Age of granitic activity associated with copper–molybdenum mineralization at Malanjkhand, Central India

The Malanjkhand copper–molybdenum deposit in the Bhandara Craton, Central India, is hosted by a granite complex which consists of regionally dominant grey granitoid and pink granitoid confined to the mineralized zone. New SHRIMP RG data on zircons from both granite types are inferred to have crystallized during the same magmatic pulse at ca 2.48 Ga. The discrepancy between zircon age and earlier obtained Rb–Sr whole-rock age is attributed to modification of the Rb–Sr system by hydrothermal overprint. Similarity in petrographic features and chemical affinity in combination with identical age strongly indicate that the pink granite is the hydrothermally altered variety (microclinization and silicification) of the grey granite. The spatially associated, main Cu–Mo mineralization event at Malankhand appears to be broadly contemporaneous with and genetically related to the emplacement of the host granitoids at about 2.48 Ga.     

Observations of wind and waves in the central Bay of Bengal during BOBMEX-99 and their effect on mixed layer depth variability due to forced mixing

Time-series wind and wave measurements were carried out onboard INS Sagardhwani in the central Bay of Bengal during BOBMEX-99. Various other marine meteorological and oceanographic measurements relevant to monsoon studies were also collected simultaneously. The observed variations of wind and waves and the associated mixed layer depth (MLD) variability based on both temperature and density criteria at 3 hourly intervals are presented in this paper as a case study. At the time-series location (13‡N, 87‡E) wind varied between 6 and 16m/s and the predominant direction was southwesterly. The significant wave height and period varied from 1.9 to 3.7m and 8 to 13 s respectively. Some of the available statistical predictive methods for the determination of MLD by forced mixing are utilized to test the extent of mechanical mixing within the top layer of water by the local wind and wave activity. The same is extended to formulate a new empirical relation for gross estimation of effective depth within which the sound energy is generally trapped during its transmission in the surface duct. The present analysis aiming for estimation of observed MLD variability (35 to 75 m) using the suggested simple empirical relation reveals that, the mixed layer variability observed during the experiment depends on both local ocean variability as well as remote forcing as reported earlier.     

Minimal Time Ship Routing Using IRS-P4 (MSMR) Analyzed Wind Fields

Minimal time ship routing is studied between Mumbai port (India) to Mombasa port (Kenya) using model hindcast wave climate over the Arabian Sea. With the launch of IRS-P4 (OCEANSAT-I), it became possible now to carry out routine wave hindcasting over the Indian Ocean. The MSMR channel of the satellite gives scalar wind, which is analyzed at NCMRWF, India, for converting to vector winds. The same is used as input to third-generation spectral wave model WAM for regional grid system for simulating the rough weather period of July 2000. This simulated wave climate formed the basis for computing effective ship velocity in the irregular seaway. This study gives a quantitative estimation of change in ship velocity in the open Indian Ocean for a bulk carrier. The minimal time path is charted using Dijkstra's algorithm for optimum route voyage. The optimum track information has broad scope for obtaining a safer route, least time route by avoiding delay in schedule with minimum fuel consumption.     

Bianchi Type-1 vacuum models in modified theory of general relativity

In this paper, the problem of spatially homogeneous and an isotropic Bianchi type-1 space time with perfect fluid distribution is considered in Barber's second theory of gravitation. To obtain determinate solutions, we have assumed the equation of statep= γρ, 0 ≤ γ ≤ 1. It is observed that the general fluid distribution degenerates isotropic vacuum model whenγ = 1 and Λ < 0. Further it is observed that the vacuum model obtained in case of γ = 0, ρ = 0 andΛ = 0, reduces to well known Kasner model in Einstein's theory. Some physical and geometrical aspects of the models together with singularities in the models are also discussed This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Temporal transition analysis of coal mine fire of Jharia coalfield,India, using Landsat satellite imageries

Coal is dominant energy source of world at large and India in particular for several decades and expected to being continued for foreseeable future. However, fire in this fossils fuel is still a global catastrophe for the major coal-producing countries. There are several direct and cascading distress of coal mine fire has been encountered by environment, economy, safety and society. Without knowledge of actual status and extent of coal mine fire, any scope for its better managements may be futile. In India, the coal mine fire of well-known Jharia coalfield (JCF) has been continued since last ten decades and still spreading towards newer areas. The aim of this paper is to highlight the chronological net lateral spatial changes in coal mine fire areas of JCF using Landsat satellite thermal imageries. The mapping of coal mine fire area of JCF during 1988–2013 has been carried out with consecutive 5-year intervals. The lateral changes in surface and subsurface fire areas along with propagation towards new area have been studied. The study also included to evaluate changes of status and extent fire during this time span and effect of its management efforts. On the basis of aforementioned analysis, the study concludes a slow reducing trend in coal mine fire area during last 25 years.     

Fe-Zn mixing energetics of the Iss phase in the system Cu-Fe-Zn-S

A thermodynamic analysis of the intermediate solid solution (Iss) of near-cubanite composition has been attempted by considering an Fe–Zn exchange equilibrium between Iss and sphalerite. The interchange free-energy parameter of Fe–Zn mixing in Iss (W^Iss) and the free energy of the exchange equilibrium (G_1,T ) have been deduced at 500, 600, 700 and 723° C using the compositional data of sphalerite and Iss from phase equilibrium experiments and by the standard method of linear regression analysis. For sphalerite, two independent activity-composition models have been chosen. The extracted values of G_1,T and W^Iss, using both models, are compared. Although the values match, the errors in the extracted parameters are relatively larger when Hutcheon's model is used. Both G_1,T and W^Iss show linear variations with temperature, as given by the following relations: G^1,T = –35.41 + 0.033 T in kcal (SE=0.229)W^ISS= 48.451 – 0.041 T in kcal (SE=0.565) Activity-composition relations and different mixing parameters have been calculated for the Iss phase. A large positive deviation from ideality is observed in Iss on the join CuFe₂S₃–CuZn₂S₃. No geothermometric application has been attempted in this study, even though Iss of cubanite composition (isocubanite) in association with sphalerite, pyrite and pyrrhotite is reported from seafloor hydrothermal deposits. This is due to the fact that: (a) the temperatures of formation of these deposits are significantly lower than 500° C, the lower limit of appropriate experimental data base; (b) microprobe data of the coexisting isocubanite and sphalerite in the relevant natural assemblages are not available.Symbols a _J ⁱ activity of component i in phase J - G_{1, T} standard free energy change of reaction (cal) - G^IM free energy of ideal mixing (cal) - G^EM free energy of excess mixing (cal) - G _M ^ex free energy of mixing (cal) - G _i excess free energy of mixing at infinite dilution (cal) - _i ^J activity coefficient of component i in phase J - _i ^{J, 0} standard chemical potential of component i in phase J (cal) - ; _i ^J chemical potential of component i in phase J (cal) - R universal gas constant (1.98717 cal/K·mol) - T temperature in degree (K) - W^J interchange free energy of phase J in (cal) - X _J ⁱ mole fraction of component i in phase J     

Rare Earth Element Enrichment in Late Archean Manganese Deposits from the Iron Ore Group,East India

The major, trace and rare earth element (REE) composition of Late Archean manganese, ferromanganese and iron ores from the Iron Ore Group (IOG) in Orissa, east India, was examined. Manganese deposits, occurring above the iron formations of the IOG, display massive, rhythmically laminated or botryoidal textures. The ores are composed primarily of iron and manganese, and are low in other major and trace elements such as SiO₂, Al₂O₃, P₂O₅ and Zr. The total REE concentration is as high as 975 ppm in manganese ores, whereas concentrations as high as 345 ppm and 211 ppm are found in ferromanganese and iron ores, respectively. Heavy REE (HREE) enrichments, negative Ce anomalies and positive Eu anomalies were observed in post‐Archean average shale (PAAS)‐normalized REE patterns of the IOG manganese and ferromanganese ores. The stratiform or stratabound shapes of ore bodies within the shale horizon, and REE geochemistry, suggest that the manganese and ferromanganese ores of the IOG were formed by iron and/or manganese precipitation from a submarine, hydrothermal solution under oxic conditions that occurred as a result of mixing with oxic seawater. While HREE concentrations in the Late Archean manganese and ferromanganese ores in the IOG are slightly less than those of the Phanerozoic ferromanganese ores in Japan, HREE resources in the IOG manganese deposits appear to be two orders of magnitude higher because of the large size of the deposits. Although a reliable, economic concentration technique for HREE from manganese and ferromanganese ores has not yet been developed, those ores could be an important future source of HREE.     

Species diversity variations in Neogene deep-sea benthic foraminifera at ODP Hole 730A,western Arabian Sea

Deep-sea benthic foraminifera are an important and widely used marine proxy to understand paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic changes on regional and global scales, owing to their sensitivity to oceanic and climatic turnovers. Some species of benthic foraminifera are sensitive to changes in water mass properties whereas others are sensitive to organic fluxes and deep-sea oxygenation. Benthic faunal diversity has been found closely linked to food web, bottom water oxygen levels, and substrate and water mass stability. The present study is aimed at analyzing species diversity trends in benthic foraminifera and their linkages with Indian monsoon variability during the Neogene. Species diversity of benthic foraminifera is examined in terms of number of species (S), information function (H), equitability (E) and Sanders’ rarefied values, which were combined with relative abundances of high and low productivity benthic foraminifera at Ocean Drilling Program Hole 730A, Oman margin, western Arabian Sea. The Oman margin offers the best opportunity to understand monsoon-driven changes in benthic diversity since summer monsoon winds have greater impact on the study area. The species diversity was higher during the early Miocene Climatic Optimum (～17.2–16.4 Ma) followed by a decrease during 16.4–13 Ma coinciding with a major increase in Antarctic ice volume and increased formation of Antarctic Bottom Water. All the diversity parameters show an increase during 13–11.6 Ma, a gradual decrease during 11.6–9 Ma and then an increase with a maximum at 7 Ma. Thereafter the values show little change until 1.2 Ma when all the parameters abruptly decrease. The benthic foraminiferal populations and diversity at Hole 730A were mainly driven by the Indian monsoon, and polar waters might have played a minor or no role since early Neogene period as the Arabian Sea is an enclosed basin.