Enter records

ID: 60885
Title: Control and Operation of Main grid with Renewable Energy based Distributed Generators.
Author: C S Indulkar
Editor: Mahadevan Iyer
Year: 2015
Publisher: Mahadevan Iyer
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Energy Efficiency, vol.55 (2), 40-47 (2015)
Subject: Electrical India.
Keywords: Control & Operation, grid, Renewable Energy, Distributed Generators.
Abstract: This article describes the principles of microgrid design, considering the operational concepts and requirements arising from participation in active network management. The article gives a comprehensive review of microgrids, including advanced control techniques, energy storage systems, and market participation in both island and grid connected operation.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 60884
Title: Enabling Smarter Grid (Automation through Standardization)
Author: Balakrishna P & Swarup KS
Editor: Mahadevan Iyer
Year: 2015
Publisher: Mahadevan Iyer
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Energy Efficiency, vol.55 (2), 32-38 (2015)
Subject: Electrical India.
Keywords: Enabling, Smarter, Grid.
Abstract: Power grid is a combination of various network elements and electrical components used to generate transmit, distribute and supply power to end users of electricity .Complexity of power system has been growing tremendously over the last few decades, facing new challenges and targets during its operation. In order to overcome some of these major challenges, there is a definite need of automation which helps automatically operating & controlling the power system under various situations of operating grid in day-day scenarios. The new era of smart grid in the 21st century has made automation and standardization really a need to operate grid under the dynamics of rapid load changes, making the system more time sensitive towards faults and failure modes .This research article presents analysis & overview on emerging technology and standards over past few years for smart grid automation, from generation to utilization making Indian power grids to operate in efficient manner and resilient to failure modes.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 60883
Title: Optimal Placement Techniques for Distributed Generation.
Author: P. Pavani and Dr. S N Singh.
Editor: Mahadevan Iyer
Year: 2015
Publisher: Mahadevan Iyer
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Energy Efficiency, vol.55 (2), 22-30 (2015)
Subject: Electrical India.
Keywords: Optimal, Placement, Technique, Distributed, Generation.
Abstract: Electrical power is transmitted through the transmission systems from the central generating stations to the end users using a series of distribution transformers and lines. From around 1990, there has been a growing interest in connecting generations directly to the distribution system, known as Distributed Generation (DG) of Distributed Energy Resources (DER). In some countries, a strict definition of distributed generation is made, based either on the rating of the plant or on the voltage level to which it is connected to the grid. However, these definitions usually follow technical documents.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 60882
Title: Probable source of rocks for millstones and cannon balls of Goa, India.
Author: Abhijit S. Ambekar, D.N. Sridhar, S.K.Ray, T. Bhattacharyya, S.G. Anantwar, V.T. Sahu and M.S. Gaikwad.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (2) 273-282 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Cannon balls, gunpowder, millstones, rock source.
Abstract: The Europeans started to come to India at the beginning of the 16th century for trade. The Portuguese were the first group of Europeans to reach the southwestern coast of India in 1498 and establish their colonies. They were also the last group of the Europeans to leave the Indian territory after ruling a part of the country for about 450 years. With their arrival, new technology and warfare tactics were introduced in the region. Associated with their artillery, preparation of gunpowder as a new technology was introduced in Goa. Gigantic sized millstones were used for the production of gunpowder in Casa de Polvora, Panelim, Goa. In 2007, when real estate developers commenced their construction work at Casa de Polvora, the archaeological Survey of India salvaged the endangered millstones from Panelim. The aim of the present communication is to analyse the samples and to find out whether the stone used was quarried from Dharavi (Uttan; which was a part of Bassein territory of the Portuguese) from where the Portuguese acquired stones on a large scale for the decoration of churches in Goa. To achieve this, archaeological, petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical studies have been carried out on samples of millstones and the quarried site at Dharavi (Uttan). In addition sample was also collected from cannon ball found at Arsenal (Old Goa) to find out whether stone from Dharavi (Uttan) was used. The analytical results suggest that the millstones are made of limestone, the Dharavi (Uttan) stone is more siliceous-and the cannon balls are made from basalt.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Saldanha, Gabriel de: Historia de Goa, Vol.II, Reprinted, Asian Educational Services, New Delhi, 1990, 2nd edn, 1926. Abhijit, A.S., Pande, R. and Garge, T., The Cannons of Goa, their History, Locations and Styles, Broadway Publishing House, Panaji, 2010.
Literature cited 2: Kloguen Denis L. Cottineau De, An Historical Sketch of Goa, the Metropolis of the Portuguese Settlements in India, Asian Educational Services, New Delhi and Madras (1831), 1988. Nicolau, Fonseca da Jose, An Historical and Archaeological Sketch of the City of Goa, Asian Educational Services, New Delhi, 1986 (first published 1878).

ID: 60881
Title: Prevalence of Wheat dwarf India virus in wheat in India.
Author: Jitendra Kumar, Jitesh Kumar, Shashank Singh, Vishnu Shukla, Sudhir P.Singh and Rakesh Tuli
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (2) 260-265 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Alphasatellite, atypical mastervirus, betasatellite, symptom severity.
Abstract: Wheat dwarf India virus (WDIV) is the first mastrevirus reported to have subgenomic molecules called satellites. To establish association of the satellites with WDIV across a variety of ecoclimatic conditions, a countrywide survey was carried out. WDIV and its associated satellites (alphasatellite and betasatellite) were identified in plant samples collected from each of the 14 field locations surveyed in the study. Though there were location-and variety-related differences in disease scale, most of the infected wheat cultivars in fields across the country carried both the satellites. The wide occurrence of WDIV disease complex in India suggests the need to assess how the spread of WDIV and its satellites can be limited in wheat fields.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Kumar, J., Singh, S.P., Kumar, J. and Tuli, R., A novel mastrevirus infecting wheat in India.Arch.Virol., 2012, 157, 2031-2034. Kumar, J., Kumar, J., Singh, S.P. and Tuli, R., Association of satellites with a mastrevirus in natural infection: complexity of Wheat dwarf India virus disease.J.Virol., 2014, 88, 7093-7104.
Literature cited 2: Kumar, J., Kumar, J., Singh, S.P. and Tuli, R., ?CI is a pathogenicity determinant: not only for begomoviruses but also for a Mastrevirus.Arch.Virol., 2014,159, 3071-3076. Tobias, I.et al. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of wheat dwarf virus (WDV) isolates from Hungary and Ukraine. Pol.J. Microbiol., 2011, 60, 125-131.

ID: 60880
Title: Nitrogen uptake rates and f-ratios in the Equatorial and Southern Indian Ocean.
Author: Satya Prakash, R. Ramesh, M.S. Sheshshayee, Rahul Mohan and M.Sudhakar.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (2) 239-245 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Carbon sequestration, f-ratio, nitrogen-uptake, primary productivity, Southern Ocean.
Abstract: We report data on nitrate, ammonium and urea uptake rates from the Equatorial and Southern Indian Oceans. Productivity (0.81-2.23 mmol N m-2 d-1) over the Equatorial Indian Ocean was low, but the f-ratio (0.13-0.45) was relatively high. In the Southern Indian Ocean total N-uptake rate varied from 1.7 to 12.3 mmol Nm-2 d-1; it was higher in the Antarctic coast (69?S) and lower over most of the Southern Ocean, the lowest being at 58? S. The f-ratio also showed significant spatial variation, but was higher compared to values at the Equatorial Indian Ocean. The mean f-ratio in the Southern Indian Ocean was 0.50. The nitrate-specific uptake rates and f-ratios appear to have increased significantly in the recent past relative to earlier estimates. While productivity in the Southern Ocean is comparable to that in the Equatorial Indian Ocean, higher f-ratios in the former underscore its importance in the uptake of CO2.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Prakash, S.and Ramesh, R., Is the Arabian Sea getting more productive? Curr.Sci, 2007, 92 (5), 667-671. Kumar, S., Ramesh, R., Dwivedi, R.M., Raman, M., Sheshshayee, M.S.and DeSouza, W., Nitrogen uptake in the northeastern Arabian Sea during winter cooling.Inter.J. Oceanogr., 2010, 1-11; doi: 10.1155/2010/819029.
Literature cited 2: Singh, A., Jani, Ramesh, R., Spatiotmporal variation in the ?18 O-salinity relation in the northern Indian Ocean. Deep Sea Res. I, 2010, 57, 1422-1431. Gandhi, N., Ramesh, R., Srivastava, RT., Sheshshayee, M.S., Dwivedi, R.M. and Raman, M., Nitrogen uptake rates during spring in the NE Arabian Sea.InterOceanogr., 2010, 1-10; doi: 10.1155/2010/127493.

ID: 60879
Title: Sources and fate of organic matter in suspended and bottom sediments of the Mandovi and Zuari estuaries, western India.
Author: R.Shynu, V. Purnachandra Rao, V.V.S.S.Sarma, Pratima M. Kessarkarand R. Mani Murali.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (2) 226-238 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Carbon and nitrogen isotopes, estuaries, sediments, suspended particles.
Abstract: Organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN) and stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions were measured in suspended particulate matter (SPM) and surface sediment along estuaries of Mandovi and Zuari rivers, two small mountainous river systems in western India during wet and dry seasons, to characterize the sources of organic matter (OM) in these systems. Unlike major rivers, SPM concentrations increase seaward with a general trend of decreasing particulate organic carbon (POC) in these rivers, mostly due to the presence of estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) located downstream of the estuaries. POC and particulate nitrogen (PN) were higher in the Mandovi than in the zuari estuary. Except during wet season in the Mandovi, POC/PN and ?15 N were altered by biogeochemical processes in both the estuaries and are not indicators of source organic matter.PN/POC and ?13Corg indicated the dominance of terrestrial plant-derived OM and terrestrial soil-derived OM respectively, in the Mandovi and Zauri estuaries during wet season. The ?13Corg versus salinity plot indicated increasing proportions of marine OM seaward in both estuaries during dry season. OC and TN in the sediments of both estuaries were much lower than in the overlying suspended matter. The mean ?13Corg in the sediment and SPM were similar in both the seasons in Mandovi and only during wet season in Zuari estuary. Uniform mean values of ?13Corg in the lower estuary and bay of Zuari indicated efficient mixing of sediments during wet season. Sediments with relatively high ?13Corg and low ?15N in the upper estuary of Zuari were related to anthropogenic contamination by sewage effluents during dry season. It is estimated that each river contributed at least ~20 % terrestrial organic carbon (TOC) to the coastal system during wet season and received similar quantity of TOC during dry season. Since there are more than 10, 000 small rivers originating from monsoon-dominated and/or mountainous regions globally, it must be appreciated that their total TOC contribution to the coastal system must be substantial.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Depetris, P.J., Riverine transfer of particulate matter to ocean systems. In Particle Flux in the Ocean (eds Ittekkot, V et al), SCOPE (Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment), John Wiley, 1996, pp. 53-68. Milliman, J.D.and Meade, R.H., World-wide delivery of river sediments to the oceans.J.Geol., 1983, 91, 1-21.
Literature cited 2: Degens, E.T., Kempe, S. and Richey, J.E., Summary: Biogeochemistry of major world rivers. In Biogeochemistry of Major World Rivers (eds Degens, E.T. et al), SCOPE (Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment), 42, Wiley, Chichester, 1991, pp. 323-347. Ittekot, V.and Laane, R.W.P.M., Fate of riverine particulate organic matter. In Biogeochemistry of Major World Rivers (eds Degens, E.T. et al). SCOPE (Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment) 42, Wiley, Chichester, 1991, pp. 233-243.

ID: 60878
Title: Fertile farmlands in Cauvery delta: evolution through LGM.
Author: Pramod Singh, M.G. Yadava, Malik Z.Ahmad, P.P.Mohapatra, A.H.Laskar, S.Doradla, J.Saravanavel and C.J. Kumanan.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (2) 218-225 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Cauvery, delta, farmlands, Holocene evolution, sea-level change.
Abstract: The Cauvery delta encompasses legendary farmlands for at least over the last ~2300 years BP that had supported the growth of the famous Chola and Pandya kingdoms. The chrono-stratigraphic study from six sediment cores taken from the Cauvery basin indicates Holocene evolution of the present delta in response to the past sea-level changes. It is found that at the time of lower sea level during the Last Glacial Maximum, older sediments from the present delta plain were removed and extent of removal in different parts was observed to have been controlled by the variation in shelf morphology. Subsequent sea level rise during the deglaciation after the Last Glacial Maximum, led to filling of the incised valleys with the younger sediments of the Holocene. Nilgiri-Kodaikanal-Palani-Biligirirangan hills granulites and Brahmagiri regions constitute the upper catchment. Geochemistry of the sediments indicates presence of plagioclase and dominance of 2: 1 clay, suggesting weathering-limited provenance of southern granulite- type rocks, the source of which is perhaps the high relief and tectonically more active Nilgiri-Kodaikanal-Palani-Biligirirangan hills mountain region rather than the Brahmagiri region. A continuous deposition since the beginning of the Holocene has resulted in the formation of fertile farmlands in the Cauvery delta region.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Rao, S.R., Marine archaeological exploration off Tranquebar-Poompuhar region on Tamil Nadu Coast.J.Mar.Archaeol., 1991, 2, 12-16. Rao, T.C.S. and Mohana Rao, K., Marine archaeological surveys off Tranquebar, Tamil Nadu coast-preliminary results. In Recent Advances in Marine Archaeology (ed.Rao, S.R.), Society for Marine Archaeology, NIO, Goa, 1990, pp. 127-134.
Literature cited 2: Pattanaik, J.K., Balakrishnan, S., Bhutani, R. and Singh, P., Chemical and Sr isotopic composition of Kaveri, Plar and Ponnaiyar rivers: significance to weathering of granulites and granitic gneisses of southern Peninsular India.Curr.Sci., 2007, 93 (4), 523-531. Abraham, S.A., Chera, Chola, Pandya: using archaeological evidence to identify the Tamil kingdoms of early historic South India. Asian Perspect, 2003, 42 (2), 207-223.

ID: 60877
Title: Biomarker signatures of Early Cretaceous coals of Kutch Basin, western India.
Author: Swagata Paul and Suryendu Dutta.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (2) 211-217 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Araucariaceae, coal, conifers, diterpenoids, Early Cretaceous.
Abstract: The unique position of the Indian plate during the Late Mesozoic draws our attention to study the palaeofloral community from the Early Cretaceous coals of the Kutch Basin using organic geochemical proxies. The biomarkers were studied by GC-MS technique to reveal the botanical source of organic matter. The Rock-Eval pyrolysis data show that samples are thermally immature and organic matter is a mixture of type-II and type-III kerogen. Saturated hydrocarbons are characterized by nC14 to n35 alkanes with odd over even preference (carbon preference index 1.4 to 3). The pristine /phytane ratios ranging from 0.8 to 2.9 indicate suboxic depositional environment. The occurrence of sesquiterpenoids and diterpenoids depicts that the organic matter was derived from conifers. The predominance of abietane/pimarane class diterpenoids and presence of phyllocladane suggest that Araucariaceae and Podocarpaceae-dominated conifer vegetation served as the source material for the formation of these Early Cretaceous coal beds of the Kutch Basin.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Scotese, C.R., Gahagan, L.M. and Larson, R.L., Plate tectonic reconstructions of the Cretaceous and Cenozoic ocean basins. Tectonophysics, 1988, 155, 27-48. Briggs, J.C., The biogeographic and tectonic history of India. J. Biogeogr., 2003, 30, 381-388.
Literature cited 2: Romero-Sarmiento, M.-f., Riboulleau, A., Vecoli, M. and Versteegh, G.J.-M., Aliphatic and aromatic biomarkers from Gondawana sediments of Late Ordovician to early Devonian age: an early terrestrilization approach.Org.Geochem, 2011, 42, 605-617. Dutta, S., Saxena, R. and Singh, H., Exceptional preservation of angiosperm markers in Miocene and Eocene ambers. Geology, 2014, 42, 155-159.

ID: 60876
Title: Global biodiversity hotspots in India: Significant yet under studied
Author: V.S. Chitale, M.D. Behera, P.S. Roy.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (2) 149-149 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Global, biodiversity, hotspots, India
Abstract: In the year 2000, Myers et al. demarcated 25 global biodiversity hotspots in the world for the first time, to which in 2009 were added another 9 hotspots based on criteria of exceptional concentration of endemic plants and higher degree of anthropogenic pressure. India accommodates part of four global biodiversity hotspots-the Himalaya, the Western Ghats, Indo-Burma and Sundaland, which are facing challenges due to anthropogenic disturbance and climate change. Nonetheless, there is no comprehensive study on these biodiversity hotspots, which reports the current status of vegetation cover, plant species richness and these hotspots.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 60875
Title: Estimate of primate density using distance sampling in the evergreen forests of the central Western Ghats, India.
Author: Gajjala Bapureddy, Kumar Santosh, Samidurai Jayakumar and Honnavalli Nagaraj Kumara.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (1) 118-122 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Density estimate, distance sampling, ever-green forests, line transects, primates.
Abstract: Although the evergreen forests of the Western Ghats harbor seven species of primates, estimate of their density is not available for most of the area. The Aghanashini Lion-tailed Macaque Conservation Reserve in central Western Ghats, a newly notified protected area in Karnataka, harbours lion-tailed macaque Macaca silensus, bonnet macaque Macaca radiata and Southern plains gray langur Semnopithecus dussumieri. We estimated their densities using line transect method. The estimate of cluster density for lion-tailed macaque, bonnet macaque and southern plains gray langur was 1.62, 4.28 and 10.67 groups/sq.km respectively, with the individual ' s density of 14.95, 12.40 and 25.06 individuals/sq.km respectively. The conservation importance of the present findings is also discussed.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Pascal, J.P., Wet Evergreen Forests of the Western Ghats of India, Institute Francaise Pondicherry, Puducherry, India, 1988. Ramesh, B.R., Patterns of Vegetation, biodiversity and endemism n the Western Ghats.Mem.Geol.Soc.India, 2001, 47, 973-981.
Literature cited 2: Cincotta, R.P., Wi Snewski, J. and Engelman, R., Human population in the biodiversity hotspots. Nature, 2000, 404, 990-992. Kumara, H.N. and Singh, M., Distribution, status and conservation of primates of the Western Ghats, 2011; http://www.westernghatsindia.org.

ID: 60874
Title: Flowering and fruiting phenology of some herbs, shrubs and undershrubs from Girnar Reserve Forest, Gujarat, India.
Author: R.N. Nakar and B.A. Jadeja.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (1) 111-118 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Flowering, fruiting, Girnar Reserve Forest, herbs, Phenology, shrubs.
Abstract: The present study was carried out on 26 species of 13 different botanical families in Girnar Reserve Forest near Junagadh, Gujarat, India, for their reproductive phenological events, viz. flowering and fruiting August 2011. Flowering and fruiting phenology varied significantly (P < 0.01).Mean values of percentage of species in flowering by August; the highest peak in September followed by August; the highest peak for fruiting (83.3%) was observed in December followed by January (57.7 %). Sida cordifolia L. showed highest pooled average of 179 days for flowering. However, Vernonia anthelmintica L. pooled the lowest average of 33.3 flowering days. Highest and lowest pooled average number of fruiting days were recorded for Cassia auriculata L. and Cassia occidentalis Linn. With 279.7 and 35.7 days/year respectively. On the basis of flowering, three species were identified with long flowering duration whereas six species were identified with short flowering duration. In the case of fruiting, five and two species were screened for long fruiting duration and short fruiting duration respectively. Average deviation in flowering among all species was ? 15.5 days from the first to second year of study; however, this was ? 15.4 days for the second to third year, resulting in overall 16.4 days of deviation for the entire study period. In the case of fruiting, the deviation was ? 20.7 and ? 17.3 days respectively, from the first to second year and second to third year, whereas the pooled deviation was 19 days in fruiting.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Bhat, D.M. and Murali K.S., Phenology of understorey species of tropical moist forest of Western Ghats region of Uttara Kannada district in South India.Curr.Sci., 2001, 81, 799-805. Joshi, V.C. and Janardanam, M.K., The diversity of life-form type, habitat preference and phenology of the endemics in Goa region of the Western Ghats, India.J.Biogeogr., 2004, 31 (8), 1227-1238.
Literature cited 2: Ramirez, N. and Briceno, M., Reproductive phenology of 233species from four herbaceous and shrubby communities in great savanna plateau of Venezuela. AOB Plants, 2011, 1-17; doi: 10.1093/aobpla/plr014. Naeem, S. and Wright, J.P., Disentangling biodiversity effects on ecosystem functioning: deriving solutions to a seemingly insurmountable problem.Ecol.Lett., 2003, 6, 567-579.

ID: 60873
Title: Phenological events along the elevation gradient and effect of climate change on Rhododendron arboreum Sm. in Kumaun Himalaya.
Author: Nandan Singh, Jeet Ram, Ashish Tewari and R.P. Yadav.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (1) 106-110 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Climate change, elevation gradient, phenology, Rhododendron arboreum.
Abstract: Phenological events of rhododendron (Rhododendron arboreum Sm) were monitored along elevation gradients in distinct ecological settings. The observations were carried out between 1500 and 2500 m elevation in Central Himalaya. The phenological events, i.e. bud formation, bud bursting, leafing, flowering, fruit formation and seed formation were recorded. Phenological duration and synchrony of all these phenophases were determined within site and along the elevation gradient in each study site. Our observations showed high synchrony throughout the elevation gradient, especially for peak flowering. Temperature, rainfall, age of the observed trees and site characteristics were related to initial and peak flowering dates. The circumference varied from 35.0 ? 2.73 to 140.0 ? 2.88 cm; similarly, height varied from 5.0 ? 1.02 to 16.5 ? 1.41 m. All the phenological events began early at low elevation and were delayed at higher elevation. R.arboreum had a sharp flowering was rare, and seed formation occurred in summer. The climatic conditions affected the phonological characters of R. Arboreum.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Tbornthwafte, C.W., Climate in relation to planting and irrigation of vegetable crops. In Proceedings of VIII General Assembly-XVII Congress International Geographical Union, Washington, DC, 1952, pp. 290-295. Frankie, G. W., Baker, H. G.and Opler,A.P., Comparative phenological studies of trees in tropical wetland dry forests in the low lands of Costa Rica.J.Ecol., 1974, 62, 881-919
Literature cited 2: Opler, P.A., Frankie, G.W. and Baker, H.G., Comparative phenological studies of treelet and shrub species in tropical wet and dry forests in the lowlands of Costa Rica. J. Ecol., 1980, 68, 1167-1188. Murali, K.S. and Sukumar, R., Reproductive phenology of a tropical dry forest in Mudumalai, Southern India.J.Ecol., 1994, 82, 759-767.

ID: 60872
Title: Post-disaster assessment of impact of cyclone Lehar in South Andaman Island
Author: E.Yuvaraj, K. Dharaniranjan, Saravanan and G.Narshimulu.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (1) 85-90 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Cyclones, impact assessment, post-disaster planning, spatial technologies.
Abstract: Disasters are the events which devastate human lives, properties and natural ecosystems; cyclones are frequent events in tropical countries which have adverse impacts on coastal areas. The present study evaluates the impact of cyclone Lehar post-disaster in the South Andaman Island using geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing techniques. Cyclone Lehar originated in the Andaman Island. Digital elevation model was used create elevation and slope maps of the study area. These maps were used to study the impacts of floods, landslides, storm surges and run-off. Land-use and land-cover features were mapped and overlaid with this model for preparing the vulnerability map for various outcomes of the cyclone. Preliminary impact assessments were made in these identified vulnerable areas and also throughout the study area. Finally the results were interpreted with vulnerability map prepared using the GIS technique which shows that most of the affected areas are correlated with the vulnerability map. Cyclone Lehar had adverse impacts on natural ecosystems such as forests, mangroves and sandy beaches. It also damaged manmade features such as settlements, infrastructure, agricultural fields and plantations. This study proves spatial technologies are the indispensible tools for post-disaster planning and impact assessment.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Azaz, L.K., Using remote sensing and GIS for damage assessment after flooding; the case of Muscat, Oman after Gonu tropical cyclone 2007: urban planning perspective. In Proceedings of REAL CORP, Tagungsband, 2010. Lou, W., Chen, H., Shen, X., Sun, K. and Deng, S., Fine assessment of tropical cyclone disasters based on GIS and SVM in Zhejiang Province, China.Nat.Hazards, 2012, 64, 511-529.
Literature cited 2: Knutson, T.R. et al., Tropical cyclones and climate change.Nature Geosci., 2010, 3, 157-163. Webster, P. J., Holland, G.J., Curry, JA. and Chang. H.R., Changes in tropical cyclone number, duration, and intensity in a warming environment. Science, 2005, 309, 1844-1846.

ID: 60871
Title: Oxyhalide disinfection by-products in packaged drinking water and their associated risk
Author: I.V.Saradhi, S.Sharma, P.Prathibha and G.G. Pandit.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 108 (1) 80-84 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Bromate, Chromatography, disinfection by-products, packaged drinking water, water treatment.
Abstract: Disinfection by-products (DBPs) are formed during treatment of water for drinking purposes. Among these oxyhalide DPB, viz.bromate, chlorate and chlorite are potentially harmful to humans. In the present study packaged drinking water samples of various commercial brands, available in Mumbai, were analysed for bromide, bromate, chlorite and chlorate in packaged drinking water were 28.4, 10.7, 7.1 and 20.8 ?g/l respectively. Bromate in 27 % samples was found to be higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline value of 10 ?g/l, where as chlorite and chlorate levels were well within the guideline value recommended by WHO.A good correlation between bromide and bromate (r = 0.85) indicated formation of bromate from bromide present in drinking water. Health risks (carcinogenic risk hazard quotient) associated with ingestion of bromate, chlorite and chlorate present in packaged drinking water are presented and discussed.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: World Health Organization, Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality, WHO, Geneva, 2011, 4th edn. Couri, D., Abdel-Rahman, M.S. and Bull, R.J., Toxicological effects of chlorine dioxide, chlorite and chlorate. Environ. Health Perspect., 1982, 46, 13-17.
Literature cited 2: Bureau of Indian Standards, Manual for packaged drinking water. Doc.No. SM/IS 14543/01, 2005. Macaladay, D.L., Carpenter, J.H.and Moore, C.A., Sunlight induced bromate formation in chlorinated seawater.Sciences, 1977, 195, 1335-1337.