006367   Binoy V V;John Thomas K (Animal Behaviour and Wetland Res Lab, Zool Dep, Christ Coll, Irinjalakuda-680 125) : The climbing perch (Anabas testudineus Bloch), a freshwater fish, prefers larger unfamiliar shoals to smaller familiar shoals. Curr Sci 2004, 86(1), 207-11.

Shoaling is a behavior pattern exhibited by several marine and freshwater fishes. However, little information is available on the social factors that form the basis of shoaling preference in tropical freshwater fishes. The effect of familiarity and shoal size on the preference of individuals of Anabas testudineus, a freshwater fish of the tropical region has been analyzed. Results show that given a choice, A. testudineus preferred to spend more time with familiar group compared to an unfamiliar group of equal size. The fish, however, preferred the larger group when two unfamiliar stimulus groups of different sizes were presented. The preference became significant when the ratio of stimulus groups was 1 : 1.9 and highly significant when the ratio was 1 : 4. A comparison of the influence of familiarity and group size showed that A. testudineus had a bias for the larger unfamiliar group to the smaller familiar group, when the ratio of familiar versus unfamiliar stimulus shoals was 1 : 4. Hence, an individual fish exhibited peference for joiuning a familiar shoal only when the ratio of the size of the familiar group to that of the unfamiliar group was 1 : 1. The adaptive advantage of this behaviour has been discussed.

3 illus, 28 ref

000290   Yadav J P;Lata S (Bioscience Dep M.D. University, , Rohtak - 124 001) : Pollution of fluoride in ground water in Bahadurgarh block of District Jhajjar, Haryana. Indian J envir Prot 2003, 23(6), 680-6.

Bahadurgarh Block is a part of District Jhajjar, Haryana. This block gas share the border with national capital Delhi. It is located west to Delhi. Many people of this area are affected by teeth problems. Considerthe problem, this block is selected for sampling and these samples have been analysed for different parameters with special emphasis given to the presence of fluorids content. Fluoride concentration and other water quality parameters in ground water samples from 65 villeges were assessed. A total of 262 drinking water sources (102 hand pump, 80 tube well, 70 open well and 10 Govt. supply) were examined. A systematic calculation of the correlation coefficient has been carried out between different physico chemical parameters.

5 tables,24 ref

000289   Vohat P;Sain K;Thakur N K (National Geophysical Res Instt, , Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007) : Heat flow and geothermal gradient from a bottom simulationg reflector: a case study. Curr Sci 2003, 85(9), 1263-5.

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000288   Subrahmanyam M;Vasudeva Rao N;Prakasa Rao T K S (Geophysics, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam- 530 003) : Crustal Structure along three geophysical Transects in the Central Part of the Bay of Bengal. J Geophys 2002, 23(3-4), 131-40.

The Bay of Bengal lithosphere is known to have bben experiencing compressive stresses in a N-S direction while subduction forces along the AndamanIsland Arc-trench system impart an E-W tensile regime. Subsidence due to sediment loading aided by the inffluence of horizontal and vertical forces may be deforming the Bay of Bengal lithosphere. Majumdar and Biswas (1995) explained the widespred diffuse earthquake activity and the N-S compressive fault plane solutionsin the Bay of Bengal as due to intraplate deformation. An attempt has been made to investigate the crust-mantle structure along E-W, NW-SE and N-S sections in the central part of the Bay of Bengal from the free-air gravity and total intensity magnetic data.In the case of E-W and NW-SE profiles the crustal thickness is found to be different on either side of 85oE ridge. The crust appears to be thineast of the 85o ridge compared to the crust on the western side. The 85oE ridge rocks are found to be strongly magnetized. A near N-S section in the vicinity of87o longitude revealed that the sediment thickness increases from about 10oN towards North and a corresponding deepening of the Moho was observed. Effect of the85oE ridge and 86oE fracture zone between 5oN and 10oN was found to be pronounced because the transect is aligned along a flank of the ridge and crosses thr fracture zone.

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000287   Singh S N;Sibal V K (NO, Oil India Limited, Duliajan) : Scanning through the seismic anomalies in search of oil traps-acase study from upper assam oil fields. J Geophys 2002, 23(3-4), 89-96.

Emphasizes on capturing each and every aspect of the seismic anomaly, to preserve and scan the anomalies for various attributes. This approach, in addition to the conventional tracking for major structural and stratigraphic features could help avoiding pitfalls; often encountered in seismic exploration due to the masking of anomalies or meek reprsenations. Occasionally, it has been noticed that certain pertinent aspects of seismic signatures are either not preserved during acquistion or are frequently lost/distorted in the gamut of rigorous seismic data processing algorithms.

9 illus, 4 ref

000286   Singh M;Gupta K C (Chem Dep, B.S.A. College, Mathura-281 004) : Physico-chemical studies of water of river Yamuna at Mathura. Asian J Chem 2003, 15(3-4), 1603-06.

Physico-chemical characteristics of water of river Yamuna were studied from Jaisinghpura to Kachahari Ghat (a stretch of 6 km.) at Mathura. The duration of study was from April 2002 to June 2002. Three sampling stations were selected for study. The parameters under study were temperature, pH, turbidity, chloride, sulphate, total hardness, total alkalinity, total dissolved solids and metals like Cr, Fe, Cd, Pb, Ni, Mn, Zn and Cu. The concentrations of parameters like turbidity, chloride, sulphate, total hardness, TDS, Cr, Cd, Ni, Mn, Cu and Zn were found beyond the tolerance limits.

1 table, 20 ref

000285   Singh B N;Singh S N (NO, Oil India Limited, Duliajan) : Validation of anomaly from the seismic data: a case study from Saurastra offshore area. J Geophys 2002, 23(3-4), 97-107.

Deals with the validation of one of such seismic anomalies which resembles a response which could be due to various type of causative bodies viz. flow structure, volcanic intrusion, solution collapse, gas chimney, basement horst or due to reef bulds ups. The systematic analysis of all the possibilities and elimination of the le ss probable, led to the inference that the causative body could be due to subsequent reef builds up on the basement horst viz. the top patch shape (reef) and the bottom domal part (basement) with an in between shadowzone due to reef.

8 illus, 1 ref

000284   Satyavani N;Thakur N K;Uma Shankar;Reddi S I; Sridhar A R;Prasad Rao P;Sain K;Khanna R (National Geophysical Res Instt, , Hyderabad 500 007) : Indicators of gas hydrates: role of velocity and amplitude. Curr Sci 2003, 85(9), 1360-3.

Methane hydrates/gas hydrates are now viewed as a promising alternate energy source in the near future. Studies are now more focused to find the indicators of these deposits and aid in exploration purpose. Bottom simulating reflectors (BSRs) indentified on the seismic reflection records are the most important indicators of gas hydrates. BSRs are recognized on the seismic records as strong negative-polarity reflectors mimicking the seafloor. Velocity and amplitude (VAMP) are essentially the pseudo-structures that are associated with the massive hydrate deposits and are also observable on the seismic records as a series of pull-ups directly above the push-downs. These features have bassed used to delineate free gas in the Aleutian, Bowers and Bering basin. Investigations are being carried out in Indian offshore regions to evaluate the presence of gas ghdrates. Therefore studies regarding the occurrence of VAMPs gain importance. VAMP anomalies identified in the marine reflection data of Kerala-konkan region western India have been studied.

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000283   Saha D K;Chakraborty P;Choudhury K;Murthy B S R (Geological Survey of India, 27, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata - 700 016) : Enviromental geophysical study for ground water in coastal belt of Digha West Bengal. J Geophys 2002, 23(3-4), 115-21.

Integrated geophysical surveys comprising Electrical resistivity and seismic refraction methods have been employed in the coastal belt of Digha for investigation the nature and status of sub-surface saline water contamination, if any, and suggest the remedial measures to arrest possible saline water intrusion into the aquifer. Geophysical survays have delineated the different sub-surface geological formations like sune sand, top sandy soil, saline clay. It is also inferred from geophysical interpretation that the thickness of near surface saline zone decreases away from the shore. Fortunately for Digha, clay layers present at different shallow sub-surface levels, which have probable extensions under the sea, have acted as barriers against any large scale saline water intrusion in the deep aquifer. Clay formation are predominant upto a depth of about 60m in the area below which aquifer zone has been demarcated. Ground water can be effectively exploited from a depth of 90m - 120m in the area.

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000282   Rai S N;Thiagarajan S;Ramana D V (National Geophysical Research Instt, , Hyderabad-500 007) : Thermal structure of continental crust beneath Hirapur-mandla deep seismic sounding profile across Narmada-Son lineament. Curr Sci 2003, 85(2), 208-13.

The Narmada-Son Lineament (NSL) in central India is a prominent tectonic feature; expending to about 1600 km from the west coast. Five deep seismic sounding (DSS) profiles were shot across the nSL to delineate its crustal structure. some geothermal studies have suggested a high heat flow regime for this zone. Seismic velocity,crustal structure and focal depth information for Hirapur-Mandla profile passing through Jabalpur have been intignated and a two-dimensional thermal structure along this profile. The results indicate a temperature of 510-535°C at the Moho depth (41-43 km). Surface heat flow varies between 45 and 47 mW/m². Results suggest a low mantle heat flow, which in turn, makes the lower crust brittle and amenable to the occurrence of deep, focused earthquakes.

3 illus, 1 table, 32 ref

000281   Radhakrishna B P (Geological Society of India, , P.B.. No. 1922, Gavipuram P.O., Bangalore-560 019) : Rainwater harvesting, a time-honoured practice: need for revival. Curr Sci 2003, 85(9), 1259-61.

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000280   Patil P R;Shrivastava V S (Centre for P.G.Research in Chemistry, G.T.P. College,, Nandurbar-425 412) : Metallic status of River Godavari a statistical approach. Indian J envir Prot 2003, 23(6), 650-3.

Water samples were collected from different sites of Godavari river and analysed for various physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals. The heavy metals, such as Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg, As, Ni, and Fe was determined by ICP-AES. Thestatistics of all physico-chemical parameters have been evaluated. The detected metals were correlated with chemical oxygen demand. The concentration of some metals was found beyond ISI permissible limits. aims at assessment of metallic pollution in Godavari river.

3 tables,12 ref

000279   Padmavathy S;Rajendran A;Ramachandramoorthy T;Priyadharsini S (Chemistry Dep Bishop Heber College ,P.G. and Research,Tiruchirapalli-, , ) : A measure of pollution load in lake water on the basis of WQI and NSF suggestions. Indian J envir Prot 2003, 23(6), 654-9.

Studies preliminary nature and also aim at getting some data about the extent of water pollution of well waters taken from Ariyalur area in Tamil Nadu. This work is entirely based on the suggestions given by National Senitation Foundation (NSF) and Water Quality Index (WQ1) of America. According to them, though several parameters are used to check the pollution load of water system, only the 9 parameters, such as temperature, turbidity, total solids, DO, BOD, pH, total nitrate, total phosphate and fecal coliform are more than sufficient. The valus obtained in mg/L for the aforementioned parameters have been converted into WQ1 calues and the results are carefully interpreted.

5 tables,9 ref

000278   Mor S;Bishnoi M S;Bishnoi N R (Environmental Science and Engineering Dep Guru Jambheshwar University, , Hisar - 125 001) : Assessment of groundwater quality of Jind city. Indian J envir Prot 2003, 23(6), 673-9.

The study has been made to eveluate the quality of underground water in Jind city of Haryana. A total of 23 representative underground water samples were collected from different locality of Jind city. Various parameters, namely pH, EC, TDS, TH, TA, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, CO2-3, HCO-3, CL-, SO2-4, NO-3 and F-have been determined to evaluate its suitability for domestic application. The EC, TDS, total hardness and total alkalinity of the underground water varied from0.6-3. 1 m mho/cm, 384-1984 ppm, 292-884 ppm and 220-264 ppm, respectively. The data was statistically analysed and the very positive correlation has observed between EC-TA, EC-Na+, EC-HCO-3, EC-CL-, EC-SO2-4.

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000277   Mishra N K;Sahoo H K (Earth Science Dep Sambalpur University, , Jyoti Vihar- 768 019, Burla, Sambalpur) : Evaluation of ground water quality in and around Deogarh. Indian J envir Prot 2003, 23(6), 667-72.

The hydrogeological set up in the Deogarh town and its adjoining areas of Orissa indicates that mostly the weathered rocks, jointed areas and alluvium form the aquifer. The physiccal and chemical parameters, such as pH, conductance, TDS, TA, TH, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Cl, SO4 and HCO3 indicate that the groundwater of this area are sultable both for domestic and irrigation use. However the fluoride concentration indicates lower values which may cause problem in children unless fluoridation is done.

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000276   Meena G S;Jadhav D B;Bhosale C S (Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, , Dr Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune 411 008) : Total column density variation of NO 2 and O 3 by automatic visible spectrometry over Pune, India. Curr Sci 2003, 85(2), 171-9.

A single scattering radiating transfer model has been developed to calculate the air mass factors (AMFs) of NO₂ and O₃ for scattered light observations. The direct and scattered intensities reaching the ground has been calculated using this model, which are utilized for computation of AMFs of these species. AmFs have been used to derive the total column densities (TCDs) from slant column densities (SCDs). Daily intensity data obtained by spectroscopic observations made at Pune (18°32'N, 73°51'E) during May 2000- May 2001 are sused for the computation of SCDs of No₂ and o₃ by differential optial absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) technique. NO₂, O₃, H₂O and O₄ have characteristic absorption features in the visible range 462-498 nm. These features have been used in the DOAS technique. These features have been used in DOAS technique. The percentage differential optical depths (DODs0 of NO₂, O₃, H₂O and O₄ have been computed. The TCD of O₃ has also been derived by other methods. They are in good agreement with Dobson spectrophotometer observation. Daily and seasonal variations in TCDs of NO₂ and O₃ at Pune for the above period are discussed.

8 illus, 1 table, 29 ref

000275   M'Bod J O;Ayadi M;Benna M;Ariguib N K;Ayadi M T (NO, LPC, Institut National de Recherche Scientifique et Technique, BP 95, 2050 Hamman-Lif, Tunisia) : Characterization and rheological study of a Tunisian bentonite for its use in the drilling fluids. Asian J Chem 2003, 15(3-4), 1251-65.

The Jebel Shemsi ore contains 81% of clays; mainly quartz and carbonate are present as impurities. The dominant phase in the clay fraction is smectite (80%), it also contains illite (15%) and some kaolinite. The cationic exchange capacity (CEC) value of the purified clay is 87 meq/100 g of calcined clay; the total specific surface area (S_T) is equal to 711 m²/g. The dehydration (hygroscopic water) of the raw and purified clay occurs around 109°C and its dehydroxylation at 502°C for the raw bentonite and at 468°C after purification. The study of the clay percentage (w/w) effect on the rheological properties shows that the flow curves have a Newtonian behaviour for the clay percentage lower than 10%. After this percentage, the behaviour becomes rheofluidifiant. The effect of pH on the rheological properties has been studied at the clay percentage of 10% and shows two states of maximum interaction in acidic medium (pH range 2-4) and basic medium (pH range 9.5-11). The suspensions corresponding to the first maximum are gels and exhibit a rheofluidifiant behaviour, whereas those corresponding to the second basic maximum are gels but flow easily and exhibit a Newtonian behaviour. The natural pH of the clay (pH = 7.2) corresponds to the minimum of interactions.

14 illus, 1 table, 22 ref

000274   Kumar D (Indo-French Centre for Groundwater Research NGRI,, , Hyderabad - 500 007) : Characterization of groundwater flow regime in a crystalline rock through fracture network program. J Geophys 2002, 23(3-4), 123-9.

Characterization of groundwater flow regime was carried out in typical crystalline rocks of Dhanbad in the Saraidhela area of northern India. It is a hard rock terrain and consists of fractured felspathic gneiss and quartzite. Three sets of fracture were studied and a conceptual model of aquifer was established using NETWORK program. Out of three sets,set I and Set III are the major conduits for groundwater flow. The cardinal aquifer parameter like porosity, permeability, velocity and flow rate are obtained. The velocity calculated for Set I and Set III are 1.5207*10-09 m/s and 1.5193*10-09 m/s respectively for a head difference of 0.001 m. The porosity is less than 1 in both the set and the permeability for the two sets are 1.4* 10-04 m/day and 1.08 10o4 m/day respectively.

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000273   Karanth K P (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Dep, Yale Univ, P o Box 208105, New Haven, CT 06520, USA) : Evolution of disjunct distributions among wet-zone species of the Indian subcontinent: testing various hypotheses using a phylogenetic approach. Curr Sci 2003, 85(9), 1276-83.

Disjunct distributions among wet-zone taxa of the Indian subcontinent have intrigues biologists for decades. Most authors have invoked variations of either the dispersal or the vicariance model to explain disjunct distribution. However, some have noted that incorrect toxonomy, due to convergence inmorphological characters, can erroneously suggest disjunct distribution. An appropriate approach to test these models (vicariance, dispersal convergence) is to use molecular phylogenetic methods. A survey of recent molecular phylogenetic studies on Indian systems with disjunct distribution suggests that convergence may be quite common. Therefore, Its proposed that the first step in studying disjunct distributions is to determine if the observed pattern is real (true disjunct) and not due to convergence i.e. an artifact of incorrect taxonomy (false disjunct).

8 illus, 1 table, 41 ref

000272   Gupta A K;Melice J L (Geology and Geophysics Dep, IIT, Kharagpur 721 302) : Orbital forcing of the plio-pleistocene India monsoons: benthic foraminiferal proxies from ODP site 758. Curr Sci 2003, 85(2), 179-84.

The Indian Ocean monsoon system is one of the dominant features of the earth's climate influencing weather and climate of the Asian region. Long-term changes in the monsoon have been linked to orbital forcings as well as the Himalayan-Tibetan uplift. Changes in the monsoon are preserved in various proxies across the region both on land and in the marine sediments. Plio-pleistocene record of monsoon proxy deep-sea benthic foraminifera from ocean Drilling Programme Site 758, northeastern Indian Ocean to understand a link between orbital change and Indian Ocean monsoon variability. Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) of uvigerina proboscidea and Epistominella exigua, have been found blooming in two different seasons of the India monsoon- the summer and winder monsoons, respectively. An inverse relation between the two is observed during the past ~ 1000 kyr in othe CWT-extracted 400-kyr components as also in the raw data. The variable relation between the monsoon proxies and earth's eccentricity at Site 758 agrees with the recent findings that orbital forcing of the Indian monsoon shows major shifts during the plio-Pleistocene. These shifts correspond to the advent of growth and decay of the Northern Hemisphere ice sheets since the last 2.5 Ma.

12 illus, 33 ref

000271   Elango L;Suresh Kumar S;Rajmohan N (Centre for Geoscience and Engineering, Anna University, Chennai-600 025) : Hydrochemical studies of ground water in Chengalpet region. Indian J envir Prot 0000, 23(6), 624-32.

Hydrochemical study was carried out in the northern part of Chengalpet, Tamil Nadu, with an attempt to determine the current status of groundwater quality in this region. Forty-three groundwater samples were collected from different wells in the study area and were analysed for major ions and nutrients. The results of analysis were interpreted using various geochemical diagrams, such as Gibbs plot, Piper trilinear and Durov diagrams. indicates that recharge, water-rock interactions mainly control the hydrochemistry of groundwater.The suitsbility of ground water samples for domestic purpose were examined usingWHO and Indian Standards, which indicates that all samples are suitable for domestic purposes. Groundwater suitability for irrigation was verified by USSL classification and RSC, which shows that a groundwater sample of the study area is suitable for irrigation.

7 illus,4 tables,13 ref

000270   Chandrasekharam D;Vaselli O;Capaccioni B; Manetti P;Alam M M (Dept of Earth Sci, IIT, Powai, Mumbai 400 076) : Cold springs of the barren island, Andaman Sea, Indian Ocean. Curr Sci 2003, 85(2), 136-7.

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000269   Bera S K;Khandelwal A (Birbal Sahni Instt of Palaeobatany, , 53, Univ Road, Lucknow 226 007) : Aerospora over Southern Ocean and schirmacher oasis, East Antarctica. Curr Sci 2003, 85(2), 137-40.

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000268   Baruah M K;Kotoky P;Baruah J;Borah G C;Bora P K (Dep of Chemistry, NNS College, Titabar 785 630) : Arsenic association and distribution in carbonaceous materials in Northeastern India. Curr Sci 2003, 85(2), 204-8.

Total arsenic distribution in carbonaceous materials across the four northeastern states of India warrants immediate continuous monitoring of the situation as it a serious public-health concern. Many studies on arsenic in India are already available data about this particular sustrate coal and bituminous matter are not yeat available. The study attributed predominant association of arsenic in the hydrogenated units of organic matter. However, association in the aromatic units of organic matter is also observed. both in situ and drifted nature of accumulation of arsenic is observed. The study revealed the principal nature of accumulation of arsenic by the formation of organo-arsenic complexes and exhibited a regional enrichment trend from east to west, with average arsenic content of 95.12 μg/kg. Apart from creating a strong database on arsenic distribution pattern for this virgin northeastern region of india, the study provides an effective demonstration that arsenic association, concentration, distribution and post-depositional mobility in carbonaceous matter can be used to construct and predictive model for a depositional geo-chemical set-up towards aquifer development, with optimum possible environmental risk.

3 illus, 1 table, 42 ref

000267   Bala Subrahamanyam D;Ramachandran R (Space Physics Lab, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram 695 022) : Structural characteristics of marine atmospheric boundary layer and its associated dynamics over the central Arabian Sea during INDOEX, IFP-99 campaign. Curr Sci 2003, 85(9), 1134-40.

The Indian component of the Intensive Field Phase of Indian Ocean Experiment conducted onboard Oceanic Research Vessel Sagar Kanya during its SK-141 cruise provided valuable meteorological data over the data sparse region of tropical Indian Ocean and Central Arabian Sea (CAS). The upper air meteorological data obtained from balloon-borne GLASS sonde launches during the campaign are analysed for studying the thermodynamic structure of the Marine Atmospheirc Boundary Layer over the CAS. Analysis of profiles of the thermodynamic variables revealed a double mixed layer structure over the region of CAS has been made. an attempt here to provide a possible explanation of the double mixed layer.

6 illus, 25 ref

000266   Duraiswami R A;Bondre N;Dole G I (Geology Dep, University of Pune, Pune-411 607) : Enigmatic spiracle-like structures from a basaltic flow near chekewadi, western deccan volcanic province. Curr Sci 2003, 85(9), 1267-9.

3 illus, 1 table, 15 ref

004404   Thavasi R;Jayalakshmi S (Cen of Advanced Study in Marine Biol, Annamalai Univ, Parangipettai-608 502) : Bioremediation potential of hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria in Cuddalore harbour waters (India). Res J Chem Envir 2003, 7(1), 17-22.

Study was undertaken to evaluate the biodegradation potential of the indigenous bacterial population of Cuddalore fishing harbour waters against oil pollution. 14 strains identified up to the species level were screened for emulsification activity (D₆₁₀) against crude oil, kerosene, diesel, anthracene and naphthalene. All the strains showed emulsification activity in the order of crude oil <62> kerosene <62> diesel <62> anthracene <62> naphthalene. Corynebacterium kutscheri showed highest activity in crude oil (0.971) and diesel (0.581), where as in kerosene, anthracene and naphthalene the highest emulsification activity was shown respectively by Escherichia coli (0.969), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (0.112) and Lactobacillus casei (0.033). The emulsification activity value and the rate of degradation of crude oil coincided in most of the strains. Statistically highly significant positive correlation was obtained (r=0.248312;p<60>0.10). The maximum degradation activity was shown by Branhamella catarrhalis (91.37%), followed by Enterobacter aerogenes (91.22%), Bacillus megaterium (90.13%). When fertilizer was used only in 4 strains, the rate of degradation was slightly improved (1.3%-3.4%). The study revealed the occurrence of highly potent strains and the possibility of using them in bioremediation of polluted areas.

7 illus, 24 ref