Isotopic evolution of common lead

The isotopic composition of lead from galenas and feldspars of granitic rocks covering a time span of 3600 m.y. is reviewed. Hew data are combined with data from the literature, all ratios being normalized to a fixed value for the isotopic composition of lead in an inter-laboratory reference sample. Comparison of feldspar and galena results show that the isotopic composition of initial lead in granitic rocks may be identical to, or more radiogenic than, that in coeval stratiform (or ‘single stage’) ore deposits. The isotopic evolution of terrestrial lead over the past 3600 m.y. deduced from the stratiform ore data does not fit the closed system source. The data are best fitted to evolution models in which the value of μ (U²³⁸/Pb²⁰⁴ normalized to the present day) in the source has increased either over approximately the past 3.6 billion years or since the time of formation of the Earth. A limited number of high precision data for strontium likewise indicate open system isotopic evolution. In this system the Rb/Sr ratio appears to have decreased as a function of time. Physical models that explain the data are presented. Either mantle differentiation or crustal contamination processes could account for the change in μ in the source for the lead. The strontium data and some detailed studies of the isotopic composition of lead in oceanic volcanic rocks support mantle differentiation rather than crustal contamination. The exact nature of the mantle differentiation process cannot be specified, although empirical data favoring the existence of such a process are given. The best estimate of the age of the Earth, calculated with the data from 2750 and 3290 m.y.-old lead ores, is 4660 m.y.     

Landscape level disturbance gradient analysis in daltonganj south forest division

Disturbance, man-made or natural, is an innate process of any landscape. Disturbance gradient analysis provides insight into the disturbance status of forest which is useful for forest management. In the present study new landscape metrics are introduced through FRAGSTATS 3.3 software for analyzing both anthropogenic and natural disturbance pattern of Daltonganj south forest division of Jharkhand state. Various landscape indices were used for natural disturbance analysis. Anthropogenic disturbance was measured as function of the proximity of landscape to roads and settlements. It was observed that the forests of the study area are experiencing varied degrees of disturbances. The software in combination with ARC VIEW Spatial Analyst was found to be a cost effective and user friendly landscape analysis tool.     

Megacities – megarisks

We review the definitions, population trends, and characteristics of megacities. Characteristics of megacities are, apart from their size, their complexity in terms of administration, infrastructure, traffic, etc., and at the same time the speed of change. Vulnerabilities and risk potential are discussed using the examples of Mexico City and Mumbai. We present the experience accumulated in the 6 years work of the Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative (EMI, ) with more than 20 large cities around the world, mostly located in the developing world. On this background we analyze obstacles that keep megacities from developing an efficient approach towards disaster mitigation and define a strategy that might overcome these problems. The key element of this strategy is the development of a Disaster Risk Management Master Plan (DRMMP) for cities. Currently the Istanbul Earthquake Master Plan (IEMP) serves as best example for an appropriate strategy for disaster reduction in megacities.     

Understanding the turbulent structure of the atmospheric boundary layer: A diagnostic approach

In this paper, we have attempted a diagnostic study of the turbulence characteristics of the ABL by means of two one-dimensional models. The first model uses a first order non-local closure, based on the Transilient Turbulence Theory, for parameterizing turbulent fluxes. while the second model uses second order local closure for parameterizing these. The models have been applied to conduct case studies using the Kytoon data taken at Kharagpur, during 17th–21st June, 1990, as part of the MONTBLEX programme. Our findings bring out various interesting features regarding the non-local and local turbulent statistics such as kinematic fluxes, turbulence kinetic energy, vertical velocity variance, the contribution of the eddies of various sizes to the fluxes at different level and the mixing lengths. The one-dimensional anisotropy of the turbulent eddies has been revealed by the findings from the transilient model. The vertical variation of the turbulence kinetic energy, as computed directly by the second order model, is found to be strongly correlated with the vertical velocity variance. In particular, for stably stratified boundary layers, identification of two distinct zones of the turbulence kinetic energy and corresponding vertical velocity maxima is possible, which has been interpreted as positive evidence of patchy turbulence in the boundary layer.     

Characterization of Mechanisms and Processes Controlling Groundwater Recharge and its Quality in Drought-Prone Region of Central India (Buldhana,Maharashtra) Using Isotope Hydrochemical and End-Member Mixing Modeling

A thorough study on understanding of groundwater recharge sources and mechanisms was attempted by integrating the hydrogeological, geochemical and isotopic information along with groundwater dating and end-member mixing analysis (EMMA). This study was necessitated due to prolonged dryness and unavailability of freshwater in semi arid Deccan trap regions of Central India. In addition, groundwater resources are not characterized well in terms of their geochemical nature and recharge sources. The hydrogeochemical inferences suggest that aquifer I consists of recently recharged water dominated by Ca–Mg–HCO₃ facies, while groundwater in aquifer II shows water–rock interaction and ion exchange processes. Presence of agricultural contaminant, nitrate, in both aquifers infers limited hydraulic interconnection, which is supported by unconfined to semi-confined nature of aquifers. Groundwater in both aquifers is unsaturated with respect to carbonate and sulfate minerals indicating lesser water–rock interaction and shorter residence time. This inference is corroborated by tritium age of groundwater (aquifer I: 0.7–2 years old and aquifer II: 2–4.2 years old). Stable water isotopes (δ²H, δ¹⁸O) suggest that groundwater is a mixture of rainwater and evaporated water (surface water and irrigation return flow). EMMA analysis indicates three groundwater recharge sources with irrigation return flow being the dominant source compared to others (rainwater and surface waters). A conceptual model depicting groundwater chemistry, recharge and dynamics is prepared based on the inferences.