On fractional kinetic equations

The subject of this paper is to derive the solution of generalized fractional kinetic equations. The results are obtained in a compact form containing the Mittag-Leffler function, which naturally occurs whenever one is dealing with fractional integral equations. The results derived in this paper provide an extension of a result given by Haubold and Mathai in a recent paper (Haubold and Mathai, 2000). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Satellite-based technique for nowcasting of thunderstorms over Indian region

India experiences severe thunderstorms during the months, March–June. But these systems are not predicted well, mainly due to the absence of mesoscale observational network over Indian region and the expert system. As these are short lived systems, the nowcast is attempted worldwide based on satellite and radar observations. Due to inadequate radar network, satellite plays the dominant role for nowcast of these thunderstorms. In this study, a nowcast based algorithm ForTracc developed by Vila et al. (Weather Forecast 23:233–245, 2008) has been examined over the Indian region using Infrared Channel \((10.8~\upmu \hbox {m})\) of INSAT-3D for prediction of Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCS). In this technique, the current location and intensity in terms of Cloud Top Brightness Temperature (CTBT) of the MCS are extrapolated. The purpose of this study is to validate this satellite-based nowcasting technique for Convective Cloud Clusters that helps in optimum utilization of satellite data and improve the nowcasting. The model could predict reasonably the minimum CTBT of the convective cell with average absolute error (AAE) of \({<}7\hbox { K}\) for different lead periods (30–180 min). However, it was underestimated for all the lead periods of forecasts. The AAE in the forecasts of size of the cluster varies from about \(3\times 10^{4}\hbox { km}^{2}\) for 30-min forecast to \(7\times 10^{4}\hbox { km}^{2}\) for 120-min forecast. The mean absolute error in prediction of size is above 31–38% of actual size for different lead periods of forecasts from 30 to 180 min. There is over estimation in prediction of size for 30 and 60 min forecasts (17% and 2.6% of actual size of the cluster, respectively) and underestimation in 90 to 180-min forecasts (–2.4% to –28%). The direct position error (DPE) based on the location of minimum CTBT ranges from 70 to 144 km for 30–180-min forecast respectively.     

Coastal hazard mapping in the Cuddalore region, South India

It is estimated that nearly one-third of India’s population lives on the coast and is dependent on its resources. Shoreline erosion, storm surges and extreme events have resulted in severe loss of human life, damage to ecosystems and to property along the coast of India. Studies carried out in the Cuddalore region of South India reveal that this low-lying coastal zone, which suffered significant erosion during the last century, has been severely affected by the tsunami of 2004, storm floods and cyclones. In response to these impacts, a variety of coastal defense measures and adaptation strategies have been implemented in the region, although with only limited success. In order to inform future coastal planning in this region, the work reported here identifies a composite hazard line, seaward of which coastal flooding events will have a return interval of less than 1 in 100 years. The area landward of the coastal hazard line will be unaffected by 100 years of coastal erosion at present day rates. The study directly supports the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Plan of the Tamil Nadu State through the identification and assessment of coastal hazards and the overall vulnerability to coastal flooding and erosion. The key results from this pilot study will be used directly by the State of Tamil Nadu in the protection of the coastal livelihoods, better conservation measures and sustainable development along the coast. This study is a step toward mapping the hazard line for the entire coast of India that helps protect human lives and property.     

Chemical Composition and Association of Size-Differentiated Aerosols at a Suburban Site in a Semi-Arid Tract of India

Size-differentiated concentrations of SPM, F, Cl, NO₃, SO₄, Na, K, Ca, Mg and NH₄ in atmospheric aerosols were measured in a suburban area of Agra city during December 1992 to March 1993. Except for NH₄, Cl and Na, all components were found to have a bimodal distribution. The fine fraction was dominated by NH₄, K, NO₃ and SO₄, while Na, Ca, Mg, F and Cl contributed to the coarse fraction. Fifty-eight percent of SO₄ and 67% of NO₃ were found in the fine mode and the coarse mode comprised 42 and 33% of SO₄ and NO₃, respectively. SO₄ was found to have a peak above the submicron range at 1.1 µm which has been attributed to secondary sulphate formation by heterogeneous oxidation of SO₂ on alkaline particles of Ca and Mg. The total aerosol was basic in nature and dominated by the soil-derived acid neutralising components (Ca, Mg and Na).     

Characteristics of ambient ammonia over Delhi,India

In the present paper, we have characterized the ambient ammonia over Delhi along with other trace gases (NH₃, NO, NO₂, SO₂ and CO) and particulates (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) measured during December 2011 to June 2012. The average mixing ratios of ambient NH₃, NO, NO₂, SO₂ and CO were recorded as 21.2 ± 5.4, 19.5 ± 4.9, 17.4 ± 1.4, 1.7 ± 0.5 ppb and 1.6 ± 0.7 ppm, respectively, during winter, whereas the average mixing ratios of ambient NH₃, NO, NO₂, SO₂ and CO were recorded as 20.8 ± 4.7, 21.7 ± 6.3, 16.8 ± 3.1, 2.2 ± 0.8 ppb and 1.8 ± 0.9 ppm, respectively, during summer. In the present case, non-significant seasonal and diurnal variations of NH₃, NO, NO₂, SO₂ and CO were observed during both the seasons. The average monthly NH₃/NH₄ ⁺ ratios varied from 0.28 to 2.56 with an average value of 1.46 in winter. The higher NH₃/NH₄ ⁺ ratio (3.5) observed in summer indicates the abundance of NH₃ in the atmosphere during summer. The higher fraction of particulate NH₄ ⁺ observed in winter than summer attributes to the conversion of gaseous NH₃ into NH₄ ⁺. The results emphasized that the traffic could be one of the significant sources of ambient NH₃ at the urban site of Delhi as illustrated by positive correlations of NH₃ with traffic-related pollutants (NO, NO₂ and CO). Surface wind analysis and wind directions also support the roadside traffic and agricultural activities at the nearby area indicating possible major sources of ambient NH₃ at the study site.     

Appraisal of highly fluoride zones in groundwater of Kurmapalli watershed,Nalgonda district,Andhra Pradesh (India)

Fluoride (F) contamination study had been carried out to see its allocation in Kurmapalli watershed, Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India. The study area is located about 60 km SE of Hyderabad city. The groundwater is the main source of water for their living. The groundwater in villages and its surrounding are affected by fluoride contamination and consequently the majority of the people living in these villages has health hazards and is facing fluorosis. The purpose of this study is to identify the wells with high F, raise awareness in people, study the water chemistry, and also find out the source of F in groundwater. A total of 32 groundwater samples were collected from different wells in both shallow aquifers and deeper fractures zones during October 2004. The chemical analysis of groundwater has been done. Fluoride values vary from 0.7 to 19.0 mg/l. It is noted that the maximum value (19.0 mg/l) is one of the highest values found in groundwater in India and 78% of the total samples show F concentrations that exceeds the permissible limit value (1.5 mg/l). The highest value of F is found at Madanapur bore well which is located at central part of the watershed. The F value of this bore well was monitored from October 2004 to October 2006. During this period the F concentration varies from 17.8 to 21.0 mg/l with mean 19.3 mg/l. There is no correlation of F with chemical parameters except calcium. The Ca has shown inverse proportional with F. Water–rock interaction studies were also carried out to understand the behavior of F in groundwater at prominent F affected areas. Rock samples were collected and analyzed, and found their enrichment of F. The anthropogenic possibility of F is almost negligible. The rocks of this area are enriched in F from 460 to 1,706 mg/kg. It is indicated that the rock–water interaction is the main source of F in groundwater. The highest values of F are found in middle part of the region and are related to the occurrence of fluoride rich rocks and their chemical kinetic behavior with groundwater.     

Utilization of Banana Stem Juice as a Feedstock Material for Bioethanol Production

Bananas are widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical countries and about 220 tons of biomass waste is produced per hectare of banana plantation. Banana pseudostem contains nearly 90% of moisture and about 4–5 m³ sap is generated from one ton of dried stem with high chemical oxygen demand(COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD). The feasibility of using banana sap as a feedstock to produce ethanol is evaluated in this study. Banana sap is obtained by crushing the pseudostems and concentrated ten times and supplementing with other industrial byproducts such as corn steep liquor(CSL), spent wash (SW), and yeast extract (YE) for ethanol production. Acid and alkali hydrolyzes are performed to enhance the sugar levels of the sap before fermentation. Two different strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (MTCC170 and MTCC180) are used for fermentation. In general, supplementation of banana sap with industrial byproducts significantly enhanced the ethanol production. The maximum ethanol production (2.5 g ^?1) is observed with concentrated banana sap supplemented with 25% SW (v/v) with MTCC170, which is 16‐fold higher than banana sap alone. Theethanol content is also higher in alkali‐hydrolyzed banana sap supplemented with 25% SW compared to control. These results suggest that banana sap can be used as a renewable source to produce ethanol by supplementing with other industrial byproducts.     

Problems of two-pyroxene geothermometry

It is possible to formulate a two-pyroxene (MgFeCa) geothermometer using non-ideal but disordered site models for the pyroxenes. Experimental data on any two of the following three sets are needed: (a) the site occupancy data in orthopyroxene, (b) the site occupancy data in clinopyroxene (both sets of data with varying composition and temperature), and (c) synthetic phase equilibrium data on coexisting pyroxenes. A geothermometer based on site occupancy data is very sensitive to small variations of composition and may be useless for common petrological purposes but immensely useful for studying disequilibrium and kinetic history of the rocks.