Geothermal energy potential of Tulsishyam thermal springs of Gujarat,India

Tulsishyam thermal springs are located in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, India with discharge temperatures varying from 39 to 42 °C. The pH of these thermal springs varies from 7.1 to 7.4, indicating neutral character. Though these thermal springs propagate through the near surface layer of Deccan basalt, detailed geochemical analysis of the thermal waters using Piper diagram suggests that the water is interacting with the granitic basement rock. Silica and cation geothermometry estimates have reservoir temperature in the range of 138 to 207 °C categorizing it into a low to moderate enthalpy geothermal system. Furthermore, the area has high heat flow values of 53–90 mW/m² because of shallow Moho depth. The prevailing conditions suggest that the geothermal energy can potentially be exploited through an enhanced geothermal system (EGS). The study also indicates different mineral phases that may precipitate out of water during exploitation of geothermal energy and it should be taken into account while designing an EGS for the area.     

Soil salinity and vegetation cover change detection from multi-temporal remotely sensed imagery in Al Hassa Oasis in Saudi Arabia

Detecting soil salinity changes and its impact on vegetation cover are necessary to understand the relationships between these changes in vegetation cover. This study aims to determine the changes in soil salinity and vegetation cover in Al Hassa Oasis over the past 28 years and investigates whether the salinity change causing the change in vegetation cover. Landsat time series data of years 1985, 2000 and 2013 were used to generate Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Soil Salinity Index (SI) images, which were then used in image differencing to identify vegetation and salinity change/no-change for two periods. Soil salinity during 2000–2013 exhibits much higher increase compared to 1985–2000, while the vegetation cover declined to 6.31% for the same period. Additionally, highly significant (p < 0.0001) negative relationships found between the NDVI and SI differencing images, confirmed the potential long-term linkage between the changes in soil salinity and vegetation cover.     

Ocean coast effect on magnetotelluric data: a case study from Kachchh, India

The effects of the ocean coast on magnetotelluric (MT) data have been studied and results are described in this article. MT soundings from various sites along coastal plains of Kachchh were acquired where volcanic rocks overlie Mesozoic sediments having potential resource prospects. The region of our study lies in the proximity of Gulf of Kachchh and Arabian Sea. This article describes the effects the presence of a conductive body on the acquired MT data. With the help of synthetic MT modelling and induction arrows we demonstrate the influence of shallow conductive body on the MT data. The modelling results when compared to the field observations show that much of the high frequencies are unaffected by the coast, however low frequencies of the data do seem to be distorted by onshore–offshore resistivity contrasts. The least affect on high frequencies can be attributed to very shallow water depth as well as to the fact that the onshore–offshore resistivity contrasts are not large enough to influence the high frequency data badly. The results presented here report for the first time the effect of the coast on the analysis on MT data from Kachchh. Due to several academic as well as industrial onshore–offshore MT experiments presently being carried out to explore its hydrocarbon potential, our results have an important bearing on designing and acquisition of future MT surveys in this region.     

Integrated approach for demarcating the fracture zone for well site location : A case study near Gumla and Lohardaga,Bihar

In recent years satellite remote sensing techniques have greatly aided identification of fractures/joints/faults in connection with groundwater exploration. However, due to some constraints in filtering out the type of fracture i.e. shear fracture, tensional fracture, mineralised fracture etc. as to their “open or closed” nature from groundwater aspects, there is need of adding geophysical survey, particularly resistivity survey to further enhance the accuracy, and hence minimise drilling failures. The area under study is a part of Ranchi plateau and lithologically comprising of granite-gneiss. The present paper lays stress on an integrated approach for localising well sites through satellite data analysis and resistivity profiling along with vertical electrical sounding which is based on fracture patterns. With this combined effort i.e. firstly considering the surfacial features like drainage, geomorpho-logy, lithology and lineaments, and secondly taking into account geophysical survey aspects, i.e. depth and thickness of fracture zone, lateral extent, different layer parameter, etc., fairly accurate results are achieved. In the presnt study this type of an integrated survey has been carried out in Lohardaga and Gumla districts in Bihar, the results of which are highlighted in the paper.     

Deforestation,climate change and sustainable nutrition security: A case study of India

Wheat and rice are the most important crops from the point of view of maintaining a sustainable nutrition security system for India, a country whose population may reach one billion by the year 2000. The implications of climate change deriving from tropical deforestation, particularly as concerns temperature and precipitation, with reference to the yield of wheat and rice in different parts of India are hence being studied carefully. Any possible positive gain arising from increased CO₂ concentration is likely to be offset by the yield decline induced by higher temperature and shorter growing period.Professor of Eminence, Water Technology Centre, IARI.President, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences of India and Past President of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).     

On a Class of Solitary Wave Solutions of Atmospheric Nonlinear Equations

In this paper, an attempt is made to study some interesting results of the coupled nonlinear equations in the at-mosphere. By introducing a phase angle function ξ, it is shown that the atmospheric equations in the presence of specific forcing exhibit the exact and explicit solitary wave solutions under certain conditions.     

A Fourier transform method for the interpretation of self-potential anomalies due to two-dimensional inclined sheets of finite depth extent

The self-potential anomaly due to a two-dimensional inclined sheets of finite depth extent has been analysed in the frequency domain using the Fourier transform. Expression for the Fourier amplitude and phase spectra are derived. The Fourier amplitude and phase spectra are analysed so as to evaluate the parameters of the sheet. Application of this method on two anomalies (synthetic and field data) has given good results.     

Understanding confluence dynamics in the alluvial Ganga–Ramganga valley, India: An integrated approach using geomorphology and hydrology

Confluence dynamics in the Ganga–Ramganga valley in the western Ganga plains of India has been studied through systematic mapping of channel configuration using multi-date remote sensing images and topographic sheets for a period spanning nearly 100 years (1911–2000). The study has been supplemented with a detailed analysis of the channel morphology, hydrology and sediment transport characteristics of the different rivers. Our study indicates that new confluences have been created during this period and that the confluence points have moved both upstream and downstream on a historical time scale. Apart from major avulsions, other processes that have controlled the confluence movements include river capture, cut-offs and aggradation in the confluence area. River capture occurs through lateral bank erosion and migration, encroachment by the master stream and beheading of smaller rivers resulting in upstream movement of the confluence point. Another process which influences the upstream migration of the confluence is an increase in sinuosity of one of the channels near the confluence and then a cut-off. Aggradation in the confluence area and local avulsions of the primary channel in a multi-channel system seem to be the major process controlling the downstream movement of the confluence point. Analysis of channel morphology, hydrology and sediment budget for the study period supports our interpretations.