Solar wind expansion with a heat-loss function

The problem of steady expansion of the solar wind is investigated allowing for heating and cooling mechanism in the medium. Single fluid equations are employed, neglecting viscosity and magnetic fields. It is found that the flow characteristics are modified in the regions near the Sun though the location of the critical point and the flow speeds beyond it are unaffected. It is surmised that the solar wind must originate at higher levels if it is subject to a heat-loss due to bremsstrahlung.     

Amplitude-versus-offset modeling of the bottom simulating reflection associated with submarine gas hydrates

Velocity analysis of multi-channel seismic (MCS) data and amplitude-versus-offset (AVO) modeling provides an efficient way of identifying gas hydrate and free gas, and therefore the nature of the bottom-simulating reflector (BSR). Additionally, AVO modeling also yields estimates of the hydrate concentration and free gas saturation across the BSR in terms of velocity distribution. In the present study, we apply directivity correction in order to accentuate the AVO behavior. Modeling for AVO pattern of the observed BSR over the Kerala–Konkan Offshore Basin may provide the probable velocity distribution across the BSR and thereby infer whether hydrate or hydrate/free gas model governs the AVO observations. Initial results indicate the possible presence of free gas underlying the gas hydrates-saturated sediments in this region.     

Spectroscopic characterization of fulvic acids extracted from the rock exudate Shilajit

The present work describes the extraction of fulvic acids (FA) from Shilajit and its spectroscopic and mass spectrometric characterization. The spectral features obtained from FT-IR and ¹HNMR were similar to those reported for humic substances from other sources. The molecular elemental composition analysis by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) in electrospray negative ion mode resulted in extraordinary high average O/C ratios (0.55) which might be caused by a significant contribution of carbohydrates in Shilajit. A very high average H/C ratio of 1.27 also points to dominant aliphatic or alicyclic structures and relatively low aromaticity. The average molecular formula of the nitrogen free elemental compositions measured by FT-ICR mass spectrometry is C_18.2H_23.0O_10.0.     

Use oe aerial photograph for study of soil salinity and landscape relationship in parts of Haryana

In order to know the development of soil salinity and alkalinity in relation to landform, a systematic approach has been adopted by using aerial photo-interpretation techniques followed by field checks. The major land form units identified in the area are (i) alluvial upland (ii) low land (iii) back-swamp areas (iv) remanent horstland (v) interfiuve (vi) abandoned channel (vii) plain undifferentiated and (viii) plain with aeolian activity. salt accumulation is pronounced in landform units (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) due to configurating slopes and basement ridge control, whereas in landform units (v) and (vi), a patchy distribution of salinity has been found. Landform units (vii) and (viii) are free from this hazard The elements of landscape have controlled the distriburion of salts within each landscape.     

Crossover analysis of geophysical data in Bay of Bengal

Geophysical data (magnetic, gravity, and bathymetric) collected by international and national agencies along intersecting track lines in the Bay of Bengal show discrepancies that are analyzed and adjusted by crossover techniques. The original magnetic anomaly map over this region exhibits high gradients over the entire region, which do not fit with the known geological framework. The corrected map is devoid of artifacts, and the contours became smooth, which can be utilized for meaningful geological interpretation. The corrected free-air gravity map indicates improvements from the original in resolution with clear isolated anomalies in high track density areas. Corrected bathymetry does not show much improvement. Received: 29 May 1998 / Revision received: 23 February 1999     

Charged Particle Monitor on the Astrosat Mission

Charged Particle Monitor (CPM) on-board the Astrosat satellite is an instrument designed to detect the flux of charged particles at the satellite location. A Cesium Iodide Thallium (CsI(Tl)) crystal is used with a Kapton window to detect protons with energies greater than 1 MeV. The ground calibration of CPM was done using gamma-rays from radioactive sources and protons from particle accelerators. Based on the ground calibration results, energy deposition above 1 MeV are accepted and particle counts are recorded. It is found that CPM counts are steady and the signal for the onset and exit of South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) region are generated in a very reliable and stable manner.     

Challenges to addressing non-CO2 greenhouse gases in China’s long-term climate strategy

Under the Paris Agreement, countries are encouraged to submit long-term low greenhouse gas emissions development strategies. Such strategies will merge emissions goals with socio-economic objectives and enable countries to increase their ambition over time, thus offering an opportunity to close the gap between the current emissions trajectory and the Agreement’s ‘well below 2°C’ target. China is in the process of preparing its own long-term strategy. We argue in this article that non-CO₂ greenhouse gases (NCGGs) should be an essential component of China’s long-term low-emissions strategy. To incorporate NCGGs into China’s long-term low-emissions development strategy, key scientific and institutional challenges should be addressed, such as uncertainty about the accuracy of NCGG emissions inventories; uncertainty about future projections of NCGG emissions; and institutional coordination deficits and imbalanced policy approaches. Overcoming these barriers will have significant implications for climate change mitigation and can open a path for the development of concrete follow-up actions.

Key policy insights

• Non-CO₂ greenhouse gases (NCGGs) make up around 17% of China’s GHG emissions, but China has no quantified target to limit or reduce these gases.

• NCGG emissions mitigation should be an essential component of China's long-term low-emissions strategy, which is currently under development.

• Considerable uncertainty exists over both historical NCGG emissions data and forecasts. This poses challenges to developing a comprehensive multi-gas strategy.

• Institutional challenges must also be addressed, such as fragmentation of responsibility for NCGGs.

     

Ionic sources and water quality assessment around a reservoir in Tehri, Uttarakhand, Garhwal Himalaya

The paper discusses the ionic sources and chemical quality of the waters (surface and groundwater) around the Tehri reservoir in Uttarakhand, Garhwal, Himalaya, for drinking and irrigation purposes. The main Bhagirathi river, tributary streams and springs and groundwater are the main sources of water for the reservoir and inhabitant living around it. Fifty-two water samples were collected from springs, handpumps (borewell) and streams and were analysed for major ions. The pH is varying from 6.8 to 8.6 and EC from 28 to 820 μS/cm. The chemical composition of water is dominated by Ca, Mg and HCO₃. The high ratio of Ca + Mg/Na + K and low ratio of Na + K/TZ indicate dominance of carbonate dissolution as the main solute acquisition process in this part of Lesser Himalaya. The trilinear and X–Y plots suggest less contribution from silicate weathering and anthropogenic activities. The excess of Na over Cl indicating much of the alkalis in the waters of Tehri area have source other than precipitation possibly from silicate weathering. Recharged by meteoric water, the quality of water in the study area is controlled essentially by chemical processes occurring between water and lithology and locally altered by human activities. Among the trace metals the concentration of Fe at few locations has marginally exceeded the WHO and BIS standards of drinking water. The analytical result computed from various water quality indices indicate fairly good quality of water for both drinking and irrigation purposes. The factor analysis performed on the major ion data indicate two factors are the most important affecting the water quality of the area.     

Soilscapes,geomorphic processes and soil taxonomic new subgroups identified in the Ghaggar river basin of Haryana and Punjab

Soilscapes of the Ghaggar river basin falling in Haryana and Punjab were interpreted and studied by using the Landsat imagery and aerial photographs. Five major landform units identified and demarcated in the area were : channel courses, levees, flood-plains undulating, basinal floodplains and relict basins. On the basis of sedimentation, nature of the river pattern and soil characteristics, the whole basin was divided into three reaches — upper, middle and lower. Taxonomically the soils were placed under Typic Ustipsamments, Typic Ustorthents and lypic Ustifluvents on channel courses; Aquic Ustifluvents, Typic Ustifluvents and Typic Ustochrepts on levees; Fluventic Ustochrepts, Udic Ustochrepts and lypic Camborthids on floodplains undulating; Typic Ustorthents and Udic Ustochrepts on basinal floodplains; Typic Natrustalfs and Natric Camborthids on relict basins. Two new subgroups were proposed, i.e., Natric within the order of Entisol and Inceptisol, and Aquic-udic within the order of Inceptisol. Two dominant geomorphic processes were observed, i.e., fluvial and aeolian.     

Crustal growth processes as illustrated by the Neoarchaean intraoceanic magmatism from Gadwal greenstone belt, Eastern Dharwar Craton, India

Geochemical studies on metavolcanic rocks of the Gadwal greenstone belt (GGB), eastern Dharwar craton, have documented several rock types that are indicative of subduction zone tectonics reflecting on the crustal growth processes in the Dharwar craton. The dominance of komatiites in the western Dharwar craton (WDC) and the arc volcanics in the eastern Dharwar craton (EDC) is an indication for the predominance of plume magmatism in the WDC and the intraoceanic subduction zone processes in EDC which together played a significant role in the growth and evolution of continental crust in the Dharwar craton. Boninites of GGB are high calcic type with high MgO (13–24 wt.%) and a characteristic MREE depleted U-shaped REE patterns whereas the basalts have flat REE patterns with no Eu anomalies. Nb-enriched basalts exhibit slightly fractionated REE patterns with high Nb (8–26 ppm) content compared to arc basalts. Adakites of GGB are Sr depleted with highly fractionated REE patterns and no Eu anomaly compared to rhyolites. The occurrence of boninites along with arc basalts, Nb-enriched basalts–basalt–andesite–dacite–rhyolites and adakites association in Gadwal greenstone belt indicate the intraoceanic subduction zone processes with a clear cut evidence of partial melting of metasomatized mantle wedge (boninites), melting of subducting slab (adakites) and residue of adakite–wedge hybridization (Nb-enriched basalts) which have played a significant role in the growth of continental crust in the Dharwar craton during the Neoarchaean.