Comparative evaluation of performances of two versions of NCEP climate forecast system in predicting Indian summer monsoon rainfall

The operational prediction of climatic variables in monthly-to-seasonal scales has been issued by National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) through Climate Forecast System model (CFSv1) since 2004. After incorporating significant changes, a new version of this model (CFSv2) was released in 2011. The present study is based on the comparative evaluation of performances of CFSv2 and CFSv1 for the southwest monsoon season (June-July-August-September, JJAS) over India with May initial condition during 1982–2009. It was observed that CFSv2 has improved over CFSv1 in simulating the observed monsoon rainfall climatology and inter annual variability. The movement of the cell of Walker circulation in years of excessive and deficient rainfall is better captured in CFSv2, as well. The observed teleconnection pattern between ISMR-sea surface temperature (SST) is also better captured in CFSv2. The overall results suggest that the changes incorporated in CFSv1 through the development of CFSv2 have resulted in an improved prediction of ISMR.21     

Above Ground Forest Phytomass Assessment in Southern Gujarat

Spectral modeling of above ground biomass (AGB) with field data collected in 48 field sites representing moist deciduous forest in Surat district is reported. Models were generated using LISS-III and MODIS data. The plot-wise field data was aggregated to MODIS pixel (250 m) using area weightages of forest/vegetation. The study reports that above ground phytomass varied from 6.13 t/ha to 389.166 t/ha while AGB phytomass estimated using area-weights for sites of 250×250 m, ranged from 5.534 t/ha to 134.082 t/ha. The contribution of bamboo in AGB has been found very high. The analysis indicated that the highest correlation between AGB phytomass and red band (R) of MODIS satellite data of October was (R²=0.7823) and R²=0.6998 with both NDVI of October data as well as NDVI_max. High correlation (R²=0.402) with IR band of February month was also found. The phytomass range obtained by using MODIS data varies from 0.147 t/ha to 182.16 t/ha. The mean biomass is 40.50 t/ha. Total biomass is 31.44 Mt. The mean Carbon density is 19.44 tC/ha in forest areas. The study is validation of region-wise spectral modeling approach that will be adopted for mapping vegetation carbon pool of the India under National Carbon Project of ISRO-Geosphere Biosphere Programme.     

Influence of Atmospheric Water Vapour on IRS NIR Measurements for Detecting Vegetation Signal. Part I: A Simulation Study Using MODTRAN

Quantitative remote sensing involving accurate estimation of vegetation properties relies greatly on the measurements of the near infrared (NIR) channel because of unique interaction property between light and leaf. It is generally assumed that the NIR measurements are made in the absence of atmospheric absorption. However, relatively weak water vapour absorption features still persist in the NIR channel, which has bearing on the quantitative estimates of the vegetation properties and long-term data series. This paper reports the results of a study that was carried out to infer the possible influence of the atmospheric water vapour (WV) on the NIR measurements (0.77–0.86 μm) of Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellite sensors through radiative transfer simulations using MODTRAN model. The study also suggests and evaluates the alternate band-positions for the NIR channel to improve the IRS NIR measurements. It was observed that the water absorption features present around 0.810 μm reduces the WV transmission of IRS NIR channel from 1 to 0.91 when atmospheric WV content increased from 0 to 6 g/cm² and thus hampered the NIR reflectance by 14% as compared to reference signal. A significant improvement of the order of 6.5 to 12% in the NIR reflectance and 4.2 to 7% in NDVI was observed, when IRS NIR channel was split into NIR1 (0.775–0.805 μm) and NIR2 (0.845–0.875 μm) channels by avoiding the WV absorption features. The companion paper in this issue (Pandya et al. 2011) will support results of this simulation study through the EO1-Hyperion data analysis.     

A Methodology for Simulating Radionuclide Diffusion in Unsaturated Soils

In this paper, a methodology that can be employed to simulate radionuclide migration through unsaturated soils, under laboratory conditions, has been developed and reported. This was achieved with the help of a specially designed half-cell setup to study diffusion characteristics of inactive forms of Cs⁺, Sr⁺² and Co⁺² in two different types of soils, corresponding to their different compaction states. It has been noted that the apparent diffusion coefficient strongly depends on the volumetric water content of the soil. However, increase of the apparent diffusion coefficient for higher volumetric water contents is found to be much less as compared to the lower volumetric water contents.     

<Emphasis Type="Bold">Rhodophycean algae from the Lower Cretaceous of the Cauvery Basin,South India</Emphasis> by P.K. Misra,S. Kishore,S.K. Singh and A.K. Jauhri. Jour. Geol. Soc. India,v.73, 2009, pp.325–334

Discussion

Rhodophycean algae from the Lower Cretaceous of the Cauvery Basin, South India by P.K. Misra, S. Kishore, S.K. Singh and A.K. Jauhri. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.73, 2009, pp.325–334     

Controlled blasting in a limestone mine using electronic detonators: A case study

Except for very deep-seated deposits, open cast mining method has been recognized as the safest and most productive mode for mining minerals. Ever growing demand in minerals and coal has compelled the mine operators to increase the size of mine, which has resulted in an increasing trend towards large capacity open cast projects. Explosives and blasting techniques play a significant role in efficient opencast mining operations. There have been constant technological developments towards safer, faster, economical and more efficient blasting systems. Further, globally increased competitiveness has necessitated to carryout blasts in such a way that the desired degree of fragmentation is achieved in the primary blast, with minimum undesired side effects such as ground vibration, air blast/noise, flyrock, generation of oversize boulders, formation of toe, and over break or back break. Hence, the ultimate objective of the blasting engineer is to ensure that the blasts are carried out in an eco-friendly manner. This paper presents a case study of limestone mine where a controlled blasting was conducted near a green structure of wagon tippler (at 2 m) being constructed for foundation work of belt conveyor as the mine management wants to double the existing production. This paper deals with controlled blast design and its implementation using electronic detonators with signature hole technique.     

Paleomires of Eocene lignites of Bhavnagar,Saurashtra basin (Gujarat), western India: Petrographic implications

The Tertiary basins of Gujarat have always been a potential target for their hydrocarbon resources. The lignite resources of the region have also been an important field of research. The present paper presents the results of the petrological study carried out on the lignites of the Saurashtra basin. For this purpose samples were collected from lower and upper lignite seams from the Surkha lignite mine of Bhavnagar, Saurashtra. These samples were subjected to detailed petrographic analysis (both maceral and microlithotype). The study reveals that these lignites are dominantly composed of huminite group macerals while liptinite and inertinite group macerals occur in subordinate amounts. These lignites have attained a thermal maturity up to 0.28-0.30 percent vitrinite reflectance (VRr) which classifies them as ‘low rank C’ coals. Moreover, Bhavnagar lower lignite seam shows relatively less gelification as compared to the upper seam which suffered relatively more biochemical degradation. These lignites are characterized by high gelification index (GI) and low tissue preservation index (TPI).With the help of petrography based facies models an attempt has been made to reconstruct the environment of the paleomire of these lignites.     

Co-seismic gravity changes in the Koyna-Warna region: Implications of mass redistribution

Koyna-Warna Region (KWR) is one of the known sites for reservoir triggered seismicity. The continued triggered seismicity over the five decades is restricted to a region of about 600–700 sq. km, which provides a unique opportunity to monitor geophysical anomalies likely to be associated with seismicity of the region. Present study confers temporal gravity changes recorded by gPhone and GRACE satellite and interprets observed changes in conjunction with seismological, geodetic (cGPS) observations and groundwater level measurements. GRACE data suggest that seasonal vertical deformation due to hydrological loading is ～ 2 cm, which corroborates with continuous GPS observations. Seasonal hydrological loading of the region, which is in a phase of reservoir loading, might be influencing the critically stressed KWR leading to the seasonal seismicity of the region. The gPhone gravity data distinctly show co-seismic gravity signals for eight earthquakes of M_w > 2 and gravity anomalies show positive correlation on a logarithmic scale with earthquake released energy. To investigate the cause of gravity changes, an estimate is made for 14^th April 2012 earthquake for M_w 4.8 using fault dislocation model. The recorded gravity changes of 189 μGal by gPhone located at a distance of 28 km from the hypocentre is much more than the estimate of ～0.1 μGal calculated for M_w 4.8 Koyna earthquake. Therefore, it is inferred that co-seismic gravity signals for eight earthquakes are primarily caused due to redistribution of mass at shallow depth.     

Hill slope stability analysis using two and three dimensions analysis: A comparative study

Slope instability is very common phenomenon, especially in tectonically active hills of the lesser Himalaya. The deformed, weathered and fragile rocks of the lesser Himalaya are often vulnerable under natural or anthropogenic influences. There were several cases of slope failure along highway sections in Uttarakhand Himalaya. The study was carried out along a highway section of NH-109. The factor of safety (FoS) is commonly most acceptable parameter that analyses the health of slopes. The two dimensional (2D) numerical analysis techniques are commonly used to obtain the FoS. It is observed that many times FoS obtained from 2D analysis techniques do not qualify the actual conditions and are usually lower in value as compared to ground conditions. This, in turn, increases the cost of remedial measures used for protection of slopes. This paper presents a comparative study of 2D and 3D numerical analysis based on the finite difference method (FDM) using fast Langrangian analysis of continua (FLAC) codes. The study indicates that there is no appreciable difference between FoS values obtained from 2D and 3D analysis based on the selected slope conditions. The difference ranges from 0.02 to 0.07 for analysed cases in uniform rock mass. The study also exhibits some of the important analytical observations and effects of variables on resultant FoS.