Silicate solid solutions and geothermometry

Principal component analysis, using eigenvalues and eigenvectors, of the encountered variation in the chemistry of 153 garnets indicates the following: (1) In low grade metamorphic rocks, spessertite and almandine are distinctly isomorphous. The variability of pyrope content does not influence the binary Fe-Mn relationship. However there may be some influence of the grossularite content. (2) In high grade metamorphic rocks, pyrope and almandine are distinctly isomorphous. Variability of grossularite content does not affect the binary Mg-Fe relationship. However, variability in spessertite content may influence the linearity particularly when there is little pyrope.Similar statistical analysis of the chemical data on 119 samples of clinopyroxenes indicates that only significant changes in the concentrations of Al in octahedral and/or of Al in tetrahedral sites and Ti could cause some change in the FeMg ratio in the mineral.Principal component analysis of the data on coexisting garnet and clinopyroxene could be used to classify rocks into their petrogenetic types.Distribution coefficient calculated by assuming ideal binary solution of Mg and Fe members in pyroxene and garnet is useful to indicate the P-T of the formation of the rocks.     

Inferring the chemical parameters for the dissolution of fluoride in groundwater

Geochemical study of groundwater from 58 selected fluoride-rich areas in different parts of India that includes eight states indicates that: 1. These groundwaters are alkaline in pH (7.4-8.8) and their electrical conductivity varies from 530-2,680 µS/cm and fluoride concentration from 1.7-6.1 mg/l. Presence of fluoride-bearing minerals in the host rocks and their interaction with water is considered to be the main cause for fluoride in groundwater. 2. The decomposition, dissociation and dissolution are the main chemical processes for the occurrence of fluoride in groundwater. During rock-water interaction, concentration of fluoride in rock, aqueous ionic species and residence time of interaction, etc. are also important parameters. 3. This study indicates that 85% groundwater samples have EC: 1,000-2,000 µS/cm, pH: 7.5-8.5, and HCO₃/Ca (epm ratio): 0.8-2.3. 4. The Ca and HCO₃ contents of groundwater samples have shown good correlation with fluoride.     

Genetic sequence stratigraphy of cool water slope carbonates (Pleistocene Eucla Shelf, southern Australia)

The south Australian Eucla Shelf belongs to the world's largest cool-water carbonate sedimentary system. During the Pleistocene, it exported large amounts of sediment to the shelf edge and upper slope resulting in an expanded sedimentary wedge. Wedge-internal clinoforming seismic reflectors suggest a stacking of the deposits into genetic sequences. High-resolution stable oxygen and carbon isotope, point counting, grain size, and carbonate mineralogical XRD analyses were carried out to characterize these genetic sequences along a dip-parallel transect of three ODP Leg 182 drill holes located between the shelf edge and upper slope. Oxygen and carbon isotope fluctuations show that the genetic sequences formed as a response to sea level fluctuations. Within the genetic sequences, facies differentiation and sediment volume partitioning occur along the transect. Lowstand deposits are fine grained and contain more sponge spicules and micrite. Highstand deposits are coarse grained with tunicate spicules, brown bioclasts, as well as bryozoan and corallinacean debris. Boundaries separating highstand and lowstand deposits are triggered by sea level fall, and are expressed as abrupt grain size changes or as turning points in grain-size trends. Analyzed components vary in abundance along the transect. Genetic sequences show dip-parallel variations in thickness combined with changing relative proportions of lowstand versus highstand deposits.     

Environs of indus and Ganges deltas

Image interpretation coupled with topographical maps and environmental data has led to the conclusion that the web shaped distributaries, west of Kori creek are part of Indus delta system, which has been formed in humid climatic conditions comparable to that of Ganga delta. The present arid climatic conditions in the Indus delta has led to increase in salinity level and is devoid of vegetation. Though morphologically both the Indus and Ganges deltas have similarity but they have vast differences in landuse.     

Effects of process variables on the residence time distribution of a solid in a continuously operated flotation cell

Effects of aeration rate, slurry flow rate, stirring rate, pulp density, and particle size on the residence time distribution of a solid in a continuously operated flotation cell under non-flotation conditions (no frother, no concentrate removal) have been examined. The mixing behaviour of the solid in the cell has been quantitatively analysed using a multiple parameter approach. The results indicate that only a part of the cell volume behaves as a perfect mixer, the remaining being dead. The exit residence time distribution E(t) and the mean residence time ( ) of solid are described by: and where Q is the volumetric slurry flow rate. For the variables ranges examined, it is observed that the aeration does not have any significant effect on the mixing behaviour, V_eff increases with increasing slurry flow rate and stirring rate but decreases with increasing pulp density. The mean residence time, on the other hand, increases with increasing stirring rate, decreases with increasing slurry flow rate and pulp density, and exhibits a maximum with respect to particle size. Following empirical equation correlating the effective volume of the cell with the operating variables for a unisize feed is obtained: where B is the weight fraction of solid in the pulp.     

Preparation of optimal land use maps for agricultural development using remote sensing techniques

Optimal land use map of Kanholi area, part of Nagpur district,Maharashtra have been prepared using Satellite imagery in 1:1000,000 and 1:250,000 and aerial photographs in 1:60,000 scale with adequate ground checks. The Satellite imagery proved valuable information about landscape characteristics, land use, hydrology and other environmental features. The aerial photographs were used to prepare comparatively large scale land resource association maps in scale 1:60,000 on geomorphology, landuse, soil hydrology. Soil irrigability, land irrigability and land capability maps are also attempted after interpreting soils information collected during field studies. The utility of this technique in preparation of optimal land use map with associated limitations due to scale have been discussed in the paper.     

Biostratigraphy and floristic evolution of coal swamp floras of a part of Talcher Basin,India: a window on a Permian temperate ecosystem

The present megafloral assemblage recorded from the Barakar sediments of Dholpahar section along Singda rivulet near Gopal Prasad Village in Talcher Basin comprises of equisetaceous stems, Gangamopteris buriadica, Palaeovittaria kurzii and 19 species of the genus Glossopteris. Record of Gangamopteris, Palaeovittaria and many narrow mesh forms of Glosspteris viz., G. angustifolia, G. churiensis, G. communis, G. recurva, G. spatulata, G. stenoneura, G. tenuifolia, G. vulgaris and G. zeilleri from two older fossiliferous horizons demonstrates that these fossils were preserved during Lower Barakar sedimentation. The report of middle and broad mesh forms of Glossopteris viz., G. barakarensis, G. browniana, G. indica, G. intermittens, G. karharbariensis, G. nakkarea, G. oldhamii, G. taeniensis and G. retifera in the youngest fossiliferous horizons reveals that these fossils were preserved during the deposition of Upper Barakar sediments. The continuation of some of the Karharbari plant fossils in the early phase of Barakar Formation and their disappearance in the flora of Late Barakar suggests a shift in the climatic setup. Palaeoclimate and palaeovegetation of this area are also summarised in this study. Moreover, the fossil assemblages of different fossiliferous beds of Dholpahar section demonstrate the evolution of midrib and meshes in different reticulate leaves.     

Intergrated Airborne Gammaray Spectral and Satellite Data Analysis for U and REE Mineralisation — A Case Sudy from North Sagobandh Area, District Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, India

Airborne gamma ray spectrometric (AGRS) and magnetic (AM) surveys were undertaken between 1986-1987 by Atomic Minerals Division, to locate uranium mineralisation along Son-Narmada rift zone. The imaging and interpretation of gridded AGRS data revealed many areas of anomalous radio elemental concentrations. These areas have been defined by taking thresholds as U ≥ 6 ppm, Th ≥ 24 ppm, K ≥ 2.3% and Total counts ≥ 5000 cps. The AGRS data integration with the satellite data viz., Landsat Multi spectral Scanner (MSS), Thematic Mapper (TM), and IRS LISS II data on different scales indicated the lithostructural controls of uranium mineralisation and also the predominance of the potash metasomatism in the vicinity of the southern Son rift and soda metasomatism further away in the south. p ]Systematic follow up ground checking of the target area located in the North Sagobandh area resulted in delineating the areas of K metasomatism, anatexis and grissenisation as the areas showing ≥ 2.3%K values. The depleted K, Th, and high U/Th values show zones of albitisation and oligoelasisation. The trends of radiometric breaks depicted by total counts distribution patterns defined the tectonostratigraphic boundaries. Besides these 26 radioactive anomalies with grades ranging from eU3O/0./012–0.18%, U3Ox B/r <0.01–0.3% and ThO2 0.00.5–0.1% having strike length 50–500 meters and outcrop thickness .5–2.5 meters. Ten locations of inland riverine sand placers of heavy minerals containing REE bearing minerals i.e. xenotime, monazite, rutile, ilmenite, zircon and traces of columbite-tantalite have been identified by using thorium and mixed source (U+Th) anomaly map. These sand placers have channel lengths of 100 - >500 meters and width of 1–2.5 meters, containing l.5%–9.04% heavy minerals.     

Short-period intensity oscillations in the solar corona observed during the total solar eclipse of 26 February 1998

Encouraged by the detection of high-frequency, low-amplitude continuum intensity oscillations in the solar corona during the total solar eclipse of 1995, we designed and fabricated a six-channel photometer incorporating low-noise Hamamatsu R647 photomultipliers. Fast photometry at five different locations in the solar corona was performed at Don Bosco Mission, Venezuela during the total solar eclipse of 26 February 1998. Three interference filters with passbands of about 150 Å and centered around 4700, 4900, and 5000 Å were used. The photometric data were recorded at a rate of 20 Hz in three channels and 50 Hz in the remaining three channels. The power spectrum analysis of one of the channels that recorded appreciable counts indicates the existence of intensity oscillations in the frequency range 0.01–0.2 Hz. A least-squares analysis yields 90.1, 25.2, and 6.9 s periods for the three prominent components which have amplitudes in the range 0.5–3.5% of the coronal brightness. These periods and their amplitudes are similar to those detected in the coronal intensity oscillations during the 1995 eclipse.