Al substitution cannot be inferred. Bulk Fe₂O₃/FeO ratio of most AG corresponds to ilmenite series (Fe₂O₃/FeO<60>0.5) consistent with the observed MS values whereas AP samples equally represent both ilmenite and magnetite (Fe₂O₃/FeO <62> 0.5) series. The results strongly favour that the AG magma evolved under reducing environment.

6 illus, 2 tables, 34 ref

000204   Robert Kennedy Z;Prakash K (Advanced Thermal sciences lab, School of Mechanical Sciences, Karunya Deemed Univ, Coimbatore-641 114) : Characterisation pyrolysis oils from conventional fixed bed reactor. Energy Fuel Users J 2006, 40(2), 1-10.

Properties of crude oil and refined oil are compared with conventional diesel. Paper also describes the effects of various blends of pyrolysis oil with diesel on the performance and emission of engines. Blends of 20%, 40%, 60% and 7,5% by volume are investigated for tyre pyrolysis oil and blends of 15% and 35% by volume of biomass waste (saw dust) derived pyrolysis oil are also investigated. It has been found from the experiments, the usage of pyrolysis oil as blends with diesel shows similar performance in Cl engine. Thermal efficiencies for test fuel and conventional diesel are not significantly different. There is no appreciable change in the emissions when compared to same that of the IC engine fueled with diesel.

1 illus, 5 ref

000203   Rawat K S;Kotlia B S (Geology Dep, Kumaun University, Nainital-263 003, Email: ksrawat1@rediffmail.com) : Some examples of flame structures from the Garbyang palaeolake, Kumaun Tethys Himalaya. J Geol Soc India 2006, 68(10), 639-47.

Soft sediment deformation structures are observed between elevations of 89-102 m in the laminated sediments of the Garbyang palaeolake located in the Kumaun Tethys Himalaya. Deformation of the laminated sediments has resulted in the development of flame structures. The deformation took place in a syndepositional stage as evidenced by occurrence of the deformed units between undeformed and planar sediments. The flame structures observed are flamed load cast and convolute flame structures. These structures were developed as a result of liquefaction process resulting in density inversion between the fine grained sediment such as mud overlain by coarse grained sediment such as clayey sand, silty sand or sands. In some instances of deformation where coarse grained sediment are overlain by fine grained sediment, differential porosity and permeability contrast between the sediment has resulted in flamed convolute structures in the coarser sediment. In extreme case of flame development. the psuedonodule and clay diapir structures have formed.

8 illus, 20 ref

000202   Rajaram M;Anand S P;Balakrishna T S (NO, Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, New Panvel, Navi Mumbai-410 218, Email: mita@iigs.iigm.res.in) : Composite magnetic anomaly map of India and its contiguous regions. J Geol Soc India 2006, 68(10), 569-76.

Advancement in Instrumentation technology, accurate aircraft positioning using GPS coupled with sophisticated computers and data processing and imaging techniques have improved the resolution of airborne magnetic surveys manifold which can now provide super-high resolution aeromagnetic maps. This has catapulted into several countries repeating their magnetic surveys with the improvement in technology especially in regions of viable resources. Unfortunately, India still does not have a complete aeromagnetic survey of the whole country even at the reconnaissance level. Put together all available ground and marine magnetic data collected by different agencies, to complement the available aeromagnetic data over India and its contiguous regions and produced a composite magnetic anomaly map at an altitude of 5000 feet. Show sthe importance of a magnetic anomaly map in bringing out the structural details related to tectonic activity by looking below the sediments, Deccan traps, etc. From the composite magnetic anomaly map it appears that there is a region that has been subjected to high tectonic activity, running across the Centre of the Indian subcontinent from the western offshore to the Brahmaputra valley in the east, dividing the country into a northern and southern block. It is hoped that the National Agencies will take up the aeromagnetic coverage of India, on a priority basis and survey the entire region where aeromagnetic coverage has not been undertaken, including the Deccan trap covered regions. A magnetic anomaly map produced by uniformly distributed data collected on a single platform will certainly provide more reliable information.

3 illus, 1 table, 27 ref

000201   Rajakumar P;Sanjeevi S;Murali Ragini G T (Geology Dep, Anna Univ, Chennai-600 025) : Integration of multi-temporal normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) landuse-change and slope information to delineate landslide prone areas in the Nilgiris, South India. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2006, 5(4), 561-8.

To quantify the relationship between vegetation and landslide incidence, NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) maps of five seasons were prepared from Landsat MSS, TM, and IRS LISS III satellite images and field observations were conducted at various locations in a part of Nilgiri district, south India which is a landslide prone region. It is observed that in forest areas with good vegetation cover, NDVI is high and landslide occurrence is less. But if annual and biennial vegetation is present and cultivation practices are changed frequently, NDVI is medium and landslide occurrence is moderate. In areas where deforestation and settlement activity is in progress, NDVI is less and landslide occurrence is more. NDVI is a better estimate of vegetation density than RVI (Ratio Vegetation Index) because it compensates for changing illumination conditions, surface slope, aspect and other factors. Change detection technique (image differencing) was introduced but it required multitemporal similar sensor data, same IFOV and radiometric precision imageries. To overcome this problem, co-registra-tion and re-sampling were incorporated and from that, NDVI maps and change detected NDVI maps were created. Using GIS modules, overlay analysis was carried out for the change detected NDVI maps and the study area was categorized as zones with no-change, positive, negative and combinations of the above. Slope and aspect information were derived from topographic map and combined with the above map to demarkate the possible landslide prone areas.

6 illus, 6 tables, 12 ref

000200   Rahman S H;Simon B (Atmospheric Sciences Div, Meteorology and Oceanography Group, Space Applications Centre (ISRO), Ahmedabad-380 015, Email: amar_bangla@yahoo.com) : Summer monsoon intraseasonal oscillation over eastern Arabian sea - as revealed by TRMM microwave imager products. J Earth Syst Sci 2006, 115(5), 575-86.

Time evolution of atmospheric parameters on intraseasonal time scale in the eastern Arabian Sea (EAS) is studied during the summer monsoon seasons of 1998-2003 using Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Microwave Imager (TMI) data. This is done using the spectral and wavelet analysis. Analysis shows that over EAS, total precipitable water vapour (TWV) and sea surface wind speed (SWS) have a periodicity of 8-15 days, 15-30 days and 30-60 days during the monsoon season. Significant power is seen in the 8-15-day time scale in TWV during onset and retreat of the summer monsoon. Analysis indicates that the timings of the intensification of 8-15, 15-30, and 30-60 days oscillations have a profound effect on the evolution of the daily rainfall over west coast of India. The positive and negative phases of these oscillations are directly related to the active and dry spells of rainfall along the west coast of India. The spectral analysis shows interannual variation of TWV and SWS. Heavy rainfall events generally occur over the west coast of India when positive phases of both 30-60 days and 15-30 days modes of TWV and SWS are simultaneously present.

10 illus, 19 ref

000199   Pattan J N;Parthiban G (NO, National Institute of Oceanogrpahy, Dona Paula, Goa-403 004, Email: pattan@nio.org ) : Composition and origin of buried ferromanganese nodules from Central Indian Ocean Basin. J Geol Soc India 2006, 68(10), 605-9.

Five buried ferromanganese nodules were recovered at different depths of 167-169 cm (A), 172-174 cm (8), 228-230 cm (C), 328-330 cm (D) and 418-420 cm (E) in a 5 m sediment core from the siliceous sediment of Central Indian Basin (Lat: 9°00' S; Long: 76°00' E) at a water depth of 5260 m. These nodules were analysed for major, trace and rare earth element (REE) concentrations to understand their genesis and compare with the surface and buried nodules in the top I m of the sediment column from the same basin. Nodules A, B, C are of an early diagenetic (Mn/Fe ratio between 9.3 and 15.1), nodule D is of hydrogenetic (Mn/Fe ratio 1.6) and nodule E is of diagenetic (Mn/Fe ratio 3.0) origin. Total REE concentration ranges between 164 and 497 ppm (av-348 ppm) and is nearly 2 to 3 fold lower than the surface and buried nodules. REE are conveyed from the seawater to the nodules in association with a combined phase consisting of Fe - Ti - P. The shale (NASC) - normalized REE pattern displays a small convex patern with a positive Ce-anomaly indicating an oxidized environment while, the presence of positive Eu-anomaly in nodules A, B and C probably suggest an aeolian dust. These buried nodules show a moderate middle and heavy REE enrichment (strong in nodules B and C) compared to light REE, but fractionation between middle and heavy REE is not very clear. It appears that not much significant post-depositional changes have occurred in these buried nodules.

2 illus, 2 tables, 21 ref

000198   Pandey P;Pandey A K (Geolgoy Dep, Banaras Hindu Univeristy, Varanasi-221 005, Email: pandey_prabha@rediffmail.com) : Active deformation along the Hinna fault in Uttarkashi region of Garhwal Himalaya. J Geol Soc India 2006, 68(10), 657-65.

Hinna fault, in the meizoseismal region of 1991 Uttarkashi earthquake has been observed as a N-S trending lineament in the satellite imagery and aerial photographs. The stratigraphic and structural expression of the fault has been studied in soft sediments to assess the activity of fault. The Hinna fault occurs as a principal low-angle reverse fault dipping towards east and has not ruptured the surface in the trench section. The correlative stratigraphic horizons occur on both side of the main fault with the beds occurring as monoclinal drape over the principal fault. The hanging wall shows warping with development of extensional faults. Extensional faults are produced by the bending moment of strata. The faults also displace the liquefaction features in the soft sediments suggesting their formation prior to faulting event. The tips of the principal reverse fault and the related secondary faults are covered by <126>3 m thick gravel unit. This suggests that the fault was active prior to the deposition of gravel unit and was not ruptured during 1991-Uttarkashi earthquake.

5 illus, 1 table, 24 ref

000197   Nageswara Rao S;Gupta O P (NO, National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: sureneni@yahoo.com) : Electromagnetic moving source system for detection of subsurface mineralized zones. Curr Sci 2007, 92(1), 110-13.

Frequency-domain electromagnetic prospecting moving source device is designed to detect shallow subsurface conductors. Towards this, a microprocessor-based electromagnetic modelling instrument is developed with high degree of accuracy in measurement. The equipment is tested in the laboratory to check its design and performance. In this device, the transmitter and receiver coils are parallel but non-coplanar. The receiver coil is positioned strategically in such a manner that it is not affected by the primary field and senses only the secondary field generated by the conductor. In dipole-dipole set-up, it measures the amplitude of the anomalous field. The operating frequency can be varied from 1 to 30 kHz and separation between the transmitter and receiver coils can be moved from 0.12 to 0.29 m. Measurements can be made to within ñ 1 % of the free-space field, though absolute accuracy is less. It is found that depth of exploration this moving source system is about 40% more compared to that of a similar conventional moving dipole EM system.

6 illus, 3 tables, 4 ref

000196   Murty P S N;Rama Murty M;Mohapatra G P (NO, Geological Survey of India, Marine Wing, , Email: psnmurty156@rediff.com) : Origin and significance of subsurface lime mud in the outer shelf off Visakhapatnam, Central East Coast of India. J Geol Soc India 2006, 68(10), 623-9.

Lime mud occurs within 100-225 m isobath in the outer shelf along the East Coast of India, Bay of Bengal off Kakinada-Bheemunipatnam coast. A thin capping of non-carbonate clay/mud varying from 10-200 cm overlies the lime mud. The capping is thicker in the peripheral zone. Lime mud is greyish white to creamy white resembling plaster of Paris and comprises minor ooids, pelloids, mud aggregates, foraminiferal tests and few terrigenous detritals. The maximum thickness of lime mud probed is 2.89 m. Texturally, lime mud is sandy silt within top one meter subsurface level followed by silt up to 2.83 m subªsurface depth. Chemical data show a maximum concentration of CaO -52.08% (CaCO₃ - 92.95%), Sr. 0.66% and Li - 500 ppm. The XRD data show that the major constituent mineral is aragonite (85-90%) followed by Mg - calcite/calcite together with or without halite. The aragonite crystals are typically stubby and bladed with irregular outline and pointed terminations under SEM. Textural, mineralogical and chemical parameters and coarse fraction studies suggest that lime mud might have been formed in shallow water environment as chemical precipitate during late Pleistocene/early Holocene and subsequently transported to deeper parts of the shelf.

3 illus, 29 ref

000195   Morwal S B;Nagar S G;Murty V S N;Seetaramayya P (NO, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune-411 008, Email: morwal@tropmet.res.in) : Marine boundry layer characteristics during a cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal. J Earth Syst Sci 2006, 115(5), 587-99.

During the period 12-16 June 1996 a tropical cyclonic storm formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal and moved in a north-northeasterly direction. The thermodynamic characteristics of this system are investigated by utilizing the surface and upper air observations collected onboard ORV Sagar Kanya over the Bay of Bengal region. The response of the cyclonic storm is clearly evident from the ship observations when the ship was within the distance of 600-800 km from the cyclonic storm. This study explores why the whole atmosphere from surface to 500 hPa had become warm and moist during the cyclonic storm period as compared to before and after the formation of this system and the lower layer of the atmosphere had become stable during the formative stage of the cyclonic storm.

11 illus, 16 ref

000194   Mohanty J K;Misra S K;Mohapatra B K (NO, Regional Research Laboratory, Bhubaneswar-751 013, Email: jk_mohanty@yahoo.com) : Distribution of trace elements in coal - lithotypes from Talcher coalfield, Orissa. J Geol Soc India 2006, 68(10), 675-84.

Trace element distribution in bulk coal and lithotypes viz., durain, fusain, c1arain and vitrain in two coal seams of two geological formations of Karharbari and Barakar from Talcher coalfield, Orissa is reported and compared with world coal trace element data. Karharbari coal (seam I) contains higher concentrations of As, Ba, Ce, Cr, Th, U and W than Barakar coal (seam II). On the contrary, coal from seam II has high concentrations of Be, Eu, Hf, Mo, Sb, Sc, Sm, and Zn. In both the formations, durain and clarain contain maximum trace elements including REE in appreciable concentration where as vitrain shows least trace constituents. Positive correlation of ash with Ba, Cs, La, Hf, Th, Rb and Sc indicates inorganic affinity of these trace elements. However Sb, As, Cr and Co show negative relation with ash explaining their organic affinity.

2 illus, 7 tables, 43 ref

000193   Masroor Alam M;Mondal M E A;Ahmad A H M (Civil Engineering Dep, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202 002, Email: emondal@lycos.com) : Tectonic significance of Syn sedimentary volcanism: evidence from sandstone detritus, Bayana Basin, Delhi supergroup. J Geol Soc India 2006, 68(10), 648-56.

Study mainly deals with the sandstone lithofacies and petrofacies of Jahaj-Govindpura Formation of the 7 Raialo Group, rich in volcaniclastics, exposed near Hathori village. These cross and planar bedded sandstones are medium grained, poorly sorted, and are cemented mainly by iron oxide, carbonate and by matrix rich in phyllosilicates and vitrofelsitic material. The sandstone petrofacies are rich in detrital modes suggestive of metamorphic source terrain as well as juvenile volcanic lithic fragments with textural and mineralogical characteristics typical of neo-volcanic source which was very near to the basin. The underlying clastics of Raialo Group and the overlying formations represented by the Alwar and Ajabgarh Groups of the Jahaj-Govindpura volcanics respectively, do not have a notable amount of volcanic lithics. This suggests that the volcanism was intrabasinal, took place for a shorter time period and was not very explosive. While the sedimentation continued in this basin. detritus from the highs exposing the BGC and Aravalli Supergroup of rocks in SE and SW were mixed with intrabasinal volcaniclastics. These volcanic highs then may have been carapaced by younger sediments which were deposited in linear rift zones and were eroded from an "Accreted Basement Provenance" comprising Banded Gneissic Complex and Aravalli Supergroup in a short time span.

7 illus, 3 tables, 35 ref

000192   Mandal P;Chadha R K;Raju I P;Kumar N; Satyamurty C;Narsaiah R (NO, National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: prantikmandal@yahoo.com) : Are the 7 March 2006 Mw 5.6 event and the 3 February 2006 Mv 4.58 event triggered by the five continued occurrence of aftershocks of the 2001 Mw 7.7 Bhuj event?. Curr Sci 2007, 92(8), 1114-24.

Presents the locations, b-values and aftershock decay parameters for the aftershock sequences of the 2001 Mw 7.7 Bhuj and the 1006 Mw 5.6 GEDI events. A study of temporal distributions (2001-06) of earthquakes along the North Wagad Fault (NWF), Island Belt Fault (IBF) and GEDI Fault (GF) enabled us to infer that the 3 February 2006 event along IBF at 28.7 km depth and the 7 March 2006 event along GF at 2.2 km depth were triggered by the five years continued aftershock activity subsequent to the 2001 event. Analysis of focal mechanisms suggests dominance of reverse movements on the south-dipping NWF and IBF, but strike-slip motion is observed along GF. The 7 March event gives a large stress drop of 26.7 MPa, whereas those on 17 and 19 February 2006 suggest smaller stress drop values of the order of 1.5 MPa. However, the 3 February event is associated with an anomalously large stress drop of 70.6 MPa. The b-value for the M ≥ 3 Bhuj aftershock sequence (2001-05) is 0.77, but for the 2006 sequence it is 0.81. It is inferred based on these low b-values that both the aftershock sequences could be categoªrized as the MOGI' s type-II sequences, indicating a reªgion of intermediate-level stresses and heterogeneous rocks. The p-value or aftershock decay exponent is esªtimated to be 0.99 and 0.88 for the 2001-05 and the 2006 sequence respectively. This is less than the global median of 1.1, suggesting slower decay for these two studied aftershock sequences.

11 illus, 4 tables, 42 ref

000191   Mahesha A;Lakshmikant K (Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics Dep, National Institute of Technology, Karnataka Surathkal, Srinivasnagar) : Effect of permeability of subsurface barrier on salt water intrusion in coastal aquifers. Wat Energy int 2006, 63(2), 24-32.

Semi-pervious, subsurface barriers are considered to be one of the viable solution for the control of saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers. Investigations are carried out in this work to assess the performance of the barrier with different permeabilities using a finite element model. The advancement of saltwater - freshwater interface and the water table profiles are monitored for fresh water withdrawals at inland locations under the scenarios of wide ranging hydraulic conductivities of the barrier. The results indicated that barrier is able to check the advancement of the intrusion significantly with the hydraulic conductivity being less than certain limit. The performance of the barrier is also compared with no barrier conditions. Marked variations in the interface and water table profiles are observed as compared to no barrier condition. The performance of the barrier was not found to be satisfactory beyond certain limit of permeability.

11 illus, 4 tables, 13 ref

000190   Mahadevaiah T;Sanjeevi S (Geology Dep, Anna Univ, Chennai-600 025) : Water quality index map of chithravathi watershed, Kolar District, Karnataka. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2006, 5(4), 639-44.

To determine the suitability of groundwater for drinking purposes, Water Quality Index (WQI) was computed. The results were plotted on spatial maps and isoconccntration maps were prepared. The results indicate that certain parameters like nitrates, TDS, hardness, alkalinity and fluorides exceeded the permissible limits prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Out of the 66 samples collected only 3 were found to be excellent, 18 samples good, 35 of poor quality, 9 very poor and 1 unfit for drinking. By reducing overdraft of groundwater and by altering the landuse practices, which degrades the environmental quality, the water quality in the study area could be improved. Artificial recharging is recommended to dilute the higher concentration of the constituents.

2 illus, 2 tables, 5 ref

000189   Madhavaraju J;Hussain S M;Guruvappan M; Ramasamy S;Mohan S P (Estacion Regional del Noroeste, Instituto de Geologia, Universidad Nac, , Hermosillo, Sonora-83000, Mexico, Email: mj@geologia.unam.mx) : Sequence stratigraphy of lower Niniyur formation of Cauvery Basin, Tamil Nadu. J Geol Soc India 2006, 68(10), 685-94.

Lower Niniyur Formation of Cauvery Basin is well exposed in the Periakurichchi area. The lower Niniyur Formation exhibits three carbonate petrographic types viz., wackestone, packstone and boundstone whereas clastic rocks are represented by arenite and wacke types. The clastic rocks of Niniyur Formation exhibit microgranular calcite cement and fossils namely algae, bryozoa and molluscs which suggest that these sediments were deposited under shallow marine environment. The carbonate rocks of Niniyur Formation contain the rich fossil assemblages comprising algae, foraminifera, ostracodes and mollusks. An attempt has been made to study the carapace-valve ratio of ostracod fauna which suggests the slow rate of sedimentation in the basin. The occurrence of Sporolithon-rich flora together with foraminifera has been found to be characteristic-of depth range 20-40 m. The outcrop sequence stratigraphic study of the lower Niniyur Formation shows two sequence boundaries, Transgressive Systems Tract (eight shallowing upward parasequences), Maximum Flooding Surface and Highstand Systems Tract. The lower Niniyur Formation of Ariyalur area is represented by mixed clastic and carbonate rocks showing shallowing upward metre scale parasequences, which represent the subtidal cycles.

5 illus, 1 table, 50 ref

000188   Kundal P;Humane K (Postgraduate Geology Dep, RTM Nagpur University, Law College Square, Nagpur-444 001, Email: ppk_kundal@rediffmail.com) : Jania, a geniculate coralline alga from middle eocene to lower miocene of Kachchh, Gujarat. J Geol Soc India 2006, 68(10), 630-8.

Documents for the first time six species of Jania Lamouroux, a geniculate coralline alga of Subfamily Corallinoidea of Family Corallinaceae, Division Rhodophyta from Fulra Limestone Formation (Middle Eocene) exposed at Babia Hill and Jadwa; Maniyara Fort Formation (Oligocene) at Maniyara Dam, Bermoti Hill, Bermoti Nadi Section and Khari Nadi Formation (Lower Miocene) at Mokhra in Kachchh district of Gujarat. Six species of Jania including two new species Jania badvei and J. sripadaraoi are reported in this study. The species of Jania suggest clear water shelf depositional environment under low energy for limestone of Fulra Limestone Formation and Khari Nadi Formation, while high energy shelf depositional environment for limestone of Maniyara Fort Formation.

2 illus, 1 table, 22 ref

000187   Kulkarni A V;Bahuguna I M;Rathore B P;Singh S K;Randhawa S S;Sood R K;Dhar S (NO, , Marine and Water Resources Group, Space Applications Centre, Indian Space Research Organization, Ahmedabad-380 015, Email: anilkul@sac.isro.gov.in) : Glacial retreat in Himalaya using Indian remote sensing satellite data. Curr Sci 2007, 92(1), 69-74.

Himalayas possess one of the largest resources of snow and ice, which act as a huge freshwater reservoir. Monitoring the glaciers is important to assess the overall reservoir health. In this investigation, glacial retreat was estimated for 466 glaciers in Chenab, Par-bati and Baspa basins from 1962. Expeditions to Chhota Shigri, Patsio and Samudra Tapu glaciers in Chenab basin, Parbati glacier in Parbati basin and Shaune Garang glacier in Baspa basin were organized to identify and map the glacial terminus. The investigation has shown an overall reduction in glacier area from 2077 Sq. km in 1962 to 1628 sq. km at present, an overall deglaciation of 21%. However, the number of glaciers has increased due to fragmentation. Mean area of glacial extent has reduced from 1.4 to 0.32 sq. km between the 1962 and 2001. In addition, the number of glaciers with higher areal extent has reduced and lower areal extent has increased during the period. Small glaciarates and ice fields have shown extensive deglaciation. For example, 127 glaciarates and ice fields less than 1 sq. km have shown retreat of 38% from 1962, possibly due to small response time. This indicates that a combination of glacial fragmentation, higher retreat of small glaciers and climate change are influencing the sustainability of Himalayan glaciers.

10 illus, 3 tables, 26 ref

000186   Krishnakanta Singh A;Vallinayagam G (NO, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Northeast Unit, Itanagar-791 113, Email: kk_luwang@rediffmail.com) : High heat production granites from the Piplun and Kundal areas, Malani Igneous Suite, Western Rajasthan. J Geol Soc India 2006, 68(10), 585-8.

Piplun and Kundal granites of the Malani Igneous Suite (MIS) are peralkaline to mildly peraluminous A-type and `high heat production' (HHP) type. They are enriched in Nb, Y, Ta, Zr, Zn. Pb, Hf, Ta, U. Th, REE and heat productive units. The Kundal granites have higher HHP values (9.19-13.72 μWm<sup>-3</sup>) than the Piplun granites (4.92-8.76 μWm<sup>-3</sup>). The average HHP value of the Kundal granites (11.98 μ Wm<sup>-3</sup>) is much similar to that of the Jhunjhunu granites of MIS (12.06 μWm<sup>-3</sup>) and A-type Nigerian younger granites (11.16 μWm<sup>-3</sup>). The average total heat generation value (17.10 HGU) of these granites is significantly higher than that of the continental crust (3.8 HGU) and of `cold crust' (<60>7 HGU), which demonstrates that MIS belongs to the `hot crust'.

2 illus, 1 table, 19 ref

000185   Kavei M;Gore S D;Pawar N J (Physics Dep, Hormozgan University, Bandarabbas, Iran) : Seismotectonic and calculation the return period in Hormozgan province, Southern Iran. Ecol Envir Conserv 2007, 13(1), 35-8.

Over 912 earthquakes that occurred in Hormozgan between 1930 and 2005 have been recorded. These events belong to many active faults and seismically active tectonic zones in this province. The Zagros thrust fault, the Minab fault, Sho fault, Moran fault, Khamir fault, Bostaneh fault, Srakhon fault and Khosh fault are seismically active. This complex situation has resulted in a series of earthquakes which have had severe and damaging impact on the life and property. These earthquakes of magnitude 5 and above have disrupted the socio-economic conditions, thousands have been rendered homeless and hundreds have been killed. The study shows horizontal and vertical accelerations, return period, risk assessment, critical management and measuring.

1 illus, 3 tables, 14 ref

000184   Kakade S B;Dugam S S (NO, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune-411 008, Email: kakade@tropmet.res.in) : Spatial monsoon variability with respect to NAO and SO. J Earth Syst Sci 2006, 115(5), 601-6.

Simultaneous effect of North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and Southern Oscillation (SO) on monsoon rainfall over different homogeneous regions/subdivisions of India is studied. The simultaneous effect of both NAO and SO on Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR) is more important than their individual impact because both the oscillations exist simultaneously throughout the year. To represent the simultaneous impact of NAO and SO, an index called effective strength index (ESI) has been defined on the basis of monthly NAO and SO indices. The variation in the tendency of ESI from January through April has been analyzed and reveals that when this tendency is decreasing, then the ESI value throughout the monsoon season (June-September) of the year remains negative and vice versa. The study further suggests that during the negative phase of ESI tendency, almost all subdivisions of India show above-normal rainfall and vice versa. The correlation analysis indicates that the ESI-tendency is showing an inverse and statistically significant relationship with rainfall over 14 subdivisions of India. Area wise, about 50% of the total area of India shows statistically significant association. Moreover, the ESI-tendency shows a significant relationship with rainfall over north west India, west central India, central north east India, peninsular India and India as a whole. Thus, ESI-tendency can be used as a precursor for the prediction of Indian summer monsoon rainfall on a smaller spatial scale.

6 illus, 15 ref

000183   Jha N;Tewari R;Saleem M (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: neerjajha@yahoo.co.uk) : Occurrence of megaspores in the lower Gondwana sediments of the Gundala area, Godavari Graben, A.P., India. J Palaeont Soc India 2006, 51(2), 37-41.

Permian megaspores are reported from the Barakar Formation of the Gundala area, Godavari Graben, Andhra Pradesh, India. The assemblage comprises the taxa Bokarosporites rotundus, Banksisporites utkalesis, Talchirella trivedii and a new genus Gundalaspora spinosus. Quantitatively, the megaspores are not as abundant as in other areas of Godavari Graben. Structurally also, their exosporia are not complex, being laevigate, verrucate and simple spinate as compared to the highly modified exosporia of megaspores of other areas of the same graben. Nevertheless, their occurrence is significant since it indicates presence of cryptogams probably of lycopsid or sphinopsid affinity in the area. Moreover, occurrence of a new genus viz., Gundalaspora spinosus adds to the knowledge and diversity of megaspore assemblage in the Godavari Graben.

1 illus, 2 tables, 19 ref

000182   Jana P K;Nandi S C (Chemistry Dep, Institute of Education (P.G) for Women, Chandernagore, Hooghly-712 138) : Ozone decline and its effect on night airglow intensity of Na 5893 Angstrom at Dumdum (22.5°N, 88.5°E) and Halley Bay (76°S, 27°W). J Earth Syst Sci 2006, 115(5), 607-13.

Presents the effect of O₃ depletion on night airglow emission of Na 5893 Angstrom line at Dumdum (22.5°N), 88.5°E), India and Halley Bay (76°S, 27°W), a British Antarctic service station. Calculations based on chemical kinetics show that the airglow intensity of Na 5893 Angstrom line will also be affected due to the depletion of O₃ concentration. The nature of yearly variation and seasonal variation of the intensity of Na 5893 Angstrom line for the above two stations are shown and compared. It is shown that the rate of decrease of intensity of Na 5893 Angstrom line is comparatively more at Halley Bay due to the dramatic decrease of Antarctic O₃ concentration. A possible explanation for this dramatic decrease of Antarctic O₃ concentration is also mentioned.

4 illus, 4 tables, 10 ref

000181   Gopinath G;Seralathan P (Marine Geology and Geophysics Dep, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin-682 016, Email: girish114@yahoo.co.uk) : Chemistry of groundwater in the laterite formations of the Muvattupuzha river basin, Kerala. J Geol Soc India 2006, 68(10), 705-14.

Geochemical characteristics of groundwater in phreatic aquifer zone of laterites in the Muvattupuzha river basin, Kerala were evaluated during pre- and post-monsoon seasons to assess its suitability for domestic and irrigation purposes. Fifty-five water samples from dug wells in lateritic terrain were collected and analysed for pH, EC, TDS, total iron, major cations and major anions. The results indicate that the groundwater except in zones having high content of total iron and low pH condition is fit for domestic usage. The hydrochemical facies diagram has revealed that the groundwaters of the basin have not much residential time within the country rock and hence not dynamic. The sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC) and sodium percentage indicate that the groundwater in general is good for irrigation purposes.

7 illus, 1 table, 16 ref

000180   Gopalasamy V;Velayutham T;Vimal Raj V;Sriram G (Civil Engineering Dep, Annamalai Univ, Annamalai Nagar-608 002) : Quality characteristics of groundwater in a coastal aquifer. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2006, 5(4), 515-23.

Groundwater is largely tapped for irrigating crops Besides its use for irrigation, groundwater is also used as a source of water supply for municipal purposes. This paper presents an application of multilinear regression (MLR) as well as artificial neural network (ANN) models together for modeling groundwater quality parameters of a coastal aquifer. This study identifies that both MLR and ANN models predict the groundwater quality involving seasonal variations also.

2 illus, 8 tables, 8 ref

000179   Gaur A S;Vora K H;Sundaresh (NO, National Institute of Oceanography, Goa-403 004, Email: asgaur@nio.org) : Shoreline changes during the last 2000 years on the Saurashtra coast of India: study based on archaeological evidences. Curr Sci 2007, 92(1), 103-10.

Shoreline shift coupled with sea-level change have always remained intriguing aspects due to wider ramifications for the populations living on the coast. Different methods are employed to understand and explain their causes and quantum. In this communication an attempt is made to study shoreline and sea-level changes during the last 2000 years on the basis of archaeological evidence. Archaeological excavations undertaken at Bet Dwarka (western most part of India) revealed an interesting cultural sequence commencing from protohistoric period (3800 yrs BP) to historical period (1600 yrs BP). Excavation was undertaken in six trenches up to the lowest level of archaeological findings. The results from these trenches suggest that the oldest habitation was situated below the present high water line. This is an indication of a lower sea level during that period of settlement. ¹⁴C ages and archaeological data suggest a time bracket for these habitations between 2050 and 1650 yrs BP (calibrated). Analysis of sea level versus ancient settlement suggests that around the Christian era sea level was lower by 2 m than the present. The remains from the excavation also suggest that one of the attractions for early settlers was the availability of marine resources around the island. Data from early historical period and other archaeological sites situated along the Indian coast confirm this finding.

7 illus, 3 tables, 28 ref

000178   Gaitan Vaz G;Subba Rao V;Ravikumar V (NO, Geological Survey of India, East Coast-II, Marine Wing, NH-5, Marripalem, Visakhapatnam-530 018, Email: ggaitanvaz@rediffmail.com) : Thermal springs in Indian coastal areas of the Palk Bay: their implications in relation to lineaments, coastal morphology and seismicity. J Geol Soc India 2006, 68(10), 593-6.

Five thermal springs under artesian conditions are recorded around Manamelkudi in western areas of Palk Bay. These thermal springs are in association with E-W trending faults. The field data and coastal geomorphic signatures of the area suggest that the E- W trending faults are deep seated, extending to offshore area off Manamelkudi and neotectonically active. Location of seismographs in the region is recommended in view of the above.

1 illus, 1 table, 14 ref

000177   Dewandel B;Gandolfi J M;Zaidi F K;Ahmed S; Subrahmanyam K (NO, National Geophysical Research Institute, Indo-French Centre for Ground, Uppal Road, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: dewandel@ngri.res.in) : Decision support tool with variable agroclimatic scenarios for sustainable groundwater management in semi-arid hard-rock areas. Curr Sci 2007, 92(8), 1093-1102.

In most parts of India, and particularly in South India, groundwater levels are hazardously declining, which entails drought and inherent water-quality problems. The need of the hour is to adapt the exploitation of groundwater to its availability. To find sustainable solutions, it is indispensable that the policy makers be equipped with suitable predictive tools to better guide their future actions. The Indo-French Centre for Groundwater Research (NGRI, Hyderabad) has developed a decision support tool (DST) designed for groundwater scenarios under variable agro-climatic conditions, which focuses on the impact of changing cropping pattern and artificial recharge on groundªwater levels. DST is based on the well-known water table fluctuation method, a well-adapted method in the hard-rock and semi-arid context. The method has been implemented in a small pilot watershed (53 sq. km, Maheshwaram, Ranga Reddy District, Andhra Pradesh, India), a representative South Indian catchment in terms of geology, over-exploitation of aquifers, climate (semi-arid), cropping pattern, rural socio-economic context, etc. The results show that if no solution is found quickly, groundwater decline will entail the loss of about 50% of the pumping borewells by around 2010, with all the accompanying serious socio-economic consequences. However, even if the groundwater situation follows a slippery slope, DST foresees some sustainable solutions. DST is placed between the policy makers, experts (for calibration and model validation) and the end-users, i.e. farmers. DST has been developed under an Excel software interface, which makes it a user-friendly single tool for all those involved in groundwater manªagement.

8 illus, 4 tables, 43 ref

000176   Chitale S V (NO, , 425/14, T.M.V. Colony, Gultekdi, Pune, Maharashtra) : Morphological changes in alluvial rivers. Wat Energy int 2006, 63(2), 14-23.

Independent parameters governing the morphology of alluvial rivers and the dependent variables are identified and defined. The relationships are given which enable determination of the dependent variables uniquely when the independent parameters are known Morphological adjustments are examined when the sediment concentration C increases with the bankful discharge Q remaining constant. The river is found to accommodate the increased sediment load by retaining the same sediment transport rate per unit width but reducing the discharge per unit width, in this process depth d reduces but the channel slope S_c proportionately increases. The stream power γ_qs per unit width thus remains unchanged. The width w increases due to side erosion and the meander sinuosity M_s achieves a lower value. The required increase in S_c accordingly becomes available by reduction in M_s. Bank-erosion is a long-time process spread over a number of years and hence called a long-term adjustment. On the other hand, seasonal adjustment occurring during the annual flood period is short-time adjustment when changes can occur in bed-form and hence in Manning roughness coefficient n but time is insufficient to effect change in w and Ms. The response of the morphological parameters in seasonal adjustment is therefore different from that in the long-term adjustment. The implication of this differential behaviour in a river is illustrated considering a few specific field applications.

3 illus, 2 tables, 23 ref

000175   Catherine J K;Gahalaut V K (NO, National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: vkgahalaut@yahoo.com) : Glimpse of earthquake cycle in the Sumatra region. Curr Sci 2007, 92(1), 114-18.

Temporal variation of crustal deformation derived from Global Positioning System (GPS) measurement at SAMP, a permanent GPS site in Sumatra, Indonesia has been analysed. The site is located at about 300 km from the epicentres of the giant 26 December 2004 Sumatra-Andaman (Mw 9.0-9.3) and the great 28 March 2005 Sumatra (Mw 8.6) earthquakes. It experienced an interseismic displacement at a rate of about 2 cm/yr towards east in the preceding four months of the 2004 earthquake. The 2004 and 2005 earthquakes caused coseismic displacements of about 15 cm towards west and, about 18 cm towards southwest respectively. In the period between the two earthquakes and after the 2005 earthquake, slow transients arising due to post-seismic deformation are clearly recorded at this site. The postscismic deformation is in the opposite sense to that of the interseismic deformation, indicating either relaxation of the lower crust and upper mantle or afterslip on the subduction interface that lies further downdip of the ruptured part of the subducting interface. The site also recorded probably a slow earthquake that occurred on 9 June 2005, which caused a westward movement of about 2 cm at SAMP. However, more data from other sites are required to further confirm and analyse this event. Together, these displacements provide a glimpse of crustal movement during the earthquake cycle in the region.

5 illus, 32 ref

000174   Buyukutku A G (Ankara University Geology Dep, , 06100, Besevler, Ankara, Turkey, Email: orbuyukutku@yahoo.com) : Diagenesis of Kuzgun sandstones (Middle-Upper Miocene), Adana basin, Turkey: implications for reservoir heterogeneity. J Geol Soc India 2006, 68(10), 615-22.

Shallow marine litho-facies of Kuzgun Fonnation represented by porous reservoir facies is predominantly represented by the sandstones of Middle-Upper Miocene age. The sandstones consist of arkoses, arkosic wacke and quartz arenite forming the reservoir facies and their microporosity is associated mostly with clay minerals. The sandstone is in general cross-bedded having the characteristics of primary and secondary porosity. The impervious (non-reservoir) facies of the formation is represented by alternating layers of mudstone/sandstone exhibiting bioturbation characteristics. Calcite and feldspar are the most important mineral cements. Authigenic quartz, dolomite, kaolinite, illite, and mixed layer smectite-illite are present in minor to trace amounts. There is dominant primary porosity in the sandstones. Minor secondary porosity is attributable to dissolution of pore-filling calcite and framework feldspars.

8 illus, 32 ref

000173   Billore M S (Water Resources Dep, , Government of Maharashtra) : Indus basin treaty of year 1960 - not sustainable. Wat Energy int 2006, 63(2), 43-6.

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001248   Panhalkar S S;Sapkale J B;Pawar C T (Geography Dep, Shivaji Univ, Kolhapur) : Potential of roof rain water harvesting in R.K. Nagar sub-urban area of Kolhapur city, Maharashtra. Int J Envir Dev 2009, 6(1), 1-5.

The problem of water is certainly acute & harsh. The availability of potable water in adequate quantity for the consumption has been one of the hot talks in the recent past. Moreover the requirements are increasing due to changing lifestyle of the people. The requirement of municipal water appears to be increasing fastly with increase in the density of population. A time has come to make available the water at local levels to reduce the cost of its transfer from great distance. Roof rain water harvesting is essentially one of such micro level attempt needs to be practiced. In view of this, present study aims to explore the potential of the rain water harvesting in R.K.Nagar a sub-urban area of Kolhapur city. For the collection of roof area intensive field trips were carried out. For the estimation of roof area for rain water harvesting Ikonos image has been employed. Whereas, Athwale 's method has been adopted for calculating the potential of rain water harvesting. The analysis reveals that there is large water harvesting potential available in study area of which, only 11% is sufficient to mitigate the present need of the water of the study region.

1 illus, 3 tables, 4 ref

001247   Devappa V M;Khageshan P;Mise S R (R.E.C. Dep, , Dist. Bidar, Bhalki-585 328, Email: vmdevapa@gmail.com) : Impact of rainfall on ground water movement in drought prone areas a case study. Int J Envir Dev 2009, 6(1), 15-26.

Gulbarga district falls in Krishna river basin situated between latitude 16°72 and 17° 46 North and longitude 76° 04 and 72° 42 East, sub-tropical, semi-arid type it is one among the drought prone districts of Karnataka State. The ground water conditions have substantial impact on the magnitude of drought in the drought-prone areas. Any violent fluctuation of rainfall as observed during recurring drought periods certainly lower the ground water levels. In this paper an attempt has been made to analyze the impact of rainfall on ground water in Gulbarga district considering all ten talukas for the study. The RS and GIS tools have been used for the analysis. There was a lot of spatial variation in occurrence of rainfall in the district. The five yearly moving average annual rainfalls decreases @ 3.44 mm per year. It is noted from the study that the drought occurs in the district and dry spell continues, many open wells, which were to be recharged during the rainy season, are getting dry and the chances of the district going through worst phase of shortage of drinking water are very high. The post monsoon not bringing rain there will be further reduction in the water level of existing bore wells. Hence, to overcome this situation, a well defined ground water utilization policy is required to prevent over exploitation in the district.

14 illus, 7 ref

000220   Sultana S (NO, Netaji Institute for Asian Studies, 1, Woodburn Park, Kolkata-700 020, Email: ssrajon22@yahoo.co.in) : Land capability evaluation for land use planning in a part of Shiva Khola Watershed, Kurseong, Darjiling district, West Bengal. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2008, 31(2), 75-80.

Deals with the application of lRS- ID L1SS III satellite imagery along with IRS ID PAN data and Survey of India Toposheets (1:50,000) for land capability evaluation in a part of Shiva Khola watershed of Kurseong Subdivision of Darjiling District, West Bengal. Rugged, dissected high steep hills, lower steep hills and piedmont plain are the major physiographic units of the studied area having eight soil series belong to two major soil orders e.g Entisols and Inceptisols. Three dominant land capability class (IV, VI. VII) could be established. Land capability classes VI And VII, which are non-arable in nature occupies about 65% and found not suited for agriculture but suitable for forest, orchards, pasture. Class IV land cover an area of about 35% are moderately to marginally suitable for growing plantation crops. Major limiting factors like erosion hazards, topography as well as soil factors are envisaged; the land use related to physiographic soil unit is also suggested for sustainable development keeping in view of the land capability class evaluated.

4 illus, 2 tables, 10 ref

000219   Sathian K K;Symala P (Land & Water Resources Dep, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering & Technology, Tavanur-679 573) : Calibration and validation of a distributed watershed hydrolic model. Indian J Soil Conserv 2009, 37(2), 100-105.

Assessing the hydrologic behaviour of a watershed is an important pre-requisite for land and water management. For the abstraction of hydrologic behavior of a watershed, physically based distributed simulation models often needed. Literature on the use of such models is scanty in India and particularly in the state of Kerala. Hence, an attempt has been made to apply the SWAT model, a leading physically based distributed model, to one of the important river basins of Kerala. The model has been calibrated and validated for seven years period from 1996 to 2002 using the daily rainfall and river flow data. The results indicate that the predictive power of the model for both flow and sediment is very high as shown by the time series and Nash Sutcliff efficiency and coefficient of determination.

9 illus, 1 table, 18 ref

000218   Sarmah R (NO, Pandu College, Guwahati-781 012) : Soil texture characteristics of the Mora Dhansiri river Meander belt area, Assam. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2008, 31(2), 225-40.

The study area is found to be a depositional area of recent origin. Five selected fluvial landforms viz. natural levee, point bar, palaeochannel, wetland, and recent floodplain of the study are identified considering morphological characteristics, distribution of vegetation, type of crop grown, and pattern of settlement developed over it and taken for soil texture study. Soil texture of natural levee and wetland are found to be "very fine soil" while the soils of point bar, palaeochannel and recent floodplain landforms are found to be "fine soil". It is revealed in this study that most of the characteristics other than morphological and soil characteristics of the fluvial landforms under study are similar. Thus, a month-wise crop production and distribution modal in tabular form is suggested here for sustainable development.

4 illus, 10 ref

000217   Sahu A;Paul A K;Chatterjee S (Geography and Environment Management Dep, Vidyasagar Univ, Midnapore, West Bengal) : Marginalization of the traditional coastal dwellers as a consequence of land conversion in the littoral tract a study in Ramnagar and contai blocks of Purba Medinipur district. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2008, 31(2), 123-32.

Traditionally the coastal dwellers of the Purba Medinipur district of South Bengal were practicing cultivation on fertile coastal plain alluvium for rice paddy production and manufacturing salts from the wetland areas, flashed by tides twice daily, following crude methods. Gradually people have shifted to the other occupations, suitable in the coastal belts, for their economic benefit. The poor people of the region have become marginalized as their plots, leased out to the big enterprises for captive fisheries, were badly affected due to the spread of viral infection among the fishes and also due to contamination of soil and water of those plots. The present study was conducted in two coastal community development blocks of Purba Medinipur district to enquire the occupational changes and marginalisation of poor coastal people of the region. The paper attempts to appraise the consequences of land cover changes for temporary economic benefits in the form of declining land productivity and marginalization of the subsistence farmers in the fragile environment of littoral tracts of Purba Medinipur district.

3 illus, 1 table, 6 ref