000130   Johny C J;Prasad V S (NO, National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, Noida-201 309, Email: cjjohny@gmail.com) : Impact of assimilation of megha-tropiques ROSA radio occultation refractivity by observing system simulation experiment. Curr Sci 2014, 106(9), 1297-1305.

Numerical weather prediction models are assimilating more Global Positioning System Radio Occultation (GPSRO) observations into their operational model in recent times as a result of significant positive impact with use of GPSRO data in assimilation system. The Megha-Tropiques satellite mission is aimed to provide large number of observations over the tropical region and carries payload ROSA for providing GPSRO observations. At present, the quality of processed GPSRO retrievals from Megha-Tropiques ROSA is not satisfactory. In order to assess the impact of assimilation of good-quality ROSA observations, an observing system simulation system experiment (OSSE) was conducted using NCMRWF T574 model. The experiment was conducted for a period of 15 days during September 2012 and refractivity operator was used for assimilation. Results show significant improvement in forecast skill for forecasts beyond 72 h with OSSE data.

10 illus, 1 table, 26 ref

000129   Bhaumik A K;Gupta A;Gupta A K;Shiv Kumar;Ray S;Biswas S (Applied Geology Dep, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad-826 004, Email: ajoyism@gmail.com) : Gas hydrates occurrence, destabilization and potential energy resources: a review based on faunal, geochemical and geophysical investigations with special reference to the blake ridge, NW atlantic. J Palaeont Soc India 2013, 58(1), 39-50.

Gas hydrate, a naturally occurring frozen methane, has been identified as a promising future energy resource. Gas hydrate deposits are found in both continental and marine realms as cage of water and methane molecule under suitable pressure and temperature conditions. Numerous geophysical, geochemical and palaeontological proxies have been used to identify gas hydrate horizons in the marine environments. These include bottom simulating reflectors or BSRs, depleted chlorine anomaly, stable carbon isotope values of foraminiferal calcitic tests and certain species of benthic foraminifera. Study of cores from the Ocean Drilling Program Leg 164, Hole 994C from the Blake Ridge in the northwest Atlantic suggests a close association between certain species of benthic foraminifera and methane emissions. Such species will prove to be good proxy in any future exploration of gas hydrate. Low stable carbon isotope values have also been observed during intervals of methane releases, whereas enriched values suggest in situ formation of gas hydrates. Changes in foraminiferal distribution at around 3 Ma suggest destabilization of gas hydrates by the reduction of hydrostatic pressure during intense Northern Hemisphere Glaciation. Bottom water warming also can be another vital factor for submarine gas hydrate destabilization. Highly metastable properties of gas hydrates allow its dissociation into gaseous methane by shifting of the position of gas hydrate stability zone owing to little changes in temperature and pressure which ultimately lead to - 39 - increase in atmospheric methane. The continental or permafrost gas hydrate deposits are being exploited because of recently developed technologies; the marine gas hydrate deposits have just begun to be exploited and require more developed technology for commercial production. Besides economic importance, gas hydrates are also driver of climate change owing to its high green house potentiality and geohazards along the continental margins. Thus, there is a need to understand different aspects of gas hydrate through the Neogene. India is depleted in conventional natural resources and rich in submarine gas hydrate. Commercial production of gas hydrate can fulfil the energy crisis of the country. Also, controlled production of gas hydrate will be helpful to restrict excess methane input to the atmosphere and lowering global warming.

7 illus, 74 ref

000128   Bhatia S B;Bhargava O N;Singh B P;Bagi H (NO, , 441, Sector 6, Panchkula-134 109, Email: sudhashi0903@gmail.com ) : Sequence stratigraphic framework of the paleogene succession of the Himalayan foreland basin: a case study from the Shimla hills. J Palaeont Soc India 2013, 58(1), 21-38.

The - 38 - Subathu Formation (Late Thanetian-Early Priabonian) of the Himalayan Foreland Basin constitutes a 2nd order depositional sequence with a subaerial unconformity at the base and a tidally influenced transitional sequence at the top. Three 3rd order T-R successions - A, B and C are recognized. Succession A (late Thanetian-late early Cuisian) includes seven facies association (FA) and commenced with transgression (TST; A.1), followed by MFS and a condensed section (A.2; P4, SBZ 4-9), carbonate-siliciclastic coarsening upward sequence (A.3-4; HST), tectonically driven deposits (A.5-7), formation of back barrier lagoon with tidal inlet inhabited by sharks, ray fish; poor circulation in the lagoon caused mortality of the vertebrate fauna (A.6) and Early stage base level rise (A.7). Succession B. (Middle-Upper Cuisian, SBZ 11-12) includes seven FAs, B.1. Minor flooding surfaces, B.2-3. Coarsening upward succession, tidalflat, subtidal setting, B.4. Muddy tempestites, in inner shelf, B.5-6. Several benthic foraminifera and crabs indicate rise in sea level, B.7. Amalgamated sequence of proximal tempestites of shoreface in inner shelf setting. Succession C. (Early Lutetian-Early Priabonian) constitutes four FAs, C.1. Begins with flooding marked by Assilina spira abrardi zone, succeeded by Biotic condensation (C.2) passing into the Passage Bed (C.3; FSST) displaying textural inversion in delta influenced setting, and coastal sand (C.4; White Quartzarenite). Conformably overlying basal part of the Dagshai Formation comprises three tidally influenced parasequences (D.l-3; LST) separated by two calcrete levels. The C.4 and D.1 mark tidally influenced transgressive ravinement surfaces.

5 illus, 49 ref

024418   Venkateshwarlu M;Pandey B;Papanna G;Pathak D B;Jai Krishna (NO, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Uppal Road, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: mamila_v@rediffmail.com) : New palaeomagnetic evidences about Deccan trap volcanic activity from the magmatic bodies of Kachchh basin, Northwest India. J Indian Geophys Union 2014, 18(1), 99-107.

New Palaeomagnetism results have been obtained from, twelve dyke samples that are intruded into the litho units exposed in three different localities, namely, Jumara (Mainland), Kaladongar (Patcham Island) and Kantkote (Wagad, outside the Mainland) in the Kachchh Basin of Gujarat, North West India. The study shows that the dykes from two of the three localities have normal directions while the third has a reverse direction (similar to the Deccan Volcanic Province directions). The combined Virtual Geomagnetic Pole (VGP) provides 34.8 °N and 83.8 °W (dp/ dm = 5.12/8.13). This pole is similar to that of the Deccan Super Pole (36.9 °N; 78.7 °W). The findings suggest that wide spread distribution of niagmatic activity in the Kachchh basin is coeval with the Deccan lava eruption.

7 illus, 2 tables, 22 ref

024417   Uma R;Samuel Selvaraj R (Physics Dep, D.G. Vaishnav College, Chennai, Email: umajeel@gmail.com) : Fractal dimensional analysis of cyclonic disturbances over the North Indian ocean. J Indian Geophys Union 2014, 18(1), 119-26.

Authors use fractal dimensional analysis to investigate the number of cyclonic disturbance that includes depressions, cyclonic storms and severe cyclonic storms over the North Indian Ocean (comprising Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea) using the Hurst exponent. We use the rescaled range (R/S) analysis to estimate the Hurst exponent for a period of 104 years (1901-2004) of cyclone data. The value of the Hurst exponent is corroborated by computing the correlogram of the concerned time series. The results are validated by Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA). The distinct value of the Hurst exponent shows the persistence nature of the cyclonic disturbances over the North Indian Ocean.

4 illus, 1 table, 22 ref

024416   Tripathi S K;Raha P;Tripathi R (Soil and Water Conservation Dep, Faculty of Agriculture, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, West Bengal, Email: priyankar_raja@yahoo.com) : Assessment of rainwater harvesting capacity of check dam reservoirs in Barkachha, a part of central Vindhyan plateau of Mirzapur district, Uttar Pradesh, India. Int J Agric Envir Biotechnol 2014, 7(1), 121-8.

Barkachha, a part of central Vindhyan plateau is rocky and undulating land having many small rivulets and channels which quickly drain away the bounties of rainwater along with the fine crust of the top fertile soil. To overcome this situation, two check dam were constructed by the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department, during 2001. The present study was under taken to evaluate the rainwater harvesting capacity of these reservoirs for supplementary irrigation of the cultivated crops, viz cereal, pulses and oil seeds. The runoff water accumulated from July and remains up to February/March. Maximum volume of the harvested rainwater in both the reservoirs was during September with a capacity 22550 m^{3 and 121170 m3 in reservoir No. 1 and reservoir No. 2, respectively. There was no water during the month of April to June in both the reservoirs. The crop producing area under these reservoirs through supplementary irrigation for the last one decade varied from 17.5 to 26.1 ha.}

2 illus, 8 tables, 8 ref

024415   Singh Y;Viswanathan R;Parashar K K;Srivastava S K;Ramesh Babu P V;Parihar P S (Atomic Energy Dep, Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Begumpet, Hyderabad-500 016, Email: yamunasingh2002@yahoo.co.uk) : Ianthinite: a rare hydrous uranium oxide mineral from Akkavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(1), 15-19.

Ianthinite is the only known uranyl oxide hydrate mineral that contains both U^{6+ and U4+. For the first time, we report ianthinite from India (at Akkavaram, Andhra Pradesh), which is hosted in basement granitoids. The mineral occurs in the form of tiny grains, encrustations and coatings in intimate association with uraninite and uranophane. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data reveals that d-spacings of the investigated ianthinite are in close agreement with the corresponding values given for ianthinite standard in - 57 - International Centre for Diffraction Data (ICDD) card no. 12-272. The crystallographic parameters of the studied ianthinite are: a_o = 11.3 (1) Å, b_o = 7.19 (3) Å and c_o == 30.46 (8) Å, with a unit cell volume of 2474 (27) Å3. The association of investigated ianthinite with uraninite suggests that the former has formed due to oxidation of the latter. Since a major part of the uraninite was exposed to oxidizing meteoric water, much of it has been transformed into hydrous uranium oxide (ianthinite) and very little part remained unaltered as uranium oxide (uraninite). Absence of schoepite in the investigated ianthinite suggests that after its formation it (ianthinite) was not exposed to oxygen/oxidizing meteoric water. As the oxidation was partial and short lived, some amount of primary uraninite is also preserved.}

2 illus, 1 table, 23 ref

024414   Singh O;Sharma M K;Choubey V K;Singh R D (NO, National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee) : Measurement of infiltration rats in soils. Bhartiya Vaigyanik Evam Audyogik Anusandhan Patrika 2013, 21(2), 188-91.

Knowledge of infiltration characteristics is necessary for hydrological studies in different soils and land uses. It may be defined as the process of water entry into the soil. Initially, the rate of infiltration uses to be higher and then reduces with elapsed time till attaining a constant infiltration rate (final infiltration rate). The infiltration is mainly affected by intensity and duration of rainfall, soil characteristics, soil moisture content, vegetal cover, land use, etc. Thus, infiltration is an essential component for water balance studies of different watersheds. Therefore, information about infiltration characteristics is very much useful in hydrological studies and agriculture. In the present paper, infiltration characteristics of Jammu, Kathua and Udhampur Districts (J.&K.) and Baira Nalla sub-catchment (H.P.) obtained under different landuses viz., forest, grass, agriculture, barren have been discussed. The studies have shown higher initial infiltration rates in forest and lowest in barren land uses, respectively.

3 illus, 4 tables, 6 ref

024413   Sanjay Kumar;Sharma S K;Rajpaul;Ramprakash; Satyavan (Soil Science Dep, CCS Haryana Agricultural Univ, Hisar-125 004, Email: sanjay7228@yahoo.com) : Mapping groundwater quality for Lakhan Majra block of Rohtak district (Haryana). Ann Agri Bio Res 2013, 18(2), 186-90.

Assessment and mapping of quality of groundwater is an important measure because the physical and chemical characteristics of groundwater determine its suitability for agricultural, industrial and domestic usages. Thus, a study has been carried out for the quality appraisal and mapping of the groundwater of Lakhan Majra block (139.23 sq km) of district Rohtak, Haryana. Groundwater samples were collected from running tubewells in the area and analyzed for electrical conductivity (EC), pH and ionic concentrations of CO₃^{2-, HCO₃-, Cl-, SO₄2-, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+. According to AICRP - 56 - classification, it was found that 15.2% water samples were of good quality, 36.3% saline and 48.5% alkali in nature. Out of the saline water, 21.2, 3.0 and 12.1% were marginally saline, saline and high SAR saline, respectively. In alkali group, 15.2, 12.1 and 21.2% were marginally alkali, alkali and high alkali, respectively. The study revealed that 84.8% of the samples showed EC upto 4 dS/m and the maximum value of EC (9.38 dS/m) was found in village Lakhan Majra. Residual sodium carbonate (RSC) and sodium adsorption ration (SAR) varied from nil to 8.50 me/1 and 8.09 to 21.57 (m mol/l)1/2, respectively. Cl- and HCO₃- were found in appreciable quantities, whereas CO₃2- was in traces. Contour maps of EC, pH, SAR, RSC and water quality of groundwater used for irrigation in the block were plotted to study spatial variability of these parameters in the block. Analytical results of groundwater quality indicated that the order of abundance of cation concentration was Na+<62> Mg+2<62>Ca+2<62>K+, while those of the anions was Cl-<62>HCO₃-<62>SO₄ -2<62>CO₃-2.}

6 illus, 2 tables, 10 ref

024412   Samant B;Mohabey D M;Srivastava P;Thakre D (Geology Dep, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur Univ, Nagpur-440 001, Email: Bandanabhu@gamil.com) : Palynology and clay mineralogy of the Deccan volcanic associated sediments of Saurashtra, Gujarat: age and paleoenvironments. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(1), 219-32.

The intertrappean sediments associated with Deccan Continental Flood Basalt (DCFB) sequence at Ninama in Saurashtra, Gujarat yielded palynoassemblage comprising at least 12 genera and 14 species including Paleocene taxa such as Intrareticulites brevis, Neocouperipollis spp., Striacolporites striatus, Retitricolpites. crassimarginatus and Rhombipollis sp. The lava flows of Saurashtra represent the northwestern most DCFB sequence in India. It is considered that the Saurashtra lava flows represent the earliest volcanic activity in the Late Cretaceous of the Reunion Mantle Plume on the northward migrating Indian Plate. The present finding of the Paleocene palynoflora from Ninama sediments indicate Paleocene age for the associated lava flows occurring above the intertrappean bed which suggests that the Saurashtra plateau witnessed eruption of Deccan lava flows even during Paleocene. The clay mineral investigation of the Ninama sediments which are carbonate dominated shows dominance of low charge smectite (LCS) along with the presence of mica and vermiculite. Based on the clay mineral assemblage it is interpreted that arid climatic conditions prevailed during the sedimentation. The smectite dominance recorded within these sediments is in agreement with global record of smectite peak close to the Maastrichtian-Paleocene transition and climatic aridity.

2 illus, 3 tables, 77 ref

024411   Sain K;Gupta H K (NO, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Uppal Road, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: kalachandsain@yahoo.com) : Gas-hydrates, a major energy resource of India for the next generation. J Indian Geophys Union 2014, 18(1), 11-7.

Gas-hydrates are crystalline form of 99% methane and 1% water. They have attracted the attention of geo-scientific community due to their abundant occurrences in the outer continental margins and permafrost regions, and huge energy potential as a viable major energy resource of future. The bathymetry, seafloor temperature, total organic carbon content, sediment-thickness, rate of sedimentation, geothermal gradient imply that shallow sediments of Indian margin are good hosts for gas-hydrates. The methane within gas-hydrates has been prognosticated to be more than 1500 times of India's current natural gas reserve. If we produce only 10% from this gigantic treasure, it can meet India's overwhelming energy requirement for about 100 years. Thus, it was felt necessary to map the prospective zones of gas-hydrates and evaluate their resource potential to boost the exploitation program. We have prepared the theoretical map of gas-hydrates stability thickness along the Indian margin, at the base of which is observed an anomalous seismic reflector, known as the bottom simulating reflector or BSR on seismic section in the presence of gas-hydrates. Through analysis and scrutinizing of multi-channel seismic (MCS) data, we have detected the BSRs in the Krishna-Godavari (KG), Mahanadi and Andaman regions respectively. Gas-hydrates in these regions have later been recovered by drilling and coring under the Expedition-01 of Indian National Gas-Hydrates Program. This has motivated our efforts to develop methods for the delineation, characterization and assessment of gas-hydrates. By computing seismic attributes like reflection strength, blanking, attenuation and instantaneous frequency, we have demonstrated that these attributes can be used for qualifying and characterizing a gas-hydrate reservoir. We have developed several approaches based on seismic travel time tomography, full-waveform inversion, amplitude versus offset modelling, impedance inversion, each coupled with rock-physics - 55 - modeling, and applied them to seismic data for-.delineation and quantitative assessment of gas-hydrates in KG, Andaman and Mahanadi basins. We have also acquired high resolution MCS and wide-angle ocean bottom seismic (OBS) data by specially designing an experiment using the state-of-the-art acquisition system in unexplored areas, and delineated new prospective zones of gas-hydrates in the Mahanadi and KG offshore. Recent success in test production of methane gas from gas-hydrates through carbon dioxide replacement method in the permafrost of Alaska (USA) and by depressurization method in the Nankai Trough off Japan has increased tremendous interests in the national gas hydrates programs of India and many other countries like South Korea, China, Taiwan, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Germany etc. It is expected that the gas-hydrates will be produced commercially by 2020.

4 illus, 39 ref

024410   Prizomwala S P;Bhatt N;Basavaiah N (Geology Dep, M.S. Baroda Univ, Vadodara-390 002, Email: siddharth_prizomwala@yahoo.co.in) : Understanding the sediment routing system along the Gulf of Kachchh coast, Western India: significance of small ephemeral rivers. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(1), 121-33.

Study is an attempt towards understanding the sediment routing system in the semi-arid margin of the Gulf of Kachchh, which is one of the largest macrotidal regimes in the northern Arabian Sea. Investigations based on heavy minerals, clay minerals, mineral magnetic properties and sediment geochemistry indicated that there are three major sources of sediments contributing to the Gulf of Kachchh basin: (1) Indus River, (2) Kachchh mainland coastal rivers and (3) the Saurashtra peninsular coastal rivers. The flanks of northern and southern coast of western Gulf of Kachchh show dominant signatures of Kachchh mainland/Saurashtra peninsular provenance. In contrast, the eastern Gulf of Kachchh coast bearing fine grained sediments shows dominant Indus River Provenance. Although ephemeral in nature, the small coastal rivers of Saurashtra and Kachchh contribute significant amount of sediments to the Gulf of Kachchh coastline because of their 'dryland' nature and thus they control the coarse grained sedimentation processes.

9 illus, 1 table, 55 ref

024409   Prasad O;Singh O P (NO, , 43, Ritu Apartments, A-4 Paschim Vihar, New Delhi-110 063, Email: prasadonkari123@yahoo.in) : South Indian convergence zone model: a new approach to seasonal forecasting of summer monsoon rainfall in India Part V: relative roles of major oscillations in pacific and Indian oceans in inter-annual variability of Indian summer monsoon rainfall. J Indian Geophys Union 2014, 18(1), 127-40.

El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which affects the weather over the globe, is considered as one of the major factors in the inter-annual variability of Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) Rainfall (ISMR). Studies on ISM by the authors have identified an important role of the annual oscillation of the equatorial troughs in Indian Ocean (IO), as monitored in satellite observed cloud data, in inter-annual variability of ISMR. Quantification of the activity of equatorial troughs in Indian ocean during the period January-May in relation to rainfall over India during June-September, i.e., ISMR, and development of a Long Range Forecast (LRF) model, referred to as South Indian Convergence Zone (SICZ) model, have been discussed in Part I of the paper. Verification of real time LRF for the past 22 years (1990-2011) for India as a whole, i.e., ISMR, as well as in meteorological sub-divisions of India (numbering 36), as discussed in Pt II and Pt III of the paper respectively, have shown that SICZ model has produced reasonably good forecasts of summer monsoon rainfall for more than 2 decades now. In this part of the paper we have examined the relative roles of major oscillations in Pacific and Indian Oceans in inter-annual variability of ISMR. It has been shown that SST anomalies in Nino 3.4 region ( 5°S- 5°N, 120°W -170° W ) could provide good LRF of ISMR during 'normal' monsoon years. However, all extreme seasons ('excess'/'drought' ) could not be foreshadowed. On the other hand, SICZ model, has been able to foreshadow not only 'normal' monsoons but the extreme seasons also during the past 22 years. This has indicated a dominant role of Indian Ocean in the development of ISM and its inter-annual variability. The relative roles of Pacific and Indian Oceans in the inter-annual variability of ISMR are discussed.

1 illus, 5 tables, 48 ref

024408   Phani Chandrasekhar N;Thinesh Kumar S (Magnetic Observatory, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: phaninelapatla@gmail.com) : Influence of interplanetary magnetic field on equatorial electrojet-observations from South India. J Indian Geophys Union 2014, 18(1), 109-118.

Occurrence of equatorial Counter electrojet (CEJ) and Prompt penetration effects are studied at a newly established - 53 - equatorial remote station, Vencode (VEN), Kanyakumari Dt, at the southern tip of India. The three month's dataset (Nov, Dec-2010 and Jan-2011) of VEN along with permanent Hyderabad (HYB) Magnetic Observatory are used in the present study to assess the relationship between the CEJ and prompt penetration events with interplanetary parameters (IPP): Electric field (Ey) / southward component of magnetic field (Bz) and modeled penetration fields. The influence of short-term (<126>30-60 minutes) and long-term (<126>02-04 hours) fluctuations of the equatorial ionosphere on the horizontal (H) component of earth's magnetic field at VEN are explained in terms of change in orientation of IPP. We found a strong correlation between the CEJ events with Bz orientation (north-south-north). Moderate correlation is found between the high frequency components of the derived Equatorial electric field (EEF) with Real time prompt penetration electric field model (PPEFM). The day-to-day variability in Equatorial electrojet (EEJ) strength associated with CEJ events highlight the role of equatorial ionosphere in the present study. Our results from VEN confirm the positive relation of about 70% between CEJ events with Bz polarity.

7 illus, 44 ref

024407   Patil M S;Das J;Ashwani Kumar;Rout M M;Das R (Earthquake Engineering Dep, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee-247 667, Email: ranjit244614@gmail.com) : Probabilistic seismic hazard assessment of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining regions. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(1), 49-62.

Seismically active Himachal Pradesh and adjoining regions comprising Himalayan orogenic belt with the experience of the great Kangra earthquake of 1905, has high potential for river valley projects. There are already operating hydropower projects, some under construction and a few more coming up. In view of this it is important to know the ground motion nature for various locales. The present study is about estimation of Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) for the state of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining regions using probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) approach. Standard procedure for PSHA has been adopted for this study and peak ground motion has been estimated for 10% and 2% probability of exceedance in 50 years at the bed rock level considering two cases: (i) varying b-value for each source zone, (ii) constant b- value for each source zone. For 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years, the PGA values vary from 0.096 to 0.15 g and 0.09 to 0.26 .g considering varying b-value, and constant b-value, respectively. In case of 2% probability of exceedance in 50 years, the PGA varies between 0.07 to 0.24 g considering varying b-values and 0.14 to 0.37 g considering constant b-values. Higher PGA values are observed in the southeast part considering varying b-values whereas the region situated around Kaurik Fault System (KFS) has shown higher PGA values in case of constant b-value.

8 illus, 6 tables, 34 ref

024406   Patil M N;Dharmaraj T;Waghmare R T;Prabha T V;Kulkarni J R (NO, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Dr Homi Bhabha Road, Pune-411 008, Email: patil@tropmet.res.in) : Measurements of carbon dioxide and heat fluxes during monsoon-2011 season over rural site of India by eddy covariance technique. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(1), .

Increase in carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations in the atmosphere due to anthropogenic activities is responsible for global warming and hence in recent years, CO₂ measurement network has expanded globally. In the monsoon season (July-September) of year 2011. we carried out measurements of CO₂ and water vapour (H₂O) concentrations along with wind and air temperature over a tropical site in southeast India having rural topography. To collect these observations, the instrumentations used were the sonic anemometer for wind and temperature, and the open path H2O/CO2 infrared gas analyzer for CO₂ and H₂O concentrations. Using these observations, explored the diurnal variability of CO₂ flux along with sensible and latent heat. The CO₂ flux was positive during night-time and negative during daytime and in phase with convective instability. The CO₂ flux relationships with the meteorological parameters such as wind speed, temperature and heat fluxes have been analysed. The seasonal (monsoon) half hour mean of CO₂ flux which was -3.55 μmol m^{-2 s-1 indicated the experimental site as a CO₂ sink region (net seasonal uptake). An increase in CO₂ concentrations during weekends was not observed due to unavailability of heavy vehicular traffic.}

8 illus, 24 ref

024405   Pankaj Kumar;Podzun R;Hagemann S;Jacob D (NO, Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Hamburg, Germany, Email: pankaj.kumar@mpimet.mpg.de) : Impact of modified soil thermal characteristic on the simulated monsoon climate over south Asia. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(1), 151-60.

In the present study, the influence of soil thermal characteristics (STC) on the simulated monsoon climate over south Asia is analyzed. The study was motivated by a common warm temperature bias over the plains of northern India that has been noticed in several global and regional climate models. To address this warm bias and its relation to STC, two sensitivity experiments have been performed with the regional climate model REMO of the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology. The control experiment uses the standard soil thermal characteristic of the model that corresponds to a moist soil. The second experiment uses modified STC that characterize a dry soil, which is more representative of the considered region, as a large part of the region has arid, semi-arid or subtropical summer wet conditions. Both experiments were conducted over 20 years using re-analysis data as lateral boundary conditions. Results show that using the modified STC the predominant regional warm bias has reduced substantially, leading to a better and more realistic surface temperature compared to observations over south Asia. Although, the magnitude of bias has reduced, the warm bias still exists over, the region suggesting that other atmospheric and land surface processes also play a role, such as aerosols and irrigation. These need to be addressed adequately in future modeling studies over the region.

5 illus, 1 table, 45 ref

024404   Padmavathi Devi P;Rajendra Prasad P;Rajesh R; Padalu G;Sarma V S (Geophysics Dep, Andhra Univ, Visakhapatnam-3, Email: padmavathidv399@gmail.com) : Efficacy of electrode arrays in resistivity prospecting using physical modelling. J Indian Geophys Union 2014, 18(1), 85-97.

Physical Model experimentation using resistivity profiling over metallic sheet-like target in different orientations has been carried out with different electrode configurations viz., Two-electrode, Three-electrode, Wenner and Dipole-Dipole with an objective to find out the relative merits and demerits of the arrays and to study the efficacy of one electrode configuration over the other. We have carried out experimentation in two ways viz., (i) the target depth (d) is fixed at a particular level and profiles are run with different arrays as mentioned above by changing the array spacings (L) for that particular depth. For this, the conducting target is submerged in the host medium water, in vertical position (6 = - 51 - 90°) contained in the model tank and resistivity response characteristics are recorded for all arrays and their spacings in a systematic and sequential way and (ii) the same target is kept in different orientation i.e., in horizontal direction (6 = 0°) and its depths (d) are changed for a particular array spacing (L) of the array so that an in-depth understanding of the theme can be had i.e., variation of the anomaly with depth, with orientation, with array spacing and with type of the array. An overall study on efficacy of the electrode arrays over both the targets indicated that the profiles are broadened over horizontal conducting sheet compared to those over a vertical sheet. The reason is that, the area of exposure to the measuring system is very large in comparison with the exposed area of vertical sheet. Over the vertical conducting sheet, the Wenner apparent resistivity profiles show a W-shaped pattern whereas the profiles show a low only over the horizontal sheet. The other result that emerged out of the comparison of the different electrode arrays is that the two-electrode array gives the simplest and largest anomalies with the small electrode spacings for conducting metallic target. This array gives the best response with regard to amplitude and shape of anomaly. But placing the infinity electrodes puts a practical problem. Finally, Dipole -Dipole array is the next alternative as its response is symmetrical over a vertical sheet, better in shape and amplitude. But the Dipole-Dipole array demands large transmitting source power.

11 illus, 1 table, 16 ref

024403   Ozcep F;Karabulut S;Ozel O;Ozcep T;Imre N; Zarif H (Geophysical Engineering Dep, Istanbul Univ, Istanbul, 34320, Turkey) : Liquefaction-induced settlement, site effects and damage in the vicinity of Yalova city during the 1999 Izmit earthquake, Turkey. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(1), 73-89.

Yalova City (Turkey) is in a tectonically active location that is particularly affected by the northern branch of the North Anatolian Fault Zone. Magnitudes 7.4 and 7.2 earthquakes in 1999 caused great destruction in Yalova. The heavy damage to buildings and other civil engineering structures was mainly due to liquefaction-induced settlement and site effects such as resonance and amplification. In the first phase of this study, the soil liquefaction potential index (PL) and the induced soil settlement were estimated. In the second phase, the effects on sites in Yalova soil were investigated using microtremor and earthquake data. The fundamental periods and amplification in soft soil were compared with microtremor data and strong ground motion records obtained by a local array of eight accelerograph stations deployed in Yalova. Thirty-seven 'single site' ambient noise measurements were taken in a dense grid of points covering the centre of the city. A comparison between fundamental periods obtained from strong ground motion records and from microtremor measurements showed similarities, in the 0.1-5 Hz range. Finally, soil liquefaction and amplification (or resonance) were divided into regions according to the extent of damage and the geotechnical/geophysical results.

16 illus, 6 tables, 34 ref

024402   Murthy B S R;Reddy P R (NO, , H.No: 2-2-18/18/4/19, Bagh Amberpet, Hyderabad-500 013, Email: murthybsr123@gmail.com) : Overview of coastal ecosystem structure, dynamics and management- need for a holistic approach. J Indian Geophys Union 2014, 18(1), 57-72.

Coastal zones throughout the world have historically been among the most heavily exploited areas because of their rich resources. In coastal countries today an estimated half of the total populations live in coastal zones, and migration from inland areas to the coast is increasing. Not surprisingly, there is also a sharp conflict between the need for immediate consumption or use of coastal resources and the need to ensure the long-term supply of those resources. In many countries - 50 - this conflict has already reached a critical stage, with large parts of the coastal zone polluted from local or upland sources, fisheries severely degraded or destroyed, wetlands drained, coral reefs dynamited and beaches long since ruined for human enjoyment. If the coastal zones are to be restored, appropriate and effective action is urgently needed. To answer this need, a management system has to be designed: Holistic or Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) and for this purpose it is essential to first understand the structure and dynamics of coastal ecosystem. We believe that this exposition, even though of basic academic interest, would provide needed introduction to the subject and enable the young researches (interested in carrying out scientific studies and environmental up-gradation activities that basically help the society) in better moulding of their research programmes.

7 illus, 14 ref

024401   Mathew F T;Jagtap R S;Jain K (NO, Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune-411 024) : Need and provision of optimum streamgauging network for a river basin. Bhartiya Vaigyanik Evam Audyogik Anusandhan Patrika 2013, 21(2), 183-7.

Water data, in its entire gamut, collected through a network of hydrometeorological stations, cater to the hydrological information needs of a region. Such a network comprises of stream gauging sites, often referred as hydrometric stations, and other climatological stations to record meteorological parameters such as rainfall, wind speed, temperature, evaporation and the like. Hydrological Information System (HIS) for a region provides the data required for planning, design and management of water resources of the area, including operation and management of flood protection measures in inundation-prone areas. Streamflow data, including river stages and sediment discharges are collected through a network of hydrometric stations covering the entire basin. A hydrometric network forms a subsystem of the full-fledged hydrometeorological network for the basin. Hydrometric network for a river basin is developed, often in practice, by an evolutionary process. Sites are added over a period of time to meet the emerging national and international needs from time to time. Examples of such needs include : flood mitigation, hydropower development, water pollution control, drought management, contribution towards global environmental monitoring, etc. Hydrometric network design is guided by aspects such as type and size of the basin, sustainability and duplication avoidance. Network design also happens to be a dynamic process, which has to take into account the changing physical situations in the basin concerned. Sustainability of a network is also dependent on budgetary allocation for the task. Thus, a hydrometric network that was optimum at a particular point of time may cease to be not so later. Considerations, as detailed above, call for periodic re-evaluation of the network, and make amends as needed. In the above context, this paper investigates the modern-day tools and techniques for hydrometric network optimization. The study shows that the issue can be tackled by an eclectic approach involving existing knowledge about the basin, empirical criteria and analytical methods. The paper elaborates the different criteria involved. The figure delineates a schematic showing diverse methods/ criteria used for network optimization. Problems and prospects associated with identifying an optimal hydrometric network for a basin are illustrated with the help of a real life river basin in Maharashtra, namely Upper Bhima basin up to Ujjani site. The standard criteria for network optimisation are detailed; and how such criteria are important for the case study brought out.

3 illus, 3 tables, 8 ref

024400   Krishna K S;Bull J M;Ishizuka O;Scrutton R A; Jaishankar S;Banakar V K (NO, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa-403 004, Email: krishna@nio.org) : Growth of the Afanasy Nikitin seamount and its relationship with the 85 E ridge, Northeastern Indian ocean. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(1), 33-47.

Afanasy Nikitin seamount (ANS) is a major structural feature (400 km-long and 150 km-wide) in the Central Indian Basin, situated at the southern end of the so-called 85°E Ridge. Combined analyses of new multibeam bathymetric, seismic reflection and geochronological data together with previously described magnetic data provide new insights into the growth of the ANS through time, and its relationship with the 85°E Ridge. The ANS comprises a main plateau, rising 1200 m above the surrounding ocean floor (4800 m). and secondary elevated seamount highs, two of which (lie at 1600 and 2050 m water depths) have the morphology of a guyot, suggesting that they were formed above or close to sea-level. An unbroken sequence of spreading anomalies 34 through 32n.l identified over the ANS reveal that the main plateau of the ANS was formed at 80-73 Ma, at around the same time as that of the underlying oceanic crust. The ^{40Ar/39Ar dates for two basalt samples dredged from the seamount highs are consistent, within error, at 67 Ma. These results, together with published results of late Cretaceous to early Cenozoic Indian Ocean plate reconstructions, indicate that the Conrad Rise hotspot emplaced both the main plateau of the ANS and Conrad Rise (including the Marion Dufresne, Ob and Lena seamounts) at 80-73 Ma, close to the India-Antarctica Ridge system. Subsequently, the seamount highs were formed by late-stage volcanism c. 6-13 Myr after the main constructional phase of the seamount plateau. Flexural analysis indicates that the main plateau and seamount highs of the ANS are consistent with Airy-type isostatic compensation, which suggest emplacement of the entire seamount in, a near spreading-center setting. This is contrary to the flexural compensation of the 85°E Ridge further north, which is interpreted as being emplaced in an intraplate setting, i.e., 25-35 Myr later than the underlying oceanic crust. Therefore, we suggest that the ANS and the 85°E Ridge appear to be unrelated as they were formed by different mantle sources, and that the proximity of the southern end of the 85°E Ridge to the ANS is coincidental.}

9 illus, 39 ref

024399   Khoshsima M;Bidokhti A A;Ahmadi-Givi F (Meteorology Dep, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad Univ, Tehran, Iran, Email: khoshsima@alumni.ut.ac.ir) : Variations of aerosol optical depth and angstrom parameters at a suburban location in Iran during 2009-2010. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(1), 187-99.

Solar irradiance is attenuated spectrally when passing through the earth's atmosphere and it is strongly -dependent on sky conditions, cleanliness of the atmosphere, - 48 - composition of aerosols and gaseous constituents. In this paper, aerosol optical properties including aerosol optical depth (AOD), Angstrom exponent (a) and Angstrom turbidity coefficient (β) have been investigated during December 2009 to October 2010, in a suburban area of Zanjan (36°N, 43°E, 1700 m), in the north-west of Iran, using meteorological and sun photometric data. Results show that turbidity varies on all time scales, from the seasonal to hourly, because of changes in the atmospheric meteorological parameters. The values of a range from near zero to 1.67. The diurnal variation of AOD in Zanjan is about 15%. The diurnal variability of AOD, showed a similar variation pattern in spring (including March, April, May) and winter (December, January, February) and had a different variation pattern in summer (June, July, August) and autumn (September and October). During February, spring and early summer winds transport continental aerosols mostly from the Iraq (dust events) and cause the increase of beta and turbidity of atmosphere of Zanjan.

9 illus, 1 table, 56 ref

024398   Jioevivek V;Chandrasekar N (NO, Centre for Geo Technology, Manonmaniam Sundaranar Univ, Tirunelveli, Email: vjoevivek@gmail.com) : Seasonal impact on beach morphology and the status of heavy mineral deposition-central Tamil Nadu coast, India. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(1), 135-49.

Aim of the present research was to investigate the seasonal impact on nearshore beach dynamics and the status of heavy mineral distribution along central Tamil Nadu coast, India. Beach profile measurements were made in 10 profiling sites between Thirukadaiyur and Velankanni on monthly and seasonal basis from January 2011 to July 2012. Using beach profile data, variation in beach width, slope and volumetric changes have been calculated. Beach slope and nearshore wave parameters were used to quantify the longshore sediment transport rate. Beaches between Thirukadaiyur and Karaikkal attained predominant transport rate in northern direction whereas, the rest of the beaches are in southern direction. The seasonal action of wind and wave currents create nearshore bar during northeast (NE) rnonsoon and frequent berms at tidal zone during southwest (SW) monsoon. Surface sediment samples were collected in each location for quantifying the heavy mineral weight percentage during the period of pre- and post-Thane cyclone. Sediments were also studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) to evaluate the changes and occurrence of heavy minerals in beach sands. The XRD results show that sediments in the study area have enriched heavy mineral distribution even after strong cyclonic event. It confirms the redistribution of heavy mineral deposits present in the coast. The. results suggested that monsoonal action has influenced the seasonal changes in beach morphology and it does not affect the heavy mineral distribution.

6 illus, 7 tables, 40 ref

024397   Jan I U (National Centre of Excellence in Geology, Peshawar Univ, Peshawar, Pakistan, Email: irfan_nceg@yahoo.com) : Progress in the Gondwanan carboniferous-permian palynology and correlation of the Nilawahan group of the salt range, Pakistan: a brief review. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(1), 21-32.

This paper comprises of two sections. The first section describes challenges in the Carboniferous-Permian Gondwanan stratigraphic palynology, and progress in techniques such as presence of the 'rare-marine intervals', and 'radiometric dating' in some Gondwanan successions, e.g., South Africa, Australia and South America, as tools to confidently calibrate these palynozones. The second section describes developments in the palynological work on the Carboniferous-Permian Nilawahan Group of the Salt Range, Pakistan, and summarises their correlation with the coeval succession of the Gondwana continents and with the Russian/International stages.

^iia6 illus, 45 ref

024396   Huang G;Chen Z;Sun J (NO, Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy o, Shijiazhuang-050 061, Email: chenzy88@hotmail.com) : Water quality assessment and hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater on the aspect of metals in an old town, Foshan, South China. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(1), 91-100.

Study is aimed at assessing the water quality and discussing the hydrochemical characteristics and seasonal variation of shallow groundwater on the aspect of metals in the eastern Chancheng district of Foshan city, south China. Multivariate analytical methods such as principal components analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were used in this study. The results show that 45% of groundwater in the east-central of study area is not suitable for drinking purpose due to high concentrations of Fe, Pb and Mn. The mean concentrations of Fe, Hg, Cu, Pb, and Mn in dry season are higher than that in wet season. On the contrary, the mean concentrations of Cd, Co, Zn, Ba, Cr, Mo, Ni and Al in wet season are higher than that in dry season. PCA results show that four PCs are responsible for the 78.6% of the total hydrochemical variables in groundwater. Three groups were generated from HCA method. Group 1 reflects the characteristic of wet season and the low ion exchange capacity; group 2 is mainly influenced by the dry season. Reducing environment and high ion exchange capacity are responsible for group 3. The results are useful in addressing future measures in - 47 - groundwater resource management for local government.

5 illus, 4 tables, 29 ref

024395   Haldun Karan (NO, Environment and Cleaner Production Institute, The Marmara Research Cen, P.O. Box 21, Gebze 41470, Kocaeli, Turkey, Email: haldun.karan@tubitak.gov.tr) : Wind and thermodynamic profiler observations of a late-mature gust front. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(1), 161-75.

High temporal and vertical resolutions of kinematic and thermodynamic characteristics of a late-mature gust front are presented using the Mobile Integrated Profiling System and Weather Surveillance Radar 88 Doppler data. As the gust front passed over the Mobile Integrated Profiling System vertical velocities and the horizontal wind field with 1 and 1.5 min temporal resolutions, respectively, were sampled within the gust front updrafts, gust frontal head and body structures. A 12-channel microwave profiling radiometer was used to delineate the thermodynamic properties with 5-6 min temporal and 100 m vertical resolution. Lidar backscatter from the 0.906 μm ceilometer was also used to demonstrate the cloud field and the gust front depth. The gust front structurally and dynamically resembled laboratory simulated density current, and was composed of an elevated forward protrusion of a nose, and a turbulent mixing region at the top behind the head. The updrafts associated with the gust front that was moving into a stable layer were not surface rooted. Rather, the updrafts less than 3.5 ms^{-1 were observed 500 m above ground level during the gust front passage. These updrafts were present from above the nose level to top of the head. The observations indicated that kinematic and thermodynamic characteristics of the atmospheric boundary layer significantly influenced the propagation speed, updraft characteristics, and overall structural organization of the gust front. The observations validated that observed propagation speed of the gust front was in close agreement with the calculated propagation speed by integrating the buoyancy term within the gust front depth.}

11 illus, 43 ref

024394   Ghosh D;Midya S K (Atmospheric Science Dep, Calcutta Univ, Kolkata-700 009, Email: drskm06@yahoo.co.in) : Associating an ionospheric parameter with major earthquake occurrence throughout the world. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(1), 63-71.

With time, ionospheric variation analysis is gaining over lithospheric monitoring in serving precursors for earthquake forecast. The current paper highlights the association of major (Ms ≥ 6.0) and medium (4.0 ≤ Ms <60> 6.0) earthquake occurrences throughout the world in different ranges of the Ionospheric Earthquake Parameter (IEP) where 'Ms' is earthquake magnitude on the Richter scale. From statistical and graphical analyses, it is concluded that the probability of earthquake occurrence is maximum when the defined parameter lies within the range of 0-75 (lower range). In the higher ranges, earthquake occurrence probability gradually decreases. A probable explanation is also suggested.

7 illus, 2 tables, 24 ref

024393   Deshpande C G;Kamra A K (NO, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune-411 008, Email: cgdesh@tropmet.res.in) : Physical properties of the arctic summer aerosol particles in relation to sources at Ny-Alesund, Svalbard. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(1), 201-12.

Measurements of the number concentration and size distribution of aerosol particles in the size range 0.5-20 μm diameter were made with an aerodynamic particle sizer at an Arctic site at Ny-Alesund, Svalbard in August-September 2007 during the International Polar Year 2007-2008. Data are analyzed to study the aerosol number concentration-wind speed relationships. The sea-salt particles of marine origin generated within the Arctic circle are identified as the main source of the Arctic summer aerosols. Total number concentration of aerosol particles increases with increase in wind speed, the increase being more when winds from open leads over the oceanic sector are reaching the station as compared to when winds from pack ice in other directions are reaching the station. The larger increase with winds from the oceanic sector is attributed to the enhanced bubble-breaking activity and increased entrainment of dimethyl sulphide particles at the sea surface. Although, the increase in total aerosol number concentration associated with the winds from the oceanic sector is spread over the whole range of particle sizes, the increase in coarse mode particles is more prominent than that in the accumulation mode particles. The age of airmass over pack ice is also an important -factor to determine the aerosol concentration over the Arctic region. The process of rainout/washout of the aerosol particles due to drizzle/snowfall is an effective sink mechanism in the Arctic environment. The aerosol particle concentration starts decreasing within a few minutes from the start of these events but requires a few hours to restore to the normal background aerosol level after the end of event.

10 illus, 1 table, 44 ref

024392   Deol S;Chattopadhyay A;Deb M (Geology Dep, Delhi Univ, Delhi-110 007, Email: swatideol@yahoo.com) : Deformation and metamorphism of gold-sulphide lodes in the Bhukia-Jagpura gold prospect, Rajasthan: implications for ore genesis. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(1), 1-13.

Role of polyphase deformation in controlling the emplacement of gold-quartz lodes in dilational regimes is demonstrated from the Proterozoic Bhukia-Jagpura gold prospect in south Rajasthan. Earlier researchers deciphered the gold-sulphide mineralisation event as synchronous to the second phase of deformation (D₂) without convincing microstructural or metamorphic evidences. In this contribution, we correlate the deformation and metamorphic imprints in the host rocks with those in the gold-sulphide mineralised zone, and present a new interpretation for the relative timing of gold emplacement vis-avis deformation. The ore-forming process first involved layer-parallel influx of ore-bearing hydrothermal fluids along S₁ schistosity - 45 - in the host rocks, synkinematic with respect to the first phase of deformation (D₁). This initial ore concentration experienced metamorphism isofacially (<126>500°C at 5.3 kh) along with its host rocks during D₁, and subsequently underwent extensive remobilisation, giving rise to gold-bearing silicified lodes along the hinges and axial surfaces of F₂ folds during D₂.

7 illus, 34 ref

024391   Das A;Harinarayana T (NO, Centre for Research and Development Consultancy (CRDC), CEPT Univ, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Email: ananya_22242@yahoo.com) : Possible oil spill & gas leakage vulnerable zones of Gujarat state using GIS tools. J Indian Geophys Union 2014, 18(1), 73-84.

There are many instances of oil spills and gas leakages in India due to accidents within the industry and also during transmission through pipelines. The spills or leakages are likely to occur near the improper joints. Apart from this, there are a number of other reasons. This study is aimed to analyze all the aspects related to possible oil spills and gas leakages with special reference to Gujarat state. The database considered in this study includes communication network (roads / rail), rivers, elevation, pipeline networks, fault zone, earthquake zone, meteorological data etc. In order to analyse these databases, the well known geographical information system software (GIS) has been used and the possible hazardous locations and the vulnerable zones have been identified by considering the datasets with logical queries. The end maps and results provided from the present study are useful to the industry in order to take precautionary steps and remedial measures that are required to tackle the oil spill and gas leakages in an efficient way.

9 illus, 3 tables, 19 ref

024390   Chhabra A S;Lohani A K;Shukla S (NO, National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee) : Review of application of soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) in research. Bhartiya Vaigyanik Evam Audyogik Anusandhan Patrika 2013, 21(2), 178-82.

Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is a model developed from continuous modelling efforts of nearly 30 years in agricultural and other areas. This tool has gained international acceptance as a robust interdisciplinary watershed modeling tool. It is evidenced by international SWAT conferences, hundreds of SWAT related papers presented at numerous other scientific meetings, and dozens of articles published in peer reviewed journals. The model has also been - 44 - adopted as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and is being used by many U.S. federal and state agencies, including the USDA within the Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP). Currently about 250 peer reviewed published articles have been identified that report SWAT applications, reviews of SWAT components, or other researches. In India, use of SWAT model started from last few years and many successful watershed modelling has been carried out. Those are also discussed in this article. Some of the technical articles in which use of SWAT in india and other countries is discussed in detail according to their related fields and results. Many of these peer reviewed articles are summarized here according to relevant application categories such as stream flow calibration and related hydrologic analyses, climate change impacts on hydrology, pollutant load assessments, comparisons with other models, and sensitivity analysis and calibration techniques. Strengths and weaknesses of the SWAT model are presented, and recommended research needs are also discussed.

^iia1 table, 16 ref

024389   Chetty T R K (NO, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: trkchetty@gmail.com) : Deep crustal shear zones in the eastern ghats mobile belt, India: Gondwana correlations. J Indian Geophys Union 2014, 18(1), 19-56.

Shear zones are significant in understanding the physicochemical processes, such as mineralization, magmatism, metamorphism, and deformational patterns and bear remarkable influence on many aspects of earth system science. We present here the structural framework of the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt (EGMB) that constitutes a net work of deep crustal shear zones. It was possible to identify and recognize these shear zones by involving different spatial data sets, field observations along regional traverses and detailed structural analysis in selected critical areas and outcrop mapping and in conjunction with the available published geological maps. We review and present here field description, distribution, geometry and the kinematics of different shear zones of the EGMB and emphasize their significance in terms of tectonic models and Gondwana correlations. The shear zones at the cratonic margins such as the Sileru shear zone, Koraput - Rairakhol shear zone and the Northern boundary shear zone represent a long and continuous suture zone extending for over a few hundreds of kilometers and upto lithospheric depths. All the shear zones witnessed multiple events of magmatism, metamorphism and deformation. The stretching lineations show different orientations in different segments and divide the EGMB into several distinct structural domains. All the shear zones are found to be transpressive in character and subjected to repeated reactivation in space and time. Oblique collision and long lived transpressional tectonic regime during Gondwana amalgamation seem to be responsible for the present structural architecture of the EGMB. The shear zones are the controlling factors for any mineralization, igneous activity, migmatization and retrogression and that they represent key laboratories' for understanding the geological processes and ultimately the earth's history. There is a strong need for detailed field based studies involving modern mapping techniques with current tectonic perspectives before we attempt any advanced laboratory based measurements for useful and meaningful interpretations.

16 illus, 34 ref

024388   Bharti R;Ramakrishnan D;Singh K D (Earth Sciences Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Powai-400 076, Email: ramakrish@iitb.ac.in) : Compositional diversity of near-, far-side transitory zone around naonobu, webb and sinus successus craters: inferences from Chandrayaan-1 moon mineralogy mapper (M<. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(1), 233-46.

This study investigated the potential of Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) data for studying compositional variation in the near-, far-side transition zone of the lunar surface. For this purpose, the radiance values of the M^{3 data were corrected for illumination and emission related effects and converted to apparent-reflectance. Dimensionality of the calibrated reflectance image cube was reduced using Independent Component Analysis (ICA) and endmembers were extracted by using Pixel Purity Index (PPI) algorithm. The selected endmembers were linearly unmixed and resolved for mineralogy using United States Geological Survey (USGS) library spectra of minerals. These mineralogically resolved endmembers were used to map the compositional variability within, and outside craters using Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) algorithm. Cross validation for certain litho - 43 - types was attempted using band ratios like Optical Maturity (OMAT), Color Ratio Composite and Integrated Band Depth ratio (IBD). The identified lithologies for highland and basin areas match well with published works and strongly support depth related mag-matic differentiation. Prevalence of pigeonite-basalt, pigeonite-norite and pyroxenite in crater peaks and floors are unique to the investigated area and are attributed to local, lateral compositional variability in magma composition due to pressure, temperature, and rate of cooling.}

10 illus, 1 table, 54 ref

024387   Atangana A (NO, Institute for Groundwater Studies, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa, Email: abdonatangana@yahoo.fr) : Generalized advection dispersion equation. J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(1), 101-8.

This paper examines a possible effect of uncertainties, variability or heterogeneity of any dynamic system when being included in its evolution rule; the notion is illustrated with the advection dispersion equation, which describes the groundwater pollution model. An uncertain derivative is defined; some properties of the operator are presented. The operator is used to generalize the advection dispersion equation. The generalized equation differs from the standard equation in four properties. The generalized equation is solved via the variational iteration technique. Some illustrative figures are presented.

1 illus, 27 ref

024386   Amit Kumar;Verma A;Dobhal D P;Mehta M; Kesarwani K (NO, Centre for Glaciology, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, 33 GMS Road, Dehra Dun, Email: amithydrocoin@gmail.com ) : Climatic control on extreme sediment transfer from Dokriani glacier during monsoon, Garhwal Himalaya (India). J Earth Syst Sci 2014, 123(1), 109-20.

In the Himalayas, most of the glaciers are covered by thick debris, especially in the ablation zone. Supraglacial debris cover might play an important role for sediment budget of the glaciated area or for the ablation of ice masses mantled in debris. During summer season, proglacial meltwater carries considerable amount of suspended sediment. The deglaciated area provides a ready source of sediment - 42 - during Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM). The heavy sediment load from the glaciers affects the hydropower generation, irrigation and drinking water supply. Therefore, to understand the sediment delivery from glaciated basins, characteristics and variation of the suspended sediment concentrations in the proglacial meltwater stream, Dokriani Glacier, have been monitored during the ablation season (May-September). Suspended sediment samples were collected near the snout of Dokriani Glacier, Garhwal Himalaya, in 2010 and 2011. Results show that mean monthly suspended sediment concentrations (SSC) were 1499, 2303, 3845 and 1649 mg/1 for the months June, July, August, and September, respectively, indicating highest concentration in August followed by July. Over the period of recording, daily mean suspended concentration in the melt stream varied from 13-9798.2 mg/1, which is very high, caused due to a flash flood event during the monitoring period. The mean daily suspended sediment concentration was computed to be 2196 mg/1. The suspended sediment concentration begins to increase with discharge from May and reduces in September. Present study provides TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission) derived and field based hydro-meteorological insight about severe rainstorms during the years 2010 and 2011 in the study area, which transported large amounts of sediment.

8 illus, 4 tables, 45 ref

023363   Wiejaczka L;Bucala A;Sarkar S (Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Sw. Jana 22, 31-018 Cracow, Email: wieja@zg.pan.krakow.pl) : Human role in shaping the hydromorphology of Himalayan rivers: study of the Tista river in Darjeeling Himalaya. Curr Sci 2014, 106(5), 717-24.

Aim of the present study is to evaluate the hydro-morphological state (the degree of naturalness and an-thropogenic transformation) of Himalayan rivers and to determine the role of human activity in shaping their hydromorphology. The study was conducted in the valley of the Tista River in Darjeeling Himalaya. The field research was carried out in selected channel sections with and without noticeable human interfer-ence. The assessment of the hydromorphological state was conducted on the basis of the River Habitat Survey method. The analysis of research results shows that the habitat quality of the river sections with noticeable human interference is not significantly different from that in the sections without noticeable anthropogenic pressure.

4 illus, 3 tables, 29 ref

023362   Timbadiya P V;Patel P L;Porey P D (Civil Engineering Dep, S.V. National Institute of Technology Surat, Surat-395 007, Email: pvtimbadiya@ced.svnit.ac.in) : One-dimensional hydrodynamic modelling of flooding and stage hydrographs in the lower Tapi river in India. Curr Sci 2014, 106(5), 708-16.

Study addresses the simulation of floods for the years 2003 and 2006 and the development of stage-discharge relationship along the lower Tapi River in India. The river network and cross-sections, for the present study, were extracted from the field-surveyed contours of the Tapi River. Using the afore-said geometry and hydrological data, supplied by the stakeholders, the MIKE 11 hydrodynamic model was calibrated for the 1998 flood using releases from the Ukai Dam (flood hydrograph) and the tidal water level in the Arabian Sea as the upstream and down-stream boundary conditions respectively. The cali-brated model was validated using low- and high-flood data of the years 2003 and 2006 respectively. The time series of the simulated flood levels were compared with the corresponding observed values at four inter-mediate gauging stations: Kakrapar Weir, Mandavi Bridge, Ghala village and - 43 - the Surat city (Nehru Bridge). The model performance was also evaluated using the standard performance index (i.e. root mean square error) and was found to be reasonably satisfac-tory for such a data-scarce region. The rating curves (i.e. stage-discharge relationship) were also developed from the aforesaid calibrated model which would be useful in flood forecasting and development of flood protection measures along the lower Tapi River.

7 illus, 3 tables, 18 ref

023361   Syed R;Sarkar S;Sengupta S (Geology Dep, Calcutta Univ, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata-700 019, Email: ssggeol@gmail.com) : Predatory drilling in tertiary larger foraminifera from India. Curr Sci 2014, 106(8), 1130-3.

Evidence of predatory drilling in the microspheric tests of Middle Eocene larger foraminifera Nummu-lites obtusus (Sowerby) from western Kutch is reported in this communication from the Indian Tertiary sequences. Evidence in the form of repair structures present in the foraminiferal wall and indicative of post-attack healing, has been described and illustrated. While biological identity of the predator remains enigmatic at the present stage of investigation, this report is likely to throw light on similar instances of predator-prey interaction in previously accounted Tertiary larger foraminiferal assemblages of India.

2 illus, 22 ref

023360   Sukhdeo P;Pillay S;Ballabh H (NO, School of Agriculture, Earth & Environmental Sciences, KwaZulu-Natal U, Westville Campus, Durban 4000, South Africa) : Long-term deterioration of water quality of the Mvoti estuary, KwaZulu-natal, South Africa. Curr Sci 2014, 106(5), 739-43.

Mvoti Estuary located on the eastern seaboard of South Africa is known for its poor water quality. In the present study, concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO), ammonia, nitrates, chloride, sulphates, sodium and calcium were assessed together with conductivity and pH, compared to legislated guidelines and to pre-vious studies of 1964 and 2000. The results indicate that with the exception of calcium, the Mvoti system has been experiencing long-term deterioration. Pres-ently, ammonium ions, nitrate and chloride exceed the acceptable guideline target limits, and DO levels are extremely low. The biotic integrity of the system is therefore seriously compromised with the threat of detrimental effects to all users if mitigation measures aimed at improving water quality are not implemented.

4 illus, 14 ref

023359   Subhash Chandra K C;Hegde G V (NO, , <35> 17, 'Ganga Block', Goodwill Apartments, Chandra Layout, Bangalore-560 040, Email: hegdegv@gmail.com) : Occurrence of - 42 - groundwater in the Ponnaiyar river catchment covering Eastern parts of Bangalore city, Karnataka, India. Curr Sci 2014, 106(10), 1353-6.

2 illus, 14 ref

023358   Singh J;Yadav R R (NO, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, 33 General Mahadeo Singh Road, Dehra Dun-248 001, Email: jayendrasingh@wihg.res.in) : Chir pine ring-width thermometry in Western Himalaya, India. Curr Sci 2014, 106(5), 735-8.

Developed the first annually resolved ring-width chronology (AD 1880-2002) of chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) from Balcha in Tons valley, Western Himalaya. The existence of significant positive rela-tionship between ring-width indices and June-August mean temperature obtained in cross-correlation analysis endorsed the dendroclimatic potential of chir pine chronologies. Using such strong relationship, sta-tistically verifiable first chir pine chronology-based June-August temperature (AD 1880-2001) was recon-structed for the western Himalaya. The calibration model capturing 16% of the variance in instrumental data (AD 1901-1998) showed that the network of such chronologies should help in developing robust tem-perature records for the western Himalaya.

4 illus, 28 ref

023357   Shibu K K;Ajitkumar K G (PG Studies and Research in Botany Dep, Mahatma Gandhi College, Thiruvanthapuram-4, Email: ajitanchal@gmail.com) : Physico-chemical analysis of water quality parameters in Aruvikkara reservoir, Thiruvananthapuram district. Adv Life Sci 2013, 2(2), 67-9.

Present attempt is to analyse the Physico -chemical Parameters of Aruvikkara water Reservoir in Thiruvananthapuram District. Monthly observations were carried out from 1st June 2011 to 31st May 2012. Physical and Chemical Parameters viz. Water Temperature, pH, Total Hardness, Alkalinity, Nitrates, Silicates, Phosphates, Dissolved Oxygen, Chemical Oxygen Demand were analyzed. Study revealed that all Parameters were within the permissible limits as suggested by WHO and CPCB. The results indicate that the reservoir is Non-polluted and can be used for Domestic and Irrigation purposes.

023356   Sharma A K;Nade D P;Nikte S S;Ghodpage R N; Patil P T;Rokade M V;Vhatkar R S;Gurubaran S (Earth and Space Science Laboratory, Physics Dep, Shivaji Univ, Kolhapur-416 004, Email: - 41 - dada.nade@gmail.com) : Development of fast image analysis technique for all-sky images. Curr Sci 2014, 106(8), 1085-93.

This article describes the possibility of using the fast image analysis technique for qualitative and quantitative analysis of equatorial plasma bubble obtained using All-Sky imager (ASI) data. Automated image processing (generally) is useful for identification of equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) and its parameters. We have developed a fast (and efficient) analysis technique essential to study the data of images. The present work reports the results of a statistical study of the zonal plasma bubble velocities using nightglow OI 630.0 nm emission data, acquired by ASI (FOV 140°) at the low-latitude station Kolhapur (16.42°N, 74.2°E and 10.6°N dip lat.). Based on the observations of 15 nights made in January 2012, we have determined the velocity of EPB using our new method. The daily mean values of the EPB velocity match well with those of the earlier studies made at Kolhapur. We have found that, generally, the mean zonal drift velocities of the plasma bubbles tend to decrease with local time (after midnight). The most significant finding from this work is that the calculated velocities of plasma bubble using fast and scanning methods are nearly equal.

8 illus, 3 tables, 30 ref

023355   Patil N G;Mandal C;Mandal D K (NO, National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Amravati Road, Shankarnagar, P.O. Nagpur, Email: nitpat03@yahoo.co.uk) : Comparative evaluation of nearest neighbor and neural networks approach to estimate soil water retention at field capacity and permanent wilting point. Indian J Soil Conserv 2013, 41(1), 25-9.

Evaluation of neural and k nearest neighbor (kNN) techniques of developing pedotransfer functions (PTF) to predict soil water held at -33 kPa (Field Capacity FC) and -1500 kPa (Permanent Wilting Point PWP) of Vertisols of India is presented. Soil profile information of 26 representative sites comprising 157 soil samples was used for PTF development. Four levels of input information were used, (1) Textural data (data on sand, silt, and clay fraction-SSC), (2) Level 1+bulk density data (SSCBD), (3) Level 2+organic matter (SSCBDOM), and (4) Level 1+organic matter (SSCOM), kNN PTFs predicted FC with greater accuracy evidenced by lower root mean square error -RMSE (0.0695) compared to neural PTFs (0.0775). Performance of neural PTFs exhibited improvement in RMSE (from 0.076 to 0.0672) as the input variables increased. The performance of kNN PTF was better (RMSE, 0.0315) than neural PTF using input level 1 (RMSE, 0.0402) to estimate PWP. At highest level of input, neural and kNN PTFs were almost at par (RMSE, 0.0353 and 0.0358) in terms of prediction error. Better prediction by kNN PTFs (FC/PWP) with lowest input level (SSC) was significant as accurate predictions were possible without more input. In general, kNN PTFs showed advantage over neural PTFs.

5 illus, 2 tables, 22 ref

023354   Nair T M B;et. al. (Information Services and Ocean Sciences Group, ESSO-Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, 'Ocean Valley', Pragathi Nagar (BO), Nizampet (SO), Hyderabad-500 090, Email: bala@incois.gov.in) : Wave forecasting and monitoring during very severe cyclone Phailin in the Bay of Bengal. Curr Sci 2014, 106(8), 1121-5.

Wave fields, both measured and forecast during the very severe cyclone Phailin, are discussed in this communication. Waves having maximum height of 13.54 m were recorded at Gopalpur, the landfall point of the cyclone. The forecast and observed significant wave heights matched well at Gopalpur with correlation coefficient of 0.98, RMS error of 0.35 m and scatter index of 14%. Forecasts were also validated in the open ocean and found to be reliable (scatter index <60> 15%). The study also revealed the presence of Southern Ocean swells with a peak period of 20-22 sec hitting Gopalpur coast along with the cyclone-generated waves.

6 illus, 7 ref

023353   Krishna Rao B;Gaur M L;Gopal Kumar;Kurothe R S;Tiwari S P (NO, Central Soil and Water Conservation Research & Training Institute, Res, Vasad-388 306, Email: b_krishnarao@rediffmail.com) : Morphological characterization and alterations in cross section of different order streams of Mahi river in Gujarat. Indian J Soil Conserv 2013, 41(1), 20-4.

Study was conducted during 2007-2010 to characterize the morphology of different order streams and to measure the alteration in cross section and bank of different order streams of Mam River. Field monitoring of stream bank morphological parameters and alterations in cross sections and banks of different order streams was carried out at different sections of 6 categorized streams which are Mahi River, adjoining lower order streams directly draining into Mahi, 1st order streams, 2nd order streams, 3rd order - 40 - streams, and 4th order streams. The stream bank morphological conditions such as soil texture, bank angles, bank shapes and alterations in stream banks and channel cross sections of different category streams in. different locations were collected and analysed. Results revealed that concave banks of all the category streams and straight banks of adjoining streams directly draining into Mahi and lsl order streams are the vulnerable locations which needs immediate attention for controlling bank erosion or flood havoc.

1 illus, 4 tables, 14 ref

023352   Jagtap R S (NO, Central Water and Power Research Station (Government of India), Pune-412 303, Email: rahul_iss@yahoo.com) : Effect of record length and recent past events on extreme precipitation analysis. Curr Sci 2014, 106(5), 698-707.

Risk of possible damage to important hydraulic struc-tures needs to be kept at the minimum by suitably modelling environmental parameters like rainfall for extreme values of desired return period. Efficient estimation of such meteorological extremes depends on the historical records available at the site of inter-est. Each of the sampled data is essentially a signal from the natural system and in any statistical analysis uncertainty about the underlying phenomenon gets reduced with increase in the record length. In this article, the effect of record length on the extreme value estimates of daily rainfall at Colaba and Santacruz using theoretically appropriate generalized extreme value (GEV) model has been analysed. The study ind-cates that estimates for different return periods get stabilized with the increase in the length of record. Data analysis-based recent past records at Colaba give comparatively higher estimates which can possibly be attributed to increased variation and observance of more number of extreme events during the recent past. The heavy rainfall of 944.2 mm recorded at Santacruz on 26 July 2005 has shown an extraordi-nary effect on extreme value estimates. A possibility of temporal dependence in the series requires further studies by parameterization of trend in the GEV model.

4 illus, 9 tables, 11 ref

023351   Govindaraj G;Raveesha S;Ahmed T;Suryaprakash S;Rajan K;Harsha K N (NO, Agricultural Sciences Univ, GKVK, Bangalore-560 065, Email: mggraj74@gmail.com) : Sand mining from agricultural and common property lands in peri-urban areas: an assessment of economic loss and factors responsible for transformation from agriculture to mining. Indian J Soil Conserv 2013, 41(1), 61-8.

Sand mining in agricultural and common property lands (CPLs) is an emerging and peculiar type of land degradation activity practised in peri-urban areas of Karnataka state, India. The magnitude of mining in the study area was 5% of the total geographical area in one year. The supply and demand factors, policy bottlenecks, agro-socio-economic - 39 - characters, institutional failures etc., were responsible for sand mining from agricultural and CPLs. Direct valuation of benefits to different stakeholders revealed that farmers earn Rs.90/12m³ of sand, whereas, the middlemen realized Rs.2150. The estimated direct loss from foregoing dry land crops and decline in livestock population due to sand mining was Rs.0.38 and Rs. 1.83 million/year, respectively. The income loss that could have been averted if water used in sand mining was diverted to areca nut was Rs.7.49 million or Rs.0.84 million/year for paddy. The results of bivariate logit analysis revealed that age, education, proportion of dry land owned and social status of farmers were the significant factors that influenced parting of private owned land for sand mining. Besides diredt action, the farmers and other stakeholders should be educated on the ill-effects of sand mining from agricultural and CPLs. The suggested reclamation measures would be to fill the mined areas with tank silt to restore agricultural activities or harvesting rainwater in mined pits for aquaculture.

1 illus, 11 tables, 19 ref

023350   Gopal Kumar;Sena D R;Kurothe R S;Pande V C; Rao B K;Vishwakarma A K;Bagdi G L;Mishra P K (NO, Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, R, vasad-388 306, Email: gkcswcrti@gmail.com) : Watershed impact evaluation using remote sensing. Curr Sci 2014, 106(10), 1369-78.

Watershed management is considered as a way for sustainable rural development and thus impact evaluation is a must. The common approach of post-classification comparison of pre- and post-implementation satellite imageries for watershed impact evaluation suffers from serious limitations, mainly ignoring the changes which are not due to watershed interventions. To minimize such biases, control area approach is proposed and relative change in watershed compared to control area is attributed to watershed management. The studied four clusters of watershed in Vidarbha region, Maharashtra show that the effect of the watershed could stand out irrespective of pre- and post-implementation conditions of satellite imageries.

5 illus, 5 tables, 21 ref