Enter records

ID: 59700
Title: Imprint of cyclone Phailin on water quality of Chilika lagoon.
Author: Subhashree Sahoo, S.K. Balliarsingh, Aneesh A. Lotliker, K.C.Sahu.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (9) 1380-1381 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Imprint of cyclone, Phailin, water quality, Chilika lagoon.
Abstract: The very severe cyclonic storm Phailin, a category-5 hurricane, was developed over the north of Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 9 October 2013. Subsequently, it propagated towards north-northwest and made landfall at the Gopalpur coast, Odisha on 12 October. Chilika lagoon, the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia, is in close proximity to Gopalpur. This lagoon on the east coast of India lies between 19 ? 28`- 19 ? 54` N and long. 85 ?05`-85 ?38` E. The lagoon spreads over three districts of Odisha, namely Puri, Khordha and Ganjam. It is well recognized for its wide array of flora and fauna. The water spread area varies between 1020 and 704 sq.km during monsoon and summer respectively. Large areas of these coastal districts were inundated due to storm surge up to 3.5 m during Phailin.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Lotliker, A.A., Srinivasakumar, T., Reddem, V.S. and Nayak, S., Curr. Sci., 2014, 106 (3), 360-361. Gupta, G.V.M., Sarma, V.V.S.S., Robin, R.S., Raman A.V., Kumar, M.J., Rakesh, M. and Subramanian, B.R., Biogeochemistry, 2008, 87, 265-285.
Literature cited 2: Officer, C.B. and Ryther, J.H., Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 1980, 3, 83-91 Ketchum, B.H., Rapp. P.V. Reun. Cons: Int. Explor. Mer., 1962, 153, 142-147.

ID: 59699
Title: A case of polymer photovoltaics in India
Author: R.P. Singh.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (9) 1377-1379 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Polymer, photovoltaics, India
Abstract: Polymer solar cells are light weight, flexible and inexpensive. There has been great progress in three important aspects of polymer solar cells in the last decade, i.e. efficiency, stability and processing. The efficiencies of single-junction solar cells have been improved by stacking two or more complementary single cells in the form of tandem cells. There has been tremendous progress in roll-to-roll processing of single and tandem cells resulting in the setting up 1 GW solar power parks in Denmark and south of Spain. India has an ambitious programme of setting up solar energy power houses up to 300 GW by 2030. However, subcritical research and development is taking place in the field of polymer solar cells in India. It is high time we decide to pursue intensive polymer photovoltaics in the country.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Bose, D.N., Curr. Sci., 2014, 107 (1), 20-21. Dou, L., You, J., Hong, Z., Xu, Z., Li, G., Street, R.A. and Yang, Y., Adv. Mater., 2013, 25, 6642-6671.
Literature cited 2: Darling, S.B. and You, F., RSC Adv., 2013, 3, 17633-17648. Tang, C.W., Appl. Phys. Lett., 1986, 48, 183-185.

ID: 59698
Title: Impact of rainfall variability on groundwater resources and opportunities of artificial recharge structure to reduce its exploitation in fresh groundwater zones of Haryana.
Author: Bhaskar Narjary, Satyendra Kumar, S.K.Kamra, D.S. Bundela and D.K. Sharma.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (8) 1305-1320 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Artificial groundwater recharge, Karnal, Mann-Kendall, rainfall.
Abstract: Climate change likely to impact rainfall patterns leading to higher uncertainty and difficulties in management of both water scarcity and flood events. Temporal trends of rainfall and its variability of Karnal district, representing fresh groundwater zones of Haryana, were analysed by non-parametric Mann-Kendall (MK) test and Sen ' s slope approaches. Analysis of long-term rainfall data (1972-2010) indicated that Karnal receives a mean annual rainfall of 757.6 mm with a high degree of variation (CV=34.3%). Categorization of monsoon rainfall based on long-period average (LPA) and its CV indicates that during the last decade (2001-2010) Karnal received deficit rainfall in 6 years (18-57 % lower than LPA), normal rainfall in 2 years and excess rainfall (9-70 % higher than LPA) also for 2 years. The rainfall and rainy days during the last decade (2000-2010) decreased by 13 % and 20 % respectively, over long term (1972-2010) averages. The MK and Sen ' s slope approach applied to pre-and post-monsoon ground-water levels indicated significant declining trend emphasizing the need to augment groundwater by artificial groundwater recharge (AGR) system. AGR through recharge wells installed by CSSRI at village Nabiabad in Karnal districts resulted in 2.32 m and 3.16 m rise in water table during 2009 and 2010 respectively. Installation of artificial groundwater recharge in low lying areas has proven highly effective in enhancing groundwater and improve its quality.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Christensen, J.H., Regional climate predictions. Climate Change 2007. The physical science basis. Contribution of Working Group 1 to the 4th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Solomon, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2007. Cruz, R.V., Asia. Climate Change 2007. Impacts, adaptation and Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2007.
Literature cited 2: Bhadwal, S., Coping with global change: vulnerability and adaptation in Indian agriculture. TERI Report. Venema, IG Printers, New Delhi, 2003. Mooley, D.A. and Parthasarathy, B., Fluctuations in All-India summer monsoon rainfall during 1871-1978. Clim.Change, 1984, 6, 287-301.

ID: 59697
Title: Carbon sequestration in agroforestry and pasture systems in arid northwestern India.
Author: Shamsudheen Mangalassery, Devi Dayal, S.L. Meena and Bhagirath Ram.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (8) 1290-1293 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Arid soils, carbon sequestration, grasses, Kachchh, silvipasture.
Abstract: Carbon sequestration has been suggested as a means to help mitigate the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. Silvipastrol systems can better sequester carbon in soil and biomass and help to improve soil conditions. In the present study, carbon sequestration was quantified both in biomass and soil in two pasture systems (Cenchrus ciliaris and Cenchrus setegerus), two tree systems (Acacia tortilis and Azadirachta indica) and four silvipastoral system (combination of one tree and on grass) in arid north-western India. The silvipastoral system sequestered 36.3% to 60.0 % more total soil organic stock compared to the tree system and 27.1-70.8% more in comparison to the pasture system. The soil organic carbon and net carbon sequestered were greater in the silvipastoral system. Thus, silvipastoral system involving trees and grasses can help in better sequestration of atmospheric system compared with systems containing only trees or pasture.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Ugalde, D., Brungs, A., Kaebernick, M., McGregor, A. and Slattey, B., Implications of climate change for tillage practice in Australia. Soil Till. Res., 2007, 97, 318-330. IPCC, Summary for policy makers. In climate Change 2007: The physical Science Basis Contribution of Working Group 1 to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (eds Solomon, S. et al ), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, N Y, USA, 2007, p. 996.
Literature cited 2: Smith, K.A., Ball, T., Conen, F., Dobbie, K.E., Massheder, J. and Rey, A., Exchange of greenhouse gases between soil and atmosphere: Interactions of soil physical factors and biological processes. Eur.J.Soil.Sci., 2003, 54, 779-791. Kimble, J.M., Lal, R. and Follet, R.F., Methods of assessing soil carbon pools. In Assessment Methods for Soil Carbon (eds Lal, R. et al.), Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, FL, pp. 3-12.

ID: 59696
Title: Classification of cereal proteins related to abiotic stress based on their physicochemical properties using support vector machine.
Author: Manju Mary Paul, Anil Rai and Sanjeev Kumar.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (8) 1283-1289 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Abiotic stress, cross-validation, physico-chemical properties, proteins, support vector machine.
Abstract: Abiotic stress factors severely limit plant growth and development as well as crop yield. There is a great need to develop understanding of plant physiological responses to abiotic stresses in order to improve crop productivity through crop improvement programmes. Proteins play a central role in plant adaptations under stress and hence their identification is important to the biologist. Identification of such proteins by wet lab experimentation is sometimes expensive and time-consuming. In such a situation, in silico approaches can be used to narrow down this search. In this study, classification of cereal proteins subjected to four different stresses, namely extreme temperature, drought, salt and abscisic acid (ABA) was undertaken. Classification models were built using support vector machine (SVM) to predict the function o proteins under these abiotic stresses on the basis of 34 physico-chemical features extracted from the protein sequence. Specific features of the protein sequence that are highly correlated with certain protein sequence that are highly correlated with certain protein functions were selected by stepwise logistic regression, a feature selection method. SVM was trained using different kernel functions and cross-validated using 10-fold cross-validatation technique. Prediction precision was assessed through different measures such as sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. The accuracy of protein function prediction using SVM with different kernel functions ranges from 60% to 100 %.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Mahajan, S. and Tuteja, N., Cold, salinity and drought stresses: an overview. Arch.Biochem.Biophys., 2005, 444 (2), 139-158. Skriver, K. and Mundy, J., The gene expression in response to abscisic acid and osmotic stress. Plant Cell, 1990, 2, 503-512.
Literature cited 2: Stone, P., The effects of heat stress on cereal yield and quality. In Crop Responses and Adaptations to Temperature Stress (ed. Basra, A.S.) Food Products Press, Binghamton, NY, 2001, pp. 243-291. Kosova, K., Vitamvas, P., Prasil, I.T. and Renaut, J., Plant proteome changes under abiotic stress-contribution of proteomics studies to understanding plant stress response. J. Preteomics, 2011, 74 (8), 1302-1322.

ID: 59695
Title: On non-monotonic variation of hydrodynamically focused width in a rectangular
Author: Siddhartha Tripathi, Pritish Chakravarty and Amit Agrawal
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (8) 1260-1274 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Aspect ratio, focused width, flow rate rattio, microfluidics, oil-water experiments, viscosity ratio
Abstract: This article presents a comprehensive theoretical model and limited experimental results for describing two-dimensional hydrodynamic focusing in micro-channels involving immiscible fluids. It is shown that the normalized focused sample width depends on three non-dimensional parameters-the flow rate ratio, viscosity ratio and aspect ratio. A theory encompassing the effects of all these parameters is developed. Whereas the effects of flow rate ratio and viscosity ratio on the focused sample width are monotonic in nature, those of aspect ratio can be non-monotonic. We report existence of a viscosity ratio beyond which the normalized width decreases with an increase in the aspect ratio, and for viscosity ratio less than a critical value the normalized width increases with increase in the aspect ratio. This parameter range where the minimum sample width is obtained is further analysed. The effect of aspect ratio and flow rate ratio have been validated experimentally using oil and water based systems. A physical explanation of the variation of sample width with aspect ratio along with microchannel-design guidelines are also provided in this study .We demonstrate that the derived results are more general than the available theoretical models. This comprehensive theory can eventually be employed for predicting hydrodynamically focused width in microdevices and for employing optimal aspect ratio microchannels, without incurring the cost of experiments and human effort.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Crosland-Taylor, P.J., A device for counting small particles suspended in fluid through a tube. Nature, 1953, 17, 37-38. Huh, D., Gu, W., Kamotani, Y., Grotberg, J.B. and Takayama, S., Microfluidics for flow cytometric analysis of cells and particles. Physiol. Meas., 2005, 26, R73-R-98
Literature cited 2: Lee, G.B., Lin, C.H. and Chang, S.C., Micromachine-based multi-channel flow cytometers for cell/particle counting and sorting. J. Micromech. Microeng., 2005, 15, 447-454. de Mello, A.J. and Edel, J.B., Hydrodynamic focusing in microstructures, improved detection efficiencies in subfemtoliter probe volumes. J. Appl. Phys., 2007, 101, 084903.

ID: 59694
Title: Preservation and protection of traditional knowledge-diverse documentation initiatives across the globe.
Author: R. Lakshmi Poorna, M. Mymoon and A. Hariharan.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (8) 1240-1246 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Documenting TK, IP protection, Preserving traditional knowledge, Protecting traditional knowledge, traditional knowledge.
Abstract: Traditional knowledge (TK) is the knowledge that an indigenous community accumulates over generations of living. A part of this knowledge is recorded in local languages and a major portion is still not recorded and remains confined to local communities. In the light of the prevalent loss and threatened future of TK, it is important to preserve it in a contemporary format that would be familiar to the future generation. Preservation also empowers the community/country to protect its knowledge from misuse and utilize it for better development. This study highlights some major documentation initiatives across the globe at the community and country levels that aim at preserving and safeguarding TK.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Correa, C.M., A discussion paper on traditional knowledge and intellectual property: issues and options surrounding the protection of traditional knowledge. QUNO, Geneva, 2001. World Health Organisation (WHO), The WHO Congress on Traditional Medicine, http:// www.who.int/medicines/areas/traditional/congress/congress_background_info/en/index.html.
Literature cited 2: Commission on Intellectual Property Rights (CIPR), Report on Integrating Intellectual Property Rights and Development Policy, London, 2002. Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations (UN), Report on the Status of the World ' s Indigenous People, New York, 2009.

ID: 59693
Title: Earliest record of slime moulds (Myxomycetes) from the Deccan Intertrappean beds (Maastrichtian), Padwar, India.
Author: Ratan Kar, R.S. Singh
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (8) 1237-1239 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Slime moulds (Myxomycetes), Deccan Intertrappean beds (Maastrichtian), Padwar, India.
Abstract: Myxomycetaceous fossil spores are reported from the Deccan Intertrappeans beds near the village Padwar in Jabalpur District, Madhya Pradesh, India. These remains are found in association with index spore-pollen taxa of Maastrichtian age (~70 to 65 million years) and are the oldest records of fossil Myxomycetes.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Lister, G., J. Bot., 1925, 62, 16-20. Evensen, A.E., Mycologia, 1962, 53, 135-144.
Literature cited 2: Brooks, T.E., Keller, H.W. and Chasian, M., Mycologia, 1977, 69, 179-184. Blackwell, M., Gilbertson, R.L., Mycotaxon, 1980, 11, 239-249

ID: 59692
Title: Forests of western Himalaya.
Author: Rajesh Thadani, Vishal Singh, Ghazala Shahabuddin
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (8) 1225-1226 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Western Himalaya.
Abstract: The forests of the Western Himalaya are important both for their biodiversity and the ecosystem services they provide to the north Indian plains. Despite their apparent similarity to temperate forests in terms of tree species (often oak and pine-dominated systems) and cool average temperatures, these forests have distinct ecological traits. High nutrient turnover rates and productivity, and a phenology adapted to the summer drought, make these forests more similar to tropical forests in several respects. These are also forests that provide an excellent opportunity to understand the impacts of large scale, low intensity disturbance caused by human activities such as lopping or branch pruning and removal of leaf litter.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None

ID: 59691
Title: New host races of Aphis gossypii (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aphididae) from northeast India.
Author: Basant K. Agarwala and Parichita Ray Choudhuri.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (7) 1172-1177 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Aphid, Aphis gossypii, host plant interaction, host races.
Abstract: Insect hervivores show dynamic interaction with their food plants in space and time. Intra-species variations in response to new environments, both biotic and abiotic, though well-known in allopatric and sympatric populations, were very little documented on closely related hosts. Two new host races of Aphis gossypii, a polyphagous aphid species of agriculture and horticulture importance, are reported from Tripura, north-east India. Natural populations of this aphid from two congeneric hosts, wild taro (Colocasia esculenta esculenta) and cultivated taro (Colocasia esculenta antiquorum), showed significant differences in life history traits. Aphids from wild taro clones were bigger in size, showed higher mean relative growth rate and intrinsic rate of increase, and produced more offspring per generation than those from cultivated taro clones which were smaller in size and took longer development and generation time. Reciprocal transfer of aphids between the two host plant subspecies significantly dwindled their colonization success rate in successive three generations on the transferred hosts. Results suggest that asexual lineages of aphids show adaptation to human-imposed selection pressure in the host environment.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Grubber, K. and Dixon, A.F.G., The effect of nutrient stress on development and reproduction in an aphid. Entomol. Exp. Appl., 1988, 47, 23-30. Bhadra, P. and Agarwala, B.K., A comparison of fitness characters of two host plant based congeneric species of the banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa and P. caladii. J. Ins. Sci., 2010, 10, 152; insectscience.org/ 10.140.
Literature cited 2: Bregovoy, V.H., Starks, K.J. and Janardan, K.G., Fecundity characteristics of the greenbug biotypes C and E cultured on different host plants. Environ. Entomol., 1988, 17, 59-62. Guldemond, J.A., Tiggers, W.T. and Vrijer, P.W.F., Host races of A. gossypii Glover on cucumber and chrysanthemum. Environ. Entomol., 1994, 23, 1235-2340.

ID: 59690
Title: Distribution of major and trace elements of a sediment core from the eastern Arabian Sea and its environmental significance.
Author: K.V. Sruthi, P.J. Kurian and P.R. Rajani.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (7) 1161-1167 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Fluvial input, Holocene, major and trace element chemistry, upwelling.
Abstract: A sediment core recovered from the southeastern Arabian Sea off the Indian subcontinent was analysed to understand the distribution of major (Fe, K, Mg, Al, Ca and Sr) and trace elements (Mn, Ni, Cu and Co) as well as their environmental significance. According to the results, variation of Fe, K, Mg and Al during early Holocene period is reflective of the strengthened southwest monsoon and resulting fluvial input of terrigenous materials to the study region. The concentration profile of Ca, Sr and total organic carbon during late Holocene reveals increased productivity and coastal upwelling during recent periods. The profile of redox -sensitive metals indicates the role of terrigenous sources in the variation of these elements apart from the scavenging -releasing effects of Fe-Mn-oxides/hydroxides as well as decrease in oxygen level in sediment -water interface from early Holocene to late Holocene period. The study suggests that two factors are predominantly responsible for observed geochemical variations -terrigenous and biological contribution.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Schnetger, B., Brumsack, H.J., Schale, H., Henrichs, J. and Dittert, L., Geochemical characteristics of deep-sea sediments from the Arabian Sea: a high resolution study. Deep-Sea Res. Part II, 2000, 47, 2735-2768. Boyle, E.A., Manganese carbonate overgrowths on foraminifera tests. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 1983, 47, 1815-1819.
Literature cited 2: Lao, Y., Anderson, R.F. and Broecker, W.S., Boundary scavenging and deep- sea sediment dating: constraints from excess 230Th and 231Pa. Paleoceanography, 1992, 7, 783-798. Kyte, F.T., Leinen, M., Health, G.R. and Zhou, L., Cenozoic sedimentation history of the central North Pacific: inferences from the elemental geochemistry of core LL44-GPC3. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 1993, 57, 1719-1740.

ID: 59689
Title: None
Author: U. Raval and K. Veeraswamy.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (7) 1154-1161 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Cratons, hydrocarbon deposits, mid-continental earthquakes, mantle plume and trace, mobile belts.
Abstract: In the context of the Indian lithosphere, it is observed that locations of midplate earthquakes and hydrocarbon energy resources have striking correlation with the zones of influence (or corridors) of mantle plumes and their traces. The two mantle plumes (Kerguelen and Reunion) of the Ceno-Mesozoic period have given rise to the large igneous provinces, viz. the Rajmahal Traps on the eastern and Deccan traps on the western sides of the Indian sub-continent; two more mantle plumes (Marion and Crozet) are also believed to have affected India ' s continental margin. These plumes rise from different mantle depths, strike the base of the lithosphere and transfer the thermo-magmatic flux upwards, which in turn cause tectonic deformation/ movement, and also affect changes in the geophysical /geological characteristics of the overlying lithosphere due to magmatic underplating, metasomatism and metamorphism, and thermal cooking and also enhancement of productivity of the basins due to heat and nutrient inputs from the mantle plumes coming up from the mantle. In this context, location of the stable continental region/mid-continental earthquakes and hydrocarbon/energy resources of India falling over the zone of influence of mantle plumes is significant and can be gainfully utilized in zeroing on their occurrence.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Gupta, H.K., The deadly Latur earthquake. Science, 1993, 262, 1666-1667. Bastia, R. and Radhakrishna, M., Basin Evolution and Petroleum Prospectivity of the Continental Margins of India, Elsevier Publishers, 2012, p. 417.
Literature cited 2: Directorate General of Hydrocarbons. Activity report for the year 2011-12 on ' Hydocarbon exploration and production in India ' , 2012, p. 152. Raval, U. and Veeraswamy, K., The radial and linear modes of interaction between mantle plume and continental lithosphere: a case study from western India. J. Geol. Soc. India, 2000, 56, 525-536.

ID: 59688
Title: Greenhouse gas emission and soil properties as influenced by wheat biomass burning in Vertisols of central India.
Author: Sangeeta Lenka, N.K Lenka, R.C. Singh, A. Subba Rao, S. Kundu, Jyothi Raghuwansi.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (7) 1150-1154 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Biomass burning, greenhouse gas emission, soil properties, wheat.
Abstract: Biomass burning is a major contributor to the atmospheric carbon budget and increases the concentration of many trace gases apart from the adverse effects on soil properties. However, in many parts of India, crop residue burning is a recurrent and widespread practice for disposal of the residues after harvest of the previous crop to facilitate sowing of the succeeding crop. The residue burning on a larger scale also leads to severe atmospheric pollution. Against this back-drop, the present work was conducted to study the effect of wheat (Triticum aestivium) residue burning on soil properties and assess the potential greenhouse gas emission from burning of such residues on a regional scale. The study was taken up on farmers ' field in Bhopal district, Madhya Pradesh, with two residue disposal methods, viz. residue burning and residue removal, for comparison with respect to their effect on soil properties and the greenhouse gas emission potential. No significant difference was observed between both methods in terms of soil organic carbon, inorganic carbon and available P content at 0-15 and 15-30 cm soil depths. Though residue burning showed favourable effect on available K content, there was reduction in the available N content in the 15-30 cm soil depth. Residue burning did not show significant effect on soil biological activity as estimated from fluorescence diacetate test. On the other hand, there was a significant adverse effect on soil structure and labile carbon content. Residue burning was estimated to result in the emission of 379 Gg C equivalent for India and 14 Gg C equivalent for MP.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Lenka, S., Lenka, N.K. and Subba Rao, A., Greenhouse effect and contribution of Indian agriculture. In Climate Change and Natural Resource Management (eds Lenka, S. et al), New India Publishing Agency, New Delhi, 2013, pp. 1-18. Andreae, M. O. and Merlet, P., Emission of trace gases and aerosols from biomass burning. Global Biogeochem. Cycles, 2001, 15, 955-966.
Literature cited 2: Guyon, P. et al., Airborne measurements of trace gas and aerosol particle emissions from biomass burning in Amazonia. Atmos. Chem. Phys., 2005, 5, 2989-3002. Noble, A.D., Moody, P. and Berthelsen, S., Influence of changed management of sugarcane on some soil chemical properties in the humid wet tropics of north Queensland. Aust. J. Soil Res., 2003, 41, 1133-1144.

ID: 59687
Title: Evaluation of heterogeneous aquifers in hard rocks from resistivity sounding data in parts of Kalmeshwar taluk of Nagpur district, India.
Author: Dewashish Kumar, S.N. Rai, S. Thiagarajan and Y. Ratna Kumari.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (7) 1137-1145 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Anisotropy, hard rock aquifers, fracture, porosity, vertical electrical sounding.
Abstract: Interpretation of vertical electrical sounding (VES) data coupled with the estimation of coefficient of anisotropy (?) in parts of Kalmeshwar taluk, Nagpur district, Maharashtra, India has yielded vital information on the characteristics of subsurface basaltic aquifers. The coefficient of anisotropy estimated at 22 sites from VES data has shown variation between 1 and 1.87, which in turn reveals the anisotropic character of the basaltic aquifers. The estimated fracture porosity from the interpreted parameters and specific conductance of groundwater within the region varies from 0.007% to ~2%, indicating different degrees of water saturation within the basaltic flows. The interpreted true resistivity ~10-35?.m corroborates well with the zones of high porosity and ? further substantiates the presence of exploitable groundwater resources within the region.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Slater, L.D. Wishart, D.N. and Gates, E.A., Self potential improves characterization by hydraulically active fracture from azimuthal geoelectrical measurements. Geophys. Res. Lett., 2006, 33, L17314. Skyernaa, L and Jorgensen, N.O., Detection of local fracture systems of azimuthal resistivity surveys: example from south Norway. In Memoirs of the 24th Congress of International Association of Hydrogeologists, 1993, pp. 662-671.
Literature cited 2: Keller, G.V. and Fischknechst, F.C., Electrical Methods in Geophysical Prospecting, Pergamon Press, London, 1966, p. 517. Bhattacharya, P.K. and Patra, H.P., Direct Current Geoelectric Sounding, Principles and Interpretation, Methods in Geochemistry and Geophysics, Series-9, Elsevier, The Netherlands, 1968, p. 135.

ID: 59686
Title: A sustainable solution for safe drinking water through bank filtration technology in Uttarakhand, India.
Author: Bhavtosh Sharma, D.P. Uniyal, Rajendra Dobhal, P.C. Kimothi and T. Grischek.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2014
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 107 (7) 1118-1124 (2014)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Bank filtration, drinking water, rural community, sustainable solution, Uttarakhand.
Abstract: Bank filtration (BF) has emerged as an economical and sustainable water pre-treatment technology for drinking water supply. In this method, subsurface water of a water body moves in to the well by seepage. BF wells adjacent to a river or lake pump the stored groundwater abstracted from the surface through aquifers. Chemical and biological contaminants such as turbidity, microbes, dissolved chemicals and natural organics are removed by the channel of aquifers present in the area. The whole process follows a series of physical, chemical and biological processes with some redox reactions. This study highlights the role of BF method in regulating water quality and quantity improvement. Besides, attempts have been made to discuss the mechanism, significance and the development of BF technology in the hilly state of Uttarakhand. Water quality status of Srinagar and Satpuli river BF sites of Uttarakhand are also described and compared with the Bureau of Indian Standards guidelines.
Location: TE 12 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: Doussan, C., Ledoux, E. and Detay, M., River-groundwater exchanges, bank filtration, and groundwater quality: ammonium behavior. J. Environ. Qual., 1998, 27, 1418-1427. Hiscock, K. M. and Grischek, T., Attenuation of groundwater pollution by bank filtration. J. Hydrol., 2002, 266, 139-144.
Literature cited 2: Kuen, W. and Mueller, U., Riverbank filtration: an overview. J. Am. Water Works Assoc., 2002, 92, 60-69. Tufenkji, N., Ryan, J.N. and Elimelech, M., The promise of bank filtration. Environ.Sci. Technol., 2002, 36, 422A-428A.