Microearthquake survey in the hot spring area in Parbati Valley (Himachal Pradesh, India)

A number of hot springs occur in the Parbati Valley in Himachal Pradesh in India. Temperatures range from 21 to 96°C, the boiling point of water at that altitude. Geological conditions, temperature variations and chemical composition of spring water in the Parbati Valley hydrogeological unit indicate that the deep thermal fluids are of meteoric origin. The maximum temperature acquired by water during its circulation is estimated to come close to 200°C. In order to assess the possibility of extracting geothermal energy, a seismic survey was arranged to locate the hypocentres of microearthquakes associated with the thermal source. A total of eight microearthquake units was set up at an interstation spacing of about 10 km and two months recording were obtained. During this period an average of 2–3 events per day was recorded with S—P interval less than 5 seconds. The data have been analysed with the help of Hypo 71, a Fortran IV computer program designed to determine the hypocentral parameters of earthquakes from seismic data. The results indicate faulting but there is no apparent spatial relationship to surface manifestations of geothermal energy.     

Soliton and shocks in pair ion plasma in presence of superthermal electron

Solitons and shocks are addressed in a pair ion plasma in the presence of a kappa distribution. The dissipation is taken care of through the kinematic viscosity of both positive and negative ions in the plasma. The Kadomtsev–Petviashvili–Burger (KPB) equation is derived using the small amplitude expansion method. The Abel equation is obtained from the KPB equation and a solution is obtained by using the factorization method. The effect of the parameters κ and β (temperature ratio of ion species) is observed. Analytically we can find both solitons and shocks. The change of profile from soliton to shocks is shown in the figures. This study may be of wide relevance for the study of the formation of shocks and solitons in laboratory-produced pair ion plasmas.     

An empirical Redlich-Kwong-type equation of state for water to 1,000 °C and 200 Kbar

An empirically derived Redlich-Kwong type of equation of state (ERK) is proposed for H₂O, expressing a, the term related to the attraction between the molecules, as a pressure-independent function of temperature, and b, the covolume, as a temperature-independent function of pressure. The coefficients of a(T) and b(P) were derived by least squares non-linear regression, using P-V-T data given by Burnham et al. (1969b) and Rice and Walsh (1957) in conjunction with more precise recent data obtained by Tanishita et al. (1976), Hilbert (1979) and Schmidt (1979): $$a(T) = 1.616 x 10^8 - 4.989 x 10^4 T - 7.358 x 10^9 T^{ - 1} $$ and $$ = \frac{{1 + 3.4505x 10^{--- 4} P + 3.8980x 10^{--- 9} P^2 - 2.7756x 10^{--- 15} P^3 }}{{6.3944x 10^{--- 2} + 2.3776x 10^{--- 5} + 4.5717x 10^{--- 10} P^2 }}$$ , where T is expressed in Kelvin and P in bars. The ERK works very well at upper mantle conditions, at least up to 200 kbar and 1,000 °C. At subcritical conditions and those somewhat above the critical point, it still reproduces the molar Gibbs energy, \(\tilde G_{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}} \) , with a maximum deviation of 400 joules. Thus, for the purpose of calculation of geologically interesting heterogeneous equilibria, it predicts the thermodynamic properties of H₂O well enough. The values of molar volume, \(\tilde V_{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}} \) , and \(\tilde G_{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}} \) are tabulated in the appendix over a considerable P-T range. A FORTRAN program generating these functions as well as a FORTRAN subroutine for calculating the fugacity values, \(f_{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}} \) for incorporation into existing programs, are available upon request.     

A proposed new approach for groundwater resources assessment in India

Assessment of groundwater resources in India is guided by National Water Policy (1987, 2002) which states that groundwater resources can be exploited only up to its recharge limit. The methodology for groundwater resources assessment in India is broadly based on Ground Water Resources Estimation Methodology, 1997 and it involves assessment of annual replenishable groundwater resources (recharge), annual groundwater draft (utilization) and the percentage of utilization with respect to recharge (stage of development). The assessment units (blocks/watersheds) are categorized based on stage of groundwater development (utilization) and the long term water level trend. The present methodology though useful in identification and prioritization of areas for groundwater management, falls short of addressing several critical issues like spatial and temporal variation of groundwater availability within the aquifer, accessibility of groundwater resources and quality of groundwater. This paper introduces a new categorisation scheme considering the above issues. The proposed scheme takes into account four criteria, viz. (i) stage of exploitation, (ii) extractability factor, (iii) temporal availability factor and (iv) quality factor. In comparison to the existing method used for categorisation, the proposed approach is more inclusive. The methodology is also equally suitable for both alluvial and hard rock terrain since it takes into consideration the variable characteristics of different types of aquifers and convergence of quantitative and qualitative assessment. The categorisation proposed here involves GIS based integration of different parameters/ themes. This allows better representation of spatial variability. The proposed methodology is demonstrated in this paper taking a case study from a hard rock terrain in central India.     

Thermodynamic properties of Zn(Al,Cr)2O4 spinels at high temperatures and pressures

Three Al-Cr exchange isotherms between Zn(Al, Cr)₂O₄ spinel and (Al, Cr)₂O₃ corundum crystalline solutions have been studied experimentally at 900°, 1100°, and 1300° C, at a total pressure of 25 kbar. Employing data on the equation of state of corundum (Chatterjee et al. 1982), the experimental results were evaluated thermodynamically. It was found that the thermodynamic mixing properties of Zn(Al, Cr)₂O₄ spinels are best described in terms of a symmetric Margules equation. The T- and P- dependence of the Margules Parameter, W _G ^Sp , and of ΔG^* of the exchange reaction, 1/2 ZnAl₂O₄ + 1/2 Cr₂O₃ = 1/2 ZnCr₂O₄+1/2 A1₂O₃, are found to be ΔG ^*=1493?2.869·T+0.0081·P and W _G ^Sp (J/mol)=23456+0.0386·P, with T given in K and P in bar.     

Deformation of footwall rock of Phulad Shear Zone,Rajasthan: Evidence of transpressional shear zone

Phulad Shear Zone (PSZ) of Delhi Fold Belt in Rajasthan is a northeasterly striking ductile shear zone with a well developed mylonitic foliation (035/70E) and a downdip stretching lineation. The deformation in the PSZ has developed in a transpressional regime with thrusting sense of movement. The northeastern unit, i.e., the hanging wall contains a variety of rocks namely calc-silicates, pelites and amphibolites and the southwestern unit, i.e., the footwall unit contains only granitic rocks. Systematic investigation of the granites of the southwestern unit indicate a gradual change in the intensity of deformation from a distance of about 1 km west of the shear zone to the shear zone proper. The granite changes from weakly deformed granite to a mylonite/ultramylonite as we proceed towards the PSZ. The weakly deformed granite shows a crude foliation with the same attitude of mylonitic foliation of the PSZ. Microscopic study reveals the incipient development of C and S fabric with angle between C and S varying from 15 ^° to 24 ^°. The small angle between the C and S fabric in the least deformed granite variety indicates that the deformation has strong pure shear component. At a distance of about 1 m away from the PSZ, there is abrupt change in the intensity of deformation. The granite becomes intensely foliated with a strong downdip lineation and the rock becomes a true mylonite. In mesoscopic scale, the granite shows stretched porphyroclasts in both XZ and YZ sections indicating a flattening type of deformation. The angle between the C and S fabric is further reduced and finally becomes nearly parallel. In most places, S fabric is gradually replaced by C fabric. Calculation of sectional kinematic vorticity number ( W_n) from the protomylonitic and mylonite/ultramylonite granites varies from 0.3 ± 0.03 to 0.55 ± 0.04 indicating a strong component of pure shear. The similarity of the geometry of structures in the PSZ and the granites demonstrates that the deformation of the two units is broadly synchronous and the deformation in both the units is transpressional.     

Groundwater chemistry and redox processes: Depth dependent arsenic release mechanism

Patchy occurrences of elevated As are often encountered in groundwater from the shallow aquifers (<50 m) of the Bengal Delta Plain (BDP). A clear understanding of various biogeochemical processes, responsible for As mobilization, is very important to explain this patchy occurrence and thus to mitigate the problem. The present study deals with the periodical monitoring of groundwater quality of five nested piezometeric wells between December 2008 and July 2009 to investigate the temporal changes in groundwater chemistry vis-a-vis the prevalent redox processes in the aquifer. Geochemical modeling has been carried out to identify key phases present in groundwater. A correlation study among different aqueous redox parameters has also been performed to evaluate prevailing redox processes in the aquifer. The long term monitoring of hydrochemical parameters in the multilevel wells together with hydrogeochemical equilibrium modeling has shown more subtle differences in the geochemical environment of the aquifer, which control the occurrence of high dissolved As in BDP groundwater. The groundwater is generally of Ca-HCO₃ type. The dissolved As concentration in groundwater exceeded both WHO and National drinking water standard (Bureau of Indian Standards; BIS, 10 μg L⁻¹) throughout the sampling period. The speciation of As and Fe indicate persistent reducing conditions within the aquifer [As(III): 87-97% of As_T and Fe(II): 76-96% of Fe_T]. The concentration of major aqueous solutes is relatively high in the shallow aquifer (wells A and B) and gradually decreases with increasing depth in most cases. The calculation of SI indicates that groundwater in the shallow aquifer is also relatively more saturated with carbonate minerals. This suggests that carbonate mineral dissolution is possibly influencing the groundwater chemistry and thereby controlling the mobilization of As in the monitored shallow aquifer. Hydrogeochemical investigation further suggests that Fe and/or Mn oxyhydroxide reduction is the principal process of As release in groundwater from deeper screened piezometric wells. The positive correlations of U and V with As, Fe and Mn indicate redox processes responsible for mobilization of As in the deeper screened piezometric wells are possibly microbially mediated. Thus, the study advocates that mobilization of As is depth dependent and concentrations of As in groundwater depends on single/combined release mechanisms.     

Propagation and interaction of dust acoustic multi-soliton in dusty plasmas with q-nonextensive electrons and ions

The nonlinear propagation and interaction of dust acoustic multi-soliton in a four component dusty plasma which consists of negatively and positively charged cold dust fluids, q-nonextensive velocity distributed electrons and ions, have been studied. Applying reductive perturbation technique (RPT), we have derived Korteweged-de Vries (KdV) equation for our model. By using Hirota bilinear method, we have obtained two-soliton and three-soliton solutions of the obtained KdV equation. Phase shifts of two-soliton and three-soliton have been presented. It has been observed that the parameters α ₁, α ₂, nonextensive parameter q, temperature ratio of ion to electron (σ), and μ play a crucial role in the formation of two-soliton and three-soliton. The implications of our results in understanding the localized nonlinear electrostatic perturbations observed in double-plasma machines, Cometary tails, Jupiter’s magnetosphere etc., where population of q-nonextensive velocity distributed electrons and ions can significantly dominate the wave dynamics, are also briefly discussed.     

Petrology, geochemistry and tectonic settings of the mafic dikes and sills associated with the evolution of the Proterozoic Cuddapah Basin of south India

In this article we summarize the petrological, geochemical and tectonic processes involved in the evolution of the Proterozoic intracratonic Cuddapah basin. We use new and available ages of Cuddapah igneous rocks, together with field, stratigraphic, geophysical and other criteria, to arrive at a plausible model for the timing of these processes during basin evolution. We present petrological and geochronological evidence of dike emplacement along preferred lineament directions around the basin in response to stresses, which may have been responsible for the evolution of the basin itself. Basaltic dike intrusion started on the south Indian shield around 2400 Ma and continued throughout the Cuddapah basin evolution and sedimentation. A deep mantle perturbation, currently manifested by a lopolithic cupola-like intrusion under the southwestern part of the basin, may have occurred at the onset of basin evolution and played an important role in its development. Paleomagnetic, gravity and geochronological evidence indicates that it was a constant thermal source responsible for dike and sill emplacement between 1500 and 1200 Ma both inside and out-side the basin. Lineament reactivation in the NW-SE and NE-SW directions, in response to the mantle perturbation, intensified between 1400 and 1200 Ma, leading to the emplacement of several cross cutting dikes. Fe-Mg partition coefficients of olivine and augite and Ca-Na partition coefficient of plagioclase, calculated from the composition of these minerals and bulk composition of their host rocks, indicate that the dikes outside the Cuddapah basin are cumulates. The contemporary dikes may be related by fractional crystallization as indicated by a positive correlation between their plagioclase Ca# (atomic Ca/[Ca+Na]) and augite Mg# (atomic Mg/[Mg+Fe]). A few NW-SE and NE-SW cross cutting dikes of the period between 1400 and 1200 Ma, preserve petrographic evidence of episodic magmatic intrusive activity along preferred directions. Petrological reasoning indicates that a magmatic liquid reacted with a set of cross cutting dikes, intruding into one that was already solidified and altering the composition of the magma that produced the other dike. The Cuddapah basin tholeiites may be related by fractional crystallization at 5 kb and 1019-1154‡ C, which occurred in the lopolithic cupola near the southwestern margin of the basin. Xenolith bearing picrites, which occur near the periphery of the cupola, originated by the accumulation of xenoliths in the tholeiites. This is indicated by the composition of the olivine in the xenoliths (Fo_78.7-81.9), which are closely similar to calculated olivine compositions (Fo_77.8-78.3) in equilibrium with the tholeiites under the sameP-T conditions. It is inferred that fractionation in the cupola resulted in crystals settling on its walls. Hence, the xenolith-bearing sills occur at the periphery of the lopolithic body. The tholeiites both inside and outside the basin are enriched in incompatible elements compared to mid oceanic ridge basalts. The Ba, Rb and K contents of the Cuddapah and other Proterozoic Gondwana tholeiites indicate that a widespread metasomatic enrichment of the mantle source may have occurred between R∼2.9 and R∼2.7Ga. There may be local heterogeneity in the source of the Cuddapah tholeiites as indicated by different Ba/Rb, Ti/Zr, Ti/Y, Zr/Nb and Y/Nb in samples inside and outside the basin. Large-scale differences such as the low P₂O₅-TiO₂ and high P₂O₅-TiO₂ basaltic domains of the Jurassic Gondwana basalts, however, did not exist during the Proterozoic time period under consideration. Although we are beginning to understand the tectono-magmatic processes involved in the evolution of the Cuddapah basin, much work remains to be done to obtain a complete picture. Future research in the Cuddapah basin should focus on obtaining accurate ages of the igneous rocks associated with the evolution of the basin.