014527   Singh H P;Sharma M R;Hassan Q;Ahsan N (Civil Engineering Dep, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi) : Sustainability of traditional drinking water sources in Himachal Pradesh. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2010, 9(3), 587-92.

Water is a marvellous and unique substance which Is very essential for life on earth. Water has been regarded as an essential commodity since time immemorial, and all the ancient civilizations settled and developed close to a source of water. But the steady increase in human population, widespread technological modernization, and new and unsustainable lifestyle have invited calamity in the form of water scarcity. This paper examines the traditional water resources in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, which is blessed with varied and bountiful natural water resources such as baories, wells, khads, nalas, nawns, chhrudus, khatries, etc. However, this study has revealed that about 18% of the traditional water resources are in disuse, many of them dying a natural death due to poor maintenance, non-repair and the availability of modern facilities such as hand pumps and piped water supply. The study also reveals that the water in 60% wells, 55% baories and 36% khatries is contaminated and not fit for human consumption. There is an urgent need to develop policies and programmes for the revival of the traditional water resources, so as to combat the problem of increasing water scarcity.

2 tables, 9 ref

014526   Rudresha M S;Kumar R J;Fakruddin;Basavaraju (Physics Dep, Sri Siddhartha Institute of Technology, Tumkur-572 005) : Groundwater pollution due to urbanization and industrialization in Tumkur district, Karnataka, India. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2010, 9(3), 533-8.

Assessment of groundwater quality in and around Tumkur district and in an erstwhile freshwater stream carrying huge quantities of domestic, agricultural and industrial effluents. Groundwater samples have been collected from bore wells and open wells and subjected to a comprehensive physicochemical and bacteriological analysis. The study reveals that 52.13% of the samples were non-potable due to the presence in excess of several water quality parameters as per the standards laid out by the Bureau of Indian standards (BIS). Nitrate, total hardness and iron were found to be the chief culprits. Nitrates account for 50%, and total hardness and iron for 33.3% of the non-potability of samples. 50% of the samples examined indicated bacterial contamination of the groundwater.

3 illus, 4 tables, 4 ref

014525   Quintela A;Terroso D;Almeida S;Reis F P P; Moura A;Correia A;Eduardo F D S;Victor F;Fernando R (Geobiosciences, Technologies and Engineering, Geosciences Dep, Aveiro Univ, Aveiro, Portugal, Email: anaquintela@ua.pt) : Geochemical and microbiological characterization of some azorean volcanic muds after maturation. Res J Chem Envir 2010, 14(3), 66-74.

Four Azorean volcanic muds were submitted to maturation (ageing process) with mineral water for 60 days under different abiotic conditions. This study intends to assess the geochemistry of these natural resources before and after maturation and to evaluate the ability of materials to be colonized by microorganisms under different mixing and light maturation procedures. Besides the geochemical and mineralogical analyses, bacterial quantification and diatom community identification and relative quantification were also provided. Principal component analysis was carried out on geochemical data. Our data reveal that muds have potentiality for thermal application and the modifications induced by maturation are affected by raw materials properties. Slightly geochemical modifications were verified probably due to the weathering of primary minerals. The bacteria and mainly the algae development on samples under light and no mixing maturation conditions were recorded rendering to muds potentialities for therapeutic uses.

2 illus, 4 tables, 44 ref

014524   Patil P V;Kulkarni A N (Zoology Dep, Mrs. K.S.K. College, Beed-431 122, Maharashtra) : Diurnal changes of some physicochemical characteristics in reservoir Thodga, Ahmedpur, Distt. Latur, Maharashtra. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2010, 9(3), 611-4.

Thodga dam is a medium reservoir with 165.00 ha water spread area. The reservoir is constructed on Lendi river, one of the tributaries of Manjara river system. The reservoir is on Ahmedpur-Thodga road 5 km away from Ahmedpur and 0.5 km from Thodga village. Fishermen's Co-operative society uses this reservoir for fisheries activities. The water of this reservoir is also used for irrigation and drinking purposes. Diurnal changes in temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide were estimated from 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. for 24 hours in the month of November 2002 and discussed in the paper. All the parameters have shown distinct variation in the diurnal cycle.

1 illus, 1 table, 11 ref

014523   Pandey V C;Mishra A P (Geography Dep, BHU, Varanasi, Email: vcpandey7@gmail.com) : Multiple dimensions in poverty estimation of Gorakhpur district, Uttar Pradesh:a geographical perspective. Trans Inst Indian Geogr 2011, 33(1), 87-97.

Poverty in agrarian society has multiple dimensions in its origin, nature of existence, extent and magnitude. Recently there is serious debate on poverty estimation which attracts social scientists to start fresh initiative towards the issue of poverty. The evolving methodology for poverty estimation has different perspectives in the quantification of poverty and its multiple layers in society. The concept of poverty line has been questioned on various grounds and needs a bridge for linking the poverty to level of development. The present paper is an attempt towards a critical estimation of existing poverty line criteria and its limitations. The paper also discusses about the concept of human poverty and its suitability for categorization of deprivation in an agrarian economy. The authors also try to elaborate the various rings of poverty, i.e. severe destitute, destitute, poor and just below poor, based on Da Costa methodology and its up gradation on current price index. Moreover, Human Poverty Index (HPI) highlights the multiple dimensions of deprivation and poverty in the agrarian economy of the study area. The paper also deals with the spatial pattern of BPL population with four rings and HPI at block level in Gorakhpur district, UP.

2 illus, 3 tables, 28 ref

014522   Nagaraju D;Papanna C;Nagesh P C;Rao K (Studies in Geology Dep, Mysore Univ, Manasagangotri, Mysore-570 006) : Assessment studies of groundwater recharge in Nagamangala taluk, Mandya district, Karnataka using remote sensing and GIS technique. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2010, 9(4), 755-762.

Groundwater recharge assessment studies in Nagamangala taluk in Mandya district were carried out based on geographical information system(GIS) and remote sensing techniques. In this connection satellite images (IRS-IA LlSS+PAN+Wifs Image) and aerial plots were subjected to several treatment processes using software like ERDAS imagine and ESRI's Arc view. Thus, various thematic maps have been prepared for drainage density, lineaments, lithology and land cover/land use that allowed deciding their interactive effect. In the present study, the degree of effect was determined for each factor to assess the total groundwater recharge potentiality for two categories (moderate rate to low). The resultant map shows that 85% of the area has low and rest has moderate groundwater recharge potentiality. Finally, only 8.6% of the total average annual precipitated water (1685 mm) percolates into subsurface and ultimately contributes to recharge the groundwater.

5 illus, 4 tables, 14 ref

014521   Mohan Kumar T M;Inayathulla M;Nagaraja P S (Civil Dep, S.J.C. Institute of Technology, Chickballapur-562 101, Karnataka) : Groundwater resource assessment in kushavathi watershed, Chickballapur district, Karnataka, India. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2010, 9(3), 539-46.

Study has been made to delineate the groundwater potential zones in the Kushavathi watershed, Chickballapur district, Karnataka. The study has been for targeting groundwater in hard rock terrain by adopting remote sensing and GIS techniques. Information on geomorphology and land use is generated using the remote sensing data. The hydrogeomorphic units like floodplains and valleys have good groundwater potential, and pediplains and pediments have moderate to poor groundwater potential. The structural hills, denudational hills and inselberg are indicated as runoff zones. The weathered and fractured zone constitute the aquifer system in the area.

6 illus, 3 tables, 6 ref

014520   Li C;Johnson A (NO, National Institute of Metrology (NIM), No. 18 Beisanhuan Donglu, Bejing, 100 013, P.R. China, Email: lich@nim.ac.cn) : Bilateral comparison between NIM's and NIST's gas flow standards. MAPAN 2011, 26(3), 211-24.

A bilateral comparison of the gas flow standards of the National Institute of Metrology (NIM) in China and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the USA was conducted from June 2008 to October 2009. Two critical flow Venturis (CFVs) with nominal throat diameters of 10 mm and 20 mm, respectively, were selected as transfer standards. The CFVs were calibrated on NIM's 20 m³ PVTt system and then on NIST's 26 m³ PVTt system. The results demonstrate the equivalence between NIM's and NIST' s gas flow measurement capabilities for flews ranging from WOO liters per minute to 4000 liters per minute at reference conditions of 101.325 kPa and 293.15 K. The experimental data agreed with existing theoretical models within 0.07%. All the data agree with the ISO 9300 empirical equation within its 0.3% expanded uncertainty limit.

8 illus, 10 tables, 15 ref

014519   Krishnaiah Y V (Geography Dep, Nagaland Univ (Central), HQ:Lumami, Nagaland, Email: yvkrishna09@gmail.com) : Land capability of the Papagni river basin, Andhra Pradesh, using remote sensing technique. Trans Inst Indian Geogr 2011, 33(1), 113-22.

The Papagni river basin covering an area about 8,250 sq km has been studied for the land systems, landforms, soils, land use, erosion susceptibility and hydro-geomorphology using IRS-IB Geo-coded and LISS-II1 data on scale 1:50,000. The major land systems are hilly terrain, undulating terrain, rolling plains and fluvial plains. The major landforms identified are classified into denudational, fluvio-denudational and fluvial. The major soils of the Papagni basin are shallow weathered red sandy soils, moderately to deep weathered red sandy soils, red sandy loams, black soils, relict soils, valley fill soils, insitu soils and alluvial soils. The major part of the land is utilized for cultivation of groundnut crop (kharif). The hills of the region contain degraded forest. The slope regions are utilized for development of pasture. The basin is subjected to erosion in the hill terrain due to degradation of forest. The erosion intensity is high in central and northern parts of the Papagni basin. Hydro-geomorphologically, the basin is divided into six categories of the ground water potential zones. The fluvial plains possess excellent ground water resources. The valley fills contain very good ground water resources. The black soil plain posses very fair ground water resources. The shallow weathered pediplains are composed of fair ground water potential. The hill terrain is run-off zone. Based on physical resources the land capability of the Papagni basin has been evaluated. About seven classes of land are identified.

5 illus, 1 table, 11 ref

014518   Karlekar S (NO, , Pune, Maharashtra) : Closure of tidal inlets in a wave dominated, micro tidal environment along south konkan coast of Maharashtra. Trans Inst Indian Geogr 2011, 33(1), 37-42.

The seasonal closure of tidal inlets is a common and important coastal phenomenon along the south Konkan coast of Maharashtra. The closure of tidal inlets usually starts at the beginning of the fair weather or dry season around November when the average river flow drops down significantly. Hereafter persistence in wave direction and wave conditions remain more or less uniform for several days. River generated flood currents decline at the end of the rainy season and wave energy is reinstated as the dominant sedimentary process. Sediment from offshore sand bars are transported onshore and alongshore resulting in gradual narrowing and shallowing of tidal inlets. In all tidal inlets on this coast the existence and persistence of an entrance is dependent on the relative strength of tidal currents and river generated currents which maintain the inlet entrance as well as close the entrance by depositing marine sediment. The balance between these processes determines the nature and the persistence of an inlet or a river mouth. A conceptual model of closure of tidal inlets on South Konkan coast is suggested based on these two main mechanisms of inlet evolution involved in the process. The paper documents the features related to seasonal opening and closure of tidal inlets and river mouths in a wave-dominated, micro-tidal environment along the South Konkan coast of Maharashtra. The sedimentary forms developed and the temporal morphological changes in such forms under typical conditions dominant in the dry and the wet season respectively are discussed. The interpretations are based on satellite images and field observations. This study of the mechanism of gradual, seasonal closure of inlets on Konkan coast considers the role of long shore and on shore sediment transport. It also includes the parameters like wave approach, inlet cross section geimetry, tidal prism and inlet plan form.

2 illus, 10 ref

014517   Kamaruzzman B Y;Shuhada N T;Zahir M S;John B A;Shahbudin S;Jalal K C A;AlBarwani S M;Goddard J S (Institute of Oceanography and Maritime Studies, International Islamic Univ Malaysia, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia, Email: kama@iium.edu.my) : Concentrations of lead, copper and zinc in the bottom sediments of Tuba Island waters of Langkawi, Malaysia. Oriental J Chem 2011, 27(2), 505-10.

Surface sediments were collected from PulauTuba (9 sampling points) has been analyzed for Pb, Cu and Zn by using the sensitive Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). In this study, the average concentration of Pb, Cu and Zn were 43.28±8.95 μg.g^-1 dry weights, 8.79±2.72 μg.g^-1 dry weights and 63.5 μg.g^-1 dry weights, respectively. In this study, the statistical analysis for Pearson correlation matrix has proved that there are significant relationship between the metal concentration and the grain size. The concentration of Pb, Cu and Zn increased with the decreased of mean size particles, suggest that there are association with the fine fraction of the sediments. In order to assess the influence of heavy metals pollution precisely, enrichment factor (EF) were calculated. In this study, all elements are about unity and considered to be dominantly terrigenous in origin.

2 illus, 20 ref

014516   Johnson A;Crowley C J;Yeh T T (Fluid Metrology Group, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, Email: Aaron.Johnson@nist.gov) : Uncertainty analysis of NIST's 20 liter hydrocarbon liquid flow standard. MAPAN 2011, 26(3), 187-202.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) uses a bi-directional 20 L-displacement piston prover as its primary standard for measuring hydrocarbon liquid flows ranging from 1.86 x 10^-5 m³/s (0.3 gpm) to 2.6 x 10^-3 m³/s (40 gpm). Our analysis shows that the prover's uncertainty over this flow range is 0,074% (k = 2, corresponding to a 95% confidence interval). Using a dual rotor turbine meter as the transfer standard, we compare the new 20 L piston prover standard with NIST's other hydrocarbon liquid standards and NIST's water flow standard. The results are consistent with the presented uncertainty analysis.

5 illus, 5 tables, 11 ref

014515   Jitendre Kumar (NO, , Rohtak) : Mapping and analysis of land-use/land cover of Kanpur city using remote sensing and GIS technique, 2006. Trans Inst Indian Geogr 2011, 33(1), 43-54.

The present research paper is focused on a comprehensive analysis of existing land-use/ land cover and population characteristics of Kanpur city based on Municipal Corporation boundary using Remote Sensing data. Land is one of the critical natural resource on which most developmental activities are based. For success of any planning activity, detailed and accurate information regarding the land cover and the associated land use is of paramount importance. The study is based on both primary and secondary data. Primary data includes the ground truth and GPS field survey whereas secondary sources of data include Cartosat-1, LISS-IV, Toposheets at scale of 1:50,000, Guide map of Kanpur city 2005-06, Primary Census Abstract-2001 and Kanpur City Development Plan, 2006. The satellite data have been used for the land-use/land cover classification of Kanpur city which is based on NUIS Manual, 2008. The present status of land-use/ land cover of Kanpur city is evaluated by visual interpretation of satellite data. Analysis shows that the existing land-use/land cover ofKanpur city present a diversified and scattered distribution of land-use throughout the city space which is the result of historical legacy and contemporary forces such as industrialization, growth of population and transport activity etc.

2 illus, 4 tables, 11 ref

014514   Jasveer Singh;Ashok Kumar;Sharma N D; Bandyopadhyay A K (NO, National Physical Laboratory (NPLI) Council of Scientific and Industri, New Delhi-110 012, Email: ndilawar@mail.nplindia.org) : Reliability and long term stability of a digital pressure gauge (DPG) used as a standard. MAPAN 2011, 26(2), 115-24.

The current paper reports the stability of a pressure dynamometer with a full scale pressure of 60 bar over nine years of operation. Since the stability of this digital pressure gauge depends on factors like repeatability, hysteresis, non-linearity, relative deviation etc, a systematic study has been carried out on each of these components. Finally, a comparison of the calibration factors and the estimated expanded uncertainty is made from the collected nine years calibration database. It has been found that the performance of the equipment showed consistent results for about 5 years after which a slight shift in the parameters described above has set in. But, the overall performance of the equipment remains excellent over the period studied within the limit of experimental uncertainty.

8 illus, 1 table, 12 ref

014513   Ishrath;Prabhakar G;Raghavender M (Geology Dep, P.G. College of Science, Saifabad, Osmania Univ, Hyderabad-500 004) : Quality assesment of groundwaters using principal component analysis in Mianpur area, Hyderabad, India. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2010, 9(3), 605-10.

Principal component analysis (PCA)of chemical variables of groundwater is used to interpret the relationship between the specific processes that control the quality of water. Groundwater samples were collected from Mianpur urban area, Hyderabad, and analysed for trace elements chemistry. The PCA separates the chemical variables into six principal components by HCO₃, Cl, NO₃, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Ti and Zn. The principal component-l shows the significance on cadmium. The principal component-ll shows the significance on calcium, chromium and iron. Tin, chromium, copper, manganese and lead show the significance on PC-Ill, PC-IV, PC-V and PC-VI, which are ignored as these show very less significance on the elements. These three principal components are identified with the processes of salinity, alkalinity and pollution, which are considered as lithologically and non-lithologically controlled factors. Identification of the zones helps to take appropriate management measures to improve quality of groundwater for sustainable development of the area.

1 illus, 6 tables, 5 ref

014512   Imran Malik M;Sultan Bhat M;Kuchay N A (Geography and Regional Development Dep, Kashmir Univ, Srinagar-190 006, Email: Imran.r.malik@gmail.com) : Anthropogenic impact on forest cover in the Western Himalayas-a case study of lidder catchment in Kashmir valley. Trans Inst Indian Geogr 2011, 33(1), 55-65.

The Himalayas, being among one of the richest ecosystems in terms of biodiversity, are becoming highly vulnerable and most threatened life support system due to excessive anthropogenic interference and rising demand for food, fodder and energy. The present study has been carried out using census of India population data, Survey of India toposheets (1:50000 scale) and pan sharpened LISS-III satellite data. The analysis has shown that the ever increasing demographic pressure with the growing energy demands for domestic (13.12 kg/day/household) and tourism sectors (62 kg/day/hotel) coupled with over grazing (9.02 livestock units/household) have resulted in heavy pressure on the available forest stock thus posing a serious threat to the ecological sustainability of the catchment.

5 illus, 2 tables, 23 ref

014511   David C;Claudel P (Centre Technique des Industries Aerauliques et Thermiques, Domaine Scientifique de la Doua, 25 avenue des Arts B.P. 52042, 69603 Villeurbanne, Cedex, France, Email: christopher.david@cetiat.fr) : Novel water flow facility in France range extension to low flow rates (10 000 ml/h down to 1 ml/h). MAPAN 2011, 26(3), 203-9.

In order to extend the French water flow calibration range, LNE-CETIATis on progress to build a new reference for flow rate measurements ranging from 10 000 ml.h^-1 down to 1 ml.h^-1. This new facility based on a gravimetric principle will enable calibration with water temperature between 10 °C and 50 °C. Flow is regulated by the combined use of a tightly regulated " upstream" pressure (0, 1 to 1O bar) and the use of capillaries under laminar flow. The expected relative uncertainty for the water flow rate is 0.1% with a coverage factor k = 2(95% confidence). The paper described the design and the ongoing implementation of this new calibration facility.

6 illus, 6 ref

014510   Chun-Min S;Win-Ti L;Masri S (Center for Measurement Standards, Industrial Technology Research Institute, No. 30, Ta Hsueh Rd., Hsinchu, Taiwan-30080, Email: cnsu@itri.org.tw) : Establishment and verification of a primary low-pressure gas flow standard at NIMT. MAPAN 2011, 26(3), 173-86.

Presents the establishment and verification of a primary low-pressure gas flow standard with the capacity of 0.005 L/min to 24 L/min (at 23 °C and 101.325 kPa), newly established at National Institute of Metrology of Thailand (NIMT). This facility is a mercury-sealed piston prover consisting of three precision-machined glass cylinders. Flow measurement can be carried out manually or semi-automatically. The electronics were installed in a separate console to minimize their thermal impact on the gas temperature. Special care was taken in designing the facility to ensure sound and representative gas pressure and temperature measurement. The relative expanded uncertainty of mass flow measurement was evaluated to be less than 0.13%. To verify the measurement capability and performance of the new facility, a bilateral comparison with the piston prover at Center for Measurement Standards (CMS), Taiwan was conducted. The transfer standard used was a set of three critical flow Venturis with dedicated thermometers. Eight flow rates of dry air ranging from 42 mL/min to 14.5 L/min at 0°C and 101.325 kPa (0.055 g/min to 18.87g/min) were tested. Comparison results showed that the E_n values for the flow measurements at NIMT with reference to CMS were all well less than unity, demonstrating good agreement between the two participants.

9 illus, 5 tables, 9 ref

014509   Chih-Cheng F;Win T;Cheng-Tsair Y (NO, Center for Measurement Standards/Industrial Technology Research Insti, No.30, Ta Hsueh Rd., Hsinchu, Taiwan 30080, Email: CCFeng@itri.org.tw) : Laminar flow meter with straight glass capillary. MAPAN 2011, 26(3), 237-45.

The Center for Measurement Standards (CMS) developed a laminar flow meter (LFM) as a transfer standard. This LFM consists of a single, straight glass capillary or multiple straight glass capillaries connected in parallel. Two gauges and one thermometer measure the inlet/outlet pressure and inlet temperature, respectively, and the differential pressure was restricted to between 2 kPa and 100 kPa. The glass capillaries were manufactured by laser machining, which resulting in consistent inner diameter and straight flow path. Characteristics of the glass material also prevented the capillary from bending during installation. The LFMs were calibrated against the CMS piston prover primary standard and the calibration data were fitted using a theoretical LFM model and a 2nd order polynomial. The turndown ratio of this approach was higher than 20 and the residuals were within 0.11%. The reproducibility/repeatability within 0.03% indicated that this LFM could be used as a transfer standard. Measurement with dry air demonstrated that these four LFE meters could span flows from 0.8 to 986/μmol/s within the deviation of± 0.15% (1 μmol/s is 1.3 cm³/min at 0 °C and 101.325 kPa). Additional measurement with nitrogen demonstrated the feasibility of measurement with multiple gases.

7 illus, 4 tables, 5 ref

014508   Carter M;Johansen W;Britton C (NO, Colorado Engineering Experiment Station Inc. [CEESI], 54043 WCR 37 Nunn, CO 80648 USA, Email: mcarter@ceesi.com) : Performance of a gas flow meter calibration system utilizing critical flow venturi standards. MAPAN 2011, 26(3), 247-54.

A set of Critical Flow Venturis (CFVs) were manufactured by Flow Systems and calibrated by NIST in Gaithersburg, MD. Subsequently these flow standards along with pressure and temperature standards have been integrated into a gas flow meter calibration (GFC) system. Performance data and an uncertainty analysis is discussed here in this paper. Calibration data on these CFV standards will be used to inter-compare the NIST and CEESl primary facilities.

5 illus, 2 tables, 7 ref

014507   Benkova M;Makovnik S;Mikulecky I;Zamecnik V (Centre of Flow, Slovak Institute of Metrology, Karloveska 63, Bratislava, Slovakia, Email: benkova@smu.gov.sk) : Bell prover-calibration and monitoring of time stability. MAPAN 2011, 26(3), 165-71.

Focused on the calibration and measurement of the geometric parameters of a bell prover that serves as a standard of volume of gas flow. It also includes methods for monitoring the time stability of the bell prover: intra- and inter-laboratory comparison measurements, Shewhart analysis and planned evaluation of recalibration intervals.

7 illus, 2 tables, 10 ref

014506   Banerjee Guha S (NO, II.PS, Deonar Guha, Mumbai, Maharashtra) : Space, spatiality, human geography and social science:politics of the production of space. Trans Inst Indian Geogr 2011, 33(1), 1-22.

In current time, an increasing number of researches in social sciences are found to use 'space' and 'spatiality' as key theoretical constructs to articulate the link between social and political processes, between State, people and the issues of their everyday life. Consequently, the understanding of 'space' as a material social and political construct, is progressively becoming significant, focusing on issues of spatiality, intermixed with uneven development, contemporary globalisation and the prevailing geopolitical order. The need for a socio-spatial approach in understanding the present-day social and political processes thus has become a need of the hour not only for the analysis of the changing socio-political framework, but also for reflecting on how people organise their lives, livelihoods and struggles against various power structures. Space can be absolute, relative or relational or all together, depending on the ongoing process. There is no ontological answer to questions of its typology; it essentially lies in human practice. Tension and conflict, however, is seen to arise over the use of space for individual or social purposes or its domination by State and other forms of class power. Definite patterns of praxis that generate out of such uses are an integral part of the socio-spatial dialectic of every region. Underlying spatialities, one thus can find a complex material framework of social relations, power structure and discursive methodologies of the common people. In the last 100 years of capitalist development, due to drastic redrawing of economic and political boundaries based on newer political economic relations, discussion on space has further taken a centre-stage position. Consequently, globalisation is getting theorised as a reconfiguration of superimposed socio-economic spaces that operates on multiple geographical scales, interconnecting societies and economies of a large number of nation-states within the network of an anomalously developed interdependence. The spatiality of the above process is further shaped by the geographies of cultural forms and practices in countries and regions and hence may vary from one spatial framework to the other. This article intends to analyse the dynamics and typology of 'space' with a focus on the underlying constructions of social relations and geopolitical structure. In the process, it exposes the complex interrelationships of absolute, relative and relational spaces that get typically nuanced by the functioning of given power structures at various scales.

107 ref

014505   Bajpai V N (Geology Dep, Delhi Univ, Delhi-110 007, Email: vnbajpai@yahoo.com) : Hydrogeological studies in the national capital territory of Delhi with reference to land use pattern and effective groundwater management. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2011, 77(1), 31-49.

In the National Capital Territory of Delhi, hydrogeomorphic units control the surface and subsurface water storage. These units are rocky tract, pediments, alluvial uplands, valley fills and flood plains as observed on IRS FCC images. The rocky tract of fractured and weathered quartzite extends from south to north with prominent exposures in the southern part. The pediments occur as buried fringes of rock in the alluvium, surrounding the rocky tract with maximum depth of 50m. A deep valley fill around Najafgarh drain extends to a depth of about 200m. The alluvial upland composed of clay, sand and gravel, is distributed in the northern, western and eastern parts of the territory. Amidst rocky tract in the south, there exists a deep Li-stream basin with alluvial fills up to 300m depth generally known as the Chhatarpur basin. The flood plain is situated along the Yamuna River. The aquifers in the rocky tract extend up to 100m depth. In pediments, the depth varies from 10m to 15m. In alluvial uplands, the aquifers are 3m to 200m deep. In flood plain the fresh groundwater reservoir is found up to 50m depth. The groundwater storage capacity of the NCT region is continuously declining and requires enhancement by surface recharge techniques. Ideal areas for surface recharge are rocky tracts, pediments and flood plain, which should remain exposed to natural precipitation by avoiding any concrete construction in those tracts. In the rocky tract, the natural depressions and mined pits are suitable sites for artificial recharge. On alluvial uplands, the pre-existing water bodies and natural depressions can be revived for surface water storage. The Najafgarh Lake in the south and Mandhela Khurd depression in the southwest are typical examples. The flood plain together with water of the Yamuna River requires cleaning in order to provide an effective recharge of fresh water to the aquifers. The channels also require regulation and prevention from waste filling. Urbanization and concrete structures on the surface are reducing the recharge areas. Drastic steps are needed to retain terrain morphology and lithology. An effective legislation for groundwater augmentation and overall water management is the need of the hour.

15 illus, 32 ref

014504   Abbasi T;Chari K B;Abbasi S A (Centre for Pollution Control and Energy Technology, Pondicherry Univ, Kalapet, Pondicherry) : Development and application of a water resources project information system. Res J Chem Envir 2010, 14(3), 83-93.

Stand-alone water resources project information system, with several capabilities similar to that of a conventional GIS, has been developed. The system enables the user to store, analyze and display spatial information pertaining to a dam-based water resource project. The utility of the system has been illustrated with reference to its application to Sathanur Reservoir Project (Tamil Nadu, India). The database module of the Sathanur Reservoir Project Information System, SRPIS-DBM, enables the user to manipulate and update the database of the project on a real time basis. SRPIS has 31 pre-designed forms which enable cognition of a wide variety of data. The user can browse and print the existing information through forms, tables and reports, as one does when using MS Access. One has all the dynamism, flexibility, fluency and user-friendliness that distinguish MS Access. Another unique feature of SRPIS is a novel ElA sub-module which is integrated with the software's database module. The environmental impact assessment ratings of the Sathanur reservoir project can be directly fed into this module by various observers: experts, end users and other groups. The personal details of each observer are stored in the table EIA Personaldetails and the EIA ratings are stored in a yet another table called EIA-Matrix. In the latter, the values are saved cumulatively for each village and for each category of the observer. The map module of SRPIS, SRPIS-Mapper, has been designed specially for GIS requirements. The user can browse through various facets of SRPIS as map layers, thematic features, the attribute data related to these maps, hydraulic designs of Sathanur reservoir and information on tourist interests in-and-around Sathanur. All the maps have been designed to be self explanatory, with emphasis on clear legends and map scales. However, in SRPIS one can not edit, manipulate or create new thematic maps. To get around this shortcoming, installation of Maplnfo Proviewer 6.5 and downloading of SRPIS Map Data from the SRPIS installation CD-ROM disk has been incorporated.

^iia13 illus, 2 tables, 23 ref

013437   Vijaya (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53, University Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: bsip_vijaya@yahoo.co.in) : Morpho-taxonomic reassessment of certain plicate palynomorphs from the permian successions in India. J Palaeont Soc India 2010, 55(2), 93-106.

Dispersed fossil spores and pollen taxa assigned to Turma Monoletes Ibrahim, 1933, and Turma Plicates Erdtman (1952) respectively, bearing the ribbed body surface are reviewed from the Permian successions in India. The exinal structure/ornament in these taxa includes ridges or plicae and reduced lateral sacci. These taxa are rare in palynoassemblages, but a few of them are stratigraphically significant. Although originating in the Carboniferous elsewhere, representatives of these groups appeared episodically through the Permian in India, and some persisted into the basalmost Triassic. The diagnostic morphological characters listed for each species permits to delimit the distinct species among the six taxa dealt herein, and to enhance their stratigraphic Significance.

3 illus, 3 tables, 69 ref

013436   Tambekar D H;Pawar A L;Dudhane M N (Microbiology Dep, S.G.B. Amravati Univ, Amravati-444 602) : Lonar lake water:past and present. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2010, 9(2), 217-21.

The alkaline Lonar crater, located in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra, India, is the only hypervelocity meteoritic impact crater in basalt rock, ranking third in the world and best preserved impact structures on the earth. The uniqueness of this crater is that it has been formed in strata of hard igneous, basalt rocks. Due to uniqueness and its large size, it has become one of the important craters in the world. The Lonar lake is natural for the accumulation and concentration of saline constituent in the lake water. An attempt has been made to study and compare the information of physicochemical qualities of Lonar lake water. A total of 36 water samples were analysed in 2008 for physicochemical qualities of Lonar lake water. These findings revealed that the Lonar lake water was alkaline (pH 10.3) and characterized by high concentration of salts (9060 mg/L), chloride (3492 mg/L), salinity (6391 mg/L), alkalinity (3751 mg/L), total hardness (480 mg/L), calcium hardness (118 mg/L), magnesium hardness (361 mg/L), sulphate (21 mg/L), phosphate (0. 44 mg/L), nitrate (3.7 mg/L) and dissolved oxygen (0.0034 mg/L). The Lonar lake is unique in the world for its alkalinity and salinity of the water but it is seen that chlorides and salinity of the lake water is decreasing day by day. Hence, it should be protected and preserved for its uniqueness and a scientific phenomenon as a national treasure.

2 illus, 2 tables, 18 ref

013435   Suthar M B;Ravat N M;Mesariya A R;Kanjariya K V (Biology Dep, K.K. Shah Jarodwala Maninagar Science College, J.L. Trust Campus, Rambaug, Maninagar, Ahmedabad-380 008) : Alterations in physicochemical characteristics of drinking water collected from some areas of Ahmedabad city. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2010, 9(2), 399-408.

Due to urbanization and human activities, the groundwater sources are depleting in terms of quantity and quality in Indian cities. The present study is associated with tap water quality of municipal and tube well sources evaluated from 36 samples collected from 17 areas of Ahmedabad city. Samples were analysed for various physicochemical characteristics by standard methods. The data suggest that most of the samples have total hardness, chlorinity and salinity within the highest desirable limit of GPCB or BIS. Most of the samples have high amount of calcium and magnesium hardness above the highest desirable limit but less than maximum permissible limit. Five samples were having magnesium hardness even above the maximum permissible limit of GPCB standards. The water quality index (WQI) calculated from five parameters has shown that almost all the samples have the index value more than 100 suggesting that drinking water is unsafe. Most of the water samples studied (75%) were hard waters in terms of total hardness. Pearson correlation matrix suggests that total hardness has highly significant positive correlation with rest of the parameters studied. The calcium hardness has significant correlation with chlorinity and salinity. The magnesium hardness showed a positive correlation with chlorinity and salinity. Compared to municipal sources using Student's t-test analysis, the tube-well source has higher values of total hardness (P<60>0.001), magnesium hardness (P<60>0.001), chlorinity (P<60>0.05) and,salinity (P<60>0.05). Proper water treatment, especially for tube well water is necessary.

6 illus, 5 tables, 31 ref

013434   Srivastava D K;Singh M P;Kulshrestha A K (Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow-226 007, Email: sirdkdr@gmail.com) : Trace fossil Sactyloidites hall, 1886 from the middle jurassic khadir formation of bela island, Kachchh, India and its palaeoenvironmental significance. J Palaeont Soc India 2010, 55(2), 171-5.

The trace fossil Dactyloidites Hall, 1886 is being recorded from the Indian subcontinent, described in the present paper as Dactyloidites ottoi (Geinitz, 1849) and its palaeoenvironmental significance has been discussed. The specimens have been collected from the medium-grained, calcareous sandstone beds of the Khadir Formation (Upper Bathonian-Lower Callovian), exposed at a ridge north of Bela village, Kachchh, India.

^ssc1 illus, 42 ref

013433   Srivastava A K (Geology Dep, SGB Amravati University, Amravati, Maharashtra-444 602, Email: Ashokamt2000@hotmail.com ) : Fluvial trace fossils from the upper gondwana (early cretaceous) succession of central India. J Palaeont Soc India 2010, 55(2), 137-46.

A rich assemblage of trace fossils is recorded from the Early Cretaceous fluvial arenaceous and argillaceous Gondwana sediments of Central India. The succession is 90-100m thick, and consists of cross bedded to parallel bedded sandstone, siltstone, mudstone and conglomerate, of which the siltstone horizons show maximum preservation of trace fossils. The assemblage is characterized by Baroccoichnites, Cochlichnus, Lockeia, Palaeophycus, Planolites beverleyensis. P. montanus, P. reticulates, Rutichnus, Scolicia, Scoyenia, Skolithos, Steinichnus, feeding structures, insect burrows, grazing traces and spindle-shaped burrows. This study attempts to ascertain the palaeoecological and palaeoenvironmental significance of the trace fossils and discusses its placement in the Scoyenia ichnofacies.

2 illus, 1 table, 48 ref

013432   Satyanarayana C;Ramakrishna Rao S;Hossain K (Marine Engg. Dep, College of Engineering, Andhra Univ, Visakhapatnam-530 003) : Assessment of water quality of freshwater resources along the coast of Andhra Pradesh. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2010, 9(1), 19-23.

Assessment of water quality is important as water is used for domestic, agricultural and also industrial purposes. The coastal stretch of Andhra Pradesh abutting Bay of Bengal is also a part of the Coromandal coast that runs to a length of 960 km on the east coast of India. The two large rivers Godavari and Krishna, which originate in the west coast, join the sea with in a gap of 200 km between them. The rivers, in addition to suspended sediments coming through surface runoff, also receive discharge of domestic as well as treated and untreated industrial effluents. The water samples of various freshwater bodies from 80 different stations in the nine districts were collected and analysed for their physicochemical characteristics to determine the hydrogeochemical characteristics of the stretch of Andhra Pradesh.

8 illus, 4 ref

013431   Sarkar S;Corvinus G (NO, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53 University Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: sarkarsamir@rediffmail.com) : Palynofossils from the middle siwalik sediments of Nepal with remarks on age and palaeoenvironment. J Palaeont Soc India 2010, 55(2), 157-66.

A rich palynofloral assemblage has been recovered from the Middle Siwalik sediments exposed at west of Tapt Kund near Rehar on Lamahi-Nepalganj road, Nepal. The palynofloral assemblage mainly consists of algal zygospores, fungal spores and conidia, pteridophytic spores, gymno-spermous and angiospermous pollen; in all, 52 species belonging to 45 genera have been recorded. Quantitatively, the assemblage is dominated by pteridophytic spores followed by gymnospermous pollen. Occurrences of fungal spores and conidia along with microthyraceous ascostromata in large quantity throughout the succession suggest the prevalence of a warm, humid, subtropical climate during the deposition of the Middle Siwalik sediments in the area of investigation. The sediments seem to have been deposited under fresh water conditions. Comparative study of this assemblage with the known Middle Siwalik palynofloral assemblages from Nepal and India points out that it may perhaps belong to late Late Miocene age.

3 illus, 1 table, 42 ref

013430   Saraswat R (Micropalaeontology Laboratory, National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa-403 004, Email: rsaraswat@nio.org) : Differential dissolution of biogenic carbonates: implication of secretion at higher pH. J Palaeont Soc India 2010, 55(2), 167-70.

A selective preferential dissolution of a few initial chambers of several specimens of calcareous planktic foraminifera Globigerinoides ruber ha been noted in the surface sediments collected from the eastern Arabian Sea and northern Bay of Bengal. Based on a recent finding stating the capability of foraminifera to modulate the vacuolar seawater pH for easy secretion of calcite, it is postulated that these initial two-three chambers were formed at relatively higher pH conditions, inside the cyst during asexual reproduction. The secretion of chambers at relatively higher pH results in increased incorporation of magnesium into the calcareous test. This increased Mg carbonate probably renders the initial chambers more prone to dissolution. The findings have an implication for the application of Gruber for palaeoclimatic/palaeoceanographic studies.

^ssc1 illus, 37 ref

013429   Sapkale J B (Geography Dep, Shivaji Univ, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Email: jagdishsapkale@yahoo.co.in) : Brick kilns of Umbraj and its impact on the lower reaches of river Tarali. Int J Envir Dev 2010, 7(1), 23-33.

An intervention by man has serious effects on natural processes. The degree of intervention is the outcome of technological advancements, which exert pressure on the natural resources. The increase in population leads to increasing demand on houses. This has led to extensive increase in construction activity. Brick is the main material used by the construction Industry and silt is the basic raw material for Bricks. This is obtained from the alluvium along the rivers. Excavation of the alluvium from the bed or bank of river leads to change the channel morphology and shifts the channel path. Normally such changes are part of natural processes. The natural processes leading to change are sometimes aided by human interventions also. The study discusses the dimensions of brick industry of Umbraj and Extensive silt excavation in Umbraj which is carried on along the banks of Tarali and Krishna rivers. This activity can be noticed in many sites but the concentration of excavation is more prominent in the lower reaches of River Tarali, near the confluence. The excavation activity along the banks and in agricultural fields has resulted in positive and negative impacts in the region. The total annual excavation is 6.6 lakhs cubic metres of alluvium which exceeds permitted quantity (i.e. near about 11,000 cubic metres per annum) for silt excavation from the revenue departments. This excavated alluvium is sold at a rate of 15 - 20 thousand rupees per guntha (i.e. 92.9 sq m). Every year there is a turn over of Rs. 5 crores due to alluvium excavation activities and brick making activities. Now a days brick production has decreased from 30.6 million to 11.3 million in 10 years due to Maharashtra Government's banned on the Brick Industries in the Town areas to control the air pollution. The present study also reveals that human intervention has lead to increase in width of the channel. This has posed certain environmental effects and would affect socio-economic life of the people in near future.

5 illus, 4 tables, 5 ref

013428   Ramamurti V;Sridhar S;Mithun S;Kumaravel B (NO, Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, Chennai; Old No. 2, New No. 5, Fourth Main Road, Kasturba Nagar, Adyar, Chennai-600 020, Email: ramamurti@hotmail.com) : Transient dynamic analysis of valve stoppers used in reciprocating air compressor. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2010, 76(3), 119-28.

The present investigation deals with valve stoppers (inlet and delivery) in a compressor subjected to repetitive shock pulses where the force acts for a very short period of time (of the order of 10^-6 seconds). Static analysis to this kind of problem results in very low stress value. To capture the real time stresses it is necessary to carry out dynamic analysis. In this paper, valve stopper (both delivery and inlet) which forms part of reciprocating air compressor subjected to force for a very short period of time is analysed. Transient dynamic analysis is carried out using mode superposition method to validate the experimental findings.

19 illus, 1 table, 11 ref

013427   Pandey D K;Singh R (Geology Dep, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur-302 004, Email: dhirendrap@hotmail.com) : Early pliocene-holocene favia from the northern and Northwestern coastal areas of Saurashtra peninsyula, Western India. J Palaeont Soc India 2010, 55(2), 107-20.

The scleractinian coral genus Favia from the early Pliocene-Holocene sediments and the patch reefs in intertidal lagoon along the northern and~orthwestern coastal areas of Saurashtra peninsula, western India is represented by three morphospecies, viz. Favia favus, Favia speciosa and Favia matthaii. These species have been found intricately related and cannot be easily seperated; however, based on combination of characters like anastamosing nature of septa, size and shape of paliform lobes, size and density of septal ornamentation these have been differentiated. The nomenclatural problem has also been discussed. The significance of the genus for palaeoecological reconstruction and their detail morphological variation through time has been given.

1 illus, 2 tables, 61 ref

013426   Nerozin S (NO, Regional Expert, SIC ICWC (Tashkent city, Uzbekistan)) : Assessment of efficiency of "integrated water resources management in Fergana valley" project impact. Wat Energy int 2010, 67(1), 19-22.

***

4 tables, ref

013425   Murugappan A;Gnanakumar S;Senthilkumar G (Civil Engineering Dep, Annamalai Univ, Annamalainagar-608 002) : Assessment of shallow groundwater quality in Usupur village panchayat in Chidambaram taluk of Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu state. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2010, 9(1), 167-72.

Ever-increasing population and its increasing water needs due to improved life styles have led to more and more tapping of groundwater resources due to continuous deterioration of most surface water resources. This necessitates the urgent need to monitor the quality characteristics of groundwater being tapped for domestic activities. The study reported in this paper was undertaken to assess the physicochemical characteristics of shallow groundwaters in eight residential habitations of Usupur Village Panchayat near Chidambaram town in Cuddalore District, Tamilnadu State. The quality parameters namely, pH, total dissolved solids, total hardness, total alkalinity, chlorides, nitrates, fluorides and iron were analysed using standard procedures. The study revealed that the groundwater was not fit for drinking and cooking but with certain affordable ameliorations at household level it could be made fit for other domestic activities such as bathing, washing and gardening.

2 tables, 4 ref

013424   Misra S B (NO, , K-103, Awadh Apartments, Vipul Khand Gomtinagar, Lucknow, Email: sbmisra@yahoomail.com) : Origin and growth of the ediacaran fauna at mistaken point, Newfoundland, Canada: a hypothesis. J Palaeont Soc India 2010, 55(2), 177-82.

Origin and growth pattern of some of the elements of the oldest Ediacaran assemblage of Mistaken Point, most crucial to deciding their biological affinity, have been discussed. The fauna of Newfoundland marks the beginning from small globular bodies like strings of beads. The beadªlike globular bodies had a tendency to align themselves as chains, double chains and radiating forms producing spindle-shaped organisms. The globular bodies thus represent a link between pre-Ediacaran and Ediacaran life forms. Some of the globular bodies formed concentric aggregates or developed tendency to split in to several parts to initiate the development of lobate structures (Ivesia or Ivesheadia). Isolated beads or globules germinated to stalk that evolved to frond-like forms.

^ssc2 illus, 29 ref

013423   Kumar T J R;Balsubramanian A;Kumar R S; Manoharan K (Earth Sciences Dep, Annamalai Univ, Annamalainagar-608 002, T.N.) : Groundwater hydrogeochemical characterization of Chittar sub basin, Tambaraparani river, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2010, 9(1), 133-40.

Hydrogeochemical characterization of 82 groundwaters has been done in Chittar sub basin of Tambaraparani river, Tirunelveli District. In this attempt major cations and anions were analysed and other parameters were calculated. The pH and EC varied from 6.60 to 8.50 and 115 μmhos/cm to 9780 μmhos/cm. The TDS and Total hardness varied from 81 mg/L to 6846 mg/L and 40 mg/L to 1818 mg/L. The range of chemical concentration of cations such as Ca, Mg, Na, K and anions like Cl, HCO₃, SO₄ NO₃ varied from 12 mg/L to 533 mg/L, 3 mg/L to 116 mg/L, 9 mg/L to 3255 mg/U 1.0 to 89.0 mg/L and 9 mg/L to 2904 mg/L, 45 mg/L to 691 mg/L, 2 mg/L to 237 mg/L, 1 mg/L to 16 mg/L respectively. SAR ranges from 0.592 to 22.82 and the RSC varied from 32.46 to 5.48. The results show that certain groundwater sample locations exceed the maximum permissible limit but exceeding the desirable limit of WHO standard for drinking. The attempt revealed the present level of element contamination and source of the ionic contribution in the study area.

3 illus, 2 tables, 14 ref

013422   Kumar C S C (Chemistry Dep, Bharathi College, Bharathi Nagar, Mandya-571 422) : Fluoride content of bore well waters in Mysore city of Karnataka, India. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2010, 9(1), 155-6.

The residents of Mysore city are mainly dependent on bore well water for domestic and small scale industries, especially in summer season. Hence, large number of bore wells exist in the city. Fluoride content of these bore wells water was analysed and the outcome of the results was in the view of pollution of the study area. It reveals that the fluoride concentration is within the permissible limits as prescribed - by BIS and WHO. Hence, the bore well water of Mysore city can be conveniently used for drinking purpose without any pre-treatment for fluoride.

1 illus, 1 table, 6 ref

013421   Krishnamoorthi A;Selvakumar S (Zoology Dep, DDE, Annamalai Univ, Annamalainagar-608 002, T.N) : Seasonal variation in physicochemical characteristics of water bodies and around Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2010, 9(1), 89-92.

Investigation has been designed to assess the water quality parameters of surface waters present in and around Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu for a period of one year. Water samples were collected from five stations (S1-Chidambaram, S2-Veeranam, S3-Vadalur, S4-Vellar and S5-Sipcot) on 15th day of each month. The parameters analysed include pH, EC, TDS, total hardness, alkalinity, chloride, calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulphate and fluorides. The water samples collected from industrial area showed a high value in all the parameters in summer season. This indicate the extent of pollution due to addition of effluents into the water bodies. But in rainy season all the parameters in all the stations remain under permissible limit. This may be due to the dilution of surface waters with rain water.

2 tables, 14 ref

013420   Kavita;Anji Reddy M (Centre for Environment, Institute of Science & Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological Univ, Hyderabad-500085, Email: jkkavil23@yahoo.com) : Development of village information system using remote sensing and GIS-a case study from Prakasam district. Int J Envir Dev 2010, 7(1), 93-107.

The effective information system is necessary to make available all kinds of data related to the village, easily and concisely for planning at micro- level. The main objective of the study is to develop a village information system providing complete information for decision-making based on their existing resources and capabilities. Hence, an attempt has been made to assess the standard of each infrastructure facility in Karamchedu mandal, Prakasam district. For this purpose, type of housing, roads, water supply and sanitation, electricity, telephone, and transportation facilities have been identified as the major fields of the basic infrastructure. It also helps in regular updation of database over the time period to ensure better availability of village information. High-resolution satellite data IRS-P6 LISS-IVMX 2006 (5.8 m resolution) has been used for the preparation of large-scale maps on 1:10,000 scale using ARCGIS 9.2, supported with extensive field survey. This information system will be helpful for planners, academicians, geographers, and government officers.

6 illus, 6 tables, 28 ref

013419   Jha N;Aggarwal N (Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, , 53 University Road, Lucknow-226 007, Email: neerjajha@yahoo.co.uk) : Palynostratigraphy and correlation of the lower gondwana coal-bearing and associated sediments in the Satrajpalli area, Godavri graben, Andhra Pradesh. J Palaeont Soc India 2010, 55(2), 147-55.

Palynological investigations in the sub-surface sediments of bore core GSP- I and GSP-9 from the Satrajpalli area, Mulug coal belt, Godavari sub-basin have revealed presence of two palynoassemblages, one belonging to the Early Permian (Barakar) palynoflora and other belonging to the Late Permian (Raniganj) palynoflora. Assemblage-I is characterized by dominance of non-striate disaccate Scheuringipollenites and sub-dominance of striate disaccates, viz. Striatopodocarpites and Faunipollenites. The other taxa recorded in the assemblage include Platysaccus, Ibisporites, Primuspollenites, Divarisaccus, Parasaccites, Indotriradites, Brevitriletes and Horriditriletes. Assemblage-II is characterised by dominance of striate disaccates, chiefly, Striatopodocarpites and Faunipollenites along with presence of rare but stratigraphically significant taxa viz., Strotersporites, Verticipollenites, Corisaccites, Hamiapollenites, Falcisporites, Crescentipollenites, Lunatisporites, Guttulapollenites, Kamthisaccites, Weylandites and Lundbladispora.The presence of the Lower Raniganj palynoflora has been demarcated in the lithologically designated Barren Measures Formation.

4 illus, 3 tables, 14 ref

013418   Jha B M;Sinha S K (Central Ground Water Board, Bhujal Bhawan, CGO Complex, NH IV, Faridabad-121 001) : Towards better management of ground water resources in India. Wat Energy int 2010, 67(1), 2-18.

Groundwater is the most preferred source of water in various user sectors in India on account of its near universal availability, dependability and low capital cost. The increasing dependence on ground water as a reliable source of water has resulted in indiscriminate extraction in various parts of the country without due regard to the recharging capacities of aquifers and other environmental factors. On the other hand, there are areas in the country, where ground water development is sub-optimal in spite of the availability of sufficient resources, and canal command areas suffering from problems of water logging and soil salinity due to the gradual rise in ground water levels. As per the latest assessment, the annual replenishable ground water resource of country has been estimated as 433 billion cubic meter (bcm), out of which 399 bcm is considered to be available for development for various uses. The irrigation sector remains the major consumer of ground water, accounting for 92% of its annual withdrawal. The development of ground water in the country is highly uneven and shows considerable variations from place to place. Though the overall stage of ground water development is about 58%, the average stage of ground water development in North Western Plain States is much higher (98%) when compared to the Eastern Plain States (43%) and Central Plain States (42%). Management of ground water resources in the Indian context is an extremely complex proposition. The highly uneven distribution and its utilization make it impossible to have single management strategy for the country as a whole. Any strategy for scientific management of ground water resources should involve a combination of supply side and demand side measures depending on the regional setting. As far as ground water resource availability is concerned the share of alluvial areas covering Eastern Plain states of Bihar, Orissa (part), Eastern Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal and North Western plain states of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Western Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh; is about 44% of the total available resource. However, these groups of states have overall development of the order of 43% and 98% respectively. In view of the marked difference in stage of ground water in these areas, there is a need to critically analyze the underlying factors responsible for the imbalances in terms of technical and socio-economic considerations. These should also be taken for consideration while formulating any comprehensive water resources management initiatives for the country. There is urgerit need for coordinated efforts by various Governments and non-governmental agencies, social service organizations and the stakeholders for evolving implementable plan for effective management of this precious natural resource.

4 illus, 1 table, 14 ref

013417   Ishrath;Prabhakar G (Geology Dep, Post Graduate College of Science, Saifabad, Osmania Univ, Hyderabad-500 004) : Groundwater quality assessment of Miyapur area in Ranga Reddy district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2010, 9(1), 173-8.

Study on hydrochemistry of groundwater in Miyapur area, Ranga Reddy District, Andhra Pradesh, India has been carried out to assess the quality of groundwater for determining its suitability for drinking purpose. The area, underlained by grey and pink granites of granitoid complex, is associated with profused injections of aplite and fine grained quartzo felspathic veins and pegmatites basic intrusives, which include dolerite, gabbro and pyroxenite, cut across rocks in the study area. Red sandy soils and laterite soils are major soil types in this area. Twenty groundwater samples have been collected from bore wells during premonsoon and postmonsoon seasons of the year 2008. The samples were analysed for various water quality parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), major cations like calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and anions like chloride, nitrate, fluoride and sulphate. The physicochemical parameters have been compared with the standard guideline values as recommended by WHO and BIS for drinking and public health. It is observed that the pH value is not exceeding the excessive limits in both premonsoon and postmonsoon. Overall, the samples of premonsoon and postmonsoon seasons are not exceeding the excessive limits of calcium. All the samples of both premonsoon and postmonsoon are exceeding the excessive limits of magnesium, which indicates that the water is becoming hard due to the pollutants coming out from the industries. Sodium and potassium indicates increase in levels of sodium in groundwater due to percolation from sodium and potassium bearing minerals. Anions like chloride in all the samples are not exceeding the permissible limits. The concentration of nitrate is above permissible limits. The concentration of fluoride is below permissible limits in postmonsoon. Sulphate concentration is less than permissible limit in all the samples of premonsoon and postmonsoon.

2 tables, 7 ref

013416   Goswami S;Singh K J (Geology Dep, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack-753 002, Email: singh_kamal_jeet@yahoo.com) : Occurrence of gymnosperms from lower Gondwana formations of the IB-river coalfield, Orissa, India with a clue on the palaeoecology and the palaeoenvironment of the area. J Palaeont Soc India 2010, 55(2), 121-35.

Extensive investigations were carried out recently in the Ib-River Coalfield, a part of Mahanadi Master Basin to locate fossiliferous beds in the Lower Gondwana deposits. As a result, a large cache of plant fossils was recovered from six different localities belonging to the Barakar and Lower Kamthi Formations. The diverse and abundant plant remains collected in this operation includes 23 genera representing nine orders viz., Lycopodiales, Equisetales, Sphenophyllales, Filicales, Cordaitales, Coniferales, Ginkgoales, Cycadales and Glossopteridales. The gymnosperm genera namely Macrotaeniopteris, Ginkgoites, Buriadia, Surangephyllum, Palaeovittaria, Ottokaria, Scutum and Vertebraria along with some scale leaves and stem casts have been dealt with in this paper. The remaining plant groups of this collection are already published in different journals. The exposures of the Barakar Formation in Lajkura and Jurabaga collieries contain two distinct floristic assemblages and based on this, the sediments here have been divided into lower and upper stages. The genera Buriadia and Ottokaria reported in the present study and Gangamopteris, Noeggerathiopsis, Cordaites, Euryphyllum and Kawizophyllum described earlier are found preserved only in the lowermost horizon, i.e. the 41h horizon of the Barakar Formation and they are completely absent in all the three younger fossil horizons of these two localities. Thus, the oldest carbonaceous shale beds (4^th fossil horizon) of Lajkura and Jurabaga collieries belong to Lower floral zone (Lower Barakar). The younger three fossiliferous shale beds of Lajkura and Jurabaga collieries, pinkish brown shale of locality near Belpahar Railway Station and fireclay bed of Ratanpur Fireclay Quarry belong to upper floral zone (Upper Barakar). These beds contain a good number of gymnosperms herein described, namely Ginkgoites, Surangephyllum, Palaeovittaria, Scutum, Vertebraria, scale leaves and stem casts as well as the taxa reported earlier viz., Cyclodendron, Schizoneura, Raniganjia, Bengalia, Trizygia, Benlightfootia, Neomariopteris, Dichotomopteris, Glossopteris, Senotheca and equisetaceous stems. The flora, collected from the Kamthi beds exposed at Dungri and Sitaram Hillocks, has yielded only Late Permian elements, namely Macrotaeniopteris, Vertebraria, Glossopteris, Schizoneura, Neomariopteris, and equisetaceous stems (first two reported in this study and the rest described earlier). No typical Triassic element like Dicroidium, Lepidopteris, etc. could be reported in these beds, hence it is suggested that these rocks might belong to the Lower member of the Kamthi Formation, and not the Upper member that is now considered to be Triassic in both Ib-River Coalfield (pal et al., 1992) and Talcher Coalfield (Pal and Ghosh, 1997). The composition of overall flora of Ib-River Coalfield suggests a palaeoclimatic shift from temperate warm moist to warm dry conditions during Early Permian (Barakar Formation) time to warm and humid during Late Permian (Lower Kamthi) time.

9 illus, 62 ref

013415   Dutta S;Chowhan P;Gupta V (Environmental Studies Dep, M.D.S. Univ, Ajmer-305 009) : Status of groundwater quality in Masuda tehsil of Ajmer district, Rajasthan during pre-monsoon season. Nat Envir Pollut Technol 2010, 9(1), 97-100.

An attempt has been made to access the groundwater quality in the Masuda-Tehsil situated south-west of Ajmer city covering an area of 87,898 hectare and having the population of 1,87,295 in the year 2001. It consists of 147 villages, nearby all facing an acute shortage of water and, thus, creating a tremendous pressure on the fragile water resources due to high population growth and over consumption, finally leading to deterioration of the quality and quantity of water. The present investigation was carried out by collecting the groundwater samples during the pre-monsoon 2006 from 25 different sites in the Masuda Tehsil. The physicochemical parameters which were analysed are pH, electrical conductivity, TDS, total hardness, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness, total alkalinity, sodium, potassium, fluoride, sulphate and nitrate. The value obtained were compared with standards prescribed by WHO and BIS. The analysis revealed high content of TDS, fluoride, nitrate, bicarbonate, etc. along with high variability, which is a matter of great concern, thus, leading to adverse effects on the people residing in the study area. As it is never late to realize that water is the most critical factor, so we need to take proper remedial measures to maintain its quality and conserve it as we do not have it on any other planet except earth making it the only place where man can survive.

1 table, 15 ref

013414   Devappa V M;Khageshan P;Mise S R (Civil Engg. Dep, R.E.C. Bhalki, Dist. Bidar, Karnataka, Email: vmdevapa@gmail.com) : Pre-monsoon drought-a case study of Gulbarga district in Karnataka, India. Int J Envir Dev 2010, 7(1), 69-79.

Drought is a normal, recurrent feature of the climate. It occurs almost everywhere although its features vary from region to region. In the most general sense, drought originates from a deficiency of precipitation over an extended period of time, resulting in a water shortage for some activity group or environmental sector. Gulbarga district is one among the drought affected districts in Karnataka India, hence a detailed study of the drought conditions in the district is required. For the analysis of drought, rainfall data for the period from 1961-2008 is collected for all available stations. The Pre-Monsoon rainfall to a certain extent contribute moisture budget which helps considerably to reduce the impact of drought in the area. The main objective of the study is to take up a thorough analysis of the study of the drought condition for pre-monsoon periods of the district. Remote sensing and Geographical information system tools are used for the analysis. In this period the probability of occurrence of pre-monsoon drought is equivalent to 76.14% of the normal. The analysis of rainfall records for all ten taluks indicated that most of the taluks were affected by drought during the years 1964 1965 1969 1972, 1973 1983 1984, 1987 out of these 1972 and 1973 were the worst drought affected years.

9 illus, 1 table, 6 ref

013413   Devappa V M;Khageshan P;Mise S R (Civil Engg. Dep, R.E.C. Bhalki, Dist. Bidar, Karnataka, Email: vmdevapa@gmail.com) : Drought: practices, beliefs and social religious observances-a vase study of Gulbarga district Karnataka, India. Int J Envir Dev 2010, 7(1), 1-11.

Gulbarga district falls in Krishna river basin one among the drought prone districts of Karnataka. Drought conditions in the districts were the result of climatic variations in rainfall and occurrence of breaks. The drought prone situation has also evolved its own social religious and other practices to predict a future drought or rainfall. Beliefs, prediction of drought/rainfall, of them found to be prevailing in Gulbarga districts as expressed bv the villagers during a household survey. The people believed in such superstitions. In this study an attempts has been made to summarize such superstitious and discussed briefly.

2 illus, 1 table, 8 ref

013412   Bhattacharjee D (NO, , OPEC-I, Marine wing, GSI, Kolkata-32, Email: debajyoti1955@yahoo.com) : Ditribution of benthic foraminiferal assemblages in the holocene sediments of the continental shelf region of West Bengal and Orissa, Bay of Bengal. J Palaeont Soc India 2010, 55(2), 79-92.

Seabed sediments off Hoogly and Dhamra rivers indicate a distinct change of biogenic and terrigenous components in the eastern and western sides of the Ganga prodeltaic region in the continental shelf, Bay of Bengal. A total of 96 samples were collected between 5 m and 112 m isobaths covering an area of 2136 sq km off Hoogly river (eastern domain) and 160 samples between 9 m and 45 m water depths covering an area of 2200 sq km off Dhamra river (western domain) respectively for the study of foraminiferal biofacies, faunal assemblages and sediment characteristics. Three foraminiferal biofacies have been delineated separately in both the domains and their relation to the bathymetry and bottom sediments was analyzed. The biofacies contact is nearly parallel to the bathymetric contours and shore line in the eastern domain but shows incongruous relation in the western domain. The overall biogenic component in the seabed sediments are less (10 to 20%) in the former and more (20 to 30%) in the latter domain. The biogenic material comprises foraminifera and molluscs with some amount of ostracods, bryozoa/coral fragments and echinoid spines as well as a few worm tubes, fish otoliths and burrows. The seabed samples, within the depth range from 20 m to 45 m isobath, show the presence of anomalous sediment containing relict foraminiferal and mollusc taxa along with Recent biota. The anomalous sediments are made of illsorted concretions, grits, very coarse to coarse sand with considerable biogenic material and some oolite/pellets at places. The relict faunal assemblage and sediment character reveals their deposition at low sea stand in the past. Benthic foraminifera are of smaller size, thin test, and show lower diversity and low TFN (Total Foraminiferal Number) in the eastern domain than the western sector within the inner shelf zone. A good number of bivalves and gastropods with some scaphopods, coral/bryozoaan fragments and echinoid spines is observed in the western domain but their number is considerably less and the assemblage is different in the east. A total of 54 benthic and 12 planktic foraminiferal taxa has been identified along with 14 gastropod, 13 bivalve, 4 scaphopod and 8 pteropod species. The sediments of the western part are relatively older and show of flap character, while the eastern domain is younger and shows onlap behavior. The younger deltaic sediments are continuously overlapping the older sediments in the western domain during the Holocene time. Two domains are distinctly different in grain size, texture, mineral composition and fossil content from each other which are responsible for the huge sediment flux in the macrotidal Hoogly River on the east and low sediment influx in the meso-tidal Dhamra River on the west.

5 illus, 5 tables, 46 ref