006493   Maurya D M;Khonde N;Das A;Chowksey V;Chamyal L S (Indian Institute of Soil Science (ICAR), , Nabibagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal-462 038, Email: rajanselladurai@yahoo.co.in) : Subsurface sediment characteristics of the Great Rann of Kachchh, western India based on preliminary evaluation of textural analysis of two continuous sediment cores. Curr Sci 2013, 104(8), 1071-7.

The present communication describes the lithological characteristics of two drill cores raised from the Great Rann of Kachchh based on physical characteristics, grain size distribution, textural characteristics and X-ray radiographs. The two cores were raised from the southern fringe of the salt-encrusted region, one to the north of Dhordo (~60 m depth) in the central part of the Great Rann basin and the second from the northeast of Berada (~51 m depth) in the southern Banni plain from the southern marginal part of the basin. Based on textural characteristics, the Dhordo core is subdivided into 16 litho units and the Berada core is subdivided into 13 litho units. Based on the AMS date of 17,700±86 cal years BP obtained from Dhordo core at a depth of 60.13 m and 9,515±61 cal years BP obtained from the basal part of the marine sequence in the Berada core at 38.88 m depth, we infer that the central part of the Great Rann basin was submerged by a shallow sea by ~18 ka BP, whereas the marginal parts, including the Banni plain were completely submerged by ~10 ka BP.

3 illus, 2 tables, 16 ref

006492   Kundu B;Gahalaut V K (CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, , Uppal Road, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: vkgahalaut@yahoo.com) : Tectonic geodesy revealing geodynamic complexity of the Indo-Burmese arc region, North East India. Curr Sci 2013, 104(7), 920-33.

The plate boundary between India and Sunda plates across the Indo-Burmese arc (IBA) region is probably the most neglected domain asfar as the plate motion, crustal deformation and earthquake occurrence processes are concerned. Because of the limited or no geodetic measurements across the IBA region, debate continues on the most appropriate plate boundary model for the region. Subduction along this boundary occurred in geological past, but whether it is still active is a debatable issue. It is believed that the pre-dominantly northward India-Sunda relative plate motion of about 36 mm/year is partitioned between the Indo-Burmese wedge (IBW) and the Sagaing Fault (SF). However, it is not clear how relative plate motion between India and Sunda plates is accommodated across the IBA region - whether localized, partitioned or distributed, and in particular what is the slip rate and mode of slip accommodation across faults in the region? In such cases, Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements of crustal deformation have proved to be the best and probably the only tool. Our detailed seismo-tectonic study, crustal deformation study using high precision GPS measurements of eight years, strain rate estimates, field studies, analytical and finite element modelling of GPS data from the IBW region in North East India provide evidence for present-day active deformation front (or the plate boundary fault) between the India and Burma plates. On the basis of our extensive studies, it is now suggested that the Churachandpur-Mao Fault (CMF), a geologically older thrust fault, accommodates motion of about 16 mm/year through dextral strike-slip manner. The motion across the CMF constitutes about 43% of the relative plate mtion of 36 mm/year between the India and Sunda plates. The remaining motion is accommodated at SF. On the basis of modelling, which suggests low friction along the CMF, absence of low-magnitude seismicity along the CMF, lack of historic and great and major earthquakes on the CMF and regions around it, and field studies, it is proposed that the motion across the CMF occurs pre-dominantly in an aseismic manner. Such behaviour of the CMF significantly lowers the seismic hazard in the region.

16 illus, 51 ref

006491   Kotlia B S;Joshi L M (Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, Kumaun University, Nainital-263 002, Email: bahadur.kotlia@gmail.com) : Late Holocene climatic changes in Garhwal Himalaya. Curr Sci 2013, 104(7), 911-19.

Geochemical study of a 3.55 m long lake sediment core from the Badanital Lake (Garhwal Himalaya) reveals Late Holocene centennial-scale climatic changes. The ecosystem of the tectonically formed lake seems to be controlled by natural and anthropogenic factors. The imprints of four major global events, e.g. 4.2 ka event, Medieval Warm Period (MWP), Little Ice Age (LIA) and modern warming are observed. By using the geochemical parameters, e.g. major oxides and their ratios (CaO/MgO, CaO/TiO₂, MgO/TiO₂, Na₂O/TiO₂, TiO₂/Al₂O₃, Na₂O/K₂O and Fe₂O₃/TiO₂), major elements, chemical index of weathering, chemical index of alteration and loss on ignition, the core profile is divided into six major climatic zones. The sediment accumulation rate was extremely slow during a cold/dry phase from ca. 5.1 to 3.5 ka BP. This was followed by wetter/moist phase from ca. 3.5 to 1.8 ka BP and the area further remained under arid conditions from ca. 1800 to 920 years BP. Almost wet/moist environment prevailed around 920-440 years BP, corresponding to the MWP. The LIA (440-160 years BP) was somewhat cooler, whereas post LIA, particularly from 160 years BP points to modern warming.

5 illus, 1 table, 71 ref

006490   Gupta A K;Singh R K;Verma S (Geology and Geophysics Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur-721 302, Email: anilg@wihg.res.in) : Deep-sea palaeoceanographic evolution of the eastern Indian Ocean during the late Oligocene-Pleistocene: species diversity trends in benthic foraminifera. Curr Sci 2013, 104(7), 904-10.

Latest Oligocene-Pleistocene deep sea benthic foraminiferal species diversity parameters, including information function (H), equitability (E) and number of species (S) were analysed at Deep Sea Drilling Project sites 214 and 216 and Ocean Drilling Program holes 758A, 757B, 756B and 752A, presently located between 30.53°S and 5.23°N at lower bathyal to abys-sal depths, in the eastern Indian Ocean. The values of these parameters have enabled us to understand deep-sea palaeoceanographic changes in the eastern Indian Ocean during the studied interval. The major changes in diversity parameters show close linkages to changes in the location of sites/holes, water mass stratification, productivity and high-latitude glaciations. Major Antarctic glaciations and intensification of the Indian Ocean oxygen minimum zone appear to have impacted deep-sea benthic foraminiferal diversity during the middle Miocene-early Pliocene. The water mass stratification in the eastern Indian Ocean appears to have intensified at ~17 Ma and peaked at ~12 Ma. The number of species, in general, is higher at low-latitude hole 758A and lower at high-latitude hole 756B, supporting the earlier hypothesis that S has an inverse relation with the latitudes.

4 illus, 54 ref

006489   Ghosh K;Rajavel M;Samui R P;Singh G P; Karmakar C (Agricultural Meteorology Division, India Meteorological Dep, Pune, Email: kripanghosh@yahoo.co.in) : Forewarning incidence of American boll worm (Heliothis armigera H.) of cotton at Akola in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. Mausam 2014, 65(1), 73-82.

Study on pest population of American boll worm (Heliothis armigera H.) in cotton crop as influenced by weather parameters like rainfall (KF), maximum temperature (Tmax), minimum temperature (Tmin) morning relative humidity (RHI), evening relative humidity (RH II) and bright sunshine hours (BSS) and its statistical correlation was undertaken with data recorded at Dr. Punjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidhyapeeth, Akola. The maximum activity and damage due to high population of Heliothis was observed during 35th to 50th standard weeks. Maximum temperature (40th week) and minimum temperature (37th week), morning and evening relative humidity during 38th week play an important role in pest infestation during 40th standard week. Flowering to boll formation stages of the crop suffered heavy incidence of Heliothis. Critical weather parameters causing the outbreak of Heliothis in Akola was maximum temperature around 32 °C and minimum temperature around 23 °C, morning relative humidity below 88%, evening relative humidity below 60% and hours of bright sunshine above 6.5 hrs / day.

4 illus, 2 tables, 21 ref

006488   Geetha B;Balachandran S (NO, Regional Meteorological Center, Chennai, Email: geethab67@gmail.com) : Decadal variations in translational speed of cyclonic disturbances over North Indian Ocean. Mausam 2014, 65(1), 115-18.

1 illus, 1 table, 6 ref

006487   Gadgil S;Srinivasan J (Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Centre for Climate Change Institute of Science, Bangalore-560 012, Email: sulogadgil@gmail.com ) : Monsoon prediction: hits, misses and false alarms. Curr Sci 2013, 104(8), 1005.

1 illus, 6 ref

006486   Fernandes V;Ramaiah N (National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR), , Dona Paula, Goa-403 004, Email: ramaiah@nio.org) : Distributional characteristics of surface-layer mesozooplankton in the Bay of Bengal during the 2005 winter monsoon. Indian J Geomar Sci 2014, 43(2), 176-88.

Present study consists spatial patterns in biomass, abundance and composition of mesozooplankton in Bay of Bengal. Surface samples were collected from a central open ocean transect along 88§E and western coastal transect during the 2005 winter monso on.During the sampling period, both sea level- and sea surface temperature anomalies inferred from satellite imagery were the lowest at the southern stations of the western Bay transect. These anomalies coincided with the highest biomass and abundance of zooplankton, of copepods in particular. Western region was richer in biomass and abundance compared to the central waters. Zooplankton community comprised 28 taxonomic groups. Predominant copepod community exhibited low species richness with just 46 identified species. They were evenly distributed over stations and their diversity did not vary much between oceanic and coastal transects. Copepod Undinula vulgaris was common in the oceanic waters and Temora stylifera in the coastal. This study highlights the occurrence of pockets of dense zooplankton biomass in the moderately productive (primary) bay.

6 illus, 4 tables, 56 ref

006485   Dutta U;Sarkar S;Mandal N (Geological Sciences Dep, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-700 032, Email: nibirmandal@yahoo.co.in) : Ballooning versus curling of mantle plumes: views from numerical models. Curr Sci 2013, 104(7), 893-903.

Mantle plumes constitute a large-scale thermal advection process of million-year timescale inside the Earth. It has been inferred that they mostly initiate as thermal perturbations at the core-mantle boundary, and subsequently ascend through the mantle, giving rise to hotspots and large igneous provinces. Using volume-of-fluid (VOF) models, the present study provides a new insight into the issue - ballooning versus curling mode of plume ascent. Earlier models have predicted curling to ballooning transitions with increasing mantle-plume viscosity contrast. Thermo-mechanical model simulations demonstrate this transition as a function of two independent physical variables: density contrast Δπ= π_a/π_p, π_a and π_p are mantle and plume density respectively) and material influx rate (normalized in terms of Reynolds number Re). The ballooning mode occurs in a condition of high Δπ(~1.2) and low Re(~6), which transforms into the curling mode as the condition is reversed (Δπ= 1.1 and Re = 18). In this study we mapped the temperature distribution in and around plumes, and compared their thermal structures with those defined by the phase boundary. The thermal maps do not mani-fest their strong curling behaviour, suggesting that seismic tomography perhaps reveals the thermal boundary of natural plumes, rather than the mantle-plume phase boundary.

8 illus, 50 ref

006484   Dubey D P;Krishnakumar G (NO, Meteorological Centre, Bhopal, Email: dir_dubey@rediffmail.com) : Trends in precipitation extremes over Central India. Mausam 2014, 65(1), 103-8.

Climatic characteristics of occurrence of extreme rainfall events over central India are studied by using about 100 years of daily rainfall data. The time series comprising of daily rainfall data set 350 stations in the Central parts of India (comprising of the states Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Vidarbha) for the period 1901 - 2010 have been analysed. The daily rainfall (rf) has been classified under the categories of (i) 7<60> rf <60> 12 cm, (ii) rf ≥ 12 cm and (iii) annual extreme (24 hourly rainfall) and their events, patterns and significance have been examined. It is seen that the long-term does not indicate any trend in the monsoon seasonal (June to September) rainfall; however there are decreasing and increasing trends in the extreme rainfall (≥7cm) events. The composite charts of frequency of occurrence of extreme rainfall events located in various geographical areas have been prepared and thereby identifying the possible highest rainfall areas over central India. The synoptic weather systems responsible for the extreme events over central India were also examined and discussed in this paper.

5 illus, 3 tables, 8 ref

006483   Deshpande R D;Maurya A S;Angasaria R C;Dave M;Shukla A D;Bhandari N;Gupta S K (NO, Physical Research Laboratory, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad-380 009, Email: desh@prl.res.in) : Isotopic studies of megacryometeros in western India. Curr Sci 2013, 104(6), 728-37.

Four unusually large ice-stones (megaeryometeors) weighing several kilograms fell in western India during October-November 2010. Samples were retrieved from three fall events. To study the origin and formation of these megacryometeors, δ^{18O, δD, chemical composition and γ-activity were measured. The range of δ18 O-δD is similar to the local meteoric water, suggesting origin from local atmospheric water vapour. The relative humidity at -4 km altitude was higher during a few days before and after the fall. No γ-activity from cosmogenic radionuclides such as 26A1 could be detected in the inherent dust. These studies indicate terrestrial origin of these megacryometeors.}

7 illus, 4 tables, 81 ref

006482   Das S;Tomar C S;Giri R K;Bhattacharjee K; Barman B (NO, Regional Meteorological Centre, Guwahati, Email: das.sunit@rediffmail.com) : Severe thunderstorm of 5th april, 2010 at Guwahati airport: an observational study. Mausam 2014, 65(1), 99-102.

During the afternoon of 5th April, 2010, a thunderstorm swept across Guwahati Airport (Lat. 26°26', Long 91 °3 5') and neighborhood from northwest direction. Strong squally winds (reaching up to 49 knots) and high intensity rain (11mm in 15 minutes) were registered accompanying the storm. One person was killed by the falling tree due to squally winds and several others were injured by the event. The observed evolution of temperature, humidity, wind and pressure at Guwahati Airport, as well as the sequence of satellite and radar images, revealed the presence and movement of convective cells. An observational analysis of the event has been given in this paper. The aim of the study is to contribute to the characterization of these events by analyzing the observational information available. The diagnosis is aimed at helping forecasters to identify this kind of organized deep convective events and being able to issue timely warnings. The synoptic scenario shows warm and moist advection from the Bay of Bengal in low levels over Northeastern region of India and an upper-level north-south trough running from Sub-Himalayan West Bengal to north Orissa. This situation is known to be favorable for development of severe convection over Northeastern region of India during pre-monsoon season.

4 illus, 1 table, 7 ref

006481   Calla O P N;Gadri K L;Rathore G;Sharma R; Agrahari S K;Kalla A (NO, International Center for Radio Science, Jodhpur (Rajasthan), Email: opnc06@gmail.com) : Evaluation of smos soil moisture based on rainfall variability over semi-arid tract of India. Mausam 2014, 65(1), 124-8.

7 illus, 2 tables, 10 ref

006480   Bhattacharya B D;Bhattacharya A K;Rakshit D; Sarkar S K (Marine Science Dep, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata-700 019, Email: cusarkar@gmail.com) : Impact of the tropical cyclonic storm `Aila' on the water quality characteristics and mesozooplankton community structure of Sundarban mangrove wetland, India. Indian J Geomar Sci 2014, 43(2), 216-23.

Present study examine the changes in the occurrence and composition of mesozooplankton (0.2 - 20 mm body size) in the context of water quality parameters at three stations of Sundarban coastal region, West Bengal due to the odious event of severe tropical cyclonic storm `Aila' on 25th May, 2009. The Aila incident not only caused stupendous changes in the physicochemical characteristics of the water but also left direct impact on the mesozooplankton biomass. A sharp increment in water turbidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), phytopigment chlorophyll b (chl b) and micronutrients (nitrate, phosphate and silicate) were noticed during post-Aila period with a corresponding decrease of water transparency and phytopigments chl a and chl c. Reduction of zooplankton biomass, density and species diversity was also pronounced during post-Aila period. An absolute dominance of two copepod species of diverse feeding guilds, namely, Bestiolina similes (herbivore) and Oithona brevicornis (carnivore) was the most interesting feature observed during post-Aila period. The meroplanktons such as nauplius, zoea and ichthyoplanktons which constituted the most dominant forms (~31 % of total mesozooplankton) during pre-Aila period, were completely absent in post-Aila stage.

1 illus, 4 tables, 30 ref

006479   Bera S K;Gupta K;Basumatary S K;Tripathi S (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53, Univ Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: skbera_2000@yahoo.com) : Incidence of differential pollen dispersal in different tiers of reserve forests, north east India: a twin study based on spider webs and air catches. J appl Biosci 2013, 39(2), 63-71.

Evaluation of pollen and spores suspended in the atmosphere is squarely related to the vegetation dynamics in a region. Despite use of various conventional substrates like moss polsters, forest humus and barks, spider webs now have emerged as an efficient natural pollen trap to provide factual data on modern pollen rain in a particular geographical area. Analysis of ten thick spider meshes of two reserve forests of Dibrugarh District have yielded a variety of palynomorphs belong to angiosperm, gymnosperm and ferns. Non pollen palynomorphs include airborne fungal remains and varias mostly belong to Deuteromycetes and Ascomycetes (grass pathogen) along with insect body parts and plant fragments respectively. The study is in a good agreement between pollen content in spider webs and extant vegetation in and around study area. Association of fern & fungal spores in high value in upper forest tier web samples provide invaluable information for allergy studies posing trigger sources present in the environment. Differential pollen dispersal has also been observed in the webs studied from different forest layers as evidenced by the pollen frequency. The air study in emergent forest layer through Burkard sampler support the present web sample. The steady frequency of Areca pollen (Betel nut palm) in upper most forest layer is significant despite its entomophily nature associated with low frequency pollen transport.

7 illus, 1 table, 33 ref

006478   Baskar R;Baskar S (NO, , Hisar-125 001, Email: rbaskargjuhisar@yahoo.com) : L'Aquila earthquake prediction judgment: an eye-opener. Curr Sci 2013, 104(8), 1003-4.

1 ref

006477   Babar F Z A;Guo S L;Zhi X F;Chen Y;Tang W W (NO, Nanjing Univ of Information Science & Technology, NUIST, Nanjing 210044, China, Email: shlguo@nuist.edu.cn) : Heavy rainfall in Pakistan during 27-29 july 2010: role of atmospheric energy conversion characteristics. Mausam 2014, 65(1), 57-66.

Extreme weather events over Asia particularly in Pakistan are becoming more frequent in the present decade or so. This is contributing to the ever increasing human suffering of the region. In this study the whole energy parameter E from atmospheric energetic theory is derived. The characteristics of atmospheric energy conversion during the heavy rainfall in Pakistan for the period 27-29 July, 2010 are also discussed. The results show that due to the impact of the atmospheric circulation and terrain conditions, the kinetic energy is converted into potential energy, in the form of standing wave, during heavy rainfall development period. The conversion between kinetic and potential energy is significant in heavy rainfall spell. High energy value corresponds to the heavy rainfall region.

5 illus, 1 table, 20 ref

006476   Ashok Kumar;Shukla D K;Arun Kumar;Sarkar S K; Arya B C (National Physical Laboratory, CSIR, New Delhi, Email: guptaak2@mail.nplindia.ernet.in) : Effects of the solar eclipse of 15 January 2010 on direct solar irradiances, surface ozone, no_x, total ozone column and water vapour observed at Thiruvanathapuram, India. Mausam 2014, 65(1), 128-36.

7 illus, 2 tables, 41 ref

006475   Ansari Z A;Mehta P;Furtado R;Aung C; Pandiyarajan R S (NO, National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa, Email: zakir.ansari2008@gmail.com) : Quantitative distribution of meiobenthos in the Gulf of Martaban, Myanmar Coast, North-East Andaman Sea. Indian J Geomar Sci 2014, 43(2), 189-97.

Quantitative distribution of meiofauna in the depth range 20 to 1000 m of the Gulf of Martaban, Andaman Sea was studied from 46 stations during a synaptic survey carried out in April-May 2002 of ORV Sagar Kanya Cruise SK175. Fauna was dominated by three taxa: free living nematodes (80%) benthic copepods (5.9%) and foraminiferans (2.8%). Other groups together contributed more than copepods in total abundance. Total density ranged between 40 and 612/10 cm2 and dry weight biomass from 0.21 to 0.428 mg /10 cm2 in different sediment type and depth zone. Numerical abundance of meiofauna was high in fine silty clay and low in sandy bottom. Formation of three main clusters suggests the influence of dominant sediment texture of clayey sand sand silt clay, silty-clay clayey-silt, and sandy substratum. Fauna was contagiously distributed except at few stations where the distribution was regular. Meiofauna of the present study were similar to those of Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal and the density changes appears to be related to hydrographic condition and sediment characteristics of the region.

8 illus, 4 tables, 73 ref

006474   Aggarwal S P;Garg V;Gupta P K;Nikam B R; Thakur P K;Roy P S (Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Indian Space Research Organisation, , 4, Kalidas Road, Dehradun-248 001, Email: vaibhav@iirs.gov.in) : Run-off potential assessment over Indian landmass: a macro-scale hydrological modelling approach. Curr Sci 2013, 104(7), 950-9.

Evolution of land-atmosphere-ocean models has resulted in the need for hydrologic models applicable to large areas and river basins. Such developments offer new challenges and opportunities for hydrologists to understand the hydrologic response of areas as large as continents. In the present study, the ability of variable infiltration capacity (VIC) hydrological model has been studied to assess run-off potential and other hydrological components for entire India. VIC is a semi-distributed macroscale hydrological model designed to represent surface energy, hydrological fluxes and states at scales from large river basins to the entire globe. It is grid-based model which quantifies the dominant hydro-meteorological process taking place at the land surface-atmospheric interface. In the present study, the model was forced with 15 years daily precipitation, maximum and minimum air temperature at daily time-step on 25 x25 km grid. The water balance of entire India has been studied and the model results on daily, monthly and annual timescales are discussed. It was found that the VIC model results in idealistic hydrology as it takes into account a large number of parameters influencing the process. It was realized that to study such a complex hydrological interaction between land surface and atmosphere over a large region, requires enormous data; in this regard remote sensing data may play an important role. The model can easily be adopted to get primarily information on water balance at any scale.

8 illus, 2 tables, 37 ref

005448   Soni V;Singh D (Centre for Theoretical Physics, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi-110 025, Email: vsoni.physics@gmail.com) : Floodplains: self-recharging and self-sustaining aquifers for city water. Curr Sci 2013, 104(4), 420-2.

5 illus, 5 ref

005447   Padmanabhan V T;Makkolil J (Inter Univ Centre for Nanomaterials and Devides, Cochin Univ of Science and Technology, Kochi-682 022, Email: vtpadman@gmail.com) : Mountain tunnelling, aquifer and tectonics-a case study of Gran Sasso and its implications for the India-based neutrino observatory. Curr Sci 2013, 104(4), 414-16.

The India-based Neutrino Observatory Collaboration is about to construct an underground laboratory in the Western Ghats within the Idukki-Theni charnockyte aquifer. There are several dams quite close to the structure and the area is prone to hydroseismicity. No geotechnical study has been conducted for this project. A similar observatory in Gran Sasso, Italy, built three decades ago has caused floods and severely impacted the aquifer, leading to a series of tremors and a major earthquake in 2009. The long-term impacts of the project on the aquifer and the reservoirs should be examined before going ahead with the construction.

14 ref

005446   Nimbkar N;Rajvanshi A K (NO, Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute, Phaltan-415 523, Email: anilrajvanshi@gmail.com) : Simple filtration and low-temperature sterilization of drinking water. Curr Sci 2013, 104(4), 519-22.

Waterborne infectious diseases are transmitted primarily through contamination of the water sources with excreta of humans and animals. The water treatment technologies available are fairly costly and not sustainable. Solar energy can be used effectively for sterilizing drinking water during clear and partially cloudy days. However, during mostly cloudy days the temperatures required may not be reached. A combination of traditional cotton-sari filtration and heating of water to simulate a solar boiler was evaluated as a water sterilization treatment. Experimental data showed that filtration of raw water through four-layered cotton-sari cloth (250 μm) reduced the coli-form count and further heating to sub-boiling temperatures (55-60°C) for less than an hour resulted in complete inactivation of coliforms. The use of cloth filtration and low-temperature solar sterilization can be an effective, feasible and environmentally sustainable technique of disinfection to obtain clean drinking water.

2 illus, 2 tables, 20 ref

005445   Mogaraju J K (NO, , ) : Geospatial representation of interdecadal temperature variations over parts of Andhra Pradesh, India using geographic information systems. J Energy envir Carbon Credits 2014, 4(2), 10-3.

Climate change is one of the holistic phenomena experienced by human beings since recent decades. Keeping the view of several other hydrometerological factors, this paper emphasizes the application of geographic information systems to represent temperature variations observed over parts of Andhra Pradesh, India. Spatio-temporal representation of thermal variations was presented using cluster and outlier analysis over GIS platform. For this purpose hot spot analysis was conducted for 1951 to 1990. This part of the work aims at filtering lower risk areas to higher risk areas in order to facilitate the policy makers to maintain certain mitigation measures.

005444   Kamlesh Kumar;Chatterjee S;Tiwari R;Mehrotra N C;Singh G K (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: rajni.tewari@gmail.com) : Petrographic evidence as an indicator of volcanic forest fire from the triassic of Allan hills, South Victoria Land, Antarctica. Curr Sci 2013, 104(4), 422-4.

2 illus, 25 ref

005443   Jagtap R S;Mathew F T;Pawar P K (NO, Central Water and Power Research Station, Government of India, Pune, Email: rahul_iss@yahoo.com) : Evaluation of hydrologic network using spatial hydrologic regression approach. Indian J Pwr River Valley Dev 2013, 63(9-10), 135-2.

Hydrologic network of a river basin usually evolve over a time period; and provides inputs to planning, design and management of water resources with objectives such as obtaining flow rates and volumes in major tributaries, estimating water availability, peak flows etc. resource constraints make it imperative to develop efficient data collection plans. A combination of analytical and practical approaches usually adopted for optimizing hydrologic network in a river basin since such networks serve multiple objectives at a time. This paper illustrates the use of spatial hydrologic regression under generalized least squares (GLS) framework for evaluating the merits of the stream-gauging stations operating within the network of Upper Bhima Basin. The study involved large-scale data processing of historical data collected at all streamgauge stations in the basin. The method enabled objective ranking of the stations according to their influence on measuring streamflow characteristics of interest. Cross-correlation among paired stations was analyzed for identifying redundancy in the existing network. Based on the study, the optimum network for the Upper Bhima Basin is identified.

4 illus, 5 tables, 11 ref

005442   Goodarzi L;AkhoondAli A;Zarei H;Dehghani F (Water Sciences Dep, Shahid Chamran Univ, Iran, Email: goodarzi.1988@gmail.com) : Identifying potential sites for artificial groundwater recharge using GIS and MCDM techniques in Oshtorinan plain, Iran. Ecol Envir Conserv 2013, 19(3), 685-90.

The aim of this study is to determine suitable sites for artificial recharge in Oshtorinan Plain, Iran. In order to find out effective factors of artificial recharge. The thematic layers that are considered in this study are: The thickness of the unsaturated zones, Groundwater quality, Aquifer Transmissivity, hydraulic gradient, storage coefficient, slope, geology, land use and distance from surface water resources. A raster form map for different layers were prepared and arranged using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and weighted by an adhoc method. Then, the raster layers were integrated using the Wheighted Index Overlay Method. Thus, The artificial recharge map obtained divided the study area into 3 classes: suitable, moderately suitable and unsuitable according to their suitability for artificial recharge.

2 illus, 7 tables, 10 ref

005441   Chandrasekhar P;Seshadri K (Hydrogeology Group, RSA-A, National Remote Sensing Centre, Indian Space Research Organizat, HYderabad-500 037, Email: chandrasekhar_p@nrsc.gov.in) : Analysis of remote sensing and aeromagnetic data for identification of the causative factors for the recent micro-seismicity observed in Vanasthalipuram area of Ranga Reddy district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Curr Sci 2013, 104(4), 502-8.

Geological and magnetic features were interpreted using IRS-P6 (LISS-III) and aeromagnetic data respectively. Historical rainfall data and the water-table fluctuations were also analysed and integrated with the above in conjunction with ground truth information. It is observed that the intrusion activity of the dykes had disturbed the fracture network, resulting in filling up of pore spaces in the weathered columns. Lineaments across the dykes, the associated pediment and the weathered pediplain have more porosity and permeability. The accumulation and rising of ground-water flow is influenced by the above structural set-up. It is concluded that significant amount of base flow had resulted in hydro-loading and was responsible for the micro-seismicity.

8 illus, 22 ref

005440   Asadi M J;Shabanlou S;Rajabi A (NO, Yasuj Branch of Islamic Azad Univ, Kermanshah Branch of Islamic Azad Univ, Iran) : Determination of flood zoning in GIS environment (case study: Gamasiab watershed), Iran. Ecol Envir Conserv 2013, 19(3), 691-6.

In this paper we first designed all the required data in GIS environment and secondary software such as HEC-GeoRAS and ArcHydro and formatting of location information database for river path, cross sections, river slope, banks and discharge rate input to HEC-RAS hydraulic model, we ran the model. After running of model we got results on flood zoning, flow depth in each point which were sent to GIS environment again in the form of satellite image and finally 3D simulation of considered zone for flood occurrence situation was determined.

8 illus, 8 ref

005439   Agoramoorthy G;Chakraborty C (NO, Tajen Univ, Yanpu, Pingtung 907, Taiwan, Email: agoram@mail.tajen.edu.tw) : Is India open to scientific criticism?. Curr Sci 2013, 104(4), 406-7.

3 ref

004456   Zhou J;Luo Z (School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China Univ of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China, Email: cugberbj@hotmail.com) : Geochronology and Hf-Fe isotopic geochemistry of the phanerozoic mafic-ultramafic intrusions in the damiao area, northern North China craton: implications for lithospheric destruction. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(4), 859-73.

Timing and source of several Fe-mineralized mafic-ultramafic intrusions in the Damiao area are investigated here by coupling new geochronological and Hf-Fe isotopic data with previous results. Although regarded as a Late Paleoproterozoic assemblage previously, two <126>140 Ma intrusions are recognized by zircon U-Pb dating, indicating emplacement of these intrusions from Middle Devonian to Early Cretaceous times. Both Hf and Fe isotopic features lead to the conclusion that distinct mantle components contributed to their magma generation. As the first magmatic phase, the <126>395 Ma intrusions were mainly derived from the slightly-enriched SCLM that was prevalent during the Paleozoic. However, astheno-spheric material was strongly involved in the formation of the <126>215 Ma Gaositai intrusion. Therefore, the initiation of lithospheric destruction in the northern NCC is inferred to have occurred in Late Triassic time, triggered by post-orogenic extension following the <126>250 Ma collision between the Siberian Cra-ton and the NCC. The <126>140 Ma intrusions originated from a significantly-enriched mantle component probably resided in the predominant slightly-enriched SCLM. This mantle source would have melted in the Late Mesozoic, when the thin lithosphere enabled enhanced heat transfer from the asthenosphere. In summary, these distinct mantle sources of mafic-ultramafic rnagmatism provide a record of mantle heterogeneity and the gradual upward migration of the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary during lithospheric destruction.

7 illus, 4 tables, 86 ref

004455   Yilmaz M;Gullu M (Geomatics Dep, Faculty of Engineering, Afyon Kocatepe Univ, ANS Campus, Gazligol Road, TR-03200, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey, Email: mustafayilmaz@aku.edu.tr) : A comparative study for the estimation of geodetic point velocity by artificial neural network. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(4), 791-808.

Space geodesy era provides velocity information which results in the positioning of geodetic points by considering the time evolution. The geodetic point positions on the Earth's surface change over time due to plate tectonics, and these changes have to be accounted for geodetic purposes. The velocity field of geodetic network is determined from GPS sessions. Velocities of the new structured geodetic points within the geodetic network are estimated from this velocity field by the interpolation methods. In this study, the utility of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) widely applied in diverse fields of science is investigated in order to estimate the geodetic point velocities. Back Propagation Artificial Neural Network (BPANN) and Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBFNN) are used to estimate the geodetic point velocities. In order to evaluate the performance of ANNs, the velocities are also, interpolated by Kriging (KRIG) method. The results are compared in terms of the root mean square error (RMSE) over five different geodetic networks. It was concluded that the estimation of geodetic point velocity by BPANN is more effective and accurate than by KRIG when the points to be estimated are more than the points known.

9 illus, 5 tables, 84 ref

004454   Yang X;Li J;Zhang S (School of Geodesy and Geomatics, Wuhan Univ, Wuhan-430 079, Email: yx-02@126.com) : Ionospheric correction for spaceborne single-frequency GPS based on single layer model. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(4), 767-78.

A modified ionospheric correction method and the corresponding approximate algorithm for spaceborne single-frequency Global Positioning System (GPS) users are proposed in this study. Single Layer Model (SLM) mapping function for spaceborne GPS was analyzed. SLM mapping functions at different altitudes were calculated. Ionospheric Pierce Point (IPP) trajectories of the dlft station (an IGS station located at the longitude of 4°23'15.22"E and the latitude of 51°59'9.63"N, in the TU Delft University, The Netherlands) and the GRACE satellite were computed with the corresponding single layer height of 350 and 500 km, respectively. The Klobuchar model was used to compute ionospheric delays for the dlft station, and modified Klobuchar model, together with scale factors, was used to compute the fractional ionospheric corrections above the GRACE altitudes. Calculation results were validated using dual-frequency observations. The study shows that the single layer height needs to be changed from 350 to 500 km according to the altitude of GRACE. Approximate forms of Earth angle and slant factor developed for modified Klobuchar model are applicable to GRACE, with accuracy adequate to preserve the essential elements required to compute ionospheric delays. Results show that the Klobuchar model is effective for ground GPS, and the modified Klobuchar model corrects more than 80% on average of the ionospheric delays for spaceborne single-frequency GPS.

13 illus, 1 table, 34 ref

004453   Wagholikar N K;Ray K C S;Sen P N;Pradeep Kumar P (NO, Sir Parashurambhau College, Pune-411 030, Email: ppk@unipune.ac.in) : Trends in seasonal temperatures over the Indian region. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(4), 673-87.

An investigation has been carried out to identify the trends in maximum, minimum and mean temperatures and temperature range over the Indian land mass during the winter (January, and February), pre-monsoon (March-May), southwest monsoon (June-September) and post-monsoon (October-December) seasons by using high resolution daily gridded data set prepared by India Meteorological Department for the period of 1969-2005. It has been observed that the maximum temperatures over the west coast of India show rising trend in winter, southwest monsoon and post-monsoon seasons but the maximum temperatures do not show any significant trend over the other parts of the country. Minimum temperatures show increasing trend over the North Indian states in all seasons and they show an increasing trend over the west coast of India in winter and southwest monsoon seasons. Mean temperature shows an increasing trend over the west coast of India during winter and southwest monsoon seasons. Decreasing trend is observed in the temperature range over North India in all seasons due to increasing trend in minimum temperature.

5 illus, 23 ref

004452   Venkateshwarlu M;Reddy U V B;Kiran Kumar A (Applied Geochemistry Dep, Osmania Univ, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: venkatmusini@gmail.com) : Geochemical studies of groundwater in and around Miryalaguda area, Nalgonda district, A.P.. J appl Geochem 2014, 16(2), 161-6.

Geochemical studies were conducted on 58 representative ground water samples which were collected and analyzed for various parameters like pH, EC and TH. Estimation of various cations & anions like SO₄^{2-, Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO₃-, C0₃2- and F were also estimated. The result shows that the concentration of these ions are more than the permissible limit for drinking purpose. The hydro geochemistry of the area investigated is dominated by alkaline and weak acids, which indicate that the ground water in this area is partially suitable for drinking and can be made healthy after remedial measures.}

3 illus, 2 tables, 6 ref

004451   Veerasingam S;Venkatachalapathy R;Basavaiah N;Ramkumar T;Venkataramanan S;Deenadayalan K (NO, CSIR - National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa-403 004, Email: physicssingam@gmail.com) : Identification and characterization of tsunami deposits off southeast coast of India from the 2004 Indian ocean tsunami: rock magnetic and geochemical approach. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(4), 905-21.

The December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami (IOT) had a major impact on the geomorphology and sedi-mentology of the east coast of India. Estimation of the magnitude of the tsunami from its deposits is a challenging topic to be developed in studies on tsunami hazard assessment. Two core sediments (C1 and C2) from Nagapattinam, southeast coast of India were subjected to textural, mineral, geochemical and rock-magnetic measurements. In both cores, three zones (zone I, II and III) have been distinguished based on mineralogical, geochemical and magnetic data. Zone II is featured by peculiar rock-magnetic, textural, mineralogical and geochemical signatures in both sediment cores that we interpret to correspond to the 2004 IOT deposit. Textural, mineralogical, geochemical and rock-magnetic investigations showed that the tsunami deposit is featured by relative enrichment in sand, quartz, feldspar, carbonate, SiO₂, TiO₂, K₂O and CaO and by a depletion in clay and iron oxides. These results point to a dilution of reworked ferromagnetic particles into a huge volume of paramagnetic materials, similar to what has been described in other nearshore tsunami deposits (Font et al. 2010). Correlation analysis elucidated the relationships among the textural, mineral, geochemical and magnetic parameters, and suggests that most of the quartz-rich coarse sediments have been transported offshore by the tsunami wave. These results agreed well with the previously published numerical model of tsunami induced sediment transport off southeast coast of India and can be used for future comparative studies on tsunami deposits.

7 illus, 1 table, 96 ref

004450   Vandana M (NO, Centre for Earth Science Studies Akkulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Email: vandanaeldo@gmail.com) : Landform evolution of Kabani river basin, Wayanad district, Kerala. Trans Inst Indian Geogr 2013, 35(1), 89-101.

Landform evolution is driven by the interference of a broad spectrum of processes involving atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and tectonosphere. Hypsometric analysis gives an insight to the landform evolution. The hypsometry of the whole basin and its 11 fifth order sub catchments has been analysed. Based on the shape of the hypsometric curve the sub basins are grouped into three sets: old, late mature and mixed character. Hypsometric integral, catchment aspect ratio, maximum concavity of the curve, height of the hypsometric curve at 20%, 50%, 80% of the area coverage, relative upliftment value, asymmetric factor have been calculated. It is possible to identify two erosional processes like fluvial (advective) and slope dependent (diffusive), from the hypsometry of the sub basins. In this paper, some observations have been made on the evolution of Kabani river basin in Wayanad District by analysing selected aspects of hypsometry of the basin supported by the geological and geomorphologic data.

12 illus, 4 tables, 18 ref

004449   Vahabzadeh G;Farsani P A;Mahmoodi R Z A (Watershed Management Engineering Faculty of Natural Resources Dep, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Univ, ran) : Investigation on the rainfall trend in monthly, seasonal and annual scale (case study: Esfahan province). Ecol Envir Conserv 2013, 19(2), 551-8.

Continental variations highly impact on hydrological cycle and hence water resources, redundancy and intensity of drought and overflow in natural environment, society and economy. So it is necessary to evaluate of the variation in temporal and spatial patterns in order to water management strategies. This study has been done in Esfahan province in 26 rainfall gauging stations on 1979-2009 monthly, seasonal and annual scale. There were no station showed significant trend up to 95% and 99% in annual rainfall and also downward trend in Winter and upward trend in Summer in amount of rainfall observed. Around 20% of stations have significant downward trend up to 95% and 99% in Mars. In Sarab Hande station downward trend observed up to 95% in november and February and 99% in March. The aim of this study is to determine the annual, seasonal and monthly trend.

2 illus, 3 tables, 22 ref

004448   Tehrani M A;Farzadian A;Shabanlou S (Irrigation & Drainage, Firooz Abad Branch of Islamic Azad Univ, Iran, Email: saeid.shabanlou@gmail.com) : Evaluation of climate changes in the Golestan province and its effects on surface water resources using WEAP model. Ecol Envir Conserv 2013, 19(2), 323-7.

In the current situation areas prone to flooding in Iran is estimated about 91 million hectares. In other words, 55 percent of the country was involved in the production of direct run off that about 42 million hectares of it have medium to high capability of flood producing and considering the flood prone of Golestan basin identifying of critical areas is necessary. In this paper we tried to provide a method that using hydrologic models determine the produced flood levels within the basin and also determine the impact of climate change on flood production. First, we divided this basin in 9 sub-basins in GIS environment and using Arc Hydro tool then physical characteristics of basin and sub-basins determined by Arc Hydro and by determining of climate and land use data of required lands hydrologic simulation for sub-basin and whole basin done using WEAP model. Results show that by considering peak discharge among sub-basins in respect to output flood of watershed, we found out Gharnaveh sub-basin has more critical situation. Results also showed that with climate change (climate warming) amount of runoff production will decrease.

10 illus, 7 ref

004447   Subrahmanyam M V;Pushpanjali B;Vittal Murthy K P R (Marine Science Dep, Zhejiang Ocean Univ, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China) : Indian summer monsoon onset variations and consecutive rainfall over India. Ecol Envir Conserv 2013, 19(2), 595-9.

For an Indian agriculture and economy, summer monsoon plays a vital role. The date of monsoon onset changes in every year, the climatological date of onset of monsoon is on 1st June. In this article, we analyzed the rainfall variations in relation to monsoon onset dates for the period of 1970-2010. With respect to the onset date there is a variation of monsoon rainfall in the monsoons months (JJAS) and also with the average seasonal rainfall. In the study period, we found that monsoon onset delayed for 17 days in 1972 and there is a deficit in monsoon rainfall. On the contrary when the monsoon onset is early for 13 days in 1990, the rainfall is above normal. As it is well known, the global phenomena like El Nino/La Nina also affecting the delay or advance in the monsoon onset and also in subsequent rainfall. Detailed discussions about the onset dates and the consequences rainfall during the monsoon months are given.

3 illus, 1 table, 11 ref

004446   Sitharam T G;Sil A (Civil Engineering Dep, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560 012, Email: silarjun@gmail.com ) : Comprehensive seismic hazard assessment of Tripura and Mizoram states. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(4), 837-57.

Northeast India is one of the most highly seismically active regions in the world with more than seven earthquakes on an average per year of magnitude 5.0 and above. Reliable seismic hazard assessment could provide the necessary design inputs for earthquake resistant design of structures in this region. In this study, deterministic as well as probabilistic methods have been attempted for seismic hazard assessment of Tripura and Mizoram states at bedrock level condition. An updated earthquake catalogue was collected from various national and international seismological agencies for the period from 1731 to 2011. The homogenization, declustering and data completeness analysis of events have been carried out before hazard evaluation. Seismicity parameters have been estimated using G-R relationship for each source zone. Based on the seismicity, tectonic features and fault rupture mechanism, this region was divided into six major subzones. Region specific correlations were used for magnitude conversion for homogenization of earthquake size. Ground motion equations (Atkinson and Boore 2003; Gupta 2010) were validated with the observed PGA (peak ground acceleration) values before use in the hazard evaluation. In this study, the hazard is estimated using linear sources, identified in and around the study area. Results are presented in the form of PGA using both DSHA (deterministic seismic hazard analysis) and PSHA (probabilistic seismic hazard analysis) with 2 and 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years, and spectral acceleration (T = 0. 2 s, 1.0 s) for both the states (2% probability of exceedance in 50 years). The results are important to provide inputs for planning risk reduction strategies, for developing risk acceptance criteria and financial analysis for possible damages in the study area with a comprehensive analysis and higher resolution hazard mapping.

12 illus, 6 tables, 69 ref

004445   Sharma S;Kuniyal J C (NO, Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER) Mohali, Chandigarh, Email: sanjuscorp@gmail.com) : Ambient air quality and health status during construction of hydropower projects in the hilly region of kullu valley, Himachal Pradesh. Trans Inst Indian Geogr 2013, 35(1), 13-24.

Study is focused on two major hydropower projects Parbati Stage II (800 MW) and Stage III (520 MW) in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. Assessment of ambient air quality on surrounding environment and health status of the local communities were assessed during construction period. The monthly mean TSP concentration from July, 2005 to September, 2007 was 66.4 μg m-3 ranging from 10.7 μg m-3 on October 13, 2005 to 239.7 μg m-3 on January 6, 2007. The monthly mean SO2 concentrations was 2.83 μg m-3 ranging from 0.25 μg m-3 on June 22, 2007 to 9.65 μg m-3 on November 18, 2005. While monthly mean concentration of NO2 is 2.81 μg m-3 ranging from 0.04 μg m-3 on November 18, 2005 to 19.36 μg m-3 on March 24, 2006. Present study unfolds that the ambient air quality were deteriorating and number of patients are increasing due to ongoing construction activities in the region.

ref

004444   Sengupta P;Ray A;Pramanik S (Geology Dep, Presidency Univ, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata-700 073, Email: piysen@yahoo.co.in) : Mineralogical and chemical characteristics of newer dolerite dyke around Keonjhar, Orissa: implication for hydrothermal activity in subduction zone setting. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(4), 887-904.

The newer dolerite dykes around Keonjhar within the Singbhum Granite occur in NE-SW, NW-SE and NNE-SSW trends. The mafic dykes of the present study exhibit several mineralogical changes like clouding of plagioclase feldspars, bastitisation of orthopyroxene, and development of fibrous amphibole (tremolite-actinolite) from clinopyroxene, which are all considered products of hydrothermal alterations. This alteration involves addition and subtraction of certain elements. Graphical analyses with alteration index and elemental abundances show that elements like Rb, Ba, Th, La and K have been added during the alteration process, whereas elements like Sc, Cr, Co, Ni, Si, Al, Fe, Mg and Ca have been removed. It is observed that in spite of such chemical alteration, correlation between major and trace elements, characteristic of petrogenetic process, is still preserved. This might reflect systematic alteration (addition or subtraction) of elements without disturbing the original element to element correlation. It has also been established by earlier workers that the evolution of newer dolerite had occurred in an arc-back arc setting which may also be true for newer dolerites of the present study. This is evident from plots of pyroxene composition and whole rock composition of newer dolerite samples in different tectonic discrimination diagrams using immobile elements. The newer dolerite dykes of the Keonjhar area may thus be considered to represent an example of hydrothermal activity on mafic rocks in an arc setting.

15 illus, 4 tables, 68 ref

004443   Roxy M S;Sumithranand V B;Renuka G (Physics Dep, Sree Narayana College, Kollam-1, Email: roxyms@gmail.com) : Soil heat flux and day time surface energy balance closure at astronomical observatory, Thiruvananthapuram, South Kerala. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(4), 741-50.

Soil heat flux is an important input component of surface energy balance. Estimates of soil heat flux were made in the year 2008 using soil temperature data at Astronomical Observatory, Thiruvananthapuram, south Kerala. Hourly values of soil heat flux from 00 to 24 LST are presented for selected days typical of the winter, pre-monsoon, SW monsoon and NE monsoon seasons. The diurnal variation is characterized by a cross-over from negative to positive values at 0700 h, occurrence of maximum around noon and return to negative values in the late evening. The energy storage term for the soil layer 0-0.05 m is calculated and the ground heat flux G* is estimated in all seasons. Daytime surface energy balance at the surface on wet and dry seasons is investigated. The average Bowen's ratio during the wet and dry seasons were 0.541 and 0.515, respectively indicating that considerable evaporation takes place at the surface. The separate energy balance components were examined and the mean surface energy balance closure was found to be 0.742 and 0.795 for wet and dry seasons respectively. When a new method that accounts for both soil thermal conduction and soil thermal convection was adopted to calculate the surface heat flux, the energy balance closure was found to be improved. Thus on the land surface under study, the soil vertical water movement is significant.

6 illus, 4 tables, 37 ref

004442   Ray P K C (Geosciences and Geohazard Dep, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), ISRO, Dehradun) : Role of geoinformatics in slope stability assessment and monitoring. Wat Energy int 2013, 70(1), 36-42.

Slope instability leading to landslides can be mapped, monitored and modelled using Geoinformatics (GIT) tools and techniques. Particularly these techniques can be of immense value in large tracts of inaccessible regions like Himalaya. Traditional geotechnical analysis like factor of safety (FOS) calculation can be implemented in GIS and spatial pattern can be analysed. Additionally, satellite remote sensing provides information on slope deformation using DInSAR and precipitation which is an important triggering factor of landslides in India. GNSS based observation can provide precise observation on slope deformation which is crucial to modelling and monitoring of active and potential slope failures. Satellite as well ground based information can be integrated using geoinformatics tool to develop an Early Warning System for landslides. Although opportunities are enormous, there exist gaps in appropriate policy frame work to incorporate GI tools in slope stability assessment and monitoring related to infrastructure development.

4 illus, 1 table, 19 ref

004441   Rao P L S;Rasheed M A;Lakshmi M;Kalpana M S; Patil D J;Dayal A M (NO, National Geophysical Research Institute (Council of Scientific and Ind, Uppal Road, Hyderabad-500 606, Email: plsrao.ngri@gmail.com) : Evaluation of sub-surface hydrocarbon potential using microbial technique as indirect method: a study from Northern part of Bikaner-Nagaur basin, India. J appl Geochem 2014, 16(2), 121-30.

Surface geochemical survey for microbial studies was conducted in northern part of Bikaner-Nagaur Basin, Rajasthan for evaluation of hydrocarbon resource potential of the study area. Near Surface soil sampling was done in a close grid pattern of 1 km interval and total of 100 samples were collected from a depth of top 2 to 4 m from northern part of Bikaner Nagaur Basin, Rajasthan, India. Microbial technique is based on the principle that light hydrocarbons from oil and gas fields escape to the earth's surface and this increases hydrocarbon supply above the fields and creates conditions favorable for the development of highly specialized bacteria populations that feed on the hydrocarbons. Hence microbial anomalies observed in the area indicate the presence of hydrocarbons, which have been migrated from the subsurface. Microbial analysis revealed high bacteria counts for methane oxidizers (560 x 10^{3 cfu/gm), ethane oxidizing bacteria (900 x 103 cfu/gm), propane oxidizing bacteria (833.3 x 103 cfu/gm) and butane oxidizing bacteria (498 x 103 cfu/gm) in soil samples. In the present study the anomalous zones of methane, ethane, propane and butane oxidizing bacteria were observed near the Mohanpura, Chak 12Q, Mirzawala, Prithwirajpur and Kesrisinghpur areas of Bikaner Nagaur Basin, Rajasthan, India. The microbial anomalous zones have been correlated with desorbed soil gases to validate hydrocarbon potential of study area.}

10 illus, 1 table, 13 ref

004440   Rao N S (Geology Dep, Andhra Univ, Visakhapatnam-530 003, Email: srnandipati@gmail.com) : Spatial control of groundwater contamination, using principal component analysis. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(4), 715-28.

Study on the geochemistry of ground-water was carried out in a river basin of Andhra Pradesh to probe into the spatial controlling processes of groundwater contamination, using principal component analysis (PCA). The PCA transforms the chemical variables, pH, EC, Ca^{2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO₃- Cl-, SO₄2-, NO₃- and F-, into two orthogonal principal components (PC1 and PC2), accounting for 75% of the total variance of the data matrix. PC1 has high positive loadings of EC, Na+, Cl-, SO₄2-, Mg2+ and Ca2+, representing a salinity controlled process of geogenic (mineral dissolution, ion exchange, and evaporation), anthropogenic (agricultural activities and domestic wastewaters), and marine (marine clay) origin. The PC2 loadings are highly positive for HCO₃-, F-, pH and NO₃-, attributing to the alkalinity and pollution controlled processes of geogenic and anthropogenic origins. The PC scores reflect the change of groundwater quality of geogenic origin from upstream to downstream area with an increase in concentration of chemical variables, which is due to anthropogenic and marine origins with varying topography, soil type, depth of water levels, and water usage. Thus, the groundwater quality shows a variation of chemical facies from Na+ <62> Ca2+ <62> Mg2+ <62> K+: HCO₃- <62> Cl- <62> SO₄2- <62> NO₃- <62> F- at high topography to Na+ <62> Mg2+ <62> Ca2+ <62> K+: Cl- <62> HCO₃- <62> SO₄2- <62> NO₃- <62> F- at low topography. With PCA, an effective tool for the spatial controlling processes of groundwater contamination, a subset of explored wells is indexed for continuous monitoring to optimize the expensive effort.}

12 illus, 5 tables, 52 ref

004439   Rao C R M (NO, Geological Survey of India Training Institute, Hyderabad, Email: crm.gsi@gmail.com) : GSI reference materials for "National Geochemical Mapping Program" new analytical data for indium, thallium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, cesium and lithium by utilizing acid decomposition procedure. J appl Geochem 2014, 16(2), 112-20.

Indium (In), thallium (T1), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), tin (Sn) and cesium (Cs) are determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry and lithium by flame AAS technique in three in-house geochemical reference materials of the Geological Survey of India. The acid decomposition procedure involving aqua regia, HF and perchloric acids had been utilized for the complete decomposition of the samples. Rhodium has been added as an internal standard to correct matrix effects and instrumental instability. Several stream sediment and soil reference materials were used for the calibration of the instrument. The accuracy and precision of the experimental values were assessed by the comparative analysis of well established reference materials such as IGGE, GSD-2, GSD-3, GSD-4, GSD-5, GSD-6, GSD-10 and GSS-8. The results obtained for the reference materials are in good agreement with the recommended values. Reliable new data for In, Tl, Mo, W, Sn, Cs and Li in the three geochemical reference materials, PKS-1 (Palakkad Kerala Soil-1), PKSS-1 (Palakkad Kerala Stream Sediment-1), AASS-2 (Anantapur Andhra Pradesh Stream Sediment-2) prepared by Geological Survey of India had been reported for the first time. The indicative values for PKS-1 are; In 0.07±0.01 μg/g, Tl 0.38±0.03 μg/g, Mo 2.08±0.23 μg/g, W 0.58±0.15 μg/g, Sn 4.35±0.57 μg/g, Cs 1.00±0.03 μg/g, Li 13.8±1.7 μg/g, & for PKSS-1 are; In 0.06±0.01 μg/g, Tl 0.14±0.02 μg/g, Mo 1.29±0.l7 μg/g, W 0.33±0.02 μg/g,^n 1.29±0.17 μg/g, Cs 0.30±0.01 μg/g, Li 8.42±0.91 μg/g, & for AASS-2 are; In 0.015±0.005 μg/g, Tl 0.97±0.05 μg/g, Mo 0.47±0.09 μg/g, W 0.34±0.10 μg/g, Sn 0.54±0.13 μg/g, Cs 1.68±0.05 μg/g, Li 8.84±0.96 μg/g. These geochemical reference materials are intended to be used for the calibration of measuring apparatus, evaluation of analytical methods, certification studies, quality control and laboratory accreditation programmes.

2 tables, 12 ref

004438   Ramesh K;Anitha R (Regional Centre, Anna Univ, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, Email: rameshk7n@yahoo.co.in) : MARSpline model for lead seven-day maximum and minimum air temperature prediction in Chennai, India. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(4), 665-72.

Multivariate Adaptive Regression Spline (MARS) based lead seven days minimum and maximum surface air temperature prediction system is modelled for station Chennai, India. To emphasize the effectiveness of the proposed system, comparison is made with the models created using statistical learning technique Support Vector Machine Regression (SVMr). The analysis highlights that prediction accuracy of MARS models for minimum temperature forecast are promising for short-term forecast (lead days 1 to 3) with mean absolute error (MAE) less than 1°C and the prediction efficiency and skill degrades in medium term forecast (lead days 4 to 7) with slightly above 1°C. The MAE of maximum temperature is little higher than minimum temperature forecast varying from 0.87°C for day-one to 1.27°C for lag day-seven with MARS approach. The statistical error analysis emphasizes that MARS models perform well with an average 0.2°C of reduction in MAE over SVMr models for all ahead seven days and provide significant guidance for the prediction of temperature event. The study also suggests that the correlation between the atmospheric parameters used as predictors and the temperature event decreases as the lag increases with both approaches.

4 illus, 2 tables, 16 ref

004437   Rambabu S;Pillai J S;Agarwal A;Pandithurai G (Society for Applied Microwave Electronics, Engineering and Research (Sameer), Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Mumbai-400 076, Email: ramestsiri@gmail.com) : Evaluation of brightness temperature from a forward model of ground-based microwave radiometer. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(4), 641-50.

Ground-based microwave radiometers are getting great attention in recent years due to their capability to profile the temperature and humidity at high temporal and vertical resolution in the lower troposphere. The process of retrieving these parameters from the measurements of radiometric brightness temperature (T_B) includes the inversion algorithm, which uses the background information from a forward model. In the present study, an algorithm development and evaluation of this forward model for a ground-based microwave radiometer, being developed by Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research (SAMEER) of India, is presented. Initially, the analysis of absorption coefficient and weighting function at different frequencies was made to select the channels. Further the range of variation of T_B for these selected channels for the year 2011, over the two stations Mumbai and Delhi is discussed. Finally the comparison between forward-model simulated T_BS and radiometer measured T_Bs at Mahabaleshwar (73.66°E and 17.93°N) is done to evaluate the model. There is good agreement between model simulations and radiometer observations, which suggests that these forward model simulations can be used as background for inversion models for retrieving the temperature and humidity profiles.

10 illus, 1 table, 11 ref