Estimation of near surface soil moisture in a sloping terrain of a Himalayan watershed using ENVISAT ASAR multi‐incidence angle alternate polarisation data

Soil moisture is one of the important input variables in hydrological and water erosion models. The extraction of information on near surface soil moisture from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is well established mostly for flat terrain and using low incidence angle single polarisation data. The ENVISAT advanced SAR (ASAR) data available in multiple incidence angles and alternate polarisation modes were investigated in this study for soil moisture estimation in sloping terrain. The test site was Sitla Rao watershed in the Lesser Himalayas of northern India. Empirical models were developed to estimate near surface soil moisture in bare agricultural fields using alternate polarisation ASAR data. Both soil moisture and surface roughness field measurements were performed during the satellite passes. Backscatter from medium incidence angle (IS‐4) and vertical‐vertical (VV) polarisation signal is correlated better with volumetric soil moisture content compared to other incidence angles. The model parameters were further improved, and soil moisture estimation was refined by combining medium incidence angle (IS4) vertical‐horizontal polarisation response as another variable along with VV polarisation response. The effect of slope on the radar backscatter was minimized by incorporating local incidence angles derived from an ASTER DEM. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kinetics and Equilibrium Sorption Studies of 4-Nitrophenol on pyrolyzed and activated oil shale residue

Sorption of the organic pollutant 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) by pyrolyzed and activated Jordanian oil-shale was studied. Pyrolyzed oil shale was prepared using a fluidized bed reactor at 520 °C in the presence of nitrogen. Physical activation was carried out by treating the pyrolyzed oil shale with CO₂ at 830 °C, while chemical activation was achieved by using KOH and ZnCl₂ as impregnating agents. Batch kinetics and isotherm studies were conducted to evaluate the sorption process. Effects of contact time, initial sorbate concentration, sorbent concentration, temperature, pH and inorganic salts (NaCl and KCl) on the sorption process by the different sorbents were considered. Chemically activated oil shale, pretreated with ZnCl₂, gave the highest uptake of 4-NP. The isotherm experimental data fit reasonably well to Langmuir, Freundlich and Redlich-Paterson models. Three kinetic models, namely the Morris-Weber, Lagergren, and Pseudo-Second-Order model (PSOM), were applied to represent the experimental results for both pyrolyzed and ZnCl₂-oil shale sorbents.     

Deposition of atmospheric pollutant and their chemical characterization in snow pit profile at Dokriani Glacier,Central Himalaya

The uncertainty in assessing the numerous atmospheric pollutants transported via wind from arid and semi-arid regions is affecting the glacial ecosystem. In our study area due to the complexity of the system, a prominent seasonal difference noticed among major ions(Ca~(2+), Mg~(2+), SO_4~(2-), and NO_3~-). There is a need for understanding the ions cycling as a whole and the directionality of the feedback loops in the system. Therefore, we provide an appraisal of our current hypothesis for seasonal difference in major ion concentration from snow samples for two corresponding years(2013 and 2015) at Dokriani Glacier. A systematic study of chemical compositionsin the shallow snow pit from Dokriani Glacier was undertaken for the pre-monsoon season to understand the cycling of major ions from atmosphere to solute acquisition process. The intimating connections of ions cycling in snow and its temporal behavior was observed and analyzed through various statistical tests. Among major ions, the SO_4~(2-)has the highest concentration among anions on an average considered as 14.21% in 2013 and 29.46% in 2015. On the other side Ca~(2+) is the dominant cation contributing 28.22% in 2013 and 15.3% in 2015 on average. The average ratio of Na+/Cl-was higher in 2013 whereas lower in 2015. The backward trajectory analysis suggests the possible sources of the ions transported from Central Asia through the Western Disturbance(WD) as a prominent source of winter precipitation mainly in the Central Himalaya. Ionicconcentration of Ca~(2+) in cations was highly dominated while in anion SO_4~(2-)played the major role. Factor analysis and correlation matrix suggested that, the precipitation chemistry is mostly influenced by anthropogenic, crustal, and sea salt sources over the studied region. The elemental cycling through ocean, atmosphere and biosphere opens up new ways to understand the geochemical processes operating at the glacierized catchments of the Himalaya. Moreover, increasing the field-based studies in the coming decades would also have the certain advantage in overcoming the conceptual and computational geochemical modelling difficulties.     

Bearing capacity of rectangular footing on reinforced soil

In the present paper, a method of analysis for calculating the pressure intensity corresponding to a given settlement for a rectangular footing resting on reinforced soil foundation has been presented. The process has been simplified by presenting non-dimensional charts for the various terms used in the analysis, which can be directly used by practicing engineers. An empirical method has been suggested to find out the ultimate bearing capacity of footing on reinforced soil. The results have been validated with large-scale model tests also. The procedure has been made clear by giving an illustrative example. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A geo-information system approach for forest fire likelihood based on causative and anti-causative factors

Innumerable forest fire spread models exist for taking a decision, but far less focus is on the real causative factors which initiate/ignite fire in an area. It has been observed that the majority of the forest fires in India are initiated due to anthropogenic factors. In this study, we develop a geo-information system approach for management of forest fire in Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu, India, with the objective to develop a forest fire likelihood model, integrating GIS and knowledge-based approach for predicting fire-sensitive initiation areas considering major causative and anti-causative factors. Amongst the various causative factors investigated, it was found that wildlife-dependent factor (antler collection and poaching) contributed significantly to fire occurrence followed by management-dependent factors (uncontrolled tourism and grazing), with much less influence of demographic factors. Similarly, anti-causative factor (stationing of anti-poaching/ fire camps) was considered as quite significant.

The likelihood model so developed, envisaging various factors and flammability, accounted for different scenarios as a result of pair-wise comparison on an ordinal scale in a knowledge matrix. The inferential statistics computed indicated the robustness of the model and its insensitivity to moderate changes. It makes it possible for this forest fire likelihood model to predict and prevent a forest fire in an effective and scientific manner because it can assume forest fire likelihood in real time and present in proper time.     

Pseudo-Static Analysis of Soil Nailed Excavations

In this paper, a pseudo-static analysis has been presented to investigate the stability of soil nailed vertical/nearly vertical excavations. The failure surface is assumed as the arc of log-spiral passing through the toe of the excavation and intersecting the ground at right angle. The horizontal and vertical seismic forces are taken in terms of horizontal and vertical seismic coefficients. The internal failure mode of the nailed cut is considered either by pull-out or rupture or excessive bending whichever is critical. Expression for the factor of safety is derived using moment equilibrium method. Results have been arranged in tabular form considering ranges of the design parameters usually occur in practice. A typical table for the design of nailed excavation with driven nails is presented in the paper. Analytical results have been compared with the findings of model tests and reasonably good agreement has been observed.     

Potential of ASAR-ENVISAT for Estimating Near Surface Soil Moisture in a Sloping Terrain of a Himalayan Watershed

Soil moisture estimation is considered to be one of the important parameters in hydrological studies. The extraction of information on near surface soil moisture from the synthetic aperture radar is well established. The available Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) data onboard ENVISAT with multi-incidence and multi-polarization mode for soil moisture estimation on sloping terrain was investigated. Empirical models were developed to estimate near surface soil moisture in the fallow agricultural fields by incorporating the effects of surface roughness using multi-incidence angle ASAR data. Medium incidence angle (IS-4) with VV polarization of ASAR data had higher correlation coefficient to volumetric soil moisture content. The ratio of medium (IS-4) to high incidence (IS-6) angle could further reduce the effect of surface roughness. The effect of topography on the radar data is taken care by calculating local incidence angle derived from ASTER DEM data. The VV polarization in the sloping terrain provided better results in comparison to VH polarization.     

Physical and chemical activation of pyrolyzed oil shale residue for the adsorption of phenol from aqueous solutions

Batch kinetics and isotherm studies were carried out to evaluate the sorption of phenol by pyrolyzed and activated Jordanian oil-shale. The effects of contact time, initial sorbate concentration, sorbent concentration, temperature, pH and inorganic salts (NaCl and KCl), on the adsorption process by different sorbents were considered. Chemically activated oil shale, pretreated with ZnCl ₂, gave the highest uptake of phenol. The isotherm experimental data fit well to Freundlich and Redlich-Paterson models and to a less extent to the Langmuir model. The increase in the initial sorbate concentration resulted in an increase in the uptake. Three kinetics models, namely the Morris-Weber model, the Lagergren model, and the pseudo-second-order model (PSOM), were applied to represent the experimental results for pyrolyzed and ZnCl ₂-oil shale sorbents. Pyrolyzed oil shale was prepared using a fluidized bed reactor at 520 °C in the presence of nitrogen. Physical activation was carried out by treating the resulted pyrolyzed oil shale with CO ₂ at 830 °C, while chemical activation of oil shale was carried out using KOH and ZnCl ₂ as impregnating agents.     

Use of GIS,Statistics and Machine Learning for Groundwater Quality Management: Application to Nitrate Contamination

Water Resources - Groundwater NO3 contamination (GNC) threatens the drinkability of water in many countries worldwide. It could cause serious health problems and sometimes lead to death. This paper...