Dead Bryde's whale washed ashore at Veraval, Gujarat

Bryde’s Whale (Balaenoptera edeni Anderson, 1879) measuring 10.4 m in length and weighing about 7 tons was found washed ashore on the beach of Veraval on 4th august 2017. Locally called as “Machchh” it was found in dead condition with small injuries in the caudal peduncle and genital region. With the intervention and supervision of forest officials, it was towed ashore and a veterinary officer conducted post-mortem after which it was buried on the shore. Occurrenc

Controls on the distribution and fractionation of yttrium and rare earth elements in core sediments from the Mandovi estuary, western India

Mineralogy, major elements (Fe, Mn and Al), rare earths and yttrium (REY) of bulk sediments were analyzed in four gravity cores recovered along the main channel of the Mandovi estuary, western India, to determine the sources and controls on REY distribution. The accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) ages of total organic carbon indicated modern age for the sediments of the upper estuary and, maximum mean ages of 1588 years AD and 539 years AD for the bottom sediments of the cores in the lower estuary and bay, respectively. The sediments of the upper/middle estuary showed abundant hematite, magnetite and goethite and high Fe, Mn, total-REE (ΣREE) and Y, while those in the lower estuary/bay showed abundant silicate minerals and relatively low Fe, Mn, ΣREE and Y. ΣREE showed significant correlation with clay and silt fractions and Y, Al and organic carbon (OC) content of the sediments. The light to heavy REE ratios (LREE/HREE) of sediments were lower than in Post-Archean Australian Shale (PAAS). The PAAS-normalized rare earths and yttrium (REY; Y inserted between Dy and Ho) patterns of sediments showed middle REE (MREE)- and HREE-enrichment with positive Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu⁎) and variable Ce anomaly (Ce/Ce⁎). The REY of sediments is primarily controlled by its texture and REE of source sediment, which is ore material-dominated in the upper/middle estuary and silicate material-dominated in the lower estuary/bay. Low LREE/HREE ratios suggest that very fine-grained sediments were carried away from the estuary because of high-energy conditions. Fractionations of REY (Y/Ho, Sm/Nd, Ce/Ce⁎ and Eu/Eu⁎) are controlled by different mechanisms. High Y/Ho ratios in clayey silts are due to redistribution of Y and Ho by adsorption onto organic-rich, clays. Variations in Sm/Nd ratios are similar to that of Eu/Eu⁎ in cores from the lower estuary/bay and are controlled by mineral constituents of the sediments. Positive Ce and Eu anomalies are inherited from ore material, and ore material and source rocks, respectively. Negative Ce anomaly is related to source rock material and influenced by lanthanum enrichment at certain sediment intervals

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Distribution, provenance and early diagenesis of major and trace metals in sediment cores from the Mandovi estuary, western India

Major elements and trace metals were analyzed in four sediment cores recovered along a transect in the Mandovi estuary for their distribution, provenance and early diagenesis. The sediments were clayey silts in cores from the upper/lower estuary and sand-dominated in cores from the middle estuary/bay. Organic carbon (OC) content varied from 0.5 to 4%, with higher values in fine-grained sediments. The mean Fe and Mn contents of sediments from the upper/middle estuary were 3–5 times and 8–13 times, respectively higher than the reference sediment (RS) from the same estuary. The mean Fe and Mn contents of sediments from the lower estuary/bay were close to the RS. Strong inter-metal correlation among Ti, V, Cr and Zr in all the cores indicated their contribution from a common source, probably the laterites from hinterland. Trace metals were more enriched in fine-grained sediments than in sand-dominated sediments. Early diagenetic control on the redistribution of metal is evident in core sediments from the middle estuary to Bay. The distribution of Mo, U and Pb followed that of Fe and Mn in the upper estuary and OC in the lower estuary/bay. Our results indicated strong anthropogenic contribution of metals from ore deposits in the upper/middle estuary. The Mn and Cr contents of sediment in the upper/middle estuary and Fe in the middle estuary were highly enriched suggestive of ‘significant pollution signal’. More trace metals from the middle estuary were moderately enriched. Speciation studies showed Mn and Pb occurred abundantly in non-residual phases. High Mn content and its high percentage in exchangeable and reductive phases indicate that it was susceptible to be mobilized. However, Fe, Cu and Ni occurred abundantly in residual phases and less percentage of them were expected to be bio-available

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Optical simulation and fabrication of HfMoN/HfON/Al2O3 spectrally selective coating

Detailed ellipsometric studies were carried out to measure the refractive indices (n) and extinction coefficients (k) of the HfMoN(H)/HfMoN(L)/HfON/Al2O3 tandem absorber in the wavelength range of 300–1000nm. The experimentally measured ellipsometric parameters have been fitted with simulated spectra using the Tauc–Lorentz model for generating dispersion of optical constants of the individual layers. Using these n and k values a three layer HfMoN/HfON/Al2O3 spectrally solar selective coating was designed and simulated using Essential Macleod software. The optical constants and thicknesses obtained from the simulation were used to develop the three layer tandem absorber with high absorptance and low emittance. The three layer tandem absorber has been deposited on stainless steel (SS) substrates using a magnetron sputtering system. The spectrophotometric data showed that the three layer tandem absorber exhibits high absorptance of 0.95 with low emittance of 0.14 on SS substrate and these values are similar to that of four layer HfMoN(H)/HfMoN(L)/HfON/Al2O3 tandem absorber

Type B ankle fractures: a retrospective study of longer-term outcomes

Abstract Objectives Ankle fractures are common and can be treated with or without surgery. The aim of the present study was to compare patient reported outcomes between patients who sustained an Orthopaedic Trauma Association type 44-B1 ankle fracture who had either surgical or non-surgical fixation. Results Forty-six people were recruited; 38 were treated non-surgically and 8 were treated surgically. Mean follow-up time was 24 and 25 months for surgical and non-surgical groups respectively. Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. On unadjusted analysis, there was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to any outcome. After adjusting for age and gender, the surgical group had a significantly lower outcome score with respect to the FAOQ. Surgical management was associated with a significantly lower patient-reported ankle function compared to non-surgical management for the treatment of patients with type 44-B1 ankle fracture after adjusting for age and gender. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to the general health outcomes or adverse events. Higher-level evidence is required to inform optimal practice for this common fracture

Volatile‐Rich Hydrothermal Plumes Over the Southern Central Indian Ridge, 24°49’S: Evidence for a New Hydrothermal Field Hosted by Ultramafic Rocks

Abstract Water column physico‐chemical studies were conducted over the southern Central Indian Ridge between 24°44’S and 25°52’S to identify and chemically characterize seafloor hydrothermal activity. High turbidity values were observed between 2300 and 2700 m with two distinct layers, between water depths of 2320–2500 m and 2510–2650 m, at two closely spaced CTD stations at 24°48.62’S (CTD‐17‐P5) and 24°48.68’S (CTD‐17‐P8). Elevated concentrations of dissolved Mn (DMn: 19–112 nM), dissolved Fe (DFe: 33–88 nM), methane (CH4: 32–246 nM), elevated δ3He values (28%–88%), and stable carbon isotope ratios of CH4 confirm the hydrothermal origin. In plume layer‐1, the maximum concentrations were observed at 2375m at P8 and in plume layer‐2, the maximum concentrations were observed at 2570 m at P5. The stable isotope ratios of methane (δ13C‐CH4) show that heavier isotopes are enriched (−13.2‰ to −14.7‰) in the plume waters and are similar to vent fluids on the global mid‐oceanic ridges. Further, morphological and mineralogical studies of plume particles, collected from the plume layer‐2 maxima, clearly show the presence of barite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and indicate possible venting of high‐temperature fluids in the vicinity of P5. Enrichment in methane relative to the other tracers and the general geochemical characteristics of these two plume layers, CH4/Mn (1.8–2.2); CH4/Δ3He (85–97 × 106), Mn/Δ3He (44–46 × 106), Fe/Δ3He (52–54 × 106), indicate that these plumes are formed from fluids released at the seafloor that circulated through ultramafic/gabbroic rocks. The high concentrations of dissolved gases and metals combined with the presence of sulfide particles in the water column provide evidence for a new ultramafic/gabbroic‐hosted hydrothermal vent field, at 24°49’S on the southern Central Indian Ridge

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Not AvailableThis publication is based on an assessment of fish and fishing gear loss from selected gillnet and trammel net fisheries of India. It presents information on the types, causes and levels of losses, as well as technological, social, environmental and policy options to reduce losses from fishing and post-harvest operations. A secondary data review provided a preliminary understanding of fish and gear losses in India. Data from state governments, fishers cooperative societies, and community centres was used to address some knowledge gaps. Research teams undertook primary data collection in 12 locations, and 583 fishing vessels were surveyed. Respondents in group and key informant interviews included vessel captains, crew, fish vendors and auction agents. Women respondents were interviewed where available. The study found that gillnet fisheries were characterized by sizeable losses of both fish and gear, with a number of causes being highlighted. The combined loss of fish and nets amounted to almost one third of a motorized vessel owner’s income, and was significantly higher than the household’s expenditure on fishing, household maintenance, quality-of-life costs (healthcare, etc.), loan servicing, or leisure activities. Conclusions seek to locate the fish and gear losses in the wider fisheries and macroeconomic context, and emphasize the need to address them as part of broader and holistic development and management agendas. This publication will be of interest to technical specialists and extension agents concerned with loss and waste prevention and reduction, and to those wishing to learn more about the topic and conduct similar research.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThis publication is based on an assessment of fish and fishing gear loss from selected gillnet and trammel net fisheries of India. It presents information on the types, causes and levels of losses, as well as technological, social, environmental and policy options to reduce losses from fishing and post-harvest operations. A secondary data review provided a preliminary understanding of fish and gear losses in India. Data from state governments, fishers cooperative societies, and community centres was used to address some knowledge gaps. Research teams undertook primary data collection in 12 locations, and 583 fishing vessels were surveyed. Respondents in group and key informant interviews included vessel captains, crew, fish vendors and auction agents. Women respondents were interviewed where available. The study found that gillnet fisheries were characterized by sizeable losses of both fish and gear, with a number of causes being highlighted. The combined loss of fish and nets amounted to almost one third of a motorized vessel owner’s income, and was significantly higher than the household’s expenditure on fishing, household maintenance, quality-of-life costs (healthcare, etc.), loan servicing, or leisure activities. Conclusions seek to locate the fish and gear losses in the wider fisheries and macroeconomic context, and emphasize the need to address them as part of broader and holistic development and management agendas. This publication will be of interest to technical specialists and extension agents concerned with loss and waste prevention and reduction, and to those wishing to learn more about the topic and conduct similar research.Not Availabl