017508   Aggarwal P K;Jain S K (NO, National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee-247 667) : Constitutional provisions and international & interstate water disputes in India. Bhartiya Krishi Anusandhan Patrika 2014, 22(2), 102-6.

Utilization of water in India comes under the jurisdiction of states. It is possible that environmental or social consequences e.g. submergence, waterlogging etc., for a river which flows entirely in one state, may impact to another state. In addition, water withdrawal in a state may also have an impact on ground water aquifers in the adjacent state. Moreover, operation of a dam may cause inundation in areas beyond the boundaries of the state or nation. All these aspects emphasize the need for co-ordinated approach towards water resources utilization in the country. Under the Indian Constitution, a state government has the power to make laws in respect of water resources of that state. The parliament has the power to legislate the regulation and development of interstate rivers. Thus, the legislative framework of the constitution related to water is based on Entry 17 of the State list, Entry 56 in the Union list, and Article 262 of the Constitution. By virtue of these provisions, the major and medium irrigation, hydropower, flood control and multi-purpose projects are required to seek clearance of the central government for inclusion in the national plan. The term "water rights" refers to the right to use water. According to the Indian Easements Act (1882) the government has the sole right to regulate the collection, detention and distribution of water of rivers and streams flowing in natural channels. For inter-state rivers, the power and role of the Government of India is most important. With the objective of promoting integrated development of the water of inter-state rivers, the Parliament of India had enacted the River Boards Act (RBA) 1956, under Entry 56 of List I. This act contemplates the constitution of river boards by the Government of India in consultation with the State Governments. Betwa River Board, Brahmaputra Board, Bansagar Control Board, Narmada Control Authority, Ganga Flood Control Commission are the examples of the River Boards, constituted under River Board Act. Most big rivers in India are inter- state in character. Disputes do arise amongst the basin states regarding utilization, distribution or control of water in these inter- state rivers. To resolve these disputes, under the provisions of Interstate water dispute act 1956, state government may request the Government of India to refer the dispute to a tribunal for adjudication. So far in India, five tribunals have been setup to adjudicate water disputes namely: Godavari, Krishna, Narmada, Ravi and Beas and Cauvery water dispute tribunals.

1 table, 2 ref

016498   Vinod Kumar;Jaswal A K;Agre S D;Satya Kumar M;Pareekh N I;Fernandes P S (NO, , Shyam Bhawan, Ashok Nagar, Road <35> 11, Kankarbagh Colony, Patna-800 020, Email: vinodmanjusingh@yahoo.co.in) : Cold fronts/upper air troughs and low level subtropical anticyclones in South Indian Ocean and Indian summer monsoon rainfall. J Indian Geophys Union 2014, 18(2), 225-44.

The movement of cold fronts with associated westerly waves from west coast of South Africa (10°E: even from 40°W) to west coast of Australia (120°E) during south west monsoon season influences Indian summer monsoon rainfall significantly. Moderate/deep cold fronts have been observed in southern hemisphere east of 30°E and north of 30° south/ 25° south, during normal/ excess Indian summermonsoon months. Feeble cold fronts, which are observed during deficient monsoonmonths, do not penetrate north of 30°south. Westerly waveshave been observed from 850 hPa to 200 hPa or even up to 150 hPa pressure heights. It is well known thatcold fronts are closely associated with low pressure systems, normally lying at the leading edge of high pressure systems. They tend to move towards the equator and eastward. It is also well known that low and medium clouds such as Cumulus (CU), Cumulonimbus (CB), Altocumulus (AC) and Altostratus (AS) are observed at the cold front. In the rear of a cold front AC and AS clouds are observed. Because of presence of high pressure area, in the rear of a cold front, strong pressure gradient is observed from South Indian Ocean to north of the equator. Moisture generatedby the low level westerly waves/ troughs, in South Indian Ocean, can be observed by presence of thick AS clouds in the rear of cold fronts. Moisture generated (cold air mass), below 8000 feet (base of AS clouds) is transported to Indian Seas by low level subtropicalanti cyclones (from 850 hPa onwards) located between 40°W to 120°E, through southeasterly trades. This has been confirmed by 850hPa relative humidity (RH) and winds anomalies, for 21 normal/ excess and 20 deficient monsoon months for 31years period. So, the region from 40°W-120°E and north of 30°S in southern hemisphere is most vital for Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall.

14 illus, 4 tables, 28 ref

016497   Tiwari V M;Veenadhari B;Gahalaut V K; Mukherjee S;Dimri V P (NO, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, Email: vmtiwari@ngri.res.in) : Gravity, GPS and geomagnetic data in India. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2014, 80(3), 705-12.

Gravity, Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geomagnetic data sets in India are acquired by different research, academic and government institutions, under various projects. These data sets have extensively been utilized for natural resources and lithopsheric explorations, earthquake studies, atmospheric and ionospheric studies, control surveys, aircraft navigation, etc. The data are archived at individual institutions and have different modes of procurement considering some of the data, e.g., gravity data are classified in nature. Some of these data sets are contributed to the international observational network for example IGS and INTERMAGNET and are available as open source for the scientific communities. Present article provides information about different types of available Gravity, GPS and Geomagnetic data, their archival and mode of availability to the user community.

3 illus, 11 ref

016496   Singh K K K;Francke J (NO, CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Dhanbad-826 015, Email: kkksingh@yahoo.com) : Mine Vue radar for delineation of abandoned mine galleries. Curr Sci 2014, 107(2), 181-3.

3 illus, 9 ref

016495   Singh H;Sadiq M;Sharma B B (NO, Geological Survey of India, North Eastern Region, Shillong-793 006, Email: mohd.sadiq.gsi@gov.in) : Exploration for rare earth elements in North East India. Curr Sci 2014, 107(2), 178-5.

1 illus, 11 ref

016494   Shetye S;Rahul Mohan;Jafar S A;Nair A;Patil S;Jawak S;Asthana R;Gazi S (NO, National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Headland Sada, Goa-403 804, Email: suhassht@gmail.com) : Diatom burst-driven silica depletion under the Antarctica sea ice: evidence from spong spicules. Curr Sci 2014, 107(2), 273-7.

Earlier studies have documented the role of diatoms in reducing the diversity and abundance of other silica-dependent organisms, such as radiolaria. Here we hypothesize that diatom burst-driven depletion of dissolved silica (DSi) in the Antarctic under sea-ice waters affects other silica-biomineralizing organisms. We found intense diatom-dominated, ice-edge phytoplank-ton bloom in the Enderby basin resulting in severe depletion of DSi (<60>5 μM) under the sea ice. We also found siliceous sponge spicules within the surface sediment collected from under the Antarctic sea ice. Dominance of small style spicules (170 spicules/g sediment) under the sea ice along with dissolution seen on them, suggests DSi deficiency in the Antarctic waters. We, therefore, conclude that there is a rapid depletion of DSi due to seasonal diatom blooms under sea ice in the Antarctic waters.

5 illus, 24 ref

016493   Sarma V S (NO, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad-500 007) : Electrical resistivity (ER), self potential (SP), induced polarisation (IP), spectral induced polarisation (SIP) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) prospection in NGRI for the past 50 years-A brief review. J Indian Geophys Union 2014, 18(2), 245-72.

Geo-electrical techniques are used extensively to locate hidden targets that are conductive and resistive in nature. Efficacy of various branches of these techniques has been enhanced due to concerted theoretical, laboratory and field studies. Scientists of CSIR-NGRI played a significant role in strengthening technical base of these techniques. An attempt is made through the present review to project importance of various research initiatives, spanning over five decades.

^iia15 illus, 3 tables, 122 ref

016492   Sain K;Rai M;Sen M K (NO, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Uppal Road, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: kalachandsain@yahoo.com) : Review on shale gas prospect in Indian sedimentary basins. J Indian Geophys Union 2014, 18(2), 183-94.

Shale gas is a natural gas trapped within shales, which are fine-grained sedimentary rocks. Hydrocarbons are generated from organic-rich shale under an optimal temperature-pressure condition due to basin subsidence. A part of the generated hydrocarbons migrates and gets trapped in conventional reservoirs that can be produced commercially by standard techniques. Shale can act as both source and reservoir rocks. Depending on the type of organic matter and maturation level, unconventional hydrocarbons could be shale oil or shale gas or a combination of both. There is a sizeable deposit of shale formations in several sedimentary basins of India with different total organic (TOC) content and maturity history. The Cambay, Krishna-Godavari, Cauvery and Damodar valley are the four major basins of shale gas reservoirs as indicated by considerable thickness of shales; sufficient TOC (2 to 6 wt %) content; and good thermal maturity with vitrinite reflectance of more than 1.0. The Vindhyan, Upper Assam, Pranhita-Godavari and Rajasthan basins are other prospective basins that need to be probed by geo-scientific methods. The gas in these shale reservoirs can occur within the natural fractures or pore spaces or as adsorbed gas on the organic matter. This is considered as the next generation major energy resource after gas hydrates and coal bed methane.

8 illus, 26 ref

016491   Roy A B;Sethumadhav M S (Geology Dep, Presidency Univ, Kolkata-700 073, Email: ashitbaranroy@gmail.com) : 'Mystic' sand dune-covered temples of Talakad, Mysore district, Karnataka: evidence of earthquake-related destruction. Curr Sci 2014, 107(2), 246-54.

Low-lying sediment mound, known as Talakad sand dunes, on the left bank of the meandering Kaveri River at Talakad, Mysore district, Karnataka, is an enigmatic geomorphic feature. Archaeological excavations in the area revealed the presence of a cluster of ancient temples, mostly in dilapidated condition, which were presumably built during the time-period dating back between 6th and 17th century AD. It is generally believed that the temples were entombed under a pile of riverine sand dunes during the 'eco-disaster' that lashed the region in the 17th century. Our field studies coupled with archaeological reports on excavations indicate that the mound is not entirely made of dune sands. Virtual absence of sand deposits over some severely damaged temples occurring near the top suggests that destruction could not have taken place only because of the load of the overlying sands. On the other hand, the scale of destruction witnessed in some of the affected temples can only be explained by the incidence of earthquakes of high magnitude. Additional proof of earthquake-related destruction comes from the occurrence of sedimentary layers (beds) containing fragmented pieces of building materials like bricks and stones in silt and clay-bearing flood plain deposits at the sites of the destructed temples and other buildings. Historical records of repeated renovation or rebuilding of temples at the same place provide further proof of recurrent incidence of earthquake-related destruction. Geomorphic changes manifested in the form of shifting of river courses consequent with the rise of the sediment mound also indicate uplift-related earth movements which must have ensued repeated earthquakes in the region.

13 illus, 17 ref

016490   Reddy P R (NO, Scientist-G (Retd CSIR-NGRI, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: parvatarreddy@gmail.com) : Freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity- a case study of Kolleru Lake, India. J Indian Geophys Union 2014, 18(2), 277-8.

Freshwater Lakes, especially those that have significant importance from socio-economic point of view and sustenance of bio-diversity need to be protected from various manmade degradations. To bring in to focus the importance of organised restoration of degraded freshwater Lakes an effort is made through this write up to expose various facets of the problems encountered in Kolleru Lake and implementation of organised restoration strategies to overcome various setbacks and the future course of action, by synthesising available information.

^iia1 illus, 1 table, 9 ref

016489   Rangarajan R;Andrade R;Shankar G B K; Muralidharan D;Peters E (NO, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, Email: rangarajanngri@gmail.com) : Understanding area specific recharge process from vadoze zone resistivity variations - a case study in basalt watershed, Ujjain district, Madhya Pradesh. J Indian Geophys Union 2014, 18(2), 211-24.

Spatial variability in parameters used in groundwater resource estimation and budgeting over an area always compromised with averaging and distribution. Among the parameters, the natural recharge spatial variability found to influence critically in resource assessment. To understand the spatial variability in principal recharge component, an attempt is made to relate the vadoze zone characteristics by integrating results of natural recharge, injected tritium tracer studies, infiltration and electrical resistivity tomography over black soil covered basaltic Ghatiya watershed in Ujjain district, Madhya Pradesh. Analysis of recharge function at three sites representing upper (recharge area), middle and lower (discharge parts) is found to be a function of vadoze zone resistivity characteristics and an exponential function of infiltration rate. The relationship may help in getting the dependency in spatial distribution of recharge with limited spot recharge measurements and resistivity characteristics of vadoze zone of intervening areas and infiltration indices.

5 illus, 1 table, 45 ref

016488   Nagaraju J;Chetty T R K (NO, CSIR-National Ceophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad-7, Email: trkchetty@gmail.com) : Imprints of tectonics and magmatism in the south eastern part of the Indian shield: satellite image interpretation. J Indian Geophys Union 2014, 18(2), 165-82.

Interface between the Dharwar craton and the southern part of the Eastern Ghats Belt, described here as the Terrane Boundary Shear Zone, is geologically a complex terrane. The zone also hosts many mafic-ultramafic and alkaline plutonic complexes and a recently reported Kanigiri ophiolite melange. The zone has also been subjected to complex geological processes such as rifting, subduction, accretion and collision between 2.0 Ga and 0.5 Ga. Multi-scale image interpretations has been carried out to identify major structural/ tectonic elements as well as internal magmatic fabric trends of plutonic bodies, followed by detailed geological traverses and structural mapping. The results demonstrate that digitally processed satellite images are much more efficient than the normal satellite images in terms of structural and tectonic interpretations. The study also reveals new mapping results including several dominantly NE-SW, NW-SE and WNW-ESE/ ENE-WSW trending mega- and major- lineaments, consistent with field observations. An attempt is made to correlate genetic and spatial relationship of lineaments with regional tectonics and magmatism.

10 illus, 1 table, 48 ref

016487   Mukherjee S (Earth Sciences Dep, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-400 076, Email: soumyajitm@gmail.com) : Kinematics of "top -to-down" simple shear in a newtonian rheology. J Indian Geophys Union 2014, 18(2), 273-6.

2 illus, 17 ref

016486   Mehta M;Dobhal D P;Kesarwani K;Bhanu Pratap; Amit Kumar;Verma A (NO, Centre for Glaciology, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehra Dun-248 001, Email: msmehta75@gmail.com) : Monitoring of glacier changes and response time in Chorabari glacier, Central Himalaya, Garhwal, India. Curr Sci 2014, 107(2), 281-9.

Chorabari Glacier (6.6 sq. km) in the Mandakini River basin, a tributary of the River Alaknanda, Central Himalaya, Garhwal (India) has been monitored in terms of its length and frontal area (snout) changes for the period between 1962 and 2012. Global Positioning System, Survey of India toposheet (1 : 50,000) and ground-based measurements were used to obtain the changes in morphology and size of the glacier. The result shows that the frontal area of the glacier has shrunk by 1% and 344 ± 24 m length loss, with an average rate of 6.8 ± 0.5 m a^{-1 from 1962 to 2012. The observed terminus records of Chorabari Glacier indicate that the positive mass balance can cause terminus advance in about a 17-year timescale. The lag time of glacier signal transferred from accumulation area to the snout by glacier flow is about 562 years. These observations as well as other studies carried out in the region show a significant reduction in glacier area. The increased retreat rate of the glacier snout is probably a direct consequence of global warming.}

5 illus, 3 tables, 47 ref

016485   Kotal S D;Roy S S;Roy Bhowmik S K (NO, , India Meteorological Dep, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003, Email: sdkotal.imd@gmail.com) : Catastrophic heavy rainfall episode over Uttarakhand during 16-18 June 2013-observational aspects. Curr Sci 2014, 107(2), 234-45.

Widespread very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall occurred over Uttarakhand and its neighbouring states during 16-18 June 2013, which caused flash floods, landslides, large-scale loss of lives and damage to property. The present study analyses the dynamical and thermodynamical features associated with this torrential rainfall episode. The analysis suggests that due to strong interaction, between an oncoming mid-tropospheric trough in the westerlies and the strong lower-tropospheric southeasterly monsoon wind flow in association with a monsoon low-pressure system over the North Indian region, a lower tropospheric wind convergence zone developed over Uttarakhand and its neighbouring regions. A strong Bay of Bengal current of air with wind speed of 40 kts in the northern periphery of the monsoon low, pumped a lot of moisture into the region. Supported by strong orographic effect due to high terrain and strong moisture feeding from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, a large-scale quasistationary regenerative mesoscale convective system (MCS) developed over the zone of convergence. The episode was comparable to the 2010 Leh flash flood episode, in that the synoptic conditions were similar in both cases. However, while the Leh episode resulted from repeated surges of westward travelling MCS across the Tibetan Plateau, the present case was due to quasistationary regenerative MCS over the region.

12 illus, 1 table, 11 ref

016484   Jaswal A K;Narkhede N M;Shaji R (NO, , India Meteorological Dep, Pune-411 005, Email: jaswal4@gmail.com) : Atmospheric data collection, processing and database management in India meteorological department. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2014, 80(3), 697-704.

The availability of a proper meteorological database is a major prerequisite for studying the processes of climate by scientists and policy makers. The acquisition of pertinent meteorological data, timely access and database management are important components that make the climate information valuable. New technologies in the field of communication and great strides in the automation age have offered new ways of making data products available to the user community. Data collection and database management are the key components of the availability of climate data. Due to increased observation frequency, huge amounts of data are received at data centres. Fast and effective quality control for identification and flagging of suspicious observations is needed at the data centres to provide easy access to information and dissemination of quality assured observations to the users. India Meteorological Department (IMD) collects, processes, archives and disseminates a wide range of weather, climate and other environmental data generated by the department's observational network. With the installation of 'CliSys' Climate Database Management System (CDMS) in the National Data Centre located at Pune, the data acquisition and processing operations have been automated. This system provides a set of tools and procedures that allow all data relevant to climate studies to be properly stored and managed. It serves the main objectives of climate data collection, storage, quality control, easy access, data protection, climate data analysis and customized product generation.

5 illus, 1 table, 4 ref

016483   Ingle V K;Mishra A K;Sarangi A;Singh D K; Seghal V K (Agricultural Engineering Div, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012, Email: vishal4644@gmail.com) : Hydrologic behaviour of Tapi river catchment using morphometric analysis. J appl nat Sci 2014, 6(2), 442-50.

Study area Tapi River catchment covers 63,922.91 Sq.Km comprising of 5 five Sub-catchments: Purna river catchment (18,473.6 sq.km) Upper Tapi catchment (10,530.3 sq. km), Middle Tapi catchment (4,997.3 sq km), Girna river catchment (10,176.9 sq.km) and lower Tapi catchment (19,282.5 sq.km.). The drainage network of 5 Sub -catchments was delineated using remote sensing data. The morphometric analysis of 5 Sub-catchments has been carried out using GIS softwares - ArcMap. The drainage network showed that the terrain exhibits dendritic to sub-dendritic drainage pattern. Stream orders ranged from sixth to seventh order. Drainage density varied between 0.39 and 0.43km/ km2and had very coarse to coarse drainage texture. The relief ratio ranged from 0.003 to 0.007. The mean bifurcation ratio varied from 4.24 to 6.10 and falls under normal basin category. The elongation ratio showed that all catchment elongated pattern. Thus, the remote sensing techniques proved to be a competent tool in morphometric analysis.

016482   Dimri V P (NO, CSIR Distinguished Scientiest, NGRI, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: dimrivp@yahoo.com) : Use and abuse of excess CO₂. J Indian Geophys Union 2014, 18(2), 205-9.

It is now confirmed that Global Warming is taking place and it's influence on the Earth's environment is found to be significant. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) and other Green House gases are noticed to be significantly contributing to enhanced surface temperature of the earth, affecting the Climate, degrading the quality of our environment and enhancing climate related vulnerabilities and hazards. A comprehensive exposition of the role of CO₂ is presented. Usage of CO₂ in enhancing oil from oil field is also discussed.

2 illus, 5 ref

016481   Dattatrayam R S;Suresh G;Baidya P R;Rajesh Prakash;Gautam J L;Shukla H P;Singh D (National Center for Seismology, India Meteorological Dep, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Lodi Road, New Delhi-110 003, Email: dattatrayam_rs@hotmail.com) : Standards and methodologies of seismological data generation, processing and archival & guidelines for data sharing and supply. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2014, 80(3), 679-96.

The process of dealing with earthquake disasters essentially involves three most important and inter-dependent components - (i) comprehensive understanding of the earthquake generation processes and the interior of the earth, (ii) disaster mitigation and preventive measures, and (iii) work through the ultimate goal of earthquake prediction. The basic and primary requirement towards addressing all these tasks is - high quality seismological data which is homogeneous and complete in time and space. India Meteorological Department (IMD), under the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), is the nodal agency of Government of India for monitoring earthquake activity in and around the country. IMD maintains the national seismological network consisting of a total of 82 observatories spread over the length and breadth of the country. The paper aims at discussing different methods/approaches adopted by IMD and other major agencies in the country for generation of various types of earthquake data products in standard formats, the analyses and archival tools and policy guidelines for supply and sharing amongst the user agencies. The paper also deals with the types of seismic instrumentation/networks in operation, network growth through historical times, data completion aspects, present level(s) of earthquake detection and location, future requirements and plans of upgradation. The policy guidelines being followed for seismological data sharing and supply have also been highlighted.

^iia7 illus, 41 ref

016480   Choudhary S;Khan P A;Gwal A K (Physics Dep, Space Science Laboratory, Barkatullah Univ, Bhopal-462 026, Email: csuryansh@gmail.com) : Ionospheric precursors of M9.0 Tohoku earthquake on March 11, 2011. J Indian Geophys Union 2014, 18(2), 195-204.

Earthquake of magnitude M 9.0 hit the Japan on 11th March 2011. The earthquake triggered one of the deadliest tsunamis. We analyzed the temporal variation of ionospheric parameters ten days before and five days after the main shock. These parameters measured by the ground based Ionosonde characterize the state of ionosphere. We have used the data of Kokubunji Ionosonde station, which lies at a distance of 440 km from the epicenter of the earthquake. The data analysis revealed a sharp enhancement in the height parameters hmF2, h/F2 and h/F of F layer seven days prior to the main shock, while critical frequency of F2 layer foF2 showed a slight decrease. We also examined the variation of electron density (NmF2), Ionospheric Electron Content (IEC) and ionospheric slab thickness parameters and found that while slab thickness increased around the same time the values of NmF2 and IEC underwent a decrease. Since the ionosphere was raised to higher heights the density decreased correspondingly. We also performed the cross correlation analysis of the Kokubunji station with other stations of Japan. From this analysis we found that on 3rd March 2011 Kokubunji followed a negative correlation with other stations of Japan.

8 illus, 29 ref

015573   Singh R K;Sharma R;Gouda H C;Rajaram H;Rajesh Kumar;Ramesh K (Geological Survey of India, Geophysics Div, RSAS, Vasudha Bhawan, Kumaraswamy Layout, Bengaluru-560 078, Email: rksingh_gsi@rediffmail.com) : Analysis of aeromagnetic data for structural study over a part of Bundelkhand granitoid complex. Indian J Geosci 2013, 67(1), 63-82.

The magnetic data show extension of the Bundelkhand Granitoid Complex (BGC) below the Indo-Gangetic alluvium in the northern part of the area. The change in the magnetic intensity from south to north in the magnetic domains 'A' and 'B' is attributed to the variations in magnetic susceptibility in the granites and other lithounits of BGC. The high-intensity magnetic domain 'A' comprises anomalies with high amplitude and shorter wavelengths whereas the moderate-intensity magnetic domain 'B' consists of anomalies of moderate amplitudes with moderate wavelengths. Magnetic data is characterised by the 2D type of features mainly trending NE-SW (magnetic discontinuities) and NW-SE (magnetic body axes) associated with quartz reefs and dolerite dykes respectively. The results of 2-D modelling have shown the variation in depth to the top of magnetic bodies in the range of 192 m to 350 m. There are nearly E-W- trending magnetic features which represent the general trend of the lithological unit in BGC. The radially averaged power spectrum has shown three magnetic interfaces at depths of 488 m, 1243 m and 8368 m below the observation plane. The magnetic features corresponding to these depths are presented in the layer maps generated by matched filtering. Many of the magnetic discontinuities are continuing from shallow to middle layer whereas magnetic body axes (except the LI-LI and L2-L2) trending NW-SE have disappeared in the middle layer. The nearly E-W- trending magnetic body axes continue even in the deep layer which represent the general trend of the BGC. The magnetic basement depth model map shows shallow magnetic basement towards south and deeper magnetic basement towards north of the area. These magnetic discontinuities and nearly E-W-trending magnetic features are intersected by the NW-SE-trending magnetic body axes. Prominent regions of intersection of different magnetic features in the area are identified as potential blocks for detailed mineral investigation.

11 illus, 2 tables, 19 ref

015572   Sen R;Chakrabarti S;Chakravortty S (Formerly at Metallurgical Engineering Dep, Colorado School of Mines, USA, Email: rnarayasnsen@rediffmail.com) : Measuring the impacts of land use on water quality influenced by non-point sources. Curr Sci 2014, 107(10), 1719-25.

Objective of this study is to (a) test the proposition that the variance of water quality from undefined sources is a function of land use within the watershed, and (b) examine the premise that the impact of land use near the stream is more important than that far away from the stream in affecting the water quality from non-point sources. Results obtained using this approach support both these hypotheses. Moreover, these tests suggest the importance of considering the means by which chemical elements are delivered to the streams. Nitrate-nitrogen and phosphorus can probably be intercepted by different means because of their varying delivery systems. Nitrate-nitrogen can be intercepted by removal of fast-growing floodplain crops and phosphorus by sediment barriers at sites outside the floodplain. Further evidences suggest that reservoir trap-efficiency is considerably important in improving the downstream water quality as the former entraps clay nanominerals (with adsorbed particulates of phosphorus) that are found to be responsible for the fate and transport of phosphorus. The methodology of analysis of stream loads is ordinary least square regression analysis. Stream loads of nitrate-nitrogen and total phosphorus have been studied as a function of land use.

1 illus, 2 tables, 28 ref

015571   Rani A;Upadhyay R S;Singh Y P (NO, CSIR National Physical Laboratory, Dr K S Krishnan Marg, New Delhi-110 012, Email: ypsingh@nplindia.org) : Investigating temperature distribution of two different types of blackbody sources using infrared pyrometry techniques. MAPAN 2013, 28(2), 91-8.

Comparison between two different types of thermal radiation sources maintaining near blackbody conditions has been carried out in the range from 50 to 500 °C. An infrared total radiation pyrometer was used as a transfer standard to measure the temperature of blackbodies. A thorough study of temperature distribution has been carried out for the large surface source in order to characterize the best location over the surface blackbody for temperature determination precisely of the order of better than 0.1 °C. The expanded uncertainty in the estimation of temperature of the radiating source in the above range of measurement was evaluated to be within ±0.24 °C at 50 °C and ±0.88 °C at 500 °C. The blackbody temperature sources found to be suitable for calibration of infrared total radiation pyrometers and thermal imaging devices in the operational range as mentioned above for laboratory use or other industrial and medical applications.

10 illus, 3 tables, 30 ref

015570   Prasad M;Singh H;Singh S K (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: hukams@gmail.com) : Early eocene Annona fossils from vastan lignite mine, Surat district, Gujarat, India: age, origin and palaeogeographic significance. Curr Sci 2014, 107(10), 1730-5.

Family Annonaceae has Gondwanan affinity and is being reported from the Cambay Shale of Vastan Lignite Mine on the basis of well-preserved fruit (in counterpart), leaf and pollen grains. This finding is significant because it serves as yet another example of an angiosperm family found in South America and Africa that may have boarded the Indian raft when India was attached to Madagascar, reported on the basis of pollen from Kutch. The Vastan occurrences represent a continuous record from the Indian latest Cretaceous, through the Palaeocene, based on multiple vegetative entities. The well-preserved fruit is morphologically similar to Annona palustris L. At present the dispersal history of the family into India represents an origin in the Lower Cretaceous of North America with later dispersal to South America and Africa and then onto India, as it is recorded from the sedimentary beds associated with the Deccan Volcanics. Another angiosperm family, Dipterocarpaceae, is also found in Vastan, with a similar phyto-geographic distribution.

2 illus, 38 ref

015569   Prasad K;Shukla J P (NO, RCVP Noronha Academy of Administration, Bhopal-462 016, Email: kamleshp97@gmail.com) : Assessment of groundwater vulnerability using GIS-based DRASTIC technology for the basaltic aquifer of Burhner watershed, Mohgaon block, Mandla (India). Curr Sci 2014, 107(10), 1649-56.

Groundwater (GW) vulnerability is foundation stone for evaluating the risk of GW contamination and developing management options to preserve the quality of GW. The concept of GW vulnerability is based on the assumption that the physical environment may provide some degree of protection for GW against human activities as well as natural contamination. The main objective of this study is to find out the GW vulnerable zones in Burhner watershed using the DRASTIC model in a geographical information system environment. Determination of DRASTIC index involves multiplying each parameter weight by its site rating and summing the total. On the basis of DRASTIC index values, a GW vulnerability map was prepared using Arc GIS 10 platform. Based on the results of the GW vulnerability assessment, the study area was divided into three zones: Low vulnerable zones ranging from 92 to 123 DRASTIC index with a geographical area of about 113.35 sq. km; moderate vulnerable zones ranging from 123 to 142 with 98.42 sq. km geographical area and high vulnerable zones with DRASTIC index ranging from 142 to 164 with 113.23 sq. km geographical area.

12 illus, 10 tables, 30 ref

015568   Pathak B;Dharamwal G S;Mukherjee K;Lahiri A K;Chakrabortty G K (Geophysics Div, Northeastern Region, Geological Survey of India, Shillong-793 003, Email: kalyan.mukherjee@gsi.gov.in) : Gravity-magnetic evidences across Meghalaya massif from Guwahati to cherrapunjee and its relation to tectonic features. Indian J Geosci 2013, 67(1), 87-102.

Interpretations of the gravity- magnetic (G-M) data added with analysis of aeromagnetic filtered map and the vertical electrical soundings across Meghalaya Massif from Guwahati to Cherrapunjee have enabled to explore the subsurface geology along the transect and correlate with the geological findings. The gradual rise of regional gravity anomaly towards Shillong and significant gravity high around Nongpoh is due to high-density material beneath the Shillong plateau and emplacement of granitic pluton, respectively. Steep gravity-magnetic gradient from Nongpoh to Umling presumably reveals faulted contact at the northern boundary near Umling. The magnetic high of ellipsoidal type around Nongpoh-Umdihar area is correlated with emplacement of granite. The ground gravity-magnetic (TF) anomaly and the linear aeromagnetic feature are found to have close correlation with NE-SW- trending Tyrsad-Barapani shear zone. From Shillong to Cherrapunjee, the aeromagnetic map and the G-M profile exhibit bipolar magnetic anomaly around Mylliem - Laitlyngkot area (south of Shillong) which reveals the geological contact between the Shillong Quartzite with Mylliem Pluton. The low magnetic linear zone in the southeast corner near Cherrapunjee area presumably indicates the presence of Cretaceous-Eocene sediments. The shaded image aeromagnetic map on the other hand enables to identify few subdued magnetic features adjacent to Nongpoh and Tyrsad-Barapani shear zone and also around Mylliem-Laitlyngkot. Fourier power spectrum analysis indicates two significant density discontinuities at depths 1400 m and 200 m. The rock constituents at 4 to 1.4 km depth may belong to Archaean basement and associated rocks. The rocks at depth range of 1.4 km-200 m comprise Shillong Group of metasedimentaries. The noisy spectrum in the last segment (<200 m) indicates lateral inhomogeneity due to weathered rock mass/Quaternary sediments towards the surface. The analytic signal (AS) aeromagnetic anomaly map reveals the extent of the granitic pluton at shallow depth, both around Nongpoh and Mylliem. Isolated high magnetic anomalies both within Shillong Quartzite and around Cretaceous-Eocene sediments may be due to sporadic occurrence of magnetic bodies. High magnetic susceptibility of Nongpoh pluton (1213.9 -1982.3 X 10^{-6 CGS units) indicates the presence of appreciable amount of magnetic minerals, possibly the reason for significantly high magnetic anomaly over the Nongpoh pluton compared to Mylliem pluton. Electrical resistivity soundings (VES) carried out at various locations along the transect from Khanapara, Guwahati to Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya have shown variations of geoelectric properties of the overburden and the bedrock. Interpretation of VES data shows depth to the high resistive formations (bedrock) basement varies from near surface (3 m) to 120 m along the transect.}

7 illus, 2 tables, 23 ref

015567   Ozkan T;Gulmez G;Turhan E;Tesneli N B (NO, , TUBITAK Ulusal Metroloji Enstitusu, P K 54, Gebze, Kocaeli 41470, Turkey, Email: turgay.ozkan@tubitak.gov.tr) : Uncertainty analysis of four terminal pair capacitance characterization up 30 MHz. MAPAN 2013, 28(2), 85-90.

The Impedance Group Laboratories of National Metrology Institute of Turkey previously developed a new method for the characterization of Agilent 16380A-type four-terminal-pair air dielectric capacitance standards ranged from 1 to 1,000 pF up to 30 MHz. This method is based on obtaining all resonance frequencies of standard capacitors using a vector network analyzer in order to calculate inductive residual parameters of the standards. As a continuation of the study, this paper gives a detailed uncertainty analysis for the method.

7 tables, 6 ref

015566   Nekouei S;Nekouei F (Postal Code: 75818-63876, Young Researches and Elite Club, Gachsaran B, Islamic Azad Univ, Gachsaran, Iran, Email: f.nekouei@hotmail.com) : Cloud point extraction and spectrophotometry in the determination of As(III) using amaranth in water samples of rivers located in industrial and non-industrial areas. Curr Sci 2014, 107(10), 1725-30.

Cloud-point extraction (CPE) method was employed for the extraction of trace quantities of arsenic(III) (As(III)) from various water samples using spectro-photometry. For this mixed micelle-mediated extraction, amaranth, Triton X-114, cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and NaCl were applied as chelating, sensitizing agent, extraction and co-extraction agents respectively. The various effective parameters on CPE, including pH, type of surfactants and electrolytes, concentration of chelating agent, surfactant, sensitizing agent (CTAB), electrolyte, temperature and duration were investigated. Additionally, analytical performance was estimated (limit of detection, recovery, sensibility and relative standard deviation (RSD) and linear range). A linear calibration curve in the range 30-1500 μg I^{-1 of amaranth was acquired. Under the optimized conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) was 2.8 μg I-1 and RSD for 300 and 600 μg I-1 was 2.23 and 1.73 respectively (n= 10). LOD was found to be 2.8 μg I-1. The regression equation acquired by the least square method is A = 2.05 x 10-3 C_AS + 1.21 x 10-2 for 30-1500 μg I-1 of As(III) with a correlation coefficient of 0.997 (n = 12), where A is the absorbance and C_AS is the concentration of As(III) (μg I-1). The results indicate that the As(III) quantity in water samples of the rivers located in industrial areas is considerably higher than that in the non-industrial areas.}

6 illus, 1 table, 26 ref

015565   Mukhopadhyay S (NO, Geological Survey of India, Western Region, 15-16 Jhalana Dungri, Jaipur-302 004, Email: shubhashubho@gmail.com) : Copper mineralisation in the Delhi supergroup of rocks in Jodhawas-Mudiawas-Khera area, Alwar district, Northeastern Rajasthan. Indian J Geosci 2013, 67(1), 23-34.

In Rajasthan, the Ajabgarh Group of the Delhi Supergroup is repository of copper mineralisation. Within the rocks of this group, Cu mineralisation has been discovered in recent times in Jodhawas-Khera area of Alwar District. The Jodhawas- Khera area is a part of the Alwar basin, which is one of the three sub-basins present in the North Delhi Fold Belt (NDFB) where mainly the rocks of the Alwar and Ajabgarh groups of Meso-Proterozoic age are exposed. Bornite and chalcopyrite are the dominant copper minerals, which occur as dissemination and stringers within the rocks of the Kushalgarh and the Thanaghazi formations. The mineralisation is syngenetic in nature and later remobilised along the quartz-calcite veins during deformation. Besides copper, silver and gold are important accessory elements but paucity of Pb and Zn is noteworthy. During the Proterozoic time, the Indian subcontinent was in the southern hemisphere. Arid and semiarid environment prevailed during that period. Stabilised Archaean crust was uplifted, eroded and covered with new platform-type sediments like the sediments of the Delhi Supergroup where copper was deposited. The meta-volcanic rocks of the Raialo Group may be the source, from which copper was leached out and transported as chloride. In the tidal flats and lagoons where the sediments of the Alwar and the Ajabgarh groups were deposited in Middle and Upper Proterozoic, blue green algae was an important component and acted as source for the organic matter required for the generation of S^{2- and deposition of metals as sulphides. The host rocks for copper mineralisation are amphibole marble, micaceous marble, tremolite marble with quartzite of the Kushalgarh and the Thanaghazi formations. The mineralisation is stratabound in nature.}

18 illus, 1 table, 13 ref

015564   Mary Regina F;Muthuchamy I (Soil and Water Engineering, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kerala Agricultural University, KAU P.O., Thrissur, Kerala-680 656) : Climate analyses for assessment of agricultural potential. Allahabad Fmr 2014, 70(1), 68-80.

An attempt was made to analyse the climatic data of Coimbatore for the coefficient of variation and Initial probability of rainfall and length of growing period so as to assess the agricultural potential. The rainfall averages for the weeks 16, 17, 19, 20, 22-27, 29-32, 37-42 and 44 were found dependable. The reasonable limits for taking risk in planning of rain water harvesting strategies were observed to be between 50 and 30 per cent. If structures are intended to harvest weekly rainfall they can be designed based on 50 per cent probable rainfall as the weekly maximum at 50 per cent probability equals the maximum mean weekly rainfall. Short and medium duration crops like sorghum, maize, sunflower, cowpea, groundnut, gingelly etc were found possible to be raised without exploiting much the scarce water resources for irrigation.

3 illus, 3 tables, 8 ref

015563   Ganguly S;Biswas S;Chatterjee A (Geology Dep, Presidency Univ, Kolkata-700 073, Email: alokesh@yahoo.com) : Drainage basin morphology, hydrogeology and groundwater chemistry of Silabati river basin, West Bengal, India. Indian J Geosci 2013, 67(1), 1-22.

Silabati river basin of West Bengal has been studied to explore the geology, basin morphology, hydrogeology and chemical quality of groundwater. From northwest to southeast, the basin is successively covered by: (i) Archaean crystalline rocks on a rolling topography, belonging to the easternmost extension of Chhotanagpur Granite Gneiss Complex (ii) a strip of vesicular ferruginous laterite of lower Pleistocene age which shows sharp boundary with the preceding crystalline rocks (iii) Older Alluvium of upper Pleistocene age, deposited on the adjacent elevated terrace towards east and (iv) finally Recent Alluvium (flood plain deposit) at lower reaches. Morphometric analysis of drainage basin shape index (Bs) and the shape of the basin, demarcated on the basis of water divide as elongated nature like peepul leaf implies possible signature of tectonic significance. Depending on the country rock on its flow path, the drainage pattern changes drastically from dendritic to straight path to braided pattern to meandering from higher reaches (crystalline granite gneiss) to lower alluvial stretch of Recent Alluvium with decreasing drainage density. Groundwater occurs in unconfined aquifer of weathered residuum, fractures and fissures of crystalline rock and vesicular laterite formation and is basically utilised by open wells (yield 1000 -1500 gallons/hour). Groundwater occurs in unconfined to semi-confined condition in the short-travelled detrital angular sediments of Older Alluvium deposited on elevated terrace and is exploited by open well as well as Low and Medium Duty Tube Wells (yield 30-100m^{3/h). However, groundwater occurs in semi- confined to confined condition in Recent Alluvium and is exploited by all kinds of tube wells (yield <62>100m3/h). Water table contour and flow line studies reveal that though the basin experiences stressed groundwater condition in pre-monsoon period, post-monsoon water table map depicts an idealised basin condition with clear identification of recharge, discharge and intermediate zones which may be utilised as a tool for groundwater management for conservation and exploitation within the basin. Subsurface correlation of geological formations reveals that the thickness of lateritic soil gradually diminishes from west to east and merges to Older/Recent Alluvium and the mono aquifer of laterite and Older Alluvium sequence is gradually replaced by multiple aquifer system with rhythmic alternation of shale and sand in Recent alluvial deposit. Chemical quality of groundwater of Silabati river basin has been assessed and it shows no significant change in pre- and post-monsoon periods respectively. So far pH, Total Dissolve Solids (TDS), specific conductance and chloride are concerned; groundwater is potable throughout the basin except iron concentration which is greater than permissible limit for most of the basin. High TDS and specific conductance at the upstream segment of the basin is due to the mineralisation along fracture zones present within the hard crystalline country rock. Marginal fluctuation of physical parameters and chemical constituents of groundwater in post-monsoon compared to pre-monsoon may be result of influx of monsoon water and groundwater movement in post-monsoon period. The chemical constituents of groundwater are more or less compatible with that of the analysed chemical constituents of country rocks and soils. Excessive iron concentration of groundwater in lateritic terrain is analogous to the chemical constituents of iron-rich country rock. Reverse trend of sodium, potassium, calcium and aluminium with that of iron from laterite to other formations is the result of replacement of other cations by iron in laterite due to leaching effect under suitable climate.}

14 illus, 2 tables, 30 ref

015562   Dimri V P;Pandey A K (NO, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Uppal Road Hyderabad-500 007, Email: vpdimri@gmail.com) : Centre for Himalayan study in Uttrakhand. Curr Sci 2014, 107(10), 1647-8.

1 illus, 13 ref

015561   Chatterjee R;Ghosh A K;Kar R;Rao G M N (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: akghosh_in@yahoo.com) : Dwarfism and Lilliput effect: a study on the Glossopteris from the late permian and early triassic of India. Curr Sci 2014, 107(10), 1735-44.

'Lilliput effect' represents the phenomenon whereby there is a pronounced reduction in the size of biota associated with the aftermath of mass extinction. This fact has been supported by the evidence of dwarfism both in invertebrates and vertebrates recorded after the end-Permian mass extinction event. The extinct genus Glossopteris belonging to seed ferns Glossopteridales is one of the best known fossil taxon that flourished during the Permian and continued its existence till Triassic. In contrast to the Permian, the Triassic was a time when greenhouse conditions with an increased temperature and widespread aridity prevailed as evidenced by the global dataset. The new set of environmental conditions in the Triassic posed a major challenge for the existing Glossopteris lineage, whereby the smaller forms (dwarfs) with reduced leaf surface area continued and sustained. The present study from different late Permian and early Triassic formations of India is aimed at unravelling the changes in morphological traits of seven species of Glossopteris leaves whose existence continued surpassing the Permian-Triassic mass extinction event.

7 illus, 3 tables, 68 ref

015560   Chakraborty A (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53, Road Univ, Lucknow-226 007, Email: flywidari@gmail.com) : Integrated coastal zone management: a sustainable way to manage the coastal zone. Curr Sci 2014, 107(10), 1637-8.

015559   Balaram V;Satyanarayanan M;Murthy P K; Mohapatra C;Prasad K L (NO, National Geophysical Research Institute, Council Scientific Industrial, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: balaram1951@yahoo.com) : Chemical characterization of cobalt crust from Afanasy-Nikitin seamount in the Eastern Indian Ocean by inductively coupled plasma time of flight mass spectrometry. MAPAN 2013, 28(2), 63-77.

Analytical methodology was developed for the chemical characterization of cobalt crust samples collected from the Afanasy-Nikitin seamount in Eastern Equatorial Indian Ocean by inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ICP-TOF-MS). Concentrations of geochemically significant groups of different trace elements such as large-ion-lithophile elements (e.g., Rb, Cs), high field strength elements (e.g., Ta, Nb, Hf and Zr), rare earth elements in addition to a few major and minor elements were determined in these samples. Samples (<126>50 mg) were digested in closed digestion vessels for 48 h before the expulsion of Si and the residues were taken in 5% nitric acid. ^{103Rh was used as an internal standard. Matrix matching external calibrations were utilized in order to compensate for the spectroscopic and non-spectroscopic interferences. The detection limits obtained for various elements were in the range 1-0.01 ng/ml for majority of the elements analyzed. Accuracy for the determination of different elements is assessed by measuring them in a few cobalt crust samples, ferromanganese nodules and similar marine sediment reference materials. Also, there is a very good agreement between the data sets obtained by ICP-TOF-MS as well as the well established ICP-quadrupole MS on cobalt crust samples. The precisions obtained in this study are <60>5% RSD for majority of the elements with comparable accuracy. The results are in agreement with certified and reference values wherever available for comparison. The geochemical characteristics of these rare marine sediments have been described.}

4 illus, 7 tables, 54 ref

015558   Arora M;Rakesh Kumar;Varshney N K (NO, National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee-247 667) : Downscaling methods and hydrological modelling approach. Bhartiya Vaigyanik Evam Audyogik Anusandhan Patrika 2014, 22(1), 37-40.

For many climate change studies, scenarios derived directly from global climate model (GCM) output may not be of sufficient spatial or temporal resolution to represent changes within a region, at a specific location or the climatic inputs to model a specific process. The spatial resolution of GCMs, in particular, means that the representation of orography and land surface characteristics is greatly simplified compared to reality with consequent loss of some of the characteristics which may have important influences on regional climate. The need for detailed site or regional scenarios of climate change for impacts studies has existed for a number of years and has thus resulted in the development of a number of methodologies for deriving such information, generally from GCMs, which despite their shortcomings at finer resolution, are recognised as the best available method for determining internally-consistent scenarios of future climate. These methodologies are termed 'downscaling' and downscaling techniques have been designed to bridge the gap between the information that the climate modelling community can currently provide and that required by the impact research community.

13 ref

015557   Aggarwal A;Senthil Kumar A R;Neema R K (NO, National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee-247 667) : Spring water availability of mid western Himalaya, Uttarakhand. Bhartiya Vaigyanik Evam Audyogik Anusandhan Patrika 2014, 22(1), 31-6.

Springs of mid western Himalayan watersheds provide basis for the existence of life at mountain. These springs could be too small but the life depends on it in high Himalaya. Western Himalayan watersheds are rich in natural resources and provide the basic for the life in this area. It also provides water to millions at down stream through its perennial river system. Even then some times the availability of natural resources at hills goes to acute shortage due to its uneven distribution in space and time. Especially, during summer and low flow years, the people face acute shortage of water. It is, therefore, important to study the existing water availability, uses and its impacts on watershed hydrology. Study area Danda lies in 'Mid Western Himalaya' agro-ecological region of Devprayag, Uttarakhand with area around 3 km2. Automated hydro meteorological data were collected. Regular (daily) spring flow measurements were taken on almost all springs that are used by the habitat of the area. Spring flow availability is evaluated along with the average low flow duration curve for the springs of the watershed. The spring flow variability is related with spring rainfall lag. Relationship between total rainfall and total spring flow are also developed.

6 illus, 3 tables, 3 ref

014641   Tripathi M;Joshi Y;Gupta R C (Botany Dep, S S J Campus, Kumaun Univ, Almora-263 601, Email: dryogeshcalo@gmail.com) : Assessment of endolichenic fungal diversity in some forests of Kumaun Himalaya. Curr Sci 2014, 107(5), 745-8.

2 illus, 2 tables, 38 ref

014640   Sruthi K V;Kurian P J;Rajani P R (NO, National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Headland Sada, Goa-403 804, Email: john@ncaor.gov.in) : Distribution of major and trace elements of a sediment core from the Eastern Arabian sea and its environmental significance. Curr Sci 2014, 107(7), 1161-7.

A sediment core recovered from the southeastern Arabian Sea off the Indian subcontinent was analysed to understand the distribution of major (Fe, K, Mg, Al, Ca and Sr) and trace elements (Mn, Ni, Cu and Co) as well as their environmental significance. According to the results, variation of Fe, K, Mg and Al during early Holocene period is reflective of the strengthened southwest monsoon and resulting fluvial input of terrigenous materials to the study region. The concentration profile of Ca, Sr and total organic carbon during late Holocene reveals increased productivity and coastal upwelling during recent periods. The profile of redox-sensitive metals indicates the role of terrigenous sources in the variation of these elements apart from the scavenging-releasing effects of Fe-Mn-oxides/hydroxides as well as decrease in oxygen level in sediment-water interface from early Holocene to late Holocene period. The study suggests* that two factors are predominantly responsible for observed geochemical variations - terrigenous and biological contribution.

3 illus, 4 tables, 39 ref

014639   Solanke S S;Krishnan M;Sarda C;Nightingale Devi B;Sivaraman I;Debnath B (Extension and Statistics Div, Fisheries Economics Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai-400 061, Email: sushilsolanke63@gmail.com) : Production,price spread and marketing efficiency of farmed shrimp in Thane District of Maharashtra. Indian J Fish 2013, 60(3), 47-53.

Maharashtra is the largest producer of fish in India in terms of marine fish landings next to Kerala and Gujarat. But overall performance of Maharashtra in inland fish production is only 4% of the total inland fish production of 5 million t. Only 18% of the brackishwater area has been developed for shrimp farming in Maharashtra. This is restricted to Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindudurg and Mumbai districts. Brackishwater aquaculture shrimp production in Maharashtra stood at 0.009 lakh million t in 2009 which was less than one percent of the total fish production in Maharashtra. The present study pertains to the Thane District in respect of government leased out, private and cooperative shrimp farms as the ultimate unit. The proportionate probability sampling technique has been used to select 69 farmers from three villages. The present study makes an attempt to study the production input-output relationships, existing marketing channels for shrimp and evaluate the price spread and marketing efficiency of different channels. The effects of variation in the consumer price of the farmer, processor, liaison agent and hyper market are also identified.

9 tables, 10 ref

014638   Singh R;Maurya A K;Veenadhari B;Gokani S A; Selvakumaran R;Cohen M B;Chandrion O;Neubert T (KSK Geomagnetic Research Laboratory, IIG, Chamanganj, Allahabad-221 505, Email: rajeshsing03@gmail.com) : First observations of transient luminous events in Indian sub-continent. Curr Sci 2014, 107(7), 1107-8.

2 illus, 8 ref

014637   Sarate O S (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: ossarate@yahoo.co.in) : Petrographic evaluation of coal seams from Rampuram area, Kothagudem sub basin, Godavari Valley coalfield, Andhra Pradesh, India. Geophytology 2014, 44(1), 31-40.

Study incorporates petrographic (maceral and reflectance) features of the entire stratigraphic sequence of two bore-holes, SR94 and SR94-A, drilled in Rampuram area of Kothagudem sub-basin, Godavari Valley, Andhra Pradesh. This sequence includes the following coal seams: I Seam, Index below I Seam, Queen Seam (Sections I, II and III) and the top part of King Seam. The King Seam has profusion of inertinite group of macerals which signifies the prevalence of dry and oxidizing depositional scenario. However, vitrinite rich constitution, recorded from the Queen Seam and overlying Index below I and the topmost I seams, denotes a gradual shift in the climatic conditions from dry oxidizing (King Seam) to cold and humid conditions. The coal of Queen Seam has also recorded higher random reflectance (R₀ mean%) values of 0.70 to 0.72%, which suggests the attainment of high volatile bituminous B stage of rank. Similarly, the Queen, Index below I and the topmost I seams depicted comparatively lower vitrinite reflectivity of 0.51 to 0.61% and therefore, they have attained high volatile bituminous C stage. The facies diagram also depicts the existence of wet moor with intermittent moderate to high flooding during the deposition of vegetal resource of King Seam and the prevalence of alternate oxic and anoxic moor when the younger seams were being deposited. The mineral matter free (m.m.f.) maceral study reveals that coal of King Seam is fusic (inertinite rich) in nature whereas the younger seams contain vitric (vitrinite rich) type of coal. Mostly, the coal seams of Rampuram area have low mineral matter association and vitrinite and inertinite rich constitution, which suggests that the study area has economically viable coal deposits.

5 illus, 5 tables, 20 ref

014636   Sahoo S;Baliarsingh S K;Lotliker A A;Sahu K C (Marine Sciences Dep, Berhampur Univ, Berhampur-760 007, Email: aneesh@incois.gov.in) : Imprint of cyclone Phailin on water quality of Chilika lagoon. Curr Sci 2014, 107(9), 1380-1.

3 illus, 5 ref

014635   Raval U;Veeraswamy K (NO, , Plot No. 75, St. No. 11, Suryanagar, Uppal, Hyderabad-500 039, Email: kv.swamy@gmail.com) : Energy resources and mid-continental (stable continental region) earthquakes over India: association with mantle plume-affected regions. Curr Sci 2014, 107(7), 1154-61.

In the context of the Indian lithosphere, it is observed that locations of midplate earthquakes and hydrocarbon energy resources have striking correlation with the zones of influence (or corridors) of mantle plumes and their traces. The two mantle plumes (Kerguelen and Reunion) of the Ceno-Mesozoic period have given rise to the large igneous provinces, viz. the Rajmahal Traps on the eastern and Deccan traps on the western sides of the Indian sub-continent; two more mantle plumes (Marion and Crozet) are also believed to have affected India's continental margin. These plumes rise from different mantle depths, strike the base of the lithosphere and transfer the thermo-magmatic flux upwards, which in turn cause tectonic deformation/ movement, and also affect changes in the geophysical/ geological characteristics of the overlying lithosphere due to magmatic underplating, metasomatism and metamorphism, and thermal cooking and also enhancement of productivity of the basins due to heat and nutrient inputs from the mantle plumes coming up from the mantle. In this context, location of the stable continental region/mid-continental earthquakes and hydrocarbon/energy resources of India falling over the zone of influence of mantle plumes is significant and can be gainfully utilized in zeroing on their occurrence.

8 illus, 3 tables, 38 ref

014634   Nagar R P;Korakoppa M M (NO, National Centre for Excellence in Geoscience Research (NCEGR), Geological Survey of India, 40th Cross, Eshwar Nagar, Bangalore-560 070, Email: rpnagar@yahoo.com) : Magmatic epidote in the Neoarchaean granitoids of srinivaspura area of Eastern Dharwar Craton and its significance on emplacement mechanism of granitoids. Curr Sci 2014, 107(8), 1321-4.

Magmatic epidote (mEp) in calc-alkaline, high-Mg granite is distinguished on the basis of euhedral crystals with allanite core and embayed contact, 'pistacite' components (25-32) and very low TiO₂ (<60>0.02%) content. Non-magmatic epidote occurs in association with biotite and chlorite, amphibole, magnetite and titanite and contains either <62>0.2% TiO₂ or <60>25% Ps. Consideration of stability of magmatic epidote under different fO₂ and dissolution characteristic against quartzo-feldspathic material suggest that these granitoids are emplaced at a faster rate to low-pressure upper crustal region under high fO₂ condition by dyking.

3 illus, 1 table, 21 ref

014633   Maheswarudu G;Rao G S;Rohit P;Laxmilatha P; Ghosh S;Menon M (NO, Visakhapatnam Regional Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Ins, Visakhapatnam-530 001, Email: maheswarudu@yahoo.com) : Marine fisheries of Andhra Pradesh: a decadal analysis. Indian J Fish 2013, 60(3), 27-33.

The average annual marine fish landing of Andhra Pradesh during 2000-2010 was 1.99 lakh t. Fishing effort declined by 33% and 9% in terms of fishing units and fishing hours respectively. Pelagic finfishes contributed 55.6% to the total marine catch, followed by demersal finfishes (27%), crustaceans (14.4%) and molluscs (1.1%). Trawl nets contributed 44.24% to the total catch, followed by gillnets (23.95%). Oilsardine landings fluctuated between a maximum of 19125 t in 2000 and a minimum of 1068 t in 2002. Mackerel landings fluctuated between a maximum of 22763 t in 2009 and a minimum of 6418 t in 2007. Carangids and tunas registered continuous increase in catch over the years; the former from 9964 t in 2000 to 13268 t in 2010 and the latter from 2899 t in 2000 to 10515 t in 2010. Around one third of the tuna landing was contributed by the yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares, caught mainly by hooks and lines. Their landing increased on an average at Visakhapatnam from a meager 395 t during 2001-2005 to 2918 t during 2006-2010. Landings of some of the demersal resources namely, threadfin breams, croakers, lizardfishes and goatfishes increased substantially during the period. Threadfin bream increased by 348.9% from 1209 t in 2000 to 5427 t in 2010, croakers by 50.8% from 8054 t in 2000 to 12142 t in 2010, lizard fish by 297.7% from 1062 t in 2000 to 4224 t in 2010 and goat fish by 129.3% from 3501 t in 2000 to 8027 t in 2010. Among crustacean resources crabs showed the highest increase in landings by 125.4% from 2791 t in 2000 to 6292 t in 2010. The landing of penaeid prawns increased by 21% from 22657 t in 2000 to 27408 t in 2010, while non-penaeid prawn landings decreased by 12.3% from 2685 t in 2000 to 2354 t in 2010. Cephalopod resources have also shown a substantial increase of 282% during the period ranging from 1011 t in 2000 to 3862 t in 2010. The assessment of trawl fishery at Visakhapatnam from 2007 to 2010 with reference to yield/recruit indicated that two (Metapenaeus monoceros and Portunus sanguinolentus) out of the twelve commercially important resources are currently overexploited and one resource (Pennahia macrophthalmus) is optimally exploited.

8 illus, 2 tables, 19 ref

014632   Kar R;Singh R S (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: ratankar@yahoo.com ) : Earliest record of slime moulds (Myxomycetes) from the Deccan Intertrappean Beds (Maastrichtian), Padwar, India. Curr Sci 2014, 107(8), 1237-9.

2 illus, 51 ref

014631   Gairola R M;Prakash S;Bushair M T;Pal P K (Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Group, Earth, Ocean, Atmosphere, Planetary Sciences and Applications Area, Sp, Ahmedabad-380 015, Email: rmgairola@sac.isro.gov.in) : Rainfall estimation from kalpana-1 satellite data over Indian land and oceanic regions. Curr Sci 2014, 107(8), 1275-82.

Rainfall, an integral component of the global water and energy cycle, is one of the critical weather elements. Reliable information of rainfall over India is crucial for food security and sustainable economic growth. The first Indian dedicated meteorological geostationary satellite Kalpana-1 was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation in late 2002 to study the synoptic weather systems, monsoons and extreme weather events. Various geophysical parameters derived from this satellite measurements are operational and used for a wide range of applications. Two rainfall products, based on distinct algorithms, from this satellite are also available to users. These two algorithms after certain refinements are also applied to the recently launched INSAT-3D satellite measurements to estimate rainfall. In this article, the algorithms used for the development of these Kalpana-l-based rainfall products are summarized. The assessment of these rainfall products against standard multisatellite datasets and in situ observations are also outlined. Both the rainfall products are comparable with independent multisatellite datasets and have reasonable agreement with ground-based observations over the Indian land and oceanic regions. Limitations of these rainfall products are also presented; and future scope for further refinement of these products in perspective of upcoming Indian geostationary satellite missions is proposed.

7 illus, 34 ref

014630   Dora G U;Sanil Kumar V;Philip C S;Johnson G (NO, National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR), Dona Paula, Goa-403 004, Email: sanil@nio.org) : Observation on foreshore morphodynamics of microtidal sandy beaches. Curr Sci 2014, 107(8), 1324-30.

Foreshore morphology and morphodynamics were examined to identify stability of two microtidal sandy beaches, Kundapura and Padukare, along the Karna-taka shoreline on the west coast of India during three annual cycles from March 2008 to March 2011. The net observation at both sites exhibits slow rate of sediment accretion followed by non-uniform sediment erosion and accretion processes. Study revealed that the beaches are unfavourable for recreational activity because of their narrow width and steeper slope. During summer monsoon, the absence of backshore zone at Padukare makes it more vulnerable to erosion than Kundapura beach.

5 illus, 2 tables, 20 ref

014629   Dewashish Kumar;Rai S N;Thiagarajan S;Ratna Kumari Y (NO, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: dewashishkumar@ngri.res.in) : Evaluation of heterogeneous aquifers in hard rocks from resistivity sounding data in parts of Kalmeshwars taluk of Nagpur district, India. Curr Sci 2014, 107(7), 1137-45.

Interpretation of vertical electrical sounding (VES) data coupled with the estimation of coefficient of ani-sotropy (λ) in parts of Kalmeshwar taluk, Nagpur district, Maharashtra, India has yielded vital information on the characteristics of subsurface basaltic aquifers. The coefficient of anisotropy estimated at 22 sites from VES data has shown variation between 1 and 1.87, which in turn reveals the anisotropic character of the basaltic aquifers. The estimated fracture porosity from the interpreted parameters and specific conductance of groundwater within the region varies from 0.007% to <126>2%, indicating different degrees of water saturation within the basaltic flows. The interpreted true resistivity <126>10-35 Ω.m corroborates well with the zones of high porosity and A further substantiates the presence of exploitable groundwater resources within the region.

11 illus, 1 table, 44 ref