Future Scenarios of Environmental Vulnerability Mapping Using Grey Analytic Hierarchy Process

Any sustainable resource utilization plan requires evaluation of the present and future environmental impact. The present research focuses on future scenario generation of environmental vulnerability zones based on grey analytic hierarchy process (grey-AHP). Grey-AHP combines the advantages of grey clustering method and the classical analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Environmental vulnerability index (EVI) considers twenty-five natural, environmental and anthropogenic parameters, e.g. soil, geology, aspect, elevation, slope, rainfall, maximum and minimum temperature, normalized difference vegetation index, drainage density, groundwater recharge, groundwater level, groundwater potential, water yield, evapotranspiration, land use/land cover, soil moisture, sediment yield, water stress, water quality, storage capacity, land suitability, population density, road density and normalized difference built-up index. Nine futuristic parameters were used for EVI calculation from the Dynamic Conversion of Land-Use and its Effects, Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate 5 and Soil and Water Assessment Tool. The resulting maps were classified into three classes: “high”, “moderate” and “low”. The result shows that the upstream portion of the river basin comes under the high vulnerability zone for the years 2010 and 2030, 2050. The effectiveness of zonation approach was between “better” and “common” classes. Sensitivity analysis was performed for EVI. Field-based soil moisture point data were utilized for validation purpose. The resulting maps provide a guideline for planning of detailed hydrogeological studies.

     

Influence of wave approach angle on TLP's response

The current study focuses on the response analysis of triangular tension leg platform (TLP) for different wave approach angles varying from 0° through 90° and its influence on the coupled dynamic response of triangular TLPs. Hydrodynamic loading is modeled using Stokes fifth-order nonlinear wave theory along with various other nonlinearities arising caused by change in tether tension and change in buoyancy caused by set down effect. Low frequency surge oscillations and high frequency tension oscillations of tethers are ignored in the analysis. Results show that wave approach angle influences the coupled dynamic response of triangular TLP in all degrees of freedom except heave. Response in roll and sway degrees of freedom are activated which otherwise are not present in TLP's response to unidirectional waves. Pitch and roll responses are highly stochastic in nature indicating high degree of randomness. Variation in surge, sway and heave responses are nonlinear and are not proportional to change in wave height for the same period.     

Intertidal foraminifera in the macro-tidal estuaries of the Gulf of Cambay: Implications for interpreting sea-level change in palaeo-estuaries

The Gulf of Cambay is a macro-tidal estuarine embayment lying in an active monsoon zone characterized by a high annual sediment load. The present study examines the distribution of foraminifera in the Narmada and Tapti estuaries of the Gulf in order to use these as analogues for the study of palaeo-macro-tidal estuarine environments and as a means of recording the extent of sea-level change in estuarine settings. Foraminifera are widely distributed in sand flats, mud flats and marshes at the mouths of the estuaries. The overall foraminiferal assemblage is low diversity, comprising epifaunal and infaunal taxa dominated by Ammonia, Murrayinella, Haynesina, Quinqueloculina, Nonion, Cibicides, Cibicidoides, Elphidium, Trochammina and Miliammina. The triserial planktonic foraminifer Gallitellia vivans, an indicator of stressed and up-welling areas, is also recorded in the intertidal sediments of the estuaries. These foraminifera are carried into estuaries up to 50 km up the river mouths by the strong tidal currents in the bay. Three biofacies are recognized: Trochammina–Miliammina biofacies (high marsh); Murrayinella-Haynesina biofacies (low marsh and mud flats) and Ammonia-Elphidium-Quinqueloculina biofacies (shallow marine).