http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987114000371

Dissolution of fluorite(CaF_2) and/or fluorapatite(FAP)[Ca_5(PO_4)_3F],pulled by calcite precipitation,is thought to be the dominant mechanism responsible for groundwater fluoride(F~-) contamination.Here,one dimensional reactive—transport models are developed to test this mechanism using the published dissolution and precipitation rate kinetics for the mineral pair FAP and calcite.Simulation results correctly show positive correlation between the aqueous concentrations of F and CO_3~(2-) and negative correlation between F~- and Ca~(2+).Results also show that precipitation of calcite,contrary to the present understanding,slows down the FAP dissolution by 10~6 orders of magnitude compared to the FAP dissolution by hydrolysis.For appreciable amount of fluoride contamination rock-water interaction time must be long and of order 10~6 years.     

Near-infrared and optical studies of the fast nova V4643 Sgr (Nova Sagittarii 2001)

It is generally accepted that the presence of a hot magnetic corona provides the source of X-ray emission in cool stars. With this connection one could expect to see the variation of magnetic flux in the activity cycle of a star mirrored by a similar variation in the stars X-ray emission. Using magnetic maps produced from flux emergence and transport simulations and assuming a potential field for the corona, we can extrapolate the coronal magnetic field and hence calculate the variation of the X-ray emission. We consider three types of activity cycle that successfully reproduce the pattern of intermingled magnetic flux at high latitudes, a feature observed with Zeeman–Doppler imaging. The three different cycles take the form of (1) an enhanced butterfly pattern where flux emergence is extended to a latitude of 70°, (2) an extended emergence profile as before but with an overlap of 4 yr in the butterfly diagram and (3) where no butterfly diagram is used. The cyclic variation in the X-ray emission is around two orders of magnitude for cases (1) and (3), but less than one order of magnitude for case (2). For all three cases, the rotational modulation of the X-ray emission is greatest at cycle minimum, but the emission measure weighted density varies little over the cycle. For cases (1) and (2) the fraction of the total flux that is open (along which a wind can escape) varies little over the cycle, but for case (3) this is three times larger at cycle minimum than at maximum. Our results clearly show that although magnetic cycles may exist for stars they are not necessarily observable in the X-ray emission.     

Critical State Parameters of Dredged Chennai Marine Clay Treated with Low Cement Content

The present article discusses the stress–strain behavior and critical state parameters of the dredged Chennai marine clay stabilized with low cement content (2.5–10%). A series of one-dimensional consolidation tests and consolidated undrained tri-axial tests are performed on the cement stabilized dredged Chennai marine clay to evaluate the critical state parameters (λ, κ, M, Г, N) for varying cement contents and curing days. The results show that the slope of the critical state line M increases with an increase in the cement content. The parameter λ for the treated marine clay increases up to a cement content of 7.5% followed by a reduction. The parameter κ decreases with the addition of cement content. Finally, empirical formulations are proposed to predict the critical state parameters as the functions of the cement's contents and curing days.     

Hydrogeological component assessment for water resources management of semi-arid region: a case study of Gwalior,M.P., India

Groundwater management is of fundamental importance to meet the rapidly expanding urban, industrial and agricultural water requirements in semi-arid areas. To assess the current rate of groundwater withdrawal and possibility of recharge of potential aquifer in the semi-arid regions is essential for water management. The present study aimed to identify potential area for groundwater recharge structure in the Gwalior area based on land use, rainfall variation, hydrological component and statistical analysis. In this work, a stream survival approach was used for the assessment of water channel by using triangulated network and regression analysis to find out the correlation of individual component with reference to water management. Land use/land cover (LULC) map prepared from multispectral satellite images of the study area and used to validate the hydrological component and the results observed through the regression model shows good correlation. Therefore, immediate and effective water management schemes are required for sustainable water resource development and management in the area.     

Geology and tectonic implications of tourmaline bearing leucogranite of Bastipadu,Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh,India

Tourmaline bearing leucogranite occurs as a pluton with pegmatitic veins intruding the Archaean granodiorite in the Bastipadu area, Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. We present field and petrographic relations, mineral chemistry and geochemical data for the leucogranite. It is essentially a two-mica granite, composed of quartz, perthite, microcline, albite, tourmaline and muscovite along with minor biotite and titanite. The euhedral tourmalines are regularly distributed in the rock. The geochemical studies show that the leucogranite is calc-alkaline, peraluminous to metaluminous which formed in a syn-collisional to volcanic arc-related setting. It displays strong ‘S’ type signatures with high K/Na ratios, moderately fractionated light rare earth elements, relatively flat heavy rare earth elements with \(\hbox {[Ce/Yb]}_\mathrm{N} \le 27.8\) and a strong negative Eu anomaly. The geochemical characteristics indicate that the leucogranite melt might have been generated from partial melting of metasediments. Electron probe microanalyser data show the presence of alkali group tourmaline in leucogranite represented by schorl and dravite. Tourmaline compositions plot in the Li-poor granitoids and associated pegmatites and aplites and metapelites/metasammites fields. Partial melting of boron-enriched source rocks is linked with the development of tourmalines in the leucogranite.     

Facies and depositional settings of the Middle Eocene-Oligocene carbonates in Kutch

Middle Eocene Fulra Limestone and Oligocene Maniyara Fort Formation represent platform carbonate deposits of Kutch at the north-western margin of India. These carbonates contain larger benthic foraminifera, including Alveolina, Assilina, Discocyclina, Lepidocyclina, Miogypsina, Nummulites and Spiroclypeus. This study presents paleodepositional and paleobathymetric interpretations for both formations using benthic foraminifera in combination with lithological association, sedimentary structures and early diagenetic features. The six carbonate facies comprising the Fulra Limestone indicate a depositional spectrum ranging from bar-lagoon to mid-ramp depositional conditions. It records several shallowing upward cycles, leading to emergence and formation of paleokarst. The four carbonate facies of the Maniyara Fort Formation represents deposition within the inner ramp setting in bar-lagoon and patch-reef environment, while intervening fine siliciclastics correspond to episodes of relative sea level fall. Nummulitic accumulations form low-relief bars within the fair weather wave base in both the formations. The depositional setting of the Paleogene carbonate in Kutch broadly resembles Eocene platformal deposits in the circum-Tethys belt.     

Propagation of Love wave in fiber‐reinforced medium lying over an initially stressed orthotropic half‐space

In this paper, the propagation of Love waves in a fiber‐reinforced layered medium lying over an elastic orthotropic half‐space under initial stress has been investigated. We have obtained the velocity equations for Love wave in this media. It is observed that propagation of Love wave is influenced by reinforced parameters and initial stressed parameter. The velocity of Love wave has been computed for three different cases. Our computed equation of Love wave coincides with the standard equation of Love wave for the case of homogeneous layer and homogeneous half‐space (AEH Love, 1911). To study the effect of reinforced and initial stressed parameters, we have computed the numerical values for phase velocity and plotted in several figures. It is observed that the phase velocity decreases with the increases of reinforced parameters and initial stressed parameter. Using MATLAB software, GUI has been developed to generalize the effect of various parameters. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Basaltic glass as a habitat for microbial life: Implications for astrobiology and planetary exploration

Recent studies have demonstrated that terrestrial subaqueous basalts and hyaloclastites are suitable microbial habitats. During subaqueous basaltic volcanism, glass is produced by the quenching of basaltic magma upon contact with water. On Earth, microbes rapidly begin colonizing the glassy surfaces along fractures and cracks that have been exposed to water. Microbial colonization of basaltic glass leads to the alteration and modification of the rocks and produces characteristic granular and/or tubular bioalteration textures. Infilling of the alteration textures by minerals such as phyllosilicates, zeolites and titanite may enable their preservation through geologic time. Basaltic rocks are a major component of the Martian crust and are widespread on other solar system bodies. A variety of lines of evidence strongly suggests the long-term existence of abundant liquid water on ancient Mars. Recent orbiter, lander and rover missions have found evidence for the presence of transient liquid water on Mars, perhaps persisting to the present day. Many other solar system bodies, notably Europa, Enceladus and other icy satellites, may contain (or have once hosted) subaqueous basaltic glasses. The record of terrestrial glass bioalteration has been interpreted to extend as far back as ∼3.5 billion years ago and is widespread in oceanic crust and its metamorphic equivalents. The terrestrial record of glass bioalteration strongly suggests that glassy or formerly glassy basaltic rocks on extraterrestrial bodies that have interacted with liquid water are high-value targets for astrobiological exploration.