High-heat-producing granites of East Dharwar Craton around Gugi, Karnataka, and their possible influence on the evolution of Rajapur thermal springs, Deccan Volcanic Province, India

Background: The thermal springs of Rajapur situated along the west coast of Maharashtra and parts of high-heat-generating granites of Gugi in Karnataka (India) seem to be genetically related. The present investigation involves quantification of the heat generated by the Gugi Granites using the the U, Th and K contents in the rock samples and probing their possible influence on the evolution of the Rajapur springs, based on the geochemistry of the thermal waters, published Bouguer gravity anomaly data, and the overall geological setup. Methods: Fourteen water samples from Rajapur including thermal and groundwater samples were analysed for major ions and five rock samples from the gugi area were analysed for U, Th and K. Results: Rajapur thermal spring is of Na-HCO3 type, while other thermal springs along the west coast are either Na-Cl type or Na-Cl-CO3 type. The stable isotope data of the thermal waters signifies mixing with the ground water. The gravity anomaly data supports the extension of the Gugi Granites below the Deccan Volcanics of the study area. Conclusions: The present investigation suggests that the Gugi Granites could be the main source of heat for these thermal springs, even though the springs issue through the Deccan volcanic flows

Major and trace element concentrations in the geothermal springs along the west coast of Maharashtra, India

The west coast geothermal province in Maharashtra hosts a number of thermal springs along the 350 km linear stretch. Major and trace element analyses of thermal springs from 15 locations along with groundwater and surface water samples have been studied. The thermal waters had temperatures ranging from 40 to 71 °C, pH from 7.1 to 8.8 and total dissolved solids between 337 and 8698 mg/l. Most of the thermal waters are Na-Ca-Cl or Ca-Na-Cl type except one which is of Na-HCO3 type. The major ion data is comparable over three decades suggesting a mature geothermal system in the west coast. Trace elements concentrations were low in case of some elements such as<0.1 ppb of Ag and Cd, 1–3 ppb of Cr, Zn, Co, Cu, Pb and Ni, whereas elements like Li (19–386 ppb), B (104–1362 ppb), Sr (16–13,560 ppb), Rb (13–220 ppb), Cs (0.75–44 ppb) and Ba (3–2077 ppb) were much higher in concentration. The variations in the trace element concentration in the thermal waters indicate involvement of different rock types although all the thermal emergences are within the Deccan volcanic flows

Heavy metal signatures in urban and peri-urban agricultural soils across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, India

Millennium Development Goals recognized the contribution of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) towards food security, income generation, and livelihood strategies. Given the scarcity of relevant data, the present study was conducted to assess heavy metal load of UPA soils (at 0.00–0.20, 0.20–0.60 and 0.60–1.00 m depth) in Mumbai Metropolitan Region, India by comparing the signatures from soil profiles of three railway gardens (RG1–3) and three farms (F1–3) over 2 years. Potential human health risks of consuming produce from these soils were assessed using the contamination factor, degree of contamination, pollution load index (PLI), enrichment factor, geoaccumulation index (Igeo), and total metal and element content in comparison with different safety standards. Semi-sequential extractions were performed to determine the concentration of available elements and heavy metals for plants. The total concentration of heavy metals (Cr, Ni, and Sr) exceeded the critical thresholds in all surface soils, while the contribution of water-soluble and exchangeable fractions of Cu, Fe, Co, and Cr was negligible across the selected gardens. At the same soil depth, the PLI was highest for RG3 (3.6) at 0.00–0.20 m depth and lowest in RG2 (1.2). The Igeo value for individual elements ranged from 0.08 to 0.12 (Ni), 0.06 to 0.12 (Cr), 0.07 to 0.10 (Zn), 0.10 to 0.18 (Cu), and 0.24 to 0.34 (Co), whereas the value for Mn was 0.01 similar in all gardens. The soil pollution assessments by these indices revealed moderate to considerable (chromium and strontium) heavy metal contamination and accumulation, however, the origin of these metals remain unclear. © 2018, Springer Nature B.V

Study the Effect of Yogic Exercise on Depressive Symptoms among Adults

Background: Yoga is a 5000-year-old Indian philosophy that combines exercise, breathing, diet, relaxation and meditation. It is a combination of physical and mental disciplines which make the body stronger and healthier and the mind calmer and more controlled, helping towards self-realisation. Depression is the most common disorder occurring in modern age. Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person’s thoughts, behaviour, feelings and sense of well-being. Yoga is an ideal antidote for such types of problems. Yoga has often been perceived as a method of stress management tool that can assist in alleviating depression disorder. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study was carried out among 560 patients (i.e. 280 depressive symptoms patients as cases and same 280 as control group) Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 42 (DASS-42) is used for screening of stress, anxiety and depression. Total 280 number normal healthy individuals were served as control group. Pre-designed, pre-tested questionnaires along with DASS 42 scale for measurement of stress anxiety depression is used. Results: In the present study, both control and test group were more or less similar in the age group of 31-40 and 41-50 years and male were preponderance over female with male to female ratio 1.1:1 in control group and 1.64:1 in test group. Main complaints were work activity and depressed mood which was observed in 99.2% and 98.9% cases respectively, followed by insomnia, anxiety and feeling of guilt. The pre- and post-test comparisons revealed statistically significant reduction in depression and improved quality of life in test group as compared with the control group. Conclusion: Pre-test and post-test comparisons revealed statistically significant reduction in depression and improved quality of life in test group (pre-test and post-test) as compared with the control group

Geochemical investigations on thermal and cold springs at Dumka District, Jharkhand, India

There are various thermal and cold springs located in Dumka district of Jharkhand, India. These springs are issuing through the Chotanagpur Gneissic Complex (CGC) and Rajmahal trap. Surface temperatures of the thermal springs range between 42° to 70°C and are near neutral to moderately alkaline(pH = 6.9 - 9.5) in nature. Position of thermal water in Piper diagram suggests that the thermal springs are Na-Cl type and the chemistry of thermal springs is compatible with the host rock of the area. Cold springs of the area are near neutral (pH = 7.4-7.5) in nature and fall in Ca-HCO3 field in Piper diagram, indicating that the circulation of the cold springs is through sedimentary formation. Estimated reservoir temperature based on chemical geothermometers ranges between 92° to 138°C; indicating that these thermal springs are suited for low enthalpy geothermal system

Physicochemical evolution of the thermal springs over the Siwana Ring Complex, western Rajasthan

The chemical composition of thermal springs from Siwana Ring Complex (SRC) of Barmer district, Rajasthan, India has been investigated for the first time. These springs are near neutral to mildly alkaline (pH = 6.8 to 7.8) in nature with surface temperatures varying between 31 to 39 °C. Piper diagram suggests that these thermal springs are dominated by Ca-HCO 3 type. Experimental results of water-rock interaction at 100 °C indicate that the thermal springs are circulating through tuff and a sedimentary formation extensively controlled by ring dykes of granites, felsic volcanics and mafic dyke and the fault systems associated with the host rock. Groundwater and thermal springs show similar characteristics. Estimated reservoir temperature suggests that Siwana area geothermal system is a low enthalpy system. Heat flow values of the area range from 83 to 205 mWm −2 , promise a viable potential for Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS)

The Chogat-Chamardi subvolcanic complex, Saurashtra, northwestern Deccan Traps: Geology, petrochemistry, and petrogenetic evolution

The Saurashtra region in the northwestern part of the Deccan continental flood basalt province (India) is notable for its many volcano-plutonic complexes, compositional diversity, and the abundance of rhyolite and granophyre. In this first detailed study of the Chogat-Chamardi subvolcanic complex in eastern Sau- rashtra, we report microgranite and granophyre plutons, gabbro plutons cut by basaltic andesite dykes, as well as rhyolite plugs. Bulk-rock geochemical (including Nd–Sr isotopic) data suggest a strong contribu- tion from ancient, Rb-rich basement crust to the silicic magmas. The mafic rocks are also crustally con- taminated but less than the silicic rocks, in conformity with observations elsewhere (e.g., the Skye and Skaergaard granophyres). The Chogat-Chamardi silicic rocks have initial 87Sr/86Sr (for t = 65 Ma) as high as 0.72914, and initial eNd values as low as -13.9. Trends defined by the Chogat-Chamardi and other Dec- can rhyolitic suites on plots of Sr concentration vs. Sr isotopic ratio are modeled with concurrent assim- ilation and fractional crystallization (AFC) processes involving a basaltic magma and granitic basement rocks. Considering both Nd and Sr isotopic variations, the Chogat-Chamardi silicic rocks notably require crustal end members very different from those inferred in most previous isotopic studies of Deccan rock

Geology, petrochemistry, and genesis of the bimodal lavas of Osham Hill, Saurashtra, northwestern Deccan Traps

The Saurashtra region in the northwestern Deccan continental flood basalt province (India) is notable for compositionally diverse volcano-plutonic complexes and abundant rhyolites and granophyres. A lava flow sequence of rhyolite–pitchstone–basaltic andesite is exposed in Osham Hill in western Saurashtra. The Osham silicic lavas are Ba-poor and with intermediate Zr contents compared to other Deccan rhyo- lites. The Osham silicic lavas are enriched in the light rare earth elements, and have eNd (t = 65 Ma) values between -3.1 and -6.5 and initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.70709–0.70927. The Osham basaltic andesites have initial eNd values between +2.2 and -1.3, and initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.70729–0.70887. Large- ion-lithophile element concentrations and Sr isotopic ratios may have been affected somewhat by weath- ering; notably, the Sr isotopic ratios of the silicic and mafic rocks overlap. However, the Nd isotopic data indicate that the silicic lavas are significantly more contaminated by continental lithosphere than the mafic lavas. We suggest that the Osham basaltic andesites were derived by olivine gabbro fractionation from low-Ti picritic rocks of the type found throughout Saurashtra. The isotopic compositions, and the similar Al2O3 contents of the Osham silicic and mafic lavas, rule out an origin of the silicic lavas by frac- tional crystallization of mafic liquids, with or without crustal assimilation. As previously proposed for some Icelandic rhyolites, and supported here by MELTS modelling, the Osham silicic lavas may have been derived by partial melting of hot mafic intrusions emplaced at various crustal depths, due to heating by repetitively injected basalts. The absence of mixing or mingling between the rhyolitic and basaltic andes- ite lavas of Osham Hill suggests that they reached the surface via separate pathways