Dominant impact of South Asian low heat on summer monsoon rainfall over Central India

Although previous literature have considered Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), Indian Dipole, and SST as the major teleconnection patterns to explain the variability of summer monsoon rainfall over India. South Asia low pressure and Indian Ocean high are the centers of action that dominates atmospheric circulations in Indian continent. This paper examines the possible impact of South Asian low pressure distribution on the variability of summer monsoon rainfall of India using centers of action approach. Our analysis demonstrates that the explanation of summer monsoon rainfall variability over Central India is improved significantly if the SOI is replaced by South Asian low heat. This contribution also explains the physical mechanisms to establish the relationships between the South Asian low heat and regional climate by examining composite maps of large-scale circulation fields using NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis data.     

Screening Indian Mustard Genotypes for Phytoremediating Arsenic‐Contaminated Soils

Ten Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) genotypes were screened for their phytoremediation potential for arsenic (As) contaminated water under laboratory‐controlled conditions. The genotypes were grown in a hydroponic chamber for 20 days in 250‐mL beakers containing As‐contaminated water. During plant development, changes in plant growth, biomass, and total As were evaluated. Of the 10 genotypes (Pusa Agrani, BTO, Pusa Kranti, Pusa Bahar, Pusa Bold, Pusa Basant, Pusa Jai Kisan, Arka Vardhan, Varuna, and Vaibhav) Pusa Jai Kisan was the most effective in phytoremediating As‐contaminated water under hydroponic conditions. This will provide new information for Indian mustard genotypes for phytoremediating As‐contaminated soils.     

Phytotoxic effect of aluminum and chromium on the germination and early growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties Anmol and Kiran

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the phytotoxic effect of aluminum and chromium on the germination and early growth of two wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties Anmol and Kiran. Seed were treated with 40, 80, 120 and 160 ppm of aluminum and chromium solution individually and in combined form. Observations were made on seed germination, root, shoot and seedling length, and dry biomass. Seed germination and dry biomass showed no effect of aluminum, chromium and combined treatment. Root, shoot and seedling length of both the varieties showed significant (P<0.05) decrease as compared to control. The growth was also reduced as the concentration of aluminum and chromium increased. Seedling length decreased in both the varieties at all the concentration of different treatment of aluminum, chromium and combined treatment. Attempts are being made in different laboratories to construct novel plants using genetic manipulation technologies that may have a greater tolerance to the presence of toxic metals. The results of the present study may help in understanding the mechanisms involved and their possible use in pytoremediation.     

Effect of aluminum and chromium on the growth and germination of mesquite (Prosopis juliflora swartz.) DC.

Prosopis seeds were grown under controlled environment in solution of aluminum and chromium at different concentration alone as well as combined together. The effect of these metals was studied on seed germination, root length, shoot length, seedling length and dry biomass. Aluminum and chromium alone, and combined together showed no effects on germination and dry biomass. Chromium alone was found toxic to root, shoot and seedling length. However, application of different concentrations of aluminum increased the root, shoot and seedling growth. It may be concluded that aluminum is not as toxic as chromium, and their combined treatment showed the intermediate effect by ameliorating the impact of one another.     

Engineering properties of sabkha soils in the benghazi plain and construction problems

This paper describes the geological, geotechnical and chemical properties of some Sabkha (lagoonal) soils in the Benghazi plain. Several buildings constructed on such soils show tilting and cracks. The cause of this trouble has been traced to the special characteristics of Sabkha soils. It is suggested that improved mix design and dense concrete should be used so as to make concrete in the foundation impermeable.     

Experimental Calibration of ISRM Suggested Fracture Toughness Measurement Techniques in Selected Brittle Rocks

Summary A wide variety of specimen types and methods are employed in fracture toughness measurement of rocks, which result in scattered values for the same rock type. In order to provide some consistency to the values, the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM) recommended three suggested methods using core based specimens, the Chevron Bend (CB) test, the Short Rod (SR) test and the Cracked Chevron Notch Brazilian Disc (CCNBD) test. This standardization helped obtain more consistent values but still a variation of 20–30% was observed in the values of fracture toughness obtained with the CB and SR methods. The values obtained with the CCNBD method were found to be consistently lower (30–50%) than those of the other two methods (CB and SR). Many reasons have been offered to explain this deviation. These include size of the specimen, anisotropy of rock, a dimensionless parameter in the fracture toughness calculation equation for the CCNBD test, etc. A comprehensive test program was initiated to identify the cause of these discrepancies between the CB and CCNBD methods. Three brittle rock types were selected for the study and more than 200 tests were conducted to measure the values of fracture toughness. A rigorous statistical analysis was carried out to determine the confidence level and find the significance of the test results. It was found that the CB and CCNBD methods were very comparable provided the correct equation for fracture toughness calculation was used for the CCNBD method and the size of the specimens was selected carefully. The error in the ISRM 1995 formula of fracture toughness for the CCNBD method could be the major factor responsible for the consistently lower values obtained with the method.     

GIS-based spatial landslide distribution analysis of district Neelum,AJ&K,Pakistan

Natural Hazards - The Landslide happens in mountainous regions due to the catastrophe of slope through intensive rain and seismicity. The Himalayas is one of the susceptible parts of the world in...