Principal component inversion technique for the retrieval of leaf area index

A simulation study has been carried out to investigate the Principal Component Inversion (PCI) technique for the retrieval of leaf area index (LAI). The PROSAIL model has been used for the forward analysis, i.e., estimation of reflectance for various combinations of LAI, soil reflectance, leaf angle distribution (ø₁), chlorophyll a+b concentration (C_ab), etc. Independent test on sample with LAI range 0.1-7.0 indicated that the retrieved LAI from PCI has higher accuracy (RMSE=0.137) than the classical NDVI-LAI empirical approach (RMSE=1.139). The study needs to be extended to cover retrieval from different types of soil and simultaneous retrieval of different biophysical parameters viz., LAI, C_ab, ø₁ to test the wider applicability of the PCI technique.     

Development of rational models for tunnel blast prediction based on a parametric study

The empirical models available for prediction of the tunnel blast results like pull ratio, specific charge, specific drilling and overbreak have some inherent shortcoming in absence of any parametric study at the backdrop. Hence, the models use different constituting parameters and provide values which differ widely. After a thorough review of literature and field investigations in the drivages of mines and tunnels some parameters were identified. Those parameters were subjected to Multiple Linear Regression analyses to filter out the most influencing ones which represent the rockmass properties, the tunnel configurations and the blast designs. A parameter called Tunnel Blasting Index (TBI) was conceptualized and was expressed in terms of those most influencing parameters. All the blast results observed during the filed investigations could be well related to a single index TBI. Some adjustments on account of shape of the tunnel and joint orientations, which were not addressed in the available models, are suggested in the developed models.     

Urban Ground Water Pollution: A Case Study in Cuttack City, India

A large number of ground water samples (360) was collected from 60 stations over six consecutive seasons to study the influence of the main sewerage drain on shallow ground water table beneath the municipal area of Cuttack, India. A majority of the samples collected from stations close to the drain exceeded the maximum permissible limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Almost all the samples near the drain exceeded the WHO limit for NO₃^- and Na⁺. However, the concentrations decreased as the distance from the drain increased. The winter season registered the maximum concentrations of NH₄⁺, NO₃^-, and SO₄^2- ions whereas the minimum values always coincided with the rainy season. R-mode factor analysis was conducted to find relationships amongst the 16 chemical parameters studied. Fluoride showed a negative correlation with Cl^-, Na⁺, NO₃^-, SO₄^2-, and PO₄^3-. The concentration of F^- may be lower in raw waste water than naturally occurs in the ground water. Therefore, a decrease in the concentration of F^- near the drain may be attributed to dilution by contributions of waste water to the ground water. The rest of the parameters were found to be directly related to the distance of collection points to the sewerage. The distribution of nutrients is strongly affected by leaching of waste water into the ground water.     

Direct Numerical Simulation of a Turbulent Channel Flow with Forchheimer Drag

Boundary-Layer Meteorology - We characterize the turbulent flow, using direct numerical simulations (DNS), within a closed channel between two parallel walls with a canopy of constant areal density...     

The Interannual variability of rainfall over homogeneous regions of Indian summer monsoon

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - The Indian subcontinent, due to its enormous variety of geographical features, is associated with inhomogeneity. Hence, in the present study, we have...     

Hydrogeochemical evolution and potability evaluation of saline contaminated coastal aquifer system of Rajnagar,Odisha, India: A geospatial perspective

The present article reports the results of a comprehensive hydrogeochemical study carried out across the coastal aquifer system of Rajnagar block, Kendrapara district, Odisha, India. The research involved collection of representative groundwater samples during the pre- and post-monsoon seasons with in situ as well as laboratory measurement of various hydrogeochemical variables. Analysis of the subsurface water samples portrays an alkali dominated water type during the pre-monsoon season whereas alkaline earth has a significantly increased influence during the post-monsoon period. However, the aquifer system displays an even distribution of strong and weak acids for both the monsoonal regimes. The hydrogeochemistry is controlled by aquifer lithology with a general occurrence of ion exchange and acid–base reaction processes across the study area. Spatial disposition of major cations indicates freshening of this coastal aquifer system in S–N and SW–NE directions. Potability analysis of the samples is suggestive of widespread unsuitability for domestic, agriculture and industrial uses. The extensive occurrence of salinity hazards, sodium hazards and magnesium hazards across the terrain makes the groundwater unsafe for domestic and agricultural utilization while industrial potability analysis suggests the aquifer system is moderately corrosive but non-incrusting. Post-monsoon however, the subsurface waters display a general decrease in hazardous nature with increased suitability for various uses.     

Enhancement of Dry Beneficiation of Coal by Air Distributor Design Modification in an Air-Pulsated Stratifier

Natural Resources Research - This study investigated the segregation of organic (maceral) and inorganic (mineral matter or ash) contents of coal in an air stratifier after design modification in...     

A Geospatial Approach to Understand the Dynamics of Shifting Cultivation in Champhai District of Mizoram,North-East India

The dynamics of crop-fallow rotation cycles of shifting cultivation has been poorly understood in northeastern part of the country although it is one of the major land use systems in the hilly states of this region. The present study was conducted to understand the dynamics of shifting cultivation through the use of Landsat time-series data from 1999 to 2016 in Champhai district of Mizoram. We mapped the current jhum fields and abandoned areas of each imagery of the study period and performed a post classification comparison to assess the crop-fallow rotation cycle/jhum cycle. The chrono-sequential change of slash and burn area over the past 17 years showed a decreasing trend with the greater part of the shifting cultivation area being occupied by 2nd year crop fields, covering 48.81% of total jhum land. On average, 114.46 km² area were annually slashed for current jhum, out of which 33.41% continued with current jhum 2nd year cropping and only 3.27% of jhumias continued with 3rd year cropping. The shifting cultivation patches were mostly confined to moderately steep slopes (15°–30°). East facing aspect was mostly preferred and North facing aspect was least preferred. During the study period, 10 years jhum cycle covered the maximum area followed by 9 years and 11 years jhum cycle. The end result of this study proved that the prevalent jhum cycle in Champhai district is 8–11 years with a fallow period of 6–9 years.     

Chrome-diopside Megacryst-bearing Lamprophyre from the Late Cretaceous Mundwara Alkaline Complex,NW India: Petrological and Geodynamic Implications

The occurrence of a rare mantle-derived chrome-diopside megacryst (～8 mm), containing inclusions of olivine, in a lamprophyre dyke from the late Cretaceous polychronous (～100 – 68 Ma) Mundwara alkaline complex of NW India is reported. The olivine inclusions are forsteritic (Fo: 85.23) in composition, and their NiO (0.09 wt%) and CaO (0.13 wt%) contents imply derivation from a peridotitic mantle source. The composition of the chrome diopside (Cr₂O₃: 0.93 wt ) (Wo_45.27 En_48.47 Fs_5.07 and Ac_1.18) megacryst is comparable to that occurring in the garnet peridotite xenoliths found in diamondiferous kimberlites from Archaean cratons. Single pyroxene thermobarometry revealed that this chrome diopside megacryst was derived from a depth range of ～100 km, which is relatively much deeper than that of the chrome-diopside megacrysts (～40–50 km) reported in spinellherzolite xenoliths from the alkali basalts of Deccan age (ca. 66–67 Ma) from the Kutch, NW India. This study highlights that pre- Deccan lithosphere, below the Mundwara alkaline complex, was at least ～100 km thick and, likely, similar in composition to that of the cratonic lithosphere.     

Seismic strengthening of RC columns using external steel cage

Steel caging technique is commonly used for the seismic strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) columns of rectangular cross‐section. The steel cage consists of angle sections placed at corners and held together by battens at intervals along the height. In the present study, a rational design method is developed to proportion the steel cage considering its confinement effect on the column concrete. An experimental study was carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed design method and detailing of steel cage battens within potential plastic hinge regions. One ordinary RC column and two strengthened columns were investigated experimentally under constant axial compressive load and gradually increasing reversed cyclic lateral displacements. Both strengthened columns showed excellent behavior in terms of flexural strength, lateral stiffness, energy dissipation and ductility due to the external confinement of the column concrete. The proposed model for confinement effect due to steel cage reasonably predicted moment capacities of the strengthened sections, which matched with the observed experimental values. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.