Numerical simulation of cloud burst event on August 05, 2010, over Leh using WRF mesoscale model

Localized deep cumulus convective clouds have a capability of giving enormous amount of rainfall over a limited horizontal area, within a short span of time. Such types of extreme rainfall events are most common over the high elevated areas of Northern India during the Southwest monsoon season which causes widespread damage to the property and lives. Therefore, it is necessary to predict such extreme events accurately to avoid damage associated with them. The numerical mesoscale model Weather Research and Forecasting has been used to simulate the cloud burst event of Leh on August 05, 2010, so as to capture the main characteristics of the various parameters associated with this localized mesoscale phenomenon. The model has been integrated with four nested domains keeping Leh and its adjoining area as center. Two cloud microphysics parameterization schemes namely WSM3 and WSM6 have been used for the sensitivity experiments and results have been analyzed to examine the performance of both the schemes in capturing such extreme localized heavy rainfall events. Results show that the WSM6 microphysics was able to simulate the precipitation near to the observation. WSM3 microphysics simulated the location of the circulation near to the observation. In addition, the results also show that the maximum magnitudes of meridional and vertical wind as simulated with WSM3 microphysics are 12 and 4 m/s, respectively.     

Groundwater simulation studies of parts of Western Yamuna Canal Command area, Haryana for planning sustainable development

A single layer mathematical model was developed to simulate the hydrogeological condition and groundwater flow in an area of about 2536 Sq km, which forms part of the WYC Command area. The model was run both for the steady state and for the transient state. The model was then successfully calibrated. The calibration results were recorded qualitatively and quantitatively. The results of the calibrated model were analyzed. Two Scenarios developed alonwith six scenarios created earlier, in another modeling study, were analyzed to find out a sustainable solution for optimal utilization of surface and ground water. The two Scenarios developed show that a viable solution will be reduction in pumping and regulated surface water supply. This will ameliorate water logging in the nearby areas. The reduction in pumping and thereby, reduction of return flow recharging groundwater can be achieved by improving water use efficiency and modifying/changing cropping pattern. These strategies can be successfully implemented, through mass awareness programmes, involving the farmers, who have to implement the programme, along with all the other stake holders. Ultimately reduction of groundwater pumping can be achieved through strict groundwater regulation. Direct recharge by way of seepage through canal can be reduced by lining the unlined canals and proper repair and maintenance of the already lined canals. But this has to be tested through a pilot project vis-a-vis economic viability of this lining, as seepage may be indirectly helping groundwater recharge in areas without water logging. Further to increase the availability of surface water and augment recharge of groundwater, the surface run off from the precipitation, can be utilized in various ways to reduce to decline of groundwater level.     

2-D velocity structure in Kerala-Konkan basin using traveltime inversion of seismic data

The existence of gas-hydrates in marine sediments increases the seismic velocity, whereas even a small amount of underlying free-gas reduces the velocity considerably. The change in velocities against the background (without gas-hydrates and free-gas) velocity can be used for identification and assessment of gas-hydrates. Traveltime inversion of identifiable reflections from large offset multi channel seismic (MCS) experiment is an effective method to derive the 2-D velocity structure in an area. We apply this method along a seismic line in the Kerala-Konkan (KK) offshore basin for delineating the gas-hydrates and free-gas bearing sediments across a bottom simulating reflector (BSR). The result reveals a four layer 2-D shallow velocity model with the topmost sedimentary layer having velocity of 1,680–1,740 m/s and thickness of 140–190 m. The velocity of the second layer of uniform thickness (110 m) varies from 1,890 to 1,950 m/s. The third layer, exhibiting higher velocity of 2,100–2,180 m/s, is interpreted as the gas-hydrates bearing sediment, the thickness of which is estimated as 100 to 150 m. The underlying sedimentary layer shows a reduction in seismic velocity between 1,620 to 1,720 m/s. This low-velocity layer with 160–200 m thickness may be due to the presence of free-gas below the gas-hydrates layer.     

Effect of Source Energy for SASW Testing on Geological Sites

A number of Rayleigh wave tests were performed on two geological sites by employing a cylindrical mass of 65 kg dropped from a height ranging from 1 to 4 m. For each test, the mass was dropped freely either (1) directly on ground surface, or (2) on a steel circular base plate kept on the ground. Various combinations of source to first receiver distance (S) and receiver spacing (X) were employed. It has been noted that the value of λ _max increases continuously with an increase in the source energy; where λ _max refers to the maximum wavelength up to which the shear wave velocity profile can be obtained with the usage of the spectral analysis of surface waves tests. The inclusion of the steel base plate below the dropping mass leads to a further increase in the value of λ _max . It is also observed that, for the same height of fall, a ground stratum with relatively greater stiffness tends to provide an increased value of λ _max .     

Stress drop and its relation to tectonic and structural elements for the meizoseismal region of great 1905 Kangra earthquake of the NW Himalaya

Natural Hazards - Investigations of micro- and low-magnitude earthquakes in the Kangra-Chamba region of the NW Himalaya were performed to evaluate the relationship between earthquake source,...     

Potential of Oil Palm Trunk Sap as a Novel Inexpensive Renewable Carbon Feedstock for Polyhydroxyalkanoate Biosynthesis and as a Bacterial Growth Medium

Utilization of cheap renewable carbon feedstock for polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production not only brings down its production cost but also ensures sustainability. The scope of this study was to evaluate the potential of sap extracted from felled oil palm trunk (OPT) as a novel inexpensive renewable carbon source for PHA production. OPT sap was found to be nutritionally rich and contained various fermentable sugars (5.5% w/v) as its major constituent. Termite gut isolate, Bacillus megaterium MC1 grew profoundly in mineral medium with OPT sap as carbon source and a cell density of 10.9 g/L was attained after 16 h of cultivation in shake flask cultures. A maximum poly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate [P(3HB)] content (% cell dry weight; CDW) of 30 wt% and a P(3HB) concentration of 3.28 g/L was recorded. Additionally, OPT sap extracted from younger tree trunks with prolonged storage had higher sugar content (10.8% w/v) and, when used as a growth medium without the addition of any nutrients, supported bacterial growth comparable to commercially available media.     

Effect of Corrugation and Reinforcement on the Dispersion of SH-wave Propagation in Corrugated Poroelastic Layer Lying over a Fibre-reinforced Half-space

The presence of porosity and reinforcement in a medium is an important factor affecting seismic wave propagation and plays vital role in many geophysical prospects. Also, the presence of salt and ore deposits, mountains, basins, mountain roots, etc. is responsible for the existence of corrugated boundary surfaces of constituent layers. Such facts brought motivation for the present paper which deals with the propagation of SH-wave in a heterogeneous fluid-saturated poroelastic layer with corrugated boundaries lying over an initially stressed fibre-reinforced elastic halfspace. Closed form of dispersion relation has been obtained and is found in well agreement to classical Love wave equation for isotropic case. The effect of corrugation, wave number, undulation, position parameter, horizontal compressive/tensile initial stress and heterogeneity on phase velocity has been analysed through numerical computation and graphical illustration. Moreover, comparative study exploring the effect of presence and absence of reinforcement in half-space on dispersion curve is the major highlight of the current study.