014628   Das A;Kumar N R;Krishnan M;Yadav V K (NO, Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Versova, Mumbai-400 061, Email: helloapudas88@gmail.com) : Economic viability of aqua model village scheme: a case study in West Tripura District. Indian J Fish 2013, 60(3), 41-46.

The Aqua-Model Village Scheme (AMVS) was a concerted effort by Government of Tripura for development of fisheries in the state. The economic viability of AMVS implemented by Department of Fisheries, Government of Tripura during 2004-'05 to 2010-'11 was evaluated based on the responses of 80 farmers from both the adopted and non-adopted villages. Standard tools for economic evaluation were used for assessment of economic viability. The extent of adoption of recommended package of practices by the villages under AMVS indicated high adoption. Gross and net income was substantially higher in adopted villages compared to non-adopted villages indicating higher return of investment per hectare of scheme area compared to non-adopted villages. The results indicated the scheme was economically viable with net present value (NPV) of Rs 312.43 lakhs, benefit cost (B-C) ratio of 1.35 at 15% discount rate and internal rate of return (IRR) of 53%. The scheme also remained viable with increase in costs by 10% and decrease in benefits by 20% under simulated scenarios. Therefore, the scheme may be replicated in similar area for the development of fisheries which in turn will help in increasing the income status of rural poor and also improve the nutritional security in the country.

5 tables, 14 ref

014627   Chandel C;Mahajan P;Srivastava P K;Vinod Kumar (NO, Snow and Avalanche study Establishment, Plot No1, Sec-37, Chandigarh-160 036, Email: chamanchandel@gmail.com) : Behaviour of snow under the effect of combined compressive and shear loading. Curr Sci 2014, 107(5), 888-94.

The failure of a weak layer which lies underneath a more cohesive planar slab, is responsible for slab avalanche initiation. The weak layer may fail under combined effect of shear and compressive loading. Therefore, a preliminary study was carried out to understand the effect of combined compressive and shear loading on a weak snow layer. Since it is difficult to transport snow samples containing a weak layer into an environmental chamber, the mechanical measurements were carried out in situ. A digital force gauge attached to shear frame of area 0.01 m2, was used to measure the shear strength. The compressive pressure was applied on the weak layer with the help of dead weights. The dynamic shear force at high loading rate (average around 25 N s^{-1) was applied for less than 1 sec and it was observed that the samples failed in a brittle manner. Experiments were carried out on round grain snow layer (RGsr), faceted snow (FCso) and near-surface faceted particles (FCsf) weak layer. Multi-axial stress response for FCsf snow layer was found to be entirely different from RGsr and FCso weak snow layers. Positive correlation between shear strength and compressive pressure was observed for RGsr and FCso snow layers. The experimental study revealed that there exists an elliptical envelope of instability for FCsf snow layer. The elliptical envelope for FCsf indicates that if the state of stress in the weak layer lies on the boundary or out of the elliptical envelope, the snowpack is unstable.}

7 illus, 3 tables, 22 ref

014626   Chacko R;Murukesh N;George J V;Anilkumar N (NO, National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Headland Sada, Vasco-da-gama, Goa-403 804, Email: racheal@ncaor.gov.in) : Observational evidence of the southward transport of water masses in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean. Curr Sci 2014, 107(9), 1573-81.

The southward transport of water masses in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean (SO) is compared using the hydrographic data collected during the austral summer of 2010 and 2011. It has been found that subtropical surface water (STSW) underwent maximum southward displacement during the study period. The southward extent of STSW was at 45°S during 2011, but was restricted to 42°S during 2010. During 2011, three eddies were identified along the cruise track, whereas during 2010 eddies were absent. Satellite sea-level anomaly showed that these eddies were associated with the highly unstable Agulhas Return Current (ARC). The present study shows that STSW is transported along the peripheries of these eddies during 2011. There are indications of transport of mode water as well, but this is not resolved in the present study. Analysis of eddy kinetic energy shows a positive linear decadal trend; also, peak eddy lagged the southern annular mode by a year. This indicates that though the eddies may act locally, they are linked to the large-scale variability in the southern hemisphere.

10 illus, 39 ref

014625   Basak B;Srivastava P;Dasgupta S;Anil Kumar; Rajaguru S N (Archaeology Dep, Calcutta Univ, Kolkata-700 073, Email: basak.bishnupriya@gmail.com) : Earliest dates and implications of microlithic industries of late pleistocene from mahadebbera and kana, Purulia district, West Bengal. Curr Sci 2014, 107(7), 1167-71.

Microlithic industries, a technology associated with modern humans, as defined by the production of microblades have been found in different parts of the Indian subcontinent with the earliest date being 48 ka. The present communication reports on recent archaeological excavations of these industries from a collu-vial context located in the pediment surface of Precambrian hills in Purulia, West Bengal. These are dated to 34-25 ka by optically stimulated luminescence dating and are the earliest dates for microlithic industries in eastern India. To our knowledge such dating does not exist for any prehistoric site in Bengal. The context of the sites - hill-slope colluvium - is also unique and a rarity in the subcontinent. These findings add additional inputs to the knowledge of these industries, providing supporting evidence to their antiquity.

6 illus, 17 ref

014624   Ansari M A;Sharma S;Saravana Kumar U; Chatterjee S;Low U (Isotope Application and Radiopharmaceuticals Div, Isotope Hydrology Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai-400 085, Email: arzoo@barc.gov.in) : Hydrogeological controls of radon in a few hot springs in the Western Ghats at Ratangiri district in Maharashtra, India. Curr Sci 2014, 107(9), 1587-90.

Geological structures (faults, fractures and weak zones) and high heat flow in geothermal areas allow easy passage for release of radon gas to the atmosphere. Radon is constantly transported from the Earth's interior and vented out through exhalation points at permeable fault zones. ^{222Rn concentrations were measured in a few hot springs and nearby ground-water using RAD7 at Tural and Rajwadi, Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra. The 222Rn concentrations in the hot springs vary from 1087 ± 132 to 1655 ± 177 Bq/m3 at Tural and from 152 ± 67 to 350 ± 82 Bq/m3 at Rajwadi. Groundwaters from wells within a radius of 200 m around the geothermal fields have radon concentration between 1087 ±132 and 5445 ± 337 Bq/m3. We have assessed the radon activity in the vicinity of the hot springs to understand their hydrogeological control, origin of heat source and possible effect on the tourist and the human population residing nearby.}

2 illus, 1 table, 22 ref

014623   Alessandro A D (NO, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Via di Vigna Murata 605, 00143 Rome, Italy, Email: antonino.dalessandro@ingv.it) : Monitoring of earthquakes using MEMS sensors. Curr Sci 2014, 107(5), 733-4.

5 ref

013582   Yadav B P;Khole M;Naresh Kumar (NO, , India Meteorological Dep, New Delhi, Email: bp_yadav4@yahoo.co.in) : Unusual weather over Northwest & West India during November, 2010. Mausam 2013, 64(4), 699-10.

Generally, November is the dry month with sunny days and pleasant weather for plains of northwest & west India with a bit of early morning chill as the month progresses. But during November, 2010, there was unusual weather in the form of prolonged and persistent cloudy conditions with wet spell over northwest & west India. To find out the physical processes leading to this unusual weather, detailed analysis of synoptic Conditions during the month has been carried out in this paper. This study reveals that the unusual weather that occurred in association with presence of an intense low pressure system in the Arabian Sea and interaction of high-amplitude troughs in easterlies in the lower levels with mid-tropospheric troughs in the westerlies.

2 tables, 10 ref

013581   Vinod Kumar;Jaswal A K;Hosalikar K S;Pareekh N I (NO, , Shyam Bhawan, Ashok Nagar, Kankar Bagh Colony, Patna, Email: vinodmanjusingh@gmail.com) : OLR values over Indian region and heavy rainfall events over Mumbai during a North West pacific system located west of 140° east. Mausam 2013, 64(4), 711-20.

Positive impact of an intense low pressure system (tropical depression and above) on Indian summer monsoon rainfall is visible in terms of OLR values over Indian region when it is located west of 140° E and south of 30° N over North West Pacific and moves in westerly or northwesterly direction. If an intense low pressure system moving in a westerly or northwesterly direction is located west of 130° E and north of 17° N over North West Pacific, heavy rainfall (≥ 65 mm) to extremely heavy rainfall (≥ 250 mm) may occur over Mumbai and neighborhood provided cither ITCZ in satellite clouds picture is seen passing through nearby - Mumbai latitude/Mumbai latitude and along west coast of India and is observed up to northwest Pacific system or east-west trough at 850 hPa and above/700 hPa and above is seen between 19° N to 25° N/E of 060° E and is observed up to north west Pacific system. There is no one-to-one relationship between position of northwest Pacific system and heavy rainfall events over Mumbai.

5 illus, 2 tables, 18 ref

013580   Tripathy S C;Pavithran S;Sabu P;Naik R K; Noronha S B;Bhaskar P V;Anilkumar N (National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Headland Sada, Vasco-da-Gama, Goa-403 804, Email: sarat@ncaor.gov.in) : Is primary productivity in the Indian ocean sector of Southern ocean affected by pigment packaging effect?. Curr Sci 2014, 107(6), 1019-26.

The probable cause for photoinhibition of primary productivity (PP) in the surface layers of the Indian Ocean sector of the southern ocean (SO) was studied during the austral summer (February) 2010. Chlorophyll a (Chl a) and PP values were higher for polar stations compared to offshore stations and sowed surface maxima; however, subsurface chl a maxima was observed iin two of the offshore stations. Biomass explained 36% of variance in PP and was not the sole controlling factor for PP variability. Euphotic zone integrated PP showed increasing trend from offshore to polar stations and varied from 159.56 to 108.57 mg C m^{-2 d-1. The relationship between chl a-specific PP (PB) and the corresponding photosynthetically active radiation in the water column was linear for offshore and curvilinear for polar stations, indicating the occurrence of 'photoinhibition' in the surface waters of polar stations. This could be ascribed to the onset of pigment packaging (the 'package effect') as larger phytoplankton (diatoms) dominated the polar stations, where macronutrients ratio was ideal (N : P <126> 16 and N : Si <126> 1) for growth of diatoms. Despite high Chl a in the polar waters, the corresponding PP was proportionally not high compared to the offshore stations. We suggest that larger phytoplankton are susceptible to pigment packaging, which in turn decreases their light-absorption/photosynthetic efficiency, resulting in lower PP, which is otherwise expected to be higher in the presence of elevated bio-mass.}

4 illus, 1 table, 44 ref

013579   Singh R;Dhawan A K;Singh R (NO, Central Soil and Materials Research Station, New Delhi, Email: rajbal.singh@nic.in ) : Stress measurements by hydraulic fracturing for design of steel liner for head race tunnel-a case study. J Rock Mech Tunnelling Technol 2014, 20(1), 21-34.

Some serious leakage problems have occurred in the rock mass around the underground structures of hydroelectric projects where irregular topography had given rise to inadequate confinement of high pressure water conductor systems. The problem was overcome through adequate rock mass testing during construction stage by checking and ensuring sufficient rhagnitude of in-situ stresses. Head race tunnel for Nathpa Jhakri hydroelectric project in the Himalayan region is a high pressure tunnel which encountered low cover reach of 9 m where steel liner of 8.5 m diameter was provided. Location of start of steel liner had undergone considerable change in comparison to that fixed initially based on the minimum rock cover criteria. The locations of start and end of the steel liner in the head race tunnel were fixed finally on the basis of in-situ stress measurement using hydraulic fracturing method. Results of in-situ stress measurements at four locations for the start of steel liner and at two locations for the end of steel liner were used to reach at the final decision. In addition to confidence generated with reference to safety aspect, in-situ stress measurement during construction saved lot of money and time, which were always crucial for the successful execution of a project.

7 illus, 4 tables, 9 ref

013578   Sikka D R;Tomar C S;Laskar S I;Goyal S;Tyagi A (NO, , Mausam Vihar, Delhi-110 051, Email: cstomar2002@gmail.com ) : Large scale aspects of the monsoon-2011-relevant to the objectives of the CTCZ. Mausam 2013, 64(4), 687-698.

Indian atmosphere-ocean science community organised a field programme known as Continental Tropical Convergence Zone (CTCZ) during 2011 to understand the synoptic and sub-seasonal fluctuations of summer monsoon over India. One of the objectives of the programme was to understand the evolution of the large scale circulation in relation to synoptic & intra-seasonal fluctuations of the monsoon. The paper addresses the large scale fluctuations of Monsoon-2011. The Monsoon-2011 performed very close to the normal rainfall of the season. However, on the sub-seasonal scale its performance was good during June, became deficient during July and it recovered from the beginning of August to the end of September. The early part of the season was accompanied by near neutral La-Nina conditions. However, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the Equatorial Eastern Pacific Ocean shifted to below normal (La-Nina conditions) from August to the end of September. As the Gangetic Plain was swept by marine origin air stream in the lower troposphere, the aerosol load remained much below the normal during the entire season. The paper discusses different aspect of synoptic, sub-seasonal fluctuations of monsoon in relation to remote forcing of the SSTs in the Pacific and the local forcing of the Indian Ocean Dipole (1OD). Also the performance of the operational numerical weather prediction (NWP) models: European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), Global Forecast System (GFS) and Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) is discussed. Several areas of further research using CTCZ data arc also suggested based on the performance of the Monsoon-2011.

11 illus, 1 table, 17 ref

013577   Shiva Kumar H;Panditrao S;Baliarsingh S K; Mohanty P;Mahenda R S;Lotliker A A;Srinivasa Kumar T (Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, , Hyderabad-500 090, Email: mahendra@incois.gov.in) : Consequence of cyclonic storm Phailin on coastal morphology of Rushikulya estuary: an arribada site of vulnerable Olive Ridley sea turtles along the east coast of India. Curr Sci 2014, 107(1), 28-30.

2 illus, 9 ref

013576   Shekhar M S;Shrawan Kumar M;Ajay Kumar;Ganju A (NO, Institute of Mountain Meterology, Chandigarh-160 036) : The repercussions of climate change on weather and snow in west of the Himalayas. Mausam 2013, 64(4), 681-6.

The complex topographical features of the Indian sub continent such as the high Himalayan ranges have started showing the affects of global climate change. Himalaya modulates weather over the entire northern belt of the Indian sub-continent. It also influences the Western Disturbances (WDs) during winter over the region. Some recent trends in the parameters of weather and climate over the Western Himalayan region have been studied and explanations have been given in context of climate change over these regions. The studies show how the climate changes in long term period with reference to the total precipitation over the station locations of these regions. Data analysis of Western Himalaya shows significant variations in temperature and total precipitation trends in the past few decades. The results show negative Correlation Coefficients (CCs) between the mean maximum and mean minimum temperature with the fresh snowfall the different station locations over Western Himalaya. The possible effects of the climate change on the " number of snowfall days over the Western Himalayan region have also been analyzed. There is clear sign of shrinking winter over the Western Himalaya. Necessary efforts have been directed to understand the science of climate change more in regional scale over this complex orographic region.

4 illus, 1 tables, 9 ref

013575   Shaltout N A;Abd-EI-Khaiek D E (Marine Chemistry Dep, National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, EI-Anfoshy, Alexandria, Egypt, Email: dalia1282002@yahoo.com) : Assessment of seawater quality of El-dekhaila harbor, Alexandria, Egypt. Asian J Adv Basic Sci 2014, 3(1), 206-16.

Water quality of EI-Dekhaila harbor was monitored seasonally at nine samples covered the harbor surface water during 2011-2012. The chemical parameters of surface water reveal that pH, dissolved oxygen, oxidized matter, chlorophyll and total alkalinity were in the range 7.7- 9.16, 1.07-7.54 mg02/1, 0.16- 9.92 mg02/1, 0.0021-0.23g/1 and 2540.3-4668.8μmol/l respectively. Nutrients salts in (u M) showed variations 1.7-51.15, 0.17-12.5, 0.4-14.9, 0.09-17.1 and 10.3-77.3 for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, reactive phosphate and reactive silicate respectively. Depending on DIN/P ratio of seawater samples, phosphorus was the limiting factor. Principle component analysis (PCA) which was used to develop water quality index (WQI) revealed that, stations 1, 2 and 3 is highly polluted from water discharged from EI-Umum drain through EI-Mex pumping station.

12 illus, 4 tables, 25 ref

013574   Rahman A;Singh A K (ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Land and Water Management Di, , Patna-800 014, Email: rahman_patna@yahoo.co.in) : Simple low-cost water sprinkling nozzle for field crop irrigation. Curr Sci 2014, 107(1), 22-5.

For low-cost pressurized irrigation system for field crops, researchers and manufacturers are continuously in the quest to develop a simple, low-cost nozzle which requires low operating pressure, and can be manu-factured using relatively unsophisticated manufacturing facilities and locally available resources. In view of these, here we present a concept and methodology for developing a simple, low-cost irrigation nozzle using PVC pipe. To corroborate the concept, a nozzle was developed and tested for its performance. Performance indicators showed that the nozzle can be operated satisfactorily over the pressure range 0.4-0.6kg/cm^{2 with application rate of 17-15mm/h. Due to high application rate, field crops can be irrigated more efficiently compared to nozzles requiring very high operating pressures, ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 kg/cm2. Low pressure requirement facilitates the use of low rating pipe network, low capacity pump and other accessories and therefore the overall system cost can be reduced substantially.}

4 illus, 1 table, 26 ref

013573   Puranik S S;Sinha Ray K C;Sen P N;Pradeep Kumar P (Atmospheric and Space Sciences Dep, Savitribai Phule Pune Univ, Pune-411 007, Email: ppk@unipune.ac.in) : Impact of cross-equatorial meridional transport on the performance of the Southwest monsoon over India. Curr Sci 2014, 107(6), 1006-13.

Water vapour transport over the Indian Ocean has been computed for the 30-year period (1979-2009). The monthly evolution of meridional moisture fluxes across different sections is presented. March and April clearly indicate the north to south flow of moisture across the equatorial region. During May there is intensification in the northward cross-equatorial moisture transport, which may act as a precursor of the rainy season. During the monsoon season maximum transport occurs in June with values of 1.24 x 10^{11 and 5.58 x 1012 tonnes/day for moisture and air flux across the equator respectively, which occurs in the lower atmospheric level between 1000 and 650 hPa. Our finding clearly shows that during the monsoon season across the equatorial cross-section major transport occurs between 42°E and 60°E. Analysis of moisture transport over two regions, i.e. (i) 6°S-6°N and 42-60°E and (ii) 1.5°S-1.5°N and 42-60°E for two good (1988, 2008) and two bad (1987, 2009) monsoon years shows that during 1987, which was a drought year, the amount of moisture crossing the equator was less by about one order of magnitude compared to 1988. While during 2008, which was a normal/good monsoon year, the amount of moisture transported was almost three times compared to 2009. This clearly indicates that the moisture transport in May can be used as a predictor of monsoon performance.}

6 illus, 31 ref

013572   Lal R P;Ram S (NO, , India Meteorological Dep, New Delhi-110 003, Email: lalrp@yahoo.com) : Compilation of ozonesonde observation over Schirmacher oasis East antarctic from 1999-2007. Mausam 2013, 64(4), 613-24.

Regular ozone profile measurement over Antarctica has been made by India Meteorological Department over Indian second station Maitri (70.7° S, 11.7° E) with the help of Indian electro-chemical ozonesonde. Ozone density in the vertical column of the atmosphere is computed with weekly ozone soundings taken throughout the year. During the month of September- October more frequent soundings were taken to study vertical profile of atmospheric ozone and features of ozone hole. The mean monthly and yearly variation of ozone and temperature from surface to 10 hPa has been computed and analyzed from the ozonesonde ascents for the period 1999 to 2007. The study has shown profound depletion in October and lesser but substantial depletion in September, in association with the ozone hole. Depletion is most pronounced between about 250 and 20 hPa in October, with maximum local ozone losses near 70 hPa & 100 hPa levels and in September at 70 hPa. Ozone correlations with temperature for several pressure levels have revealed new insights into the causes and extent of ozone change. Lowest annual mean temperature varies from -55 to -63 °C between 300 to 50 hPa in all the year. The temperature less than -80 °C in months of August & September at 70 hPa & 100 hPa levels and about -70 °C in month of October at 70 hPa & 100 hpa levels can be attributed as an indicator of ozone depletion in months of October.

6 illus, 1 table, 19 ref

013571   Kathal P K;Singh V K (Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, Dr. Harisingh Gour Univ, Sagar-470 003, Email: kathalpk@rediffmail.com) : Foraminiferal studies along the littoral zone of the East coast of India and its zoogeographical affinity: an overview. Asian J expl Sci 2013, 27(2), 3-8.

An overview of the studies, mostly related to the taxonomy, ecology of the littoral Recent foraminifera (Protozoa) and the zoogeographical affinity of the east coast of India has been attempted on the basis of the published literature. The study shows that the Recent foraminifera along the east coast of India show affinity with the Indo-Pacific faunal province.

1 illus, 1 table, 35 ref

013570   Iyengar G;Ashrit R;Ashish A;Sharma K;Gupta M D;Rajagopal E N;Basu S (NO, National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, A-50, Sec-62, Noida-201 307, Email: raghu.ashrit@nic.in) : Improved prediction of cyclone Phailin (9-12 october 2013) with 4DVAR assimilation. Curr Sci 2014, 107(6), 952-4.

2 illus, 3 tables, 8 ref

013569   Dickmann T (NO, Amberg Technologies AG, Switzerland, Email: tdickmann@amberg.ch) : 3D tunnel seismic prediction: a next generation tool to characterize rock mass conditions ahead of the tunnel face. J Rock Mech Tunnelling Technol 2014, 20(1), 35-47.

Unknown geological boundaries can cause serious problems and risks during tunnel advancement. Common exploration methods like probe drillings or surface geophysical surveys can lead to insufficient results due to frequent changes of geological conditions and high overburden. Besides probe drilling, non-destructive geophysical methods can detect lithological heterogeneities within sufficient distances ahead of the tunnel face. To perform reliable seismic measurements and thus mitigating risks for tunnel construction in hard rock conditions, it is strongly recommended to integrate the process of geological forecast methodology into the overall management of risk and cost control. The new generation of the 3D tunnel seismic prediction system integrates the operational requirements as well as the demanded state-of-the-art data imaging procedure. The sophisticated method is user-purpose oriented and leads the operator straight to the result in a 3D environment. A further step is done to control geological uncertainties ahead of the face in hard rock conditions and to provide an important impact on logistic optimization that could end up in an economic and consequentially time- and cost-effective practice of probe drilling ahead.

12 illus, 5 ref

013568   Das A K;Kaur S (NO, , India Meteorological Dep, New Delhi-110 003, Email: dasak25@gmail.com) : Performance of IMD multi-model ensemble and WRF (ARW) based sub-basin wise rainfall forecast for Mahanadi basin during flood season 2009 and 2010. Mausam 2013, 64(4), 625-44.

Operational Multi-model Ensemble (MME) (27 km x 27 km) based rainfall forecast of India Meteorological Department (1MD) are utilized to compute rainfall forecast sub-basin wise for Mahanadi basin during flood season 2009 & 2010 and operational WRF (ARW) (9 km x 9 km) model (IMD) during flood season 2010. The performance of the MME and WRF at the sub-basin level are studied in detail. It is observed that generally heavy rainfall events are under estimated by the models.

17 illus, 14 tables, 9 ref

013567   Bhattacharya B;Jha S (Earth Sciences Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee-247 667, Email: bbgeofes@iitr.ac.in) : Late cretaceous diurnal tidal system: a study from Nimar sandstone, bagh group, Narmada valley, Central India. Curr Sci 2014, 107(6), 1032-7.

Tidalites from the Cenomanian Nimar Sandstone, Bagh Group, Central India, are represented by (i) laterally accreted tidal bundles, (ii) herringbone cross-strata, (Hi) sigmoidal cross-strata and (iv) tidal rhythmites with lenticular/wavy bedding. These indicate sedimentation in an upper subtidal to lower inter-tidal setting within fluvio marine interactive system. Time-series analysis of continuous rhythmic foreset bundles (sub-annual scale) manifests neap-spring tidal cycles within a diurnal tidal system with synodic and sidereal month lengths of <126>28.4 lunar days and <126>26.28 solar days respectively. Estimated Earth-Moon system parameters of the Late Cretaceous reveal no significant changes during the last <126>100 Ma.

4 illus, 1 table, 18 ref

013566   Bhasin R;Pabst T (NO, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Norway, Email: rkb@ngi.no) : Behaviour of rock support in tunnels in seismic regions with a case study of a large underground cavern in the himalayas. J Rock Mech Tunnelling Technol 2014, 20(1), 5-20.

Underground structures can be adversely affected during earthquake events. Several cases have A been reported internationally on damages to underground structures during major earthquakes. This paper reviews and provides some important insights into the behaviour of rock support in tunnels under the effect of earthquake loading. Numerical experiments have shown that for a continuum weak rock mass the maximum axial force on the tunnel lining increases significantly when dynamic loading is applied as compared to static loading. For competent and hard rock masses the increase in maximum axial force on the lining is insignificant when dynamic loading is applied. In addition, for a weak rock mass subjected to earthquake loading, the forces on a tunnel lining increases significantly when the dimension of an opening is increased as compared to a competent rock mass. A case study on the stability of a large underground cavern with earthquake loading is illustrated. The cavern, which constitutes a major component of Hydro Power Project, is experiencing a number of instabilities. Approximately 5 percent of the bolts in the powerhouse are reported to have failed and the walls of the cavern are continuing to converge, albeit at a slow rate since its completion (3-6 mm per year). Plans are underway to stabilize this important underground structure. Numerical simulations have been performed to help better understand the behaviour of a rock mass surrounding the cavern. The results from the analysis indicate that possibly there was an underestimation of the rock support requirements needed for the cavern. Based on these simulations, it also seems that in the present conditions an earthquake could lead to large displacements and instabilities.

12 illus, 1 table, 33 ref

013565   Anitha Kumari S D;Vipin K S;Sitharam T G (Civil Engg Dep, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Email: anitha.vipin@gmail.com) : Effect of shape of twin tunnels during seismic loading. J Rock Mech Tunnelling Technol 2014, 20(1), 49-59.

Demand for more effective transportation in the fast developing tier two cities in India has led to the construction of underground tunnels. To understand the mechanical behaviour of these structures, elasto-plastic dynamic numerical modelling is preferred. In this study, twin tunnels with circular and horse-shoe cross section is modelled to understand the effect of the shape of the tunnel. In addition to this, the effect of varying shallow overburden on the mechanical response in case of the two cross-sections is also presented. The study indicates that under uniform overburden thickness, the stress distributions were not affected by the shape of the tunnel. However in the case of non-uniform thickness, the circular section was subjected to more stresses compared to the horse-shoe section. The distribution of the bending moment, shear forces and axial forces on the horse-tunnel lining was found to be more compared to that of the circular cross-section. However the distribution of bending moment was more uniform in the case of horse-shoe section.

14 illus, 1 table, 5 ref

013564   Agoramoorthy G (NO, , , Email: agoram@mail.tajen.edu.tw) : India's river linking project: will it benefit or backfire?. Curr Sci 2014, 107(6), 951.

1 illus, 6 ref

013563   Abdel-Wahab M;Essa K S M;Embaby M;Elsaid S M (Meteorology and Astronomy Dep, Faculty of Science, Cairo, Univ Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, NRC, Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo-Egypt, Email: mohamedksm56@yahoo.com) : Maximum crosswind integrated ground level concentration in two stability classes. Mausam 2013, 64(4), 655-62.

The advection diffusion equation (ADE) is solved in two directions to obtain the crosswind integrated concentration in neutral and unstable conditions. The solution is solved using Laplace transformation technique and considering the wind speed and eddy diffusivity depending on the vertical height. Also the ground level and maximum concentrations are estimated. We use in this model empirical data from Copenhagen (Denmark) to compare between predicted and observed concentration data.

3 illus, 2 tables, 17 ref

012621   Valdiya K S (NO, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore-560-064, Email: ksvldiya@gmail.com) : Damming rivers in the tectonically resurgent Uttarakhand Himalaya. Curr Sci 2014, 106(12), 1658-69.

In the fault-ridden, seismically and tectonically active belts recurrently ravaged by excessive rains and resultant landslides in Uttarakhand, a very large number of big and small dams are being constructed and planned. Quite many of these projects suffered crippling damages during the 2013 disaster as mountain slopes slid down and floodwater severely eroded stream banks and dumped huge volumes of sediments on critical facilities. If the idea is to have environment-friendly power projects, then the planners and dam builders must not ignore the geological reality of the geodynamically sensitive region. Better sites for dams can be explored far upstream of the Main Central Thrust Zone.

10 illus, 8 tables, 32 ref

012620   Thomas A M;Sanil Kumar M G;Vijayalakshmi K C; Mohamed Hatha A A;Saramma A V (Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry Dep, Cochin Science and Technology Univ, Kochi-682 016, Email: anitmthomas@gmail.com) : Proboscia alata (Brightwell) Sandstrom bloom in the coastal waters off Bekal, Southwest India. Curr Sci 2014, 106(12), 1643-6.

1 illus, 1 table, 30 ref

012619   Sharma U P;Shukla S;Sinha P K;Purohit R K; Majumdar A;Rai A K (NO, Atomic Minerals Directorate for Eaxploration and Research, AMD Complex, Civil Lines, Nagpur-440 013, Email: upsharma.amd@gov.in) : Uranium occurrence in proterozoic chilpi group, near Kanhari, Kawardha district, Chhattisgarh. Curr Sci 2014, 107(3), 364-7.

5 illus, 7 ref

012618   Paranjape A R;Kale A S;Kulkarni K G (NO, Geology and Palaeontology Group, Agharkar Research Institute, G G Agarkar Road, Pune-411 004, Email: amrita.paranjpe@gmail.com) : Significance of clastic injectites in the syn rift terano clay member, Sivaganga formation, Cauvery Basin, Tamil Nadu, India. Curr Sci 2014, 106(12), 1641-3.

3 illus, 10 ref

012617   Padekar D G;Bhattacharyya T;Deshmukh P D;Ray S K;Chandran P;Tiwary P (NO, National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (ICAR), Amravati Road, Nagpur-440 030, Email: dgpadekar@gmail.com) : Is irrigation water causing degradation in black soils?. Curr Sci 2014, 106(11), 1487-9.

1 illus, 2 tables, 17 ref

012616   Jigyasu D K;Kuvar R;Shahina;Singh P;Singh S; Singh I B;Singh M (NO, Centre of Advanced Study in Geology Lucknow Univ, Lucknow-226 007, Email: smunendra@gmail.com) : Chemical weathering of biotite in the Ganga Alluvial Plain. Curr Sci 2014, 106(11), 1484-6.

3 illus, 19 ref

012615   Gupta R P;Srivastava N;Tiwari R K (Earth Sciences Dep, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee-247 667, Email: rpgesfes@iitr.ac.in) : Evidences of relatively new volcanic flows on the moon. Curr Sci 2014, 107(3), 454-60.

It is generally believed that the Moon became internally dead <126>1 b.y. from the present, and only old (≥ 1 b.y.) volcanic flows forming largely the mare basins are known to occur. The old volcanic land-forms stand largely obliterated and flows studded with impact craters. However, recent findings have indicated global presence of young thrust faults on the Moon, escape of gases from the interior and also predicted the presence of partially molten lower lunar mantle and core. Here, we have used high-resolution datasets from NASA's LRO, Kaguya of JAXA and ISRO's Chandrayan-1 missions to examine the characteristics and origin of multiple relatively fresh, coaxial, superposed viscous flows spotted inside the Lowell crater on the far side of the Moon. Various considerations apparently rule out the possibility of these melts being derived from nearby areas. An associated likely source crater and tectonic structures (a fault and a fracture) of two different ages but emanating from the same crater and affecting different flows have also been located - exhibiting tectono-volcanic relationship. These features provide evidences of likely volcanic activity in the region not too far in the past, are consistent with recent results that the Moon may not be internally dead, and thus have implications to the thermal history and present-day geologic nature of the Moon.

8 illus, 32 ref

012614   Fogwe Z N;Tanyi F O (Geography Dep, Box 3132, F.L.S.S., Univ of Douala, Cameroon, Email: nfogwez@yahoo.co.uk) : Assessment of the springs and spring line on the flanks of mount Cameroon. J hum Ecol 2014, 47(3), 285-93.

Fresh water availability in good quantity and quality is indispensable to an efficient functioning of the biosphere and human communities. Underground and resurgent springs have been of great interest to institutional structures involved in spring water bottling, The Cameroon Utility Corporation (CAMWATER, local water management committees rural and urban inhabitants, as well as other stakeholders. This calls for an understanding of the distribution and the hydro-geological setting of these springs whose occurrence seems to coincide with Cameroon Volcanic Line. The pressure exerted on this shrinking resource necessitates a futurist management system on this pseudo-karstic geological terrain.

4 illus, 4 tables, 20 ref

012613   Bhatt M;Nayak V N;Subhash Chandran M D; Ramachndran T V (NO, Energy and Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, In, Bangalore-560 012, Email: cestvr@ces.iisc.ernet.in) : Fish distribution dynamics in the Aghanashini estuary of Uttara Kannada, west coast of India. Curr Sci 2014, 106(12), 1739-44.

Fish diversity (77 species) in the Aghanashini River estuary of the Indian west coast is linked to variable salinity conditions and zones I, II and III for high, medium and low salinity respectively. Zone I, the junction between Arabian Sea and the estuary, had all species in yearly succession - due to freshwater conditions in monsoon to high salinity in pre-monsoon. The medium (zone II) and low (zone III) salinity mid and upstream portions had maximum of 67 and 39 fish species respectively. Maintenance of natural salinity regimes in estuary, among other ecological factors, is critical for its fish diversity.

5 illus, 1 table, 28 ref

012612   Behera M D;Patidar N;Chitale V S;Behera N; Gupta D;Matin S;Tare V;Panda S N;Sen D J (NO, Spatial Analysis and Modelling Laboratory, Centre for Oceans, Rivers,, Kharagpur-721 302, Email: mdbehera@coral.iitkgp.ernet.in) : Increase in agricultural patch contiguity over the past three decades in Ganga river basin, India. Curr Sci 2014, 107(3), 502-11.

Ganga River Basin (GRB) is the second most populous river basin in the world, which has been undergoing rapid land-use change during the last few decades. Here, we analyse the landscape dynamics in Indian GRB (1GRB) using three indices, i.e. class area, mean patch size and number of patches for 14 land-use and land-cover (LULC) classes using multi-temporal Landsat satellite datasets of 1975 and 2010. Major change was observed with the expansion of agricultural lands and human settlements and depletion of forests. Agricultural lands covered the highest area (<62>75%), where low to medium-sized patches have increased and patches with larger size have been slightly reduced in size over past decades. The highest increase in percentage of built-up land has been appropriately captured on medium-resolution satellite imageries using visual interpretation technique. Degradation and loss of forest areas were reported in terms of landscape indices; however, the increase of plantation is a positive sign in the basin. In general, we observed aggregation of agricultural patches and reduction of forest patches in small to medium patch sizes. We argue the utility of 'onscreen visual interpretation' technique in favour of LULC mapping to achieve absolute accuracy in such a heterogeneous landscape, as it incorporates interpreter's knowledge. We appreciate the free availability of Landsat imageries having very good radiometry that has opened the doors for exercises with minimum cost. Located in one of the most fertile regions of India, the basin accommodates more than 400 million human population. This has led to expansion of agriculture and built-up land at the cost of forest and other land covers. Understanding landscape dynamics could help in designing an effective land-use policy for IGRB.

3 illus, 6 tables, 21 ref

012611   BatukJoshi K;Ray S;Joshi D;Ahmad T (Geology Dep, Delhi Univ, Delhi-110 007, Email: tahmad001@yahoo.co.in) : Geochemistry of pegmatites from South Delhi fold belt: a case study from Rajgarh, Ajmer district, Rajasthan. Curr Sci 2014, 106(12), 1725-30.

On the basis of geochemical studies, pegmatites emplaced in the Rajgarh Group of Delhi Supergroup in the South Delhi Fold Belt have been classified into three groups. They show a variety of rare earth element enrichment patterns, LREE/HREE values and Eu anomalies. The geochemical affinities of these pegmatites suggest their calc-alkaline nature, volcanic arc granite signature in tectonic discrimination diagrams (Nb vs Y and Rb vs Nb + Y) and a probable S-type parentage as inferred from their high A/CNK value, peraluminous character, presence of high normative corundum and abundance of garnet and muscovite. These features have been related to subduction-related processes which might have generated the parent granitic melt forming these pegmatites.

1 illus, 1 table, 34 ref

011609   Venkatesan R;Shamji V R;Latha G;Mathew S;Rao R R;Muthiah A;Atmanand M A (NO, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Pallikaranai, Chennai-600 100, Email: venkat@niot.res.in) : In situ ocean subsurface time series measurements from OMNI buoy network in the Bay of Bengal. Curr Sci 2013, 104(9), 1166-77.

Bay of Bengal, the northeastern limb of the tropical Indian Ocean is a region strongly coupled with summer and winter monsoons and tropical cyclones. The Bay is also a region of strong vertical stratification near the surface due to large inputs of freshwater through rainfall and river run-off. In situ subsurface ocean measurements are quite sparse both in space and time in this region. The National Institute of Ocean technology (NIOT), Chennai deployed instrumented moored buoys in the Bay since 1997 to provide continuous time-series measurements of surface meteorological and oceanographic parameters at selected locations. In the recent years several studies have shown the important role of variability of heat storage in the near-surface layers on the intraseasonal and inter annual evolution of monsoons and cyclones. Hence a strong need was felt to augment some of these buoys with subsurface temperature, salinity and current sensors to continuously record the temporal evolution of their vertical structures. Under a new initiative, NIOT has deployed six moored buoys attached with sensors to collect subsurface oceanographic parameters on real-time basis in the Bay. These are coded as the OMNI (Ocean Moored buoy Network for Northern Indian Ocean) buoy system. The time-series of vertical profiles of temperature and salinity in 500 m water column from the surface and currents in the topmost 100 m water column are monitored at discrete depths in the Bay. The OMNI buoy programme addresses a long-standing need to understand the observed variability of upper ocean thermohaline and current structures on several timescales that has important bearing on the evolution of seasonal monsoons and cyclones. This article presents an account on the evolution, status and usefulness of the OMNI buoy programme.

7 illus, 1 table, 38 ref

011608   Singh V;Bankar N;Salunkhe S S;Bera A K;Sharma J R (Regional Remote Sensing Centre West, National Remote Sensing Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation, CAZRI Campus, Jodhpur-342 003, Email: shalu.ashu50@gmail.com) : Hydrological stream flow modelling on tungabhadra catchment: parameterization and uncertainty analysis using SWAT CUP. Curr Sci 2013, 104(9), 1187-99.

Adequate stream flow measurement is vital for agricultural watershed management and its effect on many aspects of water balance parameters. For this reason soil water assessment tool (SWAT) has been applied for the measurement of the stream flow to the Tungabhadra catchment in India. This article describes a methodology for calibration and parameter uncertainty analysis for distributed model based on generalized likelihood measures. The sequential uncertainty domain parameter fitting algorithm (SUFI-2) and generalized likelihood uncertainty equation (GLUE) of SWAT CUP (calibration and uncertainty program) work with multiple sets of parameter values and allow to user within the slight limitation of the model structure in boundary conditions and field observations. Performance of the SUFI-2 and GLUE techniques was evaluated using five objective functions, namely P-factor, R-factor, coefficient of determination R²

9 illus, 6 tables, 22 ref

011607   Singh A K;Pandey C B;Pandey C P (Chemistry Dep, A.S.C. College, Ballia, Uttar Pradesh) : The impact of underground water pollution on human health. Bioved 2013, 24(1), 113-16.

Underground water is easily available and its temperature and quality are quite stable, it is an important element of earth's water circulation system. Hence the underground water environment must be conserved and prevented to protect human health. In the presented work the underground water samples were collected in the month of April 2010, at different located sites from dug wells (A), hand pumps(B), IM-1I hand pumps (C), and tube bells(D) in Sultanpur city to analyze the different important physico-chemical parameters viz. color, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), alkalinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), Ca, Mg, F^{-, Cl-, SO₄-, and total hardness (TH), by using standard methods. The most of parameters were studied with the help of water analysis kit whether some of them like Ca and Mg hardness were estimated by complexometric titration method, Cl- F- and SO₄- content were determined volumetrically. On the basis of data analysis obtained, it was found that the most of the water samples were fit for drinking and agricultural purposes according to WHO and BIS standards.}

2 tables, 8 ref

011606   Shukmanova A A (Institute of Geology and Oil Gas Business After K. Turysova, Kazakh National Technical Univ, After Name of K.I. Satpayev, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan, Email: anar_shukmanova@yahoo.com) : The geology and reservoir characteristics of the kumkol oil field, Kazakhstan. Int J chem Sci,Udaipur 2014, 12(2), 557-63.

The Kumkol field is located in the Kyzylorda area, 200 kilometers from the town of Kyzylorda. Recoverable hydrocarbon reserves are about 55 million tons. Production in 2012 was 2.14 million tons of oil (LUKOIL's share was 1.07 million tons) and 222 million cubic meters of gas (LUKOIL's share was 111 million cubic meters). LUKOIL's share in investment from the start of the project has exceeded $ 600 million. The total number of employees is 675, 100% of whom are Kazakhstan nationals. LUKOIL plans to invest upto $ 190 million in development of the project till 2020.

1 table, 6 ref

011605   Sanil Kumar V;Dubhashi K K;Nair T M B;Singh J (NO, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (Council of Scientific and Ind, Dona Paula, Goa-403 004, Email: sanil@nio.org) : Wave power potential at a few shallow-water locations around Indian coast. Curr Sci 2013, 104(9), 1219-24.

Variations in nearshore wave power at four shallow-* water locations along the east and west coast of India are examined based on the measured wave data for one-year period. The study shows that along the west coast of India, 83-85% of the annual wave power is during the summer monsoon period (June-September), whereas at Visakhapatnam (on the east coast), 55% of the annual wave power is during the summer monsoon period. Along Puducherry coast in the east, wave power is relatively less with maximum value of 31.8 kW m^{-1. The average wave power during the summer monsoon is high (15.5-19.3 kW m-1) along the west coast of India. The study shows that the annual average wave power (1.8-7.6 kW m-1) along the locations studied is much lower than that available for temperate zones.}

5 illus, 1 table, 20 ref

011604   Pachaiyappan A;Muthuvel A;Sadhasivam G;Janani V;Sankar V;Sridhar N;Mohan Kumar (NO, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Parangipettai-608 502, Email: mamnplab@gmail.com) : In vitro antioxidant activity of different gastropods, bivalves and echinoderm by solvent extraction method. Int J pharm Sci Res 2014, 5(6), 2539-45.

Antioxidants can protect the human body from free radicals and ROS effects. They retard the progress of many chronic diseases as well as lipid peroxidation. The commercially used synthetic antioxidants BHA and BHT have been suspected of being responsible for liver damage and carcinogenesis. Hence, a need for identifying alternative natural and safe sources of antioxidants has been created, and the search for natural antioxidants, especially of marine origin, has notably increased in recent years. The aim of this current study is to find the antioxidant effect of marine invertebrates of molluscan group comprising gastropods, bivalves and echinoderms methanolic extract using different in-vitro assays such as DPPH, reducing power and total antioxidant activity. The present findings imply that, bivalves possess higher antioxidant activity that formed as regular seafood for mankind than other groups investigated; hence, these methanolic extracts can be served as ironic agents of antioxidants and also used as pharmaceutical agents to prevent various degenerative diseases where it demands further research towards purification and mechanisms of action.

35 ref

011603   Neog B;Hazarika R (Life Science Dep, Dibrugarh Univ, Assam, Email: bejoy_draj@yahoo.co.in) : Conservation of certain indigenuos medicinal plant of upper Brahmaputra valley of Assam: computational biology approach. Int J Pharm Life Sci 2013, 4(1), 2276-7.

Change of agricultural practices and other anthropogenic causes has threatened the nature's unique genetic resources in the verge of extinction. In addition to that very little or no sufficient systematic studies have been done to explore and conserve the medicinal and nutritive potentials of these unique genetic resources. However, there are number of commercially available drugs derived from plant sources and also ever increasing demand for the herbal medicine in recent days in the domestic as well as international market. So there is a distinct need for an easy accessible data collection system that provides detailed scientific information of the plants. Keeping these points on mind computational biology techniques are used to construct web-enabled medicinal plant database system for easy retrieval of taxonomic information, photographs, medicinal properties and bioactive compounds of such important plants in the Upper Brahmaputra valley of Assam for scientific users, researchers and home users who interested in medical plants.

011602   Ajay Kumar;Singh K K;Rajput P S (Physical Sciences Dep, M.G.C.G.V., Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh) : Water harvesting potential of Satna river basin of Satna, M.P.. Bioved 2013, 24(1), 33-8.

Potential for water harvesting in the Satna river basin was studied, using RS & GIS. It was found that the estimated runoff that could be harvested on annual basis was 373.42xl0^{6 CM in Satna river basin. This indicated that this site have the potential for water harvesting that could be utilized for many purposes such as irrigation, house hold, livestock and other local needs for major part of the year, along with increase in recharging of ground water and reduce the scarcity of water of the basin area.}

2 tables, 8 ref

010610   Sriivastave N (A.S.D.C.Pvt.Ltd. [A Unit of Golcha Associated Group], , Udaipur, Rajasthan, Email: neeraj_geologist@yahoo.com) : Pulsating need of strategy for the exploration of emerald in Rajasthan, India. SGAT Bull 2014, 15(1), 24-8.

In the past five years Import of Emerald in India (Cut & Uncut) increases up to 112.73%. In India, the occurrences of emerald are reported from Rajasthan, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.The Emerald-bearing zones are found in Rajasthan along 200-km long ultramafic rocks near Kalaguman village in Rajsamand district. It was first discovered in 1943 and after that lot of studies have been conducted by GSI and other agencies, but due to paucity of proper investigation the reserves have not been estimated so far. Presently, India is a growing market for gem and jewelry and we are spending huge foreign currency to import Emerald. Thus it is need of time to make a vibrant strategy to explore the Emerald in the promising belt of Rajasthan by some suggested techniques like geological mapping, geophysical radiometric survey, geochemical analysis, petrographic analysis, core drilling, pitting and trenching, logging and deep shaft sinking etc.

2 illus, 9 ref

010609   Sridevi B;Ramana Murty T V;Sadhuram Y;Sarma V V S S;Naidu V S;Prasad K V S R (National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR), Regional Centre, , 176, Lawsons Bay Colony, Visakhapatnam-530 017, Email: tvrmurty@nio.org) : Model simulation of tide-induced currents in Gauthami-Godavari estuary. Curr Sci 2013, 104(10), 1287-90.

^ssc5 illus, 22 ref

010608   Sit S K;Srivastava P;Jena B (Natural Resources Div, Tata Steel Ltd,, B-12, B J B Nagar, Bhubaneswar-751 014, Email: sumank.sit@tatasteel.com) : IN-situ coal quality assessment for FBDB gasification suitability during conversion of coal to liquid fuels: a specific analytical approach on exploration samples. SGAT Bull 2014, 15(1), 97-108.

Indirect Coal to Liquid fuels conversion (CTL) process follows two sequential conversion processes i.e., coal gasification process and then syn-gas liquefaction process. Sasol-Lurgi, Fixed Bed Dry Bottom (FBDB) gasification process, one of the specific surface coal gasification processes, is used for in direct conversion of coal to value added liquid fuels (CTL) on commercial scale. FBDB gasification process converts lump coal to pure CO and H₂ gas mixture (syn-gas) and which is further catalytically converted to liquid hydrocarbons through Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FT) Process. Low rank, non-coking (without caking & swelling property) and high Ash Fusion Temperature (<62>1200°C) coal source is suitable (high level) as feedstock for FBDB gasification process. In order to assess coal source suitability required for FBDB gasifiers stability & performance, which is necessary for project viability, a detailed in-situ coal quality parameters analysis on the explored samples is required. It includes basic coal quality analysis and some gasification & ancillary process related specific analysis/testing such as CO₂ reactivity, Caking Propensity, Thermal fragmentation, and Fischer analysis etc.Low rank, non-coking, higher ash Indian coal resource (76% of total coal resource) can be suitable for indirect CTL process via interim gasification route. Considering coal gasification followed by liquefaction opportunity, two non-coking coal blocks of Talcher Coalfield, Odisha, India have been awarded for Coal to Liquid conversion (CTL) projects by Ministry of Coal, Government of India.This paper discusses about coal quality analysis/testing required for understanding the suitability of coal resource as gasifier feedstock for the FBDB coal gasification; for which specific analytical approach on exploration samples to capture in-situ coal quality data and comparing current non-coking coal analysis requirement prescribed in MoC, GoI, 2007 exploration guidelines are needed. This primarily aims at understanding coal property for power generation. Quality of Indian coal and its suitability for Indirect Coal to Liquid fuels conversion is also captured in this paper.

2 illus, 4 tables, 6 ref

010607   Sesha Sai V V;Rama Rao G;Prasad G J S; Adinarayana Reddy V (Petrology Div, Geological Survey of India, Training Institute, Hyderabad-500 068, Email: seshubb@yahoo.co.in) : Occurrence of rare titanium-niobium-rich astrophyllite in the Podili alkali granite pluton, Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Curr Sci 2013, 104(10), 1290-3.

3 illus, 1 table, 13 ref

010606   Sengupta M;Sahai R;Gundewar C S (Indian Bureau of Mines, , Nagpur) : UNFC-2009 : proposed tool for national reporting of mineral commodity resources in India. SGAT Bull 2014, 15(1), 78-82.

Govt. of India has adopted UNFC-1997 in 2003 for all types of solid minerals (excepting fuel minerals). UNFC-2009 was developed by UNECE under the global mandate and is applicable to all extractive activities covering solid minerals and fossil energy reserves and resources. UNFC- 2009 will reflect conditions in the economic and social domain, including markets and government framework conditions, technological and industrial maturity and the ever present uncertainties. Designed to be internationally applicable and internationally acceptable, UNFC-2009 brings harmonization to terminology and definitions by using a powerful numerical codification system which applies to all fossil energy and mineral reserves and resources. The importance of environmental and social issues in the context of resource extraction is appropriately recognized in UNFC-2009. UNFC-2009 will significantly facilitate the availability of relevant and reliable information on mineral reserves and resources in support of international and national resources management, of industry's management of exploration and production processes, of management of the associated international financial resources and for public awareness. In order to progress on this issue, establishment of a Technical Advisory Group in parallel with the development of the specifications for UNFC-2009 is equally important.