Delineation of groundwater recharge zones and identification of artificial recharge sites in West Medinipur district,West Bengal,using RS,GIS and MCDM techniques

Artificial recharge plays a pivotal role in the sustainable management of groundwater resources. This study proposes a methodology to delineate artificial recharge zones as well as to identify favorable artificial recharge sites using integrated remote sensing (RS), geographical information system (GIS) and multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) techniques for augmenting groundwater resources in the West Medinipur district of West Bengal, India, which has been facing water shortage problems for the past few years. The thematic layers considered in this study are: geomorphology, geology, drainage density, slope and aquifer transmissivity, which were prepared using IRS-1D imagery and conventional data. Different themes and their corresponding features were assigned proper weights based on their relative contribution to groundwater recharge in the area, and normalized weights were computed using the Saaty’s analytic hierarchy process (AHP). These thematic layers were then integrated in the GIS environment to delineate artificial recharge zones in the study area. The artificial recharge map thus obtained divided the study area into three zones, viz., ‘suitable,’ ‘moderately suitable’ and ‘unsuitable’ according to their suitability for artificial groundwater recharge. It was found that about 46% of the study area falls under ‘suitable’ zone, whereas 43% falls under the ‘moderately suitable’ zone. The western portion of the study area was found to be unsuitable for artificial recharge. The artificial recharge zone map of the study area was found to be in agreement with the map of mean groundwater depths over the area. Furthermore, forty possible sites for artificial recharge were also identified using RS and GIS techniques. Based on the available field information, check dams are suggested as promising artificial recharge structures. The results of this study could be used to formulate an efficient groundwater management plan for the study area so as to ensure sustainable utilization of scarce groundwater resources.     

Timing evidence in determining the accretion state of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 3783

Previous observations with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer ( RXTE ) have suggested that the power spectral density (PSD) of NGC 3783 flattens to a slope near zero at low frequencies, in a similar manner to that of Galactic black hole X-ray binary systems (GBHs) in the 'hard' state. The low radio flux emitted by this object, however, is inconsistent with a hard state interpretation. The accretion rate of NGC 3783 (∼7 per cent of the Eddington rate) is similar to that of other active galactic nuclei (AGN) with 'soft'-state PSDs and higher than that at which the GBH Cyg X-1, with which AGN are often compared, changes between 'hard' and 'soft' states (∼2 per cent of the Eddington rate). If NGC 3783 really does have a 'hard'-state PSD, it would be quite unusual and would indicate that AGN and GBHs are not quite as similar as we currently believe. Here we present an improved X-ray PSD of NGC 3783, spanning from ∼10⁻⁸ to ∼10⁻³ Hz, based on considerably extended (5.5 yr) RXTE observations combined with two orbits of continuous observation by XMM–Newton . We show that this PSD is, in fact, well fitted by a 'soft' state model which has only one break, at high frequencies. Although a 'hard'-state model can also fit the data, the improvement in fit by adding a second break at low frequency is not significant. Thus NGC 3783 is not unusual. These results leave Arakelian 564 as the only AGN which shows a second break at low frequencies, although in that case the very high accretion rate implies a 'very high', rather than 'hard' state PSD. The break frequency found in NGC 3783 is consistent with the expectation based on comparisons with other AGN and GBHs, given its black hole mass and accretion rate.     

Simulation of Tropical Cyclone Circulation Over the Bay of Bengal Using the Arakawa-Schubert Cumulus Parameterization. Part II: Some Sensitivity Experiments

—?The role of sea-surface temperature (SST) and Coriolis parameter in the evolution and intensification of tropical cyclones has been examined using the ten-level axi-symmetric primitive equation model described in the companion paper (Bhaskar Rao and Ashok, 1999). Two experiments have been conducted using the ten-level model to assess the role of Coriolis parameter “f” in tropical cyclone intensity and the size of the storm generated. Six experiments have been performed to assess the importance of Sea-Surface Temperature (SST) in tropical cyclogenesis and intensification. The initial thermodynamic field and the initial vortex are the same as that used to simulate the Bay of Bengal tropical cyclone discussed in the companion paper. Further sensitivity experiments indicated a strong dependency of the model on SSTs. The model initial vortex could not intensify with an SST of 299?K but could with an SST of 300?K. The increase of SST from 300?K to 300.5?K shows rapid intensification with a minimum central surface pressure of 910?hPa and a maximum tangential wind of 80?m/s. Further increase of SST only shows a marginal increase in intensity and a larger radius of maximum wind. Sensitivity experiments to assess the role of the Coriolis parameter suggest that tropical cyclones develop more intensity and are faster at relatively lower latitudes.     

The relationship between anomalies of interannual net radiation and 37 GHz polarization difference over North Africa

We show evidence that interannual variations in the net radiation balance at the top-of-atmosphere over North Africa may be linked to variations at the land surface within the Sahelian zone. By utilizing concurrent monthly time series of earth radiation budget and passive microwave measurements obtained from the Nimbus 7 satellite over a five year period from 1979 to 1983, we have examined the spatial distribution of the amplitude of interannual variability of the net radiation at the top of the atmosphere. A strong association is found between the radiation budget anomalies derived from ERB-WFOV measurements and the anomalies of 37 GHz polarized brightness temperature difference derived from SMMR measurements. Previous research has shown that the interannual anomalies in the top-of-atmosphere net radiation balance in the Sahelian zone mostly arise from changes taking place at the surface, not from variations in cloudiness which brings variable rainfall throughout the African Sahel. Since microwave polarization difference is related in part to vegetation cover, we suggest that the main control of the modulation of North Africa's radiation balance may be year to year fluctuations of vegetation cover within the Sahelian zone, likely stemming from fluctuations in the rainfall. This relationship is relevant to the problem of radiation control and feedback on global climate through processes taking place within the biosphere of a semi-arid zone.     

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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Some studies in the resistivity of Indian sandstones

Summary In this paper some measurements of the resistivity of Talchir and Barakar sandstones of the Jharia Coal field under dry and saturated conditions have been made and the results are discussed in the light of known theories. Techniques of measurement have been briefly described.     

Lunar ranging instrument for Chandrayaan-1

Lunar Laser Ranging Instrument (LLRI) proposed for the first Indian lunar mission Chandrayaan-1 is aimed to study the topography of the Moon’s surface and its gravitational field by precisely measuring the altitude from a polar orbit around the Moon. Altimetry data close to the poles of the Moon would also be available from the instrument, which was not covered by earlier missions. This instrument supplements the terrain mapping camera and hyperspectral imager payloads on Chandrayaan-1. The instrument consists of a diode pumped Nd:YAG pulsed laser transmitter having 10 nsec pulse width and a receiver system. The receiver system features 17 cm diameter Ritchey—Chrétien collecting optics, Si Avalanche Photo Detector (APD), preamplifiers, constant fraction discriminators, time-of-flight measurement unit and spacecraft interface. Altimeter resolution of better than 5 m is targeted. The received signal strength of LLRI depends on laser pulse backscatter from the Moon’s surface. Moon’s surface being a poor reflector, the choice of receiver size and its type and the selection of detector play an important role in getting a good signal-to-noise ratio and in turn achieving the target resolution. At the same time, the spacecraft puts a limitation on payload size and weight. This paper discusses the proposed LLRI system for Chandrayaan-1 and signal-to-noise ratio estimation.     

Length-weight relationship of sucker head, Garra Gotyla Gotyla (Gray, 1830) in different rivers of Nepal and the influence of monsoon

Size structure data particularly that of length and weight is very important fisheries management tool, which is also applied to assess the health, habitat and integrity of the rivers. Nepal is tremendously rich in both fisheries and water resource and thus, this analysis is very important. However, this kind of analysis is not common in fisheries studies and hence the size structure information of all the fish in Nepal is wanting. This study simply tries to open the door for such studies with the study of the sucker head Garra gotyla gotyla, a very common fish in Nepal. The field observation was done in nine rivers of the country in all the seasons of the 2003 by using electrofishing gear. The length-weight relationship was found to vary both spatially and temporally among rivers and seasons respectively indicating different conditions in different rivers. The length weight relationship also showed some interesting facts about the seasonal cycle of the species indicating the period of growth and stress in different rivers. The monsoon event was found to be highly influential in this relationship.     

A General Relativistic Calculation of Boundary Layer and Disc Luminosity for Accreting Non-magnetic Neutron Stars in Rapid Rotation

We calculate the disc and boundary layer luminosities for accreting rapidly rotating neutron stars with low magnetic fields in a fully general relativistic manner. Rotation increases the disc luminosity and decreases the boundary layer luminosity. A rapid rotation of the neutron star substantially modifies these quantities as compared with the static limit. For a neutron star rotating close to the centrifugal mass shed limit, the total luminosity has contribution only from the extended disc. For such maximal rotation rates, we find that well before the maximum stable gravitational mass configuration is reached, there exists a limiting central density, for which particles in the innermost stable orbit will be more tightly bound than those at the surface of the neutron star. We also calculate the angular velocity profiles of particles in Keplerian orbits around the rapidly rotating neutron star. The results are illustrated for a representative set of equation of state models of neutron star matter.