Assessment of Groundwater Potential Zone in Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal – A Meso-scale study using GIS and Remote Sensing Approach

The investigation of groundwater in hard rock terrains is a complex task. To overcome this complexity, the integrated approach based on advanced applications of remote sensing and GIS lends itself to evaluate groundwater prospective zone based on multi-criteria evaluation approach (e.g. seasonal land use/land cover and vegetation, hydro-geology, geomorphology, soil, drainage density, monsoon and post monsoon water level and elevation). A probability weightage index overlay method was adopted that allows a linear combination of probability weights of each thematic map with the individual impact value using Bayesian statistics. These capability values are then multiplied with the respective probability weight of each thematic map. The result shows groundwater potentiality of Paschim Medinipur is stretched along the eastern part and in small pockets in northern and southern part. The hydrologic parameters-based groundwater potential zone map also indicated, 8.08% of the study area was classified as having very high potential, 11.99% high potential and 17.72% moderate potential. The groundwater abstractions structures feasible in each of the various potential zones have also been suggested. This study also provides a methodological approach for an evaluation of the water resources in hard rock terrain and enables an opening of the scope for further development and management practices. Keywords: Remote Sensing, GIS, probability weightage index , Groundwater potentialit

Study of house-level risk factors associated in the transmission of Indian Kala-azar

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In visceral leishmaniasis (VL), phlebotomine vectors are the main target to reduce for control measures. An attempt has been taken to delineate the association between <it>Phlebotomous argentipes </it>and housing characteristics between two districts e.g. endemic and non-endemic.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 240 households for both the endemic (Vaishali district) and non-endemic (Lohardaga district) site. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors related to housing characteristics influencing suitable habitats for <it>P. argentipes</it>. Vector density estimated using a CDC light trap.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The proportion of <it>P. argentipes </it>in both endemic and non-endemic areas was significantly much higher (P < 0.001) when compared with the proportion of <it>Sergentomiya </it>and <it>P. papatasi</it>. The results of multilevel logistic regression analysis showed that mud plastered wall (<it>P value = 0.001)</it>, mixed dwelling (<it>P value = 0.002</it>) and area (<it>P value = 0.001</it>) were strongly associated with the presence of vectors.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Result of the studied household characteristics provides an accurate, rapid assessment of house-level variation in risk. The results also have implications for maximizing surveillance efficacy of sandflies, which is likely to become increasingly important while formulating any control strategy.</p

Spatial variability of groundwater quality of Sabour block, Bhagalpur district (Bihar, India)

This paper examines the quality of groundwater of Sabour block, Bhagalpur district of Bihar state, which lies on the southern region of Indo-Gangetic plains in India. Fifty-nine samples from different sources of water in the block have been collected to determine its suitability for drinking and irrigational purposes. From the samples electrical conductivity (EC), pH and concentrations of Calcium (Ca2+), Magnesium (Mg2+), Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), carbonate ion (CO 2−3), Bicarbonate ion (HCO -3), Chloride ion (Cl−), and Fluoride (F−) were determined. Surface maps of all the groundwater quality parameters have been prepared using radial basis function (RBF) method. RBF model was used to interpolate data points in a group of multi-dimensional space. Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) is employed to scrutinize the best fit of the model to compare the obtained value. The mean value of pH, EC, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3 −, Cl−, and F− are found to be 7.26, 0.69, 38.98, 34.20, 16.92, 1.19, 0.02, and 0.28, respectively. Distribution of calcium concentration is increasing to the eastern part and K+ concentrations raise to the downstream area in the southwestern part. Low pH concentrations (less than 6.71) occur in eastern part of the block. Spatial variations of hardness in Sabour block portraying maximum concentration in the western part and maximum SAR (more than 4.23) were recorded in the southern part. These results are not exceeding for drinking and irrigation uses recommended by World Health Organization. Therefore, the majority of groundwater samples are found to be safe for drinking and irrigation management practices

A comparative evaluation of endemic and non-endemic region of visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) in India with ground survey and space technology

In visceral leishmaniasis, phlebotomine vectors are targets for control measures. Understanding the ecosystem of the vectors is a prerequisite for creating these control measures. This study endeavours to delineate the suitable locations of Phlebotomus argentipes with relation to environmental characteristics between endemic and non-endemic districts in India. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 25 villages in each district. Environmental data were obtained through remote sensing images and vector density was measured using a CDC light trap. Simple linear regression analysis was used to measure the association between climatic parameters and vector density. Using factor analysis, the relationship between land cover classes and P. argentipes density among the villages in both districts was investigated. The results of the regression analysis indicated that indoor temperature and relative humidity are the best predictors for P. argentipes distribution. Factor analysis confirmed breeding preferences for P. argentipes by landscape element. Minimum Normalised Difference Vegetation Index, marshy land and orchard/settlement produced high loading in an endemic region, whereas water bodies and dense forest were preferred in non-endemic sites. Soil properties between the two districts were studied and indicated that soil pH and moisture content is higher in endemic sites compared to non-endemic sites. The present study should be utilised to make critical decisions for vector surveillance and controlling Kala-azar disease vectors

Automatic shoreline detection and its forecast: a case study on Dr. Abdul Kalam Island in the section of Bay of Bengal

For 43 years, multi-dated satellite imagery is used to examine shifts in shorelines and potential location on shorelines for Dr. Abdul Kalam Island, in the Bay of Bengal, India. A Normalized Difference Water Index with object-based classification system and automatic shoreline extraction tool is used to retrieve the shoreline automatically. To calculate the rates of shoreline change and future positions, based on empirical observations, the simple statistical model, such as EPR and LR models are used. The erosion/accretion scenario is also analyzed for the 1976, 1989, 1997, 2008 and 2018 shoreline of Landsat imaging.Results showsnorth of Dr. Abdul Kalam Island is subjected to high deposition rates and the south part having high erosion rates in the vicinity of the Dhamara Estuary and Maipura River. The short-term (2023) and long-term (2028) shoreline positions are predicted on the basis of the delineated shoreline. Around 63% of transect’s RMSE values varies between ±10 m, showing better agreement among the estimated shoreline positions and satellite-based ones. The results of the study can be very useful for the quantification of shoreline changes, shoreline forecasting and precautionary measures for anti-satellite missile launching centre

Effect of Vegetation Cover on Sediment Yield: An Empirical Study through Plots Experiment

Rill and gully erosion is a critical environmental problem in India, where vegetal cover plays vital role in the runoff and soil loss reduction and stabilization of disturbed systems. Here, the impact of vegetal cover on runoff and soil erosion in lateritic environment was assessed through experimental observation on five plots (&lt;5 m2 area), containing varied vegetal cover at successive time period. Runoff and rate of soil loss were measured in each plot under seven natural rain storm conditions and compared them. The observed data showed bare plots experienced larger sediment yield than they are with vegetal cover. The simulation results corroborated significant relationship between the soil detachment and explanatory variables, e.g. runoff volume and vegetal cover (R2= 0.95; P&lt;0.001). A very significant relationship was found between vegetal cover and sediment concentration (Adjusted R2= 0.91, P&lt;0.001). This plot-scale study has the advantage of allowing for detailed process monitoring at micro scale, providing a basic description of the most relevant aspect of vegetal cover on sediment yield. Keywords: Rill-gully erosion; lateritic environment; sediment yield; vegetation cove