ID: 58642
Title: The first national survey of elephants in Sri Lanka.
Author: Charles Santiapillai, S Wijeyamohan
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.2), pp 153-154
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: National survey, elephant, Sri Lanka.
Abstract: It is difficult to imagine Sri Lanka without its elephants, for they are so much a part of our culture, relgion, history, literature, mythology, folklore and even politics. Nevertheless, elephants in Sri Lanka have an image problem: there are too many groups interested in them, and sees them differently - conservationists love them, cultivators loathe them.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58641
Title: Geochemistry of sanukitoid series granitoids from the Neoarchaean Berach granitoid batholiths, Aravalli craton, northwestern Indian shield
Author: M E A Mondal, Ausaf Raza
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.1), pp 102-109
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Geochemical studies, granitoids, lithoapheric mantle, sanukitoid rocks.
Abstract: Geochemical studies of the Neoarchean Berach granitoids, which are intrusive into the Banded Gneissic Complex of the Aravalli craton, have recieved the occurence of granitoids of the sanukitoid series. They are calc-alkaline and enriched in both compatible and incompatible elements at a given SiO2 level. The granitoids are chacracterized by high K2O3, high MgO3 low Na2O/K2O3 high Ba+Sr, negative Nb-anomaly and variable (Gd/Er)N. The geochemical characteristics of the Berach granitoids are strikingly similar to the Archaean sanukiod series of rocks reported from elsewhere in the world. It is proposed that the Berach sanukitoid rocks were formed by partial melting of a metasomized subcontinental lithospheric mantle, enriched in large ion lithophile elements.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58640
Title: Ancient eclipses and long term drifts in the Earth - Moon system.
Author: M N Vahia, Saurabh Singh, Amit Seta, B V Subbarayappa.
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.1), pp 61-71
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Ancient eclipses, Earth-Moon system, eclipse errors, simulation studies.
Abstract: We study anomalies in the Earth-Moon system using ancient eclipses between AD 400 and 1800 recorded in parts of India that should have completely missed the subcontinent according to NASA simulations(Espenak, F. and Meeus,J., NASA/TP 2006-214141,2011). We show that the typical correction in lunar location required to reconcile the anomalous eclipses is relatively small and consistent with the fluctuations in the length of the day that are observed in recent periods. We can study how the change in the moment of inertia of Earth due to differential acceleration of land and water can account for this discrepancy. We show that 80% of these discrepancies occur when when the moon is at a declination of greater than 10 and closer to its major standstill of 28?
while it spends 46% of the time in this region. We simulate the differential interaction of of the Moon ' s gravity with land mass and water using finite element method to account for land mass and watermass. We show that the results of eclipse error are consistent with with the estimate of a small differntial acceleration whent he Moon is over land at high latitudes. However, we encounter some examples where the results from simulation studies cannot explain the phenomenon. Hence we propose that the ?T corrections have to be coupled with some other mechanism, posssibly a small vertical oscillation in the Moon ' s rotational plane with period of order of a few hundred year to achieve the required adjustment in eclipse maps.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58639
Title: Algal biofuel: bountiful lipid from Chlorococcum sp. proliferating in municipal waste water.
Author: Durga Madhab Mahapatra, T V Ramachandra.
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.1), pp 47-55
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Algae, biofuel, fatty acid, lipid, wastewater.
Abstract: Algae biofuel have emerged as viable renewable energy sources and are the potential alternatives to fossil-based fuels in recent times. Algae have the potential to generate significant quantities of commercially viable bioifuel apart from treating wastewater. Three algal species, viz. Chlorococcum sp., Microcystis sp. and Phormidium sp. proliferating in wastewater ponds were isolated and cultured in the laboratory myxotrophically under similar wastewater conditions. Chlorococcum sp. attained a mean biomass productivity of 0.09 gl??d?? with the maximum biomass density of 1.33 gl?? and comparitively higher lipid content of 30.55% (w/w) on the ninth day of the culture experiment. Under similar conditions Microcystis sp. and phormodium sp. attained mean biomass productivities of 0.058 and 0.063 gl?? d??
with a total lipid content of 8.88% and 18.66% respectively. Biochemical composition (carbohydrates, protiens, lipids and phosphates) variations and lipid accumulation studies were performed by comparison of the ratios of carbohydrate to protein; lipid to protein (L/P) and lipid to phosphates using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy which showed higher L/P ratio during the stationary phase of algal growth. Composition analysis of fatty acid methyl ester has been performed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Chlorococcum sp. with higher productivity and faster growth rate has higher lipid content with about 67% of saturated fatty acid dominated by palmtate (36.3%) followed by an unsaturate as linoleate (14%) and has proved to be an economical and viable feedstock for biofuel production compared to the other watewater-grown species.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58638
Title: Climate change and its influence on groundwater resources
Author: S.Panwar and G J Chakrapani
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.1), pp 37-46
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Aquifiers, climate change, groundwater zones, mitigation stategies , sea-water intrusion.
Abstract: Climate change is commonly discussed at national and international levels. It directly affects the water cycle and thus life on Earth. The effect of climate change on surface water has been known for quite sometime now, however research is still in its infancy on the effects of climate change on the subsurface water. This review provides an insight into the factors responsible for climate change, its effects on groundwater quantity and quality on a global scale with emphasis on Indian groundwater resources and anticipated mitigation strategies.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58637
Title: Population growth, food shortage and ways tso allevaite hunger
Author: Rajendra Prasad
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.1), pp 32-36
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Food shortage, hunger alleviation, modern agriculture, population growth.
Abstract: Improvement of agriculture in developing countries is the only way of alleviating hunger. The available agricultural technology will not be able to meet the challenge of the present population growth of about a billion additional mouths every 12-14 year without detriment to natural resources and the environment and has to be suitably modified. Availabililty of quality seeds is a major problem in most developing countries. Availabililty of irrigation water and energy and their use efficiency need to be improved. One of the major drawbacks of modern agriculture has been the overuse or rather abuse of the agrochemicals. Their use has to be minimized and alternative ways of controlling pests and diseases in crops using natural products and biopesticides deserve attention. Some breakthroughs in plant types are urgently needed and genetic engineering can certainly help.
Fertilizer nitrogen has been the key input in augmenting food (both calorie and protein) production in the past and will continue to do so. It is estimated that in future fertilizer nitirogen need will more than double the present consumption. However , fertilizer nitrogen has been blamed for the pollution and leaching. About one-third of the nitrogen applied to field crops is lost due to the processess mentioned above. There is there is thus an urgent need for controlled release nitrogen fertilizers for which leads are already available. What is lacking, however, is a sincere effort and adequate funding so that these are available to the poor farmers in developing countries.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58636
Title: Need to strenthen analytical support in agricultural research.
Author: K L Sharawat
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no.1), pp 13-14.
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: analytical support, agricultural research, soil fertility evaluation.
Abstract: The need for analytical support in agricultural research has long been recognized, especially in the context of soil fertility evaluation and nutrient management, and crop quality asssessment and monitoring for selecting and breeding nutritious food staples. For soil and plant testing are the obvious means. Simultaneously, it was realized that soils indeed differ in their capacity to supply nutrients (major, secondary and micronutrient elements) to plants growing on them. From this, it follows that different soils will require different amount of plant nutrient elements as inputs from outside sources mostly through mineral and organic fertilizers, to achieve a target yield.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58635
Title: Interpretation of coastal morphodynamics of Subarnarekha estuary using integrated cartographic and field techniques.
Author: Sabyasachi Maiti
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 104(no.12),pp 1709-14.
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Cartographic techniques, coastal morphodynamics, chenier complex, geomorphological hierarchy.
Abstract: Cartographic techniques are frequently applied for coastal mapping, but their application for the study of coastal morphodynamics is unpopular, as they only give limited parameters like plan-view, geometry, area-length measurement and lithology. On the other hand, detailed study of morphodynamics requires extra information like depthwise variation in lithology and absollute dating. Since both these technisques are expensive, cartographic techniques can be cost effective supplementary, In the present study, mophodynamic history of the Subarnarekha estuary from 7000 years BP has been interpreted applying data form cartographic techniques along with shallow wells, C-dating and literature survey. Geomorphologic features of the coastal plain (first order); beach ridge complex, chenier complexes (second orde);cheniers (third order); and simplest ridge, spit, washover beach (fourth order). Following this field invesstigated geological history of river dynamics (both Ganges and Subarnarekha) and sea-level changes identified by earlier researchers were merged with cartographically observed features. The studied ridge chronology provides six sequences of chenier complex development agewise, whereas geometry of spit complexes suggest chronological conversion of Subarnarekha estuary from initial wave-dominated to tide-dominated flow.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58634
Title: Satellite images for extraction of flood disaster footprints and assessing the disaster impact: Bhramaputra floods of June-Jully 2012 , Assam, India.
Author: C M Bhatt, G Srinivasa Rao, Asiya Begum, P Manjusree, S V S P Sharma, L Prasanna, V Bhanumurthy.
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 104(no.12), pp. 1692-1700
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Disaster footprints, floods, GIS, inundation, population, remote sensing.
Abstract: Satellite images provide information on the flood disaster footprints, which is essential for assessing the disaster impact and taking up flood mitigation activities. The Bhramaputra floods that occurred during June-July 2012 devastated a large part of Assam. This article discusses the maximum spatial extent, villages marooned and population affected, with the aid of multi-temporal satellite images coupled with the hydrological observations and freely available gridded population data. The study shows that about 4.65 lakh ha area was submerged. 23 of the 27 districts in Assam had more than 5% of the total geographical area submerged, about 3829 vilages marooned and 23.08 lakh people were affected. Identification of the spatial extent of areas most vulnerable to flooding, captured from the satellite images acquired during the peak flood period will be helpful for prioritizing appropraite flood control measures in the flood-affected regions.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58633
Title: Engineering challenges in the Megha-Tropiques satellite
Author: G Raju
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 104(no.12), pp. 1662-70
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Flip mode, IRS platform, MADRAS, Moon calibration, TRMM.
Abstract: Megha-Tropiques is an Indo-French satellite mission for climate research and applications in tropical regions. It is built using ISRO ' s IRS platform and four high technology payloads: MADRAS, SAPHIR, SCARAB and ROSA, MADRAS is a joint development; CNES provided SAPHIR and SCARAB; ROSA is procured by ISRO, Realization of the satellite was a challenging task for inclined orbit operations, with complex features such as: three mechanically scanning payloads; two payload deployments; large rotating mass (MADRAS); mission-critical power and signal-transfer device. Megha-Tropiques was launched on 12 October 2011 by ISRO ' s PSLV into a 20 inclined orbit for high observation frequency. It is controlled by ISRO ' s ISTRAC ground station. Science data is recieved at ISTRAC and CNES-stations at Kourou and Hartebeeshoek.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58632
Title: V Sathiyamoorthy, Bipasha Paul Shukla, Rajesh Sikhakolli, Sasmita Chaurasia, Baby Simon, B S Gohil, P K Pal.
Author: Top of atmosphere flux from the Megha-Tropiques ScaRaB
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 104(no.12), pp. 1656-61
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Atmosphere, computation algorithm, Megha-Tropiques mission, ScaRaB instrument.
Abstract: One of the important payloads on-board the joint Indo-French Megha-Tropiques satellite is the Scanner fo Radiation Budget (ScaRaB). It is dedicated for monitoring the Earth Radiation Budget (ERB) parameters at Top of Atmosphere (TOA). In this article, the details of the algorithm used for computing two important ERB components, namely TOA reflected shortwave and emitted longwave fluxes from ScaRaB radiance measurements are presented along with preliminary cross-satellite validation results.
The ScaRaB flux computation algorithm is similar to one used in the ERB Experiment. The maximum likelihood estimation alsorithm is used for identification of different Earth scenes and cloud types. First, the raw radiances are corrected for spectral filtering effects followed by implementation of scene-type dependent angular correction to deduce shortwave and longwave fluxes. The instantaneous TOA flux data derived from ScaRaB radiance measurements are compared with similar data available from Clouds and Earth ' s Radiant Energy System (CERES) on-board Aqua and Terra satellites suggests that the ScaRaB data are in good agreement with the CERES data. The bias-corrected root mean square difference in ScaRaB longwave flux is 4.7 and 5.3 Wm with more than one-year of CERES data is already initiated. Results from the preliminary comparison exercise suggest that the ScaRaB data can be used with confidence for ERB studies.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58631
Title: Humidity profile retrieval from SAPHIR on-board the Megha-Tropiques
Author: A K Mathur, R K Gangwar, B S Gohil, Sanjib K Deb, Prashanth Kumar, Munn V Shukla, B SImon, P K Pal.
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 104(no.12), pp. 1650-55
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Atmospheric layers, humidity sounder, radio-sonde observations, relative humidity.
Abstract: The Megha-Tropiques (MT) satellite, a joint Indo-French mission, was launched by ISRO ' s PSLV-C18 on 12 October 2011 from Shriharikota, India. SAPHIR, a microwave humidity sounder on-board Megha-Tropiques operates in six channels with frequencies around 182.31 Ghz. A radiative transfer simulation-based operational algorithm has been developed to retrieve layer-averaged relative humidity (LARH) for six atmospheric layers from the surface to nearly 12km using SAPHIR observations over land and ocean under non-rainy conditions. SAPHIR-derived LARH for the period of July to November 2012 has been validated with concurrent quality controlled radiosonde observation as well as with ECMWF analysis data. Global validation with radiosonde and ECMWF data shows that root mean square deviation in LARH for all the six layers is nearly 20% and 15% respectively, after bias correction.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58630
Title: MT-MADRAS birghtness temperature analysis for terrain characterization and land surface microwave emissivity estimation.
Author: C Suresh Raju, Tinu Anthony, Nizy Mathew, K N Uma, K Krishna Moorthy.
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 104(no.12), pp. 1643-49
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Land-Surface microwave emmisivity, MADRAS Payload, Megha-Tropiques mission, Microwave radiometry.
Abstract: This article reveals the potential of the ' MADRAS ' payload on-board the Megha-Tropiques satellite for land surface studies. The analysis has been divided into two parts as application of MADRAS data for studying the land surface properties and estimation of microwave emissivity directly from MADRAS brightness temperature (TB) data by applying an in-house developed Microwave Radiative Transfer Computation Code. The derived emissivity is further used to characterize the microwave emissivity of the different land surface classes. The polarization difference (PD) parameters, the difference between horizontal (H-) and vertical (V-) polarisation of TBs at 18 and 36 Ghz clearly discern surface features of different surface classe such as desserts, arid/semi-arid and vegetated regions. Land surface microwave emissivity for MADRAS channels is derived on a global basis. These are inter-compared with the emissivity derived from the operational TRMM Microwave Imager and are in reasonably good agreement. The analysis based on emissivity shows spectral variation for different surface classes.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58629
Title: Validation of humidity profiles obtained from SAPHIR, on-board Megha-Tropiques
Author: T Narayan Rao, K Sunil Kumar, A Jayaraman.
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 104(no.12), pp. 1635-42
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Humidity profiles, radiosonde, RH bias, rms error.
Abstract: The Megha-Tropiques, an Indo French mission, with four on-board payloads was launched in October 2011 to improve our understanding on hydrological cycle and radiation budget. The SAPHIR (Sondeur Atmospherique du Profil d ' Humidite Intertropicale par Radiometric ), a sounder for profiling humidity, is a key payload and expected to play a major role in fulfilling the mission objectives. The present focuses on the evaluation of SAPHIR-derived humidity profiles against a variety of reference datasets, like measurements from GPS radiosondes and ground-based microwave radiometer, reanalysis datasets and satellite retrievals. The data collected during Jully-November 2012 were employed to validate humidity profiles. A variety of colocations (matcing the sampling volumes of radiosonde and SAPHIR) were employed for the validation against radiosondes, launched from Gadanki. The bias (SAPHIR-derived RH-reference RH) and the rms error are found to be small for near-nadir. Further, the bias shows a clear height dependence with positive (negative) bias dominating in the lowest (uppermost ) layers. The bias and rms errors are small (within 15%) in the middle layers, altitudes at which the sensitivity of SAPHIR channels is high. The comparisons with ECMWF in-terim reanalysis (ERA) and advanced infrared sounder(AIRS) data, used to extend the evaluation of SAPHIR data to entire tropics, reveal strikingly similar spatial and vertical structure in RH bias. The vertical structure of RH bias is somewhat similar to that obtained with the radiosonde. Large biases are seen in the regions adjacent to South America and Africa in the latitude band of 20-30S and large negative bias is seen along the Intertropical Convergence Zone. Possible reasons for such large biases in those regions are discussed.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58628
Title: Retrieval of vertical rainfall structure from the MADRAS imager data of the Megha-Tropiques satellite.
Author: C Balaji, K Srinivasa Ramanujam.
Editor: P. Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 104(no.12), pp. 1627-34
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Geophysical retrievals, inverse problems, Megha-Tropiques, Passive microwave remote sensing.
Abstract: A physically based algorithm for the retrieval of the vertical cloud and rain structure from the MADRAS imager data of Megha-Tropiques is developed. A community developed meso-scale numerical weather simulation software, WRF, has been used for simulation of thermodynamic, cloud and rain profiles for a cyclone case. The WRF simulated profiles in conjunction wiht two of the rain-measuring instruments on-board the TRMM satellite, the TMI and the TRMM PR, are used as the priiori cloud and rain profiles database. These profiles were input to an in-house radiative transfer code. Brightness temperature at MADRAS imager frequencies were simulated to complete the generation of a priori database. Brightness temperatures were also simulated for TMI channels for comparison, wherever possible.
Sample MADRAS data were downloaded and retrievals were performed for the MADRAS channels. The retrieved wind speed, column-integrated liquid water and surface rain rate were compared against the Level 2 data of Megha-Tropiques mission. A comparison on daily averaged rain rate with TMI retrievals was also made. The results show that the retrieval algorithm is robust and able to retrieve the vertical cloud and rain structure even in the absence of a radar on-board the Megha-Tropiques.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None