Correlation analyses of effects of temperature on physical and mechanical properties of clay

In determining the physical and mechanical parameters of clay, it is sometimes necessary to determine them indirectly from other parameters since they cannot be measured directly from laboratory or field tests. In order to determine the effect of temperature on the behavior of clay, an indirect approach is used here by analyzing the changes of mass (\(\Delta m\)), density (\(\rho\)), porosity (\(\phi\)), P-wave velocity (\({v_p}\)), thermal conductivity (\(\lambda\)), specific heat capacity (c), resistivity (R) and uniaxial compressive strength (f) of clay from eastern China for a temperature range between 20 and 800 °C. The results indicate that temperature has a significant effect on these parameters. Comparisons between \(\Delta m\) and \(\rho\), \(\Delta m\) and \({v_p}\), \(\rho\) and \({v_p}\), \(\phi\) and \(\lambda\), \({v_p}\) and f, R and f show a linear change among these parameters,whereas the relationships among \(\Delta m\) and \(\phi\), \(\phi\) and \({v_p}\), \(\phi\) and R, \({v_p}\) and \(\lambda\), \(\phi\) and f are exponential. It is difficult to obtain these relationships by using regression analysis with high levels of accuracy. Further refinement is therefore required.     

Geochemical assessment of fluoride enrichment and nitrate contamination in groundwater in hard-rock aquifer by using graphical and statistical methods

This systematic study was carried out with objective to delineate the various sources responsible for \(\hbox {NO}_{3}^{-}\) contamination and \(\hbox {F}^{-}\) enrichment by utilizing statistical and graphical methods. Since Central Ground Water Board, India, indicated susceptibility of \(\hbox {NO}_{3}^{-}\) contamination and \(\hbox {F}^{-}\) enrichment, in most of the groundwater, \(\hbox {NO}_{3}^{-}\) and \(\hbox {F}^{-}\) concentration primarily observed \({>}45\) and \({>}1.5~\hbox {mg/L}\), respectively, i.e., higher than the permissible limit for drinking water. Water Quality Index (WQI) indicates \({\sim }22.81\%\) groundwater are good-water, \({\sim }71.14\%\) groundwater poor-water, \({\sim }5.37\%\) very poor-water and 0.67% unsuitable for drinking purpose. Piper diagram indicates \({\sim }59.73\%\) groundwater hydrogeochemical facies are Ca–Mg–\(\hbox {HCO}_{3 }\) water-types, \({\sim }28.19\%\) Ca–Mg–\(\hbox {SO}_{4}\)–Cl water-types, \({\sim }8.72\%\) Na–K–\(\hbox {SO}_{4}\)–Cl water-types and 3.36% Na–K–\(\hbox {HCO}_{3 }\) water-types. This classification indicates dissolution and mixing are mainly controlling groundwater chemistry. Salinity diagram indicate \({\sim }44.30\%\) groundwater under in low sodium and medium salinity hazard, \({\sim }49.66\%\) groundwater fall under low sodium and high salinity hazard, \({\sim }3.36\%\) groundwater fall under very-high salinity hazard. Sodium adsorption ratio indicates \({\sim }97\%\) groundwater are in excellent condition for irrigation. The spatial distribution of \(\hbox {NO}_{3}^{-}\) indicates significant contribution of fertilizer from agriculture lands. Fluoride enrichment occurs in groundwater through the dissolution of fluoride-rich minerals. By reducing the consumption of fertilizer and stress over groundwater, the water quality can be improved.     

Indian summer monsoon forcing on the deglacial polar cold reversals

The deglacial transition from the last glacial maximum at \(\sim \)20 kiloyears before present (ka) to the Holocene (11.7 ka to Present) was interrupted by millennial-scale cold reversals, viz., Antarctic Cold Reversal (\(\sim \)14.5–12.8 ka) and Greenland Younger Dryas (\(\sim \)12.8–11.8 ka) which had different timings and extent of cooling in each hemisphere. The cause of this synchronously initiated, but different hemispheric cooling during these cold reversals (Antarctic Cold Reversal \(\sim \)3\(^{\circ }\hbox {C}\) and Younger Dryas \(\sim \)10\(^{\circ }\hbox {C}\)) is elusive because \(\hbox {CO}_{2}\), the fundamental forcing for deglaciation, and Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, the driver of antiphased bipolar climate response, both fail to explain this asymmetry. We use centennial-resolution records of the local surface water \(\delta ^{18}\hbox {O}\) of the Eastern Arabian Sea, which constitutes a proxy for the precipitation associated with the Indian Summer Monsoon, and other tropical precipitation records to deduce the role of tropical forcing in the polar cold reversals. We hypothesize a mechanism for tropical forcing, via the Indian Summer Monsoons, of the polar cold reversals by migration of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone and the associated cross-equatorial heat transport.     

Effect of solar flare on the equatorial electrojet in eastern Brazil region

The effect of solar flare, sudden commencement of magnetic storm and of the disturbances ring current on the equatorial electrojet in the Eastern Brazil region, where the ground magnetic declination is as large as \(20^{^{\circ }}\hbox {W}\) is studied based on geomagnetic data with one minute resolution from Bacabal during November–December 1990. It is shown that the mean diurnal vector of the horizontal field was aligned along \(2{^{\circ }}\hbox {E}\) of north at Huancayo and \(30{^{\circ }}\hbox {W}\) of north at Bacabal during the month of December 1990. Number of solar flares that occurred on 30 December 1990 indicated the direction of solar flare related \(\Delta H\) vector to be aligned along \(5{^{\circ }}\hbox {E}\) of north at Huancayo and \(28{^{\circ }}\hbox {W}\) of north at Bacabal. This is expected as the solar flare effects are due to the enhanced conductivity in the ionosphere. The SC at 2230 UT on 26 November 1990 produced a positive impulse in \(\Delta X\) and negative impulse in \(\Delta Y\) at Bacabal with \(\Delta H\) vector aligned along \(27{^{\circ }}\hbox {W}\) of north. At Huancayo the \(\Delta H\) vector associated with SC is aligned along \(8{^{\circ }}\hbox {E}\) of north, few degrees east to the alignment of the diurnal vector of H. The magnetic storm that followed the SC had a minimum Dst index of –150 nT. The corresponding storm time disturbance in \(\Delta X\) at Huancayo as well as at Bacabal were about –250 nT but \(\Delta Y\) at Bacabal was about +70 nT and very small at Huancayo, that give the alignment of the H vector due to ring current about \(16{^{\circ }}\hbox {W}\) of north at Bacabal and almost along N–S at Huancayo. Thus alignment of the \(\Delta H\) vector due to ring current at Bacabal is \(14{^{\circ }}\hbox {E}\) of the mean direction of \(\Delta H\) vector during December 1990. This is consistent with the direction of ring current dependent on the dipole declination at the ring current altitude which is about \(5{^{\circ }}\hbox {W}\) of north over Bacabal and the deviation of declination due to the ring current during disturbed period given by the angle (\(\psi \)-D).     

Phase diagram and thermodynamic properties of AIPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> based on first-principles calculations and the quasiharmonic approximation

We calculated the phase diagram of \(\hbox {AlPO}_{4}\) up to 15 GPa and 2,000 K and investigated the thermodynamic properties of the high-pressure phases. The investigated phases include the berlinite, moganite-like, \(\hbox {AlVO}_{4},\, P2_1/c\), and \(\hbox {CrVO}_{4}\) phases. The computational methods used include density functional theory, density functional perturbation theory, and the quasiharmonic approximation. The investigated thermodynamic properties include the thermal equation of state, isothermal bulk modulus, thermal expansivity, and heat capacity. With increasing pressure, the ambient phase berlinite transforms to the moganite-like phase, and then to the \(\hbox {AlVO}_{4}\) and \(P2_1/c\) phases, and further to the \(\hbox {CrVO}_{4}\) phase. The stability fields of the \(\hbox {AlVO}_{4}\) and \(P2_1/c\) phases are similar in pressure but different in temperature, as the \(\hbox {AlVO}_{4}\) phase is stable at low temperatures, whereas the \(P2_1/c\) phase is stable at high temperatures. All of the phase relationships agree well with those obtained by quench experiments, and they support the stabilities of the moganite-like, \(\hbox {AlVO}_{4}\), and \(P2_1/c\) phases, which were not observed in room-temperature compression experiments.     

Characteristics of surface ozone in Agra,a sub-urban site in Indo-Gangetic Plain

In the present study, measurements of surface ozone (\(\hbox {O}_{3}\)) and its precursors (NO and \(\hbox {NO}_{2}\)) were carried out at a sub-urban site of Agra (\(27{^{\circ }}10'\hbox {N}\), \(78{^{\circ }}05'\hbox {E}\)), India during May 2012–May 2013. During the study period, average concentrations of \(\hbox {O}_{3}\), NO, and \(\hbox {NO}_{2}\) were \(39.6 \pm 25.3\), \(0.8 \pm 0.8\) and \(9.1 \pm 6.6 \, \hbox {ppb}\), respectively. \(\hbox {O}_{3}\) showed distinct seasonal variation in peak value of diurnal variation: summer \({>}\) post-monsoon \({>}\) winter \({>}\) monsoon. However, \(\hbox {NO}_{2}\) showed highest levels in winter and lowest in monsoon. The average positive rate of change of \(\hbox {O}_{3}\) (08:00–11:00 hr) was highest in April (16.3 ppb/hr) and lowest in August (1.1 ppb/hr), while average negative rate of change of \(\hbox {O}_{3}\) (17:00–19:00 hr) was highest in December (–13.2 ppb/hr) and lowest in July (–1.1 ppb/hr). An attempt was made to identify the \(\hbox {VOC--NO}_{\mathrm{x}}\) sensitivity of the site using \(\hbox {O}_{3}/\hbox {HNO}_{3}\) ratio as photochemical indicator. Most of the days this ratio was above the threshold value (12–16), which suggests \(\hbox {NO}_{\mathrm{x}}\) sensitivity of the site. The episodic event of ozone was characterized through meteorological parameters and precursors concentration. Fine particles (\(\hbox {PM}_{2.5}\)) cause loss of ozone through heterogeneous reactions on their surface and reduction in solar radiation. In the study, statistical analyses were used to estimate the amount of ozone loss.     

Comparison of earthquake source characteristics in the Kachchh Rift Basin and Saurashtra horst,Deccan Volcanic Province,western India

Seismic source parameters of small to moderate sized intraplate earthquakes that occurred during 2002–2009 in the tectonic blocks of Kachchh Rift Basin (KRB) and the Saurashtra Horst (SH), in the stable continental region of western peninsular India, are studied through spectral analysis of shear waves. The data of aftershock sequence of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake (\(M_{w}\) 7.7) in the KRB and the 2007 Talala earthquake (\(M_{w}\) 5.0) in the SH are used for this study. In the SH, the seismic moment (\(M_{o})\), corner frequency \((f_{c})\), stress drop (\(\varDelta \sigma \)) and source radius (r) vary from \(7.8\times 10^{11}\) to \(4.0\times \)10\(^{16}\) N-m, 1.0–8.9 Hz, 4.8–10.2 MPa and 195–1480 m, respectively. While in the KRB, these parameters vary from \(M_{o} \sim 1.24 \,\times \, 10^{11}\) to \(4.1 \times 10^{16}\) N-m, \(f_{c }\sim \) 1.6 to 13.1 Hz, \(\varDelta \sigma \sim 0.06\) to 16.62 MPa and \(r \sim 100\) to 840 m. The kappa (K) value in the KRB (0.025–0.03) is slightly larger than that in the SH region (0.02), probably due to thick sedimentary layers. The estimated stress drops of earthquakes in the KRB are relatively higher than those in SH, due to large crustal stress concentration associated with mafic/ultramafic rocks at the hypocentral depths. The results also suggest that the stress drop value of intraplate earthquakes is larger than the interplate earthquakes. In addition, it is observed that the strike-slip events in the SH have lower stress drops, compared to the thrust and strike-slip events.     

Rethinking communication in risk interpretation and action

We have studied the attenuation characteristics of eastern Himalaya and southern Tibet by using local earthquake data set that consists of 123 well-located events, recorded by the Himalayan Nepal Tibet Seismic Experiment operated during 2001–2003. We have used single backscattering model to calculate frequency-dependent values of coda Q (\(Q_\mathrm{c}\)). The estimation of \(Q_\mathrm{c}\) is made at central frequencies 2, 4, 8 and 12 Hz through five lapse time windows from 10 to 50 s starting at double the travel time of the S-wave. The observed \(Q_\mathrm{c}\) is found to be strongly frequency-dependent and follows a similar trend as observed in other tectonically active parts of the Himalaya. The trend of variation of \(Q_\mathrm{c}\) with lapse time and the corresponding apparent depths is also studied. Increase in \(Q_\mathrm{c}\) values with the lapse time suggests that the deeper part of the study region is less heterogeneous than the shallower part. The observed values of \(Q_0\) (\(Q_\mathrm{c}\) at 1 Hz) and frequency parameter n indicate that the medium beneath the study area is highly heterogeneous and tectonically very active. A regionalization of the estimated \(Q_0\) is carried out, and a contour map is prepared for the whole region. Some segments of Lesser Himalaya and Sub-Himalaya exhibit very low \(Q_0\) , while the whole Tethyan Himalaya and some parts of Greater Himalaya are characterized by low \(Q_0\) values. Our results are comparable with those obtained from tectonically active regions in the world.     

New paleomagnetic results on $$\sim $$2367 Ma Dharwar giant dyke swarm,Dharwar craton,southern India: implications for Paleoproterozoic continental reconstruction

Here we report new paleomagnetic results and precise paleopole position of the extensional study on \(\sim \)2367 Ma mafic giant radiating dyke swarm in the Dharwar craton, southern India. We have sampled 29 sites on 12 dykes from NE–SW Karimnagar–Hyderabad dykes and Dhone–Gooty sector dykes, eastern Dharwar craton to provide unambiguous paleomagnetism evidence on the spectacular radiating dyke swarm and thereby strengthening the presence of single magmatic event at \(\sim \)2367 Ma. A total of 158 samples were subjected to detailed alternating field and thermal demagnetization techniques and the results are presented here along with previously reported data on the same dyke swarm. The remanent magnetic directions are showing two components, viz., seven sites representing four dykes show component (A) with mean declination of \(94{{}^{\circ }}\) and mean inclination of \(-\,70{{}^{\circ }}\) (\(\hbox {k}=87\), \(\upalpha _{95}=10{{}^{\circ }}\)) and corresponding paleopole at \(16{{}^{\circ }}\hbox {N}\), \(41{{}^{\circ }}\hbox {E}\) (\(\hbox {dp}=15{{}^{\circ }}\) and \(\hbox {dm}=17{{}^{\circ }}\)) and 22 sites representing 8 dykes yielded a component (B) with mean declination of \(41{{}^{\circ }}\) and mean inclination of \(-\,21{{}^{\circ }}\) (\(\hbox {k}=41\), \(\upalpha _{95}=9{{}^{\circ }}\)) with a paleopole at \(41{{}^{\circ }}\hbox {N}\), \(200{{}^{\circ }}\hbox {E}\) (\(\hbox {dp}=5{{}^{\circ }}\) and \(\hbox {dm}=10{{}^{\circ }}\)). Component (A) results are similar to the previously reported directions from the \(\sim \)2367 Ma dyke swarm, which have been confirmed fairly reliably to be of primary origin. The component (B) directions appear to be strongly overprinted by the 2080 Ma event. The grand mean for the primary component (A) combined with earlier reported studies gives mean declination of \(97{{}^{\circ }}\) and mean inclination of \(-\,79{{}^{\circ }}\) (\(\hbox {k}=55\), \(\upalpha _{95}=3{{}^{\circ }}\)) with a paleopole at \(15{{}^{\circ }}\hbox {N}\), \(57{{}^{\circ }}\hbox {E}\) (\(\hbox {dp}=5{{}^{\circ }}\), \(\hbox {dm}=6{{}^{\circ }}\)). Paleogeographical position for the Dharwar craton at \(\sim \)2367 Ma suggests that there may be a chance to possible spatial link between Dharwar dykes of Dharwar craton (India), Widgemooltha and Erayinia dykes of Yilgarn craton (Australia), Sebanga Poort Dykes of Zimbabwe craton (Africa) and Karelian dykes of Kola-Karelia craton (Baltica Shield).     

Near InfraRed Imaging Spectrograph (NIRIS) for ground-based mesospheric OH(6-2) and $$\hbox {O}_{2}$$(0-1) intensity and temperature measurements

This paper describes the development of a new Near InfraRed Imaging Spectrograph (NIRIS) which is capable of simultaneous measurements of OH(6-2) Meinel and \(\hbox {O}_{2}\)(0-1) atmospheric band nightglow emission intensities. In this spectrographic technique, rotational line ratios are obtained to derive temperatures corresponding to the emission altitudes of 87 and 94 km. NIRIS has been commissioned for continuous operation from optical aeronomy observatory, Gurushikhar, Mount Abu (\(24.6^{\circ }\hbox {N}\), \(72.8^{\circ }\hbox {E}\)) since January 2013. NIRIS uses a diffraction grating of 1200 lines \(\hbox {mm}^{-1}\) and 1024\(\times \)1024 pixels thermoelectrically cooled CCD camera and has a large field-of-view (FOV) of \(80^{\circ }\) along the slit orientation. The data analysis methodology adopted for the derivation of mesospheric temperatures is also described in detail. The observed NIRIS temperatures show good correspondence with satellite (SABER) derived temperatures and exhibit both tidal and gravity waves (GW) like features. From the time taken for phase propagation in the emission intensities between these two altitudes, vertical phase speed of gravity waves, \(c_{z}\), is calculated and along with the coherent GW time period ‘\(\tau \)’, the vertical wavelength, \(\lambda _{z}\), is obtained. Using large FOV observations from NIRIS, the meridional wavelengths, \(\lambda _{y}\), are also calculated. We have used one year of data to study the possible cause(s) for the occurrences of mesospheric temperature inversions (MTIs). From the statistics obtained for 234 nights, it appears that in situ chemical heating is mainly responsible for the observed MTIs than the vertical propagation of the waves. Thus, this paper describes a novel near infrared imaging spectrograph, its working principle, data analysis method for deriving OH and \(\hbox {O}_{2}\) emission intensities and the corresponding rotational temperatures at these altitudes, derivation of gravity wave parameters (\(\tau \), \(c_{z}\), \(\lambda _{z}\), and \(\lambda _{y})\), and results on the statistical study of MTIs that exist in the earth’s mesospheric altitudes.     

Accessing the capability of TRMM 3B42 V7 to simulate streamflow during extreme rain events: Case study for a Himalayan River Basin

The paper examines the quality of Tropical Rainfall Monitoring Mission (TRMM) 3B42 V7 precipitation product to simulate the streamflow using Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model for various rainfall intensities over the Himalayan region. The SWAT model has been set up for Gandak River Basin with 41 sub-basins and 420 HRUs. Five stream gauge locations are used to simulate the streamflow for a time span of 10 years (2000–2010). Daily streamflow for the simulation period is collected from Central Water Commission (CWC), India and Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), Nepal. The simulation results are found good in terms of Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency \((\hbox {NSE}) {>}0.65\), coefficient of determination \((R^{2}) {>}0.67\) and Percentage Bias \(\hbox {(PBIAS)}{<}15\%\), at each stream gauge sites. Thereafter, we have calculated the PBIAS and RMSE-observations standard deviation ratio (RSR) statistics between TRMM simulated and observed streamflow for various rainfall intensity classes, viz., light (\({<}7.5 \, \hbox {mm}/\hbox {d}\)), moderate (7.5 to 35.4 mm/d), heavy (35.5 to 124.4 mm/d) and extremely heavy (\({>}124.4 \, \hbox {mm}/\hbox {d}\)). The PBIAS and RSR show that TRMM simulated streamflow is suitable for moderate to heavy rainfall intensities. However, it does not perform well for light- and extremely-heavy rainfall intensities. The finding of the present work is useful for the problems related to water resources management, irrigation planning and hazard analysis over the Himalayan regions.     

Pressuremeter Modulus and Limit Pressure of Clayey Soils Using <Emphasis Type="Italic">GMDH</Emphasis>-Type Neural Network and Genetic Algorithms

Pressuremeter modulus (\(E_{M}\)) and limit pressure (\(P_{L}\)) are used for the calculation of the settlement and bearing capacity of foundation respectively. As the determination of these parameters from pressuremeter test (PMT) is relatively time-consuming and expensive, various empirical correlations have been proposed to correlate the \(E_{M}\) and \(P_{L}\) to other soil parameters. For the existing equations are incapable of estimating these PMT parameters well, in present research group method of data handling type neural network is used to estimate the \(E_{M}\) and \(P_{L}\) of clayey soils. The \(E_{M}\) and \(P_{L}\) were modeled as a function of three variables including the moisture content (\(\omega\)), plasticity index and corrected SPT blow counts (\(N_{60}\)). A database containing 51 data sets have been used for training and testing of the models. The performances of proposed models are compared with those of existing empirical equations. The results demonstrate that appreciable improvement with respect to the other correlations has been achieved. At the end, sensitivity analysis of the obtained models has been performed to study the influence of input parameters on model outputs and shows that the \(N_{60}\) is the most influential parameter on the PMT parameters.     

The Numba ductile deformation zone (northwest Cameroon): A geometric analysis of folds based on the Fold Profiler method

The Numba ductile deformation zone (NDDZ) is characterised by folds recorded during the three deformation phases that affected the banded amphibole gneiss. Fold-shape analyses using the program Fold Profiler with the aim to show the importance of folding events in the structural analysis of the NDDZ and its contribution to the Pan-African orogeny in central Africa have been made. Classical field method, conic sections method and Ramsay’s fold classification method were applied to (i) have the general orientation of folds, (ii) analyze the fold shapes and (iii) classify the geometry of the folded bands. Fold axes in banded amphibole gneiss plunge moderately (\(<\)15\(^{\circ }\)) towards the NNE or SSW. The morphology of F\(_{1}\), F\(_{2}\) and F\(_{3}\) folds in the study area clearly points to (i) Z-shape folds with SE vergence and (ii) a dextral sense of shear motion. Conic section method reveals two dominant families: F\(_{1}\) and F\(_{3}\) folds belong to parabolic shape folds, while F\(_{2}\) folds belong to parabolic shape and hyperbolic shape folds. Ramsay’s scheme emphasizes class 1C (for F\(_{1}\), F\(_{2}\) and F\(_{3}\) folds) and class 3 (for F\(_{2}\) folds) as main fold classes. The co-existence of the various fold shapes can be explained by (i) the structuration of the banded gneiss, (ii) the folding mechanisms that associate shear with a non-least compressive or flattening component in a ductile shear zone and (iii) the change in rheological properties of the band during the period of fold formation. These data allow us to conclude that the Numba region underwent ductile dextral shear and can be integrated (i) in a correlation model with the Central Cameroon Shear Zone (CCSZ) and associated syn-kinematic intrusions and (ii) into the tectonic model of Pan-African belt of central Africa in Cameroon.     

Trend analysis of evapotranspiration over India: Observed from long-term satellite measurements

Owing to the lack of consistent spatial time series data on actual evapotranspiration (ET), very few studies have been conducted on the long-term trend and variability in ET at a national scale over the Indian subcontinent. The present study uses biome specific ET data derived from NOAA satellite’s advanced very high resolution radiometer to investigate the trends and variability in ET over India from 1983 to 2006. Trend analysis using the non-parametric Mann–Kendall test showed that the domain average ET decreased during the period at a rate of \(0.22\,\hbox {mm year}^{-1}\). A strong decreasing trend (\(m = -1.75\, \hbox {mm year}^{-1}\), \(F = 17.41\), \(P\) 0.01) was observed in forest regions. Seasonal analyses indicated a decreasing trend during southwest summer monsoon (\(m= -0.320\, \hbox {mm season}^{-1}\,\hbox {year}^{-1})\) and post-monsoon period (\(m= -0.188\, \hbox {mm season}^{-1 }\,\hbox {year}^{-1})\). In contrast, an increasing trend was observed during northeast winter monsoon (\(m = 0.156 \,\hbox {mm season}^{-1 }\,\hbox {year}^{-1})\) and pre-monsoon (\(m = 0.068\, \hbox {mm season}^{-1 }\,\hbox {year}^{-1})\) periods. Despite an overall net decline in the country, a considerable increase ( \(4 \,\hbox {mm year}^{-1}\)) was observed over arid and semi-arid regions. Grid level correlation with various climatic parameters exhibited a strong positive correlation (\(r \!>\!0.5\)) of ET with soil moisture and precipitation over semi-arid and arid regions, whereas a negative correlation (\(r\) \(-0.5\)) occurred with temperature and insolation in dry regions of western India. The results of this analysis are useful for understanding regional ET dynamics and its relationship with various climatic parameters over India. Future studies on the effects of ET changes on the hydrological cycle, carbon cycle, and energy partitioning are needed to account for the feedbacks to the climate.     

Modeling competing hydraulic fracture propagation with the extended finite element method

We present an extended finite element framework to numerically study competing hydraulic fracture propagation. The framework is capable of modeling fully coupled hydraulic fracturing processes including fracture propagation, elastoplastic bulk deformation and fluid flow inside both fractures and the wellbore. In particular, the framework incorporates the classical orifice equation to capture fluid pressure loss across perforation clusters linking the wellbore with fractures. Dynamic fluid partitioning among fractures during propagation is solved together with other coupled factors, such as wellbore pressure loss (\(\Delta p_w\)), perforation pressure loss (\(\Delta p\)), interaction stress (\(\sigma _\mathrm{int}\)) and fracture propagation. By numerical examples, we study the effects of perforation pressure loss and wellbore pressure loss on competing fracture propagation under plane-strain conditions. Two dimensionless parameters \(\Gamma = \sigma _\mathrm{int}/\Delta p\) and \(\Lambda = \Delta p_w/\Delta p\) are used to describe the transition from uniform fracture propagation to preferential fracture propagation. The numerical examples demonstrate the dimensionless parameter \(\Gamma \) also works in the elastoplastic media.     

Short-temporal variation of soil organic carbon in different land use systems in the Ramsar site 2027 ‘Presa Manuel Ávila Camacho’ Puebla

The soil organic carbon (SOC) was determined in 40 sites at two depths (0–10 and 10–20 cm) for different uses of soil during one year (February 2014–February 2015). The total SOC stored in the analysed soil from the Ramsar site was \(9{,}67 \times 10^{5}\) t, from which 40% was stored in induced pasture, followed by the red oak forest with shrubbery secondary vegetation, rain-fed agriculture and human settlements (24%, 23%, and 13%, respectively); the last was evaluated to determine how the proximity of the city impacts the SOC. The SOC concentrations present significant differences with respect to soil depth (\(p=0.0\)) and land use (\(p=0.0\)). The temporal distribution maps showed that SOC did not present significant variations in the short-term. A relation between SOC and bulk density was found (\(r = -0.654\), \(p=0.00\)), with respect to other physicochemical properties. Moreover, a significant relation between SOC and stored total nitrogen (\(r = 0.585\); \(p = 0.00\)) was found. This work represents the first study that analyses the current condition of the soils in the Ramsar site ‘Presa Manuel Ávila Camacho’.     

Carbon dioxide,water vapour and energy fluxes over a semi-evergreen forest in Assam,Northeast India

The eddy covariance method is a powerful technique for quantification of \(\hbox {CO}_{2},\) \(\hbox {H}_{2}\)O and energy fluxes in natural ecosystems. Leaf area index (LAI) and its changes are significant drivers of \(\hbox {CO}_{2}\) and \(\hbox {H}_{2}\)O exchange in a forest ecosystem due to their role in photosynthesis. The present study reports the seasonal variation of \(\hbox {CO}_{2}\) and energy fluxes and their relationship with other meteorological parameters of a semi-evergreen primary forest of Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India during February 2016–January 2017. The diurnal pattern of half hourly average \(\hbox {CO}_{2 }\) fluxes over the forest was found to be mostly dominated by the incident photosynthetically active radiation. During the period of study, diurnal variations of \(\hbox {CO}_{2}\) flux showed a maximum value of \(-9.97\,\upmu \)mol \(\hbox {m}^{-2}\hbox {s}^{-1}\) in the month of June during summer which is also the beginning of the monsoon season. The monthly averaged diurnal \(\hbox {CO}_{2}\) flux and variation in LAI of the forest canopy closely followed each other. The annual net ecosystem exchange of the forest estimated from the \(\hbox {CO}_{2}\) flux data above the canopy is 84.21 g C \(\hbox {m}^{-2}\,\hbox {yr}^{-1}\). Further studies are in progress to confirm these findings. The estimated average annual evapotranspiration of the semi-evergreen forest is 2.8 ± 0.19 mm \(\hbox {day}^{-1}\). The study of partitioning of energy fluxes showed the dominance of latent heat fluxes over sensible heat fluxes. The energy balance closure was found to increase with an increase in instability and the highest closure of around 83% was noted under neutral conditions.     

Quantification of groundwater–surface water interactions using environmental isotopes: A case study of Bringi Watershed,Kashmir Himalayas,India

Environmental isotopes including \({\updelta }^{18}\)O, \({\updelta }^{2}\)H and \(^{3}\)H of precipitation, streams and springs were determined in the mountainous Bringi catchment of Kashmir Himalaya, dominated by carbonate lithology. The isotopic signature of winter precipitation is reflected in stream and spring water in late spring and is, therefore, representative of snow melting. The spring waters in September bear the enriched isotopic signatures of summer rainfall. The strong correlation (\(r^{2} = 0.97\)) between the isotopic composition of streams and springs indicates the streams and springs either share similar catchments or the springs are recharged by the streams. Chloride mass balance and isotopic mass balance studies suggest that the surface recharge component averages 337.35 m\(^{3}\)/s, which is about 75% of total stream discharge during the high flow period. Similarly, the contribution of surface water to groundwater recharge during the low flow period averages 7.5 m\(^{3}\)/s, which is about 18.6% of total stream flow. Furthermore, the mean residence time of the springs calculated from the tritium decay equation is very short (<1 year). The residence time is longer for Kongamnag and short for Achabalnag, which is further supported by dye testing.     

Modelling of streamflow in snow dominated Budhigandaki catchment in Nepal

This study has been envisaged to model streamflow runoff-contributed mostly by snowmelt from Budhigandaki catchment in Nepal. Available hydro-meteorological data have been collected from the Department of Hydrology and Metrology, Nepal. The MODIS Aqua (MYD10A2) and Terra (MOD10A2) 8 day maximum snow cover extent product have been used to derive the snow cover area (SCA) in the basin. The modeling of streamflow has been carried out using HEC-HMS and SRM models. The performance of these models have been evaluated by using three well known evaluation criteria NSE, \({R}^{2}\) and PEV (percentage error in volume). The values of NSE, \({R}^{2}\) and PEV were found to be 0.944, 0.944 and \(-0.3\%\) for SRM and 0.778, 0.785 and \(-1.83\%\) for HEC-HMS, respectively. Similarly, in validation period the average values of NSE, \({R}^{2}\) and PEV were found to be 0.811, 0.816 and 2.01% for SRM model and 0.773, 0.777 and 3.5% for HEC-HMS, respectively. Sensitivity analysis of the models revealed that constant loss rate is very sensitive parameters for HEC-HMS model, whereas runoff coefficient is found to be most sensitive parameters for SRM model. In comparison between two models SRM model has given slightly better simulation results compared to HEC-HMS model.     

Petrography and geochemistry of the Proterozoic sandstones of Somanpalli Group from Pomburna area,Eastern Belt of Pranhita–Godavari Valley,central India: Implications for provenance,weathering and tectonic setting

In this paper, we, for the first time, report geochemistry of sandstone from Somanpalli Group from Pomburna area in the Eastern Belt of Pranhita–Godavari (PG) Valley, central India and studied to infer their provenance, intensity of paleo-weathering and depositional tectonic setting. Petrographic study of sandstones show QFL modal composition of arenite. Chemical results show high \(\hbox {SiO}_{2}\) and CIA but lower \(\hbox {Al}_{2}\hbox {O}_{3}, \hbox {TiO}_{2}\), Rb, Sr, \(\hbox {K}_{2}\hbox {O}\) indicating mixed sources. Major elements chemistry parameters such as, \(\hbox {K}_{2}\hbox {O/Al}_{2}\hbox {O}_{3}\) ratio and positive correlation of Rb with \(\hbox {K}_{2}\hbox {O}\), reflects a warm and humid climate for study area. The tectonic discrimination plots (\(\hbox {SiO}_{2}/20\)–\(\hbox {K}_{2}\hbox {O} + \hbox {Na}_{2}\hbox {O}\)–\(\hbox {TiO}_{2} + \hbox {Fe}_{2}\hbox {O}_{3} + \hbox {MgO};\,\hbox {K}_{2}\hbox {O}/\hbox {Na}_{2}\hbox {O}\) vs. \(\hbox {SiO}_{2}\); Th–Sc–Zr/20) indicate dominantly passive margin and slight active tectonic setting. Concentrations of Zr, Nb, Y, and Th are higher compared to the UCC values and the trends in Th/Cr, Th/Co, La/Sc and Cr/Zr ratios support a felsic and mafic source for these sandstones and deposition in passive margin basin. Chondrite normalized REE pattern reflects LREE depletion, negative Eu anomaly and flat HREE similar to UCC, felsic components. ICV value (0.95) also supports tectonically quiescent passive margin settings. CIA values (74) indicate high degree of chemical weathering and warm and humid paleoclimatic condition.