Delineation of structural features over a part of the Bay of Bengal using total and balanced horizontal derivative techniques

The present study deals with classical problem of edge detection in potential field data over complex tectonic regime for both shallower and deeper sources, simultaneously. Balanced horizontal derivative (BHD) technique is a latest edge detection concept which delineates edges using balancing of amplitude responses for both shallower and deeper sources. The BHD technique has been validated by comparing with total horizontal derivative (THD) technique. Initially, three different synthetic models have been generated with spherical, cylindrical and vertical prismatic objects at different depths and corresponding gravity responses have been enhanced using BHD and THD techniques. Structural features have been delineated from EIGEN6C4 free-air gravity data using THD and BHD techniques over a part of the Bay of Bengal. Major lineaments have been identified in N–S direction followed by those identified along the NE–SW, NW–SE and E–W directions. Both studies of synthetic models and real gravity data reveal that BHD is an advanced technique than THD.     

Polarization measurements with an imaging gamma-ray telescope

The proposed Tracking and Imaging Gamma-Ray Experiment (TIGRE), operating in the 0.3–100 MeV energy interval, will be an efficient polarimeter with a modulation factor of 50% at 0.5 MeV. The polarization detection parameters of TIGRE were estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation modified to include the polarization dependence of the Klein-Nishina formula. Using Compton scattering of low energy photons and approximately 3 acceptance angle after scattering, TIGRE will be able to measure strong sources with 20% fractional polarization at 3 significance in a typical balloon-borne exposure and 5% during a 4-week satellite observation.     

A package for digital processing and automatic contouring of aeromagnetic data

Aeromagnetic data processing refers to the processing of magnetic data acquired through airborne surveys. The total magnetic field at various points along the predetermined flight path is recorded using the on board cesium magnetometer. At each of these points, the positional information in terms of latitude, longitude obtained from Inertial Navigation System (INS) and attitude, time and date are also recorded. The track flown by the aircraft while data acquisition is also recorded using video flight path camera. A software package has been developed to process this data and generate outputs in a form amenable to visual interpretation. It is developed on a VAX 11/780 system using VAX FORTRAN and PLOT 10 GKS software. This paper gives an outline of the various functions available in this package and also highlights the problems encountered in choosing the most appropriate techniques/methods to be used in the gridding and contouring of the data.     

Utilization of high-resolution EGM2008 gravity data for geological exploration over the Singhbhum-Orissa Craton,India

High-resolution EIGEN6C4 and EGM2008 Bouguer gravity data of 2190 degree spherical harmonic over the Singhbhum-Orissa Craton, India, have been generated from the International Centre for Global Earth Models. The Bouguer gravity anomaly difference maps of (i) in situ and EIGEN6C4, (ii) in situ and EGM2008 and iii) EIGEN6C4 and EGM2008 of the study area are compared. It reveals that EIGEN6C4 has lesser systematic error than EGM2008. However, from different profile plots of Bouguer gravity, east–west horizontal derivative and north–south horizontal derivative anomalies of the in situ, EIGEN6C4 and EGM2008, it is observed that most of the signatures of lithounits and geological structural elements are delineated very well by EGM2008 and match 94–98% with those of EIGEN6C4. Further, the Bouguer gravity, east–west horizontal derivative and north–south horizontal derivative anomalies of EGM2008 data over the study area have been used effectively for identifying various lithounits and geological structural elements.     

Field and petrographic aspects of the iron ore mineralizations of Gandhamardan hill,Keonjhor, Orissa and their genetic significance

Banded iron formations of the Iron Ore Group (Archean greenstone belts) of Jharkhand-Orissa region, India host a good number of large iron ore deposits (Fe wt %> 62). Iron ore mineralization of Gandhamardan hill is one of them where iron ores occur in two stratigraphic horizons. One is strictly confined within banded iron formation (stratabound mineralization) with irregular geometry, and show fracture filling and replacement vein-type mineralization along the fringes of hard massive ores of the core. This type of mineralization is exposed along the western slope of the hill. Hard massive and laminated ores dominate this mineralization. The other type occurs as low dipping sheet like body above banded iron formation and covered by laterites forming the top of the hill. Flaky ores dominate this mineralization with formation of hard goethitic crust near the top. Both the mineralizations contain mineralized banded iron formation corestones surrounded by hard massive or flaky iron ores. Hard massive ores are entirely represented by martite-microplaty hematite mineralogy. Hard laminated ores contain microplaty hematite and few martite grains representing early magnetites of the banded iron formation. Flaky ores are high porosity ores produced by leaching of silica, martite and microplaty hematite. Hard goethitic ores are developed due to replacement of martite and microplaty hematite or precipitation of goethite in the pore spaces.     

Distinct ruby suite at Sardapur, Orissa: A spectroscopic investigation

Orissa is an important area for gem variety of corundum deposits in India. Spectroscopic studies, such as ESR, OAS on samples from Sardapur, Orissa, were carried out to ascertain the colour cause of corundum. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopic study was carried out on the samples to detect the presence of paramagnetic ions i.e. Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Ti⁴⁺, Cr³⁺ and V³⁺ etc. The variable temperature experiment carried out to observe the effect of heating on peak valence state change in paramagnetic ions. Samples were cut and polished to obtain the optical absorption spectrum (OAS) to detect the colour causing transition ions/defect centres. The samples of gem variety were step heated up to 300°C for colour enhancement studies. EPMA analysis has revealed the low chromium concentration in the rubies. The varying hues of red in the corundum are due to the presence of bivalent and trivalent iron and charge transfer process along with Cr³⁺ absorption in the 550 nm region.     

Instruments of RT-2 experiment onboard CORONAS-PHOTON and their test and evaluation III: Coded Aperture Mask and Fresnel Zone Plates in RT-2/CZT payload

Imaging in hard X-rays of any astrophysical source with high angular resolution is a challenging job. Shadow-casting technique is one of the most viable options for imaging in hard X-rays. We have used two different types of shadow-casters, namely, Coded Aperture Mask (CAM) and Fresnel Zone Plate (FZP) pair and two types of pixellated solid-state detectors, namely, CZT and CMOS in RT-2/CZT payload, the hard X-ray imaging instrument onboard the CORONAS-PHOTON satellite. In this paper, we present the results of simulations with different combinations of coders (CAM & FZP) and detectors that are employed in the RT-2/CZT payload. We discuss the possibility of detecting transient Solar flares with good angular resolution for various combinations. Simulated results are compared with laboratory experiments to verify the consistency of the designed configuration.     

Molecular fossils in Cretaceous condensate from western India

The present study reports the biomarker distribution of condensate belonging to the early Cretaceous time frame using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The early Cretaceous palaeoenvironment was inscribed into these molecular fossils which reflected the source and conditions of deposition of the condensate. The saturate fraction of the condensate is characterized by normal alkanes ranging from n-C₉ to n-C₂₉ (CPI-1.13), cycloalkanes and C₁₄ and C₁₅ sesquiterpanes. The aromatic fraction comprises of naphthalene, phenanthrene, their methylated derivatives and cyclohexylbenzenes. Isohexylalkylnaphthalenes, a product of rearrangement process of terpenoids, is detected in the condensate. Several aromatic sesquiterpenoids and diterpenoids have been recorded. Dihydro-ar-curcumene, cadalene and ionene form the assemblage of sesquiterpenoids which are indicative of higher plant input. Aromatic diterpenoid fraction comprises of simonellite and retene. These compounds are also indicative of higher plants, particularly conifer source which had been a predominant flora during the Cretaceous time.     

Oxygen isotope analysis of bone and tooth enamel phosphate from paleogene sediments: Experimental techniques and initial results

Oxygen isotope composition (δ¹⁸O) of fossil bone and tooth enamel phosphate (bioapatite) is an important tool for estimating the isotopic composition of past environmental water. Lack of analytical facility was a hindrance for studying such bioapatites in spite of large number of fossil materials reported from various geological ages in India. We have established in our laboratory, based on available methods, the chemical procedure for extraction of very small amount (<1000 μg) PO₄ ⁻³ from bioapatite and on-line mass spectrometric measurement of its δ¹⁸O composition by high temperature (∼1450°C) pyrolysis. The achieved precision is ∼± 0.3 ‰ similar to obtained elsewhere, with interlaboratory calibration showing excellent agreement of standard phosphates. Inferred δ¹⁸O values of environmental water, based on the analysis of teeth and bones of sharks, fish and terrestrial mammals from the Paleogene successions of the northwest sub-Himalayan and the Peninsular India show strong correspondence with animal habitats. The freshwater δ¹⁸O values are much depleted having range similar to modern monsoon precipitation. However, owing to our small dataset it is not possible at this stage to infer about the existence of monsoon over the Indian sub-continent during the Eocene-Oligocene time.     

Mineralogical Characteristics of Iron Ores in Joda and Khondbond Areas in Eastern India with Implications on Beneficiation

Precambrian iron ores of the Singhbhum-North Orissa region occur in eastern India as part of the Iron Ore Group (IOG) within the broad horse-shoe shaped synclinorium. More than 50% of Indian iron ore reserves occur in this region. Massive-hard, flaky-friable, blue dust and lateritic varieties of iron ores are the major ore types, associated with banded hematite, jasper and shales. These ores could have formed as a result of supergene enrichment through gradual but extensive removal of silica, alumina and phosphorus from banded iron formations and ferruginous shale. Attempts for optimal utilization of these resources led to various ore characterization studies using chemical analysis, ore and mineral petrography, XRD analysis, SEM and electron probe micro analysis (EPMA). The ore chemistry indicates that the massive hard ores and blue dust have high iron, low alumina and phosphorus contents. Because of high quality, these ores do not require any specialized beneficiation technique for up-gradation. However, flaky-friable, lateritised and goethitic ores are low in iron, high in alumina and phosphorus contents, requiring specific beneficiation techniques for up-gradation in quality. XRD, SEM and ore microscopic studies of massive hard ores indicate the presence of hematite and goethite, while flaky and lateritic ores show a higher concentration of goethite, kaolinite, gibbsite and hematite. EPMA studies show the presence of adsorbed phosphorous as fine dust in the hard ores. Sink and float studies reveal that most of the gangue minerals are not completely liberated in the case of goethitic and lateritic ores, even at finer fractions.