Long range prediction of Indian summer monsoon rainfall
A A Munot and K Krishna Kumar
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune 411 008, India.

Abstract: The search for new parameters for predicting the all India summer monsoon rainfall (AISMR) has been an important aspect of long range prediction of AISMR. In recent years NCEP/NCAR reanalysis has improved the geographical coverage and availability of the data and this can be easily updated. In this study using NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data on temperature, zonal and meridional wind at different pressure levels, few predictors are identified and a prediction scheme is developed for predicting AISMR. The regression coeffcients are computed by stepwise multiple regression procedure. The final equation explained 87% of the variance with multiple correlation coeffcient (MCC), 0.934. The estimated rainfall in the El-Nino year of 1997 was -1.7% as against actual of 4.4%. The estimated rainfall deficiency in both the recent deficient years of 2002 and 2004 were -19.5% and -8.5% as against observed -20.4% and -11.5% respectively.


Domainal fabric development, associated microstructures and P--T records attesting to polymetamorphism in a granulite complex of the Eastern Ghats granulite belt, India
Rajib Kar
Department of Geology, J. K. College, Purulia 723 101, West Bengal, India.
e-mail: rajib−kar@hotmail.com

Abstract:The granulite complex around Jenapore, Orissa, Eastern Ghats granulite belt, bears the imprint of two episodes of strong deformation (D1 and D2) attended with foliation (fabric) development (S1 and S2). Two distinct metamorphic events at P-T conditions of ~900 degree C at ~9 kbar and ~600 degree C at ~6 kbar are correlated with D1 and D2 respectively. The reaction textures in S1-microdomains are interpreted to be the product of near isobaric cooling at ~9 kbar from 950 degree C to 600 degree C, whereas those in the S2-microdomains are considered to be the result of an up-pressure trajectory from ~6 kbar at 600 degree C. The D1-M1 high P-T granulite event is interpreted to be Archean in age (ca. 3Ga) on the basis of the isotopic data obtained from the charnockite suite of the area. The later relatively low P-T granulite facies event, attendant to D2-S2 is considered to be related to the Grenvillian orogeny as represented by the dominant isotopic record in the belt.


Platinum group elements and gold in ferromanganese crusts from Afanasiy-Nikitin seamount, equatorial Indian Ocean: Sources and fractionation
V K Banakar1,*, J R Hein , R P Rajani1 and A R Chodankar1
1National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004, India.
2U.S. Geological Survey, MS999, Menlo Park, California, USA.
*e-mail: banakar@nio.org

Abstract:The major element relationships in ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) crusts from Afanasiy-Nikitin seamount (ANS), eastern equatorial Indian Ocean, appear to be atypical. High positive correlations (r = 0.99) between Mn/Co and Fe/Co ratios, and lack of correlation of those ratios with Co, Ce, and Ce/Co, indicate that the ANS Fe-Mn crusts are distinct from Pacific seamount Fe-Mn crusts, and reflect region-specific chemical characteristics. The platinum group elements (PGE: Ir, Ru, Rh, Pt, and Pd) and Au in ANS Fe-Mn crusts are derived from seawater and are mainly of terrestrial origin, with a minor cosmogenic component. The Ru/Rh (0.5-2) and Pt/Ru ratios (7-28) are closely comparable to ratios in continental basalts, whereas Pd/Ir ratios exhibit values (< 2) similar to CI-chondrite (~1). The chondrite-normalized PGE patterns are similar to those of igneous rocks, except that Pd is relatively depleted. The water depth of Fe-Mn crust formation appears to have a first-order control on both major element and PGE enrichments. These relationships are defined statistically by significant (r > 0.75) correlations between water depth and Mn/Co, Fe/Co, Ce/Co, Co, and the PGEs. Fractionation of the PGE-Au from seawater during colloidal precipitation of the major-oxide phases is indicated by well-defined linear positive correlations (r > 0.8) of Co and Ce with Ir, Ru, Rh, and Pt; Au/Co with Mn/Co; and by weak or no correlations of Pd with water depth, Co-normalized major-element ratios, and with the other PGE (r < 0.5). The strong enrichment of Pt (up to 1 ppm) relative to the other PGE and its positive correlations with Ce and Co demonstrate a common link for the high concentrations of all three elements, which  likely involves an oxidation reaction on the Mn-oxide and Fe-oxyhydroxide surfaces. The documented fractionation of PGE-Au and their positive association with redox sensitive Co and Ce may have applications in reconstructing past-ocean redox conditions and water masses.


The effects of attenuation and site on the spectra of microearthquakes in the Jubilee Hills region
of Hyderabad, India
Saurabh Baruah1,*, Devajit Hazarika1, Naba K Gogoi2 and P Solomon Raju2
1Geoscience Division, Regional Research Laboratory (CSIR), Jorhat 785 006, India.
2National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR), Hyderabad 500 007, India.
*e-mail: saurabhb-23@yahoo.com

Abstract:Microearthquake spectra from Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad are analyzed to observe the effect of attenuation and site on these spectra. The ratios of spectral amplitudes at lower and higher frequency are measured for three different stations at varying epicentral distances to estimate Q value for both P- and S-wave in near and sub-surface layer. Average estimates of Qp and Qs are 235 and 278 respectively. Value of Qs/Qp larger than 1.0 suggests dry crust for most of the Jubilee Hills region. The near-surface low Qp and Qs for 0 km to 0.9 km depth coincide with the soil layer, top and semi-weathered and highly fractured zone. In contrast, at a shallower depth beneath the Jubilee Hills area, Hyderabad, we obtain high Qp and Qs zone, which corresponds to the dense and high velocity rocks of the region. The varying corner frequencies for these spectra are inferred to be characteristics of site. Comparisons of disparity in spectral content with reference to hard rock site conclude that lithology of the northwest part of Jubilee Hills area amplify about twice the incoming seismic signal, as compared to the southern part best outlined at 8 to 10Hz only.


The light transmission and seiche depth of Izmir Bay, western Turkey
Erdem Sayin1, Sezgi Adalioglu2 and Canan Eronat3
Dokuz Eylul University, Institute of Marine Sciences & Technology, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey.
1e-mail: erdem.sayin@deu.edu.tr
2e-mail: sezgi.aoglu@deu.edu.tr
3e-mail: canan.ozturk@deu.edu.tr

Abstract:Izmir Bay is one of the most polluted estuaries in the whole Mediterranean Sea. The inner part of the Bay (Inner Bay) is heavily affected by domestic and industrial discharge. As a result of these loads, strong eutrophication occurs in the Inner Bay, which is temporally anaerobic. The ecologically sensitive approach of the local authorities during the last decade has given rise to a wide variety of monitoring and research studies on this bay. On the other hand, the municipality of Izmir started to operate wastewater treatment facilities since January 2000. The Institute of Marine Sciences and Technology - Izmir (IMST) with its research vessel R/V K Piri Reis has been conducting an intensive monitoring program since 1988 and especially during the recent few years. These investigations provide an opportunity for the evaluation of the performance of the wastewater treatment plant in terms of the change in the optical properties of Izmir Bay water in a positive manner. The turbidity values measured in these monitoring studies indicate that the values have changed drastically after January 2000. Their spatial variation indicates that the values decrease from the Inner Bay towards the Aegean Sea. The turbidity (light transmission) values are measured with an automatic CTD (conductivity, temperature and depth) system during each cruise. The seiche disc depth measurement is carried out only occasionally. The accuracy of the seiche disc depth is dependent on certain daylight conditions and depends on the operator. The seiche disc depth (Ds) is an important parameter to estimate primary production of organic matter (hereafter called production). A relation between light transmission (turbidity) value and seiche disc depth (Ds) is found with very good agreement. The correlations are very high (approximately 0.94) with slight seasonal variation.


Spatial analyses of groundwater levels using universal kriging
Kemal Sulhi Gundogdu1,* and Ibrahim Guney2
1Department of Agricultural Structures and Irrigation, Faculty of Agriculture, Uludag University,
Bursa 16059, Turkey.
2Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Uludag University, Bursa 16059, Turkey.
*e-mail: kemalg@uludag.edu.tr

Abstract:For water levels, generally a non-stationary variable, the technique of universal kriging is applied in preference to ordinary kriging as the interpolation method. Each set of data in every sector can fit different empirical semivariogram models since they have different spatial structures. These models can be classified as circular, spherical, tetraspherical, pentaspherical, exponential, gaussian, rational quadratic, hole effect, K-bessel, J-bessel and stable. This study aims to determine which of these empirical semivariogram models will be best matched with the experimental models obtained from groundwater-table values collected from Mustafakemalpasa left bank irrigation scheme in 2002. The model having the least error was selected by comparing the observed water-table values with the values predicted by empirical semivariogram models. It was determined that the rational quadratic empirical semivariogram model is the best fitted model for the studied irrigation area.


Facies characteristics of the basal part of the Talchir Formation, Talchir Basin, India - depositional history revisited
Prabir Dasgupta* and Rishiraj Sahoo
Department of Geology, Presidency College, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata 700 073, India.
*e-mail: pdggeopc@cal3.vsnl.net.in

Abstract:The lowest unit of the Talchir Formation of Talchir Basin, Orissa, was described by pioneer workers as the 'basal oulder bed'. In an attempt to explain the co-existence of gravel and clay, materials of contrasting hydraulic properties, a probable situation resembling the effects of the action of ground-ice enabled boulders to be carried down by sluggish currents resulting in an intermixture of large boulders and fine mud was conceived. Misinterpretation of this conclusion led to a general tendency to describe the 'basal boulder bed' as 'glacial tillite'. However, the unit described as 'basal boulder bed is actually represented by a matrix rich conglomerate with pockets of normally graded silty clay. The present study reveals that the depositional imprints preserved in this part of the sedimentary succession indicate emplacement of successive debris flows generated through remobilization of pre-existing unconsolidated sediments. Small pockets of fine-grained turbidites presumably deposited from the entrained turbidity currents associated with the debris flows suggest the composite character of the debris flow deposit.