Runoff estimation for an ungauged catchment using geomorphological instantaneous unit hydrograph (GIUH) models

A geomorphological instantaneous unit hydrograph (GIUH) is derived from the geomorphological characteristics of a catchment and it is related to the parameters of the Clark instantaneous unit hydrograph (IUH) model as well as the Nash IUH model for deriving its complete shape. The developed GIUH based Clark and Nash models are applied for simulation of the direct surface run‐off (DSRO) hydrographs for ten rainfall‐runoff events of the Ajay catchment up to the Sarath gauging site of eastern India. The geomorphological characteristics of the Ajay catchment are evaluated using the GIS package, Integrated Land and Water Information System (ILWIS). The performances of the GIUH based Clark and Nash models in simulating the DSRO hydrographs are compared with the Clark IUH model option of HEC‐1 package and the Nash IUH model, using some commonly used objective functions. The DSRO hydrographs are computed with reasonable accuracy by the GIUH based Clark and Nash models, which simulate the DSRO hydrographs of the catchment considering it to be ungauged. Inter comparison of the performances of the GIUH based Clark and Nash models shows that the DSRO hydrographs are estimated with comparable accuracy by both the models. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Storm time response of GPS-derived total electron content (TEC) during low solar active period at Indian low latitude station Varanasi

The present paper analyzes the dual frequency signals from GPS satellites recorded at Varanasi (Geographic latitude 25°, 16′ N, longitude 82°, 59′ E) near the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) crest in India, to study the effect of geomagnetic storm on the variation of TEC, during the low solar active period of May 2007 to April 2008. Three most intense—but still moderate class—storms having a rapid decrease of Dst-index observed during the GPS recorded data have been analyzed, which occurred on 20 November 2007, 9 March 2008 and 11 October 2008 were selected and storm induced features in the vertical TEC (VTEC) have been studied considering the mean VTEC value of quiet days as reference level. The possible reasons for storm time effects on VTEC have been discussed in terms of local time dependence, storm wind effect as well as dawn-dusk component of interplanetary electric field (IEF) Ey intensity dependence.     

Water logging and drainage Assessment in Ravi-Tawi irrigation command (J&K) using remote sensing approach

Water logging is one of the major land degradation processes that restricts the economic and efficient utilisation of soil and land resources in command areas. Since independence, various irrigation schemes, for providing water for agriculture and drinking have been taken up by Central and State agencies in India. In most of these schemes very little efforts have been made for proper drainage. Obstruction of natural drainage by way of construction of roads, railways, aerodrome, various structures, etc., causes the ponding of monsoon runoff on the upstream of the structures. Periodic monitoring of command areas helps in analysing the extent of water logging, and should help in taking suitable remedial measures. Remote sensing and GIS are powerful tools, which could be effectively used to study the dynamic behaviour of waterlogged areas. In this study, waterlogged and salt-affected areas have been estimated in the command area of Ravi-Tawi Irrigation Complex in Jammu region. About 14% of the total command area is water logged/ salt-affected. Being a new project, this area is likely to grow in future when the project runs with its installed capacity, and as the distributaries expand in the command area. Plausible causes of water logging have been discussed, and remedial measures suggested for reclaiming operations.     

Stabilization of fuel oil contaminated soil—A case study

Fuel oil contamination brings adverse effect on basic geotechnical properties of foundation soil. The present study pertains to one such case, from the petrochemical complex near Vadodara City in Gujarat State, India. Here, the fuel oil contaminated soil samples exhibit drastic changes in their geotechnical parameters. Noteworthy among such deleterious changes are: decrease in maximum dry density (–4%), cohesion (–66%), angle of internal friction (–23%) and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) (–35%) and increase in liquid limit (+11%). An attempt has been made to stabilize the contaminated soil using various additives viz., lime, fly ash and cement independently as well as an admixture of different combinations. It is apparent from the test results that the stabilization agents improved the geo-technical properties of the soil by way of cation exchange, agglomeration, and pozzuolanic actions. The best results were observed when a combination of 10% lime, 5% fly ash and 5% cement was added to the contaminated soil. The improvement in unconfined compressive strength (UCS), cohesion and angle of internal friction can be attributed to neo-formations such as Calcium Silicate Hydrates (CSH, CSH-1) that coats and binds the soil particles. Formation of stable complex between oil and metallic cations, results in reduction of leachableoil.     

Thermal Evolution of Neutron Stars

We present results from simulations of protoneutron star thermal evolution using neutrino opacities that are consistently calculated with the equation of state. When hyperons are allowed to appear in the system, we obtain metastable configurations that after the deleptonization stage become unstable. Concerning the evolution of old neutron stars, we present the results of our investigation on the effect of the Joule heating due to magnetic field dissipation. We conclude that this mechanism can be efficient in maintaining the surface temperature of the star above 3 × 10⁴ - 10⁵ K during a very long time (≥ 100 Myr), comparable with the decay time of the magnetic field. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The use of buffers to measure the pH of seawater

The pH of seawater can be measured in the field using potentiometric and spectrophotometric methods. The use of pH standards or buffers is an important aspect of the calibration of both methods in a laboratory on a common concentration scale. The buffers can also be used to monitor the performance of pH meter and spectrophotometer during a cruise. A procedure is described for the determination of the pH of seawater, where the proton concentration is expressed as moles kg-H₂O⁻¹ using seawater buffers. The buffers are prepared in synthetic seawater in the laboratory by the methods outlined by Bates and coworkers. We have prepared four buffers (Bis, Tris, Morpholine and 2-Aminopyridine) that cover a pH range from 6.8 to 8.8. The emf values of the buffers were measured with a H₂, Pt/AgCl, Ag electrode system after their preparation and bottling for use at sea. The measured emf values were found to be in good agreement (±0.05 mV) with the original measurements of Bates and coworkers from 0 to 45°C. The measured pH of these buffers are in good agreement (±0.001 pH units) with the values calculated from the equations of Dickson on the total pH scale based on Bates et al. Studies are underway to access the long term stability of these buffers. We have also used these buffers to calibrate systems used to make potentiometric and spectrophotometric measurements of pH on seawater relative to the H₂, Pt/Ag, AgCl electrode from 5 to 45°C.     

Modeling of groundwater draft based on satellite-derived crop acreage estimation over an arid region of northwest India

Over-exploitation of groundwater for agricultural crops puts stress on the sustainability of natural resources in the arid region of Rajasthan state, India. Hydrogeological study of groundwater levels of the study area during the pre-monsoon (May to June), post-monsoon (October to November) and post-irrigation (February to March) seasons of 2004–2005 to 2011–2012 shows a steady decline of groundwater levels at the rate of 1.28–1.68 m/year, mainly due to excessive groundwater draft for irrigation. Due to the low density of the groundwater observation-well network in the study area, assessment of groundwater draft, and thus groundwater resource management, becomes a difficult task. To overcome the situation, a linear groundwater draft model (LGDM) has been developed based on the empirical relationship between satellite-derived crop acreage and the observed groundwater draft for the year 2003–2004. The model has been validated for a decade, during three year-long intervals (2005–2006, 2008–2009 and 2011–2012) using groundwater draft, estimated through a discharge factor method. Further, the estimated draft was validated through observed pumping data from random sampled villages (2011–2012). The results suggest that the developed LGDM model provides a good alternative to the estimation of groundwater draft based on satellite-based crop area in the absence of groundwater observation wells in arid regions of northwest India.