High pressure-temperature studies on an olivine tholeiite and a tholeiitic picrite from the pavagarh region,Gujarat, India

Experimental studies have been performed on an olivine tholeiite and tholeiitic picrite at pressure and temperature ranges of 20–40 kb and 1200–1300°C. The lower and upper limits of basalt-eclogite transition zone for tholeiitic picrite are 23 kb and 31·67 kb at 1200°C, and 24·67 kb and 33·67 kb at 1300°C, whereas for olivine tholeiite, these are 27 kb and 32·33 kb at 1200°C, and 28·70 kb and 33·70 kb at 1300°C. While the assemblages for both samples below the transition region are Pl+Px+Mt, they are Pl+Gt+Px+Mt within it. The eclogite field has Gt+Px+Mt. The ratio of garnet to plagioclase increases from the transition zone to the eclogite field and with the disappearance of plagioclase, the percentage of garnet increases to 30 in the eclogite field. Comparison of our results with previous studies on basalt-eclogite transition shows that the transition zone found by us occurs at higher pressure-temperature conditions. Seismic studies of the region below the Deccan Traps show an increase in velocity (1–4%) at depth. It is suggested that after partial melting, during ascent of the basaltic liquid, a significant portion of it crystallizes within the upper mantle as pockets of eclogite. As eclogite is more dense than peridotite, their presence should cause a similar increase in the seismic velocity below the Deccan area.     

Impact of LULC change on the runoff,base flow and evapotranspiration dynamics in eastern Indian river basins during 1985–2005 using variable infiltration capacity approach

As a catchment phenomenon, land use and land cover change (LULCC) has a great role in influencing the hydrological cycle. In this study, decadal LULC maps of 1985, 1995, 2005 and predicted-2025 of the Subarnarekha, Brahmani, Baitarani, Mahanadi and Nagavali River basins of eastern India were analyzed in the framework of the variable infiltration capacity (VIC) macro scale hydrologic model to estimate their relative consequences. The model simulation showed a decrease in ET with 0.0276% during 1985–1995, but a slight increase with 0.0097% during 1995–2005. Conversely, runoff and base flow showed an overall increasing trend with 0.0319 and 0.0041% respectively during 1985–1995. In response to the predicted LULC in 2025, the VIC model simulation estimated reduction of ET with 0.0851% with an increase of runoff by 0.051%. Among the vegetation parameters, leaf area index (LAI) emerged as the most sensitive one to alter the simulated water balance. LULC alterations via deforestation, urbanization, cropland expansions led to reduced canopy cover for interception and transpiration that in turn contributed to overall decrease in ET and increase in runoff and base flow. This study reiterates changes in the hydrology due to LULCC, thereby providing useful inputs for integrated water resources management in the principle of sustained ecology.     

Effect of the presence of a conducting channel between India and Sri Lanka Island on the features of the equatorial electrojet

Summary. Transient geomagnetic variations like SSCs, Bays, Sq and storm-time variations show anomalously large Z amplitudes at the three permanent magnetic observatories in India under the equatorial electrojet. Our earlier studies have shown that these anomalies cannot be explained in terms of the usual coastal effect. Another unique feature of this area is the small equatorial enhancement of all magnetic fluctuations, which still remains to be completely understood. It is also noticed that Z/H ratio at Annamalainagar is very large for night-time variations but becomes insignificant for day-time fluctuations, whereas no such large difference is seen at Trivandrum, the other coastal station. All the above features have been explained here by introducing the presence of a conducting channel in the lower crust or upper mantle between India and Sri Lanka Island. The anomalies of the equatorial electrojet in the Indian region thus do not necessitate the conducting surface of the mantle to be deeper in this area as has been suggested by earlier workers. A less conducting mantle in the Indian region otherwise could be difficult to incorporate in the present theories of mantle convection when this area is known to be tectonically active. The presence of the conducting channel is further confirmed by analogue model experiments of Papamastorakis. We further observe that the equatorial electrojet does have an associated internal part in the Indian region.     

Temporal variations in surface air temperature anomaly in urban cities of India

Persistence in surface air temperature anomaly (SATA) time series over 1901–2010 observed at four cities: Nagpur, Pune, Mumbai and Delhi of India is examined using rescaled-range and predictability index. A gap of 40 years is observed in predictability maxima, which is linked with the short-range correlations. Seasonal analysis showed unpredictability of SATA during four seasons at Nagpur, during summers at Pune and Mumbai, and during monsoon and post-monsoon at Mumbai and Delhi. Significant change is observed after 1991 at Delhi, Nagpur and Mumbai with a respective increase of 1.7, 2.2 and 3.3 °C in surface air temperature (SAT) during 1901–2010. The spatial and temporal variations in the SAT in four cities are attributed to their geographic and climatic conditions. The results suggest the utility of the rescaled-range analysis and predictability index in exploring the changes in the climatic variables.     

Vertical component MAGSAT anomalies and Indian tectonic boundaries

MAGSAT vertical component (Z-component) of crustal anomalies are correlated for the first time with major geological and tectonic boundaries/features of the Indian subcontinent. A prominent ‘low’ is consistently observed on all the profiles centred between 19° and 23° latitudes over the broad Peninsular ‘high’. The other conspicuous ‘low’ indicated from the present work is confined to the region above Sarda depression (29° N to 31° N) in the foothills of Himalayas. Interesting magnetic signatures are identified over the Narmada-Son rift and Godavari graben.     

Seismotectonic and liquefaction studies of an industrial site in Northern India

Foundation soil of the proposed fertiliser complex in Northern India is examined for its susceptibility to liquefaction during an earthquake. Information on geotectonic set up and earthquake occurrences in the region around the site is used for defining the earthquake parameters of the ground motion. The effective peak ground acceleration for the site is estimated to be of the order of 0.15 g. Laboratory tests were carried out on soil samples obtained from the site on a horizontal vibration table. The test results were used in determining the possibility of liquefaction employing the methodology developed at the Department of Earthquake Engineering, University of Roorkee. About 10 m of a thick soil layer below the top 1.5 m stiff clay is likely to liquefy. Remedial measures used at the site to counter the possibility of liquefaction are mentioned.     

Bioprospection of marine actinomycetes: recent advances, challenges and future perspectives

In exploring new sources for economically important products, marine environment draws particular attention because of its remarkable diversity and extreme conditions; it is known to produce metabolic products of great value. It represents untapped source for the discovery of novel secondary metabolites with varying potential such as antibiotic, anti-tumor, antifouling and cytotoxic properties. Marine actinomycetes distributed throughout the marine environment from shallow to deep sea sediments have proved to be a finest source for this discovery. Secondary metabolites derived from marine actinomycetes have proved their worth in industries based on the research on their properties and wide range applications. Spotlight of the review is range of marine based actinomycetes products and significant research in this field. This shows the capability of marine actinomycetes as bioactive metabolite producers. Additionally, the present review addresses some effective and novel approaches of procuring marine microbial compounds utilizing the latest screening strategies of drug discovery from which traditional resources such as marine actinobacteria has decreased due to declining yields. The aim is in the context of promoting fruitful and profitable results in the near future. The recent surfacing of new technologies for bioprospection of marine actinomycetes are very promising, resulting in high quality value added products, and will be de? ning a new era for bioactive compounds with medical and biotechnological applications.     

Heat and mass transfer of an oscillatory flow with Hall current,II

An analysis of Hall current on the combined effects of thermal and mass diffusion of an electrically conducting liquid past an infinite vertical porous plate is performed. Analytical expressions for the transient velocity, the transient temperature in the boundary layer and the skin-friction on the plate are derived. The effects of various parameters on the velocity, temperature, shearing stresses and rate of heat transfer are shown by graphs and tables.     

Study of high and low amplitude wave trains of cosmic ray diurnal variation during solar cycle 23

A detailed study has been conducted on the long-term changes in the diurnal variation of cosmic rays in terms of high and low amplitude wave trains event (HAEs/LAEs) during the period 1996–2008 (solar cycle 23), using the neutron monitor data from Kiel neutron monitoring station. As such, 17 HAE and 48 LAE cases have been detected and analyzed. These HAEs appear quite dominantly during the declining phase as well as near the maximum of the solar activity cycle 23. In contrast, the low amplitude events (LAEs) are inversely correlated with solar activity cycle. In fact, LAEs appear quite dominantly during the minimum phase of the solar activity. When we compare our results for diurnal phase with that observed on an annual average basis, we notice no significant diurnal phase shift for HAEs as well as for LAEs. Moreover, we find that the high-speed solar wind streams (HSSWS) do not play any significant role in causing these variations. These results are discussed on the basis of that observed in earlier cycles.     

Hydromagnetic Ekman layer on free convection past an infinite porous flat plate

Free convection in a conducting liquid past an infinite porous vertical flat plate in a rotating frame of reference when the Hall current is present is considered. Exact solutions for the velocity and temperature fields have been derived. The effects ofM (Hartmann number),m (Hall parameter), andE (Ekman number) on the velocity field are discussed.Nomenclature C _p specific heat at constant pressure - g acceleration due to gravity - E Ekman number - G Grashof number - H ₀ applied magnetic field - j _x ,j _y ,j _z components of the current densityJ - k thermal conductivity - M Hartmann number - m Hall parameter - P Prandtl number - Q heat flux per unit area - T temperature of the fluid near the plate - T _w temperature of the plate - T temperature of the fluid in the free-stream - u, v, w components of the velocity fieldq - U uniform free-stream velocity - w ₀ suction velocity - x, y, z Cartesian coordinates - z dimensionless coordinate normal to the plate Greek symbols coefficient of volume expansion - _e cyclotron frequency - _e electron collision time - _u skin friction in the direction ofu - _v skin friction in the direction ofv - dimensionless temperature - density of the fluid - kinematic viscosity - _e magnetic permeability - electrical conductivity of the fluid - angular velocity