Geology,geochemistry and geochronology of the Archaean Peninsular Gneiss around Gorur,Hassan District,Karnataka, India

The Peninsular Gneiss around Gorur in the Dharwar craton, reported to be one of the oldest gneisses, shows nealy E-W striking gneissosity parallel to the axial planes of a set of isoclinal folds (DhF₁). These have been over printed by near-coaxial open folding (DhF₁₂) and non-coaxial upright folding on almost N-S trend (DhF₂). This structural sequence is remarkably similar to that in the Holenarasipur schist belt bordering the gneisses as well as in the surpracrustal enclaves within the gneisses, suggesting that the Peninsular Gneiss has evolved by migmatization synkinematically with DhF₁ deformation. The Gorur gneisses are high silica, low alumina trondhjemites enriched in REE (up to 100 times chondrite), with less fractionated REE patterns (Ce_N/Yb_N < 7) and consistently negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.5 to 0.7). A whole rock Rb-Sr isochron of eight trondhjemitic gneisses sampled from two adjacent quarries yields an age of 3204 ± 30 Ma with Sr _i of 0.7011 ± 6 (2σ). These are marginally different from the results of Beckinsale and coworkers (3315 ± 54 Ma, Sr _i = 0.7006 ± 3) based on a much wider sampling. Our results indicate that the precursors of Gorur gneisses had a short crustal residence history of less than a 100 Ma.     

Hydrogeochemical characterization and quality assessment of groundwater around Umrer coal mine area Nagpur District,Maharashtra, India

Quality assessment as well as hydrogeochemical characterization of 45 representative groundwater samples around Umrer coal mine area was undertaken. The pH of the water lies in the normal range i.e. from 7.5 to 8.5, the electrical conductivity varies from 826 to 1,741, the total hardness varies from 289 to 1,302 and the TDS values range from 528.6 to 1,114.2 mg/l which reflects variation in lithology and thus, the distinction in hydrogeological regime. The cation chemistry is dominated by Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ while anion chemistry is dominated by Cl^? and HCO₃ ^?. Out of total ten hydrochemical facies, the two dominant facies are Mg–Ca–HCO₃ (37.7 %) and Ca–Mg–SO₄–HCO₃ (17.7 %). The groundwater in the study area, in general, is useful for drinking and domestic use; however, it has marginal utility for irrigation purpose. Standard US Salinity Laboratory classification shows that water of the study area belongs to C2–S1 and C3–S1 classes. The concentration of 9 trace elements analysed from 18 samples did not exceed the desirable limit.     

Petrology of the alkaline rocks around Sivamalai,Coimbatore District,Tamilnadu, India

The alkaline rocks around Sivamalai are represented by syenites, nepheline syenites and basic alkaline rocks. The syenites are comprised of olivine-pyroxene, pyroxene, hornblende and biotite syenites and syenodiorites, pegmatite phases and quartz syenite. Nepheline syenites include pyroxene, hornblende and biotite bearing varieties. Syenites with pockets of garnet, magnetite or corundum occur in some places between the nepheline syenites and the country rocks represented dominantly by granitic gneisses. The basic alkaline rocks are represented by barkevikite melteigite and they occur as xenoliths amidst the nepheline syenites. The field mineralogical and petrochemical characteristics indicate the igneous nature of these rocks. The syenites and nepheline syenites are inferred to be evolved from pyroxene syenodiorite and barkevikite melteigite respectively. The irregular distribution of garnet and corundum is attributed to the metasomatism of the country rocks by the alkaline magma.

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Zusammenfassung Die alkalischen Gesteine um Sivamalai umfassen Syenite, Nephelinsyenite und basische alkalische Gesteine. Die Syenite sind aus Olivin-Pyroxen, Pyroxen, Hornblende und der Biotitsyenit, Syenodiorit, Pegmatitphasen und Quarzsyenit zusammengesetzt. Die Nephelinsyenite schließen Varietäten mit Pyroxen, Hornblende und die Biotite ein. Syenite mit Granatlinsen, Magnetit oder Korund schalten sich an einigen, Stellen zwischen Nephelinsyenite und die weiter verbreiteten granitischen Gneise. Die basischen Alkaligesteine werden durch barkeviktischen Melteigit vertreten und finden sich als Xenolithe im Nephelinsyenit. Der mineralogische und petrochemische Feldbefund läßt auf eruptiven Charakter dieser Gesteine schließen. Es wird angenommen, daß die Syenite und Nephelinsyenite sich aus Pyroxensyenodiorit und Barkevikitmelteigit entwickelt haben. Die ungleichförmige Verteilung von Granat und Korund wird auf die Metasomatose der umgebenden Gesteine durch alkalisches Magma zurückgeführt.

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Résumé Les roches alcalins autor de Sivamalai sont représentées par des syénites, des syénites éléolitiques et de roches alcalines basiques. Les syénites comprennent des syénites à péridot, pyroxene, hornblende et biotite, et des syénodiorites, des phases pegmatitiques et des syénites quartziféres. Les syénites éléolitiques comprennent des variétés à pyroxene, hornblende et biotite. Des syénites avec poches à grenat, magnétite ou corindon se rencontrent en quelques endroits entre les syénites éléolitiques et les roches encaissantes représentées principalement par gneiss granititiques. Les roches alcalines basiques sont représentées par des melteigites barkévictiques et se rencontrent en enclaves dans les syénites à néphéline. Les caractéristiques sur le terrain, minérologiques et pétrochimiques, indiquent le caractère igné de ces roches. Les syénites et les syénites éléolitiques sont considérées comme dérivant respectivement de syénodiorites pyroxéniques et de melteigites barkévictiques. La répartition irregulière du grenat et du corindon est attribuée à la métasomatose des roches encaissantes sous l'influence du magma alcalin.

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Migration of the Ganga river and its implication on hydro-geological potential of Varanasi area, U.P., India

Borehole data reveals that during Late Quaternary, the Ganga river was non-existent in its present location near Varanasi. Instead, it was flowing further south towards peripheral craton. Himalayan derived grey micaceous sands were being carried by southward flowing rivers beyond the present day water divide of Ganga and mixed with pink arkosic sand brought by northward flowing peninsular rivers. Subsequently, the Ganga shifted to its present position and got incised. Near Varanasi, the Ganga river is flowing along a NW-SE tectonic lineament. The migration of Ganga river is believed to have been in response to basin expansion caused due to Himalayan tectonics during Middle Pleistocene times. Multi-storied sand bodies generated as a result of channel migration provide excellent aquifers confined by a thick zone of muddy sediments near the surface. Good quality potable water is available at various levels below about 70 m depth in sandy aquifers. Craton derived gravelly coarse-to-medium grained sand forms the main aquifer zones of tens of meter thickness with enormous yield. In contrast, the shallow aquifers made up of recycled interfluve silt and sandy silt occur under unconfined conditions and show water-level fluctuation of a few meters during pre-and post-monsoon periods.     

Identifications of fractured zones in part of hard rock area of Sonebhadra District,U.P., India using integrated surface geophysical method for groundwater exploration

Surface geophysical methods were used to determine the locations of fracture zones in part of the hard rock area in Sonebhadra District of Uttar Pradesh, India. The survey comprises three DC resistivity profile using the gradient profiling technique and ten very low frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) traverses profiles. The methods were used over survey lines extending between 200 and 400 m; the results were correlated to locate fracture zones for the purpose of groundwater exploration. Qualitative interpretation of the VLF-EM was carried out using Fraser and Karous–Hjelt filters. The result of the interpretation revealed a number of subsurface zones with high real component current density that defines the potential subsurface features (probably fracture zones). The subsurface feature concurred with the low resistive zones indentified from the gradient resistivity profiling. The zones where further inferred quantitatively using data obtained from DC resistivity sounding at some selected anomalous points. The result obtained proves the efficiency of integrating both methods in detecting fractures zones in hard rock area.     

Mineral growth and deformation in the crystalline schist of Central Himalaya,around Rohtang Pass (H.P.), India

Detailed mesoscopic and microscopic textural relationship lead to conclude that the size, shape and orientation of biotite porphyroblasts were predominently controlled by the temperature at which metamorphism occurred with respect to kinemetic and dynamic factors of deformation.     

Activity of water during granulite metamorphism around Anakapalle,Vishakhapatnam District,A.P.

A refined mathematical equation is proposed to quantify the ambient activity of water during granulite fades metamorphism. The thermodynamic calculations point to the low activity of water during metamorphism in the area around Anakapalle, Vishakhapatnam district, A.P. Carbonic metamorphism seems to be responsible for the low activity of water during this metamorphism. Calc-silicate rocks in the area, could have been the source of the CO₂.     

Authigenic tourmaline in the Precambrian metasediments around Jamua,District Bhagalpur,Bihar, India

The presence of detrital and perfectly oriented tourmaline grains with authigenic overgrowth is recorded for the first time from the dark-coloured quartzite pebbles in a conglomeratic horizon in the Precambrian metasediments around Jamua. The grain morphology indicates not only a sedimentary provenance but also the passage of more than one cycle of sedimentation. Optically, Li-rubellite is found to predominate over other varieties of tourmaline.It is concluded that psammites and psammo-pelites containing the authigenic tourmaline have an undoubted sedimentary parentage and that these metasediments are younger than the Kolhans from which they are possibly derived.     

Spatial variability of fluorine in agricultural soils around Sidhi District,Central India

The systematic and comprehensive geochemical analysis of fluoride (F) in twenty agricultural soil samples was carried out to understand spatial variability, mechanism of retention and release, and the areas of potential risk due to high concentrations of F in soil around Sidhi District, Central India. The spatial variations in physico-chemical parameters revealed significant difference in the methods of cultivation due to geomorphological constraints, availability of surface water and ground water etc., in the study area. The north and small pocket in central Sidhi were rich in fertile soils due to availability of surface and ground water. The southern and eastern Sidhi were rainfed areas, hence, the monocropping system by traditional methods showed less impact on the soil physico-chemical parameters. The soil F varied from 366.94 to 1178 mg/kg and 2-4 times greater than the background soil value (320 mg/kg) of the world. The pollution indexes were > 1 indicating prevalence of elevated soil fluorine.     

Geochemical prospecting for groundwater in the granitic terrain around Ghatkesar,A.P. (India)

Soil samples collected from a depth of 8 cm near open wells were studied. Finer (minus 80-mesh) fractions of soil from the A-horizon contain more Mn and Fe compared to coarser fractions and these elements show higher concentrations in soils around wells with a deeper water-table. Greater weathering due to percolation of larger volumes of water through soil results in thorough decomposition of all the minerals, liberating the elements. During this process iron hydroxides with very little Mn form large fragile fragments. Higher Fe/Mn ratios in the minus 44 plus 60-mesh fractions of these soils are characteristic of deeper, high-yielding wells and have a positive correlation with depth of water table.     

A case of normal regression with sea level transgression: Example from the Ganurgarh shale,Vindhyan basin,Maihar area,M.P., India

The Ganurgarh shale, a formation belonging to the Bhander Group of Vindhyan basin is investigated using field based detailed lithofacies and petrofacies analyses in order to interpret the depositional environment in a sequence stratigraphic context. Five major lithofacies have been recognized consisting of calcareous sandstones, laminated mudstones, rippled siltstones, red-grey shales and sandy limestones characterized by small to large-scale cross-bedding, ripple cross-lamination of wave and current origin, parallel lamination, low-angle horizontal bedding, flaser and lenticular bedding, mud-cracks, salt pseudomorphs, convolute bedding and load structures. The constituent lithofacies are recurring and grouped into three lithofacies associations where, the association A is composed of fining upwards and B with coarsening upwards cycles at the lower and middle levels of the succession respectively, are dominantly arenaceous whereas, the association C occurring at upper levels is fining upwards (FU) and becomes calcareous with meager representation of clastics. Petrographically, the section offers three main petrofacies viz., (a) sandstone- (b) siltstone- (c) sandy limestone-petrofacies. Lithofacies characters complimented with petrography show that deposition occurred within the shoreface (subtidal) to foreshore intertidal domain involving tidal flats with sub-environments ranging from intertidal to supratidal. However, lithofacies associations within the Ganurgarh shale of Maihar area represent a case of normal regression during sea level transgression. In the beginning, probably because of excessive sediment supply the sea level had a falling trend during an overall transgressive phase ultimately culminating into limestone sedimentation.     

Assessment of trace element contamination in soils around Chinnaeru River Basin, Nalgonda District, India

Concentrations of trace elements such as As, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, V, Y, Zn and Zr were studied in soils to understand metal contamination due to agriculture and geogenic activities in Chinnaeru River Basin, Nalgonda District, India. This area is affected by the geogenic fluoride contamination. The contamination of the soils was assessed on the basis of geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor and degree of contamination. Forty-four soil samples were collected from the agricultural field from the study area from top 10–50 cm layer of soil. Soil samples were analyzed for trace elements using X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Data revealed that soils in the study area are significantly contaminated, showing high level of toxic elements than normal distribution. The ranges of concentration of Ba (370–1,710 mg/kg), Cr (8.7–543 mg/kg), Cu (7.7–96.6 mg/kg), Ni (5.4–168 mg/kg), Rb (29.6–223 mg/kg), Sr (134–438 mg/kg), Zr (141.2–8,232 mg/kg) and Zn (29–478 mg/kg). The concentration of other elements was similar to the levels in the earth’s crust or pointed to metal depletion in the soil (EF < 1). The high EFs for some trace elements obtained in soil samples show that there is a considerable heavy metal pollution, which could be due to excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides used for agricultural or may be due to natural geogenic processes in the area. Comparative study has been made with other soil-polluted heavy metal areas and its mobility in soil and groundwater has been discussed. A contamination site poses significant environmental hazards for terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. They are important sources of pollution and may result in ecotoxicological effects on terrestrial, groundwater and aquatic ecosystems.     

Assessment of heavy metal contamination in soils around Balanagar industrial area,Hyderabad, India

The concentration of heavy metals such as Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, V, Y, Zn, Zr were studied in soils of Balanagar industrial area, Hyderabad to understand heavy metal contamination due to industrialization and urbanization. This area is affected by the industrial activities like steel, petrochemicals, automobiles, refineries, and battery manufacturing generating hazardous wastes. The assessment of the contamination of the soils was based on the geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor, and degree of contamination. Soil samples were collected from Balanagar industrial area from top 10–50 cm layer of soil. The samples were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence spectrometer for heavy metals. The data revealed that the soils in the study area are significantly contaminated, showing high level of toxic elements than normal distribution. The ranges of concentration of Cr (82.2–2,264 mg/kg), Cu (31.3–1,040 mg/kg), Ni (34.3–289.4 mg/kg), Pb (57.5–1,274 mg/kg), Zn (67.5–5819.5 mg/kg), Co (8.6–54.8 mg/kg), and V (66.6–297 mg/kg). The concentration of above-mentioned other elements was similar to the levels in the earth’s crust pointed to metal depletion in the soil as the EF was <1. Some heavy metals showed high EF in the soil samples indicating that there is a considerable heavy metal pollution, which could be correlated with the industries in the area. A contamination site poses significant environmental hazards for terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. They are important sources of pollution and may results in ecotoxicological effects on terrestrial, groundwater and aquatic ecosystems.     

Petrology and sedimentation of the middle siwalik clays at dholkhand,saharanpur district,U.P., India

The Middle Siwalik clays at Dholkhand, Saharanpur district, U. P., in India were studied to investigate the nature of Siwalik (middle Miocene to lower Pleistocene) sedimentation in relation to the tectonism associated with the Himalayan orogenesis. The clays are reddish brown to buff in color containing montmorillonite, expandable mixed-layers, degraded chlorite, and illite. The clays were studied byX-ray diffractometry using standard techniques with copper radiation. The clay mineral distribution of the Middle Siwaliks indicates that the material was deposited under continental conditions in stream channels during periods of minimum current activity. The clays were deposited by slow sedimentation and are little affected by diagenesis. Further work in this area and elsewhere are now under progress to establish the relation of Siwalik sedimentation with the uplift of the Himalayas in the Tertiary period.     

Physico-chemical analysis of surface and groundwater around Singrauli Coal Field, District Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh, India

The present study was carried out in Singrauli area of the north India to know the water quality at selected sites. Physico-chemical parameters like pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), bicarbonate, hardness, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, sulfate, copper, iron, cobalt, manganese, zinc, and chromium were analyzed in 27 water samples. Locations selected for sampling were based on the preliminary field survey carried out to understand the overall impact of mining and industrialization on the surface and groundwater resources of Singrauli. Base map, drainage map, and land use/land cover of the study area were prepared from Survey of India topographic map 63 L/12 on 1:50000 scale and satellite data of IRS P6 LISS III 4th May 2010. Land use were categorized into 15 categories out of which major area occupied by open forest covers 20.33 %, uncultivated land 20.25 %, cultivated land 12.60 %, dense forest 11.00 %, and other categories cover 35.82 %. The results obtained are compared with World Health Organisation standards for drinking water quality. The physico chemical analysis shows alkaline nature of water, soft to moderately soft, TDS and total alkalinity exceeds the desirable limit. The major ions in water like calcium, and magnesium are within desirable limits, and sulfate and potassium exceed in limit at some locations, whereas sodium and chloride show higher values. The minor ions like copper and zinc show values within desirable limits whereas iron, cobalt, and chromium show higher values than the desirable limits which deteriorate the quality of water.     

Quality characterization of groundwater in Koilsagar project area,Mahabubnagar District,Andhra Pradesh,India

Studies of groundwater chemistry in the Koilsagar project area of Andhra Pradesh indicate that the waters are sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, mixed cationic-mixed anionic, mixed cationic Na dominating bicarbonate, and mixed cationic Ca dominating bicarbonate types. Of them, sodium bicarbonate and mixed cationic Mg dominating bicarbonate types of waters are more prevalent.Isocone mapping of specific conductance indicates that the ionic concentration increases from east to west in the area. Graphical treatment of chemical data reveals that, in general, the area has basic water, whereas the left flank canal area is dominated by secondary alkaline water, and Pallamarri and Pedda Rajmur villages have strongly acidic waters. Ion-exchange studies show that cation-anion exchanges exist all over the area except for two places, which have a base exchange hardened type of water.Graphical representation further shows that most of the area has medium salinity-low sodium (C₂S₁) water useful for irrigation purposes. High salinity-low sodium (C₃S₁) and high salinity-medium sodium (C₃S₂) waters are present in some areas, which need adequate drainage to overcome the salinity problem.