008326   Singh S;Rao V U M;Singh D (Department of Agricultural Meteorology, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar-125 004) : Rainfall probability for Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi sub division. J Agrometeorol 2004, 6(2), 264-71.

At atempt has been made to understand the performance of monthly rainfall for June, July, August and September when the seasonal rainfall is reported as excess, deficient or normal. To know the dependence of seasonal rainfall on monthly rainfall, the probabilities of occurrence of excess, deficient and normal monsoon when monthly rainfall was reported to be excess or deficient, are worked out using historical data series of 30 years (1970-99) of monthly and seasonal rainfall of meterological sub-division (Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi). All locations received excess or normal rainfall in monsoon season when individual month received excess rainfall in the entire sub-division. From the probability analysis, it is seen that there is a rare possibility of occurrence of seasonal rainfall to be excess/deficient when the monthly rainfall of any month is deficient/excess in the entire sub-division.

6 tables, 8 ref

008325   Ramasamy V;Ponnusamy V;Dheenathayalu M;Palani G (Department of Physics, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar Tamilnadu 608 002) : Quantitative determination of haematite and chalcopyrite in metamorphic rocks using infrared spectroscopy. Indian J Phys 2004, 78(7), 563-8.

The infraed spectroscopic analysis of metamorphic rock samples from Mamandur multimineral complex was investigated. Infrared spectra (4000 cm^-1 to 200cm^-1) were obtained for 24 samples collected from different sites and altitudes of Mamadur hills. The observed results show the presence of quartz, microcline feldspar, silimanite, magnetite, haematite, chalcopyrite and sphalerite minerals. The presence of the peak at 695 cm^-1 confirms the crystallinity of quartz. The quantitative analysis of iron bearing mineral (haematite)and copper bearing mineral (chalcopyrite) yields an average amount of 14.9% and 4.6% respectively.

5 illus, 5 tables, 19 ref

008324   Obi Reddy G P;Maji A K;Gajbhiye K S (National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, , Amravati Road, Nagpur-440 010) : Drainage morphometry and its influence on landform characteristics in a basaltic terrain, Central India - a remote sensing and GIS approach. Int J appl Earth observ Geoinform 2004, 61(1), 1-16.

008323   Mahender Singh;Ram Singh;Ram Niwas (Department of Agricultural Meteorology, CCSHAU, Hissar-125 004) : Dry spells during summer monsoon in south-western Haryana. J Agrometeorol 2004, 6(2), 257-9.

Daily rainfall data for a period of 50 years (1946-95) were analyzed to work out dry spells during summer monsoon for south-western Haryana, selecting three locations viz: Hisar, Bhiwani and Sirsa. The first mean dry spell occur around mid July with a duration of 17 to 20 days at these locations and second mean dry spell of 15 to 17 days duration occurs mid August. The longest dry spell of 54 days was observed at Sirsa and the shortest of 7 day duration at Hisar and Sirsa.

2 tables, 5 ref

008322   Jain M K;Kothyari U C;Ranga Raju K G (National Inst of Hydrology, , Roorkee, Uttaranchal-247 667) : A GIS based distributed rainfall-runoff model. J Hydrol 2004, 299(1-2), 107-35.

008321   Chand R;Chandra S;Rao V A;Singh V S;Jain S C (National Geophys Res Inst, , Uppal Road, Mail Box No. 22, Hyderabad-500 007) : Estimation of natural recharge and its dependency on sub-surface geoelectric parameters. J Hydrol 2004, 299(1-2), 67-73.

008320   Bal S K;Kingra P K;Hundal S S (Department of Agronomy & Agrometeorology, Punjab Agricultural Universtiy, Ludhiana 141 004) : Behaviour of rainfall during 20<. J Agrometeorol 2004, 6(2), 272-3.

2 tables, 2 ref

007297   Sharma R C (Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, , Karnal 132 001) : Mapping and characterisation of saline soils in Gohana, Haryana for subsurface drainage. Agropedology 2002, 12(2), 104-11.

Saline soils of Gohana drainage project in Haryana were mapped and characterised using visual interpretation of SPOT satellite false colour composite image with ground survey and laboratory analysis. Morphologically the saline soils showed similarity in soil depth, colour, texture, structure and distribution of pores and roots. The soils had variable degree of salinity with dominance of neutral salts of sodium chlorides and sodium sulphates. The area has shallow water table and saline ground water. The saline soils with sandy loam textures, stable structures and absence of impervious layers are unlikely tocave in during the laying of subsurface drainage and salt leaching under saturated conditions. Adequate hydraulic conductivity in the range of 0.45 to 1.27 m/day would be able to release sufficient salts during the leaching process. Out of 4945 ha project area, 1330 ha were saline. The salt load in 1m soil depth of project area was 7.5 million ton. In order to restore the productivity of saline soils, installation of subsurface drainage system is recommended. The drainage system shall not only drain away excess salts from the root zone but also prevent further salinization due to upward salt fluxes from shallow water tables prevailing in the area.

1 illus, 4 tables, 8 ref

007296   Sharma J C;Prasad J;Saho S K;Pande L M (Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and Pacific, IIRS Campus, Dehradun 248 001) : Watershed prioritization based on soil and conservation measures in estern part of Doon Valley using remotely sensed data and geographical information system. Agropedology 2002, 12(2), 86-96.

A study was undertaken to determine the priority of sub-watersheds of Song river watershed, eastern Doon Valley, based on estimatesof erosional soil loss using Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and to suggest suitable soil conservation measures. Land-use/landcover, physiography-cum-soil maps prepared from IRS-IC-LISS-III data, terrain slope information obtained from topographic maps and rainfall-climatic data were used to provide inputs to USLE model. Average soil loss for each sub-watershed was computed and priority categories were determined. The priority classification indicated that out of 25 sub-watersheds 2, 6, 9, 5 and 3 sub-watersheds covering 9.0, 20.8, 39.0, 15.1 and 16.0 per cent area showed average annual soil loss of 54.8 to 56.4, 26.2 to 45.9, 18.7 to 22.3, 5.1 to 9.8 and 3.0 to 4.3 tons/ha respectively. These sub-watersheds fell in very high, high, medium, low and very low priority categories, respectively. Suitable soil conservation measures based on spatial erosional soil loss and as per priority categories have been suggested.

1 illus, 2 tables, 14 ref

007295   Shamispour R;Maanijou M (Department of Geology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan (Iran)) : The geology and geochemistry of polymetallic mineralization in the South East of Anarak, Iran. Ultra Scient phys Sci 2003, 15(3), 335-44.

Antimony deposit af Torkemany is located 36km south west of Anarak (Central Iran). Metamorphic rocks are the oldest rocks in the region. The main units of Torkemany antimony deposit are metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Carbonate rocks are predominant among sedimentany rocks and there are intensive faulting and fracturing which indicate active tectonism in the region. Distinguishing details of these phase needs more studies. Mica schist, chlorite-stilphomelane schist, chlorite-zoisite schist, mylonite, marble and quartzite are the main metamorphic rocks. Several mineralized veins have been recognized in the region. Stibnite and quartz are the main minerals of the veins. But there are also pyrite, realgar and orpiment. Concentration of ore minerals occured in the faulting contact of metamorphic and carbonate rocks, showing vein type ore deposit. The anomalies of Au, Sb, Ag, W, As and Hg is distinguished in the area. The highest correlation coefficients can be seen between W and Au which is 79 percent. There is two mineralization stages in the Torkemany deposit, at the first stage Au, W, Ag minealization and at another stage Sb, As and Hg mineralization have been occurred. Among different elements, only Sb, As and Hg have considerable percentages. The Torkemany ore deposit meets many criteria of epithermal deposits.

7 illus, 3 tables, 8 ref

007294   Nayak S;Bhanu Prakash (Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal 575 025, ) : Effect of surcharge on uplift capacity of horizontal strip anchors in layered sands. Indian Geotech J 2004, 34(4), (NULL).

Passive earth pressure has lot of field applications in the area of Geotechnical Engineering. Meyerhof and Adams treated the determination of uplift capacity of anchors as a passive earth pressure problem, for the first time. By considering inter slice friction angle as a variable and using method of slices, surcharge component of passive force for layered sands is determined satisfying all the three equilibrium conditions Logarithmic spiral failure surface is considered in the analysis. The surcharge component of the passive earth force found for various cases (varying frictional angle of top and bottom layer, and thickness of top layer) are compared with that obtained using top layer simply surcharge over the bottom layer and are used to calculate non-dimensional uplift capacity factor, F_q for various embedment ratios. Effect of embedment ratio, thickness of top layer and frictional angle of top and bottom layers on uplift capacity factor F_q is studied and reported. The uplift capacity factors are presented in tabular form for the ready use of practising engineers.

3 illus, 6 tables, 17 ref

007293   Meenakumari H R;Hosmani S P (Studies in Environment Science Botany Dep, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore 570 006) : Corrosive and scale forming properties of ground water of Mysore city (India). Indian J Envir Toxicol 2002, 12(2), 73-5.

Calcium carbonate saturation index (also known as Langlier's Index) is used to determine the tendency of water for scale forming and scale dissolving property. Out of hundred water samples, 7% has light scale deposition, 34% had light scale to corrosive property (i.e. tendency to become corrosive), 26% had significant corrosive property and only 3% samples had the property of heavy scale deposition. The heavy scale deposition property was restricted to the South Zone confined to J.P. Nagar (2 samples) and Nachanally Palya (1 sample). These are new extension areas of Mysore city.

3 tables, 8 ref

007292   Arunkumar V;Natarajan S;Sivasamy R (Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Tamil nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641 003) : Characterisation and classification of soils of lower palar-manimuthar watershed of Tamil Nadu. Agropedology 2002, 12(2), 97-103.

The IRS-IB-LISS-II FCC corresponding to the Survey of India toposheets 58 J/12, 58 J/16 and 58 K/9 were interpreted for soil resource studies in Lower Palar-Manimuthar watershed, Tamil Nadu, and soil map was prepared after field and laboratory studies. Based on the morphological, physical and chemical properties, ten soil series were identified and classified according to US Soil Taxonomy. The clay content ranged from 4.9 to 42.8 per cent. Soil reaction ranged from strongly acidic to strongly alkaline. The soils were low in organic carbon content. Surface horizons had CEG values ranging from 14.8 to 20.5 cmol(+)kg^-1.

1 illus, 1 table, 8 ref

006295   Singh A K;Deo V;Pant G C (NO, Institute of Armament Technology, Pune-411 025) : PC-based data acquisition system for thermal conductivity measurement of snow. Def Sci J 2004, 54(4), 515-24.

A PC-based data acquisition/measurement system has been presented for the thermal conductivity of snow, using thermal probe. The thermal probe is a transient method of thermal conductivity measurement and has advantages in terms of short-run time, smaller temperature rise, and in situ measurement applicaitons. The developed data acquisition system does intelligent management of different sensors for thermal conductivity, and is based on RS-232 serial communication with RS-485 data conversion, providing additional advantage of long-distance measurement in field conditions. The hardware and software features of the system are described and its performance for different materials along with test results, is presented.

9 illus, 12 ref

006294   Narain S;Srivastava H K (NO, Harishchandra Postgraduate College, Varanasi-221 001) : Magnetoelastic torsional vibration of non-homogeneous aeolotropic cylindrical shell of viscoelastic solids. Def Sci J 2004, 54(4), 443-54.

Magnetoelastic torsional vibration of a non-homogeneous aeolotropic cylindrical shell of viscoelastic solids. The non-homogeneity of the shell obeying power law variation of elastic constants and density given by A_ij = C_ijIⁿ, ρ = ρ₀rⁿ(i, j = 1, 2....6), where C_ij(i, j = 1, 2,....6) and ρ₀ are constants are r is the radius vector. Frequency equation and phase velocity in several cases have been derived. Such problems of interaction of elastic and electromagnetic fields have numerous applications in various branches of seience, particularly in the detection of mechanical explosions in the interior of the earth and in the electromagnetic energy into vacuum.

1 illus, 1 table, 16 ref

006293   Brar S K;Parthasarathy S;Misra K (NO, Centre for Fire, Explosive & Environment Safety, Delhi-110 054) : Comparative assessment of soil quality at the defence establishments. Def Sci J 2004, 54(4), 525-36.

A study was carried out to adjudge the soil quality of two sites at the defence establishments in India. Various soil samples were collected from the surface and up to 20 cm depth (subsurface) as per apportioned gridding method. These samples were subjected to air drying for 15 days and were characterised for various parameters. The soil is clayey and loamy with granular blocky structure on both the sites. The pH ranged from 7.1 to 7.7±0.1 for site I and from 5.5 to 8.0±0.1 for site II; salinity and bulk density ranged from 0.1 per cent to 8 per cent and from 1.2 g/cm² to 1.5 g/cm³, respectively and soil moisture was about 0.4±1 per cent for both the sites. Similarly, total Kjeldahl nitrogen ranged from 1100 mg kg^-1 to 1900 mg kg^-1 for site I and 1700 mg kg^-1 to 9000 mg kg^-1 for site II and total organic carbon ranged from 18 mg kg^-1 to 75 mg g^-1 for both the sites. A good correlation between nitrate concentration and various explosive process activities has been observed which gives substantial evidence in terms of contamination of the soil. High performance liquid chromatography analysis, which shows varied concentraions of RDX-HMX, NB, DNB, DNT, and TNT in the respective ranges 0.003-2,300 mg g^-1, 0.002-0.350 mg g^-1, 0.002-0.550 mg g^-1, 0.004-0.041 mg g^-1 and 0.010-0.050 mg g^-1, 0.001-0.044 mg g^-1 and 6*1-^-6-0.080 mg g^-1 for sites II has also indicated the contamination of soil by nitro-organics. These results serve as a valuable database for an ongoing project on the development of phytoremediation technology to detoxify such sites.

5 illus, 3 tables, 21 ref

005543   Subudhi C R;Panda S K (Dryland Agricultural Project, Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology, Phulbani-762 001) : Rainfall analysis at Raikia block of Kandhamal District, Orissa. Envir Ecol 2004, 22(Spl4), 749-51.

The rainfail data for twenty three years (1975-97) were analyzed. The average annual rainfall at Chakapada was 1, 355.8 mm. Further 72.5% of annual rainfall was received from June to September (kharif). Frequency analysis for maximum annual rainfall data was done by iusing Weibull technique. Expected maximum annual daily total rainfall for different return periods was incorporated. Frequency analysis for monthy, seasonal and annual rainfall was carried out and values at 70% probability level was estimated. The kharif received 810.7 n m rainfall; June, July, August and September received 130.7, 172.7, 228.3 and 142.6 mm rainfall respectively. So cropping pattern may be planned accordingly.

1 table, 5 ref

005542   Reddy D R K;Reddy M P M (NO, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Fisheries Research Station, Palair-507 137) : Hydrographic features of Netravati-Gurpur estuary and near shore waters off Mangalore. Envir Ecol 2004, 22(Spl2), 242-9.

Variations in water temperature, salinity and extinction coefficient in the Netravati-Gurpur estuary and in the nearshore waters off Mangalore from month to month during flooding and ebbing phases were investigated for a period of two years. The annual range of water temperature in the Netravati-Gurpur estuary was found to be higher than that in the nearshore waters. The ebbing phase salinity values were found to be generally lower than the flooding phases salinity values. The freshwater fraction for different stations in the estuary in different seasons was estimated. The extinction coefficient values in the estuary were generally higher during the ebbing phase than in the flooding phase.

7 tables, 11 ref

004401   Zakaulla S;Umamaheswar K;Tirupathi P V;Sharma U P;Basu H;Ali M A (Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, , Nagarabhavi, Shillong) : Geological and geochemical appraisal of uranium bearing Gulcheru formation of Cuddapah supergroup, Gandi area, Cuddapah district, Andhra Pradesh. J Geol Soc India 2004, 64(6), 719-30.

Gulcheru Formation constitutes 200 m-250 m thick siliciclastic sediments. Based on grain size texture and colour of the sediments, four distinct facies are demarcated. They are pink massive quartzite,cross bedded grey quartzite, purple silstone and pitted quartzite. The ratios of Si/Al is higher (62.9 to 292.18) in pitted quartzite and lowest (2.122-18.247) in silstone, where as grey quartzite has wide range of 3.78-8637.67. This difference is essentially due to higher quartz content in pitted quartzite and dominance of clays/shaly component in silstone. The wide range of Si/Al ratio in grey quartzite is due to interlayering of silstone/shale laminations/bands. Distribution of uranium indicates grey quartzite (av. U₃O₈=9.9 ppm) and silstone (av.15.42 ppm) have higher intrinsic uranium than that of pitted quartzite (average 5.6 ppm) and pink massive quartzite (average 7ppm) which is considered very high in comparison to normal sandstone (av=0.5ppm, Taylor, 1965). Trace elements like Mo, V, Ni, Cu and Pb are enriched in mineralised grey quartzite. Pitchblende is the main uranium mineral in grey and pitted quartzite units.It occurs as fracture fillingsand also as interstitial material, associated intimately with chlorite. Close association between pitchblende and sulphides like pyrite, chalcopyrite and galena is seen when pitchblende occurs as fracture fills. Uranium in silstone, is generally in adsorbed form with ferruginous material, where as associated trace elements like Mo (r = 0.515), V (r = 0.806), Ni (r =0.4) and even TiO₂ (r=0.87) are well correlated with Al₂O₃ suggesting their association with clays/phyllosilicates. U/Pb dating of uraniferous grey quartzite indicated ages of 1336±14 Ma and 446±29 Ma suggesting remobilisation and concentration of intrinsic uranium.

8 illus, 6 tables, 16 ref

004400   Trivedi A;Sud V K (Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (Deemed University), Department of Civil Engineering, Patiala 147 004) : Effect of grain size on engineering properties of coal ash. Indian J envir Prot 2003, 23(5), 525-33.

Coal ash produced by coal fired thermal plants has a history of use as a geo-material where its characteristics and mechanical behaviour is important. The effect of grain on primary properties and mechanical behaviour of ash has not been studied adequately compared to its environmental effects. The influence of primary physical property of coal ash on fundamentals of mechanical characteristics has been one of the long-term objectives of the study. The grain size is one of the most siqnificant physical that may be used for classification of ash as well interpretation of primary, secondary and index properties. The main object of study was to obtain the relationship of primary, secondary and index properties, compressibility and angle of repose of coal ash. Representative samples of coal ash from different storage locations of Ropar thermal power plant, Punjab, India were analyzed and result have been discussed.

^iia19 illus, 1 table, 20 ref

004399   Tiwari A K;Dikshit R P;Tripathi I P; Chaturvedi S K (Mahatma Gandhi Gramodaya Vishwavidyalay, Institute of Environmental Science, Chitrakoot 485 331, Satna) : Fluoride content in drinking water and ground water quality in rural area of Tahsil Mau, district Chitrakoot. Indian J envir Prot 2003, 23(9), 1045-50.

Fluoride content is drinking water in the range from 1.3 to 3.9 mg/L, has been observed in ground waters samples from 25 villages of tahsil Mau of district Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh were assessed. Some people of this area are affected by teeth problems. Excessive dental fluorosis, which results in discolouration of enamel, chipping of teeth in children in serve cases. Bone fluorosis of chipping effect are observed in case the concentration of fluoride exceeds 1.0 mg/L.

2 illus, 2 tables, 16 ref

004398   Suresh R;Bhatnagar A K (India Meteorological Department, , Chennai-600 001) : Unusual hail storms during May 2002 in Chennai and its suburbs- a study using data from a single Doppler weather radar. Mausam 2004, 55(4), 655-70.

Climatologically, hail storm phenomena over Chennai and its neighbourhood is extremely rare throughout the year. However two hail storm were reported during the year 2002, one by print/electronic media on 29 May within the city limits and the other on 30 May 2002 by a meteorological observatory maintained by Indian Navy at Arakonam located at the outskirts of city. These two storms were analysed based on the data received from the newly installed Doppler Weather Radar at Cyclone Detection Radar station, Chennai. The analysis reverals that the vertical extent of the hailstorms was well beyond 20 km and relfectivity as hgh as 45 dBZ was seen even at 18.5 km. The reflectivity at 3 km height was exceeding 58 dBZ which is well above the operational threshold limit for hail warning, viz., 50 dBZ at 3 km adopted by NEXRAD, USA (Atlas, 1990). More than 55 dBZ reflectivity was measured between 5 and 10 km altitude dring the passage of hail storm. Moreover the 45 dBZ level at different stages of the storm was atleast 4.5 km above the freezing level permitting the growth of hail stones upto and beyond 10 km height a.g.i. The vertically integrated liquid (VIL) was more than 43 kg m^-2 (at times more than 50 kg m^-2) about an hour before the hails were observed at surface and it was between 58.7 and 64.7 kg m^-2 just at the tiem of the hailstorm physically observed. Velocity divergence of 46 mps over the sotrm area at 18 km altitude confirms that hails of 19 mm was more probable with 0.80 probability. The enhanced hail detection algorithm (build 9) of NEXRAD has been verified for the severe hail index (SHI), probability of severe hail (POSH) and maximum expected hail size (MEHS) calculations and these confirmed the possibility of hail over these two locations and some more locations in the passage of the storm on these two dates.

7 illus, 2 tables, 46 ref

004397   Srivastava R P;Chattopadhyay S;Vedanti N; Dimri V P (Fractals in Geophysics Group, National Geophysical Research Institute, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007) : Gravity and magnetic studies over the circular geomorphic crater looking structures in the Narmada traps, Central India. J Geol Soc India 2004, 64(1), 97-101.

Gravity and total field magnetic intensity data have been collected over three adjacent circular geomorphic features near Jabalpur, presently reported as volcanic vents in the Deccan volcanic province. Bouguer anomaly variation of the order of 1.2 to 2 mGal in a 1.5 km long profile, and total field magnetic anomaly of the order of-900 to 1400 nT have been observed. The gravity variation does not give any reflection of underlying deep seated high density material; and there are no isolated or elliptical magnetic anomalies that can be attributed to the presence of deep seated anomalous source like a volcanic vent. The basement depth values as determiend by Werner deconvolution technique corresponding to the three circular geomorphic features is 51.7, 57.6 and 75 m.

^ssc6 illus, 12 ref

004396   Srivastava A K;Rajeevan M (Meteorological Office, , Pune-411 005) : Prediction of summer monsoon in rainfall over northwest region of India using an OLR index. Mausam 2004, 55(4), 583-90.

Although, monsoon rainfall (June-September) over the country as a whole has shown some resilience for variations, it has shown remarkable variations over smaller regions viz. over the Northwestern parts of the country. This study is an attempt to predict seasonal rainfall departure over the Northwest India with the help of an `area averaged OLR anomaly index" associated with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) over parts of North Atlantic Ocean during May. Using the OLR anomaly index developed in this study for the period 1979-2000, a simple regression equation was developed and the performance of the model was evaluated through the `cross validation" technique. The Root Mean Square (RMS) error of the model (9.73) was much less than the standard deviation (17.51) of the rainfall over NW India, indicating the skill of the model.

8 illus, 18 ref

004395   Sinha A K;Kant K (Feroze Gandhi College, Environment Research Centre, Rae Bareli 229 001) : Underground water quality and its impact on the health of its users in sareni block of Rae Bareli. Indian J envir Prot 2003, 23(9), 1017-24.

Observations on the physico-chemical characteristics of underground water used for drinking in 6 selected villages of Sareni block of Rae Bareli district have been presented. Water samples collected from dugwells, ordinary handpumps, I M II handpumps and the tube-wells were analysed for certain physico-chemical parameter, like temperature, turbidity, total solids, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, pH, alkalinity hardness, chloride, residual chlorine, hydrogen sulphide, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and fluorides. Impact of the drinking water on the health of the users was assessed through intensive survey and interview of the residents of the selected villages.

4 illus, 2 tables, 36 ref

004394   Singh Y;Singh K D P;Prasad R N (Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration Research, Department of Atomic Energy, Begumpet, Hyderabad 500 016) : Rb-Sr whole-rock isochron age of early proterozoic potassic granite from Dharmawaram, Karimnagar district, Andhra Pradesh. J Geol Soc India 2004, 64(1), 93-6.

Whole-rock Rb-Sr isochron dating of pink potassic (av.5%K₂O) granite from Dharmawaram, Karimnagar district, Andhra Pradesh, defines an isochron corresponding to an age of 2237± 46 Ma with initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of 0.71052±0.00084. The data suggest posible emplacement of potassic granite of Dharmawaram during early Proterozoic at ca. 2237 Ma. Further, high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotopic ratio of granite also indicates involvement of silicic crustal material in its genesis.

^ssc3 illus, 1 table, 18 ref

004393   Sen Roy S;Roy Bhowmik S K (India Meteorological Department, , New Delhi-110003) : Evolution of the vertical structure of the atmosphere over North-West India during winter season. Mausam 2004, 55(4), 549-60.

This paper examines the structural changes of the atmosphere in relation to the passage of Western Disturbances (WD) over Delhi, during winter season using data for the period December 2001 to February 2002. Various thermodynamic and dynamic parameters such as Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE). Convective Inhibition Energy (CINE), precipitable water content and vorticity over Delhi have been computed based on model analysis fields of India Meterological Department. Although, a clear increase in the value of CAPE is noticed on most of the days of occurrence of rainfall over the station, this not a necessary condition for the occurrence of rainfall nor is the amount of rainfall very well corelated to the value of CAPE. The vertical profile of the daily specific humidity reveals that each spell of disturbed weather is preceded and accompanied by deep positive moisture anomalies over the station. The equivalent potential temperature profile shows that this suden increase in moisture associated with the passage of WD is due to advection of moisture over the station. This again is validated by the synoptic charts, which demonstrate the moisture feed in the boundary layer from the Arabian Sea. The rainfall amount is not very well correlated to the thermodynamic parameters considered. However, rainfall amount is found to have a stronger dependence on positive vorticity field of the lower troposphere. This reflects the strounger dynamic forcing of the rainfall activity over the station. The northward tilt of the ridge line in the lower troposphere in association with rainfall demonstrates that the rainfall activity over the station is primarily caused by the induced surface low in association with the upper level troughs of a WD. Hence the trigger for the rainfall activity over the station and hence this region, during this season is primarily dynamic in nature and local convective structure of the atmosphere does not play a very determining role in the entire process.

4 illus, 5 tables, 18 ref

004392   Sankaran A V (NO, , No 10 P&T Colony, 1 Cross, II Block, R T Nagar, Bangalore 560 032) : The row over earth's mantle plume concept. Curr Sci 2004, 87(9-10), 1170-2.

^ssc19 ref

004391   Samui R P;Banerjee S K;Vaidya N G (Meteorological Office, , Pune-411 005) : Relationship between spatial variation of weather parameters and sugarcane yield in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh (and Uttaranchal). Mausam 2004, 55(4), 625-36.

Spatial variation in sugarcane production is examined in relation to weather variables to understand the role of climatic conditions controlling the yield of sugarcane in the states of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh (and Uttaranchal). Since a set of optimum weather condions that are conducive for maximum rate of growth of this crop are already documented, it is also important to assess the variation of weather conditions at each of the growthphase from the optimum values for making microclimatic manipulation by using mulch and irrigations in the field. The present study has brought out how the spatial variation of mean sugarcane yield was affected due to the spatial variation of mean meterological parameters in the state of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh (and Uttaranchal). It was observed that the spatial variation of mean maximum and minimum temperature played a crucial role in reducing the yield of sugarcane. It was also seen that the spatial variation of average morning and evening relative humidity at tillering and early growth stages were beneficial for sugarcane yield. Further it was found that the spatial variation of rainfall played an important role with the spatial variation of sugarcane yield. Higher rainfall in the districts of Uttar Pradesh (and Uttaranchal) had beneficial effects at all growth stages whereas it showed negative effects at some growth stages in Maharashtra presumably due to variation of soil types and irrigation resources.

7 illus, 1 table, 9 ref

004390   Sahoo J;Giritharan T S;Balakrishnan S; Rajamani V (Earth Sciences Dep, IIT-Roorkee 247 667, ) : Petrogenesis of amphibolites from the banded gneissic complex around Masuda, Rajasthan: significance to precambrian crustal evolution of the Aravalli craton. J Geol Soc India 2004, 64(6), 791-802.

The Banded Gneissic Complex (BGC) occurring around Masuda consists of granitoids, migmatized mica schist, calc-gneiss and amphibolites (few cm to tens of metre wide) are co-folded with the granitoid and calc-gneisses. The ortho-amphibolites are classified into high-Mg and tholeiitic amphibolites and they have distinct chondrite normalized Rare Earth Element (REE) patterns and Ce/Nd ratios. Modeling of their geochemical data suggests that magmas representing the high-Mg amphibolites were derived by low extents of partial melting of mantle sources more Fe-enriched than lherzolite whereas magmas representing the tholeiitic amphibolites were derived by low-extents of partial melting of sources formed by mixing of high-Mg magmas with lherzolite. The composition of this source is similar to the komatities. The tholeiitic amphibolites have geochemical and petrogenetic characteristics of the basalts formed in island arcs. They are different from that of amphibolites found in the basal part of Aravalli Supergroup and mafic enclaves found within the BGC occuring east of Nathdwara and Udaipur.

8 illus, 2 tables, 43 ref

004389   Rao M V M S;Murthy D S N;Rao G M N;Mohanty S K;Udayakumar S (National Geophysical Research Institute, , Hyderabad 500 007) : Stress-induced micro-cracking and brittle failure of godhra granite,Gujarat: A laboratory investigation using acoustic emission. J Geol Soc India 2004, 64(6), 763-74.

Kodaganar river basin is a hard rock terrain where the upper shallow weathered part followed by deep fractured rocks form the aquifer system. The area is drought prone and indiscriminate exploitation of groundwater over decades has resulted in depletion of water level. Therefore, assessment of groundwater potential is warranted which in turn requires the knowledge of aquifer parameters. The common practice of determining the aquifer parameters is by carrying out pumping test on wells and further by interpreting the time drawdown data. In the present study the aquifer parameters are determined through pumping tests on dug wells duly taking into account the actual field conditions while interpreting the data. Numerical method has been adopted to carry out forward modelling of pumping test data to estimate aquifer parameters.

11 illus, 1 table, 8 ref

004388   Rao M V M S;Murthy D S N;Nagaraja G M;Mohanty S K;Udayakumar S (National Geophysical Research Institute, , Hyderabad 500 007) : Stress-induced micro-cracking and brittle failure of Godhra granite, Gujarat: a laboratory investigation using acoustic emission. J Geol Soc India 2004, 64(6), 775-83.

It was carried out uniaxial compression tests and monitored the deformation and failure behaviour of a set of Godhra granites from Panchmahals district, Gujarat. The testing was carried out by incrementing the stress at a constant rate on the test sample, and by recording the strain and acoustic emissions (AE) concurrently. The static moduli have been computed from the stress-strain data, and the AE parameters, viz., hits, energy counts and peak amplitudes have been subjected to detailed analysis. The results inferred from AE signatures of both medium grained and fine grained granites show that the stress-induced micro-cracking is stochastic during the early stages of rock deformation and it is followed successively by the on-set of dilatancy (inelastic volumetric strain) due to formaion of new microcracks at =65% failure stress, stable cracking, unstable cracking and crack coalescence leading finally to the dynamic failure of the rock. Owing to the preponderance of relatively high amplitude AE at stresses close to failure, the AE-b-value decreases quite sharply in accordance with the underlying physical processes of crack growth in both the medium grained and fine grained granite rock. These observations agree well with those of accelerated increase in occurrence rate and energy counts of AE as the impending failure approaches in the rock.

4 illus, 2 tables, 20 ref

004387   Ramanibai R;Haripriya V;Elayaraja P (Zoology Dep, Guindy Campus, Chennai-600 025) : Short-term ecotoxicity of trace elements to Moina micrura kurz (cladoceran) in culture. Indian J envir Prot 2003, 23(5), 508-12.

Monia mucrura is a medium-sized cladoceran, about 1-1 mm in size with a life span of 13 to 19 day normally and 23 day in the culture. This paper reports on the exotoxicity of three trace elements to Monia micrura-a less expensive aqua feed. It has got recent commercial importance in the field of agriculture. The 48h LC₅₀ gave estimates of tolerance of Moina micrura to three trace elements-copper, lead and zinc. The dose of the trace elements and the duration of exposure, along with many other factors, play important roles in detemining its toxicity. The kind of feed will probably determine the kind and degree of the response to similar tests.

^iia3 tables, 18 ref

004386   Rajagopalan S P (Centre for Water Resources Development and Management, , Kunnamangalam, Kozhikode 673 571) : Controlling groundwater pollution caused by leaks in oily water sewers. Indian J envir Prot 2003, 23(11), 1201-7.

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals limited (MRPL) is a major oil refinery in Karnataka state. The refinery has network of underground oily water sewers that carry oily water wastes. In recent times, there have been some cases of oil surfacing in the stream flowing out of the refinery as a result of leaks in the oily water sewers. There is, therefore, a need to trap and remove all such oil leaks with oil catchers installed at sitable locations close to the boundary of the refinery before the leak can contaminate the groundwater system adjacent to the refinery. It is also important to locate the section of the oily water sewer where the leak has taken place for arresting the leak. These two problems are addressed employing hydro-geological techniques. The entire refinery complex was first delineated in to a number of watersheds. The boundaries of these watersheds can be also considered as groundwater divides since the refinery site is well dissected with prominent undulating topography and well formed valleys. Water table contours and groundwater flow lines orthogonal to those contours were plotted in all the watersheds. These results were then made use of to identify three locations close to boundary of the refinery where oil catchers can be installed. The task of locating the section of the oily water sewer where the leak has taken place is also partially solved since soil emerging in a stream within a particular watershed within the refinery has to necessarily originate from a section of the oil water sewer running in that watershed alone.

2 illus, 1 table, 1 ref

004385   Rai Choudhuri A;Guha D B (Coal Wing, Geological Survey of India, , Block DK-6, Sector-II, Karunamoyee, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700 091) : Evolution of the great boundary fault: a re-evaluation. J Geol Soc India 2004, 64(1), 21-31.

The Great Boundary Fault (GBF) in southeastern Rajasthan originated as a thrust in a brittle-ductile/ductile regime. Since it has affected the youngest of Vindhyan formation, it is post-Vindhyan in age. Both the basement and the Vindhyan sediments occurring on the hanging wall side of the fault have been folded into large-scale low plunging folds trending parallel to the GBF. Increase in tightness and asymmetry of the folds near the fault suggest that these are fault related folds. Development of folds, occurrence of oriented fabric, recrystallisation in the vicinity of the GBF and presence of undisturbed mylonite as remnant bodies along the GBF suggest that the faulting took place in a brittle-ductile/ductile regime. Basi-ward vergence of the tight to isoclinal folds near the GBF and steep dip of the mylonite bands towards the basement indicate that the fault plane dips steeply towards the basement. Increasing tightness of the fault related folds towards the fault, moderate to steep dip of the fault towards the basement and juxtaposition of the basement rocks in the hanging wall with the younger sediments in the footwall prove that the fault originated as a thrust. concomitant with the thrusting a conhugate set indicates a northwest-southeasterly directed compression, which is also perpendicular to the axial planes of the fault related folds. Subsequent to thrusting, several sets of brittle normal faults developed in the area. These faults transect the large scale fault related folds and even the GBF. One of these sets of normal faults strikes parallel to the GBF trace. Presence of such normal faults parallel to the GBF and fragments of mylonite as angular pieces within the breccia along the GBF imply that the GBF was subjected to a late britle reactivation. Near the GBF, presence of close spaced GBF parallel joints also proves that the GBF was subjected to a late tensile stress.

13 illus, 17 ref

004384   Prasad P R;Bhuvaneswari K;Sastry G S R (Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Analytical Chemistry Division, Hyderabad 500 007) : Spectrophotometric determination of kerosene in ground waters. Indian J envir Prot 2003, 23(9), 964-5.

A spectrophotometric method based on UV absorption has been developed for the determination of kerosene in water. Samples are extracted with n-hexane and measured the absorption at λmax 217.4 nm. The precision of the method is ±2.0 %. The method is useful for the determination of kerosene contamination in ground waters.

1 illus, 1 table, 6 ref

004383   Prakash R;Srivastav S K;Gupta H V;Srivastava H N (India Meteorological Department, , New Delhi-110 003) : Spatio temporal seismicity variation in earthquakes of Uttaranchal region. Mausam 2004, 55(4), 681-90.

The spatio temporal variations of seismicity preceding Uttarakashi, 1991 and Chamoli, 1999 earthquakes were studied based on the data during the period 1981 to 2000 using the catalogues of earthquakes prepared by the India Meterological Department. Two scenarios were examined. In one case the epicentral distance from the respective impending earthquakes were worked out for all the earthquakes recorded during a ten years period prior to the earthquake of Uttarkashi and Chamoli respectively. In the other case, the epicenter near latitude 30.2° N and longitude 80.2° E near India Nepal border (where earthquakes of 1996 adn 1980 occurred) were considered to compute the epicentral distance. The second case was included because it is a seismically active region where Dharachulla earthquake of 1916 (magnitude 7.5) occurred. The earthquake of 1999, 1991 and 1980 in Utaranchal were characterised by six phases of seismic activity namely first quiescence or gap, swarm, second quiescence or gap, foreshocks, main shock and aftershocks. Some differences among these phase could however, be noticed which were explained through source mechanism, isoseismals, `b' (Gutenberg Richter's relationship), `h' values (Omon's law) and fractal dimension. It is interesting to point out that prior to the occurrence of earthquake swarms (second phase) the seismic pattern exhibits the development of a seismic gap (first phase) after the decay of the aftershock activity associated with a previous large earthquake of magnitude greater than or equal of M:6.0 in this region, We infer that this second `gap' (third phase) is a characteristic of the complexity of the tectonics in the Uttaranchal. Thus, the simple Kanamori's asperity model could be modified to consist of six phases of seismic activity in the complex tectonic zone of Garhwal Himalaya. Detailed difference in the seismicity patterns prior to the earthquake were explained by the fractal dimensions estimated from the `b' values.

4 illus, 2 tables, 18 ref

004382   Paul A;Wason H R;Sharma M L;Pant C C;Nirwan A;Tripathi H B (Department of Geology, Kumaun University, Nainital 263 002) : Seismotectonic implications of data recorded by DTSN in the kumaun region of Himalaya. J Geol Soc India 2004, 64(1), 43-51.

The seismic data recorded by the `Digital Telemetered Seismic Network' (DTSN) in Kumaun Himalaya during the period May 1999 to November 2000 have been used to calculate some of the source parameters and to comment upon the seismotectonic activity in the Kumaun-Garhwal region of the Himalaya. The source parameters have been calculated using the Brune's model of the earthquake source. The earthquake are found to have very low stress drops. The maximum stress drop is found to be 9.5 bars for an earthquake of magnitude 3.4 with focal depth of 23.4 km. The shallow focus events having low stress drop indicate that the crust has low strength to withstand the accumulated strain energy. An endeavour has been made to empirically correlate the seismic moment magnitude to the source parameters computed in this part of the Himalaya. The epicentral locations indicate that the Kumaun Himalaya region between Main Central Thrust (MCT) and Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) is a seismically active zone.

2 illus, 3 tables, 19 ref

004381   Parekh A;Sarkar A;Shah S;Narayanan M S (Meteorology and occanography Group, Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad 380 015) : Low period variability in tropical rainfall measuring mission mcrowave imager measured sea surface temperature over the bay of Bengal during summer monsoon. Curr Sci 2004, 87(6), 791-6.

Sea surface temperature measured by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Microwave Imager (TMI) over the Bay of Bengal during monsoon was found to exhibit a low-period ntra-seasonal mode of 8-16 days, in addition to the 30-60 days mode. This unique feature is attributd to the coherent response of the top fresh-water layer, formed due to high precipitation and river run-off, to synoptic stmospheric monsoon proccesses. These resulfs were obtained through Fourier, Morlet wavelet and time series analyses applied on TMI and buoy data of June-September during 1998-2001.

6 illus, 26 ref

004380   Panwar B S;Mittal S B;Ahmed K S;Sharma M K (CCS Haryana Agricultura University, Department of Soil Science, Hisar 125-004) : Effect of cadmium contamination and EDTA amendment on phytoavailability of trace elements to indian mustard. Indian J envir Prot 2003, 23(5), 562-9.

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the effect of cadmium (Cd) contamination on phytoavailability of micronutrients with or without EDTA amendment in a sandy loam soil artificially contaminated with 40 mg Cd/kg soil. Two species of Brassica of Brassica (B. juncea (T-59) and B. carinata (HC-2) were taken as test crop. EDTA was applied at 1.0 g/kg soil (as disodium salt) at the rosette stage in solution form and harvested at blooming stage (8 week after emergence). EDTA addition caused slight reduction in biomass production, whereas cadmium contamination caused a significant reduction in yield of all the plant parts with or without EDTA. There was a several-fold increase in Cd concentration as well as uptake in different plant parts of Indian mustard. Zinc content and uptake in the stem portion increased by around 50% whereas total Zn uptake decreased with Cd contamination irrespective of EDTA treatment. However, Zn uptake in roots decreased suggesting its higher translocation to above ground parts. Iron in stems of both cultivars showed a three to four fold increase, indicating its entrapment in this plant part. Iron uptake by roots decreased with Cd contamination but manganese content in all plant part increased. Addition of EDTA in general decreased the total Mn uptake in both the species indicating the possible competition of Cd with Mn for binding sites of chelating agent. B juncea showed relatively higher promise to be a good accumulator of toxic as well as trace metal ions with EDTA application.

^iia5 tables, 23 ref

004379   Pal A B;Sindhupe G L (Hindustan Copper Limited, Khetri Copper Complex, Khetrinagar 333 504) : Gold investigations in malanjkhand area with special reference to Garhi Dongri prospect, Madhya Pradesh. J Geol Soc India 2004, 64(1), 52-8.

Age old gold panning along the streams, ancient workings for gold mineralization in the quartz veins emplaced in Malanjkhand granitic pluton (MG) along the peripheral contacts of older rocks of Amgaon Gneiss (AG) and Nandgaon Volcanics (NV) besides shear controlled zones drew the attention of present authors to take up detailed survey. These quartz veins are the locales for future exploration of copper-gold mineralization. Garhi Dongri (GD) and Khandapar (Kdp), occurring at the peripheral contacts, may be gold rich and copper pooer in mineralization are are very significant. Gidori (Gd) and Pipardhar (Pd) areas, falling within sheared zones, may be considered as prospective sites for Malanjkhand-type rich copper and poor gold mineralization. Shitalpani (Stp) and Kundikasa (Kd) may fall under poor copper and/or poor gold categories. GD prospect is found to be a promising for gold mineralization. Stp is under investigation and preliminary results suggest that it may be a poor-copper (?) prospect. Mineralogical association and alterations in GD and Stp are very similar to mineralogical alterations at Malanjkhand porphyry copper deposit. Gold rich and gold poor deposits are known in the northern chilean belt of porphyries and many other porphyry deposits.

4 illus, 2 tables, 8 ref

004378   Paeth H;Stuck J (Meteorologisisches Institut, University Bonn, Auf dem Huget 20,53121 Bonn, Germany) : West African dipole in rainfall and its forcing mechanisms in global and regional climate models. Mausam 2004, 55(4), 561-82.

The leading mode of 20^th century West African rainfall variability represents a well-documented drought tendency in the Sahel and the Guinea Coast region from the 1960s onward. The following three modes describe an out-of-phase relationship between the Sahel Zone (SHZ) and the Guinea Coast region (GCR) to the south, with positive rainfall anomalies in GCR being associated with even more severe drought conditions in SHZ between 1970 and 1998. This West African dipole in rainfall (WDR) has been of high relevance to migration processes in recent decades over the entire subsaharan region. WDR is equally revealed in long-term observational data and global climate model output. There is clear scale-dependence of the anticorrelation, SHZ rainfall changes being decoupled from GCR ones in the low-frequency range. It is found that the high pass filtered interannual WDR fluctuations are closely tied to Atlantic sea surface temperatures (SSTs), particularly in the Gulf of Guinea. Soil moisture is not a dominant player in forcing the dipole anomalies. Sensitivity studies with a regional climate model support the physical link between tropical Atlantic SST and WDR. The simulated rainfall response to changing SST is non-linear and in the same order of magnitude as in the long term observations. The SST impact accounts for up to 40% of total rainfall variability, particularly over the southernmost

17 illus, 52 ref

004377   Padmavathy S;Raja R E;Venktachalam T;Sivaraj C;Kavitha B;Thangam K (Bishop Heber College, P G and Research Department of Chemistry, Tiruchirapalli-620-017) : A study of fluoride level in potable water of manapparai taluk, Tiruchirapalli and defluoridation using lignite and rice husk carbon. Indian J envir Prot 2003, 23(11), 1272-1275.

A systematic water sample analysis was carried out in Manapparai Taluk. Tiruchirapalli district. The following parameters were analysed, namely pH. turbidity, electrical conductivity, fluoride ion concentration, concentration of phosphate, hardness, and solids. The maximum fluoride ion concentration is found in Manapparai (1.15 mg/L) and minimum in Thottiapatti (0.1) mg/L. The role of different particle size, concentration of fluoride ion, and pH of lignite and rice husk carbon on defluoridation was investigated.

2 tables, 5 ref

004376   Padmavathy S;Amali J;Raja R E;Nagarajan P; Kavitha B (Bishop Heber College, P G and Research Department of Chemistry, Tiruchirapalli 620 017) : A study of fluoride level in potable water of Salem district and an attempt for defluoridation with lignite. Indian J envir Prot 2003, 23(11), 1244-7.

Fluoride is an element present in water. The level of fluoride content is very important to human health. When the fluoride level increases it leads to dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis and at the same time level of fluoride decreases it leads to dental caries. Water samples were collected over Elampillai area, Salem district. The water samples were analysed for fluoride ion concentration. The maximum fluoride ion concentration was found to be 1.1 mg/L and minimum 0.4 mg/L. An attempt also made to remove fluoride content in water through adsorption technique by using lignite was carried out. The results showed that the percentage removal of fluoride level to be 50%.

3 tables, 8 ref

004375   Nirmal Kumar J I;Bhatt T;Kumar R N;Patel M (Natubhai V Patel College of Pure and Applied Sciences, Department of Biosciences, Vallabh Vidya Nagar 388 120) : Physico-chemical properties of ground waters in and around Anand district. Indian J envir Prot 2003, 23(11), 1248-53.

Deals with the physico-chemical analysis of ground waters in and around Anand district. The study was carried out by collection of ground water samples from about 35 sites divided into 4 zones. The samples were collected during the month of May 2003 and were analyzed for pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, salinity, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, total hardness, calcium, maganesium, phosphate, chloride, sulphate, and nitrate. There is a wide variation in water quality from sample to sample and the amount of total dissolved solids, alkalinity and magnesium hardness was recorded very high in most of the water samples. This study will throw light on ground water quality of this region with the objective of comparing the quality with drinking water quality of this region with the objective of comparing the quality with drinking water standards recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) and Indian Standard Institute (ISI).

2 illus, 2 tables, 14 ref

004374   Natarajan S;Ramakrishnan B;Ramanathan A N (Regional Meteorological Centre, , Chennai-600 006) : An analytical study of rainfall pattern over Chennai. Mausam 2004, 55(4), 599-610.

The spells of daily rainfall received at Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam observatories located in Chennai for ten year period have been analysed. The study reveals that the spells have three distinct patterns with February and March having negligible spells while April to September being 15 to 20 percent and from October to January having very high values. The spells that occur during southwest monsoon season are having high consistency of occurrence during evening, night and early morning where as the spells during northeast monsoon are equally spread during the whole day. Frequency of one or two spells per day is more during the months January to September. There is significant increase in the value of two spells and more during October to December. In the months of June to September more than 65 percent of the rainy days, the duration of rainfall in a day is less than 2 hours while October to December the value of percent throughout the year. The intensity of spells of rain of less than 7 millimeters per hour ranges from 60 to 70 percent for all the months except for the month of March.

4 illus, 6 tables, 4 ref

004373   Mukhopadhyay D K;Mishra p (Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee 247 667 Uttaranchal) : The main frontal thrust (MFT), northwestern Himalayas: thrust trajectory and hangingwall fold geometry from balanced cross sections. J Geol Soc India 2004, 64(6), 739-46.

The Himalayan foreland fold-thrust belt supposedly overrides the alluvium of the Indo-Gangetic plain along the Main Frontal thrust (MFT) at the mountain front. Although the MFT is taken to extend for more than 2500 km all along the Himalayan mountain front, its surfac trace is not observed in the field in many areas. In order to constrain the trajectory of the MFT, we have modelled the geometries of the folds occuring in the Siwalik rocks immediately north of the mountain front at five localities in the northwestern Himalayas using the techniques of cross-section balancing. In four of these areas, the MFT has flat-ramp-flat trajectories with the ramp anticlines being fault-bend folds. The upper flat of the MFT is buried below the forelimb of the ramp anticlines and/or alluvium derived from the same anticline. Only at one locality the ramp anticline is a fault-propagation fold and the MFT breaks through to the surface. We suggest that the usual lack of surface exposure of the MFT in major parts the Himalayan mountain front may be a consequence of flat-ramp-flat trajectory of the MFT with the upper flat buried. We also suggest that the intermontanne valleys (locally called Duns) in the Himalayan foothills formed on the trailing synclines of the MFT-related fault-bend folds.

6 illus, 26 ref

004372   Mohapatra M;Mohanty U C (India Meterological Dep, , Guwahati 781 015) : Some characteristics of low pressure systems and summer monsoon rainfall over Orissa. Curr Sci 2004, 87(9-10), 1245-55.

A study was undertaken to find out characteristic features like frequency, intensity, movement, region of formation, days of occurrence, etc. of synoptic disturbances such as low, depression, cyclonic storm, etc. forming over Orissa and neighbouring sea and land regions during summer monsoon season (June-September). The study was based on the data of 20 years (1980-1999). The principal objective of the study was to understand the contribution of the low pressure systems (LPS) including low, depression and cyclonic storm to interannual variability of summer monsoon rainfall over Orissa. Most of the LPS develop over northwest (NW) Bay of Bengal and move towards east Madhya Pradesh across Gangetic West Bengal (GWB) during June, July and across Orissa during August and September. The rainfall over Orissa is more related with the frequency of LPS days over Orissa and adjoining land/sea regions than with the frequencies of LPS, cyclonic disturbances (CD) and CD days over those regions. The seasonal monsoon rainfall over Orissa is significantly higher with higher frequency of LPS days over NW Bay and Orissa. It is less with higher frequency of LPS days over Jharkhand followed by west central Bay off north coastal Andhra Pradesh and Bangladesh. The frequencies of monsoon low days are higher over NW Bay and Orissa thus compensating the adverse impact of reduced CD and CD days on rainfall over Orissa in recent years. The monthly and seasonal monsoon rainfall over Orissa show no significant trends in recent years. It may be due to insignificant trends in those LPS days which are significantly correlated with rainfall over Orissa.

10 illus, 2 tables, 26 ref

004371   Mohanty S K;Patnaik D;Rout S P (Utkal University, Department of Chemistry, Environmental Laboratory, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar-751 004) : Correlation study among ground water quality parameters near major industries in Koraput. Indian J envir Prot 2003, 23(11), 1283-8.

A systematic calculation of the correlation coefficient `r' has been caried out for different water quality parameters of ground water from dug wells and tubewells near major industries located in Koraput district by the help of computer. The result shows a significant + ve correlation r <62> 0.989 was found out between Conductivity and Total dissolved Solid in Jaykaypur, Therubali, Amphavally and Damanjodi area. Similarly, + ve correlation r = 0.985 was found between COD and BOD at Jaykaypur area. High + ve correlation r = 0.986 between alkalinity and sodium was found out in Damanjodi area. The well known least square method was applied to the experimental and the calculated values by using equation Y = AX + B and the calculated values are compared with the experimental values.

11 tables, 5 ref

004370   Mohan M;Nigam S K (Indian Institute of Technology, Centre for atmospheric Sciences, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110 016) : Modelling techniques for fog prediction: A review. Indian J envir Prot 2003, 23(5), 481-8.

Fog formation is accelerated in urban/industrial areas due to large number of additional condensation nuclei while intense persistent fogs near highways could be mainly due to high humidity contents in open agricultural fields. The fog in the former case is expected to be greater health hazard than the later. Thus, transportation hazards as well as greater exposure to toxic pollutants engulfed in the dense fog necessitates the urgent need to address issues concerning the fog formation, prediction development, dissipation,etc., which are mostly governed by the atmospheric boundary layer dynamics. Mathematical modelling techniques is a practical tool to address boundary layer dynamics related to fog. Not enough attention is paid to this area in the past and hence the literature available is not too appreciative. In the present study, a review is undertaken to asses national and international efforts made with respect to modelling techniques available to address fog related issues as above and identify the research potential for further work.

^ccr43 ref