Data acquisition, control, communication and computation system of solar X-ray spectrometer (SOXS) mission

The Solar X-ray Spectrometer (SOXS) mission onboard GSAT-2 Indian Spacecraft was launched on 08 May 2003 using GSLV-D2 rocket by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). SOXS aims to study solar flares, which are the most violent and energetic phenomena in the solar system, in the energy range of 4–56 keV with high spectral and temporal resolution. SOXS employs state-of-the-art semiconductor devices, viz., Si-Pin and CZT detectors to achieve sub-keV energy resolution requirements. In this paper, we present an overview of data acquisition, control, communication and computation of low energy payload of the SOXS mission.     

Upper Callovian-Middle Oxfordian belemnite assemblage from Jara Dome,Western Kachchh

Belemnites and ammonites were collected from the Dhosa Oolite beds of Jara Dome in Kachchh. The Dhosa Oolite is an important marker of the Mesozoic sediments exposed in the Kachchh Basin. Nine belemnite species are reported belonging to four genera Belemnopsis, Demubelus, Hibolithes and Conodicoelites. These include Belemnopsis cf. moluccana Boehm, B. calloviensis Oppel, Demubelus weberi Stolley, Hibolithes boloides Stolley, H. longiscissus Stolley, H. cf. compressus Stolley, H. jumarensis Waagen, H. budhaichus Stoliczka and Conodicoelites cf. abadi Challinor. Besides the belemnites, diagnostic ammonoid fauna are also recorded from the studied section enabling better controlled stratigraphic resolution and biostratigraphic correlation. Taxonomic studies on the different belemnite species are presented with illustration for reference.     

Ichnology of the Callovian-Oxfordian rocks of the Katrol hill range,Kachchh, western India

On the basis of distinct lithologic features such as composition, grain size, bedding characteristics and sedimentary structures, six facies were identified in Callovian to Oxfordian rocks exposed southwest of Bhuj, Kachchh. They are interbedded calcareous shale-siltstone (ICSSF), limestone (LF), ferruginous sandstone (FerSF), felspathic sandstone (FelSF), grey shale (GSF) and oolitic limestone (OLF) facies. The rich and highly diversified trace fossils reveal a wide range of animal behaviours represented by dwelling, feeding, crawling and resting structures. Horizontal feeding structures are found abundantly in all lithofacies indicating low wave and current energy and deposition of poorly sorted muddy to sandy sediments. A few coarse layers containing Arenicolites, Ophiomorpha and Skolithos indicate the presence of opportunistic animals (due to their first appearance under harsh conditions) under -intermittently moderate wave and current energy or storm wave conditions (due to coarse grain size and dominance/presence of only vertical trace fossils) in the shoreface zone. Taenidium occurs mainly in the lower shoreface to transitional zone suggesting low to moderate energy conditions. Thalassinoides occurs in middle to lower shoreface settings under relatively low-energy conditions. Zoophycos represents offshore environment, where it occupies the deepest bioturbation levels.The characteristic lithofacies and assemblages of trace fossils in the rocks of the Chari/Jumara Formation indicate a depositional environment fluctuating from the upper shoreface to offshore zone.     

Application of nanoadsorbents for removal of lead from water

Enormous increase in the application of various heavy metals including lead for commercial and non-commercial purposes has also led to their enhanced occurrence in the effluents from industries and domestic discharge creating substantial environmental concerns. The existing techniques for removal of these contaminants such as reverse osmosis and ion exchange suffer a few disadvantages and hence, thrust to develop efficient techniques for the removal have been ever increasing. Adsorption based on the use of nanoadsorbents is promising being cost effective and based on the ease of operation. The present work furnishes a detailed overview on nanoadsorbents for removal of lead from water. The various nanoadsorbents covered in the analysis include alumina, anatase, carbon nanotubes, chitosan, copper, iron and zinc oxide, magnetite, nanoclay and zirconium nanoparticles. The review also gives an insight into the synthesis and characterization of nanoadsorbents followed by guidelines on optimum operating parameters to be used in the removal process for maximizing the extent of removal. The typical optimum conditions established based on the critical analysis of literature are pH ≤ 6, contact time ≥60 min and optimum adsorbent dose dependent on the nanomaterials. Comparison of different nanoparticles revealed that titanium oxide and hematite nanoparticles are the best, giving 100% removal efficiency for lead ions. The sequestration was mainly dependent on adsorbent dose that has to be kept optimum to yield adequate surface area and number of adsorption sites. Overall, nanoadsorbents have been established to yield efficient removal of lead from water.     

High resolution seismic evidence for Ghaggar lineament and paleo-Saraswathi River

Geophysical data are needed to correlate the lineaments at the surface to the structural mapping of underlying bedrock. High resolution seismic survey is one of the most suitable geophysical methods for mapping of shallow features. In this study, 2D high resolution seismic reflection survey (HRSS) has been carried out across the Ghaggar, a seasonal river in Haryana, India. The survey is carried out for a profile distance of 10 km across the lineament along the course of Ghaggar River. Ground checks along the river have shown sediments containing alternate layers of alluvium deposits with yellowish silty clay and fine-grained gray sand of variable thickness. Several structural disturbances along the profile are identified. During the quantitative analyses, the results exhibit disturbances in the reflector representing the bedrock. Also, regional gravity data study does not report any major tectonic feature indicating the absence of seismicity associated with the lineament. The present study resulted in that (a) the1.5-km wide zone of disturbance is more likely to be a fracture rather than a major fault across the basement in the depth and (b) the meandering drainage pattern of the Ghaggar River which indicates that it is a basement-controlled lineament.     

玄武岩内非均质性对地震资料的影响:印度德干圈闭的一个研究实例

Hydrocarbon exploration interests have renewed the need for developing new sub basalt imaging techniques. One of the most important problems encountered today is seismic imaging below basalt. In recent years, this problem appears to have been overcome partly by using long offset seismic data. However near offset data are yet to be fully utilised due to the complex waveform caused by the surface as well as internal heterogeneity of the basalts. The near normal incidence data, which influence the sub-basalt imaging, are highly useful to understand the internal structure within a basalt layer. The use of converted waves for such targets has been proposed as an alternative in a rather homogeneous basalt layer. With a few synthetic modelling exercises here we highlight the practical difficulties in dealing with more realistic and heterogeneous basalt flow. Full waveform seismograms are computed to understand the effects of intra-trappean sediments on the seismic data. A case study from the Deccan Traps of India is presented in this paper. First, we discuss the effects of intercalated sediments on the overall seismic image. Later, the sonic log data from the field are used to compute the full wave-field response using the reflectivity method and compared with the field data. The feasibility of using mode converted waves （P to S and vice-versa at the top and bottom basalt interfaces） for sub-basalt imaging in Kutch region is discussed through a series of velocity-depth profiles. By comparing with the field data we demonstrate that the effects of multiple thin layering within the basalt can strongly deteriorate the image we seek to interpret and exploit.     

Stochastic analysis of groundwater flow in aquifers with leakage

 Stochastic analysis of one- and two-dimensional flow through a shallow semi-confined aquifer with spatially variable hydraulic conductivity K represented by a stationary (statistically homogeneous) random process is carried out by using the spectral technique. The hydraulic head covariance functions for flows in a semi-confined aquifer bounded by a leaky layer above and an impervious stratum below are derived by assuming that the randomness forcing the head variation to originate from the hydraulic conductivity field of the aquifer. The head covariance functions are studied using two convenient forms of the logarithmic hydraulic conductivity process. The results demonstrate the significant reduction in the head variances and covariances due to the presence of a leaky layer. The hydraulic head correlation distance is also reduced greatly due to the presence of the leaky layer.