012887   Deshmukh K K (NO, Post-Graduate Research Center in Chemistry, Sangamner Nagarpalika Arts, Sangamner-422 605, Email: keshav_deshmukh13@yahoo.in) : Evaluation of groundwater quality with regard to livestock use from Sangamner area, Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, India. Rasayan J Chem 2013, 6(3), 245-57.

Livestock is a key asset for poor people, fulfilling multiple economic, social and risk management functions. In India, smallholder farmers rely greatly for their survival on livestock keeping which is a safety valve for them. There is a need to look into the welfare of livestock such as feed, water and health etc. Health of livestock similar to human being is mainly affected by water they drink. Cows, buffaloes, bullocks, sheep, goats are common livestock in Sangamner area. These livestock and dairy serve as the major source of earning to farmers besides agriculture. Every farmer in the area maintains some kind of livestock population. It is, therefore necessary to evaluate the quality of groundwater for the consumption of livestock population. 68 groundwater samples were analyzed for various parameters such as pH, EC, TDS, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, SO₄^2- and NO₃ during pre and post monsoon season using standard methods. It was found that the parameters like EC, total hardness and nitrate were exceeded the limit recommended for the use of water for livestock and poultry suggested by National Research Council. Higher EC were observed in low-lying area which are poorly drained and are under intensive agriculture. Wide variations in the response of livestock to saline water were observed. Some of the major factors that influence the response of livestock to saline water depend on kind of livestock, age, sex, pregnancy and lactation, intensity of work performed by the animal and climatic conditions. The catties from some of the areas were to allowed drink the groundwater from the area, they start suffering from diseases and their pregnancy period was prolonged. Educating the farmers to adopt better farm management and better livestock care has been suggested to reduce the problem of groundwater deterioration and welfare of livestock population.

1 illus, 4 tables, 34 ref

012886   Das L K;Dasgupta K K;De M K (MW, GSI, Kolkata) : Mineral potential of the Dhanjori metavolcanics, East Singhbhum, Jharkhand. J Geophys 2012, 33(3), 49-54.

Deep Electrical Profiling (DEP) has proved to be very useful in identifying buried conductive anomalies in Dhanjori basin. 2-D modeling of such anomalies indicated a near vertical conductive body (80 ohm m) within the metabasics of Dhanjoris. A deep stratigraphic cum structural borehole drilled vertically upto a depth of 768 rn over this anomaly zone revealed flat lying metavolconic assemblages grading from acidic to ultra basic in composition with interlayering of tuff and sediments. At least four different flows have been identified following the classical top and bottom criteria followed in stratigraphy. The bore hole lithology is in itself a revealation as it is different from the expected lithostratigraphy of Dhanjori basin. The metabasics are highly sheared and striated and the propensity of shearing increases with depth. Deep Electrical Sounding (DES) has been successful in estimating the thickness of the lithopackage which is within 1 km. SP, resistance, natural gamma ray logs run up to 750 m depth indicate 37 distinct conductive zones, varying from a fraction of a meter to several meters. Some of these are sulphides with pyrite, chalcopyrite, covellite and arsenopyrite assemblages. Density and chargeability values measured in the laboratory on selected core samples corroborate the above findings.

8 illus, 8 ref

012885   Calla O P N;Sharma R;Gadri K L;Kalla A; Agrahari S K;Rathore G (NO, International Centre for Radio Science, Jodhpur-342 003, Email: opnc06@gmail.com) : Comparison of SMOS soil moisture/brightness temperatures for morning and evening passes. Indian J Radio Space Phys 2013, 42(6), 420-4.

Soil moisture is an essential element, which controls the land-atmospheric system and thus, its continuous monitoring is extremely important. Regular monitoring of spatio-temporal variability of surface soil moisture can be done using microwave remote sensing techniques, as there is high contrast in dielectric properties of pure dry soil (2-3) and pure water (80) at microwave frequencies. Variation in surface soil moisture is not only affected by precipitation, evaporation and transpiration, but often groundwater and root zone moisture also play an important role. Surface soil moisture data from Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite is used to analyse the changes in surface soil moisture from evening to next or following morning (6.00 PM and 6.00 AM) in an arid region of Rajasthan, India. An increase in surface soil moisture is observed for maximum data from evening to following morning. The same trends were also verified using polarization index values.

2 illus, 1 table, 14 ref

012884   Arora T;Ahmed S;Revil A (IFCGR, National Geopyhysical Research Institute, Hyderabad-500 007) : Rigourous geostatistical analyses of the self potential signals to delineate the contaminant plumes. J Geophys 2012, 33(4), 105-10.

Accurate mapping of the redox potential and the electrical conductivity of groundwater is important in delineating the shape of a contaminant plume. Organic matter- rich contaminant plumes, e.g., associated with leakages from municipal landfills, arc the source of electrical potential variations at the Earth's surface termed self-potential anomalies. The plume can be regarded as a natural geobattery, in which the source current results from degradation reactions of the organic matter by the growth of micro-organisms. The self- potential depends on groundwater flow (electrokinetic contribution) and redox conditions (clectroredox). The electrical source associated with this electroredox process adds to the contributions associated with (1) the electrokinetic conversion of ground water flow and (2) membrane or diffusion potentials associated with concentration gradients of the ionic species present in the pore water. Once removed the electrokinetic contribution, a correlation between in situ redox potentials measured in piezometers and the electrical potential measured at the ground surface using non-polarisable electrodes exists. A geobattery model can explain how organic matter-rich contaminant plumes behave as geobatteries and are the source of a natural electrical field. This field can be recorded at the ground surface and used to map the redox potential of the leachate plume using the self-potential method as an efficient non-intrusive technique. Using the variation of the piezometric head in the aquifer, the electrokinetic contribution is removed from the SP signal. A good correlation is obtained between the residual SP data and the redox potential values. This relationship is used to draw a redox potential map over the overall contaminated site.

8 illus, 15 ref

012883   Anil Kumar;Kumar M;Mahanti N C;Saraswat L; Pandey V;Wadood A (Agricultural Meteorology Dep, BACA, AAU, Anand-388 110, Email: anilmeteo@gmail.com) : Long term trend analysis on precipitation and temperature along eastern end of monsoon trough of Ranchi, Jharkhand India. Int J app envir Sci Technol 2013, 1(1), 13-22.

These climatic features are temperature and rainfall, including physiographical description of a per humid, trough axis region, in Ranchi, Jharkhand the long term time series of summer monsoon rainfall has no discernible trends, but the decadal departure is found above and below the long time average. The analysis of year wise and decade wise temperature data indicated that the maximum temperatures are rising at very slow rate but steadily. The monthly mean maximum temperature during the month of April for the period of 2001-2010 were 0.4 °C to 0.6 °C higher than during the period of 1991-2000 at. The maximum temperature was analyzed 40.08 °C during the month of April at Ranchi. The annual rainfall at Ranchi station were 1398 mm as 80 to 83% rainfall received during the monsoon (South-West Monsoon, month from June to September) and rest amount is throughout year in different seasonal spell like North-East Monsoon (6.5% with amount 92.4 mm) from the month October to December, Winter 3.74% with amount 52.4 mm (January to February) and summer 7.5% with the amount 104.7 mm with the thunderstorm shower.

4 illus, 2 tables, 23 ref

012882    (NO, , ) : Water & energy international water resources section: Rengali multipurpose dam-issues on dam safety aspects. Wat Energy int 2011, 68(2), 29-35.

Safety of the dam is a very important aspect for safeguarding the national investment and the benefits derived by the nation out of this infrastructure. An unsafe dam poses hazard to human life and property in the downstream reaches. Hence the safety of the dam and the allied structures is very necessary for ensuring the continuance of accrual of benefits and protect the downstream area from any sort of hazards. Moreover, the inspection and safety evaluation of a dam needs to be done regularly to ensure its better health and to safeguard the national investment and the benefits derived by the National and of this infrastructure.

26 illus, 1 table

011797   Sridhar P;Chandra Bose A S;Giridhar M V S S; Viswanadh G K (NO, JNTUK, Kakinada, Email: mvssgiridhar@gmail.com) : Prioritisation of miniwatersheds based on morphometric analysis using GIS. Int J Geomatics Geosci 2012, 3(2), 314-20.

In the study, the eighteen miniwatersheds of Kadam watershed of Middle Godavari sub basin (G-5) have Been prioritized using GIS based on morphometric analysis. The highest Bifurcation ratio is found to be 11.95 for 4E3C5a. The Maximum values of Circularity ratio of 0.642 and Drainage density of 3.510 have been found in Lothuvara miniwatershed. The Maximum values of Stream frequency of 7.25 and Texture ratio of 15.81 have been found in Dorlavagu miniwatershed. Ranks have been assigned to each parameter based on their value with highest value as I rank and the rank values of all parameters have been cumulated to obtain compound parameter. Priorities are arrived at based on compound parameter values. The miniwatershed with the lowest compound parameter value is given the highest priority and vice versa. Allampalli vagu (4E3C4f), Gangapuram vagu (4E3C4h) and Batkamma vagu (4E3C4g) miniwatersheds have been found to be under high priority.

1 illus, 2 tables, 9 ref

011796   Sinha R;Jain V;Tandon S K;Chakraborty T (Engineering Geosciences Group, Civil Engineering Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur-208 016, Email: rsinhja@iitk.ac.in) : Large river systems of India. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2012, 78(3), 277-93.

The Indian sub-continent is host to several large rivers, which are distinctive in terms of their hydrology and sediment transport characteristics due to monsoonal climate and tectonic setting. Many of these rivers have attracted international attention for the last several decades and continue to do so. This paper highlights the major research contributions on various aspects of large rivers of India made during the last 5-6 years. Some of the important themes covered in this paper include glacier-river interactions, erosional history and sediment dynamics, river processes including flood hazards, alluvial stratigraphic development and river management. A couple of large-scale initiatives on the Ganga River attest to the change in the mindset of the policy makers. The use of modern techniques such as remote sensing and GIS, digital elevation models, high-precision measurements such as kinematic GPS, Total Station and ADCP in river surveys is being realized by researchers as well as river managers. Author on emphasized the emergence of River Science as a discipline that aims to study the integration of hydrological, geological, chemical, and ecological processes and their interactions, and suggested that the Indian researchers and river managers promote this new approach which links river management to river health.

10 illus, 99 ref

011795   Singh V;Dubey A (GIS and RS Div Geography Dep, Allahabad Univ, Uttar Pradesh, Email: vs6114@gmail.com) : Linear aspects of Naina-Gorma river basin morphometry, Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh, India. Int J Geomatics Geosci 2012, 3(2), 364-72.

The measurement of drainage parameters provides useful numerical measure of landscape dissection and runoff potential. This study incorporates quantitative fluvial characteristics of the Naina- Gorma river basin under linear aspects. Morphometry defined as the measurement and mathmetical analysis of the configuration of the earth surface and of the shape and dimension of its landforms (J.I Clarke, 1970). The morphometric analysis particularly deals with the quantitative measurements of different aspects of river channel for instance stream order, Bifurcation ratio, Mean bifurcation ratio, Stream length, Length ratio, Mean stream length, Length of Overland flow, Constant channel maintenance etc. The Naina-Gorma river is a tributary of the Belan River having North-South course. I have segmented the study area in to three sub-basin viz. Naina, Odda and Gorma sub- basin. So Naina -Gorma river basin comprised of three smaller sub-basins i.e. the Naina river, odda river and Gorma river sub basin. The Naina sub-basin covers an area 386.30 sq.Km, Odda sub basin covers an area 605.98 sq.Km. and Gorma sub basin covers an area 427.43 sq.Km which have been determined with the help of topographic maps of 1:50,000 scale. Total length of all tributaries is 2317.961 km. The entire drainage network is spread over shale, sandstone and alluvium. The Naina- Gorma river flows over a nearly undulating topography. The drainage pattern is dendritic to sub dendritic. The analysis were carried out under the fluvial morphometry i.e. Linear aspect.

2 illus, 8 tables, 10 ref

011794   Singh P (Post Graduate Dep of Zoology, BSNVPG College, Lucknow-226 001, Email: preetysinghleo@gmail.com) : Water characteristic of river Gomti, Lucknow (U.P) India in rainy season. Aquacult 2013, 14(1-2), 35-39.

Various natural as well as anthropogenic influences like, release of sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural rnoff etc. badly deteriorate the physico-chemical characteristics of river water which inturn losses its life sustaining qualities and even become misfit for human consumption. River Gomti (U.P) India is a tributary of River Ganga, flowing through 9 districts of Uttar Pradesh and meets to Ganga near Ghazipur covering about 940 Km stretch and receives agricultural runoff, sewage and effluent of various industries. Present study invisages the physico-chemical properties of River Gomti (U.P.) India near Lucknow city in mansoon season. Eight parameters viz, temp, pH, dissolve oxygen, free CO₂, acidity, total alkalinity, total hardness and chlorides were analysed to assess the impact of effluents on water quality. Results of present study are indicative of deteriorating life sustaining quality of river water as well as its non suitability for domestic consumption. Possible effects of water quality on aquatic life as well as possible remeidal measures have also been discussed.

1 illus, 1 table, 31 ref

011793   Sharma M;Kumar S;Tiwari M;Shukla Y;Pandey S K;Srivastava P;Banerjee S (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 Univ Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: mukundsharma@bsip.res.in) : Palaeobiological constraints and the precambrian biosphere: Indian evidence. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2012, 78(3), 407-22.

The present paper enumerates the palaeobiological constraints in understanding the Precambrian biosphere. Records of the organismal evolution from India are discussed with their significance in global perspectives. The palaeobiological remains recorded from India are grouped and presented under nine categories: Stromatolites, megascopic carbonaceous remains, microfossils, Microbially Induced Sedimentary Structures (MISS), Pre-Ediacaran-Ediacaran fossils, bizzare forms, chemostratigraphy, molecular biology and astrobiology. Important contributions made during the last decade are discussed. The article also provides historical precis of the Precambrian palaeobiological studies in India; identifies the strength of the Indian researchers; articulates the unsolved problems and future research directions in the form of gaps and goals.

7 illus, 106 ref

011792   Shakeel S;Kanth T A (Geography Dep, Kashmir Univ, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir-190 006) : Land form and landuse analysis of Liddar river basin, Kashmir. Trans Inst Indian Geogr 2012, 34(2), 257-64.

Based on the visual interpretations of topographic maps, LANDSAT imagery and field checks, different types of landforms have been identified in the study area; on the basis of the magnitude these landforms are divided broadly into two landform order categories i-e, second and third order landforms that are utilized by man and nature for different purposes. The landuse/landcover status of liddar basin 1974-75 and 2001 have revealed that there has been drastic change in the forest area as well as agricultural sector and other classes. The main reason behind this change is mainly due to large scale deforestation, erosion and biotic interference that has increased manifold with the passage of time.

1 illus, 2 tables, 7 ref

011791   Samanta K;Hazra S (NO, School of Oceanographic Studies, Jadavpur Univ, Jadavpur, Raja S.C. Mallick Road, Kolkata-700 032, Email: samanta.kaberi@gmail.com) : Landuse/landcover change study of Jharkhali island sundarbans, West Bengal using remote sensing and GIS. Int J Geomatics Geosci 2012, 3(2), 299-306.

Jharkhali, an island in the Sundarbans, is situated between two mighty rivers, Matla (on the west) and Bidya (on the east) covering an area of about 161 sq.km (2009). The landuse/landcover maps of the Jharkhali island have been prepared from the satellite data and field checking. The time series analysis of land use/land cover changes of this area for the period 1986-2009 reveals a virtual disappearance of the mangroves of Namkhana Reserve Forest. A forest area of 12.400 km² has been found to be converted into aquaculture farms or agricultural fields. Others changes involve conversion of small waterbodies and marginal erosion of the western blank of the island. A further conversion of 34.152 km² agricultural land into settlements is attributed to the growing population pressure in this Biosphere reserve area, World heritage site, and proposed Ramsar Site.

9 illus, 2 tables, 8 ref

011790   Sain K;Gupta H;Mazumdar A;Bhaumik A K; Bhowmick P K (NO, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Uppal Road, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: kalachandsain@yahoo.com) : Geo-scientific investigations of gas-hydrates in India. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2012, 78(3), 503-11.

The best solution to meet India's overwhelming energy requirement is to tap the nuclear and solar power to the maximum extent possible. Another feasible major energy resource is gas-hydrates (crystalline substances of methane and water) that have been identified by various geo-scientific methods along the Indian continental margin and later discovered by drilling and coring. The bathymetry, seafloor temperature, total organic carbon (TOC), sediment thickness, rate of sedimentation, geothermal gradient, and geological, geophysical and microbiological studies indicate that shallow sediments in deep water regions are good hosts for gas-hydrates (Sain and Gupta, 2008, 2012). First, we have prepared the gas-hydrates stability thickness map along the Indian margin, which provides the spatial and depth windows for the identification of gas-hydrates, and developed several geo-scientific methods for the qualification and quantification of gas-hydrates. We have delineated the most prospective zones of gas-hydrates in the Krishna-Godavari, Mahanadi and Andaman basins. The proxies for gas-hydrates have been recognized in the Kerala-Konkan and Saurashtra basins. The Kerala-Laccadive and Cauvery basins have also been found prospective for gas-hydrates by studying into various physical parameters. We have evaluated the resource potential of gas-hydrates to boost the development of viable production technology. Approximately, 1900 trillion cubic meter of methane has been prognosticated (Collett et al., 2008) within the vast exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of India. This volume of gas is more than 1500 times of India's present natural gas reserve, and only 10% can meet India's burgeoning energy requirement for about a century. A brief description of all these is made in this article.

7 illus, 48 ref

011789   Rasik Ravindra;Laluraj C M (NO, National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Headland Sada, Goa-403 804, Email: rasik@ncaor.org) : Cryosphere research: Indian perspective. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2012, 78(3), 249-57.

Indian scientists have been involved in studies of cryosphere both in the Himalayas and Polar Regions, since mid sixties. Inventories of Himalayan glaciers produced by Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Space Application Centre (SAC) have made available a platform for detailed studies on some of 9576 glaciers identified and numbered in these inventories. It has been summarized that most of Himalayan glaciers are losing mass except the Karakoram region where stability or mass gain is indicated. In the Polar regions, studies on cryosphere have focussed on glacier dynamics, sea ice. fluctuations of the continental ice margin and snouts of glaciers. Drilling for ice cores and high-resolution data obtained from such cores has helped in establishing climatic history for the last 500 years. Studies on biogeochemistry of Antarctic snow and melt water lakes of Schirmacher Oasis have received detailed attention. In recent years, areas of investigation have been extended to Arctic Region where some of the glaciers (Broggerbreen) are being studied in detail. Microbiological studies, especially anti oxidant potential of Arctic lichens and establishing the bacterial diversity in Ny Alesund area have received attention.

93 ref

011788   Ramakrishnan R;Majumdar T J (Geo-Sciences Div, MPSG/UPSA, Space Applications Centre (ISRO), Ahmedabad-380 015, Email: tapan.j.majumdar@gmail.com) : Classification of oil spill in the Krishna-Godavar offshore using ERS-1 SAR images with a fuzzy logic approach. Indian J Geomar Sci 2013, 42(4), 431-6.

New features are extracted from the dark spot and fuzzy based techniques were utilized for classifications of the dark spot into oil spill and look alike. Threshold is defined for detection of dark spot, which is obtained from histogram analysis, where the image histograms consist of two peaks. For scenes devoid of two peaks in the histogram, an empirical formula is developed from the scene statistics, which designate the threshold for segmentation of the dark spot. A centerline concept is introduced which bisects the slick along the major axis. This is further used to determine the width, shape and orientation of the suspected slick. Abrupt turn and curving of the slick is also monitored from the centerline. According to the characteristic of each feature, separate membership functions were assigned to obtain its fuzzy set. Few features were identified to have high discriminatory power, whose values were having marked contrast for oil spill and look alike. Five classes were defined: 1) oil spill, 2) tending to oil spill, 3) uncertain, 4) tending to look alike and 5) look alike. From 30 dark spots obtained from six ERS-1 SAR scenes, six were classified as oil spill and four dark spots as look alike. Six dark spots were classified as tending to oil spill and five as tending to look alike, whereas classification of nine dark spots was found to be uncertain.

9 illus, 17 ref

011787   Ramaiah S N;Gopalakrishna G S;Srinivasa Vittala S;Najeeb K M (NO, Central Ground Water Board (MoWR, Govt. of India), Kerala Region, Trivandrum, Kerala) : Geomorphological mapping for identification of ground water potential zones in hard rock areas using geo-spatial information- a case study in Malur taluk, Kolar district, Karnataka, India. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2012, 11(3), 369-76.

The search for new groundwater resources is essential to sustained economic development in arid environment. The study area is part of Ponnaiyar river basin falling between N latitude of 12°48'24" to 13°07'06' and E longitude of 77°50'30" to 78°08'15" falls in Survey of India toposheets 57 G/16, 57 H/13, 57 K/4 and 57 L/1 covering an area of 645 km² in Kolar District, which is highly drought prone in Karnataka State, India. In the present paper, by a methodological approach based on remote sensing and GIS, drainage and hydrogeomorphological maps were prepared using the IRS-1 C & 1 D LISS-III and PAN merged satellite data and geomorphic units. Denudational hill, residual hill, inselberg, pediment inselberg complex, pediment, shallow weathered pediplain, moderately weathered pediplain and valley fill shallow were identified. The area is characterised by undulating terrain interspersed by low ranges of rocky hills. The elevation ranges from 860 m to 1127 m above MSL. The mean annual rainfall of Malur is 722.0mm. The River Dhakshina Pinakini and Markarda Halla drain the area. The streams exhibit dendritic to sub dendritic type of drainage pattern and comprise of granite and gneissic rock formations of Achaean age. On the basis of different geomorphic units, four categories of groundwater potential zones were delineated as (i) very good to good (ii) good to moderate (iii) moderate to poor, and (iv) poor to very poor.

3 illus, 2 tables, 49 ref

011786   Rai S S;Ramesh D S (NO, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Uppal Road, Habsiguda, Hyderabad-500 606, Email: shyamsrai@gmail.com) : Seismic imaging of the Indian continental lithosphere. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2012, 78(3), 353-9.

We summarize here significant contributions of Indian researchers during the period 2008-11 in the domain of structural seismology dealing with multi-scale seismic imaging of Indian crust and mantle to retrieve the earth's physical and geometrical properties aimed at understanding the processes responsible for generation and evolution of the continent, and its linkage with the earthquake genesis. Most contributions emanated from mathematical modeling of earthquake waveforms and their phase travel time measurements as recorded on specifically designed network of digital broadband seismographs from different geological terrains of age from 3.4 Ga to the recent. The seismological products from these contributions include multi-dimensional elastic property of terrains, model of mantle flow arising from study of seismic anisotropy, the deep mantle stratigraphy and earthquake mechanics. These have been modeled in terms of earth and earthquake processes in the region.

49 ref

011785   Pingale S M;Harish Chandra;Sharma H C;Mishra S S (Water Resource Development and Management Dep, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee-247 667, Email: pingalesm@gmail.com) : Morphometric analysis of Maun watershed in Tehri-Garhwal district of Uttarakhand using GIS. Int J Geomatics Geosci 2012, 3(2), 373-87.

Proper planning and management of available natural resources is necessary for progress and economic development in agriculture which are main stay of people leaving in the hilly region. The morphometric analysis of watershed coupled with soil, land use and slope can play a vital role in predicting the hydrological behavior of a watershed, engineering and site suitability aspect. An attempt has been made to study the morphometric characteristics of Maun watershed which is located in Tehri-Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. The study area is located between 78° 22' 28" to 78° 24' 57"E longitude and 30° 17' 19" to 30° 18' 52"N latitude and covers an area of 8.71 km². The qualitative analysis of the morphometric characteristics of the basin have been done and computed using GIS software. The drainage network in the study area is dendritic to sub-dendritic which indicates the influence of lithology and terrain on drainage pattern. The results clearly indicate relations among various morphometric attributes of the basin and help to understand their role in sculpturing the surface of the region.

7 illus, 4 tables, 20 ref

011784   Pal S C;Debnath G C (NO, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, Email: geo.subodh@gmail.com) : Morphometric analysis and associated land use study of a part of the Dwarkeswar watershed. Int J Geomatics Geosci 2012, 3(2), 351-63.

In the study, morphometrc analysis using remote sensing and a GIS techniques have been carried out in the upper part of the Dwarkeswar Watershed, Bankura and Puruliya district, West Bengal. For detailed study, author used ASTERGDEM data for preparing digital elevation model (DEM), and GIS was used in evaluation of basic, linear, areal and relief aspects of morphometric parameters. Watershed boundary, flow accumulation, flow direction, flow length, stream ordering have been prepared using Arc-Hydro Tool. Different thematic maps e.g. stream orders; drainage density, slope and relief have been prepared by using GIS software. Authors have computed almost 20 morphometric parameters of all aspects which are based on various morphometric analyses. The present morphometric analyses suggest that the erosional development of the area by the streams has progressed well beyond maturity and that lithology has had an influence in the drainage development. These studies are very useful for planning rainwater harvesting and watershed management.

6 illus, 2 tables, 14 ref

011783   Padmaja S;Sabita D (Geography Dep, Osmania Univ, Hyderabad) : Few geomorphic aspects of Manjira basin for resource evaluation. Trans Inst Indian Geogr 2012, 34(2), 247-56.

Geomorphic knowledge of an area forms an important and essential component for any further studies and environmental planning. A basin provides an ideal unit with definite interrelations between inflows and outflows maintaining a dynamic equilibrium in the study area due to land & water resources being intricately related due to their varied interrelations. Manjira river basin is an important sub-basin of Godavari in south India. The leaf shaped river basin stretches over an area of around 30,000 km 2 across three major southern states namely Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. In fact the river assumes its major importance in Andhra Pradesh as it caters to the major water demands of Hyderabad metropolis. Nizam Sagar, the major river dam on it is much talked and debated about for its silting problem, which even today remains unsolved. Keeping in view not only the vastness of the basin but also the variety of geological and structural formations along with climatic induced fluvial processes culminating into various geomorphic landforms, an attempt is made in this paper to highlight the geomorphology of the basin leading to resource evaluation in the basin.

6 illus, 1 table, 6 ref

011782   Padate V P;Rivonker C U;Anil A C;Sawant S S; Venkat K (Marine Sciences Dep, Goa Univ, Taleigao Plateau, Goa-403 206, Email: curivonker@gmail.com) : First record of the freshwater puffer Tetraodon fluviatilis fluviatilis from the coastal waters of Goa, west coast of India. Indian J Geomar Sci 2013, 42(4), 466-9.

Describes a new record of the freshwater green spotted puffer Tetraodon fluviatilis fluviatilis based on detailed examination of four specimens collected from the bay-estuarine regions of Goa. Differences between the present specimens and original description with respect to color pattern (on the back, flanks and caudal fin) are elucidated.

5 illus, 1 table, 2 ref

011781   Momin I M;Mitra A K;Mahapatra D K;Rajagopal E N;Harenduprakash L (NO, National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), Ministr, A-50, Institute Area, Sector-62, Noida-201 309, Email: imranali@ncmrwf.gov.in) : Indian ocean simulation results from NEMO global ocean model. Indian J Geomar Sci 2013, 42(4), 425-30.

Relatively newer version of Nucleus for European Modeling of the Ocean (NEMO) (v_3.2) ocean model was configured at NCMRWE high performance computing system at a coarser resolution. For initial study purposes, the global model resolution was kept at approximately 2° x 2° latitude/longitude coarser resolution to study the mean large-scale ocean circulation related features from the model simulations. In this simulation 31 vertical layers were used in the model. Out of these 20 layers were kept in the upper 500 meters of the ocean to take care of the tropical air-sea interaction realistically. Initial model conditions of temperature and salinity were prescribed from the Levitus climatological value. Model was integrated from rest for 20 years with the monthly climatological data as forcing. Simulations were compared against observed climatological data.

6 illus, 11 ref

011780   Misra R;Dasgupta D K;Bhowmick P K (NO, dKeshava Deva Malaviya Institute of Petroleum Exploration Oil & Natur, 9, Kaulagarh Road, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Email: ravimisra15@rediffmail.com) : Shale gas: Indian strides. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2012, 78(3), 495-501.

Commercial production of natural gas from otherwise a non-reservoir rock called shales has opened up a new concept of self-contained petroleum system wherein shale as a single litho-facies serves as source and reservoirs. Though the gas content and saturation in shales is leaner than the coals and conventional reservoirs, the sheer volume (hundred to thousands of sq. kms and thousands of meters thick, multiple zones) of the shales within stratigraphic column of the sedimentary basins attracts shales to be the next generation gas source. This unique characteristic make the exploration & production of shale gas plays different to conventional plays and challenging too. Exploration of shale gas plays involves assessment from two major perspectives- first a source which requires high organic richness, high maturity, and high transformation ratio and the second is reservoir quality assessment comprising relative quartz and clay percentage, type of clays, natural fracture intensity, orientation and healing including geomechanical characteristics of the shales. The application of two critical technologies namely horizontal drilling coupled with slick water multistage hydro-fracturing turned the economics of shale plays into a viable one and lead to wide acceptance by the industry. KDMIPE, ONGC took a pioneering lead in India to launch the shale gas exploration in 2006 and following the initial evaluation of petroliferous basins, Damodar basin was chosen for the pilot project. Four customized wells were drilled targeting the Permian Barren measure shales and one well was hydro-fractured with global best practices which yielded the first ever shale gas flow at the surface.

5 illus, 4 ref

011779   Mishra O P (NO, SAARC Disaster Management Centre, New Delhi, Email: opmishra2010.saarc@gmail.com) : Seismological research in India. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2012, 78(3), 361-71.

The recent seismological research and studies in India are dominated by 1) studies on the spatio-temporal aspects of seismogenesis and seismotectonics of the Himalaya and its adjoining regions; 2) Seismological studies on tsunamigenic earthquake and earthquake pattern of the Andaman-Nicobar subduction region of India 3) studies on seismogenesis and seismotectonics of the Stable Continental region (SCR) of India; 4) studies on site response, seismic microzonation, earthquake risk, vulnerability, disaster management and risk mitigation strategies of India; 5) studies on earthquake precursor and prediction of earthquakes in India; 6) studies on seismological issues of outside India. The extensive seismological research in India is principally aimed at understanding the intricate seismological processes beneath the study region vis-a-vis elsewhere in the world having analogous seismotectonic and hydrological settings. Several pieces of outstanding multi-disciplinary detailed studies on the reservoir induced earthquakes have resulted in the formulation of a comprehensive project of "Deep Crustal Drilling" (DCD) in the Koyna-Warna region by involving several institutions of India to unravel the hidden mystery involved with reservoir induced earthquake nucleation and generating processes. A series of seismological publications on challenging issues by Indian researchers in different journals of global repute during the year 2007-2011 gives enough testimony of quality-based seismological research in India, which has significant bearing on opening up of new avenues for conducting leading edge advanced seismological research in the regional and global perspectives.

134 ref

011778   Mishra B;Deb M (Geology and Geophysics Dep, IIT, Kharagpur-721 302, Email: bmgg@iitkgp.ac.in) : Mineral deposits in India. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2012, 78(3), 423-30.

This article reviews briefly all contributions by Indian geoscientists in the period 2007-2011 in the field of ore geology in its broadest sense. The contributions covered are mainly on deposits and prospects of chromite and PGE, gold, uranium, base metals and iron ores. Very few contributions have been made on non-metallic resources in this period: these include monazite-bearing beach sands of the Orissa coast, talc and magnesite deposits in Kumaon Himalaya and carbonatites in Gujarat. But it is possible that some contributions in this regard in less known publications may have been overlooked.

54 ref

011777   Manimaran G;Antony Ravindran A;Manimaran D; Selvam S;Sugan M (Geology Dep, School of Tectonics V.O. Chidambaram College, Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, Email: acugemmani@yahoo.co.in) : Active volcanoes guided tsunamigenic earthquakes from Andaman-Indonesia regions-a tectonic model. Int J Geomatics Geosci 2012, 3(2), 307-13.

The Indian Ocean Tsunami of Northern Sumatra Great Earthquake disastrous event (Mw 9.3) on 26th December 2004, had initiated release of trains of aftershocks in different directions. The above events resulted in explosions of series of Volcanoes of Andaman and Indonesian Island Arc Belt. After the tsunamigenic Northern Sumatra Great Earthquake of 2004, consecutive many tsunamigenerations were formed from the following regions viz West coast of Northern Sumatra (M 8.7) at quadruplicate junction of Australia, India, Burma and Sunda plates on 28th March 2005; South of Jakarta, Indonesia between Australian plate and Sunda Plate on 17th July 2006; and South Sumatra M 8.5 on 12th September 2007. Similarly, the great Indian Ocean tsunami event of 2004 and its aftershocks have also resulted in an additional pressure at specific locations in Andaman-Indonesian Island Arc system and finally a series of volcanoes were erupted as follows viz Barren Volcano of Andaman on May 2005; Talang volcano of Northwestern Sumatra on 12th April 2005; Merapi volcano of Jawa on 14th April 2006 and volcanoes at West Java adjoining to Merapi volcano. On considering the near past seismic and volcanic active scenario of Andaman and Indonesia Arc region it look more possible for earthquake triggered volcanoes and eruptive volcanoes controlled tsunamigenic earthquakes. Based on the sites of Tsunamigenic earthquakes, locations of activated volcanoes, movement directions of harmonic seismic aftershocks of each tsunamigenic earthquakes, Migrations of Magma and decompression melting due to harmonic seismic tremors resulted in a tsunamigenic earthquakes are highlighted in the tectonic model.

5 illus, 15 ref

011776   Mandal N;Chattopadhayay A;Srivastava H B; Biswal T K;Bose S (Geological Sciences Dep, Jadavpur Univ, Kolkata-700 032, Email: nibirmandal@yahoo.co.in) : Brittle and ductile deformational structures in tectonic zones: the research trends in India. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2012, 78(3), 373-84.

Author reviewed the recent developments of structural geology in India, emphasizing the studies on brittle and ductile deformations in rocks. The Himalayan-Tibetan Mountain system has now become a focal point of tectonic studies, often leading to debatable, but exciting ideas and hypotheses. Provided a glimpse of the Indian contributions towards understanding of the structural processes, such as sequential thrusting, tectonic-surface process interactions and ductile extrusion in the Himalayan range. The Indian craton is crisscrossed by several continental-scale shear zones, marked by intense sheared rocks and intrusives. Some of these shear zones have reactivated later, giving rise to pseudotachylites implying generation of high frictional heat. Present a highlight of the work on these major ductile shear zones.

6 illus, 83 ref

011775   Mahadevaswamy G;Nagaraju D (NO, Studies in Geology Dep, Manasagangothri, Mysore-570 006, Email: mswamygeo@gmail.com) : Electrical resistivity surveys for ground water- case study from Manasagangothri, Mysore. J Ecotoxic envir Monit 2012, 22(3-4), 259-64.

Using electrical resistivity surveys. Schlumberger configuration, profiling vertical electrical soundings and radial soundings, the entire area of Manasagangothri campus. Mysore, has been combed and a set of three maps has been prepared to know geological sections. This area consists of three layered structures with 2 m of soil cover followed downwards by fractured rock and a basement at 25-35 m bellow ground level (BGL). Drilling results at VES13 show the productive groundwater zone upto 50.45 m BGL and the well yield as 6500 liter per hectare.

1 illus, 2 tables, 6 ref

011774   Madhu N V;Paul M;Ullas N;Ashwini R;Rehitha T V (NO, National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Kochi-682 018, Email: nmadhu@nio.org) : Occurrence if cyanobacteria (Richelia intracellularis)-diatom (Rhizosolenia hebetata) consortium in the Palk Bay, southeast coast of India. Indian J Geomar Sci 2013, 42(4), 453-7.

Symbiotic association of heterocystous cyanobacterium, Richelia intracellularis Schmidt with oceanic centric diatom, Rhizosolenia hebetata is reported from the Palk Bay, southeast coast of India. One to six trichomes of R. intracellularis were occluded inside the periplasmic space of R.hebetata, with their prominent heterocyst pointing towards the valve of the host. Each of these trichomes had 14 to 23 vegetative cells caped by a terminal heterocyst enriched with the nitrogenase enzyme. Density of Rhizosolenia containing R. intracellularis ranged between 120 and 260 cells L^-1, and present uniformly in the water column. R. intracellularis is a diazotroph, can contribute substantially to the N₂ budgets thereby, promoting a different food web in the Palk Bay.

7 illus, 2 tables, 16 ref

011773   Krishnaswami S;Tripathy G R (Geosciences Div, Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad-380 009, Email: swami2106@hotmail.com) : Chemical and physical erosion of river basins of India: links to climate and tectonics. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2012, 78(3), 299-311.

Studies on the chemical and isotopic composition of dissolved and paniculate phases of rivers of India draining basins which differ in their tectonics, geology and climate; the Himalaya, Deccan Traps and the Penninsular region are being pursued to (i) establish the sources of major ions and isotopes to the different phases and their applications to determine silicate erosion rates and the intensity and pattern of their physical erosion and the factors controlling them and (ii) asses the coupling, if any, between tectonics and silicate erosion, particularly the impact of Himalayan uplift in promoting accelerated silicate weathering and drawdown of atmospheric CO₂. This article, a part of the Indian National Report, summarizes the researches done mainly in India on the above topics. These studies, based on limited data and model calculations find that in general the headwater basins of the Ganga-Brahmaputra rivers in the Himalaya experience more intense silicate weathering relative to global average, an inference that need to be better constrained by reducing uncertainties in the estimates. The results also underscore the important role of basalt weathering on the global CO₂ cycle. Researches on the provenances of contemporary and ancient river and marine sediments have brought out the linkage between physical erosion and climate (monsoon).

5 illus, 75 ref

011772   Khalilabadi M R;Mansouri D (NO, Marine Science Faculty, Khorramshahr Marine Science and Technology Uni, Isfahanan, Tehran, Iran, Email: khalilabadi@hotmail.com) : Effect of super cyclone "GONU" on sea level variation along Iranian coastlines. Indian J Geomar Sci 2013, 42(4), 470-5.

Gonu was the strongest tropical cyclone to hit the region since records began in 1945. In June 2007, cyclone Gonu made landfall in Oman, affecting more than 20000 people and killing 50, before reaching the Islamic Republic of Iran. In Iran, roads and electricity networks were destroyed by the winds and floods. A cargo ship sank in the coastal waters of Haghani jetty in Bandar-Abbass. Analysis of hourly sea level recorded by tide gauges of the National Cartographic Center of Iran (NCC) at Jask and Bandar-Abbas provides a record of non-tidal sea level during the period of 6-7 June 2007, when cyclone crossed the south coast of Iran, Analysis shows that historical NCC tide-gauge data would be useful for testing the numerical models that are now emerging as an important component of defense from storm surges in the coast.

3 illus, 8 ref

011771   Jain A K;et.al. (NO, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehra Dun, Uttarakhand, Email: himalfes@gmail.com) : Evolution of the Himalaya. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2012, 78(3), 259-75.

Two main geodynamic processes have controlled evolution of the Himalaya, Trans-Himalayan and Karakoram terrains due to underthrusting of the Indian Plate beneath the Asian Plate: (i) accretion and subduction in the Trans-Himalayan and Karakoram Mountains along the Shyok Suture Zone (SSZ) and Indus Tsangpo Suture Zones (ITSZ), and (ii) continental collision in the Himalaya. The Shyok (SSZ) and Indus Tsangpo Suture Zones (ITSZ) mark the junction of these plates in the north and south, respectively (Ahmad et al., 2008; Jain and Singh, 2009). During the Himalayan collision tectonics, the Main Central Thrust (MCT) brought the remobilized continental crust of the Indian Plate - the Himalayan Metamorphic Belt (HMB), over the Proterozoic-Palaeozoic Lesser Himalayan sedimentary belt, which in turn, overrode the Cenozoic Sub-Himalayan belt along the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT). Subsequently, the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT) carried the Sub-Himalayan foreland basin over the Indo-Gangetic Plains and links the seismicity with the overall Himalayan tectonics.

2 illus, 126 ref

011770   Hatha A A M;Mujeeb Rahiman K M;Krishnan K P; Saramma A V;Saritha G;Deepu Lal (Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry Dep, Cochin Science and Technology Univ, Lakeside Campus, Cochin-682 016, Email: mohamedhatha@gmail.com) : Characterisation and bioprospecting of cold adapted yeast from water samples of Kongsfjord, Norwegian Arctic. Indian J Geomar Sci 2013, 42(4), 458-65.

Total of 34 yeast isolates were characterized from 4 water samples collected from Kongsfjord at Ny Alesund region (79° N, 12° E) of-Norwegian Arctic during the Indian Arctic Summer Expedition of 2009. They were studied for the effect of temperature and salt concentration on growth as well as for their ability to produce various hydrolytic enzymes at two different temperatures. Result showed that 5 out of 8 genera were common to all the stations. Cryptococcus was the predominant genera (>30%) followed by Trichosporon and Rhodotorula. Eighty two percentages of the yeast isolates were oxidative in nature and except Filobasidium, all the isolates used nitrate as a nitrogen source for growth. Yeast isolates from all the stations showed growth at 4°C and 20°C. These temperatures were chosen as most of the bacterial and yeast isolates showed psychrotrophic than true psychrophilic nature. Ninety four percentage of the yeast isolates showed growth at 2.0 M concentration of NaCl. While all the isolates were capable of producing gelatinase and lipase at 20°C, gelatinolytic (88%) and lipolytic activity (97%) were marginally less at 4°C. None of the isolates produced amylase enzyme when incubated at 4°C and 20°C. The present study highlights the wide tolerance of the psychrotrophic yeast isolates to temperature and salinity as well as their potential in biotechnology.

1 illus, 4 tables, 30 ref

011769   Gupta A K;Sinha D;Singh A;Naidu P D;Saraswat R;Rai A K (NO, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehra Dun, Uttarakhand, Email: anilg@wihg.res.in) : Indian contributions in the field of palaeoceanography (2006-2012). Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2012, 78(3), 313-9.

Excellent studies have been carried by Indian scientists to understand paleoceanographic changes in the Indian Ocean including the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal using Ocean Drilling Program cores. These studies revealed both short-term and long-term changes in the Indian Ocean circulation and Indian monsoon system. In general, summer monsoon was intense during warm intervals and weaker during cold intervals. Changes in deep-sea were also observed. The above studies were based on planktic and benthic foraminiferal faunal and geochemical data. Changes in deep sea oxygenation, oxygen minimum zone and surface productivity in the Indian Ocean including the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal during the Neogene and Quaternay were driven by the Indian summer monsoon. These changes in nutrient and oxygen levels drove major changes in the fauna and flora of the Indian Ocean. Indian monsoon variability has been suggested as contemporaneous with the southeast Monsoon variability during the last glacial and the Holocene.

^iia43 ref

011768   Ehsan G (Geography Dep, Payame Noor Univ, Tehran, Iran, Email: ehsanglomehr@pnu.ac.ir) : Investigation of lineaments in Tehran province on the basis of remote sensing technique. Int J Geomatics Geosci 2012, 3(2), 339-50.

Since the latest 1990s within the rapid development of earth observing, field application has been continuing to expand and deepen ceaselessly. Remote sensing technique is the most efficient scientific tool in conjunction with ground truth and toposheet for collection of spatial information and very useful in identification and mapping of the Lineaments of an area. The main objective of the present investigation was to examine Landsat ETM⁺

13 illus, 1 table, 16 ref

011767   Deshpande R D;Gupta S K (NO, Physical Research Laboratory, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad-380 009, Email: desh@prl.res.in) : Oxygen and hydrogen isotopes in hydrological cycle: new data from IWIN National Programme. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2012, 78(3), 321-31.

In recent years isotopic measurements of water constituents namely, oxygen and hydrogen (δ¹⁸ O and δD) have been used with advantage to study the hydrological processes operating over different spatio-temporal scales in many regions of the world and significant new insights have been generated. In India, a big push towards understanding the hydrological cycle was given by the launch of a multi-institutional collaborative national research programme on isotope fingerprinting of waters of India (IWIN). In this programme 14 leading research institutions and central agencies are collaborating, with the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) as the nodal agency for implementation. The broad scientific objectives of IWIN are to study: 1. origin and evolution of rain bearing vapor and meteorological influence on rainout; 2. partitioning of rain into groundwater recharge and stream flow generation; 3. rain-vapor interaction and vapor source identification; 4. movement and mixing of water/vapor front across various hydrological boundaries; 5. identification of constituent components of river discharge; and 6. sea surface water dynamics. As part of the IWIN programme, over 12,000 new isotope data have been generated at PRL alone. Besides, equally large number of new isotope data was also generated at other isotope ratio mass spectrometric (IRMS) laboratories in this programme. The enormous stable isotope data generated in past 3-4 years under IWIN far exceeds the data generated over past 3 decades and some new insights, obtained from the initial interpretations of this data are presented in this report.

7 illus, 56 ref

011766   Chalapathi Rao N V;Srivastava R K (Geology Dep, Centre of Advanced Study, Banaras Hindu Univ, Varanasi-221 005, Email: nvcr100@gmail.com) : Kimberlites, lamproites, lamprophyres, their entrained xenoliths, mafic dykes and dyke swarms: highlights of recent Indian research. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2012, 78(3), 431-44.

This paper provides a glimpse of the past five-year research on kimberlites, lamproites, lamprophyres, their entrained mantle as well as lower crustal xenoliths, mafic dykes and dyke swarms from various cratons and mobile belts of the Indian shield. New findings have provided significant insights on the nature, composition and evolution of deep Indian continental lithospheric mantle, resolved important geological controversies and received considerable national and international attention. Two major international conferences - the sixth international dyke conference and tenth international kimberlite conference were also held in the country during this period thereby making it indeed a golden era of researches on deeper mantle petrology in India.

2 illus, 124 ref

011765   Chakraborty P P;Sarkar S;Patranabis-Deb S (Geology Dep, Delhi Univ, Delhi-110 007, Email: parthageology@gmail.com) : Tectonics and sedimentation of proterozoic basins of Peninsular India. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2012, 78(3), 393-400.

The less disturbed and unmetamorphosed Proterozoic sedimentary basins in peninsular India, also known as the Purana Basins, overlie the deformed and metamorphosed Archaean/Palaeoproterozoic basement and were formed in a narrow time window spanning between late Palaeoproterozoic and early Mesoproterozoic (1.9-1.6Ga). There are eight such large basins shared by all the major cratonic blocks of peninsular India. Amongst them the Vindhyan, Chhattisgarh and Cuddapah basins are the three most aerially extensive ones and those have attracted attention of sedimentologists for over five decades. Studies on these basin-fills have not only yielded significant database on the continental and shallow-marine sedimentation processes in the early vegetation-free, microbiota-dominated greenhouse Earth and the advent of early lifeform, but also data from the igneous inputs within these basin packages contributed in understanding the concomitant deep crustal processes. Besides, the U-Pb SHRIMP and Sm-Nd monazite geochronological dates from these basin successions are also emerging as major constraining parameters for reconstructions of Proterozoic Supercontinents. The aim of this contribution is to give a brief overview on the understandings obtained so far from these five Proterozoic basins of Peninsular India viz. Vindhyan, Chhattisgarh, Cuddapah, Marwar and Pranhita-Godavari (P-G) basins. While the first three overlie the granites and gneisses of Bundelkhand, Bastar and Dharwar cratons, respectively, acid volcanic rocks of 780-681-Ma-old Malani rhyolite underlies the fourth. A crustal-scale NW-SE lineament at the margin of the Bastar and Dharwar cratons represents the fifth.

1 illus, 83 ref

011764   Biswas S K (NO, , 201/C, ISM House, Thakur Village, Kandivali (E), Mumbai-400 101, Email: sanjibkbiswas2001@yahoo.co.in) : Status of petroleum exploration in India. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2012, 78(3), 475-94.

India's upstream oil industry travelled a long way since the first discovery of oil in the historic Digboi well No.l in 1889 by the British explorers. Till independence exploration was confined to Assam. After independence exploration of other sedimentary basins was taken up by newly created National oil companies since 1956. Since then E&P Industry in India evolved from a single company exploring a small area in Assam to today's vibrant industry operated by over 23 Indian (including 2 national companies) and 27 international companies covering 70% of total 5 million sq km sedimentary area including offshore upto 1000m bathymetry. Out of 38 basins 8 basins are petroleum producing basins today. During the period India's oil production increased from mare 5 bopd in 1890 from a single oilfield in Assam to present 1.26 million bopd from over thousand fields in seven sedimentary basins. Basins with proven hydrocarbon deposit and the basins with indications of good hydrocarbon prospects are defined as Petroliferous Basins. The petroliferous basins are grouped under four categories - Category (CAT) I to IV based on the status of exploration. At present India's estimated resource base is 28 BMT of O+OEG and proven in-place reserve is about 10MMT of O+OEG. Here I discussed geological setting, petroleum geology and future perspective of each basin under Cat I & II. Presently attention is given to the unconventional sources of hydrocarbons like coalbed methane or CBM, shale gas, shale oil and gas hydrates in view of the depleting hydrocarbon reserves. In India also these frontiers are targeted. Exploration of CBM is progressing in a big way while investigation for other sources has started. Five frontier areas have been identified for intensified exploration: (1) Deep offshore basins of Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea within the Indian economic zone, (2) Andaman fore-arc and back-arc basins, (3) Subthrust belt below the frontal zone of Assam-Arakan Schuppen belt. (4) Tripura-Mizoram Accretionary Prism, and (5) Mesozoic sediments below Deccan Trap in Gujarat.

12 illus, 2 tables, 40 ref

011763   Bhowmik S K;Chattopadhyay A;Gupta S;Dasgupta S (Geology and Geophysics Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur-721 302, Email: santanu@gg.iitkgp.ernet.in) : Proterozoic tectonics: an Indian perspective. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2012, 78(3), 385-91.

Significant advances have been achieved over the last five years in the understanding of the nature of Proterozoic tectonothermal events in India. This was possible because of (a) proper understanding of the pressure-temperature paths of evolution (both prograde and retrograde) of metamorphic rocks and better constraint on peak thermal and baric conditions of rnetamorphism, (b) better understanding of the correlation of P-T paths with tectonics, and thereby obtaining information on crustal evolution, (c) availability of well-constrained geochronological data on metamorphic and magmatic events, (d) availability of geophysical and structural data, and, (e) development of new ideas on transcontinental correlation of erogenic belts and formation/break-up of supercontinents. One of the key aspects of Proterozoic tectonics is the assembly and growth of two supercontinents, when most of the world's landmasses were joined together. These are namely, Columbia/Nuna in the Palaeoproterozoic and Rodinia in Late Mesoproterozoic. Significant progress has been made over the years in understanding the assembly, configuration and basic components of these supercontinents. There is an increasing body of new information that indicates that orogenic events in the time period 1.75 to 1.5 Ga, in between the two supercontinent formation events were widespread in different mobile belts around the world. This report deals primarily with the published work of Indian geoscientists with or without the involvements of their foreign collaborators. However, we acknowledge the contributions of several groups of foreign scientists working independent of Indian counterparts. At the outset, it must be pointed out that this report is not complete, as time constraint did not allow us to compile and synthesize the work carried out in the Southern Granulite Terrain. We are, therefore, constrained to develop this report on the themes related to assembly and break-up history of Columbia and Rodinia synthesizing available data from three critical mobile belts belonging to the so-called North Indian Block.

2 illus, 57 ref

011762   Banerjee D M;Rastogi S P;Virender Kumar (NO, Centre for Advance Study in Geology, Delhi Univ, Delhi-110 007, Email: dhirajmohanbanerjee@gmail.com) : Some evaporite deposits of India. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2012, 78(3), 401-6.

General review of evaporite ocuurences in India has been given. Some estimates of their economic potentials are also presented. Some controversies related to stratigraphic correlation of evaporite bearing successions in western Rajasthan has been discussed. Petrography and fluid inclusion studies on Hanseran salts have been highlighted.

7 illus, 106 ref

010633   Yeshodha L;Meenambal T;Rajakumara H N (Civil Engineering Dep, Adhiyamaan College of Engineering, Hosur, Email: yesocivil123@yahoo.co.in) : Water quality index for Hosur block, Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu, India. Pollut Res 2011, 30(3), 321-5.

Aim of the present study is to analyze the Physico- chemical parameters of ground water and to asses the quality of ground water using water quality index for Hosur block, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu, India. The study area has been categorized into four zones namely, agricultural, residential, industrial and institutional and five water samples were collected from each zone. The samples were analyzed as per APHA Standard methods. The results obtained were compared with, ISI, ICMR and WHO Standards. The results of the study reveal that most of the physico chemical parameters in the study area are within the permissible limits. Water quality index suggests that water is suitable for domestic purposes.

1 illus, 7 tables, 10 ref

010632   Usha R;Vasavi A;Spoorthy;Swamy P M;FNASC (Biotechnology Dep, Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidyalayam, Tirupati-517 502, Email: ushatirupathi@hotmail.com) : Physico chemical and bacteriological analysis of ground water in and around Tirupati. Pollut Res 2011, 30(3), 339-43.

In the present study, an attempt has been made to investigate the quality of ground water in and Around Tirapati, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh. The various parameters monitored include pH, Temperature, Total Suspended Solids, Total Dissolved Solids, Total Solids, Dissolved Oxygen, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Alkalinity, Chlorides, Hardness and Colony Count. The results showed that all water samples have neutral pH, except S8 sample which have slightly acidic pH. In the present analysis we can conclude that the S4 water sample is useful for drinking and household purpose without any treatment and the samples SI, S2, S3 and S8 require some treatment before their use for drinking purpose. A Correlation Study has been carried out among all possible pairs of physical and chemical parameters to assess ground water quality.

2 tables, 9 ref

010631   Singh V;Dev P (DTRL, DRDO, Metcalfe House, New Delhi-110 054, Email: vartika_vartu@yahoo.co.in) : Groundwater exploration in consolidated material-hard rock terrain. Int J Geosci Technol 2013, 1(2), 1-9.

Remote sensing techniques have proved considerable importance over ground investigation methods as they provide a synoptic overview, more feasibility in data collection, less time consuming, cost effective and valuable for multidisciplinary applications. The methodology of groundwater exploration using remote sensing data is described. A list of important indicators for groundwater targeting on remote sensing images is included. The application example of satellite images for the groundwater exploration in consolidated material - hard rock terrain is discussed herein.

2 illus, 18 ref

010630   Raut S (NO, Directorate of Water Management, Bhubaneswar, Orissa-751 203, Email: shi_wtcer@yahoo.com) : Geoelectrical investigations for shallow ground water in a canal command of Orissa. J Geophys 2012, 33(1-2), 3-14.

Sixteen Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) of Schlumberger configuration and two profiles of Wenner configuration respectively were laid out in three different villages covering an area of approximately 410 ha in Balipatna canal command of Orissa. Five geoelectric layers were found in the area within a depth of 40 m below ground level. VES data from two points were compared with bore hole data to assign resistivity values to different strata. Using resistivity fence diagram the quantity of ground water under shallow aquifer was computed to be around 12.2 ha-m. Chemical analysis of ground water samples showed that the quality of ground water was good with low salinity and low alkali hazard and could be grouped as C₁S₁, under USDA irrigation water quality classification.

7 illus, 3 tables, 18 ref

010629   Rakkayee S S;Emayavaramban V (NO, Madurai Meenakshi College, Madurai, Email: emayam_1974@yahoo.co.in) : Human perception and response to flood hazard: a case study in Bibikulam area of Madurai city, Tamil Nadu. Int J Geosci Technol 2013, 1(2), 10-8.

Floods, which come under natural phenomena, are one of the most dramatic interactions between Man and his environment, (Ward. R. 1978) Floods are among the most common and destructive natural hazards causing extensive damage to infrastructure, public and private services, the environment, the economy and devastation to human settlements According to the HPC Report of Government of India, around 75% of the total rainfall is concentrated over 4 months of monsoon and as the result almost all the rivers carry heavy discharge during this four months. Madurai, one of the rural based urban centers located on the banks of river Vaigai, is affected by floods frequently. The expansion of the city in the flood prone area is unavoidable due to the increasing population and urbanization processes. The city has a population of over a million persons as per 2011 census. Once it was dotted with number of small and big tanks in and around city. But now a significant number of tanks have already been encroached both by the Government and the public. A maximum number of channels draining water from these tanks have also been occupied without giving space for rain water to get drained. Sellur a part of Madurai city is one of the flood affected area. Hence Bibikulam area in Sellur has been selected for the present study to make suggestion for the effective flood management based on the perception and response of the residents. The study mainly focuses on the socio-economic characters of the respondents, flood damages, perception and response of the responses using CIS.

5 illus, 2 tables, 10 ref

010628   Paul M K;Misra A K (Chemistry Dep, Lumding College, Lumding-782 447, Email: mrinal.pl@rediff.com) : Study of some physico-chemical parameters of ground water with reference to correlation study. Pollut Res 2011, 30(3), 365-9.

Ground water samples were collected and analysed from Dug well, Railway supply water (RSW), Public Health Engineering (PHE) supply water and Ring well water samples. The samples were collected from Railway Township area and its adjoining areas for temperature, pH, conductance, TDS, TSS, TS, turbidity, hardness, total alkalinity, D.O., C.O.D., F^-, Cl^-, NO₃^-, HCO₃^- SO₄^-2, Na⁺ K⁺, Ca⁺⁺, Mg⁺², Fe. The results were considered for chemical correlation analysis and it was observed that many of the parameters bear good positive correlation but some bears a negative correlation.

3 tables, 26 ref

010627   Pande H C;Raina A;Sharma P;Mittal A K;Singh R R (Geochemistry Div, DMIPE, ONGC, Dehradun-248 195, Email: pandeharish@hotmail.com) : Gas geochemistry as a tool for risk reduction in hydrocarbon exploration. J Geophys 2012, 33(1-2), 11-4.

Geochemical characterization of gas seeps and natural gas produced from the subsurface reveals the origin of the gas. Two distinct processes generate gaseous hydrocarbons in a reservoir, bacterial activities during diagenesis and thermal cracking of petroleum precursors, which produce biogenic and thermogenic gases respectively. Whereas bacterial gas is mainly enriched in methane, thermogenic gases contain an abundance of higher hydrocarbons in varying proportions. Chemical composition and stable isotopic characteristics also give an insight into the association of the gas with a liquid hydrocarbon pool and its maturity. Study of a gas seep undertaken in the past from a tube well in Rahatgarh in MP, India, revealed its predominantly biogenic origin and a gas collected from Bengal basin well was characterized as thermal high maturity thermal gas based on their chemical composition and stable carbon isotopic signatures. Whereas bacterial gases reported from seeps and tube wells may be of commercial importance, associated wet gases produced from the subsurface may lead to a commercial discovery when integrated with other geological and geophysical data.

2 illus, 13 ref

010626   Nandi B K;Singh R;Samadder S R;Dutta G K;Pal B P;Das L K (NO, Geological Survey of India, Marine Wing, Kolkata) : Evidences of a post cretaceous transpressional regime interpreted from the morphotectonic features in the continental shelf between the Rushikulya and Kushabhadra rivers, Orissa coast, India. J Geophys 2012, 33(1-2), 21-5.

Shallow seismic reflection data along several coast perpendicular traverses off Chilka Lake in Orissa, have brought out the dispositions of the seabed and a few sub-seabed reflectors along with an important morphological upwarp extending over 115 km with a relief of 3-8m associated structural breaks. These breaks are mostly aligned in NE-SW direction. Free-air (FA) gravity anomaly of the offshore and onshore region between the Mahanadi and Godavari basins clearly brings out an N-E trending gravity high or crustal thinning along the Eastern Continental Margin of India (ECMI). This FA anomaly and the geometry of the shore line is in sharp contrast to the gravity anomaly as well as the shore geometry down south, where the ECMI suddenly turns N-S along the 80° E meridian. Superimposed on the gravity high referred above, a profound gravity low has been identified in the shelf area off Chilka Lake. This gravity low zone is found to be an approximately 5.4 km wide canyon/channel cut, in the shelf area, ahead of the shelf-break, with a vertical relief of 400 m from the seafloor. The actual relief must be much larger, a part of which is presently filled up by sediments. Obviously presence of such NE-SW trending morphotectonic unit in this part of the shelf area is a very significant feature in the shelf morphology which is absent down south. Presence of an upwarp in the sea floor of the dimension of 115kmX8m associated with a reverse fault on the seaward side with identical down throw of 8m, conclusively proves a compressional tectonic regime in the post Cretaceous period following the emplacement of the 85° E ridge. Formation of the SW-NE trending canyon in the sea floor is an evidence of strike slip movement in the same direction. This is further corroborated from the focal plane solutions of earthquakes north and south of the area. Thus the morphotectonic units mapped in this zone in the continental shelf off Orissa coast are an ideal example of a transpressional regime following the emplacement of the 85°E ridge.

4 illus, 8 ref