Conference Papers
Groundwater Quality in North-Eastern States
SKU:
C-165845
In India, majority of the population depend on groundwater to meet their daily requirement. In North Eastern States, though surface water is supplied to the people in hilly areas but in plains groundwater is extensively used for public supply. In the State of Assam where major sources of public water supply are groundwater, people in several districts are facing problem due to contamination of groundwater with excess iron, arsenic and fluoride. Tripura State is also mostly groundwater dependent and in this State 53.11% habitations are facing problem due to presence of iron beyond permissible limit. In addition, presence of arsenic beyond 10 ppb (acceptable limit) could be found in Tripura. In the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Nagaland where groundwater is supplied, presence of iron beyond permissible limit has been reported. However, in surface water supply systems of North-eastern States arsenic, fluoride and iron contamination have not been reported.
Groundwater Resources of Rajasthan: Status, Issues and Strategies
Conference Papers, SP-12: Water Resources of Western and Central Regions of India: Status, Issues and Strategies
SKU:
C-168759
Rajasthan is the largest state of India covering an area of 3,42,239 sq.km and represents 10.5% of the country?s geographical area. On the other hand it has only 1.15% of total surface water and 2.6% of dynamic groundwater resources of the country?s resources due to arid climatic conditions. Surface water availability is restricted to command areas of canal system; hence groundwater is the only dependable source in major part of the state. Groundwater quality deterioration with depth coupled with low and erratic rainfall has generated constraints as regards availability and development potential of groundwater resources. Over exploitation of groundwater has caused mining of groundwater, which has set in declining trend in water level and threatening depletion of limited available fresh groundwater resources at an alarming rate. Management of groundwater resources in this context is an extremely complex proposition. The highly uneven distribution of groundwater and its utilization make it impossible to have single management strategy for Rajasthan as a whole. Any strategy for scientific management of groundwater resources should involve a combination of supply side and demand side measures depending on the regional setting and local geology and also on use of saline water. There are saline water tracts in various parts of the state. Recently conservation of water through crop diversification and use of saline water in several parts of the state has gained momentum.
Groundwater Resources Potential and its Management Strategies in West Bengal
SKU:
C-165850
About two third of West Bengal is covered by alluvial deposits of Sub-Recent to Recent time while the remainder by a wide variety of hard rocks where water scarcity is prevalent. Hydrogeologically fissured and fractured hard rocks predominate in the Peninsular and extra peninsular areas while Quaternary arenaceous formations underlie the plains. Groundwater development in hard rocks is possible through construction of dug well, dug-cum-bore wells as also bore wells. Springs form major source of water in the hilly and mountainous tract and losing sustainability due to climatic change. In spite of prolific resource potential of the vast alluvial aquifer, great deal of anomalies in ground water potential and qualities are noticed. Shallow alluvial aquifers are under extensive exploitation but high incidence of Arsenic in ground water (above permissible limit of 0.01 mg/l) within 100 metre below ground level (mbgl) has been reported from 104 blocks of 10 districts in West Bengal. Fluoride contamination is also prevalent in parts of hard rock areas as also alluvial Barind tract. In the Coastal areas, fresh water bearing aquifers are occurring at places within 120m underlain by saline aquifers while in major parts it is sandwiched by saline aquifers and delineated within 140-360 mbgl. Several issues related to groundwater and management are discussed in the paper.
Groundwater Scenario of North Gujarat: Water Conservation and Recharge Practices
Conference Papers, SP-12: Water Resources of Western and Central Regions of India: Status, Issues and Strategies
SKU:
C-168757
Gujarat Alluvial plains are well known for prolific aquifer system but due to overexploitation of groundwater in North Gujarat districts, the ground water levels have shown a declining trend, which entails higher water lifting cost in addition to the increasing investment in deepening of wells. As natural recharge of groundwater is not commensurate with groundwater extraction, the groundwater levels have dipped more than 190 m below ground level at some places of North Gujarat. In such areas, it is felt that artificial recharge of groundwater has much scope in water conservation and augmentation. Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has given a new dimension to the groundwater sustainability in North Gujarat through harvesting of the surplus runoff and storing the same in the sub-surface reservoir adopting artificial recharge techniques.The present paper deals with the various activities undertaken by the Central and State Governments to arrest the groundwater level from further decline and also maintain the quality of groundwater. Based on the Pilot studies in the UNDP assisted project during the years 1980-85 in the Gujarat State, CGWB has advocated for artificial recharge of groundwater by spreading channel and injection methods to counteract the impact of overexploitation in the North Gujarat. In the Central Sector Scheme (CSS) of Ministry of Water Resources (now Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation), Government of India, demonstrative artificial recharge structures have been constructed by the State Government in the Saraswati river bed at Madhu Pavdi check Dam in Sidhpur, Patan district, Due to non availability of surplus water in the North Gujarat Region, Government of Gujarat launched an ambitious inter basin water transfer program known as Sujalam Sufalam Yojana. In this Sujlam Suphalam Yojana one major unlined recharge canal named as Sujlam Suphalam spreding canal has been constructed with a length of 332 km from Mahi to Banas River which diverts of surplus flood waters of Kadana Reservoir and the Narmada to the water deficit areas. In the Lift Irrigation scheme, nine reservoirs of North Gujarat region are planned to be filled by laying pipelines utilising surplus flood water of Narmada.
Groundwater Scenario, Issues and Management in Arid and Semi-Arid Rajasthan, India
Conference Papers, SP-12: Water Resources of Western and Central Regions of India: Status, Issues and Strategies
SKU:
C-168772
Drylands of arid Rajasthan are well known for Drought and hot Desert having diversified hydro-geological conditions. Potential aquifer systems include unconsolidated (Quaternaries deposits), semi-consolidated (Tertiary Sandstone, Lathi Sandstone etc.) and fissured consolidated formations. Groundwater level is generally deep especially in western Rajasthan, where it reaches even 150m below land surface. Quality of groundwater is poor in many parts due to geogenic and anthropogenic reasons. Stage of groundwater development in the State is 139.88% with 185 blocks categorized as over-exploited. Groundwater related issues include deep and declining water levels, low groundwater recharge, over-exploitation, drying up of potential aquifer systems, high salinity, fluoride and nitrate concentration, industrial pollution, water logging and lack of appropriate water management. Management options include supply side and demand side measures i.e. water conservation, regulation, protection and especially structural measures for augmentation of resources by large scale artificial recharge of aquifers, for which financial provisions by the Government/incentives to individuals need to be introduced. Scope for artificial recharge of aquifers exists on account of availability of thick permeable geo-formations, deep & declining water levels, and availability of surplus monsoon water in northwest India, which otherwise goes waste flowing to the neighbouring country. Regulatory measures including notification of 35 block areas, mandatory provision for issuance of NOC for industries/ infrastructure/mining projects for controlled groundwater withdrawal. etc. are being taken up by Govt. organizations. State Water Policy is in place and rooftop rainwater harvesting is to be made mandatory for all buildings. State Ground Water Legislation and State Ground Water Authority need to be constituted and regulatory measures be enforced by Rajasthan Government in line with CGWA. There is need for integrated participatory approach of water management. Rajasthan being the most water deficit State in India, deserve to be given ?Special Status for Water Resources? for financial and other purposes by Government of India.
Hydrogeology of Assam and its Development Prospects
SKU:
C-165841
Assam is endowed with abundant water resources. The large perennial rivers and other water bodies with the rich aquifers speak about the vastness of its water resource. The ground water is available at low to moderate depth almost in the entire state. Although there is seasonal and regional variations in the availability of water resources, the annual availability of water resource remains almost the same. Agriculture has the largest share of water consumption amongst the various uses followed by domestic and industrial uses. With the shifting of focus from large farmers in Green Revolution areas in northwest India to small and marginal farmers in east India for sustaining the production of rice, states like Assam, where potentials for exploiting the existing technology are yet largely untapped, have received greater attention from the government in recent years. This paper presents the hydrogeological setup, availability of dynamic ground water resource and future scope of its development.
Ichnological Events Associated with Evolution of Kachchh Rift Basin, Western India
SKU:
C-105416
The Mesozoic sediments are well exposed in the Kachchh basin and shows sedimentary breaks in the western part of the Basin. Sedimentation in the Kachchh basin occurred in three distinct phases (1) Pre-Rift, (2) Syn-Rift and (3) Post-Rift. The Syn-rift stage is further divided into Early syn-rift and rift climax stages. The Syn-rift basin Stratigraphy is marked by one major hiatus corresponding to Late Oxfordian. Post rift stage is characterized by another major hiatus corresponding to Tithonian. Although, in the central and eastern part of the basin these important hiatus are present whereas in western part of the basin these breaks/hiatus is completely filled. These sedimentary fills are represented by well exposed and age constrained (1) Umia Ammonite Band, (2) Katesar Member and (3) Ukra Member, sedimentary units. Thus the Mesozoic sediments of Western Kachchh are represented by nearly continuous section from Middle Jurassic to Cretaceous. Ichnologically, fourteen major ichnological events are recorded in entire Mesozoic sections of Western Kachchh. These events are spatially extensive in nature and thus helps in short-distance, intra-basinal stratigraphic correlation of the various sections of the western Kachchh. These ichno events are: (1) Diplocraterion-Arenicolites (2) Astereosoma-Rhizocorallium (3) Zoophycos- Chondrites Assemblage (4) Zoophycos (5) Gastrochaeonolites (6) Zoophycos-Thalassinoides (7) Teichichnus - Fugichnia (8) Polykladichnus-Skolithos-Ophiomorpha (9) Phycodes (10) Fugichnia (11) Gyrophyllite - Diplocraterion (12) Psilonichnus and (13) Teredolite ichnoassemblages and (14) Cyclic Bioturbated Horizons. Out of these ichnoevents, five of the ichnoevent serve as important stratigraphic markers; these are (1) Zoophycos for Dhosa Oolite, (2) Teichichnus -Fugichnia Event for Middle Jhuran Shales (3) Phycodes horizon for demarcating Upper member and Katesar member boundary, (4) Cyclic bioturbated Horizons for Lower part of Ghuneri Member (5) Teredolite for differentiating base of the Ukra Member with upper part of Ghuneri Mb. Ichno-events like Chondrites - Zoophycos Assemblage; Zoophycos assemblage; Gyrophyllite - Diplocraterion assemblage; Psilonichnus assemblage are useful in reconstructing paleooceanographic conditions of the entire Kachchh basin.
Imaging of the Crust and Upper Mantle Structure below the Kachchh Rift Zone, Gujarat, India, through Passive Source Seismic Studies
SKU:
C-105420
Passive source seismic imaging delineates fine crustal and lithospheric structures associated with the Kachchh rift zone (KRZ), Gujarat, India, which suggests a 4-7 km crustal thinning and 6-12 km asthenospheric thinning below the KRZ relative to surrounding regions. The study also depicts a constant lithospheric thickness (~76-78 km) below the median high towards the west of Kachchh rift zone while a marked decrease in lithospheric thickness as well as shear velocity (Vs) is noticed across west to east and south to north of the rift zone, which perhaps suggests an increase in partial melt contents below the central KRZ in comparison to surrounding regions. Further, we notice that the seismogenic zone extends up to 34 km depth below the central KRZ. The hypocenters of the Bhuj 2001 earthquake sequence are found to be mainly concentrated in the mafic-to-ultramafic lower curst (14-34 km depth) below the central KRZ. The coincidence of common area of crustal thinning, asthenospheric upwarping and confined aftershock activity suggests that there is a possible causal relation between the occurrences of continued aftershock activity and a 6-10% drop in Vs (or presence of carbonatite melts) at lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB) below the central KRZ. This 6-10% drop in Vs can be attributed to a ~1-2% carbonatite melt currently present at the LAB. Thus, we interpret that the presence of aqueous fluids (released during the prograde metamorphic reactions of lower crustal olivine-rich rocks) and volatile CO2 [emanating from the crystallization of carbonatite melts at shallow upper mantle depths (i.e. 50-70 km)] at the hypocentral depths, might be playing a key role in generating the 2001 Bhuj earthquake sequence covering the entire lower crust.
Impact Evaluation of Interventions for Groundwater Recharge
SKU:
C-156158
Pressure of development has resulted in overexploitation of natural resources, particularly the groundwater. Vagaries of rainfall coupled with pressure on increased production and competing demands have directly lead to groundwater depletion and consequently the drying up of natural rivers. Considerable efforts are being made to rejuvenate the natural system by means of groundwater recharge. The techniques and approaches for artificial groundwater recharge, in the recent years have been referred to as Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR). MAR interventions include localized recharge, preferential recharge, induced recharge, etc. Direct recharge causes raise of the water table, which leads to streamflow. Any attempt to evaluate the impacts of MAR has to consider rainfall characteristics contributing to the source of recharge, reliable baseline information regarding the land use, local hydrogeological conditions and demand analysis.
Impact of 2018 Deluge ? Need to Evolve Kerala Water Resources Information System for Long Term Mitigation
SKU:
C-165454
Kerala had undergone a devastating flood in August 2018. The extreme rainfall and the very high population density of 860 persons per square kilometer, made the deluge significantly affecting a population of 1.2 million. About 400 persons lost their lives and the basic infrastructure facilities were seriously damaged. The state of Kerala is now on a massive mobilization drive to rebuild a new Kerala. RKI (Rebuild Kerala Initiative) focus on sustainability principles suggested in the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) study. Integrated water resources management (IWRM) has been identified in the PDNA as one of the four pillars of recovery strategy. Draft sector plan for water resources management which fits within an IWRM framework is now being actively deliberated in Kerala at various levels. One of the most important aspects discussed in the sector plan is improving the data and knowledge management systems, including reliable monitoring systems (water level, water quality, water use) with adequate spatial and temporal coverage. Kerala Water Resource Information System (KWRIS) as it has been christened aims to address all the data related issues pertaining to the development of strategic water sector plans. In this paper, the key elements of KWRIS for sustainable water management are discussed. Four sections build this paper. In the introduction section, the 2018 deluge and the background in which the need for KWRIS is evolved are discussed. This is followed by the detailed discussion of KWRIS framework in the second section. Third section discusses the challenges and opportunities in shaping up KWRIS in the current Kerala context. Thoughts on way forward and the immediate interventions required to facilitate this are discussed in the concluding section.
Indus and Ganga River Basins in India: Surface Water Potentials
SKU:
C-62876
Life depends on water as much as it depends on air. Water received as rainfall gets collected in various storages and flows through the rivers. It is this water which has to be measured and managed to sustain adequate supplies for various uses and users (including plants and animals). To manage supply of water, accurate measurements on its availability are fundamental. Measurements depend on rainfall and types of various surfaces on which it falls. In the present work, various surfaces are mapped separately under four themes - lithology, geomorphology, soils and land use and using rainfall and various run-off coefficients average annual surface water yield is calculated for both the Indus and Ganga river basins within India. Various aspects of river systems are discussed in brief vis-a-vis lithology, geomorphology and soils. The paper as a corollary proves a point on the need of high accuracy measurements from large scale/high resolution maps and data. To some extent the location and nature of surface water bodies (rivers, lakes, tanks, and reservoirs) are controlled by the geology and geomorphology (land forms) of the area and some data is provided on this aspect as well of the study region.
Insight into an Opportunistic Ichnotaxon from the Lower Cretaceous vis-?-vis Status of Palaeoichnology in Mesozoic of Kachchh
SKU:
C-105415
Ichnological studies in sedimentary rock formations of Kachchh Basin commenced in the late 1970s, despite an allusion to a 'fossil burrow' in 1872. Numerous research articles have since been published. Most of them merely record trace fossils from sporadic sites, with an unwarranted plethora of new ichnotaxa, mainly due to lack of total comprehension of ichnotaxonomic norms. Though of late, a few articles concerning definite environmental/stratigraphic issues have become available, it is now time to introspect our work vis-?-vis advancements made by fellow ichnologists. Recognising the potential of trace fossils, novel applications with emphasis on organism behaviour and substrate nature are being discovered, pertaining to various problems prompting a reorientation in our perception. Here, we attempt such an exercise in our observations on Diplocraterion-rich horizons from three localities viz., Gamdau, Khari Nadi north of Bhuj City, and near Dahisara on Bhuj- Mandvi road. They occur in the Bhuj Formation, which otherwise is sparsely fossiliferous. The strata under consideration are thoroughly bioturbated with monogeneric ichnofauna, overlying and underlying beds being barren or sparse in traces. These beds represent colonization windows, in turn linked to changes in hydrodynamic regime. While the monogeneric ichnocoenoses suggest opportunistic taxa (r-selected) typical of inhospitable conditions to most life forms; such assemblages characteristically reflecting brackish conditions, where salinity fluctuations are inherent. Prevailing sedimentary structures, presence of colonization events by opportunistic ichnospecies, changing hydrodynamic conditions, preservation of petrified wood and foliages, and stark absence of animal remains advocate transitional ecological setting such as prevalent in a deltaic set-up.
Integrated and Participatory Water Management: BIRD K Experience
SKU:
C-95959
BAIF Institute for Rural Development-Karnataka (BIRD-K) is an associate organization of BAIF Development Research Foundation, Pune working for the up-liftment of rural poor where natural resources management, livestock development especially breed improvement, trainings and women empowerment are the thrust areas. Almost all the selected approaches are site specific, economically viable, replicable and socially accepted. All these projects have been implemented on participatory mode. The present paper highlights on the two such approaches being followed in two different areas, one is drought prone in Tiptur taluka of Tumkur district and the other is fluoride affected in Mundargi of Gadag district. Both the approaches have shown encouraging results. The linking of farm pond in a scientific way, and planning and implementation in participatory mode at Tiptur taluk of Tumkur dist. has proved to be a drought proofing mechanism. The approach has been adopted by different agencies in the watershed programme in Karnataka, and undivided Andhra Pradesh states. The second approach is for the fluoride affected area where the content of fluoride was 2.33 mg/liter in the bore well water and 5.26mg/ltr in the open well water before the start of the project in 2005. Trend in dilution of fluoride in the groundwater is observed at the later stages of the project. In the bore wells fluoride concentration came down from 4.39 to 2.86 ppm. and in the open wells from 5.44 to 2.71 ppm. Fluoride concentration in 17 other water sources too has come down to the permissible limit. The encouraging results attracted the donors and government officials, and as a result BIRD-K has extended the programme to more than 150 villages benefitting over 7200 families. In both the cases natural resources are improved with a rise in ground water table and water availability for agriculture, thereby enhancing income of the participants. The increased skills of the participants have diversified their income sources.
Integrated Water Resource Management ? Experiences from Karnataka
SKU:
C-95957
It is a well known fact that river basins in the hard rock terrain are going negative in their natural water balance. This is mainly the reason for scarcity of water in Karnataka. The scarcity is increasing with each passing year in spite of normal rainfall. Reason for such a situation is attributed to decrease in natural vegetation cover, drastic change in land use leading to encroachment of natural streams and water bodies, and also their siltation. Added to this, there has been overexploitation of ground water. This changing scenario in geohydrology of the region has been noticed since last 4-5 decades. Attempts are being made continuously to alleviate the scarcity of water through several programs for watershed management, artificial recharge of ground water and legislative measures to regulate exploitation of ground water. In spite of all these efforts it has not been possible to redeem the natural water balance. Hence there is an urgent need to plan ecofriendly and effective rejuvenation of debilitated natural water sources through integrated water Resource management. The technique, developed on the basis of geological and geomorphological factors using remote sensing and geographic information system tools, has been to revive/ accelerate the natural processes of water conservation and its sustainability. The outcome is restoration of depleted ground water and extinct or dried up river systems, environment and ecosystems and hence, social economy and well being of the people.Experiences of such projects recently undertaken in the watersheds of three river basins of Karnataka viz., Kumudavati, Vedavati and Palar are presented in this paper. The paper also highlights community participation jointly with the government in such projects.
Integrated Watershed Management and People?s Participation: A Case Study of Ichalahalla Watershed
SKU:
C-95944
Integrated watershed management project was carried out in Gadag district of Karnataka State under the guidance of Geological Society of India, Bengaluru. The project was facilitated by KVK, Hulkoti which mobilized the farming community of 6 villages through organization of awareness camps, seminars and water literacy camps in the villages. Series of training programmes on soil and water conservation, rain water harvesting and production technology in major crops were organized. After mobilizing the community, various soil and water conservation treatments were carried out in all the 6 watershed villages covering 5000 ha area. The intervention has made major impact on increased ground water availability resulting in sufficient water for irrigation. The area under commercial crops has been increased with pulses, oilseeds, horticulture and other commercial crops replacing the less productive cereal crops and the cropping intensity has also increased. The productivity of major crops and net returns per unit area in the watershed area has also increased, thus improving socio-economic condition of farmers.
Is the Water Future of Kerala Fuzzy?
SKU:
C-165456
Kerala, classed in the fifth water resource region (Watershed atlas) of the nation covering all rivers (except Indus R) emptying into Laccadive Sea, has a steep gradient between the water divide on the Western Ghats and the shoreline (i.e., 125 km at the widest transect and a lofty 3000 m a.m.s.l.), which makes the residence time of rain deposition under 48 hr truly making several pockets of Kerala water stressed. The current study attempts to estimate the average annual rain fall deposition and water yield in Kerala stands at 41.6 BCM, of which 5.2 BCM adds to the groundwater resources and 36.4 BCM goes as surface run off. These figures confirm that the surface and groundwater resources show a declining trend as the figures deviate from the estimates of CGWB (groundwater resources= 5.66 BCM) and a state government source (surface water =78 BCM). Despite falling in the Am climate zone of Koppen - tropical monsoon climate - Kerala (extent =38863 km2; average rain fall =3107 mm/y) was empirically and proverbially deemed as a water surplus state, with an annual per capita entitlement of 1991.0 m3 for a population load of 34.8 million (Census, 2011), against 4921.0 m3 of annual per capita for a population of 13.54 million (Census,1951). With a rising population and steadily rising social and economic development, Kerala?s annual per capita water entitlement stands higher than the national annual average of 1600 m3 per capita. However, the water future of Kerala may be a matter of concern with increasing demand on all fronts of water use, even though high magnitude and low frequency rain fall spikes may yield huge volumes of water that may not at all be stored in the aquifers due to their finite capacity and lower recharge due to large scale land scape/surface transformation.
Kumudvathi River Rejuvenation ? An Experience
SKU:
C-156155
River basins have been performing the process of renewing the water resources and providing the same to different forms of life naturally. Since last few decades perennial rivers are becoming seasonal and seasonal rivers are drying up. Hence, the balance which exists in the movement of water as surface water, soil moisture, ground water and atmospheric water in a cyclic manner is getting distorted and gaps are created. This situation has led to water stress and some time even flood fury. In addition to this rampant over exploitation of ground water has also impacted the environmental flow of the river system. Ultimately this has resulted in global warming and climate change. Techniques of Geospatial technology have been able to provide synoptic and repetitive spatial information of entire river basin connected to the causative factors like changes in land use leading to soil erosion, decrease in natural vegetation, siltation of water bodies, water intensive agriculture, urbanisation etc. Integration of such information with geo-hydrological factors enables preparation of action plan to rejuvenate the natural process of surface water flow, ground water recharge, revival of water bodies and increase in the natural vegetation.Kumudvathi is one such typical case of a river basin drying up where an action plan for its rejuvenation has been prepared and implemented. The experience of preparing, and execution of action plan involving community, corporates, volunteers and its concurrent impact are shared in this paper.
Larger Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy of Early Paleogene Sections in India
SKU:
C-63286
Early Paleogene larger foraminifera are widely known from Indian basins. A brief review of earlier studies from Indian basins is presented. The review indicates that some species reported earlier in this interval need taxonomic revision. Additional new data on age diagnostic foraminiferal species from the subsurface section is presented and illustrated in the study. Nearly 60 species including 2 new species (Alveolina lukashottingeri and Nemkovella bprkrishna) belonging to 15 genera are presented. Reports on many of these species are not yet known from this region. This study on larger foraminifers from the subsurface sections with stratigraphic ranges can serve as a useful reference wherein a larger foraminiferal assemblage recorded in a subsurface sample can be placed in the stratigraphic column with greater confidence. Based on the distribution of larger foraminifers, the prevalence of carbonates and associate facies deposition in the Indian basins can be correlated broadly to Tethyan Shallow Benthic Zones SBZ 3-4 (Thanetian, Late Paleocene, P4-P5; Ta1); SBZ 8-11; (Ypresian, early Eocene, P7-P9; Ta2) SBZ 14-15 (Lutetian, Middle Eocene, P11-P12; Ta3); SBZ 15-17 (Bartonian, Middle Eocene, P12-P14; Ta3) and SBZ 19-20 (Priabonian,Late Eocene, P16-P17; Tb).
Late Permian Palynofossils from the Pali Formation, South Rewa Basin, Madhya Pradesh, India
SKU:
C-63319
The present paper deals with the palynological analysis of the Middle Pali sediments exposed along the Murna Nala section, Sohagpur coalfield, South Rewa Basin, Madhya Pradesh. Quantitative and qualitative analyses reveal the Dominance Datum (DODs) of Faunipollenites, Striatopodocarpites and Crescentipollenites in association with Rhizomaspora, Distriatites, Dicappipollenites, Gondisporites, Scheuringipollenites, Densipollenites, Sahnites, Parasaccites, Platysaccus, Plicatipollenites and Potonieisporites. The First Appearance Datum (FADs) of key taxa (e.g., Arcuatipollenites ovatus, Lundbladispora brevicula, Alisporites asanolensis, Goubinispora morondavensis and Weylandites circularis) suggest conclusive evidence for a Late Permian age. The present palynoassemblage of Pali Formation is indicative of palynozone R-1B of Raniganj Formation in Damodar Basin (Tiwari and Singh, 1986). Hence, the Murna Nala sediments have been dated Late Permian in age, which correlates with the Pali Formation (Middle Member) in the South Rewa Basin.
Linking of West and East Flowing Rivers of Karnataka: Management of Surface Water and Groundwater in Drought Prone Areas
SKU:
C-95953
Out of the State's total drainage area of 1,88,830 sq km, the westerly drainage is 24530 sq km (12.99%). More than 58% of (3408 TMC) the total surface water resources of Karnataka flow towards west flowing river basins which occupy less than 20% of the total area of the State. Out of this total 2000 TMC of West flowing waters, 40% (800 TMC) of rain water designated as Submarine Ground Water Discharge (SGWD) flows along with fertile silt into the Arabian sea through porous fractured and weathered hard rocks and sediments leaving unutilised flow of 1200 TMC of water.The modalities of the diversion of the rivers earlier mooted by K.L. Rao who envisaged constructing a Ganga-Cauvery link Canal; Captain Dustur's suggestion of construction of a garland canal for Western Ghats Watershed, G.S. Paramashivaiah's report on diversion of "sea flowing rivers" to meet the drought prone seven districts of Karnataka; BWSSB Expert Committee Report on diversion of excess water of Sharavathi to Bangalore; and Madhu Seethappa's Quest to Abate Thirsts, a proposal of diversion scheme of Sharavathi-Aganashini-Bedathi; and current proposals of Yettinahole and Mahadayi river diversions are discussed in this paper. There are a large number of streams and rivers that initially flow eastwards and changes their course to west due to the uplift of Mysore Plateau and headward erosion. Mahadayi, Kali, Bedathi, Aganashini, Sharavathi, Varahi, Seeta and Netravathi river basins are the main catchment areas apart from the small river basins, which contribute to 2000 TMC of total quantity of surface and groundwater along with fertile silt and organic matter.With this in background Geological Society of India on 28.05.2015 held a Seminar on Integrated and Sustainable Water Management, to prioritize sustainable conjunctive use of water in command areas, charging of groundwater in lift irrigated areas for filling up water in dry tanks for utilization of the same for developing dry land areas with particular focus on recharging aquifers in dry land areas where there is acute shortage of water for drinking in drought affected areas.The objective of this paper is to identify micro basins and select a few west flowing streams and rivers from their upland catchment areas and link them to the eastern drainage for providing drinking water, recharge groundwater through filling of existing dry tanks and rejuvenate dead rivers in drought affected areas in Eastern Karnataka without affecting the biodiversity and environment of Western Ghats in any substantial fashion.
Magma Types and Source Characterization of the Early Deccan Magmatism, Kutch Region, NW India:Insights from Geochemistry of Igneous Intrusions
SKU:
C-105421
The tholeiitic basalt intrusives as sills and dykes from the Kutch region have been classified into high Ti and low Ti categories. The high-Ti basalts display characters comparable to the shield lavas of the Reunion Island with OIB type signature. The incompatible trace element patterns and ratios as well as the Sr-Nd composition of the high Ti-basalts support their generation from mixing of melts derived from both the convecting asthenospheric mantle (plume?) as the dominant source and the SCLM with little contribution from the continental crust. The petrographic and chemical data indicate dominant clinopyroxene and plagioclase fractionation and small olivine fractionation.In contrast, the low-Ti basalts exhibit trace element characters and Sr and Nd isotopic systematics similar to MORB with relatively more contribution from the SCLM, and less from Reunion like source that has been modified by variable contribution from the crustal contaminants. The variable amount of crustal interaction further divide the low Ti basalts into two subtypes viz. low-Ti-high Pb and low Ti-low Pb. The geochemical characters of both the high Ti and Low Ti basalts as well as the lava flows from Kutch do not correlate well with any of their southwestern counterparts identified in the main Deccan province and most probably represent lower levels. It is essential to treat these basalts therefore as separate stratigraphic unit as "Kutch Group" in the Deccan stratigraphy.
Magmatic (?) Base Metal Sulfide Deposits
SKU:
C-63403
Most of the base metal sulfide deposits are metamorphosed to amphibolite facies conditions. Partial melting of sulfides can happen at such conditions leading to remobilization of precious rare metals in the deposit scale. Further extending this process, it is possible that some ore bodies could be the result of emplacement of anatectic sulfide magmas. From textural evidence such as occurrence of galena along biotite cleavage, flow alignment of biotite flakes in galena veins, heterogeneous Zn contents in galena, arsenopyrite crystals formed by quenching against silicate, presence of multi-phase sulfide aggregates, low sphalerite-galena-sphalerite dihedral angles, occurrence of restitic silicate + sulfide in galena matrix and by comparison of bulk ore chemistry with that of experimentally derived sulfide partial melts reported in the literature, we have here shown that the Sargipali deposit of Odisha, India is a magmatic base metal sulfide deposit.
Magmatic Type Platinum Mineralisation in the Mafic-Ultramafic Rocks of Nuggihalli Schist Belt, Hassan District, Karnataka
SKU:
C-63388
The layered ultramafic complex of Nuggihalli schist belt in the western Dharwar craton (Karnataka) comprises dismembered units of serpentinised peridotites and metapyroxenites with discontinuous chromitite reefs, gabbroic amphibolites (? garnet) with seams of titaniferous-vanadiferous magnetite and anorthosites. Cumulus and intercumulus chromitite forming discrete lenses within the serpentinites are confined to two distinct zones at least in the central part of the schist belt from Byrapura in the north to Tagadur in the south. Since Archaean chromiferous layered complexes are considered as best repositories of PGE mineralisation, search for PGE in Nuggihalli ultramafics have been carried out time and again but for little success. The present write up is the first systematic approach to assess the possibilty and reports for the first time significantly high concentration of Pt+Pd up to 2.5 ppm. This is the highest PGE value recorded from Nuggihalli belt till date. Sample having anomalous PGE has also analysed Au up to 270 ppb. The finding of high PGE concentration (1.5 to 2.5 g/t) in two zones of 1m each from the gabbroic anorthosite having thin bands of magnetite(TVM) on the western margin of the Nuggihalli schist belt at Kamanayakanahalli opens up new possibilities of searching for PGE-rich zones in similar mafic-ultramafic sequences of Karnataka.
Major Element Chemistry of the Bhavani River, Kerala, SW India ? Weathering Processes and Solute Transport
SKU:
C-165446
Rivers are the natural pathway of geochemical signals from terrestrial environment to the ocean realm. This life sustaining system is more reflexive to the adversities of urbanization, industrialization and other human interventions. The problem is severe in small tropical rivers of the southern Western Ghats. Although many studies have been carried out in the west flowing rivers of the Kerala, not much attempt has hither to been made on the east flowing rivers of the state. Therefore, an attempt has been made in this paper to address the major ion chemistry and solute transport of Bhavani river of Kerala which is east flowing and a tributary of the Cauvery river. Hydrochemical data of the Bhavani river, its different stretches, was obtained from field work, sampling, in-situ and laboratory analysis. In order to understand the spatio-temporal changes in the river water chemistry and causal mechanisms behind the changes in the long-term discharge characteristics, data from three gauging stations (Nellithurai, Thengumarahada and Savandpur) have been obtained from the Central Water Commission (CWC) via the surface water module of the India - WRIS (Water Resources Information System). The eastern part of the river basin experiences semiarid/ arid climate with rainfall predominated by the northeast monsoon, but the western most part of the river basin experiences humid climate with dominant southwest monsoon. The controlling factor of the major ion chemistry of the river water was characterised using Gibbs?s Diagram and it indicates that the chemistry of the river water is controlled mainly by silicate weathering in the river catchments rather than rainfall contributions. The river water chemistry of Bhavani river is dominated by Ca, Na and HCO3. The hydrochemical analysis shows that majority of the water samples are of Ca-HCO3 type. The particulate load/dissolved load ratio of the Bhavani river is much less than that of the west flowing rivers of Kerala indicating the dominance of chemical weathering and evaporation, over physical weathering. An overall evaluation of the major ions in the Bhavani river revealed that its availability in river water is contributed by both natural and man-made factors.