002249   Prem Priya S;Mudgal B V (NO, Anna Univ, Centre for Water Resources, Chennai-600 025) : Evaluation and spatial mapping of hydrogeochemical parameter using geographic information system in Araniyar sub basin, Tamil Nadu. Indian J envir Prot 2014, 34(5), 353-64.

Water quality monitoring is one of the first steps required in the rational development and management of water resources. An attempt has been made to understand the hydrogeochemical parameters to assess the ground water quality in Araniyar sub basin that lies in the Chennai basin, Tamil Nadu. Groundwater samples were collected from 13 observation wells both in pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons in the year 2010 to decipher hydrogeochemistry and groundwater quality for determining its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. Groundwater in this area was found to be within the desirable limits specified by Bureau of Indian Standards for drinking water. Groundwater in this area was assessed for irrigation purposes on the basis of sodium adsorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate and sodium percentage. Overall the groundwater quality was suitable for drinking purposes and permissible for irrigation activities except few places. The spatial mapping of the key parameters, such as total hardness, total dissolved solid, nitrate, sulphate, chloride, fluoride, SAR, RSC and sodium percentage determining the quality of groundwater has been prepared using the spatial analyst tool in ArcView GIS 3.2a software.

8 illus, 4 tables, 21 ref

002248   Patil R (NO, Shree Shivaji memorial society college of engineering Kennedy road, Mechanical Engineering, Pune Univ) : Design and analysis fo flour mill cyclone. Int J latest Technol Engng Mgmt appl Sci 2015, 4(6), 11.

Cyclone is most commonly used device to separate dust particles from gas and dust flow. The project presents design development of flour mill cyclone and its analysis by CFD along with experimental trials. In this the characteristics of flour mill cyclone are studied for various flow rates (inlet velocities) and its effect on performance parameters like pressure drop and efficiency are studied. Cyclone is designed with two symmetrical tangential inlets and a single tangential outlet at the barrel top area where impeller is mounted. The study was performed on both cyclones for gas-solid flow, based on an experimental study available in the literature, where a conventional cyclone model was used. The collection efficiency of single inlet cyclone is compare with double symmetrical inlet cyclone and the result indicate that the double inlet cyclone provide higher collection efficiency than that of the single inlet cyclone. Simulation of flow will be done with the help of CFD software and verification will be done with the help of experimental work. This new design can improve the cyclone performance parameters significantly and very interesting details were found on cyclone fluid dynamics properties.

5 illus, 4 tables, 8 ref

002247   Patil J D;Vasanwala S A;Solanki C H (Applied Mechanics Dep, S. V National Institute of Technology, Surat-395 007, Email: jaymin_patil@yahoo.co.in) : Experimental investigation on behavior of piled raft foundation. Int J Geomatics Geosci 2014, 5(2), 300-11.

Experimental program in laboratory is conducted on model piled rafts in sand soil. The aim of the experimental program is to study the behaviour of piled raft foundation system subjected to vertical load. The experimental program includes the model test on unpiled raft, raft supported by single pile, (2x2) and (3x3) pile groups. The model piles used in this test are non displacement piles. In the laboratory test, model mild steel piles of diameter 10mm and length 200mm were used, represents slenderness ratio, L/D of 20. The raft was made of mild steel plate with plan dimensions of 160mm x 160mm with different thicknesses of 5mm, 10mm and 15mm. The refinement in the bearing capacity is represented by load improvement ratio and the reduction in settlement is represented by settlement reduction ratio. The influence of number of piles and raft thickness on load improvement ratio and settlement reduction ratio are presented and discussed. The results of the tests show that as the number of piles underneath the raft increases, load improvement ratio and settlement reduction ratio increase and percentage of load carried by the raft decreases. Also, there is a negligible effect on load improvement ratio and settlement reduction ratio with increase in raft thickness, while raft thickness has a minimal effect on the load carried by the raft.

15 illus, 1 table, 22 ref

002246   Patel A K;Nagendra Kumar M;Timothy R;Pandey P;Zakaulla S;Parihar P S (NO, Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Hyderabad, Email: ashokpatel74@gmail.com) : Significance of litho-geochemistry in search of unconformity type uranium mineralisation in parts of Shillong basin covering Sohiong-Sumer-Sonidan area, East Khasi hills & Ribhoi districts, Meghalaya, India. J appl Geochem 2014, 16(3), 206-18.

Unconformity type of uranium deposits are concealed in nature and their limited surface expression of radioactivity; close association of broad alteration haloes in the cover rock as well as geochemistry play a major role in locating such deposits. In the area of this study favorable geological factors such as, the reducing environmental condition with high intrinsic uranium content represented by the Lower Proterozoic Tyrsad Formation; presence of oxidized cover rock as evidenced by the Mesoproterozoic Barapani Formation; thermal gradient generated by younger igneous activity and the presence of the cross cutting Tyrsad-Barapani shear zone are very encouraging indications for carrying out exploration for locating unconformity type of uranium mineralisation. Based on the said favorable geological setup, geochemical exploration has been carried out by systematic sampling of Barapani sediments and Tyrsad meta-sediments over an area of 400 sq km covering Sohiong- Sumer- Sonidan area, Ribhoi and East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. Radiometric analysis of the Tyrsad metapelites and the arenites of Barapani Formations shows an uranium content upto llppm and 20ppm respectively. A higher concentration of uranium (upto 100ppm) has been recorded very close to the unconformity contact between Tyrsad and Barapani Formation. The clay alteration plot of MgO/A12O3 vs K2O/ A12O3 indicates illitisation. Normalization of the present data with the altered sandstone of Key Lake deposit in Athabasca Basin, Canada reveals enrichment of K2O, A12O3, TiO2, MgO, Na2O, CaO and depletion of SiO2, which indicates alteration exemplified by illitisation, chloritisation and desilicification. Presence of illitisation; the observed anomalous uranium concentration in Tyrsad and Barapani Formations; cross cutting faults in Tyrsad-Barapani Shear zone in Umden-Umroi-Raitong and Ksehkinjohn areas indicate the presence of a possible target for locating an unconformity type uranium mineralization in the Proterozoic Shillong Basin of Meghalaya.

7 illus, 16 ref

002245   Patanjali Kumar C;Ajay Kumar B;Uma Devi E; Mahendra R S;Sunanda M V;Pradeep Kumar M;Padmanabham J;Dipankar S; Srinivasa Kumar T (NO, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad-500 090, Email: patanjali@incois.gov.in) : Admissible tsunamigenic source region of 24 september 2013 land-based earthquake - application of backward ray tracing technique. Curr Sci 2015, 108(9), 1712-16.

Minor tsunami of about 50 cm was generated along the coast of Qurayat near Makran subduction zone in the Arabian Sea due to the 24 September 2013 Pakistan earthquake of magnitude 7.6 M_w(mB), although its source was <126>200 km far inland of the Makran trench. The real-time sea-level observation network in the Arabian Sea recorded minor tsunami arrivals. In an attempt to explain the mechanism of this unusual tsunami, we use backward ray tracing technique to map the admissible region of tsunamigenic source. Basically, in this technique the ray equations are integrated starting from the specific locations of tsunami observations, in all possible directions. The known travel time of the initial waves to the respective tide gauges and tsunami buoys is used in this method. Backward wave front is constructed by joining all end-points of the rays from each of the locations. The region where the envelope of all backward wave fronts converges is considered as the source of the tsunami, which is <126>470 km from the earthquake epicentre with the location at 24.8 N and 61.5 E. The admissible region identified is an undersea section between Chaba-har and Gwadar, where a mud island had appeared subsequent to this earthquake. Convergence of the tsunami source zone and location of the mud island suggest that the sudden uplift must have caused the tsunami.

3 illus, 1 table, 35 ref

002244   Pangtey K L;Bisht M S;Anand R;Das H;Jagat Ram;Mittal A K;Pande A (Geochemistry Group, KDMIPE, ONGC, Dehradun, Email: klpangtey@yahoo.com) : Geochemical studies of oils/condensates and natural gases from Kim-Katpur area for their genetic classification and correlation and for understanding their genesis. J appl Geochem 2014, 16(3), 239-66.

Geochemical studies of hydrocarbons in petroleum provide important clues to genetic classification and genetic correlation of petroleum in tenths of environments of deposition of source organic matter, nature of source organic matter and the thermal maturity of source organic matter at which petroleum is expelled from source rocks. These studies also help in understanding post accumulation alteration history of petroleum in terms of in-reservoir thermal evolution, gas de-asphalting, water washing and biodegradation. Seventeen oils and condensates producing from different pay sands of Ankleshwar Formation of Kim, Katpur, Ankleshwar and Kosamba fields and seven gas samples producing from sequentially younger to older Kand, Tarkeshwar and Ankleshwar Formations of Kim, Katpur, Ankleshwar and Olpad fields from Narmada Block of Cambay Basin were studied to bridge the gap of knowledge on their genetic classifications and correlations. Applications of techniques of molecular separation and characterization such as column chromatography, temperature programmed gas chromatography equipped with suitable wall-coated capillary columns, gas chromatography mass spectrometry and ratio-recording mass spectrometry for stable carbon isotopes enrichment determination in hydrocarbons habve been made during the course of geochemical studies. The oils of Kim, Katpur, Ankleshwar and Kosamba are of low to high API Gravity oils having low asphaltenes and sulphur contents and high saturated/aromatic hydrocarbon ratios. These oils have been derived from terrigenous/ mixed organic matter deposited in oxic to sub-oxic environments and have been sourced from source rocks having organic matter in late proto-catagenetic to early catagenetic stage of organic matter maturation. Some of the oils of Kosamba field are found to be biodegraded. The oils that occur in Narmada Block in Kim-Katpur oil fields are genetically correlated with the oils that occur in Anklesvar and Kosmba fields of this Block. The studies have also revealed that gases of Olpad field are of biogenic origin. Gases of Kim, Katpur and Ankleshwar are of thermogenic origin and the carbon isotopes enrichments suggest a common source for all of them. The younger strstigraphic level gases may be the product of migration fractionation from the older Ankeshwar Formation It can be postulated from the correlation studies that the source rock which has charged the reservoirs of Ankleshwar and Kosamba fields has also charged the reservoirs of Kim-Katpur, at similar organic matter maturity levels in source rocks. As the Cambay Shale and Olpad Formations are shallow, inadequately matured and practcally devoid of source rock characteristics in Narmada Block, the origin of Kim-Katpur hydrocarbons seems to be from the Tankari Depression in the north as has been proposed for Ankleshwar and other oils in Narmada Block.

16 illus, 6 tables, 20 ref

002243   Mitra M;Singh S (Science & Technology Dep, Haryana Space Application center, Hisar, Haryana-125 004, Email: mitramonalisa4@gmail.com) : Land use land cover mapping, change detection and estimating area of encroachment at cadastial level through remote sensing and GIS application: a case study of Dhobhi village, Hisar, India. Int J Geomatics Geosci 2014, 5(2), 357-61.

Encroachment of panchayat land is a big problem in Haryana. A comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report has revealed that 12,208 hectares of panchayat land in Haryana had been encroached as on January 2013. In this paper an attempt is made to study the changes in land use and land cover followed by any land encroachment of panchayat. The study has been done through remote sensing approach using World View map of 10th January 2012. In conclusion, Remote Sensing and GIS technology together with ancillary data can be used to assist decision maker to prepare future plan in order to find out appropriate solution to land encroachment.

2 illus, 1 table, 3 ref

002242   Medhi N;Das M (Petroleum Engineering Dep, Dibrugarh Univ, Assam) : Study on the interaction between the ionjection water and reservoir minerals and their effects of reservoir characteristics in Tipam reservoir sand of Geleki oilfield of upper Assam basin. J appl Geochem 2014, 16(3), 321-9.

Reservoir-rock injection water interaction is a significant area of research in the field of reservoir engineering, reservoir management and increased oil recovery operations with a view to assure preservation or enhancement of native permeability of the reservoirs. Injection waters that may be available for injections in Upper Assam Galeki oil field area are usually a mixture of river water, effluent disposal water and bore well water. Such a mixture of water in Assam has been found to have elevated concentration of dissolved iron and oxygen and sulphate reducing bacteria and would require special treatments before injection to prevent (I) formation of solid iron oxide or sulphides in the reservoir (ii) swelling of smeared smectite on the sand grains and (ii) dislodging of kaolinite and illite present in the matrix of sandstone reservoir rock to assure preservation of the native permeability of the reservoir.

5 illus, 4 tables, 9 ref

002241   Mathur N;Raju S V (Centre of Excellence of Energy Studies, Oil India Limited, Rukminigaon, GS Road, Guwahati, Assam, Email: neeraj.nmathur@gmail.com) : Oil and gas generating potential of Barail shales of upper Assam basin: their prospects as an oil shale for shale oil resource. J appl Geochem 2014, 16(3), 226-38.

Oilshales are organic matter rich fine grained sequences, rich in kerogen, and produce hydrocarbons on pyrolysis. They are regarded as unconventional resources of hydrocarbons. The coal-shale unit of the Oligocene Barail Formation is an organic matter rich unit and constitutes one of the principal source rocks for conventional oil and gas deposits located in the Assam shelf area. An earlier study on this unit of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, carried out by DGH, indicated significant oil shale resources in the region. The present study aims to fill the gap of data on the quantitative distribution of hydrocarbons generated by the shale upon pyrolysis. The study is based on analysis of 43 surface and subsurface samples from the thrust belt area of Upper Assam.. Selected samples were analyzed using Rock Eval and Pyrolysis Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (Py-GC-MS) to determine the hydrocarbon distribution in the pyrolysate produced at 6000C. Results indicate significant number of samples with a TOC content of more than 5%. Hydrogen Index ranges from 75 to 395 mg per g TOC. The shale unit is either immature or is in an the early stage of organic matter matureation (Tmax <60> 437°C), with significant hydrocarbon generation potential as indicated by S2 values up to 62 Kg of oil per ton of rock. These parameters, taken together, characterize them as important unconventional fossil fuel resource. Py-GC-MS analysis indicate that the organic matter in the shale unit is predominantly composed of Type III kerogen that will generate paraffinic - naphthenic oils on maturation, or pyrolysis. The gas : oil generation index for these shales varies from 0.14 to 0.72, implying that the unit can generate both oil and gas. The results call for detailed stratigraphic dirtibution of organic matter rich sequences within the Barail Shale Formation and to map such sequences for obtaining refined estimates of resources and developing strategies for exploitation of oil shale resources within the immature portion of the sequences and shale oil potential in the mature sequences within the mature generative basin.

10 illus, 3 tables, 14 ref

002240   Mahamad S;Latha G;Manikandan N;Chandrasekar V (Geography Dep, Presidency College, Chennai, Email: manigeo88@gmail.com ) : Tourist inflow in Tamilnadu 2001-2012-a GIS based study. Int J Geomatics Geosci 2014, 5(2), 312-9.

In the rapidly changing global economic scenario, tourism is considered to be one of the largest and fast growing industries. Tamil Nadu remains an all-season destination for tourists - backpackers heading for the beaches, the city-bred searching for that rural experience, the devout seeking spiritual solace in myriad temples, the ones bound for hill stations to escape the blazing sun, or those arriving for treatment. In the rapidly changing global economic scenario, tourism is considered to be one of the largest and fast growing industries. The occupation of tourism is providing very useful and fruitful avenues especially to those people who are engaged in tourism activities because through this smokeless industry, they are not only enhancing their standard of living but also generating income and employment opportunities. In the contemporary era of globalization and industrialization, the whole world has shrunk into a global village. The tourism has played a very decisive role to transform the world into a globalized economy where all nations can exchange free trade and culture and share their interest of mutual benefits based on tourism industry. India is one of the major destinations of the foreign tourists particularly the state of Tamil Nadu which has a rich cultural heritage among the Indian states. All over the world, the tourists are visiting it due to its climatic, scenic beauty and ecological resources. The major centers of tourist attraction in the state are Chennai, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Trichy, Pondicherry, Thanjavur Madurai, Rameshwaram and Kanyakumari. The research paper deals with the analysis of tourism Arrivals in Tamil Nadu state and also growth rate Tamilnadu tourism in 2012 the paper suggests important measures to promote the tourism in the state of Tamil Nadu.

3 illus, 3 tables, 4 ref

002239   Macshree K;Issac R K;Imtiyaz M (Soil Water Land Engineering and Management Dep, Vaugh School of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, SHIATS, Allahabad-211 007) : Generation of autoregressive time series models for prediction of rainfall and runoff for Ningthourok catchment of Manipur. Allahabad Fmr 2015, 70(2), 19-22.

Rainfall-Runoff data of Ningthourok catchment from the year 2000-2009 have been analyzed and a stochastic time series model was developed for prediction of rainfall and runoff of Ningthourok catchment in Manipur. Autoregressive (AR) models of orders 0,1 and 2 proposed by Kottegoda (1980) were tried. The goodness of fit and adequacy of models were tested by Box-Pierce Portnionteau test, Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and various statistical characteristics. It was observed that AIC value for AR (1) model developed for rainfall and runoff prediction satisfies the selection criteria of model. The analysis shows that model can be effectively used for prediction of rainfall and runoff of Ningthourok catchment and similar catchment.

2 illus, 4 tables, 12 ref

002238   Kalyan B (NO, , ) : Slurry transportation in mines. Omniscience 2015, 5(2), 22-8.

Increasing operating and maintenance costs as well as the associated detrimental effects of the conventional methods of ore and gangue transportation in mines call for the need to implement a cost-effective and environmentally responsible alternative. This challenge can be efficiently dealt by using hydro-transport handling of mixtures in long and short-distance pipelines. This paper deals with the basics of hydraulic transportation in mines and highlights the major advantages and dis-advantages of the same along with presenting some notable examples. It also deals with the various ways of overcoming the challenges associated with slurry transportation in mines.

002237   Kalkal S;Bhardwaj P (NO, Pt. NRS Govt. College, Rohtak, Haryana, Email: bhardwajpk95@gmail.com) : Policy induced land use/land cover change: a case study of industrial development at Jharli and its surroundings in Haryana (India). Int J Geomatics Geosci 2014, 5(2), 275-83.

In the last half decade, rapid urbanization and industrialization have significantly changed the land use/land cover pattern in rural areas, particularly in nearby areas of National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi. Jharli and its surroundings have also witnessed land acquisition and subsequent rapid industrialization in recent past i.e. from 2004-05 onwards. One such example of planned industries has been the location of Super Thermal Power Plants and allied industries for generation of electricity in Jharli and nearby villages in 2006. This land acquisition and subsequent industrialization has directly affected the land use/land cover in six villages namely Jharli, Mohanbari, Goria, Khanpur Khurd, Khanpur Kalan and Wajitpur Tappa Birhor. Present study is based on comparison of land use/land cover of 2004-05 and 2011-12 in these villages. Four major LULC categories like built-up (including industrial, commercial and settlement), agricultural land, water bodies and forest land have been delineated, mapped and compared. It is found that area under agriculture, forest and water bodies has decreased by 28.27, 1.38 and 0.021 percent respectively whereas built up has increased by 29.68 percent. This change further accentuates the problem of shrinking productive agricultural land in NCR of Delhi.

3 illus, 5 tables, 7 ref

002236   Hanuman V V;Singh A K;Chakrapani G (Chemistry Laboratory, Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Hyderabad, Email: vv_hanuman@rediffmail.com) : Simple, rapid and eco friendly decomposition method for low silicate geological samples and determination of uranium by ICP-OES. J appl Geochem 2014, 16(3), 219-25.

Simple, rapid, cost effective and eco friendly decomposition and dissolution method is developed for the determination of uranium (U3O8) by Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) in low silicate geological samples. The salts of Sodium di-hydrogen phosphate monohydrate and Tetra sodium pyrophosphate deca hydrate are used in the ratio of 1:1 (phosphate flux) for the decomposition of geological samples having low silica content. Samples are decomposed by fusion with the phosphate flux after ignition and dissolved in distilled water. Samples contain <62>10% silica, have been treated with little amount of HF and HNO3, prior to fusion with phosphate flux. These samples are analysed by ICP-OES directly without any separation from the matrix. The spectral interferences of major matrix elements (Al, Ti, Fe, Mn, etc present in the sample) on uranium are studied and no significant interferences are observed, as dilution is required to bring uranium concentration into calibration range of instrument. The accuracy and precision of the method was evaluated by analyzing Certified Reference Materials (BL-5 of CANMET, CANADA) and Synthetic samples. The accuracy of the data is further evaluated by comparing the proposed method with the reported sample solution preparation method. The results are in good agreement. The RSD of the method is <60>1.0% (n=5) at 10.0% U3O8. The method is applied to geological samples of low silica content received from Mahadek Basin Investigations of Meghalaya, India for determination of uranium.

7 tables, 15 ref

002235   Ganesh Prasad M S;Arora M K (Civil Engineering Dep, The National Institute of Engineering, Mysore, Email: ganeshprasad.nie@gmail.com) : Assessing uncertainty in fuzzy and cover classification by confusion index. Int J Geomatics Geosci 2014, 5(2), 332-44.

In recent years, uncertainty has become an important subject in assessing the quality of remote sensing image classification. Classification uncertainty is due to poor class definition, transition zones and the presence of mixed pixels in remote sensing data. Fuzzy classification approaches aim to estimate the proportions of specific classes that occur within each pixel. Partial class membership values derived from fuzzy classification serve as baseline information to assess classification uncertainties and allow the depiction of spatial variation of uncertainty. Providing uncertainty information at pixel level may assist in increasing the confidence in using thematic maps produced from remote sensing image classification. Many metrics have been developed to quantify pixel-wise classification uncertainty. In the present study, two formulations of confusion index are used. Literature state that, the two forms of confusion index provide similar information. The present study aims at examining whether these two formulations provide similar information or not. Multispectral image from Landsat-7 ETM + sensor was subjected to fuzzy c-means classification. The derived class membership values for each pixel were used in quantifying classification uncertainty. A comparative analysis of classification uncertainty provided by two forms of confusion index was carried out. The results from the study show that the two forms of confusion index provide dissimilar information on classification uncertainty.

7 illus, 1 table, 27 ref

002234   Dinda S (NO, Calcutta Univ, Kolkata, Email: sambhunathdinda@rediffmail.com) : Developmental project and its impact on adjacent river ecology: a case study of kolaghat thermal power plant, West Bengal, India. Int J Geomatics Geosci 2014, 5(2), 225-30.

Kolaghat Thermal Power Plant (K.T.P..P) is situated (22025' latitude & 87052'30 longitude') on the right bank of the river Rupnarayan in Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal. It is well connected with south-eastern Railway, NH-6 and NH-41. This power plant was established during the sixth Five Years Plan period (1980-85). WBPDCL (West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited) took the charge of this power plant since 1985. Presently its total power generating capacity is 1260MW, with six units, 210 MW each. KTPP generates around 7500-8000 metric tons of fly ash every day following the consumption of 18000 tons of coal (Source: KTPP office, 2009). The power plant disposed ash mixed hot waste water on the river Rupnarayan and consequently it has an adverse impact on the said river. So the physicochemical characteristics of the river have been changed. A number of studies have prove that a large amount of toxic substance, like lead, copper, nickel and sometimes radionuclide (uranium & thorium) enrichment have been found in the disposal water. Moreover, due to continuous deposition of fly ash on the river the river depth have been reduced. This change has prevented Hilsa fish (Tenualosa ilisha) migration and laying eggs (Hilsa fish of river Rupnarayan is famous for its taste and smell). As a result the amount of Hilsa fish caught in the Rupnarayan has declined in an alarming way. The amount of other fish caught like, mango fish, prawn are also being observed in declining trends. The present paper is an attempt to examine the nature and extent of ecological disturbance of the river and also suggest some way in order to minimize this menace.

4 illus, 2 tables, 3 ref

002233   Das S;Adak K;Samanta K (School of Oceanographic Studies, Jadavpur Univ, Jadavpur, Raja S.C. Mallick Road, Kolkata-700 032, Email: kaberi@gmail.com) : Hydrodynamic changes of river course of part of Bhagirathi- Hugli in Nadia district - a geoinformatics appraisal. Int J Geomatics Geosci 2014, 5(2), 284-99.

River shapes surrounding landscapes and is changed by several hydrodynamics and subsequent morpho dynamic prosesses. Bhagirathi-Hugli is the main river of the Nadia district. In this paper a part of the course of Bhagirathi-Hugli river through Nadia district is taken as the study area. The present study is mainly oriented towards the morphometric measurement of river through temporal changes during 1977, 1990, 2010 of LANDSAT MSS and LAND SAT TM satellite data. In this paper an attempt has been made to get the nature of shifting, direction of shifting, erosion and deposition along the river bank, ox-bow lake formation, sinuosity index measurement, meander ratio and cut off of the river channel has also been calculated.

18 illus, 9 tables, 7 ref

002232   Das P P;Sahoo H K;Mohapatra P P (Geology Dep, Utkal Univ, Bhubaneswar, Odisha) : Seasonal variation of groundwater hardness in Mahakalapara block, Kendrapara district, Odisha, India: a geospatial approach. Int J latest Technol Engng Mgmt appl Sci 2015, 4(6), 6-10.

Present research involves hydrochemical analysis of 148 representative groundwater samples across the monsoonal season from quaternary alluvial aquifer system of Mahakalapara Block, coastal Kendrapara district, Odisha. The hydrogeochemical as well as the spatial analysis indicates widespread occurrences of moderately hard to hard groundwater across the entire study area with practically total absence of soft groundwater horizon. The total hardness of the subsurface water displays a distinct increase from premonsoon to postmonsoon season. The southern and western parts of the study area show a greater variation of groundwater hardness than the eastern part. This higher concentration of total hardness of subsurface water is attributed to the greater activity of Calcium and Magnesium divalent cations which seem to be originating from the underground limestone terrain upstream of the western part and from the dissolution of calcrete nodules.

8 illus, 1 table, 18 ref

002231   Das M;Medhi N (Petroleum Technology Dep, Dibrugarh Univ, Assam, Email: minatidas@yahoo.com) : Study on the effects of crude oil/brine /rock interaction on oil recovery during low saline waterflooding in a part of Geleki oil field of upper Assam basin. J appl Geochem 2014, 16(3), 267-76.

The extra oil recovery obtained when flooding a sandstone reservoir with low saline water is due to Low Sal Effect. The injected water must have lower; salinity than the initial formation water to promote significant desorption of oil from the rock surface which is due to the wettability modification towards more water-wet conditions. Alteration of wettability is, found to be an important parameter in changing the oil recovery efficiency during low saline waterflcoding. Desorption of oil components in a low salinity environment makes the rock more water-wet which enhanced the oil productivity. The petroleum industries have observed that wettability contrasts in sedimentary reservoir rocks are largely correlated to the presence of illite and/or kaolinite in the rock's intergranular space. There is also a considerable amount of data which shows that oil recovery can be dependent on polar components in the crude oil, divalent cations in the formation water, like Ca^{2+ and Mg2+, and active clays in the sandstone. Thus the oil recovery in petroleum reservoirs is greatly affected by fluid-rock and fluid-fluid interactions. The present study discusses about the effects of Crude Oil/Brine / Rock interaction on oil recovery during Low Saline Waterflooding in a part of Geleki Oil Field of Upper Assam Basin. Based on the analysis of crude oil composition, reservoir brine as well as injected water composition and types of clays present in the reservoir rock, the study shows that, the polar components in the crude oil, divalent cations in the formation water, salinity of the injected water and active clays in the Tipam reservoir sands of Geleki oil field plays a vital role on oil recovery in that oil field. So, the proper study of the crude oil composition, injected water as well as formation brine salinity and reservoir rock composition is of utmost importance for understanding the complexity of crude oil/brine/rock (COBR) interactions and to know the uncertainty assessments of wetting behavior of a reservoir.}

4 illus, 3 tables, 26 ref

002230   Choudhari K;Panigrahi B;Paul J C (Soil and Water Conservation Engineering Dep, Orissa Univ of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Email: kajal_bp@yahoo.co.in) : Simulation of rainfall-runoff process using HEC-HMS model for Balijore Nala watershed, Odisha, India. Int J Geomatics Geosci 2014, 5(2), 253-65.

Hydrological modeling is a commonly used tool to estimate the basin's hydrological response due to precipitation. In this paper HEC-HMS model is used to simulate rainfall-runoff process in Balijore Nala Watershed of Odisha, India. To compute runoff volume, peak runoff rate, base flow and flow routing methods SCS curve number, SCS unit hydrograph, Exponential recession and Muskingum routing methods are chosen, respectively. Rainfall runoff simulation is conducted using 24 random rainstorm events covering four year (2010 - 2013) data. Out of these, 12 events are selected for model calibration and the remaining 12 for model validation. For calibration of model the statistical tests of error functions like mean absolute relative error (MARE) and root mean square error (RMSE) between the observed and simulated data are conducted. The results indicate values of MARE of 0.20 and 0.25 for runoff depth and peak discharge, respectively. Similarly the values of RMSE between the observed and simulated data are obtained as 2.30 mm and 0.28 m3/s for runoff depth and peak discharge, respectively. However after parameter optimization the above mentioned error functions reduce to 0.10, 0.12, 0.75 mm and 0.09 m^{3/sec in sequence. The calibrated model with optimized parameter is used for model validation. The model validation was found to be satisfactory with low values of statistical error functions.}

6 illus, 4 tables, 24 ref

002229   Barzinji D A M;Ganjo D G A (Soil and Water Science Dep, Sulaimani Univ, School of Agriculture, Kurdistan, Iraq) : Assessment of the chemical quality of water in the Halabja-Sulaimani-Kurdistan region of Iraq. Indian J envir Prot 2014, 34(5), 371-82.

A study of water pollution was conducted at Halabja-Sulaimani. Water samples were collected from 5 various locations in a radial manner around and within Halabja town. Water sources included artesian wells, drilled wells and Kahreezes. Before the chlorination and disinfection process, water samples were collected and then physical and chemical analyses were conducted. The field works commenced according to a regular schedule twice per month, starting in June and ending in November 2007. The chemical evaluation of the well waters in the present study based on standards given for drinking water by the World Health Organization guidelines, can be assessed as good-quality; ranging from moderately hard to hard, saturated by oxygen and healthy with regard to biological oxygen demand. An evaluation of general water chemistry indicated spatio-temporal changes between studied well waters. In all investigated sites, cation were dominated by calcium followed by magnesium, sodium and potassium in order of decreasing concentrations.

1 illus, 3 tables, 58 ref

002228   Banerjee T;Singh S K;Dharumarajan S;Sarkar D (NO, , 1N.B.S.S. & L.U.P (ICAR), Block - DK, Sector-II, Salt Lake-Kolkata-700 091, Email: tapati07@yahoo.co.in) : Integration of high resolution satellite data, DEM and GIS for large scale mapping - a case study from lower gangetic alluvial plain of India. Int J Geomatics Geosci 2014, 5(2), 345-56.

Present paper deals with the technique of large scale mapping using satellite data of 5.8m resolution accompanied by DEM in GIS environment essential for farm level planning and development. The study area is located in the lower gangetic alluvial plain of India where elevation ranges from 5 to 14 meter above Mean Sea Level (MSL). Digital interpretation of IRS P6 LISS IV satellite image in conjunction with Survey of India topographical maps and ASTERGDEM of 30meter resolution and subsequent ground data helped to prepare PPU (Physiographic cum photomorphic unit) map which were further correlated with elevation and NDVI values. Soils occurring in different PPU were examined and PPU-soil relationship was developed. The technique of mapping thus can be extended through faster as well as precision mapping at farm level with plot wise information for site-specific management on cost-effective basis.

5 illus, 3 tables, 12 ref

002227   Alvandi A;Asil R H (Young Researchers Club and Elites, Islamic Azad Univ, Toyserkan Branch, Toyserkan, Iran, Email: a.alvandi@iauh.ac.ir) : Edge detection process of Qom salt dome gravity anomalies using hyperbolic tilt angle. Int J Geomatics Geosci 2014, 5(2), 209-24.

In recent decade the edge detection procedure has been of great utility in the modeling and interpretation of self-potential, magnetic and gravity anomalies. This paper applies a precise edge detection procedure, called hyperbolic tilt angle (HTA) technique. The sufficiency of the HTA method is indicated using complex synthetic models and a residual gravity data set from Iran. Compared with the formal methods, the HTA filter more detailed outcomes for buried models and is less sensitive to noise.

8 illus, 2 tables, 23 ref

001273   Yugandhara Rao A;Vijay Raj K;Yadav O P;Nanda L K;Rai A K;Parihar P S (NO, Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Vishakapatnam-530 007, Email: ayugandharararo.amd@gov.in) : Uranium-bearing magnesian-calcrete in surficial environment from Khemasar, Churu district, Rajasthan, India. Curr Sci 2015, 108(8), 1540-4.

Magnesium-bearing calcretes of soft-gritty and hard pan varieties containing uranium concentrations from 16 to 74 ppm with <60>10 ppm of thorium are located along the Saraswati palaeochannel at Khemasar village, Churu district, Rajasthan. The uranium-bearing calcretes are exposed over an areal extent of 300 m x 200 m with thickness of up to 2 m in an inter-dunal depression. The silty sand layer occurring below the calcrete horizon suggests that it is a valley-fill cal-crete, deposited along a palaeochannel. This occurrence of uraniferous Mg-calcrete in the Saraswati river palaeochannel opens up a large area for uranium exploration in the calcrete environment of Thar Desert. These calcretes are composed of 15.94% to 25.39% CaO, 7.15% to 22.39% MgO and Sr/Ba ratio up to 66.98. There is a positive correlation of U with Sr/Ba and MgO. The high Sr/Ba ratio and MgO indicate water of saline nature and high rate of evaporation. Ephemeral centripetal drainage mixing with the dissected palaeochannel waters and groundwaters, under arid climatic conditions might have resulted in the formation of this kind of uranium-bearing calcrete in fluvio-lacustrine environment.

7 illus, 1 table, 22 ref

001272   Usha B;Mudgal B V (NO, Anna Univ, Chennai, Email: u_seshadri@rediffmail.com) : Rainfall variability over smaller spatial scale. Mausam 2014, 65(2), 270-5.

5 illus, 2 tables, 9 ref

001271   Srivastava D K;Garg R (Geology Dep, Centre of Advanced Study, Lucknow Univ, Lucknow-226 007, Email: deardrdk@gmail.com) : Record of Eupatagus L. AGASSIZ, 1847 (echinoidea) from the Siju formation, Gargo hills, Meghalaya, India. J Palaeont Soc India 2014, 59(2), 227-30.

Brissid echinoid is recorded and described from the Siju Formation exposed at about 7 km southeast of Adugiri village (along Dilni River), Garo Hills, Meghalaya, India and placed under the genus Eupatagus L. Agassiz, 1847. It is characterized by a large, oval test with mild frontal sinus; convex aboral surface; anteriorly eccentric ethmolytic apical system; long, petaloid ambulacral petals and imperforate, non crenulated tubercles. Calcareous nannofossils and dinoflagellate cysts indicate lower Bartonian age for the echinoid-bearing level of the Siju Formation.

2 illus, 30 ref

001270   Sonar R B (NO, , India Meteorological Dep, Nachne, Ratnagiri-415 639, Email: raj_sonar2007@rediffmail.com) : Observed trends and variations in rainfalll events over Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) during southwest monsoon season. Mausam 2014, 65(2), 171-8.

Observed trends and variations in rainfall during southwest (SW) monsoon season (June to September) of individual station Ratnagiri, have been analyzed by using 30 years (1980-2009) daily rainfall data. The analysis revealed decreasing but not significant trend in total amount of rainfall and number of rainy days, with increasing but not significant trend in average intensity of rainfall during rainy days of monsoon season. To verify this increase in average intensity of monsoon rainfall over the region, the trends in frequency of occurrence of rainfall events and percentage (%) contribution of rainfall events, to total monsoon rainfall in different categories of rainfall event, along with decadal variation during monsoon season are analyzed. The trend shows that frequency of occurrence of rainfall events and % contribution of rainfall events to total monsoon rainfall in category of light, moderate, rather heavy and heavy rainfall events decreased (but not significantly), whereas frequency of occurrence of rainfall events and % contribution of rainfall events to total monsoon rainfall in category of very heavy to exceptionally heavy rainfall events increased (but not significantly) during 30 years (1980-2009) over Ratnagiri indicating that increase in average intensity of monsoon rainfall is contributed by very heavy to exceptionally heavy rainfall events. Decadal analysis also shows that frequency of occurrence of rainfall events and % contribution of rainfall events to total monsoon rainfall in category of light, moderate, rather heavy and heavy rainfall events have decreased per decade. Whereas in category of very heavy to exceptionally heavy rainfall events it has increased per decade. This increased frequency of very heavy to exceptionally heavy rainfall events over the region may lead to an increase in frequency of floods, landslides and spoil agricultural crops and hence requires attention.

5 illus, 1 table, 9 ref

001269   Singh Y R;Bigyapati Devi K;Sijagurumayum U; Rinabai Devi H;Thongbam N (Earth Sciences Dep, Manipur Univ, Imphal-795 003, Email: yengmani@gmail.com) : New record of invertebrate fossils from the upper disang formation (eocene), phesama region of Nagaland, India. J Palaeont Soc India 2014, 59(2), 213-18.

Detailed account of molluscan fossils from the Upper Disang Formation (Eocene) of the the Phesama region is presented for the first time. Altogether, six molluscan fossils representing three each of bivalves and gastropods are described and illustrated.

1 illus, 32 ref

001268   Singh S;Talwar R (NO, Punjab Technical Univ, Punjab, Email: sartajvir.dhillon@gmail.com) : Assessment of different CVA based change detection techniques using MODIS dataset. Mausam 2015, 66(1), 77-86.

Change Vector Analysis (CVA) as change detection technique has useful capabilities of extracting and identifying land cover changes in terms of change-magnitude and change-direction from two different temporal satellite imageries. Since past two-three decade, many effective CVA based change detection techniques, e.g., Improved Change Vector Analysis (ICVA), Modified Change Vector Analysis (MCVA) and Change Vector Analysis Posterior-probability Space (CVAPS), have been developed to overcome the difficulty that exists in CVA. But the choice of best suitable CVA technique for particular area is a very difficult process because different CVA techniques have their own features and no single technique is applicable to all case studies. An efficacy of aforementioned CVA techniques has not been examined on snow cover area of rugged terrain. On the other hand, topographic distortions such as shadow, affects the performance of change detection analysis because hilly surface slope towards the sun receiving more reflectance value as compared to slope opposite direction from the sun. It suppresses the vital information that leads to the inaccurate consequences. So topographic corrections arc also necessary to be executed on satellite dataset before further considerations. In the present paper, different CVA techniques have been investigated over snow covered area of rugged terrain using topographic corrected MODIS dataset to find out the best possible technique which could distinguish more accurately changed and no-changed pixels, and also accurately perform "from-to" change detection. Based on limited study done in this paper, it is formed that CVAPS technique has greater potential than MCVA and ICVA techniques to evaluate the overall transformed data over snow covered area of rugged terrain. Results of this study are expected to be potentially useful for more accurate analysis of LULC changes over rugged terrain which will, in turn, improve the utilization of MODIS dataset for such applications by various users.

7 illus, 1 table, 41 ref

001267   Singh Rana R;Singh S;Chander N;Sood R;Sharma R;Aditya (NO, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural Univ, Palampur-176 062, Email: ranars66@rediffmail.com) : Impacts of changes in climate on mountain water resources of Himachal Pradesh. Mausam 2014, 65(2), 153-60.

Study examined the impacts of climate change on water resources, viz., surplus / deficit water balance, snowfall trends and surface water flow of major rivers of Himachal Pradesh. The analysis on surplus water balance clearly showed decreasing trends in all the agro-climatic zones during past three decades. Maximum availability of surplus water balance period showed a shift during July to August and registered a decrease of 35.7 percent. The low hill regions exhibited water surplus during kharif season and water deficit during rabi season, while, mid hill regions exhibited water deficit during kharif season and water surplus during rabi season during past three decades. The Mann-Kendall trend test of snowfall indicated a decrease in monthly average snowfall from September to December. The trend analysis further showed increasing trends of snowfall during January and February indicating delay in snowfall during winters. The decreasing trends of snowfall were observed during September to December and March to May indicating shrinking winter period. The significant decreasing trend of snowfall was observed during December and May. The trend test revealed significant decrease of surface water flow of river Beas at Manali and Parvati at Aut in Kullu district during all the months. The water flow of river Sutlej at Songtong in Kinnaur district also showed significant decreasing trends during winter months. Similarly, the annual water inflow of the Sutlej River at Bhakhra Dam showed decreasing trend also. Thus, the studies clearly indicated that water resources have been impacted due to changes in climatic conditions in mountains of Himachal Pradesh during past three decades.

6 illus, 22 ref

001266   Singh B;Singh J;Bhatnagar P;Upadhyay V K (NO, Maharana Pratap Univ of Agriculture and Technology Campus Jhalarapatan, Jhalawar-326 023, Email: bhimsingh1@gmail.com) : Impact of rainfall variability on fruit production iin Jhalawar district of Rajasthan. Mausam 2014, 65(2), 245-52.

Objective of this study was to analyze the rainfall variability and trend, and examine vulnerability of fruits production to rainfall variability in Jhalawar district of Rajasthan, A time series data were used to carry out a comprehensive study of the effect of rainfall variability on fruit crops. It was observed that inter-annual and seasonal variabilities of rainfall were major cause of fluctuations in production of fruits in the study area. The district had 910 mm average rainfall with a standard deviation of 218 mm and coefficient of variation of 24 per cent. The annual rainfall as evident from analysis of data (1973-2010) showed negative trend (- 0.23 to - 17.41 mm/year) in the district. Productions of mandarin showed stronger correlations with the post-monsoon rainfall while those of mango, guava, lemon, mosambi, papaya, custard-apple and ber showed strong correlation with pre-monsoon and south-west monsoon rainfall.

3 illus, 5 tables, 16 ref

001265   Singh A K;Kala S;Dubey S K;Pande V C;Rao B K; Sharma K K;Mahapatra K P (NO, Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Research Centre, Chhalesar, Agra-282 006, Email: aksingh_1962@yahoo.co.in) : Technology for rehabilitation of Yamuna ravines - cost-effective practices to conserve natural resources through bamboo plantation. Curr Sci 2015, 108(8), 1527-33.

The present study evaluated bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) based resource conservation in the Yamuna ravines at Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Research Centre, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. Ravine lands are highly degraded dry lands and 3.97 m ha area is affected by ravines in India. One ravine micro watershed of 2.8 ha area was planted with two rows of bamboo in staggered manner as vegetative barrier for the analysis of hydrological and economic aspect of bamboo plantation. Hydrological results showed that runoff has been reduced from 9.6% to 1.8% and soil loss from 4.2 to 0.6 t/ha/year in the last 4 years. Based on bamboo growth performance, average value of culm height and culm collar diameter have been recorded as 3.80 m and 22.50 mm, the value of average crown size and number of culms per clump being 3.93 m and 18 numbers respectively. Further, the soils under bamboo plants improved in terms of decreased pH and enhanced soil organic carbon. The economic analysis suggested a cash outflow of Rs 48,000 ha^{-1 from 7th year onwards to the stakeholders in the region, in addition to the benefits accrued to society at large in terms of value of nutrient (Rs 2125-5555 ha-1) saved through soil conservation. This study recommends bamboo plantation for productive and protective utilization of such degraded lands. It also suggests that the high cost of establishment for individual stakeholders can be met through subsidies and banks' financial inclusion programme in developing countries such as India. Further, public funding can also be routed through appropriate budgetary provisions in development plans of corporate entities involved in the rural development in the country.}

1 illus, 5 tables, 30 ref

001264   Sengupta S;Sarkar S;Syed R (Geology Dep, Calcutta Univ, 35 Ballygaunge Circular Road, Kolkata-700 019, Email: ssggeol@gmail.com) : New morphotype of reticulate Nummulites (foraminiferida) from the lower oligocene of southwestern Kutch, India. J Palaeont Soc India 2014, 59(2), 193-8.

New morphotype of the megalospheric form of the larger foraminifer Nummulites cf. fichteli Michelotti from the Lower Oligocene of southwestern Kutch, western India is documented here for the first time. This morphotype shows ontogenetic change of orientation of the coiling plane and is apparently endemic. Previous studies on the megalospheric form of this species had led to the documentation of lenticular, conical and saddle-shaped morphotypes. These multiple morphotypes reveal different adaptations to varied bottom conditions.

10 illus, 2 tables, 36 ref

001263   Sarma A A L N;Bhaskar V V;Sastry C M (NO, Andhra Univ, Visakhapatnam, Email: aalnsarma_met@rediffmail.com) : Potential evapotranspiration over India - an estimate of green water flow. Mausam 2014, 65(3), 365-78.

Spatial distribution of Potential Evapotranspiration (PET) is studied by selecting stations that are drawn from the Koppen Climate spectrum of India that spread the length and breadth of the country using the modified Penman potential evapotranspiration equation. Annual and seasonal PET trends are reported. Variation of mean seasonal PET for the country as whole for all the four meteorological seasons and its rate of change are graphically shown. Anomalies in the annual and seasonal PET for the epoch of 1961-1995 with reference to the base period 1931-1960 are brought out. Distribution of climatic types over India according to Koppens climate classification for the period 1951-1980 are presented along with the changes that occurred compared to earlier report. Koppen climate types are characterized in terms of PET to P ratio expressed in percentage. Significant decreasing, increasing and no trend are noticed in annual PET both in space and time. Annual PET for the country as a whole is increased in the latter half of the 20th century. The mean seasonal potential evapotranspiration to precipitation ratio is found to be increased from tropical monsoon climates to dry climate types.

5 illus, 2 tables, 22 ref

001262   Sarkar S;Saxena R K;Sarkar S (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: sarkarsamir@rediffmail.com) : Palynology of the eocene sediments of the west garo hills, meghalaya, NE India: biostratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental implications. J Palaeont Soc India 2014, 59(2), 199-212.

Present paper deals with the palynofloral assemblages recovered from the Tura, Siju and Rewak Formations (early to late Eocene) exposed along the Tura-Dalu road, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya. The palynoflora recorded from the Tura Formation is qualitatively poor and consists mainly of pteridophyte spores, gymnospermous pollen and fungal remains. The overlying Siju Formation is dominated by dinoflagellate cysts, whereas the topmost Rewak Formation is mainly represented by pteridophytic spores and angiosperm pollen. Four distinct palynozones have been recognized on the basis of abundance and distribution of stratigraphically significant palynofossils, in ascending order. The present palynofloral data supported by benthic foraminiferal record suggest that the Siju Formation was deposited in a transgressive phase of a shallow sea. The dominance of terrestrial elements and decrease in dinocyst and benthic foraminifera populations in the overlying Rewak Formation clearly indicate the onset of a regressive phase during the sedimentation of the Rewak Formation. The Siju Formation is predominantly marine, whereas the Rewak Formation represents sediments deposited in a coastal swamp environment. The palynoflora has been compared with the Eocene assemblages recorded from other sedimentary basins of India, and based on the characteristic pollen, middle and late Eocene age have been assigned for the Siju and Rewak Formations respectively. The modern distribution of the extant counterparts of the palynotaxa indicates the prevalence of a tropical (warm-humid) climate during deposition of the Eocene rocks in the area of investigation.

2 illus, 1 table, 60 ref

001261   Saha S K (NO, , ) : Temporal analysis of some hydrological aspects of subarnarekha basin. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2014, 37(1), 110-17.

The Subarnarekha is one of the longest east flowing inter-state rivers. The basin is generally influenced by South-West monsoon, which breaks in the month of June and extends up to October. Some hydrological variables like discharge, sedimentation & water quality are always playing a crucial role to determine the equilibrium of a basin area. Here in this article hydrological data of aforesaid variables are taken so as to analyze the trends of those in the given basin.

8 illus, 10 tables

001260   Sadiq N;Abbasi A A;Qureshi M S (Institute of Space & Planetary Astrophysics, Karachi Univ, Karachi-75270, Pakistan, Email: nsadiq@uok.edu.pk) : Drought analysis of Sindh using standardized precipitation index (SPI). Mausam 2014, 65(3), 433-40.

4 illus, 1 table, 9 ref

001259   Roy S (Geography Dep, Calcutta Univ, Kolkata-700 019, Email: sudipgeosphere@gmail.com) : Analysis of sedimentological characteristics of matiali geomorphic surface. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2014, 37(1), 132-9.

Study is an analysis of different sedimentary fades found in alluvial fan at the foot hills of north Bengal. The basic aim is to identify the sedimentological character of alluvial fan and its development condition. The researcher has identified different fades at Matiali geomorphic surface (as designated by Nakata. T, 1972 in 'Geomorphic History and Crustal Movement of the Foothills of the Himalayas'); which is, an interfluve between Neora and Murti and also an alluvial fan developed in humid climatic region. The researcher has prepared sedimentary log which is very useful to identify sedimentological character of Matiali geomorphic surface.

3 illus, 3 tables, 6 ref

001258   Roy A (Geography Dep, Calcutta Univ, Kol-19, Email: royatashi2@gmail.com) : Extensive use of groundwater and its impact on environment in the rajpur sonarpur municipality of south 24parganas, West Bengal. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2014, 37(1), 156-8.

Since the early years of the last century groundwater has been considered as a major source of drinking water throughout the world. It was widely used and considered a source of safe drinking water as, in normal condition it is free from pathogenic agents, it usually requires no treatment and more importantly its supply is likely to be certain even during the dry season. As long as the water drawn from the ground is replenished by seepage of rain water, the water table remains unaffected. The problem starts when we take more water from ground. It is replenished by natural means. Then the water table goes down and it is said to have been depleted. Rajpur Sonarpur Municipalty at present faces this problem acutely, as the ground water is being extensively used for domestic, industrial and drinking purpose. The present paper is prepared to analyse these problems and to seek some remedial measures and to aware people of these problems.

6 illus, 15 ref

001257   Ranalkar M R;Gupta M K;Mishra R P;Anjan A; Krishnaiah S (NO, , India Meteorological Dep, Pune, Email: mr.ranalkar@imd.gov.in) : Network of automatic weather stations : time division multiple access type. Mausam 2014, 65(3), 393-406.

Network of 550 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) has been established across India during April 2009 to February 2012 to bridge observational gaps in data sparse regions and augment manned surface observational network. All AWS are equipped with sensors for parameters air temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, rainfall, wind and global solar radiation. Additional sensors for soil temperature, soil moisture, leaf temperature and leaf wetness have been provided at 127 AWS. The data loggers are programmed for hourly measurement schedule. The satellite telemetry technique called Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) has been employed for data transmission through Data Relay Transponder (DRT) aboard geo-stationary satellite INSAT - 3A located at 93.5° E to ensure effective channel utilization. The data are received and archived in the central data receiving Earth Station established at Pune. The mean sea level pressure, dew point temperature, pressure tendency, daily maximum and minimum temperature are derived at Earth Station. The data are made available in near real time to end users in WMO code form via WMO Information System (WIS) and at www.imdaws.com. This paper presents technical details of AWS, network plan, features of telemetry system, capabilities of data receiving Earth Station and preliminary results of the performance of network.

10 illus, 1 table, 12 ref

001256   Ranalkar M R;Anjan A;Mishra R P;Mali R R; Krishnaiah S (NO, , India Meteorological Dep, Pune-411 005, Email: mr.ranalkar@imd.gov.in) : Development of operational near real-time network monitoring and quality control system for implementation at AWS data receiving earth station. Mausam 2015, 66(1), 93-106.

Procedures for automatic near real time monitoring of Indian Automatic Weather Station (AWS) network and Quality Control (QC) of data at central data receiving Earth station have been developed and results of test run are presented. In the absence of these procedures, AWS data may meet operational requirements but it would be a result of serendipity. The pervasive influence of erratic values of meteorological parameters received from AWS may cause end users to lose confidence in the system. It therefore behoves network managers to provide data of known and stated quality to end users. The daily reports of network monitoring and system health are generated automatically and sent automatically by email to various maintenance centres and user defined email ids. The QC system sequentially applies range check (gross error, Climatological limit check), step check (maximum and minimum allowable variation during measurement interval) and consistency check (temporal, internal and spatial) on the raw data. The rules for data flagging are also developed as the users of AWS data may legitimately like to know the extent to which QC procedures applied on the data removed the errors. The system has been made operational at INSAT AWS laboratory and it would now be possible to make the data along with metadata and QC flag available to end users. The preliminary results of QC system are encouraging however, performance of algorithms implemented will be continuously monitored and if required, improved algorithms will be incorporated in next version of QC system.

12 illus, 2 tables, 14 ref

001255   Ramasamy S M;Muthukumar M;Subagunasekar M (Centre for Remote Sensing, Bharathidasan Univ, Tiruchirapalli-620 203, Email: smrsamy@gmail.com) : Malin-Maharashtra landslides: a disaster triggered by tectonics and anthropogenic phenomenon. Curr Sci 2015, 108(8), 1428-30.

^ssc3 illus, 9 ref

001254   Ramanathan R A N;Raj Y E A (NO, , India Meteorological Dep, Chennai, Email: rmanramu@gmail.com) : Statistical prediction of movement of cyclonic storms and depressions over bay of Bengal through LOESS technique. Mausam 2014, 65(3), 319-32.

Accurate cyclone track prediction has always been a challenge to the operational weather forecaster. An attempt has been made in this study for prediction of the cyclone track by employing three statistical techniques, viz., analogue, analogue-cum-regression and Locally weighted Scatterplot Smoothing (LOESS). Track data of cyclonic disturbances which formed and moved in the Bay of Bengal during the period 1961-2008 has been used. A statistical model has been developed for comparison of the accuracy levels of track prediction through these three techniques and results have been discussed. It has been observed that the average track forecast error of 147 km calculated by LOESS technique is minimum compared to those obtained from analogue and analogue-cum-regression techniques. In the case of recurved systems also, the forecast error obtained through LOESS is minimum. Heidke Skill Score, Peirce Skill Score and Proportion Correct have been calculated for Along-Track and Cross-Track components which indicate better accuracy and superiority of LOESS technique over the analogue and analogue-cum-regression techniques. Other skill score indices have also been computed and results presented.

2 illus, 9 tables, 24 ref

001253   Raha G N;Bhattacharjee K;Das M;Dutta M; Bandyopadhyay S (NO, , Meteorological Centre, Gangtok, India, Email: itsraha@gmail.com) : Statistical study of surface temperature and rainfall over four stations in North Bengal. Mausam 2014, 65(2), 179-84.

This article presents the study of recent trends of surface temperature and rainfall over some selected stations of North Bengal based on 30 years' data (1979-2008). The study revealed that the degree of warming are more pronounced over two most rapidly developing towns of Jalpaiguri and Malda which may be attributed to rapid urbanization and infrastructure development taking place in the districts; the degree of warming observed over Malda being more pronounced than that over Jalpaiguri and it is the least over Balurghat. Also, the intensity of seasonal as well as annual cumulative rainfall over Balurghat is increasing more significantly; the increase in intensity being most significant during the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons; the geographical location and orography of Balurghat, the least developed town, may be attributed to such an increase.

4 illus, 1 table, 8 ref

001252   Pattanaik D R;Tomar C S;Bhan S C (NO, , India Meteorological Dep, New Delhi) : Delayed withdrawal of southwest monsoon 2010 - a diagnostic study. Mausam 2015, 66(1), 19-32.

Delayed or early withdrawal of monsoon over northwest India determines the performance of monsoon particularly during the withdrawal phase. A forecasting of delay/early withdrawal of monsoon two to three weeks in advance is very crucial not only to the Agricultural communities but also to various users. During 2010 the monsoon withdrawal was delayed by about 4 weeks as it commenced from northwest India on 27th September. The physical reasons associated with the delayed withdrawal of monsoon during 2010 is investigated using daily surface and upper air data obtained from the National Centre for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis along with the products available from NOAA and Kalpana-1 satellites. The weekly mean and anomaly wind during withdrawal phase of 2010 indicated anomalous cyclonic circulation up to 26th September and was only conducive for the withdrawal of monsoon during the week from 27 September 2010-3 October 2010 with development of anticyclonic anomalies over the northwest India during that period. A daily low level wind index in terms of the difference in average 850 hPa zonal winds between a southern and a northern region of the monsoon trough position indicated a delayed withdrawal of monsoon, which was associated with active convections over northwest India along the monsoon trough zone and in the latitudinal belt of 35° N-45° N accompanied by large scale warming of about 2 °C in the middle to upper troposphere over the latitude belt of 45° N-50° N. The withdrawal, of monsoon from northwest India was further indicated by gradual decrease of precipitable water content (PWC) and upper tropospheric humidity (UTH). This delay of withdrawal of monsoon from northwest India during 2010 was also accompanied by La Nina conditions in the Pacific.

11 illus, 34 ref

001251   Panchang R;Nigam R (Micropalaeontology Laboratory, National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa-403 004, Email: rajanipanchang@gmail.com) : Benthic ecological mapping of the ayeyarwady delta shelf off myanmar, using foraminiferal assemblages. J Palaeont Soc India 2014, 59(2), 121-68.

Information on benthic ecologies is a prerequisite to evaluate marine resources, their management and monitoring the impact arising from their exploitation. In the present study, benthic foraminiferal distributions from 124 surface sediment samples covering a total area of about 2,00,000 km^{2 of the Ayeyarwady Continental Shelf are studied. 713 benthic species belonging to 222 genera are identified and illustrated herein. The assemblage leads to the assignment of the study-area to the Indo-Pacific foramo-geographic province. The generic abundances have been subjected to R-mode cluster analysis in order to group stations with similar ecologies. The cluster analysis revealed three major clusters: Cluster A represents the modern coral reefs in the study area; Cluster B represents the near shore low salinity regimes whereas the last cluster C represents outer shelf and slope regimes. These clusters have been described in terms of their constituent taxa, sediment texture and spatial distribution, which interestingly follow the benthic salinity regime in the study area. The present study indicates that the salinity gradient prevalent on the Ayeyarwady Delta Shelf controls its benthic environment. The present work serves as a ready-reconnaire for foraminiferal workers in the Indo-Pacific regime.}

4 illus, 1 table, 40 ref

001250   Neeraj Kumar;Suman Kumar;Nain A S;Roy S (NO, Govind Ballabh Pant Univ of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar-263 145, Email: neeraj34012@gmail.com) : Thermal indices in relation to crop phenology of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and urd (Vigna mungo L. Hepper) at taraia region of Uttarakhand. Mausam 2014, 65(2), 215-18.

Field experiments were conducted during kharif and rabi seasons of 2007-08 and 2008-09 at GBPUAT Pantnagar, Uttarakhand to study phenology and GDD, PTU, HTU and PTI for wheat and urd crops at Tarai region of Uttarakhand. Wheat crop were sown on 18 November 2007 and 1 November, 2008 during rabi seasons and urd crop were sown on 7 July 2007 and 20 July 2008, during kharif season. Results revealed that mean GDD, HTU, PTU for wheat and urd crops were 2016, 14383, 22745 and 1592, 8586, 20813 respectively. Physiological maturity can be predicted for wheat and urd by using GDD, HTU, PTU with R^{2 0.98 and 0.99 respectively. During 2007-08 the HUE for wheat was 2.28 kg grain/ha degree days-1 with grain yield 4250 kg/ha and during 2008-09 HUE was 1.84 kg grain/ha degree days-1 with grain yield 3978 kg/ha. During 2007 the HUE for urd was 1.18 kg grain/ha degree days-1 with grain yield 1878 kg/ha and during 2008 HUE was 0.99 kg grain/ha degree days-1 with grain yield 1584 kg/ha.}

3 tables, 15 ref

001249   Nagasundaram M;Achyuthan H (Geology Dep, Anna Univ, Chennai-25, Email: hachyuthan@yahoo.com) : Middle holocene phytolith record from a marine sediment core, off landfall island, north andaman: an indicator for understanding SW monsoon variations. J Palaeont Soc India 2014, 59(2), 181-92.

Reconstruction of paleoenvironmental changes and monsoon variability during the mid - late Holocene was carried out using phytolith analysis on a sediment core collected near the Landfall Island, Bay of Bengal. The sediment core was age dated using radiocarbon method and the dates range in age from 6078 (-22.8%₀ δ^{13C) to 1658 yrs BP (-23.3%₀ δ13C). A down sediment core variation in phytolith assemblages was investigated and classified based on their shape, size and morphology, further the climate index (Ic), phytolith index (Iph) and cold / warm ratios were calculated to understand the paleoenvironmental implications. The phytolith assemblages suggest that the mid - Holocene <126> 6500 to 5000 yrs BP experienced intense southwest monsoon (SWM), followed by a weakened monsoon from <126> 5000 yrs BP to present. Within this tapering weakened monsoon period; an extremely destabilized monsoon prevailed around 4400 yrs BP (-24.3%₀ δ13C). The fluctuations in the SWM intensity continued between 3600 yrs BP and 2400 yrs BP with an amelioration in its intensity around 3400 yrs BP. Further, the monsoon conditions from 2400 yrs BP continued to be feeble until 800 yrs BP. These inferences drawn on monsoonal variations based on phytolith data have been well corroborated with the sediment texture, organic matter (OM), calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and various other climate models reported from this region using different proxies.}

6 illus, 4 tables, 105 ref

001248   Mukherjee B (NO, , ) : Coastal erosion at ghoramara and its rehabilitation programme in jibantala. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2014, 37(1), 159-72.

Ghoramara Island, situated at the head of Bay of Bengal was once a part of the Sugar Island. Due to rapid environmental changes this place got eroded and now has completely got separated from the Sagar Island. The inhabitants had to be relocated in one of the colonies of Sagar Island, i.e. Jibantala. The life of the people settled there has therefore got completely changed. They are deprived from all the basic amenities. An evaluation has been done to check the success of the rehabilitation programme, along with the problems that the people are undergoing in this area. Possible solutions are marked so that the govt. can come up and take suitable measures for the benefit of the local people.

22 illus, 3 tables, 8 ref

001247   Mishra A (NO, , Geography Dep, Allahabad Univ, Email: ashutoshmishrageo@gmail.com) : Cloudburst and landslides in Uttarakhand : a nature's fury?. Mausam 2015, 66(1), 139-44.

Cloudburst is one of the major natural disasters in Uttarakhand state of India and this brings flash floods, landslides and massive destruction of property and lives almost every year in the state. The present paper discusses about flood and landslides which occurred due to cloud burst and heavy downpour in between 14 to 17 June, 2013 in the state. Uttarakhand is very susceptible to landslides and almost three fourth of the total geographical area of the state comes under sever to high landslide risk zone. The catastrophe started with cloud burst near Rambara in Rudraprayag district and due to torrential and continuous rainfall, almost all the major rivers and especially the Mandakini and the Alaknanda swelled up. Overflowing water reservoirs of the region catalysed the severity of the event. About one tenth of the upper catchment area of Mandakini river swept away due to flood and landslide. This was the deadliest hazard in 80 years' history of the state which affected about 80,000 people. The paper reflects the nature's supremacy over human potentials and advocates the balanced man-nature relationship, especially in such terrains which arc most fragile and critically balanced. It suggests the judicious use of Himalayan resources and use of environment friendly techniques in implementing the development plan for the region.

4 illus, 2 tables, 16 ref